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III.
GARTH, PHYSICIANS, AND LOVE-LETTERS.
Garth, and a Dedication to him by Steele.-Garth, Pope, and
Arbuthnot. Other physicians in connexion with wit and
literature.-Desirableness of a selection from the less-known
works of Steele, and of a collection of real Love-Letters.-Two
beautiful specimens from the "Lover."
IV.
COWLEY AND THOMSON.
37
Nature intended poetry as well as matter of fact.-Mysterious
anecdote of Cowley.-Remarkable similarity between him and
Thomson. Their supposed difference (as Tory and Whig).—
Thomson's behaviour to Lady Hertford.-His answer to the
genius-starvation principle.-His letters to his friends, &c. 51
V.
BOOKSTALLS AND "GALATEO."
Beneficence of Bookstalls.-"Galateo, or a Treatise on Polite-
ness."-Swift.-Ill-breeding of Fashion.-Curious instance of
Italian delicacy of reproof.
VI.
BOOKBINDING AND "HELIODORUS."
65
A rapture to the memory of Mathias Corvinus, king and book-
binder.-Bookbinding good and bad.-Ethiopics of Holiodorus.
-Striking account of raising a dead body.
VII.
.76
VER-VERT; OR, THE PARROT OF THE NUNS.
CHAPTER I.-Character and manners of Ver-Vert.-His popu-
larity in the Convent, and the life he led with the Nuns.-
Toilets and looking-glasses not unknown among those ladies.-
Four canary birds and two cats die of rage and jealousy. . 87
CHAPTER II. Further details respecting the piety and ac-
complishments of our hero.-Sister Melanie in the habit of ex-
hibiting them.—A visit from him is requested by the Nuns of
the Visitation at Nantes.-Consternation in the Convent.-The
visit conceded.-Agonics at his departure.
95
CHAPTER III.-Lamentable state of manners in the boat which
carries our hero down the Loire.-He becomes corrupted.—
His biting the Nun that came to meet him.-Ecstasy of the
other nuns on hearing of his arrival.
99
CHAPTER THE LAST.-Admiration of the parrot's new friends con-
verted into astonishment and horror.-Ver-Vert keeps no
measures with his shocking acquirements.-The nuns fly from
him in terror, and determine upon instantly sending him back,
not, however, without pity.-His return, and astonishment of
his old friends.He is sentenced to solitary confinement, which
restores his virtue.-Transport of the nuns, who kill him with
kindness.
103
VIII.
SPECIMENS OF BRITISH POETESSES.
No. I.-Paucity of collections of our female poetry.-Specimens
of Anne Bullen, Queen Elizabeth, Lady Elizabeth Carew, Lady
Mary Wroth, Katherine Philips, the Duchess of Newcastle,
Anne Killigrew, the Marchioness of Wharton, Mrs. Taylor,
Aphra Behn, and the Countess of Winchelsea.
110
No. II.-Miss Vanhomrigh, Lady Russell, Mrs. Manly, Mrs.
Brereton, Mrs. Greville, Lady Henrietta O'Neil, Duchess of
Devonshire, Miss Carter, Charlotte Smith, Miss Seward, and
Mrs. Tighe.
129
No. III.-Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Barbauld, Lady Ann Barnard, and
Hannah More.
144
IX.
DUCHESS OF ST. ALBANS, AND MARRIAGES
FROM THE STAGE.
Comic actors and actresses more engaging to the recollection than
tragic.-Charles the Second and Nell Gwynn.-Marriage of
Harriett Mellon with the Duke of St. Albans and Mr. Coutts;
Marriages of Lucretia Bradshaw with Mr. Folkes, of Anastasia
Robinson with Lord Peterborough, Beard the singer with
Lady Henrietta Herbert, Lavinia Fenton with the Duke of
Bolton, Mary Woffington with Captain Cholmondeley, Signor
Gallini the dancer with Lady Elizabeth Bertie, O'Brien the
comedian with Lady Susan Fox, Elizabeth Linley with Richard
Brinsley Sheridan, Elizabeth Farren with the Earl of Derby,
Louisa Brunton with Earl Craven, Mary Catherine Bolton with
Lord Thurlow.-Remarks on Marriages from the stage.
160
X.
LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU.
AN ACCOUNT OF HER LIFE AND WRITINGS.
A party of wits and beauties.-Lady Louisa Stuart's Introductory
Anecdotes.-Lady Mary's recommendation respecting marriage.
-Her early life and studies.-Marries Mr. Wortley.-The
union not happy.-Her introduction at court, and curious ad-
venture there with Mr. Craggs.-Accompanies her husband in
his embassy to Constantinople.-Excellence of her letters from
Turkey.-Portraits of her.-Conjugal insignificance of Mr.
Wortley.Pope's unfortunate passion discussed.-Lady Mary
the introducer of inoculation into England.-She separates
from Mr. Wortley, and resides abroad for twenty-two years.—
Reason of that sojourn.-Her addiction to scandal.-Morality
of that day.-Question for moral progress.-Alleged conduct of
Lady Mary abroad.-Her return to her native country.-Her
last days, and curious establishment.-Character of Wortley,
jun.-Specimen of Lady Mary's wit and good writing; and
summary of her character.
200
XI.
LIFE AND AFRICAN VISIT OF PEPYS.
Characteristics of Autobiography.—Account of Pepys's "Diary,”
and summary of his life.—His voyage to Tangier, and business
in that place. Character and behaviour of its Governor, the
"Infamous Colonel Kirke."-Pepys's return to England. -
Gibbon's ancestor, the herald.—Pepys and Lord Sandwich,
&c. &c. . 262
XII.
LIFE AND LETTERS OF MADAME DE SÉVIGNÉ.
Singular and fortunate reputation of Madame de Sévigné.-Un-
satisfactory biographies of her. Her parentage, education, and
early life.-Description of her person and manners.—United
with the Marquis de Sévigné.-His frivolities and death.—
Unsuccessful love made to her by her cousin Bussy Rabutin,
who revenges himself by calumny.-Character and conduct of
Bussy. His correspondence with his cousin.-His account of
the effect produced upon her by her dancing with the king.-
The young widow's mode of life.-Her visits at court, and ob
servations of public occurrences.-Her life in the country.—List
and characters of her associates.—Account of the Marquis her
son, and of her correspondence with her daughter, Madame de
Grignan. Surviving descendants of the family.-Specimens of
Madame de Sévigné's letters.-Expected marriage of Lauzan
with Mademoiselle.-Strange ways of Pomenars, and of Du
Plessis.-Story of the footman who couldn't make hay.-Tra-
gical terminations of gay campaigns. - Brinvilliers and La
Voisin, the poisoners.—Striking catastrophe in a ball-room.—
A scene at court.-Splendour of Madame de Montespan.-De-
scription of an iron-foundry; of a gallop of coaches; of a great
wedding; of a crowded assembly.-Horace Walpole's account
of Madame de Sévigné's house at Livry.-Character of her
writings by Sir James Mackintosh.-Attempt to form their
true estimate.
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300