Autograph letter signed : London, to Dr. Baldwin, 1891 Feb. 6.

Concerning the production of his play ["The American"]; apologizing for not replying to his "kind note" and thanking him for the "good wishes about my sordid play. I was all the more touched with it as you were unwell when you dispatched it...The perpetual press of detail in one's busy existence here is the explanation of this brutality - but you know only too well yourself what such presses are. The play "goes" as they say very well indeed in the provinces - but this phase of its existence is merely preliminary to its production here. On the other hand I have consented to its not being produced in London till it has been "toted" well about the British isles - so that only next September will that event take place. Meanwhile, however, I shall probably break out in other places - with other drama. At least I am in a intimate commerce with the bedizened theatrical muse. My motives are mercenary - but basta;" inquiring about his health and saying "I'm afraid you've had a vile & vicious winter. Here it has been, as the London populace says, 'something croo'l'...C.F.W. sticks fast to Cheltenham - What fortitude, what solitude."