It was no common pleasure to receive a letter from you, and I beg you to believe that I know how to value such a favour, given in the midst of all your bustle and gaiety.
I heard with pleasure of your triumphs at Cheltenham; but I knew you would not settle there. It is very well for a few weeks; but I see that dear London will get possession of you at last. It is a dismal thought that you are to leave us, and you are really too sceptical as to the number of those who will feel your absence from Dublin a serious loss.
Of course you have heard of Mrs Hemans’ illness. She has long been given over. It is
three weeks since her physicians owned they had no hopes, and now a few days
will rob the world of one who will not be easily matched. She was past remedy when Dr.
Graves gave her into the hands of Dr.
Croker. The latter has, I believe, done all that could be done;
but the constitution was gone. Her fortitude of mind and sweetness of temper
shine out to the last. She is quite resigned, and will not allow a mournful
look or
| 398 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
Sad, most sad has been her history! Those who love her, ought to rejoice when she is at peace; a lofty mind, ever soaring above the realities of life, essentially poetical, and never otherwise; ardent, sentient, enthusiastic, and all this contained in a frame of the most fragile delicacy. What chance had she here in Dublin, and with an utter disrelish for the kind of society that was attainable? When she was in the county of Wicklow last August, her anxiety to remain there was like the thirst of fever. Poor thing, I wish I had never known her.
Robert has been hunting the whole winter, till he is more like a horse than a man. I am hoarse with praying him to marry and be respectable; but he grows more hardened daily.
If you have heard that we are to have drawing-rooms in the daytime, as in London, I am sure you have laughed at the idea of it. Our whole turn out! our equipages, our poverty, alas! need the friendly cloak of night.
