LORD SELKIRK.

You often tell me things I do not

believe.

QUEEN [laughing.]

Ha! ha ha! You are always so good together, and my Lord Selkirk is so lively. [turning to LORD PRESIDENT.] I think, my lord, you are a little of a country gentleman too; you love Chiswick mightily; you have very good fruit there, and are very curious in it; you have very good plums.

LORD PRESIDENT.

I like a plum, Madam, mightily; it is a very pretty fruit.

QUEEN.

The green-gage, I think, is very good.

LORD PRESIDENT.

There are three of that sort, Madam: there is the true green-gage, and there is the Drap-d'or that has yellow spots, and there is the Reine Claude that has red spots.

QUEEN.

Ah! ah! One sees you are very curious, and that you understand these things perfectly well; upon my word, I did not know you was so deep in these things. You know the plum, as Solomon did the plants, from the cedar to the hyssop.

QUEEN [to the first COURT-LADY.]

I believe you found it very dusty.

First COURT-LADY.

Very dusty, Madam.

QUEEN [to the second COURT-LADY.]

Do you go soon into the country, Madam ?

Second COURT-LADY.

Very soon, Madam.

QUEEN [to the third COURT-LADY.]

The town is very empty, I believe, Madam?

Third COURT-LADY.

Very empty, Madam.

QUEEN [to the fourth COURT-LADY.]

I hope all your family is very well, Madam?

Fourth COURT-LADY.

Very well, Madam.

QUEEN [to the fifth COURT-LADY.]

We have had the finest summer for walk

ing in the world.

Fifth COURT-LADY.

Very fine, Madam.

QUEEN [to the DUCHESS OF HAMILTON.]

One cannot help wishing you joy, Madam, every time one sees you, of the good matches your daughters have made.

DUCHESS OF HAMILTON.

Considering how they behaved, I wonder indeed they had any matches at all; but for any other women of quality, one should think it no great catch for one to be married to a fool, and t'other to a beggar.

QUEEN.

Oh! fie, fie, my good Duchess! one cannot help laughing, you are so lively; but your expressions are very strong.