Author: [LYTTELTON (George), first Baron Lyttelton];
Title: The Correspondents, An Original Novel In a Series of Letters. A New Edition.
Description: London: Printed for T. Becket..., 1775. 12mo, 170 x 106 mms., pp. [ii], 264, contemporary quarter calf, marbled boards (very rubbed), dark red morocco label; front joint cracked. Inscribed in a contemporary hand on the title-page, "From the celebrated Lord Littleton to Mrs"; and in pencil on the top margin of the title-page, "Miss Jane Thomas [?has given me]/ 1812." Many of the early reviewers thought that the work had some basis in fact, and its was often compared to Sterne's Tristram Shandy. Horace Walpole, who was never out of touch London's literary activities, wrote to Lady Ossory, "Pray, Madam, have you read The Correspondents? I never heard of the book till two days ago. I think one cannot doubt the letters being genuine; but who has been so cruel as to publish them?11 and yet except a little weakness, and it is very little to have but a little, there is nothing that can reflect but on the publishers. Methinks, there is nothing that can reflect but on the publishers. Methinks, when it is scandalous to open a private letter, they who publish private letters, stand in a very foul predicament, while the authors are living and may be hurt by them. Do not the publishers accuse themselves of robbery or treachery? and by concealing themselves, of a very black design? The publication in question comprehends many of these offences, for it appears by the letters that the authors were much afraid of their being seen, though more goodness of heart appears than anything else." Rose M. Davis. "The Correspondents," PMLA, Vol. 51, No. 1 (Mar., 1936), pp. 207-220

Keywords: fiction letters literature


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