 scandalous
reports of her misconduct, to which the empty pretensions of a vain, wretched
coxcomb (who was made use of as an infamous tool for that purpose) gave a
colourable pretext, were trumped up, and transmitted, with many false and
aggravating circumstances, to her husband in Ireland; who, being a giddy,
unthinking man, was so much incensed at these insinuations, that, in the first
transports of his passion, he sent to his mother a power of attorney, that she
might sue for a divorce in his behalf. A libel was thereupon exhibited,
containing many scandalous allegations, void of any real foundation in truth;
but being unsupported by any manner of proof, it was at length dismissed with
costs, after it had depended upwards of two years.
    Lord A--m, finding himself abused by the misrepresentations of his mother
and sister, discovered an inclination to be reconciled to his lady: in
consequence of which, she was sent over to Dublin by her father, to the care of
a gentleman in that city; in whose house she was received by her husband, with
all the demonstrations of love and esteem. From thence he conducted her to his
lodgings, and then to his country-house; where she had the misfortune to suffer
a miscarriage, through fear and resentment of my lord's behaviour, which was
often brutal and indecent. From the country they removed to Dublin, about the
latter end of July, or beginning of August 1714; where they had not long
continued, when her ladyship was known to be again with child.
    Lord A-m and his issue being next in remainder to the honours and estate of
Arthur earl of A-a, was extremely solicitous to have a son; and, warned by the
frequent miscarriages of his lady, resolved to curb the natural impatience and
rusticity of his disposition, that she might not, as formerly, suffer by his
outrageous conduct. He accordingly cherished her with uncommon tenderness and
care; and her pregnancy being pretty far advanced, conducted her to his
country-seat, where she was delivered of Mr. A-y, about the latter end of April
or beginning of May; for none of the witnesses have been able, at this distance,
with absolute certainty, to fix the precise time of his birth, and there was no
register kept in the parish: and, as an additional misfortune, no gentlemen of
fashion lived in that parish; nor did those who lived at any considerable
distance, care to cultivate an acquaintance with a man of lord A-m's strange
