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To ROWLEY LASCELLES, ESQ. JERMYN STREET.

MY DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, May 18, 1821.

I AM exceedingly mortified to find that Mr. Corner's name has been omitted in the list of those who have been invited to my conversazione; but the fault is with Mr. Britton, who had from me a carte-blanche to ask any friend of his whom he felt desirous to introduce. Among my own particular friends, I am sorry to say, some omissions have inadvertently taken place, as almost every day brings to my recollection some painful inattentions.

I do not feel that I can consistently trespass upon the liberality of the gentlemen of the club intending to dine at Greenwich, by taking with me more than one visitor; and as I intimated at the time of our last meeting, that I should introduce Mr. Horsley only, I do not think it right to extend the indulgence so kindly offered me; but Mr. Britton may, with great propriety, ask Mr. Corner, and I believe it is his intention to do so.

Mrs. Oakley, I am happy to say, is much better. The young ladies are perfectly sensible of your polite attentions, and full of sympathy for the ungenerous treatment of Poor Yorick. If their innocent occupations have shut them out from your society, and thereby given you pain, or kept " you in the rear of their affection," suppose them "to have shot their arrow o'er the house, and hurt their brother!"

Very truly yours,

B. O.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE.

Royal Exchange, May 19, 1821.

A BALLOT having taken place this day, for the election of fifteen members to serve in your committee, and having the honour of being returned, I will state the motive which actuates me on this occasion, in accepting the trust you repose in me.

First: Flattered by the solicitation of several highly respectable gentlemen, that I would resume my labours in the committee, and particularly at a time when a suspension of its powers threatened to upset its functionaries, I have been induced to interrupt the quiet practice of my own pursuits by inclining to their invitation. And,

Secondly: As an old member of the house, and anxious that its honour and respectability should be maintained, I have, I confess, witnessed with great regret the schism which has lately manifested itself among the body of its representatives. Whatever the motive be which has occasioned the secession of those gentlemen who have withdrawn themselves from your committee, it would be arrogant presumption in me to inquire: but, desirous as I am to uphold the dignity of the house in as far as my feeble abilities may assist, I should think myself unworthy of being a member of it, were I to shrink from the duty which your suffrages have called upon me to perform. But, gentlemen, if in the performance of that duty I should find the rules and regulations of the committee thwarted and disregarded, and a stubborn resistance set up to that authority so essential to all well-regulated societies - if anarchy and misrule should

bear down decorum, and subvert the dignity and respectability which a community like ours ought to possess, and which every member ought to support — then I should think I offer no disrespect to those to whom I owe the compliment of having elected me, if into their hands I resign my trust.

I have the honour to be, &c.

B. O.

SIR,

TO THE REV. WILLIAM DRURY, HARROW.

Tavistock Place, July 28, 1821.

I HAVE the honour to address you through the introduction of my esteemed friend, Mr. Ravenhill, from whom I learn, as also from his interesting boys, so flattering an account of Harrow School, that I am induced, and very desirous, to place a son of mine under your care.

Mr. Ravenhill informs me, that it is probable you may, in the course of a short time, be in town, when he will have great pleasure in making me personally acquainted with you. Should I have that favourable opportunity, and find you can, with convenience, receive my son, I shall be most happy to place him under your judicious control. He is nearly fourteen years of age, and, I flatter myself, well grounded in the classics, having been, the last eighteen months, with a clergyman of high respectability and acquirements.

I lose no time in intimating my wish to you, in the hope that by an early application I may be fortunate enough to secure accommodation for him under your roof; and but for the uncertainty of finding you at home,

I should have paid my respects in person. This, I hope, you will receive as an apology for my thus troubling you; and, at your leisure, do me the favour to say, what. chance of success I have in this application.

I have the honour to be, &c.

SIR,

TO THE REV. WILLIAM DRURY, HARROW.

B. O.

Tavistock Place, July 31, 1821.

I GREATLY regret my absence from home at the time you did me the favour to call in Tavistock Place.

The predilection my son has imbibed for you, in consequence of your kind advice and directions, would not allow him to rest satisfied without a promise from me, that I would avail myself of your polite invitation of visiting Harrow on Sunday next. This promise I intend carrying into effect; but shall not be able to accept your kind offer of dining with you, as I shall be under the necessity of returning early in the afternoon to town.

Believe me to be, &c.

B. O.

To EDWARD DUBOIS, Esq. GowER PLACE.

DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, September 2, 1821.

I REMEMBER to have heard you say, you have two copies of Colburn's Magazine sent you every month. Will you do me the favour to let me have one of the last (new series), to carry with me to the

Continent, and allow me to be your debtor for it until I see you? It will afford amusement to Mrs. and Miss Oakley, who are to accompany me to-morrow morning to Brighton, from whence we hope to embark for Dieppe in the evening.

Commend me, with respect, to thy lady.

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YOUR mamma, sister, and Mr. Pasquier, are gone to gossip with Mrs. Laurence. Being alone, and tired with poring over a Description of Paris, I seek relief in chatting with you en famille. We have seen a great deal for the time we have been here; but were we to stay three times as long, still there would be enough to excite curiosity.

You must suppose us standing in the midst of a fête, with holiday people about us, regardless of business, and bent only on pleasure. The whole population seem to be living out of doors; and for a single sous you may have a chair in any street or place, lounge as long as you please, and observe the passing throng. Nothing seems to occupy the attention of the Parisians but the frivolity of dress, and thinking what delicacies to indulge in, and what theatrical amusements are to fill up the evening. I will not attempt to describe what we have seen, nor what we intend to see; nor should I have written this but that I know it will give you pleasure, were it only to have the signature of your dear papa.

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