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 proluce 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

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

politics, and which are of so mysterious a nature, one ought to have some of the gifts of Lilly or Patridge to be able to write about them; and I leave all these dissertations to those distinguished mortals who are endowed with the talent of divination; though I am at present the only one of my sex who seems to be of that opinion, the ladies having shown their zeal and appetite for knowledge in a most glorious manner. At the last warm debate in the House of Lords, it was unanimously resolved that there should be no crowd of unnecessary auditors; consequently the fair sex were excluded, and the gallery destined to the sole use of the House of Commons. Notwithstanding which determination, a tribe of dames resolved to show on this occasion that neither men nor laws could resist them. These heroines

The following passage occurs in one of Curran's letters from Paris, in 1814: We agreed to go to La Chambre des Députes. One of the members chanced to have heard of my name, was extremely courteous, lamented that I should be a mere auditor, but he would take care that I should be placed according to my high worthiness. We were accordingly placed aux premières tribunes. The question was to be of the liberty of the press and a previous censorship. The baron had some difficulty in working us forward, and said how happy he was in succeeding. I assured him I was greatly delighted by the difficulty, as it marked the just point of solicitude of the public. The chamber is very handsome. The president faces the assembly. Before him is a Tribune, which the orator ascends and reads his speech with his back to the president. We waited anxiously. I thought I shared in the throb of a public heart. We observed some bustle. The seats of the interior, reserved for the members, became crowded to excess by ladies, admitted I know not how. The order for strangers to retire was read, the ladies would not stir. The president could find no remedy, and adjourned the House to next day. I was rather disgusted. The baron asked me what we would have done in England. I said we had too much respect for our ladies to permit them to remain. He shook his head. I did not understand what he meant; but does not this prove what I said a day or two ago to be true; that women bere have only a mock respect? If real, would they have dreamed of such a silly termagancy?"-H.