. Were every one of family in
South Britain and North Britain to be as generous and disinterested as
Lord L---- and our family, the union of the two parts of the island would
be complete.

***

Lord help this poor obliging man! I wish I don't love him, at last. He
has taken my hint, and has presented his collection of shells (a very
fine one, he says, it is) to Emily; and they two are actually busied (and
will be for an hour or two, I doubt not) in admiring them; the one
strutting over the beauties, in order to enhance the value of the
present; the other courtesying ten times in a minute, to shew her
gratitude. Poor man! When his virtuoso friend has got his butterflies
and moths, I am afraid he must set up a turner's shop, for employment.
If he loved reading, I could, when our visiting hurries are over, set him
to read to me the new things that come out, while I knot or work; and, if
he loved writing, to copy the letters which pass between you and me, and
those for you which I expect with so much impatience from my brother by
means of Dr. Bartlett. I think he spells pretty well, for a lord.

I have no more to say, at present, but compliments, without number or
measure, to all you so deservedly love and honour; as well those I have
not seen, as those I have.

Only one thing: Reveal to me all the secrets of your heart, and how that
heart is from time to time affected; that I may know whether you are
capable of that greatness of mind in a love-case, that you shew in all
others. We will all allow you to love Sir Charles Grandison. Those who
do, give honour to themselves, if their eyes stop not at person, his
having so many advantages. For the same reason, I make no apologies, and
never did, for praising my brother, as any other lover of him might do.

Let me know every thing how and about your fellows, too. Ah! Harriet,
you make not the use of power that I would have done in your situation.
I was half-sorry when my hurrying brother made me dismiss Sir Walter; and
yet, to have but two danglers after one, are poor doings for a fine lady.
Poorer still, to have but one!

Here's a letter as long as my arm. Adieu. I was loath to come to the
name: but defer it ever so long, I must subscribe, at last,

CHARLOTTE G----.

LETTER XXXVIII

MISS JERVOIS, TO MISS BYRON*
MONDAY, MAY 1.

* The letter to which this is an answer, as well as those written by Miss
Byron to her cousin Reeves, Lady L----, &c., and theirs in