My uncle has made a point of our accepting several invitations, though he is not able to dine out himself; and the only pleasure which I derive from compliance with his wishes in this matter, is found in the amusement which our remarks afford to this dear and pleasant host, who would be a gem in society himself were bodily weakness not to impede the flow of a mind replete with sense and information. To enjoy at _home_ the conversation of three such beings as mamma, Mr. Otway, and my uncle, has the effect perhaps of making me fastidious; but the goddess of dulness seems to have taken under her especial care every dinner-party in which I have been forced to mingle since I came into Hampshire. While we are in the drawing-room there is an attempt sometimes made to take _us_ into the circle, which would be very diverting to witness as a mere looker on, but which is very fatiguing to those who must reply. There is a certain activity of manner, apparently quite distinct from natural good spirits, which seems to be the fashion at present amongst the young people of my own sex; and they assail me with an incessant _giggle_, forming a running accompaniment to the silliest, most objectless questions about Ireland, as if it were a kingdom in the moon. One tells me that she wonders I do not speak with a brogue; another asks whether there are public amusements in _Dublin_, a third inquires whether “the castle” is really a castle or not, and before it is possible to answer, hops off to something else; a fourth absolutely entreated me to tell her whether there were not still existing in the remoter parts of the island, a few of the aboriginal wild Irish with wings, and laughed immoderately at her own wit. All these flat stupidities are uttered with an air of hilarity so perfectly uncalled for, by the occasion, that it makes me stare. If the object be to proclaim that the spirits never flag, the method is _round-about_, only proving the fact by implication that _if_ people can laugh _without_ reason, they must, by an irresistible argument, be supposed capable of excitement when any cause of merriment appears. From girls of my own age I have flown to the matrons, in hope of some relief from “lively dulness which ever loves a joke;” and so far I have not been disappointed, that in joining the elder groups I have found _rest_, because, not being prepared to enter upon the subjects which they discussed, I have quietly sat by, recovering my spirits while they talked of their nurseries, indispositions, and all the births, marriages, and deaths, past, present, and to come, of the whole county.