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 in every sense of the word, because, if the ‘pony’ party grows provoking, it can kick it over the sides of a rock. We call ponies here gouits. I do not know why, except that we never call anything by the name that belongs to it. Because the Commander-in-Chief recommended horses, of course Emily and I ambled up the hill on ponies. And he came out with all his staff to meet George, all of them sworded and cocked-hatted, riding on great horses. The horses all began to kick, because they were not used to swords. And precipices on each side of us! I said in a tone of considerable sharpness, ‘I’ll trouble you not to kick my little pony with your shocking great horses,’ and, not knowing where to go for safety, was on the brink of making the pony clamber up Sir Henry and his horse. He looked like the great Man Mountain compared to us, and it would not have been steeper than climbing up any of the mountains here.

I am sure you will be sorry to hear that Chance has been ill. Some apprehensions were entertained that the hill air would not agree with him, but he is now convalescent. Rolla is supremely happy here; goes in and out of