Volume 2
Book 3
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Countess of DELLWYN
BOOK III
HISTORY
OF THE
Countess of DELLWYN
BOOK III
Chapter 1
Page 1
The great Value of a new Acquisition of
Company, in the Decay of a Season, at
a public Place, to the Followers of gay
Diversions.
LADY Dellwyn's Beauty reigned now almost unrivalled on the very Pinacle of Admiration: She could almost say her utmost Wish was accomplished. Whenever she graced an Assembly, she engrossed the Eyes of all Beholders, received their Ho-
mage
Vol. II
B
Page 2
mage as due Incense; and was herself equally pleased with them all.
Beaux drive out Beaux, as Coaches Coaches
drive*.
But such is the Fate of the highest human Pleasures, as continually to exemplify the Truth of the Observation, That,
Were our State as we would chuse it,
We should be unhappy with Fear to lose it t.
For now the visible Appearance of the Season's approaching End began to fill Lady Dellwyn with melancholy and dismal Apprehensions; for her Lord had positively declared his Intention of returning directly to his own Castle from Bristol, as soon as he should be able to travel; so that her Ladyship despaired of following the Bent of her own Inclinations, which would have
* Pope.
t Cowley.
led
Page 3
led her first to Bath, during the Height of the Season there, and then, before the Meeting of the Parliament, to have joined the Company in London. She therefore greatly rejoiced in every new Acquisition of Company; and the Information of the Arrival of Lady Fanny Chlegen filled her with much Pleasure.
Lady Fanny was indisposed after her Journey, and could not immediately appear in Public; but the Moment Lady Dellwyn beheld her, she was surprised to find in the new-arrived Lady her old Friend Lady Fanny Fashion. She had been informed, that her apprehended Rival, whose Coquetry was the principal Instrument towards obtaining her Consent to become Countess of Dellwyn, was since married herself; but that the present Lady Fanny was so, she had never heard the least Intimation.
Mr. Chlegen indeed accompanied his Lady to Bristol, but was so absorbed
in
B2
Page 4
in her dazling Lustre, that he was seldom mentioned. Company dined with Lady Fanny: Parties were made to ride -- walk -- play at Cards, with Lady Fanny; but her Husband seemed in a State of Annihilation: And so much Resemblance did he bear to a Ghost, that, altho' present, he was invisible, and unobserved by any of the Company. Unless some odd Man, who sat near him at the Bottom of the Table, thought it proper to acknowlege the Master of the House, like the Ghost of Banquo, he might imperceptibly appear or vanish as often as he pleased, whilst the Lady, like Lady Macbeth,
Still kept her Seat,
and her State also.
A short Sketch of Mr. Chlegen's Character seems to demand a Place here, lest the Reader should be led into a Mistake, and imagine, that he was
really
Page 5
really too insignificant to deserve any further Notice.
Mr. Chlegen was about the Age of really too insignificant to deserve any further Notice. Mr. Chlegen was about the Age of Twenty~eight; his Person well-proportioned, rather inclined to tall; his Countenance was manly, without the least Mixture of Roughness; and his Eyes were penetrating, without dart- ing-forth any Degree of Fierceness, He had had a liberal Education, and improved his Time to the best Advantage: His Heart was humane; he was a good Christian in Principle, and kept up in Practice (as far as human Frailties will admit) to the Religion he professed. Such was the general Character of the Man who was overlooked-- by all such Persons as were the very Reverse of Mr. Chlegen. As to Lady Fanny, he married her because he loved her. He had Fortune enough to permit him reasonably to please himself; and altho' Lady Fanny's Disposition was somewhat gayer than what he wished, yet he flattered himself that
she
B3
Page 6
she had a sufficient Stock of good Sense at the Bottom to become an agreeable, domestic, chearful Companion, when the Flights of Youth were a little evaporated. The largest Share of human Understanding is often insufficient to prevent either a Man or Woman from giving too geat Liberty to the Imagination, and bestowing a partial Opinion on the Object of their Choice. Besides, Lady Fanny, whilst Mr. Chlegan was her Lover, had shewn so visible a Preference of his Company to all other Diversions, as appeared to him to lay a solid Foundation for his Hopes; and he had then pictured to Himself various Scenes of mutual Happiness, in which Inventions for her Indulgence always made the principal Part, and when he was married to her, he failed not to use his utmost Endeavours to make her happy. Such was his Tenderness for her, that what Hamlet says of his Father, might be justly applied to him;
so
Page 7
-------so loving to my Mother,
That he would not let e'en the Winds of
Heav'n
Visit her Face too roughly-----
And when he perceived, that she delighted more in the Pursuit of public Pleasures, and gay Diversions, than was suitable to his Inclinations, even to them he accompanied her for her Indulgence; but still cherishing the Hopes that she could not long continue this Taste, but must, of herself, grow weary of a constant Round of the same Manner of wasting her Time; for he could not conceive the Possibility of continuing resolutely in a Pursuit, which, he was well satisfied, was perfectly incapable of yielding any solid Pleasure.
