I used to think what a deep current of melancholy was under your Mother’s Humour. Not ‘under,’ neither: for it came up as naturally to the surface as her Humour. My mother always said that one great charm in her was, her Naturalness.
If you read to your Company, pray do you ever read the Scene in the ‘Spanish Tragedy’ quoted in C. Lamb’s Specimens—such a Scene as (not being in Verse, and quite familiar talk) I cannot help reading to my Guests—very few and far between—I mean by ‘I,’ one who has no gift at all for reading except the feeling of a few things: and I can’t help stumbling upon Tears in this. Nobody knows who wrote this one scene: it was thought Ben Jonson, who could no more have written it than I who read it: for what else of his is it like? Whereas, Webster one fancies might have done it. It is not likely that you do not know this wonderful bit: but, if you have it not by heart almost, look for it again at once, and make others do so by reading to them.
The enclosed Note from Mowbray D[onne] was the occasion of my writing thus directly to you. And yet I have spoken ‘de omnibus other rebus’ first. But I venture to think that your feeling on the subject will be pretty much like my own, and so, no use in talking.
Now, if I could send you part of what I am now packing up for some Woodbridge People—some—some—Saffron Buns!—for which this Place is notable from the first day of Lent till Easter—A little Hamper of these!
Now, my dear Mrs. Kemble, do consider this letter of mine as an Answer to yours—your two—else I shall be really frightened at making you write so often to yours always and sincerely
E. F.G.
XXV.
Lowestoft, March 11/75.
Dear Mrs. Kemble,
I am really ashamed that you should apologize for asking me a Copy of Calderon, etc. [64a] I had about a hundred Copies of all those things printed when printed: and have not had a hundred friends to give them to—poor Souls!—and am very well pleased to give to any one who likes—especially any Friend of yours. I think however that your reading of them has gone most way to make your Lady ask. But, be that as it may, I will send you a Copy directly I return to my own Château, which I mean to do when the Daffodils have taken the winds of March. [64b]