BIB_ID
120886
Accession number
MA 52.32
Creator
Lovelace, Ada King, Countess of, 1815-1852.
Display Date
"Sunday" [1844?] Nov. 17.
Credit line
Acquired before 1923.
Description
1 item (8 p.) ; 19.6 cm
Notes
Part of a collection of autograph letters written by Lord Byron, Lady Byron, Catherine Gordon Byron, Contessa Guiccioli, Ada King Lovelace and others from 1788 to 1855. Items in the collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.
The year of writing is not given, however she refers to the publication of "Vestiges" which she asks to review; "Vestiges" was published in 1844; also November 17th fell on a Sunday in 1844.
Vestiges was published anonymously in 1844; it was the work of Robert Chambers (1802-1871), Scottish publisher, geologist and evolutionary thinker.
The year of writing is not given, however she refers to the publication of "Vestiges" which she asks to review; "Vestiges" was published in 1844; also November 17th fell on a Sunday in 1844.
Vestiges was published anonymously in 1844; it was the work of Robert Chambers (1802-1871), Scottish publisher, geologist and evolutionary thinker.
Summary
Concerning an article she is submitting to the Quarterly that she is insisting must be allotted 60 pages; adding that she prefers that they think she is a male writer; asking if he could get her a copy of Dr. Thomas Young's Lectures; saying she has "read the 'Vestiges' & I wish to review it for the July No. of the Edinburgh. Have you any friend who could negociate [sic] this for me with the ruling powers of the Edinburgh, exactly as Lyell is doing for the Quarterly; I being strictly incognito, until & unless my production be accepted, & my sex not to be hinted at;" explaining that she feels confident she can work on the review and her work for him at the same time and that "Lord L-- also is of the impression that I can write two things at once far more easily than only one. This is a peculiarity of my mind which I think you will easily understand;" adding that she does "not suppose even you can be aware of the powerful & yet graceful analysis I have it in view to develop of your engine; or of the magic force with which I expect to bring facts & ideas from the North, the South, the East, and the West, to contribute towards my successful painting of your invention;" I consider that I am to paint your engine before the eyes & minds of men; & that mine will be an Artist's as well as Analyst's labour;" suggesting that she needs to visit him and "see what your people are now about;" listing the information she would like him to prepare for her in advance of her visit; concluding that it is her "object to make my Article such as will suit both the unlearned & the learned."
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