Chapter 4

Madam,--I've recollected perhaps 'tis necessary to acquaint you upon what account I continue here yet, _maim_, after making you privy to my great concerns, _madam_ I only wait for alteration of the globe which belongs to this house, _maim_ and if the time is almost expired I wish to know it _maim_. Tho' I am not unhealthy, yet I am very weak, know _maim_ therefore I hope it won't be long _maim_.

I am, madam, your most obedient,

Wednesday. M. NICHOLSON.

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LADY ARCHER, Formerly Miss West, lived to a good age--a proof that cosmetics are not so fatal as has been supposed. Nature had given her a fine aquiline nose, like, the princesses of the house of Austria, and she did not fail to give herself a complexion. She resembled a fine old wainscotted painting with the face and features shining through a thick incrustation of copal varnish.

Her ladyship was for many years the wonder of the fashionable world, envied by all the ladies that frequented the court. She had a splendid house in Portland-place, with _et caetera_ equal in brilliancy and beauty to, or rather surpassing those of any of her contemporaries. Magnificent appendages were a sort of scenery. She gloried in milk-white horses to her carriage--the coachman and footman in grand shewy liveries--the carriage lined with a silk calculated to exhibit the complexion, &c. &c.

I recollect, however, to have seen the late Mrs. Robinson go far beyond all this in the rich exuberance of her genius; a yellow lining to her landau, with a black footman, to contrast with her beautiful countenance and fascinating figure, and thus render both more lovely. Lady Archer's house at Barnes Elms Terrace, had an elegance of ornaments and drapery to strike the senses, and yet powerfully addressed to the imagination. She could give an insinuating interest to the scenes about her; which other eyes were viewing. Her kitchen garden and pleasure ground of five acres--the Thames running in front as if appertaining to the grounds--the apartments most tastefully decorated in the Chinese style--a fine conservatory opening, into the principal apartment with grapes, slow peaches, &c. at the end a magnificent sofa, with a superb curtain all displayed with a peculiar grace and to the greatest advantage. Much praise was due to her arrangement of green and hot-house plants, the appellations of which she was well acquainted with, as also everything relating to their history.--_from the Papers of the late Alexander Stephens, Esq._

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