, 10s., and 7s. 6d., to the
cheap popular editions of 1s., 9d., and 6d.
"After carefully analyzing these editions and weighing probabilities
with ascertained facts, I am able pretty confidently to say that the
aggregate number of copies circulated in Great Britain and the
colonies exceeds one and a half millions."
A similar statement made by Clarke & Co. in October, 1852, reveals the
following facts. It says: "An early copy was sent from America the
latter end of April to Mr. Bogue, the publisher, and was offered by
him to Mr. Gilpin, late of Bishopsgate Street. Being declined by Mr.
Gilpin, Mr. Bogue offered it to Mr. Henry Vizetelly, and by the latter
gentleman it was eventually purchased for us. Before printing it,
however, as there was one night allowed for decision, one volume was
taken home to be read by Mr. Vizetelly, and the other by Mr.
Salisbury, the printer, of Bouverie Street. The report of the latter
gentleman the following morning, to quote his own words, was: 'I sat
up till four in the morning reading the book, and the interest I felt
was expressed one moment by laughter, another by tears. Thinking it
might be weakness and not the power of the author that affected me, I
resolved to try the effect upon my wife (a rather strong-minded
woman). I accordingly woke her and read a few chapters to her. Finding
that the interest in the story kept her awake, and that she, too,
laughed and cried, I settled in my mind that it was a book that ought
to, and might with safety, be printed.
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