y want of success:
but the truth really was, as to all the Christmas stories issued in this
form, that the price charged, while too large for the public addressed
by them, was too little to remunerate their outlay; and when in later
years he put forth similar fancies for Christmas, charging for them
fewer pence than the shillings required for these, he counted his
purchasers, with fairly corresponding gains to himself, not by tens but
by hundreds of thousands.[72]

It was necessary now that negotiations should be resumed with his
printers, but before any step was taken Messrs. Chapman and Hall were
informed of his intention not to open fresh publishing relations with
them after _Chuzzlewit_ should have closed. Then followed deliberations
and discussions, many and grave, which settled themselves at last into
the form of an agreement with Messrs. Bradbury and Evans executed on the
first of June 1844; by which, upon advance made to him of L2800, he
assigned to them a fourth share in whatever he might write during the
next ensuing eight years, to which the agreement was to be strictly
limited. There were the usual protecting clauses, but no interest was to
be paid, and no obligations were imposed as to what works should be
written, if any, or the form of them; the only farther stipulation
having reference to the event of a periodical being undertaken whereof
Dickens might be only partially editor or author, in which case his
proprietorship of copyright and profits was to be two thirds instead of
three fourths. There was an understanding, at the time this agreement
was signed, that a successor to the _Carol_ would be ready for the
Christmas of 1844; but no other promise was asked or made in regard to
any other book, nor had he himself decided what form to give to his
experiences of Italy, if he should even finally determine to publish
them at all.

Between this agreement and his journey six weeks elapsed, and there were
one or two characteristic incidents before his departure: but mention
must first be interposed of the success quite without alloy that also
attended the little book, and carried off in excitement and delight
every trace of doubt or misgiving.

"Blessings on your kind heart!" wrote Jeffrey to the author of the
_Carol_. "You should be happy yourself, for you may be sure you have
done more good by this little publication, fostered more kindly
feelings, and prompted more positive acts of beneficence, than can