I am going out of town on Monday, June 1st, to a little
old-fashioned house I have at Gad's Hill, by Rochester, on the
identical spot where Falstaff ran away, and as you are so kind as
to ask me to propose a day for coming to Richmond, I should very
much like to do so either on Saturday the 30th of this month or on
Sunday the 31st.

I heard of you at Lausanne from some of my old friends there, and
sometimes tracked you in the newspapers afterwards. I beg to send
my regard to Lord John and to all your house.

Do you believe me to remain always yours very faithfully,

CHARLES DICKENS

_Lady John Russell to Lord Minto_

PEMBROKE LODGE, _September_ 27, 1857

John's reception at Sheffield equalled anything of the kind I had
ever seen in our "high and palmy" days. So little had we expected
_any_ reception, that when we arrived at the station and saw
the crowds on the platform I could not think what was the matter,
and it was not till there was a general rush towards our carriage
and shouts of John's name that I understood it was meant for him.
From the station we had to drive all through the town to Alderman
Hoole's villa; it was one loud and long triumph. John and Mr. Hoole
and I were in an open carriage, the children following in a closed
one. We went at a foot's pace, followed and surrounded by such an
ocean of human beings as I should not have thought all Sheffield
could produce, cheering, throwing up caps and hats, thrusting great
hard hands into the carriage for John to shake, proposing to take
off the horses and draw us, etc. Windows and balconies all thronged
with waving women and children, and bells ringing so lustily as to
drown John's voice when, at Mr. Hoole's request, he stood up on the
seat and made a little speech. All this honour from one of the most
warlike towns in the kingdom will surprise you, no doubt; indeed, I
am not sure that you will quite approve.

PEMBROKE LODGE, _December 25, 1857_

A bright and lovely Christmas.... Sat more than an hour in the
sunny South summer-house, listening to birds singing and boys and
little May [51] talking and laughing.... Dear, darling children,
how I grudge each day that passes and hurries you on beyond blessed
childhood.... I am too happy--there can hardly be a change that
will not make me less so.... A glor