Volume Ii Part 8 (1/2)
”I am now doubly grieved to have been worrying about your nephew, but I am sincerely glad to know it is no more than a fall. I believe I have not a bone from my head to my heel unmarked by horse accidents, and every man who really rides meets his misadventures. Whenever I hear of a man who never falls, I can tell of one who never knew how to ride.
”Now of all my projects and intentions never bore yourself a minute: the fact is--writing to _you_ pretty much as I talk at home, I have said some of the fifty things that pa.s.s through my vagabondising brains, just as I have been for the last twenty years plotting the Grand Book that is to make me.
”But now that you _know me better_, treat all these as the mere projects of a man whose only dream is hope, and whose case is all the worse that he is a 'solitary tippler'; and, above all, trust me to do my best--my very best--for 'Tony,' which I am disposed to think about the best thing I have done.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Villa Morelli, Florence, _Sept_. 26,1864.
”Don't be afraid that I am impatient to close 'Tony'; if it only 'suited your book' I'd go on with him for a twelvemonth. And now tell me, does it make any difference to you if he should go on to the January No.?
I mean, does it spoil magazine symmetry that he should appear in a new volume? Not that I opine this will be necessary, only if it should I should like to know.
”You must send me 'Tony' in sheets, as you did O'D., to revise and reflect over, and I'll begin at him at once.
”I knew well what a blow Speke's death would be to you, and I am truly sorry for the poor fellow.
”I don't remember one word I write if I don't see a proof, so I forget what I said about an idea I had of a story. At all events, as Curran said he picked up all his facts from the opposite counsel's statement, I'll soon hear what you say, and be able to guess what I said myself.
”I'm gout up to the ears,--flying, dyspeptic, blue-devil gout,--with a knuckle that sings like a tea-kettle and a toe that seems in the red-hot bite of a rabid dog, and all these with------ But I swore not to bother you except it be to write to me.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
[Undated.]
”I am up to my neck in Tony,--dress him, dine with him, and yesterday went to his happy marriage with (this for Mrs Blackwood and yourself) Dolly Stuart, he having got over his absurd pa.s.sion, and found out (what every man doesn't) the girl he _ought_ to marry.
”I am doing my best to make the wind-up good. Heaven grant that my gout do not mar my best intentions!
”This informal change of capital has raised my rent! More of Cavour's persecution. I told you that man will be my ruin.
”Whenever you have time write to me. There are such ma.s.ses of things you are to answer you will forget one-half if you don't make a clearance.
”I am very sulky about the coldness the public have shown O'D. in its vol. form. Why, confound them!------ But I won't say what is on my lips.”
_To Mr William Blackwood._
”Villa Morelli, Florence, _Oct_. 4, 1864.
”Your own fault if you have to say 'd.a.m.n his familiarity'; but if you won't return it you can at least say 'd.a.m.n O'Dowd.'
”Your cheque came all safe this morning. I wish I had not to add that it was a dissolving view that rapidly disappeared in my cook's breeches-pocket.
”I suppose my gout must be on the decline from the very _mild_ character of the 'O'Dowd' I now send you. Tell your uncle if he won't write to me about my forty-one projects, I'll make an O'D. on Golf-players, and G.o.d help him!