humanity; for, with a blush I say it, I think I have not wanted love. Lady Town. Oh, don't say that, my lord, if you suppose I have my senses! Lord Town. What is it I have done to you? What can you complain of? design to play all the good house-wife I can; I ain now going to a party at quadrille, only to piddle with a little of it, at poor two guineas a ish, with the dutchess of Quiteright. [Exit. -But Lord Town. Insensible creature! neither reproaches or indulgence, kindness or severity, can Lady Town. Oh, nothing in the least! 'Tis wake her to the least reflection! Continual litrue, you have heard me say, I have owed my cence has lulled her into such a lethargy of care, lord Lurcher an hundred pounds these three that she speaks of her excesses with the same weeks but what then-a husband is not easy confidence, as if they were so many virtues. liable to his wife's debts of honour, you know—What a turn has her head taken!and if a silly woman will be uneasy about money how to cure it- -I am afraid the physic she can't be sued for, what's that to him? As must be strong that reaches herLenitives, long as he loves her, to be sure, she can have I see, are to no purpose- -take my friend's nothing to complain of. opinion- -Manly will speak freely- my sister with tenderness to both sides. They know my case-I'll talk with them. Lord Town. By Heaven, if my whole fortune, thrown into your lap, could make you delight in the cheerful duties of a wife, I should think myself a gainer by the purchase. Lady Town. That is, my lord, I might receive your whole estate, provided you were sure I would not spend a shilling of it. Lord Town. No, madam; were I master of your heart, your pleasures would be mine; but, different as they are, I'll feed even your follies, to deserve it-Perhaps you may have some other trifling debts of honour abroad, that keep you out of huinour at home-at least, it shall not be my fault, if I have not more of your company -There, there's a bill of five hundred- -and now, madam Lady Town. And now, my lord, down to the ground I thank youNow I am convinced, were I weak enough to love this man, I should never get a single guinea from him. [Aside. Lord Town. If it be no offence, madamLady Town. Say what you please, my lord; I am in that harmony of spirits, it is impossible to put me out of humour. Lord Town. How long, in reason then, do think that sum ought to last you? you Lady Town. Oh, my dear, dear lord! now you have spoiled all again: how is it possible I should answer for an event that so utterly depends upon fortune? But, to shew you that I am more inclined to get money than to throw it away- -I have a strong prepossession, that with this five hundred, I shall win five thousand. Lord. Town. Madam, if you were to win ten thousand, it would be no satisfaction to me. Lady Town. Oh, the churl! ten thousand! what! not so much as wish I might win ten thousand!- -Ten thousand! Oh, the charming sum! what infinite pretty things might a woman of spirit do with ten thousand guineas! O' my conscience, if she were a woman of true spirit, she-she might lose them all again. Lord Town. And I had rather it should be so, madam, provided I could be sure that were the last you would lose. Lady Town. Well, my lord, to let you see I Leave word at the door, I am at home to nobody Lord Town. I hope, madam, you have no ob jection to his company? Lady Grace. Your particular orders, upon my being here, look, indeed, as if you thought I had not. Lord Town. And your ladyship's inquiry into the reason of those orders, shews, at least, it was not a matter indifferent to you. Lady Grace. Lord, you make the oddest constructions, brother! Lord Town. Look you, my grave lady Gracein one serious word-I wish you had him. Lady Grace. I can't help that. Lord Town. Ha! you can't help it; ha, ha! The flat simplicity of that reply was admirable! Lady Grace. Pooh, you teaze one, brother! Lord Town. Come, I beg pardon, childthis is not a point, I grant you, to trifle upon; therefore, I hope you'll give me leave to be se rious. Lady Grace. If you desire it, brother; though, upon my word, as to Mr Manly's having any serious thoughts of me- -I know nothing of it. Lord Town. Well there's nothing wrong in your making a doubt of it-But, in short, I find, by his conversation of late, that he has been looking round the world for a wife; and if you were to look round the world for a husband, he is the first man I would give to you. Lady Grace. Then, whenever he makes me any offer, brother, I will certainly tell you of it. Lord Town. Oh! that's the last thing he'll do: he'll never make you an offer, till he's pretty sure it won't be refused. Lady Grace. Now you make me curious. Pray, did he ever make any offer of that kind to you? Lord Town. Not directly; but that imports nothing he is a man too well acquainted with the female world to be brought into a high opinion of any one woman, without some well-examined proof of her merit; yet I have reason to believe, that your good sense, your turn of mind, and your way of life, have brought him to so favourable a one of you, that a few days will