Monday Afternoon.
[Post-mark July 7, 1845.]
While I write this, – – 3 o’clock you may be going out, I will hope, for the day is very fine, perhaps all the better for the wind: yet I got up this morning sure of bad weather. I shall not try to tell you how anxious I am for the result and to know it. You will of course feel fatigued at first – – but persevering, as you mean to do, do you not? – – persevering, the event must be happy.
I thought, and still think, to write to you about George Sand, and the vexed question, a very Bermoothes of the ‘Mental Claims of the Sexes Relatively Considered’ (so was called the, . . . I do believe, . . . worst poem I ever read in my life), and Mrs. Hemans, and all and some of the points referred to in your letter – – but ‘by my fay, I cannot reason,’ to-day: and, by a consequence, I feel the more – – so I say how I want news of you . . . which, when they arrive, I shall read ‘meritoriously’ – – do you think? My friend, what ought I to tell you on that head (or the reverse rather) – – of your discourse? I should like to match you at a fancy-flight; if I could, give you nearly as pleasant an assurance that ‘there’s no merit in the case,’ but the hot weather and lack of wit get the better of my good will – – besides, I remember once to have admired a certain enticing simplicity in the avowal of the Treasurer of a Charitable Institution at a Dinner got up in its behalf – – the Funds being at lowest, Debt at highest . . . in fact, this Dinner was the last chance of the Charity, and this Treasurer’s speech the main feature in the chance – – and our friend, inspired by the emergency, went so far as to say, with a bland smile – – ‘Do not let it be supposed that we – – despise annual contributors, – – we rather – – solicit their assistance.’ All which means, do not think that I take any ‘merit’ for making myself supremely happy, I rather &c. &c.
Always rather mean to deserve it a little better – – but never shall: so it should be, for you and me – – and as it was in the beginning so it is still. You are the – – But you know and why should I tease myself with words?
Let me send this off now – – and to-morrow some more, because I trust to hear you have made the first effort and with success.
Ever yours, my dear friend,
R.B.