of 'the great vulgar;' as on the other hand we often think particular persons not eminent for their condition, or who have had little instruction, to be naturally well-bred."

Here Lady Hungerford ceased; and though I felt all the force and clearness of these observations, I was so unwilling to lose the charm of her voice and manner in recommending them, that I would not abandon the argument; but while I allowed the accuracy of this account of vulgarity, asked what we were to say to the disdain with which a duchess will sometimes treat the wife of a merchant, however rich, or a lawyer, however learned, or a divine, even though a bishop?

"Are you quite sure you are just to the duchess in this?" returned the lady. "No duchess, if really well-bred (which we are to suppose her), would ever shew disdain to any one who did not challenge it by some impropriety of her own. If therefore there is disdain, it is because the object of it would be avoided for something wrong, and perhaps innately and individually vulgar, even if she were a duchess herself."

"What this innate vulgarity is," observed I, "whether in high or low, is what I shall delight to learn from one who is so good a judge."

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ford.

Surely it is not difficult," said Lady Hunger"For if vulgarity is so offensive as to be hated and banished from our circles, it is because

a really natural born vulgar person is so faulty a character. He respects or rather loves no one but himself. He certainly shews no respect to others, but is a mere selfish, isolated sensualist; a sort of moral sloth in his tree, who, studying only his own comfort or his own interest, cares not how much he shocks the feelings or invades the convenience of another. Hence, common civility and the bienséances are too much trouble for him, and he neglects them in his manners, in his language, and even in his thoughts. Hence, he is coarse, boisterous, impudent, and insulting; indelicate in his ideas and in his language. If he argue with you, he is a bear; and if he wishes to pay court, a monkey. He is always self-sufficient, consults nobody's feelings, laughs at everybody's sensibilities, and, in short, when under no restraint, is often a brute."

To this just as well as eloquent account of the really vulgar man, I had nothing to oppose; but, to draw her out still further (for her impressiveness only added to her beauty), I asked why a mere difference of appearance, such as we call uncouthness, should be deemed, as it generally is, vulgarity?

"Are you quite right in that opinion?" asked she. "Is uncouthness necessarily vulgar? Is it more than something strange or unusual in dress or manners (I do not mean morals), to which we

are not accustomed? If this be so, should Queen Elizabeth herself appear again in her ruff and farthingale, she would be the height of uncouthness, but she would not be vulgar."

"Not vulgar, possibly," returned I, "but surely ridiculous, which is perhaps akin to it.”

"Not,” replied the lady (looking much in earnest), "if it proceeded not from some defect of character. For if being merely innocently ridiculous made us vulgar, I don't know what would become of 'nous autres.' No; I still say that the vulgarity which we so detest, and of which alone we are talking, must take its rise from something unsound in the mind or heart; something which, as it certainly may be found among the upper ranks, so the lower may as certainly be exempt from it."

"I fear to ask,” said I," for the proofs of this among the upper ranks."

"Why, there is always vulgarity, at least of mind,” answered Lady Hungerford, "where there is silly affectation, low-thoughted pride (as of purse or other prosperity) towards our inferiors, or envy, hatred, and malice towards our superiors; or, what is worse, a despicable attempt, by flattery or parasitical attentions, to obtain their notice, or insinuate ourselves into their acquaintance. Such is the case of all parvenues, who have not sense or pride of mind enough to use their good fortune

properly, but barter the diamond of their independence for the Bristol stone of vanity. As nothing is so soon seen through by people of real fashion, so nothing is so much ridiculed or contemned."

Having said this, she added with a good-humoured smile, "This I think is enough for to-day's lesson, so now we will break up school, and you may go play."

I heard all this with regret, for I was absolutely charmed; but seeing she was engaged, I took my leave with all necessary acknowledgments.

Certainly there is no pleasure more gratifying than to listen to refined sense, falling from the lips of a refined and beautiful woman.

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF MANKIND WHICH BEING IN OFFICE PRODUCES, AND OF THE HAPPINESS OF COURTS AND COURTIERS, IN THE OPINION OF A PHILOSOPHIC MINISTER.

The art of the court,

As hard to leave as keep; whose top to climb
Is certain falling; or so slippery, that

The fear's as bad as falling.

SHAKSPEARE.-Cymbeline.

WHILE I was thus progressing in the knowledge of high life, under the auspices of this charming lady, who by opening her evening saloon to me added practical lessons to theory, I found I was not behindhand in what was still more important, my official business. The ability of Lord Castleton filled me with respect, while his kind as well as polished manners would have won me to him, had he been, what he was not, one of those everyday ministers who get into office without knowing how; some as Corinthian capitals, in the shape of high titles; some from a reputation, nobody knows by what means acquired, and forfeited as soon as