st our readers
to know that the character of Captain Jorgan, in the Christmas number of
the previous year, was suggested by this pleasant sailor, for whom
Charles Dickens had a hearty liking. Young Mr. Morgan was, during the
years he passed in England, a constant visitor at Gad's Hill. The
"Elwin" mentioned in the letter written from Bury St. Edmunds, was the
Rev. Whitwell Elwin, a Norfolk gentleman, well known in the literary
world, and who was for many years editor of "The Quarterly Review."

The explanation of the letter to Mr. John Agate, of Dover, we give in
that gentleman's own words:

"There are few public men with the strain upon their time and energies
which he had particularly (and which I know better now that I have read
his life), who would have spared the time to have written such a long
courteous letter.

"I wrote to him rather in anger, and left the letter myself at The Lord
Warden, as I and my family were very much disappointed, after having
purchased our tickets so long before, to find we could not got into the
room, as money was being received, but his kind letter explained all."

[Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.]

OFFICE OF "ALL THE YEAR ROUND,"
_Wednesday, Jan. 9th, 1861._

MY DEAREST GEORGY,

"We" are in the full swing of stopping managers from playing "A Message
from the Sea." I privately doubt the strength of our position in the
Court of Chancery, if we try it; but it is worth trying.

I am aware that Mr. Lane of the Britannia sent an emissary to Gad's Hill
yesterday. It unfortunately happens that the first man "we" have to
assert the principle against is a very good man, whom I really respect.

I have no news, except that I really hope and believe I am gradually
getting well. If I have no check, I hope to be soon discharged by the
medico.

Ever affectionately.

P.S.--Best love to Mamie, also to the boys and Miss Craufurd.

OFFICE OF "ALL THE YEAR ROUND," 26, WELLINGTON STREET, W.C.,
_Tuesday Evening, Jan. 9th, 1861._

DEAR SIR,

I feel it quite hopeless to endeavour to present my position before you,
in reference to such a letter as yours, in its plain and true light.
When you suppose it would have cost Mr. Thackeray "but a word" to use
his influence to obtain you some curatorship or the like, you fill me
with the sense