frontispiece of “Flim-Flams.”] whose busts of Seneca and Scarron are pleasingly executed; but you will also want artists of name.  I have a friend, extremely attached to literature and the fine arts, a gentleman of opulent fortune; by what passed with him in conversation, I have reason to believe that he would be ready to assist by money to a considerable extent.  Would that suit you?  How would you arrange with him?  Would you like to divide your work in Shares?  He is an intimate friend of West’s, and himself too an ingenious writer.

How came you to advertise ‘Domestic Anecdotes’?  Kearsley printed 1,250 copies.  I desire that no notice of the authors of that work may be known from your side.

* * * * *

At this moment I receive your packet of poems, and Shee’s letter.  I perceive that he is impressed by your attentions and your ability.  It will always afford me one of my best pleasures to forward your views; I claim no merit from this, but my discernment in discovering your talents, which, under the genius of Prudence (the best of all Genii for human affairs), must inevitably reach the goal.  The literary productions of I.D[’Israeli] and others may not augment the profits oL your trade in any considerable degree; but to get the talents of such writers at your command is a prime object, and others will follow.

I had various conversations with Phillips [Footnote:  Sir Richard Phillips, bookseller.  This is the publisher whose book on philosophy George Borrow was set to translate into German, and who recommended him to produce something in the style of “The Dairyman’s Daughter"!] here; he is equally active, but more wise.  He owns his belles-lettres books have given no great profits; in my opinion he must have lost even by some.  But he makes a fortune by juvenile and useful compilations.  You know I always told you he wanted literary taste—­like an atheist, who is usually a disappointed man, he thinks all belles lettres are nonsense, and denies the existence of taste; but it exists! and I flatter myself you will profit under that divinity.  I have much to say on this subject and on him when we meet.

At length I have got through your poetry:  it has been a weary task!  The writer has a good deal of fire, but it is rarely a very bright flame.  Here and there we see it just blaze, and then sink into mediocrity.  He is too redundant and tiresome....  ’Tis a great disadvantage to read them in MS., as one cannot readily turn to passages; but life is too short to be peeping into other peoples’ MSS. I prefer your prose to your verse.  Let me know if you receive it safely, and pray give no notion to any one that I have seen the MS.”

Mr. D’Israeli to John Murray.

“It is a most disagreeable office to give opinions on MSS.; one reads them at a moment when one has other things in one’s head—­then one is obliged to fatigue the brain with thinking; but if I can occasionally hinder you from publishing nugatory works, I do not grudge the pains.  At the same time I surely need not add, how very confidential such communications ought to be.”