t
she had few opportunities of visiting any scenes of especial beauty. We
need not therefore be surprised that the impression produced by Lyme was
so great that she retained a vivid and accurate memory of the details
eleven years afterwards. In _Persuasion_, she allowed herself to dwell
on them with greater fullness and greater enthusiasm than she had ever
displayed on similar occasions before. Readers of that book who visit
Lyme--especially if they have the valuable help of the Miss Hills'
descriptions and sketches--will feel no difficulty in recognising the
exact spot on the Cobb which was pointed out to Tennyson as the scene of
the fall of Louisa Musgrove, or the well-placed but minute house at the
corner of the pier, past which Captain Benwick was seen rushing for the
doctor, and in which the Harvilles managed to entertain a large party;
they may note the point on the steps leading down to the sea where Mr.
Elliot first saw Anne; and if they go to the 'Royal Lion' Hotel and
engage a private sitting-room, they can look from the window, as Mary
Musgrove looked at her cousin's carriage, when she recognised the Elliot
countenance, but failed to see the Elliot arms, because the great-coat
was folded over the panels.[137]

The letter which follows was written when Cassandra was just leaving
Weymouth to go to Ibthorp where old Mrs. Lloyd lay very ill.

Lyme: Friday [September 14, 1804].[138]

MY DEAR CASSANDRA,--I take the first sheet of fine
striped paper to thank you for your letter from
Weymouth, and express my hopes of your being at
Ibthorp before this time. I expect to hear that
you reached it yesterday evening, being able to
get as far as Blandford on Wednesday. Your account
of Weymouth contains nothing which strikes me so
forcibly as there being no ice in the town. For
every other vexation I was in some measure
prepared, and particularly for your disappointment
in not seeing the Royal Family go on board on
Tuesday, having already heard from Mr. Crawford
that he had seen you in the very act of being too
late. But for there being no ice, what could
prepare me? . . . You found my letter at Andover,
I hope, yesterday, and have now for many hours been
satisfied that your kind anxiety on my behalf was
as much thr