in company; as for the chits about town, there is no bearing them about one." Fudge!

That I know,' cried Mifs Skeggs, by experience. For of the three companions I had this last half year, one of them refufed to do plain-work an hour in the day, another thought twenty-five guineas a year too fmall a falary, and I was obliged to fend away the third, because I fufpected an intrigue with the chaplain. Virtue, my dear Lady Blarney, virtue is worth any price; but where is that to be found?' Fudge!

My wife had been for a long time all attention to this difcourfe; but was particularly ftruck with the latter part of it. Thirty pounds and twenty-five guineas a year made fifty-fix pounds five fhillings English money, all which was in a manner going a begging, and might easily be fecured in the family. She for a moment tudied my looks for approbation; and,

to

to own a truth, I was of opinion, that two fuch places would fit our two daugh ters exactly. Befides, if the 'Squire had any real affection for my eldeft daughter, this would be the way to make her every way qualified for her fortune. My wife therefore was refolved that we should not be deprived of fuch advantages for want of affurance, and undertook to harangue for the family. I hope,' cried fhe,

your Ladyships will pardon my present prefumption. It is true we have no right to pretend to fuch favours; but yet it is natural for me to wish putting. my children forward in the world. And. • I will be bold to fay my two girls have had a pretty good education, and capa city, at leaft the country can't fhew better. They can read, write, and caft accompts; they understand their needle, breadftitch, crofs and change, and all manner of plain-work; they can pink, point, and frill; and know fomething of mufic; they can do up fmall cloaths, work upon catgut; my eldeft can cut · paper,*

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paper, and my youngest has a very pretty manner of telling fortunes upon the cards.' Fudge!

When the had delivered this pretty piece of eloquence, the two ladies looked at each other a few minutes in filence, with an air of doubt and importance. At laft Mifs Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs condefcended to obferve, that the young ladies, from the opinion fhe could form of them from fo flight an acquaintance, seemed very fit for fuch employments: But a thing of this kind, Ma

dam,' cried fhe, addreffing my spouse, requires a thorough examination into ⚫ characters, and a more perfect knowledge of each other. Not, Madam,' continued fhe, that I in the least suspect the young ladies virtue, prudence and • difcretion; but there is a form in these things, Madam, there is a form.'

My wife approved her fufpicions very much, obferving that he was very apt to

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be fufpicious herself; but referred her to all the neighbours for a character: but this our Peeress declined as unneceffary, alledging that our coufin Thornhill's recommendation would be fufficient, and upon this we rested our petition.

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