LETTER XXIII


MY DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,

We had a great many neighbouring gentlemen, and their ladies, this day,
at dinner; and my master made a fine entertainment for them: and Isaac,
and Mr. Jonathan, and Benjamin, waited at table: And Isaac tells Mrs.
Jervis, that the ladies will by and by come to see the house, and have
the curiosity to see me; for, it seems, they said to my master, when the
jokes flew about, Well, Mr. B----, we understand you have a servant-maid,
who is the greatest beauty in the county; and we promise ourselves to see
her before we go.

The wench is well enough, said he; but no such beauty as you talk of,
I'll assure ye. She was my mother's waiting-maid, who, on her death-bed,
engaged me to be kind to her. She is young, and every thing is pretty
that is young.

Ay, ay, said one of the ladies, that's true; but if your mother had not
recommended her so strongly, there is so much merit in beauty, that I
make no doubt such a fine gentleman would have wanted no inducement to be
kind to it.

They all laughed at my master: And he, it seems, laughed for company; but
said, I don't know how it is, but I see with different eyes from other
people; for I have heard much more talk of her prettiness, than I think
it deserves: She is well enough, as I said: but her greatest excellence
is, that she is humble, and courteous, and faithful, and makes all her