lege displayed in a light so striking as in these two gentlemen in the conversation after dinner. The one seemed resolved not to be pleased; while the other laid himself out to please everybody; and that in a manner so much at his own expense, as frequently to bring into question his understanding. By a second silly thing he banished the remembrance of the first; by a third the second, and so on: and by continually laughing at his own absurdities, left us at liberty to suppose that his folly was his choice; and that, had it not been to divert the company, he would have made a better figure.

Mr Walden, as was evident by his scornful brow, by the contemptuous motion of his lip, and by his whole face, affectedly turned from the baronet, grudged him the smile that sat upon every one's countenance; and for which, without distinguishing whether it was a smile of approbation or not, he looked as if he pitied us all, and as if he thought himself cast into unequal company. Nay, twice or thrice he addressed himself, in preference to every one else, to honest simpering Mr Singleton ; who, for his part, as was evident, much better relished the baronet's flippancies, than the dry significance of the student. For, whenever Sir Hargrave spoke, Mr Singleton's mouth was open: but it was quite otherwise with him, when Mr Walden spoke, even at the time that he paid him the distinction of addressing himself to him, as if he were the principal person in the company.

But one word, by the by, Lucy-Don't you think it is very happy for us foolish women, that the generality of the lords of the creation are not much wiser than ourselves? Or, to express myself in other words, that over wisdom is as foolish a thing to the full, as moderate folly?-But, hush! I have done. I know that at this place my uncle will be ready to rise against me.

After dinner, Mr Walden, not choosing to be any longer so egregiously eclipsed by the man of the town, put forth the scholar.

By the way, let me ask my uncle, if the word scholar means not the learner, rather than the learned? If it originally means no more, I would suppose that formerly the most learned men were the most modest, contenting themselves with being thought but learners; but, as my revered first instructor used to say, the more a man knows, the more he will find he has to know.

Pray, Sir Hargrave, said Mr Walden, may I ask you-You had a thought just now, speaking of love and beauty, which I know you must have from Tibullus, And then he repeated the line in an heroic accent; and, pausing, looked upon us women,]-Which university had the honour of finishing your studies, Sir Hargrave? I presume you were brought up at one of them.

Not I, said the baronet: a man, surely, may read Tibullus, and Virgil too, without being indebted to either university for his learning.

No man, Sir Hargrave, in my humble opinion, [with a decisive air he spoke the word humble,] can be well-grounded in any branch of learning, who has not been at one of our famous universities.

I never yet proposed, Mr Walden, to qualify myself for a degree. My chaplain is a very pretty fellow. He understands Tibullus, I believe, Ciminoderately laughing, and, by his eyes cast in turn upon each person at table, bespeaking a general smile-and of Oxford, as you are.

And again he laughed; but his laugh was then such a one as rather shewed ridicule than mirth: a provoking laugh: such a one as Mr Greville often affects when he is in a disputing humour, in order to dash an opponent out of countenance, by getting the laugh, instead of the argument, on his side.

My uncle, you know, will have it sometimes, that his girl has a satirical vein. I am afraid she has.-But this I will say for her: she means no ill-nature: she loves every body; but not their faults; as her uncle in his letter tells her. Nor wishes to be spared for her own. Nor, very probably, is she, if those who see her, write of her to their chosen friends, as she does to hers of them.

Shall I tell you, what I imagine each person of the company I am writing about (writing in character) would say of me to their correspondents?-It would be digressing too much, or I would.

The world an university! replied Mr Walden. Why, truly, looking up to Sir Hargrave's face, and then down to his feet, disdainfully, as if he would measure him with his eyes, I cannot but say, twisting his head on one side, and with a drolling accent, that the world produces very pretty scholars-for the ladies.

The baronet took fire at being so contemptuously measured by the eye of the student; and I thought it not amiss, for fear of high words between them, to put myself forward.

And are not women, Mr Walden, resumed I, one half in number, though not, perhaps, in value, of the human species? Would it not be pity, sir, if the knowledge that is to be obtained in the lesser university should make a man despise what is to be acquired in the greater, in which that knowledge was principally intended to make him useful?

