LETTER XXVIII.

ARTHUR HOWARD TO FREDERICK DOUGLAS.

_Paris._

My dear Fred.

Your letter, announcing safe return to the “happy valley,” found me on the very eve of my departure to Dover. Need I say how welcome it was?--Yes, you did indeed describe your feelings to one who could participate in every sensation, and feel every beat of your heart, as the well known land marks, the _termini_ that bound your glen of enchantment, rose smiling in the western beam, above the misty fleece which had rolled over their summits from the sea. I saw the first faggot blaze on the peak of Lisfarne; I heard the first joyous announcement of Tom Collins, the eager bark of Gelert, Eva, and Bran, the din of voices, the pattering of bare feet across every path-way in the bog; in short, what incident, however trifling, was a stranger to my breast that prepared for the final folding in your mother’s arms?

How different my journey and my arrival at its termination! I could have joined several gay parties, proceeding in the same route which I was about to tread; but I was not in a humour for such company as they offered, and so I preferred commencing my travels _solus_, Lewis being only an appendage who permits me to be more alone than I should be without him, by taking all the minor cares that belong to _chemin faisant_ off my shoulders.

My mother and Louisa were to leave town on the day after I set out, and are by this time at Selby--would that I could say enjoying the quiet of that beautiful place; but the former, poor soul, is not happy any where, and my sister, alas, though she feels little pleasure in the scenes which she has left behind, cannot be expected to derive much from those which in providing food, and giving time for meditation, bring no peace to a bosom at war within itself. Louisa, I predict, will be an altered character, but the work will be slow, and experience many interruptions. I see, however, some very promising circumstances on which to build my hopes. Adelaide’s marriage is already acting as a salutary beacon; and I have extorted a faithful promise from Louisa that she will no longer give encouragement to Lord G. Villiers, whose attentions, if they ended in a serious address, would be directed by the same base motives which brought Crayton and Adelaide together. Thus one great point is gained, but every step which I achieve with Louisa, throws me farther back in my mother’s regard; so the task is like that of Sisyphus, and very disheartening.

On reaching this place, I received letters from Falkland, and one from my brother-in-law, entreating my interference with my uncle for a loan. This I must peremptorily refuse, and cordially do I wish that the latter had returned home a poor man, that such of his family, as are inclined to love him, might indulge the feeling without suspicion of its purity; and that such as would prey upon his very vitals, without regard to any thing but the most sordid self-interest, should be kept from persecuting and injuring his fine mind, by increasing the measure of its distrust. He is not fond of me, but I love him because he has good taste enough to distinguish you. Say every thing kind and respectful to him for me, which you do not think him likely to reject, and with tender loves to the rest of the dear group, I am, dearest Frederick, in haste,

Your affectionate,

A. HOWARD.