CHAP.
B4
The great Value of a new Acquisition of
Company, in the Decay of a Season, at
a public Place, to the Followers of gay
Diversions.
LADY Dellwyn's Beauty reigned now almost unrivalled on the very Pinacle of Admiration: She could almost say her utmost Wish was accomplished. Whenever she graced an Assembly, she engrossed the Eyes of all Beholders, received their Ho-
mage
Vol. II
B
Page 2
mage as due Incense; and was herself equally pleased with them all.
Beaux drive out Beaux, as Coaches Coaches
drive*.
But such is the Fate of the highest human Pleasures, as continually to exemplify the Truth of the Observation, That,
Were our State as we would chuse it,
We should be unhappy with Fear to lose it t.
For now the visible Appearance of the Season's approaching End began to fill Lady Dellwyn with melancholy and dismal Apprehensions; for her Lord had positively declared his Intention of returning directly to his own Castle from Bristol, as soon as he should be able to travel; so that her Ladyship despaired of following the Bent of her own Inclinations, which would have
* Pope.
t Cowley.
led
Page 3
led her first to Bath, during the Height of the Season there, and then, before the Meeting of the Parliament, to have joined the Company in London. She therefore greatly rejoiced in every new Acquisition of Company; and the Information of the Arrival of Lady Fanny Chlegen filled her with much Pleasure.
Lady Fanny was indisposed after her Journey, and could not immediately appear in Public; but the Moment Lady Dellwyn beheld her, she was surprised to find in the new-arrived Lady her old Friend Lady Fanny Fashion. She had been informed, that her apprehended Rival, whose Coquetry was the principal Instrument towards obtaining her Consent to become Countess of Dellwyn, was since married herself; but that the present Lady Fanny was so, she had never heard the least Intimation.
Mr. Chlegen indeed accompanied his Lady to Bristol, but was so absorbed
in
B2
Page 4
in her dazling Lustre, that he was seldom mentioned. Company dined with Lady Fanny: Parties were made to ride -- walk -- play at Cards, with Lady Fanny; but her Husband seemed in a State of Annihilation: And so much Resemblance did he bear to a Ghost, that, altho' present, he was invisible, and unobserved by any of the Company. Unless some odd Man, who sat near him at the Bottom of the Table, thought it proper to acknowlege the Master of the House, like the Ghost of Banquo, he might imperceptibly appear or vanish as often as he pleased, whilst the Lady, like Lady Macbeth,
Still kept her Seat,
and her State also.
A short Sketch of Mr. Chlegen's Character seems to demand a Place here, lest the Reader should be led into a Mistake, and imagine, that he was
really
Page 5
really too insignificant to deserve any further Notice.
Mr. Chlegen was about the Age of really too insignificant to deserve any further Notice. Mr. Chlegen was about the Age of Twenty~eight; his Person well-proportioned, rather inclined to tall; his Countenance was manly, without the least Mixture of Roughness; and his Eyes were penetrating, without dart- ing-forth any Degree of Fierceness, He had had a liberal Education, and improved his Time to the best Advantage: His Heart was humane; he was a good Christian in Principle, and kept up in Practice (as far as human Frailties will admit) to the Religion he professed. Such was the general Character of the Man who was overlooked-- by all such Persons as were the very Reverse of Mr. Chlegen. As to Lady Fanny, he married her because he loved her. He had Fortune enough to permit him reasonably to please himself; and altho' Lady Fanny's Disposition was somewhat gayer than what he wished, yet he flattered himself that
she
B3
Page 6
she had a sufficient Stock of good Sense at the Bottom to become an agreeable, domestic, chearful Companion, when the Flights of Youth were a little evaporated. The largest Share of human Understanding is often insufficient to prevent either a Man or Woman from giving too geat Liberty to the Imagination, and bestowing a partial Opinion on the Object of their Choice. Besides, Lady Fanny, whilst Mr. Chlegan was her Lover, had shewn so visible a Preference of his Company to all other Diversions, as appeared to him to lay a solid Foundation for his Hopes; and he had then pictured to Himself various Scenes of mutual Happiness, in which Inventions for her Indulgence always made the principal Part, and when he was married to her, he failed not to use his utmost Endeavours to make her happy. Such was his Tenderness for her, that what Hamlet says of his Father, might be justly applied to him;
so
Page 7
-------so loving to my Mother,
That he would not let e'en the Winds of
Heav'n
Visit her Face too roughly-----
And when he perceived, that she delighted more in the Pursuit of public Pleasures, and gay Diversions, than was suitable to his Inclinations, even to them he accompanied her for her Indulgence; but still cherishing the Hopes that she could not long continue this Taste, but must, of herself, grow weary of a constant Round of the same Manner of wasting her Time; for he could not conceive the Possibility of continuing resolutely in a Pursuit, which, he was well satisfied, was perfectly incapable of yielding any solid Pleasure.
