Works, comic and serious, in prose and verse, with all the original illustrations

Front matter

fyxmW Winmxmi^ Jitotig

BOUGHT WITH THB INCOME FROM THE

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Contents

PAOIt

[Continued.']

The Sausage Maker's Ghost . . ,

Appendix

Theatricals ...... 549

Covent Garden .

Benefits

Covent Garden

American Theatricals

Pasta's Media

The Dog of Drury Lane

Velluti .

VauxhaU .

Wrench .

Surrey Theatre .

An Imaginary First Night

To Miss Kelly .

Hot Weather at the Play

Hints to Paul Pry

PEEFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.

Some years have elapsed since the appearance of the fii'st edition of the Memorials of Thomas Hood. The rapidity with ■which that edition was exhausted might perhaps be urged as an argument for the earher arrangement of the fresh issue. It was felt, however, that the work, especially in that portion which treated of Hood's earlier life, was incomplete, and that there was a prohabHity of an accession of further materials throwing a light on that period.

The justice of the conjectiire has been proved by the important additions now made to the information about his early career. And if an excuse be needed for the delay in the production of this issue, it will be found in the fact that most interesting details have been supplied, even while the sheets were going through the press.

The abridgment of this edition consists only in the vi PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.

exclusion of passages -wliieh touched on subjects common to letters addressed to different correspondents. Some notes, of no important bearing, have also been omitted. But to balance these curtailments some most characteristis bits have been added.

In order to render the edition complete, views of places that are intimately connected with the Memoir are given : and it is beheved, that there is now little or nothing to be added to this popular record of the hie of a Poet, who is so widely loved by English — and English-speaking — people, as Thomas Hood.

Preface To First Edition

In submitting the following memorials to the public my sister and myself would wish, at the first outset, to warn those, who think to find in them fine biographical writing, that the book is not for them. We have seen too many great men fail in that art, and we feel no desire to emulate them. Our own part in this work is small, being restricted to such explanations and amplifications a^ were necessary to connect the letters, to which we have added, here and there, characteristic anecdotes, to which reference is made in them.

Our language we have endeavoured to render as simple as possible. If, therefore, at any time, it warms into a higher strain, it is solely at the promptings of the heart, and not by artistic design. Indeed, any such trick or premeditation could not have existed at the same time with the feelings called up by a task, how solemn, how sad, and how unutterably absorbing, none can teU, who have not experienced a like sensation of mingled pleasure and pain ; for, although the latter predominate, there is some of the former in the performance of such a labour of love.

Till PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.

It is owing chiefly to this fact that the pubUcation of these volumes has been so long delayed. To iis, to turn over the MSS. for these pages— to consult the letters, wiitten in that well-known, clear hand— was to recall to memory such a flood of recollections of dead joys, of long past sorrows, of gentle, loving deeds and words, that we may well claim to be excused if we were slow in our progress, and lingered somewhat over pages, that were often hidden from us by our tears.

Looking back now on my own emotion, while reading over these memorials, I can scarcely think how I should be so moved after the lapse of fifteen years, and I can fully realise how intensely paiaful must the compilation have been to my sister, who, as the elder, was more intimately connected with, and has a clearer memory of the events chronicled, than I.

We are well aware that there is considerable ground for the popular objection to Biographies, written by relatives ; but we are of opinion, that, in this case, the advantages to be gained by the Editorship of some leading literary man of the day, are more than balanced by the intimate knowledge and understanding we have of all the incidents and acts of our father's life. Although, as will be seen, he numbered among his friends many distinguished writers, they can none of them know, nor could we impart to them our perceptions (if I may use the term) of that inner private life, which gave a stamp to the character his writings claimed for him — that of a benevolent, loving. Christian gentleman.

"We are the better enabled to prepare these memo-

PEEFACE TO FIEST EDITION. ix

rials, because "we were never separated, for any length of time, from our parents, neither of us having been sent to a boarding-school, or in our earlier years confined to that edifying domestic Botany Bay — the Nursery — where children grow up by the pattern of unwatched, uneducated, hired servants.

How our father ever made of us companions, and was ready in return to be our playfellow, will be mentioned elsewhere.

Having then undertaken this "labour of love" ourselves, in preference, with all humility nevertheless, to entrusting it to others, comparative strangers, however distinguished ; we repose, hopefully, on the generosity and consideration of the English people, with whom we have ever found our father's name a passport to the sympathies.

