to the lists, which were overlooked by galleries in which nearly two thousand spectators were accommodated; but all the while the rain came down in bucketfuls, never ceased while the tourney proceeded, and brought the proceedings to a premature and ignominious close.  I only mention the occurrence here because the Queen of Beauty, elected to that high honour by unanimous acclamation, was Jane Sheridan, Lady Seymour; and there is all the charm of vivid contrast in turning from the reckless expenditure and fantastic brilliancy of 1839 to the following correspondence, which was published in the newspapers in the early part of 1840.

Anne, Lady Shuckburgh, was the wife of Sir Francis Shuckburgh, a Northamptonshire Baronet, and to her the Queen of Beauty, forsaking the triumphs of chivalry for the duties of domestic economy, addressed the following letter:—­

“Lady Seymour presents her compliments to Lady Shuckburgh, and would be obliged to her for the character of Mary Stedman, who states that she lived twelve months, and still is, in Lady Shuckburgh’s establishment.  Can Mary Stedman cook plain dishes well? make bread? and is she honest, good-tempered, sober, willing, and cleanly?  Lady Seymour would also like to know the reason why she leaves Lady Shuckburgh’s service.  Direct, under cover to Lord Seymour, Maiden Bradley.”

To this polite and business-like inquiry, Lady Shuckburgh replied as follows:—­

“Lady Shuckburgh presents her compliments to Lady Seymour.  Her ladyship’s note, dated October 28, only reached her yesterday, November 3.  Lady Shuckburgh was unacquainted with the name of the kitchen-maid until mentioned by Lady Seymour, as it is her custom neither to apply for or to give characters to any of the under servants, this being always done by the housekeeper, Mrs. Couch—­and this was well known to the young woman; therefore Lady Shuckburgh is surprised at her referring any lady to her for a character.  Lady Shuckburgh having a professed cook, as well as a housekeeper, in her establishment, it is not very likely she herself should know anything of the abilities or merits of the under servants; therefore she is unable to answer Lady Seymour’s note.  Lady Shuckburgh cannot imagine Mary Stedman to be capable of cooking for any except the servants’-hall table.

“November 4, Pavilion, Hans Place.”

But Sheridan’s granddaughter was quite the wrong subject for these experiments in fine-ladyism, and she lost no time in replying as follows:—­

“Lady Seymour presents her compliments to Lady Shuckburgh, and begs she will order her housekeeper, Mrs. Pouch, to send the girl’s character without delay; otherwise another young woman will be sought for elsewhere, as Lady Seymour’s children cannot remain without their dinners because Lady Shuckburgh, keeping a ’professed cook and a housekeeper,’ thinks a knowledge of the details of her establishment beneath her notice.  Lady Seymour understands from Stedman that, in addition to her other talents, she was actually capable of dressing food fit for the little Shuckburghs to partake of when hungry.”