the company dancing in the ball-room, while another is at supper: and, even in this case, the gentlemen need not be seated nor sup until the ladies have retired. Very little apparent exertion is necessary in the lady of the house, yet should she contrive to speak to most of her guests some time during the evening, and to the greatest strangers she should pay more marked attention.

MRS. L.-What ceremonies are to be observed at routs? MRS. B.-The preparations for a rout, with the exception of removing the carpet, chalking the floor, and providing music and a supper, are similar to those for a ball. The same announcements are requisite; the lady of the house is required to receive her guests in the same manner; and refreshments are to be provided in the waitingroom: but, farther, the assembled groups are left to amuse themselves, if amusement can be found in a crowd resembling that which fills the lobbies of a theatre on the first night of a new performance. To a person unacquainted with fashionable life, nothing can appear more extraordinary than the influence of fashion in these gregarious assemblies. The secret, however, is this:-few expect any gratification from the rout itself; but the whole pleasure consists in the anticipation of the following days' gossip, which the faintings, tearing of dresses, and elbowings which have occurred, are likely to afford. To meet a fashionable friend next day in the Park, without having been at Lady A-'s, would be sufficient to exclude the absentee from any claim to ton; while to have been squeezed into a corner with the Marchioness of B-, or the Duchess of C-, is a most enviable event, and capable of affording conversation for at least ten days.

MRS. L.-Are conversaziones conducted in the same manner?

MRS. B.-Not exactly.

Conversaziones are more select meetings both in respect to the number and the characters of the individuals who are invited. To routs the invita

tions are general and unlimited; to conversaziones they are limited, and the individuals are, at least, supposed to possess a taste for information, whether obtained from books or from conversation.

This description of evening amusement is not, however, general, but is confined either to literary circles, or to those persons of rank and fortune who wish to patronise literature. When you wish to give a conversazione, the party should be selected with some care; and although persons of the same pursuits should be brought together, yet individuals of the most opposite characters and acquirements should also be invited, to give variety and interest to the conversation, which is the object of the assembly. The tables should be spread with the newest publications, prints, and drawings: shells, fossils, and other natural productions should, also, be introduced, to excite attention and promote remark.

MRS. L.-This is a most rational species of entertainment. Why is it so little in fashion?

MRS. B.-One cause of its rarity is the mania which prevails for music, without which no species of entertainment is regarded worthy of attention. This is a circumstance to be lamented, for nothing would contribute more to the general diffusion of information, and consequently to the improvement of society.

MRS. L.-How are card parties conducted?

MRS. B.-The invitations to these are similar to those issued for routs and balls, with the change of the word, "quadrilles," to "cards." As many should be invited as will fill up a certain number of whist tables, with the addition of a loo or round table. Tea and coffee are handed to the guests on their arrival, and wine, cakes, and ices are handed round to the players at intervals during the evening. Each whist table should be furnished with at least two new packs of cards, differently coloured on the backs, besides counters for markers. The lady of the

house generally fixes the value of the points, which determine the game; and she should, also, be prepared to change the players at table, as soon as the rubber is declared to be over As all the company is not always engaged in play, the lady of the house, as well as her husband, should remain disengaged, to lead into conversation those who are strangers to one another, and to promote the general amusement of the guests.

MRS. L.-According to your account, conversaziones and card parties may be united?

MRS. B.-Certainly; and these are, perhaps, the most rational description of evening entertainments in the metropolis. The introduction of cards, takes off the air of pedantry which is supposed to pervade a pure conversazione, while the introduction of conversation at card parties, sets aside the character of gaming, which might be attached to a party met solely for the purposes of play. Many of our ablest men of science and in literature, are fond of whist, and would willingly go to such a mixed party, although they would hesitate to attend one purely conversational, or convened solely for card-playing.

Such are the forms of visiting in London and its immediate neighbourhood. Perhaps in other parts of the kingdom there may be, in some few particulars, a difference in form, but I do not apprehend that to be the case in any essential points. But it is now time to dress for dinner, and I am afraid this conversation is not closed before you are completely tired of its minuteness in detail.

89

CONVERSATION VII.

ECONOMY.-DRESS AND EXPENSIVE TASTES.-COLLECTIONS OF WORKS OF ART.-OLD CHINA.-LIBERALITY.-BENE

VOLENCE.-PRESENTS.-FASHION.

MRS. B.-The subjects upon which I intend to turn our conversation to-day, may not, on the first view, appear to you of much importance; yet I do not believe you will find, after a little consideration, the time ill spent which we may devote to them. Want of judgment and reflection on some of the points to which I allude, have frequently occasioned inconvenience and anxiety; and in some instances within my recollection, have even led to impropriety and meanness of conduct highly censurable.

MRS. L.-I suppose it is of economy you propose to speak. That is a subject which wears too sober an aspect, to be much courted by the young and the gay; and I own that hitherto I have very little considered it, or encouraged the habit of attending to its precepts. I am, however, aware that my negligence on this point can no longer escape with impunity; for I find already that the claims on my purse are much increased in my new sphere of action. Perhaps, too, a feeling of regret, that I am as yet so complete a novice in many things which are become essential to my comfort, makes me enter upon this topic with more willingness than I once thought it could ever command from me.

MRS. B.--A nearer view of this subject will, I am persuaded, diminish its sombre aspect. It is not parsimony, but the just appropriation of income, according to the rank, style, and fortune of every individual, that I desire to enforce. Economy, in this light, is a virtue as worthy

to be practised by the affluent, as by those in limited circumstances. Whenever I hear of the rich acting with the littleness of the poor,-of their being compelled, not only to restrain every generous impulse, but to delay the payment of their just debts, frequently to the detriment of honest and laborious people,—I cannot but lament their neglect of this virtue, the observance of which could not fail to prevent these inconveniences, and increase the comfort and cheerfulness of general society; while it would add lustre to the rank and character of the great. If those who have limited incomes do not make economy their rule, by adapting their habits to their fortunes, and by a judicious arrangement of their expenses, numberless must be the inconveniences and trials they are doomed to undergo. Necessity will, indeed, teach them a hard lesson, which the practice of economy might have spared them. Extravagance is certainly a levelling principle, which renders all its votaries alike needy; while economy, if it have not the power of alchymy, at least confers a twofold value on every possession.

MRS. L.--I have hitherto considered economy as a mean quality, unworthy my attention, or as requisite only among the humble orders of the community; but this notion, you will tell me, has its origin from misapprehension of the term economy.

MRS. B.-Your remark is very true. The species of economy which is of general use, is a judicious adaptation of expenditure to income (as I have before remarked), and not the constant struggle to diminish expenses, and to save in every iota. When necessity requires this kind of economy, she teaches it at the same time experimentally, which is more effectual than any theoretical lesson. But when inclination alone prompts the vigilant effort to save, a narrow and avaricious spirit is betrayed, which should be checked as early as possible, lest it should in later life be visible in all the ugliness of parsimony.