Volume Ii Part 57 (1/2)
I have ”Dombey” to do to-night, and must go through it carefully; so here ends my report. The personal affection of the people in this place is charming to the last.
[Sidenote: The Hon. Mrs. Watson.]
GAD'S HILL PLACE, _Monday, May 11th, 1868._
MY DEAR MRS. WATSON,
I am delighted to have your letter. It comes to me like a faithful voice from dear old Rockingham, and awakens many memories.
The work in America has been so very hard, and the winter there has been so excessively severe, that I really have been very unwell for some months. But I had not been at sea three days on the pa.s.sage home when I became myself again.
If you will arrange with Mary Boyle any time for coming here, we shall be charmed to see you, and I will adapt my arrangements accordingly. I make this suggestion because she generally comes here early in the summer season. But if you will propose yourself _anyhow_, giving me a margin of a few days in case of my being pre-engaged for this day or that, we will (as my American friends say) ”fix it.”
What with travelling, reading night after night, and speech-making day after day, I feel the peace of the country beyond all expression. On board s.h.i.+p coming home, a ”deputation” (two in number, of whom only one could get into my cabin, while the other looked in at my window) came to ask me to read to the pa.s.sengers that evening in the saloon. I respectfully replied that sooner than do it, I would a.s.sault the captain, and be put in irons.
Ever affectionately yours.
[Sidenote: Mrs. George Cattermole.]
GAD'S HILL PLACE, HIGHAM BY ROCHESTER, KENT, _Sat.u.r.day, May 16th, 1868._
MY DEAR MRS. CATTERMOLE,
On my return from America just now, I accidentally heard that George had been ill. My sister-in-law had heard it from Forster, but vaguely. Until I received your letter of Wednesday's date, I had no idea that he had been very ill; and should have been greatly shocked by knowing it, were it not for the hopeful and bright a.s.surance you give me that he is greatly better.
My old affection for him has never cooled. The last time he dined with me, I asked him to come again that day ten years, for I was perfectly certain (this was my small joke) that I should not set eyes upon him sooner. The time being fully up, I hope you will remind him, with my love, that he is due. His hand is upon these walls here, so I should like him to see for himself, and _you_ to see for _yourself_, and in this hope I shall pursue his complete recovery.
I heartily sympathise with you in your terrible anxiety, and in your vast relief; and, with many thanks for your letter, am ever, my dear Mrs. Cattermole,
Affectionately yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. W. C. Macready.]
GAD'S HILL, _Wednesday, June 10th, 1868._
MY DEAREST MACREADY,
Since my return from America, I have been so overwhelmed with business that I have not had time even to write to you. You may imagine what six months of arrear are to dispose of; added to this, Wills has received a concussion of the brain (from an accident in the hunting-field), and is sent away by the doctors, and strictly prohibited from even writing a note. Consequently all the business and money details of ”All the Year Round” devolve upon me. And I have had to get them up, for I have never had experience of them. Then I am suddenly entreated to go to Paris, to look after the French version of ”No Thoroughfare” on the stage. And I go, and come back, leaving it a great success.
I hope Mrs. Macready and you have not abandoned the idea of coming here?
The expression of this hope is the princ.i.p.al, if not the only, object of this present note. May the amiable secretary vouchsafe a satisfactory reply!
Katie, Mary, and Georgina send their very best love to your Katie and Mrs. Macready. The undersigned is in his usual brilliant condition, and indeed has greatly disappointed them at home here, by coming back ”so brown and looking so well.” They expected a wreck, and were, at first, much mortified. But they are getting over it now.
To my particular friends, the n.o.ble boy and Johnny, I beg to be warmly remembered.
Ever, my dearest Macready, Your most affectionate.