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 SKETCHES OF CHA*RACTER, 
 
 OR 
 
 SPECIMENS OF REAL LIFE, 
 
 A NOVEL, 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 
 Fictions, to please, must wear the face of Truth." 
 Qui capit illefacit. 
 
 THIRD EDITION. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, 
 PATERNOSTER-ROW. 
 
 1815.
 
 Printed by A. Straharr, 
 Printers-Street, London.
 
 / r/ ^ 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 THHE flattering reception which 
 " Sketches of Character" expe- 
 rienced, has induced the Author to 
 offer a Third Edition, in which he 
 has made such alterations and addi- 
 tions, as will, he hopes, render it better 
 _ entitled to public favour. 
 - In a work intended to represent 
 i_ living manners, it was scarcely possible 
 to draw characters which might not be 
 applied to real persons ; but, though 
 the Author has endeavoured to give 
 an air of reality to the scenes and 
 cz:^ characters introduced, they are not to 
 5 A 2 be 
 
 i
 
 IV ADDRESS. 
 
 be considered as particularizing in- 
 dividuals ; and he trusts that a trifling 
 resemblance will not be construed into 
 personality, which it has been much his 
 wish to avoid. 
 
 The Author avails himself of this 
 opportunity of acknowledging the gra- 
 tifying notice taken of the work by 
 the Reviews, 
 
 PRE-
 
 PREFACE 
 
 THOUGH Prefaces are not much in favour with 
 Novel Readers, the Author requests their indul- 
 gence a few minutes, while he introduces to their 
 notice, his Sketches of Character, 
 
 The Title will no doubt deter the lovers of Romance, 
 from wasting their time, in the perusal of the following 
 pages : — should the sentimentalist deign to inspect 
 them, it is to be feared little or nothing will be found to 
 suit his taste ; and to very few, will the whole prove 
 palatable. But the Reader should not be discouraged, 
 because the first volume may disappoint him ; the second 
 or third may be found more amusing ; and if here and 
 there he should meet with some entertaining matter, 
 it is as much as is to be expected from the generality 
 of Novels : every one has parts, which are good, bad, 
 and indifferent ; even the most approved contain glaring 
 inconsistencies. 
 
 As this little Work professes to be simply Sketches of 
 Men and Manners, it must not be regarded in the more 
 serious light of a moral tale ; in which the contrast of 
 good and bad examples, forms a principal feature ; nor 
 is it indeed, consistent with real life, that virtue and 
 vice should be represented as always receiving their 
 proper rewards and punishments. 
 
 Some
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 Some of the scenes will probably be censured, ab' 
 being of too low and trivial a nature, but it must be 
 remembered that ^' man is most natural in little things," 
 — And as it may be contended that there is not a suffi- 
 cient degree of interest kept up, the Author wishes to 
 apprize his Readers that they are not to expect a long 
 chain of interesting events, or a Hero and Heroine 
 introduced as patterns of imitation, or as the chief 
 subject of these volumes ; he has attempted to draw a 
 faithful Sketch of living manners, to which end the 
 story is made subservient. Some degree of high co- 
 louring is always allowable, in order to give effect to 
 comic scenes; but the Author has endeavoured not to 
 " o'erstep the modesty of nature ^ As a negative recom- 
 mendation he trusts the following pages will be found 
 unsullied by descriptions of an immoral tendency ; and 
 though, in attempting to expose the follies of the day, 
 he has been obliged to exhibit scenes, in which society 
 appears in a trifling and vicious point of view, he hopes, 
 while they may be regarded as amusing specimens of 
 real life, they may suggest some useful reflections. 
 
 The Author, however, has not paused to moralize ; 
 he gives his Readers credit for extracting from the work, 
 such improvement as it is capable of affording, convinced 
 that instruction never makes so deep an impression, as 
 when it is the result of our own observation. 
 
 CONTENTS
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Pagk 
 Country Life i 
 
 CHAP. IL 
 private Biography , 14 
 
 CHAP. IIL 
 
 Bath — The Colonel's Lady — Mad Ross 55 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 Emily 50 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 Education »,..., 59 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 Mrs. Macmaurice's Ball 74 
 
 CHAP.
 
 via CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Page 
 The Nieces. • 95 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Sunday Morning— The Cathedral — Military The- 
 atricals — Sunday Evening 128 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The Play — The Review — A Clifton Ball — Re- 
 capitulation.. 156 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Hints to Young Ladies — A Rencontre...,. 183 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 London in Prospect „ 210
 
 SKETCHES OF CHARACTER, 
 
 OR 
 
 SPECIMENS OF REAL LIFE. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 COUNTRY LIFE. 
 
 ^ i QIR PHILIP, have you observed the 
 *^ sudden alteration in the shrubbery?" 
 said Lady Aucherly, turning her head to- 
 wards the windows, as the servants were 
 bringing in the desert, *' a week ago it exhi- 
 bited all the beautiful tints of autumn, and 
 now, scarcely a leaf remains.'* 
 
 ^* I have observed shrubberies alter in 
 November, these forty years," replied Sir 
 Philip. 
 
 " Close the shutters, Wade," said her 
 ladyship — <* I hate to see the dead leaves 
 whisking about the windows — how very 
 cold this room is." 
 
 VOL. I. B <* The
 
 2 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " The natural consequence of having 
 windows down to the ground." 
 
 " I had no idea that Aucherly Park was 
 intended for a winter's residence," retorted 
 her ladyship. 
 
 A silence ensued which lasted very nearly 
 five minutes. 
 
 " This melon," said Lady Aucherly, ** is 
 the sort you so much admired at Mr. 
 Smith-Bouverie's ; I saved some of the seed, 
 and this is the first we have raised, but I 
 question its flavour, so late in the season." 
 
 Sir Philip cast a glance at the melon, and 
 then drank off his wine and soda-water. 
 
 ** You know the Dorringtons are gone 
 to Bath ;" continued Lady Aucherly, and 
 shaking some sugar over a slice of the melon, 
 presented it to Sir Philip ; " they got there 
 in one day." — 
 
 «< And do you really think my memory 
 so bad, that after travelling so much as I 
 have, I must be reminded what journey can 
 be performed in one day ?" 
 
 <« We are all, I believe," returned her 
 ladyship, " liable to forgetfulness, or I 
 
 might
 
 Specimens^ of Real Life, S 
 
 might have recollected, that as you are sa- 
 tisfied with being eternally in the country, 
 you expect every one else to conform to 
 your caprice." 
 
 As Sir Philip had not a tart reply in readi- 
 ness, and the slice of melon still continuing 
 untouched before him, he thought he could 
 not do better than to push it from him, with 
 ** Who can eat melon in cold weather?'* 
 
 " Pepper it then/' 
 
 " You know I am forbidden to take 
 spices," said Sir Philip peevishly — "One 
 would think you wished to bring on another 
 fit of the gout." 
 
 Lady Aucherly bit the corner of her under 
 lip ; she was aware that Sir Philip had lately 
 acquired an obstinacy, which required no 
 small skill to overcome, but as she seldom 
 lost her self-possession, she was determined 
 rather to end the subject amicably, than by a 
 cutting reply to aggravate their dispute, and 
 was preparing to say something conciliatory, 
 when a footman brought in some cards, 
 wliich had been left in the morning. 
 
 " Mrs. Mansell to take leave,'' said Lady 
 B ^ Aucherly,
 
 4 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 Aucherly, ** she told me she was going to 
 Bath ; — every one goes to Bath at this time 
 of the year, wlien the country begins to look 
 so bleak ; I wonder you won't take the phy- 
 sician's advice and try the Bath waters — 
 you know they say a fit of the gout would 
 be of infinite service to you." 
 
 ** Can any thing be more absurd," said 
 the baronet with warmth, *« here I am en- 
 joying tolerable health, with occasional at- 
 tacks of the gout, which render me uncom- 
 fortable enough, and you would recommend 
 me to bring on a fit — which might kill me 
 perhaps." 
 
 ** You wilfully misconstrue the advice 
 given you, Sir Philip ; you are now continu- 
 ally tormented with the gout for a length 
 of time, but if you would be persuaded 
 to- " 
 
 " I hate Bath — it's a splendid hospital — 
 a fashionable infirmary, where one cannot stir 
 a step, without being reminded by a thousand 
 martyrs to the same complaint, what an 
 object of compassion one must appear." 
 
 •* At the same time," replied her lady- 
 ship,
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 5 
 
 ship, ** you would have the satisfaction of 
 hearing every day of persons who have been 
 relieved, and nothing is so cheering to a per- 
 son in ill health, as the hope of receiving 
 similar benefit." 
 
 ** But you will allow, I suppose," said Sir 
 Philip, " that all who go to Bath are not 
 cured, and if I should be one of those, I fear 
 the recovery of others, instead of cheering 
 me, would only irritate my temper ; we are 
 all too apt to be impatient under painful dis- 
 orders, and I do not pretend to more forti- 
 tude than my neighbours." 
 
 " Well," said her ladyship, poking the 
 fire, and making a blaze, ** I hope we sha'n't 
 liave so severe a winter as the last — " 
 
 " Now I must trouble you for the 
 screen." 
 
 *' I thought you seemed cold — suppose 
 we send for the Newtons, to make up a 
 rubber?" 
 
 ** You generally affect to dislike Mrs. 
 Newton." 
 
 " As a companion, certainly, but I have 
 no objection to play cards with her, though 
 she w/7/ say, ** Can ye one partner ?*' 
 
 B 3 ** Do
 
 6 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " Do as you please." 
 
 *« Shall we see them in the drawing-room 
 or the library ?" 
 
 ** As you please." 
 
 Lady Aucherly left the baronet to his 
 accustomed afternoon's nap : she did not 
 feel much disappointed in his opposition to 
 her wishes, as she had not been very san. 
 guine in her expectations, and she now per- 
 ceived that the only chance of reviving her 
 scheme for passing two or three winter 
 months at Bath with success, was to drop 
 the subject before it had excited an absolute 
 disgust ; hoping therefore to restore good 
 humour by a rubber of whist, Sir Philip's 
 favourite game, she proposed inviting the 
 Newtons, though they were persons w^hose 
 style of life was too domestic, for their com- 
 pany to give her the slightest pleasure j but 
 as they lived very near the Park, the}^ were 
 often invited to help off a dull evening. 
 
 •* How soon do you expect your friends ?" 
 said Sir Philip, hobbling into the library. 
 
 " Immediately — they know we wish them 
 to come early." 
 
 *« I hope
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 7 
 
 *' I hope they wont be long — I want my 
 coffee sadly — is it ready?" 
 
 ** WouM'nt you wait — '* 
 
 ** True, I'd pay every respect to your 
 company." 
 
 Mr, Mrs. and Miss Newton were soon 
 afterwards announced. 
 
 Sir Philip, with a frown, said he was glad 
 to see them all, and her ladyship expressed 
 a disappointment at not seeing both the 
 young ladies. 
 
 " If she had been at home," said Mrs. 
 Newton, " I am sure she would have been 
 happy to have waited of you." 
 
 " And where is Miss Fanny ?" said Lady 
 Aiicherly. 
 
 *« She is still on a visit with her Grand- 
 mother, at Exeter." 
 
 *« And they have been so gay, she writes 
 me,^' said Miss Newton — ^* She was at the 
 Assize Ball — and she danced with a Captain 
 Macmaurice of the Queen's Bays — he's some 
 relation I believe of your ladysiiips." 
 
 '' My brother married Captain Macmau- 
 rice*s aunt." 
 
 B 4 " Ah,
 
 8 Sketclies of Character, or 
 
 ** Ah, that agrees with what Fanny says^ 
 and he's going soon to pay a visit to his 
 father, at Bristol.'* 
 
 " Who will play cards ?" asked Sir 
 Philip. 
 
 « I'll sit out," said Lady Aucherly, ** I 
 prefer looking on." 
 
 <* I never play cards," said Miss Newton* 
 
 ** Oh, true, but we must teach you, 
 I cannot suffer you to sit out doing no- 
 thing." 
 
 <^ Eliza has her work with her," observed 
 Mrs. Newton, " and indeed I have brought 
 mine too." 
 
 " And much better employment than 
 cards," added Sir Philip. 
 
 «* But dont you wish to play?" said her 
 ladyship. 
 
 " Not to night, but Mr. Newton will 
 have no objection, I dare say, to attack me 
 at chess." 
 
 " None in the world," said Mr. Newton, 
 rubbing his hands ; and the chess-board was- 
 called for. 
 
 Lady
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 9 
 
 Lady Aucherly's spirits sank within her, 
 as Mrs. and Miss Newton took out their 
 w^ork. 
 
 *' Is that a purse you're netting?" en- 
 quired her ladyship, contracting her eyes 
 with a frown, and half raising her eye-glass. 
 
 *' Oh no," rephed Miss Newton, ** it's 
 lace to go round my gown." 
 
 *' Wont it hurt your eyes to work at it 
 by candle-light?" 
 
 ** There Ehza ! you see her ladyship 
 agrees with your father and me, — you had 
 better give it up ; she's at it all day, and I 
 may say half the night — early and late." 
 
 ** What patience Miss Eliza must have," 
 exclaimed Lady Aucherly, closing her eyes, 
 and gently raising them to the painted ceil- 
 ing, while she passed her hand across her 
 mouth to conceal a yawn. 
 
 ** There's check to your King," said Sir 
 Philip. 
 
 <* What a stupid game that is," observed 
 Lady Aucherly to Miss Newton. 
 
 ** Oh, I play at it very often, it's a fa- 
 vourite game of mine." 
 
 B 5 "Is
 
 10 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 " Is it," said her ladyship, with languid 
 indifference. *' And so your sister is de- 
 lighted with the gaieties of Exeter — for my 
 part, I could never endure the sight of the 
 place." 
 
 «« Yes," said Mrs. Newton, " but the 
 society and friends she meets with, make it 
 very agreeable to my daughter." 
 
 " True, society will make any place de- 
 lightful." 
 
 " YouVe lost your neighbours the Dor- 
 ringtons for this winter I hear," said Mrs. 
 l^ewton. 
 
 " They're gone to Bath — so are Mr. and 
 Mrs. Mansell, and I must say," continued 
 Lady Aucherly, *' I should like to spend a 
 month or two there, myself. My brother's 
 regiment is at Bristol, and my sister Mrs. St. 
 Clair and her daughter are at CHfton." 
 
 " Sir Philip's so fond of retirement," said 
 Mrs. Newton, « that I think we shall always 
 have the pleasure of having you for winter 
 neighbours." 
 
 " The pleasure will be reciprocal," said 
 her ladyship, with concealed contempt. 
 
 2 The
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 11 
 
 The evening now grew more and more 
 insipid, and the supper tray having been 
 introduced, and a lanthorn of the Newtons 
 announced, they took leave. 
 
 ** Heavens be praised !" cried Lady 
 Aucherly, throwing herself on a sofa — 
 ** How could they think of bringing that 
 stupe of a Miss Newton ? — Fanny is a smart 
 girl- — tiresome evening V^ 
 
 ** You "would have them," replied Sir 
 Philip, kicking her ladyship's Bijou from 
 the hearth rug. 
 
 ** I thought you w^ould have played cards.** 
 
 *< I never said soj on the contrary, I rather 
 discouraged their coming." 
 
 " Good G-d !" exclaimed Lady Aucherly, 
 rising hastily, and ringing for her woman, 
 retired to her chamber. 
 
 The next morning, Sir Phihp received 
 several letters, one of which only was of any 
 consequence — it occasioned him a great deal 
 of consideration : he however put it in his 
 pocket before Lady Aucherly came down to 
 breakfast. She was glad to find him in a 
 better humour than on the preceding 
 B 6 evening,
 
 Is sketches of Character, or 
 
 evening, and was all astonishment ^vhcn he 
 told her he had made up his mind to go to 
 Bath. 
 
 Her ladyship was sure it would be of 
 service to him. 
 
 " And the sooner the better," said he. 
 
 Her ladyship perfectly agreed ; orders 
 were immediately issued to the household 
 for their journey, and Lady Aucherly wrote 
 to Bath for the best lodgings that could be 
 procured. 
 
 Every thing now went on smoothly, Lady 
 Aucherly seemed the happiest woman on 
 earth, and actually assisted GifFord in pack- 
 ing up her clothes. 
 
 The travelling chaise was at tlie door by 
 nine o'clock, but it was not till Lady Au- 
 cherly heard the lodge gate clasp together 
 that she could persuade herself it was not 
 all a dream. 
 
 They travelled on for some time, making 
 such observations as the surrounding objects 
 naturally suggested. Lady Aucherly was 
 all spirits and vivacity, and by keeping up a 
 chearful conversation, endeavoured to make 
 the time pass on the road as pleasantly as 
 
 possible
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 13 
 
 possible — at length, after a short pause, Sir 
 Philip said he had heard, Simmons and his 
 family were at Bath. 
 
 Half the pleasure which Lady Aucherly 
 anticipated to receive there, vanished at this 
 intelligence, though she exclaimed with a 
 smile, " how fortunate r* 
 
 She had not spirits to enquire how Sir 
 Philip had learnt the news ; he saved her 
 the trouble ; and producing the letter he 
 had received, he read part of it to her : it 
 was from Mr. Simmons, who mentioned that 
 having had a paralytic stroke, he was or- 
 dered to Bath, and had taken lodgings on 
 the South Parade, where he and his family 
 then were. 
 
 Lady Aucherly recovered her presence of 
 mind sufficiently to make some suitable ob- . 
 servations on the occasion : she immediately 
 perceived what had induced Sir Philip to 
 take the journey, and as she foresaw ** Sim- 
 mons and his family'^ were likely to be a 
 clog on her plans, she got out of the chaise, 
 on their arrival in Milsom-street, with sen- 
 sations very different from those she had felt^> 
 on entering it. 
 
 CHAP-
 
 14i Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 PRIVATE BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 SIR John Aucherly, tlie father of Sir 
 Philip, was generally allowed to be a 
 most excellent character, yet his good qua- 
 lities were not a little shaded by an inherent 
 pride of ancestry and an austerity of manners; 
 which traits were considerably strengthened 
 by his marriage with his first cousin on the 
 Aucherly side, a lady of a haughty and im- 
 perious disposition. 
 
 They were blessed with several children, 
 two of which only survived, a daughter and 
 a son — these, Sir John educated with the 
 greatest care, and most people thought with 
 too great a strictness, for the consequence 
 was, his children were frequently driven to 
 the humiliation of deceiving their father, to 
 screen themselves from his anger. 
 
 The brother and sister being thus engaged 
 
 in
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 15 
 
 in one common cause, their affection for each 
 other became every day stronger, while that 
 for their parents gradually decreased. 
 
 Miss Aucherly was several years older 
 than her brother, and as she pitied the seve- 
 rity which his tender years received, he soon 
 made her the confident of his sufferings, all 
 his little griefs w^ere poured into the sympa- 
 thising bosom of his sister ; and though Lady 
 Aucherly was not absolutely destitute of ma- 
 ternal tenderness, yet it was accompanied 
 with such formal marks of affection, and so 
 blended with parental authority, that she 
 rather inspired him with awe than love. 
 
 Miss Aucherly, however, being more im- 
 mediately under the eye of her ladyship, ex- 
 perienced all the irritable dissatisfaction of 
 a* mother, expecting her daughter to excel 
 in every accomplishment ; besides which, 
 she was obliged to submit, for hours at a 
 time, to hear her mother expatiate on the 
 mode of conduct proper to be adopted by a 
 young lady of Miss Aucherly's rank ; but 
 Lady Aucherly laboured in vain to instil into 
 her daughter's mind exalted ideas of the 
 
 dignity
 
 16 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 dignity of her family ; from continual repe- 
 tition, the subject became disgusting. Miss 
 Aucherly had too much sense not to con- 
 demn the folly of entertaining such senti- 
 ments ; and though she apparently acqui- 
 esced in the opinions of her mother and Sir 
 John, she cherished principles diametrically 
 opposite. She was accidentally introduced 
 to a gentleman of the name of Simmons, a 
 man of most amiable manners, who, after 
 being a few times in her company, com- 
 pletely won her affections. Miss Aucherly 
 knew her father would not listen to Mr. 
 Simmons' s proposals; he was in trade; and 
 though the house of Grimshaw and Sim- 
 mons stood as high as any in the city in the 
 same line, yet Miss Aucherly was well 
 aware, his being in trade was an obstacle 
 impossible to be surmounted, and as she was 
 of age, she asserted her right, at the expence 
 of her parents' resentment, and consented 
 to a private marriage. 
 
 Sir John and Lady Aucherly were ex- 
 asperated ; their pride had received a wound 
 never to be healed. 
 
 Miss
 
 Specimens of Real Life* 17 
 
 Miss Aucherly's friends, who wished to 
 accomplish a reconciliation, represented Mr. 
 Simmons as a person not to be despised ; 
 his fortune, his respectable character, every 
 thing was urged in his favour ; but in vain : 
 Sir John and her ladyship would listen to 
 no extenuation of the offence ; they shut 
 their doors against their only daughter for 
 ever. 
 
 Philip was at school when this affair hap- 
 pened, and on his return home, had to de- 
 plore the loss of his sister's counsel on many 
 a trying occasion. 
 
 The tempers of Sir John and Lady Au- 
 cherly acquired a greater asperity from the 
 mortification they suffered. Philip rejoiced 
 when the holidays were over ; and while his 
 school-fellows were eagerly counting the mi- 
 nutes that would elapse before they should 
 again join their beloved circle of friends, 
 Philip could not help sighing to think of 
 the difference in his lot. 
 
 As he grew up, he found frequent oppor- 
 tunities of seeing \m sister ; and on iiis going 
 
 abroad,
 
 18 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 abroad, he took a most affectionate leave of 
 her. 
 
 Sir John had often felt a wish for a re- 
 conciiiation with his forsaken daughter, but 
 as often as he spoke on the subject, Lady 
 Aucherly, with a bitterness unbecoming her 
 sex or character as a mother, checked every 
 risiVig emotion of tenderness in his breast. 
 What he had once condemned, he now, 
 therefore, maintained 5 and though he really 
 sighed for his daughter's company, he still 
 refused to see her, lest, by doing so, he 
 should acknowledge to the world he had be- 
 fore been in error. 
 
 When Philip was on his travels, Sir John 
 was taken dangerously ill ; his son was 
 shocked at the alarming accounts he re- 
 ceived, and hastened hom.e ; but ere he 
 quitted the Continent, a letter arrived, in- 
 forming him of the fatal termination of his 
 father's illness. 
 
 Tlie death of a parent can hardly fail of 
 softening the heart of the most unfeeling- 
 child : Sir Philip w^as naturally of an affec- 
 tionate disposition, and bad he received dif- 
 ferent
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 19 
 
 ferent treatment from his father, lie would 
 have mourned his loss with the sincerest sor- 
 row; but it must be confessed, that after the 
 first emotions of grief were subsided, he 
 regarded the event with mingled sensations 
 of regret and satisfaction. He rather la- 
 mented that he had not been blessed with a 
 father, for whose death he should have felt 
 the deepest affliction, than wished to recall 
 him to life ; for it cannot but follow that the 
 tie of nature must be weakened, when the 
 father acts the guardian instead of the pa- 
 rent, and governs his children more by fear 
 than love. 
 
 Sir Philip was now in one of the iliost 
 dangerous situations in which a young n^an 
 can be placed. He was master of a large 
 fortune, and at liberty to act as he pleased ; 
 it was therefore not unlikely, from his 
 having been hitherto denied the means of va- 
 rious enjoyments, that he would now plunge 
 into the extreme of dissipation and extrava- 
 gance ; his acquaintance was courted by 
 crowds of flatterers, who were all desirous 
 of engaging his friendship ; Sir Philip, how- 
 ever,
 
 20 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 ev^er, had sense enough to choose his own 
 friends, and though they were young men of 
 dissipated characters, they were men of ho- 
 nour ; they had no wish to intice their friend 
 to a gaming-table, in the hope of enriching 
 themselves by his inexperience ; they, on 
 the contrary, rather warned him from the 
 dangers attendant on a love for play. 
 
 The young baronet was sensible of their 
 good intentions, and profited by their advice. 
 The gaieties of the beau monde, however, 
 were irresistible, and Sir PhiHp yielded to 
 the fashion of the day, and became one of 
 the most eager votaries in the pursuit of 
 pleasure. 
 
 He was conspicuous at every place of fa- 
 shionable resort, and soon found himself at- 
 tacked by all the beauties who were engaged 
 in matrimonial speculation ; but on his 
 being introduced to Mrs. Lethbridge and 
 her two beautiful daughters, it was soon ob- 
 served that Caroline Lethbridge li^d com- 
 pletely the advantage over all other compe- 
 titors for the baronet's heart. 
 
 Mrs. Lethbridge liad been accustomed to 
 
 a fashion-
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 21 
 
 a fashionable life from lier infancy ; all her 
 ideas of happiness centered in the pleasures 
 of affluence ; great then was her grief on the 
 death of Mr. Lethbridge, when she learnt 
 that his affairs were not a little embarrassed 
 by the extravagant life they had led. She 
 now found herself obliged to exchange the 
 elegant house and luxurious life to which she 
 had been accustomed, for an humble resi- 
 dence and prudential economy ; for upon an 
 investigation of Mr. Lethbridge's property, 
 after paying his large debts, there remained 
 but a straightened income for the widow, 
 very small portions for her daughters, and 
 the wreck of a once large estate for the son. 
 
 Bitterly did Mrs. Lethbridge suffer the 
 reverse of fortune ; her only hope of regain- 
 ing some of her former consequence rested 
 on her children ; if they marry well, she 
 would think to herself, I will again hold up 
 my head ; till then I must bend to my fate. 
 
 The best part of her conduct appeared in 
 the sacrifices she made for the benefit of her 
 children, though not entirely without selfish 
 motives : her income was very small, yet she 
 
 contrived.
 
 22 Sketches of Character y or 
 
 contrived, by living in retirement in a cheap 
 part of England, to save enough to educate 
 her children without injuring their little for- 
 tunes, and to purchase a commission for her 
 son in the army. 
 
 Her daughters were placed at an expen- 
 sive fashionable seminary, where only a li- 
 mited number of pupils were received ; and 
 her son had the advantage of a college edu- 
 cation. 
 
 The Miss Lethbridges left Mrs. Allen's 
 when the eldest was just seventeen, and Ca- 
 roline a year younger ; the pleasure they an- 
 ticipated on returning home was consider- 
 ably clouded by leaving their young friends, 
 particularly Laura Stephens, between whom 
 and Caroline Lethb ridge a more than com- 
 mon degree of friendship subsisted. 
 
 Mrs. Lethbridge received her daughters 
 with rapture ; they were beautiful, accom- 
 plished to her satisfaction, and submissive to 
 her directions. She now determined to 
 emerge from her obscurity, and exhibit her 
 daughters at Bath, where the concourse of 
 company, and the cheapness of the amuse- 
 ments
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 23 
 
 merits, rendered it a very proper theatre for 
 her plans ; but unfortunately, though Bath 
 was very full, and many dashing men ap- 
 peared there, she soon perceived there was 
 not one of sufficient rank or fortune to an- 
 swer her designs ; she therefore prudently 
 withdrew from the scene, and contented her- 
 self with retiring, for the remainder of the 
 winter, to her former residence. 
 
 The following summer was a remarkably 
 gay season at Brighton, and Mrs. Lethbridge 
 repaired thither with her daughters at the 
 time Sir Philip Aucherly was sporting his 
 phaeton and four in hand. 
 
 Mrs. Lethbridge studied Sir Philip's cha- 
 racter, and gave her daughters directions ac- 
 cordingly : the youngest attached herself to 
 the baronet, and married him, and the eldest 
 had the good fortune to captivate Lieutenant 
 St. Clair, of the navy, a cousin of the Duke 
 of Montolieu, to whom she was soon after- 
 wards united. 
 
 Mrs. Lethbridge congratulated herself 
 upon the success of her schemes, and now 
 looked forwards to being again recognized 
 
 in
 
 24 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 in the fashionable world ; her hopes, how- 
 ever, were of very short duration ; she died 
 within a year after Caroline's marriage. 
 
 Sir Philip, proud of his beautiful wife, set- 
 tled in town, where Lady Aucherly distin- 
 guished herself by superior elegance of man- 
 ners. Her portrait at full length had been 
 exquisitely painted, and exhibited at Somer- 
 set House, and in a short time afterwards a 
 fine engraving of her ladyship appeared at 
 all the print shops. Sir Philip's vanity was 
 gratified, and as he adored his wife, she soon 
 obtained an ascendancy over him, of which 
 he was not aware ; for on his father's death 
 he had resolved to maintain his own will, but 
 Lady Aucherly had such an insinuating me- 
 thod of accomplishing her wishes, that Sir 
 Philip imagined he always had his own way. 
 
 Repeated successes, however, having made 
 her ladyship very bold in her managing 
 schemes. Sir Philip began, by degrees, to see 
 through her manoeuvring system, and when 
 he suspected himself attacked, would often 
 obstinately oppose her, even when his incli- 
 nations coincided with her own. 
 
 Lady
 
 Spechnens of Real Life* 25 
 
 Lady Aucherly saw her declining power 
 with poignant grief, but was still unwilling 
 to relinquish her former command. Sir 
 Philip was warm in his attachments j and 
 though he often contradicted his wife, it was 
 more from a wish to maintain his authority, 
 than from a premeditated desire of thwart- 
 ing her inclinations. 
 
 For many years after their marriage, they 
 lived in the utmost harmony, and partook of 
 all the scenes in fashionable life, till Sir Phi- 
 lip's health made a country life requisite : at 
 Aucherly Park he recovered ; and by a strict 
 attention to temperance and exercise, endea- 
 voured to keep the gout at a distance. 
 
