Now, my dear Bulwer, I have come to the small hours, and am writing alone here, as if _I_ were writing something to do what your comedy will. At such a time the temptation is strong upon me to say a great deal more, but I will only say this--in mercy to you--that I do devoutly believe that this plan carried, will entirely change the status of the literary man in England, and make a revolution in his position, which no Government, no power on earth but his own, could ever effect. I have implicit confidence in the scheme--so splendidly begun--if we carry it out with a steadfast energy. I have a strong conviction that we hold in our hands the peace and honour of men of letters for centuries to come, and that you are destined to be their best and most enduring benefactor. Oh! what a procession of New Years might walk out of all this, after we are very dusty! Ever yours faithfully. P.S.--I have forgotten something. I suggest this title: "Knowing the World; or, Not So Bad As We Seem." [Sidenote: The same.] DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _Tuesday Night, March 4th, 1851._ MY DEAR BULWER, I know you will be glad to hear what I have to tell you. I wrote to the Duke of Devonshire this morning, enclosing him the rough proof of the scheme, and plainly telling him what we wanted, _i.e._, to play for the first time at his house, to the Queen and Court. Within a couple of hours he wrote me as follows: "DEAR SIR, "I have read with very great interest the prospectus of the new endowment which you have confided to my perusal. "Your manner of doing so is a proof that I am honoured by your goodwill and approbation. "I'm truly happy to offer you my earnest and sincere co-operation. My services, my house, and my subscription will be at your orders. And I beg you to let me see you before long, not merely to converse upon this subject, but because I have long had the greatest wish to improve our acquaintance, which has, as yet, been only one of crowded rooms." This is quite princely, I think, and will push us along as brilliantly as heart could desire. Don't you think so too? Yesterday Lemon and I saw the Secretary of the National Provident Institution (the best Office for the purpose, I am inclined to think) and stated all our requirements. We appointed to meet the chairman and directors next Tuesday; so on the day of our reading and dining I hope we shall have that matter in good time. The theatre is also under consultation; and directly after the reading we shall go briskly to work in all departments. I hear nothing but praises of your Macready speech--of its eloquence, delicacy, and perfect taste, all of which it is good to hear, though I know it all beforehand as well as most men can tell it me. Ever cordially.