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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Amelia Volume I, by Henry Fielding
+#4 in our series by Henry Fielding
+
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+Title: Amelia Volume I
+
+Author: Henry Fielding
+
+Release Date: July, 2004 [EBook #6095]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on November 5, 2002]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AMELIA VOLUME I ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE WORKS OF HENRY FIELDING
+
+EDITED BY
+GEORGE SAINTSBURY
+
+IN TWELVE VOLUMES
+VOL. VII.
+
+AMELIA
+VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+AMELIA
+BY
+HENRY FIELDING ESQ.
+[Illustration]
+
+VOL. I.
+
+EDITED BY GEORGE
+SAINTSBURY WITH
+ILLUSTRATIONS BY
+HERBERT RAILTON
+& E. J. WHEELER.
+
+MDCCCXCIII
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+DEDICATION TO RALPH ALLEN, ESQ
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+Containing the exordium, &c.
+
+CHAPTER II.
+The history sets out. Observations on the excellency of the English
+constitution and curious examinations before a justice of peace
+
+CHAPTER III.
+Containing the inside of a prison
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+Disclosing further secrets of the prison-house
+
+CHAPTER V.
+Containing certain adventures which befel Mr. Booth in the
+prison
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+Containing the extraordinary behaviour of Miss Matthews on her
+meeting with Booth, and some endeavours to prove, by reason and
+authority, that it is possible for a woman to appear to be what she
+really is not
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+In which Miss Matthews begins her history
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+The history of Miss Matthews continued
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+In which Miss Matthews concludes her relation
+
+CHAPTER X.
+Table-talk, consisting of a facetious discourse that passed in
+the prison
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+In which Captain Booth begins to relate his history
+
+CHAPTER II.
+Mr. Booth continues his story. In this chapter there are some
+passages that may serve as a kind of touchstone by which a young lady
+may examine the heart of her lover. I would advise, therefore, that
+every lover be obliged to read it over in the presence of his
+mistress, and that she carefully watch his emotions while he is
+reading
+
+CHAPTER III.
+The narrative continued. More of the touchstone
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+The story of Mr. Booth continued. In this chapter the reader will
+perceive a glimpse of the character of a very good divine, with some
+matters of a very tender kind
+
+CHAPTER V.
+Containing strange revolutions of fortune
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+Containing many surprising adventures
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+The story of Booth continued--More surprising adventures
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+In which our readers will probably be divided in their opinion of
+Mr. Booth's conduct
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+Containing a scene of a different kind from any of the preceding
+
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+In which Mr. Booth resumes his story
+
+CHAPTER II.
+Containing a scene of the tender kind
+
+CHAPTER III.
+In which Mr. Booth sets forward on his journey
+
+CHAPTER IV
+A sea piece
+
+CHAPTER V.
+The arrival of Booth at Gibraltar, with what there befel him
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+Containing matters which will please some readers
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+The captain, continuing his story, recounts some particulars which,
+we doubt not, to many good people, will appear unnatural
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+The story of Booth continued
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+Containing very extraordinary matters
+
+CHAPTER X.
+Containing a letter of a very curious kind
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+In which Mr. Booth relates his return to England
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+In which Mr. Booth concludes his story
+
+
+
+BOOK IV.
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+Containing very mysterious matter
+
+CHAPTER II.
+The latter part of which we expect will please our reader better
+than the former
+
+CHAPTER III.
+Containing wise observations of the author, and other matters
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+In which Amelia appears in no unamiable light
+
+CHAPTER V.
+Containing an eulogium upon innocence, and other grave matters
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+In which may appear that violence is sometimes done to the name of
+love
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+Containing a very extraordinary and pleasant incident
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+Containing various matters
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+In which Amelia, with her friend, goes to the oratorio
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+FIELDING'S BIRTHPLACE, SHARPHAM PARK.  _Frontispiece_
+
+SHE THEN GAVE A LOOSE TO HER PASSION
+
+THEY OPENED THE HAMPER
+
+HE SEIZED HIM BY THE COLLAR
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+Fielding's third great novel has been the subject of much more
+discordant judgments than either of its forerunners. If we take the
+period since its appearance as covering four generations, we find the
+greatest authority in the earliest, Johnson, speaking of it with
+something more nearly approaching to enthusiasm than he allowed
+himself in reference to any other work of an author, to whom he was on
+the whole so unjust. The greatest man of letters of the next
+generation, Scott (whose attitude to Fielding was rather undecided,
+and seems to speak a mixture of intellectual admiration and moral
+dislike, or at least failure in sympathy), pronounces it "on the whole
+unpleasing," and regards it chiefly as a sequel to _Tom Jones_,
+showing what is to be expected of a libertine and thoughtless husband.
+But he too is enthusiastic over the heroine. Thackeray (whom in this
+special connection at any rate it is scarcely too much to call the
+greatest man of the third generation) overflows with predilection for
+it, but chiefly, as it would seem, because of his affection for Amelia
+herself, in which he practically agrees with Scott and Johnson. It
+would be invidious, and is noways needful, to single out any critic of
+our own time to place beside these great men. But it cannot be denied
+that the book, now as always, has incurred a considerable amount of
+hinted fault and hesitated dislike. Even Mr. Dobson notes some things
+in it as "unsatisfactory;" Mr. Gosse, with evident consciousness of
+temerity, ventures to ask whether it is not "a little dull." The very
+absence of episodes (on the ground that Miss Matthews's story is too
+closely connected with the main action to be fairly called an episode)
+and of introductory dissertations has been brought against it, as the
+presence of these things was brought against its forerunners.
+
+I have sometimes wondered whether _Amelia_ pays the penalty of an
+audacity which, _a priori_, its most unfavourable critics would
+indignantly deny to be a fault. It begins instead of ending with the
+marriage-bells; and though critic after critic of novels has exhausted
+his indignation and his satire over the folly of insisting on these as
+a finale, I doubt whether the demand is not too deeply rooted in the
+English, nay, in the human mind, to be safely neglected. The essence
+of all romance is a quest; the quest most perennially and universally
+interesting to man is the quest of a wife or a mistress; and the
+chapters dealing with what comes later have an inevitable flavour of
+tameness, and of the day after the feast. It is not common now-a-days
+to meet anybody who thinks Tommy Moore a great poet; one has to
+encounter either a suspicion of Philistinism or a suspicion of paradox
+if one tries to vindicate for him even his due place in the poetical
+hierarchy. Yet I suspect that no poet ever put into words a more
+universal criticism of life than he did when he wrote "I saw from the
+beach," with its moral of--
+
+"Give me back, give me back, the wild freshness of morning--Her smiles
+and her tears are worth evening's best light."
+
+If we discard this fallacy boldly, and ask ourselves whether _Amelia_
+is or is not as good as _Joseph Andrews_ or _Tom Jones_, we shall I
+think be inclined to answer rather in the affirmative than in the
+negative. It is perhaps a little more easy to find fault with its
+characters than with theirs; or rather, though no one of these
+characters has the defects of Blifil or of Allworthy, it is easy to
+say that no one of them has the charm of the best personages of the
+earlier books. The idolaters of Amelia would of course exclaim at this
+sentence as it regards that amiable lady; and I am myself by no means
+disposed to rank amiability low in the scale of things excellent in
+woman. But though she is by no means what her namesake and spiritual
+grand-daughter. Miss Sedley, must, I fear, be pronounced to be, an
+amiable fool, there is really too much of the milk of human kindness,
+unrefreshed and unrelieved of its mawkishness by the rum or whisky of
+human frailty, in her. One could have better pardoned her forgiveness
+of her husband if she had in the first place been a little more
+conscious of what there was to forgive; and in the second, a little
+more romantic in her attachment to him. As it is, he was _son homme_;
+he was handsome; he had broad shoulders; he had a sweet temper; he was
+the father of her children, and that was enough. At least we are
+allowed to see in Mr. Booth no qualities other than these, and in her
+no imagination even of any other qualities. To put what I mean out of
+reach of cavil, compare Imogen and Amelia, and the difference will be
+felt.
+
+But Fielding was a prose writer, writing in London in the eighteenth
+century, while Shakespeare was a poet writing in all time and all
+space, so that the comparison is luminous in more ways than one. I do
+not think that in the special scheme which the novelist set himself
+here he can be accused of any failure. The life is as vivid as ever;
+the minor sketches may be even called a little more vivid. Dr Harrison
+is not perfect. I do not mean that he has ethical faults, for that is
+a merit, not a defect; but he is not quite perfect in art. His
+alternate persecution and patronage of Booth, though useful to the
+story, repeat the earlier fault of Allworthy, and are something of a
+blot. But he is individually much more natural than Allworthy, and
+indeed is something like what Dr Johnson would have been if he had
+been rather better bred, less crotchety, and blessed with more health.
+Miss Matthews in her earlier scenes has touches of greatness which a
+thousand French novelists lavishing "candour" and reckless of
+exaggeration have not equalled; and I believe that Fielding kept her
+at a distance during the later scenes of the story, because he could
+not trust himself not to make her more interesting than Amelia. Of the
+peers, more wicked and less wicked, there is indeed not much good to
+be said. The peer of the eighteenth-century writers (even when, as in
+Fielding's case, there was no reason why they should "mention him with
+_Kor_," as Policeman X. has it) is almost always a faint type of
+goodness or wickedness dressed out with stars and ribbons and coaches-
+and-six. Only Swift, by combination of experience and genius, has
+given us live lords in Lord Sparkish and Lord Smart. But Mrs. Ellison
+and Mrs. Atkinson are very women, and the serjeant, though the touch
+of "sensibility" is on him, is excellent; and Dr Harrison's country
+friend and his prig of a son are capital; and Bondum, and "the
+author," and Robinson, and all the minor characters, are as good as
+they can be.
+
+It is, however, usual to detect a lack of vivacity in the book, an
+evidence of declining health and years. It may be so; it is at least
+certain that Fielding, during the composition of _Amelia,_ had much
+less time to bestow upon elaborating his work than he had previously
+had, and that his health was breaking. But are we perfectly sure that
+if the chronological order had been different we should have
+pronounced the same verdict? Had _Amelia_ come between _Joseph_ and
+_Tom,_ how many of us might have committed ourselves to some such
+sentence as this: "In _Amelia_ we see the youthful exuberances of
+_Joseph Andrews_ corrected by a higher art; the adjustment of plot and
+character arranged with a fuller craftsmanship; the genius which was
+to find its fullest exemplification in _Tom Jones_ already displaying
+maturity"? And do we not too often forget that a very short time--in
+fact, barely three years--passed between the appearance of _Tom Jones_
+and the appearance of _Amelia?_ that although we do not know how long
+the earlier work had been in preparation, it is extremely improbable
+that a man of Fielding's temperament, of his wants, of his known
+habits and history, would have kept it when once finished long in his
+desk? and that consequently between some scenes of _Tom Jones_ and
+some scenes of _Amelia_ it is not improbable that there was no more
+than a few months' interval? I do not urge these things in mitigation
+of any unfavourable judgment against the later novel. I only ask--How
+much of that unfavourable judgment ought in justice to be set down to
+the fallacies connected with an imperfect appreciation of facts?
+
+To me it is not so much a question of deciding whether I like _Amelia_
+less, and if so, how much less, than the others, as a question what
+part of the general conception of this great writer it supplies? I do
+not think that we could fully understand Fielding without it; I do not
+think that we could derive the full quantity of pleasure from him
+without it. The exuberant romantic faculty of Joseph Andrews and its
+pleasant satire; the mighty craftsmanship and the vast science of life
+of _Tom Jones;_ the ineffable irony and logical grasp of _Jonathan
+Wild_, might have left us with a slight sense of hardness, a vague
+desire for unction, if it had not been for this completion of the
+picture. We should not have known (for in the other books, with the
+possible exception of Mrs. Fitzpatrick, the characters are a little
+too determinately goats and sheep) how Fielding could draw _nuances_,
+how he could project a mixed personage on the screen, if we had not
+had Miss Matthews and Mrs. Atkinson--the last especially a figure full
+of the finest strokes, and, as a rule, insufficiently done justice to
+by critics.
+
+And I have purposely left to the last a group of personages about whom
+indeed there has been little question, but who are among the triumphs
+of Fielding's art--the two Colonels and their connecting-link, the
+wife of the one and the sister of the other. Colonel Bath has
+necessarily united all suffrages. He is of course a very little
+stagey; he reminds us that his author had had a long theatrical
+apprenticeship: he is something too much _d'une piece_. But as a study
+of the brave man who is almost more braggart than brave, of the
+generous man who will sacrifice not only generosity but bare justice
+to "a hogo of honour," he is admirable, and up to his time almost
+unique. Ordinary writers and ordinary readers have never been quite
+content to admit that bravery and braggadocio can go together, that
+the man of honour may be a selfish pedant. People have been unwilling
+to tell and to hear the whole truth even about Wolfe and Nelson, who
+were both favourable specimens of the type; but Fielding the
+infallible saw that type in its quiddity, and knew it, and registered
+it for ever.
+
+Less amusing but more delicately faithful and true are Colonel James
+and his wife. They are both very good sort of people in a way, who
+live in a lax and frivolous age, who have plenty of money, no
+particular principle, no strong affection for each other, and little
+individual character. They might have been--Mrs. James to some extent
+is--quite estimable and harmless; but even as it is, they are not to
+be wholly ill spoken of. Being what they are, Fielding has taken them,
+and, with a relentlessness which Swift could hardly have exceeded, and
+a good-nature which Swift rarely or never attained, has held them up
+to us as dissected preparations of half-innocent meanness,
+scoundrelism, and vanity, such as are hardly anywhere else to be
+found. I have used the word "preparations," and it in part indicates
+Fielding's virtue, a virtue shown, I think, in this book as much as
+anywhere. But it does not fully indicate it; for the preparation, wet
+or dry, is a dead thing, and a museum is but a mortuary. Fielding's
+men and women, once more let it be said, are all alive. The palace of
+his work is the hall, not of Eblis, but of a quite beneficent
+enchanter, who puts burning hearts into his subjects, not to torture
+them, but only that they may light up for us their whole organisation
+and being. They are not in the least the worse for it, and we are
+infinitely the better.
+
+[Illustration.]
+
+[Illustration.]
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+To RALPH ALLEN, ESQ.
+
+SIR,--The following book is sincerely designed to promote the cause of
+virtue, and to expose some of the most glaring evils, as well public
+as private, which at present infest the country; though there is
+scarce, as I remember, a single stroke of satire aimed at any one
+person throughout the whole.
+
+The best man is the properest patron of such an attempt. This, I
+believe, will be readily granted; nor will the public voice, I think,
+be more divided to whom they shall give that appellation. Should a
+letter, indeed, be thus inscribed, DETUR OPTIMO, there are few persons
+who would think it wanted any other direction.
+
+I will not trouble you with a preface concerning the work, nor
+endeavour to obviate any criticisms which can be made on it. The good-
+natured reader, if his heart should be here affected, will be inclined
+to pardon many faults for the pleasure he will receive from a tender
+sensation: and for readers of a different stamp, the more faults they
+can discover, the more, I am convinced, they will be pleased.
+
+Nor will I assume the fulsome stile of common dedicators. I have not
+their usual design in this epistle, nor will I borrow their language.
+Long, very long may it be before a most dreadful circumstance shall
+make it possible for any pen to draw a just and true character of
+yourself without incurring a suspicion of flattery in the bosoms of
+the malignant. This task, therefore, I shall defer till that day (if I
+should be so unfortunate as ever to see it) when every good man shall
+pay a tear for the satisfaction of his curiosity; a day which, at
+present, I believe, there is but one good man in the world who can
+think of it with unconcern.
+
+Accept then, sir, this small token of that love, that gratitude, and
+that respect, with which I shall always esteem it my GREATEST HONOUR
+to be,
+
+      Sir,
+Your most obliged,
+    and most obedient
+        humble servant,
+      HENRY FIELDING.
+
+_Bow Street, Dec. 2, 1751._
+
+
+[Illustration.]
+
+
+
+
+
+AMELIA.
+
+BOOK I.
+
+Chapter i.
+
+_Containing the exordium, &c._
+
+
+The various accidents which befel a very worthy couple after their
+uniting in the state of matrimony will be the subject of the following
+history. The distresses which they waded through were some of them so
+exquisite, and the incidents which produced these so extraordinary,
+that they seemed to require not only the utmost malice, but the utmost
+invention, which superstition hath ever attributed to Fortune: though
+whether any such being interfered in the case, or, indeed, whether
+there be any such being in the universe, is a matter which I by no
+means presume to determine in the affirmative. To speak a bold truth,
+I am, after much mature deliberation, inclined to suspect that the
+public voice hath, in all ages, done much injustice to Fortune, and
+hath convicted her of many facts in which she had not the least
+concern. I question much whether we may not, by natural means, account
+for the success of knaves, the calamities of fools, with all the
+miseries in which men of sense sometimes involve themselves, by
+quitting the directions of Prudence, and following the blind guidance
+of a predominant passion; in short, for all the ordinary phenomena
+which are imputed to Fortune; whom, perhaps, men accuse with no less
+absurdity in life, than a bad player complains of ill luck at the game
+of chess.
+
+But if men are sometimes guilty of laying improper blame on this
+imaginary being, they are altogether as apt to make her amends by
+ascribing to her honours which she as little deserves. To retrieve the
+ill consequences of a foolish conduct, and by struggling manfully with
+distress to subdue it, is one of the noblest efforts of wisdom and
+virtue. Whoever, therefore, calls such a man fortunate, is guilty of
+no less impropriety in speech than he would be who should call the
+statuary or the poet fortunate who carved a Venus or who writ an
+Iliad.
+
+Life may as properly be called an art as any other; and the great
+incidents in it are no more to be considered as mere accidents than
+the several members of a fine statue or a noble poem. The critics in
+all these are not content with seeing anything to be great without
+knowing why and how it came to be so. By examining carefully the
+several gradations which conduce to bring every model to perfection,
+we learn truly to know that science in which the model is formed: as
+histories of this kind, therefore, may properly be called models of
+_human life_, so, by observing minutely the several incidents which
+tend to the catastrophe or completion of the whole, and the minute
+causes whence those incidents are produced, we shall best be
+instructed in this most useful of all arts, which I call the _art
+_ of _life_.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ii
+
+_The history sets out. Observations on the excellency of the English
+constitution and curious examinations before a justice of peace._
+
+
+On the first of April, in the year ----, the watchmen of a certain
+parish (I know not particularly which) within the liberty of
+Westminster brought several persons whom they had apprehended the
+preceding night before Jonathan Thrasher, Esq., one of the justices of
+the peace for that liberty.
+
+But here, reader, before we proceed to the trials of these offenders,
+we shall, after our usual manner, premise some things which it may be
+necessary for thee to know.
+
+It hath been observed, I think, by many, as well as the celebrated
+writer of three letters, that no human institution is capable of
+consummate perfection. An observation which, perhaps, that writer at
+least gathered from discovering some defects in the polity even of
+this well-regulated nation. And, indeed, if there should be any such
+defect in a constitution which my Lord Coke long ago told us "the
+wisdom of all the wise men in the world, if they had all met together
+at one time, could not have equalled," which some of our wisest men
+who were met together long before said was too good to be altered in
+any particular, and which, nevertheless, hath been mending ever since,
+by a very great number of the said wise men: if, I say, this
+constitution should be imperfect, we may be allowed, I think, to doubt
+whether any such faultless model can be found among the institutions
+of men.
+
+It will probably be objected, that the small imperfections which I am
+about to produce do not lie in the laws themselves, but in the ill
+execution of them; but, with submission, this appears to me to be no
+less an absurdity than to say of any machine that it is excellently
+made, though incapable of performing its functions. Good laws should
+execute themselves in a well-regulated state; at least, if the same
+legislature which provides the laws doth not provide for the execution
+of them, they act as Graham would do, if he should form all the parts
+of a clock in the most exquisite manner, yet put them so together that
+the clock could not go. In this case, surely, we might say that there
+was a small defect in the constitution of the clock.
+
+To say the truth, Graham would soon see the fault, and would easily
+remedy it. The fault, indeed, could be no other than that the parts
+were improperly disposed.
+
+Perhaps, reader, I have another illustration which will set my
+intention in still a clearer light before you. Figure to yourself then
+a family, the master of which should dispose of the several economical
+offices in the following manner; viz. should put his butler in the
+coach-box, his steward behind his coach, his coachman in the butlery,
+and his footman in the stewardship, and in the same ridiculous manner
+should misemploy the talents of every other servant; it is easy to see
+what a figure such a family must make in the world.
+
+As ridiculous as this may seem, I have often considered some of the
+lower officers in our civil government to be disposed in this very
+manner. To begin, I think, as low as I well can, with the watchmen in
+our metropolis, who, being to guard our streets by night from thieves
+and robbers, an office which at least requires strength of body, are
+chosen out of those poor old decrepit people who are, from their want
+of bodily strength, rendered incapable of getting a livelihood by
+work. These men, armed only with a pole, which some of them are scarce
+able to lift, are to secure the persons and houses of his majesty's
+subjects from the attacks of gangs of young, bold, stout, desperate,
+and well-armed villains.
+
+     Quae non viribus istis
+     Munera conveniunt.
+
+If the poor old fellows should run away from such enemies, no one I
+think can wonder, unless it be that they were able to make their
+escape.
+
+The higher we proceed among our public officers and magistrates, the
+less defects of this kind will, perhaps, be observable. Mr. Thrasher,
+however, the justice before whom the prisoners above mentioned were
+now brought, had some few imperfections in his magistratical capacity.
+I own, I have been sometimes inclined to think that this office of a
+justice of peace requires some knowledge of the law: for this simple
+reason; because, in every case which comes before him, he is to judge
+and act according to law. Again, as these laws are contained in a
+great variety of books, the statutes which relate to the office of a
+justice of peace making of themselves at least two large volumes in
+folio; and that part of his jurisdiction which is founded on the
+common law being dispersed in above a hundred volumes, I cannot
+conceive how this knowledge should by acquired without reading; and
+yet certain it is, Mr. Thrasher never read one syllable of the matter.
+
+This, perhaps, was a defect; but this was not all: for where mere
+ignorance is to decide a point between two litigants, it will always
+be an even chance whether it decides right or wrong: but sorry am I to
+say, right was often in a much worse situation than this, and wrong
+hath often had five hundred to one on his side before that magistrate;
+who, if he was ignorant of the law of England, was yet well versed in
+the laws of nature. He perfectly well understood that fundamental
+principle so strongly laid down in the institutes of the learned
+Rochefoucault, by which the duty of self-love is so strongly enforced,
+and every man is taught to consider himself as the centre of gravity,
+and to attract all things thither. To speak the truth plainly, the
+justice was never indifferent in a cause but when he could get nothing
+on either side.
+
+Such was the justice to whose tremendous bar Mr. Gotobed the
+constable, on the day above mentioned, brought several delinquents,
+who, as we have said, had been apprehended by the watch for diverse
+outrages.
+
+The first who came upon his trial was as bloody a spectre as ever the
+imagination of a murderer or a tragic poet conceived. This poor wretch
+was charged with a battery by a much stouter man than himself; indeed
+the accused person bore about him some evidence that he had been in an
+affray, his cloaths being very bloody, but certain open sluices on his
+own head sufficiently shewed whence all the scarlet stream had issued:
+whereas the accuser had not the least mark or appearance of any wound.
+The justice asked the defendant, What he meant by breaking the king's
+peace?----To which he answered----"Upon my shoul I do love the king
+very well, and I have not been after breaking anything of his that I
+do know; but upon my shoul this man hath brake my head, and my head
+did brake his stick; that is all, gra." He then offered to produce
+several witnesses against this improbable accusation; but the justice
+presently interrupted him, saying, "Sirrah, your tongue betrays your
+guilt. You are an Irishman, and that is always sufficient evidence
+with me."
+
+The second criminal was a poor woman, who was taken up by the watch as
+a street-walker. It was alleged against her that she was found walking
+the streets after twelve o'clock, and the watchman declared he
+believed her to be a common strumpet. She pleaded in her defence (as
+was really the truth) that she was a servant, and was sent by her
+mistress, who was a little shopkeeper and upon the point of delivery,
+to fetch a midwife; which she offered to prove by several of the
+neighbours, if she was allowed to send for them. The justice asked her
+why she had not done it before? to which she answered, she had no
+money, and could get no messenger. The justice then called her several
+scurrilous names, and, declaring she was guilty within the statute of
+street-walking, ordered her to Bridewell for a month.
+
+A genteel young man and woman were then set forward, and a very grave-
+looking person swore he caught them in a situation which we cannot as
+particularly describe here as he did before the magistrate; who,
+having received a wink from his clerk, declared with much warmth that
+the fact was incredible and impossible. He presently discharged the
+accused parties, and was going, without any evidence, to commit the
+accuser for perjury; but this the clerk dissuaded him from, saying he
+doubted whether a justice of peace had any such power. The justice at
+first differed in opinion, and said, "He had seen a man stand in the
+pillory about perjury; nay, he had known a man in gaol for it too; and
+how came he there if he was not committed thither?" "Why, that is
+true, sir," answered the clerk; "and yet I have been told by a very
+great lawyer that a man cannot be committed for perjury before he is
+indicted; and the reason is, I believe, because it is not against the
+peace before the indictment makes it so." "Why, that may be," cries
+the justice, "and indeed perjury is but scandalous words, and I know a
+man cannot have no warrant for those, unless you put for rioting
+[Footnote: _Opus est interprete._ By the laws of England abusive words
+are not punishable by the magistrate; some commissioners of the peace,
+therefore, when one scold hath applied to them for a warrant against
+another, from a too eager desire of doing justice, have construed a
+little harmless scolding into a riot, which is in law an outrageous
+breach of the peace committed by several persons, by three at the
+least, nor can a less number be convicted of it. Under this word
+rioting, or riotting (for I have seen it spelt both ways), many
+thousands of old women have been arrested and put to expense,
+sometimes in prison, for a little intemperate use of their tongues.
+This practice began to decrease in the year 1749.] them into the
+warrant."
+
+The witness was now about to be discharged, when the lady whom he had
+accused declared she would swear the peace against him, for that he
+had called her a whore several times. "Oho! you will swear the peace,
+madam, will you?" cries the justice: "Give her the peace, presently;
+and pray, Mr. Constable, secure the prisoner, now we have him, while a
+warrant is made to take him up." All which was immediately performed,
+and the poor witness, for want of securities, was sent to prison.
+
+A young fellow, whose name was Booth, was now charged with beating the
+watchman in the execution of his office and breaking his lanthorn.
+This was deposed by two witnesses; and the shattered remains of a
+broken lanthorn, which had been long preserved for the sake of its
+testimony, were produced to corroborate the evidence. The justice,
+perceiving the criminal to be but shabbily drest, was going to commit
+him without asking any further questions. At length, however, at the
+earnest request of the accused, the worthy magistrate submitted to
+hear his defence. The young man then alledged, as was in reality the
+case, "That as he was walking home to his lodging he saw two men in
+the street cruelly beating a third, upon which he had stopt and
+endeavoured to assist the person who was so unequally attacked; that
+the watch came up during the affray, and took them all four into
+custody; that they were immediately carried to the round-house, where
+the two original assailants, who appeared to be men of fortune, found
+means to make up the matter, and were discharged by the constable, a
+favour which he himself, having no money in his pocket, was unable to
+obtain. He utterly denied having assaulted any of the watchmen, and
+solemnly declared that he was offered his liberty at the price of half
+a crown."
+
+Though the bare word of an offender can never be taken against the
+oath of his accuser, yet the matter of this defence was so pertinent,
+and delivered with such an air of truth and sincerity, that, had the
+magistrate been endued with much sagacity, or had he been very
+moderately gifted with another quality very necessary to all who are
+to administer justice, he would have employed some labour in cross-
+examining the watchmen; at least he would have given the defendant the
+time he desired to send for the other persons who were present at the
+affray; neither of which he did. In short, the magistrate had too
+great an honour for truth to suspect that she ever appeared in sordid
+apparel; nor did he ever sully his sublime notions of that virtue by
+uniting them with the mean ideas of poverty and distress.
+
+There remained now only one prisoner, and that was the poor man
+himself in whose defence the last-mentioned culprit was engaged. His
+trial took but a very short time. A cause of battery and broken
+lanthorn was instituted against him, and proved in the same manner;
+nor would the justice hear one word in defence; but, though his
+patience was exhausted, his breath was not; for against this last
+wretch he poured forth a great many volleys of menaces and abuse.
+
+The delinquents were then all dispatched to prison under a guard of
+watchmen, and the justice and the constable adjourned to a
+neighbouring alehouse to take their morning repast.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iii.
+
+_Containing the inside of a prison._
+
+
+Mr. Booth (for we shall not trouble you with the rest) was no sooner
+arrived in the prison than a number of persons gathered round him, all
+demanding garnish; to which Mr. Booth not making a ready answer, as
+indeed he did not understand the word, some were going to lay hold of
+him, when a person of apparent dignity came up and insisted that no
+one should affront the gentleman. This person then, who was no less
+than the master or keeper of the prison, turning towards Mr. Booth,
+acquainted him that it was the custom of the place for every prisoner
+upon his first arrival there to give something to the former prisoners
+to make them drink. This, he said, was what they call garnish, and
+concluded with advising his new customer to draw his purse upon the
+present occasion. Mr. Booth answered that he would very readily comply
+with this laudable custom, was it in his power; but that in reality he
+had not a shilling in his pocket, and, what was worse, he had not a
+shilling in the world.--"Oho! if that be the case," cries the keeper,
+"it is another matter, and I have nothing to say." Upon which he
+immediately departed, and left poor Booth to the mercy of his
+companions, who without loss of time applied themselves to uncasing,
+as they termed it, and with such dexterity, that his coat was not only
+stript off, but out of sight in a minute.
+
+Mr. Booth was too weak to resist and too wise to complain of this
+usage. As soon, therefore, as he was at liberty, and declared free of
+the place, he summoned his philosophy, of which he had no
+inconsiderable share, to his assistance, and resolved to make himself
+as easy as possible under his present circumstances.
+
+Could his own thoughts indeed have suffered him a moment to forget
+where he was, the dispositions of the other prisoners might have
+induced him to believe that he had been in a happier place: for much
+the greater part of his fellow-sufferers, instead of wailing and
+repining at their condition, were laughing, singing, and diverting
+themselves with various kinds of sports and gambols.
+
+The first person v/ho accosted him was called Blear-eyed Moll, a woman
+of no very comely appearance. Her eye (for she had but one), whence
+she derived her nickname, was such as that nickname bespoke; besides
+which, it had two remarkable qualities; for first, as if Nature had
+been careful to provide for her own defect, it constantly looked
+towards her blind side; and secondly, the ball consisted almost
+entirely of white, or rather yellow, with a little grey spot in the
+corner, so small that it was scarce discernible. Nose she had none;
+for Venus, envious perhaps at her former charms, had carried off the
+gristly part; and some earthly damsel, perhaps, from the same envy,
+had levelled the bone with the rest of her face: indeed it was far
+beneath the bones of her cheeks, which rose proportionally higher than
+is usual. About half a dozen ebony teeth fortified that large and long
+canal which nature had cut from ear to ear, at the bottom of which was
+a chin preposterously short, nature having turned up the bottom,
+instead of suffering it to grow to its due length.
+
+Her body was well adapted to her face; she measured full as much round
+the middle as from head to foot; for, besides the extreme breadth of
+her back, her vast breasts had long since forsaken their native home,
+and had settled themselves a little below the girdle.
+
+I wish certain actresses on the stage, when they are to perform
+characters of no amiable cast, would study to dress themselves with
+the propriety with which Blear-eyed Moll was now arrayed. For the sake
+of our squeamish reader, we shall not descend to particulars; let it
+suffice to say, nothing more ragged or more dirty was ever emptied out
+of the round-house at St Giles's.
+
+We have taken the more pains to describe this person, for two
+remarkable reasons; the one is, that this unlovely creature was taken
+in the fact with a very pretty young fellow; the other, which is more
+productive of moral lesson, is, that however wretched her fortune may
+appear to the reader, she was one of the merriest persons in the whole
+prison.
+
+Blear-eyed Moll then came up to Mr. Booth with a smile, or rather
+grin, on her countenance, and asked him for a dram of gin; and when
+Booth assured her that he had not a penny of money, she replied--"D--n
+your eyes, I thought by your look you had been a clever fellow, and
+upon the snaffling lay [Footnote: A cant term for robbery on the
+highway] at least; but, d--n your body and eyes, I find you are some
+sneaking budge [Footnote: Another cant term for pilfering] rascal." She
+then launched forth a volley of dreadful oaths, interlarded with some
+language not proper to be repeated here, and was going to lay hold on
+poor Booth, when a tall prisoner, who had been very earnestly eying
+Booth for some time, came up, and, taking her by the shoulder, flung
+her off at some distance, cursing her for a b--h, and bidding her let
+the gentleman alone.
+
+This person was not himself of the most inviting aspect. He was long-
+visaged, and pale, with a red beard of above a fortnight's growth. He
+was attired in a brownish-black coat, which would have shewed more
+holes than it did, had not the linen, which appeared through it, been
+entirely of the same colour with the cloth.
+
+This gentleman, whose name was Robinson, addressed himself very
+civilly to Mr. Booth, and told him he was sorry to see one of his
+appearance in that place: "For as to your being without your coat,
+sir," says he, "I can easily account for that; and, indeed, dress is
+the least part which distinguishes a gentleman." At which words he
+cast a significant look on his own coat, as if he desired they should
+be applied to himself. He then proceeded in the following manner:
+
+"I perceive, sir, you are but just arrived in this dismal place, which
+is, indeed, rendered more detestable by the wretches who inhabit it
+than by any other circumstance; but even these a wise man will soon
+bring himself to bear with indifference; for what is, is; and what
+must be, must be. The knowledge of this, which, simple as it appears,
+is in truth the heighth of all philosophy, renders a wise man superior
+to every evil which can befall him. I hope, sir, no very dreadful
+accident is the cause of your coming hither; but, whatever it was, you
+may be assured it could not be otherwise; for all things happen by an
+inevitable fatality; and a man can no more resist the impulse of fate
+than a wheelbarrow can the force of its driver."
+
+Besides the obligation which Mr. Robinson had conferred on Mr. Booth
+in delivering him from the insults of Blear-eyed Moll, there was
+something in the manner of Robinson which, notwithstanding the
+meanness of his dress, seemed to distinguish him from the crowd of
+wretches who swarmed in those regions; and, above all, the sentiments
+which he had just declared very nearly coincided with those of Mr.
+Booth: this gentleman was what they call a freethinker; that is to
+say, a deist, or, perhaps, an atheist; for, though he did not
+absolutely deny the existence of a God, yet he entirely denied his
+providence. A doctrine which, if it is not downright atheism, hath a
+direct tendency towards it; and, as Dr Clarke observes, may soon be
+driven into it. And as to Mr. Booth, though he was in his heart an
+extreme well-wisher to religion (for he was an honest man), yet his
+notions of it were very slight and uncertain. To say truth, he was in
+the wavering condition so finely described by Claudian:
+
+                          labefacta cadelat
+     Religio, causaeque--viam non sponte sequebar
+     Alterius; vacua quae currere semina motu
+     Affirmat; magnumque novas fer inane figures
+     Fortuna, non arte, regi; quae numina sensu
+     Ambiguo, vel nulla futat, vel nescia nostri.
+
+This way of thinking, or rather of doubting, he had contracted from
+the same reasons which Claudian assigns, and which had induced Brutus
+in his latter days to doubt the existence of that virtue which he had
+all his life cultivated. In short, poor Booth imagined that a larger
+share of misfortunes had fallen to his lot than he had merited; and
+this led him, who (though a good classical scholar) was not deeply
+learned in religious matters, into a disadvantageous opinion of
+Providence. A dangerous way of reasoning, in which our conclusions are
+not only too hasty, from an imperfect view of things, but we are
+likewise liable to much error from partiality to ourselves; viewing
+our virtues and vices as through a perspective, in which we turn the
+glass always to our own advantage, so as to diminish the one, and as
+greatly to magnify the other.
+
+From the above reasons, it can be no wonder that Mr. Booth did not
+decline the acquaintance of this person, in a place which could not
+promise to afford him any better. He answered him, therefore, with
+great courtesy, as indeed he was of a very good and gentle
+disposition, and, after expressing a civil surprize at meeting him
+there, declared himself to be of the same opinion with regard to the
+necessity of human actions; adding, however, that he did not believe
+men were under any blind impulse or direction of fate, but that every
+man acted merely from the force of that passion which was uppermost in
+his mind, and could do no otherwise.
+
+A discourse now ensued between the two gentlemen on the necessity
+arising from the impulse of fate, and the necessity arising from the
+impulse of passion, which, as it will make a pretty pamphlet of
+itself, we shall reserve for some future opportunity. When this was
+ended they set forward to survey the gaol and the prisoners, with the
+several cases of whom Mr. Robinson, who had been some time under
+confinement, undertook to make Mr. Booth acquainted.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iv.
+
+_Disclosing further secrets of the prison-house._
+
+
+The first persons whom they passed by were three men in fetters, who
+were enjoying themselves very merrily over a bottle of wine and a pipe
+of tobacco. These, Mr. Robinson informed his friend, were three
+street-robbers, and were all certain of being hanged the ensuing
+sessions. So inconsiderable an object, said he, is misery to light
+minds, when it is at any distance.
+
+A little farther they beheld a man prostrate on the ground, whose
+heavy groans and frantic actions plainly indicated the highest
+disorder of mind. This person was, it seems, committed for a small
+felony; and his wife, who then lay-in, upon hearing the news, had
+thrown herself from a window two pair of stairs high, by which means
+he had, in all probability, lost both her and his child.
+
+A very pretty girl then advanced towards them, whose beauty Mr. Booth
+could not help admiring the moment he saw her; declaring, at the same
+time, he thought she had great innocence in her countenance. Robinson
+said she was committed thither as an idle and disorderly person, and a
+common street-walker. As she past by Mr. Booth, she damned his eyes,
+and discharged a volley of words, every one of which was too indecent
+to be repeated.
+
+They now beheld a little creature sitting by herself in a corner, and
+crying bitterly. This girl, Mr. Robinson said, was committed because
+her father-in-law, who was in the grenadier guards, had sworn that he
+was afraid of his life, or of some bodily harm which she would do him,
+and she could get no sureties for keeping the peace; for which reason
+justice Thrasher had committed her to prison.
+
+A great noise now arose, occasioned by the prisoners all flocking to
+see a fellow whipt for petty larceny, to which he was condemned by the
+court of quarter-sessions; but this soon ended in the disappointment
+of the spectators; for the fellow, after being stript, having advanced
+another sixpence, was discharged untouched.
+
+This was immediately followed by another bustle; Blear-eyed Moll, and
+several of her companions, having got possession of a man who was
+committed for certain odious unmanlike practices, not fit to be named,
+were giving him various kinds of discipline, and would probably have
+put an end to him, had he not been rescued out of their hands by
+authority.
+
+When this bustle was a little allayed, Mr. Booth took notice of a
+young woman in rags sitting on the ground, and supporting the head of
+an old man in her lap, who appeared to be giving up the ghost. These,
+Mr. Robinson informed him, were father and daughter; that the latter
+was committed for stealing a loaf, in order to support the former, and
+the former for receiving it, knowing it to be stolen.
+
+A well-drest man then walked surlily by them, whom Mr. Robinson
+reported to have been committed on an indictment found against him for
+a most horrid perjury; but, says he, we expect him to be bailed today.
+"Good Heaven!" cries Booth, "can such villains find bail, and is no
+person charitable enough to bail that poor father and daughter?" "Oh!
+sir," answered Robinson, "the offence of the daughter, being felony,
+is held not to be bailable in law; whereas perjury is a misdemeanor
+only; and therefore persons who are even indicted for it are,
+nevertheless, capable of being bailed. Nay, of all perjuries, that of
+which this man is indicted is the worst; for it was with an intention
+of taking away the life of an innocent person by form of law. As to
+perjuries in civil matters, they are not so very criminal." "They are
+not," said Booth; "and yet even these are a most flagitious offence,
+and worthy the highest punishment." "Surely they ought to be
+distinguished," answered Robinson, "from the others: for what is
+taking away a little property from a man, compared to taking away his
+life and his reputation, and ruining his family into the bargain?--I
+hope there can be no comparison in the crimes, and I think there ought
+to be none in the punishment. However, at present, the punishment of
+all perjury is only pillory and transportation for seven years; and,
+as it is a traversable and bailable offence, methods are found to
+escape any punishment at all."[Footnote: By removing the indictment by
+_certiorari_ into the King's Bench, the trial is so long postponed,
+and the costs are so highly encreased, that prosecutors are often
+tired out, and some incapacitated from pursuing. _Verbum sapienti._]
+
+Booth exprest great astonishment at this, when his attention was
+suddenly diverted by the most miserable object that he had yet seen.
+This was a wretch almost naked, and who bore in his countenance,
+joined to an appearance of honesty, the marks of poverty, hunger, and
+disease. He had, moreover, a wooden leg, and two or three scars on his
+forehead. "The case of this poor man is, indeed, unhappy enough," said
+Robinson. "He hath served his country, lost his limb, and received
+several wounds at the siege of Gibraltar. When he was discharged from
+the hospital abroad he came over to get into that of Chelsea, but
+could not immediately, as none of his officers were then in England.
+In the mean time, he was one day apprehended and committed hither on
+suspicion of stealing three herrings from a fishmonger. He was tried
+several months ago for this offence, and acquitted; indeed, his
+innocence manifestly appeared at the trial; but he was brought back
+again for his fees, and here he hath lain ever since."
+
+Booth exprest great horror at this account, and declared, if he had
+only so much money in his pocket, he would pay his fees for him; but
+added that he was not possessed of a single farthing in the world.
+
+Robinson hesitated a moment, and then said, with a smile, "I am going
+to make you, sir, a very odd proposal after your last declaration; but
+what say you to a game at cards? it will serve to pass a tedious hour,
+and may divert your thoughts from more unpleasant speculations."
+
+I do not imagine Booth would have agreed to this; for, though some
+love of gaming had been formerly amongst his faults, yet he was not so
+egregiously addicted to that vice as to be tempted by the shabby
+plight of Robinson, who had, if I may so express myself, no charms for
+a gamester. If he had, however, any such inclinations, he had no
+opportunity to follow them, for, before he could make any answer to
+Robinson's proposal, a strapping wench came up to Booth, and, taking
+hold of his arm, asked him to walk aside with her; saying, "What a
+pox, are you such a fresh cull that you do not know this fellow? why,
+he is a gambler, and committed for cheating at play. There is not such
+a pickpocket in the whole quad."[Footnote: A cant word for a prison.]
+
+A scene of altercation now ensued between Robinson and the lady, which
+ended in a bout at fisticuffs, in which the lady was greatly superior
+to the philosopher.
+
+While the two combatants were engaged, a grave-looking man, rather
+better drest than the majority of the company, came up to Mr. Booth,
+and, taking him aside, said, "I am sorry, sir, to see a gentleman, as
+you appear to be, in such intimacy with that rascal, who makes no
+scruple of disowning all revealed religion. As for crimes, they are
+human errors, and signify but little; nay, perhaps the worse a man is
+by nature, the more room there is for grace. The spirit is active, and
+loves best to inhabit those minds where it may meet with the most
+work. Whatever your crime be, therefore I would not have you despair,
+but rather rejoice at it; for perhaps it may be the means of your
+being called." He ran on for a considerable time with this cant,
+without waiting for an answer, and ended in declaring himself a
+methodist.
