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@@ -1,32 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Munster Village, by Mary Hamilton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Munster Village - -Author: Mary Hamilton - -Release Date: September 16, 2013 [EBook #43743] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MUNSTER VILLAGE *** - - - - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Norbert Mueller and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43743 *** Transcriber's Notes @@ -840,7 +812,7 @@ an account of each. And to set in view, the origin and first advance of learning in several countries--there are painted on large pilasters ranged along the middle of the library, those persons who were reputed to have been the inventor of letters in several languages. Adam, -Abraham, Moses, Mercurius, AEgyptius, Hercules, Cadmus, Cecrops, +Abraham, Moses, Mercurius, Ægyptius, Hercules, Cadmus, Cecrops, Pythagoras, and several others, with the letters which each of these are said to have invented written under their pictures. @@ -972,7 +944,7 @@ memory, and application, to be fools, than would serve to make them wise and useful members of society. The ancients esteemed it an honor to understand the making of every thing necessary for life one's self, without any dependence on others; and it is that which Homer most -commonly calls _wisdom_ and _knowledge_. He describes old Eumaeus making +commonly calls _wisdom_ and _knowledge_. He describes old Eumæus making his own shoes, and says, he had built some fine stalls for the cattle he bred. Ulysses himself built his own house, and set up his bed with great art, the structure of which served to make him known to Penelope @@ -1038,7 +1010,7 @@ Refinement of taste in a nation, is always accompanied with refinement of manners. People accustomed to behold order and elegance in public buildings, and public gardens, acquire urbanity in private. The Italians, on the revival of the liberal arts and sciences, gave them -the name of _virtu_; from this was derived the term of _virtuoso_, +the name of _virtù_; from this was derived the term of _virtuoso_, which has been accepted throughout Europe. Should not this appellation intimate, to those who assume it to themselves, that the study of what is beautiful, in nature or art, ought to render them more virtuous than @@ -1065,11 +1037,11 @@ a point, or to the view of a dead wall. Every building is rendered ornamental to the grounds. There is a botanical garden, which is filled with plants and flowers, which have -been presented to Linnaeus, from whom she received them, from every part +been presented to Linnæus, from whom she received them, from every part of the globe. One of his pupils resided here, in an elegant habitation, in which there is a rotunda where lectures on botany are given: this fine room is surrounded with exotic plants. Mr Burt entirely concurred -with Linnaeus, in wishing, that gentlemen designed for theological +with Linnæus, in wishing, that gentlemen designed for theological studies were directed to apply as much time to the study of physics as they spent in metaphysics and logic, which he judges neither so indispensably necessary, nor useful as the former. @@ -1194,7 +1166,7 @@ chimera, judicial astrology, also occasioned the belief of sorcery and witchcraft; courts of justice composed of magistrates, who ought to have had more sense than the vulgar, were employed in trying persons accused of witchcraft.--Latest posterity must hear with astonishment that the -Madame d'Ancre was burnt at the _Greve_ as a sorceress. This unfortunate +Madame d'Ancre was burnt at the _Gréve_ as a sorceress. This unfortunate woman, when questioned by counsellor Courtin concerning the kind of sorcery she had used to influence the will of Mary de Medecis, having answered, _She had used that power only which great souls always have @@ -1287,7 +1259,7 @@ Europe owe their existence and origin. Till the middle of the twelfth century, all the silken stuffs at Rome and other parts of Europe were of Grecian manufacture. But Roger I. King of Sicily, about the year 1138, invading Greece with a fleet of vessels with two or three benches -of oars, called Galeae or Sagittae (from whence are derived the words +of oars, called Galeæ or Sagittæ (from whence are derived the words galley and saique) and sacking and plundering Corinth, Thebes, and Athens, brought away to Palermo, among other prisoners, a great number of silk weavers to instruct his subjects in that art. From them, as @@ -2113,9 +2085,9 @@ Lady Frances returned Mrs Lee immediately the following answer. has been a happiness to my mind, because it has improved and exalted its powers. The epithet of _great_, so liberally bestowed on princes, would, in most cases, if narrowly scanned, belong rather to their - ministers. Unassisted by Agrippa and Mecaenas, where should we have + ministers. Unassisted by Agrippa and Mecænas, where should we have placed Augustus? What is the history of Lewis XIII. but the shining - acts of Richelieu? Lewis XIV. was indeed a great king; but the Condes, + acts of Richelieu? Lewis XIV. was indeed a great king; but the Condés, the Turennes, as well as the Luvois, and Colberts, had no small share in acquiring the glories of his reign. In all situations of life, it is of great consequence to make a right choice of those we confide @@ -2508,11 +2480,11 @@ following letter. commonly attends high birth or great fortune, very often corrupts or sophisticates nature; whilst in those of the middle state she remains unmixed and unaltered. I have somewhere read; _Jamais les grandes - passions et les grandes vertus ne sont nees, & ne se sont nourries que - dans le silence & la retrait. L'homme en societe perd tous ses traits + passions et les grandes vertus ne sont nées, & ne se sont nourries que + dans le silence & la retrait. L'homme en societé perd tous ses traits distinctifs: ce n'est plus qu' une froide copie de ce qui l'environne. - Voila pour quelle raison on nous accuse de manquer de caractere: - nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-memes, & nous empruntons trop des + Voilà pour quelle raison on nous accuse de manquer de caractere: + nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-mêmes, & nous empruntons trop des autres_. The duchess procured for her son's tutor, a very respectable man, @@ -2763,7 +2735,7 @@ following letter. replied he, "Adelaude calls me her dearest brother; but entertains no ideas beyond that relation; and I am fearful of letting her know the extent of my sentiments, lest it should render her constrained in - her manner to me; and the charming _naivete_ of her behaviour forms + her manner to me; and the charming _naiveté_ of her behaviour forms the charms of my life! The marks of that innocent affection, which first attached me to her, have hitherto been looked upon as a childish play: and as no one has troubled their head about the consequences of @@ -2820,7 +2792,7 @@ following letter. susceptible mind is capable of enjoying a thousand exquisite delights to which those are strangers, whose pleasures are less refined; but what chagrin, what regret, what pain does not so delicate a passion - bring on the heart that entertains it? _Quand on est ne trop tendre, + bring on the heart that entertains it? _Quand on est né trop tendre, on ne doit pas aimer_, says some French author. But the sufferings of my friend could not equal mine; the object of my passion being daily before my eyes heightened my inquietude. The general characters @@ -3244,12 +3216,12 @@ following letter. stony heart. I was ordered to prepare for my wedding; which I was determined, at all events, should not take place. In the mean time Sir Harry Bingley's passion was increased by the difficulty of - obtaining me, as the lovers of the fair Danaee desired her more when + obtaining me, as the lovers of the fair Danäe desired her more when she was locked up in the brazen tower. He was importunate with me to elope: inclination pressed hard on one side, duty on the other; I was torn with contending passions: my distraction was increased by the preparations for the marriage feast. My father took his bill of fare - out of Athenaeus, and ordered the most surprizing dishes imaginable. + out of Athenæus, and ordered the most surprizing dishes imaginable. But I was reprieved by a most extraordinary accident--He was possessed of a couple of old manuscripts, said to have been found in a wall, and stored up with the foundation: he supposed them the writing of some @@ -3296,7 +3268,7 @@ following letter. Harry Bingley was all this time. Miss Harris bowed, and resumed her story. "Alas!" said she, "the Marquis of M---- his uncle, on whom he had considerable expectations, insisted on his marrying Lady Ann - Frivolite--and though he absolutely declined this overture, he thought + Frivolité--and though he absolutely declined this overture, he thought in prudence, he ought to defer for some time entering into another engagement until he could bring his uncle to hearken to it." @@ -3675,7 +3647,7 @@ following letter. sincerity _offends me_. Mrs Dorothea Bingley continues to persecute her niece on account of Mr Bennet! Nothing appears to me so barbarous. I feel myself the happiest of women, and of wives, and enjoy my - felicity with a double _gout_, by reflecting upon the restrictions + felicity with a double _goût_, by reflecting upon the restrictions I put on my inclinations for so many years. And I am perfectly convinced, it is not until women have got over their early years, that they can taste the delightful pleasure of loving and being beloved. @@ -3737,7 +3709,7 @@ following letter. opened my mouth in that celebrated assembly, but to give utterance to an occasional little monosyllable: But I may improve in time. - My aunt detains Mr Bennet for hours together, as Aristaeus held + My aunt detains Mr Bennet for hours together, as Aristæus held Proteus to deliver oracles, judging I shall be charmed with his learning and oratory; but I should like him infinitely better if she would imitate Dulness, who kept the Muses in the Dunciad to @@ -3812,7 +3784,7 @@ following letter. the eye by something singular or dismal in the aspect. When I wrote you I was jealous of Sir James's attentions to Miss - Ords, I did not wish to be understood _au pie du lettre_--She has a + Ords, I did not wish to be understood _au piè du lettre_--She has a vacant countenance, her youth only renders her _passable_. Her wit is not picquante, nor her manners alluring. She can answer _yes_ and _no_, with tolerable success, nay sometimes hazards further: and when @@ -3880,7 +3852,7 @@ following letter. 'My dear Harriot, - Many thanks for your agreeable letter, your _gaiete de coeur_ always + Many thanks for your agreeable letter, your _gaieté de coeur_ always pleases me, _Vive la bagatelle!_ But, my dear friend, I am uneasy at your aunt's persisting in @@ -3940,7 +3912,7 @@ following letter. found at Herculaneum (though he is unacquainted with Greek, the language they are written in)--Or could our own countrymen, the _learned_, _judicious_ body in Warwick-lane, refuse to admit to be - their associates in the science of _AEsculapius_, any but those who + their associates in the science of _Æsculapius_, any but those who have studied where--_medicine is not taught_? After such precedents as these, it is clear I cannot err, in informing you of what--_I know little about_. Besides, it is an established rule of prudence, @@ -4187,7 +4159,7 @@ following letter. arrives for _its_ no less _tranquil decision_. It turned out as she said; Captain Essence wagered with Sir Hugh, that _the new club in Saint James's Street would be the ruin of Lord ----, before the old - one vis-a-vis had knocked up General ----_. + one vis-à -vis had knocked up General ----_. I have spent so much money on _bagatelles_, that I cannot help regretting the expenditure of what if otherwise applied might have @@ -4351,7 +4323,7 @@ following letter. unfrequently happens) he is whipped while any remains of life appear, and then thrown into the sea, without any farther ceremony. The _Diable Boitteux_, in order to make _Cleofas_ sensible of the happy - condition of an inquisitor, tells him, Was not I a Daemon, I would be + condition of an inquisitor, tells him, Was not I a Dæmon, I would be an inquisitor? Were the devil to become a mortal, he would incline to be the _comite_ to the galley-slaves at Marseilles, whose hearts are inlapidated by cruelty. @@ -4743,7 +4715,7 @@ _similarity_ of expression may be occasioned by the agency of _general principles_. Lady Darnley made a gracious reply, intimating her small merit, and the apprehensions she felt that physical causes might impede her good intentions; that her powers had been limited; but that she was -far from thinking with Boileau, that wherever there is a Maeccenas, a +far from thinking with Boileau, that wherever there is a Mæccenas, a Virgil or an Horace will arise, (curtsying to these gentlemen.) Cicero observed to her the happiness she enjoyed in living at a _period_ distinguished by men of such shining abilities in every department! @@ -4902,7 +4874,7 @@ The following dialogue ensued between Charon and a Beau. place) water may suffice! Charon.--It would have been as easy to have escaped from the - Labyrinth of Daedalus, as the infernal regions! + Labyrinth of Dædalus, as the infernal regions! Beau.--I have always (though as wild as March, and inconstant as April) been a favourite with the fair! Ariadne procured for her @@ -4916,8 +4888,8 @@ The following dialogue ensued between Charon and a Beau. to help you to get out. Beau.--Did not Hercules escape from it, and carry Cerberus along - with him? Did not AEneas (with the assistance of the golden bough, and - led by the Cumaean Sybil) take the same journey to pay a visit to his + with him? Did not Æneas (with the assistance of the golden bough, and + led by the Cumæan Sybil) take the same journey to pay a visit to his father? Why may not I, like Orpheus, go to visit it while living? Charon.--Orpheus was particularly indulged, and Eurydice restored to @@ -4930,7 +4902,7 @@ The following dialogue ensued between Charon and a Beau. life, to recommend yourself to them. Beau.--Let us go then, old boy! I will try what a little flattery - will do with them! I can _say with Caesar_, I wonder what fear + will do with them! I can _say with Cæsar_, I wonder what fear is!--(Aside) But my heart plaguily misgives me for _all that_! but in my circumstances I must change for the better; my money is gone; and as I never gamed, I cannot expect the _club_, _or the waiters at the @@ -4939,7 +4911,7 @@ The following dialogue ensued between Charon and a Beau. Two peers and a baronet applied to Charon, to ferry them over to Munster-house: but Mercury again interfered, telling Lord C----d that although he had been thought in the world not to have been _sans quelque -gout_ in the _belle maniere_, and had been an encourager of the _Belles +goût_ in the _belle maniere_, and had been an encourager of the _Belles Lettres_, yet as Minos only permitted them to come back to the world (in the present case) to do honor to superlative feminine merit, none but such who had paid a proper respect to the sex in their life-time could @@ -5318,7 +5290,7 @@ concealed_, nor to hide those beams of brightness which were designed to be the light of the world. Sir, said she, if I must support my character, it is not at all the less in my power because my mask is on, being still the moon though in eclipse--but my intention of appearing in -the character of Diana, was to keep Actaeon at a distance. +the character of Diana, was to keep Actæon at a distance. In the mean time Lord Munster had neither seen or heard the above conversation, the whole powers of his soul being absorbed in attention @@ -5529,7 +5501,7 @@ could gain by the repetition of ten thousand prayers. [13] Tacitus Annal. II. Flav. Vopiscus in vita Taciti Imperat. -[14] AElius Lampridius in vita Heliogabali. Primus Romanorum holoserica +[14] Ælius Lampridius in vita Heliogabali. Primus Romanorum holoserica veste usus fertur, cum jam subserica in usu essent. [15] Procop. de bello Goth. p. 345. @@ -5546,7 +5518,7 @@ and insufficiency_, but he at last obtained it _Speciali gratia_. [18] This Lady Frances entertained no fears about: A French author justly observes, _Jamais on ne prend les vices d'une condition au dessous de la sienne: L'enfant du riche, par un sentiment d'orgueil, -hausse les epaules sur les defauts du pauvre._ +hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre._ [19] The Empress Catharine II, whose name will be immortal, gave a code of laws to her empire, which contains a fifth part of the globe; and @@ -5582,21 +5554,21 @@ every party. [24] I lately met with the following story, which affected me very much, and which I give in the original; it elucidates, that a return of affection seems absolutely necessary to the existence of the human -heart. 'Un homme respectable, apres avoir joue un grand role a Paris, +heart. 'Un homme respectable, après avoir joué un grand rôle à Paris, y vivoit dans un reduit obscur, victime de l'infortune, et si indigent -qu'il ne subsistoit que des aumones de la paroisse; on lui remettoit -par semaine la quantite du pain suffisante pour sa nourriture; il en -fit demander davantage; le cure lui ecrit pour l'engager a passer chez -lui; il vient. Le cure s'informe s'il vit seul; et avec qui, Monsieur, -repond-il, voudriez-vous que je vecasse? je suis malheureux, vous le -voyez, puis que j'ai recours a charite, et tout le monde m'a abandonne, -tout le monde! Mais, Monsieur, continue le cure, si vous etes seul, +qu'il ne subsistoit que des aumônes de la paroisse; on lui remettoit +par semaine la quantité du pain suffisante pour sa nourriture; il en +fit demander davantage; le curé lui écrit pour l'engager à passer chez +lui; il vient. Le curé s'informe s'il vit seul; et avec qui, Monsieur, +repond-il, voudriez-vous que je vécasse? je suis malheureux, vous le +voyez, puis que j'ai recours à charité, et tout le monde m'a abandonné, +tout le monde! Mais, Monsieur, continue le curé, si vous êtes seul, pourquoi demandez vous plus de pain que ce qui vous est necessaire? -L'autre paroit deconcerte; il avoue avec peine qu'il a un chien: le cure +L'autre paroit déconcerté; il avoue avec peine qu'il a un chien: le curé ne le laisse pas poursuivre; il lui fait observer qu'il n'est que le -distributeur du pain des pauvres, et que l'honnetete exige absolument +distributeur du pain des pauvres, et que l'honneteté exige absolument qu'il se defasse de son chien. Eh! Monsieur, s'ecrie en pleurant -l'infortune, si je m'en defais, qui est ce qui m'aimera? Le pasteur +l'infortune, si je m'en défais, qui est ce qui m'aimera? Le pasteur attendri jusqu'aux larmes, tire sa bourse, et la lui donne, en disant, Prenez, Monsieur ceci m'appartient.' @@ -5668,14 +5640,14 @@ introduced. If they should offend any pious or critical ears, I shall defend myself (as has been done before) by the solemn declaration which is always annexed by the Italian writers to works where they are obliged to use such expressions: '_Se havessi nomenato Fato, Fortuna, Destino, -Elysio, Stige, Etc. sono scarzi di penna poetica, non sentimenti di +Elysio, Stigé, Etc. sono scarzi di penna poetica, non sentimenti di anema catolico._' If I have annexed Fate, Fortune, Destiny, Elysium, Styx, &c. they are only the sports of a poetical fancy, not the sentiments of a Catholic mind. [43] By Cicero. -[44] According to the Abbe de Bos's hypothesis. +[44] According to the Abbé de Bos's hypothesis. [45] Those in the shades are supposed acquainted with the transactions in the world. @@ -5817,14 +5789,14 @@ condemned amounted to one hundred and fifty-one. Page 62: changed moritifications to mortifications that she might have her mortifications - Page 70: changed nourries to nourries + Page 70: changed nourriès to nourries ne se sont nourries que dans le silence Page 70: changed ne'est to n'est ce n'est plus qu'une froide - Page 70: changed nous-memes to nous-memes - nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-memes + Page 70: changed nous-mémes to nous-mêmes + nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-mêmes Page 71: changed to to too dedicating herself too fondly even to this beloved object. She @@ -5915,7 +5887,7 @@ condemned amounted to one hundred and fifty-one. We may quote from the Zendavesta Footnote [18] on page 38: changed bauffe to hausse - hausse les epaules sur les defauts du pauvre. + hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre. Footnote [22] on Page 40: changed acqainted to acquainted those who would be acquainted with the foundation @@ -5929,359 +5901,4 @@ condemned amounted to one hundred and fifty-one. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Munster Village, by Mary Hamilton -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MUNSTER VILLAGE *** - -***** This file should be named 43743.txt or 43743.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/7/4/43743/ - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Norbert Mueller and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Munster Village - -Author: Mary Hamilton - -Release Date: September 16, 2013 [EBook #43743] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MUNSTER VILLAGE *** - - - - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Norbert Müller and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes - -On page 122 there was duplicated text of about 28 lines, which has -been deleted. - -Variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained -except in obvious cases of typographical error (see list after text). - - - - - MUNSTER VILLAGE - - MARY HAMILTON - - - - - CONTENTS - - - Volume I 1 - - Volume II 65 - - - - - VOLUME I - - -Lord Munster devoted himself entirely to ambition: what has been said -of Cinna might be applied to him, _he had a head to contrive, a tongue -to persuade, and a hand to execute any mischief_. Weak people are only -wicked by halves; and whenever we hear of high and enormous crimes, we -may conclude that they proceeded from a power of soul, and a reach of -thought, that are altogether unusual. - -He stuck at nothing to accomplish his political plans; and his success -rendered him still more enterprising: But being at last refused a -favor from his Sovereign, he retired disgusted with the court, and -in vain sought that happiness in a retreat, which his crimes made it -impossible he should ever find. He was so chagrined that everything -became intolerable to him; and he continually vented his spleen on -those of his friends, whose circumstances rendered them subservient to -his caprices. He possessed good health, a large estate, and had fine -children, that equalled his most sanguine expectations. In the opinion -of the world, therefore, he was a _very happy man_, but in his own, -_quite the contrary_. No man can judge of the happiness or infelicity of -his neighbour. We only know the external causes of good and evil, which -causes are not always proportionable to their effects: those which seem -to us small, often occasion a strong sensation; and those which appear -to us great, often produce only a faint sensation. The great advantages -Lord Munster possessed, as they excited in him only indifference, -in reality were inconsiderable in themselves. But the small evil, -his having been refused a ribbon by his Sovereign, exciting in him -insupportable uneasiness, was in reality a great evil. Lady Munster -had been dead many years: Lord Finlay and Lady Frances were the only -surviving children. Engrossed as the earl had been in public affairs, he -still paid particular attention to their education. Though a man of the -world, he was at the utmost pains in selecting those of distinguished -worth, to whom only he committed the care of his children. Lord Finlay -had promising parts; but force of mind makes a man capable of great -vices or great virtues, but determines him to neither. - -Education, discipline, and accidents of life, constitute him -either a profound philosopher, or a great knave. The probity and -disinterestedness of Mr Burt's principles recommended him to Lord -Munster, for a tutor to his son.--He had been brought up to the -ministry, with an inclination to it, and entered into it with a fervent -desire of being as useful as he could. His education being all his -fortune, he subscribed, and took every step the church required, before -he was sufficiently acquainted with the doctrines subscribed to;--their -foundation in scripture, and the controversies which he afterwards found -had been raised, and carried on about them in the christian world: -and, after a diligent inquiry, was dissatisfied with some doctrines -established in our articles, liturgy, &c. and declined accepting a -considerable living in Lord Munster's gift, on which _alone_ he depended -for his future subsistence, and that of an amiable woman, whom he had -espoused upon these expectations. - -I heartily wish that all who are disposed for the ministry of the -church, were as careful to satisfy themselves about the lawfulness of -_conformity_, and that the church of England laid fewer obstructions -in the way of those who are both disposed and qualified for advancing -the interests of religion and virtue; but dare not engage publicly -in her service, for fear of violating the peace of their minds, and -wounding their consciences. In such a situation what must a clergyman -do? must he preach and maintain doctrines he disapproves of? this would -be acting both against his persuasion, and his solemn promise at his -ordination. Shall he preach or write against them? this he must not do -neither, lest he should be judged guilty of impugning his subscription, -and consequently incur the censures of the church. Shall he then be -quite silent, and neither preach nor write about them at all? but how -will this be consistent, with his other solemn promise, made likewise -at his ordination, _to be ready with all faithful diligence, to banish -and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines_--all doctrines -which he _is persuaded_, are contrary to God's word? He must therefore -necessarily offend, either against the church, or against truth, and -his own conscience. A sad alternative! when a man can neither speak, -what he thinks to be truth, with _safety_, nor be silent without -_offence_. These considerations induced Mr Burt to refuse a proffered -establishment--by which conduct, he proved his belief in a _future -state_, more firmly than a great many of them appear to do, by their -immoderate desires of the good things _in this_: but his faith was -founded, not on the fallacious arguments of too many of his brethren; -but on that adorable conjunction of unbounded power and goodness, which -must certainly someway recompense so many thousand innocent wretches, -created to be so miserable here. He possessed that virtue in an eminent -degree, which the christians call humility, and which the ancients were -ignorant of.--But he had real merit, and could easily be modest, which -is almost impossible to those, who have only the affectation of it. -With this respectable man was Lord Finlay placed, at five years old, -when a considerable settlement was made on him, in compensation for -relinquishing other pursuits, with a promise of its beings continued for -life. Lord Munster from time to time examined his son, and was highly -satisfied with the progress he made; and not a little surprised, to find -him no way deficient in those accomplishments, which, though of less -consequence in themselves, a late noble author has illustrated as being -absolutely necessary, in compleating the character of a fine gentleman. -For these Lord Finlay was indebted to Captain Lewis, father-in-law to Mr -Burt. This old gentleman was of an antient family, and had retired from -the army, disgusted at his situation, having been many years in a very -subaltern station. - -The condition of many brave and experienced officers is to be lamented, -who, after having passed through many various dangers in the service -of their country, are subject to the command of boys and striplings. -Whilst stations, which should be the reward of martial virtues, can be -purchased, it is in vain to hope, that our officers can be animated like -those of a neighbouring nation. - -Honour alone can support the soldier in a day of battle; without this -invigorating principle, humanity will tremble at the sight of slaughter, -and every danger will be avoided, which necessity does not impose. - -Captain Lewis retained that dignity of sentiment, which no misfortunes -could surmount. Our hearts and understandings, are not subject to -the vicissitudes of fortune. We may have a noble soul though our -circumstances be circumscribed, and a superiority of mind without being -of the highest rank. He had been much among the _great world_, in the -early part of his life, having been _aide-de-camp_ to Lord S----. Upon -his daughter's marriage with Mr Burt, he resided entirely with him; and -though she died of her first child, he continued with him, and became -as fond of lord Finlay as his grand-daughter, who, after her mother's -decease, became the object of his tenderest affection. - -Thus were Lord Finlay and Miss Burt brought up together; and from the -time of her birth never separated until she was nine years old. At that -period she was sent to a convent at Paris, and returned, after six years -absence, highly accomplished; uniting in herself everything that could -charm a heart that was disengaged. - -The consequences to Lord Finlay were inevitable, though never suspected. -A student of about eighteen, full of the amours of Ovid, and the soft -odes in Horace, has a heart very susceptible of love. These sensations -were too agreeable to be repulsed; he delivered himself entirely over -to his passion, which absorbed every other faculty of his soul. The -most perfect affection soon subsisted between these young people: but -the dignity of Miss Burt's manners inspired her lover with such respect -as rendered him silent on the subject of his passion, as he could not -enforce it without his father's sanction. - -But there is an intelligence between tender souls, and the most animated -expression may be conveyed without the aid of words; and this dumb -language is so eloquent, that it is generally understood where the -heart is in unison. Friendship, indeed, was only spoke of; but their -every look, their every action, bespoke the most ardent love. 'What -transports,' (said he, one day to her) 'can friendship bestow! what -refined feelings, what delightful sensations, actuate the human soul in -such happy moments as these!' - -We contemplate each other in silence; but the soul is never more -eloquent than under the influence of such a silence. She expresses, in a -moment, a train of ideas and sensations, which would be but confounded -by utterance. - -Miss Burt had a merit the more engaging, from its avoiding notice and -parade: a refined genius, enriched with great knowledge and happy -expression, united with the most candid sincerity and goodness of heart; -these qualities entitled her to the esteem and friendship of every noble -mind: and the thick veil, under which her too great modesty concealed -her pre-eminence, exalted her in the penetrating eyes of her lover. She -scarce ever laid _this veil_ aside, except to him, whose approbation -rendered her indifferent with respect to the commendations of every one -else. He became every day more attached to her: and was so ignorant of -the world as to expect his father's approbation of his passion, and that -he would be propitious to it. - -Thus situated were the lovers, when Lord Munster disgusted with the -court retired to the country. He immediately sent for Mr Burt and Lord -Finlay: although the distance was only a few miles, it was very grievous -for the latter to leave a place where he had access every minute of the -day to behold the object of his wishes. - -Upon this occasion he was determined to disclose to her the situation of -his heart. He threw himself at her feet, in that pathetic disorder of -spirits which constitutes the true eloquence of love, and endeavoured to -speak, but hesitated at every word. In the mean time she saw and pitied -his confusion. - -'I can read,' said she, 'my lord,' with an air of frankness, 'the -sentiments of your heart: I am not insensible of your passion; but why -hath fortune placed us at so great a distance from each other? how -delightful it would have been to me, if--But,' said she, (stopping short -in her discourse) 'let us not flatter ourselves with chimeras.--Let us -suppress the emotions of our hearts; it may be dangerous to indulge -them.' - -'How? dangerous!' replied Lord Finlay, 'why suppress them? do not those -emotions constitute our happiness? It is the duty of love to repair -the injustice of fortune. How enraptured should I be to make happy the -object I love. Prejudice might object to it perhaps: but that shall -never enslave my understanding, especially as it must be founded only in -pride.' - -With these sentiments they parted. It may be easily conceived how -impatient Lord Finlay was to see the idol of his heart, but he could -not with propriety propose quitting his father, for the first days -after his arrival in the country. He at last fell upon the expedient of -suggesting, whether, as he was under such obligations to Captain Lewis, -it would not be proper to call, and invite him to Munster house. This -Lord Munster agreeing to, he and his son called one morning; when Miss -Burt entertaining them with a little music, the light-winged god took -one of the sharpest arrows from the fair-one's quiver, applied it to -his bow, and swift as the forked lightning of Jove, fixed it in the old -man's heart. Lord Munster became desperately in love, and determined to -make her his wife. It is not at all surprising that a young woman makes -an impression on an old man. While we have life we have our passions; -age _represses_, but does not _extinguish_ them. As in maturer years, -the fire lurks under the ashes of prudence; so, if that be wanting, love -burns up and blazes fiercely; and is generally inextinguishable, if it -takes hold of the dry and worm-eaten wood of old-age. Persons of languid -passions (it has been observed) have few partialities; they neither -love, nor hate, nor look, nor move, with the energy of a man of sense. -People of real genius, and strong passions, have great partialities. The -blamelessness of the former should be weighed with their insignificancy; -and the faults of the latter balanced with their superiority. - -Lord Munster made proposals to Mr Burt that very day, never doubting but -that Hymen would soon rekindle his _torch_.--But the same principles -determined him respecting his daughter, which had influenced him in -his own affairs. He thanked Lord Munster for the honor he intended -him, which he should acquaint her of--but that in an affair in which -her happiness for life was so immediately concerned, he must forgive -his interfering further. When he acquainted her with it; instead of -enforcing the acceptance of the honor proposed to her, he was at great -pains to precaution her, against many disagreeable consequences of such -an unequal alliance, both in age and condition, lest she should be -dazzled by wealth or titles, to sacrifice her inclinations! - -Miss Burt, with unfeigned concern, was greatly chagrined to hear of Lord -Munster's proposals: she, therefore, with great warmth, declared herself -totally unfit, for such an exalted station. 'I can neither,' said she, -'adopt the virtues, or the vices of the great: the former are too -conspicuous, the other too obscure. A round of peaceable employments, -proper to satisfy the mind, and to soothe the heart, is the kind of -happiness for which I find myself inclined.' - -'With such principles and inclinations, I could not be happy in the -great world, where the general way of life is solely calculated, to -flatter the senses, and where a superior genius is contemned, or at -least only permitted to exhibit itself in lively sallies, or smart -repartees.' - -Mr Burt informed the earl of his daughter's sentiments. But his -lordship's self-love prevailed so far as to render it impossible to -conceive that _he could be refused_. He, therefore, made preparations -for his nuptials, and sent for his daughter home to be present on that -occasion. Lord Munster had taken the same pains on Lady Frances's -education, as her brother's. Mrs Norden, a distant relation, had the -entire charge of her. She resided in London until Lady Frances was -fourteen years old: at that time she accompanied her to Rome, where she -had the best masters, and where Santerello improved her taste in music. -After remaining three years at Rome, they went to Paris, from which -they were just returned at the period above mentioned. Lord Munster was -greatly charmed, both with the personal, and acquired perfections of his -daughter: and professed himself much indebted to Mrs Norden, for the -very great attention she had paid to her. - -The day after Lady Frances's arrival, she went to Mr Burt's to pay her -respects to her intended mother-in-law. - -No servant happening to be in the way to announce her, she walked -forwards into a room, the door of which she saw open, with an intention -to ring the bell, when she found Miss Burt in her father's library, -weeping bitterly: never before had she seen such an air of languid -softness, mixed with so much beauty. What an affecting sight! She was -going to retire, to save her from that confusion which a sensible heart -is apt to feel at having its afflictions perceived by a stranger; but -the lovely mourner, observing her, endeavoured to suppress her emotions: -but her grief was too violent to be checked; and her tears burst forth -the more, for having been an instant subdued. She could only say, 'That -she could be no stranger to _who_ did her the honour of waiting on -her, from the likeness Lady Frances had to her brother.' The thoughts -of Lord Finlay then renewed her affliction; and asking pardon for her -rudeness, she again shed a torrent of tears. Lady Frances answered, -'That apologies were only due on her part, for breaking in upon her -retirement, and witnessing emotions she might have wished to conceal.' -After a few general things, she told her the pleasure it gave her of -having so near a prospect of being entitled to take an interest in all -her concerns; when she would be happy in her friendship. In this Lady -Frances was perfectly sincere; for though she had been alarmed at the -intended marriage taking place, and although she was of a very shy -disposition, yet, at first sight, feeling the greatest partiality for -Miss Burt, she echoed her sighs, and her eyes bore testimony of the -feelings of her heart. With all the confidence of an ancient friendship, -she conjured her to acquaint her with the cause of her sorrows; and -took upon her to console, soothe, and comfort her. Miss Burt had only -time to express the sense she entertained of her goodness, and to add, -her miseries were _too great_ to be _alleviated_; when her grand-father -entering the room, the conversation turned upon general topics. - -Upon Lady Frances's return home, her father gayly enquired, What she -thought of his intended bride? She answered, Every thing that was -charming; and that she had prepared for her an eternal habitation in the -warmest part of her heart: 'There is every thing in her,' added she, -'that can engage the affections, or command the respect, of people of -taste and judgment.' - -Lord Finlay mean while was under the greatest oppression of spirits. -A thousand conflicting passions tortured his (until then) undisturbed -bosom. Love and filial piety alternatively took possession of his -soul. Each in their turn was rejected.--When sentiments are nearly of -equal force, the soul, as if unsettled, and wavering between contrary -emotions, knows not which to resolve on; its decrees destroy each other; -scarce is it freed from its troubles when it is involved in them anew; -this undetermined state does not always terminate to the advantage of -the most powerful sentiment. - -After a long conflict, the soul wearied out with the efforts it has -made, gradually loses its sensibility and force together; and finally -yields to the last impression, which thus remains master of the field. -After many struggles, Lord Finlay was determined to sacrifice his -_inclinations_, or in other words, (what he thought, his life, to his -father.) - -This pious resolution, no doubt, was strengthened by his supposing Miss -Burt had acquiesced to the proposed marriage. His resentment supported -his prudence. Such was the situation of Lord Finlay's mind, when Lady -Frances received the following letter from Miss Burt. - - 'Madam, - - You found me in tears, and kindly insinuated your desire to mitigate - my distress; receive from me all the acknowledgments which can proceed - from a full heart, raised from the lowest distress, to a glimmering - prospect of avoiding misery, while that superior Power which witnesses - your generosity, will _reward it_. Thus, when unhappy, we grasp at - the least shadow of relief! we seize upon it with eagerness, and - in a moment raise ourselves above our afflictions. When an unhappy - drowning wretch is carried away by the current, while intimidated by - the steepness of the banks, and the rapidity of the torrent, he looks - upon death as inevitable; his sinews relax, his heart fails him, he - looks forward to an awful dreaded futurity: but if the least twig - presents its friendly assistance, his courage at last revives, he - raises his head, he seizes upon it with a hasty avidity, and makes a - sudden and violent effort to save himself from destruction. Such is my - application to your ladyship. Heaven grant you may avert from me those - evils I so much dread! even the horror of involving my respectable - parents _in want and misery_. My father's probity has entailed on - him poverty; and my grandfather's half-pay is our sole dependance, - exclusive of the salary Lord Munster settled on my respectable parent - when he undertook to superintend the education of his son; and which - he promised to continue for life, in compensation for his giving up - _all other pursuits_. I flatter myself, the frowardness of his unhappy - daughter will not frustrate his lordship's beneficence, and which he - judged his labours entitled him to. May I intreat your ladyship will - soften, through the medium of your influence, the refusal of the honor - intended me! - - _An attempt to deceive would wring my soul to torture_: Can I then - take upon me vows at the altar, incompatible with the feelings of - my heart, and the possibility of conforming myself to? forbid it, - gratitude, truth, and justice! let me sooner become a martyr to these, - as my unfortunate father. In every event of my life, integrity and - honor shall influence me. If my refusal is not founded upon the most - _advantageous_, yet it is upon the most _worthy_ terms: if that of - embracing _tranquility_ before _profit_, and preferring probity of - mind, even attended with the greatest inconveniences, before its - opposite, although surrounded with every outward accommodation, be - deserving of that epithet. I ask pardon for this intrusion, and have - the honor to be - - Your Ladyship's - Obliged humble servant, - MARY ANN BURT.' - -The little tenderness Lord Munster had ever shewn Lady Frances, the -impressions she entertained of the sourness of his disposition, and the -severity of his temper; all conspired to fill her with the greatest awe -and dread of his displeasure. It may then be easily judged how badly -qualified she was for the office enjoined her in the letter. To add to -her distress, her valuable friend Mrs Norden was absent, and she dared -not conceal the receipt of it until her return, as it was a subject that -admitted of no delay. - -She accordingly summoned up sufficient courage to take the letter in her -hand, and to present herself before her father; when her timidity and -confusion were sufficient vouchers of her unwillingness to be an agent -in such a disagreeable business. Her apprehensions were considerably -increased, when the earl asked her, in a harsh tone, _her business with -him_? Being unable to reply, and trembling from head to foot, she gave -him the letter--which he eagerly pursued, while he was alternately -agitated with indignation, pride, and confusion! He at length broke -into a great rage, loading Lady Frances with invectives, for having -innocently produced these emotions, adding, that he then discovered the -cause of her partiality for Miss Burt: but that if she, or Lord Finlay, -ever presumed, from that time forward, to hold any communication with -_the Burt family_, he should consider them as aliens _to his_! Where -friendship is reversed, and turned to enmity, the _latter_ is generally -as _extreme_, as the _former_ was _fervent_. If we were more regular -in _our affections_, we should be more moderate in _our aversions_, -and, without consulting our interest, should hate nothing but what is -really odious: but we are so unjust, that we judge only of things by -their relation to us; we approve of them when agreeable to us, and, by -a strange infatuation, do not esteem them as good or bad, but by the -satisfaction of disgust they give us: we would have them alter their -quality according to our caprices, and cameleon like, assume our -colours, and accommodate themselves to our desires. We fain would be the -center of the world, and have all creatures join with us in inclination. -Lord Munster was not only disappointed in his affections, but piqued in -pride, that, after he had by his intrigues led some of the first princes -in Europe, and made them subservient to his views, a little obscure -girl should render him the laughing-stock of the country. Lady Frances -retired, not daring to return him any answer. - -Lord Finlay met her, and, alarmed at her appearance, followed her into -her apartment, intreating to know the subject of the letters she had -received from Miss Burt! She informed him of it, and the disagreeable -task she had just executed; when his looks very soon (to one of her -penetration) betrayed the situation of his heart. He owned to Lady -Frances that his life depended on Miss Burt, their mutual affection, -and the violence he had done his inclinations, by the obligations he -had imposed on himself to subdue his passion whilst it interfered with -his father: but remarked with joy, that he was now relieved from such -a painful effort. 'The Almighty,' said he, 'my dear sister,' (for he -was in a state of mind which both inclined him to be wise and kind) -'implanted both reason and the passions in human nature, mutually to -conduce to men's happiness. But, in order to become a happy creature, -man is not blindly to follow the impulses of his passion to the -exclusion of reason: nor is he to contradict his natural desires but -when they invert the order of nature, and oppose the common good of -society, the dictates of right reason, and the manifest design of -Providence.--I have done what man could do,' added he; 'I did not -interfere when my father was concerned; but I will not relinquish the -object of my affections to any other man breathing.' This was Lord -Finlay's philosophy, which he strictly adhered to--Tremblingly alive -to his interest, Lady Frances told him the risque he would run of his -father's displeasure; but the impetuosity of his passion rendered -him deaf to her remonstrances; and, regardless of everything but its -gratification, he sat down and wrote the following letter to Miss Burt. - - 'Madam, - - The strict injunctions of my father, that all communication should - cease between our families, renders it necessary for me to _write_, - instead of _waiting_ on you in person. Alas, how poor a substitute is - the former for the latter! To express my sorrow, or paint my grief, - is impossible! Were you to know my distress, you would be sensible of - my sufferings, and compassionate my wretchedness! To be debarred from - the presence of your respectable parents, to whom I have a thousand - obligations, and for whom I feel the greatest respect and tenderest - regard, is a very great hardship: but to be prevented from beholding - you, is downright tyranny, and forces me to rebel! Could I see Mr - Burt, I would intreat him to pardon, what I am mortified to call the - injustice of my father, and assure him that nothing shall be wanting, - on my part, to soften, and bring him to reason. But I know too well - the inflexibility of his virtue, he will not see me contrary to the - inhibitions I have received. - - Permit me on my knees to intreat from you that favor I dare not - request from him! We may meet at--any day before seven in the morning. - My life depends on your answer! Let us at least enjoy the soothing - pleasure, the melancholy consolation of mingling griefs, and bearing a - part in each other's sorrows; satisfaction that even renders despair - itself more tolerable! Be persuaded there is nothing, not even my - father, that can divert my eye, my heart, or hand, from an opportunity - of expressing how much I am, with the greatest respect, - - Your devoted - Humble servant, - FINLAY' - -After dispatching the above letter, Lord Finlay spent his time, -fluctuating every moment between hope and despair, agitated with all -the pains of a solicitous suspence; but Miss Burt was too much attached -to him not to agree to his proposal, nor did her condescension at all -infringe on her delicacy.