The lady lived for some years in a state
of close retirement, under the protection of the noble earl, in the
neighbourhood of Chelsea, and the issue of that connexion was a natural
son, Mr. Debouchette, whom report states to be the father of Harriette
Wilson and her sisters.
'Ere man's corruptions made him wretched, he
Was born most noble, who was born most free.'
--Otway.
So thought young Debouchette; for a more wild and giddy fellow.in early
life has seldom figured among the medium order of society. Whether the
mother of the Cyprians was really honoured with the ceremony of the
ritual, I have no means of knowing," said Crony; "but I well remember
the lady, before these her beauteous daughters had trodden the slippery
paths of pleasure: there was a something about her that is undefinable
in language, but conveys to the mind impressions of no very pure
principles of morality; a roving eye, salacious person, and swaggering
carriage, with a most inviting condescension, always particularized the
elder silk-stocking grafter of Chelsea, while yet the fair offspring of
her house were lisping infants, innocent and beautiful as playful lambs.
Debouchette himself was a right jolly fellow, careless of domestic
~40~~happiness, and very fond of his bottle; and indeed that was
excusable, as during a long period of his life he was concerned in the
wine trade.
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