Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/349

 NOTES BY THE WAY.

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��The Macmillan firm is also the subject of a short notice. When Daniel, who with his brother Alexander founded the firm, died in 1857, Judge Thomas Hughes was asked to write a memoir of him, and in it a history of the firm appeared. Their first popular success was Kingsley's ' Westward Ho ' in 1855, followed by ' Tom Brown's School Days ' in 1857. The " Globe " Shakespeare appeared in 1866, when 80,000 copies were sold almost immediately. In 1875 Green's ' Short History ' was issued.

In 1898 the well-known house of Richard Bentley & Son was taken over by Messrs. Macmillan. As yet, no account of that interesting firm has been written, although I have often urged my friend Mr. Richard Bentley, to give to the public some of the many literary treasures he possesses in his house at Upton. His father, George Bentley, will be remembered as one of the kindliest and most courteous of men, a perfect gentleman in manners as well as in heart. He did not enter the Burlington Street firm till 1870, and became head of it on the death of his father in the following year. In 1884 he took his son into partnership, and on him, owing to the delicate state of his father's health, devolved the active management. George Bentley died on the 28th of May, 1895, and although thirteen years have passed, his memory is still as sweet as the June roses he loved so well, and he will be gratefully remembered for his noble, unselfish character and blameless life. He was a frequent contributor to " that invaluable little paper 1 N. & Q.' '

A sketch of the Blackwoods is also given in The Bookseller, a full history having been already published ; and an account of George Bell & Sons, founded in 1838. George Bell was the first publisher of ' N. & Q.,' and his son Mr. Edward Bell regards as a choice treasure a set handsomely bound. Mr. Daldy joined the firm in 1864, and the well-known " Libraries " of Mr. Bohn were purchased for 35.000Z. In 1867 the firm removed to Bohn's old premises in York Street, Co vent Garden. In July, 1873, Mr. Daldy retired. George Bell died in December, 1890, and his two sons are now the principals. In 1904 the business was removed to its new premises, York House.

Messrs. Chatto & Windus gave 20,OOOZ. for the remaining portion of Bohn's stock. The founder of the firm was John Camden Hotten, who acquired his knowledge of the book-trade from Petheram of Holborn, a man of remarkably quiet and gentle manners, full of the courtesy of the old school ; he never adopted the frock coat, but wore a dress (or body) coat. Hotten was a wonderful contrast to him, full of push and go. No doubt his visit to America, where he remained for several years, was re- sponsible for this. As The Bookseller states :

" He possessed remarkable skill in feeling the pulse of the book- market ; every public event or topic of public interest found him pre-

��The Macmillans.

��Richard Bentley.

��His son George.

��The Blackwoods.

Bell & Sons.

��Chatto & Windus.

John Camden Hotten.

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