--She could not suppose that the good qualities -so distinguishable in her lover, and which had been so studiously -cultivated by _her father_, could be _only_ violated to the dishonor -of _his daughter_. Lord Finlay's passion was too ardent to submit to -prudence, and could not be long concealed: they met often, and remained -long together; time is easily forgot in the society of those we love--In -Cupid's dial, _hours_ are but _minutes_.--Their interviews were -discovered. - -Captain Lewis being informed of it, jealous of his honor, insisted -on Lord Finlay's instantly espousing his grand-daughter; who, loaded -with his reproaches, led away by his passion, and the fears of being -interdicted from steering her more--forgot every thing but the -justification of his honorable intentions. - -The indignation with which Lord Munster was seized when informed of this -marriage, is easier to be conceived than delineated. He swore he would -never see his son more, or contribute to his support! - -The passions are more easily excited in the young than in the old; in -women, as being of a frame more delicate than in men; in the poor and -distressed, than in the rich and fortunate, for prosperity hardens -the heart; in the illiterate than in the learned, because more prone -to admire; and for the same reason in those who have lived privately, -than in men of large experience; but when once fixed, are not so easily -eradicated as in the others. - -The indiscreet solicitations of a gentleman in the neighbourhood, served -only to exasperate him _the more_. A weak friend, if he will be kind, -ought to go no further than wishes: if he either says or does more, it -is _dangerous_. Good intentions are indispensable to constitute a good -man; but other adjuncts are necessary to form the man who interferes in -our behalf. An excellent cause has often suffered through an indifferent -advocate; and I once heard of a lawyer retained by his client, to _hold -his peace for him_. - -In consequence of Lord Munster's implacability, Lord and Lady Finlay -were involved in a variety of wretchedness, and most affecting distress; -under all which they bore up with becoming fortitude, and never departed -from that dignity of behaviour, which innate virtue, and conscious -innocence inspire; strengthened by true principles of religion, and -a rational trust in providence, tempered with genuine humility, and -unfeigned resignation to whatever fate should be alloted them. In every -action of their lives they had a view to each other: if they were -serious, or cheerful, amused or grieved, still by their sympathy and -love, every trifle made a pleasure, and every pleasure was heightened -into rapture, by their mutual participation of it. Their hearts exulted -with that joy which is built on the strong foundation of undissembled -tenderness. Happy it is for mortals, that grief is only an exotic in -the human breast--the soil does not naturally afford nutriment for its -constant growth. A perfect similarity of sentiment soon produced that -mutual happiness which arises from loving another better than one's -self: they were no longer anxious for events they could not direct, nor -tasted pain from the disappointment of their hopes. - -The half-pay of Captain Lewis, was the only ostensible support of his -unfortunate family, increased by the birth of several children: but -their income had been enlarged, by Mr Burt's literary productions. His -greatest enjoyment was in study--pleasures vary with each different age; -for God and nature never made any faculty, either in soul or body, but -he prepared a suitable object in order to its regular gratification. - -The follies of men of a certain age, on this account, have the -pre-eminence to all others, a ridiculous dignity, that gives them a -right _to be laughed at in the first place_. The phenomenon of feeling -amorous pursuits under grey hairs, may as much astonish us, as to see -those mountains whose top is covered with snow, and whose bowels abound -with flames. Mr Burt had a happy temper, formed on the principles of -Christian philosophy. Such was his cheerfulness, that none of the -accidents of life could discompose him; such his fortitude, that not -even the severest trials could unman him. He had a collected spirit, and -on no occasion wanted a resource. He could retire within himself, and -hold the world at defiance. - -His amiable daughter possessed also these qualities in an eminent -degree. Captain Lewis dying, their circumstances were reduced; but -Lady Finlay, by her ingenuity supplied the loss they sustained in his -half-pay. She had a fine genius for painting, and in that art did -wonders. By the sale only of a _Crucifixion_, and an _Arcadia_, she -maintained her family for two years. She concealed her name, lest she -should irritate Lord Munster more against her; but had too much good -sense to be ashamed of employing those talents, bestowed on her by -nature for _so natural a purpose_. And the hours that the _indolent_ -devote _to rest_, and the licentious to _pleasure_, she dedicate to -providing bread for her family. Good blood cannot be kept up, without -the shambles of the market, so it is no scandal to procure _that_ by -ingenuity or industry, when the appendages of gentility are so far -reduced as not to afford it otherwise. - -The picture called Arcadia, is in the possession of the Marquis of -P----. In it there is exhibited a view of the most delightful region, -with the grandest rural scenery in the world; and a romantic wildness -runs through the whole, which gives uncommon beauties to the piece. Her -happy fancy, and the prospects in the country (they had retired to Wales -for cheapness) supplied her with vales more charming than those of _Juan -Fernandez_, with lawns like those of _Tinian_, and finer water-falls -than those of _Quibo_. She copied the greatest beauties in nature, and -formed the finest imitations. The invention of the whole is extremely -pleasing; and has been applauded by all who have seen it, as a master -piece in the landscape way. - -Lady Finlay's health decreasing she could no longer _exert this -talent_; and the miserable situation to which her Lord was reduced, in -consequence of his attachment to her, afforded her constant uneasiness. -The griping hand of poverty, produced painful fears, and corroding -cares, while the anxiety of mind _each_ suffered for _the other_, -increased their _mutual calamity_. - -The death of two fine children at last entirely subdued Lady Finlay's -remaining spirits--She died in child-bed, (the infant surviving her -a few hours) leaving behind her only two children. It was then Lord -Finlay's cup of affliction was filled. He had reason to fear, the -deceased, dearest object of his tenderest affections, had perished for -want of proper assistance. _Assistance!_ their scanty circumstances -denied! If previous to this, when he perceived in her any marks of -sorrow, it was to him as if all nature had been eclipsed; what must have -been his sensations _then_? they were too great for humanity to support! -His reason forsook him; and the third day after her decease, he expired -in the delirium of madness. - -Nothing can give a better sense of the consideration man ought to have -of his latter end, than the following lines of Sir Thomas More: - - 'You'd weep, if sure you'd but one month to stay; - Yet laugh, uncertain of a single day!' - -Few are the happy marriages contracted contrary to the consent of -parents.--Disobedience to them, like murder, seldom goes unpunished in -this life[1]. Mr Burt wrote Lady Frances Finlay a letter informing her -of the melancholy catastrophe of this unfortunate couple, and beseeching -her interest with Lord Munster, in behalf of their helpless progeny. - -'Could tears, Madam,' said he, 'write as legibly as ink, my streaming -eyes would be an inexhaustible fund, to assist me to send you the -woes of a poor old man, and to pour forth the sorrows of my soul! But -_Cicero_ could not have _described_, _Apelles_ could not have _painted_, -nor _Roscius_ have _represented_, the heartrending scenes I have lately -witnessed.' - -Lord Munster died the day before his daughter received the above -letter. He had for some time before lost all sensation. The pleasures -or pains of others were to him of so little importance, that he lived -as if he had been the only creature himself in the universe. He could -not bear to hear of the applause some of his opponents in politics -had acquired, and grudged them a reputation he thought only suitable -to his own distinguished abilities. Different from that conqueror, -of whom it is said he silenced the whole earth, he fancied that the -whole world must talk of his disgrace. He could not support it; and -a pistol put an end to his wretched existence. A careful observer of -events will frequently see, that flagrant vices are punished by some -remarkable strokes of wretchedness, and bad dispositions made sensible -of the evils they bring on others. Never did any Greek or Roman commit -suicide, from too quick a sense of private misfortunes.--Vain glory in -the vulgar may be supportable, nay, may be diverting; but in a great man -it is _intolerable_: nothing is greater in a man, than to be above even -greatness _itself_. - -Lady Frances was left by her father the entire possession of the family -estate.--She immediately wrote to Mr Burt, desiring he would leave a -place which must necessarily revive in him such melancholy ideas, and -bring her nephew and niece to Munster house; enclosing him a sum of -money to discharge debts, and to defray the expenses of the journey. He -instantly complied with her request, and resided with her, though she -immediately not only settled on him the annuity he had formerly been -promised, but also paid the arrears due on it. - -Had Lord and Lady Finlay lived a few weeks longer, Lady Frances would -have cheerfully assigned to them the estate bequeathed to her, and which -their virtues so justly entitled them to. - -It is a strong argument for a state of retribution hereafter, that in -this world _virtuous people_ are often _very miserable_, and _vicious -ones happy_, which is wholly repugnant to the nature of a Being, who -appears infinitely wise and good in all his works, unless we may -suppose, that such a promiscuous and undistinguishing distribution -of good and evil, which was necessary for carrying on the designs of -Providence in this life, will be rectified and made amends for in -another. - -Lady Frances possessed the most attractive beauty, was surrounded with -every grace, and blessed with every virtue, that could enslave the -affections, and captivate the soul of the most stubborn philosophers. -The sound of her voice had an engaging sweetness; and her expressions -were well chose, without being affected.--In a word, it was her -character and mind that gave charms to her person. Lord Darnley made his -addresses to her, in which he had been countenanced by Lord Munster, and -every preparation was making for their nuptials, before her father's -death. - -Lord Darnley was one of the most amiable of men. He gave a grace to -every thing he said--a refined and delicate wit enlivened all his -discourse, and the vivacity of his imagination discovered itself -continually in fresh sallies. But what irresistibly fixed Lord Munster's -partiality; was the art with which he disguised his _own wit_ and -_knowledge_ to make _him shine_. He conformed entirely to that pleasing -criterion of true humour which Mr Addison gave,--'That it looks grave -itself, while it makes all others laugh.' He had a turn for placing -things in a ridiculous point of view, which was highly diverting--but by -this he never offended; he formed his ridicule on a circumstance, which -the party attacked, was not in his heart unwilling to grant him; that he -was guilty of an excess in something which in itself was laudable[2]. -He very well understood what he chose to be, what was his predominant -passion, and knew he need not fear his anger, for declaring he was a -little _too much the thing_. - -Nice raillery is a decent mixture of praise and reproach; it touches -slightly upon little failings, only to dwell the more upon great -qualities. I believe what renders courtiers pleasing, is the attention -they pay to the self-love of others. I shall only add, that the -politeness of Lord Darnley's manners would not suffer him to omit any -of those engaging attentions which are so capable of pleasing; and as -he was deeply in love with Lady Frances, he inspired her with mutual -sentiments. How then must it surprise the world to find, that upon her -sudden acquisition of wealth, the marriage did not take place! The -philosopher, experienced in the vicissitudes of human events, views such -sudden dissolutions of the most intimate connections without surprise -or amazement. In regard to the moral and political world, it is not -always great and adequate causes that produce strange and surprising -events; on the contrary, they often are the result of things seemingly -small, and utterly disproportionate to their effects. The same constant -fluctuation that attends the seasons, and all the appendages of the -globe we inhabit, affects the heart of man, making it a prey, by turns, -to different passions. The well-regulated mind alone, can boast of any -degree of consistency, and _that_ too often late in life, the product -of long experience, and unnumbered cares. It was in vain Lord Darnley -declared the disinterestedness of his passion, and intreated Lady -Frances to settle the property of the family out of his power, previous -to her marriage. - -She remained unmoved; only assured him, that nothing but what she -apprehended was her first duty, could alienate her from him, and that -she never would dispose of herself to any _other_: but advised him to -marry. She applied herself entirely to the care of her family, and to -the improvement of that property invested in her person. - -Living entirely in the country, she sought, in the beauty of nature, in -science, and the love of order, that satisfaction, which in the world -(where people are the _slaves of apology, and the dupes of caprice_) is -eagerly pursued, but _never found_. It is principally on this account, -that people in general are so often declaiming against human life. -She considered society is manifestly maintained by a circulation of -kindness: we are all of us, in some way or other, wanting assistance, -and in like manner qualified to give it. None are in a state of -independency on their fellow-creatures. The most slenderly endowed are -not a mere burthen on the community; even they can contribute their -share to the common good. We learn what are justly our mutual claims, -from this mutual dependency; that on its account, as well as for other -reasons, our life is not to pass in a round of pleasure of idleness, -or according to the suggestions of mere fancy, or in sordid or selfish -pursuits. Can there be any thing more evidently our duty than that we -should return the kindness we receive; than that, if many are employed -in promoting our interest, we should be as intent in advancing theirs? -All men are by nature equal: their common passions and affections, their -common infirmities, their common wants, give such constant remembrances -of this equality, even to those who are most disposed to forget it, that -they cannot, with all their endeavours, render themselves unmindful of -it. They cannot become _insensible_, how unwilling soever they may be -to _consider_, that their debt is as much their demands, as they owe to -others as much as they reasonably can expect from them. It is not to be -supposed that Providence would have made such distinctions among men, -such unequal distributions, but that they might endear themselves to one -another by mutual helps and obligations. Gratitude is the surest bond of -love, friendship, and society. - -The various conditions of human life seem so admirably adapted to the -several dispositions of individuals, that if our happiness in this life -were intended, the unequal distribution of the gifts of fortune affords -the most plausible means to effect it. Through nature, indeed, love -is centered at home, and not improperly, though the most amiable and -God-like is the most diverged. But as the principle regards of human -love, are, for the much greater part, over selfish and contracted, -the divine goodness has so directed its operations, as to render them -necessary, and very often unintentionally productive of common social -good. I have often observed, that people favoured by fortune seldom feel -for the pain of the mind, even though they themselves are the authors of -it; their pity alone is excited by certain disgraces, certain exterior -evils, such as sickness and poverty. This was by no means the case with -Lady Frances, who interested herself in the distresses of the soul, with -a goodness equally noble and judicious, and offered to the unhappy, all -those labouring under any species of innocent distress, consolation and -relief. - -Her education taught her, that _virtue_ and _abilities_ can only procure -us real happiness, and that nothing but _doing good_, in that sphere of -life in which we are placed, can afford the true felicity to a noble -soul. Upon her father's death she found herself possessed of an estate -of twenty thousand pounds a year, and three hundred thousand pounds -in mortgages. The house and pleasure grounds were in great disrepair, -from the late Earl's constant residence in London and the _environs_. -Lady Frances sent for Mr Brown, who found great _capabilities_ in the -situation: under his direction it is now one of the finest places in -England. She acquainted him of her intention of building a number of -houses for the reception of artificers, and the introduction of certain -manufactures. He fixed upon a beautiful situation, at the side of a -navigable river. Mr Adams approved very much of the plan Lady Frances -submitted to his inspection--he perfected and improved it. It consisted -of one hundred houses; and a _tribuna_[3] in the center. Upon the solid -foundation of the Doric, the Ionic, and Corinthian orders rise gradually -with all their beauty, proportion, and ornaments. - -The fabric seizes the most incurious eye. No modern building is -comparable to it for the outward decorations; and for the disposition -within, it has been formed from whatever ancient and modern times afford -most adapted and suitable to the purpose of the structure, not excluding -decorations, which are distributed with equal taste and economy. The -sciences and arts are assembled together in this fine building, and -connected (if I may be allowed the expression) by a large and well -chosen library in all faculties: Here is whatever the lower people's -interest, or the man of taste's curiosity can desire. The first object -that presents itself to the eye, on entering into this noble hall, -which is no less spacious than splendid, is the statue of the founder, -inviting the lovers of literature to make use of the helps which she has -provided for them. This statue is of white marble, as large as life, -and entirely worthy of Mr More, the artist; who has improved the exact -likeness with an air of grandeur and benevolence, dignity and -affability. - -And what is a very well chosen ornament for such a place, there is a -representation of nine of the most eminent libraries--the Babylonian, -Athenian, Alexandrian, Palatine, etc.--with short inscriptions giving -an account of each. And to set in view, the origin and first advance -of learning in several countries--there are painted on large pilasters -ranged along the middle of the library, those persons who were reputed -to have been the inventor of letters in several languages. Adam, -Abraham, Moses, Mercurius, Ægyptius, Hercules, Cadmus, Cecrops, -Pythagoras, and several others, with the letters which each of these are -said to have invented written under their pictures. - -This library is open at stated times, (like that of the Vatican, and -the French king's) with every proper accommodation to all strangers. -This was greatly wanted in this kingdom. London, after so many ages, -remains without any considerable public library. The best is the Royal -Society's: but even that is inconsiderable; neither is it open to the -public; nor are the necessary conveniences afforded strangers for -reading or transcribing. The British Museum is rich in manuscripts, the -Harleian Collection, the Cottonian Library, the collection of Charles -I. and many others, especially on our own history; but it is wretchedly -poor in printed books: and it is not sufficiently accessible to the -public; their revenue not being sufficient to enable them to pay a -proper number of attendants.[4] - -An ingenious Persian lately in England, gave an account of many thousand -Arabian manuscripts, totally unknown to the gentlemen of the university -of Oxford. It is to be wished these were procured. The Orientals and -Hebrews were the parents of knowledge, and the Greeks no more than -their scholars: how gross were their notions of prudence and _virtue_, -till Orpheus, and the travelled philosophers taught them better! The -institutions of modern nations are not to be compared to those of -the ancients, as almost all these had the advantage of being founded -by philosophers. Athens and Sparta were the two first formed states -of Greece. Solon and Lycurgus, who had seen the success of the plan -conducted by Minos in Crete, and who partly copied after that wise -prince, erected these two celebrated republics. The sagacious system of -Egypt served as a model to all the east. - -The astronomical observatory is furnished with the best instruments; -anatomy has an amphitheatre, and a spacious room filled with a compleat -set of anatomical pieces in wax. - -Painting and sculpture, besides a most convenient apartment for the -study and practice of these arts, have two large rooms full of models of -the most valuable remains of antiquity, taken from the originals. - -The pupils of architecture have a hall, crowded with designs and models -of the finest pieces, ancient and modern--and there are contiguous -apartments where all the liberal sciences are read and taught, as logic, -physic, ethics, metaphysics, astronomy, geography, geometry, etc. - -These assemblage of studies in every branch is further enriched with -curious museums of antiques, and natural history. All these advantages -are heightened by the lectures of able professors in every art and every -science. - -This academy receives two hundred scholars, affords them a liberal -support, and leads them through a perfect course of education; from the -first elements of letters, through the whole circle of the sciences; -from the lowest class of grammatical learning, to the highest degrees -in the several faculties. It properly and naturally consists of two -parts, rightly forming two establishments, the one subordinate to the -other. The design of the one was to lay the foundation of science; that -of other, to raise and compleat the superstructure: the former was to -supply the latter with proper subjects; and the latter was to improve -the advantages received in the former. - -The young gentlemen in the neighbourhood are permitted to receive -instructions from the several professors--and a day is set apart, -when they examine young people, in order to discover wherein their -genius conflicts, and to what kind of studies or employments they -naturally are suited. Every man finds in himself a particular bent and -disposition to some particular character; and his struggling against -it is the fruitless and endless labour of Sisyphus. Let him follow and -cultivate _that_ vocation, he will succeed in it, and be considerable -in one way at least; whereas, if he departs from it, he will at best -be _inconsiderable_, probably _ridiculous_. Cicero said, that masters -should consider the nature of their scholars, least they should act -like unskilful husbandmen, who would sow wheat in a soil, that was only -proper for oats. Might it not prove an useful institution if public -societies were erected on this plan? By this means most subjects might -become beneficial to the public; and not only the arts be brought to -perfection, but all the posts of government be well supplied: whereas, -we now daily hear complaints of the want of proper persons to direct -affairs, whilst the youth are condemned to studies, and matriculated -into certain arts or employments before they arrive at years of -discretion. - -Some parents on the birth of a son determine what profession he is to -be of. The father sometimes designs his son for a judge, because his -grand-father was one[5], which may be as absurd as to design a _weakly -child_ for a _running footman_, or a _purblind boy_ for a _painter_. -Sometimes a young man is to be a colonel because he is tall, or an -alderman because he has a large belly. - -When any remarkable genius displayed itself in any of the young men, -their talents have cultivated for that art of science. The master for -oratory was recommended by Mr Sheridan, who says that the art of oratory -may be taught upon as certain principles, and with as good a prospect of -success, as it ever was by the rhetoricians of Greece or Rome, or as the -arts of music, painting, etc. are taught by their several professors. He -formed himself on Quintilian's institutes of eloquence, who particularly -recommends _chironomy_, or gracefulness of action, which took rise in -the age of heroism, was practised by the greatest men in Greece, was -approved of by Socrates, ranked by Plato amongst the civil virtues, and -recommended by Chrysippus in his treatise upon the education of youth. -Quintilian had the acquisition of an hundred years after Cicero's death, -to improve his knowledge--he had greater opportunities than Cicero ever -had to study 'that intellectual relation, that secret charm, in the -liberal professions, which, connecting one to the other, combines them -all.' - -One angle of the _tribuna_ is entirely dedicated to the education of -women. Twenty young ladies are admitted, and there are funds for their -perpetual maintenance, as that of the two hundred scholars. In the -selection of these young gentlewomen, she always gives the preference -to those who labour under any imperfection of body--endeavouring, by -increasing their resources _within themselves_, to compensate for their -_outward defects_. When it is found that any of these ladies have a -taste for any manual or mental art, they cultivate it, and assist them -in the pleasantest means, and by various little attentions confirm these -inclinations with all the spirit of pursuit requisite to preserve minds -(in general) from that state of languidness and inactivity, whereby -life is rendered irksome to those who have never found it unfortunate. -In this establishment she entirely runs counter to that of Madame de -Maintenon's at Saint Cyr; where the young women, who should have been -instructed in rural labours, and economy in the duties of a family, in -the employments of _Solomon's virtuous women_, by their education, were -only fit to be addressed by men who were rich enough to require in a -wife nothing _but virtue_. This is also the foible of too many parents, -who all expect their daughters are to fill exalted stations in life, and -by educating them with that view, disqualify them for their after lot. - -As divines say that some people take more pains to be damned than -it would cost them to be saved, so many people employ more thought, -memory, and application, to be fools, than would serve to make them -wise and useful members of society. The ancients esteemed it an honor -to understand the making of every thing necessary for life one's self, -without any dependence on others; and it is that which Homer most -commonly calls _wisdom_ and _knowledge_. He describes old Eumæus making -his own shoes, and says, he had built some fine stalls for the cattle -he bred. Ulysses himself built his own house, and set up his bed with -great art, the structure of which served to make him known to Penelope -again. When he left Calypso, it was he alone that built and rigged the -ship.--From all which we see the spirit of these ancient times. - -These young ladies are not instructed to declaim with grace, or sing -with taste; but if they are less amusing, they are infinitely more -useful and interesting companions to those they afterwards associate -with, whether in the character of wives or friends. Several of them -have married very well in the neighbourhood. There is no sentiment more -cold, or of shorter continuance, than admiration. We grow weary of a -set of features, though ever so beautiful. Between folly, and a homely -person, there is this difference; the latter is constantly the same, at -least with imperceptible alteration, whilst folly is ever putting on -some new appearance, and giving, by that means, fresh pain and disgust. -However true this may be, I believe it would require some rhetoric to -convince a young man not to prefer the folly that accompanies beauty, -to wisdom and deformity. Though Sir Francis Bacon assures us in his -natural philosophy, that our taste is never better pleased than with -those things which at first created a disgust in us. He gives particular -instances of porter, olives, and other things, which the palate seldom -approves of at first; but when it has once got a relish of them, -generally retains it for life. - -The streets, which were built on each side of the _Tribuna_, were -uniform, and the houses ornamented with emblematical figures of the -different trades intended for the possessors. She permitted them to -live rent-free for the two first years, and admitted none but such who -excelled in their art. This was certainly very political--By encouraging -them in this manner, it enabled them at first to work, and sell their -manufactures at a moderate rate; which insured them the business of -the neighbouring counties that would otherwise have sent at a greater -distance, for what could be equally produced at home.[6] - -The size of the houses decreases gradually from the centre of every -street. As Lady Frances spared no expense in the execution, Mr Adams -directed it with the greatest taste and propriety. The smallest houses -are, indeed, exteriorly, the handsomest, on account of their twisted -columns; yet, as they convey an idea of weakness, they always displease -when they are made use of as supports to heavy buildings. The different -orders succeed each other, from the Corinthian to the Tuscan, according -to the size of the houses. Mr Hogarth observes on this head, that the -bulks and proportions of objects are governed by fitness and propriety; -that it is this which has established the size and proportion of -chairs, tables, and all sorts of utensils and furniture; has fixed the -dimensions of pillars, arches, etc. for the support of great weights; -and so regulated all the orders in architecture. - -In the course of ten years Lady Frances brought all the above plans to -perfection; which she the more easily effected from Mr Burt's having -maintained a correspondence with the _literati_ in most parts of the -world. And as the encouragement given was great, it is not surprising -that her academy became a seat of the muses, and a place to which many -resorted for the solution of literary doubts. - -If their ears were enchanted by harmony, their eyes were equally -ravished by the beauties of painting and sculpture. In this charming -mansion is blended the improvement of the arts, with that of -philosophy: an exquisite assemblage of all the sweets of life. -Architecture, statuary, painting, and music, find in her a patroness. -Refinement of taste in a nation, is always accompanied with refinement -of manners. People accustomed to behold order and elegance in public -buildings, and public gardens, acquire urbanity in private. The -Italians, on the revival of the liberal arts and sciences, gave them -the name of _virtù_; from this was derived the term of _virtuoso_, -which has been accepted throughout Europe. Should not this appellation -intimate, to those who assume it to themselves, that the study of what -is beautiful, in nature or art, ought to render them more virtuous than -other men. Exclusive of the above buildings, there are others finely -adapted to their different purposes, at the same time calculated to -ornament the grounds. There are manufactories of different kinds; and -silks wrought by hydraulic machines, which renders the workmanship more -easy and expeditious. Lady Frances procured artificers from Tuscany -for a porcelain manufacture, which has continued with them from the -ancient Etruscans. She has also established a manufacture of earthen -ware, procuring models of Etruscan vases in Terra Cotta, made after -those in the Vatican library. These are used even in the most common -vessels. She also took some pains in regulating the dress of the young -women. A country girl returning from the spring with a pitcher of water -on her head, perfectly resembles those figures which the most exquisite -antiques represent in the same attitude. The great share _variety_ has -in producing beauty, may be seen in the ornamental part of nature; -the shapes and colours of plants, flowers, leaves; the painting in -butterflies wings, shells, etc. which seem of little other intended use, -than that of entertaining the eye with the pleasure of variety: in this -all the senses delight and are equally averse to sameness--The ear is as -much offended with one continued note, as the eye is with being fixed to -a point, or to the view of a dead wall. - -Every building is rendered ornamental to the grounds. There is a -botanical garden, which is filled with plants and flowers, which have -been presented to Linnæus, from whom she received them, from every part -of the globe. One of his pupils resided here, in an elegant habitation, -in which there is a rotunda where lectures on botany are given: this -fine room is surrounded with exotic plants. Mr Burt entirely concurred -with Linnæus, in wishing, that gentlemen designed for theological -studies were directed to apply as much time to the study of physics -as they spent in metaphysics and logic, which he judges neither so -indispensably necessary, nor useful as the former. - -Lady Frances also erected an hospital for the reception of two hundred -incurables; a thing much wanted in this kingdom, without paying any -regard to their country, religion, or disease, requiring no security -in case of death. The practice of most of the public hospitals in this -country is widely different, the restrictions of admission being such -as frequently deprive many from receiving the benefit first intended by -the founder. But she had a fund of charity of another stamp, which gave -her infinitely more pleasure, as it was free from the ostentation of -those acts of public bounty. These were private donations to those whose -circumstances were not yet so bad as to oblige them to beg publicly. If -an industrious tradesman had a numerous family, little business, or a -small stock, she found means to supply his wants, or put him in a way of -carrying on his business to greater advantage, in such a manner, as that -sometimes he himself did not know the source of his relief; at most, -none but the party succoured, and Mr Burt, knew any thing of the matter, -for this worthy man was her secret almoner, and searched out for the -secret necessities of modest and industrious poor. She had the happiness -arising from the consciousness of having maintained numerous families in -decent plenty, who, without her well-timed and secret bounty, must have -been a charge to the parish. But she was a great enemy to poor-rates, -judging with Davenant, that they will be the bane of our manufactures. - -Lady Frances was far from being alarmed at the great expenses of her -undertakings. She thought her large fortune, and her nephew's long -minority, as it put it in her power, could not be better employed than -in works of national magnificence. The power and wealth of ancient -Greece were most seen and admired in the splendor of the temples, and -other sublime structures of Pericles. He boasted, that every art would -be exerted, every hand employed, every citizen in the pay of the state, -and the city, not only beautified, but maintained by itself. The sums -Lady Frances expended in bringing these plans to perfection, diffused -riches and plenty among the people, and has already doubled the estate. -She has a fine collection of pictures.--The only way to raise a genius -for painting, is to give encouragement: historical painters get so -little by their profession, that we have very few. This Lady Frances -made her particular object, to afford our youth ready access to good -pictures: till these be multiplied in Great Britain, we shall never -have the reputation of producing a good painter. If we expect to rival -the Italian, the Flemish, or even the French school, our artists must -have before their eyes the finished works of the greatest masters. It -is a pity, that when an ingenious gentleman[7] last winter submitted -to the parliament, as worthy of their attention, some considerations -that might tend to the encouragement of useful knowledge, and the -advancement in this kingdom of the arts and sciences, he did not with -his usual intelligence, represent the bad consequences of the duty laid -on pictures imported into Great Britain: Were the bad effects of this -represented to our legislature, it is impossible but it must be amended. -This gentleman took notice in his speech, that a remarkable opportunity -of improving the national taste in _painting_, which was lately lost, -he hoped would now be recovered. The incomparable Sir Joshua Reynolds, -and some other great painters, who do honor to our country, generously -offered to adorn the cathedral of St Paul's (a glorious monument of the -magnificence of our ancestors) with some of their most valuable works: -but the proposition was rejected by the late Bishop of London[8], though -he flatters himself it will be renewed, and accepted by the gentleman -at present in that fee[9], who is not only a man of _solid piety_, but -of the _soundest learning_, and of _exquisite classical taste_. The -great art of human life is not to eradicate the passions, but to adopt -the proper objects of them: if mankind cannot think so abstractedly as -a pure effort of unmixed reason implies, I presume it follows, that -some degree of passion is warrantable in devotion. While we are in our -present imperfect and embodied state, it will be found necessary to -call in _externals_ to our aid, for the proper discharge of religious -worship. Even among those who in their private devotions are most -sincere, external acts and ceremonies, when properly conducted, become -real assistances; because the connection between the body and soul, -between the senses and the imagination, between the passions and the -reason of mankind, is so strong and mutual, that they uniformly act and -re-act upon one another, and mutually raise the soul to new and higher -degrees of fervor. - -This was so much Lady Frances's opinion, that she had some fine pieces -of painting in her chapel, which is also a very fine new building; the -architecture and paintings do honor to the artists--She made it a rule -to be constant in her attendance at church. Public acknowledgments of -the goodness of God, and application for his blessings, contribute to -give a whole community suitable apprehensions of him: and these, if it -was her duty to entertain, it was equally her duty to propagate; both as -the regard she paid the divine excellencies was expressed, and as the -same advantage that she received from such apprehensions, was received -by all whom they affected in the same manner. - -She had not the smallest degree of superstition, having too much good -sense to imagine the Deity can be persuaded to recede from the settled -laws of the universe, and the immutability of his nature. But she -knows the perfections of God are a ground and sufficient reason for -prayer, and that it is both an act and a means of virtue.[10] She had -a mind free from prejudice, adorned with knowledge, and filled with -the best principles; a noble firmness in showing these principles, -and in maintaining them; in short, every talent joined to the most -amiable modesty. She was advised to call her elegant village by the -name of _Athens_; but this she declined, naming it _Munster Village_: -but she justly thought it deserved it; with this difference, that the -inhabitants are too well informed to give into such gross superstitions, -and so easily suffer themselves to be imposed upon by astrologers, -divines, soothsayers, and many other sorts of conjurers, as the Grecians -did. - -They excelled in arts; their laws were wise; they had brought everything -to perfection that makes life easy and agreeable: but they took little -pains in the speculative sciences, geometry, astronomy, and physics. -The anatomy of plants and animals, the knowledge of minerals and -meteors, the shape of the earth, the course of the stars, and the whole -system of the world, were still mysteries to them. - -The Chaldeans and Egyptians, who knew something of them, kept it a great -secret and never spoke of them but in riddles; so that until Alexander's -time, and the reign of the Macedonians, they had made no great progress -in such learning as might cure them of superstition. An immoderate love -of the study of astrology, was a weakness which characterized also the -fifteenth century. In the age of Lewis XIV, the court was infatuated -with the notion of judicial astrology: many of the princes, through a -superstitious pride, supposed that nature, to distinguish them, had -writ their destiny in the stars. Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, father -to the Duchess of Burgundy, had an astrologer always with him, even -after his abdication. The same weakness which gave credit to the absurd -chimera, judicial astrology, also occasioned the belief of sorcery and -witchcraft; courts of justice composed of magistrates, who ought to have -had more sense than the vulgar, were employed in trying persons accused -of witchcraft.--Latest posterity must hear with astonishment that the -Madame d'Ancre was burnt at the _Gréve_ as a sorceress. This unfortunate -woman, when questioned by counsellor Courtin concerning the kind of -sorcery she had used to influence the will of Mary de Medecis, having -answered, _She had used that power only which great souls always have -over weak minds_; this sensible reply served only to precipitate the -decree of her death[11]. - -It must be confessed there is a strong propensity in man's nature, to -assign every thing uncommon to supernatural means. But though I am very -apt to believe there is greater credulity in most minds, than will be -candidly acknowledged, yet the degree of it must be in proportion to -people's ignorance and want of information. Thus the famous doctors of -the faculty at Paris, when John Faustus brought the first printed books -that had then been seen in the world, or at least seen there, and sold -them for manuscripts, were surprised at the performance, and questioned -Faustus about it; but he affirming they were manuscripts, and that he -kept a great many clerks employed to write them, they were satisfied. -Looking further, however, into the work, and observing such an exact -uniformity throughout the whole, that if there was a blot in one, it was -the same in all, etc. etc. etc. their doubts were revived. The learned -divines not being able to comprehend the thing, (and that was always -sufficient) concluded it must be the _devil_; that it was done by magic -and witchcraft; and that, in short, poor Faustus (who was indeed nothing -but a mere printer) dealt with the _devil_. - -They accordingly took him up for a _magician_ and a _conjurer_, and -one that worked by the _Black Art_, that is to say, by the help of the -devil--and threatened to hang him; commencing a process against him in -their criminal courts; when the fear of the gallows induced Faustus -to _discover the secret_--that he had been a compositor to Koster of -Harlem, the first inventor of printing. - -Gardening made a much slower progress among the ancients, than -architecture. The palace of Alcinous, in the seventh book of the -Odyssey, is grand and highly ornamented; but his garden is no better -than what we call a kitchen garden. This also Lady Frances excelled -in. She had also a receptacle for all sorts of animals to retire to -in their old age. It was of old the custom to bury the favourite dog -near the master. To use those of the brute creation who toil for our -pleasure, or labour for our profit, with hard and ungenerous treatment, -is a species of inhumanity which all men allow to be derogatory from -virtue. The authors of wanton cruelty towards the dumb creation, are -justly execrated for their brutality. It is a crime which I believe many -commit, without either considering the misery it _produces_, or the -guilt _it incurs_: and many more, who in fits of causeless or capricious -displeasure intend to inflict the misery, have yet no sense that they -incur guilt. Lady Frances makes use of buffaloes to draw her ploughs. -These animals are far stronger than oxen, and eat less. Why have we not -them in this country, and dromedaries and camels? - -She cultivates India corn, which grows with vast reeds, which is of -great use; and has attempted the culture of rice, and some other things -upon boggy ground, with tolerable success. As our cork used to come from -France, and now grows in Italy, she has tried it here, where it thrives -amazingly; it resembles the evergreen oak, and bears acorns. When you -strip other trees of their bark, they die; but this grows stronger, and -produces a new coat. She leaves nothing unattempted which has a chance -of becoming useful. She also procured sheep from Norway, which are -peculiar from having four horns, and being spotted like deer, with a -coat of substance betwixt the hair and wool, which is admirable for many -uses. - -Edward IV has been greatly censured, as taking a very impolitic and -injurious measure in making a present to the King of Spain of some -Cotswold sheep; the breed of which has been very detrimental to the -English woollen manufacture, which has been a national branch of trade -ever since. The celebrated Buffon affirms, that our sheep are very far -removed from their natural state; from which it has been the usual -course of things to decline. - -Lady Frances cultivates silk-worms. The ancient Romans for a long time -never dreamed that silk could be produced in their country; and the -first silk ever seen in Greece, was after the conquest of Persia by -Alexander the Great. From thence it was imported into Italy, but was -sold at the rate of an equal weight of gold.[12] - -The Persians being the only people of whom it was to be had, would not -permit a single egg or worm to be carried out of their country. Hence -the ancient Greeks and Romans were so little acquainted with the nature -of silk, that they imagined it grew like a vegetable. Holosericum, -or a stuff made of silk only, was worn by none but ladies of the -first rank.[13] But men of the greatest quality, and even princes, -were contented with subsericum, or a stuff made of half silk; to that -Heliogabulus is remarked for being the first who wore holosericum[14]. -In the reign of the emperor Justinian, a trial was made for bringing -silk-worms alive to Constantinople, but without success; however, two -monks who had been employed in the affair, repeated the trial with -silk-worms eggs.