 It must not be supposed that Sir Philip 
 had neglected his sister all this time ; he had 
 still the most lively aftection for her, but as 
 she led a very different life from Lady 
 Aucherly, and was taken up with the care 
 of a large family, they were not much toge- 
 ther. Her death, which happened about 
 five years after Sir Philip's marriage, deeply 
 aftected him, and he transferred his affection 
 for his sister, to her daughters, who were now 
 VOL. I. c brought
 
 26 Sketches of Character , or 
 
 brought up under the eye of Mrs. Simmons, 
 their aunt. 
 
 Aucherly Park was situated in a dehght- 
 ful part of Devonshire, about fifteen miles 
 from Exeter, commanding a beautiful pros- 
 pect of the surrounding country, and a dis- 
 tant view of the. sea. 
 
 There were many families of distinction 
 within the circle of twelve miles, but their 
 nearest neighbour of any rank was the Hon. 
 Mr. Dorrington, whose residence, Compton 
 Stoke, lay about three miles from Aucherly 
 Park. 
 
 Another seat also appeared at about the 
 same distance, w^hich had been lately pur- 
 chased by Mr. Mansell, a gentleman of 
 great respectability. He had received a 
 large fortune with his wife, who on that 
 account thought she had a right to enjoy it 
 as she pleased ; and as Mr. Mansell prefer- 
 red peace to the whining complaints of a 
 silly wife, he let her have her own way, par- 
 ticularly as it did not much interfere with 
 his own sources of amusement. They had no 
 children; and as Mrs Mansell was fond of 
 
 company,
 
 Speckmis of Real Life. Tl 
 
 company, and doated on London and fa- 
 shionable watering places, their residence 
 was very unsettled, and they were nevermore 
 than three months in the summer at Myrtle 
 Vale. Though Lady Aucherly had the ut- 
 most contempt for her silly neighbour, they 
 were nevertheless a good deal together, dur- 
 ing Mrs. ManselPs stay in the country, and 
 as that lady was delighted with titles, she 
 boasted every where, how intimate she was 
 with Lady Aucherly. 
 
 The Dorringtons were very different cha- 
 racters, both from Lady Aucherly and Mrs. 
 Mansell. 
 
 Mr. Dorrington had made choice of a 
 wife, rather from the excellence of her un- 
 derstanding, than either beauty of person or 
 fashionable accomplishments, though Mrs. 
 Dorrington was by no meafts deficient in 
 tlie one or the other. 
 
 The world was a little astonished at the 
 match, as his alliance would have been ea- 
 gerly accepted by the first families in the 
 kingdom ; but Mr. Dorrington felt he had 
 good reason to congratulate himself on the 
 c % choice
 
 S8 Sketches of Omracter, or 
 
 choice he had made, being in possession of 
 a comfortable home, a well regulated family, 
 and a sensible companion. 
 
 Mr. Dorrington had three daughters, 
 whose education Mrs. Dorrington was well 
 qualified to superintend. While the Miss 
 Dorringtons were merely children, their 
 mother had been contented with a governess 
 who had been recommended to her more for 
 her moral character than shining abilities ; 
 but as the young ladies grew older, it was 
 desirable that they should have a governess, 
 in whom both requisites should be united ; 
 and though the wish appeared at first almost 
 unattainable, yet Mrs. Dorrington was for- 
 tunate enough to meet with a lady, who, in 
 every respect, answered her most sanguine 
 hopes. 
 
 Mrs. Lovell, a lady from Jamaica, whose 
 husband had died in embarrassed circum- 
 stances, had returned to England, with the 
 intention of setting up a school principally 
 for young ladies from the West-Indies. — 
 Her plan met with encouragement beyond 
 her expectation, and after a few years she 
 
 found
 
 Sp€cme?7s of Real Life. QQ 
 
 found herself enabled to relinquish her 
 school for the enjoyment of a well-earned 
 competency, but unfortunately, the persons 
 entrusted with her property soon afterwards 
 became bankrupts. 
 
 Report had with justice given to Mrs. 
 Lovell the character of a sensible, amiable, 
 and accomplished woman. Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton heard of her misfortunes, and under- 
 standing she was about to re-establish her 
 school, it occurred to her, that if the situation 
 of governess could be made an object of 
 sufficient importance to her, there was no 
 person in the world to whom she could en- 
 trust the education of her daughters with so 
 much confidence. She accordingly called 
 on Mrs. Lovell, and delicately proposed her 
 plan; Mrs. Lovell expressed herself flat- 
 tered by Mrs. Dorrington's approbation, but 
 feared there was one obstacle to the proposals 
 " And what is that ?" said Mrs. Dorrington. 
 ** I will inform you. Madam," rephed Mrs, 
 Lovell, rising ; and quitting the room a few 
 minutes, returned, leading in a lovely little 
 girl, about ten years of age. 
 
 c S ** This
 
 so Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " This sweet creature,'' said she, " was 
 entrusted to my care, under some peculiar 
 circumstances : her father and mother are 
 both dead, but she is fortunately made inde- 
 pendent ; her father left her an annuity of 
 two hundred pounds, and appointed me her 
 guardian, though I never saw him. But I 
 will enter on her story another time j she 
 has been the constant companion of all my 
 leisure hours ; her education has been a plea- 
 sure to me ; and I am happy to say, that, 
 young as she is, she has made great profi- 
 ciency in various accomplishments." 
 
 This was an obstacle Mrs. Dorrington 
 had not foreseen ; and though it immedi- 
 ately occurred to her, that the little Emily 
 might be received into the family with Mrs. 
 Lovell, yet a moment's consideration sug- 
 gested to her the propriety of devoting some 
 time to reflect on the prudence and possible 
 mischiefs attending it. 
 
 Mrs. Dorrington consulted her husband 
 on the subject, and after mature deliberation, 
 they agreed to take Mrs. Lovell on her own 
 
 terms.
 
 specimens of Real Life, 31 
 
 terms, and it was settled that the little or- 
 phan should reside with them. 
 
 Such, then, was the Dorrington family; 
 and though Lady Aucherly was little less 
 annoyed by the precise behaviour of Mrs. 
 Dorrington, than by the fatiguing insigni- 
 ficance of Mrs. Mansell, she was glad of 
 having persons of their rank so near her. 
 
 Between the children of both families, 
 however, a greater degree of cordiality sub- 
 sisted J and as Caroline Aucherly, Henrietta 
 Dorrington, and the interesting Emily, 
 were nearly the same age, they soorr be- 
 came bosom friends. William Aucherly, 
 too, was permitted to share their amuse- 
 ments, and while yet a boy, Emily was his 
 avowed favourite, and his selected compa- 
 nion in all their youthful sports. The seeds 
 of affection, which had been thus early im- 
 planted in their hearts, were still alive, and 
 William was by no means backward in let- 
 ting Emily know how sincerely he loved her, 
 and she was too artless to disavow a recipro- 
 cal attachment. 
 
 c 4 William
 
 SS Sketches of Character, or 
 
 William and Caroline were now the only 
 children of Sir Philip and Lady Aucherly. 
 
 William had just left Eton, and was pur- 
 suing his studies at Oxford; and Caro- 
 line having reaped all the advantage of a 
 French governess at home, was receiving the 
 polish of a London school preparatory to her 
 entree in the beau monde. Sir Philip had 
 been much averse to his daughter's going to 
 a public seminary, but Mrs. St. Clair having 
 paid a visit at Aucherly Park, accompanied 
 by her only daughter, there appeared sucli a 
 difference between the young cousins in fa- 
 vour of Maria St. Clair, who had been edu- 
 cated at one of the first schools in town, that 
 Lady Aucherly was anxious for Caroline to 
 have the same advantage, and at length ob- 
 tained Sir Philip's consent. 
 
 Lady Aucherly had endured the insipidity 
 of a country life for four winters, with a for- 
 titude that astonished all who knew her; 'tis 
 true, during that time her daughter was at 
 home, and she took care that it should be 
 circulated, with what solicitude Lady Au- 
 cherly watched over the tender graces of one 
 
 of
 
 specimens of Real Life, 35 
 
 of the sweetest angels in the world : and 
 again, she contrived to furnish herself with 
 amusement, by inspecting the making of 
 some woollen dresses which she distributed 
 to the poor, in a severe winter : at another 
 time, whole columns in the London papers 
 were filled with an account of Lady Aucher- 
 ly's feasting the tenantry in the Park ; and 
 even last spring she had the pleasure of pre- 
 senting the Compton Volunteers with a pair 
 of colours, said to be her own work, and 
 her elegant, appropriate, and animated speech 
 on the occasion, and a long description of 
 the whole affair, appeared in the public 
 papers : but though she was flattered by the 
 popularity she gained in the country, yet it 
 was a very different style of life to that she 
 sighed for. 
 
 The Dorringtons had spent the greater 
 part of the last winter at Compton Stoke, 
 and had contributed very much to make it 
 passable ; but now, the Dorringtons had 
 already left their country residence, and 
 Lady Auclierly looked forwards with sorrow, 
 to frequent tea parties with the Newtons, 
 c 5 during
 
 34 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 during a long winter. She now and then 
 tboight it might be possible to prevail on 
 Sir Philip to quit Aucherly Park for a month 
 or two, and as the great distance made 
 London out of the question, Bath seemed 
 the only place to be approved ; Bath would 
 maintain its attractions all the winter j be- 
 sides which, she had the excuse of its 
 waters being recommended to Sir Philip : 
 he, however, opposed her scheme, but on 
 receiving a letter from his brother-in-law, it 
 occurred to him, that he could at the same 
 time gratify Lady Aucherly, and have the 
 pleasure of seeing the children of his beloved 
 sister. The Miss Simmonses had been se- 
 veral times on a visit at Aucherly Park, but 
 owing to their father's ill health, it was now 
 a long time since Sir Philip had seen them. 
 
 CHAP-
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 35 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 BATH. THE COLONEl's LADY. 
 
 MAD ROSS. 
 
 nr^HE next morning, after Sir Philip's arri- 
 -*- val in Bath, he wrote a note to Mr. 
 Simmons, to apprize him of it, and Lady 
 Aucherly added a postscript, hoping to ^ee 
 the young ladies soon. 
 
 This note had scarcely been dispatched 
 half an hour, before Mr. Simmons, who was 
 now well enough to come out, and three of 
 his daughters, w ere announced. Sir Philip 
 was friendly and affectionate. Lady Au- 
 cherly appeared delighted to see them, and 
 made enquiries after her Bath acquaintance j 
 but as the young ladies had not been there 
 long, and had been at no public amusement^ 
 c 6 thejr
 
 36 Sketches of Character, o/- 
 
 they could give but a very imperfect ac- 
 count. 
 
 « We should like to go to the ball to- 
 night,'* said Miss Catharine Simmons, ** but 
 we know no married lady to go with.'* 
 
 " Lady Aucherly will have no objection, 
 I am sure," said Sir Philip, " to go to a 
 ball." 
 
 " I'll accompany you with the greatest 
 pleasure," added her ladyship. 
 
 The young ladies were delighted, and it 
 was settled that they and their sisters should 
 drink tea in Milsom-street, and proceed to 
 the rooms with her ladyship. 
 
 At eight o'clock the Miss Simmonses 
 were seated in Lady Aucherly' s drawing- 
 room, long before her ladyship was ready 
 to receive them, and Sir Philip was enjoy- 
 ing a nap in the parlour. 
 
 «* What nice lodgings these are," said 
 Miss Mary Simmons. 
 
 ** By far the best situation in Bath, in my 
 opinion," said one of her sisters. 
 
 ** The South Parade is so dull," said , 
 Jessy. — " And so far from the crescent," 
 
 added
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 37 
 
 added Phoebe, " that I declare we seem to 
 be quite a different sort of people.'' 
 
 " How gay we shall be to-night, my aunt 
 knows so many smart people," whispered 
 Jessy, as she heard Lady Aucherly descend- 
 ing the stairs, and who presently entered, 
 kindly welcoming them with many apologies 
 for not being ready when they came, though 
 she was not a little chagrined that all her 
 nieces should have thought proper to accept 
 the invitation ; but as they were all prepared 
 to go, it was impossible to leave any behind. 
 
 Soon after nine. Lady Aucherly entered 
 the upper rooms with her nieces ; she soon 
 recognized many of her old acquaintance, 
 and two or three intimate friends, among 
 whom was the lady of Colonel Macmaurice. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice was distinguished by a 
 whimsical singularity in dress, and effron- 
 tery in her manners : she eagerly came up 
 to Lady Aucherly, and shaking her violently 
 by the hand, was overjoyed to see her, and 
 wondered what miracle had released her 
 from Aucherly Park. 
 
 « We'll talk of that to-morrow.*' — " To- 
 
 night," 
 
 .•
 
 3S Sketches of Character, or 
 
 night," whispered Lady Aucherly, " my 
 business is to get these young ladies part- 
 ners.'* 
 
 " I understand you," said Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, aloud ; " the young men are so insuf- 
 ferably lazy, there's no getting them to 
 dance." 
 
 " Are your sons here?" 
 
 " Not yet, the colonel had a party to 
 dinner, but they'll all be here by and by ; I 
 see a man coming that will do for one of 
 the ladies, I'll ask him : here. Stanhope, 
 what, idle, my lad? you love dancing, I 
 know, and you must dance with a friend of 
 mine — Miss Simmons, Mr. Stanhope." 
 
 Mr. Stanhope was taken by surprize ; he 
 bowed, hesitated, and aukwardly expressed 
 how much he felt honored ; and after two of 
 her sisters had busily tucked up her gown, 
 he led Miss Martha Simmons to dance. 
 
 All the Miss Simmonses were extrava- 
 gantly fond of dancing ; and as they pa- 
 raded the room in hopes of gaining partners, 
 one of them could scarcely refrain from add- 
 ing a tremulous jig to her walk, so much 
 
 did
 
 Specmens of -Real Life, 39 
 
 did ** the Devil among the taylors" agitate 
 her frame. In the course of the evening, 
 four of them were kicky enough to obtain 
 partners, which very much reHeved Lady 
 Aucherly, who began to complain terribly 
 of the flatness of the evening, but getting 
 near Mrs. Macmaurice at tea, she felt some- 
 what more at ease. 
 
 " But what could induce you to bring 
 your nine nieces with you," said Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice in a loud whisper, " and to suffer 
 them to dress in such a manner, you'll never 
 get 'em off, if they don't dash a little ?" 
 
 " We must manage better another time," 
 said Lady Aucherly, half provoked ; and to 
 turn off the subject, enquired who were in 
 Bath. 
 
 '* Oh, all the world's here, the season was 
 never so full — how is your daughter ? Hah ! 
 here are my four boys," continued Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, without waiting to hear how 
 her ladyship's daughter was, " it's so long 
 since I've seen them all together." 
 
 Lady Aucherly cast her eyes round, and 
 
 beheld
 
 40 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 beheld a group of fashionable-looking young 
 men. 
 
 *« Where's the colonel ?'* enquired Mrs. 
 Macmaurice. 
 
 ** He's put to bed," said one of her sons. 
 
 " And what has he got?" 
 
 " Rid of his senses." 
 
 « Very good, Jack, very good," they all 
 exclaimed. 
 
 Lady Aucherly asked Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 in a low tone, whether one of her sons would 
 like to dance with Phoebe Simmons. 
 
 " Oh L — d, no," said the colonel's lady, 
 ** they're all too drunk to dance." 
 
 " What a d 'd deal of rouge you've 
 
 put on to-night, Mrs. Mac," said Captain 
 Quantreuille. 
 
 " Upon my soul, it's all my own." 
 
 " So is your wig." 
 
 " Do you want to be knock'd down. 
 Sir?" said Mrs. Macmaurice, putting herself 
 in a boxing posture. The young men 
 laughed ; " I'll have you broke. Sir." 
 
 " Oh, by Jove, we wont stay to be abused 
 in this manner," said one of them, laughing 
 
 and
 
 Specimens of Meal Life. 41 
 
 and dragging away his party, leaving room 
 for others to make their bow to Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, who soon fixed on a young man for 
 a partner for Phoebe Simmons. 
 
 Lady Aucherly now made enquiries after 
 all their friends. 
 
 " My sister Lethbridge and your brother 
 are with the regiment at Bristol/' said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice ; " he's got the command while 
 the colonel's at Bath." 
 
 " My brother's such a negligent corre- 
 spondent," observed Lady Aucherly, ** that 
 I'm often at a loss to know where he is. — 
 Your sister Grosvenor is in town by this 
 time, I suppose." 
 
 " I believe she is. L — d ! look how 
 drunk those boys are ? Did I tell you that 
 Arthur is aid-de-camp to General Stack- 
 hurst ?" 
 
 " L — d ! who are these people coming up 
 to you ?" 
 
 Lady Aucherly turned round her head 
 with a graceful elevation of the chin, and 
 beheld Mrs. Dorrington approaching with 
 her daughters and their friend Emily O'Con- 
 nor.
 
 4^ Sketches of Character, or 
 
 nor. They appeared much surprized at 
 seeing her ladyship, and polite enquiries 
 passed between them. They both agreed 
 that it was a very full ball ; that Bath was 
 very full, and that it was a great relief after 
 the sameness of the country, he, &c. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice stared at the party dur- 
 ing this dialogue j and Mrs. Dorrington, 
 perceiving Lady Aucherly was with 
 strangers, passed on. 
 
 ** Who are those people?" repeated Mrs. 
 Macmaurice. 
 
 «* The Honourable Mrs. Dorrington and 
 her daughters." 
 
 *« What a tame set j don't they live near 
 you?" 
 
 " Yes, at Compton Stoke." 
 
 *« They seem pretty looking stupid dolls, 
 and the mother moved as if she went on 
 wheels." 
 
 <'You have tne strangest conceits," 
 drawled Lady Aucherly ; " but what can I 
 do," continued she, in a whisper, *< for my 
 nieces? Mary has observed twenty times, 
 what a sweet tune this is." 
 
 " Never
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 48 
 
 <* Never despair," said Mrs. Macmaurice ; 
 ** I have been keeping a sharp look out this 
 half hour, for all the meek-eyed fellows of 
 my acquaintance, but I can't see one ; stop, 
 here's one coming this way ; observe him 
 now ; you may know them in an instant ; 
 he doesn't hold up his head, and he looks 
 good-tempered — no devil in him." 
 
 Lady Aucherly smiled with the conscious- 
 ness of possessing discrimination infinitely 
 superior to her dashing companion. 
 
 " Here, Myers," continued Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, " you are looking out for a part- 
 ner, I know." 
 
 « Ma'am !" 
 
 " Let me introduce you to a friend of 
 mine." 
 
 Mr. Myers was entrapped, and the de- 
 lighted Mary joined the dance. 
 
 " You've only three now left, have you ?'* 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice ; *' try what another 
 turn will do, and I will stay here and col- 
 lect some men about me, and as you return 
 I'll face about, and you shall see the result." 
 
 *^ Oh, but indeed wt should not like — " 
 
 '< Pooh,
 
 44 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " Pooh, pooh, nonsense, leave me to ma- 
 nage it." 
 
 Lady Aucherly yielded to necessity, and 
 sauntered up the room with her three dis- 
 consolate nieces, who began to entertain 
 strong suspicions, that as the evening was 
 far advanced, they should return home with- 
 out having danced at all. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice soon drew a party of 
 young men about her, and enquired whether 
 they had been yet introduced to Lady Au- 
 cherly. " Whom do you mean ?" said one. 
 
 '* L — d ! what a question, the celebrated 
 Lady Aucherly, to be sure, the great beauty; 
 her brother married my sister, she is but 
 just come to Bath, and will be the fashion 
 here this winter ; she intends giving a su- 
 perb ball ; you must be introduced." At 
 this instant Lady Aucherly passed, and Mrs. 
 Macmaurice continued ; " there, that's Lady 
 Aucherly ;" and making her ladyship stop, 
 introduced Mr. Galbraith to her, and as ra- 
 pidly the rest of the party shared the same 
 honour. 
 
 Lady Aucherly now felt her spirits return- 
 
 ing.
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 45 
 
 iiig, and as she engaged the young men by 
 turns in conversation, which she had always 
 at command, Mrs. Macmaurice found op- 
 portunities of dropping hints to them to ask 
 the nieces to dance : this was done in such a 
 manner as to ensure success, and the nine 
 fortunate Miss Simmon ses actually got part- 
 ners, while Mrs. Macmaurice, triumphing 
 in her address, paraded the room with Lady 
 Aucherly, who now assumed all the conse- 
 quence of her rank and beauty, and excited 
 universal admiration. 
 
 " Do look at mad Ross," said Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice ; ** he has not taken his eyes ofFyou 
 this half hour.'' 
 
 " And who is mad Ross ?" said Lady Au- 
 cherly, turning her head to observe him : she 
 perceived a young man with a contemplative, 
 interesting countenance, his arms folded, 
 and leaning against the wall, who, with fixed 
 attention, was watching her: but he ap- 
 peared to be a person of no fashion, no im- 
 portance ; and the circumstance no other- 
 wise gratified Lady Aucherly than as it de- 
 clared the undisguised homage of a person, 
 
 superior
 
 46 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 superior to the design of flattery, and as 
 such an unequivocal proof of her unrivalled 
 attraction, 
 
 '* I can't tell you who he is,'' said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice ; " but I'm told he's one of the 
 strangest beings living; he makes nothing 
 of speaking to persons he does not know, 
 whoever they may be. He ask'd me one 
 day if I had ever heard of such a word as 
 modesty. I had never seen the fellow's face 
 before in all my life, and was going to row 
 him for his impertinence, but some officers 
 with me burst out laughing, and told me I 
 must not mind what mad Ross said ; but 
 that if I felt affronted, they would call him 
 out. *« The L — d forbid," said I ; *« the 
 fellow's not worth your notice, though I've 
 since heard he is a gentleman : but he says 
 and does so many strange things, that in 
 Bath he has got the name of mad Ross, and 
 since he's become a character, people never 
 mind what liberties he takes, and instead of 
 being angry, they enjoy a laugh at him. — 
 Oh ! here are your quizzical friends ; I know 
 they're coming to wish you good night witli 
 4 their
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 47 
 
 their wide smiling mouths, and I declare 
 mad Ross has joined them ; there, make 
 haste and be civil to them, in as few words 
 as possible." 
 
 <* Are you going so soon ?*' said Lady 
 Aucherly to Mrs, Dorrington. 
 
 " Yes, for we find the heat so very op- 
 pressive ; we are in the Crescent," conti- 
 nued Mrs. Dorrington, *« No. 4, where I 
 hope to have the pleasure of seeing your 
 ladyship." 
 
 " Oh, I hope we shall meet often," said 
 Lady Aucherly ; and yielding to the impa- 
 tient jogs of Mrs. Macmaurice, quitted Mrs. 
 Dorrington rather abruptly, 
 
 " Law! Lady Aucherly!" cried Mrs. Man- 
 sell, who had been at cards great part of the 
 evening, " I'm so glad you're come, it's so 
 pleasant, to meet people here one knows, — 
 and I'm sure I little dreamt to meet your 
 ladyship." 
 
 *« Bath is a place," replied Lady Au- 
 cherly, " where we are always sure to meet 
 with a great many of our acquaintance." 
 
 *« Yes,
 
 48 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 '^ Yes, but then some how, I mean such 
 an intimate friend as your ladyship." 
 
 " True," said Lady Aucherly, with a 
 sneer. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice was infinitely diverted 
 with the face, figure, dress, and phraseology 
 of Mrs. Mansell, and declared she would 
 court her acquaintance, in order to have fun 
 with her among the officers. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice was one of the three co- 
 heiresses of Mr. Rodbard, the rich banker, 
 and at fifteen ran off with Captain Mac- 
 maurice, from a boarding-school near Lon- 
 don : he was the son of an Irish gentleman, 
 of good family, but small fortune ; and 
 having contracted many large gaming debts, 
 Miss Rodbard's fifty thousand pounds was an 
 object worth trying for ; he attempted, and 
 succeeded. 
 
 When Mrs. Macmaurice's sisters left 
 school, her house was their residence, and 
 her quarters theirs : they were of course in- 
 troduced to a large military acquaintance, 
 and the Miss Rodbards, or their fortunes, 
 immediately became the objects of adoration 
 
 of
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 49 
 
 of all the officers in Captain Macmaurice's 
 regiment. 
 
 The young ladies, however, disappointed 
 them all, for Louisa was captivated with the 
 person and manners of George Lethbridge, 
 Lady Aucherly's brother, who was then 
 only a cornet in another regiment, but who 
 afterwards, with the help of his wife's for- 
 tune, purchased rank, and at length became 
 major in the same regiment, of which Mac- 
 maurice was now lieutenant-colonel: Isa- 
 bella, the youngest of the sisters, was not 
 partial to the unsettled life of an officer's 
 wife, and accepting the addresses of Mr. 
 Grosvenor, a rich West Indian, commenced 
 her reign among the higher circles. 
 
 When Mrs. Lethbridge was married, Lady 
 Aucherly was in the full enjoyment of her 
 celebrity ; her brother's marriage, of course, 
 introduced Mrs. Macmaurice to lier, and 
 though their dispositions and characters 
 were very different, a love of pleasure at- 
 tached them to each other. 
 
 VOL. I. D CHx^P.
 
 dO Sketches of Character, or 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 EMILY. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the gratifying 
 admiration Lady Aucherly had excited 
 at the ball, she returned home much dissatis- 
 fied with the evening : she was provoked at 
 being obliged to take all her nieces with her ; 
 and though she began to consider that if shB 
 treated them in every respect agreeably to 
 vSir Philip's wishes, she might probably be 
 able to have more of her own way, yet still 
 the price was dear. 
 
 She felt vexed too, that she had received 
 the Dorringtons so coolly ; she did not re- 
 member even to have spoken to Emily, but 
 she tried to persuade herself, that she had 
 bestowed upon her a smiling nod, while she 
 was speaking to Mrs. Dorrington. 
 
 She
 
 Specimens of Real Life* 51 
 
 She could not help feeling conscious that 
 her rude behaviour was occasioned bj a fear 
 of Mrs. Macmaurice's raillery, and was 
 angry with herself that she had not been su- 
 perior to such influence. Mrs. Macmau* 
 rice's manners, she perceived, w^ere become 
 bolder since she had last seen her; and 
 though she had always been a good-hu- 
 moured woman with volatile spirits, and was 
 still acknowledged to be the best tempered 
 soul in the world, yet there now appeared 
 an open defiance of decorum in her conduct, 
 which Lady Aucherly could not approve. 
 
 The next morning Lady Aucherly was in- 
 terrupted at her toilet by a visit from Mrs, 
 Macmaurice. 
 
 " What, are you up ? I did not expect to 
 find you dressing in the grey of the morn- 
 ing.- 
 
 *< Oh," replied Lady Aucherly, " we 
 country people are accustomed to early 
 h ours ; I have been up since ten." 
 
 " L — d, I am but just out of bed, and I 
 came here to breakfast with you." 
 
 D ^ '« But 
 
 u, wi i^ LIB.
 
 52 Sketches of Character^, or 
 
 " But I can't help thinking of your 7une 
 nieces ; where are they all pack' d ?" 
 
 ** They lodge on the South parade .*' 
 
 *< What a moping place — L — d ! that 
 Mrs. Dorrington ; was there ever such a — 
 Who is she, in the name of wonder ?" 
 
 " She was a Miss — a Miss ." 
 
 *< Ah ! no matter what — can I have ano- 
 ther roll?" 
 
 ** She was a Miss Blake," said Lady Au- 
 cherly, ringing the bell. 
 
 <* And now I am as wise as ever ; w^here 
 d'ye get these rolls?" 
 
 ** Her father," continued Lady Aucherly, 
 ** was a physician of eminence in Edin- 
 burgh, and Mr. Dorrington, you know, is a 
 son of Lord Dorrington, and was lately re- 
 turned member for ." 
 
 ** But who were the dolls ?" 
 
 " Her three daughters, and a Miss O'Con- 
 nor — Emily O'Connor." 
 
 « And who is Emily O'Connor?" 
 
 ** A relation, I believe, of Miss Dorring- 
 ton's governess; but there appears to be 
 
 some
 
 Sjyecimens of Real Life* 53 
 
 some mystery about her, I've never made 
 any direct enquiry." 
 
 ** L — d ! and which was Miss O'Con- 
 nor ?" 
 
 ** The pretty delicate girl, with light hair 
 and blue eyes." 
 
 " Ah, frightful r 
 
 " I assure you," said Lady Aucherly, 
 " she was much admired last night." 
 
 " I believe the men did stare at her j but 
 hasn't she sandy eye-lashes?" 
 
 *' No, her lashes and eye-brows are dark, 
 and give much expression to her features." 
 
 ** With all 7)17/ heart ; but now I want to 
 talk to you about a party I am going to give: 
 our regiment, you know, is at Bristol ; — 
 we've a whole house at Clifton, and I've 
 been here a w^eek beating up for recruits j 
 I can't endure a small party." 
 
 " I should like to spend a day or two 
 at Clifton," said Lady Aucherly, " while 
 Mrs. St. Clair is there." 
 
 << Well, that is what I was coming to, the 
 
 day is not fixed yet, and I was going to pro- 
 
 D 3 pose
 
 54" Sketches of Character, or 
 
 pose deferring my dance till you come to 
 Clifton/' 
 
 ** I'll speak to Sir Philip about it to-day ; 
 and if I can fix a time, I'll let you know 
 this evening." 
 
 ** So do ; and mind you must bring all 
 your nieces." 
 
 *< Indeed you must excuse me." 
 
 «* No, but I won't, I'll speak to Sir Philip 
 about it, if you say a word against it — so 
 good morning, and thank ye for my breaks 
 fast." 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice did not meet the colo- 
 nel and her sons till dinner time. " Well, 
 Jack," said she, « how did you like Lady 
 Aucherly?" 
 
 " Oh, she's quite a Venus." 
 