As regards the form and arrangement of these pages, a few words only are necessary. Each Chapter, with the exception of the first, contains the events of a year ; that having appeared to us the most simple and natural division. In the letters we have done our best to omit everything approaching to a repetition. If we have not, altogether, and at aU times, succeeded, we can only plead as an excuse the difiSculties we have had to encounter ; and the same must be said for any passage, which may give unintentional pain to those mentioned in it.

The illustrations consist, in the first place, of two fac-similes ; the one of a sheet of the " Song of the Shirt," as first written out, and the other of the sketch for his own monument di-awn by our father towards r iiEEFACE TO FIEST EDITION.

the close of his last iUness. The remaining vignettes are from sketches rapidly dashed off by him for our amusement. Many of them are from sheets of similar oddities, which jve used to find, to our huge delight, lying on our pillows occasionally of a morning. He had drawn them overnight, before going to rest, after the long hours of his literary labour were done. They may have perhaps too great a value in our eyes, but we have added them to complete the memorials, as indications, however slight, of the untiring humour, and self-forgetful thought for the pleasure of others, which could suggest and create them after the mental and physical labour of a weary night's composition.*

My mother was a fitting companion for such a husband : she shared his struggles, and soothed his sorrow, and was so much a part of his very existence, that latterly he could hardly bear her out of his sight, or write when she was not by him. We have been frequently obliged to omit large portions of his letters to her — it would have been sacrilege to alter them, and we did not feel it right to publish what was intended for her eyes alone — the tender epithets, and the love-tall^ ; so fond, and yet so true. I quote here one passage, as a sample of those, which occur so frequently in the letters.

" I never was anything, dearest, tiU I knew you — and I have been a better, happier, and more prosperous man ever since. Lay by that truth in lavender,

* Another reason for their insertion is, that they -will give a fairer notion of his artistic skill, to which the cuts in the Comic Annuals did hut inadequate justice.

PEEFACE TO FIEST EDITION. xi

sweetest, and remind me of it when I fail. I am writing warmly and fondly ; but not without good cause. First, your own affectionate letter, lately received— next the remembrances of our dear children, pledges — what darling ones ! — of our old familiar love, — then a delicious impulse to pour out the overflowings of my heart into yours ; and last,' not least, the knowledge that your dear eyes will read what my hand is now writing. Perhaps there is an after-thought that, whatever may befal me, the wife of my bosom will have this acknowledgment of her tenderness — worth — excellence — all that is wifely or womanly, from my pen."

Throughout his long illnesses she was his constant nurse, and unwearying companion, nor did she long survive him.

I must not close this preface (although it has alieady exceeded the limits I assigned it), without a grateful reference to Miss Eliza Cook, and the originators and promoters of the movement, which led to the erection of the noble monument to my father in Kensal Green ; a monument which has not its pair in England, whether for the universal subscriptions which raised it, or for the chaste and unique novelty of its design.

From the managers and furtherers of the undertaking, or from the distinguished names on the subscription lists, it would be ungracious and invidious to select any for special notice ; but a similar reason to that, which led me to connect my father's slight sketches with these memorials, induces me to select from the humbler names on the lists such donations as the folxii PEEFACE TO FIEST EDITIOX.

lowing : " trifling sums from Manchester, Preston, Bideford, and Bristol — from a few poor needlewomen — from seven dressmakers — from twelve poor men."

I should be wanting indeed in appreciation of the people's love for my dead father, if I did not (by incorporating them with this work,) endeavour to rescue from oblivion these tokens of the gentle remembrance, by the poor, of the poet

" Who sang the Song of the Shirt."

T. H.

Note. The Vignette on the title-page is a sketch of the arms, which my father used to say he should adopt, if the Queen would give him a, grant — "a heart, pierced with a needle threaded with sUver tears," — the motto, ' ' He Sang the Song of the Shirt. "

The crest was one he selected in jest, quoting Shakespeare — "The ox hath his how, sir ; the horse his curh ; and the falcon her bells ; " BO why shouldn't the Hood have his hawk ?

It is worth noticing that the little silhouettes of Animals, &c., interspersed among the other vignettes, were drawn long before "Punch" appeared with his spirited little black cuts.

CONTENTS.

