Two Autograph Letter Signed ('Charles B. Tayler') to 'J L Williams Esqr' [the wood engraver Joseph Lionel Williams, c.1815-1877].

Both 12mo: 4 pp. Item 1 (21 May) Text clear and entire. On aged paper with small unobtrusive spike holes through both leaves. Slightly manic letter, casting light on the relationship between author, printer and engraver in the Victorian period. Tayler lists four 'plates for a chapter on the Essex Martyrs' which Leonard Seeley of Thames Ditton, who is printing and publishing Tayler's book 'Memorials of the English Martyrs' (Seeleys, 1853), has not yet received from Williams. Suggests other engravings for the 'last chapter'. 'It has occurred to me that the plate in Foxe 7th. vol: (of Seeley's Edition) page 463, if dressed up a little, by your pencil, its quaintness kept, yet some artistic grace, (which it has not now,) given to it, would make a good frontispiece - Do, dear Mr. Williams, help to get this luckless book out at once, as you said, it was but the pulling on of a few more hands -' It would be best 'not to delay', as another edition 'might come in'. Item 2 (23 June) On creased, discoloured paper. Interesting letter, written in a tone bordering on hysteria, again on the subject of the publication of his book 'Memorials of the English Martyrs' (Seeleys, 1853), which features woodcuts by Williams. Having 'begged Mr. Leond. Seeley' to let him know the reason for the delay 'in the publication of our Martyr book', Tayler has 'just heard from him, when I was hoping to receive, not his letter, but the volume'. Writing from Thames Ditton, Seeley reports that his brother George has told him that 'the delay is now occasioned by his not being able to get the cuts, or the list of the cuts from Mr. Williams. All the work, after page 304. is obliged to be kept in type, because they cannot print it off, without the cuts, and ye list - you, my dear Mr. Williams, you, once almost the most zealous in the cause of this book, are the delinquent'. He 'implores' him 'to put the finishing touches to it instantly. You told me the day before I left town - How many weeks ago!!!! that it should be done - "It was only," you said, "putting on several hands, and it could be finished off at once."' Suggests (threatens) that he would rather publish the book 'as it is', rather than delaying any longer. Flatters Williams, before continuing 'The mind of the nation is now awake to a deep interest in the subject - some event may occur to turn it to another topic'.