[Not signed.]
Lady Hester Stanhope to Dr. M.
Jôon, March 11, 1839.
I send you something to get put into a newspaper: I think it is not bad. Some day, I shall write a manifesto, which will be superb, and open people’s eyes in all directions. * * * * *
I would have sent you Sir William Knighton’s work; but I suppose you can get it where you are, and it would not amuse you: it speaks of nothing but common-place things. He has kept only—or, at least, they have published only—formal letters, and which throw little light on anything.
Miss Pardoe is very excellent upon many subjects; only there is too much of what the English like—stars, winds, black shades, soft sounds, &c. The Arabic story you ask me for, I have already dictated to the prince. I know many others; but they are too long. Are you going to write a book?
I believe your eyes and ears will be opened too late. You will then see, to your cost, that admonitions (called scoldings) were the highest compliment I could pay a man in your situation, by endeavouring to raise his mind to the altitude necessary to exist (one may say) in a wreck of worlds. If you were so uneasy at Jôon, how will your nerves bear what you will be doomed to see? but, when this time comes, no more advice from me to you or any one: let all pick their way, and abide by the consequences. Words are nothing: the hearts of men must be cleansed of all the vain idle stuff they now cherish as a sort of safeguard or escape-boat to evils of all kind. If the naked savage, who has the feelings of a man, is not in high favour with the Almighty, and placed in a higher situation (if he continues to do his duty) than the educated mylord, the pedant, the gentleman, as it is called, without either conscience, talent, or money, I know nothing; and you may reproach me hereafter in the harshest possible terms.