There is no fault to find with the brass man’s charge, but there is very great fault to be found with K charges. The same man who engraved the P & P picture in the catalogue in one day can take an ice-pick & engrave this wretched piece of butcher-work in less time. If not, why not? It can be engraved on wood for less than K-charges. I said that the K-work on this thing was worth $3. Not so; it is not worth $1. 50. That beautiful P & P picture cost just $1. 50. —not $5, as you say. The K-work on this thing $ cost $15 or $16 too much. The whole thing, brass & all, should not have cost over $8—& here we have paid $23 (formerly $28) for it. several words canceled Once we did a hatfull of plates, for 2 or 3 colors—first in spelter, then in brass.—I have the figures by me; & they shame this slab of coarse prentice-work for in spelter, for cheapness. Eighteen dollars is wild—perfectly wild. Give me the details of this expense, & explain them to me.