THE FOOL of Quality, OR, THE HISTORY OF HENRY EARL of
Moreland.
VOL V.
By Mr. BROOKE.
DUBLIN:
Printed for the AUTHOR, By DILLON CHAMBERLAINE, in Dame Street, facing Fownes's Street. MDCCLXX.
THE FOOL of Quality, OR, THE HISTORY OF HENRY EARL of
Moreland.
THUS my Lord, in the recent Acquisition of such a Son, forgot all his Losses, and cast the whole Weight of his late Calamities behind him. His Eye could not be tired with seeing him, neither his Ear with hearing the Sweetness of his Voice; and he continued to hold, to gaze at him, to caress him, unmindful of aught else, unmindful even of his Friend
Meekly,
who sat enraptured beside him.
Will you leave me again, my Child? cried out the Earl; do you intend to go from me again, my
Harry?
you must not, you shall not leave me, not for an Hour, no not for a Minute; a second Loss of my Son would quickly bring my grey Hairs with Sorrow to the Grave. Never, never, my Lord, will I leave you, tenderly cried
Harry;
never, for a Moment, will I forsake you again, my Father. I come purposely to watch over, to comfort, to tend you, while I have Life, with all possible Tenderness, Affection and Duty.
But where, hastily asked the Earl, where is the Murderer who stabbed my Peace? where is that old Thief, that Robber, who rent my Child from me? Ah! my Lord, cried
Harry,
he is very far from meriting such opprobrious Epithets; He is a Summary of all that is excellent, all that is amiable in Nature. He respects and loves you too, above the World, and all that is in it deserving of Love. O, had you lately seen his Grief for your Losses, the Floods of Tears he shed,—for—for—for!—Here
Harry
could no more, but, on the Recollection of his Mother and Brother, burst into Tears.
But tell me, my Dear, continued the Earl, tell me who and what he is, whom you commend so highly?
Even the Son of your own Mother, my Lord; my much loved, my revered, my most honoured Uncle.
Impossible, my Child. That old despicable Man my Brother. No no, my
Harry,
he must have deceived you. My Brother was All that was amiable upon Earth;
the Fairest among ten Thousand,
the straitest Cedar in the Forest.
And such he is at this Day, my Lord. But, alas, alas, he has been broken by the Batteries of many Afflictions; a Man wholly made up of Sorrows, and acquainted with killing Griefs. You wanted me not, when he took me, my Father. You had other and richer Treasures, Comforts that were infinitely more worthy your Regard. But, little and despicable as I was, He had nothing but me. I became his only Comfort, the only Treasure in which he delighted. Yet, as soon as he hear'd that you wanted Consolation, he chose rather to be without it himself; and so he restores me to you, if I may be any little Matter of Comfort to you, my Father.
And where is this dear Uncle, this precious Brother, my
Harry?
Is he come with you, shall I be so blessed to take him in with my Eye, to take him in with my Arms, to petition, to obtain his Pardon, to press him to my Bosom, to my Heart, to my Soul, where is he, where is this precious Brother, my
Harry?
He is not come with me, my Lord, he feared, as he said, that you would not forgive him the carrying off of your
Ganymede,
but he is desirous of attending you, on the first Intimation.
Then you must write to him, for that Purpose, to Morrow, my Son, and dispatch your Invitation by some of our swiftest Horses. The Influence of his Darling will, unquestionably, be greater than that of an offending and unnatural Brother. Is this Letter from him,
Harry?
— it is, my Lord. — Then, I will not peruse it, till I get by myself. It probably contains Reproaches but too well merited; or, possibly, Matters of Consolation, too tender for me to bear. — But, Mr.
Meekly,
my dearest
Meekly,
ten thousand Pardons! —
Harry,
take to your Arms the Man, in the World, next to your Uncle, most deserving of your Reverence, most deserving of your Heart!
Here, Mr.
Meekly
kissed and embraced our Hero, with all the Tenderness of a Father and the Ardour of an old Friend.
Mr.
Meekly,
cried
Harry,
looking earnestly and fondly at him, do I not remember something of that Face, Mr.
Meekly?
Are you not the Gentleman, for whom I, long since, conceived such an Attachment, to whom my Heart cleaved, as I may say, from my Infancy?
I am, my heavenly Creature, answered
Meekly,
I am the Man indeed whose Soul was knit to yours, like the Soul of
Jonathan
to
David,
the first Moment I beheld you; and who saw in you, then, all those noble, generous, and divinely humane Propensities, that I see arrived to their Maturity at this happy Day!
While Mr.
Meekly
was thus rejoicing,
Harry
happened to turn his Head aside, and spying the lively Portraits of my Lady and Lord
Richard,
he started, he rose, and, gazing on them a Minute; he went softly to the Window, and, taking out his Handkerchief, kept his Back to the Company, while he vented his Emotions in a silent Passion of Tears. His Father and Mr.
Meekly
perceived what he was about, but they did not disturb him. He brought fresh to their Remembrance all the Passages of late Affliction, and they silently joined a Flow of Grief to his. But their Tears were the Tears of sympathising Humanity: or rather Tears of Delight, on observing the sweet Sensibilities of their Darling.
In the mean Time Mr.
Frank,
who attended on
Harry,
had whisperingly given the mourning Domestics an Intimation, concerning the Person of the Stranger who had arrived. Some of them well remembered him; and All of them had hear'd of him, and conceived a very kindly Impression of our
Harry.
They first expressed their mutual Joy, by Kisses, Embraces, and silent Shakes of the Hand; but, in a little Space, their Congratulations became more loud and tumultuous, and the Voice of Exultation was hear'd through all the lower House.
Harry,
hereupon, felt himself secretly hurt, and turning to his Father his yet tearful Countenance, my Lord, says he, I beseech you to suppress this unseasonable Sound of Joy among your Servants, in a House that ought so justly to be the House of Mourning. — My Love, mildly and kindly answered the Earl, I cannot wholly refuse, to my poor and afflicted People, some Share of that Comfort which I myself feel on the Return of my
Harry.
They are All my old and true Servants, my Child, this is no other than an Expression of their Love to you and to me, and I request you to receive them affectionately for my Sake.
Here the Earl rung a Bell, and desired tha tall his Domestics should come in.
They accordingly entered.
Harry
perfectly recollected Mr.
John,
the Steward, Mr.
Samuel,
the Butler, and old Mrs.
Mary,
the Cook. He called them by their Names, reminded them of old Times, and took them in his Arms with much Affection. He then turned to the other Servants. He took Each of them by the Hand in Turns, and spoke to them, with such a natural Ease and Lowliness, as though he himself desired, in his Father's House, to become also,
as One of his hired Servants.
Hereupon, gathering All about him, they catched and kissed his Hand by Force; and then, kneeling around, they promiscuously petitioned for Blessings on his Head; and rising, retired in a pleasing Passion of Sobs and Tears; while the enraptured Earl beheld All; with a Mixture of such blissful Sensations, as he had never felt before.
It now began to grow late, and, after a short Repast of some small Matters; my Lord proposed their retiring to Bed, but, my Friend, said he to
Harry,
you must content yourself with being my Prisoner for the present; you must lie in my Chamber; I will not trust my Lamb from my Side, for Fear of its going once more astray. Ah, my Lord, cried
Harry,
there is no Fear of that. My Heart is wholly your Property, and you have, thereby, a sure Hold of all that I am or can have.
The next Morning,
Harry
impatiently rose, before the Servants were stirring; and unlocking the great Door, and closing it softly after him, he went out exulting on his premeditated Expedition. He reconnoitred and recollected the quondam Scenes of his Childhood, and, flying like a Bird over the Hedges and other Obstacles, he made the shortest Way to his still precious Mammy's.
When he approached the Place of his infant Endearments, he met his Fosterfather going forth to his Field, with a solemn and melancholy Air, on his usual Occupations.
Harry
instantly remembered the Features, once so delightful, and springing to him, and catching at him, he kissed and clasped him repeatedly, and cried aloud, my Daddy, my Daddy, my dear, dear Daddy
Dobson!
how glad am I to see you once again! how is my Mammy, my dear Mammy? how is little
Tommy
and little
Rachel,
and all our dear Family?
The old Man then, respectfully withdrawing a Space, I don't know you, my sweet Master, said he; I never saw you before. Indeed but you did; many and many a time and oft, cried
Harry,
you carried me in your Arms, almost the livelong Day, and pressed and hushed me to sleep at Night in your Bosom. Don't you remember, your little
Harry?
don't you remember my two Dogs, don't you remember my Cock?
O, exclaimed the good old Man, I now believe that you are my Child, the dearest Child that ever was born! But, I never hoped to see him such a Thing as you are; I never thought to see such a glorious Creature upon Earth!
Here, old
Dobson
returned
Harry
's Caresses with a two-fold Force, and, blubbering all aloud, had like to have smothered him with the Intenseness of his Embraces.
Bring me, bring me, cried
Harry,
to the Sight of my dearest Mammy, I am all impatient, to behold her!
Not so fast, said Gaffer
Dobson,
I love my old loving
Cate,
and, should she find you out, of a sudden, she would certainly die of Joy. But, I will bring you to her as a Stranger, and so you may bring Matters about. And, indeed, I fear that my own Head is likely to be crazed by this Business; for I do not find that I am the same Man that I was a while agone, I shall grow too proud, I doubt, and look down upon all my better Neighbours.
Goodman
Dobson
then conducted
Harry
to their ancient Habitation. Nurse
Dobson
was just up, and preparing to comb the Heads of her Children, when they entered.
Cate,
says he, I have brought to you a young Stranger, who says he can give you some Account of our little
Harry,
who says he is still alive, notwithstanding all your Frights, and will shortly pay a Visit to some Parts of this Country; and who knows then, but that we, among Others, may happen to set our Eyes upon him, and that, I think, would be a great Blessing, my
Cate?
O, no, no, no, exclaimed Nurse, without deigning to cast her Eyes on the Stranger; he is dead, he is gone from me these many many Years; I once hoped to have his Infant on my Knee and in my Bosom, but that Hope is quite gone; never, never shall I behold my Darling again.
Harry
had seated himself just opposite to Nurse; when, looking up, she started, and stared eagerly in his Face. Don't impose upon me,
William,
says she; tell me, tell me at once, mayhap this is my Child! Ah, against the World, the Dimple in that Smile, is the Dimple of my
Harry.
Here
Harry
sprung up and, at one Leap, caught his rising Nurse in his Arms, crying, my Mammy, my Mammy, my dearest Mammy, do I live to be pressed once more to your dear Bosom!
But the poor Woman breathed short, and could not get out a Word. Twenty times she put him from her, and catched him to her again, gazing at him, by Intervals, with a frantic Affection. At length, she cast herself back, on the Bench that was behind her, and, clapping her Hands together, she gave a great Shout, and burst into an hysterical Passion of Tears; while
Harry
seated himself beside her, and gently drawing her Head to him, placed it fondly on his Bosom, and mixed his Tears with her's.
This Gush came very seasonably for our loving Nurse's Relief. She soon recovered her Breath and her Senses; and, seeing some Drops on her
Harry
's Cheeks, she drew them in with her Lips, crying, precious Pearls be these! I would not exchange One of them for the brightest Diamond in the Mines.
Mammy, says
Harry,
I stole away to come and see you, while my Father was asleep, or else I should not have had Leave to stir from him a Foot. But You and my Daddy must promise to come and dine with me, we will have a Table by Ourselves. And do You, my dear Mammy, step to our House, and, if my Father should miss me, tell him I am gone into the Town and will be back with him before Breakfast.
Harry
then stepped to the Village, and, remembering Gaffer
Truck
's House, he went familiarly in, and enquired of the good Woman how all the Family was. Pray, how is my honest old
Bartholemew,
says he, and how is your pretty Daughter
Molly,
and above all what is become of my old Friend
Tom?
The poor Woman, all in Amazement, cried, a pretty
Tom
he is forsooth, to be Friend to such a sweet young Gentleman as You are. But Truth is that our
Tom
is at prentice to a Barber at next Door. Well, says
Harry,
when Gaffer
Truck
comes Home, tell him that his old Acquaintance,
Harry Clinton,
called to see him.
Tom
had just finished an Operation on a Neighbour, as our Hero entered. How are you
Tom,
says he, carelessly.
Tom
gaped, and stared, and gaped; but answered not a Word. Will you give me a Cast of your Office,
Tom?
Ay, that I will, Master, as soon you get a Beard. Why,
Tom,
you are grown a huge hulking Fellow since I saw you last; will you step to yonder Green and wrestle one Fall with me? No, no, Master, I should hurt you; methinks I could throw a Dozen of such fairweather Gentlemen as You are, Master.
Harry
instantly seized
Tom,
by the Breast with one Hand, and by the Shoulder with the Other; when
Tom,
feeling the Hardness and Hurt of his Gripe, immediately exerted his Powers, and grappled with his Adversary. But
Harry,
giving him a slight Foot, laid him on the broad of his Back in the Middle of his own Floor; but kept him, with both Hands, from being hurt against the Ground.
I believe, said
Tom,
rising, You must zertainly be the Devil; and come, as they say, to fling poor Sinners in the Shape of an Angel of Light. Ah,
Tom, Tom,
cried
Harry,
this is not the first Struggle that you and I have had. Do you remember the Bag of Nuts and poor blind
Tommy?
have you forgot your old Friend, your little
Harry Clinton?
Bless'd Mercy! exclaimed
Tom,
can you be my young Lord, my Heart's dear young Master? I am indeed, answered
Harry,
your old Acquaintance, my dear
Tom,
your loving Friend,
Harry Clinton.
And so saying, he took
Tom
about the Neck and kissed him very cordially.
Tom,
says
Harry,
I want you to take a Walk with me;
Tom
instantly assented, and out they went.
As they walked along,
Harry
began to grow sad.
Tom,
said he, do you know where my dear Brother
Dickey
was buried? Yes, Sir, said
Tom,
a great Way off, in yonder Church Yard below the Town's End. Do you know where the Sexton lives,
Tom?
In a little white House, Sir, just joining the Yard.
As soon as they arrived,
Tom
called out the Sexton, and
Harry,
putting a Guinea into his Hand, ordered him directly to unlock the Family Vault.
The Man looked astonished, but obeyed in Silence, and
Harry,
as he entered, desired the Sexton and
Tom
to wait at a Distance, and promised to be with them, by and by.
He put to the Door after him, just leaving Light enough to distinguish the recent Deposits of the Dead.
O, said he, as he advanced, thou true House of Mourning, thou silent End of all Men, how sad art thou to Sense! how sad to me above All, who bearest in thy dark Bosom such precious and beloved Relicks.
Then, casting himself on the Coffins of my Lady and Lord
Richard,
as they lay Side by Side; and clasping his Arms about them as far as he could reach; O, he cried, my Mother, my Brother, my dearest Brother, my dearest Mother, you are gone, you are gone from me, and You never knew the Love that your Son and Brother had for You. Ah, how did I flatter myself, what Happiness did I not propose, in attending, serving, and pleasing You; in doing thousands of tender, kindly and endearing Offices about You! but you are snatched from me, my Mother, you are snatched from me, my Brother! all my Prospects are defeated and cut away for ever. You will no more return to me, but I shall go to You; and O, that I were laid with You this Minute in this still and peaceful Mansion; where Hopes and Fears cease, and All are humbled together!
Mean while, Mr.
Meekly
and gone abroad on his Morning's Walk. He met Nurse on her Way to the Mansion House, and, accosting her in a kind of Triumph, my good Nurse, says he, we have blessed Tidings for you, Your
Harry,
your Hero, is come to the Country. I know it, Sir, I know it, answered Nurse, it is but a little while ago that my Babe left my Bosom.
Mr.
Meekly
then proceeded in order to join his young Friend, enquiring of All he met which Way Lord
Henry
went, till at last he was directed to the Church Yard. There he found
Tom
and the Sexton who, on further Question, silently pointed to the Door of the Family Vault, that hung on the jar.
Mr.
Meekly
felt himself affected, and withdrew to a greater Distance; but still keeping his tearful Eye on the sad Mansion that now held the Living with the Dead.
At length
Harry
came forth, drying his Cheeks with his Handkerchief. He assumed a constrained Air of Chearfulness, and joining
Tom
and the Sexton, observed that a great Crowd was gathering in the Town.
Who are Those,
Tom?
says he; I suppose, answered
Tom,
your Honour's Tenants and old Acquaintances, who are getting together to welcome You to the Country. If that is the Case,
Tom,
we must go and salute them; and You shall introduce me and tell me who is who.
Mr.
Meekly,
perceiving that
Harry
was on his Return, kept onward, aloof from him, but with an Eye on his Motions.
By this Time, the Crowd had sorted themselves, the Principals of the Families into one Group, the young Men into Another, and the fair Maidens into Another. And, as
Harry
approached, They all set up a joint Shout of Triumph.
Please your Honour, says
Tom,
this is my Father; and this is Gaffer
Gubbins,
and this Goodman
Demster,
and this Farmer
Felster,
and so on.
Harry,
with the Lowliness of a Washer of Feet, would have kissed and embraced them All in Turns; but, pressing about him, they seized a Hand on either Side, and eagerly kissed them, as also the Skirts of his Clothes all round.
God bless your sweet Face, God bless your sweet Face! cried Goodman
Demster,
who so sees it in a Morning, can't fail, I think, of prospering the live-long Day.
When he came, in Succession, to the Companions of his Infancy, as he kissed and shook Hands with Each, in turn; Some reminded him of his having beat them at Boxing, Others at Wrestling, and All of his having play'd with them at Prison-Bars, Leapfrog, Shoot the Gate, and so forth.
Mean while, the Girls panted, gazed at him, and longed to get him to themselves. Sir, says
Tom,
here is your old Acquaintance, my Sister
Molly;
there is not a Lad, in the Town, whom she is not able to toss, except your Honour.
Molly
looked full of Health as
Haebe,
and rosey as the May, and
Harry
caught her about the Neck and kissed her very cordially. Do you remember me,
Molly?
O, answered
Molly,
I shall never forget, since your Honour's Lordship and I used to wrestle every Day behind our House. Ay,
Molly,
cried
Harry,
there was no Harm in it then; but a Fall, at this Day, might be Dangerous to One of us; above all things take Care of that, my good
Molly.
And, if you know ere a pretty Lad, to whom you have a Liking, I will give You fifty Guineas, for old Acquaintance sake, toward making up your Portion.
The Rest of the Girls now pressed for their Share of
Harry,
and it was with Difficulty that he divided himself with any satisfactory Equality among them, as they All kissed him so close, and seemed so loth to part.
At length,
Harry
's Watch reminded him that it was Time to attend his Father, and, as he parted, they shouted after him, long Life and Health and Honours, to our Townsman, our own Boy, our own dear sweet Child!
In the mean time, Mr.
Meekly
had returned Home, with his Heart full of Tidings to the Earl. When
Harry
arrived, Breakfast was on Table, and he perceived that his Father had been in Tears. But, no Notice was taken of the Affair at the Charnel House, on either Part.
When Breakfast was over,
Harry
called in
John.
Mr.
John,
says he, can you tell me how many Families there are in this Village of Yours? Twenty five Families exactly, my Lord. Then
Harry
turned to his Father and said, if your Lordship will be pleased to lend me five hundred Guineas for the present, I will pay you very honestly the Hour that my Uncle comes to the Country. Why, Sirrah, cried the Earl pleasantly, what Right has your Uncle to pay your Debts, especially to such a great Amount as you speak of? O, my Lord, answered
Harry,
I have already squandered away above fifty thousand Pounds of his Money, and this is but a Trifle which, I am sure, I may very safely add to the Rest.
Here the Earl looked truely astonished. Fifty thousand Pounds! he exclaimed, impossible,
Harry.
Why, you had neither such Ponds or Lakes, as mine, in
London,
wherein you might make Ducks and Drakes of them. How, in the World, could you contrive it, where did you dispose of them?
In Hospitals and in Prisons, my Father, answered
Harry.
In Streets and Highways, among the Wretched and the Indigent. Supplying Eyes to the Blind, and Limbs to the Lame; and Chearfulness to the Sorrowful and broken of Heart; for such was my Uncle's Orders.
Let me go, let me go from this Place, my Lord, cried
Meekly!
this Boy will absolutely kill me, if I stay any longer. He overpowers, he suffocates me with the Weight of his Sentiments.
Well,
Harry,
said the Earl, go to my Desk, here is the Key of the Drawer on the left Hand, and I make you a Present of the Key and the Contents; perhaps you may find there nearly as much as will answer your present Exigencies.
Harry
went and, opening the Drawer, was astonished to see it quite full of Gold. However he took no more than just the Sum proposed and, returning to his Father, said, what shall I do, my Lord, with that vast Heap of Money? Why, you extravagant Rogue, replied the Earl, there is not as much in it as will pay the Debt you have contracted with one Man. O, cried
Harry,
I am quite easy upon that Score; I will never affront my Uncle by the Offer of a Penny. And, don't you think, said the Earl, that we have got Poor among us in the Country, as well as you have in the City,
Harry?
I believe you may have got Some, my Lord, but then I am much more difficult, than you may think, in the Objects on whom I would choose to confer Charity. I look upon the Money, amassed by the Wealthy, to have been already extracted from the Earnings of the Poor, the poor Farmer, the poor Craftsman, the hard-handed Peasant, and the Day Labourer, whose seven Children perhaps subsist on the Milk of a Couple of Cows. Wherefore, the Objects, on whom we bestow these Gatherings, ought at least to be something poorer, and more worthy of Compassion than Those from whom the Money was exacted. So saying, he stepped out.
Amazing Boy! cried Mr.
Meekly,
how new, and yet how just was that Observation! I am, cried the Earl, as it were in a Kind of delicious Dream, and can scarce yet believe myself so blessed as to be the Father of such a Child!
In the mean time,
Harry
had called
John
aside. Mr.
John,
says he, here are five hundred Guineas. Be pleased to step and distribute them by twenty Guineas to Each of the Families in the Village. I would save you the Trouble, and give them myself, but that, for the present, my Heart turns with Disgust from their Thanks and their Honours. Tell them that this is a Token, in Memory of my dear Brother, to keep them in mind of him. Tell them further that I will have no Carousals, no Rejoycings, on Account of my Arrival; and that it would please me infinitely better, if my Return would bring their late Losses to their Remembrance, and set them All in Tears and Lamentations.
My Lord now proposed a Saunter into the Park, in order to procure an Appetite for Dinner. Accordingly the Gate was ordered to be unlocked; and they entered on a Gravel Walk, that was walled in on the left Hand, and paled in on the Right, along the Verge of five Canals that fell, successively, in Cascades, the One into the Other. Beyond the Canals, a vast Lawn fled the Eye, thinly interspersed with Trees of different Hues and Natures. The Lawn again was closed by an extensive Lake; and, on the further Side of the Lake, there rose and sunk several Glens, that varied their Forms to the Prospect, as they walked. Beyond the Glens there arose, again, to the Eye, a huge Forest of time-immemorial Oaks. And, beyond All, there ascended a Range of romantic Mountains, whose Fronts were whitened here and there with impending Rocks; but whose Tops scaled the Heavens, and confounded their Forms and Colours with the Clouds.
