27^ letter from Isabella to Albert. Oct. 24. 



general, we stint ourselves to have such a thing fi- 

 nilhed by a certain time ; and we are as eager to ac- 

 complifh that as pofsible. Mrs D. enters into con- 

 versation with us on every subject, and listens to 

 our remarks on any book we are reading, or the 

 incidents that occur, directing our judgement rather 

 by mild hints than formal advices, wherever flie sees 

 us wrong. By this means her daughters have ac- 

 quired a habit of thinking justly on most subjects, 

 that others of their age seldom pofsefs. I feel this ; 

 I feel my own wants when compared with them ; but 

 by attention to what falls from either her or them, 

 1 hope, in my turn, to become wise enough to be abla 

 to make you be pleased with something else than the 

 mere innocence of my prattle. That you tnay have 

 some idea of the nature of this small female cotterie, 

 (you know I learnt this word from yourself,) I 

 fliall endeavour to recollect some of our yesterday's 

 conversation. 



«' My dear," said Mrs D. to me, with her u- 

 sual gentlenefs and imprefsive mani^er, " this house 

 you will find is a very unfafliionable place. Instead of 

 gadding about through the whole country after a- 

 musement, you here find us continually at work, and 

 busy from day to day, as if our sustenance depend- 

 ed on the labour of our hands. I dare say you are 

 much surprised at this, though I am happy to see 

 you fall into our way with much more ease than I 

 could have expected. I fliall be glad if you conti- 

 nue to do so ; for I am so pleased with your ingenu- 

 ous candour and goodaefs of heart, that I begin to 

 feel myself nearly as much interested in your wel-» 



