Sir Abel. Is not she, Bob?
Handy, jun. [To Miss B.] In your journey from the coast, I conclude you took London in your way? Hush!
[To Dame.
Miss B. Oh no, sir, I could not so soon venture into the beau monde; a stranger just arrived from Germany—
Handy, jun. The very reason—the most fashionable introduction possible! but I perceive, sir, you have here imitated other German importations, and only restored to us our native excellence.
Miss B. I assure you, sir, I am eager to seize my birthright, the pure and envied immunities of an English woman!
Handy, jun. Then I trust, madam, you will be patriot enough to agree with me, that as a nation is poor, whose only wealth is importation—that therefore the humble native artist may ever hope to obtain from his countrymen those fostering smiles, without which genius must sicken and industry decay. But it requires no valet de place to conduct you through the purlieus of fashion, for now the way of the world is, for every one to pursue their own way; and following the fashion is differing as much as possible from the rest of your acquaintance.
Miss B. But, surely sir, there is some distinguishing feature, by which the votaries of fashion are known?
Handy, jun. Yes; but that varies extremely—sometimes fashionable celebrity depends on a high waist—sometimes on a low carriage—sometimes on high play, and sometimes on low breeding—last winter it rested solely on green peas!
Miss B. Green peas!