I like the book exceedingly well; it is handsomely gotten up, (barring the old type) & I believe it is going to take. Roughing It and Gilded Age sold nearly double as many copies, in this length of time, so I imagine the Canadians have been working us heavy harm. I am relieved glad no big newspaper has had a chance to give it a black eye with a left-handed notice—for in your accompanying statement I see distinct evidence that if the Gilded Age had been kept away from the newspapers, it would have given excellent satisfaction & its early sale would not have been “knocked.” It now sells nearly up to Roughing It—& there never was any reason why it shouldn’t—except the newspapers. You keep my books strictly out of the newspapers & we’ll find our profit in it. I never want a book mentioned in anything but the Atlantic.

Check for $977.23 received—all right. The old books sell handsomely, yet, though there is a decrease, I believe, as compared with past years. That was owingⒶemendation to the long absence of a new book (& Canada,) I judge. The sale will pick up again, now, I judge, if the new book gives good satisfaction.

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Kaolatype consists of 1000 shares at $25 per share—$25,000. I am President, Charley Perkins, Secretary, & Dan Slote Treasurer &c. Dan has an able assistant who h was long head of a vast printing bureau in the city government. I own near four-fifths of the stock—paid cash for it & have agreed to loan lend the Co a liberal & sufficient sum every month for 3 months to get the thing going. (But I did this latter thing after I had myself hit upon a new application of the patent which I think puts non-success about out of the question.) You are a deal safer to come in now, I think, than you would have been when I bought. I have put off a one man who had a disposition to buy some stock at par, because he is a stranger to this sort of business & could be of no use to us., but if you want some at par for cash down, all right, provided you don’t go over 100 shares. However, if you will wait till the middle of summer you will be a great deal more safe—for if you pay 100 premium for it then, you will know it to be worth the money; & on the other hand it may possibly be worthless, & then you will be wise & stay out.