+
+Just as the methodist had finished his discourse, a beautiful young
+woman was ushered into the gaol. She was genteel and well drest, and
+did not in the least resemble those females whom Mr. Booth had
+hitherto seen. The constable had no sooner delivered her at the gate
+than she asked with a commanding voice for the keeper; and, when he
+arrived, she said to him, "Well, sir, whither am I to be conducted? I
+hope I am not to take up my lodging with these creatures." The keeper
+answered, with a kind of surly respect, "Madam, we have rooms for
+those who can afford to pay for them." At these words she pulled a
+handsome purse from her pocket, in which many guineas chinked, saying,
+with an air of indignation, "That she was not come thither on account
+of poverty." The keeper no sooner viewed the purse than his features
+became all softened in an instant; and, with all the courtesy of which
+he was master, he desired the lady to walk with him, assuring her that
+she should have the best apartment in his house.
+
+Mr. Booth was now left alone; for the methodist had forsaken him,
+having, as the phrase of the sect is, searched him to the bottom. In
+fact, he had thoroughly examined every one of Mr. Booth's pockets;
+from which he had conveyed away a penknife and an iron snuff-box,
+these being all the moveables which were to be found.
+
+Booth was standing near the gate of the prison when the young lady
+above mentioned was introduced into the yard. He viewed her features
+very attentively, and was persuaded that he knew her. She was indeed
+so remarkably handsome, that it was hardly possible for any who had
+ever seen her to forget her. He enquired of one of the underkeepers if
+the name of the prisoner lately arrived was not Matthews; to which he
+was answered that her name was not Matthews but Vincent, and that she
+was committed for murder.
+
+The latter part of this information made Mr. Booth suspect his memory
+more than the former; for it was very possible that she might have
+changed her name; but he hardly thought she could so far have changed
+her nature as to be guilty of a crime so very incongruous with her
+former gentle manners: for Miss Matthews had both the birth and
+education of a gentlewoman. He concluded, therefore, that he was
+certainly mistaken, and rested satisfied without any further enquiry.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter v.
+
+_Containing certain adventures which befel Mr. Booth in the prison._
+
+
+The remainder of the day Mr. Booth spent in melancholy contemplation
+on his present condition. He was destitute of the common necessaries
+of life, and consequently unable to subsist where he was; nor was
+there a single person in town to whom he could, with any reasonable
+hope, apply for his delivery. Grief for some time banished the
+thoughts of food from his mind; but in the morning nature began to
+grow uneasy for want of her usual nourishment: for he had not eat a
+morsel during the last forty hours. A penny loaf, which is, it seems,
+the ordinary allowance to the prisoners in Bridewell, was now
+delivered him; and while he was eating this a man brought him a little
+packet sealed up, informing him that it came by a messenger, who said
+it required no answer.
+
+Mr. Booth now opened his packet, and, after unfolding several pieces
+of blank paper successively, at last discovered a guinea, wrapt with
+great care in the inmost paper. He was vastly surprized at this sight,
+as he had few if any friends from whom he could expect such a favour,
+slight as it was; and not one of his friends, as he was apprized, knew
+of his confinement. As there was no direction to the packet, nor a
+word of writing contained in it, he began to suspect that it was
+delivered to the wrong person; and being one of the most untainted
+honesty, he found out the man who gave it him, and again examined him
+concerning the person who brought it, and the message delivered with
+it. The man assured Booth that he had made no mistake; saying, "If
+your name is Booth, sir, I am positive you are the gentleman to whom
+the parcel I gave you belongs."
+
+The most scrupulous honesty would, perhaps, in such a situation, have
+been well enough satisfied in finding no owner for the guinea;
+especially when proclamation had been made in the prison that Mr.
+Booth had received a packet without any direction, to which, if any
+person had any claim, and would discover the contents, he was ready to
+deliver it to such claimant. No such claimant being found (I mean none
+who knew the contents; for many swore that they expected just such a
+packet, and believed it to be their property), Mr. Booth very calmly
+resolved to apply the money to his own use.
+
+The first thing after redemption of the coat, which Mr. Booth, hungry
+as he was, thought of, was to supply himself with snuff, which he had
+long, to his great sorrow, been without. On this occasion he presently
+missed that iron box which the methodist had so dexterously conveyed
+out of his pocket, as we mentioned in the last chapter.
+
+He no sooner missed this box than he immediately suspected that the
+gambler was the person who had stolen it; nay, so well was he assured
+of this man's guilt, that it may, perhaps, be improper to say he
+barely suspected it. Though Mr. Booth was, as we have hinted, a man of
+a very sweet disposition, yet was he rather overwarm. Having,
+therefore, no doubt concerning the person of the thief, he eagerly
+sought him out, and very bluntly charged him with the fact.
+
+The gambler, whom I think we should now call the philosopher, received
+this charge without the least visible emotion either of mind or
+muscle. After a short pause of a few moments, he answered, with great
+solemnity, as follows: "Young man, I am entirely unconcerned at your
+groundless suspicion. He that censures a stranger, as I am to you,
+without any cause, makes a worse compliment to himself than to the
+stranger. You know yourself, friend; you know not me. It is true,
+indeed, you heard me accused of being a cheat and a gamester; but who
+is my accuser? Look at my apparel, friend; do thieves and gamesters
+wear such cloaths as these? play is my folly, not my vice; it is my
+impulse, and I have been a martyr to it. Would a gamester have asked
+another to play when he could have lost eighteen-pence and won
+nothing? However, if you are not satisfied, you may search my pockets;
+the outside of all but one will serve your turn, and in that one there
+is the eighteen-pence I told you of." He then turned up his cloaths;
+and his pockets entirely resembled the pitchers of the Belides.
+
+Booth was a little staggered at this defence. He said the real value
+of the iron box was too inconsiderable to mention; but that he had a
+capricious value for it, for the sake of the person who gave it him;
+"for, though it is not," said he, "worth sixpence, I would willingly
+give a crown to any one who would bring it me again."
+
+Robinson answered, "If that be the case, you have nothing more to do
+but to signify your intention in the prison, and I am well convinced
+you will not be long without regaining the possession of your snuff-
+box."
+
+This advice was immediately followed, and with success, the methodist
+presently producing the box, which, he said, he had found, and should
+have returned it before, had he known the person to whom it belonged;
+adding, with uplifted eyes, that the spirit would not suffer him
+knowingly to detain the goods of another, however inconsiderable the
+value was. "Why so, friend?" said Robinson. "Have I not heard you
+often say, the wickeder any man was the better, provided he was what
+you call a believer?" "You mistake me," cries Cooper (for that was the
+name of the methodist): "no man can be wicked after he is possessed by
+the spirit. There is a wide difference between the days of sin and the
+days of grace. I have been a sinner myself." "I believe thee," cries
+Robinson, with a sneer. "I care not," answered the other, "what an
+atheist believes. I suppose you would insinuate that I stole the
+snuff-box; but I value not your malice; the Lord knows my innocence."
+He then walked off with the reward; and Booth, turning to Robinson,
+very earnestly asked pardon for his groundless suspicion; which the
+other, without any hesitation, accorded him, saying, "You never
+accused me, sir; you suspected some gambler, with whose character I
+have no concern. I should be angry with a friend or acquaintance who
+should give a hasty credit to any allegation against me; but I have no
+reason to be offended with you for believing what the woman, and the
+rascal who is just gone, and who is committed here for a pickpocket,
+which you did not perhaps know, told you to my disadvantage. And if
+you thought me to be a gambler you had just reason to suspect any ill
+of me; for I myself am confined here by the perjury of one of those
+villains, who, having cheated me of my money at play, and hearing that
+I intended to apply to a magistrate against him, himself began the
+attack, and obtained a warrant against me of Justice Thrasher, who,
+without hearing one speech in my defence, committed me to this place."
+
+Booth testified great compassion at this account; and, he having
+invited Robinson to dinner, they spent that day together. In the
+afternoon Booth indulged his friend with a game at cards; at first for
+halfpence and afterwards for shillings, when fortune so favoured
+Robinson that he did not leave the other a single shilling in his
+pocket.
+
+A surprizing run of luck in a gamester is often mistaken for somewhat
+else by persons who are not over-zealous believers in the divinity of
+fortune. I have known a stranger at Bath, who hath happened
+fortunately (I might almost say unfortunately) to have four by honours
+in his hand almost every time he dealt for a whole evening, shunned
+universally by the whole company the next day. And certain it is, that
+Mr. Booth, though of a temper very little inclined to suspicion, began
+to waver in his opinion whether the character given by Mr. Robinson of
+himself, or that which the others gave of him, was the truer.
+
+In the morning hunger paid him a second visit, and found him again in
+the same situation as before. After some deliberation, therefore, he
+resolved to ask Robinson to lend him a shilling or two of that money
+which was lately his own. And this experiments he thought, would
+confirm him either in a good or evil opinion of that gentleman.
+
+To this demand Robinson answered, with great alacrity, that he should
+very gladly have complied, had not fortune played one of her jade
+tricks with him: "for since my winning of you," said he, "I have been
+stript not only of your money but my own." He was going to harangue
+farther; but Booth, with great indignation, turned from him.
+
+This poor gentleman had very little time to reflect on his own misery,
+or the rascality, as it appeared to him, of the other, when the same
+person who had the day before delivered him the guinea from the
+unknown hand, again accosted him, and told him a lady in the house (so
+he expressed himself) desired the favour of his company.
+
+Mr. Booth immediately obeyed the message, and was conducted into a
+room in the prison, where he was presently convinced that Mrs. Vincent
+was no other than his old acquaintance Miss Matthews.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vi
+
+_Containing the extraordinary behaviour of Miss Matthews on her
+meeting with Booth, and some endeavours to prove, by reason and
+authority, that it is possible for a woman to appear to be what she
+really is not._
+
+
+Eight or nine years had past since any interview between Mr. Booth and
+Miss Matthews; and their meeting now in so extraordinary a place
+affected both of them with an equal surprize.
+
+After some immaterial ceremonies, the lady acquainted Mr. Booth that,
+having heard there was a person in the prison who knew her by the name
+of Matthews, she had great curiosity to inquire who he was, whereupon
+he had been shewn to her from the window of the house; that she
+immediately recollected him, and, being informed of his distressful
+situation, for which she expressed great concern, she had sent him
+that guinea which he had received the day before; and then proceeded
+to excuse herself for not having desired to see him at that time, when
+she was under the greatest disorder and hurry of spirits.
+
+Booth made many handsome acknowledgments of her favour; and added that
+he very little wondered at the disorder of her spirits, concluding
+that he was heartily concerned at seeing her there; "but I hope,
+madam," said he--
+
+Here he hesitated; upon which, bursting into an agony of tears, she
+cried out, "O captain! captain! many extraordinary things have passed
+since last I saw you. O gracious heaven! did I ever expect that this
+would be the next place of our meeting?"
+
+She then flung herself into her chair, where she gave a loose to her
+passion, whilst he, in the most affectionate and tender manner,
+endeavoured to soothe and comfort her; but passion itself did probably
+more for its own relief than all his friendly consolations. Having
+vented this in a large flood of tears, she became pretty well
+composed; but Booth unhappily mentioning her father, she again
+relapsed into an agony, and cried out, "Why? why will you repeat the
+name of that dear man? I have disgraced him, Mr. Booth, I am unworthy
+the name of his daughter."--Here passion again stopped her words, and
+discharged itself in tears.
+
+After this second vent of sorrow or shame, or, if the reader pleases,
+of rage, she once more recovered from her agonies. To say the truth,
+these are, I believe, as critical discharges of nature as any of those
+which are so called by the physicians, and do more effectually relieve
+the mind than any remedies with which the whole materia medica of
+philosophy can supply it.
+
+When Mrs. Vincent had recovered her faculties, she perceived Booth
+standing silent, with a mixture of concern and astonishment in his
+countenance; then addressing herself to him with an air of most
+bewitching softness, of which she was a perfect mistress, she said, "I
+do not wonder at your amazement, Captain Booth, nor indeed at the
+concern which you so plainly discover for me; for I well know the
+goodness of your nature: but, O, Mr. Booth! believe me, when you know
+what hath happened since our last meeting, your concern will be
+raised, however your astonishment may cease. O, sir! you are a
+stranger to the cause of my sorrows."
+
+"I hope I am, madam," answered he; "for I cannot believe what I have
+heard in the prison--surely murder"--at which words she started from
+her chair, repeating, "Murder! oh! it is music in my ears!--You have
+heard then the cause of my commitment, my glory, my delight, my
+reparation! Yes, my old friend, this is the hand, this is the arm that
+drove the penknife to his heart. Unkind fortune, that not one drop of
+his blood reached my hand.--Indeed, sir, I would never have washed it
+from it.--But, though I have not the happiness to see it on my hand, I
+have the glorious satisfaction of remembering I saw it run in rivers
+on the floor; I saw it forsake his cheeks, I saw him fall a martyr to
+my revenge. And is the killing a villain to be called murder? perhaps
+the law calls it so.--Let it call it what it will, or punish me as it
+pleases.---Punish me!--no, no---that is not in the power of man--not
+of that monster man, Mr. Booth. I am undone, am revenged, and have now
+no more business for life; let them take it from me when they will."
+
+Our poor gentleman turned pale with horror at this speech, and the
+ejaculation of "Good heavens! what do I hear?" burst spontaneously
+from his lips; nor can we wonder at this, though he was the bravest of
+men; for her voice, her looks, her gestures, were properly adapted to
+the sentiments she exprest. Such indeed was her image, that neither
+could Shakspear describe, nor Hogarth paint, nor Clive act, a fury in
+higher perfection.
+
+[Illustration: She then gave a loose to her passions]
+
+"What do you hear?" reiterated she. "You hear the resentment of the
+most injured of women. You have heard, you say, of the murder; but do
+you know the cause, Mr. Booth? Have you since your return to England
+visited that country where we formerly knew one another? tell me, do
+you know my wretched story? tell me that, my friend."
+
+Booth hesitated for an answer; indeed, he had heard some imperfect
+stories, not much to her advantage. She waited not till he had formed
+a speech; but cried, "Whatever you may have heard, you cannot be
+acquainted with all the strange accidents which have occasioned your
+seeing me in a place which at our last parting was so unlikely that I
+should ever have been found in; nor can you know the cause of all that
+I have uttered, and which, I am convinced, you never expected to have
+heard from my mouth. If these circumstances raise your curiosity, I
+will satisfy it."
+
+He answered, that curiosity was too mean a word to express his ardent
+desire of knowing her story. Upon which, with very little previous
+ceremony, she began to relate what is written in the following
+chapter.
+
+But before we put an end to this it may be necessary to whisper a word
+or two to the critics, who have, perhaps, begun to express no less
+astonishment than Mr. Booth, that a lady in whom we had remarked a
+most extraordinary power of displaying softness should, the very next
+moment after the words were out of her mouth, express sentiments
+becoming the lips of a Dalila, Jezebel, Medea, Semiramis, Parysatis,
+Tanaquil, Livilla, Messalina, Agrippina, Brunichilde, Elfrida, Lady
+Macbeth, Joan of Naples, Christina of Sweden, Katharine Hays, Sarah
+Malcolm, Con Philips,[Footnote: Though last not least.] or any other
+heroine of the tender sex, which history, sacred or profane, ancient
+or modern, false or true, hath recorded.
+
+We desire such critics to remember that it is the same English
+climate, in which, on the lovely 10th of June, under a serene sky, the
+amorous Jacobite, kissing the odoriferous zephyr's breath, gathers a
+nosegay of white roses to deck the whiter breast of Celia; and in
+which, on the 11th of June, the very next day, the boisterous Boreas,
+roused by the hollow thunder, rushes horrible through the air, and,
+driving the wet tempest before him, levels the hope of the husbandman
+with the earth, dreadful remembrance of the consequences of the
+Revolution.
+
+Again, let it be remembered that this is the selfsame Celia, all
+tender, soft, and delicate, who with a voice, the sweetness of which
+the Syrens might envy, warbles the harmonious song in praise of the
+young adventurer; and again, the next day, or, perhaps the next hour,
+with fiery eyes, wrinkled brows, and foaming lips, roars forth treason
+and nonsense in a political argument with some fair one of a different
+principle.
+
+Or, if the critic be a Whig, and consequently dislikes such kind of
+similes, as being too favourable to Jacobitism, let him be contented
+with the following story:
+
+I happened in my youth to sit behind two ladies in a side-box at a
+play, where, in the balcony on the opposite side, was placed the
+inimitable B---y C---s, in company with a young fellow of no very
+formal, or indeed sober, appearance. One of the ladies, I remember,
+said to the other--"Did you ever see anything look so modest and so
+innocent as that girl over the way? what pity it is such a creature
+should be in the way of ruin, as I am afraid she is, by her being
+alone with that young fellow!" Now this lady was no bad physiognomist,
+for it was impossible to conceive a greater appearance of modesty,
+innocence, and simplicity, than what nature had displayed in the
+countenance of that girl; and yet, all appearances notwithstanding, I
+myself (remember, critic, it was in my youth) had a few mornings
+before seen that very identical picture of all those engaging
+qualities in bed with a rake at a bagnio, smoaking tobacco, drinking
+punch, talking obscenity, and swearing and cursing with all the
+impudence and impiety of the lowest and most abandoned trull of a
+soldier.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vii.
+
+_In which Miss Matthews begins her history._
+
+
+Miss Matthews, having barred the door on the inside as securely as it
+was before barred on the outside, proceeded as follows:
+
+"You may imagine I am going to begin my history at the time when you
+left the country; but I cannot help reminding you of something which
+happened before. You will soon recollect the incident; but I believe
+you little know the consequence either at that time or since. Alas! I
+could keep a secret then! now I have no secrets; the world knows all;
+and it is not worth my while to conceal anything. Well!--You will not
+wonder, I believe.--I protest I can hardly tell it you, even now.---
+But I am convinced you have too good an opinion of yourself to be
+surprized at any conquest you may have made.---Few men want that good
+opinion--and perhaps very few had ever more reason for it. Indeed,
+Will, you was a charming fellow in those days; nay, you are not much
+altered for the worse now, at least in the opinion of some women; for
+your complexion and features are grown much more masculine than they
+were." Here Booth made her a low bow, most probably with a compliment;
+and after a little hesitation she again proceeded.---"Do you remember
+a contest which happened at an assembly, betwixt myself and Miss
+Johnson, about standing uppermost? you was then my partner; and young
+Williams danced with the other lady. The particulars are not now worth
+mentioning, though I suppose you have long since forgot them. Let it
+suffice that you supported my claim, and Williams very sneakingly gave
+up that of his partner, who was, with much difficulty, afterwards
+prevailed to dance with him. You said--I am sure I repeat the words
+exactly--that you would not for the world affront any lady there; but
+that you thought you might, without any such danger declare, that
+there was no assembly in which that lady, meaning your humble servant,
+was not worthy of the uppermost place; 'nor will I,' said you,
+'suffer, the first duke in England, when she is at the uppermost end
+of the room, and hath called her dance, to lead his partner above
+her.'
+
+"What made this the more pleasing to me was, that I secretly hated
+Miss Johnson. Will you have the reason? why, then, I will tell you
+honestly, she was my rival. That word perhaps astonishes you, as you
+never, I believe, heard of any one who made his addresses to me; and
+indeed my heart was, till that night, entirely indifferent to all
+mankind: I mean, then, that she was my rival for praise, for beauty,
+for dress, for fortune, and consequently for admiration. My triumph on
+this conquest is not to be expressed any more than my delight in the
+person to whom I chiefly owed it. The former, I fancy, was visible to
+the whole company; and I desired it should be so; but the latter was
+so well concealed, that no one, I am confident, took any notice of it.
+And yet you appeared to me that night to be an angel. You looked, you
+danced, you spoke-everything charmed me."
+
+"Good Heavens!" cries Booth, "is it possible you should do me so much
+unmerited honour, and I should be dunce enough not to perceive the
+least symptom?"
+
+"I assure you," answered she, "I did all I could to prevent you; and
+yet I almost hated you for not seeing through what I strove to hide.
+Why, Mr. Booth, was you not more quick-sighted?--I will answer for
+you--your affections were more happily disposed of to a much better
+woman than myself, whom you married soon afterwards. I should ask you
+for her, Mr. Booth; I should have asked you for her before; but I am
+unworthy of asking for her, or of calling her my acquaintance."
+
+Booth stopt her short, as she was running into another fit of passion,
+and begged her to omit all former matters, and acquaint him with that
+part of her history to which he was an entire stranger.
+
+She then renewed her discourse as follows: "You know, Mr. Booth, I
+soon afterwards left that town, upon the death of my grandmother, and
+returned home to my father's house; where I had not been long arrived
+before some troops of dragoons came to quarter in our neighbourhood.
+Among the officers there was a cornet whose detested name was Hebbers,
+a name I could scarce repeat, had I not at the same time the pleasure
+to reflect that he is now no more. My father, you know, who is a
+hearty well-wisher to the present government, used always to invite
+the officers to his house; so did he these. Nor was it long before
+this cornet in so particular a manner recommended himself to the poor
+old gentleman (I cannot think of him without tears), that our house
+became his principal habitation, and he was rarely at his quarters,
+unless when his superior officers obliged him to be there. I shall say
+nothing of his person, nor could that be any recommendation to a man;
+it was such, however, as no woman could have made an objection to.
+Nature had certainly wrapt up her odious work in a most beautiful
+covering. To say the truth, he was the handsomest man, except one
+only, that I ever saw--I assure you, I have seen a handsomer---but--
+well.--He had, besides, all the qualifications of a gentleman; was
+genteel and extremely polite; spoke French well, and danced to a
+miracle; but what chiefly recommended him to my father was his skill
+in music, of which you know that dear man was the most violent lover.
+I wish he was not too susceptible of flattery on that head; for I have
+heard Hebbers often greatly commend my father's performance, and have
+observed that the good man was wonderfully pleased with such
+commendations. To say the truth, it is the only way I can account for
+the extraordinary friendship which my father conceived for this
+person; such a friendship, that he at last became a part of our
+family.
+
+"This very circumstance, which, as I am convinced, strongly
+recommended him to my father, had the very contrary effect with me: I
+had never any delight in music, and it was not without much difficulty
+I was prevailed on to learn to play on the harpsichord, in which I had
+made a very slender progress. As this man, therefore, was frequently
+the occasion of my being importuned to play against my will, I began
+to entertain some dislike for him on that account; and as to his
+person, I assure you, I long continued to look on it with great
+indifference.
+
+"How strange will the art of this man appear to you presently, who had
+sufficient address to convert that very circumstance which had at
+first occasioned my dislike into the first seeds of affection for him!
+
+"You have often, I believe, heard my sister Betty play on the
+harpsichord; she was, indeed, reputed the best performer in the whole
+country.
+
+"I was the farthest in the world from regarding this perfection of
+hers with envy. In reality, perhaps, I despised all perfection of this
+kind: at least, as I had neither skill nor ambition to excel this way,
+I looked upon it as a matter of mere indifference.
+
+"Hebbers first put this emulation in my head. He took great pains to
+persuade me that I had much greater abilities of the musical kind than
+my sister, and that I might with the greatest ease, if I pleased,
+excel her; offering me, at the same time, his assistance if I would
+resolve to undertake it.
+
+"When he had sufficiently inflamed my ambition, in which, perhaps, he
+found too little difficulty, the continual praises of my sister, which
+before I had disregarded, became more and more nauseous in my ears;
+and the rather, as, music being the favourite passion of my father, I
+became apprehensive (not without frequent hints from Hebbers of that
+nature) that she might gain too great a preference in his favour.
+
+"To my harpsichord then I applied myself night and day, with such
+industry and attention, that I soon began to perform in a tolerable
+manner. I do not absolutely say I excelled my sister, for many were of
+a different opinion; but, indeed, there might be some partiality in
+all that.
+
+"Hebbers, at least, declared himself on my side, and nobody could
+doubt his judgment. He asserted openly that I played in the better
+manner of the two; and one day, when I was playing to him alone, he
+affected to burst into a rapture of admiration, and, squeezing me
+gently by the hand, said, There, madam, I now declare you excel your
+sister as much in music as, added he in a whispering sigh, you do her,
+and all the world, in every other charm.
+
+"No woman can bear any superiority in whatever thing she desires to
+excel in. I now began to hate all the admirers of my sister, to be
+uneasy at every commendation bestowed on her skill in music, and
+consequently to love Hebbers for the preference which he gave to mine.
+
+"It was now that I began to survey the handsome person of Hebbers with
+pleasure. And here, Mr. Booth, I will betray to you the grand secret
+of our sex.---Many women, I believe, do, with great innocence, and
+even with great indifference, converse with men of the finest persons;
+but this I am confident may be affirmed with truth, that, when once a
+woman comes to ask this question of herself, Is the man whom I like
+for some other reason, handsome? her fate and his too, very strongly
+depend on her answering in the affirmative.
+
+"Hebbers no sooner perceived that he had made an impression on my
+heart, of which I am satisfied I gave him too undeniable tokens, than
+he affected on a sudden to shun me in the most apparent manner. He
+wore the most melancholy air in my presence, and, by his dejected
+looks and sighs, firmly persuaded me that there was some secret sorrow
+labouring in his bosom; nor will it be difficult for you to imagine to
+what cause I imputed it.
+
+"Whilst I was wishing for his declaration of a passion in which I
+thought I could not be mistaken, and at the same time trembling
+whenever we met with the apprehension of this very declaration, the
+widow Carey came from London to make us a visit, intending to stay the
+whole summer at our house.
+
+"Those who know Mrs. Carey will scarce think I do her an injury in
+saying she is far from being handsome; and yet she is as finished a
+coquette as if she had the highest beauty to support that character.
+But perhaps you have seen her; and if you have I am convinced you will
+readily subscribe to my opinion."
+
+Booth answered he had not; and then she proceeded as in the following
+chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII
+
+_The history of Miss Matthews continued_.
+
+
+"This young lady had not been three days with us before Hebbers grew
+so particular with her, that it was generally observed; and my poor
+father, who, I believe, loved the cornet as if he had been his son,
+began to jest on the occasion, as one who would not be displeased at
+throwing a good jointure into the arms of his friend.
+
+"You will easily guess, sir, the disposition of my mind on this
+occasion; but I was not permitted to suffer long under it; for one
+day, when Hebbers was alone with me, he took an opportunity of
+expressing his abhorrence at the thoughts of marrying for interest,
+contrary to his inclinations. I was warm on the subject, and, I
+believe, went so far as to say that none but fools and villains did
+so. He replied, with a sigh, Yes, madam, but what would you think of a
+man whose heart is all the while bleeding for another woman, to whom
+he would willingly sacrifice the world; but, because he must sacrifice
+her interest as well as his own, never durst even give her a hint of
+that passion which was preying on his very vitals? 'Do you believe,
+Miss Fanny, there is such a wretch on earth?' I answered, with an
+assumed coldness, I did not believe there was. He then took me gently
+by the hand, and, with a look so tender that I cannot describe it,
+vowed he was himself that wretch. Then starting, as if conscious of an
+error committed, he cried with a faltering voice, 'What am I saying?
+Pardon me, Miss Fanny; since I beg only your pity, I never will ask
+for more.--' At these words, hearing my father coming up, I betrayed
+myself entirely, if, indeed, I had not done it before. I hastily
+withdrew my hand, crying, Hush! for heaven's sake, my father is just
+coming in; my blushes, my look, and my accent, telling him, I suppose,
+all which he wished to know.
+
+"A few days now brought matters to an eclaircissement between us; the
+being undeceived in what had given me so much uneasiness gave me a
+pleasure too sweet to be resisted. To triumph over the widow, for whom
+I had in a very short time contracted a most inveterate hatred, was a
+pride not to be described. Hebbers appeared to me to be the cause of
+all this happiness. I doubted not but that he had the most
+disinterested passion for me, and thought him every way worthy of its
+return. I did return it, and accepted him as my lover.
+
+"He declared the greatest apprehensions of my father's suspicion,
+though I am convinced these were causeless had his designs been
+honourable. To blind these, I consented that he should carry on sham
+addresses to the widow, who was now a constant jest between us; and he
+pretended from time to time to acquaint me faithfully with everything
+that past at his interviews with her; nor was this faithless woman
+wanting in her part of the deceit. She carried herself to me all the
+while with a shew of affection, and pretended to have the utmost
+friendship for me But such are the friendships of women!"
+
+At this remark, Booth, though enough affected at some parts of the
+story, had great difficulty to refrain from laughter; but, by good
+luck, he escaped being perceived; and the lady went on without
+interruption.
+
+"I am come now to a part of my narrative in which it is impossible to
+be particular without being tedious; for, as to the commerce between
+lovers, it is, I believe, much the same in all cases; and there is,
+perhaps, scarce a single phrase that hath not been repeated ten
+millions of times.
+
+"One thing, however, as I strongly remarked it then, so I will repeat
+it to you now. In all our conversations, in moments when he fell into
+the warmest raptures, and exprest the greatest uneasiness at the delay
+of his joys, he seldom mentioned the word marriage; and never once
+solicited a day for that purpose. Indeed, women cannot be cautioned
+too much against such lovers; for though I have heard, and perhaps
+truly, of some of our sex, of a virtue so exalted, that it is proof
+against every temptation; yet the generality, I am afraid, are too
+much in the power of a man to whom they have owned an affection. What
+is called being upon a good footing is, perhaps, being upon a very
+dangerous one; and a woman who hath given her consent to marry can
+hardly be said to be safe till she is married.
+
+"And now, sir, I hasten to the period of my ruin. We had a wedding in
+our family; my musical sister was married to a young fellow as musical
+as herself. Such a match, you may be sure, amongst other festivities,
+must have a ball. Oh! Mr. Booth, shall modesty forbid me to remark to
+you what past on that occasion? But why do I mention modesty, who have
+no pretensions to it? Everything was said and practised on that
+occasion, as if the purpose had been to inflame the mind of every
+woman present. That effect, I freely own to you, it had with me.
+Music, dancing, wine, and the most luscious conversation, in which my
+poor dear father innocently joined, raised ideas in me of which I
+shall for ever repent; and I wished (why should I deny it?) that it
+had been my wedding instead of my sister's.
+
+"The villain Hebbers danced with me that night, and he lost no
+opportunity of improving the occasion. In short, the dreadful evening
+came. My father, though it was a very unusual thing with him, grew
+intoxicated with liquor; most of the men were in the same condition;
+nay, I myself drank more than I was accustomed to, enough to inflame,
+though not to disorder. I lost my former bed-fellow, my sister, and--
+you may, I think, guess the rest--the villain found means to steal to
+my chamber, and I was undone.
+
+"Two months I passed in this detested commerce, buying, even then, my
+guilty, half-tasted pleasures at too dear a rate, with continual
+horror and apprehension; but what have I paid since--what do I pay
+now, Mr. Booth? O may my fate be a warning to every woman to keep her
+innocence, to resist every temptation, since she is certain to repent
+of the foolish bargain. May it be a warning to her to deal with
+mankind with care and caution; to shun the least approaches of
+dishonour, and never to confide too much in the honesty of a man, nor
+in her own strength, where she has so much at stake; let her remember
+she walks on a precipice, and the bottomless pit is to receive her if
+she slips; nay, if she makes but one false step.
+
+"I ask your pardon, Mr. Booth; I might have spared these exhortations,
+since no woman hears me; but you will not wonder at seeing me affected
+on this occasion."
+
+Booth declared he was much more surprised at her being able so well to
+preserve her temper in recounting her story.
+
+"O sir," answered she, "I am at length reconciled to my fate; and I
+can now die with pleasure, since I die revenged. I am not one of those
+mean wretches who can sit down and lament their misfortunes. If I ever
+shed tears, they are the tears of indignation.--But I will proceed.
+
+"It was my fate now to solicit marriage; and I failed not to do it in
+the most earnest manner. He answered me at first with
+procrastinations, declaring, from time to time, he would mention it to
+my father; and still excusing himself for not doing it. At last he
+thought on an expedient to obtain a longer reprieve. This was by
+pretending that he should, in a very few weeks, be preferred to the
+command of a troop; and then, he said, he could with some confidence
+propose the match.
+
+"In this delay I was persuaded to acquiesce, and was indeed pretty
+easy, for I had not yet the least mistrust of his honour; but what
+words can paint my sensations, when one morning he came into my room,
+with all the marks of dejection in his countenance, and, throwing an
+open letter on the table, said, 'There is news, madam, in that letter
+which I am unable to tell you; nor can it give you more concern than
+it hath given me.'
+
+"This letter was from his captain, to acquaint him that the rout, as
+they call it, was arrived, and that they were to march within two
+days. And this, I am since convinced, was what he expected, instead of
+the preferment which had been made the pretence of delaying our
+marriage.
+
+"The shock which I felt at reading this was inexpressible, occasioned
+indeed principally by the departure of a villain whom I loved.
+However, I soon acquired sufficient presence of mind to remember the
+main point; and I now insisted peremptorily on his making me
+immediately his wife, whatever might be the consequence.
+
+"He seemed thunderstruck at this proposal, being, I suppose, destitute
+of any excuse: but I was too impatient to wait for an answer, and
+cried out with much eagerness, Sure you cannot hesitate a moment upon
+this matter--'Hesitate! madam!' replied he--'what you ask is
+impossible. Is this a time for me to mention a thing of this kind to
+your father?'--My eyes were now opened all at once--I fell into a rage
+little short of madness. Tell not me, I cried, of impossibilities, nor
+times, nor of my father---my honour, my reputation, my all are at
+stake.--I will have no excuse, no delay--make me your wife this
+instant, or I will proclaim you over the face of the whole earth for
+the greatest of villains. He answered, with a kind of sneer, 'What
+will you proclaim, madam?--whose honour will you injure?' My tongue
+faltered when I offered to reply, and I fell into a violent agony,
+which ended in a fit; nor do I remember anything more that past till I
+found myself in the arms of my poor affrighted father.
+
+"O, Mr. Booth, what was then my situation! I tremble even now from the
+reflection.--I must stop a moment. I can go no farther." Booth
+attempted all in his power to soothe her; and she soon recovered her
+powers, and proceeded in her story.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ix
+
+_In which Miss Matthews concludes her relation_.
+
+
+Before I had recovered my senses I had sufficiently betrayed myself to
+the best of men, who, instead of upbraiding me, or exerting any anger,
+endeavoured to comfort me all he could with assurances that all should
+yet be well. This goodness of his affected me with inexpressible
+sensations; I prostrated myself before him, embraced and kissed his
+knees, and almost dissolved in tears, and a degree of tenderness
+hardly to be conceived---But I am running into too minute
+descriptions.
+
+"Hebbers, seeing me in a fit, had left me, and sent one of the
+servants to take care of me. He then ran away like a thief from the
+house, without taking his leave of my father, or once thanking him for
+all his civilities. He did not stop at his quarters, but made directly
+to London, apprehensive, I believe, either of my father or brother's
+resentment; for I am convinced he is a coward. Indeed his fear of my
+brother was utterly groundless; for I believe he would rather have
+thanked any man who had destroyed me; and I am sure I am not in the
+least behindhand with him in good wishes.
+
+"All his inveteracy to me had, however, no effect on my father, at
+least at that time; for, though the good man took sufficient occasions
+to reprimand me for my past offence, he could not be brought to
+abandon me. A treaty of marriage was now set on foot, in which my
+father himself offered me to Hebbers, with a fortune superior to that
+which had been given with my sister; nor could all my brother's
+remonstrances against it, as an act of the highest injustice, avail.
+
+"Hebbers entered into the treaty, though not with much warmth. He had
+even the assurance to make additional demands on my father, which
+being complied with, everything was concluded, and the villain once
+more received into the house. He soon found means to obtain my
+forgiveness of his former behaviour; indeed, he convinced me, so
+foolishly blind is female love, that he had never been to blame.
+
+"When everything was ready for our nuptials, and the day of the
+ceremony was to be appointed, in the midst of my happiness I received
+a letter from an unknown hand, acquainting me (guess, Mr. Booth, how I
+was shocked at receiving it) that Mr. Hebbers was already married to a
+woman in a distant part of the kingdom.
+
+"I will not tire you with all that past at our next interview. I
+communicated the letter to Hebbers, who, after some little hesitation,
+owned the fact, and not only owned it, but had the address to improve
+it to his own advantage, to make it the means of satisfying me
+concerning all his former delays; which, to say the truth, I was not
+so much displeased at imputing to any degree of villany, as I should
+have been to impute it to the want of a sufficient warmth of
+affection, and though the disappointment of all my hopes, at the very
+instant of their expected fruition, threw me into the most violent
+disorders; yet, when I came a little to myself, he had no great
+difficulty to persuade me that in every instance, with regard to me,
+Hebbers had acted from no other motive than from the most ardent and
+ungovernable love. And there is, I believe, no crime which a woman
+will not forgive, when she can derive it from that fountain. In short,
+I forgave him all, and am willing to persuade myself I am not weaker
+than the rest of my sex. Indeed, Mr. Booth, he hath a bewitching
+tongue, and is master of an address that no woman could resist. I do
+assure you the charms of his person are his least perfection, at least
+in my eye."
+
+Here Booth smiled, but happily without her perceiving it.
+
+"A fresh difficulty (continued she) now arose. This was to excuse the
+delay of the ceremony to my father, who every day very earnestly urged
+it. This made me so very uneasy, that I at last listened to a
+proposal, which, if any one in the days of my innocence, or even a few
+days before, had assured me I could have submitted to have thought of,
+I should have treated the supposition with the highest contempt and
+indignation; nay, I scarce reflect on it now with more horror than
+astonishment. In short, I agreed to run away with him--to leave my
+father, my reputation, everything which was or ought to have been dear
+to me, and to live with this villain as a mistress, since I could not
+be his wife.
+
+"Was not this an obligation of the highest and tenderest kind, and had
+I not reason to expect every return in the man's power on whom I had
+conferred it? "I will make short of the remainder of my story, for
+what is there of a woman worth relating, after what I have told you?
+
+"Above a year I lived with this man in an obscure court in London,
+during which time I had a child by him, whom Heaven, I thank it, hath
+been pleased to take to itself.
+
+"During many months he behaved to me with all the apparent tenderness
+and even fondness imaginable; but, alas! how poor was my enjoyment of
+this compared to what it would have been in another situation? When he
+was present, life was barely tolerable: but, when he was absent,
+nothing could equal the misery I endured. I past my hours almost
+entirely alone; for no company but what I despised, would consort with
+me. Abroad I scarce ever went, lest I should meet any of my former
+acquaintance; for their sight would have plunged a thousand daggers in
+my soul. My only diversion was going very seldom to a play, where I
+hid myself in the gallery, with a daughter of the woman of the house.
+A girl, indeed, of good sense and many good qualities; but how much
+beneath me was it to be the companion of a creature so low! O heavens!
+when I have seen my equals glittering in a side-box, how have the
+thoughts of my lost honour torn my soul!"
+
+"Pardon me, dear madam," cries Booth, "for interrupting you; but I am
+under the utmost anxiety to know what became of your poor father, for
+whom I have so great a respect, and who, I am convinced, must so
+bitterly feel your loss."
+
+"O Mr. Booth," answered she, "he was scarce ever out of my thoughts.
+His dear image still obtruded itself in my mind, and I believe would
+have broken my heart, had I not taken a very preposterous way to ease
+myself. I am, indeed, almost ashamed to tell you; but necessity put it
+in my head.--You will think the matter too trifling to have been
+remembered, and so it surely was; nor should I have remembered it on
+any other occasion. You must know then, sir, that my brother was
+always my inveterate enemy and altogether as fond of my sister.--He
+once prevailed with my father to let him take my sister with him in
+the chariot, and by that means I was disappointed of going to a ball
+which I had set my heart on. The disappointment, I assure you, was
+great at the time; but I had long since forgotten it. I must have been
+a very bad woman if I had not, for it was the only thing in which I
+can remember that my father ever disobliged me. However, I now revived
+this in my mind, which I artificially worked up into so high an
+injury, that I assure you it afforded me no little comfort. When any
+tender idea intruded into my bosom, I immediately raised this fantom
+of an injury in my imagination, and it considerably lessened the fury
+of that sorrow which I should have otherwise felt for the loss of so
+good a father, who died within a few months of my departure from him.
+
+"And now, sir, to draw to a conclusion. One night, as I was in the
+gallery at Drury-lane playhouse, I saw below me in a side-box (she was
+once below me in every place), that widow whom I mentioned to you
+before. I had scarce cast my eyes on this woman before I was so
+shocked with the sight that it almost deprived me of my senses; for
+the villain Hebbers came presently in and seated himself behind her.
+
+"He had been almost a month from me, and I believed him to be at his
+quarters in Yorkshire. Guess what were my sensations when I beheld him
+sitting by that base woman, and talking to her with the utmost
+familiarity. I could not long endure this sight, and having acquainted
+my companion that I was taken suddenly ill, I forced her to go home
+with me at the end of the second act.
+
+"After a restless and sleepless night, when I rose the next morning I
+had the comfort to receive a visit from the woman of the house, who,
+after a very short introduction, asked me when I had heard from the
+captain, and when I expected to see him? I had not strength or spirits
+to make her any answer, and she proceeded thus:--'Indeed I did not
+think the captain would have used me so. My husband was an officer of
+the army as well as himself; and if a body is a little low in the
+world, I am sure that is no reason for folks to trample on a body. I
+defy the world to say as I ever was guilty of an ill thing.' For
+heaven's sake, madam, says I, what do you mean? 'Mean?' cries she; 'I
+am sure, if I had not thought you had been Captain Hebbers' lady, his
+lawful lady too, you should never have set footing in my house. I
+would have Captain Hebbers know, that though I am reduced to let
+lodgings, I never have entertained any but persons of character.'--In
+this manner, sir, she ran on, saying many shocking things not worth
+repeating, till my anger at last got the better of my patience as well
+as my sorrow, and I pushed her out of the room.
+
+"She had not been long gone before her daughter came to me, and, after
+many expressions of tenderness and pity, acquainted me that her mother
+had just found out, by means of the captain's servant, that the
+captain was married to another lady; 'which, if you did not know
+before, madam,' said she, 'I am sorry to be the messenger of such ill
+news.'
+
+"Think, Mr. Booth, what I must have endured to see myself humbled
+before such a creature as this, the daughter of a woman who lets
+lodgings! However, having recollected myself a little, I thought it
+would be in vain to deny anything; so, knowing this to be one of the
+best-natured and most sensible girls in the world, I resolved to tell
+her my whole story, and for the future to make her my confidante. I
+answered her, therefore, with a good deal of assurance, that she need
+not regret telling me this piece of ill news, for I had known it
+before I came to her house.
+
+"'Pardon me, madam,' replied the girl, 'you cannot possibly have known
+it so long, for he hath not been married above a week; last night was
+the first time of his appearing in public with his wife at the play.
+Indeed, I knew very well the cause of your uneasiness there; but would
+not mention---'
+
+"His wife at the play? answered I eagerly. What wife? whom do you
+mean?
+
+"'I mean the widow Carey, madam,' replied she, 'to whom the captain
+was married a few days since. His servant was here last night to pay
+for your lodging, and he told it my mother.'