CHAP.
B4
Chapter 2
Page 8
CHAP. II.
The old Fable of the Fox, who declared
the Grapes were sour when he could
not come at them, exemplfied: Or a
sudden joyful Acceptance of what was
the Moment before contemptible.
THE Two Ladies, as soon as they distinguished each other, met with all the reciprocal Joy that could be expressed by Two Friends, who had been long separated. Had Lady Dellwyn met with this Rival in her Lord's Affections while she was confined to his Castle, and imagined herself the most miserable of human Creatures by becoming his wife, she could not, perhaps, have forborne stretching herself up into a sort of Posture of Defiance; her Eyes might have darted forth the Warmth of Resentment, and her Words have indicated Anger as plainly, altho' in a different Language
from
Page 9
from that used by the Vulgar to vent their Indignation. It is observeable, that when Ladies are angry, they encrease the Number of their Gestures; their Motions become quick and sudden; but they contract the Number of their Words, as if they esteemed them too valuable to be bestowed on such Persons as have offended them: Whence, I suppose, to give a short Answer is become a synonymous Term with giving an angry Answer; whereas the common People have a remarkable Volubility of Tongue when they would shew their Resentment.
Lady Dellwyn was now in the Midst of general Admiration; the Means therefore of her shining in Public were joyous to her Heart, and would not suffer the least Spark of Indignation to arise against Lady Fanny, who had, in a great Degree, contributed to her pre- sent Happiness.
Lady
B5
Page 10
Lady Fanny Chlegen had suffered many mortifying Apprehensions during her Journey, for fear the Company, from whom he expected full as salutary an Effect as from the Waters, should be dispersed before her Arrival; and therefore esteemed every Person to be valuable, who had the accidental Merit of making an additional Figure in the Rooms; but a Woman of Quality, at the latter End of a Season, was estimable indeed; and Lady Dellwyn was a more particular Pleasure than she expeted, insomuch that if she had rivaled her in a favourite LapDog, or any other Thing of equal Consequence, in all Probability Lady Fanny would have forgiven her, or, at least, have postponed her Resentment to a more convenient Opportunity, when Lady Dellwyn might happen to be less necessary to her Pleasures. It is natural and customary for Persons of the same Rank to range themselves in the same Party; Lady Dell-
wyn
Page 11
wyn and Lady Fanny were then the chief Supporters of that Company, which is often distinguished by the Name of the Quality Set; not at all so by themselves; perhaps very few of them ever heard the Expression; and as it is never used before them, it looks as if there was Something invidious lurked under it: But if it never came from the Mouth of any other than the acknowleged Vulgar, it should not be here remembered. But the Cafe is far otherwise; it is more general than can well be imagined, and the Design seems to be, to declare a Contempt for particrular Party; which Contempt they endeavour to prove, by letting their Thoughts, or at least their Conversation, continually dwell on that Subject.
A Lady, whose Eyes constantly rolled to that End of the Room where this Company genarally sat, was one Evening more eloquent than usual in declaring, and endeavouring to prove,
that
B6
Page 12
that she had no Inclination to be amongst the People of Quatity -- she was much better pleased with her own little Party -- and many other Expressions of the like Import she was uttering as fast as possible, when Lady Fanny Chlegen accosted her, and desired the Favour that she would make one of their Party, because they had been disappointed of one of their Company.
