Thank you over and over again for your letter. The last packet with
sketches, etc., came all safe yesterday: and Carlyle is much pleased. We
may say that Winsby Field is exhausted now. I should like however to
have some sketch of the _relics_: the shape of the stone jugs: their size
specified. The _helmet_ could be identified with the military fashion of
some reign, as represented in prints, pictures, etc. But on the whole,
the Allenbys have done capitally: and so have you: and so have I: and so
I hope will Carlyle one day. He begs seriously to thank you and the
Allenbys.
He was much distressed at Dr. Cookson's death: {161} and said how he
should feel it when he came to think of it alone. Such is the man: he
will call all the wits in London dilettanti, etc., but let a poor fellow
die, and the Scotch heart flows forth in tears.
If any one can be found to do half as much for Gainsborough (which was an
important battle) as has been done for Winsby, why, the Lincolnshire
campaign will be handsomely reported. At Grantham there is no such great
interest, it appears.
I hope to get out of London to my poor old Boulge next week. I have seen
all my friends so as to satisfy them that I am a duller country fellow
than I was, and so we shall part without heart-breaking on either side.
It is partly one's fault not to be up to the London mark: but as there is
a million of persons in the land fully up to it, one has the less call to
repent in that respect. I confess that Mr. Reynolds is a better sight to
me than old rouged Lady Morgan and all such.
I hope it will not be long before I visit you at Bramford. In the mean
while believe me with best regards to all your family, yours ever very
truly,