“I return Mr. S.’s letter, with which Dr. Hodgson was much amused, as was I. He admired J.’s poem, _Vivia Perpetua_, very much, and said how good and sweet it was. He also begged me to ask her whether she knows the ‘Vivia Perpetua’ of Mrs. Flower Adams, whose sister Sarah is well known for her hymns. He thought J.’s little poem might well do prefixed to the drama by Mrs. Adams. “My dear Mrs. Hodgson is still in bed, where she lies so patiently that she is a living lesson to me. It is curious, but she always makes me feel gentle and soft—a lesson I constantly need, and no one else produces the same effect on me. Had I seen her before my interview with E. D., the latter would not have been frightened at my—what shall I say?—_violence!_ “You have a mesmerizing effect on me, but your influence is quite different—more on the intellectual side, I think. Mrs. Hodgson is the sweetest, brightest, most fairy-like woman I have ever known; and the points of contact between her and me are so many. I have such strong affection and respect for her husband—he is _so clever_, and inspires one with a kind of awe for his knowledge (which is in a line I can follow), his brilliancy, his wonderful power of expression, his tenderness, his extreme conscientiousness, and his resource. But no one would venture to take a liberty with him, and I can well imagine the respectful awe in which his pupils hold him. Then the eldest boy is so near Frank’s age, and I have had so much to do with him that he is very dear to me. The two little girls are perfectly charming. “Then the house is full of books, pictures, statues, busts, etc. Every side of my taste is represented, and the books especially are always delightful to me. I suppose the collection of educational works is quite unique. Dr. H.’s religious views are very independent of theology; but, as I have said, he is intensely reverent, and respects other people’s opinions. His popularity with his Class in University is immense, as I heard on Saturday, and I can well understand it is so. “Mrs. H. is one of those women who is absolutely unselfish. Her unselfishness extends _beyond_ husband and children, and she can always speak that soft word that turns away wrath. They are well matched. She is dependent and clinging, in the best sense, and he is intensely strong.... “I should like some copies of J.’s ‘Lady Jane Grey.’ Will you give her my love and ask her? “When I get home I must get a copy of ‘Hertha’ from Mudie’s. I know there is one there. “I shall get back (D.V.) refreshed in every way—intellectually, physically and morally, and spiritually too, I hope.”