I hope I don’t intrude--I have called at Ludgate-hill a great many times to see you, and made many kind inquiries, but I am always informed you are “not at home;” and what’s worse, I never can learn when you’ll be “at home;” I’m constantly told, “it’s very uncertain.” This looks very _odd_; I don’t think it _correct_. Then again, on asking your people what the _Every-Day Book_ is all about? they say it’s about _every_ thing; but that you know is no answer--is it? I want something more than that. When I tell ’em so, and that I’m so much engaged I haven’t time to read, they say the book is as useful to people engaged in business as to people out of business--as if _I_ was in business! I wish to acquaint every body, that I am not in business, and never was in business, though I’ve a deal of business to do; but then it’s for my own amusement, and that’s nobody’s business, you know--as I also told ’em. They say it’s impossible to describe the contents of the book, but that all the particulars are in the Index; that’s just what I wanted; but behold! it is “not _out_”--that is, it is not _in_--I mean not in the book--you _take_. Excuse my humorsomeness: I only wish to know when I can get it? They say in a few days, but, bless you, I don’t believe ’em; for though I let ’em know I’ve a world of things to communicate to you, when you’ve time to see me, and let me ask you a few questions, they won’t credit _me_, and why should I credit _them_--I was not born yesterday, I assure you. I’m of a very ancient stock, and I’ve some notion you and I are kinsmen--don’t you think we are? I dare say there’s a likeness, for I’m sure we are of the same disposition; if you aren’t, how can you find out so much “about _every_ thing.” If I can make out that you are one of the _Pry_ family, it will be mutually agreeable--won’t it? How people will stare--won’t they?