"Yousurprisemeextremely（answeredWilliam）bywhatyousaybothwithrespecttoSirGeorgeandhisDaughters。YoucannotthinkyourHusbandsodeficientinpersonalCharmsasyouspeakof，norcanyousurelyseeanyresemblancebetweenhimandtheMissLesleyswhoareinmyopinionperfectlyunlikehimandperfectlyHandsome。"
"IfthatisyouropinionwithregardtothegirlsitcertainlyisnoproofoftheirFathersbeauty，foriftheyareperfectlyunlikehimandveryhandsomeatthesametime，itisnaturaltosupposethatheisveryplain。"
"Bynomeans，（saidhe）forwhatmaybeprettyinaWoman，maybeveryunpleasinginaMan。"
"Butyouyourself（repliedI）butafewminutesagoallowedhimtobeveryplain。"
"MenarenoJudgesofBeautyintheirownSex。"（saidhe）。
"NeitherMennorWomencanthinkSirGeorgetolerable。"
"Well，well，（saidhe）wewillnotdisputeaboutHISBeauty，butyouropinionofhisDAUGHTERSissurelyverysingular，forifI
understoodyouright，yousaidyoudidnotfindthemsoplainasyouexpectedtodo!"
"Why，doYOUfindthemplainerthen？"（saidI）。
"Icanscarcelybeleiveyoutobeserious（returnedhe）whenyouspeakoftheirpersonsinsoextroidinaryaManner。DonotyouthinktheMissLesleysaretwoveryhandsomeyoungWomen？"
"Lord!No!（criedI）Ithinkthemterriblyplain!"
"Plain!（repliedHe）MydearSusan，youcannotreallythinkso!
WhywhatsingleFeatureinthefaceofeitherofthem，canyoupossiblyfindfaultwith？"
"Oh!trustmeforthat；（repliedI）。ComeIwillbeginwiththeeldest——withMatilda。ShallI，William？"（IlookedascunningasIcouldwhenIsaidit，inordertoshamehim）。
"Theyaresomuchalike（saidhe）thatIshouldsupposethefaultsofone，wouldbethefaultsofboth。"
"Well，then，inthefirstplace；theyarebothsohorriblytall!"
"TheyareTALLERthanyouareindeed。"（saidhewithasaucysmile。）
"Nay，（saidI），Iknownothingofthat。"
"Well，but（hecontinued）tho’theymaybeabovethecommonsize，theirfiguresareperfectlyelegant；andastotheirfaces，theirEyesarebeautifull。"
"Inevercanthinksuchtremendous，knock—me—downfiguresintheleastdegreeelegant，andasfortheireyes，theyaresotallthatInevercouldstrainmyneckenoughtolookatthem。"
"Nay，（repliedhe）Iknownotwhetheryoumaynotbeintherightinnotattemptingit，forperhapstheymightdazzleyouwiththeirLustre。"
"Oh!Certainly。（saidI，withthegreatestcomplacency，forI
assureyoumydearestCharlotteIwasnotintheleastoffendedtho’bywhatfollowed，onewouldsupposethatWilliamwasconsciousofhavinggivenmejustcausetobeso，forcominguptomeandtakingmyhand，hesaid）"YoumustnotlooksograveSusan；youwillmakemefearIhaveoffendedyou!"
"Offendedme!DearBrother，howcamesuchathoughtinyourhead!（returnedI）Noreally!IassureyouthatIamnotintheleastsurprisedatyourbeingsowarmanadvocatefortheBeautyofthesegirls"——
"Well，but（interruptedWilliam）rememberthatwehavenotyetconcludedourdisputeconcerningthem。Whatfaultdoyoufindwiththeircomplexion？"
"Theyaresohorridlypale。"
"Theyhavealwaysalittlecolour，andafteranyexerciseitisconsiderablyheightened。"
"Yes，butifthereshouldeverhappentobeanyraininthispartoftheworld，theywillneverbeableraisemorethantheircommonstock——exceptindeedtheyamusethemselveswithrunningupandDownthesehorridoldgalleriesandAntichambers。"
"Well，（repliedmyBrotherinatoneofvexation，andglancinganimpertinentlookatme）iftheyHAVEbutlittlecolour，atleast，itisalltheirown。"
ThiswastoomuchmydearCharlotte，forIamcertainthathehadtheimpudencebythatlook，ofpretendingtosuspecttherealityofmine。ButyouIamsurewillvindicatemycharacterwheneveryoumayhearitsocruellyaspersed，foryoucanwitnesshowoftenIhaveprotestedagainstwearingRouge，andhowmuchI
alwaystoldyouIdislikedit。AndIassureyouthatmyopinionsarestillthesame。——。Well，notbearingtobesosuspectedbymyBrother，Ilefttheroomimmediately，andhavebeeneversinceinmyownDressing—roomwritingtoyou。WhatalongletterhaveImadeofit!ButyoumustnotexpecttoreceivesuchfrommewhenIgettoTown；foritisonlyatLesleycastle，thatonehastimetowriteeventoaCharlotteLutterell。——。IwassomuchvexedbyWilliam’sglance，thatIcouldnotsummonPatienceenough，tostayandgivehimthatadvicerespectinghisattachmenttoMatildawhichhadfirstinducedmefrompureLovetohimtobegintheconversation；andIamnowsothoroughlyconvincedbyit，ofhisviolentpassionforher，thatIamcertainhewouldneverhearreasononthesubject，andIshallthereforegivemyselfnomoretroubleeitherabouthimorhisfavourite。Adeiumydeargirl——
YrsaffectionatelySusanL。
LETTERtheSEVENTH
FromMissC。LUTTERELLtoMissM。LESLEY
Bristolthe27thofMarchIhavereceivedLettersfromyouandyourMother—in—lawwithinthisweekwhichhavegreatlyentertainedme，asIfindbythemthatyouarebothdownrightjealousofeachothersBeauty。ItisveryoddthattwoprettyWomentho’actuallyMotherandDaughtercannotbeinthesameHousewithoutfallingoutabouttheirfaces。DobeconvincedthatyouarebothperfectlyhandsomeandsaynomoreoftheMatter。IsupposethislettermustbedirectedtoPortmanSquarewhereprobably（greatasisyouraffectionforLesleyCastle）youwillnotbesorrytofindyourself。InspiteofallthatpeoplemaysayaboutGreenfieldsandtheCountryIwasalwaysofopinionthatLondonanditsamusementsmustbeveryagreableforawhile，andshouldbeveryhappycouldmyMother’sincomeallowhertojockeyusintoitsPublic—places，duringWinter。IalwayslongedparticularlytogotoVaux—hall，toseewhetherthecoldBeefthereiscutsothinasitisreported，forIhaveaslysuspicionthatfewpeopleunderstandtheartofcuttingasliceofcoldBeefsowellasI
do：nayitwouldbehardifIdidnotknowsomethingoftheMatter，foritwasapartofmyEducationthatItookbyfarthemostpainswith。MamaalwaysfoundmeHERbestscholar，tho’
