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UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Uarlington JVl.eniorial -Library

~ MEMORiW. US«"^''^'' UNIVERSITY tf ru 1^

THE

MEMOIRS

O F

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley,

Late of Drury Lane Theatre.

B Y

MRsr ELIZABETH STEELE.

fc— ■■ ■— ■— I .. . -. ■ - ■■— ■ --■■ I — ■

IN SIX VOLUMES.

Vol. III.

LONDON:

Printed for the Author, at the Literarg IPteCjj,

No. 14, Red Lion-Jlreet , ChrkenvjdU

Sold by all the Bookfellers.

M.DCC.LXXXVII.

THE

MEMOIRS

O F

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley.

WE now began to think of the maf^ querade j and we fettled it that Mrs. Baddeley Ihould go in the chara6ter of Juliet, and I in that of the Nurfe. Her drefs made up upon this occafion, was a rich white fattin, beautifully pucker'd with a veil of fine gauze, trimmed all round with a broad rich point-lace. Vol. III. B which

2 The Memoirs of

which had a pretty efFedt. Upon the whole it was fo elegant, that I can ven- ture to fay, fo beautiful a Juliet, was never before feen. I had a full pink fattin petticoat, trimnaed with a deep point, a black filk gown tied back, and large pinners of old point-lace on my head, quite in chara6ler. The point I borrowed, through the favour of Mr, Garrick. Before we entered the Ball- room, I begged the favour of Mrs. Baddeley not to Unmafk, and for fome time fhe obliged me. Our dreffes were much admired, but no fooner had fhe her mafk off, than fhe attracted the at- tention of the whole room; even the ladies that night, could not help faying many things in her praife. I never took

off

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 3

oi? my mafic, but it was fufficiently known who I was, being in company with her. This was a bal) given by a fubfcription of the nobility j it was fpleodid and fuperb to the utmoft -, and the attention univerfally fhewn us by men of the firll rank, in bringing us rcr- frefhments, &c. w^ls exceedingly flatter^ ing, but abfolutely troublefome. At this mafquerade none were admitted but by tickets, given away privately by the fubfcribers. Every perfon almoft of rank and fortune then in town was prefent, and as all vied with each othecj ^ in fplendor of drefs, it was the moft brilliant aflembly of the kind that ever was feen. The confequence of Mrs. Baddeley being at the mafquerade, was, B 2 that

4 The Memoirs of

that the next day, our knocker was go- ing from morning till evening -, but as we gave orders to be denied to all, we had only their names to read. Among the many that called to pay their re- fpedls were, the Dukes of Northum- berland, Ancafter, and Queenfberry j Lords Harrington, Lincoln, Clanbra- zil, Winchelfea, Falmouth, Pigotj Mr. R. Conway, &c. and the news -papers did not omit to mention many others.

Having been engaged to dine this day with Mr. Cafwell ; and Mrs. Bad- deley having, or affe6ting to have, a fick head-ach, I was obliged to apologize, and excufe ourfelves. I fay affe5fing to have, for Doctor Eliot, who attended

her

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 5

her that morning, advifed her, as flie faid, to take an airing, and I believe fhe pretended to be un-well, in or- der to keep an appointment Ihe had made with Mr. Storer the night before^ at the mafquerade, whilft I was dancing with Mr. Conway j for, when we entered Hyde-Park, Mr. Storer came up to the coach on foot, faying, he had been rambling in the air all the morning. She alked hina into the carriage, and he came in, rode once or twice round the Park with us, and on our return home, we fet him down in Piccadilly. •

Mrs. Baddeley never omitted to go to every public place of refort, fre- quented by the nobility and people of B 3 fafhion.

6 The Memoirs of

falhion, and her admiflion was never oppofed but once, of which I will give my reader the particulars.

When the Pantheon was firft opened with concerts, &c. the proprietors wifh- ed to exclude every perfon, but thofe of rank and fortune ; and by no means to admit any women of flight chara6ter, or any of the players. Mrs. Baddeley being then on the ftage, and of fome confequence among them -, fhe was with fome others, pointed out as an impro- per perfon to be admitted. This get- ting to the ears of Mr. William Hanger, Mr. R. Conway, and fome few more of her friends, they met at Almack's on the occalion, and twenty

of

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 7

of the nobility agreed to attend at the Pan- theon, at the door Ihe defigned to enter at, determining that nothing fhould pre- vent her admittance. They accordingly requefted of us to go ■ the firfl evening it was opened, in chairs ; for as an extra number of conftables were ordered to attend, and as chairs were admitted un- der the Portico, it would be better in cafe of a riot, than to expofe our carriage and horfes. to the infolence of a mob. I was to get out of my chair firft, and Mrs. Baddeley was to follow. When we reached the place, I believe there were fifty gentlemen in waiting, ready to prote6l us j with fwords by their fides : and when I got out, I paiTed the conftables uninterrupted, but

as

8 The Memoirs oof

as.foon as Mrs. Baddeley got out of her chair, all the conftables ftaves were crofTed ; and, pulling of their hats, they with their civility, faid, their orders were to admit no players. At this inftant, every gentleman there prefent, the greateft part of whom were noblemen, ■drew their fwords, and declared one and ail, that if they did not inftantly make way, and let her pafs, they would run them through. Way was imme- diately made, and Mrs. Baddeley and I were handed in, without any interrup- tion. But the matter ended not here, for the gentlemen would not Iheath their fwords, nor fuffer the mufic to play, till the managers came to afk Mrs. Baddeley's pardon, for the infult

ihewn

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ^

ihewn her. The kdies then began to- enquire into the caufe of this diflur- bance, and the Duchefs of Argyle, now Duchefs of Hamilton came forward ; and was pleafed to fay, fhe was much fiirprized at fo grofs an infult being- otfered to Mrs. Baddeley, who was an- ornament to any place, Ihe was feen in ; and it gave her a particular pleafure to fee her in public at all times. Lady Hertford joined in the fame opinion. At laft the managers "were glad to make their appearance, and not only z(k Mrs. Baddeley's pardon, but the par- don of all the gentlemen who flood forth in her behalf, and received a fevere re- primand for their condud. So that the ladies of the Theatres, and many others,

have

JO The Memoirs of

have to thank Mrs. Baddeley for theif prefent admiflion. Mrs. Baddeley, with a becoming modefty, returned her grate- ful thanks to thofe ladies of fafhion, who politely chaftized the managers for their behaviour, then wifhing to apologize for the orders they had given, but they were not fuffered to fay a word in their defence. Mrs. Abington, (v/ho waited the event of Mrs. Baddeley's reception, and to whom we immedia.tely fetit an account of what had happened), pre- fently made her appearance, and the evening was no longer interrupted.

Lord Melbourne coming to acquaint us that he Ihould leave town the next day, for a week, defired Mrs. Baddeley

would

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ii

would get well In his abfencCj and told me, on his return he would look into fome accounts I mentioned to him. Mrs. Baddeley v/as not a little pleafed he was going, as Ihe called fuch times her holi- days J and as foon as he was gone, fhe cried, " Now the devil take the dodlors ! " I'll not fee one of them, but go and " fee Hampton-Court, and Windfor j " which I have not feen for fome years j '^ and I will take as much pleafure, as '^ the week will afford." Of courfe, we ordered the coach and four, and the next morning at ten fet off for Hamp- ton. But, before we went, fhe con- trived to let Captain Fawkner know, that flie would call at Richmond ; for when we came to Kew-bridge, Ihe faid,

flie

3^ The Memoirs of

flie longed for fome maids of honour at Richmond, (which were cheefe- cakes, there fold under that name,) " It is *' not much out of our way, do let's *' go ?" We went, and who Ihould we fee at the Paflry-cook's, but the Cap- tain ; which {he declared to me was ac- cidental but I did not believe it, as one of our maids, had fet off that morning at fix o'clock J under the idea of a holi- day; and I am firmly convinced, Ihe was difpatched to him. We ftaid and dined at the Caftle, and being obliged to write back to town, for fomething I had forgot. Captain Fawkner and Mrs. Baddeley walked into the garden ; which I was forry for afterwards. We conti- nued all night, and Mrs. Baddeley ilept

with

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. rj

with me. Next morning Captain Fawk- ner breakfafted with us, and after break- faft we purfued our journey alone, to Hampton-court -, and thence to Wind- for, where we dined. Before dinner we went to fee the Caftle, and on en- tering it, a young gentleman accofted us, whofe name was Captain Pigot; he begged to efcort Mrs. Baddeley through the apartments. Tliis gentleman ac- companied us to the inn, and left us« Having enquired of our people, whe- ther we had any company ; and finding lis alone, he fent his compliments, and begged the favour, we would admit him to dine with us. Mrs, Baddeley faid, " Let him j he is a civil young man; ** I know he is a relation of Lord Pigot's." Vol. III. C I con-

14 / The Memoirs of

I confented, and we fent him word, we Ihould be happy in his company. He was a man of very engaging man- ners, was very warm in his praifes of Mrs. Baddeley, and faid, he fhould blefs the hour he was fo fortunate as to be at the Caftle, and record itj ^s the happieft of his life. It being too late to think of returning to town, we ordered a bed, and determined to flay all night. Cards were propofed, but as there were but three, I recol- ledled having an old fchool-fellow mar- ried in this town, whom I propofed to invite, to make up a party at whifl; Captain Pigot offered to wait on her, with our compliments i we confented, and he brought her to us j fhe flaid fup-

^ per.

Mr3. Sophia Baddeley. i$

per, and invited us to breakfaft the next morning, and Captain Pigot alfo. This lady and her hufband, Mr. Herbert, lived on their fortune, in an elegant ftile, and very politely received and entertained both us and our horfes^ which they infifted Ihbuld be brought from the inn, having prevailed on us to ftay a day or two with them. The Captain was each day of the party. The next morning we went for an air^' ing to Salt-hill, where we met Mr. Damer, and a party of his friends. On our return, Mr. Herbert having invited fome neighbours, muficaily inclined, we had a concert j and Mrs. Baddeley's Jmging was a treat to them. We ftaid at Mr. Herbert's two days, and on our C 2 taking

j6 The Memoirs of

taking leave of him, gave him and his lady an invitation to London, which they promifed tp accept the firft oppor- tunity.

Before we had got two miles from Windfor, in our way to town. Captain Pigot overtook us, faid he was going to London, and begged to accompany us, which we declined, under a pretence of not going there that day, intending to fpend the evening with a friend upon the road i but, told him, we fliould be happy to fee him in town. Our carriage and livery being fo well known by our friends, we feldom went any where, but we were accofted by fome one or other. In our way on, at Colnbrook, as we

Hopped

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley, 17

flopped to water our horfes, a Mr. St. Alban, a young gentleman^ whom Mrs. Baddeley knew, when fhe lived with her father, afked her how Ihe did : fhe feemed happy to renew her old ac- quaintance, and on his afking us to alight and take- fome refrelhment, we confented. This young man was going to Oxford; and faying, he fhould ftop at Henley to dine, Mrs. Baddeley afked him if it was a pleafant place, and how he meant to go ? He replied, it was a delightful place, and he was going to hire a chaife to. carry him. Now as Henley was but eighteen miles from Colnbrookj fhe faid, as fhe was out upon a frolick, if it was agreeable to me, fhe C 3 would

i8 The Memoirs of

would accompany him there, and fave him the expence of a chaife. Mr. St. Alban was much delighted with this, and urging me not to oppofe, I agreed to go. We went there and dined, and after dinner, going to fee a grotto, in Lady Aylefbury's garden, faid to be the workmanfhip of her own hands ; on our return, we met with Mr. John Hanger, then down on a vifit to his fa- ther. He had heard of our being at the Red Lion at Henley, and came pur- pofely to fee Mrs. Baddeley, who re- ceived him very cooly. He addreffed himfelf to Mr. St. Alban, who was a llranger to him, and begged leave to dine with us. The young gentleman did not know wliat to fay upon the oc-

cafion.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 19

cafion, but replied, " With great plea- •' fure, if it is agreeable to the la- ** dies." Indeed it was far from being agreeable to me, though I faid nothing; and Mrs. Baddeley did not feem to like it, though fhe did not oppofe it. He xJined with us, and feemed to envy Mr. St. Alban, to whom Mrs. Baddeley paid great attention, in order to mortify Mr. 'Hanger. When dinner was over, Mr, Hanger requefted leave to afk me a queftion alone. I laughed, and faid, as 1 had no fecrets, he might aflc the quef- tion in company. I was perfwaded it ■was only to afk me, who Mr. St. Alban was, and therefore I would not, gratify iiim. He then took out his pencil, and wrote, " Who is this gentleman," on a ^ - . piece

20 . The Memoirs of

piece of paper -, on which I replyed, with the ufe of the fame pencil, " A man. " of great fortune, whom Mrs. Baddeley " is very fond of." On reading this, he threv/ it into the fire, and flapped his head, faying, it ached very much. ■Mrs. Baddeley fmiled, and looked at me. The. gentleman, 1 believe, thought him a little out of his mind, and flared at him much. At this, Mrs. Baddeley moved, and drew her chair, nearer to her friend. Mr. Hanger, who could bear this no longer, flew forward, and fat down near her, and faid, if his life was at flake, he mufl tell that gentle- man, that his love and affe6lion for Mrs. Baddeley, had a right to her at- tention, and he could not fuffer himfclf

to

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 21

to be thus treated. The young gentle- man feemed thunder-ftrutk. But Mrs. Baddeley winking at him, and he con- ceiving Mr. Hanger was out of his mind, and taking this wink as a. con- firmation of the fadt, got up and hand- ed him a glafs of water^ with " Pleai^ f f to drink this^ Sir, it will do you " good." " No, Sir," retorts he, aii- ^grily, " I fliall not drink it, I am -not -** accuftomed to water. It is you that " makes me wretched." " Me, Sir ?" faid the young gentleman, " On what ** account ?" " Becaufe," replied he, *' Mrs. Baddeley fhews fo much atten- " tion to you, and fo little to me." We laiighed immoderately, and Mr. St. Al- ban returned, that he was certainly hap-

py

(2.2 • The Memoirs of

py in Mrs. Baddeky's notice, whom he had known from her childhood j and had he an empire to give, he v/ould lay it- at her feet. This made- Mr. Hanger

■ almoft diilra6ted. Mrs. Baddeley told

■ him, fhe blufhed for him, and was quite afhamed for his behaviour, and requeft- ied he^ would not -ofFend a gentleman,

•whom fhe confidered as her friend, and for whom, fhe -had the higheft efteem. " O God !" fays he, " my. dear Bad- " deley, fay no more of that, I Ihall ■•« go diflrkdted 1" On this, Mrs. Bad- deley became more ferious, and thus addreffed him. " Mr. Hanger, how " can you make yourfelf fo ridiculous? -*' Have you not, ' by your cruel con- *' du^, brought on me more trouble

" than

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 2j .

*f than^evqr I had in my life? Is it *^ your ftudy to make my life wretched ? *5 If it is, you fhall find yourfelf difap- *^ pointed." To this Mr. St. Alban faid, with a becoming fpirit, " Sir, if *' you do not immediately defift from a *' converfation that I find gives Mrs. *^ Baddeley pain, you muft anfwer it *' to mcy for I am determined to protect *' her j" and, then turning to Mrs. Baddeley, faid, " Mind him not, my ** dear angel, you have nothing to fear " whilft I am prefe-nt." Mr. Hanger then went to the other part of the room, and pretended to weep; convinced it was the only way to afi^e6t her, whom he wifhed to afFeiSt -, but, fhe took no notice of it. Mr. St. Alban then took

Mrs.

24 The Memoirs of

Mrs. Baddeley by the hand, and fhe apologized to him for the trouble Ihe h-ad occafioned, faying, it was an unhap- pinefs to her, to think Ihe had been the means of bringing a perfon into his company, that had made fo much dif- turbance. He replied, " My dear ma- ** dam, the happinefs of being with' " you, compenfates for every thing; nor *^ do I regard any attempts to interrupt <* it." '' Sir," fays Mr. Hanger, glow- ing with anger, " I am of the fame *^ opinion, and we will then fee who' is^ *^ to be the happy man immediately.'*- I thought it now necefTary to interfere, and taking hold of Mr. St. Alban, told' him, that Mr. Hanger was, at times, a mad-man, and that he was now in one-

of

Mrs> Sophia Baddecey. 25

of his mad fits, and begged him not to take any notice of his condiift, for that the fit would fbon be over, and) all would be well. ** I thought, indeed," faid Mr. St. Alban, " from the firft, chat " he was out of his mind, and as fuch, " it will be beft to get him away, or go *' away ourfelves." Thinking it beft to go ourfelves, I propofed it to Mrs. Baddeley, to proceed on our journey, on which poor Gaby cried out, ". Gracious *' God ! Where are you going ?" " On « a vifit," replied Mrs. Baddeley, " to ^' our friends." The bill was accord- ingly called for, and paid by Mr. St. Al- ban, and when Mr. Hanger found our de- termination was to leave him, he begged and prayed Mrs. Baddeley would let Vol, III. D him

tS The Memoirs of

him only exchange ten words with her alone, and he fhould be fatisfied. " Not " one," fays fhe, " but in the prefence " of my friends. It is of no ufe," con- tinued fhe, " to follow and purfue me -" as you doi for I am refolved never ** more to fee you, except it be in pub- *' lie, where I cannot avoid it."

Though I can feel for the unhappy fituation of any one, yet my refentment at Mr. Hanger's condudb, prevented my feeling for him. I told him, that he had better leave us, for if his father heard of this vifit, it would incur his difpleafure. His reply was, that he cared not for his father on this occafion, nor any thing elfe, where it interfered

fo

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. tj

fo much with his happinefs. Our car- riage being then at the door, we ap- proached it, and he followed us to it, with feenaing anxiety, and begged to know how far we were going. Mrs. Baddeley told hirn to Oxford ; and the coachman was ordered to take us on in that road. Thus did we get rid of him. We went on with Mr. St. Alban, as far as Nettlebed, and in our way, I opened the whole myftery to him, I told him, Mr. Hanger was not mad ; but, that I faid fo, merely to put a ftop to his quarrelling. We ftaid at Nettlebed that night, fpent the evening very agreeably, and the next morning parted. Mr, St. Alban went on to Oxford, and we, on our return to London.

D 2 Before

a8 The Memoirs of

Before we fet off, the landlord afked us, if we knew any family that wanted a pretty country houfe. He had one to let well furnifhedj with a ftable and coach-houfe, a good garden, orchard and dairy, fituated on a common, de- lightfully pleafant, on an eminence, within three miles of Henley; in a good neighbourhood, where firing might be had out of an adjoining wood, for the cutting, and where the fruit, &c. paid the rent, which was only twenty pounds. His account pleafed us, and as it was not much out of our way, we went to fee iti and as my family was growing up, for I was a married wom.an, though I did not live with my hufband, and the place took my fancy j I engaged k

for

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 29

for one year, gave the man three gui- neas as earneft, and placed a poor wo- man in it, whom he recommended, 'till fuch time as I fent my family down. I told Mrs. Baddeley that I would, if pof- fible, prevail on Mr. Steele to go down with my children and live in it; for though Mr. Steele and I lived apart, we were on good terms.

Left we Ihould meet with Mr. Hanger again, at the Red Lion at Henley, we ordered the coachman to pafs the houfe as quick as he could, which he did, and we faw no more of him. At the foot of Henley hill, we met Captain Stanhope, fecond fon of the late Lord Harrington, who was quartered at Henley, and a D 3 Captain

30 The Memoirs of

-Captain Hodges, -who politely came up •to the carriage, and walked up the hill along fide of it, converfing with us all the way. When we came to Maiden- -bridge, we flopped fome little time, and in the interim came up two poft- chaifes and four. In the firfb was the Earl of Peterborough, with a gentle- man J in the latter, Mr. Dillon and a lady. Lord Peterborough, hearing we ■were in the houfe, came in and paid his refpecSts to us, faying, he was going to Bath ; Ihould have been happy to have ftaid and dined with us, if he was not on a poft-hafte journey to fee a fick friend.

Between

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 31

Between Maidenhead and Londonj having fent our fervant on before us to Hanmmerfmith, we were a little alarmed on the road by a foot-pad, who would have ftopp,ed the chaife, but I ordered the drivers to whip the horfes -, they galloped, and we foon out -run him.

Though we had been abfent from town four days, we got home before Lord Melbourne's return. Mrs. Bad- deley determined not to tell him of this journey, but to fay, Ihe had ftaid at home all the time, and nurfed herfelf. I believe the air was of fervice to her, for fhe had no head-ach whilll fhe was out. I prepared the accounts againft his Lordlhip called for them : he came

in

32 The Memoirs of

in the evening, but never mentioned them, which I was forry for, as I was in want of cafli to difcharge fome of Mrs. Baddeley's debts, which five or fix of her creditors were very importunate to have done. Mr. Law, the linen-draper, in Coventry-ftreet, Hay-market, was one; who had prevailed on Mrs. Badde- ley's good nature, to lay out one hun- dred and ninety pounds with him. His bill was but of three months Handing, and I had paid him eighty pounds in the time; I .told him, therefore, as Mrs. Baddeley had not been long upon his books, he mufl indulge her a few days longer, and then it jfhould be paid. He was very infolent on the occafion ; and, as I did not know from his beha- / viour.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 35

viourj what he might do; to prevent any trouble to her, as I had not twenty pounds of her nnoney, I gave hinn a draft on my own cafh, for the amount, and told him, he Ihould never have it in his power to behave fo again : for I would take care that Mrs. Baddeley Ihould never lay out another ihilling with him. I told Mrs. Baddeley of his behaviour, but did not fay I had paid him, as I thought a fear of being arrefted, might, in future, be a check on fuch extravagances. She feemed very uneafy, faid, fhe would not be fo foolilh another time, and hoped my Lord would come that evening, that money might be had to pay him. " I wilh," continued Ihe, " I could prevail on " youj my dear Mrs. Steele, to lend me

« as

^4 The Memoirs of

*' as much, as I am afraid he will ufe me " ill". Seeing her unhappy, I produced his receipt, and Ihe blelTed me a thou- fand times, and hoped flie fhould have gn opportunity to return my kindnefs. I replied, the beft return flie could make, was to confult me in future, when Die wiihed to lay out any large fum of money, and that this would tend to ber happinefs as well as mine : for as her debts amounted to upwards of two thoufand pounds, I had my doubts whe- ther Lord Melbourne would difcharge them as fhe wifhed. She then begged I would not acquaint his Lordfhip of the whole, left it fliould alarm him^ and declared, that if a thoufand people were to come in future to fhew her

things.

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 35

things, fhe would fee none of them; and feemed very unhappy at her fitua- tion. " It is in vain," faid I, " to talk " of it now, as the mifchief is done ; all *' you have to do, is to be more pru- *' dent in future, and I will contrive, *' fome way or other, to get you out of '' the difficulty." She then began to be a little more at her eafe, and parti- cularly when his Lordfhip came, and Ihe faw him put fome money into my hand, faying, " That muft do, Mrs. Steele, *' for the prefent." Lord Melbourne, having told her he had given me fome calh i he was no fooner gone, than Ihe flew to me to know how much I had re- ceived; and, on my faying, four hun- dred pounds, Ihe exclaimed, " Good

« Godl

^6 The Memoirs of

*' God ! No more ! Why did not you " prefs him for a larger fum ?" On my telling her what his Lordfhip faid, when he gave it, namely, *' That muft *^ do for the prefent," Ihe faw, as well as myfelf, the impropriety there Avould be, in afking him for a further fum. *' And how we are to manage," fays I, " God only knows; for your *' note of fix hundred pounds, for the *' necklace, will be brought to-morrow *^ for payment." " Take the neck- lace," fays flie, " and pledge it for as *' much as you can get, and let the note " be paid, or I Ihall be frightened out " of my wits.'* Accordingly I took the neck-lace to Mr. Trip, a pawn-broker, in St, Martin'S'lane, a man whom I had

known

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 37

known from my childhood, and could only get two hundred and ten pounds jypon it ; " Well," fays fhe, " tliat, " with the four hundred pounds you •" have, will pay my draft, and we mufb " fee and get forae more money how we ^f can." The note was brought, and was paid. I advifed her, when Lord Melbourne next came, to tell him her- felf of the debts that ftie owed j but. Hie declared ilie would fooner die than fay one word to him on the fubjed. I knew no other way than advancing her the money myfelf j but, having done that before, and his Lx)rdfhip not keep- ing his promife to repay me, it was not in my power to pay all thefe debts, as I wiflied : however, I knew the worft ; I Vol. III. E had

38 The Memoirs of

had enough to quiet them all, if they became troublefome, and I told her I would part with all I had, rather than ihe fhould be unhappy.

I don't know the reafon, but Lord Melbourne was not fo lavilli now of his money, as he had been. His own ex- pences might oceafion itj but, be that as it would, the truth is, he never men- tioned the article of money again, for three-weeks, and when he did, it was only that he would let me have fome ihortly. I then told his Lordihip, I hoped he would. " Why ?" fays he, *' Mrs. Steele, can you want money ?" 1 replied, " I did," and on his afldng iiow much ? I made no anfwer, and his

Lordfhip

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 39

Lordfhip faid, I Ihould have fome next week. I was quite out of fpirits on the oc- cafion, but Mrs. Baddeley faid, " Don't *' make yourfelf uneafy, I can find " a way to pay thefe debts, if you will " agree to iti" and on enquiring how; file faid, " ?Iis Grace the Duke of Nor- " thumberland had made her great of- " fers, and it was only her confenting " to his wiHies, and fhe fliouid be out " of all this trouble." I told her, I would never confent to her paying her debts that way j as it was doing more evil, and running head-long into perdi- tion ^ that if her mind was that way turned, I never would forgive her. She then alked me how fhe Ihould a6t j I told her, a little time, with prudence, E '2 would

40 The Memoirs of

would put an end to this difficulty j thac I would part with the lall Iliilling to help her i and as her creditors were not very troublefome, I hoped to bring things round. Though my heart felt much at this time, I carried it off as well as I could, that I might not add to her uneafincfs. It had a good effeft, and kept her for a little time within bounds i yet occafionally flie would want this thing, and the other, which in fa6t ihe had no occafion for, and which I put a Hop to, by reminding her of her prefent embarralTment.

The Duke of Northumberland, as if he had private intelligence of our necef- lity, fent again to renew his former of- fers»

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 41

fers. The fame gentleman, who ap- plied to Mrs. Baddeley in Hyde-park, now came to Grafton-flreet, and beg- ged to fee her, in order to deliver a note he had brought from Northumber- land-houfe into her own hands. This furprized her, and Ihe faid, " What « Ihall I do ?. I had better fee him."— " By no means," fays I, For, knowing her fentiments, I dreaded the confe- qt^-snce ; fo I went down and told him Mrs. Baddeley was much indifpofed, and could not do herfelf the pleafure of waiting on him; but if he would intruft me with the note, I would certainly de- liver it, and an anfwer fliould be fent. His reply was, the contents of the note could not be anfwered without his hav- E 3 ing

4^ The Memoirs of

ing an interview, as his Grace did not choofe to write ail he had, in com- mand, to inform her of j and that if I would name the time when he could fee Mrs. Baddeley, he woiild wait on her at that time. Now, fo anxious was flie in this bufinefs, that fhe came to liften to what the gentleman faid ; and on hearing him fay, he would come at fome other time, Ihe fent her fervant tO' beg to fpeak to me, and I defired tVe gentleman would wait till my return, which he readily agreed" to. On my en- tering her room, fhe faid, " Mrs. Steele, " don't let him goj fure you mufl be '' mad \ At a time when we are fo much *' involved. This is a fine opportunity ** to extricate myfelf out of every dif-

" ficulty.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 43

" ficulty. For his Grace is a liberal ** and a generous man." " Yes," re- plied I, " and what reward does he *' require ? — Such a one, that if you " agree to, I will not put up with. I " have already fuffered much by your " imprudence in this way, and I am " convinced his Grace will never beflow " his bounty, where he cannot be grati- " fied in return." This flie declared he never Ihould. All Ilie wifhcd, was to fee the note and the gentleman j ac- cordingly, in oppofition to me, he was defired to walk up to tlie drawing- room i and, as I was much difpleafed, I left them to themfelves. She faw him, and when he was gone, began to ac- quaint me with the refult of his vifit,

which

jpf The Memoirs of

which, at firft, I would neither hear nor liften to i but on further intreaties I com- plied. She firft gave me the note, and begged me to read itj it's contents were as follow :

" The Duke of Northumberland ** prefents his compliments to Mrs, ** Baddeley-j and has fent a gentleman" *^ to communicate fomething of confe- *^ quence to her.

" JVednefday morningy " eleven o'clock.*'

She then told me that his Grace had offered her his proteftion for life, with the payment of all her debts, if fhe owed any j with any fum of money Hie

might

MRSr Sophia Baddelev. 45^

might name J provided fhe would live with him, and fee no other perfon whatever : that Ihe might either live in his houfe, or any other fhe liked, on condition fhe admitted no other vifitor than him j that he would allow her fifteen hundred pounds a year, and if fhe was faithful to him, would think of a fettlement. She faid, that after hear- ing this gentleman out, fhe gave him to underftand, that her fituation was fuchj. as put it out of her power to comply with his Grace's wifhes ; that fhe had at prefent a noble benefad;or, to whom fhe was bound in gratitude to live with* and that if his Grace's offers were tea times as great, as he had now menti- oned^ flae could not accept them. The

gentlemaa

46- The Memoirs of

gentleman fpoke much in praife of his noble friend, and faid his bounty would not be bounded by what he had faid, but fhe would find him liberal in the extremes " on which I replied," con- tinued fhe, " that his Grace did not " propofe a fettlement, until he faw the *' propriety of my conduct, which is ** far from a liberal offer." This he returned, would be no obftacle to his Grace, if my anfwer was fatisfadoiy j for that his Grace's efleem and regard for me was fiich, as would make him happy to gratify me. However, fays Ihe, I gave him no hopes, confidering with myfelf how much more noble Lord Melbourne's bounty had been to. mC;, than his Grace's propofals amounted

to«

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 47

to. *' And though," adds ihe, " my im- " prudence urged me to fee this gentle- ** man, to learn how far I could extricate ■" myfelf from my prefent embarraflTmenr, *' I affure you I gave him a denial." I told her I thought jfhe a(fted right j and Ihe thought fo too, as Ihe would not offend me, fhe faid, for the world. " Offending me," replied I, " is nonfenfe. Lord ** Melbourne's generofity fhould not be *^ abufed, and though his unfortunate " attachment to you, (for he being a *< married man, I call it unfortunate) has ** been winked at by me, as it took place ** when I could not avoid it; fo has it *' continued under the fame neceffityj but " there is no reafon why you fhould add ■" fin to fin, and fill up the meafure of

*f your

4S The Memoirs of

^ '^ your iniquities." " Good God," fald T, 10 myfelf ; " the Duchefs of Northum- *' bcrland is ftill living. — How wicked is " this fafhionable world ! — To me all this '^ is dreadful. — But like all other bad *' things, they become familiar at laft; " and we think nothing of them. — Lord *' Melbourne never comes to this houfe *' but I feel myfelf hurt, on account of '' his Lady ; and the impropriety of his ^i vifits, are quite fufficient without the *' addition of any more. Befides," conti- nues I, " you fee how much more liberal " Lord Melbourne has been, than any " propofals made by the Duke of Nor- •^ thumberland. Was you to accept his ^* Grace's offer, you muft have purfued

*' a very

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 49

'•^ a very different condud or his year- *' ly allowance would not laft you three " months."

The Duke, h owever, did not end his application here; for in the evening this gentleman returned, and Lord Mel- bourne being then with her, I told him, as he had received his anfwer in the morning, that any thing he had further to fay upon the fubjefl, could not be of any confequence. He affured me it was, and as fuch he miift acquaint her with it, or he might gain his Grace's difplea- fure J and that as Mrs. Baddeley had fkid, flie would fee him whenever he called, he preffed me to let her know it. I told him flie was then engaged Vol.. III. F with

5© The Memoirs of

with her friend, and to fee her was im- poflible. " That friend's name," replied the gentleman, " fhe has made me ac- " quaintedwithi" of courfe, hefuppofed L-ord Melbourne was with her : to this I faid, " it is of little confequence, •' who is with her^" (for I was hurt, Ihe fhould have mentioned his name), <* you cannot fee her." I was con- vinced, however, that fhe had deceived me, in refpedt to what paflTed between this gentleman and her in the morning. I would have changed the fubjedl, but he kept up to his text, faid, it would be Mrs. Baddeley's intereft to fee him, and as Ihe was engaged now, he would call on her the next day, and was fure he ihould be admitted to her, if fhe was

acquainted

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 51

acquainted with his being there, I told him fhe fhould be informed of it, and he took his leave. Lord Melbourne food went, and then Mrs. Baddeley faid, " Has any one been here? — My dear " Mrs. Steele, has the Duke fent ** again ?" " Did you expefb him/* re- turned I, " to fend again after yoiif «* denial ?" " No," fays Ihe, « biit ♦* perfons of his rank and fortune, never <' drop a purfuit fo eafily.'* I told her, I hoped fhe had not given him the name of her friend. Her reply was, that he himfelf had mentioned it, and fhe did not contradifl it. " I am forry," re- plied I, " for this; you fhould have " denied it." That would have been of little ufe, fhe faid, for through Mr, F 1 Hanger,

5i The Memoirs of

Hanger, and one perfon or the other, it was very well known. I then told her, this gentleman from the Duke, had been with me again, and I was at a lofs to know what he could want now. With this fhe was highly pleafed, and faid, " You did not, I hope, fay, that I would " not fee him ? Will he be here again ?" ** O fie Sophy,'^ fays I, " if you had told *' him in the morning, as you declared *' to me you hadj you would not want to " fee him again." She replied, fhe only wifhed to hear what new offers he had to makci and on my faying, he would be with her again to-morrow j fhe faid, fhe mufl and would fee him; that it fhould be for the lafl time, for when fhe had heard all he had to offer, fhe would forbid his

coming

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ^j

coming any more. The Gentleman came again the next morning, and was ihewn up into the drawing-room; he was with Mrs. Baddeley near two hours, and on his leaving her, I heard her fay in a low voice, " God blefs you ; let me " fee you to-morrow." She ran to me full of his Grace's offers, and his new propofals, which were as follow. — That his Grace wilhed her not to be ungrateful to her prefent benefador, who, he found, had aded fo nobly by her. — " Stop," faid I, " how came he to know how no- ** bly he had a6ted ?" She replied, " I have told him, not mentioning his " name." — I let her go on. — That his Grace propofed calling to fee her twice a \yeek, and that at times when he F 3 found

54 The Memoirs of

found Lord Melbourne was not with her J that on his firft vifit to tea, he would give her five hundred pounds, and would then tell her himfelf his whole mind on the fubjefl j that his Grace would difcharge all her debts and be her friend for life : that the gentle- man mentioned a Mifs Afh, whom his Grace had been kind to for many years; that his liberality and bounty to her, was not to be defcribed ; that he was a man not like the falhionable world in .general, but fteady in his attachments, imlefs he had caufe to the contrary ; and that he would do any thing for her, llie might defire of him. — I liftened to this with all the patience I was miftrefs of, and file ran on with his promiies fo

much

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. '^^

much, thatut would tire my reader to relate it. In fhort, fhe told me, fhe gave the gentleman this anfweri that ftie would confider of his propofals, and give him her determination the next day. " And why," fays I, " did you not give him a " pofitive denial then ?" " Becaufe," returned Ihe, " I wifhed to confult you " firft." I told her fhe knew my fen- timents on the fubjeft, and fhe might afTure herfelf, they would not alter, if the Duke had offered her his whole fortune. " Well," fays fhe, " fuppofe " we admit him to drink tea ?" " That " would only lead on to further evils," replied I, " and I am determined he " fhall not come."—" Good God," fays flie, " I can have five hundred

" pounds

56 The Memoirs of

" pounds for nothing." — " Certainly," replied I, laughing at her, " for no- " *' thing ! — Mankind are too fond of ■" their money to bellow it, but in re- '^ turn for favours received." *' Surely " my dear Steele," fays fhe, " you are '* not ferious; I have partly promifed 5' to receive him at tea to-morrow." — - At this I loft my temper, and faid, " you may a6t as you pleafe, but you " muft invite him to fome other houfe ; " for he certainly Ihall not come here : " if he does, as foon as he enters the ** houfe I will affront him, and I would " do the fame, if he was King of Eng- " land." She was much difpleafed at this, faid, " I might fuffer her to get ** out of her embarralTments, before I

** put

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 57

" put her under fuch reftraint." I re- plied, " her embarralTments were owing " to her own folly, and now fhe wiihed ^* to commit greater, in hopes of get- " ting out of them ; that if fhe had pa- " tience. Lord Melbourne would pay *^ the whole, and fhe had nothing to do " but to a<St differently in future." She then faid, " if I would not fuffer his " Grace to come there, fhe would meet " him at fome other place." " If this be " your determination," replied I, "you " fhall abide by the confequence, for I " v/ill never countenance fuch condu<5t." In fhort, I could do nothing with her ; fhe was fully bent on feeing the Duke, but took great pains to convince me of the innocence of her intentions, and

urge

58 The Memoirs of

urge me to a compliance j but I was re- folute, and would not confcnt.

