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Mr. Yorke, who was one of the most zealous of my theatrical admirers. I requested of him, that he would intereft himself with his fifter, Lady Anfon, in behalf of my relation; upon which he told me, he would introduce me to her ladyfhip, that I might plead for him myself. He accordiegly did me the ho nour; which procured me the happiness of being acquainted with that lady.

As the bad state of health her ladyship laboured under confined her much at home; and she had a tafte for literature, fhe applied herfelf for ftudy, and became an adept in most of the fciences. When I took my leave of her ladyfhip after my first introduction, fhe requested that I would call upon her often. And as we generally adopt the researches of those we admire, I refolved to study philofophy; and endeavour, if I could. not arrive at the honour of being the firft, to be the fecond female Newton. For this purpose I vifited the obfervatory at Flamstead-house; conftantly attended Martin's Lectures; and foon became acquainted with the Ram, the Bull, the Lion, the Scorpion, and all the conftellations. Having acquired a knowledge of Aftronomy, I do not know whether I fhould not have become an adept in every branch of natural Philofophy, had not my humanity ftood in the way. For upon feeing a cat tortured in an air-pump,

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of which, though an animal I have the greatest diflike to, I could not bear to behold the convulfive ftruggles; I left the pursuit of Philofophy, and turned my thoughts to Politics.

When I entered upon this science, I determined to become, if poffible, another Maintenon. Though I could never admire that lady's fentiments in private life, I readily allowed that the poffeffed great talents in the cabinet. I now ftudiously fought to acquire a knowledge of the law of nations. I read Grotius, Puffendorf, and all the great writers upon that fubje&t; and paid as much attention to the ftudy, as if I had been about to be appointed Ambaffadrefs to the first court in Europe. What greatly accelerated my proficiency in this branch of science, was my having had the pleasure of meeting Lady Rochford at Holland-house.

I need not inform you that this Lady was one of the firft wits of her time, and from having been bred in a court, one of the moft polifhed of women. Her extenfive

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knowledge, enabled her to render herself of great fervice to Lord Rochford during his embaffies to moft of the principal courts of Europe. Though fhe was thus elevated by her station and great abilities, fhe had the good fenfe to be above forms; fhe made her own etiquette. As I did not accept her invitation fo foon as her ladyship expected,

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pected, fhe came to vifit me. This circumftance not only highly flattered me, but procured me the pleasure of her converfation, which I fcarcely knew equalled by any of her fex.-The boafted fuperiority of the men over our fex in the endowments of the mind, is a mere common-place vaunt.How many ladies could I point out, from my acquaintance with the great world, whofe mental accomplishments are incontrovertible proofs of the fallacy of this much talked of opinion! Among thefe, the lady I have just mentioned was a brilliant inftance.

This feafon I appeared but feldom, as Barry revived feveral old plays, and procured a new one, in order to fhew Mifs Noffiter to advantage. He was obliged to adopt fuch a measure, the poffeffion of characters being, as I have already obferved, esteemed at this time the property of the performer. And it was an invariable rule at the theatre, not to make the fmalleft encroachment on a custom so long established. The new piece he had procured was at length announced. The name of its author, I think, was M'Namara. I am not altogether certain as to the title of this tragedy of tragedies, but I believe it was chriftened " Philoclea."

The first night of its being performed, I went to Mr. Rich's, with an intent to accompany fome of his family into the house to

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fee it. By fome incident or other we were prevented from carrying my design into execution. About eight o'clock, we were greatly furprized to hear the most violent fhouts, and loudest peals of laughter, that can be conceived, iffue from the theatre. Our curiofity being now excited, we all haftened in, to know what could occafion fuch unusual marks of distinction to a serious piece. We found the heroine of it, and another female upon the stage; and were informed, that they were the eighth or ninth characters, which had made their exit to be decapitated, and returned immediately with their heads on. This This gave the piece, at least, the charms of novelty; and fhewed, that the author had adopted Bays's mode, to elevate and furprize: It could not, however, secure it from being damned.

Among other plays, Barry revived « Bu"firis." But it was attended with no better fuccefs than that of his countryman. And the proprietor, loaded with such an additional expence, found this to be the leaft profitable feason of any within my me

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During the prefent winter I obtained another patronefs, in the young Lady Effex. This lady, who was juft married to the Earl, was the daughter of the celebrated wit, Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. Her partiality for me exceeded all belief. So extraordinary

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a prejudice in my favour can only be accounted for, by her mother's having never permitted her to go into public till her nuptials took place. It was a firft impreffion; and those are generally lafting. To this amiable young lady I introduced Madam Montête, of whom I have already made mention. An honour which the repaid with the lofs of her life.

G. A. B.

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LETTER LVI.

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March 1ft, 17

S you put a ftop, or at least my imagination represented you as putting a flop to my reflections at the beginning of my laft letter, I fhall in this enter at once upon my narrative. Only premifing, that you must indulge me in them now and then. The obfervations I am frequently led to interfperfe through my Apology," are fuch as naturally arife from the incidents; and they afford a needful relief.-Hold pen!-Shall I not myself be guilty of as great an Hiberniacifm as the author of " Philoclea," if I make the introductory part of this letter a long one, at the very time I am afferting that I will proceed without any introduction at all? I fear I fhall.-But how to remedy it I know not; unless I either add to my blunder by adding a long string of apologies, or tear

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