[F. G. Kitton, Dickensian.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Card Signed (both 'F. G. Kitton') to Winfield S. Moody, editor of The Book Buyer, discussing the claim that Dickens's works were written by Herbert Spencer', and a query on Thackeray.

LETTER: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged and worn paper. Kitton writes that he has received two copies of the Book Buyer for March, and is 'much interested' in it for two reasons: 'Mrs. Garlands flattering comments upon myself and my work', and 'a very generous notice of my latest Dickens production'. He finds illustrations 'excellently reproduced', and praises 'the careful attention that has obviously been bestowed upon the preparation of both blocks and letterpress'. Turning to another matter, he notes 'a query (no. 346)' on p.151, and wishes to provide 'an adequate reply': 'The satire to which "D. M." evidently alludes assumed the form of an unsigned article entitled "Who Wrote Dickens?", published in Macmillan's Magazine, June 1886.' He describes it as an 'elaborate jeu d'esprit' which 'satirises a paper that appeared in the Nineteenth Century of the previous month, the writer of which endeavoured to prove that Bacon confused Shakespeare's Plays.' He adds that the reply, the authorship of which 'has been attributed to Mr. Andrew Lang', 'declares with apparent seriousness, that Dickens was but the amanuensis of Mr Herbert Spencer, and that the latter (not Darwin, as intimated by "D. M.") was the actual author of "Pickwick," etc.' CARD: With postage stamp and three postmarks. Addressed 'To the Editor of The Book Buyer, | Messrs. C. Scribner's Sons | New York City | U. S. A.' Headed 'Reply to Query 352.' Regarding the 'meaning of Thackeray's expression "my yellow books"', he writes that it is 'traceable to the fact that when his novels originally appeared in serial form each number was contained in a yellow wrapper, to distinguish them, probably, from Dickens's stories, which were similarly published in parts with green wrappers.'