dence; she was not ashamed of saying, 'she had been rich and was now poor,' and therefore she should not attempt any expense beyond her income, which is very good for all the comforts of life, tho' not for magnificence, and she piqued herself upon showing that she could give up her former expectations of grandeur with philosophy. She likes travelling, books, and a comfortable home, both in town and (for a little while), in the country, and these she prefers to fine clothes, fine equipages, and finery of all kinds. How long these wise resolutions will last I can't tell, for she is vain, and likes to be at the head of the great world, and is easily led into that style of life. Upon the whole, I think she is a sensible woman without sensibility, a pretty one without pleasing, a prudent one without conduct, and I believe nobody will have a right to tax her with any fault, and yet she will be abused, which I take to be owing to a want of sweetness in her disposition; she is too strictly right even to be beloved. As for the abuse she has met with, I must put such nonsense out of the question, and in everything else her conduct is very proper." Concerning the abuse to which Mrs. Damer was subjected, something of this will be gathered from her letters, presently to be printed. Her life was henceforth divided between her work, her visits to her parents at Park Place, to her sister at Goodwood, and her journeys abroad.

1 Life and Letters of Lady Sarah Lennox, i. 286.

SECTION II

THE BERRYS ABROAD (October 1790 to November 1791)

Mary Berry's Memoranda for 1790-1-The sisters correspond regularly with Horace Walpole-His letters-His affection for them-His longing for their company-He refuses their offer to return-His jealousy of their friends-Unpublished correspondence of Mrs. Damer and Mary Berry— The Berrys depart for Italy-Mrs. Damer's devotion to Mary Berry-Dr. George Fordyce—M. and Mme. de Boufflers-Edward Jerningham, “the charming man"-Lady Melbourne-Mrs. Damer winters abroad-Lady Elizabeth Foster-Mrs. Cholmeley-General Charles O'Hara-The Duke and Duchess of Richmond-Lady Bristol-Giardini-Richard CoswayThe Countess of Albany, wife of "The Young Pretender "-An accident to Mary Berry-Her ill-health-The rivalry between the French and English captains of passenger-vessels at Calais-Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France-Horace Walpole's jealousy-Mrs. Elizabeth Hervey-Mrs. Buller-Cicero's Letters-Lucan-Lady Aylesbury—Mrs. Damer's studio-She falls from the scaffold-Protestations of friendship -Lady Duncannon-Mrs. Damer slandered in the newspapers-William Combe expresses his desire to apologise for his statements-Lady Mount Edgcumbe Mrs. Damer's statue of George III-The fate of the French Royal family-Lady Mary Churchill-Walpole's indignation that the Countess of Albany does not recognise the Berrys' name-The Countess of Albany and Alfieri-Lady Frederick Campbell-Lady CravenWalpole suffers from rheumatism-Foolish paragraphs in the WorldEdward Topham—Mrs. Damer at Felpham—Horace Walpole desires the Berrys to live at Cleveden after their return to England-The Countess of Albany proposes to visit Scotland-Lord Frederick Campbell-Mrs. Damer and her mother-Madame de Cambis-Walpole's anxiety about the Berrys returning via France-His appeal to them to alter their projected route-Field-Marshal Conway-German inns-The Berrys' carriage breaks down near Bologna.

T

HE entry for 1790 in Mary Berry's memorandum-book runs: "Summer for three weeks in Montpelier Row. Go abroad in October; winter in Florence and Pisa"; and "After winter between

that for the following year:

Florence and Pisa, return home in November, take possession of little Strawberry Hill." During the time they were away Horace Walpole maintained a regular correspondence with the sisters, sending them lengthy, entertaining letters such as only he could write, full of gossip, social and political matters at home, and foreign affairs, interrupted only every now and then by expressions of his unalterable affection for them and his longing for their return. Yet he was not selfish where they were concerned, and when he was ill and they volunteered to come to him, he would not entertain the suggestion. He was, however, undisguisedly jealous of their liking for anyone else, and resented the regular interchange of letters between Mrs. Damer and the elder sister. The letters of Walpole are well-known, and will, therefore, not be given here; but the letters from Mrs. Damer are now printed for the first time.

The Hon. Mrs. Damer to Mary Berry

Sunday Evening, October 10, 1790.1

I have been for some time with my paper, pens, and ink before me, wishing to write you a few lines, but quite unable. Do not, from this beginning, fear the style of some former letters. No, no, my gratitude to you, setting all other considerations apart, will shew itself by unremitted attention to everything you have said to me. I have not, it is true, been accustomed to the charm of real friendship, but my own heart has taught me its value. Rest assured that, could you know to what degree you contribute to the comfort, even the repose, of my mind, your utmost good nature would be more than satisfied. My heart is full, yet I may com

1 The Berrys left London for the Continent on this day.