ure to those at home. To give pleasure
to others was always the one thought uppermost in her mind. "I am a vile
correspondent when I have nothing to say; but at least I do write in
some sort of way when I know I have something to say that will give
pleasure to my friends." The whole character of the woman is revealed
in these simple words. Among the good stories she tells from Bowood is
one concerning Madame de Stael:--

Madame de Stael--I tumble anecdotes together as I recollect
them--Madame de Stael had a great wish to see Mr. Bowles, the poet,
or as Lord Byron calls him, the sonneteer; she admired his sonnets
and his _Spirit of Maritime Discovery_, and ranked him high as an
English genius. In riding to Bowood he fell and sprained his
shoulder, but still came on. Lord Lansdowne alluded to this in
presenting him to Madame de Stael, before dinner, in the midst of
the listening circle. She began to compliment him and herself upon
the exertion he had made to come and see her. "O, ma'am, say no
more, for I would have done a great deal more to see so great a
curiosity!" Lord Lansdowne says it is impossible to describe the
shock in Madame de Stael's face--the breathless astonishment and
the total change produced in her opinion of the man. She said
afterwards to Lord Lansdowne, who had told her he was a simple
country clergyman, "_Je vois bien que ce n'est qu'un simple cure
qui n'a pas le sens commun quoique grand poete!_"

From Bowood Miss Edgeworth paid some other visits, seeing many old
friends, and among them Mrs. Barbauld and the Misses Baillie:--

Joanna Baillie and her sister, most kind, cordial and warm-hearted,
came running down their little flagged walk to welcome us. Both
Joanna and her sister have such agreeable and new
conversation--not old trumpery literature over again, and reviews,
but new circumstances worth telling apropos to every subject that
is touched upon; frank observations on character without either ill
nature or the fear of committing themselves; no blue-stocking
tittle-tattle or habits of worshipping or being worshipped;
domestic, affectionate, good to live with and without fussing,
continually doing what is most obliging and whatever makes us feel
most at home. Breakfast is very pleasant in this house, the two
good sisters look so neat and cheerful.

Altho