The (almost really) Complete Works of Lewis Carroll

To the Editor of the Nineteenth Century

Sir,—I find it stated, in an article on ‘Literature for the Little Ones,’ in your October number, that my little book, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’ first published in 1865, was probably suggested by the late Mr. T. Hood’s ‘From Nowhere to the North Pole,’ first published in 1861. May I mention, first, that I have never read Mr. Hood’s book; secondly, that I composed mine in the summer of 1862, and wrote it out, in the form lately published in facsimile, during 1863? Thus it will be seen that neither book could have been suggested by the other.

As it is, in my view, and no doubt in that of many others of your readers, an act of dishonesty to imitate another man’s book without due acknowledgment, I trust to your sense of justice to allow this reply to the charge brought against me in the above-named article to appear in your forthcoming number.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,