"Your proposition to pay Russell 100 pounds for his book made me laugh. It looks like a holdup, and poor Russell will thereby find an escape from his financial difficulties.... I must accept your statement that he is very popular in England and I do not doubt that he excites interest in America, but he is not as yet so popular. His Lowell lecture will bring him to the front. Otherwise I believe I have done more for creating a demand for Russell's book, than any one else. In acceding to your proposition I would like to express to you, or rather through you to Mr. Russell that he should not make this a case of precedence for future payments."