were the _contretemps_ on dark nights as they crossed a bleak moor to
reach their destination. His sons looked forward to the time when
visitors were expected, in order to hear the stories of wild adventure
which generally befell them, and to laugh at their discomfiture.

"Phiz" had been from his boyhood accustomed to horses, and frequently
hunted with the Surrey hounds. To this circumstance is due the extreme
facility with which he delineated the horse in action in the hunting
field and elsewhere. At one time he contributed sketches to _The
Sporting Gazette_. This industrious artist was never known to take a
lengthened holiday, but occasionally spent a few days at the seaside,
where, no doubt, his pencil was fully employed. A letter, written while
staying at Margate, to his son Mr. Walter G. Browne (whom, for some
unknown reason he styled "Doctor"), shows his innate sense of humour.

_Tuesday, June 19_, 6A, CRESCENT PLACE, MARGATE.

MY DEAR DR.,

"I haave [Transcriber's note: haave has two macrons over the
a's to denote a very long a is the correct pronunciation]
my W. C. White:[F]--but I have no white _collars_--and
as I am swelling it about without a necktie--mine having
mysteriously disappeared, left behind in a bath
probably--perhaps it would be coming it too strong
to appear without collars also, and it is hardly warm enough
for it either. Your P.O. is from the Miscellany--to H. K.
Browne--from Mr. Barrett--Xtian name unknown--and no matter.
Any blocks that come, forward on. Send me a * * * * * *
before I return. I did some very good shades myself--of
myself--unconsciously--yesterday evening. The baths run
along one side of the High Street, flush with the
pavement--and I found when I had nearly finished my toilet
that the gas-burner was so ingeniously placed, that it was
impossible for any bather to avoid casting gigantic studies
of the nude upon the window blind.--This sort of thing.--"

[Illustration]

* * * * *

[Here follow several other sketches of the bather in various attitudes].

His appreciation of fun is thus referred to by DICKENS in a letter to
Mrs. Dickens, dating from the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury. "Thursday, Nov.
1st, 1838.--We were at the play last night. It was a bespeak--'The Love
Chase,' a ballet (with a phenomenon!), divers songs, and 'A Roland for
an Oliver.' I