A PIC NIC. 69 



ivied window, and single, as she long had lived, sat Lady 

 Venena Adderly, compounding pencil notes for a descriptive 

 letter to Poet Peeper, who furnished lampoons to a Sunday 

 paper. " Memoranda of some of the voted pretty persons. — The 



three Miss S s, crooked in three different ways (deformity 



voted a petite figure.) Miss W. a beard (voted a duvet or shade.) 

 And little red Miss T. (voted auburn, and like Jane Shore) runs 

 about chattering like a magpie that has finished its education in 

 the back yard of an ill-managed boarding school." Thus wrote 

 this detestable woman ; for, in my character of overlooker as well 

 as overhearer, I stood behind the window at which she drove her 

 abominable trade. 



But let us turn to happier parts of the scene. Eating, drinking, 

 laughing, syllabubing under the cow, and dancing, occupied the 

 time till dusk. Then the whole party adjourned to Allington 

 Park, to spend the evening and beguile the niglit, amidst the 

 varied charms of tea, music, supper, more dancing, fireworks, 

 and moon-Jit rambles. 



And you, Mrs. Allington, you were a prosperous gentlewoman ! 

 Every thing went on according to your fondest wish. The 

 realities of the present hour, the prospects of an indistinct future, 

 all, all were of the rosiest rose-colour. At the dawn of this 

 auspicious day your looks had commerced with the opening 

 uncertain sky. Hope was then balanced by fear on your careful 

 brow. But, when you had thought and rethought, reviewed 

 your mines, and in fancy baffled the countermines of the foe, 

 and with wonderous skill had placed and ordered every thing 

 and every body to your own liking, then^ in your meridian joy, 

 did there seem a rivalry between the broad sun and your expanded 

 countenance, which should shine the brighter, and spread the 

 greater gladness around. 



And Mrs. Eglantine took possession of old Lord E., and gave 

 her chaperonage to Adelaide and young Lord D. Miss Carleton, 

 whose marriage was fixed for the following day, sent an excuse ; 

 but she sent it by the hands of her intended. Sir James Burton, 

 who was never known to absent himself from an occasion of 

 good eating and drinking. It is important to mention, as it was 

 much remarked upon, that, whether out of civility to the hostess, 

 or out of pure carelessness, or for some other reason, and many 

 were the probable reasons that underwent discussion. Sir James 

 Burton did actually offer, and some did say with a significant 

 look, his arm for the day to Miss Maria Allington. 



