such a chill that
it brought back all the pain and increased all the weakness. But
when fine weather--warm, genial, sunny weather--comes, I will get
down in some way or other, and trust myself to that which never
hurts any one, the honest open air. Spring, and even the approach of
spring, has upon me something the effect that England has upon you.
It sets me dreaming,--I see leafy hedges in my dreams, and flowery
banks, and then I long to make the vision a reality. I remember that
Fanchon's father, Flush, who was a famous sporting dog, used, at the
approach of the covering season, to quest in his sleep, doubtless by
the same instinct that works in me. So, as soon as the sun tells the
same story with the primroses I shall make a descent after some
fashion, and no doubt, aided by Sam's stalwart arm, successfully. In
the mean while I have one great pleasure in store, be the weather
what it may; for next Saturday or the Saturday after I shall see
dear Mr. Bennoch. We have not met since November, although he has
written to me again and again. He will take this letter, and I
trouble you with a note to kind Mrs. Sparks, who is about to send
me, or rather who has sent me, some American cracknels, which have
not yet arrived. To-day, too, I had a charming letter from
Lasswade,--not _the_ letter, the pamphlet one, but one full of
kindness from father and daughter, written by Miss Margaret to ask
after me with a reality of interest which one feels at once. It gave
me pleasure in another way too; Mr. De Quincey is of my faith and
delight in the Emperor! Is not that delightful? Also he holds in
great abomination that blackest of iniquities ----, my heresy as to
which nearly cost me an idolator t'other day, a lady from Essex, who
came here to take a house in my neighborhood to be near me. She was
so shocked that, if we had not met afterwards, when I regained my
ground a little by certain congenialities she certainly would have
abjured me forever. Well! no offence to Mrs. ----. I had rather in a
literary question agree with Thomas De Quincey than with her and
Queen Victoria, who, always fond of strong not to say coarse
excitements, is amongst ----'s warm admirers. I knew you would like
the Emperor's marriage. I heard last week from a stiff English lady,
who had been visiting one of the Empress's lad