[Tipped to paper with engraving of Ashland; marked Page 5.]

[Includes ANS on verso to "Dear Sir" stating that the three verses he sent him are from his poem " The Lady Jane . "]

[Includes attached autograph; page is marked 3.]

[From " Lady Jane . "]

[Includes attached magazine drawing.]

[Says he is pleased and flattered that she will present him at Lady Arundel's hall; recalls meeting her and her celebrated friend [Jane] Porter , a writer.]

[Gives the Harper Co. instructions for the republishing of Pencillings; says the volumes will be dedicated to John B. Van Schaick . ]

[Says he is writing a book on American scenery to be published in England ; asks for his help in getting the duty reduced; makes an argument why the whole book should not be subject to duty.]

[Says he has dedicated " Tortesa the Usurer " to her without her permission; says that this play and " Bianca Visconti Or The Heart Overtasked " have been so successful in America that he could buy a beautiful farm on the Susquehanna ; sends book by Miss Sedgwick; talks about a book on travel in the making; encourages her to give up all other writing in favor of play writing where she is so very successful; talks about a planned trip to the south of Europe ; urges her to join him and his wife.]

[Says he has been to the theater in Dublin twice to see Hackett perform his Yankee characters; invites him to dine at the Rev. Dr. Wall's , where he will meet the Lord Mayor of Dublin and others.]

[Writes on behalf of a committee; mentions plans to give a free concert in New York in honor of General Morris who has done so much for the country; asks him to participate; includes signatures of Dr. Alban Goldsmith and George Endicott . ]

[Explains why certain poems of his do not lend themselves to drawings; says they express feelings and are not of a descriptive nature, but that others are suitable for Mr. Lentze's pencil; mentions a book review.]

[Discusses poetry that Willis promises to write for North American Review , sooner or later; mentions the high regard The North American Review enjoys in England . ]

[Complains that his lectures and meetings at Cambridge take up all his time; mentions correspondent's work on a collection of Egyptian and Moorish plates belonging to Willis.]

[States that the Home Journal is always at her service.]

[Discusses some of his verses and the imminent birth of a daughter or son.]

[Discusses his recovery from illness, the publication of a piece in Morris' periodical, and painter [Lawrence] who "makes everybody look as they will look in Heaven."]

[Discusses " Lysteria , " a dramatic poem; asks him who the author is; finds fault with an engraving of himself; wants Mr. Smith, the engraver, to change the eye area, the under lip, thicken the hair, etc.]

[Discusses a book she wants to sell to publisher; says he is so disgusted with negotiating bargains with publishers that he has somebody else do it for him; sympathizes with her; says that The Home Journal will do its best to ensure the book's success once it is published.]

[Thanks him for a chronicle of his visit, which was glowingly written about by Mrs. Harry Otis ; talks about his Dedication Hymn and a letter from Dr. [Beattie], London , regarding it; hopes that Fields will "insert" it somewhere; describes a June morning.] (tipped in book, The Bryant Festival at the Century )

[Praises [Ephraim?] Peabody's wonderful writing, which is worth collecting; talks about his "brain-troubles"; says he has been advised by his physician to stop writing for several years or risk sudden death; chooses to take the risk rather than endure intellectual idleness; speaks about The Home Journal ; says that all entries do not meet his high standards; invites the Peabody family to visit his house.]

[Thanks him for gossiping letter and asks for more of the same; reports on a novel in progress; mentions the frozen Susquehanna river . ] (A portion of the letter has been cut out because it obtained an obscene sentence.)

[Pleads with him to "give the world your likeness," namely, allow bearer of letter, [Mathew] Brady , to take his picture.]

[Says he is pleased to have received Bowditch's book Suffolk Surnames ; states that excerpts from it have already appeared in The Home Journal , but he will speak of it again.]

[Says he cannot help him with inquiries; offers "boyish" compositions he wrote in 1825, his Sophmore year; hopes they might be of help.]

[Says that letter will be presented to Fay by New York lawyer James [B.] Thayer , who is to sail to Europe ; states that Thayer would like to introduce George Green to Fay.]

[Regrets not to have met Prescott, a person of "sovereign genius," during his stay in Boston . ]

[Discusses piece by Mrs. Palmer on Shakespeare ; regrets not being able to use it in The Home Journal . ]

[Discusses Barnes' poem [" The Eagle's Feather "] which Willis will probably publish.]

