succeeded so far as to engage him in a tête à tête conversation, if such it could be called, partly composed of tittering and whispering, of which Fanny and I were evidently the objects. Lady Farnford and Mrs. Hindon however atoned for their incivility, by bestowing on us their whole attention. The former, with the most insatiable curiosity, endeavoured to penetrate into every circumstance relating to our situation abroad, with an avidity which could not have been excited without some previous information.

I cautioned Mr. Howard on the subject of secresy, and besought him to request his brother and Mrs. Hindon not to communicate our affairs out of their own family; but I fear it has not been at all observed, for it was not difficult to perceive that we were regarded by the whole company with an eye of eager scrutiny, which denoted that we had been, according to a phrase of Mrs. Hindon's, on the carpet before we entered.
At table, the conversation was general: that is to say, it consisted of those common-place topics which neither greatly amuse nor deeply interest, but which in a mixed company are taken up with seeming eagerness merely pour passer le tems.
Mr. Hindon appears to be a good sort of bluff English character, who can allow neither of merit nor talents out of his own country, nor conceive any sort of enjoyment out of this city, which he

says he never quits even in summer, though he has a very fine villa within six miles of town. He is a banker, and possessed of a large fortune, partly the fruits of his own industry, and partly brought him by his wife; from whom, being an heiress, according to an established form here, he also receives his name.
He seems to enjoy good cheer with an extraordinary relish: dinner serving equally for the purposes of conversation and refreshment. The former, it indeed furnished abundantly; only varied by a dissertation on the different dishes. I remarked that Sir Jonathan, as well as Mr. Hindon, appeared to value themselves extremely on those qualities which more properly belonged to their cooks.
When the repast, which was sumptuous, was removed to make way for the desert, the younger part of the family, consisting of two girls under ten years

old and a boy about six, made their appearance, and compleatly took place of the discourse on cookery. The delighted parents instantly shifting the topic to that of their children, related with eager satisfaction their various improvements, accomplishments, and dispositions, not forgetting the infantine bon mots of little Billy, whom sleep