Granby in Germany; and I had another demand from Finmore, of the Star and Garter tavern, for claret, for which I had likewise indifcreetly wrote an order for Calcraft, when I refided in Parliamentftreet. As I could not think myself liable to these demands, I took no manner of notice of them; the confequence of which was, that they both commenced actions against me. Accordingly, as I was preparing one night for the opera, I was honoured with a vifit from two of the catchpole fraternity, who told me I must take the air with them, before I indulged my ears. The debt I had contracted of Woodifield, on Lord Granby's account, I could by no means litigate. His Lordship was abroad, and I was too much indebted to his generofity to think of writing to him upon such a subject. When I arrived at the officer's houfe, the man seeing me better dreffed than his vifitors usually were, and recollecting my voice, he took my word for my fettling Mr. Woodifield's action the next day; and giving bail for the other, which I was determined to conteft, in order at once to expose Mr. Calcraft, and try the validity of my protection. For though I did not lodge in the Amba{fador's house, I was actually his houfe-keeper, and remained upon the lift till the Comte's death. But I only availed myself of his protection once. Whilft G 2 Whilft this affair was in agitation, I fent for Mr. Willis, Mr. Calcraft's clerk, to whom I remonftrated upon this fresh inftance of his mafter's ill treatment, but could obtain no redrefs. My letter to Mr. Calcraft will, however, elucidate these mean and ungentleman-like transactions. I was obliged, by this unexpected event, to have recourse, once more, to the friendship of Mr. Hearne, who immediately affifted me. This laft fum, accumulated that gentleman's debt to fix hundred and forty pounds; for, befides the different fums I had borrowed of him, he had redeemed fome valuables which I had left with Mr. Maclewain, of Dublin, in order to discharge every demand upon me when last I was in that kingdom. Among these things was a gold enamelled fnuffbox, a gift of the beautiful Countess of Kildare (fince Duchefs of Leinfter), and as fuch was efteemed invaluable by me. This, I own, was the only piece of elegance I ever feverely regretted parting with; nor fhould I ever have parted with it, had there not been almost a certainty of my having fo valuable a mark of her Ladyship's partiality restored to me. This depofit, together with three or four dividends, and fome tickets at my benefit, are all I have been able to pay of this large debt; and inexpreffibly happy shall I be, if ever it is in my power to discharge it. In the mean mean time, I fhall retain the most lively gratitude for fuch frequent interpofitions in my favour. ( The being too fanguine in my hopes has led me into many difficulties; but the indulgence f thefe expectations originated from my having been fo fupremely fortunate as to meet with fuch fingular friends as the Mifs Merediths, Mifs St. Leger, Mifs Conway, Lady Tyrawley, and Mrs. Cracroft, as well as Mr. Woodward, whofe former paffion was now mellowed into friendship. I have, however, had the mortification to outlive them all. Female friendship never becomes the fubject of my pen, or of my converfation; but that moft beautiful description given of it by Shakspere, in his "Midfummer-Night's Dream *,” immediately occurs to my memory, and raises in my mind the most pleasing sensations.-As it is not inapplicable here, the mutual affection which subfifted between the foregoing ladies and myfelf being of the pureft and most exalted kind, I will transcribe for you the lines: "Is all the counsel that we two have fhar'd, "All school-days friendship, childhood innocence ? * A& III. Scene VII. G 3 "We, "We, Hermia, like two artificial gods, Both warbling of one fong, both in one key; "As if our hands, our fides, voices, and minds, "Had been incorporate. So we grew together, "Like to a double cherry, feeming parted, "But yet an union in partition; "Two lovely berries moulded on one stem, "So with two seeming bodies, but one heart; "Two of the first, like coats in heraldry, Due but to one, and crowned with one crest." G. A. B. LETTER LXXXIII. October 8, 17 AT 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 fentiments; and notwithstanding she was a miracle of chastity herself, she 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 fay, upon this occafion (for, if I recollect aright, I have touched upon the subject in a former letter), I have always obferved, that the really virtuous of our sex ever view with compaffion the errors of those who have been feduced by the artifices of defigning men; and, though totally unacquainted themfelves 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, Bequeathed down from many ancestors; "Which were the greatest obloquy i'th' world "In me to lofe *." 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 moft seductive arts, every other good qualification takes its flight with it. Lady Tyrawley's health vifibly declining, I became very apprehenfive that her lofs would foon fucceed that of my much regrette friend just * All's well that ends well, Act IV. Scene II. |