HER acquaintance who came to see her from the quarter that we had left, mortified her without defign, by continual enquiries about the Ladies, whofe houfes they viewed from our windows. She was afhamed to confefs that she had no intercourfe with them, and fheltered her diftrefs under general anfwers, which always tended to raise suspicion that she knew more than fhe would tell; but she was often reduced to difficulties, when the course of talk introduced questions about the furniture or ornaments of their houses, which, when she could get no intelligence, fhe was forced to pass flightly over, as things which fhe faw fo often, that fhe never minded them.

To all thefe vexations fhe was refolved to put an end, and redoubled her vifits to thofe few of her friends, who vifited those who kept Good Company; and if ever fhe met a Lady of Quality, forced herself into notice by respect and affiduity. Her advances were generally rejected, and she heard them, as they went down stairs, talk how fome creatures put themselves forward.

SHE was not difcouraged, but crept forward from one to another; and, as perfever

ance will do great things, fapped her way unperceived, till, unexpectedly, fhe appeared at the Card-table of Lady Biddy Porpoise, a lethargick Virgin of feventy-fix, whom all the families in the next fquare vifited very punctually when she was not at home.

THIS was the first step of that elevation to which my wife has fince afcended. For five months fhe had no name in her mouth but that of Lady Biddy, who, let the world fay what it would, had a fine understanding, and fuch a command of her temper, that, whether The won or loft, fhe flept over her cards.

AT Lady Biddy's fhe met with Lady Tawdry, whofe favour the gained by eftimating her ear-rings, which were counterfeit, at twice the value of real diamonds. When the had once entered two houfes of diftinction, fhe was easily admitted into more, and in ten weeks had all her time anticipated by parties and engagements. Every morning she is bespoke, in the fummer for the gardens, in the winter for a fale; every afternoon she has vifits to pay, and every night brings an inviolable appointment,

appointment, or an Affembly in which the best company in the town were to appear.

You will eafily imagine that much of my domeftick comfort is withdrawn. I never fee my wife but in the hurry of preparation, or the languor of wearinefs. To dress and to undress is almost her whole business in private, and the fervants take advantage of her negligence to increase expence. But I can fupply her omiffions by my own diligence, and should not much regret this new courfe of life, if it did nothing more than transfer to me the care of our accounts. The changes which it has made are more vexatious, My Wife has no longer the use of her understanding. She has no rule of action but the fashion. She has no opinion but that of the people of quality. She has no language but the dialect of her own fet of company. She hates and admires in humble imitation; and echoes the words charming and deteftable without confulting her own perceptions.

IF for a few minutes we fit down together, fhe entertains me with the repartees of Lady Cackle, or the converfation of Lord Whiffler

and Mifs Quick, and wonders to find me receiving with indifference fayings which put all the company into laughter.

By her old friends fhe is no longer very willing to be feen, but fhe muft not rid herself of them all at once; and is fometimes surprized by her beft vifitants in company which the would not fhew, and cannot hide; but from the moment that a Countess enters, she takes care neither to hear nor fee them; they foon find themselves neglected and retire, and she tells her Ladyfhip that they are somehow related at a great distance, and that as they are good fort of people she cannot be rude to them.

As by this ambitious union with those that are above her, she is always forced upon difadvantageous comparisons of her condition. with theirs, fhe has a conftant fource of mifery within; and never returns from glittering Affemblies and magnificent Apartments but she growls out her discontent, and wonders why he was doomed to fo indigent a ftate. When the attends the Duchefs to a fale, fhe always fees fomething that she cannot

buy ;

buy; and, that she may not seem wholly infignificant, she will fometimes venture to bid, and often makes acquifitions which she did not want at prices which fhe cannot afford.

WHAT adds to all this uneafinefs is, that this expence is without ufe, and this vanity without honour; fhe forfakes houfes where fhe might be courted, for thofe where he is only fuffered; her equals are daily made her enemies, and her fuperiors will never be her friends.

I am, Sir, Yours, &c.

N° 54. Saturday, April 28.

SIR,

To the IDLER.

OU have lately entertained your admi

YOU

rers with the cafe of an unfortunate Husband, and thereby given a demonstrative proof you are not averse even to hear Appeals and terminate Differences between Man and Wife; I therefore take the liberty to present