Spedding--But now you will not--nor let me know your Address--so I must
direct to you at a venture: to Marshall Thompson's, whither I suppose you
will return awhile, even if you be not already there. I think, however,
that you are not there yet. If still at Leamington, you look upon a
sight which I used to like well; that is, the blue Avon (as in this
weather it will be) running through buttercup meadows all the way to
Warwick--unless those Meadows are all built over since I was there some
forty years ago.

Aldis Wright stayed with me a whole week at Easter: and we did very well.
Much Shakespeare--especially concerning that curious Question about the
Quarto and Folio Hamlets which people are now trying to solve by Action
as well as by Discussion. Then we had The Two Noble Kinsmen--which
Tennyson and other Judges were assured has much of W. S. in it. Which
parts I forget, or never heard: but it seemed to me that a great deal of
the Play might be his, though not of his best: but Wright could find him
nowhere.

Miss Crabbe sent me a Letter from Carlyle's Niece, cut out from some
Newspaper, about her Uncle's MS. Memoir, and his written words concerning
it. Even if Froude's explanation of the matter be correct, he ought to
have still taken any hesitation on Carlyle's part as sufficient proof
that the MS. were best left unpublisht: or, at any rate, great part of
it. If you be in London, you will be wearied enough with hearing about
this.

I am got back to my--Sevigne!--who somehow returns to me in Spring: fresh
as the Flowers. These latter have done but badly this Spring, cut off or
withered by the Cold: and now parched up by this blazing Sun and dry
Wind. If you get my letter, pray answer it and tell me how you are: and
ever believe me yours

LITTLEGRANGE.

XCIV.

_May_, [1881.]

MY DEAR LADY,

If I did not write (as doubtless I ought) to acknowledge the Playbook, I
really believe that I thought you would have felt bound to answer my
acknowledgment! It came all right, thank you: and A. Wright looked it
over: and it has been lying ready to be returned to you whenever you
should be returned to London. I assure you that I wish you to keep it,
unless it be rather unacceptable than otherwise; I never thought you
would endure the Plays themselves; only that you might be interested in
your brave Uncle's patient and, I think, just, revision of them. This
was all I cared for: and wished to show to A. W