your fault) she is handsomer than all of them together. Pray, do not insult poor Ireland on this occasion; for it would have been exactly the same thing in London. And therefore I shall advise the king, when I go next to England, to send no more of her sort (if such another can be found) for fear of turning all his loyal female subjects here against him.
How is our old friend Mrs. Barton[1]? (I forget her new name.) I saw her three years ago, at court, almost dwindled to an echo, and hardly knew her; while your eyes dazzled me as much as when I first met them: which, considering myself, is a greater compliment than you are aware of. I wish you may have grace to find it.
My lady Carteret has made me a present, which I take to be malicious, with a design to stand in your place. Therefore I would have you to provide against it by another, and something of your own work, as hers is. For you know I always expect advances and presents from ladies. Neither was I ever deceived in this last article by any of your sex but the queen, whom I taxed three years ago with a present of ten pounds value. Upon taking my leave, she said, "She intended a medal for me,
- ↑ This lady, the widow of colonel Barton, and niece to sir Isaac Newton, was a distinguished beauty, and is celebrated in three different poems in the 5th volume of Dryden's Miscellanies. In her widowhood, she was entertained by lord Halifax, who was very liberal to her at his death. She afterward married Mr. Conduitt, who succeeded to sir Isaac Newton's office in the mint; and by this latter match had a daughter, who was married to lord Lempster. The dean's friendship with this lady appears throughout the Journal to Stella; and is acknowledged by Mrs. Conduitt, in a letter printed in vol. XIII, dated Nov. 29, 1733.
