Thomas Beddoes to William Reynolds, [?after June] 1792 [fragment]
His friend Reynolds appears to have prevailed upon him to suppress, or to modify, certain passages in the first of the series. He afterwards expresses to him his satisfaction in having done so. ‘My first principle,’ says he, ‘is to say the truth without reserve; the second, not to scandalize any body. They are often incompatible I own; but in a publication the first should be sacredly adhered to.’
One circumstance more, relating to this work should be recorded, because it suggests a benevolent hint too valuable to be lost. It was printed in a remote village, and the compositor was a young woman.
‘I know not,’ says the Doctor, ‘if women be commonly engaged in printing, but their nimble and delicate fingers seem extremely well adapted to the office of compositor, and it will be readily granted that employment for females, is among the greatest desiderata of society.’
Published: Stock, p.68