omfort.

I should like to have had more of Devereux. I do
not feel enough acquainted with him. You were
afraid of meddling with him, I dare say. I like
your sketch of Lord Clanmurray, and your picture
of the two poor young girls' enjoyment is very
good. I have not yet noticed St. Julian's serious
conversation with Cecilia, but I like it
exceedingly. What he says about the madness of
otherwise sensible women on the subject of their
daughters coming out is worth its weight in gold.

I do not see that the language sinks. Pray go on.

[September 9, 1814.]

We have been very much amused by your three books,
but I have a good many criticisms to make, more
than you will like. We are not satisfied with Mrs.
Forester's settling herself as tenant and near
neighbour to such a man as Sir T. H., without
having some other inducement to go there. She
ought to have some friend living thereabouts to
tempt her. A woman going with two girls just
growing up into a neighbourhood where she knows
nobody but one man of not very good character, is
an awkwardness which so prudent a woman as Mrs. F.
would not be likely to fall into. Remember she is
very prudent. You must not let her act
inconsistently. Give her a friend, and let that
friend be invited to meet her at the Priory, and
we shall have no objection to her dining there as
she does; but otherwise a woman in her situation
would hardly go there before she had been visited
by other families. I like the scene itself, the
Miss Lesleys, Lady Anne, and the music very
much. . . . Sir Thomas H. you always do very well. I
have only taken the liberty of expunging one
phrase of his which would not be allowable--'Bless
my heart!' It is too familiar and inelegant. Your
grandmother is more disturbed at Mrs. Forester's
not returning the Egertons' visit sooner than by
anything else. They ought to have called at the
Parsonage before Sunday. You describe a sweet
place, but your descriptions are often more minute
than will be liked. You give too many par