Dear Mr Craik

I have been asked so urgently that I hardly know how to refuse, by a person who knows a good deal of the popular mind at Liverpool (being on the Committee of those Recreation classes, and doing much besides) to write a popular account of the fifty years of the reign, to be dispersed in preparation for the Jubilee Year. She says it ought to cost only sixpence, to be like a ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

Thank you for your kind letter, I do see great advantages in the plan - but I confess I think it not possible to have such a book well and originally illustrated at such a price in any other way.

The doubt in my mind is whether the book would not - (to fulfil its purpose) have to be too common place in its facts to be on a level with the [[other:68]E. ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

You will think there is no end to me, but it may save more letters if you get this before seeing Mr Carr.

1st - Could some copies be put in boards for prizes for the Board Schools at Liverpool. I suppose they could tell how many, and others might like them

2d - . If I could have a list of convenient illustrations I could make them salient points

3d - As to length, ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

The printer can judge better than I but I do not think there is enough of the Quest of Ulysses to make more than such a volume as the Little Duke, so I think it had better belong to that Series.

Thank you for Lord Albemarles’ memoirs. I was waiting to do so till I saw what Mudie sent me, and his box is either delayed or lost, as I have just discovered.

I will ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

Mudie’s books have come at last, after spending ten days on the road. Greville is there. And the Queen’s Journals.

Shall I return you the latter from the London Library.

I ought to have the Proofs of the Quest of Ulysses. I know I put Lord Balmerino into the wrong rebellion which is as bad as putting Dunfermline on the wrong side of Scotland as I did in Unknown to History.

So much for not verifying!

There ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

Thank you for the Wilberforce extract.

It occurs to me that if the Jubilee history were put out without illustrations, and with more of the religious element than would be fit for the English Illustrated Mag. but would be liked by my own special world of readers, the publication if cheap, might answer /moderately. But you will judge when you have looked at the chapters I sent. They go about half way.

You would rejoice ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

I think I had better glance over the Shells.

I have begun upon the flowers but I find there must be a great revolution there, as it is no use in these days to teach the old Linnean system. I can manage by transposition, but it will take some time to set it in order, and I think it had better come in time for the spring, as it starts with the flowers of ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

I have just heard to my consternation that there is a book called A Quest of Ulysses, a novel published a year or two ago.

Is it too late to change the name to A Modern Telemachus?

I have I hope got upon the scent of the original French narrative, so I must keep the preface waiting till I find whether I can get it.

The National Society think the [[cmybook:189]book about the ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

I must go on with the Queen’s life now, for there is a letter from Sir Henry Ponsonby this morning, recommending me to dedicate it to the Queen’s daughters, which is a sort of acceptance. So I will gladly accept your kind offer of taking it and giving me half profits.

I never had much hope of the work and only was driven into it. I finished it yesterday, and send it off today ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik

I do not think I ever got the Dedication back from Balmoral I know I have seen it in type, and that it needed no correction and so - on receiving your telegram, I wrote to Clarke.

I did not think there was any occasion for a preface and I do not think the Queen’s name should be introduced without special permission which it would take long to get, and most likely might not ... continue reading