The foregoing statements will, I think, clearly explain why I have never, since that time (written 1872)--now some twenty-eight years back--given any more _original ideas, suggestions, and characters_ for any other tales or romances for Mr. Ainsworth _to write up to_; and also why I have never, from that time, illustrated any of this Author's writings.
I now feel it necessary to inform the public that the usual or ordinary way of producing illustrated novels or romances is, for an Author either to write out, _from his own ideas_, the whole of the tale, or in parts; the _manuscript or letterpress_ of which is then handed to an Artist to _read and select subjects from_ for his illustrations, or sometimes _for the Author to suggest to the Artist_ such subjects, scenes, or parts as he might wish to be illustrated. And I, being known generally only as an Artist, or illustrator, it would therefore very naturally be supposed that, _in all cases_, I have merely worked out _other men's ideas_. But, if I have the opportunity, I shall be able to show that _other men have sometimes worked out my ideas_--but this will be for another occasion. And I will now explain that _Oliver Twist, The Tower of London, The Miser's Daughter_, etc., were produced in an entirely different manner from what would be considered the usual course; for _I, the Artist, suggested to the Authors of these works the original idea or subject_--for them to write out--furnishing, at the same time, _the principal characters and the scenes_; and then, as the tale had to be produced in monthly parts, _the Writer or Author, and the Artist_ had every month to arrange and settle what scenes or subjects and characters were to be introduced; and the _Author_ had to _weave in_ such scenes as I wished to represent, and sometimes I had to work out his suggestions.
And as to Mr. W. Harrison Ainsworth's 'singular delusion' of an artist claiming to be the originator of works which he had merely illustrated, no more absurd or contemptible and rubbishing nonsense could ever be conceived; for no artist could possibly be in his right mind who would make such a claim, and it becomes a serious question as to whether any one who brings forth such nonsense can be in _his_ right mind, and if this _Author_ has really lost his memory, and, as an invalid, is suffering under '_singular delusions_,' he has my pity and commiseration.