Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 1

[348] or any future visit to England. You know that this bishop is the venerable Dr. Maltby, the friend of Parr, so renowned in Greek. Chantrey, the sculptor, once killed two woodcocks at one shot at Holkham. Old Coke was so delighted that he vowed a monument on the spot to be made by Chantrey himself; and all the classical world were invited to offer epigrams in Greek,— or, at least, all came forward. Alderson, Wellesley, Brougham, Maltby, &c. contributed; and the venerable bishop told me that Brougham was writing his while he was Lord Chancellor; and, on writing a line, used to send an express with it to his (Maltby's) house, to know if it was correct. The frequency and urgency of these messages from the Lord Chancellor excited the attention of Dr. M.'s neighbors, who thought that one of the archbishoprics was to be vacated, and that arrangements were making for the promotion of Dr. Maltby. The venerable bishop told me that he believed his (Dr. M.'s) verses were considered the best. I cannot repeat all the interesting classical and personal anecdotes which I hear. I left this venerable castle with regret, and went to Harperley Park; where I was engaged to pass a couple of days with Mr. Wilkinson,¹ the Recorder of Newcastle (he is no relative of Mr. Wilkinson, Judge S.'s correspondent). Here I rode on horseback with young ladies, visited castles in the neighborhood, listened to hunting stories and the accounts by the ladies of the leaps over hedges and fences which they took in pursuit of the fox; and then passed on to Oakwood, the seat of C. Blackett, Esq., the M. P. for the County of Northumberland. This is on the Tyne, and is about twelve miles from Newcastle. After passing a couple of days here, I shall go to Archdeacon Scott's, in Northumberland, on his urgent invitation to shoot grouse. The sport of shooting with a distinguished clergyman, who assured me that he had the best moors in all England, and his interesting conversation, have tempted me to this visit. Scott is an old friend of Parr and Home Tooke, and is one of the dramatis persono; intended in the colloquies of the ‘Diversions of Purley.’ From there I pass to Brougham Hall; then to Mr. Marshall's, &c.; then to Melrose, near Abbotsford, on a visit to Sir David Brewster. I cannot enumerate the number of invitations which I have received—more than thirty —from men of all opinions and stations. I have written Felton from Auckland Castle. He will tell you about the place.

As ever, affectionately yours,

P. S. Crowd your letters with accounts of all my friends and every thing in which I take an interest.

To George S. Hillard.

my dear Hillard,—It is now midnight, and I have just said ‘goodnight’ to my noble host, after a long evening filled by incessant conversation.