My wife therefore was resolved that we should not be deprived of such advantages for want of assurance, and undertook to harangue for the family.

'I hope,' cried she, 'your Ladyships will pardon my present presumption.

It is true, we have no right to pretend to such favours; but yet it is natural for me to wish putting my children forward in the world.

And I will be bold to say my two girls have had a pretty good education, and capacity, at least the country can't shew better.

They can read, write, and cast accompts; they understand their needle, breadstitch, cross and change, and all manner of plain-work; they can pink, point, and frill; and know something of music; they can do up small cloaths, work upon catgut; my eldest can cut paper, and my youngest has a very pretty manner of telling fortunes upon the cards.'-- 'FUDGE!' When she had delivered this pretty piece of eloquence, the two ladies looked at each other a few minutes in silence, with an air of doubt and importance.