the number of her fuitors, that puzzled him; ordinary methods he faw would not do; well then, extraordinary must be ufed; he knew, as I faid, her conftitution, that fhe was more in love with reputation than virtue, and lefs afraid of fin than fhame; from which he concluded, that if he could procure access to her, and at the fame time, baffle fufpicion, his point was as good as gained. ing her confeffor. and lefs nice, the fooner found means to make herself understood by Sylvio, who, from an opinion that the might be of ufe to him in his defign, adminiftered to her all the happinefs in his power. While things went on thus, an accident happened which gave the widow's wantonnefs a tincture of love, and added to her defire of his perfon, an efteem for the merits of Sylvio. One of the brifkeft of her Pleasure and reputation when they In order to this, he left the part can be enjoyed together, make up of the town fhe lived in, and retired one of the greatest comforts in life. to the most obfcure corner of it; Thefe Maria had in view; Sylvio's and, by the help of a little money, form gave her hopes of one, and foon found means to procure a li- his infirmities of the other. But cence to beg, with an atteftation of Lucy, who was as wanton and byhis being deaf and dumb from his pocritical as her miftrefs, got before birth. Our new beggar, thus equip-hand with her; being more amorous, ped, knowing Maria's haunts, though perfectly unknown to her, took care to appear at all the churches where there was any likelihood of her coming. His good prefence, in a little time attracted her eyes, the read the licence and certificate, appeared concerned at his cafe, and gave him a bountiful alms. Sylvio thanked her with a bow fo graceful, that, turning to her maid furprized, fhe cried, What pity it is fo likely a fellow fhould be fo unfortunate. Syl-admirers, but the leaft in her good vio was pleafed with his fuccefs, and graces, who remembered the old therefore constantly gave his atten- rule of wooing a widow, was redance at one church or other, where folved to put it in practice; and ache never failed to find her, and never cordingly took the opportunity of found her in vain. He conftantly being alone with her for making an drained her purfe, which he as ge-attack upon her chastity; the refiited nerously distributed among the real and cryed out, and did all that beggars, as foon as her back was was in the power of a poor turned. Lucy, her woman, one day woman; but he would have accomobferved this, and reported it to the plifhed his purpofe, if Sylvio (who widow, who was fo ftruck with the wandered up and down the houfe generolity of the action, that he like a tame bird, or any other domade it the pretence for putting in meftic animal, and had access every practice a refolution fhe had before where, went in and came out as he made in favour of Sylvio, which was pleafed, and was known by all visito take him home to her houfe, tors for the widow's mute) had not cloath, feed him, and provide him bounced into the room at the inftant an apartment, out of pure charity. when her virtue was at the laft gafp; However, he would neither do this he quickly fnatched up a fword he nor any thing else, without confult-faw in the room, and, by his ftern 2 afpect On Hypocrify. afpect and pofture, gave the ravifher to know it was proper to defend himfelf. He prefently took the hint, left the widow, and made an attack of a different nature upon her champion, who foon difarmed and laid him at her feet: thus was the house cleared of one troublesome rival. The widow's friends and vifitants were foon acquainted with the story, and the addrefs and dexterity of Sylvio was the widow's conftant theme; the affirmed it was marvel- | lous, and the flattering friars affured her, it was a miracle wrought by God to reward her charity for the mute. To be as concife as poffible, the widow ever after this burned for the enjoyment of Sylvio, till her woman, who was more learned than the, put her in the way of fatisfying her appetite. If the loved Sylvio before, now fhe doated on him; the thought of nothing but how to fecure the continuance of her happiness; and began to entertain groundlefs fears for the lofs of it. For this reafon, fhe held frequent conferences with Lucy how to keep the mute for ever in her house, in fpite of his friends, if he fhould have any, or his own inclinations, if they should prompt him to wander. Thefe, and many other difcourfes, were always in the prefence of Sylvio, who ftill behaved fo properly that he gave no fufpi cion. Lucy, who was a cunning baggage, and knew how to make her own