The True Life of Betty Ireland | Page 7

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 Pleasures. Betty is hospitable to Prodigality, lavish to Folly, and thinks nothing a Pleasure that others don't share in. Hence it comes, that the first loves her Money above all things, the second less than any thing she has any value for at all; that one is anxious to get, the other in haste to spend. Blanch has a good Understanding, but does not know the World,