Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-08-21
A LESSON FOR THE LADIES.

Samuel Ayscouth, assistant Librarian
| DIT zoe British Museum. IS recommended
10 Tue perusal OF our fair readers:
One aay, when according to the rules Of
nus ONCE, as assistant Librarian in the Bril-
tlsh Museum he attended through that
S'aho magazine of curiosities, a party of
iadle5 and gentlemen, ali of whom. except
one lacy, were disposed 10 be blshly Meas
Ell w'th what they saw; and really would
inns caprlcIous iair one had not continu-
ally damped their qualification with spcb
ordinations as these: (" Oh trumperv
lone along; Lord | see nothing word,
Tossing at This lady being the hand
soonest OF the group, Dir. A. (@ho although
40 o'u Ohtchelor, was a great admirer OF
Deaoty} at BEst fixed ueori her as his tenn
porary iaycriie; but soon bad reason 10
transfer his particular attention to another
less handsome but more amiabIe. On her
continuing similar strain OF explanations.
attended with correspondent looks and de-
meanor, he turned towards her and said
I" MY sweet Young lady, what pains YOU
Kindly take to prevent that fine face of
yours from killing half the beaux in Lon
don y and then directed his conversation
explanatory Of the different objects before
them, to the rest OF the party.
so much influence, however. she had o.
yer her mpapiOns-that beaten as the
round was Ia the worthy and instructive
librarian, she caused him to finish II con-
siuerably sooner than was either pleasing
TO ms mind, or convenient 10 the state and
poaderosity of his body. While in The
last room, Just before he made his parting
bow, addressing himself to her vitb that
suavity OF manner which was so peculiar
to hm, he smiiiDgly said" Why. what
cross little puss you are Nothing pleases
yOu.-Ilere are ten thousand curious and
valuable things brought at vast exDeDce
from all parts of the world; and you turn
up your nose at the whole of them. Do
you think with these airs, that that pretty
lace will ever get you husband ? Not IL
he knows you half an hour first. Almost
every day OF my lie, and especially when
attending ladies' through these rooms, / re-
greet being an old bachelor for [ see SD
many Charming, good tempered women,
that reProach myself fer not trying TO
persuade one of them TO bless me with her
cOmpany.--But can't fall in love with
you, and III honestly tell you | shall pity
the man that does, for Pm sure you'll
plague him out of his life"
During this singular raedictoty speech
delivered with such pleasantly that even
the reprOved could not take offence r ,rl
the gentleman who was of the party, look-
ed now at the speaker and then of The la.
dy, with considerable emotion, but said mo-
tmnS while she called up 10 small nor.
ton OF lightning into fine pair of dark
eyes, and some transient flashes oft ipfo
her checks, and then with her friends.
(who afisbly wishe their candid Ciceronc,
good morniog) withdrew.
Somewhat more than wear afterwards.
on going the same rou"d again, our hon
est friend was particula iy pleased with
one lady OF the party; aud that one being
the preitlest, he contrived, Accord, y to
his wOhted custom, las a sailor would saw
soon to'| near her" Respectfully inouisi-
tive respecting every object which time al
lowed her to notice, che asked q number Of
questions; and most Willingly,
Gle taught the lovely far one all he kpev ),
while in the most engaging manner, she
drew the attention OF her friends IL many
cunosities which they would otherwise
have passed by uuobserved In short, az
the good Bishop Rundle says, she being
disposed tube pleased with eve thing, ey-
cry thing conspired to please her" Nor
was less pleased her worthy and bsnevO,
lent guide VIVA, while she was cOmemgla-
ting the beauties IF nature, was coDtempla,
ting, not only tie charms of her person,
tui also those of her mind. At length the
Z" wonder ended" He was about TO make
his best bow, when the fascinating fair one
with an arch smile Cooking him rather as
kew in the faCe) asked hun whether he re.
membered herr :. No ma'am," said he,
% but shall not easily forget you" Then
linking her arm with that OF q gentleman
who was Of the larty, she asked IN the
same engaging manner whether he remem-
bered him To which he replied, he
thought he did but the gentleman looked
better than when he saw him before
. Now sir" said she, T" DOM you iecOilect
once IN this very room giving q lady who
was pleased with nothing, add disEleased
with every thing, a smart lecture for her
caprice aud 10 temper +" f Yes MAIN, I
do" Wen sir, [ am Tat lady; or
| should rather say ! was Tor YOU havs
been the means iu the hands OF Divine Pro-
violence ofmaki1g me a totally different
being TO What then was; AID am now
come to thank sou fr it. Your half in
Jest and bait in earnest mode of reproof
caused me to know myself, and was Of far
more use than all that had been done be-
lore in corecGnga spoi.t temper After
we had left you Continued she) {" Good
ness said I to myself, if / appear thus
Inamiable 20 ? stranger, how must | ap-
pear 10 my friends especially 10 those des-
fned to live constantly with me !" You
lsked ne sir, if ever expected to gel a
husband ] then had one tins gentleman