d delivery is not diminished, which is good
for tragedy; my self-possession is increased, which ought to be good for
comedy; and I do trust I may succeed, at least sufficiently to be able,
by going from one place to another, and returning to America when I have
worn out my public favor here--say, in two years,--to make what will
enable me to live independently, though probably upon very small means.

I write this after my first night's performance, and I trust my views
are not unreasonable. How I wondered at myself, as I stood at the side
scene the other night, without any quickening of the pulse or beating of
the heart--thanks to the far other experiences I have gone through,
which have left me small sensibility for stage apprehensions; and yet I
could hardly have believed it possible that I should have been as little
nervous as I was. When I went on, however, I had to encounter the only
thing I had dreaded; and the loud burst of public welcome (suggestive of
how many associations, and what a contrast!) shocked me from head to
foot, and tried my nerves to a degree that affected my performance
unfavorably through several scenes.

But this was my first appearance after thirteen years of absence from
the stage; and, of course, no second emotion of the kind awaits me. The
exertion and exposure of the performance gave me a violent cold and sore
throat, and I have been obliged to send for a doctor. I had _two_
rehearsals yesterday, which did not mend matters, but I have bolstered
myself up _pro tem._, and what with inhaling hot water and swathing my
throat in cold, and lozenges and gargles, etc., I hope to fight through
without breaking down.... I have heard from Catherine Sedgwick, who says
that it is a long time since she heard from you or Emily. She adds: "I
shall be very glad to hear from them again. In your absence, I had
nothing to give interest to my letters to them, and I have not written;
and they, naturally, had no sufficient motive to write to me, so that I
have been in complete ignorance about them. Harriet S---- I reckon among
my friends for both worlds."

God bless you, my dear Hal. Give dear Dorothy my love.

Ever yours,
FANNY.

MANCHESTER, Tuesday, 23d.

A thousand thanks, my dear Lady Dacre, for all your kind inquiries
about, and sympathy in, my concerns. I am go