ve them so much that I
think they would have seemed part of myself to you. What a vision
remained to me of your lonely stay in that horrid room! But the day
passed, and its sorrow, as they all do; and when this reaches you, you
will be comfortable and rested, and among your own people again.

From Liverpool to Crewe I had companions in the ladies' carriage in
which I was; after that I had it to myself, and lay stretched on the
ground for rest the whole of the rest of the way.

I finished Dr. Mays's memoir, and read through half Harriet Martineau's
book, before I reached this place.

Women are always said to talk more than men, and yet I have generally
observed that when Englishwomen who are strangers to each other travel
together, not a single word is exchanged between them; while men almost
invariably fall into discourse together. This, I suppose, is partly from
the want of subjects of general interest among women, such as politics,
agriculture, national questions of importance, etc., which form
excellent common ground of conversation for chance companions; while the
questions of human society and considerations which concern men and
women alike may be too important or too futile, too general or too
special, to admit of easy discussion with strangers. The fact is, that
most women's subjects of interest are so purely personal and individual
that they can only be talked over with intimates.

I like Harriet Martineau's book very much, though perhaps not quite so
much as I expected. What pleases me best is its spirit, the Christian
faith in good, which is really delightful; though I cannot help thinking
she mistakes in supposing that one _must_ be very ill before one
believes in God's sole law, _good_, more almost than in one's own
existence.

The descriptions of natural objects are admirable, and the human
loving-kindness excellent; but I think she pushes her propositions
sometimes to the verge of paradox.... I am delighted to have it, and
think it better reading than the _Dublin Magazine_.

I got here at a little after three. The house is upside down with
cleansing processes, by reason of which I am put (till a smaller one can
be got ready for me) into an amazingly lofty large room, with some good
prints hung on the walls, and a pianoforte; seeing which privileges, I
have declined transferring myself to any other apartment, and shall be
made to pay accordingly.

Tell me of your errand to the theatre at Liverpool,