Although he never wrote anything in the dramatic line, he once wrote a prologue for some private theatricals, which was to be spoken by Miss Hatch and her brother. This prologue is reproduced in facsimile on the preceding page.
Miss Hatch has also sent me a charade (reproduced on pp. [108-10]) which he wrote for her, and illustrated with some of his funny drawings.
I have one more letter, the last, which, as it mentions the book “Sylvie and Bruno,” I will give now.
“Christ Church,
“May 16, ’90.
“Dearest Isa,—I had this (‘this’ was ‘Sylvie and Bruno’) bound for you when the book first came out, and it’s been waiting here ever since Dec. 17, for I really didn’t dare to send it across the Atlantic—the whales are so inconsiderate. They’d have been sure to want to borrow it to show to the little whales, quite forgetting that the salt water would be sure to spoil it.
“Also, I’ve only been waiting for you to get back to send Emsie the ‘Nursery Alice.’ I give it to the youngest in a family generally; but I’ve given one to Maggie as well, because she travels about so much, and I thought she would like to have one to take with her. I hope Nellie’s eyes won’t get quite green with jealousy, at two (indeed three!) of her sisters getting presents, and nothing for her! I’ve nothing but my love to send her to-day: but she shall have something some day.—Ever your loving
“Uncle Charles.”