Volume I Part 10 (2/2)
_To Mr Alexander Spencer._
”Brussels, _Sept_. 13,1839.
”Since my return I have been working very hard--not medically, for town is empty, but scribbling....
”I am in great hopes to have something like a half medical tome on the stocks for spring. I was talking about it to Bradie and Chambers in London, and they strongly advised it--for money's sake less than the popularity such things secure.”
_To Mr James M'Glashan_.
”_Sept_. 20,1839.
”I sent you a week since two chaps.--xliii. and xliv.--of 'Harry Lorrequer.' G.o.d grant they have reached you, for I never can rewrite, and if lost, they break the chains, if there be any, in the narrative.
I am told of a handsome notice of 'Harry' in the 'Naval and Military Gazette.' Look at it. How goes on the sale of No. 7? Tell me, and let me have a proof of No. 9 soon, and as much of No. 10 as you can get together. I see my way thus much more clearly. I wish you would suggest scenes to Browne; his choice latterly is not over happy. But above all, my wife and daughters are still poorly, and I am so unhinged and upset by these causes and not being well myself, that I am below the mark as regards writing. I trust, however, that this is not to continue, and look forward to being once more _en route_.”
_To Mr James M'Glashan_.
”_Oct. 7_ [?1839].
”Your letter came to hand exactly as I had despatched my own lament for the lost 'Lorrequer,' and had actually set about writing another conclusion for No. 9, which I have since, of course, burnt,--not but I have some misgivings that it was the best of the two. We must soon pull up, and marry our man. I'll do for you a review of the son's 'Life of Grattan,' but it must be a profound secret. I think Lorrequer's portrait, if done at all, had better be appended as a vignette to the book,--mounted on the cob, as I mentioned. How to manage it is, however, difficult. A German translation of 'Harry' is announced in the Leipzig catalogue. It must have been _rayther_ th.o.r.n.y work for the translator.
Meanwhile--proof! proof! and a long letter, I beseech of you. I am idle, and likely to be so, if not stimulated by hearing from you. It is only the occasional prod of the spur that even makes me move.”
_To Mr James M'Glashan_.
”_Oct_. 18, 1839.
”In the hope of forcing you to reply, I have been pouring in a shower of small shot these last three or four days, and I now send another missile in the shape of a new chapter of 'Harry.' For Heaven's sake write to me, and let me see the proof of No 10, for in about ten days my season commences here, and then blue pills and rhubarb will eject all that appertains to our friend Hal.”
_To Mr James M'Glashan._
”_Oct_. 22, 1889.
”Herewith goes a slating of 'Physic and Physicians' for our December number, of which let me have a proof--that is, if ever you intend writing to me again.
”Write soon--write soon.
”What would you think of a book called 'The Irish, by Themselves'?
Something like 'Les Francais'--to be done by several hands,--Otway, Carleton, &c.? Of all countries it presents most facility for this kind of thing, and might 'take' prodigiously.”
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