a dignitary in the church, and in circumstances to give her a
large fortune: but fortune was her smallest accomplishment. Miss
Arabella Wilmot was allowed by all, except my two daughters, to
be completely pretty. Her youth, health, and innocence, were
still heightened by a complexion so transparent, and such an
happy sensibility of look, as even age could not gaze on with
indifference. As Mr Wilmot knew that I could make a very handsome
settlement on my son, he was not averse to the match; so both
families lived together in all that harmony which generally
precedes an expected alliance. Being convinced by experience that
the days of courtship are the most happy of our lives, I was
willing enough to lengthen the period; and the various amusements
which the young couple every day shared in each other's company,
seemed to encrease their passion. We were generally awaked in the
morning by music, and on fine days rode a hunting. The hours
between breakfast and dinner the ladies devoted to dress and
study: they usually read a page, and then gazed at themselves in
the glass, which even philosophers might own often presented the
page of greatest beauty. At dinner my wife took the lead; for as
she always insisted upon carving every thing herself, it being
her mother's way, she gave us upon these occasions the history of
every dish. When we had dined, to prevent the ladies leaving us,
I generally ordered the table to be removed; and sometimes, with
the music master's assistance, the girls would give us a very
agreeable concert. Walking out, drinking tea, country dances, and
forfeits, shortened the rest of the day, without the assistance
of cards, as I hated all manner of gaming, except backgammon, at
which my old friend and I sometimes took a two-penny hit. Nor can
I here pass over an ominous circumstance that happened the last
time we played together: I only wanted to fling a quatre, and yet