Letter to William Copley
To William Copley
Letter from Esther Hewlett Copley to William Copley, [1824], in which she reviews the history, publication, and reception of her books, including a detailed account of The Radical Reformists.
(Undated: abt. 1827)
My Dear Love,
You have very correctly requested a statement of my literary property so that you know how and where to apply for what would belong entirely to you and our dear children in the event of my removal. I have thought it might give you some gratification to provide a little history of each of my publications. In doing so, you will have all the information you desire and, in some way, share in the struggles and pleasures I have experienced, and in the great mercy and truth that have been shown to one so unworthy.
I shall mention my little works in the order in which they were produced (except in one or two cases where two were disposed of together or where some exchange of property or another complicating circumstance connects them).
1815
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Legend of Stutchbury – The first edition was printed at Mr. Collingwood’s risk; the sale covered the printer’s bill and relieved me of the great anxiety that his generosity might become a burden. I then sold the entire copyright for £7.15s.0d., making a total of £10.10s.6d., the foundation of our library.
The Holiday Week – Twenty-five copies were given free. The entire copyright was sold to Williams & Co. for £12.12s.0d.
1816
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Victims of Pleasure – Twenty-five copies free. The entire copyright was sold to Williams & Co. for £26.5s.0d. (Of this amount, £12.10s. was received in books and the remainder in cash.) These two works made my dear Mr. Hewlett very happy when he took the notes and cashed them at Walker’s bank. When asked, “Who are Williams & Co.?” he replied, “Booksellers in London, these notes are in payment for works written by my wife.”
Visit to Oxford – Twenty-five copies free. The entire copyright was sold to William Williams for £31.10s., on the condition of taking 200 copies at trade price and the rest in books. This arrangement ensured that I received my money (which would have otherwise been lost in W. W.’s bankruptcy). (Poor Mr. Whessall, did two copper plates for which he was never paid - his bill was around £9.16s.) This project was done at Mr. W.’s suggestion to portray the curious characters of Oxford, for which he was to furnish plates. I was not at home in that subject; however, had it been printed in the form of a child’s book and sold at a reasonable price, it might have succeeded. It is more suited for children than “London Characters,” from which the idea was taken, and that work has had a good sale.
1817
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Wages of Dishonesty – Twenty-five copies free. Written at the request of William Williams with the price fixed at £31.10s. Before the bargain was concluded, however, W.W. failed; all I received was between £8 and £9 in books. I was advised not to prove my debt, lest the dividend should not amount to as much. As no agreement was reached to consider the copyright as mine for any future edition or use, I once called on Mr. Westley, who confirmed the facts in his own book (or rather, in W.W.’s book). He admitted that he had gained at my expense but lost by others and was not inclined to make restitution. All I asked was that he should pay Mr. Wessall’s bill; then I would make a singular assignment and divide the work into three 6d. tracts according to the original intention. I also offered to do the same with Victims of Pleasure. If he declined, I would consider the copyright of Wages of Dishonesty entirely mine and forbid its reprinting, granting him full liberty to use it. I did so, and I am now at peace.
The Radical Reformists – Written at the suggestion of a friend who offered it at “Seely’s and Hutchards”, where it was rejected with scorn and set aside as useless. Later, in 1819, it was revised to suit the time of the Manchester Riots. “Simpkin and Marshall” published it at their risk with half the profits going to me. A large number of copies were sold quickly (several in and about Oxford), and the work attracted considerable academic notice. This success produced further presents during my dear husband’s illness and benefited our children after his passing. Dr Routh, President of Magdalen, was so pleased with it that he showed it to a friend who wrote a letter of appreciation (enclosing £10) on that very day, when I had gone to Newbury to fetch Dr Hemsted for my dear Mr. H. My journey cost £1.12s.0d, and Mr. Hemsted’s fee was £8.8.0d. This instance is one among many that have brought comfort.
I never reached any settlement with Simpkin and Marshall for this tract, but was satisfied by the large number of copies I received as my share of the profits.
