Autograph letter signed with initials : [London], to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Tuesday" [1844 January 2].

Expressing his happiness that she is not ill, letting her know that the proofs had arrived and that the delay was "...not serious because another adverse spirit (a spirit averse to work, I mean) had interposed, in the shape of Christmas merriment among the printers;" thanking her for her "remark about the satyrists" and explaining what he had written; expressing interest in her new poem but saying he will not comment on it until she delivers the essay her has asked her to write on Carlyle; adding, in a postscript, that she will soon see more proofs and he will not ask her for more "opinions of anybody - unless I really know no one whom I think can tell me what I want so well as you, and then you know 'my duty to the public' would compell me to &c;" adding, in a second postscript written on the inside of the envelope flap, that his work will not include science or history or politics "..nor 'all the ladies'. Still, I am glad to have all you tell me of them. Who is Ellen Pickering?"