Publisher's Synopsis
Book Excerpt: thecheapening of books began. In 1852 Charles Dickens presided at a meetingof authors and others against the coercive regulations of theBooksellers' Association which maintained their excessive profits.Herbert Spencer and Miss Evans (George Eliot) took a prominent part inthis meeting and drafted the resolutions which were passed. The ultimateeffect of this meeting was that the question between the authors and thebooksellers was referred to Lord Campbell as arbitrator. He gave adecision against the booksellers; and there were consequently abolishedsuch of the trade regulations as had interdicted the sale of books atlower rates of profit than those authorised by the Booksellers'Association.Practically all my school days were spent at Derby. As I have said, ourswas a large family. I have referred to an only sister, but I had step-sisters and step-brothers too. My father married twice and the secondfamily was numerous. His salary was never more than 300 pounds a year, and though a prudentRead Mor
