Letter written by Esther (Hewlett) Copley to her husband,William Copley

(The letter is undated, but was written after 1829)

My Dear Love,

You have very properly requested of me a statement of my literary property in order to your knowing how and where to apply for what would belong entirely to you and our dear children in case of my removal. I have thought it might afford you some gratification to give you a little history of each of my publications which will at once leave you in full possession of the information you desire and also make you in some way share in the struggles and pleasures through which I have passed - and the great mercy and truth that I have been showed fron time to time 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 other complicating circumstance connects them together.

1815. 1. 'Legend of Stuchbury' - 1st. edition printed at Mr Collingwood's risk - the sale covered the printer's bill and not only relieved me of the great anxiety lest his generosity should be burdened but cleared the sum of 1p.15s.6d. The entire copyright was then sold for 7p.15s.0d. Making in all 10p.10s.6d. - The foundation of our library.

1815. 2. 'The Holiday week' 25 copies free. Entire copyright sold to Williams & Co. for 12p.12s.0d.

1816. 3. 'Victims of pleasure' 25 copies free. Entire copyright sold to Williams & Co. for 26p.5s.0d. Of the above 12p.10s. in books, the remainder in cash. These two made my dear Mr Hewlett very happy when he took the notes and got them cashed at Walker's bank - on being asked "Who are Williams & Co?" he replied "Booksellers in London - these notes are in payment for works written by my wife.

1816. 4. 'Visit to Oxford' 25 copies free.
Entire copyright sold to William Williams for 31p.10s., on condition of taking 200 copies at trade price - the rest in books ~ well it was so - for this 1 got my money which otherwise would have been lost in W.W's bankruptcy - poor Mr Whessall did two copper plates for which he never got paid - 1 think his bill was 9p.16s. (see next article). The thing was done at Mr W's suggestion in order to work up the curious characters in Oxford of which he was to furnish plates - I was not at all at home in it - however had it been printed correctly in the form of a child's book, and sold at a reasonable price it might have succeeded - It is more calculated for children than "London Characters", from which the idea was taken and which has had a good sale.

1817. 4.(sic) Wages of Dishonesty. 25 copies free.
Written at the request of William Williams price fixed at 31p.10s. - but before the bargain was concluded W.W failed.  All I had was between 8pounds and 9pounds in books - and I was advised not to prove my debt lest the dividend should not amount to as much - but as the bargain never was made to consider the copyright as my own for any future edition - or any other use I might choose to make of it. I once called on Mr Westley who took to the business and stated the facts which his book (or rather W.W's book) confirmed. Re admitted that he had made a gain of me but he had lost by others and was not at: all inclined to make any restitution - all I asked was that he should pay Mr Wbessall's bill - I would then make a singular assignment and write the division of the work into three 6d tracts according to the original intention - also offered to do the same with 'Victim of Pleasure' - but that if he declined so moderate a proposal 1 should consider the copyright of 'Wages of Dishonesty' entirely my own - and forbade his reprinting it - I have full liberty to make any use of it. I accordingly so it stands - and I am at peace.

1819. 'The Young Reviewers' 25 copies free.

After offering me 5 pounds the entire copyright sold to Wm Duston for +15p.15s. N.B. These last two sums I received when in London in 1819. They furnished many comforts for my dear Mr H. in his last months and I believe cheered his mind with the thought that a resource was mercifully pointed out for the supply of those most dear to him.

1817. 8 '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 laid aside as useless. Afterwards in 1819 brought forth and made to fit to the time of the Manchester Riots. It was then published by Simpkin and Marshall at their risk, but to give me half the profits - a large number was very quickly sold - not a few in and about Oxford. This humble attempt being seasonable, got into considerable notice in the University and proved the means of exciting great interest on my behalf - which produced several more acceptable presents during my dear husband's illness, and wrought favourably for the children when he was no more.

Dr. Routh, President of Magdalen was so much pleased with it and showed it to a friend who felt the same, that he wrote a letter expressive of his appreciation enclosing 10 pounds. This letter was delivered on the day that 1 was gone to Newbury to fetch Dr Hemsted to my dear Mr H. My journey cost 1p.12s.0d, Mr Hemsted's fee 8p.8s.0d. - they unexpectedly and mercifully provided for. This is one instance among many - "He is kind to the evil and unthankful"~ Had not this little tract (which was laid aside as worthless and then brought out just at the moment when the interest of the great was of any value to me) given a favourable impression of me, 1 have little doubt but the eircutnstance of my being a dissenter would have operated greatly to my disadvantage in seeking education for my children.

I never came to any settling with Simpkin and Marsliall about this tract, but was very well satisfied in considering the large number of copies I received as my share of the profits.

