like her sweet soul! She has a faint notion,
but she dares not let it appear, that I
am a little better. I shall write this moment—
what joyful news for her! . . . There,
I have told her all, everything. Four closely
written pages, a little swimming of the head,
but I could almost work at the ledger this
moment. I have told her how I was out betimes
this morning, at six o'clock; how I
walked up the bright street lined with fairy
looking houses, all with their short broad
balconies loaded with flowers, past the gay
festive pavilions, more than hotels, the
Four Seasons, the Victoria, with the cool
shady courts and porches, past that turn
to the right, down another sweet alley where
are more fairy-like houses with balconies,
and where the great ones live. The Kisseleff-
street they call it, which gives a grand
and inspiring Russian association. All this
time in front of me, as I ascend, and seemingly
far away, yet very close, are the rich,
cool, heavily laden Taunus hills, covered
with trees and verdure, rising slowly and
grandly, and filling up the gap between the
houses at the far end of the town. Then
I walk on upwards, and see lovers of pleasure
in white coats and straw Panama
hats, sitting out in front of the hotels and
smoking in the shade. Then I pass the
great red building, the Kursaal, the Temple
of Play, which looks like a king's palace.
Then I turn down to the right, past the
most inviting villas, all colours and shapes,
now a Swiss châlet, now a true Italian
house, but overgrown with the most exquisite
foliage, the metal of their balconies
all embroidered with leaves, behind which
you see white dresses, and from behind
which comes the clink of breakfast china.
Other windows, windows lower down, are
thrown wide open, and there the morning
meal goes on, even in the gardens;
fat men in white coats and no waistcoats,
with four double chins at least, are
enjoying pipe and coffee. Then the houses
stop short, and the dense greenery begins,
groves upon groves, forest mounting over
forest, walks winding here and winding
there. Along the path, honest Homburgers
have their little table with an awning, under
which is the cool melon, the grape, the delicious
honey, and mountain butter, most
inviting. If Dora were but on my arm how
she would enjoy all this, as, indeed, I must
stop in this description to tell her.

Well, I walk on through this greenery,
through the most charming alleys, cut in the
groves, and, through the trees, see afar the
glitter of company, the sheen of curious
figures flitting to and fro among the
leaves, the glimpse of a Swiss châlet. Such
crowds, it seems like a Watteau feast! Down
through the avenues float the balmiest
breezes, health restoring as I feel when they
touch me. Then I emerge on the open
space, and see the most animated scene,
bright colours, bright dresses, white coats,
grey coats, hats white and grey, fluttering
veils, pink and cream coloured parasols,
flowers, " costumes," of every pattern, actually
like the opening scene of the chorus at
an opera seen long, long ago. From a pagoda,
came strains of rich music with the clash
of cymbals, and soft stroke of drum. How
new, how delicious all this to me! In the
centre was the well deep below, with spacious
steps leading down, and girls giving
out the water, and crowds pressing forward
to receive it. The chinking of glass everywhere.
Beyond, again, rows of little shops
for jewellery and trifles, charming and most
exhilarating scene, as I look on. The animation
and gaiety drive away all the
sinking and weakness, and I seem to grow
strong and hopeful every moment. Down
the steps do they troop, the loveliest of
women, French, English, and American, as
I know by the curious chatter of the voices,
and with them lords, and friends, and admirers.

Early in December will be ready
THE COMPLETE SET
OF
TWENTY VOLUMES,

With GENEEAL INDEX to the entire work from its
commencement in April, 1859. Each volume, with
its own Index, can also be bought separately as
heretofore.

FAREWELL SERIES OF READINGS.
BY
MR. CHARLES DICKENS.

MESSRS. CHAPPELL AND Co. have the honour
to announce that MR. DICKENS will read as follows:
Monday, December 7, Thursday, December 10, Friday,
December 11, Monday, December 14, and Saturday
Morning, December 19, Edinburgh; Wednesday, December
9, Tuesday, December 15, Wednesday, December
16, and Thursday, December 17, Glasgow; Tuesday,
December 22, St. James's Hall, London.

All communications to be addressed to MESSRS.
CHAPPELL AND Co., 50, New Bond-street, London, W.

The Right of Translating Articles from ALL THE YEAR ROUND is reserved by the Authors.