'take some decisive measures. God 'forbid that I should act the ridiculous ? part of a jealous husband: the cha'racter is odious; but then I do not intend, through an excess of pa'tience, to be made the jest of the 'whole town. From what I am going ' to tell you, I will leave you to judge whether I ought to sit down uncon'cerned, or to take measures for the preservation of my honour.

<

"His highness honoured me yesterday by a visit to my wife.' Hamilton started at this beginning. 'Yes,'

continued the other, he did give ' himself that trouble, and Lord Arran took upon himself that of bringing 'him: do not you wonder, that a man ' of his birth should act such a part? What advancement can he expect 'from one who employs him in such <base services? But we have long

'known him to be one of the silliest 'creatures in England, with his guitar, and his other whims and follies."' After this short sketch of his brotherin-law's character, he began to relate the observations he had made during the visit, and asked Hamilton what he thought of his cousin Arran, who had so obligingly left them together. Does not it surprise you?' continued he; but hear me out, and judge ' whether I have reason to think that

this pretty visit terminated in perfect 'innocence. Lady Chesterfield is ami'able, it must be acknowledged; but 'she is far from being such a miracle

of beauty as she supposes herself: 'you know she has ugly feet; but

perhaps you are not acquainted that 'she has still worse legs.' (Pardon 'me,' said Hamilton inwardly, and the other continuing the description,)

her legs are short and thick; and to ' remedy these defects as much as possible, she seldom wears any other than green stockings.'

Hamilton could not for his life imagine the drift of all this discourse, and Chesterfield guessing his thoughts, continued: Have a little patience: I 'went yesterday to Miss Stewart's

after the audience of those damned 'Muscovites: the king was there just 'before me; and as if the duke had 'sworn to pursue me that day where

ever I went, he came in just after 'me. The conversation turned upon 'the extraordinary appearance of the 'ambassadors. I know not where

that fool Crofts had heard that the 'Muscovites had all handsome wives; and that all their wives had hand'some legs. Upon this the king 'maintained, that no woman ever had

'such handsome legs as Miss Stewart; and she, to prove the truth of his majesty's assertion, with the greatest imaginable ease, immediately shewed her leg above the knee. Some were ready to prostrate themselves, in order to adore its beauty; for indeed nothing can be handsomer; but the duke alone began to criticise upon ' it. He contended that it was too 'slender, and that for his own part he would give nothing for a leg that

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' was not thicker and shorter, and con'cluded by saying, that no leg was 'worth any thing without green stock'ings: now this, in my opinion, was a 'sufficient demonstration that he had 'just seen green stockings, and had 'them fresh in his remembrance.'

Hamilton was at a loss what countenance to put on, during a narrative which raised in him nearly the same

conjectures: he shrugged up his shoulders, and faintly said, that appearances were often deceitful; that Lady Chesterfield had the foible of all beauties, who pique themselves on the number of their admirers; and that whatever airs she might imprudently have given herself, in order not to discourage the duke, there was no ground to suppose that she would indulge him in any greater liberties to engage him. In vain was it that he endeavoured to give that consolation to his friend, which he did not feel himself. Chesterfield plainly perceived he did not think of what he was saying; however he expressed himself much obliged to him for the interest he appeared to take in his concerns.

Hamilton was in haste to go home to vent his spleen and resentment in a letter to his cousin: the style of this