I thought you might be interested in this, as you have no doubt been interested in the case. They had a great respect for the unfortunate Captain's character, and for his behaviour when the case was hopeless, but they had not the faintest doubt that he lost the ship and those two hundred and odd lives.
Ever affectionately.
Mr. R. M. Ross.[78]
Gad's Hill Place, Higham by Rochester, Kent,
Monday, 19th February, 1866.
Dear Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging letter enclosing a copy of the Resolution passed by the members of the St. George Club on my last past birthday. Do me the kindness to assure those friends of mine that I am touched to the heart by their affectionate remembrance, and that I highly esteem it. To have established such relations with readers of my books is a great happiness to me, and one that I hope never to forfeit by being otherwise than manfully and truly in earnest in my vocation.
I am, dear sir,
Your faithful servant.
Mr. R. Browning.
6, Southwick Place, Hyde Park,
Monday, 12th March, 1866.
My dear Browning,[79]