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 my much-loved Irene ; nay, Mrs. Montagu says if tender words are the precursors of connubial engagements, we may expect great things ; for it is nothing but l child ' ' little fool ' ' love,' and ' dearest.' After much critical discourse, he turns round to me, and with one of his most amiable looks, which must be seen to form the least idea of it, he says, * I have heard that you are engaged in the useful and honourable employment of teaching young ladies.' Upon which, with all the same ease, familiarity, and confidence, we should have done had only our own dear Dr. Stonehouse been present, we entered upon the history of our birth, parentage, and education ; shewing how we were born with more desires than guineas ; and how, as years increased our appetites, the cupboard at home began to grow too small to gratify them ; and how, with a bottle of water, a * bed, and a blanket, we set out to seek our fortunes ; and how we found a great house, with nothing in it ; and how it was like to remain so, till, looking into our knowledge-boxes, we happened to find a little taming, a good thing when land is gone z, or rather none : and so at last, by giving a little of this little laming to those who had less, we got a good store of gold in return ; but how, alas ! we wanted the wit to keep it ' I love you both/ cried the inamorato c I love you all five I never was at Bristol I will come on purpose to see you 2 what ! five women live happily together! I will come and see you I have spent a happy evening I am glad I came God for ever bless you; you live lives to shame duchesses.' He took his leave with so much warmth and tenderness, we were quite affected at his manner. ...

Dr. Johnson and Hannah, last night, had a violent quarrel, till at length laughter ran so high on all sides, that argument was

1 * When land is gone and money we learn from a letter to her sisters,

spent, in which she says : * I find Mr.

Then learning is most excel- Boswell called upon you at Bristol

lent -' with Dr. Johnson ; he told me so this

2 He visited it with Boswell in the morning when he breakfasted here spring of this year. Life, iii. 50. [at the Garricks] with Sir William Boswell does not mention their Forbes and Dr. Johnson.' Memoirs, calling on the Mores. That they did i. 80. Of this breakfast neither she so, when Hannah was in London, nor Boswell gives any account.

confounded

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