 famous story of Count Abensberg, who, in Henry Il's
progress through Germany, while other courtiers came with their treasures,
brought his thirty-two children, and presented them to his sovereign as the most
valuable offering he had to bestow. In this manner, though I had but six, I
considered them as a very valuable present made to my country, and consequently
looked upon it as my debtor. Our eldest son was named George, after his uncle,
who left us ten thousand pounds. Our second child, a girl, I intended to call
after her aunt Grissel; but my wife, who during her pregnancy had been reading
romances, insisted upon her being called Olivia. In less than another year we
had another daughter, and now I was determined that Grissel should be her name;
but a rich relation taking a fancy to stand godmother, the girl was, by her
directions, called Sophia; so that we had two romantic names in the family; but
I solemnly protest I had no hand in it. Moses was our next, and after an
interval of twelve years, we had two sons more.
    It would be fruitless to deny my exultation when I saw my little ones about
me; but the vanity and the satisfaction of my wife were even greater than mine.
When our visitors would say, »Well, upon my word, Mrs. Primrose, you have the
finest children in the whole country.« - »Ay, neighbour,« she would answer,
»they are as heaven made them, handsome enough, if they be good enough; for
handsome is that handsome does.« And then she would bid the girls hold up their
heads; who, to conceal nothing, were certainly very handsome. Mere outside is so
very trifling a circumstance with me, that I should scarce have remembered to
mention it, had it not been a general topic of conversation in the country.
Olivia, now about eighteen, had that luxuriancy of beauty with which painters
generally draw Hebe; open, sprightly, and commanding. Sophia's features were not
so striking at first; but often did more certain execution; for they were soft,
modest, and alluring. The one vanquished by a single blow, the other by efforts
successfully repeated.
    The temper of a woman is generally formed from the turn of her features, at
least it was so with my daughters. Olivia wished for many lovers, Sophia to
secure one. Olivia was often affected from too great a desire to please. Sophia
even represt excellence from her fears to offend. The one entertained