Chapter I

FAaE Birth and Parentage — His Relations — Apprenticed to his Uncle, an Engraver — (Joes to Scotland for his Health — Letters from Dundee — His Scotch Aunt — ^Assistant Sub-Editor of "The London Magazine" — Acquaintance with the Reynolds Family — "Odes and Addresses "......... 1

Chapter II

He marries Miss Jane Reynolds — Robert Street, Adelphi — ^Birth and Death of first Child—" Whims and Oddities " — " National Tales" — "Plea of the Midsummer Fairies" — "Lamb and Hood " — Mrs. Balmanno's stay at Brighton — Letters to Robert Balmanno, Esq., and Sir Thomas Lawrence — Edits "The Gem" — "Eugene Aram's Dream" — ^Winchmore — Birth of second Daughter; — "The Comic Annual" — Acquaintance with the Duke of Devonshire — Chatsworth Library Door — " Tylney HaU " — Connection with the Stage — Is presented to his Majesty King William IV.— Lake House, Wanstead 28

Chapter III

He is involved in Difficulties by the Failure of a Firm— Birth of only Son — ^Illness of Mrs. Hood — Acquaiutance with Dr. EUiot — Goes to Germany— Nearly lost in the "Lord Melville"— At Rotterdam xiv CONTENTS.

PAGE

— Letters to lis Wife— Joined by her and the Children at Cobleni— Letter from Mrs. Hood to Mrs. Elliot— Acquaintance with Lieutenant de Franck — Letters to Mr. and Mrs. DUke, Mr. Wright, and Lieutenant de Franck 68

Chapter IV

At Coblenz — Letters from Mrs. Hood to Mrs. Elliot — ^Letter to Mr. Dilke — Accompanies the 19th Polish Infantry in their March to Berlin — Letters to his Wife — Returns to Coblenz — Hlness — Letters to Lieut, de Franck, Mr. Wright, and Mr. DUke — Commences " Up the Ehine " 125

Chapter V

At Coblenz — Letters to Mr. Wright, Lieut, de Franck, and Dr. Elliot — Leaves Coblenz — Settles at Ostend — Letters to Mr. Wright, Dr. ElHot, and Mr. DOke 203

Chapter VI

At Ostend — lUness—" Hood's Own" — Mrs. Hood to Mrs., Dilke — Portrait Painted by Mr. Lewis — Letters to Mr. Wright, Lieut, de Franck, and Mr. DUke 241

Chapter VII

At Ostend — ^Visits England for a short time — Letters to Mr. Wright and Lieut, de Franck — Mrs. Hood visits England — Letter to her — Letters to Mr. Dilke and Dr. Elliot—" Up the Ehine " published 271

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VIII. Page

At Ostend — Letters to Dr. Elliot — Goes to England — Is taken seriously ill at Stratford — ^Letters to his Wife — ^Mrs. Hood joins Tiiin at Stratford — Letter to Mi-. Dilke — Returns to Ostend — Final settlement in England, at Camberwell — ^Mrs. Hood to Lieutenant de Pranck — ^Letter to Dr. Elliot — Discovers the misconduct of his Publisher — Commences a law-suit against Tiim — Engaged on The New MontJily — " Miss Eihnansegg " . . 308

Chapter IX

Camberwell— Letter to Dr. and Mrs. EUiot— "Eugene Aram" translated into German — A copy sent to His Eoyal Highness the Prince Consort with a Letter — Letter to Lieutenant de Franck — First Appearance of "Punch" — Call of a "Pious" Lady — "My Tract "—Mrs. Hood to Mrs. Elliot — Letters on the Subject of the "New Monthly" — He is appointed Editor on the Death of Theodore Hook 330

Chapter X

Eemoved to St. John's Wood — Elm Tree Eoad — Letter to Lieut. de Franck — Mrs. Hood to Lieut, de Franck — Letters to Dr. and Mrs. Elliot, Mr. Charles Dickens, and Lieut, de Franck — Continued Illness 360

CHAPTER XL 1843.

Elm Tree Eoad— Letters to Dr. Elliot— Letter to the Secretaries of the Manchester Athenaeum— Letter to Mr. Dickens — Death of Elton, and Benefit at the Haymarket for the Family — He writes an Address for it, to be spoken by Mrs. Warner- Letters to Lieut, de Franck and Mr. Dickens- He takes a Trip to Scotland— Letters to his Wife— Dundee and Edinburgh— Letters to Mr. Dickens and Dr. Elliot— "The Song of the Shirt " — " Punch " — " Pauper's Christmas Carol " — Prospectus of " Hood's Magazine and Comic Miscellany " . .373 xvi CONTENTS.

