However it stuck a little with Harriet, that she had ifiven cause to Sir Charles, in the dispute which she formerly bore a part in, relating to learning and langua<);es,* to think her more lively than she ought to be, and had spoken too lightly of languages. She sweetly blushing, like a young wife solicitous for the good opinion of the beloved of her heart, revived that cause.

He spoke very highly in her praise, upon the oc-casion; owned, that the letters he had been favoured with the sight of, had given him deeper impressions in her favour, than even her beauty: hoped for far-ther coinmunicalions; applauded her for her princi — ples, and her inoffensive vivacity That sweet, that innocent vivacity, and noble frankness of heart, said he, taking her hand, which I hope you will never thii.-k of restraining.

As to the conversation you speak of, proceeded iie, I repeat, that I ivas apprehensive, when I read

* See Vol. IX. p. 70. it, that languages were spoken of in it slightly; and yet, perhaps, I am mistaken. You, rny Beauchamp, I think, if my deasest life will oblige us both by the communication, and chooses to do so (for that must be the condition on which all her goodness to us must be expected) shall be judge between us: you know better than I, what stores of unexhausted knowledge lie in the works of those great ancients, v/hich suffered in the hands of poor Mr. Walden: you know what the past and present ages have owed, and what all future will owe, to Homer, Aristotle, Virgil, Cicero; you can take in the necessity there is of restraining innovation, and preserving old rules and institutions, and of employing the youth of our sex, who would otherwise be much worse employed (as we see in those who neglect their studies) in the attainment of languages that can convey to them such lights in every science: though it were to be wished, that morals should take up more of the learner’s attention than they generally do. You know, that the truest parts of learning are to be found in the Roman and Greek writers; and you know, that translation (were every thing worthy our notice translated) cannot convey those beauties which scholars only can relish; and which learned foreigners, if a man travels, will expect should not have escaped his observation. As to the ladies, Mrs. Shirley has admirably observed, that there is a degree of knowledge very compatible with their duties (Condescending excellence! bowing to Mrs. Shirley) and highly becoming them; such as will make them rejoice, and, I will add, improve a man of sense, sweeten his manners, and render him a much more sociable, a nmcli more amiable creature, and of consequence, greatly more happy in him-self than otherwise he would be from books and solitude.