Ville des Moulineaux, Boulogne,
Wednesday, 9th July, 1856.
My dear Stone,
I have got a capital part for you in the farce,[66] not a difficult one to learn, as you never say anything but "Yes" and "No." You are called in the dramatis personæ an able-bodied British seaman, and you are never seen by mortal eye to do anything (except inopportunely producing a mop) but stand about the deck of the boat in everybody's way, with your hair immensely touzled, one brace on, your hands in your pockets, and the bottoms of your trousers tucked up. Yet you are inextricably connected with the plot, and are the man whom everybody is inquiring after. I think it is a very whimsical idea and extremely droll. It made me laugh heartily when I jotted it all down yesterday.
Loves from all my house to all yours.
Ever affectionately.
1857.
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton.
Tavistock House, Wednesday, 28th January, 1857.
My dear Bulwer,