Volume Iii Part 23 (2/2)
[Sidenote: Rev. James White.]
1, DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, YORK GATE, REGENT'S PARK, _February 24th, 1846._
I cannot help telling you, my dear White, for I can think of no formal use of Mister to such a writer as you, that I have just now read your tragedy, ”The Earl of Gowrie,” with a delight which I should in vain endeavour to express to you. Considered with reference to its story, or its characters, or its n.o.ble poetry, I honestly regard it as a work of most remarkable genius. It has impressed me powerfully and enduringly. I am proud to have received it from your hand. And if I have to tell you what complete possession it has taken of me--that is, if I _could_ tell you--I do believe you would be glad to know it.
Always faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. W. H. Wills.]
DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _Monday Morning, March 2nd, 1846._
MY DEAR MR. WILLS,
I really don't know what to say about the New Brunswicker. The idea will obtrude itself on my mind, that he had no business to come here on such an expedition; and that it is a piece of the wild conceit for which his countrymen are so remarkable, and that I can hardly afford to be steward to such adventurers. On the other hand, your description of him pleases me. Then that purse which I could never keep shut in my life makes mouths at me, saying, ”See how empty I am.” Then I fill it, and it looks very rich indeed.
I think the best way is to say, that if you think you can do him any _permanent_ good with five pounds (that is, get him home again) I will give you the money. But I should be very much indisposed to give it him, merely to linger on here about town for a little time and then be hard up again.
As to employment, I do in my soul believe that if I were Lord Chancellor of England, I should have been aground long ago, for the patronage of a messenger's place.
Say all that is civil for me to the proprietor of _The Ill.u.s.trated London News_, who really seems to be very liberal. ”Other engagements,”
etc. etc., ”prevent me from entertaining,” etc. etc.
Faithfully yours ever.
[Sidenote: Mr. W. H. Wills.]
DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _March 4th, 1846._
MY DEAR MR. WILLS,
I a.s.sure you I am very truly and unaffectedly sensible of your earnest friendliness, and in proof of my feeling its worth I shall unhesitatingly trouble you sometimes, in the fullest reliance on your meaning what you say. The letter from Nelson Square is a very manly and touching one. But I am more helpless in such a case as that than in any other, having really fewer means of helping such a gentleman to employment than I have of firing off the guns in the Tower. Such, appeals come to me here in scores upon scores.
The letter from Little White Lion Street does not impress me favourably.
It is not written in a simple or truthful manner, I am afraid, and is _not_ a good reference. Moreover, I think it probable that the writer may have deserted some pursuit for which he is qualified, for vague and laborious strivings which he has no pretensions to make. However, I will certainly act on your impression of him, whatever it may be. And if you could explain to the gentleman in Nelson Square, that I am not evading his request, but that I do not know of anything to which I can recommend him, it would be a great relief to me.
I trust this new printer _is_ a Tartar; and I hope to G.o.d he will so proclaim and a.s.sert his Tartar breeding, as to excommunicate ---- from the ”chapel” over which he presides.
Tell Powell (with my regards) that he needn't ”deal with” the American notices of the ”Cricket.” I never read one word of their abuse, and I should think it base to read their praises. It is something to know that one is righted so soon; and knowing that, I can afford to know no more.
Ever faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. Clarkson Stanfield.]
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