whenPapawasaliveEloisawasHIS。NevertobesureweretheretwomoredifferentDispositionsintheWorld。WebothlovedReading。SHEpreferredHistories，andIReceipts。Sheloveddrawing，Pictures，andIdrawingPullets。Noonecouldsingabettersongthanshe，andnoonemakeabetterPyethanI。——Andsoithasalwayscontinuedsincewehavebeennolongerchildren。
TheonlydifferenceisthatalldisputesonthesuperiorexcellenceofourEmploymentsTHENsofrequentarenownomore。
Wehaveformanyyearsenteredintoanagreementalwaystoadmireeachother’sworks；IneverfaillisteningtoHERMusic，andsheisasconstantineatingmypies。SuchatleastwasthecasetillHenryHerveymadehisappearanceinSussex。BeforethearrivalofhisAuntinourneighbourhoodwheresheestablishedherselfyouknowaboutatwelvemonthago，hisvisitstoherhadbeenatstatedtimes，andofequalandsettledDuration；butonherremovaltotheHallwhichiswithinawalkfromourHouse，theybecamebothmorefrequentandlonger。ThisasyoumaysupposecouldnotbepleasingtoMrsDianawhoisaprofessedenemytoeverythingwhichisnotdirectedbyDecorumandFormality，orwhichbearstheleastresemblancetoEaseandGood—
breeding。NaysogreatwasheraversiontoherNephewsbehaviourthatIhaveoftenheardhergivesuchhintsofitbeforehisfacethathadnotHenryatsuchtimesbeenengagedinconversationwithEloisa，theymusthavecaughthisAttentionandhaveverymuchdistressedhim。ThealterationinmySistersbehaviourwhichIhavebeforehintedat，nowtookplace。TheAgreementwehadenteredintoofadmiringeachothersproductionsshenolongerseemedtoregard，andtho’IconstantlyapplaudedeveneveryCountry—dance，sheplayed，yetnotevenapidgeon—pyeofmymakingcouldobtainfromherasinglewordofapprobation。ThiswascertainlyenoughtoputanyoneinaPassion；however，Iwasascoolasacream—cheeseandhavingformedmyplanandconcertedaschemeofRevenge，Iwasdeterminedtoletherhaveherownwayandnoteventomakeherasinglereproach。Myschemewastotreatherasshetreatedme，andtho’shemightevendrawmyownPictureorplayMalbrook（whichistheonlytuneIeverreallyliked）nottosaysomuchas"ThankyouEloisa；"tho’Ihadformanyyearsconstantlyhollowedwheneversheplayed，BRAVO，BRAVISSIMO，ENCORE，DACAPO，ALLEGRETTO，CONEXPRESSIONE，andPOCOPRESTOwithmanyothersuchoutlandishwords，allofthemasEloisatoldmeexpressiveofmyAdmiration；andsoindeedI
supposetheyare，asIseesomeofthemineveryPageofeveryMusicbook，beingthesentimentsIimagineofthecomposer。
IexecutedmyPlanwithgreatPunctuality。Icannotsaysuccess，foralas!mysilencewhilesheplayedseemednotintheleasttodispleaseher；onthecontrarysheactuallysaidtomeoneday"WellCharlotte，IamverygladtofindthatyouhaveatlastleftoffthatridiculouscustomofapplaudingmyExecutionontheHarpsichordtillyoumademyheadake，andyourselfhoarse。Ifeelverymuchobligedtoyouforkeepingyouradmirationtoyourself。"InevershallforgettheverywittyanswerImadetothisspeech。"Eloisa（saidI）IbegyouwouldbequiteatyourEasewithrespecttoallsuchfearsinfuture，forbeassuredthatIshallalwayskeepmyadmirationtomyselfandmyownpursuitsandneverextendittoyours。"ThiswastheonlyveryseverethingIeversaidinmyLife；notbutthatI
haveoftenfeltmyselfextremelysatiricalbutitwastheonlytimeIevermademyfeelingspublic。
IsupposethereneverweretwoYoungpeoplewhohadagreateraffectionforeachotherthanHenryandEloisa；no，theLoveofyourBrotherforMissBurtoncouldnotbesostrongtho’itmightbemoreviolent。YoumayimaginethereforehowprovokedmySistermusthavebeentohavehimplayhersuchatrick。Poorgirl!shestilllamentshisDeathwithundiminishedconstancy，notwithstandinghehasbeendeadmorethansixweeks；butsomePeoplemindsuchthingsmorethanothers。TheillstateofHealthintowhichhislosshasthrownhermakeshersoweak，andsounabletosupporttheleastexertion，thatshehasbeenintearsallthisMorningmerelyfromhavingtakenleaveofMrs。
MarlowewhowithherHusband，BrotherandChildaretoleaveBristolthismorning。Iamsorrytohavethemgobecausetheyaretheonlyfamilywithwhomwehavehereanyacquaintance，butIneverthoughtofcrying；tobesureEloisaandMrsMarlowehavealwaysbeenmoretogetherthanwithme，andhavethereforecontractedakindofaffectionforeachother，whichdoesnotmakeTearssoinexcusableinthemastheywouldbeinme。TheMarlowesaregoingtoTown；Clivelandaccompaniesthem；asneitherEloisanorIcouldcatchhimIhopeyouorMatildamayhavebetterLuck。IknownotwhenweshallleaveBristol，Eloisa’sspiritsaresolowthatsheisveryaversetomoving，andyetiscertainlybynomeansmendedbyherresidencehere。A
weekortwowillIhopedetermineourMeasures——inthemeantimebelievemeandetc——andetc——
CharlotteLutterell。
LETTERtheEIGHTH
MissLUTTERELLtoMrsMARLOWE
BristolApril4thIfeelmyselfgreatlyobligedtoyoumydearEmmaforsuchamarkofyouraffectionasIflattermyselfwasconveyedintheproposalyoumademeofourCorresponding；IassureyouthatitwillbeagreatreleiftometowritetoyouandaslongasmyHealthandSpiritswillallowme，youwillfindmeaveryconstantcorrespondent；Iwillnotsayanentertainingone，foryouknowmysituationsuffcientlynottobeignorantthatinmeMirthwouldbeimproperandIknowmyownHearttoowellnottobesensiblethatitwouldbeunnatural。Youmustnotexpectnewsforweseenoonewithwhomweareintheleastacquainted，orinwhoseproceedingswehaveanyInterest。Youmustnotexpectscandalforbythesameruleweareequallydebarredeitherfromhearingorinventingit。——YoumustexpectfrommenothingbutthemelancholyeffusionsofabrokenHeartwhichiseverrevertingtotheHappinessitonceenjoyedandwhichillsupportsitspresentwretchedness。ThePossibilityofbeingabletowrite，tospeak，toyouofmylostHenrywillbealuxurytome，andyourgoodnesswillnotIknowrefusetoreadwhatitwillsomuchreleivemyHearttowrite。IoncethoughtthattohavewhatisingeneralcalledaFreind（ImeanoneofmyownsextowhomI
