it
would have been in the deep, deep sea--the blue, the fresh,
&c.--Stout mama thanked me politely, and turning to her
husband (who, of course, had come up too late to be of any
use--those husbands _always_ do)--she remarked "That the
vind had blown both her and her child's 'at hoff and if
she'd know'd it--she wouldn't have brought the young-un
hout."

I dare say humanity is amusing here when the place is
full--there seems a good deal of "os" exercise--and
basket-carriage driving on Sundays--which is good to
behold--this gentleman [_see page 25_] was driving with
supreme self-content--having one rein all snug and tight
under his pony's tail--luckily the beast did not seem to
have any kick in him--so _perhaps_ he got safe back to
Margate.

* * * * *

Yr. affec. Dad,

H. K. B.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

_29th Sept. 1868._

MY DEAR DOCTOR,

I have sent you a couple of canvasses--if you put little
Clara's head on one of them, you will immortalize her and
yourself too.

Also therewith you will find a Surplice, and if you will
only "hold forth," next Sunday, in the Grande Place of
Colyton--I will guarantee to say that the simplicity of yr.
vestment and the flowing eloquence of yr. tongue will draw
out--(as irresistibly as the Piper did the children) the
congregations of the "High" Church and the Conventicles
which will--one and all--rush forth for to see and to hear,
and admiringly surround you!--If windy, you might take this
for yr. text--"What went ye forth for to see?--" A reed
shaken by the wind? &c., &c.

There must have been a splendid _Sea on_ at _Sea-ton_, these
last few days,--_tons_ of _sea_, eh? As "I took my walk
abroad" this morning--I saw the Serpentine in all its
grandeur--and observed several vessels in distress--some
clipper yachts on their beam ends--the waves were
prodigious--great rollers--two especially--one a six horse
fellow--t'other a steamer--crunching and grinding--levelling
and sweeping all before them!

Have you seen the Doge of Colyton yet? or any of the Dog-es?

By all means cultivate the acquaintance of the Doge's
kinswoman. Miss P---- (pray give my love to
her)--fac-similed on the stage o