MS Mrs Clare Roels/82
My dear C C
Here is a behind the times letter that concerns you. I have heard from Mr Thring, who says I can remove my books with proper notice, but as I don’t know how long proper notice is, I have written to ask, also he thinks there may be trouble about those of which A D I gives Royalty and on the older ones there is no agreement.1 I asked if I ought to wait to write to Macmillan till there is some decision about A D I
I don’t think, on considering it, that FMP’s opinion goes for much, she has gone too much out of the range of English life. I doubt Skeffington since the father died, he has been very ritualistic and also silly and sensational and I should question if he had extensive connection enough. Darton, if he has a soul for it would be better, and I am sure it is safer to be a mere publisher of principle and good taste and not an aspirant author which was one mistake.
Yes from 18 to 30 is the age to write for, but with a certain view to what might be good or bad for the younger ones who would read also. FMP has been staying in Scotland and with Lady Macclesfield, also Miss Acland /Oxford\, so she has been seeing varieties. I shall have Annie Moberly for a week in September and she is of much use to talk to, though too busy to be any good when her term begins. I did not like to ask FMP point blank, but I doubt her having read the Long Vacation where I think Emilia, Gillian and Dolores are all essentially modern young ladies. 2
The glass is really going down but there is hardly a blade of grass left except under the trees and in the water meadows. Yarrow and plantain, also thistles do what they can
your affectionate
C M Yonge