[Grant Richards] Two Typed Letters Signed to Robert Lynd, author.

2 TLsS, 3pp., 8vo and 12mo, latter damaged with loss of heading. First, on his publisher's letterhead, 8 St Martin's Street, Leicester Square; 1 April 1921. 'Mr. Pinker [RL's agent] has reminded me - and I did not want reminding - how shockingly I seem to have behaved over "The Pleasures of Ignorance". You can attribute it to anything you like (except lack of interest in your work), although as far as the last fortnight is concerned I have been ill. But I make nothing of that. You know, though, that I did want to make this book part of a large deal - the Life of Shelley, the History of Ireland, and so on - which we discussed when we last met. If that has not matured it is nobody's fault. I realise the difficulties. [...] Mr. Pinker's letter, therefore, was very disturbing. I sent down to him at once this morning and he made no secret of the fact that he did not want us to have the book, and in the circumstances, and in order to punish us for our delay, he has increased very much the terms he asked us both in regard to the royalties and the advance, which he has doubled. Rather than not have the book after it has grown up, so to speak, in the office, we are going to agree to the increased royalties and the doubled advance [...]'. Second, lacking place and date. He asks if it is not 'the time when we could properly revive the question of your writing a book on Ireland? The arrangement into which we entered was interrupted by your ill health, but now, if as I hope you are better, it would be an even better time for such a book to be written.' With autograph postscript.