Chapter XII

PAGE Eemoves to DeTOnsMre Lodge, FincUey Koad — "Hood's Magazine" — Mrs. Hood to Dr. Elliot — Hon. Member of the Graphic Cluh — Letters to Mr. Phillips, Mr. Douglas, and Miss May EUiot — ^Difficulties with the Co-proprietor of the Magazine — Letter to Dr. Elliot — Mrs. Hood to Dr. Elliot — Illness much increased — Letters to Mr. Dickens, and Dr. Elliot's three Children — Goes to Blackheath for two months to recruit his health — Letters to Dr. Elliot and Mr. Phillips — Second Letter to the Secretaries of the Manchester Atheneeum — Continual Illness — Mrs. Hood to Lieut, de Franck — "The Lay of the Labourer " — Letters to Dr. and Mrs. Elliot — Letter from Dr. Elliot to Mrs. Hood, describing her Husband's Illness — The Pension — Letter to Sir Kobert Peel — Sir Eobert Peel's Answer — ^Letter to Dr. Elliot — Letter from Sir Kobert Peel and Answer — Lettera to Dr. Elliot 398

Chapter XIII

DeTonshire Lodge, New Finchley Koad — ^Letter to Mr. Broderip — Coniined to his Bed by accumulating Illnesses — The Bust and Portrait — His Last Stanzas — His Last Letter, addressed to Sir E. Peel — Sir R. Peel's Answer — His Last Illness — Great Kindness and attention from Strangers as well as Friends — His . Patience — His Keligious sentiments — Given OTer by his Physicians— His Sufferings during his Final Attack — His De,ath — — His Funeral— His Will 443

CHAPTER XIV. Public Subscription for the Erection of » Mouument^Inaugurated

July, 1864 — Oration of Mr. Monckton Milnea .... 463

MEMORIALS OF THOMAS HOOD.

Chapter I

Birth and Parentage — Apprenticed to an Engrayer — Goea to Scotland for Ms Health — Assistant Sub-Editor of "The London" — Acquaintance with the Reynolds' Family — "Odes and Addresses" — He marries Miss Jane Reynolds — Robert Street, Adelphi — Birth and Death of first Child— " Whims and Oddities"— "National Tales "—"Plea" of the Midsummer Fairies " — Edits "The Gem" — '"Eugene Aram" — Winchmore — Birth of second Daughter— Anecdotes, Fondness for the Sea, &c — "The Comic Annual" — Acquaintance with the Duke of DeTonshire — The Chats-worth Library Door — "TylneyHaU" — Connection with the Stage — Is presented to his Majesty King WiUiam IV. — Lake House, Wanstead— Anecdotes, &c.

The public record of Thomas Hood has been long before tbe world — either in the quaint jests and witty conceits that enlivened many a Christmas fireside ; or in the poems, which were his last and best legacy to his country. All that remains is the history of his private life — that "long disease," as it was truly called, so long, and so severe, that it was only wonderful that the sensitive mind and frail body had not given way before. From his earliest years, with the exception of a few bright but transient gleams, it was a hand to hand struggle with straiteoed means and adverse circum-

VOL. X. 1 stances. It was a practical illustration of Longfellow's noble

lines —

" How sublime a tMng it ia To siiffer and be strong. "

He possessed the most refined taste and appreciation for all the little luxuries and comforts that make up so much of the enjoyments of life ; and the cares and annoyances, that would be scarcely perceptible to a stronger and rougher organisation, fell with a double weight on the mind overtasked by such constant and harassing occupation. He literally fulfilled his own words, and was one of the " master minds at journey-work — moral magistrates greatly underpaid ■ — immortals without a living — menders of the human heart, breaking then- own — mighty intellects, without their mite." The income his works have produced to his children, might then have prolonged his life for many years ; although, when we looked on the calm happy face after death, free at last from the painful expression that had almost become habitual to it, we dared not regret the rest so long prayed for, and hardly won.

His life, like that of most modem literary men, was verv barren of incident ; there is therefore little to relate, sav3 the ebb and flow of health and strength —

" As in his breast tlie wave of life Eept heaving to and fro."

