THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1911, Page 10

THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES.

Looking over a collection of autograph letters prepared for sale by auotion recently (writes Sir Henry Lucy in the Sydney Morning Herald), t came upon an historical document. It is th© original agreement between Fielding and All' drew Millfer f«r .the publication of "Tom Jones.' It _ bears date 25th March, 1749^ and, In consideration of payment of the sum of £600, absolutely makes over th« copyright to tho publisher. Tho work jb described as ''a certain book ptinied in six volumes, known &nd called by the name and title of "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling,' written by me, tho said Henry Fielding." An autograph receipt for the money shows it was paid on 11th June, 1748, nine months before, legal tranafeT was made. The novelist's need of cash as indicated in a letter bearing his picturesque but illegible signature, dated 9th July, 1739. "Dis appointmento," he writes, "have liithcvto prevent me paying your bill, which I 6hadi certainly do on my coming to town, which will be next nionth. 1 desire the favour of you to look for a house for me near the Temple. I must have a large eating parlour in it, for the rest shall not be very nice. Rent not upwards of £40 per annum, and a« much cheaper ac may, be."