SD953. John Forster to Leigh Hunt
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 341 (in part).
Liverpool. Adelphia Hotel.
Monday November 5. 1838
My dear Hunt
You will be surprised to hear from me at this distance of place—and thus hurriedly. But in the fear—amounting almost to certainty—that I shall not be in town on Thursday, I send you a very hastly line to defer our plesant dinner on that day to the Thursday in the week following. Dickens and myself are going a circuit of the country round us—to the Manchester Cotton Mills Exhibition .. and wish to make the most of the short time allowed us. He desires me to give you his very kindest regards, and to say that but for the headlong haste with which he left London he would have written to you—as he proposes the instant of his return. I, too, will either write to you or see you as soon as I arrive in Town, because I am indeed anxious about the book you have now in hand, and earnest beyond all things to bring it some sucessful issue. .. Will you oblige me my dear Hunt by sending a line to Browning–“Robert Browning, Hanover Cottage, Southhampton Street, Camberwell” .. to say that our dinner is deferred till the Thursday after—and to express with the delay my regrets and affectionate regards. .. Dickens, who is full of “fun,” interupts me to tell you that you are to receive an Oliver Twist “in three vols” among the first who receive it. .. And now with our united regards believe me my dear Hunt
Ever your affectionate friend
John Forster
Address: Leigh Hunt Esqre / No 4. Upper Cheyne Row / Chelsa / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: University of Iowa.
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