Life of Count R^lmford. 311 



guage, and what a pity it was I should not know something of 

 it for knowing music. In short, it was decided that I should 

 take the Italian master. I looking rather serious, the cause was 

 inquired of it. I answered, that it struck me that a person 

 would make more progress, and for a certainty it would be 

 much more agreeable, to have a master not such a lump of de- 

 formity as was this Signor Alberty. My father replied, that the 

 Italians, being considered a very gallant, captivating people, it 

 was not considered prudent to have them as teachers with 

 marked personal attractions. The observation reminded the 

 Countess of an anecdote in circulation of a lady of distinction 

 having fallen violently in love with her music-master, or rather 

 the person who often accompanied her in her music, she being 

 herself a fine musician. My father seemed much surprised and 

 very sorry at the news, for the lady ^ as in high place, and even 

 an heir to the crown might have been derived from her. Still 

 on the subject of teachers, my father asked the Countess 

 how a little girl, about eight, named Sophy Baumgarten, niece 

 to the Countess got on. The mother, the Countess of Baum- 

 garten, was the Countess's only sister. The answer was, that 

 Sophy did not get on so well, owing to the peculiarly light, 

 trifling character of her mother. 



" It would be difficult to find two characters less resembling 

 each other than these two sisters, the Countess of Nogarola, 

 with a first-rate understanding, a model of virtue, not plain, but 

 not handsome ; the other, a few years before, a celebrated 

 beauty. She was so much admired and celebrated in the world 

 that even crowned heads confessed her charms. All gentlemen 

 were in love with her. Alas, poor lady ! she ended in not 

 sufficiently respecting herself. A few days after this found me 

 established with the whole catalogue of teachers, Alberty at the 

 head of them. My studies went on like clock-work ; my fa- 

 ther had a great deal of order. A hairdresser came daily to dress 

 my hair. Good Animeetle was exchanged for Cecilia Dumesnil, 

 a French girl, on account of the language. Parents do wrong 

 to push their children. Application is not for all. Better let 

 them remain a little ignorant, than lose, perhaps, their lives. 



