WCP1640

[1]

Apr[il] 4^th Mon

Dear Fanny¹

I wrote a letter to Thomas² on Wednesday that snowy day — as we could not get out. I gave it to a policeman passing by, whom I hailed — and asked him to put that letter into the post ^{(or give it [to] Miss Phillips3)} (He was going to the Star;)

The subject of it was to ask Thomas whether it was worthwhile to buy up the back n^os of the "Familey Herald"⁴ from 1850 to 1857 — at a farthing a number[.] Some of the years are imperfect but I could I sh[oul]d [sic] suppose [2] easely⁵ get them the odd weeks that are wanting at the Publishers — It is in consequence of Alfred's⁶ setting such a value on this publication that induces me to purchase these backnumbers — after a time I will get the last two years '[18]58 and [18]59 —- Then take them regularly — so that if he sh[oul]d ever come Home there will be a nice series of them[.] I sh[oul]d have them cheaply bound up — in small volumes — so that when a Box went he might have one or two sent out to him — [I] have not had any reply to other questions I [3] asked[.] I fear[?] the Policeman never delivered it to Miss Phillips as she does not remember ^having rec[eive]^d such a letter, but possibly he dropped it in the Letter Box[.] If so all's right — I have been expecting to see "Finey"[?]⁷ — not that I want him till he is quite well — I know you are very busy — and [I] do not wish to take up your time [—] only just write one line to tell me whether Thomas received my letter & what he thinks best to do — to take these & back years from [18]50 — to [18]57 or not — the cost is but little and I have kept them now nearly a week to sort them over which took me half a day[.]

[4] with love to both | believe me | I am affectionately yours | M A Wallace⁸ [signature]

I have had a nice letter from Mr Wilson⁹ of Adelaide[,] all [is] well. Algernon¹⁰ [is] not yet moored — but near upon so I have sent it to Miss Draper¹¹ with a request to have it returned as soon as read — What lovely weather we have now again[.]