Her

monds in her ftomacher and hair. two little ones were to be as Cupids by her fide, while I, in my gown and band, was to present her with my books on the Whif tonian controversy. Olivia would be drawn as an Amazon, fitting upon a bank of flowers, dreft in a green Joseph, richly laced with gold, and a whip in her hand. Sophia was to be a fhepherdefs, with as many sheep as the painter could put in for nothing; and Mofes was to be dreft out with an hat and white feather. Our tafte fo much pleafed the 'Squire, that he infifted on being put in as one of the family in the character of Alexander the Great, at Olivia's feet. This was confidered by us all as an indication of his defire to be introduced into the family, nor could we refufe his request. The painter was therefore fet to work, and as he wrought with affiduity and expedition, in less than four days the whole was compleated. The piece was large, and it must be owned he did not spare his colours; for which my wife gave him great encomiums. We were all perfectly satis VOL. I. H

fiel

fied with his performance; but an unfortunate circumftance had not occurred till the picture was finished, which now struck us with difmay. It was fo very large that we had no place in the house to fix it. How we all came to difregard fo material a point is inconceivable; but certain it is, we had been all greatly remifs. The picture, therefore, instead of gratifying our vanity, as we hoped, leaned in a most mortifying manner, against the kitchen wall, where the canvas was ftretched and painted, much too large to be got through any of the doors, and the jeft of all our neighbours. One compared it to Robinfon Crufoe's long boat, too large to be removed; another thought it more refembled a reel in a bottle; fome wondered how it could be got out, but ftill more were amazed how it ever got in.

But though it excited the ridicule of fome, it effectually raised more malicious suggestions in many. The 'Squire's portrait being found united with ours, was an

honour

honour too great to escape envy. Scandalous whifpers began to circulate at our expence, and our tranquillity was continually disturbed by perfons who came as friends to tell us what was faid of us by enemies. These reports we always refented with becoming fpirit; but scandal ever improves by oppofition.

We once again therefore entered into a confultation upon obviating the malice of our enemies, and at laft came to a refolution which had too much cunning to give me entire fatisfaction. It was this: as our principal object was to difcover the honour of Mr. Thornhill's addreffes, my wife undertook to found him, by pretending to afk his advice in the choice of a husband for her eldest daughter. If this was not found fufficient to induce him to a declaration, it was then refolved to terrify him with a rival. To this last step, however, I would by no means give my confent, till Olivia gave me the most folemn affurances that she would marry the perfon provided

to rival him upon this occafion, if he did not prevent it, by taking her himself. Such was the scheme laid, which though I did not ftrenuously oppofe, I did not entirely approve.

The next time, therefore, that Mr. Thornhill came to fee us, my girls took care to be out of the way, in order to give their mama an opportunity of putting her scheme in execution; but they only retired to the next room, from whence they could over-hear the whole converfation: My wife artfully introduced it, by obferving, that one of the Mifs Flamboroughs was like to have a very good match of it in Mr. Spanker. To this the 'Squire affenting, fhe proceeded to remark, that they who had warm fortunes were always fure of getting good husbands; • But

the girls

heaven help,' continued fhe, that have none. What fignifies beauty, • Mr. Thornhill? or what fignifies all the virtue, and all the qualifications in the world, in this age of felf-intereft? It is

not,

( not, what is fhe? but what has he? is

• all the cry.'

Madam,' returned he, I highly approve the justice, as well as the novelty, • of your remarks, and if I were a king, it fhould be otherwife. It should then, indeed, be fine times with the girls without fortunes: our two young ladies should be the first for whom I would provide.'

Ah, Sir!' returned my wife, you are pleased to be facetious: but I wish ‹ I were a queen, and then I know where " my eldest daughter fhould look for an husband. But now, that you have put it into my head, feriously, Mr. Thornhill, can't you recommend me a proper hufband for her? the is now nineteen years old, well grown and well educated, and, in my humble opinion, does not ⚫ want for parts.'

Madam,' replied he, if I were to chufe, I would find out a perfon poffeffed of every accomplishment that can make an angel happy. One with prudence, • fortune,

H 3