University of Virginia Library

THE WIDOW'S RETINUE.

In giving an account of the arrival of
Lady Lillycraft at the Hall, I ought to
have mentioned the entertainment which
I derived from witnessing the unpacking
of her carriage, and the disposing of her
retinue. There is something extremely
amusing to me in the number of factitious
wants, the loads of imaginary conveniences,
but real incumbrances, with which
the luxurious are apt to burden themselves.
I like to watch the whimsical
stir and display about one of these petty
progresses. The number of robustious
footmen and retainers of all kinds, bustling
about, with looks of infinite gravity
and importance, to do almost nothing.
The number of heavy trunks, and parcels,
and handboxes belonging to my
lady; and the solicitude exhibited about
some humble, odd-looking box, by my
lady's maid; the cushions piled in the
carriage to make a soft seat still softer,
and to prevent the dreaded possibility of
a jolt; the smelling-bottles, the cordials,
the basket of biscuit and fruit; the
new publications; all provided to guard
against hunger, fatigue, or ennui; the
led-horses to vary the mode of travelling;
and all this preparation and parade
to move, perhaps,