A heap half a foot high of unanswered letters pouring and tottering
across the table must pour and fall as they will, while I just say how
thankful I am for yours always, and how, to-day, I must leave letters,
books and all to work on that lovely Trientalis which Mary sent me. It
has a peculiar set of trine leaves which Linnaeus noticed and named it
for--modern botanists have no notion of it.
I think both Mary and you will be deeply interested in seeing it
worked out. I've been at it since seven o'clock.
Yes, if I had known you were in the garden! Alas--one never can know
what one wants to--I was all that afternoon seeing the blacksmith make
a chopper!
* * * * *
BROADLANDS, ROMSEY,
_15th October_ (1875).
I was very thankful for your letter this morning--having heard you
were unwell and being a little despondent myself--more than of
late--an Italian nobleman is here who cares for nothing but shooting,
and everybody thinks it perfectly right!
It is a great joy to me that you find so much in the "Stones of
Venice"--I hope that book is worth the time it took me to write it,
every year of youth seems to me in looking back, now so precious.
How very strange I should give you _quietness_, myself being always
disquieted in heart--a Ghost of poor Samuel--helpless--in sight of
ruining Israel.
To think of the difference between these two scenes,--Samuel at his
feast sending the prepared portion to the expected Saul.
And Samuel the Ghost--with his message.
Well--this is a cheering letter to send my poor Susie. It's all that
Italian Duke.
* * * * *