SD798. Mary Russell Mitford to George Mitford
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 329 (in part).
56, Russell Square,
May 26, 1836
Mr. Wordsworth, Mr. Landor, and Mr. White dined here. I like Mr. Wordsworth of all things; he is a most venerable-looking old man, delightfully mild and placid, and most kind to me. Mr. Landor is a very striking-looking person, and exceedingly clever. Also we had a Mr. Browning, a young poet (author of ‘Paracelsus’), and Mr. Proctor, and Mr. Chorley, and quantities more of poets, &c. Stanfield and Lucas were also there, and young Brown, Lord Jeffrey’s nephew, who says that he misses you beyond description. Archdeacon Wrangham is not in London. Mr. Willis has sailed for America. Mr. Moore and Miss Edgeworth are not in town.
Mr. Crabb Robinson is to come and have a gossip with me to-morrow. We had a pretty good gossip to-night. We meet Henry Hope and Mr. Dyce, amongst others, tomorrow, at William Harness’s. Henry Hope, they say here, has 80,000 l. per annum—a pretty little income!—and is just as unaffected as he was when we saw him there. You cannot think how much I like Ellen Tree and Stanfield; so would you.
There was a curious affair to-night; all the sergeants went to the play in a body, and sat in one box, except Mr. Sergeant Wilde, who had a box for himself and family. Lord Grey and his family were in a private box just opposite to us; and the house was filled with people of that class in the boxes, and the pit crammed with gentlemen. Very, very gratifying, was it not?
God bless you, my own dearest dear! I am tired to death, and must go to bed.
I have just had your dear letter, and rejoice to find that you are so well. I will write to-morrow, and tell you all the news of the day.
Mr. Sergeant has forgotten to bring me a frank, and I am full of bustle.
Heaven bless you, my dearest! Love to dear, dear Dash.
Ever faithfully yours,
M. R. Mitford.
Text: L’Estrange (2), III, 44–45.
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