James T. Fields — 30 Dec. 1861

To JAMES T. FIELDS

[December 30, 1861], Wheeling

Mr. Fields

I am glad that my poor Georgian[1] could find so warm a welcome in Massachusetts. Perhaps I need not have written it “with one hand tied behind my back” as Artemus Ward[2] says—after all. Many thanks for your and Mrs. Fields kind invitation. I cannot leave Wheeling this winter, but some time next year I am going to N. York I think, and will only be too glad to go to see you for a day or two if you still like your West Virginian friend.

Yours RBH.

Receive of Messrs Ticknor & fields $75 for ms of John Lamar
Dec 30 1861—

Rebecca B. Harding

I forgot to say - won’t you publish John Lamar as soon as you can? I have a fancy for writing of today you see— When will the other proof sheets of Margret be ready?

Notes

1. Title character in “John Lamar.”

2. Pen name of Charles Farrar Browne (1834-1867), US humorist.

Key Words

“John Lamar”, Artemus Ward, financial issues, Margret Howth

Source

Richard Harding Davis Papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia

Contributor

S. M. Harris