Your letter has given me infinite pleasure....
Athens must be a delightful residence at this time of year, especially if there are no “cold snaps,” against which I fear that the modern Athenians are no better provided than their ancestors were. There is a very amusing letter in Alisplorn’s epistles, describing the sufferings of a poor parasite in a hard winter. You seem to have very charming society. The name of Bikelas is well known to me, but I am not much versed in Roman literature. The history of Paparrhegopoulos has been a good deal noticed here of late. It seems to be a really classical work. By producing such the Greeks will indicate their claim to a high position in the European family, until the time has come for action, which apparently has not come yet.
I quite agree in the conclusion at which they seem to have arrived that it is better to have the Turks in Constantinople than the Bulgarians, much more the Russians. If either of their victims once occupy it, the rightful possessors will be forever excluded.
I have not wanted for literary occupations—one a little work of fancy which I am about finishing, and of which you will hear more. Then I have a story to translate from the Portuguese, published in the Venture; an edition of Browning’s preface to Shelley’s forged letters, with an introduction by me, and the second volume of English literature in conjunction with Gosse, which has been these six weeks ready for issue but delayed from time to time to suit the Americans. It is now positively announced for the 31st.
With kindest regards to Mrs. Sharp, who I hope finds Attica entirely to her taste,
I am, dear Sharp,
Very sincerely yours,
R. Garnett.
Derwen,
Hermitage Lane, N. W.,