216 Mr. Edgeworth's Family, 



might not be drawn ; I cannot, however, avoid 

 remarking, that if I have any pretension to 

 prognostication, I shall not be disappointed in 

 seeing a younger branch (Miss H.) on a future 

 day, emulate her elder sister. 



The smiles and flattering commendations of 

 the world have corrupted many a heart, and 

 diminished the estimation due to splendid ta- 

 lents, by creating unbounded expectations in 

 their possessors, and obliterating the just claims 

 of others. SNot a particle of this disposition is 

 discoverable here ; the kind assiduity and at- 

 tention shown to all around justly endear them 

 to every rank, and make their residence a real 

 blessing to the neighbourhood. 



It is not the want of interesting matter, or of 

 a disinclination to detail it, that induces me to 

 refrain from proceeding on a subject, which 

 would be as gratifying to you as to myself; but 

 conformity to a rule to which I strictly adhere, 

 that whatever I hear or see under any hospitable 

 roof is to be considered as sacred. Indiscri- 

 minate censure would be highly ungrateful in 

 the partakers of hospitalities : praise of the like 

 description might subject such parties to the 

 odium of adulation. Could 1 have felt autho- 

 rized to have availed myself of the sentiments 



