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of twelve books have been read to my friend Dr. Herschel." The King, then looking at Herschel, as who would say, "How is it?" "It is a very capital work, Sir," says H. "I wonder how you find time?" said the King. "I make time, Sir." "How, how?" "I take it out of my sleep, Sir." When the considerate good King, “But you hurt your health. How long," he adds, "have you been at it?" "Two or three years, at odd and stolen moments, Sir." "Well," said the King (as he had said to you before), "whatever you write, I am sure will be entertaining." I bowed most humbly, as ashamed of not deserving so flattering a speech. "I don't say it to flatter you," says the King; "if I did not think it, I would not say it."

After this he talked of his concert, and the arrangement of the pieces performed that evening from the oratorio of Joseph.' His Majesty always makes the list himself, and had made a very judicious change in the order of pieces, which I told His Majesty, as there were no words in question which, as a drama, might require the original arrangement. He gave me his opinion very openly upon every musical subject started, and talked with me full half an hour. He began a conversation with General Harcourt and two other general officers, which lasted a full hour, and we durst not stir till it was over, past eleven. All this Windsor and Slough visit has turned out delightfully. I have not room to say anything more, only God bless you all!

C. B.

Madame d'Arblay to Doctor Burney.

"Fore George, a more excellent song than t'other!"

Westhamble, July 25th, '99.

WHY, my dearest Padre, your subjects rise and rise, till subjects, in fact, are no longer in question. I do not wonder you felt melted by the King's goodness. I am sure I did in its perusal. And the Queen!-her naming me so immediately went to my heart. Her speeches about me to Mrs. Lock in the drawing-room, her interest in my welfare, her deigning to say she had never been amongst those who had blamed my marriage, though she lost by it my occasional attendances, and her remarking "I looked the picture of happiness," had warmed me to the most fervent gratitude, and the more because her saying she had never been amongst those who had blamed me shows there were people who had not failed to do me ill offices in her hearing; though probably, and I firmly believe, without any personal enmity, as I am unconscious of having any owed me; but merely from a cruel malice with which many seize every opportunity, almost involuntarily, to do mischief, and most especially to undermine at Court any one presumed to be in any favour. And, still further, I thought her words conveyed a confirmation of what her conduct towards me in my new capacity always led me to conjecture; namely, that my guardian star had ordained it so that the real character and principles of my honoured and honourable mate had, by some happy chance, reached the Royal ear before the news of our union. The dear King's graciousness to M. d'Arblay upon the Terrace, when the Commander-in-Chief, just then returned from the Continent, was by his side, made it impossible not to suggest this: and now, the Queen's

again naming me so in public puts it, in my conception, beyond doubt. My kindest father will be glad, I am sure, to have added to the great delight of his recital a strength to a notion I so much love to cherish.

The account of the Terrace is quite enlivening. I am very glad the weather was so good. It was particularly kind of it, for I am sure it has been very un-Julyish since.

How sweet what the King said of my dearest father's writing! You see how consistent and constant is his opinion: but still more I love his benevolent solicitude lest your method of making time should injure your health. Think of that, dear Master Brooke! your creepings are surely the effect of over-labour of the brain and intense application.

I want excessively to hear how the Herschel book went off; whether there was much to change, as I think it impossible there should not be certain modes peculiar to every man's own conceptions of his own studies that no other can hit without consulting him; and whether the sum total seemed to give the last and living hero of the poem the satisfaction it ought to do. Pray let me hear about this as soon as you can, dearest Sir; but pray only make notes of any alterations; and let the alterations themselves wait to be accomplished in our quiet retreat, at the given period of our indulgence, which I presume to continue fixed for the end of August, as you do not again touch the subject.

I am very anxious, meanwhile, for your trying the hot well—and that before you go to Dover; for I think it impossible-unnatural-you should resist Mrs. Crewe, who, next to your immediate family, seems most truly and affectionately to know how to value possessing you.

The visit to the Pss of W. is charming. I am charmed she now lives so cheerfully and pleasantly. She

VOL. VI.

seemed confined, not merely as a recluse, but a culprit, till quite lately; and now ..... your visit has just been succeeded by Mr. Pitt's! How can the Premier be so much his own enemy in politics as well as happiness! for all the world, nearly, take her part; and all the world wholly agree she has been the injured person, though some few think she has wanted retenue and discretion in her resentment, the public nature of her connexion considered, which does not warrant the expectance of the same pure fidelity a chosen wife might look for.

Madame d'Arblay to Mrs. Phillips.

F. D'A.

August 14th, '99.

I KNOW that my beloved Susan did not mean should see her true account of her precious health; but it arrived at Westhamble while Esther was there, and it has been engraven on my heart in saddest characters ever since. The degree in which it makes me -I had almost said-wretched, would be cruel to dwell upon; but had the letter finished as it began, I must have surely applied for a passport, without which there is now no visiting Ireland. In case, my sweet soul, you are relapsed, or do not continue improving, tell me if there is any way I can manage to make a surprise give no shock of horror where I have no expectation of giving pleasure? I would not offend, nor add to my beloved's hard tasks, God knows! Should I write there, in that

At all events, and if the

case, for leave? or what do? recovery continues, give me a hint or two, I entreat. I consult no one here; I must do such a deed by storm; I am sure of consent to everything that my happiness and peace demand, from the only one who can lawfully control me, and that is enough.

Where poor M. de Narbonne has been driven we know not. One of the French Princesses is dead, but not Princess Adelaide. We have just heard that M. de N. is now in actual correspondence with Louis XVIII.: I am very glad, though excessively astonished how it has been brought about. When we hear particulars, you shall have them.

People here are very sanguine that Ireland is quiet, and will remain so; and that the combined fleets can never reach it. How are your own politics upon that point? Mine will take their colour, be it what it may. Our dear father is visiting about, from Mr. Cox's to Mrs. Crewe, with whom he is now at Dover, where Mr. Crewe has some command. We are all in extreme disturbance here about the secret expeditions. Nothing authentic is arrived from the first armament; and the second is all prepared for sailing. Two of Lady Templetown's sons are gone, Greville and Arthur: Lady Rothes' younger son is going, John Leslie: Mr. Boncheritte has a brother-in-law gone, Captain Barnes. Both officers and men are gathered from all quarters. Heaven grant them speedy safety, and ultimate peace! God bless my own dearest Susan, and strengthen and restore her. Amen! Amen. F. D'A.

From the Comte de Narbonne to the Chevalier d'Arblay. Tübingen, ce ler 7bre, 1799.

Vous voyez, mon ami, par la date de ma lettre, que j'ai le besoin de m'assurer au moins un instant de bonheur pour cette année, en m'associant aujourd'hui à vous, et à tous les anges qui vous entourent. Depuis celle que j'ai reçue de vous, et qui m'a fait autant de bien que vous pouvez m'en désirer, il n'est pas un jour où je n'aie voulu

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