D.
4 York Buildings, Chelsea.
? May 1845.
My dear Signor Rossetti,
We have decided to have on an early day in June a concert for the benefit of the school; Pistrucci, I suppose, will give you all the particulars of the project, or I will give them myself. You will then see how far and in what way you may be able to aid towards a good result. But meanwhile I have to beg you urgently for one thing. I have a letter of introduction to Miss Kemble,[95] and I want to request her to sing: singing for a school is quite a different thing from singing in a theatre. I know that she at one time asked Giannone[96] for a letter to you, and that you saw her. I don’t know on what terms you have remained with her, but, knowing you, I presume good terms. Could you add a letter to the one which I hold? or could you join me in a visit? or, if nothing else, write to her on your own part?—and, in this last case, on Monday or Tuesday. Thus assailed at one moment from two sides, she would perhaps surrender.
Whatever you decide, please oblige me with a couple of words in reply, and with the lady’s present address,[97] if you can give this.
Wish me well, and believe me
Your very affectionate
Giuseppe Mazzini.