t's in nobody's power, and my
Lady Talmash, that says she can do whatsoever she will, cannot believe
whatsoever she pleases. 'Tis not unpleasant, methinks, to hear her talk,
how at such a time she was sick and the physicians told her she would
have the small-pox, and showed her where they were coming out upon her;
but she bethought herself that it was not at all convenient for her to
have them at that time; some business she had that required her going
abroad, and so she resolved she would not be sick; nor was not. Twenty
such stories as these she tells; and then falls into discoveries of
strength of reason and the power of philosophy, till she confounds
herself and all that hear her. You have no such ladies in Ireland?

Oh me, but I heard to-day your cousin Hammond is going thither to be in
Ludlow's place. Is it true? You tell me nothing what is done there, but
'tis no matter. The less one knows of State affairs I find it is the
better. My poor Lady Vavasour is carried to the Tower, and her great
belly could not excuse her, because she was acquainted by somebody that
there was a plot against the Protector, and did not discover it. She has
told now all that was told her, but vows she will never say from whence
she had it: we shall see whether her resolutions are as unalterable as
those of my Lady Talmash. I wonder how she behaved herself when she was
married. I never saw any one yet that did not look simply and out of
countenance, nor ever knew a wedding well designed but one; and that was
of two persons who had time enough I confess to contrive it, and nobody
to please in't but themselves. He came down into the country where she
was upon a visit, and one morning married her. As soon as they came out
of the church they took coach and came for the town, dined at an inn by
the way, and at night came into lodgings that were provided for them
where nobody knew them, and where they passed for married people of
seven years' standing.

The truth is I could not endure to be Mrs. Bride in a public wedding, to
be made the happiest person on earth. Do not take it ill, for I would
endure it if I could, rather than fail; but in earnest I do not think it
were possible for me. You cannot apprehend the formalities of a treaty
more than I do, nor so much the success on't. Yet in earnest, your
father will not find my brother Peyton wanting in civility (though he is
not a man of much compliment, unless it be in his letters to me), nor an