MY DEAR LADY DACRE,

Will you be kind enough to send “Isaure” to my father?  We will take the greatest possible care of her, and return her to you in all safety.  I am only sorry that he cannot have the pleasure of hearing you read it; for though it can take its own part very well, you know even Shakespeare is not the worse for the interpretation of a sweet voice, musical accent, and correct emphasis.  With regard to the production of the piece on the stage, I do not like to venture an opinion, because my short experience has been long enough already to show me how easily I might be mistaken in such matters.

There is no rule by which the humors of an audience can be predicted.  On a benefit night, indeed, I feel sure that the piece would succeed, and answer your kind intention of adding to the attractions of the bill, be they what they might; but our judges are not the same, you know, two consecutive evenings, and therefore it is impossible to foretell the sentence of a second representation, for no “benefit” but that of the public itself.  Isaure is a refined patrician beauty, and I am sometimes inclined to think that the Memphian head alone is of fit proportions for uttering oracles in the huge space of our modern stage.  My father, however, is, from long experience, the best guesser of these riddles, and he will tell you honestly his opinion as to your heroine’s public capacity.  I am sure he will find his own reward in making her acquaintance.  I am, my dear Lady Dacre, faithfully yours,

FANNY KEMBLE.

GREAT RUSSELL STREET. 
DEAR MRS. JAMESON,

Thank you for the book you were so good as to send me.  I have read that which concerns the Cenci in it, and think Leigh Hunt’s reflections on the story and tragedy very good.  I am glad you were at the play last night, because I thought I acted well—­at least, I tried to do so.  I stayed the first act of the new after-piece, and was rather amused by it.  I do not know how the ladies’ “inexpressibles” might affect the fortunes of the second act, but I liked all their gay petticoats in the first, extremely.  The weather is not very propitious for us; we start to-morrow at nine.  I send you the only copy of Sophocles I can lay my hand on this morning.  Yours ever truly,

F. A. KEMBLE.

A little piece called “The Invincibles,” in which a smart corps of young Amazons in uniform were officered by Madame Vestris in the prettiest regimentals ever well worn by woman, was the novelty I alluded to.  The effect of the female troop was very pretty, and the piece was very successful.