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.
Printed notepaper for 21 Maxwell Street, Glasgow. - Encloses note from eldest surviving son of Mrs Gray [mother of poet David Gray]; financial support of the family; Macmillan's have not returned David Gray's MS; Mr Maclehose thinks they will not publish any more of his work. Asks Houghton to enquire after the MS for Mrs Gray's sake. Postscript: Macmillan's promised to bring out another volume from which Mrs Gray should receive £30, but perhaps it should not be urged now.
Enclosed: letter, 12 Nov. 1869, from Andrew Gray to William Logan: has obtained the £6 from the Bank; very grateful to Logan and other friends for looking after their interests. Merkland, 1 f.
Including: two photographs of David Gray's brother Matthew, HOUG/376-377 (1865);
photographs of Gray's mother Ann and brother Andrew, HOUG/9/378-379 (1860s?);
MS poem to Richard Monckton Milnes, 'supposed to have been written after David's last visit to England' (1861), with printed verses, HOUG/9/380-383
Printed notice re monument to David Gray, HOUG/9/384 (1865);
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. - Robert Buchanan wishes to publish David Gray's poems through Strahan. Mrs Gray should consult Matthew or David Buchanan before deciding.
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.