Part 19 (1/2)

_Novereaves,--Many thanks for your permission to insert ”Hospitals” in the Preface to your book I have had al that unfortunate facsiround, as your narapher in London, recoe, and preparing the zinc-blocks, declined to undertake it unless I would entrust the book to _him_, which I entirely refused to do I felt that it was only due to you, in return for your great kindness in lending so unique a book, to be scrupulous in not letting it be even _touched_ by the workmen's hands In vain I offered to come and reside in London with the book, and to attend daily in the studio, to place it in position to be photographed, and turn over the pages as required He said that could not be done because ”other authors' works were being photographed there, which must on no account be seen by the public” I undertook not to look at _anything_ but my own book; but it was no use: we could not come to terms

Then -- recorapher, but in so small a way of business that I should have to _prepay_ hi to come to Oxford, and do it here So it was all done inall the ties

But I daresay I have told you so much of the story already

Mr X-- did a first-rate set of negatives, and took theet the zinc-blocks ularly at first, and there see the book out by Christmas, 1885

On October 18, 1885, I sent your book to Mrs Liddell, who had toldto visit you and would take it with them I trust it reached you safely?

Soon after this--I having prepaid for the whole of the zinc-blocks--the supply suddenly ceased, while twenty-two pages were still due, and Mr X-- disappeared!

My belief is that he was in hiding fros went on fora detective to find him, but was assured that ”all detectives are scoundrels” The alternative seeet theto rob you of it again, and also afraid of the risk of loss of the book, if sent by post--for even ”registered post” does not seem _absolutely_ safe

In April he called at Macain vanished into obscurity

This left us with fourteen pages (dotted up and down the book) stillinto the hands of a solicitor, who soon found thebut proet the blocks,” said the solicitor, ”unless you frighten hiistrate” To this at last I unwillingly consented: the su ), and this entailed two journeys froet the su necessary), and the other to attend in court with the solicitor on the day fixed for hearing the case The defendant didn't appear; so the istrate said he would take the case in his absence Then I had the new and exciting experience of being put into the witness-box, and sworn, and cross-exaistrate's clerk, who seeh, he would soon catch istrate a little lecture on photo-zincography, and the poor man declared the case was so complicated he must adjourn it for another week But this time, in order to secure the presence of our slippery defendant, he issued a warrant for his apprehension, and the constable had orders to take hiht before the day when the case was to cohtened hiatives (he hadn't done the blocks) before the fatal day arrived I was rejoiced to get theetting the fourteen blocks done, and withdrew the action

The fourteen blocks were quickly done and put into the printer's hands; and all is going on smoothly at last: and I quite hope to have the book completed, and to be able to send you a very special copy (bound in white vellu) by the end of the month

Believe son

”The Gaic” was Lewis Carroll's next book; it appeared about the end of February, 1887 As a ic to children it has proved most useful; the subject, usually considered very difficult to a beginner, is made extre and aisms that the author devised, such as--

No bald person needs a hair-brush; No lizards have hair; Therefore[1] No lizard needs a hair brush

Caterpillars are not eloquent; Jones is eloquent; Jones is not a caterpillar

Meanwhile, with e of correspondence between author and artist, the pictures for the new fairy tale, ”Sylvie and Bruno,” were being gradually evolved Each of them was subjected by Lewis Carroll to the most minute criticism--hyper-criticism, perhaps, occasionally

A few instances of the sort of criticisms he used to ; I have extracted them from a letter dated September 1, 1887 It will be seen that when he really admired a sketch he did not stint his praise:--

(1) ”Sylvie helping beetle” [p 193] A quite char composition

(3) ”The Doctor” and ”Eric” (Mr Furniss's idea of their appearance) No! The Doctor won't do _at all!_ He is a sreat ”ladies'but medical ”shop” He is forty at least, and can have had no love-affair for the last fifteen years I want him to be about twenty-five, powerful in fraent interest in any subject, and of being a passionate lover Hoould you draw King Arthur when he first met Guinevere? Try _that_ type

Eric's attitude is capital: but his face is a little too near to the ordinary ”masher” Please avoid _that_ inane creature; and please don't cut his hair short That fashi+on will be ”out” directly

(4) ”Lady Muriel” (head); ditto (full length); ”Earl”