The Lady's Eloquence was immediately silenced: She walked up the Room with Lady Fanny, turning her Eyes quick from one Side to the other, repeatedly curt'seying all the Way to every one whose Regard she could catch, till she joined her present Company. During the Evening, she sometimes looked back on the Party she had left, with a View only of discovering whether or no they paid due Attention to her happy Situation. Such Revolutions do a few Moments cause in the human Mind! This Accident, in one Instance, seemed to have the
same
Page 13
same melancholy Effect with a Stroke of the Palsy; for the poor Lady's Memory was so greatly weakened by it, that she totally forgot all her former Acquaintance, and was seized with a Giddiness in her Head, which robbed her of all her Steadiness. Her Eyes seemed to have taken a sudden Aversion to look downwards, insomuch that she scarcely observed the Paths in which she walked enough to preserve her from the Danger of falling.
An Assembly of Company, where Lady ---- was introduced as a Subject of Conversation, were all so intimately acquainted with her Ladyship, that they were not ignorant of any the least Bent of her Disposition; and, had they been Painters, they could certainly have drawn her Picture by Memory only; but unfortunately the Lady at that Instant passed by; which being mentioned by a Gentleman, who was indeed the only Person in the Room who really knew Lady ---- by
Sight,
Page 14
Sight, the whole Company crouded earnestly to the Window, to discover which was the Lady, of whose most particular Notice they had but the Moment before boasted; and so far had their Imagination soared out of the Reach of their Government, that, whilst they were elated with the Thoughts of making believe they had the Honour of Lady ---'s Acquaintance, they never reflected on their own strange Appearance, to which they seemed totally insensible.
CHAP.
CHAP. II.
The old Fable of the Fox, who declared
the Grapes were sour when he could
not come at them, exemplfied: Or a
sudden joyful Acceptance of what was
the Moment before contemptible.
THE Two Ladies, as soon as they distinguished each other, met with all the reciprocal Joy that could be expressed by Two Friends, who had been long separated. Had Lady Dellwyn met with this Rival in her Lord's Affections while she was confined to his Castle, and imagined herself the most miserable of human Creatures by becoming his wife, she could not, perhaps, have forborne stretching herself up into a sort of Posture of Defiance; her Eyes might have darted forth the Warmth of Resentment, and her Words have indicated Anger as plainly, altho' in a different Language
from
Page 9
from that used by the Vulgar to vent their Indignation. It is observeable, that when Ladies are angry, they encrease the Number of their Gestures; their Motions become quick and sudden; but they contract the Number of their Words, as if they esteemed them too valuable to be bestowed on such Persons as have offended them: Whence, I suppose, to give a short Answer is become a synonymous Term with giving an angry Answer; whereas the common People have a remarkable Volubility of Tongue when they would shew their Resentment.
Lady Dellwyn was now in the Midst of general Admiration; the Means therefore of her shining in Public were joyous to her Heart, and would not suffer the least Spark of Indignation to arise against Lady Fanny, who had, in a great Degree, contributed to her pre- sent Happiness.
Lady
B5
Page 10
Lady Fanny Chlegen had suffered many mortifying Apprehensions during her Journey, for fear the Company, from whom he expected full as salutary an Effect as from the Waters, should be dispersed before her Arrival; and therefore esteemed every Person to be valuable, who had the accidental Merit of making an additional Figure in the Rooms; but a Woman of Quality, at the latter End of a Season, was estimable indeed; and Lady Dellwyn was a more particular Pleasure than she expeted, insomuch that if she had rivaled her in a favourite LapDog, or any other Thing of equal Consequence, in all Probability Lady Fanny would have forgiven her, or, at least, have postponed her Resentment to a more convenient Opportunity, when Lady Dellwyn might happen to be less necessary to her Pleasures. It is natural and customary for Persons of the same Rank to range themselves in the same Party; Lady Dell-
wyn
Page 11
wyn and Lady Fanny were then the chief Supporters of that Company, which is often distinguished by the Name of the Quality Set; not at all so by themselves; perhaps very few of them ever heard the Expression; and as it is never used before them, it looks as if there was Something invidious lurked under it: But if it never came from the Mouth of any other than the acknowleged Vulgar, it should not be here remembered. But the Cafe is far otherwise; it is more general than can well be imagined, and the Design seems to be, to declare a Contempt for particrular Party; which Contempt they endeavour to prove, by letting their Thoughts, or at least their Conversation, continually dwell on that Subject.
A Lady, whose Eyes constantly rolled to that End of the Room where this Company genarally sat, was one Evening more eloquent than usual in declaring, and endeavouring to prove,
that
B6
Page 12
that she had no Inclination to be amongst the People of Quatity -- she was much better pleased with her own little Party -- and many other Expressions of the like Import she was uttering as fast as possible, when Lady Fanny Chlegen accosted her, and desired the Favour that she would make one of their Party, because they had been disappointed of one of their Company.
