Because of inquiries of correspondents as to the number of wives Gen. Wallace has had, I have thought best to instruct you to add to the dedication of Ben-Hur, making it:
To
The Wife of My Youth
who still abides with me
This with Gen. Wallace’s consent.
Several literary clubs have made it a handbook for study in connection with Roman History. If by some means you could have it adopted by the Chautauqua Club, which numbers twenty thousand members, it might be worth while to try. Pardon the suggestion.
May I ask you to furnish me a report of the sales of Ben-Hur, year by year, from the beginning?
With high regard,
Very truly yours
Susan E. Wallace.