Volume Iii Part 18 (1/2)
The Committee are very anxious to have you for a steward, as one of the heads of a large cla.s.s; and I have told them that I have no doubt you will act. There is no steward's fee or collection whatever.
They are particularly anxious also to have Mr. Etty and Edwin Landseer.
As you see them daily at the Academy, will you ask them or show them this note? Sir Martin became one of the Committee some few years ago, at my solicitation, as recommending young artists, struggling alone in London, to the better knowledge of this establishment.
The dinner is to comprise the new feature of ladies dining at the tables with the gentlemen--not looking down upon them from the gallery. I hope in your reply you will not only book yourself, but Mrs. Stanfield and Mary. It will be very brilliant and cheerful I hope. d.i.c.k in the chair.
Gentlemen's dinner-tickets a guinea, as usual; ladies', twelve s.h.i.+llings. I think this is all I have to say, except (which is nonsensical and needless) that I am always,
Affectionately yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. Edwin Landseer.]
ATHENaeUM, _Monday Morning, May 27th, 1844._
MY DEAR LANDSEER,
I have let my house with such delicious prompt.i.tude, or, as the Americans would say, ”with sich everla.s.s'in slickness and al-mity sprydom,” that we turn out to-night! in favour of a widow lady, who keeps it all the time we are away!
Wherefore if you, looking up into the sky this evening between five and six (as possibly you may be, in search of the spring), should see a speck in the air--a mere dot--which, growing larger and larger by degrees, appears in course of time to be an eagle (chain and all) in a light cart, accompanied by a raven of uncommon sagacity, curse that good-nature which prompted you to say it--that you would give them house-room. And do it for the love of
BOZ.
P.S.--The writer hereof may be heerd on by personal enquiry at No. 9, Osnaburgh Terrace, New Road.
[Sidenote: Mr. Charles Knight.]
DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _June 4th, 1844._
MY DEAR SIR,
Many thanks for your proof, and for your truly gratifying mention of my name. I think the subject excellently chosen, the introduction exactly what it should be, the allusion to the International Copyright question most honourable and manly, and the whole scheme full of the highest interest. I had already seen your prospectus, and if I can be of the feeblest use in advancing a project so intimately connected with an end on which my heart is set--the liberal education of the people--I shall be sincerely glad. All good wishes and success attend you!
Believe me always, Faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. Dudley Costello.]
_June 7th, 1844._
DEAR SIR,
Mrs. Harris, being in that delicate state (just confined, and ”made comfortable,” in fact), hears some sounds below, which she fancies may be the owls (or howls) of the husband to whom she is devoted. They ease her mind by informing her that these sounds are only organs. By ”they” I mean the gossips and attendants. By ”organs” I mean instrumental boxes with barrels in them, which are commonly played by foreigners under the windows of people of sedentary pursuits, on a speculation of being bribed to leave the street. Mrs. Harris, being of a confiding nature, believed in this pious fraud, and was fully satisfied ”that his owls was organs.”
Faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. Robert Keeley.]
9, OSNABURGH TERRACE, _Monday Evening, June 24th, 1844._
MY DEAR SIR,