25.
October 18th, 1906
Dear Mr. Joyce,
I do not think I can usefully add anything to my last letter with
reference to "Dubliners". You know how much we regret finding it
impossible to publish the book. To bring it out as it stands, or even with the
emendations you suggest, would be quite valueless from your point of view:
it would bring you neither money nor reputation. If, however, you can
bring yourself to complete your novel and it has the strength of your short
stories, I think it might bring you both money and reputation, and that then,
as I have said, "Dubliners" could follow it.
The manuscript of your poems is going back to you under separate
cover. Believe me, dear Mr. Joyce, Sincerely yours,
On 22 Oct. (in a letter not yet published) Joyce wrote, making
further concessions. Among them he agreed to suppression of "A Little
Cloud" and "Two
Gallants", saying of the latter that he felt it was second only to "Ivy Day
in the Committee Room" among the first thirteen stories.
Gallants", saying of the latter that he felt it was second only to "Ivy Day
in the Committee Room" among the first thirteen stories.