the River Thames: "because," said she, "you run
the hazard of being treated not only as a deserter in quitting the
sloop, but also as a mutineer, in assaulting your commanding officer,
to the malice of whose revenge you will moreover be exposed." She
then promised to recommend me, as servant to a single lady of her
acquaintance, who lived in the neighbourhood with her nephew, who was a
young foxhunter of great fortune, where I might be very happy, provided
I could bear with the disposition and manners of my mistress, which were
somewhat whimsical and particular. But, above all things, she counselled
me to conceal my story, the knowledge of which would effectually poison
my entertainment; for it was a maxim, among most people of condition,
that no gentleman ought to be admitted into a family as a domestic,
lest he become lazy, and insolent. I was fain to embrace this humble
proposal, because my affairs were desperate; and in a few days was
hired by this lady, to serve in quality of her footman, having been
represented by my hostess as a young man who was bred up to the sea by
his relations against his will, and had suffered shipwreck, which had
increased his disgust to that way of life so much, that he rather chose
to go to service on shore, than enter himself on board of any other
ship. Before I took possession of my new place, she gave me a sketch
of my mistress's character, that I might know better how to regulate my
conduct.

"Your lady," said she, "is a maiden of forty years, not so remarkable
for her beauty as her learning and taste, which is famous all over the
country. Indeed, she is a perfect female virtuoso, and so eager after
the pursuit of knowledge that she neglects her person even to a degree
of sluttishness; this negligence, together with her contempt of the male
part of the creation, gives her nephew no great concern, as by these
means he will probably keep her fortune, which is considerable in
the family. He therefore permits her to live in her own way, which is
something extraordinary, and gratifies her in all her whimsical desires.
Her apartment is at some distance from the other inhabited parts of the
house; and consists of a dining-room, bedchamber, and study; she keeps a
cook maid, a waiting-woman, and footman, of her own, and seldom eats
or converses with any of the family but her niece, who is a very lovely
creature, and humours her aunt often to the prejudice of her own health
by sitting up with