mightspeakwithlessreservethantoanyotherperson）
independantofmysisterwouldneverbeanobjectofmywishes，buthowmuchwasImistaken!Charlotteistoomuchengrossedbytwoconfidentialcorrespondentsofthatsort，tosupplytheplaceofonetome，andIhopeyouwillnotthinkmegirlishlyromantic，whenIsaythattohavesomekindandcompassionateFreindwhomightlistentomysorrowswithoutendeavouringtoconsolemewaswhatIhadforsometimewishedfor，whenouracquaintancewithyou，theintimacywhichfolloweditandtheparticularaffectionateattentionyoupaidmealmostfromthefirst，causedmetoentertaintheflatteringIdeaofthoseattentionsbeingimprovedonacloseracquaintanceintoaFreindshipwhich，ifyouwerewhatmywishesformedyouwouldbethegreatestHappinessIcouldbecapableofenjoying。TofindthatsuchHopesarerealisedisasatisfactionindeed，asatisfactionwhichisnowalmosttheonlyoneIcaneverexperience。——IfeelmyselfsolanguidthatIamsurewereyouwithmeyouwouldobligemetoleaveoffwriting，andIcannotgiveyouagreaterproofofmyaffectionforyouthanbyacting，asIknowyouwouldwishmetodo，whetherAbsentorPresent。I
ammydearEmmassincerefreindE。L。
LETTERtheNINTH
MrsMARLOWEtoMissLUTTERELL
GrosvenorStreet，April10thNeedIsaymydearEloisahowwellcomeyourletterwastomeI
cannotgiveagreaterproofofthepleasureIreceivedfromit，oroftheDesireIfeelthatourCorrespondencemayberegularandfrequentthanbysettingyousogoodanexampleasInowdoinansweringitbeforetheendoftheweek——。ButdonotimaginethatIclaimanymeritinbeingsopunctual；onthecontraryI
assureyou，thatitisafargreaterGratificationtometowritetoyou，thantospendtheEveningeitherataConcertoraBall。
MrMarloweissodesirousofmyappearingatsomeofthePublicplaceseveryeveningthatIdonotliketorefusehim，butatthesametimesomuchwishtoremainatHome，thatindependantofthePleasureIexperienceindevotinganyportionofmyTimetomyDearEloisa，yettheLibertyIclaimfromhavingalettertowriteofspendinganEveningathomewithmylittleBoy，youknowmewellenoughtobesensible，willofitselfbeasufficientInducement（ifoneisnecessary）tomymaintainingwithPleasureaCorrespondencewithyou。Astothesubjectofyourletterstome，whethergraveormerry，iftheyconcernyoutheymustbeequallyinterestingtome；notbutthatIthinkthemelancholyIndulgenceofyourownsorrowsbyrepeatingthemanddwellingonthemtome，willonlyencourageandincreasethem，andthatitwillbemoreprudentinyoutoavoidsosadasubject；butyetknowingasIdowhatasoothingandmelancholyPleasureitmustaffordyou，IcannotprevailonmyselftodenyyousogreatanIndulgence，andwillonlyinsistonyournotexpectingmetoencourageyouinit，bymyownletters；onthecontraryIintendtofillthemwithsuchlivelyWitandenliveningHumourasshallevenprovokeasmileinthesweetbutsorrowfullcountenanceofmyEloisa。
InthefirstplaceyouaretolearnthatIhavemetyoursistersthreefreindsLadyLesleyandherDaughters，twiceinPublicsinceIhavebeenhere。IknowyouwillbeimpatienttohearmyopinionoftheBeautyofthreeLadiesofwhomyouhaveheardsomuch。Now，asyouaretooillandtoounhappytobevain，I
thinkImayventuretoinformyouthatIlikenoneoftheirfacessowellasIdoyourown。Yettheyareallhandsome——LadyLesleyindeedIhaveseenbefore；herDaughtersIbeleivewouldingeneralbesaidtohaveafinerfacethanherLadyship，andyetwhatwiththecharmsofaBloomingcomplexion，alittleAffectationandagreatdealofsmall—talk，（ineachofwhichsheissuperiortotheyoungLadies）shewillIdaresaygainherselfasmanyadmirersasthemoreregularfeaturesofMatilda，andMargaret。IamsureyouwillagreewithmeinsayingthattheycannoneofthembeofapropersizeforrealBeauty，whenyouknowthattwoofthemaretallerandtheothershorterthanourselves。InspiteofthisDefect（orratherbyreasonofit）
thereissomethingverynobleandmajesticinthefiguresoftheMissLesleys，andsomethingagreablylivelyintheappearanceoftheirprettylittleMother—in—law。Buttho’onemaybemajesticandtheotherlively，yetthefacesofneitherpossessthatBewitchingsweetnessofmyEloisas，whichherpresentlanguorissofarfromdiminushing。WhatwouldmyHusbandandBrothersayofus，iftheyknewallthefinethingsIhavebeensayingtoyouinthisletter。Itisveryhardthataprettywomanisnevertobetoldsheissobyanyoneofherownsexwithoutthatperson’sbeingsuspectedtobeeitherherdeterminedEnemy，orherprofessedToad—eater。Howmuchmoreamiablearewomeninthatparticular!Onemanmaysayfortycivilthingstoanotherwithoutoursupposingthatheiseverpaidforit，andprovidedhedoeshisDutybyoursex，wecarenothowPoliteheistohisown。
MrsLutterellwillbesogoodastoacceptmycompliments，Charlotte，myLove，andEloisathebestwishesfortherecoveryofherHealthandSpiritsthatcanbeofferedbyheraffectionateFreindE。Marlowe。
IamafraidthisletterwillbebutapoorspecimenofmyPowersinthewittyway；andyouropinionofthemwillnotbegreatlyincreasedwhenIassureyouthatIhavebeenasentertainingasI
possiblycould。
LETTERtheTENTH
FromMissMARGARETLESLEYtoMissCHARLOTTELUTTERELL
PortmanSquareApril13thMYDEARCHARLOTTE
WeleftLesley—Castleonthe28thoflastMonth，andarrivedsafelyinLondonafteraJourneyofsevenDays；IhadthepleasureoffindingyourLetterherewaitingmyArrival，forwhichyouhavemygratefulThanks。Ah!mydearFreindIeverydaymoreregretthesereneandtranquilPleasuresoftheCastlewehaveleft，inexchangefortheuncertainandunequalAmusementsofthisvauntedCity。NotthatIwillpretendtoassertthattheseuncertainandunequalAmusementsareintheleastDegreeunpleasingtome；onthecontraryIenjoythemextremelyandshouldenjoythemevenmore，wereInotcertainthateveryappearanceImakeinPublicbutrivettstheChainsofthoseunhappyBeingswhosePassionitisimpossiblenottopity，tho’itisoutofmypowertoreturn。InshortmyDearCharlotteitismysensibilityforthesufferingsofsomanyamiableyoungMen，myDislikeoftheextremeadmirationImeetwith，andmyaversiontobeingsocelebratedbothinPublic，inPrivate，inPapers，andinPrintshops，thatarethereasonswhyIcannotmorefullyenjoy，theAmusementssovariousandpleasingofLondon。
