In "N. & Q." of the 17th of this month a correspondent, under the
signature of A SMALL AUTHOR, pointed out, with much humour, and good
humour, the manner in which he had been applied to and induced to part
with certain "theological tomes" to some mysterious but most
"influential" critic. Since that article appeared we have received
information, which shows that the practice complained of is one which is
being carried on to a considerable extent; and we therefore think we
shall be doing some service, both to authors and publishers, by
reprinting in our columns the following correspondence between Messrs.
Butterworth and Sir J. E. Eardley Wilmot on the subject.
(Copies.)
Fleet Street, January 2nd, 1852.
Dear Sir,--Authors with whom we have transactions, as well as
ourselves, have recently been frequently applied to for
publications "for the purpose of review in the daily, and other
journals," by a person signing himself "JOHN B. EARDLEY WILMOT;"
and as we happen to know, in an instance that has just occurred,
we have been directed by one of our authors to send his works to
the individual making application for the same under the
impression that you were the party who did so, we write therefore
in the first instance, as we have our doubts on the subject, to
inquire if we are correct in presuming it is yourself who proffer
the services of a reviewer, as in such case we shall be happy in
sending the publications applied for, to be noticed accordingly.
In the event of the letter alluded to (and which we send for your
inspection) not having emanated from you, we beg you will further
oblige us by stating if you know anything of the party who signs
his name in a manner so similar to yourself.
Waiting your reply,
We are, dear Sir,
Yours very respectfully,
(Signed) H. BUTTERWORTH & CO.
To Sir J. E. Eardley Wilmot, Bart,
Barrister at Law, King's Bench Walk, Temple.
Sessions, Warwick, January 5th, 1852.
Dear Sirs,--I have the honour of acknowledging your letter of the
2nd inst., which has been forwarded to me here.
I have already on more than one occasion been applied to, to know
if I am the individual who signs himself "J. B. EARDLEY WILMOT,"
and who it seems is in the habit of writing to publishers, to ask
for copies of new works, for the alleged purpose of getting them
reviewed. Not three weeks ago I found on my table at my chambers
in the Temple three very expensive books, which had been sent to
me by Messrs. Longman & Co., supposing that I had offered to
review them. I am very glad of the opportunity your letter affords
me of stating that the individual who thus signs himself and I
myself are totally different persons; I have no connection or
influence whatever with any literary journal, nor have I ever been
a writer in any, and I need scarcely assure you I have never asked
any publisher in my life for a copy of any new work in the manner
adopted by the individual to whom you allude.
I may as well add, that there is no member of my family whose
initials are J. B. Eardley Wilmot, nor is there, to the best of my
knowledge, any family in England, except my own, which combines
the two surnames of Eardley Wilmot. I must therefore presume that
the signature of J. B. Eardley Wilmot is entirely a fictitious
one, and adopted for sinister purposes.
I beg to express my acknowledgments to you, for enabling me to set
myself right with the literary world, more especially as I have
lately brought out a little work of my own on a subject entirely
professional.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. E. EARDLEY WILMOT.
To Messrs. Butterworth,
Law Booksellers and Publishers,
Fleet Street, London.
We will but add one small fact. An author who had been applied to by
another influential reviewer, the Rev. A. B. Clerk, directed his
publisher to forward a copy of his book _by post_ to the place
specified. The publisher sent it _by rail_. The consequence was that the
reverend reviewer complained that the book had not reached him: while
the railway people _returned it because no such person could be found in
the place at which he professed to reside_.
Notes.