The next morning this gentleman came again, and fhe watched his corn-* ing, thinking I might fend him away without her feeing him -, fhe faw him, and what palled between them, I did not know at the time, for fhe ordered the coach, and they went off together. She was gone four hours and more, and on her return, after begging my pardon, |he requefted me to liften to what Ihe had to fays for as fhe had been doing no ill, I might attend to her with propri- ety, and fhe would tell me with truth, every thing that palled. — On my faying I would hear nothing from her, fhe

vowed

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 59

vowed flie would take another bottle of laudanum, which fhe had in her pocket. Knowing Ihe had done fo in the affair of Mr. Hanger, I was alarm- ed, and thinking, whilft Ihe was out, jfhe might have provided fome, I judged it befl to hear her. She then told me, as I was fo refolute as not to admit of the Duke's coming to the houfe, fhe ac- quainted the gentleman with it, and he prevailed on her to go with him, as far as Northumberland-ftreet, that he might acquaint his Grace with the caufe that fhe could not fee him at home, fay- ing he would not detain her there ten minutes. She went to Northumber- land-ftreet, where the coach flopped and waited his return, when he begged the

fa '/our

6o The Memoirs of

favour of her to go with him into Privy- garden, juft by Lord Pembroke's, where he would acquaint her with what his Grace had faid. She fijppofed this was to prevent any of the Duke's fervants fee- ing her. When he returned, he got into the coach, but did not fay more, than that his Grace was very much hurt, at my refufing him to come to my houfe. On reaching Privy-garden he directed the coachman where to flop, faying, that place was the leafl noticed. In a few minutes came the Duke, wrapped up in a great coat, with a handkerchief up to his face, and, getting into the coach, ordered the gentleman to go home, and wait for him. He, in a very polite man- nerj begged her pardon, flie faidj for the

intrufion.

Mrs. Sophia Baddel£y. ^i

jritrufion, but finding the lady, at whofe h-oufe fhe was at, averfe to his feeing her there, he was willing to embrace that opportunity, to declare his fentiments, and faid, "Will you permit your coach- " man to drive on, for a ride, to Chelfea, " through the King's road -,*' and begged the lilk curtains might be let down. That fhe ordered her coachman to drive the road the Duke wiihed, and that in the way, he faid a thoufand civil things to her ; and that Ihe thought him a very good man ; this was her expreffion. That telling his Grace, (lie had a houfe at Hammerfmith, he wiihed to fee it; that accordingly they went and conti- nued there about an hour and a half; that he prefled for favours, but had not Vol. III. G a wifh

6'2 The Memoirs of

a wifh for more than was really confiflent for her to grant. That he offered her every thing her heart could wifh, and faid, how forry he was, I was fo much averfe to his happincfs j that he wifhed to know how he had offended me^ that flie told his Grace, I had no other mo- tive for my refufal, than the impropriety of her condudti that I wiflied her to avoid all men in general, but that fince I had imprudently entered into a con- nexion with one man, it would be a breach of faith, and the highefl ingrati- tude, to liflen to the propofals of any other y that his Grace faid, if thefe were my motives, he honoured me for them, and could not be angry with me ; that was he the happy Lord that enjoyed her

favours.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 6^

favours., how much Ihould he value me : on this, he took out a glove, and beg- ged her to afli me to try it on ; and if I liked it, to keep it and remember, that it was a prefent from him. She gave me this glove, it was a new one, and I threw it down, faying, I would not accept it. She faid do, pray take it, there is fomething in it, but which fhe iiad not looked at. Finding I would not take it up, Ihe {looped for it, and pulled out from it three bank-notes of one hundred pounds each.—-" They are," fays I, " the price of your infamy, and " you may keep them yourfelf j I will " have nothing to do with tliem -, you " are the proper perfon to enjoy them^ " if they will afford you any enjoy- G 2 " ment.'*

6>f The Memoirs of

" ment." She fald, if I did not take them, flie would throw them into the firci and, on my refufing them, adlually did, and it was at the rifk of my hands, that I refcued them from the flames. I then put them into a drawer, and lock- ed it, faying, it was not times to deftroy fuch a fum i fhe declared her innocence with the Duke -, confefTed fhe had given him hopes of favours, and faid, Alc might have had from him, any fum Ihe thought proper to accept i that fhe re- fufed all his offers, but had promifed to meet him again on Thurfday at Ham- merfinith-houfe, and was determined Ihe would^

When

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 65

When flie had done, I fent ofF a fer- vant for one of her milliners, to whom ihe owed near fix hundred pounds. Price, of Taviflock-ftreet, and paid him the three hundred pounds, which fhe faid his Grace fent me as a prefent in the glove, and gave her his receipt, telling her I was happy fo far in con- vincing her, that the money was pro- perly applied to her own ufe, as it was fhe that deferved it, and not me. At this, fhe exclaimed, " Oh ! Mrs. Steele, *' what a good heart you have ! Shall I c< gygj. ijyg |.Q make you amends ?" I replied, there were none due or expe<5b- ed J that I had not a fhadow of claim to the money, nor would I on the fcore it was given, take a prefent from any majji G 3 that

66 The Memoirs of

that I defpifed fuch meannclTcSj and that if I received a hundred thoiifand pounds in a fimilar way, I would either return it, or apply it to her ufe. She folemnly aflured me his Grace gave it with no improper view, and did it, in fo delicate a way, that any woman rrtight have ac- cepted it J that he begged pardon for fending fo trifling a thing as a glove ; but, that as it was one he had worn, and as (he would not permit him to prefent her his hand, he hoped ilie would accept his glove as it's reprefentative.

About this time Mr. Foote brought out a new piece, at the little Theatre in the Hay-market, called, the Maid of Bath, alluding to Mifs Linley, now

Mrs.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 67

Mrs. Sheridan : and, prior to it's firft appearance, he called on us, and re- quefted we would accept of a box for the night, which Ihould be at our fer- vice, for us and our friends ; and hoped we would make a point of being there^ in order to grace (as he was pleafed to fay) his Theatre. The box referved for us was next to the ftage-box, that com- manded a fight of the whole houfe, and we went. Mr. Foote performed in this play himfelf, it went off with eclat, and was well received by a crowded houfe. About the middle of the piece, where Mr. Foote enlarged much on the beauty of the Maid of Bath, he added, *' Not even the beauty of the nine " Mufes, nor even that of the divine

Bad-

68 The Memoirs of

*' Baddeley herfelf, who there fits, (pointing to the box where we fat,) *' could exceed that of the Maid of *' Bath." This drew a thunder of ap- plaufe from all parts of the houfe j he was encored, and Mr. Foote repeated the words three times. Every eye was on Mrs. Baddeley, and I do not recolleft ever feeing her fo confufed before. She rofe from her feat, and curtefied to the audience, and it was near a quarter of an hour before Ihe could difcontinue her obedience, the plaudits lading fo long. This trick of Mr. Foote's, put her fo much to the blufii, that the colour did not leave her face the whole evening. Mrs. Baddeley 's face, was not, accord- ing -to the falhion of modern beauties,

made

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 6^

made up by art, for fhe never ufed any rouge but on the ftagej which all the performers, men and women, are obliged to do, owing to the livid palenefs which the lights in. front caft upon the face- Having occafion to go out to fee a daughter of mine, who was then at fcliool, fick, Mrs. Baddeley complained of a head-ach, and faid, Ihe would lie down j defiring me to call at her milliner's and other places, for neceffaries which fhe wanted. I was alfo obliged to flay longer than I intended, as finding my child ill, I fetched Dodor Eliot to attend her. On my return home, I went up flairs, gently, expe<5ling to find Mrs. Baddeley alleep; but, hearing a noife above, I liftened,

and

7o The Memoirs of

and heard her laugh immoderately, which fhe always did at any mifchief that was going forward. On entering xhe room, I told her I was happy to find her head-ach gone, and wifhed to know what made her fo chearful, that I might partake of it. At this fhe layghed the more, and faid, " My dear " Steele, as you llaid fo long, I was com- " ing after you in a chair, and have or- " dered my fervant to fetch one ; do fend " down and prevent it." Mrs, Baddeley then went to the glafs, and bad her maid ftand by her -, then viewing herfelf, flie faid to her maid, *' I cannot think why " the world fhould fo much admire my " fifler; to be fure fhe's handfomej *' but my face is as handfome as her's,

" and

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 71

*' and more fo -, is it not Fanny ?" The maid replied, " Yes, Mifs, indeed you ** are much handfomer than her Lady- " iKip i" and then Mrs. Baddeley ' laughed again. " Well," faid I, " pro- ** ceed, I hear you with pleafure." She went up to the glafs again, ftrutting and viewing herfelf as before, and fay- ing, " Well, the world can but admire ** me ; and if I am not fo tall as my " filler, they can only fay, there goes a ** Lump of Beauty." On my enquir- ing into all this nonfenfe, Ihe faid, a gentleman had been with her in my ab- fence, and had told her this little flory of Lady Archer's fifter. The lady that is always feen with Lady Archer is her fifter. They are the daughters of Mr« Weft, who

lived

7-2 The Memoirs of

lived in the great hoiife in King-flreet, Govent-garden, now known by the name of Lowe's Hotel. " The gentleman, " who has been here," faid fhe, " has *^been entertaining me with the manner " -in which he entered into .high lifej fay- " ing, this Mifs Weft, who called herfelf " the Lump of Beauty j in the manner I ** have reprefented it before the glafs, fell " in love with him ; that till this accident *V happened, he had no expeftations, but " to wear a pen behind his ear all his life," " Who is this gentleman," faid I, inter- rupting her ? — " Hear his hiftory firft," fays fhe, " and then I'll tell you. — That ■'^' he was the fccond fon of a; Weft-India " merchant, living in, or near, Golden- " fquare s that he was placed at a count-

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 73

■** ing-houfe in the city, and had been *' there fome timej that accident made *' him acquainted with this Lump of ^^ Beauty, who introduced him to her ^^ fifter. Lady Archer, and her hufband. " This introduction into high life un- '*' fettled his mind to the counting-houfe^ 5< according to his own declaration, and •'^ made him pine for better company " than his fituation in life entitled him /' to ; that he then began to ftudy ** drefs and fafhionable manners, and^, " being a perfonable man and well edu- ^' cated, through Lord Archer's family, *^ he got introduced to other perfons of " rank, fupporting ■ his expences by *^ play, at which he was very fortunate." ^^ Why don't you tell me his name ?'* Vol. Ill, H faid

74 The Memoirs or

faid Ij with impatience. " Softly," re- turned fhe, " and you fliall know it. — " This gentleman, who has juft been *' here in your abfence, waited on th>s " Lump of Beauty for fome time, and, " through her, becamie a member of " the ladies club, and was admitted at " Almack's, at Boodle's, at Gooflrey's, " and all the gg,ming-houfes in town j " where he had fuch a run of luck, as " to enable him to keep a vis-a-vis, ** and live as a man of fortune." — *' Well, then/* returned I, " at beft, " you can only call him a gambler, and " he may in one night be as wretched, " as he is now happy." " Oh," replies ilie, " he Jias wit at will to dired him, *' and has been prudent, and taken care

*^ of

Mr?» Sophia Baddeley. 75

** of his money. This gentleman/* iays fhe, " as he was palTing the end of " Grafton-ftreet, feeing you go out " without me, came in and told my " maid, for John was out, that he muft " fee me, on very particular bufincfs. " The girl faid, I was ill, but afked him ** in, and faid flie would go and ac- " quaint me. He followed her up flily, " and came into my room." " And ** who was this infolent man ?" fays I, with a degree of warmth.. " Only," fays fhe, curtefying and laughing, " Mr. Thomas Storer." Vexed beyond meafure, and to be laughed at, I re- plied, " Had I known his name fooner, ^ I Ihould not have attended to his hif- " tory." « Was you up ?" " No," H 2 fays

7& The Memoirs gf

fays fhe, " and I had enough to do t<y " keep him from me. But Fanny went '* down ftairSj and called Betty the " laundry-maid, who would put on her " cap before Ihe would appear, fhe '^ faid, before any gentleman i and then,, *' when her cap was on, and Sufan the *f kitchen-maid had been up into the " garret, to put on a clean apron, they- ^* all met, and fettling the matter be- ** tween themfelves, came at laft into " my room, and with great difficulty " got him away into another room."— " Why," fays I, " they were a long i' time about it. Why did you not *' ring the bell ?" " Oh," fays Ihe, laughing, " the wicked man had me too " faft in his arms for that; however,

i' he

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 77

** he left me at laft, and I got up. H^ '^ then apologized for coming on me " fo abruptly, and did it in fuch a ** winning way, that I could not for " my foul be angry, but gave him a " kifs and forgave him." I loft all pa- tience with her on this recital, and told her, that her expofing herfelf to her fer- vants was worfe than all. She told me^ fhe could no way help it. I was very angry with her, but it anfwered no purpofe. Thus, was Hie laughing at me the whole time i for Fanny had beeit privy to this meeting, and the noife I heard on going up-ftairs, was no other than his flying out of her chamber j and, during the time Ihe was relating his hif- tory, he flipped off. She was at this H 3 time

78 , . The Memoirs of

time in fo tittering a mood, and fo full of her fun, calling herfelf the Lump of Beauty, that I found it was no time to talk to her; but, determined to discharge Fanny, and tell iier my mind, at a more feafonable opportunity. She then faid, llie had feen another gentleman, and ihe was afraid Mr. Storer had heard what he faid. This was the Duke of Northumberland's friend, that cam.e with a moft polite meflage from his Grace, requefting the favour of a m.eet- ing at Hammerfmith that evening, at fix. She afked me to accompany her> and on my faying I would not, replied, Ihe would then go by herfelf. I told her, I was unhappy at feeing it; fhe replied, that her ^mentions were inno- cent,

Mrs, Sophia Baddelev. 7^

cent, and that Ihe fliould go for the laft time, merely to acquaint his GracCj fhe could admit of his yifits no longer ; *^ For," continues fhe, " a man of his " rank and fituation in life fbould be *^ treated with refpedt ;" that he was a gentleman of too good a character to put an improper conftru6lion on her meeting him -, that no harm could arife from a referved interview ; that he could not eaf her (thefe were her words) and that as he had always behaved with the greateft politenefs and attention to her, fhe would not be wanting in civility on her part. I told her, fhe was miftrefs of her own a6lions j that I wilhed not to exercife any authority over her -, that what I faid was out of pure friendfhip

and

8a The Memoirs of

and regard, and that as I found my friendly advice was not taken, I Ihould in future not attempt to give it ; that ihe feemed totally to. forget her bene- ^<51:or Lord Melbourne, and the in- jury flie had already done his Lady ; and was now feeking for an opportunity of diflurbing the peace of another family..

In the afternoon fhe ordered the coacfr. and went to Hammerfmith alone. In her abfence came Lord Melbourne, I told him Mrs. Baddeley was out. *' Out!" exclaimed he, " And without " you ! — How is this ?" I told his Lordlhip I was not very well, and could not go with heri — *'' Where is fhe gone?" fays he. — To Hammerfmith

I told

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 8i

I told him for a ride, and to give Ibme directions about the houfe. — He replied, he had left his lady at the play-houfe, and muft return to her immediately; and therefore after a little converfation left me»

Mrs. Baddeley did not come home till twelve o'clock, and when fhe came, was in high glee and fpirits ; begged my pardon for being fo long abfent, but faid flie could not avoid it, and that I fnould not be difpleafed when I heard alL " I have never" continued fhe, " experi- ** enced fo much, as Iince I left you." — I told her I was not in fpirits to attend to her, andwilliedtogotobed. She was the fame way difpofed, and we went up to-

gether^

Si The Memoirs of

gethcr. " Now," fays fhe, " my ever " dear, dear Mrs. Steele, let me tell you *' all that has paft," — and on my faying to-morrow would be time enough, fhc replied, " if you do not hear me now^ " I Ihall not be able to fleep.'.' My filence giving confent, Ihe began with faying, the Duke was at Hammerfmith before her, that he handed her from her earriage. — that they drank tea, — and that, dui'ing tea, — he launched forth a great deal in herpraife^ and exprefled liis love and eHeem for her, in the warm- ed terms, and that he ran on two. hours, xifing all the arguments he was mafcer ^f, to gain Iier compliance with his wilhes, but that fhe was not to be won j that he offered her any part of his for- tune j.

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. '83

tune ; that when he found words would not avail, he took her in his armsj •vowed he loved no woman on earth- but her ; that if Hie perfilled in her non- compliance, he muft — -and there he Hoped. — Muft ? — What ? faid fhe, — « I " muft," returned he, — " be unhappy j" that he held her faft in his arms an -hour, and that fhe begged him repeat- edly to let her go — and he v;ould not, " How then," faid llie, " my dear " friend, dixi I wifti to be with you ! '' I Clever tiH that moment, was fenfible " of my imprudence, and how little ** dependence there is in any mans for ■** I was then aware of his determina- " tion, and his offers I difregarded, « as drofs." "In Ihort," faid flie,

" much

84 The Memoius of

^' much againft my will, he led me to *' my chamber ; I found my refolution *' give way, and I did, what I now re- '** pent of." She cried much, as Ihe * ;gave me this relation, and faid, he ^ould have given her bank-notes, to a ;great amount, but that fhc was fo an- ^ry with herfelf, for what llie had done, and his improper treatment of her, that ihe would not take them ; — that he faid, •vhe would inclofe them in a letter, and fend tliem to her next day. — " I am ^' now glad," replied I, " that you fee ** for once the impropriety of your con- •^^ du6L Had you taken my advice, you *' would not have put yourfelf in his ^* power, and, confequently, would not '* have met with the ill ufage you men-

" tion.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 85

^^ tion, and which you richly deferve.— ^' You fee how far mankind is to be rely- " ed on ; be they of what rank they will ! " But, with all the ill treatment, you fay ** you now met with, and the tears it has *^ coft you, I find you returned home full " of fpirits, as ifnothing had happened." Thefe were affedled fpirits, flie faid, left i would not give her a patient hearing, and that the fervants might not make remarks. — She then begged I would forgive her, faying, fhe would nevei: a6l in oppofition to my advice in future ; and I promifed fo to do, on condition jhe would difcharge her maid, for being inftrumental to Mr. Storer's feeing her in the morning, for that I was perfwaded Vol. IIL I fhe

86 The Memoirs of

fhe had taken money of him, to admit him. She believed it herfelf, and thought fhe went to Mr. Storer's lodgings, and gave him intelligence of my being out j for Mr. Storer lived in the neighbour- hood, and ihe was feen to go out. She was of courfe difcharged. It came out afterwards from Mr. Storer himfelf, that ihe adually did as we apprehended.

The next morning Sir Thomas Mills called (this gentleman is the natural fon of Lord Mansfield) ; invited him- felf to tea, and faid, with "our leave he would bring an old friend with him^ Admiral Spry. The gentleman alfo from the Duke of Northumberland call- ed^

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 87

ed, and begged to fee Mrs. Baddeley, faying, he had a letter only to deliver into her hands, which required no an- fwer, and that he would not detain her a minute. She with a feeming reluc- tance faw him, and on his delivering the letter, he bowed and left her. . Re- turning Ihe gave me the letter, which I opened J it contained three bank- notes, to the amount of five hundred pounds, and was as follows :

" My dear Mrs. Baddeley,

" Inclofed is a trifle which I

^* beg your acceptance of. By your

" accepting of this, I fhall be able to

" direft fome more of the fame fort to

I 2 " your

F8 The Memoirs of

" your hand, and to explain myfclf " more fully.

« Refpeafully Your's* y Friday jnorning"

This note was written by the Duke nlmfclf, but without a name. Mrs, Baddeley obferved upon thisj that tlus fum was firft fent by way of introduc- tion, to fee how it would be received* " And if the fum of five hundred pounds " was not at this time, of great ufe to ** me," fays Ihe, " I would fend it back j " but as it is, Mrs. Steele, put it into " your pocket : I fuppofe I Ihall heas ** from him again in a day or two.'*

In

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 89

In the afternoon came Sir Thomas Mills, with Admiral Spry, who invited us to the Naval review, at Portfmouth. We were juft going to cards, when Lord Melbourne knocked at the door, which obliged Mrs. Baddeley to leave them, faying, fhe hoped they would excufe the neceffity, and Ihould be happy to fee them at any other time. Mrs. Badde- ley having retired, they foon took their leave, the Admiral faying, he fhould expert us at Portfmouth.

I began now to think of difpofing of the Duke's money, and propofed the next day to divide it among thofe who moil wanted it. Mrs. Baddeley faid, his Lordlhip promifed, in a few days, to I 3 fettle

go The Memoirs of

fettle accounts with me. She faid, he made many enquiries about what fhe was doing at Hammerfmith -, but that fhe excufed herfelf veiy well, faying, flie had taken my daughter with her, then about ten years of age, " How's " that ?" returns his Lordihip, " Mrs. " Steele faid, you was alone ?" " Oh,'* ** replied fhe, fhe does not confider the ^' child as any one." He then enquired after the child, and faid, when his fon was a man, he Ihould marry her, and fhe would then be a lami^. His Lordfhip's name being Lamb.

As I made it a rule, when we had any money to fpare, to fend for the tradef- men, in whofe debt we were, and pay

them

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 91

them part of their bills, if not the whole ; it was a means of keeping them quiet. The Duke's five hundred pounds was wholly difpofed of this way. Mr. Storer called, but no admittance. We then propofed an airing, and, getting into the coach, Mr. George Hobart came up, and offered to accompany us. We went towards Turnham-green, where he requefled we would do him the ho- nour to dine with him. A dinner was ordered at the , Pack-horfe, and we had every thing the houfe aiforded. Mr. Hobart's polite attention on all occa- fions, commanded our refpedj for though Mrs. Baddeley would not re- ceive his addreffes, he always noticed her as a gentlewoman, and was at all

times

92 The Memoirs or

times ready to oblige her. On our re- turn home, we found the gentleman from the Duke of Northumberland had called, and propofed calling the next day. "This," faid, Mrs. Baddeley, " is with more money to me." Two let- ters were alfo brought ; one from Mr, Johnfon, and one from Lord Melbourne,

Admiral Spry called to acquaint us that the time for the review was fixed ; that it would continue three days, and advifed us to write down, and order beds j as when the people at Portfmouth came to know it, we fhould not be able to procure them under ten guineas a night. The Admiral told us, that, if wepleafed, we might be all day on board

his

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 9J

his fliip ', except the day his Majefly propofed him the honour of dining with him. The Admiral was a plain man, but one of a princely charadler, and an ornament to the navy ; we accepted his invitation, and, when we came to Portf- mouth, we were to let him loiow, and he would fetch us in his barge.

At ten o'clock, according to appoint- ment, the gentleman called again from the Duke of Northumberland, and re- quefted to fee Mrs. Baddeley, as he had a letter to deliver into her own hands, and wilhed to fee me likewife. Mrs. Baddeley urged me to fee him» faying, Ihe had told the Duke how I had difpofed of die three hundred

pounds.

94 The Memoirs or

pounds he fent me, and fhewed him the receipt for the fame; which fhe took in her pocket purpofely, that he might not think me under an obligation 1 would not acknowledge : at this, his Grace faid, my heart was as noble as my mind, and that I was an ornament to my fex. Therefore if I rpfufed any thing now fent, it would be folly ; he having no occafion to bribe me, for that the Duke being now fully acquainted with her fentiments, nothing further dif- honourable would ever pafs between them. I went down to the gentleman, not forgetting her words in my wayj and faid, " Sir, my fervant informed " me, you have a wifh to fee tne." " Pardon me," replied he, " it is by

« his

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 95

*' his Grace of Northumberland's order, " that I am, with his compliments to " prefent you with this." I afked. If it required an anfwer ? He faid no ; on which I put it in my pocket, and left him, faying, Mrs. Baddeley would wait on him prefently. She beg- ged to know what palled, and I gave her the letter ; Ihe opened it, and it contained four bank-notes of one hun- dred pounds each, with a flip of paper, on which was written. A reward for a mile dijpofttion. Mrs. Baddeley returned it to me, and then went down to the gentleman, with whom Ihe had much converfation, continuing with him more than an hour ; he gave her a packet fealed up, which Ihe did not open till

after

'gS The Memoirs of

after he was gone ; fhe then flew up to me, and gave it me to open, faying, there was no letter, for what the Dnke had to fay, he did not choofe to com- mit to writing. The packet contained, as before, five hundred pounds in bank- notes; which made her very happy: flie then told me what the gentleman had faid to her, namely, that his Grace, being fearful ihe fhould refufe the letter, he was diredled, if fhe did, to give it to her, to prefent me with it ; that the Duke fent his kind love to her, that he was and ever fhould remain in the mind lie had before expreffed himfelfi that as fhe had fo often told him, fhe could not receive his vilits, in her prefent fituationj he only requefted, that if time

fhould

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 97

ihould alter it, and fhe would acquaint him with the fame, ftie would meet with all his promifes, whenever fhe chofe to command them ; that he would, on all occafions, fhew himfelf her friend, and the only favour Ihe could beftow on him, in the prefent ftate of things, was to put it in his power to convince her of it, otherwife than by words, and to accept the fmall token he had fent, in teftimony of it.

« This money," faid Mrs. Badde- ley, " will make us happy at Portf- « mouth." « Yes," returned I, " It •^ will make our minds happy, for I beg " it may be paid where it is due." She put a negative upon this, faying, " The Vol. Ill, K ^' people

98 The Memoirs of

*' people muft wait till money comes " from Lord Melbourne, for his Lord- " fhip has not been very bountiful of " late J therefore, till more comes, I " will not part with ibis." I told her, fhe might command the money he fent to me, but jfhe declared, on her honour and foul, I fliould not part with a fliil- ling of it on her account ; that it was my own, and three hundred pounds to it, (alluding to the firft tliree his Grace fent me) if I had what was my right. All Ihe wifhed, was, that I would give her a keep- fake, which Ihe would pre- ferve in memory of me, as long as fhe lived. I promifed her I would, and as Ihe had no bracelets, I bought her a pair of enamelled lockets,'fet round with

brilliants,

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 99

brilliants, with fmall pearls to go round the wrift, which coft me one hundred and thirty pounds, and which fhe did me the favour to accept. She conftantly wore them, and did me the credit to fay, upon all occafions, they were a prefent from me.

In point of money-matters now, we were tolerably eafy ; but, my fears were, that whilft this fum was in the houfe, fome new thing would occur, that would not be pleafing. One of the players came the next day, and gave us an ac- count of an adtor of fome merit, being in diftrefs, locked up in a fpunging- houfe, for a debt of twenty-five poundsj that Mr. Garrick had been applied to, K 2 * and

100 The Memoirs of

and would not advance him a penny i

that he had a good wife^ and a family

of children -, that^ as he had not money

to defray the expences of the houfe

where he was, he muft go to jail that

night, if he could not find a friend to

aflift him ; and, that at his defire, he

took the liberty to call on Mrs. Bad-

deley. She looked wifhfuUy at me,

anxious I knew to relieve him, if it

met with my approbation : I told her,

as this perfon had a family, if fhe would

pay half the debt, I would pay the other,

•' No," returns flie, ** permit me, I

" will pay the whole. Let us order the

" coach, and go and relieve him." We

accordingly went, difcharged the debt

^nd cofts, and took him home to his

wife.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ioi

wife, who did not exped to fee him : and, to exprefs the gratitude of the peo- ple, and the fatisfaftion we felt, would require an abler pen than mine. He was defirous of giving us his note for the money, but we refufed it, faying, we begged his acceptance of it ; and Mrs. Baddeley giving one of the chil- dren two guineas, we left them to the enjoyment of each other. We had fcarce reached home, before Lord Palmerfton called, and alking where we had been, we told him, to relieve a diftreffed fa- mily, and mentioned fome of the par- ticulars. His LordHiip feemed defi- rous of knowing how far he could be of ufe to the man, and who he was, as he fhould be happy to fend him a few K 3 guineas.

!02 The Memoirs of

guineas. I begged to be ^xcufed men- tioning his name, as he was a player, and it might tend only to expoie him, without any good end; but, that if his Lordfliip thought proper to fend him any thing, I would convey his favour, and the family fhould acknowledge it. He gave me five guineas, but begged I would not fay from whom it came.

Sir Thomas Mills nov/ called, to ac- quaint us, from Admiral Spry, that we mull fet off the day after to-morrow for Portfmouth ; he advifed us to take our own horfes, and to lie at Guilford the firft night ; and, on our arrival at Portf- mouth, to fend immediately to the Ad- miral.

As

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 103

As Lord Melbourne was out of towni and would continue fo for fome time^ we began to prepare for the journey, and in order to make the beft appear- ance we couldi we equipped ourfelves accordingly, both for our perfons and our equipage. Do6tor Arne came the next morning to breakfaft, to whom we never were denied, and enquiring of him, what brought him out fo early, he faid, to look for money, and afked, if we could favour him with the loan of twenty pounds. The money was lent him, by Mrs. Baddeley, and he gave his. note for the fame, payable, either to her or to me. Mrs. Baddeley, as foon as (he received it, threw it into the fire, faying, " Now, ** Doftor, your note is paid. Your

" accep-

104 The Memoirs of

" acceptance of twenty pounds^ is a " fufficient recompence to me i for, in " my firfl outfet in life, when I was not " able to pay you, how kindly did you '* and your fon give me many a lef- *' fon. This is a circumftance I Ihall " never forget, and I hope to be able <^ to fliew my further gratitude in a lit- '* tie time." Dr. Arne was not a little pleafed, flattered, and thankful. When he was gone, fhe alked me, whether I thought fhe a6led right 3 I told her, I fhould have done the fame, had I been under fimilar obligations. But fhe mull not think of parting with any more money at prefent.

I had

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 105

I had many things to adjuft abroad 5 but, being afraid to leave her, I pro- pofed fending for the hair-dreffer, who I knew would engage her three hours, and put a book into her hands. She ap- proved of this, for flie was fond of read- ing, and few women read better ; and the man was fent for.

Before the man had finilhed her hair, I returned. She allied me, if 1 had bought her the tickets fhe wilhed in the I rifli lottery. I told her, I had bought three j « Then, pray, Mrs. Steele," faid fhe, " give them to the hair-drefler to *' try his fortune." I did as Ihe defir- edi he was thankful, and faid, as they

were

io6 The Memoirs of

were a prefent of her's, he was fure they would be lucky.

We had a vifit now from Doftor Hayes, of Marlborough-llreetj the phyfician, with whom Mrs. Baddeley once lived. She was happy to fee him, and he ftayed tea. He talked of old times, and from thence he paffed to prefent ones ; faid, he had purchafed fome Ihares in the Pantheon, which broughi on the flory related before of her having been refufed admittance. He was happy, he faid, to find the nobility took fo adtive a part in her favour, and declared the mana- gers were terribly frightened for the confequences. He then told her, fhe

was

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 107

was ftill as dear to him as ever ; but, as I did not quit the room, he had no op- portunity of faying more, and after tea he left us. At nine o'clock, Mr. Dib- den, the player, came to afk a favour of her, which fhe readily complied with. He ilaid fupper, told us a ftrange flory of Mr. Bickerftaff, the author, and of Mrs. Wrighten's being engaged at the Theatre, and faid, fhe had powers, and a good voice ; but, he was of opinions would never do for the ftage. Here he prophefied ill, for Mrs. Wrighten is, at this day, an able performer, and a cre- dit to the Theatre.

We next morning fet off for Portf- mouth, having fent our maid in the ftage

the

io8 The Memoirs of

the day before ; wc flopped and lay at Guilford the firft night, and reached Portfmouth the next evening, where wc found all things prepared for our recep- tion. Sir Thomas Mills called on us as foon as we arrived j he told us, the Admiral was on board the Barfleur, and that we muft fend our fervant to him, to let him know we were arrived. We did {o, and the Admiral returned his compliments, andfaid, he would wait on us as foon as poflible, which he did, and drank tea with us. Thefe gentlemen, the next morning, walked round the town with us, for the review was not to be till the next day : we were well dreff- ed, and met here many of our friends, and were accofted by all. Sir Thomas

was

Mrs. SoVhia Baddeley. 109-

^as not a little proud of the company- he was in. As we got into the barge to go on board, fix feilors in company- bowed to the Admiral, and, one of them, with an oath, faid, the whole fleet could not fliow fo fine a fight as that lady, meaning Mrs.'Baddeley; and, another fwore, if he was George the Third, Hie fliould be his qiieeril " Bravo, *^ Jack," faid Admiral Spry, and gave the fellow a guinea to drink her health. As foon as we were feated in the barge, the Admiral was faluted by a' difcharge of guns. When we came' atong fide the Barfleur, the Ihip was manned to re- ceive us, arid the Captaih, whom I knew from his childhood, was as happy to fee us as can be expreffed. We were con- Vol. III. L du6ted

no The Memoirs of

dufbed into die Admiral's apartments,, and chocolate, with various forts of cakes and preferves were brought before us. We were then fhewn the Ihip, and being very tall, and not {looping fuffi- ciently, I received a flight blow in pafTing the hammocks which hung over our heads. The Admiral immediately or- dered them all down, and not to be hung up again in the day-time, till the review was over. I was not much hurt, but his orders were obeyed -, in ten minutes not a hammock was to be feen. We ftaid dinner, and the table was richly and elegantly ferved, equal to any nobleman's I ever faw, except the Duke of Queenfberry's, which ex- ceeds all defcription for elegance, neat-

nefs.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. hi

nefs, fplendor, and profufion. Our dinner confifted of three courfes, and a defert fit for the King, with ices, creams, jellies, fyllabubs, pines, and fruit of all kinds, with the moll coftly wines. Mrs. Baddeley was fo charmed with the re- ception and entertainment Ihe met with, that IKc did nut know how to exprefs herfelf. She fung, and being alked a fecond time, fung.

How little do the landfmen know.

What we poor failors feel ; When waves do mount, and winds do blow ;

But we have hearts of fteel.

No danger can affright us.

No enemy can flout j We'll make the Monfieurs right us j

So, put the can about.

