[Catherine C. Hopley, author of books on the American Civil War] Autograph Letter Signed, Catherine C. Hopley to Dr Macaulay [presumably James, ed.The Leisure Hour, etc (see Wikipedia), referring to trifles and her work on American Civil War.

Four pages, 12mo, bifolium, aged but good condition. These two trifles have been on my writing table waiting to be 'done up' ever since Xmas. I did wish to have sent them by New Years Day; but daily exigencies that wont [underlined] be post poned, crowh upon one so perpetually, that no choice of action is left to me. And after wll I feel reluctant and ashamed, to ask you to accept such very trifling offerings. I have been looking over my books but none sem worth a place in your doubtless valuabkle library. So is you will [underlined] add this little salier or sellier ( I dont know what to call the salt ladle) to your breakfast table appendages & think of your grateful friend when you salt your muffins, I shall feel so gratified. | I have been in the course of moving preparations - looking over packets of letters, & am by many reminded of the valuable services yours have been to me; & what a good & practically kind friend you have been to me in so many ways & for so many years. Those you wrote re Chapman & Hall [publishers of her Life in The South] for instance. Without your counsel & encouragement I should never have ventured to propose writing a book; but the pleasures of literature onctasted, the fascination has increased each year; till now, with so few enjoyments left to me, literature is the solace of my life. This little coral cross is associated with Life in the South] [Civil War book] , but for which I should never have had the pleasure of Mrs Macaulay's acquaintance. Will you beg her to do me the favor of putting it on her chain, as Mrs Henningsen [featured in 'Life in the South'] put it on mine. See vol.II p.p. 350-57-& 361 . I have ceased to wear these or any other 'charms', & would like it to be where the association will interest. | [subscription then signature].Note; a. See Wikipedia for her work on America inc. the Civil War, biography of Stonewall Jackson, etc.; b. Her 1882 book Snakes: Curiosities and Wonders of Serpent Life was the first popular book on snakes in English [Wikipedia]