
with whom she was to the highest Degree enraged, had perhaps contributed not a
little to his Success: for she had no sooner condescended to a Familiarity with
her new Lover, and discovered that Captain James, of whom she had heard so much
from Booth, was no other than the identical Colonel, than she employed every Art
of which she was Mistress, to make an utter Breach of Friendship between these
two. For this Purpose she did not scruple to insinuate, that the Colonel was not
at all obliged to the Character given of him by his Friend; and to the Account
of this latter she placed most of the Cruelty which she had shewn to the former.
    Had the Colonel made a proper Use of his Reason, and fairly examined the
Probability of the Fact, he could scarce have been imposed upon to believe a
Matter so inconsistent with all he knew of Booth, and in which that Gentleman
must have sinned against all the Laws of Honour without any visible Temptation.
But in solemn fact, the Colonel was so intoxicated with his Love, that it was in
the Power of his Mistress to have persuaded him of any thing; besides, he had an
Interest in giving her Credit: for he was not a little pleased with finding a
Reason for hating the Man, whom he could not help hating without any Reason, at
least, without any which he durst fairly assign even to himself. Henceforth
therefore he abandoned all Friendship for Booth, and was more inclined to put
him out of the World, than to endeavour any longer at supporting him in it.
    Booth communicated this Letter to his Wife, who endeavoured, as usual, to
the utmost of her Power to console him under one of the greatest Afflictions
which, I think, can befal a Man, namely, the Unkindness of a Friend; but he had
luckily at the same time the greatest Blessing in his Possession, the Kindness
of a faithful and beloved Wife. A Blessing however, which tho' it compensates
most of the Evils of Life, rather serves to aggravate the Misfortune of
distress'sd Circumstances, from the Consideration of the Share which she is to
bear in them.
    This Afternoon Amelia received a second Visit from Mrs. Ellison, who
acquainted her that she had a Present of a Ticket for the Oratorio, which would
carry two Persons into the Gallery; and therefore begged the Favour of her
Company thither.
    Amelia with many Thanks acknowledged the Civility of Mrs. Ellison; but
declined accepting her Offer; upon which Booth very strenuously insisted on her
going, and said to her, »my Dear, if you
