Page:Life and transactions of Mrs Jane Shore (1).pdf/17

Rh by the vulgar, towards whom ſhe behaved in a moſt courteous manner.

Her power was ſo great with the King, that when his courtiers durſt not intercede with the poor and miſerable that lay under his diſpleaſure, ſhe with her wit, would ſo abate his anger, ſo that ſhe ſaved the lives of very many, both rich and poor. And though ſhe could in a manner do all with him, but it was never known ſhe uſed her influence to the prejudice of any. And both in London and the progreſs ſhe made in the country, ſhe would cause poor people to be ſought for, and relieve their neceſſities, inducing and perſuading others, who expected any good offices from the King, by her means, to do the ſame, never ſelling her favours; and by her ready wit, ſhe ſo baffled the court ladies, who envied her aſpiring, that they found themſelves unable to repartee. And though the King had another miſtreſs before her, namely Lady Beſſy, yet he preferred our heroine much above her, and would often merrily ſay I have two miſtreſſes,