5942. Alexander Macmillan to RB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 32, 229.
16, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, W.C.
London, July 15. 1867.
My dear Mr Browning
I am asked [by] Mr Westcott, [1] one of our most learned and thoughtful theologians, of the younger school, if I know you well enough to send you a copy of a book we have just published a second edition of, for him. [2] I send it by this post to you. He says “Mr Browning[’]s poems have been to me so great a pleasure that I should like to have an opportunity of expressing my gratitude.” He is a master at Harrow.
I also take the opportunity of asking whether you have come to a decision respecting the offer I made you for your new poem. [3] In case you have had offers in other forms I would venture to ask you[r] consideration of the respective merits of each. It is not unusual for novel publishers & other[s] to purchase the copyright for a term of years—four or five. Had we given ours in that form it would have been larger considerably. But we preferred this as being on the whole fairer to you & to us—having less of mere speculation in it. Still if it were pleasanter for you to have it in another form we will not grudge giving you say for the copyright for four years including all editions we may publish the sum of £1250. I am thinking of going to America on Aug. 10. in the Scotia. [4] I should have been glad to have carried with me the news that I had your book in hand,
ever, my dear Mr Browning
Yours very faithfully
Alex. Macmillan.
Address: Robert Browning Esqre / 19 Warwick Crescent / Westbourne Grove / W.
Docket, in RB’s hand: McMillan’s offer.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Brooke Foss Westcott (1825–1901), Bishop of Durham (1890–1901), lecturer and master at Harrow (1852–69). Many years later, he conducted the funeral service for RB at Westminster Abbey.
2. An Introduction to the Study of the Gospels, first published by Macmillan and Co. in 1860. We have been unable to trace a second edition of the work. However, a copy of the third edition, bearing Sarianna’s signature, sold in an unspecified lot in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, A2443).
3. According to Sarianna Browning, Macmillan had offered RB £1200 for publishing The Ring and the Book in Macmillan’s Magazine, “not interfering in any way with the subsequent publication,” but RB “said it did not meet his plans” (see SD2866).
4. An ocean-going paddle steamer in the Cunard line. She embarked on her maiden voyage in May 1862.
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