[15] The experiment succeeded so well, that to this -Constantinopolitan colony, all the silk-worms, and silk manufactures in -Europe owe their existence and origin. Till the middle of the twelfth -century, all the silken stuffs at Rome and other parts of Europe were -of Grecian manufacture. But Roger I. King of Sicily, about the year -1138, invading Greece with a fleet of vessels with two or three benches -of oars, called Galeæ or Sagittæ (from whence are derived the words -galley and saique) and sacking and plundering Corinth, Thebes, and -Athens, brought away to Palermo, among other prisoners, a great number -of silk weavers to instruct his subjects in that art. From them, as -Otto Trisingensis de gestis Frederici, lib. I. cap. 23. informs us, the -Italians soon learnt the method of manufacturing silk. - -Lady Frances did not restrain farmers, or the sons of farmers from -shooting, as none are better entitled to game than those whose property -is the support of it. - - 'See that assemblage of the sons of wealth, - Whose pity and humanity extend - To dumb creation! with what costly care - They study to preserve the brutal race - From _vulgar_ persecution! Truly great - Were such benevolence, could their design - Deserve so laudable a name!--Alas! What are they but - monopolists in blood, - That to themselves endeavour to preserve - Inviolate the cruel privilege - Of slaughter and destruction? What is this - But petty tyranny, th' ambitious child - Of luxury and pride? If Heaven indulge - A right to kill, each free-born Briton sure - May claim his portion of the carnage. All - O'er nature's commoners, by nature's law, - Plead equal privilege: what then supports - This usurpation in the wealthier tribe; - The _qualifying_ acres? no, proud man, - Possessions give not thee superior claim - To that, which equally pertains to all-- - Whose property you timid hare, which feeds - In thy inclosure? thine? denied--allow'd, - Yet if the fearful animal be thine, - Because the innocently crops _to-day_ - The herbage of thy freehold, whose will be - The claim _to-morrow_, when thy neighbour's soil - Affords her pasturage? Assuming man! - How is the hardy Briton's spirit tam'd - By thy oppressive pride!-when danger comes - Who shall defend thy property? thyself? - No; that poor Briton, whom thou hast undone - By prosecutions--will he not retort, - "What's liberty to me? 'tis lost! 'tis gone! - "If I must be oppress'd, it matters not - "Who are th' oppressors. Shall I hazard life - "For those imperious lordlings, who denied - "That privilege, which Heaven and nature meant - "For food, or sport, or exercise to all?"' - - _British Philippic._ - -Mr Burt devoted his time much to his grand-children, though he was far -from wishing to obtrude too much knowledge on their tender years, as the -mind may be overstrained by too intense application, in the same way as -the body may be weakened by too much exercise before it arrives at its -full strength. - -Quintilian compares the understanding of children to vessels into -which no liquor can be poured but drop by drop. But there is a certain -season, when our minds may be enlarged--when a great stock of useful -truths may be acquired--when our passions will readily submit to the -government of reason--when right principles may be so fixed in us, as to -influence every important action of our future lives. If at that period -it is neglected, error or ignorance are, according to the ordinary -course of things, entailed upon us. Our passions gain a strength that -we afterwards vainly oppose--wrong inclinations become too confirmed in -us, that they defeat all our endeavours to correct them. A superior -capacity, an ardent thirst for knowledge, and the finest dispositions, -soon discovered themselves in Lord Munster; particularly a singular -warmth of affection, and disinterestedness of temper. And although -experience evinces, that memory, understanding, and fancy, are seldom -united in one person, yet he is one of those transcendant geniuses, who -is blessed with all three. Mr Burt treated him always with that distant -condescension, which, though it encourages to freedom, commands at the -same time respect. He appeared in different characters to him, that he -might find something new and agreeable in his conversation. - -Montaigne says; 'there is nothing like alluring the passions and -affections; otherwise we only make asses loaded with books.' Exquisite -is the fruit produced by a right temperature of the different qualities, -and mixture of the world and philosophy, business and pleasure, dignity -and politeness. The Romans termed it _Urbanitas_, the Greeks _Atticism_. - -At the age of sixteen years the Earl of Munster having received every -advantage education could bestow on him, fully answered the most -sanguine expectations his aunt had formed of him. She then insinuated -to him his dependent situation--her own intentions of marrying, the -great expenses she had been at in the various improvements she had made -on the estate, which rendered it necessary for him to apply himself to -business, as it would disable her from doing so much for him as she -would have inclined: that as she had bestowed on him every advantage of -education, the alternative before him was that of _application_ on his -part, or the utmost severity of _censure_ on that of the world. - -Lady Frances adopted this plan with Lord Munster to keep him ignorant of -her intentions in his favor, that she might not obstruct his exerting -all his physical and moral strength in acquiring that knowledge and -virtue he at present so eminently possesses. Though a man of rank born -to a large fortune may have fine natural parts, yet it takes a great -deal to make him a _great man_. His splendid titles and large estate, -are in some degree a bar to those acquirements, as he rests secure in -his rank and independent fortune. How would the number of the nobility -be reduced, were only those allowed to assume that title who could make -good their claim to it by the distinguished endowments which raised -the founder of the family? A man of rank who is a jockey at Newmarket -rises no higher in my estimation than the lowest mechanic. Men of -literature are the only nobility known in China: In other countries -the laws inflict punishment _on criminal actions_: there, they do -more; _they reward virtue_. If the fame of a generous action is spread -in a province, the mandarin is obliged to acquaint the emperor, who -presently sends a badge of honor to the person who has so well deserved -it. Be their birth ever so low, they become mandarins of the highest -rank, in proportion to the extent of their worth or learning. On the -other hand, be their birth ever so exalted, they quickly sink into -poverty and obscurity if they neglect there studies which raised their -fathers.[16][17] - -The care, attention, and labour incumbent on men for their support, -invigorate both the soul and the body, and they are the natural causes -of health and sagacity. Virtue itself would be indolent if she had no -passions to conquer and regulate. It is every way our advantage that -we have no such slothful paradise as the poets feigned in the golden -age: and the alledged blemishes in nature, are either the unavoidable -accompanyments or consequences of a structure, and of laws subservient -to advantages, which quite over-balance these inconveniences, or -sometimes the direct and natural means of obtaining those advantages. -The situation of the King of Sardinia, environed on all sides with -powerful monarchs, obliges him to act with the greatest circumspection; -which circumstance seems to have formed the character of that house.--As -Lady Frances was desirous of her nephew's understanding commerce, she -proposed his becoming a merchant:--with great modesty, and deference -for her opinion, he submitted to her, whether the confined maxims of a -trader were not destructive of the social virtues; if they did not tend -to destroy those refined feelings of the soul that distinguish man from -man?[18] She answered, 'What situation is like that of a man, who with -one stroke of a pen makes himself obeyed from one end of the world to -the other? his name, his signature, has no necessity, like the army of -a Sovereign, for the value of metal to come to the assistance of the -impression: himself does all; he has signed, and that is enough.' - -Lord Munster replied, 'that there were two ranks in life he should -prefer as more suitable to the title he bore, though unaccompanied -by fortune, the magistrate who supports the laws, or that of the -soldier who defends his country!' Highly charmed with his sentiments, -it required no small resolution for his aunt, who fondly loved him, -to support the character she had assumed; but recollecting herself, -observed, that it was not unusual for men of high birth to enrich their -family _by trade_. - -When the Earl of Oxford was at the head of affairs in England, his -brother was a factor at Aleppo; and if Lord Townshend was respected in -parliament as a secretary of state, his brother was no less regarded -in the city as a merchant. Without giving way, added she, to ideas of -birth, you may be happy, and by your temper, application, and personal -accomplishments, make a figure in life without the aid of such an -accidental _appendage_; and by your attainments and engaging qualities -obtain a general esteem, the surest step to advancement and honor. - -Lord Munster seemed _convinced_, though not allured by her arguments, -yielding himself to her guidance, with that sweetness of disposition, -which though so amiable in itself is so much to be apprehended. For -those dispositions of the mind, which are generally termed virtuous, are -frequently the occasion of our falling into vices, from which opposite -ones, though generally condemned, would have secured us. - -In pursuance of Lady Frances's plan, Lord Munster was sent to Holland, -where he was boarded for two years in a creditable family in Amsterdam, -as the best school for learning, temperance, economy, and every domestic -virtue. - -Men of all climates and religions being also natives of Holland, gave -him liberal notions and enlarged ideas; their earth is as free as their -air. Their toleration of religion, indeed, is so extreme, it amounts -to a total unconcern about them. At the same communion, in the same -church, some receive sitting, others standing, or kneeling; and this -freedom appeared to that crafty people, such unquestionable policy, that -it came in from common sense alone, and passed without a law.[19] To -this cause is assigned the number of inhabitants; as the land fit for -tillage in Holland does not exceed four hundred thousand acres[20]. This -country in itself furnishes an illustration of the plan Lady Frances -was following with her nephew. Industry, honesty, and concern for the -public welfare, made the inhabitants considerable. If they depart from -these, and if the sea returns upon them, their having existed will be -known only from tradition and books. The preservation of both Egypt and -Holland depends upon the care they take of their dykes, and canals; -but there is no work in the former so great as the building such a -city as Amsterdam upon piles in the sea[21]. Venice also furnishes a -striking instance of what wonders may be effected by industry: that out -of a morass, a city of such splendor could be raised, and become the -emporium of Europe, as it was before the discovery of the East and West -Indies, is extraordinary. But this trade decayed, as that of Holland -increased: almost all merchandizes which came from the Mediterranean -were formerly landed at Venice, and from thence brought to Augsburg; -from which place, they were dispersed through all Germany. But Holland -has taken away all, and distributes all; and Augsburg suffers, as well -as Venice, Milan, Antwerp, and an infinite number of other cities, -which are at _present_ as _poor_ as _formerly_ they _were rich_. This -furnishes an excellent example of the benefits arising from industry, -and the necessity of exertion. Lord Munster rendered himself entirely -master of the knowledge of our English trade and privileges. He also -attained a competent skill in the history of jurisprudence[22]. As it is -requisite for every man who has leisure and capacity for such researches -to be acquainted with the nature and extent of that judicial authority -which is to decide upon his person and property, and to which as a -citizen he is bound to submit, he studied the English constitution and -government in the ancient books of common law, and more modern writers, -who out of them have given an account of this government. He next -proceeded to the history of England, and with it joined in every king's -reign the laws then made----This gave him insight into the reason of -our statutes, and shewed him the true ground upon which they came to -be made, and what weight they ought to have. By this means he read the -history of his own country with intelligence, and was able to examine -into the _excellence_ or _defects_ of its _government_, and to judge of -the _fitness_ or _unfitness_ of its _orders_ and _laws_: and by this -method he knows enough of the English law for a gentleman, though quite -ignorant of the _chicane_ or wrangling, and captious part of it, or the -arts how to _avoid_ doing _right_, and to _secure himself_ in _doing -wrong_. As Lord Munster was now eighteen years of age, Lady Frances -wrote and acquainted him, that as he had rather testified a dislike -to the mercantile scheme, she desired he would relinquish it; and as -nothing contributes more to enlighten and improve the understanding, -than a personal acquaintance with foreign climates, she desired he would -travel.--The man who by his birth-right is a free member of society, -not a slave to despotic power, and who, in matters of religion, enjoys -the invaluable blessing of private judgment, should not fail to visit -other nations; for this will not only rub off all the selfish asperities -he may have contracted from a narrow survey of things, but will also -accompany him home with a more rational attachment to that constitution -under which he had the happiness to be born. Heaven has placed us in -a most advantageous situation; unless we are divided at home, attacks -from abroad may molest but cannot ruin us. Our laws are the laws of -freedom; our merchandise the traffic of opulence----Our constitution is -framed and joined together by the choicest parts, picked and extracted -from aristocracies, democracies, and sovereignties. We have a natural -force to _defend_ and _maintain_ the empire of the seas. We enjoy -wealth and possessions in both the Indies, if we do not lose them by -our own misconduct----We boast at regular choice, and singular system -of parliamentary government, so nicely calculated, as to be at once the -defence and the support of the kingdom and the people. Our Sovereign has -the power--but the parliament has still the law of that power[23].--What -people on earth can say the same? The studies Lord Munster made of our -constitution, when contrasted with his observations of other countries, -made him return after three years, not a _nominal_, but a _real_ -patriot. This is not always the case. Too many of our young gentlemen -bring home only a miserable reverse of every good purpose for which -they were sent out:--as none travel more than the English, they ought, -therefore, to let none surpass them in manly or generous perceptions. -But we have reason to fear that what Mr Pope observes of _one_ of them -may be applicable to _most_. - - '_Europe he saw, and Europe saw him too._' - -Is not this owing to their early visiting France, where slavery is so -artfully gilded over as to hide its natural deformity? If our countrymen -were first to make the tour of Denmark, where the people are more -apparently slaves, it would remedy this evil. On the contrary, when the -subject of an arbitrary government has travelled into countries which -enjoy the inestimable advantages of civil and religious liberty, he -returns with a diminished affection for his own, and learns to despise -and dislike that constitution which denies him the enjoyment of those -natural rights, the knowledge and the value of which he has learnt from -his happier neighbours. - -Hence it is that despotic princes are cautious how they permit their -subjects to _range abroad_; and for the reasons above intimated, -travelling has ever been encouraged in free states. - -With the finest person, Lord Munster possessed all the virtues and the -graces----was all complacency in his manners, all sweetness in his -disposition; humane, susceptible, and compassionate. - -While Lady Frances had taken so much care of his education, it may -be readily supposed she was not forgetful of Lady Eliza's, his -sister--whose person is faultless, and of the middle size--her face is -a sweet oval, and her complexion the _brunette_ of the bright kind. -The finest passions are always passing in her face; and in her lovely -eyes there is a fluid fire sufficient to animate a score of inanimate -beauties. She has a clear understanding, and a sound judgment; has read -a great deal, and has a most happy elocution: possesses a great share of -wit, and with equal strength and propriety can express the whole series -of the passions in comic characters. The pliableness of her dispositions -can raise and keep up agreeable sensations, and amuse her company. - -Lord L---- declares he never saw anything equal to her, even on the -French stage, in the article of transition from passion to passion -in comic life. She is perfect mistress of music, and plays admirably -well on the harpsicord; having great neatness, and more expression and -meaning in her playing, than is often found among lady-players.--In -this, as in every other branch of her education, she has had every -advantage--Lady Frances herself being highly accomplished--and her -long residence in Italy and France having perfected and improved her -taste, in every accomplishment that can embellish or add graces to -the youth and beauty of her niece--All her musical band have been the -pupils of the first masters, and recommended to her by Santirelli, -Jomelli, Galuppi, Piccini, and Sacchini. It is not then surprising that -the works of these different masters are performed admirably well at -Munster-house; and as there is great variety in their manner, there -is that in every one of them to charm and please the most insensible. -Lady Frances is highly charmed with Jomelli; while the fancy, fire, -and feeling of Galuppi, and Piccini's comic style, are infinitely -more attracting to Lady Eliza, than the taste, learning, great and -noble ideas of Jomelli, or the serious style of Sacchini.--One of -the Bezzodzi's, from Turin who excels on the hautboy, is also at -Munster-house. - -There is also a set of very excellent actors, who perform at the -Tribuna, judging the representation of dramatic works of genius -contribute as much to soften manners, as the exhibition of the -Gladiators formerly did to harden them. When we complain of the -_licentiousness_ of the stage, I fear we have more reason to complain of -_bad measures_ in our policy, and a general decay of _virtue_ and _good -morals_ among us. - -Moliere's comedies are said to have done more service to the courtiers, -than the sermons of Bourdalone and Massillon. The great Saint -Chrysostom, a name consecrated to immortality by his virtue, is thought -to owe a great part of his eloquence and vehemence in correcting vice, -to his constantly reading Aristophanes; nor was he even censured on that -account, in those times of pure zeal, and primitive religion. - -Lord Shaftesbury says, 'Bigotry hurries us away into the most furious -excesses, upon trifles of no manner of consequence.' What is more -useful to a nation than the picture of strong passions, and their fatal -effects; of great crimes, and their chastisement; of great virtues, -and their reward? Scarce had Peter the Great polished Russia, before -theatres were established there. The more Germany has improved, the more -of our dramatic representations has it adopted. Those few places, where -they were not received in the last age, are never ranked among civilized -countries: and theatrical entertainments have their use everywhere, and -often keep the common people from a worse employment of their time--and -so far were the institution of theatres from being the fore-runners of -slavery, or the badges of despotism, that they were most encouraged, and -flourished best in free states. - -It is easy to conceive that the acquaintance of Lady Frances was much -courted, as no private person had it so much in their power to entertain -their company so well; there being every requisite at Munster-house to -delight the heart, please the eyes, and satisfy the understanding.--No -person of any taste but would blush to acknowledge they have not been in -Shropshire to admire her buildings, manufactures, schools, etc.--And it -fares with her merit like the pictures of Raphael, which are seen with -admiration by all, or at least no one dare own that he has no taste for -a composition which has received so universal an applause. - -Upon Lord Munster's being of age, she was thirty-seven; yet the -regularity of her life contributed to make her lose no more in her -person than what might be considered as the slight touches in a picture, -which when faded diminish nothing of the master-strokes of the piece. -Lord Darnley, since the time he had expected to become Lady Frances's -husband, still continued to attach himself to her. 'Whatever her -determinations may be,' said he, 'I am sensible of the value of her -soul; her friendship is more tender than the endearment of love in other -women.' Such forbearances were not uncommon in ages of chivalry; and -however justly ridiculed by the inimitable _Cervantes_, when carried to -extremes, and terminating in Quixotism, yet it appears to constitute -a capital part of the character of _a true_ knight. Lord Darnley's -attachment to Lady Frances was not founded on the weakness of his -intellects; it never made him forgetful of his duties to society. He is -at the same time a philosopher and a politician; and adds practice to -speculation, experience to knowledge, in both these departments. Though -the brilliant actions of some heroes are only handed down to us, and -we view their characters through the magnifying end of the tube, yet -Hercules himself could lay aside his club, and amuse himself with the -distaff, to enjoy the company of the woman he loved. All great souls -have descended occasionally, and divesting themselves of their heroism, -have become susceptible of the _tender passion_. - -Lady Frances respected Lord Darnley's character, as much as she loved -his person; and the time was now arrived when she proposed ingenuously -to confess to him the reasons of her past conduct, and to offer to -dedicate the remainder of her life in rewarding his tender, fond, -faithful attentions. But she suspected that--years had made such an -alteration in her person, that she ceased to be an object _of love_, -(to his lordship) although perfectly convinced she possessed _his -esteem_--Under this apprehension it became impossible for her to act -the part she intended--She became disquieted, and was determined, had -that really been the case, never to have allied herself to any other. -After revolving a thousand things, she at last determined to confirm or -confute her hopes, by employing a particular friend, and a relation of -Lord Darnley's, to discover his sentiments. Lady Frances's intimacy with -this lady had commenced at Paris, when they were in the convent of the -----. As her character is peculiar, the indulgent reader will perhaps -pardon the introduction of her story in this place. - -At the time Lady Frances returned to England, Mrs Lee was taken out of -the convent to be married. Her parents, dazzled with Mr Lee's wealth, -forgot to attend to other requisites to render that state happy. Without -his being a man of very shining parts, he had such talents as made -him acceptable to women, in particular to a girl so young as she was -when this alliance took place. He sung and danced well, was lively to -extravagance, full of agreeable trifling, and always in good humour: -add to this, he was handsome in his person, liberal to excess, and -calculated for the seduction of the fair. Mrs Lee's great beauty, her -parents partially flattered themselves would fix his affections.--All -the graces of which the figure and emotions of a female were capable, -were united in her; but his love for her was nothing but an impulse -of passion which soon subsided. Addicted by his natural disposition -to pleasure, he despised those which a tender sensibility renders -so exquisitely delightful; such would have trespassed too much on -his vanity. Unexperienced and artless, his innocent wife could not -long retain his affections, and in the few years she lived with him, -encountered many mortifications; first from the alienation of his -affections, afterwards from the distressed situation of his affairs, -which entirely changed his temper, rendering him impatient and -passionate. His very footmen were taught to insult her, and every one -in the family knew the most effectual way to ingratiate themselves with -him, was to disregard his wife. Yet she bore it all with patience, -and acted her part with prudence, endeavouring to disarm his anger -with gentleness. She sometimes, indeed, lamented and complained, but -the dove and the lamb do so too--'The poison of grief exhales only in -complaints.'--She was neither sullen nor gay when he was out of humour; -nor impertinent or melancholy when he was pleased--She obliged her -affections to wait and submit to the various turns of his temper--trying -to bribe his passions to her interest. She endeavoured also, by economy -and proper attention, to retard as long as possible, the ruin that -threatened him; and considerably diminished the household expenses. - -This pleased her husband; he wanted to retrench, without appearing -less magnificent; for his prudence (or rather his desire of saving at -home to squander abroad) was still subordinate to his ostentation. But -all these innocent stratagems were ineffectual; spending his whole -time between women, racing, and gaming, one excess succeeded another, -until his affairs were intirely involved. Previous to this, Mrs Lee had -resigned her jewels to pay one of his game debts, which she afterwards -saw adorning a girl he kept. The world saw he devoted himself only to -objects of contempt, and pitied his neglect of a woman of her merit, -and who was still handsome, having that style of beauty which is the -image of a sensible heart, though sorrow and tears had deprived it of -its freshness. This laid her open to the assiduity of men of gallantry, -who are generally obliging enough, upon such occasions, to offer their -assistance to dry up a _pretty woman's tears_. It is to be confessed a -woman under these circumstances is in a very _dangerous situation_. - -None of Mr Lee's conduct was founded on propriety--he was witty, kind, -cold, angry, easy, stiff, jealous, careless, cautious, confident, -close, open, but all _in the wrong place_. She often retired into her -closet, and wept the silent hours away for his hard-heartedness--yet -without one unkind word or reproach. Her parents were dead, Lady -Frances at a distance, her sorrows of a complicated kind, which -required great delicacy to discover; she had no person to open her -heart to, none to whom she could pour forth the sorrows of the soul! -she had a susceptible heart, and no object she took any interest in, -or who participated in her trials.--This situated, (the candid must -acknowledge) she was perhaps more to be _pitied_ than _blamed_, in -permitting another object to glide insensibly into her affections--more -especially as he was introduced by Mr Lee, as one to whom she was -indebted for his life and fortune. - -_The first_ he had defended, when two gamblers, his adversaries, were -on the point of killing him; _the last_ he had preserved by discovering -a scheme that had been practised on him by them when inebriated by -liquor, to which he was much addicted. Her husband left her young and -unexperienced heart to all the tortures and pangs of jealousy, and -that _ennui_ attending an unoccupied heart; after flattering herself, -as she had done nothing to deserve the estrangement of his affections, -that they would be as permanent as her own. Why did he forsake her; why -did he lay her open to temptations? her heart might have been his own, -had he not cruelly abandoned her--at any rate it was too good to form -another tye, had he not at last added _contempt_ to _neglect_ and his -cruel usage at last would have animated a statue, at least I may safely -declare nothing warmed with flesh and blood could bear it. A man of this -humour is to be beloved only in the way of christianity--that is the -utmost obedience which can be allowed to the commandments of God, and -the authority of religion. - -Were I obliged to draw a picture that should represent the happy union -between an elevated soul, a penetrating mind, and a heart in which sweet -humanity resides, I would form it entirely of the person and features of -Mr Villars; and I fancy that all who had any just idea of those three -qualities might perceive them plainly expressed in his form, look, -and demeanor. Mr Lee pressed him to be much at his house; and as his -_innocent_, though _oppressed_, wife had been kept in constant alarms -concerning the consequences of his gaming----she could not but look on -Mr Villars as the favour of her fortune, and on one to whom she might -be indebted for her husband's reformation. I shall not expatiate on the -sweetness and charms of his voice, of his noble appearance, and of the -tincture of melancholy which softens the vivacity of his fine eyes; but -what distinguishes him from most other men is the sentimental look of -modest virtue, which never gives offence. He is not in the least a slave -to interest; but as he is no stranger to the necessities of life, his -conduct is always regular, and he never abandons himself to any excess. -Such is and was Mr Villars. Mrs Lee very soon perceived his partiality -for her--circumstanced as she was, his attentions were dangerous--but -she could not with any propriety forbid him _a house_ to which her -husband so constantly _invited him_, without letting him see she -mistrusted herself--more especially as he never failed in his respect -for her. - -He became her only comforter and friend; and if from her youth and -inexperience she was likely to fall into even the appearance of any -error, it was this kind, this friendly monitor that guarded her from it. - -His attentions became as necessary to her soul, as aliments of food -are to the support of the body, while the respectful distance of his -behaviour proved to her his passion was controlled by his respect. - -Some surmises were at length insinuated to Mr Lee, to his wife's -dishonour. He paid little attention to them--but coming home one night -flushed with wine, and finding Mr Villars alone at supper with her, (no -unusual matter, and by his own request) he drew his sword, and wounded -him before he had time to defend himself! Mrs Lee fainted away----on her -recovery she removed herself from a house to which no entreaties on his -part could prevail on her to return--declaring she would live no longer -with a man who could at once suspect her virtue, endanger his friend's -life, and ruin her reputation. - -The world talked differently about this affair. Should not the example -of the law be followed, which is so tender in criminal cases, that -delinquents are often found _not guilty_, for want of legal evidence, -at the same time that the court, the jury, and every one present at the -trial feel the strongest _moral_ conviction of their _guilt_? Scandal -on the contrary always gives its most important and fatal decisions -from _appearances_ and _suppositions_, though reputation is dearer to -a woman of honor than life itself. Mrs Lee experienced the malevolence -of her own sex particularly. What, said they, could engage Mr Villars -to devote all his time to her? is not friendship between a man and a -woman a chimera, the mark of a passion which honor or self-interest bids -them conceal? But whilst the world represented this affair in the worst -colours, Lady Frances wrote her an affectionate letter, offering her -assistance, and begging she would communicate her real situation, that -she might the more effectually be enabled to serve her; to which Mrs -Lee returned the following answer. - - 'Dear Madam. - - I received the honor of your letter, and find myself elevated by - your notice--if there can be pride that ranks with virtues, it is - that we feel from friendships with the worthy. The liberal sentiments - you express, are a proof of the goodness of your heart----I have ever - thought that to believe the worst is a mark of a mean spirit, and a - wicked soul; at least I am sure, that the contrary quality, when it - is not due to weakness of understanding, is the fruit of a generous - temper. In return for your generosity, I will lay open my whole heart - to you; and if in consequence I lose your esteem, I shall at least - have the satisfaction resulting from a consciousness of my candour. - This is a liberty I should have taken before, had it not proceeded - from the timidity I felt in unbosoming myself to one whose virtues - I dreaded, and in discovering _my weakness_ to one who I think has - _none of her own_. Your ladyship knows the trials I suffered for many - years; my conduct under the severest mortifications human nature could - sustain. I was wounded in my affections, condemned and insulted in - my person, impoverished in my circumstances: I still had strength of - mind to regulate myself so as to meet your approbation: no species - of calamity was unknown to me, nor were there wanting those of the - other sex, who judged from my situation they might have a chance of - succeeding with me, if I was weak enough to listen to them--but they - soon gave up the pursuit, judging the excess of my misfortunes had - hardened my heart entirely against certain impressions. But this was - so far from being the case, that my sorrows, my sufferings, rendered - my heart (naturally tender) more susceptible of that refined passion, - which, when dignified by respect, and softened by tenderness, found so - ready access to it[24]. - - In short, circumstanced as I was, if it is a crime to love, I am - very culpable! but had I unfortunately proceeded to any act contrary - to my engagements with Mr Lee, I myself would have acquainted him with - it, though, in the opinion of many, he would not have deserved so much - candour from me. - - This being the real state of the case, I flatter myself your - ladyship will think me more _weak_ than _wicked_, more _frail_ than - _culpable_, more _unfortunate_ than _indiscreet_. And I must now - acquaint you, that I am determined never to return to my husband--I - have consulted my reason on this subject, and when we have done - so, whatever the decision be, whether in favour of our prejudices, - or against them, we must rest satisfied, since nothing can be more - certain than this, that he who follows that guide in the search of - truth, as that was given to direct him, will have a much better plea - to make for his conduct, than he who has resigned himself implicitly - to the guidance of others. My maxim is, our understanding, _properly_ - exercised, is the _medium_ by which God makes known his _will_ to us; - and that in all _cases_, the voice of impartial reason is the _voice - of_ God. Were my marriage even to be annulled, all the theologians - in the world could not prove the least impiety in it.--Milton wrote - _the doctrine and discipline of divorce_; wherein he proves, that a - contrariety of mind, destructive of felicity, peace, and happiness, - are greater reasons of divorce than adultery, especially if there be - no children, and there be a mutual consent for separation. - - He dedicated the second edition to the parliament of England, with - the assembly of divines----The latter summoned him before the house - of Lords, who, whether approving his doctrine, or not favouring his - accusers, dismissed him. Necessary and just causes have necessary and - just consequences: what error and disaster joined, reason and equity - should disjoin. - - I see no reason why those who upon the evidence of more than - fourteen years experience are unsuited to each other, _joined_ - not _matched_, should live disagreeably together, and exist - miserably--merely for the inadequate satisfaction of exulting upon - the degree of their patience in having to say they did _not part_. - A person may mistake in fixing love without knowledge of the party, - but he cannot err that finds cause to dislike from woeful experience. - It is, indeed, convenient for the lords of the creation to inculcate - another doctrine, upon the same principles that the extreme and - timorous attention to his own security made James I. very anxious - to infuse into his subjects the belief of divine hereditary right, - and a scrupulous unreserved obedience _to the power which God had - set over them_. Mr Villars, who is now reconciled with my husband, - has written to intercede in his behalf, assuring me of his penitence - and affection. Boileau has observed, that it is an easy matter in a - _Christian poem_ for _God_ to bring _the devil to reason_. Could I - believe that all my husband did, were the effects of love, it would - not in the least alter my resolution, since I should consider a - person whose affection had such dreadful effects, as dangerous to - my repose, as one whose anger was implacable.----What signifies it - to me whether it be love or hatred by which I suffer, if the danger - and inconvenience be the same? I am certain were we to live together - again, whenever we met we should as naturally quarrel as the elephant - and the rhinoceros. Reconciliations in the marriage state, after - violent breaches, are seldom lasting, and after what has passed - between us, like the father of the gods and the queen of heaven, we - shall be the best company when _asunder_. - - He says his conduct proceeded from an excess of love! I desire to - be subject no more to such excesses! I am content to be moderately - beloved; nor shall I ever again give occasion for such extraordinary - proofs of affection. Were I to act otherwise, it would afford too much - encouragement for the men to use their wives ill. _Too good subjects - are apt to make bad kings._ He has my consent to live with any - woman who can delight in such a _loving husband_, while I will force - him to esteem my conduct, and irritate his animosity by declining a - reconciliation. We are tired with perpetual gratitude, and perpetual - hatred.----He wishes to be reconciled to me, not from any religious - motive, or return of affection, his animosity being still the -same--but because he is tired of acting the part of a provoked husband. - - I am piqued at Mr Villars's interesting himself in this matter. I - shall not answer his letter for a week; I mistrust my own vivacity. - - Our imagination is often our greatest enemy: I am striving to weary - mine before I act. Business like fruit hath its time of maturity, - and we should not think of dispatching it while it is half ripe. The - Cardinal de Retz said, 'I have all my life-time held men in greater - esteem for what they forbore to do on some occasions than for what - they did.' - - I have here a most delightful dwelling----It is thatched, and - covered on every side with roses, wood-bines, and honey-suckles, - surrounded with a garden of the most artful confusion. The streams all - around murmur, and fall a thousand ways. A great variety of birds are - here collected, and are in high harmony on the sprays. The ruins of an - abbey enhance the beauties of this place: they appear at the distance - of four hundred yards from the house; and as some great trees are now - grown up among the remains, and a river winds among the broken walls, - the view is solemn, the picture fine. Here I often meditate on my - misfortunes. - - 'There is a joy in grief when peace dwells - in the breast of the sad.' - OSSIAN'S Poems. - - Sadness receives so many eulogiums in the scripture, that it is easy - to judge, that if it be not of the number of the virtues, it may be - usefully employed in their service----and it may be truly observed, - that without experiencing sorrow, we should never know life's true - value. - - About a mile above the house is a range of very high hills, the - sight of which renders me less incredulous of the accounts of Olympus, - and mount Athos. Hygeia resides here, and dispenses the chief - blessings of life, ease and health. I will pass my days in sweet - tranquillity and study. - - 'In either place 'tis folly to complain, - The mind, and not the place, creates the pain.' - HORACE, lib. i. epist. 14. - - Could I flatter myself I should ever be honored by your presence, - how happy I should be!----Your eye, I am sure, would catch pleasure - while it measures the surrounding landscape (even at this season - of the year) of russet lawns and grey fallows, on which stray the - nibbling flocks: the mountains too, which seem to support the - labouring clouds, add sublimity to the charming scene. When I take a - walk after a sedentary occupation, I feel a sensible pleasure; rest - in its turn becomes agreeable, if it has been preceded by a moderate - fatigue. Every action of our lives may be converted into a kind of - pleasure, if it is but well timed: Life owes all its joys to this - well-adapted succession; and he will never enjoy its true relish, - who does not know to blend pleasure with dissipation. I ask pardon - for detaining your ladyship so long--My cousin Lord Darnley has been - to see, and admires my cottage.--I perceive plainly he flatters - himself that you will one day make him happy. I do not presume to - offer my advice; it would be imitating the savage chief, who marks - out to the sun the course it is to take----but surely his respectful, - uninterrupted attachment deserves your consideration. Were I not - perfectly convinced of his worth and sincerity, I should be _the last_ - person to speak in his behalf. The bitterness of conjugal repentance, - which I have experienced, is beyond all others poignant; and happy it - is if _disunion_, rather than perpetual _disagreement_, results from - it. - - I ever am your ladyship's - Obliged and affectionate friend, - LUCY LEE.' - -Lady Frances returned Mrs Lee immediately the following answer. - - 'Dear Madam, Munster-house. - - I return you many thanks for the confidence you honored me with; - and I sincerely sympathize with you on the many disagreeable events - that have occurred to you. If my approbation can confer on you any - satisfaction, you possess it in a very eminent degree: for though I - cannot approve of your sentiments concerning divorce, etc. yet your - conduct in your family was exemplary. - - There is no reasoning about the motions of the heart. Reflection and - sensation are extremely different--our affections are not in our own - power, though yours seem to have been under proper regulations. - - I am not surprised at the calumny you met with. Many people stoop - to the baseness of discovering in a person distinguished by eminent - qualities, the weaknesses of humanity, while there is scarcely to be - found an honest heart, who knows how to render a noble and sincere - homage to another's superiority. I acknowledge myself guilty with - respect to you, of a too common instance of injustice, that of - desiring that others would always _conduct themselves_ by our maxims! - I am the more culpable, as I entirely agree with you in thinking that - all our actions should proceed from the fixed principles we have - adopted. I never pay a blind deference to the judgment of any man, or - any body of men whatever. I cannot acquiesce in a decision, however - formidable made by numbers, where my own reason is not satisfied. When - the mind has no _data_, no settled principles to which it may recur - as the rule of action, the agent can feel little or no satisfaction - within himself, and society can have no moral security whatever - against him. - - The most permanent, the most pleasing enjoyment the human soul is - capable of entertaining, is that which arises from a consciousness - of having acted up to that standard of rectitude which we conceive - to be the proper measure of our duty: and the best grounds on which - we can expect others to place confidence in us, is the assurance we - give them that we act under the influence of such moral obligations. - This principle has influenced my conduct: and as you say you are - absolutely determined never to live with your husband again; although - my sentiments do not correspond with yours on that head, I will add - nothing further on that subject, but refer you to certain passages - in scripture, which I think on sober reflection must invalidate your - present opinion[25]. - - The caprice you have often tacitly blamed me for respecting Lord - Darnley, had you known the motives for, you would have approved--I - will now in reward for your candour _to me_ be equally sincere _with - you_--trusting to your honor, that you will not _divulge_ what is it - so material to me to _conceal_. - - At the time I agreed to give Lord Darnley my hand, I was at liberty - to indulge my inclinations, and to devote myself entirely to him: - But on my father's death, when I found the estate in my possession, - I considered myself as mother to my brother's children. This was my - motive for rejecting the man I (_did_, and do _now_) fondly love: who - by his generous and friendly, his respectful and tender behaviour, - deserves every thing from me. Whoever pretends to be without passions, - censures the wisdom of that Power which made him; and if men of sense - (for they alone are capable of refined pleasure) would so far admit - love, as not to exclude their necessary and more important duties, - they need not be ashamed to indulge one of the most valuable blessings - of an innocent life. I honor the married state: and have high ideas of - the happiness resulting from an union of hearts. Domestic society is - founded on the union betwixt husband and wife. Among all the civilized - nations, this union hath been esteemed sacred and honorable; and from - it are derived those exquisite joys, or sorrows, which can embitter - all the pleasures, or alleviate all the pains in human life. The - heart has but a certain degree of sensibility, which we ought to be - economists of. Lord Darnley engrossed my whole soul; nothing could - afford me any pleasure which had no reference to him.--He was ever - uppermost in my thoughts, and I bestowed only a secondary reflection - on all other subjects. - - I could have cheerfully, for his _conversation_, abandoned all - society on earth beside, and have been more blessed, than if, for - them, I had been deprived of _his_. But if we suffer one particular - duty (even the worship of the Deity) to engross us entirely, or even - to encroach upon the rest, we make but a very imperfect essay towards - religion, or virtue; and are still at a considerable distance from - the business of a moral agent. "The dial that mistells one hour, of - consequence is false through the whole round of day." - - _Virtue_, in my acceptation, is nothing else than that principle - by which our actions are _intentionally directed_, to produce good, - to the several objects of our free agency. I was aware, that it was - not only necessary that I should mean to act a right part, and take - the best way which could direct me to effect it, but that I should - previously take those measures which were in my power to acquire the - knowledge of my duty, and of the weaknesses I had to guard against. - I was sensible, that, had I given my hand to Lord Darnley, I would - have been defective in the duties incumbent on me to my own family:-- - Love would have taken entire possession of my soul, and shut up the - avenues of my heart against every other sentiment. Upon this occasion - I felt how justly the sacrifice of our own happiness is placed among - the highest virtues. How painful must it be to the most generous - heart! Men lose their lives to honor--I relinquished my love--the - life of life. I am sensible I have been condemned for permitting him - to be so much with me: but what recompence can the world bestow on - me, for relinquishing the society of a real and tender friend? Common - attachments, the shadows of friendship, the issue of chance, or - fantastic likings, _rashly cemented_, may as hastily be _dissolved_: - but mine has had the purest virtue for its basis, and will subsist - whilst vital breath in me remains. My affections are founded on those - amiable qualities, which are seldom united, and therefore but little - liable to be displaced. My partiality is founded on esteem: take away - the cause, the effect will cease. The dread of the world has never yet - withheld me from following the bent of my own inclinations, and the - dictates of my own heart, not the dread of censure ever influenced my - conduct. - - Your mention of his continued attachment is highly flattering, and - very pleasing--There you touched the tenderest springs of my heart, - bring me down to all the softness of my sex, and press upon me a crowd - of tender, lovely, ideas-- - - If the consciousness of good-will to others, though inactive, be - highly delightful, what a superior joy have I not experienced, my - dear friend, in exerting this disposition, in acts of beneficence! - Is not this the supreme enjoyment in nature? It is true, the great - works I have carried on, the encouragement I have given to learning, - the manufactories I have introduced into this kingdom, etc. etc. have - procured me the suffrage of the world, and may transmit my name down - to posterity. But what flatters me most is, that if I have acquired - any fame, it is derived from the man I love. My acquaintance with him, - has been a happiness to my mind, because it has improved and exalted - its powers. The epithet of _great_, so liberally bestowed on princes, - would, in most cases, if narrowly scanned, belong rather to their - ministers. Unassisted by Agrippa and Mecænas, where should we have - placed Augustus? What is the history of Lewis XIII. but the shining - acts of Richelieu? Lewis XIV. was indeed a great king; but the Condés, - the Turennes, as well as the Luvois, and Colberts, had no small share - in acquiring the glories of his reign. In all situations of life, it - is of great consequence to make a right choice of those we confide - in--It is on that choice our own glory and peace depend.