gentleman, or such a lady, is an ANNUAL--such a one is a PERENNIAL.

One difficulty, however, as I remember, occurred to me, upon the
probability that a wife might be enceinte, as the lawyers call it. But
thus I obviated it--

That no man should be allowed to marry another woman without his then
wife's consent, till she were brought-to-bed, and he had defrayed all
incident charges; and till it was agreed upon between them whether the
child should be his, her's, or the public's. The women in this case to
have what I call the coercive option; for I would not have it in the
man's power to be a dog neither.

And, indeed, I gave the turn of the scale in every part of my scheme in
the women's favour: for dearly do I love the sweet rogues.

How infinitely more preferable this my scheme to the polygamy one of the
old patriarchs; who had wives and concubines without number!--I believe
David and Solomon had their hundreds at a time. Had they not, Jack?

Let me add, that annual parliaments, and annual marriages, are the
projects next my heart. How could I expatiate upon the benefits that
would arise from both!

LETTER X

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.

Well, but now my plots thicken; and my employment of writing to thee on
this subject will soon come to a conclusion. For now, having got the
license; and Mrs. Townsend with her tars, being to come to Hampstead next
Wednesday or Thursday; and another letter possibly, or message from Miss
Howe, to inquire how Miss Harlowe does, upon the rustic's report of her
ill health, and to express her wonder that she has not heard form her in
answer to her's on her escape; I must soon blow up the lady, or be blown
up myself. And so I am preparing, with Lady Betty and my cousin
Montague, to wait upon my beloved with a coach-and-four, or a sett; for
Lady Betty will not stir out with a pair for the world; though but for
two or three miles. And this is a well-known part of her character.

But as to the arms and crest upon the coach and trappings?

Dost thou not know that a Blunt's must supply her, while her own is new
lining and repairing? An opportunity she is willing to take now she is
in town. Nothing of this kind can be done to her mind in the country.
Liveries nearly Lady Betty's.

Thou hast seen Lady Betty Lawrance several times--hast thou not, Belford?

No, never in my life.

But thou hast--and lain with her too; or fame does thee more credit than
thou deserv