1818
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Persecution – Twenty-five copies free.
The Races – The entire copyright for both tracts was sold to Simpkin & Marshall for £16.16s.
1819
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The Young Reviewers – Twenty-five copies free. After an offer of £5.0.0, the entire copyright was sold to Mr. Duston for £15.15s. (These sums, received in London in 1819, brought many comforts to my dear Mr. H. in his final months and cheered him with the thought that a resource was available for those most dear to him.)
1820
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The Contrast; or, The Fair and the Holiday – The entire copyright was sold to Nisbet for £7.7s. (I had offered Nisbet The Races and Persecution and had some books on that basis; when we settled, Nisbet offered only £10 for the two, which I thought too little. I then took them to S & M and got £16.16s. After my dear Mr. Hewlett’s death, the first work I produced was this tract, to pay Nisbet’s bill.)
Eliza Harding – Written in the hope of meeting the wishes of the Liverpool Religious Tract Society, which had made generous offers for the right to reprint or purchase a large quantity of The Legend of Stutchbury. (They had seen several examples of its usefulness.) Westley refused such an arrangement, saying it sold well and that those who desired it might buy it at the regular price. He had raised the price from 2d to 4d and would not consent to a wider circulation merely to do good. Poor man! He rushed to be rich but ultimately suffered many sorrows after a few years of trade before failing. The Liverpool correspondence succeeded in shaming him into reducing the price of the next edition to 3d, at which it still sells. Eliza Harding was considered of a higher class, suited to the Liverpool R.T.S., which greatly admired it and recommended enlarging it and publishing it attractively for young persons of that class. Accordingly, it was enlarged and published by Mr Hinton - on the condition of sharing the profits - but he soon shifted from publishing to printing. After about two years, I received £5 on account of profits. Then I sold the entire copyright of Eliza Harding and William Barlow to “Chalmers & Collins” of Glasgow for £55 (about £30 each, plus an additional £5 from Isaac Hinton).
William Barlow – Undertaken at the suggestion of the late Bishop of Oxford, this work was initially set aside due to domestic afflictions, but resumed in 1822. It was sold together with Eliza Harding; the entire copyright was sold to “Chalmers & Collins” for £55 (approximately £30 each, with an additional £5 from Isaac Hinton).
1821
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I commenced The Sunday Scholar’s Magazine and conducted it for four years. The agreement was for £4.4s monthly after the first year, depending on its success. As the costs of establishing it were high, Mr Hinton could offer only £10 for the first year; however, I received a receipt from Mr Hinton Senior for between £15 and £16. In the second year, I received £2.2s monthly; toward the end of that year, as my health began to fail under excessive labours, I proposed to decline that arrangement as it was the least profitable. My salary was then raised to £3.3s monthly for two years. Later, Messrs. B & H reduced it to £2.2s, which I declined, recommending either Mr Draper or Mr Howlett as my successor. The former took over, and I retain full rights in all my own pieces (which are marked in a boarded set on my left-hand bookshelf).
I produced 25 copies each of Selections from the Works of Watts: Part 1 for Dodderidge at £2.2s. Then, revising and enlarging a second edition and writing the life of the author, I produced an additional 25 copies at £4.4s, plus 25 more copies.
I also selected works by Cowper (1 part at £2.2s) and by Bishop Hall (2 parts at £4.4s). These selections were made for Mr Hinton.
New Year Wishes – 25 copies free. This overgrown magazine paper was published as a 2d tract. It was one of six tracts written for Mr. Hinton without any agreement on price; eventually, when winding up our affairs, he gave me £3.3s for each. (I am unsure whether this included the entire copyright or only what had already been printed. I believe it was stereotype - and if so, it was sold to Westley Jr. - in which case I have no further interest in it.)
The Warning Voice – 25 copies. An account (asserting Mr Hewlett’s views) of the death of a poor, unhappy girl in the city prison. The entire copyright was sold to Westley for £10.10s.
A Sermon on Confirmation (by Mr Hewlett) – Sold to Mr Hinton for £3.3s in the same manner as item 13.
