J.H.E.
To C.T. Gatty,
X Lines, South Camp. March 13, 1874.
My Dearest Charlie,
I am quite a brute not to have written before. I didn't, because (to say the truth!) I had a "return compliment" in the Valentine line in my head, and I never got time to do it! You know what the pressure of work is, and I have had a lot in hand, and been very far from well.
It was very good of you to send me a Val., and much appreciated.
I also owe you thanks for a copy of the "fretful" Porcupine [Sketch] duly received. I was very glad to get it—for you have greatly, wonderfully improved in your writing. I liked your article extremely, and was so very glad to see the marked improvement....
I am not, when I speak of improvement in the art of English composition, alluding solely to the time when you wrote as follows (italics and caps your own):
"Mr. Gatty thinks that Messrs. Fisher & Holmes has sent more than he desired he said 2s. or 2s. 6d. and he thinks there is here more than that he hopes he will answer and tell me what price the lot is and how many plants I may take for 2s. or 2s. 6d. by return of post or by Cox which will be better Ecclesfield June 1866."