1858
THE THREE CLERKS. | A Novel. | By Anthony Trollope, | Author of “Barchester Towers,” etc. | In Three Volumes. | London: | Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. | 1858. |
Small 8vo. Vol. I., pp. iv, 340; Vol. II., pp. iv, 322; Vol. III., pp. iv, 334.
An autobiographical interest marks this book, for the story of how Trollope was admitted into the Secretary’s office of the General Post Office in 1834 by Henry and Clayton Freeling, the sons of Sir Francis, is told in the opening chapters under the guise of Charley Tudor’s admittance into the Internal Navigation Office. The whole scheme of competitive examination is deplored, and its supporters, Sir Charles Trevelyan and Sir Stafford Northcote (afterwards Lord Iddesleigh) appear respectively as Sir Gregory Hardlines and Sir Warwick West End. The book gave official offence.
As Longman was not prepared to buy it outright, Trollope took it to Bentley, who paid him £250 for all rights.