posed duty oblige me to recall them for the purpose of setting them down here.

Every one fixed their eyes on the grand entrance to the saloon. At last the folding doors unclosed, and Barbara, all in tears, entered, supported by two ladies. She evidently required all the assistance they afforded her; for she seemed to walk with difficulty, and to be scarcely capable of struggling to restrain her sobs. The Starost beheld her with compassionate tenderness. Approaching, he took her hand and led her to my parents at whose feet both knelt to beg their blessing. Every body seemed powerfully affected. Then all repaired to the castle-chapel, where the Abbé Vincent stood before the high altar. The king's representative, Borch, and Kochanowski, son of the Castellan, offered their arms to conduct Barbara; and the Starost offered his to Mademoiselle Malachowska (daughter of the Palatine) and to me. My parents and the rest of our family and our guests walked two and two in silence quite unbroken, except by the rustling of their stiff silk trains. In numerable tapers burned around the altar; and a rich carpet, embroidered in gold and silver, covered the steps; while the vestments of all the attendants upon the service glittered with gold and jewels. Two prie-dieu chairs of crimson velvet, embroidered, one with the arms of Swidzinski, and the other with those of Krasinski, were placed for the bride and bridegroom. All knelt down; the ladies on the right side of the altar, and the gentlemen on the left. I held a gold plate on which were the nuptial rings. My father and mother stood behind Barbara, and the Palatine behind his son. The Veni Creator was sung very finely; the Abbé Vincent then pronounced a long discourse almost entirely in Latin; and then commenced the ceremony. Barbara, in spite of tears and sobs, pronounced distinctly her few words;

but the Starost spoke loudly and most confidently. When the ceremony concluded, the musicians (being principally Italian singers brought here for this occasion) commenced singing and playing some of their lovely music. This was shortly interrupted by cannonading and a deafening crash of artillery to announce to all that the ceremony was concluded. Silence being at last obtained, my father spoke thus:-" May God bless your union, and cause it to redound

to his own glory! May your vows, my children, be heard in heaven, and assure your peace on earth! May your mutual happiness be the constant care of both of the husband especially; for he stands in the light of guide to his wife. Your virtues, Starost, and many good qualities, leave me no fears on that score. As to you, my beloved child, be virtuous; for virtue is the truest fame and the only road to happiness. Be careful to preserve prudence and discretion in your speech-modesty and dignity in your actions; and oh! above all, forget not your duty to your God! Love and obey your husband as you have hitherto loved and obeyed your parents, and you will leave him nothing to complain of; for you have ever been prudent, modest, gentle, and virtuous in the fullest sense of that all-comprising word. Learn to be resigned under the inevitable ills of mortality. Be guided by the dictates of your religion, and your reason; and oh! may God bless you as we do, earnestly, and fondly this day." Barbara tried to speak in reply, but tears and sobs prevented utterance; and after an effort, she fell at my father's feet, who raised her after a moment, and kissed her tenderly.

Then from all quarters came felicitations. The Abbé Vincent having showered holy water on all, advanced, and presented the paten to be kissed by the treasurer's wife, Madame Jordan. Now, this was a great mistake; an inconceivable forgetfulness of the rights of precedence. He ought, of course, first have offered it to the Castellane Kochanouska, mother to the prince's representative. My mother fortunately perceived this awkward mistake, and in some measure repaired it by begging that the Castellane would be pleased to take precedence of all in the procession from the chapel, which she did, being conducted by the Starost. Barbara walked between the king's representative and the Palatin Malachowski. Presently after our return to the saloon, dinner was announced. The table was very large and formed in the shape of the letter B. All the plate was of gold, and the appearance of the table to the last degree magnificent. In the midst was a pyramid of sugar, four feet high, at which a French cook had laboured unremittingly for a fortnight. presented the Temple of Hymen, surrounded by allegoric figures, and, crowning all, the arms of the two houses with

