"  The  planning  and  progress  of  the  scheme  was,"  says
Mr.  Martineau,  "  a  constant  source  of  interest  and  amusement
in  the  family  for  upwards  of  a  year ;  especially  as  the  rapid
slope  of  the  ground  involved  a  terrace-garden,  and  a  story
more  behind  than  before,  and  a  mysterious  tunnel-passage
from  the  back  door,  and  other  first  rate  provisions  for  '  hide-
and-seek.'  Hither  we  removed  in  1845  [this  is  a  mistake  for
1844]  :  and  though  the  increased  distance  from  town  was
sometimes  inconvenient,  the  ampler  space,  the  perfect  quiet,
the  pure  air,  the  outlook  on  grass  and  foliage  and  flowers,  and
the  vicinity  of  some  of  our  best  friends,  especially  the  good
sisters  Yates  of  Farmfield,  far  outweighed  in  benefit  the  added
tax  upon  time  and  exertion."  ^

The  change  to  better  air  must  have  been  all  the  more
delightful,  as  the  removal  was  preceded  by  "  an  unrefresh-
ing  and  even  depressing  holiday  period,"  which  left  him
but  poorly  at  the  end.
Among  the  earliest  visitors  at  the  new  house  was  Theo-
dore Parker,  whose  heresies  at  that  time  were  regarded  with
horror  by  a  large  number  of  Unitarians.  Nevertheless  he
preached  on  the  i8th  of  August  for  Mr.  Martineau,  who,
however,  was  prevented  from  hearing  him  owing  to  his
own  absence  in  Leeds.     This  statement  is  taken  from  a


1  Bi.  Mem.
