Lady Dufferin to Miss Berry-A Lady's Experience at the "Old Bailey." the most pleasing and gratifying nature. It is true that I have only got back three pairs and a half of stockings, one gown, and two shawls; but that is but a trifling consideration in studying the glorious institutions of our country. We were treated with the greatest respect, and ham sandwiches; and two magistrates handed us down to the carriage. For my part, I could not think we were in the criminal court, as the law was so uncommonly civil. But I will reserve any observations I may have made in those pleasant and polite regions until we meet, which I hope will be soon after I leave Hampton, and I shall make it a point to call on the hermits of Curson street as soon as I go to town. I was so glad to hear such excellent accounts of your health and looks from Frederick Pigou, for you were very unwell when I left England about this time two years ago. * * * * * * I began a little note to you the other day to thank you for your kind remembrance of me, and for your coming so far to see me (which opportunity I was very sorry to have missed); but my note, in the agitating agonies of packing up, disappeared, and I have not strength of mind to begin another. My mother and I have returned to this place for a few days, in order to make an ineffectual grasp upon any remaining property that we may have in the world. Of course, you have heard that we were robbed and murdered the other night by a certain soft-spoken cook, who headed a storming party of banditti through my mother's kitchen window; if not, you will see the full, true, and dreadful particulars in the papers, as we are to be "had up" at the Old Bailey on Monday next for the trial. We have seen a great deal of life, and learned a great deal of the criminal law of England this week-knowledge cheaply purchased at the cost of all my wardrobe and all my mother's plate. Lady Dufferin to Miss Berry-A Lady's Experience at the "Old Bailey." We have gone through two examinations in court; they were very hurrying and agitating affairs, and I had to kiss either the Bible or the magistrate, I don't recollect which, but it smelt of thumbs. The magistrates seemed to take less interest in my clothes than in my mother's spoons-I suppose from secret affinity or congeniality, which they were conscious of, similis gaudet, something (I have lost my Latin with the rest of my property). When I say "similis," I don't so much allude to the purity of the metal, as to its particular form. وو I find that the idea of personal property is a fascinating illusion, for our goods belong in fact to our country and not to us; and that the petticoats and stockings I have fondly imagined mine, are really the petticoats of Great Britain and Ireland. I am now and then indulged with a distant glimpse of my most necessary garments in the hands of different policemen ; but "in this stage of the proceedings" may do no more than wistfully recognize them. Even on such occasions, the words of Justice are, "Policeman B, 25, produce your gowns. "Letter A, 36, identify your lace." "Letter C, tie up your stockings." All this is harrowing to the feelings, but one cannot have every thing in this life. We have obtained justice, and can easily wait for a change of linen. Hopes are held out to us, that at some vague period in the lapse of time we may be allowed a wear out of our raiment—at least so much of it as may have resisted the wear and tear of justice; and my poor mother looks confidently forward to being restored to the bosom of her silver teapot. But I don't know! I begin to look upon all property with a philosophic eye, as unstable in its nature, and liable to all sorts of pawn-brokers; moreover, the police and I have so long had my clothes in common, that I shall never feel at home in them Hannah More to Mr. Wilberforce-Barley Wood "No Hermitage." again. To a virtuous mind the idea that "Inspector Dousett” examined into all one's hooks and eyes, tapes and buttons, etc., is inexpressibly painful. But I cannot pursue that view of the subject. Let me hope, dear Miss Berry, that you feel for us as we really deserve, and that you wish me well "thro' my clothes on Monday next! If I were sure you are at Richmond still, I might endeavor to return your kind visit; but at present our costumes are too light and our hearts too heavy for the empty forms and ceremonies of social intercourse. I hope, however, to see you ere very long; and with very kind remembrances to your sister, believe me, yours very truly. XXXV.—BARLEY WOOD "NO HERMITAGE.” Hannah More to Mr. Wilberforce. BARLEY WOOD, 1816. MY DEAR FRIEND: I was glad to receive even your promissory note, though it was not followed by the prompt payment it announced. I do not mean your half bank-note of £50, which came safe, but your letter. The papers told us of-not your honors, but those of the regent-for surely he never did himself so much credit as in seeking your society; and though it does yoU no good, yet it will do good in too many ways for me to specify. I have been ill since my last attack of fever, my nights being not only wakeful, but harassing and distressing. I am getting better, though I thought I was rapidly breaking up. The fever has left me a wholesome warning. Like Barzillai, I have long ceased "to hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women; but now, though I hope I can still "discern between good and evil," "thy servant cannot taste what I eat or what I Hannah More to Mr. Wilberforce-Barley Wood "No Hermitage." drink ; that is, I have lost the two senses of smell and taste completely, for six weeks. It has given me an excellent lesson not to overlook common mercies, for I forgot to value these blessings till I had lost them; the loss, too, is a good corrective of sensuality, as I know not bread from meat. You bid me not be silent under the pretence of living in a hermitage. Alas! Barley Wood is nothing less. Thinking it right, almost twenty years ago, to gain a little interval between the world and the grave, when I renounced the society of the great and the gay, the learned and the witty, I fully made up my mind to associate only with country people. Yet it so happens that the retirement I sought I have never yet been able to find; for though we neither return visits nor give invitations, I think, except when quite confined by sickness, I never saw more people, known and unknown, in my gayest days. They come to me as to the witch of Endor; and I suppose I shall soon be desired to tell fortunes and cast nativities. I do little or no good to their minds, and they do much harm to my body, as talking so much inflames my chest. In spite of our inability to attend in winter, our schools are very flourishing. We have pious, faithful teachers, who have served us twenty years; and we have reason to believe that many young persons, especially at Chedder, are living in the fear of God. The evening sermons are well attended, and many seem seriously impressed. I rejoice to hear that Mrs. Stephen is better. I have but just received his masterly pamphlet. Adieu, my very dear friend. Do not forget sometimes to include in your prayers not the least affectionate of your friends, H. MORE. Sir W. W. Pepys to Hannah More-Felicity in Metaphor. Third Marriages. XXXVI.--FELICITY IN METAPHOR-THIRD MARRIAGES. Sir W. W. Pepys to Hannah More. WIMPOLE STREET, March 31, 1813. MY DEAR FRIEND: You are too well acquainted with the ceremonial between the judge and the elephant, who came both at the same time into a circuit town, which the judge settled by waiting first on the elephant, not to follow, as you have done, so good an example. I have long been in hopes of a letter from you, but as I considered your kind present on "Christian Morality” in the light of an apostolic epistle, I was not sure that you might not intend it to supply the place of a letter. I have read it with great pleasure, and, I trust, with advantage; though I confess the sensation of self-dissatisfaction, which all your writings leave upon my mind, however salutary, is rather humiliating and painful. I approve the style in which it is written, as less redundant in metaphor than your former work, and therefore better adapted, perhaps, to the solemnity of the subject; though, at the same time, I am sorry to lose the delight which I never fail to receive from your use of the metaphor, which never changes in your hands, as it does in those of some conjurers I know, from a ring to a purse, from a knife to a guinea. You and Burke are the only two persons I know who can safely be trusted with a metaphor; and it may be said of you, as I once heard a man say of him, while he was pouring forth torrents of eloquence in the House of Commons, "How closely that fellow reasons in metaphor!' It is very pleasant to see by your letter that we have been for some time past reading exactly the same books; and I do not see why two friends may not enjoy the consciousness of both being |