by the good-natured world, to be more than mere acquaintances; and the women, confidentes. It is by such imprudent habits of familiarity that many a woman has lost her reputation, while her virtue has remained unimpaired.

Your excellent parents are well, and as cheerful as our united attention can make them; but they pine for you, and intend soon joining you in London. Lord Nottingham leaves us to-morrow; he is a very agreeable companion, possesses a highly cultivated mind, and great warmth of heart. He is one of the few with whom I would consent to share my husband's friendship. His attention to your father and mother has been unremitting; and they have formed a strong attachment to him.

Write to me often, dearest Augusta; tell

all

you think and feel, to one who, if she some

times chides you like an elder sister, always feels the love of one.

M. DELAWARD.

THE COUNTESS OF ANNANDALE TO THE COUNTESS OF DELAWARD.

DEAREST MARY,-I kept my resolution; and, in defiance of Lord Annandale's representations of the unreasonableness of the measure, I proceeded to Richmond, the day after my arrival in London. My perseverance in this scheme at first discomposed him, for he had, as he asserted, made engagements for me; but at length he yielded, and, to my dismay, said something about his considering my impatience to see his child as a flattering proof of my affection for its father. I blushed, from con

sciousness of how unmerited was this eulogium, for so he evidently meant it to be; and, as a reward for my supposed tenderness, he offered to accompany me to Richmond, as if it were a sacrifice on his part, having, as he declared, a thousand things to do.

On arriving at a little damp-looking cottage, overgrown with ivy, situated in a rural lane at Richmond, we found the nurse absent; and the poor child I came to see, consigned to an untidy slip-shod girl of fifteen, who was endeavouring to pacify it, by jingling a bunch of keys, and singing, or rather screaming a tune. The nurse, she said, had gone out with a friend, only five minutes before.

"No! she be gone out ever so long ago," exclaimed a dirty child, of about six years old, who was torturing an unfortunate kitten;

mammy went ever so long ago, with that cross man who eats half our dinner."

"Hold your tongue, Bessy," ejaculated the elder, "and don't speak till you 're spoken to;" an advice that appeared by no means to gratify her to whom it was addressed.

Never had I beheld any thing offering such a disgusting picture of uncleanliness and discomfort as this abode; and its inhabitants were in perfect keeping with it.

The poor dear little boy was attired in a low-priced cotton dress, positively dirty; with a soiled and tattered lace cap, the remnant of former elegance, on his head; the face, pale and rigid, indicating that incipient disease had already assailed him and his cries, or rather moans, were most painful to hear.

Lord Annandale was shocked.

"This is very dreadful!" said he; "would you believe it, Augusta, I thought, until we came here, that this poor little fellow was in a most comfortable residence, which this was

described to me to be; and for which, my steward told me, a large rent was paid. And see how the poor little wretched boy is clad positively like a beggar's child; notwithstanding this abominable nurse sends such bills for his wardrobe!"

I ordered some water to be made warm, and inquired for clean clothes, to dress the child.

They be mostly all at the wash," replied the elder girl, opening a drawer, from which she drew forth two nearly worn-out frocks and caps.

"No, they be'nt at the wash," said the incorrigible younger girl; "mammy took 'em all with her to Lon'on to sell; the cross man made her."

"It's no such a thing!" exclaimed the elder, looking much embarrassed; "they're all at the wash."