, S.W.
_Feb._ 20, 1878.

DEAR EDWARD FITZGERALD,

I have sent your book ('Mrs. Kemble's Autobiography') as far as Bealings
by a safe convoy, and my cousin, Elizabeth Phillips, who is staying
there, will ultimately convey it to its destination at your house.

It afforded Charlotte [wife] and myself several evenings of very
agreeable reading, and we certainly were impressed most favourably with
new views as to the qualities of heart and head of the writer. Some
observations were far beyond what her years would have led one to expect.
I think some letters to her friend 'S.' on the strange fancy which
hurried off her brother from taking orders, to fighting Spanish quarrels,
are very remarkable for their good sense, as well as warm feeling. Her
energy too in accepting her profession at the age of twenty as a means of
assisting her father to overcome his difficulties is indicative of the
best form of genius--steady determination to an end.

Curiously enough, whilst reading the book, we met Mrs. Gordon (a daughter
of Mrs. Sartoris) and her husband at Malkin's at dinner, and I had the
pleasure of sitting next to her. The durability of type in the Kemble
face might be a matter for observation with physiologists, and from the
little I saw of her I should think the lady worthy of the family.

If the book be issued in a reprint a few omissions might be well. I fear
we lost however by some lacunae which you had caused by covering up a
page or two.

Charlotte unites with me in kindest regards to yourself

Yours very sincerely,
HATHERLEY.

E. FITZGERALD, ESQ.

I send this to you, dear Mrs. Kemble, not because the writer is a Lord--Ex-
Chancellor--but a very good, amiable, and judicious man. I should have
sent you any other such testimony, had not all but this been oral, only
this one took away the Book, and thus returns it. I had forgot to ask
about the Book; oh, make Bentley do it; if any other English Publisher
should meditate doing so, he surely will apprise you; and you can have
some Voice in it.

Ever yours
E. F.G.

No need to return, or acknowledge, the Letter.

LI.

LITTLE GRANGE: WOODBRIDGE.
_February_ 22, [1878.]

MY DEAR LADY,

I am calling on you earlier than usual, I think. In my 'Academy' {134a}
I saw mention of some Notes on Mrs. Siddons in some article of this
month's 'Fortnightly' {134b}--as I thought. So I bought the Number, but
can find no Siddons there. You probably know about