My Friends and Acquaintance
R. Plumer Ward XIII
Robert Plumer Ward to Peter George Patmore, 21 July 1837
“Gilston Park, July 21, 1837.
“Dear Patmore,—Thank you
for your agreeable letter—agreeable to an author, if ever there was one, for it
is full of the
most delicate flattery, or (if that shocks
you) encomiums, which who can withstand? My wife’s word is perhaps the
best, ‘encouragement,’ for much certainly does it encourage me; but
my head is at present so full of political lore (not modern, but of the
Revolution), that I do not think I could recal enough of ‘Sterling’ to proceed upon your valuable hint. But
as it is, I am really grateful to you, and elevated too in consequence of your
opinion, which, you know, I always think a faithful barometer. * * *
“You see that I have been selfish enough to begin with
my business—now for yours.
Tell me when you would have the fawn killed and sent, and it shall be done. I
really did not know before that it was ever served up as a table delicacy, and
only wish I could have profited by the knowledge before thinning was over. The
spring was so cold and backward that we have been forced to postpone venison
till the middle or end of next month, and therefore prefer the fawn to the
haunch.
“I will seriously think what may be done to
‘Sterling;’
but I am anything but a
lover just now, and would much
rather discuss the legality of Lord
Russell’s execution, which I am quite sure of proving, as
well as that Fox was the most unfair and
prejudiced of embryo historians—for he was no more.
“But as dinner is served, you must excuse more than
thanks for your letter. And so believe me,
“Ever much yours,
“R. P. W.”
Charles James Fox (1749-1806)
Whig statesman and the leader of the Whig opposition in Parliament after his falling-out
with Edmund Burke.
Peter George Patmore [Tims] (1786-1855)
English writer and friend of Charles Lamb and Leigh Hunt; an early contributor to
Blackwood's, he was John Scott's second in the fatal duel, editor of
the
Court Journal, and father of the poet Coventry Patmore.
Lord William Russell (1639-1683)
Rye-house plotter, the son of the first Duke of Bedford; after his execution for high
treason he was celebrated as a martyr to liberty.