Part 2 (1/2)
Webster, without money, and almost without friends, but with the kind of faith which works th in persuading Hudson & Goodwin, printers in Hartford, to issue an edition of five thousand copies of the spelling-book John Trumbull and Joel Barloere his chief supporters, the latter backing him with a little money The printer was the publisher then; and an author, in ht to print and publish to various printers in various parts of the country,--a custoh the first quarter of the century The isolation of the several settled communities rendered collision between the several dealers unlikely; and, in the absence of quick coe except as a depot for the neighboring district
Rights to print were granted for fourteen years Such a contract was made in 1818 by Webster with Mr Hudson, as to pay 3,000 a year during the ter's ventures The popularity of the speller rendered it liable to piracy, especially in the ruder parts of the country, and as late as 1835 Mr
Webster writes to his son, established as a bookseller in Louisville: ”I would suggest whether it would not be advisable to publish in Kentucky, or at least in Tennessee, a short note like this: 'The Public are cautioned against buying ”Webster's A-Book;” the editions now in the market are pirated, badly printed, and incorrect
The author expressly disclaims them'”
The final success of the little book has been quite beyond definite co of the course it has run In 1814, 1815, the sales averaged 286,000 copies a year; in 1828 the sales were estimated to be 350,000 copies In 1847 the statement was made that about twenty-four million copies of the book had been published up to that ti athe twenty years in which he was e his ”American Dictionary,”
the entire support of his family was derived froht of fivethe Civil War, naated 8,196,028; and the fact that the average yearly sale was scarcely greater than in 1847 reat enterprise in the publication of school-books, which has marked the last twenty years, by which his speller has been one only of a great many, in part, also, to the impoverishenerally accepted than at the North
The great demand that there was for elementary school-books, the real advance of Webster's over any then existing, the promptness hich he reat iht there see in the importance which not only Webster but other -book Ti for the final word of disbanding, sat up into the night to read it! ”By the eastern post yesterday,” he writes to his wife, ”I was lucky enough to receive the new spelling-book [Webster's] I(for I had a waking fit which prevented ht, except that I only examined a part of the different tables I aenious, and writes from his own experience as a school-master, as well as the best authorities; and the tira I have so long wished for, being -book I had seen before I now send you the book, and request you to let John take it to his master, with the enclosed letter; for I aenious, and, at the same time, easy plan There are, you will see by the Introduction, two er to Mr Webster, but I intend, when I can find leisure, to write higest some little matters which may be altered and improved in his next edition, for I think the ill do honor to his country, and I wish it ht think it too trifling a subject; but I aentle has taken it up All ant pronunciation, and this new Spelling-Book shows children how to acquire it with ease and certainty”[6]
Pickering's letter helps us to get behind ”Webster's Spelling-Book” in 1783, instead of looking at it froround of an accuh the correspondence of that day a tone which we easily call provincial, but is nevertheless a distinct expression of the consciousness of the young nation The instinct of literature is toward self-centring, and the sense of national being was very strong in hts to the birth of a new nation To understand the state of things in 1783 we should look at the literary ventures, inclusive of educational, within the boundaries of the Southern States during the War of 1861-1865 There the interruption of commerce with the North compelled a resort to home production in school-book literature, and intensity of feeling upon sectional questions found frequent expression in spelling-books and arithmetics ”Webster's Elementary” was reprinted at Macon, without illustrations and some of the diacritical marks, _mutatis mutandis_ The reader finds the ed, but remembers its latitude when he reads: ”The Senate of the Confederate States is sailed the Upper House of Congress: The President of the Confederate States is elective once every six years: The Confederate States have a large extent of sea-coast, and many parts of the Confederate States are noted for the fertility of the soil” But these are innocent adaptations; one
In Webster's tile for independence and autono to their country with a concentration of interest which not only attested the sincerity of their convictions, but er, s with American, not European eyes When Dr Belknap and his friend Mr Hazard were carefully arranging for the publication of the ”History of New Hamans, in London, to take an edition, without any apparent suspicion that such a book land
