Richard Theodore Ely to Jane Addams, January 28, 1902

Baltimore, January 28th, 1902.

My dear Miss Addams:--

I send you, along with this, a duplicate plate proof, which I have received, thinking that it may be of some use to you.

When I was in Chicago last summer, I expressly mentioned the split infinitives and I think you will remember my having, in several cases, made corrections in the manuscript.  I have been moving about so much since the middle of November that it would have involved a great deal of delay had I asked you to wait to hear from me before sending in proof.  I think I mentioned this matter when you forwarded your manuscript.  It seemed to be much better to let the work proceed rapidly.  Apart from all this, on account of the reasons mentioned in my last, I felt less disposed than in other cases to say anything further about the work, or to offer any additional suggestions.

As I already mentioned, good writers do use split infinitives and it is better sometimes to use one than avoid one in an [page 2] awkward manner.  I think, however, that with sufficient pains the split infinitives can almost always be avoided without any awkwardness in style.

I think I mentioned it in my last that Mr. Brett hopes a great deal from your book, and I am confident that you could not have a better publisher.  Of course, books are uncertain, and no one can tell in advance exactly what a book is going to do.

Faithfully yours,