t concern has cost his brother, himself, and all of us, he
exclaimed, "Oh, if I had but L10,000, I could set it all right
again, even now!" My mother and I actually stared at this
infatuation. If I had twenty, or a hundred thousand pounds, not one
farthing would I give to the redeeming of that fatal millstone,
which cannot be raised, but will infallibly drag everything tied to
it down to the level of its own destruction. The past is past, and
for the future we must think and act as speedily as we may. If our
salaries are half what they are now we need not starve; and, as
long as God keeps us in health of body and mind, nothing need
signify, provided we are not obliged to separate and go off to that
dreadful America.

_Thursday, March 1st._-- ... After dinner I read over again
Knowles's play, "The Hunchback," and like it better than ever. What
would I not give to have written that play! He cannot agree with
Drury Lane about it, and has brought it back to us, and means to
act Master Walter himself. I am so very glad. It will be the most
striking dramatic exhibition that has been seen since Kean's
_debut_. I wish "Francis I." was done, and done with, and that we
were rehearsing "The Hunchback."

GREAT RUSSELL STREET, March 1, 1832.

... As for any disappointment of mine about anything, dear H----,
though some things are by no means light to me, I soon make up my
mind to whatever must be, and I think those who do not endure well
what cannot be avoided are only less foolish than those who endure
what they can avoid. "Francis I." will not, I think, interfere with
your visit to us. Murray wishes it to be postponed till after the
publication of the _Quarterly_, which will come out about the 11th
or 12th. Lockhart, and not Milman, has reviewed it very favorably,
I hear, and Murray expects to sell one edition immediately upon the
publication of the article in the _Quarterly_. So that you can stay
at Fulford some time yet; and should the play be given before you
wish to leave it, I shall not expect you in person, but feel sure
that you are with me in spirit; and the next day I will write you
word of the result.

Dearest H----, I am just now much burdened with anxiety. I will
tell you more of this when we meet. Thank God,