they are waiting, I notice she draws them
into the shade, and they lie down there, in
their harness.

I must tell you, dearest, about the people
here, for this is a great place in which to
study human nature and character. All
the tribes of the earth seem to come here
and take a new sort of shape as they stay.
It is a paradise for women, and for pretty
women, and therefore if my pet were here,
—but I must not turn that pretty head.
Neither should I like her to be exposed to
the bold, free-and-easy study of some of
the gentry who walk about here, and survey
beauty leisurely. In England, did any
venture to " stare," as we would call it, in
such a fashion, we should be tempted to
fetch him a good stroke across his insolent
face. But here, in this scattering of all
the licentious free laws of Europe, it is
tolerated and invited even. Yes, women
are actually proud of this questionable sort
of attention, and they give a look in return,
though only a second's length, as if to
challenge fresh attention. And yet it must
be owned our own decent, decorous dames
and girls, they look a poor race here; they
seem to want style, which is with beauty,
colour, everything save expression. There
is, indeed, a charming-looking girl, who
walks about here with a sister, and has an
air of enjoyment and delight truly refreshing
in the fade indifference which prevails.
She has the most mysterious likeness to
my Dora at home: I am glad she is here, as
she will be a little photograph of one who
is so dear to me. The same expression,
the same aristocratic look that she has.
Petite, with an exquisitely- shaped head,
the richest and glossiest dark hair, the
most refined outline of face; I am struck
with her more and more. What contrasts
to her the Americans, dressed to extravagance
in theatrical "costumes," as
they call laces and flounces, and the
shortest of dresses, and the highest of
heels, some certainly two or three inches
high! Their faces are surprisingly round
and full and brilliant, their figures good
and handsome, which is a surprise; but
when they open their full lips out streams
the twang, nasal and horny. I shall see
more of them, however, at a ball to be
given presently. I know some little details
of dress, &c., will amuse. What will
my pet say to a rich black silk Watteau
dress, all looped and curtained up, all over
embroidery, with a crimson Spanish petticoat
seen below, and the black all lit up
here and there with the most delicate
little lines and edging of crimson? It is
as delicate as a Cardinal's undress. What
will I say? I hear my pet answer. It would
cost half a year's salary. Then what will
she say to a faint amber- coloured summer
dress, all looped and hanging in festoons,
with a pale blue and white petticoat?
This is, indeed, dressing in water colour,
and both are American. There is another,
a sort of pale sprite of a fairy, so white and
delicate are her cheeks, so lustrous her
eyes, so artificial the effect. She is all eternal
smiles and giggling, and writhing and
twistings of the neck, a favourite part of
American pantomime. Her dress is becomingly
short, and the oft- quoted Sir John
Suckling's line is abolished, and ladies
feet do not, like little mice, "run in and
out;" but rather arrogantly display themselves
peacock-like, as ostentatiously as
they can. We might find patterns here
for the plumage of all the birds of the air,
from the flamingo downward; with a good
deal of damaged ware, which I would not for
the world my pet saw, but this is only more
of the work of the Mephistopheles company
yonder. To think, again I say, that these
pure blessings, these life-giving springs,
sent to give strength and innocence, all to
be turned into fresh agents for attracting
villany and vice. Was there ever such
diabolical perversity!

Early in December will be ready
THE COMPLETE SET
OF
TWENTY VOLUMES,

With GENERAL INDEX to the entire work from its
commencement in April, 1859. Each volume, with
its own Index, can also be bought separately as
heretofore.

FAREWELL SERIES OF READINGS.
BY
MR. CHARLES DICKENS.

MESSRS. CHAPPELL AND Co. have the honour
to announce that MR. DICKENS will read as follows:
Thursday, December 10, Friday, December 11, Monday,
December 14, and Saturday Morning, December 19,
Edinburgh; Wednesday, December 9, Tuesday, December
15, Wednesday, December 16, and Thursday,
17, Glasgow; Tuesday, December 22, St. James's Hall,
London.

All communications to be addressed to MESSRS.
CHAPPELL AND Co., 60, New Bond-street, London, W.

The Right of Translating Articles from ALL THE YEAR ROUND is reserved by the Authors.