My ears still ring with the sounds of "O Jack! O Jack! How do the dear Lichfieldians? What do they say? What are they about? What did _you_ do while you were with them?" Have patience, said I, good people! and began my story, which they devoured with as much joyful avidity as Adam did Gabriel's tidings of heaven. My mother and sisters are all very well, and delighted with their little Frenchman, who is a very agreeable lad. Surely you applaud the fortitude with which I left you! Did I not come off with flying colors? It was a great effort, for, alas! this recreant heart did _not second_ the smiling courage of the _countenance_; nor is it yet as it ought to be, from the hopes that it may reasonably entertain of seeing you all again e'er the winter's dreary hours are past. Julia, my dear Julia, gild them with tidings of our beloved Honora! Oh, that you may be able to tell me that she regains her health, and her charming vivacity! Your sympathizing heart partakes all the joys and pains of your friends. Never can I forget its kind offices, which were of such moment to my peace! _Mine_ is formed for friendship, and I am blessed in being able to place so _well_ the purest passion of an ingenuous mind! How am I honored in Mr. and Mrs. Seward's attachment to me! Charming were the anticipations which beguiled the long tracts of hill, and dale, and plain that divide London from Lichfield! With what delight my eager eyes _drank_ their first view of the dear spires! What rapture did I not feel on entering your gates! in flying up the hall steps! in rushing into the dining-room! in meeting the gladdened eyes of dear Julia and her enchanting friend! That instant convinced me of the truth of Rousseau's observation, that "there are _moments_ worth ages." Shall not those moments return? Ah, Julia! the cold hand of absence is heavy upon the heart of your poor _cher Jean_. He is forced to hammer into it perpetually every consoling argument that the magic wand of hope can conjure up, viz., that every moment of industrious absence advances his journey, you know whither. I may sometimes make excursions to Lichfield, and bask in the light of my Honora's eyes! Sustain me, Hope!--nothing on my part shall be wanting which may induce thee to _fulfill_ thy blossoming promises. The happy social circle--Julia, Honora, Miss S----n, Miss B----n, her brother, Mr. S----e, Mr. R----n, etc., etc.--are now, perhaps, enlivening your dressing-room, the dear _blue region_, as Honora calls it, with the sensible observation, the tasteful criticism, or the elegant song; dreading the iron-tongue of the nine-o'clock bell, which disperses the beings whom friendship and kindred virtues had drawn together. My imagination attaches itself to _all_, even the _inanimate_ objects which surround Honora and her Julia; that have beheld their graces and virtues expand and ripen--my dear Honora's--from their infant bud.