The Lady's Eloquence was immediately silenced: She walked up the Room with Lady Fanny, turning her Eyes quick from one Side to the other, repeatedly curt'seying all the Way to every one whose Regard she could catch, till she joined her present Company. During the Evening, she sometimes looked back on the Party she had left, with a View only of discovering whether or no they paid due Attention to her happy Situation. Such Revolutions do a few Moments cause in the human Mind! This Accident, in one Instance, seemed to have the
same
Page 13
same melancholy Effect with a Stroke of the Palsy; for the poor Lady's Memory was so greatly weakened by it, that she totally forgot all her former Acquaintance, and was seized with a Giddiness in her Head, which robbed her of all her Steadiness. Her Eyes seemed to have taken a sudden Aversion to look downwards, insomuch that she scarcely observed the Paths in which she walked enough to preserve her from the Danger of falling.
An Assembly of Company, where Lady ---- was introduced as a Subject of Conversation, were all so intimately acquainted with her Ladyship, that they were not ignorant of any the least Bent of her Disposition; and, had they been Painters, they could certainly have drawn her Picture by Memory only; but unfortunately the Lady at that Instant passed by; which being mentioned by a Gentleman, who was indeed the only Person in the Room who really knew Lady ---- by
Sight,
Page 14
Sight, the whole Company crouded earnestly to the Window, to discover which was the Lady, of whose most particular Notice they had but the Moment before boasted; and so far had their Imagination soared out of the Reach of their Government, that, whilst they were elated with the Thoughts of making believe they had the Honour of Lady ---'s Acquaintance, they never reflected on their own strange Appearance, to which they seemed totally insensible.
CHAP.
Chapter 3
Page 15
C H A P. III.
The quick Transition from joyous Rapture
to mournful Sorrow, in the celebrated
Game of Coquetry.
LADY Dellwyn's Joy on this new Acquisition of Company was at first very great; but it was soon abated, and then intirely lost, by the Mortification of having a powerful Rival of her Beauty. A divided Empire is seldom satisfactory to a Mind exulting in absolute Dominion. Arbitrary Power, however hateful to the Persons who are subjected to it, doth not often fail of pleasing its Possessor; for who can say to Ambition, Thus far shalt thou extend thy Desires, but no farther ?
Lady Dellwyn had full as much Reason to call Lady Fanny her evil Genius, as ever Mark Anthony had to give
Page 16
give that Denomination to Ceasar. Neither Lady Dellwyn or the Roman Emperor chose to search for their evil Genius in the only Place where it was constantly to be found, namely, in their own Bosoms; and therefore were driven to seek in outward Objects for that which sat closely concealed at home.
A conscious Dignity shone through every Gesture of Lady Fanny; a peculiar and expressive Toss of her Head positively declared to her Beholders, that she claimed their Admiration; and left a polite or gallant Man no Power of refusing her Ladyship what she thus demanded as her Due.
She look'd a Goddess, and she mov'd a Queen.
She was in Possession of the whole Art of displaying every Charm in its fullest Lustre; and as it is said of good Managers, that they make a genteel Appearance without any great Sub-
stance,
Page 17
stance, so Lady Fanny made the most of every native Excellence; but in real Beauty Lady Dellwyn far exceeded her. In true Wit also Lady Dellwyn had greatly the Advantage; but Lady Fanny could turn the comic, or rather the farcical, Side of any Subject to a much fuller View. Her Power of Ridicule was superior both in Words and Motions; a sudden Casting up of the Eyes, or a judicious Shrug of the Shoulders, often expressing as great a Discovery of the Ridiculous as any Language can utter. Besides, Lady Dellwyn labored under the Disadvantage of yet retaining some Degrees of Bashfulness; Pertness, and Self-sufficciency could at any time put her out of Countenance, even when those Two Qualities were all the Merit her Opponents could justly boast; a Misfortune which is ever a great Baulk to the Exertion of the Faculties in Wit and Humour.