advantage of every thing, anfwered the widow that to oblige her, and fecure her happiness, fhe was willing to give up her own hopes, and marry Sylvio. This, Maria did not entirely approve of; but, as fhe was in her woman's power, could not abfolutely reject it; but the queftion was put to the mute by bits of drawings, as all their love queftions were, which he very gallantly answered, to the widow's fatisfaction. This, if poflible, increafed her II good liking towards him; and all things went on very happily, till fhe found herself pregnant. This occafioned feveral private confe rences (till in the prefence of Sylvio) between her and Lucy. Matters were firangely perplexed, Sylvio was offered as a husband by Lucy, but refufed with the utmott abhorrence and detellation: in short, after feveral vain fruitlefs projects concerted, it was agreed to fend to Lyfander, and offer him that happinefs upon his own terms, which he had for fome time paft neglected to purfue. So faid, fo done. Her confeffor was employed to break the matter to Lyfander, and affure him, that in regard to his probity, Maria had pitched upon him to be the happy man. He, though abfolutely void of tendernefs for her person, yet had a great efteem for her eftate, and not thinking it proper, when Fortune knocked at his door, to enquire the way he came, quickly confented; and a day was appointed accordingly. Sylvio was now in a diftracted condition. He faw all his endeavours loft, his hopes ready to vanish, and himself unable to prevent them: but fomething must be done. He prefently writ to his elder brother a preffing letter, affriring him that his rife or ruin depended upon his being in town on a day, which was to be a week before the marriage. When he had done this, he went to Lucy's apartment, and taking her by the hand, fpoke to her. She, with furprife to hear him, fwooned; which, when he recovered her from, and comforted her a Little, he addreffed her in this manner: "Don't be furprifed my dear Lucy, to hear me fpeak now, my all is at ftake, and a longer filence might lose it; be in no fear; for what his paffed between us, it fhall be as fe cret as if I was really dumb; make use of this know ledge to aflift me in my defign on your miftrefs; afire her, that if Ca The 12 Anecdote of Francis I. king of France. fhe marries me, fhe marries a man | afked, "Wilt thou take Maria to that can fpeak, a man of honour, and a gentleman: if you can fucceed, as my fortune will be made, fo I promife you fhall yours. Farewell, and ufe difpatch." as Lucy went to her mistress, and Sylvio pofted himself fo as to overhear them. Maria received the propofal with the utmoft indignation; and upon affurance of Sylvio's having the ufe of his tongue, vowed his death, either by poiton or assasfination. Lucy urged the marriage a mild revenge; but in vain. Her anfwer was, "Shall the filthy world difcover what were the motives of my charity to the villain " Sylvio knew enough from this, to think it advisable to provide for his own fafety, which he did by retiring to his own obfcure lodging, and there waiting his brother's arrival, who was exactly punctual. He acquainted him with the hiftory, and fent him prefently to Lyfander; who, upon examining circumstances, found reason to believe that he was made a dupe; but Lucy who was brought to him, by her teftimony, put matters beyond doubt. He therefore came to an interview with Sylvio; where it was agreed to divide the widow's fortune between them; two thirds and the lady to Sylvio, and one third to Lyfander; who being of a revengeful temper, could not forget the affront put upon him, but made it part of his bargain to have liberty of refenting it publickly, which was agreed to, and done in this manner. On the day appointed, Lyfander and the widow, with a number of their friends and relations, went o the parish church as bride and bride. groom, in order, as was thought, to be publicly married. Sylvio and his brother paid their attendance alfo among the crowd. When the couple flood before the prieft to have the ceremony performed, Lyfander fuffered all, till this question was wife? &c." to which he answered aloud, "No. But perhaps this gentleman may, pointing to Sylvio. I don't care for trefpalling on another's grounds; and he that fowed the corn fhall reap the harvest for me." Here he told the audience the whole hiftory, while the widow flood in the utmoft confufion, which Sylvio took advantage of to fpeak to her. He preffed her to marriage that the company might not be difappointed; and the, to make the beit of a bad market, ftruck up a bargain. They were married, her hypocrify