Dato: 13. april 1848
Fra: Joseph Durham   Til: H.C. Andersen
Sprog: engelsk.

6 North Crescent, Bedford Square, London.

To Hans Christian Andersen. April 13, 1848.

My dear Friend,

That which we may do any day, and feel that it ean be set aside as not being a matter of present moment, is often thrown from week to week, until the space becomes so great between the time that is, and that which should have been, that it is absolutely an effort of courage to enter upon tlie route, and scareeely enough to acknowledge negligence, where such should not have been cant, when I read in your Rambles amongst the Hartz Mountains, a little episode a sort of self-complaint that all you wished to be alone, you wished to be alone quiekly.

I read it, and felt it deeply, I thought it was yourself that spoke to me and challenged me with having made a promise that I have failed to keep, but thus it stands, I could have sent the Busts of yourself and Jenny Lind long ago, but Count Reventlow advised their not being sent until the ice broke up, as by sendmg via Hamburg would subject them to so many removals that they would be liable to damage, they have been ready for a long time, and Messrs Windsor Bro's were to let me know when a vessel sailed, but they did not do so, I will now communicate with Mr Hambro, and at the earliest possible opportunity you shall be sure to have them, and if you have thought me to blame, I pray you, think so no longer, the Countess Reventlow was very much delighted with your bust, and wished the Count to sit to me, and he was content to [do] so, but though I am now an idle man, I do not like to ask hiro, he must be so much engaged in the present unhappy state of affairs, I read every scrap af news concerning Denmark, and it pains me to the soul to read report upon report of wrong and outrages with which the world seems filled, the courage of your King breeds wonder in the minds of all men here, his joining his army brings back that feeling of chivalry we had all thought last in the rally of departed years. Mr. Jerdan allowed me to read your letter to him and I join you in the sorrow you must feel for your late and estimable King - our mutual friend would tell you perhaps that I have modelled a Bust of him, though not yet finished. Jenny Lind's Bust has won me great praise from all sorts af people, and Mr. Lumley, the Director of the Opera, has the ane I executed in Marble. That with your own I have sent to the Exhibition here, you cannot think how I lang for the time when I shall see her here, I eount the days, so good and kind to me, the thoughts that I shall see her soon makes my heart swell, and many a time has the remembranee of the past brought tears into my eyes. God bless her - let me repeat the same to you, and,

I beg you to believe me, Yours Faithfully,

Joseph Durham.

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