a pearl and a pattern of publishers.

Kiss that facetious "Virgin Martyr" for me. Such a laugh as you two are
likely to get up together! I declare it brings the tears to my eyes to
think of it.

I rejoice in your account of H---- W----. It must be a blessing to
every one belonging to him to see him do well such a duty as that of an
Irish proprietor, in these most miserable times.

I have at present nothing further to impart to you but the newest news,
that I am

Ever yours,
FANNY.

[The last sentence of this letter refers to the failure of the
potato-crop, and the consequent terrible famine that desolated
Ireland.]

10, PARK PLACE, ST. JAMES'S, February 1st, 1847.

I feel almost certain, my dear Hal, that it will be better for me to be
_alone_ when I come out at Manchester than to have you with me, even if
in all other respects it were expedient you should be there. My strength
is much impaired, my nerves terribly shattered, and to see reflected in
eyes that I love that pity for me which I shall feel only too keenly for
myself, on the first night of my return to the stage, might, I fear,
completely break down my courage. I am glad for this reason that I am to
come out at Manchester, where I know nobody, and not in London, where,
although I might not distinguish them, I should know that not a few who
cared for me, and were sorry for me, were among my spectators. I am now
so little able to resist the slightest appeal to my feelings that, at
the play (to which I have been twice lately), the mere sound of human
voices simulating distress has shaken and affected me to a strange
degree, and this in pieces of a common and uninteresting description. A
mere exclamation of pain or sorrow makes me shudder from head to foot.
Judge how ill prepared I am to fulfil the task I am about to
undertake....

This, however, is one of the most painful aspects of my work. It has a
more encouraging one. It is an immense thing for me to be still able to
work at all, and keep myself from helpless dependence upon any one....
The occupation, the mere _business_ of the business, will, I am
persuaded, be good rather than bad for me; for though one may be strong
against sorrow, sorrow and inactivity combined are too much for any
strength. Such a burden might not kill one, but destroy one's vitality
to a degree j