Yes, my dear Sydney, I
would we were placed vis-à-vis in some chimney
corner; that I should understand you well, I have no doubt, nor should I laugh,
or rally at your romance, as you call it; for I have not forgotten the
aspirations of a youthful heart, and I have some sense
of the fastidiousness of a refined spirit; and I do think, that somehow, I
might be able to insinuate some little drop of cordial towards the serenity of
your’s. May we some day meet and discourse in peace! but, alack! here am
I now in all the agitation of an impending journey, methinks, a sort of dreary
and perilous pilgrimage, and my thoughts are all distracted; I dispatch to you,
therefore, but these few hurried lines, just to say I love you well, and to bid
you cheer your spirit; believe me, its droop is but a passing cloud. Often
shall I think of you, and wish for you, when in that tumultuous yet vague city
of
| FIRST TASTE OF CRITICISM. | 345 |
I am tempted to send you a bit of black velvet for a warm winter garment; ’tis only English velvet, as you will see, but it looks nearly as well as the best by candlelight, and is much wore, and will, I think, be a convenient gown for many occasions, especially at this freezing season.
