My sister Gast, in her younger days, was a great favourite with an old
lady who was a particular crony and intimate of old Sarah Marlborough,
who, though much of the jade, had undoubtedly very strong parts, and was
indeed remarkably clever. When Mrs. Hinde (the old lady) would sometimes
talk to her about books, she'd cry out, “Prithee, don't talk to me about
books; I never read any books but men and cards!” But let anybody
read her book, and then tell me if she did not draw characters with
as masterly a hand as Sir Joshua Reynolds.--Mr. Crisp to Fanny Burney
(April 27.)