dying breath, he declared he considered as his only wife in the sight of God.  The duchess, in May, 1688, took to her second husband Charles, Lord Cornwallis.  She died Feb. 6, 1731-32, in the 81st year of her age, and was buried at Dalkeith in Scotland.  Our author is not more correct about figures than he avows himself to be in the arrangement of facts and dates:  the duchess’s fortune was much greater than he has stated it to have been.]

New festivals and entertainments celebrated this marriage.  The most effectual method to pay court to the king, was to outshine the rest in brilliancy and grandeur; and whilst these rejoicings brought forward all manner of gallantry and magnificence, they either revived old, or established new amours.

The fair Stewart, then in the meridian of her glory, attracted all eyes, and commanded universal respect and admiration.  The Duchess of Cleveland endeavoured to eclipse her at this fate, by a load of jewels, and by all the artificial ornaments of dress; but it was in vain:  her face looked rather thin and pale, from the commencement of a third or fourth pregnancy, which the king was still pleased to place to his own account; and, as for the rest, her person could in no respect stand in competition with the grace and beauty of Miss Stewart.

It was during this last effort of her charms, that she would have been queen of England, had the king been as free to give his hand as he was to surrender his heart:  for it was at this time that the Duke of Richmond took it into his head either to marry her, or to die in the attempt.

A few months after the celebration of the Duke of Monmouth’s nuptials, Killegrew, having nothing better to do; fell in love with Lady Shrewsbury; and, as Lady Shrewsbury, by a very extraordinary chance, had no engagement at that time, their amour was soon established.  No one thought of interrupting an intimacy which did not concern any one; but Killegrew thought proper to disturb it himself.  Not that his happiness fell short of his expectation, nor did possession put him out of love with a situation so enviable; but he was amazed that he was not envied, and offended that his good fortune raised him no rivals.

He possessed a great deal of wit, and still more eloquence, which most particularly displayed itself when he was a little elevated with the juice of the grape:  he then indulged himself in giving luxurious descriptions of Lady Shrewsbury’s most secret charms and beauties, which above half the court were as well acquainted with as himself.

The Duke of Buckingham was one of those who could only judge from outward appearances:  and appearances, in his opinion, did not seem to promise any thing so exquisite as the extravagant praises of Killegrew would infer.  As this indiscreet lover was a frequent guest at the Duke of Buckingham’s table, he was continually employing his rhetoric on this subject, and he had full opportunity for his harangues; for they generally sat down to dinner at four o’clock, and only rose just in time for the play in the evening.