From the Ford Collection; removed in 1922.
This letter is housed with MA 611 but was not acquired with MA 611.
The letter is addressed to "My dear Sir" but is probably to Allen Putnam. Cf. Woodson et al., p. 496.
Part of a collection of 19 autograph letters signed from Nathaniel Hawthorne, an engraving of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and a typescript letter signed from his son, Julian Hawthorne. Items in the collection are described in 21 records (MA 611.1-21).
Commenting on Allen's "account of Salem Witchcraft"; warning him against "a certain Carlyleism in the style"; declining to serve as editor of the book: "my reputation ... has already too much fog and mist diffused through it; and if the public find me setting myself up as a sponsor for other people's books of dreamcraft and witchery, I shall get a very bad name."