I want to tell you how I have been impressed by the "Boatman." It haunts me as only a beautiful and profound thing The lines are always running in my head, as the river runs with me. can. Ever affectionately. DIV. EARL RUSSELL GAD'S HILL PLACE, HIGHAM BY ROCHESter, Kent, MY DEAR LORD Russell, - Mr. Dallas, who is a candidate for the Scotch professional chair left vacant by Aytoun's death, has asked me if I would object to introduce to you the first volume of a book he has in the press with my publishers, on "The Gay Science of Art and Criticism." I have replied I would not object, as I have read as many of the sheets as I could get, with extreme pleasure, and as I know you will find it a very winning and brilliant piece of writing. Therefore he will send the proofs of the volume to you as soon as he can get them from the printer (at about the end of this week I take it), and if you read them you will not be hard upon me for bearing the responsibility of his doing so, I feel assured. I suppose Mr. Dallas to have some impression that his pleasing you with his book might advance his Scottish suit. But all I know is, that he is a gentleman of great attainments and erudition, much distinguished as the writer of the best critical literary pieces in "The Times," and thoroughly versed in the subjects which Professor Aytoun represented officially. I beg to send my regard to Lady Russell and all the house, and am ever, my dear Lord Russell, Your faithful and obliged. P. S.I am happy to report that my sailor-boy's captain, relinquishing his ship on sick-leave, departs from the mere form of certificate given to all the rest, and adds that his obedience to orders is remarkable, and that he is a highly intelligent and promising young officer. |