console me. I have been so constantly and fatiguingly occupied in copying and correcting since I saw you, that I have not had a moment to myself, and the only recreation I have enjoyed is the having gone to see 'The Wolf and the Lamb,' which, I do assure you, delighted all our party, some of whom did not know the author. I should have sent you the 'Monthly,' but that I could not bear that you should read any thing of mine in the same book that unfavorably noticed Charles's production. I can not account for the editor's illjudged and ill-placed severity; but I believe that so high a report of Charles's talents has gone forth that miracles are expected of him, and that any thing short of a comedy of five acts would be considered as infra dig. for him.

"M. B."

"Tuesday night.

"Your agitated letter of this day has just reached me, and never did I feel the annoyance of indisposition so heavily as during the last two days that it has kept me from going to you, perhaps (and God in heaven grant it may be !) the last occasion on which I could be of use in consoling you, or, rather, let me say, in sharing your sorrow, for in cases like this there is no consoler but Time. But still, when one's feelings are understood--and who can understand yours like me, who have drunk the cup of bitterness to the very dregs? -though sorrow is not removed, it is lightened by being shared. Alas! I have too keenly, too deeply felt the want of friends to consider the rank or position of any one who had served or loved me or mine, and therefore well can I understand all that you feel at the loss of the amiable, the noble-minded creature who has gone before us to that kingdom where rank loses all its futile, its heartless distinctions, and we are judged of by our deeds and our hearts, and not by our names. Though I have not been with you in person, my mind, my soul has been with you, and my tears have flowed in sympathy with yours. M. BLESSINGTON."

"Gore House, July 1st, 1840.

"You do me but justice in thinking that you are not forgotten, though my not going to you would seem to imply it; but when I tell you that I have no less than three works passing through the press, and have to furnish the MS. to keep the printers at work for one of them, you may judge of my unceasing and overwhelming occupation, which leaves me time neither for pleasure, nor for taking air or exercise enough for health. I am literally worn out, and look for release from my literary toils more than ever slave did from bondage. I never get out any day before five o'clock-have offended every friend or acquaintance I have by never even calling at their doors-and am suffering in health from too much writing. M. BLESSINGTON."

From Lady Blessington to a friend of Mrs. Mathews:

"Paris, November 30th, 1829. "You are one of the few, dearest, who do not forget me. I have experienced such ingratitude and unkindness, that, added to the heavy blow that has fallen on me, I really dread becoming a misanthrope, and that my heart will shut itself up against all the world. If you knew the bitter feelings the treatment I have met with has excited in my breast, you would not wonder that it has frozen the genial current of life, and that I look, as I am, more of another world than this. Had God spared me my ever-dear and lamented husband, I could have borne up against the unkindness and ingratitude of friends estranged; but, as it is, the blow has been too heavy for me, and I look in vain on every side for consolation. I am wrong, my dearest, in writing to you in this gloomy mood, but if I waited until I became more cheerful, God alone knows when your letter would be answered. You are young, and life is all before you; take example by me, and conquer, while yet you may, tenderness of heart and susceptibility of feeling, which only tend to make the person who possesses them wretched; for, be assured, you will meet but few capable of understanding or appreciating such feelings, and you will become the dupe of the cold and heartless, who contemn what they can not understand, and repay with ingratitude the affection lavished on them. I would not thus advise you if I did not know that you have genius; and who ever had that fatal gift without its attendant malady, susceptibility and deep feeling? which, in spite of all mental endowments, render the person dependent on others for his happiness; for it may appear a paradox, but it is nevertheless true, those who are most endowed can the least suffice for their own happiness.

"The Princess Esterhazy has been a fortnight at Paris, and was scarcely a day away from Madame Crawford, whom she considers just as a mother. The poor lady has been ill, and still keeps her room, but is getting better. She inquires every post-day for you, as does the general.

"M. BLESSINGTON."

APPENDIX.

