“Dear Patmore,—I shall be too happy to oblige you in anything in my power; but I am a little puzzled to make out whether your fawn is to be killed for eating, or to be bred up as a pet. As soon as I received your letter, I summoned my keeper. Hear what he says—‘If the gentleman wishes to eat, I can easily kill; but if to have a pet, the only chance is that there may be yet one to drop, as it is impossible to catch them alive if once they can run.’ So pray tell me which is your wish, and, if for the table, you may depend upon one directly. * *
“I have been visited by such a return of my old
complaint, dyspepsia, that Halford has
commanded me to Bath, to which I should have gone by this, but for very great
distress we have been in from the threatened loss of Mrs. P.
W.’s only daughter. We hope, however, she is now out of
danger; and, as soon as we can leave her, my good wife will accompany me to
Bath. I have such frequent pain, that if that fails, I shall seek the
| 76 | R. PLUMER WARD. |
