The road ascends the "hollow way" cut through the greensand, and a timber footbridge is flung across it leading from the Church to the Rectory. Dr. Tennyson could tell the story of how his old friend T. H. Rawnsley, the Rector, and Mr. Eden, brother of the Admiral, being in London, looked in at the great Globe in Leicester Square and heard a man lecturing on Geology. They listened till they heard "This Greensand formation here disappears" (he was speaking of Sussex) "and crops up again in an obscure little village called Halton Holgate in Lincolnshire." "Come along, Eden!" said the Rector; "this is a very stupid fellow." Halton was the house, and Mr. and Mrs. Rawnsley the people, whom Dr. Tennyson most loved to visit. She had been previously known to him as the beautiful Miss Walls of Boothby. The Rector was the most genial and agreeable of men, and her charm of look and manner made his wife a universal favourite. Here are two characteristic letters from Dr. Tennyson to Mr. Rawnsley: _Tuesday 28th, 1826._ DEAR RAWNSLEY--In your not having come to see me for so many months, when you have little or nothing to do but warm your shins over the fire while I, unfortunately, am frozen or rather suffocated with Greek and Latin, I consider myself as not only slighted but spifflicated. You deserve that I should take no notice of your letter whatever, but I will comply with your invitation partly to be introduced to the agreeable and clever lady, but more especially to have the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Rawnsley, whom, you may rest assured, I value considerably more than I do you. Mrs. T. is obliged by your invitation, but the weather is too damp and hazy, Mr. Noah,--so I remain your patriarchship's neglected servant, G. C. TENNYSON. This letter was addressed to the Rev. T. H. Rawnsley, Halton Parsonage. The next was addressed to Halton Palace, and runs thus: SOMERSBY, _Monday_. DEAR RAWNSLEY--We three shall have great pleasure in dining with you to-morrow. We hope, also, that Mr. and Mrs. Clarke and yourselves will favour us with their and your company to dinner during their stay. I like them very much, and shall be very happy to know more of them.--Very truly yours, G. C. TENNYSON. _P.S._--How the devil do you expect that people are to get up at seven o'clock in the morning to answer your notes? However, I have not kept your Ganymede waiting.