1842.
MY DEAR SIR, I was truly pleased with the receipt of the letter which you were put upon writing by the perusal of my 'Penal Sonnets' in the _Quarterly Review_.

Being much engaged at present, I might have deferred making my acknowledgments for this and other favours (particularly your 'Descant') if I had not had a special occasion for addressing you at this moment.

A Bristol lady has kindly undertaken to be the bearer of the walking-stick which I spoke to you of some time since.

It was cut from a holly-tree planted in our garden by my own hand.
* * * * * Your 'Descant' amused me, but I must protest against your system, which would discard punctuation to the extent you propose.

It would, I think, destroy the harmony of blank verse when skilfully written.