“That such a taste must rot of its own corruption is clear enough, but, meanwhile, literature is an unattractive career for those who would use it for a higher purpose.
“I hope you like my ‘Knight’--because, while I perceive many and grave faults in its construction and development, I still would fain hope that the writing (as writing) is pure, and the tone throughout such as a gentleman might write and a lady read. If you agree with me, I shall feel that my book requires no better eulogy.
“Miss Edgeworth and O’Sullivan give me warm encouragement and high commendation; but I take it much of both proceeds from kindness of feeling, which, perhaps, guesses with intuitive good-nature that such are as much ‘bids for the future’ as flatteries for the past.”
“....I know Cumming has burked my ‘Knight,’--not intentionally, but from the blundering of a lethargic bad habit of business, and the result has been most disheartening and unpleasant to me.
“I am suffering severely from gout in the head and palpitations of the heart, and not able to write: even correcting is too much for me.”
“C. & H. wrote me that they do not contemplate the purchase, but that if I could get £600 to £800 I should be well off,--though if these sums (either of them) were to include the disputed moiety on the sale of ‘Hinton’ ‘the settlement is not so grand.’ I think otherwise, and would be exceedingly glad to have so much out of the fire; besides, I really want the cash, as my present engagement terminates soon, and I have nothing in preparation to succeed it for the remainder of the year....
“What would you say--if in the event of their (Curry) refusing me fair terms--to make this proposal: ‘What will you give Mr Lever if he revises the works (and they need it) for republication--adding notes, &c.? and also giving you the copyright of “O’Leary,” to appear like the others?’
“This might lead to something, and the occupation of re-editing, writing mems., and prefaces, &c., would give me immediate work.”
“I have often had the unpleasant office of inflicting you with my troublesome affairs, but perhaps never before has it been my lot to have such a necessity under the same sad _circumstances_ I now do.
“I have just learned, as much to my amazement as my horror, that Hugh Baker has fled from his home and family owing to money embarrassments so great as to be overwhelming. What the amount may be I cannot even hazard a guess, but I suspect and believe it to be considerable.