My dear Mrs Blackburn, I was very glad of a letter from you, it is so pleasant to keep up our intercourse that I am always wishing to invent some cause for writing. I wonder if I shall ever arrive at writing the Siege of Waspburg, it is a thing I cannot do till the spirit of wasps seizes me and I suppose it will do some time or other. Your birds must be delightful, except ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Blackburn I have bought myself a Grimm, and studied all the Thumbs that have come in my way, and have come to the conclusion that the way to make him pretty will be after all as you suggested, to begin with King Arthur. The unmitigated nursery legend with all the swallowing and the tricks is not poetical, and must have been vulgarized. So I will take what of Round table stories will suit, ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Blackburn That you may see the earnest has begun I send you the beginning of Tom on inspection, but please let me have him again or I shall forget what articles of fairy furniture have been used up. I like the work very much, and where you see numbers put I mean to have notes, and quote my authorities, Drayton, Ben Jonson, Shakespeare, Geoffrey of Monmouth. In this way I think pretty bits ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Blackburn Many thanks for your photograph which I am very glad to possess, as it is pleasant to have more than a visionary notion what one is writing to.

I cannot find any authority for Tom Thumb’s father being a miller, in one of your books he is a ploughman in the other a woodman, and in Grimm a peasant, so as he seemed to be quite well to do, with a cow ... continue reading

My dear Alice, With all our best birthday - 20-year-old - wishes, we send a peculiar assortment of presents,. 1. Eau de Cologne from the most genuine-looking place in Cologne. 2. ‘The Lances of Lynwood,’ hoping the Black Cats will not frighten Edward. 3. I doubt whether it is in your special line, but Mamma's heart was so grieved by hearing of the bereaved canary sitting disconsolate - and as she is ... continue reading

Here are the last three chapters; I think the others had better come by post. When it comes back, it is to be added that Margaret gave her pearl ring to be worked into the chalice. I have gone into correspondence with College Street about Miss Bracy. I realised that it was necessary to be careful what was said, but did not suspect danger in that quarter. I know two ... continue reading

Messrs Thomas Constable & Co with Compliments to Miss Yonge beg to send her herewith three copies of the new edition of Tom Thumb.[[f Should Miss Yonge require more they will be happy to send a farther supply on hearing from her.

My dear Maggie I hope you will have a happy Christmas I daresay you have been singing already at Mamma’s doors with all the rest and I think you can begin to keep it as a very happy day.

I send you a green book with some very pretty pictures of Tom Thumb. I think you will like to see him driving his six little white mice and by and by you will be able ... continue reading