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great scientist or genius, and the conversation resembles that of a French grammar. And so it goes. But all this is society, and it is all fine and true, though with foibles that amuse, and little awkwardnesses that grate, and stiffness that chills. Every one is of importance in his own circle; how important will be shown by his universality.

Some English ladies, in lunching at the house of one of the best families, said that it was the first they had seen where manners were so simple that they dared to ask if they might see the laundry and the kitchen. People are more shy than cold, and more self-conscious and self-deprecatory than shy; they honestly do not think any one can care to know them, or that they can give, in their own personality, any pleasure. Why is it that, with caste in every direction, the best society, as such, does not exist? It is owing to wretched self-consciousness, ambitions, and want of calm self-respect, and it is the real excellence, the