Well: I was pleased with some other Papers in your Magazine: as those on V. Hugo, [85a] and Tennyson’s Queen Mary: [85b] I doubt not that Criticism on English Writers is likely to be more impartial over the Atlantic, and not biassed by Clubs, Coteries, etc. I always say that we in the Country are safer Judges than those of even better Wits in London: not being prejudiced so much, whether by personal acquaintance,
or party, or Fashion. I see that Professor Wilson said much the same thing to Willis forty years ago.
I have written to Donne to tell him of your Papers, and that I will send him my Copies if he cannot get them. Mowbray wrote me word that his Father, who has bought the house in Weymouth Street, was now about returning to it, after some Alterations made. Mowbray talks of paying me a little Visit here—he and his Wife—at the End of this month:—when what Good Looks we have will all be gone.
Farewell for the present; I count on your Gossip: and believe me (what it serves to make me feel more vividly)
Your sincere old Friend
E. F.G.
XXXIV.
[Nov. 1875.]
Dear Mrs. Kemble,
The Mowbray Donnes have been staying some days [86] with me—very pleasantly. Of course I got them to tell me of the fine things in London: among the rest, the Artists whose Photos they sent me, and I here enclose. The Lady, they tell me—(Spedding’s present Idol)—is better than her Portrait—which would not have so enamoured Bassanio. Irving’s, they say, is flattered. But ’tis a handsome face, surely; and one that should do for Hamlet—if it were not for that large Ear—do you notice? I
was tempted to send it to you, because it reminds me of some of your Family: your Father, most of all, as Harlowe has painted him in that famous Picture of the Trial Scene. [87a] It is odd to me that the fine Engraving from that Picture—once so frequent—is scarce seen now: it has seemed strange to me to meet People who never even heard of it.