Could I point out the boundaries, Charlotte, it might not to some spirits be so proper: the limit might be treated as the on 3 prohibited tree in the garden. But let me say. That genius, whether in man or woman, will push itself into light. If it has a laudable tendency, let it, as a ray of the Divinity, be encouraged, as well in the one sex as in the other: I would not, by any means, have it limited: a little knowledge leads to vanity and conceit. I would only, methinks, have a parent, a governor, a preceptor, bend his strength to restrain its foi-bles; but not throw so much cold water upon the sacred flame as should quench it; since, if he did, stupidity, at least dejection, might take place of the emanation, and the person might be miserable for hfe.

W^ell, then, we must comproinise, I think, said I. But, on recollection, I thought I had injoined you. Sir Charles, to the observance of a neutrality. Harriet, whispered I, we are only, after all, to be allowed as Far as I can find, in this temporary state, like tame doves, to go about house, and-so-forth.

Harriet, could she have found time (but, by mu-tual consent, they are hardly ever asunder) would have given you a better account of this conversation than 1 have done; so would Lucy: but take it, as it offers, from

Your ever-affectionate

CHARLOTTE G.

Letter LVI.

Miss Lucy Selby to Lady L.

Sunday, November 19. My dear Lady G. insists upon my writing to your ladyship an account of the appearance which the loveliest couple in England made this day at church.

We all thought nothing could have added to the charms of our Harriet’s person; but yet her dress and jewels did. I sighed from pride for the honour of female beauty, to thin/c they did. Can my dear Harriet, thought I, exquisitely lovely as she is in any dress, be ornamented by richer silks than common, by cosUy laces, by jewels? Can dress add grace to that admirable proportion, and those fine features, to which no painter yet as ever done justice, though every family related to her has a picture of her, drawn by a different hand of emi-nence?

We admired the bridegroom as much as we did her, when (before we could have thought he had been half ready) he j oined Mrs. Shirley, my aunt iSelby, and nic, in the great parlour, completely

\oi,. \i V. 2 L dressed. But what we most admired in him was that native dignity and ease, and that inattentiveness to his own figure and appearance, which demon-strate the truly-fine gentleman, accustomed, as he is, to be always elegant.