While the present form of Copyright remains in force, it would be vain to expect that the existing hindrances will be overcome. Publishers, therefore, may well co-operate. But I appeal with equal directness to philanthropists, especially all those who have the power of representing to their fellows what a folly and mistake it is to write books with a view to the moral, social, and religious welfare of men, and yet to rest satisfied with a system of law and trade that find the recompenses of authorship and of publishing ventures in a limited sale of dear books instead of an extensive sale of cheap ones—of a few good books at a large profit instead of many good books at a small! I could adduce from my own transactions conclusive proofs of the bad working and obstructive operation of monopoly in Copyright. Ireland, in particular, may well exclaim against it; for before the Union the publishers of Dublin used to drive a useful business in reprinting British works which they have, under the present system, been deprived of, to their own loss and the incalculable disadvantage of their countrymen. The Chinese, it is said, do not recognise Copyright. What the effect is on their literature I know not. But their post-office and custom-house officers should, at any rate, rejoice that, unlike the establishments in enlightened Britain, they are not employed in the interests of private individuals as detectives of contraband literature. I submit with some confidence a scheme I have sketched. It is one which I hope will at least prepare the way for this important national and international question receiving the earnest attention it merits. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF COPYRIGHT FOR BOOKS, BY MR. MACFIE. (From the _Leith Herald_ of — Jan.) 1. The period of exclusive privileges to continue as at present, unless any publisher demand that it shall be shortened, which he may do any time after the end of the first year, provided he intimates to the author or assignee of the author, or their agent, at the Stationers’ Hall, or other place duly appointed, that he intends to publish an edition at a lower price within a year, and also lodges there a specimen copy and a statement of the intended price. 2. On such new edition the intended publisher shall be liable to pay in advance [five] per cent. on the retail price of the book. 3. And there shall be impressed on the first sheet of each copy a distinctive stamp approved by the Stationers’ Hall, without which it shall be a penal offence to print or vend any copy.