1883 LETTERS 353 



you were going to leave this peaceful village for the whirl 

 of Gloucester dissipation this morning and the traces of 

 weeping on your visage, which should have reminded me 

 of our imminent parting, were absent. 



My dear, I should like to have given you some good 

 counsel. You are but a simple village maiden don't be 

 taken by the appearance of anybody. Consult your father 

 inclosing photograph and measurement (in inches) in 

 any case of difficulty. 



Also give my love to the matron your sister, and tell 

 her to look sharp after you. Treat her with more respect 

 than you do your venerable P. whose life will be gloom 

 hidden by a film of heartless jests till you return. 



Item. Kisses to Bia and Co. Your desolated Pater. 



To HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER 



4 MARLBOROUGH PLACE, May 6, 1883. 



DEAREST JESS Best thanks for your good wishes 

 considering all things, I am a hale old gentleman. But 

 I had to speak last night at the Academy dinner, and 

 either that or the quantity of cigars I smoked, following 

 the bad example of our friend " Wales," has left me rather 

 shaky to-day. It was trying, because Jack's capital 

 portrait was hanging just behind me and somebody re- 

 marked that it was a better likeness of me than I was. If 

 you begin to think of that it is rather confusing. 



I am grieved to have such accounts of Ethel, and have 

 lectured her accordingly. She threatens reprisals on you 

 and altogether is in a more saucy and irrepressible state 

 than when she left. 



M is still in bed, though better I am afraid she 

 won't be able to go to Court next week. You see we are 

 getting grand. 



VOL. II 2 A 