+
+"I know not what answer I made, or whether I made any. I presently
+fell dead on the floor, and it was with great difficulty I was brought
+back to life by the poor girl, for neither the mother nor the maid of
+the house would lend me any assistance, both seeming to regard me
+rather as a monster than a woman.
+
+"Scarce had I recovered the use of my senses when I received a letter
+from the villain, declaring he had not assurance to see my face, and
+very kindly advising me to endeavour to reconcile myself to my family,
+concluding with an offer, in case I did not succeed, to allow me
+twenty pounds a-year to support me in some remote part of the kingdom.
+
+"I need not mention my indignation at these proposals. In the highest
+agony of rage, I went in a chair to the detested house, where I easily
+got access to the wretch I had devoted to destruction, whom I no
+sooner found within my reach than I plunged a drawn penknife, which I
+had prepared in my pocket for the purpose, into his accursed heart.
+For this fact I was immediately seized and soon after committed
+hither; and for this fact I am ready to die, and shall with pleasure
+receive the sentence of the law.
+
+"Thus, sir," said she, "I have related to you my unhappy story, and if
+I have tired your patience, by dwelling too long on those parts which
+affected me the most, I ask your pardon."
+
+Booth made a proper speech on this occasion, and, having exprest much
+concern at her present situation, concluded that he hoped her sentence
+would be milder than she seemed to expect.
+
+Her reply to this was full of so much bitterness and indignation, that
+we do not think proper to record the speech at length, in which having
+vented her passion, she all at once put on a serene countenance, and
+with an air of great complacency said, "Well, Mr. Booth, I think I
+have now a right to satisfy my curiosity at the expense of your
+breath. I may say it is not altogether a vain curiosity, for perhaps I
+have had inclination enough to interest myself in whatever concerns
+you; but no matter for that: those days (added she with a sigh) are
+now over."
+
+Booth, who was extremely good-natured and well-bred, told her that she
+should not command him twice whatever was in his power; and then,
+after the usual apology, was going to begin his history, when the
+keeper arrived, and acquainted the lady that dinner was ready, at the
+same time saying, "I suppose, madam, as the gentleman is an
+acquaintance of yours, he must dine with us too."
+
+Miss Matthews told the keeper that she had only one word to mention in
+private to the gentleman, and that then they would both attend him.
+She then pulled her purse from her pocket, in which were upwards of
+twenty guineas, being the remainder of the money for which she had
+sold a gold repeating watch, her father's present, with some other
+trinkets, and desired Mr. Booth to take what he should have occasion
+for, saying, "You know, I believe, dear Will, I never valued money;
+and now I am sure I shall have very little use for it." Booth, with
+much difficulty, accepted of two guineas, and then they both together
+attended the keeper.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter x
+
+_Table-talk, consisting of a facetious discourse that passed in the
+prison_.
+
+
+There were assembled at the table the governor of these (not
+improperly called infernal) regions; the lieutenant-governor, vulgarly
+named the first turnkey; Miss Matthews, Mr. Booth, Mr. Robinson the
+gambler, several other prisoners of both sexes, and one Murphy, an
+attorney.
+
+The governor took the first opportunity to bring the affair of Miss
+Matthews upon the carpet, and then, turning to Murphy, he said, "It is
+very lucky this gentleman happens to be present; I do assure you,
+madam, your cause cannot be in abler hands. He is, I believe, the best
+man in England at a defence; I have known him often succeed against
+the most positive evidence."
+
+"Fy, sir," answered Murphy; "you know I hate all this; but, if the
+lady will trust me with her cause, I will do the best in my power.
+Come, madam, do not be discouraged; a bit of manslaughter and cold
+iron, I hope, will be the worst: or perhaps we may come off better
+with a slice of chance-medley, or _se defendendo_"
+
+"I am very ignorant of the law, sir," cries the lady.
+
+"Yes, madam," answered Murphy; "it can't be expected you should
+understand it. There are very few of us who profess it that understand
+the whole, nor is it necessary we should. There is a great deal of
+rubbish of little use, about indictments, and abatements, and bars,
+and ejectments, and trovers, and such stuff, with which people cram
+their heads to little purpose. The chapter of evidence is the main
+business; that is the sheet-anchor; that is the rudder, which brings
+the vessel safe _in portum_. Evidence is, indeed, the whole, the
+_summa totidis_, for _de non apparentibus et non insistentibus eandem
+est ratio_."
+
+"If you address yourself to me, sir," said the lady, "you are much too
+learned, I assure you, for my understanding."
+
+"_Tace_, madam," answered Murphy, "is Latin for a candle: I commend
+your prudence. I shall know the particulars of your case when we are
+alone."
+
+"I hope the lady," said Robinson, "hath no suspicion of any person
+here. I hope we are all persons of honour at this table."
+
+"D--n my eyes!" answered a well-dressed woman, "I can answer for
+myself and the other ladies; though I never saw the lady in my life,
+she need not be shy of us, d--n my eyes! I scorn to rap [Footnote: A
+cant word, meaning to swear, or rather to perjure yourself] against
+any lady."
+
+"D--n me, madam!" cried another female, "I honour what you have done.
+I once put a knife into a cull myself--so my service to you, madam,
+and I wish you may come off with _se diffidendo_ with all my heart."
+
+"I beg, good woman," said Miss Matthews, "you would talk on some other
+subject, and give yourself no concern about my affairs."
+
+"You see, ladies," cried Murphy, "the gentle-woman doth not care to
+talk on this matter before company; so pray do not press her."
+
+"Nay, I value the lady's acquaintance no more than she values mine,"
+cries the first woman who spoke. "I have kept as good company as the
+lady, I believe, every day in the week. Good woman! I don't use to be
+so treated. If the lady says such another word to me, d--n me, I will
+darken her daylights. Marry, come up! Good woman!--the lady's a whore
+as well as myself! and, though I am sent hither to mill doll, d--n my
+eyes, I have money enough to buy it off as well as the lady herself."
+
+Action might perhaps soon have ensued this speech, had not the keeper
+interposed his authority, and put an end to any further dispute. Soon
+after which, the company broke up, and none but himself, Mr. Murphy,
+Captain Booth, and Miss Matthews, remained together.
+
+Miss Matthews then, at the entreaty of the keeper, began to open her
+case to Mr. Murphy, whom she admitted to be her solicitor, though she
+still declared she was indifferent as to the event of the trial.
+
+Mr. Murphy, having heard all the particulars with which the reader is
+already acquainted (as far as related to the murder), shook his head
+and said, "There is but one circumstance, madam, which I wish was out
+of the case; and that we must put out of it; I mean the carrying the
+penknife drawn into the room with you; for that seems to imply malice
+prepensive, as we call it in the law: this circumstance, therefore,
+must not appear against you; and, if the servant who was in the room
+observed this, he must be bought off at all hazards. All here you say
+are friends; therefore I tell you openly, you must furnish me with
+money sufficient for this purpose. Malice is all we have to guard
+against."
+
+"I would not presume, sir," cries Booth, "to inform you in the law;
+but I have heard, in case of stabbing, a man may be indicted upon the
+statute; and it is capital, though no malice appears."
+
+"You say true, sir," answered Murphy; "a man may be indicted _contra
+formam statutis;_ and that method, I allow you, requires no malice. I
+presume you are a lawyer, sir?"
+
+"No, indeed, sir," answered Booth, "I know nothing of the law."
+
+"Then, sir, I will tell you--If a man be indicted _contra formam
+tatutis_, as we say, no malice is necessary, because the form of the
+statute makes malice; and then what we have to guard against is having
+struck the first blow. Pox on't, it is unlucky this was done in a
+room: if it had been in the street we could have had five or six
+witnesses to have proved the first blow, cheaper than, I am afraid, we
+shall get this one; for when a man knows, from the unhappy
+circumstances of the case, that you can procure no other witness but
+himself, he is always dear. It is so in all other ways of business. I
+am very implicit, you see; but we are all among friends. The safest
+way is to furnish me with money enough to offer him a good round sum
+at once; and I think (it is for your good I speak) fifty pounds is the
+least than can be offered him. I do assure you I would offer him no
+less was it my own case."
+
+"And do you think, sir," said she, "that I would save my life at the
+expense of hiring another to perjure himself?"
+
+"Ay, surely do I," cries Murphy; "for where is the fault, admitting
+there is some fault in perjury, as you call it? and, to be sure, it is
+such a matter as every man would rather wish to avoid than not: and
+yet, as it may be managed, there is not so much as some people are apt
+to imagine in it; for he need not kiss the book, and then pray where's
+the perjury? but if the crier is sharper than ordinary, what is it he
+kisses? is it anything but a bit of calf's-skin? I am sure a man must
+be a very bad Christian himself who would not do so much as that to
+save the life of any Christian whatever, much more of so pretty a
+lady. Indeed, madam, if we can make out but a tolerable case, so much
+beauty will go a great way with the judge and the jury too."
+
+The latter part of this speech, notwithstanding the mouth it came
+from, caused Miss Matthews to suppress much of the indignation which
+began to arise at the former; and she answered with a smile, "Sir, you
+are a great casuist in these matters; but we need argue no longer
+concerning them; for, if fifty pounds would save my life, I assure you
+I could not command that sum. The little money I have in my pocket is
+all I can call my own; and I apprehend, in the situation I am in, I
+shall have very little of that to spare."
+
+"Come, come, madam," cries Murphy, "life is sweet, let me tell you,
+and never sweeter than when we are near losing it. I have known many a
+man very brave and undaunted at his first commitment, who, when
+business began to thicken a little upon him, hath changed his note. It
+is no time to be saving in your condition."
+
+The keeper, who, after the liberality of Miss Matthews, and on seeing
+a purse of guineas in her hand, had conceived a great opinion of her
+wealth, no sooner heard that the sum which he had in intention
+intirely confiscated for his own use was attempted to be broke in
+upon, thought it high time to be upon his guard. "To be sure," cries
+he, "Mr. Murphy, life is sweet, as you say, that must be acknowledged;
+to be sure, life is sweet; but, sweet as it is, no persons can advance
+more than they are worth to save it. And indeed, if the lady can
+command no more money than that little she mentions, she is to be
+commended for her unwillingness to part with any of it; for, to be
+sure, as she says, she will want every farthing of that to live like a
+gentlewoman till she comes to her trial. And, to be sure, as sweet as
+life is, people ought to take care to be able to live sweetly while
+they do live; besides, I cannot help saying the lady shews herself to
+be what she is, by her abhorrence of perjury, which is certainly a
+very dreadful crime. And, though the not kissing the book doth, as you
+say, make a great deal of difference; and, if a man had a great while
+to live and repent, perhaps he might swallow it well enough; yet, when
+people comes to be near their end (as who can venture to foretel what
+will be the lady's case?) they ought to take care not to overburthen
+their conscience. I hope the lady's case will not be found murder; for
+I am sure I always wish well to all my prisoners who shew themselves
+to be gentlemen or gentlewomen; yet one should always fear the worst"
+
+"Indeed, sir, you speak like an oracle," answered the lady; "and one
+subornation of perjury would sit heavier on my conscience than twenty
+such murders as I am guilty of."
+
+"Nay, to be sure, madam," answered the keeper, "nobody can pretend to
+tell what provocation you must have had; and certainly it can never be
+imagined that a lady who behaves herself so handsomely as you have
+done ever since you have been under my keys should be guilty of
+killing a man without being very highly provoked to do it."
+
+Mr. Murphy was, I believe, going to answer when he was called out of
+the room; after which nothing passed between the remaining persons
+worth relating, till Booth and the lady retired back again into the
+lady's apartment.
+
+Here they fell immediately to commenting on the foregoing discourse;
+but, as their comments were, I believe, the same with what most
+readers have made on the same occasion, we shall omit them. At last,
+Miss Matthews reminding her companion of his promise of relating to
+her what had befallen him since the interruption of their former
+acquaintance, he began as is written in the next book of this history.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+Chapter i.
+
+_In which Captain Booth begins to relate his history._
+
+
+The tea-table being removed, and Mr. Booth and the lady left alone, he
+proceeded as follows:
+
+"Since you desire, madam, to know the particulars of my courtship to
+that best and dearest of women whom I afterwards married, I will
+endeavour to recollect them as well as I can, at least all those
+incidents which are most worth relating to you.
+
+"If the vulgar opinion of the fatality in marriage had ever any
+foundation, it surely appeared in my marriage with my Amelia. I knew
+her in the first dawn of her beauty; and, I believe, madam, she had as
+much as ever fell to the share of a woman; but, though I always
+admired her, it was long without any spark of love. Perhaps the
+general admiration which at that time pursued her, the respect paid
+her by persons of the highest rank, and the numberless addresses which
+were made her by men of great fortune, prevented my aspiring at the
+possession of those charms which seemed so absolutely out of my reach.
+However it was, I assure you the accident which deprived her of the
+admiration of others made the first great impression on my heart in
+her favour. The injury done to her beauty by the overturning of a
+chaise, by which, as you may well remember, her lovely nose was beat
+all to pieces, gave me an assurance that the woman who had been so
+much adored for the charms of her person deserved a much higher
+adoration to be paid to her mind; for that she was in the latter
+respect infinitely more superior to the rest of her sex than she had
+ever been in the former."
+
+"I admire your taste extremely," cried the lady; "I remember perfectly
+well the great heroism with which your Amelia bore that misfortune."
+
+"Good heavens! madam," answered he; "what a magnanimity of mind did
+her behaviour demonstrate! If the world have extolled the firmness of
+soul in a man who can support the loss of fortune; of a general who
+can be composed after the loss of a victory; or of a king who can be
+contented with the loss of a crown; with what astonishment ought we to
+behold, with what praises to honour, a young lady, who can with
+patience and resignation submit to the loss of exquisite beauty, in
+other words to the loss of fortune, power, glory, everything which
+human nature is apt to court and rejoice in! what must be the mind
+which can bear to be deprived of all these in a moment, and by an
+unfortunate trifling accident; which could support all this, together
+with the most exquisite torments of body, and with dignity, with
+resignation, without complaining, almost without a tear, undergo the
+most painful and dreadful operations of surgery in such a situation!"
+Here he stopt, and a torrent of tears gushed from his eyes; such tears
+are apt to flow from a truly noble heart at the hearing of anything
+surprisingly great and glorious. As soon as he was able he again
+proceeded thus:
+
+"Would you think, Miss Matthews, that the misfortune of my Amelia was
+capable of any aggravation? I assure you, she hath often told me it
+was aggravated with a circumstance which outweighed all the other
+ingredients. This was the cruel insults she received from some of her
+most intimate acquaintance, several of whom, after many distortions
+and grimaces, have turned their heads aside, unable to support their
+secret triumph, and burst into a loud laugh in her hearing."
+
+"Good heavens!" cried Miss Matthews; "what detestable actions will
+this contemptible passion of envy prevail on our sex to commit!"
+
+"An occasion of this kind, as she hath since told me, made the first
+impression on her gentle heart in my favour. I was one day in company
+with several young ladies, or rather young devils, where poor Amelia's
+accident was the subject of much mirth and pleasantry. One of these
+said she hoped miss would not hold her head so high for the future.
+Another answered, 'I do not know, madam, what she may do with her
+head, but I am convinced she will never more turn up her nose at her
+betters.' Another cried, 'What a very proper match might now be made
+between Amelia and a certain captain,' who had unfortunately received
+an injury in the same part, though from no shameful cause. Many other
+sarcasms were thrown out, very unworthy to be repeated. I was hurt
+with perceiving so much malice in human shape, and cried out very
+bluntly, Indeed, ladies, you need not express such satisfaction at
+poor Miss Emily's accident; for she will still be the handsomest woman
+in England. This speech of mine was afterwards variously repeated, by
+some to my honour, and by others represented in a contrary light;
+indeed, it was often reported to be much ruder than it was. However,
+it at length reached Amelia's ears. She said she was very much obliged
+to me, since I could have so much compassion for her as to be rude to
+a lady on her account.
+
+"About a month after the accident, when Amelia began to see company in
+a mask, I had the honour to drink tea with her. We were alone
+together, and I begged her to indulge my curiosity by showing me her
+face. She answered in a most obliging manner, 'Perhaps, Mr. Booth, you
+will as little know me when my mask is off as when it is on;' and at
+the same instant unmasked.--The surgeon's skill was the least I
+considered. A thousand tender ideas rushed all at once on my mind. I
+was unable to contain myself, and, eagerly kissing her hand, I cried--
+Upon my soul, madam, you never appeared to me so lovely as at this
+instant. Nothing more remarkable passed at this visit; but I sincerely
+believe we were neither of us hereafter indifferent to each other.
+
+"Many months, however, passed after this, before I ever thought
+seriously of making her my wife. Not that I wanted sufficient love for
+Amelia. Indeed it arose from the vast affection I bore her. I
+considered my own as a desperate fortune, hers as entirely dependent
+on her mother, who was a woman, you know, of violent passions, and
+very unlikely to consent to a match so highly contrary to the interest
+of her daughter. The more I loved Amelia, the more firmly I resolved
+within myself never to propose love to her seriously. Such a dupe was
+my understanding to my heart, and so foolishly did I imagine I could
+be master of a flame to which I was every day adding fuel.
+
+"O, Miss Matthews! we have heard of men entirely masters of their
+passions, and of hearts which can carry this fire in them, and conceal
+it at their pleasure. Perhaps there may be such: but, if there are,
+those hearts may be compared, I believe, to damps, in which it is more
+difficult to keep fire alive than to prevent its blazing: in mine it
+was placed in the midst of combustible matter.
+
+"After several visits, in which looks and sighs had been interchanged
+on both sides, but without the least mention of passion in private,
+one day the discourse between us when alone happened to turn on love;
+I say happened, for I protest it was not designed on my side, and I am
+as firmly convinced not on hers. I was now no longer master of myself;
+I declared myself the most wretched of all martyrs to this tender
+passion; that I had long concealed it from its object. At length,
+after mentioning many particulars, suppressing, however, those which
+must have necessarily brought it home to Amelia, I concluded with
+begging her to be the confidante of my amour, and to give me her
+advice on that occasion.
+
+"Amelia (O, I shall never forget the dear perturbation!) appeared all
+confusion at this instant. She trembled, turned pale, and discovered
+how well she understood me, by a thousand more symptoms than I could
+take notice of, in a state of mind so very little different from her
+own. At last, with faltering accents, she said I had made a very ill
+choice of a counsellor in a matter in which she was so ignorant.--
+Adding, at last, 'I believe, Mr. Booth, you gentlemen want very little
+advice in these affairs, which you all understand better than we do.'
+
+"I will relate no more of our conversation at present; indeed I am
+afraid I tire you with too many particulars."
+
+"O, no!" answered she; "I should be glad to hear every step of an
+amour which had so tender a beginning. Tell me everything you said or
+did, if you can remember it."
+
+He then proceeded, and so will we in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ii.
+
+_Mr. Booth continues his story. In this chapter there are some
+passages that may serve as a kind of touchstone by which a young lady
+may examine the heart of her lover. I would advise, therefore, that
+every lover be obliged to read it over in the presence of his
+mistress, and that she carefully watch his emotions while he is
+reading._
+
+
+"I was under the utmost concern," cries Booth, "when I retired from my
+visit, and had reflected coolly on what I had said. I now saw plainly
+that I had made downright love to Amelia; and I feared, such was my
+vanity, that I had already gone too far, and been too successful.
+Feared! do I say? could I fear what I hoped? how shall I describe the
+anxiety of my mind?"
+
+"You need give yourself no great pain," cried Miss Matthews, "to
+describe what I can so easily guess. To be honest with you, Mr. Booth,
+I do not agree with your lady's opinion that the men have a superior
+understanding in the matters of love. Men are often blind to the
+passions of women: but every woman is as quick-sighted as a hawk on
+these occasions; nor is there one article in the whole science which
+is not understood by all our sex."
+
+"However, madam," said Mr. Booth, "I now undertook to deceive Amelia.
+I abstained three days from seeing her; to say the truth, I
+endeavoured to work myself up to a resolution of leaving her for ever:
+but when I could not so far subdue my passion---But why do I talk
+nonsense of subduing passion?--I should say, when no other passion
+could surmount my love, I returned to visit her; and now I attempted
+the strangest project which ever entered into the silly head of a
+lover. This was to persuade Amelia that I was really in love in
+another place, and had literally expressed my meaning when I asked her
+advice and desired her to be my confidante.
+
+"I therefore forged a meeting to have been between me and my imaginary
+mistress since I had last seen Amelia, and related the particulars, as
+well as I could invent them, which had passed at our conversation.
+
+"Poor Amelia presently swallowed this bait; and, as she hath told me
+since, absolutely believed me to be in earnest. Poor dear love! how
+should the sincerest of hearts have any idea of deceit? for, with all
+her simplicity, I assure you she is the most sensible woman in the
+world."
+
+"It is highly generous and good in you," said Miss Matthews, with a
+sly sneer, "to impute to honesty what others would, perhaps, call
+credulity."
+
+"I protest, madam," answered he, "I do her no more than justice. A
+good heart will at all times betray the best head in the world.---
+Well, madam, my angel was now, if possible, more confused than before.
+She looked so silly, you can hardly believe it."
+
+"Yes, yes, I can," answered the lady, with a laugh, "I can believe
+it.--Well, well, go on."--"After some hesitation," cried he, "my
+Amelia said faintly to me, 'Mr. Booth, you use me very ill; you desire
+me to be your confidante, and conceal from me the name of your
+mistress.'
+
+"Is it possible then, madam," answered I, "that you cannot guess her,
+when I tell you she is one of your acquaintance, and lives in this
+town?"
+
+"'My acquaintance!' said she: 'La! Mr. Booth--In this town! I--I--I
+thought I could have guessed for once; but I have an ill talent that
+way--I will never attempt to guess anything again.' Indeed I do her an
+injury when I pretend to represent her manner. Her manner, look,
+voice, everything was inimitable; such sweetness, softness, innocence,
+modesty!--Upon my soul, if ever man could boast of his resolution, I
+think I might now, that I abstained from falling prostrate at her
+feet, and adoring her. However, I triumphed; pride, I believe,
+triumphed, or perhaps love got the better of love. We once more
+parted, and I promised, the next time I saw her, to reveal the name of
+my mistress.
+
+"I now had, I thought, gained a complete victory over myself; and no
+small compliments did I pay to my own resolution. In short, I
+triumphed as cowards and niggards do when they flatter themselves with
+having given some supposed instance of courage or generosity; and my
+triumph lasted as long; that is to say, till my ascendant passion had
+a proper opportunity of displaying itself in its true and natural
+colours.
+
+"Having hitherto succeeded so well in my own opinion, and obtained
+this mighty self-conquest, I now entertained a design of exerting the
+most romantic generosity, and of curing that unhappy passion which I
+perceived I had raised in Amelia.
+
+"Among the ladies who had expressed the greatest satisfaction at my
+Amelia's misfortune, Miss Osborne had distinguished herself in a very
+eminent degree; she was, indeed, the next in beauty to my angel, nay,
+she had disputed the preference, and had some among her admirers who
+were blind enough to give it in her favour."
+
+"Well," cries the lady, "I will allow you to call them blind; but Miss
+Osborne was a charming girl."
+
+"She certainly was handsome," answered he, "and a very considerable
+fortune; so I thought my Amelia would have little difficulty in
+believing me when I fixed on her as my mistress. And I concluded that
+my thus placing my affections on her known enemy would be the surest
+method of eradicating every tender idea with which I had been ever
+honoured by Amelia.
+
+"Well, then, to Amelia I went; she received me with more than usual
+coldness and reserve; in which, to confess the truth, there appeared
+to me more of anger than indifference, and more of dejection than of
+either. After some short introduction, I revived the discourse of my
+amour, and presently mentioned Miss Osborne as the lady whose name I
+had concealed; adding, that the true reason why I did not mention her
+before was, that I apprehended there was some little distance between
+them, which I hoped to have the happiness of accommodating.
+
+"Amelia answered with much gravity, 'If you know, sir, that there is
+any distance between us, I suppose you know the reason of that
+distance; and then, I think, I could not have expected to be affronted
+by her name. I would not have you think, Mr. Booth, that I hate Miss
+Osborne. No! Heaven is my witness, I despise her too much.--Indeed,
+when I reflect how much I loved the woman who hath treated me so
+cruelly, I own it gives me pain--when I lay, as I then imagined, and
+as all about me believed, on my deathbed, in all the agonies of pain
+and misery, to become the object of laughter to my dearest friend.--O,
+Mr. Booth, it is a cruel reflection! and could I after this have
+expected from you--but why not from you, to whom I am a person
+entirely indifferent, if such a friend could treat me so barbarously?'
+
+"During the greatest part of this speech the tears streamed from her
+bright eyes. I could endure it no longer. I caught up the word
+indifferent, and repeated it, saying, Do you think then, madam, that
+Miss Emily is indifferent to me?
+
+"'Yes, surely, I do,' answered she: 'I know I am; indeed, why should I
+not be indifferent to you?'
+
+"Have my eyes," said I, "then declared nothing?"
+
+"'O! there is no need of your eyes' answered she; 'your tongue hath
+declared that you have singled out of all womankind my greatest, I
+will say, my basest enemy. I own I once thought that character would
+have been no recommendation to you;--but why did I think so? I was
+born to deceive myself.'
+
+"I then fell on my knees before her; and, forcing her hand, cried out,
+O, my Amelia! I can bear no longer. You are the only mistress of my
+affections; you are the deity I adore. In this stile I ran on for
+above two or three minutes, what it is impossible to repeat, till a
+torrent of contending passions, together with the surprize,
+overpowered her gentle spirits, and she fainted away in my arms.
+
+"To describe my sensation till she returned to herself is not in my
+power."--"You need not," cried Miss Matthews.--"Oh, happy Amelia! why
+had I not been blest with such a passion?"--"I am convinced, madam,"
+continued he, "you cannot expect all the particulars of the tender
+scene which ensued. I was not enough in my senses to remember it all.
+Let it suffice to say, that that behaviour with which Amelia, while
+ignorant of its motive, had been so much displeased, when she became
+sensible of that motive, proved the strongest recommendation to her
+favour, and she was pleased to call it generous."
+
+"Generous!" repeated the lady, "and so it was, almost beyond the reach
+of humanity. I question whether you ever had an equal."
+
+Perhaps the critical reader may have the same doubt with Miss
+Matthews; and lest he should, we will here make a gap in our history,
+to give him an opportunity of accurately considering whether this
+conduct of Mr. Booth was natural or no; and consequently, whether we
+have, in this place, maintained or deviated from that strict adherence
+to universal truth which we profess above all other historians.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iii.
+
+_The narrative continued. More of the touchstone._
+
+
+Booth made a proper acknowledgment of Miss Matthew's civility, and
+then renewed his story. "We were upon the footing of lovers; and
+Amelia threw off her reserve more and more, till at length I found all
+that return of my affection which the tenderest lover can require.
+
+"My situation would now have been a paradise, had not my happiness
+been interrupted with the same reflections I have already mentioned;
+had I not, in short, concluded, that I must derive all my joys from
+the almost certain ruin of that dear creature to whom I should owe
+them.
+
+"This thought haunted me night and day, till I at last grew unable to
+support it: I therefore resolved in the strongest manner, to lay it
+before Amelia.
+
+"One evening then, after the highest professions of the most
+disinterested love, in which Heaven knows my sincerity, I took an
+occasion to speak to Amelia in the following manner:--
+
+"Too true it is, I am afraid, my dearest creature, that the highest
+human happiness is imperfect. How rich would be my cup, was it not for
+one poisonous drop which embitters the whole! O, Amelia! what must be
+the consequence of my ever having the honour to call you mine!--You
+know my situation in life, and you know your own: I have nothing more
+than the poor provision of an ensign's commission to depend on; your
+sole dependence is on your mother; should any act of disobedience
+defeat your expectations, how wretched must your lot be with me! O,
+Amelia! how ghastly an object to my mind is the apprehension of your
+distress! Can I bear to reflect a moment on the certainty of your
+foregoing all the conveniences of life? on the possibility of your
+suffering all its most dreadful inconveniencies? what must be my
+misery, then, to see you in such a situation, and to upbraid myself
+with being the accursed cause of bringing you to it? Suppose too in
+such a season I should be summoned from you. Could I submit to see you
+encounter all the hazards, the fatigues of war, with me? you could not
+yourself, however willing, support them a single campaign. What then;
+must I leave you to starve alone, deprived of the tenderness of a
+husband, deprived too of the tenderness of the best of mothers,
+through my means? a woman most dear to me, for being the parent, the
+nurse, and the friend of my Amelia.---But oh! my sweet creature, carry
+your thoughts a little further. Think of the tenderest consequences,
+the dearest pledges of our love. Can I bear to think of entailing
+beggary on the posterity of my Amelia? on our---Oh, Heavens!--on our
+children!--On the other side, is it possible even to mention the word
+--I will not, must not, cannot, cannot part with you.---What must we
+do, Amelia? It is now I sincerely ask your advice."
+
+"'What advice can I give you,' said she, 'in such an alternative?
+Would to Heaven we had never met!'
+
+"These words were accompanied with a sigh, and a look inexpressibly
+tender, the tears at the same time overflowing all her lovely cheeks.
+I was endeavouring to reply when I was interrupted by what soon put an
+end to the scene.
+
+"Our amour had already been buzzed all over the town; and it came at
+last to the ears of Mrs. Harris: I had, indeed, observed of late a
+great alteration in that lady's behaviour towards me whenever I
+visited at the house; nor could I, for a long time before this
+evening, ever obtain a private interview with Amelia; and now, it
+seems, I owed it to her mother's intention of overhearing all that
+passed between us.
+
+"At the period then above mentioned, Mrs. Harris burst from the closet
+where she had hid herself, and surprised her daughter, reclining on my
+bosom in all that tender sorrow I have just described. I will not
+attempt to paint the rage of the mother, or the daughter's confusion,
+or my own. 'Here are very fine doings, indeed,' cries Mrs. Harris:
+'you have made a noble use, Amelia, of my indulgence, and the trust I
+reposed in you.--As for you, Mr. Booth, I will not accuse you; you
+have used my child as I ought to have expected; I may thank myself for
+what hath happened;' with much more of the same kind, before she would
+suffer me to speak; but at last I obtained a hearing, and offered to
+excuse my poor Amelia, who was ready to sink into the earth under the
+oppression of grief, by taking as much blame as I could on myself.
+Mrs. Harris answered, 'No, sir, I must say you are innocent in
+comparison of her; nay, I can say I have heard you use dissuasive
+arguments; and I promise you they are of weight. I have, I thank
+Heaven, one dutiful child, and I shall henceforth think her my only
+one.'--She then forced the poor, trembling, fainting Amelia out of the
+room; which when she had done, she began very coolly to reason with me
+on the folly, as well as iniquity, which I had been guilty of; and
+repeated to me almost every word I had before urged to her daughter.
+In fine, she at last obtained of me a promise that I would soon go to
+my regiment, and submit to any misery rather than that of being the
+ruin of Amelia.
+
+"I now, for many days, endured the greatest torments which the human
+mind is, I believe, capable of feeling; and I can honestly say I tried
+all the means, and applied every argument which I could raise, to cure
+me of my love. And to make these the more effectual, I spent every
+night in walking backwards and forwards in the sight of Mrs. Harris's
+house, where I never failed to find some object or other which raised
+some tender idea of my lovely Amelia, and almost drove me to
+distraction."
+
+"And don't you think, sir," said Miss Matthews, "you took a most
+preposterous method to cure yourself?"
+
+"Alas, madam," answered he, "you cannot see it in a more absurd light
+than I do; but those know little of real love or grief who do not know
+how much we deceive ourselves when we pretend to aim at the cure of
+either. It is with these, as it is with some distempers of the body,
+nothing is in the least agreeable to us but what serves to heighten
+the disease.
+
+"At the end of a fortnight, when I was driven almost to the highest
+degree of despair, and could contrive no method of conveying a letter
+to Amelia, how was I surprised when Mrs. Harris's servant brought me a
+card, with an invitation from the mother herself to drink tea that
+evening at her house!
+
+"You will easily believe, madam, that I did not fail so agreeable an
+appointment: on my arrival I was introduced into a large company of
+men and women, Mrs. Harris and my Amelia being part of the company.
+
+"Amelia seemed in my eyes to look more beautiful than ever, and
+behaved with all the gaiety imaginable. The old lady treated me with
+much civility, but the young lady took little notice of me, and
+addressed most of her discourse to another gentleman present. Indeed,
+she now and then gave me a look of no discouraging kind, and I
+observed her colour change more than once when her eyes met mine;
+circumstances, which, perhaps, ought to have afforded me sufficient
+comfort, but they could not allay the thousand doubts and fears with
+which I was alarmed, for my anxious thoughts suggested no less to me
+than that Amelia had made her peace with her mother at the price of
+abandoning me forever, and of giving her ear to some other lover. All
+my prudence now vanished at once; and I would that instant have gladly
+run away with Amelia, and have married her without the least
+consideration of any consequences.
+
+"With such thoughts I had tormented myself for near two hours, till
+most of the company had taken their leave. This I was myself incapable
+of doing, nor do I know when I should have put an end to my visit, had
+not Dr Harrison taken me away almost by force, telling me in a whisper
+that he had something to say to me of great consequence.--You know the
+doctor, madam--"
+
+"Very well, sir," answered Miss Matthews, "and one of the best men in
+the world he is, and an honour to the sacred order to which he
+belongs."
+
+"You will judge," replied Booth, "by the sequel, whether I have reason
+to think him so."--He then proceeded as in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iv
+
+_The story of Mr. Booth continued. In this chapter the reader will
+perceive a glimpse of the character of a very good divine, with some
+matters of a very tender kind._
+
+
+"The doctor conducted me into his study, and I then, desiring me to
+sit down, began, as near as I can remember, in these words, or at
+least to this purpose:
+
+"'You cannot imagine, young gentleman, that your love for Miss Emily
+is any secret in this place; I have known it some time, and have been,
+I assure you, very much your enemy in this affair.'
+
+"I answered, that I was very much obliged to him.
+
+"'Why, so you are,' replied he; 'and so, perhaps, you will think
+yourself when you know all.--I went about a fortnight ago to Mrs.
+Harris, to acquaint her with my apprehensions on her daughter's
+account; for, though the matter was much talked of, I thought it might
+possibly not have reached her ears. I will be very plain with you. I
+advised her to take all possible care of the young lady, and even to
+send her to some place, where she might be effectually kept out of
+your reach while you remained in the town.'
+
+"And do you think, sir, said I, that this was acting a kind part by
+me? or do you expect that I should thank you on this occasion?
+
+"'Young man,' answered he, 'I did not intend you any kindness, nor do
+I desire any of your thanks. My intention was to preserve a worthy
+lady from a young fellow of whom I had heard no good character, and
+whom I imagined to have a design of stealing a human creature for the
+sake of her fortune.'
+
+"It was very kind of you, indeed, answered I, to entertain such an
+opinion of me.
+
+"'Why, sir,' replied the doctor, 'it is the opinion which, I believe,
+most of you young gentlemen of the order of the rag deserve. I have
+known some instances, and have heard of more, where such young fellows
+have committed robbery under the name of marriage.'
+
+"I was going to interrupt him with some anger when he desired me to
+have a little patience, and then informed me that he had visited Mrs.
+Harris with the above-mentioned design the evening after the discovery
+I have related; that Mrs. Harris, without waiting for his information,
+had recounted to him all which had happened the evening before; and,
+indeed, she must have an excellent memory, for I think she repeated
+every word I said, and added, that she had confined her daughter to
+her chamber, where she kept her a close prisoner, and had not seen her
+since.
+
+"I cannot express, nor would modesty suffer me if I could, all that
+now past. The doctor took me by the hand and burst forth into the
+warmest commendations of the sense and generosity which he was pleased
+to say discovered themselves in my speech. You know, madam, his strong
+and singular way of expressing himself on all occasions, especially
+when he is affected with anything. 'Sir,' said he, 'if I knew half a
+dozen such instances in the army, the painter should put red liveries
+upon all the saints in my closet.'
+
+"From this instant, the doctor told me, he had become my friend and
+zealous advocate with Mrs. Harris, on whom he had at last prevailed,
+though not without the greatest difficulty, to consent to my marrying
+Amelia, upon condition that I settled every penny which the mother
+should lay down, and that she would retain a certain sum in her hands
+which she would at any time deposit for my advancement in the army.
+
+"You will, I hope, madam, conceive that I made no hesitation at these
+conditions, nor need I mention the joy which I felt on this occasion,
+or the acknowledgment I paid the doctor, who is, indeed, as you say,
+one of the best of men.
+
+"The next morning I had permission to visit Amelia, who received me in
+such a manner, that I now concluded my happiness to be complete.
+
+"Everything was now agreed on all sides, and lawyers employed to
+prepare the writings, when an unexpected cloud arose suddenly in our
+serene sky, and all our joys were obscured in a moment.
+
+"When matters were, as I apprehended, drawing near a conclusion, I
+received an express, that a sister whom I tenderly loved was seized
+with a violent fever, and earnestly desired me to come to her. I
+immediately obeyed the summons, and, as it was then about two in the
+morning, without staying even to take leave of Amelia, for whom I left
+a short billet, acquainting her with the reason of my absence.
+
+"The gentleman's house where my sister then was stood at fifty miles'
+distance, and, though I used the utmost expedition, the unmerciful
+distemper had, before my arrival, entirely deprived the poor girl of
+her senses, as it soon after did of her life.
+
+"Not all the love I bore Amelia, nor the tumultuous delight with which
+the approaching hour of possessing her filled my heart, could, for a
+while, allay my grief at the loss of my beloved Nancy. Upon my soul, I
+cannot yet mention her name without tears. Never brother and sister
+had, I believe, a higher friendship for each other. Poor dear girl!
+whilst I sat by her in her light-head fits, she repeated scarce any
+other name but mine; and it plainly appeared that, when her dear
+reason was ravished away from her, it had left my image on her fancy,
+and that the last use she made of it was to think on me. 'Send for my
+dear Billy immediately,' she cried; 'I know he will come to me in a
+moment. Will nobody fetch him to me? pray don't kill me before I see
+him once more. You durst not use me so if he was here.'--Every accent
+still rings in my ears. Oh, heavens! to hear this, and at the same
+time to see the poor delirious creature deriving the greatest horrors
+from my sight, and mistaking me for a highwayman who had a little
+before robbed her. But I ask your pardon; the sensations I felt are to
+be known only from experience, and to you must appear dull and
+insipid. At last, she seemed for a moment to know me, and cried, 'O
+heavens! my dearest brother!' upon which she fell into immediate
+convulsions, and died away in my arms."
+
+Here Mr. Booth stopped a moment, and wiped his eyes; and Miss
+Matthews, perhaps out of complaisance, wiped hers.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter v.
+
+_Containing strange revolutions of fortune_
+
+
+Booth proceeded thus:
+
+"This loss, perhaps, madam, you will think had made me miserable
+enough; but Fortune did not think so; for, on the day when my Nancy
+was to be buried, a courier arrived from Dr Harrison, with a letter,
+in which the doctor acquainted me that he was just come from Mrs.
+Harris when he despatched the express, and earnestly desired me to
+return the very instant I received his letter, as I valued my Amelia.
+'Though if the daughter,' added he, 'should take after her mother (as
+most of them do) it will be, perhaps, wiser in you to stay away.'
+
+"I presently sent for the messenger into my room, and with much
+difficulty extorted from him that a great squire in his coach and six
+was come to Mrs. Harris's, and that the whole town said he was shortly
+to be married to Amelia.
+
+"I now soon perceived how much superior my love for Amelia was to
+every other passion; poor Nancy's idea disappeared in a moment; I
+quitted the dear lifeless corpse, over which I had shed a thousand
+tears, left the care of her funeral to others, and posted, I may
+almost say flew, back to Amelia, and alighted at the doctor's house,
+as he had desired me in his letter.
+
+"The good man presently acquainted me with what had happened in my
+absence. Mr. Winckworth had, it seems, arrived the very day of my
+departure, with a grand equipage, and, without delay, had made formal
+proposals to Mrs. Harris, offering to settle any part of his vast
+estate, in whatever manner she pleased, on Amelia. These proposals the
+old lady had, without any deliberation, accepted, and had insisted, in
+the most violent manner, on her daughter's compliance, which Amelia
+had as peremptorily refused to give; insisting, on her part, on the
+consent which her mother had before given to our marriage, in which
+she was heartily seconded by the doctor, who declared to her, as he
+now did to me, 'that we ought as much to be esteemed man and wife as
+if the ceremony had already past between us.'
+
+"These remonstrances, the doctor told me, had worked no effect on Mrs.
+Harris, who still persisted in her avowed resolution of marrying her
+daughter to Winckworth, whom the doctor had likewise attacked, telling
+him that he was paying his addresses to another man's wife; but all to
+no purpose; the young gentleman was too much in love to hearken to any
+dissuasives.
+
+"We now entered into a consultation what means to employ. The doctor
+earnestly protested against any violence to be offered to the person
+of Winckworth, which, I believe, I had rashly threatened; declaring
+that, if I made any attempt of that kind, he would for ever abandon my
+cause. I made him a solemn promise of forbearance. At last he
+determined to pay another visit to Mrs. Harris, and, if he found her
+obdurate, he said he thought himself at liberty to join us together
+without any further consent of the mother, which every parent, he
+said, had a right to refuse, but not retract when given, unless the
+party himself, by some conduct of his, gave a reason.
+
+"The doctor having made his visit with no better success than before,
+the matter now debated was, how to get possession of Amelia by
+stratagem, for she was now a closer prisoner than ever; was her
+mother's bedfellow by night, and never out of her sight by day.
+
+"While we were deliberating on this point a wine-merchant of the town
+came to visit the doctor, to inform him that he had just bottled off a
+hogshead of excellent old port, of which he offered to spare him a
+hamper, saying that he was that day to send in twelve dozen to Mrs.
+Harris.
+
+"The doctor now smiled at a conceit which came into his head; and,
+taking me aside, asked me if I had love enough for the young lady to
+venture into the house in a hamper. I joyfully leapt at the proposal,
+to which the merchant, at the doctor's intercession, consented; for I
+believe, madam, you know the great authority which that worthy mart
+had over the whole town. The doctor, moreover, promised to procure a
+license, and to perform the office for us at his house, if I could
+find any means of conveying Amelia thither.
+
+"In this hamper, then, I was carried to the house, and deposited in
+the entry, where I had not lain long before I was again removed and
+packed up in a cart in order to be sent five miles into the country;
+for I heard the orders given as I lay in the entry; and there I
+likewise heard that Amelia and her mother were to follow me the next
+morning.
+
+"I was unloaded from my cart, and set down with the rest of the lumber
+in a great hall. Here I remained above three hours, impatiently
+waiting for the evening, when I determined to quit a posture which was
+become very uneasy, and break my prison; but Fortune contrived to
+release me sooner, by the following means: The house where I now was
+had been left in the care of one maid-servant. This faithful creature
+came into the hall with the footman who had driven the cart. A scene
+of the highest fondness having past between them, the fellow proposed,
+and the maid consented, to open the hamper and drink a bottle
+together, which, they agreed, their mistress would hardly miss in such
+a quantity. They presently began to execute their purpose. They opened
+the hamper, and, to their great surprise, discovered the contents.
