Page:William Jerdan.pdf/20

Rh as piquant, essays in criticism and original prose. Romance and Reality, and Francesca Carrara, novels in three volumes each, afforded farther proof of genius and industry, and were thus requited:—

Say on an average (estimating the annual Scrap-Book) 250l. a year, and a close approximation will he made to the literary production and the market price. On the death of her grandmother she received a legacy of 350l. and I the good old lady's good old gold watch (of which my pocket was picked in the Olympic Theatre on a memorable dramatic evening, the first appearance, I think, of Charles Mathews the younger, with Liston, his father's old friend); and would have been, in a pecuniary sense, more easy and happy, but for certain family drawbacks which her generous soul never regretted, but rather rejoiced in, whilst her genuine economic spirit, as regarded herself, never, I believe, allowed her expenditure to exceed 120l. a year!! In truth, she was the most unselfish of human creatures; and it was quite extraordinary to witness her ceaseless consideration for the feelings of others, even in minute trifles, whilst her own mind was probably troubled and oppressed; a sweet disposition, so perfectly amiable, from Nature's fount, and so unalterable in its manifestations throughout her entire life,