This diverted the baronet's anger. Well, Mr Walden, said he, exulting, and rubbing his hands, what say you to the young lady's observation? By my soul, it is worth your notice. You may carry it down with you to your university; and the best scholars there will not be the worse for attending to it.

Mr Walden seemed to collect himself, as if he were inclined to consider me with more attention than he had done before; and waving his hand, as if he would put by the baronet, as an adversary he had done with, I am to thank you, madam, said he, it seems, for your observation. And so the lesser university

I have great veneration, Mr Walden, interrupted I, for learning, and great honour for learned men-But this is a subject

That you must not get off from, young lady. I am sorry to hear you say so, sir-But indeed I must.

tress of both; and she finds herself so much an owl among the birds, that she wants, of all things, to be thought to have unlearned them.

Why, ladies, I cannot but say, that I should rather choose to marry a woman whom I could teach something, than one who would think herself qualified to teach me.

Is it a necessary consequence, sir, said Miss Clements, that knowledge, which makes a man shine, should make a woman vain and pragmatical? May not two persons, having the same taste, improve each other? Was not this the case of Monsieur and Madame Dacier ?

Flint and steel to each other, added Lady Betty.

Turkish policy, I doubt, in you men, proceeded Miss Clements-No second brother near the throne. That empire some think the safest which is founded in ignorance.

We know, Miss Clements, replied Mr Walden, that you are a well-read lady. But I have nothing to say to observations that are in everybody's mouth-Pardon me, madam.

Indeed, sir, said Mr Reeves, I think Miss Clements should not pardon you. There is, in my opinion, great force in what she said.

But I have a mind to talk with this fair lady, your cousin, Mr Reeves. She is the very woman that I wish to hold an argument with, on the hints she threw out. Pardon me, sir. But I will not return the compliment. I cannot argue.

And yet, madam, I will not let you go off so easily. You seem to be very happy in your education, and to have some pretty notions for so young a lady.

I cannot argue, sir—

Dear Miss Byron, said the baronet, hear what Mr Walden has to say to you.

Every one made the same request. I was silent, looked down, and played with my fan.

When Mr Walden had liberty to say what he pleased, he seemed at a loss himself for words.

At last, I asked you, madam, I asked you (hesitatingly began he,) whether you knew anything of the learned languages? It has been whispered to me, that you have had great advantages from a grandfather, of whose learning and politeness we have heard much. He was a scholar. He was of Christ-church, in our university, if I am not mistaken-To my question you answered, that you knew not particularly which were the languages that I called the learned ones; and you have been pleased to throw out hints in relation to the lesser and the greater university; by all which you certainly mean something

Pray, Mr Walden, said I

And pray, Miss Byron-I am afraid of all smatterers in learning. Those who know a little-and ladies cannot know to the bottomThey have not the happiness of an university education

Nor is every man at the university, I presume, sir, a Mr Walden.

O my Lucy! I have since been told that this pragmatical man has very few admirers in the university, to which, out of it, he is so fond of boasting a relation.

He took what I said for a compliment-Why, as to that, madam-bowing-But this is a misfortune to ladies, not a fault in them-But, as I was going to say, those who know little, are very seldom sound, are very seldom orthodox, as we call it, whether respecting religion or learning; and as it seems you lost your grandfather too early to be well-grounded in the latter, (in the former, Lady Betty, who is my informant, says, you are a very good young lady,) I should be glad to put you right, if you happened to be a little out of the way.

I thank you, sir, bowing, and (simpleton !) still playing with my fan. But, though Mr Reeves said nothing, he did not think me very politely treated. Yet he wanted, he told me afterwards, to have me drawn out.

He should not have served me so, I told him; especially among strangers and men.

Now, madam, will you be pleased to inform me, said Mr Walden, whether you had any particular meaning, when you answered, that you knew not which I called the learned languages? You must know, that the Latin and Greek are of those so called.

I beg, Mr Walden, that I may not be thus singled out-Mr Reeves-Sir, you have had an university education. Pray relieve your cousin. Mr Reeves smiled; bowed his head; but said nothing.

