and the queen dowager, his mistress, lived not over well in France.52

Jermyn,53 supported by his uncle's wealth, found it no difficult matter to make a considerable figure upon his arrival at the court of the Princess of Orange: the poor courtiers of the king her brother could not vie with him in point of equipage and magnificence; and these two articles often produce as much success in love as real merit: there is no necessity for any other example than the present; for though Jermyn was brave, and certainly a gentleman, yet he had neither brilliant actions, nor distinguished rank, to set him off; and as for his figure, there was nothing advantageous in it. He was little; his head was large and his legs small; his features were not disagreeable, but he was affected in his carriage and behaviour. All his wit consisted in expressions learnt by rote, which he occasionally employed either in raillery or in love. This was the whole foundation of the merit of a man so formidable in amours.

The Princess Royal was the first who was taken with him :54 Miss Hyde seemed to be following the steps of her mistress: this immediately brought him into credit, and his reputation was established in England before his arrival. Prepossession in the minds of women is sufficient to find access to their hearts Jermyn found them in dispositions so favourable for him, that he had nothing to do but to speak.

It was in vain they perceived that a reputation so lightly established, was still more weakly sustained: the prejudice remained: the Countess of Castlemaine,55 a woman lively and discerning, followed the delusive shadow; and though undeceived in a reputation which promised so much, and performed so little, she nevertheless continued in her infatuation: she even persisted in it, until she was upon the point of embroiling

onstancy.

Such were the heroes of the court. As for the beauties, ou could not look anywhere without seeing them: those of he greatest reputation were this same Countess of Castleaine, afterwards Duchess of Cleveland, Lady Chesterfield, ady Shrewsbury,56 the Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Middleton, the Miss Brooks,57 and a thousand others, who shone at court with equal stre; but it was Miss Hamilton and Miss Stewart who were s chief ornaments.58 The new queen gave but little additional rilliancy to the court, either in her person, or in her retinue, hich was then composed of the Countess de Panétra, who ɩme over with her in quality of lady of the bedchamber; six ights, who called themselves maids of honour, and a duenna, nother monster, who took the title of governess to those traordinary beauties.

Among the men were Francisco de Melo, brother to the ountess de Panétra; one Taurauvédez, who called himself on Pedro Francisco Correo de Silva, extremely handsome, it a greater fool than all the Portuguese put together: he was ore vain of his names than of his person; but the Duke of uckingham, a still greater fool than he, though more addicted raillery, gave him the additional name of Peter of the Food. He was so enraged at this, that, after many fruitless mplaints and ineffectual menaces, poor Pedro de Silva was liged to leave England, while the happy duke kept posseson of a Portuguese nymph more hideous than the queen's aids of honour, whom he had taken from him, as well as -o of his names. Besides these, there were six chaplains, ur bakers, a Jew perfumer, and a certain officer, probably thout an office, who called himself her highness's barber. atharine de Braganza was far from appearing with splendour the charming court where she came to reign; however, in

mont, who had been long known to the royal family, and to most of the gentlemen of the court, had only to get acquainted with the ladies; and for this he wanted no interpreter: they all spoke French enough to explain themselves, and they all understood it sufficiently to comprehend what he had to say to them.

The queen's court was always very numerous; that of the duchess was less so, but more select.. This princess 60 had a majestic air, a pretty good shape, not much beauty, a great deal of wit, and so just a discernment of merit, that, whoever of either sex were possessed of it, were sure to be distinguished by her: an air of grandeur in all her actions made her be considered as if born to support the rank which placed her so near the throne. The queen dowager returned after the marriage of the Princess Royal, and it was in her court that the two others met.61

The Chevalier de Grammont was soon liked by all parties: those who had not known him before, were surprised to see a Frenchman of his disposition. The king's restoration having drawn a great number of foreigners from all countries to the court, the French were rather in disgrace; for, instead of any persons of distinction having appeared among the first who came over, they had only seen some insignificant puppies, each striving to outdo the other in folly and extravagance, despising every thing which was not like themselves, and thinking they introduced the bel air, by treating the English as strangers in their own country.

The Chevalier de Grammont, on the contrary, was familiar with every body: he gave in to their customs, eat of every thing, and easily habituated himself to their manner of living, which he looked upon as neither vulgar nor barbarous; and as he shewed a natural complaisance, instead of the im

with a man, who agreeably indemnified them for what they ad suffered from the folly of the former.

He first of all made his court to the king, and was of all is parties of pleasure: he played high, and lost but seldom : e found so little difference in the manners and conversation f those with whom he chiefly associated, that he could carcely believe he was out of his own country. Every thing, which could agreeably engage a man of his disposition, preented itself to his different humours, as if the pleasures of he court of France had quitted it to accompany him in his

xile.

He was every day engaged for some entertainment; and hose who wished to regale him in their turn, were obliged to ake their measures in time, and to invite him eight or ten ays beforehand. These importunate civilities became tireome in the long-run; but as they seemed indispensable to a an of his disposition, and as they were the most genteel eople of the court who loaded him with them, he submitted with a good grace; but always reserved to himself the liberty f supping at home.

His supper-hour depended upon play, and was indeed very ncertain; but his supper was always served up with the reatest elegance, by the assistance of one or two servants, ho were excellent caterers and good attendants, but underFood cheating still better.

The company, at these little entertainments, was not nunerous, but select: the first people of the court were comonly of the party; but the man, who of all others suited im best on these occasions, never failed to attend: that was he celebrated Saint Evremond, who with great exactness, but Do great freedom, had written the history of the treaty of the

1

sous.

Happily for them both, fortune had, some time before the arrival of the Chevalier de Grammont, brought Saint Evremond 62 to England, åfter he had had leisure to repent in Holland of the beauties of that famous satire.

The Chevalier was from that time his hero: they had each of them attained to all the advantages which a knowledge of the world, and the society of people of fashion, could add to the improvement of good natural talents. Saint Evremond, less engaged in frivolous pursuits, frequently gave little lectures to the Chevalier, and by making observations upon the past, endeavoured to set him right for the present, or to instruct him for the future. "You are now," said he, "in the most agreeable way of life a man of your temper could wish for you are the delight of a youthful, sprightly, and gallant court the king has never a party of pleasure to which you are not admitted. You play from morning to night, or, to speak more properly, from night to morning, without knowing what it is to lose. Far from losing the money you brought hither, as you have done in other places, you have doubled it; trebled it, multiplied it almost beyond your wishes, notwithstanding the exorbitant expenses you are imperceptibly led into. This, without doubt, is the most desirable situation in the world: stop here, Chevalier, and do not ruin your affairs, by returning to your old sins. Avoid love, by pursuing other pleasures love has never been favourable to you. You are sensible how much gallantry has cost you; and every person here is not so well acquainted with that matter as yourself. Play boldly entertain the court with your wit: divert the king by your ingenious and entertaining stories; but avoid all engagements which can deprive you of this merit, and

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