OFFICE OF "ALL THE YEAR ROUND," NO. 26, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND, W.C., _Saturday, 28th of October, 1865._ MY DEAR CHORLEY, I find your letter here only to-day. I shall be delighted to dine with you on Tuesday, the 7th, but I cannot answer for Mary, as she is staying with the Lehmanns. To the best of my belief, she is coming to Gad's this evening to dine with a neighbour. In that case, she will immediately answer for herself. I have seen the _Athenaeum_, and most heartily and earnestly thank you. Trust me, there is nothing I could have wished away, and all that I read there affects and delights me. I feel so generous an appreciation and sympathy so very strongly, that if I were to try to write more, I should blur the words by seeing them dimly. Ever affectionately yours. [Sidenote: Mrs. Procter.] GAD'S HILL, _Sunday, 29th October, 1865._ MY DEAR MRS. PROCTER, The beautiful table-cover was a most cheering surprise to me when I came home last night, and I lost not a moment in finding a table for it, where it stands in a beautiful light and a perfect situation. Accept my heartiest thanks for a present on which I shall set a peculiar and particular value. Enclosed is the MS. of the introduction.[76] The printers have cut it across and mended it again, because I always expect them to be quick, and so they distribute my "copy" among several hands, and apparently not very clean ones in this instance. Odd as the poor butcher's feeling appears, I think I can understand it. Much as he would not have liked his boy's grave to be without a tombstone, had he died ashore and had a grave, so he can't bear him to drift to the depths of the ocean unrecorded. My love to Procter. Ever affectionately yours. [Sidenote: Mr. W. B. Rye.[77]] GAD'S HILL PLACE, HIGHAM BY ROCHESTER, KENT, _Friday, 3rd November, 1865._ DEAR SIR, I beg you to accept my cordial thanks for your curious "Visits to Rochester." As I peeped about its old corners with interest and wonder when I was a very little child, few people can find a greater charm in that ancient city than I do. Believe me, yours faithfully and obliged. FOOTNOTES: [76] Written by Charles Dickens for a new edition of Miss Adelaide Procter's Poems, which was published after her death. [77] Late keeper of printed books at the British Museum, now of Exeter. 1866. [Sidenote: Mr. Forster.] OFFICE OF "ALL THE YEAR ROUND," _Friday, 26th January, 1866._ MY DEAR FORSTER,