Volume Iii Part 4 (1/2)

In great haste to save the post, I am, my dear Harley,

Faithfully yours.

[Sidenote: Mr. William Longman.]

DOUGHTY STREET, _Monday Morning._

MY DEAR SIR,

On Friday I have a family dinner at home--uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, cousins--an annual gathering.

By what fatality is it that you always ask me to dine on the wrong day?

While you are tracing this non-consequence to its cause, I wish you would tell Mr. Sydney Smith that of all the men I ever heard of and never saw, I have the greatest curiosity to see and the greatest interest to know him.

Begging my best compliments at home,

I am, my dear Sir, Faithfully yours.

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

PETERSHAM, _July 26th, 1839._

MY DEAR MACREADY,

Fix your visit for whenever you please. It can never give us anything but delight to see you, and it is better to look forward to such a pleasure than to look back upon it, as the last gratification is enjoyable all our lives, and the first for a few short stages in the journey.

I feel more true and cordial pleasure than I can express to you in the request you have made. Anything which can serve to commemorate our friends.h.i.+p and to keep the recollection of it alive among our children is, believe me, and ever will be, most deeply prized by me. I accept the office with hearty and fervent satisfaction; and, to render this pleasant bond between us the more complete, I must solicit you to become G.o.dfather to the last and final branch of a genteel small family of three which I am told may be looked for in that auspicious month when Lord Mayors are born and guys prevail. This I look upon as a bargain between us, and I have shaken hands with you in spirit upon it. Family topics remind me of Mr. Kenwigs. As the weather is wet, and he is about to make his last appearance on my little stage, I send Mrs. Macready an early proof of the next number, containing an account of his baby's progress.

I am going to send you something else on Monday--a tragedy. Don't be alarmed. I didn't write it, nor do I want it acted. A young Scotch lady whom I don't know (but she is evidently very intelligent and accomplished) has sent me a translation of a German play, soliciting my aid and advice in the matter of its publication. Among a crowd of Germanisms, there are many things in it which are so very striking, that I am sure it will amuse you very much. At least I think it will; it has me. I am going to send it back to her--when I come to Elstree will be time enough; and meantime, if you bestow a couple of hours upon it, you will not think them thrown away.

It's a large parcel, and I must keep it here till somebody goes up to town and can book it by the coach. I warrant it, large as it looks, readable in two hours; and I very much want to know what you think of the first act, and especially the opening, which seems to me quite famous. The metre is very odd and rough, but now and then there's a wildness in it which helps the thing very much; and altogether it has left a something on my mind which I can't get rid of.

Mrs. d.i.c.kens joins with me in kindest regards to yourself, Mrs., and Miss Macready. And I am always,

My dear Macready, Faithfully and truly yours.

P.S.--A dreadful thought has just occurred to me--that this is a quadruple letter, and that Elstree may not be within the twopenny post.

Pray Heaven my fears are unfounded.

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

40, ALBION STREET, BROADSTAIRS, _September 21st, 1839._

MY DEAR MACREADY,