Here, after a good deal of bothering to improve it, above all to abridge
it, is the proposed Inscription for the Pillar at Naseby. You need not
scruple a moment to make any change that strikes you; I am well aware it
is good for nothing except its practical object, and that I have no skill
in lapidary literature.
The worst thing will be, discovering the _date_ of your Naseby diggings.
I ought to have it here; and probably I have,--in some remote dusty
trunk, whither it is a terror to go looking for it! Try you what you
can, and the Naseby Farmer too (if he is still extant); then I will try.
At worst we can say 'Ten years ago'; but the exact date would be better.
The figure of the stone ought to be of Egyptian simplicity: a broadish
parallelopipedon (or rather _octaedron_; the _corners_ well chamfered
off, to avoid breakages, will make it 8-faced, I think); in the substance
of the stone there is one quality to be looked for, durability; and the
letters ought to be cut deep,--and by no means in lapidary _lines_
(attend to that!), but simply like _two verses of the Bible_, so that he
who runs may read. I rather like the _Siste Viator_,--yet will let you
blot it out,--it is as applicable as to any Roman Tomb, and more so than
to ours, which are in enclosed places, where any 'Traveller,' if he
either 'stop' or go, will presently have the constable upon him. This is
all I have to say about the stone; and I recommend that it be now done
straightway, before you quit hold of that troublesome locality.
I find I must not promise to myself to go thither with you; alas, nor at
all. I cannot get to sleep again since I came out of Suffolk: the
stillness of Farlingay is unattainable in Chelsea for a _second_ sleep,
so I have to be content with the first, which is oftenest about 5 hours,
and a very poor allowance for the afflicted son of Adam. I feel
privately confident I _have_ got good by my Suffolk visit, and by all the
kindness of my beneficent brother mortals to me there: but in the
meanwhile it has 'stirred up a good deal of bile,' I suppose; and we must
wait.
London is utterly vacant to me, of all but noises from Cremorne and such
sources: there is not in Britain a better place for work than this
Garret, if one had strength or heart for fronting work to any purpose. I
try a little, but mostly with very small result.
If you know _Glyde_ of Ipswich, and can understand him to be really worth
subscribing for, pray put down your name and mine, as a bit of duty; if
not, not,--and burn his letter.
I send the heartiest thanks, and remembrances to kind Mrs. Smith, and all
the industrious Harvesters; also to Papa and the young lady at
Bredfield:--as I well may!--I recommend myself to your prayers; and hope
to come again, if I live, when you have set your own house in order.
Yours, dear F., with true regards,