- Brief description
- Letter, from Charles Dickens to Bradbury and Evans, 3 November 1845
- Label
- In this letter to his publishers, Bradbury and Evans, Charles Dickens outlines his requirements for accepting the job of editor at The Daily News newspaper. He asked for the salary of “a Thousand Pounds” to be doubled because he would allow the paper to print his "series of Italian letters”. He also required a trustworthy sub-editor and a share in the newspaper's profits. Dickens got the salary he requested (double that of any other newspaper editor apart from The Times).
- Collection
- Archives & Manuscripts
- Object number
- A408
- Object type
- letter
- Production person
- Dickens, Charles
- Production date
- 3/11/1845
- Inscription content
- Favored by John Forster Esquire. | Messrs. Bradbury and Evans.
Devonshire Terrace
--I mean, at Mr. Forster's.
Monday Third November 1845.
My Dear Bradbury and Evans.
I have given my best consideration to the subject we discussed yesterday; and in this letter, you have my conclusions in reference to the Newspaper.
I will take that Post of Editor which is marked in the little statement as having a Salary of a Thousand Pounds attached to it--for double that Salary.
In which I include the Publication of the Series of the Italian letters, with my name--my frequently writing for the Paper, from day to day--my constantly exercising an active and vigilant superintendence over the whole Machine. When I am not there, or after I have left the office, I shall (as the custom is) have a Sub Editor to whom I can, with perfect confidence, hand over the practical management for the time being. The head and leading principle of the thing, I am willing to become on these terms.
I will not disguise from you--for I am pretty sure you will feel--that I think they are far from high for one in my position. And therefore I make my share in the paper an object of importance. But it is quite impossible that I can say what, in my opinion, that share should be, without your first shewing me, out of what proportion of the whole it is to come.
If you feel disposed to do so, on this short statement of the compensation I aim at, you can give this information to Mr. Forster, and arrange that point, as well as every other, with him. I am fully prepared to abide by any arrangement you agree upon.
Always Faithfully Yours
CHARLES DICKENS
Messrs. Bradbury and Evans.
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