reduce him to talk plainly to me; which, as yet, (notwithstanding our friendship) I have neither declined nor encouraged him to. Lady Grace. I am mighty glad we are so near in our way of thinking; for, to tell you the truth, he is much upon the same terms with me: you know he has a satirical turn; but never lashes any folly, without giving due encomiums to its opposite virtue and, upon such occasions, he is sometimes particular, in turning his compliments upon me, which I don't receive with any reserve, lest he should imagine I take them to myself. Lord Town. You are right, child: when a man of merit makes his addresses, good sense may give him an answer, without scorn or coquetry. Lady Grace, Hush! he's here Enter MR MANLY. Man. My lord, your most obedient. Lord Town. Dear Manly, yours-I was thinking to send to you. Man. Then, I am glad I am here, my lordLady Grace, I kiss your hands-What, only you two! How many visits may a man make, before he falls into such unfashionable company? A brother and sister soberly sitting at home, when the whole town is a gadding! I question if there is so particular a tête à tête again, in the whole parish of St James's. Lady Grace. Fy, fy, Mr Manly! how censorious you are! Man. I had not made the reflection, madam, Man. Then I won't try, my lord Lord Town. But, 'tis probable, I may hear of her, by the time I have been four or five hours in bed. Man. Now, if that were my case-I believe 1-But, I beg pardon, my lord. Lord Town. Indeed, sir, you shall not: you will oblige me if you speak out; for it was upon this head I wanted to see you. Man. Why then, my lord, since you oblige me to proceed-if that were my case-I believe I should certainly sleep in another house. Lady Grace. How do you mean? Man. Yes, madam, in rather turning myself out of doors than her. Lady Grace. Don't you think that would be going too far? Man. I don't know but it might, madam; for, in strict justice, I think she ought rather to go than I. Lady Grace. This is new doctrine, Mr Manly. Man. As old, madam, as love, honour, and obey. When a woman will stop at nothing that's wrong, why should a man balance any thing that's right? Lady Grace. Bless me! but this is fomenting things Man. Fomentations, madam, are sometimes necessary to dispel tumours: though I do not directly advise my lord to this-This is only what, upon the same provocation, I would do myself. Lady Grace. Ay, ay, you would do! Bachelors wives, indeed, are finely governed. Man. If the married men's were as well-I am apt to think we should not see so many mutual plagues taking the air in separate coaches. Lady Grace. Well, but suppose it your own case; would you part with your wife, because she now and then stays out in the best company? Lord Town. Well said, lady Grace! Come, stand up for the privilege of your sex. This is like to be a warm debate. I shall edify. Man. Madam, I think a wife, after midnight, has no occasion to be in better company than her husband's; and that frequent unreasonable. hours make the best company-the worst she can fall into. Lady Grace. But if people of condition are to keep company with one another, how is it possible to be done, unless one conforms to their hours? Man. I can't find that any woman's good breeding obliges her to conform to other people's vices. Lord Town. I doubt, child, here we are got a little on the wrong side of the question. Lady Grace. Why so, my lord? I can't think the case so bad as Mr Manly states it-People of quality are not tied down to the rules of those who have their fortunes to make. Man. No people, madam, are above being tied down to some rules, that have fortunes to lose. Lady Grace. Pooh! I'm sure, if you were to take my side of the argument, you would be able to say something more for it. ly? Lord Town. Well, what say you to that, Man Man. That, I am afraid, we had best not depend upon. But, since you have had so much patience, my lord, even go on with it a day or two more; and, upon her ladyship's next-sally, be a little rounder in your expostulations; if that don't work-drop her some cool hints of a determined reformation, and leave her to breakfast upon them. Lord Town. You are perfectly right. How va Man. Why, troth, my lord, I have something|luable is a friend, in our anxiety! to say. Man. Therefore, to divert that, my lord, I beg, Lady Grace. Ay! that I should be glad to for the present, we may call another cause. hear, now. Lord Town. Out with it. Man. Then, in one word, this, my lord, I have often thought, that the misconduct of my lady has, in a great measure, been owing to your lordship's treatment of her. Lady Grace. Bless me! Man. Ay, my lord; you so idolized her before marriage, that you even indulged her like a mistress after it: in short, you continued the lover, when you should have taken up the husband. Lady Grace. Oh, frightful! this is worse than t'other; can a husband love a wife too well? Man. As easy, madam, as a wife may love her husband too little. Lord Town. So; you two are never like to agree, I find. -I Lady Grace. Don't be positive, brother- Man. Never, madam, till I can meet with a woman that likes my doctrine. Lady Grace. 