an acquaintance.—

I promised, in my last, to give you a sketch of my Lucy, but I find I am not equal to the task; for even in her outward appearance there is a variability, that renders it almost impossible to draw an exact resemblance of her; at some times, you would think that her form and face were designed to personify Vivacity.—
" Dip in the rainbow, trick her off in air."

At other times, a soft melancholy usurps the place of gaiety; so that, at different aeras, she may pass alternately for a Melpomene, or a Thalia*; yet she is agreeable, under both these characters, and I by no means think her temper changeable; but am rather inclined, tho' sorry to believe, that these transitions are

rather the effect of peculiar circumstances, than natural constitution—
I know she is in love—but I should suppose that to be rather a consistent passion, where the flame is mutual; and I should be tempted almost to despise her, or any other woman in the world, who continued still to love, without sympathy—for true love is a passion of that extraordinary nature, as some author has well expressed it, that it requires the felicity of two persons, to render one happy—Without being positively handsome, the men all like her, she has good eyes, hair and teeth; a lively, tho' not a fine complexion; and a form that may justly be stiled elegant, tho' small.—
And now, my dear Fanny, let me speak of, and to, yourself. It is above

a month since I left London; I have been a fortnight in Dublin, and have not received a single line from you, or any of the other dear friends I parted from in Dover-street!—They tell me something about contrary winds—for my own peace, I will believe them, but if I am to remain in this island, much longer, under such suspence, I shall be tempted to sell my jewels, and send the money to Lapland, to purchase, I know not whether it is to be an easterly, or a westerly wind—but it shall be a fair gale to waft your letters to me—for the story of Aeolus and Ulysses, you know, is quite an arrant fiction.
Your impatient, but truly affectionate LOUISA BARTON.



Dover-street.
I Received my dear sister's two letters, from Wales, together; and am pleased to find that you illustrate your own remark on the good effects which change of objects produce upon our minds. I have always thought,