expofed, and her fortune divided according to the agreement. Lyfander had enough to live happily without her, and Sylvio to repair the ruins of his family with her. Lucy was fufficiently provided for foon after by Sylvio, who, I am told, lives happily and pleafantly with his widow to this day. Thus, fir, have I told you as fuccinctly as poffibly, the history and fall of this piece of hypocrify. I am fatisfyed that feveral circumftances in it, were I inclined to play the Frenchman, and dwell upon them, might be wrought up to more entertainment, and the whole make an agreeable novel; but I was tied down to the limits of a letter, which, I fear, in spite of my caution, I have exceeded, and therefore beg pardon for. Yours, &c. PHILOS. ANECDOTE of FRANCIS I, KING of FRANCE. RANCIS the Firft, king of France, hunting one day in the neighbourhood of Blois, met a woman pretty well dreffed, accompanied by a female fervant, who carried a handkerchief which contained all her miftreffes linen. The king, Atruck Anecdote of Francis I. kng of France. 13 a compofition which I wished to make him, and I have just been caft with cots. My counfel has moreover informed me that I can have no redress if the king does not listen to me. If I have the misfortune not to be heard, it is all over with me and my family, which is large, we are all reduced to beggary. I pray you, fir, fince you have deigned to liten to me, to grant me your protection." The king, moved with the recital of the widow's misfortunes, defired her to continue her journey, and to call the next morning at the palace, and enquire for Mr. mentioning a name who would introduce her to the king im mediately. ftruck with amazement, to fee fo decent a woman travelling on foot at fuch a time of the year, for it was winter, afked her from whence The came, where the was going, and who she was, that fhe was travelling on foot in fuch cold and fnowy weather. This woman, who did not know him, but saw from his appear ance that he must be a perion of fome diftinction, faluted him, and did not hesitate to give him an account of her journey. Sir," faid fhe, "I am going to Blois, in order to feek fome protection which may procure me an entrance to the palace, and an opportunity of throwing myfelf at the feet of the king, to complain of an injuftice which has been done me by the parliament She thanked him, and continued of Rouen, from whence I come; I her way to Blois, and the king ream told that the king is all good- joined his courtiers who accompanefs, that he liftens to the com-ried him. He did not forget his plaints of his fubjects, and loves promife, but defired on his arrival at juftice; perhaps he will have fome the palace, that they fhould acquaint pity on my melancholy fituation. him if a lady came to enquire for "Explain this affair to me, madam," Mr. faid Francis to her, without difco- The widow did not fail to come vering himself, I have fome in- the next day; the king, who was influence at court, and I dare even formed of her arrival, defired that flatter myself that I fhall be able to the might be introduced into an be of fome service to you if your apartment where he was: when difcomplaints are well founded." covering himself. "I am," faid he, "This, fir," replied the, "is the "the perfon whom you feek, fuffibufinefs in queftion. I am the wi- ciently acquainted with the king, as dow of a gentleman who was an you may perceive, to obtain from officer in one of his majefty's regi-him any favour that I may ask. ments. To be able to live as his Let my chancellor be fent for, fituation required him, he borrowed continued he, and let him examine fome money of a lawyer, and as a the complaints of this lady. Cheer fecurity for the principal and inte-up, faid he, juftice fhall be done reft, he mortgaged his eftate, which was all his fortune. My husband was killed in a battle. The creditor, who is in poffeflion of the eftate, has always reaped the benefits of it. It is not in my power to pay the intereft, and still lefs the principal. I have profecuted him at law, and though it is certain that the profits which he has received from the eftate are equal to the principal and intereft, he has refused to accept of you." The widow ftruck with aftonifhment, threw herfelf at the feet of the monarch, who raised her up, and defired that the bufinefs in queftion might be examined in his prefence. The refult was an exprefs order to the creditor to restore the estate after receiving what was reafonable, and as to the payment of the debt, the king gave her money from his private purfe to difcharge the debt, and to pay her expences at law, CHA |