 all feeling and reflection, who could survive such aggravated misery;
therefore, did not deserve to be relieved, except in the character of a common
beggar; and was generous enough to offer a recommendation, by which she would be
admitted into an infirmary, to which her grace was a subscriber; at the same
time, advising the sollicitor to send the twins to the Foundling-hospital, where
they would be carefully nursed and brought up, so as to become useful members of
the commonwealth. Another lady, with all due deference to the opinion of the
duchess, was free enough to blame the generosity of her grace, which would only
serve to encourage children in their disobedience to their parents, and might be
the means not only of prolonging the distress of the wretched creature, but also
of ruining the constitution of some young heir, perhaps the hope of a great
family; for, she did suppose that madam, when her month should be up, and her
brats disposed of, would spread her attractions to the public, (provided she
could profit by her person) and, in the usual way, make a regular progress from
St. James's to Drury-lane. She apprehended, for these reasons, that their
compassion would be most effectually shewn, in leaving her to perish in her
present necessity; and that the old gentleman would be unpardonable, should he
persist in his endeavours to relieve her. A third member of this tender-hearted
society, after having asked if the young woman was handsome? and been answered
in the negative, allowed, that there was a great deal of reason in what had been
said by the honourable person who had spoke last; nevertheless, she humbly
conceived, her sentence would admit of some mitigation. »Let the bantlings (said
she) be sent to the hospital, according to the advice of her grace, and a small
collection be made for the present support of the mother; and when her health is
recovered, I will take her into my family, in quality of an upper-servant, or
medium between me and my woman; for, upon my life! I can't endure to chide, or
give directions to a creature, who is, in point of birth and education, but one
degree above the vulgar.«
    This proposal met with universal approbation. The duchess (to her immortal
honour) began the contribution with a crown; so that the rest of the company
were obliged to restrict their liberality to half the sum, that her grace might
not be affronted; and the proposer demanding the poor woman
