Cranford

discovered that his lordship retired to rest, and, let us hope, to
refreshing slumbers, at the Angel Hotel; but shared the Brunonian meals
during the two days that he honoured Cranford with his august presence.
Mrs. Johnson, our civil butcher’s wife, informs me that Miss Jessie
purchased a leg of lamb; but, besides this, I can hear of no preparation
whatever to give a suitable reception to so distinguished a visitor.
Perhaps they entertained him with “the feast of reason and the flow of
soul”; and to us, who are acquainted with Captain Brown’s sad want of
relish for “the pure wells of English undefiled,” it may be matter for
congratulation that he has had the opportunity of improving his taste by
holding converse with an elegant and refined member of the British
aristocracy. But from some mundane failings who is altogether free?’

[Illustration: ‘One with whom his lordship held conversation.’]

Miss Pole and Miss Matty wrote to me by the same post. Such a piece of
news as Lord Mauleverer’s visit was not to be lost on the Cranford
letter-writers; they made the most of it. Miss Matty humbly apologised
for writing at the same time as her sister, who was so much more capable