The publishers' polite reply intimates the ”apprehension that the history of one particular province of New England would not be of sufficient ie the attention of this country, and particularly as it is at present brought down no lower than the year 1714” Belknap's History is an admirable piece of work, the first scholarly work of its kind on this side of the water, and Dr Belknap respected his book To hieneration, a book was a serious undertaking, and each new one that cahed and its character measured; a history of New Hampshi+re was not a nified adventure into a portion of American history hitherto unexplored The work expended upon it was as careful and grave as if the subject had been the Peloponnesian War Indeed, one of the substantial evidences of the historic justification of the war for independence is to be found in the alacrity hich the scholarly element in the country busied itself about themes which were close at hand and connected with the land of their life
Literature in its finer forement The absence of easy communication, the poverty of the people, the dispersion of the population, gave little chance for bookstores and circulating libraries and private accuotten, either, that the era of cheap books had not yet coland, and that the periodical form was still in embryo To look back on one of the rather juiceless periodicals which sprang up so frequently at the beginning of our literature because they had no depth of earth, and withered away rootless and sunstruck, is to be over-taken half with scorn for their pretense, and half with pity for conductors and readers, who had to make believe very hard to find the certainly,” like themust have been the passion for literature when money was expended and pains taken with these hopeless ventures The change in popular taste, s which are arid to us noere necessarily devoid of interest to contemporary readers We take down from the shelf the solitary volu-matter looks as faded to our eyes as the leather upon the covers, but it was once the latest publication of the day We can with little difficulty is' trial, with its plan of the High Court at Westminster, would have an interest at the time quite as reasonable in its way as that which held readers of journals, not so long extinct, over the details of the Tichborne case It is in the field of polite literature that our later taste refuses to discover anything in coazine” What impresses one most in such a periodical is the value which the conductors set upon American historical material This was offered to the public with all the assurance which now attends the proreat serial story The explanation may most reasonably be found in the fact, that the subscribers to any suchthe well educated, and this class had been used chiefly to a serious view of literature
The ”Aazine” was Webster's venture, and in the Belknap and Hazard correspondence one le for existence which the entlemen--and they represented the most cultivated class of the day--had much confidence in Webster They nicknamed hiance in his tone, and he is rarelymanner ”_I_ think the _Monarch_ a literary puppy, from what little I have seen of him,” writes Hazard to Belknap ”He certainly does not want understanding, and yet there is a mixture of self-sufficiency, all-sufficiency, and at the saree of insufficiency about him, which is (to me) intolerable I do _not_ believe that _he_ is fit for a superintendent; that the persons mentioned will be his coadjutors, or that either the _demand_ or the _profits_ will be any way near equal to his expectations His speciazine'] are below mediocrity, and even in them _he_ is too much the hero of the tale His plan of a _Federal_ publication, if sensible, judicious ed to execute it, and an editor of the same sta circue with, him, but I think you may avail yourself of his application with the Columbians; only take care to do it in such a way that you round”
The ”Colu to which Dr
Belknap had been contributing (his ”Foresters” appeared there), and the incident of the worldly-wise Hazard, gently encouraging the clergyainst each other, has at least an approach to modern literary history Webster, with his restlessness, had no sooner launched the ”Aan to form other projects, as intimated in Hazard's letter, and wished to secure not only Belknap's pen, but his ain to his friend, after being asked for further advice: ”I am really at a loss how to advise you, but think, upon the whole, I would let the Colu a close bargain;' that I had been applied to in behalf of the New York azine, but feltbeen so long connected with them) that I did not like to leave them, provided they would stipulate to allow me, _certainly_, what I deemed a reasonable coe they do not now allow; and that, upon their doing this, I would continue to aid them If you can contribute the stipulated assistance to them in case you accept N W's proposal, I see no reason why you should not do the latter too; for, if you fulfill your engagements, you do thes to your bow as not, and I think I would advise to it, especially as the 'Columbian's' continuance is uncertain[7] I would infor his plan; but that I was, upon the whole, inclined to think I would join hientlemen he mentioned to me to be concerned I think no _cash_ is to be advanced by you, upon his plan It will be soin, and I would not exclude myself from a chance”
