are at once too coarse and complex, too robust and too infinitely
various for his delicate, fine, but in some sense feeble handling.

Browning is the very reverse of Shelley in this respect; both have
written one fine play and several fine dramatic compositions; but
throughout Shelley's poetry the dramatic spirit is deficient, while in
Browning's it reveals itself so powerfully that one wonders how he has
escaped writing many good plays besides the "Blot on the Scutcheon" and
that fine fragmentary succession of scenes, "Pippa Passes."

GREAT RUSSELL STREET.
DEAR MRS. JAMESON,

I fear I am going to disappoint you, and 'tis with real regret that
I do so, but I have been acting every night almost for the last
month, and when to-day I mentioned my project of spending this my
holiday evening with you, both my aunt and my father seemed to
think that in discharging my debt to you I was defrauding nearer
and older creditors; and suggested that my mother, who really sees
but little of me now, might think my going out to-night unkind. I
cannot, therefore, carry out my plan of visiting you, and beg that
you will forgive my not keeping my promise this evening. I am
moreover so far from well that my company would hardly give you
much pleasure, nor could I stay long if I came, for early as it is
my head is aching for its pillow already.

As soon as a week occurs in which I have _two_ holidays I will try
to give you one of them. I send you back Crabbe, which I have kept
for ever; for a great poet, which he is, he is curiously
unpoetical, I think. Yours ever truly,

F.A. KEMBLE.

GREAT RUSSELL STREET.
DEAR MRS. JAMESON,

My mother bids me say that you certainly will suppose she is mad,
or else _Mother Hubbard's dog_; for when you called she was
literally ill in bed, and this evening she cannot have the pleasure
of receiving you, because she is engaged out, here in our own
neighborhood, to a very quiet tea. She bids me thank you very much
for the kindness of your proposed visit, and express her regret at
not being able to avail herself of it. If you can come on Thursday,
between one and two o'clock, I shall be most happy to see you.
Thank y