Rich. Flecknoe's ænigmatical characters being rather a new work, than new impression of the old.

Character 60. Of a Precieuse; or, Artificial Beauty.

SHe uses ••he Trewel instead of the Pencil, and paints so palpably, as if she sought not colour to hide it, but rather to publish it. She is as dextrous at the Fan, as a Butcher at the Fly-flap, and ha's as much need to keep the flyes from her face, as he from his meat. She goes a sowling for Gallant's, and now makes Springes for them of her hair, now Pit-falls of her breasts, and now Lime-twigs of her looks; and more glories in the multiplicity of

them, then a Lawyer of his Clients, or Physi∣cian of his Patients. Mean time, who treat her, may intreat any thing of her; and he who ha's the Coach, may carry her any where: she thinking the point of honour to consist more in Reputation of Beauty, then Fame; and of being fair, then good. So passes she the Spring-tide, and Summer of her Bea••ty, merrily, till growing tow••rds Autumn with her, more Arts are necessary to repair the defects of Beauty, and decayes of Age; no old Cot∣tage ever needing more reparations then she, nor more Arts to maintain it: She now com∣plaining sh'as got a Cold, or sleeps not well a nights, that her ill looks may be imputed unto that accident; now seeking dark corners to shew her warpt Complexion in, as couzening Citizens do to shew their counterfeited▪ Ware▪ until at last, when none of these miserable shifts will serve, she pretends to Wisdom when her Folly will hold out no longer; and courts the reputation of Good, when she can have no longer thât of Fair.