From W. W. Reade   11 November 1870

My dear Sir

I am very glad you think my statement worth quoting:¹ of course I do not deny that the eye is a creature of habit to a great extent.

I am very sorry to hear that you are in such weak health. How great must be your love of knowledge to make you go through such labours, when many other men would be merely torpid or fretful invalids.

When I have had the pleasure of reading your book I will note down such comments as I am able to make on the parts referring to the Africans.² By that time I shall have read many books on Africa.

By the bye I forget whether I mentioned a most important case, of a young Mandingo Chief near Sierra Leone falling in love with an English lady in that colony.³ I believe it is well authenticated; I heard a mulatto lady telling the story but unluckily forgot to get the particulars. I think I shall write to my friend Heddle⁴ & get a statement of the facts.

Hoping you will get stronger I remain | my dear sir | yours very truly | Winwood Reade