BOOK AGENTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1681, 3 January 1888, Page 2

BOOK AGENTS.

TO THE .EDITOR. . Sir,—ln your issue of the 24th mst. I observed a letter on this subject from the Rev. John, Dickson, date! from the Manse, Temuka,, and with your permission I wish to make a few remarks thereon. Mr Dickson is comparatively a new arrival here, and ’ seems desirous of obtaining notoriety by trying to do harm to persons who are bravely and honestly taking their part in the great battle of life. Mr Dickson seems to have a very exaggerated idea of his own acumen and power of literary criticism, judging by the way in which he refers to his reverend brethren in the Empire City, when he speaks of a number of printed reviews of Platform' Echo.es, by the ministerial lights of Wellington, having been piit into 3 ; His hand. Mr Dickson proceeds to. show his great superiority over his .Wellington brethren by criticising the wort adversely to them. With regard to the other works mentioned in: his letter I can safely say that Mr Dickson’s statements are simply exaggerations ; that these works are not without literary merit is proved by their i being so well appreciated by the public and so many sold; “ that they are not sold at fabulous prices ” I know, for. they are, sold at as low prices as what, they, can be obtained for elsewhere. Some people are oftentimes so far carried away from the regular tra'n of thought in which they are engaged ,as to commit themselves in another train altogether too.

another train altogether too. worldly and abstruse to permit their minds being so concentrated to form;a reasonable and practical idea of any other occupation than that of their own. One would be almost led to think Mr Dickson were one,-of thisclass of people, since the opinion he has formed of book agents and their books appears to any rational and impartial thinking individual so absurdly one-sided. . If Mr Dickson were d Yankee I could understand the “ one boss ” style of his letter, but as it is I can only . attribute it to a want of knowledge of the subject which he has been so unfortunate in choosing to write upon. Mr Dickson’s letter makes special reference to book agents being which is another proof that he has not had many personal dealings with, them. ! I have been two years in the book trade, and during that period have employed a large number of men, and I can conscientiously add that I have never once heard of a case where my agents have misrepresented the work which they have been engaged to canvass for, and so far as, myself is concerned, I challenge Mr Dickson and the public to say anything, against my honesty. I am quite willing to admit that book agents (like other business men) are sometimes tempted to slightly deviates from the paths of truth, but if it is not a crime in others it cannot be: in book agents. : Even ihinisters have been known in,holy rapture, i A rousing whid at times to vend abdi nail-d.with scripture. . i' 1 '

However, I’ think it is to be regretted that a clergyman o£ such: .superior literary acumen and ability did not choose some other way of earning notoriety, at least, one more consistent with bis sacred calling, than that of trying to ham an honest and energetic class of men.—l am, etc.,,,-,,, WM. -MULBEf./ * Orari, Dec. 30th, 1887.