in your house, he will cut you dead in London. I remember once meeting
with such a return, but took it, of course, very coolly. Next day,
when I was arm in arm with ---- ----, I happened again to meet my
quondam friend, who immediately rushed up to me--I, however, turned
on my tail, and did not know him.--Fashion is an odd thing after all.
It is not rank which will do. I have seen many a spendthrift young
commoner cut his uncle the duke; and being a duchess by no means
will ensure admittance at Almack's.--I thank my stars, I am not
fashionable, and am always happy to see my friends!

I was persuaded, soon after reaching London, to go down to Essex for
a few days, to pay a visit to an old friend. When I arrived at his
house, which I think they called Waltham Abbey, I was sorry to receive
the melancholy accounts that he had been devoured, and that, if I did
not instantly take myself off, I should be dealt with in the same
manner. The truth was, that a famine had arisen; and it is well known,
on those occasions, as necessity has no law, that the stronger kills
the weaker. Day after day the combat is renewed, till at last all
except one are destroyed, and he is then obliged to decamp, or eat
himself up, as he likes best. It is in this way that castles, houses,
&c. which have been long infested by us, are so suddenly entirely
freed from our presence.

I amused myself in making an excursion to Epping Forest, till I
thought the civil war at my late friend's habitation might have
proceeded far enough for my presence to be useful. In the forest,
one day, I had the luck to kill one of those troublesome reptiles--a
Tom Cat. I believe, however, it was a house one. After a hard day's
hunting his highness made too free at a Valerian party. I watched my
opportunity, and soon put an effectual end to his caterwauling. When