the chimeras of my own imagination) he is acting on this occasion like a man of honour, and as I should have expected from his character. His attentions are those which may be felt, but except by myself, I am

certain never have been remarked; nor has he once betrayed a wish to insinuate himself into her good graces. No doubt he is conscious that a man of moderate fortune cannot be considered by Lord Belmont as a match for his grand child; who, if he means to acknowledge her, must possess a variety of advantages, according to the world's opinion, sufficient to carry a grandfather's views infinitely higher; neither is he insensible, I dare say, to the inequality of their years.
A girl of sixteen, with all the thoughtlessness incident to her time of life, encreased perhaps by the retirement of her education, cannot appear to sober reason an elligible choice for a grave, sedate man of forty three, whose prospects of happiness have probably been centered in expecting an amiable companion rather than a beloved mistress, in the woman whom he makes the partner of his life. Yet probably those very men, Sophia,

may not prove less liable than others to be caught by the charms of youth; and when that is the case, partiality no doubt persuades them they have discovered the mistress and companion in one, and that they may be able to mould a young and innocent mind as they please.
I am mistaken if Mr. Howard's imagination has not sometimes secretly suggested some such ideas; though further than concealed wishes, I am confident •hey never will proceed.

TO MISS BEAUMONT.
JANUARY 20.
THIS interval of some days has produced occurrences of the most distressing nature. Oh! my Sophia, why was I ever prevailed on to quit our quiet retreat in Languedoc? why has fate condemned me to visit a country, where, since the moment of my arrival, I have encountered only disappointments, against which I must struggle, and difficulties with which I must contend.
Yesterday morning Mrs. Hindon proposed carrying us to the sale of a nobleman's furniture and effects, who had lately

ruined himself by extravagance and a fatal passion for play. Curiosity, she told us, had brought the whole town together on this occasion: numbers, who never thought of becoming purchasers flocking to the auction to behold the splendor and elegance of the articles exposed to view.
This not being an amusement for which I imagined I should have much relish, I declined being of the party; and soon after Fanny and she were gone, Mrs. Weldon