become fixed planets or meteors of the most enchanting
brilliancy, in proportion not to the grace of modesty, or the
fascination of personal beauty, but to the notoriety and number of their
amours, and the peerless dignity of their plurality of lovers.

"Place the goddess of Love on the pedestal of Chastity, in the sacred
recesses of the grove of Health, veiled by virgin Innocence, and robed
in celestial Purity, and who among the _cameleon_ race of fashionable
_roues_ would incur the charge of _Vandalism_, or turn aside to pay
devotion at her shrine? but let the salacious deity of Impurity mount
the car of Profligacy, and drive forth in all the glare of crimson and
gold, and a thousand devotees are ready to sacrifice their honour upon
her profligate altars, or chain themselves to her chariot wheels as
willing slaves to worship and adore."

"Let us take another turn up the drive," said I, "for I am willing to
confess myself much interested in this _new system of astronomy_, and
perhaps we may discover a few more of the _terrestrial planets_, and
observe the _stars_ that move around their frail orbits." "I must first
make you acquainted with the signs of the _Paphian zodiac_," said Crony;
"for every one of these attractions have their peculiar and appropriate
fashionable appellations. I have already introduced you to the _Bang
Bantum_, Mrs Bertram; the _London Leda_, Moll Raffles; the _Spanish
Nun_, St. Margurite; the _Sparrow Hawk_, Augusta C****e{1}; the _Golden_

1 See vol. i.

~17~~_Pippin_, Mrs. C.; the _White Crow_, Clara W****; the _Brazen
Bellona_, Mrs. St**f**d; the _Edgeware Diana_, Mrs. S**th; and the
_Water Lily Symmeterian_, Ha**l*y--_all planets_ of the first order,
carriage curiosities. Let us now proceed to make further observations.
The _jolie_ dame yonder, in the phaeton, drawn by two fine bays, is
called the _White Doe_, from her first deer protector; and although
somewhat on the decline, she is yet an exhibit of no mean attraction,
and a lady of fortune. Thanks to the liberality of an old hewer of
stone, and the talismanic powers of the _golden Ball_, deserted by her
last swain since his marriage, she now reclines upon the velvet cushion
of Independence, enjoying in the Kilburn retreat, her _otium cum
dignitate_, secure from the rude winds of adversity, and in the
occasional society of a few old friends. The lovely Thais in the brown
chariot, with a fine Roman countenance, dark hair, and spark