WCP2579

[1]¹

15 Southampton Row London W.C.

6 May 1879

Mr A.R. Wallace

Dear Sir,

In acknowledging your letter asking me as to my intentions in respect to [sic] 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 sources 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 aswell [sic] as the balance of former estimate[?].

I note your intimation that you desire one Contract to close at the End of the 5 years [3]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 reversed[?].

In the Event of our closing what could you allow me for the Stereoplates⁴? 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 Burns⁵ [signature]