“It was my intention to write, for I feel a kind of
vacuity of heart when I am deprived of the intercourse of my accustomed
friends. But as I cannot write to them all, and as we have many friends in
common, I think there are few whom you may not safely assure on my part that
they have their turn in my thoughts. I deferred this pleasant duty however till
I had seen your mother, whom I thought
it right and respectful to visit. My coming occasioned some little alarm. The
Major, Mrs Harwood, and Fanny
accompanied me. We were seen from the windows as we came up to the gate. I had
my spectacles on, and your sister-in-law ran to inform your mother that
yourself and Mrs Godwin were arrived.
The old lady stood in the portico; the young ones advanced. There was an
anxious curiosity in their countenances, and your sister, addressing herself to
me, said, ‘I think I know you, sir.’ I scarcely knew what to
reply. Imagination had winged her and myself to London, where I supposed that
some years ago I might have seen her at your lodgings, taking it for granted
that she was a relation. But as I did not answer, Major
Harwood relieved our embarrassment by announcing my name. The
change of countenance that took place was visible, for though your sister could
not perhaps have fully persuaded herself that my face was actually yours, yet
she seemed rather to trust to her hopes than to her recollection; and these
being disappointed, an immediate blank took possession of her
| 270 | WILLIAM GODWIN |
“I have seen more of the County of Norfolk than of its inhabitants; of which county I remark that to the best of my recollection it contains more flint, more turkies, more turnips, more wheat, more cultivation, more commons, more cross-roads, and, from that token, probably more inhabitants, than any county I ever visited. It has another distinguishing and paradoxical feature, if what I hear be true. It is said to be more illiterate than other parts of England, and yet I doubt if any county of like extent have produced an equal number of famous men. This, however, is merely a conjecture, made not from examination, but from memory.
“As it is necessary for me to bathe, I shall
immediately depart for Yarmouth, and pass through Norwich, which I have not yet
seen. If you or Mrs Godwin, or both, can
but prevail on yourself or selves to endure the fatigue of writing to me, I
hope I need not use many words to convince you of the pleasure it will give me.
And be it understood that this letter is addressed to you both, whatever the
direction on the back may affirm to the contrary. Professions are almost
impertinent, and yet I am almost tempted to profess to you how sincerely and
seriously I am interested in your happiness. But as I am sure my words would
ill describe my thoughts, I shall forbear. Pray inform me,
| LETTER FROM HOLCROFT. | 271 |
