Fielding's "Tom Jones."

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1892, Page 3

Fielding's "Tom Jones."

Notwithstanding the good prices he received for his books, Fielding was always more or less in difficulties ixota liis reckless mode of living. "Tom Jones," however, was nearly being sacrificed in one of his impecunious 11 ts for the sum of twenty-five pounds. The publisher fortunately asked lor a day to consider il he could risk such a Bum, and Fielding in the meantime met Thomson the poet, to whom he told the transaction. Thomson scorned the idea of Fielding parting with his brains for such a sum and offered to get him better terms, but Fielding felt himself partly pledged. Never did author wait more anxiously on a publisher hoping to be accepted than did Fielding hoping to be refused. He was refused 1

Joyfully he carried his manuscript to Thomson to fulfill his promise. The poet introduced Fielding to Andrew Miller, who handed the book over to his wife to read. She discerned its merits and advised her husband to keep it. Over a pleasant dinner, given by Miller to Fielding and Thomson, the bargain was made which secured Fielding, to his great delight, £200 for the story. Miller is said to have cleared £18,----000 by "Tom Jones," out of which he paid Fielding, from time to time, various sums to the amount of £2,0(10 pounds, bequeathing him also a handsome legacy.—Murray's Magazine.