Letter from Charles Marriott, Rainhill, to William Henley, 1901 May 2 : fragment of an autograph manuscript.

Concerning Henley's critique of Marriott's novel, "The Column" and the character of Daphne; saying I don't know how to thank you for your letter. It has warmed and heartened me more than I can tell. I shall try to deserve your kindness by making my next book the better for it. I believe you will not think it an impertinence if I discuss The Column. Daphne was horribly difficult to do; and I recognize the justice of your criticism. I would also like to say that the symbolism of the column was intended chiefly as it affected Hastings. He used it, as a tramp has been known to carry a child's shoe in this pocket; or as a man will call up the image of his mistress from a handkerchief. The obsession, in the case of Daphne, would be unconscious. As you say, it is clumsily and feebly managed. You don't know how glad I am that you help me against the idle nonsense about Meredith. When I saw critic after critic repeating the same parrot cry I got foolishly sulky. Am I right in thinking that economy is so Un-English a virtue that the man who aims at it is more to be called 'affected'? Of course I make blunders, but the intention is simplicity and above all economy. It seems to me better to use a figure that lights up than a 'plain statement of facts' as the good fools say that only covers paper. Perhaps it amounts to this. Meredith uses figures; Marriott (always remembering God Almighty and the black beetle) uses figures. Therefore Marriott has imitated Meredith. I have suffered 'brainy' and worse. One man says my 'language is chaste and refined'. I am compelled to say that the general effect of the 'press-notices'..." The letter ends here.