I am,
My dear Sir George,
Yours truly,
John Pearse.”
Then follows a copy of the enclosure from Captain Morris of the Life Guards, who, it may be remarked, was a well-known politician and popular song-writer, and a boon companion of the wits at Brooks. His portrait, engraved by Greatbach, is given in an early volume of “Bentley’s Miscellany,” and another portrait, painted by James Lonsdale, was recently acquired by the National Portrait Gallery, London.
“No. 1 Thornhaugh St.
Bedford Sq.
May 29, 1829.
My dear Sir,—Looking in my Scrap Book to-day, I find a few Stanzas, on my deathless Passion for my first love, written in my latter days, and as such an extraordinary and singular coincidence on that subject occurred at your table on Wednesday, I take the liberty of enclosing them to you, the more so as Lady Sidmouth is a correspondent, and perhaps might have no objection to honour them with a perusal; if you think so, and will let her Ladyship see them, I beg permission to commit them to your care, and I remain,
My dear Sir,
Most gratefully and faithfully
Yours,
Chas. Morris.”
“I beg leave to add that it is sixty-eight years since I lived in Carlisle with my Father and mother. Lady Clark will of course have no recollection of my Boyish adoration, but to recall it, if possible, to her memory, I would wish her to know that it is Chas. Morris, son of Col. Morris, of the 17th Regt., who lived with my mother at Carlisle, and with whom Lady Clark and the Dacre Family were acquainted.”
Then follows the brave old jingle of rhyme which the ever-faithful lover had made in praise of his lady:—
“Though years have spread around my Head
The sober Veil of Reason,
To close in Night sweet Fancy’s light,