for, of two legs uncommonly short, one was much shorter than the other: a face suitable to this description completed the tout ensemble of this disagreeable figure.

Miss Blague was another subject for ridicule her shape was neither good nor bad: her countenance bore the appearance of the greatest insipidity, and her complexion was the same all over; with two little hollow eyes, adorned with white eye-lashes, as long as one's finger. With these attractions she placed herself in ambuscade to surprise unwary hearts; but she might have done so in vain, had it not been for the arrival of the Marquis Brisacier. Heaven seemed to have. made them for each other: he had in his person and manners every requisite to dazzle a creature of her character: he talked eternally, without saying any

thing, and in his dress exceeded the most extravagant fashions. Miss Blague believed that all this finery. was on her account; and the Marquis believed that her long eyelashes had never taken aim at any but himself: Every body perceived their inclination for each other; but they had only conversed by mute interpreters, when Miss Hamilton took it into her head to intermeddle in their affairs.

She was willing to do every thing in order, and therefore began with her cousin Muskerry, on account of her rank. The two darling foibles of this lady were dress and dancing. Magnificence of dress was totally incompatible with her figure; and though her dancing was still more insupportable, she never missed a ball at court: and the Queen had so much complaisance for the public, as always to make her dance; but

it was impossible to give her a part in an entertainment so important and splendid as this masquerade: however, she was dying with impatience for the orders she expected.

It was in consequence of this impatience, of which Miss Hamilton was informed, that she founded the design of diverting herself at the expence of this silly woman. The Queen sent notes to those whom she appointed to be present, and described the manner in which they were to be dressed. Miss Hamilton copied one of these notes exactly; for the purpose of sending to Lady Muskerry, with directions for her to be dressed in the Babylonian fashion.

She assembled her counsel to advise about the means of sending it: this cabinet was composed of one of her brothers and a sister, who were glad

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to divert themselves at the expence of those who deserved it. After having consulted some time, they at last resolved upon a mode of conveying it into her own hands. Lord Muskerry was just going out, when she received it he was a man of honour, rather serious, and austere, and a mortal enemy to ridicule. His wife's deformity was not so intolerable to him, as the ridiculous figure she made upon all occasions. He thought that he was safe in the present case, not believing that the Queen would spoil her masquerade by naming Lady Muskerry as one of the dancers; nevertheless, as he was acquainted with the passion his wife had to expose herself in public, by her dress and dancing, he had just been advising her very seriously to content herself with being a spectator of this entertainment, even though the Queen

should have the cruelty to engage her in it he then took the liberty to shew her how little resemblance there was between her figure, and that of persons to whom dancing and magnificence in dress were allowable. His sermon concluded at last, by an express prohibition to solicit a place at this entertainment, which they had no thoughts of giving her; but far from taking his advice in good part, she imagined that he was the only person who had prevented the Queen from doing her an honour she so ardently desired; and as soon as he was gone out, she determined to go and throw herself at her Majesty's feet to demand justice. She was in this very disposition when she received the forged billet: three times did she kiss it; and without regarding her husband's injunctions, she immediately got into her coach in order to get