Item Info

Accession Number: 95-2203
Physical Description: [4] pages
Material: paper
Transcription:

                Elm Cottage Petersham.
                                Wednesday Evening May 8th.
My Dear Sir.
                Thank you for the first part of the French Periodical. I had written a note to you when it arrived, and having to add this new matter, substitute the present Epistle in its place.
                I was anxious to tell you that on reflection I foresee so many and such very great difficulties in the way of your having the proof sheets of Barnaby as it passes through the Press – difficulties, I mean, that would be raised by Mr. Bentley – that I cannot make it matter of negociation with that Individual myself. I am not, nor do I wish to be, on such terms with him as would render it pleasant or at all consistent with my feelings to ask anything of him as a favor, and I feel almost persuaded that such a concession would be made one, and a very great one too. He has the privilege (or at least he, and all booksellers claim it, when it is not specially exempted by their agreement with an author) of sending early proofs to America if he thinks proper – it is strongly his interest to keep the contents of the book a secret until the time of its appearance – he has no interest at all in its being translated into French – it will be open to anybody to translate it, after its publication here – and I do not think he would allow his printer to furnish early proofs to anybody, unless he was very handsomely and largely paid for so doing.
                It is possible that I may be wrong, and, if you feel so disposed, you can easily ascertain the point by making the application to Mr. Bentley. All I beg is, that it may not be made with any reference to me, or with any idea of its being made with my sanction or concurrence. The reasons I have stated, and many others arising out of my past connection with him, render it necessary for me to say most emphatically (after thinking upon the subject) that I feel I cannot sanction the proposal myself, or be a party to it in any way.
                I am My Dear Sir
                                Very truly Yours
                                Charles Dickens
A. Fillonneau Esquire

MssDate: Wednesday Evening May 8th [1839]
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Recipient: Fillonneau, Andre
Provenance: Purchased from Heritage 8/2/95. Benoliel Fund.

Bibliography:

Volume 12, p. 566, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey ; associate editors, W.J. Carlton … [et al.].

Country: Creation Place Note:Elm Cottage
Country:England
City/Town/Township:Petersham

Call Number: DL F486 1839-05-08
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author