occasion in his way, on purpose to draw him out: and at such times, what he said was easy, free, and unaffected: and whenever a subject was concluded, he had done with it. His modesty, in short, made him always follow rather than lead a subject, as he very well might do, be it what it would.

I was charmed with the Brachman's prayer; which he, occasionally, gave us, on the ancient Persians being talked

of.

Looking up to the rising sun, which it was, supposed they worshipped, these were the words of the Brach

man:

'O THOU (meaning the ALMIGHTY) by whom Thou (meaning the sun) art enlightened, illuminate my mind, that my actions may be agreeable to THY Will !

And this I will think of, my Lucy, as often as my early hour, for the future, shall be irradiated by that glorious orb.

Every body was pleased with Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. Their modesty, good sense, and amiable tempers, and the kind, yet not ostentatious regard which they expressed to each other, (a regard so creditable to the married state,) cause them to be always treated and spoken of with distinction.

But I believe, as I am in a scribbling vein, I must give you the particulars of one conversation; in which farther ( honour was done to Dr. Bartlett.

After dinner, the countess, drawing me on one side, by both my hands, said; Well, our other sister, our new found sister, let me know how you like us; I am in pain lest you should not love us as well as you do our Northamptonshire relations.

You overcome me, madam, with your goodness.

Miss Grandison then coming towards us, Dear Miss Grandison, said I, help me to words

sister here.

No, indeed, I'll help you to nothing. I am jealous. Lady L, don't think to rob me of my Harriet's preferable love, as you have of Sir Charles's. I will be best But what was your subject?--Yet I will answer my own question. Some pretty compliment, I suppose; women to women. Women hunger and thirst after compliments. Rather than be without them, if no men are at hand to flatter us, we love to say handsome things to one another; and so teach the men to find us out.

You need not be jealous, Charlotte, said the countess: you may be sure. This saucy girl, Miss Byron, is ever frustrating her own pretensions. Can flattery, Charlotte, say what we will, have place here?-But tell me, Miss Byron, how you like Dr. Bartlett?

Ay, tell us, Harriet, said Miss Grandison, how you like Dr. Bartlett? Pray, Lady L-, don't anticipate me: I propose to give our new sister the history of us all: and is not Dr. Bartlett one of us? She has already given me the history of all her friends, and of herself: and I have communicated to you, like a good sister, all she has told

nie.

I considered Dr. Bartlett, I said, as a saint; and, at the same time, as a man of true politeness.

He is indeed, said the countess; all that is worthy and amiable in man. Don't you see how Sir Charles admires

him?

Pray, Lady L-, keep clear of my province. Here is Sir Charles. He will not let us break into parties.

Sir Charles heard this last sentence-Yet I wonder not, said he, joining us, that three such women get together: goodness to goodness is a natural attraction. We men,

however, will not be excluded.-Dr. Bartlett, if you please

The doctor approached in a most graceful manner- Let me again, Miss Byron, present Dr. Bartlett to you, as a man that is an honour to his cloth; and that is the same thing, as if I said, to human nature; [the good man bowed in silence;] and Miss Byron to you, my good doctor, (taking my hand,) as a lady most worthy your distinguished regard.

You do me too much honour, sir, said I. I shall hope, good Dr. Bartlett, by your instructions, to be enabled to deserve such a recommendation.

My dear Harriet, said the countess, snatching my other hand, you are a good girl; and that is more to your lonour than beauty.

Be quiet, Lady L, said Miss Grandison.

Mr. Grandison came up-What? Is there not another hand for me?

I was vexed at his interruption. It prevented Dr. Bartlett from saying something that his lips were opening to speak with a smile of benignity.

How the world, said Sir Charles, smiling, will push itself in! Heart, not hand, my dear Mr. Grandison, was the subject.

Whenever you, Sir Charles, and the doctor, and these ladies, are got together, I know I must be unseasonable : but if you exclude me such company, how shall I ever be what you and the doctor would have me to be. Lord L- and Lord G―― were coming up to us: see your attraction, Miss Byron! said the countess.

But, joined in Miss Grandison, we will not leave our little Jervois by herself, expecting and longing! Our cousins Reeves-only that when they are together, they cannot want company-should not be thus left. Is there

more than one heart among us?-This man's excepted, humorously pushing Mr. Grandison, as if from the company-Let us be orderly, and take our seats.

How cruel is this! said Mr. Grandison, appealing to Sir Charles.

Indeed I think it is a little cruel, Charlotte.

Not so let him be good then.-Till when, may all our sex say, to such men as my cousin has been- Thus 'let it be done by the man, whom, if he were good, good 'persons would delight to honour.'

Shame, if not principle, said Lord L, smiling, would effect the cure, if all ladies were to act thus. Don't you think so, cousin Everard?

Well, well, said Mr. Grandison, I will be good, as fast as I can: but, doctor, what say you?-Rome was not built in a day.

I have great hopes of Mr. Grandison, said the doctor But, ladies, you must not, as Mr. Grandison observed, exclude from the benefit of your conversation, the man whon; you wish to be good.

What! Not till he is good? said Miss Grandison. Did I not say, we should delight to honour him when he was? But, what, Sir Charles? (come, I had rather take my cue from you, than any body;) what are the signs which I am to give to be allowed

Only these, my cousin-When you can be serious on serious subjects; yet so cheerful in your seriousness, as if it sat easy upon you; when you can, at times, prefer the company and conversation of Dr. Bartlett, who is not á solemn or severe man, to any other; and, in general, had rather stand well in his opinion, than in that of the gayest man or woman in the world.

Provided yours, Sir Charles, may be added to the doctor's

Command me, Mr. Grandison, whenever you two are together. We will not oppress you with our subjects. Our conversation shall be that of men, of cheerful men. You shall lead them and change them at pleasure. The first moment (and I will watch for it) that I shall imagine you to be tired or uneasy, I will break off the conversation ; and you shall leave us, and pursue your own diversions, without a question.

You were always indulgent to me, Sir Charles, said Mr. Grandison; and I have retired, and blushed to myself, sometimes, for wanting your indulgence.

Tea was preparing. Sir Charles took his own seat next Lord L- whom he set in to talk of Scotland. He enjoyed the account my lord gave of the pleasure which the countess, on that her first journey into those parts, gave to all his family and friends; as Lady L- on her part acknowledged she had a grateful sense of their goodness to her.

I rejoice, said Sir Charles, that the sea divides us not from such worthy people, as you, my lord, have given us a relation to. Next visit you make (Charlotte, I hope, will accompany me) I intend to make one in your train, as I have told your lordship before.

You will add to our pleasure, Sir Charles. All my relations are prepared to do you honour.

But, my lord, did not the ladies think a little hardly of your lordship's engagement? that a man of your merit should go from Scotland for a wife? I do assure you, my lord, that, in all the countries I have been in, I never saw finer women than I have seen in Scotland; and, in very