Dr Belknap's letters to Webster unfortunately do not appear, but his friend, through whom he wrote, commends him for his prudence ”I find,”
he writes, ”you have not a more exalted idea of the Monarch than I have
I should not be fond of a connection with him, unless I saw it clearly to my interest” He praises him also for his exertions in behalf of the feeble ”Columbian,” which owed its life to hih, after all of Hazard's cautions and advice to Belknap, he seeotiations with Webster, and fro light upon the estimation in which literaryti upon American colonial history, and had not seen his way clear to a profitable publication of theazine in which he has a slight interest, andto see how shy Hazard is of any close connection with Webster, and yet how continually Webster appears in the foreground in the affair
”What would you think,” writes Hazard to Belknap, ”ofin obscurity so long? It is likely to be the case The 'Aazine' is to appear in a new form,[8] and on an extensive plan, and to be the property of _a society_ of gentle who to remove from hence [New York] to Connecticut, so that he will not be the editor Their plan is to publish one hundred and four pages azine style, twenty-four are to contain State Papers, and twenty-four either historical _MSS_, such as 'Winthrop's Journal,' or a republication of ancient, valuable, and scarce Ainia, etc, etc N W called, to know if I would dispose ofme that they intended to print in such a way that the State Papers and histories azine and bound by the of the matter, I concluded to let theive I don't altogether like this way of publishi+ng the papers; but when I reflected on the great uncertainty ofable to publish the _in statu quo_, and the little probability that I should clear 500 by theht it best to say yes The money is to be paid by installments
All this is _inter nos_”
Dr Belknap now had an opportunity to repay his friend's favors in kind, and in acknowledging the letter just quoted he writes: ”I could wish that you would take off the restriction of secrecy, so far as it relates to the intended publication of the e, because I apprehend it may be in my power to set on foot a sin is on foot elsewhere ” He prudently reood, ”provided the purchasers do not fail in the payment” Hazard returns to the matter in his next letter: ”With respect to the _MSS_ I ain, and yet much will depend on the success of the publication as to the _quickness_ of the pay
By agreement I aical order The January es of then of the intended publication is no secret now, having been advertised in the newspapers; but I write you not to say anything about what I am to have for my papers N W had printed six sheets of Winthrop, but, upon the new plan's striking hiht it best to publish in the new mode; and I am told he will lose his expense so far, for his paper is not so fine as the neork is to be done upon, _inter nos_”
Suddenly Hazard writes to Belknap that Webster is likely to call upon hiazine, he is not at once to decline It is not worth while to follow the ins and outs of the correspondence upon a scheh, but a full letter from Hazard to Belknap may fairly be drawn from, since it puts one into tolerably complete possession of the whole story
”You et enerally proposed it in such a way as to have a share in them himself Several plans were proposed, and at last the idea of the Register was started He called on entleazine,' and that they were to be concerned with him He informed me of their plan, and wished ht be published in the Register He intimated that he had five hundred subscribers [to the 'Aazine'] ould continue to take the neork, and that the ireatly increase the nu a partner, but had no objection against letting theotiations, I consented to becoreed to allow me 500 for my papers, to be paid out of the profits of the publication,--if they would yield me 50 per annum, at least, clear of my share of all expenses; if not, the other proprietors were to make up that sum to me annually; and, should the work be discontinued before I was paid, they were then to pay me as much as with ular written articles were drawn, and executed by all but one partner, who has not yet signed them, nor will, 'til he sees such a number of subscribers in this city [New York] and its vicinity as will defray the actual expense of the work
