It's a large parcel, and I must keep it here till somebody goes up to town and can book it by the coach. I warrant it, large as it looks, readable in two hours; and I very much want to know what you think of the first act, and especially the opening, which seems to me quite famous. The metre is very odd and rough, but now and then there's a wildness in it which helps the thing very much; and altogether it has left a something on my mind which I can't get rid of. Mrs. Dickens joins with me in kindest regards to yourself, Mrs., and Miss Macready. And I am always, My dear Macready, Faithfully and truly yours. P.S.--A dreadful thought has just occurred to me--that this is a quadruple letter, and that Elstree may not be within the twopenny post. Pray Heaven my fears are unfounded. [Sidenote: Mr. W. C. Macready.] 40, ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS, _September 21st, 1839._ MY DEAR MACREADY, I am so anxious to prefer a request to you which does not admit of delay that I send you a double letter, with the one redeeming point though of having very little in it. Let me prefix to the last number of "Nickleby," and to the book, a duplicate of the leaf which I now send you. Believe me that there will be no leaf in the volume which will afford me in times to come more true pleasure and gratification, than that in which I have written your name as foremost among those of the friends whom I love and honour. Believe me, there will be no one line in it conveying a more honest truth or a more sincere feeling than that which describes its dedication to you as a slight token of my admiration and regard. So let me tell the world by this frail record that I was a friend of yours, and interested to no ordinary extent in your proceedings at that interesting time when you showed them such noble truths in such noble forms, and gave me a new interest in, and associations with, the labours of so many months. I write to you very hastily and crudely, for I have been very hard at work, having only finished to-day, and my head spins yet. But you know what I mean. I am then always, Believe me, my dear Macready, Faithfully yours. P.S.--(Proof of Dedication enclosed): "To W. C. Macready, Esq., the following pages are inscribed, as a slight token of admiration and regard, by his friend, the Author." [Sidenote: Mr. W. C. Macready.] DOUGHTY STREET, _Friday Night, Oct. 25th, 1839._ MY DEAR MACREADY,