her looking _very_ well, notwithstanding the thinness--perhaps, in some measure, on account of it--and in _eminent_ spirits. I have not seen her in such spirits for very, very long. And there she is, down at Torquay, with the Hedleys and Butlers, making quite a colony of it, and everybody, in each several letter, grumbling in an undertone at the dullness of the place. What would _I_ give to see the waves once more! But perhaps if I were there, I should grumble too. It is a happiness to them to be _together_, and that, I am sure, they all feel.... Believe me, dearest Mrs. Martin, your affectionate E.B.B. Oh that you would call me Ba![29] [Footnote 29: Elizabeth Barrett's 'pet name' (see her poem, _Poetical Works_, ii. 249), given to her as a child by her brother Edward, and used by her family and friends, and by herself in her letters to them, throughout her life.] _To H.S. Boyd_ [74 Gloucester Place:] Thursday, December 15, 1836 [postmark]. My dear Mr. Boyd,--... Two mornings since, I saw in the paper, under the head of literary news, that a change of editorship was taking place in the 'New Monthly Magazine;' and that Theodore Hook was to preside in the room of Mr. Hall. I am so much too modest and too wise to expect the patronage of two editors in succession, that I expect both my poems in a return cover, by every twopenny post. Besides, what has Theodore Hook to do with Seraphim? So, I shall leave that poem of mine to your imagination; which won't be half as troublesome to you as if I asked you to read it; begging you to be assured--to write it down in your critical rubric--that it is the very finest composition you ever read, _next_ (of course) to the beloved 'De Virginitate' of Gregory Nazianzen.[30] Mr. Stratten has just been here. I admire him more than I ever did, for his admiration of my doves. By the way, I am sure he thought them the most agreeable of the whole party; for he said, what he never did before, that he could sit here for an hour! Our love to Annie--and forgive me for Baskettiring a letter to you. I mean, of course, as to size, not type. Yours affectionately, E.B. BARRETT. Is your poem printed yet? [Footnote 30:Do you mind that deed of Até Which you bound me to so fast,-- Reading 'De Virginitate,' From the first line to the last? How I said at ending solemn, As I turned and looked at you, That Saint Simeon on the column Had had somewhat less to do? 'Wine of Cyprus' (_Poetical Works_, iii. 139)] _To H.S. Boyd_ [74 Gloucester Place:] Tuesday [Christmas 1836]. My dear Friend,--I am very much obliged to you for the _two_ copies of your poem, so beautifully printed, with such 'majestical' types, on such 'magnifical' paper, as to be almost worthy of Baskett himself. You are too liberal in sending me more than one copy; and pray accept in return a duplicate of gratitude.