heart, exquisitely wrought. Brooches Fashionable colours are, maroon, of rather a large size set in gold, bright crimson, damask-rose colour, forming a flower surrounded by fo- || dark chesnut, lavender, and fawn coliage, are also much in favour. lour. FRENCH FEMALE FASHIONS. My dear SOPHIA, PARIS, Dec. 18. OUR promenade costume this month is nearly what it was when I wrote last, except that furs have become more general; that is to say, fur tippets and trimmings for dresses: for muffs are not at all used by the French, but are generally adopted by all the stylish English belles, of whom there are at present a great number in Paris. equal favour for the spectacle: the most fashionable among the former have a bright crimson or black ground, with a high palm border, or one en rosaces. A new material has just been introduced for mantles, which promises to become very fashionable: it is composed of wool; is extremely fine, light, and soft; is printed so as to imitate embroidery very successfully, and is of sufficient width to form a mantle without a seam. The alterations which have taken place since my last in full dress are mostly in head-dresses, some of the most novel of which I will try to de Bonnets are of velvet, gros de Naples, and some new inventions in silk plush. The latter have always the same kind of ground, but it is differently figured in quadrilles, lozenges, or wolves' teeth. Black vel-scribe to you. The latest is the coefvet or satin bonnets are in favour; they are in general trimmed with ribbons, shaded in strikingly contrasted colours, and of a rich dark tint: there are generally three colours in the feathers of the bonnet, to correspond with the ribbon. fure à la neige: in this head-dress the hair, disposed in a great number of small curls, which nearly cover the temples, and dressed very high behind, has seldom any other ornament than a pearl or diamond comb. In order to form a perfect idea of this coefIt is this year the fashion to go fure, you need only recall to your very much dressed to the spectacle: mind the portraits of Marie de Merédingotes habillées are much used || dicis, mother of Louis XIII. from for this purpose; they are composed which this antique fashion has lately of gros de Naples or velvet, but been copied on the stage, and is now the latter is most fashionable. The generally adopted in the first circles. trimming is satin, with sometimes a mixture of gros de Naples; it is arde Naples; it is arranged either in rouleaus, coques, or folds. If the rédingote is of gros de Naples, it is always of a very dark colour, but trimmed with satin some shades lighter. In some instances the satin is of a different colour. Shawls and mantles are in nearly Coeffures à l'Espagnol are also in favour: the front hair is disposed in soft curls; the hind hair, knotted at the ends with bows of black and rose ribbon, is fastened up in a very large knot on the crown of the head: three large coques of rose and black ribbon placed behind this knot are partially covered by a black blond veil, PELLING-PLACE, THE SEAT OF MRS. BONNELL, RELICT OF PELLING-PLACE, situated in the pa- || riety and beauty which the place can rish of Old Windsor, was formerly a spacious cottage only, belonging to Francis Pigot, Esq. nephew to Dr. Pelling, Dean of Windsor, after whom this seat was named by the owner. On its coming into the hands of the late Mr. Bonnell by purchase, he considerably enlarged and improved the house, which now consists of a handsome suite of apartments: but their principal charm consists in the admirable decorations both of the pencil and needle, chiefly the works of Mrs. Bonnell; among which is a capital portrait of that lady by Romney, in his happiest manner. The same good taste and chaste feeling that have rendered the house so delightful, have been bestowed upon the grounds with equal care; all the vaVol. III. No. XIV. possibly admit, without being overcharged, here delight the eye. Our First View of this House is from the Lawn. The grounds to the left rise in a bold form, covered with wood and plantations, interspersed with walks, seats, and other pleasing embellishments. The walk || beneath the trees to the right leads to a pavilion, simple and elegant in its form, surrounded with wood and flowering shrubs, admirably adapted for the quiet recreations of a summer's day. The walks wind round the pavilion, through the shrubberies, to the dairy, a sweet picturesque building, with its Gothic windows and rustic work; its pretty entrance, marble tables, and pleasing accompaniments; K its fanciful walls, its Wedgwood ware, and shells. Its situation is