specific by the vigorous use of epigrams, but Mrs. Haywood's comments on
her heroes and heroines are but feeble. The description of Lasselia, for
instance, contains no trait that is particular, no characteristic
definitely individual. The girl is simply the type of all that is
conventionally charming in her sex, "splendidly null, dead perfection."

"But if the grave Part of the World were charm'd with her Wit and
Discretion, the Young and Gay were infinitely more so with her Beauty;
which tho' it was not of that dazzling kind which strikes the Eye at
first looking on it with Desire and Wonder, yet it was such as seldom
fail'd of captivating Hearts most averse to Love. Her features were
perfectly regular, her Eyes had an uncommon Vivacity in them, mix'd
with a Sweetness, which spoke the Temper of her Soul; her Mien was
gracefully easy, and her Shape the most exquisite that could be; in
fine, her Charms encreas'd by being often seen, every View discover'd
something new to be admir'd; and tho' they were of that sort which
more properly may be said to persuade than to command Adoration, yet
they persuaded it in such a manner, that no Mortal was able to resist
their Force." (p. 2.)

Mrs. Haywood's heroes are merely the masculine counterparts of her
women. Bellcour, the type of many more, "had as much Learning as was
necessary to a Gentleman who depended not on that alone to raise his
Fortune: He had also admirable Skill in Fencing, and became a Horse as
well as any Man in the World."[11] Victor over a thousand hearts, the
Haywoodian male ranges through his glittering sphere, ever ready to fall
in or out of love as the occasion demands. D'Elmont of "Love in Excess"
possesses a soul large enough to contain both love and fury at almost
the same moment. A "brulée" with his spouse merely increases his
tenderness for his ward.