 ** I thought her a fine figure," observed 
 Hastings, ** but very affected." 
 
 " She opened her eyes upon me," said 
 John, <* with such hauteur, that I had a 
 great mind to say bo ! to her." 
 
 " When I first saw her," said the colonel, 
 " I thought her the most beautiful woman I 
 had ever beheld." 
 
 '* Thank
 
 Specimens of Meal Life* 55 
 
 ** Thank ye,** cried his wife. 
 
 ** The present company, you know," — ^ 
 said Hastings. 
 
 ** Not excepted, in this case,'* said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice ; ** but whom did you dance 
 with ?** 
 
 " I only danced one dance with your ad- 
 jutant's lady, Mrs. Chetham.** 
 
 ** Hah — a pleasant woman, but shock- 
 ingly plain.** 
 
 " Who are the beauties here now ?'* en- 
 quired the colonel. 
 
 " Oh, the Miss Townleys bear the bell, 
 I believe,** said Captain Macmaurice; ** but, 
 in my opinion, the sweetest girl in the room 
 was a Miss 0*Connor.** 
 
 " 0*Connor 1** repeated the colonel, with 
 an inquisitive look. 
 
 <« Ah, I saw her,** said Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 *« but I didn*t think much of her.** 
 
 " Whom was she with?** said the colonel. 
 
 *' L — d, I forget now, but Lady Aucherly 
 told me — Mrs. Somebody .'* 
 
 «' Was it Dorrington ?** said the colonelj 
 
 affecting indifference . 
 
 D 4 *« Oh,
 
 56 Sketches oj Character ^ or 
 
 ** Oh, so *twas 5 but how came you to 
 know/* 
 
 " By mere accident.'* 
 
 ** L — d, how odd/* said Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice ; ** have you ever seen her ?" 
 
 " Never — no, I know nothing of her. — 
 Did Lewis bring any answer from the gene- 
 ral's?*' enquired Colonel Macmaurice, to 
 change the subject. " What a curse it is to 
 have stupid servants," added he, violently 
 ringing the bell. 
 
 A servant entered. 
 
 " What answer did you bring from my 
 Lord Athorpe and the general ? you always 
 forget messages." 
 
 " His lordship will send an answer, Sir ; 
 the general was out.** 
 
 •* Did Sam take my curricle to Stone's,'* 
 enquired Hastings ; *< when can I have it?" 
 
 «< Don't you hear the bell ?" said Colonel 
 Macmaurice ; *' go and see if it's Lord 
 Athorpe's servant." 
 
 <* If he does not send me an answer to- 
 night," said the colonel, leaning back in his 
 chair, and throwing a glass of wine down his 
 
 throat.
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 57 
 
 throat, " I will positively return to Bristol 
 to-morrow morning. Well, Sir ?*' said the 
 colonel, on the servant's re-entering. 
 
 " 'Twas Lady Aucherly's servant, Sir, 
 with this note for my mistress.*' 
 
 " Well,'' said Mrs. Macmaurice, when 
 she had read it, " my dance then is fixed 
 for Friday." 
 
 ** Now you're happy, I hope," said the 
 colonel. 
 
 " Friday," said Hastings. " Well, I stay 
 till then, but I must be at Exeter by the 
 24th." 
 
 Lady Aucherly had communicated to Sir 
 Philip as much of Mrs. Macmaurice's in- 
 tended party as she thought proper ; and as 
 two of the Miss Simmonses dined with them, 
 and often observed what a good-tempered 
 pleasant woman Mrs. Macmaurice was, Sir 
 Philip began to give the subject considera- 
 tion j for he could hardly believe at first, 
 that Lady Aucherly should no sooner be in 
 Bath than she wanted to go to Chfton, and 
 he thought Mrs. St. Clair might as well 
 come to see them 5 but on finding that 
 D 5 Mrs.
 
 5S Sketches of Character, or 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice had actually made it a 
 point for Lady Aucherly to bring all her 
 nieces, it considerably altered the case ; and 
 after wondering how they could like to go 
 twelve miles to a ball, he wished them all 
 the pleasure promised them by it ; and there 
 being no engagement in view, a day was 
 immediately fixed, and a note dispatched 
 to Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 By degrees. Sir Philip became completely 
 reconciled to the change from the country j 
 and as he met with many old acquaintances, 
 he passed much of his time with them : Lady 
 Aucherly took her nieces by turns with her 
 to the amusements at Bath, and on Thurs- 
 day morning set out for Clifton, Mrs. St. 
 Clair having previously engaged lodgings 
 for them near her own, in Prince's-buildings. 
 
 Lady Aucherly had not seen her sister for 
 nearly a twelvemonth ; the meeting was 
 highly gratifying to both, and her ladyship 
 was rejoiced to find Maria St. Clair so much 
 recovered, Clifton having been recommended 
 to her for change of air. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 Sjpecimens of Real Life. 59 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 EDUCATION, 
 
 MRS.MACMAURICE's ball was much 
 talked of at Bath, and Mrs. Mansell 
 dining at the Dorringtons, enquired whe- 
 ther they were to be at it. 
 
 ** We have not the honor of Mrs. Mac* 
 maurice's acquaintance,*' said Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton. 
 
 " Law ! I wonder at that," replied Mrs. 
 Mansell ; ** for as you know Lady Aucherly 
 so well, and she being a sister, like, to Mrs. 
 
 Macmaurice, I should have thought .'* 
 
 *' In truth j" interrupted Mrs. Dorrington, 
 ** I would not desire the acquaintance, and I 
 am astonished that Lady Aucherly should be 
 so intimate with her, for in my opinion, she 
 seems by no means a well-bred woman.*' 
 
 D 6 ** She
 
 60 Sketches of Character , or 
 
 *< She is at any rate a great oddity," said 
 Mr. Mansell. 
 
 « The colonel, too, they say, is a strange 
 man,*' rejoined Mrs. Dorrington. 
 
 <* I haven't seen him; I believe he's with 
 his regiment at Bristol now." 
 
 " I hear he is a very dissipated character," 
 said Mrs. Dorrington. 
 
 " I fancy so,'* replied Mrs. Mansell ; " now 
 he doesn't come much into ladies' parties, 
 but keeps men company, all drinking like." 
 
 " Mrs. Macmaurice's manners are free in 
 the extreme," said Mr. Mansell ; *< but al- 
 lowances must be made for the company 
 she sees." 
 
 " If Lady Aucherly continue her intimacy 
 with her, it will be a very unfortunate ac- 
 quaintance for Caroline," said Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton, " for she is really a most sweet girl." 
 
 " What age is she?" enquired a young 
 man, who had been listening to the conver* 
 sation with an absent countenance. 
 
 ** Nearly seventeen, Mr. Ross," replied 
 Mrs. Dorrington, ** about the age of my 
 youngest daughter, and they were great 
 
 friends
 
 Spechnens of Real Life, 61 
 
 friends before Miss Aucherly went to 
 school." 
 
 " What, is she at school ?" observed Mr. 
 Ross, with some surprize. 
 
 " She is," answered Mrs. Dorrington ; 
 *< Lady Aucherly and I diiier much on the 
 subject of education: but perhaps it may be 
 for Caroline's advantage ; for her governess 
 was far from being a well-informed woman, 
 though she managed to give Miss Aucherly 
 several very desirable accomplishments : in 
 French and drawing she particularly excels, 
 and with the assistance of London masters, 
 I dare say she is by this time perfect in 
 music, and I should hope the more import- 
 ant accomplishments of the mind have not 
 been neglected." 
 
 ** They are more important ones indeed," 
 said Mr. Mansell ; '* and if women in gene- 
 ral, knew the value of them better, there 
 would not be so many plain unmarried ladies 
 with all accomplishments, but those of the 
 understanding." 
 
 " But then the beautiful might derive the 
 same advantage," said Miss Dorrington, 
 
 *♦ so
 
 6!2 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 ** so that I fear, plain women would still be 
 onlj considered as second besf 
 
 «« You're right,'* returned Mr. Mansell ; 
 ** but still I think, were the experiment 
 tried, the plain ladies would succeed, because 
 they would know it entirely depended on 
 their mental acquirements, and would of 
 course be more persevering than beauties 
 who had other charms to rely on." 
 
 «* Your observations are very just," said 
 Mrs.Dorrington, and Mrs. Lovell not being 
 in the room, added, " I consider myself as 
 peculiarly fortunate in having found an ex- 
 cellent woman as the friend and instructress 
 of my children ; for in Mrs. Lovell are 
 united all the elegant accomplishments 
 which attract the eye, while her mind is 
 stored with every branch of useful know- 
 ledge, to which she adds the polished man- 
 ners of a gentlewoman." 
 
 ** You have indeed a treasure then," said 
 Mr. Mansell. 
 
 " We consider her as such; and my 
 daughters are not a little indebted," con- 
 tinued Mrs. Dorrington, turning to Miss 
 ^ O'Connor with a smile, <* to our young 
 
 friend
 
 specimens of Real Life. 6^ 
 
 friend EmiJy, whose early proficiency in* 
 spired them with a huidable emulation." 
 
 " Is Miss O'Connor," enquired Mrs* 
 Mansell, in a low tone of voice, *< Mrs, 
 LovelPs niece ?" 
 
 *« She is not a near relation," replied Mrs. 
 Dorrington ; and after a short pause con- 
 tinned, " Miss Aucherly's governess was a 
 woman who did not sufficiently respect her- 
 self, to make herself respectable." 
 
 " Ah !" said Mr. Mansell, '' that's a great 
 point." 
 
 <« What I mean," rejoined Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton, ** is, that she never felt those slights and 
 neglects, not to say rudenesses, which I have 
 often witnessed with pain. I have heard 
 Lady Aucherly order Mademoiselle Fon- 
 taine to fetch her shawl in the same tone, as 
 she would use to her woman." 
 
 ** Yes, sure," interrupted Mrs. Mansell ; 
 " and when I've been there, she has been 
 ordered about, with not so much as * be so 
 good,' or * I'll trouble }oa,' or ** shall I 
 trouble you,' or any thing to soften it, like." 
 « Lady Aucherly is noted too," said Emily, 
 
 «♦ for
 
 64 Sketches of Character t or 
 
 " for great suavity of manners, and in gene- 
 ral speaks with kindness to her servants and 
 dependants.'* 
 
 " Yes," said Mr. Mansell ; '' but I fancy, 
 while Mademoiselle Fontaine was at Au- 
 cherly Park, she had not the most comfort- 
 able situation she could wish." 
 
 *< She was not to sit at table," added Hen* 
 rietta Dorrington, " when there was any 
 company ; and even when they were alone, 
 she rose like clock work, five minutes after 
 the cloth was removed, and retired." 
 
 ** And then called for to make tea," said 
 Mrs. Mansell. 
 
 ** But if tea were made out of the room," 
 observed Henrietta, ** you saw nothing more 
 of Mademoiselle." 
 
 " Now a person," said Mrs. Dorrington, 
 ** who could submit to such humiliation, 
 must inspire her pupil with very little re- 
 spect, and of course could not command 
 much attention." 
 
 •* It's an aukward thing too," said Mr. 
 Mansell, " to draw a line of conduct, in 
 this matter j for though you may feel per- 
 
 3 fecUy
 
 Specimens of Tieal Life, C)d 
 
 fectly satisfied with having your governess 
 dine at table with company, yet perhaps it 
 might not be altogether so pleasant either to 
 her, or some of your guests 5 one would be 
 asking to help her to this, another to take 
 wine with her, in order to let her see she was 
 not neglected, while she might feel every at- 
 tention of the kind an insult, so that I really 
 believe there are many people, who object 
 to have their governesses at table merely out 
 of delicacy." 
 
 " True," said Mrs. Dorrington ; " but do 
 you not perceive from whence the objection 
 springs ; it is from the choice of a governess. 
 I am certain, were all governesses like Mrs. 
 Loveli, there never could have been an ob- 
 jection formed to their making part of any 
 company. Suppose she were my sister, and 
 chose to take on her the instruction of my 
 children, would she be the less respected? 
 far otherwise ; it is then, because there are 
 so many ignorant and ill-bred ; and why are 
 there so many of that description ? The an- 
 swer is obvdous ; because the office is at- 
 tended with so many humiliating circum- 
 
 stancCvS.
 
 66 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 stances. I am convinced, that were gover* 
 nesses treated more generally with proper 
 respect, many well-informed, accomplished 
 women, in reduced circumstances, would be 
 glad of the situation j but they are deterred, 
 by the known sacrifices they must make ; for 
 they are aware they must immediately re- 
 linquish the rank they have before supported, 
 and instead of being considered as gentle* 
 women, they must be content to be treated 
 as upper servants.*' 
 
 " A change is certainly to be wished for.'* 
 
 ** It is, indeed," resumed Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton 5 " but when once a system has obtained, 
 it is no easy matter to new-model it. Is it 
 not surprising," continued Mrs.Dorrington, 
 ** that people should consider, as unfit com- 
 panions, those very persons to whom they 
 entrust the education of their children ?" 
 
 ^* I have never observ^ed that," said Mr. 
 Mansell, '' except with regard to company," 
 
 " It was so at Aucherly Park," continued 
 Mrs. Dorrington ; «« while Caroline was a 
 child, she was permitted to sit with Made- 
 moiselle Fontaine vrhen Lady Aucherly went 
 
 out;
 
 Specimens of Real Life. (J / 
 
 out ; yet when she grew older, but was still 
 considered too young to go into company. 
 Mademoiselle was not thought a fit compa-^ 
 nion for her, and she was then sent to a Lon- 
 don school, where her cousin Miss St. Clair 
 had been/' 
 
 " Ah ! I hear Miss St. Clair is t-ery 
 clever," said Mrs. Mansell ; ** I have always 
 been away, when she has been at Aucherly 
 Park — Is she pretty ?" 
 
 « Indeed I think so,'' replied Mrs. Dor- 
 rington ; " she has very good features ; but 
 she wants colour ; her health, I fear, is de*^ 
 licate." 
 
 *' She has beautiful eyes," said Emily ; 
 " but there is a peculiarity in her counte- 
 nance owing to her eye-brows being so near 
 together, which gives rather a frown ; but 
 she is very good tempered." 
 
 ** And very sensible," added Mrs. Dor- 
 rington ; <* but she is inclined to be satirical, 
 which is far from being a pleasing trait." 
 
 " I heard of an officer," said Henrietta, 
 " not quite such a scholar as Miss St. Clair 
 expects all gentlemen to be, who was so con- 
 
 fiised
 
 68 Sketches of Cliaracier, or 
 
 fused by a look she gave, on his appearing 
 ignorant of some author she quoted, that he 
 took the first opportunity of steahng off, and 
 has never ventured to enter into conversation 
 with her since." 
 
 ** Ah !" cried Mrs. Mansell, «* Tve heard 
 she can be very rude that way." 
 
 ** But it is not from ill nature," said 
 Emily. 
 
 " I believe not," observed Mrs. Dor* 
 rington. 
 
 ** She can be very agreeable >when she 
 chuses,'' said Lucy 5 *' but she certainly is 
 very satirical." 
 
 " It is a very dangerous talent to indulge," 
 remarked her mother : " but as she grows 
 older, I dare say she will see the impropriety 
 of it." 
 
 Mr. Ross had been much struck with the 
 beauty and graceful figure of Lady Aucherly, 
 and upon hearing she had a daughter, felt a 
 romantic interest about her. 
 
 He had been conjuring up in his mind's 
 eye, a lovely angelic form, such as he sup- 
 posed Lady Aucherly's daughter must be, 
 
 and
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 69 
 
 and not having attended to the discussion of 
 Miss St. Clair's merits, and presuming the 
 beautiful CaroHne was still the subject of the 
 conversation, he enquired 'rather abruptly, 
 when Miss Aucherly was to come out. 
 
 «' Upon my word, Mr. Ross,*' replied 
 Mrs. Dorrington, " I am not informed when 
 that important event is to take place." 
 
 " Young ladies differ so much," said Mr. 
 Mansell, " that I believe there's no precise 
 age fixed for their making their appearance, 
 and it depends, in a great measure, I sup- 
 pose, on their own qualifications." 
 
 ** I consider what is termed coming out," 
 said Mrs. Dorrington, «* as extremely de- 
 grading, for it is, in other words, coming to 
 the market of matrimony; and many an 
 anxious mother is as keen as the most expe- 
 rienced trader, and calculates, with as 
 much discernment, the fittest time for her 
 daughter's entree ; and the young ladies, 
 having served a kind of apprenticeship to 
 fashion, are at length informed they are to 
 comeout, and their exhibition is then ushered 
 into the world like a new play, with all the 
 decoration and art of which the manager so 
 
 well
 
 70 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 well knows the importance : there is but 
 one step farther, and that is, instead of their 
 being disposed of by private contract, they 
 might be advertised by public auction." 
 
 ** What you have observed," said Mr. 
 Mansell, interrupting a laugh, which Mrs. 
 Dorrington's concluding remarks had ex- 
 cited, '* may be justly applied to many fa- 
 shionable pennyless beauties ; but I am con-, 
 vinced there are many, who would shrink 
 from coming out in the manner you have de- 
 scribed, who still do not hold the opinion of 
 the world in such contempt, as not to con- 
 form to prevailing customs : young ladies, 
 therefore, do not in general appear in pub- 
 lic, till they exhibit themselves as women in 
 manners, as well as person." 
 
 " Aye," rejoined Mrs. Dorrington, ** but 
 many have the manners of women so young, 
 that they require no keeping back on that 
 account : and it is the same with the young 
 men, you see boys appear like little men ; 
 their dress, manners, and pursuits, are the 
 same. The world is very much altered from 
 what it was, v/hen I was young," continued 
 Mrs. Dorrington, **but Tm not such a bigot 
 
 to
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 71 
 
 to my principles, as to decide it is for the 
 worse." 
 
 " Then I suppose," said Mrs. Mansell, 
 lowering her voice, and not appearing to 
 have attended to the last remark, «' the Miss 
 Dorringtons have had no regular coming 
 out-hke." 
 
 ** My daughters have been educated under 
 my own eye, Mrs. Mansell : they have seen 
 very little of the world, but I have no idea of 
 immuring them in the country, though I pre^ 
 fer it myself; and we intend joining Mr. 
 Dorrington in London next month. As for 
 their coming out, I think young ladies should 
 be introduced into company when their un- 
 derstandings are sufficiently cultivated to re- 
 ceive instruction and entertainment from 
 sensible people." 
 
 <* Law ! but people don't go to plays and 
 concerts to talk all sensible hke," said Mrs. 
 Mansell, looking round for applause. 
 
 " Not always," returned Mrs. Dorrington, 
 with a smile. 
 
 One of the party making some observation 
 on the last concert, the conversation turned 
 
 on
 
 72 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 on music, and as a grand piano forte stood 
 at the bottom of the room, the young ladies 
 were sohcited to play, and Mr. Mansell 
 being an excellent performer on the violon- 
 cello, the evening concluded with a concert, 
 much to the satisfaction of all parties, ex- 
 cept Mrs. Mansell, who, not having a good 
 ear, and languishing for cards, was not a 
 little inclined to close her eyes, 
 
 ^' This is better music than you will have 
 at Mrs. Macmaurice's," said Mr. Mansell 
 to his wife, at the conclusion of the Eighth 
 of Corelli. 
 
 **Lav/! you know, my dear," replied she, 
 ** it's quite a different sort of thing, you 
 know." 
 
 '* Granted," said Mr. Mansell. 
 
 '* Should not you like to go to Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice's," said Mrs. Mansell, in a whisper, 
 to the young ladies. 
 
 " 1 dare say it will be very pleasant," said 
 Miss Dorrington, *< but we are not ac- 
 quainted with Mrs. Macmaurice." 
 
 "Ah! that's a pity." 
 
 " I must confess I should like to go 
 
 vastly."
 
 specimens of Real Life, 73 
 
 vastly,*' said Emily, " we hear so much 
 of it." 
 
 A continuation of the music was now pro- 
 posed, but Mrs. Mansell, making a pre- 
 tended excuse of the late hours she should 
 be obliged to keep the next night, requested 
 Jier carriage might be called, and took leave. 
 
 Mrs. Mansell and Mrs. Dorrington were 
 certainly not assimilating characters, but, 
 being country neighbours, and Mr. Mansell 
 a sensible man, and very musical, the weak- 
 ness of her capacity was overlooked for the 
 sake of his society. As an excuse for his 
 marrying her, it must be observed that he 
 was very young at the time, and she had a 
 pretty face, and a large fortune in expec- 
 tation. 
 
 Mr. Ros^ was of a good family in Scot- 
 land, and distantly related to Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton ; he had received a liberal education, 
 and had at different times followed several 
 professions ; but being an eccentric charac- 
 ter, he at length determined to be content 
 with a small independency, and enjoy lite- 
 rary leisure. 
 
 VOL. I. E CHAP^
 
 7^ Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 MRS. MACMAURICe's BALL. 
 
 THE preparations for the dance at Dun- 
 can House were now complete ; Mrs. 
 Macmaurice's only care, however, had been 
 to crowd her rooms : on her housekeeper and 
 butler devolved all the trouble of providing 
 for the entertainment. 
 
 When Lady Aucherly was dressed, she 
 found the Miss Simmonses had been ready 
 a considerable time ; but as she perceived 
 that ?L\e of them had not followed some of 
 her suggestions, and were not dressed with 
 that intrinsic neatness which she had recom- 
 mended, they were detained some time 
 longer. 
 
 As
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 7^ 
 
 As Lady Aucherly entered the room, her 
 figure and beauty attracted every eye, while 
 Miss St. Clair whispered to her mother, — 
 <* Doesn't my aunt, with her brood, look like 
 a hen and chickens ?'* 
 
 " With what excellent temper she sup- 
 ports it," said Mrs. St. Clair, " for I know 
 so well what she must feel." 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice welcomed Lady Au- 
 cherly with a scolding for coming so late, 
 adding, as they approached Mrs. St. Clab', 
 " your sister's been here this half hour — 
 Maria, are you engaged ?" 
 
 Miss St. Clair declined the first dance. 
 
 " Ah, that's shabby," said Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, <* you'd better dance ; 'twill give 
 you a colour — or you'll find rouge on my 
 dressing-table." 
 
 ** That's a stranger to my toilet," returned 
 Maria, sneeringly. 
 
 *' L — d, you vain thing, you look shock- 
 
 ing pale, and for all the world like a statue : 
 
 I'll tell ye a trick 1 know many do, take a piece 
 
 of scarlet cloth and rub your cheeks ; but 
 
 E ^ - that's
 
 76 Sketches of Clim^acter, or 
 
 that's thrown away on one vain enough to 
 go without rouge ; I know if 1 were, 'twould 
 save twenty pounds a-year to my pocket — 
 oh, how lovely black hair looks on a rouged 
 cheek 1'' 
 
 "The colonel has not made his appear- 
 ance yet, has he?" enquired LadyAucherly, 
 
 " Oh, Mac dined at the Mess to-day, — 
 they'll all be here soon ; I charged them not 
 to come di'unk, 'twould make all the other 
 men look so stupid, you know." 
 
 " You think, then," said Miss St. Clair, 
 ** that men, *with their reason, would appear 
 fools by those with none ?" 
 
 ** Pshaw, you know what I mean — ^ here's 
 Captain Pytt, with his new wife — how d'ye 
 do ? where's your sister ?" 
 
 " She's coming with the general's lady, 
 and " 
 
 <* Mrs. Stackhurst is always late — it's past 
 ten now, and I want to begin — I am to lead 
 off my new dance with Major Bioodthorpe, 
 he's in one of the militias here ; I was only 
 introduced to him yesterday — here's Colher 
 
 of
 
 Specimens T)f Real Life, 77 
 
 of oar*s," continued Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 turning to Lady Auclierly, " I'll get him 
 to dance with Jessy Simmons, and Horace 
 Pitt shall dance with Phoebe. I've seven 
 officers of our regiment entirely under my 
 control, they don't dare do a thing without 
 consulting me j they're not all here now, 
 but I can manage for all that." 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice was as good as her 
 ward, and presently procured partners for 
 all the Miss Simmonses, and tlien led off 
 with " Mrs. Macmaurice's Rant." 
 
 The company, by this time, were nearly 
 all arrived, and Mrs. Mansell among the 
 rest, who, not knowing many in the room, 
 pushed herself into Lady Aucherly's party, 
 and as half a dozen officers entered, ex- 
 claimed, ** Law, here's all sweet blue and 
 silver ; isn't this Mrs. Macmaurice's regi- 
 ment ? Law, who is that tall one ?" 
 
 "Don't you know — it's the colonel,'* 
 said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 ** What a terrible looking man — law, I'm 
 quite frighten' d ; his eyes are so dark and 
 glaring, like a giant's." 
 
 E 3 "He's
 
 78 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " He's considered a very fine man/' 
 
 << So he is, to be sure ; but law, to me 
 now, he looks as if he were in some charac-^ 
 ter on the stage : like Pizzaro, now, orBaja- 
 zet, or -" 
 
 Colonel Macmaurice now approached. — - 
 His features softened as he spoke to Lady 
 Aucherly, and after stopping a few minutes, 
 he passed on to other company. 
 
 " Law, how terrified I was when he came 
 up to you,'* said Mrs. Mansell, giggling — 
 « he didn't look so fierce — ^^ somehow: but 
 isn't he very proud?' 
 
 " I never perceived it," said Lady Au- 
 cherly ; " it's only his manner ; observe him 
 now with Mrs. Chetham, his reserve is all 
 laid aside, and he appears in good spirits." 
 
 " Well now, to me," said Mrs. Mansell, 
 " it seems all forced — and there's a kind of 
 absence like, in his manner, as if nothing 
 interested him." 
 
 " You should see him at play, then," ob- 
 served Mrs. Stackhurst, " and you'll not 
 find that fault with him." 
 
 ^^ Ah !
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 79 
 
 " Ah ! what all gaming-like : that's a 
 pity — but what a great figure he is, and 
 the sons just like him, and she calls them 
 boys — look at that one now, he is not more 
 than eighteen, and he looks five-and-twenty, 
 with whiskers and all. Law, look at Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, how she jigs it about ; I de- 
 clare it's a pretty tune ; but d'ye think she 
 made it ?" 
 
 «* Indeed I don't know," said Lady Au- 
 cherly, in a tone intended to silence further 
 questions. 
 
 " Law!" exclaimed Mrs. Mansell, "look 
 at him now ; see how he moves with a kind 
 of supernatural dignity like ; where is he 
 going out at that door ?" 
 
 The colonel proceeded to the card-room, 
 where he remained the greater part of the 
 evening. 
 
 « Well, how d'ye like my dance ?" said 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, coming to Lady Aucherly 
 out of breath. 
 
 " It's vastly pretty," said Mrs. Mansell. 
 
 «' I'm glad you Hke it. — Lady Aucherly, 
 E 4 why
 
 80 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 why don't you dance? Ah, here's Leth- 
 bridge j come, major, persuade your sister 
 to dance." 
 
 *« Can you expect her to dance," said 
 Major Lethbridge, ** with 7i'me nieces to look 
 after ? How could you think of bringing 
 them all here," continued he, turning to his 
 sister. 
 
 " We must bow to necessity," replied 
 Lady Aucherly, " for their father insists 
 that neither of them shall stay at home on 
 his account ; and Sir Philip is so partial to 
 them, and they are all so fond of dancing, 
 that it would be difficult to determine which 
 should stay at home. Miss Simmons," con- 
 tinued her ladyship, " has the plea of seni- 
 ority in her favour." 
 
 " And the next dances so well," said the 
 major, ironically. 
 
 " And what the dense can you say for the 
 rest, in the name of rudeness," said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, ** yet they're all good-looking 
 girls, and I'm glad to see 'em better dressed 
 than they were at the Bath ball j you were 
 
 not
 
 specimens of Real Life. 81 
 
 not there, major j but upon my life and soul 
 'twas too bad — by way of Grecian tetes, 
 they had large cockades of hair stuck at the 
 back of their heads, and I actually passed a 
 dish of tea through one of the bows to the 
 brigade major.'* 
 
 ** That's a very good story of yours,'* said 
 Letlibridge. 
 
 *« Ah ! I see you don't believe it ; but you 
 believe nothing," repHed Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 '^ and you'll go to Old Nick." 
 
 ** I suspect Lady Aucherly gave 'em a 
 hint or two to-night," observed Mrs. Man- 
 sell. 
 
 *« This party would have rubb'd off some 
 of the Dorringtons' formality," said Lady 
 Aucherly, to give a turn to the conversa- 
 tion. 
 
 " By the L — d ! 1 wish they were here,'* 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice, " I'd row 'em out 
 of their starch ; I'd set the officers at 'em,'* 
 
 « By the way," said Mrs. Mansell, " I 
 
 dined at Mrs. Dorrington's yesterday, and 
 
 the young ladies were longing, I could see, 
 
 to come, and we had such a stupid evening 
 
 E 5 of
 
 8^ Skekhes of Character^ or 
 
 of it, there was no thought of cards, so 'twas 
 all sentimental-like — about education, and 
 good governesses and bad governesses, and 
 how to bring up children ; I dreaded every 
 minute, lest they should propose reading 
 Miss More's Strictures, for it lay on the 
 table." 
 
 " Mrs. Dorrington,'' said Lady Aucherly, 
 •* thinks it a libel on the understanding to 
 propose cards in a small party." 
 
 <« Well, but I've been there," said Mrs. 
 Mansell, ** when they've had no body else, 
 and we've had cards." 
 
 " Very likely," said Miss St. Clair, look- 
 ing archly at Major Lethbridge. 
 
 " Now, for my part," continued Mrs. 
 Mansell, while her auditors were preparing 
 to ridicule her silly remarks, <' I think one 
 wants cards more in a small party of friends 
 than in a large company ; for after you have 
 said what you think of the weather, and told 
 all the news of deaths and marriages, why 
 what have you got more to say ; for you 
 know all their family and all about 'em, but 
 in a large company, there are generally some 
 
 strangers
 
 specimens of Real Life. 8S 
 
 strangers like — and then one can ask where 
 they live, and a thousand things ; but to go 
 talking about education, when we're all 
 grown up people, wliat could be more tire- 
 some; I know I was. weary enough of tasks 
 when I was at school : so I can't bear to 
 hear any thing about learning now.'* 
 
 " It must indeed have been an irksome 
 evening to you," said Miss St. Clair. 
 
 ** Oh, shocking," continued Mrs. Man- 
 sell ; " and then they got to their music, and 
 Miss O'Connor was asked to sing ; so we 
 had * Angels ever bright and fair :' then 
 there was * O Nanny,' and ' Oh Lady 
 Fair,' and Mr. Ross accompanying them on 
 the flute, and all — " 
 
 " What, was Mad Ross there?" said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice. 
 
 " Oh yes, sure, and he took a part like in 
 some of the songs, but law, they almost put 
 me to sleep ; I felt my eyes closing and 
 closing, so I went as soon as I could." 
 
 " You are not fond of music, then," said 
 Miss St. Clair, ** or you must have been 
 delighted to have heard them." 
 
 E 6 '* S6
 
 84 Sketches of Char ad .^ 6r 
 
 <* So Mr. Mansell says, but I don't know 
 — * Pm very fond of music too, but somehow 
 'twas all such sawny music— -for me now, 
 rd rather hear a march, or * Miss Bailey,' 
 or any funny song. Law! is that Mrs. 
 Townsend, with those beautiful diamond 
 ear-rings?" 
 
 "I don't admire them," said Mrs. Stack- 
 hurst ; ** they are too long and heavy." 
 
 " I pity her ears," observed Miss St. 
 Clair; " if they could speak, I'm sure they 
 would complain bitterly of their burthen." 
 
 *' If they could only whisper," said Major 
 Lethbridge, ** they'd stand a good chance 
 of being heard." 
 
 " But I much question," returned Miss 
 St. Clair, " whether the most feeling peti- 
 tion would insure attention." 
 
 *< True, the lady might not relish having 
 her ears hored with impertinent remon- 
 strances." 
 
 *' Very good, major," said Miss St. Clair, 
 laughing : *< but joking apart, it's a most 
 absurd, savage fashion." 
 
 " Aren't your ears bored then ?" asked 
 Mrs, Mansell. 
 
 « When
 
 Spei^yiens of Meal Life, S5 
 
 ^* When I was too young to judge for my- 
 self, they were ; but I never wear ear-rings, 
 and the puncture is now closed up.'' 
 
 " Law, that's a pity !" 
 
 '* There are other places more proper for 
 ornaments," said Miss St. Clair ; ** the prac- 
 tice of mutilating the ear to accommodate a 
 gem, is, I think, one of the most barbarous 
 customs tolerated among civilized people." 
 
 " Well," said Mrs. Mansell ; ** for my 
 part, I think ear-rings very becoming." 
 
 <* You are fond of jewels," observed Lady 
 Aucherly. 
 
 " If I have a passion, it is for diamonds," 
 said Mrs. Mansell, half joking. 
 
 <« What a providence it is," said Miss St* 
 Clair, sneeringly, ** that the gratification of 
 it is so completely in your power." 
 
 " I have very good diamonds," returned 
 Mrs. Mansell ; " and it's almost the only 
 things one can wear now-a-days to dis- 
 tinguish one." 
 
 " Ornaments do certainly very much em- 
 bellish the person,^' said Miss St. Clair, 
 
 ** and
 
 86 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 ** and it is a great misfortune that the mind 
 cannot partake of the same advantage." 
 
 *< That Jady has nice diamonds," said 
 Mrs. Mansell, looking at a lady who sat on 
 the opposite side of the room ; ^< how sweet 
 they glitter — do tell us, Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 who she is." 
 
 " She's a Bristol lady ; there are several 
 of them here ; they called on me, and we've 
 dined with them, and had turtle." 
 
 " And we come in for all the Corporation 
 dinners," said Major Lethbridge. 
 
 " Some of them live here at Clifton," con- 
 tinued Mrs. Macmaurice ^ ** that's a Mrs. 
 Fuller, and just now she asked me if she 
 might see the supper before the company 
 sat down. L — d, Ma'am," said I, ** there's 
 no finery to see ; there's cold meat for the 
 men, soups for the married ladies, and puffs 
 and whips for the girls; you can't think how 
 disappointed she look'd." 
 
 " And haven't you any jelly and blanc 
 mange ?" said Mrs. Mansell. 
 
 ** L — d, I don't know what there is," said 
 
 Mrs.
 
 specimens of Real Life, 87 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, " but she expected to see 
 Temples and Bridges, and all that sort of 
 fuss — and there's another Bristol lady." 
 
 " Law, and she's got diamonds too," said 
 Mrs. Mansell ; " but Mrs. Fuller's necklace 
 for me — it's very like one my cousin Lady 
 Western a has got." 
 
 " Oh, they're very rich," said Mrs. Mac- 
 fnaurice j " and then they set up for country 
 ladies, and their husbands grow fat and 
 gouty." 
 
 " We have been extremely fortunate," 
 observed Mrs. St. Clair, " in being intro- 
 duced to some families here, of most elegant 
 manners." 
 
 " There are very few with any spirit," 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice, walking away with 
 Mrs. St. Clair and Major Lethbridge, who 
 were going to cards. 
 
 " By comparison," said Miss St. Clair, 
 while her eye ibllowed Mrs. Macmaurice 
 with a satirical glance, '* there are very few 
 any where." ' 
 
 Charles Macmaurice came up to Miss St. 
 Clair, and observing she wore the miniature 
 
 of
 
 §8 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 of her father in his uniform, said it made a 
 sailor presumptuous enough to solicit the 
 honour of her hand* 
 
 Maria, with great sweetness, replied, 
 " we'll leave it to our enemies to call our 
 Navy presumptuous.'* 
 
 " I trust we shall prove victorious, as well 
 as daring," said Charles. 
 
 " Brave men generally are," replied Miss 
 St, Clair, as he led her to the dance. 
 
 ** What do you think of that," said Mrs. 
 Mansell, turning to Lady Aucherly ; " isn't 
 there a little flirtation like going on ?" 
 
 <* Nothing serious, I believe, though I've 
 no doubt you are flrmly persuaded 'twill be 
 a match." 
 
 ** Why, somehow — I thought she smiled 
 so; and she doesn't often, you know; she's 
 an odd creature — do you know, I don't quite 
 understand what she means sometimes." 
 
 Lady Aucherly smiled. 
 
 Mi's. Mansell eagerly added, ** I mean I 
 can't tell when she's in joke or in earnest." 
 
 " Be assured," said her ladyship, *« when 
 she seems ill-natured, she's in jest; and when 
 
 she
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 89 
 
 slie appears your friend, she is thoroughly in 
 earnest." 
 
 <« Law !'* exclaimed Mrs. Mansell, " and 
 •then sometimes she speaks all so clever, like 
 — she dances well, doesn't she ? but seems 
 to want life, somehow.". 
 
 Maria's figure was elegant, and her man^ 
 ners were graceful and prepossessing j 'tis 
 true, she was often severe on those whose 
 uncultivated minds exposed tliemto ridicule, 
 yet her easy flow of language and ready wit 
 rendered her conversation highly fascinat- 
 ing. 
 
 Her father had been very fortunate in 
 taking several valuable prizes, but having 
 received a wound in an engagement, he re- 
 turned home ; a decline followed his illness, 
 and he died at the Hotwells, leaving a very 
 large property between his widow and only 
 child. This independence was perhaps a 
 disadvantage to Maria ; it made her care- 
 less of the world's opinion, and being pretty 
 well assured of her own mental superiority, 
 she made no scruple of indulging her satire, 
 
 without
 
 90 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 without considering how far it was likely to 
 create enemies. 
 
 People of small fortune are habitually so 
 cautious of giving offence, that many a witty 
 remark has been suppressed, owing to an in- 
 decision, whether it might be spoken with- 
 out giving umbrage. A rich man, on the 
 contrary, hazards every thing ; his advan- 
 tages are three-fold ; he is not checked by a 
 fear that his wit may be impertinent; he may 
 safely reckon upon attention while he speaks, 
 and upon receiving unbounded applause 
 when he ceases. 
 
 Lady Aucherly gladly seized an opportu- 
 nity for quitting her tiresome companion, 
 and proceeded with Mrs. Pytt into the card- 
 room. 
 
 Here they found a party of gentlemen, 
 playing very high, am.ong them Colonel 
 Macmaurice ; he had been losing, and his 
 irritable temper getting the better of his 
 good breeding, he appeared with all the dis- 
 advantages which the passion for gaming 
 entails on its votaries. 
 
 He
 
 Specimens of Real Life» 91 
 
 He had always possessed a wild ungovern- 
 able mind, which his education had not 
 tended to restrain ; he was early in life in- 
 troduced among associates of profligate cha- 
 racters ; and inheriting but a small paternal 
 estate, the profession of a soldier was the na- 
 tural choice for him to make. His manners 
 now grew more polished, but his propensity 
 for gaming increased, and he was half 
 ruined, when accident introduced him to 
 Miss Rodbard. Her fortune, however, being 
 in trust, he had no power over the principal, 
 and as he was still intoxicated with play, at 
 which he generally lost his temper, and in 
 consequence his money, he found himself 
 continually under pecuniary embarrass- 
 ments. 
 
 A few years produced a material altera- 
 tion in his affairs. Castle Hastings was the 
 property of his maternal grandfather, whose 
 only son dying in consequence of a fall from 
 his horse, Macmaurice unexpectedly became 
 his grandfather's heir, and succeeded to an 
 estate of five thousand a-year. 
 
 As he grew older, he became more pru- 
 dent
 
 92 Skeiches 6f Character, nr 
 
 dent in the choice of his company ; and 
 haughty as his rank and importance in- 
 creased. 
 
 The education of his four sons was con- 
 ducted with that irregularity which might 
 be expected from the dispositions of their 
 parents. 
 
 While children, they were, by turns, in- 
 dulged and punished j to-day suffered to 
 get drunk, the next sent off to Westminster- 
 school ; they frequently dined at the mess, 
 and soon affected the manners and language 
 of the company they mixed with. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice gloried in her sons, and 
 by praising them when their bold spirits led 
 them into scrapes at school, by laughing at 
 their impudence, admiring their oaths, and 
 making a joke of their getting drunk, she 
 encouraged their licentiousness* 
 
 Fortunately for the boys, as they grew up, 
 their good sense, in a great degree, checked 
 their progress in vice ; they were early in- 
 troduced into the world, and, of course, be- 
 fore their education was half finished j yet 
 they were agreeable in their manners, and 
 
 being
 
 Specimens of Real Life. VfS 
 
 being naturally blessed with good memories, 
 what little they had learnt they retained, 
 whic?i put them on a footing with many who 
 had learnt more, but whose minds, like 
 sieves, let every thing escape. 
 
 Their dispositions partook of both their 
 parents, but the eldest was resolute and self- 
 willed, without that spirit of pride which 
 ruled every action of his father. John was 
 the counterpart of his mother ; Charles, in 
 whom a deficiency of classical knowledge 
 would have been most excusable, was per- 
 haps the best informed : he possessed an in- 
 sinuating address, with an intrepid soul ; and 
 Arthur was a fine manly lad, wuth an open 
 good-humoured countenance, and was a ge- 
 neral favourite. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice's ball was kept up with 
 great spirit ; she had pledged herself to get 
 partners for the Miss Simmonses, and ex- 
 erted herself in their favour with ffreat sue- 
 
 o 
 
 cess, though she met with occasional disap- 
 pointments. Upon asking one gentleman to 
 dance with Martha, he said he had danced 
 with four of them already. Another said lie 
 
 was
 
 94< Sketches of Character, or 
 
 was engaged to one of them, trusting to his 
 not being detected : a third had just sprained 
 his foot ; but she never gave up the point, 
 and with infinite address made all her friends 
 happy ; and though a great deal of confusion 
 took place at supper, it was allowed to be 
 very well managed for so large a party. — 
 The dancing recommenced soon after two, 
 and at four the company began to retire, but 
 it was past six before the house was quiet. 
 
 CHAP-
 
 Specimens' of Real Life* 95 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 THE NIECES. 
 
 1 T had been Lady Aucherly's intention 
 ^ when she left Bath, to have returned, im- 
 mediately after Mrs. Macmaurice's party, but 
 some of the officers having agreed to act a 
 play on Monday for the benefit of the Bris- 
 tol Infirmary ; and a review of the troops 
 being appointed for the Tuesday following, 
 she wrote, Sir Philip that Mrs, St. Clair had 
 made her promise to stay till Wednesday. 
 
 Notwithstanding the confusion which had 
 been occasioned in Duncan House, Mrs. 
 Macmaurice invited a party to dinner the 
 next day, and insisted on Lady Aucherly's 
 coming with the Miss Simmonses — her 
 ladyship acquiesced to pacify Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice,
 
 96 Sketches of Chat^acter, or 
 
 maiirice, but she was determined rather to 
 stay away herself than go, accompanied by 
 all her nieces, who began daily to grow more 
 a burthen to her ; she had no objection, 
 however, to take three or four of them, and 
 therefore considered of some way for dis- 
 posing of the others. There was a family 
 at Clifton with which the Miss Simmonses 
 were a.cquainted ; and Lady Aucherly 
 thought it probable, that if two or three of 
 them were to pay their friends a visit, they 
 might be invited to stay the whole day, and 
 she could get Mrs. St. Clair to invite two or 
 three more : being desirous, therefore, of 
 trying the experiment, she sent GifFord with 
 a request to see Miss Simmons. Besides, she 
 was not without a hope, that as most of her 
 nieces had never ceased dancing the whole 
 of the preceding evening, some of them 
 might be knocked up for the day. 
 
 As Lady Aucherly breakfasted in her own 
 room, the young ladies were enjoying their 
 breakfast by themselves in the drawing- 
 room : they w^ere full of the last night's en- 
 tertainment, and being delighted with the 
 
 . gay
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 97 
 
 •gay society they had met, they hoped, by 
 dining at Mrs. Macmaurice's, to renew their 
 acquaintance with some of the officers, and 
 Jessy was describing the figure and features 
 of Mr. CoUier, who had danced with her, 
 when Gifford brought Lady Aucherly's 
 message. 
 
 " Good morning, EHza," said her lady- 
 ship, on Miss Simmons's entrance, " I hope 
 you have all slept off the fatigue of last 
 night.'' 
 
 " We are all quite well^ I thank you, 
 Ma'am." 
 
 *^ I am very glad to hear it ; you know, 
 Eliza," continued her ladyship, " Mrs 
 Macmaurice was so kind as to ask us all to 
 dine with her to-day." 
 
 " Yes, Ma'am, we promise ourselves 
 m uch pleasure. ' ' ' •: -' > ^ ■ p ' 
 
 ** Nothing," said Lady Aucherly, stifling 
 a sigh, proceeding from vexation, and speak^ 
 ing in her sweetest tones, '' nothing, my 
 dear, could give me so much gratification, 
 as to promote your pleasures, but — " 
 
 Miss Simmons's smile vanished. 
 VOL. I. p ^* It
 
 ^8 Sk^ies qfQjarfiiqi^ryyOi 
 
 " It strikes me," continued her iadysiiip^ 
 *f.jthat we cannot all accept the invitation,** 
 
 .The smile half returned. 
 ; *< Npwj I have not the least objection to 
 take three or four with me, and as I couldn't 
 think of leaving any of you at home, my 
 sister wdll be happy to see those who do not 
 accompany me." 
 
 Miss Simmons was silent. 
 
 " Don't you think," continued- L^dy Au- 
 cherly; ** it w^ould be trespassing on Mrs. 
 Macmaurice's good-nature for us all to go." 
 
 Miss Simmons acquiesced witli a sadness, 
 enlivened by the hope, that beiiig the eldest, 
 she wovdd have the preference. 
 
 « And what think you," added her lady- 
 ship, ** of calling on the Miss Slades this 
 morning, with some of your sisters ; I think 
 you expressed a wdsh yesterday to pay them 
 a visit, and in case they should ask you or 
 yOiWi sisters to spend the day with them, it 
 would be very pleasant for you — for I don't 
 suppose you've any very great desire to go 
 to Mrs. Macmaurice's ; for my part, I'd 
 much rather decline going." 
 
 •'Oh,
 
 Specimens of Real Life, -fig 
 
 " Oh, Ma'am, 1-m sure I don't care about 
 going ; but the Miss Slades are not so 
 much my friends ; they were scliool-feilows 
 of Phoebe and Clarissa/' 
 
 *' Well then they c^n go: suppose you 
 hint this plan to them : you'll caution them 
 not to let it appear as if they went on pur- 
 pose to be asked, but in case they should be 
 pressed to stay, they had better accept the 
 invitation." 
 
 "I understand you. Ma'am," said Eliza, 
 pausing ; ** and then. Ma'am, whom did you^ 
 mean should accompany you?" 
 
 ** It won't do for me to determine," aald 
 Lady Aucherly, with playful good-huitiour, 
 and a look which Miss Simmons construed 
 into a wish that she should be one, " it would 
 appear partial in me to chuse." . > 
 
 ** As I'm the eldest," said Miss Simmons, 
 << perhaps- — ^" 
 
 '« Indeed, my dear Eliza," interrupted 
 Lady Aucherly, dreading a direct appea-1 to 
 decide the question—" I mustleaVeitftinong 
 yourselves to settle that matter ; and, in niy 
 opinion, those who go to Mrs, St. Clair's; 
 V *:Z or
 
 100 Sketches of Character^, or 
 
 or the Miss Slades will have the most agree- 
 able evening.*' ^.:. ; 
 
 Miss Simmons left the room, and returned 
 to the breakfast parlour to her sisters, and as 
 she entered biting her thumb, they all ex- 
 claimed, ** Law, what's the matter, EHza ?*' 
 
 *« You're iiot all to go to Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice's to-day," said Miss Simmons, in a so- 
 lemn tone. 
 
 « Who says so ?" cried Clarissa, eagerly. 
 
 *< My aunt doesn't chuse to go with nine 
 of us." 
 
 <* Then who are to go with her?" enquired 
 Anna. 
 
 " The elder one's, of course," returned 
 Miss Simmons. 
 
 <* Oh, to be sure," cried Jessy, " but I 
 don't think my aunt meant to leave me out." 
 
 ** And why not ?" said Miss Simmons. 
 
 " How many will she take ?" said Phoebe. 
 
 ** Not more than four," rephed Miss Sim- 
 mons. 
 
 ** And I'm the fifth," exclaimed Phoebe ; 
 *< how very provoking ; but haven't you a 
 bad tooth-ache, Martha ?" 
 
 «*No
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 101 
 
 ** No, thank ye Phoebe," said Martha, 
 triumphantly, " I never was better in my 
 life." ; .jd .8114 
 
 <* But I'll know the rights of all this," 
 cried Sarah with warmth ; *< I don't see why 
 the eldest should take upon 'em so, my fa- 
 ther never " 
 
 " No, my father, never," interrupted 
 Jessy, " makes any distinction of that kind." 
 
 <* And if he were here now," said Anna, 
 " 'twould be another thing." 
 
 ** That it w^ould," added Jessy. 
 
 ** Well, it's no use for you all to go quar- 
 relling about it," said Catherine, ** you can't 
 all go, you know : and as we are under my 
 aunt's protection, you must submit to her." 
 
 ** It's settled," said Miss Simmons, coolly. 
 
 ** But it is not settled," returned Sarah, 
 getting angry at the composure of her elder 
 sisters. 
 
 *' I'll go to my aunt," said Jessy, who con- 
 sidered herself a favourite. v ' ." 
 
 *« Ah now, that's not fair," said Sarah. 
 
 " And 'twould be of no use," observed 
 
 Miss Simmons j " but pray let's have done 
 
 F 3 with
 
 iOS Sketches of Character, or 
 
 with this noise, you will be very happy at 
 home, I dare say, and Lady Aucherly says 
 Mrs. St* Clair will be glad to see any of 
 yotk j and you/'- continued Miss Simmons, 
 looking at Phoebe and Clarissa^ " can go 
 a^nd call on the MisB Slades, and if " 
 
 " I can't bear the Miss Slades," cried 
 Phoebe. 
 
 *.i«"i>}'<ji? J," ;^id Clarissa^, "and its verv 
 pretty m you to put us oiFiii this manner." 
 
 " I suppose now niy father's not with us, 
 she thinks to govern us," said Anna. 
 <' »^l>But I won't bear it," exclaimed Sarah, 
 fetaitiping Wdth passion* 
 /..<f :J>-*d, iwho d'ye think cares for her," 
 sa;id ^Jiessy, pertly-j' *< I don^'t for one," said 
 Sarah. 
 
 ■^^* Nor I, rior I/' vociferated the younger 
 ones. 
 
 The noise this occasioned prevented their 
 hearing the door open, but at the sight of 
 Lady Aucherly they were dumb. 
 
 " I was apprehensive of some accident," 
 said her ladyship, as she entered, with a tone 
 of enquiry* 
 
 The
 
 Speci7mm of Beat Life. 106* 
 
 The young ladies v/ere not prepared with 
 an answer, and a little pause ensued, whei* 
 Miss Simmons observed that she had men- 
 tioned her ladyship's proposal, but that all 
 her sisters wished to go to Mrsi MacMau- 
 rice's and a little dispute had been the con= 
 sequence, 
 
 " Oh^ if you Cannot agree,'* said Lady 
 Aucherly, •* you must draw lotSi" . 
 " That's the fairest way," said Clarissa. 
 " There now !" said Sarah, " you see my 
 aunt did not particularize the four eldest.'* 
 
 ^> No," said her ladyship, " I thought 
 you could easily have settled it among your- 
 selves." ■ / ■ ~ '"-■ • ^\^^'^'^^^i v;j::V-;/;Jli . " 
 
 « Ah, Eliza 1^' said Jessy, kugiii'ng', While 
 her eyes spoke a variety of little angry, re- 
 proach esi'irri 3iii iroL 9ff?? vif: ,s7ii oJijfoano'Jclh 
 
 Lady Aucherly playfully presented them 
 with nine strips of paper, four of which were 
 longer than the rest. They drew in silence. 
 
 '* Oh !" exclaimed Jessy, ** / am to go," 
 
 " Nay, but I'll measure," said Sarah;' 
 eagerly. 
 
 *« Clarissa and 1 g6 too," said Phoebe. 
 
 F 4 ** And
 
 104f Sketches of Character, or 
 
 ** And Catherine has the fourth/* observed 
 her ladyship. 
 
 Miss KSimmons was silent. , 
 
 ** And Eliza doesn't go, after all, cried 
 Sarah, with delight. 
 
 " Well, it has occasioned us a great deal 
 of diversion,^' said Lady Aucherly j "but 
 we'll all go to the play and review ; didn't 
 some of you think of calling on the Miss 
 Slades?" 
 
 ** I don't know the Miss Slades, Ma'am," 
 said Martha, her eyes resting on a lace cap 
 she had been making to wear at Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice's. 
 
 ** I never saw them,'* said Mary. 
 
 ** You all go to my sister's, then," said 
 Lady Aucherly, turning with a smile to the 
 disconsolate five, as she left the room, 
 fiff Thank you Ma'am," returned Miss 
 Simmons. 
 
 The young ladies were too well bred, to 
 carry the dispute any farther, though Miss 
 Simmons felt the full force of several angry 
 glances. 
 
 Lady Aucherly soon afterwards ordered 
 
 her
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 105 
 
 her barouche to Duncan House ; she was 
 one of the first who called on Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice after her dance, and the only person 
 admitted. 
 
 The colonel's lady was taking her cho- 
 colate in bed, and exclaimed, as Lady Au- 
 cherly entered, " you're a good creature, and 
 I'm very glad to see you — you can't think 
 how fagg'd I am ; I had a great mind to lie 
 a-bed all day, but I'll get up now you are 
 come, and if you'll wait till I'm dress'd, I'll 
 go out with you." 
 
 " De tout mon cwiiVy^ said Lady Au- 
 cherly, " I too feel a little the worse for my 
 raking last night : I don't believe I've kept 
 such late hours, since Sir Philip was attack'd 
 with the gout ; but to tell you the truth, I've 
 been more fatigued this morning with nine 
 young ladies." J3iq«i 
 
 ** Ah ! I don't wonder at it." oi 
 
 " I've determined not to bring more than 
 four to dine with you to-day — " 
 
 ** Then, for G — d's sake, look out foui' of 
 the best." 
 
 ** Would it were in my power j but there 
 F 5 has
 
 106 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 has been such^ contest ; we could settle no- 
 thing without drawing lots." 
 ;t,^ " L-r-d! well, I hope Miss Simmons 
 does'nt come — with her meek bosom," 
 -o(f6 ^o, as good luck would have it — she is 
 my aversion ; she affects to be so gentle, and 
 on every occasion puts herself on a footing 
 with the. youngei' ones ; and with her formal 
 face,! i%'^ impossible for her to look young." 
 s'i;f*j And when nine are all co^fie out," said 
 Mrs. Maemaurice, " people must suspect 
 the eldest to be thirty at least : if there had 
 been but five or six of them, one might .have 
 given you a hint, perhaps, how to manage, 
 but dense take it, nine are too many." 
 iii* Ghl" exclaimed Lady Aucherly, de- 
 spoiidingly, " if you knew what " 
 
 "A mercy 'twould have been," inter- 
 rupted Mrs. Macmaurice, in a hoarse low 
 tone, ** if some of *em had been rock'd to 
 death in their cradles." 
 
 " You're too bad," said Lady Aucherly, 
 with a languid laugh, <« but really a few 
 could well be spared, their number makes 
 thein^, ridiculous J. a^d by w$y..pf saying 
 BGfi ^ f something
 
 Sj^eciftiens of' Real Life. I07 
 
 something in their favour, people *will settle 
 up, that ' take them all together they are 
 very fine looVmg girls,'* when, in my opi* 
 nion, Miss Simmons arid Martha are ugly 
 enough to '*''^iiiJiiA.iC;)i^ ^ ,tAL A. ,Ai\ns^ 
 
 '' To blast the whole' set,'* tAterniptetl 
 Mrs. Macmaurice ; " but L — d, why are not 
 they divided and parcelled out with their re- 
 lations, some to the East, some to the West, 
 and so on — have they no other aunt or — '* 
 - «« Their father,'* said Lady Aucherly, 
 •*' would rather lose a limb, I believe, than 
 part with one of them, except to give Sir 
 Phihp the pleasure of their company." 
 
 ** More fool he ; for while they keep to- 
 gether, they'll never get married ; they are 
 in each other's way. Besides, a man would 
 be afraid to marry one, lest he should have 
 all his sisters-in-law upon his hands. I de- 
 clare I don't know what to advise : I believe 
 there's nothing you can do, but to puff 'em 
 off, as the most beautiful and most accom^ 
 plished — " • 
 
 *< Ohl" said Lady Aucherly, half groan- 
 ing, « I've tried that: I had half a dozen 
 F 6 with
 
 108 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 me at Brighton four years ago — and when 
 
 I've spirits now, I set them off as well as I 
 
 Qan." 
 
 vii^f Ah, poor thing, I pity you, Tm sure ;'' 
 
 returned Mrs. Macmaurice, as she finished 
 
 the last layer of rouge. ** Well, now I'm 
 
 ready : Where shall we go ? Stop, I must 
 
 get my scarlet pelisse : it always looks well 
 
 in a barouche ; let's go into Bristol." 
 
 *« Jl Well thought of — I want to make a 
 
 few purchases, and you must introduce me 
 
 to the best shops^ for I know nothing of 
 
 Bristol." 
 
 '< Oh, I'll be your guide." 
 
 As they went down Park-street they 
 passed several officers, who bowed while the 
 carriage drove on, and when it stopt at 
 Shier cliff's library, they came up to make 
 their enquiries, and were immediately dis- 
 patched for a novel. 
 
 " Get something new," said Mrs. Mac- 
 manrice J ** but mind, no romances, I hate 
 books full of subterraneous passages, grisly 
 phantoms, and die-away Adelinas — Gome 
 let's see what you've got, « Dehcate Crimes/ 
 ,!^ , delicate
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 109 
 
 delicate nonsense, and here's * The Inno- 
 cent Adultress,' ha, ha, ha, what the dense 
 d'ye bring these for ? I want one full of fun 
 — try again — Here's Lethbridge and Colly 
 coming ; — so, good Sirs !" 
 
 " So, Mrs. Mac," cried the major, " my 
 sister without her nieces ! — she looks quite 
 forlorn : won't your Auntship take cold 
 without your usual number of petticoats — I 
 hope however no accident has befallen any 
 of your kinswomen." 
 
 ** L — d no," cried Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 laughing, *< they're all well at home, where 
 you may see them as large as life." 
 
 " It's really surprizing then — " continued 
 the major, " I shall look for the sky's 
 falHng." 
 
 " We had better put up the head of the 
 barouche then," said Lady Aucherly, ** and 
 drive home — have you got a book you like, 
 Mrs. Macmaurice ? — come take Miss Edge- 
 worth's Belinda, its a very good novel." 
 
 «< So I will — Quantreuille get me a new 
 
 army list — I want to see whether your name 
 
 is spelt right yet j there's a good iellow, and 
 
 3 now
 
 110 sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 now Lady Aiicherly, you shall see our dear 
 regiment at large, I.. — d, how 1 do love an 
 army list.*' * 
 
 At six o'clock a large party were as- 
 sembled at Mrs. Macmaurice's, and sat down 
 to a very elegant dinner. ' ^^t. . : i 
 
 " Upon my soul, Mrs. Mac;'* said Captain 
 
 Pytt, " you're better than your promise, you 
 
 invited me to eat up your dainty scraps." 
 
 /:;** For my part," cried Major Lethbridge 
 
 jokingly, ** I expected to find nothing but 
 
 half puffs, or a salmagundi of confectionary." 
 
 * To gratity such readers as may be of Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice's taste, and to afford them the same advantage 
 which Lady Aucherly had, the following extract from 
 the army list is subjoined ; 
 
 Philip M. White 
 
 COLONEL. 
 
 Marq. of Killarny, g. 
 
 LIXUT-COL, 
 
 Hast. Macmaurice 
 Hon. J.W. Gorges, c 
 
 ' MAJOR. 
 
 Artti* Thos. Upton 
 George Letlibridge 
 
 CAPTAIN. 
 
 Cathcart M. Howard 
 Edward C. Pytt 
 SirW.Fletcher,Bart. 
 Rich Oldhusbaiid 
 John Macmaurice 
 Charles Jones 
 Robert Quantreuille 
 
 Put. O'Reilly 
 Thos. P. Butler 
 Gustavus Uniacke 
 
 I Henry Lawrence 
 
 CORNET. 
 
 ' LIEUTENANT. jG. L. Tudor 
 
 Hen. Geo. Lamotte Browne 
 
 ChaSi. JohnWortham|Horace Pytt 
 Thomas Harrison [Edra, James Collier 
 Arch. Chcthani, Ad. lArth. Macmaurice 
 Hon. D.C.F. Wilson JRob. Bourchier 
 Little Trevor JDavid Allanson 
 
 John Arbuthnot j* ^ 
 
 John Burrard 'Qyoww Paym. Chr. WajTen 
 Vincent Fitzpatrick Adj. Arch. Chatham 
 G. Rose ■ \Sarg. R. D. Burke 
 
 William Saltash /i5..V«?'g. Geo.Helliar 
 
 Lord G.W.Donovan Gibson 
 
 Edward F.Cole r,5u/-g.R. Mackintosh 
 
 Alexander JoljambeL4|r.Greenwood«S;: Cox 
 
 « And
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 111 
 
 " And mutilated fowls, to make up a 
 .■shew,'' added Lady Aucherly. .^r-^hrir:. 
 
 " So much did I rely on her veracity," 
 continued the major, ** that I thought it 
 prudent to take something substantial before 
 I came here;. I never could make a dinner 
 off scraps." r[ '^-^vhr I •> .[f- 
 
 ** Well, Major, as you've laid a founda- 
 tion," said Captain Macmaurice, ** will j^ou 
 take some soup?" 
 
 ** No — I had soup last night — but T dare 
 say, it's not a whit the worse for a second 
 warming." 
 
 " Its quite another sort ;" said Mr>s, 
 Macmaurice, affecting anger. 
 
 " Oil, aye, true, for now I recollect, the 
 tureen of soup last night, was launched into 
 Miss Pytt's lap, and nearly inundated us." 
 ^ ■:>* Yes," said that lady, who was neither 
 young nor fair, " t'was in my alarm at the 
 cry of fire, that I helped to overturn the 
 table." 
 
 , *« You were afraid of being browned,'^ 
 said Captain Pytt, with an arch look at his 
 sister, i-pt'.'3'jjA vj - 
 
 «' 'Twas
 
 112 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 " *Twas very provoking," said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, " to have such confusion — 
 though it made some fun too." 
 
 " Oh, it all went off with great eclat." 
 observed the general's lady. ! 
 
 ** And Mrs. Mac. looks so well after it," 
 said Quantreuille, " I advise her to give a 
 dancing bout medicinally, once a week." 
 
 ** An excellent prescription faith," cried 
 Horace Pytt, " the doctor expects a fee." 
 
 " I^e^him handsomely enough I think," 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice, eying his plate — 
 ** there's a good pound there — I'll owe you 
 the odd shilling." 
 
 ** D — n your shilling," cried Quantreuille, 
 •' ril take it out at supper." 
 
 ** That you'll take in ;" said the major. 
 
 " And poor Mrs. Mac. into the bargain," 
 added Wortham — ** you're in for it doctor 
 ^ Miss Catherine Simmons, shall I have the 
 honour to take wine with you?" 
 
 Catherine was at the other end of the 
 table, and with a little agitated start, replied 
 ** no thank you, Sir." 
 
 Lady Aucherly bit her lip. ** My dear 
 
 Catherine,
 
 specimens of Real Life, 113 
 
 Catherine, you did not hear ; Mr. Wortham 
 asked you to take wine." 
 
 Catherine's blushes increased 5 she was 
 not ignorant that it was unfashionable to 
 refuse, and stammered out, " with great 
 pleasure. Sir;'' but this was lost on Wortham, 
 who, immediately on hearing the " no thank 
 you Sir," had entered into conversation with 
 the general. 
 
 " Wortham !" exclaimed Captain John 
 Macmaurice, <« Miss Simmons is asking you 
 to take wine." 
 
 " Oh, I didn't comprehend," said W^or- 
 tham bowing to Catherine ; " I believe we 
 were under a mutual mistake." 
 
 " Mrs. Pytt, who built your carriage ?" 
 said Lady Aucherly, endeavouring to divert 
 the attention of the company from the con- 
 fusion into which Catherine was thrown.- 
 if* 'Tisone of Godsall's — it's very plain." 
 
 " I admire it on that account, a gaudy 
 carriage is my aversion." 
 
 ** I've had an antipathy to a fine carriage," 
 said Mrs. Stackhurst, " ever since our old 
 coach nearly demolished one ; 'twas soon 
 
 after
 
 114 Sketch es of Character^ o>* 
 
 after the young Roscius came out in Ldll* 
 don ; we were going to Covent-Garden, and 
 by some accident or other, owing to the num- 
 ber of carriages going and returning just at 
 the same time, the pole of our carriage ran 
 against the splendid chariot of the Mar- 
 chioness of Arrangford, which had been 
 launched at the birth-day ; she has a terri- 
 ble temper, and she perfectly abused our old 
 tub." 
 
 " I hope we shall have no accident to- 
 morrow night," said Mrs. Pytt, "for I hear 
 all the Ai^orld are going to see our officers 
 perform." .u'-hinol -^.l//oJ rf-:f> 
 
 " Ah, I'm continually asked about this 
 play," returned Mrs. Stackhurst — "it's the 
 first part of Henry IV. isn't it ? — and who 
 takes the part of the King?" 
 
 "I believe that's scarcely settled yet," said 
 Mrs. Macmaurice; ' «^ome 6f Aherti were 
 sulky with their parts — they didn't chiise to 
 be king, or " .lioic-r^/fi /in ^i 'j« 
 
 " We all wanted 4o'te'Firiitk(i'''^'' said 
 Major Lethbridge. ' , i: i. 
 
 " And who has gained the point ?" 
 
 <* Captain
 
 specimens of Meal Lije. I't5 
 
 ^ 'f'«« Captain Oldhusbancl/' 
 
 «* I sha'n't take that for gospel, till I see 
 his name in the playbill," said Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice a^ she rose to retire with the ladies 
 to the drawing-room, 
 
 ^*« SoWortham/' said Major Lethbridge, 
 »* you and Miss Catherine had a row." ^ 
 
 " Ah, upon my soul, I'm sorry I fright- 
 ened her." 
 
 «* She has rather tender spirits," returned 
 the major; "you would not have found 
 Clarissa or Miss Jessy so timid." 
 
 " G — d, how pat you have all their 
 names," said Quantreuille ; "do be so 
 obliging as to enumerate them," continued 
 he, taking out a memorandum-book, " I 
 have a nomenclature of my dogs and horses 
 on this side, and there's room for these nine 
 divinities on the other.^' noiUiit 
 
 "They are very fine girls," said General 
 Stackhurst, " and I wont have them quizz'd 
 in this manner ; come Mr. Wortham, we'll 
 drink Miss Catherine's health." -* •^''' '^ 
 
 " Hadn't we better include all nine ?" 
 
 "No
 
 116 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " No, by G— d, 1^1 not suffer that,'* said 
 Colonel Macmaurice, " we'll drink a bum- 
 per to each of thenlj if jou please." 
 
 " Here's Miss Simmons, to begin, cried 
 Wortham. 
 
 " No," said Major LethbridgCj " Miss 
 Catherine is indisputably your toast ; / shall 
 give Miss Simmons, because she's about my 
 own age ; we may be all suited among so 
 many — their united ages^ I reckon, amount 
 to two hundred and seventy three." 
 
 " By G— d !" exclaimed the colonel, 
 laughing, <* its a d — 'd shame to make their 
 ages public ; come drink your wine, here's 
 a fresh bottle ; how do you like it ?" 
 
 " It's very fair," said the major, " but if 
 your wine and Miss Simmons could divide 
 their ages, each would be a gainer." 
 
 The conversation now turned on the flavor 
 of the wines, and the late duties j politics 
 followed, and about eleven o'clock the gen- 
 tlemen adjourned to the drawing-room. 
 
 The card tables were already in order, and 
 Major Bloodthorpe, and several other officers 
 being announced, Col. Macmaurice formed 
 
 a party
 
 Specrmens of Real Life, II7 
 
 a party for himself, while his lady headed 
 the loo table. They played at a very high 
 stake, and Mrs. Lethbridge having had a 
 long run of ill luck, began to be fretful. 
 
 <* h — d, how I do love to see Louisa 
 losing,*' cried Mrs. Macmaurice ; "she can't 
 bear parting with her money." 
 
 <* Very few can," said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " No, but she's so ver^y stingy — I don't 
 believe she ever gives any thing to the poor : 
 / do ; you know I gave half-a-crown 
 to-day to an old man, w^ho told me he had 
 been in tHe Royals ; and at the pastry cook's 
 there was a beggar woman and her brat 
 blockading the door, so I set the child in a 
 roar with a spoonful of ice, and sent off the 
 woman with an oyster pate.' - 
 
 ** I dare say it made her sick," said Mrs. 
 Lethbridge ; *' and your charity was rather 
 cold towards the child." 
 
 " Come that's very smart --but it's more 
 than you would have shewn." 
 
 <* Perhaps so, and probably you would 
 not have cross'd the street on the occasion — 
 I question too, v.hether you would have had 
 
 com-
 
 118 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 compassion on the old man, had he been a 
 decayed barber." 
 
 " Nor you, even if he had been a decayed 
 field marshal.'* 
 
 " But how came you," said Quantreuille, 
 Jaughing, *' to regale with ice in De- 
 cember ?" 
 
 What's that to you ; you must always 
 sift every story I chuse to tell ; suppose 'twas 
 a brandy cherry — cut the cards, doctor — 
 now ibr a change of luck, Louisa." 
 
 ** I shall play ;" said Mrs. Lethbridge, 
 feeling really anxious to retrieve her losses. 
 
 *' I shall certainly loo you," cried Mrs. 
 Pytt, displaying the ace of trumps and a 
 pretty set of teeth. 
 
 " Deuse take the cards," muttered Mrs. 
 Lethbridge, ** it's too bad." 
 
 " See what I've won," cried her sister, 
 «* will you go iialves." 
 
 *< Egad, there's some liberality in that," 
 said Worth am. 
 
 I K'«*^ Almost equal to her generosity in the 
 pate story ;" said Mrs. Lethbridge ; it did 
 hex humanity a great deal of credit, to throw 
 
 away
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 119 
 
 away a luxurious morsel, ^Yllen the money it 
 cost, would have fed the wretch for three 
 aays." 
 
 '< Aye, or a week,- I warrant, with good 
 'management,'* returned Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 casting a sly look at the major. 
 
 *< You must however allow," said he, 
 ** she grows less miserly every day." 
 
 " Yes, she * now gives supence xvhere 
 she gave a groat T " 
 
 ** I'm glad you allow me some liberality," 
 said Mrs. Lethbridge, ** though I've a notion 
 I can distinguish as well as you, between 
 extravagant bounty w^iich is often squan- 
 dered without utility, and charity, which 
 though limited, points to the distress of the 
 sufferer. " 
 
 '< Very iine, very fine," cried John Mac- 
 maurice, ** and if you go to the Cathedral 
 to-morrow, you'll hear it over again-— but 
 I believe you never go to charity sermons." 
 
 *^l shall give my mite to-morrow, not- 
 withstanding ; and if you go, you shall be 
 my almoner." 
 
 « Ah, that's brave now," cried Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice,
 
 120 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 maurice, *« but L — d I know it goes to her 
 heart to give." 
 
 " In this instance, I assure you 'tis^-ow 
 my heart.^' 
 
 " A merveille ! Louisa," exclaimed Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, " I declare you shine to- 
 night — Collier's deal — La dyAucherly don't 
 go yet — oh, if you must," added she in a 
 whisper, 'Hake French leave— come. Colly, 
 deal — you can't hand Jessy down to-night." 
 
 As Lady Aucherly and her nieces drove 
 home, Jessy exclaimed, " what a pleasant, 
 delightful day I've had." 
 
 ** Oh, 'twas vastly agreeable," said Cla- 
 rissa. 
 
 ** So gay," added Phoebe. 
 
 ** I was not a little mortified," said Lady 
 Aucherly to Catherine, ** that you should 
 expose yourself in the manner you did, when 
 Mr. Wortham asked you to take wine ; I 
 saw he turned away half affronted." 
 
 ** Yes, ma'am, but he took me so by 
 surprize ; I was attending to Captain Mac- 
 maurice, who sat opposite to me — and 'twas 
 
 i50
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 1^1 
 
 so sudden 1 had only been introduced 
 
 to him just before dinner." 
 
 ** And-how, pray, does that alter the case? 
 you should always maintain that elegant self- 
 possession, which gives us command over 
 every action. Among well-bred people, as 
 soon as an introduction takes place, they lay 
 aside all form, and address each other with 
 the same familiarity as if they had been ac- 
 quainted for years: you should not * sir* 
 and ' ma'am* people as you do, unless you 
 wish to keep them at a distance — I don't 
 mean that you should entirely drop the ex- 
 pression, because to certain persons, the 
 omission would be construed into a want of 
 respect." 
 
 ." Then how is one to know, ma*am, when 
 it is proper and when not." 
 
 *' By attending to well-bred persons : you 
 should accustom yourself to an ease in con- 
 versation as well as in manner ; a respectful 
 addi'ess to certain people should be attended 
 to ; but to a young officer, * If you please, 
 sir* — *no, I thank you, sir,* betrays your 
 little acquaintance with the world, and chills 
 VOL. I. G every
 
 1S2 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 every attention he offers ; and pray remem- 
 ber another time, not to refuse a gentleman 
 who asks you to take wine." 
 
 ** Ma'am, I had just taken wine with Mr. 
 Macmaurice." 
 
 " And how was Mr. Wortham to know 
 that ? you must suppose he meant it as a 
 civiHty, and what must he think of being 
 repulsed? — there's a sort of ingratitude in 
 it. If a dozen gentlemen ask you to take 
 wine, you should not refuse one ; nothing is 
 so ill-bred ; you need not, of course, drink 
 a dozen glasses ; just touch it to your lips, 
 the compliment's the same . It vexed me 
 too, Clarissa, that you called Mr. Collier, 
 Cfl;p^<2m Collier ; never confound distinctions ; 
 most of the inaccuracies I find in you all, 
 arise from a want of presence of mind ; 
 you should be careful always to address 
 people by their proper titles." 
 
 The carriage now stopt at Prince's Build- 
 ings; the five other nieces were sitting over 
 a gloomy fire when Lady Aucherly entered. 
 She wished them good night, and the young 
 ladies retired to their chambers in trios. 
 
 « Well/"
 
 Specimens of Real Life, ISS 
 
 " Well,*' said Mary to Clarissa, " had you 
 a pleasant party ?" 
 
 " Yes; 'twas pleasant enough ; but—" 
 
 « But what now ?" 
 
 ** Oh I don't know ; 'twas out of our way ; 
 I didn't feel quite comfortable." 
 
 <* You weren't noticed much, perhaps," 
 said Mary. 
 
 *' No, 'fwasn't for that ; but the company 
 were all so free and intimate with each other, 
 that for my part, I felt more like a looker on 
 — 'twas very amusing too, to see their ways; 
 all fun, nothing like form. L — d! look 
 how Eliza stands before the glass curling 
 her hair, without saying a w^ord." 
 
 ** I don't see what there is for me to say," 
 answered Miss Simmons, ** you have dined 
 out; and I suppose there's nothing very 
 remarkable in that." 
 
 ** No, but 'twould be so natural, one 
 would think," returned Clarissa, " to ask 
 one a little about it." 
 
 Miss Simmons was not in a humour to be 
 inquisitive, but as Mary was exactly the re- 
 verse, Clarissa went on chattering till her 
 G S eldest
 
 124 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 eldest sister requested to be permitted to 
 sleep. 
 
 The young ladies in the next room con- 
 tinued talking for a long time : Jessy had 
 been much flattered with the attentions of 
 Mr. Collier, and expatiated very minutely 
 on every thing that had happened. 
 
 " Did you observe how sulky Eliza was 
 when you came home?" said Sarah. 
 
 ♦* I was glad to see it," replied Jessy, 
 «* Vm sure I admired her assurance to-day." 
 
 «« Oh 'twas too bad/' said Sarah, *« and it 
 could be no great consequence to her ; there 
 isn't one of the officers that would think of 
 her a moment." 
 
 " But she wants to be thought just as 
 young as we are," said Jessy, ** I'm sure, 
 I think she would stand just as good a chance 
 of marrying ten years hence as now." 
 
 " And better," said Sarah, ** for when 
 she's iive-and-forty, many an old bachelor 
 or widower might think her a very suitable 
 age ; but now, she's neither one thing nor 
 t'other." 
 
 In the room above, Catherine had retired 
 
 quietly
 
 Specimens of Real Life* 1^5 
 
 quietly to bed, while Phoebe was giving her 
 account of the party to Anna, when, during 
 a pause in her tale, some soft sobs were 
 heard proceeding from Catherine's bed. 
 
 *< What's the matter?" said Anna. 
 
 " Law !" exclaimed Phcebe, " are you 
 crying?" 
 
 " What can be the matter ?" repeated 
 Anna. 
 
 " 'Tis nothing," said Phoebe, **■ only my 
 aunt was displeased w^ith her." 
 
 " 'Tisn't for that," said Catherine, fret- 
 fully, and having once given vent to her 
 voice, she continued, " to think of my being 
 such a fool as to refuse Mr. Worth am." 
 
 " What did he offer to you?" said Anna. 
 
 *' Law, no," said Pha^be, " he asked her 
 to take wine, and she not attending, said 
 <* no, thank you. Sir." 
 
 " Law, that tt'a^ silly," cried Anna, "don't 
 you know how often we've been told " 
 
 " Don't I know that as well as you," in- 
 terrupted Catherine, " and dy'e think I'm 
 not mad with myself 5 such a handsome 
 
 G 3 «* I ibrgei
 
 126 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 *' I forget which was Mr. Wortham ?" 
 said Anna. 
 
 " Don't you remember," said Phoebe, 
 " that tall man, in the Light Dragoons, with 
 rather a proud look.'' 
 
 ** And did he ask to drink wine with 
 Catherine," cried Anna, *« and she to re- 
 fuse ?" 
 
 Catherine's bed vibrated with her sobs, 
 while she exclaimed, " To think, as my 
 aunt says, how injudicious it was ; I know 
 what she meant ; you know it might have 
 been an overture on his part ; and if I had 
 only shewn common politeness, there's no 
 knowing what might have come of it." 
 
 ** I wonder," said Anna, " how many of 
 us will ever be married ?" 
 
 " I sometimes think none of us will," said 
 Phoebe. 
 
 " If two are," said Catherine, recovering 
 her spirits, *' it will be as many as I expect." 
 
 " And more than I do," cried Anna, " if 
 we all follow your plan, and refuse gen- 
 tlemen." 
 
 '* Don't teaze so," said Catherine. 
 
 *< It's
 
 specimens of Real Life, 127 
 
 " It's very strange/' observed Phoebe, 
 ** that none of us have ever had any thing 
 like serious attentions paid us." 
 
 " Please to speak only for yourself," said 
 Anna. 
 
 '' Oh, if you've any secret admirer," re- 
 turned Phoebe, " I dont pretend to speak 
 on the subject." 
 
 *' Bless me ! how you catch me up," cried 
 Anna. 
 
 '* Don't make such a noise," said Cathe- 
 rine, " I'm afraid we shall disturb my aunt, 
 we had better go to sleep." 
 
 G 4 CHAP^
 
 128 Sketches of Character, 
 
 or 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING THE CATHEDRAL — - 
 
 MILITARY THEATRICALS 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. 
 
 C OME of the Miss Simmonses accom- 
 ^ panied Mrs. St. Clair and Maria the 
 next morning to Clifton church ; and some 
 went with Lady Aucherly and Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice to the cathedral, the entrance of which 
 was crowded with Light Dragoons, who at- 
 tended the service. 
 
 They all made way for the colonel's lady, 
 who, as she passed, stopt to ask one man how 
 his leg was ; another, when his wife was put 
 to bed, desiring him to send to her for any 
 
 thing
 
 Specinie?is of Real Life* 129 
 
 thing slie wanted ; and by this condescen- 
 sion, Mrs. Macmaurice had made herself 
 very popular among the troops. 
 
 After the semce was over, Lady Aucherly 
 directed her steps to the monument of Capt, 
 St. Clair : it was of white marble, repre- 
 senting the stern of a ship, bearing the name 
 of the Alciope, in vv^hich he had received his 
 last wound : a Drapery, bearing the Arms of 
 the St. Clair family, concealed the upper 
 part of the vessel. The whole was executed 
 in Flaxman's best style, and cost three 
 hundred guineas. 
 
 A Tablet beneath told the melancholy 
 tale of his death. 
 
 *« How simply elegant," exclaimed Lady 
 Aucherly j ** To the memory of Augustus 
 St. Clair." 
 
 " L — d ! what a sermon we had," cried 
 Mrs. Macmaurice : *' it really made one 
 quite uncomfortable — but there, 'twas all 
 very good and very proper — what a mercy 
 'tis one can go home and forget it aii — Well, 
 I declare now, this is a very hanusome 
 monument." 
 
 G 5 <* How
 
 130 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " How extremely well the shells are done," 
 said Phoebe ; " that Queen Conch wants only 
 colouring to persuade us it is a real one." 
 
 *< The ornaments are particularly appro- 
 priate," observed Lady Aucherly, with a 
 sigh. 
 
 After -admiring it for some time, they pass- 
 ed on to the carriage ; not, however, without 
 doing justice to the elegant pillar in memory 
 of Sterne's Ehza. 
 
 " You never saw Captain St. Clair, I 
 think," said Lady Aucherly, to Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, as they drove to Clifton. 
 
 ** I've heard that he was very handsome." 
 
 *' I trace his features in Maria," returned 
 Lady Aucherly ; "he had a most interest- 
 ins: countenance. The Duke of Montolieu 
 and Lord Frederick St. Clair also at times 
 remind me of him, though they were only 
 his second cousins." 
 
 *' Oh one can trace a family likeness," 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice, "between relations 
 still more distant — Mrs. St. Clair was mar- 
 ried very soon after you, wasn't she 
 
 " I had
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 131 
 
 " I had been married about four months, 
 and my sister was with me at Dover, when 
 we were invited to a dance on board a fri- 
 gate ; St. Clair was then first Lieutenant, 
 and was quite a stranger to us ; he danced 
 with Sophia, and I believe with them it was 
 love at first sight : they were married in- six 
 weeks afterwards/' 
 
 *' That shewed some spirit ; I hate your 
 long courtships : he made his fortune by 
 prize-money, didn't he ?" 
 
 ** He was very lucky, both as Lieutenant 
 and when he was made Captain : I recol- 
 lect congratulating my sister on his appoint- 
 ment to the Alciope, and her answer is still 
 in my mind; "while I rejoice at his promo- 
 tion, the danger attached to it fills me with a 
 thousand anxious fears." 
 
 Soon after Mrs. Macmaurice got home, 
 several visitors who had been at Iier Ball, 
 came to pay their devoirs. 
 
 " I have ordered the band," said Mrs, 
 
 Macmaurice, ** and I expect it here every 
 
 minute — my dear Phoebe Simmons, run to 
 
 G 6 tlir
 
 1:3^ SketcJies of Character, or 
 
 the window, and tell me whose sword that is 
 clanking along the pavement.'* 
 
 " I don't know, Ma'am," said Phoebe. 
 
 *« Let me see then— L — d, child, don't you 
 know the brigade major 1 — why he's not 
 going to pass the house to be sure !" said 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, throwing up the window. 
 <* Orderly ! run after Major Sykes, with my 
 compliments — step out -" 
 
 " The band's coming, ma'am," said 
 Phoebe. 
 
 " So major, you were going to give me 
 the slip ; walk up. Orderly, tell the master 
 of the band I want him. Mr. Holmes, play 
 my new reel. Ah, Sykes, what have you to 
 say for yourself?" 
 
 " I had the honor of calhng yesterday — " 
 
 <* But you didn't see me ; you should 
 repeat your calls till you do ; don't you like 
 to see my face ?" 
 
 A laugh from the company drowned the 
 major's answer. 
 
 " How dy'e like my reel. Lady Aucherly? 
 Now doesn't it sound ten times better than 
 with the fiddles ? Come, who'll call a 
 
 tune?
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 133 
 
 tune ? Mr* Holmes, giwe us that new med- 
 ley." 
 
 *< You'll catch your death, Mrs. Mac," 
 said Major Lethbridge, shaking her shoul- 
 ders, ** leaning out of window in December." 
 
 ** Don't," exclaimed she, *' I will stay 
 till they introduce Sir David Hunter Blair." 
 
 '* Then pray have some compassion on 
 your friends," said he, lowering the window. 
 
 ** L — d, you're going to guillotine me — 
 look there, who's this coming ?" 
 
 <* Mrs. Mansell's chaise and four." 
 
 " Oh yes, I see kitten-face in the corner — 
 now we shall have some fun in hearing her 
 silly remarks." 
 
 " I think I never saw a countenance so 
 vacant," observed Mrs. Lethbridge. 
 
 ** Her face," said Miss St. Clair, "resem- 
 bles an empty house ; for when you look 
 through her windows, you see an unfurnished 
 apartment." 
 
 " L — d," cried Mrs. Macmaurice, as the 
 carriage stopt at the door, "look at the soft 
 soul — how unmeaningly she stares at the 
 band." 
 
 "How
 
 134 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 " How proud Mr. Mansell must be," said 
 Mrs. St. Clair, ** to have such an angel 
 doing the honors of his table." 
 
 ** She is most amazingly ignorant," added 
 Miss St. Clair. 
 
 "And I have heard," said Lady Aucherly, 
 " that great pains were taken with her 
 education : lier father was a clergyman, and 
 was very anxious to make her clever." 
 
 " I should have sworn he had been a mil- 
 liner," exclaimed Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 " She has no memory I believe," continued 
 Lady Aucherly, ''and consequently has for- 
 gotten every thing that was taught her." 
 
 "Her memory must be very partial then,'' 
 said Mrs. Pytt, "for she can detail the most 
 minute trifles about dress, with an exactness 
 that is astonishing." 
 
 " But she has such a round-about way of 
 expressing herself," said Major Lethbridge. 
 
 " Hush, I hear her gentle steps on the 
 stairs — ah, my dear Mrs. Mansell," conti- 
 nued Mrs. Macmaurice, taking her by the 
 hand as she entered, " now this is being very 
 sociable." 
 
 " Have
 
 specimens of' Real Life, \S5 
 
 " Have you been an airing?'' enquired 
 Lady Aucheryl. 
 
 *' Yes, I've been all round the Down since 
 church." 
 
 " Ah, I know you never miss church." 
 
 *' I always go once, but I suppose you 
 haven't been to-day." 
 
 ** For why ?" cried Mrs. Macinaurice. 
 
 " Oh, I don't know — 'cause of the band 
 and all." 
 
 " What, you don't like music ?" 
 
 " Oh, yes, but then somehow — country 
 dances you know, on a Sunday, somehow- 
 like " 
 
 " Oh, you think it wicked ?" said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice. 
 
 «< Why somehow — did you never hear of 
 the story about the dance on a Sunday, and 
 — what appeared and all ?" 
 • *' No ; What ?" cried Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 winking to Major Lethbridge. 
 
 '^ Oh law ! I couldn't tell it." 
 
 ** Pray let's have the story," said Leth- 
 bridge; " come, Mrs.Mansell, we must insist 
 upon it." 
 
 2 «« 1 don't
 
 136/ Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 ** I don't tliink I can remember it all — " 
 eaid Mrs. Mansell, hesitating and getting 
 frightened, ** its rather long.*' 
 
 " So much the better ;" they all agreed. 
 
 " Stop one moment/' said Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, " I'll order some cold meat for the 
 band, and then we'll hear it all com- 
 fortably," 
 
 " I think there's nothing so delightful," 
 said the brigade major, " as hearing a good 
 ghost story." 
 
 *« Oh, sir," said Mrs, Mansell, ** 'tisn't 
 quite a ghost story." 
 
 *< We are all impatient for it, whatever it 
 may be," said Mrs. Pytt, negligently lean- 
 ing back in her chair. 
 
 << Now for it then — " said Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, drawing her chair near Mrs. Mansell, 
 who, after some hesitation, began 
 
 " 'Twas on a Sunday you know, as this 
 might be, and there a party of ladies and 
 gentlemen went from London a pleasuring- 
 like,to the country house of one of the party; 
 and there they had a grand dinner and all — 
 and so says one, what shall we do to amuse 
 
 ourselvcji
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 137 
 
 ourselves in the evening ? so one said, let's 
 have cards; but the gentleman of the house 
 — no, Pm wrong, 'twas his lady, — said 'tis un- 
 lucky, we forgot to bring cards, but we can 
 have a dance, for we've musical instruments 
 in the house, and two of the servants can play 
 the fiddle : so they all agreed that was much 
 better than cards ; so accordingly the music 
 was ordered, and dancing they had, for all 
 'twas Sunday you know : well and in the 
 middle of one of the dances, I forgot what 
 tune it was '' 
 
 "The Devil among the taylors, I believe," 
 said Major Lethbridge. 
 
 " Ah, now, you've heard it before." 
 
 " No indeed, I only guess'd the tuije." 
 
 " However," resumed Mrs. Mansell, " I 
 don't know that the tune signifies " 
 
 " It might have been some hornpipe per- 
 haps," said Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 " Or possibly," said Major Sykes, " the 
 very tune the band was playing when you 
 came here." 
 
 ** Oh law, no sir," said Mrs. Mansell, 
 ** now you quite put one out." 
 
 «« Pray
 
 138 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 " Pray let's have silence/' cried Mrs* 
 Lethbridge, ** I'm dying to hear the sequel." 
 
 " Well then," continued Mrs. Mansell, 
 encouraged by the mock attention which 
 every one now paid her, ** they were in the 
 middle of dancing, when all of a sudden — 
 you see 'twas a lone house, in a garden, with 
 walls round it, what should they see on the 
 wall — 'twas a moon-light night, — but a 
 strange gentleman in a scarlet coat : so the 
 company being all in jollity and fun-like, 
 said, ' let's ask him in :' so accordingly 
 they opened the window, and invited him to 
 join the party ; so he came in, and the lady 
 of the house danced with him : and there 
 they went on dancing, till tw^elve o'clock at 
 night ; and they had been so merry, they 
 hadn't particularly noticed the stranger's 
 figure, only they observed he was tall and 
 well made you know, and his face was very 
 handsome ; ^i\e eyes and all ; oh, I don't 
 know how handsome ; and there he w^as so 
 witty and entertaining, that he quite charm 'd 
 all the company — well, about twelve o'clock, 
 just after he came to the bottom of a dance, 
 
 he
 
 Specimens of Real Life* 139 
 
 he led his partner to a seat, and began talking 
 quite smart-like, when the lady's fan hap- 
 pened to drop — she stooped to pick it up, 
 and immediately uttered such a dreadful 
 scream, as if she was possessed-like ; the 
 company were all panic-struck, and came up 
 to her to know what was the matter, and to 
 help her you know ; but she could not speak, 
 but pointed to the stranger's feet, and what 
 should they see — but cloven feetl — they 
 knew, then, you know, that 'twas the wicked 
 one — so they w^ere all terribly frightened, as 
 you may suppose ; and in an instant, the 
 wicked one changed himself into his own 
 shape, and spat upon the lady " 
 
 " A nasty fellow !" said Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 " Oh law 1 but then you know," con- 
 tinued Mrs. Mansell, ** 'twas like a curse 
 upon her ; and there, there was thunder and 
 lightning, and the wicked one clapt to his 
 wings, and sped himself away; leaving a 
 strong smell of brimstone in the room, with 
 all a thick fog-like." 
 
 " Good G — d! howdreadfid ;" exclaimed 
 Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 '< Were
 
 140 SketcJies of Character ^ or 
 
 '* Were you there?" said Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 "Me! law no — " returned Mrs. Man- 
 seli, ** I'm sure 'twould have killed me ; I 
 wouldn't see the wicked one for all the 
 world — ah you may smile, sir," added she, 
 turning to the brigade major, «* but it's a 
 true story." 
 
 " And when did this awful affair happen ?" 
 said Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 *« Oh law, I don't know : a great many 
 years ago ; 'twas told me, when I was a very 
 little girl, by an old lady, who had it from a 
 person whose aunt was present, and con- 
 fessed it on her death bed ; and there, she 
 said, nothing could be so terrible as 'twas ; 
 and they were all, you know — their con- 
 sciences prick'd-like, and ever after led very 
 virtuous lives." 
 
 " Indeed it's a very surprising story," said 
 Lady Aucherly, «* and a warning not to ad- 
 mit strangers in scarlet to our houses." 
 
 " He wasn't in regimentals, was he?" 
 said Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 ** Oh, no doubt," cried Major Lethbridge, 
 " in the uniform of the Devil's own." 
 
 - Oh
 
 Spechmns of Real Life, 141 
 
 " Oh lav/, now," said Mrs. Mansell, ob- 
 serving they all laughed, " now don't make 
 a joke of it — because you know something 
 might happen." 
 
 <' It's too serious a subject to make joke 
 of," observed Mrs. St. Clair, <« tho' I can't 
 say I've much fear iu the day time." 
 
 " Nor I, so much,'^ returned Mrs. Man- 
 sell. 
 
 " Did you ever hear a story so well told," 
 said Major Lethbridge, going up to the Vv^in- 
 dow to Jessy Simmons. 
 
 " She seem'd to have it all by rote," 
 said Jessy, " and I warrant has told it in the 
 very same words a hundred times." 
 
 *' Look," said Catherine, " how the band 
 are enjoying themselves with their cold 
 meat." 
 
 *< What delicate sandwiches they're 
 making," cried the major ; " do observe the 
 little drummer, how he's stuffing." 
 
 " It makes one's mouth water," said Jessy. 
 
 ** Mrs. Mac," said Major Lethbridge, 
 '* you delight to tantalize us ; it's impossible 
 for human nature to bear it." 
 
 ^* What's
 
 142 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 *< What's the matter, major?" 
 
 <« Why you keep us starving here, while 
 we can't help seeing the good things de- 
 voured by those cormorants." 
 
 '< L — d, you are always thinking of your 
 belly ; but upon my soul, I had forgotten 
 it — ring the bell ; I've a cold collation for 
 you, and some fruit which Lord Athorpe 
 sent me from Bath ; well now, as I suppose 
 those fellows have done cramming, we'll 
 have some more music." 
 
 " We'll avoid country dances if you 
 please," said Major Lethbridge, with a sly 
 wink, " for somehow I feel a sort of qualm 
 liker 
 
 " Oh, they shall play psalms then," said 
 Mrs, Macmaurice. " Holmes 1" cried she, 
 leaning out of the window, " can you play 
 us any good psalms ; L — d, look how the 
 man stares, with * Psalms, ma'am!' we 
 must call for something else, they've none in 
 their books." 
 
 <* There can be no objection to marches, 
 I think," said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " Play
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 143 
 
 *« Play some of your best marches then," 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice, " the Duke of 
 York's March ; oh, here's something for 
 Lethbridge — now we shall see what a good 
 knife and fork he'll play." 
 
 *' Help Mrs. Mansell to something, ma- 
 jor," said Miss St. Clair, ** for she seems 
 quite exhausted after her story." 
 
 " Well, I will take a little wine and 
 -water," said Mrs. Mansell. 
 
 " Upon my soul," cried Charles Mac- 
 maurice, entering the room, *^ here are fine 
 doings ; I didn't expect to find you all gor- 
 mandizing ; I'm come very apropos." . 
 
 " Oh, you're too late," said Miss St. 
 Clair, as he took a seat near her ; " Mrs. 
 Mansell has been entertaining us with a most 
 interesting story, which, by my patience^ 
 lasted a full hour." 
 
 " Faith, I'm quite out of luck then,'* 
 said he, archly, ** but the truth is, I have 
 been seeing my clothes packed up." 
 
 " Are you going then, so soon!" said 
 Miss St. Clair, with emotion. 
 
 ** I shall stay over the review — but as this 
 
 was
 
 144 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 was a leisure morning, I've been putting u]> 
 my drawings, and other things which I 
 could not trust to my servant." 
 
 ** Is that from your pencil ?" said Miss 
 St. Clair, pointing to the representation of 
 an engagement between a French and Eng- 
 lish frigate. 
 
 " Many years ago," replied he, " but it 
 cannot boast of much merit." 
 
 '< Tm fond of Sea- Pieces," said Maria. 
 
 <* If you will honor me then," said 
 Charles, *< by taking care of a few, till I see 
 you again — I should " 
 
 ** In other words," said Maria, '« you wish 
 to make me a present; since you are so frank 
 then, I will accept of one : but tell me, Mr. 
 Macmaurice, are you in the navy from the 
 persuasion of your friends, or prompted by 
 your own inclination ?" 
 
 " It was entirely my own choice," said 
 he, ** and contrary to my mother's wish ; she 
 would have had us all in the army : but I 
 was at Westminster school, with Lord Paget 
 Bentley, who was intended for the navy, and 
 being great friends, our pursuits were the 
 
 same
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 145 
 
 same — my profession has been always a 
 pleasure to me, and I am doubly happy 
 since I find you are partial to it." 
 
 " It's impossible," said Maria, " to with- 
 hold our admiration from the protectors of 
 our country." 
 
 ** To be the protector of Miss St. Clair," 
 said Charles, lowering his voice, " would 
 make me — " 
 
 Here Mrs. Macmaurice came up, inter- 
 rupting them with, " I won't have you two 
 tete a teting here, while we are all eating ; 
 come, what will you have?" said she, look- 
 ing round to the table — " Lethbridge, you 
 sha'n't have all that pine ; come, make Miss 
 St. Clair a sandwich — now don't say you've 
 no appetite ; L — d ! why shouldn't you eat 
 and drink like other people — Charles, help 
 her to a glass of Madeira ; you want more 
 wine, don't you major? — Catherine Sim* 
 mons, my dear, do call some tune ; Sykes, 
 open the window for her." 
 
 « Why, Mrs. Mac," said Major Leth- 
 bridge, " you've made yourself quite hoarse; 
 let me give you a glass of water.'* 
 
 VOL, I. H " Thro^f
 
 146 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 "Throw *water to the dogs, TU have 
 none on't — *' cried Mrs. Macmaurice, in a 
 theatrical tone ; *< give me a glass of wine." 
 
 " Why Mrs. Mac, you spout famously," 
 cried Major Sykes. 
 
 " 'Twould be a wonder if I didn't ; I've 
 heard nothing but spouting from morning to 
 night, ever since this play was thought of; 
 and all by piece-meal : one cries, * Revolted 
 Mortimer!' then another's full of ^ Lean 
 Jack' and ^ Eastcheap — ' then comes 
 Lethbridge, with * AnoUy ano7i, Francis^' 
 so that I've got a complete jumble in my 
 head, of * What is honour P — Food for worms 
 —a cup of sack — what upon compulsion ? — 
 Four in buckram suits — " 
 
 " Bravo ! Mrs. Mac," cried Lethbridge ; 
 " bravo ! m^ Lady the Hostess /" 
 
 " Now do major," said Mrs. Pytt, *^ give 
 us a speech from your part." 
 
 " Come Prince Henry," cried Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, " stand up man." 
 
 " How the devil can I be heard, while 
 the band's thundering « the Downfall of 
 Paris* in your ears." 
 
 The
 
 Specimens of Real Life. ^ 147 
 
 The music was ordered to stop, and the 
 major burlesqued Prince Henry's address to 
 FalstafF's body. 
 
 " Excellent ! — oh, charming ! — bra vol" 
 they all exclaimed : " pray proceed," said 
 Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 ** How pleasant all this is," whispered 
 Phcebe to Anna, as they stood together at 
 one of the windows. 
 
 *« So different," returned the other, "from 
 our hum-drum ways at Hammersmith." 
 
 " How delightful it must be," said Jessy, 
 ** to be a colonel's lady, and have the band 
 whenever you please — " 
 
 ** Yes," sighed her sisters. 
 
 " Ah, here's our Hotspur," cried Mrs. 
 Macmaurice. 
 
 " That's clever," said Mrs. Pytt — *< now 
 you're come, Wortham, we'll have a re- 
 hearsal." 
 
 " Do go back — " said Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 pushing him to the door, " and come in 
 reading the letter." 
 
 " Oh, no — let Prince Henry kill him," 
 cried Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 H 2 " Upon
 
 148 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 " Upon my soul/' said Wortham, look- 
 ing round, " you seem to be all leagued 
 against me — pray who first proposed quiz- 
 zing me ?" 
 
 •* No matter — do as Mrs. Mac bids you/* 
 said Mrs. Lethbridge, " and come in read- 
 ing the letter." 
 
 " I must have a Lady Percy then." 
 «* Who will be Kate?" cried Mrs. St, 
 Clair ; " Mrs. Macmaui'ice, do oblige us." 
 
 ** No, that won't do," said Major Leth- 
 bridge, " Wortham would prefer Miss 
 Catherine Simmons." 
 
 " Oh dear, no, sir — " said Catherine 
 colouring, ** I couldn't — sir, indeed — -" 
 
 The company all declared that as her 
 name was Catherine, she must take the 
 part. 
 
 <* It*s not fair/' said Lady Aucherly, 
 
 " that you should be all against her" 
 
 «« Oh, but it must be," said Mrs. Pytt. 
 *• It's all settled," cried Wortham, ap- 
 proaching the intimidated Catherine, with 
 " how now, Kate," and giving her the book 
 to read her part. 
 
 Catherine,'
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 149 
 
 Catherine, through agitation, let the book 
 fall, and stammered out, **Oh, sir — but I 
 — indeed you — I never — '* 
 
 ** I'm sorry I've discomposed you, Miss 
 Simmons,'' said Wortham, observing her 
 distressed feelings. 
 
 <« We shall have her sobbing again to- 
 night," whispered Anna to Phoebe. 
 
 *< Oh, pray Miss Simmons don't mind it," 
 said Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 «< L — d, child, what's the matter," cried 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, "never you care for that 
 rude fellow— come Wortham, give us some 
 other part." 
 
 « Indeed, I believe we had better give 
 up acting this morning." 
 
 " Oh no, no, you shall give us the descrip- 
 tion of a fop." 
 
 " So I will, but you must all promise not 
 to laugh." 
 
 Wortham then began, but as several of the 
 company betrayed symptoms of risibility, 
 he broke off with, *« D — n me if I go on 
 any longer." 
 
 H 3 "Oh,
 
 150 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 ** Oh, now don't be angry," said Mrs. 
 Lethbridge. 
 
 " Upon my life," said he, '* it's too bad." 
 
 ** Don't swear upon your life another 
 time," said Miss St. Clair, "because, * Lifers 
 hut a walking shadow, a poor player that 
 struts and frets ' you know the rest." 
 
 ** Come, Hotspur," cried Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, " don't be cast down ; now do go on, 
 and we'll be as silent as the grave : you 
 can't think how I long to take a part.'* 
 
 <• Law ! so do," said Mrs. Mansell. 
 
 <* When I do, it will not be to amuse a 
 Bristol audience. Where are you going 
 Sykes?" 
 
 " I've an appointment with the general." 
 
 " Oh, I wouldn't keep you from your duty 
 for all the world ; so good morning, and if 
 you see the colonel, pray remind him that 
 he's engaged to dine at Mrs. St. Clair's." 
 
 " And I have a message to him likewise," 
 said Mrs. St. Clair ; " give my compliments, 
 and tell him he won't be welcome unless he 
 bring Major Sykes with him." 
 
 "You're
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 151 
 
 ^* You're extremely polite, but I dine out 
 with the general." 
 
 *' You can spend the evening with us 
 then : — Mr. Wortham, we shall see you?" 
 
 " You may depend upon me," said he, 
 following Major Sykes, and exclaiming, 
 ** come, let me take my horse, which is to bear 
 me like a thunderbolt against the bosom of 
 the Prince of Wales J' 
 
 " Not 'till I've handed this lady to her 
 carriage, if its the same to you, brave 
 Percy," said Major Lethbridge, as Mrs. 
 Mansell was taking leave. 
 
 In the evening, most of the party met at 
 Mrs. St. Clair'sj where Lady Aucherly and 
 Colonel and Mrs. Macmaurice had dined. 
 
 As soon as tea was over, Mrs. St. Clair 
 enquired how they usually amused them- 
 selves on Sunday evenings. 
 
 " I hope," said Mrs. Macmaurice, " we 
 shan't have to sit round in a circle, and look 
 in the fire." 
 
 •* We can have some music," observed 
 Mrs. Pytt : " I see you've a harp." 
 
 H 4 " Now
 
 152 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 «* Now Fanny wants to sing," said her 
 husband. 
 
 " Unfortunately," saidMiss St. Clair, "the 
 harp is sadly out of tune — " 
 
 " We mustn't have cards, I suppose ?" 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice, bluntly. 
 
 « D'ye think," said Major Lethbridge 
 to Mrs. Mansell, " any thing would have 
 happened, if those gentry you mentioned 
 this morning, had played cards, instead of 
 dancing ?" 
 
 «* Oh law, sir, I*m sure, I — don't know : 
 — yes, I should think worse, because cards 
 and dice, you know — " 
 
 ** True," returned the major, with gra- 
 vity, " in that case, probably three or four 
 strange gentlemen in scarlet might have 
 made their appearance." 
 
 *« Oh, dear !" said Mrs. Mansell, half 
 joining in the laugh excited by the major's 
 remark. 
 
 " Have you no other good devil story, 
 Mrs. Mansell?" enquired Major Blood- 
 thorpe : ** if not, I second Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice's motion." 
 
 « Is
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 153 
 
 " Is it a thing quite impossible/' said Miss 
 St. Clair, " to amuse ourselves without cards? 
 rational conversation, I presume, is entirely 
 out of the question." 
 
 " Hadn't you and Mrs. Mansell better 
 begin then ?" said Mrs. Macmaurice, ** and 
 we'll sit by and be edified." 
 
 Miss St. Clair affected not to hear her, 
 and entered into conversation with Mr. 
 Wortham, who with Major Sykes and the 
 young Macmaurices, had just dropt in. 
 
 ** Hand me a screen. Jack," said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, " this fire's rather too much of 
 a good thing — I've been finding out like- 
 nesses in the hot coals, till — " 
 
 ** Your nose resembles one." 
 
 " The L — d spite me. Jack, if I don't get 
 you turned out of the regiment." 
 
 " Don't you have cards to-night?" en- 
 quired Arthur Macmaurice, who had not 
 been present when the question was dis- 
 cussed. 
 
 « No," said his mother, " Mrs. Mansell's 
 afraid of the Devil's coming among us.'* 
 
 " Oh, never fear him," cried Major Sykes. 
 H 5 " Let's
 
 154 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 " Let's have cards,*' added Captain John 
 Macmaurice, " and if he should come, we'll 
 win his money." 
 
 «• Perhaps he'll be too sharp for you," 
 said Mrs. Pytt. 
 
 " I'll be d d if I pay him then." 
 
 " But you must give the Devil his due/* 
 cried Major Lethbridge. 
 
 " Then we must run him through the 
 body," said Wortham. 
 
 ** A devilish good thought," cried John 
 Macmaurice, ** we'll devil him — I'll give 
 him cut two.'^ 
 
 " With such champions," said Mrs. Pytt, 
 shewing her pretty teeth, " Mrs. Mansell's 
 fears must subside." 
 
 *« Oh dear ! I hope I'm not the means of 
 preventing your playing," said Mrs. Man- 
 sell, who was not proof against ridicule : " I 
 should like a game myself, as well as any 
 body — it's a pity 'tis Sunday,^' 
 
 " Oh!" cried Mrs. Macmaurice, in a low 
 censorious tone, " is that z/oz^, Mrs.Mansell! 
 look at the black man behind you." 
 
 Mrs, Mansell shivered, and half obeyed, 
 
 but
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 155 
 
 but was checked by the laughter of the 
 company. In the mean time, Mrs. St. 
 Clair had ordered cards ; but before the 
 tables were arranged, the motion was ne- 
 gatived on account of tJie lateness of the 
 hour. 
 
 H 6 CHAP.
 
 156 Sk^ches of Characte?^ or 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE PLAY THE REVIEW A CLIFTON 
 
 BALL RECAPITULATION. 
 
 THE following morning, Lady Aucherly 
 devoted to the beautiful prospects in the 
 vicinity, and particularly at King's Weston, 
 the delightful residence of Lord de Clifford. 
 A play performed by officers, was a no- 
 velty in Bristol ; and the theatre was filled 
 at an early hour. Mrs. Macmaurice's party 
 in the stage-box attracted much notice ; and 
 the Misb Simmonses, surrounded by military 
 men, were the envy of many a damsel en- 
 circled by dull relations. The performance 
 went off with great eclat, and Mrs. Mac- 
 
 maurice
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 157 
 
 maurice took home all the officers to a noisy 
 supper. 
 
 Lady Aucherly's barouche and four was 
 among the first on the downs the next day 
 at the review. The weather proved uncom- 
 monly fine, and the sight drew together a 
 great concourse of people. Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, in a dashing riding dress, was on horse- 
 back ; and coming by Mrs. Pytt's landaulet, 
 cried, ** L — d ! there's something going 
 wrong — look how Mac gallops along the 
 ranks — I'd lay my life every other word's an 
 oath — oh, they're getting into order now — 
 whose gay afiPair is this ?" 
 
 ** The gaudy liveries betray Mrs. Mansell's 
 taste." 
 
 ** Yes," said Jessy, who was with Mrs. 
 Pytt, "I see her kitten-face looking about, 
 trying to understand what's going forwards 
 —I fear she's coming this way to plague us.'* 
 
 <* How d'ye do, how d'ye do," cried Mrs. 
 Mansell, ** what a nice day it is : Miss Jessy 
 Simmons, you must enjoy this sight ; where 
 are your sisters? — oh, I see — Law, and there's 
 your sister Anna on the barouche box — she 
 
 must
 
 158 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 must have a fine view of the soldiers and 
 all — how well they look, don't they, Mrs. 
 Pytt?" 
 
 " Yes, indeed, they make a very good 
 appearance ; 1 never saw the militia look 
 better.*' 
 
 " Bloodthorpe has been taking great pains 
 with his regiment," said Mrs. Macmaurice ; 
 " they march now very well, and the officers 
 begin to look like officers — come, let's go 
 round, I want to get a better sight of the 
 cavalry — Jessy, you'll like that better, 
 there's one Collier among 'em." 
 
 " I hope the men won't be too much 
 tired to be at the rooms to-night," said Mrs. 
 Pytt — " a ball's nothing without officers." 
 
 " Pray, Mrs. Macmaurice," enquired Mrs. 
 Mansell, ** who is that captain by the 
 general ?" 
 
 " L — d, what a question ! he's one of tlie 
 aides-de-camp." 
 
 ** Oh law, ah, so 'tis — and what horses 
 are those so beautifully caparisoned, with 
 nobody on them — who are they for ?" 
 
 " They are the general's led horses.'* 
 
 «« What,
 
 specimens of Real Life, 159 
 
 " \VTiat, six of them ! What a beautiful 
 leopard's skin one has, with all gold- 
 like — so pretty — and what are those poor 
 creatures, with — " 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice had gallopped off, leav- 
 ing Mrs. Mansell wondering at the bat 
 horses. 
 
 Mrs. Pytt's carriage drove on, and stopt 
 near Lady Aucherly's barouche, which was 
 surrounded by company. Some fashionable 
 looking men on horseback were talking to- 
 gether at a little distance ; they knew no- 
 thing of Lady Aucherly, while she knew 
 enough of them, to feel mortified by their 
 remarks, particularly as they were over-heard 
 by many of her acquaintance. 
 
 «* No very great show of beauty here," 
 observed Sir John Mellish. 
 
 " Faith," returned Mr. Carleton, " there 
 are some fine women, too.'* 
 
 *' Yes, a sprinkling — there's a set of good- 
 looking showy girls, all of one family, scat- 
 tered about — the Simmon ses. Some worthi^ 
 aunt of their's, I'm told, is bringing them 
 out — egad she has undertaken a troublesome 
 11 job, 
 
 ■m-
 
 160 Sketches of Character , or 
 
 job, if she's trying to get husbands for them 
 all, in these scarce times/' 
 
 " They hope perhaps to catch some of th© 
 military." 
 
 " Very likely — I think I saw them last 
 night at the theatre, in Mrs. Macmaurice's 
 box.'* 
 
 « Were those them 1 I couldn't imagine 
 who they could all be — there was one in a 
 paradise feather, I thought a very fine 
 woman." 
 
 " That was the aunt — a Lady Archer, 
 or some such name ; quite a made up beauty 
 
 — damnably rouged." 
 
 " Lady Aucherly 1" cried Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, riding by, " come this way, you'll see a 
 great deal better where Mrs. Stackhurst is 
 
 — come Mrs. Pytt, follow me." 
 
 Lady Aucherly' s barouche drove on, leav- 
 ing Sir John and his friends fully aware of 
 their ill-timed remarks. 
 
 At the Clifton ball, Lady Aucherly had 
 the gratification to perceive herself almost 
 the only object of admiration. 
 
 " Did
 
 Specimens of Real Life, l6l 
 
 " Did any mortal," exclaimed Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, " ever see such scare-crows as there 
 are in the room !" 
 
 Lady Aucherly, scrutinizing the company 
 through her glass, observed, it was a very 
 motley crew. 
 
 " I can't conceive," said Mrs. Pytt af- 
 fectedly, "who they can all be — what skinny 
 looking people some are : it's not the season 
 I believe." 
 
 " Oh law, no,'* cried Mrs. Mansell, who 
 always contrived to push herself into the 
 party, ** but it's just as full, because, you 
 know, lodgings are half price now." 
 
 " No wonder then," returned Mrs. Pytt, 
 " there are so many odd sort of gentry — 
 people who took as if they had no relations." 
 
 *' And such scraps of quality 1" added 
 Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 *< Who is that elderly young woman at 
 the top of the dance ?" enquired Lady 
 Aucherly. 
 
 " It's one of the Lady- ," replied Mrs. 
 
 Macmaurice, 
 
 «« She
 
 162 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 " She has figured away on these boards 
 these ten years," said Major Lethbridge — 
 " quite a standing dish." 
 
 ** One or the other of them," said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, ** is always top couple, first and 
 second course." 
 
 " Law, do look at that lady," said Mrs. 
 Mansell, " didyou er^r seesuch afunny dress?" 
 
 ** L — d," cried Mrs. Macmaurice, ** I 
 swear I've seen that tarnished gold muslin 
 at a dozen routs since IVe been here." 
 
 ** What, you've visited some of the people 
 then ?" said Mrs. Mansell. 
 
 " Lord, yes ; here and at the Wells too ; 
 such fun I've had — the oddest old ladies 
 I've played cards with." 
 
 " They ring my money," said Major Leth- 
 bridge, " to see that it's good." 
 
 " And such loads of cake they'll eat," 
 added Mrs. Macmaurice, " I'm sure they 
 come with real hunger ; I've seen their little 
 rapid grey eyes run over the contents of the 
 basket of cake, and immediately pounce upon 
 the largest piece with such accuracy." 
 
 " And
 
 specimens of ^eal Life. 163 
 
 ** And with a long lean little finger," in- 
 terrupted Mrs. Lethbridge, " they'll hook 
 up two or three rout cakes besides." 
 
 " I watch' d one of th^m once," said the 
 major, " slyly shifting her place from one 
 room to another, while the refreshments were 
 handed about, by which means she secured 
 fivQ different ices." 
 
 " Upon my word, you've drawn a very 
 excellent caricature," said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " Oh it's all true," said Mrs. Macmaurice 
 — " and then they dress in such trumpery ; 
 and at cards, when they're dealing, they 
 shake their hands to shew off their rings." 
 
 " Hush, hush," whispered Lady Aucherly, 
 " Mrs. Mansell does that." 
 
 ** Dense take it, I'm always making blun- 
 ders — the other day We were talking about 
 the vaccine inoculation, and I asked Mrs. 
 Chetham if she had ever had the small-pox, 
 forgetting how dreadfully she's marked; 
 you know she's pitted all over." 
 
 " With fairy cups and saucers," added 
 Major Lethbridge, ** and to mend the matter, 
 MarthaSimmons was next to her at the time." 
 
 «• And
 
 164 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 *' And her face is piteously marked," said 
 Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " That's very old, Caroline," returned the 
 major, *< though it went off well enough, 
 when you applied it to Miss PytW 
 
 " Poor Amelia !" cried Mrs. Pytt, «« she's 
 terribly quilted." 
 
 " Her face is like a split muffin," said 
 Mrs. Macmaurice with a laugh — " L — d I 
 if she could but hear us." 
 
 " Don't be alarmed," said Miss St. Clair, 
 she'd hardly be offended at such a skiU' 
 deep attack — though she might deem it 
 illiberal to make a personal blemish the sub- 
 ject of ridicule." 
 
 " But my dear Maria !" observed Lady 
 Aucherly, " you don't distinguish between a 
 playful allusion and the ill-nature of " 
 
 " I make no compromise," interrupted 
 Miss St. Clair. 
 
 ** L — d help us all," cried Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, *' we must go to school again, to learn 
 manners — I wonder whether Mrs.Kimberly 
 would take me again, after having fought 
 with the teacher and run off with a royal 
 
 dragoon !
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 165 
 
 dragoon ! — perhaps Miss St. Clair could re- 
 commend a school where they take such 
 wretches as compare people's faces to split 
 muffins." 
 
 " There's the school for scandal." 
 
 Miss Simmons now approached with a 
 lengthened visage. 
 
 ** I thought you were dancing with Cap- 
 tain Quantreuille !" said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " My partner," replied Miss Simmons, in 
 her solemn tone, " fell down, and was so 
 much hurt, he could not dance any more.'* 
 
 " How unlucky forz/ow/" cried Mrs.Pytt, 
 as Major Bloodthorpe led her to the dance. 
 
 ** Ah, spite," muttered Miss Simmons. 
 
 " I'd lay my life," said Mrs. Macmaurice 
 aside to Lady Aucherly, *' it's all Quan- 
 treuille' sj^/^^e — L — d ! when did O'Reilly 
 return?" continued she, turning to Major 
 Lethbridge. 
 
 " Can't say — but he's coming to thank 
 you for his leave of absence ; he would never 
 have got it from the colonel." 
 
 « How d'ye do, Pat ?" cried Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, shaking hands with him ; " Lady 
 Aucherly, Captain O'Reilly." 
 
 With
 
 166 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 With Mrs. Macmaurice, a little of the 
 gentleman, with great volatile spirits, se- 
 cured an officer in her good graces ; with 
 Lady Aucherly much more was required ; 
 she bowed rather distantly to Captain 
 O'Reilly. 
 
 " Pat, you'll dance, wont you, Pat?" cried 
 Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 " I would," said he, in the Irish accent, 
 " but I don't see any young lady disengaged 
 under thirty — and not being quite so much 
 myself, I wouldn't like to dance with my 
 supairior, at all, at all." 
 
 " Oh, I'll get you a good partner," said 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, introducing him to Miss 
 Simmons. 
 
 " Augh ! by St. Patrick," exclaimed he, 
 " but this is a trate now, to be sure — you hid 
 yourself behind Mrs. Mac that I mightn't 
 see your swait face, but I saw you all the 
 time." 
 
 "Dear me, where can Phoebe be!" cried 
 Miss Simmons, tip-toeing and stretching her 
 long neck to its utmost extent. " It's very 
 
 vexing — I was next to Phoebe ." 
 
 " To
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 167 
 
 " To Phaibe — and who's Phaibe, now ?" 
 
 " One of my sisters, sir — dear, I don't 
 see her any wheie ; I'm afraid I shall lose 
 my place, there are so many pushing up ; I 
 was above all those — I declare it's a shame 
 — I see I shall lose my place." 
 
 ** Lose your place — don't say another 
 word about that — I'll put you at the top, my 
 dair honey, and the devil's in it, if you don't 
 find your place, and Miss Phaibe too, before 
 you get to the bottom — stop, stop, my good 
 craiture, I must'nt be hurried, I've a few 
 trifling incumbrances to get rid of, so now, 
 don't put yourself in a passion, and I'll be 
 after capering with you in a twinkling." 
 
 " He seems a strange genius," said Lady 
 Aucherly. 
 
 <* Ah, he is a very good fellow for all that," 
 returned Mrs. Macmaurice, "and has a pretty 
 little estate in Kilkenny, but the colonel 
 doesn't like him, so when he wants leave of 
 absence, he comes to me." 
 
 " I have never seen so much of your re- 
 giment before." 
 
 « Oh,
 
 168 Sketclies of Character^ or 
 
 " Oh, you know, we've been about so 
 much. We were in Ireland three years : 
 I'm very fond of Ireland." 
 
 " Mr. Lamotte is not with the regiment 
 now, is he ?" 
 
 *< No, he's in town with Sir William 
 Fletcher, who is about a majority ; and if 
 he gets it, Lamotte will have his troop." 
 
 <* I liked him very much, he was a >7ery 
 gentlemanly young man; my brother brought 
 him to Aucherly-park last Christmas." 
 
 " Ah, he told me of your hospitality." 
 
 " Sir Philip does not dislike company, but 
 he has an aversion to the form of asking 
 them; he prefers their coming by accident." 
 
 «* I like him for that — ^^I hate form myself, 
 and now I know his humour, I shall pop in 
 upon him one of these days." 
 
 " There's Miss St. Clair," said Mrs. Man- 
 sell, " she has been dancing with Mr. 
 Charles Macmaurice ; and I have watched 
 them sitting together on that form two 
 whole dances," added Mrs. Mansell, con- 
 cluding the sentence with a triumphant 
 giggle. 
 
 <* You
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 169 
 
 «« You make wonderful discoveries," said 
 Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " Hadn't you better dance, Mrs. Man- 
 sell?'* said Mrs. Macmaurice, wishing to get 
 her away. 
 
 «« Oh law, no — how I should like to see 
 Mr. Charles in his regimentals." 
 
 " You mean his naval uniform, I pre- 
 sume," said Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 " Oh law, ah, yes." 
 
 " Hadn't you better goto tea, Mrs. Man- 
 sell?" 
 
 " Presently; the tea-things are hardly 
 put yet." 
 
 " There now," said Mrs. Macmaurice, as 
 several fashionable men were sauntering into 
 the room, " I know these are all Bath men, 
 there's something in the cut of them, that I 
 could swear to a mile off." 
 
 " I know one of them," said Lady Au- 
 cherly, letting her eye-glass fall, as the 
 party approached. 
 
 « I recollect all their faces at Bath," re- 
 turned Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 VOL. I. I " The
 
 170 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 ** The gentleman with his arm in a sHng, 
 is the Hon. Mr. Hope," said Lady Aucherly, 
 <* I am very well acquainted with his aunt. 
 Lady Mary." 
 
 " How did he hurt his arm ?" 
 
 «« In a duel," 
 
 " I like him for that — introduce me." 
 
 Lady Aucherly bowed to Mr. Hope, and 
 enquired after Lady Mary. 
 
 «« I left her very well, a few hours ago," 
 said he, disengaging himself from his party. 
 
 " I return to Bath to-morrow, and shall 
 make a point of calling on her." 
 
 " She will be very glad to see you : she 
 is in Great Pulteney-Street." 
 
 " Ah, Hope !" cried Major Lethbridge, 
 coming up with Wortham and Quantreuille, 
 ** how are you, I haven't seen you this age; 
 how long have you been here ?" 
 
 " I only came this morniug : some Bath 
 friends of mine were coming here, and in- 
 sisted upon bringing me with them. — I hear 
 you had a famous review to-day." 
 
 " 'Twas a charming sight," said Lady 
 Aucherly. 
 
 « We
 
 Specimens of Real Life, I71 
 
 ** We were unfortunate in arriving too 
 late — I hope the Miss Simmonses are well?" 
 
 *< They were never better," said Major 
 Lethbridge ; " they are all nine here, look- 
 ing like so many angels — but you should 
 have been at the review, to have seen them 
 to advantage; one or the other of them 
 was perched upon every dicky on the 
 ground ; every carriage you met, had a Miss 
 Simmons." 
 
 " George is as great a mad-cap as ever," 
 said Lady Aucherly, " he's incorrigible — 
 who is that gentleman with your party, now 
 speaking to Sir John Mellish ?" 
 
 '< The Marquis of Haughton," replied 
 Mr. Hope. 
 
 Lady Aucherly had heard much of this 
 young nobleman. He had just succeeded 
 to the title and immense possessions : report 
 spoke loudly in his praise as an elegant 
 scholar and an accomplished gentleman j 
 and she was now much struck with a noble* 
 ness in his figure and countenance. 
 
 Such a man, thought Lady Aucherly, 
 
 would I select for my Caroline ; but while 
 
 I ^ we
 
 17^ Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 we continue living in the country, she must 
 not expect to form such an alliance ; yet, 
 should chance introduce her to him — but 
 alas, sighed her ladyship, as she reflected on 
 the confined circle in which she was destined 
 to move at Aucherly Park, they may never 
 meet. 
 
 ** He is very handsome,** observed Lady 
 Aucherly. 
 
 " And one of the pleasantest men I know," 
 returned Mr. Hope ; " a natural vein of 
 humour runs through his conversation, you 
 can hardly help laughing to hear him.*' 
 
 " Aunt SimmonSy'* cried Martha, coming 
 up to Lady Aucherly, " what was the name 
 of that waltz that ** 
 
 Her ladyship would not hear. — The Mai'- 
 quis of Haughton was at that instant passing 
 by ; and Mrs. Macmaurice provokingly 
 cried out, •* Aunt Simmons, you're spoken 
 to.'* 
 
 Mr. Hope, in spite of poHteness, could not 
 repress a smile ; while Lady Aucherly was 
 inwardly mortified, that the marquis should 
 have over-heard her addressed by such an 
 
 appellation
 
 Specimens of Real Life. I7S 
 
 appellation as " Aunt Simmons ;" which 
 she was certain he must, as she perceived 
 the whole party were much amused ; one of 
 them looked back, as if to hear more, and 
 she was convinced she heard the marquis in 
 a low tone, imitating Martha's voice, in, 
 «* Aunt SimmonSy* which seemed to afford 
 the rest of the party infinite diversion, as 
 they went into another room convulsed with 
 laughter. 
 
 Martha stood confused with the consci- 
 ousness of the blunder she had made ; but 
 Lady Aucherly had too much presence of 
 mind to shew the least displeasure, which 
 would have betrayed her wounded feelings ; 
 and with an air of unconcern, replied, ** I 
 forget the name of the waltz you mean." — 
 Martha was glad to get away. — " They have 
 lived so much with Mrs. Simmons, their 
 father's sister," continued her ladyship, 
 <« that they sometimes, through mistake, 
 honour njie with her name." 
 
 ** The force of habit is very strong," said 
 
 Mr. Hope, ** and nothing is so common, as 
 
 confounding the names of those to whom 
 
 I S we
 
 174 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 we are attached by the same link of affection : 
 I have five brothers, and my mother continu- 
 ally calls George for Edward, Frank for 
 George, and Harry for your humble servant/' 
 
 Lady Aucherly was sensible of Mr. Hope's 
 politeness in making an excuse for Martha, 
 but secretly thought, there was a wide 
 difference between a mother's calling one 
 son for another, and her ladyship's being 
 addressed by so vulgar an appellation as 
 Aunt Simmons : she however passed over 
 this little emharras with a well-bred ease, 
 and continued talking to Mr. Hope. 
 
 ** We are just going to tea, will you join 
 our party ?" 
 
 « With all my heart." 
 
 " Come you shall make tea for us, and 
 for your friends too, if they will give us 
 their company," said Lady Aucherly, hop- 
 ing to get an introduction to the marquis, 
 that she might have an opportunity of 
 obhterating by the charms of her elegant 
 manners, and captivating conversation, any 
 impression he might have received to her 
 disadvantage. 
 
 ** The
 
 specimens of Real Life. I75 
 
 " The marquis would be vastly happy, 
 I'm sure," said Mr. Hope, '* but I believe 
 he's gone : I know he came with the inten- 
 tion of staying but a few minutes, as he sets 
 offfor London early to-morrow mornino;.'* 
 
 Lady Aucherly's hopes were baffled : she 
 saw no more of the Marquis of Haughton 
 that evening. 
 
 The excursion to Clifton had l^een pro- 
 ductive of various m^ortifications to Lady 
 Aucherly, and Bath had not as yet afforded 
 her its promised pleasures. She hoped, 
 however, that Mr. Simmons, in a very short 
 time, would be sufficiently recovered to 
 return home, and relieve her from the in- 
 cumbrance of his daughters : but unluckily, 
 he had been seized with another paralytic 
 stroke the morning of her arrival in Bath, 
 which was likely to detain him there much 
 longer : — she could only comfort herself, 
 therefore, with the idea of his\continuing 
 too ill for his daughters to leave him; —but 
 in this she was mistaken; he gradually grew 
 better, and insisted that his daughters should 
 not be confined at home on his account. 
 
 I 4 Mrs.
 
 176 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 Mrs. Mansell had followed Lady Aucherly 
 to Bath, and was so full of what she had 
 heard and seen at Clifton, that she could 
 not rest till she had unburthened herself. — 
 She therefore called at the Dorringtons : — 
 Mrs. Dorrington was out ; but the young 
 ladies expressed themselves very glad to see 
 her, and desired she would give them an 
 account of Mrs, Macmaurice's party. 
 
 " We heard a little of it from Mr. Myers, 
 who was there," said Lucy, ** but he did 
 not tell any particulars." 
 
 " He only dealt in generals," said Emily, 
 " but,"' added she, winking to Henrietta, 
 *• we shall now be treated with circumstan- 
 tials." 
 
 ** Mrs. Mansell, I'm sure, will favour us 
 with a genuine account," said Miss Dor- 
 rington. 
 
 Mrs. Mansell then began a confused 
 detail, with, •* oh law, 'twas all so pleasant — 
 and there I was kept so, for my new dress, 
 that 'twas quite late when I got there — and 
 in the hall so many officers' hats, and — 
 swords and all — and when I entered the 
 
 room.
 
 Specimens of Real Life. I77 
 
 room, there was such a glare of red coats — 
 'twas quite dazzling like — " 
 
 *• And contrasted with the uniform of the 
 light dragoons — " said Henrietta, ** must 
 have — " 
 
 " Oh, 'twas sweet," interrupted Mrs. Man- 
 sell, ** all blue and silver — there were a 
 good many Clifton people, and several 
 gentlemen came over from Bath 5 for 
 Mrs. Mac (they all call her Mrs, Mac) 
 she says, there are no young men at Bristol 
 — I suppose she means none all fashionable- 
 like — but there were two or three Bristol 
 ladies though, quite smart, with diamonds 
 and all — and there 'twas such fun, you 
 know, to see the Miss Simmonses all long- 
 ing to get partners, and Mrs. Mac asking 
 one and another to dance with them ; then 
 there was such crowding to get places at 
 supper ; and in the middle of it all, there 
 was a cry of fire — I expected every minute 
 to swoon, for the smell was so strong, we 
 thought the house was in flames, and I'm 
 monstrously afraid of fire — so we all jump'd 
 up, and in our hurry-like, to save our lives, 
 I 5 there
 
 178 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 there was such a bustle ; forms tumbling 
 down — and then in the middle of all the 
 fright-like, part of the table gave way, and 
 the soups were overthrown, and the things 
 scattered about — all — jelly — you know— 
 sitch a mess — you may imagine — " 
 
 ** You give such an animated descrip- 
 tion,*' said Emily, *< that the scene is per- 
 fectly presented to my eye." 
 
 ** Law, sure," cried Mrs. Mansell, look- 
 ing pleased — " well, and you may suppose 
 what a worry Mrs. Mac was in ; for Hwas 
 very provoking you know — nice supper — 
 and all : so she got up, and said no one 
 should stir, for she would see what was the 
 matter ; but to be sure, v/e did not chuse to 
 sit still and be burnt to death — " 
 
 •* It must have been a laughable scene," 
 said Henrietta. 
 
 <* Oh, but 'twas very dreadful," continued 
 Mrs. Mansell, ** if you had heard the cry of 
 fire ! fire ! that there was — and the strong 
 smell ; and after all, what should it be, but 
 one of the large bell-ropes that caught fire — 
 so then we went to supper again, and while 
 
 we
 
 specimens of Real Life. 179 
 
 we had been away, the table and all had 
 been set to rights — and we had so much 
 fun about it ; 'twas said indeed, that 'twas 
 a trick of one of the officers — but I don't 
 think 'twas, somehow." 
 
 " You must have been very much 
 alarmed,'* observed Miss Dorringtoti, ** and 
 I should hope no gentleman could be so 
 thoughtless as to sport with the feelings 
 of "' 
 
 *« Oh law, 'twas dreadful," interrupted 
 Mrs. Mansell, " I had a beautiful lace round 
 my new gown, that was all torn — it's quite 
 ruin'd." 
 
 " I'm sure," returned Miss Dorrington, 
 *' I feel for your lace, but it was fortunate 
 there was no worse accident; such an alarm, 
 to some persons, might have been attended 
 with serious consequences." 
 
 <* Oh law, yes, but when 'twas over, we 
 thought no more about it like — " 
 
 " Well, and how did the play go off?" 
 enquired Emily, 
 
 «* Oh, very well, I think; but the review 
 
 was delightful j and there Mrs. Macmaurice 
 
 I 6 went
 
 180 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 went on horseback, in a uniform habit, all 
 blue and silver, and a helmet — and look'd so 
 well : and then in the evening, we all went 
 to the Clifton ball — so gay — oh, and I 
 forgot, Sunday morning we all went to Mrs. 
 Mac's by way of a lounge, as she said, and 
 there, there was the band and all — out before 
 the door — playing all manner — that was the 
 wickedest part of it — and officers spouting 
 and keeping such a noise, and laughing — 
 and all — " 
 
 *' Was Mr. Wortham there ?*' enquired 
 Henrietta. 
 
 " Law, do you know him — what a plea- 
 sant, handsome man he is — " 
 
 ** Henrietta thinks so too," observed 
 Emily. ** he's a great favourite of her's." 
 
 ** His father's estate in Cornwall joins 
 Lord Dorrington's," said Henrietta, " and 
 when I was at Langony Abbey, last summer, 
 I met Mr. Wortham frequently." 
 
 " And he's not far off now," said Mrs. 
 Man sell, giggling, *< so I dare say, you may 
 meet him again soon." 
 
 " Not likely j we shall go to town in a 
 week," 
 
 " Law,
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 181 
 
 ** Law, how pleasant !" exclaimed Mrs. 
 Mansell, " and does Miss O'Connor go 
 too?" 
 
 •* Certainly," returned Miss Dorrington. 
 
 " That will be very nice for her — d'ye 
 think your mamma will take you to all the 
 parties, and operas and all." 
 
 <* Oh, yes," said Henrietta, " and we 
 are to be presented." 
 
 " Law, sure !" cried Mrs. Mansell, her 
 silly grey eyes twinkling at the thought. 
 
 " Sarah was presented two years ago," 
 continued Henrietta, and — ^" 
 
 ** Ah, I recollect now — how delightful — 
 you havn't settled your dresses, I suppose — 
 not till you get to London — " 
 
 " No, certainly," said Lucy, " we shall 
 have am-ple time to consider that important 
 part of the affair ; we should not go to tov/n 
 so soon, but for the meeting of parliament." 
 
 ** Ah, I see Mr. Dorrington's name in the 
 
 papers sometimes — but I don't often read 
 
 the speeches — all politics, you know — except 
 
 when I see * hear I hear /' and * a loud 
 
 2 laughs*
 
 18S Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 laugh,* put in italics you know — it's well 
 enough." 
 
 « We generally read the debates to my 
 mother," said Miss Dorrington. 
 
 " Law, that must be very dull for you, — 
 / like to read all about routs and fashionable 
 parties like, and horrid murders, and rob- 
 beries, and birth-day dresses and all — oh, 
 and I had almost forgot to tell you, what I 
 heard ; do you know — that Mr. Ross that 
 was here last Thursday is deranged — oh, 
 yes he is, for he is called ' Mad Ross,' and 
 Mrs. Mac says, he sometimes talks quite 
 odd-like; but here's your mamma come home 
 I see — law, what a pretty hammer-cloth ; 
 don't mention what I said, if you please, 
 about his being mad and all — because, you 
 know, it mightn't be so well, somehow." 
 
 CHAP.
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 183 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 HINTS TO YOUNG LADIES — A REN- 
 CONTRE. 
 
 T) ATH still continuing very full, Lady 
 ^-^ Aucherly spent her time with much 
 gaiety, and two or three of the Miss Sim- 
 monses were generally at her house : they 
 had now acquired some degree of toii^ and 
 under the auspices of so fashionable a woman, 
 they became more noticed. They had learnt 
 to feel the awkwardness of their whole num- 
 ber being seen in company, but it was now 
 to little purpose that several staid melan- 
 choly at home, for if one was seen at a party, 
 the others were always supposed to be there 
 too ; and Lady Aucherly had often the mor- 
 tification to overhear some ludicrous remark, 
 
 asserting
 
 184! Sketches of Character, or 
 
 asserting that the nine Miss Simmonses were 
 in the room. 
 
 Sir Philip was always wishing his nieces 
 to enjoy themselves ; and Lady Aucherly 
 perceiving there was no chance of getting 
 rid of them, had the good policy to do all 
 in her power to set them off to the best ad- 
 vantage J and frequently gave them suck 
 advice as her knowledge of the world, and 
 the principles early inculcated by her 
 mother, well qualified her to afford. 
 
 One morning, finding herself indisposed 
 from the heat of a crowded room the pre- 
 ceding evening, Catherine, Sarah, and Jessy, 
 who were at the house, breakfasted with 
 Lady Aucherly in her dressing-room ; and 
 the other sisters soon afterwards called to 
 enquire how she was. 
 
 ** My dear girls, this is very kind of 
 you — how is your father?" 
 
 *' Tolerable, I thank you, ma'am,*' said 
 Miss Simmons, " he has had a very good 
 night." 
 
 •< I'm rejoiced to hear it." 
 
 « Oh," said Clarissa, ** I think he will 
 
 recover
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 185 
 
 recover now ; Jessy, whom did you dance 
 with last night ?" 
 
 " I'm sorry, my dear Clarissa," said Lady 
 Aucherly, ** to find fault with you." 
 
 ** Me, ma'am ?" cried Clarissa, with 
 surprize. 
 
 <* It is not, my dear, that I doubt your 
 filial affection ; but surely, you must agree 
 with me, that there is great impropriety in 
 speaking of a father's recovery, and making 
 a frivolous enquiry in the same breath." 
 
 Clarissa acknowledged the justness of her 
 ladyship's reproof. 
 
 " I know," continued Lady Aucherly, 
 regarding them with a sweet smile, and rest- 
 ing her fine eyes on Miss Simmons, *« I 
 know I take great liberties ; but if I give 
 you a few hints, it is for your advantage, 
 not from a desire of finding fault." 
 
 They were of course all sensible of her 
 ladyship's kindness, and set in awful expect- 
 ation of what was to follow. 
 
 GifFord now entered, to inform Lady 
 Aucherly that her dress-maker was below. 
 
 ** I shall be engaged for some time," said 
 
 her
 
 186 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 her ladyship — " she may either wait or call 
 again in an hour's time." 
 
 '* Mercy on us," muttered Sarah. 
 
 ** We shall have an hour's jobation by 
 that," whispered Jessy. 
 
 " It is not, believe me," resumed Lady 
 Aucherly, after a short pause, "out of ill- 
 nature that I speak of your faults -, but from 
 a sincere wish to improve you :" then 
 changing her tone, ** you know Jessy," said 
 she gaily, " it's impossible for me not to 
 see — w^hat I am going to say, is not of the 
 greatest moment, but still its worth mention- 
 ing ; 'twas at dinner yesterday, — you used 
 your knife to eat fish ; I couldn't mention it 
 at the time, as Mr. Hope dined with us." 
 
 " Oh, Jessy," said Martha, *« I thought 
 you knew better — always use bread, and 
 your silver fork to fish." 
 
 " What I particularly mean," said her 
 ladyship, *< is, that the knife should never 
 be applied to the mouth." 
 
 *' I don't know how I came to do so," 
 said Jessy, ** for I know better." 
 
 ** Surely," said Lady Aucherly ; " for it 
 
 is
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 187 
 
 is not your ignorance of propriety, but your 
 inattention of which I complain : — now — 
 though I am not angry with any of you," 
 continued her ladyship, directing her dis- 
 course to Martha, " for calling me * Aunt 
 Simmons,' yet I much wish you could dis- 
 card such local habits — I have never seen 
 Mrs. Simmons, but possibly your excuse 
 may be, that I resemble her." 
 
 *« Not in the least," exclaimed Jessy, 
 laughing, *' Aunt Simmons has a full moon 
 face." 
 
 " My dear," said Lady Aacherlj^ joining 
 in the laugh, which burst from the other 
 sisters, *' my dear don't say, * Aunt Sim- 
 mons ;^ nothing sounds so badly, as Aunt 
 did this ; Father^ said so ; always add the 
 little pronoun when speaking of them ; you 
 must certainly allow it sounds better to say, 
 my father desired me, or my sister told me 
 so — and I remarked yesterday, Sarah, you 
 asked Mr. Hope how his aunt was : you are 
 not sufficiently acquainted with Mr. Hope 
 or Lady Mary, to call lier his aunt : when 
 you are not WQjy intimate with people, it is 
 
 genteeler
 
 188 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 genteeler to enquire after their friends by 
 their proper titles ; but you must be careful 
 not to misname them. I would wish you to 
 be as elegant and correct as possible in your 
 conversation : it may appear trifling to be 
 so particular, but it is not to be despised j 
 for nothing is so engaging, as an easy style 
 of address. 
 
 " Your understanding is so superior to 
 poor silly Mrs. ManselPs, that you cannot fail 
 to observe how ridiculous she makes herself, 
 whenever she opens her lips: and not merely 
 owing to the subject she speaks of, but to an 
 imbecilemode of expressing herself, a poverty 
 of language : she cannot break herself of a 
 habit of commencing every sentence with 
 * Law,' or, « Oh law,' though I know Mr. 
 Mansell often tells her of it." 
 
 " You must have observed," continued 
 her ladyship, ** that for want of appropriate 
 epithets, she is obliged to qualify her mean- 
 ing by auxiliary words; such as, * all, some- 
 how, like.' — I don't even compare Mrs. 
 Mansell to any of you ; but as her defects 
 cannot escape your notice, I wish you to see
 
 Specimefis of Real Life. 189 
 
 the disadvantage she labours under, and of 
 course do all in your power to express your- 
 selves with neatness and fluency, without 
 being too precise. My mother used to pro- 
 cure the most approved French novels for 
 my sister and myself to translate ; and the 
 habit of exercising ourselves, in selecting 
 the best English word to convey the spirit 
 of the original, made us tolerably conver- 
 sant with our native tongue.*' 
 
 " Miss St. Clair, I think," said Clarissa, 
 " is never at a loss." 
 
 " She has a good memory," returned 
 Lady Aucherly, " and has read a great 
 deal ; she is certainly very clever." 
 
 " Don't you think all the Dorringtons 
 are rather too formal, ma'am ?" said Phoebe. 
 
 " Indeed I think at present they are, but 
 it is more the consequence of their being so 
 little in the beau monde, than from any fixed 
 habit ; it will wear away ; I am speaking of 
 the daughters ; your remark, as applied to 
 Mrs, Dorrington, is perfectly just — they have 
 been brought up with great c^^^-e, and are 
 well informed . they always express thtm-
 
 190 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 selves with propriety, and when they allow 
 themselves more ease, which I can perceive^ 
 they are not a little inclined to do, they 
 will appear to more advantage.** 
 
 " I thought,'* said Jessy, *« Lucy was 
 quite degagee with Lord Faulkner last 
 night.** 
 
 " Possibly it may be a match,*' observed 
 Catherine. 
 
 ♦' And I dare say the family would ap- 
 prove of it,** said Jessy. 
 
 ** I think," said Lady Aucherly, " they 
 are extremely well suited for each other, and 
 if Lucy has no objection to him, I admire 
 her for letting him see it. I knov/ there are 
 people," continued her ladyship, *' who 
 would think it the height of indelicacy, for 
 a young woman to shew the slightest degree 
 of preference to a man, before he had given 
 her reason to suppose he was attached to 
 her ; but though I would by no means en- 
 courage a levity of behaviour, I certainly 
 think it no harm to appear gratified by well- 
 bred attentions — or at least, instead of look- 
 ing almost sulky, as I have often noticed 
 
 girls,
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 191 
 
 girls, they might endeavour not to make 
 themselves disliked; if you happen therefore 
 to dance with a man, not disagreeable in 
 his person, and of a suitable rank and for- 
 tune, you should not merely content your- 
 selves with the giddy present, but consider 
 whether it might not be possible to make 
 yourself so agreeable to him, as to secure 
 him a partner for life." 
 
 ** I was surprised, Mary," added her lady- 
 ship, " that you should think of dancing 
 down to the XQYy bottom of the set, with 
 Sir George Ramsey, the other night : you 
 know young men are seldom fond of danc- 
 ing, and in an instant you might have dis- 
 covered he was one." 
 
 ** He as good as told me so, ma'am," said 
 Mary. 
 
 " Well, and as he's a fashionable man, 
 you, no doubt, would be pleased to dance 
 with him again." 
 
 •' To be sure she would," said Jessy, slily, 
 « she doesn't often get such." 
 
 ** I'll engage she will never dance with 
 him again," said Lady Aucherly. <^ for don't 
 
 you-
 
 19^ Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 you think he will remember the indefatigable 
 Miss Mary Simmons, who, with unwearied 
 exertions, made him dance down five and 
 twenty couples ; and what was the conse- 
 quence ? he had taken care not to over-fag 
 himself, and when he came to the bottom, 
 could address you with the utmost calmness; 
 but you could not so much as answer him, 
 your mouth was extended from ear to ear 
 to give vent to your breath, which convulsed 
 your whole frame in struggling to escape ; 
 and while you kept fanning yourself and 
 looking so pleased, he had leisure to examine 
 every expression of your face, which was 
 distorted owing to the violent exercise you 
 had taken. Indeed you shoidd have omitted 
 the last six couples, and not have looked so 
 over delighted. If you dislike your partner, 
 it's another thing; dance and fag him as 
 much as you please, if he hates dancing; 
 and if you see he is fond of it, affect a pain 
 in your side and sit down; if he attempts to 
 talk, pretend not to hear him ; the music 
 may be your excuse — and as it is most likely 
 he has said something not worth repeating, 
 
 he
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 193 
 
 he will feel silly in having said it at aM, 
 especially as he may be overheard in talking 
 loud ; this will make him uncomfortable, 
 and you may depend on it he'll never solicit 
 your hand again." 
 
 " Oh, I've done that before now," said 
 Sarah, *' and I know several other tricks 
 besides." 
 
 " You must take great care not to practise 
 them too often, for believe me," said Lady 
 Aucherly, " a character for good temper is 
 very little inferior to beauty ; therefore it is 
 much the better plan to avoid the necessity 
 of cutting a person : suppose on entering 
 a ball-room, you observe a gentleman likely 
 to ask you to dance, one, who, however 
 agreeable in a domestic circle, wouldn't be 
 at all the style of man, for a partner ; you 
 must of course not look near him, for should 
 you do no more than courtsey, he might 
 construe it into an invitation, and though 
 he keeps hovering about you for an hour 
 you must avoid giving him an opportunity 
 of speaking, for notwithstanding it is un- 
 fashionable for gentlemen to speak first, 
 
 VOL, I. K yet
 
 194? Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 yet on the ground of intimacy, many will 
 intrude. This is a hint for you, Phoebe ; 
 you know what I mean." 
 
