Box 8

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Letter: to J.A. Hessey, Esq., 1785-1870 ; [18--]-09-08

ALS. Asks if Hessey can lend him copies of Wordsworth's Excursion and Keats's Poems. "I am exceedingly careful of books . . . perhaps as much so as any person you have ever known: so that you need not fear my abusing them as so many literary men do."

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Letter: to [Taylor & Hessey]

ALS. De Quincey discusses in detail some editorial changes to a work in progress, probably his Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, published by Hessey and Taylor in their London magazine in 1821.

Scope and Contents Letter: to George Gee, Esq., RydalALS. De Quincey writes of what he has heard about the state of John Scott's health: "Mr. D[awes] assured me that the ball was extracted; and that, by the latest account he has seen, S. was in a fair way for recovering. I fear, however, from the style of your note, this must be a mistake." Goes on to write of his sorrow at the thought of Scott's death and of his changed opinion of Scott: "I learned enough ... at Edinburgh to acquit him . . . of...

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Note.

ANS. Sends his regrets for an appointment.

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Letter: New York, N.Y., to Mr. George Morrison Coates

ALS. Discusses business matters. "3 p. is all we have of the exact color of the sample of fancy cassimere--we enclose samples of some that are near to them." Included in letter are two pieces of cloth.

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Cards and letters: London, to Haldane Macfall, 1860-1928

APcS and 19 ALsS. Derry, an authority on Aubrey Beardsley, discusses the details of Beardsley's life with Macfall, who is writing a preface for Derry's Aubrey Beardsley Scrap Book. Letters are signed "R.A. Walker."

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Letter: London, to Marquis de Chateaugiron, Paris

ALS. Letter of introduction for "my especial good friend Mr. Baker - the historian of the County of Northampton" asking that Baker be given access to the collections of the Chez M. Desenne Libraire. Dibdin also mentions that his Reminiscences of a Literary Life "is fast getting out of print . . . Vive la Bibliomanie!"

Scope and Contents Letter: Kent, to George W. Childs, 1829-1894 AL. Writing to the owner of the Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Dickens spells out a business proposition regarding the publishing of his books in America: "I beg to say that I shall be happy to consider any proposal you may make me . . . for purchasing the exclusive right of having early proofsheets in America of the next story I may write . . ." He then requests Childs's offer should his next work be the length of Great Expectations or...

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Letter: Philadelphia, Pa., to Mrs. Childs

AL. Writes that he will call on her but will not be able to pass the evening with her,"until you insist . . . on Mr. Childs bringing you to England." Concludes by writing here that the Childs's care of him will "be among the pleasantest of my travelling remembrances." With envelope addressed in his own hand.

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Letter: Philadelphia, Pa., to Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, b. 1821, Philadelphia, Pa.

ALS. Mrs. Gillespie, great-granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin and admirer of Dickens's writings, had sent him flowers for his lapel. He assures her he will wear them that evening. With envelope addressed in his own hand.