that no polemical mud, however much was
thrown, could by any possibility stick to me; for I was purely
an observer; had not the smallest personal or _partial_
interest; and merely spoke to the question as a historian; and
I knew whoever could see me must see that. But, at the moment,
the little pamphlet made much stir and excitement in the
newspapers; and the whole thousand copies were bought up. The
ill wind has blown over. I advertised, as usual, my winter
course of Lectures, and it prospered very well. Ten Lectures:
I. Doctrine of the Soul; II. Home; III. The School; IV. Love;
V. Genius; VI. The Protest; VII. Tragedy; VIII. Comedy; IX.
Duty; X. Demonology. I designed to add two more, but my lungs
played me false with unseasonable inflammation, so I discoursed
no more on "Human Life." Now I am well again.--But, as I said,
as I could not hurt myself, it was foolish to flatter myself that
I could mix your cause with mine and hurt you. Nothing is more
certain than that you shall have all our ears, whenever you wish
for them, and free from that partial position which I deprecated.
Yet I cannot regret my letter, which procured me so affectionate
and magnanimous a reply.

Thanks, too, for your friendliest invitation. But I have a new
reason why I should not come to England,--a blessed babe, named
Ellen, almost three weeks old,--a little, fair, soft lump of
contented humanity, incessantly sleeping, and with an air of
incurious security that says she has come to stay, has come to be
loved, which has nothing mean, and quite piques me.

Yet how gladly should I be near you for a time. The months and
years make me more desirous of an unlimited conversation with
you; and one day, I think, the God will grant it, after whatever
way is best. I am lately taken with _The Onyx Ring,_ which
seemed to me full of knowledge, and good, bold, true drawing.
Very saucy, was it not? in John Sterling to paint Collins; and
what intrepid iconoclasm in this new Alcibiades to break in among
your Lares and disfigure your sacred Hermes himself in
Walsingham.* To me, a profane man, it was good sport to see the
Olympic lover of Frederica, Lili, and so forth, lampooned. And
by Alcibiades too, over whom the wrath of Pericles must pause and
brood ere it falls. I delight in this Sterling, but now that I
know him better I shall no longer expect him to write to me. I
wish I could talk to you on the grave questions, graver than