you came to us in Woodbridge in 1852. That is, I saw her such as I had
seen her in a little sixpenny Engraving in a 'Cottage Bonnet,' something
such as you wore when you stept out of your Chaise at the Crown Inn.

My Mother always said that your Mother was by far the most witty,
sensible, and agreeable Woman she knew. I remember one of the very few
delightful Dinner parties I ever was at--in St. James' Place--(was it?) a
Party of seven or eight, at a round Table, your Mother at the head of the
Table, and Mrs. F. Kemble my next Neighbour. And really the (almost)
only other pleasant Dinner was one you gave me and the Donnes in Savile
Row, before going to see Wigan in 'Still Waters,' which you said was
_your_ Play, in so far as you had suggested the Story from some French
Novel.

I used to think what a deep current of melancholy was under your Mother's
Humour. Not 'under,' neither: for it came up as naturally to the surface
as her Humour. My mother always said that one great charm in her was,
her Naturalness.

If you read to your Company, pray do you ever read _the_ Scene in the
'Spanish Tragedy' quoted in C. Lamb's Specimens--such a Scene as (not
being in Verse, and quite familiar talk) I cannot help reading to my
Guests--very few and far between--I mean by 'I,' one who has no gift at
all for reading except the feeling of a few things: and I can't help
stumbling upon Tears in this. Nobody knows who wrote this one scene: it
was thought Ben Jonson, who could no more have written it than I who read
it: for what else of his is it like? Whereas, Webster one fancies might
have done it. It is not likely that you do not know this wonderful bit:
but, if you have it not by heart almost, look for it again at once, and
make others do so by reading to them.

The enclosed Note from Mowbray D[onne] was the occasion of my writing
thus directly to you. And yet I have spoken 'de omnibus other rebus'
first. But I venture to think that your feeling on the subject will be
pretty much like my own, and so, no use in talking.

Now, if I could send you part of what I am now packing up for some
Woodbridge People--some--some--Saffron Buns!--for which this Place is
notable from the first day of Lent till Easter--A little Hamper of these!

Now, my dear Mrs. Kemble, do consider this letter of mine as an Answer to
yours--your two--else I shall be really frightened at making you write so
often to yours always and sincerely

E. F.G.