My dear Mrs Blackburn, I condole with you on the loss of your chicken and hope the other will not follow it at the critical moment of putting out the wing feathers. I am afraid the Empress has no such good amusement, and probably the Imperial prince is much too grand a personage for her to be allowed to touch him. I never read anything more absurd than the account of his 144 garments of ... continue reading

My dear Miss Butler

I cannot tell you much about poor Mr Parker. I fancy he has not been in good health for some time he went abroad for the winter about 4 years ago, and was abroad again all August & September this year, only coming home just at the beginning of October, when I had one or two notes from him, but when my book came out, 5 weeks ago, his man [[person:178]Mr ... continue reading

Miss Yonge is much obliged to Mr Bourn for sending her several reviews and critical notices of Hopes & Fears.

She would be glad to know how the sale of the work has been proceeding.

Miss Yonge would be much obliged if Mr Bourn would inform her whether Mr Parker is pretty well, and also to express to him her sincere regrets and condolence

My dear Sir,

I did not mean to publish the two volumes of the History of Christian Names separately. The second is in a state of forwardness, but I thought I had explained when I saw you that I thought it would save time to have the 1st in the press while I am going over the 2nd again.

I imagine 2000 copies will be sufficient for a first edition.

My direction till the 20th will be the ... continue reading

My dear Miss Smith,

I think this story is one of the most complete you have yet done. Mr Franklyn’s self debates are excellent, and dear little Mary beautiful, the wicked part very touching By the by you should do something with the /Michaels mother. She must be mentioned somehow- on his return, or else have died. I think if she had, she would be a great riddance out of Victoria’s way, and besides ... continue reading

My dear Miss Smith

Here is a note for Mr Bourne that I hope may do good service. I am not inclined to augur ill from the selling off of Aggesden, for of course tales do cease to sell after a time, and Parker certainly has published three or four one volume ones since his son’s death, such as Baby Bianca, Martha Brown, or the Queen’s Maries.

I am glad you will kill Mrs Forrest, only recollect ... continue reading

My dear Miss Smith

I am sorry my counsels only led to disappointment but I daresay it is wise in poor old Mr Parker to undertake as little as possible. I should think you were in good hands with Bell & Daldy. I know Mrs Gatty thinks them very liberal. In one case I knew where a lady wanted to publish a story rather longer than yours, they offered to take it if she would guarantee ... continue reading

Dear Mr Furnivall

Thanks for the list of needs of the letter B. I had been making the like, but found the wants so constantly supplied from the overflowings of your pigeon holes that I grew lazy and desisted.

The printer at Winchester charges 7/6 per 1000 for the titles he prints for us on show paper, and we have had 4000 - which have chiefly been used by my mother, as I have generally taken mine ... continue reading

Sir,

Mr Furnival has forwarded to me your proposal of dealing with me for my tale of the Clever Woman of the Family as a book - I should be obliged if you would let me know your terms for publishing on commission; and like wise if in case of such an arrangement being practicable, whether you would take charge of my works that have been hitherto in Mr Parker’s hands - All have been published ... continue reading

Madam, I shall have much pleasure in undertaking the publication of your new tale 'The Clever Woman of the Family' either on commission or otherwise. The terms for publishing on commission are I believe uniform among publishers. The whole of the publication expenses, such as printing, paper, binding, and advertsing are charged to the author; and a commission of 10 per cent on the sale is charged by the publisher when he renders his accounts. This ... continue reading

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' ... continue reading

Dear Mr Macmillan

Herewith I send enough of the Trial for the printer to proceed with at once. I have erased all the redundancies I could find, and I hope it may thus become less cumbrous - Unless there is some difficulty I suppose there is no need of sending me proofs. Mr Parker wrote to me himself to recommend Phelps who printed the History of Christian Names and as there were a good many letters ... continue reading