he last Atlantic; {125b}
the Editor told us at the end of last Year that it was to be carried on
through this: perhaps you are not bound down to every month: but I hope
the links are not to discontinue for long.

I did not mean in my last letter to allude again to myself and Co. in
recommending some omissions when you republish. {126} That--_viz._,
about myself--I was satisfied you would cut out, as we had agreed before.
(N.B. No occasion to omit your kindly Notices about my Family--nor my
own Name among them, if you like: only not all about myself.) What I
meant in my last Letter was, some of your earlier Letters--or parts of
Letters--to H.--as some from Canterbury, I think--I fancy some part of
your early Life might be condensed. But I will tell you, if you will
allow me, when the time comes: and then you can but keep to your own
plan, which you have good reason to think better than mine--though I am
very strong in Scissors and Paste: my 'Harp and Lute.' Crabbe is under
them now--as usual, once a Year. If one lived in London, or in any busy
place, all this would not be perhaps: but it hurts nobody--unless you,
who do hear too much about it.

Last night I made my Reader begin Dickens' wonderful 'Great
Expectations': not considered one of his best, you know, but full of
wonderful things, and even with a Plot which, I think, only needed less
intricacy to be admirable. I had only just read the Book myself: but I
wanted to see what my Reader would make of it: and he was so interested
that he re-interested me too. Here is another piece of Woodbridge Life.

Now, if when London is hot you should like to run down to this
Woodbridge, here will be my house at your Service after July. It may be
so all this month: but a Nephew, Wife, and Babe did talk of a Fortnight's
Visit: but have not talked of it since I returned a fortnight ago. June
and July my Invalid Niece and her Sister occupy the House--not longer.
Donne, and all who know me, know that I do not like anyone to come out of
their way to visit me: but, if they be coming this way, I am very glad to
do my best for them. And if any of them likes to occupy my house at any
time, here it is at their Service--at yours, for as long as you will,
except the times I have mentioned. I give up the house entirely except
my one room, which serves for Parlour and Bed: and which I really prefer,
as it reminds me of the Cabin of my dear little Ship--mine no more.

Here is a lon