+
+"I took an immediate advantage of the consternation which appeared in
+the countenances of both the servants, and had sufficient presence of
+mind to improve the knowledge of those secrets to which I was privy. I
+told them that it entirely depended on their behaviour to me whether
+their mistress should ever be acquainted, either with what they had
+done or with what they had intended to do; for that if they would keep
+my secret I would reciprocally keep theirs. I then acquainted them
+with my purpose of lying concealed in the house, in order to watch an
+opportunity of obtaining a private interview with Amelia.
+
+[Illustration: They opened The Hamper]
+
+"In the situation in which these two delinquents stood, you may be
+assured it was not difficult for me to seal up their lips. In short,
+they agreed to whatever I proposed. I lay that evening in my dear
+Amelia's bedchamber, and was in the morning conveyed into an old
+lumber-garret, where I was to wait till Amelia (whom the maid
+promised, on her arrival, to inform of my place of concealment) could
+find some opportunity of seeing me."
+
+"I ask pardon for interrupting you," cries Miss Matthews, "but you
+bring to my remembrance a foolish story which I heard at that time,
+though at a great distance from you: That an officer had, in
+confederacy with Miss Harris, broke open her mother's cellar and stole
+away a great quantity of her wine. I mention it only to shew you what
+sort of foundations most stories have."
+
+Booth told her he had heard some such thing himself, and then
+continued his story as in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vi.
+
+_Containing many surprising adventures._
+
+
+"There," continued he, "I remained the whole day in hopes of a
+happiness, the expected approach of which gave me such a delight that
+I would not have exchanged my poor lodgings for the finest palace in
+the universe.
+
+"A little after it was dark Mrs. Harris arrived, together with Amelia
+and her sister. I cannot express how much my heart now began to
+flutter; for, as my hopes every moment encreased, strange fears, which
+I had not felt before, began now to intermingle with them.
+
+"When I had continued full two hours in these circumstances, I heard a
+woman's step tripping upstairs, which I fondly hoped was my Amelia;
+but all on a sudden the door flew open, and Mrs. Harris herself
+appeared at it, with a countenance pale as death, her whole body
+trembling, I suppose with anger; she fell upon me in the most bitter
+language. It is not necessary to repeat what she said, nor indeed can
+I, I was so shocked and confounded on this occasion. In a word, the
+scene ended with my departure without seeing Amelia."
+
+"And pray," cries Miss Matthews, "how happened this unfortunate
+discovery?"
+
+Booth answered, That the lady at supper ordered a bottle of wine,
+"which neither myself," says he, "nor the servants had presence of
+mind to provide. Being told there was none in the house, though she
+had been before informed that the things came all safe, she had sent
+for the maid, who, being unable to devise any excuse, had fallen on
+her knees, and, after confessing her design of opening a bottle, which
+she imputed to the fellow, betrayed poor me to her mistress.
+
+"Well, madam, after a lecture of about a quarter of an hour's duration
+from Mrs. Harris, I suffered her to conduct me to the outward gate of
+her court-yard, whence I set forward in a disconsolate condition of
+mind towards my lodgings. I had five miles to walkin a dark and rainy
+night: but how can I mention these trifling circumstances as any
+aggravation of my disappointment!"
+
+"How was it possible," cried Miss Matthews, "that you could be got out
+of the house without seeing Miss Harris?"
+
+"I assure you, madam," answered Booth, "I have often wondered at it
+myself; but my spirits were so much sunk at the sight of her mother,
+that no man was ever a greater coward than I was at that instant.
+Indeed, I believe my tender concern for the terrors of Amelia were the
+principal cause of my submission. However it was, I left the house,
+and walked about a hundred yards, when, at the corner of the garden-
+wall, a female voice, in a whisper, cried out, 'Mr. Booth.' The person
+was extremely near me, but it was so dark I could scarce see her; nor
+did I, in the confusion I was in, immediately recognize the voice. I
+answered in a line of Congreve's, which burst from my lips
+spontaneously; for I am sure I had no intention to quote plays at that
+time.
+
+"'Who calls the wretched thing that was Alphonso?'
+
+"Upon which a woman leapt into my arms, crying out--'O! it is indeed
+my Alphonso, my only Alphonso!'--O Miss Matthews! guess what I felt
+when I found I had my Amelia in my arms. I embraced her with an
+ecstasy not to be described, at the same instant pouring a thousand
+tendernesses into her ears; at least, if I could express so many to
+her in a minute, for in that time the alarm began at the house; Mrs.
+Harris had mist her daughter, and the court was presently full of
+lights and noises of all kinds.
+
+"I now lifted Amelia over a gate, and, jumping after, we crept along
+together by the side of a hedge, a different way from what led to the
+town, as I imagined that would be the road through which they would
+pursue us. In this opinion I was right; for we heard them pass along
+that road, and the voice of Mrs. Harris herself, who ran with the
+rest, notwithstanding the darkness and the rain. By these means we
+luckily made our escape, and clambring over hedge and ditch, my Amelia
+performing the part of a heroine all the way, we at length arrived at
+a little green lane, where stood a vast spreading oak, under which we
+sheltered ourselves from a violent storm.
+
+"When this was over and the moon began to appear, Amelia declared she
+knew very well where she was; and, a little farther striking into
+another lane to the right, she said that would lead us to a house
+where we should be both safe and unsuspected. I followed her
+directions, and we at length came to a little cottage about three
+miles distant from Mrs. Harris's house.
+
+"As it now rained very violently, we entered this cottage, in which we
+espied a light, without any ceremony. Here we found an elderly woman
+sitting by herself at a little fire, who had no sooner viewed us than
+she instantly sprung from her seat, and starting back gave the
+strongest tokens of amazement; upon which Amelia said, 'Be not
+surprised, nurse, though you see me in a strange pickle, I own.' The
+old woman, after having several times blessed herself, and expressed
+the most tender concern for the lady who stood dripping before her,
+began to bestir herself in making up the fire; at the same time
+entreating Amelia that she might be permitted to furnish her with some
+cloaths, which, she said, though not fine, were clean and wholesome
+and much dryer than her own. I seconded this motion so vehemently,
+that Amelia, though she declared herself under no apprehension of
+catching cold (she hath indeed the best constitution in the world), at
+last consented, and I retired without doors under a shed, to give my
+angel an opportunity of dressing herself in the only room which the
+cottage afforded belowstairs.
+
+"At my return into the room, Amelia insisted on my exchanging my coat
+for one which belonged to the old woman's son." "I am very glad,"
+cried Miss Matthews, "to find she did not forget you. I own I thought
+it somewhat cruel to turn you out into the rain."--"O, Miss Matthews!"
+continued he, taking no notice of her observation, "I had now an
+opportunity of contemplating the vast power of exquisite beauty, which
+nothing almost can add to or diminish. Amelia, in the poor rags of her
+old nurse, looked scarce less beautiful than I have seen her appear at
+a ball or an assembly." "Well, well," cries Miss Matthews, "to be sure
+she did; but pray go on with your story."
+
+"The old woman," continued he, "after having equipped us as well as
+she could, and placed our wet cloaths before the fire, began to grow
+inquisitive; and, after some ejaculations, she cried--'O, my dear
+young madam! my mind misgives me hugeously; and pray who is this fine
+young gentleman? Oh! Miss Emmy, Miss Emmy, I am afraid madam knows
+nothing of all this matter.' 'Suppose he should be my husband, nurse,'
+answered Amelia. 'Oh! good! and if he be,' replies the nurse, 'I hope
+he is some great gentleman or other, with a vast estate and a coach
+and six: for to be sure, if an he was the greatest lord in the land,
+you would deserve it all.' But why do I attempt to mimic the honest
+creature? In short, she discovered the greatest affection for my
+Amelia; with which I was much more delighted than I was offended at
+the suspicions she shewed of me, or the many bitter curses which she
+denounced against me, if I ever proved a bad husband to so sweet a
+young lady.
+
+"I so well improved the hint given me by Amelia, that the old woman
+had no doubt of our being really married; and, comforting herself
+that, if it was not as well as it might have been, yet madam had
+enough for us both, and that happiness did not always depend on great
+riches, she began to rail at the old lady for having turned us out of
+doors, which I scarce told an untruth in asserting. And when Amelia
+said, 'She hoped her nurse would not betray her,' the good woman
+answered with much warmth--'Betray you, my dear young madam! no, that
+I would not, if the king would give me all that he is worth: no, not
+if madam herself would give me the great house, and the whole farm
+belonging to it.'
+
+"The good woman then went out and fetched a chicken from the roost,
+which she killed, and began to pick, without asking any questions.
+Then, summoning her son, who was in bed, to her assistance, she began
+to prepare this chicken for our supper. This she afterwards set before
+us in so neat, I may almost say elegant, a manner, that whoever would
+have disdained it either doth not know the sensation of hunger, or
+doth not deserve to have it gratified. Our food was attended with some
+ale, which our kind hostess said she intended not to have tapped till
+Christmas; 'but,' added she, 'I little thought ever to have the honour
+of seeing my dear honoured lady in this poor place.'
+
+"For my own part, no human being was then an object of envy to me, and
+even Amelia seemed to be in pretty good spirits; she softly whispered
+to me that she perceived there might be happiness in a cottage."
+
+"A cottage!" cries Miss Matthews, sighing, "a cottage, with the man
+one loves, is a palace."
+
+"When supper was ended," continued Booth, "the good woman began to
+think of our further wants, and very earnestly recommended her bed to
+us, saying, it was a very neat, though homely one, and that she could
+furnish us with a pair of clean sheets. She added some persuasives
+which painted my angel all over with vermilion. As for myself, I
+behaved so awkwardly and foolishly, and so readily agreed to Amelia's
+resolution of sitting up all night, that, if it did not give the nurse
+any suspicion of our marriage, it ought to have inspired her with the
+utmost contempt for me.
+
+"We both endeavoured to prevail with nurse to retire to her own bed,
+but found it utterly impossible to succeed; she thanked Heaven she
+understood breeding better than that. And so well bred was the good
+woman, that we could scarce get her out of the room the whole night.
+Luckily for us, we both understood French, by means of which we
+consulted together, even in her presence, upon the measures we were to
+take in our present exigency. At length it was resolved that I should
+send a letter by this young lad, whom I have just before mentioned, to
+our worthy friend the doctor, desiring his company at our hut, since
+we thought it utterly unsafe to venture to the town, which we knew
+would be in an uproar on our account before the morning."
+
+Here Booth made a full stop, smiled, and then said he was going to
+mention so ridiculous a distress, that he could scarce think of it
+without laughing. What this was the reader shall know in the next
+chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vii.
+
+_The story of Booth continued.--More surprising adventures._
+
+
+From what trifles, dear Miss Matthews," cried Booth, "may some of our
+greatest distresses arise! Do you not perceive I am going to tell you
+we had neither pen, ink, nor paper, in our present exigency?
+
+"A verbal message was now our only resource; however, we contrived to
+deliver it in such terms, that neither nurse nor her son could
+possibly conceive any suspicion from it of the present situation of
+our affairs. Indeed, Amelia whispered me, I might safely place any
+degree of confidence in the lad; for he had been her foster-brother,
+and she had a great opinion of his integrity. He was in truth a boy of
+very good natural parts; and Dr Harrison, who had received him into
+his family, at Amelia's recommendation, had bred him up to write and
+read very well, and had taken some pains to infuse into him the
+principles of honesty and religion. He was not, indeed, even now
+discharged from the doctor's service, but had been at home with his
+mother for some time, on account of the small-pox, from which he was
+lately recovered.
+
+"I have said so much," continued Booth, "of the boy's character, that
+you may not be surprised at some stories which I shall tell you of him
+hereafter.
+
+"I am going now, madam, to relate to you one of those strange
+accidents which are produced by such a train of circumstances, that
+mere chance hath been thought incapable of bringing them together; and
+which have therefore given birth, in superstitious minds, to Fortune,
+and to several other imaginary beings.
+
+"We were now impatiently expecting the arrival of the doctor; our
+messenger had been gone much more than a sufficient time, which to us,
+you may be assured, appeared not at all shorter than it was, when
+nurse, who had gone out of doors on some errand, came running hastily
+to us, crying out, 'O my dear young madam, her ladyship's coach is
+just at the door!' Amelia turned pale as death at these words; indeed,
+I feared she would have fainted, if I could be said to fear, who had
+scarce any of my senses left, and was in a condition little better
+than my angel's.
+
+"While we were both in this dreadful situation, Amelia fallen back in
+her chair with the countenance in which ghosts are painted, myself at
+her feet, with a complexion of no very different colour, and nurse
+screaming out and throwing water in Amelia's face, Mrs. Harris entered
+the room. At the sight of this scene she threw herself likewise into a
+chair, and called immediately for a glass of water, which Miss Betty
+her daughter supplied her with; for, as to nurse, nothing was capable
+of making any impression on her whilst she apprehended her young
+mistress to be in danger.
+
+"The doctor had now entered the room, and, coming immediately up to
+Amelia, after some expressions of surprize, he took her by the hand,
+called her his little sugar-plum, and assured her there were none but
+friends present. He then led her tottering across the room to Mrs.
+Harris. Amelia then fell upon her knees before her mother; but the
+doctor caught her up, saying, 'Use that posture, child, only to the
+Almighty!' but I need not mention this singularity of his to you who
+know him so well, and must have heard him often dispute against
+addressing ourselves to man in the humblest posture which we use
+towards the Supreme Being.
+
+"I will tire you with no more particulars: we were soon satisfied that
+the doctor had reconciled us and our affairs to Mrs. Harris; and we
+now proceeded directly to church, the doctor having before provided a
+licence for us."
+
+"But where is the strange accident?" cries Miss Matthews; "sure you
+have raised more curiosity than you have satisfied."
+
+"Indeed, madam," answered he, "your reproof is just; I had like to
+have forgotten it; but you cannot wonder at me when you reflect on
+that interesting part of my story which I am now relating.--But before
+I mention this accident I must tell you what happened after Amelia's
+escape from her mother's house. Mrs. Harris at first ran out into the
+lane among her servants, and pursued us (so she imagined) along the
+road leading to the town; but that being very dirty, and a violent
+storm of rain coming, she took shelter in an alehouse about half a
+mile from her own house, whither she sent for her coach; she then
+drove, together with her daughter, to town, where, soon after her
+arrival, she sent for the doctor, her usual privy counsellor in all
+her affairs. They sat up all night together, the doctor endeavouring,
+by arguments and persuasions, to bring Mrs. Harris to reason; but all
+to no purpose, though, as he hath informed me, Miss Betty seconded him
+with the warmest entreaties."
+
+Here Miss Matthews laughed; of which Booth begged to know the reason:
+she, at last, after many apologies, said, "It was the first good thing
+she ever heard of Miss Betty; nay," said she, "and asking your pardon
+for my opinion of your sister, since you will have it, I always
+conceived her to be the deepest of hypocrites."
+
+Booth fetched a sigh, and said he was afraid she had not always acted
+so kindly;--and then, after a little hesitation, proceeded:
+
+"You will be pleased, madam, to remember the lad was sent with a
+verbal message to the doctor: which message was no more than to
+acquaint him where we were, and to desire the favour of his company,
+or that he would send a coach to bring us to whatever place he would
+please to meet us at. This message was to be delivered to the doctor
+himself, and the messenger was ordered, if he found him not at home,
+to go to him wherever he was. He fulfilled his orders and told it to
+the doctor in the presence of Mrs. Harris."
+
+"Oh, the idiot!" cries Miss Matthews. "Not at all," answered Booth:
+"he is a very sensible fellow, as you will, perhaps, say hereafter. He
+had not the least reason to suspect that any secrecy was necessary;
+for we took the utmost care he should not suspect it.--Well, madam,
+this accident, which appeared so unfortunate, turned in the highest
+degree to our advantage. Mrs. Harris no sooner heard the message
+delivered than she fell into the most violent passion imaginable, and
+accused the doctor of being in the plot, and of having confederated
+with me in the design of carrying off her daughter.
+
+"The doctor, who had hitherto used only soothing methods, now talked
+in a different strain. He confessed the accusation and justified his
+conduct. He said he was no meddler in the family affairs of others,
+nor should he have concerned himself with hers, but at her own
+request; but that, since Mrs. Harris herself had made him an agent in
+this matter, he would take care to acquit himself with honour, and
+above all things to preserve a young lady for whom he had the highest
+esteem; 'for she is,' cries he, and, by heavens, he said true, 'the
+most worthy, generous, and noble of all human beings. You have
+yourself, madam,' said he, 'consented to the match. I have, at your
+request, made the match;' and then he added some particulars relating
+to his opinion of me, which my modesty forbids me to repeat."--"Nay,
+but," cries Miss Matthews, "I insist on your conquest of that modesty
+for once. We women do not love to hear one another's praises, and I
+will be made amends by hearing the praises of a man, and of a man
+whom, perhaps," added she with a leer, "I shall not think much the
+better of upon that account."--"In obedience to your commands, then,
+madam," continued he, "the doctor was so kind to say he had enquired
+into my character and found that I had been a dutiful son and an
+affectionate brother. Relations, said he, in which whoever discharges
+his duty well, gives us a well-grounded hope that he will behave as
+properly in all the rest. He concluded with saying that Amelia's
+happiness, her heart, nay, her very reputation, were all concerned in
+this matter, to which, as he had been made instrumental, he was
+resolved to carry her through it; and then, taking the licence from
+his pocket, declared to Mrs. Harris that he would go that instant and
+marry her daughter wherever he found her. This speech, the doctor's
+voice, his look, and his behaviour, all which are sufficiently
+calculated to inspire awe, and even terror, when he pleases,
+frightened poor Mrs. Harris, and wrought a more sensible effect than
+it was in his power to produce by all his arguments and entreaties;
+and I have already related what followed.
+
+"Thus the strange accident of our wanting pen, ink, and paper, and our
+not trusting the boy with our secret, occasioned the discovery to Mrs.
+Harris; that discovery put the doctor upon his metal, and produced
+that blessed event which I have recounted to you, and which, as my
+mother hath since confessed, nothing but the spirit which he had
+exerted after the discovery could have brought about.
+
+"Well, madam, you now see me married to Amelia; in which situation you
+will, perhaps, think my happiness incapable of addition. Perhaps it
+was so; and yet I can with truth say that the love which I then bore
+Amelia was not comparable to what I bear her now." "Happy Amelia!"
+cried Miss Matthews. "If all men were like you, all women would be
+blessed; nay, the whole world would be so in a great measure; for,
+upon my soul, I believe that from the damned inconstancy of your sex
+to ours proceeds half the miseries of mankind."
+
+That we may give the reader leisure to consider well the foregoing
+sentiment, we will here put an end to this chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter viii.
+
+_In which our readers will probably be divided in their opinion of
+Mr. Booth's conduct._
+
+
+Booth proceeded as follows:--
+
+"The first months of our marriage produced nothing remarkable enough
+to mention. I am sure I need not tell Miss Matthews that I found in my
+Amelia every perfection of human nature. Mrs. Harris at first gave us
+some little uneasiness. She had rather yielded to the doctor than
+given a willing consent to the match; however, by degrees, she became
+more and more satisfied, and at last seemed perfectly reconciled. This
+we ascribed a good deal to the kind offices of Miss Betty, who had
+always appeared to be my friend. She had been greatly assisting to
+Amelia in making her escape, which I had no opportunity of mentioning
+to you before, and in all things behaved so well, outwardly at least,
+to myself as well as her sister, that we regarded her as our sincerest
+friend.
+
+"About half a year after our marriage two additional companies were
+added to our regiment, in one of which I was preferred to the command
+of a lieutenant. Upon this occasion Miss Betty gave the first
+intimation of a disposition which we have since too severely
+experienced."
+
+"Your servant, sir," says Miss Matthews; "then I find I was not
+mistaken in my opinion of the lady.--No, no, shew me any goodness in a
+censorious prude, and--"
+
+As Miss Matthews hesitated for a simile or an execration, Booth
+proceeded: "You will please to remember, madam, there was formerly an
+agreement between myself and Mrs. Harris that I should settle all my
+Amelia's fortune on her, except a certain sum, which was to be laid
+out in my advancement in the army; but, as our marriage was carried on
+in the manner you have heard, no such agreement was ever executed. And
+since I was become Amelia's husband not a word of this matter was ever
+mentioned by the old lady; and as for myself, I declare I had not yet
+awakened from that delicious dream of bliss in which the possession of
+Amelia had lulled me."
+
+Here Miss Matthews sighed, and cast the tenderest of looks on Booth,
+who thus continued his story:--
+
+"Soon after my promotion Mrs. Harris one morning took an occasion to
+speak to me on this affair. She said, that, as I had been promoted
+gratis to a lieutenancy, she would assist me with money to carry me
+yet a step higher; and, if more was required than was formerly
+mentioned, it should not be wanting, since she was so perfectly
+satisfied with my behaviour to her daughter. Adding that she hoped I
+had still the same inclination to settle on my wife the remainder of
+her fortune.
+
+"I answered with very warm acknowledgments of my mother's goodness,
+and declared, if I had the world, I was ready to lay it at my Amelia's
+feet.--And so, Heaven knows, I would ten thousand worlds.
+
+"Mrs. Harris seemed pleased with the warmth of my sentiments, and said
+she would immediately send to her lawyer and give him the necessary
+orders; and thus ended our conversation on this subject.
+
+"From this time there was a very visible alteration in Miss Betty's
+behaviour. She grew reserved to her sister as well as to me. She was
+fretful and captious on the slightest occasion; nay, she affected much
+to talk on the ill consequences of an imprudent marriage, especially
+before her mother; and if ever any little tenderness or endearments
+escaped me in public towards Amelia, she never failed to make some
+malicious remark on the short duration of violent passions; and, when
+I have expressed a fond sentiment for my wife, her sister would kindly
+wish she might hear as much seven years hence.
+
+"All these matters have been since suggested to us by reflection; for,
+while they actually past, both Amelia and myself had our thoughts too
+happily engaged to take notice of what discovered itself in the mind
+of any other person.
+
+"Unfortunately for us, Mrs. Harris's lawyer happened at this time to
+be at London, where business detained him upwards of a month, and, as
+Mrs. Harris would on no occasion employ any other, our affair was
+under an entire suspension till his return.
+
+"Amelia, who was now big with child, had often expressed the deepest
+concern at her apprehensions of my being some time commanded abroad; a
+circumstance, which she declared if it should ever happen to her, even
+though she should not then be in the same situation as at present,
+would infallibly break her heart. These remonstrances were made with
+such tenderness, and so much affected me, that, to avoid any
+probability of such an event, I endeavoured to get an exchange into
+the horse-guards, a body of troops which very rarely goes abroad,
+unless where the king himself commands in person. I soon found an
+officer for my purpose, the terms were agreed on, and Mrs. Harris had
+ordered the money which I was to pay to be ready, notwithstanding the
+opposition made by Miss Betty, who openly dissuaded her mother from
+it; alledging that the exchange was highly to my disadvantage; that I
+could never hope to rise in the army after it; not forgetting, at the
+same time, some insinuations very prejudicial to my reputation as a
+soldier.
+
+"When everything was agreed on, and the two commissions were actually
+made out, but not signed by the king, one day, at my return from
+hunting, Amelia flew to me, and eagerly embracing me, cried out, 'O
+Billy, I have news for you which delights my soul. Nothing sure was
+ever so fortunate as the exchange you have made. The regiment you was
+formerly in is ordered for Gibraltar.'
+
+"I received this news with far less transport than it was delivered. I
+answered coldly, since the case was so, I heartily hoped the
+commissions might be both signed. 'What do you say?' replied Amelia
+eagerly; 'sure you told me everything was entirely settled. That look
+of yours frightens me to death.'--But I am running into too minute
+particulars. In short, I received a letter by that very post from the
+officer with whom I had exchanged, insisting that, though his majesty
+had not signed the commissions, that still the bargain was valid,
+partly urging it as a right, and partly desiring it as a favour, that
+he might go to Gibraltar in my room.
+
+"This letter convinced me in every point. I was now informed that the
+commissions were not signed, and consequently that the exchange was
+not compleated; of consequence the other could have no right to insist
+on going; and, as for granting him such a favour, I too clearly saw I
+must do it at the expense of my honour. I was now reduced to a
+dilemma, the most dreadful which I think any man can experience; in
+which, I am not ashamed to own, I found love was not so overmatched by
+honour as he ought to have been. The thoughts of leaving Amelia in her
+present condition to misery, perhaps to death or madness, were
+insupportable; nor could any other consideration but that which now
+tormented me on the other side have combated them a moment."
+
+"No woman upon earth," cries Miss Matthews, "can despise want of
+spirit in a man more than myself; and yet I cannot help thinking you
+was rather too nice on this occasion."
+
+"You will allow, madam," answered Booth, "that whoever offends against
+the laws of honour in the least instance is treated as the highest
+delinquent. Here is no excuse, no pardon; and he doth nothing who
+leaves anything undone. But if the conflict was so terrible with
+myself alone, what was my situation in the presence of Amelia? how
+could I support her sighs, her tears, her agonies, her despair? could
+I bear to think myself the cruel cause of her sufferings? for so I
+was: could I endure the thought of having it in my power to give her
+instant relief, for so it was, and refuse it her?
+
+"Miss Betty was now again become my friend. She had scarce been civil
+to me for a fortnight last past, yet now she commended me to the
+skies, and as severely blamed her sister, whom she arraigned of the
+most contemptible weakness in preferring my safety to my honour: she
+said many ill-natured things on the occasion, which I shall not now
+repeat.
+
+"In the midst of this hurricane the good doctor came to dine with Mrs.
+Harris, and at my desire delivered his opinion on the matter."
+
+Here Mr. Booth was interrupted in his narrative by the arrival of a
+person whom we shall introduce in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ix.
+
+_Containing a scene of a different kind from any of the preceding._
+
+
+The gentleman who now arrived was the keeper; or, if you please (for
+so he pleased to call himself), the governor of the prison.
+
+He used so little ceremony at his approach, that the bolt, which was
+very slight on the inside, gave way, and the door immediately flew
+open. He had no sooner entered the room than he acquainted Miss
+Matthews that he had brought her very good news, for which he demanded
+a bottle of wine as his due.
+
+This demand being complied with, he acquainted Miss Matthews that the
+wounded gentleman was not dead, nor was his wound thought to be
+mortal: that loss of blood, and perhaps his fright, had occasioned his
+fainting away; "but I believe, madam," said he, "if you take the
+proper measures you may be bailed to-morrow. I expect the lawyer here
+this evening, and if you put the business into his hands I warrant it
+will be done. Money to be sure must be parted with, that's to be sure.
+People to be sure will expect to touch a little in such cases. For my
+own part, I never desire to keep a prisoner longer than the law
+allows, not I; I always inform them they can be bailed as soon as I
+know it; I never make any bargain, not I; I always love to leave those
+things to the gentlemen and ladies themselves. I never suspect
+gentlemen and ladies of wanting generosity."
+
+Miss Matthews made a very slight answer to all these friendly
+professions. She said she had done nothing she repented of, and was
+indifferent as to the event. "All I can say," cries she, "is, that if
+the wretch is alive there is no greater villain in life than himself;"
+and, instead of mentioning anything of the bail, she begged the keeper
+to leave her again alone with Mr. Booth. The keeper replied, "Nay,
+madam, perhaps it may be better to stay a little longer here, if you
+have not bail ready, than to buy them too dear. Besides, a day or two
+hence, when the gentleman is past all danger of recovery, to be sure
+some folks that would expect an extraordinary fee now cannot expect to
+touch anything. And to be sure you shall want nothing here. The best
+of all things are to be had here for money, both eatable and
+drinkable: though I say it, I shan't turn my back to any of the
+taverns for either eatables or wind. The captain there need not have
+been so shy of owning himself when he first came in; we have had
+captains and other great gentlemen here before now; and no shame to
+them, though I say it. Many a great gentleman is sometimes found in
+places that don't become them half so well, let me tell them that,
+Captain Booth, let me tell them that."
+
+"I see, sir," answered Booth, a little discomposed, "that you are
+acquainted with my title as well as my name."
+
+"Ay, sir," cries the keeper, "and I honour you the more for it. I love
+the gentlemen of the army. I was in the army myself formerly; in the
+Lord of Oxford's horse. It is true I rode private; but I had money
+enough to have bought in quarter-master, when I took it into my head
+to marry, and my wife she did not like that I should continue a
+soldier, she was all for a private life; and so I came to this
+business."
+
+"Upon my word, sir," answered Booth, "you consulted your wife's
+inclinations very notably; but pray will you satisfy my curiosity in
+telling me how you became acquainted that I was in the army? for my
+dress I think could not betray me."
+
+"Betray!" replied the keeper; "there is no betraying here, I hope--I
+am not a person to betray people.--But you are so shy and peery, you
+would almost make one suspect there was more in the matter. And if
+there be, I promise you, you need not be afraid of telling it me. You
+will excuse me giving you a hint; but the sooner the better, that's
+all. Others may be beforehand with you, and first come first served on
+these occasions, that's all. Informers are odious, there's no doubt of
+that, and no one would care to be an informer if he could help it,
+because of the ill-usage they always receive from the mob: yet it is
+dangerous to trust too much; and when safety and a good part of the
+reward too are on one side and the gallows on the other--I know which
+a wise man would chuse."
+
+"What the devil do you mean by all this?" cries Booth.
+
+"No offence, I hope," answered the keeper: "I speak for your good; and
+if you have been upon the snaffling lay--you understand me, I am
+sure."
+
+"Not I," answered Booth, "upon my honour."
+
+"Nay, nay," replied the keeper, with a contemptuous sneer, "if you are
+so peery as that comes to, you must take the consequence.--But for my
+part, I know I would not trust Robinson with twopence untold."
+
+"What do you mean?" cries Booth; "who is Robinson?"
+
+"And you don't know Robinson?" answered the keeper with great emotion.
+To which Booth replying in the negative, the keeper, after some tokens
+of amazement, cried out, "Well, captain, I must say you are the best
+at it of all the gentlemen I ever saw. However, I will tell you this:
+the lawyer and Mr. Robinson have been laying their heads together
+about you above half an hour this afternoon. I overheard them mention
+Captain Booth several times, and, for my part, I would not answer that
+Mr. Murphy is not now gone about the business; but if you will impeach
+any to me of the road, or anything else, I will step away to his
+worship Thrasher this instant, and I am sure I have interest enough
+with him to get you admitted an evidence."
+
+"And so," cries Booth, "you really take me for a highwayman?"
+
+"No offence, captain, I hope," said the keeper; "as times go, there
+are many worse men in the world than those. Gentlemen may be driven to
+distress, and when they are, I know no more genteeler way than the
+road. It hath been many a brave man's case, to my knowledge, and men
+of as much honour too as any in the world."
+
+"Well, sir," said Booth, "I assure you I am not that gentleman of
+honour you imagine me."
+
+Miss Matthews, who had long understood the keeper no better than Mr.
+Booth, no sooner heard his meaning explained than she was fired with
+greater indignation than the gentleman had expressed. "How dare you,
+sir," said she to the keeper, "insult a man of fashion, and who hath
+had the honour to bear his majesty's commission in the army? as you
+yourself own you know. If his misfortunes have sent him hither, sure
+we have no laws that will protect such a fellow as you in insulting
+him." "Fellow!" muttered the keeper--"I would not advise you, madam,
+to use such language to me."--"Do you dare threaten me?" replied Miss
+Matthews in a rage. "Venture in the least instance to exceed your
+authority with regard to me, and I will prosecute you with the utmost
+vengeance."
+
+A scene of very high altercation now ensued, till Booth interposed and
+quieted the keeper, who was, perhaps, enough inclined to an
+accommodation; for, in truth, he waged unequal war. He was besides
+unwilling to incense Miss Matthews, whom he expected to be bailed out
+the next day, and who had more money left than he intended she should
+carry out of the prison with her; and as for any violent or
+unjustifiable methods, the lady had discovered much too great a spirit
+to be in danger of them. The governor, therefore, in a very gentle
+tone, declared that, if he had given any offence to the gentleman, he
+heartily asked his pardon; that, if he had known him to be really a
+captain, he should not have entertained any such suspicions; but the
+captain was a very common title in that place, and belonged to several
+gentlemen that had never been in the army, or, at most, had rid
+private like himself. "To be sure, captain," said he, "as you yourself
+own, your dress is not very military" (for he had on a plain fustian
+suit); "and besides, as the lawyer says, _noscitur a sosir_, is a very
+good rule. And I don't believe there is a greater rascal upon earth
+than that same Robinson that I was talking of. Nay, I assure you, I
+wish there may be no mischief hatching against you. But if there is I
+will do all I can with the lawyer to prevent it. To be sure, Mr.
+Murphy is one of the cleverest men in the world at the law; that even
+his enemies must own, and as I recommend him to all the business I can
+(and it is not a little to be sure that arises in this place), why one
+good turn deserves another. And I may expect that he will not be
+concerned in any plot to ruin any friend of mine, at least when I
+desire him not. I am sure he could not be an honest man if he would."
+
+Booth was then satisfied that Mr. Robinson, whom he did not yet know
+by name, was the gamester who had won his money at play. And now Miss
+Matthews, who had very impatiently borne this long interruption,
+prevailed on the keeper to withdraw. As soon as he was gone Mr. Booth
+began to felicitate her upon the news of the wounded gentleman being
+in a fair likelihood of recovery. To which, after a short silence, she
+answered, "There is something, perhaps, which you will not easily
+guess, that makes your congratulations more agreeable to me than the
+first account I heard of the villain's having escaped the fate he
+deserves; for I do assure you, at first, it did not make me amends for
+the interruption of my curiosity. Now I hope we shall be disturbed no
+more till you have finished your whole story.--You left off, I think,
+somewhere in the struggle about leaving Amelia--the happy Amelia."
+"And can you call her happy at such a period?" cries Booth. "Happy,
+ay, happy, in any situation," answered Miss Matthews, "with such a
+husband. I, at least, may well think so, who have experienced the very
+reverse of her fortune; but I was not born to be happy. I may say with
+the poet,
+
+    "The blackest ink of fate was sure my lot,
+     And when fate writ my name, it made a blot."
+
+"Nay, nay, dear Miss Matthews," answered Booth, "you must and shall
+banish such gloomy thoughts. Fate hath, I hope, many happy days in
+store for you."--"Do you believe it, Mr. Booth?" replied she; "indeed
+you know the contrary--you must know--for you can't have forgot. No
+Amelia in the world can have quite obliterated--forgetfulness is not
+in our own power. If it was, indeed, I have reason to think--but I
+know not what I am saying.--Pray do proceed in that story."
+
+Booth so immediately complied with this request that it is possible he
+was pleased with it. To say the truth, if all which unwittingly dropt
+from Miss Matthews was put together, some conclusions might, it seems,
+be drawn from the whole, which could not convey a very agreeable idea
+to a constant husband. Booth, therefore, proceeded to relate what is
+written in the third book of this history.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+Chapter i.
+
+_In which Mr. Booth resumes his story._
+
+
+"If I am not mistaken, madam," continued Booth, "I was just going to
+acquaint you with the doctor's opinion when we were interrupted by the
+keeper.
+
+"The doctor, having heard counsel on both sides, that is to say, Mrs.
+Harris for my staying, and Miss Betty for my going, at last delivered
+his own sentiments. As for Amelia, she sat silent, drowned in her
+tears; nor was I myself in a much better situation.
+
+"'As the commissions are not signed,' said the doctor, 'I think you
+may be said to remain in your former regiment; and therefore I think
+you ought to go on this expedition; your duty to your king and
+country, whose bread you have eaten, requires it; and this is a duty
+of too high a nature to admit the least deficiency. Regard to your
+character, likewise, requires you to go; for the world, which might
+justly blame your staying at home if the case was even fairly stated,
+will not deal so honestly by you: you must expect to have every
+circumstance against you heightened, and most of what makes for your
+defence omitted; and thus you will be stigmatized as a coward without
+any palliation. As the malicious disposition of mankind is too well
+known, and the cruel pleasure which they take in destroying the
+reputations of others, the use we are to make of this knowledge is to
+afford no handle to reproach; for, bad as the world is, it seldom
+falls on any man who hath not given some slight cause for censure,
+though this, perhaps, is often aggravated ten thousand-fold; and, when
+we blame the malice of the aggravation we ought not to forget our own
+imprudence in giving the occasion. Remember, my boy, your honour is at
+stake; and you know how nice the honour of a soldier is in these
+cases. This is a treasure which he must be your enemy, indeed, who
+would attempt to rob you of. Therefore, you ought to consider every
+one as your enemy who, by desiring you to stay, would rob you of your
+honour.'
+
+"'Do you hear that, sister?' cries Miss Betty.--'Yes, I do hear it'
+answered Amelia, with more spirit than I ever saw her exert before,
+and would preserve his honour at the expense of my life. 'I will
+preserve it if it should be at that expense; and since it is Dr
+Harrison's opinion that he ought to go, I give my consent. Go, my dear
+husband,' cried she, falling upon her knees: 'may every angel of
+heaven guard and preserve you!'--I cannot repeat her words without
+being affected," said he, wiping his eyes, "the excellence of that
+woman no words can paint: Miss Matthews, she hath every perfection in
+human nature.
+
+"I will not tire you with the repetition of any more that past on that
+occasion, nor with the quarrel that ensued between Mrs. Harris and the
+doctor; for the old lady could not submit to my leaving her daughter
+in her present condition. She fell severely on the army, and cursed
+the day in which her daughter was married to a soldier, not sparing
+the doctor for having had some share in the match. I will omit,
+likewise, the tender scene which past between Amelia and myself
+previous to my departure." "Indeed, I beg you would not," cries Miss
+Matthews; "nothing delights me more than scenes of tenderness. I
+should be glad to know, if possible, every syllable which was uttered
+on both sides."
+
+"I will indulge you then," cries Booth, "as far as is in my power.
+Indeed, I believe I am able to recollect much the greatest part; for
+the impression is never to be effaced from my memory."
+
+He then proceeded as Miss Matthews desired; but, lest all our readers
+should not be of her opinion, we will, according to our usual custom,
+endeavour to accommodate ourselves to every taste, and shall,
+therefore, place this scene in a chapter by itself, which we desire
+all our readers who do not love, or who, perhaps, do not know the
+pleasure of tenderness, to pass over; since they may do this without
+any prejudice to the thread of the narrative.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ii.
+
+_Containing a scene of the tender kind._
+
+
+"The doctor, madam," continued Booth, "spent his evening at Mrs.
+Harris's house, where I sat with him whilst he smoaked his pillow
+pipe, as his phrase is. Amelia was retired about half an hour to her
+chamber before I went to her. At my entrance I found her on her knees,
+a posture in which I never disturbed her. In a few minutes she arose,
+came to me, and embracing me, said she had been praying for resolution
+to support the cruellest moment she had ever undergone or could
+possibly undergo. I reminded her how much more bitter a farewel would
+be on a death-bed, when we never could meet, in this world at least,
+again. I then endeavoured to lessen all those objects which alarmed
+her most, and particularly the danger I was to encounter, upon which
+head I seemed a little to comfort her; but the probable length of my
+absence and the certain length of my voyage were circumstances which
+no oratory of mine could even palliate. 'O heavens!' said she,
+bursting into tears, 'can I bear to think that hundreds, thousands for
+aught I know, of miles or leagues, that lands and seas are between us?
+What is the prospect from that mount in our garden where I have sat so
+many happy hours with my Billy? what is the distance between that and
+the farthest hill which we see from thence compared to the distance
+which will be between us? You cannot wonder at this idea; you must
+remember, my Billy, at this place, this very thought came formerly
+into my foreboding mind. I then begged you to leave the army. Why
+would you not comply?--did I not tell you then that the smallest
+cottage we could survey from the mount would be, with you, a paradise
+to me? it would be so still--why can't my Billy think so? am I so much
+his superior in love? where is the dishonour, Billy? or, if there be
+any, will it reach our ears in our little hut? are glory and fame, and
+not his Amelia, the happiness of my husband? go then, purchase them at
+my expence. You will pay a few sighs, perhaps a few tears, at parting,
+and then new scenes will drive away the thoughts of poor Amelia from
+your bosom; but what assistance shall I have in my affliction? not
+that any change of scene could drive you one moment from my
+remembrance; yet here every object I behold will place your loved idea
+in the liveliest manner before my eyes. This is the bed in which you
+have reposed; that is the chair on which you sat. Upon these boards
+you have stood. These books you have read to me. Can I walk among our
+beds of flowers without viewing your favourites, nay, those which you
+have planted with your own hands? can I see one beauty from our
+beloved mount which you have not pointed out to me?'--Thus she went
+on, the woman, madam, you see, still prevailing."--"Since you mention
+it," says Miss Matthews, with a smile, "I own the same observation
+occurred to me. It is too natural to us to consider ourselves only,
+Mr. Booth."--"You shall hear," he cried. "At last the thoughts of her
+present condition suggested themselves.--' But if,' said she, 'my
+situation, even in health, will be so intolerable, how shall I, in the
+danger and agonies of childbirth, support your absence?'--Here she
+stopt, and, looking on me with all the tenderness imaginable, cried
+out, 'And am I then such a wretch to wish for your presence at such a
+season? ought I not to rejoice that you are out of the hearing of my
+cries or the knowledge of my pains? if I die, will you not have
+escaped the horrors of a parting ten thousand times more dreadful than
+this? Go, go, my Billy; the very circumstance which made me most dread
+your departure hath perfectly reconciled me to it. I perceive clearly
+now that I was only wishing to support my own weakness with your
+strength, and to relieve my own pains at the price of yours. Believe
+me, my love, I am ashamed of myself.'--I caught her in my arms with
+raptures not to be exprest in words, called her my heroine; sure none
+ever better deserved that name; after which we remained for some time
+speechless, and locked in each other's embraces."--
+
+"I am convinced," said Miss Matthews, with a sigh, "there are moments
+in life worth purchasing with worlds."
+
+"At length the fatal morning came. I endeavoured to hide every pang of
+my heart, and to wear the utmost gaiety in my countenance. Amelia
+acted the same part. In these assumed characters we met the family at
+breakfast; at their breakfast, I mean, for we were both full already.
+The doctor had spent above an hour that morning in discourse with Mrs.
+Harris, and had, in some measure, reconciled her to my departure. He
+now made use of every art to relieve the poor distressed Amelia; not
+by inveighing against the folly of grief, or by seriously advising her
+not to grieve; both of which were sufficiently performed by Miss
+Betty. The doctor, on the contrary, had recourse to every means which
+might cast a veil over the idea of grief, and raise comfortable images
+in my angel's mind. He endeavoured to lessen the supposed length of my
+absence by discoursing on matters which were more distant in time. He
+said he intended next year to rebuild a part of his parsonage-house.
+'And you, captain,' says he, 'shall lay the corner-stone, I promise
+you:' with many other instances of the like nature, which produced, I
+believe, some good effect on us both.
+
+"Amelia spoke but little; indeed, more tears than words dropt from
+her; however, she seemed resolved to bear her affliction with
+resignation. But when the dreadful news arrived that the horses were
+ready, and I, having taken my leave of all the rest, at last
+approached her, she was unable to support the conflict with nature any
+longer, and, clinging round my neck, she cried, 'Farewel, farewel for
+ever; for I shall never, never see you more.' At which words the blood
+entirely forsook her lovely cheeks, and she became a lifeless corpse
+in my arms.