'Tis pity but your mistress should hear it. Man. Pity me, madam, when I marry the woman that won't hear it. Lady Grace. I think, at least, he can't say that's me. [Aside. Man. And so, my lord, by giving her more power than was needful, she has none where she wants it; having such entire possession of you, she is not mistress of herself. And, mercy on us! how many fine women's heads have been turned upon the same occasion! Lady Grace. Ay, for goodness' sake, let us have done with this. Lord Town. With all my heart. Lady Grace. Have you no news abroad, Mr. Manly? Man. A propos-I have some, madam; and I believe, my lord, as extraordinary in its kindLord Town. Pray, let us have it. Man Do you know that your country-neighbour, and my wise kinsman, sir Francis Wronghead, is coming to town with his whole family? Lord Town. The fool! What can be his business here? Man. Oh! of the last importance, I'll assure you- -No less than the business of the nation. Lord Town. Explain. Man. He has carried his election-against sir John Worthland. Lord Town. The deuce! What! for-forMan. The famous borough of Guzzledown. Lord Town. A proper representative, indeed! Lady Grace. Pray, Mr Manly, don't I know him? Man. You have dined with him, madam, when I was last down with my lord, at Bellmont. Lady Grace. Was not that he that got a little merry before dinner, and overset the tea-table in making his compliments to my lady? Man. The same. Lady Grace. Pray, what are his circumstances? I know but very little of him. Man. Then he is worth your knowing, I can tell you, madam. His estate, if clear, I believe, might be a good two thousand pounds a-year; though as it was left him, saddled with two jointures, and two weighty mortgages upon it, there is no saying what it is-But that he might be sure never to mend it, he married a profuse young hussy, for love, without a penny of money. Thus, having, like his brave ancestors, provided heirs for the family (for his dove breeds like a tame pigeon), he now finds children and interest-moMan. Well, my lord, to let you see I am some-ney making such a bawling about his ears, that, times upon the side of good nature, I won't absolutely blame you; for the greater your indulgence, the more you have to reproach her with. Lord Town. Oh, Manly, 'tis too true! there's the source of my disquiet; she knows, and has abused her power; nay, I am still so weak, (with shame I speak it) 'tis not an hour ago, that, in the midst of my impatience-I gave her another bill for five hundred to throw away. at last, he has taken the friendly advice of his kinsman, the good lord Danglecourt, to run his estate two thousand pounds more in debt, to put Lady Grace. Ay, Mr Manly, here now, I be- the whole inanagement of what is left into Paul gin to come in with you. Who knows, my lord, Pillage's hands, that he may be at leisure himbut you may have a good account of your kind-self to retrieve his affairs, by being a parliament ness? man. Man. Oh, a bitter business; he had scarce a vote in the whole town, beside the returning of ficer. Sir John will certainly have it at the bar of the house, and send him about his business again. Man. Then desire him to come hither, James. [Exit JAMES Lady Grace. Pray, what may be Mr Moody's post? Man. Oh! his maitre d'hotel, his butler, his bailiff, his hind, his huntsman, and sometimes— his companion. Lord Town. It runs in my head, that the moment this knight has set him down in the house, he will get up, to give them the earliest proof of what importance he is to the public, in his own country. Man. Yes; and, when they have heard him, he will find, that his utmost importance stands Lord Town. Then he has made a fine business valued at- -sometimes being invited to dinner. of it, indeed. Lady Grace. And her ladyship, I suppose, will make as considerable a figure in her sphere, too? Man. Which, as far as my little interest will go, shall be done in as few days as possible. Lady Grace. But why would you ruin the poor gentleman's fortune, Mr Manly? Man. No, madam; I would only spoil his project, to save his fortune. Lady Grace. How are you concerned enough to do either? Man. Why, I have some obligations to the family, madam: I enjoy, at this time, a pretty estate, which sir Francis was heir-at-law to: but, by his being a booby, the last will of an obstinate old uncle gave it to me. James. At our house, sir; he has been gaping and stumping about the streets in his dirty boots, and asking every one he meets, if they can tell him where he may have a good lodging for a parliament man, till he can hire a handsome house, fit for all his family, for the winter. Man. I am afraid, my lord, I must wait upon Mr Moody. Lord Town. Prithee, let us have him here; he will divert us. Man. Oh, my lord, he's such a cub! Not but Man. That you may depend upon : for (if I don't mistake) she has ten times more of the jade in her, than she yet knows of; and she will so improve in this rich soil in a month, that she will visit all the ladies that will let her into their houses; and run in debt to all the shop-keepers that will let her into their books: in short, before her important spouse has made five pounds by his eloquence at Westminster, she will have lost five hundred at dice and quadrille, in the pa rish of St James's. J. Moody. Ad's waunds and heart, Measter Manly! I'm glad I ha' fun ye. Lawd, lawd, give me a buss! Why, that's friendly, naw. Flesh! I thought we would never ha' got hither. Well, and how do you do, Measter?