Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/362

322 322 THE RIVINGTONS, THE PARKERS, editor felt an immense responsibility, and really be- lieved that the bishops of the Church of England held but sinecure offices, while he, and the heads of other publishing firms, were our virtual spiritual fathers and directors. He made himself no partizan in the religious and political questions of the day, and no prospect of pecuniary advantage would induce him to publish a book until he was first assured that it was the expression of honest conviction, or the result of honest labour. " One day," says the writer of an obituary notice, "going into Mr. Parker's room, we found his pale face paler than usual with anger. 'Look at these,' he; said, putting a bundle of letters into our hands, 'or rather do not look at them.' A lady, eminent in certain circles as a spiritual teacher, wanted him to publish a devotional book for her. She had sent him the private correspondence of some thirty different ladies, who had trusted her with the innermost secrets of their souls and consciences, as an advertisement of herself, her abilities, and her popu- larity. Mr. Parker was perhaps never seen more in- dignant. He declined the book on the spot. He returned the letters with a regret that the lady should have sent him what had been intended for no eye but her own. A few days after he showed us the lady's reply. Stung by the rebuke, she had dropped the mask for the moment, and had told him she did not require to be lectured on her duty by an insolent tradesman." Of the success with which Mr. Parker's publications met it is sufficient to mention the names of Maurice, Kingsley, Mill, Buckle, and Lewis. Fruitful of dis- cussion as were the works of the writers mentioned,