A COUNTRY VICARAGE.

CHAPTER I.

FRAGMENT OF A LETTER FROM MRS. CARLTON
TO MRS. DIGBY.

I flatter myself, indeed, my dear

friend, that you do me justice, and appreciate the desire I have ever experienced to encourage merit-and, above all, modest merit-whenever it falls under my observation. Now this really is a remarkably sweet and beautiful girl; and when I saw her with you, I felt an irresistible desire to produce her.

There is something quite painful to my feel

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ings in the idea of so much elegance and beauty being condemned for life to the seclusion of an odious parsonage—neither carriage, table, nor society for I understand that poor Mr. Melville is wretchedly straitened in his circumstances, and wants the very indispensables of existence.

I thought his daughter had a singularly aristocratic air—to be sure they are of a good family; but I consider it as a proof of the delicacy of her taste, and of a native refinement that one loves to see, that she has escaped those thousand little vulgarisms that shock and offend one's taste so much in the non comme il faut.

There is certainly nothing about Louisa Evelyn that one can be afraid to produce, even in the very best company; so I shall really be extremely glad if you will give her a corner of your carriage; and I write by this post to Mr. Evelyn, and shall send a very pressing invitation to his daughter to come to Danger

field during the races; and, indeed, to pass as much time afterwards with us as she can.

The race ball is on the 20th of March, for, as you know, we are resolved to try the experiment of anticipating the London season; and on the 19th I hope to see you and your fair companion. And should it be my happy fate to prove the means of affording her the opportunity of entering those certain circles, which, indeed, nature seems expressly to have formed her to adorn-in short, if any of my young lords. . . But I will say no more—you know what my heart would feel upon the occasionexcept that I am,

My dear Helen,

Your ever affectionate friend,

MARGARET CARLTON.

MRS. DIGBY TO MRS. CARLTON.

My dear Mrs. Carlton,

For the first part of your

invitation

namely, that which regards myself—I am very

sorry to say that it will not be in my power to accept it. Mr. Digby's mother has set her heart upon assembling all her family around her, to keep her eightieth birthday, which falls precisely upon the very 20th that I should have been with you. She knew nothing of my plans, and I did not like to disappoint her, so left her in happy ignorance, and must go. This, however, has nothing to do with the second part of your invitation-that to Louisa Evelyn; for, as I shall pass very near you in going to Northamptonshire, I can give her a place in my carriage; and, as you have already written to Mr. Evelyn, I will most certainly bring her, provided she accepts.

She certainly is a very beautiful, a very good,

and a very well-mannered girl, and such a merry little grig withal-in spite of Mr. Evelyn's grievous privations—that I think she cannot do better than remain as she is, whatever your young lords may say to it.

I have a notion that all without the boundary of the certain circles is not so triste, and so vulgar, and so horrid, as we are apt to suppose it. At least, as I often find that within, which is wearisome enough, I doubt whether those young ladies do the wisest thing in the world, who sacrifice every old habit, and sever themselves from every old connexion, for the privilege supreme of stepping within a magic ring, where they are never very welcome, and seldom very happy. &c. &c.

MR. EVELYN TO MRS. CARLTON.

I thank you sincerely, my dear Madam, for your obliging attention to my little Louisa,