CONTENTS. II. In which are depicted the Pleasures of a sentimental Attach- ... ... ... III. In which a Narcotic is administered, and a great deal of IV. In which Mrs. Catherine becomes an honest Woman again, V. Contains Mr. Brock's Autobiography, and other matter, ... VIII. Enumerates the Accomplishments of Master Thomas Billings X. Showing how Galgenstein and Mrs. Cat recognize each other XI. Of some domestic Quarrels, and the Consequence thereof, CATHERINE: A STORY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCING TO THE READER THE CHIEF PERSONAGES OF THIS NARRATIVE. T that famous period of history, when the seventeenth century (after a deal of quarrelling, king-killing, reforming, republicanizing, restoring, re-restoring, play-writing, sermonwriting, Oliver Cromwellizing, Stuartizing, and Orangizing, to be sure) had sunk into its grave, giving place to the lusty eighteenth; when Mr. Isaac Newton was a tutor of Trinity, and Mr. Joseph Addison Commissioner of Appeals; when the presiding genius that watched over the destinies of the French nation had played out all the best cards in his hand, and his adversaries began to pour in their trumps; when there were two kings in Spain employed perpetually in running away from one another; when there was a queen in England, with such rogues for ministers as have never been seen, no, not in our own day; and a General, of whom it may be severely argued, whether he was the meanest miser or the greatest hero in the world; when Mrs. Masham had not yet put Madam Marlborough's nose out of joint; when people had their ears cut off for writing very meek political pamphlets; and very large full-bottomed wigs were just beginning to be |