The extreme youth of my dear girls, my particular _object_ in leaving England being _truly_ the recovery of health for one of them; the recent losses which they had sustained, and my dislike of company, all conspired to preserve _us_ from the contagion of foreign influence; while I was enabled, by taking my young charge entirely from home, to break at once through a thousand ties which would have perplexed me exceedingly had I remained at Checkley. What I should have found much difficulty in _gradually_ unloosening, I have now boldly dissevered, I shall not hold myself under any obligation to resume the thread of acquaintance with any whose society may not be advantageous to my young people, who at present furnish me with ample excuse for declining _all_ invitations, and thus avoiding _jealousy_ on the part of our neighbours. Julia has never been in company, and is the only one of my girls whose age makes it _expected_ that she should go out. Bertha will suffer no _persecution_ as yet, and my little dear Agnes is _hors de combat_. Her delicate state affords me a reason, as genuinely sincere as it is opportune, for lying by in perfect tranquillity; and during this happy _interregnum_ I shall profit by your advice, and learn to act with decision when I am forced out of my retirement. As I consider myself only in the light of _guardian_, and have really no _stake_ in this country myself, even the most calculating of the neighbouring gentry must perceive that I am not bound to any particular style of life; and the more discriminating amongst them, I may hope, will give me credit for acting upon principle. This is all that I want. I know how impossible it is to _please_ every body, and indeed I wonder how an upright mind should desire the approval of a multitude made up of the most discordant elements; but I am much puzzled, notwithstanding, what course to steer, and shall require all your pilotage to keep me steadily in the right track. To give you an idea of my dilemma, I must tell you what sort of people we are living amongst, and present you with a survey of our vicinage, before you can be of use in directing my steps.