As they talked and walked along, they met with a six barred Gate that directly thwarted their Passage; and my Lord reached his Hand, through the Rails, for the Key, that the Keeper had left in the Lock on the inside, but he could not get at it. We are All at a full Stop now, said he, unless
Harry
could make a Shift to climb over the Gate; but no, don't, my Dear, your Foot might happen to slip between the Rails and hurt you. I will obey your Lordship, answered
Harry,
I will not venture a Foot upon One of them. So saying, he catched at the topmost Bar with his left Hand, and, throwing himself slightly over, opened the Gate for his Companions. The Earl and Mr.
Meekly
stood mute, in utter Astonishment. At length the Earl cried, Child, you must surely be of more than mortal Mould, or else you have a familiar Spirit that conveys you through the Air. I have indeed a familiar Spirit, my Lord, answered
Harry,
a Spirit much humbled by the Sense of its own Defects.
On their Return,
John
called his Master aside, and told him of his due Distribution of
Harry
's Bounty to the Villagers. But my Lord, said he, when I went down I found them All very busily employed, in preparing Bonfires and Illuminations in Honour of my young Lord. This, however, I was obliged to countermand, by his special Order; and it has greatly mortified all your poor People. Well, well, said the Earl, it can't be helped for the present; we must not dare to offend our
Harry
at any Rate; and so those Matters of Rejoycing may rest in Reserve till the Arrival of my Brother.
Soon afterward, our Hero's Fosterers came, decked out in their best Attire; and
Harry
ordered a side Table to be covered for him and them, but my Lord insisted on their dining all together.
Harry
placed himself very lovingly between them, at Table, that he might help them and prevail upon their Bashfulness to eat.
When the Repast was nearly over, Nurse enquired after the little Beggar-Boy, whose Absence, she imagined, had caused the Elopement of her Darling. He is come to great Fortune, answered
Harry,
he has found his Father and Mother, and is Heir to a large Estate.
Harry
then told the Manner in which
Ned
had been discovered, and they were All highly pleased and affected by the Relation.
But Mammy, says
Harry,
what is become of my Sister
Nelly
on whose Milk I was suckled? and what is become of my little Brother
Tommy,
who was but two Years younger than myself?—They are both dead, my Precious; but God has been pleased to give me Others in their Room. — Well, Mammy, I find we must all die, and, some time or other, that will be a great Grief to One of us, whichever of us shall happen to outlive the Other. I am satisfied to die once, said Nurse, but, never let me hear again of your dying, my Angel, I can't suffer the Thought, she cried, and burst forth into Tears; I cou'dn't bear, I cou'dn't bear to die a thousand Deaths in the Death of my
Harry!
But, Mammy, said
Harry,
in order to divert her Passion, you have not yet enquired after the Man with the Beard. O, the old Rogue, exclaimed Nurse, I can't think of him with Patience. Ay, but, Mammy, you must know that, that same old Rogue is my own darling Uncle, an own and only dear Brother to my own dear Father here. If that is the Case, said Nurse, I don't wonder he should so greatly yearn after you; and indeed I would rather wonder if all the World did not yearn and long after you, my Love!
And now, Mammy, to shew you how much you are obliged to this same darling Uncle, he has ordered me to make you a Present of five hundred Pounds, in Payment, as he says, of the Grief he has cost you. And take no Heed for your Children, Mammy, I will take that Care upon myself; for this same dear Uncle has made me a Gift of the Lands, and House, and Plate, and Furniture that he has in this Town, and so you see I am well able to provide for you All.
Here, my Lord cast an Eye of tender Jealousy upon
Harry.
I perceive, my Son, said he, that your Uncle is your only Trust, the only Dependance that you choose to have upon Earth.
Harry,
with a Glance of his Eye, instantly caught the Meaning of the Eye of his Father; and, throwing himself at his Feet, O, pardon, my Lord, he cried, pray, pardon the Overflowings of a grateful and simple Heart! My Uncle is my Property, but I am your's, my Father, to be disposed of in Life, and in Death, at your Pleasure. I do trust, I do depend upon you, my Father, and you have already overpower'd me with the Weight of your Affections.
My Lord's Eyes then glistened, and raising his Son, and taking him fondly to his Bosom, I believe I have been wrong, my Love, said he; and hereafter I shall always think so, rather than think any thing amiss in my
Harry.
But, tell me, my Dear, and tell me sincerely; you speak of your Uncle, as One of the richest and greatest Men upon Earth; as a Prince, as an Emperor, enabled to give away Fortunes and Provinces at Pleasure.
And he is, my Lord, cried
Harry,
he is greater than any Prince or Emperor upon Earth. To speak only of his temporal Wealth and Power, the most inconsiderable Part of his Value. He can do, as I may say, what he pleases in
England.
The Ministry are at his Beck, they profess themselves his Servants; and even his Majesty acknowledges himself deeply his Debtor, and owes him, I dare say, Half a Million of sterling
English.
And yet this is the Man, exclaimed the Earl, (turning an Eye of Penitence on Mr.
Meekly
) this is the Man, as I told you, my Friend, on whom I looked down with such provoking Contempt; whom I treated with such unpardonable Insolence and Ignominy.
My Lord then enquired concerning the personal Adventures of our Hero in
London,
the Account of which would have been more entertaining, had not
Harry
suppressed, throughout his Narration, whatever he apprehended might tend to his own Honour.
As soon as the Fosterers had taken their leave, my Lord proposed a Walk to his Guests, in the Gardens; and, after a few Turns, they sat down in a rural Arbour, that was interwoven, all about, with Jessamine and Honeysuckle.
Mr.
Meekly,
said the Earl, I have often longed to hear the Particulars of your Life, and how you came to live by Faith and not by Sight, and to hold your Conversation in Heaven, as you do at this Day.
I can soon obey your Lordship, answered
Meekly,
for my Story is very short and very simple, and no way adorned with uncommon Incidents.
My Mother died a few Hours after I was born. My Father did not survive her two Years; and I fell to the Care of my only Kinsman, an Uncle by my Father's Side.
My Uncle was an old Batchelor, and though he was of a cold Temper and had no Tenderness for any One, he yet spared no Cost in my Education. He sent me to
Eaton
School, and from thence to
Cambridge,
where I remained till I took my Degrees. I then went to
London,
bought a Sword and Sword-Knot, and commenced fine Gentleman.
Though my Head had been duly stored, by my Tutors, in the Rudiments of our Religion, my Heart had not yet felt any of its Precepts; and I conceived that, to go regularly to Church, receive the Sacrament, confess myself a miserable Sinner, and avoid gross Vices, was the Sum of Christianity. I therefore entered, without Scruple, into all the fashionable Pleasures and Vanities of the Age; and I held that, to pardon an Affront, would have been One of the deadly Sins, in a
Gentleman-Christian.
One Day, at
James
's Coffeehouse, Colonel
Stannard
and another Gentleman engaged, at Backgammon, for five hundred Guineas; and, as the Stake was so considerable, and both Parties celebrated for their Skill in the Game, we all crowded about them, to see the Issue.
I happened to be next behind the Colonel's Chair, and Others pressed behind me, eagerly bending and looking over my Shoulders. At length he began to fret, as the Game was drawing to a Close and going against him. Pray, Gentlemen, he would cry, don't bear upon me so; for Heaven's Sake keep off, you will make me lose the Game. Hereupon, I did my utmost to bear back from him, but the Company pressed me forward, in Spite of all I could do. Till the Colonel, giving an unhappily decisive Cast, turned about in a Fury, and spit directly in my Face.
Indignation gave me sudden and unusal Strength, and, casting All off who had borne upon me, I instantly drew my Sword and ran the Colonel through the Body. The Company cried out that all was fair, and opening a Window for me, they urged me to escape. Accordingly I got off, rode Post to
Dover,
and there embarqued for
France.
The Colonel, God be praised, did not die of his Wound. He lay under the Hands of the Doctors for about seven Months, then recovered and went to join his Regiment in
Flanders.
Of this my Uncle sent me Advice, telling me at the same Time that I might return with safety. Yes, thought I, with safety to my Life, but with Death to my Honour! I have taken Revenge indeed, but not Satisfaction; the Colonel must be compelled to make me personal Reparation for the Affront which he dared to put upon me. His Recovery has again dashed the Spit into my Face; and I will pursue him through the World, till it is wiped from the Observation and Remembrance of all Men.
With this deadly Determination, I went Post, from
Paris
to
Flanders,
and traced the Colonel from Place to Place, till I found him in a Village, on the Road to
Amsterdam.
I believe, Sir, said I bluntly, you mayn't remember me, for our Acquaintance was sudden and of very short Duration; I am the Man in whose Face you spit publickly, at
James
's Coffeehouse. Then, Sir, said he, I am scarce yet recovered of the Cause which you gave me to bear you always in Mind; but pray, what may your Commands be with me, for the present? I am come to demand a Remedy, at your Hands, for the Wound which you gave my Honour, and which otherwise must remain for ever incurable. Ah, he cried, no Man ever exacted so severe a Satisfaction as you have already taken; what then may be the Nature of the further Reparation, that you are pleased to require? Either to ask my Pardon, or fight me within this Hour.
That is very hard upon me, indeed, replied the Colonel; the Honour of my Commission will not allow me to beg Pardon of any Man, at least in order to avoid a Combat; so Sir, if you insist upon it, I must obey your Summons, though very reluctantly, I confess. Then Sir, said I, meet me in Half an Hour, with your Pistols and Sword, behind yonder little Hill.
The Colonel was punctual to the Appointment. We both grasped a Pistol, at a Distance of twenty Paces, and advancing, Step by Step, cried fire! fire! fire! Each seeming determined to make sure of his Adversary; till, coming within Arm's length, I fired directly in his Face, but the Ball passed through his Hat, and only grazed the Skin of his left Temple.
The Colonel then took his Pistol into his left Hand, and reaching out his Right to me, with a Smile of great Complacence, I think Sir, said he, I may now ask your Pardon with Honour And to convince you that I did not come to engage You in Malice, be pleased to examine my Arms, you will not find so much as a Grain of Powder in the One or the Other.
Ah, Colonel, I then exclaimed, I acknowledge you my Conqueror both in Honour and Humanity. Had I been so unhappy as to kill you, and find your Arms unloaded, I should certainly have done you Justice, by shooting myself through the Head. But, why did I pursue you from Kingdom to Kingdom; why was I unappeased by all the Blood that I shed? was it from any Malignity of Heart toward you? by no Means; but, while I lamented the Misery I had already occasioned You, I was impelled to finish your Destruction, by a barbarian World, or rather, by the bloody Prescribers of Custom, whose Censure I dreaded, worse than Death, or even Futurity. Courage, Colonel, incites Soldiers to fight for their Country; but it is Cowardise alone that drives Duellists together.
For three affectionate Days, I remained with my late Enemy, but now warm Friend. He then was obliged to return to Quarters; and we parted, with a Regret much exceeding the Hostility with which we had met.
On the Departure of the Colonel I went to
Amsterdam,
from whence I drew upon my Uncle to the amount of £700. For I resolved, before my Return, to take a Tour through the Seven Provinces, though I had gone for a very different Purpose.
During nine Months I resided, or journeyed from Place to Place, among that People.
Holland
is, unquestionably, the wealthiest, the busiest, and most populous State upon Earth. Not a Hand is unemployed, not a Foot of Ground unoccupied; and, for a long time, I ascribed their extraordinary Prosperity to an Industry and Ingenuity peculiar to them alone. But, on further Observation, I discovered the true Source as well of their Industry as their Opulence, and am persuaded that any Nation, bordering on the Ocean, might derive the like Prosperity from the same Spring.
Not, my Lord, that I think Opulence a real Benefit to a People, for
Man's Life consisteth not in the Abundance of his Possessions.
But I look upon Industry, the natural Parent of Opulence, to be as well a Blessing as a Duty to Man, from the Time that he was appointed to
earn his Bread in the Sweat of his Brow.
Many mental Virtues, also, as well as temporal Benefits follow in the Train of Industry; it makes Men healthful, brave, honest, social, and pacific. He, who labours hard to acquire a Property, will struggle hard to preserve it, and Exercise will make him active, robust and able for the Purpose. As the Man of Industry hath, in himself, a living Fund of Competence for his own Occasions, he will be the less tempted to plunder or prey upon Others; and the poignant Sense and Apprehension of being deprived of a Property, so justly acquired, will give him the nicer and stronger Sense of such an Injury to Others. Industry further incites to Commerce and good Neighbourhood, in order to dispose of mutual Redundancies for the Supply of mutual Wants. And, lastly, it delighteth in Peace, that its Time and its Labours may not be interrupted, nor the Fruits thereof endangered, by Rapine and Invasion; and all this may be said of Nations, as well as of Men.
Your Observations, said the Earl, are perfectly just; the Works of Industry are, unquestionably, the Works of Peace, and tend to open the Avenues wherein the Virtues may walk. But, how to incite Men or Nations to Industry, that is the Question. The finer Arts, we see, may be encouraged and promoted by National Bounties, as now in
France;
but there is no inciting the Bulk of the People to Industry, in like Manner; that would be, as though the Public should grant a Bounty to itself. Nations certainly differ from Nations as Man differs from Man; Some are, by Nature, industrious and ingenious, such as
China
and
Holland,
it is their Propensity, their Talent; while Others, like
Ireland,
are naturally lazy and listless, and therefore remain in well merited Indigence.
You have greatly mistaken this Point indeed, my Lord.
China
and
Holland
are industrious and ingenious, because, whether it were through good Hap or good Policy, they hit upon the only Method whereby Industry and Ingenuity could be duely promoted. Whereas
Great Britain
and
Ireland
are totally ignorant of the said Method to this Day, though Both of them highly capable of having it put in Execution.
You surprise me, Mr.
Meekly,
said the Earl, a Method to make Men ingenious, a Method to make them industrious! how can that be?
Experience has proved it to be even so, my Lord; for where a Method may be found for encouraging and promoting Ingenuity and Industry, that Method will, infallibly, make People become both ingenious and industrious. No Man will work, my Lord, without some Hire, or Wages, or Return for his Labour; neither will Any, who are in Want, refuse to work, when assured of a due Reward for so doing.
When the good Housholder walked out to the Marketplace, and found Labourers loitering there, when it was now toward Evening, he asked them,
why stand ye here all the Day idle?
And when they answered,
because no Man hath hired or given us Employment,
he took this for a sufficient Apology, he had Compassion upon them, and he supplied them with the divinest of all Kinds of Charity,
the Means of earning their own Bread.
Now, throughout
China
and
Holland,
no Person is in Want, because All are hired, All employed, the Young and the Old, the Lame and the Blind; and All find a ready Sale, without Anxiety or Loss of Time, without Travel or Delay, for the Products of their Industry. Throughout
Great Britain,
on the contrary, Nineteen in Twenty are in real Want; and in
Ireland,
as I am told, Forty nine, in Fifty, are nearly in a State of Beggary, merely for want of being employed, for want of Encouragement to Labour.
Permit me, then, to explain to your Lordship, how some Men, and some Nations, come to be encouraged to Industry, and Others to be discouraged, or, in a Manner, prohibited from it.
Different Men are endowed with different Talents and Powers, insufficient in many Respects, though superfluous in Others, to their own Occasions. Different Countries are also endowed with different Productions, superfluous in many Respects to the Natives, though necessary or desirable for the Well-being of Foreigners.
Now, these alternate Qualities, of Deficience and Abundance, at once invite and impel all Men, and all Countries, to claim and to impart that reciprocal Assistance which is denominated Commerce. Each gives what he can spare, Each receives what he wants; the Exchange is to the mutual Advantage of all Parties. And, could a Method be found out for encouraging Manufacturers to persevere in their Industry, and improve in their Arts, by a ready Conveyance and Sale of all their Redundancies, neither Want nor Superfluity could find Place upon Earth.
All this is quite clear and self-evident, Mr.
Meekly,
but how to procure this ready Sale is the Question.
Your Lordship must allow that the Way to procure it would be to bring Barterers and Commuters, Buyers and Sellers! All who mutually want and mutually abound, together. For this is the End and Purpose of every Market upon Earth.
Now, in
Great Britain
and
Ireland,
and in all Continents or inland Countries, the several Desarts, Mountains, Marshes, and other Obstacles, with the Difficulty, Danger, and Toil of Travel, and the great Expence of Land Carriage, have utterly precluded all Commerce and Communication to any considerable Extent. Insomuch that it would be easier and cheaper to convey a Commodity, of any Burden, to either of the
Indies,
than from many Parts of
Great Britain
or
Ireland
to Others, by Land.
While God appears to separate the several Nations of the Earth from Each other, by the Intervention of Seas, Lakes, and Rivers, he hath actually and intimately united them thereby.
WATER serves to the Art and Navigation of Man, as Air serves to the Wings of the feathered Species. It is the easy and speedy Medium, the ready Conduit and Conveyance, whereby all Redundancies are carried, and all Wants supplied. It makes Man, as it were, a Denizen of every Country on the Globe. It shortens every Distance, and ties the remotest Regions together. It carries and communicates the Knowledge, the Virtues, Manufactures, and Arts of each Climate to All. It gives new Springs and Motives to Industry, Action, and Invention. It gives a general Importance to the meanest Manufacturer. It gives to each Man an Interest in whatever is done upon Earth, the Productions of every Region, and the Tribute of every Nation.
Now,
China
and
Holland
are the only Countries upon Earth, who have considerably availed themselves of this capital Benefit of Water-Carriage, or Water-Commerce; and therefore they are, incomparably, the most populous and most prosperous of all Countries in the World.
China,
as your Lorship knows, extends from under the Tropic of
Cancer
to about thirteen hundred Miles
North,
and thereby contains within itself all the Variety of Climate, and Degrees of Heat and Cold, that are requisite for the sundry Productions upon Earth. Inspired by some Forecast, or Sagacity, not imparted to the rest of Mankind, they cut and quartered this vast Continent, by as many navigable Canals as answer to the Ducts and Veins in the human Body, for the Dispensation of Life and Nourishment. These Canals serve as Links or Chords to the grand Community of the
Chinese,
they bind Region to Region, House to House, and Man to Man, and hold the Whole as one System or Family together. This great Kingdom is, thereby, become as one City, and the Canals as so many Streets, through which Plenty is diffused by Commerce to every Part. If any Art or useful Invention commences or receives Improvement in any Place, it is immediately conveyed to every Place for Imitation and Promotion. No Portion of this wide Continent lies waste or uncultivated, because the Canals are as so many Markets brought to every Man's Door, and, by the perpetual Demand of whatever is saleable, incite the Natives to exert themselves in providing all the Redundancies they possibly can, that they may derive Wealth to themselves by supplying the respective Wants of Others. Thus, throughout the expanded Dominion of
China,
nothing is wasted, nothing lost, nothing superfluous, nothing wanting. All are employed, active, industrious, ingenious, and thriving. Their Canals are intimately to them, what Seas are diffusively to the rest of the Globe. They are thereby become, as a World within themselves, sufficient to their own Happiness and Occasions. They never change their Manners or Policy. They never enterprise War against Others. And
China
is affirmed at this Day, to contain one hundred and twenty Million of prospering Inhabitants.
The
Dutch
also, about a hundred and forty Years ago, followed the Example of the
Chinese.
Their Country is now become as one great and extended Metropolis to the Universe; and through their Canals as through paved and spacious High-Ways, the World resorts with all its Wealth. So encouraged and so incited, neither the Lame, nor the Blind, nor the Maimed, sit unemployed. Every Child is taught its Trade from the Moment it can apply its little Hands to a regular Motion, and they bring to the Parents vast Sums, in lieu of an infinite Variety of Toys and Trifles that are dispersed among the Idle of the other Children of Men. For, Barterers, and Commuters, Buyers and Sellers, Manufacturers and Merchants, like
Pyramus
and
Thisbe,
want nothing but the removal of envious Obstacles, to meet and to multiply a similary Progeny.
From what has been premised, my Lord, it is most evident, That Industry is the Parent of the Wealth of this World. That no Man's Industry is sufficient to his own Occasions. That the mutual Assistance denominated Commerce is, therefore, necessary to the Well-being of all People. That the reciprocal Advantage of this Commerce consists in supplying mutual Wants with mutual Redundancies. That this Commerce, however, cannot be carried on without a Medium for the Conveyance of such Supplies. That such a Medium, by Land, even where it is practicable, is tedious, toilsome, expensive, extremely discouraging, and cannot be pushed to any considerable Extent or Effect. That God, however, hath opened for the Purpose, an easy, speedy and universal Medium of Seas, Lakes, and Rivers, Part of which he hath left unnavigable, that Man might finish, by Art, what Nature had prepared, and contribute in some Degree to his own Advantages. That accordingly
China
and
Holland
(and
France
of late) have pursued the Path so divinely appointed, and that Power, Wealth and Prosperity have flowed in upon them, in Proportion as they have opened the Medium of Water-carriage for their Reception. And, that Causes which have produced their concomitant Effects, without Variation, from the earliest Ages to the present Period, must be presumed to produce the like Effects, through all Countries and Ages to the End of Time.
I protest, Mr.
Meekly,
exclaimed the Earl, you have pushed this Matter into mathematical Demonstration. What a happy, what a glorious Prospect now opens to my View! How easily, how speedily, how profitably might this Method be put in Execution, throughout the Earth! There is no Deficiency of Rivers, or collateral Streams for the Purpose. The Sinking into the Earth would give Vent to new Springs, and extract Plenty of Water in all Places for an inland Navigation; and Half the Number of Hands, that perish through War and Want, might be peacefully and plentifully employed in accomplishing this Weal of Mankind. Famine and Depredation would then cease. Nation would no longer rise up against Nation, nor Man against Man. The Earth, by Culture, would soon become capable of sustaining tenfold the Number of its present Inhabitants. We should no more be tempted to push Each Other from Existence. We should find ourselves mutually interested in preserving and multiplying the Lives of All from whose Labours we were to derive such Advantages. All would be Plenty, All Peace and Benevolence throughout the Globe. The Number of Inhabitants, instead of being a Burden, would then become the Riches of every Climate. All Hands would be set to Work, when thus assured of a Purchaser for every Effect of Labour. The Buzz of Wheels, Reels, and Looms; the Sound of Hammers, Files, and Forges; with the Shouts of Vintage, and the Songs of Harvest, would be heared in all Lands! I am quite astonished that a Work, so full of Benefit and Blessing to the Universe of Man, is not already commenced, advanced, and compleated.
How comes this to pass, Mr.
Meekly?
Have You yet mentioned this Matter to Any of our Great Ones?
I have, my Lord, to Several. They confessed themselves convinced of the Utility of the Scheme; and, could Each of them be assured of engrossing to himself the most considerable Part of the Profits that would thereby accrue to the Public, the Work would instantly be begun, and would shortly be perfected. For, such is the Nature of unregenerate Man, that he grudges to Others any Portion of those Goods which he so eagerly craves and grapples after for himself. He would hedge in the Air, and make a Property of the Light. In Proportion as he sees his Neighbours in comparative Want, he exults in the Accumulation of imaginary Wealth. But, should he deem them, in a Measure, more prosperous than himself, he sighs at his inmost Soul, and grows wretched and repining.
I protest, cried the Earl, were I young, I would to Morrow Morning, at my own Cost, set about this great Work of national, or rather of universal Beneficence. But, my
Harry
here has Youth enough, with an Abundance of Benevolence also for the Purpose; and I recommend it to him as the greatest of Charities, a Charity to
Great Britain,
a Charity to Mankind. What would you think, my Lord, said
Harry,
of my expending your whole Drawer of Gold upon this Business? great as it is, it would be but a small Matter toward the Value of purchasing Peace upon Earth, and the Sons of Peace, upon Earth, will be likeliest to be the Sons of Love in Heaven. So that we cannot lay out our Money to better Advantage, in any Purchase for the Benefit of the Brothers of our own Frailty.
Alas, my Love, rejoined Mr.
Meekly,
though you were Master of Half the Wealth of the People of
England,
and were willing to employ the Whole for their Emolument in this Way, the People themselves would oppose you in every Step you should take. Some would be too proud to accept a Benefit from You. Others would tell you that no Man should dare to violate their Property with either Spade or Pick-Axe; and Others would indict you even for treading on their Grounds. Nothing less than the Act of the whole Legislature, to whom the People have committed their confluent Powers, can avail for an Undertaking of such National Import.
Then, my dear Mr.
Meekly,
be pleased to let me have, in Writing, what you have already set forth on this Head; and, if I live to come to the lower House of Parliament, I will bend all my Powers to this capital Charity. And, if no other Oratory will avail for the Purpose, I will bribe the Members with a hundred thousand Pounds, and corrupt them, if possible, into one Act of Patriotism
It is observable that, within ten Years, subsequent to the Period of the above Prouie, the INLAND NAVIGATION of
England
commenced. Since which Time, the River
Isis
has been made navigable from
Oxford
to
Cricklade
in
Wiltshire,
and to
Abington
in
Berkshire.
The River
Avon
in
Warwickshire
from
Stratford
to the
Severn.
The
Avon
from
Bath
to
Bristol.
The
Medway
from
Maidstone
in
Kent
to
Tunbridge.
The
Lug
in
Herefordshire
to the
Wey.
The
Lea
from
Ware
to the
Thames.
The River
Kennet
in
Berkshire
to the
Thames
at
Reading,
containing 20 Locks in 17 Miles. The River
Are
in
Yorkshire,
containing 16 Locks, whose Tolls are now valued at about £.10000 yearly. Beside the
Stroud,
the
Nen,
and the
Wey,
with many Others, now in Iland.
. But, Mr.
Meekly,
I interrupt You. Pray proceed in your Narrative.
On my Return to
Amsterdam,
from my Tour through the Seven Provinces, I grew affected, one Evening, in a Manner I had never before experienced. I did not feel myself any way sick or in pain, and yet I wished to exchange my Sensations for any other Species of Malady. I was wholly pervaded by a gloomy Despondence. I looked abroad for Comfort, but it was no where to be found, every Object gave Disgust to my discontented Imagination. I secretly enquired of my Soul, if Riches, Honours, Dignities, if the Empire of the World would restore her to Joy? But She turned from them and said, All these Things are Strangers, and Aliens to my Peace. Alas, said I, tell me then where your Peace may be found? I know not, she replied, but I feel that I am wretched.
For three Days I continued under this Oppression of Spirit. And on the third Night an increasing Horror, of deep and heavy Darkness, fell upon me. All Hope died within me, and Misery seemed to open a Gulph of ever deepening Destruction in my Soul. I lay all the Night, bathed in Drops of unutterable Anguish. I wished and struggled to arise and change my Situation, but I felt that my Mind was its own Place and its own Hell, from whence there was no Removal, no possible Escape.
I now concluded that, some how, I must have sinned beyond the Measure of all Sinners, since my Damnation was deeper than that of any Other. I therefore turned toward God and wished to repent; but, as I did not feel Conviction for the Sins of which I accused myself, no Place for Repentance was found in my Soul.
Tremendous Author! I cried, I find that thou can'st sink and slay at Pleasure, but can'st thou not also raise up and make alive? If all Things have their Existence in thee, O God! is it not near and easy unto thee to impart to us some Sensation of thine own Existence also? some Sensation of thine own Peace, the Sense that it is thou alone who can'st be our Sustainer? Save me,
Jesus,
save me from the Hell of mine own Nature! Save me, thou Son of
David,
O save me from Myself!
While I thus prayed in an Agony, my whole Frame was suddenly overpower'd and sunk, as I suppose, into a State of Insensibility, till the following Day was far advanced. At length I perceived that I still existed.
I dreamed that I found myself in a deep and noysome Dungeon, without a single Ray that might even suffice to shew me the Horrors of my Situation. I attempted to rise and grope about, but I perceived that I was tied and fastened down to Earth by a Number and Variety of Bands and Fetters.
At length a sudden Light appeared, and diffused itself throughout the Darkness of my Mansion. When, looking up, I observed that the Keeper of my Prison had entered, the Doors being yet locked. His Head, as I thought, was bound about with a Tiara, from whence the Glory arose that shone around me. In the Coronet, instead of Gems, were inserted a Number of Thorns, whose Points streamed with incessant and insufferable Brightness. And on the golden Circlet was engraved, in all Languages, JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS.
Immediately my Shackles loosened and fell away of themselves, and I wished to cast my whole Existence under the Feet of my Lord, but was so overcome with Ecstasy that I could not rise. When, looking upon me with a Smile of ineffable Graciousness, he approached and took me by the Hand, and, at the Contact, I sprung up a great Height in my Bed, and awoke to Sensations of indescribable Blessedness.
You are come then, my Lord, my Salvation, you are come, my Master! I cried; and I will cling inseparably to you, never, O, never more will I suffer you to depart. Ah, I have felt, severely felt what it is to be without you. For, in your Absence, though but for a Moment, lies the Essence of Hell and Misery; but, in your Presence, my Beloved, in your Presence is Peace unspeakable, and Joy for ever more!
From that Day, my Nature became, as it were, wholly inverted. All the Honours and worldly Respects, for which I formerly risqued my Life, were now my Aversion, and I turned from carnal Indulgence and Sensuality with Loathing.
Nothing could now affront, nothing could now offend me. As I totally despised myself, so I wished, after the Process of my divine Master, to be despised and rejected of Men. This made all others, the very meanest of human Creatures, respectable unto me. Even in Reprobates, methought, I discerned some unerased Traces of the Image and Superscription of my God, and I bowed down before it.
If Any attempted to injure, or defraud me of my Property, I yielded it without Variance, and thereby I found myself cordially enriched.
I grew weary of my own Will and of my own Liberty, and I earnestly prayed my Lord that he would rid me of them, and be, instead thereof, a controuling Principle within me, ever influencing and directing me according to his own Pleasure. Turn me,
Jesus
Master! O turn me, I cried, from all the evil Propensities of my own evil Nature, though thou shou'dst turn me, as thou didst
Sennacherib,
with thy ruling Rein on my Neck, thy Bridle in my Mouth, and thy Hook in my Nose! Take my Heart and Affections captive, and into thine own divine Guidance! compel me into all the Ways and all the Works of thy Commandments; till thy Yoke shall become easy and thy Burden light and delightsome; till I shall move, as down a Descent, wherever thy Goodness would guide me; till I shall feelingly find and know that all thy Ways are Ways of Pleasantness, and all thy Paths the Paths of Peace!
This, my Lord, may look somewhat like Boasting, but it boasteth of Nought, excepting
Christ
crucified, or rather arisen in me, whereby all worldly Matters are crucified unto me.
Within about a Fortnight after my Conversion, I received a Letter from a Friend in
London,
informing me that my old Uncle had secretly married a young Creature, who was lately delivered of a Son. That he now openly acknowledged her for his Wife; and that this, as he feared, did not bode me any Good.
At another Time, these Tidings would have greatly alarmed me; but I was now equally resigned and indifferent to all Events.
In a few Days after, as I was stepping out of my Lodgings, I was arrested in the Name, and at the Suit of my Uncle, for £.700, the precise Sum for which I had drawn upon him about nine Months before. All the Consequences of this Caption immediately occurred to me. I perceived that my Uncle intended to deprive me of my Patrimony, in Favour of his new Family; and, as I had no Means for opposing his Machinations, save what lay in his own Hands, I concluded that a Jail was to be my Portion for Life. Wherefore, I lifted up my Heart and said, within myself, to Prisons and to Death give me chearfully to follow thee, O thou who, in Death, art the Life and Resurrection!
My Spirit had no sooner uttered this short Ejaculation, than I felt such a Weight of Peace descending upon me, that my Heart leaped within me at the Prospect of Suffering, and I would not have exchanged my Prison for a Throne.
While I quietly walked with the Officers toward the Place of my Durance, they came to a great Tavern, where they entered and proposed to regale themselves at my Expence.
Mean time, a
Dutch
Merchant of great Eminence, happened to be, with his Lady, in the principal Room, and, hearing a Bustle in the House, he enquired the Cause, and sent for the chief Bailiff.
Soon after, I was conducted into their Presence. They Both rose as I entered; and the Gentleman, approaching, took me familiarly by the Hand and said in
Dutch,
Mr.
Meekly,
I hear You are in Distress, and that is sufficient to recommend you to my Services; but your Appearance exacts Something more from my Inclinations. Pray let me know wherein, and how far it may be requisite for you to command me.
I muttered Somewhat, as I suppose, inarticulately toward an Answer. For I protest, my Lord, I was so struck, so awed, so confounded, by his Presence, that I was lost, for the Time, to the Consideration of my own Affairs. Mean while he placed me at Table just opposite to the heavenly Vision of his Bride, and then went and resumed his Seat beside her; while I, gazing in Silence and utmost Wonder, recollected those Lines of
Milton
where, speaking of Adam and Eve, he calls them
"the loveliest Pair
"That ever since in Love's Embraces met;
"
Adam,
the goodliest Man of Men since born
"His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters,
Eve."
The Gentleman perceived my Astonishment, and graciously smiling, again asked me what Sum was requisite to extricate me from my present Difficulty. Ah, Sir, said I, it is a Sum that far exceeds all human Bounty, and, indeed, I would not accept the Obligation from any Man, unless I were assured of being shortly in a Capacity to reimburse him, of which I see no Likelihood, I think no Possibility.
Here I told him, in few Words, how my Father had left me an Infant at the Disposal of my Uncle, who had now put me under Arrest for £.700, which, some time since, he had freely remitted to me, as in my own Right.
I see, said the Gentleman, your Uncle is a Villain, and means, by casting You into Prison, in a strange and distant Place, to deprive you of the Power of bringing him to Account. But he must be detected, it is a Justice which you owe to the Public, as well as yourself. And, as the Amount of the pretended Debt is not sufficient for that Purpose, here is an Order on the Bank in Town for double the Sum. For this you must give me your Note of Hand. Be pleased to reimburse me when it is your Convenience. If that should never happen, be under no Concern; for I hold myself already repaid with Usury, in the Opportunity of serving an injured and a worthy Man.
O Sir, I cried, I cannot, indeed I cannot, I will not accept it on any Account. I am patient, nay I am pleased with the Lot that is appointed me. Shall I, in an Instant, break the Yoke and cast the Burden which my gracious Master, but this Instant, has laid upon me? No, Sir, I submit myself to it with Thankfulness; I take his Cross to my Bosom and press it to my Heart.
O
Meekly,
said he, you are a very misdeeming Christian, if you think yourself entitled either to assume or retain your proper Crosses at will. There is too much of Self-Righteousness, in such a Zeal,
Meekly.
Humility would rather bid the Will of our Master to be done; and he offers you Enfranchisement by my Hand. Do, my dear Sir, cried the Angel beside him, do, let me petition, let me persuade you to accept this little Instance of our good Will to so good a Creature. Though my Lord here has not been able to prevail, a Lady has superior Claims, and I must not be refused.
Quite sunk, quite overwhelmed, I dropped involuntarily on my Knees before them. Blessed Pair, I exclaimed, blessed and beauteous beyond Expression; if Angels are like You, what Happiness must be in Heaven! I could no more, my Words were choaked by my rising Emotions.
My Benefactor then rose, and coming tenderly toward me, he took me warmly in his Arms. My
Meekly,
says he, do not oppress me, I pray you, by this Excess of Acknowledgment; I am but a worthless Instrument in the Hands of your Beloved; for from him, and him alone, is every good Gift, and even the Will of the Giver. O, Mr.
Meekly,
added the Lady, her Eyes glittering through Water, we thank you, we cordially thank you, Mr.
Meekly;
you have occasioned us much Pleasure this Day, I assure you; and the Means of our Happiness should be delightful in our Eyes.
My Patron then rung a Bell, and ordered his principal Gentleman into his Presence; when, putting the Order into his Hand, here, says he, take this, with the Bailiff, directly to the Bank; there pay him his Demand of £.700 and Fees; and bring me a hundred Pounds in Cash, and the Remainder in Bills on
London.
Then, calling for Pen and Ink, he drew the following short Note,
I owe You fourteen hundred Pounds.
To which I signed
Charles Meekly.
On the Return of the Messenger, I was put in Possession of the Cash and Bills, and a Dinner of little Elegancies was served up.
After a short Repast, the Decanters and Glasses being placed, and the Attendants dismissed, my two Patrons gave a loose to social Joy, and invited me to be a Partaker in their Festivity. Never was I, nor ever shall I again, be witness to such Flights of Fancy, such a spontaneous Fluency of Heart-springing Glee! with what Pleasure did Erudition cast off its formal Garb! how delightingly did Wisdom assume the Semblance and, at Times, the very Phrase of Childhood! they laughed, they rallied me, themselves, and the World. Their Merriment was as the Breaking forth and Exuberance of overflowing Innocence and Virtue. Conceive to yourself, my Lord, a large Room surrounded with Benches, whereon are seated the principal Philosophers, Literati, Lawyers, Statesmen, chief Captains, and chief Conquerors in all Ages; then think you behold two sportively observant Children in the Midst, looking and laughing at the Insignificance of the several Sages; taking off and holding up the Solemnity and Self-importance of each Profession in Charicature; and setting the whole World, with all its Wisdom, its Toils, and boasted Acquirements, its Solicitudes, Applications, and Atchievements at nought.
The Gentleman, indeed, pretended, and only pretended, to defend the Sophists, the Valiant, and the Renowned of his Sex; but he evidently exulted in his own Defeat; while the Lady, with a Drollery amazingly valuble, ran through the Schools of Philosophy, the Systems of human Policy, and Histories of Heroism, unpluming the Crested, bringing the Lofty low, and depreciating and reducing all Magnitude to Miniature. And all this She did with an Archness of such pleasant Meaning; with such Looks, Eyes, and Attitudes of bewitching Transition, as would have infused Fascination into old Age and Ugliness; what then must it have done when accompanied by a Beauty that scarce ever was equalled, that could not be exceeded? Did the
Sarah
of the Patriarch
Abraham
resemble her, I wonder not that Nations should have been enamoured of her at the Age of Fourscore.
At length, the enraptured Husband; no longer able to contain, bent toward her with Looks of Soul-darting Delight, and, restraining his Arms that would have crushed her to his Bosom, O, my
Louisa,
he cried, You are too much, too pearly, too precious a Treasure for me! But, giving him a sweetly petulant Pat on the Cheek, away, you Rogue, she said, I'll none of your Mockeries!
What can Expression add further to this divinely preeminent of human Creatures? whatever was her present Glance, Aspect, or Posture, you would have wished to fix her in it, that you might gaze and admire for ever. But, when she varied the Enchantment of her Action and Attitude, you forgot the former Attractions; and She became as it were a Newness of ever rising Delight!
Alas, how transient, how momentary was the Bliss I then enjoyed! A Chariot and six pied Horses drove up to the Door, attended by a Retinue of ten or twelve Men, All armed, gallantly mounted, and in rich Apparel.
My dear
Meekly,
mournfully said my Benefactor, I am sorry that we are destined to different Departments. Hodge to night at a Villa belonging to one of my Correspondents, and To-morrow we set out to visit some of the
German
Courts. Fare, fare you well,
Meekly,
for a short Season at least!
I would have east myself at his Feet. It was an Emotion, a Propensity which I could not resist; but he prevented me, by kissing and casting his Arms affectionately about me. The Lady then turned to me, and, with a Smile of Heart-captivating Graciousness, God be with You, God be with You, my good Mr.
Meekly,
she cried, perhaps we may meet ere long in your own
England.
I answered not, but bending on one Knee, I caught her Hand, pressed it fervently to my Lips, and permitted her to depart.
Alas, they did depart. I saw them for the last Time. They mounted their Carriage, and being seated, they bent forward, and, bowing to me with a fix'd Regard, off they drove, and tore away with them, as I thought, the best Part of my Soul.
I followed them with straining Eyes: when out of sight, methought I held them still in view; and I blessed and kissed, in Imagination, the very Ground over which they went. At length I awoke from my Delirium, and with slow and heavy Steps turned back into the House.
I had not yet, through Shame, so much as enquired the Name of my Benefactor. I therefore called to my Host, in order to inform myself of all that I could learn concerning him; as also to make out a Bill, for it had not been called for, and I pleased myself with the Thought of discharging a Reckoning that my Friends had forgotten. When I questioned my Host on this Head, he put his Hands to his Sides and broke into a violent Fit of Laughter; no, no, Master, said he, there's nothing for any One to pay in this House, I assure You; Mynheer never troubles himself about those Matters, his Major Domo pays all, ay, and for every Guest too that happens to be in the same Inn with his Master.
Why pray, said I, is he a Lord? A Lord, quotha? not so little as that comes to neither; no Sir, he is a Prince, the very Prince of our Merchants, and our Merchants are Princes above all Lords. And pray how do they stile or call him? He has many Names and Titles, when our Traders speak of him, they call him Mynheer
Van Glunthong,
but Others stile him my Lord of Merchants, and Others my Lord the Brother-Man, and my Lord the Friend of the Poor.
The Remainder of my Story is very short, and still more insignificant. I soon set out for
England,
in order to file a Bill against my Uncle, and compel him to discover what Patrimony my Father had left me. But God was pleased, in the mean Space, to cut off all Debate; his Wife and Child had died of an epidemic Distemper, and he did not survive them above a Fortnight. He left me a penitential Letter, with a small Will enclosed, whereby I became entitled to three hundred a Year in right of my Father, and an additional four Hundred in right of my Uncle, with a Sum of near three thousand Pounds in ready Money.
If I know my own Heart, the only Cause of rejoicing, that I felt on that Occasion, was that it put it in my Power to discharge my Pecuniary Obligations to my late generous Preserver. I immediately wrote and transmitted Bills to
Holland
for the Purpose, but the Bills were returned, and I could hear no Tidings concerning the Residence of my Patron. I then put out his £.1400 on the best Securities that I could procure. It is now close upon five and thirty Years since I saw him; and, in that Time, the Principal, with Interest upon Interest, yearly turned into Capital, has amounted to nearly five thousand Pounds, one Penny of which I never touch, but hold the Whole as sacred.
Mean Time, it has cost me Hundreds upon Hundreds in Correspondencies, Advertisements, and even in special Messengers to several Parts of
Europe,
to discover where this Greatest, this most eminent of Men could have concealed himself; but alas, my Search proved as fruitless as that of the Miser in hunting after the Pearl of mighty Price!
During those five and thirty Years, the Image of the Persons of those my two gracious Patrons never left my Memory, were ever at my Heart. Ah, I would say to myself, they are dead, they are dead; or rapt, perhaps, like
Ebjah
alive into Heaven; Flesh and Blood, resmed as theirs, might easily pass from its little Impurities, through the Fire of the Love of God, to the Place of its Bliss. And again it was my daily and ardent Petition, that, if their Mortal was not yet swallowed up of Immortality, I might once set my Eyes upon them before I died.
Here Mr.
Meekly
ended. — I thank you, my dear Friend, said the Earl, for your History; it has entertained me most pleasingly, and I have also been highly edified by some Passages in it. But, with Respect to the Glimpse that you had of your two wonderful Friends, I think it must have been a Vision, or merely a Matter of Imagination; for, I never saw in Nature, nor read in Fiction of any thing comparable to the Excellencies that you have described in that exalted Pair. If it was a Vision, my Lord, it must have been one of blessed Angels indeed; but I hope you will allow that the Benefits, which they conferred, were no way visionary. O, Mr.
Meekly,
said
Harry
with a Sigh, the Picture, that you have drawn of that dear Lady, has almost given me a Distaste to all the rest of her Sex. Ah, might I meet hereafter some Daughter, some Descendent, some distant Likeness of her, how happy should I think myself! May Heaven succeed your ominous Wish, my dearest Child, cried
Meekly!
It is just, perhaps prophetic that it should be so. For, never did I see so perfect a Resemblance between any two Creatures, as between the Consort of that bewitching Woman and yourself; it struck me, the other Night, the Moment you enter'd the Room; and I thought that I beheld my very Benefactor newly arisen, like a young
Phoenix,
from the Ashes of old Age.
Near a Fortnight more elapsed, without any News or Notice from Mr.
Clinton,
or from the Messenger who was sent dispatch for him.
Harry
daily advanced in the Favour and Familiarity of his Father. And Mr.
Meekly
continued with them in a most pleasing Society.
On a fine Morning, as they were walking together toward the Village, this is the first Time, my
Harry,
said the Earl with a Sigh, that I have ventured to turn my Face this Way, since the Death of my Wife and the Interment of your dear Brother. O my Lord, cried
Harry,
I would gladly exchange my Lot in Life with the meanest of yonder Cottagers, who earns his daily Bred by the Labour of his Hands, provided I might thereby restore them Both to your Bosom. Not so, not so, my Son, fervently replied the Earl, I would not lose my
Harry,
tho' I were thereby to resuscitate All that are dead in
England!
I have no Cause, no Manner of Right to complain; I am still happy, wonderfully happy, too happy in the Possession of such a Child!
Just then, a great Shouting and Uproar was heard in the Village. The huge Mastiff, belonging to
Peregrine Pelt
the Tanner, had run mad, and came foaming up the Road, pursued by thirty of the Townsmen, armed with Staves, Spits, and Pitchforks. The Dog rushed on at such a Rate, that there was no Possibility for our Company to escape him; and
Harry,
observing that he made directly toward his Father, threw himself full in his Way. Instantly the envenomed Monster sprung up and cast himself open Mouth upon our Hero; but
Harry,
with a wonderful Presence of Mind, having wrapped his left Arm in the Skirt of his Coat dashed it into the frothing Jaws of the terrible Animal, when, giving a Trip, at the same Time, to his hinder Legs, he threw him flat on the Ground, and, springing up into the the Air, he descended upon him with all the Force of his Heels, and dashed his Bowels to Pieces; whereupon the Creature uttered a faint Howl, sprawled awhile, and expired.
