ond and his courtiers read the seventh commandment | I must acquaint you with a piece of insolence -with the omission of the not. The reflections on the breaking out of the French revolution, are well worth attention. The letter of September 26, 1789, for example, is almost literally applicable to the existing state of France at this moment. Many of the other letters, also, are curious, as illustrations of laws, manners, and society in both countries. The frequency of robberies will sound very startling to all whose personal recollections do not extend to periods much anterior to the new as new to the rising generation as the New River or the New Forest : police-about The Hertfords, Lady Holdernesse, and Lady Mary Coke did dine here on Thursday, but were armed as if going to Gibraltar; and Lady Cecilia Johnstone would not venture even from Petersham -for in the town of Richmond they rob even before dusk-to such perfection are all the arts brought! Who would have thought that the war with America would make it impossible to stir from one vil lage to another? yet so it literally is. The colonies took off all our commodities down to highwaymen. Now being forced to inew and then turn them out like pheasants, the roads are stocked with them, and they are so tame that they even come into houses.-(Vol. ii., p. 107.) Walpole and Lady Browne are stopped on their way to drink tea with a neighbor by a highway man: it to him; it had nine guineas. It was done to the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Their royal highnesses, upon their arrival here on Saturday se ennight, went to the play, as likewise on Sunday. On Monday morning two of the players waited on their royal highnesses to thank them for the honor that had been done them, and to receive the gratification usual upon such occasions. The duke gave them three guineas for the two representations, which was so far from satisfying these gentry, that, by way of impertinence, they sent their candle-snuffer, a dirty fellow, to present a bouquet to the duchess, who was rewarded for his impudence with a volley of coups de baton. This chastisement did not intimidate the actors, who sent one of their troop after the duke to St. Omer, with a letter, to know if it was really true his royal highness gave but three guineas; for that they, the players, suspected their companions had pocketed the best part of what was given. What answer the duke gave I know not, but the man who went with the letter has been put in prison, and the whole troop has been ordered to leave the town. Voilà qui est bien tragique pour les comédiens! This affair is as much talked on at Calais as if it was an affair of state.-(Vol. i., p. 89.) The story of the Duchess of Bolton proposing to start for China as a place of safety, when the end of the world was positively fixed for the next year, by some Moore or Murphy of the day; the stories of the famous beauty, Lady Coventry, and the opposition encountered by Lord Macclesfield when he He said, "Your purses and watches!" I replied, attempted to reform the calendar, materially dimin"I have no watch." "Then your purse!" I ish our astonishment at any amount of ignorance in dark that I could not see his hand, but felt him take any class, towards the middle of the last century, it. He then asked for Lady Browne's purse, and or we might suspect Walpole of inventing the diasaid, "Don't be frightened; I will not hurt you." logue which comes next : I said, "No, you won't frighten the lady?" He I cannot say there will be quite so much wit in replied, "No, I give you my word I will do you the anecdote I am going to tell you next. Lady no hurt." Lady Browne gave him her purse, and was going to add her watch, but he said, "I am much obliged to you; I wish you good night!" pulled off his hat and rode away. "Well," said I, "Lady Browne, you will not be afraid of being robbed another time, for you see there is nothing in it." "Oh! but I am," said she, "and now I am in terrors lest he should return, for I have given him a purse with only bad money, that I carry on purpose." (Vol. ii., p. 55.) After describing some private theatricals at Ham Common, he says: There was a great deal of good company collected from the environs and even from London, but so armed with blunderbusses, that when the servants were drawn up after the play, you would have thought it had been a midnight review of conspirators on a heath. When Mr. Craufurd, described as having always presence of mind enough to be curious, was robbed, the wits reported him as saying to the highwayman, "You must have taken other pocket-books; could not you let me have one instead of mine?" The impression left by Lord Hervey's Memoirs as to the selfish habits and arbitrary modes of thinking of royal personages, before the progress of manners refined and softened them, is confirmed by Walpole in many passages. The following is an extract from a letter dated Calais, 1773. Greenwich, t'other day, in a conversation with Lady Tweeddale, named the Saxons (the Lord knows how that happened.) "The Saxons, my dear!" cried the marchioness, "who were they?" Lord, madam, did your ladyship never read the History of England?" "N No, my dear! Pray who wrote it?" Don't it put you in mind of the Mattoe and the Allogabroges in Grammont! Voici, a second dialogue of the same dame with the Duchess of Argyll, who went to her to hire a house the marchioness has here on Twickenham Common, for her brother, General Gunning: Marchioness." But will he pay for it!" Duchess." Madam, my brother can afford to pay for it; and if he cannot, I can." Marchioness." Oh! I am glad I shall have my money. Well, my dear, but am I to wish you joy on Lady Augusta's marriage?" Duchess." No great joy, madam; there was no great occasion for Lady Augusta Campbell to be married." Marchioness.