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Show Bkeober LiTEKiTUKK. It is painful pain-ful to DOtice the dcgradratlon to which the Beechorian literature has fallen. A few years ago not only tin rmonsof Plymouth pulpit, but alio its prayers were in demand. A Beecher devotee named March took down the latttr aud five editions wore sold. Toe public wanted to know how such a man prayed and were willing wil-ling to pay lor information. ;Every book that bore B-ieoher's name at that time sold well. What a change is peen, however, when J. B. Ford & Co. now ofler the stereotype plates and copyright of Beecher's works to the trade! They bring just about the price of the metal. Tbero might be some excuse for this in the fact that the books had gone through a sale, but in the lot were the steruotype plates of four volumes oi sermons never published. This is a remarkable case, and indeed I have never before heard of a book getting forward thus far aud then going no further. Such, however, is the cane, and tbe new sermons only brought jt57.50 per volume, being not one quarter the coat of the stereotype plates. Beecher's best book is his "Lectures to Young Men." It has had an immense im-mense salt and deserves a continued circulation, being an excellent work for young people. In the sale referred to the copyright and stereotype plates ol this volume ou'y brought $59. The purchaser ought. to make a handsome profit out Ot the bargain, and yttt Beeeher has so thoroughly lost oaste that his name, which once guarantied Hi wide circulation, now kills every book that bears it. It is a sad thing when Buch a brilliant author outlives i his popularity. N. Y. Gorr. Utioa I Herald. |