--But it is - still more so to princes, or persons of large property. A private man - will find a thousand persons ready to open his eyes, by reproaching - him with the wrong steps into which bad advice drew him; whereas - courtiers, or those who are interested, approve and applaud whatever - the prince or the great person does. An ingenious courtier replied to - his friend, who upbraided him with his too great complaisance for the - emperor who had made bad verses, which he commended; "Would you have - me have more sense than a man who commands twelve legions, and can - banish me?" - - That day my nephew is of age, I shall assign over his estate, and - acquaint him of his obligations to Lord Darnley, to whom, at the same - time, I shall offer my hand, if I have reason then to think it shall - be agreeable to him. If it should not, I shall be mortified, though I - shall not deck my brow with the plaintive willow. I need not tell you - how agreeable it will be for me to see you at this place, which is - considerably improved since you were here last. This day month I give - a feast, in imitation of the Saturnalia[26]; make me happy by your - presence on that occasion. - - I remain, with great esteem, - Your affectionate friend, - - FRANCES FINLAY. - -Mrs Lee, soon after the receipt of the above letter, came to -Munster-house, where she generally resided during the winter months, -(after her separation from her husband) retiring to her cottage in -Wales, in the summer. - -Lady Frances had always a select number of friends with her. -Notwithstanding her passion for music, she kept the performers in their -own line; and though she venerated the liberal sciences, and contributed -so largely to their cultivation, their several professors only waited on -her by invitation: by this means she had it always in her power to suit -her company, and never to be intruded on; as the best things are irksome -to those whose inclinations, tastes, and humours, they do not suit. - -I have already mentioned Mrs Norden, who had the care of Lady Frances's -education, and who now continued to reside with her: this Lady's -seriousness was happily contrasted with Lady Eliza's sprightliness, -while Lady Frances's scientifical knowledge was agreeably relieved by -the strokes of nature observable in Mrs Lee--who declared she had never -read, or studied, any more than to assist her decyphering what was -incumbent her _to understand_. 'I hate your wise ones,' said she, 'there -is no opinion so absurd but it has been mentioned by some philosopher.' -She is nature itself, without disguise, quite original disdaining all -imitation, even in her dress, which is simple but unaffected. She -plays most divinely on the fiddle. Her genius for music is sublime and -universal. She holds the fiddle like a man, and produces music in all -its genuine charms, raising the soul into the finest affections. - -An aunt and sister of Sir Harry Bingley's were also much at -Munster-house. Miss Bingley was of the same age with Lady Eliza: to -the charms of a regular beauty she joins all those of a cultivated -mind, together with a disposition replete with candor, and a turn for -ridicule; two things rarely joined together--as a calm dispassionate -love of truth, with a disposition to examine carefully, and judge -impartially, with a love of diverting one's self at other people's -expense, seldom meet together in the same mind. Mrs Dorothea Bingley is -a maiden lady of fifty, possessed of a large independent fortune, which -she proposes to bestow on her niece. She was in her youth very handsome: -but having lived all her life in the country, she derived all her ideas -of love from the heroic romance. To talk to her of love was a capital -offence. Her rigour must be melted by the blood of giants, necromancers, -and paynim knights. She expected, that, for her sake, they would retire -to desarts, mourn her cruelty, _subsist_ on _nothing_, and make light -of scampering over impassable mountains, and riding through unfordable -rivers, without recollecting, that, while the imagination of the lover -is linked to this _muddy vesture of decay_, she must now and then -condescend to partake of the carnality of the vivres of the shambles. - -Those of the other sex who were mostly at Munster-house, were, Lord -Darnley, Sir Harry Bingley, Sir James Mordaunt, etc. etc. etc. Great -marriages had been proposed to Lady Frances; but she had ceased long -to be importuned on that head. When Lord Munster was of age she gave a -splendid entertainment to the neighbourhood, which finished with a ball. -The day after she shewed her nephew the state of her affairs, when she -succeeded to the estate: and that, exclusive of the buildings, etc. etc. -she had already doubled it: that the perpetual burdens she had entailed -on it, did not amount to one quarter of the advanced rents, which would -continue to encrease: that she had put aside for Lady Eliza's fortune -fifty thousand pounds, and an equivalent sum for herself, and then -with great pleasure resigned the remainder to his Lordship, who she -was happy to find so worthy of filling the place of his ancestors. She -at the same time acquainted him with her motives for concealing her -intentions in his favor, and that, had she seen him addicted to any -irregularities, she would not have assigned over the property so soon -to him--as the law of this country does not interfere like that of -France, where, if a person, before he attains the age of twenty-five, -wastes his fortune by anticipation, or other means, and is in a fair -way of ruining himself, and, perhaps, his family; the government -interposes: guardians of his estate are appointed, and his person may -be detained in custody till he arrives at that age; but _there_ the -jurisdiction stops. The acknowledgments of Lord Munster are easier to -be conceived, than expressed--he concluded by saying, 'he hoped Lady -Frances would always consider Munster-house as still her own, and make -it her principle residence!' She smiled, and looking to Lord Darnley, -said, 'Having my lord performed my duty to this family; it is now in my -power to make myself happy by conforming to your wishes--Sixteen years -ago, I had singly an engagement to fulfil; but I have now a breach of -it to repair.' Lord Darnley's joy may easily be supposed great on this -occasion, who had maintained for Lady Frances, for so long a time, an -uninterrupted attachment.--They were married a few days afterwards. -Never did Phoebus gild a more auspicious day; never did Cupid inspire -two lovers with a higher sense of each other's merit; and never did -Hymen light his torch with a greater complacency, than to reward that -constancy which remained invincible in Lord Darnley, without even being -supported by hope. - -The part Lady Darnley performed would have been difficult for another; -but the club which a man of ordinary size could but lift, was but a -walking-stick to Hercules. - -No one enjoyed this wedding more than Mrs Dorothea Bingley. A sixteen -years courtship corresponded entirely with her ideas of the right and -fitness of things. She harangued her niece and Lady Eliza on this -subject, telling them that Lady Darnley is the only woman she knows -in this degenerate age, that has acted up to the propriety of the -ancients--that she respected the sublimity of her ideas. She was very -desirous of her niece's marrying a Mr Bennet, because he made love -in heroics, was inebriated in his science, and thought all the world -considered him as a Phoenix of wit. Miss Bingley would often reason with -her aunt on this subject? 'Of what use in the world (said she) is an -erudition so savage, and so full of presumption?' - - One moral, or a mere well-natur'd deed, - Does all desert in sciences exceed.' - - SHEFFIELD - -But Mrs Dorothea always insisted that he was a classical scholar, and -a fine gentleman! The niece declared he was a Pagan, and ought to have -lived two centuries ago, as he spoke a language she did not understand! -'He may be learned (said she) but he has no passion!' - -'No passion (replied Mrs Dorothea) how comes he then to write such fine -letters?' - -'The fine letters (replied Miss Bingley) show memory and fancy, but no -sensations of _the heart_! lovers who make use of extravagant tropes -are reduced to that expedient, to supply the defect of passion by the -deceitful counterfeit of hyperbolical language. The passions of _the -heart_ depend not on the deductions of _the understanding_--but it -was necessary he should have a _Corinna_, because Ovid had _one_; and -he makes me inconstant, although I never gave him any encouragement, -because Gallus's favourite run away with a soldier. He seems to be -intimately acquainted with the history of Cupid and Venus, but knows -nothing _of love_: and would be sooner applauded for writing a good -elegy, than have his mistress smile on him.' - -Mrs Dorothea told her, that she was exceedingly perverse, but she would -give her leave _to talk_, as she had the power _to do_. - -Miss Bingley said, 'Since Mr Bennet was so much in her good graces, she -made no doubt but he would pay her his homage, on the smallest hint, -would transfer his affections--as the foundation of his passion was _the -same_ for _both_, built on that of her _mansion_, would _grow_ with her -_trees_ and _increase_ with her _estate_----Increase, you know, my dear -aunt, is the end of marriage; and your fortune is better than Medea's -charm, for that only made an old man young again; but your riches will -make a young man enamoured of an old woman! He will swear you are not -only wiser than Minerva, but fairer than the Paphian queen! Though you -are old, your trees are green; and though you have lost the roses in -your cheeks, there are great plenty of them on your pleasure-grounds.' - -Mrs Dorothea with great good-humour laughed at her niece's sallies, -saying, 'You remember what Martial says; - - 'Fain would kind Paula wed me if she could: - I won't, she's old; if older yet, I would.' - -'But seriously, niece (said she) you will never make a choice that I -shall so much approve of--he has so much wit.' - -Miss Bingley replied, that all the credit he has for wit is owing to -the gratification he gives to others ill-nature: and said she would be -very happy to accommodate herself to her aunt's wishes; but was not upon -such a religious strain, and so desirous of canonization hereafter (if -sufferings can make a saint) as to marry a man of his character, that -she might have her mortifications and punishments in this life: but -at the same time would faithfully promise never to marry any man she -disapproved of. - -There were great rejoicings for some weeks at Munster-house:--at which -time Lord and Lady Darnley set out for their estate in Dorsetshire, -and Lady Eliza accompanied Lord Munster to London. As a correspondence -commenced at this period between the parties I have already introduced -to the reader, the sequel of this history will appear from their -letters. I shall only observe, that Lord Munster's figure was remarkably -agreeable, his address engaging; he first attracted, and then commanded -the admiration of all who knew him. On the slightest acquaintance with -him, a most exact regard to all the proprieties and decencies of life -were observable in his conduct; and such an evident desire to oblige, -and to make all about him easy, as became a good mind and a liberal -education. An agreeable chearfulness made his conversation as lively -and agreeable as it was useful and instructing. But the discerning eye -of friendship could discover that he was not happy, and that delicacy -to the feelings of his friends restrained him from giving way to an -uneasiness, which it was too apparent he laboured under. His general -behaviour bore the genuine stamp of true politeness, the result of an -overflowing humanity and benevolence of heart. Such qualities very -justly and forcibly recommend, lying obvious to almost every observer; -but to the more discerning, a nearer view of him quickly discovered -endowments far above the common standard. He had, in truth, endowments -of mind to have honored any station. - -As Lady Darnley's breast glowed with that exalted fervent charity -which embraces the wide extended interests of men, of communities, -of the species itself; it is easy to conceive how her heart exulted -at finding her nephew so deserving of all she had done for him. But -though she felt the greatest satisfaction at his being so conformable -to her wishes, and his fortune so adequate to his beneficence; the same -sensibility rendered her wretched for the evident melancholy in which -he was plunged. Her social affections ever awake, even on those whose -objects lie beyond the nearer ties of nature, on many occasions gave -her most painful sympathetic feelings; so deeply was she interested in -the fortunes of all with whom she had any connection. How then must -she mourn to observe, that, notwithstanding the possession of every -advantage of person and wealth, her nephew was miserable!--If men -would but consider how many things there are that riches cannot buy, -they would not be so fond of them--for all the outward advantages Lord -Munster had, were, to a man in his situation of mind, _landscapes_ -before a _blind man_, or _music_ to one that _is deaf_. - -Delicacy kept Lady Darnley from interrogating her nephew on the subject -of his grief; sensible that the remotest desire _from her_, must amount -to a command _to him_. She only, at parting, insinuated the happiness -it would afford her to see him ally himself suitably to some lady of -merit: and, as Lady Eliza was to accompany him to town, requested him to -moderate her liveliness, and to be a careful observer of her conduct. - -'I never see (said she) a single man, who hath passed middle age in -celibacy, where no particular security arises from his profession or -character; but I think I see an unsafe subject, and a very dangerous -instrument for any mischief that his _own_ parts may _inspire_, -or _other men's_ may _prompt him_ to: As to other achievements of -virtue, a distinction _ought_, I think, to be _made_; because, in -common acceptation, there is a variety of things which pass under that -name, and are generally applauded, which, properly estimated, would -not _deserve it_. A regard to posterity hath carried arms, arts, and -literature, further than any other motive ever did or could. Who is so -likely to be influenced by this regard as they who are to leave behind -them the darling pledges of their affection, in whom they hope to have -their names continued, and all the fruits of their study, toil, and -exploits, abiding and permanent?' Lord Munster assured the Countess, -that he would ever think it his glory to conform to her wishes in ever -respect. - - - END OF THE FIRST VOLUME - - - - - VOLUME II - - -Soon after Lord Munster's arrival in London, he wrote Lady Darnley the -following letter. - - From the Earl of Munster to the - Countess of Darnley. - - 'My Dear Aunt, - - Over powered as I am with a weight of obligations, I should think - myself highly wanting to my own feelings, were I in any one instance - in my future life to leave you dubious of my gratitude, or the earnest - desire I have of conforming to your wishes. - - You have, my dear Madam, expressed your desire I should marry; - but that, my dear aunt, is impossible at present. But I revere that - state: men who laugh at a serious engagement, have never known the - allurements of modesty when blended with affability; nor felt the - power of beauty, when innocence has increased its force. This has been - my case, and my heart is already a prey to a hopeless passion. But it - is necessary to carry you back some years, in order to give a recital - of its commencement. - - The amiable character of Mr Vanhagen, my landlord at Rotterdam, you - are already acquainted with: his humanity and benevolence inspired me - with the greatest respect. The advantages his countrymen have over us, - are their industry, vigilance, and wariness: But they in general exert - them to excess, by which means they turn their virtues into vices. - Their industry becomes rapine, their vigilance fraud, their wariness - cunning. But my worthy landlord possessed all the virtues. - - He had in the early part of his life resided much at Venice, and - brought from thence the economy and frugality which distinguish them - in their private families, their temperance, their inviolable secrecy - of public and private affairs, and a certain steadiness and serenity - to which the English are supposed to be utter strangers. His long - residence there, made him well known to the duchess de Salis, whose - distant relation he had married. - - This lady had resided some years at Rotterdam with her family. - She was only daughter to the Count de Trevier, was heiress to a - large fortune, and possessed exquisite beauty, good-sense, and - every accomplishment that was likely to preserve and to improve the - authority beauty gives to make it _indefectible_ and _interminable_. - But the duke, her husband, unfortunately was soon satiated with the - regularity of her virtues: His affections could not long be preserved - by a woman of her amiable undisguised character. When custom had taken - off the edge from his passion, he endeavoured to rouse his torpid - mind by a change of object. That vivacity which the tender passions - impart to pleasure, was a powerful incentive for him to indulge them. - His heart found fresh delight in gallantry, to which he was naturally - prone: a dangerous delight, which, habituating the mind to the most - lively transports, gives it a distaste to all moderate and temperate - enjoyments: from thence forward the innocent and tranquil joys which - nature offers, lose all their relish. His sophisticated mind made him - blind to the merit of his wife, who loved him tenderly.--She felt most - severely his neglect, and contracted insensibly a settled melancholy, - which served the more effectually to alienate his affections from - her. She became miserable:--and no temper can be so invincibly good - as to hold out against the siege of constant slights and neglects. - Misfortunes she had strength of mind to support, and death she could - have encountered with greater resolution than the displeasure and - peevishness of the man she loved. Wherever there is love, there is a - degree of fear--we are naturally afraid of offending, or of doing any - thing which may lessen us in the esteem of an object that is dear to - us: and if we are conscious of any act by which we may have incurred - displeasure, we are impatient and miserable, till, by intreaties and - tokens of submission, we have expiated the offence and are restored to - favor. - - By the duchess's earnest solicitude to please, she destroyed her - own purpose, and her obedience, like water flung upon a raging fire, - only inflamed her husband's follies; and therefore, when he was in - an ill humour, the duke vented his range on her. He did not care - _how_ often _he quarrelled_ with, or, to speak more properly, how - often he _insulted_ her; for that could not be called a quarrel - wherein she acted no part but _that of suffering_. But though his - displeasure was grievous to her, yet she could bear it better than - his indifference--for resentment argues some degree of regard. But - whilst she was breaking her heart for him, he passed his time in - gallantry--though his affections were always the satire of a woman's - virtue--the ruin of a woman's reputation. - - A favourite mistress, by pursuing a different plan from that of the - duchess, secured his affections. She kept alive his ardour by her - caprices. _Affectation_ always exceeds the _reality_. But is not the - extravagance of some men's fancy to be pitied, who lodge all their - passions in a mistress, a dog, or a horse, which but in general do - them no service but what they are prompted to through necessity or - instinct? Art and cunning are _unknown_ to a woman of virtue, whose - conduct is determined by her principles, whose anxiety alone is - excited by affection. - - After five years, in which the duchess had a son and a daughter, and - in which she had experienced many of the _vexations_, but few of the - _satisfactions_ of a married state; the duke left her, and resided - entirely in Paris with his mistress. She retired to the country, to - a family-seat of her father's, and devoted her time entirely to the - education of her children, and that of a young lady (of great beauty - and fortune) whose mother with her last breath bequeathed to her care. - - She from time to time wrote the duke letters, expressing great - resignation, and such a tenderness for him as she thought might have - power to touch his heart. "I am obedient to your wishes," said she, "I - will not urge, with one unwelcome word, this unkindness--I'll conceal - it--If your heart has made a choice more worthy, I forgive it--pursue - your pleasures--drive without a rein your passions--I am the mistress - of my own mind, that shall not mutiny--If I retrieve you, I shall be - thankful--If not, you _are_ and must be still _my lord_." - - To letters such as these she never received any answer! as the - charms of a woman's eloquence never have any force, when those of her - person are expired (in the eyes of her lover I mean): it might be - perhaps as easy to persuade a man to dance, who had lost the use of - his limbs. - - I shall pass over the first ten years of her retirement, as they - furnish nothing more than the unwearied attentions she took in - employing every means for the instruction of her son, daughter, and - ward. I shall only observe, that the regularity of her conduct gained - her the esteem of every one. She was a friend to virtue under any - denomination, and an enemy to vice under any colour. She established - an institution for the provision of the infirm and destitute. This - was constructed on that wise and excellent plan, that excludes the - undeserving from participating in the charity, and extends only - to those who, from their real necessities, are proper objects of - benevolence.--At that period she was advised to take her son to - the capital. But she wisely considered that the education which - commonly attends high birth or great fortune, very often corrupts or - sophisticates nature; whilst in those of the middle state she remains - unmixed and unaltered. I have somewhere read; _Jamais les grandes - passions et les grandes vertus ne sont nées, & ne se sont nourries que - dans le silence & la retrait. L'homme en societé perd tous ses traits - distinctifs: ce n'est plus qu' une froide copie de ce qui l'environne. - Voilà pour quelle raison on nous accuse de manquer de caractere: - nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-mêmes, & nous empruntons trop des - autres_. - - The duchess procured for her son's tutor, a very respectable man, - who was at the utmost pains in forming his morals, and improving his - understanding; while so many of the degenerate nobility in great - cities are trifling away their time and their fortunes, in idle - dissipations, in sensual enjoyments, or irrational diversions, and - making mere amusement the great business of their lives. Happiness - and merit are the result, not so much of truth and knowledge, as - of attaining integrity and moderation. Many ridiculed the duchess's - plan of education, of debarring herself from those pleasures and - enjoyments her youth, rank, and beauty so well intitled her to: But - she often observed it would be the height of imbecility to judge of - her felicity by the imagination of others; considering nothing under - the title of happiness, but what she wished to be in the possession - of, or what was the result of her own voluntary choice. Women of the - world counteract their intention, in so assiduously courting pleasure, - as it only makes it fly further from them. They will not understand, - that pleasure is to be purchased, and that industry is the price of - it; to reject the one, is to renounce the other. They are to learn - that pleasure, which they idolize, must now and then be _quitted_ in - order to be _regained_. They have tried in vain to perpetuate it, - by attempting variety and refinement. Their fertile invention has - multiplied the objects of amusement, and created new ones every day, - without making any real acquisition. All these fantastic pleasures, - which are founded on variety, make no lasting impressions on the mind; - they only serve to prove the impossibility of permanent happiness, of - which some women entertain _chimerical expectations_: but the duchess - was too rational to make amusement her principal object. A woman that - is hurried away by a fondness for it, is, generally speaking, a very - useless member of the community: A party of pleasure will make her - forget every connection: and she is often sick without knowing _where_ - her complaint _lies_, because she has nothing _to do_, and is tired of - being _well_. - - The duchess had loved her husband passionately. If any person had a - desire of ingratiating themselves with her, they had only to begin by - him: To praise, to please, or admire him, opened to them a reception - in her heart. But our best virtues, when pushed to a certain degree, - are on the point of becoming vices: She soon found she was to blame, - in dedicating herself too fondly even to this beloved object. She - exhausted her whole sensibility on him, and in proportion to the - strength of her attachment, was the mortification she endured in being - abandoned by him. But had not even this been her fate, the extravagant - excesses of passion are but too generally followed by an intolerable - langour. The woman who wishes to preserve her husband's affection, - should be careful to conceal from him the extent of _hers_: there - should be always something left for him to expect. Fancy governs - mankind: and when the imagination is cloyed, reason is a slave to - caprice. - - Women do not want judgment to determine, penetration to foresee, nor - resolution to execute; and Providence has not given them beauty to - create love, without understanding to preserve it. The pleasures of - which they are susceptible, are proportioned to the capacity and just - extent of their feelings. They are not made for those raptures which - transport them beyond themselves: these are a kind of convulsions, - which can never last. But there are infinite numbers of pleasures, - which, though they make slighter impressions, are nevertheless more - valuable. These are renewed every day under different forms, and - instead of excluding each other, unite together in happy concert, - producing that temperate glow of mind which preserves it vigorous, - and keeps it in a delightful equanimity. How much are those of the - fair-sex to be pitied who are insensible to such attainments, and who - look upon life as gloomy, which is exempt from the agitation of unruly - passions! As such prepossessions deprive them of pleasures which are - much preferable to those which arise from dangerous attachments, the - duchess knew how to make choice of her amusements, and _improved_ her - _understanding_ at the same time that she _gratified_ her _feelings_. - Life to those who know how to make a proper use of it, is strewed - with delights of every kind, which, in their turn, flatter the senses - and the mind; but the latter is never so agreeably engaged as in the - conversation of intelligent persons, who are capable of conveying both - instruction and entertainment. The duchess preferred the conversation - of _such_, to _men of the world_; being sensible she had every thing - _to gain_ on _one side_, and every thing _to lose_ on _the other_. - - The Baron de Luce resided in the same part of the country. He was a - man of great gallantry, wit, and humour. He judged it impossible that - a woman in the bloom of beauty, possessed of the united advantages - resulting from rank, riches, and youth, should retire to an obscure - part of the world, and sequester herself from (what he judged) the - pleasures of life, without being _compelled_ by her husband or - _prompted_ by some secret inclination which she wished to conceal. - Determined to unravel this mystery, and to amuse himself during the - time he staid in the neighbourhood, he tried to insinuate himself into - her good opinion--but without giving any offence she avoided entering - into his plans. He still persisted in his intentions, judging, as he - wrote well, the duchess would be glad to enter into a correspondence; - but he found nothing in the reception she gave him that was for - his purpose, _to embellish the history of his amours_. But what he - undertook at first from vanity, became at last sufficient punishment - for him. The more he saw of her conduct the more his respect - increased, but which instead of making him relinquish his _intentions_ - (from a conviction of the inefficacy of the pursuit) made him persist - _in them_, as he _then felt_ the passion which at _first he feigned_. - - The duchess knew the predicament on which she stood; but as _the - hatred_ of men of a certain character is _less_ pernicious than _their - love_, she gave orders never to admit him into her presence. The good - or bad reputation of women depends not so much upon the propriety of - their own conduct, as it does upon a lucky or unlucky combination - of circumstances in certain situations. Some men calumniate them - for no other reason, but because they are in love with them. They - revenge themselves upon them for the want of that merit which renders - them despicable in their eyes. This was the case with the Baron; he - insinuated there were reasons which he knew that rendered it highly - proper for the duchess to live in the manner _she did_, speaking - in a _style_ which conveyed more than met the ear! The people he - addressed greedily listened to what seemed to bring the duchess more - on a footing with themselves; a thousand stories were circulated to - her prejudice (though innocence itself): Thus if there be but the - least foundation for slander, some people believe themselves fully - authorized to publish whatever malice _dares invent_. But there are - no enemies more dangerous to the reputation of women, than lovers - that cannot gain the reciprocal affection of their mistresses. These - reports were confirmed from another cause--A lady of fortune in the - neighbourhood became much attached to a man who resided with the - duchess as her son's tutor; he was ingenuous, sensible, and much - respected. She offered him her hand, and as she possessed a handsome - fortune could not conceive how he could decline that happiness. As - he was constantly at home, agreeable to the stories that had been - circulated, she concluded at once (and then affirmed) he was a - favourite of the duchess. - - Self-love is of the nature of the polypus; though you sever her - branches or arms, and even divide her trunk, yet she finds means to - reproduce herself. In consequence of the information the duke received - from this lady, who wrote to him in the character of an anonymous - friend, he left Paris and his mistress abruptly; and, to the great - surprise of his wife, came to--. He accosted her in a distant, but - respectful manner.--Nothing gives so sharp a point to one's aversion - as good-breeding--The duchess, unconscious of having given him any - occasion of offence, was highly delighted at his return, flattering - herself with a return of his affection. And as she considered him the - aggressor, received him graciously, insisting that no mention should - be made of past transactions; assuring him that she still retained - the same love for him, and as she regarded him as the first of human - beings, had perhaps been too sanguine in expecting his constancy, - as so many temptations must occur from his superiority to the rest - of mankind. She thought he was but too amiable--that his very vices - had charms beyond other men's _virtues_. Adding that (grievous as - his neglect had been to her) yet she had never done anything that - could reflect upon his honor! He heard her in a sullen humour; - his inclinations _were revived_ by remarking, that time, instead - of _diminishing_, had _added to her charms_: this increased his - resentment, and he answered, that the worst a bad woman can do, is to - make herself ridiculous; it is on herself only that she can entail - infamy--but men of honor have a degree of it to maintain, superior to - that which is in a woman's keeping. Had she had a mind to retaliate, - she might easily have said, that a man of honor and virtue which, in - themselves indeed, are always inseparably connected, are but too often - separated in the absurd and extravagant opinions of mankind. For what - a strange perversion of reason is it, to call a person a man of honor - who has scarcely a grain of virtue! She only observed, we are indeed - civilized into brutes; and a false idea of honor has almost reduced us - into Hob's first state of nature, by making us barbarous. Honor now is - no more than an imaginary being, worshipped by men of _the world_, to - which they frequently offer human sacrifices. He told her she needed - not _be troubled for her minion_: and retiring to rest, left her quite - at a loss to account for his conduct. - - It is not sufficient we know our own innocence; it is necessary, for - a woman's happiness, not to be suspected. - - For unfortunately after she has been once censured (however falsely) - she must expect the envenomed shafts of malice ever ready to be let - fly at her, and that in the transaction of any affairs that will admit - of two interpretations (to avoid the worst, and enjoy an unblemished - reputation). It is not enough to govern herself with propriety, there - must be nothing that will carry two interpretations in the _accidents - of her life_: A woman must therefore be necessarily always guilty, - when innocence has need of many justifications. Happy are those who - are not exposed to such inconveniences! - - The Duke most injudiciously next morning publicly dismissed the - object of his jealousy, and, by his want of prudence, confirmed every - thing that had been falsely alledged against his innocent wife, who - continued ignorant of it for some months. - - When acquainted with it--The less ground she saw for the reports - against her honor, the more courage and greater resolution she had - to condemn them. She thought herself unfortunate to have lost the - merit of her innocence by scandalous reports which she thanked Heaven - she had not incurred by her guilt: and was so far from slighting the - probabilities that might confirm opinions founded against her, that - she by no means thought herself in the same situation with others, - who had never _been contemned_, and that consequently she was not at - liberty to act on some occasions as _they might do_. - - How many women _err_ from the obstinacy of people in defaming - them--they give up the point, despairing of success in conciliating - the esteem of a world who never _retract censure_--It is not with - detraction as it is with other things that displease by repetition: - Stories that have been told a thousand times, are still new when - revived to the prejudice of another. The duchess bore all these - calumnies with patience, _which_ was never yet a _solitary virtue_: - like an angler she endeavoured to humour the duke's waywardness, - flattering herself that her study to please would conquer his - disagreeable temper; and that if she could not become a pleasing wife, - she might at least be thought an agreeable companion, a serviceable - friend. Hope was the only blessing left us, when Pandora's fatal box - let out all the numberless evils which infest these sublunary regions. - But she was at last obliged to resign all ideas of submitting longer - to his caprices. He became jealous even of his menial servants; and - she could speak to no man without incurring his suspicions; which - produced to her the most mortifying scenes. Like that conqueror of - China, who forced his subjects into a general revolt, because he - wanted to oblige them to cut their hair and their nails, he reduced - her to form the resolution of leaving him, because (as he represented - it) _he had dismissed a servant_. But it was in reality his temper - and abuse that occasioned it--and when she was under the necessity of - taking that step, she rather let the world judge amiss of her, than - justify herself at her husband's expense. No condescensions on her - part could affect _him_, as daily experience convinced her, that from - a consciousness of the part he _himself had acted_, he could never - _love her_. Are there not many occasions in life in which it would be - reasonable to say, _I conjure you to forget and forgive the injury you - have done me_? - - They at last parted amicably: she came to Rotterdam with her family, - and there I contracted an intimacy with her son, who was an amiable - young man about my own age. There I first beheld the lovely Adelaude, - Countess de Sons, the duchess's ward: the first time I saw _her_, - and the charming Julia, I know I had _a heart_; until then I was - insensible--These young ladies were instructed in all the arts of - Minerva; Julia was skilled in music; but the countess's voice was, - accompanied with the lyre, more moving than that of Orpheus. Her hair - hung waving in the wind without any ornament, which the duchess had - taught her to despise: her motions were all perfectly easy, her smiles - enchanting! Without dress she had beauty, unconscious of any, and - thus were heightened all her charms. - - The marquis enquired what I thought of his sister, and her fair - friend? I answered, "They were charming," and asked if it was - possible he had resisted the charms of the beautiful countess? He - replied, "I will own to you, my dear friend, I have not: Adelaude - is formed for love; my heart is naturally susceptible; she has been - my constant companion: he must be something more, or something less - than a man (a god or a devil) who hath escaped, or who can resist - love's empire.--The gods of the heathens could not; Jupiter, Mars, - Mercury, Apollo, their amours are as famous as their names: so that - sturdiness in human nature, where it is found, which can resist, - argues plainly how much the devil is wrought up in the composition. - But if my sensibility had not been so great, yet so many opportunities - she has had to engage my affections, could not fail of rivetting - me her's for ever," "You are beloved then" said I hastily. "Yes," - replied he, "Adelaude calls me her dearest brother; but entertains - no ideas beyond that relation; and I am fearful of letting her know - the extent of my sentiments, lest it should render her constrained in - her manner to me; and the charming _naiveté_ of her behaviour forms - the charms of my life! The marks of that innocent affection, which - first attached me to her, have hitherto been looked upon as a childish - play: and as no one has troubled their head about the consequences of - it, I have taken care to profit by the liberty allowed me.--You make - me no answer!--Wherefore this gloomy silence, your dejected air, and - languishing looks?" I pretended an indisposition, and left him under - the greatest oppressure of spirits; I loved, I adored the charming - Countess! judge then of the horror of my situation.-- - - How many sacrifices could I not willingly have made to friendship! - My passion I thought was indeed the only one I could not make: how was - it possible I should? but convinced of the happiness of my rival, what - did I not suffer? I saw a pair of happy lovers, suited to each other; - I thought it would be safe to alienate her affections; and considered - myself only in the light of a dependent on your bounty: in such a - situation, had my friend been uninterested, could I hazard addressing - a young lady of the countess's rank and fortune? I became melancholy - and _distrait_. Many people, and particularly those who have no idea - of that delicacy of passion peculiar to susceptible minds, looked on - me as a particular kind of a young man. To please such persons, I - must have devoted my time to them: you will easily conceive then, I - could well enough bear the want of their good opinion. Such become the - artificers of their own misfortunes, by the false idea they form of - pleasure, and they philtre (if I may use the term) their own sorrows. - - It was what is called pleasure, that sunk into ruin the ancient - states of Greece; that destroyed the Romans, that overturns cities; - that corrupts courts; that exhausts the fortunes of the great; that - consumes youth; that has a retinue composed of satiety, indigence, - sickness, and death. But _my passion_, as much as a _dislike_ to - their _manner of life_, secured me from _their dissipations_. The - constant endeavours I used to suppress an inclination I could not - overcome, had a fatal effect on my constitution--I was threatened - with a consumption!--This I carefully concealed, lest your kindness - should have urged my removal from a place, which I could not determine - to quit: though I carefully avoided the sight of those who were - interesting to me in it. - - At this time the marquis received a peremptory command to rejoin - his father. He came to me in the greatest distress: "How", said he, - "can I resolve to leave the countess?