She possessed dignity without pride, simplicity without affectation, learning without pedantry, good breeding without any of its tinsel ornaments. She received the homage, which by common consent was on all occasions paid her, with ease and gracefulness; and she communicated what she knew (and she knew a great deal indeed) with affability and good humour, explained what was difficult with readiness, and never discovered any impatience of contradiction. Mrs. C. received unfeigned tributes of admiration from a great many of the most illustrious characters of her country, but none paid her more particular attention than the late honoured and revered Bishop Porteus. He was an excellent judge of mental endowments, both natural and acquired; and it was the esteem which both combined to conciliate, that rendered her society so grateful at London-House and at Fulham. She was always employed on some subject or object of benevolence, and though her own means of beneficence were circumscribed, her recommendation and introduction to the great and powerful had no inconsiderable influence, and from a long catalogue of meritorious names, might Mrs. C. reasonably expect (as indeed she received) the warmest acknowledgments of gratitude. But of this illustrious lady it would perhaps be superfluous to say more. Her literary life and private character have been communicated to the public by one eminently qualified to form a due estimate of their value. But the object, at least one object of these Memoirs, is to bring to recollection the distinguished personages of both sexes, to whom a personal introduction was obtained, from no other claims or pretensions than an ardent love and pursuit of learning. The honour of a not unfrequent meeting with this lady, was too flattering and too gratifying to be passed over unnoticed and unacknowledged. Differ opus livida turba tuum. CHAPTER L. With respect to the individual next introduced, the writer appears to have been conscious how much delicacy was required, and seems to have distrusted his own ability in the management of his subject. He commences thus:—As the comet is invariably accompanied by its blazing appendix, so are malignant envy and the bitterest enmity, everlastingly found in attendance upon eminent virtue and splendid talents. To contemplate these four qualities, virtue and talent, enmity and envy, in their fullest force and energy, it is only necessary to take a view of the life and character of H⸺ M⸺.