Somerset. Inese cottages are dispersed among the deep hollows of the vales, and are seen peeping from amid the thick umbrage of the woods, which cover the face of the bills. The irregular forms, and thatched roofs, with many of their infant inhabitants playing at the doors, compose such lovely groups, that I could only wish for our dear Mary's pencil and fingers, (for alas! that way mine are motionless!) to transport them to your eyes.

"The palace of Villanow, which is castellated, and stands in the midst of a fortress, now burst upon my view. It rears its embattled head, from the summit of a hill, that gradually slopes down towards the Vistula, and borders to the south, the plain of Vola; a spot, so long famous for the election of the kings of Poland On the north of the building, the earth is cut into natural ramparts, which rise in a high succession, till they reach the foundations of the palace, where they terminate, in a noble terrace. These ramparts, covered with grass, overlook the stone-outworks and spread down to the bottom of the hill, which being clothed with fine trees and luxuriant underwood, form such a rich and verdant base to the fortress, as I have not language to describe; were I privileged to be poetical, I would say, that it reminds me of the god of war, sleeping amid roses in the bower of love. Here, the eye may wander over the gifts of bounteous nature, arraying hill and dale in all the united treasures of spring and autumn. The forest stretches its yet unsunned arms to the breeze; whilst that breeze comes laden with the fragrance of the tented hay, and the thousand sweets breathed from those flowers which m this delicious country, weep honey.

"A magnificent flight of steps led us from the foot of the ramparts up to the gate of the palace. We entered it; and were presently surrounded by a train of attendants, in such sumptuous liveries, that I found myself all at once carried back into the fifteenth century, and might have fancied myself within the courtly walls of our Tudors and Plantagenets. You can better conceive, than I can recapitulate, the scene which took place between the palatine, the Countess, and her son. I can only repeat, that from that hour I have experienced no default of hap piness but what arises from regret that my dear family are not partakers with me.

"You know, that this stupendous building was the favourite residence of John Sobieski; and that he erected it, as a resting place from the labors of his long and glorious reign. I cannot move without meeting some vestige of that truly great monarch. I sleep in his bedchamber : there hangs his portrait,dressed in the robes of sovereignty; here, are suspended the arms, with which he saved those kingdoms, which are now coalescing to the destruction of Poland. On one side, is his library; on the other, the little chapel, in which he used to pay his morning and evening devotions. Wherever I look, my eye finds some object, to excite my reflections and emulation. The noble dead appear to address me from their graves, and I blush, at the inglorious life I might have pursued, had I never visited this house, and its inhabitants: yet, my dearest mother, I do not mean to reproach you; nor to insinuate that my reverend father, and brave ancestors, have not set me examples as bright, as man need follow, but human nature is capricious; we are not to be stimulated so much with what is always in our view, as by sights, which rising up when we are removed from our customary associations, surprise and captivate our attention. Villanow has only awakened me to the same lesson, which I have conned over in drowsy carelessness at home. Thaddeus Sobieski is hardly one year my senior; but, good Heaven! what has he not done? What has he not acquired? Whilst I abused the indulgence of any parents, and wasted my days in riding, shooting and walking the streets, he was learning to act, as a man of rank ought to act; and by seizing every opportunity to serve the state, he has obtained a rich reward, in the respect and admiration of his country. I ain not envious, mother, but I now feel the truth of Cæsar's speech, when he declared that the repu tation of Alexander would not let him sleep.' Nevertheless, I dearly love my friend; I murmur at any own demerits, not at his worth.

"I have scribbled out all my paper, otherwise I verily believe that I would write more; however, I promise you another letter, in a week or two. Meanwhile I shall send this packet to Mr. Loftus, who is at Petersburgh, to for

A

ward to you. Adieu, my dear mother; I am, with reverence to my father and yourself,

"Your truly affectionate son,

"PEMBROKE SOMERSET

"Villanow, August, 1792.”

TO LADY SOMERSET, SOMERSET-CASTLE ENG

LAND.

(Written three weeks after the preceding.)

"You know, my dear mother, that your Pembroke is famous for his ingenious mode of showing the full value of every favour he confers; can I then lose the opportunity of telling you, what I have left to make you happy with this epistle?

