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Though a capricious maid has given me just reason to complain, yet will I not, for her sake, despise the sex, renounce society, and court the gloom of solitude. The smiling dawn of happy days may yet be mine; and I indulge the fond hope that the happy time is not far distant, when, like my friend, I shall with ineffable delight stray with rapture through the blissful groves of Hymen, and pluck with reciprocal delight the fairest and sweetest flowers of human felicity.

To conclude, I subjoin a character which truly belongs to the dear object of my wishes:

• A maid

some will pay a proper attention to my remonstrance, while it is in my power to render them the most essential service. The commencement of my existence has been a matter of dispute among philosophers of most ages and nations, who have too much neglected to improve me, while they were unprofitably employed in fixing my origin, I, however, date my birth from the remotest antiquity. My mother, whose existence never had a beginning, lost that existence the moment I was born; but at my death she will regain it, and it shall never more come to an end. I was present when the vast fabric of created things emerged

Who knows not courts, yet courts does far from ancient chaos, and saw it arise

outshine,

In every noble beauty of the mind:

One, who, in native loveliness arrayed,
Has a soul much too great to stoop to pride,
In the mean ways by which it aims at gran-
deur.'

completely beautiful and perfect from the forming hand of its glorious Creator, when the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy.' I saw the successive generations of men people the globe, presided at their birth, attended them through life, and

To the EDITOR of the LADY's fixed the period of their days. In

SIR,

MAGAZINE.

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me they existed, and from me the means of obtaining every blessing have been derived through all ages. I have not only brought into being emperors, kings, philosophers, and heroes, but have been their constant companion, and immortalised their names and characters through succeeding generations. Without me they could never have acquired honour, fame, or conquest. Their greatest labours, their best-concerted schemes, their most admired systems, philosophy, morals, and religion, gradually ripened under the auspices of my favour, and were by me matured, and brought to perfection. It was I that mellowed the glowing touches of Raphael and Titian, and spread a venerable glory on their works. Ta me Homer owes much of his fame, and the labours of ancient artists are indebted to me for much of the

praise they have acquired. I destroy as well as create by me the Egyptian pyramids arose; by me they will be demolished. By imperceptible degrees I crumble the proudest monuments of human skill and labour to dust, and erase the memorial of the great. I bring to light truths long obscured by darkness, the secret machinations of the wicked, those virtues that bloom in obscurity, and establish the characters of men, of kings, and of nations. No man ever saw me intire; for though I am continually in view, yet they only behold in succession the parts of which I am composed. It is by my means that men enjoy their most desirable pleasures, and yet, while in the enjoyment of them, they frequently neglect and abuse me. Notwithstanding I am their best friend, yet they often compel me into the most unnatural employments, and many of the great use all their art to kill me, although they know me to be essential to all their happiness. The lover, the statesman, the poet, and the usurer, at certain periods, all wish me annihilated, and consider me as the greatest bar to that felicity which they contemplate in prospect. To the heir of a large estate I am peculiarly irksome, and he, at the same time, wishes my departure and arrival. Such is the inconsistency of mankind. They

appellation. All are wise who value and improve me, and none but these are truly intitled to that dignified character. And although I shall not exist to see the final lot of those innumerable millions who have either revered or abused me; yet I will venture to assert that the reverence, or abuse, which they have shewn me, will be made the only criterion of their fate in another state of existence. In proportion as they have valued me, they will be esteemed in the sight of the Supreme Judge. But however slighted or misemployed I may be by the sons of folly, or votaries of pleasure, they will all seek the continuance of my presence and favour, when convinced that they can no longer enjoy it. The prospect of losing me for ever awakens affection, even in those who till that moment either totally slighted me, or employed me to the worst of purposes. Those who have wasted me in a guilty round of animal gratifications, the pursuits of folly and madness, or sacrificed me, days and hours without number, at the card-table, will then lament their foolishness, and seek with unavailing tears for a little

more

TIME.

LONDON FASHIONS.

always think my presence tedious, (With an Engraving, elegantly coand yet are frequently complaining that I depart too soon.

I am, however, differently judged of by the wise man and the fool. While the latter complains that my motion is slow, and that I hang heavy on his hands, the former esteems me in proporsion to my value, and laments the rapidity of myflight. All are fools who neglect and abuse me; and indeed it is those only who can properly be stigmatised with that contemptuous

loured.)

