1288. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 189.
[London]
June 15/43
I have been so unwell this last day or two that I have not been able to attend to half the matters I have in hand. I avoid the city air as much as I can, and all its business, and hububs, even while I write this, you, dear Miss Barrett, have sent me some note which I seem to neglect—perhaps with fresh complaints of the dryness or tartness of my selected publisher,—and which I still persevere in not properly apologizing for. The truth is, the poor man is nearly torn to dog’s ears by unsuccessful applications of an indignant public, which has suddenly discovered truly to possess a taste for epic poetry. (ahem!)
I must be brief. A word about those same 25 copies which you and Miss Mitford were to share and divide in some way. Shall I propound the formula? If I may—this I submit to you– I should say let Miss Mitford (who dwellest afar in the region of ninepenny stamps) have 20, and you take the 5, together with the sharp-shooting in London. I will tell you the right time for sharp-shooters. It is now! This day, and tomorrow! I mean the day you receive this—Friday—and Saturday.
There have been so many people, and so many nine-penny stamp letters sent while the 2nd Edition was going through the press, that I have actually been compelled to set a Third Edition fast at work, [1] and this latter will be ready by Tuesday morning—when please to send a servant with the enclosed paper.
Yours dear Miss Barrett,
H.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Orion went through six editions in the course of 1843, only the first three of which were sold for one farthing.
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