Anthony Trollope: Autobiography of Anthony Trollope

20. CHAPTER XX - "THE WAY WE LIVE NOW" AND "THE PRIME MINISTER"--CONCLUSION (continued)

Names of Works.               Date of Publication.   Total Sums Received.

                                 Brought forward, œ48,389 17  5
Lady Anna,                            1874           1200  0  0
The Way We Live Now,                  1875           3000  0  0
The Prime Minister,                   1876           2500  0  0
The American Senator,                 1877           1800  0  0
Is He Popenjoy?                       1878           1600  0  0
South Africa,                         1878            850  0  0
John Caldigate,                       1879           1800  0  0
Sundries,                                            7800  0  0
                                                   ____________
                                                   œ68,939 17 5
                                                   ------------

It will not, I am sure, be thought that, in making my boast as to the quantity, I have endeavoured to lay claim to any literary excellence. That, in the writing of books, quantity without quality is a vice and a misfortune, has been too manifestly settled to leave a doubt on such a matter. But I do lay claim to whatever merit should be accorded to me for persevering diligence in my profession. And I make the claim, not with a view to my own glory, but for the benefit of those who may read these pages, and when young may intend to follow the same career. Nulla dies sine linea. Let that be their motto. And let their work be to them as is his common work to the common labourer. No gigantic efforts will then be necessary. He need tie no wet towels round his brow, nor sit for thirty hours at his desk without moving,--as men have sat, or said that they have sat. More than nine-tenths of my literary work has been done in the last twenty years, and during twelve of those years I followed another profession. I have never been a slave to this work, giving due time, if not more than due time, to the amusements I have loved. But I have been constant,--and constancy in labour will conquer all difficulties. Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed saepe cadendo.

It may interest some if I state that during the last twenty years I have made by literature something near œ70,000. As I have said before in these pages, I look upon the result as comfortable, but not splendid.