Manchester Memoirs, Vol. liv. (1910), No. t>. 21 



one usually finds when an old man falls in love with a 

 girl in her teens. Whether he told his love to Felicia I 

 do not know, but he told his sister later that if he had 

 been twenty years younger he would have married Felicia. 

 Of his own impressions of Felicia we have no contem- 

 porary record, but his niece paid a visit to Bronwhilfa, 

 and has left the following account : — 



"We were shewn into Mrs. B's Tea room which was ornamented 

 with drawings, there was a pedal Harp, and a Piano Forte, which was 

 open. Mrs. B — . first appear'd and received us in a very friendly 

 manner. Next came Miss W. and Miss Harriett B. and last of all the 

 lovely and interesting object of our visit, Miss F.D.B., came into the 

 room, and with perfect ease engaged in the conversation, which was 

 supported in a most lively strain by her Mother. Having heard of 

 Miss Browne's musical powers, we requested to participate in the 

 gratification our friends had received when they visited Br — a and after 

 my Brothers had arrived and Mrs. B. had tuned the Harp, — her 

 daughter F. vibrated its strings and accompanied by her sister on the 

 Piano, played delightfully. She complied with our request to sing, in 

 a voice remarkably sweet and powerful. Her countenance glowed with 

 an expression the most heavenly ; and to be in the presence of a figure 

 altogether Angelic seemed like a vision of fancy rather than reality, — 

 for it is impossible for the imagination to picture an earthly being half 

 so lovely. After having passed two delightful hours with this engaging 

 family we quitted Br — a with true regret, taking a friendly farewell 

 of all." 



After Matthew Nicholson's visit to Bronwhilfa, there 

 was a break in the correspondence, which was reopened 

 by Felicia. 



"Bronwhilfa, 4th Dec, 1810. 



My Dear Sir, — 



I know not whether I ought to begin in so affectionate a manner, 

 considering the reason I have to be justly offended at your neglect of 

 the promise you made respecting our future correspondence. I had the 

 vanity to flatter myself, after the few, but agreeable and instructive 

 hours I had the pleasure of passing in your society, that you would not 

 soon forget me ; but, alas ! I have the mortification of perceiving 

 this is not the case, and can only regret my want of power to make a 

 stronger impression on yonx fail hless memory. However, I am deter- 

 mined to make one effort at least, to refresh your imagination and my 



