Om genstanden
Brev på engelsk
Basnæs
near Skjelskör 25 Mai 1871 (Denmark.)
My Dear little friend!
Many thanks for the dear nice letter you wrote me the other day, Many thanks for all what you told me about the pantomime in "The Theatre Royal". It must have been a pleasant night. I know the tale about Sindbad, it is to be found in "Thousand and one night", that book you must read.
I am going to send you by the first opportunity a continuation of the tales and stories, which your sister, Miss Agnes brought you from me. My new book contains many tales you hardly know yet. I livet at a countryhouse near Copenhagen when your sister and some of her friends gave me the great pleasure of their visit and brought me little Mary's love, how friendly and considerate of her, give her and the/ old lady, who accompanied her my kindest regards. Her in Denmark we often speak of your dear papa and his travels in Africa. The other day I read in a newspaper that he had left and was on his way home the Europe. Hurrah! How splendid" Providence never gives up good men, who live in him and in performing noble deeds. What a hearfelt joy in the family, what fertivity in all the country, when the dear energetic father, whom we all appreciate and honour, comes back to England. Then when he has kissed his little Mary many times, chatted and told her news, then remember my kind regards, him, whom Providence has guarded to our joy and our instruction. Remember me also to the aunts and to everybody in the family whose mind is kind towards little Mary's friend Hans Christian Andersen./ I am now in the country close to the seacoast at an old manor with high steeples, the garden plies towrds the strand, and towards our splendid beechwood, which just now is delightfully fresh and green, the whole ground is like a carpet of violets and anemones, the deeres are cooing and the cuchoo telles news. Here very likely I am writing a new story, which my little friend later shall read. After the holidys I again return to town to stay some time with my friends the Melchiors on the beautiful Villa where sister Agnes was so kind to call on me. When Papa returns I expect a little letter from his dear Mary.
And now I say farewell! You do not forget the friendi n Denmark
Hans Christian Andersen
To Mary Livingstone
Dansk:: E. Bredsd, H.C. Andersen og England, s. 399-400
