Life of Count Rwnford. 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 was in high place, and even 

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

 on the subject of teachers, rny 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. 



