I hope you are not belying the good character I have given of you to the boys—and are doing Elephant, Tiger, and Rhinoceros[I] to their perfect satisfaction—though, considering yr. predecessor—it will test your utmost powers, not to be a wretched failure, possibly—much the same sort of thing—as your attempting to sing a comic song immediately after the Great Vance!!! Good Night,
Yr. affectionate Dad,
H. K. B.
The following notes have been selected from the unpublished correspondence of "Phiz" with Charles Dickens:—
My Dear Dickens,
I have just got one boot on, intending to come round to you, but you have done me out of a capital excuse to myself for idling away this fine morning.—I quite forgot to answer your note, and Mr. Macrone's book has not been very vividly present to my memory for some time past. I think by the beginning of next (week) or the middle (certain) I shall have done the plates, but in the scraps of copy that I have I can see but one good subject, so if you know of another pray send it me. I should like "Malcolm" again, if you can spare him.
Believe me,
Yours very truly,
Hablot K. Browne.
Charles Dickens, Esq.
Sunday, Sept.
My Dear Dickens,