The reader must bear this in mind, if wearied with the recurrence of the chronicle of sickness and suffering. AVitl the distinct and even minute foreknowledge of organic and mortal disease, liable at any moment to a fatal and sudden termination, it must indeed have been a brave spirit to bear so cheerfully and courageously, as he did, that life, which was one long sickness. He knew that those dearest to him «oro dependent on his exertions, and his mental powers

■were cramped and tied down by pecuniaiy necessity ; •while his bodily frame was enfeebled by nervousness and exhaustion.

My father's own joking account of his birth was, that as his grandmother was a Miss Armstrong, he was descended from two notorious thieves, i.e., Robin Hood and Johnnie Armstrong. I have found his father's name mentioned in "Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century," by J. B. Nicholls, F.S.A. :—

"August Will. — At Islington, of a malignant fever, originating from the eft'eots of the night air in travelling, Mr. Thomas Hood, bookseller, of the Poultry. Mr. Hood was a native of Scotland, and came to London to seek his fortune, where he was in a humble position for four or five years. * * * His partner, Mr. Vernor, died soon afterwards. Mr. Thomas Hood married a sister of Mr. Vernor, junior, by whom he had a large family. He was a truly domestic man, and a real man of business. Mr. Hood was one of the ' Associated Booksellers,' who selected valuable old books for reprinting, with great success. Messrs. Vernor and Hood afterwards moved into the Poultry, and took into partnership Mr. C. Sharpe. The firm of Messrs. Vernor and Hood published ' The Beauties of England and Wales,' ' The Mirror,' ' Bloomfield's Poems,'* and those of Henry Kirke White. Mr. Hood was the father of Thomas Hood the celebrated comic poet."

The above account is tolerably correct, except that Mr. Hood married a Miss Sands, sister to the engraver of that name, to whom his son was afterwards articled. Mr. Hood's family consisted of many children, of whom two sons, James and Thomas, and four daughters, Elizabeth,

* The firm tehaved very generously to Bloomfield, making him when the success of his poems had commanded a large sale, a handsome present over and above the sum stipulated for in the a^Toemeut.

Anne, Jessie, and Catherine, alone survived to riper age. At his house- in the Poultry,* on the 23rd of May, as far as we trace, in the year 1799, was bom his second son Thomas, the subject of this memoir. The first son, James, was supposed to be the most promising, fond of literature, and a good linguist, a more rare accomplishment then than now. He drew exceedingly well in pen and ink, and water-colours, as also did one or two of the sisters. The elder Mr. Hood was a man of citltivated taste and literary inclinations, and was the author of two novels which attained some popularity in their day, although now their very names are forgotten. No doubt his favourite pursuits and his profession influenced in no small degree the amusements and inclinations of his children ; and, for those days, they must have been a very intellectual family.

James, showing early signs of consumption, was sent to his uncle Kobert Sands' house at Sandhurst, for change of air. It was in returning from a visit there to see him that Mr. Hood, the elder, caught a violent cold from riding home outside a coach, and this proved the cause of his untimely death, an event much regretted by the literary world of those days, as he was an enterprising and strictly honourable man. He was one of the very first, if not tlie first, who opened the book trade with America.

After the sudden death of the father, the widow and her children were left rather slenderly provided for. My father, the only remaining son, preferred the drudgery of an engraver's desk to encroaching upon the small family store. He was apprenticed to his uncle, Mr. Robert Sands, the engraver, and plied the burin for aome years under his guidance, being • subsequently transferred to one of the Le Keuss. During this period he staid for some time with his uncle, and on one * Now, the Admiralty Chai-t Office.

occasion, iu joke, boimd his own sisters, both good amateur artists, aud several of his cousins, apprentices to himself in the same line. He drew up jocular indentures, still traditionally remembered, binding them to abstain from " bullbaiting, cock-fighting, and such idle diversions," and humorously rehearsing their duties. This they all signed, after marching in grotesque procession, bearing the implements of their art. He -was a most devoted and excellent son to his mother, and the last days of her widowhood and decline were soothed by his tender care and affection. Her death was, I have often heard him say, a terrible blow to him. I have now in my possession a little sketch of his, of his mother's face as she lay in her coffin. His sister Anne did not survive her very long,* but I cannot ascertain the date of either of their deaths.

