NEW YORK.
 

CHAPTER 11.

Shewing how profound secrets are often brought
to light; with the proceedings of Peter the
Headstrong when he heard of the misfortunes
of General Von Poffenburgh.

Whoever first described common fame, or
rumour, as belonging to the sager sex, was a ve¬
ry owl for shrewdness. She has in truth cer¬
tain feminine qualities to an astonishing degree;
particularly that benevolent anxiety to take
care o*'theaffairs of others, Avhich keeps her con¬
tinually hunting after secrets, and gadding about
proclaiming them. Whatever is done openly and
in the face of the world, she takes but transient
notice of, but whenever a transaction is done in
a corner, and attempted to be shrouded in mys¬
tery, then her goddesship is at her wit's end to
find it out, and takes a most mischievous and
lady like pleasure in publishing it to the world.

It is this truly feminine propensity that indu¬
ces her continually to be prying into cabinets
of princes, listening at the key holes of senate
chambers, and peering through chinks and cran-