I have time to write a few words about the Dial. I have just received the three first signatures, which do not yet complete Lane’s piece. He will place five hundred copies for sale at Munroe’s bookstore. Wheeler has sent you two fill sheet—more about the German Universities—and proper names, which will have to be printed on alphabetical order for convenience: what this one has done. that one is doing. and the otter intends to do. Hammer-Purgstall (Von Hammer) may be one, for aught I know. However, there are two or three things in it, as well as names. One of the books of Herodotus is discovered to be out of place. He says something about saving sent to Lowell by the last steamer. a budget of literary news. which he will have communicated to you ere this. Mr Alcott has a letter from the Heraud, and a book written by him,—the Life of Savonarola.—which he wishes to have republished here. Mr. Lane will write a notice of it. (The latter says that what is in the New York post office may be directed to Mr. Alcott.) Miss [Elizabeth] Peabody has sent a “Notice to the readers of the Dial,” which is not good.

  Mr. Chapin lectured this evening, and so rhetorically that I forgot my duty and heard very little. I find myself better than I have been, and am meditating some other method of paying debts than by lectures and writing,—which will only do to talk about. If anything of that “other” sort should come to your ears in New York, will you remember it for me?

  Excuse this scrawl, which I have written over the embers in the dining-room. I hope that you live on good terms with yourself and the gods,

  Yours in haste,
  Henry