Why this delay? Mr.
Woodfall [the printer] tells me that the state of trade is
wretched. Well and good! But you yourself told me so two months ago, when you
wrote requesting that I would give you the preference, provided I had not made
arrangements with other publishers. Between ourselves, my dear friend, I wish
the state of the trade were ten times worse than it is, and then things would
find their true level, and an original work would be properly appreciated, and
a set of people who have no pretensions to write, having nothing to communicate
but tea-table twaddle, could no longer be palmed off upon the public as mighty
lions and lionesses. But to the question: What are your intentions with respect
to ‘The Bible in
Spain’? I am a frank man, and frankness never offends me. Has
anybody put you out of conceit with the book? There is no lack of critics,
especially in your neighbourhood. Tell me frankly, and I will drink your health
in Rommany. Or, would the appearance of ‘The
Bible’ on the first of October interfere with the Avatar,
first or second,
| 488 | MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY |
