 and secure the affection of
a woman of sense and delicacy: something which nature has denied our friend -
Liddy seems to be of the same opinion. When he addresses himself to her in
discourse, she seems to listen with reluctance, and industriously avoids all
particular communication; but in proportion to her coyness, our aunt is coming.
Mrs. Tabitha goes more than half way to meet his advances; she mistakes, or
affects to mistake, the meaning of his courtesy, which is rather formal and
fulsome; she returns his compliments with hyperbolical interest, she persecutes
him with her civilities at table, she appeals to him for ever in conversation,
she sighs, and flirts, and ogles, and by her hideous affectation and
impertinence, drives the poor courtier to the very extremity of his
complaisance: in short, she seems to have undertaken the siege of Barton's
heart, and carries on her approaches in such a desperate manner, that I don't
know whether he will not be obliged to capitulate. In the mean time, his
aversion to this inamorata struggling with his acquired affability, and his
natural fear of giving offence, throws him into a kind of distress which is
extremely ridiculous.
    Two days ago, he persuaded my uncle and me to accompany him to St. James's,
where he undertook to make us acquainted with the persons of all the great men
in the kingdom; and, indeed, there was a great assemblage of distinguished
characters, for it was a high festival at court. Our conductor performed his
promise with great punctuality. He pointed out almost every individual of both
sexes, and generally introduced them to our notice, with a flourish of
panegyrick - Seeing the king approach, »There comes (said he) the most amiable
sovereign that ever swayed the sceptre of England; the deliciæ humani generis;
Augustus, in patronizing merit; Titus Vespasian in generosity; Trajan in
beneficence; and Marcus Aurelius, in philosophy.« »A very honest kind-hearted
gentleman (added my uncle); he's too good for the times. A king of England
should have a spice of the devil in his composition.« Barton, then turning to
the duke of C--, proceeded, - »You know the duke; that illustrious hero, who
trod rebellion under his feet, and secured us in possession of every thing we
ought to hold dear, as Englishmen and Christians. Mark what an eye, how
penetrating, yet pacific! what dignity in his mien! what humanity in his aspect
- Even malice must own, that he is one of
