set down, at least I can answer for myself, to an insipid game.--Lady Stanley was marked down as a fine _pigeon_ by some of our ladies, and as a delicious _morçeau_ by the men. The gentle Baron seemed all aghast. I fancy he is a little disappointed in his expectations too.--Perhaps he has formed hopes that his soft sighs and respectful behaviour may have touched the lovely Julia's heart. He felt himself flattered, no doubt, at her giving him the preference in borrowing from his purse. Well then, his hopes are _derangé_, as well as mine.--But, _courage, mi Lor_, I shall play another game now; and peradventure, as safe a one, if not more so, than what I planned before.--I will not, however, anticipate a pleasure (which needs no addition should I succeed) or add to my mortification should I fail, by expatiating on it at present. Adieu! dear Montague! Excuse my _boring_ you with these trifles;--for to a man in love, every thing is trifling except the _trifle_ that possesses his heart; and to one who is not under the guidance of the _soft deity, that_ is the _greatest_ trifle (to use a Hibernicism) of all. I am your's most cordially, BIDDULPH. LETTER XXIII. To Miss GRENVILLE. Well, my dear Louisa, the important point I related the particulars of in my last is quite settled, and Sir William has been able to satisfy some rapacious creditors. Would to heaven I could tell you, the butcher, baker, &c. were in the list! No, my sister; the creditors are a vile set of gamblers, or, in the language of the _polite_ world--_Black-legs_. Thus is the purpose of my heart entirely frustrated, and the laudably industrious tradesman defrauded of his due. But how long will they remain satisfied with being repeatedly put by with empty promises, which are never kept? Good God! how is this to end? I give myself up to the most gloomy reflections, and see no point of time when we shall be extricated from the cruel dilemmas in which Sir William's imprudence has involved us. I vainly fancied, I should gain some advantages, at least raise myself in his opinion, from my generosity; but I find, on the contrary, he only laughs at me for being such a simpleton, to suppose the sale of five hundred a-year would set him to rights. It is plain, I have got no credit by my condescension, for he has not spent one day at home since; and his temper, when I do see him, seems more uncertain than ever.--Oh! Louisa! and do all young women give up their families, their hand, and virgin-affections, to be thus recompensed? But why do I let fall these expressions? Alas! they fall with my tears; and I can no more suppress the one than the other; I ought, however, and indeed do endeavour against both. I seek to arm my soul to support the evils with which I see myself surrounded. I beseech heaven to afford me strength, for I too plainly see I am deprived of all other resources. I forget to caution you, my dear sister, against acquainting my father, that I have