Om genstanden
Brev fra H.C. Andersen til George Bell - IKKE gotisk håndskrift; det må være H.C. Andersens - se z i Magazine, d i Badly, W i Wishing
Copenhagen 31 December 1868
Dear Sir
I beg to express you my sincerest thanks for your friendly letters for your kind invitation to make your house my home, if I come to London. I am anxious to make your personal acquaintance, but I am sorry that I do not speak English - or speak it badly at all events. It is however very doubtful whether I shall be able to visit your country in the course of the year, which is now commencing. - I am obliged to you for the handsome edition of the Magazine, containing a collection of some of my tales. As for the ????? rather I must openly confess / that I have beeen a little embarassed on receiveing them, not having expressed my gratifications for these tales which I had forwarded to Miss Plesner whose interest for my works has procured me the pleasure of coming tnto connection with you; nay - to look upon you as a friend, when I meet your personally. - I should have wished not to receive any gratification before it had come to more than £ 10, and would have preferred that they had been kept back untill a greater amount could have been sent, for instance after receipt of the proof sheet of my newest work, which may have been published in England and / simultaneously with the Danish edition. - The first edition of my said tale "Dryaden" - 3000 copies had sold immedaitely, likewise a second edition of the same number is nearly disposed of, and a third edtion is going to appear in a few days. All Danish newspapers and Magazines speak very highy of this small tale, and I hope taht it will likewise be friendly received within migthy England. In this way I have ?(spent?) a very happy Christmas. I hope the Lord has bestowed joy on you and your family.
Last week I had the pleasure to send you two photographs / Carte De visite - I hope they have come to London.
Wishing you the compliment of the season, I am
Dear Sir
Yours truly
Herr Bell
