old you that I had got off dining at the L----s' to-day by pleading
indisposition, which is quite true, for I am very unwell. I shall remain
dinnerless at home, which is no great hardship, and one for which I dare
say I shall be none the worse. My father talks of going to Brighton this
week, and then I shall scatter myself abroad in every direction....

My father leaves town on Wednesday, and as he is to be absent two or
three weeks, I suppose he will only return in time to sail.

I have written to Mrs. Grote to say I will come to Burnham on Thursday,
and my present plan is to remain there until Monday next, and probably
then go to the Hoo. The Grevilles, Charles and Henry, have been here
repeatedly; they are both of them now gone out of town. I called to-day
on Mrs. O'Sullivan, and there I found Dr. Holland, with whom I had one
more laugh upon the subject of his never reaching Lenox after all dear
Charles Sumner's efforts to get him there. [Dr. Holland, while in
America, had made various unsuccessful attempts to visit the Sedgwick
family in Berkshire, winding up with a failure more ludicrous than all
the others, under the guidance of his, their, and my friend, Charles
Sumner....]

I have had a most affectionate note of welcome from Mrs. Jameson, and am
rather in terror of her advent, as I feel considerable awkwardness about
her various late passages-at-arms with my sister. Mrs. Macready came to
see me this afternoon, and told me that she heard I was about to return
forthwith to America....

Now, dear, I think I have really done my duty by you to-day. God bless
you. Give my affectionate love to the "good angel" [Miss Wilson]. As for
your "roaring sea," I only wish I was in it just where you are (nowhere
else, though). I am not well, and very much out of spirits; disgusted,
and, I have no doubt, disgusting; but, nevertheless,

Ever yours,
FANNY.

Arnold's Christianity puzzles me a little. He justifies litigation
between men and war between nations. Whenever I set about carrying out
my own Christianity I shall do neither; for I do not believe either are
according to Christ's law.

I called on the Miss Hamiltons to-day, and we talked "some" of you. I
have had another most affectionate note from Lizzie Mair, entreating me
to go to Edinburgh. But oh! my dear Hal, the money? _Che vita!_

MO