. . . I rejoice in your telling me what you think; or I should rejoice if
these books were of importance enough to require honest advice. I think
you may be very right about the length of the Preface; {273} that I do
not think you right about the reasoning of it you may suppose by my ever
printing it. It is to show _why_ Books of that kind are dull: what sort
of writers ought to be quoted, etc.; proverbial writers: and what
constitutes proverbiality, etc. Well, enough of it all: I am glad you
like it on the whole. As to Euphranor I do wish him not to die yet: and
am gratified you think him worthy to survive a little longer. That is a
good cause, let my treatment of it be as it will.
I and Drew sat up at your Father's till 3 (a.m.) last Tuesday: at the old
affair of Calvinism, etc. It amuses them: else one would think it odd
they did not see how they keep on fighting with Shadows, and slaying the
slain.
I am really going next week from home, towards that famous expedition to
Shropshire {274} which I mean to perform one day. I write after walking
to Woodbridge: and hear that Mr. Cana has called in my absence to
announce that 'the Hall' is let; to a Mr. Cobbold, from Saxmundham, I
think, who has a farm at Sutton. I met Tom (_young_ Tom) Churchyard in
Woodbridge, who tells me he is going to America on Monday! He makes less
fuss about it than I do about going to Shropshire.
HAM, _June_ 2/52.