66 a lover, you will not fail the death of Alexander: the passion of love is wonderfully hit-Statira! O that happy woman-to have a conqueror at her feet! But you will be sure to be there." I, and several others, resolved to be of her party. But see the irresistible strength of that unsuspected creature, a "silent woman." Prudentia had counterplotted us, and had bespoke on the same evening the puppetshow of "The Creation of the world*." She had engaged every body to be there; and, to turn our leader into ridicule, had secretly let them know, that the puppet Eve was made the most like Florimel that ever was seen. On Thursday morning the puppet drummer, Adam and Eve, and several others who lived before the flood, passed through the streets on horseback, to invite us all to the pastime, and the representation of such things as we all knew to be true: and Mr. Mayor was so wise, as to prefer these innocent people the puppets, who, he said, were to represent Christians, before the wicked players, who were to show Alexander, an heathen philosopher. To be short, this Prudentia had so laid it, that at ten of the clock footmen were sent to take places at the puppet-show, and all we of Florimel's party were to be out of fashion, or desert her we chose the latter. All the world crowded to Prudentia's house, because it was given out that nobody could get in. When we came to Noah's flood in the show, Punch and his wife were introduced dancing in the ark. An honest plain friend of Florimel's, but a critic withal, 10se up in the midst of the representation, and made many * A deformed cripple, of the name of Powel, was the master of a popular puppet-show at this time, and made Punch utter many things, that would not have been endured in any ther way of communication. very good exceptions to the drama itself, and told us, that it was against all morality, as well as rules of the stage, that l'unch should be in jest in the deluge, or indeed that he should appear at all. This was certainly a just remark, and I thought to second him; but he was hissed by Prudentia's party; upon which, really, Sir Thomas, we, who were his friends, hissed him too. Old Mrs. Petulant desired both her daughters to mind the moral; then whispered Mrs. Mayoress, "This is very proper for young people to see!" Punch, at the end of the play, made Prudentia a compliment, and was very civil to the whole company, making bows until his buttons touched the ground. All was carried triumphantly against our party. In the mean time Florimel went to the tragedy, dressed as fine as hands could make her, in hopes to see Prudentia pine away with envy. Instead of that, she sat a full hour alone, and at last was entertained with this whole relation from Statira, who wiped her eyes with her tragical cut handkerchief, and lamented the ignorance of the quality. Florimel was stung with this affront, and the next day bespoke the puppet-show. Prudentia, insolent with power, bespoke Alexander. The whole com. pany came then to Alexander. Madam Petulant desired her daughters to mind the moral, and be lieve no man's fair words; "for you will see, children (says she), these soldiers are never to be de pended upon; they are sometimes here, sometimes there. Do not you see, daughter Betty, Colonel Clod, our next neighbour in the country, pull off his hat to you? court'sy, good child, his estate is just by us." Florimel was now mortified down to Prudentia's humour; and Prudentia exalted into hers. This was observed; Florimel invites us to the play a second time; Prudentia to the show, See the uncertainty of human affairs! The beaux, the wits, the gamesters, the prudes, the coquettes, the valetudinarians, and gallants, all now wait upon Florimel. Such is the state of all things at this present date; and if there happen any new commotions, you shall have immediate advice from, Madam, Sir, Your affectionate friend, and servant." TO CASTABELLA. May 16, 1709. I have the honour of a letter from a friend of yours, relating to an incivility done to you at the opera, by one of your own sex ; but I, who was an eye-witness of the accident, can testify to you, that though she pressed before you, she lost her ends in that design; for she was taken notice of for no other reason, but her endeavours to hide a finer woman than herself. But, indeed, I dare not go farther in this matter than just this bare mention for though it was taking your place of right, rather than place of precedence, yet it is so tender a point, and on which the very life of female ambition depends, that it is of the last consequence to meddle in it. All my hopes are from your beautiful sex; and those bright eyes, which are the bane of others are my only sun-shine. My writings are sacred to you; and I hope, I shall always have the good fortune to live under your protection; therefore take this public opportunity to signify to all the world, that I design to forbear any thing that may in the least tend to the diminution of your interest, reputation, or power. You will therefore forgive me, that I strive to conceal every wrong step made by any who have the honour to wear petticoats, and shall at all times do what is in my power to make all mankind. as much their slaves as myself. If they would consider things as they ought, there needs not much argument to convince them, that it is their fate to be obedient to you, and that your greatest rebels do only serve with a worse grace. I am, Madam, Your most obedient and St. James's Coffee-house, May 16. Letters from the Hague, bearing date the twentyfirst instant, N. S. advise, that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, immediately after his arrival, sent his Secretary to the President and the Pensionary, to acquaint them therewith. Soon after, these Ministers visited the Duke, and made him compliments in the name of the States-General; after which they entered into a conference with him on the present posture of affairs, and gave his Grace assurances of the firm adherence of the States to the alliance; at the same time acquainting him, that all overtures of peace were rejected, until they had an opportunity of acting in concert with their allies on that subject. After this interview, the Pensionary and the President returned to the Assembly of the States. Monsieur Torcy has had a conference at the Pensioner's house with his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, and his Excellency the Lord Townshend. The result of what was debated at that time is kept secret; but there appears an air of satisfaction and good understanding between these ministers. We are apt also to give ourselves very hopeful prospects from Monsieur Torcy's being employed in this negotiation, who had been always remarkable for a particular way of thinking, in his sense of the greatness of France; which he has always said, "was to be promoted rather by the arts of peace, than those of war." His delivering himself freely on this subject has formerly appeared an unsuccessful way to power in that Court; but in its present circumstances those maxims are better received; and it is thought a certain argument of the sincerity of the French King's intentions, that this minister is at present made use of. The Marquis is to return to Paris within few days, who has sent a courier thither to give notice of the reasons of his return, that the Court may be the sooner able to dispatch commissions for a formal treaty. The expectations of peace are increased by advices from Paris of the twelfth instant, which say, the Dauphin has altered his resolution of commanding in Flanders the ensuing campaign. The Saxon and Prussian reinforcements, together with Count Mercy's regiment of Imperial horse, are encamped in the neighbourhood of Brussels; and sufficient stores of corn and forage are transported to that place and Ghent, for the service of the confederate army. They write from Mons, that the Elector of BaTaria had advice, that an advanced party of the Portugueze army had been defeated by the Spaniards. We hear from Languedoc, that their corn, olives, and figs, were wholly destroyed; but that they have a hopeful prospect of a plentiful vintage. VOL. |