Autograph letter signed with initials : [London], to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Friday morng" [1843 October 20].

Concerning the illustrations and the intent for his book; discussing, at length and in detail, the portraits that should be included in his book; saying "How you do go on in the dark about this new dark work of mine as to who sh'd be in it, portrait-wise or not, when I have no deputed power over the illustrations - my part is the literature. Be sure of it I will not forget to make mention of Miss Mitford - but I cannot make the publishers have a portrait from the clouds nor obtain one (copyrights) nor pay the engraver, nor all that especially when the 'plan of the work' is against it. For where is Lady Morgan and Mrs. Shelley and Campbell and Moore? All alive, and not in my book?;" explaining that he has no control over the number of engravings that will go in the book, that engravings will add to the cost, but that he "...will do all I can - in every way, for dear Miss Mitford for whom I have a great regard;" explaining the intent of the essays saying "The nature of the genius is the first thing - then, how far it is the product of the age and spirit of the time - what is its influence upon the age - with its 'future prospects' and why - and how and how far - or for instance. This is our formula. Instead of political economy, you shall have poetry;" complimenting her on her article on Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher in the Athenæum and asking if she would write "...four or five pages (Quarterly magazine size and type) on 'William Wordsworth and Leigh Hunt'. Considered as connecting links between a previous poetical period and the present...;" suggesting she contrast them and providing the following verse "Mr. Wordsworth is a primitive Preacher; / Mr. Hunt the pleasantest creature, / And, besides, a delightful teacher. / Wordsworth's soul is a very far reacher, / and his nose is an austere feature. / Hunt dances round a flower, / Wordsworth spells it by the hour. You need not absolutely say it in these words;" adding instructions on the size of the paper and the margins; asking in a postscript, which works of Miss Mitford she considers the best and in an additional postscript "Yes - confidential as the grave."