nteresting, I think,--more than most histories of
anything. And the stories of saints and nice people will be plenty.

Such moonlight as there is to-night, but nothing to what it is at
Coniston! It makes the lagoon water look brown instead of green, which
I never noticed before.

* * * * *

VENICE, _4th February, 1877_.

Your praise and sympathy do me double good, because you could not
praise me so nicely and brightly without pleasure of your own. I'm
always sure a Fors will be good if I feel it will please Susie;--but I
can only write them now as they're given me; it all depends on what
I'm about. But I'm doing a great deal just now which you will
enjoy--I'm thankful to say, I know you will. St. Theodore's horse is
delightful[20]--and our Venetian doggie--and some birds are coming too!
This is not a letter--but just a purr.

[Footnote 20: St. Theodore had a contest with a Dragon, and his horse
gave considerable help, trampling it down with its four feet. The
Saint spoke first to the horse as to a man--"Oh thou horse of Christ
comfort thee, be strong like a man, and come that we may conquer the
contrary enemy." See "Fors," vol. vii. also "St. Mark's Rest,"]

* * * * *

SAINTS AND FLOWERS.

VENICE, _17th February_ (1877).

It is very grievous to me to hear of your being in that woeful weather
while I have two days' sunshine out of three, and starlight or
moonlight always; to-day the whole chain of the Alps from Vicenza to
Trieste shining cloudless all day long, and the sea-gulls floating
high in the blue, like little dazzling boys' kites.

Yes, St. Francis would have been greatly pleased with you watching
pussy drink your milk; so would St. Theodore, as you will see by next
Fors, which I have ordered to be sent you in first proof, for I am
eager that you should have it. What wonderful flowers these pinks of
St. Ursula's are, for life! They seem to bloom like everlastings.

I get my first rosebud and violets of this year from St. Helena's
Island to-day. How I begin to pity people who have no saints to be
good to them! Who is yours at Coniston? There must have been some in
the country once upon a time.

With their help I am really getting well on with my history and
drawing, and hope for a sweet time at home in the heathery days, and
many a nice afternoon tea at the Thwaite.

*