--She is now beautiful as an - angel, exclusive of her immense fortune; to remain single cannot - possibly be long in her power, for her beauty must necessarily strike - every eye, and charm every heart. But I will go and unburthen myself - to my father; her riches and rank will insure his approbation. You, - my friend, alone are acquainted with the secret of my heart. See - the lovely Adelaude often; to you I confide the secrets of my soul. - Farewel." - - The marquis set out, and soon informed me that his father would not - yet hear of his marriage, and had insisted on his immediately joining - a regiment in which he had procured him a command: It was in time of - war; his honor at stake, and love was subordinate to his glory. The - susceptible mind is capable of enjoying a thousand exquisite delights - to which those are strangers, whose pleasures are less refined; but - what chagrin, what regret, what pain does not so delicate a passion - bring on the heart that entertains it? _Quand on est né trop tendre, - on ne doit pas aimer_, says some French author. But the sufferings - of my friend could not equal mine; the object of my passion being - daily before my eyes heightened my inquietude. The general characters - of men, I am apt to believe, are determined by their natural - constitutions, as their particular actions are by their immediate - objects. The innocent marks of partiality she honored me with, made me - in constant fears of acting dishonorably to the marquis. The duchess - fell soon after into a languishing illness, which in a short time put - a period to her life: The duke came, but _too late_, to receive her - last breath. He at first appeared inconsolable for her death; but - his grief insensibly decreased, and softened into that mournful and - tender regard, which a sense of her merit, and his own unkindness - to her, could not fail of exacting from him. Disgusted at an union, - which had caused him (from his own errors) so much uneasiness, he - formed a resolution carefully to avoid entering again into a similar - engagement. But he saw every day before him the lovely Adelaude: he - loved her; it was perhaps impossible for him to do otherwise. He - declared his passion; but was rejected: The countess told him her - affections were engaged! Next day I received the following letter. - - From the Countess de Sons to the Earl of Munster. - - My Lord, - - I am well aware of the delicacy which prescribes certain - observances to our sex. But there is no rule in life which must not - vary with circumstances. Come to me this evening: Julia will be with - me--Adieu. - - ADELAUDE de SONS. - - I went--Abashed at the step she had taken, the cheeks of the lovely - Adelaude glowed with the most lovely red; her eyes sparkled with - the brightest lustre; while the loves and graces hovered around her - charming form, and fluttered on her breast--Love, almighty love, - preceded her steps, when she approached me. Heavens! how quick my - heart beat at that instant with pleasing hope! I endeavoured to speak - to her, but hesitated and trembled. After a few moments' expressive - silence, I desired to know what commands she meant to honor me with? - She was greatly confused, but at length told me the dilemma she was in - from the declaration of the duke's passion. To support my politics, I - began and talked of my friend. - - She told me that his partiality was no secret to her, although he - had never disclosed it, but that she rejoiced at his absence, as it - would enable him to triumph over a passion she could _not return_. - Surprised at this declaration, I should have been wanting to myself - not to improve it. But love only can give an idea of those pleasures - we enjoyed in each other's company with reciprocal tenderness. - But _it_ affords few sweets that are not dashed with a mixture of - bitterness. Happy moments! how soon ye fled! a sad remembrance only of - that delightful interval left behind. Ah no, it is impossible I should - ever forget that day in which she first confessed those sentiments for - me my heart had long divined, the assurance of which, nevertheless, - gave me inexpressible transport. But when I reflected on my friend, - and that of my depressed circumstances, it gave a sudden check to - my joy. My sighs, my tears, made known to her the distress of my - heart! I could only utter the name of _my friend_, and wrung my hands - in despair. She soothed my uneasiness. "This is the fatal stroke I - feared" said the gentle Adelaude; "this is what my foreboding heart - presaged. But your interest does not interfere with his, for whom I - never experienced any thing more but that of a _sisterly affection_." - - I then acquainted her with my dependent situation: that I should - be hurt at allying her so unsuitably, though had I had the wealth of - worlds it would have been hers. She told me her estate was sufficient - to enrich me: that the duke talked of leaving Rotterdam; she dreaded - being in the power of a man so impetuous, who would stick at nothing - to gratify his passions; and that she would place herself under my - protection. Infatuated I was, not to comply with her request! My - friend's woes wounded me to the quick: false honor determined me to - write and inform him of the state of the affair, previous to my - taking advantage of her inclination for me. I wrote instantly to the - marquis; but a few days after the duke set out for Italy with his - family. The night before their departure I saw the countess. "Thou - must go," said I, "and with thee all my joy, my happiness, my only - hope--Go, and take with thee all my heart holds dear, all that is - left for me is despair. Reason will resume its empire over love, and - you will forget a poor unfortunate, who hath nothing to offer but the - most pure and ardent affection; an affection in which consists all the - happiness of his life." - - "Ah, my lord," said she, "forbear to speak a language so injurious - to your merit and my sentiments. Can I cease to love you? Can I forget - you? No! whilst my heart beats it will be yours, and yours only--I - will preserve myself for you, and nothing can ever make me forgetful - of the engagements I have made with you." - - The conflict of contending passions had tortured me so much, that - I confess, I was rather relieved, when they set out, and when it was - out of my power to have realized the charming scheme the countess had - suggested to me. What forbearance did it not cost me? Nothing is more - common than for men to declaim against those things which they are - not in a capacity to enjoy: Diogenes said to Aristippus the courtier, - as he passed him in his tub, "If you could content yourself, as I do, - with _bread_ and _garlic_, you would not be the _slave_ of the King of - Syracuse:" "Are you," replied Aristippus, "if you _knew_ how to _live - with princes_, you would not make such _bad cheer_." - - Perhaps the circumstances of age, health, and fortune, vary the - taste, and regulate the appetites of mankind more than reason and - reflection. - - But everything conspired to render the sacrifice I had made a _great - one_ to _friendship_. I soon received the following letter from Julia. - - "My Lord, - - The countess is so closely watched, that she cannot write. Would - to God you had followed your inclinations! We are going to Sweden: - follow us, if possible, and repair the error you have committed. I - am fearful she will be constrained to choose another husband. Adieu. - - JULIA de VILLEROI." - - Upon the receipt of this letter I went to Sweden; but could hear no - tidings of those I pursued. I became quite melancholy, and seldom went - abroad, but could not refuse being introduced by the Baron de R---- to - the Queen Dowager, who is an exalted character: she is sister to the - reigning King of Prussia, is the avowed protectress of letters, and - encourager of merit: and during her husband's life possessed an almost - unlimited influence over affairs of state; but at present leads a more - retired and secluded life. She is perfect mistress of Latin, as well - as the modern languages. - - The present King of Sweden at the age of twenty-six changed the - form of government, without blood or difficulty. Sweden can boast - of her two Gustavus's, the first and second; nor are her Christina, - or her Charles, unknown to fame. In what country is not the name of - Peter celebrated, the greatest legislator that modern times have seen? - Hearing no tidings of the duke's family, I made out my northern tour. - In Denmark the sun of genius has not yet blazed from a throne, and - shed a temporary lustre on the surrounding darkness; if we except - the celebrated Margaret de Waldemar, to whom history has given the - epithet of the _Semiramis_ of the north, who united under her reign - all the kingdoms beneath the polar sky, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. - There are, however, two favourite monarchs of Danish story. The first - of these was Christian IV, who was the opponent and competitor of - Gustavus Adolphus, but with far inferior fame. The last was Frederic - IV. This prince loved the arts, and made two visits to Italy, one - previous to his ascending the throne, and one after it. During a - carnival at Venice, he resided in that city, and in one evening is - said to have won, at the card-table, a bank worth one hundred thousand - pounds sterling, which he immediately presented to a noble Venetian - lady, in whose house this happened, and whose whole fortunes were - involved in this game of chance: All the company were in masque. - - I cannot omit mentioning the literary merit of the ladies in - Denmark; which has already been taken notice of by Lord Molesworth, - who says, that Tycho Brahe's sister, and especially Dorothea - Engelerechtie, may contend with the famous poetesses of the ancients. - The lady Brigetta Tot has translated Seneca the philosopher into the - Danish tongue, with all the elegance any language is capable of, and - has conspired with our ingenious countrywoman Miss Carter[27], to - shew that the most rugged philosophy of the stoics must submit, when - the fair-sex is pleased to conquer. But I forget who I am writing - to--Thanks to your extensive reading--I have nothing to tell you that - has been written and published before. I shall only observe, that I - met with many ingenious men abroad who held the English cheap. I can - account for this in no other way, than that they form their judgment - of us only by the _philosophical transactions_. Absorbed in deep - melancholy, on account of my ignorance of the fate of Countess de - Sons, I went little into company, but applied myself constantly to - study: I amused myself in painting; the cataract of the river Dahl - is the subject of one of my pieces. The tremendous roar of these - cataracts, which, when close, is superior to the loudest thunder; the - vapours which rise incessantly from them, and even obscure them from - the eye in many parts; the agitation of the river below for several - hundred yards before it resumes its former tranquillity; and the - sides covered with tall firs; form one of the most picturesque and - astonishing scenes to be beheld in nature's volume. - - Wrapt up one day in the contemplation of this scene, Lord Ogilby - whom I became acquainted with at Upsal, approached me under an - apparent agitation of spirits. We lived much together, but I had - observed him very absent, and missed him several evenings. My Lord, - said he, near this place resides all that my soul holds dear: I am - in love--in love, to a degree I never felt till now. I am myself - astonished at it. But blame me not until you see the object of my - affections. He said, that he had been charmed with a young woman's - figure and beauty, and that she appeared to be possessed of the - greatest modesty, prudence, and good humour. He finished his - panegyric with saying, _how happy will that man be who first inspires - her gentle heart with love_! - - I accompanied Lord Ogilby (who remained silent) for about a hundred - yards, when we approached a cottage. - - A window being opened, he said to me, There, my Lord, you can see - her without being observed. I looked, and beheld a most exquisite - Beauty. She was of a fair complexion, had fine full blue languishing - eyes, which sparked through the long lashes of their beautiful lids, - and expressed, with the most innocent simplicity, all that an insipid - coquet attempts in vain. When she perceived we looked at her, it - heightened the vermilion on her cheeks, through the consciousness that - they betrayed the extreme sensibility of her heart; and if even the - rest of her person had not been equally engaging, yet the bewitching - sweetness of her countenance alone would have intitled her to be - ranked among the first class of pleasing Beauties.--A beautiful boy - of about two years of age, whose hair flowed in natural ringlets like - her own, was playing beside her while she was making some artificial - flowers. Her dress was a brown camblet jacket and petticoat clasped at - the breast. - - Upon perceiving us she arose, and received us with the greatest - politeness--It was easy for us to conceive she had been accustomed - to genteel life. She acquainted us that whatever honor we might do - her in condescending to come into that poor cottage, yet she must for - the future desire we would not repeat our visit. As it was entirely - contrary to her plans, and to those views which determined her to - retire to that place. There appeared in her a timid bashfulness; - but as this seemed to proceed from the fear of _my friend_, who had - been importunate lover, and was a proof of the purity of her heart - instead of an awkwardness, it appeared a grace. Yes, I repeat it, - this bashfulness appeared in her quite engaging; for as the shade in - a beautiful picture, it served to set off the masterly strokes of the - piece. Lord Ogilby assured her in my hearing, that he had no views but - which were highly honourable, that if she would give him her hand he - would make her his wife. "I am one of those, said he, who have ever - despised the common prejudices of mankind, particularly in the affair - of love. A fine person, a graceful carriage, an amiable disposition, - are all the titles or wealth I should look for in a woman. You - possess all these advantages, and to them add the greatest delicacy - of sentiment--so many charms compensate for the want of those other - qualifications the injustice of fortune has deprived you of."--"Hymen, - my lord, answered she, can have no joys for me, and I am sure will - never light his torch on my account; for I have fountains of tears - which would soon extinguish it!" What was my surprise to discover - this beautiful girl (for her age did not appear to exceed eighteen) - so accomplished, that she could read the Iliad of Homer, the Georgics - of Virgil, the inimitable Cervantes, and the plays of Terence, in the - original languages, with great ease! She was a _Hebe_, with the head - of a philosopher, the knowledge of a divine, accompanied with all the - exterior accomplishments the most finished education could bestow. - As we found her fond of reading, we carried her a book of periodical - papers then just written at Vienna. The next time I saw her I inquired - if she approved of it--she replied she was no judge; but that she - apprehended humour in writing chiefly consists in an imitation of the - foibles or absurdities of mankind; so our pleasure in this species of - composition, arises from comparing the picture with the original in - nature, which she had no opportunity of doing. - - In the works of our own countrymen we have frequent opportunities - of making this comparison, as the originals are generally before us: - But when we read the productions of foreigners, as their portraits are - copied from manners with which we are not sufficiently acquainted, - they must often appear forced and unnatural. There is a cast of - humour, as well as of manners, peculiar to each country; and this - is what makes every nation give the preference to its own humorous - subjects. Nor is this preference ill founded, since the several - drawings are made from originals widely different from each other; and - as in portrait-painting, the value of the picture is enhanced by our - connections with the person who sat for it; so here we must approve - those pieces the originals of which we are best acquainted with. The - language of humour is also in every country different from that used - upon common occasions, which makes foreign satire an exotic of too - delicate a nature to bear transplanting. - - I was not surprised at my friend's situation; nothing I _then_ - supposed could have secured my own heart from her attractions but its - being pre-engaged. All the great heroes, the scripture worthies in - particular, have had their _Delilah's_, to whose bewitching charms - they have _one and all yielded_; reluctantly some, and fondly others; - _these_ proving their wisdom, and _those_ their folly; since _there is - no enchantment against beauty_, nor any thing it cannot enchant. - - But notwithstanding my predilection in her favor, prudence suggested - to me that my friend's passion might hurry him into an improper - connection. I therefore inquired particularly concerning this lovely - woman. I found she had resided there fifteen months, having brought - with her a maid, and the child whom we had seen: that soon after her - arrival she had disposed of some valuable effects; and that she had - employed herself since that period in making artificial flowers, which - her maid carried to--and disposed of them: that it was with great - pleasure they observed she was now much more cheerful than she had - been at first. That she was very regular in her conduct; never saw any - person, nor went abroad but for divine service or a little air and - exercise. This account served only to increase my friend's passion. He - left nothing unsaid, nothing undone, to convince her of his sincerity; - but she remained inexorable! We were there one day; when I took the - liberty of remonstrating with her on this subject: She was affected, - and said, "My lord, you distress me greatly; but at once to relieve - myself _from your_ friend's importunities, and to prove _to you_ how - unavailable _his_ pursuit _is_, I must be reduced to the humiliating - detail of _my sorrows_: then, pointing to the lovely boy, she added, - that cherub calls me _mother_, although his cruel father has not given - me the name _of wife_: let this, my lord, render you unsolicitous - concerning me." - - Lord Ogilby, though struck at the intelligence, assured her, that - she was infinitely superior in his eyes to women of the world, who - vainly flatter themselves, that, while they appear _not_ to be - conscious of their errors, mankind never discover _their follies_! - that he respected her candour, he would be a father to her lovely - boy, and, by his tender faithful attachment, atone for her former - disappointment. She said every thing a sensible heart could feel on - the sense she had of the honor he did in addressing her on such - honorable terms, in the strange situation he found her in; but added, - her heart might break, but that in breaking it must be the entire - property of Sir Harry Bingley! - - I am very sensible, my lords, continued Miss Harris, that the - foibles of those to whom we are indebted for our existence, though - open to the attack of all the world beside, ought to be sacred to us. - But it is incumbent on me to paint my father's character, in order to - inform you of the origin of my misfortunes. He was the younger son of - a family of distinction, had received every advantage of education, - and had travelled all over the world; which he himself said had - divested him of many narrow prejudices! But this was not sufficient - for him--he must triumph over reason and nature. He was too wise to - adopt the opinions of his fore-fathers, yet at the same time too - indolent to establish any of his own; and as he lived without system, - he made present convenience the rule of his conduct. His virtues - consequently were _accidental_--but his vices _habitual_. A clergyman - that kept him company countenanced _his errors_, and confirmed _my - belief_, that religious duties were only an _imposition on the - vulgar_. I am sure, my lord, you must agree with me in thinking that - _immorality_ in a _clergyman_ is as unpardonable as _cowardice_ in - a _soldier_. _One_ flies from the foes of his _king_ and _country_; - the _other_ justifies the _enemies of his God_. My father married - a young lady of large fortune. She had received a very religious - education, and had too much sensibility not to be exceedingly wounded - at his infidelity. He told her it was very well she thought as _she - did_--that all capacities cannot command a sufficient degree of - attention to pursue the intricacies of philosophical speculation; - neither if they could, are they endowed with proper powers of - perception to discern and judge for themselves. As these must - necessarily be governed by prejudices, if you remove them, you leave - such weak objects without any principle _whatever_. - - My mother answered, that the apostles were no _meta-physicians_: nor - did their blessed master teach them any thing that should make them - so. Wherefore she contented herself with their plain instructions, - finding much more satisfaction from them than she did from any human - writers, especially those who use so many and so nice distinctions, - tending more to _puzzle_ than _enlighten_ the understanding, and - having little effect upon the heart to make it better. It is to me, I - own, (said she) no recommendation of any cause, that the abettors of - it are obliged to have recourse to _abstruse terms_, and especially - when they introduce such terms into any system that pretends to be - Christian. I admire no scholastic phrases, or terms of art, when - applied to a doctrine which is matter of revelation only; and wherein - neither schools nor arts have any thing to say further, nor can say - any thing more clearly or more certainly than what God hath said. I - am far from commending any imposition upon men's judgment, or any - dictating by one man what is to be believed by another! But here my - father interrupted her; and, in a passion, made use of terms delicacy - prevents a repetition of--adding, neither _man_ nor _woman_ should - dictate or make a fool of him! That religion, etc. etc. varied in - different countries, as he had often observed something in the - climate, soil, or situation of _each_, which had great influence in - establishing its particular mode of superstition. Thus in Syria they - worship the sun, moon, and stars, as they live in a flat country, - enjoying a constant serenity of sky; and the origin and progress of - that error may be traced in a certain connection between those objects - of worship considered physically, and their characters as divinities. - - Thus the pomp and magnificence with which the sun is worshipped - in Syria, said he, and the human victims sacrificed to him, seem - altogether to mark an awful reverence, paid rather to his power than - to his beneficence, in a country where the violence of his heat is - destructive to vegetation, as it is in many other respects very - troublesome to the inhabitants. Superstition, since the world began, - has consisted of every particular, which either people's _fears_ or - their _follies_, either the _strength_ of their _imagination_, or - the _weakness_ of their _judgment_, or the _design_ and _artifice_ - of their _leaders_, taught them to _embrace_, in order to please any - being, or order of beings, superior to themselves, whom they made - the objects of their religious regards. My mother answered, that the - unbeliever changes nothing of the design of God, when he dares to - rise up against him--He ever enters into his plan, where the evil - concurs with the good, for the harmony of _this_ world, and the good - of the _next_. I need not, my lords, tire you with an account of - these particulars, further than to mark the difference of my parents - characters--these arguments recurring often, in the end produced such - contentions, that it impaired my mother's health--she died, and left - me under the guidance of a father, _totally unfit_ for that _important - trust_ He endeavoured to impress me with his sentiments of religion, - etc. If I imbibed his ideas, could I be blamed for it? Is it not - injurious and ridiculous to censure others for thinking in the same - manner we ourselves should have done under the same circumstances? - For if we do not consult our reason (which in matters of religion - is prohibited us) the capacity and credulity of individuals are - different, in consequence of their diversity of temperament, - education, and experience. And it would be still more absurd to - reprobate the rest of mankind, for not believing what we ourselves - do _not_, nor can be made _to believe_. But to return to my father: - About a year after my mother's death, when I was only eight years old, - he set out for Italy, and returned home inebriated with a love for - antiquity--He could sit all day in contemplation of a statue without a - nose, and doated on the decays with greater love than the self-loved - Narcissus did on his beauty. Sir Harry Bingley did me the honor to - address me; but my father, on his first proposal, would not hear of - it; he wished me to marry a brother antiquarian, who was desirous, - among other pieces of age and time, to have one young face be seen to - call him father. My lover told him, he would pray to Heaven to have - merit or deserve me--He returned, "When your prayer is answered, renew - your suit; but if you stay till then, you must have spectacles to see - her beauty with." Had Sir Harry appeared to him like a Sibyl's son, - or with a face rugged as father Nilus is pictured on the hangings, it - would have been otherwise. But the qualities, which recommended him - _to me_, produced the contrary effect on _my father_. - - Signor Crustino, whom he favored, had presented him with books, - that he said were written before the Punic war; and some of Terence's - hundred and fifty comedies that were lost in the Adriatic sea, when - he returned from banishment.--There were powerful inducements--He - commanded me to marry him: I expostulated, but without effect. Had - Sir Harry Bingley been old in any thing, even in iniquity, I believe - he would have shown him some respect. Had he not, said he, the - indiscretion to betray weakness, even to myself? did not he mention - that his _old_ rents produced one thousand a year; but that he had - made _new_ leases, and doubled them; and by the sale of a gallery of - pictures had paid his father's debts? O such preposterous folly! he - values more his gold, than whatever Apelles or Phidias have invented! - "What is more honorable than age?" said he: "Is not wisdom entailed - on it? It takes the pre-eminence in everything: antiquities are the - registers, the chronicles of the age, and speak the truth of history - better than a hundred of your printed commentaries!" It was in vain - I pleaded a contrary opinion; my tears had no power to mollify his - stony heart. I was ordered to prepare for my wedding; which I was - determined, at all events, should not take place. In the mean time - Sir Harry Bingley's passion was increased by the difficulty of - obtaining me, as the lovers of the fair Danäe desired her more when - she was locked up in the brazen tower. He was importunate with me to - elope: inclination pressed hard on one side, duty on the other; I was - torn with contending passions: my distraction was increased by the - preparations for the marriage feast. My father took his bill of fare - out of Athenæus, and ordered the most surprizing dishes imaginable. - But I was reprieved by a most extraordinary accident--He was possessed - of a couple of old manuscripts, said to have been found in a wall, and - stored up with the foundation: he supposed them the writing of some - prophetess--They were, he said, of the old Roman binding: And though - the characters were so imperfect, that time had eaten out the letters, - and the dust made a parenthesis betwixt every syllable, yet he was - inconsolable upon discovering he had lost them; and suspected his - brother antiquary of the theft, _such_ generally being very _adroit_ - on _pilfering_--Words arose on the subject; they parted in wrath; - my father declaring the marriage should not be celebrated. Signor - Crustino next day wrote a mollifying letter, intreating his acceptance - of several other manuscripts, which he said were dug out of the ruins - of Aquileia, after it was sacked by Attila, King of the Hunns.--But - he returned them with indignation, and took to his bed, where he - remained nine months in a very lingering condition--then died--leaving - me a prey to the oppressive insolence of proud prosperity.--It is that - only which can inflict a wound on the ingenuous mind.--These are the - stings of poverty! Misfortunes never create respect: dependence of - course meets with many slights--On such occasions, some show their - _malice_, and are witty on our _misfortunes_; others their judgment, - by sage reflections on our conduct; but few their charity.--They - alone have a right to censure, who have hearts to assist: the rest is - cruelty, not justice[28]. - - I found that my father's collection of curiosities, for which he - had expended all his fortune, did no more than pay his debts. On this - occasion all my acquaintances forsook me. A rich aunt was the only - person who recollected such a being existed (my lover excepted). - She afforded me help, but more as if she had been giving _alms_ to - a _stranger_, than _relief_ to a relation. How few are acquainted - with the art of conferring favors in that happy manner that doubles - the value of the obligation! If in doing good, people consulted the - circumstances and inclinations of those they oblige--if, instead of - shocking their self-love, (inherent in us all) they knew how to take - advantage of it, with as much address as the flatterer employs to - gain his ends, the empire of morality would long ago have extended - its bounds, and the numbers of its adherents would have greatly - increased.--This is the more easily done, as the _distressed_ think - any mark of attention shown them by the _wealthy_, _a real favor_--But - _neglect_ in general is the _portion_ of the _necessitous_--and - _outrage alone_ employed to recover _the guilty_. - - Lord Ogilby could not help here, with some warmth, asking where Sir - Harry Bingley was all this time. Miss Harris bowed, and resumed her - story. "Alas!" said she, "the Marquis of M---- his uncle, on whom he - had considerable expectations, insisted on his marrying Lady Ann - Frivolité--and though he absolutely declined this overture, he thought - in prudence, he ought to defer for some time entering into another - engagement until he could bring his uncle to hearken to it." - - My necessities increasing, relying entirely on the honor of my - lover, I permitted him to conduct me to a seat he had in a remote - part of the country--It was a frightful dismal house surrounded with - yews and willows, whose different forms recalled to my ideas Ovid's - Metamorphoses, and made me sometimes ready to bemoan the fate of - unhappy lovers converted into evergreens by the supposed enchantress - of this dreary mansion. The house had been long uninhabited: by the - blackness of the walls, the circular fires, vast cauldrons, yawning - mouths of ovens and furnaces, one would conclude, it was either the - forge of Vulcan, the cave of Polypheme, or the temple of Moloch. The - hangings of the apartments were indeed the finest in the world; that - is to say, which Arachne spins from her own bowels. But the affection, - the tender respectful behaviour of my lover was _everything to me_. - He said he made no doubt but the marquis, when convinced of my merit, - would approve of his passion! Unwilling to see him continue in so - delusive an error, I told him there was little probability of reviving - the golden age in his family; or, hoping that the benevolence of his - own heart would become epidemical, was an illusion! that relations or - parents saw things in a very different light from their children; as - the sentiment of the former arose from cool reflection, and as those - of the latter commonly resulted from the caprice of an irregular - imagination, or the violence of an impetuous passion, which prompted - them to act sometimes in direct opposition to the salutary advice - of their best friends.--He replied, that granting that were even - the case--the Marquis of M---- could not live for ever--but that no - power on earth could induce him to sacrifice his happiness; that he - had a _competent_, though not _great_ estate of his own--and would - marry me directly, if I chose it, or would take the most solemn oath - imaginable, to do it as soon as circumstances rendered it prudent - with safety. I consequently rejected agreeing to his proposal: I - could not bear the idea of my lover's running the risk of losing a - family inheritance on my account; though a possibility of possession - altering his sentiments, never entered into my imagination. We - remained three months together, the happiest time of my life: Happy - moments, how soon you fled, never, never to return! - - Miss Harris here blushed and stopped; we encouraged her to proceed. - With some hesitation, she added, At that time my lover's importunity - prevailed; I resigned myself to his wishes. I had his solemn promise - he would ratify our engagement at the altar; and my father had - instilled notions into me of marriage being only a civil institution: - he had often said, that the marriages among the Israelites were not - attended with any religious ceremonies, except the prayers of the - father of the family, and the standers by, to beg the blessing of God. - We have examples of it in the marriage of Rebecca with Isaac, of Ruth - with Boaz. We do not read that God acted the part of a priest to join - Adam and Eve together, only that of a father to the young woman, in - giving her away--_For he brought her to the man_: We do not see, he - used to say, that there were any sacrifices offered upon the occasion; - that they went to the temple, or sent to the priests. So that it was - no more than a civil contract. I also knew the present custom in - Sicily and in Holland. Thus I justified myself _to myself_, though - not effectually; but I was willing then _to believe_ what I _wished_; - as no inconvenience _to myself_ could equally affect me in its - consequences, as my lover losing his fortune on _my account_, which - made me decline marrying him at that time. And I firmly relied on his - honor, whom from that time I considered, and shall do, as my husband. - With this difference--if a woman survives her husband, after some - time set apart for decency, there are many circumstances may combine - to render a second attachment eligible. But one who like me has - evinced a weakness must be more exemplary in every other part of her - character, and more tenacious in her conduct, least the _particular - affection_ which occasioned _her error_, should be imputed to her as a - _depravity_. The event will prove, how requisite it is, for the good - of society, that certain rules should be established, the infringers - of which ought to suffer, for the good of the community. - - The effect of our passion was soon evident in my person--but sorry - I am to relate, grieved to repeat it--he left me; and at a time - when I expected every minute to become a mother; without affording - me one single line to _comfort_ or _relieve_ my mind from a state of - distraction, little short of madness. I was at last told he had been - obliged to set out on confidential business to the continent! Alas, in - what way did I lose his confidence? His _glory_ was dearer to me than - my _own life_; and had he told me of the circumstances, I should have - _urged_ his _departure_, instead of wishing to _protract_ his stay. - - I was in despair for his unkindness! Had my steps been strewed with - flowers, had I been possessed of every outward accommodation wealth - could bestow, alas, how unavailing would all these advantages have - been to me! but in my situation, oppressed, afflicted, and surrounded - with mortifications, ignorant even of the means of my future support, - and that of his child, how dreadfully were my woes increased! This - mark of his inattention redoubled my grief. An assortment of flowers, - plants, etc. arrived after his departure, which only served to remind - me of the happiness I had proposed myself from their cultivation in - his company: but I could not live by their scent, like a Dutch damsel, - nor was I descended of Cameleons that could be kept with air. In my - despair I refused all kind of nourishment; but a worthy girl who lived - with me, recovered me from this _reverie_. If you are resolved, madam, - (said she) never to eat a morsel more during your existence, your - behaviour at present is very consistent; but if you design ever to do - so, believe me that this is the best time you can possibly do so for - yourself, exclusive of your child, who must suffer with you. The last - argument was a prevailing one--I enquired for food, and eat greedily. - - I was soon afterwards delivered of a lovely boy--I took him in my - arms--each feature depicted his beloved, though cruel father! He has - since been my only solace, comfort, and happiness--were I hunted out - of society, and were I to meet with every species of abuse on _his - account_, he would be infinitely more interesting to me than all that - the world could confer upon me. - - After two months, during which time I flattered myself I should - hear from Sir Harry, though my hopes proved too sanguine, I removed - from his house--I cared not where I went, if distant from a place he - could discover me in, at a time when his capricious passion might - bring him back to me. Many unfortunate women, in such a situation, - give themselves up (as Ariadne did) to Bacchus, from the day they are - deserted--But a superior education taught me better. My maid's brother - was a captain of a ship; I agreed with him to bring us to this place. - My child justified my keeping a few valuable trinkets Sir Harry had - given me, which I should otherwise have returned--I set out, and, - philosopher-like, carried all my possessions about me. These trinkets, - and industry, have hitherto supported us--I revere virtue, though I - have unhappily swerved from the established rules of virtue _in my - country_--but I have the same warm affection for virtuous people, the - same tenderness for the unhappy, and the same regard for those whom - prosperity hath not blinded! - - Lord Ogilby replied, Sir Harry Bingley must have been nursed among - rocks, and suckled by tigers, to have used you thus! But you, even - now, would prefer being the object of his licentious passion, rather - than to become my virtuous wife! Miss Harris bowed, and replied, - I flattered myself, my lord, that I had, though not without great - confusion to myself, made you acquainted with my character--I - therefore am highly superior to the inference you have indelicately - made. I shall owe my future innocence to the sense I have of my - lover's perfidy; as the sore wound the viper gives, the viper best - cures. But my unfortunate circumstances exclude my ever thinking of - any other of the sex: All the rest of mankind _are_, and must remain - to me _a distinct species_. I would much rather die a thousand deaths, - than that my heart should have once conceived such a thought! I have - imprinted him in my heart in such deep characters, that nothing can - rase it out, unless it rub my heart out. Although he has left me to - be for ever miserable--may he be blessed--and may the fair-one whom - he selects to be his happy, happy wife, love him the hundredth part I - did! In this cottage will I remain! here dedicate my life to industry, - to procure for the child of the man I love, the means of food and - education: and when the great God calls upon me to offer up an account - of all my deeds, I _cannot_, _do not_ believe, I shall be found very - defective in what his justice will exact from me. Though I lament the - error I fell into, and am now convinced that we can have no distinct - notions of human happiness, without the previous knowledge of the - human constitution, of all its active and perceptive powers, and their - natural objects: therefore the most natural method of proceeding in - the science of morals, is to begin with inquiring into our several - natural determinations, and the objects from whence our happiness - can arise.--This, my lord, I have carefully done--my resolution is - consequently fixed. Lord Ogilby again said, Madam, let me still - intreat you to consider--If you have any hopes of his return, of all - old debts, love, when it comes to be so, is paid the most unwillingly; - and all you get by your constancy, is the loss of that beauty for - _one lover_, which independent of my proposal to you, would procure - you the vows, sacrifice, and service, of _a thousand_! She renewed - her thanks for his lordship's good opinion; added, she entertained no - hopes such as he had suggested, and must only beg leave to add, before - she concluded, after entreating we would conceal his name, that it was - not only a partiality for his person, but admiration of his character, - that must bind her for ever his. - - Lord Ogilby consigned a sum of money with her maid, that in case - indisposition should interfere with her plans, she should still - encounter no inconveniences. - - I should not, my dear Aunt, have detained you so long with this - story, did I not know your friendship to Sir Harry Bingley--I - founded his sentiments, he is still fondly attached to this lovely - woman--Honor, and a responsible situation, obliged him to leave her at - the time, and his letters miscarried by the sudden death of a friend - he entrusted them to. No part of my life, said he, can I recollect - with so much satisfaction, as that which I spent with my lovely wife, - for _such_ I shall ever consider her. I reflect on the supposed - injuries she thinks she has received from me, and I lament I know not - _where she is_ to make her every reparation in my power. Immediately - on my arrival, I went to the place where I had left her--but no trace - remained; she was fled, and had carried along with her the fruit of - our affection. I have been fatigued with inquiries to no purpose--and - conclude her dead; perhaps with grief for my supposed ingratitude. - - Without letting Sir Harry know I was acquainted with his story, I - discovered every thing from him I wished; and had the pleasure of - hearing of his present independent fortunes, which put it in his power - to realize the truth of his professions to Miss Harris. I sent off a - courier to her--she is now on her return to England. - - But to return to my own affairs--I went to Italy, but could hear no - tidings of the Duke de Salis; was only informed, that his son, after - some irregularities inherent in youth, had made a very good figure in - the army, but for some time past had not been heard of--Nor was it - known to what place the duke had retired. To amuse my chagrin, I went - one evening to masquerade at Venice, in the time of the carnival, and - fell in chat with a very agreeable young gentleman and his sister. - They politely hoped our acquaintance would not cease at the end of the - ball, and solicited a continuance of it--with this I very cheerfully - complied. I went--and am mortified to betray my weakness to you; but - truth obliges me to confess, that notwithstanding the pre-engagement - of my heart for the Countess de Sons, yet I could not resist the - attractions of Mademoiselle de Querci: my passion for her commenced - the first moment I saw her; and her charming behaviour hourly - increased it. She was majestic in her appearance; and in her were - combined all the qualities that can make desirable the woman I adore. - - The more I saw her, the more was her empire confirmed over me; - but still dubious of the Countess's fate, and conscious of my - pre-engagement, honor kept me silent. I had every reason to flatter - myself my address would have been acceptable, but my passion was - subordinate to that sense of honor my former obligations subjected - me to. It is hard to account for the motions of the human heart, or - trace the little springs that give rise to its affections--numberless - latent accidents contribute to raise or allay them, without our being - sensible of their secret influence. Thus situated, I came to England - at your request. The uncertainty of the Countess's fate renders me - wretched, while, to confess the truth, Mademoiselle de Querci haunts - my imagination. But _your_ felicity alleviates _my_ uneasiness--as - your joys or sorrows must ever be reverberated on the heart of - - Your ladyship's obliged - And affectionate nephew, - MUNSTER.' - - From Lady Eliza Finlay, to the Countess of Darnley. - London. - - 'My Dear Aunt, - - This is a place I often wished to come to, but the peaceful - satisfaction I have had in your company makes me in vain find it in - your absence--everything I see, everything I hear, is so contrary - to reason, that, without diverting one's self of that quality, it - is impossible to be pleased with any thing, though the novelty may - engage one's attention at first. All here appear to adopt the reigning - ideas, and fashionable pursuits, with as much pleasure as I feel in - conforming to the principles which your kind instructions and edifying - example have implanted in my mind. They do not, however, appear to - me to be happy, and, like comedians (who are not diverted with the - amusement they occasion) regret being condemned to communicate a - pleasure which they do not partake, and lament not having received, - from a different education, other tastes, other talents, and other - manners. I connect myself as little as possible with them; as in - epidemic distempers we are only secure whilst we escape the touch - of the contagious person; and with respect to wounds of the mind, - they are like those of the body. These extravagancies I might, - perhaps, some months ago have considered in a less serious manner, - but the evident melancholy in which my brother is, shews me the - vanity of everything in this world--So handsome in his person, so - accomplished in his manners--possessing everything the world places - a value on--and yet too apparently wretched. The Marquis of P----, - Lord Sombre, and his other friends, endeavour in vain to rouse him - out of his _reveries_.--You are possessed of such philosophy, that - you may look upon this matter in another light; as for me, who have - _strong passions_, and that inseparable companion of them, _weak - reason_, I cannot help being seriously alarmed. My beloved brother - has undoubtedly some secret cause of disquietude--he sighs at times - as if his heart would break! This affects me very sensibly; I never - was so unhappy in my life; besides, I have not my dear Aunt to give - a friendly check to my extravagance of spirits, so am afraid of - hazarding anything.--Every person looks formally at me. When your - friend the Duchess of W---- introduced me to Lady Charlotte Sombre, - she said she pleased herself with thinking what a harmony would arise - between us; for in the character, said she, I drew _of her_ to you, - she only sat _for yours_. Lady Charlotte is very agreeable, lively, - and entertaining. Lord Sombre, I fancy, is what you would esteem a - superior character; he is noble, and has a soul; a thing questioned - much in most of the gay youths whom we converse with. He appears to - have fine feelings--I intend to be on my guard before him--a man of - true taste and delicacy prefers the smile of the soul, to noisy mirth. - - Lady Charlotte is addressed by Sir Alexander French--he told - her, his love would be eternal! That is, said she, neither to have - _beginning_ nor _end_. Sir Alexander is a very great coxcomb, she - therefore gives him no encouragement; and amused me with an account - of him--her brother checked her, and said there is an ostentation - in these kind of confidences, which he was mortified to observe in - her--that at least she should respect a man she had rendered unhappy, - and who had almost lost his reason on her account. She replied, it - were indeed a trifling sacrifice, were it even so, as he had so little - to part with, that it made the loss inconsiderable--love, said she, - never makes such a bustle in hearts like his--his is a _laughing_, not - a _melancholy_ Cupid. She has the charms of an angel, and dresses with - the greatest simplicity, regarding the colour and make of her cloaths, - rather than the quality. - - When Lady Charlotte shewed me the _Arcadia_ of my mother's - painting[29], all the tender passions were up in my soul: I requested - to be left alone, and bursting into tears, I partly relieved the - emotions of my heart--Lord Sombre surprised me in this situation--I - was too much agitated at first to return him an answer to some - obliging things he said, but at last made an apology for my weakness! - His Lordship told me, the sensibility I testified confirmed him in the - high ideas he entertained of my character. He then expatiated to me on - a subject very agreeable, _my mother's virtues_. That the gentleman - who educated him had been well acquainted with her--who said, - that good sense and genius were united in her, and that by study, - reflection, and application, she had improved her talents in the - happiest manner--having acquired a superiority in thinking, speaking, - writing, and acting--and in manners, her behaviour, language, and - understanding, were inexpressibly charming. - - The discourse of people here, my dear Aunt, appears to me - malicious; their civilities feigned; their confidences false; and - their friendships resemble a rose, which pricks the hand of him who - smells it. Every animal seeks its food, digs itself a hole, or builds - itself a nest--sleeps--and dies. It is a melancholy reflection that - the greatest part of mankind do _no more_. The employment which - distinguishes them most from other animals, is the care of cloathing - themselves, and their enmity to each other--the first of these - engages the attention of millions of the younger people in this great - city--while the more aged employ themselves in the last. Although - pride is observable in a peacock and a horse, passion, in a tiger, - gluttony in a wolf, envy in a dog, laziness in a monkey, and treachery - in a cat, yet one does not find, in any animal whatever, falseness to - their own species. - - A love of play, and building, are the characteristics of this - age--our sex imitates the other as far as they can in the former--and - having no _terra firma_ for the latter, and not contented with the - ancient custom of castle-building, erect fabrics on their heads three - stores high. The rage of building is so great, that nothing can check - their ardour in it, although it has been the ruin of many individuals; - and there are at present (it is said) fifteen hundred uninhabited - houses in the two parishes of Saint Mary-le-bone and Pancras. Though - the fortunes of most individuals are decreased in value by the rise - of the prices of provisions, and other articles of expense, yet the - houses, good enough twenty years ago, are now judged inadequate. Among - many other reasons alledged for this, every woman of any tolerable - fashion requires a room for her wardrobe: what formerly could be kept - in a chest, occupies the space of a large apartment, as gowns (on - account of their trimmings) cannot be folded. - - In short, my dear Aunt, all seem to walk in a vain show, and the - curls of _the head_ are more attended to, than the sensations of _the - heart_. - - I hope Mrs Dorothea Bingley is become more reasonable than to wish - to force my dear friend's inclination to marry a man she detests. - Don't you think, my dear aunt, that marrying to increase love, is - like gaming to become rich; they only lose what little stock they had - before. - - My brother desires his respectful compliments to you, as I beg mine - may be acceptable to your Lord; and I ever am, with the greatest - esteem, - - Your ladyship's affectionate, - And obliged niece, - ELIZA FINLAY. - - From the Countess of Darnley to - Lady Eliza Finlay - - My Dear Niece, - - As in my present situation[30] I am interdicted from writing--I - shall only indulge myself in a few words to you. The civilities you - have received from all friends give me great pleasure. Brought up - in the lap of friendship, I am not surprised, that upon your first - emerging into the great world you should feel the coldness of the - common address of strangers. It is possible those very accomplishments - which delighted your fond aunt and friends, _interested_ for your - welfare, procure you the envy of _uninterested observers_. But if - any one denies you the praises your merit claims, betray not any - mortification at their want of candour, as your sensibility would - afford them a malicious pleasure. - - I have ever made it a rule, before I vexed myself about people's - appearing to slight me, to consider the character of the person, and - to discover the motives of his acting; and I very often found it was - with no design to affront me, but that the party was so humoursome as - even to be insupportable _to himself_. I have so long indulged myself - in the society of a few friends I love, that I am but ill suited - for the world, as anything unreasonable _vexes me_, and the want of - sincerity _offends me_. Mrs Dorothea Bingley continues to persecute - her niece on account of Mr Bennet! Nothing appears to me so barbarous. - I feel myself the happiest of women, and of wives, and enjoy my - felicity with a double _goût_, by reflecting upon the restrictions - I put on my inclinations for so many years. And I am perfectly - convinced, it is not until women have got over their early years, that - they can taste the delightful pleasure of loving and being beloved. - But no felicity is perfect in this world, and I find my joy allayed - from the observations I made on your brother's apparent melancholy. To - see you and him happy, and properly allied, are circumstances I still - must look forward to with great anxiety. I am very apt to believe man - a much greater machine than he is generally supposed to be. "Whoever - (says Dr Johnson) shall inquire by what motives he was determined on - important occasions, will find them such as his pride will scarcely - suffer him to confess; some sudden ardour of desire, some uncertain - glimpse of advantage, some petty competition, some inaccurate - conclusion, or some example implicitly reverenced." - - Such are too often the causes of our resolves. Rousseau says, if - you would understand the men, study the women--I myself think that - it is difficult to know what a man's conduct will be, until you are - acquainted with his wife's character, particularly when he enters into - that connexion at an early period of his life. - - My best affections ever attend you and your brother, in which my - lord most sincerely joins. - - FRANCES DARNLEY. - - From Miss Bingley to Lady Eliza Finlay. - - 'Dear Madam, - - Agreeable to your desire I write you a long letter in hopes of - making you laugh (for your letter to me gave me the vapours, you - appeared so serious, so unlike yourself)--it is probable I may not - effect my intention; but it will be a proof to you of my affection. - My aunt has been even rude to Sir James Mordaunt, told him that - he need not presume on my partiality for him, that I had nothing - to say in regard to disposing of myself--that he must _treat with - her_. He answered her with some heat, that he had no idea of modern - marriages, where their lawyer is the priest that joins them; and the - banns of matrimony are the indentures, land and ring--That in short - he had no notion of treating for a wife as he would buy stock of a - broker--that if she chose to give me her fortune, it _was well_--if - not, we could live _without it_! lovers you know, my dear Lady Eliza, - are always philosophers!