The Earl and Mr.
Meekly
stood, yet a while, pale, astonished, and unassured; and my Lord, looking about in a Pannic, cried, where is the Dog, what's become of the mad Dog? In the mean time the Villagers came on in full Pursuit, crying out, the mad Dog, the mad Dog, take Care of the mad Dog! But, when they All arrived, and beheld their huge Enemy looking formidable even in Death, never was Amazement equal to theirs. They stared at the Earl,
Meekly,
and
Harry,
in Turns; and seeing no Weapon in any of their Hands; God, cried Goodman
Demster,
God has been wonderfully gracious in your Deliverence, my Lord; for nothing less than a Thunderbolt could so suddenly have stricken this Monster dead. I protest, said the Earl, I was so much alarmed that I know not how it happened; I remember nothing further than that my dear Child here thrust himself between his Father and Danger. But I beheld, said
Meekly,
when, with one Stroke of his Arm, he dashed the Creature to the Ground, and then instantly crushed him to death with his Feet. Not I, Mr.
Meekly,
modestly replied
Harry,
God gave me Strength, for the Season, in Defence of my Father. But are you not bit, are you not hurt, my Child, cried the Earl, coming up tremblingly to his Son? Not touched, indeed, my Lord. Glory for that in the Highest, exultingly cried the Earl!
I knew, exclaimed
Tom Truck,
with a Shout and Look of Triumph, I knew it could be no Other but my brave and noble young Master who did the Feat. On my Life, cried Farmer
Felster,
he is able, with his naked Arm, like another young
David,
to save his Lambs from the Jaws of the Lion and the Paws of the Bear.
Though these Praises served only to put our Hero to Confusion, they went trickling, like Balm of
Gilead,
to the Heart of his Father.
Pelt,
said the Earl, let it be your Task to flea and tan me the Hide of your own Dog. I will have his Skin stuffed with Incense, and his Nails of solid Gold; and he shall hang up in my Hall, from Generation to Generation, to commemorate the Piety and Prowess of my Son! Mean while, my good Friends, I invite you All, with your Families, Kinsfolk, and Neighbours, to come and feast with me this Day. Sorrow hath endured her Night; but Joy cometh, with my Child, and ariseth on us as a new Morning!
In the Afternoon, all the Towns-Folk and Neighbours, with their Wives and Children, convened to the great House, having their Cattle and themselves heavy laden with Faggots, for a magnificent Illumination. The whole Court was spread with Tables, and the Tables with Victuals and Liquors; beside two Hogsheads of
October
that stood apart.
The Earl, in the Joy for his own Escape, and the recent Prowess of his young Hero, went forth with a chearful Countenance and graciously welcomed all his Guests; whereat, they wished Health and long Life to his Lordship and their young Lord, and, giving a joint Huzza, sat down to their Banquet. From whence, after a Night far spent in Carousal, their great Fire being out, and their great Hogsheads exhausted, they peacefully helped Each-Other to their respective Homes; regretting, however, that they had not been honoured with the Presence of their young Master among them. For
Harry
had besought his Father to dispense with him, yet awhile, from partaking in any Party or Scene of Festivity, especially when appointed in his own Honour; and Mr.
Meekly
highly approved and applauded his Motion.
On the Eve of the following Day, Mr.
Meekly
rode abroad on a charitable Visit to a dying Man in the Neighbourhood; and my Lord was fondly toying and patting the Cheek of his Darling, as they stood at the Hall Door; when
Harry
spied a mourning Coach turning up the lower End of the great Avenue, and instantly cried out, there's my Uncle, my Lord, my Uncle, my dearest Uncle! and off he shot like Lightning. The Coach drove but slowly,
Harry
was up with it in a Twinkling, and vaulting in at the Window, was, in the Instant, in the Bosom of his best Friend and Patron.
In the mean time, the Earl had retired into the House in great Agitation. He feared and was jealous of the Manner in which his Brother would meet him; and this gave him equal Doubt and Hesitation respecting the Manner in which he ought to receive his Brother. Mr.
Clinton,
on the other Hand, was not wholly without some similary Emotions; so that, when
Harry
introduced his Uncle into the Parlour, no two noble Personages could salute Each other with a more distant Respect.
The Earl, however, on casting a Glance upon the Face of his Brother, felt a Tide of returning Affection, and lifting up his Hands and Eyes, exclaimed, it is he, it is he! my
Harry,
my
Harry Clinton!
my dear, my long lost, my long sought Brother! then hastened forward, in a Gush of Passion, and caught him in his eager Arms. When Mr.
Clinton,
alternately folding the Earl to his Bosom, cried, I am content, O my God! give me now to depart in Peace, since at last, I find, and feel that I have indeed a Brother!
Our Hero, observing the Violence of their Emotion, interposed with a gentle Care, and supporting them to Seats, placed them tenderly by each other.
For a while they Both sat silent, with a Handkerchief at their Eyes; till the Earl turned, and plaintively said, you don't forgive me,
Harry Clinton;
you never will, you never can forgive me, my Brother! Whereupon, Mr.
Clinton
caught up the Earl's Hand to his Lips, and, pressing it with a fervent Respect, cried, my Brother and my Lord, my Brother and my Lord!
O then, said the Earl, you do forgive me, I find; but, never can I, never will I forgive myself. My Faults toward you, my noblest Brother, for these many long Years have been ever before me; my Neglects, my Pride and Insolence, my contemptuous Treatment of One, so highly my Superior; of my
Harry,
the only Boast and Glory of our House!
Mean while, our Hero stood aloof with his Head averted, weeping and sobbing with evident Agitation. Till Mr.
Clinton
cried, no more, my Brother, no more, I beseech you! It is already too much; I cannot bear my present Excess of grateful Affection for you; it struggles to rush forth, but Utterance is not given. Beside, we shall break the Heart of our dear Child there; his Nature is too tender to support such a Scene as this.
Harry
then smilingly turned his Face, toward his Parents, all shining through Tears, as the Sun in a Shower. And advancing, and kneeling before them, as they sat; he took the Hands of Each, alternately, and pressed them in Silence to his Lips.
In about an Hour after, while their Affections were still at the highest, but their Spirits somewhat composed, Mr.
Meekly
returned. The Earl immediately rose, and advancing, took him by the Hand with a cordial Familiarity. Mr.
Meekly,
says he, I shall now have the Pleasure of introducing you to that inestimable Brother of whom you have heard me speak so often; Brother, this is Mr.
Meekly,
my best and worthiest Friend!
Mr.
Clinton
rose and advanced; and
Meekly
approached with an abased Reverence, not venturing to look up, but saluted him, as he would have saluted an Angel of Light!
Meekly, Meekly,
cried Mr.
Clinton,
I have surely heard that Name before! Pray, Mr.
Meekly,
were you ever abroad? have you travelled, Sir? were you ever in
Holland,
Mr.
Meekly?
Here,
Meekly
started, as awaked by the Sound of a Voice, whose recollected Tuneings went thrilling to his Heart; and lifting up his Eyes, and beholding the Traces of Features, once so lovely, and ever deeply endeared to his Memory; he started, and staggering back some Steps, he sunk down on a Chair behind him, almost in a fainting Fit.
The Earl, greatly alarmed, went up, and taking him by the Hand, what is the Matter, my Friend, says he? are you taken suddenly ill, are you not well, my
Meekly?
O, my Lord — he pantingly cried — there he is — as sure as I live — my Patron — my Benefactor — the wondrous Man that I told you of — there he stands, in his own precious Person before us!
Mr.
Clinton
then approached, and, taking a Seat beside him, leaned toward him with a melting Complacence. Mr.
Meekly,
said he, I expected ere this to have embraced you in Heaven; but I rejoice to meet you even on Earth; for I have ever retained a very affectionate Impression of you; and I more especially rejoice to meet you in the present Society.
But then — but then you come alone — you come alone, my Lord and Master! — Alas, you wipe your Eye! — O then, it must be so! — And here he broke into a passionate Gush of Tears.
My Lord and our Hero, hereupon, recollecting the engaging Circumstances of a Character, on whose Description they had been so lately enamoured, could not refuse their Tribute to the Memory of that admirable Lady, to whose Person they now found themselves endearingly attached by Affinity.
At length Mr.
Clinton,
distressed to the last Degree for the Distress in which he saw the forlorn
Meekly,
sweetly turned from his own Affliction to the Consoling of that Friend whom he found so deeply afflicted for him.
Mr.
Meekly,
says he, let us not weep for the Living, but rather for the Dead! for those who are yet in the Vale of Mortality. Shall we mourn the Condition of Angels, shall we lament that a Weight of Glory is fallen on those whom we loved? No, let us rather rejoice in the Prospect of being speedily Partakers!
When Supper was over,
Harry
laid hold of the first Interval of Converse, to enquire after his Friends in Town, more especially Mr.
Clement,
his
Arabella,
and their little
Dicky.
They are come, said Mr.
Clinton,
to sudden and great Affluence. Old
Clement
is thoroughly reconciled to his Son, and is doatingly fond of
Arabella
and her Child. I am glad of it with all my Heart, cried
Harry,
clapping his Hands; but pray, how did this Matter come about, Sir? By an Event, my Dear, in which the Arm of Providence was signally visible. But, before I say how it came to pass, you ought to give our Company a short History of this worthy Family, they will then become interested in their Success.
Harry,
willingly and gracefully, performed the Task enjoined him; and then his Uncle proceeded.
The second Day after you lest me, a Man of a genteel Appearance, but pale and bleeding, was carried, stretched on a Door, by some of our charitable Townsmen, and brought to my House. I was then abroad with
Clement
on a Visit to your old Friend
Vindex;
but the Stranger was instantly admitted; and, while some of the Servants rode off for a Surgeon, others tenderly undressed and put him into a warmed Bed.
Soon, after I had returned and was informed of what had passed, the Surgeon arrived, and, putting five Guineas in his Hand, I desired him to attend his Patient and bring me Word of his Estate. In Half an Hour he came forth and, shaking his Head, said, our Patient, Sir, will not do. He is wounded in the Groin with a Pistol Bullet. The Ball has got within the Abdomen, my Instruments will not reach it, and, if it has entered the Viscera, he will die of Convulsions in less than three Hours. I have accordingly told the Gentleman what I thought of him, and advised him immediately to settle his worldly Affairs. He tells me his Name is
Saint-Belial,
and he requested me, as soon as I reached
London,
to send Mr.
Clement
to him, who lives over against the blue Posts on the Strand.
The Name of
Clement
made me curious to know who the Party was, and, entering his Chamber, I took a Chair and sat down softly by the Side of his Bed. But, the Moment that I cast my Eye on his Visage, I shrunk inward at the Shock; for all the Malignity and Horrors of Hell were jointly legible on his Countenance.
Humanity, however, compelled me to address him. I am sorry to hear, Sir, said I, that you are not for this World, but I trust that your Hope looks forward to a better Home. I have no Hope, said he, save such as my Faith has been, that, since I must die, I shall die wholly.
I protest, I was so stunned and disconcerted by the Words and Looks of the Man, that I found no Answer, and he proceeded.
As I have no further Concern with this World, I have sent for an old Gentleman with whom I had some Connections, and resolve to do an Act of Justice before I die, the only One that ever I did during my Life-time. For, your Charity, and that of your People, has half frightened me into a Notion, that there may be something of that, which is called Goodness, upon Earth; and then how fearful, how tremendous must my Situation be! Wherefore, as old
Clement
may not arrive in Season, I will, with your Permission, inform you of such Things as concern him. For, as I have nothing to hope, through all Eternity, neither have I any thing to fear on this Side of it.
My Father's Name was
Belcher Saint-Belial.
He was an under Retainer to the Law, and raked up a little Fortune by sidelong Practices; so that he grew ambitious of preferring me, his only Child, to the Bar, and, in that View, sent me to School, and from School to
Oxford
College. But, I ought to have began my History earlier.
If there are Devils, I surely had One before I saw the Light, and was filled with the evil Spirit from my Mother's Womb; insomuch that my Nurse died of a Cancer in her Breast occasioned by the envenomed Bites I gave her Nipple, with my toothless Gums, while she suckled me.
While an Infant, I took a heart-felt Pleasure in dismembering Flies and impaleing Worms alive upon Pins; and, when at School, I was the Promoter of all Parties for worrying and torturing Cats and Dogs to death. But my principal Amusement lay in catching and fleaing Frogs, in seeing them spring about in the Rage of their Pains, and so leaving them to perish in unutterable Anguish.
As I grew in Stature, I grew also in the Strength of my Malignity. Evil became my Good. My Enjoyments lay in the Loss, Damage, and Detriment of Others. I conceived a Kind of envious Hate against Those who had done me a Benefit. I requited open Friendship with hidden Malevolence; and I cannot remember that ever I felt a Sense of any thing that goes by the Name of Gratitude, Humanity or Virtue.
I usually carried about me a walking Stick or Cane, in the hollow Part of which an Iron Spike was contained, which I could cause to spring forth with a Shake of my Arm, and again return to its Case, at Pleasure. With this, as I strolled the Fields, which I often did for the Purpose, I stabbed the Cattle of the Neighbours in the Belly or Fundament, and chuckled to see them leap, and kick, and plunge about in their Agonies. In short, I drew to myself a Kind of Comfort from a Comparison with the Miseries that I inflicted on other Creatures; and, had the Elements been at my Controul, nothing but Pest and Hurricane, Distemper and lingering Death should have arisen and prevailed throughout the State of Nature.
At the College I got acquainted with one
Clement,
a gentle tempered but weak Lad, of whom I made a Property. And I prevailed upon him to turn away several of his Servants, under Colour of their having stollen the Cash, Books, and other Effects, of which I had secretly plunder'd him.
At length I had private Intelligence that my Father had been pilloried for Forgery and other double handed Dealings; that he had died of the Bruises which he received on the Execution of his Sentence; and that his Effects had been seized by a Variety of Claimants. Wereupon, without taking any Notice of my Father or Family, I made my shortest way to
London,
with All that I could borrow or lay a light Hand upon among my Acquaintance.
The first Thing I did, at the City, was to wait upon old
Clement,
the Father of my Friend, with a forged Draught upon him for a hundred Pounds; on the Sight of which, he so fretted, and exclaimed, and walked about in such Perturbation, that I greatly feared I had overshot my Mark. At length, however, he laid me down the Money, but catching up a Book, swore that it was the last Penny his Son should receive from him for six Months to come.
He then began to question me touching the Character of the young Gentleman, and, under Colour of praising him for Articles to which I perceived the old Man had an Aversion, I exasperated him to such a Degree, that he again swore he would hold no further Correspondence with him, until he should be fully assured of his Reformation.
Having thus effectually cut off all Commerce between my Friend and his Father, I cast aside my Fears of being suddenly brought to Account for my late Acquisition. I was even so daring as to take Lodgings the very next Door, where I got in League with a young Woman of a most seducing Face and Person, but whose Profligacy of Manners was, artfully, covered by the most artless Appearance of shamefaced Innocence that ever graced the feigned Character of any Actress, on any Stage.
She did not attempt, however, to impose upon me, for kindred Minds, like Ours, instantly saw into Each Other; and we soon concerted a Plan for her marrying Goodman
Clement,
and dividing the Spoils of the old Miser between us.
This we easily brought about, and never was Man so happy, in being so imposed upon, while I shared with him in the Possession of his Purse and his Bride.
In the mean time, as I had promised to procure him Intelligence concerning his Son, I produced several forged Letters from pretended Correspondents in
Cambridge,
containing such Accounts of the Galantries and other Extravagancies of young
Clement,
as wholly alienated his Father's Affections from him, and he sent him a final Note, whereby he discarded him from his Fortune for ever.
About two Years thus passed, in the full Enjoyment of All that could glut Flesh and Blood; though, in order to ingratiate myself with the old Man, I appeared to him the most frugal and abstemious of Mankind. But, one Night, while Mrs.
Clement
and I sat together, indulging ourselves in the Hope that the good Man had been knocked on the Head, or had fallen dead of an Apoplexy; He was brought to us in a Chair, pale and wounded, and told us that he should have been certainly murdered, had he not, by the most wonderful Providence, met with his Son, who bravely knocked down the Robber and happily delivered him; and that he had given him what Cash he had about him, with a Note for £. 500, on the Bank.
All in a Pannic, and thunderstruck as I was by this News, I yet pretended to congratulate him on the Return of his Son to Duty, but advised him to Bed directly for the Recovery of his Health and Spirits.
The Remainder of the Night, I walked about, agonizing, and racking my Brain for some Expedient to divert the instant Ruin that impended, when a sudden Thought started, or was rather infused into me, and, at Dawn of Day, I went to an Agent, who had done several Jobbs for me, of no very laudable Tendency.
When I had given him his Lesson, and put twenty Guineas into his Hand, he hastily went and desired to see Mr.
Clement,
on Business of great Consequence, when, falling on his Knees, he confessed, with appearing Penitence, that he was the Person who had wounded him the foregoing Night; that he did not intend to hurt him so much, but that young Mr.
Clement
had hired him for the Purpose, and lay in wait hard by, in order that he might appear to come in to his Rescue.
This Tale was so feasible, that the old Man swallowed it, as a greedy Fish swallows the Bait that, at the same time, conveys the Barb into his Bowels. He thereupon had me called to him in a Hurry, told me what he had discovered, and gave me an Order to stop Payment of the £.500, with a hasty Note to be left at the Bank for his Son.
On the Way, I recollected an Advertisement in the public Papers that offered a large Reward for the Caption of one
Arabella Clement,
who had been guilty of the Murder of the late Lord
Stivers;
and it instantly occurred to me that She was probably the Wife of my quondam Friend and Patron. Wherefore, as soon as I had dispatched my Business at the Bank, I ran and collected a Number of Constables, and waited with them aloof, till I saw the Object, whom I dreaded and detested above Plague and Poison, enter and return discontented from the Counting-House. We then dogged him at a Distance till we saw him safe lodged and, following softly up Stairs, we demanded a Woman who stood before us for our Prisoner.
Young
Clement
then, all enraged, exerted himself with wonderful Action and Intrepidity. With one Stroke of a Poker, he tore off my right Ear and cleft my Shoulder to the Bone; then drove us All down Stairs, though several Shot were fired at him.
What happened to him afterward I knew only from Report, for I lay ill of my Wounds for several Months together, and on my Recovery, could learn no Tidings concerning him.
In the mean Space, my continual Fears of his Appearance made my Life extremely miserable. My Paramour and I had often Thoughts and Consultations touching the Expediency of making away with the old Gentleman; but it occurred to us that young
Clement
might still be alive and, on the Death of his Father, might bring us to a severe Account for his Substance.
At length, about six Weeks ago, as I returned from transacting an Affair at
St. Albans,
I met, and instantly recognized my old Enemy, walking with a young Gentleman, about a Mile above this Town. Immediately I stopped, and, pulling my Hat over my Eyes, pray Gentlemen, said I, am I on the right Road to
London?
for I have travelled far, and fear I may have gone astray. You are on the direct Road, said the Lad, but if you choose to stop short, you are heartily welcome to a Lodging with us for the Night. Why, Gentlemen, said I, do you live in yonder Town? We do, said
Clement.
In that Answer I had all the Intelligence I desired, and away I spurred.
From that Time, scarce a Day passed wherein I did not take an Airing on the same Road, still expecting and panting to meet my Adversary. I rode armed with one Case of Pistols before me, and Another in my Pockets; and I determined, though I should meet
Clement
in the Midst of a hundred Men, to shoot him directly through the Head, and trust to the Speed of my Horse for my Escape. But, this Day, as I returned near the farther End of the Town, a white Goat, pursued by a Dog, rushed suddenly through a Hedge, whereupon my Horse plunged, and one of the Pistols that was ready cocked in my Wastcoat Pocket went off, and reduced me to the Condition in which you behold me.
His last Words were scarce intelligible. He was seized with Convulsions and lay speechless near two Hours. At length old
Clement
arrived; his Servants helped him out of his Coach; I met him in the Hall, and led him into the Parlour.
There, being both seated, I succinctly gave him the Heads of
Saint Belial
's History. When, looking earnestly at me, you appear, Sir, said he, to be much of the Gentleman, but, if you were an Angel, I would credit nothing against the Honesty of that good Young Man; and least of all to the Prejudice of the dear young Innocent that I have married.
I confess I was somewhat piqued at this sudden Rebuff; but, suppressing the Tendency that I had to Resentment, I wish, said I, you had come Time enough to be present at the unhappy Man's Confession, but it may yet please God to open your Eyes to your own Wrongs before he expires.
So saying, I conducted him to the Room where the Wretch lay, to all Appearance, insensible. I then recollected an approved Elixir that I had in my Closet, and sending for it, I infused a Tea-spoon full, Drop by Drop, into his Mouth.
In a Quarter of an Hour he came perfectly to his Senses, and, turning his languid Eyes toward the old Man, You are come then, said he, to hear my dying Words. — I forged the Note for which you gave me a hundred Pounds — I forged all the Letters that you received to your Son's Prejudice — I was the Father of the Child which the Strumpet, with whom you live, brought into the World — She is not your Wife — She is Wife to
Caleb Cable
the Boatswain, who lives by the Monument. — He has got Hundreds of your Money for keeping Counsel — It was, in truth, your Son who rescued you from the Hands of the Robber — I forged the Tale, and bribed the Man who deceived you in that Matter — Often, as you lay in Bed,
Moll Cable
has urged me to dispatch you before Morning — Had I murdered your Son, as I long since intended, you should not have survived him four and twenty Hours. —
Here, turning his eager and ghastly Visage upon me, O Sir, said he, is there, is there, for certain, a Judgment to come? Alas! I answered, Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, are the four capital Things of which the Universe affords the highest and deepest Assurance. O, then, he cried, I am going, down! down! down!
This he spoke with all the visible Horrors and Desperation, conceivable in
Judas,
when just about fixing the Rope to his Neck; and, lapsing into his last Agonies, he soon after expired.
All pale and astonished, the old Gentleman sat silent and panting; and, seeing he was about to faint, I ordered some Drops and Water, with a Bottle of Wine, while I supported him from falling.
When he was somewhat restored, and had recovered his Speech, he laid hold on my Hand and said, I beg your Pardon, Sir, I would do it, if I were able, upon my Knees. But, who could have thought this?—I wish that I had indeed been murdered—I would that I had died, before I was thus undeceived in the only Objects of my Love.—Alas, Sir, I have now no Relation, no Kindred, no Friend except yourself upon Earth. All Others are equally Plunderers and Murderers in my Eyes.—These Words were interrupted by a Flood of Tears.
Having consoled him in the kindest Manner I could, Word was brought that Dinner was served, and I led him, partly by Constraint, to the Table; but whispered private Orders that
Arabella
and her
Dickey
should not appear, for
Clement
staid to dine with his Friend
Vindex.
