viving amongst the fittest, if there is _much
shoving_ (!) I want to place my plea on record.

So will you try?--

* * * * *

It was very kind of you and your wife to have us to see your sketches.
I hope you are taking in ozone in the country.

Yours ever,
J.H.E.

[NOTES.]

Respectfully suggested scenes to choose from.

Initial T out of the old tree on the green, with perhaps _to secure
portrait_ the old POSTMAN sitting there with his bag _a la_
an old Chelsea Pensioner.

1. A lad carrying his own long-bow (by regulation his own height) and
trudging by his pack-horse's side, the horse laden with arrows for
Flodden Field (September 9, 1513). Small figures back view (!) going
westwards--poetic bit of moorland and sky.

2. If you _like_--a portrait of the little Miss Jessamine in Church.

3 to 5. You may or may not find some bits on page 706, such as the
ducking in the pond of the political agitator (very small figures
including the old Postman, ex-soldier of Chelsea Pensioner type). Old
inn and coach in distance, geese (not the human ones) scattered in the
fray.

The Black Captain, with his hand on his horse's mane, bigger--(so as
to secure portrait) and vignetted if you like; or _small_ on his horse
stooping to hold his hand out to a child, Master Johnson, seated in a
puddle, and Nurses pointing out the bogy; or standing looking amused
behind Master Johnson (page 707).

6. Pretty vignetted portrait of the little Miss J., three-quarter
length, about size of page 29 of _Old Christmas_. Scene, girl's
bedroom--she with her back to mirror, face buried in her hands,
"crying for the Black Captain"; her hair down to just short of her
knees, the back of her hair catching light from window and reflected
in the glass. Old Miss Jessamine (portrait) talking to her "like a
Dutch uncle" about the letter on the dressing-table; aristocratic
outline against window, and (as Queen Anne died) "with one finger
up"!!!!! (These portraits would make No. 2 needless probably.)

7. Not worth while. I had thought of a very small quay scene with
slaves, a "black ivory"--and a Quaker's back! (Did you ever read the
correspondence between Charles Napier and Mr. Gurney on Trade and
War?)

8. A very pretty elopement please! Finger-post pointing to
Scotland--Captain _not_ in uniform of course.

9 or 10--hardly; too close to the elopement which we _must_ have!

11. You are sure to make that pretty.