MS Westcountry Studies Library, Exeter/ Yonge 1856/4¹

My dear Madam
When I wrote my first letter, I must have been under some hallucination that 52 shillings was £2 2. instead of £2.12. but I am glad the mistake was there instead of in the cheque. Your pretty Household Record came safely this morning, and I have read nearly to the end with much pleasure. I think I like it better than Wishop though not quite so well as the Thorns and Roses. Its charm is the seeming so very like life from the quietness and simplicity. I hope Wishop will begin in April or March, but I cannot yet make quite sure.

The Copyright of all is your own, with our small pay. I am sure it would not be sufficient to buy the copyright, and I hope some day, your tales may make a pretty volume. Thanks for the permission to reveal the authorship to Miss Emily Taylor. I have no doubt it will be safe with her. I do not know whether I let you to suppose that I prefer short tales to longer ones. I do not think that is the case, it only happened that the shorter one fitted the last number of the year better. I never could write a short story myself, and so have perhaps the more respect for the art of getting much into brief space

yours truly
C M Yonge