I should not write 'My dear Byron,' _a la Hunt_." [Footnote: Leigh Hunt had dedicated his "Rimini" to the noble poet, addressing him as "My dear Byron."] Mr.D'Israeli also was busy with his "Inquiry into the Literary and Political Character of James the First." He wrote to his publisher as follows: "I am sorry to say every one, to whom I have mentioned the subject, revolts from it as a thing quite untenable, and cares nothing about 'James.' This does not stop me from finishing." Mr.Croker, in the midst of his work at the Admiralty, his articles for the _Quarterly_, and his other literary labours, found time to write his "Stories for Children from the History of England." In sending the later stories Mr.Croker wrote to Mr.Murray: _The Rt.Hon.

J.W.Croker to John Murray_.
"I send you seven stories, which, with eleven you had before, brings us down to Richard III., and as I do not intend to come down beyond the Revolution, there remain nine stories still.

I think you told me that you gave the first stories to your little boy to read.

Perhaps you or Mrs.Murray would be so kind as to make a mark over against such words as he may not have understood, and to favour me with any criticism the child may have made, for on this occasion I should prefer a critic of 6 years old to one of 60." Thus John Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was early initiated into the career of reading for the press.

When the book came out it achieved a great success, and set the model for Walter Scott in his charming "Tales of a Grandfather." It may be mentioned that "Croker's Stories for Children" were published on the system of division of profits.