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many mottos. There were, beside, ornaments in porcelain baskets of wrought gold and silver; in fact, the table was so perfectly covered between ornaments and dishes, that our Dwarf Peter could not find room, by any means, to make his usual circumambulation. I could not count the dishes or even venture to guess at their number; and the cellarer says the quantity of bottles of wine passes the power of any calculation-beside which, a hogshead of Hungarian wine was drank during the repast, which was called Barbara's wine. My father bought it on Barbara's birth-day, intending to use it on occasion of her marriage, according to the invariable habit in Poland. We have each a hogshead of wine bought at our birth, inscribed with our names, and kept for use on the days of our marriages. The cellarer says that if I allow mine to lie by for two years longer it will be delicious. There were numbers of toasts. They drank to the health and happiness of the married pair, to the King, the Duke of Courland, the primate, and all the clergy, the host and hostess, and the ladies; and after every toast they broke the bottle, a cannonade was fired, and a trumpet sounded. After a long dessert, a silence of some seconds having occurred, we thought my father would give the sign for us to rise from table; but we were mistaken, for calling the maitre d' hotel, he whis. pered something to him, on which he left the room, and presently returned .bringing a leather case which I had never seen before. From this case my father took a large cup of gold, enriched with precious stones. He held up to all eyes, and told that it came to him in direct succession from the ancient Romans, who were the founders of the family of Corvins; and that he had never opened its case since the day of his own marriage. He then took from the cellarer a bottle of very large size, covered with such venerable looking dust as fully attested its antiquity. He told us with a proud look that it was some years over one hundred years old; he emptied it into the cup; but finding that it did not suffice to fill it, he made up the deficiency with some of the same wine from another bottle; and then drank the whole contents without once taking the cup from his head. His toast was that drank in so many forms yesterday, "To the health and happiness of the newlymarried pair;" but it was received with

it

as great enthusiasm as at first; the band began to play its best, and the cannons bellowed their loudest. My father's example was then followed by all. The cup made the round of the table; and such were its virtues, that a hundred bottles of the same wine were emptied, after which coup de grace, all rose from table and quitted the room-as they best could.

It was now quite nightfall; the ladies repaired to their apartments to make another toilette, all but the bride and we, who were in full dress. Towards seven o'clock, when the vapours of the wine began to dissipate, a dance was proposed, which was opened by Barbara and the king's representative. Polonaises, minuets, and quadrilles followed; and as the night advanced, Mazourkas and Krackowiks were danced with great spirit. Kockanowski danced the Krakowiak with infinite grace and liveliness; and, according to the rule of this dance, having to sing some couplets which the others repeat, he improvised, while dancing with Barbara, some charming couplets to this effect-" To-night neither King nor Palatin would I be: I only ambition to be the happy Starost, he who wooed and won the loveliest of Poland's daughters, my partner in the dance, and his-for life!"

The dancing ceased and a chair was placed in the middle of the circle.The bride was seated thereon, and twelve young ladies commenced to undo her coiffure, singing the melancholy chant,

63 Barbara, it is all over, and we lose you, beloved." My mother removed her garland, and Madame Malachowska put on her head a very rich lace cap. I could have laughed exceedingly at this masquerade, which curiously altered Barbara's whole appearance, had I not observed that the chant of her former companions had renewed all her tears. Nevertheless, the cap became her extremely, and all declared that her husband would love her passionately. Of course, he will! how is it possible to do otherwise than love so sweet and gentle a creature?

The ceremony of the cap concluded, dancing recommenced, and the newfashioned dance, so popular at court, the Drabant, was gone through. Barbara danced with the minister, Borck, while the band played an extremely slow Polonaise. The Palatin Swidzinski next offered his hand, and the bride then went round and danced with every man in the room. As the Polonaise

is rather walking than dancing, it admirably adapts itself to the capabilities of all ages: so my father took a turn with Barbara, and then resigned her to the Starost, which was as it should be. This Polonaise terminated the ball, and my mother gave the signal for all to retire for the night. The elderly ladies possessed themselves of Barbara, and conducted her to the chamber prepared for her and her husband. Here, I am told, was renewed a scene of advice, congratulation, and tears!

I slept extremely well, having been greatly fatigued, but this morning I feel quite recovered. Ah! what a day of varied delight was yesterday! Such a diversity of scenes and all so deeply interesting! I danced much with the representative of the Prince Royal-far more than with any one else, finding him very amusing. His conversation is all brilliancy, which is only to be expected, as he is but one year returned from a long stay at Luneville and Paris. He is greatly attached to the Prince, and related many traits of him that show him worthy of all esteem. Indeed, he seldom spoke of any one else, and the subject never wearied me, for our attention has been so much awakened latterly towards the Prince by the public events in which he has figured as hero, that he occupies our thoughts, to the exclusion of all the rest of his royal relatives.

We anticipate that this will be another brilliant evening; but we must begin to dance early, for to-morrow being Ash Wednesday, we are not, of course, permitted to prolong our gaieties beyond midnight.

I have not seen Barbara this morning I beg pardon-the Starostine, for my mother will not permit us any longer to call her Barbara. Alas! all this morning I have missed her. Never did any morning appear so long. How shall I ever become reconciled to her absence? But I inherit her bed and her work-table, and have moreover all the honours of eldership. I am no longer Françoise, much less Fanchette, but am the young Starostine. Truly I require some compensation !

27th of February, Ash Wednesday. Here we are in gloomy Lent, and must languish another long year before we have another carnival!

