The following is an extract from a letter from Gay to Swift:—“To the lady I live with I owe my life and fortune; think of her with respect, value and esteem her as I do. She hath so much goodness, virtue, and generosity, that if you knew her you would have a pleasure in obeying her as I do.” In another letter from Gay to Swift, the former presses his coming to join the party at Amesbury, saying (speaking of the Duchess):—“I think her so often in the right, you will have great difficulties to persuade me she is in the wrong. The lady of the house is not given to show civility to those she does not like. She speaks her mind and loves truth, for the uncommonness of the thing. I fancy your curiosity will prevail over your fear, and you will like to see such a woman. But I say no more till I know whether her Grace will fill up the rest of the paper.” P.S. by the Duchess: “Write I must, particularly now, as I have an opportunity to indulge my predominant passion of Contradiction. I do, in the first place, contradict most things Mr. Gay says of me to deter you from coming here, which, if ever you do, I hereby assure you that, unless I like my own way better, you shall have yours; and in all disputes you shall convince me if you can. But, by what I see of you, this is not a misfortune that will always happen, for I find you a great mistaker. For example, you take prudence for imperiousness. ’Tis from this I first determined not to like one who is too giddy-headed for me to be certain whether or no I shall ever be acquainted with him. I have known people take great delight in building castles in the air; but I should choose to build friendship on a more solid foundation. I would fain know you, for I often hear more likeable things than ’tis possible any one can deserve. Pray come that I may find out something wrong, for I, and I believe most women, have an inconceivable pleasure to find out any faults except their own.” P.S.—“Mr. Gay is very peevish that I spell and write ill, but I don’t care, for neither the pen nor I can do better!” [Picture: The Diamond] This Duchess also attracted the attention of Prior, who wrote the well-known ballad:— THE FEMALE PHAETON. I. Thus Kitty beautiful and young, And wild as colt untam’d, Bespoke the Fair from whence she sprung With little rage inflam’d. II. Inflam’d with rage at sad restraint, Which wise mamma ordained, And sorely vex’d to play the saint Whilst wit and beauty reigned. III. “Shall _I_ thumb holy books confin’d With Abigails forsaken? Kitty’s for other things design’d, Or I am much mistaken. IV.