miles and not feel fatigued-they can climb, leap, and run capitally. They can speak fairly and very fluently in French, Italian, and English; and read tolerably in those languages too. Books were never forced upon them; but they both showed an early desire to read. They both sing easy music at sight very correctly, and have sweet voices. They have been allowed to sing in the choir of one of the churches here, to their great delight. Their love of music is very strong still, and it has been gratified fully since they came to Italy. They go to an early mass with François every morning, and, Protestant as we are, neither their mother nor I can forbid the gratification of this pure taste. It sounds quite comic to hear young English children talk about Mozart's or Haydn's mass in this or that key. The names of Palestrina and Pergolese are familiar in their mouths as household words. Frank is a famous hand at repeating poetry—and—the multiplication table. They are both fine healthy-looking children. Frank is the handsomer and stronger, but Arundel has no appearance of disease about him. Arundel is decidedly a genius, his mother says!" Not long after this letter was written, the Earl of Carleton and his family and suite returned to England. “We are happy to inform our readers," says an old morning paper which I found wrapped round a bundle of letters, “that the Earl of Carleton is in as perfect health as when he left England. He took part in the debate last night, and made a brilliant speech, which will be found fully reported in another column. "The Countess of Carleton is also quite recovered from the disorder which caused her to leave our damp climate for the genial air of the south three years ago. She has resumed her place in the starry hemisphere of fashion; and last evening received a large party of friends, who thronged eagerly to the house to do honour to her return, and congratulate her on her restoration to health. She has brought, it is reported, some valuable specimens of Italian pottery to add to her collection." The Shortly after, I find a brief note from the earl to my grandfather, begging him to come to London for a few days. chief object of the visit seems to have been to take the two boys to Eton, and to see "James" (i.e. my father), who had been there already two years. The viscount and Mr. Arundel are to have lodgings, with François to take charge of them; James is removed from his boarding-house to live with them, at the earl's special request; and as my grandfather says, in a letter to his sister, "to the great delight of the three boys. Frank and Arundel," he adds, " are sure to find the advantage of having a boy of fourteen for their friend on their first introduction to that new world." He seems to have been much pleased with the travelled children, pronouncing them, in every respect, superior to the generality of boys. "They are sure to do well!" he says. "God in mercy avert from that sweet child the doom which Dr. Ward prognosticated for him! The doctor is pleased with his appearance now, and attributes much good to the style of education the earl has adopted. It is a natural one, he says. If that be the case, how unnatural is what is called a good education! Certainly these boys are all that one could wish: but then, I cannot forget that they are naturally superior to most of the boys I ever saw-except their father." * |