Volume Ii Part 13 (2/2)
The other bit of a page and half copy I would insert at p. 4, after the word 'frankness.'The concluding sentence is in its due place. These bits are meant to take off the air of didactic a.s.sumption the article is tinged with, and also to dispose the reader to think I am not perfectly serious in esteeming Whist to be higher than Astronomy or the Physical Sciences.
”I have shown 'Foss' to a _very_ critical fellow here, and he says it is better in _manner_ than 'Tony.' I don't believe him, though I should like to do so.
”You shall have the proof at once. My daughter writes me that O'D. 2 has arrived and looks very nice. Tell me how subscribed! Tell me what said of it!
”Is it true you are all in a devil of a funk at a war with America?
So say the diplomats here, but they are very generally mistaken about everything except 'Quarter day.' I had Hudson to dinner on Monday, and we laughed ourselves into the gout, and had to finish the evening with hot flannels and colchic.u.m. There is not his equal in Europe. If I could only give you his talk, you'd have such a _Noctes_ as I have never read of for many a year, I a.s.sure you. I wished for you when the fun was going fast. Good Heavens! how provoking it is that such a fellow should not be commemorated. Listening to him after reading a biography is such rank bathos; and as to settling down to _write_ after him, it is like setting to work to brew small beer with one's head swimming with champagne. I hope to be back at Villa Morelli by Sunday, and to find a proof and a letter from you when I arrive.
”I shall be very glad to see Mr M. Skene when he turns up at Florence. I need not tell you that a friend of yours comes into the category of the favoured nations. My life is now, however, a very dull affair to ask any one to look at, and it is only by a real feeling of good-nature any one would endure me.
”Only think of this climate! I have had to close the jalousies to keep out the sun, and it is now positively too hot where I am writing. I could almost forgive the 'Excursionists' coming out to bask in such suns.h.i.+ne.
”I hear the 'M. Post' has had a long and favourable notice of 'Tony.'
Have you seen it?
”Now be sure you write to me and often. Addio.
”The American consul has just called and told me that his Government are sending a smas.h.i.+ng squadron over here under an admiral--a sort of 'Io Triumphe' after the raising of the blockade. All the big frigates are to be included in it.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Villa Morelli, _March_ 30,1865.
”This is only to say how much your criticism on 'Sir B.' has pleased me, but don't believe the book is better than 'Tony'--it is not. The man who wrote the other hasn't as good in his wallet.
”I am _sure_ the _Major_ is right, and the story of being _cha.s.sed_ from Austria reads wrong; but it is not, as one might imagine, _unfounded_.
The case was Yelverton's, and present V. Admiral in the Mediterranean, and the lady an Infanta of Portugal, and it went so far that she was actually going off with him. Now, if you still think it should be cancelled, be it so. I have only recommended it to mercy, not pardoned it.
”Besides my gout I am in the midst of worries. The New Capital is playing the devil with us in increased cost of everything, and my landlord--the one honest man I used to think him in the Peninsula--has just written to apprise me that my rent is doubled. Of course I must go, but where to? that's the question. I'd cut my lucky and make towards England, but that our friends at the Carlton say, 'Hold on to Spezzia and we'll give you something when we come in.' Do you remember the German Duke who told his ragged followers they should all have s.h.i.+rts, for he was about to sow flax? I threw my sorrows into a doggerel epigram as I was in my bath this morning.--
”To such a pa.s.s have things now come, So high have prices risen, If Italy don't go to Rome, Then--I must go to prison.
”I find that Skene and I are old friends who have fought many a whist battle together. I wanted him to dine with me yesterday to meet Knatchbull and Labouchere, but he was lumbagoed and obliged to keep his bed: he is all right to-day, however.
”I hope to have a few days (a week) in England this spring--that is, if I keep out of jail,--but I'll let you know my plans when they are planned.
”I have not written since--better I should not--for I go about saying to myself 'D------ Morelli,' so that my family begin to tremble for my sanity.”
_To Mr John Blackwood._
”Spezzia, _April_ 6, 1865.
”Your letter has just caught me here. I came down hurriedly to see if I couldn't find a 'location,' for my Florentine landlord--actuated by those pure patriotic motives which see in the change of capital the greatness of Italy and the gain of Tuscany--has put 280 odd l. on my rent! As I have been stupid enough to spend some little money in improving my garden, &c. he is wise enough to calculate that I feel reluctant to leave where I have taken root.
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