way, and she as often has directed a discourse to me which I do not understand. This barbarity has kept me ever at a distance from the most beautiful object my eyes ever beheld. It is thus also she deals with all mankind, and you must make love to her, as you would conquer the sphinx, by posing her[94]. But were she like other women, and that there were any talking to her, how constant must the pleasure of that man be, who would converse with a creature--But, after all, you may be sure her heart is fixed on some one or other; and yet I have been credibly informed--but who can believe half that is said? After she had done speaking to me, she put her hand to her bosom and adjusted her tucker. Then she cast her eyes a little down, upon my beholding her too earnestly. They say she sings excellently: her voice in her ordinary speech has something in it inexpressibly sweet. You must know I dined with her at a public table the day after I first saw her, and she helped me to some tansy in the eye of all the gentlemen in the country. She has certainly the finest hand of any woman in the world. I can assure you, sir, were you to behold her, you would be in the same condition; for as her speech is music, her form is angelic. But I find I grow irregular[95] while I am talking of her; but indeed it would be stupidity to be unconcerned at such perfection. Oh the excellent creature! she is as inimitable to all women, as she is inaccessible to all men." I found my friend begin to rave, and insensibly[96] led him towards the house, that we might be joined by some other company; and am convinced that the widow is the secret cause of all that inconsistency which appears in some parts of my friend's discourse, though he has so much command of himself as not directly to mention her, yet according to that of Martial[97], which one knows not how to render into English, _Dum tacet hanc loquitur_. I shall end this paper with that whole epigram, which represents with much humour my honest friend's condition. _Quicquid agit Rufus, nihil est, nisi Naevia Rufo, Si gaudet, si flet, si tacet, hanc loquitur: Coenat, propinat, poscit, negat, annuit, una est Naevia; si non sit Naevia, mutus erit. Scriberet hesterna patri cum luce salutem, Naevia lux, inquit, Naevia numen, ave._ _Epig._ lxix. l. 1. Let Rufus weep, rejoice, stand, sit, or walk, Still he can nothing but of Naevia talk; Let him eat, drink, ask questions, or dispute, Still he must speak of Naevia, or be mute. He writ to his father, ending with this line, I am, my lovely Naevia, ever thine. R. FOOTNOTES: [86] _Settled._ An obscure expression. Possibly it means "bound up with." [87] _Rid._ Rode. [88] _Dower._ Widow's portion of her husband's property. [89] _Humane._ Civilised. [90] _Rallied._ Bantered. [91] _Pretended._ Presumed. [92] _Discovered._ Displayed. [93] _Last._ Utmost.