unity to reinstate themselves in the country
they have quitted. I am no politician, but think
they will not easily accomplish their purpose;
time alone can decide this matter, and in the
interim you will easily imagine I cannot be wholly
unconcerned about events which must inevitably in
some degree influence my future destiny.

Eliza had another terrible anxiety in June 1791, in the failure of her
mother's health. In September she is hoping for a visit from her
husband, when, if her mother's health allows, they will all go to
Bath,--

a journey from which I promise myself much
pleasure, as I have a notion it is a place quite
after my own heart; however, the accomplishment of
this plan is very uncertain, as from the present
appearance of things, France will probably be
engaged in a war which will not admit of an
officer's (whose services will certainly be
required) quitting his country at such a
period. . . . My mother has this very morning
received a letter from Steventon, where they all
enjoy perfect health. The youngest boy, Charles,
is gone to the Naval Academy at Portsmouth. As to
the young ladies, I hear they are perfect
Beauties, and of course gain hearts by dozens.

In November she says:--

Edward A. I believe will . . . in another month or
two take unto himself a spouse. He shewed me the
lady's picture, which is that of a very pretty
woman; as to Cassandra, it is very probable, as
you observe, that some son of Neptune may have
obtained her approbation as she probably
experienced much homage from these gallant
gentlemen during her acquatic excursions. I hear
her sister and herself are two of the prettiest
girls in England.

Mrs. Hancock died in the winter of 1791-2, and our next letter from
Eliza is not till June 7, 1792. In the interval she had been--together
with M. de Feuillide, who had perhaps come over to attend the death-bed
of Philadelphia--to Bath, from which place she had derived little
amusement owing to the state of her spirits. Returning to London, M. de
Feuillide had hoped to stay there some time;--

but he soon received accounts from France which
informed him that, having a