286 PARTRIDGE MANORS AND 



miserably, hopelessly behindhand with our French 

 neighbours on all matters pertaining to eating and 

 drinking ; but then I balance the account in this 

 way — Mossoo is not a sportsman ; and although he 

 will tell you he is a " chasseur intrfyide" " un cava- 

 lier de premi&re force" he does not shine either in 

 the hunting or shooting field. 



But the French ladies ? Ah, they can dress ; 

 they beat us there again into Smithereens. 



I am not like a bear in the hollow of a tree, who 

 has been sucking his paws all the winter to keep 

 him alive ; I have been enjoying most of our 

 country amusements, and I may say the winter 

 has passed pleasantly. 



Of late years a deaf ear has been turned to hints 

 thrown out " for a change of air, things wanted," 

 &c. Busily engaged in building, draining, planting, 

 and so on, little time could be given by me to 

 London festivities. 



The last attack was made in a somewhat ingeni- 

 ous manner. 



" Frederick, poor Alice wants her teeth looking 

 at. I think she had better go up to town for 

 three weeks or a month, and be put under the care 

 of a good dentist." 



This was as much as to say, "We are all to go;" 

 but I was equal to the occasion. 



