After
spending a delightful day with her I came here to the beautiful
"Dingle," which is more enchanting than ever. I am staying with Mrs.
Edward Cropper, Lord Denman's daughter.
I want you to tell Aunt Mary that Mr. Ruskin lives with his father at
a place called Denmark Hill, Camberwell. He has told me that the
gallery of Turner pictures there is open to me or my friends at any
time of the day or night. Both young and old Mr. Ruskin are fine
fellows, sociable and hearty, and will cordially welcome any of my
friends who desire to look at their pictures.
I write in haste, as I must be aboard the ship tomorrow at eight
o'clock. So good-by, my dear girls, from your ever affectionate
mother.
Her last letter written before sailing was to Lady Byron, and serves
to show how warm an intimacy had sprung up between them. It was as
follows:--
_June_ 5, 1857.
DEAR FRIEND,--I left you with a strange sort of yearning, throbbing
feeling--you make me feel quite as I did years ago, a sort of
girlishness quite odd for me. I have felt a strange longing to send
you something. Don't smile when you see what it turns out to be. I
have a weakness for your pretty Parian things; it is one of my own
home peculiarities to have strong passions for pretty tea-cups and
other little matters for my own quiet meals, when, as often happens, I
am too unwell to join the family. So I send you a cup made of
primroses, a funny little pitcher, quite large enough for cream, and a
little vase for violets and primroses--which will be lovely together--
and when you use it think of me and that I love you more than I can
say.
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