The
Page 18
The Loss of an Admirer, tho' in' himself ever so insignificant, was as sensible a Mortification to Lady Dellwyn, as the losing a Branch of Power can be to the most ambitious Hero; and her Ladyship was now often driven to the Necessity of Coquetting it with Men, on whom she would scarcely have condescended to have cast one Glance before the Arrival of Lady Fanny Chlegen; and by turns she imagined, that she found something agreeable in almost every Man with whom she conversed. She had now lost the Niceness of examining the Merit of her Admirers; and, like Lord Foppington, she considered the Beauty of the Tip of an Ear as an Object worthy her Regard; for an applauding Smile, nay, even the least Simper, which Lady Fanny condescended to bestow on any Man, was full sufficient to engage Lady Dellwyn in the Practice of every Stratagem to disappoint Lady Fanny, and fix such a Conquest her own.
Sir
Page 19
Sir Harry Cleveland found most Sympathy in Lady Fanny in the Art of Humbugging which he professed, more Power of discovering sufficient Cause for loud Laughter---out of nothing; and therefore generally connected himself with her Train of Followers. This was a sensible Disappointment to Lady Dellwyn, because she seemed more particularly to exert all her Endeavours to obtain his Ad- miration.
Mr. Stratam, as his principal View was only to gain such an Admittance amongst the constant Attendants on the most fashionable Beauty, as might raise a Conjeture that he was acceptable in her Sight, was always to be seen where
Beauty calls, and Fashion leads the Way;
and consequently was never absent from the most populous Haunts.
The
Page 20
The Multitude, the Echoes of the Language used by the greatest Number, who glean up such Phrases as Bon-mots, Bon-tons, and toss them about promiscuously, (whether with or without any Meaning being a Matter of total Indifference), are certainly to be found in Herds wheresoever they are led by the Person, whom, by some Accident, they discover to be most worthy of Imitation, which at that time happened to be Sir Harry Cleveland. They are to be described only by Negatives. It would be difficult to discover what Qualities they have; but it is easy to know what they have not, and to them is strictly applicable what the Poet says of Women, that
They have no Character at all*.
They resemble a Field of Corn, where every single Ear bends the same Way, even as the Wind driveth. Such is a Multitude of Fashion-mongers, who
*Pope.
labour
Page 21
labour for nothing but to find out which Affectation they shall next aspire servilely to imitate.
Captain Drumond now was singular in his stedfast Attachment to Lady Dellwyn; but unfortunately he was the only Man amongst all the Company, whom she could not bring herself by any means to be pleased with: For Lady Fanny never condescended even to use the least Endeavours to gain his Attention, but, on the contrary, singled him out as a fit Object for nothing more than pointed Jests and sneering Ridicule; and never called him by any other Name than that of the Mountebank, who was continually ascending the Stage to puff off his own Merits: And neither of the Ladies were greatly entertained at his constant Practice of trumpetting forth his own Commendations, as there was another Person whose Praises either of them would much rather have made the Subject of their Contemplation.
No
Page 22
No Two Competitors for lucrative Employments could possibly be more assiduous in their Pursuit, have clearer Views of each other's Imperfections, or be more openly complaisant or polite to each other, than were Lady Dellwyn and Lady Fanny Chlegen; they delighted to be together, the former, lest she should be too melancholy and solitary, and the latter, from the Encrease of her Triumph by Lady Dellwyn's Presence.
It would, perhaps, be a whimsical Inquiry to search into the first Rise of many Attachments, which appear, during their Season, very firmly fixed. By looking a little farther than meer Outside, we might behold one Lady driven on, as by Impulse, to her Choice by the Fear of lessening her Dignity, if she is not connected with the highest Rank in the Company. Another is actuated with the Hope of raising her own Dignity by the Notice of her Superiors in Station, and contrives to
assume
Page 23
assume to herself Honour by touching the Garment of high Station. A Third condescends in her Familiarity, with the desireable View of rendering her Smiles or Frowns of Consequence. A Fourth frequents the Place where Lovers are to be found, altho' she hath no Share in either their Love or Admiration; and is thoroughly satisfied with reporting to her other Acquaintance, that she hath been so happy as to be in Parties with such gallant Men; but gives the Hearers full Liberty of imagining that she was not without her Share of Addresses. Some are obliged to be contented with being only present at Triumphs; whilst others exult in enjoying them. To number all the various little Motives to these apparent Connexions would be an impossible Task; for they are often composed of such slender Materials, as are all dissolved, and no more to be seen, by the Time they become perceptible to the most curious Observer.
CHAP.
5
C H A P. III.
The quick Transition from joyous Rapture
to mournful Sorrow, in the celebrated
Game of Coquetry.
