to my knowledge were real and not feigned, as reprefented, would have afforded me as many opportunities as I could have wished for, of endeavouring to merit the indulgence which the public fo lavishly honoured me with.

Here I could load myself with cenfure, and that with the greatest reason, for this injudicious conduct; and thereby anticipate the reflections which will naturally arise in the minds of every one to whofe knowledge it comes. I could likewife attempt an extenuation of it. I fhall, however, only relate the fact, and add to it, by way of comment, an admonition against yielding to the dictates of felf-confidence, which generally chooses wrong, when oppofed to the advice of unprejudiced friends.

At our return to town on the approach of the season, Lord Digby being gone abroad, and Mr. Calcraft being fearful of the return of the hot-beaded Percy from his tour, he prevailed upon me to refide with him at his house. As I really thought it a duty incumbent on me to oblige him in every thing that lay in my power, I readily confented. His fondnefs feemed rather to increase than abate, and there was every appearance of our paffing our lives as quietly and comfortably together as old Darby and Joan did.

Upon my removal, he informed me of the amount of his income. I was greatly furprifed

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prised when he mentioned the fum, as it was not equal to my own, including my benefit, which was indeed incredible, and by my connection with him would in all probability be greatly augmented. He now asked me what allowance I thought would be neceffary for our joint houfe-keeping. Without making any calculation, I replied, one hundred guineas a quarter; to which he readily agreed.

As it was fo long fince I received the banknotes, and my unknown friend had never given me the least hint by which I might know from whom they came, I thought I might now make use of the thousand guineas. I accordingly did fo. In the first place I paid every fhilling that I owed. I then laid out the remainder in making an addition to my jewels. Thus free from every incumbrance, equipped with every elegance, and poffeffed of a great deal of plate, together with more diamonds than private gentlewomen generally are, I removed to Brewer-street, and became the domefticated wife of Mr. Calcraft.

I have mentioned thefe particulars to let the world as well as yourself fee, that when I entered into this family union with Mr. Calcraft, instead of owing any debts that I could want his affiftance to discharge, I was clear of the world, and poffeffed of an income fuperior to his own.-I cannot mifs

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this opportunity of repeating the affurances I' gave you in my first letter, that my narrative hould contain nothing but real facts. I once more affure you, that truth fhall guide my pen through every page. And if I happen to mifreprefent even the minutest circumftance, it will arise rather from a want of difcernment than of veracity.

G. A. B.

LETTER

LII.

Jan. 12, 17.

MRa

R. FOX continued at this time Secretary at War, in which employment neither any of his predeceffors nor fucceffors have been held in greater eftimation. He honoured me with his company often. And as I confidered Mr. Calcraft's intereft as my own, I made it my bufinefs to get acquainted with as many of the military as I could. In this I fucceeded fo well, that we had generally feveral officers of the first rank at our table.

General Braddock, to whom I had been known from my infancy, and who was particularly fond of me, was about this period appointed to go to America. From our intimacy, he gave me his agency without my applying for it. Whilft he was making

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the neceffary preparations for his voyage, he was more frequently than ufual at our house. The evening before his departure he fupped with me, accompanied by his two aids-decamp, Major Burton, (who had just loft his much-loved wife, and my darling friend) and Captain Orme.

Before we parted, the general told me he fhould never fee me more; for he was going with a handful of men to conquer whole nations; and to do this they must cut their way through unknown woods. He pro

duced the map of the country, faying at the fame time, "Dear Pop, we are fent like facrifices to the altar." The event of the expedition too fatally verified the general's expectations. On going away he put into my hands a paper, which proved to be his will. As he did not doubt my being married to Mr. Calcraft, from his apparent fondness for me from the alteration in my behaviour; and from the preference I had given to him before Mr. Metham; he made him his fole executor, leaving me only the plate which he had received as the ufual perquifite from government on his nomination.

The feafon at Covent-Garden theatre was attended with fuccefs. It commenced with "Romeo and Juliet." Upon this piece Mr. Rich feemed to build the most flattering hopes, faying, "I have the Juliet now as "well as the Romeo." From the concourfe

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of people that crowded for feats, it appeared that he was not mistaken. However, when I, one night, observed this to him with a great degree of pleasure, he took a pinch of fnuff, and turning upon his heel as if he was much diffatisfied, made this fhort reply; "Yes, "Mistress! but it is owing to the proceffion." Had I not had reafon to believe that he had a fincere regard for me, I fhould have been offended at his oddity; but as it was, it rather diverted me.

It can scarcely be credited that the bare croffing the way, (for it can be called no otherwise) from Drury-lane to Covent-Garden) fhould excite the timidity of a performer of my standing. But it is really a fact, that notwithstanding the favour of the public towards me was more vehemently shown than ever, by repeated applaufe; though I retained my powers, I was under as ftrong apprehenfions, as when I first deputed it under Mr. Rich's aufpices in Monimia. I can only account for this extraordinary effect by fuppofing it arofe from the confideration of my now having a reputation to lose, as at that time I had one to gain.

My pregnancy prevented this play from having an equal run with that which had attended it two feafons before. Mr. Garrick tried to ftem the current of our fuccefs by purchafing a new Bell at an enormous expence; but finding that its harmonious notes during

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