MANŒUVRERS.

On the subject of a female manœuvrer whole volumes might be written, for woman goes so much more into detail than man. One or two samples present themselves at this moment, in the list of my own acquaintance, which leave even Miss Edgeworth’s admirable portrait far behind. These creatures, not only in their most trivial actions, “pèsent l’apparent, le douteux, et le possible,” but, by the very depth and intricacy of their calculations, their “politiques aux choux et aux raves,” defeat the purpose they wish to effect, by the means they take to accomplish it. I have one of these manœuvriers at present before me;—here she goes!—But, here is a bill of fare to write, and though character will keep cool—cooks won’t. So “revenons à notre mouton.” It is quite horrible how housekeeping crosses authorship. What fame may I not have forfeited, by getting up a dinner instead of a book!