Wilkie Collins - letters

THE WOMAN IN WHITE.
———•———

ERRORS OF THE PRESS

Despite careful proof-reading by Wilkie and the team at All The Year Round and its typographers, some errors remained in the original parts of 'The Woman In White'. These original errors have been carefully reproduced in the web pages and the pdfs.

This page lists the errors week by week which have been identified, so readers can assure themselves that the reproductions are accurate and check what the correct text should have been. The erroneous text is shown highlighted, followed by the correct text with the corrected text also highlighted. Normally, these errors were corrected in the first edition of the story in book form published in August 1860. Some errors took longer to correct and this is normally noted. Some text which looks wrong to our eyes was in fact correct under the grammar and typography conventions of the mid nineteenth century. Where this is of interest it is noted. In particular, a modern reader will wonder at the numerous commas, capitalisations, and other punctuation marks in the original parts many of which look strange to our eyes.

The page numbers refer to ATYR/pdf and the column a or b. NB FOLLOWING A REPAGINATION SOME OF THE PDF PAGE NUMBERS AFTER PART 20 MAY NOT CONFORM TO THE LATEST PDF FILES WHICH ARE ON THE WEBSITE. On the web pages a 'Ctrl F' search will find the text. Two book publications are referred to. 1860 means the three volume editions published in that year by Sampson Low, followed by the number of the edition which can be 1st to 7th or New, followed by a volume number I, II, or III and then the page number. 1861 means the first one volume edition published in that year followed by the page number.

Part 1:— 26 November 1859, ATYR II 31.

p.99b/7b
When the had read the note of terms and had handed is back to me.
>>>>>
When she had read the note of terms and had handed it back to me.

Corrected in 1860 1st I 21

Part 2:— 3 December 1859, ATYR II 32.
p.120b/19b
to show you your own sitting room, sir,
>>>>>
to show you your own sitting-room, sir,

At this time 'sitting-room' was universally with a hyphen and this omission is a printer's error. Corrected 1860 1st I 57.

p.123a/23b
ccupied
>>>>>
occupied

This omission of the initial letter was a type error; the letter was probably a bit short and did not reach high enough to be printed. Corrected 1860 1st I 68.

Part 3:— 10 December 1859, ATYR II 33.

p146b/p32b

the fugitive from the asylum the heiress of Limmeridge House.
>>>>>
the fugitive from the asylum and the heiress of Limmeridge House.

This omission makes the sentence difficult to understand. It was corrected in 1860 1st I 93 and was additionally changed to read

the fugitive from the asylum and my pupil at Limmeridge House.

Part 4:— 17 December 1859, ATYR II 34.

No printing errors are known in the text of this part.

Part 5:— 24 December 1859, ATYR II, 35.

There were no printing errors in this part but there are two points to make about Victorian spelling and usage.

p189b/p42b
There is some underhand villany at work to frighten

'Villany' is a variant spelling of 'villainy' which was very common at this time. It is retained in 1860 and 1861.

p194b/p50b
in my work to look out of window and watch the sky

This is the phrase which Wilkie wanted, not ‘out of the window’ as we should write in the 21st century. It is retained in 1860 and 1861.

Part 6:— 31 December 1859, ATYR II 36.

No printing errors are known in the text of this part.

Part 7:— 7 January 1860, ATYR II 37.

p239b/65a
We were only talking of the news,”

>>>>>
We were only talking of the news.”

The comma should be a full stop. Corrected in 1860 1st I 180.

p243b/p71a

I had better not stay for both our sakes; I had better see you go, from the balcony upstairs.
>>>>>

I had better not stay for both our sakes; I had better see you go, from the balcony upstairs.”

The final quotation mark is omitted. Corrected in 1860 1st I 197.

Part 8:— 14 January 1860, ATYR II 38.

p262b/75b
Mrs Catherick herself recognised this necessity;
>>>>>
Mrs. Catherick herself recognised this necessity;

The full stop was restored in 1860 1st I 209.

p263b/77a
“Come, Nina,” he said; we remember each other, don’t we?”
>>>>>
“Come, Nina,” he said; “we remember each other, don’t we?”

The opening quote mark was restored in 1860 1st I 213.

p263b/77a
“You insist on my posting this letter, Si Percival?
>>>>>
“You insist on my posting this letter, Sir Percival?

