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 Mrs Blackburn, Herewith is a ‘Heartsease’ which I don’t expect you to like much except one character in it. I wonder if I judge rightly which of them you will tolerate, not that I shall tell you beforehand.

The time for the Little Duke’s second edition is come, so would you be so kind as to give directions to have another 2000 plates struck off. It is to be a cheaper affair this ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Blackburn, The book arrived by second post, just after my letter was gone -

I see some of my old friends and some new ones, and the wonderful and horrid young cuckoo, though poor little thing it is only its instinct of tidiness - no worse than killing rats! How curious it is that the American Cuckoo should be a decent domestic mother, while the cow bird acts her part.

You have not so ... continue reading