1820. 9. 'The Contrast - or The Fair and the Holiday' Entire copyright sold to Nisbet for 7p.7s.
N.B. I had offered Nisbet 'The Races and Persecution' and had some books on the strength of it - but when we came to settle Nisbet would only offer 10pounds for the two - which I thought too little - 1 therefore took them to S & M and got 16p.16s. After my dear Mr Hewlett's death, the first work I did was to write this tract to pay Nisbet's bill.

1820. 10. 'Eliza Harding' Written in hope of meeting the wishes of the Liverpool Rel. Tract Society who had made very liberal offers for leave to reprint or purchase a large quantity of 'The Legend of Stuchbury', of which they had seen several instances of usefulness - Westley refused all treaty of that kind -He said it sold well and those who wanted it might buy it at the regular price. He had raised it from 2d to 4d and would not consent to a wider circulation for the mere hope of doing good. Poor man! he made haste to be rich, but he pierced himself through with many sorrows after flourishing in trade for three or four years he failed. The Liverpool correspondence so far succeeded as to shame him to reduce the price of the next edition to 3d, at which it still sells - but this is a digression.

'Eliza Harding' was of a higher class than suited the Liverpool R.T.S (Religious Tract Society), who, however, greatly admired it and recommended the enlarging of it and publishing in an attractive style for young persons of that class. Accordingly it was enlarged and published by Mr Hinton - on condition of dividing the profits - but he soon altered his line from publishing to printing - after about two years 1 received 5 pounds on account of profits and afterwards sold the entire copyright of that and 'William Barlow' to Chalmers & Collins of Glasgow for 55 pounds- making 30 pounds each.

1821. 11. 25 copies gratis & 6 in volumes.
Commenced the 'Sunday Scholar's Magazine' and conducted it through four years. The agreement was for 4pounds4s monthly after the first year - which was to depend on the success it obtained. As the expenses of establishing it were very great, Mr Hinton could only offer me 10 pounds for the first year ~ however. I got a receipt from Mr Hinton Senior for a bill between 15 pounds and 16 pounds instead. The second year I had 2p.2s monthly and towards the close of that year, finding my health fail under excessive labours, proposed to decline that as the the least profitable - my salary was then raised to 3p.3s monthly which lasted for 2 years. Messrs B & H then found it necessary to reduce it to 2p.2s on which 1 declined it and recommended either Mr Draper or Mr Howlett as my successor. The former took it ~ I retain a full right in all my own pieces which are marked in a boarded set in my left hand bookshelf.

1821. 13. 'New Year Wishes' 25 copies free.
An overgrown magazine paper published as a 2d tract. This was one of six tracts written for Mr Hinton without any agreement as to price - at last in winding up our affairs he gave me +3.3s for each - but whether or not it included the entire copyright or only what he had already printed 1 do not know. This one I think was stereotyped - and if so, was sold to Westley Jnr. If so I have no further interest in it , and 1 do not think I have.

1821. 14. 'The Warning Voice' 25 copies
A sermon of Mr Hewlett's - an account of the death of a poor unhappy girl in the city prison.
Entire copyright sold to Westley for 10p.10a

1821. 15. 'A Sermon on Confirmation' by Mr Hewlett. Sold to Mr Hinton for 3p.3s in the same manner as article 13.

1821. 16. 'Volume of Mr Hewlett's Sermons' Published by Simpkin & Marshall at. their risk but to divide the profits with me. The copies I received to supply subscribers came to 90 pounds, after which I had 25 more for 50 speakers and 25 afterwards. This account has never been closed. I have an account against them for speaking which, if the above exceeds my share of the profits will 1 should hope at least meet: the deficiency. (See Speaker - article 24) By these I cleared about 120 pounds.

1821. 18. 'David Haggash' 25 copies free.
A thing 1 was engaged to do without having any idea of the disgusting details through which it would carry me I never wish to see it reprinted. Ree'd from Mr Hinton 3p.3s. as for article 13.

1822. 19. 'Tokens for Travellers' 25 copies free.
Rec'd of Mr Hinton 3p.3s. as above. If this was not stereotyped (as I think it was not) I believe it is my right to reprint it if called for, but a right for which I should never contend as 1 do not feel certain how the engagement was.

1822. 23. 'William Barlow'. 25 copies free.
Undertaken at the suggestion of the late Bishop of Oxford ~ laid aside on account of domestic affliction, resumed in 1822. Sold with 'Eliza Harding' - entire copyright to Chaliners & Collins for 55pounds the two - about 30 pounds each with 5 pounds from Isaar Hinton.

