entered the chapel, the organ played, and the Magdalens
sung a hymn in parts; you cannot imagine how well,
The chapel was dressed with orange and myrtle, and
there wanted nothing but a little incense to drive
away the devil-or to invite him. Prayers then
began, psalms, and a sermon: the latter by a
young clergyman, one Dodd,(22) who contributed to the
Popish idea one had imbibed, by haranguing entirely
in the French style, and very eloquently and touchingly.
He apostrophized the lost sheep, who sobbed and cried
from their souls; so did my Lady Hertford and Fanny
Pelham, till I believe the city dames took them both
for Jane Shores. The confessor then turned to
the audience, and addressed himself to his Royal Highness,
whom he called most illustrious Prince, beseeching
his protection. In short, it was a very pleasing
performance, and I got the most illustrious to desire
it might be printed. We had another hymn, and
then were conducted to the parloir, where the governors
kissed the Prince’s hand, and then the lady
abbess, or matron, brought us tea. From thence
we went to the refectory, where all the nuns, without
their hats, were ranged at long tables, ready for supper.
A few were handsome, many who seemed to have no title
to their profession, and two or three of twelve years
old; but all recovered, and looking healthy.
I was struck and pleased with the modesty of two
of them, who swooned away with the confusion of being
stared at. We were then shown their work, which
is making linen, and bead-work; they earn ten pounds
a-week. One circumstance diverted me, but amidst
all this decorum, I kept it to myself. The wands
of the governors are white, but twisted at top with
black and white, which put me in mind of Jacob’s
rods, that he placed before the cattle to make them
breed. My Lord Hertford would never have forgiven
me, if I had joked on this; so I kept my countenance
very demurely, nor even inquired, whether among the
pensioners there were any novices from Mrs. Naylor’s.
The court-martial on Lord George Sackville is appointed:
General Onslow is to be Speaker of it. Adieu!
till I see you; I am glad it will be so soon.
(22) The unfortunate Dr. Dodd, who suffered at Tyburn,
in June 1770, for forgery.-E.
I am much obliged to you, Sir! for the Irish poetry.(24)
they are poetry, and resemble that of the East; that
is, they contain natural images and natural sentiment
elevated, before rules were invented to make poetry
difficult and dull. The transitions are as sudden
as those in Pindar, but not so libertine; for they
start into new thoughts on the subject, without wandering
from it.’ I like particularly the expression
of calling Echo, “Son of the Rock.”
The Monody is much the best.
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