HowoftenhaveIwishedthatIpossessedaslittlePersonalBeautyasyoudo；thatmyfigurewereasinelegant；myfaceasunlovely；andmyappearanceasunpleasingasyours!Butah!whatlittlechanceisthereofsodesirableanEvent；Ihavehadthesmall—pox，andmustthereforesubmittomyunhappyfate。
IamnowgoingtointrustyoumydearCharlottewithasecretwhichhaslongdisturbedthetranquilityofmydays，andwhichisofakindtorequirethemostinviolableSecrecyfromyou。LastMondayse’nightMatildaandIaccompaniedLadyLesleytoaRoutattheHonourableMrsKickabout’s；wewereescortedbyMrFitzgeraldwhoisaveryamiableyoungManinthemain，tho’
perhapsalittlesingularinhisTaste——HeisinlovewithMatilda——。WehadscarcelypaidourComplimentstotheLadyoftheHouseandcurtseyedtohalfascoredifferentpeoplewhenmyAttentionwasattractedbytheappearanceofaYoungManthemostlovelyofhisSex，whoatthatmomententeredtheRoomwithanotherGentlemanandLady。FromthefirstmomentIbeheldhim，IwascertainthatonhimdependedthefutureHappinessofmyLife。ImaginemysurprisewhenhewasintroducedtomebythenameofCleveland——IinstantlyrecognisedhimastheBrotherofMrsMarlowe，andtheacquaintanceofmyCharlotteatBristol。MrandMrsM。werethegentlemanandLadywhoaccompaniedhim。（YoudonotthinkMrsMarlowehandsome？）TheelegantaddressofMrCleveland，hispolishedMannersandDelightfulBow，atonceconfirmedmyattachment。Hedidnotspeak；butIcanimagineeverythinghewouldhavesaid，hadheopenedhisMouth。IcanpicturetomyselfthecultivatedUnderstanding，theNoblesentiments，andelegantLanguagewhichwouldhaveshonesoconspicuousintheconversationofMrCleveland。TheapproachofSirJamesGower（oneofmytoonumerousadmirers）preventedtheDiscoveryofanysuchPowers，byputtinganendtoaConversationwehadnevercommenced，andbyattractingmyattentiontohimself。Butoh!howinferioraretheaccomplishmentsofSirJamestothoseofhissogreatlyenviedRival!SirJamesisoneofthemostfrequentofourVisitors，andisalmostalwaysofourParties。WehavesinceoftenmetMrandMrsMarlowebutnoCleveland——heisalwaysengagedsomewhereelse。MrsMarlowefatiguesmetoDeatheverytimeIseeherbyhertiresomeConversationsaboutyouandEloisa。Sheissostupid!IliveinthehopeofseeingherirrisistableBrothertonight，aswearegoingtoLadyFlambeaus，whoisIknowintimatewiththeMarlowes。OurpartywillbeLadyLesley，Matilda，Fitzgerald，SirJamesGower，andmyself。WeseelittleofSirGeorge，whoisalmostalwaysatthegaming—table。Ah!mypoorFortunewhereartthoubythistime？WeseemoreofLadyL。whoalwaysmakesherappearance（highlyrouged）atDinner—time。Alas!whatDelightfulJewelswillshebedeckedinthiseveningatLadyFlambeau’s!
YetIwonderhowshecanherselfdelightinwearingthem；surelyshemustbesensibleoftheridiculousimproprietyofloadingherlittlediminutivefigurewithsuchsuperfluousornaments；isitpossiblethatshecannotknowhowgreatlysuperioranelegantsimplicityistothemoststudiedapparel？WouldshebutPresentthemtoMatildaandme，howgreatlyshouldwebeobligedtoher，HowbecomingwouldDiamondsbeonourfinemajesticfigures!AndhowsurprisingitisthatsuchanIdeashouldneverhaveoccurredtoHER。IamsureifIhavereflectedinthismanneronce，I
havefiftytimes。WheneverIseeLadyLesleydressedinthemsuchreflectionsimmediatelycomeacrossme。MyownMother’sJewelstoo!ButIwillsaynomoreonsomelancholyasubject——letmeentertainyouwithsomethingmorepleasing——MatildahadaletterthismorningfromLesley，bywhichwehavethepleasureoffindingthatheisatNapleshasturnedRoman—Catholic，obtainedoneofthePope’sBullsforannullinghis1stMarriageandhassinceactuallymarriedaNeapolitanLadyofgreatRankandFortune。HetellsusmoreoverthatmuchthesamesortofaffairhasbefallenhisfirstwifetheworthlessLouisawhoislikewiseatNapleshadturnedRoman—catholic，andissoontobemarriedtoaNeapolitanNoblemanofgreatandDistinguishedmerit。Hesays，thattheyareatpresentverygoodFreinds，havequiteforgivenallpasterrorsandintendinfuturetobeverygoodNeighbours。HeinvitesMatildaandmetopayhimavisittoItalyandtobringhimhislittleLouisawhombothherMother，Step—mother，andhimselfareequallydesirousofbeholding。Astoouracceptinghisinvitation，itisatPresentveryuncertain；
LadyLesleyadvisesustogowithoutlossoftime；Fitzgeraldofferstoescortusthere，butMatildahassomedoubtsoftheProprietyofsuchascheme——sheownsitwouldbeveryagreable。
IamcertainshelikestheFellow。MyFatherdesiresusnottobeinahurry，asperhapsifwewaitafewmonthsbothheandLadyLesleywilldothemselvesthepleasureofattendingus。
LadyLesleysaysno，thatnothingwillevertempthertoforegotheAmusementsofBrighthelmstoneforaJourneytoItalymerelytoseeourBrother。"No（saysthedisagreableWoman）IhaveonceinmylifebeenfoolenoughtotravelIdontknowhowmanyhundredMilestoseetwooftheFamily，andIfounditdidnotanswer，soDeucetakeme，ifeverIamsofoolishagain。"SosaysherLadyship，butSirGeorgestillPerseveresinsayingthatperhapsinamonthortwo，theymayaccompanyus。
AdeiumyDearCharlotteYrsfaithfulMargaretLesley。
*
THEHISTORYOFENGLAND
FROMTHEREIGNOFHENRYTHE4THTOTHEDEATHOFCHARLESTHE1ST
BYAPARTIAL，PREJUDICED，ANDIGNORANTHISTORIAN。
*
ToMissAusten，eldestdaughteroftheRev。GeorgeAusten，thisworkisinscribedwithallduerespectbyTHEAUTHOR。
N。B。TherewillbeveryfewDatesinthisHistory。
THEHISTORYOFENGLAND
