I had a fit of remorse for telling him the history of Jack and the Beanstalk, when he turned his earnest eyes up to me at the end and said, 'I think, if Jack went up so high, he must have seen God.' To see those two works through the press must be a fatigue to you in your present weak state, dearest friend, and I keep wishing vainly I could be of use to you in the matter of the proof sheets.

I might, you know, if I were in England.

I do some work myself, but doubt much whether I shall be ready for the printers by July; no, indeed, it is clear I shall not.

If Robert is, it will be well.

Doesn't it surprise you that Alexander Smith should be already in a third edition?
I can't make it out for my part.