138 LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. 



lodging houses for the accommodation of visitors. The cottages 

 of the fishermen and the store rooms attached to the Preventive 

 Service, are situated near the beach, at a short distance from 

 which is a small inn ; another inn is now being erected in the 

 high ground above the village, commanding a great extent of sce- 

 nery. On this hill is the range of buildings established by Go- 

 vernment for the officers and men of the Coast Guard Service. 



Babbicombe had formerly a Regatta jointly with Torquay, 

 under the title of the " Torquay and Babbicombe Regatta." 

 Some of our readers no doubt retain the remembrance of many a 

 pleasant day spent at the anniversary of this festival. How happy 

 did this sweet spot appear in the days of the late hospitable and 

 lamented owner of Tor Abbey, when the morning dawned on the 

 busy scene of activity and life which told the arrival of that day 

 of mirth, holiday and rejoicing the Regatta. How happy did 

 it appear when the gilded barks spread their snowy sails to the 

 gentle gale, and in eager rivalry ploughed the rippling waters of 

 the bay. How happy when the conquering hero of the wave re- 

 turned amid the applauding cheers of the beholders and welcomed 

 to the shores by the majestic warblings of music's song. We 

 have as yet trod a path, and we are now following its windings, 

 where a few years ago the heath bell waved silently in the breeze, 

 where the erica raised her purple flowers in the balmy air, and 

 the golden blossoms of the furze told of the forbidden regions of 

 the fairy land. Many a bright morn had thrown her ruddy smile 

 over the hill and the dale many a lightly tripping monarch of 

 the sacred ring had dashed the dew-drop from the glittering herb- 

 age, and nought save the gale sighed softly in the valley, ere hu- 

 man industry had marked this spot for cultivation or improvement. 

 These, however, are the scenes so teeming with natural beauty 

 and attractions, which engage the attention of every stranger. 

 Nothing more is sought or required than the general assertion 

 that we may wander far and near, and when chance may guide 

 ur steps hither, we shall be compelled to say 



* Speak not of Italy she cannot show 

 1 A brighter scene than this. ' " 



J. B. 



LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. 



We are indebted to the kindness of a lady for permission to 

 insert the following letter in our magazine, it was written to a 

 friend by that pleasing and justly popular authoress Mrs. Bar- 

 b;iuld, when Miss Aikin. 



DEAR FRIEND, 



OUR conversation the other day, was on the 