The missing 'r' was restored in 1860 1st I 214.

p264a/77b
wish Walter Hartright had staid here long enough
>>>>>
wish Walter Hartright had stayed here long enough

This archaic spelling was changed in 1860 1st I 216.

p265b/79b
was that she would recal to mind
>>>>>
was that she would recall to mind

This archaic spelling was changed in 1860 1st I 222.

p265b/80a
perfectly free to withdraw from the engagement.
>>>>>
perfectly free to withdraw from the engagement.”

The closing quote mark was restored in 1860 1st I 222.

p266a/80b
a man whom she virtually accepted for her husband
>>>>>
a man whom she had virtually accepted for her husband

changed to this in 1860 1st I 224.

p267a/82a
come back, and recal those pleasant memories
>>>>>
come back, and recall those pleasant memories

This archaic spelling was changed in 1860 1st I 228.

Part 9:— 21 January 1860, ATYR II 39.
No printing errors are known in the text of this part.

Part 10:— 28 January 1860, ATYR II 40.

p313b/100b
Sir Percival's name was not mentioned, Walter Hartright was not alluded to again by either of us for the remainder of the day.
>>>>>
Sir Percival's name was not mentioned. Walter Hartright was not alluded to again by either of us for the remainder of the day.

This comma was not changed to a full stop in 1860 1st I 281 nor in 1860 New I 281. But it was corrected in 1861 132.

p315b/103b
and Mr. Fairlie has written to Laura and me, to recal us to Limmeridge immediately.
>>>>>
and Mr. Fairlie has written to Laura and me, to recall us to Limmeridge immediately.

This archaic spelling - which is persistent in All The Year Round - was changed in 1860 1st I 228.

Part 11:— 4 February 1860, ATYR II 41.

p333a/104b
and had written to recal us to Limmeridge in consequence.
>>>>
and had written to recall us to Limmeridge in consequence.

Arcahic spelling changed 1860 1st I 292

p334a/105b
were never to refer to him again,” I said gently,
>>>>>
were never to refer to him again,” I said gently.

Corrected 1860 1st I 295

p338b/112b
the traces of tears glistened between her eyelids-
>>>>>
the traces of tears glistened between her eyelids.

A dash has been used instead of a stop.

Corrected 1860 1st I 314

Note too that the dates are slightly changed in the book version. Not because of misprints but because the sequence of events needed tweaking.

Part 12:— 11 February 1860, ATYR II 42.

p358a/115a
What can I recal – standing
>>>>>
What can I recall – standing

Corrected 1860 1^st II 6

p358a/115b – NB that fulness is variant of fullness

Not changed 1860 1^st II 7 nor 1861 152

p358b/116b
What can I recal of her,
>>>>>
What can I recall of her,

Corrected 1860 1^st II 9

0359b/116b
her own thoughts and impress_Ѽ҃’ s, amid all the wonders
>>>>>
her own thoughts and impressions, amid all the wonders

This is a representation of a series of broken characters. Corrected 1860 1^st II 10

p361b/120b
"No, Miss Halcombe. She came here to ask for news? "
>>>>>
"No, Miss Halcombe. She came here to ask for news."

Corrected 1860 1^st II 21

Part 13:— 18 February 1860, ATYR II 43.

p384b/128b
his expression recals
>>>>>
his expression recalls

Not an error but this archaic spelling was corrected in 1860 1st II 39

Part 14:— 25 February 1860, ATYR II 44.

p406a/135b
at arms’ length
>>>>>
at arm’s length

Corrected 1860 1^st II 55

p409b/141a
he asked, loung ing carelessly
>>>>>
he asked, lounging carelessly

Corrected 1860 1^st II 70. This error was in fact a missing - as the word was split with no hyphen across a line.

p.410b/142b
when he has got you to drive for him?
>>>>
when he has got you to drive for him.

Corrected 1860 1^st II 75. This question mark is arguable but as it was changed it is counted as an error.

NB that the dates are considerably different from 1861. This part is dated June 16th not July 2nd.

Part 15:— 3 March 1860, ATYR II 45.

There are no known errors.

429b/144b-145a Note that several editions after the 19th century have Count Fosco saying

I am a Jesuit, if you please to think so—a splitter of straws—a man of trifles and crochets and scruples—but you will humour me

rather than the correct

I am a Jesuit, if you please to think so—a splitter of straws—a man of trifles and crotchets and scruples—but you will humour me

Part 16:— 10 March 1860, ATYR II 46.

456a/157a
it looks like a woman
>>>>>
it looked like a woman

Corrected 1860 1^st II 113

Part 17:— 17 March 1860, ATYR II 47.