HENRYthe4thHenrythe4thascendedthethroneofEnglandmuchtohisownsatisfactionintheyear1399，afterhavingprevailedonhiscousinandpredecessorRichardthe2nd，toresignittohim，andtoretirefortherestofhislifetoPomfretCastle，wherehehappenedtobemurdered。ItistobesupposedthatHenrywasmarried，sincehehadcertainlyfoursons，butitisnotinmypowertoinformtheReaderwhowashiswife。Bethisasitmay，hedidnotliveforever，butfallingill，hissonthePrinceofWalescameandtookawaythecrown；whereupontheKingmadealongspeech，forwhichImustrefertheReadertoShakespear’sPlays，andthePrincemadeastilllonger。ThingsbeingthussettledbetweenthemtheKingdied，andwassucceededbyhissonHenrywhohadpreviouslybeatSirWilliamGascoigne。
HENRYthe5thThisPrinceafterhesucceededtothethronegrewquitereformedandamiable，forsakingallhisdissipatedcompanions，andneverthrashingSirWilliamagain。Duringhisreign，LordCobhamwasburntalive，butIforgetwhatfor。HisMajestythenturnedhisthoughtstoFrance，wherehewentandfoughtthefamousBattleofAgincourt。HeafterwardsmarriedtheKing’sdaughterCatherine，averyagreablewomanbyShakespear’saccount。Inspiteofallthishoweverhedied，andwassucceededbyhissonHenry。
HENRYthe6thIcannotsaymuchforthisMonarch’ssense。NorwouldIifI
could，forhewasaLancastrian。IsupposeyouknowallabouttheWarsbetweenhimandtheDukeofYorkwhowasoftherightside；ifyoudonot，youhadbetterreadsomeotherHistory，forIshallnotbeverydiffuseinthis，meaningbyitonlytoventmyspleenAGAINST，andshewmyHatredTOallthosepeoplewhosepartiesorprinciplesdonotsuitwithmine，andnottogiveinformation。ThisKingmarriedMargaretofAnjou，aWomanwhosedistressesandmisfortunesweresogreatasalmosttomakemewhohateher，pityher。ItwasinthisreignthatJoanofArclivedandmadesuchaROWamongtheEnglish。Theyshouldnothaveburnther——buttheydid。TherewereseveralBattlesbetweentheYorkistsandLancastrians，inwhichtheformer（astheyought）
usuallyconquered。Atlengththeywereentirelyovercome；TheKingwasmurdered——TheQueenwassenthome——andEdwardthe4thascendedtheThrone。
EDWARDthe4thThisMonarchwasfamousonlyforhisBeautyandhisCourage，ofwhichthePicturewehaveheregivenofhim，andhisundauntedBehaviourinmarryingoneWomanwhilehewasengagedtoanother，aresufficientproofs。HisWifewasElizabethWoodville，aWidowwho，poorWoman!wasafterwardsconfinedinaConventbythatMonsterofIniquityandAvariceHenrythe7th。OneofEdward’sMistresseswasJaneShore，whohashadaplaywrittenabouther，butitisatragedyandthereforenotworthreading。Havingperformedallthesenobleactions，hisMajestydied，andwassucceededbyhisson。
EDWARDthe5thThisunfortunatePrincelivedsolittleawhilethatnobodyhadhimtodrawhispicture。HewasmurderedbyhisUncle’sContrivance，whosenamewasRichardthe3rd。
RICHARDthe3rdTheCharacterofthisPrincehasbeeningeneralveryseverelytreatedbyHistorians，butashewasaYORK，IamratherinclinedtosupposehimaveryrespectableMan。IthasindeedbeenconfidentlyassertedthathekilledhistwoNephewsandhisWife，butithasalsobeendeclaredthathedidnotkillhistwoNephews，whichIaminclinedtobeleivetrue；andifthisisthecase，itmayalsobeaffirmedthathedidnotkillhisWife，forifPerkinWarbeckwasreallytheDukeofYork，whymightnotLambertSimnelbetheWidowofRichard。Whetherinnocentorguilty，hedidnotreignlonginpeace，forHenryTudorE。ofRichmondasgreatavillainaseverlived，madeagreatfussaboutgettingtheCrownandhavingkilledtheKingatthebattleofBosworth，hesucceededtoit。
HENRYthe7thThisMonarchsoonafterhisaccessionmarriedthePrincessElizabethofYork，bywhichallianceheplainlyprovedthathethoughthisownrightinferiortohers，tho’hepretendedtothecontrary。BythisMarriagehehadtwosonsandtwodaughters，theelderofwhichDaughterswasmarriedtotheKingofScotlandandhadthehappinessofbeinggrandmothertooneofthefirstCharactersintheWorld。ButofHER，Ishallhaveoccasiontospeakmoreatlargeinfuture。Theyoungest，Mary，marriedfirsttheKingofFranceandsecondlytheD。ofSuffolk，bywhomshehadonedaughter，afterwardstheMotherofLadyJaneGrey，whotho’inferiortoherlovelyCousintheQueenofScots，wasyetanamiableyoungwomanandfamousforreadingGreekwhileotherpeoplewerehunting。ItwasinthereignofHenrythe7ththatPerkinWarbeckandLambertSimnelbeforementionedmadetheirappearance，theformerofwhomwassetinthestocks，tookshelterinBeaulieuAbbey，andwasbeheadedwiththeEarlofWarwick，andthelatterwastakenintotheKingskitchen。HisMajestydiedandwassucceededbyhissonHenrywhoseonlymeritwashisnotbeingquitesobadashisdaughterElizabeth。
HENRYthe8thItwouldbeanaffronttomyReaderswereItosupposethattheywerenotaswellacquaintedwiththeparticularsofthisKing’sreignasIammyself。ItwillthereforebesavingTHEMthetaskofreadingagainwhattheyhavereadbefore，andMYSELFthetroubleofwritingwhatIdonotperfectlyrecollect，bygivingonlyaslightsketchoftheprincipalEventswhichmarkedhisreign。AmongthesemayberankedCardinalWolsey’stellingthefatherAbbottofLeicesterAbbeythat"hewascometolayhisbonesamongthem，"thereformationinReligionandtheKing’sridingthroughthestreetsofLondonwithAnnaBullen。ItishoweverbutJustice，andmyDutytodeclarethatthisamiableWomanwasentirelyinnocentoftheCrimeswithwhichshewasaccused，andofwhichherBeauty，herElegance，andherSprightlinessweresufficientproofs，nottomentionhersolemnProtestationsofInnocence，theweaknessoftheChargesagainsther，andtheKing’sCharacter；allofwhichaddsomeconfirmation，tho’perhapsbutslightoneswhenincomparisonwiththosebeforealledgedinherfavour。Tho’Idonotprofessgivingmanydates，yetasIthinkitpropertogivesomeandshallofcoursemakechoiceofthosewhichitismostnecessaryfortheReadertoknow，IthinkitrighttoinformhimthatherlettertotheKingwasdatedonthe6thofMay。