"
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, were both
parts of a self-reliant and independent character. Self-contained also
was she. During the whole time that the volume of poems was in the
course of preparation and publication, no word was written telling
anyone, out of the household circle, what was in progress.
I have had some of the letters placed in my hands, which she addressed to
her old schoolmistress, Miss W-.
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