You must not measure the real pleasure and gratification it afforded me to receive your letter by the time I have taken to answer it. I have meant many times to sit down and write to you, but one thing or the other has prevented me. The chief cause of my silence, I grieve to say, has been the fresh sorrows we have lately had, in the loss of our dear little pet, a boy of nearly one year old, during teething, and then the break-up of our little comfortable home in consequence of this--for my dear wife was quite broken by it, in health and spirits; and requiring change of air, I sent her and our eldest girl to Dawlish, where they are now comfortably established with my brother's family, and I sincerely hope the change will prove beneficial to them both. There are many of our old Durham friends residing there, which will be pleasant for her. I shall be so completely tied by business here for some weeks, or it may be longer, that I can scarcely fix the time I shall join them. I shall be dull enough alone, you may well imagine. Forgive my apparent neglect, and if you should be passing near be good enough to give me a call. We are a party of about seven in this boarding-house. The terms are very moderate, and if you know any friend requiring accommodation in one, I can vouch for their being comfortable here. Best regards to your wife and daughters. Yours very sincerely, H. D. ---- _From a Gentleman in Town to another in the Country, enclosing a Wedding Gift._ United Hotel, Waterloo Place, January 18th, 187-- MY DEAR JONES, I am sorry I have not been able to run over to see you lately, but some friends of ours from the country have been in Town, and I have had to go about with them constantly. I am just off for a fortnight into Warwickshire, but shall call as soon as I return. I hope you are now free from bronchitis, and I trust that Mrs. J----s and the young ladies are well. I had a very quiet Christmas with my dear old mother. I suppose you are busy in preparations for the wedding. I enclose a small present; it may be more useful than any ornament I can at present think of, and your daughter can purchase with it whatever she may consider best. I wish her every happiness. Are any of you going to see the opening of Parliament? If so I can secure you a very advantageous seat. With kind regards and good wishes, I remain, yours sincerely, H. W. B. ---- _A Letter to a Gentleman who has been making inquiries about a Lady's Horse._ Hithrun, March 26th, 187-- DEAR MARDEN,