ins. Nobody
in Broadstairs--to speak of. Certainly nobody in Ballard's. We are in
the part, which is the house next door to the hotel itself, that we once
had for three years running, and just as quiet and snug now as it was
then. I don't think I shall return before the 20th or so, when the
number is done; but I _may_, in some inconstant freak, run up to you
before. Preliminary despatches and advices shall be forwarded in any
case to the fragrant neighbourhood of Clare-market and the
Portugal-street burying-ground." Such was his polite designation of my
whereabouts: for which nevertheless he had secret likings. "On the
Portsmouth railway, coming here, encountered Kenyon. On the ditto ditto
at Reigate, encountered young Dilke, and took him in tow to Canterbury.
On the ditto ditto at ditto (meaning Reigate), encountered Fox, M. P.
for Oldham, and his daughter. All within an hour. Young Dilke great
about the proposed Exposition under the direction of H. R. H. Prince
Albert, and evincing, very pleasantly to me, unbounded faith in our old
friend his father." There was one more letter, taking a rather gloomy
view of public affairs in connection with an inflated pastoral from
Doctor Wiseman "given out of the Flaminian Gate," and speaking dolefully
of some family matters; which was subscribed, each word forming a
separate line, "Yours Despondently, And Disgustedly, Wilkins Micawber."

His visit to the little watering-place in the following year was
signalised by his completion of the most famous of his novels, and his
letters otherwise were occupied by elaborate managerial preparation for
the private performances at Knebworth. But again the plague of itinerant
music flung him into such fevers of irritation, that he finally resolved
against any renewed attempt to carry on important work here; and the
summer of 1851, when he was only busy with miscellaneous writing, was
the last of his regular residences in the place. He then let his London
house for the brief remainder of its term; ran away at the end of May,
when some grave family sorrows had befallen him, from the crowds and
excitements of the Great Exhibition; and with intervals of absence,
chiefly at the Guild representations, stayed in his favourite Fort-house
by the sea until October, when he took possession of Tavistock-house.
From his letters may be added a few notices of this last holiday at
Broadstairs, which he had always afterwards a kindly word for; and to
which he