Volume Iii Part 62 (2/2)
[Sidenote: Mr. Arthur Ryland.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _February 26th, 1855._
MY DEAR MR. RYLAND,
Charley came home, I a.s.sure you, perfectly delighted with his visit to you, and rapturous in his accounts of your great kindness to him.
It appears to me that the first question in reference to my reading (I have not advanced an inch in my ”Copperfield” trials by-the-bye) is, whether you think you could devise any plan in connection with the room at Dee's, which would certainly bring my help in money up to five hundred pounds. That is what I want. If it could be done by a subscription for two nights, for instance, I would not be chary of my time and trouble. But if you cannot see your way clearly to that result in that connection, then I think it would be better to wait until we can have the Town Hall at Christmas. I have promised to read, about Christmas time, at Sheffield and at Peterboro'. I _could_ add Birmingham to the list, then, if need were. But what I want is, to give the inst.i.tution in all five hundred pounds. That is my object, and nothing less will satisfy me.
Will you think it over, taking counsel with whomsoever you please, and let me know what conclusion you arrive at. Only think of me as subservient to the inst.i.tution.
My dear Mr. Ryland, always very faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. David Roberts, R.A.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _February 28th, 1855._
MY DEAR DAVID ROBERTS,
I hope to make it quite plain to you, in a few words, why I think it right to stay away from the Lord Mayor's dinner to the club. If I did not feel a kind of rect.i.tude involved in my non-acceptance of his invitation, your note would immediately induce me to change my mind.
Entertaining a strong opinion on the subject of the City Corporation as it stands, and the absurdity of its pretensions in an age perfectly different, in all conceivable respects, from that to which it properly belonged as a reality, I have expressed that opinion on more than one occasion, within a year or so, in ”Household Words.” I do not think it consistent with my respect for myself, or for the art I profess, to blow hot and cold in the same breath; and to laugh at the inst.i.tution in print, and accept the hospitality of its representative while the ink is staring us all in the face. There is a great deal too much of this among us, and it does not elevate the earnestness or delicacy of literature.
This is my sole consideration. Personally I have always met the present Lord Mayor on the most agreeable terms, and I think him an excellent one. As between you, and me, and him, I cannot have the slightest objection to your telling him the truth. On a more private occasion, when he was not keeping his state, I should be delighted to interchange any courtesy with that honourable and amiable gentleman, Mr. Moon.
Believe me always cordially yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. Austen H. Layard.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Tuesday Evening, April 3rd, 1855._
DEAR LAYARD,
Since I had the pleasure of seeing you again at Miss Coutts's (really a greater pleasure to me than I could easily tell you), I have thought a good deal of the duty we all owe you of helping you as much as we can.
Being on very intimate terms with Lemon, the editor of ”Punch” (a most affectionate and true-hearted fellow), I mentioned to him in confidence what I had at heart. You will find yourself the subject of their next large cut, and of some lines in an earnest spirit. He again suggested the point to Mr. s.h.i.+rley Brookes, one of their regular corps, who will do what is right in _The Ill.u.s.trated London News_ and _The Weekly Chronicle_, papers that go into the hands of large numbers of people. I have also communicated with Jerrold, whom I trust, and have begged him not to be diverted from the straight path of help to the most useful man in England on all possible occasions. Forster I will speak to carefully, and I have no doubt it will quicken him a little; not that we have anything to complain of in his direction. If you ever see any new loophole, cranny, needle's-eye, through which I can present your case to ”Household Words,” I most earnestly entreat you, as your staunch friend and admirer--you _can_ have no truer--to indicate it to me at any time or season, and to count upon my being Damascus steel to the core.
All this is nothing; because all these men, and thousands of others, dote upon you. But I know it would be a comfort to me, in your hard-fighting place, to be a.s.sured of such sympathy, and therefore only I write.
You have other recreations for your Sundays in the session, I daresay, than to come here. But it is generally a day on which I do not go out, and when we dine at half-past five in the easiest way in the world, and smoke in the peacefulest manner. Perhaps one of these Sundays after Easter you might not be indisposed to begin to dig us out?
And I should like, on a Sat.u.r.day of your appointing, to get a few of the serviceable men I know--such as I have mentioned--about you here. Will you think of this, too, and suggest a Sat.u.r.day for our dining together?
I am really ashamed and moved that you should do your part so manfully and be left alone in the conflict. I felt you to be all you are the first moment I saw you. I know you will accept my regard and fidelity for what they are worth.
Dear Layard, very heartily yours.
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