Crayton is not exactly such a puritan as he is himself; that he has gambled away money enough to build four-and-twenty chapels all in a row. Every irregularity of his life will be dragged into notice, and as your _good_ people are stubborn as mules in performing what they call their "_duty_," we shall have postage to pay for some of your aunt's homilies, and not only that, but folks who know nothing of the world, act so entirely without line or compass, that I should not be surprised if she took up her pen, and committed the monstrous absurdity of addressing a _tract_ to Crayton himself. To prevent such an absurdity must be our care, and silence is the only plan to pursue with your Kerry relations. If possible, your mother will write a few lines herself, but lest she should be hindered from doing so, I may as well mention that Lady Araminta Sandes strongly recommends a practice of which she has lately set the example, insisting on the insertion of a clause in every modern marriage settlement, to secure a proper provision for the lady, in case of a _separation_. I think the council _so_ good, that whenever it comes to _my_ turn, I am resolved to stipulate for at least a thousand a year. The Duchess of Naresbury has fitted up her _pallazo_ in the best style, and intends to be very splendid; but she will never _be one of us_, with all her endeavours. She is to be "at home" on the twenty-first of next month, and Crayton asked her permission to take young Fancourt, who is just come back from his travels, along with him to her house. The Duchess forgot who he was, and when _Cray._ had _ticketed_ him like a geranium in the conservatory, "honorable Augustus, second son to Lord Alison, a very fine young man, and my particular friend," her Grace drew herself up with as much dignity as if she was going to pronounce sentence, and answered, "Lord Crayton, I make it a point not to give any encouragement to younger brothers, 'tis a dangerous folly, of which sooner or later one has to repent. I am sorry for it, but I cannot make exceptions. I _cannot_ receive Mr. Augustus Fancourt." Now, the rule is certainly _sound_, though this was rather an extreme case; but you know that our charming Byron says, somewhere or other,--I forget the lines, ----And pious mothers Inquired had they fortunes, and if they had brothers.