Mr.
Holly, in an affecting letter to the ACADEMY, states that he
recognises in this picture "an admirable though somewhat archaic
portrait of SHE." There can thus be little or no doubt that SHE
was Rhodopis, and therefore several hundred years older than she
said. But few will blame her for being anxious not to claim her
full age.
This unexpected revelation appears to throw light on some
fascinating peculiarities in the behaviour of SHE.
{6} The great intimacy between Mrs. Proudie and Mrs. Quiverful,
indicated by Mrs. Proudie's use of the Bishop's Christian name--and
that abbreviated--has amazed the discoverer and editor of her
correspondence.
{7} This signature of Mrs. Proudie's is so unusual an assumption
of the episcopal style, that it might well cast a doubt on the
authenticity of her letter. But experts pronounce it genuine.
"Barnum," of course, is "Baronum Castrum," the rather odd Roman
name of Barchester.
{8} It has been seen that Mrs. Quiverful did not obey this
injunction.
{9} This man was well known to Sir Walter Scott, who speaks of his
curious habits in an unpublished manuscript.
{10} Mr. Forth, we are sure, is quite wrong, and none of the
scholars he quotes has said anything of the kind.
{11} "He" clearly means, not Addison, but Professor Forth, the
lady's husband.
{12} It was not Asiatics, but Aztecs; not Pittites, but Hittites!
Woman cares little for these studies!--A.
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