[7f]

28 April/82

27, BRYANSTON SQUARE, W.

My dear George

The fault and the loss was mine – not being with the family with whom I should have wished to be. The tickets came here quite right – but I was much occupied, & having seen 12 as the hour thought I should be in abundance of time if I arrived then.- I found however that the Jerusalem Chamber was empty and the procession in

[7fv]

progress, & I joined the middle of it. – able to witness every thing though not with those I should have liked to be with.

Mrs Wedgwood was admirably managed for and has got safely back to Abinger.

Effie did not come- As in Ras' case, she felt averse to being present, a feeling in which in general I have much sympathy. In this case the public tribute was so great a feature that it overshadowed the private feeling – In this bustle you can scarcely yet have realised the loss. Indeed without the bustle, there are losses the real greatness of which we only feel as time goes on – losses which can never be repaired or replaced whatever else come to us.

You told me how exhausted you all were – I trust it will leave no bad effect.

[3]

Ida is to come to us on Monday and we shall then hear of you all. Poor Leonard – this is a sad precursor of his marriage.

I shall always look on the intercourse I have had with your father as one of the really good things which has come to me in life – and it is a real  [illeg]  to me to know that it is at an end. He was so kind & good to me

Ever very sincerely yours

T H Farrer