ANOTHER NOTE ON "01,1 VER CROAIIVELL, EDITED BY II Ott
ACE SMITH."
WE have received a personal explanation from Mr. COLIIURN, ac- companied by a variety of documents, which show that he really purchased the copyright of' Olive). Cromwell, in 1838; and that the editorship of Mr. SMITH was a bonii fide one, pertbruted upon the original manuscript, and in ignorance of the American edition.
The documents placed in our hands consist of
1. Part of a correspondence between Mr. COLBURN and the friend who negotiated the sale of the copyright on behalf of the author, Mr. llEattna.r, a near relation of the late Earl of CARNARVON. (April 1838.)
2. The agreement for the purchase of "the entire copyright in perpetuity." (June 1838.)
3. Mr. SMITH'S letter, on the proposal that he should edite the work. (Novetnber 1838.) 4. Sundry manuscript remarks and suggestions on the novel, by Mr. SMITH.
With all these papers the reader need not he troubled; but as the letter of Mr. SMITH, to Mr. COLISCRN, is curious, honest, and soundly critical; aml some interest may at to this literary passage in the life of WC of the authors of the Thjeeted Addresses, we insert it. " 12 Cavendish P:ae,■, 1711, Nuveltiher "My dear Sir-1 have carefully woie through the 118. of' Cromwell ;" which appears to me to be a very manly and vigorous, not to say masterly work; though it can hardly lie call( (1 a word, for the fictitious !maim, forms but a very inconsiderable fraction—in filet a mere episode, slightly and rather M- artini iallv connected with the main body of the hibtory. For myself; I can only say that like it all the better ; hut that the lady leaders will share 0;14 npinion be doubted. However, there is power and interest enough in • Cromwell, (if 1 'Nay jodge,) to insure it, ■weeess, Aailed it may be for sorne of the cj,iucidciss promulgated, (though / share them all,) but neglected or uottoticed it niven ran remain. Why so powerful a production should need an editor's !lame, I cannot discover, fiir surely a writer like 31r. I Ierbert is abund- antly r:,nopetent toe,tablidi his own; hut careful revision ii dues must grievuudy lack ; the sentences being gener,lly too long, and very- often extremely con• fined and ititertarighod,—fimit,i 1,01MA be correeted oil perils:1i, since the author has grudged even a pin --head worth of mmmrcm 1:1111.1:. I have. nrvie tort/all:arida of varirius trillioff though Ilo.y IA I et11111,11 thinking would improvo Ho: wo; l< ; but IHIummt lic,itat, to aict,uiunt I hem, feel- ing unaffectedly diffident of myself when criticizing a writer like Mr. II. If you still wish me to undertake the task, please to It tine I:110W whether tiluse suggestions will be acceptable : and 14r my guidance in writing a Prelac!., I should wish to learn whether Mr. Ilerliert is it y0111111 HOW, mid this his iirst work, From his bat t le • .xeliea I $11,1111,1 1.016.:Ci till! he is a soldier.
" If you win, to retain ut,, ill I him Cf111,,, hismnr.tm (0 mention my fee also %Lich yccmm did not allude in your hwmer letter.
" I am, my dear Sir, yours very truly., The " memoranda" alluded to in the letter, altitrIA1,11'.1,71iSn't.lriNuo.". of our list, are too numerous and minute for publication here.
Previous page
