Autograph letter signed with initial : [London], to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Monday Morn'g" [1844 June 10].

Asking for the name of a poem by Mrs. Norton that she had recommended to him; asking her opinion of including Barry Cornwall in his next edition; discussing the criticisms against his work saying "I find (dreadfully private this) that there is an evil spirit or two at work in various directions, against me - with intent to show, cause, or set it about, that notwithstanding any praise I may [have] given to certain authors, and poets, in especial, that they are all in some sort offended, and have become cold and distant - and no longer as before. Now I believe there is very little truth in this;" wishing for "any note, or quotation of four or five lines from 'Orion - just to show that a kindly feeling existed towards me, would be pleasing to receive from one I know to be sincere. Do not at all fancy this comes in a poor lachrymose shape - only I do not like these Dogs to have their word-bark all their own way. And the 'New Spirit of the Age' will triumph in the end, I do believe;" quoting from praise of his book by Leigh Hunt and adding "Harriet Martineau also writes very kindly;" adding, in a postscript written on the inside flap of the envelope, his caution to not "over-work and excite yourself about this 2nd Vol...You ought to accept assistance I shall always say that - were it only for the commas and press-errors &c &c &c &c." .