court the ladies, and study the fashion of their dress; he considered usefulness and learning as the true tests of respectability. From these intelligent, judicious, and thoroughly well-bred parents, Lucy Apsley probably derived the sedate, and somewhat matronly character, by which she was early distinguished. As her mother had several sons, and earnestly desired to have a daughter, her birth was an event of great joy; and the natural fondness inspired by the helpless little innocent was increased by the superstitious nurse, who pronounced her to be too delicate and beautiful to live. Something of additional importance was likewise ascribed to her, because previous to her birth her mother dreamed that a star descended from the heavens and rested in her hand. She was indeed lovely and remarkably intelligent, and her parents spared no pains in cultivating the intellectual faculties, with which she was endowed. As her nurse was a Frenchwoman, she learned to speak French and English at the same time. At four years old, she read perfectly well; and her memory was so great, that she could repeat almost exactly the sermons she heard. At seven years of age, she had eight tutors, in languages, music, dancing, writing, and needlework; but study was the only thing she really loved; and she pursued it with a degree of eagerness, that threatened to be prejudicial to her health. In Latin, she outstripped her brothers, although they were very clever, and exceedingly industrious. For female employments

and elegant accomplishments, she had less taste than her mother wished; and she held the usual sports of children in great contempt. She says, "When I was obliged to entertain such children as came to visit me, I tired them with more grave instructions than their mothers, and plucked all their babies to pieces, and kept them in such awe, that they were glad when I entertained myself with

older company." From her mother's instructions she derived strong religious feelings and principles, which continued with her through life. When very young, this miniature woman used to employ a portion of every Lord's day in exhorting the domestics of the family upon serious subjects. It seems, however, that she was not entirely destitute of the feelings and habits usually observable in youth; for she says, "I was not at that time convinced of the vanity of much conversation not scandalously wicked; I thought it no sin to learn or hear witty songs, amorous poems and twenty other things of that kind; wherein I was so apt, that I became a confidant in all the loves that were managed by my mother's young women.' She even alludes to an unequal, but transient attachment, as among the " extravagances of her youth." Colonel

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John Hutchinson, whom this young lady afterward married, was the son of Sir Thomas Hutchinson, and Lady Margaret, daughter of Sir John Biron of Newstead, one of the ancestors of Lord Byron He is represented as a gentleman of graceful

person, highly cultivated mind, and very prepossessing manners; and as he was the eldest surviving son of his father, he was a match alike desirable to mothers and daughters. He passed through the usual routine of education prescribed for gentlemen of that period, and was distinguished for his literary attainments, his skill in active and graceful exercises, and his very correct taste in music. Soon after he left the university, he determined to travel in France; and as some delay occurred in forming the necessary arrangements, he was advised to make a short visit to Richmond, where the prince at that time held his court. Crowds of gay company were, of course, attracted to the place, and a young gentleman of Mr Hutchinson's pretensions received abundant attentions from the wealthy, the witty, and the beautiful. It chanced that Sir Allen Apsley had a daughter placed at Richmond, for the purpose of acquiring skill in music. This child was born five years after her serious sister Lucy, and being of an active and playful disposition, was the general favorite of the family. Mr Hutchinson took particular delight in her sprightly conversation and lively music. The little girl had the keys of her mother's house, which was about half a mile distant, and once or twice, when she had occasion to go there, she asked Mr Hutchinson to accompany her. One day, while he was there, he found a few Latin books on an old shelf, and when he asked whose they were, he was informed that they be

longed to her elder sister, who was about to be married, and had gone into Wiltshire with her mother, in order to complete some necessary arrangements. Mr Hutchinson had a contempt for frivolous conversation and unmeaning gallantry, and the ladies thought him rather indifferent to their charms. But it so happened that his curiosity was greatly excited concerning Miss Lucy Apsley; and the more questions he asked, the more he regretted that he had never seen her, and that she had gone away on such an errand. The ladies of her acquaintance told him how very studious and reserved she was; adding several anecdotes, which they thought would redound to her disadvantage; but Mr Hutchinson had a great respect for good sense and information in women, and the stories they told produced a different effect from what they intended. He lost no opportunity of talking about the lady; and began to wonder at himself that his heart, which had heretofore kept so cool, should now be so much interested in a stranger. His wife, speaking of this circumstance in his memoir, says, " Certainly it was of the Lord, who had ordained him, through so many providences, to be yoked with her in whom he found so much satisfaction."

One day, when there was a great deal of company at the house, some one sung a song, which was much admired. A gentleman present observed it was written by a lady in the neighborhood. Mr Hutchinson, "fancying something of rational

ity in the sonnet, beyond the customary reach of a she-wit, said he could scarcely believe it was a woman's." The gentleman asserted that the verses were written by Miss Lucy Apsley; and being a great admirer of the author, he was very enthusiastic in her praises. Upon this, Mr Hutchinson said, "I cannot rest until this lady returns. I must be acquainted with her." His informant replied, “You must not expect that, sir. She will not be acquainted with gentlemen. However

this song may have stolen forth, she is extremely unwilling to have her perfections known. She lives only in the enjoyment of herself, and has not the humanity to communicate that happiness to any of our sex."

The information of this reserved humor pleased Mr Hutchinson more than all he had heard; and his thoughts became completely occupied with the hopes of seeing her. At last, news was brought that Mrs Apsley and her daughter would return in a few days. The messenger had some bride laces in his pocket, and, for the sake of fun, he allowed the company to suppose the young lady was married. Mr Hutchinson became very pale, and was obliged to leave the room. He began to think there was some magic in the place, which enchanted men out of their right senses. His affectionate biographer says, "But it booted him not to be angry at himself, or to set wisdom in her reproving chair, or reason in her throne of council; the sick heart could not be chid, or advised into health."