TheCrimesandCrueltiesofthisPrince，weretoonumeroustobementioned，（asthishistoryItrusthasfullyshown；）andnothingcanbesaidinhisvindication，butthathisabolishingReligiousHousesandleavingthemtotheruinousdepredationsoftimehasbeenofinfiniteusetothelandscapeofEnglandingeneral，whichprobablywasaprincipalmotiveforhisdoingit，sinceotherwisewhyshouldaManwhowasofnoReligionhimselfbeatsomuchtroubletoabolishonewhichhadforagesbeenestablishedintheKingdom。HisMajesty’s5thWifewastheDukeofNorfolk’sNeicewho，tho’universallyacquittedofthecrimesforwhichshewasbeheaded，hasbeenbymanypeoplesupposedtohaveledanabandonedlifebeforeherMarriage——ofthishoweverIhavemanydoubts，sinceshewasarelationofthatnobleDukeofNorfolkwhowassowarmintheQueenofScotland’scause，andwhoatlastfellavictimtoit。TheKingslastwifecontrivedtosurvivehim，butwithdifficultyeffectedit。HewassucceededbyhisonlysonEdward。
EDWARDthe6thAsthisprincewasonlynineyearsoldatthetimeofhisFather’sdeath，hewasconsideredbymanypeopleastooyoungtogovern，andthelateKinghappeningtobeofthesameopinion，hismother’sBrothertheDukeofSomersetwaschosenProtectoroftherealmduringhisminority。ThisManwasonthewholeofaveryamiableCharacter，andissomewhatofafavouritewithme，tho’IwouldbynomeanspretendtoaffirmthathewasequaltothosefirstofMenRobertEarlofEssex，Delamere，orGilpin。Hewasbeheaded，ofwhichhemightwithreasonhavebeenproud，hadheknownthatsuchwasthedeathofMaryQueenofScotland；butasitwasimpossiblethatheshouldbeconsciousofwhathadneverhappened，itdoesnotappearthathefeltparticularlydelightedwiththemannerofit。AfterhisdeceasetheDukeofNorthumberlandhadthecareoftheKingandtheKingdom，andperformedhistrustofbothsowellthattheKingdiedandtheKingdomwaslefttohisdaughterinlawtheLadyJaneGrey，whohasbeenalreadymentionedasreadingGreek。WhethershereallyunderstoodthatlanguageorwhethersuchastudyproceededonlyfromanexcessofvanityforwhichIbeleiveshewasalwaysratherremarkable，isuncertain。Whatevermightbethecause，shepreservedthesameappearanceofknowledge，andcontemptofwhatwasgenerallyesteemedpleasure，duringthewholeofherlife，forshedeclaredherselfdispleasedwithbeingappointedQueen，andwhileconductingtothescaffold，shewroteasentenceinLatinandanotherinGreekonseeingthedeadBodyofherHusbandaccidentallypassingthatway。
MARY
ThiswomanhadthegoodluckofbeingadvancedtothethroneofEngland，inspiteofthesuperiorpretensions，Merit，andBeautyofherCousinsMaryQueenofScotlandandJaneGrey。NorcanI
pitytheKingdomforthemisfortunestheyexperiencedduringherReign，sincetheyfullydeservedthem，forhavingallowedhertosucceedherBrother——whichwasadoublepeiceoffolly，sincetheymighthaveforeseenthatasshediedwithoutchildren，shewouldbesucceededbythatdisgracetohumanity，thatpestofsociety，Elizabeth。ManywerethepeoplewhofellmartyrstotheprotestantReligionduringherreign；Isupposenotfewerthanadozen。ShemarriedPhilipKingofSpainwhoinhersister’sreignwasfamousforbuildingArmadas。Shediedwithoutissue，andthenthedreadfulmomentcameinwhichthedestroyerofallcomfort，thedeceitfulBetrayeroftrustreposedinher，andtheMurderessofherCousinsucceededtotheThrone。————
ELIZABETH
ItwasthepeculiarmisfortuneofthisWomantohavebadMinisters———Sincewickedassheherselfwas，shecouldnothavecommittedsuchextensivemischeif，hadnotthesevileandabandonedMenconnivedat，andencouragedherinherCrimes。I
knowthatithasbymanypeoplebeenassertedandbeleivedthatLordBurleigh，SirFrancisWalsingham，andtherestofthosewhofilledthecheifofficesofStateweredeserving，experienced，andableMinisters。Butoh!howblindedsuchwritersandsuchReadersmustbetotrueMerit，toMeritdespised，neglectedanddefamed，iftheycanpersistinsuchopinionswhentheyreflectthatthesemen，theseboastedmenweresuchscandalstotheirCountryandtheirsexastoallowandassisttheirQueeninconfiningforthespaceofnineteenyears，aWOMANwhoiftheclaimsofRelationshipandMeritwereofnoavail，yetasaQueenandasonewhocondescendedtoplaceconfidenceinher，hadeveryreasontoexpectassistanceandprotection；andatlengthinallowingElizabethtobringthisamiableWomantoanuntimely，unmerited，andscandalousDeath。Cananyoneifhereflectsbutforamomentonthisblot，thiseverlastingblotupontheirunderstandingandtheirCharacter，allowanypraisetoLordBurleighorSirFrancisWalsingham？Oh!whatmustthisbewitchingPrincesswhoseonlyfreindwasthentheDukeofNorfolk，andwhoseonlyonesnowMrWhitaker，MrsLefroy，MrsKnightandmyself，whowasabandonedbyherson，confinedbyherCousin，abused，reproachedandvilifiedbyall，whatmustnothermostnoblemindhavesufferedwheninformedthatElizabethhadgivenordersforherDeath!Yetsheboreitwithamostunshakenfortitude，firminhermind；constantinherReligion；andpreparedherselftomeetthecruelfatetowhichshewasdoomed，withamagnanimitythatwouldaloneproceedfromconsciousInnocence。AndyetcouldyouReaderhavebeleiveditpossiblethatsomehardenedandzealousProtestantshaveevenabusedherforthatsteadfastnessintheCatholicReligionwhichreflectedonhersomuchcredit？ButthisisastrikingproofofTHEIR
narrowsoulsandprejudicedJudgementswhoaccuseher。ShewasexecutedintheGreatHallatFortheringayCastle（sacredPlace!）
onWednesdaythe8thofFebruary1586——totheeverlastingReproachofElizabeth，herMinisters，andofEnglandingeneral。
