A Publisher and His Friends - Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; with an - Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 by Samuel Smiles
page 183 of 594 (30%)
page 183 of 594 (30%)
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bow to the all-wise Providence, which has made me a _poor_ man, and
therefore compelled me by other duties inspiring feelings, to bring _even my Intellect to the Market_. And the finale is this. I should like to attempt the Translation. If you will mention your terms, at once and irrevocably (for I am an idiot at bargaining, and shrink from the very thought), I will return an answer by the next Post, whether in my present circumstances, I can or cannot undertake it. If I do, I will do it immediately; but I must have all Goethe's works, which I cannot procure in Bristol; for to give the "Faust" without a preliminary critical Essay would be worse than nothing, as far as regards the PUBLIC. If you were to ask me as a Friend, whether I think it would suit _the General Taste_, I should reply that I cannot calculate on caprice and accident (for instance, some fashionable man or review happening to take it up favourably), but that otherwise my fears would be stronger than my hopes. Men of genius will admire it, of necessity. Those most, who think deepest and most imaginatively. The "Louisa" would delight _all_ of good hearts. I remain, dear Sir, With due respect, S.T. COLERIDGE. To this letter Mr. Murray replied as follows: _John Murray to Mr. Coleridge_. _August_ 29, 1814. Dear Sir, 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 |
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