-"Lord, my dear, I wonder to hear you say so, who have been married twice." (Vol. ii., p. 340.) A curious adventure, in which Charles Fox is traditionally reported to have been engaged, is recorded with particulars I know nothing of the following legend but from that old maid, Common Fame, who outlies the newspapers. You have read in "Fielding's Chron world Guinea is situated, could he have told?(Vol. i., p. 427.) He came to me yesterday morning from Lady Townsend, who, terrified by the fires of the preceding night, talked the language of the court, instead of opposition. He said she put him in mind of removed tradesmen, who hung out a board with "burnt out from over the way."-(Vol. i., p. 439.) icle" the tale of the Hon. Mrs. Grieve; but could | one asked him in which of the four quarters of the you have believed that Charles Fox could have been in the list of her dupes? Well, he was. She promised him a Miss Phipps, a West Indian fortune of 150,000l. Sometimes she was not landed-sometimes had the small-pox. In the mean time Miss Phipps did not like a black man. Celadon must powder his eyebrows. He did, and cleaned himself. A thousand Jews thought he was gone to Kingsgate to settle the payment of his debts. Oh no! he was to meet Celia at Margate. To confirm the truth, the Hon. Mrs. Grieve advanced part of the fortune; some authors say an hundred and sixty, others three hundred pounds. But how was this to answer to the matron? Why, by Mr. Fox's chariot being seen at her door. Her other dupes could not doubt of her noblesse or interest, when the hopes of Britain frequented her house. In short Mrs. Grieve's parts are in universal admiration, whatever Charles' are. (Vol. i., p. 107.) Sir Walter Scott mentions the story in his Diary of May 9th, 1828; and there is an obvious allusion to it in "The Cozeners," by Foote. The uncertainty still resting on the death of the great Lord Clive, currently reported to have Everybody is full of Mr. Burke's yesterday's speech, which I only mention as parent of a mot of George Selwyn. Lord George Gordon, single, divided the house, and Selwyn set him down afterwards at White's, where he said, "I have brought the whole opposition in my coach; and I hope one coach will always hold them, if they mean to take away the Board of Works," (of which he was paymaster.)-(Vol. i., p. 408.) George Selwyn is, I think, the only person remaining who can strike wit out of the present politics. On hearing Calcraft wanted to be Earl of Ormond, he said, "it would be very proper, as no doubt there had been many Butlers in his family."-(Vol. i., p. 4.) Every reader who enjoys humor will allow the following to be a capital story, with a result sin committed suicide, gives value to a cotemporary gularly illustrative of manners : account from high authority: Lord H. has just been here, and told me the manner of Lord Clive's death. Whatever had happened, it had flung him into convulsions, to which he was very subject. Dr. Fothergill gave him, as he had done on like occasions, a dose of laudanum; but the pain in his bowels was so violent that he asked for a second dose. Dr. Fothergill said if he took another he would be dead in an hour. The moment Fothergill was gone he swallowed another, for another it seems stood by him, and he is dead.-(Vol. i., p. 155.) In an article on George Selwyn, on the publication of his correspondence, we quoted bon mots of his sufficient to set up half a dozen wits; but he was inexhaustible, and a fresh stock is now brought to light : Apropos of bon-mots, has our lord told you that George Selwyn calls Mr. Fox and Mr. Pitt "the idle and the industrious apprentices?" If he has not, I am sure you will thank me, madam.-(Vol. ii., p. 146.) Hogarth's print was then familiar to every one ; and the joke was as generally understood and appreciated as that of the late Mr. R. Smith (father of the editor of the Letters) when he declared Mr. Hume and Mr. Vansittart (Lord Bexley) to be the living personifications of "Penny wise and pound foolish." The best of the other bon mots will not occupy much space : To divert the theme; how do you like, madam, the following story? A young Madame de Choiseul is inloved with by Monsieur de Coigny and Prince Joseph of Monaco. She longed for a parrot that should be a miracle of eloquence. Every other shop in Paris sells mackaws, parrots, cockatoos, &c. No wonder one at least of the rivals soon found a Mr. Pitt; and the bird was immediately declared the nymph's first