John Foster, Stapleton, to George Combe, [Edinburgh], 16 June 1824.  

Stapleton, near Bristol, June 16 1824

Sir,

        It may have passed from your memory, though it is perfectly fresh in mine, that as much, at least, I believe, as three years since, you did me the honour to send me, by the hands of a young gentleman coming to Bristol, your Essays on Phrenology.

        Within the long interval I have been a hundred times over ashamed of not having acknowledged that esteemed favour; – and doing it now, so far out of time, may seem almost as much to require an apology, as not having done it without delay.

        Yet, an opportunity being at this moment afforded me, by a gentleman’s returning from Dr Ryland’s Academy to Edinburgh, of conveying to you my thanks, I am unwilling to rest finally under the just imputation of wanting not only gratitude but even ordinary civility.    

        If I am reluctant to adventure an opinion on the subject of your book, I can freely say of the book itself, that I admire the ability with which it is written, – the clearness of its statements and the force of its reasoning.

        You will oblige me by accepting a copy of an Essay on Popular Ignorance, &c – of the 2d edit revised with great labour.

                     I am, Sir,

                                 yours very respectfully,

                                             J. Foster

Text: MS. 7213, Combe Papers, fol. 30, National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh. Address: George Combe Esqr. Endorsed:  Stapleton 16 June / 1824 / John Foster / with Essays on / Popular ignorance.