La This

H.2 The Memoirs of -

J 1 X I ■

This fong, and her manner of Tinging jt, delighted the whole company. The Admiral confidered it as a compliment ipaid .him, and ordered his Secretary to remember and get it, that it might be fyng in memory of Mrs. Baddeley, when they were many leagues fron^i thence. She was rcquefted to fing it againj and, with the variations Ihe threw in it, the emphafis fhe laid on particu- lar words, and the adion fhe made ufe of throughout, Ihe put the whole com- pany in raptures. After dinner, tea and coffee was ferved in filver equipage. A band of mufic was now introduced, and many fine pieces they played s and, on our wiihing to go on fhore, the Admiral requefted of Mrs. Baddeley one favour,

which

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 113

which was, before our departure, to fing the feaman's fong again, and upon deck, acconnpaniedwith themufiCi fhe compli- ed as before, with an additional flow of fpirits, and the whole fhip's crew joined in chorus. When fhe had done, I re- quefted her, on my part, to clofe the whole with, God fave the King, The Admiral was delighted, faid all his men Ihould join her, and it was fung, and chorufed by the crew, with a thunder of applaufe from every part of the fhip ; and, I received the thanks of every one prefent. Every man, by the Admiral's order, drank his Majefty's health, with three cheers. The fhip was then manned again, every one to his flation. Sir Thomas Mills and the Admiral accom- L 3 panied

114 The Memoirs of

nied us on Ihore j and, we could do "no lefsj than exprefs our gratitude at this hofpitable and polite entertainment.-— Admiral Spry told us, the King was to dine on board the Barfleur the next day, and of courfe he could not have the honour to attend us ; but, the day after, he claimed our promife of being on board again, and recommended us to be in time the next day, to fecure a good place on land, to fee the review i then leaving us to the care of Sir Thomas Mills, he took his leave, faying, his attendance on board was neceffary, to fee all was in order for his Majefty's re- ception. More than twenty of the no- bility had called at our lodgings, and left their names. His Majefty, we

under-

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 115

underftood was now come, for guns y^ere firing, the bells were ringing, an^ ih^ hpufes were illuminated, and every de- monltration of joy ihewn in all parts of town. We ordered our coach^ and rode through it. After riding about an hour and a half about the town (Sir Tho- mas with us), and delighted with the gratitude of all ranks of people to his Majefty, we returned home to fupper j and Sir Thomas, promifing to be with us early, took his leave and with-drew.

We ordered the carriage by eight o'clock in the morning, as Sir Thomas faid his Majefty would be very early, looking about the fortifications, batte- ries, &c. before he went on board ; we

were

ii6 The Memoirs of

were up at fix, and by eight were full- drelTed for the day, at which hour Sir Thomas came. We rode about, ac- companying his Majefty in his circuit; where he was attended by thoiifands of all ranks, who feemed to contend with each other in their praife and congratu- lations. We thought nothing wanting to complete the fcene, but the prefence of her Majefty, (who was not at Portf- mouth upon this occafion), to fhare in the general joy of the thoufands who came here from all parts of the world, I do not mean to give my readers an account of this review, which has been retailed at large, in all the public prints j I Ihall only fay, that the fplendor of the fight exceeded any defcription of mine.

In

Mrs. Soi?hia Baddeley. il7

In the evening we went to the play, attended by Sir Thomas, and fent to the Admiral to folicit his company. He returned wordj that he would cer- tainly be there, but he feared it would be late firft. The houfe was crowded, and the piece performed was, Romeo find Juliet y with a Harlequin entertainr ^Tient. Wroughton performed RomeOj .and the play was tolerably well per- formed, till an interruption took place in the gallery. In that part of the play whe];e Juliet exclaims, " Romeo, Ro- meo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" " Look a-head my dear girl," fays a /ailor above, " and you'll foon ;find him. " Was I near him, I'd kick him to hell, " for not coming to fo fweet a crea-

" ture."

n8 The Memoirs of

*' ture." This made the whole houfe laugh fo immoderately, as to ftop the performance for fome time. The fel- low went on, and others joined him. " That Roman," (as they called him) " will be foon fore and aft with the dear " girl, I'll warrant him." "When the entertainment began, In came the Admi- ral, apologizing for being fo late, as he had but juft left his fhip. He told us he Ihould have many of his choiceft friends with him the next day, who promifed themfelves great pleafure in our com- pany. When Harlequin made his ap- pearance, the failors began again. One fald, if that dapper-patched dog, who he believed flole his jacket from the dreinng of the fhips, had been with

Mr.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 119.

Mr. Roman, he would have paid him well with his rapper, he'd war- rant. For the poor pretty girl's fake, he wifhed he'd come again. This fet the houfe again in a roar, and when he faid the doghadflole his jacket from the fhips filks. Lord Townfhend, who was prefent, laughed heartily, and wrote it down with a pencil. Sir Thomas and the Admiral fupped with us.

The next morning we were up at fix, and we drefled ourfelves to the greateft advantage. Mrs. Baddeley put on all her jewels, and her rich diamond neck- lace, on which I had borrowed, two hun- dred pounds, but foon after redeemed. Admiral Spry, and Sir Thomas Mills

found

lao The Memoirs of

found us ready when they called. They conduced us on board, as before, and we were received in the fame manner. During breakfaft, a band of mufic play- ed, and when breakfaft was over, the fignals were difplayed, as when his Ma- jefty was prefent. We faw the whole with great pleafure. and eafe to ourfelves, and in much greater perfection than the day before. The King was on board another fhip -, the day was a fine one, and the fight beyond defcription. Dur- ing the fpedlacle, we were a little fur- prized by the violent fcream of a young voice on board, but could not learn the occafion, the attention of all prefent being fixed on the bufinefs of the day. Chocolate and cakes were handed round

to

%

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 121;

to all the company, and the whole end- ed fome little time before dinner i whea the mufic flruck up, God fave the King f and Mrs. Baddeley, and the v/hole Ihip's crew joined in chorus. When dinner was announced, we went into the cabin, t-o the number of eighteen. The firft courfe confifled of twenty one difhes., was ferved up in plate ; the reft of the diflies ferved in beautiful china, belides a de-^' fert. Every thing in feafon was before us ; and there were fix Admirals of the- party. Admiral Spry was happy and merry, and when dinner was over, bad the mufic ftrike up. Calling on Mrs. Baddeley for, a fentiment, fhe took a glafs of champaigne, and gave, " May " every engagement at fea, be attended Vol. III. M « with

122 The Memoirs of

'-' with the lofs of as few lives, as that •* of this day j but may we be ever vic- *<*' torious over the French!

This fentiment pleafed ; it went round, and was written down by a gentleman prefent. I was then called upon for mine, and gave, " May there never be *■* greater caufe for engagements, than *^' the caufe of this day j and may all " belonging to his Majefty's navy, enjoy ** 1 the blefling of peace !" This was alfo penned down. After every fentiment we had a fong. Admiral Spry fung Heart of Oak, &c. and was chorufed. When it came to Mrs. Baddeley's turn to iing, Ihe begged their choice, and was

rcquefted

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. laj

|-equefted to fing, ^^ Where little foQlijh fluh " tering thing^' &c. from the Padlofk.-^ She did, and when Ihe came to that part.

Where little wanton would you he Half Jo happy as with me ? a gentleman prefent, cried out ajoud, ** No where, by G-r-di" which made her and the reft laugh fo much, that Ihe could not go on for fome time. " No " more of your declarations, Captaini" faid the Admiral, " let's have the fong,** " Flefh and blood," returned he, " will ,f5 Ipeak." This caufed a frefh laugh j however, having finifh^d her fong, a fentiment was given, and Ihe called for another. After a little time was fpent in finging, fome propofed cards, and M 2 others

124 The Memoirs of

others a dance; and Mrs. Baddeley •was afked to dance a minuet. But fhe, who was accomplifhed in every thing elfe, was but an indifferent dancer, and declining, I was applied to. The young gentleman who alked me, being from the North, I enquired whether he could dance a Scotch reel. He replied, " yes j" we therefore propofed to finifh the mi- nuet with a real. My partner danced exceedingly well, and of courfe we made no bad figure. — All prefent were de- lighted. The Admiral then returned me thanks, faying, he was aihamed to intrude, but as he was fure a perfon who danced a reel fo well, could alfo dance a hornpipe; requefted, if I could, to oblige him with one. I did, and to

the

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. I2|

the tune of Nancy Dawfon, which charmed them all. From this we- pro- ceeded to country dances, and danced till tea-time. After tea we had more finging. In fhort, our day was moft agreeably fpenti but juft before we thought of going, a ftory came out, that damped our fpirits. " If you remember, *' ladies," faid Captain Knight, (who was Captain of Admiral Spry's Ship,) " you " afked in the time of the. engagement^ " what occafioned' a fcream you heard : " I have juft been told that melancholy^ *' tale by the Surgeon. A pretty boy on " board belonging to one of the Lieute- " nants, had done fome trifling thing " .to offend his matter -, who running after " him, in order to chaftife him, the poor M 3 " boy

116 The Memoirs of

'* boy, in order to efcape, made an attempt " to jump a-crofs the copper, in which, " meat for the crew was boiling, in hopes " to get behind it: bur, in his hurry, he " fell into it, and was taken out with all " the flefh burnt from the foles of his " feet, and part of his body. Such a fight " has never been feen on board before. ^' In this miferable ftate, the poor lad was " wrapped in an oiled flieet, for his face " was equally fcalded, and taken to the " Hofpital, where he lived in torture till ** within this half hour.'* This threw a cloud on all our merriment, and as it grew late, we begged leave to go a-lhore. The barge was accordingly ordered, and the Admiral, apologizing to the company for leaving them, in order to

efcort

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 127

efcort the ladies and his friends on ftiore, accompanied us there and re- turned.

The next day Admiral Spry, and Sir Thomas Mills, breakfafted with us, and after breakfaft we walked round the town : in our walk we met with Captain Fawkner, with his brother Everard. He noticed us, and bowed, and after he had pafTed us, followed us up and down, gazing occafionally at Mrs. Baddeley, and Ilie at him, but did not offer to join us. Finding this, I complained of be- ing weary, and wifhed to return home ; however, as Ihe pafTed Captain Fawk- ner, Ihe faid aloud to the Admiral, that he might hear, " I have taken places " in the boxes to-night for us all ; and

" we

12^ The Memoirs of

" we will go to the play." After ac- companying the Admiral to his boat> we returned home with Sir Thomas j but he, being engaged to dinner, took his leave for half an hour to drefsj fay- ing, he would attend us during the re- view, and to the play in the evening. Mrs. Baddeley was pleafed at this; as it gave her an opportunity of feeing Captain Fawkner, who made his ap- pearance as foon as Sir Thomas Mills had turned his back. He flew to her, kifTed her hand with rapture, and faid^ " Cannot I fee you to-day ?" She told him not, as the party flie came down with, would be with her the whole day, and accompany her to the play at night. Captain Fawkner faid he fhoul4

be

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 129

be at the play, and took his leave. No fooner had Sir Thomas left us to go to dinner, but Captain Fawkner, who cer- tainly muft have watched his going and coming, came to us, and dined with us. He folicited he might fee her the next day, if it was but for ten minutes ; and, Ihe promifed to let him know, if pofTible, whether Ihe could fee him. When they parted, they looked at each other like lovers, unwilling to feparate j and when I told her that I noticed it, Ihe faid, he was fo good, fo handfome, fo fweet, that an angel muft love fuch a man.

Before the Theatre was opened, the Admiral and Sir Thomas called, and

took

IJO The Memoirs of

took us the diftance of five miles on the London road, to drink tea with a friend, whofe family confilted of him, his lady, and three daughters, women grown. They prefied us to (lay the evening, but the play was our excufe, and we came away, promifing to dine with them m pur way to town. Entering the boji at the Theatre, we found Captain Fawk- ner. Mrs. Baddeley fat down as near to him as fhe could 5 but, it was not noticed by our company, as they had no fufpicion. Prefently came in Cap- tain Fawkner's brother, who fat down by him. Mrs. Baddeley's attention was engroffed by him who fat near her, and fhe took no notice of the play. She propofed on our return to fet off for

London

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ijt

London the day but one after, as fhe de - figned fhortly to go to Oxford to fee Lord North inflalled Chancellor. " How came " you," faid I, " to think of this ; and " who is to be of your party?" She told me, Lord Palmerflon and Mr. Montagu, fon of Lord Sandwich, who was then, with many others, to have a Doftor's degree. This being fettled. Admiral Spry faid, he would acquaint his friend to-morrow morning, and would accompany us there the next day to dinner j and, that tb-morrbw, before dinner, he would at- tend us to Gofport, to fhew us the place. In the morning, Ihe went and invited Captain Fawkner to breakfaft, much againft my inclination. She ufed va- rious means, and tried feveral ways to

get

lj!j The Memoirs of

get me to leave them -, but, being de- termined to the contrary, all her plans were inefFedual. At laft the pencil went to work, and they were rude enough to write and anfwer each other before me ; but, I took no notice of it. The time drew near now, when we ex- pefted Sir Thomas and the Admiral to call and accompany us to Gofport ; but, Ihe complained of a head-ach, and faid fhe could not go. Accordingly Ihe took her leave of Captain Fawkner, and we excufed ourfelves with the Ad- miral. This gave me an opportunity to prepare for our journey. Mrs. Bad- deley continued ill till fix, when I went to her, and llie then, brought as it were to refledion, laughed, and threw her

arms

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 133

arms round my neck, and thanked me for my conduft to her in the morning, in not leaving her alone with Mr, Fawknen

One o'clock next day was the hour fixed for our leaving Portfmouth, in order to dine with Admiral Spry's friend. Mrs. Baddeley, however, was up and drelfed by nine, when Captain Fawk- ner called upon her again, to enquire how fhe did, and hoped he did not in- trude J his pencil told him not : for he called on her by appointment yeflerday. The few hours Ihe had to fpare, palTed away in fighs and looks ; for, as I never left them, they had no opportunity of exchanging words, but in general con- VoL. Ill, ' N verfation.

IJ4 The Memoirs of

verfation. The coachman coming to the door, he took his leave. In a few minutes came our friends, and we let off to dinner, as engaged, and where we were elegantly entertained j and the whole family being mufical, we had a concert after it. When Mrs. Baddeley fung, the old lady, who was unacquaint- ed with her fituation in life, was fo charmed with it, that flie faid, it was a misfortune to all lovers of mufic, tliat fhe was independent j or fhe might ojtherv/ife make a fortune in London, at the Theatres. At this, we could fcarce keep our countenances. They preffed us to flay all night, the old lady, faying, flie was determined to have an angel with her one night (for fo fhe

called

Mrs. Sophia BaddeIey. 135

called Mrs. BaddeIey), we ftaid, and the next morning they perfwaded us to ac- company them to feveral gentlemens feats in the neighbourhood, which they fhould take a pleafure, they faid, in fhew- ing us. Saying, in my ride, that I was born in Weftminfter, the old lady afked me, if I knew any thing of the widow of Mr. Hughes, late flater to his Majefty, and whether fhe v/as living j telling me jfhe was a near relation of her's ; that they were brought up at the fame fchool, and that fhe was a very valuable woman. « Yes, Madam," faid I, " that lady is " living." " Before you go then,'* returned fhe, " I will trouble you with a " line." " I will deliver it," faid I, " with pleafure, for I have the honour N 2 *' to

136 The Memoirs of

" to be one of that lady's daughters." At this, fhe caught me round the neck, ilied tears of joy, and kifled me. On our return to her houfe, fhe made me, if poffible, more welcome than before> and there was no quitting it. She made us flay with her four days, and promifed on our departure to bring her family to town, and come and fpend a week with us. During our flay, we had the Admiral and Sir Thomas Mills with us every day, and the Admiral was delighted, that he was fo fortunate as to bring us together. We preferved our acquaintance with this lady till fhe died, which was fome years after.

On

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 137

On our leaving this family, we made the bell of our way to town, and reach- ed it next morning at two o'clock. We there found letters and meflages in plenty; but were too tired to read them, or hear more than that we muft fet out for Oxford in two days. Lord Palmerfton had called more than ten times, and was fearful we Ihould not re- turn in time, and begged we would let him know as foon as we arrived.

We did not rife the next day till ;iOon, when we fent to Lord Palmer- fton, who came immediately ^ faid, we muft fend to Oxford to provide beds, for there was {o much company going, that beds, would, be let for five guineas a N3 ' nighti

13B The Memoirs of

night i that Mrs. Sheridan was to fing there, and that what we fhould fee^ would be very different from the fpefba' cle at Portfmouth, yet would equally entertain us ; and, that we nnufl {ct o& the day but one after, with our own liorfes, for all the horfes on the road were befpoke^ and if we did not fend off that night, it would be ten to one, whe- ther we fhould get a bed. We, there- fore, fent off one of our fervants ex- prefs, and gave him orders to procure us a lodging : his Lordlhip requefted a corner in our carriage, and we could r>ot refufe him.

If there was any further connexion between Lord Palmerfton and Mrs,

Bad-

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 139

Baddeley, than what I was acquaint- ed withj it was between themfelvesj ihe never acquainted me with it : and, as fhe was too communicative at times, for her own happinefs, I fhould fuppofe fhe would have acquainted me with this, as jflie did with her other fe- crets. All I know is, that his Lord- ihip's behaviour to her was always con-» fiflent with the friend and gentleman j and his politenefs at our houfe, did him, in my fight, great honour. He was not, however, fparing of his commen- dations of her i and, as he was then an unmarried man, he might be permitted to pafs his compliments as he thought proper.

Deter*

I4'0 The Memoirs of

Determined to make the beft ap- pearance at Oxford, as we had done at Portfmouth, Mrs. Baddeley had fome new eloaths made up for the occafion^; with a great deal of falhionable milli*' nery. She faid her diamond necklaces would make a beautiful band round her bofom ; all fhe wanted was a bow for her breafl, and one for each fleeve, which Ihe faid fhe could hire of Mr. Bellas, the jeweller, in Pall-mall, for about four- teen pounds, and hoped I would ap- prove of it. I oppofed it with fayingi that put the expence of it out of the queftion, the imprudence fhould be fuf- ficient to prevent her ; that nature had been bountiful to her -, that Ihe wanted no fuch additional ornaments j and that fhe

would

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 141

would be as much if not more, admired without them. I told"" her that vanity and extravagance was pointed at more than fhe thought of; that a lefs expenfive drefs would be confideredas the produce ofherownprofeflional induftryi but, de- corated with diamonds, as fhe propofed, the world would only fneer at her, and cry. " Look at Mrs. Baddeley I Take " notice of her diamonds 1 See what .a " quantity fhe has I" " And how did fhe ** get them ?" fays another. " They are " only the rewards of proflitution.'* " And what then ?" returns fhe, angrily. " I care not for any of their remarks ; *' I will have the bows, and nothing, " ihall prevent it. My perfon is my ** own, and I will do with it as I

" pLeafej

142 The Memoirs op

" pleafe ;" and, growing flill more en- raged at the dread of a difappointment, jQie continued, " Nay, I will do more " than ever I have done yet ; for I will " not be debarred from Jceing who I " pleafe, and doing with them what I " pleafe — I will have twenty times the " quantity of diamonds I have." — ^At this, fhe burft out into tears of rage, and fent her fervant off for the dia« mends fhe wanted. I let her go on un- interrupted J and, when fhe had finifh- ed, fhe ran out and bolted herfelf up m another room. In fhort, I never faw her in fuch a pafTion before, and, found from this, that I could only keep her within bounds, by foft-reafoning, perfwafion, and giving way to her folly in many *• things^

Mrs, Sophia Baddelev. 143

things. When Mr. Bellas canae with the diannonds, and flie had agreed with him for the hire, Ihe brought them up, and laid thein down before me, with a degree of triumph, faying, *' Now I " have began, I am determined to go " on ; — I will fend for Mr. Fawkner, " and Mr. Storer, and every one I " think proper^ and, I will do with " them as I pleafe." This declared, and ftudied oppofition to every thing I thought right, I muft own nettled me, and I replied, with firmnefs, " Doy " — fend for them, — purfue your own *' deftruftion; — but it muft be alone, " and not with me, I moft folemnly " affure you. I have long been a flave *' to your folly, but I will now end it 5

" fee

144 The Memoirs of

*^ fee then who you will, and a6b as you *^ think proper; but, as I have too *^ much regard for you to fee it, I will *' fludy my own happinefs, and leave ** you, till time brings you to reflec- " tion. Put none of mj things up for ■*' Oxford, for I will not go ; and as this *' houfe feems to fuit you, I will let it *^ to you i for, I am refolved to leave ** you this day i determined you (hall ** have it no longer in your power to ^' treat me with fuch unkindnefs, when •*' my condu6t and advice to you me- *' rits your beft thanks and gratitude. *' I will go this inflant to my motlier's, ** where I will dine and I will deep at my " filler's ; and, to-morrow, if you will ^"^ come to a fettlementj I will give you

" kvcn

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 145

*' feven years to pay me what you owe *' me i and, to convince you, I do not '* part in enmity, I will accommodate *' you with any money you may now " want; and any fervice I cart do you, " at a diftance, you may command." At this, I took my hat to put it on; when (lie flew to me, took me fall into her arms, and cried, and fobbed fo much, that it made my heart ach : fhe then fell on her knees, begged my par- don, and declared, if I left her, fhe would ftab herfelf the next minute. — I told her, cooly, that I had made up my mind upon the occafion, and would ever be her friend through life ; but, that her declarations had really Ihocked me, and that I could not continue with Vol. III. O her

14^ The Memoirs of

her under them, and begged fhe would not hold me. She was In fuch an agi- tation that alarmed mej faid, fhe fhoiild die, if I did not relieve her mind, by promifing not to leave her. To quiet her, I, at laft, faid, that I would not. She then blefled me a thoufand times. Hill holding me in her arms ; and, when I found her agitation a little over, I faid, " Now, if you pleafe, we will " have a little ferious converfation." She replied, " I can hear nothing till ^* you again promife not to leave me. ** Do this J be friends j ahd I will fub- ** mit to any thing." I then promifed I would not leave her for the prefent. — " That word prefent, my dear, dear " Steele," faid Ihe, « I do not like.—

« Give

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 147

" Give me your hand." I did. " Now," continued Ihe, " forgive my vile tern-

* per, and I will never more offend

* you. I know too well your good ' wifhes for me, and therefore entreat

* you to pafs over in oblivion, what

* has happened to day; and I will never ' give you caufe to complain of me

* again. There is not a fervant in this

* houfe that is not wretched on account

* of this quarrel, for they value you ^ much more than me 5 and, I am con-

* vinced, when they know we are ^ friends, they will be as happy as be- ' fore." Thus was her foolilh obfti-

nacy, for the time, got the betcer of i— we kiffed each other, and all was to be forgotten,

0 2 We

14? The Memoirs of

We then began to pack up our things/ for our journey : (this was in the year 177a), and when flie put up her dia- monds, fhe threw them into her box, with a, " Curfe on thefe baubles !— I wiih *' the devil had them all before I faw ** them 1" I took no notice of this, but went on till we had finifhed j and gave orders for the carriage. Sec. to be ready the next morning at fix o'clock.

'O

Lord Palmerfton being with us at fix, we fet out together j reached Oxford ia the evening, and found our fervant had provided us a good lodging, at the ex- pence of five guineas for one week. His ILiOrdfhip promifed to condu<5t us to the Theatre, the next day, but wiflied

before

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 149

before he left us, to fpeak to Mrs. Baddeley in private, having a fecret to communicate, which refpe6ted her only, and which could be intruded only to her private ear. I accordingly left the room, and his fecret, as fhe afterwards told me, was only to requeft the grant of that favour, flie had often fo impru- dently granted to others -, and his beha- viour, fhe faid, was fo ungentleman- like, that Ihe was fure the whole houfe muft have known it, and Ihe was fear- ful it would get all over Oxford. How- ever, fays fhe, as I promifed his Lord- fliip, upon his apologizing, that I would not acquaint you with it j I hope you will not notice it. I promifed her, I would not, but that after we left Ox- O 3 ford

150 The Memoirs of

ford, I Iliould admit no more of his vl- fits. Till this tranfaftion I entertained the higheft opinion of his Lordlhip, and thought him a good man ; but, I find I am fubjedl to the weaknefs, common to my fexj namely,, to think better of mankind than they deferve.

• His Lordfhip attended us to the The- atre next morning ; and procured us very good feats. It was prefently full ; and all the company being full-drelTed, it had a very fplendid appearance. Lord Palmerflon now left us, to attend Lord North, who foon entered the Theatre robed, and in tliis drefs fo much refem- bled the King, that, had they been toge- ther, few would have known them apart.

The

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 151

The fame reafon that I did not lay be- fore my readers, the ceremonies, and all the particulars of the fpeftacle at Portf- mouth, held good with refpe(5l to that at Oxford J that the whole has been already given to the public throu gh the news-papers. All I Ihall obferve is, that we were well entertained for three days, and that Lord North had as much at- tention and refpedt paid him, on the occafion, by perfons of all ranks, as was Ihewn to his Majefty in his vifit to Portf- mouth ; and his Lordfhip in return, ex- prefled every mark of gratitude in his power.

An odd circumflance occurred at the Tiieatre, that fhev/s how neceflary it is

to

152 The Memoirs op

to be guarded in our converfatlon in public, with perfons we are unacquaint- ed with. When Mrs. Sheridan had fung one of her beft fongs, a lady who fat next me, alked me whether I did not think (he fung well; I replied,. ** wonderfully ; that I had heard much " of her, but had never feen her be- fore." She then faid, " Mrs. Sheridan *' is the firft Englilh finger of the *' age." I begged leave to differ with her in that, as I was partial to Mrs. Baddeley. At this inilant. Lord Pal- merfton, who was behind, had joined us, and who had heard our converlation, tapped me on the fhoulder, and whif- pered, that the perfon I was talking to, was Mrs. Linley, Mrs. Sheridan's mo- ther.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 55 j

ther. I was In myfelf forry for what I had faidj but when I confidered the va- nity of the old lady, I thought Ihe de- ferved the reply.

Lord Palmerfton accompanied us, dur- ing our ftay at Oxford, round the Col- leges, and other places, except the laft day, when his engagements would not permit him. On this lall day, Mrs. Baddeley wifhed to fee a certain library again. Whilfl: there, we faw feveral Oxonians j one of whom fixed his eyes on Mrs. Baddeley the whole time j fhe alfo was particularly ftruck with him, and faid to me in a whifper, " l^ook, " Mrs. Steele, what a beauty of a man ! " He is even handfomer than Captain

« FawknerT*

154 The Memoirs or

" Fawkner !" On her faying this, I was for going away, but fhe would not, continuing to gaze at him, under a pre- tence of viewing the library. Prefently came in Mr. Montagu, a fon of Lord Sandwich, who faid he had been' hunting us thefe two hours, as he wifhed to pay his refpedls to us, and fliew us the Col- leges. We walked round the place again, with Mr. Montagu, and this young Oxonian followed us every where, till we reached our lodgings, where Mr, Montagu left us with faying, he fhould take the liberty of calling on us in Lon- don. When he was gone, Mrs. Baddeley obferved, that of all the handfome men, Ihe ever faw in her life, this young Ox- onian was the moft beautiful. And

alked

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 155

afked me if I took notice of him. ** Hang him," faid I, " I did not look " at him." " Not look at him !" re- turned fhe, " I wifh you had, for I " fliall never forget him!" Prefently came a footman with a letter, requefting leave to deliver it into Mrs. Baddeley's own hand. He was ordered up and deli- vering it, begged an anfwer. Her reply was, " If it requires an anfwer, I will " fend one." This letter was from the Oxonian j and was as follows :

" Dear Madam,

" Par4on me for declaring I am ** fo much enapnoured with your beauty, ** that I know not how to exprefs my ** heart farther, than that I am the mofl:

" wretched

J5^ The Memoirs of

*' wretched of all men on earth, fup- " pofing myfelf not worthy your no- *' tke ; yet I am emboldened to afk " permifTionj to fhew you the College, ** the honourable gentleman omitted " this day to do. If I am indulged in ** this requeft, I Ihall think it the hap- " pieft day of my life. Your anfwer by ** my fervant, will be efteemed an ob- ** ligation, to one who fubfcribes him- " felf your obedient, humble fervant.

« Jofeph Gill. " 'To Mrs, Baddeleyr

Though Mrs. Baddeley wilhed to fend an anfwer, none was fent j for, if poflible, fhe was more than happy at the receipt of his letter, and read it over

and

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 157

tnd over again, — " Burn his nonfenfe," faid I. Prefently came the fervant again, with his mafter's complinients, begging the favour of an anfwer. I fent word down, that the letter required none. He then faid that he had a note to leave; our fervant brought it up. This letter was fimilar to the other, Mrs. Badde- ley faying Ihe muft give fome anfwer, ordered the fervant to come up. He came, and ihe faid, " Young man, make " my compliments to your m after, and " tell him, I faw every part of the Col- ** lege I wifhed to fee, the firft day I " came to Oxford J but, no.twithftanding " this, I am much obliged to him for " his politenefs on the occafion." The fervant bowed .and went, " Well", faid Vol. III. P ihe.

158 The Memoirs of

Ihe, to me, " I Ihall never hear any " more of him ; fo don't make yourfelf " uneafy.'* I then propofed going to town the next dayj but fhe wiflied to fee Blenheim, before flie wentj and feeing this gentleman pafs by, as I found afterwards, (he would go out and buy fome gloves. We were no fooner in the fliop, than in he comes to buy gloves alfo. He fpoke to her, hoped fhe was well, and reddened like fire; fhe coloured likewife. He hoped, he faid, fhe would pardon the liberty he took, in writing to her j not knowing fhe had feen the College, till his fervant brought him back an anfwer. When we left the fhop, he handed us down the iteps, and requefted Mrs. Baddeley to

indulge

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. r^^

indulge him with a minute or two's con- vei-fation j fhe told him fhe could not, that fhe was near home, where he could not be admitted i and then afked him how far it was to Blenheim -, as fhe de- figned going there the next day. After telling us, he reludlantly took his leave, fighing. — When we returned to our lodgings, fhe remarked, that he was a well-bred young gentleman, and was much handfomer when near than wherr at a diflance; and that fhe would, if j3ie dared, without offending me, have invited him to tea. — I told her I faw through her defign in afking how far it was to Blenheim, and would lay ten gui- neas he would be there. She afTured me. P 2 flie

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Ihe had no view in what Ihe aiked him, and was fure he would not be there.

Lord Palmerfton called in the even- ing, and would have attended us to town i but, on faying we meant to go to Blenheim, he was forry it was out of his power to wait on us there, as bufi- nefs of confequence called him away, and if fhe was determined not to go, he would leave Oxford immediately. On afking him whether it was not danger- ous travelling by night, he faid no, he never carried much money with him^ and therefore was regardlefs : then put- ting a piece of paper on the table, he faid, her horfes and fervants would coft her fomething to townj and he begged he might leave that, to enable her men to pay

the

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. i6i

the turnpikes. He then took his leave and departed. When he was gone, we looked at the paper, and found it a fifty pound bank-note. Mrs. Baddeley ob- ferved, that it was a poor prefent, but every little was of fervice.

We went to Blenheim the next day, the feat of the Duke of Marlborough ; and as I expected, we there met with Mr. Gill. He was well-drelTed, and came up and paid his refpe6ts to us j hoped we would pardon the liberty he took in coming there, but as he heard us fay we meant to fee that .place, he would not mifs the opportunity of mak- ing his bow to us, if he found us difen- gaged j and, thank God, he had that hap- P 3 pinefs.

r6i The Memoirs of

pinefs. I faw Ihe was pleafed ; ftie told him he was very polite, and he accom- panied us round the place ; and I took notice that fhe prolonged the time of viewing it, as much as fhe could. She afked him, if there was any other place near there worth feeing; he told her Lord Abington had a feat within five miles; if fhe would permit him, he would attend her there. Accordingly fhe confented, faid her fervant might take his horfe, and he might, if he pleafed, get into the coach ; he was as happy at this, as a man could be ; and fhe feemed not lefs fo. He began prefently to talk of love, but Mrs. Baddeley, firfl looking at hitfJi and next at mej put a flop to it 5 though her eyes and his both talked to

each

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 163

each other. This young gentleman, was about one or two and twenty years of age, fenfible and clever ; and it was not to be wondered at, that he Ihould be fmitten with her beauty, which had al- ready attraded hundreds.

When we reached this houfe we was upon the road to fee, and which was a very long five miles to it ; it was not worth viewing. However, Ihe did not think fo, nor would have thought fo, had it been a Cottage only, as it gave her more of his company. As foon as we faw the houfe, it was neceifary to bait the horfes. The coachman was or- dered to ilop at the beft inn he could find', and it was fettled that we fhould dine.

After

i64 The Memoirs of

After dinner and coffee, we pfopofed returning to Oxford -, but, the coach- man faid, the horfes were not well, for two of them would not eat their corn ;• and, that they fliould be blooded. Mr. Gill went out to look at them, and was of the fame opinion, and thought, if they were bled, and a warm mafh given them, they would be fit to travel the next day. This ficknefs of the horfes, I have reafon to believe, was all a pre- tence, and fettled between Mr. Gill and. the coachman -, for, Mrs. Baddeley faid,, when Mr. Gill went into the liable,. " If I could get a divorce from Mr. " Baddeley, and this young man would " marry me, I would take him for life,, " and live contented in any fituation he

" could

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 165

" could place me ini fo as you^ my dear " Steele, would promife to be with " me." I told her, it would be the fummit of my wifhes to fee her the wife of a man who would make her happy. At Mr. Gill's return, we found there was no getting further that night ; and, therefore, determined to ftay till next morning, and he continued with us. We pafTed the evening chearfully j Mrs^ . Baddeley fung, and delighted him be- yond meafure, and the time flipped away fall. At fupper-time he took his leave, and promifed to be with us the next morning at breakfaft. When he was gone, fhe ran on wildly of his pretty behaviour, his infinuating addrefs, and his engaging manners j and, marry

him

l66 The Memoirs of

him Ihe fwore fhe would, if it was pof^ fible, and leave all . mankind for him. She told me, that whilft I was writing: to my hufband, flie had learned from- him, that he was the fecond fon of a gentleman at Reading, who had an in- dependant fortune of one thoufand pounds a year j that he was brought up for a clergyman, having a living pro- mifed him, which he could live happy on, with what his father could afford to give him ; " So," continued fhe, " you*. " fee hov/ inquifitive I have been j and, " as he has declared that he loves me, " if I can any ways obtain a divorce, I " will marry him, for I love him beyond " -defcription." " Obferve, now," faid I, " how childifhly you a^t, and Iiova

" eafily

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 167.

*' eafily you are to be led afide." " No- ^' thing," replied fhcj " could make " me fwerve from him. If I married " him I would be faithful to himj and, " depend upon it, I v/ill never fuffer " him to take a liberty with me, unlefs *' he djes marry me. And what can « I do better ?" " Many things," re- turned I, " as I have often repeated." — " Yes," faid ihe, " follow my profef- ** fion- — I hate my profeffion ; but, had " I this angel of a man, if he thought " proper, I would purfue this profellion " to help him." ' " Stuff," faid I, " you are as changeable as the wind, '^ and I am convinced, would be tired " of him in a week." However, I fell in with her, and thought, if her plan

could

i68 The Memoirs or

could be brought about, it might not be a bad one ; and, on niy faying fo, ihe cried, " My dear Steele, if you can " alTifl: me in this, God will blefs you " for it, and fo fhall I j as I Ihould then " fit down contented and happy for the *' remainder of my life, and would def- ^' pife every difTipated man of falhionl " for, with all their money, all their ** fplendor, and all their fancied hap- *' pinefs, their life is a wretched one, *^ and their round of diffipation a tire- " fome labour. And as to one, in my " unfortunate fituation, there is no liv- *' ing with them, without following " their follies ;.and if one does not make " an appearance equal with them, they " think nothing of us j and, if one

does.

Mrj. Sophia BAobELEY. 169

*^ doesy it is called extravagance." She then begged I would not prevent her feeing Mr. Gill; for fhe had no other view in it, than to get him for a huf- band. I allied her how llie could ob- tain a divorce J flie replied. By fuing Mr. Baddeley for living in adultery. She had been told fhe could do this, and llie would make the attempt.

