Autograph letter signed : [London], to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Tuesday Mor'ng" [1844 January 9].

Suggesting that she write "just the sort of note you mention, to Mr. Merry. Let me give you grand-paternal advice to avoid by all possible means theological discussions which will only vex and torment your nerves, brain, and time and also do not be led into any correspondence with friend Reade. He writes interminably wordy notes, in a difficult hand, and is apt to need long answers - or, at all events, to wish for them....Of course, I told him you had been informed by some one - I had no idea who - of his nagging and pecking. I chose to do it. I chose to stop him. Also, as he had once taken it into his fancy that (because he knew I thought highly of your criticisms) you were likely to be a contributor to my new work. I thought it an excellent opportunity to 'turn the current.' It is turned. You have all the waters now in your own hands...So, write just the note you speak of to Mr. Merry - and all will go right."