Should I quit Byng, would you take back your Winny,
An love again as if the Devil was in ye?

Some of the allusions are obscure, and the remainder of the poem, with Ethelreda's reply, are too gross for quotation here. The curious may be referred to the text in the British Museum! In another set of verses on the Duchess of Manchester, Williams writes:

Sprightly as Orford's Countess she,

And as the wanton Townshend free,
And more than both discreet.

It must have been an astonishing society which permitted such things to be written by members of one's own circle, and printed and published with impunity. The publication of such a set of verses of course never affected my Lady's conduct at all. She was just the woman to laugh with the lampooners against herself, and always had the wit to turn aside the edge of any malicious shaft directed against her.

She is also supposed to have been the original of "Lady Bonton" in Anstey's appendix to the Patriot, who is described as a "Lady celebrated for her eccentricities, her gallantries, and her wit".

The country spas-Epsom, Tunbridge, Bath and the rest—were naturally regular forcing beds of satires and lampoons, for visitors had little else to occupy their time beyond the criticism of their neighbours. In such narrow circles every witty innunendo was soon passed from one to the other and brought home to London tea-tables later on.

A satire on the loose manners at Tunbridge Wells, and the degraded condition to which the public walks at that resort had been reduced, boldly asserts that matters may improve.

When Townshend begins

To leave off her sins,

Then shall Tunbridge no more
In her walks see a w

One of the most amusing and amazing satires of the century was published in the Westminster Magazine in 1773, about the time that there was a sale by auction of the goods belonging to Teresa Cornelys, which had become a notorious place of assignation for the female rakes of the day. In this satire Cupid is represented as holding an auction of various "used" articles, a sort of jumble sale of goods from the Court of Love!

The buyers include many representatives of persons of quality. One of the lots is a macaroni arrayed in the latest fashion. The auctioneer proceeds to enumerate his good points:

Cupid. It is, ladies, a thing of the neuter gender, fit for every purpose but one. 'Tis one of the sweetest Macaronis that ever perfumes and cosmeticks made delectable to a fine lady: and to enhance his value the higher and make him more acceptable to your arms, he is a Captain—a Captain, ladies! Come, dont peep through you fan-sticks: you are not at church squinting at a Macaroni Parson! Come, Belles, bid away for this monkey of a man who can break china as fast as you can buy it. Oh, he is the wickedest, merriest, simplest thing that ever simpered at a glass, took snuff with a smile or dawdled with a teaspoon! Allons, donc, mes belles beautés, cheer up your drooping hearts and buy up this thing of pastime and delight. Come, sniff your Eau de Circe, and bid for this parrot of mankind!

First Lady. One thousand guineas.

Second Lady. Five thousand.

Cupid. Rare work. These are the baubles, Mercury, to take in the Belles Martin Deard may burn his toyshop. 'Tis powdered and perfumed flesh and blood that the reps and the demi-reps want. five thousand, ladies?

First Lady. Six and my wedding jewels-and take my lord in the bargain.

Cupid. Does any Wanton say more? I mean not to impose. There is money enough bid.

Second Lady. Knock him down, sir, at your peril. No partialities at auctions Mr Cupid, or you will have your wings singed. I say for the pretty fellow, six thousand, my jewels, repeating watch, miniatures and sedan-chair. I must, will have the delightful creature. Oh! his crimson sattin breeches ! his coat cut away to nothing! his plaited hair, and his sweet face washed every day with Warren's almond paste and best cosmeticks !

Cupid. Madam, I will knock him down to you. And I wish he may answer such domestic purposes as you may put him to! Going-going-gone!

Second Lady. I shall take him on my knees on my chair. Air shall not blow upon him, and the nicest white meats shall be his diet. [Exit.

Bouncing Bridget is then put up and immediately knocked down to the first bid of a "Cit" for five shillings and threepence.

A duchess is put up. Five pounds is bid.

Cupid. And all the Running Footmen thrown in. Five broadbacked footmen! Luscious rogues of recreation!

A Dowager Lady. Five hundred pounds for the fellows-apart from the Duchess.

A maid of honour is sold and then a Nimrod macaroni.

Then another lot of quite a different type is put up. This is a youth called "Hercules Vigor ". He is over six feet in height and a splendid specimen of humanity.

Cupid. You wainscot-faced, wrinkled, doubly-japanned Dowagers! Here is a source of rich recreation for you! Here is comfort, consolidated comfort! View him from top to toe, from shoulder to hip, from the tip of his elbow to the tip of his toe. What say ye, widows? What an athletick hero!

First Dowager. Five hundred guineas. He shall drive my coach. Second Dowager. Five thousand. He shall drive me in my whisky (a sort of gig). I am not afraid of my life under his whip.