“Yours faithfully,
“John Leech.”
One of Mr. Adams’ daughters, Charlotte, surnamed Chatty—then a small child, now a lady whose age is borne so well as to make it difficult to believe that she lived so long ago as 1850—whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making the other day, told me of her frequent visits to the Leeches, and of the never-ceasing care and tenderness of Leech.
In a letter from Broadstairs, written in the autumn of 1850 to Mr. Adams, Leech says:
“You will be glad to hear that Chatty is as well as possible, and is now going to have a long day’s work (!) on the sands.”
Again, after a good deal of horsy talk:
“Mrs. Leech and Chatty with her will return for good to Notting Hill on Saturday, when we shall be glad to have her with us as long as you can spare her. Apropos of dear Chatty, I am sure her mamma will be glad to hear that she has been uninterruptedly cheerful and well, and has certainly proved herself one of the best-tempered, best-hearted little creatures possible. She desires me to send you all her best love and kisses....
“Ever faithfully,
“J. L.”