American Mnemotechny, or Art of Memory, Theoretical and Practical: On the Basis of the Most Recent Discoveries and Improvements in Europe and America, Comprising the Principles of the Art as Applied to Ancient History, Sacred and Profane, Modern European,

Excerpt from American Mnemotechny, or Art of Memory, Theoretical and Practical: On the Basis of the Most Recent Discoveries and Improvements in Europe and America, Comprising the Principles of the Art as Applied to Ancient History, Sacred and Profane, Modern European, Asiatic and American History, Remarkable Battles

IN issuing a publication, a writer must consult the wants of the book-buying public, as much as the state of the Art on which he writes. N 0 author has a right to publish a book that he in his enthusiasm may think is in advance of the age, and then complain if he is not patronized. If a writer chooses to publish on any subject, he does so at his own risk, and by the decision of the public he must abide. I never had much respect for those beseeching, craving-your-attention sort of scribblers, who state very blandly in their Prefaces, that they have spent so much time, and so much money, in writing a book, an for the entertainment of the dear public, and consequently they consider that public under obliga tions to patronize them. Book-making is a kind of mer cantile transaction. If a work has merit, the public will most undoubtedly find it out, and buy it, because they be lieve it to be worth the' money it costs. If a publication fail of success, then it is, to a great extent, destitute of merit, or the author has not consulted the wants of the pub lic. In either case he has no right to complain of neglect. This appears to be an author's position before the public.

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