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184
ROMANCE AND REALITY.

larly as its title-page to precede it. Of course, I read this setting forth of my thoughts, words, and actions; and was rather dismayed to find how little I knew of myself."

"It is certainly in the destiny of some individuals to be the idols of the circulating library. The Duchess of Devonshire, of whom I heard Lafayette say, when he showed me her picture, that her loveliness was the most lovely of his remembrances—was the fortune of seven novels to my own reading knowledge. I cannot enumerate the many of which Lord Byron was hero, under the names of Lord Harold, Lord Lara, Count Monthermer, &c. His throne was then filled by a woman; and Lady Jersey has furnished the leading feature of thirty volumes. Brummel has figured on the stage three times (but he is quite an historical personage); and Lord and Lady Ellenborough were subjects for two sets of three volumes. We have been enlightened with divers slight sketches of others; but those I have named have hitherto been principals in the field of fiction."

"I often wonder at many that are omitted. Now, Lord Petersham I should have thought the idéal of a modern hero: Lady Dacre, dramatist, poet, could they not have made a