You know, of course, that the 'Modern Antiques' in _Our Village_ were Theodosia and Frances Hill, sisters of Joseph Hill, cousins and friends of poor Cowper." * * * * * What the "good" was by which my "fortune was assured" I am unable to guess.

But I am sure of the sincerity of the writer's rejoicing thereat.
Mary Mitford was a genuinely warm-hearted woman, and much of her talk would probably be stigmatised by the young gentlemen of the present generation, who consider the moral temperature of a fish to be "good form," as "gush." How old Landor, who "gushed" from cradle to grave, would have massacred and rended in his wrath such talkers! Mary Mitford's "gush" was sincere at all events.

But there is a "hall-mark," for those who can decipher it, "without which none is genuine." A considerable intimacy grew up between my mother and the author of _Highways and Byeways_ during the latter part of his residence in England, and subsequently, when returning from Boston on leave, he visited Florence and Rome.

Many letters passed between them after his establishment as British Consul at Boston, some characteristic selections from which will, I doubt not, be acceptable to many readers.
The following was written on the envelope enclosing a very long letter from Mrs.Grattan, and was written, I think, in 1840:-- * * * * * "I cannot avoid squeezing in a few words more just as the ship is on the point of sailing or steaming away for England ...

'The President' has been a fatal title this spring.