Feb. 24th.-Wakeful at night-write five pages-story of Popkins-all the worse for writing-went with Peter to Galignam's talked of the editing of British authors-they offered 20,000 francs-stated my terms. Feb. 25th.-Awoke early-felt greatly relieved by the bath and sleep of last night-wrote in bed on the Robber story, viz. the adventure of Popkins-ten pages before breakfast-after breakfast wrote the concluding adventure of the `attack of the escort-ten pages. : March 6th.-Passed last night on sofa-Irving* better this morning-physician pronounces his malady the measles-write at various parts of the Sportman's tales-dine at home with Peter in the evening go to a small party at Lady Thomond's -met there the Granards, Alcocks, &c.—talking with Col. Alcock, I maintain until nations are generous they will never be wise; true policy is generous policy; all bitterness, selfishness, &c., may gain small ends, but loses great ones-it may appear chivalrous, but it is true; expedients may answer for the moment they gain a point, but they do not establish a principle—there is a return of the poisoned chalice. : Sunday 7th-Rewrite part of Italian story this morning -Mr. Mills calls-drive out in his cabriolet-return home early-find Irving very restless with delirium. Monday 8th.-Passed last night in Irving's room, who was very restless-this day write at the Italian story-dine at home-doctor calls-doubts whether Irving's complaint is not the smallpox-pass the night in Irving's room. Tuesday 9th.-Irving very much broken out-has no * Irving Van Wart, his nephew, whom he had taken from school to his quarters, that he might give him his personal attention during an illness. delirium to-day-doctor calls at noon-pronounces complaint smallpox-confluent-opens pustules with hands-I write this morning at Italian story-dine at home-Irving better towards evening-pass the night in his room-finish Italian story. March 10th.-Irving seems better this morning-very little fever no delirium—this day I rearrange plan of author -dine at home-In evening Irving has more fever and a little delirium, but soon falls asleep and awakes more composed-pass the night in his room-he sleeps very well. March 11th.-Write from five o'clock this morning at author-Irving quite comfortable-Mr. Galignani calls this morning about my editing suite of English authors-we cannot agree about the first condition-viz.: an advance of £100 -he goes off to consult Didot. March 13th.-Galignani called to-day and acceded to my terms. March 14th.-Write prospectus and terms for collection of British Literature-Galignani calls and agrees to my terms -250 francs a volume-2,500 francs in advance. He asked an advance because he did not wish to put his name, which was his capital, to a doubtful enterprise without some certain remuneration. March 15th.-Write introduction to Wolfert Webber-received a present of books from Galignani and Baudry, for my correction of Salmagundi and Knickerbocker, consist ing of thirty-three vols., octavo, elegantly bound, of choice French authors: Racine, La Fontaine, Molière, &c. March 17th.-Write a little this morning at Buckthorne story-merely arranging it. March 22d.—Wrote this morning at Goldsmith's Life[for the collection of British Literature he had just agreed to edit] at two o'clock went to a wedding, &c.,-return home and find letter from Murray full of kindness and friendly profession-offers 1,200 guineas for my new work in two vols., without seeing it till in print. March 25th.-Write to Murray requiring £1,500. I give the letter which shows that he had now abandoned his project of a second Sketch Book. [To John Murray.] PARIS, March 25, 1824. MY DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 18th was a very gratifying one, as it so satisfactorily accounted for a silence which quite perplexed me. I do not regret having turned aside from my idea of preparing two more volumes of the Sketch Book, as I think I have run into a plan and thrown off writings which will be more novel and attractive. I have the materials for two volumes nearly prepared, but there will yet be a little re-writing and filling up necessary. I hope, however, to lay the work before you in the course of six weeks. I think the title will be Tales of a Trav eller, by Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Your offer of twelve hundred guineas without seeing the MS. is, I confess, a liberal one, and made in your own gentlemanlike manner, but I would rather you would see the MS. and make it fifteen hundred. Don't think me greedy after money; but in fact I have need of all I can get just now, as I can do five pounds' worth of good with every pound I can spare, and since the world won't let me live as I please, I find it very expensive to live with the world. Those who have seen various parts of what I have prepared, think the work will be the best thing I have written, and that it will be very successful with the public. An author is not, perhaps, the best judge of his productions, otherwise I might throw my own opinion into the scale. I shall go on to finish the work as soon as possible, and shall bring it over to England before long, as I can write upon it while there, and indeed while it is printing. I write in excessive haste to save the mail, which is nearly closing. Present my most kind remembrances to Mrs. Murray, and believe me, Dear Sir, Very sincerely. Your friend, I am writing with a bewildered head and feverish hand, having returned at almost daylight from a fancy ball at the British ambassador's. The most magnificent thing I have ever seen, and which must dazzle all Paris. CHAPTER XI. ARRIVAL IN LONDON-LETTER TO PETER-INTERVIEW WITH MURRAY-ATTENDS REPRESENTATION OF CHARLES II.-LESLIE NEWTON MOORE-WILLIAM SPENCER-ROGERS-LADY CAROLINE LAMB-THE MAN OF MANY INVITATIONSLEAVES LONDON WITH MILLS FOR MANOR HOUSE, LYNDHURST-GOES TO BATH TO MEET MOORE-ELWYN'S DINNER-EXTRACTS FROM MEMORANDUM BOOKFAREWELL TO MOORE-VISIT TO HIS DRESDEN FRIENDS, THE FOSTERS-LETTER TO PETER-MURRAY ADVERTISES SALMAGUNDI-INTENT ON LITERARY OCCUPATION-DINNER WITH ROGERS-HIS GOOD STORY OF A FRENCH ABBÉ -FALLS SHORT IN MANUSCRIPT FOR TALES OF A TRAVELLER-SUPPLIES THE DEFICIENCY STARTS FOR FRANCE-LETTER TO MOORE ON THE WAYMOORE'S REPLY-KENNEY AND SCROOPE DAVIES. WO months after the date of the letter to Mur TWO ray, given at the close of the preceding chapter, leaving Peter in his bachelor quarters at No. 89 Rue Richelieu, Mr. Irving took his work over to England, and in a letter dated London, May 31, 1824, thus addresses that brother : MY DEAR BROTHER: I arrived here safe and sound on Friday evening, after a very pleasant journey. I saw Murray on Saturday, and ar ranged the business in two minutes. He behaved like a gentleman. Told me he had not replied to my last letter, because he was in daily expectation of my arrival. That he agreed to VOL. II.-9 (13) |