MS British Library Add MSS 54920: 3-4

Sir,

I am obliged for your letter of the 9th. The MS of the Clever Woman of the Family is not sufficiently forward for the calculations for printing to be made yet. I have however a tale called ‘the Trial‘ which has been coming out in the Monthly Packet, where it will be completed in the early spring when I should wish to bring it out, but it ought to be uniform with the ‘Daisy Chain‘ as it is in some degree a continuation. If you think it worth while to make any calculations regarding it so long beforehand, I will send you as much as is printed, which is by far the greater part.

I should prefer the arrangement you propose of receiving a fixed sum for each edition. With regard to my other works I have long thought it would be well to bring out a cheap edition, but Messrs Parker were averse to so doing, and I think it may be a difficulty that all the books are in stereotype, so that there can hardly be a change of size in a new edition.

I find that Mr Parker has made over his interest in my works to Messrs Longman, to whom I wrote to enquire various particulars as to terms and as to the price they would set upon the half profits of the Heir of Redclyffe and Heartsease. In answer they say that they will take ‘the earliest opportunity of replying to my question.’ When I have received this reply, I shall hope to communicate with you again

Your obt servt

C.M. Yonge