| Citation |
PG-P.737.016
2-9 Jun 1737:11,12,21 (443)
From the London Magazine, for February, 1737. A Modern
Polite Conversation, as it really pass'd between five young
ladies and a young gentleman . . . publish'd with a design
to expose the insipidity of such conversation. . .
Court. Oh! Miss Fidget, how well you came to go with me to
the play t'other night. . .
Sprite. Then, Mem, to tell you the truth, Miss Fidget and
my sister, and I were all at my Lady Allnight's Assemblee. .
.
Fidg. . . Oh! Miss Trifle, when are you and I to go to the
new Opera? Will you go next Saturday?
Trif. Lord! Mem, I have seen it.
Fidg. Indeed! and how do you like it?
Trif. Oh! most violently! the finest thing!-- tis full of
Adagio.
Fidg. Oh! that dear Adagio!--I am charm'd with the Adagio,
'tis so quick and nimble: and keeps up one's spirits. . . I
heard . . . that Farinelli is going away.
Trif. Oh, good God! I hope not --I would not have him go,
without seeing him once more in *Arti furst [footnote:
Artaxerxes] for all the world.
Fidg. Oh! there is the sweetest song in that dear opera,
that begins * Sunkinevi chitati. [footnote: Son qual nave
agitate]
Sprite. Oh? that's Miss Fairlove's favourite song; she's
always humming it.
Fidg. Lord! Mr. Spritely, she can't sing --I never heard any
body made such a terrible noise in my life.
Sprite. I assure you, Mem, she learns of Dr. Pepusch; he
comes home to her three times a week.
Fidg. Indeed! Well, I think the money and time too are
thrown away upon her. -- Oh lack-a-day, Miss Edging, when
did you see Mr. Tattle?
Edg. Lord! Miss Fidget, why, do you know, Mr. Tattle? I
was dancing with him t'other night . . . [1/2 column on
other subjects]
Edg. Pray have you heard the new singer?
Fidg. No, but I will to-morrow night; pray, how do you like
him?
Edg. I don't know --so,so--I don't think him so good as
Conti.
Fidg. Lord! I heard a gentleman say last night, that
understands musick very well, that he's better than Conti;
what do you think Mr. Spritely.
Sprite. Oh! No, indeed, Mem, no so well as Conti.
Edg. Do you understand musick Mr. Spritely.
Sprite. Oh! nothing to speak of, Mem.
Fidg. Yes, indeed, Mr. Spritely plays very finely upon the
German flute; he learns of Weediman.
Edg. Lord! That is a dear creature, that Weediman.
Fidg. Oh! But Martini is my favourite, the fine haut-boy.
Edg. Oh! No; I like Jemmy Nani best --I heard that Mr.
Handel should say, that he thought Jemmy Nani the best
violin in the world. --Oh! dear Miss Weldon, when was you
dancing?
Weld. Last Friday night.
Edg. How many couple had you?
Weld. Nine
Edg. Lord! I think nine's too many; I like eight couple best
--pray what dances did you dance? Did you dance the new
dance? there --Lord! I forget the name--
Weld. What! Lord Tinsel's Fagary?
Edg. No.
Weld. What then! the new hunt the Squirrel.
Edg. No--pish! That ever I should forget --I have the
foolishest memory--'tis something of Rary
Weld. Oh! I know what you mean, the Tepperary.
Edg. Yes, yes, yes, yes, that's it--'tis a charming dance.
Pray, was Miss Patchit there?
Weld. Yes, she danc'd with young Barreau. . .
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