Volume Ii Part 30 (1/2)

Ever affectionately, G. P. R. JAMES.

[Sidenote: Mrs. Dallas.[9]]

EXTRACT.

THE TIME OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA'S ARRIVAL IN LONDON.

It is curious to see London gone mad. Down in the Strand here, the monomaniacal tricks it is playing are grievous to behold, but along Fleet Street and Cheapside it gradually becomes frenzied, dressing itself up in all sorts of odds and ends, and knocking itself about in a most amazing manner. At London Bridge it raves, princ.i.p.ally about the Kings of Denmark and their portraits. I have been looking among them for Hamlet's uncle, and have discovered one personage with a high nose, who I think is the man.

Faithfully yours always.

[Sidenote: Mrs. Lehmann.]

OFFICE OF ”ALL THE YEAR ROUND,” NO. 26, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C., _Tuesday, March 10th, 1863._

DEAR MRS. LEHMANN,

Two stalls for to-morrow's reading were sent to you by post before I heard from you this morning. Two will always come to you while you remain a Gummidge, and I hope I need not say that if you want more, none could be better bestowed in my sight.

Pray tell Lehmann, when you next write to him, that I find I owe him a mint of money for the delightful Swedish sleigh-bells. They are the wonder, awe, and admiration of the whole country side, and I never go out without them.

Let us make an exchange of child stories. I heard of a little fellow the other day whose mamma had been telling him that a French governess was coming over to him from Paris, and had been expatiating on the blessings and advantages of having foreign tongues. After leaning his plump little cheek against the window gla.s.s in a dreary little way for some minutes, he looked round and enquired in a general way, and not as if it had any special application, whether she didn't think ”that the Tower of Babel was a great mistake altogether?”

Ever faithfully yours.

[Sidenote: Mrs. Major.[10]]

OFFICE OF ”ALL THE YEAR ROUND,” A WEEKLY JOURNAL, ETC. ETC., 26, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND, _Thursday, March 12th, 1863._

MY DEAR MARY,

I am quite concerned to hear that you and your party (including your brother Willie) paid for seats at my reading last night. You must promise me never to do so any more. My old affections and attachments are not so lightly cherished or so easily forgotten as that I can bear the thought of you and yours coming to hear me like so many strangers.

It will at all times delight me if you will send a little note to me, or to Georgina, or to Mary, saying when you feel inclined to come, and how many stalls you want. You may always be certain, even on the fullest nights, of room being made for you. And I shall always be interested and pleased by knowing that you are present.

Mind! You are to be exceedingly penitent for last night's offence, and to make me a promise that it shall never be repeated. On which condition accept my n.o.ble forgiveness.

With kind regard to Mr. Major, my dear Mary,

Affectionately yours.

[Sidenote: Mr. W. C. Macready.]

GAD'S HILL PLACE, HIGHAM BY ROCHESTER, KENT, _Thursday, March 31st, 1863._

MY DEAREST MACREADY,