Volume of Mr Hewlett’s Sermons – Published by “Simpkin & Marshall” at their risk, with profits divided with me. The copies I received to supply subscribers totalled £90; I then received additional copies for 50 speakers, and 25 thereafter. (This account has never been closed; I have an outstanding account against them for speaking fees, which I hope will cover any deficiency. In all, I cleared about £120.)
The Floods – 25 copies free. Improved version; I received £3.3s from Mr Hinton for item 13.
David Haggash – 25 copies free. A work I was engaged to do without knowing the disgusting details involved, which I never wish to see reprinted. I received £3.3s from Mr. Hinton for it.
1822
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Tokens for Travellers – 25 copies free. I received £3.3s from Mr. Hinton.
The Osage Captive – 25 copies free; an abridgement from an American publication. I received £3.3s, as with item 13. (1822 or 1821 – I cannot recall precisely.) Two copies were made while editing the memoirs of Mrs. Barfield; I received £3.3s from Mr. Holdsworth.
The Squire’s Walk – 25 copies free. I received £3.3s as above. If not stereotyped, I believe I have the right to reprint it.
William Barlow – 25 copies free. Undertaken at the suggestion of the late Bishop of Oxford, this work was initially set aside due to domestic afflictions but resumed in 1822. It was sold together with Eliza Harding; the entire copyright was sold to “Chalmers & Collins” for £55 (approximately £30 each, with an additional £5 from Isaac Hinton).
1823
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The New Speaker – 25 copies of the second edition. I was employed by Messrs. Bartlett & Hinton for this work; my remuneration was equivalent to 225 copies (about £50). Afterwards, they shifted to another branch of business and wished to dispose of the stereotype plates. They offered them to me for £55 (“Chalmers & Collins” note), which I accepted; but in 1825, due to the expenses of The Christian Gleaner, I disposed of it to “Simpkin & Marshall.” They paid £75 for the plates and copyright, with a promise of an additional £25 when it achieved good circulation.
The Cowslip Gatherers – 25 copies free. The entire copyright was sold to W. Daston for £15.15s.
Old Man’s Head – 25 copies free. The entire copyright was sold to W. Daston for £15.15s.
The Schoolfellows – 25 copies free. (First edition: Dav. Brown, Edinburgh, at £5.5s, with 200 copies to print 1,000 more; second edition (1820): 1,500 copies sold to “Holdsworth & Ball” for £25; printer’s bill £16.10s.6d; profit on the second edition (aside from 25 copies) £8.9s.6d. Copyright remained mine.)
Twelve Sunday School Tracts – 100 free copies plus 25 in volumes. The entire copyright was sold to Mr. Hinton for £2.2s each (i.e. £25.4s total), who later sold permission to print six to the Religious Tract Society at £2.2s each and the entire set of twelve to Westley & Davies at £2.2s each.
1824
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I commenced The Christian Gleaner with flattering promises from several quarters, which were never realised. I bore the entire expense over four years (approximately £550), receiving about £380, leaving a deficiency of about £170. Since the publication closed, I have received from Simpkin & Marshall totals of £37.10s and £56, with a final deficiency of £76.10s. My stock in sheets is worth about £150, stock in sets about £25, and outstanding debts about £15. (I have also considered publishing some parts as separate tracts, such as The Servant’s Catechism and The Motherless Family.)
Tract on Prophecy – 100 copies free. (Partly from Watts & Home, partly original; done for Vincent, with Home’s introduction.) The entire copyright was sold.
Typical Connection – 50 copies free. (Done for Vincent for Scott’s Bible.) The entire copyright was sold.
Anne and her Dolls – 25 copies due. The entire copyright was sold to W. Daston for £12.12s.6d. (Not yet published.)
Summary of the New Testament – 25 copies free. The entire copyright was sold to Vincent and Simpkin & Marshall for a total of £20 (i.e. £10 each).
