Washington Irving

Name: The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon — Preface
Author: Washington Irving

The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

Summary

“The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon — Preface”, published in 1819, is a work by Washington Irving. It explores elements such as bookseller, Edinburgh and Scott.

Quotes from The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (Washington Irving)

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ The first volume of the Sketch-Book was put to press in London, as I had resolved, at my own risk, by a bookseller unknown to fame, and without any of the usual arts by which a work is trumpeted into notice. Still some attention had been called to it by the extracts which had previously appeared in the Literary Gazette, and by the kind word spoken by the editor of that periodical, and it was getting into fair circulation, when my worthy bookseller failed before the first month was over, and the sale was interrupted. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ I have mingled among them in my time, and been almost withered by the shade into which they cast me; for there is nothing so baleful to a small man as the shade of a great one, particularly the great man of a city. But I was anxious to see the great men of Europe; for I had read in the works of various philosophers, that all animals degenerated in America, and man among the number. A great man of Europe, thought I, must therefore be as superior to a great man of America, as a peak of the Alps to a highland of the Hudson ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ Before the receipt of this most obliging letter, however, I had determined to look to no leading bookseller for a launch, but to throw my work before the public at my own risk, and let it sink or swim according to its merits. I wrote to that effect to Scott, and soon received a reply:
"I observe with pleasure that you are going to come forth in Britain. It is certainly not the very best way to publish on one's own accompt; for the booksellers set their face against the circulation of such works as do not pay an amazing toll to themselves. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ I had begun to feel as if I had taken an unwarrantable liberty; but, somehow or other, there is a genial sunshine about you that warms every creeping thing into heart and confidence. Your literary proposal both surprises and flatters me, as it evinces a much higher opinion of my talents than I have myself. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ As it is the fashion for modern tourists to travel pencil in hand, and bring home their portfolios filled with sketches, I am disposed to get up a few for the entertainment of my friends. When, however, I look over the hints and memorandums I have taken down for the purpose, my heart almost fails me, at finding how my idle humor has led me astray from the great object studied by every regular traveller who would make a book. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ My house is completely filled with workpeople at this time, and I have only an office to transact business in; and yesterday I was wholly occupied, or I should have done myself the pleasure of seeing you. If it would not suit me to engage in the publication of your present work, it is only because I do not see that scope in the nature of it which would enable me to make those satisfactory accounts between us, without which I really feel no satisfaction in engaging--but I will do all I can to promote their circulation, and shall be most ready to attend to any future plan of yours. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ The hint, however, about a reverse of fortune had struck the quick apprehension of Scott, and, with that practical and efficient good-will which belonged to his nature, he had already devised a way of aiding me. A weekly periodical, he went on to inform me, was about to be set up in Edinburgh, supported by the most respectable talents, and amply furnished with all the necessary information. The appointment of the editor, for which ample funds were provided, would be five hundred pounds sterling a year, with the reasonable prospect of further advantages. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (1819)

“ I have no command of my talents, such as they are, and have to watch the varyings of my mind as I would those of a weathercock. Practice and training may bring me more into rule; but at present I am as useless for regular service as one of my own country Indians or a Don Cossack. ”

Washington Irving

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Quotes from The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon… (Washington Irving)

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