I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your attention to the request which I had solicited our friend Mr. Robinson to make to you for the translation of Goethe’s extraordinary drama of “Faust,” which I suspect that no one could do justice to besides yourself.  It will be the first attempt to render into classical English a German work of peculiar but certainly of unquestionable Genius; and you must allow that its effects upon the public must be doubtful.  I am desirous however of making the experiment, and this I would not do under a less skilful agent than the one to whom I have applied.  I am no less anxious that you should receive, as far as I think the thing can admit, a fair remuneration; and trusting that you will not undertake it unless you feel disposed to execute the labour perfectly con amore, and in a style of versification equal to “Remorse,” I venture to propose to you the sum of One Hundred Pounds for the Translation and the preliminary Analysis, with such passages translated as you may judge proper of the works of Goethe, with a copy of which I will have the pleasure of supplying you as soon as I have your final determination.  The sum which I mention shall be paid to you in two months from the day on which you place the complete Translation and Analysis in my hands; this will allow a reasonable time for your previous correction of the sheets through the press.  I shall be glad to hear from you by return of Post, if convenient, as I propose to set out this week for the Continent.  If this work succeeds, I am in hopes that it will lead to many similar undertakings.

With sincere esteem, I am, dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, J. Murray

I should hope that it might not prove inconvenient to you to complete the whole for Press in the course of November next.

Mr. Coleridge replied as follows, from the same address: 

Mr. Coleridge to John Murray.

August 31, 1814.

Dear Sir,

I have received your letter.  Considering the necessary labour, and (from the questionable nature of the original work, both as to its fair claims to Fame—­the diction of the good and wise according to unchanging principles—­and as to its chance for Reputation, as an accidental result of local and temporary taste), the risk of character on the part of the Translator, who will assuredly have to answer for any disappointment of the reader, the terms proposed are humiliatingly low; yet such as, under modifications, I accede to.  I have received testimonials from men not merely of genius according to my belief, but of the highest accredited reputation, that my translation of “Wallenstein” was in language and in metre superior to the original, and the parts most admired were substitutions of my own, on a principle of compensation.  Yet the whole work went for waste-paper.  I was abused—­nay, my own remarks in the Preface were transferred to a Review, as the Reviewer’s sentiments against