stranger; and she resolved to make the Brill her home till the fate. of France was decided, an event which was then thought at no great distance but it seemed decreed by Providence that Hubertine should only experience disappointments on this side of the grave.

Six years had only elapsed since the Dutch had been in a state of insurrection; in fact, it was still hidden, only under a veil of well-dissembled loyalty, waiting to shew itself when a convenient opportunity offered; and the time appeared as if it was now arrived. The disasters of a recent campaign had created an abhorrence to the measures which the Stadtholder had pursued; and on seeing the reinforcements now preparing to join the army, the disaffected Hollanders loudly vociferated-"See what brave fellows are compelled to march to the shambles!" This created in the soldiery a dispirited sort of alarm: they performed their preparations with visible reluctance and great delay:

they appeared disheartened, and looked upon their baggage waggons as if they were taking a survey of their hearses. The drums and fifes, which so wonderfully exhilirate the spirits on some occasions, now sounded in their ears a dead march. The Stadtholder was alarmed at this appearance in his troops; but complimenting them on their martial appearance, he rallied their spirits, and expressing the high sense he entertained of their renowned valour, told them that he considered them as the defenders of their country. His smiles and attention had the wished-for effect, and they departed with more cheerfulness than could have been expected. But if even a few thousands of the inhabitants heaved a sigh for loyalty, and prayed for a safe return of those brave troops, and that they might be crowned with laurels, greater numbers scrupled not openly to express their wishes that they might be vanquished.

The fury of party now reigned in Holland; and even the love of gain gave way to this infatuation. The richest merchants espoused the cause of French liberty, although sensible that if the principles of equality were universally adopted, they must divide that wealth which they had accumulated by years of industry with the sons of freedom, for they, in fact, could not be gainers, but great losers.

The situation which Captain H. held in Holland made him very obnoxious to the Dutch; and Hubertine saw that if very great changes did not soon take place on the continent, that her sister and herself must be compelled to return to England. This she extremely regretted, as she was with relations and friends. whose pursuits were similar to her own, She was passionately fond of music several emigrants were then at the Brill, who excelled in that delightful science, and they had frequent concerts and balls. A private theatre was attached to the

house; and as Mrs. H. was highly accomplished, and possessed fascinating manners, she very often indulged her friends with theatrical amusements.

The country appeared to be the residence of peace and plenty: the wellcultivated grounds, the beautiful white cottages, and comfortable farm houses, were objects highly pleasing: and the water excursions were delightful. Hubertine preferred the society of the French, as the Dutch parties were too formal to prove agreeable to her, and she had an invincible dislike to tobacco. The ceremony at these Dutch routs was insupportable: the custom of sitting with the feet on a box containing a stove, which is supplied with burning turf or live ashes, was intolerable; and the gentlemen's spitting boxes were extremely disgusting. Fortunately these visits were not of long duration, as supper was never introduced: but when a supper was given, it always comprehended a card party,

with the enormous et cetera of tea, coffee, punch, cakes, &c. all of which were handed separately at least six or eight times to each person. These feasts generally begin about five in the afternoon, and end about one in the morning, the whole of which time is passed in smoaking and gormandizing.

Captain H. in the course of a few months informed his family that it would be advisable to hold themselves in readiness to sail for England at a moment's notice, as the Dutch now openly favoured the French party, and the Prince of Orange was no longer in security at the Hague.

Of the Baron de St. Aubert, Hubertine could gain no intelligence: he had left the army of the Prince of Condé, and no one knew to what place he had gone. After eighteen months residence in Holland, Hubertine once more saw her native land. This was a subject of deep regret to her; every place she passed