the work respecting
which I applied to you, I should wish now to know, as soon as possible,
the cost of paper and printing. I will then send the necessary
remittance, together with the manuscript. I should like it to be printed
in one octavo volume, of the same quality of paper and size of type as
Moxon's last edition of Wordsworth. The poems will occupy, I should
think, from 200 to 250 pages. They are not the production of a
clergyman, nor are they exclusively of a religious character; but I
presume these circumstances will be immaterial. It will, perhaps, be
necessary that you should see the manuscript, in order to calculate
accurately the expense of publication; in that case I will send it
immediately. I should like, however, previously, to have some idea of
the probable cost; and if, from what I have said, you can make a rough
calculation on the subject, I should be greatly obliged to you."

In her next letter, February 6th, she says:--

"You will perceive that the poems are the work of three persons,
relatives--their separate pieces are distinguished by their respective
signatures."

She writes again on February 15th; and on the 16th she says:--

"The MS. will certainly form a thinner volume than I had anticipated. I
cannot name another model which I should like it precisely to resemble,
yet, I think, a duodecimo form, and a somewhat reduced, though still
_clear_ type, would be preferable. I only stipulate for _clear_ type,
not too small, and good paper."

On February 21st she selects the "long primer type" for the poems, and
will remit 31_l_. 10_s_. in a few days.

Minute as the details conveyed in these notes are, they are not trivial,
because they afford such strong indications of character. If the volume
was to be published at their own risk, it was necessary that the sister
conducting the negotiation should make herself acquainted with the
different kinds of type, and the various sizes of books. Accordingly she
bought a small volume, from which to learn all she could on the subject
of preparation for the press. No half-knowledge--no trusting to other
people for decisions which she could make for herself; and yet a generous
and full confidence, not misplaced, in the thorough probity of Messrs.
Aylott and Jones. The caution in ascertaining the risk before embarking
in the enterprise, and the prompt payment of the money required, even
before it could be said to have assumed the shape of a debt,