Passing as I do the active hours of my life in my study, I have found it essential to bring all the implements I use there within the narrowest compas possible; & in no case to lose a single inch of space which can be made to hold any thing. hence every thing is placed within my reach without getting out of my chair. on this principle I approve of the two drawers to the Polygraph proposed in your letter of the 25th. I observe in fact that in the one I am now writing with there may be in the West end a drawer of 10⅜ I. square1 outside measure, & in the North East corner another of 12⅜ I. by 6. I. which would hold paper, pens, penknife, pencils, scissors, &c. &c. and that the notch they would require in the gallows would probably not injure it. I have no hesitation therefore at approving2 it. the brass handles on the gallows had better be left off, and the brass grooves on the desk for the brass ruler to slide in. the ruler laid on the paper when you copy is as effectual & more convenient, & the grooves are in the way when you use it as a common writing desk, without copying. Accept my friendly salutations