their party, saying many complimentary and friendly things in assurance of welcome.

I found they had come to spend the day in Stowe Gardens, and had chosen this pleasant recess wherein to pass the noon and spread their pic nic. There needed not much persuasion to induce my accepting so pleasant an invitation. Loneliness is the curse of batchelors, and in the midst of nature's delights, I had begun to have symptoms of desiring the society of my fellow infirmities. Florio now introduced me to his company, which consisted of two ladies and three gentlemen, besides himself. The ladies were Amanda, his young bride, and her sister, Graziana, whom I have before-mentioned as deceiving me into a belief of her being Belphoebe: the gentlemen were Dorilaus, the father of these ladies, and Flavius and Cynthio, fellow students, and gallant companions of Florio, upon occasion of whose recent marriage the present company had assembled. Florio had a pleasant estate in this neighbourhood, whither, immediately after his nuptials, he had retired, as modern custom judiciously and pleasantly enjoins: but the jovial and warm-hearted Dorilaus, not brooking a longer absence from his children, took suddenly the resolution of invading their retirement, by inviting these young men, whom Florio greatly esteemed, to accompany him and Graziana on a visit to The young couple received the invaders with all the cordiality of their natures, and in a manner that disappointed the arch pleasantly of Dorilaus, who ex

pected at least a little vexation on their part. In the midst of happiness they had not forgotten their friends, and intended inviting them to a participation of their content; but day after day passed, and they only talked of writing invitations; nor could they be scarcely convinced that upwards of a month had elapsed since their departure from Paddington Church for Buckinghamshire. The sisters were warmly attached to each other; and I have rarely seen a finer sight than these two lovely women hanging on each arm of their kind, venerable parent, coaxing and charming him to some pleasant purpose.

Among the amusements which the presence of these visitors bespoke, were frequent excursions to neighbouring pleasant scenery, where they might pass the day

A summer party to the greenwood shade,

With lutes prepar'd, and cloth on herbage laid,
And ladies' laughter, coming through the air.

Stowe Gardens were too beautiful to be overlooked, and this happened to be the day dedicated to visit them. Their attendants had brought musical instruments and music books, (the education of the party not allowing a neglect of this charming science), baskets of provisions, with wines and fruits; and were then dismissed until evening, that their presence might not act as a restraint upon the conviviality of the meeting; for in parties of this unbending nature, the true luxury is equality and similarity of tastes and

pleasures. Nothing can be a greater damper to a genial, generous heart, than in the midst of his own enjoyment to catch the stiff air and solemn unpartaking countenance of a domestic. My friends had usually also provided themselves with some delightful book, which in the intervals of conversation or music they read by turns; but this morning they had neglected so to do, and after a time, the omission was perceived and regretted. Graziana, who was usually the provider of these supplies, was now the first to take blame to herself, and lament the loss they would sustain through her carelessness. Each one sought to excuse the fair offender, for she was universally beloved for her gentleness and obligingness. I availed myself of this opportunity to propose a favourite plan of mine, which I had usually found productive of much diversion and ingenuity; it was, that each one should tell a tale, either invented for the occasion, or remembered from old legends and curious histories. The company highly approving my proposal, we formed ourselves into a circle, sitting, lolling, or lying upon the turf, at pleasure.

Dorilaus, with his fine white head and happy face, sat like an Arcadian elder upon the pedestal of one of the statues, overshadowed by a spreading oak, its ample trunk encircled by "lush woodbines." Amanda and Graziana placed themselves at his feet, apt personifications of graceful humility. Florio contrived to insinuate himself next his bride, which we bachelors generously overlooked, contenting ourselves with be

ing near Graziana. She, meanwhile, with tasteful assiduity, wové a coronal of the surrounding flowering shrubs and wild flowers, and placing it upon her sister's head, repeated affectionately Chaucer's praise of Alceste:

For all so many virtuis hath she,

As small florounis in her corowne be;
In remembraunce of her, and in honour,
Cybilla made the daiesie, and the flour.
Sorownid al with white, as men maie se,
And Mars gave her a corown red parde,
In stede of rubies set among the white;
Therwith this quene woxe red for shame alite
Whan she was praise'd so in her presence.

The idea was simultaneously suggested and adopted of choosing Amanda queen for the day; and she was requested with her new dignity to set a laudable example to her loving subjects, and delight their ears with some pleasing invention of her fancy. This compliment from her friends was accepted with that graceful ease which so well becomes majesty. She merely requested that her story might be second in favour of her sister's, who she knew was always well prepared for such occasions, whereas her own recollections had been lately somewhat confused with a romance of her own. As the originator of this amusement, I wished to propose certain regulations as to succession, degree of merit, rewards and punishments, claiming for myself a kiss from majesty and her fair sister at the close of the entertainment; but this was

strenuously opposed by the envious juniors. I therefore magnanimously allowed that this recompense should be the meed of him whom the queen should adjudge to have related the best tale; but that he who was wilfully dull and untertaining, should be expelled our next meeting al fresco. This met with general approbation; each young heart hoping to bear away so sweet a prize. Amanda promising, moreover, her flowery crown to the fortunate knight, which, if he preserved until they met again, should insure him sovereignty over their rural sports.

These preliminaries being thus pleasantly adjusted, Graziana prepared to begin; but previously, my gentle readers, let me bespeak your candour and kind construction of whatever may appear unusual or singular in the following relations: above all, let me beseech you not to confound poor me with all the various sentiments contained therein, nor think I wish to recommend systems, because I relate opinions and actions of persons peculiarly circumstanced.

I neither propose Adelaide's sacrifice nor Monsieur de Roseville's generosity to the imitation of my countrymen and countrywomen; on the contrary, I would have every husband and wife maintain their exclusive privileges much less would I insinuate that the devotedness of Mary is ever really to be met with among creatures of her stamp; and although the story is a fact, I ought to apologise for even an allusion to such low wretches. Now, gentle reader, if you feel tempted to go further with me, let it be to leafy and