able to learn, nor does it appear that he was personally known to Lady Blessington. Occasional verses, having reference to the current event of the times, or the subjects of leading articles in the Annuals edited by Lady Blessington, furnished the customary themes of his singular communications. "THE PILGRIM'S" IMPROMPTU ON THE MOVEMENT OF CERTAIN OXFORD DIVINES TOWARD CATHOLICISM: "Oxford, renowned in days of yore, The seat of arts and classic lore: "Mount Radford, Exeter, Nov. 22d, 1843. "The old Pilgrim' rejoices to see the name of 'Lady Blessington' announced as the editor of the new annual 'Book of Beauty.' He remembers with feelings of gratitude the divine condescension shown toward him by 'the Priestess of Minerva' in her acceptance of his minute volume of Poems, and by admitting it within the precincts of her temple, having rendered it a visible object in the literary hemisphere." To the Countess of Blessington from "The Pilgrim," alias Octogenarius, of Mount Radford, Exeter: "A round, delicate aperture is the avenue to a small cavern, wherein, upon a bed of coral, is deposited a 'pearl' of exquisite whiteness; and all 'young mothers' can duly appreciate the value of this beautiful gem. "It would be needless to tell Lady Blessington that the first tooth of an infant is here described. And if any one of her fair votaries in the Temple of Minerva would avail himself of such a sweet subject for a poetical offering in the next Book of Beauty,' it is much at her service from "OCTOGENARIUS." From GJ, Esq., to Lady Blessington: "Saturday evening, May 11th, 1844. “Mr. G▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ J▬▬▬ presents his compliments to the Countess of Blessington, and with a full appreciation of the value of time, solicits knowledge regarding that given by her ladyship as to the receiving of visitors; for, with all his desire to breathe the classic air of Athens, he should regret if it were received at the hazard of intrusion in the land of Attica. 66 "Will not the mind of Lady Blessington appreciate the declaration of Mr. Jwhen he writes that the evening of Friday last is placed within his memory as one of the most intellectual in his enthusiastic life? He will rest in the belief, at least, that his grateful sentiment will be received. "When Mr. J- saw a certain miniature by Sir William Ross, he con ceived it to be the ideal of the artist's thought; but having been now convinced that the supposed poetry of Sir William was caught from the original, Mr. J begs to present his compliments to Miss Power-a subject to create a poetic pen as well as pencil." From Mr. A-S ington: Professor of Languages, to Lady Bless "March 10th, 1840. "MADAM,-The storm, whose disastrous gloom the smiles of your ladyship's countenance so sweetly dissipated, has passed away, and a prosperous sunshine seems to have begun. "Non sempre è mal quel che ne afflige e duole Anzi talvolta son nunzie le pene Di non sognato bene Doppo la poggia al fin resplende il sole.' "I have been for the last five months professor of languages in with an income of £200 per annum, and pupils increasing. Such is the strange vicissitude of man's uncertain pilgrimage! Tyrant of Syracuse today, to-morrow schoolmaster at Corinth; schoolmaster in Canada to-day, tomorrow King of the French! Indeed, at every point of his existence man is but a chrysalis, equally claimed by the past and the future, based on nothing, an ill translated book, taken out of one language without being put into another-a rootless tree leaning on a tottering ruin! Five months ago I was a miserable, derelict, homeless outcast, now I am richer in wealth than desires, courted by the rich, respected by all, and enjoying myself, as your ladyship does, the secret, the sublimest pleasure of clothing the naked and feeding the hungry.' "My object in addressing your ladyship again is twofold: to give your ladyship the joy of this intelligence, with which I know you will sympathize, and to evince my gratitude by the only means in my power. Deprived of my birthright, accessories of rank Parnassus have given me a palace, and from that everlasting court I crave your ladyship's patronage, as of Polymnia, the muse of song. "I am about to publish a song entitled 'Oh, life is not a dream!' Shall I be deemed presumptuous in hoping for the honor of dedicating it to your ladyship? Helicon has honors for none more than for your ladyship, and all her sons should weave conjointly for a Blessington a wreath of her immortal bays. "In conclusion, honored madam, your ladyship has touched the heart of one who feels intensely good or ill, and I have read your kind letter over and over again with intense delight: misfortune batters in vain when woman's entrancing voice of pity is heard in the respite intervals of the storm. "Tengou dunque ver me l'usato stile Amor Madonna, il mondo e mia fortuna "I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your ladyship's most obedient humble servant, A- S." From Mr. J. C. W. R to the Count D'Orsay: "July 12th, 1835. "MY LORD, I am very sorry to encumber you with a request, but necessitas non habet leges' is an old but true proverb. There was a time when I could smile, but now I am like a good many more fools whom experience made wise. Upon my honor, there is nothing so provoking as to be reduced to absolute poverty, for it excludes a man of feeling from all intercourse with mankind. Sports of all descriptions were my leading passions, but how the devil can a man act when he has all and every thing before him that is, as he imagines, innocently good! I am a bit of a litterateur also, so that one quality is always conjoined with another. But, to tell you the honest truth, we are all a set of fools in this world, for as long as we have it to spare, the devil an enemy you can find; and he could not even play the 'vouloir être' with all the imaginary powers possible. The short and the long of the story is, I am in want of a trifle of money; if you can spare me a few shillings, I will gladly and thankfully receive it. Can you perhaps spare an old coat off hand, or an old pair of trowsers, or any thing that you have designated a pensioner? Whatever answer you may have for me, please to leave it, under cover, with one of the servants of your noble mother-in-law, the Countess of Blessington, from whence I will fetch it. I don't want the servants to know my unhappy situation. My dear family press hard upon me. "I remain sincerely yours, my lord, truly grateful, "(Signed), J. C. W. R-N. "P.S.