I have been some while intending to send you a few lines, to report my
continued existence, to thank you for the Papers, which I and my dear old
Crabbe read and mark, and to tell you I was much pleased with Laurence's
sketch of you, which he exhibited to me in a transitory way some weeks
ago. Has he been to Bury again? To Sir H. Bunbury's?
I am packing up my mind by degrees to move away from here on a round of
visits: and will give you a look at Bury if you like it. I am really
frightened that it is a whole year since I have seen you: and we but two
hours asunder! I know it is not want of will on my part: though you may
wonder what other want detains me; but you will believe me when I say it
is not want of will. You are too busy to come here: where indeed is
nothing to come for. I wished for Charles last Monday: for people came
to shoot the three brace of pheasants inhabiting these woods: had I
remembered the first of October, I would have let him know. Otherwise, I
am afraid to invite the young, whom I cannot entertain.
H. Groome came over and dined with me on Wednesday: and Crabbe came to
meet him; but the latter had no hearty smoker to keep him in countenance,
and was not quite comfortable. H. Groome improves: his poetical and
etymological ambitions begin to pale away before years that bring the
philosophic mind, and before a rising family.
I liked your Articles on Pepys much. How go on the Norfolk worthies? I
see by your review that you are now ripe to write them at your ease:
which means (in a work of that kind) successfully.
_To F. Tennyson_.
[BOULGE], _Decr_. 31/50.