My Dear Evangeline,—The Beguiler is by far the best magazine I ever read. I prefer it to all others, and if I were allowed to get up I should try it in my bath; but I can’t yet and therefore have to be washed by a nurse. I never knew before that flowers wielded such graceful pens and the next time I go into the garden—which I hope will be this year—I shall walk up and down the borders with a new respect for them.
The Invalid’s Friend has served its purpose wonderfully. I have read it three times with delight. It has made all its rivals on my table here look very foolish—the Nineteenth Century is conscious, beside it, of being too wordy, and Blackwood’s of being without method, and the Cornhill of coming out too often, with a vulgar frequency, and the Strand of being too serious.
I am very proud of having a niece who is also such an editor. The only reason in the world why I don’t want to get well instantly is because I want to read the next number.—Your affectionate and grateful aunt.
Verena, B.I.
(Beguiled Invalid)