ost
at night, which gave us a hard road from Cobham to
Kingston; but as it was then getting dirty and
heavy, Henry had a pair of leaders put on from the
latter place to the bottom of Sloane St. His own
horses, therefore, cannot have had hard work. I
watched for _veils_ as we drove through the
streets, and had the pleasure of seeing several
upon vulgar heads. And now, how do you all
do?--you in particular, after the worry of
yesterday and the day before. I hope Martha had a
pleasant visit again, and that you and my mother
could eat your beef-pudding. Depend upon my
thinking of the chimney-sweeper as soon as I wake
to-morrow. Places are secured at Drury Lane for
Saturday, but so great is the rage for seeing
Kean[283] that only a third and fourth row could
be got; as it is in a front box, however, I hope
we shall do pretty well--_Shylock_, a good play
for Fanny--she cannot be much affected, I think.

Mrs. Perigord has just been here. She tells me
that we owe her master for the silk-dyeing. My
poor old muslin has never been dyed yet. It has
been promised to be done several times. What
wicked people dyers are. They begin with dipping
their own souls in scarlet sin. . . . It is evening.
We have drank tea, and I have torn through the
third vol. of the _Heroine_. I do not think it
falls off. It is a delightful burlesque,
particularly on the Radcliffe style. Henry is
going on with _Mansfield Park_. He admires H.
Crawford: I mean properly, as a clever, pleasant
man. I tell you all the good I can, as I know how
much you will enjoy it. . . . We hear that Mr. Kean
is more admired than ever. . . . There are no good
places to be got in Drury Lane for the next
fortnight, but Henry means to secure some for
Saturday fortnight, when you are reckoned upon.
Give my love to little Cass. I hope she found my
bed comfortable last night. I have seen nobody in
London yet with such a long chin as Dr. Syntax,
nor anybody quite so large as Gogmagoglicus.

Saturday [March 5, 1814].

Do not b