--Your fortune, answered my good aunt, won't - be a superfluous maintenance for a family, and you shall not have a - shilling of mine! Very true, returned Sir James; but where content - attends a competency more is _unnecessary_. - - I hope, said she, you are in the court party and may get a pension? - Sir James told her he was not; but if he were it would be worse - for him, as the principles by which the court govern themselves - are literally these: The man who has trumpeted their merits for - years, cannot on any provocation assume an opposite character, - without impeaching his judgment and proving the instability of his - attachment--Our enemies it is wisdom to buy; but our friends will - either be firm in our cause from motives of interest, or silent - sufferers from motives of pride--Therefore, said he, good madam, - laughing, I mean to rise by being _in the opposition_--as most of the - great men have done before me! but, turning to me, said, I never yet - opened my mouth in that celebrated assembly, but to give utterance to - an occasional little monosyllable: But I may improve in time. - - My aunt detains Mr Bennet for hours together, as Aristæus held - Proteus to deliver oracles, judging I shall be charmed with his - learning and oratory; but I should like him infinitely better if - she would imitate Dulness, who kept the Muses in the Dunciad to - silence them. But for this eternal teazer's _presence_, and your - _absence_, (which by the by increased my consequence) I should have - enjoyed the races very much. Mrs Damer, on whom nature has bestowed - an understanding greatly superior to her form, confesses you are - handsome; whilst Miss Maydew, who has no other ambition than that - of attracting applause by the charms of her person, allows you good - sense. We seldom withhold the applause which is due to virtues or - accomplishments for which we cannot value ourselves. - - As to news, Mrs Trevors is parted with her husband: she put the poor - man out of all patience by her sameness of character: If he made an - observation, she assented; if he altered his mind, she gave a nod. She - was always the same tune, the same object, that is to say _the same - woman_. Perfectly agreed, no quarrels indeed subsisted between them, - but they _fell asleep_. Water freezes only in stagnation. Indifference - hung over them like a cloud, and irksome passed the hours, which might - have flown with a swift pace, perhaps, had they been passed with your - humble servant. - - The world would have been already laid in ruins if the elements - that compose it did not maintain it by their discordant concord. If - water did not resist fire by its coldness and humidity it would have - reduced all into ashes, and having no further nutriment would have - consumed itself. I will not lose Sir James's heart from this cause. - Diversity of opinions shall quicken our conversation--Opposition shall - not be wanting on my part to cheer _his heart_, and make his time pass - _agreeably_. An accommodating temper is all a man ought to expect - in a wife; more than this is disgusting--I am very apt to believe - that though a man of spirit would not suffer his wife to dictate to - him, yet he would as soon talk to a parrot, or be the companion of - a monkey, as of one who is his eccho on every occasion. It is very - possible with some men to be _too good_. But there are no rules - without exceptions; for was my husband very perverse I would (follow - the late example of the _Premier_[31] with the Opposition) revenge - myself on him by agreeing in opinion with him, which would oblige him - to commence hostilities with himself if he meant to _continue the - dispute_. - - Our ancient neighbour Lady Ogle married the other day a young ensign - in the guards, although you know she has more diseases than Galen - ever wrote of--at every cough resigns some of her teeth, and every - night screws off her leg--scarcely has her own nose, and by the course - of nature ought to have kneeled in marble, or lifted up her arms in - stone twenty years ago. In apology for her conduct, she says, it was - merely to procure herself _a friend_. But as experience does not - coincide with her ladyship's expectations, I should marry Mr Bennet, - to _get rid of him_, were it not for my penchant _elsewhere_. I look - upon all these romantic notions of Platonic, or spiritual love, as - highly ridiculous. Our passions were bestowed on us for wise purposes. - When precepts of virtue are strained too high, they are either - impracticable or become vicious in their consequences. - - The captain, _her friend_, is contriving a _visto_ through some - _woods_ on _her estate_, to pay _his debts_; she tells every body, - however, that he is not only possessed of _all the graces_, but an - independant fortune. The next heir to the estate happens to be of a - different opinion--his picture of captain Plume is _all shade_, hers - _all light_. The former awkwardly imitates the style of Rembrandt, and - with a dark pencil loves to describe hideous wrinkles and deformed - features--but the latter artfully copies the taste of Titian, and - brightens the canvas with all the lively glow of colouring. Perhaps - if light and shade were properly blended together, we might behold - a real likeness.--I don't like him. I mistake much if he is not - conceited--you know I pretend a little to be a physiognomist as well - as a botanist. In the natural world the external form of plants afford - us a hint for a conjecture of their virtues. Almost all the plants of - the same kinds are of the same virtues. The poisonous plants, natives - of our soil, are hardly a dozen, and these are characterized even to - the eye by something singular or dismal in the aspect. - - When I wrote you I was jealous of Sir James's attentions to Miss - Ords, I did not wish to be understood _au piè du lettre_--She has a - vacant countenance, her youth only renders her _passable_. Her wit - is not picquante, nor her manners alluring. She can answer _yes_ and - _no_, with tolerable success, nay sometimes hazards further: and when - she goes to a comedy does not intreat the company to instruct her - _when_ she should laugh. Her father lives _en Prince_: like Lucullus, - he _plundered all Asia_ to assist him _in house-keeping_. Sir James - was very lively in his usual way--She said she did not like puns, and - had never made one in her life--I could not help answering--It's my - opinion _you never will_. - - You ask me if I have got no more lovers? To talk ingenuously with - you--no; I know not what further inconveniences such an acquisition - might put me to: and as it might probably happen (not on _my account_, - but for my _aunt's acres_) I have whispered my passion for Sir James - Mordaunt as a secret to Mrs M----; so you need not doubt but it has - spread. She is an antiquated virgin, who endeavours to make chastity - atone for the want of every other virtue. She wanted me sadly to - ask her some question; I mortified my own curiosity, to punish her - propensity to detraction. - - Lady Dun is at last expired, notwithstanding the prayers of the - faithful. Had she lived any longer, her _piety_ must have ruined _her - family_ by her total want of economy, as she did the reputation of her - neighbours by scandal. - - _Can so much gall in holy breasts reside?_ - Boileau's Lutrin. Canto I. - - I met the following story lately in an old book; the writer appears - to have been a person of great judgment, and not in _the least_ - given to credulity. He relates, that a certain man who had a wife - that made this world his purgatory (though, according to the _common - acceptation_, she was _virtuous_ and prudent) happening to die some - little time after her, he went to paradise, as soon as the breath - was out of his body, as a reward for his patience in this world; - being come to the gate, he knocks, the good man St Peter opens the - door, and desires him very civilly to walk in, and take what seat in - heaven he pleased. The husband stopped a moment to recollect himself; - and then asks St Peter, Whether or not his wife was there? The good - Saint answered in the affirmative: upon which the honest man, without - staying for any thing further, takes to his heels and makes for the - road to hell; rather choosing to renounce heaven, than be in the same - place with his dear rib, whom he was well assured would, out of the - abundance of her virtue, make heaven as great a hell to him, as she - had done this earth. - - I must now, my dear friend, tell you what sincerely grieves me. My - brother equals _yours_ in melancholy: before he went abroad, no man - whatever had better spirits; but now, although he does not complain of - any particular disorder, yet is he always indisposed--ever wretched, - constantly sighing and lamenting. This affects my spirits much: "_my - heart is not of that rock, nor my soul careless as that sea, which - lifts its blue waves to every blast, and rolls beneath the storm!_" - But truth obliges me to confess that I cannot go on with my admired - poet as--"_The virgins_ have not as yet _beheld me silent in the - hall_!" No, no no, it is not come to that yet! I relieve you from my - company--be sensible of the obligation--let me hear from you soon, and - believe me, - - Your ladyship's - affectionate friend, - H. BINGLEY.' - - From Lady Eliza Finlay to Miss Bingley. - - 'My dear Harriot, - - Many thanks for your agreeable letter, your _gaieté de coeur_ always - pleases me, _Vive la bagatelle!_ - - But, my dear friend, I am uneasy at your aunt's persisting in - her persecution of you on Mr Bennet's account. He seems to me to - be a person rather created to fill up a vacuum in nature, than to - perform any active good in it. His want of sensibility is sufficient - to prepossess me against him--There are in the occurrences of a - married life so many trials of a man's humanity that he whose want - of tenderness might pass unobserved had he continued single--must - often appear a very monster considered as a husband. May you be - blessed in that state with the man of your heart! I agree with you - that opposition, carried on without violence, gives a dignity to our - condescension; but we must not carry this too far or we may counteract - our design of preserving the heart we have gained. - - To manage men requires more dexterity than to win them, as the - consequence of most _love matches_ evinces. - - You ask a thousand questions, having never been in London yourself, - on account of your aunt's apprehensions of a disease she had not the - resolution of giving you at an early period of life[32]. I told you - that you must not expect any characters from me, as I was always an - enemy to detraction, and few there are that merit commendation. Let - us, my dear friend, regulate our _own conduct_, rather than condemn - that _of others_: but as I cannot refuse you anything you ask (though - I may wonder at your asking) I will suppose we are chatting over a - dish of tea, and giving our opinion of a gown or a cap, and will tell - you who suits my taste, or who my reason contemns, with as little - meaning as if I talked of the gown and not the woman: and this I the - more readily do, as I know you will not betray the confidence I place - in you. - - The truth is, however, I am perfectly astonished at the strange - characters this town abounds with; and stupified (_if I may_ be - allowed the expression) with what I have heard: but, as Shakespeare - allows Desdemona to speak after she was smothered, you will permit me - to write though I have lost my understanding. And as it was the choice - of certain great men to be intelligible, it is probable my present - state of mind will lead me to imitate them. But on second thoughts, my - being not _au fait_ to the subject may perhaps make me excel in it. - Men often expatiate _best_ on what they _least understand_, by the - same rule that people in general are contrary to what they would seem. - - The Mantuan Swain lived constantly at court: Horace wrote in - celebration of a country life when he resided in Rome: and it is well - known travels, voyages, etc. to every part of the world have been - written in London. Why should I not then, Eliza Finlay Spinster, - attempt delineating manners, which I have really seen? My scruples - would intrude--that perhaps I am not sufficiently informed, as I have - only resided here a month; but these vanish on the recollection that - I must certainly be in the right in the above position--Otherwise, - could it be possible for Mr Blacklock[33], a poet blind from his - birth, to describe visible objects with more spirit and justness, - than others blessed with the most perfect sight? Could certain - orators, famous for their _extravagance_, harangue on _economy_--Or - the learned at Venice employ father Piaggi to copy the manuscript - found at Herculaneum (though he is unacquainted with Greek, the - language they are written in)--Or could our own countrymen, the - _learned_, _judicious_ body in Warwick-lane, refuse to admit to be - their associates in the science of _Æsculapius_, any but those who - have studied where--_medicine is not taught_? After such precedents - as these, it is clear I cannot err, in informing you of what--_I - know little about_. Besides, it is an established rule of prudence, - on the contrary, never to commit yourself by talking or writing on a - subject the world gives you the credit of understanding, as you have - _nothing_ to _gain_ but _much_ to _lose_. This consideration no doubt - induced one author[34] to omit in his tragedy _morality_, which should - be the ground-work of every fable, and deterred another[34] from - acknowledging providence, though it so eminently presided, and was so - conspicuously displayed in the miraculous escapes made in the voyages - he wrote of. This being premised, I will now begin boldly to _relate_ - many things I cannot _comprehend_. - - _Miss Ton_ accompanied me to the opera; I was amazed at the height - of her head, and how her chair had failed to crush the fabric of - feathers and frivolity which rose above each other! I could not think - she had flown, though she was composed of cork and feather; and - willing to be informed how she had managed it (as ignorance, you know, - is reprehensible) I ventured to ask her the question. She returned me - a look of contempt (as if to pity my ignorance) saying, she always - took care to prevent a misfortune of that kind! When I go to court, - said she, as heads are wore lower[35] there--I fit like your old woman - upon the seat of the chair, which is convenient enough on account of - one's trimmings, but when I go to the opera, where _fancy directs_ and - _fashion prevails_, I say my prayers the whole way--that is to say, - I kneel _on the bottom of the chair_. I admired her ingenuity; only - observed, I hoped it did not fatigue her knees so much as to prevent - her from going to church next day! O, not in the least, said she; - but I always go to the drawing-room of a Sunday! except when I go to - the Chapel-royal--_the closet there_, indeed, that is no bad public - place--nobody but people of fashion are admitted, and it is really - sometimes very amusing! The truth is, if one liked church very much, - there is time enough to dress afterwards; for it is not _the rage_ - which a certain set to go to the drawing-room until your old-fashioned - people are coming away. Oh the dear delight of meeting these dowdies - on their _retour_ home to their spouses and family dinners at _four - o'clock_. Then we make such glorious confusion! I took the liberty of - saying that I thought the respect due to their Majesties had induced - every body to be in the drawing-room previous to their appearance! - Oh, not at all, child, said she--except your _formal ones_! But - why, said I, madam, need you go to court of a Sunday, why not of a - Thursday as well? Of a Thursday! Nobody goes of a Thursday! Pardon - me, replied I, the Duchess of W---- introduced me on that day! That - may be, replied Miss _Ton_, her Grace is very old, wrinkles make her - religious--but none but such, or courtiers, go of a Thursday! I again - took the liberty of telling her that it had also been a very full - drawing-room--Then, said she, it must have been the Thursday after - the birthday--or some particular day; for otherwise few of a certain - set, who understand _the rage_, would go. The _rage_, said I, madam! - I am again at a loss; did I hear you right? O, perfectly well, said - she; the _ton_, was formerly the word, but _the rage_, has lately - been adopted from the French! (It is to be hoped, that the Parisians - will also, from their late partiality for _English Gauzes_, _Silks_, - _Linens_, _etc._ induce us to adopt _them also_, instead of too often - procuring these articles from France.) - - Forgetful of the imprudence I was going to commit--I told Miss - _Ton_ her prayers had proved ineffectual--her largest feather - was snapped in two. Is it possible! exclaimed she, and reddened - prodigiously.--Shocked at the blunder I had made, and pitying her - weakness, I gave her my bottle of Eau de Luce; and not caring to - hazard any further on so interesting a subject, lest it should hurt - her nerves, I turned the conversation to what was more indifferent--a - sister of her's, who _had died in child-bed a fortnight before_. - - (This, my dear friend--to philosophise--no abstract evil exists; - for whatever calamities human life is subject to, their evil depends - merely on our own sensibility.) - - Sir Timothy Clinquant rejoined us. He is handsome, has a good - opinion of himself, and is no stranger to the art of flattery. She - lamented to him the accident of her feather. From a knowledge of - human nature, that nothing pleases so much as to have a defect of any - kind turned into a beauty--he assured her the feather being broke - gave it an air of negligence so perfectly adapted to the _contour_ - of her fine face, that he could not be convinced, but that she - _accidentally_ on _purpose_ afforded it _that grace_. Thus was she - restored to good-humour.--I can tell you little of what I saw; Miss - Ton's head intercepted my view of the stage: _her rage_ of going late - having prevented our getting any other but end seats, and she sat - before me. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth there was a law made to - restrict the growth of ruffs: I wish our legislators,[36] who, in this - accommodating age, do sometimes condescend to bestow their attention - on trifles, would take the size of heads into their consideration. Mr - Walpole observes, in his anecdotes of painting in England, that in the - reign of the two first Edwards, the ladies erected such pyramids on - their heads that the face became the center of the body. - - An eminent physician has declared, that more deformed children have - been brought into the world this last year than for twenty years - before, on account of the ladies stooping in their carriages--One - thing I am certain of--it makes them contract a habit of frowning, - that furrows their foreheads. - - A fine lady is the least part of herself, and is every morning - put together like some instrument. Dress is the subject eternally - discussed. Gulliver tells us, that the sages of Laputa, having - substituted things in place of words, carried along with them such - things as were necessary to express the particular business they - intended to discourse on.--Were this the case, it would be a great - relief; but alas! they do no more here than propose the subject. But - to return to the opera--Miss _Ton_, in telling me who the people - were, said they were _horrid creatures_, that is to say, censorious or - _awkward_, because _not of her particular set_. - - But what was my surprise to perceive her familiarly afterwards - whispering to one, curtsying to another, telling a third how - unfortunate she had been in not being at home when she did her the - honor of calling on her! I could not help testifying my astonishment - at her conduct!--She laughed, and said--I am civil to those people, as - the Indians worship the devil--_for fear_. Besides, said she, the last - Lady has a rich brother lately come from India. In days of yore women - married for a title, a fine seat, etc.--A title is very agreeable, - but a _fine seat_, the very idea of it gives me the vapours! I would - rather marry a London justice than a lord lieutenant of the county. It - did very well formerly (when people were so dull as to be able to bear - their own thoughts) to live moping at an old family place; but manners - are _now_ too much improved for _that_: and a nabob's cash, without - the appendages of the seats of his ancestors, will suffice to carry - me one season to Spa, another to Tunbridge, etc. etc.--In marrying a - nabob, there is a moral security of never being buried in the country. - I am no _devot_, but I believe there is such a thing as conscience; - and, as few of these continental heroes can bear to listen to their - silent monitor--it induces them to lead _exactly the kind of life I - like_--to _exclude reflection_! - - I answered, that she was too severe; I made no doubt but that a - man may get rich across the Atlantic, without wounding his honor, - and all the finer feelings of humanity by peculation and extortion, - which leaves the possessors more wretched than pale-eyed poverty with - all its whole train of meagre haunts. To change the conversation, - I said, so madam, I find you intend to marry. Yes, said she, _to - be sure_--But I hope in god I shall have no children to _spoil my - shape_. I cannot here refrain from telling you a circumstance I saw - occur myself. We dined at Lady ----'s; I observed a lady change - colour--Mrs. ---- whispered to her, that ladies in her situation (for - she appeared with child) were apt to be _indisposed_. She seemed hurt - at the supposition, and denied any thing was the matter with her! - As by the conversation it appeared she had _already had children_, - I was at a loss to account for _her conduct_. Colonel H----, her - husband, appeared very uneasy--an inquisitive look of kindness, a - tender affectionate concern, were strongly depicted on his manly - countenance--his anxiety appeared to me to proceed from that fond - attachment arising from loving another better than one's self. I - entered into his ideas, contemplated her happiness, and as he is not - a very young (though agreeable) man, the apparent attention he paid - her confirmed me in what you know was always my sentiments, that - _such_ make the _best husbands_. Desirous of relieving his anxiety by - contributing to her ease, I begged she would permit me to accompany - her to another apartment. As her uneasiness had greatly increased--she - was under a necessity of accepting my offer--and fainted as soon - as she got into Mr. ----'s library. The alarmed and fond husband - followed, who intreated a maid might be called to cut the lacing of - her stays. He was much affected, and, addressing Lady Charlotte Sombre - and me, said, There, young ladies, lies a victim of the fashion! - Before I brought her to this town--she was the delighted mother of - three fine children--but these fond sensations are now lost in the - trifling consideration of a _fine shape_; and though in the last month - of her pregnancy, she has a vanity in flattering herself she cannot be - thought in _that situation_! The lady was carried home, and we heard - next day she had been delivered of a _still-born child_. - - Lord Spangle asked Miss _Ton_, how soon she got to bed the other - morning? Not, my Lord, until eight--you know we did not sit down to - dinner until twelve at night. Not until twelve at night! said I. No, - returned she; you know nobody dines till after the opera: it was - _Danzi's_ benefit; all the world were there, and there were many songs - _encored_.--Dinner was ordered by eleven; but Lady Peccedillo was not - at the opera--her monkey died, and she had not nerves for seeing Lord - ---- who is always there, and who she esteems the direct image of her - dead favourite. Her hair-dresser was ordered at ten, but disappointed - her--and dinner was retarded on her account. Pray, said I, at what - time did you sup? Why, we sat down to cards at two o'clock, played - until six, then went to supper, and parted half an hour after seven! I - find, said I, that the people of the _ton_ reckon the time according - to the _Mosaic_ custom, where the evening and the morning make the - day. But pray, madam, what becomes of your servants all this time? I - hope you only appoint them to attend you home? Servants! Lord, Madam, - nobody thinks of their servants! I do not see myself what business - servants have to sleep _at all_! I can do very well with three hours - sleep, and I expect next winter to bring myself to two[37]! - - You say that lady and Mrs. ---- have been lately abused, even - by their own friends, that is to say--those they associated most - with--Would you know the reason? My dear friend, they have left off - play, at which they generally lost considerably. The first of these - ladies, from unavoidable misfortunes, altered her plans in life: the - last, from a different cause--Her family remonstrated, her husband - frowned; but they remonstrated, and he frowned to _no purpose_! Her - luck turned, her passion increased for that dangerous amusement, yet - she took a resolution, and would _play no more_.--She who was before - set down as an agreeable acquaintance, was now deemed capricious, and - the eyes of her card-playing acquaintances, who were before _blind_ - to her _real imperfections_, became now _scrupulously attentive_ to - her _imaginary errors_. Many various conjectures were formed for the - reasons of her conduct--many allegations made that she had formed _an - attachment_, or was deterred by _spouses's directions_! To clear her - at once from these imputations, neither of which (be they _crimes or - virtues_) she has a mind capable of--The truth is--she has beautiful - teeth--and accidentally read Mr Tolver's book, where he considers the - passions as internal causes of their diseases. - - _Errors_ proceeding from the _sensations of the heart_, are not - _those_ of this age. I was told there had been a long attachment - between Lady ---- and Colonel ----. I deplored, I pitied her! He is - now abroad in a dangerous situation! What anxiety, what wretchedness - must she not suffer! How surprised I was to find--she never misses - _a public place_. The Duchess of W---- was much amused at my - simplicity--Formerly (said she) if a woman had the misfortune _to - love where_ she could not avow it--decency induced her carefully - to conceal her weakness--but now it is _quite otherwise_--The soft - sensations find no admittance into their sophisticated hearts--though - they have no objection to a man of fashion _in their train_.--And a - certain set of _the ton_, or _the rage_ go so far as even studiously - to afford an appearance _of what_ in reality never entered into _their - imaginations_! - - I think I hear you say, how strange! But everything is so I think - in this place. I met Lady Bab Cork-rump the other day: My dear Lady - Eliza, said she, I love a comedy of all things; pray let us go to one - soon. I am disengaged next Thursday--That is very lucky, returned I; I - have _a box that evening: it is our favourite play_; and _Mrs Abington - acts_!--That is _delightful_, said she! And, added I, it is a charity - play for the dispensary of the infant poor--upwards of twenty-six - thousand children have been relieved by this humane institution - since its commencement nine years ago. Lady Bab heard the above - impatiently.--It is a charity play, you say, madam!--I don't know, I - believe my brother expects some friends from the country. I suppose it - will be no disappointment to your ladyship if I _don't go_?--O, not in - the least, said I--Thus the idea of _Charity_ makes a fine lady shrink - (as if it were contagious) into herself, and prevented Lady Bab from - going to a place her inclination otherwise induced her to. - - Lady Bab seems to have a great partiality for Sir Hugh, - our neighbour--Since he got his fortune--his riots are - generosity--carelessness, the freedom of his soul--his prodigalities, - an easiness of mind proportioned to his estate. He quarrelled the - other day with Captain Essence on her account; and I was alarmed to - the greatest degree for the consequences! she laughed at my fears, - assuring me there was no kind of danger in what I apprehended. The - gentlemen, said she, have renounced the conduct of heroes. The custom - of wagers is the happy succedaneum, and prevents much blood-shed. Thus - matters of dispute are left in _tranquil doubt_, until the period - arrives for _its_ no less _tranquil decision_. It turned out as she - said; Captain Essence wagered with Sir Hugh, that _the new club in - Saint James's Street would be the ruin of Lord ----, before the old - one vis-à-vis had knocked up General ----_. - - I have spent so much money on _bagatelles_, that I cannot help - regretting the expenditure of what if otherwise applied might have - produced such beneficial effects.--But if we commit some follies, - we are sufficiently kept in countenance by the other sex. Modern - story tells us the late King of Poland was so much captivated with - forty-eight china vases, that he purchased them of the late King of - Prussia at the price of a _whole regiment of dragoons_. - - You know, my dear friend, how many elogiums have been bestowed on - Lady Darnley, on account of the aids she afforded for the disquisition - of the particular genius's which distinguished the young people, to - prevent a misapplication of the talents of the rising generation. "Is - it not by a misapplication of talents," said one, "that our present - mortifications arise? Many a man miscarrying in one profession, would - have succeeded happily in another. Hence we see so many heads applied - to what requires thinking, which might have been applied to their - country's good in the manner of the ancient use of _battering rams_, - and have been run against stone walls _without the least danger of - being hurt_.--If the mechanic should invert all the principles which - compose the knowledge of that science; if he should assign the wheels - to be the principle of motion, the spring to run round and be moved, - the weight to vibrate and regulate, and the pendulum to urge; would - not all mankind deride such a machine, because it could not perform - its office? Is not this the unhappy case of this country at present? - have not our enemies taken the advantage of it?" - - But to leave politics--which I owe to the observations of an - old gentleman, who has too much reason to be chagrined with the - procrastination in the conduct of public affairs, as it has affected - the interest of his private family--I am most sincerely concerned on - account of your aunt's apparent obstinacy in favour of Mr Bennet. - Parents, imagining that years _impart wisdom_, which have only - _altered tastes_, are apt to be arbitrary in their determinations, - and dress in the furs, which become the ice of old-age, the glowing - blood of youth. But do not, my dear friend, barter your happiness for - splendour. I suppose (but do not take my supposition for an oracle) - that it is not likely I shall every marry--If I do not, my fortune - shall be yours; being ever most affectionately - - Your sincere friend - ELIZA FINLAY. - - From the Earl of Munster to the - Countess of Darnley. - - My dear Aunt, - - Since I wrote you last, I walked one day in the city. A _black man_, - _well dressed_, fell down in the street: as none was near, I run, - took him in my arms, and carried him into a house of refreshment, - where I immediately procured him assistance. Upon his recovery he - acknowledged his obligations to me, and said, that but for me he must - have died:--and at the end of the lottery of life, our last minutes, - like benefit tickets left in the wheel, rise in their valuation. I - accompanied him home, where I saw his wife; who, though as black as - the collyed night, is as ingenious, sensible, and agreeable a woman as - can be found among the daughters of England. He inquired of her for a - friend; who arriving, to my inexpressible surprise proved to be the - Marquis de Villeroy, but so emaciated that the eye of friendship could - not behold him without shedding tears--he knew me at once, and ran to - my embrace--This, said he to the black gentleman, is Lord Munster, my - friend, the companion of my youth. - - After the joy we mutually testified at meeting, I could not help - testifying my surprise at the alteration in his person! My Lord, - replied he, I will acquaint you with the most extraordinary history - that ever occurred to any one. Upon the receipt of your letter, I - made no doubt, in the first impulse of passion, but you had betrayed - me; I suddenly left the army, and travelled day and night until I - took shipping for Rotterdam. On my arrival at that place, I found my - father had left it; and was also informed of the honorable part you - had acted, and that I had falsely flattered myself with the Countess's - affection. I lamented your misfortune and my impatience, as on - reflection I was sensible of the imprudence I had committed in leaving - my post--I was determined, however, not to lie under any imputation - of cowardice--I returned to--waited on the general officer--acquainted - him with the real truth, obtained forgiveness of my fault, which - was afterwards looked upon in a proper light, as I had the good - fortune to distinguish myself soon after in two engagements. Upon - our being ordered into winter-quarters, I obtained leave of absence, - and was resolved if possible to discover to what place my father had - retired; for although my love was hopeless, I flattered myself still - with having it in my power to rescue the Countess de Sons from his - _tyranny_, and restore her _to you_. - - My servant one day, with a face of joy, communicated to me that he - had learned my father lived at a house near Marseilles. He heard this, - he said, from a brother, who had an intrigue with one of the Duchess's - maids.--Is the duke then married? said I.--Alas, my friend, said the - Marquis, I am sorry to inform you, the object of your affections fell - a victim to my father's designs--he compelled her to give him her - hand!--I found he had turned the Countess's fortune into cash and - jewels, on which he lived, being desirous of concealing the place of - his abode, jealous to the last degree of her being seen! With this - view all his servants _were females_. - - Notwithstanding these precautions, his domestics talked of his - peculiarities; which occasioned interrogatories concerning his funds - of expense. These the inquirers soon discovered were in specie in - the house: this determined them to rob him. My servant's brother, - who was courting the Duchess's maid, informed her _of me_; next day - received a letter from my sister, who promised to admit me one night - into the house, where she directed me to come in disguise with my - servant!--Thus was I made a tool of by these ruffians: they meant - to effect the robbery by _my means_; and if detected, flattered - themselves they would be pardoned _on my account_! At the time - appointed I went; Julia let me in, leaving the door open for my - servant. She was beginning to inform me of all their distresses, when - our ears were assaulted by an alarm-bell!--in an instant the house - was filled with people; I heard my father say, Where is the rascal - who calls himself my son? My servant, upon being discovered, had - informed him, that I had hired him and his three companions (whom he - had introduced into the house) to murder and rob him, and to carry - off the ladies! It was in vain I assured him to the contrary; he would - not hearken to me; he recollected how much I had been in love with his - charming ward; he upbraided me with my wickedness, and perhaps did - believe me guilty. - - This affair, I make no doubt, has been misrepresented in the - world--we have no true histories, but such as have been written by - those who were sincere enough to relate what they experienced, in what - relates to themselves. - - I was seized, and carried to a dungeon until my trial; when, without - a hearing, I was condemned for life to be a galley-slave, and sent - for that purpose on board the gallies at Marseilles. The labour of a - _galley-slave_, is become a proverb; nor is it without reason that - this may be reckoned the greatest fatigue that can be inflicted on - wretchedness. - - Imagine six men chained to their seats, entirely naked as when born, - sitting with one foot on a block of timber fixed to the footstool; - the other lifted up against the bench before them, holding in their - hands an oar of an enormous size. Imagine them lengthening their - bodies, their arms stretched out to push the oar over the backs of - those before them; who are also themselves in a similar attitude. - Having thus advanced their oar, they raise that end which they hold - in their hands, to plunge the opposite in the sea; which done, they - throw themselves back upon their benches below, which are somewhat - hollowed to receive them. But none but those who have seen them labour - can conceive how much they endure: none but such could be persuaded - that human strength could sustain the fatigue which they undergo for - an hour successively. But what cannot necessity and cruelty make men - do? Almost impossibilities. Certainly no galley can be navigated in - any other way, than by a crew of slaves, over whom a _comite_ may - exercise the most unbounded authority. No free man could continue at - the oar an hour unwearied: yet a slave must sometimes lengthen out - his toil for ten, twelve, nay, for twenty hours, without the smallest - intermission. On these occasions the _comites_, or some of the other - mariners, put into the mouths of those wretches a bit of bread steeped - in wine, to prevent their fainting through excess of fatigue or - hunger, while their hands are employed upon the oar. At such times - are heard nothing but horrid blasphemies, loud bursts of despair, or - ejaculations to Heaven; all the slaves streaming with blood, while - their unpitying taskmasters mix oaths and threats, and the smacking of - whips, to fill up this dreadful harmony. - - At this time the captain roars to the _comite_ to redouble his - blows; and when any one drops from his oar in a swoon, (which not - unfrequently happens) he is whipped while any remains of life appear, - and then thrown into the sea, without any farther ceremony. The - _Diable Boitteux_, in order to make _Cleofas_ sensible of the happy - condition of an inquisitor, tells him, Was not I a Dæmon, I would be - an inquisitor? Were the devil to become a mortal, he would incline to - be the _comite_ to the galley-slaves at Marseilles, whose hearts are - inlapidated by cruelty. - - How these slaves are fed, to enable them to support such enormous - toil, may be judged from the following account.--When it was necessary - we should take some refreshment, the captain ordered _the dogs to - their mess_. He only meant by this, that we should be served with - beans, the usual food allowed us. These are indeed most intolerable - eating, and what nothing but the most pinching hunger could dispense - with. They are ill boiled, with scarce any oil, a little salt, and - all to be eaten out of a capacious cauldron, not the cleanest in the - world, as may easily be conceived. - - I was never so hungry but that I preferred eating my portion of - bread dipped in vinegar and water to this mess, which even offended - the sense of smelling. However, these, and twenty-two ounces of - biscuit, are all the food allowed for a galley-slave. Each of the crew - receives four ounces of this beverage; that is, provided none of it be - secreted before it is brought upon deck, which is not unfrequently the - case. - - I once had the curiosity to count the number of beans which - a brother slave had got for all his portion, which amounted to - just thirty; and those of the little black bean, commonly called - horse-beans. We did not even commiserate one another. To pity, we - must be acquainted with the sufferings of our fellow-creatures, but - not feel them. When we know by experience what pain is, we pity those - who suffer; but when we ourselves are in pain, we then feel only what - we ourselves undergo. In every station, subject to the calamities of - life, we allow to others that share of our sensibility only which we - have no occasion for ourselves. People in ease, people in affluence, - may think otherwise, but it is not _in nature_. - - Dreadful as this was, I have always thought death a punishment that - was no way adequate to the crimes of some public villains who have - been punished with it; and I am certain the most cowardly among men, - would prefer it to being a galley-slave. We are condemned to death by - nature; the sentence of the law, and the hand of the hangman, only - anticipate a few months or days; but to be daily wishing for death, as - a friend, to relieve us, and to be debarred of all means of meeting - him, is such a quintessence of wretchedness as would, I believe, make - all mankind keep a strict guard upon their actions, that they may - avoid falling into it.[38] - - From this infernal state of existence I was delivered by Mr Worthy, - who is a slave-merchant--he saw, and pitied my distress--he had - accidentally saved the life of one of the ruffians who had assisted in - the attempt to rob my father. This man afterwards, upon his death-bed, - acquainted his good master of my situation, who promised to release - me. This was effected by his giving a large sum to the captain and the - _comite_. The secret was told me; it was agreed I should pretend to - faint, and appear insensible; when I should be thrown into the sea as - dead--This happily succeeded. - - Nothing can be more unjust than to confine the instance of humanity - within the narrow circle of a few European nations. The noble, the - generous, the humane dispositions are diffused throughout all nature, - and exert their engaging force wherever a body of men subsists. Virtue - and vice are mingled in all societies: we have savages in Italy; and - there are worthy men amongst those we call savages. Christians do - often those things which a modest heathen would blush at, and, while - they boast of their religion, are strangers to the common laws of - humanity. It should be the boast of a wise man to despise nothing that - he is not well acquainted with, and to do justice to all mankind, of - whatever country or complexion.--Virtue, like the rays of the sun, - shines over the whole habitable globe, enlivens the moral, as that the - material world, and exerts its benign influences from the _scorching - equinox_ to the _frozen poles_. We feel its force; all communities are - bound together by its magnetic influence; and without it the nations - of Barbary would be covered with devastation, and no more inhabited - than the scorching sands of its inhospitable deserts. - - Mr Worthy no sooner cast his eyes on me, and perceived my sorrow, - than pity, tenderness, and compassion glowed in his countenance; his - eyes moistened with generous sympathy, and the first word he spoke - convinced me that he already felt _all I had suffered_. But there is - no pleasure so transporting to him, as to be in any way instrumental - in making any of the human species happy. - - I acquiesced in the justice of these sentiments--and could not - sufficiently admire the fortitude which had supported the Marquis - under such unheard-of trials! And as our sense of many high - enjoyments, both natural and moral, is exceedingly heightened by our - having observed or experienced many of the contrary evils; he bids - fair at least to be contented, when he looks back to the horrors he - has escaped. The poet says, - - The heart can ne'er a transport know - That never felt a pain. - - It may easily be conceived the Marquis is most anxious to inquire - after his family--but gratitude to Mr Worthy has made him accompany - him to England. - - When I seemed to compassionate his sufferings, his gratitude assumed - a grateful humility; but the moment I appeared the least inattentive - to his misfortunes, his countenance collected such an air of dignity, - as not only reproached my seeming want of sensibility, but reminded - me also, that his sufferings were not the consequences of guilt, nor - could in the least degree lessen his greatness of mind. - - I find Mr Worthy has a law-suit depending; when that is settled - he is to accompany my friend to Italy. He appears to me a very - acute, sensible man;--we were talking the other day of the - disturbances at Madras, and of the strange conduct of the people - in Leadenhall-Street--He said it put him in mind of Anacharsus's - observation to Solon, as they were returning from a public assembly, - 'That he could not help being greatly astonished to find, that, in - their deliberations, it was the _wise that spoke_, and that _fools - that decided_.' I believe, in public assemblies, this will be found - generally to be the case, where party governs, and the most powerful - cabal is generally composed of the least rational. - - I attend these dear friends everywhere. The Marquis is an _amateur_, - and his taste will be highly gratified, when at Munster-house, to view - the prodigies of _your creation_--he is a descendant of the Medici - family: consequently highly charmed with the character of the Countess - of Darnley. But this is a subject, I am incapable of entering upon--to - praise exquisite merit is perhaps the most difficult part of polite - writing, and which I have no talents for; but which if I possessed, I - should tire you with what few other ladies ever yet was--_their own - praises_. But I will yield to none in what I value myself upon, being - truly and affectionately. - - Yours - MUNSTER - -The Marquis de Villeroy became much enamoured with Lady Eliza, whose -compassion for his misfortunes had so far softened her heart in his -favor, that she listened to him first with complacency, afterwards with -tenderness, and at last with the most lively interest. Congenial souls -soon form an union. She acknowledged her partiality for him, but that no -predilection whatever could induce her to leave her country and friends. -This opinion was greatly strengthened by the idea she entertained of the -inconstancy of mankind, and the little regard they pay to women after a -few years possession. - -The Marquis thought his renouncing his native country would be too -great a sacrifice to be offered at the altar of the Graces. Yet the -idea of parting with Lady Eliza was what he was unable to support.--She -told him it would be in vain to think of making her soften the rigour -of her decree; for it proceeded from a firmness, which nothing could -conquer! for, from all her observations in life, no love ever lasted -long enough to make it worth while to sacrifice every thing else to -it; the _Paradisiac_ vision of eternal constancy having long vanished -from these sublunary regions:--and that unless he would reside in -England--she never would be his!