My dearest Mrs. Martin,—...  Well, papa came back from Cornwall just as I came back to my own room, and he was as pleased with his quarry as I was to have the sight again of his face.  During his absence, Henrietta had a little polka (which did not bring the house down on its knees), and I had a transparent blind put up in my open window.  There is a castle in the blind, and a castle gate-way, and two walks, and several peasants, and groves of trees which rise in excellent harmony with the fall of my green damask curtains—­new, since you saw me last.  Papa insults me with the analogy of a back window in a confectioner’s shop, but is obviously moved when the sunshine lights up the castle, notwithstanding.  And Mr. Kenyon and everybody in the house grow ecstatic rather than otherwise, as they stand in contemplation before it, and tell me (what is obvious without their evidence) that the effect is beautiful, and that the whole room catches a light from it.  Well, and then Mr. Kenyon has given me a new table, with a rail round it to consecrate it from Flush’s paws, and large enough to hold all my varieties of vanities.

I had another letter from Miss Martineau the other day, and she says she has a ‘hat of her own, a parasol of her own,’ and that she can ‘walk a mile with ease.’ What do miracles mean?  Miracle or not, however, one thing is certain—­it is very joyful; and her own sensations on being removed suddenly from the verge of the prospect of a most painful death—­a most painful and lingering death—­must be strange and overwhelming.

I hope I may hear soon from you that you had much pleasure at Clifton, and some benefit in the air and change, and that dear Mr. Martin and yourself are both as well as possible.  Do you take in ‘Punch’?  If not, you ought.  Mr. Kenyon and I agreed the other day that we should be more willing ‘to take our politics’ from ‘Punch’ than from any other of the newspaper oracles.  ‘Punch’ is very generous, and I like him for everything, except for his rough treatment of Louis Philippe, whom I believe to be a great man—­for a king.  And then, it is well worth fourpence to laugh once a week.  I do recommend ‘Punch’ to you.[114] Douglas Jerrold is the editor, I fancy, and he has a troop of ‘wits,’ such as Planche, Titmarsh, and the author of ‘Little Peddlington,’ to support him....

Now I have written enough to tire you, I am sure.  May God bless you both!  Did you read ‘Coningsby,’ that very able book, without character, story, or specific teaching?  It is well worth reading, and worth wondering over.  D’Israeli, who is a man of genius, has written, nevertheless, books which will live longer, and move deeper.  But everybody should read ‘Coningsby.’  It is a sign of the times.  Believe me, my dearest Mrs. Martin,

Your very affectionate
BA.

To John Kenyon Tuesday, October 8, 1844.