After Dinner and three Glasses, which was all I could force upon him, I remonstrated the Expediency of his immediate Return, to secure his Effects; lest all should be spirited away upon any Intimation of the present Accident. Ah, Sir, said he, I shall scarce, I fear, be able to bear the Sight of a Place in which I so long thought myself so very happy; but if you will be so gracious as to accompany me I will venture. I will, said I, on Condition, that you engage to return and sleep here this Night.
Early in the Afternoon we arrived at his House, in my Coach, attended by his two Servants and Four of mine, well armed. As we entered the Parlour, his supposed Wife rose in an Alarm that she evidently endeavoured to suppress. What is the Matter, Lovee? said she, advancing; for what did
Saint Belial
send to you? it became him much better to have attended on You, methinks. I fear my Lovee is sadly tired. But, pray, what did he want with you? To tell me, answered old
Clement,
that he was a dying Man, that I was a Dupe and a Cuckold, and that you were a Strumpet.
O fye, Lovee, said she, those are very naughty Names; but you cannot be in earnest.
Step, said he, and enquire of
Caleb Cable
the Boatswain; tell him, at the same time, that I cannot afford to maintain his Wife any longer, and that he has seen the very last of his hush Money. Ah,
Polly, Polly,
he continued, meltingly, all this I could almost away with; but Murder is a frightful Thing; who could think that my
Polly
would murder her old Man?
O then, she cried, I see that the Villain has betray'd me. I see that I'm undone. My Youth and Beauty cast away, my Arts and Time spent in vain! Why, you doating, driveling Wretch, your Fortune was little enough to compensate the Pains I took in disguising my Aversion to you. But, you shall not live to triumph in my Disappointment.
So saying, she sprung forward and, grasping his Neck in both her Hands, he instantly grew black in the Face, his Eyes rolled, his Jaws expanded, and he must have expired on the Spot. But I stepped hastily to her and, seizing both her Wrists, I gave them a sudden Wrench, whereupon she loosed her Hold, shouting out that her Arms were broke, and throwing herself, groaning, into a Chair, she called for instant Perdition on me, the crazy Dotard, herself, and all the World.
In the mean time, the old Gentleman had sunk panting to the Floor. But, raising him gently, I placed him on a large Sofa, where he began to respire with Freedom.
I then sent for a Sergeant at Mace and his Attendants, and giving our Heroine, with a Mittimus into his Hands, I desired him to provide her with a decent Room and suitable Accommodations, and not to admit any Company, except her Servant, till further Orders. Ay, away with her, away with her, at any Rate! exclaimed the old Man, she has the Looks of a very
Gorgon,
and every Hair of her Head is turned into a frightful Serpent.
As soon as she was gone, I called her principal Maid and, putting a few Pieces into her Hand, I desired her to follow her Mistress and to serve her with Care and Tenderness; and further to intimate to her that, when she gave any Proofs of Repentance and Reformation, she should yet be humanely and generously provided for.
Having thus far settled Matters, I gave Commission to
James
and
Andrew,
with a male Domestic in whom the old Man confided, to remain and take care of the House and Effects; and, taking the Keys of the Cabinets with us, we set off on our return to
Hamstead.
On the Way, Mr.
Clement
grew deeply dejected, and sighing said, O Sir, how strong, how very strongly is the Desire of Society impressed on the human Heart; when, even in the Absence of Robbers and Murderers, I feel a Want and Disconsolation that I cannot express. I have now no Relation, no Friend but Yourself, no Kindred or Connection with any Other upon Earth. To You, indeed, I owe my Life, and all else that I am worth; and, if you will not chase me from You, if you will allow me to remain with You, You shall be all the World to me, the Heir and sole Possessor of all that I possess.
But, have You not a Son? I cannot think I have, said he; it is now above eight Years since I set Eyes on my dear
Hammel,
the precious Pearl whom, in my Dotage, I madly cast away. But, were he still living, after what is past, I could never more have the Courage to look him in the Face. A cruel and a false Pelican have I proved to my Little One; instead of fostering him with my Vitals, I have withheld and torn from him even the common Means of Life.
Do you know None of your Name, said I, who may claim your Substance under Colour of being of your Blood? Not Any, Sir; my Father was a Foreigner, and I never heard of any Other of the Name in this Nation.
There is One of your Name, said I, who lives in our Town. But then, he is in flowing Circumstances, quite above the Desire of encreasing his Fortune by base or low Means. He is my most intimate Friend, a very accomplished Gentleman, and has one of the finest Women to Wife, and two of the loveliest Children that I have seen. If you please, I will invite and introduce them to You, to Night, or to Morrow.
On our Arrival, I left old
Clement
a while in the Parlour, while I stepped to give private Directions respecting the Conduct of your Tutor,
Harry,
and the Interview which I proposed between him and his Father.
Sir, said I as I returned, I have taken the Liberty to invite your Namesakes to sup with You. They are a very amiable Family, and I hope that their Company and Acquaintance will prove a Matter of Consolation, perhaps a Blessing to You. Ah, he cried, my Claims are of a very different Nature; I have no Right to Blessings or Consolations of any Kind.
Some time before Supper, a Rapping was heard, and
Arabella
enter'd, leading in a little Daughter of about four Years old, and followed by her Son,
Dickey,
All elegantly dressed.
Madam, said I, this is a Namesake of Yours, my worthy Friend Mr.
Clement,
pray let me have the Pleasure of introducing You to each Other.
When they were both seated, the old Gentleman took out his Perspective, and, peering at her for some Time, ah, he cried, what lovely Faces there are in the World, but All have not proved lovely throughout, like You, Madam.
He then called
Dickey
to him, and taking him by both Hands, and bringing him forward between his Knees; what is your Name, my Dear, says he?
Richard Clement,
Sir, so please You. I would it were
Bartholomew,
replied the old Gentleman; but Names signify nothing, You are a sweet little Fellow, and perhaps may be something the better for my Death. I would not wish your Death, Sir, said
Dickey,
for All that I could get by You. O, how very heavenly, exclaimed the old Man, how heavenly is the Simplicity and Disinterestedness of Infants!
He next requested
Arabella
to spare her little Daughter to him, for a Minute; and she accordingly took and led her to him: When, fondly caressing her, and seating her on his Knee, Could you find in your Heart, says he, to love such an ugly old Thing as I am? Yes, me could, says she, and me has got some Comforts for you in my Pocket. Whereupon she produced a little Paper and, unfolding it, presented him with some candied Seeds and Almonds. O, my God, cried the old Man, what a Heaven I should yet enjoy upon Earth, could I but purchase the Society of these dear Infants!—I heard him, with a moistening Eye, and rejoiced in the ripening Fruits of my little Project.
Pray, Madam, says I, what is become of our good Friend your Husband, are we not to have the Happiness of his Company to Night? Sir, says she, he was engaged on indispensable Business at the Time, but will certainly attend you before Supper.
She had scarce spoke when a second Rapping was heard, and in came our
Hammel,
not in gay but costly Apparel, as I had appointed.
On introducing the Son, to his venerable Father, they respectfully saluted Each other as utter Strangers. For, our present
Hammel
was more different from the meagre and threadbare
Hammel
that his Father had last seen, then
Pharaoh
's fat Kine could be from his lean Ones.
During Supper, and after, I purposely threw out occasional Topics, and gave several Opens, wherein I knew that
Hammel
could shine; and he accordingly made Use of them with great Spirit and Advantage.
His Father gazed at him with a respectful Admiration, and at length exclaimed, You are an Ornament, an Honor, Sir, to your Name, to your Lineage, and the Country wherein you were born. But pray of what Family? Alas, Sir, you add Stings to the Recollection of my Faults this Day: I once had a Son, a Son who, in an humble Degree, might now have resembled yourself; but my Unkindness must, long since, have broken his gentle Heart. My Child saved me from Murderers, and I in Return was the Murderer of my Child. O,
Hammel,
my
Hammel,
my Son, my Son
Hammel,
would to God I had died before I wronged thee! Would God I had died for thee, O
Hammel,
my Son, my Son!
His last Words were broken and nearly suppressed by a Gush of Tears; when the tender hearted
Hammel
turned an Eye upon me, and cried, O, Sir, we have gone too far! — Then, hastily advancing, he threw himself at the Knees of his Father. I am here, Sir, he cried, your
Hammel,
your own
Hammel,
in all Duty and Affection, submissive and prostrate before you.
You my
Hammel,
are you my
Hammel,
asked the old Man? Ah, had you but his famished Face and his tattered Garment, I would take you to my Arms, to my Heart, into my Vitals.
O, my Father, cried
Hammy,
look not so strange and wild upon me! I am indeed your Child, once the Darling of your Heart, whom you fostered so tenderly, and nurtured at School and College; the true Son of your true Wife, look upon me, my Father! You often told me that I was her Picture; do you not see the very Features of my dear Mother in my Face?
Yes, yes, I think I do.—But then I have been mightily imposed upon of late. I would you were leaner and worse clad, my Child! however, if you come in the Name of my Son, I also will kneel down and crave his Pardon and your Pardon?
Here the old Gentleman sunk down upon his Knees, and poor
Hammel,
starting up at the same instant, cried aloud, Alas! Sir, he is beside himself, and I too shall go distracted!
I then was grieved at Heart for the Stratagem I had made Use of, to connect this worthy Family the more endearingly together. And coming soothingly to him, and raising him in my Arms, I replaced him in his Seat, and said, believe me, trust to me, my dear Mr.
Clement;
this is your true Child, your only Child, your true
Hammel!
He has lived with me many Years, I can prove him to be your's by a thousand Witnesses, by those who can witness what he has suffered, on account of being your Son.
Well, well, well, said he, whisperingly, it does not signify much, for I have another One coming, my
Polly
is now in the ninth Week of her Reckoning.—Ay, but, that
Saint Belial,
who knows but the Child may be an Imp of his Begetting?—A cursed Couple they are, I'm sure; she a Succubus, and he the Devil himself incarnate—I hope they didn't hear me—shut the Door!—O, there they are!—Save me, save me!—they come upon me!—My Throat, they gripe my Throat!—My Breath, my Breath!—O—h—
Here he swooned. But, on taking a little Blood, he came to himself. So I ordered all to be kept quiet about him; and, getting him to Bed, he swallowed a soporific Draught, slept soundly till Morning, and awoke in his perfect Senses.
I then went to bid him Good-morrow, and took a Chair by his Bedside.—That was a mighty agreeable Family, said he, who supped with you last Night, Sir. The very worthiest, I replied, that I know upon Earth.—You called them
Clement,
I think.—That is their Name, Sir.—Pray, did they go Home?—No, they are here still; at Times, we make but one Family and one Household.
While I spoke, I was surprised to see
Clement
enter, dressed in the same shabby Clothes in which we first found him,
Harry;
and the old Gentleman, turning his Head to the Door, started up in his Bed and cried, if I am a living Man, that is surely my
Hammel,
my very Son
Hammel.
On hearing this, poor
Clement
leaped hastily forward and, falling by the Bed, seized One of his Father's Hands, repeatedly kissed it, and wept upon it. You are restored to me then, he cried, my Father, my Father! God be praised, God be praised! You are restored to me entire, I trust, with all that paternal and melting Fondness which was once the Blessing and the Treasure that I prized above the World. No,
Hammy,
said the old Man, I will not deceive you, I cannot love you as I once loved you, because you never can forgive me. If you could forgive me,
Hammy,
I would love you with a double Love, a Love passing the Love of Fathers.
O, my Father, exclaimed
Hammel,
this one happy Moment of Reconciliation amply cancels all Offences, and outweighs all Sufferings. Permit me then, my dearest Father, to introduce Those to you who have an equal Right to your Blessing.
So saying, off he went, and brought in
Arabella,
with her attending Children, and all the Four kneeled down by the Side of the old Man.
O, my God, he cried out, you are too bountiful, too gracious, you oppress, you crush me to nothing with this exceeding Weight of your Benefits! I was a withered and a blasted Branch, and you have caused me, like
Aaron
's Rod to Bud and Blossom anew, and to bear these blessed Fruits, I trust, to your Glory!
When Breakfast was laid, and the old Gentleman dressed, I sent up for him, and when we were seated,
Clement
entered with his Family, All elegantly dressed, as on the preceding Night.
Hammy,
said I, how came you by that Disguise which you put on this Morning? You looked so unlike yourself you almost frightened me.—Don't you remember that Dress, Sir?—How should I remember what I never saw before?—O, you did see them before, Sir; those were the Weeds I wore, when you saved me and Mine from famishing; and I have ever since preserved, and shall ever preserve them, as the precious Memorial of my Obligations to you. What, exclaimed the old Gentleman, my Life, and your Life! has he saved your Life also, my Son? Yes, Sir, cried the grateful Creature, All who are alive here live only by—Here, while I put one Hand to the Mouth of my Friend, his venerable Father seized hold on the Other, and, bending one Knee, he pressed it to his Lips, in a Silence that passed all possible Utterance.
But pray, Mr.
Clement,
said I, to turn aside the Subject, what do you propose to do with Mrs.
Cable?
You know that, in Case of Penitence, I promised to have her taken Care of. To be sure, Sir, said he, I will make good all your Engagements, and I will further do whatever she desires, on Condition of her residing in a different Country, or rather in a different Kingdom; for I would not, for the World, that she should come within the Reach of me, by fifty Leagues at least; unless you were always to be with me for a Safeguard.
I laughed, and, immediately, Mrs.
Cable
's Maid entered all in a Heat, with a frightened and imploring Countenance. So my good Girl, said I, how is your Mistress, to Day? Ah Sir! she cried, I have but a very sad Account to give you of my Commission. My Mistress is dead, and I doubt that I, myself, have been ignorantly her Murderer.
Soon, after she was shewn to her Apartment,
Hetty,
says she, I find myself growing very sick, pray step and bring me the little Bottle of Cordial, that you will find standing in such a Corner of my Closet. I did as I was ordered and, returning in all Haste, I presented her with the Bottle. When, looking mournfully at it, and giving a heavy Sigh, Ay, she cried, this is the right Cordial, this will do the Business; then calling for a Wine Glass, she filled and drank it off.
In a little while after, she complained of being drowsy, whereupon I undressed and helped her to Bed, and lighting a Candle, I sat down to watch beside her. For a Time, she appeared to sleep quite sound and easy, but again, began to moan and toss the Clothes. In a while after, however, she seemed quite composed. But, toward the Dead of Night, not hearing her breathe, I held up the Candle, and saw that her fine Face was livid and ghastly, and her Skin all discoloured.
I then thought that I, myself, should have dropped dead on the Spot. I gave a great Shriek, and, I believe, continued shrieking till the Keeper and a Servant Maid came in. So Sir, if your Honour is pleased to think that the Blame of this Matter belongs to me, I am come to deliver myself up to Justice.
No, my Girl, said I, you are not at all suspected. I don't perceive any Interest that you could possibly have in this melancholy Event. No, Sir, said old
Clement,
I can answer for her Innocence; she is but a late Comer; she was particularly tender of me, and, I dare say, knew nothing of the ill Designs of her Mistress. And so,
Hetty,
I will recommend you to a better Mistress,
Hetty,
an Angel of a Mistress, even to my own dearest Daughter, who sits blushing before you there.
That Night, after the Inquest of the Coroners, Mrs.
Cable
was secretly buried in the Fields, and my Servants interred her Confederate on the high Road; for I did not choose to have the sacred Ceremony of our Church profaned over a Reprobate who rejected the Hope of a blessed Resurrection.
The Day before I set forward, our kind-hearted
Clement
earnestly petitioned to accompany me, and urged his Impatience to embrace You, my
Harry;
but this I peremptorily refused, as I was sensible that his own Affairs demanded his Presence. So I came away, alone, yet attended by the Tears and good Wishes of the happiest Family that is, I think, within his Majesty's Dominions.
My dearest Brother, said the Earl, the latter Part of your Story is exceedingly pleasing, and yet scarce makes Amends for the Horrors that preceded. My Flesh, as well as my Spirit, still shudders at the Character of that accursed
Belial.
I did not think that such a Malevolence and Malignity of Disposition could be generated in the Bottom of Hell itself.
And yet, my Lord, I am persuaded, said Mr.
Clinton,
that could it please God, at this Instant, to withdraw from me the Influence of his holy and happy Spirit, I should become altogether as evil as
Belia
himself.
I cannot think so, my Brother, replied the Earl, You would still continue a Rational and free Creature. There is certainly a Distinction in the Nature of Things; there is the Beautiful and Deformed, the Amiable and Detestable; your Judgment would approve the One and reject the Other; and your Freedom of Agency would act conformable to your Election.
Ah, my Lord, cried Mr.
Clinton,
what Things, what Beauty, what Amiableness, what Freedom is this that you speak of? Have you found out another Universe, or another Deity beside Him in whom our Life subsists? Are there any Things in Nature, save the Things of our God? Or what Beauty or Amiableness can they possibly exhibit, save what they derive from him; save some Quality or Impregnation, some Manifestation or Impression of his own Beauty or Amiableness?
To make this Matter clear, let us go somewhat deeper, quite back, if you please, my Lord, to the very Birth of Things.
Throughout Nature, we find that God can impart to his Creatures a Being, an Identity, a Fire of Life, an Intelligence or Sagacity, a Consciousness, a Force or Action, a Will, and a Freedom, distinct from himself, and distinct from each Other; and this is the utmost Extent of Creaturely Nature, whether respecting the Powers that are in Hell or in Heaven, whether respecting the highest Seraphim that are in Bliss or in Perdition.
Now, all these Powers or high Prerogatives, although distinct from God, are infinitely far from being independent of him, for he will not, he cannot depart from his Supremacy, nor that Universality of Essence, by and in whom alone all Essences subsist. He can, indeed, impart the forementioned Powers to any limited Degree that he pleases; but then, in their highest Degree of Fire, Life, or Sagacity, Force, Action, or Freedom, you will perceive, on the slightest Reflection, that there is nothing of the
Beautiful
or
Amiable,
that You spoke of; but that they are equally applicable, and may be equally exercised to evil, or good Purposes, according to the Nature or Disposition of the Agent.
Your Pardon, for one Minute, my noble Brother! I have already specified the many great and wonderful Powers that God can impart to his Creatures, distinctly, though not independently, from Himself. But there is one Power, one Quality which God cannot make Creaturely; which, with all his Omnipotence, he cannot possibly impart, in any Kind of Distinction or Separability from himself; and this Quality is called GOODNESS.
And now, my dear Lord, in order to convince You of this most capital and most important of all Truths, a Truth upon which, Time, Eternity, and the Universe all turn, as on their Axis; it may be necessary to enquire what GOODNESS is.
It will be answered, that GOODNESS is various and infinite in its Kinds and Degrees. It is so indeed, for it is, at once, ONE and MANY. It springs forth from our God, as the living Fountain in Paradise, that thence divided it into Rivers and numberless Streams, to water and replenish the whole Earth. All those Streams, however, were but so many Parts or Portions of the one variously blessing Fountain, and that Fountain is LOVE, it is the LOVE of Others, my Lord.
There is no Species of allowed or conceivable Virtue, that is not reducible under the Standard of this, their great Leader, and all generating Parent, called LOVE. GOOD WILL is the eternal Blesser of All to whom it is beneficent, and also generates its own Blessing in the very Act of its Love.
Here lies the great and impassable Gulph, between God and his Productions, between the Creature and the Creator. The Will of God is an Eternal FIRE OF LOVE toward his Creatures, and goes forth in Blessings upon them as wide and universal as his own Existence. But the Will of the Creature is confined and limited like its Essence. While it is distinct, or uninformed of the Will of God, it cannot possibly act beyond or out of itself; it cannot possibly feel for any Thing except itself; it cannot wish any Welfare except its own Welfare, and this it endeavours to compass by the Exertion of all its Powers. Indeed, we may as well suppose that a crude Rock, at the Extremity of either Pole, while compassed by perpetual Darkness and compacted by perpetual Frost, should yet kindle itself, and beam forth in Light and Warmth upon All around; as that any creaturely Will should, of its own Powers, go forth in Affection or Kindness upon Others.
From this distinct, selfish, and craving Will of the Creature springs every possible Evil, whether natural or moral. From the Preference of its own Identity to that of Others, ariseth Pride. From the Eagerness of its grasping at all Advantages to itself, ariseth the Envy of any imaginary Advantage to Another. Pride, Covetousness, and Envy beget Hatred, Wrath and Contention, with every Species and Degree of Malevolence and Malignity; and the Disappointment of these Passions produces Rancour and Misery; and, Altogether, they constitute the whole Nature and Kingdom of Hell itself in the Soul.
But, when God is pleased to inform the Will of the Creature with any Measure of his own benign and benevolent Will, he steals it sweetly forth in Affection to Others. He speaks Peace to the Storm of rending Passions; and a new and delightful Dawning arises on the Spirit. And thus, on the grand and final Consummation, when every Will shall be subdued to the WILL OF GOOD TO ALL, our
Jesus
will take in Hand the resigned Chordage of our Hearts, he will tune them, as so many Instruments, to the Song of his own Sentiments, and will touch them with the Finger of his own divine Feelings. Then shall the Wisdom, the Might, and the Goodness of our God become the Wisdom, Might, and Goodness of all his intelligent Creatures. The Happiness of Each shall multiply and overflow, in the Wishes and Participation of the Happiness of All. The Universe shall begin to sound with the Song of Congratulation, and all Voices shall break forth in an eternal Hallelujah, of Praise transcending Praise, and Glory transcending Glory! to God and the Lamb!
Hasten, hasten that blessed Period, great God, we beseech thee! exclaimed the Earl. But, tell me, my heavenly Brother, for it is surely in Heaven that you hold your Conversation, and from whence you derive all your Knowledge and Lights; tell me then, is there no Distinction, no Preference, in Matter of Goodness, between Creature and Creature, between Man and Man? For this seems to be the Consequence of what You have set forth very nearly, I acknowledge, to mathematical Demonstration.
Your Question, my dear Lord, is very deep, said Mr.
Clinton,
and still leads to greater Depths than I would choose to disclose before our
Harry,
yet awhile. I will however attempt, in few and simple Words, to give you some Satisfaction on this most interesting Article.
There are two great and capital Errors, under which the World of Man hath laboured, and still continues to labour ever since the Creation. The
First
is, that of ascribing and imputing, to Ourselves, every Emotion and Inclination, toward Virtue or Goodness, that we seel within us: The
Second
is, that, as free Agents, we are enabled to elect and reject, merely by the Act of an own Will independent of any Impulse or Bias whatever.
I have already shewn your Lordship that every creaturely Will, independent of the Will of its God, can be no other than an eager Craving after its own Happiness, and cannot possibly be affected in Behalf of another Creature, who is wholly distinct from it and wholly an Alien to it. Wherefore, every creaturely Will, in such a separate and adverse State, is altogether as an
Ishmael,
whose Hand is against every One, and every One's Hand against him.
