I may reckon the ladies themselves as a third class among these my correspondents and privy-councillors. In a letter from one of them, I am advised to place _Pharamond_ at the head of my catalogue, and, if I think proper, to give the second place to _Cassandra_. Coquetilla begs me not to think of nailing women upon their knees with manuals of devotion, nor of scorching their faces with books of housewifery. Florella desires to know if there are any books written against prudes, and entreats me, if there are, to give them a place in my library. Plays of all sorts have their several advocates: _All for Love_ is mentioned in above fifteen letters; _Sophonisba_, or _Hannibal's Overthrow_, in a dozen; _The Innocent Adultery_ is likewise highly approved of; _Mithridates, King of Pontus_ has many friends; _Alexander the Great_ and _Aurengzebe_ have the same number of voices; but _Theodosius_, or _The Force of Love_, carries it from all the rest.--J. ADDISON. _Spectator_, 92. TO A LADY FURNISHING HER LIBRARY AT *** IN WARWICKSHIRE When just proportion in each part, And colours mixed with nicest art, Conspire to show the grace and mien Of Chloe or the Cyprian queen: With elegance throughout refined, That speaks the passions of the mind, The glowing canvas will proclaim A Raphael's or a Titian's name. So when through every learnèd page Each distant clime, each distant age Display a rich variety Of wisdom in epitome; Such elegance and taste will tell The hand that could select so well. But when we all their beauties view, United and improved by you, We needs must own an emblem faint To express those charms no art can paint. Books must, with such correctness writ, Refine another's taste and wit; 'Tis to your merit only due That theirs can be refined by you. R. JAGO. LYDIA LANGUISH AND THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY LUCY. Indeed, ma'am, I traversed half the town in search of it: I don't believe there's a circulating library in Bath I ha'n't been at. LYDIA LANGUISH. And could not you get _The Reward of Constancy_? LUCY. No, indeed, ma'am. LYDIA. Nor _The Fatal Connexion_? LUCY. No, indeed, ma'am. LYDIA. Nor _The Mistakes of the Heart_? LUCY. Ma'am, as ill luck would have it, Mr. Bull said Miss Sukey Saunter had just fetched it away. LYDIA. Heigh-ho!--Did you inquire for _The Delicate Distress_? LUCY.----Or, _The Memoirs of Lady Woodford_? Yes, indeed, ma'am. I asked everywhere for it; and I might have brought it from Mr. Frederick's, but Lady Slattern Lounger, who had just sent it home, had so soiled and dog's-eared it, it wa'n't fit for a Christian to read. LYDIA. Heigh-ho!--Yes, I always know when Lady Slattern has been before me. She has a most observing thumb; and I believe cherishes her nails for the convenience of making marginal notes.--Well, child, what _have_ you brought me? LUCY. Oh! here, ma'am.