Edward FitzGerald and "Posh" / "Herring Merchants"

Transcribed from the 1908 John Long edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
include a number of letters from edward fitzgerald to joseph fletcher or “posh,” not hitherto published
by JAMES BLYTH
with sixteen illustrations
LONDON JOHN LONG NORRIS STREET, HAYMARKET mcmviii
Copyright by John Long, 1908 All Rights Reserved
to W. ALDIS WRIGHT, Esq., M.A. vice-master of trinity college, cambridge i dedicate this sketch with most sincere thanks for his invaluable assistance in connection therewith and for his permission to print the letters of edward fitzgerald which are now published for the first time
JAS. BLYTH
March , 1908
There can be no better foreword to this little sketch of one of the phases of Edward FitzGerald’s life than the following letter, written to Thomas Carlyle in 1870, which was generously placed at my disposal by Dr. Aldis Wright while I was giving the sketch its final revision for the press. The portrait referred to in the letter is no doubt that reproduced as the photograph of 1870.
“Dear Carlyle, “Your ‘Heroes’ put me up to sending you one of mine—neither Prince, Poet, or Man of Letters, but Captain of a Lowestoft Lugger, and endowed with all the Qualities of Soul and Body to make him Leader of many more men than he has under him. Being unused to sitting for his portrait, he looks a little sheepish—and the Man is a Lamb with Wife, Children, and dumber Animals. But when the proper time comes—abroad—at sea or on shore—then it is quite another matter. And I know no one of sounder sense, and grander Manners, in whatever Company. But I shall not say any more; for I should only set you against him; and you will see all without my telling you and not be bored. So least said soonest mended, and I make my bow once more and remain your “Humble Reader, “E. FG.”