Volume I Part 22 (1/2)
”....I am aware that the fact cannot in any way affect your views in the matter, but it is as well I should mention-- what, after all, is the only test of an author's actual repute and standing in his own country--viz., the money value of his writings,--and for this same story I receive a sum little short of 3000. I then may safely leave to your consideration the scale on which it should be estimated by you.”
On July 21 he wrote: ”You ask about the portrait annexed to 'Jack Hinton.' It is not--at least so say my friends--a resemblance, and I can myself a.s.sure you that _I_ do not squint, which _it_ does abominably.”--E. D.
_To Mr Alexander Spencer._
”Bregenz, _July_ 17, 1848.
”Your letter of the 8th has this day arrived, and I hasten to express my full concurrence in _your_--but not in Longfield's--view of the transaction, save where you both concur in thinking that Curry's failure may eventuate favourably for us. Is there any chance of my being able to purchase the stock and the copyrights of 'O'Malley' and 'Lorrequer'?
without which the set is incomplete. I cannot say that I antic.i.p.ate such a probability. I could only hope for it through the intervention of a publisher, and in the existing state of monetary matters few would adventure in any speculation. M'G. will, I have no doubt, try and possess himself of the books; and if such be his intention, I would be glad to be a party to his purchase. It would be well to know his views and what course he may probably take, or what [course he would] advise us to pursue.
”In the event of any composition with creditors, what is your opinion of my claim? Should I expect to be rated in Curry's a.s.sets? Or should I hope for my proportion of a.s.sets as _we_ claim?
”M'Glashan has not acknowledged a MS. sent two months ago. I can neither fathom his plans by this system nor see how his silence chimes in with his fervent protestations for a renewal of our relations.
”My meagre dedication did not, and could not, say a thousandth part of what I feel,--but even so much was pleasurable to say before the world.
I would indeed be proud to a.s.sociate you in any part of it. As it is, I believe 'The Knight' is the best of the breed, and hence the reason for calling it yours.
”I expect to leave for Italy about Aug. 4, but address me always 'Coutts et Cie,' who still will continue to exercise the sinecure of my bankers.”
IX. LETTERS TO MISS EDGEWORTH. 1843-1847
At Riedenburg Lever closed a correspondence, commenced in 1843, with Miss Edgeworth. In 1843 the author of 'Castle Rackrent,' in her seventy-seventh year, was still working a.s.siduously in her Edgeworthstown home.
_To Miss Edgeworth_.
”Templeogue House, Co. Dublin, _Nov_. 10, 1843.
”Madam,--I have a great favour to ask at your hands--and, like most people in similar circ.u.mstances, not any claim whatever to support the prayer of my pet.i.tion. My desire is to obtain your permission to dedicate to you a book of mine called 'Tom Burke,' the first volume of which will appear early in December. To a.s.sociate, even on such slender terms, my humble effort with a name confessedly the first in my country's literature, is the motive which prompts me to this request, while I gladly embrace the occasion to a.s.sure you that you have no more ardent admirer of your goodness and your genius than your very humble and devoted servant.”
_To Miss Edgeworth._
”Templeogue House, Co. Dublin, _Nov_. 13, 1843.
”Madam,--It may be, that while asking a favour I may be obliged to ask your pardon for importunity. About a week since I addressed a few lines to you requesting your permission to dedicate to you a book of mine called 'Tom Burke of Ours,' but not having heard from you in reply, I conclude my letter has not reached you. I cannot, however, relinquish--without another endeavour--a hope I have long cherished to write your name within a volume of mine, and be, even on such slender terms, a.s.sociated with one whom I feel to be the first of Irish writers.
If you will accord me this permission, I shall deem it a very great favour conferred on your very humble and obedient servant.”
In his 'Life of Lever' Dr Fitzpatrick states that Lever set out in 1844 on his driving tour through Ireland, with the intention of paying a formal visit to Miss Edgeworth. There is no evidence that this visit was paid. In a preface to 'The Knight of Gwynne,' the author declares his acquaintances.h.i.+p with Miss Edgeworth arose out of a letter she wrote to him correcting a mistake he had made as to the authors.h.i.+p of an epigram on Sir William Gladowes (afterwards Lord Newcomen). Almost in the same breath he admits that he has no memory for dates, and he couples this admission with a regret that he never kept a note-book. Miss Edgeworth's tardy reply did not reach Charles Lever till the summer of 1845, when he was lingering at Carlsruhe.
_To Miss Edgeworth._
”Carlsruhe in Baden, Hof von Holland, _Aug_. 19, 1845.