LETTERS FROM 1866 TO 1872. 91 



the haven where he would be. Yet his fortune 

 lies at his feet, if he will but stoop to pick it 

 up. It lies in the hedges, and in the fields, 

 and woods ; it lies upon the hillside. He can 

 see it red as gold, flashing with the splendid 

 light of a million diamonds, if he will open his 

 eyes. But the time is not yet. 



The firm of publishers declined, but in 

 courteous and even flattering terms, to publish 

 the work in question. The author at once made 

 up his mind that the book was not " in their 

 line," and sent the MS. to another firm. 



The second firm apparently declined the 

 work ; but in another month the author 



writes triumphantly that Messrs. are 



going to publish it. Now nothing remains 

 but to settle the price. 



" I cannot help," he says, " feeling this a 

 moment of great triumph, after so much op- 

 position from everyone. All my friends pro- 

 phesied failure, and when I refused to desist 

 from endeavouring, grew angry with me, and 

 annoyed me as much as possible. ... I will 

 let you know as soon as we have agreed upon 

 the price, and, of course, I shall have the 



