Hastings,) a mind and character worthy of his esteem, they became, and ever since have remained, the most inseparable and attached friends. The Major, who is a relative of mine, shortly after introduced my father to his Lordship, and the acquaintance with our family, such was the conciliating affability of his manner, almost immediately cemented into warm regard. His Lordship, who was very partial to field sports, soon met with a corresponding disposition in me, and we generally enjoyed these sylvan recreations in each other's society twice a week during the proper season. During one of these excursions an occurrence took place, which, as it is to this day often referred to in the hour of conviviality by his Lordship as a sporting anecdote, I, by his desire, relate it here. On the last day of October, in the year 1816, I think, we went out snipe shooting, accompanied by a Captain Ferguson, of a dragoon regiment then quartered at Enniskillen. We found abundance of game, and the goodness of the sport induced us to continue the pursuit, till the descending shadows of evening disappointed our ardour, and reminded us to return. It was Hallow-eve, a popular festival in Ireland, and both Lord Huntingdon and myself had invited some particular friends to dine at our respective houses. We now therefore, left the field, covered with honourable mud, and bearing off ample spoils of victory, and hastened homewards. On reaching, however, the banks of a considerable river, across which lay our way, we had the mortification to find that some person, either for his own accommodation, or our annoyance, had carried our boat to the opposite shore. After consulting awhile in this awkward predicament, and reflecting, that any further delay would probably create alarm in our families, and perhaps suspicions among our guests of some breach of the laws of hospitality, held so sacred in that country, there appeared no alternative but that one

of the party should swim across and bring over the vessel. This, as the most amphibious of my readers will be inclined to allow, was no very delectable pastime for a cold, frosty, setting-in of November, and after a fagging day's sport. But it was no time to debate about comforts; the night was closing fast upon us, and nothing in the shape of succour appeared. We were all three expert swimmers, and having pledged ourselves to each other to abide the chance, we cast lots, and the glory of the enterprise became mine. I quickly plunged into the intercepting current, not indeed like Cassius, "armed and accoutred as I was," but prudently divested of my outer garments. Notwithstanding the icy and restricting embrace of the waves, which were so intensely cold as almost to arrest the blood in my veins, I breasted them "with lusty sinews and heart of controversy," till I reached the boat, of which I gladly took possession, and rowed back triumphant, but half petrified, to my anxious companions, who were in no small degree alarmed for my safety. We speedily joined our delighted families, where, round the social fire, and festive board, I soon forgot the biting and perilous rencontre with the waters, which it had been my destiny to sustain.

This intercourse tended to mature, and firmly rivet, that friendship with which I have been honoured, which I am proud to believe has remained unshaken on either part, though subjected, in the cross currents and false reckonings of human affairs, to no trifling shocks, and of which I devoutly say, Esto perpetuò! Our acquaintance, in proper course of time, became of such a confidential nature, as to put me in possession of his Lordship's views and interests, and I was intrusted with the management of all his concerns, in which the interference of a friend, or professional man, could be considered necessary. Though his Lordship has only re

cently succeeded to the dignity of the Peerage, and though his private fortune was comparatively limited, nevertheless he has always been enabled, through the excellent management of his beloved Countess, to live independent, and hold that highly respectable station in society, which belonged to his illustrious birth, without any unbecoming curtailment in his expenditure or equipage, or any abridgment of those social and hospitable enjoyments, which enhance domestic felicity. His residence was a rural, but elegant cottage, situated in a retired part of Enniskillen, and looking into a beautiful and romantic little garden, the foot of which, declining to the water's edge, was washed by the billows of Erne, curving through the contiguous valley, and embracing the island, on which the town stands, in a kind of transparent girdle. In this secluded spot, in the exercise of continual benevolence towards the poor, and of an elegant, but economical intercourse of hospitality with several families of the first distinction in that country, his Lordship, his amiable Countess, and lovely children, resided, till the commencement of the proceedings, which have terminated so fortunately. Of her Ladyship, I fully feel the propriety of speaking with respectful reserve, knowing, as I do, from a long and intimate acquaintance with her character, that I cannot say too much in reference to her merits, nor too little in view of that modesty and delicacy, which shrinks from every approach of praise. Yet I trust I may be permitted to gratify myself and my readers with a slight sketch, without incurring the imputation of either presumption or flattery. The present Countess of Huntingdon is in figure almost "all that the eye looks for in woman," elegantly tall, and finely shaped and proportioned. Her countenance is handsome, and derives a peculiar expression of vivacity and sentiment from a pair of bright and penetrating eyes. Her manners are perfectly dig

: