Me.  Disraeli’s earliest appearance as an author had been with the novel of “Vivian Grey,” published after a brief visit to Germany while he was still in his eighteenth year.  Two volumes were published in 1826, and a third volume, or continuation, in the following year.  The work brought the author some notoriety, but, as already noticed, it contained matter which gave offence in Albemarle Street.  After the publication of the first part, which was contemporaneous with the calamitous affair of the Representative, Mr. Murray saw but little of the Disraeli family, but at the commencement of 1830, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli once more applied to him for an interview.  Mr. Murray, however, in whose mind the former episode was still fresh, was unwilling to accede to this request, and replied in the third person.

John Murray to Mr. B. Disraeli.

“Mr. Murray is obliged to decline at present any personal interview; but if Mr. Benjamin Disraeli is disposed to confide his MS. to Mr. Murray as a man of business, Mr. Disraeli is assured that the proposal will be entertained in every respect with the strictest honour and impartiality.”

Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray.

UNION HOTEL, COCKSPUR STREET, 1830.

The object of my interview with you is purely literary.  It has always been my wish, if it ever were my fate to write anything calculated to arrest public attention, that you should be the organ of introducing it to public notice.  A letter I received this morning from my elected critic was the reason of my addressing myself to you.

I am sorry that Mr. Mitchell is out of town, because he is a person in whom you rightly have confidence; but from some observations he made to me the other day it is perhaps not to be regretted that he does not interfere in this business.  As he has overrated some juvenile indiscretions of mine, I fear he is too friendly a critic.

I am thus explicit because I think that candour, for all reasons, is highly desirable.  If you feel any inclination to pursue this affair, act as you like, and fix upon any critic you please.  I have no objection to Mr. Lockhart, who is certainly an able one, and is, I believe, influenced by no undue partiality towards me.

At all events, this is an affair of no great importance—­and whatever may be your determination, it will not change the feelings which, on my part, influenced this application.  I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

BENJ.  DISRAELI.

P.S.—­I think it proper to observe that I cannot crudely deliver my MS. to any one.  I must have the honour of seeing you or your critic.  I shall keep this negotiation open for a couple of days—­that is, I shall wait for your answer till Tuesday morning, although, from particular circumstances, time is important to me.

Mr. Disraeli was about to make a prolonged journey abroad.  Before he set out he again wrote to Mr. Murray: