n, a Conflict with one's self of a whole Age's debating:
Marriage, 'mongst the vulgar sort, is a Joke, a meer May-Game; with People
of Rank, a serious and well study'd Solemnity.

_Nick._ Nay, Madam, I'm in no very great haste, I am perfectly of your
Ladyship's Opinion, and can't think there's so mighty a Jest in Matrimony
as some People imagine; like a Country Fellow and a Wench, that will jig
it into Church after a blind Fidler, and are never in a dancing Humour
afterwards. People o' Quality are more apprehensive o' the matter, and
have a world o' business to do, we must first be seen particular together,
to give suspicion, and create Jealousies 'mongst the rest of your
Admirers; then it must be whisper'd to the Countess of _Intelligence_, to
carry about Town, or the Tea-Tables will drop for want of Tittle-tattle;
and afterwards your Ladyship's absolutely denying it, confirms ev'ry body
in the truth of it: As for Cloaths, Equipage and Furniture, they are soon
got ready, and if your Ladiship dislikes living i'the City, we'll take a
House at _Mile-End._

La. _Rod_. The City, Mr. _Nicknack,_ A very considerable Place! I have had
noble Suppers there. Suppers dress'd at _Russel_'s in _Ironmonger-lane_,
and have brought away Fifty Guineas at _Basset,_ when at this end o'the
Town I have lost three times Fifty for a sneaking Dish of _Chocolate_.
People too may talk of their want of Sense, but the suppressing
_Bartl'mew-Fair_ was a thing of that wondrous Consultation, it shews the
Citizens have prodigious Head-pieces.

_Nick_. Your Ladiship has a just Notion of the City. I have read sev'ral
Acts of Common Council, that have really a world of Wit in 'em; but I'm
afraid, Madam, _Collonel Blenheim_ has so far ingratiated himself with
your Ladiship, I shall have a troublesome Rival to deal with.

La. _Rod_. Not in the least, I admitted him only as a Visitant, but at
present I must be more particular with him; he's of late grown a little
irreverent towards our Sex, and I must check an insolent Humour he has got
of despising Matrimony; he'll be with me instantly, I'll dispose you, that
you may over-hear all, how I'll turn and wind him, cross him, humour him,
and confound him; when you think it proper make your Appearance, and we'll
both laugh at him.

_Nick._ If your Ladiship pleases, I had rather laugh in my Sleeve, for
those blustering Officers, that are us'd to destroy whole Batallions, make
no more of murdering one Man, than