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LETTER EIGHTEEN
77

to London you cannot do better than to get lodging, if you can, at our house in Kirby-street, but I will give you another address, in case Irvines should be gone away: Mr. Stentake, tailor. Red Lion Court, Charter House Lane. This is where Hornblower lodges, and they seem to be very decent people—a sort by no means very common in London. Kirby-street, Hatton Garden, is a very respectable street, but London is such that the next street to it is full of thieves, Jews, and evil persons. The name of it is Field-lane. You will remember this if you should ever read 'Oliver Twist.' I must now conclude. May God bless you, my dear, dear sister. You will look out for the news from sea, to learn whether we arrive safe. And should we never meet again in this world, may we meet in a better, and should you never hear from me again, may God reward you for all you have done for me. Farewell.

Yours most affectionately,

H. PARKES.