Page:Blanchard on L. E. L.pdf/171

Rh deaf on one side. The castle is a fine building, a sort of double square, so ⊡⊡; the middle is ours. You enter by a flight of steps into an immense hall; the dining-room at one end, a bed-room beyond, the drawing-room at the other, arid two or three more rooms; a veranda runs along the back, which commands the sea and the adjacent country. I am very well, and see every prospect of being exceedingly comfortable. Mr. Maclean has been very ill, though now recovering. I can scarcely give an opinion of the place, for we arrived under every disadvantage; just like going to a large unfurnished house in the country, which had been shut up for months. The first two or three days 'food, fire, and candles,' were not easily procured, but the mischances of the first week were only temporary, and I see every prospect of comfort: the place is far better than we ever imagined—capital rooms, plenty of servants, all of whom seem very willing, I must say. I find that I have two or three hours more than I expected, so can tell you more.

"I have scarcely ten minutes, but I mind it the less as I have sent Mrs.a complete journal; which is for general information. I may be very comfortable, but there are a great many difficulties, and most of a nature that we never thought of. I find myself in great want of things that never crossed my mind; if you should see a pretty small show-desk, for I am obliged to write many notes in our sitting-room, and the one of real use cannot be put there; now be very discreet in the way of expense, and put into it slate pencils, a quire or so of small coloured note-paper, and a pasteboard pattern of the little envelopes. I wish, too, that you would speak to a bookseller, and see what sort of a bargain you could make to send a monthly packet of books