OPINION OP ENGLISH SOCIETY. 9.5 able polish, it is owing in both to the in- herent soundness and firmness of its sub- stance. Soft bodies admit of little polish in them, therefore, recourse is had to varnish, which hides all flaws ; and the thicker it is applied, the more surely it conceals the meanness of the materials beneath its surface. A late brilliant female writer *, whose genius it would be a reflection on our own taste not to admire, and on our own can- dour not to extol ; has, towards the end ,of her admirable posthumous work, done, in general, noble justice to the English character. She had talents to appreciate, and opportunities to examine it, in its highest condition, and most advantageous forms. It must be observed, that we here presume to touch on no part of her able delineation of English habits and manners, but only so far as private society and conversation are concerned. On these points we are to look for her, ex- Madame de Stael.
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