"ALL THE YEAR ROUND" OFFICE,
_Monday, Sept. 16th, 1867._

MY DEAR FECHTER,

Going over the prompt-book carefully, I see one change in your part to
which (on Lytton's behalf) I positively object, as I am quite certain he
would not consent to it. It is highly injudicious besides, as striking
out the best known line in the play.

Turn to your part in Act III., the speech beginning

Pauline, _by pride
Angels have fallen ere thy time_: by pride----

You have made a passage farther on stand:

_Then did I seek to rise
Out of my mean estate. Thy bright image, etc._

I must stipulate for your restoring it thus:

Then did I seek to rise
Out of the prison of my mean estate;
And, with such jewels as the exploring mind
Brings from the caves of knowledge, buy my ransom
From those twin jailers of the daring heart--
Low birth and iron fortune. Thy bright image, etc. etc.

The last figure has been again and again quoted; is identified with the
play; is fine in itself; and above all, I KNOW that Lytton would not let
it go. In writing to him to-day, fully explaining the changes in detail,
and saying that I disapprove of nothing else, I have told him that I
notice this change and that I immediately let you know that it must not
be made.

(There will not be a man in the house from any newspaper who would not
detect mutilations in that speech, moreover.)

Ever.

[Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.]

_Monday, Sept. 30th, 1867._

MY DEAREST GEORGY,

The telegram is despatched to Boston: "Yes. Go ahead." After a very
anxious consultation with Forster, and careful heed of what is to be
said for and against, I have made up my mind to see it out. I do not
expect as much money as the calculators estimate, but I cannot set the
hope of a large sum of money aside.

I am so nervous with travelling and anxiety to decide something, that I
can hardly write. But I send you these few words as my dearest and best
friend.

[Sidenote: Miss Dickens.]

OFFICE OF "ALL THE YEAR ROUND," NO. 26, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND,
LONDON, W.C.,
_Monday, Sep