-By-the-by, are you not a Freemason? Excuse this rude question, for I am one." Letters from L- N to Lady Blessington. [The writer was evidently an exceedingly eccentric correspondent, laboring under some very singular delusions.] "February 22d, 1839. "HONORED AND ESTEEMED MADAM,-However reluctant I am to intrude on your ladyship, I trust you will do me the kindness not to consider the present letter an unwelcome epistle; while, in referring to my last of the 29th ult., I beg leave to acquaint you that as I have not been favored with a reply, it will be requisite for me to prepare for my journey to Paris, where I must endeavor to obtain a livelihood by being instructed in the art of miniature painting. I had the happiness (after much pushing and squeezing, to obtain a seat in the pit) of seeing our beloved queen at Drury Lane Theatre, and of being placed at a convenient distance from the maids of honor, who were in the circle adjoining the royal box. Her majesty and these ladies had an opportunity of catching a glance of me, which I believe they did; for I perceived more than once their opera-glasses were directed toward me, while there was some conversation held with the Earl of Albemarle, whose attention was also diverted toward the pit; and myself being so well known to the public, hundreds of eyes were riveted there, so that no doubt could be entertained on the subject. In fact, when the queen entered the house, she almost immediately recognized her lover, while she was unanimously applauded by one of the most numerous and brilliant audiences I ever beheld in that theatre. If I were to confess the emotions of my heart at beholding the elegant and graceful manners of my sovereign, coupled with the captivating smile by which her features were adorned, expressive of the happiness she felt in meeting with so loyal a reception from her subjects, I should, without hesitation, allege the queen has made a conquest of it. The delightful scene was highly colored, and rendered doubly interesting by the applause of the whole theatre after the performance of the anthem. "Her stature is short, and inclined to embonpoint; my own is not tall, and therefore might not suppose there would be a great deal of disproportion in our height if we were married, so as not to appear conspicuous, if my age was not so much beyond her majesty's. This, however, you are aware, is more apparent in some persons than others. My health is, thank God, much the same, and therefore might not imagine it would be thought an overwhelming obstacle to our union, should it be so arranged, pursuant to the royal marriage act of Parliament in that case to be made and provided. I should be anxious, however, before I take my departure from England, to have an opportunity of kneeling at the queen's feet, and offering the homage of my love and respect. "This distinguished honor could not be obtained, I believe, without an application to the secretary of state, and perhaps then there would be some difficulty in the way, without an introduction at court; and although I am ready to espouse her majesty in a week (if wished), I have no opportunity of obtaining a private interview, which might hasten the completion of my hopes, viz., marriage with the queen, Victoria the First. "To describe to your ladyship the effect the recent work published by Messrs. Longman, Orme, and Co., entitled Love's Exchanges,' has had on the public mind, is not within my capability. Every lady that I meet seems full of anxiety on the subject, observing, 'Not yet in the petticoats?' The gentlemen say, 'What! still in the same dress!" Thus I will leave your ladyship to judge what I go through from day to day, while my likeness is portrayed as an elegant woman in all the picture-shops in London. Why, therefore, I may say, should not the first ladies in the land have the society and friendship of one of the fairest flowers? Should I, by being in petticoats, be transgressing the rules of morality or propriety? Probably not. Could I, by acting as I wish, obtain forgiveness after M . . . . .? A guarantee to that effect would tend to relieve my anxiety of mind, and remove my scruples if I am now thought over-fastidious. Being without encumbrance, could I not say why should I hesitate? My dress would be respectable without being gaudy. "My time is short, and my funds are exhausted, while I am fearful I shall have a painful struggle to provide for my necessitics. Should I be generously aided with pecuniary means to forward my prospects in France (in the event of not being united to her majesty), that help, when forwarded to me by your ladyship and your friends, will be refreshment to the weary, as Petrarch beautifully expresses it in his commentaries: 'Crede mihi non est parvæ fiducia polliceri opem decertantibus, consilium dubiis lumen cœcis, spem dejectis, refugium fessis; magna quidem hæc sunt si fiant, parva si promittantur.' "In the fervent hope that this will find your ladyship in good health, please to accept my prayers for a continuance of your happiness in this world and in the world to come. I have the honor to be, with sincere regard, your faithful and affectionate friend, L. N." From the same: "Lincoln's Inn Fields, June 7th, 1840. "HONORED MADAM,-The duty and profound respect I must always feel bound to entertain for my sovereign lady the queen (for the public say that illustrious lady now patronizes me), as well as sincere regard toward yourself, would induce me, without hesitation, to consent to the apparent wish of clothing me in petticoats, if I could be favored with a specific authority for such a very important change in my habits, as well as exterior appearance (for I am sure I should look like an old washerwoman in female attire); and notwithstanding which, I could not but feel highly honored by her majesty's condescension in thus selecting me to occupy a situation (governess, I presume, in the royal family, and to reside in the palace), if such duties could with strict propriety be considered to fall within the scope of my knowledge, which, matured by experience, might be useful in such a capacity; and if it even were so, my endeavors to meet the queen's approbation would be at all times exercised with sound judgment and energy; but I may, while thus expressing my ideas confidentially on so interesting a subject, be still greatly mistaken, while my awkwardness in petticoats would expose me to the ridicule of all the distinguished guests at the palace. "The ladies of the capital say I shall look like a fine woman. The gentlemen say I could not wear stays without springs, and they don't think I should look handsome in a bonnet, and therefore I had better remain in breeches. "If they are all in error on the subject, then I trust you will do me the kindness to afford me a solution of the mystery. If the public are wrong (illa errant quidem gravissime), who is to put them right! "In the event of funds being forwarded to me (in a parcel sealed up and |