y, personages like M. and F.[useli] will bestow a thought on
two females whom nature meant to "suckle fools and chronicle small
beer."

But a few days before Mary had written to Everina to discuss with her a
matter relative to Mrs. Bishop's prospects. This letter explains the
allusions of the latter to Mary's proposed trip to France, and shows how
little reason she had for her ill-natured conclusions:--

LONDON, June 20, 1792.

... I have been considering what you say respecting Eliza's
residence in France. For some time past Mr. and Mrs. Fuseli, Mr.
Johnson, and myself have talked of a summer excursion to Paris; it
is now determined on, and we think of going in about six weeks. I
shall be introduced to many people. My book has been translated,
and praised in some popular prints, and Mr. Fuseli of course is
well known; it is then very probable that I shall hear of some
situation for Eliza, and I shall be on the watch. We intend to be
absent only six weeks; if then I fix on an eligible situation for
her she may avoid the Welsh winter. This journey will not lead me
into any extraordinary expense, or I should put it off to a more
convenient season, for I am not, as you may suppose, very flush of
money, and Charles is wearing out the clothes which were provided
for his voyage. Still, I am glad he has acquired a little practical
knowledge of farming....

The French trip was, however, put off until the following December; and
when the time came for her departure, neither Mr. Johnson nor the
Fuselis accompanied her. Since the disaffection of the latter has been
construed in a way which reflects upon her character, it is necessary to
pause here to consider the nature of the friendship which existed between
them. The slightest shadow unfairly cast upon her reputation must be
dissipated.

Mary valued Fuseli as one of her dearest friends. He, like her, was an
enthusiast. He was a warm partisan of justice and a rebel against
established institutions. He would take any steps to see that the rights
of the individual were respected. His interference in a case where men in
subordinate positions were defrauded by those in authority, but which did
not affect him personally, was the cause of his being compelled to leave
Zurich, his home, and thus eventually of his coming to England. Besides
their unity of thought and feeling, their work often