r--on several more---tragedies; she
wants the money badly; for the editor of her magazine has absconded,
owing her 50 pounds. Some trying and bewildering quarrel then ensues
between Charles Kemble and Macready, which puts off her tragedies,
and sadly affects poor Miss Mitford's nerves and profits. She has one
solace. Her father, partly instigated, she says, by the effect which the
terrible feeling of responsibility and want of power has had upon her
health and spirits, at last resolves to try if he can HIMSELF obtain any
employment that may lighten the burthen of the home. It is a good thing
that Dr. Mitford has braced himself to this heroic determination. 'The
addition of two or even one hundred a year to our little income, joined
to what I am, in a manner, sure of gaining by mere industry, would take
a load from my heart of which I can scarcely give you an idea... even
"Julian" was written under a pressure of anxiety which left me not a
moment's rest....' So she fondly dwells upon the delightful prospects.
Then comes the next letter to Sir William Elford, and we read that her
dear father, 'relying with a blessed sanguineness on my poor endeavours,
has not, I believe, even inquired for a situation, and I do not press
the matter, though I anxiously wish it; being willing to give one more
trial to the theatre.'

On one of the many occasions when Miss Mitford writes to her trustee
imploring him to sell out the small remaining fragment of her fortune,
she says, 'My dear father has, years ago, been improvident, is still
irritable and difficult to live with, but he is a person of a thousand
virtues... there are very few half so good in this mixed world; it is
my fault that this money is needed, entirely my fault, and if it be
withheld, my dear father will be overthrown, mind and body, and I shall
never know another happy hour.'

No wonder Mr. Harness, who was behind the scenes, remonstrated against
the filial infatuation which sacrificed health, sleep, peace of mind,
to gratify every passing whim of the Doctor's. At a time when she was
sitting up at night and slaving, hour after hour, to earn the necessary
means of living, Dr. Mitford must needs have a cow, a stable, and dairy
implements procured for his amusement, and when he died he left 1,000
pounds of debts for the scrupulous woman to pay off. She is determined
to pay, if she sells her clothes to do so. Meanwhile, the Doctor is
still alive, and Miss Mitford is straining