Mr. John Poole.
Devonshire Terrace, Tuesday Night, Christmas Eve, 1850.
My dear Poole,
On the Sunday when I last saw you, I went straight to Lord John's with the letter you read. He was out of town, and I left it with my card.
On the following Wednesday I received a note from him, saying that he did not bear in mind exactly what I had told him of you before, and asking me to tell it again. I immediately replied, of course, and gave him an exact description of you and your condition, and your way of life in Paris and everything else; a perfect diorama in little, with you pervading it. To-day I got a letter from him, announcing that you have a pension of a hundred a year! of which I heartily wish you joy.
He says: "I am happy to say that the Queen has approved of a pension of one hundred pounds a year to Mr. Poole.
"The Queen, in her gracious answer, informs me that she meant to have mentioned Mr. Poole to me, and that she had wished to place him in the Charter House, but found the society there was not such as he could associate with.
"Be so good as to inform Mr. Poole that directions are given for his pension, which will date from the end of June last."
I have lost no time in answering this, but you must brace up your energies to write him a short note too, and another for the Queen.
If you are in Paris, shall I ascertain what authority I shall need from you to receive the half-year, which I suppose will be shortly due? I can receive it as usual.