“I knew well what a blow Speke’s death would be to you, and I am truly sorry for the poor fellow. “I don’t remember one word I write if I don’t see a proof, so I forget what I said about an idea I had of a story. At all events, as Curran said he picked up all his facts from the opposite counsel’s statement, I’ll soon hear what you say, and be able to guess what I said myself. “I’m gout up to the ears,--flying, dyspeptic, blue-devil gout,--with a knuckle that sings like a tea-kettle and a toe that seems in the red-hot bite of a rabid dog, and all these with------ But I swore not to bother you except it be to write to me.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ [Undated.] “I am up to my neck in Tony,--dress him, dine with him, and yesterday went to his happy marriage with (this for Mrs Blackwood and yourself) Dolly Stuart, he having got over his absurd passion, and found out (what every man doesn’t) the girl he _ought_ to marry. “I am doing my best to make the wind-up good. Heaven grant that my gout do not mar my best intentions! “This informal change of capital has raised my rent! More of Cavour’s persecution. I told you that man will be my ruin. “Whenever you have time write to me. There are such masses of things you are to answer you will forget one-half if you don’t make a clearance. “I am very sulky about the coldness the public have shown O’D. in its vol. form. Why, confound them!------ But I won’t say what is on my lips.” _To Mr William Blackwood._ “Villa Morelli, Florence, _Oct_. 4, 1864. “Your own fault if you have to say ‘Damn his familiarity’; but if you won’t return it you can at least say ‘Damn O’Dowd.’ “Your cheque came all safe this morning. I wish I had not to add that it was a dissolving view that rapidly disappeared in my cook’s breeches-pocket. “I suppose my gout must be on the decline from the very _mild_ character of the ‘O’Dowd’ I now send you. Tell your uncle if he won’t write to me about my forty-one projects, I’ll make an O’D. on Golf-players, and God help him! “I hope I shall meet you one of these days. I am as horsey as yourself, and would a devilish deal sooner be astride of the pigskin than sitting here inditing O’Dowderies.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Villa Morelli, _Oct._ 14,1864. “I return O’D. corrected. You are right, and I expunged the paragraph you mention, and changed the expression of the joke--a d------d bad one--against the Yankees; but I wanted the illustration, and couldn’t miss it.