You are pleased, madam, proceeded Mr Walden, to mention one learned lady; and said, that she looked upon herself as an owl among the birds.

And you, sir, said, that you had rather (and I believe most men are of your mind) have a woman you could teach

Than one who would suppose she could teach me-I did so.

Well, sir, and would you have me be guilty of an ostentation that would bring me no credit, if I had had some pains taken with me in my education? But indeed, sir, I know not anything of those you call the learned languages. Nor do I take all learning to consist in the knowledge of languages.*

All learning!-Nor I, madam-But if you place not learning in language, be so good as to tell us what you do place it in?

He nodded his head with an air, as if he had said, This pretty miss has got out of her depth; I believe I shall have her now.

The world an university! replied Mr Walden. Why, truly, looking up to Sir Hargrave's face, and then down to his feet, disdainfully, as if he would measure him with his eyes, I cannot but say, twisting his head on one side, and with a drolling accent, that the world produces very pretty scholars-for the ladies.

The baronet took fire at being so contemptuously measured by the eye of the student; and I thought it not amiss, for fear of high words between them, to put myself forward.

And are not women, Mr Walden, resumed I, one half in number, though not, perhaps, in value, of the human species? Would it not be pity, sir, if the knowledge that is to be obtained in the lesser university should make a man despise what is to be acquired in the greater, in which that knowledge was principally intended to make him useful?

This diverted the baronet's anger. Well, Mr Walden, said he, exulting, and rubbing his hands, what say you to the young lady's observation? By my soul, it is worth your notice. You may carry it down with you to your university; and the best scholars there will not be the worse for attending to it.

Mr Walden seemed to collect himself, as if he were inclined to consider me with more attention than he had done before; and waving his hand, as if he would put by the baronet, as an adversary he had done with, I am to thank you, madam, said he, it seems, for your observation. And so the lesser university

tress of both; and she finds herself so much an owl among the birds, that she wants, of all things, to be thought to have unlearned them.

Why, ladies, I cannot but say, that I should rather choose to marry a woman whom I could teach something, than one who would think herself qualified to teach me.

Is it a necessary consequence, sir, said Miss Clements, that knowledge, which makes a man shine, should make a woman vain and pragmatical? May not two persons, having the same taste, improve each other? Was not this the case of Monsieur and Madame Dacier ?

Flint and steel to each other, added Lady Betty.

Turkish policy, I doubt, in you men, proceeded Miss Clements-No second brother near the throne. That empire some think the safest which is founded in ignorance.

We know, Miss Clements, replied Mr Walden, that you are a well-read lady. But I have nothing to say to observations that are in everybody's mouth-Pardon me, madam.

Indeed, sir, said Mr Reeves, I think Miss Clements should not pardon you. There is, in my opinion, great force in what she said.

But I have a mind to talk with this fair lady, your cousin, Mr Reeves. She is the very woman that I wish to hold an argument with, on the hints she threw out.

Pardon me, sir. But I will not return the compliment. I cannot argue.

And yet, madam, I will not let you go off so easily. You seem to be very happy in your education, and to have some pretty notions for so young a lady.

I cannot argue, sir

Dear Miss Byron, said the baronet, hear what Mr Walden has to say to you.

Every one made the same request. I was silent, looked down, and played with my fan.

When Mr Walden had liberty to say what he pleased, he seemed at a loss himself for words.

At last, I asked you, madam, I asked you (hesitatingly began he,) whether you knew anything of the learned languages? It has been whispered to me, that you have had great advantages from a grandfather, of whose learning and politeness we have heard much. He was a scholar. He was of Christ-church, in our university, if I am not mistaken-To my question you answered, that you knew not particularly which were the languages that I called the learned ones; and you have been pleased to throw out hints in elation to the lesser and the greater university; by all which you certainly mean something

Pray, Mr Walden, said I-▬▬▬▬

And pray, Miss Byron-I am afraid of all smatterers in learning. Those who know a little-and ladies cannot know to the bottomThey have not the happiness of an university education

Nor is every man at the university, I presume, sir, a Mr Walden.