Our guests begin to leave. The King's representative, Borck, is already gone, and the Starost and bride leave

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the day after to-morrow.
pany them as far as Sulgostov.

The Starost will not permit any strangers to be at his castle just now, as amusements are forbidden in Lent; but there is one exception in favour of the Castellan of Kochanowski's son.He has very earnestly entreated that this privilege may be accorded to him, and the Starost could not well refuse him any request, as he has been his schoolfellow.

I am perfectly enchanted at the prospect of going on this delightful journey. I shall see the castle and domains of my beloved sister. I find it extremely difficult to accustom my lips to speak always of her as the Starostine, but hope to overcome this, as all difficulties are overcome, by practice. My parents have never once called her otherwise than the Starostine since the hour of her marriage.

Since that hour I think Barbara has become very serious in her demeanour. She wears now no other robes than those with long trains, and it appears to me that this "grande toilette" makes her appear many years older. She really does look very sad, but I cannot wonder at her being so, as the time approaches for her to leave us all; and the idea of going away to live always with a man of whose tastes and character she can know scarcely any thing, is, after all, not very cheering. She behaves with the greatest timidity towards the Starost, but his manners towards her have quite altered. He is no longer silent towards her, and devoting all his attentions to my parents; he now speaks constantly to her, always calls her "my wife," sits much beside her, and, in fact, seems to think of nothing else!

Castle of Maleszow, Saturday, 9th of March, 1759.

We returned yesterday from Sulgostow, where I was exceedingly amused; but it is so melancholy not to bring back the Starostine with us. How fast time flies! It is a week since we left the castle.

On Wednesday last, when all our guests had left, Barbara repaired to the chapel at Lissow, to which she made a gift of a golden heart, this chapel being dedicated to her patron' saint. Then she made her adieux to the priest, who parted with her in tears, and bestowed his prayers and benedictions. Returning to the castle, she bade farewell to all the courtiers

and people of the suite, and then descending to the farin-yard, she distributed in presents all her ménage de demoiselle. She gave her cows, geese, and fowl, to a poor peasant whose house was lately burned, retaining only for herself two top-knot fowl and her swans, which she takes to Sulgustow. To me she has left her birds and her flowers. After this distribution of her possessions, she once more visited all parts of the castle, went to every room, even to the smallest closets, remaining for a long while in the chapel, and in Our own rooms, where she kissed every thing. Scarcely had we finished breakfast when we heard the noise of wheels, and the footman entered to announce that the carriages awaited us. The Starost approached Barbara, and said that the time had come for departure. Atthese words her heart swelled, and her eyes overflowed with tears.She flung herself at the feet of my parents, and between deep sobs pronounced some words of thanks for all their goodness to her, and for all the years of happiness they had caused her to pass. "Alas! all I can desire," said she, "is, that the future years of my life may be spent as happily as those I have passed with you."

For the first time in my life, I saw my father weep, and as to my mother, she was drowned in tears! Indeed, every one present wept; and oh! what tender benedictions flowed in upon dear sister!

this

When we arrived at the draw-bridge the captain of dragoons drew up his troops in a formidable line, and refused to give passage to the cortege unless the Starost would bind himself to bring Barbara back at some future period. He gave the required pledge in the shape of a diamond ring, and we were then permitted to pass on our way in peace.

During this colloquy I had time to examine the equipages of the Starost. They are really magnificent; and I suppose I am in duty bound, as journalist, to enumerate them. Well then the first was a splendid coach, deep yellow, lined with scarlet velvet. Then followed a handsome landau, after which came a caléche and several britschkas. The horses were all highly bred and singularly beautiful. The coach was for the bride and bridegroom, and was drawn by six lovely creatures, white as snow. The suite followed in the other chariots, and our carriages closed the pro

cession. The courtiers and peasants accompanied the carriage far on the way. Barbara flung to then all the money she had within reach; and as to the Starost, the magnificence of his liberality is quite beyond description. He showers money upon all, beginning with the maitre d'hotel and ending only with the lowest servant in the castle.

Wherever we stopped, whether to rest the horses or to pass the night, we were admirably served. The Starost sent on couriers, and we found all ready for our reception at each stage. The Jews, who are the proprietors of all the inns on the road, were turned out to make room for us. At a distance from Sulgostow, of about two miles, we were met by the Palatin and Abbé Vincent; and as we entered the domain of Sulgostow, we were received by the peasantry, headed by the bailiff, who offered to the bride bread and salt, and the oldest man present pronounced a discourse in Polish, ending with an expression of his wishes that the Starost and his bride might live an hundred years, which was echoed on all sides. Our entry to the palace court was greeted by a fire of musquetry from a company of hussars, and the captain presented arms to us. Palatin and his nephew and all his court received us at the grand entrance, and the court rang with acclamations.

