The Virginia Gazette

SIR,

Accidentally to a House, where a Company of young Ladies were met on Sunday Afternoon, to pay their Visits, and drink their beloved Tea.

At my Entrance into the Room, I was complimented according to the Custom of the Country, and asked to sit down, by the young Lady of the House. After a Short Pause, One of them resumed the Discourse they had been upon before (as I conjecture) with a, Madam, did you take Notice when the Minister hinted upon Fashions, and Pride, how that Mis ---- look'd with a Countenance seeming conceited at it. - Well might she (said another) for I think she is the most proudest and most fashionable Lady I know. And there was Mis ----- who I took Notice of, look'd with a Disdain on the Minister, as if she was angry at him for saying so. -- Yes, says another Lady, I took Notice of the young Gentleman too, whom you all know, which stood gazing and smiling, now pulling out one of his Shirt Sleeves; then putting his Chitterlings in order; this seemed to be all his Employment as long as the Service continued. -- Since you have all taken Notice of that; says another Lady, I must tell you what Observation I made, especially when the Minister reprimanded the Drunkards, and Whoremongers, of an old Don, sitting with his Head on his Hands, and leaning on his Elbows, as if he was ashamed to look up at the Minister; I suppose his Conscience accused him. -- Nay, says another Lady, there was Mr. ---- of whom I took Notice, he was extremely concerned at it, for his Countenance changed, now pale, then red again as Fire; I suppose he thought that the Minister meant him. --- O, said one of the Ladies again. I had a more pious Gentleman in my View, of whom I took Notice ; he had much to do to put himself into such a Frame whereby he might draw the Eyes of the Congregation towards him; for he was drawing his Mouth then one Way, then again with a smiling Countenance, then on a sudden as grave, with his Eyes turn'd upwards, I suppose looking at the Ceiling; for I could not see any Thing else that he could look at.

By this Time the Tea was got ready, and we all invited to draw near, in order to partake. - I for my Part was very glad; for I hoped that there might be a Calm after so much Wind: But I was mistaken; the Tea soon moistened the Organs, and caused them to play again.

Mis --- resumed the Discourse, with a .. You know Mrs. -- that haughty self-conceited Thing: how do you think she served me? --- Why I happened to come into a Company where she was; don't you think she turn'd her Head from me; Nay, she would not as much as speak to me. I wonder who she thinks I am. Nay, there is Mrs. --- a scornful Hussey too, why they have a great Conceit of themselves. -- Now I thought it was my Time to speak, and with a Countenance as well composed as possible, I said, Ladies, I expected that this would be the End of your Discourse. One of them asked very pertly, Why so? -- I told her, that I had been in several Companies since I had been in this Town, and had generally found, that Tea-Table Discourses ended in Detraction. -- Up starts One of them that seemed to be something ruffled at what I had said; ----- Sir, (says she, with an Air of Resentment ) I think you are very smart with us; for not One Word have we heard you speak till now: But I must tell you, Sir, that you Men are addicted to worse Things than we. --- In what? said I. She answered smartly, is it not a common Practice among you to frequent Taverns on the Sabbath ; I don't doubt but that some of your Church Rulers are guilty of this. And this won't satisfy you yet, for you must have your Sunday Evening Meetings : And do you think that you all return to your Lodgings very sober ? And have you not often a Student of the Law among you? .. Madam, (said I)
is not that a good Way to be on sure Grounds? For those Gentlemen are able to judge of what is lawful? Ay, says he, smartly, according to the Laws of the Country; but what becomes of the Law of God? ---- To shift the Discourse, I told her, that a great many thought it Time enough to think of that when they were going to answer for it. ---- She was about to attack me again; but, to my no small Comfort, the Gentlewoman of the House came in, which occasioned a general Silence. She appeared like a venerable, pious Matron. --- Our Silence I suppose gave Occasion to the Gentlewoman to begin the Discourse anew: Why Ladies, you were very active just now, I hope my coming did not interrupt you. --- No Madam, replied the young Lady. But here is Mr. ----- has been reprimanding of us; and I think we have been even with him. And then she related what had passed among us. -- -- When he came to my last Reply, the old Gentlewoman gravely said, I think Mr. ----- is very much in the Right, if I take his Meaning; for I think there is a great many of either Sex who come far short of living as they ought to do, in obeying the Commandments of God. Their Life and Conversation seems rather a Contempt of the Precepts of the Almighty, than an Expectation of being called to an Account. I perceived that the old Gentlewoman was about to withdraw, and I was glad of the Opportunity, therefore I complimented the Ladies, and went to my Lodging. I need not tell you the Advantages of such Sort of Conversation, for I know you are able to judge. You may expect to hear from me again, as soon as any Thing remarkable happens.

I am, &c.