1822. publ 1823. 24. 'The New Speaker'. 25 copies tree of 2nd edition.
This I was employed to do by Messrs Bartlett & Hinton. My remuneration was 225 copies of the work - about 50 pounds ~ afterwards, they going into another branch of business, wished to dispose of the stereo-plates and offered them to me for Chalmers & Collins' note of 55 pounds, which they had in their hands which 1 accepted; but in 1825 ' being embarrassed by the expenses of the 'Christian Gleaner' I disposed of it to Simpkin & Marshall. They gave for the plates and copyright 75 pounds - and promised +25 more when it should come into good circulation. 1 believe it has not answered so well as to call for the said 25 pounds. Before they bought the copyright in 1823 they had 50 copies in sheets, which 1 wished to stand against any excess of profit from 'The Sermons' that might be charged to me.

1824. 40. Commenced 'The Christian Gleaner' - with flattering promises from several quarters which were never realised. The whole expense fell on myself which during the four years of its existence amounted to about 550 pounds. During that time I received about 380 pounds, leaving me deficient about 170 pounds. Since the publication has closed 1 have received from Simpkin & Marshall 37p.10s and 56 pounds, a final deficiency of 76p.10s. MY stock in sheets is worth about 150 pounds, and my stock in sets about 25 pounds; also debts due to me about 15 pounds. The pieces are my own property - 2 of them I have published as separate tracts - several more would answer for the same purpose. I once thought of publishing separately the 'Help to the Practical Study of the Holy Scriptures', but having made some use of that in my 'Scripture History' and other works it would not do now. If any number publisher would take to the stock in sheets with leave to reprint, and sell it in numbers with a few pictures, I think it would become a sort of 'Kitchen and Cottage Spectator'. His right to the whole work should be entire, but not interfere my using any part in separate tracts as the 'Servant's Catechism', 'Motherless Family' and Co. Considering my stock in hand of debts and advantage made of pieces 1 am not now a loser and should 1 ever part with my stock should clear something.

1825. 45. 'Cottage Comforts'
Entirely my own property. Expense of setting, casting plates, paper, working and boarding:-

First edition of 2000- Total
Setting and casting 42p.10s
Working 17 pounds, 130p.10s.
Paper 50 pounds
Boarding 21 pounds
1826. 2nd Edition of 500
Working 4p. 5s
Paper 12 pounds 10s, 22 pounds
Boarding  5p. 5s
1826. 3rd Edition of 1500
Working 12p.15s
Paper 33 pounds, 61p.10s.
Boarding 15p.15s
1827. 4th Edition of 1250
Working 10p.10s
Paper 26 pounds, 53p.10s.
Boarding 13 pounds
1828. 5th Edition of 1500
Working 12p.15s
Paper 33 pounds, 61p.10s.
Boarding 15p.15s
1829. 6th Edition of 1500
Same as above 61p.10s.
Extra numbers (about 250) carriage
and other incidental expenses  5p.10s.
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Total expenses of 6 Editions 396 pounds
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Total number of books - 8,500.
N.B. 6th Edition is not yet complete,
consequently not paid for by me nor paid to me.

Receipts of 'Cottage Comforts':-
1st Edition 1500 S.& M. @ Is/3d +93.15s
2nd Edition 1000 do @ Is/6d +75.00s
4th Edition 1000 do @ Is/6d +75.00s
5th Edition 1000 do @ Is/6d +75.00s
6th Edition 1000 do @ ls/6d +75.00s
Remainder 3000 average price 2s/Od +300.00s
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+693.15s.00d
Less expenses 396.00s.00d
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Profits, including 6th Edition 297p.15s.00d.
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N.B. This book sprung out of an overgrown magazine paper.
1826. 46. 'The Mother's Friend' Chiefly extracted from 'Cottage Comforts'. Stereotype plates of the work and wrapper entirely my own. It was done at the suggestion of Mr Parker, who bore great part of the expense - it cost me about 3 pounds. Mr P. gave me 500 at first and said I might have 400 more. 1 have not had them. I do not expect it now, on account of the quarrel with his nephew.

1829. 62. A sketch of my Dear Sister Marianne's life and character. It was scarcely completed when 1 was called to the dying bed of my Dear Sister Byles. Whether I shall ever do anything with it, or whether combine with it some account of Sister B. I know not. May my end be as tranquil as theirs and supported by a good hope through grace. Published 1830 - cost 30 pounds for printing 500 - expect to lose about half.

I hope it is not like David numbering the people if I jot down on the other side the amount (or thereabout) of what I have been enabled to make by my pen. I do not overstate it and if I know myself at all, I only do it with feelings of humble gratitude for the seasonable and unexpected mercy thus afforded me - what more 1 am permitted to do will, I hope, be of a useful kind and also contribute to your comfort and that of our dear children, then it cannot fail of doing so most effectually to that of

Yours most affectionately,
Esther Copley.