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diff --git a/43743-0.txt b/43743-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4990bc8 --- /dev/null +++ b/43743-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5904 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43743 *** + +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 THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43743 *** |