[Requests autograph; sends one of the stanzas Palmer speaks of.]

[Sends autograph of poem " Saturday afternoon "; acknowledges receipt of two books.]

[Acknowledges the receipt of a [book]; says he will look for Tiffany's name in review articles.]

[Says he would like Fields to go to the English Embassy and ask for the address of Lady Jenkins, one of the world's most charming women, widow of Sir Richard Jenkins , formerly president   of the East India Company . ]

[Says that his household has been overwhelmed with company, "all up-hillers," and his wife is now sick in bed; says he cannot comply with Botta's request to write his own obituary; sends her some scraps which he has gathered over the years, which seem to him discriminating or noteworthy; speaks of his wife's great affection for Botta.]

[Says he is not able to help him with his inquiry; suggests approaching Henry Tuckerman with the matter.]

[Printed form-letter; tells her in a very polite way that he does not feel like writing her a personal letter.]

[Thanks him for a flattering letter.]

[Sends him what he believes is his best "Scripture Poem" ever; asks him to take it to Bonner.]

[Responds to her claim that he lives in a halo and that she does not know what his face looks like anymore by sending his "likeness"; walks past her home 6 times a day on his way to and from Willard's for his meals; looks up to her window for a smile, in vain.]

[Says he is not feeling well and waits for "Mamma"; sends a letter from young Stace; signs letter, "your affectionate papa."]

[Discusses Morris' health, Willis' family matters, The Home Journal , increase in advertising; mentions Epes Sargent . ]

[Says that an attack of vertigo kept him from writing her; sends early copies from [ Home Journal ]; encourages her to write more; mentions visitors to his home, including Mrs. Henry Hills , Mrs. Henry Grinnell , and Anne Lynch Botta . ]

[Discusses difficulties with Captain Frederick Marryat and an avoided duel, the serious illness of his wife, and his tentative plans to return to America , depending on the recovery of his wife; mentions Jane Porter 's presence and his indebtedness to Sir Charles.]

[Writes for her husband who injured his hand in a fall; says they look forward to Halleck's visit to Idlewild . ]

[Expresses condolences after the death of Londen's wife; includes ALS, Londen to Willis, on verso, acknowledging condolence letter.]

[Discusses a misplaced letter, and how hard Willis is working; comments on mutual acquaintances.]

[Says he is overburdened by work; decides to send him this preprinted letter; tells him in a autograph note that he does not have Poe's autograph.]

[Sends requested letter having to do with publishing business.]

[Sends fifth portion of " Ireland "; says it should reach England by boat December 1; mentions [James] Grant . ]

[Declines invitation due to overload of work; compliments him on his last two papers which were "exemplary good."]

[Discusses Home Journal copies for Madame Calderon de la Barca , wife of Spanish minister; says copies are to be sent to an address on Long Island ; reports on his improving health.]

[Urges him to send forgotten other half of a poem by [Regis De Trobriand]; says he would love to publish it; declines trip to Nantucket as he has too many houseguests at the moment; urges him to visit again in the fall, to join Mrs. Hills and Mrs. Otis and have a "time."]

[Discusses business; asks them to date and sign an enclosed document.]

[Discusses business, a new edition of his poems; agrees to their terms, which are the same ones they give Longfellow, but wants to revise and refine his poems before publication; asks for $300 advance; encloses drawing of one of his poems; says same young artist will do any number of such drawings, cheap.]

[Discusses printing of " Tortesa the Usurer " and "Bianca."]

[Introduces Patterson, who will deliver the letter by hand, to Fields; says Patterson is the editor of the [Anglo-American] and "one of our choicest spirits, as well as best critics."]

[Responds to request for autograph.]

[Promises to visit him to renew their acquaintance; remembers his kindness in former years.]

[Sends check for 3 tickets she sent him; compliments her on last night's dancing.]

[Sends her promised verses, possibly AMs poem beginning, "My Mother! in thy prayer tonight . . ."; says he will send lines on the President's grandchild at a better moment.]

[Informs him that he is ready to receive him tonight between seven and eight.]

[Include AN on verso, Willis to one of his sons.]

[Includes attached AMsS poem beginning, "We met like rain-drops . . ."]