‘What cheer?’ This is what we nautical Men shout to one another as we pass in our Ships. The Answer is generally only an Echo; but you will have to tell me something more. I find it rather disgusting to set you an example by telling of my Doings; for it is always the same thing over and over again. I doubt this will put an End to even Letters at last: I mean, on my part. You have others beside yourself to tell of; you go abroad, too; deliver charges, etc.
Well, however, I had better say that I have been for the last four months going about in my little Ship as in former years, and now am about to lay up her, and myself, for the Winter. The only Friend I hear from is Donne, who volunteers a Letter unprovoked sometimes. Old Spedding gives an unwilling Reply about thrice in two years. You speak when spoken to; so does Thompson, in general: I shall soon ask of him what he has been doing this Summer.
I have been reading in my Boat—Virgil, Juvenal, and Wesley’s Journal. Do you know the last? one of the most interesting Books, I think, in the Language. It is curious to think of his Diary extending over nearly the same time as Walpole’s Letters, which, you know, are a sort of Diary. What two different Lives, Pursuits, and Topics! The other day I was sitting in a Garden at Lowestoft in which Wesley had preached his first Sermon there: the Wall he set his Back against yet standing. About 1790 [292a] Crabbe, the Poet, went to hear him; he was helped into the Pulpit by two Deacons, and quoted—
‘By the Women oft I’m told,
Poor Anacreon, thou grow’st old, etc.’ [292b]
So I have heard my George Crabbe tell: who has told it also in his very capital Memoir of his Father. [292c]
Sheet full. Kind Regards to Madame and Young Folks. Ever yours,
E. F. G.
To T. Carlyle.
Rectory, Bredfield, Woodbridge.
Dear Carlyle,