Ever affectionately. [Sidenote: Mr. Frank Stone, A.R.A.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Thursday, May 24th, 1855._ MY DEAR STONE, Great projects are afoot here for a grown-up play in about three weeks' time. Former schoolroom arrangements to be reversed--large stage and small audience. Stanfield bent on desperate effects, and all day long with his coat off, up to his eyes in distemper colours. Will you appear in your celebrated character of Mr. Nightingale? I want to wind up with that popular farce, we all playing our old parts. Ever affectionately. [Sidenote: Mr. Frank Stone, A.R.A.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _May 24th, 1855._ MY DEAR STONE, That's right! You will find the words come back very quickly. Why, _of course_ your people are to come, and if Stanfield don't astonish 'em, I'm a Dutchman. O Heaven, if you could hear the ideas he proposes to me, making even _my_ hair stand on end! Will you get Marcus or some similar bright creature to copy out old Nightingale's part for you, and then return the book? This is the prompt-book, the only one I have; and Katey and Georgina (being also in wild excitement) want to write their parts out with all despatch. Ever affectionately. [Sidenote: Mr. W. Wilkie Collins.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Thursday, May 24th, 1855._ MY DEAR COLLINS, I shall expect you to-morrow evening at "Household Words." I have written a little ballad for Mary--"The Story of the Ship's Carpenter and the Little Boy, in the Shipwreck." Let us close up with "Mr. Nightingale's Diary." Will you look whether you have a book of it, or your part. All other matters and things hereunto belonging when we meet. Ever faithfully. [Sidenote: Mrs. Trollope.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Tuesday Morning, June 19th, 1855._ MY DEAR MRS. TROLLOPE, I was out of town on Sunday, or I should have answered your note immediately on its arrival. I cannot have the pleasure of seeing the famous "medium" to-night, for I have some theatricals at home. But I fear I shall not in any case be a good subject for the purpose, as I altogether want faith in the thing. I have not the least belief in the awful unseen world being available for evening parties at so much per night; and, although I should be ready to receive enlightenment from any source, I must say I have very little hope of it from the spirits who express themselves through mediums, as I have never yet observed them to talk anything but nonsense, of which (as Carlyle would say) there is probably enough in these days of ours, and in all days, among mere mortality. Very faithfully yours. [Sidenote: Mr. Clarkson Stanfield, R.A.]