r my fingers this 19th
of June 1849. You must not believe however that it is only chance that
puts me up to this exertion; I really should have written before but that
the reports we read of Italian and Florentine troubles put me in doubt
first whether you are still at Florence to receive my letter: and
secondly whether, if you be there, it would ever reach your hands. But I
will brace myself up even to that great act of Friendship, to write a
long letter with all probability of its miscarrying. Only look here; if
it ever does reach you, you must really write to me directly: to let me
know how you and yours are, for I am sincerely anxious to know this. I
saw great reports in the paper too some months back of Prince Albert
going to open Great Grimsby Docks. Were not such Docks to be made on
your land? and were you not to be a rich man if they were made? And have
you easily consented to forego being paid in money, and to accept in lieu
thereof a certain quantity of wholly valueless shares in said Docks,
which will lead you into expense, instead of enriching you? This is what
I suppose will be the case. For though you have a microscopic eye for
human character, you are to be diddled by any knave, or set of knaves, as
you well know.

Of my own affairs I have nothing agreeable to tell. . . . When I met you
in London, I was raising money for myself on my reversionary property:
and so I am still: and of course the lawyers continue to do so in the
most expensive way; a slow torture of the purse. But do not suppose I
want money: I get it, at a good price: nor do I fret myself about the
price: there will be quite enough (if public securities hold) for my life
under any dispensation the lawyers can inflict. As I grow older I want
less. I have not bought a book or a picture this year: have not been to
a concert, opera, or play: and, what is more, I don't care to go. Not
but if I meet you in London again I shall break out into shilling
concerts, etc., and shall be glad of the opportunity.

After you left London, I remained there nearly to the end of December;
saw a good deal of Alfred, etc. Since then I have been down here except
a fortnight's stay in London, from which I have just returned. I heard
Alfred had been seen flying through town to the Lushingtons: but I did
not see him. He is said to be still busy about that accursed Princess.
By the by, beg, borrow, steal, or buy Keats' Letters and Poems; most
wonderful