I am happy to say that the Queen has approved of a pension of
one hundred pounds a year to Mr. Poole.

"The Queen, in her gracious answer, informs me that she meant to have
mentioned Mr. Poole to me, and that she had wished to place him in the
Charter House, but found the society there was not such as he could
associate with.

"Be so good as to inform Mr. Poole that directions are given for his
pension, which will date from the end of June last."

I have lost no time in answering this, but you must brace up your
energies to write him a short note too, and another for the Queen.

If you are in Paris, shall I ascertain what authority I shall need from
you to receive the half-year, which I suppose will be shortly due? I can
receive it as usual.

With all good wishes and congratulations, seasonable and unseasonable,

Always faithfully yours.

[Sidenote: The Hon. Mrs. Watson.]

DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _Monday Morning, Dec. 30th, 1850._

MY DEAR MRS. WATSON,

As your letter is _decided_, the scaffolding shall be re-erected round
Charley's boots (it has been taken down, and the workmen had retired to
their respective homes in various parts of England and Wales) and his
dressing proceeded with. I have been very much pleased with him in the
matter, as he has never made the least demonstration of disappointment
or mortification, and was perfectly contented to give in. (_Here I break
off to go to Boxall._) (_Here I return much exhausted._)

Your time shall be stated in the bills for both nights. I propose to
rehearse on the day, on Thursday and Friday, and in the evening on
Saturday, that we may try our lights. Therefore:

{will come on Tuesday, 7th January, as there must be a
{responsible person to anathematise, and as the company
NATHAN {seem so slow about their dresses, that I foresee the
AND {strong probability of Nathan having a good deal to do
STAGE CARPENTER {at Rockingham without respect.

WILSON will come on Saturday, 11th January.
TUCKER will come on Saturday, 11th January.

I shall be delighted to see your brother, and so no more at present from

Yours ever,
COLDSTREAM FREELOVE DOCTOR DICKENS.

P.S.--As Boxall (with his head very much on one side and his spectacles
on) danced backward from the ca