brought him to his fenfes in a moment To Mrs. GREY. Madam, THAT there is nothing fo variable ther ceremony. About this time twelvemonth I was Aruck with the elegant figure and pretty features of a young lady, and finding, upon enquiry, that her character, connections, and fortune were very refpectable, made my addresses to her, and thought myself a lucky man in being a thriving woer, and was foun afterwards a happy husband. fhort, and even the white, red-) funk many inches lower from the removal of her cushion, with hair of a down. right fox colour, by appearing in its natural ftate, fhe was indeed totally different to the eye from the woman I had married, fo that I fhould not have deemed myself guilty of an infringement of my matrimonial vow if I had renounced all farther connections with her; had not the brillness of her tones fufficiently convinced me the was the individual woman whom I had promifed, in an evil hour, to take for better and for worse." By the way, I am of opinion-with all due fubmiffion to the civil law-that the laft word is utterly needlefs, in that part of our liturgy which relates to the nuptial compact, as he who takes a woman for better, mott certainly takes her alfo for worfe: but to the point: Every man who makes honourable addreffes-as they are commonly called to a lady, fhould, I think, insist upon feeing her in puris naturalibus, that is, in plain English, juft as nature made her, and not as he is made up by the milliner, the mantua-maker, and the hair-dreffer.-By this fair and reasonable mode of proceeding, he will affuredly fave himself from that disappointment which has fo deeply affected your conftant reader and very humble feryant, THE THOMAS STRIPHER (To be continued.) GOVERN ES S (Continued from Page 581.) plied he, I fhall obey you for IS mighty well, madam, re On my return home to dine a few days ago, I was met at my entrance by a little woman with dark red hair, undifguifed by powder. I started back at the fight of a perfon whom I really did not recollect. A loud laugh immediately enfuing, was accompanied the prefent,, becanfe you are not in a with the following words, "What, proper frame of mind to be talked don't you know me, my dear?" Aswith-I believe, indeed, that words thefe words were uttered by a voice with which I was perfectly acquainted, I was thoroughly informed that the lady in question was my wife, tho' (in confequence of the fudden variations in female fashion, with regard to drefs, by which the tall are made would be quite thrown away upon you; I fhall therefore take a more effectual method, and come to action. You have the care of thefe young la dies, in confequence of being their mother, but though you want to make me fuppofe that they are wholly 18 your your power, you will not be allowed from having been guilty of any intento do it, as I am better informed, and tional misdemeanor. But I might as very well know that they have a guar-well, have talked to the winds; fhe dian, their father's friend, who having would not even give me time to pack been out of England upon his own up my cloaths, pofitively declaring that affairs, is now returned, and will not he would not let me ftay another moonly fee, juftice done to the daughters ment; and adding, that she would of Mr. Galkin, but fupport me in my fend my trumpery things after me, claim to my eldest coufin-" Make with the money which was due to me. yourself perfectly cafy then, my dear She was, indeed, fo violent in her proJulia, continued he, addreffing him-ceedings, that I had barely time enough felf to her, and taking her hand in his) you are my choice, and if you can like me upon a farther acquaintance, it fhall not be in the power of any human creature to keep us afunder. -Nor be you afraid, my good Dorothea; added he; turning to the youngeft lady, of being left, neglected, when I am become the hufband of your fifter, my houfe fhall be your home, till you meet with a man agreeable to you." to catch up my cloak. I then, bidding farewell to my young pupils, who were drowned in tears, hurried out of a houfe which I had entered without any expectation of a long continuance in it, and in which I had not enjoyed one comfortable day. Mrs. Masters, whom I had not feen from the time I lived with Mrs. Gaf kin, (that lady not chufing I fhould leave her children fcarce a moment) received me with her ufual kindness, and faid the believed I was destined to meet with all the oddities in the creation; defiring me, at the fame time, to ftay with ber till I could hear of a family more likely to fuit me.. I thanked her, but being determin The aftonished girls looked at him, as if they wished to believe Him capable of doing all he had promifed, and made him filent, but expreffive and not improper acknowledgments, by low curtfies, and a behaviour which rendered their mother abfolutely futious. She flew out of the room, af-ed not to be a burthen to my friends, ter he was gone, like a woman bereft if poffible, requested her to be so good of her reafon, and in the height of her as to enquire for a new place. I then paffion, bade me quit her houfe, as wrote to my aunt, to beg fhe would do the was thoroughly affured I had con- the fame. I alfo difpatched a letter to nived at Me, Thompson's treating her my fifter, who was in a poor state of in that fcandalous manner; and had health, though breeding