The CHOICE of a WIFE by CHEESE.

T

By Capt. THOMSON.

HERE liv'd in York, an age ago,
A man whofe name was Pimlico:
He lov'd three filters paffing well;
But which the best he could pot tell.
These filters three, divinely fair.
Shew'd Pimlico their tend'reft care;
For each was elegantly bred,

And all were much inclin'd to wed;
And all made Pimlico their choice,

And prais'd him with their fweetest voice,
Young Pim, the gallant and the gay,
Like afs divided 'tween the hay,
At laft refolv'd to gain bis ease,
And chufe his wife by eating Cheese.
He wrote his card, he feal'd it up,
And faid with them that night he'd fup;
Begg'd that there might only be
Good Cheshire Cheese, and but them three;
He was refolv'd to crown his life,
And by that means to fix his wife.
The girls were pleas'd at his conceit;
Each drefs'd herself divinely neat ;
With faces full of peace and plenty,
Blooming with rofes under twenty:
For furely Nancy, Betty, Sally,
Were fweet as lilies of the valley.
But, fingly, furely buxom Bet,
Was like new hay and minionet;
But each furpafs'd a poet's fancy,
For that, of truth, was faid of Nancy:
And, as for Sal, the was a Dona,
As fair as thofe of old Crotona,
Who to Apelles lent their faces,
To make up Madam Helen's graces.
To these the gay, divided Pim
Came elegantly smart and trim:
When ev'ry fmiling maiden, certain,
Cut of the Cheese to prove her fortune!

Nancy, at once, not fearing-caring,
To fhew her faving, eat the paring;
And Bet, to fhew her gen'rous mind,
She cut and threw away the rhind;
While prudent Sarah, fure to please,
Like a clean maiden, scrap'd her cheese,
This done, young Pimlico replied,

Saity I now declare my bride:
With Nan I can't my welfare put,
For the has prov'd a dirty flut:
And Betfy, who has par'd the rhind,
Would give my fortune to the wind.
Sally the happy medium chose,
And I with Sarah will repofe;
She's prudent, cleanly; and the man,
⚫ Who fixes on a nuptial plan,

Can never err, if he will choose,
A wife by Cheefe before he ties the
⚫ noose.'

Altered from the French; and infcribed to Signora D

Ꭰ

ID you but think, ab! dearest fair,
How much I languish and defpair,
What tortures rend my breaft;
With fomething more than friendship
knows,

Or love, with all its charms bestows,
Too great to be expreft.

Abfent, I rave, I burn, I die,
Whole worlds cannot my lofs fupply;

If near, O cruel fate,

My tongue obedient to my will,
Impofing ftricteft filence fill,

Forbids me to relate.

Since thus to mifery confign'd,
Heart rebellious to my mind,

Let gentle pity touch,

One dear, one angel look bestow,
My dearest mistress, and I'll know,
If I have faid too much.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

RUSSIA.
Peterburgh, December 28.

the Province of Orenburg, which it was thought would have been quelled without much difficulty, has gathered so much ftrength, that it has been found neceflary to order feveral regiments to march into that Province; and by the laft accounts it appears that the infurgents were not yet difperfed.

Peterburg, Jan. 7.] The greatest preparations imaginable are making here to put our army on the Danube in a condi

tion to open the next campaign with vigour, and we are no lefs affiduous in the naval department. In fhort there is not the least appearance of a peace. POLAND.

Warfaw, Dec. 25.] The delegation having ordered lieutenant de Moller to take an exact chart of Poland, it appears by this work, that the republic yet remains poffelled of 15,300 fquare miles; that by the difmemberment, Auftria has occupied 2700, Ruffia 3440, and Pruffia 900 square miles; fo that before the alteration this kingdom has undergone, it had an extent of 22,340 square miles.

