This important and novel subject is likely soon to receive useful illustration from a Parliamentary return to be moved for by the Right Hon. T. H. Headlam. From another of that gentleman’s Returns a suggestive extract is also subjoined. It contains evidence that long ago impatience of existing restraints was in vigorous action in the British Colonies—evidence that payment of authors by royalties is a system that commands State concurrence—and evidence how over-ready the State is, or how circumstances are formed so as to compel it, to undertake work for authors and publishers by means of its Custom-house officers. On this last point I am happy also to produce an important paper kindly furnished by Michael Daly, Esq., of Her Majesty’s Customs. Mr. Daly’s note deserves to be pondered in prospect of the re-appearance next Session of the Board of Trade’s “Trade-Marks Registration Bill.”[11] The extracts which I have agglomerated show that the idea of employing officers of _Excise_ as well as those of Customs is seriously propounded, but this is by no means all the useful information they convey. [11] Would it not be well to confine registration to _names_ of firms or premises without recognising _marks_? COLONIAL DUTIES ON COPYRIGHT WORKS. _Return of all the Colonies and British Possessions in favour of which Orders in Council have been issued under the Act 10 and 11 Vict., c. 95, suspending the Prohibition of Importation of Reprints of British Copyright Works._ NEW BRUNSWICK.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent. on the _bonâ fide_ price of the publication, imposed on importation; such duty to be transmitted through Her Majesty’s Government for the benefit of the author. NOVA SCOTIA.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent. to be applied in like manner. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent., currency of the island, imposed on similar terms. BARBADOES.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent. to be remitted to the author. BERMUDA.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 15 per cent. on the value of such reprints, imposed on the like conditions, a deduction of 5 per cent. on the amount to be made, for the remuneration of the officers collecting the duty. BAHAMAS.—A duty of 20 per cent. on the value of the publisher’s wholesale price; nine-tenths of the amount collected to be paid to the proprietors of the Copyright on their application to the Governor. NEWFOUNDLAND.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent. to be paid over to the author. ST. CHRISTOPHER.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent. to be remitted in like manner. ANTIGUA.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 25 per cent. to be applied in like manner, 5 per cent. to be deducted for remuneration of the treasurer collecting the duty. ST. LUCIA.—An _ad valorem_ duty of 20 per cent. to be applied in like manner, without deduction.