We have actors now at Woodbridge. A Mr. Gill who was low comedian in the Norwich now manages a troop of his own here. His wife was a Miss Vining; she is a pretty woman, and a lively pleasant actress, not vulgar. I have been to see some of the old comedies with great pleasure; and last night I sat in a pigeon-hole with David Fisher and 'revolved many memories' of old days and old plays. I don't think he drinks so much now: but he looks all ready to blossom out into carbuncles. We all liked your Athenaeum address much; {204a} which I believe I told you before. I have heard nothing of books or friends. I shall hope to see you some time this spring. _To E. B. Cowell_. {204b} [1846] DEAR COWELL, I am glad you have bought Spinoza. I am in no sort of hurry for him: you may keep him a year if you like. I shall perhaps never read him now I have him. Thank you for the trouble you took. . . . Your Hafiz is fine: and his tavern world is a sad and just idea. I did not send that vine leaf {205a} to A. T. but I have not forgotten it. It sticks in my mind. "In Time's fleeting river The image of that little vine-leaf lay, Immovably unquiet--and for ever It trembles--but it cannot pass away." {205b} I have read nothing you would care for since I saw you. It would be a good work to give us some of the good things of Hafiz and the Persians; of bulbuls and ghuls we have had enough. Come and bring over Spinoza; or I must go and bring him. _From T. Carlyle_. CHELSEA, 8 _April_, 1846. DEAR FITZGERALD, I have now put the little sketch of Naseby Fight, {205c} rough and ready, into its place in the Appendix: it really does pretty well, when it is fairly written out; had I had time for that, it might almost have gone into the Text,--and perhaps shall, if ever I live to see another edition. Naseby Field will then have its due honour;--only you should actually raise a stone over that Grave that you opened (I will give you the _shinbone_ back and keep the _teeth_): you really should, with a simple Inscription saying merely in business English: 'Here, as proved by strict and not too impious examination, lie the slain of the Battle of Naseby. Dig no farther. E. FitzGerald,--1843.' By the bye, was it 1843 or 2; when we did those Naseby feats? tell me, for I want to mark that in the Book. And so here is your Paper again, since at any rate you wish to keep that. I am serious about the stone! _To W. B. Donne_. BOULGE HALL, WOODBRIDGE. [1846.] MY DEAR DONNE, I don't know which of us is most to blame for this long gulph of silence. Probably I; who have least to do. I have been for two months to London; where (had I thought it of any use) I should have written to try and get you up for a few days; as I had a convenient lodging, and many beside myself would have been glad to see you.