One should be very much gratified at being remembered so long with _any_
kindness: and how much more gratified with so kind Remembrances as yours!
I may safely say that I too remember you and my Freestone days of five
and twenty years ago with a particular regard; I have been telling my
Nieces at the Breakfast Table this morning, after I read your letter, how
I remembered you sitting in the '_Schoolroom_'--too much sheltered with
Trees--with a large Watch open before you--your Sister too, with her
light hair and China-rose Complexion--too delicate!--your Father, your
Mother, your Brother--of whom (your Brother) I caught a glimpse in London
two years ago. And all the _Place_ at Freestone--I can walk about it as
I lie awake here, and see the very yellow flowers in the fields, and hear
that distant sound of explosion in some distant Quarry. The coast at
Bosherston one could never forget once seen, even if it had no domestic
kindness to frame its Memory in. I might have profited more of those
good Days than I did; but it is not my Talent to take the Tide at its
flow; and so all goes to worse than waste!
But it is ungracious to talk of oneself--except so far as shall answer
some points you touch on. It would in many respects be very delightful
to me to walk again with you over those old Places; in other respects
sad:--but the pleasure would have the upper hand if one had not again to
leave it all and plunge back again. I dare not go to Wales now.
I owe to Tenby the chance acquaintance of another Person who now from
that hour remains one of my very best Friends. A Lad--then just 16--whom
I met on board the Packet from Bristol: and next morning at the Boarding
House--apt then to appear with a little _chalk_ on the edge of his Cheek
from a touch of the Billiard Table Cue--and now a man of 40--Farmer,
Magistrate, Militia Officer--Father of a Family--of more use in a week
than I in my Life long. You too have six sons, your Letter tells me.
They may do worse than do as well as he I have spoken of, though he too
has sown some wild oats, and paid for doing so.
_My_ family consists of some eight Nieces here, whom I have seen, all of
them, from their Birth upwards--perfectly good, simple, and well-bred,
women and girls; varying in disposition but all agreed among themselves
and to do what they can in a small Sphere. They go about in the Village
here with some consolation both for Body and Mind for the Poor, and have
no desire for the Opera, nor for the Fine Folks and fine Dresses there.
There is however some melancholy in the Blood of some of them--but none
that mars any happiness but their own: and that but so slightly as one
should expect when there was no Fault, and no Remorse, to embitter it!
You will perhaps be as well entertained with this poor familiar news as
any I could tell you. As to public matters, I scarcely meddle with them,
and don't know what to think of India except that it is very terrible. I
always think a Nation with great Estates is like a Man with them:--more
trouble than Profit: I would only have a _Competence_ for my Country as
for myself. Two of my very dearest Friends went but last year to
Calcutta:--he as Professor at the Presidency College there: and now he
has to shoulder a musket, I believe, as well as deliver a Lecture. You
and yours are safe at home, I am glad to think.
Please to remember me to all whom I have shaken hands with, and make my
kind Regards to those of your Party I have not yet seen. I am sure all
_would be_ as kind to me as others who bear the name of Allen _have
been_.
Once more--thank you thank you for your kindness; and believe me yours as
ever very truly,