Letters historical and gallant from two ladies of quality to each other; [manuscript]. (Penn Manuscript Transcription)

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430 Letter Historical and Galant. Vol. 6.

when they found them to be their own Wives! They stopp'd sometime without speaking a Word looking at one another; But finding they were both under the same Predicament, they resolved to be revenged in Concert too, and accordingly entred into a League offensive and defensive. Their first Step was to call a Coach, They forced the two Lady's into it, and drove away to the Pig's Head, a place where Ladys of indifferent Virtue are usually confined, and where they must stay till their Tryal comes on. But what is ^the most Comical in the whole is, that the two Ladies, have commenced a Suit in form against their Husbands, and demand damages. Their Advocate, a Cunning Pettyfogger, pretends, that they went to that house on no other design but to surprise their Husbands, who wanted to punish them for a Crime, of which None but themselves were guilty; That their Intentions of Coming there was far from being doubtful, since twas plain that they called for Women the Moment they went in: that their Wives were not found with Men; And therefore he concludes that the Husbands and not the Wives ought to be punished: And 'tis thought that the Advocates Adress, added to the Byass, that the Judges naturally have to favour the fair sex, may possibly determine the Suit on the Ladies side, in spight of all the reasons that the Husbands Lawyer can alledge, which are the more solid ones as being conformable to truth. There is a third suit too, at the Instance of the honest house, against the Husbands and their Wives, which insists that they gave it that Character without foundation and demands either proofs or damages. In Short this Complication of Suits gives the publick a very diverting Scene. But what diverts me most is that Mr. Informer, found him self exactly in the Very Condition of his friend that he was so busy in acquainting with his Wife's Infidelity! So that he is well rewarded for his Indiscreet Advice! Tis to be hoped that this Adventure with that which happened to the Raven on such another Occasion, may correct those people that are reddy in offering services, that might very well be spared, which perhaps they would not be so forward to do in things that were truly Necessary. The Poor Wine Merchant lived happily with his Wife; And now he is unhappy for the rest of his Days through the Indiscretion of his Comrade. Is not this a very cruel Case. Adieu Madam, I leave you to make your Reflections upon it, and am with all my soul