“It is very kind of you to tell me good tidings of my story. Believe me, I am far more anxious for you than for myself.”
To Dr Burbidge.
“Wednesday, Oct. 21,1863.
“I only send you so much of my proof as will make the eighth part in publication (la suite en prochain numéro). I detained it to make certain corrections, by which you will see I am less an ass than a first reading might have persuaded you to believe.
“Blackwood writes to me very favourably; he holds much to the secrecy as to the authorship, and has not even told Aytoun, his most intimate friend.
“With all the bonne volonté in the world, I cannot work. I can no more do it than I could walk with a broken leg. It is not that the thing is difficult, it is impossible.
“I am right well pleased with our success at Church matters—that is, that we have done all that so narrow an atmosphere admits of, and will conquer fresh worlds when they are discovered.
“Are there any English ships in the Gulf? or is there anything consular asked for or wished for?”
To Mr John Blackwood.
“Casa Capponi, Florence, Nov. 7, 1863.