Frontiers of Turkey, Dec. 30.] Notwithflanding

tanding the utmoft efforts of the Ruffians againft Siliftria, they have not been able to quell the courage of the garrison, who, by frequent fallies, have deftroyed their works, and killed great numbers of their men. They sustained a fiege for fix weeks with fo great resolution and perfeverance, that they gave time for Haffan Pacha to come to the affistance of the place, at the head of a numerous cavalry. He first found means to cut off the convoys which were going to the befiegers camp, and then fell with fo much fury on the Ruffian cavalry, that, after throwing them into diforder, he forced the general to raise the fiege with precipitation, and repafs the Danube. All the fouth fhore of that river is actually cleared of the enemy, and the retreat of the Ruffians was fo precipitate, that they left behind them not only the magazines they took from the Turks, but alfo their own. Their cavalry particularly fuffered very much. Neither men nor moDey are wanting, and the Turks are fo much elated with the fuccefs of the laft campaign, and are so much more used to arms, that it will be a difficult matter to conquer them.

GERMANY.

Hamburgh, Jan. 7.] M. de Hecht, the Pruffian Minifter here, has notified to the college of commerce, that his Pruffian Majesty had thought proper to abolish the duties of twelve and an half per cent. hitherto paid at Berlin on the tranfit of fugars, and all other merchandize, paffing through that city to Silefia.

14. It has frozen fo hard these two or three days past, that people passes in fledges over the Elbe to Harburg. We are without any mails from most part of the empire, as well as from Poland, Sweden, and Denmark, for these two pofts: Neither are thofe due To-day from England and Holland, expected to arrive before To

morrow.

18. Letters from the frontiers of Turkey mention, that they are railing troops throughout that Empire, in order to continue the campaign with vigour; 20,000 Buaques have received orders to repair to the army. Conftantinople is to furnish 6000 Janissaries, and 6000 Boftangis, and thefe troops are to be paid four Afpres per Diem.

affure us, that the feditious in that town, have affaulted the king's troops that were in the fort of Cattellamore, and killed part of them.

A MERICA.

New York, Dec. 31, 1773. On the 29th inft. the government houfe in Fort George accidentally took fire, and fo ra pid was its progrefs, that, in a few ininutes after the alarm, a thick cloud of fire and fmoke pervaded the whole building, and in less than two hours it was entirely contumed.

The Governor's family (an unhappy maid fervant only excepted) was by the divine providence preferved from the flames, his daughter being reduced to the extremity of leaping out of a window in the second ftory, and her life faved by falling in a deep fnow.

The flames were fo rapid, that nothing but a small part of the furniture of one room was faved, not even the Governor's commiffion and inftructions; and had it not been for the fnow lodged in the roof of the house, joined to the effect of the fire engines, most part of the city of New York would have probably been destroyed.

BRITISH INTELLIGENCE. ENGLA N D. Newcastle, Feb. 5. A Sand is lately grown near the mouth of the river Humber, dry at low water, and bears from the new low light-houfe, E. S. E. by the compals, about a mile and a half from the Spurn Point.

LONDON.

Jan. 23. Died at his houfe in Isleworth, after a tedious illness, James Lacy, Efq; one of the patentees of the theatre-royal in Drury-lane. He poffeffed half of the patent fice the year 1747, and is reported to have died worth 60,000 !.

I T ALY.

proper

proper. They have collected confiderable fums of money through every Place they paft, particularly in their travel through this Metropolis.

The late Robert Badley, Efq; Northumberland-street, has left 100l. to alderman Wilkes, 20 guineas for mourning, and one guinea for a ring. The claufe in his will, respecting the 1001. is as follows: -"I give to John Wilkes, Efq; of Prinaes's-court, tool, as a mark of my regard and attention to the cause for which he has been fo unjustly and wickedly perfecuted by a moft abandoned and profligate an for these ten years past."

In the course of last year were born in Faris 9751 boys, and 9096 girls, in all, 18,847 deaths, 9752 males, and 8766 females; total 18,518. There were brought to the hofpital for foundlings, 3037 boys, and 2952 girls, in all 5989. The number

of marriages was 4810. The number of deaths last year 1776 less than the preceding, as was that of the foundlings 1687. The number of baptifms was more by 334 and thofe of marriages 201.

27. Lord Mansfield, and the reft of the Fudges in the court of King's Bench, in Weftrainfter Hall gave their opinion in the matter relating to the arrefting of General Ganfell, at his lodgings in Craven-ftreet Jatt Summer, when their Lordship's Determination was, that the General was legally arrested; the Caption being therefore held good, he is to remain in Gaol until he hath fatisfied his Creditors, or is otherwife discharged by due Courfe of Law..