480a/164b
gave me back the changeles sreply.
>>>>>
gave me back the changeless reply.

this transposition of two characters was corrected 1860 1^st II 131

Part 18:— 24 March 1860, ATYR II 48

502b/168b
It was dreadful to see he r,and
>>>>>
It was dreadful to see her, and

Corrected 1860 1^st II 139

503a/169b
fixed herself in her eyes.
>>>>>
fixed itself in her eyes.

Corrected 1860 1^st II 142

504a/170a
sadly – in its old meaning of resolutely see OED usage I

505b/172b
He eat little or
<<<<<
He ate little or

This old-fashioned past tense was used by Wilkie in his letters but was changed 1860 1^st II 151

Part 19:— 31 March 1860, ATYR II 49

526a/175b
in crossing the servants’-hall, was
>>>>>
in crossing the servants’ hall, was

Corrected 1^st II 158

527a/177a
have been treated here to-day?”
>>>>>
have been treated here to-day!”

Corrected 1^st II 162

528a/178b
“The Count, of course?”
>>>>>
“The Count, of course,”

Corrected 1^st II 166

528b/179a
Do you think you can repeat it to me.”
>>>>>
Do you think you can repeat it to me?”

Corrected 1^st II 168

529a
Let me see it?”

The question mark is is in fact correct and was not changed 1860 1^st II 171; New II 171; 1861 232.

Part 20:— 7 April 1860, ATYR II 50

No printing errors have been found in this part.

Part 21:— 14 April 1860, ATYR III 51

3a/196a
worse crisis than you think for

This odd phrase is not changed in the book publication.

4b/198a
you have no money at the banker's!

The exclamation mark is correct, and was not changed in the book publication.

4b/198b
Aha?
>>>>>
Aha!

corrected 1860 1^st II 216

6b/201b
to come back in a hurry.’
>>>>>
to come back in a hurry.”

This single quote was corrected to a double, 1860 1^st II 224

Part 22:— 21 April 1860, ATYR III 52

25a/203a
recal the impulse
Unlike other instances of this archaic spelling this was not changed 1860 1^st II 230; new II 230; 1861 263

25b/203a
how clearly I recal it
Unlike other instances of this archaic spelling this was not changed 1860 1^st II 230; new II 230; 1861 263

26a/205aof success unrol themselves

This archaic spelling was not changed 1860 1^st II 234; new II 230; 1861 263

Part 23:— 28 April 1860, ATYR III 53

No identified errors of the press in this part.

Part 24:— 5 May 1860, ATYR III 54
73b/220a
brandy, wine, ammonia, and quinine.
>>>>>
brandy, wine, ammonia, and quinine?

Corrected 1860 1^st II 179

74a/222a
the first Quack with ahandle to his name
>>>>>
the first Quack with a handle to his name

Corrected 1860 1^st II 183

75b/223b
seemed to cost him sincere anxiety
>>>>>
seemed to cause him sincere anxiety

Corrected 1860 1^st II 287

76a/224b
that the words failed on Mr Dawson’s lips
>>>>>
that the words failed on Mr. Dawson’s lips

Corrected 1860 1^st II 290

Part 25:— 12 May 1860, ATYR III 55

98a/230b
were more that unusual
>>>>>
were more than unusual

Corrected 1860 1^st II 305

99a/232a
at the beginning of her illness.
>>>>
at the beginning of her illness?

Corrected 1860 1^st II 309

100a/233b
“Why not, I should like to know!”
>>>>>
“Why not, I should like to know?”

Corrected 1860 1^st II 314

Part 26:— 19 May 1860, ATYR III 56

240b/122b
“Now, that you have taken the charge, ma’am
>>>>>
“Now that you have taken charge, ma’am

Neither corrected in 1860 1^st to New II p.331; but both corrected 1861 p.309. Arguably ‘the charge’ is not wrong but the comma after ‘Now’ undoubtedly is. Harper’s Weekly takes out the comma but leaves ‘the charge’ (Vol. IV No.177 p. 309).

242b/124 a
importance to ascertain the extact date of
>>>>>
importance to ascertain the exact date of

Corrected 1860 1^st II 337

242b/124a
my memory to recal it.

uncorrected in 1860 1^st and 1861.

243b/125a
My mistress, says to him
>>>>>
My mistress says to him

This rather odd comma is not right here even by the super-numerary standards of the day. Corrected 1860 1^st II 343.

245b/126a
may save the family troubıe in this case
>>>>>
may save the family trouble in this case

This strange broken font which is like an ‘i’ with no dot, appears in all editions examined.
Corrected 1860 1^st II 348.

246b/127a
MARRIED, DECEMBER 23RD, 1849
>>>>>
MARRIED, DECEMBER 23RD, 1849.

