s he
puts his soul--_i.e._, the Spirit of God--inspiration into them.

Your affectionate

F. A. K.

GREAT RUSSELL STREET, February 17, 1832.
MY DEAREST H----,

"Francis I." will come out on the 1st of March, so your starting on
the 25th will do quite well for that; but it is right I should tell
you what may possibly deter you from coming. A report prevails that
the cholera is approaching London, and though I cannot say that I
feel nervous upon the subject, perhaps, under these circumstances,
you had rather or better not come.

There have been many assertions and contradictions about it, of
course, and I know nothing but that such a rumor is prevalent, and
if this should cause you or (what is more likely) yours an
instant's hesitation, you must give up your visit. I know our
disappointment will be mutual and equal, and I am sure you will not
inflict it either upon yourself or me without adequate reason, so I
will say no more about it.

The reason for bringing out "Francis I." now is that Milman has
undertaken to review it in the next _Quarterly_, and Murray wishes
the production of the play at the theater to be simultaneous with
the publication of the _Review_.

My wrath and annoyance upon the subject have subsided, and I have
now taken refuge with restored equanimity in my "cannot help it."
Certainly I said and did all I could to hinder it.

I do not feel at all nervous about the fate of the play--no English
public will damn an attempt of that description, however much it
may deserve it; and paradoxical as it may sound, a London audience,
composed as it for the most part is of pretty rough, coarse, and
hard particles, makes up a most soft-hearted and good-natured
whole, and invariably in the instance of a new actor or a new
piece--whatever partial private ill will may wish to do--the
majority of the spectators is inclined to patience and indulgence.
I do not mean that I shall not turn exceedingly sick when I come to
set my foot upon the stage that night; but it will only be with a
slight increase of the alarm which I undergo with every new part.
My poor mother will be the person to be pitied; I wish she would
take an opia