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girls are to have a dance on the 26th, in compliment to Captain Butcher; and if you feel disposed to join in it, they will select for you a lively young partner; or should you prefer a sage and steady partner at whist, you may make your election. One hundred and twenty answers have been returned to the invitations sent out, so that you may make your selection as well as election, among the belles who intend to grace the ball.

I have been so immersed in business for twelve months past, that I have not had the relaxation of a single day.

Always yours,

B. O.

To CAPTAIN BUTCHER, CHEZ MON. MONR PERRIGAUX

ET CO. PARIS.

DEAR JACK,

Tavistock Place, May 10, 1814.

YOUR letter of the 30th ultimo was most welcome, and has filled your sister, the girls, and myself, with delight. I should have answered it before; but, until this morning, chancing to meet Sir Thomas Lavie, Sir Thomas I was at a loss where to direct to you. having given me the cue, I avail myself of it, to urge your coming over as soon as possible. There is a reason for it. The girls, without much persuasion, have prevailed on me to give a fête on the occasion of your liberation, and which is to take place on the 26th instant. This I think right to apprize you of, in order to facilitate your movements, and to prevent a disappointment, which would be as fatal to their comforts as another revolution.

We are going to dine with our old friend Charles

Laurence to-day; and as you are hourly expected, a place at his table is open for you.

This letter, it is more than probable, you will not receive in France: indeed, I hope you may not; but that I shall have the proud pleasure of personally telling you its contents, and congratulating you upon the happy change which has taken place.

Your ever affectionate Friend,

B O.

To MR. B. OAKLEY, JUN. STOCK EXCHANGE.

MY DEAR BENJAMIN,

Dover, May 15, 1814.

THIS is a bustling place: the inhabitants are in high spirits, in consequence of the communication being now opened with France. Boats are often coming in and going out; one has just arrived, but has not brought your uncle; and unless he should arrive tomorrow, we shall not meet at Dover.

Where I sit I can distinctly see the coast of France; and, but that I am necessitated to return so soon, I would have run across for a few days. This desire cannot now be gratified, and I must be content till

time and opportunity offer.

I have been this morning on the top of Shakespeare's Cliff, a most terrific height, much exceeding that of St. Vincent's Rock. If you look into the play of King Lear, you will find the poet's description of it in a dialogue between Edgar and Gloucester: it is very interesting. I have taken a sketch of it for my illustration of the immortal bard.

To-morrow my friends and I intend to inspect the

batteries on the heights above the town, and also the castle, which is a monument of great antiquity.

Numbers of French are here, who have been long prisoners in this country: many I have seen embark for their homes, which they have not seen for eight or ten years. Fancy to yourself the delight they feel, at the near prospect of their native land, and the heart-felt joy of returning to their dearest relatives and friends. Your loving Father,

B. O.

To MR. RICHARD OAKLEY, WEOBLY.

MY DEAR FATHER,

Tavistock Place, July 6, 1814.

In a few days I remove my family to Brighton. Two or three of the girls are recommended to use a salt-water bath; Lucy, in particular, who has a violent eruption on her hands and arms, will, I fear, require a long absence from town. Early in August I intend going to Paris for a few weeks; and should the Prince Regent think fit to invest me with diplomatic powers, I think I can, as well as any of his ministers, settle the business at congress in a very short time. But as I am too proud to solicit honours, it must be the spontaneous wish of His Royal Highness that I should undertake it; otherwise I shall travel as a private gentleman.

I was in the House of Commons until nearly three o'clock this morning. The debate was upon the expulsion of Lord Cochrane, and his uncle Cochrane Johnston: the expulsion was carried, and new writs moved for.

I am now relieved from a long and tedious attendance in the sub-committee of the Stock Exchange, upon the

investigation of the fraud brought home to the above virtuous members. You have, no doubt, read in the newspapers an account of our proceedings, which you shall see more fully detailed in the published trial I intend to send you. The expense attending this prosecution has cost nearly £4000; but which was raised by the members of the Stock Exchange in a few hours.

The fine weather having set in, I hope it has set you upon your legs.

I have not been so well as I now am for a considerable time.

Ever and sincerely yours,

B. O.

To MISS OAKLEY, BRIGHTON.

MY DEAR ADRIANA,

Royal Exchange, August 3, 1814.

I HAVE received your letter, giving me an account of Lucy's first trial of the vapour bath. You quite mistook my intentions and directions: they were simply, -"Let Lucy try the effect of the vapour bath every day, until you hear from me to the contrary.' Had I considered the shampooing necessary, I should have said so; but you are not to be led away by what may be the interested motives of the proprietor of the bath. Lucy has no rheumatism, and therefore needs not the application of oils or rubbing: immersing the hands in water may only be resorted to, in order to relieve them from crust, which is occasioned by the eruption. Tell the proprietor, he has only to follow my directions; and if no benefit arise by this time in the next week, it will be discontinued. You must be satisfied the

water is salt, otherwise she might as well stay at home as make the experiment at Brighton.

I went to see the fire-works on Monday, which were very splendid; but the most brilliant effect was that produced by the demolition of the Pagoda. I sauntered about until one o'clock in the morning-was every where, and saw every thing with the greatest possible ease. I never witnessed any thing like the multitude; yet there was ample space for all, and all seemed happy. The fair, which still continues in Hyde Park, and which I understand will continue this week, is of a motley description: it embraces so much of fun and merriment, and is so full of good humour, that I lament you cannot, with your mamma and sisters, see it. In all this immense crowd there was the most perfect harmony, nor do I remember to have heard, in all my perambulations, one word of discontent: in short, it was a jubilee of mirth and gaiety, unmixed with asperity; and every eye expressed content and satisfaction. I have addressed this to you, in answer to your letter; but it must be considered as to you all.

It is probable Mr. Joseph will call upon you: should he, pray show him every civility in your power, and address him in his own language: say to him, it is doubtful my being able to leave London before the end of the month; but that I hope, at all events, to take him by the hand in the French capital.

I wish Benjamin to set off, in one of the six o'clock coaches, on Friday morning: he has had a pretty good indulgence, and I hope will be grateful for it. Pray attend to your studies: you must keep in mind, that you are not sent to Brighton for pleasure only; and that expect your days will be divided, and each part filled

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