Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt:... with nothing less. In any case, he has diverted us, and perhaps given the foreigner a twinge.--Your ever faithful GEORGE MEREDITH. To Frederick Greenwood. Box HILL, DORKING, Jan. 3, 1898. MY DEAR GREENwooD,--When you were the constant evening star over Northumberland Street, I knew my mark. I am always forgetting Brittany Road, though not you at any season. Be sure of my lively good wishes on your behalf now and ever. As for old England, considering what she holds and the Powers confronting her, I cannot patiently look on her hesitations about the question of raising an army. Her God Neptune, whose divinity was killed by steam, keeps her still blind to the idea of national duty. Let her, then, give her patriotic poets a Martello Tower apiece, and bid them blow, they have wind enough--and she is for cheap service. You will think the Odes are long. But they do not dawdle, for the tussle between the soul of France and the Napoleonic grip has to be shown.--Your loving GEORGE MEREDITH. To Mrs. Walter Palmer. Box HILL, Donxme, Jan. 29, 1898. I am distressed by the news of Walter. When I last saw him he was firm and brisk. Your letter is a sad surprise. Pray keep me informed within the week. I shall have no peace until I hear. The Dearie will be afflicted. She has just come out of an Influenza. I have had a sharp attack of grippe--when I may offer myself to you I do not know. On both sides there seems now a barrier, and I long to see you and be under your wing for a short spell of happiness. A man named Sutro came here from Forbes Robertson some days back, with the proposal to dramatise The Egoist, as Forbes has taken to the notion of personating Sir Willoughby. It may be done. Sutro brings me the sketch of the Comedy shortly. My three Odes,...