a
Horse far transcends my means; yet it seems hard I should not
for a little while be in a kind of approximate health in this
Babylon where I have my bread to seek it is like swimming with a
millstone round your neck,--ah me! In brief, I am about half
resolved to buy myself a sharp little nag with Twenty of these
Transatlantic Pounds, and ride him till the other Thirty be
eaten: I will call the creature "Yankee," and kind thoughts of
those far away shall be with me every time I mount him. Will not
that do? My Wife says it is the best plan I have had for years,
and strongly urges it on. My kind friends!

As to those copies of the Carlyle Miscellanies, I unfortunately
still can say nothing, except what was said in the former
(Scotch) letter, that you must proceed in the business with an
eye to America and not to us. My Booksellers, Saunders and
Ottley, have no money for me, no definite offer in money to make
for those Two Hundred copies, of which you seem likely to make
money if we simply leave them alone. I have asked these
Booksellers, I have asked Fraser too: What will you _give me in
ready money_ for Two Hundred and Fifty copies of that work, sell
it afterwards as you can? They answer always, We must see it
first. Now the copy long ago sent me has never come to hand; I
have asked for it of Kennet, but without success; I have nothing
for it but to wait the winds and chances. Meanwhile Saunders and
Ottley want forsooth a _Sketches of German Literature_ in three
volumes: then a _Miscellanies_ in three volumes: that is their
plan of publishing an English edition; and the outlook they hold
out for me is certain trouble in this matter, and recompense
entirely uncertain. I think on the whole it is extremely likely
I shall apply to you for Two Hundred and Fifty copies (that is
their favorite number) of these four volumes, (nay, if it be of
any moment, you can bind me down to it _now,_ and take it for
sure,) but I cannot yet send you the title-page; no bookseller
purchasing till "we see it first." But after all, will it suit
America to print an _unequal_ number of your two pairs of
volumes? Do not the two together make one work? On the whole,
consider that I shall in all likelihood want Two Hundred and
Fifty copies, and consider it certain if that will serve the
enterprise: we must leave it here today. I will stir in it
now, however, and take no rest till in one way or other you do
get a title-page