[ Mrs Oliphant to her editor, Mrs. S. C. Hall. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('M O W Oliphant.') to 'Mrs. Hall', regarding the publication by her of a 'bit of a story', and the acquiring of postage stamps in 'primitive' Rosneath.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. On lightly aged and ruckled paper, with slight damage at head of gutter. The letter would appear to concern a contribution intended for 'The Juvenile Forget Me Not', the annual Mrs S. C. Hall began editing in the late 1820s. begins: 'My dear Mrs. Hall | I sent you the story or rather the bit of a story you have - because you asked for it. Therefore if you like it, the pay is not to be considered - But at the same time if you dont like it, pray dont think of using it out of courtesy. I am not vain, and will not be at all affronted if such should be the case - especially as I am so deeply engaged at present with graver work that I find it difficult to subtract some thoughts for lighter matter.' She concludes by stating that she is sorry Mrs Hall cannot help her 'poor protégé'. After noting S. C. Hall's 'kind reception of my young relation', a long postscript returns to the story, asking her, if she does publish it, to get the publisher to 'send the magazine for the three months I shall be here. [...] I want to have postage stamps to the office for it - but I am in a place so primitive [i.e. Rosneath] that the obtaining of postage stamps is a matter requiring forethought.'