Volume Ii Part 43 (2/2)
Faithfully yours.
P.S.--Your MS. will be returned separately from this office.
[Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.]
LIVERPOOL, _Friday, Feb. 15th, 1867._
My short report of myself is that we had an enormous turn-away last night, and do not doubt about having a cram to-night. The day has been very fine, and I have turned it to the wholesomest account by walking on the sands at New Brighton all the morning. I am not quite right, but believe it to be an effect of the railway shaking. There is no doubt of the fact that, after the Staplehurst experience, it tells more and more, instead of (as one might have expected) less and less.
The charming room here greatly lessens the fatigue of this fatiguing week. I read last night with no more exertion than if I had been at Gad's, and yet to eleven hundred people, and with astonis.h.i.+ng effect. It is ”Copperfield” to-night, and Liverpool is the ”Copperfield”
stronghold.
[Sidenote: Miss d.i.c.kens.]
GLASGOW, _Sunday, Feb. 17th, 1867._
We arrived here this morning at our time to the moment, five minutes past ten. We turned away great numbers on both nights at Liverpool; and Manchester last night was a splendid spectacle. They cheered to that extent after it was over, that I was obliged to huddle on my clothes (for I was undressing to prepare for the journey), and go back again.
After so heavy a week, it _was_ rather stiff to start on this long journey at a quarter to two in the morning; but I got more sleep than I ever got in a railway-carriage before, and it really was not tedious.
The travelling was admirable, and a wonderful contrast to my friend the Midland.
I am not by any means knocked up, though I have, as I had in the last series of readings, a curious feeling of soreness all round the body, which I suppose to arise from the great exertion of voice. It is a mercy that we were not both made really ill at Liverpool. On Friday morning I was taken so faint and sick, that I was obliged to leave the table. On the same afternoon the same thing happened to Dolby. We then found that a part of the hotel close to us was dismantled for painting, and that they were at that moment painting a green pa.s.sage leading to our rooms, with a most horrible mixture of white lead and a.r.s.enic. On pursuing the enquiry, I found that the four lady book-keepers in the bar were all suffering from the poison.
[Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.]
BRIDGE OF ALLAN, _Tuesday, Feb. 19th, 1867._
I was very glad to get your letter before leaving Glasgow this morning.
This is a poor return for it, but the post goes out early, and we come in late.
Yesterday morning I was so unwell that I wrote to Frank Beard, from whom I shall doubtless hear to-morrow. I mention it, only in case you should come in his way, for I know how perversely such things fall out. I felt it a little more exertion to read afterwards, and I pa.s.sed a sleepless night after that again; but otherwise I am in good force and spirits to-day. I may say, in the best force.
The quiet of this little place is sure to do me good. The little inn in which we are established seems a capital house of the best country sort.
[Sidenote: Miss d.i.c.kens.]
GLASGOW, _Thursday, Feb. 21st, 1867._
After two days' rest at the Bridge of Allan I am in renewed force, and have nothing to complain of but inability to sleep. I have been in excellent air all day since Tuesday at noon, and made an interesting walk to Stirling yesterday, and saw its lions, and (strange to relate) was not bored by them. Indeed, they left me so fresh that I knocked at the gate of the prison, presented myself to the governor, and took Dolby over the jail, to his unspeakable interest. We then walked back again to our excellent country inn.
Enclosed is a letter from Alfred, which you and your aunt will be interested in reading, and which I meant to send you sooner but forgot it. Wonderful as it is to mention, the sun s.h.i.+nes here to-day! But to counterbalance that phenomenon I am in close hiding from ----, who has christened his infant son in my name, and, consequently, haunts the building. He and Dolby have already nearly come into collision, in consequence of the latter being always under the dominion of the one idea that he is bound to knock everybody down who asks for me.
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