“If I could manage a rapid run south and west in Ireland, I’ll try what I could do as ‘A Last Glimpse of Ireland,’ and only wish I had a little more strength and more spirit for the effort. “Write me a line to meet me in town (at Burlington Hotel) to say when I may hope to see you--to see you both, I mean.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “[? London] _Tuesday_, April 25, 1871. “What with being nearly driven over ten times a-day, and the certainty of being over-dinnered at night, I have a perilous time of it here. “I was delighted to get your cordial note, and more so to count upon seeing you so soon, and I hope, too, Mrs Blackwood with you. My plans are to visit Ireland at once, so as to have as much of London as I can when you shall have arrived. “How I would wish to have you over with me in Ireland, but I suppose the thing is impossible. “I have got an autumn invitation to Sir Healy Maxwell, and if we could manage it perhaps we could then make a little Killarney excursion together. _Nous en parlerons!_ “I wish I may see and be able to record something in my new ramble worth sending to ‘Maga,’--at least I will try. “They tell me here that the Tories might come in at any moment by a snap vote with the Radicals, but that they are too wise to be tempted. “I hear that Tichborne is certain to win his suit: indeed fabulous odds are laid in his favour.” _To Mr Alexander Spencer._ “Garrick Club, London, _April_ 25, 1871. “I am here in the midst of civilities and attentions more than enough to turn my poor head; but I mean to run over to Ireland and be there on Sunday next, and, if not inconvenient, would ask you to tell Morrison’s people to keep a room for me as low down--that is, with as few steps to mount--as they can, always provided that the room be large and airy. I intend to take some hurried rambles through the south and west to refresh memories and lay in new stores, if I can.” Lever arrived in Ireland at the end of April. He was in excellent spirits, and apparently in a more even frame of mind than he had been during his previous visit. Again he found himself in a vortex of dining, whisting, talking, and laughter. Lord Spencer, who was Viceroy of Ireland at this period, made the author of ‘Lord Kilgobbin’ his guest for some days at the Viceregal Lodge. Lever “charmed and entertained” Lord and Lady Spencer. Bishops, military folk, judges, doctors, professors, vied with each other for the privilege of securing the novelist’s company at dinner-tables and receptions. Morrison’s hotel, where he had engaged rooms, was besieged by callers. One of these gives a very pleasant glimpse of the Irish novelist. “I found him seated,” he says, “at an open window, a bottle of claret at his right hand and the proof-sheets of ‘Lord Kilgobbin’ before him. It was a beautiful morning of May: the hawthorns in the College park were just beginning to bloom.... He looked a hale, hearty, laughter-loving man of sixty. There was mirth in his grey eye, joviality