Tho’ in this History I have rather copied the chaste Brevity of Cornelius Nepos, than the diffused and chatty Eloquence of Plutarch; I shall conclude, in Imitation of the latter, with a Description of the two Ladies, their Persons, Manners, and Inclinations; and, in drawing the Parallel, with Freedom represent, their Vices as well as Vertues, their Faults as well as their Perfections.
Blanch is by much the taller, neat, timbersome, and well made, a lively Look and a sprightly Air. Betty’s Face is full out as handsome as her Sister’s, tho’ not so regular, has more variety and striking Beauties, and, with equal Dressing, would appear more lovely than the other; but she’s a Slattern in her Dress.
As to their Tempers, Pride is the prevailing Passion of the first, and Vanity of the second; from which naturally, and unavoidably arises, every observable Character of their Mind and Manners. Blanch’s Pride makes her selfish and reserved, contemptuous, if not rough, in her Behaviour. Betty’s Vanity makes her open and communicative, fond of shewing herself on all Occasions, complaisant, and caressing, to a Degree of Flattery. As Blanch does not know what it is to have Love or Affection for any one but herself, so she expects it from no one, but claims a great deal of Respect. Betty doesn’t know what Respect for her means, but to gain her Love and Liking would part with all she had. Blanch is frugal in the main, not very hospitable, and seldom lavish but in private Pleasures. Betty is hospitable to Prodigality, lavish to Folly, and thinks nothing a Pleasure that others don’t share in. Hence it comes, that the first loves her Money above all things, the second less than any thing she has any value for at all; that one is anxious to get, the other in haste to spend. Blanch has a good Understanding, but does not know the World, and is commonly choused by her Neighbours. Betty has no Opportunity of knowing the World, as her Sister won’t let her go much abroad or converse with the Neighbours; she has but little Experience, and, to be sure, is not very wise, but is the quickest in the World at finding out a Fool. The elder is cautious, and hides carefully every Fault she is conscious of; the younger is not conscious of any Fault of Folly whatever; so they all come out in her communicative Fits, which seize her as often as she gets a Stranger to talk to. Blanch is the more censorious, and Betty the greater Liar.
If either of the Ladies think the Picture not like, let them call to mind the Story of a famous Painter, who had drawn the Portrait of a young Man, whostood very well with himself, but didn’t please him. “You have drawn me,”
said he, “exactly the Reverse of every thing I am.” If it be so, replied the Painter, that must be your Likeness, and set the Picture on the Head.
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