truly romantic, surrounded with rich overhanging woods, through which the walk continues to a fine terrace on the brow of the hill. In the centre of this terrace is an octagonal building, partly surrounded by wood, ornamental seats, and ivy: it forms a tower of two stories, with out-buildings, consisting of a grotto, tea-room, and billiard-room. The base of the tower is the grotto, curiously ornamented with shell-work. The entrance is an iron gate of fanciful open-work. The tea-room commands some superb views, embracing the fine old castle of Windsor, the Thames, and all its charms of woods, elegant villas, and villages. In crossing the grounds a descent leads through a fine line of firs to the Hermitage, a building so natural and so apposite, that the spectator fancies the hermit will actually make his appearance. It is situated in a cell at the verge of the ground, and is formed of roots and moss. The little garden, book and bell, rosary, cross, and sun-dial, all seem to confirm the idea that this retreat is actually inhabited: an oratory is attached; the whole being in a rude Gothic form, well according with its sequestered situation. The entrance to his cell is through a pretty porch: the cell itself contains a globe, hour-glass, lamp, and books, with a mug, trencher, and fruits. Connected with this by a door made of moss is an inner cell, matted: here in a rustic seat appears the sage, a venerable personification of some of our finest descriptions of the hermits of old. He is seemingly poring over his book and crucifix, surrounded by a lamp, scull, beads, staff, a rude inkstand, folio, and a glass of rosemary water. Safe from the dancing sunbeam's mid-day heat, Here may the modern hermit fix his seat; Bury one generous wish, one active joy. The power that guides his eye will raise his hope; While all around conspires to raise his love, The world about him, and the heaven above. Over the These lines meet the eye above the entrance of the cell. oratory are the following: Come, gentle wanderer, sit and rest, The mossy couch, the Gothic gate, cross, in the depths of the cell, lighted dimly through a small portion of stained glass, are the following lines: The ev'ning sun was burning red, The twilight veil spread slowly, While the hermit near the wood, Where long a little cross had stood, Was singing vespers holy. Then slowly he turned his head, And watch'd the narrow wicket, Along the neighbouring thicket. From the Hermitage, the walks extend to the flower-garden, aviaries, and fish-pond, to the Front of the House, shewn in our Second View of this interesting place. There is a pleasing novelty and snugness about this front. The garden and lawn, with their flowers and stately firs, form almost a part of the dwelling, so intimately are they connected by the verandahs and arched treillage, which extend to the principal entrance. 65 THE CONFESSIONS OF A RAMBLER. No. V. them. For me, I had no doubt of finding plenty of subjects to interest and attract; and so indeed it proved. We were now to see the first specimen of American society. A Black porter took some of our light luggage, and piloted us to the hotel, which stood in one of the principal streets of the town. As we paced along we could have almost thought ourselves in England, if it had not been for the number of Blacks whom we saw driving about in all directions; and for a certain air of slovenliness in the people who were evidently of rather a superior order, which you never see about persons of that class in England. BEHOLD me in a new world, landed in Baltimore, and an inmate of an American hotel. It was on the 26th of August that we arrived thus far on our destination, and Mrs. Fitzherbert having dispatched letters to Mr. Mortimer, who resided at Alexandria, I agreed to remain with her till he arrived. This, in fact, was settled before we landed; for five weeks' sojourning together within the "cribb'd confine" of a ship's cabin had made us better friends, than perhaps five years' intercourse would have done on shore. The remainder of our companions were scattered about in different directions. The Scotchman "could na think of being at an hotel when his mother's third cousin, Johnny M'Alister, honest mon, would be right glad to see him;" so off posted Randall M'Pherson to his cousin's, to see whether the thrifty Scot would "gie him houseroom for a day or twa, till he had finished the business he was anent." What became of our two politicians I never learned; I left them on the quarterdeck, as I handed the ladies into the boat which took us ashore, disputing most vehemently on some political question, which