Autograph letter signed : London, to Mrs. Samuel Carter Hall, 1861 April 2.

Concerning a possible contribution to the magazine; saying he would be very proud to be included among her contributors "...but alas! I have neither short tale nor short poem of any kind by me. One tale I have completed about two months hence. It was intended to lead off a collection of reprints for which I had an order from Mess'rs Hurst and Blackett. But, unfortunately they made a point of three volumes and as my papers would not by any management reach that amount the MS tale is at present in my hands. It would occupy about half of one volume of a novel - If you do not think that too long I shall have great pleasure in sending it to you: adding that his health has suffered recently "...from anxiety (caused by the long and alarming illness of my eldest daughter) that I could produce nothing fresh or vigorous - I am sure you will be pleased to hear that our invalid is improving on the whole although our apprehensions are not fully removed."