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LETTER TWENTY-EIGHT
121

consolation and advice which you send me over the wide, wide sea. You also have my thanks for the news you send me about old Brummagen. You have a poet and a poetess, have you? You do not seem to be aware that the greatest poetical personage of Birmingham is now living with us at the Antipodes. The late Miss Twamley, now Mrs. Meredith, is a resident in Australia. And what do you think of my setting up poet? I am positively preparing for the press a volume of verses; have already subscribers for 100 copies, including some of the greatest names in New South Wales, as by-and-y you will see. Among your news you tell me that you have a nunnery in Birmingham. Why, I declare the old place is getting quite romantic! You must take care of Maria and Eliza, lest they take the veil. I should not like to see them nuns. But, joking apart, do not be alarmed at a convent of sisters of mercy. They will not (think as you please) hurt Protestantism. You must let me know how the Chartists are getting on, and if you should see anything in the papers respecting William Lovett, who was imprisoned with John Collins in Warwick gaol, be pleased to send me the paper containing it. I am very desirous to know as