catalogue of his mistress's imperfections; for when he has been
compelled to listen to the summary, you will only get for answer
that 'he lo'es her a' the better.'"

I was not sorry to have changed the gloomy train of Aunt
Margaret's thoughts, and replied in the same tone, "Well, I can't
help being persuaded that our good King is the more sure of Mrs.
Bothwell's loyal affection, that he has the Stewart right of
birth as well as the Act of Succession in his favour."

"Perhaps my attachment, were its source of consequence, might be
found warmer for the union of the rights you mention," said Aunt
Margaret; "but, upon my word, it would be as sincere if the
King's right were founded only on the will of the nation, as
declared at the Revolution. I am none of your JURE DIVINO
folks."

"And a Jacobite notwithstanding."

"And a Jacobite notwithstanding--or rather, I will give you leave
to call me one of the party which, in Queen Anne's time, were
called, WHIMSICALS, because they were sometimes operated upon by
feelings, sometimes by principle. After all, it is very hard
that you will not allow an old woman to be as inconsistent in her
political sentiments as mankind in general show themselves in all
the various courses of life; since you cannot point out one of
them in which the passions and prejudices of those who pursue it
are not perpetually carrying us away from the path which our
reason points out."