--A sigh, which stole from him, conveyed -to Lady Eliza the height of his despair--his embarrassment and dejection -increased her regard for him, while it awakened a tender commiseration -for them, believing herself entirely the cause of them. She therefore -thought it incumbent on her to endeavour to remove them by every -attention in her power.--In consequence of this consideration in his -favor, she strove to look cheerful, though she was not a little hurt at -finding it absolutely necessary to reject so amiable and deserving a -man. - -The Marquis, perceiving that remonstrances would be ineffectual, -took his leave with a heart distracted by grief, perplexity, and -despair! Being naturally of a restless, gloomy disposition, and of -violent passions, in his despair he thought his adventures had been so -extraordinary that he was doomed to be wretched! and formed a resolution -of laying violent hands on himself: and the more he meditated on his -situation, the more strongly was he confirmed in his precipitate -resolution. Yet, as the instinct of self-preservation is one of the -strongest in our frame, it inspired him with a counter-idea, that of -renouncing Italy; this only acquiescence being requisite to recommend -him to Lady Eliza, without whom his life would be a burthen. He -communicated his intentions to Lord Munster, who apprised his sister of -this proof of the Marquis's attachment for her. - -Flattered to the greatest degree at the strength of his affection, -she promised to give him her hand on his return from Italy--where he -must necessarily go, to prove the identity of his person, and to take -possession of his fortune. - -The Marquis made immediate preparations for his journey, and soon set -out, accompanied by his friend Mr Worthy, Mrs Worthy accompanying Lady -Eliza to Munster-house--Soon after their arrival Lord and Lady Darnley -rejoined them with their little son, her ladyship being too tender a -mother to leave him behind her, or to commit him to the care of any but -herself. The tender brain of _Newton_, or _Alexander_, altered in their -infancy by a small compression, or slight commotion, might have rendered -the first stupid, and the other a wise King--Yet people in general, -though emulous of obtaining wealth for their heirs, commit them to the -care of uninterested hirelings. Sir Harry Bingley, his aunt and sister, -and most of the parties already introduced to the reader, assembled at -Munster house to spend the summer. - -Mrs Lee had rejected every overture from her husband for a -reconciliation, whilst his health and fortune lasted--but to a mind -like hers, misfortunes cancelled every injury--His fortune ruined, -his health impaired, he plunged deeper and deeper into every species -of excess. This soon brought him to the greatest distress, and he was -so much reduced as to be in want of the common necessaries of life. -Mrs Lee, upon being informed of his deplorable situation, immediately -converted that villa in Wales, of which there has been a description -given[39], into money, paid her husband's debts, and accompanied him at -a wretched hovel, to which his poverty, the consequence of his crimes, -and infidelity (_to her_) had reduced him.--There she continued, shewing -him every attention until his decease; when she came with Lady Darnley -to Munster-house. - -Lady Eliza soon received the following Letter from the Marquis de -Villeroy. - - Madam, Venice. - - On my arrival at this place, I found that, on the report of my - death, my father had consigned over his estate to a near relation - of mine--who knew me at once, though so emaciated, and has acted in - the most honorable manner to me. My father has retired to La-Trappe - in France: thither my duty must lead me, previous to the happiness I - shall receive in throwing myself at your feet. - - Were I disposed to draw the most engaging _portrait_ imaginable, - I could easily find a subject; but as you may possibly wish for an - intimate acquaintance with the original, I shall omit the attempt, - since it would be difficult for you to obtain it from that principle - in human nature which makes us strangers _to ourselves_. - - I shall detain your ladyship no longer, than to request you will - inform my friend, your brother, that I am mortified to be unable to - deliver his letter to Mademoiselle de Querci--no such person can be - found. - - Need I paint that passion I have given you such proofs of?--No; - all descriptions would fall short of my feelings. I will ever yield - to every wish your soul can form; you are entirely absolute, unless - you should attempt impossibilities, amongst which I reckon this as - the greatest--for me to breathe a moment without being entirely and - inviolably yours. - - DE VILLEROY. - -It may here be, perhaps, proper to inform the reader of what perhaps his -own sagacity may have made him anticipate--The Duke de Salis had neither -been able, by intreaties or threats, to compel the Countess de Sons to -marry him, though he had given out that she had; this induced him to -keep both her and his daughter closely confined. It has been already -related, how he had consigned over his son as a house-breaker;--when -he found him condemned to the gallies--like the cruel inconsistency -of an _Admiral's[40] judges_--he laid himself under the necessity of -declaiming the equity of his own sentence--and when he found the decree -against his son was inevitable--unable to bear the reproaches of his -inward monitor, and listening to the whispers of a gloomy disposition, -he became almost frantic--In this situation of mind, torn with the -agonies of grief, he became more careless of his ward--and the Countess -and Julia escaped from him--After his conduct to his son--they trembled -lest in some act of despair he should on some future occasion equal the -past scene, which _chilled them with horror_--The Countess was seized -with the small-pox, which altered her features considerably, without -impairing her beauty; this circumstance facilitated their eluding all -search after them from the Duke, as Julia wore men's clothes; and they -supported themselves by the sale of jewels. - -The intelligent reader now perceives, that Mademoiselle Querci and her -brother, were no other than the Countess de Sons and Julia, whom Lord -Munster had met at Venice. - -When the Duke de Salis retired to La-Trappe, the Countess de Sons -appeared, and took possession of her fortune. She had remained -constantly and sincerely attached to Lord Munster was flattered by his -attentions at Venice, and found her esteem increased by the regard -he paid to his pre engagements; but would not at that time discover -herself, fearing that she only flattered herself that he saw her -with the eyes of affection, and lest the small-pox had made _such_ -an alteration, as might change his sentiments. Upon the Marquis de -Villeroy's arrival in Italy, she was highly charmed to receive a letter -from Lord Munster addressed to Mademoiselle de Querci, and determined to -accompany him and Julia to England; but this was carefully concealed, to -render the discovery more pleasing. - -In the mean time, the family at Munster-house passed their time most -agreeably, though Lord Munster, Sir Harry Bingley, and Mrs Lee, (who -knew nothing of Mr Villars) often were melancholy and _distrait_. - -Lord Munster made great preparations to celebrate the anniversary of -Lady Darnley's wedding-day: on which occasion a number of buildings -were added to those already mentioned on the pleasure-grounds--As all -the best artificers were on the spot, these were executed in the ablest -manner. One temple he finished without the inspection of any one. - -On the morning of the masquerade, walking out with Sir Harry Bingley, -he told him he should be glad to have his opinion of it. In this temple -was painted the _cataract_ of the river Dahl, which he had drawn on -the spot[41]--the cottage where Miss Harris resided--and herself at -work, in the same way in which he saw her, with her lovely boy playing -beside her (Miss Harris had permitted Lord Munster to draw her picture, -and he had fortunately taken an exact likeness)--Sir Harry Bingley -started at beholding it, and exclaimed, 'It is her, it is, by Heaven, -it is her! What artist drew the picture? it is, it is herself!'--he -then sunk almost motionless in a chair!--Lord Munster carelessly -answered--'Bingley, are you mad? That picture _cannot_ concern you; I -painted it from life! Where did you see her? Answer but that question, -and I am gone, gone that instant; the world should not detain me!' 'It -is, it is, my Lord, the lovely woman I told you of. But her graces -were yet more charming still than her beauty! an external glare of -beauty may _captivate the eye, and ravish the sight_; but it is the -graces that win the heart, that powerfully attract every faculty of a -kindred mind!--I loved her, and was beloved! She loved my person, not -my fortune. Her tenderness, her affection were my only joy!' 'Why then, -replied Lord Munster, did you leave her? but make yourself easy on her -account; she can be nothing to you; I expect her soon in England.'--'In -England!'--'Yes, Sir, in England, I fancy by this time she is married -to my friend Ogilby.' 'Lord Ogilby!' 'Yes; he was passionately in -love with her: she absolutely refused him; but it is not likely, -possessing such beauty, such perfections--slighted by the author of her -exclusion from every dear and valuable claim in society, relations, -friends, reputation, and protection--that she should continue deaf to -the earnest solicitations of _another_, who can restore her to these -advantages--such a man as Ogilby, a tender lover, who would sacrifice -his time and fortune to her, and who promised he would be _a father to -her boy_.' - -Sir Henry's senses appeared suspended.--He at last repeated, -'Distraction, madness, fury! But, by the great God of Heaven--he shall -not be a _father to my boy_!' The agitation of his spirits rendered -him almost unintelligible: Lord Munster could only understand that -he intended to set out directly--he therefore dissuaded him from -it--telling him, that if he refused staying that day (on which he -meant to mark his respect to Lady Darnley) that he must renounce his -friendship for ever! 'My Lord, returned he, I honor, I love you; your -virtues demand the first, your amiable engaging qualities the last; -but were you God instead of man you should not detain me!--A few hours -may render her the wife of the happy Ogilby! There is damnation in -that thought!'--As Lord Munster had contrived an agreeable surprise -to Sir Henry--and Miss Harris and her child were actually arrived, -and concealed at Mr Burt's, who had taken a separate house, for -retirement,--it was necessary he should detain him; and as he had forgot -to ask where there scene represented _was_, he availed himself of that -circumstance, saying, 'Since, Sir, I cannot command your _complaisance_, -I may at least enforce your _obedience_, for you know not _where_ to go, -without I tell you--and my lips shall be sealed up _for ever_, unless -you pass this night here--If in the morning you choose to set off, I -will instruct you in every particular.' In the time Lord Munster was -enjoying Sir Harry's happiness--some of his friends were equally engaged -for him. The Countess de Sons and Julia, the Marquis de Villeroy, Mr -Villars, and Mr Worthy, came to London before the masquerade--Mr Villars -wrote to Lord Darnley, acquainting him privately with their arrival, and -it was agreed in return they should all make their appearance on that -occasion. - -This entertainment was executed equal to the munificence and taste of -Lord Munster--and as it was given entirely in honor of Lady Darnley, -the principal objects in his arrangements had a reference to her. Never -was parental affection more fondly evinced, never was filial gratitude -more entire.--It has been already observed, that nothing was ever more -elegantly planned than Munster Village, the farm adjoining, and the -pleasure-grounds which lead to the house: in the farm you wandered from -variety to variety; buildings of great utility and much fancy, groves -inspiring different sensations, from the lucid summits that wake the -mind to gaiety, to the dark brown or _clair obscure_ of trees crowding -their branches together in the vale, which possess the soul with -home-felt contemplation. - -Above three hundred of the nobility and people of fashion in the -neighbourhood were invited. Lord and Lady Darnley, Lord Munster, Lady -Eliza, and Mr Worthy, were the only people unmarked. They received the -company in the temple of Minerva, which faced a fine piece of water, -on which there is an island. The river represented the Styx[42], the -island Elysium, and Charon ferried over passengers. His boat landing, -the names of Demosthenes, Aristotle, Pindar, Plato, Apelles, Phidias, -and Praxiteles, were announced to Lady Darnley--They were all dressed -in Grecian habits. Demosthenes, in an elegant harangue, acquainted her, -that the wise Minos had indulged them in their request, of taking that -opportunity of doing homage to her superlative merit, and to return her -thanks for reviving their memories in the encouragement she gave to the -arts and sciences, as under her patronage the Muses had made Munster -Village their capital seat. He then expatiated on the advantages she -had procured to society--the influence of the philosophic spirit in -humanizing the mind, and preparing it for intellectual exertion and -delicate pleasures--in exploring, by the help of geometry, the system of -the universe--in promoting navigation, agriculture, medicine, and moral -and political science. Lady Darnley (though totally unprepared, being -ignorant of her nephew's plans) made a very ready and polite answer, -returning them thanks for the honor they did her, which (she said) as it -could afford them no other _pleasure_, than that of _obliging_, rendered -the obligation greater. Demosthenes replied, that great geniuses are -always superior to their own abilities. - -Some time after Charon was observed to land some passengers in Roman -habits; they proved to be Cicero, Lucretius, Livy, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, -Varro, Tibullus, and Vitruvius. Cicero advancing, made Lady Darnley a -speech similar to that of Demosthenes--as like thoughts will be ever -born of the like subjects, by people who live in corresponding periods -of the _progression of manners_. In such cases some considerable -_similarity_ of expression may be occasioned by the agency of _general -principles_. Lady Darnley made a gracious reply, intimating her small -merit, and the apprehensions she felt that physical causes might impede -her good intentions; that her powers had been limited; but that she was -far from thinking with Boileau, that wherever there is a Mæccenas, a -Virgil or an Horace will arise, (curtsying to these gentlemen.) Cicero -observed to her the happiness she enjoyed in living at a _period_ -distinguished by men of such shining abilities in every department! - -Lady Darnley answered, that he honored her countrymen very much: that -she acknowledged we have at present very able men in every department; -but that in morality she was afraid we have refined more upon the -_vices_ of the ancients than _their virtues_, and she could not help -questioning whether there was any minister, magistrate, or lawyer, now -in Europe, who could explain the discoveries of Newton, or the ideas -of Leibnitz, in the same manner as the principles of Zeno, Plato, and -Epicurus, had been illustrated at Rome[43]. - -He thanked her for her polite compliment, and retired with his -companions. - -They were succeeded by Italians, who were announced Lawrence de Medicis, -Michael Angelo, Raphael, Titian, Ariosto, and Tasso. Lawrence de -Medicis expressed his happiness from having been permitted the honor -of paying his respects to her, and admiring the works of her creation, -and complimented her in the name of his friends for the encouragement -she had afforded the arts.--She said, the applause of the worthy is too -valuable to be received with indifference; but still modestly declined -the praises bestowed on her, saying, she had endeavoured to follow -_his_ example, although the imitation was _a faint one_; and that the -only commendation she aspired to was from _the attempt_. That without -her assistance, she made no doubt, if physical causes did not prevent -it[44], that the society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures, -and commerce in London, is well calculated to diffuse a spirit of taste -in this nation--a society, which, without neglecting what tends more -immediately to the improvement of agriculture, and the necessary arts -of life, gives the most honorable encouragement to those which are -elegant and ornamental. Had such a society been instituted fifty years -ago, London, perhaps by this time, would have been the grand seat of the -arts, as it is the envied seat of freedom. - -Michael Angelo, that celebrated restorer of the arts of painting, -sculpture, and architecture, expressed how infinitely he was charmed -with Munster Village[45].--'What is really beautiful, said he, does -not depend either upon fashion, or times; there may be _different -ways_ of expressing things in different ages; but there can only -_be one_ of conceiving them properly.' The temple, in which they -were, was adorned with the paintings of Raphael[46], copied by an -able artist. Lady Darnley, pointing to these, (and addressing him) -said 'There is proof how much we fall short, how faintly we copy -originals!'--Raphael replied, that her ladyship did him much honor; -the pieces she had selected, had met with the suffrage of the public; -but that, in his own acceptation, _the cartoons_ were the best of his -performances--which he apprehended a juster prevailing taste at present -condemned: Otherwise the father of his people, approved of by Minos--so -good so indulgent a prince to his subjects--would not lock them up -from public observations.--Lady Darnley was here quite at a loss; she -blushed, hesitated, unwilling either to refuse her sovereign _taste_ or -_philanthropy_! - -Lawrence de Medicis perceiving her situation, in pity of her confusion, -retired with his company. - -Charon again landed a groupe of figures; their dress declared them -English, of the reign of King Charles II--They proved to be the Duke -of Buckingham[47], Sir William Petty, Mr Dryden, Mr Locke, Mr Waller, -etc. The Duke addressed Lady Darnley with that polite address peculiar -to himself in his age, and which has since been sedulously studied, to -the prevention of qualities which it should only be the harbinger of--he -expatiated on her merit; that she had obliged the whole nation, as every -one individual might receive improvement or pleasure by her means.--Lady -Darnley returned him a most gracious answer, still intimating her -apprehensions, that the arts perhaps were not likely to thrive in this -soil, where our pursuits, opinions, and inclinations, vary with the -weather--that the declension of letters after the reign of Charles -II. but too fully justified her opinion.--The Duke answered her, that -indeed that was the common and received opinion, and that the reign she -mentioned was the Augustan age in England; but that he had the honor to -assure her, that a just taste was by no means then formed.--The progress -of philological learning, and the _Belles Lettres_ was obstructed by -the institution of the Royal Society, which turned the thoughts of men -of genius to physical inquiries.--To that body we were indebted for the -discoveries relating to light, the principle of gravitation, the motion -of the fixed stars, the geometry of transcidental qualities; but that -it was left to her ladyship to revive the agreeable arts, for which her -name must be handed down to posterity with honor. - -The following dialogue ensued between Charon and a Beau. - - Beau.--I have seen all parts of the world, and should like to take - a view of Elysium, being rather tired of this side of the Styx. - - [48] Mercury to Charon.--He is too frivolous an animal to present to - the wife Minos! - - Charon.--Minos, Sir, knows nothing of _the graces_--but if you - please I will row you to the infernal regions. - - Beau.--With all my heart, I believe I shall meet more people of - fashion there[49]; but, good master Charon, in what way shall I pass - my time? - - Charon.--If you are fond of doing nothing (a favourite passion with - many fine gentlemen) Theseus will readily resign his seat to you: or - if it is your genius, like many others, to choose to be, - - '_Though without business, yet in full employ,_' - - you may join Sisyphus, or accompany the Danaides. - - Beau.--Neither of these will suit me; _idleness_ is _insipid_, and I - _detest business_! But are there no public places? - - Charon.--O! yes; great variety: each person in that place pursues - those inclinations, whereby he had been swayed, or had rendered - himself remarkable here on earth. - - Beau.--There are fine women then, of course? - - Charon.--As to women, no seraglio in the world comes up to it; as a - part of whatever the world, since its creation, has ever yet produced, - of lovely and enchanting amongst women are there assembled.--There - you may view and gaze, with admiration, upon Helen, whose bewitching - charms were so destructive to the family, the city, and the empire - of King Priam.--On each side of her are Galatea, and Bressis, Lais, - Phryne, and thousands more--There also you may behold in all their - charms, in the full lustre of attraction, and decked in every grace, - some of those happy fair-ones, whom the greatest poets, so lavish in - their praise, have in their lays immortalised; such, amongst many - others, are the Corinna of Ovid, the Lydia of Horace, the Lesbia - of Catullus, the Delia of Tibullus, the Licoris of Gallus, and the - Cynthia of Propertius. - - Beau.--I will go; I am enchanted with the idea of seeing these _dear - creatures_.--But I will shiver the wheel and distaff of the Destinies - against the wall, and spoil their housewifery--I'll take their - spindle, where hang the threads of human life like beams driven from - the sun, and mix them all together, kings and beggars! But hark'ee, - master Charon, is there good music? I cannot do well without music! - - Charon.--There are all kinds of concerto's and opera's, both vocal - and instrumental, executed by the very _best_ of the Italians, and - the most celebrated voices from every part of the world. There are - various pieces performed in all languages, and in all kinds of taste, - for the universal satisfaction of the audience. Those who have a - taste for ancient music, will be more gratified than they can be in - Tottenham-street[50]. They will hear with admiration the gentle flute - of Marsius, be ravished with the thorough-bass of Stentor, and expire - with delight at the thrilling note of Misurus's trumpet. - - Beau.--All this is charming; but what sort of a table is kept? - One cannot altogether live on _love_ and _music_, though one must - _languish_ and _expire_ without them, as well _as with them_! - - Charon.--If you are fond of good cheer, you have nothing to do but - to pay a visit to Tantalus. Are you thirsty? The Styx, the Cocytus, - and the Phlegethon present their waves to your acceptance. - - Beau.--I should indeed rather prefer the nectar of the Gods--but as - I shall not stay long (for I make it a rule never to stay long in a - place) water may suffice! - - Charon.--It would have been as easy to have escaped from the - Labyrinth of Dædalus, as the infernal regions! - - Beau.--I have always (though as wild as March, and inconstant as - April) been a favourite with the fair! Ariadne procured for her - Theseus a means of escape. - - Charon.--I make no doubt, from your conversation, that you are not - only the favourite, but the blessed Adonis of all the women: but - _that_ will avail you nothing. Lucifer, the unpitying Lucifer, though - you should promise to offer him every day three hundred bulls in - sacrifice[51], would not lend you even one of the smallest of his imps - to help you to get out. - - Beau.--Did not Hercules escape from it, and carry Cerberus along - with him? Did not Æneas (with the assistance of the golden bough, and - led by the Cumæan Sybil) take the same journey to pay a visit to his - father? Why may not I, like Orpheus, go to visit it while living? - - Charon.--Orpheus was particularly indulged, and Eurydice restored to - him on account of his charming voice, and the delightful music of his - lyre! You have no such pretensions. But Alecto, Megara, and Tysiphone, - will receive you graciously and open the gates of _Tartarus_ to you. - The least of your exploits will entitle you to their attentions:--they - are too good, too reasonable, too indulgent to require from you the - very great pains you have taken, through the whole course of your - life, to recommend yourself to them. - - Beau.--Let us go then, old boy! I will try what a little flattery - will do with them! I can _say with Cæsar_, I wonder what fear - is!--(Aside) But my heart plaguily misgives me for _all that_! but in - my circumstances I must change for the better; my money is gone; and - as I never gamed, I cannot expect the _club_, _or the waiters at the - club_, to make _a subscription for me_! - -Two peers and a baronet applied to Charon, to ferry them over to -Munster-house: but Mercury again interfered, telling Lord C----d that -although he had been thought in the world not to have been _sans quelque -goût_ in the _belle maniere_, and had been an encourager of the _Belles -Lettres_, yet as Minos only permitted them to come back to the world (in -the present case) to do honor to superlative feminine merit, none but -such who had paid a proper respect to the sex in their life-time could -be indulged in that pleasure. But if he would burn his book (wherein he -depreciates women, and considers them only as the toys of dalliance) -in _the fiery billows of Phlegethon_, he would intercede for him with -Minos. This the peer rejecting, his brother the baronet intreated to -be permitted to go in his stead; but Mercury reminded him, he had -pulled down a house built by Inigo Jones, and therefore could have no -pretensions to taste! - -Lord L----n was ferried over by himself; and after paying his -compliments to Lady Darnley, returned; when the following dialogue -took place in Elysium between his lordship, and the other peer above -mentioned. - -Lord C----d.---- Your lordship may believe that I could have no great -pleasure in seeing a woman's follies: I was only desirous of inquiring -what they are doing at home, or in America? Did I desire to punish an -enemy in the severest manner, I would inflict nothing worse upon him -than to oblige him to listen to all the follies in which he has no -share, and to be witness to gaieties in which he cannot partake. My -heart was never dilated by the amplitude of generous principles; nothing -was ever interesting to me, but in proportion as it contributed to my -_own_ particular _gratifications_. Curiosity now however prevailed with -me to attempt going to discover in what way they are going on, being -apprehensive of the consequences of the measures formerly adopted. -Whoever would deprive men of their natural rights, is an enemy to -the race of men; and he that thinks it can be effectuated without -universal mischief, is a stranger to the ways of Providence; the -most invariable rule of which is, That nothing contradictory to its -original laws shall ever be accomplished, either of a physical or moral -nature, without bringing ruin on that people which has instituted it. -How few are capable of distinguishing the good and pernicious effects -which will follow the instituting a new law, before it is enacted! To -remedy present evils, they make a law which brings greater mischiefs -along with it, though imperceptible to their shallow capacities. No -two understandings on earth are more different than a judicial and -legislative; many men enjoy the first, who have not the least emanation -of the second. When a law is to be founded, which depends on the first -principles in human nature, there genius only can effectuate any -discovery of truth; the mind must dart forward into futurity, from -the principles which it knows in human nature: a genius of quite a -different kind from that of distinguishing between right and wrong in -any particular case. The first only can form the legislator, and plan -laws of utility and public good, the latter decide of the consequences -of them when they are made. The one capacity is the most rare, most -excellent and beneficial blessing bestowed on man; the other to be found -in almost all mankind, or attainable by habit, yet useful when confined -to its proper sphere of action, and not permitted to rove, with the -imagination of the superior _few_, amongst the regions of exalted -genius. - -Lord L----n.---- It is not enough, my Lord, that the English are a -_miserable_, they render themselves a _ridiculous_ people: And, after -all the noise the brawlers make in the lower house, they only fight the -battles, aid the wishes of the Americans, and exalt the triumph of the -French! In private life it is reckoned a good expedient, for the sake -of an easy, quiet life, to be patient and submissive under what are -supposed _necessary evils_: but I differ so much from this maxim, that -I am convinced those will ever be _trod upon_ who _creep_; and that -certain submissions derogatory to a sense of honor in an individual or -the nation, never _prevent the blow_, though it may be _protracted_ for -a reason, in order to lay it on with a redoubled force at a time our -strength is weakened, and that we are debilitated by our mortifications -and a sense of the submissions we have made injurious to the honor of -an individual or the pride of the nation. It is a mortifying area, but -must have its place in the annals of this disgraced kingdom, whilst -extravagance and every species of gaieties daily increase. - -I am sorry to acquaint your Lordship, that the publication of your -book has given in England the same wound to morality and business -as the publication of _the spirit of laws_ has given in France to -the monarchical constitution. The English study nothing now but the -_Graces_. Procrastination is the _ton_, because any thing _abrupt -is ungraceful_. The increase of manners has always been thought as -imperceptible as the hand of a clock, which though in constant motion -cannot be distinguished in _that motion_. But your book has occasioned a -more rapid change: your countrymen having exchanged the _armour of Mars_ -for the _amours of Venus_, their _greatness of mind_ and _magnanimity_ -for _trifling pursuits_; and, instead of speaking forcibly in the -senate, they whine a tale of love in the ear of their mistresses: having -descended suddenly, like skilful musicians, from the _forte_ and the -_pomposo_ to the _pia_ and the _pianissimo_. Refinement will bring us -back to barbarity--far be it from me to suppose such an event can happen -suddenly; but in the course of a few years, I make no doubt, as a man in -days of yore that could read _had the benefit of clergy_, so will a man -be esteemed an able minister, or an expert negotiator of business, if he -can write a pretty sonnet--or dance a good minuet. - -Lord C----d.---- The graces, my lord, I still say, the graces for -ever--and as to dancing, can there be any science more useful for a -minister to learn--to figure _out_ with a good grace, never to _lose -time_, and not even to nod, instead of _sleeping a century_?[52] - -Two other passengers applied to Charon to ferry them over the Styx, -Homer and Ossian. - -Mercury told Charon that he might carry Homer to Olympus, and place him -with the Demigods; but he could not be permitted to go to Munster-house, -for the same reason Lord C----d had been rejected: But Ossian had a just -claim to that indulgence. - -The Chief of other years being landed, addressed Lady Darnley as -follows: - - Ossian.----I have escaped from _the narrow-house_[53]! I have - crossed _Col-amon_[54], O daughter of Munster, to behold thy glory. - My joy returns as when I first beheld the maid, the white-bosomed - daughter of strangers, _Moina_[55] with the dark blue eyes: But - _Crimiona_[56] should be thy name, for thou art the guiding star of - the women of Albion, who mark no years with their deeds! Time rolls - on, seasons return, but they are still unknown. Vanity is their - recompence; and when their years shall have an end, no grey stone - shall rise to their renown! But the departure of thy soul shall be a - stream of light! A thousand bards shall sing of thy praise; and the - maids of harmony, with their trembling harps, shall relate thy mighty - deeds! - - Thy son, when the years of his youth shall arise, will raise the - mould about thy stone, and bid it speak to other years! The joy of his - grief will be great! Like the memory of joys that are past, pleasant - and mournful to the soul. He will say, 'she will not come forth in her - beauty, will move no more in the steps of her loveliness: but she will - be like the rainbow on streams, or the gilding of sun-beams on the - hills! She has not fallen unknown! Her fame surrounded her like light; - her rays, like those of the sun, cherished all on whom they fell. Her - wealth was the support of the needy; the weak rested secure in her - halls! She softened at the sight of the sad; her blue eyes rolled in - tears for the afflicted; her breast of snow heaved for the oppressed; - and the moving of her lips assuaged their grief!--O sons of Albion, - may you behold her son, like the _halo_ of the _rainbow_, exhibit _the - same_ though _fainter colours_!' - - Lady Darnley.--Father of heroes, dweller of eddying winds, thy - praise gladdens my heart! My soul is exalted, my fame secured, by the - voice of Conna[57]! Thou hast been a beam of light to latter times, as - thy mighty deeds have been remembered, though thou hast long been a - blast! - - Thy renown grew only on the fall of the haughty; thy foes were the - sons of the guilty; but thine arms rescued the feeble! - - Thou wentest forth in echoing steel, and conquered the king of many - isles: He brought thee his daughter Oina-moral, as an offering of - peace. She was gentle as the evening breeze; her hair was of a raven - black, and her bosom vied in whiteness with the _Canna_[58] on the - Fuar-Bhean[59].--And though thy locks were young, yielded her to the - hero she loved[60]! But like unto Cathmor[61] of old, I perceive the - sound of thy praises is displeasing to thine ear! - - Ossian.--Just praise, like the water of a _clear fountain_, was ever - pleasant to my taste; but I never rejoiced in unmerited applause, - resigning that _muddy joy_ to the sons of later days! - - It is true, O daughter of Albion, that, surrounded by the valiant in - arms, I conquered the king of many isles--that he presented the maid - to me in her loveliness as an offering of peace! She purpled the morn - with blushes as she approached, and scattered such bright rays, as the - sun might have dressed his beams with for that day's glory! But she - had given her heart to another, and met my eyes of love with sorrow! - In thrilling notes vibrating from her inmost soul, she conveyed to me - the pangs of her heart! 'Breaker of the shield (said she) give ear - unto the voice of mourning, attend to my tale, of woe--a tale, which - though thy eyes of steel are used more to strike fire than shed a - tear, must have that power to move thee.' - - My parents had seen many returning seasons with their springs, - but no offspring of theirs arose. My mother lamented a disgrace, - scarce known amongst the daughters of Caledonia. She consulted the - cunning-man of the rock: He said, 'Daughter, be of good cheer; take - the son of thine adversary that is low, rear him; thy piety will be - rewarded; thou shalt have a daughter whom thou _must give him to - wife_!' When she declared this unto my father (as she was stricken in - years) there immediately ran a smile over his face, like the little - ruffling of water when a gentle breeze breathes upon the surface of a - lake; but he adopted Tonthormid, and some moons after I came forth as - a flower; but as the bud, hit with an envious worm ere he can spread - his sweet leaves to the air, or dedicate his beauty to the sun, dies, - so shall I soon fly away as a shadow. Not the white down that decks - the silver swan is more unlike the sooty raven's back, than my lover - from the rest of his sex. Bred up with him, my first accents were - attuned to love; he took delight in my infantine caresses. Time ran - on with its years--My father corrected my tenderness; and I became - sensible of my error as soon as I was conscious of my feelings. - Tonthormid also, from our inequality of fortune, tried to suppress his - passion, judging what was then a lambent fire, would soon blaze into a - flame! True love, like the lily of the vale, is fond of concealment; - but, as the fragrancy of the one occasions its discovery, so does the - concealment of the other prove its reality! I loved and was beloved; - my father saw, and approved our passion. A succession of moons had not - frozen the genial current of his soul, nor repeated shocks blunted all - its tenderest sensations--But we were ignorant of his intentions. When - he appointed us to meet him at his cave of contemplation, the heart of - Tonthormid palpitated with fear, mine with hope--we had a considerable - way to go, but _remained silent_!--we walked through a pleasant grassy - walk, shaded with rows of lime-trees, at the side of which ran along, - in plaintive murmurs, a crystal brook, on the side of whose mazy and - translucent stream were planted bushes of various kinds, with birds in - high harmony on the sprays. - - Arrived at the cave, my father announced to my lover that he must - prepare to accompany him to battle! Aghast he stood, silent as the - midnight hour, unmoved as the statue of despair! The venerable Chief - reproached him for his coldness. - - 'Alas! said he, the din of arms is no more offensive to my ear than - the murmuring of falling waters, the vernal breeze sighing through the - leaves, or the melodious song of the evening nightingale; but if we - should fall in battle, what will become of this lovely maid?' - - My father, swearing by the great Loda, promised I should be his--if - we conquered--but reminded him, that - - 'Love should be the zephyr, not the whirlwind of the soul!' - - Tonthormid was all rapture, while every line in my countenance, - witnessed my satisfaction. We were restored to that unexpected - tranquility of spirits, which naturally follows a great dejection in - most minds, when the first pangs are somewhat abated--not unlike that - stillness in the sky which is sometimes observed when two opposite - and gentle winds have just overcome one another's motion--or like the - tide at the moment of high water, before it has received the contrary - direction. - - They set out, receiving my caresses, intermixed with smiles and - tears, like an April sun shining through transient showers. They met - the foe, _conquered_, and _returned_. - - The feast of shells was prepared, the maids of mirth attended with - their harps, and the rising sun would have beheld me Tonthormid's! The - virgins envied me in the hall, my steps were strewed with flowers, and - I was happiest, where a thousand are happy. The subtile air was calm - from mists, and water with her curled waves swept the bounded channels - of the deep; the nightingales were heard in the grove, and soothed - my soul with tender tales of love; not a breeze breathed through the - trees; all nature was still, as if it paid homage to our passion. But - oh! my summer's day was soon turned into winter's night! Ah, soul - ambition! which like water-floods, not channel bound, dost neighbours - overrun!--fell violence leaped forth like thunder wrapped in a ball of - fire! Thou camest with thy men of steel; I beheld thee from the clefts - of the rock; terrors turned upon me, like an earthquake they shook - my trembling heart! they still pursue my soul as the wind. My joy is - withered; my welfare has passed away like a cloud; my comforts have - been like winter suns, that rise late and set betimes, set with thick - clouds, that hide their light at noon!' - - Thus sang the maid in her grief, like the _Lus-cromicina_, bending - in pensive silence, a beautiful flower drooping in the shade, wanting - the beams of the sun to revive it. She soon perceived my heart was - not made of brass, or carved from the stony rock. Hope animated her - weakened spirits, whilst the dignity of her soul irradiated every - feature; the blush of modesty stole over the cheek, and the graces - dwelt on her coral lips. Sweet as the dew from heaven her lovely - accents fell, and moved me. She proceeded, 'I see my tears have - mollified thy heart! If fame tells true, never over the fallen did - thine eyes rejoice, and thou knowest the herbs on the hill![62] - Restore me then to the hero that is low; my tears will refresh him, - as the dew of the morning doth the green herbage!--He mocked at fear; - never retired from the foe, or was ever vanquished, but by the son of - Fingal! Glorious is it to thee, O hero! great will be thy renown; thou - hast subdued the first of men! - - Were the earth his bed, a rock his pillow, his curtain heaven, - with him alone could I be blessed! From a rock that weeps a running - crystal, I will fill his shell cup. I'll gently raise his weakened - body[63], and the murmur of this water, instead of music, shall charm - him into sleep; and whilst he sleeps my cares shall watch to preserve - him from the beast of prey! The fern on the heath, if cut a thousand - times, represents the same figure--so is the image of my love engraved - on the inmost core of my heart! I hold the _thread_ of his peace: can - I forget its delicate texture, or that it is warped with _those_ of - his heart? I could grow to my hero like ivy; but like the aspenleaf - I tremble, like the sensitive plant I shrink back at thy approach! - Thou mayest swim against the stream with a crab, feed against the wind - with the deer, but thou canst never possess my heart! Love for him, or - grief, are the only passions that can fill the heart of Oinamoral! But - thou mayest go forth in echoing steel and increase thy glory--or the - hearts of a thousand other virgins, will beat an unison to thy sighs, - and return thy passion!' - - Thus sung the daughter of many isles; her trembling harp was turned - to mourning, and her lute into the voice of them that weep. My heart - was never wrought of steel, nor hewn out of the rugged pebble; but - she would have extracted honey out of the rock, and oil out of the - flinty rock! My heart was _tender_, though my _arm was strong_! I - resigned her to the man of her soul! But I had the supreme delight of - exhaling the falling tear from the cheek of beauty, as when the pearly - dew on the surface of the narcissus, and the snow-drop evaporates at - the kindly instance of the solar ray. Had I been deaf to her tale of - woe, I should have merited a cold chill to extinguish my flame, as - if a _thousand winters_ contracted _into one_, scattered their snow - and froze the very centre! No praises can be due for refraining from - barbarity, unknown till the sons of refinement came into the world! - - Lady Darnley.--A great mind is ever tenacious of even the shadow of - a favor received, but loses the idea of a benefit conferred--In what - way, O first of men! shall I welcome thy approach? Wilt thou partake - of the feast of shells, or be honored with the dangers of the chase? - - Ossian.--Chase was never to me such sport as the battle of the - shields! But this is a tale of the times of old, the deeds of the days - of other years; manners alter with times, as the earth by the seasons. - Let the sons of Albion listen to the voice of Conna, 'Never search for - battle, nor fear it when it comes.' - - Ossian retired, and a hangman from the assizes told Lady Darnley, - that she had ruined his trade; for, all the poor of the country-side - being employed in manufactures, etc. they had no inducement to steal, - theft being the necessary consequence of idleness[64]. - - The hangman retired; and Lady Darnley was addressed by a few women - in tattered robes. Making an apology for their dress, they said, it - was her ladyship who had condemned them to those unseemly garbs. She - inquired, In what way she was culpable to them? They answered, By - not only promoting industry, which was highly detrimental to their - interests, but also procuring by her munificence theatrical and other - entertainments for mankind, which completed their misfortunes, as - it rendered ineffectual their allurements:--that they might formerly - (out of the profits of their industry) have purchased annuities, - like other eminent personages in the age, and _lived comfortably_ - on the _distresses of others_; but that they had always too much - conscience, and too great and generous souls for that:--that they - were now reduced to the alternative of removing from that part of the - country, or starving where they were; and, preferring the first to - the last, they had determined to go to Birmingham, where, under the - auspices of the magistrates[65] of that place, they would have a good - chance of succeeding in their profession; as it had always been found - that recreations of some kind are necessary, and that if innocent - amusements were denied, mankind would have recourse to the other. - -The Goddess of Folly, with her cap and bells, approached Lady Darnley; -who, smiling, asked her what had procured her the honor of her company? -She answered, That being excluded at all other times from these regions, -it induced her to come then, where she flattered herself, for one night -in her life, not to be ridiculed; as it is only Absurdity that laughs at -Folly. Her ladyship replied, That none indeed were entitled to smile at -another's weakness, who are conscious of their own. - -Miss Bingley, by her aunt's request, was in the character of a pastoral -shepherdess, and affected to by vastly coy, and a great huntress. She -said she wielded the crook and the javelin with equal dexterity; and -that though she was terrified at the voice or appearance of a lover, yet -she made nothing of lopping off the head of a wild boar, or of thrusting -a spear into the jaws of a lion. She was pursued by (James Mordaunt as) -a pastoral lover. Lady Darnley told her that such swains are mighty -good-natured, and never do any mischief to any _but themselves_; a leap -from a rock, or a plunge into a river, being their usual catastrophe. - -Lord Munster walked away with Sir Harry Bingley, and shewed him, on one -of the back grounds a cottage similar to that represented in the temple -above-mentioned. They advanced, and saw Miss Harris, and her lovely -boy playing at her feet. Sir Harry fixed his eyes, and with a peculiar -wildness exclaimed, Sport not, my friend, with my sorrows!--Lord -Munster assured him of the reality; but he almost swooned away at -the discovery, and was perfectly enchanted with his lovely boy. Every -explanation taking place to their mutual satisfaction, Mr Burt being -in the secret, and some more friends, the ceremony was immediately -performed, and Miss Harris was introduced that very evening, as Lady -Bingley, to the family at Munster-house. - -Lord Munster, leaving this happy pair, joined Lord Sombre; two ladies -passed by them, one in a habit similar to that Mademoiselle de Querci -had wore at the masquerade at Venice: the other had assumed the figure -of Diana. Struck with their majestic appearance, they followed them. The -mask of the latter dropped, as if ashamed to conceal so much beauty. -Lord Sombre stooping, instantly restored to her the _unfaithful_ -guardian of her charms. The lady, covered with that agreeable confusion -inherent to the sex, apologized for the trouble she had given him! He -replied, he could not but acknowledge that it was a trouble to him to be -the instrument of depriving the company of the sight of so much beauty. -That, Sir, replied she, may be your opinion; but my intention is to see, -and _not be seen_. But a lady, replied his lordship, who represents -Diana, would appear more in character if she could consent not _to be -concealed_, nor to hide those beams of brightness which were designed -to be the light of the world. Sir, said she, if I must support my -character, it is not at all the less in my power because my mask is on, -being still the moon though in eclipse--but my intention of appearing in -the character of Diana, was to keep Actæon at a distance. - -In the mean time Lord Munster had neither seen or heard the above -conversation, the whole powers of his soul being absorbed in attention -to the lady first mentioned. But what were his emotions, when he knew -the well known voice of Mademoiselle de Querci! She told him, that she -believed he was the gentleman who was still denominated at Venice _Il -Febo del Inghilterra_! He told her, it was impossible he could have -any pretensions to so flattering a distinction; but intreated to know -whether he could believe that he had the happiness of addressing the -woman he adored, whom from motives of honor he had been induced to -suppress his passion for, but which scruples on his part he had been -relieved from since that period? Mademoiselle de Querci (for it was she -herself) answered, that every apology he could make for his infidelity -to the Countess de Sons, would only lessen him in her esteem, as, to -her certain knowledge, she was still single, and fondly attached to -him. Had it been otherwise (said she) my Lord, I should have cheerfully -_consented_ to what I must now refuse, as I never will act in opposition -to the interest of the Countess. Lord Munster, flattered at her coming -to Munster-house, asked if she was perfectly sincere in the favourable -hint she had given him--that nothing but his pre-engagement would have -prevented her from according herself to his wishes? She answered, I -desire, my Lord, you'll not judge me by your country-women; for, from -what I have heard of their characters, there is no well-bred woman who -ever makes any pretensions to _sincerity_. Does not every body say what -they do not mean, and promise what they never intend to perform? and yet -all of them, to a single woman, will compliment the justness of your -remarks.