I am overwhelmed with congratulations, from all classes, from all
sections, from all ranks, and I am acclaimed on all hands as a worthy
head man for a Mudford, if not yet a model, village. Not the least
welcome have been the communications which have reached me from those
who have made my acquaintance in these published Chronicles. The mayor
of a borough whose charter dates well back into the beginning of the
second half of the present century, wrote to say that he is emboldened
by the fact that his wife's maiden name commenced with a W to write to
tell me how rejoiced he is to hear of my success. A gentleman writes
from "The Burning Plains of the Sahara" to say that he is always proud
of the triumphs of a TIMOTHY. (My daughter points out that this is
clearly a forgery, since the Sahara mail isn't in till next week.
But I can't go into that.) Then there is a very important letter from
Birmingham, of which I will only say that WINKINS, who has backed many
a Bill, may yet live to indorse a Programme. I may here add that there
has been an attempt in some quarters to decry these Chronicles as
absurd and imaginary. My Birmingham correspondent describes them as
"an important picture of things as they actually are." He is right. I
am as serious as a Prime Minister.
My wife is back--which reminds me that I received a post-card, which
his had the effect usually produced by a bomb. Here is what was on
it:--