Details
CARROLL, Lewis. [i.e. Charles Lutwidge DODGSON (1832-1898)]. The Hunting of the Snark. London: Macmillan and Co., 1876. 12. First edition, AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed in purple ink on half-title 'Minnie, Ella and Emmie [Drury] from the Author, Ap. 4. 1876.', An Easter Greeting inscribed in autograph in purple ink 'Minnie' tipped in to fly leaf, AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT ACROSTIC VERSES SIGNED ('LEWIS CARROLL') and dated, 6 April 1876, one page, 8vo, on a bifolium, and AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ('CL DODGSON') TO MINNIE DRURY, Guildford, 14 April 1876, one page, 12mo, on a bifolium, both tipped in, illustrations by Henry Holiday (occasional light soiling). Original pictorial red and gilt cloth (rubbed).
A STRIKING, AMBIVALENT PRESENTATION ACROSTIC. The poem, in three five-line verses, enjoins the 'Maidens' to pursue the Snark, but meets with their modest reply:
'English Maidens fear to roam.
Much we dread the dark;
Much we dread what ills might come,
If we left our English home,
Even for a Snark!'
The brief letter to Minnie, dated a week later, hopes that she 'understood that the verses were acrostical. They had no other hidden meaning, that I know of'.
A STRIKING, AMBIVALENT PRESENTATION ACROSTIC. The poem, in three five-line verses, enjoins the 'Maidens' to pursue the Snark, but meets with their modest reply:
'English Maidens fear to roam.
Much we dread the dark;
Much we dread what ills might come,
If we left our English home,
Even for a Snark!'
The brief letter to Minnie, dated a week later, hopes that she 'understood that the verses were acrostical. They had no other hidden meaning, that I know of'.