e formed her notions of its probable consequences from some
of the papers in the "British Essayists," "The Rambler," "The Mirror," or
"The Lounger," which may have been among the English classics on the
parsonage bookshelves; for she evidently imagines that an entire change
of character for the worse is the usual effect of a visit to "the great
metropolis," and is delighted to find that "E." is "E." still. And, as
her faith in her friend's stability is restored, her own imagination is
deeply moved by the idea of what great wonders are to be seen in that
vast and famous city.

"Haworth, February 20th, 1834.

"Your letter gave me real and heartfelt pleasure, mingled with no
small share of astonishment. Mary had previously informed me of your
departure for London, and I had not ventured to calculate on any
communication from you while surrounded by the splendours and
novelties of that great city, which has been called the mercantile
metropolis of Europe. Judging from human nature, I thought that a
little country girl, for the first time in a situation so well
calculated to excite curiosity, and to distract attention, would lose
all remembrance, for a time at least, of distant and familiar objects,
and give herself up entirely to the fascination of those scenes which
were then presented to her view. Your kind, interesting, and most
welcome epistle showed me, however, that I had been both mistaken and
uncharitable in these suppositions. I was greatly amused at the tone
of nonchalance which you assumed, while treating of London and its
wonders. Did you not feel awed while gazing at St. Paul's and
Westminster Abbey? Had you no feeling of intense and ardent interest,
when in St. James's you saw the palace where so many of England's
kings have held their courts, and beheld the representations of their
persons on the walls? You should not be too much afraid of appearing
_country-bred_; the magnificence of London has drawn exclamations of
astonishment from travelled men, experienced in the world, its wonders
and beauties. Have you yet seen anything of the great personages whom
the sitting of Parliament now detains in London--the Duke of
Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Earl Grey, Mr. Stanley, Mr. O'Connell? If
I were you, I would not be too anxious to spend my time in reading
whilst in town. Make use of your own eyes for the purposes of
obs