Dato: 16. september 1847
Fra: H.C. Andersen   Til: Charles Boner
Sprog: engelsk, tysk.

DEAR KIND FRIEND,

I should have written sooner but I could not. Never before have I been so overwhelmed as in England and Scotland - it was too much , Such love and friendship, such over-estimation as I have met with make me giddy when I think of them. You know how I was seized upon - I still sigh for rest. My hearty reception in Scotland moved me almost to tears, my writings were so well known, I found so many friends, that I could scarcely believe such good fortune. I must give you an instance. In Edinburgh I went with a party to visit Heriot's Hospital for Orphans. When we had written our names in the stranger's book, the porter read the list, and asked if 'Andersen' was the author, and when answered "yes," the old man clasped his hands, and gazing with delight on an old gentleman, exclaimed, "Yes, just so have I pictured him to myself - those honourable white hairs, that mild countenance - that is Ander- sen!" When told that I was the man, "That young gentleman!" he cried, "why, generally, when one hears of such great people, they are either dead or very old." When this story was repeated to me, I at first thought it a jest, but the porter came to me quite agitated, and told me how he and all the boys lived in my stories, till he almost brought tears into my eyes.

[After some other details of kindness received from Prince Albert, Charles Dickens, and others, Andersen says:]

And now I must go home; I have an impulse, a constraint upon me to accomplish something. All that I have hitherto done is weak and childish. God give me power! Remain ever my friend. I love you truly and from my heart. And now farewell, dear friend.

yours for ever,

H. C. ANDERSEN.

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