DEAR B. B.—I
don’t know why I have delay’d so long writing. ’Twas a fault.
The under current of excuse to my mind was that I had heard of the Vessel in
which Mitford’s jars were to come;
| 1826 | THE GARRICK PLAYS | 717 |
I am sorry you and yours have any plagues about dross matters. I have been sadly puzzled at the defalcation of more than one third of my income, out of which when entire I saved nothing. But cropping off wine, old books, &c. and in short all that can be call’d pocket money, I hope to be able to go on at the Cottage. Remember, I beg you not to say anything to Mitford, for if he be honest it will vex him: if not, which I as little expect as that you should [not] be, I have a hank still upon the jars.
Colburn had something of mine in last month, which he has had in hand these 7 months, and had lost, or cou’dnt find room for: I was used to different treatment in the London, and have forsworn Periodicals.
I am going thro’ a course of reading at the Museum: the Garrick plays, out of part of which I formed my Specimens: I have Two Thousand to go thro’; and in a few weeks have despatch’d the tythe of ’em. It is a sort of Office to me; hours, 10 to 4, the same. It does me good. Man must have regular occupation, that has been used to it. So A. K. keeps a School! She teaches nothing wrong, I’ll answer for’t. I have a Dutch print of a Schoolmistress; little old-fashioned Fleminglings, with only one face among them. She a Princess of Schoolmistress, wielding a rod for form more than use; the scene an old monastic chapel, with a Madonna over her head, looking just as serious, as thoughtful, as pure, as gentle, as herself. Tis a type of thy friend.
Will you pardon my neglect? Mind, again I say, don’t shew this to M.; let me wait a little longer to Know the event of his Luxuries. (I am sure he is a good fellow, tho’ I made a serious Yorkshire Lad, who met him, stare when I said he was a Clergyman. He is a pleasant Layman spoiled.) Heaven send him his jars uncrack’d, and me my—— Yours with kindest wishes to your daughter and friend, in which Mary joins
