WCP2579

[1]

15 Southampton Row London W.C.

6 May 1879

Mr A.R. Wallace

Dear Sir,

In acknowledging your letter¹ asking me as to my intentions in respect to The Royalty due on "Miracles & Modern Spiritualism".² I have to begin by thanking you for your great patience in being so long silent on the subject.

These two years have been most pitiful, first the Prosecutions, then bad times on the top of them. And yet I am thankful that I exist & see the dawn of a better time. Old Established houses have gone down [2] and others are much more hopelessly behind with their obligations than I am. So that all I can say is that I am determined to persevere & balance up all claims against me at the Earliest date Possible.

The Second thousand of "Miracles" is now all sold, so that now I owe you on that as well as the balance of former [illeg.].

I note your intimation that you desire one Contract to close at the End of the 5 years [3] six months hence. I am truly sorry to have to give up the book, but if I can balance up it is possible that the contract may be renewed.

In the Event of our closing what could you allow me for the Stereoplates? They are as good as new?

I am getting to the end of a long & painful struggle. It has been with the most determined resolution that I have battled through it all. I am now busy with friends making arrangements for the [4] possession of fresh means to help a new course & then it will be my greatest pleasure to comply with your claim & I shall at all times feel grateful for your gentlemanly bearing these two sad years.

I will have statement made out.

I am very truly yours | J Burns³ [signature]