"
_Mr. Buxton to John Murray_.
_December_ 31, 1837.
"The basis of my proposed book has already been brought before the
Cabinet Ministers in a confidential letter addressed to Lord
Melbourne.... It is now my purpose to publish a portion of the work, on
the nature, extent, and horrors of the slave trade, and the failure of
the efforts hitherto made to suppress it, [Footnote: See "Life of W.E.
Forster," ch. iv.] reserving the remainder for another volume to be
published at a future day. I should like to have 1,500 copies of the
first volume thrown off without delay."
The book was published, and was followed by a cheaper volume in the
following year, of which a large number was sold and distributed.
The following letter illustrates the dangerous results of reading sleepy
books by candle-light in bed:
_Mr. Longman to John Murray_.
2 HANOVER TERRACE, 1838.
MY DEAR MURRAY,
Can you oblige me by letting me have a third volume of "Wilberforce"?
The fact is, that in reading that work, my neighbour, Mr. Alexander,
fell fast asleep from exhaustion, and, setting himself on fire, burnt
the volume and his bed, to the narrow escape of the whole Terrace.
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