658. Robert Southey to [unknown correspondent; probably Francis Freeling] 22 February [1802]
*
My dear Sir
An arrangement may be made with Longman & Rees respecting
Chattertons works [1] which will I
think be more beneficial to Mrs Newton [2] than any thing we can hope
to do. They will take upon themselves the edition, & give her 350 copies.
these at 18s– (the advance of paper justifies the additional shilling per
volume) will produce 315 pounds. after booksellers allowance & the smaller
items are deducted there will be a net profit about 250£. I do not think we
could possibly raise so much.
I shall write immediately & propose this to Mrs N. if she approve it, & you also think it the most adviseable
plan, the agreement may be closed & the volumes immediately sent to
Press.
yrs sincerely
Robert Southey.
35. Strand.
Monday. 22. Feb
y.
Notes
* MS: Princeton University Library, General Manuscripts
(Misc.), Box SN-SR, subfolder 5
Unpublished.
Correspondent note:
Identification of correspondent is not certain. However, Southey’s letter to
Charles Danvers, 23 February [1802] (Letter 659), suggests recent contact
with Francis Freeling on precisely the topics found in this letter of 22
February [1802]. BACK
[1] Southey and Joseph
Cottle’s planned subscription edition of The Works of Thomas
Chatterton, eventually published in 1803. BACK
[2] The Southey-Cottle edition was intended to
benefit Chatterton’s widowed sister Mary Newton (1749-1804;
DNB) and her daughter. BACK
