Letter from Grace Greenwood to James Fields, Oct 19, 1848

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[page 1] Mr. J.T. Fields.
Dear Sir. Yours of the +++ is just received. I regret that my present engagements and the limited time given me, render the issue [?] of a return [?] this fall altogether out of the question. Had you thought it best in the summer when I met you. I could have had everything ready by this time. Many of my articles need much revising and I could not think of republishing them as they are. But next summer I am expecting to be in Boston [?]. and will have all in good order, and then if you are willing to undertake to being out the week I shall be much pleased. according to your plan the book can be only a selection, as a collection would make two volumes of the size and type of Bayard Taylor's "Views a foot". I would like far better to have my poems published in a separate volume - and I am encouraged to think

[page 2] they would meet with a tolerable sale I think for many reasons, I had better not think of getting out a volume of any kind until next fall, as the probabilities are that I shall then be more favorably known. A portrait and biography of "Grace Greenwood" are to appear in the December +++ of "The Lady's Book", of which magazine I am to be the junior editor, - and this fall selections [sic] from my poems appear! Then different collections of American poetry. - I should say on the whole, that the chances of a good sale would be decidedly better next fall. say a year from now. I am told that a volume either of prose or poetry. or a selection of both got up handsomely, with a +++. say the one I +++. would sell well as a gift book in the holidays of next year. Will you tell me what you think of this plan, if you can look so far ahead. Whenever I do get out a volume, I may depend I think upon the West, for a good sale. I am +++ accustomed to the writing of business letters, and so perhaps

[page 3] have made this unnecessarily long.
Respectfully and truly yours
Sara J. Clarke.
My dear friend.
I was delighted to hear from you again - especially in your friendly and unofficial capacity. If you had not made it appear that the getting out of a volume for me was no abject [?] to you, but rather a risky affair, I should say I was sorry I could not fall in with your plans. I hope to be able to spend most of next summer and fall in Boston and Lynn. I have not been very well since my return home - the climate does not suit me. I am however in very good health just now - and mean to be more careful of myself in future. I heard from Giles a week or two since. He was in New Port, but requested me to direct my reply to Boston. Oh, one thing I forgot in my boring letter. How would "Greenwood Leaves" answer for a title for my book — with a second title of. "A Selection from the Poems, Sketches and letters of Grace Greenwood"

[page 4] I am very quiet here, and have a good deal of time for my literary pursuits. I mean to write something better than I have ever written this winter. So look out, and see to your laurels, my poet! - Bayard Taylor has not written me a line since my return from the East. the villain! Is it not hard when one has left the great world and "sloped into +++" to be this totally forgotten by one's summer +++! How are the Russels. and my dear friend, "ancient Harvard's youthful Sage [?]",- he of the +++. Please remember me kindly to Mr. Whipple. whose conversation I often recall with genuine pleasure. Have you delivered that poem of which you spoke while I was in Boston. - If so will you not send it to me? Well, good bye, my friend
Ever sincerely yours.
Grace G.