comb, who was made use of
as an infamous tool for that purpose, gave a colourable pretext,
were trumped up, and transmitted, with many false and aggravating
circumstances, to her husband in Ireland; who, being a giddy, unthinking
man, was so much incensed at these insinuations, that, in the first
transports of his passion, he sent to his mother a power of attorney,
that she might sue for a divorce in his behalf. A libel was thereupon
exhibited, containing many scandalous allegations, void of any real
foundation in truth; but being unsupported by any manner of proof, it
was at length dismissed with costs, after it had depended upwards of two
years.

"Lord A-- finding himself abused by the misrepresentations of his mother
and sister, discovered an inclination to be reconciled to his lady. In
consequence of which, she was sent over to Dublin by her father, to the
care of a gentleman in that city; in whose house she was received by her
husband with all the demonstrations of love and esteem. From thence he
conducted her to his lodgings, and thence to his country house, where
she had the misfortune to suffer a miscarriage, through fear and
resentment of my lord's behaviour, which was often brutal and indecent.
From the country they removed to Dublin, about the latter end of July,
or beginning of August, 1714, where they had not long continued, when
her ladyship was known to be again with child.

"Lord A-- and his issue being next in remainder to the honours and
estate of Arthur, earl of A--, was extremely solicitous to have a son;
and, warned by the frequent miscarriages of his lady, resolved to curb
the natural impatience and rusticity of his disposition, that she might
not, as formerly, suffer by his outrageous conduct. He accordingly
cherished her with uncommon tenderness and care; and her pregnancy being
pretty far advanced, conducted her to his country seat, where she was
delivered of Mr. A--, about the latter end of April, or beginning of
May; for none of the witnesses have been able, at this distance, with
absolute certainty to fix the precise time of his birth, and there
was no register kept in the parish. As an additional misfortune, no
gentleman of fashion lived in that parish; nor did those who lived at
any considerable distance care to cultivate an acquaintance with a man
of Lord A--'s strange conduct.

"Be that as it will, the occasion was celebrated by his lordship's
tenants and dependents upon the spot, and