r_ like her, and I meet
French company at her house. Her manners are affected, yet the
simple goodness of her heart continually breaks through the
varnish, so that one would be more inclined, at least I should, to
love than admire her. Authorship is a heavy weight for female
shoulders, especially in the sunshine of prosperity. Of the French
I will not speak till I know more of them. They seem the people of
all others for a stranger to come amongst, yet sometimes when I
have given a commission, which was eagerly asked for, it has not
been executed, and when I ask for an explanation,--I allude to the
servant-maid, a quick girl, who, an't please you, has been a
teacher in an English boarding-school,--dust is thrown up with a
self-sufficient air, and I am obliged to appear to see her meaning
clearly, though she puzzles herself, that I may not make her feel
her ignorance; but you must have experienced the same thing. I will
write to you soon again. Meantime, let me hear from you, and
believe me yours sincerely and affectionately,

M. W.

When the dreaded 26th came, there was no one in Paris more excited and
interested than Mary. From her window she saw the King as, seemingly
forgetting the history he was making for future historians to discuss, he
rode by with calm dignity to his trial. Throughout the entire day she
waited anxiously, uncertain as to what would be the effects of the
morning's proceedings. Then, when evening came, and all continued quiet
and the danger was over, she grew nervous and fearful, as she had that
other memorable night when she kept her vigil in the little room at
Hackney. She was absolutely alone with her thoughts, and it was a relief
to write to Mr. Johnson. It gave her a sense of companionship. This
"hyena in petticoats," this "philosophizing serpent," was at heart as
feminine as Hannah More or any other "excellent woman."

PARIS, Dec. 26, 1792.

I should immediately on the receipt of your letter, my dear friend,
have thanked you for your punctuality, for it highly gratified me,
had I not wished to wait till I could tell you that this day was
not stained with blood. Indeed, the prudent precautions taken by
the National Convention to prevent a tumult made me suppose that
the dogs of faction would not dare to bark, much less to bite,
however true to their scent; and I