enable him to enjoy. He is, however, an invalid, and
a cripple. He passes some weeks of every year in extreme torment. When
he is in his best health he can only limp a hundred yards in a day. Yet
he never says a cross word. The sight of him spreads good humour over
the face of every one who comes near him. His sister, an excellent old
maid as ever lived, and the favourite of all the young people of her
acquaintance, says that it is quite a pleasure to nurse him. She was
reading the "Inheritance" to him as he lay in bed, and he enjoyed it
amazingly. She is a famous reader; more quiet and less theatrical than
most famous readers, and therefore the fitter for the bed-side of a sick
man. Her Ladyship had fretted herself into being ill, could eat nothing
but the breast of a partridge, and was frightened out of her wits by
hearing a dog howl. She was sure that this noise portended her death, or
my Lord's. Towards the evening, however, she brightened up, and was in
very good spirits. My visit was not very lively. They dined at four, and
the company was, as you may suppose at this season, but scanty. Charles
Greville, commonly called, heaven knows why, Punch Greville, came on
the Saturday. Byng, named from his hair Poodle Byng, came on the Sunday.
Allen, like the poor, we had with us always. I was grateful, however,
for many pleasant evenings passed there when London was full, and Lord
Holland out of bed. I therefore did my best to keep the house alive. I
had the library and the delightful gardens to myself during most of the
day, and I got through my visit very well.

News you have in the papers. Poor Scott is gone, and I cannot be sorry
for it. A powerful mind in ruins is the most heart-breaking thing which
it is possible to conceive. Ferdinand of Spain is gone too; and, I fear,
old Mr. Stephen is going fast. I am safe at Leeds. Poor Hyde Villiers is
very ill. I am seriously alarmed about him. Kindest love to all.

Ever yours

T. B. M.

To Hannah M. Macaulay.

Weston House: September 29, 1832.

My dear Sister,--I came hither yesterday, and found a handsome house,
pretty grounds, and a very kind host and hostess. The house is really
very well planned. I do not know that I have ever seen so happy an
imitation of the domestic architecture of Elizabeth's reign. The oriels,
towers, terraces, and battlements are in the most perfect keeping; and
the building is as convenient within as it is picturesque without. A few
weather