ItmaynotbeunnecessarybeforeIentirelyconcludemyaccountofthisill—fatedQueen，toobservethatshehadbeenaccusedofseveralcrimesduringthetimeofherreigninginScotland，ofwhichInowmostseriouslydoassuremyReaderthatshewasentirelyinnocent；havingneverbeenguiltyofanythingmorethanImprudenciesintowhichshewasbetrayedbytheopennessofherHeart，herYouth，andherEducation。HavingItrustbythisassuranceentirelydoneawayeverySuspicionandeverydoubtwhichmighthavearisenintheReader’smind，fromwhatotherHistorianshavewrittenofher，IshallproceedtomentiontheremainingEventsthatmarkedElizabeth’sreign。ItwasaboutthistimethatSirFrancisDrakethefirstEnglishNavigatorwhosailedroundtheWorld，lived，tobetheornamentofhisCountryandhisprofession。Yetgreatashewas，andjustlycelebratedasasailor，IcannothelpforeseeingthathewillbeequalledinthisorthenextCenturybyonewhotho’nowbutyoung，alreadypromisestoansweralltheardentandsanguineexpectationsofhisRelationsandFreinds，amongstwhomImayclasstheamiableLadytowhomthisworkisdedicated，andmynolessamiableself。
Thoughofadifferentprofession，andshininginadifferentsphereofLife，yetequallyconspicuousintheCharacterofanEarl，asDrakewasinthatofaSailor，wasRobertDevereuxLordEssex。ThisunfortunateyoungManwasnotunlikeincharactertothatequallyunfortunateoneFREDERICDELAMERE。Thesimilemaybecarriedstillfarther，andElizabeththetormentofEssexmaybecomparedtotheEmmelineofDelamere。ItwouldbeendlesstorecountthemisfortunesofthisnobleandgallantEarl。Itissufficienttosaythathewasbeheadedonthe25thofFeb，afterhavingbeenLordLieutenantofIreland，afterhavingclappedhishandonhissword，andafterperformingmanyotherservicestohisCountry。Elizabethdidnotlongsurvivehisloss，anddiedsomiserablethatwereitnotaninjurytothememoryofMaryI
shouldpityher。
JAMESthe1stThoughthisKinghadsomefaults，amongwhichandasthemostprincipal，washisallowinghisMother’sdeath，yetconsideredonthewholeIcannothelplikinghim。HemarriedAnneofDenmark，andhadseveralChildren；fortunatelyforhimhiseldestsonPrinceHenrydiedbeforehisfatherorhemighthaveexperiencedtheevilswhichbefellhisunfortunateBrother。
AsIammyselfpartialtotheromancatholicreligion，itiswithinfiniteregretthatIamobligedtoblametheBehaviourofanyMemberofit：yetTruthbeingIthinkveryexcusableinanHistorian，IamnecessitatedtosaythatinthisreigntheromanCatholicsofEnglanddidnotbehavelikeGentlementotheprotestants。TheirBehaviourindeedtotheRoyalFamilyandbothHousesofParliamentmightjustlybeconsideredbythemasveryuncivil，andevenSirHenryPercytho’certainlythebestbredmanoftheparty，hadnoneofthatgeneralpolitenesswhichissouniversallypleasing，ashisattentionswereentirelyconfinedtoLordMounteagle。
SirWalterRaleighflourishedinthisandthepreceedingreign，andisbymanypeopleheldingreatvenerationandrespect——ButashewasanenemyofthenobleEssex，Ihavenothingtosayinpraiseofhim，andmustreferallthosewhomaywishtobeacquaintedwiththeparticularsofhislife，toMrSheridan’splayoftheCritic，wheretheywillfindmanyinterestinganecdotesaswellofhimasofhisfriendSirChristopherHatton。——HisMajestywasofthatamiabledispositionwhichinclinestoFreindship，andinsuchpointswaspossessedofakeenerpenetrationindiscoveringMeritthanmanyotherpeople。
IonceheardanexcellentSharadeonaCarpet，ofwhichthesubjectIamnowonremindsme，andasIthinkitmayaffordmyReaderssomeamusementtoFINDITOUT，Ishallheretakethelibertyofpresentingittothem。
SHARADE
MyfirstiswhatmysecondwastoKingJamesthe1st，andyoutreadonmywhole。
TheprincipalfavouritesofhisMajestywereCar，whowasafterwardscreatedEarlofSomersetandwhosenameperhapsmayhavesomeshareintheabovementionedSharade，andGeorgeVilliersafterwardsDukeofBuckingham。OnhisMajesty’sdeathhewassucceededbyhissonCharles。
CHARLESthe1stThisamiableMonarchseemsborntohavesufferedmisfortunesequaltothoseofhislovelyGrandmother；misfortuneswhichhecouldnotdeservesincehewasherdescendant。NevercertainlyweretherebeforesomanydetestableCharactersatonetimeinEnglandasinthisPeriodofitsHistory；neverwereamiablemensoscarce。ThenumberofthemthroughoutthewholeKingdomamountingonlytoFIVE，besidestheinhabitantsofOxfordwhowerealwaysloyaltotheirKingandfaithfultohisinterests。
Thenamesofthisnoblefivewhoneverforgotthedutyofthesubject，orswervedfromtheirattachmenttohisMajesty，wereasfollows——TheKinghimself，everstedfastinhisownsupport——ArchbishopLaud，EarlofStrafford，ViscountFaulklandandDukeofOrmond，whowerescarcelylessstrenuousorzealousinthecause。WhiletheVILLIANSofthetimewouldmaketoolongalisttobewrittenorread；IshallthereforecontentmyselfwithmentioningtheleadersoftheGang。Cromwell，Fairfax，Hampden，andPymmaybeconsideredastheoriginalCausersofallthedisturbances，Distresses，andCivilWarsinwhichEnglandformanyyearswasembroiled。InthisreignaswellasinthatofElizabeth，IamobligedinspiteofmyattachmenttotheScotch，toconsiderthemasequallyguiltywiththegeneralityoftheEnglish，sincetheydaredtothinkdifferentlyfromtheirSovereign，toforgettheAdorationwhichasSTUARTSitwastheirDutytopaythem，torebelagainst，dethroneandimprisontheunfortunateMary；tooppose，todeceive，andtosellthenolessunfortunateCharles。TheEventsofthisMonarch’sreignaretoonumerousformypen，andindeedtherecitalofanyEvents（exceptwhatImakemyself）isuninterestingtome；myprincipalreasonforundertakingtheHistoryofEnglandbeingtoProvetheinnocenceoftheQueenofScotland，whichIflattermyselfwithhavingeffectuallydone，andtoabuseElizabeth，tho’Iamratherfearfulofhavingfallenshortinthelatterpartofmyscheme。
