If I had not seen specimens of your powers, an answer to your letter would have been very easy; as it is, I hesitate. You have been offered a very liberal sum; not much more—say a hundred pounds per volume is the most, as far as my knowledge extends—that has been given to the most popular writers, after their characters were established, for works of this nature and size. Admitting this to be your price, the volumes should be large, as they cannot be sold under five shillings, at the least, unbound,—not less than three hundred very honest pages. At my time of life, when, instead of advancing I ought perhaps to withdraw, I may be acting imprudently; but I cannot turn a deaf ear to your superior merit.
In depicting the miseries of the poor, your object, I trust, is not to inflame them, but to excite the attention of the rich to their relief. To whomsoever you send your MS. I recommend your keeping a copy, which should be transcribed page for page, not only to guard against loss, but for the sake of sending remarks should any offer.
