Johnston thanks Brownson for the Life of Columbus he sent and will send in return a small volume of some of his essays on literary and social subjects, which will be published in March by Bowen-Merrill of Indianapolis. Knowing Brownson's indifference to fiction, he will not send a copy of his new novel, "Widow Guthrie", or a collection of some of his stories which Appleton 's will bring out in a few weeks. His wife has already read parts of the Life and pronounced the work well done. Johnston cannot read it until he has less work to do. He is convinced that it is a blessing to have work to do when one is old. He did not see Brownson's name among the officials of the next Congress and asks whether he is suspected of not being Irish enough. He hopes there is not to be politics in the business, but if there is, he wants Brownson there. He urges him to visit him in Baltimore and laments that he came to know him so late, love him so well, and have so little of his company. :: III-3-d A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.