Your constant and truly Affectionate Friend, (_Signed_) KATHERINE TYRCONNEL."
"P.S.--The duke, Adelaide, and my sisters, desire their kindest remembrance to you and your excellent prelate."
Sweet are the uses of adversity; Which, like the toad, ugly and venemous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head: And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing.
The Duke of Tyrconnel and his family, and particularly the lovely Adelaide, were delighted with the tranquillity of Brussels, and often, accompanied by Sir David Bruce, they gladly sojourned at the ancient chateau of Tervuren, about three leagues distant from Brussels, and situated in the forest of Soignies, where a cold collation was frequently prepared for them, and which they not only seemed to relish, but were happier in its enjoyment than although it had been served to them on golden plate in palaces of kings.
Upon one of these pleasant excursions the duke, who was riding next Sir Patricius Placebo, while passing through the forest his Grace said: "I never, Sir Patricius, felt so happy--so far, at least, as regards my own personal feelings--as now I do, and always feel upon these our little expeditions, if I could forget--if indeed I ever could forget that my royal master is an exile from his dominions! Save this consideration, I repine not for myself, nor would I exchange social leisure and rural retirement for all the pomp of camps and courts, and power political."
"I fully concur," rejoined Sir Patricius, "in your Grace's sentiments, and in the words of a true AMICUS I may thus reply:--
"I would not change it: happy is your Grace That can translate the stubbornness of fortune Into so quiet and so sweet a style."
The duke now rode up to the side of the carriage to make some observations to the duchess, when Sir David said:--
"I think, nevertheless, good Sir Patricius, with old truth-telling Persius,
'At pulchrum est digito monstrari, et dicier HIC EST!'
that it could not surely have been altogether so very disagreeable to be pointed out as a distinguished person of rank, who was respected by the multitude, and one every way so deserving of it; and to hear their hoarse, but gladdened voices exclaim, 'make way there! room, room for the duke!"