+
+"Amelia continued so long motionless, that the doctor, as well as Mrs.
+Harris, began to be under the most terrible apprehensions; so they
+informed me afterwards, for at that time I was incapable of making any
+observation. I had indeed very little more use of my senses than the
+dear creature whom I supported. At length, however, we were all
+delivered from our fears; and life again visited the loveliest mansion
+that human nature ever afforded it.
+
+"I had been, and yet was, so terrified with what had happened, and
+Amelia continued yet so weak and ill, that I determined, whatever
+might be the consequence, not to leave her that day; which resolution
+she was no sooner acquainted with than she fell on her knees, crying,
+'Good Heaven! I thank thee for this reprieve at least. Oh! that every
+hour of my future life could be crammed into this dear day!'
+
+"Our good friend the doctor remained with us. He said he had intended
+to visit a family in some affliction; 'but I don't know,' says he,
+'why I should ride a dozen miles after affliction, when we have enough
+here.'" Of all mankind the doctor is the best of comforters. As his
+excessive good-nature makes him take vast delight in the office, so
+his great penetration into the human mind, joined to his great
+experience, renders him the most wonderful proficient in it; and he so
+well knows when to soothe, when to reason, and when to ridicule, that
+he never applies any of those arts improperly, which is almost
+universally the case with the physicians of the mind, and which it
+requires very great judgment and dexterity to avoid.
+
+"The doctor principally applied himself to ridiculing the dangers of
+the siege, in which he succeeded so well, that he sometimes forced a
+smile even into the face of Amelia. But what most comforted her were
+the arguments he used to convince her of the probability of my speedy
+if not immediate return. He said the general opinion was that the
+place would be taken before our arrival there; in which case we should
+have nothing more to do than to make the best of our way home again.
+
+"Amelia was so lulled by these arts that she passed the day much
+better than I expected. Though the doctor could not make pride strong
+enough to conquer love, yet he exalted the former to make some stand
+against the latter; insomuch that my poor Amelia, I believe, more than
+once flattered herself, to speak the language of the, world, that her
+reason had gained an entire victory over her passion; till love
+brought up a reinforcement, if I may use that term, of tender ideas,
+and bore down all before him.
+
+"In the evening the doctor and I passed another half-hour together,
+when he proposed to me to endeavour to leave Amelia asleep in the
+morning, and promised me to be at hand when she awaked, and to support
+her with all the assistance in his power. He added that nothing was
+more foolish than for friends to take leave of each other. 'It is
+true, indeed,' says he, 'in the common acquaintance and friendship of
+the world, this is a very harmless ceremony; but between two persons
+who really love each other the church of Rome never invented a penance
+half so severe as this which we absurdly impose on ourselves'
+
+"I greatly approved the doctor's proposal; thanked him, and promised,
+if possible, to put it in execution. He then shook me by the hand, and
+heartily wished me well, saying, in his blunt way, 'Well, boy, I hope
+to see thee crowned with laurels at thy return; one comfort I have at
+least, that stone walls and a sea will prevent thee from running
+away.'
+
+"When I had left the doctor I repaired to my Amelia, whom I found in
+her chamber, employed in a very different manner from what she had
+been the preceding night; she was busy in packing up some trinkets in
+a casket, which she desired me to carry with me. This casket was her
+own work, and she had just fastened it as I came to her.
+
+"Her eyes very plainly discovered what had passed while she was
+engaged in her work: however, her countenance was now serene, and she
+spoke, at least, with some chearfulness. But after some time, 'You
+must take care of this casket, Billy,' said she. 'You must, indeed,
+Billy--for--' here passion almost choaked her, till a flood of tears
+gave her relief, and then she proceeded--'For I shall be the happiest
+woman that ever was born when I see it again.' I told her, with the
+blessing of God, that day would soon come. 'Soon!' answered she. 'No,
+Billy, not soon: a week is an age;--but yet the happy day may come. It
+shall, it must, it will! Yes, Billy, we shall meet never to part
+again, even in this world, I hope.' Pardon my weakness, Miss Matthews,
+but upon my soul I cannot help it," cried he, wiping his eyes. "Well,
+I wonder at your patience, and I will try it no longer. Amelia, tired
+out with so long a struggle between variety of passions, and having
+not closed her eyes during three successive nights, towards the
+morning fell into a profound sleep. In which sleep I left her, and,
+having drest myself with all the expedition imaginable, singing,
+whistling, hurrying, attempting by every method to banish thought, I
+mounted my horse, which I had over-night ordered to be ready, and
+galloped away from that house where all my treasure was deposited.
+
+"Thus, madam, I have, in obedience to your commands, run through a
+scene which, if it hath been tiresome to you, you must yet acquit me
+of having obtruded upon you. This I am convinced of, that no one is
+capable of tasting such a scene who hath not a heart full of
+tenderness, and perhaps not even then, unless he hath been in the same
+situation."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iii.
+
+_In which Mr. Booth sets forward on his journey._
+
+
+"Well, madam, we have now taken our leave of Amelia. I rode a full
+mile before I once suffered myself to look back; but now being come to
+the top of a little hill, the last spot I knew which could give me a
+prospect of Mrs. Harris's house, my resolution failed: I stopped and
+cast my eyes backward. Shall I tell you what I felt at that instant? I
+do assure you I am not able. So many tender ideas crowded at once into
+my mind, that, if I may use the expression, they almost dissolved my
+heart. And now, madam, the most unfortunate accident came first into
+my head. This was, that I had in the hurry and confusion left the dear
+casket behind me. The thought of going back at first suggested itself;
+but the consequences of that were too apparent. I therefore resolved
+to send my man, and in the meantime to ride on softly on my road. He
+immediately executed my orders, and after some time, feeding my eyes
+with that delicious and yet heartfelt prospect, I at last turned my
+horse to descend the hill, and proceeded about a hundred yards, when,
+considering with myself that I should lose no time by a second
+indulgence, I again turned back, and once more feasted my sight with
+the same painful pleasure till my man returned, bringing me the
+casket, and an account that Amelia still continued in the sweet sleep
+I left her. I now suddenly turned my horse for the last time, and with
+the utmost resolution pursued my journey.
+
+"I perceived my man at his return--But before I mention anything of
+him it may be proper, madam, to acquaint you who he was. He was the
+foster-brother of my Amelia. This young fellow had taken it into his
+head to go into the army; and he was desirous to serve under my
+command. The doctor consented to discharge him; his mother at last
+yielded to his importunities, and I was very easily prevailed on to
+list one of the handsomest young fellows in England.
+
+"You will easily believe I had some little partiality to one whose
+milk Amelia had sucked; but, as he had never seen the regiment, I had
+no opportunity to shew him any great mark of favour. Indeed he waited
+on me as my servant; and I treated him with all the tenderness which
+can be used to one in that station.
+
+"When I was about to change into the horse-guards the poor fellow
+began to droop, fearing that he should no longer be in the same corps
+with me, though certainly that would not have been the case. However,
+he had never mentioned one word of his dissatisfaction. He is indeed a
+fellow of a noble spirit; but when he heard that I was to remain where
+I was, and that we were to go to Gibraltar together, he fell into
+transports of joy little short of madness. In short, the poor fellow
+had imbibed a very strong affection for me; though this was what I
+knew nothing of till long after.
+
+"When he returned to me then, as I was saying, with the casket, I
+observed his eyes all over blubbered with tears. I rebuked him a
+little too rashly on this occasion. 'Heyday!' says I, 'what is the
+meaning of this? I hope I have not a milk-sop with me. If I thought
+you would shew such a face to the enemy I would leave you behind.'--
+'Your honour need not fear that,' answered he; 'I shall find nobody
+there that I shall love well enough to make me cry.' I was highly
+pleased with this answer, in which I thought I could discover both
+sense and spirit. I then asked him what had occasioned those tears
+since he had left me (for he had no sign of any at that time), and
+whether he had seen his mother at Mrs. Harris's? He answered in the
+negative, and begged that I would ask him no more questions; adding
+that he was not very apt to cry, and he hoped he should never give me
+such another opportunity of blaming him. I mention this only as an
+instance of his affection towards me; for I never could account for
+those tears any otherwise than by placing them to the account of that
+distress in which he left me at that time. We travelled full forty
+miles that day without baiting, when, arriving at the inn where I
+intended to rest that night, I retired immediately to my chamber, with
+my dear Amelia's casket, the opening of which was the nicest repast,
+and to which every other hunger gave way.
+
+"It is impossible to mention to you all the little matters with which
+Amelia had furnished this casket. It contained medicines of all kinds,
+which her mother, who was the Lady Bountiful of that country, had
+supplied her with. The most valuable of all to me was a lock of her
+dear hair, which I have from that time to this worn in my bosom. What
+would I have then given for a little picture of my dear angel, which
+she had lost from her chamber about a month before! and which we had
+the highest reason in the world to imagine her sister had taken away;
+for the suspicion lay only between her and Amelia's maid, who was of
+all creatures the honestest, and whom her mistress had often trusted
+with things of much greater value; for the picture, which was set in
+gold, and had two or three little diamonds round it, was worth about
+twelve guineas only; whereas Amelia left jewels in her care of much
+greater value."
+
+"Sure," cries Miss Matthews, "she could not be such a paultry
+pilferer."
+
+"Not on account of the gold or the jewels," cries Booth. "We imputed
+it to mere spite, with which, I assure you, she abounds; and she knew
+that, next to Amelia herself, there was nothing which I valued so much
+as this little picture; for such a resemblance did it bear of the
+original, that Hogarth himself did never, I believe, draw a stronger
+likeness. Spite, therefore, was the only motive to this cruel
+depredation; and indeed her behaviour on the occasion sufficiently
+convinced us both of the justice of our suspicion, though we neither
+of us durst accuse her; and she herself had the assurance to insist
+very strongly (though she could not prevail) with Amelia to turn away
+her innocent maid, saying, she would not live in the house with a
+thief."
+
+Miss Matthews now discharged some curses on Miss Betty, not much worth
+repeating, and then Mr. Booth proceeded in his relation.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iv.
+
+_A sea piece._
+
+
+"The next day we joined the regiment, which was soon after to embark.
+Nothing but mirth and jollity were in the countenance of every officer
+and soldier; and as I now met several friends whom I had not seen for
+above a year before, I passed several happy hours, in which poor
+Amelia's image seldom obtruded itself to interrupt my pleasure. To
+confess the truth, dear Miss Matthews, the tenderest of passions is
+capable of subsiding; nor is absence from our dearest friends so
+unsupportable as it may at first appear. Distance of time and place do
+really cure what they seem to aggravate; and taking leave of our
+friends resembles taking leave of the world; concerning which it hath
+been often said that it is not death, but dying, which is terrible."--
+Here Miss Matthews burst into a fit of laughter, and cried, "I
+sincerely ask your pardon; but I cannot help laughing at the gravity
+of your philosophy." Booth answered, That the doctrine of the passions
+had been always his favourite study; that he was convinced every man
+acted entirely from that passion which was uppermost. "Can I then
+think," said he, "without entertaining the utmost contempt for myself,
+that any pleasure upon earth could drive the thoughts of Amelia one
+instant from my mind?
+
+"At length we embarked aboard a transport, and sailed for Gibraltar;
+but the wind, which was at first fair, soon chopped about; so that we
+were obliged, for several days, to beat to windward, as the sea phrase
+is. During this time the taste which I had of a seafaring life did not
+appear extremely agreeable. We rolled up and down in a little narrow
+cabbin, in which were three officers, all of us extremely sea-sick;
+our sickness being much aggravated by the motion of the ship, by the
+view of each other, and by the stench of the men. But this was but a
+little taste indeed of the misery which was to follow; for we were got
+about six leagues to the westward of Scilly, when a violent storm
+arose at north-east, which soon raised the waves to the height of
+mountains. The horror of this is not to be adequately described to
+those who have never seen the like. The storm began in the evening,
+and, as the clouds brought on the night apace, it was soon entirely
+dark; nor had we, during many hours, any other light than what was
+caused by the jarring elements, which frequently sent forth flashes,
+or rather streams of fire; and whilst these presented the most
+dreadful objects to our eyes, the roaring of the winds, the dashing of
+the waves against the ship and each other, formed a sound altogether
+as horrible for our ears; while our ship, sometimes lifted up, as it
+were, to the skies, and sometimes swept away at once as into the
+lowest abyss, seemed to be the sport of the winds and seas. The
+captain himself almost gave up all for lost, and exprest his
+apprehension of being inevitably cast on the rocks of Scilly, and beat
+to pieces. And now, while some on board were addressing themselves to
+the Supreme Being, and others applying for comfort to strong liquors,
+my whole thoughts were entirely engaged by my Amelia. A thousand
+tender ideas crouded into my mind. I can truly say that I had not a
+single consideration about myself in which she was not concerned.
+Dying to me was leaving her; and the fear of never seeing her more was
+a dagger stuck in my heart. Again, all the terrors with which this
+storm, if it reached her ears, must fill her gentle mind on my
+account, and the agonies which she must undergo when she heard of my
+fate, gave me such intolerable pangs, that I now repented my
+resolution, and wished, I own I wished, that I had taken her advice,
+and preferred love and a cottage to all the dazzling charms of honour.
+
+"While I was tormenting myself with those meditations, and had
+concluded myself as certainly lost, the master came into the cabbin,
+and with a chearful voice assured us that we had escaped the danger,
+and that we had certainly past to westward of the rock. This was
+comfortable news to all present; and my captain, who had been some
+time on his knees, leapt suddenly up, and testified his joy with a
+great oath.
+
+"A person unused to the sea would have been astonished at the
+satisfaction which now discovered itself in the master or in any on
+board; for the storm still raged with great violence, and the
+daylight, which now appeared, presented us with sights of horror
+sufficient to terrify minds which were not absolute slaves to the
+passion of fear; but so great is the force of habit, that what
+inspires a landsman with the highest apprehension of danger gives not
+the least concern to a sailor, to whom rocks and quicksands are almost
+the only objects of terror.
+
+"The master, however, was a little mistaken in the present instance;
+for he had not left the cabbin above an hour before my man came
+running to me, and acquainted me that the ship was half full of water;
+that the sailors were going to hoist out the boat and save themselves,
+and begged me to come that moment along with him, as I tendered my
+preservation. With this account, which was conveyed to me in a
+whisper, I acquainted both the captain and ensign; and we all together
+immediately mounted the deck, where we found the master making use of
+all his oratory to persuade the sailors that the ship was in no
+danger; and at the same time employing all his authority to set the
+pumps a-going, which he assured them would keep the water under, and
+save his dear Lovely Peggy (for that was the name of the ship), which
+he swore he loved as dearly as his own soul.
+
+"Indeed this sufficiently appeared; for the leak was so great, and the
+water flowed in so plentifully, that his Lovely Peggy was half filled
+before he could be brought to think of quitting her; but now the boat
+was brought alongside the ship, and the master himself,
+notwithstanding all his love for her, quitted his ship, and leapt into
+the boat. Every man present attempted to follow his example, when I
+heard the voice of my servant roaring forth my name in a kind of
+agony. I made directly to the ship-side, but was too late; for the
+boat, being already overladen, put directly off. And now, madam, I am
+going to relate to you an instance of heroic affection in a poor
+fellow towards his master, to which love itself, even among persons of
+superior education, can produce but few similar instances. My poor
+man, being unable to get me with him into the boat, leapt suddenly
+into the sea, and swam back to the ship; and, when I gently rebuked
+him for his rashness, he answered, he chose rather to die with me than
+to live to carry the account of my death to my Amelia: at the same
+time bursting into a flood of tears, he cried, 'Good Heavens! what
+will that poor lady feel when she hears of this!' This tender concern
+for my dear love endeared the poor fellow more to me than the gallant
+instance which he had just before given of his affection towards
+myself.
+
+"And now, madam, my eyes were shocked with a sight, the horror of
+which can scarce be imagined; for the boat had scarce got four hundred
+yards from the ship when it was swallowed up by the merciless waves,
+which now ran so high, that out of the number of persons which were in
+the boat none recovered the ship, though many of them we saw miserably
+perish before our eyes, some of them very near us, without any
+possibility of giving them the least assistance.
+
+"But, whatever we felt for them, we felt, I believe, more for
+ourselves, expecting every minute when we should share the same fate.
+Amongst the rest, one of our officers appeared quite stupified with
+fear. I never, indeed, saw a more miserable example of the great power
+of that passion: I must not, however, omit doing him justice, by
+saying that I afterwards saw the same man behave well in an
+engagement, in which he was wounded; though there likewise he was said
+to have betrayed the same passion of fear in his countenance.
+
+"The other of our officers was no less stupified (if I may so express
+myself) with fool-hardiness, and seemed almost insensible of his
+danger. To say the truth, I have, from this and some other instances
+which I have seen, been almost inclined to think that the courage as
+well as cowardice of fools proceeds from not knowing what is or what
+is not the proper object of fear; indeed, we may account for the
+extreme hardiness of some men in the same manner as for the terrors of
+children at a bugbear. The child knows not but that the bugbear is the
+proper object of fear, the blockhead knows not that a cannon-ball is
+so.
+
+"As to the remaining part of the ship's crew and the soldiery, most of
+them were dead drunk, and the rest were endeavouring, as fast as they
+could, to prepare for death in the same manner.
+
+"In this dreadful situation we were taught that no human condition
+should inspire men with absolute despair; for, as the storm had ceased
+for some time, the swelling of the sea began considerably to abate;
+and we now perceived the man of war which convoyed us, at no great
+distance astern. Those aboard her easily perceived our distress, and
+made towards us. When they came pretty near they hoisted out two boats
+to our assistance. These no sooner approached the ship than they were
+instantaneously filled, and I myself got a place in one of them,
+chiefly by the aid of my honest servant, of whose fidelity to me on
+all occasions I cannot speak or think too highly. Indeed, I got into
+the boat so much the more easily, as a great number on board the ship
+were rendered, by drink, incapable of taking any care for themselves.
+There was time, however, for the boat to pass and repass; so that,
+when we came to call over names, three only, of all that remained in
+the ship after the loss of her own boat, were missing.
+
+"The captain, ensign, and myself, were received with many
+congratulations by our officers on board the man of war.--The sea-
+officers too, all except the captain, paid us their compliments,
+though these were of the rougher kind, and not without several jokes
+on our escape. As for the captain himself, we scarce saw him during
+many hours; and, when he appeared, he presented a view of majesty
+beyond any that I had ever seen. The dignity which he preserved did
+indeed give me rather the idea of a Mogul, or a Turkish emperor, than
+of any of the monarchs of Christendom. To say the truth, I could
+resemble his walk on the deck to nothing but the image of Captain
+Gulliver strutting among the Lilliputians; he seemed to think himself
+a being of an order superior to all around him, and more especially to
+us of the land service. Nay, such was the behaviour of all the sea-
+officers and sailors to us and our soldiers, that, instead of
+appearing to be subjects of the same prince, engaged in one quarrel,
+and joined to support one cause, we land-men rather seemed to be
+captives on board an enemy's vessel. This is a grievous misfortune,
+and often proves so fatal to the service, that it is great pity some
+means could not be found of curing it."
+
+Here Mr. Booth stopt a while to take breath. We will therefore give
+the same refreshment to the reader.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter v.
+
+_The arrival of Booth at Gibraltar, with what there befel him._
+
+
+"The adventures," continued Booth, "which I happened to me from this
+day till my arrival at Gibraltar are not worth recounting to you.
+After a voyage the remainder of which was tolerably prosperous, we
+arrived in that garrison, the natural strength of which is so well
+known to the whole world.
+
+"About a week after my arrival it was my fortune to be ordered on a
+sally party, in which my left leg was broke with a musket-ball; and I
+should most certainly have either perished miserably, or must have
+owed my preservation to some of the enemy, had not my faithful servant
+carried me off on his shoulders, and afterwards, with the assistance
+of one of his comrades, brought me back into the garrison.
+
+"The agony of my wound was so great, that it threw me into a fever,
+from whence my surgeon apprehended much danger. I now began again to
+feel for my Amelia, and for myself on her account; and the disorder of
+my mind, occasioned by such melancholy contemplations, very highly
+aggravated the distemper of my body; insomuch that it would probably
+have proved fatal, had it not been for the friendship of one Captain
+James, an officer of our regiment, and an old acquaintance, who is
+undoubtedly one of the pleasantest companions and one of the best-
+natured men in the world. This worthy man, who had a head and a heart
+perfectly adequate to every office of friendship, stayed with me
+almost day and night during my illness; and by strengthening my hopes,
+raising my spirits, and cheering my thoughts, preserved me from
+destruction.
+
+"The behaviour of this man alone is a sufficient proof of the truth of
+my doctrine, that all men act entirely from their passions; for Bob
+James can never be supposed to act from any motives of virtue or
+religion, since he constantly laughs at both; and yet his conduct
+towards me alone demonstrates a degree of goodness which, perhaps, few
+of the votaries of either virtue or religion can equal." "You need not
+take much pains," answered Miss Matthews, with a smile, "to convince
+me of your doctrine. I have been always an advocate for the same. I
+look upon the two words you mention to serve only as cloaks, under
+which hypocrisy may be the better enabled to cheat the world. I have
+been of that opinion ever since I read that charming fellow Mandevil."
+
+"Pardon me, madam," answered Booth; "I hope you do not agree with
+Mandevil neither, who hath represented human nature in a picture of
+the highest deformity. He hath left out of his system the best passion
+which the mind can possess, and attempts to derive the effects or
+energies of that passion from the base impulses of pride or fear.
+Whereas it is as certain that love exists in the mind of man as that
+its opposite hatred doth; and the same reasons will equally prove the
+existence of the one as the existence of the other."
+
+"I don't know, indeed," replied the lady, "I never thought much about
+the matter. This I know, that when I read Mandevil I thought all he
+said was true; and I have been often told that he proves religion and
+virtue to be only mere names. However, if he denies there is any such
+thing as love, that is most certainly wrong.--I am afraid I can give
+him the lye myself."
+
+"I will join with you, madam, in that," answered Booth, "at any time."
+
+"Will you join with me?" answered she, looking eagerly at him--"O, Mr.
+Booth! I know not what I was going to say--What--Where did you leave
+off?--I would not interrupt you--but I am impatient to know
+something."
+
+"What, madam?" cries Booth; "if I can give you any satisfaction--"
+
+"No, no," said she, "I must hear all; I would not for the world break
+the thread of your story. Besides, I am afraid to ask--Pray, pray,
+sir, go on."
+
+"Well, madam," cries Booth, "I think I was mentioning the
+extraordinary acts of friendship done me by Captain James; nor can I
+help taking notice of the almost unparalleled fidelity of poor
+Atkinson (for that was my man's name), who was not only constant in
+the assiduity of his attendance, but during the time of my danger
+demonstrated a concern for me which I can hardly account for, as my
+prevailing on his captain to make him a sergeant was the first favour
+he ever received at my hands, and this did not happen till I was
+almost perfectly recovered of my broken leg. Poor fellow! I shall
+never forget the extravagant joy his halbert gave him; I remember it
+the more because it was one of the happiest days of my own life; for
+it was upon this day that I received a letter from my dear Amelia,
+after a long silence, acquainting me that she was out of all danger
+from her lying-in.
+
+"I was now once more able to perform my duty; when (so unkind was the
+fortune of war), the second time I mounted the guard, I received a
+violent contusion from the bursting of a bomb. I was felled to the
+ground, where I lay breathless by the blow, till honest Atkinson came
+to my assistance, and conveyed me to my room, where a surgeon
+immediately attended me.
+
+"The injury I had now received was much more dangerous in my surgeon's
+opinion than the former; it caused me to spit blood, and was attended
+with a fever, and other bad symptoms; so that very fatal consequences
+were apprehended.
+
+"In this situation, the image of my Amelia haunted me day and night;
+and the apprehensions of never seeing her more were so intolerable,
+that I had thoughts of resigning my commission, and returning home,
+weak as I was, that I might have, at least, the satisfaction of dying
+in the arms of my love. Captain James, however, persisted in
+dissuading me from any such resolution. He told me my honour was too
+much concerned, attempted to raise my hopes of recovery to the utmost
+of his power; but chiefly he prevailed on me by suggesting that, if
+the worst which I apprehended should happen, it was much better for
+Amelia that she should be absent than present in so melancholy an
+hour. 'I know' cried he, 'the extreme joy which must arise in you from
+meeting again with Amelia, and the comfort of expiring in her arms;
+but consider what she herself must endure upon the dreadful occasion,
+and you would not wish to purchase any happiness at the price of so
+much pain to her.' This argument at length prevailed on me; and it was
+after many long debates resolved, that she should not even know my
+present condition, till my doom either for life or death was
+absolutely fixed."
+
+"Oh! Heavens! how great! how generous!" cried Miss Matthews. "Booth,
+thou art a noble fellow; and I scarce think there is a woman upon
+earth worthy so exalted a passion."
+
+Booth made a modest answer to the compliment which Miss Matthews had
+paid him. This drew more civilities from the lady, and these again
+more acknowledgments; all which we shall pass by, and proceed with our
+history.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vi.
+
+_Containing matters which will please some readers._
+
+
+"Two months and more had I continued in a state of incertainty,
+sometimes with more flattering, and sometimes with more alarming
+symptoms; when one afternoon poor Atkinson came running into my room,
+all pale and out of breath, and begged me not to be surprized at his
+news. I asked him eagerly what was the matter, and if it was anything
+concerning Amelia? I had scarce uttered the dear name when she herself
+rushed into the room, and ran hastily to me, crying, 'Yes, it is, it
+is your Amelia herself.'
+
+"There is nothing so difficult to describe, and generally so dull when
+described, as scenes of excessive tenderness."
+
+"Can you think so?" says Miss Matthews; "surely there is nothing so
+charming!--Oh! Mr. Booth, our sex is d--ned by the want of tenderness
+in yours. O, were they all like you--certainly no man was ever your
+equal."
+
+"Indeed, madam," cries Booth, "you honour me too much. But--well--when
+the first transports of our meeting were over, Amelia began gently to
+chide me for having concealed my illness from her; for, in three
+letters which I had writ her since the accident had happened, there
+was not the least mention of it, or any hint given by which she could
+possibly conclude I was otherwise than in perfect health. And when I
+had excused myself, by assigning the true reason, she cried--'O Mr.
+Booth! and do you know so little of your Amelia as to think I could or
+would survive you? Would it not be better for one dreadful sight to
+break my heart all at once than to break it by degrees?--O Billy! can
+anything pay me for the loss of this embrace?'---But I ask your
+pardon--how ridiculous doth my fondness appear in your eyes!"
+
+"How often," answered she, "shall I assert the contrary? What would
+you have me say, Mr. Booth? Shall I tell you I envy Mrs. Booth of all
+the women in the world? would you believe me if I did? I hope you--
+what am I saying? Pray make no farther apology, but go on."
+
+"After a scene," continued he, "too tender to be conceived by many,
+Amelia informed me that she had received a letter from an unknown
+hand, acquainting her with my misfortune, and advising her, if she
+ever desired to see me more, to come directly to Gibraltar. She said
+she should not have delayed a moment after receiving this letter, had
+not the same ship brought her one from me written with rather more
+than usual gaiety, and in which there was not the least mention of my
+indisposition. This, she said, greatly puzzled her and her mother, and
+the worthy divine endeavoured to persuade her to give credit to my
+letter, and to impute the other to a species of wit with which the
+world greatly abounds. This consists entirely in doing various kinds
+of mischief to our fellow-creatures, by belying one, deceiving
+another, exposing a third, and drawing in a fourth, to expose himself;
+in short, by making some the objects of laughter, others of contempt;
+and indeed not seldom by subjecting them to very great inconveniences,
+perhaps to ruin, for the sake of a jest.
+
+"Mrs. Harris and the doctor derived the letter from this species of
+wit. Miss Betty, however, was of a different opinion, and advised poor
+Amelia to apply to an officer whom the governor had sent over in the
+same ship, by whom the report of my illness was so strongly confirmed,
+that Amelia immediately resolved on her voyage.
+
+"I had a great curiosity to know the author of this letter, but not
+the least trace of it could be discovered. The only person with whom I
+lived in any great intimacy was Captain James, and he, madam, from
+what I have already told you, you will think to be the last person I
+could suspect; besides, he declared upon his honour that he knew
+nothing of the matter, and no man's honour is, I believe, more sacred.
+There was indeed an ensign of another regiment who knew my wife, and
+who had sometimes visited me in my illness; but he was a very unlikely
+man to interest himself much in any affairs which did not concern him;
+and he too declared he knew nothing of it."
+
+"And did you never discover this secret?" cried Miss Matthews.
+
+"Never to this day," answered Booth.
+
+"I fancy," said she, "I could give a shrewd guess. What so likely as
+that Mrs. Booth, when you left her, should have given her foster-
+brother orders to send her word of whatever befel you? Yet stay--that
+could not be neither; for then she would not have doubted whether she
+should leave dear England on the receipt of the letter. No, it must
+have been by some other means;--yet that I own appeared extremely
+natural to me; for if I had been left by such a husband I think I
+should have pursued the same method."
+
+"No, madam," cried Booth, "it must have been conveyed by some other
+channel; for my Amelia, I am certain, was entirely ignorant of the
+manner; and as for poor Atkinson, I am convinced he would not have
+ventured to take such a step without acquainting me. Besides, the poor
+fellow had, I believe, such a regard for my wife, out of gratitude for
+the favours she hath done his mother, that I make no doubt he was
+highly rejoiced at her absence from my melancholy scene. Well, whoever
+writ it is a matter very immaterial; yet, as it seemed so odd and
+unaccountable an incident, I could not help mentioning it.
+
+"From the time of Amelia's arrival nothing remarkable happened till my
+perfect recovery, unless I should observe her remarkable behaviour, so
+full of care and tenderness, that it was perhaps without a parallel."
+
+"O no, Mr. Booth," cries the lady; "it is fully equalled, I am sure,
+by your gratitude. There is nothing, I believe, so rare as gratitude
+in your sex, especially in husbands. So kind a remembrance is, indeed,
+more than a return to such an obligation; for where is the mighty
+obligation which a woman confers, who being possessed of an
+inestimable jewel, is so kind to herself as to be careful and tender
+of it? I do not say this to lessen your opinion of Mrs. Booth. I have
+no doubt but that she loves you as well as she is capable. But I would
+not have you think so meanly of our sex as to imagine there are not a
+thousand women susceptible of true tenderness towards a meritorious
+man. Believe me, Mr. Booth, if I had received such an account of an
+accident having happened to such a husband, a mother and a parson
+would not have held me a moment. I should have leapt into the first
+fishing-boat I could have found, and bid defiance to the winds and
+waves.--Oh! there is no true tenderness but in a woman of spirit. I
+would not be understood all this while to reflect on Mrs. Booth. I am
+only defending the cause of my sex; for, upon my soul, such
+compliments to a wife are a satire on all the rest of womankind."
+
+"Sure you jest, Miss Matthews," answered Booth with a smile; "however,
+if you please, I will proceed in my story."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vii.
+
+_The captain, continuing his story, recounts some particulars which,
+we doubt not, to many good people, will appear unnatural._
+
+
+I was scarce sooner recovered from my indisposition than Amelia
+herself fell ill. This, I am afraid, was occasioned by the fatigues
+which I could not prevent her from undergoing on my account; for, as
+my disease went off with violent sweats, during which the surgeon
+strictly ordered that I should lie by myself, my Amelia could not be
+prevailed upon to spend many hours in her own bed. During my restless
+fits she would sometimes read to me several hours together; indeed it
+was not without difficulty that she ever quitted my bedside. These
+fatigues, added to the uneasiness of her mind, overpowered her weak
+spirits, and threw her into one of the worst disorders that can
+possibly attend a woman; a disorder very common among the ladies, and
+our physicians have not agreed upon its name. Some call it fever on
+the spirits, some a nervous fever, some the vapours, and some the
+hysterics."
+
+"O say no more," cries Miss Matthews; "I pity you, I pity you from my
+soul. A man had better be plagued with all the curses of Egypt than
+with a vapourish wife."
+
+"Pity me! madam," answered Booth; "pity rather that dear creature who,
+from her love and care of my unworthy self, contracted a distemper,
+the horrors of which are scarce to be imagined. It is, indeed, a sort
+of complication of all diseases together, with almost madness added to
+them. In this situation, the siege being at an end, the governor gave
+me leave to attend my wife to Montpelier, the air of which was judged
+to be most likely to restore her to health. Upon this occasion she
+wrote to her mother to desire a remittance, and set forth the
+melancholy condition of her health, and her necessity for money, in
+such terms as would have touched any bosom not void of humanity,
+though a stranger to the unhappy sufferer. Her sister answered it, and
+I believe I have a copy of the answer in my pocket. I keep it by me as
+a curiosity, and you would think it more so could I shew you my
+Amelia's letter." He then searched his pocket-book, and finding the
+letter among many others, he read it in the following words:
+
+"'DEAR SISTER,--My mamma being much disordered, hath commanded me to
+tell you she is both shocked and surprized at your extraordinary
+request, or, as she chuses to call it, order for money. You know, my
+dear, she says that your marriage with this red-coat man was entirely
+against her consent and the opinion of all your family (I am sure I
+may here include myself in that number); and yet, after this fatal act
+of disobedience, she was prevailed on to receive you as her child;
+not, however, nor are you so to understand it, as the favourite which
+you was before. She forgave you; but this was as a Christian and a
+parent; still preserving in her own mind a just sense of your
+disobedience, and a just resentment on that account. And yet,
+notwithstanding this resentment, she desires you to remember that,
+when you a second time ventured to oppose her authority, and nothing
+would serve you but taking a ramble (an indecent one, I can't help
+saying) after your fellow, she thought fit to shew the excess of a
+mother's tenderness, and furnished you with no less than fifty pounds
+for your foolish voyage. How can she, then, be otherwise than
+surprized at your present demand? which, should she be so weak to
+comply with, she must expect to be every month repeated, in order to
+supply the extravagance of a young rakish officer. You say she will
+compassionate your sufferings; yes, surely she doth greatly
+compassionate them, and so do I too, though you was neither so kind
+nor so civil as to suppose I should. But I forgive all your slights to
+me, as well now as formerly. Nay, I not only forgive, but I pray daily
+for you. But, dear sister, what could you expect less than what hath
+happened? you should have believed your friends, who were wiser and
+older than you. I do not here mean myself, though I own I am eleven
+months and some odd weeks your superior; though, had I been younger, I
+might, perhaps, have been able to advise you; for wisdom and what some
+may call beauty do not always go together. You will not be offended at
+this; for I know in your heart, you have always held your head above
+some people, whom, perhaps, other people have thought better of; but
+why do I mention what I scorn so much? No, my dear sister, Heaven
+forbid it should ever be said of me that I value myself upon my face--
+not but if I could believe men perhaps--but I hate and despise men--
+you know I do, my dear, and I wish you had despised them as much; but
+_jacta est jalea_, as the doctor says. You are to make the best of
+your fortune--what fortune, I mean, my mamma may please to give you,
+for you know all is in her power. Let me advise you, then, to bring
+your mind to your circumstances, and remember (for I can't help
+writing it, as it is for your own good) the vapours are a distemper
+which very ill become a knapsack. Remember, my dear, what you have
+done; remember what my mamma hath done; remember we have something of
+yours to keep, and do not consider yourself as an only child; no, nor
+as a favourite child; but be pleased to remember, Dear sister,
+      Your most affectionate sister,
+            and most obedient humble servant,
+                                              E. HARRIS.'"
+
+"O brave Miss Betty!" cried Miss Matthews; "I always held her in high
+esteem; but I protest she exceeds even what I could have expected from
+her."
+
+"This letter, madam," cries Booth, "you will believe, was an excellent
+cordial for my poor wife's spirits. So dreadful indeed was the effect
+it had upon her, that, as she had read it in my absence, I found her,
+at my return home, in the most violent fits; and so long was it before
+she recovered her senses, that I despaired of that blest event ever
+happening; and my own senses very narrowly escaped from being
+sacrificed to my despair. However, she came at last to herself, and I
+began to consider of every means of carrying her immediately to
+Montpelier, which was now become much more necessary than before.
+
+"Though I was greatly shocked at the barbarity of the letter, yet I
+apprehended no very ill consequence from it; for, as it was believed
+all over the army that I had married a great fortune, I had received
+offers of money, if I wanted it, from more than one. Indeed, I might
+have easily carried my wife to Montpelier at any time; but she was
+extremely averse to the voyage, being desirous of our returning to
+England, as I had leave to do; and she grew daily so much better,
+that, had it not been for the receipt of that cursed--which I have
+just read to you, I am persuaded she might have been able to return to
+England in the next ship.
+
+"Among others there was a colonel in the garrison who had not only
+offered but importuned me to receive money of him; I now, therefore,
+repaired to him; and, as a reason for altering my resolution, I
+produced the letter, and, at the same time, acquainted him with the
+true state of my affairs. The colonel read the letter, shook his head,
+and, after some silence, said he was sorry I had refused to accept his
+offer before; but that he had now so ordered matters, and disposed of
+his money, that he had not a shilling left to spare from his own
+occasions.
+
+"Answers of the same kind I had from several others, but not one penny
+could I borrow of any; for I have been since firmly persuaded that the
+honest colonel was not content with denying me himself, but took
+effectual means, by spreading the secret I had so foolishly trusted
+him with, to prevent me from succeeding elsewhere; for such is the
+nature of men, that whoever denies himself to do you a favour is
+unwilling that it should be done to you by any other.
+
+"This was the first time I had ever felt that distress which arises
+from the want of money; a distress very dreadful indeed in a married
+state; for what can be more miserable than to see anything necessary
+to the preservation of a beloved creature, and not be able to supply
+it?
+
+"Perhaps you may wonder, madam, that I have not mentioned Captain
+James on this occasion; but he was at that time laid up at Algiers
+(whither he had been sent by the governor) in a fever. However, he
+returned time enough to supply me, which he did with the utmost
+readiness on the very first mention of my distress; and the good
+colonel, notwithstanding his having disposed of his money, discounted
+the captain's draft. You see, madam, an instance in the generous
+behaviour of my friend James, how false are all universal satires
+against humankind. He is indeed one of the worthiest men the world
+ever produced.
+
+"But, perhaps, you will be more pleased still with the extravagant
+generosity of my sergeant. The day before the return of Mr. James, the
+poor fellow came to me with tears in his eyes, and begged I would not
+be offended at what he was going to mention. He then pulled a purse
+from his pocket, which contained, he said, the sum of twelve pounds,
+and which he begged me to accept, crying, he was sorry it was not in
+his power to lend me whatever I wanted. I was so struck with this
+instance of generosity and friendship in such a person, that I gave
+him an opportunity of pressing me a second time before I made him an
+answer. Indeed, I was greatly surprised how he came to be worth that
+little sum, and no less at his being acquainted with my own wants. In
+both which points he presently satisfied me. As to the first, it seems
+he had plundered a Spanish officer of fifteen pistoles; and as to the
+second, he confessed he had it from my wife's maid, who had overheard
+some discourse between her mistress and me. Indeed people, I believe,
+always deceive themselves, who imagine they can conceal distrest
+circumstances from their servants; for these are always extremely
+quicksighted on such occasions."
+
+"Good heavens!" cries Miss Matthews, "how astonishing is such
+behaviour in so low a fellow!"
+
+"I thought so myself," answered Booth; "and yet I know not, on a more
+strict examination into the matter, why we should be more surprised to
+see greatness of mind discover itself in one degree or rank of life
+than in another. Love, benevolence, or what you will please to call
+it, may be the reigning passion in a beggar as well as in a prince;
+and wherever it is, its energies will be the same.
+
+"To confess the truth, I am afraid we often compliment what we call
+upper life, with too much injustice, at the expense of the lower. As
+it is no rare thing to see instances which degrade human nature in
+persons of the highest birth and education, so I apprehend that
+examples of whatever is really great and good have been sometimes
+found amongst those who have wanted all such advantages. In reality,
+palaces, I make no doubt, do sometimes contain nothing but dreariness
+and darkness, and the sun of righteousness hath shone forth with all
+its glory in a cottage."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter viii.
+
+_The story of Booth continued._
+
+
+"Mr. Booth thus went on:
+
+"We now took leave of the garrison, and, having landed at Marseilles,
+arrived at Montpelier, without anything happening to us worth
+remembrance, except the extreme sea-sickness of poor Amelia; but I was
+afterwards well repaid for the terrors which it occasioned me by the
+good consequences which attended it; for I believe it contributed,
+even more than the air of Montpelier, to the perfect re-establishment
+of her health."
+
+"I ask your pardon for interrupting you," cries Miss Matthews, "but
+you never satisfied me whether you took the sergeant's money. You have
+made me half in love with that charming fellow."
+
+"How can you imagine, madam," answered Booth, "I should have taken
+from a poor fellow what was of so little consequence to me, and at the
+same time of so much to him? Perhaps, now, you will derive this from
+the passion of pride."
+
+"Indeed," says she, "I neither derive it from the passion of pride nor
+from the passion of folly: but methinks you should have accepted the
+offer, and I am convinced you hurt him very much when you refused it.
+But pray proceed in your story." Then Booth went on as follows:
+
+"As Amelia recovered her health and spirits daily, we began to pass
+our time very pleasantly at Montpelier; for the greatest enemy to the
+French will acknowledge that they are the best people in the world to
+live amongst for a little while. In some countries it is almost as
+easy to get a good estate as a good acquaintance. In England,
+particularly, acquaintance is of almost as slow growth as an oak; so
+that the age of man scarce suffices to bring it to any perfection, and
+families seldom contract any great intimacy till the third, or at
+least the second generation. So shy indeed are we English of letting a
+stranger into our houses, that one would imagine we regarded all such
+as thieves. Now the French are the very reverse. Being a stranger
+among them entitles you to the better place, and to the greater degree
+of civility; and if you wear but the appearance of a gentleman, they
+never suspect you are not one. Their friendship indeed seldom extends
+as far as their purse; nor is such friendship usual in other
+countries. To say the truth, politeness carries friendship far enough
+in the ordinary occasions of life, and those who want this
+accomplishment rarely make amends for it by their sincerity; for
+bluntness, or rather rudeness, as it commonly deserves to be called,
+is not always so much a mark of honesty as it is taken to be.
+
+"The day after our arrival we became acquainted with Mons. Bagillard.
+He was a Frenchman of great wit and vivacity, with a greater share of
+learning than gentlemen are usually possessed of. As he lodged in the
+same house with us, we were immediately acquainted, and I liked his
+conversation so well that I never thought I had too much of his
+company. Indeed, I spent so much of my time with him, that Amelia (I
+know not whether I ought to mention it) grew uneasy at our
+familiarity, and complained of my being too little with her, from my
+violent fondness for my new acquaintance; for, our conversation
+turning chiefly upon books, and principally Latin ones (for we read
+several of the classics together), she could have but little
+entertainment by being with us. When my wife had once taken it into
+her head that she was deprived of my company by M. Bagillard, it was
+impossible to change her opinion; and, though I now spent more of my
+time with her than I had ever done before, she still grew more and
+more dissatisfied, till at last she very earnestly desired me to quit
+my lodgings, and insisted upon it with more vehemence than I had ever
+known her express before. To say the truth, if that excellent woman
+could ever be thought unreasonable, I thought she was so on this
+occasion.
