for, though I give you full permission to laugh at me, I am peculiarly sensitive with regard to them.

The unbecoming levity with which you refer to the frequency and facility of divorce, both shocked and pained me. How could you jest on so grave a matter, or remind me of examples of conduct in our sex so humiliating to reflect on? It is this proneness to treat with ridicule subjects which should be ever exempt from its assaults, that often and seriously offends your good aunt, and alarms those whose good opinion I so much wish you to obtain. Conquer this unfeminine propensity, dear Caroline; for, be assured, its indulgence is highly injurious to you.

We dined yesterday at Lord Seymour's, where we met two London beaux; one, Lord Annandale, and the other, Sir Henry Beaumont. The first is good-looking, and has the appear

ance of being extremely well satisfied with himself, perhaps too much so: and yet, I like to see men of fashion possess a certain confidence of manner; it renders their attentions more flattering. Besides, he who greatly admires himself, must find many charms in that woman with whom he is disposed to share his hitherto self-engrossed admiration. Sir Henry Beaumont is not so good-looking as Lord Annandale; he has lank hair, which I detest; while Lord Annandale's floats in hyacinthine curls, and sets off his face to the greatest advantage.

The Ladies Seymour evidently wished to attract Lord Annandale, and he as evidently was so unmindful of their fascinations as to bestow a large share of his attention on me; which, to judge from their looks, was any thing but agreeable to them. They were forced to be content with the assiduities of Sir Henry Beaumont, who seemed almost

afraid to look at me, when he observed that I had monopolised the entire attention of Lord Annandale. What a difference is there in the appearance and manner of Lord Annandale, and Lord Delaward! In the presence of the latter, I experienced a degree of restraint which almost amounted to gêne; while in that of the former I feel as perfectly at my ease as if we were old acquaintances. And yet I should like to have a husband whose dignity repelled familiarity from all but me: not such a one as that ceremonious lord of whom we read, who, when his young wife embraced him, told her that his former countess, though a Howard, never took such a liberty.

Our host has invited Lord Annandale to spend two or three days here; an invitation which he accepted with evident pleasure, and not without insinuating to me that I

was the magnet which attracted him to Howard Castle. I am not sorry to have this place enlivened by the presence of a beau; for, to confess the truth, the sententious conversation of Lord Howard, and the admiring assents of papa and mamma, are more instructive than amusing. I wish you were here-a selfish wish, you will say as I have mentioned the tristesse of this séjour; but, I believe we are always most disposed to desire the presence of our friends, when we most require the exhilaration it inspires.

Your affectionate

AUGUSTA VERNON.

LORD ANNANDALE TO THE MARQUESS OF

NOTTINGHAM.

MY DEAR NOTTINGHAM,- Here, I am in the feudal chateau of the Howards! the last place where I expected to find myself; and to which I have been attracted by the beautiful daughter of Lord Vernon, who, with her father and mother, are staying here on a visit. I met them at Lord Seymour's, when at dinner, two days ago, and Lord Howard asked me to come and pass a short time with him; an invitation I should assuredly not have accepted, had not the bright eyes of the fair Lady Augusta appeared to sparkle with complacency when it was made. You can fancy nothing half so brilliant, so beautiful, and so joyous, as this same Lady Augusta. She resembles nothing earthly that I have seen, or unearthly that I have imagined, except it be the beau-idéal of a