jewels, satins, were especial to their order, and the harsh, dull, dry laws themselves arrayed their defence and terrors against the meaner herd, who but imitate to destroy, and copy to profane.

Mrs. Martin seemed as if just glittering from a diamond shower-bath, or rather, as if, when interred (we cannot call it dressed) in her satin and blonde, her attendant had caught up her jewel-box, and thrown its contents at random over her. In truth, it was just such a barleysugar-temple look as well suited the daughter of a sugar baker. Her father had been a millionaire.

It is the fashion in the present day, from the peer to the prince, to affect the private gentleman. Good, if they mean in the end to abolish all hereditary distinctions; but wrong, if they mean still to preserve those "noble memories of their ancestors." We do now too much undervalue the influence of the imagination, which so much exalts the outward shew by which it is caught. We forget there is no sense so difficult to awaken as common sense. Kings risked their crowns when they left off wearing them; thrones were lost before, to some bold rival who fought his way sword in hand; but

Charles was the first monarch dethroned by opinion. The belief in the right divine, or "that divinity which doth hedge a king," disappeared with their gold crown and sceptre.

"You are not going yet, Charles?" said the hostess to her handsome nephew. "It is so early. Whither are you going?"

"To bed. I am sitting for my picture, and must sleep for a complexion."

"And you, Mrs. Lorraine ?"

Oh, I have five other parties to go to."

Well," said Mrs. Trefusis-a little vexed that hers was breaking up so soon; and philosophy, ill-nature, and truth, are the three black graces, born of disappointment—" I always feel inclined to address you inveterate party-goers with the man's speech at his wife's funeral: Ah, why, my dearest neighbours, make a trouble of a pleasure?""

She was not far wrong. Perhaps pleasure is, like virtue, but a name. Still, pleasure might bé a little pleasanter; for surely there can be no great enjoyment in stepping from carriage to drawing-room, and from drawing-room to carriage-turning friends into acquaintance from the mere fact of meeting them so seldom, and annihilating conversation-for the flowers of

wit must indeed be forced ones that spring up in five minutes. However, there is many a wise saw to justify these modern instances. Sages bid us look to the future-and we go to parties to-day for the sake of to-morrow saying we were there. The imaginative gods of the Grecians are dethroned-the warlike deities of the Scandinavians feared no longer; but we have set up a new set of idols in their place, and we call them Appearances.

CHAPTER XVI.

"Full many shapes that shadows were."
COLERIDGE.

"These forms of beauty have not been to me
As is a landscape in a blind man's eye;
But oft in lonely rooms, and mid the din
Of crowds and cities, I have owed to them,
In hours of weariness, sensations sweet,
Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart,
And passing even unto my purer mind
With tranquil restoration."

WORDSWORTH.

It is not of much use making up your mind very positively, for it is a thousand chances whether you ever do exactly what you intended. The Mandevilles had resolved to pass through London as quickly as possible; but once there, unavoidable business prolonged their stay. This, to Emily at least, was very delightfulfor the morning following her dining with Mrs. Trefusis, Edward Lorraine came to breakfast. One great peculiarity in a woman's attachment

is, its entire concentration in the present. Whatever she was engaged in, if Edward was present, was the most delightful thing in the world. And, moreover, it was very satisfactory to hear him reiterate his intention of joining them in Italy. Besides, this wilderness of brick was still all novelty and amusement to one who knew so little of it.

Among the many universal propensities in human nature, the love of sight-seeing is about as universal as any. Now, sight-seeing gratifies us in different ways. First, there is the pleasure of novelty; secondly, either that of admiration or fault-finding-the latter a very animated enjoyment. London against the world for spectacles; and yet it is a curious fact, that those who live among sights are those who go the least to see them. A genuine Londoner is the most incurious animal in nature. Divide your acquaintance into two parts; the one set will never have seen Westminster Abbey — the other will be equally ignorant of St. Paul's. That which is always within our reach is always the last thing we take; and the chances are, that what we can do every day, we never do at all.