--In Italy we are more sincere; and I now have the honor to -assure you, that nothing at present occupies my thoughts, or interests -me equal to your fulfilling of your engagements with the Countess de -Sons, whose constancy for you demands on your part every return. In -saying this, a sigh escaped Mademoiselle de Querci, which took refuge in -Lord Munster's bosom--while her blushes raised hopes which her tongue -denied confirming! Her lover felt a severe struggle between love and -honor.--The most severe misfortune to a virtuous man is to be in such a -state that he can hardly so act as to approve his own conduct. But his -distraction was increased, in finding Mademoiselle de Querci had taken -advantage of his _reverie_ to retire, with a composure that deceived his -vigilance, and an address which prevented his distrust.--He went every -where in pursuit of her, but she eluded his search. - -A magician with two enchanted knights addressed Lady Eliza, who (I -have already observed) was dressed as a slave attending Mrs Worthy. He -told her he would unfold her future fate, and, if she would retire to -a place of privacy, he would convince her, and the queen she attended, -that he was very well skilled in the science of astrology. Lord and -Lady Darnley; Lord Sombre, Lord Munster, and Mrs Lee begged leave to -accompany them. The two knights accompanied the magician, who he said -must remain enchanted until they were released by the hands of their -fair mistresses. After several magical incantations, he told Lady Eliza -many things concerning the Marquis de Villeroi, and Mrs Lee of Mr -Villars. But he astonished Lord Munster more particularly in telling -him he was a _perplexed lover_--but assured him that he would be soon -relieved from his anxiety; and that perhaps that very evening would -terminate his adventures, and render all the present company joyful! -Could you do this, replied Lord Munster, I would swear you had more wit -than Mercury, or his son Autolycus, who was able to change black into -white! - -In the mean time two ladies appeared: They were majestic in their -persons, and very magnificent in their apparel. The magician, addressing -himself to the company, said, if it was agreeable, he would give -them ocular proofs of his art. They answered, By all means! He then -presented one of the enchanted knights to Lady Eliza, the other to -Mrs Lee, and Lord Munster to one of the ladies who had just appeared -(in the mean time Lord Darnley had prevented the admission of other -company.)--He then desired them all to unmask. The agreeable discovery -this produced is not easy to give an adequate idea of; as the magician -was no other than Mr Worthy; the enchanted knights, the Marquis de -Villeroi, and Mr Villars; and the Lady Mademoiselle de Querci.--Mr -Worthy then, addressing Lord Munster, said, Your perplexity, my Lord, -now ceases:--This Lady is the Countess de Sons (whose smiles confirmed -her previous conversation with him that evening.) He made his suitable -acknowledgments: whilst Lord Sombre was enchanted to discover, in the -Countess's companion, his lovely Diana, who had changed her dress, -and proved to be Julia, sister to the Marquis de Villeroi, and justly -admired by all who saw her: Her shape was as fine as the statue of the -Medician Venus, of as fine a complexion as the Leda of Corregio, with a -sweetness of expression that would have made Guido paint no other face, -if he had been alive. - -The masquerade finished, which had afforded so much amusement, and -conferred so much happiness on the parties. Lady Bingley was received -by Lady Darnley with the utmost complacency. It is the imperfection -of _human_ goodness to make its conscious worth an argument of want -of mercy to those that are deficient: but Lady Darnley had thoroughly -studied the most useful of all sciences, human nature, and was ever -ready to make allowances for its defects. She was the more attentive -to Lady Bingley, on account of her peculiar situation; while in the -effusions of her gratitude there was a dignity that commanded as -much respect as if she had been conferring a favor beyond that she -acknowledged. Her relations, who abandoned her in her adversity--when -alone true friendship can prove its superiority over its shadow, -_worldly civility_--were now eager to pay their compliments to her. - -Mr Villars was the only person who appeared unhappy at this time. Mrs -Lee had been hurt at never hearing from him since her husband's death, -and was confirmed that his present appearance was occasioned more from -a concurrence of circumstances than from his own particular desire or -inclination.--It was in vain he urged, that his having absented himself -from England was occasioned by her refusing to see him previous to her -husband's death; which circumstance he had been unapprised of, previous -to his meeting the Marquis de Villeroi at Paris.--She answered, That he -had neither been a lover that had the tenderness, nor a friend that had -the generosity to interest himself for her; though he must have been -sensible of her partiality, from the pains she took to avoid him:--that, -concerning the strange event that had occurred relative to her husband -and him, she had never taken any pains to justify herself; and she -thought people in general were to blame that did so; for satire is -generally levelled against persons, not vices, as there are few who wish -to punish what does not put them out of humour, and they make a personal -affront the pretended defender of virtue. If a woman, therefore, would -_preserve her character_, this is the effectual way _of losing it_, -and if she has _none to preserve_ she need not tell _all the world_ -so.--'But (said she) as I must now decline your proffered hand, the -offer of which does more honor to your generosity than the acceptance -would to my prudence, I shall now disclose my sentiments to you without -any disguise:--I was married to a man, whom I could not look up to with -a consciousness of his superior understanding or worth; his treatment -of me was injurious; my feelings I with difficulty suppressed: my quick -apprehension of injury, and my partiality for you, made me indulge an -inclination that aggravated to me the horrors of my situation.--I loved, -and was utterly incapable of divesting myself of a passion, which, -although often dangerous, is always delightful.--I was punished for my -temerity; the calumny I met with, I justly incurred, from the appearance -I had subjected myself to. When I parted from my husband, I would on no -account see you--you went abroad; your caprice now brings you back; you -judge it equitable, perhaps, to restore me to that world I relinquished -on your account--but time has conquered my partiality, and, after my -former experience in that state, I cannot help shuddering at a contract -which nothing can dissolve but death. To me it is terrible to reflect, -that it is a strangely unequal conflict, in which the man only ventures -the loss of a few temporary pleasures, the woman the loss of liberty, -and almost the privilege of opinion.--From the moment she's married she -becomes the subject of an arbitrary lord; even her children, the mutual -pledges of their affection, are absolutely in his power, and the law -countenances him in the use of it--and a woman finds no redress for -the indelicate abuses of an uncivil, a passionate, and avaricious, an -inconstant, or even a drunken husband--from matrimonial decisions there -is no appeal.'--Mr Villars said every thing to justify himself, adding, -that the most candid mind will sometimes, under certain circumstances, -deviate from itself; but it is the property _only_ of narrow minds to -persist in prejudice against conviction.--As the quarrels between lovers -are the renewal of love--these differences were soon settled, agreeable -to their mutual wishes. - -Mr Burt testified great joy at the celebration of the nuptials of his -grandson--That good man died the next day, without any complaint, with -a smile of complacency on his venerable face. In an age where men -of letters seem so regardless of morals--in an age where they have -endeavoured to persuade mankind, with but too much success, that the -virtues of the mind and of the heart are incompatible--let them cast -their eyes on the character of Mr Burt--When they find so many virtues -united in a man, whose understanding was both sublime and just--when -they find a man of his penetration to have been a strictly moral -man--they will then, perhaps, be convinced that vice is the natural -effect of an imperfect understanding. - - - - - FOOTNOTES: - -[1] See the Fifth Commandment. - -[2] Pliny recommends ridicule as an admirable weapon against vice. It is -surely better here employed, than as Shaftesbury recommends it, for the -test of truth. - -[3] _Tribuna_, a term applied to a building quite round, or such as -consists of many sides and angles, as the famous room within the great -Duke's gallery at Florence: sometimes it is applied for a building, -whose area or plan is semicircular, as the section of a cupola. - -[4] The reason polite literature is more cultivated in Paris than -London, is on account of the university libraries, and academies of the -former. - -[5] The Chinese are said to adapt an admirable piece of policy; the son -is always of the father's trade, which makes them admirable artisians. -May not this be the cause of the small progress the arts have made in -that part of the world, and of the dull uniformity and want of taste -that distinguishes all their works? - -[6] The enormous taxes the Spaniards lay on manufactures are the ruin -of trade, which would otherwise flourish; and the people are reduced, -by that misconduct in their rulers, to purchase from their enemies -things they themselves could produce, if the artificers met with proper -encouragement. - -[7] Mr Wilkes, in the motion to refer to the consideration of the -committee of supply the petition of the trustees of the _British -Museum_. - -[8] Dr Richard Terrick. - -[9] Dr Robert Lowth. - -[10] We may quote from the Zendavesta, a wise and benevolent maxim, -which compensates for many an absurdity. He who sows the ground with -care and diligence, acquires a greater flock of religious merit than he -could gain by the repetition of ten thousand prayers. - - _Zoraster's Institutes._ - -[11] See Voltaire's Hist. of the age of Lewis XIV. - -[12] Vid. Vopiscus in Aureliano. - -[13] Tacitus Annal. II. Flav. Vopiscus in vita Taciti Imperat. - -[14] Ælius Lampridius in vita Heliogabali. Primus Romanorum holoserica -veste usus fertur, cum jam subserica in usu essent. - -[15] Procop. de bello Goth. p. 345. - -[16] See Duhalde's description of China. - -[17] In opposition to this, noblemen and men of fortune bred at the -Dublin University, are excused from learning morality, as they can -graduate without any skill in that science; the professor making no -doubt, but that honesty necessarily springs up with nobility. The same -University refused Swift his degree of _Batchelor of Arts for dulness -and insufficiency_, but he at last obtained it _Speciali gratia_. - -[18] This Lady Frances entertained no fears about: A French author -justly observes, _Jamais on ne prend les vices d'une condition au -dessous de la sienne: L'enfant du riche, par un sentiment d'orgueil, -hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre._ - -[19] The Empress Catharine II, whose name will be immortal, gave a code -of laws to her empire, which contains a fifth part of the globe; and -the first of her laws was to establish universal toleration. In France -foreign protestants are admitted to all the rights of natives after -working for a certain time in the manufactory of the Gobelines. The same -policy has been adopted by the Spaniards. - -[20] Ruben's pictures are _a toleration of all religions_. In one of the -compartments of the Luxemburgh gallery, a cardinal introduces Mercury -to Mary de Medicis, and Hymen supports her train at the sacrament of -marriage, before an altar, on which are the images of God the Father, -and Christ. - -[21] As both are against nature, she in the end will get the better of -them. The modern philosophers of Sweden seem agreed that the waters -of the Baltic gradually sink in a regular proportion, which they have -ventured to estimate at half an inch every year.--Twenty centuries ago, -the flat country of Scandinavia must have been covered by the sea; -such is the notion given us by Mela, Pliny, and Tacitus, of the vast -countries round the Baltic. Adria, that ancient and famous city, which -gave its name to the Gulph is now but a pitiful half drowned village. - -[22] See Gilbert's treatise on the Court of Exchequer, chap. 2. -well worthy the perusal of those who would be acquainted with the -foundation of our constitution: also Mr de Lolme's book on the English -Constitution, which has been mentioned in both houses of parliament, and -has been commented on, and quoted by, the most celebrated writers of -every party. - -[23] See Bacon on government. - -[24] I lately met with the following story, which affected me very -much, and which I give in the original; it elucidates, that a return -of affection seems absolutely necessary to the existence of the human -heart. 'Un homme respectable, après avoir joué un grand rôle à Paris, -y vivoit dans un reduit obscur, victime de l'infortune, et si indigent -qu'il ne subsistoit que des aumônes de la paroisse; on lui remettoit -par semaine la quantité du pain suffisante pour sa nourriture; il en -fit demander davantage; le curé lui écrit pour l'engager à passer chez -lui; il vient. Le curé s'informe s'il vit seul; et avec qui, Monsieur, -repond-il, voudriez-vous que je vécasse? je suis malheureux, vous le -voyez, puis que j'ai recours à charité, et tout le monde m'a abandonné, -tout le monde! Mais, Monsieur, continue le curé, si vous êtes seul, -pourquoi demandez vous plus de pain que ce qui vous est necessaire? -L'autre paroit déconcerté; il avoue avec peine qu'il a un chien: le curé -ne le laisse pas poursuivre; il lui fait observer qu'il n'est que le -distributeur du pain des pauvres, et que l'honneteté exige absolument -qu'il se defasse de son chien. Eh! Monsieur, s'ecrie en pleurant -l'infortune, si je m'en défais, qui est ce qui m'aimera? Le pasteur -attendri jusqu'aux larmes, tire sa bourse, et la lui donne, en disant, -Prenez, Monsieur ceci m'appartient.' - -[25] Chap. of St. Mark. XVI Chap. of St. Luke. VII Chap. of the Romans. - -[26] Which was upheld in Heathen Rome, about the time we keep our -Christmas. - -[27] Miss Carter translated Epictetus - -[28] Francis the First of France, who had heavily taxed his subjects, -when told the people made very free with his character in their songs, -answered, 'It would be very hard if they were not allowed _to sing for -their money_.' - -[29] See Vol. I. Page 47. - -[30] She expected to lay in every day. - -[31] In the conciliatory Measures proposed concerning America. - -[32] The difference in the degrees of danger between suffering a person -to take the small pox in the natural way, and communicating it by -innoculation, is upon the lowest computation estimated _thirty_ to _one_ -in favor of innoculation. - -[33] Mr Blacklock may, in reality, be regarded as a prodigy--He is a -man of a most amiable character, of singular ingenuity, and of very -extraordinary attainments. - -[34] Both clergymen. - -[35] In compliment to the Queen, who has too much good sense to approve -of what is ridiculous. - -[36] Witness the purchase of a collection of antique and Etruscan vases, -by the public money--and their enacting a lottery for toys. - -[37] Thus do many women sacrifice their healths, without considering -it is in vain to conquer nature. Man can subsist but for a determinate -space only asleep or awake--by continual watching the incessant motion -of the fibres would destroy their organic elasticity, and prevent their -future reparation; and by continual sleeping, though the fibres are not -fatigued, the nervous fluid would be gradually exhausted by the action -of the organs of life, and would never be repaired. - -[38] All misdemeanors are punished, among the Danes, by servitude in -chains a longer or shorter time. - -[39] Vol. I. Page 165. - -[40] Admiral Byng; on which occasion the following verses were made, -which I now present to the reader. - -We the court-martial now begin to sicken, And find at last that we -are conscience stricken. Sad suppliants in Byng's behalf we come, And -humbly crave you would defer his doom! Bound by our oath, we cannot yet -make clear What 'twas we meant, nor _never_ shall, we fear. We found -him guilty, and we found him not; We wish'd him sav'd, yet wish'd him -to be shot. But as at land, so did we find at sea: If we did one, the -other could not be. Save him, great chief--your royal mercy show! Shoot -him, dread chief--let royal justice flow! Relieve our consciences with -pitying eye, And grant that Byng may neither live nor die! - -[41] See Vol. II. Page 52. - -[42] Elysium, Minos, Mercury, Charon, Styx, &c. are here necessarily -introduced. If they should offend any pious or critical ears, I shall -defend myself (as has been done before) by the solemn declaration which -is always annexed by the Italian writers to works where they are obliged -to use such expressions: '_Se havessi nomenato Fato, Fortuna, Destino, -Elysio, Stigé, Etc. sono scarzi di penna poetica, non sentimenti di -anema catolico._' If I have annexed Fate, Fortune, Destiny, Elysium, -Styx, &c. they are only the sports of a poetical fancy, not the -sentiments of a Catholic mind. - -[43] By Cicero. - -[44] According to the Abbé de Bos's hypothesis. - -[45] Those in the shades are supposed acquainted with the transactions -in the world. - -[46] The pictures were, the Parnassus of Raphael--and the school of -Athens, which is a most glorious performance, and worthy the hand of a -divinity--The first is in the hall of Constantine at Rome, and contains -no less than twenty-eight figures--two of which in particular, the one -representing Justice, and the other Meekness, are incomparable--They -were the last things he executed before his death--They contain all that -is excellent in painting, whether we consider them in the beauty of the -composition, the noble gracefulness of the characters, the uncommon -greatness of the style of the draperies, or the wonderful force of -colouring, light, and shade. - -[47] He was sent over as Ambassador extraordinary to France on -the King's restoration. He was received at that court with great -distinction; which seldom considers more than the external appearance. -His Grace possessed _all the graces_. Lewis XIV, then in the flower of -his age, said he was the only _English_ gentleman he had ever seen. - -[48] Deities interfere when they please--unseen by mortals! - -[49] I Corinthians chap. i. v. 26. - -[50] A concert established there in 1776. - -[51] Horace, lib. ii. ode 14. - -[52] Alludes to a circumstance that passed in the house of commons. - -[53] _The narrow-house_, the grave. - -[54] _Col-amon_, a narrow river. - -[55] _Moina_, a woman soft in temper. - -[56] _Crimona_, a woman with a great soul. - -[57] Ossian is sometimes poetically called Conna. - -[58] _Canna_, a sort of down, like, but whiter and shorter than cotton; -it is very common on the hills of the highlands. They have attempted -to spin it, but it was either too short, or the fingers that made -the experiment too indelicate--Nothing can exceed the purity of its -whiteness. - -[59] _Fuar-Bhean_, cold mountains. - -[60] Livy has justly raised the praise of Scipio, who restored to her -lover the Celtiberian captive; which has been the favourite topic of -eloquence in every age and every country. The author cannot think it -merited such commendation, as to have acted otherwise would have been -mere brutality--but if granted so liberally to Scipio, it cannot be -refused to Ossian. - -[61] Cathmor is represented in Ossian's poems, as lying down beside a -river to have the sound of his praises lost in that of a water-fall. - -[62] The Highlanders are peculiarly intelligent in understanding the -virtue of plants in curing wounds--The regularity of their lives -precludes all diseases, such as are incident to old age excepted. - -[63] Tonthormid was supposed wounded by Ossian. - -[64] In the years 1759 and 1760, when we were at war with France, there -were but twenty-nine criminals who suffered at Tyburn. In the years -1770 and 1771, when we were at peace with all the world, the criminals -condemned amounted to one hundred and fifty-one. - -[65] Who opposed a licensed theatre there last year. - - - - List of corrections - - - Page 7: Inserted single quotation mark - But,' said she - - Page 13: changed mens to men's - conduce to men's happiness - - Page 13: changed interefere to interfere - I did not interfere when my father was concerned - - Page 14: changed an to and - I feel the greatest respect and tenderest regard - - Page 17: changed melanocholy to melancholy - informing her of the melancholy catastrophe - - Page 24: changed estabishments to establishments - rightly forming two establishments - - Page 26: changed porcelaine to porcelain - for a porcelain manufacture - - Page 28: changed equisite to exquisite - and of _exquisite classical taste_ - - Page 32: changed prosterity to posterity - Latest posterity must hear with astonishment - - Page 36: changed to to too - wrong inclinations become too confirmed in us - - Page 38: added period - neglect there studies which raised their fathers. - - Page 41: changed pesonal to personal - a personal acquaintance with foreign climates - - Page 43: changed stile to style (two times) - Piccini's comic style - the serious style of Sacchini - - Page 43: changed excells to excels - who excels on the hautboy - - Page 44: added comma before etc. - buildings, manufactures, schools, etc. - - Page 49: changed senitments to sentiments - The liberal sentiments you express - - Page 49: added period - and there be a mutual consent for separation. - - Page 52: changed position of comma - if it be not of the number of the virtues, - - Page 57: changed supereme to supreme - Is not this the supreme enjoyment - - Page 58: changed ro to to - who now continued to reside with - - Page 62: changed moritifications to mortifications - that she might have her mortifications - - Page 70: changed nourriès to nourries - ne se sont nourries que dans le silence - - Page 70: changed ne'est to n'est - ce n'est plus qu'une froide - - Page 70: changed nous-mémes to nous-mêmes - nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-mêmes - - Page 71: changed to to too - dedicating herself too fondly even to this beloved object. She - - Page 73: changed flander to slander - Thus if there be but the least foundation for slander - - Page 74: changed mens to men's - that his very vices had charms beyond other men's _virtues_ - - Page 75: changed injudicously to injudiciously - The Duke most injudiciously next morning publicly dismissed - - Page 77: removed quotation mark - I have not: Adelaude - - Page 77: changed single to double quotation mark - Wherefore this gloomy silence, your dejected air, and languishing - looks?" - - Page 83: changed firr to firs - the sides covered with tall firs - - Page 86: changed artifical to artificial - that period in making artificial flowers - - Page 89: changed comma to period - produced the contrary effect on _my father_. - - Page 90: changed indocuments to inducements - There were powerful inducements - - Page 95: changed philsopher to philosopher - I set out, and, philosopher-like, carried all my possessions about - me. - - Page 104: changed quarels to quarrels - no quarrels indeed subsisted between them - - Page 104: changed aggreeably to agreeably - and make his time pass _agreeably_. - - Page 121: changed ever to every - In every station, subject to the calamities of life - - Page 121: changed villians to villains - the crimes of some public villains - - Page 123: changed contary to contrary - many of the contrary evils - - Page 124: changed remonstances to remonstrances - The Marquis, perceiving that remonstrances would be ineffectual - - Page 128: changed captivte to captivate - an external glare of beauty may _captivate the eye, and ravish the - sight_ - - Page 129: added single quotation mark - I will instruct you in every particular.' - - Page 133: added comma before etc. - Mr Dryden, Mr Locke, Mr Waller, etc. - - Page 136: changed wil to will - what a little flattery will do with them! - - Page 140: changed they to thy - as thy mighty deeds have been remembered - - Page 140: changed though to thou - though thou hast long been a blast! - - Page 146: changed pasied to passed - two ladies passed by them - - Page 146: changed similiar to similar - one in a habit similar to that - - Page 147: changed decieved to deceived - with a composure that deceived his vigilance - - Page 148: changed colon to period - (whose smiles confirmed her previous conversation with him that - evening.) - - Footnote [10] on Page 31: changed Zendavsta to Zendavesta - We may quote from the Zendavesta - - Footnote [18] on page 38: changed bauffe to hausse - hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre. - - Footnote [22] on Page 40: changed acqainted to acquainted - those who would be acquainted with the foundation - - Footnote [58] on Page 140: changed is to its - Nothing can exceed the purity of its whiteness. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Munster Village, by Mary Hamilton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MUNSTER VILLAGE *** - -***** This file should be named 43743-8.txt or 43743-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/7/4/43743/ - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Norbert Müller and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Munster Village - -Author: Mary Hamilton - -Release Date: September 16, 2013 [EBook #43743] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MUNSTER VILLAGE *** - - - - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Norbert Müller and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43743 ***</div> <div class="transnote"> <p class="trans-heading"> @@ -1091,7 +1056,7 @@ origin and first advance of learning in several countries—there are painted on large pilasters ranged along the middle of the library, those persons who were reputed to have been the inventor of letters in several languages. Adam, Abraham, Moses, Mercurius,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -Ægyptius, Hercules, Cadmus, Cecrops, Pythagoras, and several +Ægyptius, Hercules, Cadmus, Cecrops, Pythagoras, and several others, with the letters which each of these are said to have invented written under their pictures.</p> @@ -1234,7 +1199,7 @@ make them wise and useful members of society. The ancients esteemed it an honor to understand the making of every thing necessary for life one's self, without any dependence on others; and it is that which Homer most commonly calls <i>wisdom</i> and -<i>knowledge</i>. He describes old Eumæus making his own shoes, and +<i>knowledge</i>. He describes old Eumæus making his own shoes, and says, he had built some fine stalls for the cattle he bred. Ulysses himself built his own house, and set up his bed with great art, the structure of which served to make him known to Penelope again. @@ -1304,7 +1269,7 @@ patroness. Refinement of taste in a nation, is always accompanied with refinement of manners. People accustomed to behold order and elegance in public buildings, and public gardens, acquire urbanity in private. The Italians, on the revival of the liberal arts -and sciences, gave them the name of <i>virtù</i>; from this was derived +and sciences, gave them the name of <i>virtù</i>; from this was derived the term of <i>virtuoso</i>, which has been accepted throughout Europe. Should not this appellation intimate, to those who assume it to themselves, that the study of what is beautiful, in nature or art, @@ -1334,11 +1299,11 @@ wall.</p> <p>Every building is rendered ornamental to the grounds. There is a botanical garden, which is filled with plants and flowers, which -have been presented to Linnæus, from whom she received them, +have been presented to Linnæus, from whom she received them, from every part of the globe. One of his pupils resided here, in an elegant habitation, in which there is a rotunda where lectures on botany are given: this fine room is surrounded with exotic plants. -Mr Burt entirely concurred with Linnæus, in wishing, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Mr Burt entirely concurred with Linnæus, in wishing, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> gentlemen designed for theological studies were directed to apply as much time to the study of physics as they spent in metaphysics and logic, which he judges neither so indispensably necessary, nor @@ -1476,7 +1441,7 @@ sorcery and witchcraft; courts of justice composed of magistrates, who ought to have had more sense than the vulgar, were employed in trying persons accused of witchcraft.—Latest <a name="Corr8"></a>posterity must hear with astonishment that the Madame d'Ancre was burnt at the -<i>Gréve</i> as a sorceress. This unfortunate woman, when questioned +<i>Gréve</i> as a sorceress. This unfortunate woman, when questioned by counsellor Courtin concerning the kind of sorcery she had used to influence the will of Mary de Medecis, having answered, <i>She had used that power only which great souls always have over weak @@ -1574,7 +1539,7 @@ their existence and origin. Till the middle of the twelfth century, all the silken stuffs at Rome and other parts of Europe were of Grecian manufacture. But Roger I. King of Sicily, about the year 1138, invading Greece with a fleet of vessels with two or three -benches of oars, called Galeæ or Sagittæ (from whence are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +benches of oars, called Galeæ or Sagittæ (from whence are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> derived the words galley and saique) and sacking and plundering Corinth, Thebes, and Athens, brought away to Palermo, among other prisoners, a great number of silk weavers to instruct his @@ -2494,10 +2459,10 @@ with him, has been a happiness to my mind, because it has improved and exalted its powers. The epithet of <i>great</i>, so liberally bestowed on princes, would, in most cases, if narrowly scanned, belong rather to their ministers. Unassisted -by Agrippa and Mecænas, where should we have +by Agrippa and Mecænas, where should we have placed Augustus? What is the history of Lewis XIII. but the shining acts of Richelieu? Lewis XIV. was indeed a great -king; but the Condés, the Turennes, as well as the Luvois, +king; but the Condés, the Turennes, as well as the Luvois, and Colberts, had no small share in acquiring the glories of his reign. In all situations of life, it is of great consequence to make a right choice of those we confide @@ -2944,11 +2909,11 @@ which commonly attends high birth or great fortune, very often corrupts or sophisticates nature; whilst in those of the middle state she remains unmixed and unaltered. I have somewhere read; <i>Jamais les grandes passions et les grandes vertus -ne sont nées, & ne se sont <a name="Corr20"></a>nourries que dans le silence & la retrait. -L'homme en societé perd tous ses traits distinctifs: ce <a name="Corr21"></a>n'est plus qu' -une froide copie de ce qui l'environne. Voilà pour quelle raison on +ne sont nées, & ne se sont <a name="Corr20"></a>nourries que dans le silence & la retrait. +L'homme en societé perd tous ses traits distinctifs: ce <a name="Corr21"></a>n'est plus qu' +une froide copie de ce qui l'environne. Voilà pour quelle raison on nous accuse de manquer de caractere: nous ne vivons pas assez avec -<a name="Corr22"></a>nous-mêmes, & nous empruntons trop des autres</i>.</p> +<a name="Corr22"></a>nous-mêmes, & nous empruntons trop des autres</i>.</p> <p>The duchess procured for her son's tutor, a very respectable man, who was at the utmost pains in forming his @@ -3230,7 +3195,7 @@ beloved then" said I hastily. "Yes," replied he, "Adelaude calls me her dearest brother; but entertains no ideas beyond that relation; and I am fearful of letting her know the extent of my sentiments, lest it should render her constrained in her -manner to me; and the charming <i>naiveté</i> of her behaviour +manner to me; and the charming <i>naiveté</i> of her behaviour forms the charms of my life! The marks of that innocent affection, which first attached me to her, have hitherto been looked upon as a childish play: and as no one has troubled @@ -3295,7 +3260,7 @@ was subordinate to his glory. The susceptible mind is capable of enjoying a thousand exquisite delights to which those are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> strangers, whose pleasures are less refined; but what chagrin, what regret, what pain does not so delicate a passion bring on -the heart that entertains it? <i>Quand on est né trop tendre, on ne +the heart that entertains it? <i>Quand on est né trop tendre, on ne doit pas aimer</i>, says some French author. But the sufferings of my friend could not equal mine; the object of my passion being daily before my eyes heightened my inquietude. The @@ -3786,12 +3751,12 @@ power to mollify his stony heart. I was ordered to prepare for my wedding; which I was determined, at all events, should not take place. In the mean time Sir Harry Bingley's passion was increased by the difficulty of obtaining me, as the lovers -of the fair Danäe desired her more when she was locked up +of the fair Danäe desired her more when she was locked up in the brazen tower. He was importunate with me to elope: inclination pressed hard on one side, duty on the other; I was torn with contending passions: my distraction was increased by the preparations for the marriage feast. My father took his -bill of fare out of Athenæus, and ordered the most surprizing +bill of fare out of Athenæus, and ordered the most surprizing dishes imaginable. But I was reprieved by a most extraordinary accident—He was possessed of a couple of old manuscripts, said to have been found in a wall, and stored up @@ -3845,7 +3810,7 @@ asking where Sir Harry Bingley was all this time. Miss Harris bowed, and resumed her story. "Alas!" said she, "the Marquis of M—— his uncle, on whom he had considerable expectations, insisted on his marrying Lady Ann<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -Frivolité—and though he absolutely declined this overture, +Frivolité—and though he absolutely declined this overture, he thought in prudence, he ought to defer for some time entering into another engagement until he could bring his uncle to hearken to it."</p> @@ -4289,7 +4254,7 @@ anything unreasonable <i>vexes me</i>, and the want of sincerity <i>offends me</i>. Mrs Dorothea Bingley continues to persecute her niece on account of Mr Bennet! Nothing appears to me so barbarous. I feel myself the happiest of women, and of wives, -and enjoy my felicity with a double <i>goût</i>, by reflecting upon +and enjoy my felicity with a double <i>goût</i>, by reflecting upon the restrictions I put on my inclinations for so many years. And I am perfectly convinced, it is not until women have got over their early years, that they can taste the delightful @@ -4367,7 +4332,7 @@ I never yet opened my mouth in that celebrated assembly, but to give utterance to an occasional little monosyllable: But I may improve in time.</p> -<p>My aunt detains Mr Bennet for hours together, as Aristæus +<p>My aunt detains Mr Bennet for hours together, as Aristæus held Proteus to deliver oracles, judging I shall be charmed with his learning and oratory; but I should like him infinitely better if she would imitate Dulness, who kept the Muses in @@ -4451,7 +4416,7 @@ these are characterized even to the eye by something singular or dismal in the aspect.</p> <p>When I wrote you I was jealous of Sir James's attentions to -Miss Ords, I did not wish to be understood <i>au piè du +Miss Ords, I did not wish to be understood <i>au piè du lettre</i>—She has a vacant countenance, her youth only renders her <i>passable</i>. Her wit is not picquante, nor her manners alluring. She can answer <i>yes</i> and <i>no</i>, with tolerable success, @@ -4535,7 +4500,7 @@ From Lady Eliza Finlay to Miss Bingley. 'My dear Harriot, </p> -<p>Many thanks for your agreeable letter, your <i>gaieté de coeur</i> +<p>Many thanks for your agreeable letter, your <i>gaieté de coeur</i> always pleases me, <i>Vive la bagatelle!</i></p> <p>But, my dear friend, I am uneasy at your aunt's persisting @@ -4602,7 +4567,7 @@ manuscript found at Herculaneum (though he is unacquainted with Greek, the language they are written in)—Or could our own countrymen, the <i>learned</i>, <i>judicious</i> body in Warwick-lane, refuse to admit to be their associates in the science of -<i>Æsculapius</i>, any but those who have studied where—<i>medicine +<i>Æsculapius</i>, any but those who have studied where—<i>medicine is not taught</i>? After such precedents as these, it is clear I cannot err, in informing you of what—<i>I know little about</i>. Besides, it is an established rule of prudence, on the contrary, @@ -4879,7 +4844,7 @@ prevents much blood-shed. Thus matters of dispute are left in <i>tranquil doubt</i>, until the period arrives for <i>its</i> no less <i>tranquil decision</i>. It turned out as she said; Captain Essence wagered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> with Sir Hugh, that <i>the new club in Saint James's Street would -be the ruin of Lord ——, before the old one vis-à-vis had knocked up +be the ruin of Lord ——, before the old one vis-à -vis had knocked up General ——</i>.</p> <p>I have spent so much money on <i>bagatelles</i>, that I cannot @@ -5071,7 +5036,7 @@ blows; and when any one drops from his oar in a swoon, remains of life appear, and then thrown into the sea, without any farther ceremony. The <i>Diable Boitteux</i>, in order to make <i>Cleofas</i> sensible of the happy condition of an inquisitor, tells -him, Was not I a Dæmon, I would be an inquisitor? Were the +him, Was not I a Dæmon, I would be an inquisitor? Were the devil to become a mortal, he would incline to be the <i>comite</i> to the galley-slaves at Marseilles, whose hearts are inlapidated by cruelty.</p> @@ -5506,7 +5471,7 @@ occasioned by the agency of <i>general principles</i>. Lady Darnley made a gracious reply, intimating her small merit, and the apprehensions she felt that physical causes might impede her good intentions; that her powers had been limited; but that she was far from -thinking with Boileau, that wherever there is a Mæccenas, a Virgil +thinking with Boileau, that wherever there is a Mæccenas, a Virgil or an Horace will arise, (curtsying to these gentlemen.) Cicero observed to her the happiness she enjoyed in living at a <i>period</i> distinguished by men of such shining abilities in every department!</p> @@ -5683,7 +5648,7 @@ Gods—but as I shall not stay long (for I make it a rule never to stay long in a place) water may suffice!</p> <p>Charon.—It would have been as easy to have escaped from -the Labyrinth of Dædalus, as the infernal regions!</p> +the Labyrinth of Dædalus, as the infernal regions!</p> <p>Beau.—I have always (though as wild as March, and inconstant as April) been a favourite with the fair! Ariadne @@ -5697,8 +5662,8 @@ hundred bulls in sacrifice<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a hr smallest of his imps to help you to get out.</p> <p>Beau.—Did not Hercules escape from it, and carry -Cerberus along with him? Did not Æneas (with the assistance of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -the golden bough, and led by the Cumæan Sybil) take the same +Cerberus along with him? Did not Æneas (with the assistance of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +the golden bough, and led by the Cumæan Sybil) take the same journey to pay a visit to his father? Why may not I, like Orpheus, go to visit it while living?</p> @@ -5713,7 +5678,7 @@ pains you have taken, through the whole course of your life, to recommend yourself to them.</p> <p>Beau.—Let us go then, old boy! I will try what a little -flattery <a name="Corr41"></a>will do with them! I can <i>say with Cæsar</i>, I wonder what +flattery <a name="Corr41"></a>will do with them! I can <i>say with Cæsar</i>, I wonder what fear is!—(Aside) But my heart plaguily misgives me for <i>all that</i>! but in my circumstances I must change for the better; my money is gone; and as I never gamed, I cannot expect the <i>club</i>, @@ -5722,7 +5687,7 @@ money is gone; and as I never gamed, I cannot expect the <i>club</i>, <p>Two peers and a baronet applied to Charon, to ferry them over to Munster-house: but Mercury again interfered, telling Lord C——d that although he had been thought in the world not to -have been <i>sans quelque goût</i> in the <i>belle maniere</i>, and had been an +have been <i>sans quelque goût</i> in the <i>belle maniere</i>, and had been an encourager of the <i>Belles Lettres</i>, yet as Minos only permitted them to come back to the world (in the present case) to do honor to superlative feminine merit, none but such who had paid a proper @@ -6137,7 +6102,7 @@ brightness which were designed to be the light of the world. Sir, said she, if I must support my character, it is not at all the less in my power because my mask is on, being still the moon though in eclipse—but my intention of appearing in the character of Diana, -was to keep Actæon at a distance.</p> +was to keep Actæon at a distance.</p> <p>In the mean time Lord Munster had neither seen or heard the above conversation, the whole powers of his soul being absorbed @@ -6389,7 +6354,7 @@ repetition of ten thousand prayers. <div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Ælius Lampridius in vita Heliogabali. Primus Romanorum holoserica veste usus +<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Ælius Lampridius in vita Heliogabali. Primus Romanorum holoserica veste usus fertur, cum jam subserica in usu essent.</p></div> <div class="footnote"> @@ -6412,7 +6377,7 @@ of Arts for dulness and insufficiency</i>, but he at last obtained it <i>Special <p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> This Lady Frances entertained no fears about: A French author justly observes, <i>Jamais on ne prend les vices d'une condition au dessous de la sienne: L'enfant du riche, par -un sentiment d'orgueil, <a name="Corr48" />hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre.</i></p></div> +un sentiment d'orgueil, <a name="Corr48" />hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre.</i></p></div> <div class="footnote"> @@ -6455,19 +6420,19 @@ most celebrated writers of every party.</p></div> <p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> I lately met with the following story, which affected me very much, and which I give in the original; it elucidates, that a return of affection seems absolutely -necessary to the existence of the human heart. 'Un homme respectable, après avoir -joué un grand rôle à Paris, y vivoit dans un reduit obscur, victime de l'infortune, et -si indigent qu'il ne subsistoit que des aumônes de la paroisse; on lui remettoit par -semaine la quantité du pain suffisante pour sa nourriture; il en fit demander -davantage; le curé lui écrit pour l'engager à passer chez lui; il vient. Le curé +necessary to the existence of the human heart. 'Un homme respectable, après avoir +joué un grand rôle à Paris, y vivoit dans un reduit obscur, victime de l'infortune, et +si indigent qu'il ne subsistoit que des aumônes de la paroisse; on lui remettoit par +semaine la quantité du pain suffisante pour sa nourriture; il en fit demander +davantage; le curé lui écrit pour l'engager à passer chez lui; il vient. Le curé s'informe s'il vit seul; et avec qui, Monsieur, repond-il, voudriez-vous que je -vécasse? je suis malheureux, vous le voyez, puis que j'ai recours à charité, et tout le -monde m'a abandonné, tout le monde! Mais, Monsieur, continue le curé, si vous -êtes seul, pourquoi demandez vous plus de pain que ce qui vous est necessaire? -L'autre paroit déconcerté; il avoue avec peine qu'il a un chien: le curé ne le laisse +vécasse? je suis malheureux, vous le voyez, puis que j'ai recours à charité, et tout le +monde m'a abandonné, tout le monde! Mais, Monsieur, continue le curé, si vous +êtes seul, pourquoi demandez vous plus de pain que ce qui vous est necessaire? +L'autre paroit déconcerté; il avoue avec peine qu'il a un chien: le curé ne le laisse pas poursuivre; il lui fait observer qu'il n'est que le distributeur du pain des -pauvres, et que l'honneteté exige absolument qu'il se defasse de son chien. Eh! -Monsieur, s'ecrie en pleurant l'infortune, si je m'en défais, qui est ce qui +pauvres, et que l'honneteté exige absolument qu'il se defasse de son chien. Eh! +Monsieur, s'ecrie en pleurant l'infortune, si je m'en défais, qui est ce qui m'aimera? Le pasteur attendri jusqu'aux larmes, tire sa bourse, et la lui donne, en disant, Prenez, Monsieur ceci m'appartient.'</p></div> @@ -6585,7 +6550,7 @@ longer or shorter time.</p> they should offend any pious or critical ears, I shall defend myself (as has been done before) by the solemn declaration which is always annexed by the Italian writers to works where they are obliged to use such expressions: '<i>Se havessi nomenato Fato, -Fortuna, Destino, Elysio, Stigé, Etc. sono scarzi di penna poetica, non sentimenti di anema +Fortuna, Destino, Elysio, Stigé, Etc. sono scarzi di penna poetica, non sentimenti di anema catolico.</i>' If I have annexed Fate, Fortune, Destiny, Elysium, Styx, &c. they are only the sports of a poetical fancy, not the sentiments of a Catholic mind.</p></div> @@ -6595,7 +6560,7 @@ the sports of a poetical fancy, not the sentiments of a Catholic mind.</p></div> <div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> According to the Abbé de Bos's hypothesis.</p></div> +<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> According to the Abbé de Bos's hypothesis.</p></div> <div class="footnote"> @@ -6818,7 +6783,7 @@ List of Corrections </p> <p class="tnitem"> -<a href="#Corr20">Page 70</a>: changed nourriès to nourries<br /> +<a href="#Corr20">Page 70</a>: changed nourriès to nourries<br /> <i>ne se sont nourries que dans le silence</i> </p> @@ -6828,8 +6793,8 @@ List of Corrections </p> <p class="tnitem"> -<a href="#Corr22">Page 70</a>: changed nous-mémes to nous-mêmes<br /> - <i>nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-mêmes</i> +<a href="#Corr22">Page 70</a>: changed nous-mémes to nous-mêmes<br /> + <i>nous ne vivons pas assez avec nous-mêmes</i> </p> <p class="tnitem"> @@ -6976,7 +6941,7 @@ List of Corrections <p class="tnitem"> <a href="#Corr48">Footnote [18] on page 38</a>: changed bauffe to hausse<br /> - <i>hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre</i>. + <i>hausse les épaules sur les defauts du pauvre</i>. </p> @@ -6992,379 +6957,6 @@ Nothing can exceed the purity of its whiteness. </p> </div> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Munster Village, by Mary Hamilton - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MUNSTER VILLAGE *** - -***** This file should be named 43743-h.htm or 43743-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/7/4/43743/ - -Produced by Delphine Lettau, Norbert Müller and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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