Autograph letter signed : London, to Chatto & Windus, 1885 January 14.

Enclosing 4 slips from the proof of his "Shadow of a crime" which had been retained for him by the editor of the Academy when he read the novel "for points of style"; stating that he not much concerned about proposed additions to the book's preface and noting that the editor of the Academy praised it highly and will give it a "prompt review"; notifying them that he will be traveling in the North and asking that they direct any letters to the Liverpool Mercury; asking that the numerous alterations and corrections on the sheets enclosed be read with "all customary care", and that any questions be referred to his friend at the Academy; commenting on Grant Allen's novel Philistia ("Philistia is wonderfully clever. The subject does not lend itself to imaginative work"); conveying in a postscript an offer of £10 made to him by a publisher's agent in New York for the "proofs of the story".