MS British Library Add MSS 54921: 70-71
Dear Mr Macmillan
Thank you very much for sending me this very severe review in the Academy.1 I feel annihilated, and if my old name does carry off this edition, I will gladly rewrite what calls for it. I really did not know that German criticism had overthrown so much of the old Spanish standard histories to which I trusted, especially for a mere epitome of the old Gothic kingdom, and as I did not want to write a history of Spain, I only knew that Dozy had attacked the Cid, and I obtained that volume. I see I ought to have gone further into the matter and that I should have enquired further, but when I found Viardot agree with the elder histories I thought him a safe guide, more likely to lead me right than my own readings in Dozy would. I do not think I know German well enough to work from critical notes, and indeed I never heard of the German books about Spain Mrs Ward mentions2
I see there are some bits of slovenliness which after the usual unfortunate fashion only strike me too late – such as the mistake in Ingund’s story, in Ayala’s name and about Conde. I am very sorry for these, and feel myself to blame, and I will repair all I can if there is an opportunity. I meant to be sketchy but I ought to have exerted myself more to catch the present level of knowledge
If Mrs Ward was once Miss Mary Arnold, it is like the old champion getting a fall from the young one, for I think she once was one of my Gosling Society
I wish the book had been at my own expense
Yours sincerely
C M Yonge