If I mistake
not, it was from the traditions of Stratford that Kemble had learned the
above. I do not remember ever to have seen it in print,--which is most
singular.
Miss L---- has an English rather than an American aspect,--being of
stronger outline than most of our young ladies, although handsomer than
English women generally, extremely self-possessed and well poised without
affectation or assumption, but quietly conscious of rank, as much so as
if she were an Earl's daughter. In truth, she felt pretty much as an
Earl's daughter would do towards the merchants' wives and daughters who
made up the feminine portion of the party.
I talked with her a little, and found her sensible, vivacious, and
firm-textured, rather than soft and sentimental. She paid me some
compliments; but I do not remember paying her any.
Mr. J-----'s daughters, two pale, handsome girls, were present. One of
them is to be married to a grandson of Mr. ------, who was also at the
dinner. He is a small young man, with a thin and fair mustache, . . . .
and a lady who sat next me whispered that his expectations are 6,000
pounds per annum. It struck me, that, being a country gentleman's son,
he kept himself silent and reserved, as feeling himself too good for this
commercial dinner-party; but perhaps, and I rather think so, he was
really shy and had nothing to say, being only twenty-one, and therefore
quite a boy among Englishmen. The only man of cognizable rank present,
except Mr.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168