minister; but as she had two passions as well as two lovers, she was also enamored of General Jacko at Astley's. The unsuccessful candidate offered Astley ingots for his monkey; but Astley demanding a terre for life, the paladin was forced to desist; but fortunately heard of another miracle of parts of the Monomotapan race, who was not in so exalted a sphere of life, being only a marmiton in a kitchen, where he had learnt to pluck fowls with inimitable dexterity. This dear animal was not invaluable; was bought, and presented to Madame de Choiseul, who immediately made him the Secretaire de ses Commandemens. Her caresses were distributed equally to the animals, and her thanks to the donors. The first time she went out the two former were locked up in her bed chamber; how the two latter were disposed of, history is silent. Ah! I dread to tell the sequel. When the lady returned, and flew to her chamber, Jacko the second received her with all the empressement possible; but where was Poll? Found at last under the bed, shivering and cowering, and without a feather, as stark as any Christian. Poll's presenter concluded that his rival had given the monkey with that very view; challenged him, they fought, and both were wounded; and an heroic adventure it was.-(Vol. ii., p. 258.) There is certainly nothing new under the sun in the way of story. Who could or would have thought that the well-known adventure of Lord Eldon and the turbot had been anticipated ? You ask about Mr. Selwyn; have you heard his incomparable reply to Lord George Gordon, who asked him if he would choose him again for Luggershall; he replied, "His constituents would not." "Oh yes, if you would recommend me, they would choose me if I came from the coast of Africa." "That is according to what part of the coast you came from; they would certainly, if you came from the Guinea coast." Now, madam, is Another on our list of burials is a Sir Patrick not this true inspiration as well as true wit! Had Hamilton. IIis history is curious. He has an estate of 18001. a year in Ireland, but has lodged at Twickenham for three or four years, watching impatiently an ancient uncle who has some money. The old gentleman, formerly a captain in the Scotch Greys, is now eighty-eight; but as beautiful and sleek as Melchisedec when he was not above two hundred; and he walks four or five miles a day, and looks as if he would outlive his late heir for a quarter of a century more. Sir Patrick was knighted when mayor of Dublin. His lady is still more parsimonious. In his mayorality he could not persuade her to buy a new gown. The pride of the Hamiltons surmounted the penury of the highlands. He bought a silk that cost fiveand-fifty shillings a yard, but told his wife it cost but forty. In the evening she displayed it to some of her female acquaintance. "Forty shillings a yard! Lord, madam," said one of them, "I would give five-and-forty myself." Would you, who exercised so wholesome and benign an influence over the closing years of his life; and whose names are now so honorably and indissolubly associated with his own. He thus describes the commencement of the acquaintance: If I have picked up no recent anecdotes on our common, I have made a much more, to me, precious acquaintance. It is the acquaintance of two young ladies of the name of Berry, whom I first saw last winter, and who accidentally took a house here, with their father, for this season. They are exceedingly sensible, entirely natural and unaffected, frank, and, being qualified to talk on any subject, nothing is so easy and agreeable as their conversation-nor more apposite than their answers and observations. The eldest, I discovered by chance, understands Latin and is a perfect Frenchwoman in her language. The younger madam?-you shall have it at that price." Judge draws charmingly, and has copied admirably Lady how Sir Patrick was transported when he returned at night, and she bragged of the good bargain she had made!-(Vol. i., p. 451.) One of the common charges against Walpole is founded on his ungrateful harshness and coldness to Madame du Deffand, who entertained and uniformly professed a warm and perfectly unselfish regard for him. His advocates excuse him on the plea of that dread of ridicule which is admitted to have formed a principal feature in his character. He was afraid of being laughed at for a liaison with "an old blind woman." But this is far from being a satisfactory apology; and from what we remember of his occasional style of reciprocation, Madame du Deffand might have exclaimed, in the spirit of the song Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, And, after all, is there any description of weakness or moral cowardice more censurable, than that which induces a man to shrink from the avowal of well-founded affection and esteem, or leads him to disavow the feelings which do honor to the heart, from fear of incurring the ridicule of the fops and fribbles of society, or from a wish to stand well with them? It is our firm conviction that more than half the scandal we hear circulated in society is attributable to vanity. It is the gratification of telling a good