Trollope (Anthony)

Autograph letter signed ('A.T.') to Octavian Blewitt, Secretary of the Royal Literary Fund, reading I have read your paper, and I like it so well (with one exception) that I will endeavour to publish it myself, or failing that will have it as I send as a legacy. But I do not like the first two pages. I think, considering that we have triumphed over Lytton & Dickens, that they have failed and have owned their failure, that you are a little hard on them - or something perhaps too triumphant. The effort was well meant, though we did not agree with them. Both Dickens and my Lord tried their best; and though it may be fair (and I think it is judicious) to mention the fact that the property is to be sold, I would do it with some little acceptance of their good intentions. Dickens is privately my friend, and of course knows that I edit the magazine. I should hardly like to put in a paper that seemed to be hard on his failure. And I should like it the less as Lord Lytton, some time since owned to me at Knebworth the failure in a very frank manner. Perhaps you could alter the first two pages", three pages, 8vo, Waltham House, Waltham Cross, 25 February 1870.