LITERARY AND DOMESTIC LIFE. 309 



too fast. Maggy rides a chestnut cow, which George declares is a 

 horse, and it certainly is rather like one sometimes. There are two 

 cats, both very tame — a black, and a white one with a red tail. I 

 fear the latter kills small birds. The young thrushes have flown, 

 and so have a nest of linnets in the front of the house. The thrush 

 is building again in another place. "We had a gooseberry-tart yes- 

 terday, which you would have liked very much. On Saturday, we 

 dined at Calgarth, and found all the people there exceedingly well 

 and happy. On Sunday we went to church, and dined at home. 

 On Monday we also dined at home ; and on Tuesday, Hartley Cole- 

 ridge came to dine with us, without Mrs. Barlow, who was ill. On 

 Wednesday we all dined at home ; and yesterday Fletcher Flem- 

 ing and Mr. Harrison from Ambleside dined with us. To-day we 

 are all going to drink tea with Miss Taylor at Bowness, and to go 

 to a children's ball in the evening. Hartley Coleridge is still with 

 us, and sends his love to your mamma and all yourselves. To-mor- 

 row we are going down to Penny Bridge, and will return on Mon- 

 day or Tuesday. On Wednesday, which is Ambleside Fair, I am 

 going there. On Thursday, there is to be wrestling there. On 

 Friday, Mr. Garnet gives us a dinner ; and after that we shall be 

 thinking of coming home again pretty soon. I am happy to hear 

 you and Johnny are good boys. Tell Johnny I am very angry 

 with him for not writing. Tell mamma that I like the paper ; and 

 got her last letter this morning. God bless her, and you, and 

 Johnny, and Umbs, and keep you all well and happy till we return. 

 Love, too, to Miss Penny, that is, Aunt Mary; and kind compli- 

 ments to Mrs. Alison. I will write to mamma from Penny Bridge. 

 I am, my dear little boy, your most loving and affectionate father, 



"The Old Man." 



TO HIS SOX JOHK 



" Elleray, Monday Afternoon, June 2, 182S. 

 " My dear Johnny : — I received your letter this morning, from 

 which I find you are well, and in good spirits. I am satisfied with 

 your place in the Academy, which I hope you will keep till the end, 

 or rather ste:il up a little. I presume Mr. Gunn intends going on 

 the stage. We left Penny Bridge on Tuesday, and dined at the 

 Island with a large party. On Wednesday, I went to Ambleside 

 fair, and settled a few bills. Richard Sowden dined with me at 