On the other Hand, I have shewn You that God (the sole Fountain of all Being and Blessedness) can, in his Nature and Disposition, be nothing but LOVE; and that, even in loving Himself, he must love his own Productions, the Realizing of his own Ideas, and the Works of his own Power. What, indeed, should hinder our God from being wholly a God of Love? Was there any thing before him, was there any thing coaeval with him to controul or oppose him? Had he any thing to envy, had he any thing to excite his Anger, except his own Conceptions, and These he was at Liberty to bring, or not to bring into Existence or Perceptibility, even at his own Pleasure. What then should affect him with the slightest Tincture of Malignity? Could he add to his own Happiness by rousing the hateful Passions within his own blessed Bosom? We may more rationally suppose that the Sun, in his distant Zenith of burning Superiority, should have his Light impaired by the Squirt of a Schoolboy, than that the Deity should be affected, with any Touch of Malevolence, by any Creature, or by all the Creatures that his Omnipotence can produce.
Purblind Reason, here, will say; even the Goodness of God himself, in the human Heart, will say, if our God is all LOVE, if he is a Will to all Rectitude and Happiness in his Creatures, why did he suffer any Evil to begin in Nature or Creature? Could Evil have arisen contrary to the Will of Omnipotence, if Omnipotence had willed that it should not arise?
Ah, my Friends, no Evil ever did nor ever can approach the Will of God; neither can he will or affect any Species of Evil in Nature or Creature, but he can allow a temporary Evil in the Creature, as a Travail toward its Birth into the more eminent Degree of that Goodness and Happiness which God affects. God cannot affect or take Delight in the Sufferings of the most abandoned Reprobate that ever blasphemed his Name; but, he can will that the Sinner should be reclaimed, to Happiness, even by Suffering, when there are no other Means, in Nature, whereby he may be reclaimed.
Could Creatures, without the Experience of any Lapse or Evil, have been made duely sensible of the Darkness and Dependance of their creaturely Nature, and of the Distance and Distinction between themselves and their God; could they have known the Nature and Extent of his Attributes, with the Infinity of his Love; could they have known the dreadful Consequences of falling off from him, without seeing any Example, or experiencing any Consequence of such a Fall; could they have, otherwise, felt and found that every Act of creaturely Will, and every Attempt at creaturely Power, was a Forsaking of that eternal Wisdom and Strength in which they stood; could all intelligent Creatures have been continued in that Lowliness, that Resignation, that Gratitude of burning Affection which the slain. Will of the mortified Sinner feels, when called up into the Grace and Enjoyment of his God; could those endearing Relations have subsisted in Creation, which have since newly arisen, between God and his lapsed Creatures, wholly subsequent thereto; those Relations, I say, of Redemption, of Regeneration, of a Power of Conversion that extracts Good out of Evil, of a Love that no Apostacy can quench, that no Offences can conquer; if these eternal Benefits could have been introduced, without their Ground or Foundation in the Admission of Evil, no Lapse or Falling off would ever have been.
To make this Matter still clearer, if possible — In the dark and the boundless Mirror, called Nature, God beheld and contemplated, from all Eternity, the Loveliness of his own Light and the Beauty of his own Ideas, even those Ideas to which he had determined to impart Perceptibility, or a Consciousness and Feeling of an Owness of Existence, in Him. He also contemplated, therein, the whole Infinity of Possibilities, all Causes with their Consequences in the remotest Relation, all Events that ever should or ever could come to pass.
He saw that, without an intelligent Desire, no Creature could be excellent, or formed in his Likeness. But he saw also that, unless such Intelligence should be ruled by his Wisdom, and such a Desire wholly conformable to his Will, the Creature could not be wise, the Creature could not be happy.
In the Possibility of the Creature's Desire of Independence, God saw the Possibility of moral and natural Evil: But he saw that such partial and temporary Evil might be converted to the Production of an Infinity of Good; and he saw that, without the Admission of such Evil, the Good that bore Relation thereto could not arise.
He knew that, till the Lapse or Falling off of some of his Creatures, his own infinite Attributes could not duely be manifested, could not be duely adored in the Glory of their Contrast. That no Creature, till then, could be duely sensible of its own Fallibility, could be duely sensible that Sufficiency and Perfection were solely in God, and that all Things depended on him as well for every Quality of Blessedness as of Being.
He foresaw all the Misery that should attend upon Error; but he saw also how amiable, how beneficial was the Sense of such Error; how it might serve to sap the Self-Confidence of the Creature, and engage him to cast his Trust where his Strength alone lay. And he the more willingly permitted the Sufferings of all his fallen Offspring, as the future blissful Period was already present to him, when the Miseries of the short Parenthesis (called Time) should be for ever shut up between the two Eternities; and when all his beloved and rectified Creatures should enter upon the Fullness of the Enjoyment of their God.
From the Blackness of Guilt, and the Cloud of Pains, Calamities, Diseases, and Deaths, God saw Remorse, Contrition, Humility, Patience, and Resignation, beaming forth into new Wonders of Light and eternal Life. He saw new Relations, new Connections, new Endearments arise, between
Creatorly
Good and
Creaturely
Evil, between Transgression and Redemption, Repentance and Pardon; and he joyed (without Beginning) in calling his loved Offspring from Error to Rectitude, from Lowliness to Exaltation, from Death into Life, from Time to Eternity, and from transitory Afflictions into ever enduring and ever encreasing Blessedness.
God foresaw, in future Worlds of new and wonderful Construction, the Frailty and Lapse of his favourite Family of Man. He saw him sunk into the Inclemency of outward Elements, and into the inward Darkness and Wrath of his distinct and limited Nature; externally besieged and tempted by lying Offers of Enjoyment, and internally rent by disappointed Desires and malignant Passions. But, he had provided a Redemption of such stupendous Potency, as would not suffer the perverse Creature to tear itself out of the Arms of his Affection. He had provided a Seed of the SON OF HIS LOVE, that should take Root in Man's World of inward and outward Evil; that should grow as a fragrant Flower, through Corruption and Abomination, into the Freedom, the Light and the Purity of Heaven; that should reprove his Unrighteousness, that should convict him of Wickedness, that should convince him of Weakness, and soften him into Sorrow for his own Transgressions; that should melt him into a Sense of the Calamity of others; that should diffuse as a dawning Light through his dark and angry Nature, subduing his Pride, assuaging his Passions; calling him forth from Self into the Expansion of Benevolence, into all the Charities and Amities, the Feelings and Offices of the human Heart thus made divine; and lastly, maturing in him a different Nature and a new Creature; that God may be in all Men the ONE WILL TO THE ONE GOODNESS; thereby uniting all Men, as one Man, in their God. For deep, indeed, are all his Counsels; and all the Mazes of his Providence will finally unwind themselves in the Rectitude and Fulness of the Wisdom of his Love.
That a Creature, inexperienced or newly brought into Being, should stand in the State in which he felt his Delight: Or even, that he should fall therefrom, by attempting at something, through an own Will, and the Presumption of an own Power; does not appear to have any Thing very wonderful in it. But that a Creature, already fallen into the Misery and Depravity of a second and base Nature, should rise again superior to its original Goodness and Glory; this is the Work, produced in Time, that will be Matter of chief Amazement throughout the second Eternity.
That Man, I say, fallen into a Body of bestial Flesh and Members, fallen into the Properties of a dark and wrathful Nature; fallen into circling Elements of Hostility, Distemperature and Dissolution to his Frame; that Man, I repeat it, thus degraded and weakened, thus oppressed and assaulted from within and from without, should yet advance and proceed through his Course of appointed Warfare, denying his own Appetites, pulling down his own Pride, combating Sufferings with Patience, subduing Injuries with Love, delighting to labour under the hinder Part of that Cross which
Simon
the
Cyrenian
was compelled to bear; conquering, rising, triumphing over Desires, Disappointments, Tribulations, Languor, Sickness, failing Existence and Death; and All this, without any Constraint or Violation of that Principle of Liberty which his ETERNALLY FREE PROGENITOR imparted unto him; this indeed is a Wonder to
Cherubim
and
Seraphim,
and, from Eternity to Eternity, the GREATEST WORK of God.
Here, Brother, said the Earl, you expressly acknowledge that Man is a free Agent.
I acknowledge, answered Mr.
Clinton,
that Man has a Principle or Seed of Liberty within him, a Power of turning, or at least of leaving his Will to the Impulse of Good, on the one Hand, or of Evil on the Other, he could not otherwise be accountable; and this brings me directly to your Lordship's Question respecting the Distinction, in Matter of Merit, between Man and Man.
KNOW THYSELF, was the wisest of all the
Saws
in the ancient Schools; for the most useful of all Studies, to Man, is that of Man.
MAN has been represented, by the Boastings of pagan Philosophy, as equal in many Respects, and in some Articles superior to what they conceived of Godhead.
They define him a rational and lordly Intelligence, sole Dictator to his own Actions, Controuler of his own Passions, and of Powers, Virtues, and Faculties, wholly free and independent. But, what says Nature on this Head?
Man goes out of this World, even as he comes into it, quite passive and without his own Consent. From the Womb to the Time of his maturing in Reason, and even till some Degree of Power is awakened in him toward governing his Appetites and resisting his Inclinations, he is as merely a sensual and servile Machine as any inferior Animal or Brute in the Creation. His Pulses beat, his Blood cruclates, and all the Offices of Respiration, Secretion, and Perspiration are performed, alike awake as asleep, without any more Attention or Care, on his Part, than if he had no Interest or Concern therein.
In the mean Time, he is begirt by outward Objects, and outward Elements, that hold an intimate Correspondence and perpetual Communication with his Flesh, with all his Organs, and his animal Life; exciting in him a Variety of Appetites and Desires that he can no more resist, than a Twig can swim against a Torrent; insomuch that, were this the Whole of the Man, with Respect to his Appetites, he would of Necessity be a Brute, and with Respect to his Passions, he would of Necessity be a Devil.
Thus far, my Lord, you see that Man is wholly acted upon, and does nothing but as he is incited or impelled thereto; and were there no other Agent within him to act upon him on the opposite Part, had he no present Friend to combat with and controul the evil Propensities of his Nature, he would be as totally a Slave to his carnal and diabolical Lusts, as the Galley-Rower is to the Bench whereon he is chained.
But, blessed be our all-creating, all-redeeming, and all-loving Friend, who is ever present in us and to us, and does not leave our Impotence destitute of his Help; who, in the Centre of our old and reprobated
Adam,
hath implanted a divine Seed of a new Nature and a new Creature; even the renewed Image of himself in our Souls. It is this infant Resemblance of himself in our Essence, which God always cherishes, which he always elects, which he pursues; which he calls upon by the Word of the Son of his Love, which he informs with the Breath of his holy Spirit, whispering into it the still Voice of his own beatifying Affections.
Now, though these two Seeds or Principles are so intimately united in us, that very few observe any Distinction between them, yet no two Things can be more opposite than they are to Each Other, both in their Natures and Propensities. And, accordingly, the great Apostle,
Paul,
hath specified and marked out their separate Offices and Departments with the most exact Precision. Reach me yonder Bible,
Harry,
— Here it is.—
That which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the Law, that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but Sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my Flesh) dwelleth no good Thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. For the Good that I would, I do not; but the Evil which I would not, that I do. Now, if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but Sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a Law, that when I would do Good, Evil is present with me. For I delight in the Law of God,
after the inward Man.
But I see another Law in my Members, warring against the Law of my Mind, and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin, which is in my Members. O, wretched Man that I am, who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death!
Here, my Friends, You see, the Apostle distinguishes, most precisely, between the opposite Natures and Tendencies of the two several Seeds of the
first
and the
second Adam,
between the
Outward
and
Inward,
the
Vitiated
and
Regenerate,
the
Old
and the
New Man.
The
Old
warring against the
New,
and endeavouring to bring him into Captivity to Sin and Death; insomuch that our own evil
Cain
would willingly slay outright the good
Abel
that is in us.
Now, between these adverse Offsprings of the earthly and heavenly
Adams,
our
Will,
or
Principle of Freedom,
or
Power of Election,
is placed.
On the one Part, we are besieged and assailed by a World of tempting and seducing Objects, that hold intimate Intercourse with our Flesh and carnal Sensibilities, and impel their Influences on our Spirit, through every Organ. While the Rulers in Darkness, enter through the said sensual Avenues, excite their diabolical Passions within us, and begin to open a Kingdom of their own in our Soul.
On the contrary Part, our heavenly Father is graciously pleased to act upon us, through the kindred Seed of that divine Nature which he had implanted in our Essence. He attracts us strongly though not forcibly; and he sheds into us a Species of mental Feelings and Affections, to which Flesh and Blood is wholly an Alien.
Here then, when the Will turns away, from divine Influence, and delivers itself up to the Impulses and Operations of the evil Agents, the whole Man becomes a Prisoner in the Regions of Darkness and Shadows of Death, and Nothing but intense Sufferings can awake him to a Sense of the Error, Insufficiency, and Folly of his Pursuits, and of the Loss and Horror of the State in which he lies.
But, when the Will turns and yields itself to the gracious Drawings and Influence of God's blessing Spirit; God opens himself unto it, and attracts it still more powerfully, till he gradually delivers it from the Slavery of Sense, of Sin, and of Self, into the perfect Freedom of a willing Service to Goodness.
Above all, when the Will is assaulted by violent, pressing, and permanent Temptations; if yet, with the Assistance of supporting Grace, it strives and struggles to maintain the Fight, and to tear itself away from the Custody of Evil, though anguishing in the Strife, and pierced, even to the dividing of the Bone from the Marrow; then is the Scripture fulfilled that says,
the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence, and the Violent take it by Force;
then is our
Jesus
in the highest Height of his Throne and Dominion; then does he deem all his Sufferings overpaid; and he will, himself, be the Champion in the Will of such a Champion, and he will fight the good Fight, and run the good Course, and hold fast the good Faith both in him and for him, and he will impute the Whole of his Conquests to the willing Instrument of his Operations, and will crown him with the Crown of his own Glory, and will stretch out his Existence to the Reception and Expansion of his whole Heaven within him.
Here then, my honoured Brother, You have your Question fully answered touching the Difference, in Point of Merit, between Man and Man; since no Creature can have any Merit save so far as he opens his Will to the Impressions of the Goodness of God upon his Spirit.
What, you will say, is this the utmost Merit that the Best of Men can boast, that of barely yielding his Will to the Drawings and Influence of the Spirit of Goodness? —It is, indeed, my Lord, the very Whole of the Merit that any Creature can have, as his own Merit; the very utmost that he can do toward co-operating with his God, and conducing, in any Degree, to his own Salvation and Happiness.
O, that all Men, that all Men had this Merit, my Friends! that All would open the Gates of their everlasting Souls, and humbly and earnestly petition the King of Glory to come in! This would lead to ever during and ever encreasing Merit; for our God would then impute his own Merits unto us, not by an outward but inward Imputation, even the feeling Sense and Participation of his Nature, his Powers, and Qualities within us. We should become good in his Goodness, wise in his Wisdom, and strong in his Omnipotence. By resigning and surrendring, to him, our dark, empty, hungry, and uncomfortable Creature; we should gain, in lieu thereof, the Plenitude of the rich and illuminating Creator. The Fulness of all Delight would become our Portion and Inheritance; and the Proprietor of the Universe would be our Property and Possession.
Here Mr.
Clinton
paused, and his Auditors continued in a kind of respectful Musing, as attentive to what he might further offer. At length the Earl exclaimed, Never, never more, my Brother, will I debate or question with You, further than asking your Advice or Opinion, to which I shall instantly and implicilty submit, as I would to that of the highest Seraph in Heaven. Our dear
Meekly,
here, and I had some former Converse on a few of these deep Subjects, and I received much Satisfaction and Instruction from him; but he was not quite so explicit and convincing as You have been.
Ah, my Lord, cried
Meekly,
were I as intimate with the Fountain of all Knowledge, as your precious Brother is, You would not then have posed me in the Conversation we last held on those Heads.
On the following Day, at Breakfast, Mr.
Meekly
took out his Pocket-Book, and produced Bank and Stock-Bills to the amount of something upward of three thousand Pounds. He then presented them to Mr.
Clinton,
and said, Here, Sir, is a little Matter toward Repayment of the Loan I had from You in
Holland.
I bless, I bless my God, that he has enabled me, thus far, to approve myself an honest Man; but, above all, I bless him for giving me once more a Sight of the gracious Countenance of my Patron. But for You, I had miserably perished in a Dungeon; to You, Sir, I owe my Liberty, to You I owe my Life, to You I owe the Recovery of the Inheritance of my Fathers. With Respect to such Obligations I am indeed a beggar'd Insolvent. But, my Heart is pleased with the Thought, that the Connection between us, of Creditor on your Part and of Debtor on mine, should remain on Record to all Eternity.
Here, the worthy
Meekly
became oppressed under Sensations of grateful Recollection, and, putting his Handkerchief to his Eyes, he sobbed out his Passion.
In the mean time, Mr.
Clinton
held the Bills in his Hand, and carelesly casting his Eye over them perceived the Amount. As soon as he saw that his Friend's Emotion had partly subsided, You have, Mr.
Meekly,
says he, You have been quite a Gospel Steward, and have returned me my Own with most unlooked for Usury, and I heartily pray God, in Recompense of your Integrity, to give You the Principality of many Cities in the coming Kingdom of his Son. But what shall I do with this Money, my dear
Meekly?
My Wealth already overflows, it is my only Trouble, my only Incumbrance. It claims my Attention, indeed, as it is a Trust for which I know I am strictly accountable. But I heartily wish that Providence would reclaim the Whole to himself, and leave me as One of his Mendicants, who daily wait on the Hand that supplieth All, who seek his Kingdom, with necessary Things. For my
Harry
has enough, and more than enough, now, in the Abundance of his noble Father. You must therefore keep these Bills to yourself, my worthy Friend; retain, or give, or dispose of them, even as it shall please You; whether as your Property or as my Property, it matters not Six-pence; but, take them back, you must take them back indeed, my
Meekly.
And so saying, he shoved them over from him, on the Table.
Ah, my most honoured Sir, exclaimed the repining
Meekly,
sure You would not serve me so! My Soul is but just eased of a Load that lay heavy on it for many, many Years. Be not then so severe as to replace the Burden upon me. It would break my very Heart, should you persist in refusing this little Instance of Acknowledgment from One of your warmest Lovers.
Here,
Harry
found himself affected and distressed for the Parties, and, in order to relieve them, took the Decision of the Matter upon himself.
Gentlemen, says he, I will, with your good Pleasure, put a very quick End to this Dispute, and I offer myself to You, as your joint Trustee, to be your Almoner and Disposer of these Bills.
As I was lately on my Rambles, through some Villages near
London,
the Jingle of a Number of infant Voices struck my Ear, and turning, and looking in at the Ground-Floor of a long Cottage, I perceived about thirty little Girls neatly dressed in a Uniform, and All very busily and variously employed, in hackling, carding, knitting, or spinning, or in sewing at their Sampler, or in learning their Letters and so forth.
The adjoining House contained about an equal Number of Boys, most of whom were occupied in learning the Rudiments of the several Handy-Crafts; while the rest were busied in cultivating a back Field, intended as a Garden for these two young Families.
I was so pleased with what I saw, that I gave the Masters and Mistresses some small Matter; and I resolved, within myself, if ever I should be able, to gather together a little Family of my own for the like Purposes.
Now, Gentlemen, here comes Mr.
Meekly
's Money quite in Season for saving just so much of my own. But hang it, since I am grown suddenly rich, I think I will be generous for once in my Life, and add as much more out of my proper Stock. I shall also make so free as to draw on my Uncle there for the like Sum; and these, totted together, will make a pretty Beginning of my little Project. As to my poor Father here, he has nothing to spare, for he has already lavished all his Wealth on his naughty Boy.
My Lord and the Company laughed heartily at
Harry
's little Pleasantry—But hearkee, honest Friend, added the Earl, you must not think to expose me, by leaving me out of your Scheme; can't you lend me as much,
Harry,
as will answer my Quota? Yes, my Lord, said
Harry,
upon proper Securities, I think I may venture. You are a Rogue, and a Darling, and my Treasure, and my Honour, and my Ornament, cried the Earl, turning and bending fondly toward him. While
Harry
's Eyes began to swim with Pleasure, and, casting himself into his Father's Bosom, he there hid the Tears of his swelling Delight; while Mr.
Clinton,
and Mr.
Meekly
sat, silently wrapt in the Enjoyment of the tender Scene.
When
Harry
was reseated, Gentlemen, says he, I must bid you adieu. I am engaged on a Party in the Village this Morning. For this Day, I must quit the Honour of being your Lordship's Son, and shall content myself with the Station of One of your Vassals or Dependants; and so saying he rose, and away he shot.
Immediately the Earl rung the Bell, and Mr.
John
entered.
John,
said he, do you know any thing of
Harry
's Expedition into our Town to Day? Why, my Lord, said
John,
our loving Townsmen have agreed to do all the Honour they can to the Arrival and Welcome of your honourable Brother. The Day is to be spent in Sports; and To-morrow is to be lighted up with the Bonfires and 'Luminations of this very Night. There is a Football also to be, and I fancy that my Master
Harry
designs to be no better than a Hail Fellow among them.
Tell me then, my good
John,
could you contrive so as to place us where we might see some of these Diversions without being seen? Why, please your Honours, the Football is to be in our Park; and I can raise a Stage of Boards where, by the Help of a Step Ladder, your Honours may get up, and peep over, and so see all that passes. Get it done then, get it done, good
John,
immediately.
When
John
had gone out to execute his Commission, I believe Sir, said
Meekly
to Mr.
Clinton,
that there is not such a Boy, as your Nephew, no, not in the whole Universe; every Look and Accent, every Motion, Fibre and Member, so wonderfully answering, to the Meekness and Modesty, the Honour, the Galantry and Intrepedity of his Spirit. He shrinks from Praise, he is ashamed before it; and yet his Words sink, as Balm on the Heart, and his Actions compel People to affront him with rejected Honours whereever he goes. While I look on his lovely and lowly Countenance, and inwardly embrace him as I would a Part or Portion of my God; I secretly say to myself, you are a Proof, my
Harry,
that the lower the Roots of Humility strike into the Depths beneath, the more the exalted Branches ascend the Heights of Heaven! I attend, I study him, as well for my Instruction as Delight, and look upon and revere him, as the most perfect Copy that ever yet was taken of the omnipotent Babe in the Manger.
The other Day, he preserved his noble Father and me from being rent in Pieces by a mad and foaming Monster of a Mastiff. But, his Calmness of Courage with his Quickness of Action, his Prowess and Power, on that Occasion, exceeded all that I ever met with in Fable. Pray, my Lord, have you not yet told you Brother of that wonderful Incident? No indeed, said the Earl, my
Harry
continued with us, till within this Minute, and I was cautious of offending him by mentioning the Matter before him. For, he can scarce bear to be thanked for the Charity that he gives, and much less to be praised for any Virtue or Accomplishment. O, my Brother, my Brother, what do I not owe you? a Debt immense indeed, never, never, to be paid, for this precious, this inestimable Treasure of a Boy!
Ah, my Lord, cried Mr.
Clinton,
I am already overpaid; your Pearl has overpaid me for all my polishing. Nay, I am become his Debtor, I am indebted to him for my Life, if that were a Thing of Value. It is now about three Weeks since he delivered me from the greatest Peril I ever was in, and in the wonderful Manner I am going to tell you.
