wouse is coeval with our Lawyer, and tho' perhaps during the
Changes, which so long an Existence must have passed through, she may in her
Turn have stood behind the Bar at an Inn, I will not scruple to affirm, she hath
likewise in the Revolution of Ages sat on a Throne. In short where extreme
Turbulency of Temper, Avarice, and an Insensibility of human Misery, with a
Degree of Hypocrisy, have united in a female Composition, Mrs. Tow-wouse was
that Woman; and where a good Inclination eclipsed by a Poverty of Spirit and
Understanding, hath glimmer'd forth in a Man, that Man hath been no other than
her sneaking Husband.
    I shall detain my Reader no longer than to give him one Caution more of an
opposite kind: For as in most of our particular Characters we mean not to lash
Individuals, but all of the like sort; so in our general Descriptions, we mean
not Universals, but would be understood with many Exceptions: For instance, in
our Description of high People, we cannot be intended to include such, as whilst
they are an Honour to their high Rank, by a well-guided Condescension, make
their Superiority as easy as possible, to those whom Fortune chiefly hath placed
below them. Of this number I could name a Peer no less elevated by Nature than
by Fortune, who whilst he wears the noblest Ensigns of Honour on his Person,
bears the truest Stamp of Dignity on his Mind, adorned with Greatness, enriched
with Knowledge, and embelished with Genius. I have seen this Man relieve with
Generosity, while he hath conversed with Freedom, and be to the same Person a
Patron and a Companion. I could name a Commoner raised higher above the
Multitude by superiour Talents, than is in the power of his Prince to exalt him;
whose Behaviour to those he hath obliged is more amiable than the Obligation
itself, and who is so great a Master of Affability, that if he could divest
himself of an inherent Greatness in his Manner, would often make the lowest of
his Acquaintance forget who was the Master of that Palace, in which they are so
courteously entertained. These are Pictures which must be, I believe, known: I
declare they are taken from the Life, and not intended to exceed it. By those
high People therefore whom I have described, I mean a Set of Wretches, who while
they are a Disgrace to their Ancestors, whose Honours and Fortunes they inherit,
(or perhaps a greater to their Mother, for such Degeneracy is scarce credible)
have the Insolence to treat