In the morningj hearing a horfe come into the yard full fpeed, llie jumped out of bed, and faid, fhe was fure it was Mr. Gill i and the chamber-maid enter- ing the room fhortly after, faid, the gentleman was come, and breakfaft was ready. On our coming down, after Vol. III. Q^ th^

lyo The Memoirs of

the proper compliments had pafTed, we enquired how our horfes were, and were told not much better, and that a farrier jfhould be fent for. A farrier came, and faid, they had received a violent chill, and had caught cold, and if they were taken out of the warm liable that day, they would die j but, that the next day, with care, they might be able to proceed on their journey. I ftill thought this was a fcheme of Mr. Gill's, or in- deed for the good of the houfe, and of courfe went into the ftable myfelf i and, as far as I could judge, they were ill j for they trembled exceedingly : fo, it was agreed then, to ftay the event of the morrow. I called, however, for the bill, left the young gentleman (for I

found

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 171

found he had ordered it) fhould pay It. I told the landlady, if he afked any thing about it, to fay it was difcharged by the ladies. Telling Mrs. Baddeley what I had done, (he thanked me, fay- ing, Ihe would not fuffer him to pay any thing. Mr. Gill prefently came in, and faid, " Ladies, I am fo nrmch " afhamed of myfelf, that I fcarce know *' how to fee you. I went juft now to ** pay the bill, and found you had done •* it; prdy oblige me, by permitting " me to return you the money." Mrs, Baddeley, faid, " Not a word. Sir, ** more of that, if you pleafe j I confi- " der you as a vifitor, and, it is a rule *' with me, never to accept a favour of " this kind, even from my bed friend." CL2 He

172 The Memoirs of

He bowedj and begged pardon, and

hoped he had given no offence. We

then put on our hats for a walk

round the village, and feeing a poor

jnan with a harp, Mrs. Baddeley orders

€d hinri to the inn ; found he played

well, and knew almoil every fong fhe

could fing ; of courfe the morning was

fpent delightfully, for fhe fung a variety,

jie accompanying her, and kept him

upwards of two hours ; then giving him

five Ihillings, fhe bad him go into the

kitchen and eat fomething. The poor

man, at the fight of the five fhillings,

cried with joy, faying, his wife was that

day delivered of a child on the road,

and he had it now in his power to give

her fome comfort. On being afked how

far

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 173

far fhe was off, he faid, three miles, de- fcribing the place, where a poor cot- tager had taken her in. On this, Mr. Gill and I gave him half a crown each ; and, Mrs. Baddeley faid, " Inftead of " Haying to eat your dinner, take a " bottle of brandy for your wife, and *^ make all the hafte to her you can." The poor man fell on his knees and blefled us. Mrs. Baddeley, from the various impofitions Ihe had met with, doubted the truth of this man's ftory, and Mr. Gill being of the fame way of thinking, faid, if Ihe chofe to enquire further into it, her man might take his horfe and go there j for, as I talked of going to fee her, Ihould the fellow have told a lie, I fhould have faved myfelf the 0^3 trou-

-174 The Memoirs of

.trouble of a journey. The coachman wss difpatched, and found the woman, who had been delivered that morning, laid with her infant on fome clean ftraw, with a few things only to cover her i he faid, ihe was a pretty woman, looked very ill, and afked his charity ; that, he gave her two fhillings, faying, his heart ached at the fight i that he overtook her huf- hand on the road, walking as faft as he could J but, that he pafied him, and took no notice of him. On hearing this tale, we fent for the miftrefs of the houfe, told her the ftory, and begged fhe would inform us where we could get her a bed. She replied, that her hoftler had a bed, a couple of blankets, and a rug, to difpofe of, and that a guinea

would

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 17^

would purchafe them ; and, as we were fo well difpofed, fhe would fend her a pair of old Iheets. Hearing there was a bedftead in the cottage, the bed wa£ bought, and fent off inftantly in a cart. The landlady fent one of her maids with it, and alfo the warming-pan, and ordered her to fee the poor woman com- fortably put to bed. Whilft we were at dinner, the maid returned, telling us how happy we had made the whole fa- mily, and that a thoufand bleffings were returned us ; and, that our fervant, un- known to us, had taken her a bottle of gin, which he paid for out of his own pocket. The miftrefs faid, fhe had looked out a few old things of a fort, for the woman and her child, which fhe

would

.176 The Memoirs of

would fend her j that fhe mentioned her fituation and diftrefs to fome ladies in the houfe, who, among them, had given her to the amount of a guinea j and, that an out-rider to a tradefman, in London, then in the kitchen, had paid her for two gallons of caudle, which Ihe was alfo to fend her.

As we were going to tea, the poor harper returned, and began playing without the houfe, but in our hearing; and fung, as he played, the following fong.

It is not wealth, it is not birth.

Can value to the Soul convey : Minds pofTefs fuperior wealth.

Which Time, nor Chance, can take away,

&c.

When

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 177

"When he had done, he came in and returned us fo many thanks, that rather diltreffed us, it being a bleffing to a generous mind to do good unnoticed, and unrewarded, but by the adlions done. He played a good while, and we bad him come again in the morning. When he went, he took home a variety of things which the miftrefs of the houfe had looked up for him j and. Mrs. Bad- deley gave her fervant half a guinea as a reward for his humanity. Mr. Gill, in the evening, faid, he had a little bu- finefs to execute for his father, about four miles off, and hoped we would excufe him for an hour. He went, and his bufinefs was to fee this poor woman ; and order her hufband to call on

hm

178 The Memoirs of

him at Oxford the next morning at fix, for it was but five miles from this place, and he would give him fome clothes ', and, that when his wife was able to travel, to bring her to Oxford, and take a lodging for her j and he would, among his friends, provide for him, and find fome employ for her j and, giving her a guinea, he left her. He was foon back, but took no notice to us where he had been. Thus was a humane a6l done, and, perhaps, a poor creature's life faved at a little expence 3 and how many fuch like a«5ls might be done, to ferve our fellow-creatures, if fo much money was not badly diflipated !

Mrs.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 179

Mrs. Baddeley was very chearful the whole day; faid, (he did not intend that Mr. Baddeley fhould be long her mafter, for fhe would foon get rid of him. " How ?" faid Mr. Gill, " By a .« piftol ?" " No," returned fhe, " I " will fue for a divorce." "That done," replied he, " was I poflefled of ten " thoufand pounds a year, I would lay '^ it all at your feet j" faying, that he fhould be happy to marry her, if fhe was not pofTelTed of a fhilling. " But," continued he, " this is a hopelefs wifhj ** for, as there are fo many great men *' your admirers, I fhould fland but Jit- " tie chance." Mrs. Baddeley fmiled, and faid, fhe thought him a good young manj and wifhed him to continue io^

' and

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and to turn his thoughts to fome woman more worthy of him. It now growing late, Ihe bad him think of returning to Oxford, as fhe fhould foon be going to bed. He then ordered his horfe, and took his leave, faying he would be with us again at nine to breakfaft. When he was gone, fhe was inceffant in his praifesj and faid, fhe would move hea- ven and earth to get divorced, and marry him J for, Ihe found llie loved hini more than ftie could exprefs.

Morning came, and Mr. Gill at his appointed time. During breakfaft the harper came again. Mrs. Baddeley went out to him, and on her return faid, there was a gentleman now in the yard,

playing

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. iSf

playing on the harp; I went out and found it to be the poor man, very well clothed J and on my alking to whom he was obliged for them, he faid the gen- tleman that was with us, and then told us what he had further done, as I have before related ; we gave the man a gui- nea more, and fent him off.

Finding our horfes able to travel, we went for Oxford; where, difcharging our lodging, we continued our road for London, defigning to flop at the houle I took near Henley, to fee my family who was then in it. Mr. Gill begged £0 accompany us, and we took him in the coach. We' reached the place by dark, and continued there three days, and Mr, Vol. III. R Gill

1^2 The Memoirs of

Gill with us. I Ihall not fay what hap- pened under my roof, at this place, for I mean, fome time or other, to write my own hiftory j which has been full of ad- ventures, though not of amours, and will entertain the public greatly. I fhall not fay, therefore, too much of myfelf here.

On our departure, from this place, Mr. Gill would have accompanied us to town J but Mrs. Baddeley objefted to it, and faid, in her fituation, it would be improper. He then requefled leave to wait on us in town, which ihe con- fenting to, he took his leave, and we pur- fued our way to Salt-hill] where we met with Mr. John Damcr. He in- filled on our dining with him, which we

agreed

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 183

agreed to, provided he would let us fend the coach to Windfor to fetch the lad^, ^t whofe houfe we had all been, the laft time we faw him. He confented, and flie foon joined us. A very ele- gant and expenfive dinner we had ; when over, flie preffed us to go home with her, and Qeep there s and afked Mr. Damer to be of the party j but he politely declin- ed, as he was obliged, he faid, to go back to town on bufinefs ; for he had left no orders with his clerks, and his fhop- men would not know how to a6l with- out him. ** I did not underftand, fir,'* faid fhe, " that you was in bufinefs : • " in what profefTion pray ?" He faid, he was a linen-draper. We looked grave. — She then requefted his addrefs, R 2 faying

1 84 The Memoirs of

faying fhe would be a cuftomer to him. Pen and ink was accordingly called for, and he wrote down " George Number, ** at St. Merry-afk, linen-draper," faying, he fhould be proud of her orders, andlhe fliouldbe wellferved. — " Oh," fays the lady, " I know St. Mary Axe very well." This paft i and after tea, we took ouf leave of Mr. Damer and accompanied our friend to Windfor. In our way there, fhe obferved that linen-drapers muft get a vaft profit on their goods, to enable them to live in fuch a ftile, for fhe was fure the dinner did not cofl lefs than ten pounds. " Indeed," faid fhe, " by *' his manner and polite attention, I took ** him for a nobleman, till he gave me *' his diredions. — Nay", continued fhe,

« he

Mrs* Sophia Baddeley. 185

" he was extravagant, for though we " drank but two bottles of wine, I faw " fix opened. This is the way inn-keep- " ers get rich !" We could no longer refrain from laughing, and told her that the gentleman had been joking with her j that he was the honourable John Damer, • ddeft fon of Lord Milton. — " How ftu- *' pid", faid our friend, " muft I have " been then ! For I recolle<5b well now, *' when he was-at our houfe, that you told *' me he was a nobleman's fon, and as to " his direftion at St. Merry Aik, I only *' conceived him untaught, and that he " did not know how to fpell, of courfe " took it for St. Mary Axe, near Cheap- ** fide. How will he laugh at my igno- ** ranee \ I never was fo taken in, in my R 3 « life.

i86 The Memoirs of

" life. How will you divert yourfelves at " my expence, when you meet him again ? " No" faid I, " he will think no more " of it, it is his ufual fun." For, when- ever he came to our houfe, not found us at home, and faw a ftrange fervant, he always left the name of fome tradefman, and faid he brought a bill for payment..

We flept that night at Windfor, and on our return to London, met with a parcel of Gipfies, who afked to tell our fortune. We flopped the coach, and a woman who undertook it, ran on with a parcel of nonfenfe, that is not worth repeating j however, it made us laugh, and kept up our fpirits, till we got home, where we heard Lord Melbourne had

been

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 187

been twice, wondering what had become of- us i Lord Palmerfton, once j Mr, Conway, three times ; Mr. MontagiT> Lord Clanbrafil, the Marquis of Car- marthenj the Duke of Northumberland's gentleman. Lord Pigot, Sir Thomas Mills, Admiral Spry, and many others^

Lord Melbourne was very inquifitivei and feemed much hurt that Mrs. Badde- ley could give no better account of her journey. Who went with her to Ox- ford ? Where did fhe go from Oxford ? And, many other queftions. She told his Lordfhip that Ihe fpent her time with my family, in the neighbourhood of Henley and the like. « Well," faid he, " I muft leave you again ; for Sir

" Matthew

t88 The Memoirs of

*^ Matthew Featherftone, my Lady's •'' father, is ill, and at my houfe at *^ Brocket-hall, and I muft go down to *' him." He foon after left us, and Mrs. Baddeley was happy he was gone.

■ Having fome money of Mrs. Badde- ley's in my pofleffion, left fhe fhould be tempted by any new whim to lay it out improperly} 1 thought it beft to pay it away, where it was owing, and propofed fettling with the builder, for the additions he had made to Hammer- fmith houfe, which Mrs. Baddeley de- figned to pay. And when I looked over the bills, I was amazed^ they came to feven hundred and fifty-nine pounds, eleven (hillings, and eight-pence. My

furprize

Mrs-. Sophia Baddeley. 189

furprize at this, made me fly to her to tell her of it. She received the intelli- gence with great unconcern j faid, we had a leafe of it, and that it was now a good houfe, and I mull fet it down to the article of her extravagance: but, that I muft not pay away the money I had, till fhe got more ; for. Lord Mel- bourne's expence about his houfe ia Piccadilly, had occafioned his not being fo bountiful to her as he had been^ " However," added fhe, " if he does not " think of usfoon,youmuft remind him^ * I replied, that I ihould not, as he had not kept his word with me, though he had been bountiful to her. His Lordfhip promifed to pay my rent, and had not done even that. Mrs, Baddeley faid, fhe

would

t^o The Memoirs of

would pay the rent herfelf. I told her, in future, when Ihe wijlhed any thing from Lord Melbourne, the beft way would be to write a line, and I would give it him. To this fhe acquiefced, and I then told her, I would call in all the bills where any thing was owing, and try if we could not get them paid. Expences for houfe-keeping, and other daily expences, were paid weekly.

On calling in the bills, I found them as follow, and the whole to have been run up in the courfe of three years.

Mlfs Brace, milliner, by ballance 1 20 o o Mrs. Bowen, ditto - - 218 18 10

Carried over 338 i8 10 Brought

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. 191

Brought over 338 18 10

Mrs. Titherfon, ditto - - 180 11 o

Mr. Priccj ditto, by ballance of 700I. 230 o o Mr. King, mercei', by ballance of

more than 1200I. - - 290 o o

Mr. Titterfon, woollen-draper - 40 10 o

Mr. Burnell, filver-lace man - 30 10 o

Mr. Campbell, coach-maker - 200 19 o Mr.Dyford-, and Mr. Clark, flioe-

makors - - - 20 14 o

Mr. Rolfon, hatter - - 29 10 o

Mr. Evans, linen-draper - 140 o o

Mr. Iling, hoop-maker ► 8 10 o

Mr. Tutt, trimming-broker - 18 12 o

Mr. JefFerey's, jeweller, by ballance 180 12 o

Mrs. Whitelock, mantua-maker - 10 14 o

Mrs. Humphries, holier and glover 20 1 1 o Perfumers bills - - 30 19

o

Builders bills » - 759 1 1 8

Carried over 2531 2 6 Brought

192 The Memoirs of

	^•	/.	J.
Brought over	2531	2	6
Stable rent	18	0	0
Cornfaftor, In ballance	48	0	0
Hay and ftraw	10	0	0
Farriers bills in ballance	10	0	0
Flcwerift in ditto - •	18	0	0
China-man in ditto	10	10	0
flambeaux for one year	^0	iz	0

£. 2666 4 6

Thefe bills were only in ballance of more than eight thoufand pounds, in- curred in the time, without any expences of houfe-keeping, furniture, and the principal part of her diamonds, wages, journeys, expences at public places, and horfes. Though Lord Melbourne did not enable me to pay the above, Mrs. Badddey did not abate in her expences j

but

Mr?. Sophia Ba£)deley. 193

but rather encreafed them for fome time, till a Hop was put to it, which the rea- der will hereafter be informed of. My mind was very uneafy on account of this great fum owirfg ; for, till I had called the bills together, I was not aware of their amount. On my IhcA^ing them to Mrs. Baddeley, flie laughed, and faid, they were only a milk-fcore to Lord Melbourne -, but, I told her, it was my ©pinion he would never pay them. *^ If " he won't," returned flie, " I will pay " them myfelf."

She now began to think of her di- A'-orce, and I advifed her to confult Mr. Dunning, late Lord Afhburton. She -went to his houfe, and had his opinion. Vol. III. S but

J94 The Memoirs of

but he would take nothing from her. He told her he had doubts of her fuc^- cefs, for reafons flie mufl excufe his giving j but, there was a chance, if Ihe had a mind to try it 3 and, if fhe would fend an able attorney to him, he would dire6t him how to afb, and give her all the affiftance in his power. She ac- eordingly applied to an attorney, faid, no money ihould be wanting j and he promifed to fee Mr. Dunning, and to let her know the refult.

In the evening, we went to the play, and Mr. Storer came into the box, and fat by us the whole evening. What was the caufe I know not, but Ihe ' was not fo attentive to him as fhe ufed to be,

left

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 195

Jeft the houfe before the entertainment began ] and, when he handed her to the carriage, and would have accompanied her home, fhe pleaded an engagement, and parted with him. Going home, Ihe told me Die would have (laid the enter- tainment, but, finding the people of fafhion noticing Mr. Storer, (lie thought it better to retire. On our return home, we found Baron Diede, the Danifh ambaflador, had called. This gentle- man, among others, though I have not named him before, was one of Mrs. Baddeley's admirers. She received a letter this evening from Mr. Gill, fay-^ ing, he was impatient to hear of her fuing for a divorce, as he Ihould be frantic till it was obtained. " Now," S 2 faid

1^6 The Memoirs of

laid ijie, " I hate all mankind, for I " look round, and round, and find no " face like his."

Next morning her attorney waited on her, faid he had feen Mr. Dunning i that there was a probability of fuccefs in the attempt, but he could not fay more to ber on the occafioa. She then left the room, and he told me, that Mr. Dunning was of opinion, as Mrs. Baddeley was fo well known to have committed adultery herfelf, the court would not take that notice of her complaint, fo as to avail her in fuch a manner as to dilTolve her marriage; but, Ihould they not take her condu(5b into confideration, £he would fucceed j

" there-

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 197

** therefore," faid he, " it depends on " chance. So, that if Mrs. Baddeley " makes the attempt, and her plea falls to " the ground, fhe muft not blame me." I promifed to confult her, and he was to call again the next day.

Baron Diede now called again, he was a polite little man, we faw him ; and as he had fome friends to dine with him next day, hoped we would do him the honour to be of the party. We accept- ed the invitation and he left us.

Not recollefting this gentleman, fhe

told me we had frequently met him at

houfes where we dined, and he had been

at our houfe more than once. " He has

S J " frequently

-198 The Memoirs of

;*' frequently been at our lodgings," faid ■fhe, "when I lived with Mr. Hanger; " and he came once here when Mr. *' Thurlow was with us, now Lord ." Chancellor." " I recolka it now," faid I " well." " Yes," replied IKe, « and *' you mufl; recolledl that Mr. Thurlow " was with us an hour and a half, and " in all that time, did not exchange " twenty words. He was cried up as " a fenfible man 3 but I could only " judge of his fenfe by his filence. And " he could not be a great admirer of th£ *' ladies." " Remember," faid I, " a '* clofe mouth makes a wife head. Be- " fides, being introduced by Mr, Hanger •' to his favourite lady, it would have ** been forward and impertinent in him,

to

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 199

" to have engrofTed the converfation, or " have made his friend uncafy by any " fludied attention to you j and I wifh " men of rank would all follow his ex.- " ample; there would not be then fo mar. " ny trifling and treacherous charafters."

Mrs. Baddeley was now applied to by a man, who had formerly been her fervant, to procure him a protedion from arreft, from fome one of the am- bafladors. Wilhing always to ferve the unfortunate, fhe cried out, " There is old " Count Haflang will do it for me, (who was the Bavarian Minifler.) " if I aik " him ; for he is f j11 of his compliments " ,me, at all public places. I will write " a line to hinn." I encouraged her to

this

ioo The Memoirs of

this, and flie gave the man a letter, to take to him. He prefently re- turned and faid, the Count fent for him up, and told him, he would, with plea- fure, comply with Mrs. Baddeley's re- queft, and he might call for it the next day J and, " pray friend," faid he, " make " my compliments to her, and tell her '* I will wait on her as foon as pofTible." *' Nay" faid the poor man, half wild with joy, " he will be here, I fuppofe, in a few *' minutes, for his chariot and three foot- " men were waiting at the door. In *' hopes of being here before him," faid ht, " I ran over an old woman in Bond- ** ftreet, and threw down her barrow of •^ fruit in the ftreet. She cried out, * Stop • thief, *ftop thief i' and I have been pur-

« fued

Mrs. Sophia Baddel£y. 2ai

" fued to your very door." We could not help laughing at the incident, but fent our fervant to find the woman, and gave her a couple of fliillings to malce her amends. She abufed the poor man much, but our fervant faying he was running for a midwife, and had fent that money to make good her lofsj from curfes, fhe proceeded to bleffings, and he who was, in her opinion, a few mi- nutes before, the vileft dog, was now the beft of men : fo great a change in our way of thinking, will a little moneys feafonably given, occafion.

Whilft we were in converfation with this man. Count Haflang's carriage ftopped at the door. He came in and

brought

202 The Memoirs of

brought the proteflion with him ; for, a^ he protefted fo many, I believe he kept them ready written; and it required only to fill up the blanks to ferve par- ticular purpofes. It mufl have been fo, for he was with us almoft as foon as the man. Prefcnting the paper to Mrs, Baddeley, he told her he was happy it was in his power to oblige her, and he blefTed the occafion that gave him an opportunity of paying his refpe6ts to her J for he long wifhed to fay how much fhe was in his efteem. She, going to take her cat from the fopha, that the Count might not fit down on it, he took her by the hand, and begged the favour of a falute, which Ihe a little an- grily refufed, and in order to get her

hand

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 203

hand from him, gave it a fudden jerk, by which the Baron loft his equilibrium, and his foot being entangled in the train of her facque, fell all along upon the floor, crying out he had hurt his back. I was ready to fink with laughing ; Mrs. Baddeley ran out of the parlour, and I was doing all in my power to get the old gentleman up. She returned and faid, ihe had been to fetch her man to affift him ; but fhe had, in fa6t, been out of the room to laugh. As neither of us had ftrength to lift him up, and he was unable to rife of himfelf, we were oblig- ed to call the maids. We at laft got him into a chair, apologizing for the accident, and hoped he was not hurt. He faid a little on his back 3 we called

for

204 The Memoirs of

for fome rum to bathe it, but he de- clined our good offices, and faid he would go home, and fend for his do6lor, and he had no doubt he fhould foon get well i when he would do himfelf the honour of paying us a fecond vifit. He then hobbled to his carriage, and or- dered himfelf to be driven gently home. When he was gone, we fell into fuch an immoderate fit of laugliter, at the acci- dent of the Baron, and his newly pro- tected fervant, whofe hands and clothes were befmeared with dirt, by his fall with the old woman, that our maids laughed as heartily as we did. The girls declared the Count had llays on j of courfe was more frightened than hurt. When the poor man had walhed off the

dirt

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 205

dirt, we fent for him up, and gave him his prote6tion, which he received with gratitude, and a look of heartfelt eafe, that fmoothed a brow, furrowed before with anxiety. " I will now" faid he, *' go and Ihow my face at home, which ". I have not been able to do, in a " week-day, for fome time," " But, *' don't run," faid I, " as you did here, " for, if you do more mifchief in your *' way, you will get into jail in Ipite of ^'^ your protection."

We fent fome time after to Count Haflang'5, to enquire how he did, and found he was gone to bed j he returned his kind compliments, and faid he was Vol. III. T poorly.

2o6 The Memoirs of

poorly. The favour, however, Mrs. Baddeley afked of him, did not end here J for, as foon as he was able to go abroad, though we were conftantly . de- nied to him, he was with us every day for a month together. We now receiv- ed the following letter from Lord Mel- bourne,

" My Love,

" I fear I cannot fee you to- " night. I am jud come to town to " attend Lady Melbourne to her fa- *^ ther, who is come to town not well, " and I fear it will make it iwo late to be ." able to call on my dear love; if I do

" not^

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 207

" •not, I will be with you to-morrow, if ** I can, before you are up. " Your's ever,

" Melbourne." To Mrs, Baddeley,

According to our engagenaent, we dined with Baron Diede. The com-» pany "confifted of all the foreign minif- ters, and the late Lord Falmouth. When we fat down to dinner, one of the gentlemen enquired where Count Haf- lang was, that he was not of the party. The Baron replied, that he had that day received a letter from him, faying, he was confined to his bed, from a fall he had received, and had fo much hurt his back, that he could not turn himfelf. T 2 I dared

2o8 The Memoirs of

1 4ared not look at Mrs. Baddeleyj cer- tain, if I had;, that wc could not have avoided laughing. Lord Falmouth, faid, he had feen him that morning, and he was very ill, and on being afked how he met with the accident, replied, his foot flipped in getting into his cha- riot. The dinner was fplendid and ele-» gant, and a band of foft mufic, in the next room, playing the whole time. When dinner was over, we retired to the mufic, and Mrs. Baddeley fung inany fongs. Cards were then intro-* (Juced, fopper fucceeded, and thus the evening clofed. This meeting intro^ duced Mrs. Baddeley to all the diplo- matic body, who were afterwards our vifitants, and very polite to her. As

to

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 209

to Lord Falmouth, who was an admirer of the ladies, he was frequently at our houfe. In our way home, Mrs. Bad- deley declared ihe had bitten her cheeks till they were fore, to prevent her from laughing. On our return, we found cards from many, from Sir Francis Molineux, and particularly the Duke of Manchefter, the latter of whom was always ready to oblige Mrs. Baddeley in any thing (he alked, and fhe frequently applied to him in behalf of her friends, who wanted afliftance in different ways ;- for, never in her life, did fhe refufe a good office to thofe who folicited her, where it was in her power to do it. We. fent daily to enquire how Count Haf- lang did, and was unhappy to find>. T 3 this

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this fall had confined him to his houfe near three weeks.

Lord Melbourne returned from the country J came to fee his dear love, and ftaid two hours ; faid to me^ he fup- pofed I was a bankrupt -, that he had no money about him, but would r-eturn in the evening and bring me fome. We now took an airing into Hyde -park, and there faw a pretty girl, well-drefTed, fitting on the grafs, near the ring. I bad Mrs. Baddeley take notice of her. She feemed to be about feventeen years of age, very unhappy, and to be the daughter of fome reputable tradefman. " Let us go out," faid Mrs. Baddeley, " and walk by her i" we did, and I afked

her.

Mrs. Sophia Baddi^^ey. 2h

her, if Ihe was ill. " Yes, ladies," return- ed fhe, " I am very ill, and wilH myfelf « dead." " For what reafon ?" faid Mrs. Baddeley. She then burfl into tears, and cried bitterly. We fat down on the grafs by her, and begged Ihe would tell us what made her unhappy, and we would be friends to her if we could ', and Ihe might aiTure herfelf, if her tale required fecrecy, it fhould go no further. Our coach and fervants were then at a diftance. She told us her name was Harriot Brown, that fhe was the daughter of an eminent linen-draper, in the city ; that her fa- ther had three fervant-men, one of whom Ihe unfortunately fell in love with; that he kept her company two

years

it 2 Yhe Memoirs of

years, in a virtuous way, " For I " meant*' faid ftie, " to nnarry him. " This came to my father's ears, and ** he got him preffed and fent to fea ; " and, on my faying I would follow ** him, if I knew where to find him, he, " in a great paflion, turned me out of " his houfe. I was fo unhappy at this, " that I did not care what became of " me. — I have now been from my dear " father three days, and nothing but " water have I had ; and this park has " been my refuge. At night I get to •' that flable, and that I may not be '* feen there, I am out before day- ** break. I am fo wretched, that I «' have thought feveral times of putting " an end to my lifcj but, fomething

«' forbad

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 21$

*' forbad it." At the recital of this ftory, our hearts yearned for her ; and, we told her, if fhe would go home with ns, we would undertake to fet all things to rights again. She replied, " Oh, *' no, dear ladies, I am only fit to *' wander life away in fome defart i for, *' to me it is not worth the holding.'* We determined, however, to take her home with us, give her fome refrefh- ment, put her into a comfortable bed, and not leave her till we could fee her father ; and, if he would not receive her, endeavour to do fomething for her J and this we promifed upon our words and honour : fhe, therefore, agreed to go with usj the coach was called, and we got in. She was very

thankful.

214 The Memoirs of

thankful, and faid. Providence furely had fent us to her prote6lion. Her diftrefs brought tears into our own eyes-i we made much of her, and when we reached home, we ordered a fire in the bed-'chamber we defigned for her, gave her fome refrefhment, and attended her to bed, where we fat down by her, and told her, we were certain her father mufl be diftraded about her. She faid, her mother was at Margate, for the be- nefit of fea-bathing j that, did fhe know Ihe was turned out of doors, Ihe would not live a day j and then llie burft into tears again, and we fympathifed with her. I begged Mrs. Baddeley to con- tinue with her, and I would go to her

father*

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 215

father. She faid, her father was a paffionate man, and would probably affront me. I told her, I fhould not mind that, provided I could bring about a reconciliation ; but, that I perfwaded myfelf, he would be happy to fee me, for the relief I fhould bring him, in tel- lins: him fhe was fafe.

END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.

' ERRATUM

In this Volume.

• Page 4B, laft line, for jou muji -haiie fur/ued, read, jou tnuji pirjue.

THE

MEMOIRS

O F

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley,

Late of Drury Lane Theatre,

B Y

Mrs. ELIZABETH STEELE. IN SIX VOLUMES,

Vol. IV.

LONDON:

Printed for the Author, at the Hitetarg )Prcf0,

No. 14, Red Lion-Jireet, Clerkonvell,

Sold by all the Bookfellers.

M.DCC.LXXXVII.

THE

MEMOIRS

O F

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley.

THE

MEMOIRS

O F

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley.

I Set off to her father's with all the ex- pedition I could make, our carriage being then at the door, confidering in the way how I fhould explain matters. When I reached his houfe, I went into the warehoufe, and enquired for him. The warehoufe-man faid, he was at home, but could not be fpoke to on any Vol. IV. A 3 bufinefsj-

6 - The Memoirs of

bufinefs i but if I would give him my commands, he would execute them the fame as if his mafter was prefent. I begged to know if Mrs. Buown could be fpoke to. He faid flie was at Margate. 1 then afl<:ed for Mifs. " Ah," faid he, *^ ma'am," fhaking his head, " I wiili " Mifs was in the way ! — I perceive you " know the family. — Have you heard " any thing of Mifs Brown's being from " home ?" Wifhing to hear all I could, I afked how long Ihe had been, abfent. — " Three days," returned he, " and no " one that we know has ken. her. ' My " mafter can hear nothing of her, and " is almofl diftra6ted : for he raves at *' times like a mad-man, and defpairs " of ever feeing her again 3 of courfe

ma'am

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 7

*' ma'am you will now judge how unfit " he is to be fpoke with on bufinefs." '' I am forry," replied I, " to hear all ** this, but muft fee him notwithfland- '^ ing J and the fooner the better ; there- *' fore, pray fhew me to him, and I will " take upon me to fay, he will not be " difpleafed with you." I, at lad, pre- vailed with him, and he fhewed me up to a large room, where fat a decent creditable perfon, having his night- cap and morning gown on, with a handker- chief up to his face, and in a melan- choly pofture. He rofe from his feat, and requefted me to fit down. — I beg- ged pardon for my intrufion 3 but, hav- ing fomething to communicate, which I flattered myfelf would give him com- fort.

t The Memoirs of

fort, was the caufe of it. " Alas, ma- *^ dam," faid he, " I have need of that, *^ for you fee, before you, as miferable '' a man as breathes. — Pray tell me ■** good lady, do you know any thing « of my loft child ?" " I do fir," re- turned I, " and have to tell you flie is " well." " God be praifed then !" ex- claimed he; " I am happy. — This, ma- " dam, is real comfort. — Where is fhe ? " Am I in my fenfes or not !" He ran •about the room half wild, and then fat down to thank me for the information, and begged I would tell him all I knew about her, and where he could go and fetch her home -, faying, fhe was an only child, and tenderly did he bring her up j that he had been working many

years

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ^

years for her j that all he had fhe would one day enjoy; and that of courfe he wifhed her well fettled in life, and to be the wife of fome man of credit and re- putation; inftead of which, Ih-e had fruftrated all his hopes, by falling in love with one of his fliop-men, whom file had agreed to marry privately. " Be- " ing informed of this, faid he, I was " offended ; and in heat of anger, from " fome words fhe made ufe of, bid her *' get out of my houfe, and never let me *' fee her more. She, foolilh girl," " ralhly took me at my word, and went '« away, and though I have fearched all " London after her, could hear nothing " of her. This, madam, was the caufe *^ of my unhappinefs. My haftinefs has

" beea

lo The Memoirs of

** been it's own punifhment j for like ^ * " too fond father," — (here he burft into tears, and I could not but do the fame), " like a too fond father — I feel I love " her, in fpite of her perverfenefs."— ^' Come then, fir," faid I, " with me, " and I will bring you to her. — I have " a coach at the door at your fervice.'* He put on his coat, and was ready in five minutes ; telling his fervant he ihould return in an hour or twot When he faw the carriage and the fervants, he begged my ladyfhip's pardon, and apo* logized for his want of refpe6l: I told him that I was not -honoured with a ti* tie, but neverthelefs was happy I had it in my pov/er to make him fo. — " For ^' God's fake, my dear madam," fiiid

he.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. li

he, " where did you meet with my " daughter ?" For he could now talk to me with compofure -, and was quite another man. I told him, when he faw her, he fhould know the whole, and begged him, till then, to reft eafy ; for that he would foon be with her. When we reached home, he was conduced up to his daughter, who was then in bed. He flew to her, took her in his arms, kifTed her, and cried over her : and this meeting is better conceived than deicribed. She hung round his neck, wept bitterly j and, as well as Ihe could utter her words, craved her fa- ther's pardon, and his blefTing, to an unworthy daughter. " Yes, my ** dear child," returned he, " with all

" your

12 The Me^moirs of

'^ your faultSj and all your indifcretions, " I feel I am ftill your father, and can- " not but forgive you. My rafhnefs " proceeded from the warmth of my " affeflion to you;. and if you muft *^ throw yourfelf av/ay, I fear I muft " fubmit to it." " Dear fir," returned llie, " talk not in that ftrain, I will en- ** deavour to think better j and, if pof- '* fible, deferve the love you have this *' day fhewn me." This affedting in- terview brought tears from us all j but they were foon changed into joy. Din- ner had been waiting fome time. The young lady rofe, and drefTed herfelf; and fhe and her father dined with us. After dinner, Mifs retired for a few mi- nutes, and we told Mr. Brown every

thing

Mrs. Sophia Badd£ley. 13

thing that pafTed, and he would have fallen on his knees to thank us, if we •had not prevented him. When Mifs returned, he took her again into his arms, and wept over her with joy. She then fell on her knees, thanked him for his tendernefs to her, who fo little de- ferved it, and hoped, that he would conceal the ftory from her dear mother, left it fliould make her as unhappy as it had done him. Mr. Brown, now wifli- ing to return home, our coach was or- dered J and with a thoufand thanks and bleffings on us both, the young lady faying, fhe owed her life to us, and her father declaring we had reftored all he held dear on earth, this afFedlionate couple took their leave j and the felf- VoL. lY, B grati-

t4 The Memoirs of

gratification this fcene afforded, en- creafed our defire of doing further goodj and made us fearch for occafions.-— There is fcarce a perfon living, but has, at times, opportunities of relieving the diftrefled, and gladdening the afHifted ; and, I am perfwaded, if men "vvere but confcious of the fecret pleafure it affords, independent of the reward religion pro- naifes, they would never (lip the happy moment j and, it is but juftice, due to Mr. Brown and his family, to fay, that they fhewed us their friendfhip on all occafions, and he was grateful to the hour of his death. Mifs afterwards mar- ried a tradefman in good circumflances, with the approbation of her father, but died in child-bed.

