CLAYGATE 93 



expound in a remarkable way a prophecy of St. 

 Paul's about Roman Catholics, which mutatis 

 mutandis would do very well for Protestants in 

 some parts. Then I made a little nursery of Bore- 

 cole and Enfield market cabbage, grubbing in wet 

 earth with leggings and gray coat on. Then I 

 tidied up the coach-house to my own and Christine's 

 admiration. Then encouraged by bouts-rimes I 

 wrote you a copy of verses ; high time I think ; 

 I shall just save my tenth year of knowing my 

 lady love without inditing poetry or rhymes to her. 



4 Then I rummaged over the box with my father's 

 letters and found interesting notes from myself. 

 One I should say my first letter, which little Austin 

 I should say would rejoice to see and shall see 

 with a drawing of a cottage and a spirited " cob." 

 What was more to the purpose, I found with it 

 a paste-cutter which Mary begged humbly for 

 Christine and I generously gave this morning. 



* Then I read some of Congreve. There are 

 admirable scenes in the manner of Sheridan ; all 

 wit and no character, or rather one character in a 

 great variety of situations and scenes. I could 

 show you some scenes, but others are too coarse 

 even for my stomach hardened by a course of 

 French novels. 



4 All things look so happy for the rain. 



4 Nov. 16. Verbenas looking well. ... I am but 

 a poor creature without you ; I have naturally no 



