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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861. Excerpt:... MISS JENNINGS. AFTERWARDS DUCHESS OF TYRCONNEL. "Say,, why are Beauties praised and honour'd most? The wise man's passion, and the vain man's toast? Why deck'd with all that land or sea afford? Why angels called, and angel-like adored? How vain are all these glories, all our pains, Unless good sense preserve what Beauty gains!" Pope. When the Duchess of York found herself under the necessity of reforming her establishment of honourable handmaidens, she was resolved not to leave the selection of her new attendants to chance or interest, but to depend on her own taste alone, and listen to no recommendations which were not presented in person. Her choice fell on Miss Temple, Miss Jennings, and Miss Churchill: we will discuss the last-mentioned first. Hamilton, who has done for the court of Charles II. what Ovid did for that of Olympus,--revealed to mocking mortals "all the laughing scandal of the lower sky," has treated Miss Churchill with peculiar malice, and even denied her any pretensions to that beauty which she certainly did possess, if her portraits may be trusted. She was the eldest sister of him who was afterwards the Great Duke of Marlborough, but at this time merely an ensign in the Guards, and page of honour to the Duke of York. When they were first introduced to the court, about the year 1664, Arabella Churchill was sixteen, and her brother about fourteen years old; and certain scandal-mongers affirm, that young Churchill's rapid promotion was owing to his sister's pi omotion in a different sense. She captivated the Duke of York more by the charms of her figure and manner, than her face; and she had not virtue enough to resist his importunities, or wit enough to make the best conditions for herself; but having, unhappily, forfeited her place and...