your recent letter and notes for 904 pounds, 7 shillings and 11 pence are received and i return my thanks for the same. continue in similar well-doing, and you will continue to prosper both here and hereafter.

i am very sorry that wasn’t the king; but never mind, i am used to these disappointments.

i expect to be ready to talk business and make contracts with you on the new book pretty soon now—possibly a month hence.

i do not know as much about publishing as you do, but as you think three (3) pence a fair royalty on the proposed two (2) shilling edition of the “tramp abroad” i will take your word for it and we will let it stand accepted at that.