hes you?

XXXVIII.

LOWESTOFT: _March_ 16/76.

DEAR MRS. KEMBLE,

Directly that you mentioned 'Urania,' I began to fancy I remembered her
too. {100} And we are both right; I wrote to a London friend to look out
for the Engraving: and I post it to you along with this Letter. If it do
not reach you in some three weeks, let me know, and I will send another.

The Engraving stops short before the Feet: the Features are coarser than
the Painting: which makes me suppose that it (Engraving) is from the
Painting: or from some Painting of which yours is a Copy--(I am called
off here to see the Procession of Batty's Circus parade up the street)--

The Procession is past: the Clowns, the Fine Ladies (who should wear a
little Rouge even by Daylight), the 'performing' Elephants, the helmeted
Cavaliers, and last, the Owner (I suppose) as 'the modern Gentleman'
driving four-in-hand.

This intoxication over, I return to my Duties--to say that the Engraving
is from a Painting by 'P. Jean,' engraved by Vendramini: published by
John Thompson in 1802, and dedicated to the 'Hon. W. R. Spencer'--(who, I
suppose, was the 'Vers-de Societe' Man of the Day; and perhaps the owner
of the original: whether now yours, or not. All this I tell you in case
the Print should not arrive in fair time: and you have but to let me
know, and another shall post after it.

I have duly written my Brother your thanks for his Present, and your
sincere Gratification in possessing it. He is very glad it has so much
pleased you. But he can only surmise thus much more of its history--that
it belonged to my Grandfather before my Mother: he being a great lover of
the Theatre, and going every night I believe to old Covent Garden or old
Drury Lane--names really musical to me--old Melodies.

I think I wrote to you about the Framing. I always say of that, as of
other Millinery (on which so much depends), the best way is--to try on
the Bonnet before ordering it; which you can do by the materials which
all Carvers and Gilders in this Country keep by them. I have found even
my Judgment--the Great Twalmley's Judgment--sometimes thrown out by not
condescending to this; in this, as in so many other things, so very
little making all the Difference. I should not think that Black next the
Picture would do so well: but try, try: try on the Bonnet: and if you
please yourself--inferior Modiste as you are--why, so far so good.

Donne, who reports himself as very