income was derived from the interest of his
money. Mrs. General consequently found her means so much diminished, that, but
for the perfect regulation of her mind, she might have felt disposed to question
the accuracy of that portion of the late service which had declared that the
commissary could take nothing away with him.
    In this state of affairs it occurred to Mrs. General, that she might form
the mind, and eke the manners of some young lady of distinction. Or, that she
might harness the proprieties to the carriage of some rich young heiress or
widow, and become at once the driver and guard of such vehicle through the
social mazes. Mrs. General's communication of this idea to her clerical and
commissariat connection was so warmly applauded that, but for the lady's
undoubted merit, it might have appeared as though they wanted to get rid of her.
Testimonials representing Mrs. General as a prodigy of piety, learning, virtue,
and gentility, were lavishly contributed from influential quarters; and one
venerable archdeacon even shed tears in recording his testimony to her
perfections (described to him by persons on whom he could rely), though he had
never had the honour and moral gratification of setting eyes on Mrs. General in
all his life.
    Thus delegated on her mission, as it were by Church and State, Mrs. General,
who had always occupied high ground, felt in a condition to keep it, and began
by putting herself up at a very high figure. An interval of some duration
elapsed, in which there was no bid for Mrs. General. At length a county-widower,
with a daughter of fourteen, opened negotiations with the lady; and as it was a
part either of the native dignity or of the artificial policy of Mrs. General
(but certainly one or the other) to comport herself as if she were much more
sought than seeking, the widower pursued Mrs. General until he prevailed upon
her to form his daughter's mind and manners.
    The execution of this trust occupied Mrs. General about seven years, in the
course of which time she made the tour of Europe, and saw most of that extensive
miscellany of objects which it is essential that all persons of polite
cultivation should see with other people's eyes, and never with their own. When
her charge was at length formed, the marriage, not only of the young lady, but
likewise of her father the widower, was resolved on. The widower then finding
Mrs. General both inconvenient and expensive, became of a sudden almost as much
affected by her