[1] 14 Cumberland Street 25 Dec
1831
My Dear Schlegel
I delayed my Answer to yours of last Month till I could form some probable Conjecture about the most favourable Time of publishing or lecturing in London. I think I may now confidently say that the Question of the East India Company must for the next Session give way to that of Parliamentary Reform. This latter Question so absorbs all Menʼs Minds as to stand very much in the Way of any Interest in other Matters.. It has in a great Measure suspended the general Activity of literary Undertakings – Nevertheless I see no [2] Reason why a Tract from such a Writer upon a Subject in itself very interesting should not command all the Attention which our present Temper will allow Nor am I at all certain that the present Interval of Parliament be not as good a Time for Publication as You can soon expect – For when Parliament meets either in December or January there will indeed be more Company here but there will also be Debates to engage their Attention. The general Indifference of our Public for all Suspects but one will doubtless be conquered by your Genius & your Fame but I must not conceal from You that it may [3] damp the Booksellers & render their Offers unworthy of your Merits – The Lectures would probably do best in the Spring
Twelve Lectures such as you describe delivered might xxx twice a Week might perhaps be attended at £ 3 Sters a Ticket by a number between 50 & 100 which to take an Average would produce more than £ 200 to which You might add by publishing them after Delivery
I need not say that I shall be most proud of your Publication being addressed to me or of promoting your Wishes on every Occasion as far as my limited Means allow
Most affectionate Remembrances from me & my Daughter to M & Ms de Broglie Farewell
Mackinstosh
[4] Mem
Are there any Memoirs of French Embassadors in London published in the Reign of Queen Elisabeth (1558–1603) except Castelnau & Sully which I have – If there be any I should be desirous of them – & wd pay on their Arrival to Treuttel & Wurtz. – Could M. de Broglie procure an intelligent Clerk in the Depot des Affaires Etrangeres to direct Copies to be made for me of important Passages in the Dispatches from London during the above Period which have not been hitherto published I shd gladly defray the Expense
1831
My Dear Schlegel
I delayed my Answer to yours of last Month till I could form some probable Conjecture about the most favourable Time of publishing or lecturing in London. I think I may now confidently say that the Question of the East India Company must for the next Session give way to that of Parliamentary Reform. This latter Question so absorbs all Menʼs Minds as to stand very much in the Way of any Interest in other Matters.. It has in a great Measure suspended the general Activity of literary Undertakings – Nevertheless I see no [2] Reason why a Tract from such a Writer upon a Subject in itself very interesting should not command all the Attention which our present Temper will allow Nor am I at all certain that the present Interval of Parliament be not as good a Time for Publication as You can soon expect – For when Parliament meets either in December or January there will indeed be more Company here but there will also be Debates to engage their Attention. The general Indifference of our Public for all Suspects but one will doubtless be conquered by your Genius & your Fame but I must not conceal from You that it may [3] damp the Booksellers & render their Offers unworthy of your Merits – The Lectures would probably do best in the Spring
Twelve Lectures such as you describe delivered might xxx twice a Week might perhaps be attended at £ 3 Sters a Ticket by a number between 50 & 100 which to take an Average would produce more than £ 200 to which You might add by publishing them after Delivery
I need not say that I shall be most proud of your Publication being addressed to me or of promoting your Wishes on every Occasion as far as my limited Means allow
Most affectionate Remembrances from me & my Daughter to M & Ms de Broglie Farewell
Mackinstosh
[4] Mem
Are there any Memoirs of French Embassadors in London published in the Reign of Queen Elisabeth (1558–1603) except Castelnau & Sully which I have – If there be any I should be desirous of them – & wd pay on their Arrival to Treuttel & Wurtz. – Could M. de Broglie procure an intelligent Clerk in the Depot des Affaires Etrangeres to direct Copies to be made for me of important Passages in the Dispatches from London during the above Period which have not been hitherto published I shd gladly defray the Expense
