I. ENTER DAME GOSSIP AS CHORUS
II. MISTRESS GOSSIP TELLS OF THE ELOPEMENT OF THE COUNTESS OF
CRESSETT WITH THE OLD BUCCANEER, AND OF CHARLES DUMP THE
POSTILLION CONDUCTING THEM, AND OF A GREAT COUNTY FAMILY
III. CONTINUATION OF THE INTRODUCTORY MEANDERINGS OF DAME GOSSIP,
TOGETHER WITH HER SUDDEN EXTINCTION
IV. MORNING AND FAREWELL TO AN OLD HOME
V. A MOUNTAIN WALK IN MIST AND SUNSHINE
VI. THE NATURAL PHILOSOPHER
VII. THE LADY'S LETTER
VIII. OF THE ENCOUNTER OF TWO STRANGE YOUNG MEN AND THEIR CONSORTING:
IN WHICH THE MALE READER IS REQUESTED TO BEAR IN MIND WHAT WILD
CREATURE HE WAS IN HIS YOUTH, WHILE THE FEMALE SHOULD MARVEL
CREDULOUSLY
IX. CONCERNING THE BLACK GODDESS FORTUNE AND THE WORSHIP OF HER,
TOGETHER WITH AN INTRODUCTION OF SOME OF HER VOTARIES



CHAPTER I

ENTER DAME GOSSIP AS CHORUS

Everybody has heard of the beautiful Countess of Cressett, who was one of
the lights of this country at the time when crowned heads were running
over Europe, crying out for charity's sake to be amused after their
tiresome work of slaughter: and you know what a dread they have of
moping. She was famous for her fun and high spirits besides her good
looks, which you may judge of for yourself on a walk down most of our