forget yourself in that thought, for you are almost the only woman to whom one can fafely address the praises of another. Befides, can you imagine a man of my importance fo' ftupid, as to say fine things to you before your husband? Let us fee how far Lady M. herself dares do any thing like it, with all the wit and address she is mistress of. If Sir Robert can be fo ignorant (now he is left to himself in the country) to imagine any fuch matter, let him know from me, that here in town every thing that lady fays, is taken for fatire. For my part, every body knows it is my conftant practice to speak truth, and I never do it more than when I call myself

Your, &c.

You

LETTER IV.

OU have put me into fo much gaiety of temper, that there will not be a serious word in this day's letter. No more, you'll say, there would, if I told you the whole serious business of the town. All last night I continued with you, tho' your unreasonable regularity drove me out of your doors at three a clock. I dream'd all over the evening's conversation, and faw the little bed in fpite of you. In the morning

morning I waked, very angry at your phantom for leaving me so abruptly.--I know you delight in my mortification. I dined with an old Beauty; fhe appear'd at the table like a Death's head enamell'd. The Egyptians, you know, had fuch things at their entertainments; but do you think they painted and patched them? However, the last of these objections was foon removed; for the Lady had fo violent an appetite for a falmon, that he quickly eat all the patches off her face. She divided the fish into three parts; not equal, God knows; for fhe helped Gay to the head, me to the middle, and making the reft much the largest part, took it herself, and cried very naively, I'll be content with my own tail.

My fupper was as fingular as my dinner. It was with a great Poet and Ode-maker (that is, a great poet out of his wits, or out of his way.) He came to me very hungry; not for want of a dinner (for that I fhould make no jeft of) but, having forgot to dine. He fell moft furiously on the broiled relics of a fhoulder of mutton, commonly called a blade-bone: he profeffed he never tafted fo exquifite a thing! begged me to tell him what joint it was; wondered he had never heard the name of this joint, or seen it at other tables; and defir'd to know how he might direct his butcher to cut out the fame

for

for the future? And yet this man, fo ignorant in modern butchery, has cut up half an hundred heroes, and quartered five or fix miferable lovers in every tragedy he has written. I have nothing more to tell you to-day.

You

LETTER V.

The Answer.

all

OU should have my day too, Sir, but in deed I slept it out, and fo I'll give you that was left, my laft Night's entertainment. You know the company. I went in late, in order to be better received; but unluckily came in, as Deuce-ace was flinging (Lord H. would fay I came in the Nick.) The Lady colour'd, and the men took the name of the Lord in vain: No body spoke to me, and I sat down disappointed; then affecting a careless air, gap'd, and cried seven or eight times, D'ye win or lofe? I could safely say at that moment I had no tempication to any one of the feven, lively find; and in the innocent way I was, happy had it been for me, if I had died! Moralizing fat I by the hazard-table; I looked upon the uncertainty of riches, the decay of beauty, and the crash of worlds with as much contempt as ever VOL. VII. Plato

M

up

Plato did. But ah! the frailty of human nature! fome ridiculous thought came into my head, weakened my paffions, which burft forth into a violent laughter: I rofe from my feat, and not confidering the just resentments of the lofing gamefters, hurl'd a ball of paper cross the table, which ftop'd the dice, and turn'd feven instead of five. Curs'd on all fides, and not knowing where to fly, I threw myself into a chair, which I demolish'd and never fpoke a word after. We went to supper, and a lady faid, Mifs G. looks prodigiously like a Tree. Every body agreed to it, and I had not curiofity to afk the meaning of that sprightly fancy: Find it out, and let me know. Adieu, 'tis time to dress, and begin the business of the day.

PRA

LETTER VI.

In the Style of a Lady.

fo

RAY what is your opinion of Fate? For I must confess I am one of those that believe in Fate and Predeftination.-No, I can't go far as that, but I own I am of opinion one's stars may incline, tho' not compel one; and that is a fort of free-will; for we may be able to refift inclination, but not compulfion.

Don't

Don't you think they have got into the most preposterous fashion this winter that ever was, of flouncing the petticoat fo very deep, that it looks like an entire coat of luteftring.

apron ;

It is a little cool indeed for this time of year, but then, my dear, you'll allow it has an extreme clean pretty look. Ay, fo has my muflin but I would not chufe to make it a winter fuit of cloaths. Well now I'll swear, child, you have put me in mind of a very pretty drefs; let me die if I don't think a muflin flounce, made very full, would give one a very agreeable Flirtation-air.

Well, I swear it would be charming! and I should like it of all things-Do you think there fuch things as Spirits?

are any

Do you believe there is any fuch place as the Elyfian Fields? O Gad, that would be charming! I wish I were to go to the Elyfian fields when I die, and then I should not care if I were to leave the world to-morrow: But is one to meet there with what one has lov'd most in this world?

Now you muft tell me this pofitively. To be sure you can, or what do I correspond with you for, if you won't tell me all? you

abominate Referve.

know I