22 NOVEMBER 1845, Page 10

BOOKMAKING.

TO THE EDTTOR OF THE SPECTATOR.

Paternoster Row, 17th November 1845.

Sin—I was somewhat struck with your notice of James's Arrah Neil in your last number, particularly with the remark that this gentleman must be "talking fiction incessantly." I am afraid, however, the purchasers of his Life of Richard Cour-de-Lion must imagine be leaves himself no time for narrating facts; for more than four years have elapsed, and no promise even is made of completing that biography. Ought not an author, before he publishes new books, to com- plete unfinished ones?

May I request of you to insert this letter; as I have been so pestered with in- quiries, and with purchasers wishing to return the first portions of the work, that making it public may have the effect of directing the author's attention to the subject.