ns, who have inquired
of a person how he liked such a book, though she knew, that in the
nature of things, there was no probability of his ever having heard of
it: thus assuming an ungenerous superiority herself, and mortifying
another by a sense of his own comparative ignorance. If there is any one
at table who from his station has least claim to attention, he is sure
to be treated with particular kindness by Mrs. Stanley, and the
diffident never fail to be encouraged, and the modest to be brought
forward, by the kindness and refinement of her attentions.

When we were summoned to the drawing-room, I was delighted to see four
beautiful children, fresh as health and gay as youth could make them,
busily engaged with the ladies. One was romping; another singing; a
third was showing some drawings of birds, the natural history of which
she seemed to understand; a fourth had spread a dissected map on the
carpet, and had pulled down her eldest sister on the floor to show her
Copenhagen. It was an animating scene. I could have devoured the sweet
creatures. I got credit with the little singer by helping her to a line
which she had forgotten, and with the geographer by my superior
acquaintance with the shores of the Baltic.

In the evening when the company had left us, I asked Mrs. Stanley how
she came so far to deviate from established custom as not to produce her
children immediately after dinner? "You must ask me," said Mr. Stanley,
smiling, "for it was I who first ventured to suggest this bold
innovation. I love my children fondly, but my children I have always at
home; I have my friends but seldom; and I do not choose that any portion
of the time that I wish to dedicate to intellectual and social enjoyment
should be broken in upon by another, and an interfering pleasure, which
I have always within my reach. At the same time I like my children to
see my friends. Company amuses, improves, and polishes them. I therefore
consulted with Mrs. Stanley how we could so manage as to enjoy our
friends without locking up our children. She recommended this expedient.
The time, she said, spent by the ladies from their leaving the
dining-room till the gentlemen came in to tea, was often a little heavy,
it was rather an interval of anticipation than of enjoyment. Those
ladies who had not much _mind_, had soon exhausted their admiration of
each other's worked muslins, and lace sleeves; and those who _had_,
would be glad to rest it so agree