This

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 15

This event had brought on fuch a felf-complacency in Mrs. Baddeley and myfeif, as made us wifh to employ the evening uninterrupted, in our own re- fiedions j but. Lord Melbourne came and difcompofed us. He came in hafte, he faid, juft to keep his word, and bring us fome money ; that he left his com- pany at the play-houfe, and muft inftant- ly return. This faid, he gave me a paper rolled up, faying, I muft do with that as well as I could for the prefent, and in a few days I Ihould have more. When he was gone, I gave it to Mrs. Baddeley, and fhe opened it: finding it contained only one hundred and fifty pounds, fhe exclaimed, " Here's a fall- « ing off, indeed !" — « You muft B 2 "now,"

i6 The Memoirs of

" now," faid I, " be more prudent, or " how will your debts be paid ? Let " us put an end to fome of our ex- '' pences, let us keep fewer fervants.'* " O, God," returned ihe, " then we *' fhall have nothing decent about us.— « " I cannot confent to this." — " Well, " then," faid I, " be lefs expenfive in " your drefs. Confine it to five hun- " dred pounds a year." " Chrill,'* ex- claimed fhe, " that is not enough for " millinary !" " It does not fignify," returned I, " flop you muft, or ruin " will enfue." " I cannot," faid fhe, ** nor will I be abridged in my drefs.— ** One may as well be dead as not in " the fafhion, and I am determined I " will follow them all." — I told her, if

ihe

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley, 17

ihe thought of marrying, flie muft find a way to get out of debt, or the Lord have mercy on the poor man who was to be her hufband, for he would foon be in a jail. " That indeed," returned ihe, mull be well confidered, for I " would not injure Mr. Gill for the " world. Poor, dear young fellow !— < " I know money will procure any thing, " and, if it cofts me a thoufand pounds, " I will have a divorce ; but, be aflur- *^ ed, my dear Steele, let that take *^ place when it will, I never will think " of marrying, till I am entirely free " from debt." « Then," faid I, « the *' way to begin, is to pay away , what '* we have, as far as it will go ; for, *< every bill we pay, will make the debt B 3 « lefs.*'

l8 The Memoirs of

« lefs.'* « No," replied fhe, « I won't *' fuffer a fhilling to be paid, till I get " more money. I think it is proper I " Ihould have fome money in my " pocket; give me fifty pounds, and I *' will handfale my new purfe for luck, " and you fhall fee how careful I will " be of it.'* This ferved only to gra- tify every idle, extravagant thought; for, in the morning, I was called from breakfaft to a Mrs. Millidge, a dancer of Drury-lane Theatre, of whom Mrs. Baddeley had fome time before agreed to take a fet of Worlidge's gems ; and, whilft I was paying her, and talking to her about theatrical matters, which might detain me about three-quarters -oi an hour, ihe had purchafed eight

white

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 19

white mice, with red eyes; a handfome fquirrel cage to keep them in ; a filver collar and bell for her cat, and new cages for all her birds. I hated mice. She faid, they coll her but two pounds twelve fliillings, and if I difliked them, ihe would give them to my fifter. In Ihort, in four days, of her fifty pounds, llie had not a fhilling left ; and, when I reprefented to her the madnefs of thus fquandering her money, and particularly at a time it was fo much wanted, and without having any thing to flisw for it', fhe acknowleged the truth of it, threw me her empty purfe, and faid, I might keep it for her folly.

Lord

so The Memoirs of

Lord Falmouth now paid us a vifit, and told us. Count Haflang had paid dear for his frolick, (for he had been fTiade acquainted with the circumftance) faying, he had no reft fince it happened, for the pain in his back, which was alfo attended with a pain of mindj for he was at the fame time defperately in love with Mrs. Baddeley, and begged of him to declare itj " and, indeed," faid his Lordfhip, to Mrs. Baddeley, " he has *^ employed a very improper advocate, ** for I am over head and ears in love *' with you myfelf." Mrs. Baddeley fmiled, and faid, he was paying his lady a very poor compliment, to leave fo amiable a woman, to place his affec- tions upon her. " I am not alone in

*' opinion,"

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 21

** opinion," returned his Lordfhip, " for ** you are fo engaging, and bewitching " a creature, that half the worid is in " love with you." Mrs. Baddeley rea- foned fo fenfibly with him on this fub- je6l, that his Lordfhip candidly con- felTed he thought himfelf at liberty to rove as he pleafed ; and told her the following flory, which he aflured her to be a fad.

« When firft I faw Lady Falmouth,*' faid he, " fhe was a pretty girl, and " being then young myfelf, I made " propofals to her to live with mc, but " did not think of her as a wife. She *' would not liften to me in this re- '* fpe(5t, but I omitted no fteps to

" bring

22 The Memoirs or

" bring her over to my wilhes, and " at laft fucceeded. However, like the " reft of otir ungrateful fex, a little " time weaned my affedions, and Ihe ^* became indifferent to me, though her *' affe6lion for me did not abate. I *' muft own myfelf in fault, and, per- " haps, fhould have relented, but fhe *' afterwards played me a trick, which " I never have forgiven, nor ever will, " She was taken ill of a fever, and was *' apparently fo bad as to be thought in *' danger. Every neceflary afliftance ^' Ihe had, at my requeft, and fhe got ^' better : Ihe then applied to her phyfi- *' cian, brought him over to her intereft, '* and perfwaded him to fay, and tell •^ me, that there was no hopes of her

" recovery}

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. c^

** recovery ; that her fever was en- ** creafed by her unhappinefs of mind, *' confcious of having lived with me in ** fin, flie could not die in peace, un- ** lefs I would condefcend to fend her <* to the grave an honeft woman. This ^' circumftance had fuch an efFedl with ** me, as to make me rather unhappy *^ alfo i and, I was induced by her in- *^ treaties, the perfwafions of her phyfi- *' cian, and the affurances I had from *' him, that fhe could not recover -, to " fend for a licence and clergyman, and *' marry her. The ceremony was no '^ fooner over, than fhe vifibly grew " better, had the impudence to tell her ^* nurfe, that fhe affeded this illnefs to *' anfwer the purpofe fhe wifhed j and,

" the

^4 The Memoirs of

" the next day, when I returned home " to dinner, I found her in full health, " and at the head of my table. She " now told me flie was a happy woman, *' and from that time made me know *' that Ihe was my wife. The decep- *' tion fh-e made ufe of, I would never *' forgive, and her Ladyfhip and I have " never lived happily fince." " If your " Lordlhip/' replied Mrs. Baddeley, ** would not be offended with me, I *^ would give you my fentiments on this « fubjed." He fhould be glad, he faid, to hear them. " Now, my Lord," returned fhe, *' if the deceitful trick '^ your lady played, is, as you acknow- *^ ledge, the caufe of your prefent un- ^^ happinefs, how much caufe had fhe

"to

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 25

" to be angry with you, for violating " her honour, under the fpecious pre- " tence of love andaffeflion; when you " could think proper to defert her, and " almoft occafion her death ? And, *^ becaufe flie thought proper to fecure " you to herfelf, by an artifice, that any " honeft wonnan would glory in, you " now tell me you defpife her. For " fhame, my Lord ! — Never mention " this flory again for your own fake. " Your lady certainly deferves you, and " you cannot do enough to convince « her of it." — " I am forry,'* faid his Lordfhip, ." that you and I differ in " opinion, therefore we will talk no " more of it." Mrs. Baddeley then went to her harpfichord, and his Lord- VoL. IV, C Hiip

a6 The Memoirs of

ihip finding no attention was paid by her to his declarationsj foon made his bow and left her.

We next ordered our carriage, and went to Hammerfmith -, -where, a young gentleman called on us, fuid his name was Colonel Harcourt, and wifhed to know, as we were fo little at that houfe, whether we were difpofed to let it, fay- ing, he would give us what rent we pleafed. This was only a pretence for introducing himfelf to Mrs. Baddeley, in order to declare an attachment which hundreds had done before j but, he was foon given to undej*ftand, that her affec- tions were fixed and immoveable j and, on my reminding her, tiiat flie was to be

in

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 27

in town at a certain hour, he politely took his leave. Stopping, in our way home, at a fhop in Kenfington -, we met Mr. Thomas Stanley; this gentleman was a Major in the 79th regiment, and died at Jamaica. He was the brother of the prefent Lord Derby. He allied us to walk into Kenfington-gardens j but, on our declining it, faid he had feen Mrs. Baddeley the other day at her window, in Grafton-ftreet, wilhed for an opportu- nity to fpeak to her, but dared not, and hoped flie would permit him to wait on ker at fome future time. She replied, he might calls if h& pleafed, but as fhe was feldom at home, he would probably not meet with her.

C2 On

a8 The Memoirs of

On our return home we found the following card from Lord Falmouth.

" Lord Falmouth prefents his com- " pliments to Mrs. Baddeley, and if flie " is not engaged this evening, will do •' himfelf the honour to wait on her* '■ ** Sf. James' s-Jquare,

" ^hurjdayy three o'clock,''*

To which fhe returned as follows.

" Mrs. Baddeley's compliments wait " on Lord Falmouth, informs him Ihe " is engaged this evening, but will be " happy to fee his Lordlhip at any " other time.

" Grafton-flreetf " Thurfdayj five o'clock,**

Baron

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 29

Baron Diede called, was admitted and drank tea with us ; his vifit was to make a propofal to Mrs. Baddeley, to go abroad with him, faying, fhe Ihould ihare his fortune; but to this applica- tion flie was alfo deaf; and declaring file was engaged, he requefted he might then be admitted into the lift of her friends, and be permitted to call on her OGcalionally. Mrs. Baddeley's anfwer was, that his polite behav^iour to her at all times, commanded her refpeft, and file fiiould be proud of the honour of claiTing him among thofe whom fiie moft efteemed. It was now nine o'clock, but notwithftanding this, Mr. Storer call- ed, drefied more like a dancing mafter than any thing elfe ; having red heels to C 3 his

30 The Memoirs of

his fhoes. He danced, and fung, and junnped about the room ; and faid, he was a happy fellow to catch us at home difengagedi and hoped Mrs. Baddeley was out of leading firings j alluding to ■my oppofition to his feeing her. " Yes," returned I to him, " ihe can go with- " out being led by you." He replied, he did not mean to offend me. " But " fir," returned I, " I mean to offend " ycUy and muff tell you, that your " coming here is not at all agreeable " to me." — " I cannot help it ma'am," faid he, humming a tune ; " I muft '^ come where Mrs. Baddeley is, for I " will fee her as often as I chufe." — " Indeed you will not," faid Mrs. Bad- deley, " for I do affure you, fuch beha-

" viour

^

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 31

<* viour to Mrs. Steele, is an affront to « me." " I beg Mrs. Steele's pardon," returned he, " I never wifli to fay a " rude thing to her^ if fhe does not be- ** gin with me." " Madam," conti- nued he, addrefling himfelf to me, ** Mrs. Baddeley and I are better ac- " quainted than you fuppofe." — I told him I did not underfland him, nor did I wifh to do iti and hoped he would not put me under the necefllty of behaving to him in a manner I v/as not difpofed to do. He begged my pardon, faid, it was true that he was in my houfe, but that notwithftanding, he would take no denial to fee his dear angel, for fee her he mull and would, at the rilk of his life. At this, he contemptuoufly danc- ed

J2 The Memoirs of

ed round the room, and hummed a tune like an opera dancer. Upon my fay- ing he kept us at home, he replied, « Do I ?-~Then I'll take myfelf off, *' which is what you wifh ; — fo good " night, my dear Mrs. Baddeley!" — and to me, " good night, fweet nurfe 1" and off he went- When he was gone, I alked Mrs. Baddeley what he meant by faying, he and fhe was better ac- quainted than I fuppofed. She replied, he was a villain for that j fine could ex- plain it, but was too much alhamed of his behaviour to her to mention it. In ihort, I found what he faid to be too true, and told her we muft not fuffer him to come any more to our houfe.

The

oyi

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 33

The next morning we went to a fale of pictures, at Chriftie's, in Pall-mall. The room was crowded with perfons of diftinftion. Mr. Thomas Stanley joined ws, and continued with us all the time we were there, and feeing Mrs.Baddeley admire a pidbure of a mifer, he bought it, and made her a prefent of it. Sir Cecil Biihop, alfo obferving her to notice two pictures of fruit, pnrchafed them, and fent them home to her. On leav- ing the room, Mr. Stanley handed her to her carriage. On our return hcKiie, we found Admiral Spry, who came to dine with us uninvited. He acquainted us with an odd accident that happened in his way to our houfe. " Whenever ** I fee any barbarity ufed to horfes, I

*' always

^4 The Memoirs op

" always make a point," faid he, " of " putting a flop to it. As I came ** through Bond-ftreet, a dray-man was " beating his horfes unmercifully, fo *' that the lookers on faid, it was a " ihame ; this did not check him, but " he went to the fore-horfe, and kick- " ed him, and beat him about the head " with all his ftrength. Three women " Handing by me, I faid, I would give " a guinea, if any one would take his " whip from him, and give it him well, ** One of the women replied, ' Give

* us, your honour, but half the money,

* and we will warm him to your fatis- ' faction.' I promifed them I would, ** and one of the women went up to him, ** fnatched the whip from him, and whilil

« the

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 3^

'* the other two held him, laced him " fo foundly on the legs, and back, till •* he cried out for mercy. * Mercy, you

* dog!* faid (he, * Shew mercy to your

* horfes, and then you would not de-

* ferve fuch corredlion !* In fliort, the '* more he cried, the more Ihe whip- *^ ped him, till I interfered, and faid he ** had had enough of it. The men who *^ flood by, took the part of the women, *' and broke his whip to pieces. I gave *^ the women the guinea with pleafure 5 " for every perfon prefent feemed to en- *' joy the man's punilhment; and I bc- " lieve he will remember this day as '^ long as he lives."

The

36 The Memoirs op

The Admiral told us he was going to the Mediterranean J faid, he fhould be gone fix weeks, and if we were difpofed for a trip to fea in fine weather, he fhould be glad of our connpany. He left us, with faying, Mrs. Baddeley was an errant thief, and it was a fin in her to rob an old man of his heart, when he did not know how foon he might be at- tacked by the enemy, and fhould be in want of it. We went to the play; brought Lord Melbourne home with us, and when we reached Grafton-llreet, found the cook had fired the kitchen- chimney, and the houfe , full of all forts of rabble. They had extinguiflied the fire, but at our lofs of a filver can- dleftick. And during this confufion.

Lord

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 37

Lord Lytelton, who was going by, got out of his carriage to offer his afliftance, but Mrs. Baddeley was inattentive to all but her cats; and her favourite one having, I apprehended, run up a chim- ney ; for it was fo black, that fhe fpoiled a beautiful white fattin petticoat llie had on, by taking it in her lap. >

Lord Melbourne, faying he fhould go into the country, for a week s we pro- pofed to go down to my houfe near Henley i and Mrs. Baddeley wrote to Mr. Gill to meet her there. Mr. Stan- ley called the next morning, was warm in his addrelTes to her, and a6led fo un- gentleman-like, that Die reprimanded him in a manner that did her credit. Vol. IV. D He

3^ The Memoirs of

He begged her pardon, and they part- ed friends.

We were vifited, at this time, by moft of the foreign minifters ; but, the Nea- politan ambaffador, in 1773, was an eternal plague to us -, he was ever at the door, and would take no denial, nor could we affront him, fay what we would. At this gentleman we had many a laugh j for, when he was with us, at every rap at the door, he would have run into a dull-hole, rather than be feen. One day, having a mind to make ourfelves merry at his expence, we or- dered our fervant to rap loud at the door, and fay Lord March was come. The ambaflador was for fecreting himfelf^

ran

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 39

ran into the back parlour, and we put him into a clofet, where, we locked him in, and it was fo fmail, that he could not turn himfelf within. In this fitua- tion we kept him half an hour; Bad- deley and I laughing till our fides ached. When we thought we had confined him long enough j the outer door was fhut to hard, as if his Lordihip was gone, and we let his Excellency out, who faid, he was happy to be hid in any place, but that the cupboard was fo fmall, that he could not ftir one way or the other. I afked him what reafon he had for hiding himfelf at all ; that we were not accultomed to fuch doings, nor fhould I have confented to it, but to fee how far his alarm would carry D a him.

40 The Memoirs or

him. That no gentleman, who honour- ed Mrs. Baddeley with his vifits, was afhamed to be feen with her. Indeed,. they are happy to be with her, and "would be much oftener than they are, if llie was not denied to them. "If you will */ give me leave. Sir," faid I, " to pafs my " conjectures on your conduft, without " offence, I would tell you. Sir, that *^ either you live with fome favourite " lady, whom you are fearful may hear " of your frequent vifits here; or, you " are like thofe, who might wifh to be " fhut up, that while fuch and fuch are " prefent, you was fecreted, to lead " them to think you are indulged with " favours never beftowed ; but, that " this clofet affair may lofe it's ef-

« fed.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 41

** fed, pleafe to take notice. Sir, that *' no one was here j that, as you wifh- " ed to be hid, I did not oppofe it for *' the laugh's fake^ and as it was done *' by your own requefl, you mufl; par- '* don the frolick." « And fo then,'* replied he, " Mrs. Baddeley and you " have been diverting yourfelves at my *' expence? Well, I give you credit *' for the thought, and depend on it, " one time or other, it Ihall not go un- *' rewarded.— Why did not you keep ** me there longer ? I Ihould not have *' been angry, and believe me, what- *' ever you may think, I am not the ** man who would betray the confidence ** a lady might repofe in me." In fhort, though I perceived him a little D 3 hurt.

42 The Memoirs ok

hurt, he carried it off with great good humour, and politely took his leave. This was high glee to Mrs. Baddelej^, who, for a long time after, would occa- fionally play the part of the Neapolitan ambaffador, and hide herlelf in the clofet. We had fcarce got out of this mirth, before Lord Melbourne came, to take his leave. We told him what had paffed, and he laughed heartily, and when he went, faid, " Be fure, ** Steele, keep off all the d — ned dogs " till my return, and put the ambaffador " under lock and key."

" Now," faid Mrs. Baddeley, " he " is gone for eight days, and not a " word about money : well, I mull be

" contented

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 43

' contented till I fee his will, wlii:ch I

^ hope will not be long firil. Next,

^ for our journey to Henley, and a fight

* of Mr. Gill; though, between you ' and I, Steele, (laughing) I do not ^ think fo much of him as I did." " It

* is well/' replied I, " that yo"u do not,

* for you may yet be difappointed ; ' and, as this is the cafe, we may as

* well defer our journey." No," re- turned fhe, " not for worlds ; I would

' not mifs the opportunity of feeing the ^ dear creature on any account, for ' have him I will, as foon as my debts ' are paid j and I will be candid, and

* tell him the true caufe why it is fo

* likely to be deferred."

This

44 The Memoirs of

This night we were for the opera, but prefently came a perfon, who afked to fee Mrs. Baddeley, and whofe name was Le Due, and whom we recollefted to be the King's Taylor, at Paris, of whom we purchafed the trimmings. He had, he faid, fomething of confeqiience to impart, and of courfe was admitted. He was dreffed like a nobleman -, and, on being requefted to fit down, did not immediately feat himfelf, as an Englilh taylor would have done, but politely declined, faying, the honour was too great for men in his lituation to think of. She infifted on his fitting, and afked him, what fafhions he had brought with him; he faid, he had brought none with him, at prefent, but was going

back

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 45

back to Paris immediately, and fhould return in a fortnight, and bring plenty with himj but, that his bufmefs was now of another nature, which he hoped Mrs. Baddeley would paidon him, if it did not meet with her approbation. " This lady, I prefume," faid he, ad- dreffing himfelf to Mrs. Baddeley, and alluding to me, " is your friend ?" — On her faying, I was, and all he had to fay, might be faid before me^ he con- tinued, " His Majefly of France, Ma^ " dam, has a great defire to fee you $ " and, I am commiflioned, to propofe " your coming over to Paris, with the " utmofl expedition, where he will pro- *' vide for you for life, in a ftate be- " coming a lady under his protedion j

« andj,.

46 The Memoirs of

" and, if you think proper to comply " with this requeft of his, and agree to " fet off for Paris in a day or two, I " have orders to let you have any fum " of money you want, and to deliver " you a letter. In this cafe, I can take " upon me to fay, you will be a happy " lady J for he is a good king, and the *' beft of friends, where his fancy " leads." Mrs. Baddeley, replied, *' His Majefly of France might have " fpared himfelf this trouble, and I can " give him my anfwer immediately, if ** you are commiffioned to carry it." He faid he was. " Then, pleafe Sir, " make my refpe<5tful compliments to ** his Majefly of France, and tell him, " I thank him for the honour of his in-

" vitation.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 47

*' vitation, but as I have feen enough *' of his country, and am fufficiently *' fatisfied with my own, I lliall not " think of leaving it.'* On this, ihe rofe from her feat, and left him, with " Good morning to you, Mr. Le Due — *' When you come to England again, to ** convince you I am not offended with " you, for a<Sting in obedience to your " orders, if you bring with you any " fafliions I may like, I will be a cuf- " tomer." He then faid to me, " What " a pity it is that Mrs. Baddeley fhould *' ftand fo much in her own light, and " be fo blind to her interefts" for Ihe would be as great in Paris, as the Queen herfelf, and hoped fhe would alter her opinion 3 that he had unlimited

orders.

4^8 - The Memoirs of

orders, to give her every thing Ihe afk< td ; that, he was unwilling to go back with fuch an anfwer, but that he was reftridted to a day, and naufl return. When he was gone, fhe afked me what i thought of it; " Indeed," returned I, " I know not what to think, I am "^' fo furprized." " The duce take me," faid fhe, " if I would live in France *' to be Queen of it ; I hate the French, '^ and would rather be a menial fer- " vant in England, than the French " King's miftrefs. Let him go back, ^' and tell his Royal Mafter what I faid. *' Bat only think of it.— When we faw *' him dine in public, I obferved that •** he looked much at me, but little ^' fuppofed he noticed me fo much as

" to

Mrs; Sophia BaddeLey. 4}

** to fend after me, and now it is full a " year fince ! Well, I need not de* " fpair of friends I find, when I make " them, go where I will !" She was not a little vain, however, of this invi-> tation, and did not omit to tell it to ali her acquaintance*

We went to the opera, and dnink tea in our own box, when the late Lord Harrington came and begged a feat in one corner, to impart fomething to Mrs. Baddeley, of importance j this was to fay how much he admired her, and how wretched he was, not to be noticed by her. Her reply was, that he certainly was a little out of his mind. He aflur- ed her he was very much fo. " Then," returned ihe, " it is dangerous fitting fo YoL, IV, E " near

5Ci The Memoirs of

« near you." " No," faid he, " the *^ nearer I fit to you, the fooner I fhall " be cured." " Come then," faid Mrs. Baddeley, " fit forward, clofe by me, " and then your lady will fee you, and *' when you go home, will give you " a trimming, for you certainly deferve ** it." It was with difficulty fhe could get him away, and when he was gone, we had all the foreign minifters, one after the other, and many other noble- men. When the opera was over, Mrs. Baddeley was handed to her carriage by the Duke of Manchefter, and I, by Lord ClaAbrazil, who, whifpered to me, that he wifhed to fee Mrs. Baddeley, to tell her fomething of her Gaby. In our way home, the coach ran foul of a broad- wheeled

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 5t

wheeled waggon with eight horfes, and was overturned; but we received no hurt i only it occafioned a Itoppage of carriages, and it being prefently known whofe carriage it was that was overfet, it was not a little flattering, to find a crowd of nobility on foot, furrounding us, and kindly enquiring how we were» We were handed into the firft coach that came up, by fome gentlemen who po-* litely kt us down at home. Our car- riage was much damaged 5 and our knocker went till near two in the morn-* ing, with enquiries refpeding us.

Next morning we got into the phae-*

ton, and fet off for Henley j v/e flopped

at Salt-hill, and faying to Mrs. Partridge,

E 2 at

5i The Memoirs of

at the Wind-mill, we Ihould be back there the Saturday following, went on to my houfe near Henley, where Mr, Gill met us. He was elegantly dreffed, and it did not efcape Mrs. Baddeley's notice. Poor man, his joy was fo great that he could neither eat nor drink. Af- ter dinner v>e walked into Kingwood, about three-quarters of a mile diftant, to fee the Gypfies, of which there were upwards of a hundred differently em-, ployed ; fome cooking, others wafhing, others at dinner, &c. They wifhed to tell our fortunes, but we declined; how* ever, we gave them ten fhillings among «5, and got their bleffing.

Mr.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 53

Mr. Gill was very eager to know what fteps Mrs. Baddeley had taken, refpe(5ling her divorce, and whether flie had procured any advice ; fhe told him every thing fhe had done, and the doubts Mr. Dunning had upon the oc^. cafion ', " But/' faid fhe, " there is ano- " ther bar, that was a divorce to take " place immediately, would interrupt a " marriage for the prefent." She was near three thoufand pounds in debt, and till that was difcharged, fhe would give her hand to no onej for the incum- brance of herfelf was quite fufficient, without adding to it that of her debts. He, with all the ardour of a lover, beg* ged her not to think of her debts, for h^ would prefer a jail with her, rather than a E 3 palace

^4 The Memoirs Of

palace without her. " This" continued he, " fliall not retard the bufinefs a day. ** Had I it in my power, I would dif- " charge them inftantly ; but that will " never be, whilft my father lives. " However, when your creditors know *' it will be one day in my power to pay " them, I fhould fuppofe they would " wait that day with patience." She thanked him, but faid, by the time a divorce could take place, flie fhould be able to pay them herfelf ; he muft there- fore reft himfelf fatisfied for the prefent. He feemed to acquiefce in all fhe faid j but begged leave to extort from her a promife never to give her hand to any other perfon, but to marry him, as foon as Ihe was at liberty. This (he folemn-

ly

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 55

ly promifed, and he was as happy as he could be.

We flayed till the Saturday, and then {ct off for London ; and, on calling at Salt-hill, we found Mr. Darner, whom Mrs. Partridge had acquainted of our defigning to be there. With him we dined ; but after dinner, Mrs. Baddeley being taken ill, with her old complaint, a fick head-ach, he politely offered her the ufe of his carriage 3 faying, he would ride in the phaeton. She told him the horfes were rather ungovernable, and as no one could drive them fo well as me, it would be better for him, and her to ride in the chaife, and Mrs, Steele might drive along fide of it. This was fettled,

and

5^ The Memoirs of

and thus we came to Lx)ndon. Mr. Da- rner fo pleaded his caufe with her, in this tete-a-tete, that fhe noticed him afterwards more than Ihe had done be- fore. On our return, we found let- ters from Lord Melbourne, and Lord Falmouth ; with a card from Baron Diede, to dine with him as that day j and one from Mr. Stanley, inviting him- felf to tea. The Maid told us that among the numbers that had called, and left their names, was a Mr. Scott, a filk-mercer, for five hundred pounds, which Mrs. Baddeley owed him; and which he was very angry about, and faid he (hould call no more. Mrs. Bad- deley faid, (he owed no fuch fum fof ^Iks, nor did Ihe recoUeft the name of

Scott i

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 57

Scott J and feemed a little uneafy. The girl replied, fhe was certain Ilie was right; for that he talked with her a good while on the fubje6t, and afked her, whether (he did not think it wrong, that he fliould be obliged to come fo of- ten after his money. " Why," faid Mrs. Baddeley, "Did you ever fee him be- " fore ?'* ' O yes, ma'am,' returned the girl, ' I have feen the man often

* here, he came the day that Sally ' firft came 3 and if you remember took ' up the cat, and faid he would burn

* It.* "OGoodnefs," faid I, "I now ** know who it is ; it is no other than " Damer, in one of his funny moods.— " Did he write his name on the flate V' ' Yes,* replied the girl^ and fetched

it.

J8 The Memoirs of

it, and as foon as we faw it, we knew his hand- writing. " I am glad" faid Mrs. Baddeley, " it is no worfe, for I began «* to be frightened."

"We fupped alone this evening, and Mrs, Baddeley, though flie was relieved from the head-ach, was very low fpirit- €d ; fhe cried and hung round my neck, land begged me to fwear I would never part with her, if death did not oblige «ie. As I had given her no caufe fot this uneafmefs, I wondered the more at it; and told her, I had no defign to leave her. " If you do," faid fhe, " I *' fhall be lofl: for ever, and fliall, like "" Jane Shore, come to your houfe and f beg my bread of you." I in treated

her

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 59

her to tell me the occafion of this un- cafinefs j for that fhe diftrefled me exr ceedingly. — " When you was from me " in the phaeton," faid fhe, " I thought '' my heart would have broke j I looked " at you often, and thought I was with- *' out all I valued upon earth ; and a " thoufand foolifh thoughts came into " my head; that fome reafons might " in a little time take you from me 5 " and then I fhould be an out-caft, and *^ miferable." I took this opportunity to reafon with her, and affured her if ihe would be her own friend, and never give me caufe, I never would leave her, whilft either fhe or I lived. That I had fufFered, in my mind, a great deal on her account j but, that as I loved her

6o The Memoirs of

as my fifler, I fhoiild never think of living from her, if her mifcondudl did not force me j for let her fituation be what it wouldj nothing fliould drive me from her, but her imprudence. She thanked me a thoufand times, and faid, it Ihould be the fludy of her life to pleafe me, and to make me happy. This quieted her, and I perfwaded her to go to bed.

The next morning fhe was in better fpiritSj and an anecdote or two, told her by her hair-drefTcr, made her laugh ex- ceedingly. Among others, he told us that Mrs. Barry, of Drury-lane Thea- tre, was very ill ; but that he had fcen her three days before beat her hair-

drcfler.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 6i

drefler, kick him down flairs^ and tum- ble him from the top to the bottom i and on being afked for what reafon, re- plied, only for catching hold of her ear, i-n a hiirry with the hot pinching irons, inftead of her curl, and that the man avowed he'd drefs her no more, for he was afraid of her. " Where did this hap- " pen ?" faid I. At the theatre, he repli- ed, and as he was coming out of Mrs. Abington's room, he was an eye witnefs to it. But fcandal is the life of the green- room, and this ftory, I have no doubt, was food to the dealers in it for a month. Be- fore my hair was drelTed, came old Lord Harrington, and as Mrs. Baddeley de- clared Ihe would not fee him, but in my company, I was forced to put on a morn- VoL. IV. F ing

6a The Memoirs of

ing cap, and go down with her. He told her, it was an age fince he faw her at the Opera, and was happy he was not difappointed in having it in his power to offer her any fervice Ihe might Hand in need of. She thanked him, and faid, at prefent fhe was not in need of any. He then proceeded to declare flie was, in his opinion, the fineft woman he ever beheld ; wifhed his fortune would enable him to lay thou- fands at her feet ; and, if fhe would per- mit him to pay his refpefts to her, once a week, fhe might command his purfe ; and, as a proof of his intentions, if fhe would accept of thofe three hundred pounds, (holding up bank-notes to the amount), it was much at her fervice.

« My

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 6j

'^ My Lord," returned Ihe, " I per- " fedly underftand you ; and the ternns " on which you offer your bounty, are " fuch, that I can no way accept it; ** even if I wanted money, which in fa6t " I do not ; and I muft beg the favour " you will never offend my ears again, " with a repetition of the fame kind." -He then began to explain away his words, by faying, he had advanced no- thing that might give any lady offence. He only willied, by permiffion, to call on her once % weekj it being his greatcft delight to fet with an agreeable woman like her j and hear her fing, and pafs away a few hours in converfation ; that he meant nothing indelicate ; that he was not a boy, nor like the gay world F 2 in

^4 The Memoirs of

in diflipationi that he was fond of pleaf- ing fociety j and was obliged to feek for that abroad, which he could not nnect with at homej that he was far from knowing what domellic happinefs was^; and therefore, coveted the company of a female friend, where he found one to his liking : that his fortune was not a fplendid one, but that neverthe- iefs, he had it in his power to take care of any lady, who was not unwilling to repofe a confidence in him i and, as thefe were his real fentiments, he did not fee how they could give offence, his wiih being only to vifit her, on the fcore of friendfhip j and that on fuch days, as might be agreeable to herfelf j without interfering with any of her engage- ments.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 6$

ments. Mrs. Baddeley replied, that admitting his vifits were meant only in the light he was pleafed to reprefent thel-n, her connexions were fuch, that his frequent vifits, might give caufe of uneafinefs, where flic fliould be unhap- py to do it. However, he wifhed her to turn it in her mind, and give him an anfwer fome few days after. She promifed this, and he put up his bank- notes, faying, he would do himfelf the honour to wait on her again, in the eourfe of a week, to know the refult of her determinations. His chair was call- ed, and he left us.

He was no fooner gone, than my fer-

vant brought in word, that a gentleman

F 3 wanted

66 The Memoirs of

wanted to fee Mrs. Baddeley. " Whc ** he is/' faid the fellow, " I don't know, " for he would not give me his name." " Go then, and tell him," faid I, " that *' unlefs he fends in his name, he can " fee neither of us ; nor even then, un- ^^ lefs he is known to us." The {et- vant delivered thismeffagej and, on the perfon'a faying, he was not known to the ladies by nanne -, nor could he tell his bufinefs but to Mrs. Baddeley ; he told him, he could not fee her ; at this he grew warm, and threatened to cane my fcrvant for his infolence. Words arofe, and John got him out, and fliut the door in his face»

The

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 67

' The perfon went away, and foon af- ter feat the following letter..

" Honoured Madam>

" I was fent by a gentleman of *"^ fortune, to tell you how much he ** loved you.— I am his head fervant; " and did not deferve the impudence " your man did fhew me. I wait there* " fore for your fpeedy anfwer to this, **' that I may conae and deliver my or* " ders i and am, for my mafter,

" Your humble fervant,

" Peter Fowlei*. ** Feathers 'Tavern^ -'^^'Bond-Jlnet:.'

:;^Xp.Mrs. Baddcley.

To

6Z The Memoirs of

To this letter, Mrs. Baddeley faid, there was no other anfwer than to tell the man, who wrote it, that he was an impudent fellow. This was delivered, and we heard no more of him. In the interim came Mr. William Fawkner j but Mrs. Baddeley not feeming fo hap- py to fee him as fhe ufed, he enquir- ed the caufe of it, and hoped he had not given offence ; faying, her coolnefs made him exceedingly unhappy. He took hold of her hand, but fhe with- drew it. At this he exclaimed, " Good " God, my dear Mrs. Baddeley ! What " have I done ? How wretched you make " me !" She told him, Ihe fliould always be happy to fee him, as the reft of her friends, and would not have him think

more

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 69

more of her than as an acquaintance i Ihe had well confidered the confequence of her own condu(5l, faw it was highly im- proper, and therefore determined^ in fu- ture, to have no further intercourfe with him, than as a friend i in which light ihe fhould ever confider him, and value him. He endeavoured to expoftul^ej but fhe would not hear. He told her,,' let her determinations be what they would, fhe would ever be dear to his remembrance j. but, that it would lay him under the neccffity of difcontinulng his vifits, as he could never bear up under the mortification the fight of her would occafion.: for, it would renew the re- collection of his pad happinefs ^ and, that recoUedion would, make him

wretched..

yo T»E .Memoirs of

wretched. He could only therefore, with heart-felt fprrow, at his difmiflion, return her ten thoufand thanks, for the indulgences ihe hajdbeftowed upon him. In fhort, as he had noc po\\'er to fay . more, fhe muft pardon liis leaving her. With this he bowed, and went out of the houfe in a minute.

, *' -W-ell now, my dear Steele," faid

:flie, " you fee I can keep my refplution.

.*' I did this, and • wjll do more to -con-

*'! vince you, how much I value yoii

" and your- advice. Did not this come

'" on you unexpedledly ? Could you

*' fuppofe I could do this to a man

, *' whom I own I Ipved ; and to whom

*' I was fo attached, that I would have

" taken

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 71

" taken him for life ? Many an hour " have I been happy in his coinpany, " and the more fo, as it was unknown " to you. But that's now over, as " lliall more of my imprudence fhortly " be." I was happy at this, and told her, it was in her own power yet, to be one of the moll comfortable wo- men upon earth. " I believe fo," returned fhe, " and I am refolved I'll " try for it." I faid, fhe might ftill have an engagement at Drury-lane. " No," replied fhe, " I will never have " any thing more to do with the flage, " for it has been my dellrudion." Dur- ing this converfation, came Count Haf- lang ; we enquired kindly how he did, and Mrs. Baddeley exprefTed much un-

happinefs

7x2 The Memoirs of

happinefs at the accident, that fo long confined him. He begged no apology might be made, faying, the fault was his own i he had fuffered a good deal, but was now pretty well recovered, and the fight of her fo enlivened him, that he felt not the leaft pain any where, but in his heart. Mrs. Baddcley told him, he could not pofllbly feel any there ; fOr he muft certainly long fince have bellowed it on fome worthy obje<5t. On the contrary, he affured her it was undifpofed of, till he faw her ; and, that he muft finally confefs, he was fo im- prefTed with her beauty, that he could have no reft. " You are then^" re- returned ftie, " juft as I am, for I have " but little reft nriyfelf." Is there then,"

faid

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 73

faid he, " fome fprightly rival in my

" way ?" " Many," replied fhe, " but

" men, now, are the leaft of my thoughts;

" and, I intend to put up a paper at

" my door, to acquaint all my friends,

" that do me the honour to call on me,

'* that a prohibition is laid in the houfe

** on the name of Love, or any thing

*' bordering on it." For fhe was not

without the man of her heart, and to

him alone all her favours were due.

