could read Virgil, and was fond of him; it seems that he is very fond. He said moreover that Latin was untranslateable—being so magnificent a language; whereas Greek, mainly depending for its interest on thought, could be perfectly well translated. I found that he and I agreed in liking the 2nd and 7th books best, he rather inclining to the Infernal Regions and the Fall of Troy. He told me that the exquisite tenderness between fathers and sons delighted him above all things in Virgil, and led one to the root of the main source of Roman greatness in its noblest time.
You will be sorry to hear that Miss Cons can only, at present, give one day and a half weekly to the work; and that Miss Sterling is so much interested in what she calls "linking my little affairs to whatever has life," that she will not work except near us nor of course could Miss Cons do more than this in so short a time.
On Wednesday we are to have our play.[1] We are actually to have an audience of 200 poor people. Everyone is very kind about it; we have a splendid room, and all promises well.
Oh, Mary! life and its many interests is a great and blessed possession. I love it so much. … And yet it seems such a simple, quiet thing to slip out of it presently; and for other and better people to take up their work, and carry it on for their day too.
May 9th, 1869.
To Miss F. Davenport Hill.
… The trees are of course very small; but the creepers helped us, and the playground never looked
- ↑ This refers to a performance of the "Merchant of Venice" in Dr. Martineau's schoolroom in Portland Street. Octavia acted Portia.
