LYDIA MARIA CHILD, Autographed Letter to Samuel C. Colman, July 26, 1838

LYDIA MARIA CHILD, Autographed Letter to Samuel C. Colman, July 26, 1838

In this letter, written four years after the Juvenile Miscellany failed, Child describes her feelings about writing and publishing children’s literature. While she has wished for “some time to publish a revised edition” of the Miscellany, she explains that she is not sure who owns the copyright of the magazine. Her ambivalence is clear in this letter. On the one hand, she says that she has been trying without success to find a publisher in England for her children’s writing. On the other hand, she says,  “I have been so long out of the way of children, and life is getting to be such a deep and serious matter to me, that I do not feel as if I would ever again succeed in that kind of writing.” Six years later, fortunately, she returned to this audience with a book called Flowers for Children, which contained her most fondly remembered work, the soon-to-be-famous holiday poem that takes us joyfully “over the river and through the woods.”

Boston Public Library, Rare Books & Manuscripts

LYDIA MARIA CHILD, Autographed Letter to Samuel C. Colman, July 26, 1838

Lydia Maria Child ASL to Samuel C. Colman, July 26, 1838                                         [extracts]

With regard to the Girl’s Book, I can think of no additions which would much increase its value; nor do I generally believe in the practice of putting new patches upon old books. Those who have already purchased it would not buy it again for the sake of a few additions; and as a general thing, those who have not bought it would not be much more likely to, with a few alterations, than in its present state.

With regard to the Juvenile Miscellany, the copyright never belonged to me. … I have for some time past wished to publish a revised edition of it, under the tile of Mrs. Child’s Library for Children; in volumes of uniform sort; one volume containing what was suitable for children of 3 or 4 years old, other for children of 7 or 6; others for 10 or 12. My idea was to use only my own writing in it, together with the best parts of my juvenile souvenir, Evenings in New England, and whatever else I had occasionally written for children. Should the spirit move, and the sale warrant it, this collection might be enlarged by some entirely new volumes.…

As for preparing one or two juvenile works this fall, I have been so long out of the way of children, and life is getting to be such a deep and serious matter to me, that I do not feel as if I could ever again succeed in that kind of writing. If I can do anything of this kind, I will forthwith let you know.