xpected favour (Hibernice) with the enclosed Prints, one of
which is rather a Curiosity: that of Mrs. Siddons by Lawrence when he was
_aetat._ 13. The other, done from a Cast of herself by herself, is only
remarkable as being almost a Copy of this early Lawrence--at least, in
Attitude, if not in Expression. I dare say you have seen the Cast
itself. And now for a Story better than either Print: a story to which
Mrs. Siddons' glorious name leads me, burlesque as it is.

You may know there is a French Opera of Macbeth--by Chelard. This was
being played at the Dublin Theatre--Viardot, I think, the Heroine.
However that may be, the Curtain drew up for the Sleep-walking Scene;
Doctor and Nurse were there, while a long mysterious Symphony went
on--till a Voice from the Gallery called out to the Leader of the Band,
Levey--'Whisht! Lavy, my dear--tell us now--is it a Boy or a Girl?' This
Story is in a Book which I gave 2_s._ for at a Railway Stall; called
Recollections of an Impresario, or some such name; {82a} a Book you would
not have deigned to read, and so would have missed what I have read and
remembered and written out for you.

It will form the main part of my Letter: and surely you will not expect
anything better from me.

Your hot Colorado Summer is over; and you are now coming to the season
which you--and others beside you--think so peculiarly beautiful in
America. We have no such Colours to show here, you know: none of that
Violet which I think you have told me of as mixing with the Gold in the
Foliage. Now it is that I hear that Spirit that Tennyson once told of
talking to himself among the faded flowers in the Garden-plots. I think
he has dropt that little Poem {82b} out of his acknowledged works; there
was indeed nothing in it, I think, but that one Image: and that sticks by
me as _Queen Mary_ does not.

I have just been telling some Man enquiring in Notes and Queries where he
may find the beautiful foolish old Pastoral beginning--

'My Sheep I neglected, I broke my Sheep-hook, &c.' {82c}

which, if you don't know it, I will write out for you, ready as it offers
itself to my Memory. Mrs. Frere of Cambridge used to sing it as she
could sing the Classical Ballad--to a fairly expressive tune: but there
is a movement (Trio, I think) in one of dear old Haydn's Symphonies
almost made for it. Who else but Haydn for the Pastoral! Do you
remember his blessed Chorus of 'Come, gentle Spring,' that open the