The simplicity, gentleness, and warm feelings of the village maiden, excite a strong interest for her, even when worked upon by Vanity; that alloy which, alas for Woman's virtue and happiness! is too frequently found mixed up in the pure ore of her nature.
The childish delight with which poor "Margaret" contemplates the trinkets presented by her lover; the baleful ascendency acquired over her by her female companion; and her rapid descent in the path of evil when, as is ever the case, the commission of one sin entails so many, render this drama a very effective moral lesson.
Of all Goethe's works, _Faust_ is the one I most like; and, of all his female characters, "Margaret" is that which I prefer.

A fine vein of philosophy runs through the whole of this production, in which the vanity of human knowledge without goodness was never more powerfully exemplified.
"Faust," tempted by the desire of acquiring forbidden knowledge, yields up his soul to the evil one; yet still retains enough of the humanity of his nature to render him wretched, when her he loves, and has drawn ruin on, suffers the penalty of his crime and of her love.
Exquisitely has Goethe wrought out the effects of the all-engrossing passion of the poor "Margaret"-- a passion that even in madness, still clings to its object with all woman's tenderness and devotion, investing even insanity with the touching charm of love.

How perfect is the part when, endeavouring to pray, the hapless "Margaret" fancies that she hears the gibbering of evil spirits interrupting her supplications, so that even the consolation of addressing the Divinity is denied her! But the last scene--that in the prison--is the most powerful of all.
Never was madness more touchingly delineated, or woman's nature more truly developed;--that nature so little understood by those who are so prone to pervert it, and whose triumphs over its virtues are always achieved by means of the excess of that propensity to love, and to believe in the truth of the object beloved, which is one of the most beautiful characteristics in woman; though, wo to her! it is but too often used to her undoing.
The feelings of poor "Margaret" are those of all her sex, ere vice has sullied the nature it never can wholly subdue.
Mr.and Mrs.Hare left Paris to-day.

I regret their departure; for she is lively and agreeable, and I have known him so long, and like him so well, that their society afforded me pleasure.
A large party at dinner, yesterday; among whom, was Mr.M----, who has acquired a certain celebrity for his _bons mots_.

He is said to be decidedly clever, and to know the world thoroughly: appreciating it at its just value, and using it as if formed for his peculiar profit and pleasure.