“P.S.--Make the fullest disclaimer on my part, if you can, to the quarter whence came the letter, as to either offence or personality,--but more particularly the latter. I am only sorry that the letter, not being addressed to myself, does not enable me to reply to the writer with this assurance.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Florence, Dec. 7. “Out of deference to my wife’s opinion I wrote a mild disclaimer that might satisfy Admiral Kellett as to my intentions, &c. I have, since I wrote, heard confidentially that the Maltese authorities are trying to bring the matter before F. O. Now I am resolved not to make a very smallest submission, or even to go to the barest extent of an explanation. “The only ‘personality in the article was the reference to an admiral that I respected and admired. I am perfectly ready to maintain that this was not Admiral Kellett. “If you like to forward my first note, do so, but on no account let the civil one reach him. Indeed very little reconsideration showed me that such an appeal as K.’s bespoke a consummate ass, and ought not to be treated seriously. This will explain why I despatched a telegram to you this morning to use the first, not the amended, letter. My first thoughts are, I know, always my best. “I shall be delighted if they make an F. O. affair of it: to have an opportunity of telling the cadets there what I think of the ‘Authority.’ and how much respect I attach to their ‘opinion,’ would cure me of the attack that is now making my foot fizz with pain. “I am annoyed with myself for being so much annoyed as all this; but if you knew to what lengths I went to make these bluejackets enjoy themselves,--what time, money, patience, pleasantry, and bitter beer I spent in their service,--you would see that this sort of requital is more than a mere worry.” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “Florence, _Dec_. 1865. “My wife is miserable at the sharp note I sent in reply to the admiral. She says it was all wrong, “_because_, as I never did mean a personality, I ought to have no hesitation in saying as much, &c, &c. “In fact, she makes me send the enclosed, and ask you to forward it to Kellett--that is, if _you_ agree with her. For myself, I own I am the aggrieved party; I was d------d civil to the whole menagerie, rhinoceros included. I half ruined myself in entertaining them, and now I am rebuked for a little very mild pleasantry and very weak joking. “What! is it because ye are bluejackets there shall be no more ‘O’Dowds’? Ay, marry, and very hot ones too--and sharp in the mouth. “All right as to the new tariff. It is a great [? nuisance] to me that the public does not like its devilled kidneys in wholesale, but perhaps we may make the palate yet: I’ll try a little longer, at all events. But if the Tories come in and make me a tide-waiter, I’ll forswear pen-and-ink and only write for ‘The Hue and Cry.’” _To Mr John Blackwood._ “_Dec_. 11,1865.