story, not the wish to inflict injury, that incites. The race between Mrs. Candor, Mrs. Crabtree, and Sir Benjamin Backbite, was not who should destroy Lady Teazle's character, but who should spread the first account of the alleged duel through the town. But if the amiability of these worthy people became the subject of discussion, we fear this analysis of motive would not go far towards establishing the goodness of their hearts. The alleged excuse, however, was certainly the true one; for there are many passages in these letters which prove incontestably how cordially Walpole really returned Madame du Deffand's affection, and how deeply he mourned her loss. It was repaired, however, and more than repaired, by the friendship he formed, in 1788, with the ladies Di's gipsies, which I lent, though for the first time of her attempting colors. They are of pleasing figures; Mary, the eldest, sweet, with fine dark eyes, that are very lively when she speaks, with a symmetry of face that is the more interesting from being pale; Agnes, the younger, has an agreeable, sensible countenance, hardly to be called handsome, but almost. She is less animated than Mary, but seems out of deference to her sister to speak seldomer; for they doat on each other, and Mary is always praising her sister's talents. I must even tell you they dress within the bounds of fashion, though fashionably; but without the excrescences and balconies with which modern hoydens overwhelm and barricade their persons. In short, good sense, information, simplicity and ease, characterize the Berrys; and this is not particularly mine, who am apt to be prejudiced, but the universal voice of all who know them.-(Vol. ii., p. 348.) The date of this letter is October 11, 1788. The charm did not fade with time. In May, 1792, he writes : I am indeed much obliged for the transcript of the letter on my "wives." Miss Agnes has a finesse in her eyes and countenance that does not propose itself to you, but is very engaging on observation, and has often made herself preferred to her sister, who has the most exactly fine features, and only wants color to make her face as perfect as her graceful person; indeed, neither has good health, nor the air of it. Miss Mary's eyes are grave, but she is not so herself; and, having much more application than her sister, she converses readily, and with great intelligence, on all subjects. Agnes is more reserved, but her compact sense very striking, and always to the purpose. In short, they are extraordinary beings; and I am proud of my partiality for them, and since the ridicule can only fall on me, and not on them, I care not a straw for its being said that I am in love with one of them-people shall choose which; it is as much with both as either, and I am infinitely too old to regard the qu'en dit on." (Vol. ii., p. 471.) These are natural, earnest, unaffected tributes; and we can well understand that, to persons so gifted and so predisposed to enjoy his conversation, there must have been a very great charm in constant and cordial intimacy with such a man. We cannot help wishing that Mr. Vernon Smith | markable that, while the main body suffered greatly. had devoted a little more time and attention to the this little camp almost entirely escaped, though self-imposed duty of editor. He has given his the men breathed the same air, the contagious readers credit for an extent of minute knowledge part excepted, ate of the same victuals, and drank of which not one in twenty can fairly be expected to possess; and he has fallen into two or three unaccountable mistakes. But he has performed his part quietly and unobtrusively, and the notes added from the MS. journal of Lord Ossory are valuable, though few. For example: The following is Lord Ossory's own opinion of the social talents of some of the best talkers of his day:-"Horace Walpole was an agreeable, lively man, very affected, always aiming at wit, in which he fell very short of his old friend George Selwyn, who possessed it in the most genuine but indescribable degree. Hare's conversation abounded with wit, and perhaps of a more lively kind; so did Burke's though with much alloy of bad taste; but, upon the whole, my brother the general was the most agreeable man in society of any of them."(May, 1816.-MSS. Ed.) The late Lady Holland-a great authority in such matters-was also of this opinion; when the same question was raised in her presence, she determined it in favor of General Fitzpatrick, as having been the most agreeable person she had ever known. the same water. This immunity continued for six weeks, until the army removed from Hanau, when these companies joined the rest, and encamping in the line, were at last infected, but suffered little, as the flux was then so much on the decline. Fruit, potatoes, and green vegetables are essential parts of the food of man; and it is only when taken to excess, that, like other articles of diet, they disorder the stomach. HOTTENTOTS AND UNITED BRETHREN.