ters did neither one thing
nor the other: their Holy figures are neither ideal nor real: and it is
incongruous to see one of Rubens' brawny boors dressed up in the ideal
red and blue drapery with which the early Italians clothed their figures
of Christ. But enough of all this. I have seen Trench's Sabbation, and
like it much: how do you like those centuries of couplets, which are a
German fashion? They are very much in the style of Quarles' Emblems, and
other pithy epigrams of that time: only doubtless more artistically
polished: perhaps profounder. There were some of the same kind in
Blackwood some months ago. My paper is out: and I must again say Good
Bye.

_To John Allen_.

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.
_August_ 28 [1838.]

DEAR ALLEN,

. . . When I left town I went into Bedfordshire and loitered about there
and in Northamptonshire till ten days ago: when I came to join my sisters
at this watering place on the Suffolk coast. I have been spending a very
pleasant time; but the worst of it is that the happier I am with Browne
the sorrier I am to leave him. To put off this most evil day I have
brought him out of Bedfordshire here: and here we are together in a
pleasant lodging looking out upon the sea, teaching a great black dog to
fetch and carry, playing with our neighbour's children, doing the first
five propositions of Euclid (which _I_ am teaching him!), shooting gulls
on the shore, going out in boats, etc. All this must have an end: and as
usual my pleasure in his stay is proportionably darkened by the
anticipation of his going, and go he must in a very few days. Well,
Carlyle told us that we are not to expect to be so happy. I have thought
once or twice how equally happy I was with you by the seaside at Tenby.
You and Browne (though in rather different ways) have certainly made me
more happy than any men living. Sometimes I behave very ill to him, and
am much ashamed of myself: but enough of this.

I have been to see two shew places lately: Boughton in Northamptonshire,
a seat of the Duke of Buccleugh's, of the Versailles or Clare Hall style
of building, in a very great park planted with the longest avenues I ever
saw. But I thought the whole affair gloomy and deserted. There are some
fine pictures: and two cartoons said to be by Raffaelle: of which one is
the vision of Ezechiel--I could not judge of their genuineness. The
other place I have seen is Woburn Abbey--the Duke of Bedford's--a fine
place but