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16
Leamington
Aug: 13th ‘80
My dear Jervy –
I forget just where and when your letter caught me---somewhere near Chester, from which point I intended to write you & did begin a letter, after a breif call at Toft Hall, Knutsford, where the Leycesters dwell. They pressed us so earnestly to renew our visit---since we could not prolong it, that we could not resist their kindness & so---I destroyed the letter I began with the intention of writing a full account of our delightful visit. But we were hurried & tired & so days have elapsed without my putting pen to paper. Here we are near the actors’ Mecca yet am I calm; not the least anxiety do I feel to visit the shrine. Indeed the prosaic, matter-of-fact Present degrades the poetic, venerated Past. To rush by grand old castles,
venerable Abbeys, ivy-clad & fairly reeking with hallowed memories, in a rail-car, and finding the station “cheek by jowl" with ‘em knocks the stuffin out of one’s romance, and therefore I dread to find the house in Henly Street a mere museum of questionable antiquities and dubious relics. Of course I shall go there---if it kills me! But it will be the farewell to my long cherished dreams, I know. However, I’m used to waking up from pleasant dreams & facing stern realities, and I shall go---with the herd--- to see the show & to say “I’ve been there.” If all the guides were dead & only one or two visitors at a time could enter such sacred precincts, to think one’s fill & not be hurried through in such a show-shop, business-like way, ‘twould be delightful, but as it is---I’d rather see pictures of such places &
dream my little absurd dreams uninterrupted by the constant dropping of H’s---and shillings. Well, the Leycesters were sincerely pleased & overwhelmed us with kindly hospitality. Asked first of you, then of Church & wished you were both with us. So did I---so far as you were concerned, not knowing Church so well. We took rail to their little town of Knutsford, then a cab & caught ‘em at lunch. She is in mourning for her dead mother, but she pressed so hard that we had to promise a return (lack of shirts & [sick?] prevented our remaining that day) On Saturday night we went again & stayed ‘till Sunday evening. During the day (Sunday) Leycester, a Sir Hurbert, or Herbert Maxwell, M.P. & myself walked 4 (it seemed 40) miles over fields & fences, at a rapid rate, to a place called Tably---the queerest, quaintest, most delicious old [ruined?] Baronial Hall I ever imagined! To attempt descrip
tion of it would weaken the effect of any gush, therefore accept it as I have given it---a dear old, superb old, rotten old gem of a ruin! “My lord & my lady” Tably were at church near the Hall & when they came forth, followed by the slender congregation of country folks & tenants, I was introduced & the old gent (lord, I should say) took us through the Hall & explained many things about it. He is like a good old lazy farmer & lives close by, in a grand new mansion. He conducted me through & showed me some charming pictures. Several by Lawrence of his mother & other ladies & one (the only decent one I’ve seen) by Turner. One of his (Lord T.’s) god-father, Geo 4th, when P. of Wales, the only gift he ever received from his grace & for which he “my lord,” had to pay! After this we tead with lady T. on the lawn in front of the house. She was jolly & very gracious.
Mary & Edwina missed all this---the walk was too long, it used me up. Altogether we had a delicious time & regretted our departure as much as, I am sure, the Leycesters did. I found Cheshire/whose history I read while tothers went to church) full of Booths & to my surprise found the Booth arms carved in a panel in Leycester’s library. A Jane Leycester, sometime B.C., married a Booth. I threatened to dispute his title to Toft & bade him look up his title-deeds betimes. His lord Tably is Leycester’s cousin. If I can find the “missing-link” I shall put in my claim for all their estates.
It turns up that my contemplated continental loaf for a year is frustrated. I have agreed to open the new Princess’s theatre in London sometime late in Octr., or in early November, whenever it is finished.
A success there will be a very serious thing, quite as much so as a failure would be. It may mean several years of Europe! There was but one chance that I could see---for at least another year, I mean beyond the year I set, and I dared not let the opportunity thus forced upon me, slip! I seized it & shall endeavor to make the best of it. After a few days here & a week or two more of travel I shall be in London for a rest before going to Ammergau, which place I yet hope to visit in time to see the “Play”. Then for serious work. The final turning-point in my twisted life, at least so far as my public career is concerned. If I miss it I shall bid farewell to my American friends & retire to
roost & rust. Whatever comes I have a heart for any fate! So soon as I get to London I shall endeavor to see Boughton & be assured, Jervy, I shall handle you discreetly---“afar off, as it were”. I had a gushing letter from [Hennessey?] some two weeks ago; have not yet answered it---don’t know if I shall do so. Do not love him as of yore; think he is too good; too sweet to last long. However, I’m inclined to deal kindly by all---if they’ll only let me do so. Poor old neglected Launt! I must write to him---although he dropped me long ago. You must be lonely indeed, Jervy, with your sister so far off & none but bad memories for your associates. I wish I could drop in & blow you up a bit. Dern [love?]! Wake up & gird your "lines" & flee. Never---away!
I have written thus far without referring to your letter, having looked it over I must tell you how glad I am that have determined to visit. Do so “everytime”---always whenever an opportunity offers, and in your case opportunities may be daily. All who know you love & respect you, & all are glad to have you at their houses, & you know hosts of the best people. I shall do as you advise---cultivate Smalley & others of that ilk, many of whom I shall doubtless find at Boughton’s too. I hardly think I shall feel like writing all I feel until I am settled “for good” somewhere---in London, I suppose, but occassionally I will [chuck?] for a chunk by way of appetizer for something better in the future.
God bless you “JARVIS”. Write to me often. With our love to you & [James?]. Always a greeting of
Edwin
loving thoughts for Johnson & Gifford, Stedman and [Weis?].