then the light of love and of joy, and the refreshing breath of evening stole through the open window over my entranced senses. After that I sought another stroll on the ramparts, and again returned home contented with you, with myself, and with the world.

'I slept the slumbers of a saint forgiven,

And mild as opening dreams of promised heaven.'

"I have known few that could equal, none that could excel you; yet they possessed not your charm of countenance, your form, your heart, in my estimation. Certainly they did not possess that unaffected and fervent homage, which in my constant memory,in my heart's life-blood,—and in my devoted soul I bear to you.-Ever most affectionately yours,

"GEORGE BRUMMELL."

Such were the pathetic appeals that he addressed to single women-in warm weather; for his heart seldom thawed to this extent before the middle of June, and probably the first frost that nipped the dahlias crisped it up again till the following summer; at least sufficiently so to prevent him from shivering and shaking near his lady love's porte-cochère, in expectation of a note: he could write hundreds by his fireside at all seasons. As regards his London life, however, he generally preferred the society of married women, whose greater acquaintance with the world made them far more amusing companions than

single ones; and without any pretensions to bonnes fortunes, he was the idol of all those who took any lead in high life: happy was she in whose opera-box he would pass an hour, whose assembly he would attend, or at whose table he would dine. He had also a strong partiality for two or three widows, whose names, however, I should be very sorry to disclose to the present generation; and I leave Brummell's contemporaries to fix upon any peeress they may think proper, as the one to whom the following letter was addressed :

"Chesterfield Street.

"DEAR LADY that you have forgotten me in the protracted space of five days, and that you have amused your leisure hours with something or somebody more interesting to you. You are too overtly severe with Lord L; he has effrontery enough to persuade himself that you are piqued with him, and he will interpret that into a latent interest for him: what can it possibly be to you, whether he goes to Brighthelmstone or not? Affront him, but with dexterity, and his own consummate and mistaken vanity will be his speediest drawback; but never make an enemy of a man whose physiognomy has been ravaged by the small-pox,-for whom Jenner has lived in vain! has adopted that name, in deference to his having inherited some

-I am almost inclined to believe

"Attar-Gul1 (for Mr.

1 Ottar of roses, The Persian is considered the finest.

ostrich's eggs, glass beads, cockatoo's feathers, and a few shells from an aunt, a sort of vagrant Zingarella, who died recently at Aleppo of the leprosy) has not perceptibly touched a bristle of his raven crown since you saw, or rather turned away your eyes from him. In submission to your desire, I have minutely scrutinised his head. He had the effrontery, the other day, to be irritated because I asked him to lend me his brush of a sconce to assist at the morning toilette of my boots! The monster ! Do not forget your parasol in this inflammatory weather. Yours devoutly,

"The Lady

"GEORGE BRUMMELL.

Brighthelmstone."

But though his own affections seem never to have been very deeply engaged, the following letter shows that he possessed considerable sense and good feeling, when those of others, in whose welfare he took a real interest, were concerned. It was written by Miss Seymour, and is introduced here as a striking and authentic proof of Brummell's good-nature. It is unnecessary to refer to the actual circumstances alluded to by the amiable and lovely writer: I will merely observe, that the information he gave her was of the utmost value, and that it is highly probable it would never have come to her knowledge but for his disinterested kindness.

"Wednesday morning.

"I am more obliged to you than I can express for your note: be assured that your approbation of my conduct has given me very sincere pleasure: this is the only means I have of telling you so; for I am in such disgrace, that I do not know if I shall be taken to the play;-in any case, I shall be watched; therefore accept my most cordial thanks, and believe that I shall remember your good-nature to me on this occasion, with gratitude, to the end of my life.

does not know how unkindly I have been treated, but is more affectionate than ever, because he sees I am unhappy. We did not arrive in town till seven last night, therefore no play; to-morrow they go to Covent Garden :—perhaps I may be allowed to be of the party.

"Pray don't neglect my drawing; you would make me very happy by lending me the yellow book again; the other I don't ask for, much as I wish for it. Adieu! I shall be steady in my opinion of you, and always remain, yours, very sincerely,

"GEORGIANA A. F. SEYMOUR."

"

"This beautiful creature is dead! was the remark Brummell had written at the bottom of the letter, which he kept as a memento of her friendship for him till within four years of his death; he then parted with it, but only to a very intimate friend, who wished for the autograph.

CHAPTER X.

Another of Brummell's Correspondents-Lady Hester Stanhope-Her Letter to him-Admiral Sir Bladen Capel-Lady Hester's Droll Reason for that Officer's being sent to the Mediterranean-The late Lord Berwick-Lady Hester leaves England-Her Mountain Home at Mar Elias-Admirable description of her Ladyship, and her Residence there, by a Friend of the Author's-Her Opinion of Brummell-Her Adoption of Eastern Superstitions-Her CourageThe Holy Gate of Damascus-Lady Hester's Reply to the British Consul at Cairo-Her Personal Appearance.

OTHER lady correspondents Brummell had also; and the subject of the next letter does not, from a motive of delicacy, render any mystery about it necessary. It is from that very erratic being, Lady Hester Stanhope, and was written to inquire the character of a groom, who had been in his service: it bears the Cheltenham postmark.

"August 30th, 1803.

"If you are as conceited as formerly, I shall stand accused of taking your groom, to give me an opportunity of writing to you for his character. All the inquiry I wish to make upon this subject is, to be informed whether you were as well satisfied with