afraid that some
of his little sisters would mess it, or tear it up, so he wrote upon
the back, "No one is to touch this note, for it belongs to C. L. D.";
but, this warning appearing insufficient, he added, "Covered with
slimy pitch, so that they will wet their fingers." The precious letter
ran as follows:--

My dearest Charlie, I have used you rather ill in not having
written to you sooner, but I know you will forgive me, as
your Grandpapa has liked to have me with him so much, and I
could not write and talk to him comfortably. All your notes
have delighted me, my precious children, and show me that
you have not quite forgotten me. I am always thinking of
you, and longing to have you all round me again more than
words can tell. God grant that we may find you all well and
happy on Friday evening. I am happy to say your dearest Papa
is quite well--his cough is rather _tickling_, but is
of no consequence. It delights me, my darling Charlie, to
hear that you are getting on so well with your Latin, and
that you make so few mistakes in your Exercises. You will be
happy to hear that your dearest Grandpapa is going on
nicely--indeed I hope he will soon be quite well again. He
talks a great deal and most kindly about you all. I hope my
sweetest Will says "Mama" sometimes, and that precious Tish
has not forgotten. Give them and all my other treasures,
including yourself, 1,000,000,000 kisses from me, with my
most affectionate love. I am sending you a shabby note, but
I cannot help it. Give my kindest love to Aunt Dar, and
believe me, my own dearest Charlie, to be your sincerely
affectionate

Mama.

Among the few visitors who disturbed the repose of Daresbury Parsonage
was Mr. Durnford, afterwards Bishop of Chichester, with whom Mr.
Dodgson had formed a close friendship. Another was Mr. Bayne, at that
time head-master of Warrington Grammar School, who used occasionally
to assist in the services at Daresbury. His son, Vere, was Charles's
playfellow; he is now a student of Christ Church, and the friendship
between him and Lewis Carroll lasted without interruption till the
death of the latter.

The memory of his birthplace did not soon fade from Charles's mind;
long afterwards he retained pleasant recollections of its rustic
beauty. For instance, his poem of "The Three Sunsets," which first
appeared in 1860 in _All the Year Roun