I have been very low myself all this day, and have often wished for the friend
who knew so well how to keep me 'up up up.' (Phrase of Mr G's.) About this time last
summer, we used to be practising the noble science of defence, it served the purpose of the moment well,
very well indeed, and I wish all your scholars would do you as much credit, as so poor a man as Hamlet
was.
But on the contrary I am afraid you must give credit.- What a shame ! - you lost one of your silk
handkerchiefs in England, I assure you I have not found it, but I send you one to make up your
number,(Silk handkerchief she had given Mr, G. )
which lay in my drawer, and seemed to tell me that I ought to send it to you.
I have put up the others
merely to make a more important parcel, lest so small a one should be lost. I shall expect to hear
from you at Southampton.
I refer you to Mrs. G.'s letter for my hopes about the farm, &c.&c.
May they be realized.
Tell me that you are well and happy. Remember me with a kiss to dear
little Johnny and
Adieu
Not signed.
LETTER X
My dear Mrs. G.
I enclose a few lines lest you should be jealous of Mr. G. they are not meant as an answer to your
kind letter, but merely to say a few kind words for myself, and some for your friend Mrs. - who is here,
and I am afraid very ill, - poor soul, we had a great deal of talk about you yesterday, and I never liked
her so well before.
She is your true and zealous friend, and esteems you very highly; would it not be
well to write a few lines to her; but I beg pardon, only I think her influence is pretty extensive,
and I am anxious that you should make as many friends in England as you can, to compensate the loss
of those you will leave in Ireland.
(She was but too well acquainted
with what I left). She desires me to remember her kindly to you, and to apologise
for her not writing, for she is too ill to write she says.
This has been a sad dull day, and I have
wished myself in -- Street, very often indeed, in the course of it. Mr. G.'s oddity would have done
me a great deal of good, and I wanted to be made to stare, to wonder and to laugh, to rouse me from my
lethargy, I am called away and must close my paper.
I am disappointed in not getting a letter from some
of you today, tomorrow, I hope will bring me one, in the which hope I bid you
Adieu.
Cheltenham, July 8th.