LADY Dellwyn's Joy on this new Acquisition of Company was at first very great; but it was soon abated, and then intirely lost, by the Mortification of having a powerful Rival of her Beauty. A divided Empire is seldom satisfactory to a Mind exulting in absolute Dominion. Arbitrary Power, however hateful to the Persons who are subjected to it, doth not often fail of pleasing its Possessor; for who can say to Ambition, Thus far shalt thou extend thy Desires, but no farther ?
Lady Dellwyn had full as much Reason to call Lady Fanny her evil Genius, as ever Mark Anthony had to give
Page 16
give that Denomination to Ceasar. Neither Lady Dellwyn or the Roman Emperor chose to search for their evil Genius in the only Place where it was constantly to be found, namely, in their own Bosoms; and therefore were driven to seek in outward Objects for that which sat closely concealed at home.
A conscious Dignity shone through every Gesture of Lady Fanny; a peculiar and expressive Toss of her Head positively declared to her Beholders, that she claimed their Admiration; and left a polite or gallant Man no Power of refusing her Ladyship what she thus demanded as her Due.
She look'd a Goddess, and she mov'd a Queen.
She was in Possession of the whole Art of displaying every Charm in its fullest Lustre; and as it is said of good Managers, that they make a genteel Appearance without any great Sub-
stance,
Page 17
stance, so Lady Fanny made the most of every native Excellence; but in real Beauty Lady Dellwyn far exceeded her. In true Wit also Lady Dellwyn had greatly the Advantage; but Lady Fanny could turn the comic, or rather the farcical, Side of any Subject to a much fuller View. Her Power of Ridicule was superior both in Words and Motions; a sudden Casting up of the Eyes, or a judicious Shrug of the Shoulders, often expressing as great a Discovery of the Ridiculous as any Language can utter. Besides, Lady Dellwyn labored under the Disadvantage of yet retaining some Degrees of Bashfulness; Pertness, and Self-sufficciency could at any time put her out of Countenance, even when those Two Qualities were all the Merit her Opponents could justly boast; a Misfortune which is ever a great Baulk to the Exertion of the Faculties in Wit and Humour.
The
Page 18
The Loss of an Admirer, tho' in' himself ever so insignificant, was as sensible a Mortification to Lady Dellwyn, as the losing a Branch of Power can be to the most ambitious Hero; and her Ladyship was now often driven to the Necessity of Coquetting it with Men, on whom she would scarcely have condescended to have cast one Glance before the Arrival of Lady Fanny Chlegen; and by turns she imagined, that she found something agreeable in almost every Man with whom she conversed. She had now lost the Niceness of examining the Merit of her Admirers; and, like Lord Foppington, she considered the Beauty of the Tip of an Ear as an Object worthy her Regard; for an applauding Smile, nay, even the least Simper, which Lady Fanny condescended to bestow on any Man, was full sufficient to engage Lady Dellwyn in the Practice of every Stratagem to disappoint Lady Fanny, and fix such a Conquest her own.
Sir
Page 19
Sir Harry Cleveland found most Sympathy in Lady Fanny in the Art of Humbugging which he professed, more Power of discovering sufficient Cause for loud Laughter---out of nothing; and therefore generally connected himself with her Train of Followers. This was a sensible Disappointment to Lady Dellwyn, because she seemed more particularly to exert all her Endeavours to obtain his Ad- miration.
Mr. Stratam, as his principal View was only to gain such an Admittance amongst the constant Attendants on the most fashionable Beauty, as might raise a Conjeture that he was acceptable in her Sight, was always to be seen where
Beauty calls, and Fashion leads the Way;
and consequently was never absent from the most populous Haunts.
The
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The Multitude, the Echoes of the Language used by the greatest Number, who glean up such Phrases as Bon-mots, Bon-tons, and toss them about promiscuously, (whether with or without any Meaning being a Matter of total Indifference), are certainly to be found in Herds wheresoever they are led by the Person, whom, by some Accident, they discover to be most worthy of Imitation, which at that time happened to be Sir Harry Cleveland. They are to be described only by Negatives. It would be difficult to discover what Qualities they have; but it is easy to know what they have not, and to them is strictly applicable what the Poet says of Women, that
They have no Character at all*.
They resemble a Field of Corn, where every single Ear bends the same Way, even as the Wind driveth. Such is a Multitude of Fashion-mongers, who
*Pope.
labour
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labour for nothing but to find out which Affectation they shall next aspire servilely to imitate.
