was really incapable of giving her the information she required, as the only rooms she had ever seen in England decorated for a splendid entertainment were at the fête given by the charitable and elegant Duchess of D-, when shefirst introduced her eldest daughter into public, and she considered that such decorations did not suit small rooms, or the situation of Mrs. Modish: however, the lady was of a contrary opinion, and various artizans were employed to fit up the house, in some degree to resemble the one represented by Mrs. Mortimer. As on a former occasion, cards of invitation were sent to every person they knew or ever heard of: a supper was ordered which would have graced a Lord Mayor's ball; and to do justice to Mrs. Pattypan, it was extremely well served and decorated. When the day arrived they sent for Mrs. Mortimer, to see that every thing was done right, for fear the people employed might not have attended strictly

to their directions. Miss Charlotte Modish condescended to assist in placing some flowers, and Mr. Symphony Modish drove in some nails; but their attentive mother took great care to convince all present that her children would never have occasion to do any sort of thing; that her dear husband only kept them to business a little because it prevented young men from falling into mischief, but, by the blessing of God and Mr. Abraham Modish's cleverness, if they were both to die to-morrow, her daughter need never set a stitch, or her son hold a pen. However, in the midst of all this finery and expence, care and anxiety sat heavy on their brows, for such is the fate of humanity, that mortals shall never enjoy perfect happiness. Knock after knock brought apologies from various persons who had been invited, and they began to fear that they should not have company enough to fill the rooms. Symphony Modish was dispatched into

Mr.

the streets and highways to see whom he could collect, and every now and then returned with the agreeable intelligence that he had picked up a straggler. As to ladies, very few could they depend on. Mrs. Mortimer asked if an old friend of theirs, who had three beautiful daughters, was to be at the ball; but she was given to understand that they wanted no beauties. At last Mr. Symphony brought the delightful news that Colonel Ortolan had promised to bring two dashing Baronets who were then in Brighton; and the Colonel had assured him that the preparations for their gala had made every body desirous of being invited, and he wondered that cards had not been sent to all the nobility at Brighton. This was joyful intelligence; but there was a weighty point, which was of great importance, to be immediately settled, namely, as three baronets would honour them with their company, which possessed the oldest title, as Miss Charlotte Modish was to open

the ball with him. After turning over the leaves of the Court Kalendar, Sir Timothy Flight was found to be the happy man destined to have that superlative honour. The ornamenting of the rooms being finished, they looked so cool, and the arbour so refreshing, that the family lamented that there was not sufficient time to have a dress made in character for Miss Modish, as she would, with her Sylph-like appearance, look like an Arcadian shepherdess dressed en Bergére. At length the company began to arrive, and Mrs. Modish requested Mrs. Mortimer's permission to introduce her to some of her dear friends; but this Mrs. Mortimer declined, alleging that as she could not afford to give parties, she declined making any new acquaintance. The persons who stood highest in Mrs. Modish's estimation were, first, a Mrs. Moffat, who was a bride her history told that she had passed as the widow of an officer, by whom she had several chil

dren; and one daughter, about eighteen years of age, accompanied her to Mrs. Modish's. The next lady of distinguished pedigree was a Mrs. Driveall, who was the widow of a baronet's son, with whom she had lived some years previously to his marrying her. She gave out that she had thirteen hundred a year in Scotland, besides other small estates and money in the funds. Her husband had only been dead three months; but out of compliment to the lady of the house she had thrown off her mourning. Colonel Ortolan was very attentive to the widow: he was a very handsome man, and, besides many other accomplishments, could tell the best bits, either in joints, fowls, fish, &c.; he also paid that homage to the rich which they so justly deserve. The rest of the company consisted of a schoolmaster and his wife, a few old women, and about sixty men of all occupations, but mostly military. The two Baronets, alas! did not come; Sir Timothy Flight