an arrangement as may be necessary, both for your departure from Tooting Lodge and arrival in Tavistock Place. We had a delightful day, yesterday, at Epsom racecourse: it was a novel sight to your mamma and sisters: but their sympathies clouded the enjoyment of the day, and I confess rather damped my own. Sixteen brace of poor innocent hares were carried there to forfeit their lives for the diversion of those persons who had assembled on the occasion. Eight brace we saw let out before their merciless pursuers, whose fleetness and sanguinary jaws were glutted with the blood of all, except one brace, the escape of which I must say, to the honour of the whole field, excited a degree of satisfaction in the breast of every one present, united to a noble commiseration for the unfortunate when hardly pressed. We count these things cruel: it may be cruel — it is cruel to deprive any thing of life; but are we not all accessaries to it? Do we not eat of these things? The ox, the sheep, fish and fowl, all—all are the food of man. Were they not created for our use? I will not pursue the inquiry further, only to observe, the greyhound has instinct, he hunts the hare; the terrier has instinct, he kills the rat; the cat, the mouse. Is not the life of the mouse as dear to it as life is to the hare? It feels as much and the poor beetle that we tread upon, in corporal sufferance feels a pang as great as when a giant dies." "All our sufferings are but the way to dusty death!" -"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a poor player, a walking shadow, who struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is seen no more! It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing!" B. O. To MASTER R. R. OAKLEY, HAMMERSMITH. MY DEAR RICHARD, Tavistock Place, March 25, 1821. THE enclosed card present to Mr. Leggett, with my best regards. You will perceive I have begun my conversaziones. About forty gentlemen assembled the first night; and I am led to expect more than twice that number at the next meeting. Assemblies of this sort (and I have taken care this shall be such,) should be select, combining literary talent with scientific knowledge of the arts, amateurs in art, and lovers of virtù. A society of this intellectual cast forms the most delectable treat that mental minds can feed upon. That which dignifies man is the possession of scientific knowledge: he who has a rich store of ideas, and the address to communicate them to others, is truly an ornament to society: but the man, (coxcomb, I should say), who can only attempt to amuse his hearers by talking upon the frivolous topics of dress, his horses, his dogs, his equipage, and his riches (if he be rich), is a mere blank in society, and more fit to be the companion of his horses and dogs than hold communion with his own species. In making these remarks, my dear boy, you will, I am sure, know how to appreciate them; and your good sense will direct you which to follow. Youth is the season of pleasure, and I would allow it all its innocent indulgences. "I still remember that I once was young;' nor will I suffer the severity of age to damp the glowing propensity of young and ardent minds, only in the way of friendly caution where their pursuits spring from |