Bibliographic Notes on One Hundred Books Famous in English LiteratureKent, Henry Watson
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Bibliographic Notes on One Hundred Books Famous in English Literature
Kent, Henry Watson
Best books; English literature -- First editions -- Bibliography; English literature -- History and criticism
"When I offered my Pericles to MM. Saunders & Otley I did not
suppose there was more than enough for one volume, the size of
the Examination of Shakspeare. They told you it would form two
volumes of that size. Knowing that I had material for thirty
pages more, I said that if they would make the first vol: 300
pp. I would take care that the second should not fall short
of it more than a dozen pages. Now I have sent them not thirty
but a hundred--and they tell me to-day that there is not
remaining, for the second volume, more than 175 pp. I have,
you perceive, already sent above one third more than what I
calculated the whole at, when you had the kindness to make the
agreement for me.
"In reply to their letter I have said that, if they will give
me fifty pounds more, I will send one hundred more pages, 50
within three weeks, 50 more in the three following; and if
this does not appear equitable to them I leave it entirely to
you. I shall then have given them 200 pp. for fifty pounds,
when I offered them only 285 for a hundred. It will be my
business to take care that the remainder shall fall as
little short as possible of the preceding. I have furthermore
stipulated for twenty copies. Many of these will take nothing
from the profits, as more than a dozen will be given to people
who certainly would not have bought them, and who are not
likely to lend them.
"A friend has offered me some pheasants, which I have desired
to be sent to you. I hope they will please the young lion with
their plumage. The first of Feb. I set out for Clifton: an old
favorite of mine for winter and spring. I have requested MM
Saunders to favour me with two (I should be glad of three)
copies of the first volume as my friend Ablett's birthday is
on the 31 of this month, and mine on the 30, and I have three
friends to whom it would delight me to give them before I
leave Wales. With best compliments to Mrs. James, believe me
ever,
"Yrs very sincerely
"W. S. LANDOR
"LLAMBEDR, Jan. 18 [1836]
"I have seen the last sheet of Vol. I, but not the short
Preface sent from London.
"How can you complain of your English. There is hardly a fault
to be found in the 3 volumes. I have read them a second time.
"G. P. R. James, Esq.
"1 Lloyds Buildings
"Blackheath
"London"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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