The snare is broken, and the bird is free; for which let us bless the Lord. As they once let me out of my cage, they shall not catch me again. My fifth book is ready for printing, down to the general philosophical article. Johannes Brandis, the Assyrian chronologist, arranges for me the synchronistic tables from Menes to Alexander.
Greetings to Aufrecht. I have not yet received the impression of the text, which he restored from the Codex.
[58.]
Your letter came just when wanted, my dearest friend. My wife and children leave the house to-morrow; and I follow them a week later, on account of Spottiswoode. Come here then to-morrow morning, and stay at least till Monday: so my daughter-in-law Elizabeth begs, who herself goes to Upton. George, Brandis, and I help Ernest to keep house this week.
I have to-day sent to press the “Resolutions and Statements on the Alphabet” which you wrote, with Lepsius's not “amendments” but certain explanations on his part, and my now English “recapitulations.” I shall receive the first impression to-morrow evening. Lepsius has sent a long Essay, of which I only print the “Exposition of the System,” with some “specimens of application.”
You should rejoice, as I do, over “Hippolytus VII., Christianity and Mankind, their Beginnings and Prospects,” in seven volumes (also as three separate works).
I shall easily finish it. Also “Egypt II.” is publishing; I have written a new Preface to it. The “Theologia Germanica” is waiting for you; one copy for my dear M., and one for Dr. Thomson, whose address I don't know. Spottiswoode has vowed to have all ready next week. If you could stay here, and revise your sheets at once, I might believe the vow.
We have secured a beautiful house in Heidelberg (Heidt-weiler), on the right bank, opposite the Castle.
[59.]
Immediately saw about Venn: wrote urgently to him to send the order direct to Spottiswoode, and marked this on the sheet. I cannot send Lepsius, because the sheets are being printed; refer the printer to it. You deceiver! the hymn is without the interlineal version for the non-Iranians. Just as if you were a German professor! I personally beg earnestly for it, for myself and for those who are equally benighted. I have everything now at press, except some Latin abuse for M. Your visit refreshed me very much. Fanny had an exceedingly good journey, and will be to-morrow in Heidelberg.