University of Virginia Library

11.

Very many thanks for your letter. I am glad that you have decided to accept the terms this house was able to offer you, and I hope that we may be able so to publish your books in the future as to encourage a relation entirely satisfactory both to you and to us.

You speak about your financial position. Will you not tell me what you are doing and what your prospects are?

I think we shall publish "Dubliners" at five shillings, in a rather slim crown octavo volume, carefully printed in heavyish type on a rather yellow paper. As for the binding, I purpose making it very plain indeed, but in this matter, and indeed in the whole matter of the book's appearance,

we should like to know your wishes. Perhaps you can either send us a book or tell us of one which has pleased you, and that will give us some idea of what you would like. The book will come out in May or June or in September.

I enclose a draft agreement. If you will sign it and return it I will send you a duplicate duly signed by Mrs. Grant Richards.

Will you have the kindness to write a brief description of the book, of some 200 words in length, to be used as material for catalogues, advertisements, and so on? We could describe it here, of course, but we should not be likely to do so as justly as you would. It will, of course, be a description written as from the publisher and not from the author. Believe me, dear Mr. Joyce, Sincerely yours,