ABSTRACT

So is the author who excites and interests you worthy of your thanks and benedictions. I am troubled with fever and ague, that seizes me at odd intervals and prostrates me for a day. There is cold fit, for which, I am thankful to say, hot brandyand-water is prescribed, and this induces hot fit, and so on. In one or two of these fits I have read novels with the most fearful contentment of mind. Once, on the Mississippi, it was my dearly beloved Jacob Faithful: once at Frankfort O.M., the delightful Vingt Ans Après of Monsieur Dumas: once at Tunbridge Wells, the thrilling Woman in White: and these books gave me amusement from morning till sunset. I remember those ague fits with a great deal of pleasure and gratitude. Think of a whole day in bed, and a good novel for a companion No cares: no remorse about idleness: no visitors: and the Woman in White or the Chevalier d’Artagnan to tell me stories from dawn to night! ‘Please, ma’am, my master’s compliments, and can he have the third volume?’ (This message was sent to an astonished friend and neighbour who lent me, volume by volume, the W. in W.) ….