ze to them
for being so much more agreable than themselves, which is a fault I for
my part am not in the least inclined to be ashamed of.

Your idea of Quebec, my dear, is perfectly just; it is like a third
or fourth rate country town in England; much hospitality, little
society; cards, scandal, dancing, and good chear; all excellent things
to pass away a winter evening, and peculiarly adapted to what I am
told, and what I begin to feel, of the severity of this climate.

I am told they abuse me, which I can easily believe, because my
impertinence to them deserves it: but what care I, you know, Lucy, so
long as I please myself, and am at Silleri out of the sound?

They are squabbling at Quebec, I hear, about I cannot tell what,
therefore shall not attempt to explain: some dregs of old disputes, it
seems, which have had not time to settle: however, we new comers have
certainly nothing to do with these matters: you can't think how
comfortable we feel at Silleri, out of the way.

My father says, the politics of Canada are as complex and as
difficult to be understood as those of the Germanic system.

For my part, I think no politics worth attending to but those of the
little commonwealth of woman: if I can maintain my empire over hearts,
I leave the men to quarrel for every thing else.

I observe a strict neutrality, that I may have a chance for admirers
amongst both parties. Adieu! the post is just going out.

Your faithful
A. Fermor.

LETTER 46.

To Miss Montague, at Silleri.

Montreal, Dec. 18.

There is something, my dear Emily, in what you say as to the
delicacy of your situation; but, whilst you are so very exact in acting
up to it on one side, do you not a little overlook it on the other?

I am extremely unwilling to say a disagreable thing to you, but Miss
Fermor is too young as well as too gay to be a protection--the very
particular circumstance you mention makes Mr. Melmoth's the only house
in Canada in which, if I have any judgment, you can with propriety live
till your marriage takes place.

You extremely injure Sir George in supposing it possible he should
fail in his engagements: and I see with pain that you are more
quicksighted to his failings than is quite consistent with that
tenderness, which (allow me to say) he has a right to expect from you.
He is like other men of his age and fortune; he is the very man you so
lately thought amiable, and of whose love you cannot w