The wench is extremely kind to him already.  The other maid is also very civil to him.  He has a husband for her in his eye.  She cannot but say, that Mr. Andrew, my other servant [the girl is for fixing the person] is a very well spoken civil young man.

’We common folks have our joys, and please your honour, says honest Joseph Leman, like as our betters have.’* And true says honest Joseph—­ did I prefer ease to difficulty, I should envy these low-born sinners some of their joys.

* See Vol.  III.  Letter XLVII.

But if Will. had not made amorous pretensions to the wenches, we all know, that servants, united in one common compare-note cause, are intimate the moment they see one another—­great genealogists too; they know immediately the whole kin and kin’s kin of each other, though dispersed over the three kingdoms, as well as the genealogies and kin’s kin of those whom they serve.

But my precautions end not here.

O Jack, with such an invention, what occasion had I to carry my beloved to Mrs. Sinclair’s?

My spouse may have farther occasion for the messengers whom she dispatched, one to Miss Howe, the other to Wilson’s.  With one of these Will. is already well-acquainted, as thou hast heard—­to mingle liquor is to mingle souls with these fellows; with the other messenger he will soon be acquainted, if he be not already.

The Captain’s servant has his uses and instructions assigned him.  I have hinted at some of them already.* He also serves a most humane and considerate master.  I love to make every body respected to my power.

* See Letter XXIX. of this volume.

The post, general and penny, will be strictly watched likewise.

Miss Howe’s Collins is remembered to be described.  Miss Howe’s and
Hickman’s liveries also.

James Harlowe and Singleton are warned against.  I am to be acquainted with any inquiry that shall happen to be made after my spouse, whether by her married or maiden name, before she shall be told of it—­and this that I may have it in my power to prevent mischief.

I have ordered Mowbray and Tourville (and Belton, if his health permit) to take their quarters at Hampstead for a week, with their fellows to attend them.  I spare thee for the present, because of thy private concerns.  But hold thyself in cheerful readiness, however, as a mark of thy allegiance.

As to my spouse herself, has she not reason to be pleased with me for having permitted her to receive Miss Howe’s letter from Wilson’s?  A plain case, either that I am no deep plotter, or that I have no farther views than to make my peace with her for an offence so slight and so accidental.

Miss Howe says, though prefaced with an alas! that her charming friend loves me:  she must therefore yearn after this reconciliation—­prospects so fair—­if she showed me any compassion; seemed inclinable to spare me, and to make the most favourable construction:  I cannot but say, that it would be impossible not to show her some.  But, to be insulted and defied by a rebel in one’s power, what prince can bear that?