 Achates of my uncle. She even fell sick upon the
occasion, and prevailed with Matt to interpose in her behalf with his friend;
but the Doctor, being a shy cock, would not be caught with chaff, and flatly
rejected the proposal: so that Mrs. Tabitha was content to exert her patience
once more, after having endeavoured in vain to effect a rupture betwixt the two
friends; and now she thinks proper to be very civil to Lewis, who is become
necessary to her in the way of his profession.
    These, however, are not the only efforts she has made towards a nearer
conjunction with our sex. Her fortune was originally no more than a thousand
pounds; but she gained an accession of five hundred by the death of a sister,
and the lieutenant left her three hundred in his will. These sums she has more
than doubled, by living free of all expence, in her brother's house; and dealing
in cheese and Welsh flannel, the produce of his flocks and dairy. At present her
capital is increased to about four thousand pounds; and her avarice seems to
grow every day more and more rapacious: but even this is not so intolerable, as
the perverseness of her nature, which keeps the whole family in disquiet and
uproar. She is one of those geniuses who find some diabolical enjoyment in being
dreaded and detested by their fellow-creatures.
    I once told my uncle, I was surprised that a man of his disposition could
bear such a domestic plague, when it could be so easily removed - The remark
made him sore, because it seemed to tax him with want of resolution - Wrinkling
up his nose, and drawing down his eyebrows, »A young fellow, (said he) when he
first thrusts his snout into the world, is apt to be surprised at many things,
which a man of experience knows to be ordinary and unavoidable - This precious
aunt of yours is become insensibly a part of my constitution - Damn her! She's a
noli me tangere in my flesh, which I cannot bear to be touched or tampered
with.« I made no reply; but shifted the conversation. He really has an affection
for this original; which maintains its ground in defiance of common sense, and
in despite of that contempt which he must certainly feel for her character and
understanding. Nay, I am convinced, that she has likewise a most virulent
attachment to his person; though her love never shews itself but in the shape of
discontent; and she persists in tormenting him out of sheer tenderness - The
only object within doors upon
