[152] Reliquiæ Antiquæ, i. 233.
[155] An old woman at Wherstead in whom FitzGerald took great interest. She died early in March 1844, at the age of 84.
[157] The Rector of Boulge.
[159] His parrot.
[161] W. Cookson, M.D, of Lincoln died 12 April 1844.
[166] Note by E. F. G.—Also, bottle-brown: in general all bottled things are not so fresh coloured as before they were put in. A gherkin loses considerably in freshness. The great triumph of a housekeeper is when her guests say, ‘Why, are these really bottled gooseberries! They look like fresh, etc.’
[174a] The MS. of this has been preserved.
[174b] To the Rev. Francis de Soyres.
[181] On the 26th of October, Carlyle wrote to FitzGerald:
‘One day we had Alfred Tennyson here; an unforgettable day. He staid with us till late; forgot his stick: we dismissed him with Macpherson’s Farewell. Macpherson (see Burns) was a Highland robber; he played that Tune, of his own composition, on his way to the gallows; asked, “If in all that crowd the Macpherson had any clansman?” holding up the fiddle that he might bequeath it to some one. “Any kinsman, any soul that wished him well?” Nothing answered, nothing durst answer. He crushed the fiddle under his foot, and sprang off. The Tune is rough as hemp, but strong as a lion. I never hear it without something of emotion,—poor Macpherson; tho’ the Artist hates to play it. Alfred’s dark face grew darker, and I saw his lip slightly quivering!’