"We, Hermia, like two artificial gods, "Two lovely berries moulded on one stem, "Due but to one, and crowned with one crest." LETTER LXXXIII. G. A. B. October 8, 17 Ατ T this period Mrs. Cracroft died, which gave me real pain, as we were for years in the stricteft friendship. This excellent woman was greatly regretted by all who were acquainted with her eminent virtues. She poffeffed the most exchanting placidity of difpofition, joined to the most liberal fentintents; and notwithstanding fhe was a miracle of chastity herself, the felt compaffion for the frailties of her fex. Nor did fhe think herself contaminated by an intimacy with a much-injured woman, woman, that she knew had been grofsly impofed upon, and most wickedly traduced. Permit me just to say, upon this occafion (for, if I recollect aright, I have touched upon the fubject in a former letter), I have always obferved, that the really virtuous of our fex ever view with compaffion the errors of those who have been feduced by the artifices of defigning men; and, though totally unacquainted themselves with the frailties of human nature, in this point, can beftow a tear of pity on the martyr of an unguarded moment.-Chastity is undoubtedly the brightest ornament that adorns the female mind. I agree with Diana, when the fays, "My chastity's the jewel of our house, But I can by no means allow, as the cenforious part of the fex feem to confider it, that this virtue is the only needful one; and when a perfon has been unhappily deprived of it, though by the most feductive arts, every other good qualification takes its flight with it. Lady Tyrawley's health vifibly declining, I became very apprehenfive that her loss would foon fucceed that of my much regretted friend juft * All's well that ends well, Act IV. Scene II. mentioned. Few evenings paffed, without my receiving a fummons to Somerset-house. Her Ladyfhip, however, remained in this fituation for three or four years. As foon as the theatre fhut up, I again vifited the continent. I had there the pleasure of hearing, that Madam Brilliant, the French actress I have frequently mentioned, had retired from the gay scene of life she had been so long engaged in, to the gloom of a convent. Though ftill efteemed in her theatrical profeffion, and with an extenfive train of admirers, among whom was one of the firft Dukes in that kingdom, fhe refifted all their folicitations; and, notwithstanding she had been fo unfortunate as to lofe her reputation, she had the refolution to prefer fafting, and a breviary, to all the elegance and fplendor of Paris. This, in my idea, is real virtue; efpecially as fhe had forfeited the opinion of the world. But she is am ply repaid for every worldly lofs, by that happy tranquillity fhe now, if she still be living, enjoys. My going abroad this year was occafioned by the following circumftance. One of my creditors. promised that he would fign my letter of licence, if I would pay him thirty guineas, and he gave me affurance in writing of his doing fo; notwithftanding which, the very evening of the day I had raid the money on, he ferved me with a copy of a writ for the remainder. Exafperated at fuch ungenerous treatment, I gave bail, and determined to ftand trial. Upon this occafion Mr. Woodward recommended Mr. Zachary Stephens, folicitor in Chancery-lane, to me, to carry on the fuit. He undertook the cause, but through fome neglect (as the officer declared, either of his not being ferved with a proper notice, or his not ferving one), judgment was fuffered to go against me, by what is termed default. Distracted at the fuppofition of my bail's fuffering upon my account, and apprehenfive for my own liberty, I went, in order to accept the offered friendship of Mrs. Collier, who had fettled in France, to avoid the perfecution and extravagance of one of the worst of hufbands. That lady immediately lent me the fum I required, and took my note payable in a year. At her houfe I renewed my former acquaintance with the beautiful Mrs. A——, who was fent abroad upon account of her having formed an imprudent partiality for a celebrated finger. Ifhould not have mentioned this circumftance, but as it led to a very difagreeable one many years after. Indeed, my life has been productive of so many untoward and almoft incredible events, that, were there not many perfons ftill living who can bear witness to the authenticity of them, I fhould be ashamed to relate them; as they muft appear rather the memoirs of a female Crufoe, than a relation of facts. Such, however, fhould curiofity lead to enquiries, they will be found to be. Upon my return to London, I was informed that Mifs Wilford, a coufin of Mrs. Rich's, was to debute in Eftifania. This, added to the alteration in my circumftances, caufed a great alteration in Mrs. Rich's deportinent to me.. "There was a time," as Shore fays", "when my approach "would make a little holiday; and every face was "dreffed in fmiles to fee me.' But as that lady's regards were only fhewn to thofe who bafk in funfhine, and not to poor beings enveloped in a cloud of diftrefs, I was no longer a favourite with her. I could not, I acknowledge, claim a right to object to the lady's having a trial-part; but, confidering the terms I had formerly been upon with the family, I imagined I had at least a right to be confulted on the propriety of her appearance. At this me I had no acquaintance with any of them, except the late Mrs. Valquer, Mr. Rich's, youngest daughter. This lady poffeffed many Thining qualities. To unaffected manners, was added a goodness of heart which was vifible in all her words and actions. I confequently did not chufe to give her pain, by making her acquaintJane Shore, A&t V. Scene I. ed |