. as being interested in
all that concerns so noble an Interpreter of his Shakespeare as your
Uncle was. If you do not care--or wish--to have the Book again, tell me
of some one you would wish to have it: had I wished, I should have told
you so at once: but I now give away even what I might have wished for to
those who are in any way more likely to be more interested in them than
myself, or are likely to have a few more years of life to make what they
may of them. I do not think that A. W. is one of such: he thought (as
you may do) of so much pains wasted on such sorry stuff.

So far from disagreeing with you about Shakespeare emendations, etc., I
have always been of the same mind: quite content with what pleased
myself, and, as to the elder Dramatists, always thinking they would be
better all annihilated after some Selections made from them, as C. Lamb
did.

Mowbray Donne wrote to me a fortnight or so since that his Father was
'pretty well,' but weak in the knees. Three days ago came in Archdeacon
Groome, who told me that a Friend of Mowbray's had just heard from him
that his Father had symptoms of dropsy about the Feet and Ankles. I have
not, however, written to ask; and, not having done so, perhaps ought not
to sadden you with what may be an inaccurate report. But one knows that,
sooner or later, some such end must come; and that, in the meanwhile,
Donne's Life is but little preferable to that which promises the speedier
end to it.

We are all drying up here with hot Sun and cold Wind; my Water-pot won't
keep Polyanthus and Anemone from perishing. I should have thought the
nightly Frosts and Winds would have done for Fruit as well as Flower: but
I am told it is not so as yet: and I hope for an honest mess of
Gooseberry Fool yet. In the meanwhile, 'Ce sera le mois de Mai tant
qu'il plaira a Dieu,' and I am always your ancient

LITTLE G.

XCV.

WOODBRIDGE: TUESDAY:
[_End of May_, 1881.]

MY DEAR MRS. KEMBLE:

I must write you a word of 'God Speed' before you go: before even you go
to London to prepare for going: for, if I wait till then, you will be all
bother with preparations, and leave-takings; and nevertheless feel
yourself bound to answer. Pray do not, even if (as I suppose) still at
Leamington; for you will still have plenty to think about with Daughter
and Children. I do not propose to go to London to shake hands before you
go off: for, as I say, you will have enough of that without m