1. A PLAIN white satin slip made strait, and high in front; sleeves of white crape, rather loose and full: over the slip, a vest made of pale blue sarsenet, either figured or plain, and trimmed with white fancy trimming. Head-dress, a tiara of gold in front, and over the back part of the head a purple silk net: handkerchief richly bordered and spangled with gold; on the left arm,

an armlet enriched with a topaz, &c. Small gold watch and chain outside the dress, ornamented with pearls and small seals. White shoes and gloves.

2. Round long dress of orange coloured crape, over a petticoat of white sarcenet: sleeves of white net, lined with silk. Head-dress, a close round cap of purple velvet, ornamented with gold stars, and a ⚫ rich gold cord and tassel hanging from the centre, and a plume of shaded swansdown feathers. White shoes and gloves.

LADIES' DRESSES at the QUEEN'S

DRAWING-ROOM.

ON Thursday, April 9, her majesty held a drawing-room. There were present the princesses Augusta, Elizabeth Mary, and Amelia; the dukes of Kent, Cumberland, and Cambridge; and a very great number of the nobility, and persons of distinction. The new ministers were presented to her majesty. The following are some of the ladies who were presented, with the dresses they wore on the occasion.

The beautiful lady Annesley, by her mother the countess Mountnorris. Her ladyship was dressed in white crape, ornamented with pearls. Miss O'Beirne, by her mother, the lady of the bishop of Meath.

Miss Tilney Long, presented by her mother, lady Catharine Long. Her dress was extremely elegant, and more admired than any one at

court.

The train was of white satin, richly embroidered down the sides in silver mosau border, body strewed with spangles, and sleeves trimmed VOL. XXXVIII.

with fine point lace: petticoat of white crape, the left side of which was embroidered in waves of silver; at the bottom a foil border, studded with stars of dead silver; on the right side across was a falling drapery of embroidered border of ivy leaves, over which two corners with tassels suspending, and showered with small spangles, having a particular good effect; on the other side a band of silver, tastefully supporting rich cords and tassels. Head-dress, plume of ostrich feathers, pearl coronet necklace, bracelets, &c. The elegance of this dress would only be surpassed by the appearance of the amiable

wearer.

Lady C. Long.-Crape petticoat appliqued with a rich gold border, and strewed with spots, drawn up with large gold cords and tassels; train of dark figured silk, trimmed with handsome point and gold lace.

Mrs. C. Berne.-Body and train of grass green satin, trimmed with joint lace; petticoat of pamona green, appliqued in different shades of green and gold, forming three draperies with handsome borders.

Miss C. Berne.--Presented.-White satin train, sleeves appliqued in silver, and velvét spots with a rich border at the bottom, and trimmed with lace; petticoat of white satin, with draperies of white crape, appliqued in a rich border of velvet and silver, in the form of wheat→ ears; a sash embroidered with the same pattern, thrown over the left pocket-hole, and a handsome drapery on the right side. This dress was extremely elegant. Head-dress, ostrich feathers, pearl coronet of butterfly.

Lady & Court-White crape dress with points. The appearance of this dress was extremely neat. E e

THE BREAKFAST.

An EXTRACT from SANTO SE-
BASTIANO, or the YOUNG PRO-
TECTOR, a NOVEL, by the Author
of the ROMANCE of the PY-

RENEES.

JULIA now being ready to leave her chamber, Mrs. Goodwin conducted her down; and introduced her to Doctor and Mrs. Hargrave, and a party assembled in the breakfast-room.

no

Our heroine's figure, now longer attenuated by recent sickness, nor her limbs unstrung by languor, combined in it all the harmony of exquisite symmetry: every movement displayed the perfection of graceful ease; and her whole appearance was truly feminine and lovely. Hers was a countenance that spoke instantly to the heart, her beauty was blended with such fascinating sweetness, such a bewitching expression of all that was amiable. She looked so intelligent and sensible, yet so mild and artless; her voice was so touchingly melodious, and her accent and language so prettily tinctured with the foreign idiom (she, until the last year of her life, scarcely ever having attempted to converse in English), giving to all she uttered so much winning simplicity; that no being of sensibility could behold her, for a moment, without feeling interested for her happiness could not listen to her an hour, without wishing to promote it.

