The following letters, with their too few characteristic sketches, prove the affectionate intimacy between Leech and his friend.
"TO CHARLES F. ADAMS, ESQ.
"August 9, 1847.
"MY DEAR CHARLEY,
"You will be glad to hear that I have got a little daughter, and that both mother and child are doing well. Mrs. Leech was taken ill, unfortunately, at the end of our trip to Liverpool--where, as perhaps you are aware, d.i.c.kens and some of us had been acting for Leigh Hunt"s benefit--and she was confined at the Victoria Hotel, Euston Square, where she is now. I thought you would like to hear the news, so send off these few lines. Give my kindest regards to Mrs. Adams, and believe me, old boy,
"Yours faithfully, "JOHN LEECH."
In a letter written to Mr. Adams a week later, Leech recommends a young gentleman to the care of his friend, in the hope that if Mr. Adams has "the opportunity, he will give the applicant something to do in his profession." The letter closes by this announcement:
"You will be glad to hear, I am sure, that Mrs. Leech, _and my daughter_! are both "going on" famously.
"Ever, my dear Charley, "Yours faithfully, "JOHN LEECH.
"Given up hunting? Not a bit of it."
"January --, 1847.
"MY DEAR CHARLEY,
"Mark (Lemon) and I were talking only the other day about beating up your quarters towards the end of this month; and, with your permission, if the frost goes, we intend to do so. We thought of riding down--I on the old mare; and he on a "seven-and-sixpenny."...
"Is there anything in the shape of a good cob that could hunt if wanted down in your parts? Possibly I could get rid of the mare in the way of a chop. I have been riding a nearly thoroughbred mare for the last week on trial. A very nice thing, but too much in this way.
"I want something more of this kind--a good one to go, and pleasant to ride.
"Yours ever faithfully, "J. L."
"April 17, 1848.
"MY DEAR CHARLEY,
".... Old Mark and I were special constables on Monday last. You would have laughed to see us on duty, trying the area gates, etc., Mark continually finding excuses for taking a small gla.s.s of ale or brandy and water. Policeman"s duty is no joke. I had to patrol about from ten at night till one in the morning, and heartily sick of it I was. It was only my loyalty and extreme love of peace and order that made me stand it....
"Ever yours faithfully, "JOHN LEECH."
My elderly readers will bear in mind April 10, 1848, and the monster pet.i.tion of the Chartists, which they were not allowed to present to Parliament in the threatening form they had arranged, with other alarming signs of that troubled time--the flight of Louis Philippe, Continental thrones tottering, and the rest of it.
In his correspondence with Mr. Adams, Leech constantly reminds his friend of his objection to high-spirited horses. Under date February 18, 1849, he asks Mr. Adams if he can hire "an "unter from Ware."
"I should prefer," he adds, "something like the old brown horse Mark had last year. If he comes, of course he must have the same nag he had when he was at Barkway; _but, mind_, I won"t have a beast that pulls, or bolts, or any nonsense of the kind. I come out for pleasure, and not to be worried. Tell Mrs. Adams I shall not be half such an objectionable visitor as I have been heretofore, seeing that I have left off SMOKING!...
"My very kind regards to Mrs. Adams, your little ones, and my good friends in your neighbourhood.
"Believe me, old fellow, "Yours ever faithfully, "JOHN LEECH."
"February 7, 1850.
"MY DEAR CHARLEY,
"I am longing to see you, and have a ride across country with you. Do you think I could have the horse Mark Lemon had when he was down at Barkway? Or if I couldn"t have that one, do you know of any other that would be equally TEMPERATE and WELL-BEHAVED? I have no horse at present.
The last I had came down; and I am rather particular in consequence.
"Give me a line, old fellow, and let me know when the hounds meet near you....
"Yours faithfully, "JOHN LEECH."
One of Mr. Adams" daughters, Charlotte, surnamed Chatty--then a small child, now a lady whose age is borne so well as to make it difficult to believe that she lived so long ago as 1850--whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making the other day, told me of her frequent visits to the Leeches, and of the never-ceasing care and tenderness of Leech.
In a letter from Broadstairs, written in the autumn of 1850 to Mr.
Adams, Leech says:
"You will be glad to hear that Chatty is as well as possible, and is now going to have a long day"s work (!) on the sands."
Again, after a good deal of horsy talk:
"Mrs. Leech and Chatty with her will return for good to Notting Hill on Sat.u.r.day, when we shall be glad to have her with us as long as you can spare her. Apropos of dear Chatty, I am sure her mamma will be glad to hear that she has been uninterruptedly cheerful and well, and has certainly proved herself one of the best-tempered, best-hearted little creatures possible. She desires me to send you all her best love and kisses....
"Ever faithfully, "J. L."
"31, Notting Hill Terrace, "February 18, 1852.
"MY DEAR CHARLEY,
"It will give me the greatest pleasure to come and see you. Mark (Lemon) says he will accompany me at the end of this month. Will that suit Mrs.
Adams? I want much to SEE some hunting, as I want some materials for the work I am ill.u.s.trating--indeed, I was going to propose a run down to you myself. Will you let us know when the hounds meet near you? Is the horse I had before still alive, I wonder? or could you, if I came, get me a horse "in every way suitable for a timid, elderly gentleman"?
"I was very glad to hear from you, old boy. In great haste, but with our united best regards to Mrs. Adams and yourself.
"Believe me, "Ever yours faithfully, "JOHN LEECH.
"C. F. ADAMS, ESQ."
"_Punch_ Office, 85, Fleet Street, "Sat.u.r.day, February 28, 1852.