Before bed-time, I saw by the gestures and deportment of several of my Brother's companions, that my appearance and behaviour had made a favourable impression on their minds; and I discovered that they were intimating to each other that, as he had no children, he ought to take me entirely to himself. My Brother, although he had not an entire establishment of his own, was married. My Sister-in-law, a fashionable French lady, was in the household of a daughter of the French prime minister. My Brother introduced me to her on the morning after my arrival. As she approached where I was, I had an opportunity for a moment's reflection, and I could scarcely help doubting that I should be brother to so fine a lady. My Brother had previously instructed me that my manner of salutation must be by giving her a kiss, which part of my duty it will readily be believed I did not accomplish without some degree of embarrassment.

These preliminaries being got over, my Brother informed me, that, as I was intending to remain, at least for a short time, it would be needful for our mutual credit that I should be new rigged from head to foot. I was somewhat surprised at this, as I had really been at a good deal of pains

and expense to set myself off, as I thought, to the best advantage. But it appeared we disagreed in our opinions on the subject, and I submitted, of course, to the necessary metamorphosis. Among other alterations, my own plain waistcoat made way for one bedizened with no small quantity of

broad gold lace. My small-clothes were garnished with gold knee garters. My silk stockings made me feel a peculiar sensation in my legs. The buckles of my shoes were enormously large and of the first fashion; and, to complete all, my Brother insisted that, to be upon a par with himself and the other gentlemen of the establishment, it was quite essential that I should wear at my side a hanger or short sword.

On being thus ornamented and accoutred for the first time, I instinctively sought a mirror in which I should be able to take a view of myself fairly, and could not avoid inwardly asking the question, "Is it really myself or not?" Having discovered that it really was myself and no other, I endeavoured, as well as I could, to suit my address and behaviour in every respect to my change of circumstances. In one particular I possessed an advantage which every one will not at the first moment be able to appreciate; being a foreigner, newly arrived, no mere Frenchman, however well-bred and polite himself, would be aware but that I was as accomplished as himself when in my own country, and I received many a token of reverence which would have been scornfully withheld had my deficiencies been understood. During this time, my Sister, who, as I have already intimated, was herself highly accomplished, took much pains to instruct me in all necessary etiquette, in which science I soon made considerable progress; indeed, in a little time, I became, in some respects, rather a credit to my friends than otherwise.

My Brother and Sister knew nothing of my proficiency as a dancer; my talents, however, in this line were soon turned to good account; for not long after I had gained some familiarity among my new acquaintances, the upper domestics of the household had a splendid ball, at which I among the rest, was expected to attend. My Sister, not being herself aware of my proficiency, desired a certain lady of her acquaintance to take me under her protection as a partner, that, by a little manœuvreing, my imperfections might have a veil thrown over them. I silently heard them lay their plans, at the same time laughing in my sleeve. When the time came, I watched my opportunity, and putting myself in the way of another lady, who, I well knew, was a good dancer, contrived to be selected by her. Our performance was received with thunders of applause; above all, my Sister scarcely knew how to contain herself for joy.

The way in which I learned much of the French tongue was, by frequently, during the former part of the day, spending some time among the lower servants, as they went about their work: often taking up an utensil, or touching some piece of furniture, I would pronounce "Qu'st ce que vous appellez cela ?" Or, “how do you call this?" I took care that the answer they gave me should give rise to some other question, by which I should learn something more. These questions, and this method I repeated at different times, till I became familiar not only with the names of things, but until I could hold conversation so as to be tolerably well under

stood. It will be observed that, in this way, I sought not only to receive instruction, but also to keep others as much in the dark as possible of my real ignorance.

It happened, that after I had been about a year with my Brother, and had become in some measure familiar with high life, that a wedding took place in the French Royal Family. The parties married were the Count D'Artois, (now the exiled Charles X.,) and a daughter of the King of Sardinia. The ceremony took place at Versailles.

A few days previous, my Brother asked me if I should like to go to Versailles to see the illuminations? I told him I certainly should, and he not only encouraged me to go, but afforded me some facilities for the journey. I had become acquainted in Paris with two of my own countrymen, who had lately come from Belgium; and we set out all three together. Upon the road we clubbed our money into one common fund, and one of my companions was made purse-keeper. On arriving at Versailles, we first walked round the outside of the palace, beholding and admiring every thing which excited or astonished our wonder-stricken capacities. At last, following the example of many others, we entered inside, and were admitted into a large gallery. This gallery was closed by several gates, or barriers, kept by a sufficient number of officers. After we had walked here for some time without any other interruption than that of the crowded state of the place, a command was given to "sweep the gallery." Im

mediately a great number of officers drove the people before them with as great dispatch as ever a conquering army drove its discomfited opponents. Good luck was on my side, as I happened to be placed in such circumstances as prevented my retiring along with the common cowards of the day.

I had now lost my two companions, and being dressed in the new suit which my Brother had bought me, the elegance of which has already been described, when the people had disappeared, I soon saw that the officers regarded me with a degree of respect. The circumstance encouraged me, and I immediately assumed more than my legitimate share of importance. In a short time an individual, of as much real importance, I have no doubt, as I was in appearance, as he passed by me, going inwards, bade the officers admit a few as the rooms began to thin a little; I took heart again, and commenced following this friend's footsteps; I was immediately laid hold of, however, at one of the barriers, and the demand made "where are you going?" I could make no answer, and all would now have been over, had not my guide, unknown but welcome, turning his head, bidden them "allow the gentleman to pass." I went on accordingly, and at the end of the gallery I saw a room filled with the King's guards. They interrupted me by the same perplexing question, "where are you going?" I was again dumb.

Being now refused passage, I was turning disconsolately round to come back again, when I saw a gentleman turn up a narrow kind of a stair; I fol