The old gentleman, ftill went on, that

it might be prefumption in him, at his

time of life, to think of fo beautiful a

creature j but, that he was not without

his feelings. She endeavoured to turn

the converfation, by afking what news

abroad ? " None," faid he, " of con-

VoL. IV. G . « fequence,"

74 The Memoirs of

" fequence, but, that the men are « all mad, like myfelf." "Ifthatbethc cafe," Ihe replied, " I'll fee none of ** them ; it is dangerous to be with " them J and fo, as I am going out, and " mull drefs, I will wifli you good " morning." With this ihe left him j and, as I pleaded the fame excufe, he foon went away, faying, he fhould not give up his wiihes, whatever might be his difappointments. — Count Haflang, was upwards of feventy years of age ; and, to hear fuch an old fool talk of love, was furfeiting. But the men, I find are all alike, young and old, and will purfue their inclinations, however ridiculous it may appear ; and, to their illicit amours they will facrifice the

name

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley, 75

name of love, and talk of afFedion, when they have not the leaft fpark of it. Mrs. Baddeley, I will admit,, was not blind to the follies of many, that paid court to her j and if, at times, Ihe gave way to imprudence, the good-natured reader will, I truft, make fome little al- lowance, when he has been told of her youth, her beauty, and perfonal accom- plifhmentsj and the great admiration file always had j enough, as I have before obferved, to make any woman vain, o£ ten times the underftanding, efpecially in an age of diflipation, when re- ferves are too much laid afide. It is an eafy thing, for a woman to fit down and cenfure the condudl of Mrs. Bad- deley ; but, I will venture to fay, not G 2 one

76 • The Memoirs of

one in ten, in her fituation, could have withftood the tennptations fhe met with. I do not advance this as an excufe for her errors ; but, I would have my female readers to confidef the many attradions ihe withftood, and the many temptations fhe avoided -, how much her vanity was fwelled, and her ambition heighten- ed, by the homage and adoration paid her J and then condemn her, if they pleafe. She was made like other mor- tals, of human materials j and, if fhe fell a facrifice to vanity, let it be kindly attributed to the frailty of her fex. Many were the applications to Mrs. Baddeley for her favours, even from men in fecond life, who made her offers that would have tended to the ruin of

themfelves

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 77

themfelves and families> but fhe lif- tened to none of them ; and, was I ta relate the whole, it would fill a dozen volumes, and anfwer no purpofe, but to make families unhappy. I have not mentioned any, but thofe wh.o are ge- nerally known, nor do I mean it j fuchi will pafs unobferved,. and unnoticed, nor (hall my pen difturb their peaceful mo- ments. I will advert then to Lord Fal- mouth, who came to try the effeft of gold, and fee whether it had more in- fluence than perfwafion. Mrs. Badde-' ley admitted him, and a repetition of his former declarations took place, which (he told him, as Ihe had done before, were difagreeable to her. He then took out of his coat pocket a large purfe, G J full

78 The Memoirs of

full of gold ; faid, it contained five hun- dred guineas, and was at her fervice, and more if fhe would accept its that, he prefented her that trifle to purchafe fomething for his fake ; and which, to my great furprize, and the firft time I ever faw her accept a favour from a perfon to whom fhe had not bellowed a onci I fay, to my great furprize, llie took up the purfe, put it into her pocket, thanked him, and faid, fhe fhould not fail to lay out the contents as he defir- ed. His Lordfhip told her, fhe was welcome to it, and as much more, if fhe would do him the favour to accept it. " No, my Lord," returned flie, " the *' prefent you have made me, is more " than I expe6ted, nor would I have

" taken

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 79

" taken it, but with an intent to pur- " chafe fome thing in memory of fo " good a friend." " You muft not," faid he, " call me by that cool name; " for I abfolutely love you." She hoped he did, and wifhed all the world would, as fhe would never do any thing to incur their hatred. She was in high fpirits, and he begged her to be a little ferious ; but llie told him, it was one of her mirthful days, and her friends would be happy to find it, for fhe was going out to dinner. On this he took his leave, begging fhe would fix a day when he might have the honour of calling on her again. ; Mrs. Baddeley faid, when- ever it was agreeable to him. He then bowed and left her.

She

8a The Memctirs op

She was quite overjoyed with this five hundred guineas, and faid, " This time '* I think I have afted right ; for I am '* {o tormented with thefie old gentle- ** meHj that I am determined to take ** all they will give me, by way of re- *' compence, but never meet their " wifhes otherwife than b^ thanking " them. Here, take the purfe, Steele, ♦* and pay away the contents to whom ** you pleafe, or keep it in part of what " I owe yotc," I told her, my account with her ftiould be the laft thought of^. and that we would confider the bell ufe to apply it to. *' To prevent being '<" troubled with Lord Falmouth's vifits- ** in future," faid Mrs. Baddeley, " I wilt •* give orders to be denied 3 nor will I

« fee

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 8i

" fee old Count Haflang, for I hate " him monftroufly ; he always looks a& " if he had a flake run down his back." The fervant had his orders j for, fince dining out was an excufe, we meant ta fpend the day alone. Lord Winchelfea and Mr. Storer called, and we were denied to both; but, in the evening, we faw a Mr. P. who tendered us his fervices, faid, he had a quantity of French wineSy very fine and good, which he had run, and could afford to fell at half the price we paid for them at pre- fent. He was clever and fenfible, and feemed not only the man of bufinefs, but the gentleman. This man was a furveyor as well as a merchant, and em- ployed a relation of mine, who was

tinder

M The Memoirs of

under many obligations to him. Mrs, Baddeley told him, flie would be a cuflomer to him, gave him an order, and told him to fend in fuch as he could recommend j for, as fome of the nobi- lity did her the honour occafionally to dine with her, it might be a re- commendation to him. I do not con- ceal this perfon's name from motives of delicacy, but from policy, as he will appear in a very different light here- after; he was a man little known to the world, and as fuch, his name is of littk confequence.

A man, whom we had employed to build a wafh-houfe for us, having charg. cd us forty-eight pounds, when he

agreed

Mks. Sophia Baddeley. S^

agreed to do the job for tv/enty pounds, we told Mr. P. of it. He faid, thofe kind of people generally impofed upon ladies i bur, if we would give him the bill, and autkorife him to fet- tle it, we fliould have juftice done us ; *' And, as I do not want for money," continued he, '^ and have fome at your ** command to pay this man, or twenty *' fuch, I will do it with pleafure." We thanked him, and he ftaid tea and fupper. Mrs. Baddeley, whofe great fault was that of being too communica- tive, made this man acquainted with her fituation as to debts, and he very ofRcioufly told her, in a friendly way, that he had fome thoufands in his bank- er's hands, and he would fettle the

whole.

84 The Memoirs of

-whole, and fhe might repay him in fuch fums as flie could conveniently fpare ; for he fhould be happy to be of fervice to us. Mrs. Baddeley then defired me to fhow Mr. P. the lift of what ftie owed i I did, and his anfwer was, " I " beg you will not think of paying one *' Ihilling of thefe debts yourfelf, but '^ refer them to me, and I will fettle '' with them all.'* She told him, Ihe was obliged to him; and, as a proof •how much fhe wifhed to convince him, that fhe would let him have the money .as faft as fhe could fpare it, flie begged of me to give him- the five hundred guineas in the houfe. He declined taking it, but fhe infifted fo much on it, that he could not refufe it. He then

took

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 8^

took out his pocket-book, and gave her fome cheques of Mr. Couts, the banker, and bad her draw, when ftie wanted calh, and he would take care Ihe Ihould be fupplied ; and, the next day, he would fet about fettling her af- fairs, and he hoped to her fatisfadtion j as he thought he fhould be able to fave her many pounds, and not lefTen us in their opinion, but keep us our confe-f quence. I was not a little pleafed with this, as tradefmen are apt to take ad- vantages of wonfien, be they ever {o clever, or ever fo much upon their guard. This was ever my opinion, and I am ftill more confirmed in it, fince I have read a work, put into my hands, which I had occafional recourfe to, by Vol, IV, H way

$S The Memoirs of

way of relief, -whilil I was writing thefc memoirs i and, in juftice to the naerits of that work, I will own, that had it been publifhed years ago, and fallen into my bands, it would have faved me hundreds of pounds. The reader, per- haps, will not be difpleafed with me, if I tell him the name of this book. It is called Modfm Times i or, the Adventures ef Gabriel Out c aft ^ and is a novel in three volumes, written in imitation of Gil Bias. As the title announces, that it has been confiderably improved, and enlarged, fince it was firft publifhed, it may not be unnecelTary to fay, that what I read was it's third edition, and laugh- ed through it, from one end to the ether. The author, whoever he is, muft

be

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 87

be a man of infinite humour and inge- nuity, and have a thorough knowledge of life J aSj under a well-told train of ad- ventures, he fets before his readers the arts, deceptions, and villainies of the world, in all profeffions i and thus in- flru6ts, whilft he entertains j and a peru- fal of it will be ufeful to hundreds, who may never through life, fee, or know, half they will learn in thefe volumes. But to return.

Putting a mark on thofe bills, which I wilhed Ihould be firft paid, I gave Mr. P. the lift of her debts, and alfo the bills for repairing and improving Hammerfmith houfe, which he faid was a great impofition, and he would fee u4 " H 2 righted.

88 The Memoirs of

righted, Mrs. Baddeley and I, gave •Mr. P. full power to aft for us -, and he, the next day, paid more than the five hundred guineas he received, for he brought receipts to the amount of fix hundred and fixty pounds; and made the man, who charged forty-eight pounds, take thirty pounds, and brought us his receipt in full. This gave us great plea- fore, as the man told me, he would not abate a fingle fhilling of his demands

Mr. P. was now much in our eftecmi for he feemed highly to deferve it, and frequently fent us valuable little pre- fents i and, once a day, called regularly to fee what we wanted, and how he could ferve us, All we drew on Mc»

Couts

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 8;^

Couts for, was pun6lually paid, though we did not draw for much. Mrs. Bad-- deley made him a confident in all hen affairs ; told him that Ihe was obliged toi Lord Melbourne for what Ihe had, and enumerated what he had don e for her,, and what expectations fhe had from liim,, and how much Ihe was in my debt. la Ihort, as flie kept no fecret from him> he had reafon to believe he fhould be repaid all he advanced,, and being of a; friendly turn, was as happy, in appear- ance, in doing us this kindnefs, as we could be to receive it. We will now leave him, for the prefent i what I have- faid being neceffary for the illucidation of wliat happened afterwards.. »

H 3 Going

90 The Memoirs of

Going through Hyde-park, in our way to Hammerfmith, we met with Mr^ Stanley, who, faying he had lamed his- horfe, and fent him home by his fervant^ and wifhed we would give him a caft to Kenfington, we took him into the coach J when he faid a thoufand civil things to Mrs. Baddeley, and fell on his knees to her, as men will do, to ob- tain what they want. She told him,, that condu6t might have it's efFeft with- girls under twenty, but not with her ; and begged him to rife, and not teaze her in a manner fo difagreeable to her ; but, nothing could prevent him, and he continued his nonfenfe till we reach- ed Kenfington gate, where we fat hini down.

Oo

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 91

On our arrival, at our houfe at Ham- merfmith, we were told, a man had called to fpeak with Mrs. Baddeleyj that his name was Freelove, and his bu^ finefs information for her good 3 that, he lived at Chifwick, and if Ihe wifhed to fee him, he would wait on her on being fent for. This odd meflage excited our curiofity, and we fent for him. When he came, he begged the door might be Ihut, as his bufinefs was not to be known by fervants. The door being fhut, he told Mrs. Baddeley, that he had a brother, who lived in Berkeley-ftreet, Piccadilly, and, who kept a houfe there for the reception of the nobility i and, who had been after her many times, at the defire of a noble

duke.

9^ The Memoirs of

duke, who had offers to make Her^, which he prefumed fhe would not re- . fufe ; " But, madam," faid he, " as I '^ am unacquaiated with fuch bufinefs,, *' I mufl: leave it to you to aib as you *' pleafe. This is my information, and *' if you wifh to have it, I can tell you «f the duke's name." " No," faid Mrs,. Baddcley, " I do not wilh to hear it/*" " O, pray let us have his name j" faid I. « Who is the duke ?" « No lefs a. " man," replied he, " than the Duke '^ of Devonlhire." « Now," faid Mrs., Baddeley, " I am acquainted with the «' bufinefs j I wilh you had kept your. " information to yourfelf, for I fliall* ** neither fee your brother, nor his ** Grace." The man replied, he did'

tliis.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 93

this to ferve her, and fince he found it had offended her, he fhould be off j ac- cordingly he tripped away without fur- ther ceremony, or even fhutting the door after him^

Mrs. Baddeley was fo difpleafed, at the manner in which his Grace fent to her, and the perfon he employed in the bufinefs, that flie was half-inclined to write to him and affront him ; but, as I told her he was a foolifh young man, and the beft way would be to take no notice of it, fhe gave it up, with faying, flie would only give him^me of her contemptuous looks when next flie met him in public. Mrs. Baddeley was pof- fefled of a handfome pair of piflols,

thefe

94 The Memoirs of

thefe were at Hammerfmith, and fhe propofed taking them honne as a prefent ' to Mr. P. and afked her fervant if they were charged, he told her not 5 and, in Gur way home, fhe having one, and I the other, began to triflle with each ether ; fhe laid, flie would llioot me 5 and I told her I would do the fanme, and we prefented the piflols at each other, and Ihould probably have done one another a mifchief, if an accident had not prevented it. Turning out of the great road, in order to pay my fifter a vifit, who lived in the King's Road, Chclfea i three ill-looking fellows came up, and two of them ordered the coach-s. man to flopj I put out the piftol, and fold one of the men, if he came near the

coachjk

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 95

coach, he was a dead man; and, put- ting my finger accidentally to the trig- ,gcr, the piilol went off, and frightened the horfes fo much, that they galloped away, and it was fome time before the coachman could ftop them. It faved OJS from being robbed, but frightened me and Mrs. Baddeley fo much, that ive were not ourfelves for fome time ; •and the more fo, when we recollefled, we had prefented them at each other, :and it was a providence they did not go off then ; for, had I pulled the trigger then, I (liould certainly have killed her, and, had I done it, I never could have furvived her. It has been a warning to me, and ever will, not to handle fire-

arms again.

We

96 The Memoirs of

We flopped at my filler's -, llie faid Lord Grofvenor had called on her the day before^ and kindly afked after us ; faid, he had been to the fchool where his children were at, and gave orders that Lady Grofvenor might not fee them. This llie faid was an ad of cruelty in him, as the children were her's ; and, that having given thefe or- ders before. Lady Grofvenor, with all the affection of a parent, had drelTed herfelf like a fervant, and abfolutely hired herfelf in that capacity, to the miftrefs of the fchool, in order to get a fight of them. She faid, fhe did not know the truth of this, but, that it was the common report of that neiglibour- hood. Lord Grofvenor, the next morn- ing*

^RS. Sophia Baddeley. 97

ing, called on us, but did not fee Mrs. Baddeley ; he honeflly confefTed to me, that he thought her a fine wonaan, but <iid not fee that beauty in her, wherein others thought fo much of. His vifits at our houfe were but few, but, they were friendly. It was from him we had always tickets for the malked balls, and Mr Sv Baddeley never thought of apply- ing any where elfe.

As Mr. P. will cut no fmall fio-ure in this work, I muft not omit to make my readers acquainted with his merits, as I go on. He called himfelf Mrs. Bad- deley's agent j looked over the bills for repairing Hammerfmith houfe, being a furveyor by profefTion, curtailed them Vol. IV, I all,

98 The Memoirs of

all, and fettled them, as he did every other debt fhe owed -, by paying feme in full, others in partj and, giving others his notes, payable at a diftant time, for his paper would pafs like bank-notes. By this kindnefs, I was much relieved from a heavy charge j and, though I was as keen as I could be, I found by Mr. P. that I was not adequate to the tafk I undertook; for he made them make confiderable abatements in all their bills : fo that for a length of time after this, I never paid five pounds, but referred them all to him. He kept a regular book, and produced proper vouchers, for all he paid and received ; and, fre- quently offered to pay her bills, when he had not cafh of her's. Thus was

he

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 99

he a ufeful friend, and faved her many pounds J I may fay hundreds. I had now fome little money by me, and his hinting one day, that he had 3 draft payable the next, and was not quite prepared for it, I told him, I had four hundred pounds of my own money, then in the houfe, and the loan of it was much at his fervice; at leaft, he might take it as money of Mrs. Baddeley's, and apply it for her ufe, as he thought proper. He thanked me, took it, and gave me his receipt for the fame.

At a mafked ball, at Mrs. Cornelly's,

in Soho-fquare, for which Lord Grof-

venor fent us tickets; and, \^hilfl: he was

with us, unmafkedi a well-drefTed cham-

I 2 ber-maid

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ber-maid, with a broom and duft-iliovel, in true charafter, came up often, and fwept round us ; fhe ftruck Lord Grofve- nor fa much;, that he was defirous of finding out who fhe was ; having told him, in a tone of voice not her own, that he knew her ; he followed her about, but could not learn who fhe was. When he returned to us, Ihe came up again, beg- ged pardon for being fo troublefome j but, feeing fo much dirt about us, her lady would difcharge her, if ihe did not clear it away. " Well, young woman," faid his Lordlliip, " fhall I have a few " minutes chat with you ?'* — " Yes, -«* Sir," Ihe replied, « if you pleafe."— Off went Lord Grofvenor again, with this mafk, to find out, if pofhble, who

ihe

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. ioi

ihe wasi he ftaid the beft part of an hour with her, and returned, faying, he could not for his life find her out ; but, he was certain, Ihe was fome woman of falhion, for Ihe knew a good deal of 'him. Mrs. Baddeley advifed him to go again to her. Away he went, and a -gentleman, whom we found afterwards to be Lord Pembroke, prefently came and told us, that Lord Grofvenor was tete-a-tete with his own wife, and did not know its for, that the chamber- maid was no other than Lady Grofve- nor. This was buzzed round the room, and his Lordfhip was pointed at by a number of his friends. Mr. Darner, faid, it was a pity, and he would ge -find tell him i as the eye of every one I 3 was

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was upon him. He went up to him, and whifpered him in his ear, that he was talking to his Lady j his Lordlhip having fat down by her, and being then in warm converfation with her. In- ibrmed of this, he jumped up inftantly^ and came to us in great agitation, fay- ing, he would rather have given a thou- fand guineas, than fuch a thing Ihould have happened J but, that fhe difguif- ed her voice fo much, and played her part fo well, that he had not the leaft conception who Ihe was>. We took the opportunity to -beg he would be recon- ciled to her J for, that many ladies had been guilty of more imprudence than her, and, yet it had been over-looked. His Lordfhip fwore .he never would,

J_.ady

. "Mils. Sophia Baddeley. 103

Lady Grofvenor did not give up her purfuit of him J for fhe followed him all the night, and often faid to me, *' Pray perfwade that gentleman to look " on me ; I wifh him to be friends with ** mej" but he did all in his power to ■avoid her j and, finding he could not, begged of us to go home fooner than we intendeds for his Lordfhip was in our party. Lady Grofvenor followed us out of the houfe, and faid to tne, in my ear, *' I wifh I was in your place i'* I replied, I wifhed fhe was ; then, tak- ing me by the hand, fhe faid, " God '** blefs you j" and continued with -us, till we were all in the carriage. True, faid I to myfelf, as foon as we parted ; ^oor creature, I wifh wixh all my heart

ihe

I04 The Memoirs of

ihe had been with us, and partook of fome of his Lordfliip's fmiles ; and hap- py fhoiild I have been, had I been able to prevail in her favour j but his anger and refentment was fuch, that he would Jiot hear a word we had to fay.

A Captain Crawford, of the Guards-, •an intimate friend of Captain Fawkner, and a polite handfome young man, ■whom indeed we had feen before 3 came to pay Mrs. Baddeley a vifit, having heard, I prefume, of what had palled between her and Captain Fawkner, Though, when I fay handfome^ I do not mean to fay that Mrs. Baddeley never be- •flowed her attention or favours volunta- rily, but to handfome men. The plcafure

fhe

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 105

(he took in the company of Mr. Fitzt- patrick, Mr.. Hare, and Lord George Gordon, is a proof to the contrary i for to thefe gentlemen, fhe was particularly civil, and when they omitted to call upon her for fome time, has taken pains to fee them -, by going to public places on purpofe. Captain Crawford afked her when fhe had feen Captain Fawkner, but faid no more refpeding him, his bufinefs being to introduce himfelf to her favour; and he ufed all the lan- guage, and thofe fond arguments which men,in love ufe to captivate their mif- trefTes. She fat lilent till he had done, and then, thus addreffed him. " I pre- *' fume, fir, you have been in{lru6ted by *^ yaur friend, how to proceed with mej

" for

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'^ for the language you have adopted, " as that of Captain Fawkner's, and ^' calls for the fame anfwer." " Far be " it from me, madam," replied he, " to " ufe any man's language but my own, *' I have not lived till this time, to need ** in(lru6lions to convey my real fenti- ^' ments. The heart naturally fpeaks " for itfelf.— Till now I have been con- *■*■ tented in my fituation^ but, fince I *' have beheld your lovely perfon, and ** your charms, I have wilhed myfelf a " monarch for your fake." " And, " I doubt not," faid Mrs. Baddeley, laughing, " for your own." He told her it was no laughing matter, for his feelings would not admit of trifling. " Certainly not," faid Ihe, " I do not

" mean

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 107

*' mean to trifle with them, but to tell *' you ferioufly what I think. I have *^ let you run on/' (for he had faid a thoufand fulfome things to her, before Ihe interrupted him,) " to fee how far *' your folly would carry you. Can you " fuppofe, fir, that I will attend to an *' idle tale which you tell to every wo- ** man you meet ? And do you think me " fool enough to give my company to " every one who" may pleafe to compli- " ment me as you have done ? If you '* think fo, you think wrong. As Mr. " Fawkner's friend, I fhall be glad to " fee you at any time ^ but, to talk to *' me in the manner you have now, I " fhail ever confider as impertinent. *' Talk not therefore of trifling; I give

" you

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" you my honour, you never fhall be *^ trifled with by me ; for, I will always *' fpeak my mind to you, as I have at *^ prefent." He feemed much hurt, and aflced her, if fhe took a pleafure in ridi- culing her admirers ? " Yes," fhe re- plied, " when my admirers a61; with im- " propriety, as you have donej for " though I acknowledge my impru- " dence, in fome refpecfls -, I have always '^ conduced myfelf fo, in the company *' of thofe with whom I am acquainted, " as not to warrant fuch unbecoming be- *' haviour from any gentleman. I am " like many others of my fex, not without " my attachment, and where my faith " is pledged; and therefore I expedl, " after this candid declaration, that you

" will

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 109

*^ will never trouble me on this head " again." He begged her pardon, for any thing that might efcape him, to give offence j yet, let her be as angry as Ihe would, he muft and would love -her through life -, but, if pofiible, he would obey her commands ; and not offend again in the fame way, though the talk would be difficult. He hoped therefore, flie would clafs him among her friends, and permit him occafionaily to pay his refpe6bs to her. She replied, fhe lliould be happy to fee him, as. Ihe did her other friends, when they were pleafed to honour her with their oc- cafional vifits.

Vol. IV. K When

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When Captain Crawford left hep, fhe told me, fhe was certain Mr. Fawkner had fet him on^ to fee if he could pre- vail with herj to liften to entreaties of a fimilar nature with his own; fo that he might report the reception he rnet with, which fhe fuppofed he was gone to do. " I begin now," added fhe, " to be " forry for what I faid to, and promifed, , " Mr. Gill; for fuch is my difpofition, " that, like a child, I am fond of new '' faces, and foon tired of them. The " young gentleman, I believe, loves me " to adoration, but I will not be his *' wife notwithstanding ; nor will I be " the wife of any man 3 for I can never " fubmit to the controul of a hufband, <* or put it in his power to fay I have

" been

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. hi

" been imprudent in life. I value and <* efteem Mr. Gill j but I am refolved " not to marry him- I know, my dear *' Steele, you will call me whimfieal and ■" capricious i I own I am fo, and would ** have married him, when firll I faw ■" him, had I been at liberty : but my " mind is now totally altered, and I " fhall think no more of it. You fee " what a changeling I am." " Yes,'* returned I, " I fee it well enough, and " knew it would come to this; how- " ever, I am not forry for it. It may ■*' be a wife determination, and the bet- " ter, as it takes place without my ad- « vice." « If," replied flie, " I could " give my hand for life to any man, I ^* would to him ; for I love and efteem K 2 " him

112 The Memoirs of

" him more than any man on earth -, 1 *' fhall therefore break with him by de- " grees, as I would not hurt him."

Lord Melbourne came this evening, and whilft he was with us, came Sir Francis Molineux, Ufher of the Black Rod, who fat an hour with me, and was forry he found Mrs. Baddeley engaged. This gentleman had no fooner left us, than the houfe was difturbed, by a noife below, among the fervants. One of the maids, having opened the two pair of ftairs window, and threw out one of the cats, whom Ihe found lying upon her cap, the footman, knowing how fond his miftrefs was of cats, quarrelled with her, and put her all along upon the

kitchen

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 113

kitchen fire. The girl was not much hurt, except burning of her cloaths, hut Ihe was frightened into fuch ftrong fit?, that it required three to hold her; and I was obliged to fend for the apothecary, to get her out of them. It was at laft efi'eded, but they returned, and conti- nued with her near three hours. Had Mrs. Baddeley known it, {he would have difcharged the nnaidj but, as I thought the man was equally, if not more cruel, I advifed them to be friends, and the quarrel was made up. His Lordfhip ftaid till one in the morning, and then went away.

When he was gone, Mrs. Baddeley

told me, fhe had fuch things to acquaint

K 3 me

114 The Memoirs ok

me with, as would furprife me ; that his Lordlhip had faid, he had laid out fuch large fums of money, upon his houfe and other things, that he found himfelf pinched -, for though his fortune was large, his ready money was nearly cxhaufted j of courfe, he fhould not be able to advance her money, to difcharge her debts for fome little time 5 but, that he would take particular care, Ihe Ihould have plenty for her immediate occa- fions ; and that fhortly, he would not only pay all ihe owed, but would dif- charge her debt to me too. I afked her why fhe had not told him of Mr. Pj fhe replied, Jhe had, and that his Lordlhip was well pleafed with it^ and faid, it happened fortunately, as it would

keep

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 115

keep things to rights, till fuch time as he eould do as he wilhed ; and faid, the next time he came, he would bring her fome money. She faid, his Lordihip told her, that fince he came of age, he had expended upwards of two hundred thoufand pounds in neat cafh.

I replied, " Then you mufl be frugal, *' and live within bounds, and all will " be welli for, I fuppofe his Lordfhip " will take care, in a little time, to dif- " incumber you." She faid, Ihe had no doubt of it, and would follow my ad- vice.

There was fcarce a day paffed, but fomething new occurred. This morn- ing

ii6 The Memoirs of

ing came three men to the door, that played on different inftruments. One of them was a young man, about twenty years of age, who fung fweetly. Mrs. iBaddeley was ib ftruck with his figure, his voice, and manner, thatfhe ordered them into the houfe, and bad her fer- vants give them fomething to eat -, they were taken into the back-parlour, and fed; and afterwards Mrs. Baddeley went to them, and they continued playing and finging three hours j and every fong the young man fung, drew from her frefh applaufe. When fhe meant to dif- mifs them, (he afl<:ed me what flie fhould give themj I told her three (hillings would be enough, but if Ihe thought - not, Ihe might give them five. She

faid

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 117

faid, five fhillings, in her opinion, would not fatisfy them j but, as I had no more filver, fhe took it, and gave it to the young man, who bowed gracefully, and faid he was much obliged to her. As they were going away, the young man {topped to let his comrades go on, and when they were gone, he returned into the room, begged Mrs. Baddeley's par- don for the liberty ; but faid, the men were already paid, and as he was fulR- ciently rewarded by the honour of fing- ing to her, he begged leave to return the five fhillings fhe kindly gave him. Mrs. Baddeley refufed to take it back, and he then gave it to her fervant. We looked at the young man, with amaze- ment, and did not know what to make

of

IiS The Memoirs of

of him; he feemed to have the manner of a gentleman; and, on leaving her, begged her permilTion to come again ; flie took his addrefs, and, faid he might •depend on her fending for him, at fome ^other time, but not on the fame terms i for, unlefs he would permit her to pay him, fhe would not think of it: he bowed and went. Mrs. Baddeley was of opinion, he had been well educated, and being reduced, hired thefe men to go about with him ; and, that lie gave John the money, not thinking himfelf fuffi- ciently paid for the time he was detain- ed. John, our fervant, faid he was no ftreet-finger ; for, whilft he was at break- faft, he tied up his ftockings, and he ob- ferved that he had fine filk garters, and

MRSr Sophia Baddeley. 119;

■white filk ftockings, under his worfted ones ; and, he was fure it was fome fro- lick. I afked him why he did not men- tion this to us before j his anfwer was, he did not think of it. " Befides, ma- dam," added John, " under his old waift- " coat, he had a fine fhirt, and 'twas as *^ white as fnow." Thefe circumflan- ces led us to fend where he gave us the direcSlion, in order to learn who he was ; but, we were difappointed, for no fuch perfon lived in that place, nor did they ever hear of fuch a one. This confirmed John's fuppolitions, and we never heard any thing of him, till we went to a maflced ball, at the Pantheon, fome time after j where we found him in nearly the fame drefs he had on at

our

lao The Memoirs of

our houfe, and with the fame inftru- mentSj on which he played ; and fung many of the fame fongs we heard be- fore. "We took all the pains we could to find him out, but was not able, nor did we ever.

No fooner were thefe men gone, on the day I mentioned, but we had a morning vifit from the Duke of Man- chefter, whom Mrs. Baddeley received; he called with a trifling favour which fhe aflced him for, and ftaid but a fhort time. As the door was opened for the Duke of Manchefter, Mr. John Han- ger entered it, without ceremony, and eame into the parlour where we were fitting J he faid, he juft run in, to aflc

Mrs.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. lai

Mrs. Baddeley how fhe did, and feated himfelf by her ; and, on her making no anfwer, he enquired the reafon.- She looked angry at him, and faid, ihe^ did " not approve of fuch liberties, entering the houfe in the manner he did. " There " was "a lime," replied he, " when -Ii'i " might do this without offence. "-i-'* " Yes," returned fhe, " and pretty re-* " turns you made me." *^ My dear " Baddeley," cried he, " upbraid me " no more v/ith my mifcondu6t ;— I <' cannot live, unlefs you love me." — " Love you ?" returned Ihe, *f I once " loved you, 'tis true, and to my for- <' raW:; but I never will be that fool' ^^ again." "How fhall I make you " amends," faid he, " for what is paft ?" Vol. IV. L " Will

122 The Memoirs of

" Will you do it," replied flie, « if I ** tell you ?" « I will/* faid he, « if " it is in my power." — " Then, take " notice," retorted ihe, riling from her feat, with her heart full of refentment— yet feeling a little of her old affeftion, fhe paufed, and faid, " I have a favour *' to beg of you, which, by granting, " you will confer on me a lafting obli- " gation." Be what it would, he alTur- ed her, he would grant it. " How- " ever hard then my conditions may be <' deemed," returned Ihe, " they are, ** that you will never come into any ^' houfe where I am, take notice of i' me in public, or even write to me ^' again i I am new happily fituated, <f and have refolved never to receive

" more

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 123

" more of your vifits." " This fen- " tence," faid Mr. Hanger, " my dear " Baddeley, is fo fevere, that I cannot *' comply with it. I will give up my "life firftj and, as to Lord Mel- ** bourne, d — m him, he had better " mind his wife at home, than put him- " felf in the way of my happinefs ; and, " I am determined, one day or other, ** to make him anfwer to me for it." — " Don't talk fo idly, young man," faid Mrs. Baddeley, ** you know not who is *' the caufe of it ; therefore, ftifle your " refentment, till you meet with the '' right perfon." « I would to God,'* faid Mr. Hanger, ^^ I knew who it was. " Lord Melbourne I know is a con- " ftant vifitor at this houfe,"— I could L 2 not

124 The Memoirs of-

not hold my temper, or tongue any lon- ger, and faid, " What is it to yon. Sir, *' who vifits us ? 7'our vifits, I muft " tell you again, are exceedingly difa- sc greeable; and, I mull requeft you " will come here no more." " It fig- .ffinifiest little. Madam," faid he to me, " what you fay j for let Mrs. Baddeley " be where Jhe will j I mufl, and wrll " fee her, as I have often faid, even at " the rifk of my life." "Pray,. Sir," faid Mrs. Baddeley, taking up the.caufe - again, " let me have no rudenefs to " Mrs.' Steele. . She is the bell friend I ^'i have, i and affronting her, is affront- *V ing ^pie. She ha& my interell too ./•'much at heart to fee me the dupe of "" any man. I have had time for re-

« fledion.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 125

" flefbion, and your pad condud makes " me fhudder. Have you not often ?' beat me in my bed, till my fhoulders *' and arms have been black for a " month ? And did your cruelty end " here ? No ; when I took the liberty *' to give you fome advice, which you " then flood much in need of; did you

<c not But I will not repeat it.^ —

" The more I think of it, the more I " defpife you !"-—

This charge of her's I knew to be a fadli he has often beat her in fuch a manner, that I have feeii his cruel marks, and have wept over them.— Many of her friends, now living, will teftify the fame; and, I would have L 3 horfe-

126 The Memoirs of

horfe-whipped him for it, if Ihe had not prevented me. He heard her out with patience j and, then told her, he acknowledged his ill behaviour, and was ready to atone for all his paft faults> and, therefore, ought to be forgiven j that flie was ftill dear to him j that, life without her, would be a burthen, and^ that he fhould go diftradted. I gave her a wink to go out of the room, which flie did, faying, fhe muft go and drefs^ being engaged to go out, " So, good " morning to you." — She left him; he^ tried to bring her back, with all the endearing words he was mailer of, but, to no purpofe; he then bit his nails, and walked about the room like one crazed : he would have talked, but, I

leaving

Mr'S. Sophia Baddeley. 127

leaving him with the fame pretence, he thought proper to leave the houfe j faying, as he went, he Ihould be with us again the next day. I went up to her, and found her in great agitation, crying out, Ihe was nrtiferable, and apprehen- Hve, from his revengeful looks, that he would do her a mifchief. She wilhed earneftly, that fhe had never {ten him, for, that her health was not what it was before fhe fwallowed the poifon j and, that the fear of him difturbed her daily. She gave all her fervants orders never to admit him, faying, fhe would dif- charge the firft who did j and, they all promifing to obey her directions, fhe grew more eafy.

When

128 The Memoirs of

When Lord Melbourne came, which he did that evening, at eleven, faying^ he had been at the play with his dear Betfy; (for he has often declared he fcarce knew which he loved the beft, his wife, or Mrs. Baddeley) I fay, when his Lordfhip came, fhe told him, Mr, Hanger had been with her, and how fhe had treated him ; for, Ihe thought it beft to mention it herfelf, left he ftiould hear it from fome other quarter, and be difpleafed. Lord Melbourne acknow- ledged himfelf much obliged to her for this information, which put him at his eafe; for, he afiured her, Mr. Hanger had, one day at Almack's, told Lord Stanley, now Earl of Derby, in his hearing, that Mrs. Baddeley was as

hand-

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 129

handlbme as an angel i that, he had been at romps with her all the morning, and he was as happy as a prince. And when Mrs. Baddeley told him the orders fhe had given, not to admit him again, he gave her twenty kiffes, and bleffed her fweet face. He brought her no money, however, but faid he would the next day,.