249a/128b
I heard her say these words softly
>>>>>
I heard her say those words softly

Corrected 1860 1^st II 360

Part 27:— 26 May 1860, ATYR III 57

251a/145b
lifted the veil
>>>>>
lifted her veil

Corrected 1860 1^st p.5

251a/145b
In than moment, I who had long since
>>>>>
In than moment, I, who had long since

Corrected 1860 1st p.6

252a/146b
office of Messrs Gilmore and Kyrle
>>>>>
office of Messrs. Gilmore and Kyrle

Corrected 1860 1st p.9

254a/147b
the Asylum, which was situated, not far from
>>>>>
the Asylum, which was situated not far from

Corrected 1860 1st p.15

256a/149a
she discovered among other particulars
>>>>>
she discovered, among other particulars

Corrected 1860 1st p.20

256a/149a
placed in the Asylum, under a fatal mistake
>>>>>
placed in the Asylum under a fatal mistake

Corrected 1860 1st p.21

257a/149b
memory was able to recal.
>>>>>
memory was able to recall.

Not corrected 1860 1st p.23; 1861 p.332

Part 28:— 2 June 1860, ATYR III 58

169a/258b
to a back-room
>>>>>
to a back room

Corrected 1860 1^st III 25

170a/259b
the next morning, was still more vague
>>>>>
the next morning was still more vague

Corrected 1860 1^st III 28

173a/263b
on encouraging her to recal
>>>>>
on encouraging her to recall

Not corrected 1860 1^st III 41; 1861 340

Part 29:— 9 June 1860, ATYR III 59

No printing errors identified in this part.

Part 30:— 16 June 1860, ATYR III 60

217a/274a
gardener from Blackwater Park has called on
>>>>>
gardener from Blackwater Park had called on

Corrected 1860 1^st III 70

Part 31:— 23 June 1860, ATYR III 61

242b/284a
and woke us with throwing up a handful of gravel
>>>>>
and woke us by throwing up a handful of gravel

Corrected 1860 1^st III 96. This could be a misprint or a mistake in the ms.

243a/284b
the cruelest manner

NOT CORRECTED 1860 1^st III 98; 1861 367. This spelling is not wrong. OED contains both though it pronounces on neither. Today it seems wrong.

244a/286b
received from Mrs Clements, left me
>>>>>
received from Mrs. Clements, left me

Corrected 1860 1^st III 103

245a/287b
ten and eleven year old, then;
>>>>>
ten and eleven years old, then;

Corrected 1860 1^st III 106

Part 32:— 30 June 1860, ATYR III 62

266a/291b
“because he will not be helped
>>>>>
“because he will not be helped

The word ‘will’ has a broken font. The last letter is almost missing and the first ‘l’ is damaged. In both copies examined. Impossible to reproduce.

267a/293a
the dead house-carcases

The spelling of 'carcases' is in fact correct as an alternative to 'carcasses'. .

267a/293a
one story high

This spelling of ‘story’ is common at the time and still correct even though ‘storey’ is more usual now.

268a/294b
“Yes? Go on.”
>>>>>
“Yes. Go on.”

Arguably not wrong. But corrected 1860 1^st III 126 and maintained 1861 381.

268a/294b
“Indeed?”
>>>>>
“Indeed!”

Arguably not wrong. But corrected 1860 1^st III 126 and maintained 1861 381.

269a

against him, you nave a grudge against him
>>>>>
against him, you have a grudge against him

This broken font is in all copies seen. Not an ‘n’ but an ‘h’ with the top riser broken off.

Corrected 1860 1^st III 130

Part 33:— 7 July 1860, ATYR III 63

291a/302b
ran heavy wooden presses, wormeaten and gaping
>>>>>
ran heavy wooden presses, worm-eaten and gaping

Corrected 1860 1^st III 144

291b/303a
All broken, and wormeaten:
>>>>>
All broken, and worm-eaten:

Corrected 1860 1^st III 145

292a/304a
Which year did you say?
>>>>>
Which year did you say, sir?

Corrected 1860 1^st III 149.

This is an unusual error to count as a misprint. But it is clearly impossible for the man not to put ‘sir’ at the end of the sentence, which its immediate correction confirms.

Part 34:— 14 July 1860, ATYR III 64

314a/308b
it may ɒe remembered
>>>>>
it may be remembered

Damaged type – a 'b' without the riser – seen in both copies examined. Corrected 1860 1^st III 159.

