
I have to thank you for the copy of the "The Critic" (March 7) you sent me, & for your kind post card of March 14th.—both duly received.
I am sorry to learn that at the time of writing you had "no cheery or favorable news to send of physique." The weather here all through March has been bleak & stormy, & we can only hope that the better weather to follow will in part restore you.

I do not think that I "expect too much from the 2nd Annex," & am prepared for its being "very brief" & "most of it seen already." But, though the fact that "it is brought out in sickness & great depression" has resulted in brevity & a less full expression than you might wish, yet I am very sure that it's influence & effect will be all the greater; & I do not doubt that a wise intent, greater than your own, will be fulfilled in it. At any rate we shall recognize in it, with all the more tender gratitude, your "soul-dearest leaves confirming all the rest—the faithfulest—hardiest—best."

I have arranged to meet "the College" on this day fortnight, April 10th, & to give them an address on the 1855 edition of L. of G., with readings from the Preface.
I wish to give them a rough outline—so far as I can trace it (from the records of your previous life, from your ultimate decision & aims, & from scattered passages & indirections throughout your poems)—of the "long foreground" of experiences, thought & emotions from which it rose. Of course I can only do this in approximate outline, but I hope, in this way, to give the book an added personal interest.

I shall, perhaps, be on surer ground in attempting to explain the symbolism of its title & colour & in reading extracts from the Preface with special reference to your own aims, performance & personality.
But, at most, I only wish—as one student working with others—to incite them to further study for themselves.
I hope to arrange for another meeting on April 14th to read over your lecture on the death of Lincoln—as we have done before.
I write this on Good Friday morning (holiday here) after a busy week. The weather is occasionally stormy (hail showers) with gleams of sunshine. After dinner I expect some friends—perhaps Dr Johnston.
With loving thanks & good wishes
Yours affectionately J.W. Wallace
P.S. Evening
Mr & Mrs Dixon & son & Dr J. came after dinner. Later we all (except the lad) had an enjoyable walk through Rivington, the weather having improved. Tea, a rest & talk & they are now gone.
Part of our talk was about you, & they send their love to you.
Our meeting on April 10th is to be at Dr Johnston's.
On Wednesday evening last the "International Club" in Bolton had a meeting which Dr Johnston attended. Our friend Fred Wild read a paper (20 minutes) on you & afterwards read part of Ingersoll's lecture. In the discussion that followed Dr J. took part.