-The Edinburgh Review, in an article on Ethnology, or the Science of Races, says: One writer has given, as the summing up of his observations, that "the Hottentots seem born with a natural antipathy to all customs, and to every religion but their own." But it is a memorable fact, that when the attempt was perseveringly made and rightly directed, the Hottentot nation lent a more willing ear than any other uncivilized race had done, to the preaching of Christianity; and no people has been more strikingly and speedily improved by its reception-not only in moral character and conduct, but also in outward condition and prosperity. Gladły would we follow Dr. Prichard through the interesting account which he has given of the labors of the United Brethren, and of their settlements at Gnadenthal and other spots on which they have been located. We are sure that no unprejudiced person can peruse them without coming to the conclusion, that, in aptitude for the reception of religious impressions, they are far superior to the young heathens of our own land, who, when first induced to attend a ragged school, are recorded to by Sir John Pringle, in his classical account of the ration in which they were invited to join; and who diseases of the campaign in Germany:-Nearly did their best, by grimaces and gestures, to distract POPULAR ERROR RESPECTING EATING FRUIT. _ In the last quarterly return on the state of public health, some notice is taken of the common notion that dysentery, and other diseases of the sort, are occasioned at this season by eating fruit. That it is an error, is established by the fatality of these diseases to infants at the breast, to the aged, to persons in prison and public institutions, who procure no fruit, and by many such facts as the following, reported about the middle of the last century have mingled "Jim Crow" with the strains of ado half the men were ill or had recovered from dysentery a few weeks after the battle of Dettingen, which was fought on the 27th of June, 1743. The dysentery, the constant and fatal epidemic of camps, began sooner this season than it did in any succeeding campaign. Now, as the usual time of its appearance is not before the latter end of the summer or the beginning of autumn, the cause has been unjustly imputed to eating fruit in excess. But the circumstances here contradict that opinion; for this sickness began and raged before any fruit was in season except strawberries, (which from their high price the men never tasted,) and ended about the time the grapes were ripe; which, growing in open vineyards, were freely eaten by everybody. To this add the following incident: -Three companies of Howard's regiment, which had not joined us, marched with the king's baggage, from Ostend to Hanau, where, arriving a night or two before the battle, and having orders to stop, they encamped for the first time at a small distance from the ground that was afterwards occupied by the army. These men had never been exposed to rain or lain wet; by this separation from the line they were also removed from the contagion of the privies; and having pitched close upon the river, they had the benefit of a constant stream of fresh air. By means of such favorable circumstances, it was re the attention of those who were fixing their thoughts on the solemn offering of prayer. With the following extract we must conclude our notice of this part of the subject: Perhaps nothing in this account is more remarkable than the fact that so strong a sensation was produced among the whole Hottentot nation, and even among the neighboring tribes of different people, by the improved and happy condition of the Christian Hottentots, as to excite a desire for similar advantages. Whole families of Hottentots, and even of Bushmen, set out for the borders of Kafirland, and even performed journeys of many weeks, in order to settle at Gnadenthal. It is a singular fact in the history of these barbarous races of men, that the savage Bushmen, of their own accord, solicited from the colonial government, when negotiations were opened with them with the view of putting an end to a long and bloody contest, that teachers might be sent among them, such as those who had dwelt among the tame Hottentots at Gnadenthal. "History," says the historian of the mission, "probably furnishes few parallel examples of a savage people, in treaty with a Christian power, making it one of the conditions of peace, that missionaries should be sent to instruct them in Christianity." (Natural History of Man, p. 524.) CORRESPONDENCE. Paris, November 22d, 1848. FRANCE undergoes now the throes and spasms of the canvass for the office of president of the republic. It is difficult to suppose that the increasing rancor and violence of the parties will not beget a sanguinary struggle. The London editors have taken sides as if the affair belonged to them, like a competition for the representation of Yorkshire. You will have remarked that the Times favors Cavaignac, while the Morning Chronicle inveighs against him in the bitterest spirit and terms. La Presse translates, of course, the diatribes of the Chronicle, which are as urgent as they are impertinent and licentious. The interference of the London press in French concerns is of old date, and has worked incalculable mischief on this side of the