B.--_What_ breed I do not remember.
And to say she has just received a small group of the same herself.
N.B.--The quantity I have forgotten.
And to add, she is assured they are something very rare and scarce,
and extraordinary and curious.
N.B.--By _whom_ she was assured I have not heard.
And to subjoin, that you must send word if you have any of the same
sort.
N.B.--How you are to find that out, I cannot tell.
And to mention, as a corollary, that, if you have none of them, and
should like to have some, she has a cock and a hen she can spare, and
will appropriate them to Mr. Lock and my dearest Fredy.
This conclusive stroke so pleased and exhilarated me, that forthwith
I said you would both be enchanted, and so forgot all the preceding
particulars.
And I said, moreover, that I knew you would rear them, and cheer them,
and fondle them like your children.
So now--pray write a very _fair answer_ fairly, in fair hand, and to
fair purpose.
My Susanna is just now come--so all is fair with my dearest Mr. and
Mrs. Lock's F.B.
GEORGE CRABBE
1754-1832
TO MARY LEADBEATER[1]
_The only survivors_
Trowbridge, 1st of 12th month, 1816.
MARY LEADBEATER!
Yes, indeed, I do well remember you! Not Leadbeater then, but a pretty
demure lass, standing a timid auditor while her own verses were read
by a kind friend, but a keen judge. And I have in my memory your
father's person and countenance, and you may be sure that my vanity
retained the compliment which he paid me in the moment when he
permitted his judgement to slip behind his good humour and desire of
giving pleasure.
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