and in a few days was hired by this lady, to serve in quality of
her footman, having been represented by my hostess as a young man
who was bred up to the sea by his relations against his will, and
had suffered shipwreck, which had increased his disgust to that
way of life so much, that he rather chose to go to service on
shore, than enter himself on board of any other ship. Before I took
possession of my new place, she gave me a sketch of my mistress's
character, that I might know better how to regulate my conduct.

"Your lady," said she, "is a maiden of forty years, not so remarkable
for her beauty as her learning and taste, which is famous all over
the country. Indeed, she is a perfect female virtuoso, and so eager
after the pursuit of knowledge that she neglects her person even
to a degree of sluttishness; this negligence, together with her
contempt of the male part of the creation, gives her nephew no great
concern, as by these means he will probably keep her fortune, which
is considerable. in the family. He therefore permits her to live
in her own way, which is something extraordinary, and gratifies her
in all her whimsical desires. Her apartment is at some distance from
the other inhabited parts of the house; and consists of a dining-room,
bedchamber, and study; she keeps a cook maid, a waiting-woman, and
footman, of her own, and seldom eats or converses with any of the
family but her niece, who is a very lovely creature, and humours
her aunt often to the prejudice of her own health by sitting up
with her whole nights together; for your mistress is too much of
a philosopher to be swayed by the custom of the world, and never
sleeps nor eats like other people. Among other odd notions, she
professes the principles of Rosicrucius, and believes the earth,
air, and sea, are inhabited by invisible beings, with whom it
is possible for the human species to entertain correspondence and