The letters are arranged alphabetically by writer. Where two or more letters are held for a writer they are arranged by date.

Most of the letters are contained in the orange filing slips that were used commonly by Smith Elder and Company in the administration of its correspondence. Several of these slips are marked "Publication Department".

MacDonald, Duncan.

Letter, 12 April 1862, concerning a work by MacDonald on British Columbia. Folios 1-4.

Moore, George.

Letter, 4 June 1860, enclosing an article, `Poetry` (ff.7-11), and a poem,`Shakespeare` (f.12). Folios 5-12.

Murray, Eustace.

Letter, 12 December 1878, on behalf of Edmond de Goncourt, requesting information on books concerning clowns and boxing. Folios 13-19.

List of titles drawn up in response to Eustace Murray`s letter (ff. 13-19). After 12 December 1878. Folio 20.

Reade, Compton.

Letter, 23 April 1872, concerning the publication of an unnamed work by Reade. Folios 21-24.

Reade, William.

Three letters concerning the publication of Reade`s work `Savage Africa`. Folios 25-37: 6 July 1864 (ff. 25-28), 18 May 1868 (ff. 29-32), 25 April 1874 (ff. 33-37).

Reeve, Henry.

Letter, 31 August 1877, requesting for review a copy of Robert Browning`s 1877 translation of the `Agamemnon` of Aeschylus. Folios 38-42.

Rogers, James.

Letter, 21 September 1860, outlining Rogers` aim in having written `Education in Oxford: its Methods, its Aids, and its Rewards`. Folios 43-47.