158 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



there has been any sketch of the kind in newspaper or 

 review, will you not send it to me, if convenient ? 



It has been suggested that the term Essays is the worst 

 title by which a book can be known, and that this class of 

 works is generally least successful of all. There may be 

 something in the suggestion, but I should not like to inter- 

 fere with an author's preferences. Would you object to a 

 change, or, if we should compose a volume out of the two, 

 could you not suggest something fresh, sharply defined, and 

 "taking"? You have a remarkable facility in this ; it struck 

 me long since, and I have heard many remark it. I will 

 not protract this letter, as I have communicated all that is of 

 special importance. I will write you again soon, and speak 

 of some persons I met and their relations to your writings. 



I look forward to the time, and I believe it is not very 

 distant, when all your books will be republished here, and 

 you will have an extensive and appreciative American 

 audience. In view of this, if there were any articles or 

 parts of articles in the Essays which have reappeared or 

 are to reappear in the early parts of your serial you might 

 perhaps choose to omit them. We have decided to publish 

 one book now, and it will probably be the Essays. 



The action I have taken is to me a great source of 

 pleasure. I have enjoyed it every way, and have a deep 

 gratification in its promise of future results. You very 

 kindly allowed me to take the thing into my own hands, 

 and I have adopted the course which all approve and think 

 wisest. I trust your health continues as good as you last 

 reported it. I am afraid you will have trouble to read 

 what I have written, but my wife (who begs to be kindly 

 remembered to you) thinks it may be readable. Please 

 remember us both with very kind regards to your father 

 and mother, who are, we hope, still in good health. 

 Yours very truly and sincerely, 



E. L. YOUMANS. 