The

The Starost presented an immense bunch of keys to the Starostine, and from the hour of rising next day, she assumed the management of every thing, and acquits herself to perfection. She is a model of order and regularity, directing all things, and with a precision and composure that does one good to behold. Now is seen the perfection of her education, for how could she acquit herself well in her present difficult position if my mother had not accustomed her to the management of household affairs from her earliest years?

Sulgostow is totally different from Maleszow one is a palace, the other a castle. Sulgostow is all gaiety, light, and splendour: luxury reigns in every department. The court is very numerous, the table said to be excellent, and all things conducted in the most admirable manner; but what chiefly interests us is, that every one seems to regard contributing to Barbara's pleasure as the first duty of life. She will very soon cease to regard our castle as her dear home.

I eat many very good things at Sulgostow, among the rest coffee, which I tasted for the first time in my life. My parents do not like it, and say it is particularly unwholesome for very young persons, as it heats the blood, and injures the skin. But I think they will shortly be reconciled to it, as it is now becoming pretty general in this country, where it has been but a short time introduced. I drank it whenever I was permitted; and the Starost, who takes it to excess, begged my parents to permit my drinking one small cup of it daily.

Apropos to coffee-we all laughed on calling to mind the verses of the poetess Druzbacka, who, describing the miseries of a young bride's arrival at the house of her Polish husband, says, "She found not there so much as one grain of coffee, but was presented instead with a huge tureen of soup made of beer and cheese (piwo grzane).” Certainly this was not the reception our Starostine met with!

I was very sorry to leave Sulgostow so soon. Michael Kockanowski was very amusing, extremely lively, and wherever we drove he was besides us at the carriage-door, to amuse us with a thousand fancies.

All the Starostine's tears were renewed when the time came for us to leave, and I never felt so sad in all my life.

12th of March, Tuesday. I knew how it would be! My sister has taken away all the gaiety, all the happiness of the castle. It is a perfect desert now! Nothing amuses me! The court is utterly stupid! Nobody is worth listening to!

My parents are also very sad. The Starostine being the eldest, was in the habit of being much with them, and had learned all their ways. I do my best, but cannot succeed nearly so well. I cannot fill my father's pipe so as to satisfy him, or choose such suitable shades of silk for my mother's embroidery. With the help of heaven, I may, after a time, become more adroit; but I shall never equal Barbara-(this once I must so call her)-for, though I am very sincere in my anxiety to do every thing, yet I have the worst memory in the world, and while I forget every thing, she never forgot any thing, but always had her wits about her, remembering how to be obliging and useful to all. When will the tears be dried that are shed for her departure?

My parents send a courier on tomorrow to make inquiries for the Starostine. All the gentlemen at the castle dispute for the honor of bearing this inquiry, and Michel Chronowski, who departs on tomorrow for Opole, regrets his old position, which would have insured him this privilege without any contention.

The castle grows daily more dull! For three days we have not had any visitors except some begging friars, and a gentleman from the neighbourhood, who came to present his new wife to my parents. He made one of our court formerly, and is now a very presentable sort of man. My dear," said he, addressing his wife, who had not said two words during the visit, "if I am a good husband and a judidicious father, be thankful for the same to the Starost and to the Maitre d' Hotel; to the first, because he never spared his reprimands; and to the second, because he was ever liberal of his cat-o'-nine-tails." This naif speech caused me the first smile I have for a long time felt inclined to.

A piece of little Matthew's fun set me laughing for ever so long. My mother, after the wedding, distributed among the young persons of the suite all my sister's clothes, as she got a completely new outfit for her marriage. During our absence at Sulgostow, they had altered and fitted on those articles, and presented themselves at mass on Sunday decked out in them, so that on whatsoever side we turned our eyes, we beheld a frock, spencer, mantle, or some unmistakeable relic of Barbara's wardrobe. Little Matthew was, of course, the first to comment on this masquerade, and being interrogated on the cause of a deep sigh he heaved, he replied with a penitent air, that he was sighing for the grievous sin he had committed, in not attending to one word of divine service, for that his heart had been beguiled by his eyes to go on a voyage of discovery after all the wardrobe of his dear departed friend, the Starostine; and that just as he was settled again to listen to the priest, a new object would present itself in the shape of a spencer or bonnet, or some such habiliment, and lo! his heart was off again in full chase after some souvenir of Barbara, suggested by the aforesaid rag. Every one laughed but Thecla, and I continued to find this speech so extravagantly amusing, for so long a time, that my

father became angry, and reminded