not favourable to the man with the notebook; however, I shall settle something this next week.
Heavitree, Oct. 10, 1843.
While you have been up to your middle in No. 6548, I have been boating and catching mackerel at Weymouth, eating Portland mutton, and dreaming of George III. Now the falling leaf has warned us to see the warm household and penates. The Domus has been painted, and a new wing added, which is not paid for. The placens uxor is well and much improved by sea air; the chiquilla is in stupendous force, and rejoicing in a new hoop.
We shall have the railroad open to this place next May, and then you and Madame might run down and rusticate here amid the myrtles and forget Downing Street. I was rather idle at Weymouth; ’tis the quality of a watering-place; but now I am simmering and resimmering at Handbook; which although done, waits the imprimatur of Murray. The times are out of joint as regards Spanish travelling. I met a man yesterday at dinner just returned from a tour in Spain. Nothing can exceed the dilapidation and demoralisation. This new outbreak has come like the war after Ferdinand VII.’s death, to blight the improvements which quiet was producing. That French influence and Christina gold effected the matter, no one doubts in Spain. The French are hated and the English not unpopular.
Borrow writes me word that his life is nearly ready, and that it will run the Bible hull down. If he tells truth, it will be a queer thing. I shall review it for the Edinburgh. There is nothing new here; the harvest has been splendid, and there is cider enough to make the country drunk. The farmers are in better spirits; if the Government did but know their strength and act, all would go well, but the house is on fire in many places, and not a bucket moved: Vaya! vaya! il faut cultiver son jardin.
Heavitree, Dec. 28th, 1843.
We are all here, pursuing the same uniform vegetable existence for which Devonians are renowned, and none the worse for the routine. It has been somewhat varied by my bringing out two Daughters, which, in point of satin slips, ball flounces, and trimmed nightcaps, is nearly equivalent to a marriage trousseau. The bills, combined with those of Eton, have reduced my Irish 5 per cents. to almost an unknown quantity. Such is the perverse tendency of expenditure to advance in a more rapid ratio than increase of income. Ireland just now seems quiet; so is Vesuvius. If Dan carries the day, I shall be shot up, or rather be shot down, light as the scoriæ by which Pompeii was covered over; but I have no fears whatever.
Handbook is about to be printed. All these civil wars in Spain are not very attractive to the wayfaring man, who purchases in Albemarle Street; but I dare swear that ere April the goodly tomes—now two—will decorate Murray’s shop. The task has indeed been severe, yet a serious pleasure, a great occupation,—somewhat indeed too much, as the mind ought not to be kept on a perpetual strain. I shall “couper mon bâton” and pen; when it is done, his artem cestumque repono.
Asi va el mundo. I am lamenting over the silent and rapid flight, and the desengaño of all things. It is lucky that there is no San Yuste in this Protestant land, or (as one, now en la gloria esta, used to say) I might be tempted to turn hermit and count my beads. What a charming place after all Sⁿ Yuste was! and what capital trout fishing!
Oulton Hall, Lowestoft, 26 Jan. /44.