had lately moved, they both received pleafure from the events of the evening. Two circumftances contributed to his lordship's fatisfaction: he felt himself perfectly at eafe; and, moreover, he received information, that the neighbouring country afforded what is termed a fet of very hearty fellows, and the fineft grouse and black game in the kingdom. His pleasure at this intelligence was fo great, that while they returned home, he interrupted his lady's obfervations on the female part of the company, by declaring, that fince he found things fo agreeable, he really believed he should fpend a good deal of time at Monteith. "I think, Geraldine," faid he," I cannot be very dull. What do "you think? I fhall hunt one day, fish "another, go to the bowling-green a "third; then there will be a cricket match, and fhooting, and public " dinners, (6 dinners, and private parties; and then going to Edinburgh if any particu"lar bufinefs is on foot, and making "excurfions through the neighbouring "counties. I declare I begin to think " as your father does, that it will be a very rational life, and quite as agree"able as fpending all our time in those ftate-trappings of which Arabella is "fo fond. She faid that I should deteft "Scotland in a month; but I will con"vince her that I can be happy any"where. Don't you think fo too, my "love? You will like to live here, "shall you not?" "O! infinitely, I affure you; I was "both furprized and pleased with the "manners of feveral of the ladies whom "I met at the affembly. They feemed "indeed a little confufed and reserved "at first, and certainly they are un"acquainted with the more refined modifications of politeness; but many "of them appeared well-informed, and "I know they will improve upon ac"quaintance. I have projected a "thousand little fchemes to infpire con"fidence and cordiality. I am fure the "dear old caftle may foon be made perfectly comfortable; and I hope, "my lord, our refidence among your "tenants and dependants will prove an "effential benefit to them." "I fhall, certainly, order my steward "to give them the preference upon every occafion which promifes a "lucrative advantage." (c "Is it impoffible for us to extend "our utility farther? Could I not en"dow a school, and introduce fome "branch of manufacture to employ the "children and the women? I am told that they are extremely uninformed, "and in some respects uncivilized. I |