The _profits_ he is willing to risque He is a discreet, sensible man, and will be what the sailors call our _main stay_ After the articles were executed, soiven their bond to me for 500, which must be paid at all events, and that I was to run no risque, and, in fact, to pay no expense,--which was not puttingwith respect to them (before the time the proposals were published) They came and stated the case to me I immediately saw the propriety of their rereed to a new article, that their bond for the price of my papers should not be in force i_ (which was the case before), but that they ht publish for three months; if they then discontinued the publication, the bond was to be of no effect; if they continued it after that period, it was to be in full force; and I agreed to furnish my proportion of the State Papers, _i e_, that, as there were four proprietors, the others should payiven on equitable principles
”In the course of our conversations, at different tireed that you would be a very suitable person, if you could be got to engage in it, but was apprehensive your situation would not aded, for he was very confident (or well persuaded, or so of that kind) that you wrote for the 'Coluraphical pieces, in particular, to you Uponthe reasons of his opinion, he replied that he did not know (or believe) that anybody else possessed suitable materials; but I suspect he has had ested aazine[9] would interfere with us in Massachusetts, where we hope for a number of subscribers; and N W afterwards hinted to me the idea of a coalition, which I was pleased with He toldto the eastward, and would talk with Thomas about it I _supposed_ that he would talk with _you_ too, and gave you the hint that you ht be prepared It seems he has done so; and by last post I received proposals for an union, which I have laid before the proprietors here, and they are disapproved of Upon this plan, the _Register_ was to be printed here, and the _Magazine_ in Boston One of the proprietors here was to furnish half the azine monthly, and forward it to Boston, where N W was to act as editor, or engage Mr Belknap, or some person of equal ability, to act for him; and this editor was to furnish the other half of the matter As a compensation for my papers, I was to be a proprietor of a seventh of both publications, for they were to be separate All expenses, bad debts, and other losses were to be divided equally aned by Noah Webster and Isaiah Thomas & Co In a letter to me, N W sent a calculation, by which he attempted to prove that the value of a share would be near 200 per annuht have done for a person unacquainted with the nature of the business, but old birds want a more substantial teainst the plan of union was the risque and expense of sending reat a distance: one failure would be fatal to one azine, and a repetition of such a disaster would discourage subscribers The subscribers here would probably not be satisfied with a azine printed elsewhere, and could not be furnished with one so early in the ive up my papers on so precarious a chance of a recoation under hand and seal) confesses hiister on our first plan; and I am much mistaken if the other proprietors do not disappoint hiations; for his being known to be concerned o on heavily (this _inter nos_) _His_ azine was a paltry performance, and people fear a continuation of it We cannot find his five hundred subscribers yet We have but about two hundred in this city, reed a ourselves not to let the proprietors be known, but N W has let the cat quite out of the bag I a on without him, which I think may be done better than with him; and my plan would be that a sufficient number of literary characters should be united to inal_ The profits upon each share (especially at first) would be but small; but so, on the other hand, would be the risque Suppose there should be _no_ profit for a year or two, and that the work should but barely defray the expense for that time, yet it may be presumed that, if it was conducted with spirit, the public would patronize it, being sure of original entertainth the property would become very valuable What do you think of this idea?”
Dr Belknap's reply to this letter is the last reference to the project which has any interest: ”The Monarch called upon , when I was abroad, and left word that he should coain next day at noon, _upon business_ The _real_ business was to fish out what I had heard from you I had then received only your short letter, and told hiazine, and abouta partner, and about the business of an editor, and about his being a lawyer (which, by the as new to me), and about the value of a share, which, as he then estimated it, would be from 50 to 100 per annum, etc, etc, but expected to hear from you and the proprietors more particularly by the next post, and then ere to have a farther conference The next post broughtletter, and he has not made his appearance since I suppose, by what you say in _confidence_ to eneral, and possibly suspects that he may have very little to do I find ard to this _personage_ However, as he is going tohad a very agreeable connection, I ree of acquaintance with him, especially if (as he _threatens_) he should make this place [Boston] his future residence If I cannot esteem him as a friend, I do not wish to make him an enemy, and I am very aard in the art of Chesterfield Hence arises my embarrassment What he has told Thomas I know not, but I must do him the justice to say that he did not tellyourself and himself; nor do I knoho the others are”