vain pretensions into a scrape; and, therefore, I think you and I had better be honest and acknowledge it, though to you (for I am out of the question, but as evidence) it will be painful; for though the proverb says, “Tell truth and shame the devil,” I believe he is never half so much confounded as a certain amiable young gentlewoman, who is discovered to have more taste and abilities than she ever ventured to ascribe to herself even in the most private dialogues with her own heart, especially when that native friend is so pure as to have no occasion to make allowances even for self-love.  For my part, I am most seriously obliged to you, Madam, for so agreeable and kind a communication.

(541) This is an answer to the following anonymous letter, sent to Mr. Walpole by Miss Hannah More, ridiculing the prevailing adoption of French idioms into the English language.  There is not in this satirical epistle one French word nor one English idiom:—­

“A Specimen of the English Language, as it will probably be written and spoken in the next century.  In a letter from a lady to her friend, in the reign of George the Fifth.

Alamode Castle, June 20, 1840.

Dear Madam, “I no sooner found myself here than I visited my new apartment, which is composed of five pieces:  the small room, which gives upon the garden, is practised through the great one; and there is no other issue.  As I was quite exceeded with fatigue, I had no sooner made my toilette, than I let myself fall on a bed of repose, where sleep came to surprise me.

" My lord and I are on the intention to make good cheer, and a great expense; -and this country is in possession to furnish wherewithal to amuse oneself.  All that England has of illustrious, all that youth has of amiable, or beauty of ravishing, sees itself in this quarter.  Render yourself here, then, my friend; and you shall find assembled all that there is of best, whether for letters, whether for birth.

“Yesterday I did my possible to give to eat; the dinner was of the last perfection, and the wines left nothing to desire.  The repast was seasoned with a thousand rejoicing sallies, full of salt and agreement, and one more brilliant than another.  Lady France, charmed me as for the first time; she is made to paint, has a great air, and has infinitely of expression in her physiognomy; her manners have as much of natural as her figure has of interesting.

“I had prayed Lady B, to be of this dinner, as I had heard nothing but good of her; but I am now disabused on her subject:  she is past her first youth, has very little instruction, is inconsequent, and subject to caution; but having evaded with one of her pretenders, her reputation has been committed by the bad faith of a friend, on whose fidelity she reposed herself; she is, therefore fallen into devotion, goes no more to spectacles, and play is detested at her house.  Though she affects a mortal serious,