“. . . . . Alas, Grosvenor, this day poor old Rumpel was found
| Ætat. 58. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 211 |
“His full titles were:—
“The Most Noble the Archduke Rumpelstiltzchen. Marquis Macbum, Earl Tomlemagne, Baron Raticide, Waowhler, and Skaratch.
“There should be a court mourning in Catland, and if the Dragon* wear a black ribbon round his neck, or a band of crape à la militaire round one of the fore paws, it will be but a becoming mark of respect.
“As we have no catacombs here, he is to be decently interred in the orchard, and cat-mint planted on his grave. Poor creature, it is well that he has thus come to his end after he had become an object of pity. I believe we are each and all, servants included, more sorry for his loss, or rather more affected by it, than any one of us would like to confess.
“I should not have written to you at present, had it not been to notify this event. . . . .
“God bless you!
“Did I tell you that my History of Brazil has led the English merchants who trade with Monte Video to claim an exemption from certain duties; the Attorney-General pronounces that they have established a primâ facie claim to that exemption; the
* A cat of Mr. Bedford’s. |
| 212 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 58. |
