into it perpetually, every consoling argument that the magic wand of hope can conjure up; viz. that every moment of industrious absence advances his journey, you know whither.-I may sometimes make excursions to Lichfield, and bask in the light of my Honora's eyes! Sustain me hope!-nothing on my part shall be wanting which may induce thee to fulfill thy blossoming promises.

The happy social circle, Julia, Honora, Miss SMiss B-n, her brother, Mr. Se, Mr. R

&c. &c. are now, perhaps, enlivening your dressing room, the dear blue region, as Honora calls it, with the sensible observation, the tasteful criticism, or the elegant song;-dreading the iron-tongue of the nineo'clock bell, which disperses the beings, whom friendship and kindred virtues have drawn together,-My imagination attaches itself to all, even the inanimate objects which surround Honora and her Julia;that have beheld their graces and virtues expand and ripen ;-my dear Honora's from their infant

bud.

The sleepy Claptonian train are gone to bed, somewhat wearied with their excursion to Enfield, whither they have this day carried their favorite little Frenchman; so great a favorite, the parting was quite tragical. I walked hither from town, as usual, to night-no hour of the twenty-four is so precious to me as that devoted to this solitary walk.-Oh, my Friend! I am far from possessing the patient frame of mind which I so continually invoke !-Why is Lichfield an hundred and twenty miles from me?-There is no moderation in the distance!-Fifty or sixty miles had been a great deal too much, but then, there would have been less opposition from authority to my frequent visits.-I conjure you, supply the wants of these blessings by frequent letters. I must not, will not, ask them of Honora, since the use of the pen is forbid to her declining health; I will content myself, as usual, with a postscript from her in your epistles. My sisters are charmed with the packet which arrived yesterday, and which they will

answer soon.

As yet I have said nothing of our journey. We met an entertaining Irish gentlemen at Dunchurch, and, F

being fellow-sufferers in cold and hunger, joined interests, ordered four horses, and stuffed three in a chaise. It is not to you, I need apologize for talking in raptures of a Higler whom we met on our road. His cart had passed us, and was at a considerable distance, when, looking back, he perceived that our chaise had stopped, and that the Driver seemed mending something. He ran up to him, and with a face full of honest anxiety, pity, good-nature, and every sweet affection under Heaven, asked him if we wanted any thing; that he had plenty of nails, ropes, &c. in his cart. That wretch of a Postillion made no other reply than, "We want nothing master." From the same impulse, the good Irishman, Mr. Till, and myself, thrust our heads instantly out of the chaise, and tried to recompence to the honest creature this surly reply, by every kind and grateful acknowledgment, and by forcing upon him a little pecuniary tribute. My benevolence will be the warmer, while I live, for the treasured remembrance of this Higler's countenance.

I know you interest yourself in my destiny. I have now completely subdued my aversion to the profession

of a Merchant, and hope in time to acquire an inclination for it. Yet, God forbid I should ever love what I am to make the object of my attention!-that vile trash, which I care not for, but only as it may be the future means of procuring the blessing of my soul. Thus all my mercantile calculations go to the tune of dear Honora.-When an impertinent consciousness whispers in my ear, that I am not of the right stuff for a merchant, I draw my Honora's picture from my bosom, and the sight of that dear talisman so inspirits my industry, that no toil appears oppressive.

The poetic task you set me is in a sad method-my head and heart are too full of other matters to be engrossed by a draggle-tailed wench of the Heliconian puddle.

I am going to try my interest in Parliament-How you stare!-it is to procure a frank. Be so good to give the enclosed to Honora ;-it will speak to her-and do you say every thing that is kind for me to every other distinguished friend of the dressing room circle-encourage them in their obliging desire of scribbling in

your letters, but do not let them take Honora's corner of the sheet.

Adieu! May you all possess that cheerfulness denied to your Cher Jean. I fear it hurts my mother to see my musing moods-but I can neither help nor overcome them.-The near hopes of another excursion to Lichfield, could alone disperse every gloomy vapour of my imagination.

Again, and yet again adieu !

JOHN ANDRÉ.