Copy outletter book British Library Add MSS.55387 (1) P. 348

Dear Miss Yonge
I have sent the description to Mr Armitage, who I am sure will be very glad to have it.

About vignettes I am rather uncertain. They are very dangerous. Anything short of high excellence is apt to be commonplace and conventional. The cup with the serpent dos not commend itself to me quite. I am afraid I have not much taste for arbitrary symbolism – meanings in fact I do like and in words.

However I think the three pictures will do excellently well, and Mr Armitage will treat them reverently and carefully. I hope to have one to show you before long.

I was so fortunate as to be in when Miss Sewell called on Wednesday. We had a nice long talk, I hope she will tell you the result! On my return from America she hopes to be ready to begin to print. I start early in August. The time between seems too short for all my preparations. I have been such a stick-at-home all my life that the prospect of a long voyage quite frightens me.

I am dear Miss Yonge
Yours very truly
A. Macmillan