I don't know which of us is most to blame for this long gulph of silence.
Probably I; who have least to do. I have been for two months to London;
where (had I thought it of any use) I should have written to try and get
you up for a few days; as I had a convenient lodging, and many beside
myself would have been glad to see you.
I came back a week ago; and on looking in at Barton's last evening he
showed me your letter with such pleasure as he is wont to receive your
letters with. And there I read all the surprising story of your moving
to old Bury. When I passed through Cambridge two months ago, Thompson
said (I think) that he had seen you; and that you had given up thoughts
of Bury. But now you are going. As you say, you will then be nearer to
us than you now are at Mattishall; especially when our Railroad shall be
completed. In my journeys to and from Bedfordshire, I shall hope to stay
a night at the good old Angel, and so have a chat with you.
I saw very little of Spedding in London; for he was out all day at State
paper offices and Museums; and I out by night at Operas, etc., with my
Mother. He is however well and immutable. A. Tennyson was in London;
for two months striving to spread his wings to Italy or Switzerland. It
has ended in his flying to the Isle of Wight till Autumn, when Moxon
promises to convoy him over; and then God knows what will become of him
and whether we shall ever see his august old body over here again. He
was in a ricketty state of body; brought on wholly by neglect, etc., but
in fair spirits; and one had the comfort of seeing the Great Man. Carlyle
goes on fretting and maddening as usual. Have you read his Cromwell? Are
you converted, or did you ever need conversion? I believe I remain
pretty much where I was. I think Milton, who is the best evidence
Cromwell has in his favour, warns him somewhat prophetically at the end
of his Second Defence against taking on him Kingship, etc., and in the
tract on the State of England in 1660 (just before it was determined to
bring back Charles the Second) he says _nothing at all_ of Cromwell, no
panegyric; but glances at the evil ambitious men in the Army have done;
and, now that all is open to choose, prays for a pure Republic! So I
herd with the flunkies and lackies, I doubt; but am yours
notwithstanding,