yet, though so near the truth,
how totally false it is! Thank Heaven, however, that, at least, I am not
suspected of the degradation of the duchesse's love:--to fight for
her may make me seem a fool--to be loved by her would constitute me a
villain."

The next passage in that collection of scandal which struck me was--"We
understand that E. W. Howard de Howard, Esq., Secretary, is shortly to
lead to the hymeneal altar the daughter of Timothy Tomkins, Esq., late
Consul of--." I quite started out of my bath with delight. I scarcely
suffered myself to be dried and perfumed, before I sat down to write the
following congratulatory epistle to the thin man:--

"My dear Mr. Howard de Howard,

"Permit me, before I leave Paris, to compliment you upon that happiness
which I have just learnt is in store for you. Marriage to a man like
you, who has survived the vanities of the world--who has attained that
prudent age when the passions are calmed into reason, and the purer
refinements of friendship succeed to the turbulent delirium of the
senses--marriage, my dear Mr. Howard, to a man like you, must, indeed,
be a most delicious Utopia. After all the mortifications you may meet
elsewhere, whether from malicious females, or a misjudging world, what
happiness to turn to one being to whom your praise is an honour, and
your indignation of consequence!

"But if marriage itself be so desirable, what words shall I use
sufficiently expressive of my congratulation at the particular match you
have chosen, so suitable in birth and station? I can fancy you, my dear
Sir, in your dignified retirement, expatiating to your admiring bride
upon all the honours of your illustrious line, and receiving from her,
in return, a full detail of all the civic glories that have ever graced
the lineage of the Tomkins's. As the young lady is, I suppose, an
heiress, I conclude you will take her name, instead of changing it. Mr.
Howard de Howard de Tomkins, will sound peculiarly majestic; and when
you come to the titles and possessions of your ancestors, I am persuaded
that you will continue to consider your alliance with the honest
citizens of London among your proudest distinctions.

"Should you have any commands in England, a letter directed to me in
Grosvenor-square will be sure to find me; and you may rely upon my
immediately spreading among our mutual acquaintance in London, the happy
measure you are about to adopt, and my opinions on its propriety.

"