“Excuse this long story which is partly suggested by your kind letter. I hope you will enjoy Rome. With sincere regard,
“Believe me, yours truly,
“B. Jowett.”
“Rev. Benjamin Jowett to Miss Cobbe.
“Coll. de Ball., Oxon,
“February 24th, 1865.
“My Dear Miss Cobbe,
“I write to thank you for your very kind note. I am much more pleased at the rejoicings of my friends than at the result which has been so long delayed as to be almost indifferent to me. I used to be annoyed at feeling that I was such a bad example to young men, because they saw, as they were intended to see, that unless they concealed their opinions they would suffer. I hope they will have more cheerful prospects now.
“I trust that some day I shall be able to write something more on Theology. But the Plato has proved an enormous work, having expanded into a sort of translation of the whole of the Dialogues. I believe this will be finished and printed about Christmas, but not before.
“I have been sorry to hear of your continued illness. When I come to London I shall hope to look in upon you in Hereford Square.