particular desire to be acquainted with that man.”  Accordingly Littleton has engaged me to dine with him, in order to introduce me to the Marquess.  I am particularly curious, and always was, to know him.  He has made a great and splendid figure in history, and his weaknesses, though they make his character less worthy of respect, make it more interesting as a study.  Such a blooming old swain I never saw; hair combed with exquisite nicety, a waistcoat of driven snow, and a star and garter put on with rare skill.

To-day we took up our Resolutions about India to the House of Lords.  The two Houses had a conference on the subject in an old Gothic room called the Painted Chamber.  The painting consists in a mildewed daub of a woman in the niche of one of the windows.  The Lords sate in little cocked hats along a table; and we stood uncovered on the other side, and delivered in our Resolutions.  I thought that before long it may be our turn to sit, and theirs to stand.

Ever yours

T. B. M.

London:  June 21, 1833.

Dear Hannah,—­I cannot tell you how delighted I was to learn from Fanny this morning that Margaret pronounces you to be as well as she could wish you to be.  Only continue so, and all the changes of public life will be as indifferent to me as to Horatio.  If I am only spared the misery of seeing you suffer, I shall be found

 A man that fortune’s buffets and rewards
 Has ta’en with equal thanks.

Whether we are to have buffets or rewards is known only to Heaven and to the Peers.  I think that their Lordships are rather cowed.  Indeed, if they venture on the course on which they lately seemed bent, I would not give sixpence for a coronet or a penny for a mitre.

I shall not read the Repealers; and I think it very impudent in you to make such a request.  Have I nothing to do but to be your novel-taster?  It is rather your duty to be mine.  What else have you to do?  I have read only one novel within the last week, and a most precious one it was:  the Invisible Gentleman.  Have you ever read it?  But I need not ask.  No doubt it has formed part of your Sunday studies.  A wretched, trumpery, imitation of Godwin’s worst manner.  What a number of stories I shall have to tell you when we meet!—­which will be, as nearly as I can guess, about the 10th or 12th of August.  I shall be as rich as a Jew by that time.

 Next Wednesday will be quarter-day;
 And then, if I’m alive,
 Of sterling pounds I shall receive
 Three hundred seventy-five.

 Already I possess in cash
 Two hundred twenty-four,
 Besides what I have lent to John
 Which makes up twenty more.

 Also the man who editeth
 The Yellow and the Blue
 Doth owe me ninety pounds at least,
 All for my last review.

 So, if my debtors pay their debts,
 You’ll find, dear sister mine,
 That all my wealth together makes
 Seven hundred pounds and nine.