I feel very guilty, Madame, for not having sooner
replied to your charming letter, brought to me by Mr.
Chapman. Believe, however, that although I may have been slow to
thank you for it, I have not felt the less sensible of your kind remembrance. I
could have wished to be able to go in person and lay my works at your feet, to
beg that you would grant me at once your pardon for my idleness, and your
protection to travel in the route of Erin, of which land you are the fairy.
Unhappily, bonds which are neither of silk nor of gold retain me in Paris. I
can scarcely leave it,
| 356 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
Public affairs will, however, Madame, leave leisure to read your works upon the present state of Ireland. The form you have given to it confirms me in an opinion I already held, that true talent can apply itself to every species of literature, and that you are as sure to charm your readers by your dramas as by your romances or your travels. Accept, I beg, Madame, all my own congratulations, and permit me to be the interpreter of those of my countrymen who have not, like myself, the honour of knowing you, but which they would address to you if they had.
I beg you to recall me to the remembrance of Miss Clarke, and of Sir Charles Morgan, and pray except the expression of my respectful homage.
