My Old PlaymateⒶemendation—Your sweet-scented note, asking a favor of me in your dire necessity, came to hand more promptly, I imagine, than it would have done if it had contained a $500 greenback as a fee. The fact that this neck of the woods is the great center of insurance companies of America, makes it quite natural and proper that I should get inspired upon the subject of insurance companies and their habits, and hence the enclosed—while the consideration of old friendship and companionship would never have induced me to take this trouble to oblige you or any other man. I have never forgiven you for your wicked and diabolical attempt to imitate my sweet and silver tones in the window scene, and ask as an infliction upon your fellow scamps of the Fire Underwriters’ Association of the Pacific, that read the enclosed essay to them in the same tones, taking your key from the same scene, as a poor singer gets his key by repeating the do, ra, mi of the singing book! It is a wretched imitation of myself, and I offer it as a punishment of the insurance men’s sins! Under no consideration are you to allow this to go to press, as I reserve the right to copy right all my writings. My personal recollection of some of the old underwriters of the Pacific, enables me to speak truthfully of them, and I only regret that I cannot immortalize some of the more recent lights in the business! Take the little scribble in welcome! Sail in, and God bless you!