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I cannot help mentioning, that yesterday we went to see the burial-ground of Père la Chaise; but whether the impression of walking through this cemetery had an effect upon your dear mamma, or that it was owing to fatigue, I cannot tell, but we were obliged, with great reluctance (I speak for myself), to quit it, and proceed to our hotel as fast as possible, where, in a little time, with the assistance of our kind hostess, your mamma recovered, and was able to enjoy her dinner, when we were joined by Mr. Dearne, who came to pass the day with us, previously to his setting off for Burgundy.

We thought of poor Richard on Wednesday-thought of Harrow School, and the reception he would meet with we think of him still, and think of all of you. My gout has almost subsided; but I can scarcely venture out without taking a fiacre, which is a great annoyance

to me.

This from your dear Papa,

TO THE MISSES OAKLEY.

B. O.

MY DEAR GIRLS,

Paris, (L'Hotel de l'Europe), Sept. 17, 1821.

I AM again left alone. Mr. Pasquier is gone to spend the day with a friend, and your mamma and Hannah are gone a-shopping-shopping- nothing but shopping! Dress and frivolity are the order of the day.

Our good friend, Mrs. L., has had a dreadful fever for the last two months, and I am afraid your mamma has caught her distemper. Poor lady! she has a carriage and a pair of horses, which stop regularly at every milliner's shop, and are acquainted with every avenue

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around this city, within the circumference of twenty miles. St. Cloud has greater attraction for her than ever took possession of Buonaparte: he, poor man, may have visited it about six times in six months; but Mrs. L. could not be satisfied with less than six visits in two months!! 66 What, madam, cannot you be content with seeing this or that place once?" Lord, sir! I could go every day." Have you not seen the palace of Versailles? Have you not seen the Theâtre François, the Italian Theatre, the Odeon Theatre, the Theâtre des Variétés, and the French Opera?" Lord, sir! I have seen them all, and I could go every night." We went to Tivoli. I forget how many times she had been there.

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Tivoli is the Vauxhall of this place, and it is certainly worth seeing, and what any person may innocently indulge in. A laudable curiosity is praiseworthy, if it be not carried to excess; and here there is a great deal, if not to be admired, at least to astonish you. You see, in one place, Punch and his whole grotesque family: in another, a conjurer, who has the dexterity to conjure money out of the pockets of those who are no conjurers, and who (you will scarcely believe) have credulity enough to fancy, that a tall meagre figure, with dark eyebrows, and a false but flowing long beard, with a long tube in his hand, can through it impart in a hollow whisper, ay, and satisfy them too, that their future progress in life will be attended with increasing happiness and prosperity! I could almost have envied the delightful sensation imparted to the fortunate listeners. They all seemed happy; thought not of the past; but, with eyes of intelligent brightness, appeared to be in possession of that which all the world is panting forriches! Who that can obtain it at so small a price

would drudge on through a life of vicissitude, and subject themselves to the " insolence of office and the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune," when here, by taking "arms against a sea of troubles," they jump into the ocean of delight, and forget all their cares?

From this scene of mental wonder we soon found ourselves in a group of merry dancers. The waltz, the reel and jig, with the enlivening tamborine, dispossessed me of my gravity; and but for my unlucky gout, and the unfortunate disappearance of Mrs. L., I think I should have sought the embrace of some sweet nymph in the amorous and bewitching waltz. Where was our lively companion? I looked around me, and in the distance saw a beautiful temple, and heard the rolling of chariots. "What can this be?" I inquired. It was la Montagne Suisse. I had heard of it. "Perhaps," thought I," the fair wanderer may be there." I posted thither, and was right in my conjecture: it was a joyful meeting. Lord, sir! I am glad we are met! Do look at those delightful cars! O, I love them dearly! Won't you ride in one with me? Do, pray! You cannot imagine how charming it is! I have rode in them twenty times." "Madam, is there no danger?” "O dear, no! I like it vastly; it is the most delightful thing in the world!"

What could I do? I, who have had so many "hairbreadth escapes," was obliged to "screw my courage to the sticking-place;" when off we went, and with the rapidity of lightning, in a few seconds, found myself at the bottom of the mountain, in the midst of an immense multitude of idle gazers, much more delighted than myself; and perhaps thinking, like myself, that it would have been more to my character and dignity to have been a spectator among them. However, I am safe; and

although I may have wounded my reputation for sedateness, I have, at least, preserved my character for courage, and cannot have it said I shrunk from a challenge from one of your sex.

Our heroine takes the command to-night of six females beside your mamma and sisters, and intends storming one of the boxes at the Opera House. I am humble, Heaven knows: I have suffered degradation enough, and mean to take my stand on terra firma in the parterre. When shall I get into my little library again? I will tell you, (entre nous) I have secured places in the mail for Saturday next, and think I shall be turning over my books in three or four days following. How I long for the time to arrive!

Poor Pasquier is the worst guide I ever yet met with. All he knows of the customs and constitution of this place is, that for every pipe of wine received within the barriers of the city there is a duty paid of about sixty francs!! His English is as unintelligible to me as his French. I do believe some demon haunts me every time I come to Paris. He speaks English when he should speak French, and French when he should speak English. He is a greater stranger here than myself; and if I did not instruct him, and put him in the right way, I verily believe he would be lost in his own country.

I kiss you (as Henry IV. used to express himself) a thousand times!

Yours affectionately,

B. O.

of

To R. G. THOMAS, Esq. TOOTING LODGE.

MY DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, September 27,

1821.

I RECEIVED the melancholy announcement your father's death on my return from the Continent. My late suffering friend can now, I trust, look upon those he has left behind him with as much sympathy and feeling for their chequered lives, as was manifested by them for those agonized and afflicting moments which preceded the close of his. The fortitude of mind with which he bore his long and painful illness, is a noble proof of that bold integrity which ever marked the progress of his walk through life, and affords to you a lesson, which I have no doubt you will proudly get by heart, of how much estimation it is in the eye of the world, to act up to the principle of truth and honesty.

Truth is the foundation upon which you must build your future fame: religion and honour are component parts; but when built upon truth, the edifice will be lasting.

You wish me to follow the remains of your worthy parent. How can I refuse your request? But did you know how much I suffer from a severe cold, and the painful emotions consequent upon such a scene, you would perhaps excuse me : but I am in your power. Do with me as you will.

Why have I been silent all this time about your amiable, your exemplary mother? You have now, Rees, a most important character to act: you are the representative of my friend, your father: you have the power, (while life is in you), to make the evening of her life less

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