his is not true. The sort of ability or abilities, to
which we give the ill-defined name of "cleverness," is entirely distinct
from common sense, judgment, discretion; so distinct as to be almost
their opposite. I think a clever woman requires quite an unusual portion
of the above qualities not to be silly, _because_ she is clever. This
may sound paradoxical, but if you think it worth examining, you will
find it true.

I am very cold and very comfortless in these horrible theatres, and
shall be glad to get back to King Street, and as soon as I am there will
take measures about my readings, which I think I had better begin in
earnest with.

There are no rocks on the beach here, like that pretty little reef that
runs right out before your windows, but three miles from the shore there
is a fatal stretch of sand where wrecks are frequent, and all along
which ominous white clouds are springing up from the inky surface of the
wintry sea, like warning ghosts. It is very dreary and dismal looking;
but, nevertheless, as I have no rehearsal, I am going out to walk. Kiss
Dorothy for me. I am yours and hers most affectionately,

FANNY.

I have had another foolish note from Lady ---- about "Jane Eyre"--the
universal theme of conversation and correspondence--in which, speaking
of herself, she says that she is "_dished and done for, and gone to the
dogs_;" and then accuses the writer of "Jane Eyre" of not knowing how
ladies and gentlemen talk--which I think, too; but the above expressions
are a peculiar example of refined conventional language, which perhaps
the author of that very remarkable book would have hesitated to ascribe
to a lady--or a gentleman.

BIRNHAM BEECHES, Sunday, March 20th,
and KING STREET, Friday, February 1st, 1848.

Now I have two long letters of yours to answer, and my own opinion is
that they will not be answered until I get to the Beeches, and have a
few hours' breathing-time, for I am just now setting off for Cambridge,
where I act to-night. To-morrow I travel to Bury St. Edmund's, and act
there the same night; and Friday I shall just get to London in time for
my dinner, and the next morning I go down to Birnham.... The air of St.
Leonard's, though you call it cold and sharp, was mild compared with the
raw, sunless climate I have since _enjoyed_ at Lynn and Yarmouth; a
bracing climat