The discourse of people here, my dear Aunt, appears to me malicious; their civilities feigned; their confidences false; and their friendships resemble a rose, which pricks the hand of him who smells it. Every animal seeks its food, digs itself a hole, or builds itself a nest--sleeps--and dies. It is a melancholy reflection that the greatest part of mankind do _no more_. The employment which distinguishes them most from other animals, is the care of cloathing themselves, and their enmity to each other--the first of these engages the attention of millions of the younger people in this great city--while the more aged employ themselves in the last. Although pride is observable in a peacock and a horse, passion, in a tiger, gluttony in a wolf, envy in a dog, laziness in a monkey, and treachery in a cat, yet one does not find, in any animal whatever, falseness to their own species. A love of play, and building, are the characteristics of this age--our sex imitates the other as far as they can in the former--and having no _terra firma_ for the latter, and not contented with the ancient custom of castle-building, erect fabrics on their heads three stores high. The rage of building is so great, that nothing can check their ardour in it, although it has been the ruin of many individuals; and there are at present (it is said) fifteen hundred uninhabited houses in the two parishes of Saint Mary-le-bone and Pancras. Though the fortunes of most individuals are decreased in value by the rise of the prices of provisions, and other articles of expense, yet the houses, good enough twenty years ago, are now judged inadequate. Among many other reasons alledged for this, every woman of any tolerable fashion requires a room for her wardrobe: what formerly could be kept in a chest, occupies the space of a large apartment, as gowns (on account of their trimmings) cannot be folded. In short, my dear Aunt, all seem to walk in a vain show, and the curls of _the head_ are more attended to, than the sensations of _the heart_. I hope Mrs Dorothea Bingley is become more reasonable than to wish to force my dear friend's inclination to marry a man she detests. Don't you think, my dear aunt, that marrying to increase love, is like gaming to become rich; they only lose what little stock they had before. My brother desires his respectful compliments to you, as I beg mine may be acceptable to your Lord; and I ever am, with the greatest esteem, Your ladyship's affectionate, And obliged niece, ELIZA FINLAY. From the Countess of Darnley to Lady Eliza Finlay My Dear Niece,