again; her litadmitted him to fee her daughters in tle fon had caught the fmall-pox at direct opposition to her pofitive orders.nurfe; and not having been properly In vain did I affure her that I was entirely innocent of his ever, having fuch a defign; in vain did I affure her that I was as much furprised as the herfelf could poffibly be at feeing him enter the young ladies apartment, from which I had, repeatedly, defired him to withdraw, being certain that fhe would not approve of his appear ance there. All I faid was to no purpole; he would not condefcend to liften to an explanation, but pefemp-dy but an elderly plain-dreffed man. torily commanded me to leave the houfe that inflant; I had too much Spirit to entreat fuch a woman to permit me to remain with her ; 1 only wifhed to be able to exculpate myself SUPE. VOL. X. attended to, an ugly humour had fettled in his neck; to remove which the applications had been not only very troublesome, but very expenfive. Her anfwer was by no means fatisfactory; for the fo earnestly defired to fee me, if only for a fingle day, that I knew not well how to refufe her. I did not much like to put myself to the expence of a carriage, I, therefore, took a place in the ftage, in which there was nobo His converfation, however, was much. fuperior to his appearance; he talked fluently upon a great variety of fubjects, and though I had ever judged it Imolt prudent to be referved with re4 T gard gard to my own affairs, he, fome how, drew out of me the way of life to which I had, for fome time, been accustomed. After having asked my name, with an apology for the liberty he took, he faid, upon my telling him, that he had known my father, that he had heard of my character, and that he should be glad to find me difengaged, as he had a granddaughter whom he wished to have inftructed by me. I thanked him for his good opinion of me, but thought it highly neceffary to know a little more of him, before I agreed to his propofalt I, therefore, told him that I thould be at Mrs. Mafters's in a few days. He gave me his addrefs, and promised to call on me when he had fpoke to his daughter upon the fubject in question. herself and his child; adding, that his behaviour was not to be endured. I confefs I was both furprised and forry to hear this heavy charge against him; a charge to which I could fearce give credit, as I rather imagined, from the obfervations I had made on his conduct, that he was more difpofed to err on the fide of profufion than parfi. mony. I always thought him, indeed, too liberal for a man who had a very moderate fortune, efpecially with regard to my fifter's drefs, whofe expenfive turn required, I knew, fupplies from his purfe which he could not prudently afford. (To be continued.) SELECT PIECES of LITERATURE, By feveral Female Hands. (Continued from Page 599.) An original LETTER from MADAME DE M When I arrived at my fifter's, Mr. Graham flew to help me out of the coach, and received me with the greateft pleasure; tho' he looked, I thought, exceedingly dejected: and Kitty, who was dreffed in a much higher ftyle than I had ever seen her, tho' far from well, feemed difcontented, and fpoke to her husband in a manner which was not, I thought, by any means becoming. I faw plainly, indeed, that he did not know how to take her behaviour to Y dear niece, believe it for him, tho he itrové to conceal the unthe fake of my tenderness, cafinefs it gave him. He trove to and upon my experience; I have tried conceal it but every now and then a every thing, and find we must acquiefce peevith reply escaped him; and all his in Solomon's fentence, "All is vexapeevith replies produced tart anfwers intion of fpirit."--I cannot open my return. I appeared not to fee what was heart to any body; but though I con but too vifible, becaufe Leonidered my ceal from you the nature of my afflic felf as the most improper perfon in the tions, I can, however, truly fay, that world to interfere in their family dif the world affords nothing fimilar. I putes. I difcovered, at the fame time, am often ready to burft; the king does that they both wished I would take fome not perceive it; when he leaves my a notice of what pasled between them, partinent, all my comfort is to be aand threw out every poffible hint to lone, and to water my pillow with my attract my attention: my difcretion, tears. Fam not ignorant of the tattle however, did not defert me; it enabled of those who do not like me; they me to get the better both of my curi-impute to me whatever happens, as if ofity and my concern. events were at my command: accordMy fifter not being able to containing to their ideas, my devotion is hyherfelf any longer, feized a moment, pocrify; they make a jeft of the rigidupon her husband's leaving the room, uefs of my morality, and charge me to vent complaints against his ill-tem-with having been not always fo fevere. per and ftinginefs, affuring me that he I am not surprised at their fufpicions grudged every farthing fhe laid out on with regard to my former conduct; but Sele Pieces of Literature. either been very licentious in thei youth, or did not know me at that time of life. It is vexatious to be obliged to live with any other folks than thofe of our own century; but 'tis the misfortune of those who live too long. VERSES to the LADIES. By LADY CHUDLEIGH, Grandmother to the prefent DUCHESS