—Good lack! I beg pardon for my bawldness--I did not sce 'at his honour was here. Lord Town. Mr Moody, your servant: I am glad to see you in London: I hope all the good family is well. J. Moody. Thanks be praised, your honour, they are all in pretty good heart; tho'f we have had a power of crosses upo' the road. Lady Grace. I hope my lady has had no hurt, Mr Moody? J. Moody. Noa, and please your ladyship, she never in better humour: there's money enough stirring now. was Man. What has been the matter, John? J. Moody. Why, we came up in such a hurry, you mun think, that our tackle was not so tight as it should be. Man. Come, tell us all-Pray, how do they travel? J. Moody. Why, i' the awld coach, measter; and, 'cause my lady loves to do things handsome, to be sure, she would have a couple of cart-horses clapt to the four old geldings, that neighbours might see she went up to London in her coach and six; and so Giles Joulter, the ploughman, rides postillion. Man. Very well! the journey sets out as it should do.-Aside.]-What, do they bring all the children with them, too? J. Moody. Noa, noa; only the younk 'squoire and Miss Jenny. The other foive are all out at board, at half-a-crown a-head a-week, with John Growse, at Smoke-dunghill farm. so, they hoisted her into the coach-box, and then her stomach was easy. Lady Grace. Oh, I see them! I see them go by me. Ha, ha! [Laughing. J. Moody. Then you mun think, measter, there was some stowage for the belly, as well as the back, too; children are apt to be famished upon the road; so we had such cargoes of plumcake, and baskets of tongues, and biscuits, and cheese, and cold boiled beef--And, then, in case of sickness, bottles of cherry-brandy, plague water, sack, tent, and strong beer so plenty, as made the awld coach crack again. Mercy upon them! and send them all well to town, I say! Man. Aye, and well out of it again, John. J. Moody. Ods bud, measter! you're a wise man; and for that matter, so am I—Whoam's whoam, I say: I am sure we ha' got but little good e'er sin' we turned our backs on't. Nothing but mischief! Some devil's trick or other Man. Good again! a right English academy plagued us all aw the day lang. Crack, goes one for young children! J. Moody. Anan, sir? [Not understanding him. Lady Grace. Poor souls! What will become of them? J. Moody. Nay, nay; for that matter, madam, they are in very good hands: Joan loves 'um as tho'f they were all her own: for she was wetnurse to every mother's babe of 'um-Ay, ay; they'll ne'er want for a belly-full there! Lady Grace. What simplicity! Man. The Lud 'a mercy upon all good folks! What work will these people make! [Holding up his hands. Lord Town. And when do you expect them here, John? J. Moody. Why, we were in hopes to ha' come yesterday, an' it had no' been that th' awld Weazlebelly horse tired and then we were so cruelly loaden, that the two fore-wheels came crash down at once, in Waggon-rut-lane, and there we lost four horses 'fore we could set things to right again. Man. So, they bring all the baggage with the coach, then? J. Moody. Ay, ay; and good store on it there is- -Why, my lady's geer alone were as much as filled four portmantel trunks, beside the great deal box that heavy Ralph and the monkey sit upon behind. thing! bawnce, goes another! Woa! says Roger-Then, sowse! we are all set fast in a slough. Whaw, cries miss! Scream, go the maids! and bawl, just as thof' they were stuck. And so, mercy on us! this was the trade from morning to night. But my lady was in such a murrain haste to be here, that set out she would, thof' I told her it was Childermas day. Man. These ladies, these ladies, John : J. Moody. Ay, measter! I ha' seen a little of them and I find, that the best-when she's mended, won't ha' much goodness to spare. Lord Town. Well said, John! Ha, ha! Man. I hope, at least, you and your good woman agree still? J. Moody. Ay, ay; much of a muchness.Bridget sticks to me: though, as for her goodness-why, she was coming to London, too— But hauld a bit! Noa, noa, says I; there may be mischief enough done without you. Man. Why that was bravely spoken, John, and like a man. J. Moody. Ah, weast heart! were measter but hawf the mon that I am-Ods wookers! thof he'll speak stautly, too, sometimes--But then he canno' hawld it- -no, he canno' hawld it. Lord Town. J. Moody. Ods flesh! but I mun hie me whoam; the coach will be coming every hour naw -but measter charged me to find your worship out; for he has hugey business with you: and will certainly wait upon you by that time he can put on a clean neck-cloth. Man. Oh, John! I'll wait upon him. ye? Man. If you'll tell me where you lodge. J. Moody. Just the street next to where 4N |