28. The Polly, Capt. Ayres, is just arrived at Dover, returned from North America with tea.

29. k is faid, that the tea thrown into the fea at Bofton, is valued at 18.000l. at 19. 6d. per pound. The whole fent to America, is faid to be about 300,000l. worth, which is now returning home, not being fuffered to be landed.

Feb. 1. Mr. Garsford, wine-cooper, of Bethnal Green, was attacked on the road between Edmonton and Enfield, by a fingle highwayman who demanded his money, on which Mr. Garsford gave him a purie wherein were 33 guineas; which the highwayman had no fooner received than he returned him 13 guines, telling him, he only wanted 20, to anfwer an emergent occafion, which would be the means of faving him and his family from ruin.

A few days fince lome gentlemen of fortune inclining to have a friendly dinner, thought proper to determine which of them Should be at the charge of it by a game of Hazard. The remarkable circumftances

are, the number of gentlemen being five, the expences of the Dinner upwards of 801. and one of the difhes confifted of stewed carps-palates, for which fingular piece of elegance upwards of 40 brace of carp were bought.

Feb. 7. Ten very fine horses, a prefent from the Emperor of Morocco were prefented to his Majefly at the garden gate in St. James's Park, amongit which was one very free grey horse, which the Emperor himielf nied to ride upon; alfo a very fuperb state faddle.

The lait fquadron of Ruffian men of war that failed from Portimouth for the Mediterranean, contilted of four ships of the line and two frigates. The whole of their crews, includiug 600 foldiers, amounted to about 3000 men.

9. Yesterday the Houfe of Commons met at about half past two o'clock; when the Hon. C. Mafsham, chairman of the Committee appointed to try the Worcester election, reported to the House the refolutions of the Committee;

That it is the opinion of this Committee that T. B. Rous, Efq; is unduly elected as a reprefentative for the city of Worcefter.

That it is the opinion of this Committee, that Sir Watkin Lewes, Knt. is not duly eleged to ferve in Parliament.

That it is the opinion of this Committee, the election for Worcester be declared nuth and void. Which was agreed to, and ordered to be entered on the journals of the Houfe; and a new writ was issued for electing a member for Worcester.

The Speaker informed the house he had received a Letter from the Sheriff's of London, acquainting him that they had fum moned Mr. Wilkes as the legal Member for Middlefex, and that he would attend to take his Seat on Tuesday the 15th inft

(COPY.)

Prince's court, near Storey's gate, Westminster, Jan. 29, 1774

GENTLEMEN,

I have the letter, which you did me the honour of writing to me yesterday in purfuance of the orders you received from the Right Honourable Sir Fletcher Norton, Knight, speaker of the House of Commons, requiring you to fummon all the members in your jurisdiction to attend their service in Parliament on Tuesday the fifteenth day of February next.

Confcious of the clearest right to a feat in the great council of the nation, given me by the free choice of my noble friends, the freeholders of Middlefex, I have always been ready to attend their fervice in Parliament. On that day I will certainly make my perfonal appearance at the Houfe of Commons, and again demand, as one of the Reprefentatives of this county, to be fworn in, and admitted to the exercife of those powers, long ufurped by a gentleman, whofe fole title is founded in a defperate act of enormous wickedness, perpetrated without remorse by a most aban

doned majority, again the folema Truft repofed in them by the people.

Before the period of their political disso lution, which to the great joy of all good men approaches very fast. I should be happy to find that a true fenfe of their deep guilt produced in thefe hitherto hardened finners a due compunction. They will then not only render Juftice to the nation at large, but provide an effectual fecurity againit fo atrocious and alarming a precedent, as that grofs violation of the right of Election. May the wisdom and justice of Parliament embrace the opportunity which you, gentlemen have afforded of reconfidering and amending the former preceedings, and establish a firm and folid barrier for the future against every inroad of courtly or minifterial defpotifm, both for ourselves and our posterity!

1 am, with great regard,
Gentlemen,

Your very humble Servant,
JOHN WILKES,

To Stephen Sayre and William
Lee, Elquires, Sheriff of the
County of Middlefex.

IRELAND.

