Letter from Edmund Gosse to Thomas Hardy, 23 July 1906

[Page 1] Edmund Gosse.

17, Hanover Terrace,

Regent's Park, N.W.

23.7.06

My dear Hardy

After long want of success, I have been fortunate enough to get (at a ~~price~~^cost^ much exceeding, indeed, the original price!) a very fair copy of the first edition of "Far from the Madding Crowd", in the green and gilt boards. I am extremely pleased, for this book has peculiar and even sentimental interest for me.

Now I want you to be so very kind as to tell [Page 2] me how the illustrations came to be made. Some are signed "H. Paterson" others " H. Allingham". Was the lady married while the book was appearing? Did you know her and direct her pencil?

Anything you can remember about the history of these pictures will be very welcome if you will indulge me with it, and will forgive the curiosity of a tiresome old bibliomaniac.

I hope you and [Page 3] M^rs Hardy are neither of you any the worse for your London visit? My poor Nellie is still confined to the room in which you saw her.

I am going at the end of the week to stay at Rye with Henry James.

Always yours

Edmund Gosse

P.S. Have you had any confirmation of that curious story about M^rs R—l St—rg—s? I have been discretion itself.

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