5897. RB to George Murray Smith
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 197–198.
[London]
Apr. 26. [1867] [1]
Dear Mr Smith– I show you this letter [2] for fairness’ sake, that having heard my charges you may not be ignorant of what is considered an answer to one of them,—for nothing is said in excuse for—1st bringing out the book at all under such circumstances, whosever had been the fault. 2d delaying the new edition [3] till six months afterward—the last week in June.
I hate seeming to act unkindly or capriciously in the matter, and can’t help troubling you with this explanatory word [4] —which pray don’t answer, but throw the paper into the fire at once.
Yours sincerely, RB
Publication: RB-GS, p. 327.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. Year provided by RB’s reference to letter 5896.
3. i.e., the seventh edition of EBB’s Poetical Works, which was published on 9 June 1866.
4. This is the first indication in the correspondence that RB would choose Smith, Elder & Co. as his publisher, replacing Chapman and Hall (see letter 5776, note 1, and letter 5795, note 13). In November 1867, RB asked Smith whether he would like to publish a new edition of Poetical Works and under what terms. A month later, Smith returned a “liberal” offer that RB accepted (see letter 5985).
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