Dear Helen
Paterson
We were so sorry – & do earnestly hope your mother is better. Please write. –
Publishers were greatly taken with your sketches – & are to write me their
decision about the book & its illustrations shortly. – They suggest one full
page & a head & tail piece to each chapter – & there are six
chapter
chapters
. And they will likely want them done at once — so if you could come
& stay with us any day on or after the 6th
next Saturday – we shall be very glad. – By then I should hope you
will be able to leave your mother with ease of mind – But I will write you again
as soon as I hear from the publishers –
Here is a poem – which if you could make an illustration to it – on paper – which
could be photographed on wood – I would send both to Harpers, New York – for one or other of
their two admirable illustrated Newspapers – about the size & character of
the Graphic. – I don’t
care to publish the poem in
England – unless you think
the Graphic would take it,
& your illustration – & either pay as much as
Harper’s would (
£5 for me – for you whatever you think fair I
would ask & they are nearly sure to give it. – ) or else we might sell
double on both
sides the water. – You are
a woman of business – say what you think of this matter. The size of the drawing
you know best also. – Its goodness is much more important than its size. And of
that in your hands I am sure – & it might open a door for you over the
water.
Ever yours sincerely
DMCraik.
The Corner
House
Shortlands
Kent
30th
Dec
December
–
A good New Year –