ECCENTRIC MR. BRYANT.

Feb. 9-This morning, soon after my breakfast, the princess royal
came to fetch me to the queen. She talked of Mrs. Delany all the
way, and in terms of affection that can never fail to raise her
in the minds of all who hear her. The queen was alone; and told
me she had been so much struck with the Duke of Suffolk's letter
to his son, in the Paston collection,(231)

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that she wished to hear my opinion of it. She then condescended
to read it to me. It is indeed both instructive and interesting.
She was so gracious, when she dismissed me, as to lend me the
book, desiring me to have it sent back to her apartment when I
went to dinner.

I had invited Mr. Bryant to dinner. He came an hour before, and
I could not read "Paston," but rejoiced the more in his living
intelligence. We talked upon the "Jew's Letters,"
which he had lent me. Have I mentioned them? They are a
mighty well written defence of the Mosaic law and mission,
and as orthodox for Christians as for Jews, with regard to their
main tenor, which is to refute the infidel doctrine of Voltaire
up to the time of our Saviour.

Before our dinner we were joined by 'Mr. Smelt ; and the