I was not remarkable for my beauty as a young girl, but I am told there was something very interesting in me; and my manners were so winning, that I was a general favourite with all, except the servants, who found me one too many for them. My maiden name was B--ff--n; and my father, who was a C--l M--rch--nt, in an extensive way of business, resided in K--nt--sh T--wn, and had dealings with some of the first families in the neighbourhood. I was christened Caroline, after my mamma, who was nearly related to the R--msb--tt--ms, whose noble ancestor, F--tz-R--msb--tt--m, came into England with the Conqueror, and mamma says his name was once on the Roll of Battle Abbey. Mr. R--msb--tt--m, who was the uncle of mamma’s first husband’s brother’s wife, is still possessed of an extensive seat near C--nt--rbury, remarkable for its antiquity. My mamma, who was justly proud of the noble blood which flows in the veins of our family, brought my father considerable property; which, however, owing to his being of a very generous disposition, he soon ran through. So that when I was born, he was endeavouring to recruit his fortune, by carrying on the noble business of a merchant; and was even then possessed of several fine vessels, which used to come up the R--g--nt’s Canal, and be moored off the sweet, pretty little wharf of his, studding its banks. My education was chiefly superintended by my beloved mamma, who could not bear to part with her little “duck’s-o’-diamonds,” (as she would fondly call me,) until I had reached the advanced age of fourteen, when my papa prevailed upon her to allow him to send me over to a highly fashionable finishing academy at Boulogne-sur-mer, in _le belle France_, where I learnt every accomplishment that can adorn a lady. I soon became such a proficient in the tongue, and acquired so perfect an accent, that my schoolmistress assured mamma (when she came to fetch me home) that I could speak it “_tout-à-fait comme une natif_,” (that is, quite like a native of the country,) and which I have found to be of great service to me in after-life.