+
+"But in what light soever her desires appeared to me, as they
+manifestly arose from an affection of which I had daily the most
+endearing proofs, I resolved to comply with her, and accordingly
+removed to a distant part of the town; for it is my opinion that we
+can have but little love for the person whom we will never indulge in
+an unreasonable demand. Indeed, I was under a difficulty with regard
+to Mons. Bagillard; for, as I could not possibly communicate to him
+the true reason for quitting my lodgings, so I found it as difficult
+to deceive him by a counterfeit one; besides, I was apprehensive I
+should have little less of his company than before. I could, indeed,
+have avoided this dilemma by leaving Montpelier, for Amelia had
+perfectly recovered her health; but I had faithfully promised Captain
+James to wait his return from Italy, whither he was gone some time
+before from Gibraltar; nor was it proper for Amelia to take any long
+journey, she being now near six months gone with child.
+
+"This difficulty, however, proved to be less than I had imagined it;
+for my French friend, whether he suspected anything from my wife's
+behaviour, though she never, as I observed, shewed him the least
+incivility, became suddenly as cold on his side. After our leaving the
+lodgings he never made above two or three formal visits; indeed his
+time was soon after entirely taken up by an intrigue with a certain
+countess, which blazed all over Montpelier.
+
+"We had not been long in our new apartments before an English officer
+arrived at Montpelier, and came to lodge in the same house with us.
+This gentleman, whose name was Bath, was of the rank of a major, and
+had so much singularity in his character, that, perhaps, you never
+heard of any like him. He was far from having any of those bookish
+qualifications which had before caused my Amelia's disquiet. It is
+true, his discourse generally turned on matters of no feminine kind;
+war and martial exploits being the ordinary topics of his
+conversation: however, as he had a sister with whom Amelia was greatly
+pleased, an intimacy presently grew between us, and we four lived in
+one family.
+
+"The major was a great dealer in the marvellous, and was constantly
+the little hero of his own tale. This made him very entertaining to
+Amelia, who, of all the persons in the world, hath the truest taste
+and enjoyment of the ridiculous; for, whilst no one sooner discovers
+it in the character of another, no one so well conceals her knowledge
+of it from the ridiculous person. I cannot help mentioning a sentiment
+of hers on this head, as I think it doth her great honour. 'If I had
+the same neglect,' said she, 'for ridiculous people with the
+generality of the world, I should rather think them the objects of
+tears than laughter; but, in reality, I have known several who, in
+some parts of their characters, have been extremely ridiculous, in
+others have been altogether as amiable. For instance,' said she, 'here
+is the major, who tells us of many things which he has never seen, and
+of others which he hath never done, and both in the most extravagant
+excess; and yet how amiable is his behaviour to his poor sister, whom
+he hath not only brought over hither for her health, at his own
+expence, but is come to bear her company.' I believe, madam, I repeat
+her very words; for I am very apt to remember what she says.
+
+"You will easily believe, from a circumstance I have just mentioned in
+the major's favour, especially when I have told you that his sister
+was one of the best of girls, that it was entirely necessary to hide
+from her all kind of laughter at any part of her brother's behaviour.
+To say the truth, this was easy enough to do; for the poor girl was so
+blinded with love and gratitude, and so highly honoured and reverenced
+her brother, that she had not the least suspicion that there was a
+person in the world capable of laughing at him.
+
+"Indeed, I am certain she never made the least discovery of our
+ridicule; for I am well convinced she would have resented it: for,
+besides the love she bore her brother, she had a little family pride,
+which would sometimes appear. To say the truth, if she had any fault,
+it was that of vanity, but she was a very good girl upon the whole;
+and none of us are entirely free from faults."
+
+"You are a good-natured fellow, Will," answered Miss Matthews; "but
+vanity is a fault of the first magnitude in a woman, and often the
+occasion of many others."
+
+To this Booth made no answer, but continued his story.
+
+"In this company we passed two or three months very agreeably, till
+the major and I both betook ourselves to our several nurseries; my
+wife being brought to bed of a girl, and Miss Bath confined to her
+chamber by a surfeit, which had like to have occasioned her death."
+
+Here Miss Matthews burst into a loud laugh, of which when Booth asked
+the reason, she said she could not forbear at the thoughts of two such
+nurses.
+
+"And did you really," says she, "make your wife's caudle yourself?"
+
+"Indeed, madam," said he, "I did; and do you think that so
+extraordinary?"
+
+"Indeed I do," answered she; "I thought the best husbands had looked
+on their wives' lying-in as a time of festival and jollity. What! did
+you not even get drunk in the time of your wife's delivery? tell me
+honestly how you employed yourself at this time."
+
+"Why, then, honestly," replied he, "and in defiance of your laughter,
+I lay behind her bolster, and supported her in my arms; and, upon my
+soul, I believe I felt more pain in my mind than she underwent in her
+body. And now answer me as honestly: Do you really think it a proper
+time of mirth, when the creature one loves to distraction is
+undergoing the most racking torments, as well as in the most imminent
+danger? and--but I need not express any more tender circumstances."
+
+"I am to answer honestly," cried she. "Yes, and sincerely," cries
+Booth. "Why, then, honestly and sincerely," says she, "may I never see
+heaven if I don't think you an angel of a man!"
+
+"Nay, madam," answered Booth--"but, indeed, you do me too much honour;
+there are many such husbands. Nay, have we not an example of the like
+tenderness in the major? though as to him, I believe, I shall make you
+laugh. While my wife lay-in, Miss Bath being extremely ill, I went one
+day to the door of her apartment, to enquire after her health, as well
+as for the major, whom I had not seen during a whole week. I knocked
+softly at the door, and being bid to open it, I found the major in his
+sister's ante-chamber warming her posset. His dress was certainly
+whimsical enough, having on a woman's bedgown and a very dirty flannel
+nightcap, which, being added to a very odd person (for he is a very
+awkward thin man, near seven feet high), might have formed, in the
+opinion of most men, a very proper object of laughter. The major
+started from his seat at my entering into the room, and, with much
+emotion, and a great oath, cried out, 'Is it you, sir?' I then
+enquired after his and his sister's health. He answered, that his
+sister was better, and he was very well, 'though I did not expect,
+sir,' cried he, with not a little confusion, 'to be seen by you in
+this situation.' I told him I thought it impossible he could appear in
+a situation more becoming his character. 'You do not?' answered he.
+'By G-- I am very much obliged to you for that opinion; but, I
+believe, sir, however my weakness may prevail on me to descend from
+it, no man can be more conscious of his own dignity than myself.' His
+sister then called to him from the inner room; upon which he rang the
+bell for her servant, and then, after a stride or two across the room,
+he said, with an elated aspect, 'I would not have you think, Mr.
+Booth, because you have caught me in this deshabille, by coming upon
+me a little too abruptly--I cannot help saying a little too abruptly--
+that I am my sister's nurse. I know better what is due to the dignity
+of a man, and I have shewn it in a line of battle. I think I have made
+a figure there, Mr. Booth, and becoming my character; by G-- I ought
+not to be despised too much if my nature is not totally without its
+weaknesses.' He uttered this, and some more of the same kind, with
+great majesty, or, as he called it, dignity. Indeed, he used some hard
+words that I did not understand; for all his words are not to be found
+in a dictionary. Upon the whole, I could not easily refrain from
+laughter; however, I conquered myself, and soon after retired from
+him, astonished that it was possible for a man to possess true
+goodness, and be at the same time ashamed of it.
+
+"But, if I was surprized at what had past at this visit, how much more
+was I surprized the next morning, when he came very early to my
+chamber, and told me he had not been able to sleep one wink at what
+had past between us! 'There were some words of yours,' says he, 'which
+must be further explained before we part. You told me, sir, when you
+found me in that situation, which I cannot bear to recollect, that you
+thought I could not appear in one more becoming my character; these
+were the words--I shall never forget them. Do you imagine that there
+is any of the dignity of a man wanting in my character? do you think
+that I have, during my sister's illness, behaved with a weakness that
+savours too much of effeminacy? I know how much it is beneath a man to
+whine and whimper about a trifling girl as well as you or any man;
+and, if my sister had died, I should have behaved like a man on the
+occasion. I would not have you think I confined myself from company
+merely upon her account. I was very much disordered myself. And when
+you surprized me in that situation--I repeat again, in that situation
+--her nurse had not left the room three minutes, and I was blowing the
+fire for fear it should have gone out.'--In this manner he ran on
+almost a quarter of an hour before he would suffer me to speak. At
+last, looking steadfastly in his face, I asked him if I must conclude
+that he was in earnest? 'In earnest!' says he, repeating my words, 'do
+you then take my character for a jest?'--Lookee, sir, said I, very
+gravely, I think we know one another very well; and I have no reason
+to suspect you should impute it to fear when I tell you I was so far
+from intending to affront you, that I meant you one of the highest
+compliments. Tenderness for women is so far from lessening, that it
+proves a true manly character. The manly Brutus shewed the utmost
+tenderness to his Portia; and the great king of Sweden, the bravest,
+and even fiercest of men, shut himself up three whole days in the
+midst of a campaign, and would see no company, on the death of a
+favourite sister. At these words I saw his features soften; and he
+cried out, 'D--n me, I admire the king of Sweden of all the men in the
+world; and he is a rascal that is ashamed of doing anything which the
+king of Sweden did.--And yet, if any king of Sweden in France was to
+tell me that his sister had more merit than mine, by G-- I'd knock his
+brains about his ears. Poor little Betsy! she is the honestest,
+worthiest girl that ever was born. Heaven be praised, she is
+recovered; for, if I had lost her, I never should have enjoyed another
+happy moment.' In this manner he ran on some time, till the tears
+began to overflow; which when he perceived, he stopt; perhaps he was
+unable to go on; for he seemed almost choaked: after a short silence,
+however, having wiped his eyes with his handkerchief, he fetched a
+deep sigh, and cried, 'I am ashamed you should see this, Mr. Booth;
+but d--n me, nature will get the better of dignity.' I now comforted
+him with the example of Xerxes, as I had before done with that of the
+king of Sweden; and soon after we sat down to breakfast together with
+much cordial friendship; for I assure you, with all his oddity, there
+is not a better-natured man in the world than the major."
+
+"Good-natured, indeed!" cries Miss Matthews, with great scorn. "A
+fool! how can you mention such a fellow with commendation?"
+
+Booth spoke as much as he could in defence of his friend; indeed, he
+had represented him in as favourable a light as possible, and had
+particularly left out those hard words with which, as he hath observed
+a little before, the major interlarded his discourse. Booth then
+proceeded as in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ix.
+
+_Containing very extraordinary matters._
+
+
+"Miss Bath," continued Booth, "now recovered so fast, that she was
+abroad as soon as my wife. Our little partie quarree began to grow
+agreeable again; and we mixed with the company of the place more than
+we had done before. Mons. Bagillard now again renewed his intimacy,
+for the countess, his mistress, was gone to Paris; at which my wife,
+at first, shewed no dissatisfaction; and I imagined that, as she had a
+friend and companion of her own sex (for Miss Bath and she had
+contracted the highest fondness for each other), that she would the
+less miss my company. However, I was disappointed in this expectation;
+for she soon began to express her former uneasiness, and her
+impatience for the arrival of Captain James, that we might entirely
+quit Montpelier.
+
+"I could not avoid conceiving some little displeasure at this humour
+of my wife, which I was forced to think a little unreasonable."--"A
+little, do you call it?" says Miss Matthews: "Good Heavens! what a
+husband are you!"--"How little worthy," answered he, "as you will say
+hereafter, of such a wife as my Amelia. One day, as we were sitting
+together, I heard a violent scream; upon which my wife, starting up,
+cried out, 'Sure that's Miss Bath's voice;' and immediately ran
+towards the chamber whence it proceeded. I followed her; and when we
+arrived, we there beheld the most shocking sight imaginable; Miss Bath
+lying dead on the floor, and the major all bloody kneeling by her, and
+roaring out for assistance. Amelia, though she was herself in little
+better condition than her friend, ran hastily to her, bared her neck,
+and attempted to loosen her stays, while I ran up and down, scarce
+knowing what I did, calling for water and cordials, and despatching
+several servants one after another for doctors and surgeons.
+
+"Water, cordials, and all necessary implements being brought, Miss
+Bath was at length recovered, and placed in her chair, when the major
+seated himself by her. And now, the young lady being restored to life,
+the major, who, till then, had engaged as little of his own as of any
+other person's attention, became the object of all our considerations,
+especially his poor sister's, who had no sooner recovered sufficient
+strength than she began to lament her brother, crying out that he was
+killed; and bitterly bewailing her fate, in having revived from her
+swoon to behold so dreadful a spectacle. While Amelia applied herself
+to soothe the agonies of her friend, I began to enquire into the
+condition of the major, in which I was assisted by a surgeon, who now
+arrived. The major declared, with great chearfulness, that he did not
+apprehend his wound to be in the least dangerous, and therefore begged
+his sister to be comforted, saying he was convinced the surgeon would
+soon give her the same assurance; but that good man was not so liberal
+of assurances as the major had expected; for as soon as he had probed
+the wound he afforded no more than hopes, declaring that it was a very
+ugly wound; but added, by way of consolation, that he had cured many
+much worse.
+
+"When the major was drest his sister seemed to possess his whole
+thoughts, and all his care was to relieve her grief. He solemnly
+protested that it was no more than a flesh wound, and not very deep,
+nor could, as he apprehended, be in the least dangerous; and as for
+the cold expressions of the surgeon, he very well accounted for them
+from a motive too obvious to be mentioned. From these declarations of
+her brother, and the interposition of her friends, and, above all, I
+believe, from that vast vent which she had given to her fright, Miss
+Bath seemed a little pacified: Amelia, therefore, at last prevailed;
+and, as terror abated, curiosity became the superior passion. I
+therefore now began to enquire what had occasioned that accident
+whence all the uproar arose.
+
+"The major took me by the hand, and, looking very kindly at me, said,
+'My dear Mr. Booth, I must begin by asking your pardon; for I have
+done you an injury for which nothing but the height of friendship in
+me can be an excuse; and therefore nothing but the height of
+friendship in you can forgive.' This preamble, madam, you will easily
+believe, greatly alarmed all the company, but especially me. I
+answered, Dear major, I forgive you, let it be what it will; but what
+is it possible you can have done to injure me? 'That,' replied he,
+'which I am convinced a man of your honour and dignity of nature, by
+G--, must conclude to be one of the highest injuries. I have taken out
+of your own hands the doing yourself justice. I am afraid I have
+killed the man who hath injured your honour. I mean that villain
+Bagillard--but I cannot proceed; for you, madam,' said he to my wife,
+'are concerned, and I know what is due to the dignity of your sex.'
+Amelia, I observed, turned pale at these words, but eagerly begged him
+to proceed. 'Nay, madam,' answered he, 'if I am commanded by a lady,
+it is a part of my dignity to obey.' He then proceeded to tell us that
+Bagillard had rallied him upon a supposition that he was pursuing my
+wife with a view of gallantry; telling him that he could never
+succeed; giving hints that, if it had been possible, he should have
+succeeded himself; and ending with calling my poor Amelia an
+accomplished prude; upon which the major gave Bagillard a box in the
+ear, and both immediately drew their swords.
+
+"The major had scarce ended his speech when a servant came into the
+room, and told me there was a fryar below who desired to speak with me
+in great haste. I shook the major by the hand, and told him I not only
+forgave him, but was extremely obliged to his friendship; and then,
+going to the fryar, I found that he was Bagillard's confessor, from
+whom he came to me, with an earnest desire of seeing me, that he might
+ask my pardon and receive my forgiveness before he died for the injury
+he had intended me. My wife at first opposed my going, from some
+sudden fears on my account; but when she was convinced they were
+groundless she consented.
+
+"I found Bagillard in his bed; for the major's sword had passed up to
+the very hilt through his body. After having very earnestly asked my
+pardon, he made me many compliments on the possession of a woman who,
+joined to the most exquisite beauty, was mistress of the most
+impregnable virtue; as a proof of which he acknowledged the vehemence
+as well as ill success of his attempts: and, to make Amelia's virtue
+appear the brighter, his vanity was so predominant he could not
+forbear running over the names of several women of fashion who had
+yielded to his passion, which, he said, had never raged so violently
+for any other as for my poor Amelia; and that this violence, which he
+had found wholly unconquerable, he hoped would procure his pardon at
+my hands. It is unnecessary to mention what I said on the occasion. I
+assured him of my entire forgiveness; and so we parted. To say the
+truth, I afterwards thought myself almost obliged to him for a meeting
+with Amelia the most luxuriously delicate that can be imagined.
+
+"I now ran to my wife, whom I embraced with raptures of love and
+tenderness. When the first torrent of these was a little abated,
+'Confess to me, my dear,' said she, 'could your goodness prevent you
+from thinking me a little unreasonable in expressing so much
+uneasiness at the loss of your company, while I ought to have rejoiced
+in the thoughts of your being so well entertained; I know you must;
+and then consider what I must have felt, while I knew I was daily
+lessening myself in your esteem, and forced into a conduct which I was
+sensible must appear to you, who was ignorant of my motive, to be
+mean, vulgar, and selfish. And yet, what other course had I to take
+with a man whom no denial, no scorn could abash? But, if this was a
+cruel task, how much more wretched still was the constraint I was
+obliged to wear in his presence before you, to shew outward civility
+to the man whom my soul detested, for fear of any fatal consequence
+from your suspicion; and this too while I was afraid he would construe
+it to be an encouragement? Do you not pity your poor Amelia when you
+reflect on her situation?' Pity! cried I; my love! is pity an adequate
+expression for esteem, for adoration? But how, my love, could he carry
+this on so secretly?--by letters? 'O no, he offered me many; but I
+never would receive but one, and that I returned him. Good G--! I
+would not have such a letter in my possession for the universe; I
+thought my eyes contaminated with reading it.'" "O brave!" cried Miss
+Matthews; "heroic, I protest.
+
+   "'Had I a wish that did not bear
+     The stamp and image of my dear,
+     I'd pierce my heart through ev'ry vein,
+     And die to let it out again.'"
+
+"And you can really," cried he, "laugh at so much tenderness?" "I
+laugh at tenderness! O, Mr. Booth!" answered she, "thou knowest but
+little of Calista." "I thought formerly," cried he, "I knew a great
+deal, and thought you, of all women in the world, to have the
+greatest---of all women!" "Take care, Mr. Booth," said she. "By
+heaven! if you thought so, you thought truly. But what is the object
+of my tenderness--such an object as--" "Well, madam," says he, "I hope
+you will find one." "I thank you for that hope, however," says she,
+"cold as it is. But pray go on with your story;" which command he
+immediately obeyed.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter x.
+
+_Containing a letter of a very curious kind._
+
+
+"The major's wound," continued Booth, "was really as slight as he
+believed it; so that in a very few days he was perfectly well; nor was
+Bagillard, though run through the body, long apprehending to be in any
+danger of his life. The major then took me aside, and, wishing me
+heartily joy of Bagillard's recovery, told me I should now, by the
+gift (as it were) of Heaven, have an opportunity of doing myself
+justice. I answered I could not think of any such thing; for that when
+I imagined he was on his death-bed I had heartily and sincerely
+forgiven him. 'Very right,' replied the major, 'and consistent with
+your honour, when he was on his death-bed; but that forgiveness was
+only conditional, and is revoked by his recovery.' I told him I could
+not possibly revoke it; for that my anger was really gone.--'What hath
+anger,' cried he, 'to do with the matter? the dignity of my nature
+hath been always my reason for drawing my sword; and when that is
+concerned I can as readily fight with the man I love as with the man I
+hate.'--I will not tire you with the repetition of the whole argument,
+in which the major did not prevail; and I really believe I sunk a
+little in his esteem upon that account, till Captain James, who
+arrived soon after, again perfectly reinstated me in his favour.
+
+"When the captain was come there remained no cause of our longer stay
+at Montpelier; for, as to my wife, she was in a better state of health
+than I had ever known her; and Miss Bath had not only recovered her
+health but her bloom, and from a pale skeleton was become a plump,
+handsome young woman. James was again my cashier; for, far from
+receiving any remittance, it was now a long time since I had received
+any letter from England, though both myself and my dear Amelia had
+written several, both to my mother and sister; and now, at our
+departure from Montpelier, I bethought myself of writing to my good
+friend the doctor, acquainting him with our journey to Paris, whither
+I desired he would direct his answer.
+
+"At Paris we all arrived without encountering any adventure on the
+road worth relating; nor did anything of consequence happen here
+during the first fortnight; for, as you know neither Captain James nor
+Miss Bath, it is scarce worth telling you that an affection, which
+afterwards ended in a marriage, began now to appear between them, in
+which it may appear odd to you that I made the first discovery of the
+lady's flame, and my wife of the captain's.
+
+"The seventeenth day after our arrival at Paris I received a letter
+from the doctor, which I have in my pocket-book; and, if you please, I
+will read it you; for I would not willingly do any injury to his
+words."
+
+The lady, you may easily believe, desired to hear the letter, and
+Booth read it as follows:
+
+"MY DEAR CHILDREN--For I will now call you so, as you have neither of
+you now any other parent in this world. Of this melancholy news I
+should have sent you earlier notice if I had thought you ignorant of
+it, or indeed if I had known whither to have written. If your sister
+hath received any letters from you she hath kept them a secret, and
+perhaps out of affection to you hath reposited them in the same place
+where she keeps her goodness, and, what I am afraid is much dearer to
+her, her money. The reports concerning you have been various; so is
+always the case in matters where men are ignorant; for, when no man
+knows what the truth is, every man thinks himself at liberty to report
+what he pleases. Those who wish you well, son Booth, say simply that
+you are dead: others, that you ran away from the siege, and was
+cashiered. As for my daughter, all agree that she is a saint above;
+and there are not wanting those who hint that her husband sent her
+thither. From this beginning you will expect, I suppose, better news
+than I am going to tell you; but pray, my dear children, why may not
+I, who have always laughed at my own afflictions, laugh at yours,
+without the censure of much malevolence? I wish you could learn this
+temper from me; for, take my word for it, nothing truer ever came from
+the mouth of a heathen than that sentence:
+
+'---_Leve fit quod bene fertur onus_.'
+[Footnote: The burthen becomes light by being well borne.]
+
+And though I must confess I never thought Aristotle (whom I do not
+take for so great a blockhead as some who have never read him) doth
+not very well resolve the doubt which he hath raised in his Ethics,
+viz., How a man in the midst of King Priam's misfortunes can be called
+happy? yet I have long thought that there is no calamity so great that
+a Christian philosopher may not reasonably laugh at it; if the heathen
+Cicero, doubting of immortality (for so wise a man must have doubted
+of that which had such slender arguments to support it), could assert
+it as the office of wisdom, _Humanas res despicere atque infra se
+positas arbitrari._[Footnote: To look down on all human affairs as
+matters below his consideration.]
+
+"Which passage, with much more to the same purpose, you will find in
+the third book of his Tusculan Questions.
+
+"With how much greater confidence may a good Christian despise, and
+even deride, all temporary and short transitory evils! If the poor
+wretch, who is trudging on to his miserable cottage, can laugh at the
+storms and tempests, the rain and whirlwinds, which surround him,
+while his richest hope is only that of rest; how much more chearfully
+must a man pass through such transient evils, whose spirits are buoyed
+up with the certain expectation of finding a noble palace and the most
+sumptuous entertainment ready to receive him! I do not much like the
+simile; but I cannot think of a better. And yet, inadequate as the
+simile is, we may, I think, from the actions of mankind, conclude that
+they will consider it as much too strong; for, in the case I have put
+of the entertainment, is there any man so tender or poor-spirited as
+not to despise, and often to deride, the fiercest of these
+inclemencies which I have mentioned? but in our journey to the
+glorious mansions of everlasting bliss, how severely is every little
+rub, every trifling accident, lamented! and if Fortune showers down
+any of her heavier storms upon us, how wretched do we presently appear
+to ourselves and to others! The reason of this can be no other than
+that we are not in earnest in our faith; at the best, we think with
+too little attention on this our great concern. While the most paultry
+matters of this world, even those pitiful trifles, those childish
+gewgaws, riches and honours, are transacted with the utmost
+earnestness and most serious application, the grand and weighty affair
+of immortality is postponed and disregarded, nor ever brought into the
+least competition with our affairs here. If one of my cloth should
+begin a discourse of heaven in the scenes of business or pleasure; in
+the court of requests, at Garraway's, or at White's; would he gain a
+hearing, unless, perhaps, of some sorry jester who would desire to
+ridicule him? would he not presently acquire the name of the mad
+parson, and be thought by all men worthy of Bedlam? or would he not be
+treated as the Romans treated their Aretalogi,[Footnote: A set of
+beggarly philosophers who diverted great men at their table with
+burlesque discourses on virtue.] and considered in the light of a
+buffoon? But why should I mention those places of hurry and worldly
+pursuit? What attention do we engage even in the pulpit? Here, if a
+sermon be prolonged a little beyond the usual hour, doth it not set
+half the audience asleep? as I question not I have by this time both
+my children. Well, then, like a good-natured surgeon, who prepares his
+patient for a painful operation by endeavouring as much as he can to
+deaden his sensation, I will now communicate to you, in your
+slumbering condition, the news with which I threatened you. Your good
+mother, you are to know, is dead at last, and hath left her whole
+fortune to her elder daughter.--This is all the ill news I have to
+tell you. Confess now, if you are awake, did you not expect it was
+much worse; did not you apprehend that your charming child was dead?
+Far from it, he is in perfect health, and the admiration of everybody:
+what is more, he will be taken care of, with the tenderness of a
+parent, till your return. What pleasure must this give you! if indeed
+anything can add to the happiness of a married couple who are
+extremely and deservedly fond of each other, and, as you write me, in
+perfect health. A superstitious heathen would have dreaded the malice
+of Nemesis in your situation; but as I am a Christian, I shall venture
+to add another circumstance to your felicity, by assuring you that you
+have, besides your wife, a faithful and zealous friend. Do not,
+therefore, my dear children, fall into that fault which the excellent
+Thucydides observes is too common in human nature, to bear heavily the
+being deprived of the smaller good, without conceiving, at the same
+time, any gratitude for the much greater blessings which we are
+suffered to enjoy. I have only farther to tell you, my son, that, when
+you call at Mr. Morand's, Rue Dauphine, you will find yourself worth a
+hundred pounds. Good Heaven! how much richer are you than millions of
+people who are in want of nothing! farewel, and know me for your
+sincere and affectionate friend."
+
+"There, madam," cries Booth, "how do you like the letter?"
+
+"Oh! extremely," answered she: "the doctor is a charming man; I always
+loved dearly to hear him preach. I remember to have heard of Mrs.
+Harris's death above a year before I left the country, but never knew
+the particulars of her will before. I am extremely sorry for it, upon
+my honour."
+
+"Oh, fy! madam," cries Booth; "have you so soon forgot the chief
+purport of the doctor's letter?"
+
+"Ay, ay," cried she; "these are very pretty things to read, I
+acknowledge; but the loss of fortune is a serious matter; and I am
+sure a man of Mr. Booth's understanding must think so." "One
+consideration, I must own, madam," answered he, "a good deal baffled
+all the doctor's arguments. This was the concern for my little growing
+family, who must one day feel the loss; nor was I so easy upon
+Amelia's account as upon my own, though she herself put on the utmost
+chearfulness, and stretched her invention to the utmost to comfort me.
+But sure, madam, there is something in the doctor's letter to admire
+beyond the philosophy of it; what think you of that easy, generous,
+friendly manner, in which he sent me the hundred pounds?"
+
+"Very noble and great indeed," replied she. "But pray go on with your
+story; for I long to hear the whole."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter xi.
+
+_In which Mr. Booth relates his return to England._
+
+
+"Nothing remarkable, as I remember, happened during our stay at Paris,
+which we left soon after and came to London. Here we rested only two
+days, and then, taking leave of our fellow-travellers, we set out for
+Wiltshire, my wife being so impatient to see the child which she had
+left behind her, that the child she carried with her was almost killed
+with the fatigue of the journey.
+
+"We arrived at our inn late in the evening. Amelia, though she had no
+great reason to be pleased with any part of her sister's behaviour,
+resolved to behave to her as if nothing wrong had ever happened. She
+therefore sent a kind note to her the moment of our arrival, giving
+her her option, whether she would come to us at the inn, or whether we
+should that evening wait on her. The servant, after waiting an hour,
+brought us an answer, excusing her from coming to us so late, as she
+was disordered with a cold, and desiring my wife by no means to think
+of venturing out after the fatigue of her journey; saying, she would,
+on that account, defer the great pleasure of seeing her till the
+morning, without taking any more notice of your humble servant than if
+no such person had been in the world, though I had very civilly sent
+my compliments to her. I should not mention this trifle, if it was not
+to shew you the nature of the woman, and that it will be a kind of key
+to her future conduct.
+
+"When the servant returned, the good doctor, who had been with us
+almost all the time of his absence, hurried us away to his house,
+where we presently found a supper and a bed prepared for us. My wife
+was eagerly desirous to see her child that night; but the doctor would
+not suffer it; and, as he was at nurse at a distant part of the town,
+and the doctor assured her he had seen him in perfect health that
+evening, she suffered herself at last to be dissuaded.
+
+"We spent that evening in the most agreeable manner; for the doctor's
+wit and humour, joined to the highest chearfulness and good nature,
+made him the most agreeable companion in the world: and he was now in
+the highest spirits, which he was pleased to place to our account. We
+sat together to a very late hour; for so excellent is my wife's
+constitution, that she declared she was scarce sensible of any fatigue
+from her late journeys.
+
+"Amelia slept not a wink all night, and in the morning early the
+doctor accompanied us to the little infant. The transports we felt on
+this occasion were really enchanting, nor can any but a fond parent
+conceive, I am certain, the least idea of them. Our imaginations
+suggested a hundred agreeable circumstances, none of which had,
+perhaps, any foundation. We made words and meaning out of every sound,
+and in every feature found out some resemblance to my Amelia, as she
+did to me.
+
+"But I ask your pardon for dwelling on such incidents, and will
+proceed to scenes which, to most persons, will be more entertaining.
+
+"We went hence to pay a visit to Miss Harris, whose reception of us
+was, I think, truly ridiculous; and, as you know the lady, I will
+endeavour to describe it particularly. At our first arrival we were
+ushered into a parlour, where we were suffered to wait almost an hour.
+At length the lady of the house appeared in deep mourning, with a
+face, if possible, more dismal than her dress, in which, however,
+there was every appearance of art. Her features were indeed skrewed up
+to the very height of grief. With this face, and in the most solemn
+gait, she approached Amelia, and coldly saluted her. After which she
+made me a very distant formal courtesy, and we all sat down. A short
+silence now ensued, which Miss Harris at length broke with a deep
+sigh, and said, 'Sister, here is a great alteration in this place
+since you saw it last; Heaven hath been pleased to take my poor mother
+to itself.'--(Here she wiped her eyes, and then continued.)--'I hope I
+know my duty, and have learned a proper resignation to the divine
+will; but something is to be allowed to grief for the best of mothers;
+for so she was to us both; and if at last she made any distinction,
+she must have had her reasons for so doing. I am sure I can truly say
+I never wished, much less desired it.' The tears now stood in poor
+Amelia's eyes; indeed, she had paid too many already for the memory of
+so unnatural a parent. She answered, with the sweetness of an angel,
+that she was far from blaming her sister's emotions on so tender an
+occasion; that she heartily joined with her in her grief; for that
+nothing which her mother had done in the latter part of her life could
+efface the remembrance of that tenderness which she had formerly shewn
+her. Her sister caught hold of the word efface, and rung the changes
+upon it.--'Efface!' cried she, 'O Miss Emily (for you must not expect
+me to repeat names that will be for ever odious), I wish indeed
+everything could be effaced.--Effaced! O that that was possible! we
+might then have still enjoyed my poor mother; for I am convinced she
+never recovered her grief on a certain occasion.'--Thus she ran on,
+and, after many bitter strokes upon her sister, at last directly
+charged her mother's death on my marriage with Amelia. I could be
+silent then no longer. I reminded her of the perfect reconciliation
+between us before my departure, and the great fondness which she
+expressed for me; nor could I help saying, in very plain terms, that
+if she had ever changed her opinion of me, as I was not conscious of
+having deserved such a change by my own behaviour, I was well
+convinced to whose good offices I owed it. Guilt hath very quick ears
+to an accusation. Miss Harris immediately answered to the charge. She
+said, such suspicions were no more than she expected; that they were
+of a piece with every other part of my conduct, and gave her one
+consolation, that they served to account for her sister Emily's
+unkindness, as well to herself as to her poor deceased mother, and in
+some measure lessened the guilt of it with regard to her, since it was
+not easy to know how far a woman is in the power of her husband. My
+dear Amelia reddened at this reflection on me, and begged her sister
+to name any single instance of unkindness or disrespect in which she
+had ever offended. To this the other answered (I am sure I repeat her
+words, though I cannot mimic either the voice or air with which they
+were spoken)--'Pray, Miss Emily, which is to be the judge, yourself or
+that gentleman? I remember the time when I could have trusted to your
+judgment in any affair; but you are now no longer mistress of
+yourself, and are not answerable for your actions. Indeed, it is my
+constant prayer that your actions may not be imputed to you. It was
+the constant prayer of that blessed woman, my dear mother, who is now
+a saint above; a saint whose name I can never mention without a tear,
+though I find you can hear it without one. I cannot help observing
+some concern on so melancholy an occasion; it seems due to decency;
+but, perhaps (for I always wish to excuse you) you are forbid to cry.'
+The idea of being bid or forbid to cry struck so strongly on my fancy,
+that indignation only could have prevented me from laughing. But my
+narrative, I am afraid, begins to grow tedious. In short, after
+hearing, for near an hour, every malicious insinuation which a fertile
+genius could invent, we took our leave, and separated as persons who
+would never willingly meet again.
+
+"The next morning after this interview Amelia received a long letter
+from Miss Harris; in which, after many bitter invectives against me,
+she excused her mother, alledging that she had been driven to do as
+she did in order to prevent Amelia's ruin, if her fortune had fallen
+into my hands. She likewise very remotely hinted that she would be
+only a trustee for her sister's children, and told her that on one
+condition only she would consent to live with her as a sister. This
+was, if she could by any means be separated from that man, as she was
+pleased to call me, who had caused so much mischief in the family.
+
+"I was so enraged at this usage, that, had not Amelia intervened, I
+believe I should have applied to a magistrate for a search-warrant for
+that picture, which there was so much reason to suspect she had
+stolen; and which I am convinced, upon a search, we should have found
+in her possession."
+
+"Nay, it is possible enough," cries Miss Matthews; "for I believe
+there is no wickedness of which the lady is not capable."
+
+"This agreeable letter was succeeded by another of the like
+comfortable kind, which informed me that the company in which I was,
+being an additional one raised in the beginning of the war, was
+reduced; so that I was now a lieutenant on half-pay.
+
+"Whilst we were meditating on our present situation the good doctor
+came to us. When we related to him the manner in which my sister had
+treated us, he cried out, 'Poor soul! I pity her heartily;' for this
+is the severest resentment he ever expresses; indeed, I have often
+heard him say that a wicked soul is the greatest object of compassion
+in the world."--A sentiment which we shall leave the reader a little
+time to digest.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter xii.
+
+_In which Mr. Booth concludes his story._
+
+
+"The next day the doctor set out for his parsonage, which was about
+thirty miles distant, whither Amelia and myself accompanied him, and
+where we stayed with him all the time of his residence there, being
+almost three months.
+
+"The situation of the parish under my good friend's care is very
+pleasant. It is placed among meadows, washed by a clear trout-stream,
+and flanked on both sides with downs. His house, indeed, would not
+much attract the admiration of the virtuoso. He built it himself, and
+it is remarkable only for its plainness; with which the furniture so
+well agrees, that there is no one thing in it that may not be
+absolutely necessary, except books, and the prints of Mr. Hogarth,
+whom he calls a moral satirist.
+
+"Nothing, however, can be imagined more agreeable than the life that
+the doctor leads in this homely house, which he calls his earthly
+paradise. All his parishioners, whom he treats as his children, regard
+him as their common father. Once in a week he constantly visits every
+house in the parish, examines, commends, and rebukes, as he finds
+occasion. This is practised likewise by his curate in his absence; and
+so good an effect is produced by this their care, that no quarrels
+ever proceed either to blows or law-suits; no beggar is to be found in
+the whole parish; nor did I ever hear a very profane oath all the time
+I lived in it. "But to return from so agreeable a digression, to my
+own affairs, that are much less worth your attention. In the midst of
+all the pleasures I tasted in this sweet place and in the most
+delightful company, the woman and man whom I loved above all things,
+melancholy reflexions concerning my unhappy circumstances would often
+steal into my thoughts. My fortune was now reduced to less than forty
+pounds a-year; I had already two children, and my dear Amelia was
+again with child.
+
+"One day the doctor found me sitting by myself, and employed in
+melancholy contemplations on this subject. He told me he had observed
+me growing of late very serious; that he knew the occasion, and
+neither wondered at nor blamed me. He then asked me if I had any
+prospect of going again into the army; if not, what scheme of life I
+proposed to myself?
+
+"I told him that, as I had no powerful friends, I could have but
+little expectations in a military way; that I was as incapable of
+thinking of any other scheme, as all business required some knowledge
+or experience, and likewise money to set up with; of all which I was
+destitute.
+
+"'You must know then, child,' said the doctor, 'that I have been
+thinking on this subject as well as you; for I can think, I promise
+you, with a pleasant countenance.' These were his words. 'As to the
+army, perhaps means might be found of getting you another commission;
+but my daughter seems to have a violent objection to it; and to be
+plain, I fancy you yourself will find no glory make you amends for
+your absence from her. And for my part,' said he, 'I never think those
+men wise who, for any worldly interest, forego the greatest happiness
+of their lives. If I mistake not,' says he, 'a country life, where you
+could be always together, would make you both much happier people.'
+
+"I answered, that of all things I preferred it most; and I believed
+Amelia was of the same opinion.
+
+"The doctor, after a little hesitation, proposed to me to turn farmer,
+and offered to let me his parsonage, which was then become vacant. He
+said it was a farm which required but little stock, and that little
+should not be wanting.
+
+"I embraced this offer very eagerly, and with great thankfulness, and
+immediately repaired to Amelia to communicate it to her, and to know
+her sentiments.
+
+"Amelia received the news with the highest transports of joy; she said
+that her greatest fear had always been of my entring again into the
+army. She was so kind as to say that all stations of life were equal
+to her, unless as one afforded her more of my company than another.
+'And as to our children,' said she, 'let us breed them up to an humble
+fortune, and they will be contented with it; for none,' added my
+angel, 'deserve happiness, or, indeed, are capable of it, who make any
+particular station a necessary ingredient.'"
+
+"Thus, madam, you see me degraded from my former rank in life; no
+longer Captain Booth, but farmer Booth at your service.
+
+"During my first year's continuance in this new scene of life,
+nothing, I think, remarkable happened; the history of one day would,
+indeed, be the history of the whole year."
+
+"Well, pray then," said Miss Matthews, "do let us hear the history of
+that day; I have a strange curiosity to know how you could kill your
+time; and do, if possible, find out the very best day you can."
+
+"If you command me, madam," answered Booth, "you must yourself be
+accountable for the dulness of the narrative. Nay, I believe, you have
+imposed a very difficult task on me; for the greatest happiness is
+incapable of description.
+
+"I rose then, madam--"
+
+"O, the moment you waked, undoubtedly," said Miss Matthews.
+
+"Usually," said he, "between five and six."
+
+"I will have no usually," cried Miss Matthews, "you are confined to a
+day, and it is to be the best and happiest in the year."
+
+"Nay, madam," cries Booth, "then I must tell you the day in which
+Amelia was brought to bed, after a painful and dangerous labour; for
+that I think was the happiest day of my life."
+
+"I protest," said she, "you are become farmer Booth, indeed. What a
+happiness have you painted to my imagination! you put me in mind of a
+newspaper, where my lady such-a-one is delivered of a son, to the
+great joy of some illustrious family."
+
+"Why then, I do assure you, Miss Matthews," cries Booth, "I scarce
+know a circumstance that distinguished one day from another. The whole
+was one continued series of love, health, and tranquillity. Our lives
+resembled a calm sea."--
+
+"The dullest of all ideas," cries the lady.
+
+"I know," said he, "it must appear dull in description, for who can
+describe the pleasures which the morning air gives to one in perfect
+health; the flow of spirits which springs up from exercise; the
+delights which parents feel from the prattle and innocent follies of
+their children; the joy with which the tender smile of a wife inspires
+a husband; or lastly, the chearful, solid comfort which a fond couple
+enjoy in each other's conversation?--All these pleasures and every
+other of which our situation was capable we tasted in the highest
+degree. Our happiness was, perhaps, too great; for fortune seemed to
+grow envious of it, and interposed one of the most cruel accidents
+that could have befallen us by robbing us of our dear friend the
+doctor."
+
+"I am sorry for it," said Miss Matthews. "He was indeed a valuable
+man, and I never heard of his death before."
+
+"Long may it be before any one hears of it!" cries Booth. "He is,
+indeed, dead to us; but will, I hope, enjoy many happy years of life.
+You know, madam, the obligations he had to his patron the earl;
+indeed, it was impossible to be once in his company without hearing of
+them. I am sure you will neither wonder that he was chosen to attend
+the young lord in his travels as his tutor, nor that the good man,
+however disagreeable it might be (as in fact it was) to his
+inclination, should comply with the earnest request of his friend and
+patron.
+
+"By this means I was bereft not only of the best companion in the
+world, but of the best counsellor; a loss of which I have since felt
+the bitter consequence; for no greater advantage, I am convinced, can
+arrive to a young man, who hath any degree of understanding, than an
+intimate converse with one of riper years, who is not only able to
+advise, but who knows the manner of advising. By this means alone,
+youth can enjoy the benefit of the experience of age, and that at a
+time of life when such experience will be of more service to a man
+than when he hath lived long enough to acquire it of himself.
+
+"From want of my sage counsellor, I now fell into many errors. The
+first of these was in enlarging my business, by adding a farm of one
+hundred a year to the parsonage, in renting which I had also as bad a
+bargain as the doctor had before given me a good one. The consequence
+of which was, that whereas, at the end of the first year, I was worth
+upwards of fourscore pounds; at the end of the second I was near half
+that sum worse (as the phrase is) than nothing.
+
+"A second folly I was guilty of in uniting families with the curate of
+the parish, who had just married, as my wife and I thought, a very
+good sort of a woman. We had not, however, lived one month together
+before I plainly perceived this good sort of a woman had taken a great
+prejudice against my Amelia, for which, if I had not known something
+of the human passions, and that high place which envy holds among
+them, I should not have been able to account, for, so far was my angel
+from having given her any cause of dislike, that she had treated her
+not only with civility, but kindness.
+
+"Besides superiority in beauty, which, I believe, all the world would
+have allowed to Amelia, there was another cause of this envy, which I
+am almost ashamed to mention, as it may well be called my greatest
+folly. You are to know then, madam, that from a boy I had been always
+fond of driving a coach, in which I valued myself on having some
+skill. This, perhaps, was an innocent, but I allow it to have been a
+childish vanity. As I had an opportunity, therefore, of buying an old
+coach and harness very cheap (indeed they cost me but twelve pounds),
+and as I considered that the same horses which drew my waggons would
+likewise draw my coach, I resolved on indulging myself in the
+purchase.
