I was glad to receive your letter, I had expected one on Tuesday. I am
upon the whole very comfortable, and people are kind. I passed last
Sunday at Clapham with Mrs. Browne, I was glad to go there for it was a
gloomy day. They are now glad enough to ask me.
I suppose I must stay in London through next week. I have been invited
to two grand parties, and it is as well to have something for one's
money. I called at the Bible Society--all remarkably civil, Joseph
especially so. I think I shall be able to manage with my own Dictionary.
There is now a great demand for Morrison.
Yesterday I again dined at the Murray's, there was a family party--very
pleasant. To-morrow I dine with an old schoolfellow. Murray is talking
of printing a new edition {25} to sell for 5 shillings. Those rascals
the Americans have it seems reprinted it, and are selling it for
_eighteen_ pence. Murray says he shall print ten thousand copies; it is
chiefly intended for the Colonies. He says the rich people and the
libraries have already got it, and he is quite right, for nearly three
thousand copies have been sold at 27_s._! There is no longer the high
profit to be made on books there formerly was, as the rascals abroad
pirate the good ones, and in the present state of copyright there is no
help: we can, however, keep the American editions out of the Colonies,
which is something.
I have nothing more to say, save to commend you not to go on the water
without _I_; perhaps you would be overset; and do not go to the bridge
again, 'till I come. Take care of Habismilk and Craffs. Kiss the little
mare, and old Hen.
[GEORGE BORROW.]
LETTER X.
_To_ MARY BORROW.
PENQUITO,
_January_ 27_th_, 1854.