On printed notepaper for 21 Maxwell Street, Glasgow. - Macmillan has agreed to publish a new edition of David Gray's poems at his own risk for Mrs Gray's benefit. Mr Maclehose received the enclosed letters Nos. 1-3 in the Isle of Man and later a reply from Macmillan [No. 4]. Nos. 5-6 are Mr Freeland's replies to letters from Logan concerning possible publication by Strachan [sic]. Nos. 7-8 are Mrs Gray's letter to Buchanan and his reply. No. 9 is Logan's own note to Maclehose. Mrs Gray is happy for Macmillan to publish an enlarged edition of her son's poems: he has offered her £30 extended over three years but she retains the copyright. Asks Houghton to comment and return the enclosures. Postscript: the eldest son Matthew appears to be dying of consumption.
Announces that he intends to go to Cambridge on Sunday or Monday [2 or 3 October]. He will be 'engaged in arranging female education' that week, and the following week 'shall probably have one or two pupils.' Invites Myers to come. Refers to Rhoades's poems and to 'Buchanan's Book of Orm', both of which he gives his opinion of. Claims that the Spectator has treated Myers 'capriciously', and does not understand it. Adds that '[p]eople [at Rugby] seem still to cherish a Gallows in their souls.'
Asks for information concerning Myers' coming to Cambridge, 'The Prospects of Poetry' and 'The Probabilities of Medicine etc etc'. Declares that they have much to discuss, Sidgwick having failed to write due to the unrealised expectation of seeing Myers at Rugby. Reports that he has to teach history that term, 'no successor having turned up to Pearson: and Cambridge breeding no historian'; they are 'thinking of taking some healthy young resident and locking him up with a Hume'; it is 'rather a disgrace to us that we all take so small an interest in the human race'.
Asks if he has seen Noel 'in the Dark Blue [a literary journal]'. Suggests that he may have been ashamed to send it to Myers, as 'some of the polemic is almost personal'. Declares that it is very well written, 'except the polemical part', and states that he writes better prose than verse. Reports that Noel nearly quarrelled with him 'for reluctantly avowing that [he] did not consider him an equal of Swinburne.' States that Noel 'thinks that the Verbal School (S[winburne?] Rossetti, etc - non sine te) have been found out'. Refers to the Edinburgh of July, and the Contemporary [Review] of October as having evidence to support this theory. States that Noel also thinks that 'Buchanan and R.N are going to be chaired instead by a mutable but at length appreciative public.' Refers to 'a certain Mutual Admiration league' between Noel and Symonds. Believes that Symonds's poetry could be successful, 'if he could only impassion himself about a good subject.'
Asks Myers to send his last epic. Tells him to read Noel's article. Sends his regards to Myers' mother. Announces that his second correspondence circular is soon to appear. Reports that Miss Clough is in Cambridge, that the house is 'getting on', and that there will be five [women] there that term.
Asks Sidgwick to accept an enclosed copy of the Book of [Sorrow] [not included]. Says that [Roden] Noel showed Sidgwick's letter to him, and expresses delight that Sidgwick liked his work. Claims not to mind that he did not like his Poems, and expresses gratitude for Sidgwick 'standing by my side when [he] really needed "backing"'. Refers to Noel and his poetry.
On printed notepaper, Macmillan and Co... 16 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, W.C., London. - Buchanan cannot publish [David Gray's poems] without Mrs Gray's consent. Macmillan could offer her say £50 for the rights and a royalty per copy sold; no great profits anticipated, but David Gray could be dissociated from Buchanan's mediocrity. The late father's alleged authorisation might be a problem; asks if it is worth wrangling over; perhaps Buchan could edit the poems under supervision to curb his vulgarity. Possible purchase of copyright by David Gray's Glasgow friends. Postscript: might call with [W. Aldis] Wright; 'We are going to walk down from London to Glasgow & beg our way'.
On printed notepaper for 21 Maxwell Street, Glasgow. - Mrs Gray brought the enclosed notes from Buchanan and Freeland. Logan does not think Buchanan is reliable: some time ago Miss James advised David Gray's late father to delay publishing a new edition but recommended Buchanan, to whom many manuscripts were sent; hopes Macmillan can undertake publication instead as Logan does not wish to be associated with Buchanan.
Belle Hill, Bexhill. - His regard for her late husband. Recommends his publisher Strahan for the new edition of her son's poetry; Freeland will explain terms. Offers any other help he can.
On printed notepaper, Herald Office, Glasgow. - Since seeing Logan, has been ill with a fever 'like lightning on the brain'. Buchanan writes that Strahan now offers two thirds of the profits from publication of David Gray's poems; asks Logan to consider in the light of Macmillan's offer, and indicate decision.
On printed notepaper, Herald Office, Glasgow. - Buchanan now reports that Strahan has decided Macmillan had better retain the poems; holding a pen still painful.
Merkland, Kirkintilloch. - Glad Buchanan's publisher [Alexander Strahan] entrusts the new edition [of her son's works] to Macmillan; asks Buchanan to return David's work to Mr Freeland for assessment by Lord Houghton, Mr Hedderwick and Sheriff Bell; hopes Buchanan will assist in promoting the book when it is published; [no signature].
Belle Hill, Bexhill. - Astonished by Mrs Gray's attitude which is very different from her late husband's; will send poems directly to Lord Houghton but warns that some will damage David Gray's reputation; offended by doubts as to his best intentions and wishes to sever connection with the Grays and 'an atmosphere in which I breathe so painfully'.
On printed notepaper, 21 Maxwell Street, Glasgow. - He and Hedderwick are taken aback by Buchanan's note to Mrs Gray. Houghton should see the enclosed correspondence soon, including Macmillan's 'kind, practical letter'; has arranged it by date for Maclehose to number.