aritable, domestic family of yore, there were
none at present but owls, crows, or chequered magpies, whose hooting,
cawing and chattering were excellent comments on the practices of the
present owners. There were in that street, myriads of such abandoned
palaces, which might have been, had it not been for Pride, the resorts of
the best, as of yore, places of refuge for the weak, schools of peace and
of every kind of goodness; and blessings to thousands of small houses
around.

From the summit of this ruin, we had scope and leisure enough to observe
the whole street on either side. There were fair houses of wondrous
height and magnificence--and no wonder, as there were emperors, kings,
and hundreds of princes there, and thousands of nobles and gentry, and
very many women of every degree. I saw a vain high-topt creature, like a
ship at full sail, walking as if in a frame, carrying about her full the
amount of a pedlar's pack, and having at her ears, the worth of a good
farm, in pearls; and there were not a few of her kind--some were singing,
in order that their voices might be praised; some were dancing, to show
their figures; others were painting to improve their complexions; others
had been trimming themselves before the glass, for three hours, learning
to smile, moving pins and making gestures and putting themselves in
attitudes. There was many a vain creature there, who did not know how to
open her lips to speak, or to eat, nor, from sheer pride, to look under
her feet; and many a ragged shrew, who would insist that she was as good
a gentlewoman as the best in the street; and many an ambling fop, who
could winnow beans with the mere wind of his train.

Whilst I was looking, from afar upon these, and a hundred such, behold!
there passed by towards us, a bouncing, variegated lady with a lofty
look, and with a hundred folks gazing after her; some bent themselves as
if to adore her; some few thrust something into her hand. Being unable
to imagine who she was, I enquired. "Oh," replied my friend, "she is one
who has all her portion in sight, yet you see how many foolish people are
seeking her, and the meanest of them in possession of all the attainments
she can boast of. _She will not have what she can gain_, _and will never
gain what she desires_, and she will speak to no one but her betters, on
account of her mother's telling her, 'that a young woman cannot do a
worse thing, than be humble in her love.'" Thereupo