The Day before he set out for this Place, I desired him to take a Walk with me in the Fields, where I inteded gradually to discover to him the heavy Tidings of the Death of his Mother and Brother.
Just as I began to open the Matter to him, I heard a sudden and terrifying Roar, and turning my Eye to the Place from whence it came, I perceived a monstrous Bull, tearing the Ground with his Foot, and denouncing his Wrath in the Voice of Thunder, when, quitting a few Kine among whom he stood, he made directly at us. Instantly I cried out to
Harry,
and charged him to fly for his Life, but instead of obeying me, he advanced with a hasty Pace to meet the enraged Animal.
Never was I in such a Pannic as I then was for our precious Boy. I shook from Head to Foot, and was just going to drop, when the furious Beast stooped his Head to dash our Child to Pieces; but
Harry,
quick as Thought, laid hold on a Horn with one of his Hands, and rising into the Air, threw himself astride upon the Creature's Neck.
The Bull plunged, and tossed, and tore about at a frantic Rate, endeavouring to disencumber himself of his Rider, while
Harry
took out his Penknife and urged him to greater Madness by pricking him with the Point. At length the Monster, all panting, and white with Foam, stood still as a Post. When
Harry,
stooping, made Way through his Hide, opened the jugular Vein, and cut his Windpipe in two, and, after some imperfect Roars, the Creature sunk breathless beneath him.
Think of my Transports then, my Brother, when I saw my Hero safe and smilingly triumphant. I said and did Things, I believe, that were quite beside my Reason; but I shall not be so readily alarmed for him, hereafter, as I see that his Action, Intrepidity, and Presence of Mind, make him more than a Match for any living Creature.
In some Time after,
John
returned and gave his Lord Notice that their Station was prepared, whereupon our Company issued forth and ascended their Seat of Eminence, where, through the Cover of some Trees, they could see and observe without being observed.
After they had been seated and had talked awhile, of Truth, the LORD, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, of Heart felt Peace, and the fearful looking out for Judgment from the God of Love, a promiscuous Crowd of many Hundreds of Old and Young, Male, and Female, entered and flooded the Park.
As All thronged about
Harry
with an affectionate Familiarity; he appointed that Football should begin the Sports; and, two Champions being chosen, Each of them chose his Man, and that Man Another, alternately, till about forty strenuous and active Youths were ranged on either Side.
The Field was then divided, and the Ball being tossed aloft in the Midst, they All mingled and jostled together, like Hailstones; till, after much running, wrestling and sweating, two Games were successively lost on the Side of the Party where
Harry
had ranged himself.
Ah, cried the Earl, my poor
Harry,
I find, is not accustomed to rude Sports of this Kind; whereupon Mr.
Clinton
laughed and cried, he is a Rogue, he is a Rogue, as you will quickly see, my Lord.
Master
Harry,
Master
Harry,
exclaimed his Associates, had you staid among us, instead of going to that dull and heavy heeled
London,
we would have taught you to play Football better than you do.
I never play right, answered
Harry,
but when the Girls are on my Side. And here I lay a Wager of twenty Guineas, in Hands of my Daddy
Dobson,
that, give me but my Choice, Twenty of these pretty Lasses, and I will beat your two Parties of Fourscore from one Barrier to the other. What say you,
Polly Truck,
will you be on my Side? I will side with your Honour against the World, cried
Polly,
and away went her Clothes to her Jacket and under Petticoat.
On this facetious Proposal of our Hero's, a loud Roar and Laugh was set up, that lasted a long Time. Well, well, Gentlemen, said
Harry,
I will give you leave to double your Laugh as soon as you are Winners. In the mean Time, my good
Polly,
be pleased to choose me out the rest of our fair Fellows at Football.
When this was done,
Harry
took them All, both Males and Females, to the extremity of the Barrier just opposite to his Father, extending to about a Mile in Length; and, while the Girls stood panting through Fear and Emulation behind him, he took the Ball in Hand, and, throwing it into the Air, gave it a Kick, as it descended, aloof from his Adversaries who were ranged directly against him, and then following it, like a Bullet, he gave it another Kick before it touched the Ground, and pursued and pursued it, with astonishing Rapidity, till he gave it the last Kick, high over the Trees that reached high over the Wall and over the Heads of his Parents.
In the mean Time,
Polly Truck,
had followed her beloved Patron with all imaginable Zeal and Speed, and had overrun all the Lads by near a Furlong. At last she came up to
Harry
panting and quite spent, and wished to wish him much Joy but was not able.
While these Things were in Agitation, our Company beheld All from behind their Cover, and, as
Harry
approached, their Hearts beat a quick and equal Measure with his Feet, even with such Emotions as
Virgil
ascribes to the Bosom of
Latona,
while she beholds and contemplates her fair Daughter
Dian
so eminently transcending the Choruses of her Nymphs in Grace, Beauty, and Excellence.
As soon as
Polly Truck
was come to her Speech, Laws, your Honour! says she, where in the World do you contrive to hide your Wings? I have nine Holland Smocks that I won by running at nine Wakes, and never was beaten before, in my Life.
Harry
laughed, and gave his quondam Playfellow a friendly Shake of the Hand.
The Company now began to come in apace, though yet awhile incapable of Utterance; but, gathering about
Harry,
they silently eyed him from Head to Foot, and beheld him with a Kind of venerating Astonishment. At last, young
Felster
(the Wit of the Town) cries, I have always heared, till now, that All were Fellows at Football, but here is One, I am sure, who has no Fellow. I will bet upon his Head, or rather on his Heels, against the ninety-nine Shires, and desire no better than Cripples to side him.
At length Old and Young, Men and Maidens, got once more together; and the Question was started concerning the next Sports upon which they should enter, when they beheld a mighty Giant approaching with Strides that would have suited the Arch of a River. He was called, by way of Eminence, the great
Roger
of
Rosstown,
and was accompanied by his Kinsman,
Pelt
the Tanner.
As soon as
Roger
came up, he very affectionately saluted those of his Acquaintance, asking, what Sport have ye got forward, my brave Boys? The best Sport, answered
Jack Felster,
would be to see your Highness, Mr.
Roger,
get a Fall before Night. That Man, cried
Pelt,
does not step on
English
Ground who will ever be able to crack of that Feat. Why, as to that Matter, said
Roger,
though I rose early this Morning, I have a strong Fancy that I am up for the whole Day.
Tom Truck,
cries
Felster,
if you will get on one Side of him, I will get on 'tother, and try what Hand we can make of this famous Champion.
Accordingly the Attack began; but
Roger
smiled superior, and handled and played them together as a Show-Man plays his Puppits. Another Wrestler was then added, and then Another, but the Four could no more move him than if he were a Tower; while he lifted them up, in Turns, and laid them successively on the Ground, with the best natured Caution.
Harry
then came smilingly up and said, Mr.
Roger
if you'll be so kind to teach me the Art of Wrestling, I will make you a Present of twenty Guineas for your Pains, my Daddy
Dobson
there has the Money in his Pocket.
Roger
here surveyed our Hero with the most inquisitive Attention. I rejoice to see your Honour, says he, with all my Heart; and indeed, it was for that only Purpose that I came here to Day, having already heard the Story of my Cousin's great Mastiff. But, Sir, as you were proposing, and as I honestly think, you may do wonderfully well for a Wrestler of Quality; for you are exceeding finely made as any Thing can possibly be for the Volume of you; and, as the Jockeys say, are the prettiest Fellow of your Inches I ever set my Eyes on. But, you want something of my Bulk, Master, to give you the full Powers. However, I thank your Honour for your generous Proffer, I am ready to enter on my Office whenever you please; and I hope to make the very most of the little Matter that is in you.
They then grappled, not as Combatants, but as Tutor and Pupil, and the Rogue
Harry
submitted himself, as a pliant Twig in his Hands, while
Roger
continued to initiate him in this Trip and that Trip, and in the various Methods of assailing and evading. When
Harry,
perceiving his Instructor a little overpoised, suddenly gave him an inside Foot, and a Push at the same Instant toward the Part to which he inclined. — Strait, like a Promontory sapped with all its Pines, nine Paces huge the Giant sidelong veered, the tenth, on bended Knee, his mighty Arm upstaid. — Amazement filled the rustic Powers, to see with such Slight moved their Mightiest, and a universal Shout rent the wide Welkin.
Roger
rose and returned something abashed at his Foil; but said, with apparent good Humour, I am sorry that I have not twenty Guineas in my Pocket to pay your Honour, for shewing me that same Trip. However, I hope you will give me one Turn more for the Victory. I now engage you, as a Learner, not as a Teacher. As you will, says
Harry.
Here,
Roger
laid hold on
Harry,
with a truly hostile Gripe, while
Harry
seized his brawny Muscles, as with little Cramps of Steel. Then was seen, on either Side, the long calculated Proportions of Weight against Action, and of Action against Weight.
Roger
several Times assayed to lift our Hero between his Hands, and to lay him, as he had served the other Peasants, on the Ground, but could not compel him to quit his Gripes. He then swayed him hither and thither, and thrust him from him and pulled him to him, and hooked and tripped him on every Side, but felt himself often staggered by the quick Efforts of
Harry,
while the Scales of Contest seemed alternately inclining to either Part. At length,
Roger,
beginning to find himself overbreathed, plucked his Adversary to him, and, bending heavily forward, overshadowed and overbore our Hero to the Earth.
Great
Roger
then rose triumphant, and
Harry
also arose in the best Humour imaginable. Mr.
Roger,
says he, I hold it truly an Honour that you think me worthy of Contention, although you have conquered. But this has been a Kind of Fling for which I don't owe you a Farthing, till you can make me of a Bulk approaching to yourself. But come, Mr.
Roger,
I will not take you at an Advantage, recover your Breath, and then, as you said to me, I hope you will give me another Chance for the Victory.
Soon after the Combatants again engaged, and mutually exerted their very utmost;
Roger
for saving his Honour, and
Harry
for preventing an open Disgrace before the Face of so great an Assembly. They struggled, they put every Power of Strength and Art to the Proof; till
Roger,
finding himself beginning to fail, had recourse to his former Stratagem, and, plucking
Harry
suddenly to him, would again have overlaid him; but our Hero, now aware, slipped nimbly from under him, and setting his right Foot before the right Foot of his Adversary, he gave a Shove, with his left Hand to the Other's right Shoulder, and prostrate fell the great
Roger
of
Rosstown,
extended over half a Rood of Ground.
Then, indeed, the Clamours became immoderately high; young
Felster,
above all Others, grew insolently triumphant, and the Girls could scarce be detained on the Ground, while they clapped Hands, and shouted, and sprung up aloft, in the Congratulation of
Harry
's unexpected Victory.
Our Hero then very affectionately stepped forward, and gave
Roger
a Hand to help him up, but he rose very slowly, as he was something hurt by his Fall. Mr.
Roger,
says
Harry,
I am now doubly your Debtor, and will accordingly pay you double Wages, as you have taught me, not only to throw Others, but to throw yourself also. Adad, cried
Roger,
I find and feel too, that you are already but too well taught to my Hand.
As soon as
Harry
had paid
Roger
his forty Guineas, Part of which he borrowed from Goodman
Demster, Roger
seized his Hand, and kissing it ardently, he cried, O my Conqueror, my Hero, my noble Child! throughout Life may all Enemies fall before you, nor Death itself be able to fling my Boy!
Just then the great Bell rung loudly for Dinner, and
Harry,
turning and measuring the Height of the Park Wall with a Glance of his Eye, took a short Race, and running up it some Steps, caught hold of the Copeing, and threw himself over, while all the Assembly poured after him a Shout of Amazement.
Harry
happened to alight within a few Paces of the Stage where his Father and Uncle sat; but not attending to that, he was hastening homeward, when Mr.
Clinton
cried out, Ho, ho, honest Friend, whither away so fast?
Harry
stopped and started, and turning about, looked something abashed to find that his so highly revered Friends had been the Spectators of his little Feats and Follies; however he advanced toward them in order to help them down, while the Earl whispered to his Brother and said, Now we shall see how proud our
Harry
will be of having overcome the famous
Roger
of
Rosstown.
While they sat over a temperate Meal, why
Harry,
said the Earl somewhat slily, the great
Roger
of
Rosstown
was but a Babe in your Hands. Ah, my Lord, cried
Harry,
smiling and blushing, you are not yet rightly apprized how that Matter stands. It cost me no less than forty Guineas to prevail upon Mr.
Roger
to let me cast him; but, when your Lordship was a Boy, perhaps you would have thought it but a small Matter for the Purchase of Honour, especially in the Eyes of the pretty Wenches. Indeed, my
Harry,
said the Earl, I was a very, very naughty Boy at your Years; and, had I been such a Fellow as you are at this Day, I should have kept as large a Seraglio as the
Sophy
himself, and that also of willing and kind hearted Girls.
Just then
John
entered with Tidings that an Ambassy of a Score of Wenches waited at the Hall-Door, and were pushing before them the prettiest Maiden he ever beheld, to be their Spoke's-woman.
Immediately my Lord ordered that they should All be introduced, and quickly after a Clatter was hear'd without, crying, Indeed, indeed now, Miss
Aggy,
You must and shall speak for us.
The Door was then thrown open, and a young Creature enter'd, colouring, panting, and palpitating, and followed by the Group of Wenches who put her forward before them.
The Earl, in Pain for her sweet Confusion, did his best to encourage her, and ordered
Harry
to help them round with a Glass of Wine. By the Time that this was done, Miss
Aggy
became a little better assured, but had not yet dared to look One of them in the Face, but kept her Eyes bent on the Ground, as though she had been ashamed of their Brightness.
If—if—my Lord, said she, (tremblingly and whisperingly) if your honoured—your very honourable Brother is here—we come to invite him and his Company to our Town-Ball.—And we will attend you with Pleasure, my little Angel, cried the Earl. But, pray who are you, and where do you live?—So please You, my Father's Name is
Abel Jessamin,
and he is lately come Tenant to Part of your Lordship's Estate.—Then I will make him a Present of at least a Year's Rent for his fair Daughter's Sake. Here,
John,
give five Guineas apiece to these pretty Lasses to buy each of them a Riband. And, do you hear, bring me twenty Guineas for this their chief Ambassadress.—Not for the World, my Lord, indeed I will not accept a Farthing. My Father, though poor, is very jealous of his Honour, and should I take any thing from any Man living, he would never suffer me to darken the Light that shines in at his Door.
Aggy
then made an elegant Courtesey to the Ground, and retreated, attended by her own Graces, and by the revereing and affectionate Regards of the Company.
Who can this Creature be, cried out the Earl, so lovely, so uncommon, such a sweet Distinction about her! Ah, exclaimed Mr.
Clinton,
what a Pity it would be that such Innocence should be seduced, and such Purity corrupted! And yet, that is most likely to be the Case, said Mr.
Meekly,
since Beauty is the Bawd that procures its own undoing, and Loveliness the very Magnet that attracts Men to its Destruction.
Harry
half suppressed a Sigh, but said nothing.
The Horses were now immediatly ordered to be put to, and our Company drove into the Town, accompanied by the Acclamations of Hundreds upon Hundreds who lined the Way.
As soon as they came to the Market Place, the Coach set them down near a spacious Flooring that was raised, in open Air, about a Foot from the Ground, and surrounded with Benches behind Benches, and Benches above Benches, to a great Elevation.
When they were shewn to the Seats prepared for them, they were served with a Variety of Wines and Cakes; for our open hearted Townsmen had spared no Cost for the Entertainment of their noble Guests and their Neighbours. The Band of Music (the choicest that could be got) then struck up, and the Jubilee was opened in full Triumph.
My Lord then wished, in secret, that
Harry
and Miss
Jessamin
would lead the Ball; but, observing that his Son looked something dejected, he imputed it to Fatigue, and suppressed his Desire. In the mean Time, the Lads and Lasses entered upon the Stage, and several footed it away featly and with all due Applause.
As
Harry
had not yet opened his Lips to the too, too amiable
Aggy,
nor even presented his Hand to lead her out, she declined every other Hand that was offered to her. At length, as the Day began to lose of its Lustre. Mr.
Clinton
whispered to
Harry,
and requested the Favour that he would dance an
Entry.
The Desire of Father or Uncle was instantly, to
Harry,
the same as the Command of the Grand Signior to his Slave. He rose, stood forth, and appointed the Air, and began to move with a slow and graceful Measure. But, as the Notes of the Tune quickened, he quickened his Motions. Ether now appeared to be wholly his native Element. No Eye could perceive that his Foot condescended to claim Acquaintance with Earth. He trod Air. He spun around. He soared aloft like a Pyramid of Fire; while his Limbs preserved the Measure, and his Heels traversed each other, as he shot forward or sideways, with a Quickness that dazzled the Sight. Till poor
Aggy,
in the Exuberance of her Admiration, very innocently and very inadvertently exclaimed, Sure, sure, that Girl is not born who can deserve to have him. All to herself.
Happily for
Aggy,
the Company was so intent on the Motions of our Hero, that Few attended to her, save
Harry
himself, who hear'd what she said to the very Bottom of his Heart.
But
Aggy,
utterly confounded, at the Recollection of what she had uttered, thought that the Company and the whole World were privy to her Shame. Her Face, Neck, and Bosom were instantly suffused with Crimson; and she did not presume to raise her Eye to any Face, or any Object, till she gently pulled her elderly Aunt by the Sleeve, and, stealing away, deprived the Assembly of its principal Object and Ornament.
That Night, after Supper, while
Harry
joined with the Company in a Kind of constrained Chearfulness, they began to compliment him on the Atchievements and Honours of the Day, when
Harry
replied, in evident Discontent, No more, no more, my Friends! Indeed, I never so thoroughly despised and detested myself as I do at this Instant. And so saying, he rose hastily and withdrew to his Chamber.
Mr.
Meekly
soon followed, for he was to lye in the same Room. And he sat down, in Silence, while
Harry
was slowly undressing. My dear young Friend, says he at length, I grieve to see you indisposed. Indeed, Sir, said
Harry,
I am not quite as I wish, and fear I shall disturb you. Ah, my dear Boy, cried
Meekly,
I know your Disorder perfectly well. I marked the Rise and the Progress, I saw the Whole as plain as
Paul
's. Had
Aggy Jessamin
been indifferent to you, You would have danced and conversed as familiarly with her as with any other Wench. But, you dreaded your own Feelings, and you dreaded, still more, that those Feelings should be betrayed to the Observation of Others. I know
Aggy Jessamin
and her Father, She is indeed very lovely and very deserving; but yet She is no Mate for you, my
Harry.
Ah, Sir, cried
Harry,
since you have already seen so far into my Soul, I think I had better open my whole Bosom to you, You will look down upon me, to be sure, you will hold me in the utmost Contempt, but, no Matter for that, so You promise not to love me the less.
Here, I am deemed a mighty clever Fellow, forsooth, at leaping high Walls, and flinging huge Giants; while alas I am flung, myself, by the least of my own Infirmities, and can no more wrestle against one of my Passions than if Each of them were a
Grecian Hercules.
I own to you, Mr.
Meekly,
that I love
Aggy Jessamin,
my Heart also tells me that I shall always love her. What then must be the Consequence of my unhappy Affection? Neither my Father nor Uncle will ever approve of our Union, and I would rather pine to Death, than offend the One or the Other.
Should I happen to meet the sweet Girl apart, I fear, nay I feel, that I could not be able to resist the Temptation, and, should she happen to yield, what a Ruin must ensue! If she loved me, it would break the poor Thing's Heart to be forsaken, and the Breaking of her's would break my Heart also. And yet, I could never think of continuing in a criminal Commerce.
Ah, my dear Mr.
Meekly,
pity the Weakness of your Friend, and pity the Ignorance that he is in of his own Spirit. My Heart exulted this very Day in its own Humility, while it felt itself insensible to the Acclamations of the Vulgar, and while I reflected that a few Years would soon cripple the Performer of such trifling Exploits, or possibly render me, in old Age, the ridiculous Boaster of the Feats of my Childhood. But, when the sweet Breath of
Aggy
gave its pleasing Applause to my little Matters, Vanity and Self-esteem sunk, with her Approbation, deep into my Bosom, and I have not yet been able to dispossess them.
O, such is my Passion for her, that, could I get a Dispensation but for a single Trespass, I would willingly do, for it, whole Years of hermitical Penance in the Wilderness. But, what would that avail, my Friend, or how might a whole Eternity atone for the Seduction of Innocence and Corruption of Virtue?
O, help me then, Mr.
Meekly,
help me to struggle against myself; better is it to suffer All that the cruel Conflict may cost me, than to suffer the Stings of that never ending Remorse which would tear my Soul for having injured the Object of my Affection.
Meekly
was in Tears, and could not answer for some time.—Yes—says he at length, I will assist you in this Combat, a Combat more glorious than ever was fought by all the
Caesars
and
Alexanders
that ever drew Sword. And I will pray to the Captain of our Salvation, in your Behalf; that he may sight the good Fight both in you and for you, and finally crown you with the Wreath of eternal Glory! But then you must be ruled, you must conform to the Prescriptions of your severe but wholesome Physician; in short, my dear Child, you must not see her any more.—What, never, Mr.
Meekly,
never see her any more? That is hard, indeed:—It is a necessary Hardship; could you answer to yourself the Consequences of such an Indulgence?—I could not, I could not, I confess it, my Friend.—I will prevail upon her Father to send her far from you; and I will look out for some agreeable and kind hearted Man who may make her a worthy Husband, and be sensible of her Merits.—
O, you bear too hard upon me, too hard, indeed, cried
Harry.
What, give her to Another? And yet that's an ungenerous Regret; for, why should I grudge that Happiness to Another which I cannot enjoy? Well then, be it so, since it must be so, Mr.
Meekly.
Take her, bear her, tear her away from my Sight, from my Vitals! But then she must not go empty. Take for her two thousand, three thousand, five thousand Pounds; she is welcome, she is welcome to All that I am worth.
Here,
Harry
sat down and wept, and was accompanied by his Friend. But, the Conflict was now over; and though his Heart was deeply grieved, it was much more at Ease.
The next Morning, at Breakfast,
Harry
appeared to be quite composed. When the Earl, taking a Bundle of Papers from his Pocket, turned, with a fond and conciliating Air, to Mr.
Clinton,
and said: My dearest Brother, when You shall be at Leisure to cast your Eye over this Parcel, You will find that I have not been altogether, at least not all along, the unnatural Kinsman you had Cause to apprehend. These are Copies of the Letters which I sent in search of You, through several Parts of Europe, and in which I petitioned you to pardon my past Offences, and to return and possess yourself of your Rights in the Half of my Fortune and the Whole of my Heart.
Precious Pledges, cried Mr.
Clinton,
are all Things to me that bring me any Instance of the Affection of so dear a Brother; and so saying he put the Papers into his Bosom.
But tell me, my ever amiable
Harry Clinton,
continued the Earl, where in the World could you hide yourself from my Enquiries these twenty Years past? I have got some scattered Sketches of your History from Mr.