 Phoebe bowed an affirmative, and Lady 
 Aucherly would have dropt the subject, but 
 as two or three of the sisters expressed a 
 curiosity to know to what this alluded. Lady 
 Aucherly said, <* Oh it's nothing of any 
 consequence, and it was the conversation 
 only that brought it to my recollection. I 
 was walking up the street with Lady Maiy 
 Hope ; Mr. Hope was walking on a little 
 before us with Phoebe and Catherine, and 
 seeing them stop, I concluded, as the street 
 was full of gens de condition, that they had 
 met with some friei^ds, but when I ap- 
 proached nearer ; I perceived such a beau 1 
 — and now pray, may I know who it was ?'* 
 
 " Mr. Crawley, ma'am," answered Phoebe. 
 
 *< What, the son of your father's apothe- 
 cary ! And what could he have to say to 
 oblige you to stop ; was he giving you an 
 account of his morning rounds ? I did not 
 dare to look at Lady Mary or Mr. Hope, 
 but hurried on, leaving Phoebe to hear out 
 
 her
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 195 
 
 her beau's tale — but what occasions Anna's 
 suffusion ?" said Lady Aucherly, "perhaps 
 you have been equally condescending to 
 this Adonis : well, for my part, I should 
 never have thought it necessary to have 
 been so very certain that it was Mr. Crawley, 
 in such a place as Milsom-street, where there 
 is so much to excuse your over-looking an 
 acquaintance — and such a one as Mr. Craw- 
 ley is surely no very great acquisition to 
 your party — if I mistake not, his whiskers 
 were powdered and pomatum'd — frightful ! 
 but in other respects he didn't look the gen- 
 tleman : his silk stockings — in short his 
 tout ensemble ; and as it was not his place 
 to speak first, you might have easily avoided 
 him* Nothing is so easy as to cut a person 
 in Milsom-street ; the shops, carriages, and 
 company may be supposed to attract your 
 attention from the person immediately pas- 
 sing you ; and if it should be a very slight 
 acquaintance, a person of no importance, 
 there is another way ; you may look in the 
 person's face with an absent air, and seem 
 to look at some object beyond himj but 
 K 2 this
 
 196 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 this requires great presence of mind — you 
 had better have recourse to the shops, or 
 affect to have something very interesting 
 to say to any one with you ; but in case 
 you should meet this person in a place 
 where it would be of no consequence to 
 know him, you may give him a good tem- 
 pered look, with an inclination of the head ; 
 but on no account speak, lest you should 
 induce him to join you and continue beau- 
 ing you to a fashionable part of the town, 
 where it would be mortifying to be seen 
 with him ; a little fore-thought is of infinite 
 service." 
 
 « I didn't want 3^oung Crawley to stop 
 and speak, ma'am," said Phoebe. 
 
 '< Young Crawley," said her ladyship, 
 with a sneering smile which shewed she 
 disapproved the epithet, ** would never 
 have dreamt of stopping to speak, had he 
 not interpreted something in your looks to 
 warrant it ; however, as I see you would 
 have no objection to drop the subject, and 
 as Anna looks as if she pleaded guilty, I'll 
 say no more, except one observation I made 
 
 soon
 
 Specimens of Real Life. 197 
 
 soon afterwards, which has just occurred 
 to me. 
 
 " If you recollect, Phoebe, Lady Mary 
 and I passed you ; at the top of the street 
 we met the Dorringtons, and after turning 
 the corner I looked back for you, and at 
 the same time you appeared, but wdth such 
 a fixed smile, that like Mary's at the bottom 
 of the dance, it distorted every feature ; 
 I guessed it was the same smile with which 
 you parted from the Dorringtons ; and 
 though you had your sister with you, yet 
 I've no doubt it would have been just the 
 same, had you been alone, and any person 
 not having seen the occasion of it, must 
 suppose it to be the natural expression of 
 your face — and a fixed smile is very 
 unbecoming." 
 
 ** How silly it makes Mrs. Mansell look," 
 said Jessy. 
 
 <' But you must not give up smiling; 
 though to be frank with you, Phoebe, a smile 
 does not become your set of features, there- 
 fore let it be more momentary." 
 
 There is no saying how much longer Lady 
 K 3 Aucherly
 
 198 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 Aucherly would have gone on, had not Mrs. 
 Macmaurice entered with " Come for a 
 week — What's the matter, are you ill ?" 
 
 " Only a head-ache,'^ said Lady Aucherly, 
 <*but Tm really very glad to see you; where 
 are you, I hear there are no lodgings to be 
 had,^' 
 
 ** For love or money,*' returned Mrs, 
 M^^cniaurice, " so we are obliged to put 
 i»p with the White Hart till some good 
 cripple or other will march off; the colonel 
 likes it very well, but I had rather be in 
 this street/' 
 
 •* How are all your sons ?" 
 
 ** Hearty, thank God; there are only two 
 in Bristol now. Jack and the aid-de-camp. 
 Hastings is gone to Exeter, and Charles to 
 Portsmouth, he writes me that he's on the 
 point of sailing for the Mediterranean." 
 
 « I wish him success with all my heart," 
 said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 « They expect to fall in with the French 
 fleet, I believe — Well girls!" continued Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, turning tq the MissSimmonses, 
 <* you have gaiety enough here I suppose." 
 
 '' Upon
 
 Speciineiis of Real Life, 199 
 
 ** Upon my word," said Clarissa, " I 
 don't think we shall ever be so gay, as we 
 were at Clifton." 
 
 " They are always talking of the pleasant 
 time they spent there," said Lady Aucherly, 
 ^* and I'm sure they are indebted to you 
 for it." 
 
 '* Ah, 1 wish I could make it as pleasant 
 for them here, but you know," said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, winking to Jessy, *< I haven't 
 got the officers here." 
 
 " If that were all," said Lady Aucherly, 
 ** I believe there are always plenty in Bath." 
 
 " Ah, but they're not in regimentals ; 
 they're nothing in plain cloaths, are they, 
 Jessy?" 
 
 " Then you must give the preference to 
 scarlet," said Sarah. 
 
 « L — ^d, I don't know — Mac. was in the 
 Royals, when I married him ; there were 
 three or four of us, at Mrs. Kimberly's all 
 dying to be officers' ladies — and so it turned 
 out : we've often met since and laughed at 
 our scarlet fever : didn't you know Miss 
 Joddrell? she married into the Guards: 
 K 4 I saw
 
 f^OO Sketches of Character, or 
 
 I saw her when we were in barracks at 
 Colchester — we used very often to break- 
 fast together, and have the ammunition 
 breadj and such fun we had, dining at the 
 mess .'^ 
 
 ** Officers always make a place pleasant," 
 said Clarissa, 
 
 " They're delightful partners in a country 
 dance," added Jessy. 
 
 ** Oh, take 'em all in all," cried Mrs, Mac- 
 maurice, " I could live and die amongst 
 'em." 
 
 ** I think," said Lady Aucherly, " you are 
 too indiscriminate in your partiality for 
 them. I must agree with you, that when., 
 officers are well educated, and preserve the 
 manners of gentlemen, they have some ad- 
 vantages ; they have generally seen a good 
 deal of the world, which makes them en^^er- 
 taining companions : but then, this class 
 will maintain a superiority in brown as well 
 as scarlet." 
 
 " You can't pick and chuse always," re~ 
 turned Mrs. Macmaurice, " we are very 
 fortunate in our regiment : only they are a 
 
 little
 
 Specimens of Meal Life, 201 
 
 little quarrelsome now and then — and that's 
 in a great measure owing to Mac. I do 
 believe." 
 
 " I think you said the colonel came with 
 you.'* 
 
 " Yes, and he'll stay here a week ; Colo- 
 nel Gorges is come to Bristol ; they never 
 agree, so to get Mac. out of the way, I per- 
 suaded him to take me to Bath, and, if I can, 
 ril get him to London." 
 
 ** To London !" 
 
 " Oh L — d, I haven't seen you since I 
 received Mrs. Grosvenor's letter, she's going 
 to give a masqued ball in February, and 
 wants us to come up. I think we shall go ; 
 the colonel is very fond of London — so am 
 I — cotddn't you go too ?" 
 
 ** Sir Phihp," said Lady Aucherly, ** is 
 now 1 fear too well pleased with Bath, to 
 think of leaving it very soon." 
 
 ** Ah, but you used to be able to do as 
 you pleased — cant't you ." 
 
 ** Indeed, interrupted Lady Aucherly, 
 « I — we'll talk of that another time : how 
 are you engaged this evening ?" 
 
 K 5 ** I am
 
 202 Sketches of Charactery or 
 
 « I am but just arrived, I've no engage- 
 ment/' 
 
 « Will you have charity on us then, and 
 spend the evening here ?" 
 « With all my heart/' 
 « 'Twould be a mere compliment, I pre- 
 sume," said Lady Aucherly, " to ask the 
 colonel's company." 
 
 «' Oh, I don't know that — you are a 
 great favourite, and if Mac. has made no 
 engagement, I'm sure he would like to 
 come." 
 
 " I thought he did not often go into 
 quiet parties — but you must persuade him : 
 we shall be very glad of his company." 
 
 <« You may depend upon me,^' said Mrs. 
 Macmaurice rising, " therefore as I shall 
 see you again soon, good bye ; I want to 
 run about the town a bit, will any of you 
 girls come with me?" 
 
 The Miss Simmonses were flattered by 
 the invitation, and some of them immedi- 
 ately volunteered to go with her. 
 
 As colonel and Mrs. Macmaurice were 
 no favourites with Sir Philip, Lady Aucherly 
 
 almost
 
 Specimeyis of Real Life* W$ 
 
 almost repented having asked them without 
 his concurrence, and thought one of his 
 nieces might reconcile him to it, better than 
 she could. 
 
 " Jessy, my dear,*' said her ladyship, 
 *< step to your uncle's room, and tell him, 
 I have invited colonel and Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice h^re this evening : sJie has promised : 
 but I don't suppose he will come 5 you may 
 say, it's not too late to put them otfj if he 
 should have any objection." 
 
 Jessy soon returned. ** My uncle thinks, 
 it will be rather awkward to have them 
 without other company ; and that you had 
 better ask somebody to meet them." 
 
 ** Who can we possibly have ;" inter- 
 rupted Lady Aucherly ; ** there is scarcely 
 time to think of any one." 
 
 '* He mentioned theDorringtons, ma'am." 
 
 *' The most unsuitable ." 
 
 •* He said, that you had asked them 
 once or twice, and they couldn't come, 
 and as they are going to town in a few 
 days, you might as well take the chance 
 once more 5 and he thought they would 
 K 6 take
 
 204 Sketches of Character ^ or 
 
 take it friendly to be invited in an ofF-hand 
 way — .'' 
 
 " They are rather unsuitable people," 
 said Lady Aucherly, " but I've no objec- 
 tion, though I think a gentleman or two 
 would be better, but after all, the colonel 
 may not come ; run and tell him, my love, 
 I have no objection to ask the Dorring- 
 tons." 
 
 Jessy returned with the message to her 
 uncle, and a servant was dispatched to Mrs. 
 Dorrington's with the invitation, which was 
 accepted. 
 
 Mrs. Dorrington came to Sir Philip's 
 before Mrs. Macmaurice ; and as Lady 
 Aucherly could, when she pleased, make 
 herself very agreeable, Mrs. Dorrington 
 soon forgot a little pique she had felt on 
 first meeting her at the upper rooms. 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice was presently an- 
 nounced and formally introduced to Mrs. 
 Dorrington, Mrs. Lovell, and the young 
 ladies : Mrs. Dorrington's manner was 
 polite, though somewhat distant. 
 
 ** Shall
 
 &pecim€77s of Real Life. ^05 
 
 " Shall we see the colonel?" enquired 
 Sir Philip. 
 
 *« He dined out," replied Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, ** but he said he would be here before 
 nine." 
 
 •* It is a good many years since I have 
 seen him," said Sir Philip. 
 
 " Wasn't it when you were at the Isle of 
 Wight," said Mrs. Macmaurice, ** and our 
 regiment was waiting there, expecting 
 orders every day for Gibraltar ?" 
 
 " I believe it was ; that must be five 
 years ago." 
 
 *' Yes, quite : I should have liked to have 
 gone very much, but the ^3d were ordered 
 instead, and we embarked for Ireland." 
 
 " I have a cousin," said Mrs. Dorrington, 
 " at Gibraltar, who gives no very favourable 
 account of it : it's very hot in summer." 
 
 " The heat I've been told is more oppres* 
 sive than in the West-Indies :" observed 
 Mrs. Lovell. 
 
 " You are from Jamaica, are n't you 
 ma'am?" enquired Mrs. Macmaurice, ra- 
 ther bluntly, " what part pray ?*' 
 
 " Mon-
 
 206 Sketches of Character , or 
 
 " Montego Bay." 
 
 «* Mr. Grosvenor's estates lie that way," 
 said Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 " Mr. Lovell had property adjoining his; 
 we were then acquainted with Mr. Gros- 
 venor, but I have never met him since I 
 came to England." 
 
 «* Then you never saw his wife — my 
 sister, ma'am ?" said Mrs. Macmaurice. 
 
 ** I never had that pleasure. Mr. 
 Grosvenor was quite a young man when 
 I knew him, and must have forgotten me 
 by this time." 
 
 The correct deportment of Mrs. Dorring- 
 ton was calculated to inspire respect ; even 
 Mrs. Macmaurice felt its influence : indeed 
 though she allowed herself great liberties, 
 her manners seldom degenerated entirely 
 into vulgarity, though too often bordering 
 on it : in Mrs. Dorrington's company, she 
 was free, but not bold. Lady Aucherly in 
 a moment knew how to appreciate the 
 assumed decorum, and to what cause to 
 attribute it, while Mrs. Dorrington was in- 
 clined rather to let it plead in extenuation 
 
 of
 
 S2)ecinie7is of Real Life. ^07 
 
 of former impressions, than to examine it too 
 closely. 
 
 The Miss Dorringtons and Emily were so 
 celebrated for their musical talents, that they 
 were in most parties requested to play, and 
 Emily was accompanying her voice in a 
 plaintive Scotch air, when the heavy steps 
 of Colonel Macmaurice were heard on the 
 stairs. 
 
 ** I know the sound of Mac's boots,'' 
 whispered Mrs. Macmaurice to Lady Au- 
 cherly, and as she was sitting near the door, 
 made signs of silence to the colonel on 
 his entrance, with, ** hush. Miss O'Con- 
 nor's singing." 
 
 At the same instant, Emily's sweetest 
 notes warbled in his ear, 
 
 *' Then in thy bosom try 
 What peace is there." 
 
 An attentive observer might have per- 
 ceived a slight nervous affection for a mo- 
 ment pass over his upper lip, but the com- 
 pany were engaged in Hstening to Emily's 
 
 plaintive
 
 908 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 plaintive wild notes, and it escaped un= 
 noticed. 
 
 When the air was concluded, Sir Philip 
 and Lady Aucherly welcomed Colonel Mac- 
 maurice in a very flattering manner, and 
 introduced him to Mrs. Dorrington and 
 her daughters. The Miss Simmonses had 
 so completely surrounded the piano-forte, 
 that Emily could not immediately quit the 
 instrument, but as Miss Dorrington and 
 Henrietta were going to play a duet, 
 she rose and took a seat next to Mrs. 
 Dorrington. 
 
 ** Here's a young lady, colonel," said 
 Sir Philip, taking Emily by the hand, " to 
 whom you have not yet been introduced ; a 
 great favourite of mine — Miss O'Connor — 
 Colonel Macmaurice." 
 
 Emily with unaffected modesty, bowed to 
 the colonel, who complimented her on her 
 singing, in such an embarrassed manner, 
 that it could not escape the penetrating eyes 
 of Mrs. Dorrington. 
 
 Colonel Macmaurice was now called by 
 2 Sir
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 209 
 
 Sir Philip to the card table, and though he 
 recovered his presence of mind, yet it was 
 very evident, he was not in his usual spirits, 
 
 ** The image of a wicked heinous fault 
 Lives in htis eye." 
 
 CHAP.
 
 210 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 T 
 
 LONDON IN PROSPECT. 
 
 HE name of Dorrington had been handed 
 down through a long line of illustrious 
 ancestors, to the present family; and though 
 Mr. Dorrington held the pride of birth in 
 the contempt it deserves, when unsupported 
 by virtuous actions, yet the unprecedented 
 increase of modern nobility, made him set a 
 just value on the antiquity of his house. 
 
 Lord and Lady Dorrington kept up a great 
 deal of the dignity of the old school, and 
 regularly lived half the year in St. 
 James's Square, and the remainder at Lan- 
 gony Abbey, the family seat in Cornwall. — 
 Mr. Dorrington was their only son, but 
 
 they
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 211 
 
 they had several daughters, who were all 
 married to men of rank, and as Lady 
 Dorrington was of a noble family, they 
 had very extensive connexions among the 
 nobility. 
 
 Mr. Dorrington, however, was of a re- 
 served disposition; and preferring a domestic 
 life, had lived in a style somewhat retired : 
 he condemned the splendid follies and extra- 
 vagance of those who make no scruple of 
 spending a fortune in one night, to gain 
 popularity in fashionable life : he was de- 
 sirous rather of maintaining the honour of his 
 family by the respectability of his character, 
 than by shewy entertainments to rival the 
 dissipated votaries of fashion. The Dorring- 
 tons were therefore very little known at a 
 distance from their own residence, and even 
 at Bath they were lost in the gay throng. 
 
 It was in London and at Langony- Abbey, 
 that the consequence of this respectable 
 family was most conspicuous, and their ar- 
 rival in town being announced in the public 
 papers, their door was soon crowded with 
 visitors, and invitations poured in from all 
 
 quarters ;
 
 Q12 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 quarters ; but Mrs. Dorriugton deferred 
 taking her daughters into large parties till 
 after the birth-day ; their time however was 
 sufficiently occupied with visiting their no- 
 ble relatives. At Lord Camleigh's they met 
 Mr. and Mrs. Grosvenor : the former ad- 
 dressed himself to Mrs. Lovell, as an old 
 acquaintance, and presented her to his wife, 
 who received her with so much affability 
 and friendliness that Mrs. Dorrington was 
 immediately prepossessed in her favour. 
 
 There was a softness in Mrs. Grosvenor's 
 manners, and an unaffected gracefulness in 
 her movements which were strikingly cap- 
 tivating; she was condemned as thought- 
 less, dissipated, and extravagant, yet the 
 sweetness of her disposition seemed to ex- 
 cuse all her foibles ; and Mrs. Dorrington* 
 was so much pleased with her company, 
 that she hoped to cultivate her farther ac- 
 quaintance. 
 
 After Lucy and Henrietta had been intro- 
 duced at court, they accompanied Mrs. 
 Dorrington into the fashionable world ; they 
 were admired ; and though not so much as 
 
 most
 
 Specimens of Real Life, S13 
 
 most mothers would have desired, yet to the 
 full extent of Mrs. Dorrington's expectations 
 or wishes. While they were enjoying the 
 splendid gaieties of the metropolis, Lady 
 Aucherly began to feel a little enriui from 
 the sameness of the Bath amusements. She 
 was now every day expecting Mrs. and Miss 
 St. Clair in their way to tovv^n, which by no 
 means tended to reconcile her ladyship to 
 Bath. 
 
 It is a truth long established, that when 
 we have obtained one object of our desires 
 our mind still languishes after another : it 
 was so with Lady Aucherly, and though 
 she was perfectly sensible of the above 
 observation, she was unconscious that 
 she was an example of it herself. She 
 had gained Bath, and now sighed for 
 London. 
 
 She was in this state of mind, the morn- 
 ing after Mrs. St. Clair's arrival, and had 
 just taken up a newspaper to see an account 
 of the queen's birth-day, when Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, who was still at Bath, made her 
 appearance. 
 
 ** Good
 
 214 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 " Good morning ; my dear Mrs. St. 
 Clair, how d*ye do, I only heard this morn- 
 ing you were come, and as soon as I had 
 swallowed my breakfast, I set out to pay 
 my respects to you. L — d what a cold day 
 it is, where's Maria?'' 
 
 " She is rambling about with the Miss 
 Simmonses,'' said Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 " Then there'll be ten colds caught." 
 
 " She has only Miss Simmons and Phoebe 
 with her," said Lady Aucherly, *« Anna 
 went out early this morning, to breakfast 
 with her father." 
 
 <« Well, but now," said Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice, ** I want to talk to you about going to 
 London : for go you must, if 'tis only to 
 bring out your daughter ; isn't it a sin Mrs. 
 St. Clair, that she keeps her back so, and 
 it's a shame, that she should be left at school 
 all Christmas." 
 
 " She is very happy with her grand- 
 mother," said Lady Aucherly. 
 
 *« That I won't believe ; a young girl of 
 seventeen, can't be happy with an old woman 
 of seventy, while she has a sweet young 
 
 mother,
 
 Specimens of Real Life, SI 5 
 
 mother, who ought to bring her out : now 
 it's very hard if we three can't put our heads 
 together, and hit upon a plan to get you to 
 London ; I thought of a scheme last night ; 
 let's get a little nearer the fire, and then 
 ril tell it — you know, you — " continued 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, turning to Mrs, St. Clair, 
 *< are going to London — in a few days I 
 believe — ." 
 
 " To-morrow we set oiF." 
 
 " So soon i — well — now observe, when 
 you get to London, you must ." 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice was interrupted by 
 the door opening, and the appearance of 
 Mrs. Mansell, who began, " Seeing Mrs. 
 Macmaurice's carriage at the door, I thought 
 I should find you at home, Lady Au- 
 cherly — ." 
 
 " Your crimson liveries are so conspi- 
 cuous," observed Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 *< I'm come to take my leave," conti- 
 nued Mrs. Mansell, " we are going to Lon- 
 don to-morrow, and I should be so sorry 
 to go without seeing you, and I have called 
 
 so
 
 SI 6 Sketches of Charade?', or 
 
 so often, when you have been out — so 
 that — /' 
 
 <* What a bore this is," said Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, in a whisper to Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 " When shall we three meet again?" re- 
 turned the other. 
 
 *' Thunder and lightning, I'm sure, would 
 keep her at home." 
 
 Here Miss St. Clair returned, bringing in 
 a party who had joined her in Milsom- 
 street. 
 
 *< I found these good people," said Maria, 
 " half frozen, at the bottom of the street, 
 and have brought them here to thaw ; — 
 Lady Aucherly, is that to-day's paper ?" 
 
 " I've not looked at it yet, but I believe 
 it's full of the birth-day." 
 
 " Come," said Lady Mary Hope, " read 
 ii out to us." 
 
 " Good G — d!" exclaimed Lady Au- 
 cherly, " it's impossible for me to wade 
 through all this : I'll run my eye over it, 
 and if there's any thing remarkable, I'll 
 read it." 
 
 " Here's a book of poems advertised, * by 
 
 James
 
 Spectme7is of Real Lye. 217 
 
 James Ross:" — there was a strange young 
 man with the Dorringtons, of that name ; 
 I wonder whether it's the same." 
 
 " Law," said Mrs. Mansell, turning to 
 Miss St. Clair, " I shouldn't have thought 
 somehow, he could write all poetry-like, any 
 more than you or I." 
 
 " I'm very diffident of my own abilities," 
 replied Miss St. Clair, ** but I've not the 
 least doubt of yours." 
 
 " Oh law, I'm sure I " 
 
 "It is the same gentleman," said Mr. 
 Hope, " he is distantly related, I believe, to 
 Mrs. Dorrington." 
 
 ** 'Tis mad Ross," cried Mrs. Macmau- 
 rice ; ** he stared at Lady Aucherly, as if 
 his eyes would have leapt out of their 
 sockets." 
 
 " I've read his poems," said Mr. Hope — 
 " he seems an enthusiastic acbnirer of 
 beauty." 
 
 " I heard he was very warm in his de- 
 scriptions," observed Mrs. Temple. ** I be- 
 lieve he has published something before." 
 
 <« Attend — " said Lady Aucherly, " here 
 VOL. I, L are
 
 218 Sketches of Character^ or 
 
 are the presentations — '* the lovely Miss 
 Purvis, by her aunt, Lady Garston — and 
 here are the amiable and accomplished Miss 
 Dorringtons, by their mother, the Honour- 
 able Mrs. Dorrington — and here come their 
 dresses." 
 
 " Oh dear !*' cried Mrs. Man sell, rising, 
 " let me look over you, Lady Aucherly, 
 pray.'' 
 
 " Here," said her ladyship, " you may 
 read it at length — spangled crape petticoat, 
 with lavender brown train : how mild they 
 must have all looked." 
 
 " Hideous 1" exclaimed Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice. 
 
 " Ah," said Mrs. Mansell, " but it 
 mightn't have been so, for my cousin Lady 
 Westenra once consulted me about her 
 court-dress, and it was a green velvet train, 
 and the petticoat white satin, ornamented 
 with oak-leaves in green foil with gold 
 acorns — and there, in the papers, they 
 put down silver, — and they said her head- 
 dress " 
 
 " L — d, what a memory you've got," said 
 
 Mrs.
 
 Specimens of Real Life, ^219 
 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, bursting into a loud 
 laugh. 
 
 ** The papers are very inaccurate," ob- 
 served Lady Aucherly, humouring the se- 
 riousness with which Mrs. Mansell treated 
 the subject. 
 
 *< Oh, terrible, and you may suppose 
 'twas very provoking to my cousin, Lady 
 Westenra, and vex'd me too — for they said 
 her head-dress " 
 
 <« Don't you think," interrupted Mrs. 
 Macmaurice, " we have talk'd enough about 
 dress ; what does Mr. Hope say ?" 
 
 *« Indeed," replied he, " I began to sus- 
 pect, the conversation was intended as a hint 
 for me to go." 
 
 *< 'Tis treating you unmercifully," said 
 Mrs. St. Clair ; " Lady Aucherly, is there 
 any thing else in the paper ?" 
 
 *« Oh law, yes," cried Mrs, Mansell, 
 " her ladyship hasn't read the Queen's and 
 Princesses' dresses." 
 
 " I beheve, I'd better go," said Mr. 
 Hope. 
 
 L 2 *< You
 
 2^0 Sketches of Character y or 
 
 " You may venture a little longer,'* said 
 Lady Aucherly. <* Mrs. Macmaurice, here's 
 an intimation of Mrs. Grosvenor's intended 
 ball." 
 
 " Ah, in confirmation of my letter : what 
 do they say about it ?" 
 
 ** Mr, Grosvenor^ s splendid mansion in 
 Portla7id-Place has been recently Jitted up, 
 with various elegant improvements, — Then 
 follows," continued Lady Aucherly, ** a long 
 description of the furniture, Egyptian so- 
 phas, tripods, candeiabrae, and antique et 
 caeteras." 
 
 ti L — d, what a fuss !" cried Mrs. Mac- 
 maurice, laughing, — " I'm sure it's all 
 Grosvenor's doing 5 is there any more 
 about it?" 
 
 " Yes, I'm now coming to the point — 
 We hear Mrs, Grosvenor commences her 
 mnter campaign with a masqued hall, the 
 beginning of next month,'' ^ 
 
 ** Then we shall soon hear of Lady 
 Hillingdon's giving a fete," said Mrs. 
 Temple. 
 
 ** Oh
 
 Specimens of Real Life, 221 
 
 »* Oh, but Mrs. Yorke cuts her out 
 now," observed Lady Mary Hope : " She's 
 a very fine woman." 
 
 " Rouge and candle-light do wonders," 
 added Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 *' 1 believe 'tis getting rather late,'^ said 
 Mrs. Mansell. — " Lady Aucherly, could 
 you lend me that paper to take home — Mr. 
 Mansell takes in the Courier, but I should 
 like to compare them — about the dresses, 
 you know — and I'll be sure to return it 
 soon." 
 
 It was nearly an hour before the trio were 
 left to themselves. 
 
 " L — d, what a sad interruption," ex- 
 claimed Mrs. Macmaurice, drawing nearer 
 to Lady Aucherly. 
 
 " Now, then, for your scheme," said 
 Mrs. St. Clair. 
 
 " True — when you get to town, you 
 must tell Caroline to write Sir Philip or her 
 mother, how much she longs to see them, 
 and hoping they will come up to town — 
 that you know. Lady Aucherly, will break 
 the ice to Sir Philip." 
 
 II *' It's
 
 ^^2 Sketches of Character, or 
 
 ** It's a better thought, perhaps, than 
 you are aware of: Sir Phihp is so fond of 
 Caroline, 1 beheve she could persuade him 
 to any thing.'* 
 
 " And when the letter comes," continued 
 Mrs. Macmaurice, " you must follow it up, 
 by exerting all your influence." 
 
 " Times are sadly changed — but I'll do 
 what I can." 
 
 ** As I go to-morrow," said Mrs. St. 
 Clair, " I'll thank you to draw up full in- 
 structions, in time for my embassy — Oh, 
 here are the girls again; we mustn't let 
 them into the secret." 
 
 Maria had brought home some new 
 music, and was in the middle of a favourite 
 Polacca, when Gilford entered with a note. 
 ** It's for Miss Simmons," said Lady Au- 
 cherly ; '' you'll find her in her room." 
 
 *' Let's go and see what it can be," 
 said Mary, running up stairs, followed by 
 Phoebe. 
 
 In a few minutes Giffbrd returned, beg- 
 ging Lady Aucherly to go up stairs, for the 
 young ladies were in a dreadful conster- 
 nation,
 
 Specimens of Real Life, "2^3 
 
 nation, and Miss Simmons was in hys- 
 terics. 
 
 " Good G — d!'' exclaimed Lad) Au- 
 cherly. 
 
 " Oh L — d !" cried Mrs. Macmaurice, 
 *' perhaps their father's dead, and as 3 
 shall be only in the way, 1*11 go — so 
 D. I. O." 
 
 Lady Aucherly hastily wished her a good 
 morning, and ran up stairs, leaving Mrs. 
 St. Clair and Maria to form various con- 
 jectures. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 Printed by A. StraUau, 
 Printers-Street, London
 
 3 0112 042045234