An Old-fashioned Girl by Louisa M. Alcott

my first visit to London. Having been educated abroad, it really

seems like coming to a strange city. At first the smoke, dirt and

noise were very disagreeable, but I soon got used to these things,

and now find all I see perfectly charming.

We plunged at once into a whirl of gayety and I have had no time

to think of anything but pleasure. It is the height of the season, and

every hour is engaged either in going to balls, concerts, theatres,

f^tes and church, or in preparing for them. We often go to two or

three parties in an evening, and seldom get home till morning, so

of course we don’t rise till noon next day. This leaves very little

time for our drives, shopping, and calls before dinner at eight, and

then the evening gayeties begin again.

At a ball at Lady Russell’s last night, I saw the Prince of Wales,

and danced in the set with him. He is growing stout, and looks

dissipated. I was disappointed in him, for neither in appearance

nor conversation was he at all princely. I was introduced to a very

brilliant and delightful young gentleman from America. I was

charmed with him, and rather surprised to learn that he wrote the

poems which were so much admired last season, also that he is the

son of a rich tailor. How odd these Americans are, with their

money, and talent, and independence!

O my dear, I must not forget to tell you the great event of my first

season. I am to be presented at the next Drawing Room! Think

how absorbed I must be in preparation for this grand affair.

Mamma is resolved that I shall do her credit, and we have spent

the last two weeks driving about from milliners to mantua-makers,

from merchants to jewellers. I am to wear white satin and plumes,

pearls and roses. My dress will cost a hundred pounds or more, and

is very elegant.

My cousins and friends lavish lovely things upon me, and you will

open your unsophisticated eyes when I display my silks and laces,

trinkets and French hats, not to mention billet deux, photographs,

and other relics of a young belle’s first season.

You ask if I ever think of home. I really have n’t time, but I do

sometimes long a little for the quiet, the pure air and the girlish

amusements I used to enjoy so much. One gets pale, and old, and

sadly fagged out, with all this dissipation, pleasant as it is. I feel

quite blas, already.

If you could send me the rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and gay spirits I

always had at home, I ‘d thank you. As you cannot do that, please

send me a bottle of June rain water, for my maid tells me it is

better than any cosmetic for the complexion, and mine is getting

ruined by late hours.

I fancy some fruit off our own trees would suit me, for I have no

appetite, and mamma is quite desol,e about me. One cannot live

on French cookery without dyspepsia, and one can get nothing

simple here, for food, like everything else, is regulated by the

fashion.

Adieu, ma chSre, I must dress for church. I only wish you could

see my new hat and go with me, for Lord Rockingham promised to

be there.

Adieu, yours eternally, FLORENCE.

“Yes, I do like that better, and I wish I had been in this girl’s place,

don’t you, Polly?” said Fan, as grandma took off her glasses.

“I should love to go to London, and have a good time, but I don’t

think I should care about spending ever so much money, or going

to Court. Maybe I might when I got there, for I do like fun and

splendor,” added honest Polly, feeling that pleasure was a very

tempting thing.

“Grandma looks tired; let ‘s go and play in the dwying-woom,” said

Maud, who found the conversation getting beyond her depth.

“Let us all kiss and thank grandma, for amusing us so nicely,

before we go,” whispered Polly. Maud and Fanny agreed, and

grandma looked so gratified by their thanks, that Tom followed

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