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The Founders of Canterbury

C. M., Boulogne, 21st December, 1848

C. M., Boulogne, 21st December, 1848.

My Dear Godley,

—As you desired, I write to give you notice, that it is my intention to go to London (with my Mrs. Harris's dead body) at the end of next week. I am nearly dead myself, or rather shall be when the fever of resolve to finish the book shall be over.

I think of going in the first instance to Reigate, so as to be within reach of the printer, and get out of Babylon. You would find me at the White Hart, where I should be truly glad to see you. For indeed I have often longed of late to talk with you about the calamity of Buller's death. He passed two days with me here lately on his way to and from Paris; and we agreed upon all points; on some of which you take an interest, and friends of yours are interested. But that is all over now. On private scores, my loss is great indeed, especially just now, for he undertook to look over my manuscript critically.

What of Cowell? If that matter is not yet decided, I think page 34the Directors should keep off a decision, if they can, till my book shall be out. By the way, I shall have to make them a tender of my resignation as a Director, both because Lord Grey will hate me worse than ever, and it may be to the injury of the Company if I should continue one of them; and because I have been unable to avoid plainly expressing what you know I think of the Arrangement between them and him.

I wonder what you are doing; for Canterbury must be asleep, and the Company nearly so. Are your friends thinking of doing anything? The opportunity is fine if they know how to seize it: so fine, just because it is not manifest to the unreflecting.