My father's own health was very infirm from his earliest years, and the sedentary employment of engraving was no light trial to it. He was, therefore, soon sent for change to some relations in Scotland, and his experiences there are humorously related in the "Literary Reminiscences." The following facts there omitted, however, occurred daring his stay. His aunt being a rigid Sabbatarian, and "unco gude" woman, did not realise his love of fun, which evidently manifested itself thus early. She was temporarily laid up by illness, and debarred from attendance on her favourite " meenister," when her chief solace was to perch her nephew up at the parlour window, which commanded a good view of the stream of worshippers on their-way to the kirk. Then

* The lines entitled "The Death-Bed," (in the " Englishman's Magazine,") and commencing

"We watched her breathing through the night," were written at the time of her death.

something like the following dialogue would ensue : — " Tammie, my man, keek out, — wha's that 1 "

" That's Bailie So and So's daughter, aunt, and isn't she making desperate love to young Somebody, who's walking by her side ! "

"The graceless hizzie! I'd wauk her, gin I were her mammie ! Keek out again, Tam."

" There's Mrs. Blank, aunt, and she's got on a grand silk gown, and such a velvet mantle ! "

"Set us up, laddie ! She indeed ! the sillie wastrife bodie — she'd far better pay a' she's owing. Wha's neist ? "

And so they would go on, the crabbed auld Scotchwoman little suspecting half the " stour " proceeded from the active imagination of her " nevoy,'' to heighten the fun and draw her out. The following letters were written to his friends at home during his sojourn in Dundee * : —

Dundee, September, 1815.

DezVr Aunts,

I again take the pen for a double purpose — to endeavour to amuse both you and myself by a description of whatever attracts my notice. I am principally diverted here with the singular characters that come to lodge here in succession. When I first came we had a kind of itinerant minister, who loved his bottle,

" And oft would rehearse In defence of his custom this scriptural verse, — ' Taie a little wine for thy stomach's sake — ' But in practice the little, but jolly divine, Would oft substitute whisky instead of the wine ! "

* He was two years in Scotland, and made his first appearance in print therein 1814— first in the Dimdee Advei-tiser, then edited by Mr. Eintoul, and afterwards in a local magazine. He did not however, he says, adopt literature as a profession till long after. T. H.

S(uce then wo have been enhvcned by a French captain, who possessed in an eminent degree the gaiety and politeness pecuhar to that nation ; and I have been particularly amused with a pedantic Perth schoolmaster who went up to London dui-ing the vacation, and resided a fortnight in Wapping, — in order to improve himself in English ! and said he was " vary snre he wadna be takken for a Scotsman." At present we have a Swiss, who appears to be an agreeable man, but I do not know how he may be on further acquaintance. The study of character (I moan of amusing ones) I enjoy exceedingly, and have had an ample field for speculation, for, independent of originality of character, their ideas are alw) frequently of the same stamp, as in the case of our hostess, who thinks that fresh beef will keep better than that which is salted — but you will perhaps think this notion took its rise in economy, and not in originality of idea.

About a week ago we had a company of Tumblers, who established a kind of lottery here at Is. per ticket, and the chief prize, a cow and calf, valued at seven guineas ! Now it agreed very well with the Scotch notion of economy to get seven guineas for a shilling, but on the other hand they considered the chance they had of perhaps losing their bawbees, and no doubt it cost a struggle before they determined on buying their tickets ; — but when the drawing began, it was ludicrous to observe the whimsical effects of disappointment in the faces of some of the multitude. It was a scene indeed worthy the pencil of Hogarth ! In the evenings it is a beautiful promenade before the barracks, where part of the 77th are at present quartered, and as they have a fine band which plays every evening, I am there almost every night. This, with walking, swimming, drawing, <fec., constitute my principal amusements during my banishment. When you have spare time enough to write a few lines,

S MEMORIALS OF THOMAS HOOD.

I shall be happy to hear from you, and I am, with love

to all,

Your affectionate nephew,

Thomas Hood.

The smack I intended to send this by is detained, so that I have yet time to add more. As I am to remain and take my Christmas in the Land of Cakes, you will perhaps expect me to return a complete Scot, — but to tell you the truth, I approach it as yet in but a small degree. I sicken with disgust at the sight of a singed sheep's head, and notwithstanding the arguments of Lismahago and the preference of the mouse, which I admit is some support of them, I cannot bring myself to endure oatmeal, which I think harsh, dry, and insipid. The only time I ever took it With any kind of relish was one day on a trouting party, when I was hungry enough to eat anything. As to their dialect I have acquired rather more Jian I could wish, through the broad brogue of our landlady, whose blunders would do credit to an Hibernian.