word or two of other people: not always scribbling of
ourselves.

We have just heard, that our cousin Everard has added another fool of our
sex to the number of the weak ones who disgrace it: A sorry fellow! He
has been seen with her, by one whom he would not know, at Cuper's
Gardens; dressed like a sea-officer, and skulking like a thief into the
privatest walks of the place. When he is tired of the poor wretch, he
will want to accommodate with us by promises of penitence and
reformation, as once or twice before. Rakes are not only odious, but
they are despicable fellows. You will the more clearly see this, when I
assure you, from those who know, that this silly creature our cousin is
looked upon, among his brother libertines, and smarts, as a man of first
consideration!

He has also been seen, in a gayer habit, at a certain gaming-table, near
Covent Garden; where he did not content himself with being an idle
spectator. Colonel Winwood, our informant, shook his head, but made no
other answer, to some of our inquiries. May he suffer! say I.--A sorry
fellow!

Preparations are going on all so-fast at Windsor. We are all invited.
God grant that Miss Mansfield may be as happy a Lady W----, as we all
conclude she will be! But I never was fond of matches between sober
young women, and battered old rakes. Much good may do the adventurers,
drawn in by gewgaw and title!--Poor things!--But convenience, when that's
the motive, whatever foolish girls think, will hold out its comforts,
while a gratified love quickly evaporates.

Beauchamp, who is acquainted with the Mansfields, is intrusted by my
brother, in his absence, with the management of the law-affairs. He
hopes, he says, to give a good account of them. The base steward of the
uncle Calvert, who lived as a husband with the woman who had been forced
upon his superannuated master in a doting fit, has been brought, by the
death of one of the children born in Mr. Calvert's life-time, and by the
precarious health of the posthumous one, to make overtures of
accommodation. A new hearing of the cause between them and the Keelings,
is granted; and great things are expected from it in their favour, from
some new lights thrown in upon that suit. The Keelings are frightened
out of their wits, it seems; and are applying to Sir John Lambton, a
disinterested neighbour, to offer himself as a mediator between them.
The Mansfields will so soon be related to us, that I make no apology for