I was very sorry that I had promised my friend—and
all the world’s friend—Mr.
Paxton, to dine with
508
LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR.
him at a dinner where
he presides to-day; and so I further miss the opportunity of personally avowing
to you my opinion of that smallest of the small, and dullest of the dull
onslaughts upon your party. I had not read it until I received yours; and I
think Punch does
not often make such a blunder, for which he owes you penitential reparation;
but when he does blunder, he does it with a courageous
stupidity. The editor is one of the best hearted of men, and will, I know, be
annoyed when brought face to face with the absurdity.
Believe me, dear Lady
Morgan,
Your old and early reader,
And therefore most truly yours,
Douglas William Jerrold (1803-1857)
English playwright and miscellaneous writer; he made his reputation with the play Black-eyed Susan (1829) and contributed to the Athenaeum, Blackwood's, and Punch.
Sir Joseph Paxton (1803-1865)
Originally head gardener at the Duke of Devonshire's estate at Chatsworth; as an
architect he designed the Crystal Palace for the exhibition of 1850.
