"I told Langford of a curious police trial for swindling here at Vienna--curious as illustrating Austrian criminal procedure, &c. He thought I ought to report it in 'O'Dowd.' I send it off now for your opinion and judgment (and hope favourably). It might want a little retouching here and there, but you will see and say.
"I was delighted with your 'Scott' speech--the best of them of all that I read, and I see it has been copied and recopied largely. Your allusion to Wilson was perfect, and such a just homage to a really great man whom all the Cockneyism in the world cannot disparage.
"I am in such damnable pain that I can hardly write a line, but I want you to see the 'Police' sketch at once. Can I have a proof, if you like it, early? as perhaps when I am able to move I shall have to get to some of the sulphur springs in Styria at once.
"My enemy is now making a demonstration about my left knee, and, as the newspapers say, _La situation est difficile_.
"I am not so ill but that I can desire to be remembered to Mrs Blackwood."
"Between gout and indignation I am half mad. Gladstone at Whitby is worse to me than my swelled ankle, and I send you a furious O'D. to show that the Cabinet are only playing out--where they do not parody--the game of the Communists.
"Whether it will be in time to send me a proof I cannot tell, but you will, I know, take care of me. I feel in writing it as though we had been talking the whole thing together, and that I was merely giving a _résumé_ of our gossip.
"Your delightful note and its enclosure have just come. I thank you cordially for both. I have not any recollection of what I said of Scott, but I know what I _feel_ about him, and how proud I am that you like my words. I cannot get my foot to the ground yet, but I am rather in vein for writing, as I always am in gout, only my caligraphy has got added difficulties from the position I am reduced to.
"I am glad Langford likes us here: my daughters took to him immensely, and only were sorry we saw so little of him. If he has really 'bitten' you with a curiosity to see Miramar I shall bless the day he came here.
"Tell Mrs Blackwood my cabin will be glad to house her here, and if she will only come I'll be her courier over the whole of North Italy."