My dear Miss Smith

I have kept your French journal a terrible time, and I am sorry to say I cannot get it in after all. It is rather too much trodden ground, and even you cannot make it new enough. I think you will soon get a huge piece of the Banks of the Thorne to finish them with the year if possible, and then we begin on our new principles. I hope the enclosed ... continue reading

My dear Miss Yonge I have given our printer orders to go on with the 'Clever Woman'. I hope you will receive proofs at once & have a rapid supply. It will make some such work as 'The Trial,' as you wish.

I have corresponded with a friend of yours about 'Events of the Month.' I think the idea admirable the want is a crying one. But it should be [illegible] and well carried out. I hardly ... continue reading

My dear Miss Yonge Will you kindly send back the book by Weinhold. It is for Miss Otté who is going to do a history of North Europe. Miss Keary also has been at work on the same region.

I meant to have dropped you a note tell [sic] you why I sent you Duncans book which I stumbled on in an old book-shop, where after an old habit I was prowling about. I thought this will ... continue reading

Dear Mr Macmillan, Otterbourn was turned upside down yesterday by a grand wedding, so that I could accomplish nothing but sending off the book without writing.

I am much obliged by your proposal about the Clever Woman, and shall be well satisfied with the terms you propose, - and very glad not to have the stereotyping taken out of the £200. It strikes me that there ought to be another sheet in the first volume; as there ... continue reading