channel. Its partisan and reckless spirit has been carried often to a degree which might be termed diabolical. Lord Brougham mentions, in his late publication, that Louis Philippe imputed to it many of the difficulties and much of the fatal end of his government. In thus aggravating French disorders, the British interlopers prepare dangers for their own country. The Standard begins a long malignant article as follows:-" We take very little interest in the affairs of France." Every day, however, there is a copious effusion of gall. Why all the cynical and elaborate irony of the Times, touching the promulgation of the French constitution? I have witnessed in Paris a great number of public ceremonials; the one in question struck me as the best conceived and arranged, and the most solemn and impressive. With weather so excessively inclement, the display of a hundred thousand troops, chiefly national guards, early in the morning, perfectly equipped; the vast concourse of citizens, before noon, on the Place de la Concorde, and the marked universal interest of both multitudes in the occasion, were really wonderful; the whole scene was noble and beautiful, not forgetting the procession of seven or eight hundred of the clergy, which was honored with proper feeling and manifestation. The guards and the line defiled for three hours before General Cavaignae and the Assembly. If there was but little enthusiasm of the lungs, the driving sleet and cutting north-easter account for that circumstance; we could observe no indication of ill-humor or indifference. The constitution was placed under the auspices of religion, represented by its regular ministers, acting their part with pious and patriotic earnestness; the uncertainty of its fate occupied the thoughts and affected the spirits of the reflecting spectators; not a single indecorum or incongruity happened. concourse of all classes and ages, and of both sexes, was immense. We did not find the pyrotechnics equal to the semi-annual exhibition under the monarchy, but the illumination from the Place de la Concorde to the Triumphal Arch could not be exceeded in brilliancy, taste, and picturesque ensemble. About half past eleven, two eminent French savants came to my apartment from the Hotel-de-Ville, where they were guests at the banquet of three hundred covers, given by the prefect of the department of the Seine. They related that the feast was magnificent; the members of the executive branch-the presidents of the differents committees of the Assembly-the bishops and their vicars-and twenty invited workmen of the corporations-along with a number of the elect of the colleges and learned societiesformed an imposing convocation, who demeaned themselves as became the laudable purpose of the authorities. Some of the disaffected journals are angry with the republican prefect for having used china belonging to the national manufactory at Sevres, so precious that Louis Philippe and his two predecessors never ventured to have it brought to their tables. A few of the public edifices were illuminated; no private dwellings; the dome of the Hotel-de-Ville radiated gloriously for a couple of hours; what caused the extinction of the lamps so soon, we could not tell. A critic says-" In the last week of February and the first fortnight of March, the gamins and blackguards, as they paraded the streets at nights, had but to raise the cry of lamps! and we all quickly lighted our windows; the police should have hired boys to break a few dark windows, here and there; a general blaze of the streets would have ensued; the next day's Moniteur could have commemorated the spontaneous enthusiasm of the inhabitants." The military posts were doubled, and all the barracks supplied with a fresh stock of ammunition; the Gloria in excelcis resounded in the principal churches, all the theatres were open at night without charge; to enter, however, it was necessary to obtain tickets from a mayor's office; these were sold at very low prices, at the doors, by the poorer applicants fortunate enough to share in the distribution. The visitors whom I mentioned above had been annoyed by the hissing and hooting of the mob about the Hotel-de-Ville at each arrival for the banquet. A quarter of an hour ago, in passing the Place Vendome, ( past 2 o'clock,) I got into the midst of a throng of some thousands awaiting before the Hotel du Rhin, the egress of Louis Napoleon in his modest and low carriage. His coachman did not pass through without great difficulty and delay; well-dressed women almost clung to the wheels and harness; well-dressed men threw up their hats and shouted Vive Napoleon! Vive l'Empereur! This is a foretaste of what will be furnished over the capital, the day after his election, in case he should succeed. The The second celebration took place on Sunday last. It was equally free from disorder. The weather proved excellent. The four monster concerts for the people, gratis, had monster audiences; by six o'clock in the evening, hundreds of thousands of merry folks were repairing to the Champs Elyseés, for the illumination and fire-works. The representatives will shake in their shoes. |