* *

The _St. Albans_ perhaps may soon be off to help
bring home what may remain by this time of our
poor army,[195] whose state seems dreadfully
critical. The Regency seems to have been heard of
only here; my most political correspondents make
no mention of it. Unlucky that I should have
wasted so much reflection on the subject.

I can now answer your question to my mother more
at large, and likewise more at small--with equal
perspicuity and minuteness; for the very day of
our leaving Southampton is fixed; and if the
knowledge is of no _use_ to Edward, I am sure it
will give him pleasure. Easter Monday, April 3,
is the day; we are to sleep that night at Alton,
and be with our friends at Bookham the next, if
they are then at home; there we remain till the
following Monday, and on Tuesday, April 11, hope
to be at Godmersham.

* * * * *

William will be quite recovered, I trust, by the
time you receive this. What a comfort his
cross-stitch must have been! Pray tell him that I
should like to see his work very much. I hope our
answers this morning have given satisfaction; we
had great pleasure in Uncle Deedes' packet; and
pray let Marianne know, in private, that I think
she is quite right to work a rug for Uncle John's
coffee urn, and that I am sure it must give great
pleasure to herself now, and to him when he
receives it.

The preference of Brag over Speculation does not
greatly surprise me, I believe, because I feel the
same myself; but it mortifies me deeply, because
Speculation was under my patronage; and, after
all, what is there so delightful in a pair royal
of Braggers? It is but three nines or three
knaves, or a mixture of them. When one comes to
reason upon it, it cannot stand its ground against
Speculation--of which I hope Edward is now
convinced. Give my love to him if he is.

* * * * *

We are now in _Margiana_,[196] and like it very
well indeed. We are just going to set off for
Northumberland to be shut up in W