Suwarrow's march.

Their popularity at Dover and Walmer Castle was most seasonable and delightful; they quite set my heart a-beating with pleasure and exultation for my dearest father, only in hearing of them. But you, forsooth, to preside over the bottle! Ha! ha! Mr. Pitt, however, could not risk his intellects, so he chose well for preserving them.

Madame d'Arblay to Mrs. Phillips.

Westhamble, December 10th, '99. O MY Susan, my heart's dear sister! with what bitter sorrow have I read this last account! With us, with yourself, your children,—all,—you have trifled in respect to health, though in all things else you are honour and veracity personified; but nothing had prepared me to think you in such a state as I now find you. Would to God I could get to you! If Mr. Keirnan thinks you had best pass the winter in Dublin, stay, and let me come to you. Venture nothing against his opinion, for mercy's sake! Fears for your health take place of all impatience to expedite your return; only go not back to Belcotton, where you cannot be under his direction, and are away from the physician he thinks of so highly.

I shall write immediately to Charles about the carriage. I am sure of his answer beforehand,—so must you be. Act, therefore, with regard to the carriage, as if already it were arranged. But I am well aware it must not set out till you are well enough to nearly fix your day of sailing. I say nearly, for we must always allow for accidents. I shall write to our dear father, and Etty, and James, and send to Norbury Park; but I shall wait till to-morrow, not to infect them with what I am infected How I love that charming Augusta!—tell her so; am almost tempted to write to her, and to Mrs. Disney,

I

and to Mr. Keirnan. I expect everybody to love and be kind to my Susan; yet I love and cherish them for it as if it were my wonder.

O my Susan! that I could come to you! But all must depend on Mr. Keirnan's decision. If you can come to us with perfect safety, however slowly, I shall not dare add to your embarrassment of persons and package. Else, Charles's carriage-O, what a temptation to air it for you all the way! Take no more large paper, that you may write with less fatigue, and, if possible, oftener ;-to any one will suffice for all.

Yours affectionately,

F. D'A.

PART VI.

Death of Mrs. Phillips-Letter of Madame d'Arblay to Mrs. Lock on the recent loss of her Sister-Interview with the Royal Family-Extreme amiability of the Princess Augusta-Marauders in the Garden-Madame d'Arblay's Comedy of "Love and Fashion,' in rehearsal at Covent Garden-Withdrawn by the Author-Her remarks on the subject-M. d'Arblay leaves England to look after his property in France-The Lord Chancellor's reprimand to Mr. Sheridan-News of M. d'Arblay-Love Offerings-Visit to Norbury Park-Madame d'Arblay's projected Journey to France-Perils of M. d'Arblay's Voyage-His Letters to Madame d'Arblay-Her thoughts on Religious Instruction -Her letter to her Husband.

PART VI.

1800.

Madame d'Arblay to Doctor Burney.

9th January, 1800. MY MOST DEAR PADRE,-My mate will say all say,-so I can only offer up my earnest prayers I may soon be allowed the blessing-the only one I sigh for-of embracing my dearest Susan in your arms and under your roof. Amen.

F. D'A.

These were the last written lines of the last period -unsuspected as such-of my perfect happiness on earth; for they were stopped on the road by news that my heart's beloved sister, Susanna Elizabeth Phillips, had ceased to breathe. The tenderest of husbandsthe most feeling of human beings-had only reached Norbury Park, on his way to a believed meeting with that angel, when the fatal blow was struck; and he came back to West Hamble-to the dreadful task of revealing the irreparable loss which his own goodness, sweetness, patience, and sympathy could alone have made supported.

Madame d'Arblay to Mrs. Lock.

9th January, 1800.

“As a guardian angel !"—Yes, my dearest Fredy, as such in every interval of despondence I have looked

up to the sky to see her; but my eyes cannot pierce through the thick atmosphere, and I can only represent her to me seated on a chair of sickness, her soft hand held partly out to me as I approach her; her softer eyes so greeting me as never welcome was expressed before; and a smile of heavenly expression speaking the tender gladness of her grateful soul that God at length should grant our re-union. From our earliest moments, my Fredy, when no misfortune happened to our dear family, we wanted nothing but each other. Joyfully as others were received by us-loved by us all that was necessary to our happiness was fulfilled by our simple junction. This I remember with my first remembrance; nor do I recollect a single instance of being affected beyond a minute by any outward disappointment, if its result was leaving us together.

She was the soul of my soul!-and 'tis wonderful to me, my dearest Fredy, that the first shock did not join them immediately by the flight of mine-but that over that dreadful, harrowing, never-to-be-forgotten moment of horror that made me wish to be madthe ties that after that first endearing period have shared with her my heart, come to my aid. Yet I was long incredulous; and still sometimes I think it is not -and that she will come and I paint her by my side -by my father's-in every room of these apartments, destined to have chequered the woes of her life with rays of comfort, joy, and affection.

O, my Fredy! not selfish is the affliction that repines her earthly course of sorrow was allowed no shade! -that at the instant soft peace and consolation awaited her she should breathe her last! You would understand all the hardship of resignation for me were you