315a/310a
And between these entries at the bottom of the page
>>>>>
And between these entries, at the bottom of the page

Comma is needed – corrected 1860 1^st III 163.

319a/316b
“Do you know him, sır?”
>>>>>
“Do you know him, sir?”

The i without a dot is in all copies examined.
Corrected 1860 1^st III 182.

Part 35:—21 July 1860, ATYR III 65

338a/320a
old wormeaten presses
>>>>>
old worm-eaten presses

Corrected 1860 1^st III 188.

339b/322a
particular in my face when you 'left me
>>>>>
particular in my face when you left me

An odd straight mark has been left before the word ‘left’. In both copies examined.
Corrected 1860 1^st III 197.

340a/322a
the day of his downfal had come
>>>>>
the day of his downfall had come

Not corrected 1860 1^st to New III 197; corrected 1861 415
Downfal is a form found very occasionally in the 18^th century – see OED online. 1. 1710, and 3. 1750.

Part 36:— 28 July 1860, ATYR III 66

361a/326a
a worry and an incumbrance

‘incumbrance’ was an older and unusual spelling of ‘encumbrance’. The words ‘and an incumbrance’ are omitted in 1860 1st III 207 and later editions.

363a/328b
she never to her dying day_ƽ
>>>>>
she never to her dying day

This strange character – approximately represented here – is in both copies examined.
Corrected 1860 1^st III 214.

363b/330a
The next day was my last in Hampshire
>>>>>
The next day was my last in Hampshire.

Corrected 1860 1^st III 220.

364b/331a
was gone beyond recal.
>>>>>
was gone beyond recall.

Not corrected 1860 1^st III 224 nor 1861 427.

365a/331a
my immediate recal, on pressing business
>>>>>
my immediate recall, on pressing business

Not corrected 1860 1^st III 224 nor 1861 427.

Part 37:— 4 August 1860, ATYR III 67

387b/335b
meant to do next, after hear ing it.”
>>>>>
meant to do next, after hearing it.”

This word is split over a line with no hyphen. Corrected 1860 1^st III 234.

Part 38:— 11 August 1860, ATYR III 68

410a/341b
as if it felt like the land the glow
>>>>>
as if it felt, like the land, the glow

Hard to read without the commas. Corrected 1860 1^st III 249

412a/344b
In the first fulness of my new happiness

This archaic usage was not changed 1860 1^st III 256 or 1861 443.

Part 39:— 18 August 1860, ATYR III 69

433a/354b
Piainly this.
>>>>>
Plainly this.

In fact the first ‘l’ is a broken font which looks like a ‘i’ but on close examination is a ‘l’ with a gap in the riser. Present in both copies examined. Corrected of course 1860 1^st III 284.

433b/355a
Opera, ıs a member of the Brotherhood
>>>>>
Opera, is a member of the Brotherhood

The dotless ‘i’ is in both copies examined. Corrected 1860 1^st III 285.

437a/360a
“Give me a plainer answer, Mr. Hartright. “What hour is the clock to strike?”
>>>>>
“Give me a plainer answer, Mr. Hartright. What hour is the clock to strike?”

An extra “ has crept in here. Corrected 1860 1^st III 300.

438b/362
accomplishments that man can possess
>>>>>
accomplishments that a man can possess

Either reading is valid but the ‘a’ was added for the book version and so its absence may have been an error. Changed 1860 1^st III 307

440b/365a
“You wait here with me, sir, for half an hour more?”
>>>>>
“You wait here with me, sir, for half an hour more!”

Corrected 1860 1^st III 315.

Part 40:— 25 August 1860, ATYR III 70

460b/370b
In the mean while>
>>>>>
In the meanwhile

Corrected 1860 1^st III 333 and 1861 478. NB however that a similar usage in Part 24 was not changed in the book versions and is not listed above as an error.

463a/374b
dark byways of villany and deceit
not changed 1860 1^st III 345; 1861 483

464a/376a
for I cannot recal it to mind
>>>>>
for I cannot recall it to mind

This archaic spelling was changed for the book 1860 1^st III 350.

466b/379a
“I see him to day for the first time
>>>>>
“I see him to-day for the first time

Corrected 1860 1^st III 360 and 1861 490

467a/380b
His clothes hung above him
>>>>>
His clothes, hung above him

This missing comma was restored 1860 1^st III 362

467b/381a
—His life was one long
>>>>>
—“His life was one long

The missing opening quotes were added 1860 1^st III 364.

468a/382a
that Mr Fairlie was dead
>>>>>
that Mr. Fairlie was dead

The missing stop was added 1860 1^st III 367.

THE END

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