this; for she was one of the most beautiful creatures in the world.

The lady earnestly desired Partridge to return to his seat; but could not prevail. She then pulled off her gloves, and displayed to the fire two hands which had every property of snow in them, except that of melting. Her companion, who was indeed her maid, likewise pulled off her gloves, and discovered what bore an exact resem→ blance, in cold and colour, to a piece of frozen beef.

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'I wish, madam,' quoth the latter, your ladyship would not think of going any farther to-night. I am terribly afraid your ladyship will not be able to bear the fatigue.' 'Why sure,' cries the landlady, her lady" ship's honour can never intend it. O, bless 'me! farther to-night indeed! let me beseech 'your ladyship not to think on't-But, to be 6 sure, your ladyship can't. What will your C nour be pleased to have for supper? I have ⚫ mutton of all kinds, and some nice chicken.'

ho

I think, madam,' said the lady, it would be rather breakfast than supper; but I cannot eat any thing; and if I stay, shall only lie down for an hour or two. However, if you please, madam, you may get me a little sack. 'whey, made very small and thin.'

Yes, madam,' cries the mistress of the house, 1 have some excellent white wine. You have no sack, then,' says the lady. 6 Yes, an't please your honour, I have; I may challenge the country for that-but let me beg your ladyship to eat something.'

Upon my word, I can't eat a morsel,' answered the lady; and I shall be much obliged to you, if you will please to get my apart.

ment ready as soon as possible; for I am re'solved to be on horseback again in three hours.' Why, Susan,' cries the landlady, is there a fire lit yet in the Wild-goose?-I am sorry, madam, all my best rooms are full. Several people of the first quality are now in bed. 'Here's a great young squire, and many other 'great gentlefolks of quality.' Susan answered, That the Irish gentlemen were got into the 'Wild-goose.'

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Was ever any thing like it says the mistress; why the devil would you not keep some of the best rooms for the quality, when you 'know scarce a day passes without some calling here?If they be gentlemen, I am certain, when they know it is for her ladyship, they will 6 get up again.'

'Not upon my account,' says the lady; 'I 'will have no person disturbed for me. If you ' have a room that is commonly decent, it will 6 serve me very well, though it be never so plain. 'I beg, madam, you will not give yourself so 'much trouble on my account.'—' O, madam!' cries the other, I have several good rooms, for that matter, but none good enough for your honour's ladyship. However, as you are so 'condescending to take up with the best I have, 'do, Susan, get a fire in the Rose this minute. Will your ladyship be pleased to go up now or stay till the fire is lighted?" I think, have sufficiently warmed myself,' answered the lady; so, if you please, I will go now. I am afraid I have kept people, and particularly 'that gentleman (meaning Partridge), too long in the cold already. Indeed, I cannot bear to think of keeping any person from the fire this ' dreadful weather.'-She then departed with her

maid, the landlady marching with two lighted candles before her.

When that good woman returned, the conversation in the kitchen was all upon the charms of the young lady. There is, indeed, in perfect beauty, a power which none almost can withstand; for my landlady, though she was not pleased at the negative given to the supper, declared she had never seen so lovely a creature. Partridge ran out into the most extravagant encomiums on her face, though he could not refrain from paying some compliments to the gold-lace on her habit; the post-boy sung forth the praises of her good. ness, which were likewise echoed by the other post-boy, who was now come in. She's a true good lady, I warrant her,' says he; for she hath mercy upon dumb creatures; for she ask. 'ed me every now and tan upon the journey, if I did not think she should hurt the horses by riding too fast! and when she came in, she 'charged me to give them as much corn as ever they would eat.'

Such charms are there in affability, and so sure is it to attract the praises of all kinds of people. It may indeed be compared to the celebrated Mrs. Hussey.* It is equally sure to set off every female perfection to the highest advantage, and to palliate and conceal every defect. A short reflection, which we could not forbear making in this place, where my reader hath seen the loveliness of an affable deportment; and truth will now oblige us to contrast it, by showing the re

verse.

A celebrated mantua-maker in the Strand, famous for setting off the shapes of women,

CHAP. IV.

Containing infallible nostrums for procuring universal disesteem and hatred.

THE lady had no sooner laid herself on her pillow, than the waiting-woman returned to the kitchen to regale with some of those dainties which her mistress had refused.

The company, at her entrance, showed her the same respect which they had before paid to her mistress, by rising; but she forgot to imitate her, by desiring them to sit down again. Indeed, it was scarce possible they should have done so ; for she placed her chair in such a posture, as to occupy almost the whole fire. She then ordered a chicken to be broiled that instant, declaring, if it was not ready in a quarter of an hour, she would not stay for it. Now, though the said chicken was then at roost in the stable, and required the several ceremonies of catching, killing, and picking, before it was brought to the gridiron, my landlady would nevertheless have undertaken to do all within the time; but the guest being unfortunately admitted behind the scenes must have been witness to the fourberie the poor woman was, therefore, obliged to coufess that she had none in the house; but, ma'dam,' said she, I can get any kind of mutton ' in an instant from the butcher's.'

'Do you think, then,' answered the waiting. gentlewoman, that I have the stomach of a horse. to eat mutton at this time of night? Sure you • people that keep inns imagine your betters a like yourselves. Indeed, I expect to get ne

❝thing at this wretched place. I wonder my lady 'would stop at it. I suppose, none but trades6 men and graziers ever call here.' The landlady fired at this indignity offered to her house; however, she suppressed her temper, and contented herself with saying, 'Very good quality frequent. 'ed it, she thanked Heaven!'-'Don't tell me,' cries the other, of quality! I believe I know more of people of quality than such as you.-But, 'prithee, without troubling me with any of your " impertinence, do tell me what I can have for

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supper; for though I cannot eat horse-flesh, I ' am really hungry. Why truly, madam,' answered the landlady, you could not take mẹ ' again at such a disadvantage; for I must con'fess I have nothing in the house, unless a cold

piece of beef, which, indeed, a gentleman's 'footman and the post-boy have almost cleared 'to the bone.'-Woman,' said Mrs. Abigail (so for shortness we will call her), 'I intreat you not 'to make me sick. If I had fasted a month, I 'could not eat what had been touched by the fin" gers of such fellows: Is there nothing neat or

decent to be had in this horrid place? What 'think you of some eggs and bacon, madam ?” said the landlady. 'Are your eggs new laid? 'Are you certain they were laid to-day? And let 6 me have the bacon cut very nice and thin; for 'I can't endure any thing that's gross. Prithee,

try if you can do a little tolerably for once, ' and don't think you have a farmer's wife, or 'some of those creatures in the house.' The landlady began then to handle her knife; but the other stopped her, saying, 'Good woman, I must 'insist upon your first washing your hands; for I am extremely nice, and have been always used