Dear Sir I have been so much interested by the book you have kindly sent me, in common with rest of the Author’s Society and, having had a little correspondence with you many years ago, when you were editing the English Plutarch, I venture to write, thinking you may care to hear some experiences of a long life of writing, not from necessity but because I had something to say.

The passion for telling a story developed ... continue reading

My dear C C I am sure unless we could get an amount of subscribers enough to start a new Church Packet with security, it would be vain. Could we find out? Otherwise Sir W Besant is right, and we must acquiesce. I would make Duck’s Eggs a fresh start for it is needed, but I think it is not hopeful, sorry as I am, especially that Church should be a ... continue reading

Sir, I am moved to say something from my own personal knowledge in defence of rustic reading

I do not care whether this is inserted as a letter, but I should like the substance to appear, as I know it to be fact, and I think it is true of many other Hampshire villages

Yours truly C M Yonge

Dear Mrs Ritchie How kind in you to write me such a pleasant letter. I like to know that the companions of my life have been beloved by other people. I had actually begun for my own pleasure another link in the Daisy Chain for the Monthly Packet but it was decided that it would weary the public.

I am much enjoying your recollections. I hope you have a great many more still to come.

I was sorry ... continue reading

Dear Sir The kindness of your letter to me emboldens me to send you some observations on the present state of criticism with my name. I have done a good deal of criticism and was for many years an editor besides what I have endured as an author and I can certainly declare that former criticism was really useful to me while what I see now can do good to no one except as an advertisement. ... continue reading

Dear Madam, At a Meeting of the Committee of Management of the Society of Authors held at the Offices of the Society on Wednesday the 29th. day of April, the following Resolution proposed by Sir Walter Besant, seconded by Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins and put by the Chairman was carried unanimously:—

‘That ladies be declared eligible for election to the Council of the Society.’

I have the honour to inform you that in pursuance of this Resolution, but ... continue reading

Dear Sir

I am obliged by your letter, but the terms are much below what I am generally in the habit of receiving e.g. I have two pence royalty on that little Primer of French history which sells for a shilling

Neither should I wish much to under take Sir Philip Sidney, feeling the subject rather hackneyed

I remain Yours truly C M Yonge

Sir

I should be very glad of the establishment of the copy right system with America but I should like to have more information before joining the Company of Authors.

Yours truly C M Yonge

Sir

My only paper in Atalanta is on the Life of Mr Keble. Those on Novel writing are by Mr Walter Besant

Yours truly C M Yonge

My dear Miss Yonge

Will you kindly read the enclosed and if you approve of the petition will you kindly sign it and send it back to me here?

very truly yours Walter Besant