{10} This _somehow_ and _somewhere_ existence of people of Fashion might lead a stranger to suppose, that they have no permanent dwelling-place. He must, however, be told, that, while they are thus migrating from place to place, without comfort, and without respect, many of them are actually turning their backs upon the conveniences of a family mansion, and the consequence of a dependent tenantry. This disposition to emigration in persons of distinction, has been so admirably noticed in a late elegant and interesting work, that I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of transcribing the passage. “That there exists at present amongst us a lamentable want of rural philosophy, or of that wisdom which teaches a man at once to enjoy and to improve a life of retirement, is, I think, a point too obvious to be contested. Whence is it else, that the ancient mansions of our nobility and gentry, notwithstanding all the attractions of rural beauty, and every elegance of accommodation, can no longer retain their owners, who, _at the approach of winter_, _pour into the metropolis_, _and even in the summer months wander to the sea-coast or to some other place of Fashionable resort_? This unsettled humour, in the midst of such advantages, plainly argues much inward disorder, and points out the need as well as the excellency of that discipline which can inspire a pure taste of nature, furnish occupation in the peaceful labours of husbandry, and, what is nobler still, open the sources of moral and intellectual enjoyment.”—_Preface to Rural Philosophy_, _by_ ELY BATES, Esq. p. 9. {12} His Majesty’s Birth-Day. {29} Vide Paley’s Mor. Philos. vol. i. p. 1. {42} For an account of this transaction, see the trial of Captain Macnamara for the murder of Colonel Montgomery; in which it will appear, that though the Captain admitted _the fact_, yet the jury acquitted him of the _crime_. Such complaisance on the part of juries is particularly favourable to this summary mode of terminating differences. Fatal duels are now become almost as common as highway robberies, and make almost as little impression upon the public mind. The _murdered_ is carried to his grave, and the _murderer_ received back into society, with the same honour, as if the one had done his duty in sacrificing his life, and the other had only done _his_ in taking it away. {53} “In the worst moments of his pain he cried out, that he sincerely hoped, _the agonies he then endured might expiate the sins he had committed_.” * * * * “I wish with all my soul (says the writer of the Memoir) that the unthinking votaries of dissipation and infidelity could all have been present at the death-bed of this poor man; could have heard his expressions of contrition for his past misconduct, and of _reliance upon the mercy of his Creator_.”—_Vide Memoir of the late Lord Camelford_, _by the Rev. —_, &c.