Corke, Peb. 14. On Saturday laft, about four o'clock in the morning, Mr. Daniel McCarthy, the Sub-sheriff of this county, and a party of the 28th regiment, commanded by Mr. King, attacked the fortifications and entrenchments of the noted Capt. Pratt, (an out-law) and his forces, at Kilrush, Co. Corke, into which lands they about two Years ago made a forcible entry, and fince kept the poffeffion illegally and forcibly; the Attack lafted two hours and an half, during which time, Pratt and his party kept a continual firing upon them through 36 port holes, which were made round his garrien, and unfortunately woanded two of the foldiers, whole wounds it is fuppofed will prove mortal. The roof of the garrison being fet on fire, Pratt and his party were obliged (not before the fame was just ready to fall in) to come forth, and then were all apprehended, and yeiterday were brought to the gaol of the county, wherein they now remain, to the great pleasure and fatisfaction of the whole county. The behaviour of every person con

cerned in this engagement, and bringing thole villains to justice, cannot be fufficiently applauded,

lafhed his brother to two buoys and two oars, and set him into the water in hopes of his reaching fhore; his coufin, a stout Jad, and an excellent fwimmer, ftripped and followed him, but unfortunately the current of the river was too strong, and though they had reached within forty yards of fhore they were both drowned, and on Sunday laft were decently interred by their difconfolate parents in Kilbarrack churchyard.It is exceedingly remarkable, that the father of one of the lads, Paul Earl, a man of 60 years of age, is now in the fmall-pox, and likely to recover.

A molt terrible Fire broke out in the Houfe of Mifs Hartley in Great Cuffeftreet, which entirely confumed the fame, with the adjoining Houfe, and almost all the Effects contained in them, and did

other confiderable Damage to the neighbouring Houses, by which Accident a poor induftrious Widow with a large Family who lived in one of thofe Houses, is re

duced to the utmost Distress.

6. The merchants, traders, and manufacturers of this city, having met at the Tholfe, agreeable to notice in the public papers, finding that the ftandard weight of guineas in this kingdom, is fixed by the government's proclamation to 5pwts. 3grs. thought it unnecessary to enter into relolutions about their currency, it being their general fenfe, that all perfons are obliged to take them at that weight.

8. The Right. Hon. the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Common Council, attended by a large Body of the Merchants and other refpectable Citizens, waited upon his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, with a Petition and Remonftrance againt removing the Custom-house, and were moft graciously received.

5th. A Duel was fought near Baldoyle

between Sir Edward Newenham and Mr. Sheriff Tucker; each Gentleman fired a cafe of pistols, one ball touched the Lock of the Sheriff's hair, and went through his hat; as foon as the piftols were discharged, Sir Edward drew his fword, and as Mr. Tucker was drawing his, the Seconds interferred, and the Parties fhook hands.

be his Majesty's commiffioners for the ftamping and marking parchment, vellum, and paper, and managing the duties thereupon.

General Dilkes is appointed Colonel of the 50th Regiment of foot, in the room of Sir William Boothby.

ift Regiment of horse, John Barrington, gent, to be cornet, vice Boyd, refigned.5th Regiment of dragoons, Francis Hugh Maffy, gent. to be lieutenant, vice Broom, fuperfeded. Ditto, cornet Thomas Tic kell to be adjutant, vice Broom, fuperfeded. -Ditto, furgeon Robert Smithwick to be furgeon, vice Perrin, refigned, - 8th Regiment of dragoons, cornet Charles Brownlow to be lieutenant, vice Hatfield, refigned. Ditto, William Hunt, gent. to be cornet. 18th Regiment of dragoons, Edward Hamilton, Efq. to be captain, vice lord Ferrers, exchanged. - Ditto, John Hutchinson, gent. to be cornet, vice Malley, preferred — 9th Regiment of foot, enfign Richard Weltropp to be lieutenant. vice St. John, refigned.Ditto, Joseph Stevelly, gent. to be enfign. giment of foot, furgeon Alexander Ore to 35th Rebe furgeon, vice Bray, deceased - 55th Regiment of foot, Thomas Gillfillan, gent. to be adjutant, vice Fisher, refigned. 62d Regiment of foot, enfign William Hall to be lieutenant, vice Dixon, refigned. Ditto, Gonville Bromhead, gent, to be enfiga.

BIRTHS.

-

DEATH S.