Its rejection by you will only cause me sorrow.  I have no desire that you should become its publisher, unless you conceive it may be the first of a series of works, which may support your name, and sustain your fortunes.  There is no question of pecuniary matters between us; I leave all these with you, with illimitable trust.

Pray, pray, my dear Sir, do not let me repent the feelings which impel me to seek this renewal of our connection.  I entreat therefore your attention to this subject, and request that you will communicate your decision.

Believe me, as I have already said, that whatever that decision may be, I shall not the less consider myself,

Very cordially yours,

B. DISRAELI.

And again, in a subsequent letter, Mr. Disraeli said: 

“There is no work of fiction on whose character I could not decide in four-and-twenty hours, and your critic ought not to be less able than your author.  Pray, therefore, to communicate without loss of time to your obedient faithful servant.

“B.D.”

On receiving Mr. Milman’s approval, Mr. Murray immediately made up his mind to publish the work.  He wrote to Mr. Disraeli: 

John Murray to Mr. Disraeli.

March 6, 1832.

MY DEAR SIR,

Your MS. has this moment been returned to me, accompanied by a commendation which enables me to say that I should be proud of being its publisher.  But in these times I am obliged to refrain from speculation, and I cannot offer any sum for it that is likely to be equal to its probable value.

I would, however, if it so please you, print at my expense an edition of 1,200 or 1,500 copies, and give you half the profits; and after the sale of this edition, the copyright shall be entirely your own; so that if the work prove as successful as I anticipate, you will ensure all the advantages of it without incurring any risque.  If this proposal should not suit you, I beg to add that I shall, for the handsome offer of your work in the first instance, still remain,

Your obedient Servant,

JOHN MURRAY.

Some further correspondence took place as to the title of the work.  “What do you think,” said Mr. Disraeli, “of the ‘Psychological Memoir’?  I hesitate between this and ‘Narrative,’ but discard ‘History’ or ‘Biography.’  On survey, I conceive the MS. will make four Byronic tomes, according to the pattern you were kind enough to show me.”  The work was at length published in 4 vols., foolscap 8vo, with the title of “Contarini Fleming:  a Psychological Biography.”

Before the appearance of the work, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: 

Mr. Disraeli to John Murray.

BRADENHAM HOUSE, May 6, 1832.

DEAR SIR,

From the notice of “C.F.” in the Literary Gazette, which I received this morning, I imagine that Jerdan has either bribed the printer, or purloined some sheets.  It is evident that he has only seen the last volume.  It is unnecessary for me to observe that such premature notice, written in such complete ignorance of the work, can do no good.  I think that he should be reprimanded, and his petty larceny arrested.  I shall be in town on Tuesday.