aration eventually took place; but Count D'Orsay continued after the death of Lord Blessington to reside with Lady Blessington during the remainder of her life. Lord Blessington died at Paris in May, 1829.
Lady Blessington on her return to London made her house the centre of a brilliant circle of persons of social and intellectual eminence. She quickly became one of the celebrities of London; and for nearly twenty years the Salon, first of Seamore Place, and afterwards of Gore House, disputed the palm with those of Holland House as the resort of the learned, the witty, and the famous of the day.
In the twelfth letter of "the Pencillings," dated 1834, Mr. Willis gives an account of his first visit to Lady Blessington in London, then residing in Seamore Place, certainly more graphic than any other description of her réunions that has been given:—
"A friend in Italy had kindly given me a letter to Lady Blessington, and with a strong curiosity to see this celebrated authoress, I called on the second day after my arrival in London. It was 'deep i' the afternoon,' but I had not yet learned the full meaning of town hours. 'Her ladyship had not come down to breakfast.' I gave the letter and my address to the powdered footman, and had scarce reached home, when a note arrived inviting me to call the same evening at ten.
"In a long library, lined alternately with splendidly-bound books and mirrors, and with a deep window, of the breadth of the room, opening upon Hyde Park, I found Lady Blessington alone. The picture, to my eye,
