Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Madden') from James Madden, of London publishers Madden & Malcolm, informing the unnamed recipient that his paper on 'Cycles of Civilization' will be published in firm's periodical 'The Monthly Prize Essays'.

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper with wear to corners. The context of the letter is apparent from the following advertisement in The Times, 29 June 1846: 'On the 30th of June, will be published, in 8vo., price 2s. 6d., the first number of | THE MONTHLY PRIZE ESSAYS. Each number will contain six Essays in Prose and six in Verse. The first prize for prose will be £20; the second, £15; the third, £10; and the other three, £5 each. There will be but three prizes for poetry - £5, £3, and £2. The Essays must be delivered by the 30th of the previous month. London, Maddox [sic, for 'Madden'] and Malcolm, from whom, or through any bookseller, may be had a detailed prospectus.' Madden writes: 'Dear Sir | Agreeably to your request I have had returned to me from the Director of the Prize Essays your paper "Cycles of Civilization"[.] It is recommended for insertion in the first no & will probably gain the second or third prize - I observe some pencil marks have been made - let these claim your attention - and let the Mss be returned not later than the morng of the 9th, address to my private residence as above'. He concludes in the hope that the recipient will use his 'best influence for the circulation of this novel & valuable periodical'. Signed 'J. Madden', with the letters D, H and W in a cross pattern beneath the signature. The 'Monthly Prize Essays' bears all the hallmarks of a scam, but it was positively reviewed in the October 1846 issue of the Eclectic Review.