CHAP. II.] Henry CoitcJi^ s Last Letters. "j"^ 



sum of two pounds. Preserve tliis letter as a proof of 

 the debt, and I will either repay you when we meet, or 

 you can deduct the amount when you make your Avill. 

 In publishing the list of subscribers, I hope that the 

 names will be printed alphabetically, so that ^ Couch ' 

 will come in just after Barton and Bevan [two county 

 magistrates]. It is very humiliating seeing one^s name at 

 the bottom of a list. I did not see you on Saturday last, 

 [probably a visiting-day]. How was it ? I was glad 

 Barton didn't come either. His addressing me as 

 *' Mister Couch ! ^ Do you recollect it ? As the virtuously- 

 indignant Mrs. Gamp exclaimed, ' The hidear ! ' I felt 

 truly grateful to you for checking him on that occasion. 

 AVell, I must now clo^e." 



[Here follows a picture of an imaginary domestic circle.] 

 " Remember me kindly toMargaretand Charlotte, and to 

 the dear old lady, as well. I fancy I see her now, sitting 

 in the chimney-corner with the cat in her lap. Good- 

 bye, my dear Harry, and when you next hear me addressed 

 as ' Mister Couch,^ remind the person who thus forgets 

 himself, that he compromises his dignity in so doing.'' 



A letter written to the chaplain of the Northampton 

 gaol, giving a description of Wakefield Prison and its 

 management, is too graphic and amusing not to be given 

 at length ; after which this most remarkable example of 

 abilities thrown away will disappear from view_, his 

 ultimate fate being unknown. 



Wakefield Prison. Eeg. 5558. 



"Rev. and dear Sir, — My characteristic presumption 

 leads me to imagine that I may confer a pleasure upon you 

 by intimating that I am as comfortable here as the 



