As I would however prevent the more useful, by which I mean the
lower, part of the sex from entering into this state, I would wish only
the daughters of the seigneurs to have the privilege of becoming nuns:
they should be obliged, on taking the vow, to prove their noblesse for
at least three generations; which would secure them respect, and, at
the same time, prevent their becoming too numerous.

They should take the vow of obedience, but not of celibacy; and
reserve the power, as at Hamburgh, of going out to marry, though on no
other consideration.

Your Lordship may remember, every nun at Hamburgh has a right of
marrying, except the abbess; and that, on your Lordship's telling the
lady who then presided, and who was young and very handsome, you
thought this a hardship, she answered with great spirit, "O, my Lord,
you know it is in my power to resign."

I refer your Lordship to Colonel Rivers for that farther information
in regard to this colony, which he is much more able to give you than I
am, having visited every part of Canada in the design of settling in
it.

I have the honor to be,
My Lord, &c.
Wm. Fermor.

Your Lordship's mention of nuns has brought to my memory a little
anecdote on this subject, which I will tell you.

I was, a few mornings ago, visiting a French lady, whose very
handsome daughter, of almost sixteen, told me, she was going into a
convent. I enquired which she had made choice of: she said, "The
General Hospital."

"I am glad, Mademoiselle, you have not chose the Ursulines; the
rules are so very severe, you would have found them hard to conform
to."

"As to the rules, Sir, I have no objection to their severity; but
the habit of the General Hospital--"

I smiled.

"Is so very light--"

"And so becoming, Mademoiselle."

She smiled in her turn, and I left her fully convinced of the
sincerity of her vocation, and the great propriety and humanity of
suffering young creatures to chuse a kind of life so repugnant to human
nature, at an age when they are such excellent judges of what will make
them happy.

LETTER 154.

To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.

Silleri, June 9.

I send this by your brother, who sails to-morrow.

Time, I hope, will reconcile me to his and Emily's absence; but at
present I cannot think of losing them without a dejection of mind which
takes from me the very idea of pleasure.

I conjure you, my dear Lucy, to do every thing possible to