res; we have inserted decimals and omitted zeros to make them more
readable}

Thus the account stood the day I was first offered to the admiration of
the fair of New York. Mr. Bobbinet, however, was in no hurry to exhibit
me, having several articles of less beauty, that he was anxious to get
off first. For my part, I was as desirous of being produced, as ever a
young lady was to come out; and then my companions in the drawer were
not of the most agreeable character. We were all pocket-handkerchiefs,
together, and all of French birth. Of the whole party, I was the only
one that had been worked by a real lady, and consequently my education
was manifestly superior to those of my companions. THEY could scarcely
be called comme il faut, at all; though, to own the truth, I am afraid
there is tant soit peu de vulgarity about all WORKED
pocket-handkerchiefs. I remember that, one day, when Madame de la
Rocheaimard and Adrienne were discussing the expediency of buying our
whole piece, with a view of offering us to their benefactress, the
former, who had a fine tact in matters of this sort, expressed a doubt
whether the dauphine would be pleased with such an offering.

{comme il faut = proper; tant soit peu de = ever so little of; worked =
embroidered}

"Her Royal Highness, like all cultivated minds, looks for fitness in
her ornaments and tastes. What fitness is there, ma chere, in
converting an article of real use, and which should not be paraded to
one's associates, into an article of senseless luxury. I know there are
two doctrines on this important point--"

{ma chere = my dear}

But, as I shall have occasion, soon, to go into the whole philosophy of
this matter, when I come to relate the manner of my next purchase, I
will not stop here to relate all that Madame de la Rocheaimard said. It
is sufficient that she, a woman of tact in such matters at least, had
strong doubts concerning the TASTE and propriety of using worked
pocket-handkerchiefs, at all.

My principal objection to my companions in the drawer was their
incessant senseless repinings about France, and their abuse of the
country in which they were to pass their lives. I could see enough in
America to find fault with, through the creaks of the drawer, and if an
American, I might have indulged a little in the same way myself, for I
am not one of those who think fault-finding belongs properly to the
stranger, and not to the native. It is the proper office of the l