Autograph letter signed with initials : [Torquay], to Richard Hengist Horne, 1840 December 17.

Commenting on the Introduction to his book on the poems of Chaucer and comparing Chaucer to him, Wordsworth and Leigh Hunt; saying "I think people will say 'you might keep nearer Chaucer' - but however...they may'nt: and if they are not (say what they please) delighted with this volume, this breathing of sweet souths over the bank of deathless violets, there can be no room for delight in their souls;" asking him if he truly likes "Psyche" and adding "I always struggle for a purpose - & mold a beginning middle & end part in my mind before writing a line! No - nothing can be done towards unity without wholeness - & the one purpose, is the soul of the composition, - the proof of life, the puto ergo sum. So I do struggle for the purpose - but not for a 'plan' implying I suppose details. Oh but I do not wonder at your doing so - & indeed with so artistic a developper of high dramatic designs, it c'd scarcely be otherwise. You see how the inequalities begin to manifest themselves at the first step!;" encouraging him to visit her family at Wimpole Street "...some day when you are in the neighbourhood - do - before I am there - if really it is not out of all order in me to say such a thing. But it w'd give them real pleasure to know you., I am very sure - & besides, I shall like to think that they do;" adding, in a postscript, "No, we dont agree - & I want to set up not the contrariety but the identity of the principle of Greek versification & ours."