+
+"The consequence of setting up this poor old coach is inconceivable.
+Before this, as my wife and myself had very little distinguished
+ourselves from the other farmers and their wives, either in our dress
+or our way of living, they treated us as their equals; but now they
+began to consider us as elevating ourselves into a state of
+superiority, and immediately began to envy, hate, and declare war
+against us. The neighbouring little squires, too, were uneasy to see a
+poor renter become their equal in a matter in which they placed so
+much dignity; and, not doubting but it arose in me from the same
+ostentation, they began to hate me likewise, and to turn my equipage
+into ridicule, asserting that my horses, which were as well matched as
+any in the kingdom, were of different colours and sizes, with much
+more of that kind of wit, the only basis of which is lying.
+
+"But what will appear most surprizing to you, madam, was, that the
+curate's wife, who, being lame, had more use of the coach than my
+Amelia (indeed she seldom went to church in any other manner), was one
+of my bitterest enemies on the occasion. If she had ever any dispute
+with Amelia, which all the sweetness of my poor girl could not
+sometimes avoid, she was sure to introduce with a malicious sneer,
+'Though my husband doth not keep a coach, madam.' Nay, she took this
+opportunity to upbraid my wife with the loss of her fortune, alledging
+that some folks might have had as good pretensions to a coach as other
+folks, and a better too, as they brought a better fortune to their
+husbands, but that all people had not the art of making brick without
+straw.
+
+"You will wonder, perhaps, madam, how I can remember such stuff,
+which, indeed, was a long time only matter of amusement to both Amelia
+and myself; but we at last experienced the mischievous nature of envy,
+and that it tends rather to produce tragical than comical events. My
+neighbours now began to conspire against me. They nicknamed me in
+derision, the Squire Farmer. Whatever I bought, I was sure to buy
+dearer, and when I sold I was obliged to sell cheaper, than any other.
+In fact, they were all united, and, while they every day committed
+trespasses on my lands with impunity, if any of my cattle escaped into
+their fields, I was either forced to enter into a law-suit or to make
+amends fourfold for the damage sustained.
+
+"The consequences of all this could be no other than that ruin which
+ensued. Without tiring you with particulars, before the end of four
+years I became involved in debt near three hundred pounds more than
+the value of all my effects. My landlord seized my stock for rent,
+and, to avoid immediate confinement in prison, I was forced to leave
+the country with all that I hold dear in the world, my wife and my
+poor little family.
+
+"In this condition I arrived in town five or six days ago. I had just
+taken a lodging in the verge of the court, and had writ my dear Amelia
+word where she might find me, when she had settled her affairs in the
+best manner she could. That very evening, as I was returning home from
+a coffee-house, a fray happening in the street, I endeavoured to
+assist the injured party, when I was seized by the watch, and, after
+being confined all night in the round-house, was conveyed in the
+morning before a justice of peace, who committed me hither; where I
+should probably have starved, had I not from your hands found a most
+unaccountable preservation.--And here, give me leave to assure you, my
+dear Miss Matthews, that, whatever advantage I may have reaped from
+your misfortune, I sincerely lament it; nor would I have purchased any
+relief to myself at the price of seeing you in this dreadful place."
+
+He spake these last words with great tenderness; for he was a man of
+consummate good nature, and had formerly had much affection for this
+young lady; indeed, more than the generality of people are capable of
+entertaining for any person whatsoever.
+
+
+
+
+BOOK IV.
+
+Chapter i.
+
+_Containing very mysterious matter_.
+
+
+Miss Matthews did not in the least fall short of Mr. Booth in
+expressions of tenderness. Her eyes, the most eloquent orators on such
+occasions, exerted their utmost force; and at the conclusion of his
+speech she cast a look as languishingly sweet as ever Cleopatra gave
+to Antony. In real fact, this Mr. Booth had been her first love, and
+had made those impressions on her young heart, which the learned in
+this branch of philosophy affirm, and perhaps truly, are never to be
+eradicated.
+
+When Booth had finished his story a silence ensued of some minutes; an
+interval which the painter would describe much better than the writer.
+Some readers may, however, be able to make pretty pertinent
+conjectures by what I have said above, especially when they are told
+that Miss Matthews broke the silence by a sigh, and cried, "Why is Mr.
+Booth unwilling to allow me the happiness of thinking my misfortunes
+have been of some little advantage to him? sure the happy Amelia would
+not be so selfish to envy me that pleasure. No; not if she was as much
+the fondest as she is the happiest of women." "Good heavens! madam,"
+said he, "do you call my poor Amelia the happiest of women?" "Indeed I
+do," answered she briskly. "O Mr. Booth! there is a speck of white in
+her fortune, which, when it falls to the lot of a sensible woman,
+makes her full amends for all the crosses which can attend her.
+Perhaps she may not be sensible of it; but if it had been my blest
+fate--O Mr. Booth! could I have thought, when we were first
+acquainted, that the most agreeable man in the world had been capable
+of making the kind, the tender, the affectionate husband--happy
+Amelia, in those days, was unknown; Heaven had not then given her a
+prospect of the happiness it intended her; but yet it did intend it
+her; for sure there is a fatality in the affairs of love; and the more
+I reflect on my own life, the more I am convinced of it.--O heavens!
+how a thousand little circumstances crowd into my mind! When you first
+marched into our town, you had then the colours in your hand; as you
+passed under the window where I stood, my glove, by accident, dropt
+into the street; you stoopt, took up my glove, and, putting it upon
+the spike belonging to your colours, lifted it up to the window. Upon
+this a young lady who stood by said, 'So, miss, the young officer hath
+accepted your challenge.' I blushed then, and I blush now, when I
+confess to you I thought you the prettiest young fellow I had ever
+seen; and, upon my soul, I believe you was then the prettiest fellow
+in the world." Booth here made a low bow, and cried, "O dear madam,
+how ignorant was I of my own happiness!" "Would you really have
+thought so?" answered she. "However, there is some politeness if there
+be no sincerity in what you say."--Here the governor of the enchanted
+castle interrupted them, and, entering the room without any ceremony,
+acquainted the lady and gentleman that it was locking-up time; and,
+addressing Booth by the name of captain, asked him if he would not
+please to have a bed; adding, that he might have one in the next room
+to the lady, but that it would come dear; for that he never let a bed
+in that room under a guinea, nor could he afford it cheaper to his
+father.
+
+No answer was made to this proposal; but Miss Matthews, who had
+already learnt some of the ways of the house, said she believed Mr.
+Booth would like to drink a glass of something; upon which the
+governor immediately trumpeted forth the praises of his rack-punch,
+and, without waiting for any farther commands, presently produced a
+large bowl of that liquor.
+
+The governor, having recommended the goodness of his punch by a hearty
+draught, began to revive the other matter, saying that he was just
+going to bed, and must first lock up.--"But suppose," said Miss
+Matthews, with a smile, "the captain and I should have a mind to sit
+up all night."--"With all my heart," said the governor; "but I expect
+a consideration for those matters. For my part, I don't enquire into
+what doth not concern me; but single and double are two things. If I
+lock up double I expect half a guinea, and I'm sure the captain cannot
+think that's out of the way; it is but the price of a bagnio."
+
+Miss Matthews's face became the colour of scarlet at those words.
+However, she mustered up her spirits, and, turning to Booth, said,
+"What say you, captain? for my own part, I had never less inclination
+to sleep; which hath the greater charms for you, the punch or the
+pillow?"--"I hope, madam," answered Booth, "you have a better opinion
+of me than to doubt my preferring Miss Matthews's conversation to
+either."--"I assure you," replied she, "it is no compliment to you to
+say I prefer yours to sleep at this time."
+
+The governor, then, having received his fee, departed; and, turning
+the key, left the gentleman and the lady to themselves.
+
+In imitation of him we will lock up likewise a scene which we do not
+think proper to expose to the eyes of the public. If any over-curious
+readers should be disappointed on this occasion, we will recommend
+such readers to the apologies with which certain gay ladies have
+lately been pleased to oblige the world, where they will possibly find
+everything recorded that past at this interval.
+
+But, though we decline painting the scene, it is not our intention to
+conceal from the world the frailty of Mr. Booth, or of his fair
+partner, who certainly past that evening in a manner inconsistent with
+the strict rules of virtue and chastity.
+
+To say the truth, we are much more concerned for the behaviour of the
+gentleman than of the lady, not only for his sake, but for the sake of
+the best woman in the world, whom we should be sorry to consider as
+yoked to a man of no worth nor honour. We desire, therefore, the good-
+natured and candid reader will be pleased to weigh attentively the
+several unlucky circumstances which concurred so critically, that
+Fortune seemed to have used her utmost endeavours to ensnare poor
+Booth's constancy. Let the reader set before his eyes a fine young
+woman, in a manner, a first love, conferring obligations and using
+every art to soften, to allure, to win, and to enflame; let him
+consider the time and place; let him remember that Mr. Booth was a
+young fellow in the highest vigour of life; and, lastly, let him add
+one single circumstance, that the parties were alone together; and
+then, if he will not acquit the defendant, he must be convicted, for I
+have nothing more to say in his defence.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ii.
+
+_The latter part of which we expect will please our reader better
+than the former._
+
+
+A whole week did our lady and gentleman live in this criminal
+conversation, in which the happiness of the former was much more
+perfect than that of the latter; for, though the charms of Miss
+Matthews, and her excessive endearments, sometimes lulled every
+thought in the sweet lethargy of pleasure, yet in the intervals of his
+fits his virtue alarmed and roused him, and brought the image of poor
+injured Amelia to haunt and torment him. In fact, if we regard this
+world only, it is the interest of every man to be either perfectly
+good or completely bad. He had better destroy his conscience than
+gently wound it. The many bitter reflections which every bad action
+costs a mind in which there are any remains of goodness are not to be
+compensated by the highest pleasures which such an action can produce.
+
+So it happened to Mr. Booth. Repentance never failed to follow his
+transgressions; and yet so perverse is our judgment, and so slippery
+is the descent of vice when once we are entered into it, the same
+crime which he now repented of became a reason for doing that which
+was to cause his future repentance; and he continued to sin on because
+he had begun. His repentance, however, returned still heavier and
+heavier, till, at last, it flung him into a melancholy, which Miss
+Matthews plainly perceived, and at which she could not avoid
+expressing some resentment in obscure hints and ironical compliments
+on Amelia's superiority to her whole sex, who could not cloy a gay
+young fellow by many years' possession. She would then repeat the
+compliments which others had made to her own beauty, and could not
+forbear once crying out, "Upon my soul, my dear Billy, I believe the
+chief disadvantage on my side is my superior fondness; for love, in
+the minds of men, hath one quality, at least, of a fever, which is to
+prefer coldness in the object. Confess, dear Will, is there not
+something vastly refreshing in the cool air of a prude?" Booth fetched
+a deep sigh, and begged her never more to mention Amelia's name. "O
+Will," cries she, "did that request proceed from the motive I could
+wish, I should be the happiest of womankind."--"You would not, sure,
+madam," said Booth, "desire a sacrifice which I must be a villain to
+make to any?"--"Desire!" answered she, "are there any bounds to the
+desires of love? have not I been sacrificed? hath not my first love
+been torn from my bleeding heart? I claim a prior right. As for
+sacrifices, I can make them too, and would sacrifice the whole world
+at the least call of my love."
+
+Here she delivered a letter to Booth, which she had received within an
+hour, the contents of which were these:--
+
+"DEAREST MADAM,--Those only who truly know what love is, can have any
+conception of the horrors I felt at hearing of your confinement at my
+arrival in town, which was this morning. I immediately sent my lawyer
+to enquire into the particulars, who brought me the agreeable news
+that the man, whose heart's blood ought not to be valued at the rate
+of a single hair of yours, is entirely out of all danger, and that you
+might be admitted to bail. I presently ordered him to go with two of
+my tradesmen, who are to be bound in any sum for your appearance, if
+he should be mean enough to prosecute you. Though you may expect my
+attorney with you soon, I would not delay sending this, as I hope the
+news will be agreeable to you. My chariot will attend at the same time
+to carry you wherever you please. You may easily guess what a violence
+I have done to myself in not waiting on you in person; but I, who know
+your delicacy, feared it might offend, and that you might think me
+ungenerous enough to hope from your distresses that happiness which I
+am resolved to owe to your free gift alone, when your good nature
+shall induce you to bestow on me what no man living can merit. I beg
+you will pardon all the contents of this hasty letter, and do me the
+honour of believing me,
+              Dearest madam,
+                      Your most passionate admirer,
+                         and most obedient humble servant,
+                                              DAMON."
+
+Booth thought he had somewhere before seen the same hand, but in his
+present hurry of spirits could not recollect whose it was, nor did the
+lady give him any time for reflection; for he had scarce read the
+letter when she produced a little bit of paper and cried out, "Here,
+sir, here are the contents which he fears will offend me." She then
+put a bank-bill of a hundred pounds into Mr. Booth's hands, and asked
+him with a smile if he did not think she had reason to be offended
+with so much insolence?
+
+Before Booth could return any answer the governor arrived, and
+introduced Mr. Rogers the attorney, who acquainted the lady that he
+had brought her discharge from her confinement, and that a chariot
+waited at the door to attend her wherever she pleased.
+
+She received the discharge from Mr. Rogers, and said she was very much
+obliged to the gentleman who employed him, but that she would not make
+use of the chariot, as she had no notion of leaving that wretched
+place in a triumphant manner; in which resolution, when the attorney
+found her obstinate, he withdrew, as did the governor, with many bows
+and as many ladyships.
+
+They were no sooner gone than Booth asked the lady why she would
+refuse the chariot of a gentleman who had behaved with such excessive
+respect? She looked earnestly upon him, and cried, "How unkind is that
+question! do you imagine I would go and leave you in such a situation?
+thou knowest but little of Calista. Why, do you think I would accept
+this hundred pounds from a man I dislike, unless it was to be
+serviceable to the man I love? I insist on your taking it as your own
+and using whatever you want of it."
+
+Booth protested in the solemnest manner that he would not touch a
+shilling of it, saying, he had already received too many obligations
+at her hands, and more than ever he should be able, he feared, to
+repay. "How unkind," answered she, "is every word you say, why will
+you mention obligations? love never confers any. It doth everything
+for its own sake. I am not therefore obliged to the man whose passion
+makes him generous; for I feel how inconsiderable the whole world
+would appear to me if I could throw it after my heart."
+
+Much more of this kind past, she still pressing the bank-note upon
+him, and he as absolutely refusing, till Booth left the lady to dress
+herself, and went to walk in the area of the prison.
+
+Miss Matthews now applied to the governor to know by what means she
+might procure the captain his liberty. The governor answered, "As he
+cannot get bail, it will be a difficult matter; and money to be sure
+there must be; for people no doubt expect to touch on these occasions.
+When prisoners have not wherewithal as the law requires to entitle
+themselves to justice, why they must be beholden to other people to
+give them their liberty; and people will not, to be sure, suffer
+others to be beholden to them for nothing, whereof there is good
+reason; for how should we all live if it was not for these things?"
+"Well, well," said she, "and how much will it cost?" "How much!"
+answered he,--"How much!--why, let me see."--Here he hesitated some
+time, and then answered "That for five guineas he would undertake to
+procure the captain his discharge. "That being the sum which he
+computed to remain in the lady's pocket; for, as to the gentleman's,
+he had long been acquainted with the emptiness of it.
+
+Miss Matthews, to whom money was as dirt (indeed she may be thought
+not to have known the value of it), delivered him the bank-bill, and
+bid him get it changed; for if the whole, says she, will procure him
+his liberty, he shall have it this evening.
+
+"The whole, madam!" answered the governor, as soon as he had recovered
+his breath, for it almost forsook him at the sight of the black word
+hundred--"No, no; there might be people indeed--but I am not one of
+those. A hundred! no, nor nothing like it.--As for myself, as I said,
+I will be content with five guineas, and I am sure that's little
+enough. What other people will expect I cannot exactly say. To be sure
+his worship's clerk will expect to touch pretty handsomely; as for his
+worship himself, he never touches anything, that is, not to speak of;
+but then the constable will expect something, and the watchman must
+have something, and the lawyers on both sides, they must have their
+fees for finishing."--"Well," said she, "I leave all to you. If it
+costs me twenty pounds I will have him discharged this afternoon.--But
+you must give his discharge into my hands without letting the captain
+know anything of the matter."
+
+The governor promised to obey her commands in every particular; nay,
+he was so very industrious, that, though dinner was just then coming
+upon the table, at her earnest request he set out immediately on the
+purpose, and went as he said in pursuit of the lawyer.
+
+All the other company assembled at table as usual, where poor Booth
+was the only person out of spirits. This was imputed by all present to
+a wrong cause; nay, Miss Matthews herself either could not or would
+not suspect that there was anything deeper than the despair of being
+speedily discharged that lay heavy on his mind.
+
+However, the mirth of the rest, and a pretty liberal quantity of
+punch, which he swallowed after dinner (for Miss Matthews had ordered
+a very large bowl at her own expense to entertain the good company at
+her farewell), so far exhilarated his spirits, that when the young
+lady and he retired to their tea he had all the marks of gayety in his
+countenance, and his eyes sparkled with good humour.
+
+The gentleman and lady had spent about two hours in tea and
+conversation, when the governor returned, and privately delivered to
+the lady the discharge for her friend, and the sum of eighty-two
+pounds five shillings; the rest having been, he said, disbursed in the
+business, of which he was ready at any time to render an exact
+account.
+
+Miss Matthews being again alone with Mr. Booth, she put the discharge
+into his hands, desiring him to ask her no questions; and adding, "I
+think, sir, we have neither of us now anything more to do at this
+place." She then summoned the governor, and ordered a bill of that
+day's expense, for long scores were not usual there; and at the same
+time ordered a hackney coach, without having yet determined whither
+she would go, but fully determined she was, wherever she went, to take
+Mr. Booth with her.
+
+The governor was now approaching with a long roll of paper, when a
+faint voice was heard to cry out hastily, "Where is he?"--and
+presently a female spectre, all pale and breathless, rushed into the
+room, and fell into Mr. Booth's arms, where she immediately fainted
+away.
+
+Booth made a shift to support his lovely burden; though he was himself
+in a condition very little different from hers. Miss Matthews
+likewise, who presently recollected the face of Amelia, was struck
+motionless with the surprize, nay, the governor himself, though not
+easily moved at sights of horror, stood aghast, and neither offered to
+speak nor stir.
+
+Happily for Amelia, the governess of the mansions had, out of
+curiosity, followed her into the room, and was the only useful person
+present on this occasion: she immediately called for water, and ran to
+the lady's assistance, fell to loosening her stays, and performed all
+the offices proper at such a season; which had so good an effect, that
+Amelia soon recovered the disorder which the violent agitation of her
+spirits had caused, and found herself alive and awake in her husband's
+arms.
+
+Some tender caresses and a soft whisper or two passed privately
+between Booth and his lady; nor was it without great difficulty that
+poor Amelia put some restraint on her fondness in a place so improper
+for a tender interview. She now cast her eyes round the room, and,
+fixing them on Miss Matthews, who stood like a statue, she soon
+recollected her, and, addressing her by her name, said, "Sure, madam,
+I cannot be mistaken in those features; though meeting you here might
+almost make me suspect my memory."
+
+Miss Matthews's face was now all covered with scarlet. The reader may
+easily believe she was on no account pleased with Amelia's presence;
+indeed, she expected from her some of those insults of which virtuous
+women are generally so liberal to a frail sister: but she was
+mistaken; Amelia was not one
+
+     Who thought the nation ne'er would thrive,
+     Till all the whores were burnt alive.
+
+Her virtue could support itself with its own intrinsic worth, without
+borrowing any assistance from the vices of other women; and she
+considered their natural infirmities as the objects of pity, not of
+contempt or abhorrence.
+
+When Amelia therefore perceived the visible confusion in Miss Matthews
+she presently called to remembrance some stories which she had
+imperfectly heard; for, as she was not naturally attentive to scandal,
+and had kept very little company since her return to England, she was
+far from being a mistress of the lady's whole history. However, she
+had heard enough to impute her confusion to the right cause; she
+advanced to her, and told her, she was extremely sorry to meet her in
+such a place, but hoped that no very great misfortune was the occasion
+of it.
+
+Miss Matthews began, by degrees, to recover her spirits. She answered,
+with a reserved air, "I am much obliged to you, madam, for your
+concern; we are all liable to misfortunes in this world. Indeed, I
+know not why I should be much ashamed of being in any place where I am
+in such good company."
+
+Here Booth interposed. He had before acquainted Amelia in a whisper
+that his confinement was at an end. "The unfortunate accident, my
+dear," said he, "which brought this young lady to this melancholy
+place is entirely determined; and she is now as absolutely at her
+liberty as myself."
+
+Amelia, imputing the extreme coldness and reserve of the lady to the
+cause already mentioned, advanced still more and more in proportion as
+she drew back; till the governor, who had withdrawn some time,
+returned, and acquainted Miss Matthews that her coach was at the door;
+upon which the company soon separated. Amelia and Booth went together
+in Amelia's coach, and poor Miss Matthews was obliged to retire alone,
+after having satisfied the demands of the governor, which in one day
+only had amounted to a pretty considerable sum; for he, with great
+dexterity, proportioned the bills to the abilities of his guests.
+
+It may seem, perhaps, wonderful to some readers, that Miss Matthews
+should have maintained that cold reserve towards Amelia, so as barely
+to keep within the rules of civility, instead of embracing an
+opportunity which seemed to offer of gaining some degree of intimacy
+with a wife whose husband she was so fond of; but, besides that her
+spirits were entirely disconcerted by so sudden and unexpected a
+disappointment; and besides the extreme horrors which she conceived at
+the presence of her rival, there is, I believe, something so
+outrageously suspicious in the nature of all vice, especially when
+joined with any great degree of pride, that the eyes of those whom we
+imagine privy to our failings are intolerable to us, and we are apt to
+aggravate their opinions to our disadvantage far beyond the reality.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iii.
+
+_Containing wise observations of the author, and other matters._
+
+
+There is nothing more difficult than to lay down any fixed and certain
+rules for happiness; or indeed to judge with any precision of the
+happiness of others from the knowledge of external circumstances.
+There is sometimes a little speck of black in the brightest and gayest
+colours of fortune, which contaminates and deadens the whole. On the
+contrary, when all without looks dark and dismal, there is often a
+secret ray of light within the mind, which turns everything to real
+joy and gladness.
+
+I have in the course of my life seen many occasions to make this
+observation, and Mr. Booth was at present a very pregnant instance of
+its truth. He was just delivered from a prison, and in the possession
+of his beloved wife and children; and (which might be imagined greatly
+to augment his joy) fortune had done all this for him within an hour,
+without giving him the least warning or reasonable expectation of the
+strange reverse in his circumstances; and yet it is certain that there
+were very few men in the world more seriously miserable than he was at
+this instant. A deep melancholy seized his mind, and cold damp sweats
+overspread his person, so that he was scarce animated; and poor
+Amelia, instead of a fond warm husband, bestowed her caresses on a
+dull lifeless lump of clay. He endeavoured, however, at first, as much
+as possible, to conceal what he felt, and attempted what is the
+hardest of all tasks, to act the part of a happy man; but he found no
+supply of spirits to carry on this deceit, and would have probably
+sunk under his attempt, had not poor Amelia's simplicity helped him to
+another fallacy, in which he had much better success.
+
+This worthy woman very plainly perceived the disorder in her husband's
+mind; and, having no doubt of the cause of it, especially when she saw
+the tears stand in his eyes at the sight of his children, threw her
+arms round his neck, and, embracing him with rapturous fondness, cried
+out, "My dear Billy, let nothing make you uneasy. Heaven will, I doubt
+not, provide for us and these poor babes. Great fortunes are not
+necessary to happiness. For my own part, I can level my mind with any
+state; and for those poor little things, whatever condition of life we
+breed them to, that will be sufficient to maintain them in. How many
+thousands abound in affluence whose fortunes are much lower than ours!
+for it is not from nature, but from education and habit, that our
+wants are chiefly derived. Make yourself easy, therefore, my dear
+love; for you have a wife who will think herself happy with you, and
+endeavour to make you so, in any situation. Fear nothing, Billy,
+industry will always provide us a wholesome meal; and I will take care
+that neatness and chearfulness shall make it a pleasant one."
+
+Booth presently took the cue which she had given him. He fixed his
+eyes on her for a minute with great earnestness and inexpressible
+tenderness; and then cried, "O my Amelia, how much are you my superior
+in every perfection! how wise, how great, how noble are your
+sentiments! why can I not imitate what I so much admire? why can I not
+look with your constancy on those dear little pledges of our loves?
+All my philosophy is baffled with the thought that my Amelia's
+children are to struggle with a cruel, hard, unfeeling world, and to
+buffet those waves of fortune which have overwhelmed their father.--
+Here, I own I want your firmness, and am not without an excuse for
+wanting it; for am I not the cruel cause of all your wretchedness?
+have I not stept between you and fortune, and been the cursed obstacle
+to all your greatness and happiness?"
+
+"Say not so, my love," answered she. "Great I might have been, but
+never happy with any other man. Indeed, dear Billy, I laugh at the
+fears you formerly raised in me; what seemed so terrible at a
+distance, now it approaches nearer, appears to have been a mere
+bugbear--and let this comfort you, that I look on myself at this day
+as the happiest of women; nor have I done anything which I do not
+rejoice in, and would, if I had the gift of prescience, do again."
+
+Booth was so overcome with this behaviour, that he had no words to
+answer. To say the truth, it was difficult to find any worthy of the
+occasion. He threw himself prostrate at her feet, whence poor Amelia
+was forced to use all her strength as well as entreaties to raise and
+place him in his chair.
+
+Such is ever the fortitude of perfect innocence, and such the
+depression of guilt in minds not utterly abandoned. Booth was
+naturally of a sanguine temper; nor would any such apprehensions as he
+mentioned have been sufficient to have restrained his joy at meeting
+with his Amelia. In fact, a reflection on the injury he had done her
+was the sole cause of his grief. This it was that enervated his heart,
+and threw him into agonies, which all that profusion of heroic
+tenderness that the most excellent of women intended for his comfort
+served only to heighten and aggravate; as the more she rose in his
+admiration, the more she quickened his sense of his own unworthiness.
+After a disagreeable evening, the first of that kind that he had ever
+passed with his Amelia, in which he had the utmost difficulty to force
+a little chearfulness, and in which her spirits were at length
+overpowered by discerning the oppression on his, they retired to rest,
+or rather to misery, which need not be described.
+
+The next morning at breakfast, Booth began to recover a little from
+his melancholy, and to taste the company of his children. He now first
+thought of enquiring of Amelia by what means she had discovered the
+place of his confinement. Amelia, after gently rebuking him for not
+having himself acquainted her with it, informed him that it was known
+all over the country, and that she had traced the original of it to
+her sister; who had spread the news with a malicious joy, and added a
+circumstance which would have frightened her to death, had not her
+knowledge of him made her give little credit to it, which was, that he
+was committed for murder. But, though she had discredited this part,
+she said the not hearing from him during several successive posts made
+her too apprehensive of the rest; that she got a conveyance therefore
+for herself and children to Salisbury, from whence the stage coach had
+brought them to town; and, having deposited the children at his
+lodging, of which he had sent her an account on his first arrival in
+town, she took a hack, and came directly to the prison where she heard
+he was, and where she found him.
+
+Booth excused himself, and with truth, as to his not having writ; for,
+in fact, he had writ twice from the prison, though he had mentioned
+nothing of his confinement; but, as he sent away his letters after
+nine at night, the fellow to whom they were entrusted had burnt them
+both for the sake of putting the twopence in his own pocket, or rather
+in the pocket of the keeper of the next gin-shop. As to the account
+which Amelia gave him, it served rather to raise than to satisfy his
+curiosity. He began to suspect that some person had seen both him and
+Miss Matthews together in the prison, and had confounded her case with
+his; and this the circumstance of murder made the more probable. But
+who this person should be he could not guess. After giving himself,
+therefore, some pains in forming conjectures to no purpose, he was
+forced to rest contented with his ignorance of the real truth.
+
+Two or three days now passed without producing anything remarkable;
+unless it were that Booth more and more recovered his spirits, and had
+now almost regained his former degree of chearfulness, when the
+following letter arrived, again to torment him:
+
+"DEAR BILLY,
+"To convince you I am the most reasonable of women, I have given you
+up three whole days to the unmolested possession of my fortunate
+rival; I can refrain no longer from letting you know that I lodge in
+Dean Street, not far from the church, at the sign of the Pelican and
+Trumpet, where I expect this evening to see you.
+
+"Believe me I am, with more affection than any other woman in the
+world can be, my dear Billy,
+   Your affectionate, fond, doating
+            F. MATTHEWS."
+
+Booth tore the letter with rage, and threw it into the fire, resolving
+never to visit the lady more, unless it was to pay her the money she
+had lent him, which he was determined to do the very first
+opportunity, for it was not at present in his power.
+
+This letter threw him back into his fit of dejection, in which he had
+not continued long when a packet from the country brought him the
+following from his friend Dr Harrison:
+
+"Sir,                           _Lyons, January 21, N. S._
+"Though I am now on my return home, I have taken up my pen to
+communicate to you some news I have heard from England, which gives me
+much uneasiness, and concerning which I can indeed deliver my
+sentiments with much more ease this way than any other. In my answer
+to your last, I very freely gave you my opinion, in which it was my
+misfortune to disapprove of every step you had taken; but those were
+all pardonable errors. Can you be so partial to yourself, upon cool
+and sober reflexion, to think what I am going to mention is so? I
+promise you, it appears to me a folly of so monstrous a kind, that,
+had I heard it from any but a person of the highest honour, I should
+have rejected it as utterly incredible. I hope you already guess what
+I am about to name; since, Heaven forbid, your conduct should afford
+you any choice of such gross instances of weakness. In a word, then,
+you have set up an equipage. What shall I invent in your excuse,
+either to others or to myself? In truth, I can find no excuse for you,
+and, what is more, I am certain you can find none for yourself. I must
+deal therefore very plainly and sincerely with you. Vanity is always
+contemptible; but when joined with dishonesty, it becomes odious and
+detestable. At whose expence are you to support this equipage? is it
+not entirely at the expence of others? and will it not finally end in
+that of your poor wife and children? you know you are two years in
+arrears to me. If I could impute this to any extraordinary or common
+accident I think I should never have mentioned it; but I will not
+suffer my money to support the ridiculous, and, I must say, criminal
+vanity of any one. I expect, therefore, to find, at my return, that
+you have either discharged my whole debt, or your equipage. Let me beg
+you seriously to consider your circumstances and condition in life,
+and to remember that your situation will not justify any the least
+unnecessary expence. _Simply to be poor,_ says my favourite Greek
+historian, _was not held scandalous by the wise Athenians, but highly
+so to owe that poverty to our own indiscretion._
+
+"Present my affections to Mrs. Booth, and be assured that I shall not,
+without great reason, and great pain too, ever cease to be,
+     Your most faithful friend,
+           R. HARRISON."
+
+Had this letter come at any other time, it would have given Booth the
+most sensible affliction; but so totally had the affair of Miss
+Matthews possessed his mind, that, like a man in the most raging fit
+of the gout, he was scarce capable of any additional torture; nay, he
+even made an use of this latter epistle, as it served to account to
+Amelia for that concern which he really felt on another account. The
+poor deceived lady, therefore, applied herself to give him comfort
+where he least wanted it. She said he might easily perceive that the
+matter had been misrepresented to the doctor, who would not, she was
+sure, retain the least anger against him when he knew the real truth.
+
+After a short conversation on this subject, in which Booth appeared to
+be greatly consoled by the arguments of his wife, they parted. He went
+to take a walk in the Park, and she remained at home to prepare him
+his dinner.
+
+He was no sooner departed than his little boy, not quite six years
+old, said to Amelia, "La! mamma, what is the matter with poor papa,
+what makes him look so as if he was going to cry? he is not half so
+merry as he used to be in the country." Amelia answered, "Oh! my dear,
+your papa is only a little thoughtful, he will be merry again soon."--
+Then looking fondly on her children, she burst into an agony of tears,
+and cried, "Oh Heavens; what have these poor little infants done? why
+will the barbarous world endeavour to starve them, by depriving us of
+our only friend?--O my dear, your father is ruined, and we are
+undone!"--The children presently accompanied their mother's tears, and
+the daughter cried--"Why, will anybody hurt poor papa? hath he done
+any harm to anybody?"--"No, my dear child," said the mother; "he is
+the best man in the world, and therefore they hate him." Upon which
+the boy, who was extremely sensible at his years, answered, "Nay,
+mamma, how can that be? have not you often told me that if I was good
+everybody would love me?" "All good people will," answered she. "Why
+don't they love papa then?" replied the child, "for I am sure he is
+very good." "So they do, my dear," said the mother, "but there are
+more bad people in the world, and they will hate you for your
+goodness." "Why then, bad people," cries the child, "are loved by more
+than the good."--"No matter for that, my dear," said she; "the love of
+one good person is more worth having than that of a thousand wicked
+ones; nay, if there was no such person in the world, still you must be
+a good boy; for there is one in Heaven who will love you, and his love
+is better for you than that of all mankind."
+
+This little dialogue, we are apprehensive, will be read with contempt
+by many; indeed, we should not have thought it worth recording, was it
+not for the excellent example which Amelia here gives to all mothers.
+This admirable woman never let a day pass without instructing her
+children in some lesson of religion and morality. By which means she
+had, in their tender minds, so strongly annexed the ideas of fear and
+shame to every idea of evil of which they were susceptible, that it
+must require great pains and length of habit to separate them. Though
+she was the tenderest of mothers, she never suffered any symptom of
+malevolence to shew itself in their most trifling actions without
+discouragement, without rebuke, and, if it broke forth with any
+rancour, without punishment. In which she had such success, that not
+the least mark of pride, envy, malice, or spite discovered itself in
+any of their little words or deeds.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter iv.
+
+_In which Amelia appears in no unamiable light._
+
+
+Amelia, with the assistance of a little girl, who was their only
+servant, had drest her dinner, and she had likewise drest herself as
+neat as any lady who had a regular sett of servants could have done,
+when Booth returned, and brought with him his friend James, whom he
+had met with in the Park; and who, as Booth absolutely refused to dine
+away from his wife, to whom he had promised to return, had invited
+himself to dine with him. Amelia had none of that paultry pride which
+possesses so many of her sex, and which disconcerts their tempers, and
+gives them the air and looks of furies, if their husbands bring in an
+unexpected guest, without giving them timely warning to provide a
+sacrifice to their own vanity. Amelia received her husband's friend
+with the utmost complaisance and good humour: she made indeed some
+apology for the homeliness of her dinner; but it was politely turned
+as a compliment to Mr. James's friendship, which could carry him where
+he was sure of being so ill entertained; and gave not the least hint
+how magnificently she would have provided _had she expected the favour
+of so much good company._ A phrase which is generally meant to contain
+not only an apology for the lady of the house, but a tacit satire on
+her guests for their intrusion, and is at least a strong insinuation
+that they are not welcome.
+
+Amelia failed not to enquire very earnestly after her old friend Mrs.
+James, formerly Miss Bath, and was very sorry to find that she was not
+in town. The truth was, as James had married out of a violent liking
+of, or appetite to, her person, possession had surfeited him, and he
+was now grown so heartily tired of his wife, that she had very little
+of his company; she was forced therefore to content herself with being
+the mistress of a large house and equipage in the country ten months
+in the year by herself. The other two he indulged her with the
+diversions of the town; but then, though they lodged under the same
+roof, she had little more of her husband's society than if they had
+been one hundred miles apart. With all this, as she was a woman of
+calm passions, she made herself contented; for she had never had any
+violent affection for James: the match was of the prudent kind, and to
+her advantage; for his fortune, by the death of an uncle, was become
+very considerable; and she had gained everything by the bargain but a
+husband, which her constitution suffered her to be very well satisfied
+without.
+
+When Amelia, after dinner, retired to her children, James began to
+talk to his friend concerning his affairs. He advised Booth very
+earnestly to think of getting again into the army, in which he himself
+had met with such success, that he had obtained the command of a
+regiment to which his brother-in-law was lieutenant-colonel. These
+preferments they both owed to the favour of fortune only; for, though
+there was no objection to either of their military characters, yet
+neither of them had any extraordinary desert; and, if merit in the
+service was a sufficient recommendation, Booth, who had been twice
+wounded in the siege, seemed to have the fairest pretensions; but he
+remained a poor half-pay lieutenant, and the others were, as we have
+said, one of them a lieutenant-colonel, and the other had a regiment.
+Such rises we often see in life, without being able to give any
+satisfactory account of the means, and therefore ascribe them to the
+good fortune of the person.
+
+Both Colonel James and his brother-in-law were members of parliament;
+for, as the uncle of the former had left him, together with his
+estate, an almost certain interest in a borough, so he chose to confer
+this favour on Colonel Bath; a circumstance which would have been
+highly immaterial to mention here, but as it serves to set forth the
+goodness of James, who endeavoured to make up in kindness to the
+family what he wanted in fondness for his wife.
+
+Colonel James then endeavoured all in his power to persuade Booth to
+think again of a military life, and very kindly offered him his
+interest towards obtaining him a company in the regiment under his
+command. Booth must have been a madman, in his present circumstances,
+to have hesitated one moment at accepting such an offer, and he well
+knew Amelia, notwithstanding her aversion to the army, was much too
+wise to make the least scruple of giving her consent. Nor was he, as
+it appeared afterwards, mistaken in his opinion of his wife's
+understanding; for she made not the least objection when it was
+communicated to her, but contented herself with an express
+stipulation, that wherever he was commanded to go (for the regiment
+was now abroad) she would accompany him.
+
+Booth, therefore, accepted his friend's proposal with a profusion of
+acknowledgments; and it was agreed that Booth should draw up a
+memorial of his pretensions, which Colonel James undertook to present
+to some man of power, and to back it with all the force he had.
+
+Nor did the friendship of the colonel stop here. "You will excuse me,
+dear Booth," said he, "if, after what you have told me" (for he had
+been very explicit in revealing his affairs to him), "I suspect you
+must want money at this time. If that be the case, as I am certain it
+must be, I have fifty pieces at your service." This generosity brought
+the tears into Booth's eyes; and he at length confest that he had not
+five guineas in the house; upon which James gave him a bank-bill for
+twenty pounds, and said he would give him thirty more the next time he
+saw him.
+
+Thus did this generous colonel (for generous he really was to the
+highest degree) restore peace and comfort to this little family; and
+by this act of beneficence make two of the worthiest people two of the
+happiest that evening.
+
+Here, reader, give me leave to stop a minute, to lament that so few
+are to be found of this benign disposition; that, while wantonness,
+vanity, avarice, and ambition are every day rioting and triumphing in
+the follies and weakness, the ruin and desolation of mankind, scarce
+one man in a thousand is capable of tasting the happiness of others.
+Nay, give me leave to wonder that pride, which is constantly
+struggling, and often imposing on itself, to gain some little pre-
+eminence, should so seldom hint to us the only certain as well as
+laudable way of setting ourselves above another man, and that is, by
+becoming his benefactor.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter v.
+
+_Containing an eulogium upon innocence, and other grave matters._
+
+
+Booth past that evening, and all the succeeding day, with his Amelia,
+without the interruption of almost a single thought concerning Miss
+Matthews, after having determined to go on the Sunday, the only day he
+could venture without the verge in the present state of his affairs,
+and pay her what she had advanced for him in the prison. But she had
+not so long patience; for the third day, while he was sitting with
+Amelia, a letter was brought to him. As he knew the hand, he
+immediately put it into his pocket unopened, not without such an
+alteration in his countenance, that had Amelia, who was then playing
+with one of the children, cast her eyes towards him, she must have
+remarked it. This accident, however, luckily gave him time to recover
+himself; for Amelia was so deeply engaged with the little one, that
+she did not even remark the delivery of the letter. The maid soon
+after returned into the room, saying, the chairman desired to know if
+there was any answer to the letter.--"What letter?" cries Booth.--"The
+letter I gave you just now," answered the girl.--"Sure," cries Booth,
+"the child is mad, you gave me no letter."--"Yes, indeed, I did, sir,"
+said the poor girl. "Why then as sure as fate," cries Booth, "I threw
+it into the fire in my reverie; why, child, why did you not tell me it
+was a letter? bid the chairman come up, stay, I will go down myself;
+for he will otherwise dirt the stairs with his feet."
+
+Amelia was gently chiding the girl for her carelessness when Booth
+returned, saying it was very true that she had delivered him a letter
+from Colonel James, and that perhaps it might be of consequence.
+"However," says he, "I will step to the coffee-house, and send him an
+account of this strange accident, which I know he will pardon in my
+present situation."
+
+Booth was overjoyed at this escape, which poor Amelia's total want of
+all jealousy and suspicion made it very easy for him to accomplish;
+but his pleasure was considerably abated when, upon opening the
+letter, he found it to contain, mixed with several very strong
+expressions of love, some pretty warm ones of the upbraiding kind; but
+what most alarmed him was a hint that it was in her (Miss Matthews's)
+power to make Amelia as miserable as herself. Besides the general
+knowledge of
+
+_----Furens quid faemina possit,_
+
+he had more particular reasons to apprehend the rage of a lady who had
+given so strong an instance how far she could carry her revenge. She
+had already sent a chairman to his lodgings with a positive command
+not to return without an answer to her letter. This might of itself
+have possibly occasioned a discovery; and he thought he had great
+reason to fear that, if she did not carry matters so far as purposely
+and avowedly to reveal the secret to Amelia, her indiscretion would at
+least effect the discovery of that which he would at any price have
+concealed. Under these terrors he might, I believe, be considered as
+the most wretched of human beings.
+
+O innocence, how glorious and happy a portion art thou to the breast
+that possesses thee! thou fearest neither the eyes nor the tongues of
+men. Truth, the most powerful of all things, is thy strongest friend;
+and the brighter the light is in which thou art displayed, the more it
+discovers thy transcendent beauties. Guilt, on the contrary, like a
+base thief, suspects every eye that beholds him to be privy to his
+transgressions, and every tongue that mentions his name to be
+proclaiming them. Fraud and falsehood are his weak and treacherous
+allies; and he lurks trembling in the dark, dreading every ray of
+light, lest it should discover him, and give him up to shame and
+punishment.
+
+While Booth was walking in the Park with all these horrors in his mind
+he again met his friend Colonel James, who soon took notice of that
+deep concern which the other was incapable of hiding. After some
+little conversation, Booth said, "My dear colonel, I am sure I must be
+the most insensible of men if I did not look on you as the best and
+the truest friend; I will, therefore, without scruple, repose a
+confidence in you of the highest kind. I have often made you privy to
+my necessities, I will now acquaint you with my shame, provided you
+have leisure enough to give me a hearing: for I must open to you a
+long history, since I will not reveal my fault without informing you,
+at the same time, of those circumstances which, I hope, will in some
+measure excuse it."
+
+The colonel very readily agreed to give his friend a patient hearing.
