Volume I Part 9 (1/2)
”As I have received no account of the former MSS., I have worked night and day to complete this in the prospect that, if you like it, it can be published by the 15th January [? February], I have, I believe, improved upon the finale; I think that now the ending is as good as I could make it. How the original MS.* went astray I cannot ascertain, and it is now needless to inquire; but as I myself saw it put in the Emba.s.sy's bag, and know that it must have arrived at the P.O., I cannot conceive what subsequently became of it. Holdswith is so infernally stupid that, however blameless he may be, I curse him in my own mind for the misfortune, particularly as once before it was through him a nearly similar mischance occurred. The scenes for ill.u.s.tration are not so good, of course, in the concluding No. The best, however, are the whist-party with the king, and O'Leary in prison.
* Some chapters of 'Harry Lorrequer.'
”I have already explained about the portrait, which was a total failure.
Phiz must invent a vignette for the t.i.tle. I have sat up nearly till morning the last fortnight, and am quite worn out. The chaps, are, however, with a few exceptions, written _de novo_, as my memory completely failed me as to the former ones; but I have read both to the same parties, who concur in preferring the latter. As I shall feel most nervous about the safe arrival of this after my late misfortune, let me hear when it reaches Dublin.”
_To Mr Alexander Spencer._
”Boulevard de l'Observation, _March_ 1, 1839.
”The king has become very unpopular: his busts are pulled down or broken in various places through the country, and many former adherents of the Government speak openly that they would prefer a thousand times to become a province of Spain rather than be a disunited country, as the loss of Limburg and Luxemburg would make them.... Banks are breaking on every side--two at Louvain, one at Antwerp, and one at Liege within the last week,--and c.o.c.kerill, an English manufacturer, whose wages to workmen alone amounted to a thousand a-week, is declared bankrupt....
”I saw a private letter from Lord Melbourne to-day, saying that they had got 'a famous Lord-Lieutenant for Ireland.'...
”I am very anxious about 'Lorrequer,' for, unfortunately, like most--I might say all--my resources, they are always digested before being swallowed, and the possibility of any trick [on the part of M'Glashan]--a possibility of which I cannot entirely divest my mind--has hara.s.sed me much of late.”
_To Mr Alexander Spencer_.
”Brussels, _March_ 29, 1839.
”... I have been, and am, but very so-so in health latterly. My old enemy, my liver--who has most vulgar prejudices against 'good cookery'
and French wines--has expressed his discontent most palpably. If I could spare time for a trip over the water the sea would, I think, set all right.
”This place has received a great blow from the late troubles, and, _entre nous_, I should at once take wing for Paris if I had 500 _en poche_, but as I haven't as many francs, _il faut que j'y reste encore_.”
_To Mr Alexander Spencer._
”Boulevard de l'Observation, _April_ 1839.
”I fear if my letters to you were to rise up in evidence against me, that my cry, like that of the horse-leech, would be found to be one 'Give! Give!'
”But true it most certainly is my poverty, not my will, consents. The war, the weather, and the taste for Italy (confound these cla.s.sical publications!) have all conspired to take our English population [away from] here latterly, and I find myself, like the Bank de Belgique, _presque en etat de faillite_. Therefore send me the 26 you have; and if b.u.t.t has anything due--which I believe and hope he has,--send that also. I shall try if some of the London magazines will not accept contributions from me,--as my 'Lorrequer' repute is a little in my favour, now is the time; but for some days past I have been poorly,--my ancient enemy, the liver--who has certain vulgar antipathies to _dindes aux truffes_ and iced champagne--has again been threatening me, and I am obliged to do very little.
”The letter you enclosed me from [ ] was so singular, I am sorry you did not read it. It appears that about four years ago some person gave Mr S. the words and music of 'The Pope' as his own, which has since gone through several editions and turned out a safe speculation. Mr S. at length learns that I am the real Simon Pure, and with great honesty and no less courtesy writes me a very handsome--indeed I should not be astray if I said gentlemanlike--letter apologising for his usurpation of my property, and requesting of me to point out any charity to which I would desire a donation to be sent, and that he will do it at once. Kate has just seen a paragraph in 'The Mail' which you sent, that offers a good occasion for doing a service, and I think I may as well not let slip the opportunity. With this intent I have written a letter to Mr S., which I leave open for you to read, and, if you approve, forward it to him, pointing out the destination, and leaving the sum of his contribution to himself. If you could conveniently see Mr S. it will be gratifying to me to know how he behaves, for I confess the affair has interested me a good deal; and finally, if the contribution be sent, I should like it to go to [ ] of Sandford Chapel. I have begun a new series in the Mag.,* and have a more lengthy and weightier speculation on the stocks.**
* ”Continental Gossiping.”
**'Charles O'Malley.'
”I believe M'Glashan will write soon, but in any case let me hear by the 26th (pay-day for my rent). Of course you don't think of paying for 'Lorrequer,' and pray row Curry if your copy is not always an early one. Tell me what you think of the ill.u.s.trations. I am much pleased with them.”
_To Mr James M'Glashan._