My poor selection of miscellanies has been courteously greeted in the London journals. Openings were made for me to write, had I but leisure; it is for that I look to a second stay in London, since several topics came before me on which I wished to write and publish there.
I became acquainted with a gentleman who is intimate
with all the English artists, especially Stanfield and
Turner, but was only able to go to his house once, at this
time. Pictures I found but little time for, yet enough to
feel what they are new to be tome. I was only at the
Dulwich and National Galleries and Hampton Court.
Also, have seen the Vandykes, at Warwick; but all the
precious private collections I was obliged to leave
untouched, except one of Turner’s, to which I gave a day.
For the British Museum, I had only one day, which I
spent in the Greek and Egyptian Rooms, unable even to
look at the vast collections of drawings, &c. But if I
live there a few months, I shall go often. O, were life
but longer, and my strength greater! Ever I am
bewildered by the riches of existence, had I but more time
to open the oysters, and get out the pearls. Yet some
are mine, if only for a necklace or rosary.
PARIS.
TO HER MOTHER.
Paris, Dec. 26, 1846. — In Paris I have been obliged to give a great deal of time to French, in order to gain the power of speaking, without which I might as usefully be in a well as here. That has prevented my doing