t way. But we do
not want society, we shun it rather. We like the Duomo and the Campo
Santo instead. Then we know a little of Professor Ferucci, who gives us
access to the University library, and we subscribe to a modern one, and
we have plenty of writing to do of our own. If we can do anything for
Fanny Hanford, let us know. It would be too happy, I suppose, to have to
do it for yourselves. Think, however, I am quite well, quite well. I can
thank God, too, for being alive and well. Make dear Mr. Martin keep
well, and not forget himself in the Herefordshire cold--draw him into
the sun somewhere. Now write and tell me everything of your plans and of
you both, dearest friends. My husband bids me say that he desires to
have my friends for his own friends, and that he is grateful to you for
not crossing that feeling. Let him send his regards to you. And let me
be throughout all changes,

Your ever faithful and most affectionate,

BA.

FOOTNOTES:

[123] Anna Jameson (1794-1860) was a woman of letters and an art-critic
at one time of immense influence through her illustrated books on
"Sacred and Legendary" (as well as some other) "Art." But, as somehow or
other happens not infrequently, the objects of her "affection and
generosity" did not include her husband.

EDWARD FITZGERALD (1809-1883)

Not much need be added to what was said in the Introduction
about this famous translator and almost equally, though less
uniquely, remarkable letter-writer. His life was entirely
uneventful and his friendships have been already
commemorated. The version of Omar Khayyam appeared in 1859;
was an utter "drug"--remainder copies going at a few
pence--for a time; but became one of the most admired books
of the English nineteenth century before very long. Some of
his _Letters_ were published at various times from 1889 to
1901 (those to Fanny Kemble in 1895). It is not perhaps
merely fanciful to suggest that the "uniqueness" above
glanced at does supply a sort of connection between the
_Letters_ and the _Works_. The faculty of at once retaining
the matter of a subject and transforming it in treatment has
perhaps never, as regards translation, been exhibited in
such transcendence as in the English _Rubaiyat_. But
something of this same faculty must belong to every good
letter-writer--and a good deal of it certainly is shown by
FitzGeral