Mrs. Bradshaw to Mrs. Howard-Life of a Lady of Fashion in the Country.

and make ourselves ready, for it cannot be called dressing; at noon the great bell fetches us into a parlor, adorned with all sorts of firearms, poisoned darts, several pair of old shoes and boots, won from the Tartars by men of might belonging to this castle, with the stirrups of King Charles the First, taken from him at Edge Hill.

Here leave we the historical part of the furniture; and cast your eye (in imagination) upon a table covered with good fish and flesh, the product of our own estate; and such ale !—it would make you stare again, Howard. After your health has gone round (which is always the second glass), we begin to grow witty, and really say things which would make your ears tingle; your court wits are nothing to us for invention (plots only excepted); but being all of a side, we lay no scheme but of getting you amongst us, where, though I say it that should not (because I would have my share in it), you would pass your time very agreeably in our dike, for you must know we have hardly seen dry land since we came.

Mr. Mordaunt has once or twice made an effort to sally out into the gardens, but, finding no rest for the sole of his foot, returns presently to us again; and I must give him his due, always in good humor. Miss had a small ray of hope last night, for Colonel Lawrence and a gentleman with him swam to us; the last was clothed in blue, turned up with red, and adorned with plate buttons; upon which she puts me on her lute-string suit, not omitting all the little flirtations she is mistress of. If she brings it to any thing, you shall be sure to have notice time enough to provide another maid.

Nay, I will assure you, old as I am, I have my little gallantries too. A gentleman of three hundred per annum fancies

Lord Chesterfield to the Countess of Suffolk-Diary of a Man of Fashion at Bath.

me extremely, and if he had not been under an engagement before I came, I have some reason to believe I might have kept a chaise of my own; however, I live in hope that a loose man may come, though it will be some time first, for all the best families in the parish are laid up with what they call the yoke-which in England is the itch. We have had a noble captain, who dined in a brave pair of white gloves, to my very great surprise; but it was when I was in my London ignorance.

I am now called upon to see a pond drawn, which will produce carp as big as some of your lords of the bed chamber. Madame Howard, I live in expectation of an epistle from you, which is the only wish I have out of my company, who are all your humble servants; but nobody is more entirely so than your slave, PEGGY.

IX.--DIARY OF A MAN OF FASHION AT BATH.

Lord Chesterfield to the Countess of Suffolk.

BATH, Nov. 2d, 1734.

MADAM: A general history of the Bath since you left it, together with the particulars of Amoretto's (the Hon. William Sawyer Herbert) life and conversation, are matters of too great importance to need any introduction. Therefore, without further preamble, I send you the very minutes, just as I have them down to help my own memory; the variety of events, and the time necessary to observe them, not having yet allowed me the leisure to put them in that style and order in which I propose they shall hereafter appear in public.

Oct. 27.-Little company appeared at the pump; those that were there drank the waters of affliction for the departure of

Lord Chesterfield to the Countess of Suffolk-Diary of a Man of Fashion at Bath.

Lady Suffolk and Mrs. Blount. What was said of them both I need not tell you; for it was so obvious to those that said it, that it cannot be less so to those that deserve it. Amoretto went upon Lansdowne to evaporate his grief for the loss of his Parthenissa (Mrs. Blount), in memory of whom (and the wind being cold into the bargain) he tied his handkerchief over his hat, and looked very sadly.

In the evening, the usual tea-table met at Lyndsey's, the two principal persons excepted, who, it was hoped, were then got safe to Newberry. Amoretto's main action was at our table ; but episodically, he took pieces of bread and butter, and cups of tea at about ten others. He laughed his way through the girls out of the long room into the little one, where he tallied* till he swore, and swore till he went home-and probably some time afterwards.

The Countess of Burlington, in the absence of her Royal Highness, held a circle at Hayes's, where she lost a favorite snuff-box, but unfortunately kept her temper.

Oct. 28.-Breakfast was at Lady Anne's, where Amoretto was with difficulty prevailed upon to eat and drink as much as he had a mind to. At night he was observed to be pleasant with the girls, and with less restraint than usual, which made some people surmise that he comforted himself for the loss of Lady Suffolk and Parthenissa, by the liberty and impunity their absence gave him.

Oct. 29.—Amoretto breakfasted incognito, but appeared at the ball in the evening, where he distinguished himself by his bon mots. He was particularly pleased to compare the two Miss

* Played at cards.

Lord Chesterfield to the Countess of Suffolk-Diary of a Man of Fashion at Bath.

Towardins, who are very short, and were a dancing, to a couple of totums set a spinning. The justness and liveliness of this image struck Mr. Marriott to such a degree, that he begged leave of the author to put it off for his own, which was granted him. He declared afterwards to several people, that Mr. Herbert beat the world at similes.

Oct. 30.-Being his Majesty's birthday, little company appeared in the morning, all being resolved to look well at night. Mr. Herbert dined at Mr. Walter's with young Mr. Barnard, whom he rallied to death. Nash gave a ball at Lydnsey's, where Mr. Tate appeared for the first time, and was noticed by Mr. Herbert; he wore his gold-laced clothes on the occasion, and looked so fine, that, standing by chance in the middle of the dancers, he was taken by many at a distance for a gilt garland. He concluded his evening as usual with basset and blasphemy.

Oct. 31.-Amoretto breakfasted at Lady Anne's, where, being now more easy and familiar, he called for a half peck loaf and a pound of butter-let off a great many ideas, and, had he had the same inclination to have let off any thing else, would doubtless have done it. The Countess of Burlington bespoke the play, as you may see by the enclosed original bill; the audience consisted of seventeen souls, of whom I made one.

Nov. 1.-Amoretto took a vomit in the morning, and then with a clear and excellent stomach dined with me, and went to the ball at night, where Mrs. Hamilton chiefly engrossed him. Mrs. Jones gave Sir Humphrey Monoux pain with Mr. Browne, which gave Sir Humphrey the toothach, but Mr. Jones has since made up matters between them.

Nov. 2.-Circular letters are received here from Miss Secretary Russell, notifying the safe arrival at London, with many

Lady Montagu to Lady Pomfret-House of Lords stormed by a mob of Ladies.

interesting particulars, and with gracious assurances of the continuance of a firm and sincere friendship. It would be as hard to say who received the strongest assurances, as it would be to determine who credited them the worst. Mrs. Hamilton bespoke the play at night, which we all interested ourselves so much to fill, that there were as many people turned back as let

in ; it was so hot that the Countess of Burlington could not stay

it out.

You now see by this week's journal how much you have lost by leaving the Bath so soon; at least I can assure you we feel what we lost by your leaving it before us. We are all disjointed, and so weary that I have prevailed with my brother and Charles Stanhope to start from hence with me on Tuesday se'night, which will just complete the two months I was ordered to stay. We set Mr. Herbert down at Highclere, in our way. This day fortnight I hope to have the pleasure of finding you at St. James's, much the better for the bath; where, over a hot roll with Mrs. Blount, I propose giving you the next week's journal by word of mouth. After having troubled you so long already, it is only in compliance to the form of letters that I add so unnecessary and so known a truth, as the assurance of the respect and attachment with which I am,

Madam, yours, &c.,

CHESTERFIELD.

X.-HOUSE OF LORDS STORMED BY A MOB OF LADIES.*

Lady Montagu to Lady Pomfret.

1738.

There is no news to be sent you from this place, which has been for this fortnight, and still continues, overwhelmed with

* This curious incident is not without some parallel even in our own day