Every stranger, newly arrived and walking about London, has noted the effect of this prodigious town upon him; and how singularly he is lost in its immensity, overwhelmed by its grandeur, and bewildered amid its endless multiplicity of attractions. So it was with our little party. Excited by the thousand novel and dazzling objects, the hours fleeted away like minutes; and it was late before they had executed or even formed any plans. "Let us at least go somewhere," said Caroline. "Let us go to St. Paul's, or Westminster Abbey, or the Tower; and we have, beside, purchases to make--for ladies, you know, Mr. Franklin, have always shopping to do." "Well, as it is so late," said Mrs. Clifford, "and we have promised to call on Mrs. Porter at half past two, I propose to leave the lions for another morning, and only enjoy our walk to-day." "Then, ma'ma, let us go to that splendid shop, and look at the lace once more. Only think, Mr. Franklin, we yesterday saw lace, not broader than this, and I had a half fancy to buy some for a new dress--and what do you suppose it cost?" "I am little versed," said Franklin, "in such mysteries--five pounds, perhaps--" "Twelve pounds--twelve pounds and a half sterling--sixty American dollars. I never saw any thing so superb. Ma'ma says I ought not even to look at such a luxury." "But is lace really such a luxury?" inquired Franklin, smiling. "You can have no idea how exquisite this is!" "As for me," rejoined Franklin, "I can never tell whether a lady's lace is worth twelve pounds or twelve cents. Although, I hope, not insensible to the general effect of a toilette, yet lace and diamonds, and all that sort of thing, are lost upon me entirely." "Oh, you barbarian!" "Real beauty was never heightened by such ornaments, and ugliness is invariably rendered more conspicuous and ugly." "You will not find many ladies," said Mrs. Clifford "to agree with you." "Oh, yes! How often do we hear of belles, as distinguished for the simplicity of their toilette, as for the beauty of their persons. How often in real life, and how frequently in novels. There you read that, while the other ladies are shining in satin and lace, and blazing in diamonds, the real rose of the evening eclipses them all in a plain dress of white, without jewels, like some modest flower, unconscious of her charms, and therefore attracting more attention." "Well, I declare," said Mrs. Clifford, smiling, "it is just as you say!" "And what does Miss Caroline think of my attack on lace and diamonds?"