+So they walked directly to a coffee-house at the corner of Spring-
+Garden, where, being in a room by themselves, Booth opened his whole
+heart, and acquainted the colonel with his amour with Miss Matthews,
+from the very beginning to his receiving that letter which had caused
+all his present uneasiness, and which he now delivered into his
+friend's hand.
+
+The colonel read the letter very attentively twice over (he was silent
+indeed long enough to have read it oftener); and then, turning to
+Booth, said, "Well, sir, and is it so grievous a calamity to be the
+object of a young lady's affection; especially of one whom you allow
+to be so extremely handsome?" "Nay, but, my dear friend," cries Booth,
+"do not jest with me; you who know my Amelia." "Well, my dear friend,"
+answered James, "and you know Amelia and this lady too. But what would
+you have me do for you?" "I would have you give me your advice," says
+Booth, "by what method I shall get rid of this dreadful woman without
+a discovery."--"And do you really," cries the other, "desire to get
+rid of her?" "Can you doubt it," said Booth, "after what I have
+communicated to you, and after what you yourself have seen in my
+family? for I hope, notwithstanding this fatal slip, I do not appear
+to you in the light of a profligate." "Well," answered James, "and,
+whatever light I may appear to you in, if you are really tired of the
+lady, and if she be really what you have represented her, I'll
+endeavour to take her off your hands; but I insist upon it that you do
+not deceive me in any particular." Booth protested in the most solemn
+manner that every word which he had spoken was strictly true; and
+being asked whether he would give his honour never more to visit the
+lady, he assured James that he never would. He then, at his friend's
+request, delivered him Miss Matthews's letter, in which was a second
+direction to her lodgings, and declared to him that, if he could bring
+him safely out of this terrible affair, he should think himself to
+have a still higher obligation to his friendship than any which he had
+already received from it.
+
+Booth pressed the colonel to go home with him to dinner; but he
+excused himself, being, as he said, already engaged. However, he
+undertook in the afternoon to do all in his power that Booth should
+receive no more alarms from the quarter of Miss Matthews, whom the
+colonel undertook to pay all the demands she had on his friend. They
+then separated. The colonel went to dinner at the King's Arms, and
+Booth returned in high spirits to meet his Amelia.
+
+The next day, early in the morning, the colonel came to the coffee-
+house and sent for his friend, who lodged but at a little distance.
+The colonel told him he had a little exaggerated the lady's beauty;
+however, he said, he excused that, "for you might think, perhaps,"
+cries he, "that your inconstancy to the finest woman in the world
+might want some excuse. Be that as it will," said he, "you may make
+yourself easy, as it will be, I am convinced, your own fault, if you
+have ever any further molestation from Miss Matthews."
+
+Booth poured forth very warmly a great profusion of gratitude on this
+occasion; and nothing more anywise material passed at this interview,
+which was very short, the colonel being in a great hurry, as he had,
+he said, some business of very great importance to transact that
+morning.
+
+The colonel had now seen Booth twice without remembering to give him
+the thirty pounds. This the latter imputed intirely to forgetfulness;
+for he had always found the promises of the former to be equal in
+value with the notes or bonds of other people. He was more surprized
+at what happened the next day, when, meeting his friend in the Park,
+he received only a cold salute from him; and though he past him five
+or six times, and the colonel was walking with a single officer of no
+great rank, and with whom he seemed in no earnest conversation, yet
+could not Booth, who was alone, obtain any further notice from him.
+
+This gave the poor man some alarm; though he could scarce persuade
+himself that there was any design in all this coldness or
+forgetfulness. Once he imagined that he had lessened himself in the
+colonel's opinion by having discovered his inconstancy to Amelia; but
+the known character of the other presently cured him of his suspicion,
+for he was a perfect libertine with regard to women; that being indeed
+the principal blemish in his character, which otherwise might have
+deserved much commendation for good-nature, generosity, and
+friendship. But he carried this one to a most unpardonable height; and
+made no scruple of openly declaring that, if he ever liked a woman
+well enough to be uneasy on her account, he would cure himself, if he
+could, by enjoying her, whatever might be the consequence.
+
+Booth could not therefore be persuaded that the colonel would so
+highly resent in another a fault of which he was himself most
+notoriously guilty. After much consideration he could derive this
+behaviour from nothing better than a capriciousness in his friend's
+temper, from a kind of inconstancy of mind, which makes men grow weary
+of their friends with no more reason than they often are of their
+mistresses. To say the truth, there are jilts in friendship as well as
+in love; and, by the behaviour of some men in both, one would almost
+imagine that they industriously sought to gain the affections of
+others with a view only of making the parties miserable.
+
+This was the consequence of the colonel's behaviour to Booth. Former
+calamities had afflicted him, but this almost distracted him; and the
+more so as he was not able well to account for such conduct, nor to
+conceive the reason of it.
+
+Amelia, at his return, presently perceived the disturbance in his
+mind, though he endeavoured with his utmost power to hide it; and he
+was at length prevailed upon by her entreaties to discover to her the
+cause of it, which she no sooner heard than she applied as judicious a
+remedy to his disordered spirits as either of those great mental
+physicians, Tully or Aristotle, could have thought of. She used many
+arguments to persuade him that he was in an error, and had mistaken
+forgetfulness and carelessness for a designed neglect.
+
+But, as this physic was only eventually good, and as its efficacy
+depended on her being in the right, a point in which she was not apt
+to be too positive, she thought fit to add some consolation of a more
+certain and positive kind. "Admit," said she, "my dear, that Mr. James
+should prove the unaccountable person you have suspected, and should,
+without being able to alledge any cause, withdraw his friendship from
+you (for surely the accident of burning his letter is too trifling and
+ridiculous to mention), why should this grieve you? the obligations he
+hath conferred on you, I allow, ought to make his misfortunes almost
+your own; but they should not, I think, make you see his faults so
+very sensibly, especially when, by one of the greatest faults in the
+world committed against yourself, he hath considerably lessened all
+obligations; for sure, if the same person who hath contributed to my
+happiness at one time doth everything in his power maliciously and
+wantonly to make me miserable at another, I am very little obliged to
+such a person. And let it be a comfort to my dear Billy, that, however
+other friends may prove false and fickle to him, he hath one friend,
+whom no inconstancy of her own, nor any change of his fortune, nor
+time, nor age, nor sickness, nor any accident, can ever alter; but who
+will esteem, will love, and doat on him for ever." So saying, she
+flung her snowy arms about his neck, and gave him a caress so tender,
+that it seemed almost to balance all the malice of his fate.
+
+And, indeed, the behaviour of Amelia would have made him completely
+happy, in defiance of all adverse circumstances, had it not been for
+those bitter ingredients which he himself had thrown into his cup, and
+which prevented him from truly relishing his Amelia's sweetness, by
+cruelly reminding him how unworthy he was of this excellent creature.
+
+Booth did not long remain in the dark as to the conduct of James,
+which, at first, appeared to him to be so great a mystery; for this
+very afternoon he received a letter from Miss Matthews which
+unravelled the whole affair. By this letter, which was full of
+bitterness and upbraiding, he discovered that James was his rival with
+that lady, and was, indeed, the identical person who had sent the
+hundred-pound note to Miss Matthews, when in the prison. He had reason
+to believe, likewise, as well by the letter as by other circumstances,
+that James had hitherto been an unsuccessful lover; for the lady,
+though she had forfeited all title to virtue, had not yet so far
+forfeited all pretensions to delicacy as to be, like the dirt in the
+street, indifferently common to all. She distributed her favours only
+to those she liked, in which number that gentleman had not the
+happiness of being included.
+
+When Booth had made this discovery, he was not so little versed in
+human nature, as any longer to hesitate at the true motive to the
+colonel's conduct; for he well knew how odious a sight a happy rival
+is to an unfortunate lover. I believe he was, in reality, glad to
+assign the cold treatment he had received from his friend to a cause
+which, however injustifiable, is at the same time highly natural; and
+to acquit him of a levity, fickleness, and caprice, which he must have
+been unwillingly obliged to have seen in a much worse light.
+
+He now resolved to take the first opportunity of accosting the
+colonel, and of coming to a perfect explanation upon the whole matter.
+He debated likewise with himself whether he should not throw himself
+at Amelia's feet, and confess a crime to her which he found so little
+hopes of concealing, and which he foresaw would occasion him so many
+difficulties and terrors to endeavour to conceal. Happy had it been
+for him, had he wisely pursued this step; since, in all probability,
+he would have received immediate forgiveness from the best of women;
+but he had not sufficient resolution, or, to speak perhaps more truly,
+he had too much pride, to confess his guilt, and preferred the danger
+of the highest inconveniences to the certainty of being put to the
+blush.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vi.
+
+_In which may appear that violence is sometimes done to the name of
+love._
+
+
+When that happy day came, in which unhallowed hands are forbidden to
+contaminate the shoulders of the unfortunate, Booth went early to the
+colonel's house, and, being admitted to his presence, began with great
+freedom, though with great gentleness, to complain of his not having
+dealt with him with more openness. "Why, my dear colonel," said he,
+"would you not acquaint me with that secret which this letter hath
+disclosed?" James read the letter, at which his countenance changed
+more than once; and then, after a short silence, said, "Mr. Booth, I
+have been to blame, I own it; and you upbraid me with justice. The
+true reason was, that I was ashamed of my own folly. D--n me, Booth,
+if I have not been a most consummate fool, a very dupe to this woman;
+and she hath a particular pleasure in making me so. I know what the
+impertinence of virtue is, and I can submit to it; but to be treated
+thus by a whore--You must forgive me, dear Booth, but your success was
+a kind of triumph over me, which I could not bear. I own, I have not
+the least reason to conceive any anger against you; and yet, curse me
+if I should not have been less displeased at your lying with my own
+wife; nay, I could almost have parted with half my fortune to you more
+willingly than have suffered you to receive that trifle of my money
+which you received at her hands. However, I ask your pardon, and I
+promise you I will never more think of you with the least ill-will on
+the account of this woman; but as for her, d--n me if I do not enjoy
+her by some means or other, whatever it costs me; for I am already
+above two hundred pounds out of pocket, without having scarce had a
+smile in return."
+
+Booth exprest much astonishment at this declaration; he said he could
+not conceive how it was possible to have such an affection for a woman
+who did not shew the least inclination to return it. James gave her a
+hearty curse, and said, "Pox of her inclination; I want only the
+possession of her person, and that, you will allow, is a very fine
+one. But, besides my passion for her, she hath now piqued my pride;
+for how can a man of my fortune brook being refused by a whore?"--
+"Since you are so set on the business," cries Booth, "you will excuse
+my saying so, I fancy you had better change your method of applying to
+her; for, as she is, perhaps, the vainest woman upon earth, your
+bounty may probably do you little service, nay, may rather actually
+disoblige her. Vanity is plainly her predominant passion, and, if you
+will administer to that, it will infallibly throw her into your arms.
+To this I attribute my own unfortunate success. While she relieved my
+wants and distresses she was daily feeding her own vanity; whereas, as
+every gift of yours asserted your superiority, it rather offended than
+pleased her. Indeed, women generally love to be of the obliging side;
+and, if we examine their favourites, we shall find them to be much
+oftener such as they have conferred obligations on than such as they
+have received them from."
+
+There was something in this speech which pleased the colonel; and he
+said, with a smile, "I don't know how it is, Will, but you know women
+better than I."--"Perhaps, colonel," answered Booth, "I have studied
+their minds more."--"I don't, however, much envy your knowledge,"
+replied the other, "for I never think their minds worth considering.
+However, I hope I shall profit a little by your experience with Miss
+Matthews. Damnation seize the proud insolent harlot! the devil take me
+if I don't love her more than I ever loved a woman!"
+
+The rest of their conversation turned on Booth's affairs. The colonel
+again reassumed the part of a friend, gave him the remainder of the
+money, and promised to take the first opportunity of laying his
+memorial before a great man.
+
+Booth was greatly overjoyed at this success. Nothing now lay on his
+mind but to conceal his frailty from Amelia, to whom he was afraid
+Miss Matthews, in the rage of her resentment, would communicate it.
+This apprehension made him stay almost constantly at home; and he
+trembled at every knock at the door. His fear, moreover, betrayed him
+into a meanness which he would have heartily despised on any other
+occasion. This was to order the maid to deliver him any letter
+directed to Amelia; at the same time strictly charging her not to
+acquaint her mistress with her having received any such orders.
+
+A servant of any acuteness would have formed strange conjectures from
+such an injunction; but this poor girl was of perfect simplicity; so
+great, indeed, was her simplicity, that, had not Amelia been void of
+all suspicion of her husband, the maid would have soon after betrayed
+her master.
+
+One afternoon, while they were drinking tea, little Betty, so was the
+maid called, came into the room, and, calling her master forth,
+delivered him a card which was directed to Amelia. Booth, having read
+the card, on his return into the room chid the girl for calling him,
+saying "If you can read, child, you must see it was directed to your
+mistress." To this the girl answered, pertly enough, "I am sure, sir,
+you ordered me to bring every letter first to you." This hint, with
+many women, would have been sufficient to have blown up the whole
+affair; but Amelia, who heard what the girl said, through the medium
+of love and confidence, saw the matter in a much better light than it
+deserved, and, looking tenderly on her husband, said, "Indeed, my
+love, I must blame you for a conduct which, perhaps, I ought rather to
+praise, as it proceeds only from the extreme tenderness of your
+affection. But why will you endeavour to keep any secrets from me?
+believe me, for my own sake, you ought not; for, as you cannot hide
+the consequences, you make me always suspect ten times worse than the
+reality. While I have you and my children well before my eyes, I am
+capable of facing any news which can arrive; for what ill news can
+come (unless, indeed, it concerns my little babe in the country) which
+doth not relate to the badness of our circumstances? and those, I
+thank Heaven, we have now a fair prospect of retrieving. Besides, dear
+Billy, though my understanding be much inferior to yours, I have
+sometimes had the happiness of luckily hitting on some argument which
+hath afforded you comfort. This, you know, my dear, was the case with
+regard to Colonel James, whom I persuaded you to think you had
+mistaken, and you see the event proved me in the right." So happily,
+both for herself and Mr. Booth, did the excellence of this good
+woman's disposition deceive her, and force her to see everything in
+the most advantageous light to her husband.
+
+The card, being now inspected, was found to contain the compliments of
+Mrs. James to Mrs. Booth, with an account of her being arrived in
+town, and having brought with her a very great cold. Amelia was
+overjoyed at the news of her arrival, and having drest herself in the
+utmost hurry, left her children to the care of her husband, and ran
+away to pay her respects to her friend, whom she loved with a most
+sincere affection. But how was she disappointed when, eager with the
+utmost impatience, and exulting with the thoughts of presently seeing
+her beloved friend, she was answered at the door that the lady was not
+at home! nor could she, upon telling her name, obtain any admission.
+This, considering the account she had received of the lady's cold,
+greatly surprized her; and she returned home very much vexed at her
+disappointment.
+
+Amelia, who had no suspicion that Mrs. James was really at home, and,
+as the phrase is, was denied, would have made a second visit the next
+morning, had she not been prevented by a cold which she herself now
+got, and which was attended with a slight fever. This confined her
+several days to her house, during which Booth officiated as her nurse,
+and never stirred from her.
+
+In all this time she heard not a word from Mrs. James, which gave her
+some uneasiness, but more astonishment. The tenth day, when she was
+perfectly recovered, about nine in the evening, when she and her
+husband were just going to supper, she heard a most violent thundering
+at the door, and presently after a rustling of silk upon her
+staircase; at the same time a female voice cried out pretty loud,
+"Bless me! what, am I to climb up another pair of stairs?" upon which
+Amelia, who well knew the voice, presently ran to the door, and
+ushered in Mrs. James, most splendidly drest, who put on as formal a
+countenance, and made as formal a courtesie to her old friend, as if
+she had been her very distant acquaintance.
+
+Poor Amelia, who was going to rush into her friend's arms, was struck
+motionless by this behaviour; but re-collecting her spirits, as she
+had an excellent presence of mind, she presently understood what the
+lady meant, and resolved to treat her in her own way. Down therefore
+the company sat, and silence prevailed for some time, during which
+Mrs. James surveyed the room with more attention than she would have
+bestowed on one much finer. At length the conversation began, in which
+the weather and the diversions of the town were well canvassed.
+Amelia, who was a woman of great humour, performed her part to
+admiration; so that a by-stander would have doubted, in every other
+article than dress, which of the two was the most accomplished fine
+lady.
+
+After a visit of twenty minutes, during which not a word of any former
+occurrences was mentioned, nor indeed any subject of discourse
+started, except only those two above mentioned, Mrs. James rose from
+her chair and retired in the same formal manner in which she had
+approached. We will pursue her for the sake of the contrast during the
+rest of the evening. She went from Amelia directly to a rout, where
+she spent two hours in a croud of company, talked again and again over
+the diversions and news of the town, played two rubbers at whist, and
+then retired to her own apartment, where, having past another hour in
+undressing herself, she went to her own bed.
+
+Booth and his wife, the moment their companion was gone, sat down to
+supper on a piece of cold meat, the remains of their dinner. After
+which, over a pint of wine, they entertained themselves for a while
+with the ridiculous behaviour of their visitant. But Amelia, declaring
+she rather saw her as the object of pity than anger, turned the
+discourse to pleasanter topics. The little actions of their children,
+the former scenes and future prospects of their life, furnished them
+with many pleasant ideas; and the contemplation of Amelia's recovery
+threw Booth into raptures. At length they retired, happy in each
+other.
+
+It is possible some readers may be no less surprized at the behaviour
+of Mrs. James than was Amelia herself, since they may have perhaps
+received so favourable an impression of that lady from the account
+given of her by Mr. Booth, that her present demeanour may seem
+unnatural and inconsistent with her former character. But they will be
+pleased to consider the great alteration in her circumstances, from a
+state of dependency on a brother, who was himself no better than a
+soldier of fortune, to that of being wife to a man of a very large
+estate and considerable rank in life. And what was her present
+behaviour more than that of a fine lady who considered form and show
+as essential ingredients of human happiness, and imagined all
+friendship to consist in ceremony, courtesies, messages, and visits?
+in which opinion, she hath the honour to think with much the larger
+part of one sex, and no small number of the other.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter vii.
+
+_Containing a very extraordinary and pleasant incident._
+
+
+The next evening Booth and Amelia went to walk in the park with their
+children. They were now on the verge of the parade, and Booth was
+describing to his wife the several buildings round it, when, on a
+sudden, Amelia, missing her little boy, cried out, "Where's little
+Billy?" Upon which, Booth, casting his eyes over the grass, saw a
+foot-soldier shaking the boy at a little distance. At this sight,
+without making any answer to his wife, he leapt over the rails, and,
+running directly up to the fellow, who had a firelock with a bayonet
+fixed in his hand, he seized him by the collar and tript up his heels,
+and, at the same time, wrested his arms from him. A serjeant upon
+duty, seeing the affray at some distance, ran presently up, and, being
+told what had happened, gave the centinel a hearty curse, and told him
+he deserved to be hanged. A by-stander gave this information; for
+Booth was returned with his little boy to meet Amelia, who staggered
+towards him as fast as she could, all pale and breathless, and scarce
+able to support her tottering limbs. The serjeant now came up to
+Booth, to make an apology for the behaviour of the soldier, when, of a
+sudden, he turned almost as pale as Amelia herself. He stood silent
+whilst Booth was employed in comforting and recovering his wife; and
+then, addressing himself to him, said, "Bless me! lieutenant, could I
+imagine it had been your honour; and was it my little master that the
+rascal used so?--I am glad I did not know it, for I should certainly
+have run my halbert into him."
+
+Booth presently recognised his old faithful servant Atkinson, and gave
+him a hearty greeting, saying he was very glad to see him in his
+present situation. "Whatever I am," answered the serjeant, "I shall
+always think I owe it to your honour." Then, taking the little boy by
+the hand he cried, "What a vast fine young gentleman master is grown!"
+and, cursing the soldier's inhumanity, swore heartily he would make
+him pay for it.
+
+As Amelia was much disordered with her fright, she did not recollect
+her foster-brother till he was introduced to her by Booth; but she no
+sooner knew him than she bestowed a most obliging smile on him; and,
+calling him by the name of honest Joe, said she was heartily glad to
+see him in England. "See, my dear," cries Booth, "what preferment your
+old friend is come to. You would scarce know him, I believe, in his
+present state of finery." "I am very well pleased to see it," answered
+Amelia, "and I wish him joy of being made an officer with all my
+heart." In fact, from what Mr. Booth said, joined to the serjeant's
+laced coat, she believed that he had obtained a commission. So weak
+and absurd is human vanity, that this mistake of Amelia's possibly put
+poor Atkinson out of countenance, for he looked at this instant more
+silly than he had ever done in his life; and, making her a most
+respectful bow, muttered something about obligations, in a scarce
+articulate or intelligible manner.
+
+The serjeant had, indeed, among many other qualities, that modesty
+which a Latin author honours by the name of ingenuous: nature had
+given him this, notwithstanding the meanness of his birth; and six
+years' conversation in the army had not taken it away. To say the
+truth, he was a noble fellow; and Amelia, by supposing he had a
+commission in the guards, had been guilty of no affront to that
+honourable body.
+
+Booth had a real affection for Atkinson, though, in fact, he knew not
+half his merit. He acquainted him with his lodgings, where he
+earnestly desired to see him.
+
+[Illustration: _He seized him by the collar._]
+
+Amelia, who was far from being recovered from the terrors into which
+the seeing her husband engaged with the soldier had thrown her,
+desired to go home: nor was she well able to walk without some
+assistance. While she supported herself, therefore, on her husband's
+arm, she told Atkinson she should be obliged to him if he would take
+care of the children. He readily accepted the office; but, upon
+offering his hand to miss, she refused, and burst into tears. Upon
+which the tender mother resigned Booth to her children, and put
+herself under the serjeant's protection; who conducted her safe home,
+though she often declared she feared she should drop down by the way;
+the fear of which so affected the serjeant (for, besides the honour
+which he himself had for the lady, he knew how tenderly his friend
+loved her) that he was unable to speak; and, had not his nerves been
+so strongly braced that nothing could shake them, he had enough in his
+mind to have set him a trembling equally with the lady.
+
+When they arrived at the lodgings the mistress of the house opened the
+door, who, seeing Amelia's condition, threw open the parlour and
+begged her to walk in, upon which she immediately flung herself into a
+chair, and all present thought she would have fainted away. However,
+she escaped that misery, and, having drank a glass of water with a
+little white wine mixed in it, she began in a little time to regain
+her complexion, and at length assured Booth that she was perfectly
+recovered, but declared she had never undergone so much, and earnestly
+begged him never to be so rash for the future. She then called her
+little boy and gently chid him, saying, "You must never do so more,
+Billy; you see what mischief you might have brought upon your father,
+and what you have made me suffer." "La! mamma," said the child, "what
+harm did I do? I did not know that people might not walk in the green
+fields in London. I am sure if I did a fault, the man punished me
+enough for it, for he pinched me almost through my slender arm." He
+then bared his little arm, which was greatly discoloured by the injury
+it had received. Booth uttered a most dreadful execration at this
+sight, and the serjeant, who was now present, did the like.
+
+Atkinson now returned to his guard and went directly to the officer to
+acquaint him with the soldier's inhumanity, but he, who was about
+fifteen years of age, gave the serjeant a great curse and said the
+soldier had done very well, for that idle boys ought to be corrected.
+This, however, did not satisfy poor Atkinson, who, the next day, as
+soon as the guard was relieved, beat the fellow most unmercifully, and
+told him he would remember him as long as he stayed in the regiment.
+
+Thus ended this trifling adventure, which some readers will, perhaps,
+be pleased at seeing related at full length. None, I think, can fail
+drawing one observation from it, namely, how capable the most
+insignificant accident is of disturbing human happiness, and of
+producing the most unexpected and dreadful events. A reflexion which
+may serve to many moral and religious uses.
+
+This accident produced the first acquaintance between the mistress of
+the house and her lodgers; for hitherto they had scarce exchanged a
+word together. But the great concern which the good woman had shewn on
+Amelia's account at this time, was not likely to pass unobserved or
+unthanked either by the husband or wife. Amelia, therefore, as soon as
+she was able to go up-stairs, invited Mrs. Ellison (for that was her
+name) to her apartment, and desired the favour of her to stay to
+supper. She readily complied, and they past a very agreeable evening
+together, in which the two women seemed to have conceived a most
+extraordinary liking to each other.
+
+Though beauty in general doth not greatly recommend one woman to
+another, as it is too apt to create envy, yet, in cases where this
+passion doth not interfere, a fine woman is often a pleasing object
+even to some of her own sex, especially when her beauty is attended
+with a certain air of affability, as was that of Amelia in the highest
+degree. She was, indeed, a most charming woman; and I know not whether
+the little scar on her nose did not rather add to than diminish her
+beauty.
+
+Mrs. Ellison, therefore, was as much charmed with the loveliness of
+her fair lodger as with all her other engaging qualities. She was,
+indeed, so taken with Amelia's beauty, that she could not refrain from
+crying out in a kind of transport of admiration, "Upon my word,
+Captain Booth, you are the happiest man in the world! Your lady is so
+extremely handsome that one cannot look at her without pleasure."
+
+This good woman had herself none of these attractive charms to the
+eye. Her person was short and immoderately fat; her features were none
+of the most regular; and her complexion (if indeed she ever had a good
+one) had considerably suffered by time.
+
+Her good humour and complaisance, however, were highly pleasing to
+Amelia. Nay, why should we conceal the secret satisfaction which that
+lady felt from the compliments paid to her person? since such of my
+readers as like her best will not be sorry to find that she was a
+woman.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter viii.
+
+_Containing various matters._
+
+
+A fortnight had now passed since Booth had seen or heard from the
+colonel, which did not a little surprize him, as they had parted so
+good friends, and as he had so cordially undertaken his cause
+concerning the memorial on which all his hopes depended.
+
+The uneasiness which this gave him farther encreased on finding that
+his friend refused to see him; for he had paid the colonel a visit at
+nine in the morning, and was told he was not stirring; and at his
+return back an hour afterwards the servant said his master was gone
+out, of which Booth was certain of the falsehood; for he had, during
+that whole hour, walked backwards and forwards within sight of the
+colonel's door, and must have seen him if he had gone out within that
+time.
+
+The good colonel, however, did not long suffer his friend to continue
+in the deplorable state of anxiety; for, the very next morning, Booth
+received his memorial enclosed in a letter, acquainting him that Mr.
+James had mentioned his affair to the person he proposed, but that the
+great man had so many engagements on his hands that it was impossible
+for him to make any further promises at this time.
+
+The cold and distant stile of this letter, and, indeed, the whole
+behaviour of James, so different from what it had been formerly, had
+something so mysterious in it, that it greatly puzzled and perplexed
+poor Booth; and it was so long before he was able to solve it, that
+the reader's curiosity will, perhaps, be obliged to us for not leaving
+him so long in the dark as to this matter. The true reason, then, of
+the colonel's conduct was this: his unbounded generosity, together
+with the unbounded extravagance and consequently the great necessity
+of Miss Matthews, had at length overcome the cruelty of that lady,
+with whom he likewise had luckily no rival. Above all, the desire of
+being revenged on Booth, with whom she was to the highest degree
+enraged, had, perhaps, contributed not a little to his success; for
+she had no sooner condescended to a familiarity with her new lover,
+and discovered that Captain James, of whom she had heard so much from
+Booth, was no other than the identical colonel, than she employed
+every art of which she was mistress to make an utter breach of
+friendship between these two. For this purpose she did not scruple to
+insinuate that the colonel was not at all obliged to the character
+given of him by his friend, and to the account of this latter she
+placed most of the cruelty which she had shewn to the former.
+
+Had the colonel made a proper use of his reason, and fairly examined
+the probability of the fact, he could scarce have been imposed upon to
+believe a matter so inconsistent with all he knew of Booth, and in
+which that gentleman must have sinned against all the laws of honour
+without any visible temptation. But, in solemn fact, the colonel was
+so intoxicated with his love, that it was in the power of his mistress
+to have persuaded him of anything; besides, he had an interest in
+giving her credit, for he was not a little pleased with finding a
+reason for hating the man whom he could not help hating without any
+reason, at least, without any which he durst fairly assign even to
+himself. Henceforth, therefore, he abandoned all friendship for Booth,
+and was more inclined to put him out of the world than to endeavour
+any longer at supporting him in it.
+
+Booth communicated this letter to his wife, who endeavoured, as usual,
+to the utmost of her power, to console him under one of the greatest
+afflictions which, I think, can befal a man, namely, the unkindness of
+a friend; but he had luckily at the same time the greatest blessing in
+his possession, the kindness of a faithful and beloved wife. A
+blessing, however, which, though it compensates most of the evils of
+life, rather serves to aggravate the misfortune of distressed
+circumstances, from the consideration of the share which she is to
+bear in them.
+
+This afternoon Amelia received a second visit from Mrs. Ellison, who
+acquainted her that she had a present of a ticket for the oratorio,
+which would carry two persons into the gallery; and therefore begged
+the favour of her company thither.
+
+Amelia, with many thanks, acknowledged the civility of Mrs. Ellison,
+but declined accepting her offer; upon which Booth very strenuously
+insisted on her going, and said to her, "My dear, if you knew the
+satisfaction I have in any of your pleasures, I am convinced you would
+not refuse the favour Mrs. Ellison is so kind to offer you; for, as
+you are a lover of music, you, who have never been at an oratorio,
+cannot conceive how you will be delighted." "I well know your
+goodness, my dear," answered Amelia, "but I cannot think of leaving my
+children without some person more proper to take care of them than
+this poor girl." Mrs. Ellison removed this objection by offering her
+own servant, a very discreet matron, to attend them; but
+notwithstanding this, and all she could say, with the assistance of
+Booth, and of the children themselves, Amelia still persisted in her
+refusal; and the mistress of the house, who knew how far good breeding
+allows persons to be pressing on these occasions, took her leave.
+
+She was no sooner departed than Amelia, looking tenderly on her
+husband, said, "How can you, my dear creature, think that music hath
+any charms for me at this time? or, indeed, do you believe that I am
+capable of any sensation worthy the name of pleasure when neither you
+nor my children are present or bear any part of it?"
+
+An officer of the regiment to which Booth had formerly belonged,
+hearing from Atkinson where he lodged, now came to pay him a visit. He
+told him that several of their old acquaintance were to meet the next
+Wednesday at a tavern, and very strongly pressed him to be one of the
+company. Booth was, in truth, what is called a hearty fellow, and
+loved now and then to take a chearful glass with his friends; but he
+excused himself at this time. His friend declared he would take no
+denial, and he growing very importunate, Amelia at length seconded
+him. Upon this Booth answered, "Well, my dear, since you desire me, I
+will comply, but on one condition, that you go at the same time to the
+oratorio." Amelia thought this request reasonable enough, and gave her
+consent; of which Mrs. Ellison presently received the news, and with
+great satisfaction.
+
+It may perhaps be asked why Booth could go to the tavern, and not to
+the oratorio with his wife? In truth, then, the tavern was within
+hallowed ground, that is to say, in the verge of the court; for, of
+five officers that were to meet there, three, besides Booth, were
+confined to that air which hath been always found extremely wholesome
+to a broken military constitution. And here, if the good reader will
+pardon the pun, he will scarce be offended at the observation; since,
+how is it possible that, without running in debt, any person should
+maintain the dress and appearance of a gentleman whose income is not
+half so good as that of a porter? It is true that this allowance,
+small as it is, is a great expense to the public; but, if several more
+unnecessary charges were spared, the public might, perhaps, bear a
+little encrease of this without much feeling it. They would not, I am
+sure, have equal reason to complain at contributing to the maintenance
+of a sett of brave fellows, who, at the hazard of their health, their
+limbs, and their lives, have maintained the safety and honour of their
+country, as when they find themselves taxed to the support of a sett
+of drones, who have not the least merit or claim to their favour, and
+who, without contributing in any manner to the good of the hive, live
+luxuriously on the labours of the industrious bee.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter ix.
+
+_In which Amelia, with her friend, goes to the oratorio._
+
+
+Nothing happened between the Monday and the Wednesday worthy a place
+in this history. Upon the evening of the latter the two ladies went to
+the oratorio, and were there time enough to get a first row in the
+gallery. Indeed, there was only one person in the house when they
+came; for Amelia's inclinations, when she gave a loose to them, were
+pretty eager for this diversion, she being a great lover of music, and
+particularly of Mr. Handel's compositions. Mrs. Ellison was, I
+suppose, a great lover likewise of music, for she was the more
+impatient of the two; which was rather the more extraordinary; as
+these entertainments were not such novelties to her as they were to
+poor Amelia.
+
+Though our ladies arrived full two hours before they saw the back of
+Mr. Handel, yet this time of expectation did not hang extremely heavy
+on their hands; for, besides their own chat, they had the company of
+the gentleman whom they found at their first arrival in the gallery,
+and who, though plainly, or rather roughly dressed, very luckily for
+the women, happened to be not only well-bred, but a person of very
+lively conversation. The gentleman, on his part, seemed highly charmed
+with Amelia, and in fact was so, for, though he restrained himself
+entirely within the rules of good breeding, yet was he in the highest
+degree officious to catch at every opportunity of shewing his respect,
+and doing her little services. He procured her a book and wax-candle,
+and held the candle for her himself during the whole entertainment.
+
+At the end of the oratorio he declared he would not leave the ladies
+till he had seen them safe into their chairs or coach; and at the same
+time very earnestly entreated that he might have the honour of waiting
+on them. Upon which Mrs. Ellison, who was a very good-humoured woman,
+answered, "Ay, sure, sir, if you please; you have been very obliging
+to us; and a dish of tea shall be at your service at any time;" and
+then told him where she lived.
+
+The ladies were no sooner seated in their hackney coach than Mrs.
+Ellison burst into a loud laughter, and cried, "I'll be hanged, madam,
+if you have not made a conquest to-night; and what is very pleasant, I
+believe the poor gentleman takes you for a single lady." "Nay,"
+answered Amelia very gravely, "I protest I began to think at last he
+was rather too particular, though he did not venture at a word that I
+could be offended at; but, if you fancy any such thing, I am sorry you
+invited him to drink tea," "Why so?" replied Mrs. Ellison. "Are you
+angry with a man for liking you? if you are, you will be angry with
+almost every man that sees you. If I was a man myself, I declare I
+should be in the number of your admirers. Poor gentleman, I pity him
+heartily; he little knows that you have not a heart to dispose of. For
+my own part, I should not be surprized at seeing a serious proposal of
+marriage: for I am convinced he is a man of fortune, not only by the
+politeness of his address, but by the fineness of his linen, and that
+valuable diamond ring on his finger. But you will see more of him when
+he comes to tea." "Indeed I shall not," answered Amelia, "though I
+believe you only rally me; I hope you have a better opinion of me than
+to think I would go willingly into the company of a man who had an
+improper liking for me." Mrs. Ellison, who was one of the gayest women
+in the world, repeated the words, improper liking, with a laugh; and
+cried, "My dear Mrs. Booth, believe me, you are too handsome and too
+good-humoured for a prude. How can you affect being offended at what I
+am convinced is the greatest pleasure of womankind, and chiefly, I
+believe, of us virtuous women? for, I assure you, notwithstanding my
+gaiety, I am as virtuous as any prude in Europe." "Far be it from me,
+madam," said Amelia, "to suspect the contrary of abundance of women
+who indulge themselves in much greater freedoms than I should take, or
+have any pleasure in taking; for I solemnly protest, if I know my own
+heart, the liking of all men, but of one, is a matter quite
+indifferent to me, or rather would be highly disagreeable."
+
+This discourse brought them home, where Amelia, finding her children
+asleep, and her husband not returned, invited her companion to partake
+of her homely fare, and down they sat to supper together. The clock
+struck twelve; and, no news being arrived of Booth, Mrs. Ellison began
+to express some astonishment at his stay, whence she launched into a
+general reflexion on husbands, and soon passed to some particular
+invectives on her own. "Ah, my dear madam," says she, "I know the
+present state of your mind, by what I have myself often felt formerly.
+I am no stranger to the melancholy tone of a midnight clock. It was my
+misfortune to drag on a heavy chain above fifteen years with a sottish
+yoke-fellow. But how can I wonder at my fate, since I see even your
+superior charms cannot confine a husband from the bewitching pleasures
+of a bottle?" "Indeed, madam," says Amelia," I have no reason to
+complain; Mr. Booth is one of the soberest of men; but now and then to
+spend a late hour with his friend is, I think, highly excusable."" O,
+no doubt! "cries Mrs. Ellison, "if he can excuse himself; but if I was
+a man--" Here Booth came in and interrupted the discourse. Amelia's
+eyes flashed with joy the moment he appeared; and he discovered no
+less pleasure in seeing her. His spirits were indeed a little elevated
+with wine, so as to heighten his good humour, without in the least
+disordering his understanding, and made him such delightful company,
+that, though it was past one in the morning, neither his wife nor Mrs.
+Ellison thought of their beds during a whole hour.
+
+Early the next morning the serjeant came to Mr. Booth's lodgings, and
+with a melancholy countenance acquainted him that he had been the
+night before at an alehouse, where he heard one Mr. Murphy, an
+attorney, declare that he would get a warrant backed against one
+Captain Booth at the next board of greencloth. "I hope, sir," said he,
+"your honour will pardon me, but, by what he said, I was afraid he
+meant your honour; and therefore I thought it my duty to tell you; for
+I knew the same thing happen to a gentleman here the other day."
+
+Booth gave Mr. Atkinson many thanks for his information. "I doubt
+not," said he, "but I am the person meant; for it would be foolish in
+me to deny that I am liable to apprehensions of that sort." "I hope,
+sir," said the serjeant, "your honour will soon have reason to fear no
+man living; but in the mean time, if any accident should happen, my
+bail is at your service as far as it will go; and I am a housekeeper,
+and can swear myself worth one hundred pounds." Which hearty and
+friendly declaration received all those acknowledgments from Booth
+which it really deserved.
+
+The poor gentleman was greatly alarmed at the news; but he was
+altogether as much surprized at Murphy's being the attorney employed
+against him, as all his debts, except only to Captain James, arose in
+the country, where he did not know that Mr. Murphy had any
+acquaintance. However, he made no doubt that he was the person
+intended, and resolved to remain a close prisoner in his own lodgings,
+till he saw the event of a proposal which had been made him the
+evening before at the tavern, where an honest gentleman, who had a
+post under the government, and who was one of the company, had
+promised to serve him with the secretary at war, telling him that he
+made no doubt of procuring him whole pay in a regiment abroad, which
+in his present circumstances was very highly worth his acceptance,
+when, indeed, that and a gaol seemed to be the only alternatives that
+offered themselves to his choice.
+
+Mr. Booth and his lady spent that afternoon with Mrs. Ellison--an
+incident which we should scarce have mentioned, had it not been that
+Amelia gave, on this occasion, an instance of that prudence which
+should never be off its guard in married women of delicacy; for,
+before she would consent to drink tea with Mrs. Ellison, she made
+conditions that the gentleman who had met them at the oratorio should
+not be let in. Indeed, this circumspection proved unnecessary in the
+present instance, for no such visitor ever came; a circumstance which
+gave great content to Amelia; for that lady had been a little uneasy
+at the raillery of Mrs. Ellison, and had upon reflexion magnified
+every little compliment made her, and every little civility shewn her
+by the unknown gentleman, far beyond the truth. These imaginations now
+all subsided again; and she imputed all that Mrs. Ellison had said
+either to raillery or mistake.
+
+A young lady made a fourth with them at whist, and likewise stayed the
+whole evening. Her name was Bennet. She was about the age of five-and-
+twenty; but sickness had given her an older look, and had a good deal
+diminished her beauty; of which, young as she was, she plainly
+appeared to have only the remains in her present possession. She was
+in one particular the very reverse of Mrs. Ellison, being altogether
+as remarkably grave as the other was gay. This gravity was not,
+however, attended with any sourness of temper; on the contrary, she
+had much sweetness in her countenance, and was perfectly well bred. In
+short, Amelia imputed her grave deportment to her ill health, and
+began to entertain a compassion for her, which in good minds, that is
+to say, in minds capable of compassion, is certain to introduce some
+little degree of love or friendship.
+
+Amelia was in short so pleased with the conversation of this lady,
+that, though a woman of no impertinent curiosity, she could not help
+taking the first opportunity of enquiring who she was. Mrs. Ellison
+said that she was an unhappy lady, who had married a young clergyman
+for love, who, dying of a consumption, had left her a widow in very
+indifferent circumstances. This account made Amelia still pity her
+more, and consequently added to the liking which she had already
+conceived for her. Amelia, therefore, desired Mrs. Ellison to bring
+her acquainted with Mrs. Bennet, and said she would go any day with
+her to make that lady a visit. "There need be no ceremony," cried Mrs.
+Ellison; "she is a woman of no form; and, as I saw plainly she was
+extremely pleased with Mrs. Booth, I am convinced I can bring her to
+drink tea with you any afternoon you please."
+
+The two next days Booth continued at home, highly to the satisfaction
+of his Amelia, who really knew no happiness out of his company, nor
+scarce any misery in it. She had, indeed, at all times so much of his
+company, when in his power, that she had no occasion to assign any
+particular reason for his staying with her, and consequently it could
+give her no cause of suspicion. The Saturday, one of her children was
+a little disordered with a feverish complaint which confined her to
+her room, and prevented her drinking tea in the afternoon with her
+husband in Mrs. Ellison's apartment, where a noble lord, a cousin of
+Mrs. Ellison's, happened to be present; for, though that lady was
+reduced in her circumstances and obliged to let out part of her house
+in lodgings, she was born of a good family and had some considerable
+relations.
+
+His lordship was not himself in any office of state, but his fortune
+gave him great authority with those who were. Mrs. Ellison, therefore,
+very bluntly took an opportunity of recommending Booth to his
+consideration. She took the first hint from my lord's calling the
+gentleman captain; to which she answered, "Ay, I wish your lordship
+would make him so. It would be an act of justice, and I know it is in
+your power to do much greater things." She then mentioned Booth's
+services, and the wounds he had received at the siege, of which she
+had heard a faithful account from Amelia. Booth blushed, and was as
+silent as a young virgin at the hearing her own praises. His lordship
+answered, "Cousin Ellison, you know you may command my interest; nay,
+I shall have a pleasure in serving one of Mr. Booth's character: for
+my part, I think merit in all capacities ought to be encouraged, but I
+know the ministry are greatly pestered with solicitations at this
+time. However, Mr. Booth may be assured I will take the first
+opportunity; and in the mean time, I shall be glad of seeing him any
+morning he pleases." For all these declarations Booth was not wanting
+in acknowledgments to the generous peer any more than he was in secret
+gratitude to the lady who had shewn so friendly and uncommon a zeal in
+his favour.
+
+The reader, when he knows the character of this nobleman, may,
+perhaps, conclude that his seeing Booth alone was a lucky
+circumstance, for he was so passionate an admirer of women, that he
+could scarce have escaped the attraction of Amelia's beauty. And few
+men, as I have observed, have such disinterested generosity as to
+serve a husband the better because they are in love with his wife,
+unless she will condescend to pay a price beyond the reach of a
+virtuous woman.
+
+END OF VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Amelia Volume I, by Henry Fielding
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