O my Lucy! I have since been told that this pragmatical man has very few admirers in the university, to which, out of it, he is so fond of boasting a relation.

He took what I said for a compliment-Why, as to that, madam-bowing-But this is a misfortune to ladies, not a fault in them-But, as I was going to say, those who know little, are very seldom sound, are very seldom orthodox, as we call it, whether respecting religion or learning; and as it seems you lost your grandfather too early to be well-grounded in the latter, (in the former, Lady Betty, who is my informant, says, you are a very good young lady,) I should be glad to put you right, if you happened to be a little out of the way.

I thank you, sir, bowing, and (simpleton !) still playing with my fan. But, though Mr Reeves said nothing, he did not think me very politely treated. Yet he wanted, he told me afterwards, to have me drawn out.

He should not have served me so, I told him ; especially among strangers and men.

Now, madam, will you be pleased to inform me, said Mr Walden, whether you had any particular meaning, when you answered, that you knew not which I called the learned languages? You must know, that the Latin and Greek are of those so called.

I beg, Mr Walden, that I may not be thus singled out-Mr Reeves-Sir, you have had an university education. Pray relieve your cousin. Mr Reeves smiled; bowed his head; but said nothing.

You are pleased, madam, proceeded Mr Walden, to mention one learned lady; and said, that she looked upon herself as an owl among the birds.

And you, sir, said, that you had rather (and I believe most men are of your mind) have a woman you could teach

Than one who would suppose she could teach me-I did so.

I would rather, sir, said I, be a hearer than a speaker; and the one would better become me than the other. I answered Sir Hargrave, because he thought proper to apply to me.

And I, madam, apply to you likewise. Then, sir, I have been taught to think, that a learned man and a linguist may very well be two persons.

Well, sir, and would you have me be guilty of an ostentation that would bring me no credit, if I had had some pains taken with me in my education? But indeed, sir, I know not anything of those you call the learned languages. Nor do I take all learning to consist in the knowledge of languages.*

All learning!-Nor I, madam-But if you place not learning in language, be so good as to tell us what you do place it in?

He nodded his head with an air, as if he had said, This pretty miss has got out of her depth; I believe I shall have her now.

Be pleased to proceed, madam.

Languages, undoubtedly, sir, are of use, to let us into the knowledge for which so many of the ancients were famous-But

Here I stopt. Every one's eyes were upon me. I was a little out of countenance.

In what a situation, Lucy, are we women!— If we have some little genius, and have taken pains to cultivate it, we must be thought guilty of affectation, whether we appear desirous to conceal it, or submit to have it called forth.

But, what, madam? Pray proceed, eagerly said Mr Walden-But, what, inadam?

But have not the moderns, sir, if I must speak, the same advantages which the ancients had, and some which they had not? The first great geniuses of all had not human example, had not human precept

Nor were the first geniuses of all (with an emphasis, replied Mr Walden) so perfect, as the observations of the geniuses of after-times, which were built upon their foundations, made them ; and they others. Learning, or knowledge, as you choose to call it, was a progressive thing; and it became necessary to understand the different languages in which the sages of antiquity wrote, in order to avail ourselves of their learning.

Very right, sir, I believe. You consider skill in languages, then, as a vehicle to knowledge— Not, I presume, as science itself.

I was sorry the baronet laughed ; because his laughing made it more difficult for me to get off, as I wanted to do.

Pray, Sir Hargrave, said Mr Walden, let not everything that is said be laughed at. I am fond of talking to this young lady; and a conversation upon this topic may tend as much to edification, perhaps, as most of the subjects with which we have been hitherto entertained.

Sir Hargrave took an empty glass; and with it humorously rapped his own knuckles, bowed, smiled, and was silent; by that act of yielding, which had gracefulness in it, gaining more honour to himself, than Mr Walden obtained by his rebuke of him, however just.

Now, madam, if you please, said Mr Walden, (and he put himself into a disputing attitude,) a word or two with you, on your vehicle, and so forth.