——AsthereforeitisnotmyintentiontogiveanyparticularaccountofthedistressesintowhichthisKingwasinvolvedthroughthemisconductandCrueltyofhisParliament，IshallsatisfymyselfwithvindicatinghimfromtheReproachofArbitraryandtyrannicalGovernmentwithwhichhehasoftenbeencharged。This，Ifeel，isnotdifficulttobedone，forwithoneargumentIamcertainofsatisfyingeverysensibleandwelldisposedpersonwhoseopinionshavebeenproperlyguidedbyagoodEducation——andthisArgumentisthathewasaSTUART。
FinisSaturdayNov：26th1791。
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ACOLLECTIONOFLETTERS
ToMissCOOPER
COUSIN
ConsciousoftheCharmingCharacterwhichineveryCountry，andeveryClimeinChristendomisCried，Concerningyou，withCautionandCareICommendtoyourCharitableCriticismthisCleverCollectionofCuriousComments，whichhavebeenCarefullyCulled，CollectedandClassedbyyourComicalCousinTheAuthor。
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ACOLLECTIONOFLETTERS
LETTERtheFIRST
FromaMOTHERtoherFREIND。
MyChildrenbeginnowtoclaimallmyattentionindifferentMannerfromthatinwhichtheyhavebeenusedtoreceiveit，astheyarenowarrivedatthatagewhenitisnecessaryfortheminsomemeasuretobecomeconversantwiththeWorld，MyAugustais17andhersisterscarcelyatwelvemonthyounger。IflattermyselfthattheireducationhasbeensuchaswillnotdisgracetheirappearanceintheWorld，andthatTHEYwillnotdisgracetheirEducationIhaveeveryreasontobeleive。IndeedtheyaresweetGirls——。Sensibleyetunaffected——AccomplishedyetEasy——。
LivelyyetGentle——。Astheirprogressineverythingtheyhavelearnthasbeenalwaysthesame，Iamwillingtoforgetthedifferenceofage，andtointroducethemtogetherintoPublic。
ThisveryEveningisfixedonastheirfirstENTREEintoLife，aswearetodrinkteawithMrsCopeandherDaughter。Iamgladthatwearetomeetnoone，formyGirlssake，asitwouldbeawkwardforthemtoentertoowideaCircleontheveryfirstday。Butweshallproceedbydegrees。——TomorrowMrStanly’sfamilywilldrinkteawithus，andperhapstheMissPhillips’swillmeetthem。OnTuesdayweshallpayMorningVisits——OnWednesdaywearetodineatWestbrook。OnThursdaywehaveCompanyathome。OnFridaywearetobeataPrivateConcertatSirJohnWynna’s——andonSaturdayweexpectMissDawsontocallintheMorning——whichwillcompletemyDaughtersIntroductionintoLife。HowtheywillbearsomuchdissipationIcannotimagine；oftheirspiritsIhavenofear，Ionlydreadtheirhealth。
Thismightyaffairisnowhappilyover，andmyGirlsareOUT。Asthemomentapproachedforourdeparture，youcanhavenoideahowthesweetCreaturestrembledwithfearandexpectation。BeforetheCarriagedrovetothedoor，Icalledthemintomydressing—
room，andassoonastheywereseatedthusaddressedthem。"MydearGirlsthemomentisnowarrivedwhenIamtoreaptherewardsofallmyAnxietiesandLabourstowardsyouduringyourEducation。YouarethisEveningtoenteraWorldinwhichyouwillmeetwithmanywonderfullThings；YetletmewarnyouagainstsufferingyourselvestobemeanlyswayedbytheFolliesandVicesofothers，forbeleivememybelovedChildrenthatifyoudo——Ishallbeverysorryforit。"TheybothassuredmethattheywouldeverremembermyadvicewithGratitude，andfollowitwithattention；ThattheywerepreparedtofindaWorldfullofthingstoamazeandtoshockthem：butthattheytrustedtheirbehaviourwouldnevergivemereasontorepenttheWatchfulCarewithwhichIhadpresidedovertheirinfancyandformedtheirMinds——""Withsuchexpectationsandsuchintentions（criedI）Icanhavenothingtofearfromyou——andcanchearfullyconductyoutoMrsCope’swithoutafearofyourbeingseducedbyherExample，orcontaminatedbyherFollies。Come，thenmyChildren（addedI）theCarriageisdrivingtothedoor，andI
willnotamomentdelaythehappinessyouaresoimpatienttoenjoy。"WhenwearrivedatWarleigh，poorAugustacouldscarcelybreathe，whileMargaretwasallLifeandRapture。"Thelong—
expectedMomentisnowarrived（saidshe）andweshallsoonbeintheWorld。"——InafewMomentswewereinMrsCope’sparlour，wherewithherdaughtershesatereadytoreceiveus。IobservedwithdelighttheimpressionmyChildrenmadeonthem——。Theywereindeedtwosweet，elegant—lookingGirls，andtho’somewhatabashedfromthepeculiarityoftheirsituation，yettherewasaneaseintheirMannersandaddresswhichcouldnotfailofpleasing——。ImaginemydearMadamhowdelightedImusthavebeeninbeholdingasIdid，howattentivelytheyobservedeveryobjecttheysaw，howdisgustedwithsomeThings，howenchantedwithothers，howastonishedatall!OnthewholehowevertheyreturnedinraptureswiththeWorld，itsInhabitants，andManners。
YrsEver——A。F。
LETTERtheSECOND
FromaYOUNGLADYcrossedinLovetoherfreindWhyshouldthislastdisappointmenthangsoheavilyonmyspirits？WhyshouldIfeelitmore，whyshoulditwoundmedeeperthanthoseIhaveexperiencedbefore？CanitbethatI
haveagreateraffectionforWilloughbythanIhadforhisamiablepredecessors？Orisitthatourfeelingsbecomemoreacutefrombeingoftenwounded？ImustsupposemydearBellethatthisistheCase，sinceIamnotconsciousofbeingmoresincerelyattachedtoWilloughbythanIwastoNeville，Fitzowen，oreitheroftheCrawfords，forallofwhomIoncefeltthemostlastingaffectionthateverwarmedaWoman’sheart。TellmethendearBellewhyIstillsighwhenIthinkofthefaithlessEdward，orwhyIweepwhenIbeholdhisBride，fortoosurelythisisthecase——。MyFreindsareallalarmedforme；Theyfearmydeclininghealth；theylamentmywantofspirits；theydreadtheeffectsofboth。Inhopesofreleivingmymelancholy，bydirectingmythoughtstootherobjects，theyhaveinvitedseveraloftheirfreindstospendtheChristmaswithus。LadyBridgetDarkwoodandhersister—in—law，MissJaneareexpectedonFriday；
andColonelSeaton’sfamilywillbewithusnextweek。ThisisallmostkindlymeantbymyUncleandCousins；butwhatcanthepresenceofadozenindefferentpeopledotome，butwearyanddistressme——。IwillnotfinishmyLettertillsomeofourVisitorsarearrived。