for Sheffield Museum, now in
instant mendicity, and I've put ten pounds aside till you and I can
have a talk and you be made reasonable, after being scolded and
scratched, after which, on your promise to keep to our old bargain and
enjoy spending your little "Frondes" income, I'll be your lovingest
again. And for the two pounds ten, and the ten, I am really most
heartily grateful, meaning as they do so much that is delightful for
both of us in the good done by this work of yours.

I send you Spenser; perhaps you had better begin with the Hymn to
Beauty, page 39, and then go on to the Tears; but you'll see how you
like it. It's better than Longfellow; see line 52--

"The house of blessed gods which men call skye."

Now I'm going to look out Dr. Kendall's crystal. It _must_ be
crystal,[33] for having brought back the light to your eyes.

[Footnote 33: For a present to Dr. Kendall.]

* * * * *

BRANTWOOD, _12th July, 1881_.

How delightful that you have that nice Mrs. Howard to hear you say
"The Ode to Beauty," and how nice that you can learn it and enjoy
saying it![34] I do not know it myself. I only know that it should be
known and said and heard and loved.

I _am_ often near you in thought, but can't get over the lake somehow.
There's always somebody to be looked after here, now. I've to rout the
gardeners out of the greenhouse, or I should never have a strawberry
or a pink, but only nasty gloxinias and glaring fuchsias, and I've
been giving lessons to dozens of people and writing charming sermons
in the "Bible of Amiens"; but I get so sleepy in the afternoon I can't
pull myself over it.

I was looking at your notes on birds yesterday. How sweet they are!
But I can't forgive that young blackbird for getting wild again.[35]

[Footnote 34: I learnt the whole of it by heart, and could then say it
without a break. I have always loved it, and in return it has helped
me through many a long and sleepless night.--S. B.]

[Footnote 35: Pages 101 _et seqq._]

* * * * *

_Last Day of 1881. And the last letter
I write on it, with new pen._

I've lunched on _your_ oysters, and am feasting eyes and mind on
_your_ birds.

What birds?

Woodcock? Yes, I suppose, and never before noticed the _sheath_ of his
bill going over the front of the lower mandible that he may