She obferved to me, when Lord Melbourne was gone, that Hanger had faid this in his Lordfhip's hearing, to create uneafinefs and words between him and her, and called him a villain for fo doing J and, told me, fhe never fhould forget his wicked intentions. Dr. Arne now came in to give her a leflbn, and he

was

ijo The Memoirs of

was followed foon after by Mr. Darner, who was {o pleafed with Mrs. Badde- ley's performances, that he thought proper to reward her mailer, by a hand- ful of gold. Both he and Doctor Arne fupped with us j and, the do6lor liking the wine, Mrs. Baddeley ordered the feat of his carriage to be filled with it,, unknown to him. Mr. Darner enter- tained us with the converfation he had with our maid, when we were in the country, under the name of Scott, the mercers he told her, he had been a hundred times after his money, and pretended to be d — n'd angry ; the girl begged his pardon for difbelieving him, and faid, that her miftrefs never fuffered a perfon to call twice, if Ihe knew it >

thati

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 131

that Ihe had lived with her two years, and never heard fuch a thing of her be- fore. She faid, if he called when the ladies were at home, he would have his money, (thumping her hand upon the table, with violence,) and it was as fure as the Bank of England J " For, thank God, <f we have no duns here." " In Ihort," faid he, " I had a long chat with the ** woman, and gave her a fhilling at *' parting ; as, fhe promifed to Hand my ** friend, and get me my money as foon *' as you came to town."

We were no fooner alone, than our fervant, John, came into the parlour, and requefted we would give him a pa- tient hearing, and not be angry with

him.

132 The Memoirs of

him. We bad him fpeak freely, and he began with faying, he was mightily in love with Mrs. Bridget, Madam's waiting-maid, meaning Mrs. Baddeley's^ and, he never could be happy, unlefs he could have our confent to marry her, for fhe was the woman of his heart, and he could not live without her. " And how do you propofe," faid Mrs, Baddeley, " to maintain her ?" By his induftryj he faid, and her fervice. — " What then," returned Ihe, " you " mean to continue with me .?" " 1£ " you will give us leave, that is our de- " fign; and ihe fliall wait on you as fhe " does at prefent. I hope, therefore, " you will confent to our marriage." — " But I muft firft know," faid Mrs.

Baddeley,

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 133

Baddeley, " whether fhe is difpofed to ** have you." He replied^ fhe was, and if fhe would permit him, he would fend her into the parlour. She was accord- ingly fent for ; and, on being afked if Ihe had any love for John, fhe anfwered in the affirmative. " Why, what a Hy " wench you arci" faid her miflrefs, " and do you wifh to marry liim ?'* She replied, yes ; and fhould not be happy unlefs fhe did. " Well, then," faid Mrs. Baddeley, " you fhall not " want my confent j and, if Mrs. " Steele will give you furniture for a " room, I will do all the reft, and give " you a wedding-dinner j fo, you may " marry as foon as you pleafe." She curtefyed, and went away happy, to Vol. IV. M ac^

134 The Memoirs op

acquaint John with what we had faid. The wedding was foon folemnized. I gave them the complete furniture of one room) and, on the day of marriage, they and their fellow-fervants had a good dinner, at our expence, uninterrupted -, with as much wine, rum and brandy, as they could drink. She lived with us till ftie was ready to lie in, and then Ihe left us. But fhe always found a friend in Mrs. Baddeley, who was liberal to a faulty for fhe was feldom well, and Mrs. Baddeley paid a great deal of money for phyficians, apothecaries, and nurfes, to attend herj but, like moft low-bred people, her hufband, from growing ungrateful, grew impertinent, and we got rid of him too.

She

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 135

She now ordered the coach to go to her milliner's -, and, though I went with her, to prevent any extravagance taking place 5 fhe found means to lay out thirty pounds for gauze and blonds ; and, paff- ing by Mr. King's, the mercer, would go in to fee what new French filks he had i he produced many ; and, on her laying, Ihe could not afford tQ buy any, ' he faid he would make her a prefent of what Ihe wifhed ; or, he would give her feven years credit; for, Mrs, Baddeley was a favourite of his, and he no left fo of Mrs. Baddeley. In Ihort, be- , tween them, flie brought away two dreffes, one at eighteen Ihillings a yard, and the other at a guinea. Going home, our horfes became unruly, and we were M ^ obliged

1^6 The Mimoirs op

obliged to alight ; and, as we walked through Coventry-flreet, were over- taken by Sir Cecil Biihop. When we came to the great ehina-Ihop there, flie went in and purchafed as much china as came to thirteen pounds nine Iliil- lings, which Sir Cecil, with great gal- lantry, infifted on paying for j and, as our coach followed us, we got in, and Sir Cecil politely took his leave.-— «* This," faid Mrs. Baddeley, « is the ** confequence of going abroad ; had I " ftaid at home, I fhould not have had " this china." « True," faid I, " but *' had you ftaid at home, you would ** not have been feventy pounds more ** in debt than you was yefterday.'* On our return home, we found Lord Har-

ringtoa

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 137

rington had called, and our man not being with us, the maid opened the door; his Lordfhip gave her half a guinea, and begged fhe would not fail to tell her miftrefs, that he would be there again in two hours ; having made a little pur- chafe, which he Ihould beg her accep- tance of. Mrs. Baddeley determined, therefore, to fee him, to take, as fhe did from Lord Falmouth, what he had to prefent her with ; and, meaning that this viflt Ihould be his laft. He pre- fently came, and faid, a bauble had ftruck his fancy as he palTed St. James's- flreet, which he begged Ihe would do. him the honour to accept, and wear in remembrance of him. This was a beau- tiful diamond hoop-ring, {et in a pecu- M 3 liar

138 The Memoirs of

liar manner, that added to it's brilliancy; he requefted permifTion to put it on, and placed it on the fourth finger of her left hand J faying, he wilhed himfelf and her, fo circumilanced in life, that he could put it on in an honourable way i but, as fate put a bar be- tween them, he could only alTure herj that he prefented it with as much fince- rity, and put it on her finger with more love and affeftion, than he did Lady Harrington's, on his wedding-day. Slie could not but thank him for his genteel mode of making her a prefent, which fhe much admired j but, thought him no way juflifiable in making fuch decla- rations, whiift fo amiable a lady,- as he had, was living. " My friends, my

" Lord,

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 139-

** Lord," faid flie, " feem to have taken *' up a wrong opinion of me ; I am not " infenfible of my indifcretions, and I " blujQi to own them ; but, I am not " confcious there is any thing in my " condu6b, that will juftify attempts on " my fidelity. Though the law forbids " me to marry, I have a friend, to " whom I owe infinite obligations, '^ who indulges me in every thing my *' heart can wifh, and to whom a breach " of faith would be unpardonable. He, " like a real gentleman, does not de- '^ prive me of the pleafure of feeing my " friends ; and, under this predicament, " were I to fee them in any other light ^^ than SLS friends J it would be the height. *' of ingratitude. "Whi:lft^yoiir Lord-

" Ihip

140 The Memoirs of

** Ihip thinks proper to confider me in " that light, I fhall be proud of the " honour of your company, whenever " it may be agreeable to you j but, to " admit of your vifits in any other cha- " ra6ler, will be doing an injury to " your Lordfhip, to myfelf, and to " many." Lord Harrington, with all the fenfibility of a generous mind, com- mended her i faid, he had attended to her with pleafure j that, her fentiments were noble, and did her great honour, and, that he fhould value her for them ; and, he had only to lament, that he was not that happy man, that was nearer to her perfonj for, though his perfon and age, gave him no right to claim the attention of fo beautiful, and amiable

a woman

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 141

a woman as her, yet, as various things occurred in life, that might give a turn to her fentiments, and fituations ; he hoped, as fhe might ever command both him and his fortune, let that turn take place when it would, fhe would bellow a favourable thought upon him.

"When his Lordfhip was gone, Ihe ad- mired his prefent, faid Ihe wanted fuch a ring, and afked me if I thought Ihe afted right} faying, Ihe was determined to ad fo, by every married man that ad- drefled her ; and, was unhappy at Lord Melbourne's being married; more on ac- count of his Lady, than herfelf ; for, whenever he was with her, it took off all the pleafure Ihe would otherwife

have

142 The Memoirs of

have in his company j " But," faid fhe,. ** the misfortune is, I am fo deep in " the mire, that 1 ftick faft." I then took the opportunity to try again, if I Gould not draw her into a more honeft Gourfe of life 3 and even offered her, on conditions Ihe would return to, and live by, her profeffion, to give her a full dif- charge from any demands I had upon her i and would endeavour, if fhe dif- Jiked a public life, to {&t her up in fome bufinefs, that might fupport her in ere- dit. As to the ftage, Ihe faid, it was io much her deteftation, that ihe would fooner meet her death, than engage on it again 5 and as to bufinefs, Ihe was to- tally unfit for it. In lliort, Ihe could not think of altering her fituation, bad

Mrs. Sophia Baddfley. 143

as it was, till ftie conld not help it ; fhe now was happy in her circumftances, and would endeavour to continue fo.

There was now to be a Ridotto, at the Opera-houfe, and, the ladies were to appear in fancied drelTes, without mafks J we, therefore, began to prepare for iti and, fhe refolved to make up the filk fhe bought that day of Mr. King, for that purpofe i and an elegant drefs was made of it. It was a lilac-ground, with beautiful flowers, fcattered down it. The fleeves were puckered gauze j worn with a veil, richly trimmed with point-lace, which flowed in a manner that confiderably added to it's beauty. The houfe was crowded with perfons of

the

144 The Memoirs of

the firft rank, and the ladies fpared no ex- pence to vie with each other in fplendor of appearance j but yet I naufl fay, no drefs pleafed me fo much as Mrs. Baddeley's^ nor, was any fo much admired. Lord and Lady Melbourne were there, arm in arm, and walked together the whole evening 3 but, his Lordlhip did not omit to give Mrs. Baddeley many pleafant looks ; and, even Lady Melbourne be- llowed a fmile upon her. We flaid till five in the morning ; and were handed to our coach by Mr. Moncagu, and Lord Clanbrazil.

On our return home, Mrs. Baddeley found herfelf not well ; and conceived, for the firft time in her life, fhe was in

the

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 145

the way of many a married woman ; but, wiflied it might be kept a fecret, till Lord Melbourne found it out himfelfj but this never happened; for, owing to a fright, in lofing a favourite cat, which flie had fome reafon to think was killed by a dog, Ihe was taken ill, and mif- carried. But we contrived it fo, that no one knew it. It confined her to the houfe a fortnight. During this time fhe took an opportunity, by means of a friend, to give Mr. Gill to underftand, (which he was to break to him by de- grees,) that (he had totally altered her mind about marrying ; that, if fhe gave her hand to any one, it fhould be to him J yet, according to her prefent way of thinking, fhe would difpofe of it Vol. IV. N to

146 The Memoirs of

to no one. During this illnefs, Lord Melbourne was frequently with her, but never flaid long j he told her, among other things, that his dear Betfy admir- ed her drefs, at the Ridotto, and faid many civil things of her; and, he could have kifTed her dear feet for it. She replied, that her Ladyfhip's attention to her, was more than Ihe deferved j but, the fault was not her's j the blame refted with his Lordfhip. — *' Yes/' returned he,

" Blame on, blame on, and be forgiven ; ** And, by repentance, make a holiday in Heaven :

" No more of this. — Here Mrs. Steele, " is fomething to pay the doflor." I took it, and offered it to Mrs. Baddeley,

who

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 147

who bad me put it in my pocket. When he was gone, we looked at the m.oney, and found it to be two hundred pounds. I told her this would help; not much, fhe faid, for it was time Mr. P. had fome more money. Mr. P. came in the evening, and I gave him this money, and took his receipt. He faid if I wanted it, I might keep it, in part of the four hundred pounds I lent him, but that it came in good time, for he had many calls upon him j I declined it j therefore, he put it in his pocket. Mrs. Baddeley fent for him up-ftairs, was very lavifh in her com- pliments to him, and thanks ; and beg- ged him to put her in a way how Ihe might be of fervice to him, in return j N 2 that

y

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that fhe might fhew her gratitude other- wife than by words. He replied, that the pleafure of being of ufe to her and me, was an ample recompence, and that he had no view in what he did but to ferve us.

When he was gone, Mrs. Baddeley faidj flie was fure that Mr. P. was in love with me , and, that all his fer vices to her was on that fcore \ that llie had obferved him every time he came, and that his eyes were riveted on me, and bad me remark her words \ for I fhould foon know it 5 and though I fmiled at the affertion, yet, I determined never to fee him more, but in the prefence of a third perfon, that he might have no

opportunity

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 149

opportunity, if it was fo, of declaring himfelf.

Nothing occurred, in the courfe of her illnefs, worth notice, (as the knocker was muffled, and Hie was denied to every one but Lord Melbourne) ex- cept a circumftance, refpedling Mr. Dibden, of Drury-lane Theatre; which, though it does him little credit, I fhall relate; to jfhew the unthankfulnefs of the world, and what little encouragement there is to do any one a good office. Jie is now living; and I dare him to Gontradi<5l it. He had been under ob- ligations to Mrs. Baddeley before, but came now to requeft the loan of twenty pounds. Having given Mr. P. all we N 3 had

150 The Memoirs of

had to fpare, fhe found herfelf obliged to tell him, that fhe was not at that mo- ment miftrefs of fuch a fum j or, fhe would lend it him with pleafure. He then faid, he was undone, for he had an exe- cution in his houfe ; and, if he did not pay the money that day, all would be carried off and fold. He afked her if fhe would accept a draft for him, at fix weeks ; faying, he fhould be in cafh at that time, and would take it up him- felf. She faid, fhe had never done fuch a thing ; but, if it would ferve him ; on condition that he would keep his wor4, and pay it when due, fhe would fo far oblige him ; but, that he mufl not dif- appoint her, as fhe had fo many debts of her own to pay, that fhe could not

think

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 151

think of taking up that bill. He pro- mired he would provide for itj drew the bill, and Ihe accepted it. He pafTed tliis draft away; it became due, without Mr. Dibden's taking any notice of it, or even calling upon, or fending to us upon the fubje6t. Of courfe it was brought to our houfe for payment. I told the bringer, Mr. Griffiths, who kept the Two Brewers, in Brewer- ftreet; that Mrs. Baddeley was out of town, and that I could fay nothing to it, Mr. Dibden having only borrowed her acceptance, and promifed to honour the draft himfelf. He alked when flie would be in town ; I faid in fourteen days. He then replied, he would wait that four- teen days with pleafure, if I would indorfe

it.

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it, but not eKe-, and, that in the courfe of that time, I might find Mr. Dibden and get it paid. As Mrs. Baddeley had accepted the bill, I thought my name of little confequence, and accordingly indorfed it. About three hours after- wards, as I was going down the fleps from my door, a well-dreiTed man ac- cofted me; faid, he had fome bufinefs with me, and wifhed me to return into the houfe, and he would then acquaint me with it.- I objeded to this, and begged he would tell me his bufinefi there ; he replied, he had a writ againll me, but did not wifh any one to know it J and therefore, begged me to return witliin the houfe. This alarmed me, and we went in. He then told me, it

was

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 153

was a trick that had been played me i and, that it was for the twenty pound draft, I had that day indorfcd. He faid, his name was Steele, that he was a She- riff's Officer, and lived in King-flreet, Weftminfter; and added, that he faw the villainy of the proceeding, and would fliew me all the indulgence he could. " Name your time. Madam," faid he, " bail it, or pay it, it is the fame, and " I will go immediately." I thanked him, gave him a guinea for his civility, faid, I would advife with, fome friend on the occafion, and begged him to call the next day. I applied to an Attorney, who advifed me to bail it, and fland trial ; and, as I was a married woman, he would plead my coverture, and make

them

154 The Memoirs of

them pay the cofts, for their villainy. " Send the officer to me Madam/' faid he, " and I will undertake for you." I fent for the officer, and he told me there were fome difagreeable circumftances attending it, which I was not apprized of. " There is a name," faid he, " on the bill, " and the perfon does not exift, and " ihould you bail it, it will enrage Grif- ** fiths, and perhaps lead him to give Mr. *,* Dibden trouble." I told him, Mr. Dib- den was, in my opinion, a very refpefta- ble man, and above committing any im- proper adtion: he replied, he was of the fame opinion, and advifed, if I had any regard for him, to fend for Griffiths, and pay him the money j in which cafe, the draft would be in my own poffeffion, and

I might

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 155

1 might do what I pleafed with it. I told him, I had a regard for Mr. Dib- derij and his charader, and would fooner pay the money, than he fhould have any trouble. Griffiths was fent for, he pro- duced the draft, feemed unwilling to part with it^ but, I fnatched it out of his hand, paid him the money and the cofls, and bid him get out of my houfe. He was very impudent, threatened to profecute me, but on the officer's faying, as I paid the money, I had a right to the billj he could not help himfelf. He fwore however, he would profecute me, but the officer only laughed at him ; faid, he was well matched, and it was only trick for trick.

When

156 The Memoirs ok

When they were gone, I wrote to Mr. Dibden, but could get no anfwer^ I then went to Chelfea after him j but he was never to be {cen. Chance how- ever threw him in my way, about fix weeks afterwards 5 and, on my afking him why he never called j he pleaded bufinefs, and a new piece coming out at the theatre, that engaged all his time. Telling him, that I had been ar- refled for his note, and that I wiflied he would give me the money, as I paid it out of my own pocket J he replied, he was out of cafhi but, on my informing him, what his friend Griffiths had faid, refpeding a falfe indorfement, on the back of the bill, and that I fhould not have paid it, but for his fake, and to

fave

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 157

fave him from any difagreeable confe- quences. He flew in a violent pafTion; fwore at me ; abufed me in the grofTeft terms, and declared he would never pay me; that he was glad I was ar- retted i Mrs. Baddeley got her money eafy enough; and, it was no great thing, if Ihe had paid fo fmall a fum for him. I then loft all patience; told him he was an ungrateful fellow ; that, had dif" trejs been his excufe, I Ihould have for- given it, pitied him, and would have waited till it had fyited him to repay me; but, to be- fo abufed and ferved, for the pains I took to befriend him, was the moft ungrateful return that I ever met with ; and, that I would im- mediately fue him for the money. Vol. IV. O He

i£S The Memoirs of

He turned upon his heels, faid, I might be d — n'd, and left me; and, to this hour, have I never received a Ihilling of it.

. To come back to the fubjed of thefe memoirs. On our return one day from an airing, we were told that a Mr. Pi- got had called, and faid, he wilhed to fee Mrs. Baddeley, on a matter of fome moment, and would call again the next day. This was the Captain Pigot, whom we met with at Windfor i and, conceiv- ing he had fome melTage to deliver, from our friend there, when he came, he was admitted. But, his matter of moment, was only to tell Mrs. Badde- ley, that he had no peace, night or day,

fince

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 159

fince he faw her ; and, that he could not refrain from ennbracing the firft oppor- tunity of declaring how much he loved her J and, how unhappy he fhould be, if fhe would not admit of his vifits. — She only laughed at his folly ; faid, fhe could not fuppofe him idle enough to con- ceive, that his vifits would be accepta- ble to her, in the light he wifhed them to be confidered j and, made ufe of the fame arguments flie had frequently held out to others, in a fimilar predicament. But, no reafon could divert him from his purpofe, unlefs fhe would promife to fee him when he called. She, with a great deal of good fenfe, told him her fituation made it imprudent in her to receive him j and, as her engagements, O 2 and

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and amufements feldom left her Ave minutes to fpare, fhe could not think of it. But, he was too inriportunate, to be put off by this, and Ihe could not other- wife get rid of him, than by affuring him, jfhe ihould be happy to fee him occafionally, among the reft of her friends j but, if his vifits were too fre- quent, he mufi not be difpleafed, if fhe was fometimes denied. He dwelt long on the painful life he fhould live ; that, the world without her, would be hate- ful to him, and fo on 5 but, fhe would liften to none of it, and was forced to leave him abruptly, on a pretence of going out.

After

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. i6i

After he had left her^ Mrs. Baddeley feemed to exprefs a forrow for the young man ; as it hurt her to give pain to aay one J but, at the fame time, faid, it was a very difagreeable thing, to be always importuned on a fubje<5b fhe could not attend to. — " You know, my dear " Steele," faid fhe, " it is out of my " power to receive fuch vifits as his, " and therefore I gave him a proper " anfwer j for, he had better feel his dif- " appointment now, than, after having " received fome encouragement from " me, to meet with it hereafter. In- " deed," continued fhe, " though it is " pleafing to be admired and thought " well of i it is to the lafl degree irkfome, " to be deprived of that rational conver- O 3 fation.

i62 The Memoirs of

*^ fation, which makes the company of '^ gentlemen fo agreeable, and to have *' one's ears filled with declarations of *^ love, and a parcel of nonfenfe, that " I am not in a fituation to liften to. I " declare to you, my dear friend, I of- " ten wilh I was a hermit, and lived in *' a cave unnoticed by the world." In- deed, Mrs. Baddeley's romantic turn, frequently led her to wifh herfelf in fome fequeftered retreat, and fhe feldom, when in the country, pafled a neat cot- tage, but fhe would remark, that it looked like a happy place; and fay, fhe believed the inhabitants were far more at eafe, than thofe that walked in a more exalted fphere of life. They know no ambition -, nor, have they a thought

above

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 163

above their prefent fituation. But, thefe refledtions feldom continued -, a few hours longer, and nothing was upper- moft but drefs and preparation, for the amufements of the rrietropolis, operas, plays, mafquerades, Vauxhall, and Ranelagh. Our life was fuch a continued fcene of buftle and difTipa- tion, that I wonder how fhe looked fo well. Often, in funnmer time, have we returned from a place of amufement, at three in the morning j and, without going to reft, have changed our drefs, and gone off in our phaeton, ten or twelve miles to breakfaft^ and, have kept this up for five or fix days toge- ther, without any deep. In the morn- ing, to an exhibition, or auction ; this

followed

164 The Memoirs of

followed by an airing, into Hyde-park; after that, to drefs,. then to the play ; from thence, before the entertainment was over, away to Ranelagh, return perhaps at two; and, after fupper and a little chat, the horfes ordered, and to Epfom, OF fome other place again to breakfaft ; and, thus would fhe run on for many days together, and never fay flie was tired.! — Whenever we have been travelling, let our journey be ever fo long, Ihe would travel night and day.j always with four horfes, and as faft as the drivers could make them go ; for, file never had any fear of robbers, or of accidents. In this way, fhe fpent a great deal of money ; fhe was liberal to the drivers, gave them four fliillings, where

others

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 165

others gave them only two ; and, to all the fervants on the road, was equally- bountiful; fo, that they flew at her com- mand, and fhe was worfhiped where- ever Ihe went. The horfes on the road, were always on a full gallop, and this Ihe called going like herfelf.

I recoUedt, one day, Mrs, Baddeley making an appointment with two per- fons in trade, with whom Ihe dealt very largely, to meet them at Stains- bridge, at twelve, and dine with them. The read- er will excufe my not mentioning their names, as each of them has a family, and it might not only create uneafinefs, but tend to injure them in the opinion of their creditors 3 for, though no harm

was

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was meant in this meeting, yet the world is apt to mifconftrue things, and I am not at prefent difpofed to give it an opportunity of fo doing. But, they were difappointed in the pleafure they defign- ed themielves. She wifhed to go to my houfe near Henley, the day before, and fo crofs the country to Stains-bridge, the next day, which was about twenty- one miles diftant. We travelled in her phaeton i and^, though we left Henley at feyen in the morning, we could not reach Stains-bridge by dinners for, as we took no fervant with us, (being on an expedition fhe was unwilling Ihould be known, in the fallnonable circle ;) we mififed our way -, and, when we thought of being at Stains-bridge, we found

ourfelves

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 167

ourfelves at Hertford-bridge, in the Salifbury road. The difappointment was mortifying; but, as we found our horfes weary, we had no alternative, but to hire a poft- chaife and four, and leave our carriage to follow us. When we reached Stains-bridge, it was dark, and Gur friends were juft gone. A fplendid dinner had been ordered for our enter- tainment 3 and, the landlord told us, the gentlemen faid, they were fure fome miftake or accident had happened, or we fhould have been there at the time appointed. They came down in a poft- chaife and four, and returned in one. We ftaid at the Bufli Inn all night; and, in the morning, one of thefe perfons, finding, on an enquiry in Grafton-ftreet,

that

i68 The Memoirs of

that we had left town for Henley, the day before we propofed to meet 3 con- cluded, we fhould be at Stains-bridge fome part of the day before, and that he ihouldhear ofus there; he, accordingly, was at the Bufh Inn by eight o'clock. This friend was not a little pleafed that he enjoyed, by accident, Mrs. Baddeley's company alone. He ordered every thing the houfe afforded for breakfaft, and the fame for dinner; for, Mrs. Baddeley being under fome obligations to him, could not refufe flaying. This man, like her fafhion- able admirers, poured out his whole foul before her ; and, if Ihe would but have liflened to him, would have given her a receipt for five hundred pounds, which fhe owed to him and his partners, without

any

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 169

any regard to his family, property, or connexions. Her refufing to accept this, or liften to his propofals, put him out of humour, and led him to fay, though he was not a Lord, he was no defpifa- ble charafter ; and, he could aflure her, he had the confidence of the firft Lady in this kingdom, and did not a little pride himfelf upon the occafion.

Mts. Baddeley was piqued at this, and began to redden , as fhe always did when Ihe was vexed j and I wilhed her to fay fomething proper to him upon the fubjedt. She at laft told him, Ihe did not come there to take a dinner with him, but in a friendly manner, and could not fuppofe he would have Vol. IV. P had

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had a thought of what he had been pleafedtofayi that his words, " Though " he was not a Lord," conveyed a dou- ble meaning, the explanation of which fhe was at no lofs to comprehend. " I " am fenfible," added llie, " that you " are no Lord, and that I am no Ladyj " but, be what you will. Sir, I will " never place my confidence in you, or *' give you an opportunitj'^ to boaft of ** what the firft Lady in the kingdom " thinks proper to do with you. I " have various reafons for my refolu- " tions i but, as I mean not to offend " you, fhall keep them to myfelf : per- *' mit me, however, to fay, that as I " have it in my power to pay every juft " debt I owe, without difcharging it in

« the

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 171

*' the way you intimate, you may re- " ferve your offers for thofe unhappy " women, who are not in fo fortunate ^'^ a fituation. You have a wife and " children, referve your benevolence for " them, and leave me and my follies " to myfelf. I hold myfelf obliged to " you for this invitation, and had you " afted as a friend would have don^^ " Ihould have fpent my time agreeably " in your company; as it is, I blame my- ** felf for accepting it ; and, had I (laid ^* at home, I Ihould have given no of- " fence, nor received any infult/'-^ " Mrs. Baddeley," returned he, « if I '* have faid a word that can be deemed *^ an infult, I beg your pardon ; for, I " meant no fuch thing. I too well P 2 « know

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^' know the favour you have done me, " by coming to this houfe ; and, beg all " that is pall, may be buried in obli- " vion i nor, ftiall I be happy, till you ** tell me you have forgot it." She re- plied, it was not in her difpofition to bear malice i and, as he had atoned for the affront, by his apology, Ihe would think no more of it. Our horfes were then ordered, and we paid our bill; he offered to do it, but Mrs. Baddeley would not fuffer it. When our horfes were ready, we took our leave and left him.

Mrs. Baddeley was more angry with herfelf for this excurfion, than ever I faw her before. The trouble we had to

keep

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 17;^

keep our apppintment, and the infult offered, fo vexed her, that Ihe could not forgive herfelf. " How do I def- " pife myfelf," faid (he, " for my " folly! After my refufing his re- *' ceipt, to be reflected on in the fpite- ^* ful manner he did ! — But, I deferve " it for accepting his invitation. From " perfons of fafhion, except fome few " of them, one never hears an unpolite " expreffion, nor any thing that can " offend the moft rigid chaftity. Their " elegance, their manner, their deport- " ment, is captivating; but, thefe up- " ftart fhop -keepers are all rudenefs and " vulgarity j I hate them every where, " but behind their counters."

P 3 Among

174 The Memoirs of

Among the reft of thofe diflipated married men, who courted the favour of Mrs. Baddeley, at the expence of their domeftic happinefs ; there v/as one, tho* iefs in rank than many of her admirers, wasnotlefs confpicuousinlife. This gen- tleman's name, I muft alfo keep fecret, out of regard to his wife, now living, who had a particular friendfliip for Mrs. Baddeley; and who, notwithftanding the indifcretion of her hufband, was known to live happy with him, either not fee- ing, or wifhing not to fee, his failings* Often have I heard her fay, how happy Ihe was in her hufband, who was no way given to any attachment foreign to that he had fworn at the altar , and, declaring at the fame time, that if he

was.

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 175

was, (he would not live another hour with him. This gentleman was a mer- chant in the city, well known on the Royal Exchange, and was rich. Though accounted a mifer, he was lavifh in his bounty to Mrs. Baddeley, whom he firft faw at Ranelagh, and, where an ac- quaintance firft took place, between her and this merchant's wife -, and, which Ihe was defirous of cultivating, in hopes of introducing herfelf into the fociety of fome ladies. The merchant came the next day, to afk how fhe did j faid, he had not acquainted his wife with his coming, as it would have been a mor- tification to her, not to have come with him ; and, noticing fome china jars in one of the rooms, faid he had a couple,

that

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that he thought would match them 5 and, if (he would do him the favour to accept them, he would fend them to her. She did not fee his view in this; but, they were given as an introdu6lion to her favour. She accepted the jars; and very large and valuable ones they were. Lord Melbourne came in foon after they were brought, and being made acquainted with their hiftory, faid, it was kind in the merchant, and advifed her to keep up his acquaintance, as it would be a refpeftable family to pafs an occafional evening with. Lord Mel- bourne was fcarcely gone, but a card was brought from the Merchant's Lady, inviting herfelf to tea that evening. She came in her own carriage, with fervants

/ in

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 177

in rich liveries j and, as we fent for Dr. Arne, and Mrs. Baddeley fungj Ihe was, as fhe was pleafed to fay, enchan- tingly entertained. Her huflDand came at nine o'clock to condu6l her home ; was more referved than in the morning, and did not drop a word of the jars. The next morning he came again, to know if fhe had received them, and if they had met her approbation. She thanked him, but was forry Ihe had de- privedliis Lady of them. " Oh," faid he, " fhe knew nothing of them, and " of courfe will not mifs them." This opened our eyes a little j and, when he told us, how happy he was in this ac- cidental acquaintance, and how much he felt himfelf attached to Mrs. Badde-

leyj

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ley i for, as all the world adored her, it was no wonder he Ihould do fo too : in ihort, when he confefTed he loved her, and was not afhamed to own it, Mrs, Baddeley's prudence took the alarm; " Oh, fie. Sir !" faid fhe, " this de- " claration to me is a misfortune ; for, " out of refpeft to your Lady, it will " be out of my power to fee you, even *' on the terms I was proud to receive " you before/* — " Madam," returned he, " I love my wife no lefs for my " affedlion to you.'* " That's not pof- « fible," returned Mrs. Baddeley, " nor " will I hear of fuch profelTions again ; " for, they are not only difagreeable to " me, but they hurt me." " Say not " fo, my dear Mrs. Baddeley," faid he,

« for^

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 179

" for I muft, and will love you j and, " here make you a tender of any thing *' in my power to add to your happi- *' nefs. I have a fortune^ which is no *' defpifable one, and any part of it you *' may command." ** Yes, Sir," re- turned fhe, " but you have a wife, and " five children to partake of it. — In " Ihort, Sir, I tremble at your difpoii- " tion, and am forry you are afting to " the injury of an amiable family, and " feeking to difturb both your wife's " peace, and mine." " No, my dear " Madam," returned he, " believe me, " I have no fuch thought j but, in fadt, " I am not fufEciently mafter of myfelf " to withftand your attradions, and I ** feel no remorfe in telling you foj

" and

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■*' and, as a token of my efteem, I have " brought with me a fmall prefent, *' which I ihall beg you to accept of, " on condition you promife to admit " me, when opportunity fuitSj" and, taking out a handful of bank-notes, he faid, '' here. Madam, are a thoufand " pounds at your fervice, and as much *' more when you pleafe to have it, on " the terms I have mentioned." Mrs. Baddeley told him, that money was no objed to her, nor would it tempt her contrary to her natural inclinations ; therefore, begged him to put his notes into his book again, and never offend her more, by any further declarations of his folly i for, that Ihe loved his wife, for her refpedtful attention to her, and if

his

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. i8i

his whole fortune was laid down, fhe would not injure her in his affe6tion, or his pocket -, and, as this was her ferious declaration, fhe hoped, as a gentleman, he would ceafe frona propofing terms Co difhonourable to his lady, and fo pain- ful to herfelf; that, fhe wiflied for a continuance of his friendfhip, but muft " decline it, unwilling as fhe was, if fhe ' was any more talked to on this fubje£t» " All your preaching," faid he, " my ** dear Mrs. Baddeley, is to little pur- " pofe. I feel myfeif fo wretched, out " of your company, and fb happy in it 5 ** that I muft find my way to you, ia *' fpite of every obflacle j and, if you '' refufe to fee me, it will make me mi* " ferable.'* She replied, fhe ever had Vol. IV, Q^ awifh

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^ wifh to make all her friends happy, except, when they required of her, what both prudence and juftice forbad j " I " thank my God,-* exclaimed fhe, *' among all the fins I have to anfv/er **- for, I; never betrayed a confidence, *' nor had connexions with the hufband ** of any female friend j nor, fliall any *' thing on earth tempt me to it." — He cxpoftulated with her a great deal, made large offers, and would have given her any fum of money fhe would name; and, went fo far as to tender her fifteen hundred pounds. This, to do Mrs. Baddeley juftice, had no weight with her, for money was not her idol; fo ihe had enough for her ufe, Ihe never coveted more, and was hurt, when it was

mentioned

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 183

mentioned, even by her beft friends; for, fhe had a wifh, at all times, to have the man of her heart under fuck obli- gations to her, and not be under fuch to him. But here the cafe was different. Though various attempts were made by this Merchant to feduce her to compli- ance, fhe oppofcd them all s but never betrayed them to his wife, with whom Ihe was on the moft intimate footing ; and, the gentleman, though he met with a repulfe fo repugnant to his wifh- cs, could not but confefs, he admired her more for her difpofition than her beauty j acknowledged that her fenti- mentS'Were noble and generous, and declared, that through life, he ihould revere, honour, and love her» Here 0^2 the

104 The Memoirs of

the matter ended. No more was ever mentioned on the fubjedt on either fide. Mrs. Baddeley preferved his friendfhip, and that of his wife's, till the day I part- ed with her, and probably to the end of her life. Thus would men often, to gratify a momentary pleafure, facrifice a wife, a family, and fortune i and, thus would a few hours ferious reafoning, bring fuch a man back to a proper way of thinking. Would the female fex take a leflbn from this example of Mrs. Bad* deley, and check their feducers in, that riot of their paflions, when reafon is overcome -, and lay before them, as fhe did, the rafhnefs and extravagance of their purfuit, and the fatal confequences that await itj how greatly would they

merit

Mris. Sophia Baddeley. 185

merit the commendations of the virtu- ous i how high would they ftand in the efteem of the world 5 and, how exalted in their own refieftions I In faving themfelves, they would often refcue a wretched family from deftruftion; and children, perhaps unborn, would be bound to blefs their memory.

And yet, when Mrs. Baddeley refuf- td this money, fhe was very much in want of it ; for. Lord Melbourne, at this time kept his purfe-ftrings fo clofe, that Ihe was often obliged to write to him for fmall fums j as the following letter will fhew.

0^3 " My

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*' My Dear Love,

" I am exceedingly diftrefled for ^' twenty pounds, and if I have it not *' to day, it will really be of bad con- *^ fequences. — I think, I am fully as de- •* ferving as fome folks you are fo atten- " tive to. I dare fay you know who I *^ mean. — ^And I am fure, I have no *' right to queftion you, but, am forry *' to think, you ftand in need to be con- *' ftantly put in mind of your old " friends.

" God blefs you ! *' I am, moft invariably your's,

*' Sophia Baddeley/* Ito the Right Honourable Lord Melbourne.