Captain Drumond now was singular in his stedfast Attachment to Lady Dellwyn; but unfortunately he was the only Man amongst all the Company, whom she could not bring herself by any means to be pleased with: For Lady Fanny never condescended even to use the least Endeavours to gain his Attention, but, on the contrary, singled him out as a fit Object for nothing more than pointed Jests and sneering Ridicule; and never called him by any other Name than that of the Mountebank, who was continually ascending the Stage to puff off his own Merits: And neither of the Ladies were greatly entertained at his constant Practice of trumpetting forth his own Commendations, as there was another Person whose Praises either of them would much rather have made the Subject of their Contemplation.
No
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No Two Competitors for lucrative Employments could possibly be more assiduous in their Pursuit, have clearer Views of each other's Imperfections, or be more openly complaisant or polite to each other, than were Lady Dellwyn and Lady Fanny Chlegen; they delighted to be together, the former, lest she should be too melancholy and solitary, and the latter, from the Encrease of her Triumph by Lady Dellwyn's Presence.
It would, perhaps, be a whimsical Inquiry to search into the first Rise of many Attachments, which appear, during their Season, very firmly fixed. By looking a little farther than meer Outside, we might behold one Lady driven on, as by Impulse, to her Choice by the Fear of lessening her Dignity, if she is not connected with the highest Rank in the Company. Another is actuated with the Hope of raising her own Dignity by the Notice of her Superiors in Station, and contrives to
assume
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assume to herself Honour by touching the Garment of high Station. A Third condescends in her Familiarity, with the desireable View of rendering her Smiles or Frowns of Consequence. A Fourth frequents the Place where Lovers are to be found, altho' she hath no Share in either their Love or Admiration; and is thoroughly satisfied with reporting to her other Acquaintance, that she hath been so happy as to be in Parties with such gallant Men; but gives the Hearers full Liberty of imagining that she was not without her Share of Addresses. Some are obliged to be contented with being only present at Triumphs; whilst others exult in enjoying them. To number all the various little Motives to these apparent Connexions would be an impossible Task; for they are often composed of such slender Materials, as are all dissolved, and no more to be seen, by the Time they become perceptible to the most curious Observer.
CHAP.
5
Notes to Vol. 2, Book 3, Chapter 1-3
Notes for Chapter 1
Beaux: Definition: beautiful in French
t: The t is meant to work as a marker for a foot note and is connected to the name Cowley at the end of the page. (See note for Cowley)
Pope: Alexander Pope: Lines from Pope's poem Rape of the Lock Canto I: "They shift the moving toyshop of their heart; / Where wigs with wigs, with sword-knots sword-knots / strive, / Beaux banish beaux, and coaches drive. (99-102)
Abraham Cowley: (1618 - 28 July 1667) was an English poet born in the City of London late in 1618. He was one of the leading English poets of the 17th century, with 14 printings of his Works published between 1668 and 1721.
*source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Cowley
Banquo: A general in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Macbeth orders his murder after deeming Banquo a threat to his power. Banquo's ghost later returns to haunt Macbeth.
so loving to my Mother...:Hamlet Act I, Scene 2: "So excellent a king, that was to this / Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother / That he might not beteem the winds of heaven / Visit her face too roughly...."
Notes for Chapter 3
Mark Antony: Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) is best known as the Roman general who was a supporter of and military commander for Julius Caesar. He was also the lover of Cleopatra. The two committed suicide after their defeat by Octavian, Caesar's nephew and heir.
William Shakespeare wrote a tragedy with him as his subject titled "Mark Antony and Cleopatra"
*sources: http://www.biography.com/people/mark-antony-20667285#awesm=~oDxRxWpq07LVrR
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Antony
Caesar: a politician and general of the late Roman republic, who greatly extended the Roman empire before seizing power and making himself dictator of Rome, paving the way for the imperial system. As master of Rome he appointed himself consul and dictator for life which alienated the senate and led to his assassination on the Ides (15) of March 44 BC.
William Shakespeare wrote a tragedy featuring Caesar as the subject titled "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar"
*source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/caesar_julius.shtml
She looke’d a Goddess, and she mov’d a Queen: The Iliad of Homer, Book III: Interpretation taken on by poet Alexander Pope and published serially from 1715 to 1720. *source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Iliad_of_Homer_(Alexander_Pope)#The_Iliad_of_Homer_.28poetic_interpretation.2C_1715_to_1720.29
They have no Character at all: Alexander Pope: "Epistle II. To a Lady. Of the Characters of WOMEN" 1743;
"Nothing so true as what you once let fall, / "Most Women have no Characters at all." / Matter too soft a lasting mark to bear, / And best distinguish'd by black, brown, or fair" (1-4)
