ar friend, and the
truth is not in you.

In the first place, I have nothing to say except that I am well and
intensely interested by everything about me. I am very sorry to have
neglected sending you "Arnold" [his Life, just published at that time],
but it shall be done this day.

London, with its distracting quantity of _things to do_, is already
laying hold of me; and the species of vertigo which I experience after
my lonely American existence, at finding myself once more overwhelmed
with visits, messages, engagements, and endless notes to read and
answer, is pitiable. I feel as if I had been growing idiotic out there,
my life here is such an amazing contrast.

I had a visit yesterday from dear old Lady Charlotte Lindsay, who was
exceedingly kind and cordial indeed to me. We said many good words about
you. After she was gone, the old Berry sisters (who still hang on the
bush) tottered in, and I felt touched to the heart by the affectionate
sympathy and kind goodwill exhibited towards me by these three very old
and charming ladies.

I had a delightful dinner yesterday at Milman's, where I met Lady
Charlotte again, Harness, Lockhart, Empson, and several other clever
pleasant people.

To-day I carried my last six American despatches myself to the post, and
then trotted all the way up to Horace Wilson's, to see him and my cousin
Fanny, by way of exercise....

I am going to dine to-day with Sir Edward Codrington--the admiral, you
know. He and his family are old friends of mine; he has been here twice
this week, sitting two hours at a time with me, spinning long yarns
about the battle of Navarino and all the to-do there was about it. He
actually brought me a heap of manuscript papers on the subject to look
over, which, quite contrary to my expectation, have interested me very
much.

To-morrow, at three o'clock, my maid and I depart for the Hoo; as we go
per coach, and the distance is only twenty-five miles, I hope that
journey won't ruin me.

My father has just come home from Brighton, instead of remaining there
till Monday, as he had intended; he said he felt himself getting
fatigued, and therefore thought it expedient to come away. He has caught
a slight rheumatic pain in one of his shoulders, but otherwise seems
well. To-morrow I will send you another bulletin.

Your affectionate,
FANNY.