Being

Mrs. Sophia- Baddeley. 187

Being induced one evening, to go to a, puppet- fliew, called the Fantociniy we met with the Duke of Ancafter, who fat down by Mrs. Baddeley, and faid many civil things to her; but dared at her fo much, during the whole exhi- bition j that Ihe grew uneafy, fearing ic would be noticed, and get into the news- papers ; than which flie dreaded nothing more. "When we left the place, Ihe re- marked to me, that fhe was fure, fhe fhould fee the Duke, or hear fome- thing from him, before it was long] for he flared fo much at her, that fhe was almofl out of countenance. Her words foon came to pafs; for, before ten the next morning, his Grace came to Graf- ton-ftreet 3 muffled up in a great coat,

fo

i8S The Memoirs of

fo as not to be known. Being deflred to fend up his nanme, he faid, it was of no confequence, that he was with us lafl: night, at the Fantociniy and if that was mentioned, Mrs. Baddeley would know who it was. He was admitted, and we went into the parlour to him. The Duke addrelTed himfelf to Mrs. Badde- deley -, hoped fhe was well which he could not fay, was the cafe with him j as he had been much diflurbed all nighty wifhing for the morning, that he might have an opportunity, of waiting on her, in order to fay, that he never yet faw her at any public place, but fhe made him happy for the time j but, that this pleafure always ended in pain. "For,'^ faid his Grace, " you are fuch a wonder

"of

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 1S9

^' of nature, that no man can gaze on ** you unwounded. — You are in this re- " fped like the Bafilifk^ whofe eyes " kill thofe whom they fix on." Mrs. Baddeley replied, " Your Grace has faid " fufficient to raife my vanity j but, ,^*, confcious of my own imperfedions, " I Ihall fet it down to flattery." " No," returned the Duke, " kt it down as it " is } to fincerity. — You are abfolutely ** one of the wonders of the age." She admitted this, but that it was for her im»- prudence." " Not fo, on my honour,*' returned he, " I mean for your per- *' fonal attrafbions j and, how happy muft " the man be, polTefled of fuch a wo- ^' man !" Mrs. Baddeley replied. As *' your Grace, has been pleafed to

" pay^

tgo The MEMoms or

" pay me fuch a compliment j permit " me in return to fay, how happy " muft the Duchefs of Ancafler be, in- ** fuch a hufband as your Grace ; pro- *' vided, you would think of no other ** woman 1" " I do not," returned the Duke, "except it be of you, and, it is *' not in my power to avoid it. My ** declarations have been frequent ta •*■ you on this head 5 but, as you Jiever *' noticed them, I muft own, I grew ** weary in the purfuit 3 but, the acci- *^ dental interview of laft night, has re- *' newed all my former wilhes, and, I ^^ could no longer refift the inclination '" of telling you fo ; and could I have *' the fatisfadion to find you meet my ** wifhes, you fhould be as happy as my

" fortune

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 191

**■ fortune and my attention could *^ make you." Mrs. Baddeley heard Jiis Grace out patiently, and, when he paufed, fhe made him this reply. *^ When I confider your Grace's rank " in life, I hold myfelf in duty bound, *^ to thank you for the honour of your ** notice ; but, when I refleft on the na- *^ ture of that notice, that condefcention ** which brought your Grace here, and " the impropriety of the vifit ; my heart *' fhudders at the confequence. I own " myfelf to be, a weak, foolilh woman, •* given up to the pleafures of the worlcj, *' and, I confefs, that to fupport that dif- *' pofition, and my inclinations, J have *' done things, which I ought not to *' have doncj but I truft, I have not

" gone

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" gone fuch lengths in wickednefs, as to ** difturb the peace of families. In my ** prefent fituation, I want for nothing, " but, the fole afFedion of the man, I '* am under obligations to. This in- " deedj I^am not entitled toj and, if I " have err'd with him, it Ihall be the *' laft fault of the kind I will commit, *^ The uneafinefs I have felt, on that *' -account, has been fufficient caufe for *' reflexion j and, has made me deter- *' mine, that I never will liilen to the *' propofals of any married man again. *' Your Grace, will, I truft, therefore ** pardon me for faying, I muft, and ' " will decline, hearing any thing that " may tend to your diflionour, as well f/ as piy own, I have as high a re-

« fped

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. t^j

*' fped for your Grace, as any one can *' have ; and, Ihould be unhappy to of- *' fend you ; nay, was your Grace to " lay any commands on me, in an ho- *' nourable way, I would rifk my life " to obey them; but, in the prefent " flate of things, I muft decline them, " and hope I fhall not difpleafe, by fb « doing." " Indeed, Mrs. Baddeley/' returned the Duke, " you do not dif- " pleafe me j I have liftened to you " with real pleafure, and think myfelf *^ highly indebted to you ; little did I *' exped to be fo politely admonifhecf, '' as you have done it ; and be aflured, '^ as far as I can follow your advice, " I will ftridtly adhere to it j and, in re- " turn, you will, at all times, find me " happy to ferve you, or oblige you. Vol. IV. R *' Should

.Ip4 The Memoirs or

*f Should you ever Hand in need of a ^' friend, (as we all fometinne or other '^' do,) be afTured you will find one in ■*' me, and I hope you will not omit ap- ** plying to me, on every little occur- *^ rence, where I can be of fervice. " I find you full of fenfibility, and no- " ble fentiment, beyond the power of *' temptation, and free from avarice j *' as fuch, you deferve my applaufe, and ** that of every thinking perfon^ and, ** depend on it, as a man of honour, I -** will never diftrefs you, by a repeti- ** tion of this, bufmcfs J but, adore you ** in filence and contemplation.

When his Grace left us, Mrs. Bad- deley, as ufual, alked me, how I ap- proved of her condufl, and whether I

did

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 19J

^dnot think fhe adedwith propriety! I told her I did, and that it had a very proper effe£b upon the Duke. She then a^ktd me, whether fhe appeared grace- ful in the delivery of her fentiments; for flie faw him watch every motion of her's. « That/* replied I, " I did not at- " tend to J but, your expreffions were " fuch as became you.'* " Well then,'* faid fhe, " Steele, you fee I can now ^ withftand temptations /* " Yes," re- turned I, " and had you done fo, from *' the commencement of our acquain- ^' tancci how happy a woman would " you have been ; and how comforta- *' bly fhould you and I have fat down " and enjoyed ourfelves!" "What's « pafV," faid Mrs. Baddeley, « muft be ** forgot i you perceive I mend daily. I R 2 " now

n^C The Memoirs of

**■ now fee into the folly of mankind, and " cannot but obferve, how much more ** they refpefl the woman, who checks *^ their inclinations, and puts a negative *' to what they folicits than Ihe who " falls in with their wifhes, and gratifys " them by compliance. I will endea- ** vour, therefore, to fecure their friend- " Ihip, by my prudence i and a.6t with " the referve you wifh me." Scarce had ihe uttered thefe words, before Lord Melbourne came in, and faid, he was come to {lay with her a few hours. He told her, he was going to Bath, at leaft, lie fuppofed he j(hould ; for, his dear Betfy had talked of it, and if he went, he fhould be gone three weeks. " If *' you do," faid Mrs. Baddeley, " I will,

" in

MrS^ Sophia Baddeley. ig^

^ in your abfence, make an excurfion '^ into the country." With this he feem- ed pleafed. Whiift his Lordfhip was with her above, Mr. P. came to tell me, that having agreed for the purchafe of an eftate, he was in want of money ; and afked me, if I could help him to any j on my faying, I could not at pre- fent, he turned it off with, he v/ould' endeavour to fhift without my afliflance. He then told me, how much trouble he had taken, in Mrs. Baddeley's affkirs; what fums he had paid for her, befides tht draft he had accepted on her ac-^ count, and that he was confiderably in advance j all which, he was pleafed ta fay, was to oblige me ; for, that Mrs. Baddeley was not any thing to him, nor would he accept any favour from R 3 her

i«^S The Memoirs of

her in return -, his view being to fervc me, as he was convinced her affairs muft have a great deal embarrafled me ; that, he advanced the money, upon my credit, knowing that it was fafe in my hands, and that he Ihould look to me, and me only, when it fuited for a re- imburfement. All this I looked over ; as it ferved her, I was fatisfyed, be it on whofe account it might. He then enquired, whether Lord Melbourne had been more liberal to her lately -, I told him not; but, that hisLordfhip promif- cd to difcharge the whole of her debts, and had been informed of his kindnefs to her J and begged, if he was in want of the money, he would fay fo, and I would alk Lord Melbourne for it. He replied, " By no means j I will wait his

" convenience."

Mrs. Sophia Baddelev. 199

*^ convenience." He then told me, he had that day paid one hundred and feven- ty pounds for Mrs. Baddeleyi and alfo paid my landlord, one hundred pounds, for half a year's rent, on my account, and placed it againft the four hundred pounds I had lent him, and gave me the receipt, taken in my name. Mr. P. went away foon after this -, and Lord Melbourne came down to me, and as he went out, faid, he had not forgot mej that, I fliould have money from hina foon, and begged me to go up to Mrs^ Baddeley, who was ill, with her old complaint, a head-ach. I went up to her, and found her head-ach was a pre- tence to quiet Lord Melbourne, who, from being in high fpirits, was as noify as he could be. On telling her the coa-

verfation

200 The Memoirs of

verfation that pafTed, between me and- Mr. P» and faying, he had paid one hundred pounds for rent, which he charged to my feparate account j fhe faid. Lord Melbourne might be afham- ed of himfelf, for not keeping his word with me, (alluding to his promife of paying the rent of Grafton-ftreet houfe), but that fhould he not do it, llie would^ fome time or other. I told her, that un- his Lordfhip did, Jbe never Ihoulds and turned the fubjed.

As his Lordlhip meant to be abfent from town, three weeks, Mrs. Badde- "ley feemed refolved, on an excurfion. Many places were thought of j but, at laft it was determined between us, to go to Margate. The next day, however, we

went

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. aof

went to Ranelagh, where Colonel Lut- terel, now Lord Carhampton, took fome pains to introduce himfelf to Mrs. Baddeley's notice. Thofe who are ho- noured with the acquaintance of this Nobleman, muft allow him to be a man of refined fentiments, highly po- liflied, and a complete Gentleman* Mrs. Baddcley, was much taken with his addrefs, and engaging manners ; and, he drank tea with us. In the courfe of converfation, he told us, he fhould fet off in a few days, for Luttrell's-town, near Dublin, the place of his refidence, where Lord Townfhend then was j and, how happy he lliould think himfelf, if Mrs. Baddeley would take a trip to fee him i that, he would Ihew her Ireland, all over, if fhe wifhed to fee it, and

affured

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aflured her, his fituation was fo delight- fulj that it would give her great plea- fure. He continued in our company the whole evening, and feenaed not a: little pleafedj that he was envioufly no- ticed by his friends. When we thought proper to go home, he politely attend- ed us to our carriage, hoped Mrs. Bad- deley would accept his invitation, and faid, he would call on her the next (day.

Mrs. Baddeley was delighted with this new acquaintance, thought the Colonel a very fenfible well-bred manj but, what took with her moft, was, that he did not, like the reft of her noble friends, make her fick with a heap of nonfenfe about lovcj beauty^ attractions, and the

like;

Mr«. Sophia Baddeley. 20J

like J but, his converfation was manly, fenfible, and chearful, and fhe hoped fhe Ihould fee him the next day. She faid, ihe fhould be delighted to fee Ireland; and, as foon as fhe could arrange her afFairjs with Mr. P. and Lord Melbourne gave her money to pay him, fhe would abfolutely take a trip there -, for, fhe could go there and back in a month, allowing herfelf three weeks in the place, I faid a great deal in oppofition to this fcheme, and told her, that the impro- priety ought to forbid it. She replied, the Colonel was a gentleman of too much honour and fenfibility, to urge her to any thing againfl her inclinations* But the world, I told her, would con- demn her, though fhe might not de- ferve it. She faid] if fhe was to fludy

to

204 The Memoirs of

to pleafe the world, fhe fhould have enough to do. I then urged her to ftudy her own interefl, and aflced her whether fhe thought Lord Melbourne would approve of it. She did not mean, Ihe faid, to tell him any thing about it ; fhe fhould fay, fhe was going to fome other place -, that Ihe would change her name, and hide herfelf from all who knew her. In Ihort, fhe was determin- ed to go there, before a month was over herJiead.

Next morning, Colonel Lutterel came, and went with us to fee a rela- tion of mine at Chelfea, where we ftaid dinner ; and, in the courfe of the day Luttrel's town was again mentioned, when Mrs. Baddeley faid, " I intend to

f'fee

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 205

^^ fee that fweet place Ihortly j" and, the lady we were v/ith, faying, fhe ihould like to fee it alfo, the Colonel gave her a friendly invitation to come over with Mrs. Baddeley j for, fhe was a chearful woman, and pleafed the Colonel much. She faid, her hufband was going to Portfmouth for two months, and as fhe might go in his abfence, begged not a word of it might be dropped to him, he being out of the room when the matter was talked of. ' This determined Mrs, Baddeley at once, and the Colonel pref- fing them to promife him, they alTured him he Ihould fee them there before the expiration of a month. The Co- lonel then entertained them with the amufements and delights of the place, romantic country of Wales, through Vol. IV, S which

'ao6 The Memoirs of

which they would travel j the charming mountains they would have to pafs over; the harps they would hear at every door ; in fhort, he gave them fo pleaf- ing an account of what they would fee, hear, and meet with, that they were both in raptures. We fpent the even- ing with our friends, and being afked to breakfaft with them, the next morning, and the Colonel accepting the invita- tion, we called on him in our way there, and took him in our carriage. We breakfafted in a tent upon a lawn, and our friends having provided a band, who played fome foft mufic 3 we fancied ourfelvcs in Elyfium. When we took our leave, the invitation to Ireland was renewed, and as cordially accepted. The Colonel would faia

have

Mrs. Sophia. Baddeley. 2.07.

have had me go with therrij but I refuf- ed ; as I thought it would be neceflary to be in the way, to give anfwers to any enquiries that might be made. Mrs» Baddeiey preiTed me to accompany her^ laying, Ihe fhouLd not be happy without me ; but, as I promifed to come and fetch her back^ flie was pretty eafy, and fufFered me to ftay^ The Colonel was foon let into the whole of Mrs. Badde- ky's fituation -, faw the propriety of my flaying in London to keep Mr. P» eafy j he faid, he was forry he v/as fo €ircumftanced, that he could not pay |ier debts himfclf; (and as he was a man without deception, fne believed him) but, that her abfence miight fpur I^ord Melbourne on to do it j and hoped, that when all v/as quiet, I would come S 2 over

io8 The Memoirs of

over to them : and, it was fettled, that no one Ihould know where fhe went, nor even our own fervants, except her man and maid, whom fhe would take with her, and my daughter, a child about nine years of age -, for, fhe would not go without her, being part, fhe was pleafed to fay, of myfelf..

The next day we all dined with Co- lonel Lutterel, at his houfe, in Curzon- ilreet. May-fair, and went to the play in the evening ; and he feemed proud of being in Mrs. Baddeley's company, and to be there noticed by all his acquain* tance.

The journey was now fettled, and the mode of travelling fixed on -, but, where

was

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 209

was the money to defray the expences ? This I propofed to lend Mrs. Baddeley, and faid, I would let her have two hun- dred pounds. Finding now no ob- flacle, Ihe was quite wild with plea- fure i went to her fellow-traveller, and fettled the matter with her, who was equally as eager as herfelf. We all dined with the Colonel, and the next morningj before his departure for Ire- land, he breakfafted with us, and took his leave.

This friend of mine continued with us four days, and was joined by the fa- mily from Windfor, where we had been well entertained. During the time they ftaid, we took every means of fhewing them what was worth feeing in London; S3 and.

12IO The Memoirs of

and, on their return, they had our horfes and carrige as far as Hounflow.

Mrs. Baddeley began now to prepare for her journey. She ordered a new riding-habit, white, with a pale blue filk waiftcoat, trimmed with filver lace, ipangles, and filver frogs, as was then the falhion ; with as elegant a hat as could be made. She had a variety of new clothes made up for the occafion, and was ready in a week; but. Lord Melbourne, in all this time, did not give her a guinea. She now waited hn- patiently for his going to Bath. That journey was, however, put off; but, as good luck would have it, he came and told her, that he was going out of town for fourteen days 5 and, on his return,

would

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. otf

would make her happy. It was, in con- fequence of this, planned, that fhe fhould go as foon as he went ; and, on his re- turn, he was to be told, that fhe was with a relation of mine near Henley. Before Ihe fet off, I gave her my advice; told her, ihe was going to the houfe of a gay man, an admirer of the wo- men s and I feared he would expeft, what Ihe, with prudence, fhould refufe. She bad me not to be uneafy, that he had never yet faid, or offered any thing that could offend the chafleft ear ; and, that fhe had that confidence in his in- tegrity, that fhe could trufl herfelf with him in any place. " In fhort," faid fhe, " let him make what advances he ** will, I now fee the way to be refpeft- y ed, is to be refer ved -, and, I am de-

" termined

ai2 The Memoirs of

" termincd to fecure his efteem by fucli " condua."

We began to talk of her going to my houfe at Henley, as a blind to our fcr- vants, and they all believed it was fo defignedi and, my friend's hufband going to Portfmouth the next day, where he had an office under government, Ihe would be ready at any time. This we heard on the Thurfday, and it was agreed that they fhould fet off the Sun- day following. In the interim came Mr. John Hanger, to tell us of the death of his father ; this was in the year 1773; but, Mrs. Baddeley plead- ed illnefs, and would not fee him. I faw him, and perfwaded myfelf, as he was now come to the title and eftate, ha

would

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 21J

would have it in his power to Jhew Mrs. Baddeley fome gratitude for all that was paft, and told him fo ^ but, he only laughed, and turned upon his heel, with " A good morning to you, Mrs. « Steele." When I told Mrs. Badde- ley of this, {he faid, " I don't believe " I fhall be any thing the better for ** him or his title. His vanity is raif- *' ed, I dare fay, but, I cannot com- *^ pliment him, when I confider his " treatment of me. If he pofiefTed a *' good heart, he would now come, and *' tell me he would atone for all his pafl *' behaviour, and do me juftice; but, ** he is a ftranger to every thing that " is right, and thinks of no one but f' himfelf."

Every

ai4 The Memoirs of

Every thing was now left in my, charge, not only refpefting Mrs. Bad- deley, but every thing belonging to my friend. On Saturday night, flie left town in the phaeton, took her man and her maid with her, but they were not let into the fecret, till they were at fomc diftance from town. They went in thes ftage before them. We drove to myj friend's houfe at Chelfea> where the phaeton was to be put up, till their re** turn, and the next morning they fet off in a poll- coach and four for Chefter^ I went with them as far as St. Alban's^?. where we parted -, and, I thought Mrs^i Baddeley would have broke her heart $ fhe fobbed and cried like a child, and I never thought Ihe loved me till thenj. In fhortj our parting was an afFeding

fcene,.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 215

'fcene, for there was not a dry eye •among us. She promifed to write to ',me daily, and kept her word^ her let- vters were diredted, to be left at the poft- tjffice, till called for, and I thus tra- velled with her; for, Ihe was very mi- nute in all the accounts fhe gave me. She palTed for the Honourable Mrs, Steele. In five days, they reached ■ Holy-head, and hired a packet, to car- ry them to Dublin.

She had not been abfent two days, before Mr. P. called, and enquired if I had any money for him, and where MrSo Baddeley was gone. I told him, fhe ' was gone to my houfe in Oxfordlhire, for a few days ; and, that as to money, I was as bare, as when he called laft.

He

ai6 The Memoirs of

He then enquired where Lord Mel- bourne was J and, on my faying, he was gone out of town, for a fortnight, feemed much difappointed -, and faid, feveral drafts, he had accepted on Mrs. Baddeley's account, would be due in a day or two, and he did not know what he fhould do. I told him. Lord Mel- baurne had promifed us money on his return, and hoped, that would be time enough j he replied, if I could not help Jiim to any fooner, it muft be time enough J but, that it would put him to fome inconveniencies ; and, on his Lord- fhip's return, fhould he not give me any voluntarily, I muft afk him for fome. I told him, I was under no ap- prehenfions, refpe6ting his bounty, for I had no doubt, but he would do as

he

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 217

he always had done. He feemed fatis- ;fied with thisj and left me.

During Mrs. Baddeley's abfence, moft of her friends called, to enquire after her, and among the reft Lord Co- leraine, who was a troublefome vifitant, whenever he came. He was more like a mad-man, than any thing elfe ; vowing, he would never forgive me, if I did not tell him where Mrs. Baddeley wasj that, fee her he muft, and would find her, if llie was above ground j for, that he was wretched, and miferable without her. I told him fhe was not far off, but where fhe wiOied to fee no onej and that I was fure, if chance threw him in her way, ihe would not fpeak to him ; as fhe never could forget the injuries Vol. IV. T fhe

2.i8 The Memoirs of

fhe had received from him. He re- plied, if I would not tell him, he would try if he could not find her outj for, he would fpare no expencej and would hunt her to the world's end. He flrove to bribe my fervants, but it was to no purpofe J for we had afted fo, that, they were as much ftrangers to the place where fhe was, as his Lordfhip. He enquired at every inn in town, to know whether any horfes had been fent for to our houfej went down to my houfe near Henley, where he had fome fufpicion he ihould find her, and made all the enquiries, in that neighbourhood, he could. He then came back again to me, told me where he had been, and the pains he had taken to find her j I afked his Lordfhip, from whom he had

his

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley, 219

his information, that fhe was in Oxford- fhire; he told me, he had been made acquainted that Ihe was there, but, I found it was not true^ fhe had been there, I told him, but was now gone down ta bathe in the fea. He no fooner heard this, than off he flew to Brighthelmftone, and not finding her there, was back with me the next day, faying, where he had been, and offered me five hundred pounds in bank-notes, for my own ufe, if I would tell him where he could find her. I told his Lordfhip that a bribe had no weight with me j that I would not tell him, and therefore, begged he would teaze me no more* He cried, and fv/ore, and raved like a mad-man, on which I left him to himfelf, and he foon went away, and I faw no more T 2 of

2.10 The Memoirs of

of him for three days. In this time he travelled^ night and day to Margate, Ramfgate, Southam.pton, Weymouth, and I know not where, in fear ch of her^ He then returned to me, informed me of his ill fuccefsj and entreated me as before, and offered me a thoufand pounds. I then found myfelf under, the neceflity of declaring, by all that was. good and facred, that I would never tell him i and requefted, he would come no more to my houfe, for that I would not be fo troubled 3 it being her wiili not to fee him^ and that Ihe had fe^- creted herfelf, for that very purpofe. I afked him, as he was now fo much in cafh, whether, on condition of my telling him where fhe was, he would pay all her debts, which amounted to near

four

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 221

four thoufand pounds, including what Ihe owed me. He replied, he had not money enough, or he would. " How much then," returned I, " will you " pay towards them ? " " Tell me," faid his Lordlhip, " firft where fhe is, and " you fhall then know." 1 told him, if he would give me his bond, to pay three thoufand pounds, I would tell him, and that he fhould have fix months allowed him to pay two thou- fand pounds of the money. He would do no fuch things '' Then why," return- ed I, " did you offer me fuch a fum, ** and will not do as you ought, by *' Mrs. Baddeley, whom you profefs ** fo much to love I The thoufand ** pounds you offered me, I will give to *' her i and, if you will add two thou-

r 3

222 The Memoirs of

" fand pounds more to it, you Ihall " know where fKe is, but on no other " terms. Now, if your Lordfhip va- " lues her, as you pretend to do, you " would chearfully embrace the propo- " fal ; but, periTiit , me to fay, at the ** fame time, that unlefs you agree to " it this day, an offer of ten times the " fum to-morrow fhali not open ray " lips." He faid, I fliould have tlie thoufand pounds he offered ^ but he could give no more^ At this I told him, I would not accept a Ihilling of him on that fcore j but, if he would pay me the money he owed me, I would take it, and thank him. This he would not do. I then gave him to underfland, . that what I had faid, refpeding her debtSj was merely to try how far his

value

Mas. Sophia Badbelev. 223

value for her wou^d extend 3 that in fa6t Ihe was not in want of his afTiftance ; but, that I faw plainly, if ihe had been, he would be the lait perfon, that would Hand forth, to relieve, her j that I re- quefted, I might. never fee him agair^^ and that . if he called a hundred times, I would always be denied ; , at this he took, himfelf away,, angrily, faying, he fhould call and try, whether he could not fee me, notwithftanding what I .was pleafed to fay to the contrary^ He now, . fome way or other, found his way to the lady's houfe. at Chelfea, and, by bribing ■ th.e fervants, got intelligence, - that Ihe _ was in Oxfordfliires though this he con- tradi6ted, faying, . he had . been there, and could here nothing of her. The fervants^ who fuppofed (he was there

with

224 The Memoirs or

with their miftrefs, afTured his Lordlhip, that they went together, and that they muft be there. He then enquired for their mafter, and learned, he was at Portfmouth^ Now fhe had written two letters, left them with me for her huf- band, one to be fent each week, during her abfence : one af thefe letters I had fent the day before. His Lordlhip followed this letter the next day to Portfmouth^ and told the lady's hufband, that he wa& come in fearch of Mrs. Baddeley, who He was informed, was gone off to fome diftance from London, with his wife. " That is impoffible," faid the Gentle- man, " for I received a letter from her ** this day dated Chelfea." Lord Cole- raine, affured him, fhe was not there, and, if the letter was fent him, he was impofed

upon y

Mrs. Sophia Baddelxy. 225

Upon 5 for, that he was at his. hoiife the day before, and that fhe had been gone fome days. " Where is Mrs. Steele ?'/ faid the Gentleman. " In Grafton- " ftreet," returned his Lordlhip,. " and " as obftinate as the devil j deternained ** not to tell me where fhe is -, but, by ** a fee to a man who afTifled her " coachman, I learned your lady " was gone oiF with her." " Depend " upon it, my Lord," returned the Gentleman, " you will find Mrs. Bad- *' deley fecreted at my houfe." Lord Coleraine then, offered him five hun- dred guineas, if he would go to town with him, and convince him of it. His reply was, " As the ftores of " Portfmouth-yard are. wholly under " my care, and I am obliged to attend

" the

226 The Memoirs of

" the delivery of them, I cannot go *' for fofne days, but I will write to *' my wife, and I dare fay fhall have *' an anfwer from herj and, as your *' Lordlliip feems fo unhappy, you fhall • " know from me what fhe fays upon " the occafion." This being agreed on, his Lordfhip returned to town.

Finding, by my fervants, that Lord Coleraine meant to go to Portfmouth, in fearch of her s I thought it prudent> for my friend's fake, to go there alfo i I accordingly went, and requefted that if Lord Coleraine, or any perfon from him, fliould enquire about Mrs. Bad- deley, not to fay, that fhe was at his houfe at Chelfea j when fhe, in fad, was gone to be fecreted from him. The

Gentleman

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley, 227

Gentleman afl<:ed why he was not made acquainted with this before j and, then told me of Lord Coleraine's being with him, and what he had promifed, in con- fequence of it. " He would have per- " fwaded me," faid he, " that my wife " was gone off, to fome place or other, *' but he could not learn where i and, I " was juft going to write, to enquire into " the m.atteri for, had fhe dared to have " done fuch a thing, without my know- *^ ledge, I never would forgive her." " Oh," replied I, " makeyourfelf eafy, " for, I know your wife well, and am *' convinced fhe would not think of " fuch a thing. You mufl therefore, ** keep this affair a fecret«" He affured me he would. I urged him to accom- pany me to town, knowing he could

not.

2.28 The Memoirs of

not, which he excufed himfelf from do- ing, being tied by the leg, he faid, for a month to come. Glad was"! to hear this, though I pretended the contrary; For, this Gentleman was a Dane, and of a jealous difpofition, though he had very little caufe for it ; and, I fhould have been forry, had he known his wife was from home. He defired me to leave his Lordlhip to him, and he would match him j for if he came again, he would fay, they were gone to Tun- bridge-wells. For, " I aflure you, my " dear Mrs. Steele," faid he, " though " I did not give much credit to his ** Lordlhip's tale, it made me rather " uneafy s as, when a man is fo far *^ diftant from home, there is no know- '^ ing what may happen.'* I llaid at

Portf-

*

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 229

Portfmouth that night, fpent the" evening with him J and in the nnorning, at part- ing, he wifhed me to tell his wife, to fend him down ten pounds, by the coach, the next day. Having ten pounds in my pocket to fpare, I begged him to take it, and I would receive it of his wife in town. This 1 did to prevent a difcovery; he took it kind, and we parted. In my way home, I called at my friend's houfe, at Chelfea, and found from the fervants, that Lord Coleraine had been there and infilled on feeing Mrs. Baddeley, who he knew was in that houfe; for, he had been at Portfmouth, and their mafter had told him fo ] that, he ran up-ftairs, and finding the rooms locked, would not believe but Ihe was there with their miftrefs, and that Vol. IV. U he

230 The Memoirs of

he faid, he would be there again. I told them, at their peril, not to let him in any morej for whoever did,- Ihould be difcharged. They afTiired me, one and all, that they would obey my diredions, and fhould not have fuf- fered him, to go up-ftairs as he did, if he had not been a Lord, and thought he muft not be affronted. " You have *' nothing more to fay," replied I, " ftiould he call again, but, that your *' miftrefs isYrom home j and, has given ** ftrifb orders not to admit him j and, « fhould he afk for Mrs. Baddeley, to tell " him, Ihe is not at your houfe but ** gone, as fhe is determined not to fee *' him 5 and then come and acquaint me, *' with the refult." On my return home, I found he had been there, told the fer-

vants.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 231

vants, he had been at my houfe, near Henley, and, at Portfmouth, and had learned, Mrs. Baddeley was at Chelfea; that he had a meffage to deliver to me from Portfmouth, and muft fee me.

I fent to the Poft-ofHce, and received two letters from Mrs. Baddeley, from LuttrelFs town, in Ireland, faying, Ihe was fafe arrived at the feat of Colonel Lutterelh that the reception fhe met with, was greater even than fhe expell- ed ; and, that the Colonel's behaviour, and attention was fo engaging, that fhe liked him prodigioufly] that a Colonel ■Smith was there alfo on a vifit; that the manfion was an elegant one, fuperb- ly furnifhed j that the Park, in which it Itood, was a noble, and extenfive U 2 one ;

aja The Memoirs of

one J that, fhe wanted only my compa'- ny, to complete her happinefs ; and that the whole party wifhed to fee me, as Toon as pofiible.

"Whilft I was reading thefe letterS:,:^ my maid came up and faid. Lord Cble- raine's fervant was below, having a meffage to deliver me from his mafter. This man brought Lord Coleraine's com- pliments to me, and informed me, that hi^ mafter was convinced Mrs. Badde- ley was fecreted at Chelfea, and that he was determined to fee her, if he loft his life in the attempt; that, he was there not an hour ago, and found the doors all locked, by order of the lady of the houfe, and no admittance for him -, and,

that"

Mrs, Sophia Baddeley. q.23

that he was informed Mrs. Baddeley was gone, which he knew to be falfe. I told the fervant that his mafter fhould beware molefting people in their own houfes i that, the lady had applied to her attorney in confequence of his beha- viour, and I had no doubt, but an adion would be brought againft him. The fervant, who was a complete Irifhman, fwore by Jafus, that he believed his maif- ter was mad for Mrs. Baddeley ; that, he would not let them reft day or night, but was every where flinging about after her, and the devil-a-bit of eafe could they get j that his Lord was now fure fhe was at Chelfea, and it was a pity that where there was fo much love, there lliould be fo little fatisfadion j that, for fartain, according to what he could U 3 larn.

aj4 The Memoirs ok

larn, he did deferve to feel a little bit of uneafinefs for his tricks -, but yet, God blefs him, there was no neceffity for kill- ing the poor gentleman out right. "Tell *' your Lord from me," replied I, " that ** Mrs. Baddeley, determined not to fee " him, is gone to fome other place ; " and if he perfifts — " " Do, dear " lady," returned the man, '^ put what ^* you have to fay on a piece of paper> ** for I dare as well eat my tongue as *' tell him." This I refuled to do, and he went off with " Your farvant, good " lady. If you had fent a kinder mef- ** fage to my maifter, you would not " have repented it."

As foon as he was gone, I fat down and wrote to Mrs. Baddeley, every

thing

Mrs. Sophia BaddEley. 2J$'

thing about Lord Coleralne, excepting what related to her friend's hufband j requefling diredions howto-a-dt, faying, llie muft not' expe£t me, till Ihad feen JLord Melbourne,, and could (ome way or other fettle matters witli.Mr. P. I took this letter to Lombard -ftreet, and dire6ted it, under cover, to Colonel Lutterell. Whilft I was gone, Mr. P. called, and left word, he had fomething of confequence to inform me of, and would call again in the evening. I fup- pofed it was about money matters ; but?, when he came, found myfelf deceived. Lord Coleraine had hunted him out^ told him a long tale of Mrs. Baddeley, that Ihe was gone off, and no one knew where, and afked him if he knew where Ihe was> he told his Lordfliip, fhe was

at

236 The Memoirs op

at my houfe near Henley, which Lord Colerainc contradidted, faying, he had been there. " And now," with a very ferious face, faid he, " it is time, Mrs. " Steele, I fhould afk you where ftie " really is." I replied, " Safe enough " from Lord Coleraine, who fhe is de- " termined not to fee, and I commend " her for itj for, I made a propofal to- *' him, that if he would pay her debts, " I would acquaint him where {he was> *' and, if he had fuch a wifh to fee her, " as he feems to have, I doubted not *' but that he would embrace the terms, •* This he refufed, and I then turned it «' off, and faid, ' I made the propofal * only to try him.' I am convinced, " Sir," continued I, " that he muft " have fome ill dcfign, or he would 4 ** advance

Mr'?. Sophia Baddeley. 237

" advance fome money for her, when ** he could offer me a thoufand pounds " to tell him where flie was." Mr. P. replied, that, confidering the treatment flie had received from him, he ought to advance her fome moneys ancU that I did right to keep him in the darks buif, there was no reafon why I fhould keep him fo. I told him, I had no reafon to conceal it from him, only, that Ihe was removing fb from place to place, to ekide Lord Coleraine, thiit flie fcarce knew where fhe was herfclf. Mr. E. commended her for this, but, owned his Lordiliip's account had furprized him, though he was now fatisfied, and would fay no more on the fubjedj only wifli- ed Lord Melboui-ne would,, according to promife, let her have fome money.,

iwhen

238 The Memoirs of

when he came to town, or he fhould be greatly inconvenienced. I told him, there was but little doubt of it, and he feemed contented; but, I now plainly faw I had fufficient to encounter, and was far from being happy, having a thoufand things to perplex me, and no one to advife with, or open my mind to ; for, I don't know any one comfort fo great, as to have a friend to unbofom one's felf to, in difficulties, though that friend can afford no affiftance. I was daily called on by Mrs. Baddeley's friends of fafhion, but, thefe were not fuch perfons as I could talk with on our private concerns.

The next poft brought me a long and

affedionate letter from Mrs. Baddeley;

■^ containing.

Mrs. Sophia Baddeley. 23^

containing, to my great furprize, a re- jblution, on her part, to flay and end her days where fhe was, and waiting only my anfwer on the fubjeit, to deter- mine her ; that, Ihe was more happy than Ihe could exprefs, but mufl have me with her ; for a palace would be a dungeon without me j that Colonel Lutterell faid he Ihould be proud to have me with her j that, I had only to iay the word, and all things would be made eafy to me. " I will then," faid Ihe, " give up all my friends in London, " and ihall have nothing to do with ** married men^ for the Colonel is a ** fmgle one : with him I have done, " what cannot be undone, and, I do " not repent it i for, he is poffefTed of " a good heart, and I love him well

" enough

140 The Memoirs of

■'^' enough to live happy with him for " life. Was I a princefs, he could not *^ pay me more refpe6t than he does ; ** for, I have not a wifli or a thought, " but he fludies to gratify; and, as I " am determined to be grateful on my :«* part, nothing fhall take me from " him., unlefs you tell me you will not " live in this country; fo, fend me " your dear anfwer, and I will then " tell you fome news that will pleafe '^ you."

END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME,

&^^^Sfe^