happier, less care-worn party could not have been assembled. "This is

better, Mamma," said Clara, "than being in that dismal London, where you

often cry, and never laugh as you do now."--"Silence, little foolish

thing," replied her mother, "and remember any one that mentions London is

sent to Coventry for an hour."

Soon after, Raymond arrived. He did not join as usual in the playful spirit

of the rest; but, entering into conversation with Adrian and myself, by

degrees we seceded from our companions, and Idris and Perdita only remained

with the children. Raymond talked of his new buildings; of his plan for an

establishment for the better education of the poor; as usual Adrian and he

entered into argument, and the time slipped away unperceived.

We assembled again towards evening, and Perdita insisted on our having

recourse to music. She wanted, she said, to give us a specimen of her new

accomplishment; for since she had been in London, she had applied herself

to music, and sang, without much power, but with a great deal of sweetness.

We were not permitted by her to select any but light-hearted melodies; and

all the Operas of Mozart were called into service, that we might choose the

most exhilarating of his airs. Among the other transcendant attributes of

Mozart's music, it possesses more than any other that of appearing to come

from the heart; you enter into the passions expressed by him, and are

transported with grief, joy, anger, or confusion, as he, our soul's master,

chooses to inspire. For some time, the spirit of hilarity was kept up; but,

at length, Perdita receded from the piano, for Raymond had joined in the

trio of "Taci ingiusto core," in Don Giovanni, whose arch entreaty was

181

The Last Man