“With much respect I remain
“Very truly your friend,
“Cyrus W. Field.
“Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone.”
“11 Downing Street, Whitehall,
“December 2, 1862.
“My dear Sir,—I thank you for the kind reception you have given to my officious letter.
“You are quite at liberty to make any use of it which you think proper except publication, which you would not think of, and I should deprecate simply on account of the tone of assumption with which I might appear to be chargeable.
“I thank you very much for Among the Pines, which I am reading with great interest.
“I am glad to find you are going to Cliveden, and I am sure you will enjoy your visit.
“Believe me, my dear sir,
“Most faithfully yours,
“W. E. Gladstone.