seful members to
the commonwealth. Another lady, with all due deference to the opinion of
the duchess, was free enough to blame the generosity of her grace, which
would only serve to encourage children in disobedience to their parents,
and might be the means not only of prolonging the distress of the
wretched creature, but also of ruining the constitution of some young
heir, perhaps the hope of a great family; for she did suppose that
madam, when her month should be up, and her brats disposed of, would
spread her attractions to the public, provided she could profit by her
person, and, in the usual way, make a regular progress from St. James's
to Drury Lane. She apprehended, for these reasons, that their compassion
would be most effectually shown, in leaving her to perish in her present
necessity; and that the old gentleman would be unpardonable, should
he persist in his endeavours to relieve her. A third member of this
tender-hearted society, after having asked if the young woman was
handsome, and being answered in the negative, allowed that there was a
great deal of reason in what had been said by the honourable person who
had spoke last; nevertheless, she humbly conceived her sentence would
admit of some mitigation. "Let the bantlings," said she, "be sent to the
hospital, according to the advice of her grace, and a small collection
be made for the present support of the mother; and, when her health
is recovered, I will take her into my family, in quality of an upper
servant, or medium between me and my woman; for, upon my life! I can't
endure to chide or give directions to a creature, who is, in point of
birth and education, but one degree above the vulgar."

This proposal met with universal approbation. The duchess, to her
immortal honour, began the contribution with a crown; so that the rest
of the company were obliged to restrict their liberality to half the
sum, that her grace might not be affronted. And the proposer, demanding
the poor woman's name and place of abode, the old mediator could not
help giving her ladyship a verbal direction, though he was extremely
mortified, on more accounts than one, to find such an issue to his
solicitation.

Peregrine, who, "though humorous as winter, had a tear for pity, and
a hand open as day for melting charity," was shocked at the nature and
result of this ungenerous consultation. He contributed his half-crown,
however, and, retiring from the company, betook himself to the