2 Fenny Street, Higher Broughton, Manchester
28 December, 1847
Dear Carlyle,--I am concerned to discover that Margaret Fuller in
the letter which you forwarded prays me to ask you and Mrs.
Carlyle respecting the Count and Countess Pepoli, who are in Rome
for the winter, whether they would be good for her to know?--That
is pretty nearly the form of her question. As one third of the
winter is gone, and one half will be, before her question can be
answered, I fear, it will have lost some of its pertinence.
Well, it will serve as a token to pass between us, which will
please me if it do not Margaret.--I have had nothing to send you
tidings of. Yet I get the best accounts from home of wife and
babes and friends. I am seeing this England more thoroughly than
I had thought was possible to me. I find this lecturing a key
which opens all doors. I have received everywhere the kindest
hospitality from a great variety of persons. I see many
intelligent and well-informed persons, and some fine geniuses. I
have every day a better opinion of the English, who are a very
handsome and satisfactory race of men, and, in the point of
material performance, altogether incomparable. I have made some
vain attempts to end my lectures, but must go on a little longer.
With kindest regards to the Lady Jane,
Your friend,
R.W.E.
Margaret Fuller's address, if anything is to be written, is, Care
of Maquay, Pakenham & Co., Rome.