Madam, said she, having continued for many years with my Mistress, where we kept very good orders, and liv’d in Reputation also among our Neighbors, for we went constantly to Church, not only to make a shew of being Religious, but to expose ourselves to the view of the Gallants:  For our Mistress or Governess always ordered us to follow her, and to take all opportunitiss, as we came down Stairs from the Galleries, or as we past over the Kennels in the Streets, to lift up our Coats so high, that we might shew our handsome Legs and Feet, with a good fine Worsted or Silk pair of Stockins on; by which means the Gallants would be sure either to dog us ’emselves, or else to send their Footmen to see where we liv’d, and then they would afterwards come to us themselves.  By which means we have got many a good Customer.  And when we came home from Church, we generally, if we had none of our Gallants with us, spent our time in reading of Play-Books, that we might know the better how to entertain our Guests with witty Discourses.  Having, I say, spent several years in this calling, and got some Monys by me, our Mistress happened to Die; and I finding the Decays of Nature come upon me, and that I began to grow unserviceable, I bought the Goods and Furniture my self, and so kept others under me, as my Mistress had done before me.  And drove that Trade in the same House (which was in St. Thomas Apostles) for many years, and might have been there still, had it not been for one Unfortunate Accident, which I’ll next relate to you.

One Day a Gentleman in a very good genteel Habit, knocks at my Door, which I open’d my self, and ask’d him what he’d have?  Upon which, coming in a Doors, Madam, says he, I understand that you are a Person Charitably Disposed, and do now and then help a Languishing Lady, or a Love-sick Gallant:  And therefore I took this Opportunity to Salute you, hoping that you will shew the same kindness to me, that you have done to others upon the same Considerations.—­Sir, said I, you must give me leave to ask you some Questions before we enter into any further conversation—­With all my heart, Madam, said he:—­Then, said I, Pray who recommended you to me, on that account?  I hope you don’t take me for a Bawd?  Nay, Madam, said he, pray don’t affront me; Neither do I look like a Porter, common Soldier, or Lacquey, so as to stand in need of a Bawds Assistance:  Nor am I one of those who will take up with what the Street affords:  For I assure you I don’t eat Baked Pudding or Apple-Pye at Holbourn-Bridge, or such other Places, as common Carmen do.  Nor, to be plain with you, Madam, said he, am I one of those Fellowes that usually Dine at any Greasie Ordinaries; and therefore I am for something fit for a Gentleman, and will pay accordingly.  Very well, Sir, says I:  I hope you will take nothing amiss; I see you are a Gentleman; but I have sometimes had Tricks put upon me, and therefore am as choice in the company