1825
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Cottage Comforts – Entirely my own property. (See below for detailed breakdown of expenses and multiple editions)
First edition: 2,000 copies; total expenses (setting, casting, working, paper, boarding) are recorded.
Subsequent editions (2nd through 6th) have their own detailed costs and sales figures.
Total receipts: £693.15s; total expenses: £396.00s; net profit: £297.15s. (This book sprang from an overgrown magazine paper.)
1826
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The Mother’s Friend – Chiefly extracted from Cottage Comforts. Stereotype plates and wrapper entirely my own. (It was done at the suggestion of Mr Parker, who bore much of the expense; it cost about £3. Mr. Parker initially gave me 500 copies and promised 400 more, which I have not yet received.)
Began Scripture Natural History for Fisher & Co. at £3.0s per sheet for 25 copies; published in 1828. Received £66.3s for it, plus 12 plain and 13 coloured copies (most given away).
Began Scripture History for Fisher & Co. under the same terms; 29 sheets totalled £91.7s; published in 1829, with 12 coloured plates and 13 plain ones; binding cost remains unsettled.
Began a Cookery Book for Mr Virtue on terms arranged by Mr Hinton at £2.12s.6d per number for 25 copies. The price of the last number was reduced, and the 25 copies were withheld. (This work was republished in 1828; total receipts were £91.17s.6d, though I never received any money, as The Christian Gleaner absorbed it.).
1827
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Analysis of the Old Testament – I have kept eight copies (with the possibility of more when needed). The entire copyright was sold to Vincent for £50, with an agreement that upon a second edition, I would receive an additional £25.
Test & Corporation Acts – A poor speculation; printing 1,000 copies cost £8.7s.0d. (This sum remains due to Mr. Hinton because of an error in transferring funds to Mr. Bartlett. I sold about £4.7s.0d., leaving a loss of £4.0s.0d. This was settled on January 7, 1830.)
The Young Servant’s Friendly Instruction – Extended from Christian Gleaner. Copyright entirely my own. Printed 1,500 copies for £26, and sold 1,000 to “Simpkin & Marshall” at £25, with the remainder averaging 8d each (about £16), leaving a net gain of £15. (A second edition in 1831 sold 1,000 copies for £30; after deducting Clay's bill of £19, the clear gain was £11.)
1828
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Began The Domestic Visitor for the Religious Tract Society at £3.3s per number for 50 copies (plus one dozen in volumes). I have now completed six numbers, clearing about £20.
I Am No Scholar – An overgrown magazine paper; received £5 and 200 copies.
Natural Theology for Babes (titled Little Mary) – Several dialogues were inserted in the Child’s Companion, but I never completed it; I would like to complete and publish it separately.
The Grafted Trees – Extracted from the “Sunday School Magazine” (last two articles and additional trifles).
The Motherless Family – Extracted from the “Christian Gleaner.” Copyright is my own. The printer's bill was £23. I sold the entire impression (1,500 copies) to Holdsworth & Ball at half price (£37.10s), leaving a profit of £14.10s (plus surplus copies of about 25).
Analysis of the New Testament – Written for Vincent. I was not to be paid for this work; I did it freely to offset the excess matter in the Analysis of the Old Testament. I hope these two together will fulfill his purpose and that I shall receive the £25 mentioned in item 50, though it is not yet printed.
The Keepsake – a Parting Gift for a Female Scholar – Written at the request of the “Sunday School Society”. I received £10 and expect additional copies when published. (This was written later; I received 50 copies.)
1829
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Abridgement of Watt’s Scripture History – Done for Vincent. He mentioned £5, but I doubt that will cover my labour; this remains to be settled. He has always behaved pleasantly and generously.
Scripture Biography for “Fisher & Co.” – Completed in 1830; I received a note for £40 on account.
A sketch of my dear Sister Marianne’s life and character. It was scarcely completed when I was called to the dying bed of my dear Sister Byles. (Published in 1830; cost £30 for 500 copies, with an expected loss of about half.)
