Dato: 27. juli 1870
Fra: Horace E. Scudder   Til: H.C. Andersen
Sprog: engelsk.

Riverside, Cambridge, Mass. 27 July 1870

My excellent Friend

I have been delayed longer than I like in my reply to your very welcome letter of 15 June, but in the summer season I am not very constant in my attendance at the office and it is not easy to do one' s whole duty every day!

Now I must acknowledge also the excellent paper an "Popular Sayings of Denmark," which I am sure will prove very acceptable to our readers, for I find a growing interest here in Scandinavian literature and an increased affection for Denmark and its national life. I was delighted in reading your autobiography lately to find your reference to Bjömson as well as the pretty verses which he wrote in your honor.

Be assured, good Mr. Andersen, that the work goes on with the edition of your writings. It is necessarily slow, but we hope to publish The Story of My Life at least by October 1st if not by Sep. 15. I am myself translating the portion in manuscript, not liking to trust it to other hands.

Enclosed please find a draft on Messrs. Brown, Shipley & Co. of London for [£,] 27/5/5, the equivalent of one hundred and fifty dollars due you for these contributions

"The Days of the Week". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.

"Spring Song ". . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. ... 10.

"The Candles" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 25.

"Great Grand Father". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 30.

"The Most Extraordinary Thing". . . . . . . . . . . . 25.

"Danish Popular Sayings". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50.

which I hope will be satisfactory to you. "Danish Popular Sayings" will be printed entire in the October number.

Since your letter was written what bad news we have! The telegraph cable brings us in such immediate connexion with the old world that when a cloud of war arises three thousand miles away, a shadow at once passes over us. It is strange to read in our evening papers of what was going on near Strasburg this morning.

How sadly must Charles Dickens' death have affected you! I find so many pleasant references to him in your Story of My Life. We here are numbered among the great procession of mourners who have followed him in thought to his grave.

I hope that war may not touch your beloved Denmark, or break in upon the circle of your friends in Germany. The next time I go to New York I shall most certainly seek Mr. Christensen, andgrasp the hand which has so lately pressed yours. Your publishers, Messrs. Hurd and Houghton, wish their kind regards. Accept the same earnestly

From your sincere friend

HORACE E. SCUDDER

P.S. My teacher in Danish was very anxious to translate some of my little stories into Danish and I venture to send you a roll of them. Give yourself no trouble about them, but if any of your editorial friends care to print the stories in their journals, they are quite at liberty to do so.

H.E.S.

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