LETTER I. 



ISTRODUCTION. 



Do you remember, my friend, the day on which you set out 

 for that long and delightful tour, the preparations for whicli 

 had so long engrossed your time and attention? 



I called in the morning, to pass a few minutes with you, 

 as I had been accustomed to do, but not being aware that it 

 was the day fixed on for your departure, I was surprised at 

 the unusual, state of your house: everybody appeared un- 

 settled and busy, and the servants were running up and down 

 stairs unceasingly. An elegant travelling carriage, with the 

 horses harnessed, was standing in the court-yard. At the 

 moment I entered, the postilion had already placed one of 

 his huge boots in the stirrup, and one of your servants, 



B 



