Maids of Honour: A Tale of the Court of George I.

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Page 298 - tis true — this truth you lovers know — In vain my structures rise, my gardens grow ; In vain fair Thames reflects the double scenes Of hanging mountains, and of sloping greens: Joy lives not here ; to happier seats it flies, And only dwells where Wortley casts her eyes.
Page 116 - What? that thing of silk, Sporus, that mere white curd of ass's milk? Satire or sense, alas ! can Sporus feel? Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?
Page 322 - END OF VOL. II. LONDON: Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Stw THE WILL; OR, THE HALF-BROTHERS.
Page 91 - O wonderful creature, a woman of reason ! Never grave out of pride, never gay out of season ! When so easy to guess who this angel should be, Who would think Mrs. Howard ne'er dreamt it was she ?
Page 73 - ... the idea of gaining some instruction, he never scrupled to go over a passage two or three times, or to take any liberties, or to make any blunders that seemed good to him, without consulting, or in any way warning, the rest of the orchestra ; it was therefore necessary for every member of it, while giving...
Page 232 - Or were I the King of Great Britain, To choose a minister well, And support the throne that I sit on, I'd have under me Molly Lepel.
Page 74 - ... heard ; the tenor, knowing there was a difficult passage just passed over, and being well aware of the royal practice with regard to such, boldly went back and repeated it ; the harpsichord, believing the time had been altered from fast to slow, slackened its pace ; and the flute, entertaining a different opinion, went away at double speed. Such a strange medley was never heard before : nevertheless, the King was seen leaning forward, with his eyes fixed on the music, working away with the royal...
Page 264 - This was a favourite rendezvous for lovers in courting time — a day's pleasure at Jenny's Whim being considered by the fair one the most enticing enjoyment that could be offered her ; and often the hearts of the most obdurate have given way beneath the influence of its attractions. Jenny's Whim, therefore, had always during the season plenty of pleasant parties of young people of both sexes. Sometimes all its chambers were filled, and its gardens thronged by gay and sentimental visitors. The...
Page 263 - There were gardens," says the writer, mentioning the place, " attached to it, and a bowling-green ; and parties were frequently made, composed of ladies and gentlemen, to enjoy a day's amusement there in eating strawberries and cream, syllabubs, cake, and taking other refreshments, of which a great variety could be procured, with cider, perry, ale, wine, and other liquors in abundance. The gentlemen played at bowls — some employed themselves at skittles ; whilst the ladies amused themselves at...
Page 56 - Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. I've read that things inanimate have moved, And, as with living souls, have been informed, By magic numbers and persuasive sound.

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