ink I should have replied to it, but tell her I think
so. Alas for sonnetting, 'tis as the nerves are; all the summer I was
dawdling among green lanes, and verses came as thick as fancies. I am
sunk winterly below prose and zero.

But I trust the vital principle is only as under snow. That I shall yet
laugh again.

I suppose the great change of place affects me, but I could not have
lived in Town, I could not bear company.

I see Novello flourishes in the Del Capo line, and dedications are not
forgotten. I read the _Atlas_. When I pitched on the Ded'n I looked for
the Broom of "_Cowden_ knows" to be harmonized, but 'twas summat of
Rossini's.

I want to hear about Hone, does he stand above water, how is his son? I
have delay'd writing to him, till it seems impossible. Break the ice for
me.

The wet ground here is intolerable, the sky above clear and delusive,
but under foot quagmires from night showers, and I am cold-footed and
moisture-abhorring as a cat; nevertheless I yesterday tramped to Waltham
Cross; perhaps the poor bit of exertion necessary to scribble this was
owing to that unusual bracing.

If I get out, I shall get stout, and then something will out --I mean
for the _Companion_--you see I rhyme insensibly.

Traditions are rife here of one Clarke a schoolmaster, and a runaway
pickle named Holmes, but much obscurity hangs over it. Is it possible
they can be any relations?

'Tis worth the research, when you can find a sunny day, with ground
firm, &c. Master Sexton is intelligent, and for half-a-crown he'll pick
you up a Father.

In truth we shall be most glad to see any of the Novellian circle,
middle of the week such as can come, or Sunday, as can't. But Spring
will burgeon out quickly, and then, we'll talk more.

You'd like to see the improvements on the Chase, the new Cross in the
market-place, the Chandler's shop from whence the rods were fetch'd.
They are raised a farthing since the spread of Education. But perhaps
you don't care to be reminded of the Holofernes' days, and nothing
remains of the old laudable profession, but the clear, firm,
impossible-to-be-mistaken schoolmaster text hand with which is
subscribed the ever-welcome name of Chas. Cowden C. Let me crowd in
both our loves to all. C.L.

Let me never be forgotten to include in my rememb'ces my good friend and
whilom correspondent Master Stephen.

How, especially, is Victoria?

I try to rememb