Beschreibung:

JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784). Autograph letter signed ('Sam: Johnson') to Thomas Cadell, n.p. [London], 17 October 1778 , expressing his regrets for the delay in forwarding papers relating to his prefaces to Works of the English Poets , 'but you see I have taken a course very different from what I originally thought on', saying that he has sent various pages to others, stating that he has eight subjects in mind, 'and of that when Dryden is finished ... You shall publish as far as Hughes, by Christmas', making his compliments and apologies to the partners, one page, 4to , integral address leaf ('To Mr Cadel'), (signature smudged, rather browned and soiled, seal tear with loss and touching two lines). Johnson writes to the bookseller Thomas Cadell (1742-1802) concerning the publication of The Works of the English Poets with prefaces by the author. On 26 September 1777 Edward Dilly had written to James Boswell about the consortium of London booksellers for the publication, and who had deputised Cadell with T. Davies and Strahan to ask Johnson to provide the prefaces. Johnson had written to Cadell on 10 February 1778 on hearing the latter's application to be bookseller and printer to the Royal Academy, recommending he continue to employ Mr. Allen as printer. Johnson had strained relations with Cadell over the publication of his texts, whether as prefaces to the individual poets or as separate volumes. In the course of events the prefaces were issued separately, the first four volumes appearing in 1779, the remaining six in 1781. This letter is apparently unpublished.