ad to reap for the nonce the harvest of a quiet
eye, there are spots within the borders of England which, both in
climate and in scenery, can vie with the proudest and most vaunted
watering-places of the Sunny South."--_Daily Paper._]

_Damon on the Riviera, to Pythias at Torquay._--"Here I am, by the blue
Mediterranean! At least, the attendant of the sleeping-car says the
Mediterranean is somewhere about, only, as a violent rain-storm is going
on, we can't see it. Very tired by journey. Feel that, after all, you
were probably right in deciding to try the coast of Devonshire this
winter, instead of Riviera."

_Pythias at Torquay, to Damon at Nice._--"Coast of Devonshire
delightful, so far. Pleasant run down from London by G. W. R.--only five
hours. Thought of and pitied your crossing to Calais, and long
night-and-day journey after. You should just see our geraniums and
fuchsias, growing out-of-doors in winter! Mind and tell me in your next
how the olives and orange-trees look."

_Damon to Pythias._--"Olives all diseased--have not seen an orange-tree
yet--there is my reply to the query in your last. Hitherto I have not
had much opportunity of seeing anything, as the mistral has been
blowing, and it has been rather colder than England in March. Wretched
cold in my head. No decent fires--only pine-cones and logs to burn,
instead of coal! Wish I were at Torquay with you!"

_Pythias to Damon._--"Sorry to hear that Riviera is such a failure. More
pleased than ever with Devonshire. Glorious warm sunshine to-day.
Natives say they hardly ever have frost. Children digging on sand on
Christmas Eve--too hot for great-coat. Rain comes down occasionally, but
then it dries up in no time. Quite a little Earthly Paradise. Glad I
found it out."

_Later from Damon._--"Riviera better. Mistral gone. Sun warm, and have
seen my first orange-tree. Have also found that there's a place called
Monte Carlo near Nice. Have you ever heard of it? There's a Casino
there, where they have free concerts. Off there now!"

_Later from Pythias._--"After all, Devonshire _is_ sometimes a little
damp. Yes, I _have_ heard of Monte Carlo Casino, and I wish there was
anything of the sort at Torquay. Walks and drives pretty, but
monotonous. Hills annoying. Still, evidently far superior to any part of
Riviera.

_Still later from Damon._--"Glorious place, Monte Carlo. Superb grounds!
Scenery lovely, and Casinery still lovelier! And, between ourse