of KINGS. TON. 691 but they who talk in this manner have | which paffes under a rock; the outlet is concealed by a thick wood; and the mouth which opens into the Happy Valley (for that is the name he gives it) is fecured by iron gates, fo maffy that they cannot be opened without engines. In this terreftrial Paradife, where every blaft shakes spice from the rocks, and every month drops fruits upon the ground; where all the diverfities and bleffings of nature are collected, and all the evils excluded, the children of the empire are confined, ac cording to the policy of the Eaft; and whoever, inftigated by curiofity, or love of folitude, or any other motive, gets admittance into the Happy Valley, is never fuffered to return. Now as the depth of December, in our cold climate, affords no agreeable objects to furnish a defcription-piece, I have fuppofed myself one of the inhabitants of this romantic region; as confinement, however fplendid, cannot be agreeable to human nature, were all this real, and I allotted to live in it, I fhould wish for Berty †, froity weather, and freedom. Wife and fervant are the fame, "I acknowledge this fubject is too high for my home-bred abilities, but the lines, fuch as they are, are much at your fervice; as is alfo, Dear Mifs, Your moft obedient fervant. A LETTER from à LADY in the T you, Eliza, be thefe lines confign'd, Country to ber FRIEND. Written in the Year 1760. "Dear Mifs L—~n, Who bleft in Freedom's happy empire live; Thrice happy vales to me no longer bloom, "Did you ever read the hiftory of Are all but pageant glare, and empty show ; *. Miss W—~~, now Mrs. G. Penfive range the ever-verdant groves, And figh refponfive to the murm'ring stream, While woodland choirs chant forth their tune ful loves, Dear liberty is wretched Mira's theme. Fair plains, diverfified with beauteous flow rs, bow`rs, And ev'ry charm inventive art can name. Here deck fair nature's ever-fmiling face, Tho' feftive mirth ftill wakes each waking morn, And guiltless rev-lry leads on the hours; Tho' purling rill, the fruit'ul meads adorn, And the high rock its spicy produce show's But what is there to fill a boundless mind? The rich each scene appears 'tis fill the fame; Variety in vain I hope to find, 4 Variety-thou dear, but diftant name. Bleft freedom! how I long with thee to rove provės, And trace the winding curren's filver maze. Bleft with cool breezes, peace, and liberty. ཚ་ Vain with thefe rocks whofe fummits piere: the kies, With frowning afpe&t tell me hope is vain; 'Till freed by death the purer spirit flies, Hete wretched Mira s deftin'd to remain. profpect of its ever being your lot → There is fomething, indeed, in the bright fide of the profeffion of a fo dier, that is apt to ftrike the imaginations of young perfons. Honour, which they particularly claim, glory, fatigue, and dangers in a noble caufe, opportunities of fleeing the world, warcontribute to 'raife ideas which warm like mufic, and even their garb, all and animate a young active spirit ; and those who have intéreft enough to be called to that profeffion with advantage, and a hopeful profpect, may find their account in it. But there is another fide of the perfpective dark and difcouraging. The jealoufy which this nation has of a Ala-ding army, makes very little regard to be paid to thofe gentlemen who are of it in time of peace; at least it seems to me to be from that fpirit, that one may obferve them to be every where looked on as if they were a diftin& people from the body of the nation, and a great fhinels of converfing, or being intimate with them, except in fome few, who look on that as an unreasonable prejudice. When there is no war to carry them abroad, they are removed about from place to place, often into obfcure and remote corners, where they fuffer inconvenience, fatigue, and expence, without the 'recompence of glory or improvement, having little occafions of acquainting themfelves with the world, in thofe flationary domeftic travels; nor have they Part of a LETTER from a LADY✶ to her SON, on his d fovering a propen-much prospect of advancing their for fuy to a Military Lifi. YOUR prefent fancy (for I can call it nothing elfe yet) feems moft towards the army; though, I believe, with little Mrs. Catherine Cockburn, the wite of a tune in them, Whatever poft they fet out in, it is great odds if they ever get a fep higlier, and they may often have the mortification of feeing others put over their heads, upon no greater merit but that of a better interest to recommend them. As the duties of their ftaelergyman who lived obfcurely, and died fometion generally carry them from all their years ago in an advanced age in Northumber-former friendships and habitudes, and land Her works on dramatic, philofophical, and facred fubjects, were coll fled by the late leave them many leiture hours, they Tearned Dr. Birch, and are generally admi edhave fome peculiar temptations to fupIn the year 1702 he received a letter of thanksply the more elegant entertainments from Mr. Locks, for det uding his writings against Dr. Hold/worth, of Oxford, and in 1747, the, with equal spirit, defended Dr. Clarke's principles against Dr. Rutherforth, of Cambridge. they may have left, and to fill up their vacant time with companions of the bottle, or other exceffes, which are to be met with in most places; and favearing feems, |