No. I.

CORRESPONDENCE OF COUNT D'ORSAY.

LETTERS FROM COUNT D'ORSAY TO W. S. LANDOR, ESQ.

"Rome, 8th December, 1827.

"MON CHER MR. LANDOR,-Nous avons tous été obligé d'aller à Naples, pour faire le mariage Protestant, car la première insinuation que l'on donna au Duc de Laval, fut qu'il était preferable que cela eut lieu avant la ceremonie Catholique, ainsi voila ce grand imbecille d'un ministre confondu. Son ignorant entêtement est prouvé. Je viens de lui écrire, pour lui dire que lorsqu'on est completement ignorant des devoirs de son ministère on doit alors en place d'entêtement s'en rapporter à l'opinion des autres, et que malgré tout l'embarras que nous avions eu à cause de lui, d'entreprendre ce voyage, nous avions été à même de juger de F, qui comprend tout aussi bien les devoirs de son ministère, que la manière de recevoir les personnes de distinction.

J'espere qu'il prendra mal ma lettre, car j'aurais grand plaisir, de lui couper le bout de son Bec. Je vous écris ces details car je sais même par Hare, qu'en veritable ami, vous avez pris chaudement notre parti; je ne m'en etonne pas, car il suffit de vous connaitre, et de pouvoir vous apprecier, pour être convaincu que tout ce qui n'est pas sincère, n'a rien de commun avec vous. Toute la famille vous envoye mille amitiés, nous parlons et pensons souvent de vous. "Votre très affectionné D'ORSAY."

"74 Rue de Bourbon, 4th September, 1828. "J'ai reçu, mon cher Mr. Landor, votre lettre. Elle nous à fait le plus grand plaisir. Vous devriez être plus que convaincu, que j'apprecirais particulièrement une lettre de vous, mais il parait que notre intimité de Florence, ne compte pour rien à vos yeux, si vous doutez du plaisir que nos nouvelles doivent produire dans notre interieur. Si tôt que je recevrai les tableaux je ferai votre commission avec exactitude. Je desirerais bien que vous veniez à Paris, car nous avons de belles choses à vous montrer; surtout en fait de tableaux. A propos de cela, je vous envoye ci-joint le portrait du Prince Borghése que vous trouverez j'espere ressemblant. Vous savez que Francis Hare promene sa moitié sur le Continent, il ira probablement à Florence la laisser jouer sur le Theatre de Normanby. Car maintenant qu'elle a changé de vocation, Francis ne sera plus aussi strict.

"Nous parlons et pensons souvent de vous, il est assez curieux que vous soyez en odeur de sainteté dans cette famille, car il me semble que ce n'est pas la chose dont nous vous piquiez particulièrement d'être.

Lady B― et toutes nos dames nous envoyent mille amitiés, et moi je ne fais que renouveler l'assurance de la sincerité de la mienne.

"Votre très affectionné

D'ORSAY."

"Paris, 22 Août, 1830.

"Je viens de recevoir votre lettre du 10. Il fallait un aussi grand evenement pour avoir de vos nouvelles. Le fait est que c'est dans ces grandes circonstances que les gens bien pensant se retrouvent. Vous donner des details de tout l'heroisme qui a été deployé dans ces journées memorables, et difficiles, il faudrait un Salluste pour rendre justice, et d'écrire cette plus belle page de l'histoire des temps modernes. On ne sait qu'admirer de plus, de la valeur dans l'action, ou de la moderation après la victoire. Paris est tranquille comme la veille d'un jour de fête, il serait injuste de dire comme le lendemain, car la reaction de la veille donne souvent une apparence unsettled, tandis qu'ici tout est digne et noble, le grand peuple sent sa puissance. Chaque homme se sent relevé à ses propres yeux, et croirait manquer à sa nation en commettant le moindre excès. Vous veritable philosophe seriez heureux de voir ce qu'a pu faire l'education en 40 années; voir ce peuple après où à l'epoque où La Fayette le commanda pour la première fois, est bien different; en 1790-l'accouchement laborieux de la liberté, eut des suites funestes, maintenant l'on peut dire que la mère et l'enfant se portent bien. Notre present Roi est le premier citoyen de son pays, il sent bien que les Rois sont faits pour les peuples, et non les peuples pour les Rois. Si Charles Diz eut pensé de même s'il eut été moins Jesuite, nous aurions encore cette race Capetienne, ainsi comme il n'y aucun moyen curatif comme pour guerir de cette maladie, il est encore très heureux qu'il ait donné l'excuse legale pour qu'on le renvoye.

