* * * * *
Think of Blaine's book and its sale by subscription.
The difference between one volume published in the ordinary way, and
two volumes by subscription, _may_ be the difference between a profit
of two thousand dollars and one of two hundred thousand dollars.
Blaine's book, sold over the counter, might have gone to the length of
five thousand copies. Sold by subscription, it made him rich.
On this point, however, Mr. Appleton's opinion is worth ten of mine.
* * * * *
NEWBURYPORT, MASS., _April 26, 1889_.
MY DEAR SIR: The pamphlet has only just arrived.
So far as the comments are necessary to elucidate the text, and
to explain why and how the text came to be uttered, they are
justified--no farther. Your uncle was such a master of expression
that almost anything placed in juxtaposition must suffer from the
contrast.
Let _him_ have the whole floor, I say, and just give the indispensable
explanations. It would be impossible to enhance the effect of his
characteristic passages. They need, like diamonds, a quiet setting.
Very truly yours,