relishing some of the highest and most refined pleasures of life. I am, dear Birch, most sincerely yours, At the commencement of the following year my father was, for the time, sufficiently recovered to carry into effect his purpose, expressed in the foregoing letter, of taking his youthful charges to Westminster School. These consisted of his own eldest son, and his brother-in-law, Sir Charles Ormsby's, two sons, with whose education he was intrusted. The subjoined account, matter-of-fact and detailed as it is, will, I persuade myself, be not without interest. MY DEAR JANE, TO HIS WIFE. St. Alban's, January 15, 1808. If you wish to read the most interesting part of this letter first, you must carry on your eye and begin where it is dated London. But, now the boys are gone to bed, I have a mind to divert myself a few minutes with writing to you; I have also some important intelligence to communicate respecting the coaches. There is one called the Sailor that passes through Coleshill, (baiting at Smith's Inn, though a Mr. Barton of Coleshill is the proprietor), every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday night at eleven or twelve o'clock, and puts up at the Swan with two Necks in Lad-lane. It of course passes through Coventry in its way, where it puts up at the King's Head. On the same three evenings, at about five o'clock the Nelson coach passes through Coventry, on its way to the Swan with two Necks in Lad-lane, and puts up also at the King's Head. The inside fare of both is twenty-five shillings, the outside, fifteen from Coventry, and probably little if anything more from Coleshill. Places cannot be secured in either, but are generally to be had. We came in the Nelson last night from Coventry to Daventry, not being able to get a chaise at the former place. We did not arrive till eleven o'clock; the boys were well amused with this, and I am not the worse for it. We did not set out again till eight, and breakfasted at Towcester, where the quantity of toast, dry and buttered, that we eat, and the singular coincidence of that remarkable event with the name of the place, which was the scene of action, afforded much amusement. We were hardly less entertained here with having to wait a full hour for our beef steaks, during which time the waiter, by repeated visits to the room for very little apparent purpose, ever and anon excited, and as often disappointed, our expectations. I am here at Mrs. Butler's, the Angel, and have been telling her of the sad trick the Barnet landlord played her when we last came from London. She seemed to bear it with so much Christian forgiveness as really raised my admiration, till I found that he now does all he can to recommend her. But I will waste no more of this sheet, lest I should not have room enough left for more important matter. TO THE SAME. MY DEAR JANE, Storey's Gate Coffeehouse, Thursday. I arrived here at twelve, and as soon as I was dressed went to Dr. Carey's. He is plainly averse to my having the boys with me, and said that as all the helps were engaged, they had therefore little chance of succeeding; but if I came to stay in town merely on their account he would fairly tell me, he thought them better without me, &c., &c.,-this is somewhat discouraging. I told him that as everything was arranged, it could not now be altered, in which he acquiesced, and they are to go on Saturday morning to school. He at first fixed on to-morrow, but on my mentioning the probability that they would be too childishly dressed for the Form in which James and William may be placed, the day was postponed, with his concurrence and approbation. I ought to add, however, that he owned that though the helps were sometimes said to be all engaged, yet it afterwards proved to be otherwise. A help too may have as many protégés as he pleases. Dr. C. told me what amused me, that it was not to be supposed that he knew there was any such thing as a help. After this interview, I posted away to Frazer's with the boys, where they were measured, and the clothes promised as for Monday night. On our return, I called at Major Sparrow's, who was not at home, and left my card. Then went to inquire about a house I was told was to be let in Parliament Street. But it was not to be had for a shorter term than six months, nor for less than ten guineas a week. We now posted off for Mrs. Rivers's, where I learnt that houses would be dear in any fashionable street, but that if I would be contented with College Street (close to the school), or Smith Street, or some other near it, which were very decent though not modish streets, I might meet with something that might hold us comfortably for about five guineas a week. Your brother's lodgings in Fludyer Street were mentioned, and on my return, I called to look at them. This house too, a larger and much better furnished one than we need, considerably, was offered me at ten guineas a week, or as much of it as would hold all our family for eight, but then the good lady and her niece must remain, and other lodgers might be admitted. This would not do, but however, I took lodgings in it for 21. for a week, for myself and the boys, which I thought better than remaining at this Coffee-house, where I shall probably pay for everything at an extravagant rate. The Fludyer Street lady pressed me to her house most earnestly, and kissed James and Tom so heartily that I thought she must be in love with their father. To-morrow morning I shall renew my inquiries, and if I meet with any success before the post goes out you shall hear from me further: if not, conclude I have met with none, and have not time left to tell you so. Mrs. R. dissuaded me from Lower Grosvenor Place, where she says houses are still dearer than on this side, and the long dirty walk would be very bad for the boys. Adieu, dear Jane, good night. I continue pretty well. The boys quite so. Friday. No success, or very little. After going round Abingdon Street, and all those recommended by Mrs. Rivers,-James Street, Pimlico, &c., &c., all I have met worth recording is as follows: No. 1, in this (Fludyer Street) two sitting-rooms, two bed-rooms, two inside bed-rooms, and one garret, a very bad kitchen, into which the neighbours say the tide rises, and which partly was confessed-three guineas a week-plate and linen not found-a very tart-looking old maid the landlady, who with her sister and maid must remain in the house. Next, Queen's Row, a good airy situation, near Buckingham Gate, convenient enough for the school, with two parlours, two bed-rooms, two attics, and a kitchen. The woman and her husband to remain in the house. He was out, and she did not know whether he would take in ourselves and five or six children, nor what he would ask, but probably about three guineas a week. He is to send me word. Lastly, 16, Stafford Row, still nearer to Buckingham Gate, overlooking the Queen's Gardens, two |