
Quite a beautiful day—clear & frosty—very pleasant & bracing after the wet stormy weather we have had of late.—
The last two evenings I have been paying long-deferred visits to friends—Fred Wild & Sam Hodgkinson—with a brief call on Hutton on Thursday.—All well & prospering fairly.

I was at Johnston's too one evening—Tuesday I think I called too on Nightingale & he is to come tomorrow morning (Sunday) to spend the day here.
I have been quite unsettled as to business arrangements since I came home.—The offers I have received have been unsatifactory to me & I have refused them. But I have practically decided on coming to terms on a basis which, though far from satisfactory to me, may do provisionally.

It is perhaps better so. For I know more clearly than I did the character of the men I have been dealing with, & the nature of my position. And I can act accordingly.
I have been reading Carpenter's book "Towards Democracy," & like it much better than I expected. I feel impelled to write to him & should like to know him better
Lynch's book I have not read yet—beyond the first chapter.
I am clear of my cold again & feel pretty well. And all the friends are well I think.

I have scarcely realized that Christmas is so close upon us. It will be over when you get this. I ordered some cards & expected to get them in time for the American Mail, but owing to some blunder I have not got them yet.
I am anxious to receive some better account of your health & condition than that in your last postal.
Copies of "Three Tales" received. I quite like the get up of the little book & am very pleased to have it.
Love to Mrs. Davis & Warry & to yourself supremely.
Yours affectionately J.W. Wallace