haps does not often make him acquainted; and which, as it seems to produce no other advantage to those that practise it than a short gratification of thoughtless vanity, may become less common when it has been once exposed in its various forms, and its full magnitude.

“I am the daughter of a country gentleman, whose family is numerous, and whose state, not at first sufficient to supply us with affluence, has been lately so much impaired by an unsuccessful lawsuit, that all the younger children are obliged to try such means as their education affords them for procuring the necessaries of life. Distress and curiosity concurred to bring me to London, where I was received by a relation with the coldness which misfortune generally finds. A week, a long week, I lived with my cousin, before the most vigilant inquiry could procure us the least hopes of a place, in which time I was much better qualified to bear all the vexations of servitude. The first two days she was content to pity me, and only wished I had not been quite so well bred; but people must comply with their circumstances. This lenity, however, was soon at an end; and, for the remaining part of the week, I heard every hour of the pride of my family, the obstinacy of my father, and of people better born than myself that were common servants.

“At last, on Saturday noon, she told me, with very visible satisfaction, that Mrs. Bombasine, the great silkmercer's lady, wanted a maid, and a fine place it would be, for there would be nothing to do but to clean my mistress's room, get up her linen, dress the young ladies, wait at tea in the morning, take care of a little miss just come from nurse, and then sit down to my needle. But madam was a woman of great spirit, and would not be contradicted, and

VOL. I.

G

with me.

therefore I should take care, for good places were not easily to be got.

With these cautions I waited on madam Bombasine, of whom the first sight gave me no ravishing ideas. She was two yards round the waist, her voice was at once loud and squeaking, and her face brought to my mind the picture of the full moon. Are you

the young woman, says she, that are come to offer yourself? It is strange when people of substance want a servant, how soon it is the town talk. But they know they shall have a bellyfull that live

Not like people that live at the other end of the town, we dine at one o'clock. But I never take any body without

a character; what friends do you come of? I then told her that my father was a gentleman, and that we had been unfortunate.- A great misfortune, indeed, to come to me, and have three meals a day!-So your father was a gentleman, and you are a gentlewoman I suppose-such gentlewomen!—Madam, I did not mean to claim any exemptions, I only answered your inquiry.Such gentlewomen! people should set up their children to good trades, and keep them off the parish. Pray go to the other end of the town, there are gentlewomen, if they would pay their debts : I am sure we have lost enough by gentlewomen. Upon this, her broad face grew broader with triumph, and I was afraid she would have taken me for the pleasure of continuing her insult; but happily the next word was, pray, Mrs. Gentlewoman, troop down stairs. You may believe I obeyed her.

• I returned and met with a better reception from my cousin than I expected; for while I was out, she had heard that Mrs. Standish, whose husband had lately been raised from a clerk in an office to be commissioner of the excise, had taken a fine house, and wanted a maid.

66

“ To Mrs. Standish I went, and, after having waited six hours, was at last admitted to the top of the stairs, when she came out of her room with two of her company. There was a smell of punch. So, young woman, you want a place, whence do you come? From the country, madam.—Yes, they all come out of the country. And what brought you to town, a bastard ? Where do you lodge ? At the Seven Dials? What, you never heard of the foundling house! Upon this, they all laughed so obstreperously, that I took the opportunity of sneaking off in the tumult.

“I then heard of a place at an elderly lady's. She was at cards; but, in two hours, I was told, she would speak to me.

She asked me if I could keep an account, and ordered me to write. I wrote two lines out of some book that lay by her. She wondered what people meant, to bring up poor girls to write at that rate. I

suppose, Mrs. Flirt, if I was to see your work, it would be fine stuff!-You may walk.. I will not have love-letters written from my house to every young fellow in the street.

“ Two days after, I went on the same pursuit to Lady Lofty, dressed, as I was directed, in what little ornaments I had, because she had lately got a place at court. Upon the first sight of me, she turns to the woman that showed me in, Is this the lady that wants a place? Pray what place would you have, miss ? a maid of honour's place? Servants now-a-days!--Madam, I heard you wanted -- Wanted what-Somebody finer than myself! A pretty servant indeed - I should be afraid to speak to her I suppose, Mrs. Minx, these fine hands cannot bear wetting—A servant indeed! Pray move off-I am resolved to be the head person in this house.You are ready dressed, the taverns will be open.

“I went to inquire for the next place in a clean linen gown, and heard the servant tell his lady, there

a

-Here, you

was a young woman, but he saw she would not do. I was brought up however. Are you the trollop that has the impudence to come for my place? What, you have hired that nasty_gown, and are come to steal a better! Madam, I have another, but being obliged to walk-Then these are your manners, with your blushes, and your courtesies, to come to me in your worst gown. Madam, give me leave to wait upon you in my other. Wait on me, you saucy slut! Then you are sure of coming-I could not let such a drab come near me, girl, that came up with her, have you touched her? If you have, wash your hands before you dress me -Such trollops! Get you down. What, whimpering? Pray walk.

I went away with tears; for my cousin had lost all patience. However she told me, that having a respect for my relations, she was willing to keep me out of the street, and would let me have another week.

“ The first day of this week I saw two places. At one I was asked where I had lived ? And upon my answer was told by the lady, that people should qualify themselves in ordinary places, for she should never have done if she was to follow girls about. At the other house I was a smirking hussy, and that sweet face I might make money of -For her part, it was a rule with her never to take

any ture that thought herself handsome.

“ The three next days were spent in Lady Bluff's entry, where I waited six hours every day for the pleasure of seeing the servants peep at me, and go away laughing -Madam will stretch her small shanks in the entry; she will know the house again.

-At sunset the two first days I was told that my lady would see me to-morrow, and, on the third, that her woman staid.

“My week was now near its end, and I had no

crea

hopes of a place. My relation, who always laid upon me the blame of every miscarriage, told me that I must learn to humble myself, and that all great ladies had particular ways; and if I went on in that manner she could not tell who would keep me; she had known many, who bad refused places, sell their clothes, and beg in the streets.

“ It was to no purpose that the refusal was declared by me to be never on my side ; I was reasoning against interest and against stupidity; and therefore I comforted myself with the hope of succeeding better in my next attempt, and went to Mrs. Courtly, a very fine lady, who had routs at her house, and saw the best company in town.

“I had not waited two hours before I was called up, and found Mr. Courtly and his lady at piquet, in the height of good humour. This I looked on as a favourable sign, and stood at the lower end of the room in expectation of the common questions. At last Mr. Courtly called out, after a whisper, Stand facing the light, that one may see you. I changed my place, and blushed. They frequently turned their eyes upon me, and seemed to discover many subjects of merriment; for at every look they whispered, and laughed with the most violent agitations of delight. At last Mr. Courtly cried out, Is that colour your own, child? Yes, says the lady, if she has not robbed the kitchen hearth. This was so happy a conceit that it renewed the storm of laughter, and they threw down their cards in hopes of better sport. The lady then called me to her, and began with an affected gravity to inquire what I could do? But first turn about, and let us see your fine shape: Well, what are you fit for, Mrs. Mum? You would find your tongue, I suppose, in the kitchen. No, no, says Mr. Courtly, the girl's a good girl yet, but I am afraid a brisk young fellow,