Mr. and Mrs. H----, with whom papa is slightly acquainted, have called upon us, and shown us many kind attentions. They are West India people, not very polished, but certainly _very_ good-natured. We hear that the place is extremely full and gay; but this is, of course, only an _on dit_ to us at present. I have been riding a donkey two or three times, and enjoy very much going to the edge of the sea. The air has made me sleep more soundly than I have done for some time, and I dare say it will do me a great deal of good in every way. You may suppose what a southern climate this is, when I tell you that myrtles and verbena, three or four feet high, and hydrangeas are in flower in the gardens--even in ours, which is about a hundred and fifty yards from the sea. I have written to the end of my paper. Give our kindest regards to Mr. Martin, and ever believe me, Your affectionate and grateful E.B.B. [Footnote 11: The Martins' home near Malvern, about a mile from Hope End.] [Footnote 12: Her brothers Edward and Septimus.] _To Mrs. Martin_ [Sidmouth:] Wednesday, September 27, 1832 [postmark]. How very kind of you, dearest Mrs. Martin, to write to me so much at length and at such a time. Indeed, it was exactly the time when, if we were where we have been, we should have wished you to walk over the hill and talk to us; and although, after all that the most zealous friends of letter writing can say for it, it is _not_ such a happy thing as talking with those you care for, yet it is the next happiest thing. I am sure I thought so when I read your letter ...