'BRIGHTHELMSTONE INTELLIGENCE. _Brighthelmstone_ is the center _luminary_ of the _system_ of pleasure: Lymington, Southampton and all other places within the _sphere_ of its _attraction_, lose their gayest visitants, who fly to that resort:--the women, the pretty women, all hasten to see the _Paris_ of the day!--On Monday last, the Dukes of _Chartres_ and _Lauzun_, the Marquis _de Conflans_, the Comte _de Seguir_, and others, arrived to be present at the races. They came from France by the way of Dover, but had all their equipage sent over from _Dieppe_. The lively and engaging Comtesse _de Coniac_ was to have met them by the latter route at Brighthelmstone; but some dæmon, unfriendly to gallantry, and to this place, interposed, and procured an _arret_ to be expedited from the Queen of France's bedchamber, just as the sprightly belle was casting a longing eye from _Dieppe_ over to the British coast, and preparing to step into the pacquet. This is a prodigious disappointment to the company, and particularly to the _Prince_. His Highness gave an elegant dinner at his house on the _Steine_. The _Duc de Chartres_ and his friends were present: the meeting was festive and social. In the evening, this convivial party visited the Rooms: the company was genteel and numerous. The Prince danced with Lady _Elizabeth Conway_, and was acknowledged the best performer present. 'On Tuesday, the _Brighton Races_ began, which afforded but very little sport. The Duke of Queensberry's was the favourite horse, but lost; and the _Duc de Chartres_, who betted him against the field, got rid of a good deal of money on the occasion. The sport was not better the next day, but rather worse, on account of the badness of the weather. All the Ladies attended both days, mostly in carriages. Lady _Charlotte Bertie_ was the Constellation, or superior luminary of the course. _Micavit inter omnes, quantum inter ignes Luna minores._ Lady _Lincoln_, and her sister Lady _Betty Conway_, drove about in a phaeton, to the great annoyance of the beaux. 'The public entertainments at Brighthelmstone are, balls at the rooms twice a week, alternately at the _Ship_, and _Castle_, and plays, the other four nights, at the theatre. The balls are on Monday and Thursday; and no dress is required except in those that dance minuets. The rooms are, besides, open all the other nights for card parties, and on _Sunday_ for a promenade. The Prince has not yet missed the Play house once, when there has been a performance at it, since his arrival. The pleasurable daughters of the place, have at their head, Mrs. _Smith_, Mrs. _Elliot_, and Mrs. _Walker_; between whom an equipoise of rivalship and jealousy prevails, and what one has in a _dimple_, is counteracted by the lip, or the eye of the others.'[32]