squieu's extremely, because it gives
every woman her chance, and because it ranks me above a thousand
handsomer women, in the dear power of inspiring passion.

Cruel creature! why did you give me the idea of flowers? I now envy
you your foggy climate: the earth with you is at this moment covered
with a thousand lovely children of the spring; with us, it is an
universal plain of snow.

Our beaux are terribly at a loss for similies: you have lilies of
the valley for comparisons; we nothing but what with the idea of
whiteness gives that of coldness too.

This is all the quarrel I have with Canada: the summer is delicious,
the winter pleasant with all its severities; but alas! the smiling
spring is not here; we pass from winter to summer in an instant, and
lose the sprightly season of the Loves.

A letter from the God of my idolatry--I must answer it instantly.

Adieu! Yours, &c.
A. Fermor.

LETTER 128.

To Captain Fitzgerald.

Yes, I give permission; you may come this afternoon: there is
something amusing enough in your dear nonsense; and, as my father will
be at Quebec, I shall want amusement.

It will also furnish a little chat for the misses at Quebec; a
_tete a tete_ with a tall Irishman is a subject which cannot escape
their sagacity.

Adieu! Yours,
A. F.

LETTER 129.

To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.

Silleri, April 20.

After my immense letter to your love, my dear, you must not expect
me to say much to your fair ladyship.

I am glad to find you manage Temple so admirably; the wisest, the
wildest, the gravest, and the gayest, are equally our slaves, when we
have proper ideas of petticoat politics.

I intend to compose a code of laws for the government of husbands,
and get it translated into all the modern languages; which I apprehend
will be of infinite benefit to the world.

Do you know I am a greater fool than I imagined? You may remember I
was always extremely fond of sweet waters. I left them off lately, upon
an idea, though a mistaken one, that Fitzgerald did not like them: I
yesterday heard him say the contrary; and, without thinking of it, went
mechanically to my dressing-room, and put lavender water on my
handkerchief.

This is, I am afraid, rather a strong symptom of my being absurd;
however, I find it pleasant to be so, and therefore give way to it.

It is divinely warm to-day, though the snow is still on the ground;
it is melting fast howe