The True Life of Betty Ireland | Page 7

was, a Fright she took,
when she was just delivered, at some ill-looking People, who came
from Betty's Lands, and appeared under her Window. There's no doubt
but Blanch has as much Courage as any genteel Lady ought to have,
and must have been in a Fit of low Spirits when she, and all her
Tenants from her, took so senseless an alarm, as to run distracted thro'
Fear of half a Dozen Fellows cutting all their Throats in one Night, who
were ready to run through Fire and Water for Fear of being hang'd
themselves; yet certain it is, from this ridiculous Incident, and from
nothing else, can be derived, that universal Hatred shewn her by
Blanch's Tenants, though they have never seen, spoken with, or had
any Dealings whatever, either with Betty or her Tenants. People must
be generous, as well as brave, to forgive those that frighten them.
There's another Cause of Dislike among such as have Dealings with
Betty's Tenants who come on Business, or to visit her Sister, that they

run in debt with them, and don't pay. So do all their Neighbours, for
that matter; but they complain of none but Betty, though it is very well
known they make ample Reprisals on her; and one Bite of theirs, is
worth a hundred of Betty's, who are none but such as are despised at
home, and can get neither Credit or Company there; for Betty is not yet
arrived to that Degree of Politeness, as to court and caress
Highway-men and Sharpers, only because they keep good Company,
and are Gentlemen of nice Honour, but sincerely wishes her Sister to
hang them all.
The last I shall mention (and, to be sure, a wise Cause of Dislike it is)
Betty goes once, at least, every Year to pay her Sister a Visit, carries all
her Money, puts on her best Cloaths, lives high as long as she has a
Penny left. This vexes her Sister, and many a Slut and Flirt she calls
Betty, at the very time she is throwing away her Money with both
Hands for the Tradesmen and Shoeboys to scramble up. They are both
Fools; One for shewing this Contempt, and the other for putting herself
in the Way of it.
It is wished, but probably in vain, that the two Sisters would come to a
better Understanding. They that have considered the true Interest of
both, see plainly that the elder, and consequently the younger, must be
shortly undone, if these Bickerings and ill Offices continue. So
unnatural a Quarrel between near Relations must make them despised
by all the Neighbours around, who are hourly taking the Advantage of
it, and profiting themselves by the Hindrance the Sisters give to each
other. But their Manners and Disposition are so different, that it's next
to impossible they should ever love one another; tho', for mutual
Interest, and to make that Figure in the Eye of the World which two
Ladies of their Distinction and Fortune ought to assume, their Friends
may agree to promote jointly their Interests, and never heed how
peevish and untoward either of them may be, or pay any Regard to the
fanciful Aversions, and ungrounded Jealousies, which are always
inseparable from a female Breast.
Tho' in this History I have rather copied the chaste Brevity of Cornelius
Nepos, than the diffused and chatty Eloquence of Plutarch; I shall

conclude, in Imitation of the latter, with a Description of the two Ladies,
their Persons, Manners, and Inclinations; and, in drawing the Parallel,
with Freedom represent, their Vices as well as Vertues, their Faults as
well as their Perfections.
Blanch is by much the taller, neat, timbersome, and well made, a lively
Look and a sprightly Air. Betty's Face is full out as handsome as her
Sister's, tho' not so regular, has more variety and striking Beauties, and,
with equal Dressing, would appear more lovely than the other; but she's
a Slattern in her Dress.
As to their Tempers, Pride is the prevailing Passion of the first, and
Vanity of the second; from which naturally, and unavoidably arises,
every observable Character of their Mind and Manners. Blanch's Pride
makes her selfish and reserved, contemptuous, if not rough, in her
Behaviour. Betty's Vanity makes her open and communicative, fond of
shewing herself on all Occasions, complaisant, and caressing, to a
Degree of Flattery. As Blanch does not know what it is to have Love or
Affection for any one but herself, so she expects it from no one, but
claims a great deal of Respect. Betty doesn't know what Respect for her
means, but to gain her Love and Liking would part with all she had.
Blanch is frugal in the main, not very hospitable, and seldom lavish but
in private