with the heel of the fhoe on that fide leaft capable of making a defence. It was in this manner that my eldest daughter was hemmed in and thumped about, all blowzed, in fpirits, and bawling for fair play, fair play, with a voice that might deafen a ballad finger, when confufion on confufion, who should enter the room but our two great acquaintances from town, Lady Blarney and Mifs Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs! Defcription would but beggar, therefore it is unnecessary to defcribe this new mortification. Death! To be feen by ladies of fuch high breeding in fuch vulgar attitudes! Nothing better could enfue from fuch a vulgar play of Mr. Flamborough's propofing. We feemed ftruck to the ground for fome time, as if actually petrified with amazement.

The two ladies had been at our house to fee us, and finding us from home, came after us hither, as they were uneafy to know what accident could have kept us from church the day before. Olivia un

dertook

.

dertook to be our prolocutor, and deli vered the whole in a fummary way, only faying, We were thrown from our horfes." At which account the ladies were greatly concerned; but being told the family received no hurt, they were extremely glad : but being informed that we were almost killed by the fright, they were vaftly forry; but hearing that we had a very good night, they were extremely glad again. Nothing could exceed their complaifance to my daughters; their profeffions the last evening were warm, but now they were ardent. They protefted a defire of having a more lafting acquaintance. Lady Blarney was particularly attached to Olivia; Mifs Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs (I love to give the whole name) took a greater fancy to her fifter. They fupported the converfation between themfelves, while my daughters fate filent, admiring their exalted breeding. But as every reader, however beggarly himself, is fond of high-lived dialogues, with anecdotes of Lords, Ladies, and Knights of

the

the garter, I muft beg leave to give him the concluding part of the prefent converfation.

All that I know of the matter,' cried Mifs Skeggs, is this, that it may be true, or it may not be true: but this I can affure your Ladyfhip, that the whole rout was in amaze; his Lordfhip turned • all manner of colours, my lady fell into • a found; but Sir Tomkyn, drawing his fword, swore he was hers to the last drop of his blood."

Well,' replied our peerefs, this I can fay, that the Dutchefs never told me a fyllable of the matter, and I believe her Gr.ce would keep nothing a fecret from 6 me. This you may depend on as fact, that the next morning my Lord Duke • cried out three times to his valet de chambre, Jernigan, Jernigan, Jernigan, bring me my garters.'

6

But previously I fhould have mentioned the very impolite behaviour of Mr.

Burchell, who, during this difcourfe, fate with his face turned to the fire, and at the conclufion of every fentence would cry out fudge, an expreffion which difpleafed us all, and in fome measure damped the rifing spirit of the converfation.

Befides, my dear Skeggs,' continued our Peeress, there is nothing of this in ⚫ the copy of verses that Dr. Burdock made upon the occafion.' Fudge!

I am furprised at that,' cried Mifs Skeggs; for he feldom leaves any thing

out, as he writes only for his own amusement. But can your Ladyfhip favour me with a fight of them?' Fudge!

My dear creature,' replied our peerefs, do you think I carry fuch things about me? Though they are very fine to be fure, and I think myself something of a judge; at least I know what pleases myself. Indeed I was ever an Sad

admirer of all Dr. Burdock's little pieces; ⚫ for except what he does, and our dear • Countess at Hanover-fquare, there's no

6

thing comes out but the most lowest stuff in nature; not a bit of high life among • them.' Fudge!

Your Ladyfhip fhould except,' fays t'other, your own things in the Lady's Magazine. I hope you'll fay there's nothing low lived there? But I fuppose we are to have no more from that quarter ?' Fudge!

Why, my dear,' fays the Lady,' you know my reader and companion has left me to be married to Captain Roach, and as my poor eyes won't fuffer me to write myfelf, I have been for fome time looking out for another. A proper 'perfon is no eafy matter to find, and

to be fure thirty pounds a year is a

fmall ftipend for a well bred girl of character, that can read, write, and behave

⚫ in