20 Nicholson, Hemans — Nicholson Correspondence. 



by sending him a short letter on 15th July, enclosing a 

 copy of Felicia's poem on " The Statue of the Dying 

 Gladiator." 



Shortly afterwards followed a personal meeting between 

 Felicia Browne and Matthew Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson 

 had neglected many invitations to visit the Brownes, but 

 in 1810 he made up his mind to visit North Wales again, 

 and to call on the Brownes. 



That he should so far depart from his accustomed 

 routine of life was due to the fact that his niece, Bessy 

 Hatfield, of Manchester, was ill, and was ordered to 

 Abergele. Mr. Nicholson escorted the invalid. The 

 visit was a long one. The journey from Manchester to 

 Abergele took four days. On the way to Abergele the 

 party called at Bronwhilfa, and found only Miss Wagner 

 at home. Early in August, Mr. Nicholson again went 

 there, " and found Mrs. Browne and Harriett got home, 

 but was again disappointed in not seeing Miss Felicia, 

 nor have I since heard if she be returned from her excur- 

 sion." Writing to his brother, he says, " It will be a great 

 mortification to leave the Principality without seeing its 

 greatest ornament ! Her situation at Gwrych was highly 

 favorable for the cultivation of the imagination, as well 

 as the mind and understanding. I have frequently walked 

 round it, almost with the devotion of a lover — nor have I 

 ever seen the windows of her study without painting on 

 my mind the ideal image of her person, old as I am ! " 

 He was not, however, to be disappointed. On August 

 13th he visited the Brownes, and saw Felicia. The 

 quotation just given will indicate the spirit in which 

 Mr. Nicholson was prepared to meet the poetess, although 

 he had not then seen her. When he had made her 

 acquaintance he seems to have fallen in love with Felicia, 

 but it was love tempered by more common sense than 