they had mooted at least one hundred and fifty times before. The lover was on the wing for New-York; the Cockney went to his" father's agent; and Harry Bertram was the only one who remained with us. Arrived at the hotel, we were shewn into a room, in which a number of persons of both sexes were at dinner; the landlord sat at the top of his table, and took not the slightest notice whatever of the new-comers: his Black servants placed chairs for us, and when I inquired if we could not have a private room, and' said the ladies were just landed, and too fatigued to sit down to a public table, one of them, grinning at us, said, "Ees, ees, massa, we shew you to room by and by;" and off he went to attend to some one at the table, who was calling for a glass of apple toddy." I replied, if we could not be attended to, we must go somewhere else. This threat appaWe took up our abode at rently alarmed " Mr. Smith," for he "Smith's Hotel," to which we were called to one of the females," Bess, recommended by the captain; and shew the ladies to the room up stairs;" highly rejoiced were the ladies at and a young girl rose from table, and being once more on terra firma, the immediately conducted us to a toledangers of the sea got over, and therably neat apartment, and saying she prospect of a happy meeting before would send a woman to us directly, left us to ourselves. We were not much impressed with American politeness, but, as we knew it would not be for long, and expected the captain soon to join us, we resolved to be content. wheaten bread, fowls, ham, eggs, and often fruits, and every thing in profusion, whilst the fragrant coffee or the foaming chocolate smokes upon the board. No wonder that, after being kept on " ship's allowance" for five or six weeks, we duly appreciated all the agrémens of these social and excellent meals. Neither was the feast altogether corporeal; there were several men of rather superior abilities at that time inmates of Here we remained nearly a week, and before we departed, we became better reconciled to American manners. We found our host a talkative, good-humoured man in the main, but with a sufficient sense of self-importance, which all Americans have." Smith's," and the conversation was His wife was an Englishwoman, and always agreeable, frequently animatshe had given her daughters (they ed, and sometimes learned. I frankhad three and one son) as much of an ly confess, that before we left, much English education as she could. They of my prejudices against the Amewere agreeable girls, and by the ju- ricans were worn off; but then we dicious application of a little flattery, had happily fallen in with some of and the gift of a few London trinkets, the most liberal-minded amongst I induced them to be more attentive them, who could allow that there to Mrs. Fitzherbert and her daugh- were countries equal, if not superior, ters than I found they were wont to to their own, and who did not feel be; for they thought it a degradation that wonted enmity to England which, to assist in the business of the house, at that period, too many of the Ameleaving that to be attended to by the ricans not only entertained themmale and female slaves, of whom selves, but endeavoured to enforce their father had several. We soon upon the young and ductile minds found there was no having things of infancy. A most pernicious praccomfortable in our own room, as we tice: man is at all times too prone should have had in England; we we to imbibe the baser and more ignotherefore made a merit of necessity, ble feelings, without having them inand thinking it best "when at Rome fused with his mother's milk, and afto do as the people of Rome do," we terwards fed and nourished by the conformed ourselves to their man- force of prejudice and animosity, so ners as much as we could. In the as to "grow with his growth, and morning we breakfasted with the "fa- strengthen with his strength." mily," which consisted of our host, his wife and daughters, and several gentlemen, who were boarding in the house. One of the best things connected with America is the breakfasts. They are luxurious, yet sub-muscular, powerful man, but blessed stantial; the city gourmand and the re- with great placidity of temper and fined petit-maitre might enjoy them. the most thorough good-humour. Only imagine a table covered with A man with whom he had had fine buck-wheat cakes, Johnny cakes, some mercantile transactions, and who Before I dismiss the subject of our associates, I must relate an incident connected with one of them, which I witnessed the second day of our sojourn. He was a Quaker; a tall, |