2. Give me leave to tell you, that I am extremely discomposed when I
hear scandal, and am an utter enemy to all manner of detraction, and
think it the greatest meanness that people of distinction can be guilty
of; however, it is hardly possible to come into company, where you do
not find them pulling one another to pieces, and that from no other
provocation but that of hearing any one commended.

3. Merit, both as to wit and beauty, is become no other than the
possession of a few trifling people's favor, which you cannot possibly
arrive at, if you have really any thing in you that is deserving.

4. What they would bring to pass is, to make all good and evil consist
in report, and with whisper, calumnies, and impertinence, to have the
conduct of those reports.

5. By this means innocents are blasted upon their first appearance in
town: and there is nothing more required to make a young woman the
object of envy and hatred, than to deserve love and admiration.

6. This abominable endeavour to suppressor lessen every thing that is
praise-worthy, is as frequent among the men as women. If I can remember
what passed at a visit last night, it will serve as an instance that the
sexes are equally inclined to defamation, with equal malice, with equal
impotence.

7. _Jack Triplett_ came into my Lady _Airy_'s about eight of the clock.
You know the manner we sit at a visit, and I need not describe the
circle; but Mr. _Triplett_ came in, introduced by two tapers supported
by a spruce servant, whose hair is under a cap till my lady's candles