"About five minutes ago, I was sitting on the lawn at the feet of the Countess reading to her and the princess Sapieha, the charming poem of The Pleasures of Memory" as both these ladies understand English, they were admiring it, and paying many compliments to the graces of my delivery, when the palatine presented himself, and told me, that if I had any commands for Petersburgh, I must prepare them, for a messenger was to set off to-morrow morning by day-break. I instantly sprang up, threw my book into the hand of Thaddeus; and here I am in my own room, scribbling to you.

"Even at the moment in which I dip my pen in the ink, my hurrying imagination paints on my breast, the situation of my beloved home, when this letter reaches you I think I see you and my good aunt, seated on the blue sofa in your dressing-room with your needle-work on the little table before you; I see Mary, in her usual nook, the recess by the old harpsichord; and my dear father bringing in this happy letter from your son! I must confoss, that this romantic kind of fancy-sketch makes me feel rather oddly; very unlike indeed, from what I felt a few months since, when I was a mere, indifferent, unrefecting, unappreciating coxcomb. Well, it is now made evident to me, that we never know the blessings of exis-, tence till we are separated from the possession of them. Absence tightens the string that unites friends as well as

Jovers; at least I find it so; and though in the fruition of every good on this side the ocean, yet my happines renders me ungrateful, and I repine that I enjoy it alone. Positively, I must bring you all here to pass a summer; or come back at the termination of my travels, and carry away this dear family by main force to England.

"Tell my cousin Mary, that, either way, I shall present to her esteem the most accomplished of human beings; but I warn her not to fall in love with him, neither in propria personae, nor by his public fame, nor with his private character. Tell her, he is a bright and particular star,' neither in her sphere nor in any other woman's. In this way, he is as cold as dian's crescent; and to my great amazement too, for when I throw my eyes over the many lovely young women, who, at different times, fill the drawing-room of the Countess, I cannot but wonder at the perfect indifference with which he views their (to me) irresistible attractions.

"He is polite and attentive to them all; he talks with them, smiles with them, and treats them with every active complacency; but they do not live one instant in his memory. I mean they do not occupy his particular wishes; for with regard to every respectful sentiment towards the sex in general, and esteem to some amiable individuals, he is as lively as in the other case he is dead. The fact is, he never casts one thought upon himself: kindness is spontaneous to his nature; his sunny eyes shine over all, with modest benignity; and his frank and glowing conversation is directed to every rank of people; who imbibe it with an avidity and love, which makes its way to his heart without awakening his vanity. Thus, whilst his fine person, and splendid actions, fill every eye and bosom, I see him moving in the circle, unconscious of his eminence, and the interest he excites.

"Instigated by such an example, to which his high quality as well as extraordinary merit, gives so great an influence, many of the younger nobility have been led to enter the army. This circumstance, added to the detail of his bravery and uncommon talents in the field, has made him an object of universal regard; and in conse quence, wherever he is seen he meets with applause and

acclamations: nay, even at the appearance of his carriage in the streets of Warsaw the passengers take off their hats, and pray for him till he is out of sight. It is only then that I perceive his cheek flushed with the conviction that he is adored."

"It is this, Thaddeus," said I to him one day, when walking out together, we were obliged to retire into the royal palace, from the crowds who followed him; "It is this, my dear friend, that shields your heart against the sorrows of love. You have no place for that passion; your mistress is glory, and she courts you."

"My mistress is my country," replied he; "at present, I desire no other. For her, I would die; for her only I would wish to live." While he spoke, the energy of his soul blazed in his eyes; I smiled.

"You are an enthusiast, Thaddeus."

"Pembroke!" returned he, in a surprised and reproach-ful tone.

"I do not think you one," resumed I, laughing; but there are many in my country, who hearing these sentiments, would not scruple to call you mad."

"Then I pity them," returned Thaddeus. "Men who cannot ardently feel, cannot taste supreme happiness. My grandfather educated me at the feet of patriotism; and when I forget his precepts and example, may my guardian angel forget me!"

"Happy, glorious Thaddeus?" cried I grasping his hand, "how envy your destiny! To live as you do in the lap of honour, virtue and glory the aim and end of your existence!"

"The animated countenance of my friend changed at these words, and laying his hand on my arm he said"Do not envy my destiny; Pembroke, you are the citizen of a free country, at peace with itself. Insatiate pow er has not dared to invade its rights. Your king in happy security, reigns in the hearts of his people; whilst our anointed Stanislaus, is baited and insulted by oppression from without, and ingratitude within. Do not envy me! I would rather live in obscurity all my days, than have the means which I have of acquiring celebrity over the ruins of Poland. Oh! my friend, the wreath that crowns