Yours most affectionately,
Esther
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Summary of Receipts (selected works)
Legend of Stutchbury: £10.08
Holiday Week: £12.12s
Victims of Pleasure: £26.05s
Visit to Oxford: £31.10s
Wages of Dishonesty: £8.00s
Persecution & The Races: £16.16s
Young Reviewers: £15.15s
Radical Reformists: £20.00s
The Contrast: £7.07s
Eliza Harding: £30.00s
Sunday Scholar’s Magazine: £116.12s
Selections: £13.02.6d
New Year’s Wishes: £3.03s
Warning Voice: £10.10s
Confirmation Editing: £3.03s
Editing Sermons: £120.00s
Foods Improved: £3.03s
Tokens for Travellers: £3.03s
Osage Captive: £3.03s
Mrs. Barfield (Intro/Conclusion): £3.03s
Squire’s Walk: £3.03s
William Barlow: £30.00s
The Speaker: £75.00s
Cowslip Gatherers: £15.15s
Schoolfellows: £13.14.6d
Sunday School Tracts: £25.04s
Prophecy & Types: £7.00s
Anne and her Dolls: £12.12s
Summary of the NT: £20.00s
Scripture Natural History: £66.03s
Scripture History: £91.07s
Cookery: £91.17.6d
Analysis of the OT: £50.00s
Servant’s Instruction: £15.00s
Domestic Visitor: £18.18s
Cottage Comforts: £297.15s
I Am No Scholar: £5.00s
Mary, Grafted Trees, etc.: £10.00s
Motherless Family: £14.10s
Keepsake: £10.05s
Total: £1,330.14.6d
Against the loss of this and The Christian Gleaner, the whole stock of books in the house is valued at an amount for which I would hesitate to take £22.00. I do not take into account the value of my own copyrights for any future disposal, nor the value of any copies received freely.
Additional Items:
Servant’s Instruction, 2nd Edition: £11.00s
Cottage Comforts, 7th Edition: £50.00s
7 Numbers Domestic Visitor: £22.00s
Scripture Biography (Account): £40.00s
3 Numbers Domestic Visitor: £9.09s
Tract Society (sale of reward books): £10.00s
Ditto on sale of Family Scripture Book: £20.00s
Cottage Comforts, 8th Edition (Roake & Vasty, on account): £25.00
Jubilee Tract: £5
Detailed Financial Account of Cottage Comforts
which Esther owned outright.
The total number of books printed across six editions was 8,500, with the sixth edition not yet complete or paid for by or to her at the time of writing.
Production Costs:
First edition (1825, 2,000 copies): Setting and casting £42.10s; working £17.00s; paper £50.00s; boarding £21.00.
Second edition (1826, 500 copies): Working £4.5s; paper £12.10s + £22.00s; boarding £5.5s.
Third edition (1826, 1,500 copies): Working £12.15s; paper £33.00s + £61.10s; boarding £15.15s.
Fourth edition (1827, 1,250 copies): Working £10.10s; paper £26.00s + £53.10s; boarding £13.00s.
Fifth edition (1828, 1,500 copies): Same as the third edition.
Sixth edition (1829, 1,500 copies): Same as the third edition; additional carriage and incidental expenses £5.10s.
The total production expenses for all six editions amounted to £396.00.0d.
Receipts included the following:
– 1st edition: 1,500 copies sold to Simpkin & Marshall at 1s.3d each – £93.15s
– Edition 2: 1,000 copies at 1s.6d – £75.00s
– Edition 4: 1,000 copies at 1s.6d – £75.00s
– Edition 5: 1,000 copies at 1s.6d – £75.00s
– Edition 6: 1,000 copies at 1s.6d – £75.00s
– Remaining 3,000 copies sold at an average of 2s.0d – £300.00.
The total receipts came to £693.15.0d, yielding a net profit of £297.15.0d, inclusive of the sixth edition.
Notes & Sources
Letter from Esther Hewlett Copley to William Copley, n.d. Copy in possession of the author, courtesy of Jacqui Baines, Great Offley, U.K.