"Vos Torys en Angleterre regrettent qu'il n'y ait pas eu d'excès commis pour tacher notre revolution. Le fait est qu'ils sont jaloux de nous voir si grands.

"La Comtesse et Lady B ont été d'un courage sublime; elles se portent bien.

"Ma sœur compte accompagner son mari. Elle se porte bien. "J'espere recevoir encore de vos nouvelles, ainsi. Adieu, pour le moment. "Votre très affectionné D'ORSAY."

7th February, 1842.

"I read your admirable letter in the Examiner, and I am so delighted with it that I must instantly thank you for it. Lieutenant Elton has an ample consolation in the sympathy that he excites in every generous heart, and I hope that the House of Commons will unanimously condemn the atrocious sentence

of that despicable court-martial. I am in a state of fury about this injustice, and I could have embraced you with all my heart when I read your letter. I am assisting you in this by keeping up a continual fire on the subject, and by enrolling members to vote according to your wishes and mine. My only regret now is, not to have been the guest of Elton, as I would have given the finest licking to Captain W- that a man ever received, you may tell him

from me, if you meet him ever.

“Au revoir, my dear Landor. Your affectionate friend,

66

D'ORSAY."

(No date.)

"I think that Henry the Eighth was at Richmond-on-the-Hill when Anne Boleyn was beheaded. They say that he saw the flag which was erected in London as soon as her head fell. Therefore, as you make him staying at Epping Forest at that time, and as I am sure you have some good reasons for it, I will thank you to give them to me.

"We regretted much not to have seen you at Bath, and I was on the moment about to write to you, like Henry the Fourth did to the brave Crillon after the battle:

"Pends toi, brave Landor, nous avons été à Bath, et tu n'y étais pas-' "You will be glad to hear that the second son of my sister has been received at the Ecole of St. Cyr, after a ticklish examination. Hoping to see you soon, believe me yours, most affectionately, D'ORSAY."

"Gore House, 3d January, 1845.

"It is a fact that my brave nephew has been acting the part of Adonis, with a sacré cochon, who nearly opened his leg;* his presence of mind was great; he was on his lame leg in time to receive the second attack of the infuriated beast, and killed him on the spot, plunging a couteau de chasse through his heart-luckily the wild boar had one. The romantic scene would have been complete if there had been another Gabrielle de Vergy looking at this modern Raoul de Courcy. We think and speak of you often, and are in hopes that you will pay us a visit soon. Poor Forster is ill, and miserable at the loss of his brother. I am sure that Forster is one of the best, honestest, and kindest men that ever lived. I had yesterday a letter from Eugene Sue, who is in raptures with Macready as an actor and as a man. We saw lately that good, warm-hearted Dickens-he spoke of you very affectionately. I will write to my nephew and sister your kind messages.

"Most affectionately,

D'ORSAY.

"Lady Bis quite well, writing away like a steam engine. Strathern' is very much praised by the Chronicle, &c., &c. There are some good scenes in it, with profitable reflections for those who can reflect. I am poetizing, modeling, &c., &c. In fact, I begin to believe that I am a Michael Angelo manqué.”

* An allusion to an injury sustained by the Duke de Guiche from an attack of a wild boar while hunting.-R. R. M.