a splendid
collection of Wouvermans--the most charming Ruisdael I ever saw. Some
beautiful Vandykes--a Van de Velde of Scheveningen, Teniers, Weenix,
Snyders, etc. I do so wish M. could see the pictures, she would enjoy
them so, and get more out of them than I can. The collection is _free_
to the public, and the utmost good behaviour prevails. After that R.
went into the town, and I sat down to a hurried sketch on the
"Vyfeiberg," a quiet sort of promenade. But gradually the populace
collected, till I was nearly smothered. My veil blew over my face, and I
suddenly felt it seized from behind, and looking round, found that a
young baker in white had laid hold of it, but only to fasten it out of
my way, as he began volubly to explain in Dutch! I couldn't speak, so
remonstrance was impossible, and I let them alone. Soldiers, boys,
women, etc.! I could hear them recognizing the various places. They were
very polite, kept out of my line of sight, and decided that it was
"Photogeraphee" like the people in Rotterdam! When we parted, I bowed to
them and they to me!!! To-morrow we go back to Rotterdam for one night,
the next day to Antwerp.

_Friday night. Michaelmas Day._ Hotel Pay Bas, Rotterdam.--Back again!
and to-morrow at 8.15 a. m. we go back to dear old Antwerp. For the
solemn fact has made itself apparent, that the money will not hold out
till to-morrow week, as we intended. So we must give up our dear
Captain, and come home in the _Tiger!!_ We shall be with you D.V. on
Saturday week, starting on Wednesday from Antwerp. We have been to the
Poste Restante, and got dear Mother's letter, to my infinite delight.
I am so glad Miss Yonge likes "the Brownies."

Your ever loving, JUDY

TO MRS. GATTY.

_Sevenoaks_. January 12, 1866.

MY DEAR, DEAR MOTHER,

I do humbly beg your pardon for having written such scrappish,
snappish, selfish letters! The tide of comfort has begun to set in
from Ecclesfield to my infinite delight. So far from being vexed at
your being so careful--I earnestly hope you will never be less so. If
you had been, _I_ should have been dead long ago. I have no more doubt
than of my present well-being. And as it is--taking care is so little
in my line--that if _you_ took to _ignoring_ one's delicacy, or
fancying it was fancy--I know I should merely (by instinct) hold out
to the last gasp of existence, and do _what_ I could, _while_ I
could!!...

I am cheered beyond anything with these critiques on "