Julia saw that Doctor and Mrs. Hargrave were still uncommonly handsome; but both strikingly affected, and their manners unpleasantly artificial. She was received by the doctor with supercilious courtesy; by Mrs. Hargrave, with words expressive of cordiality;

-but her countenance sparkled not with it, as Mrs. Goodwin's would have done, while bidding a stranger welcome. Doctor Sydenham and Mr. Bloomer, clergymen belonging to the county, who were come to stay at doctor Hargrave's during the election; miss Penrose, a pretty missy girl of seventeen, a schoolfellow of miss Hargrave's; Charles Goodwin, Celestina Hargrave, her parrot, and three yelping puppy dogs, formed the party assembled.

Mrs. Hargrave, in imitation of the countess of Gaythorn, was become a wonderful admirer of beauty; and no one now could expect her favour, who was not handsome.

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I have been in company with so many hideous women, of late,' said Mrs. Hargrave, when they were all seated at the break fast-table, that it is really quite refreshing to look at miss De Clifford.-You must have heaps of lovers, miss De Clifford'. ..

Not one, at all, that I know of, madam,' replied Julia, blushing; except, Henry Goodwin, who is for my acknowledged, caro sposo,'

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That is your youngest boy, if I recollect right, Harriot?' said Mr. Hargrave. Pray is Rosa improving in her looks? Is she growing up any thing approaching to pretty?'

Mrs. Goodwin smiled, while a deep blush heightened her natural fine bloom, but was silent. Julia blushed too, with resentment; and with vivacity replied- Miss Goodwin, before I did ever see her, had passed approach, for pretty; and was arrived, quite, at perfection of beauty!'

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Indeed!' said Mrs. Hargrave: I am vastly happy at hearing this surprising news. I have not seen Rosa since she was in the small-pox, which I thought must have completed her beauty; and I always forgot to ask how she fared.'

'My dear sister! replied Mrs,

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In vero,' said Julia, I am, a great deal astonished, why for, any one could, not, look, at Rosa Goodwin; for yet, I never did behold, so much attractive a countenance.Oh! so lovely, that when walked I have, sometimes, with her, in the Museum Garden, I have been distressed, very strongly, by the observation, she awakened; for not a being, did ever pass her, at all, who did not turn for to gaze, and make exclamations, expressive of their much admiration, for such sweet, mild, beauty.'

The clergymen looked at each other, and smiled.-' Great, indeed,' said doctor Sydenham, must. miss Goodwin's beauty be, if she could be the object of attraction when her companion was miss De Clifford.'

Julia's cheeks were again suffused with a vermilion tint; and, with a smile, she replied Indeed, I could nothing claim, for the admiration excited: for I was such a spectre, of illness, that the only emotion, could I awaken, was pity very much in the beholder.'

'I know not what you then might have been,' returned this pleasantlooking, cheerful old man; 'but I see you now are exactly what I should wish to be my wife, were I five-and-twenty.'

Julia answered him, playfully; and a lively, spirited dialogue, was carried on by them.

Do n't put faith in his protestations, miss de Clifford,' said Mrs.

Hargrave; for doctor Sydenham is the greatest flirt in the world.'

Mrs. Hargrave's information was. pretty accurate: - Doctor Sydenham was a notorious flirt, and favourite of all the young women in the county. He was a bachelor, of seventy. In his youth he had been too poor, and in his old age too wise, to marry. He had often felt the influence of the blind urchin; but so frequently did he sigh in hopelessness, that his heart became callous to disappointment; and he could now make love to the daughters and grand-daughters of those very beauties he had formerly sighed for, without a pang of fond regret, Not until he had almost attained his grand climacteric, was his merit (which was certainly conspicuous) rewarded;-then, after being long reconciled to a fate which seemed to say he was to live and die a curate, most unexpectedly, a large living was presented to him; and to which he was scarcely inducted, when another, even more considerable, was bestowed upon him. It was now too late, he thought, to commence a wed ded life. His parochial flock he adopted as his children, who all honoured their pastor, and loved him' as a father. He was kind to his relations; benevolent to the poor; possessed the esteem of the old, and the affection of the young. His house, the seat of hospitality, was often filled with guests; and harmlees mirth, and innocent amusement, were ever promoted by the cheerful, venerable, host.

Mr. Bloomer, by some preternatural influence, had obtained the singular favour of inverting the order of nature; and after he had passed his fiftieth year, time took, with him, a retrograde motion, and every birth-day his age decreased one year; so that now he was only

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