leaving Ardgillan just when I am coming to see you;
that would be indeed a disappointment. My father is not at home at
this moment, but I shall ask him before I close this letter the
exact time when we shall be in Dublin. I look forward with much
pleasure to making my aunt Dall known to you. She is, I am happy to
say, coming with me, for indeed she is in some sense my "all the
world." You have often heard me speak of her, but it is difficult
for words to do justice to one whose whole life is an uninterrupted
stream of usefulness, goodness, and patient devotion to others. I
know but one term that, as the old writers say, "delivers" her
fully, and though it is not unfrequently applied, I think she is
the only person I know who really deserves it; she is _absolutely
unselfish_. I am sure, dear H----, you will excuse this panegyric,
though you do not know how well it is deserved; the proof of its
being so is that there is not one of us but would say the same of
aunt Dall.

My father's benefit took place last Wednesday, when I acted
Isabella; the house was crowded, and the play very successful; I
think I played it well, and I take credit to myself for so doing,
for I dislike both play and part extremely. The worst thing I do in
it is the soliloquy when I am about to stab Biron, and the best, my
death. My dresses were very beautiful, and I am exceedingly glad
the whole thing is over. I suppose it will be my last new part this
season. I am reading with great pleasure a purified edition, just
published, of the old English dramatists; the work, as far as my
ignorance of the original plays will enable me to judge, seems very
well executed, and I owe the editor many thanks for some happy
hours spent with his book. I have just heard something which annoys
me not a little: I am to prepare to act Mrs. Haller. I know very
well that nobody was ever at liberty in this world to do what they
liked and that only; but when I know with what task-like feeling I
set about most of my work, I am both amused and provoked when
people ask me if I do not delight in acting. I have not an idea
what to do with that part; however, I must apply myself to it, and
try; such mawkish sentiment, and such prosaic, commonplace language
seem to me alike difficult to feel and to deliver.