last two years; and Donne and Valentia were to have come,
but that they went abroad instead.

And so, while I should even deprecate a Lady like you coming thus far
only for my sake, who ought rather to go and ask Admission at your Door,
I should be glad if you liked to come to my house for the double purpose
aforesaid.

My Nieces have hitherto come to me from July to September or October.
Since I wrote to you, they have proposed to come on May 21; though it may
be somewhat later, as suits the health of the Invalid--who lives on small
means with her elder Sister, who is her Guardian Angel. I am sure that
no friend of mine--and least of all you--would dissent from my making
them my first consideration. I never ask them in Winter, when I think
they are better in a Town: which Town has, since their Father's Death,
been Lowestoft, where I see them from time to time. Their other six
sisters (one only married) live elsewhere: all loving one another,
notwithstanding.

Well: I have told you all I meant by my 'Half-Invitation.' These N.E.
winds are less inviting than I to these parts; but I and my House would
be very glad to entertain you to our best up to the End of May, if you
really liked to see Woodbridge as well as yours always truly

E. F.G.

P.S.--You tell me that, once returned to America, you think you will not
return ever again to England. But you will--if only to revisit those at
Kenilworth--yes, and the blind Lady you are soon going to see in Ireland
{19a}--and two or three more in England beside--yes, and old England
itself, 'with all her faults.'

By the by:--Some while ago {19b} Carlyle sent me a Letter from an
American gentleman named Norton (once of the N. American Review, C. says,
and a most amiable, intelligent Gentleman)--whose Letter enclosed one
from Ruskin, which had been entrusted to another American Gentleman named
Burne Jones--who kept it in a Desk ten years, and at last forwarded it as
aforesaid--to me! The Note (of Ruskin's) is about one of the Persian
Translations: almost childish, as that Man of Genius is apt to be in his
Likes as well as Dislikes. I dare say he has forgotten all about
Translator and Original long before this. I wrote to thank Mr. Norton
for

(_Letter unfinished_.)

IX.

[1873.]

DEAR MRS. KEMBLE,

It is scarce fair to assail you on your return to England with another
Letter so close on that to which you have only just answered--you who
_will_ answer!