Autograph Letter Signed "F.F. Arbuthnot", orientalist, to "Leonard C. Smithers", publisher and antiquarian bookseller (DNB) at 109 Queen Street, Sheffield.. With envelope

Four pages, 12mo, good condition.He thanks him for his letter and some enclosures which he lists (Baker's [African explorer] letter, [Smithers'] reply, Lady B.'s letter), continuing, "Your letter to Baker enters fully into the subject, and makes the state of affairs quite clear, and we can now only await the return of Lady Burton and Dr Baker to England. I hope that you will go on with Catullus [trans. Richard Burton] and your proposals about bringing out two editions of that work appear to be good and commendable ... I think you will be able to get together a list of subscribers, who may be useful in taking copies of 'The Perfumed Garden', the .S. of which might be handed over to you, and I think that you might be able to make some money out of it, and also give Lady Burton some of the proceeds. However all these things can be settled later on after the arrival of the various MS. | My 'Arabic Authors' came out last May. I have sent you a copy of the work by parcels post, and hope you will accept it as an Xmas present. It contains a great deal of information of sorts, and is valuable (at least I find it so) as a book of reference. The oriental Translation Fund new series I hope to start next year. If you ever happen to be in London please let me know and I will come and see you. or you can call here whichever is most convenient." Note: For Smithers' publishing relationship with Richard Burton (partly involved here) see his DNB entry.