Meekly
and my Son here, and have been burning to learn the Whole, but dreaded to ask you that Favour, lest the Recollection of some Passages should give You Distress. I refuse no Pain to do you a Pleasure, my Brother.
Here, the honourable Mr.
Clinton
began his Story, as formerly recited, and that Night sent his Auditors weeping to Bed.
On the following Morning, when he came to that Part of his Narrative where Lady
Maitland
broke away, he proceeded as followeth.
Having travelled through several Parts of
France
and
Italy,
I took
Germany
in my Tour. I staid some time at
Spa
where I drank the Waters, and within the Year arrived, in perfect Health, at
Rotterdam.
On a Visit to Mr.
De Wit,
at his Villa near the City, he told me, over our Bottle, that he had, at that Time, in his House and in his Guardianship, one of the most extraordinary Women in the Universe. Though she is now, says he, advancing toward the Decline of Life, she is by far the most finished Female I ever beheld, while all she says, and all she does, give a Grace to her Person that is quite indiscribable. She has a Youth too, her Son, with her, who is nearly as great a Rarity as herself; and, were it not that his Complexion is sallow, and that he is something short of a Leg, and Blind of one Eye, he would positively be the most lovely of all the human Species.
You put me in mind, said I laughing, of the
Barratarian
Wench, who was commended, to Governor
Sancho,
as the most accomplished Beauty within a League, with this Exception only, that one Eye was blind, and that the Other ran with Brimstone and Vermilion. But pray who are these Wonders?
That, said he, I either cannot or must not declare. They are evidently People of the first Fashion, and must have some uncommon Reasons for their present Conduct, as they live quite retired and admit of no Company.
I protest, said I, you have raised my Curiosity in Earnest; is there no managing so as to procure me a short
tête a tête
with 'em? I wish there was, says he, for I long to know how far your Sentiments agree with mine in this Matter. Yesterday the Lady told me that she intended to go and reside some Time in
England,
and that I would oblige her by getting a Person, duely qualified, to initiate her and her Son in the Language of the Country. And now, if such a fine Gentleman could condescend to undress himself, you might come To-morrow, as a Person who wanted Hire, and I might introduce you to an Interview by the way of treating, provided you are upon Honour not to reveal any thing concerning them or their Place of Abode
The next Morning I waited on Mr.
De Wit,
under the Appearance of a reduced Gentleman, a Character that excites a Mixture of Contempt and Compassion.
The Lady received and spoke to me with that dignified Complacence, which awes while it engages, and, while it attracts, forbids an irreverent Familiarity. She was, indeed, every thing that my Friend had boasted of her; for though her Person was all Majesty, her Manner was all Grace. Will you answer for the Discretion of this young Man, Mr.
De Wit?
I will, Madam, says he. I bowed to them both.
On turning, I perceived that her Son eyed me with much Attention, and I, on my Part, surveyed him with the utmost Astonishment. He laboured indeed, apparently, under all the Disadvantages that my Friend described; but Enchantment lurked in his Accents and in the dimpling of his Lips; and, when he smiled, Heaven itself was infused through the fine Roundings of his Olive-coloured Countenance.
In short, I felt such a sudden Attachment to these extraordinary Personages, that I resolved to keep on the Deception, at least for a few Days, and accordingly engaged with them at a stated Salary
I entered on my Province. My young Pupil, especially, began to improve apace. And, as I was particularly cautious of observing the distant Respect that suited my Station, I grew into great Favour both with Mother and Son.
How long, Mr.
De Wit,
would say, do you propose to carry on this Farce? Till I can prevail upon them, I answered, to accompany me to
England.
For I feel my Affections so tied to them that I cannot think of parting.
On a Day as I sat with my Pupil in his Apartment, he happened to let his Book fall, and, as I stooped to take it up, the Picture of my
Matilda,
that was richly enamelled, and set with Brilliants, to a great Value, suddenly loosed from its Ribband, and dropped thro' the Bosom of my Shirt upon the Floor.
I stood concerned and greatly abashed by this Accident, but my Pupil, still more alarmed, started up and, catching at it, gazed upon it intensely. Ha, my Friend, said he, I doubt you are an Impostor. The Proprietor of this Jewel would never set himself out to hire without some sinister Design. Who, Sir, and what are you?
I own, said I, my sweet Fellow, that I am not what I seem, I am of noble Delcent, and of Riches sufficient to purchase a Principality. — And what then could induce you to impose upon us as you have done? — Curiosity at first, and then the strong Inclination which I took both to you and your Mother at our first Interview; neither did I propose to reveal myself till we should reach my native Country, where all Sorts of Honours and Affluence attend you. — Tell me then, said he, whose Picture is this, a very lovely One indeed; is this the Face, Sir, of your Mistress or your Wife? (looking very inquisitively at me.) Ah, said I, she was once Mistress of thousands of Hearts, Nobles waited before her Drawing Room, and Dukes near her Toilet. She was once also my Wife: But the dear Saint is now eternally blessed in a more suitable Bridegroom.
Will you indulge me, Sir, said he, with the Story of your Loves? It may atone in great Measure for your late Deception which, however well meant, was very alarming.
Here I related to him the short pathetic History that I told you of my
Matilda,
with which he was so affected and in such violent Agitation, that I was quite affrighted for him and stopped several Times, but he insisted on my proceeding.
Ah, said he, when I concluded, should I ever be consorted in the Manner that you and your
Matty
were, how blessed I shall think myself! I have, says I, a little Cousin in
England,
perhaps the loveliest Child in the World, and if you will marry her, when you Both come to proper Years, I will settle ten Million of
French
Money upon you. Mean Time I beseech you to say nothing to your Mamma of what has passed. I will not, said he, unless I see a discretionary Necessity for it.
That Night, I went to the City to settle the Affairs of my Houshold. On my Return next Morning, I met Mr.
De Wit
at the Gate of his Court. Ah, my Friend, said he, our amiable Guests are departed. Gone, I cried, gone! which Way, where to, I pray you? That also is a Secret, said he, which I am not permited to tell you. Late in the Evening there arrived a Retinue of about twenty Servants, strongly armed and mounted, with a flying Chaise and six Horses, and a Packet of Letters. The Lady did not go to Bed, but ordered all Things to be in Readiness for their Departure against the Rising of the Moon, When they were near setting out, and going to bid me adieu, Have you no Commands, Madam, said I, for the good young Man your Tutor? Not a Penny, says she, I can't afford Wages equivalent to Servants of his Quality. How, Madam, said I, is my Friend then detected? But, it was a very innocent and friendly Fraud I assure you; I should not have imposed him upon your Ladyship, did I not know you to be safer in his honourable Hands than in those of any Other.
I then gave them an Account of your Family, your vast Fortune, nor was I quite silent as to your Merits, my dear
Harry;
and I added, that I was sensible you would be deeply afflicted at the Departure of Persons to whom you were so strongly attached. There is no Help for it, replied my Lady, we have Reasons of utmost Import for not disclosing ourselves to him. Tell him, however, that we esteem him highly — affect him tenderly — shall think of him — shall pray for him — and — and — lastly — that you saw us drop a grateful Tear to his Remembrance.
As I could extort no further Intelligence from my Friend, Mr.
De Wit,
I parted in a half Kind of Chagrin, and prepared to pursue my Fugitives, though I knew not what Road to take, nor where to turn me for the Purpose. At all Adventures, however, I set out on the Way to
France,
as they appeared to be of that Country, as well by the Elegance of their Manners, as by their Fluency in the Language.
I was attended by eleven of as brave and faithful Fellows as ever thrust themselves between their Master and Danger.
On the fifth or sixth Day, as we got on the Borders of
French Flanders,
in an open and desolate Way, with a Forest far on the left, a Man rode toward us on the Spur, and approaching cried out, Help, Gentlemen, for Heaven's Sake, help to rescue my dear Ladies, who are plundered and carried away by the Banditti. They have already killed twenty of my Companions, and I alone am left to cry out for Relief — I bid him lead, and we followed!
In a few Minutes we came where we saw a great Number of the Dead and dying, covering the Sand and thin Herbage. But our Leader cried out, Stop not here, my noble Friends! Yonder they are, yonder they are, they have but just taken away all our Horses, Luggage, and Coach, and are now at the Plunder. I am weak thro' Loss of Blood, but will help you the best I may.
Here he spurred again toward the Enemy, but his Horse would not answer his Courage. I then looked about to observe if any Advantage could be taken; for I perceived that the Ruffians were still very numerous, about Thirty who had survived the late Combat; but, seeing that the Country was quite open, and that we had nothing but Resolution and our God to help us, I commended myself to him in so good a Cause, and, putting my Horse to Speed, I rode full at the Foe, confident of being well and gallantly seconded.
When the Banditti perceived us, they instantly quitted the Plunder, and gathering into a Group, they prepared their Carabines, and discharged them full at us as we drew near.
As I happened to be foremost I received the greatest Damage. One of their Balls gave me this Mark in my Neck; Another passed through the Flesh of my left Shoulder; and Another through my Hat, and left this Scar in my Head.
But, when we came in upon them, as the
Romans
say,
comminus ense,
Hand to Hand, had they doubled their Numbers, they would have been as nothing to us. My faithful
Irishman
levelled Half a Score of them with his own Hand, and in less than three Minutes we had no Opponent in the Field. I then rode up to the Coach and perceived two Ladies in it, pale as Death, and sunk senseless to the Bottom.
Immediately I ordered
James,
my Surgeon's Mate, to take a little Blood from them, and, on their Recovery, to follow me, with all my People, and all the Horses, Baggage,
&c.
to the nearest Inn. Then, feeling my Wounds begin to smart, I took my Surgeon with me and gallopped away.
In about a League, we came to a large House of Entertainment, and, finding myself sick and qualmish, through the great Effusion of Blood, I had my Wounds directly dressed and, taking a Draught of Wine Whey, got into a warm Bed.
After a Night of uneasy Slumbers the Curtain of my Bed was gently drawn aside, and awaking, I heard a Voice say, in soft Music, Ah, my dear Mamma, it is he, it is he himself!
On lifting my feeble Eyes, I perceived a Vision at my Side, of a female Appearance, but more wonderful and more lovely than any thing I had ever conceived of the Inhabitants in Bliss. Her Eyes swam in Glory, and her whole Form seemed a Condensing or Substantiation of Harmony and Light.
While I gazed in silent Astonishment, I heard another Voice say, Don't you know us, my Son, my dear Mr.
Clinton,
don't you remember your Pupils, don't you remember your blind, lame and tawny
Lewis?
he is now turned into that passable Girl there, whose Honour and whose Life you Yesterday preserved at the great Peril of your own.
Here, seizing her Hand, I pressed it to my Lips and cried, Am I then so blessed, my honoured Madam, as to have done some Service to the two dearest Objects of my Heart's fixed Affections? Soft, says she, none of these Transports, your Surgeon tells us that Repose is necessary for you. Mean time we will go and prepare the best Regimen that the Place can afford for your Nourishment. And, after that, I will send a Dispatch to my Lord, and let him know how far, how very deeply He, and we, and all his House are indebted to you.
For that Day, and the following Week, as my Fever grew something high, I saw no more of the Daughter, and the Mother staid no longer than to administer something to me, or barely to enquire how I was. At length I got a Cool and began to recover, when the former Vision descended upon my ravished Senses, the vision of that
Louisa,
the Sight of whom never failed to bring Cheer to the Eyes and Delight to the Hearts of all Beholders.
They sat down by my Side, and my Lady, taking my Hand and looking tenderly at me, what would you think, said she smiling, of my
Louy
for a Wife? Ah, Madam, I exclaimed, She would be too much of Bliss, too precious, too glorious, too overpowering for the Heart and Senses of any Mortal. Don't tell me, cries my Lady, in my Eyes, my
Harry,
you are full as amiable for a Husband as she can be for a Wife. Beside, you have earned her, my Son, she is your own dear Purchase, by a Service of infinite Value, and at the Price of your precious Blood. She has told me the Story of your first Love, and the Recollection of it never fails to bring Tears from my Eyes. But I must, hereafter, hear the Whole from your own Mouth, with all your other Adventures, the smallest Incident will be very interesting to me, I assure you. O, my dear, my sweet Fellow, you are to a Hair the very Man I wish for my
Louisa,
the brave, the tender, gentle and generous Heart; just the Thing I would have wished for myself, when I was at the Age of my
Louy.
But, my dearest, my honoured Madam, loved and honoured next to Heaven, you have not yet told me how your
Louisa
is inclined. Whereupon, the bewitching Creature, archly smiling, and blushing, and reaching forth a polished Hand of living Alabaster, Here, she cried, I present you with this Trifle, in Token that I don't hate you—very much.
My
Clinton,
said my Lady, I have sent off my favourite Servant
Gerard,
with my Dispatches to my Lord. He is the only One that remains of all my Retinue. Your Surgeon has dressed his Wound, and pronounces it so slight as not to incommode him in his Journey. I chose him more particularly for the Carrier of my Purposes, as he was the Witness of your Valour, as he can testify to my Lord with what Intrepidity you rushed foremost, into the Thick of the Assassins, and with what unexampled Bravery you defeated, in a short Time, a Body of four or five times your Number. These Things, I trust, will have their due Weight; for, though my Lord is of a lofty and inflexible Nature, he is yet alive to the Feelings of Honour and Justice, so that our Affairs have a hopeful and auspicious Aspect. But, you are a little flushed, my Child; we will not encroach further upon you till To-morrow.
During the three following Weeks, though confined to my Bed, I was permitted to sit up, and my Wounds, though not skinned, were healing apace. What Happiness did I enjoy during that ecstatic Interval! the maternal and filial Angels scarce ever left my Side. One Morning, when I just awoke from a terrifying Dream, they both entered with Peace and Comfort and Healing in their Countenances.
What is the Matter, my
Harry,
said my Lady, your Face does not seem composed to that Fortitude and Complacence which is seated in your Heart. Ah, Madam, I cried, I have been all Night tormented with the most alarming and horrible Visions I ever had in my Life. Three times I dreamed, successively, that my
Louisa
and I were walking Hand in Hand, through the Fields of
Elysium,
or on the Banks of
Meander,
or in the Gardens of
Alcinous,
gazing and drinking in large Draughts of Love from Each Other: when at one Time a huge and tremendous Dragon, and again a sudden Earthquake, and again an impetuous Hurricane came, and caught, and severed us far asunder.
But my Visions, my honest Friend, said the heavenly smiling
Louisa,
have been of a very different Nature. I dreamed that, while we were standing on the Brink of a frightful Precipice together, your
Matilda
descended, all celestial, and a thousand Times more lovely than she appears in the lovely Portrait that you carry about you. At first I feared that she came to reclaim you to herself; but, instead of that, she smiled upon me and began to caress me, and taking my right Hand she put it into Yours. Then, ascending in her Brightness, she hovered awhile on high, and casting down upon me a Look of fixed Love, she gave me a Beck with her Hand, as it were to follow, and was immediately lost in Glory.
O, my dear Children, cried the Marchioness (for such she was) might I but once see ye united, how I should lift my Head! or rather how satisfied I should be to lay it down in Peace, having nothing further to care for on this Side of Eternity.
That Night I slept sounder than usual, and did not awake till the Day was something advanced. On opening the Curtain, I saw
James
seated in a moody Posture by the Side of my Bed. How are the Ladies,
James?
said I. Gone, Sir. Gone, gone! I cried out. Yes, Sir, gone indeed, but with very heavy Hearts, and Both of them drowned in Tears. Here has been a large Body of the
Gens d'Armes
sent for them, so that there was no resisting. Poor
Gerard
went on his Knees to his Lady, to beg Permission to throw himself at your honoured Feet, as he said, and to bid you adieu, but She would not allow him. Mean time, she charged me with this Watch and Ring, and this Letter for your Honour.
I catched at the Letter and, tearing it open, read over and over, a thousand Times, what will for ever be engraven in my Memory and on my Heart.
WE leave you, we leave you, most Beloved of Men, and we are miserable in so doing, but alas we are not our own Mistresses. My Lord, for this Time, has proved unjust and ungrateful; and refuses your
Louisa,
as well to my Prayers; as to your infinite Merits. He has affianced her, as it seems, to a Prince of the Blood, and his Ambition has blinded him to all other Considerations. Be not yet in Despair, we shall exert our very utmost to get this injurious Sentence reversed; and if your
Louisa
inherits my Blood or Spirit, not all the Engines in
France
will ever compel her to give her Hand to Another. In the mean Time, follow us not, come not near us, we beseech You. Should you be discovered, you will inevitably be assassinated, and we also should perish in your Loss, my Son. We are distracted by our Fears for you, and it is this Fear that has prevented us from disclosing ourselves fully to You. Keep up your Correspondence, however, with our Friend
De Wit,
and thro' him you shall learn the first favourable Turn that happens in our Affairs. I leave You my Ring in Token of your being the wedded of our Heart, and
Louisa
leaves you her Watch, to remind you of Time past, and to look upon, when at Leisure, and think of
your ELOISA DE—
your LOUISA DE—
Yes, I cried, ye precious Relicks, ye delicious Memorandums, to my Lips, to my Heart! Be ye the Companions of my Solirude, the Consolers of my Affliction! sooner shall this Arm be torn off, and Time itself pass away, than One or the Other shall be divided from my Custody.
Ah, how useless are Admonitions to the Impatience of a Lover! Fervent Love can know no Fears. I was no sooner able to sit my Horse than I set off directly for
Paris,
with this Precaution only, that my People would call me by my Mother's maiden Name of
Goodall.
As we knew not the Names or Titles of those after whom we were in search, our Eyes became our only Inquisitors, and we daily ranged the Town, poreing into every Carriage of Distinction for a Sight of the Mother or Daughter; and even prying among the Lacqueys and Liveries for the Face of our Friend
Gerard.
On a Day, as my valiant
Tirlah
and I rode a broad, reconnoitring the Suburbs, we hear'd a Noise and a Shout of Distress that issued from a distant Farm-House; and, as we hastened up, the Tumult grew louder, and the Cry of Help! and Murder! was several Times repeated.
We instantly knocked at the Door, but were refused Admittance; when
Tirlah,
alighting, ran against it and, breaking through Bars and all with his Foot, threw the Door off its Hinges.
On entring, we saw a Man stretched on the Broad of his Back in the Floor, with four Others about him, who were going to use him very barbarously. Stay your Hands, I cried, I will shoot the first Man through the Head who shall dare to proceed in this Business.
Why Sir, said a young Fellow, rising, this Man wanted to be gracious with my pretty young Wife, I caught him in the very Attempt, and so I think it but fair and honest to spoil him at such Sport for Time to come. Ay but, said I, you might murder him, and I can't suffer that. Come, my Friend, no Harm appears to be done as yet, and if he pays a handsome Penance for the Wickedness of his Intention, I would advise you to pass Matters over for the present. Say, how much do you demand? Five hundred Louis d'Ors, said the Fellow; if he pays that, he shall be quit for this Turn.
Five hundred Louis d'Ors! I exclaimed; why, all the Clothes on his Back are not worth the hundredth Part of the Sum. True, Master, said the Peasant, winking, but his Pockets may happen to be richer than his Clothes. Well, said I, if he secures you in Half the Sum, I think you may be satisfied. Why, Master, since you have said it, I will not go back. Whereupon the astonished Prisoner was permitted to rise.
What do you say, you sad Man you, are you willing to pay this Fellow the Sum I agreed for, in Compensation of the Injury you attempted to do him? I am, Sir, said he, with many Thanks for your Mediation. Then, hastily putting his Hand to his Pocket, he took out a Note on the Customs which, with some small Matter of Cash, made up the Money, and we departed the House together.
As I was just going to mount, he came up and accosted me with Elegance and Dignity. Sir, said he, You have made me your Debtor, beyond Expression, beyond the Power of Princes to pay. Be pleased however to accept the little I have about me, here are five thousand
Louis,
in this little Note-Book. Not a Penny, Sir, indeed, I am by no Means in want. You must not refuse, said he, some Token of my Acknowledgment, here is a Stone valued at double the Sum I offer'd you. Then, taking from a Pocket the Diamond Button of his Hat, he presented it to me. You must excuse me, Sir, said I, I can accept of no Consideration for doing an Action of Humanity, and I rejoice to have preserved a Person of your Distinction and Generosity. I then turned my Horse, and, tho' he called after me, I rode away, being neither desirous of knowing or being known.
My Researches hitherto being altogether fruitless, I imagined I might, with better Likelihood, meet my Beloved, in the public Walks, public Theatres, or Rooms of distinguished Resort.
One Night, as I sat alone in a side Box at the Opera, intently gazing and hungering around for some Similitude of my
Louisa;
there entered One of the loveliest young Fellows I ever beheld. He carelesly threw himself beside me, looked around; withdrew his Eyes; and then looked at me with such a long and piercing Inquisition as alarmed me, and gave me Cause to think I was discovered.
Though the
French
seldom hesitate, he seemed at once backward and desirous of accosting me. At length he entered upon Converse touching the Drama and the Music, and spoke with Judgment and Elegance superior to the Matter; while I answer'd him with due Complacence, but in a Manner that partook of that Regardlesness for Trifles which then sat at my Heart.
Between the Acts, he turned and cast his Eye suddenly on me. Sir, says he, do you believe that there is such a Thing as Sympathy? Occasionally, Sir, I think it may have its Effect, though I can't credit all the Wonders that are reported of it. I am sorry for that, said he, as I ardently wish that your Feelings were the same as mine at this Instant. I never saw you before, Sir, I have no Knowledge of you, and yet I declare that, were I to choose an Advocate in Love, a Second in Combat, or a Friend in Extremity, You, You are the very Man upon whom I would pitch.
I answered not, but seized his Hand and pressed it to my Bosom. I conceive, Sir, continued he, notwithstanding your Fluency in the Language, that you are not a Native. My Name is
D'Aubigny,
I live at such a Place, and, if you will do me the Pleasure of a single Visit, all the Honours, Respects, and Services, that our House can confer, shall be yours without Reserve. Sir, said I, I am of
England,
my Name is
Goodall,
and as soon as a certain Affair allows me to admit of any Acquaintance in
Paris,
You shall be the first Elected of my Arms and my Heart.
In a few Nights after, as
Tirlah
and I were turning a Corner of the
Rue de St. Jaques,
we saw three Men, with their Backs to the Wall, attacked by nearly three times their Number. We did not hesitate a Moment what Part to take. At the first Pass, I ran one of the Assassins through the Body;
Tirlah
levelled Two more with his oaken Staff, and the rest took to Flight.
Gentlemen, said One of the Three, I thank you for this brave and seasonable Assistance.—
Roche,
run for a Surgeon, I am wounded, I doubt, dangerously.—
Pierre,
lend me your Arm—Come, Gentlemen, we have but a little Way to my House.
Though the Night was too dark for examining Features, I thought that the Voice was not quite unknown to me. Within a few Minutes we arrived at a Palace that retired, inward, from the Houses that were ranged on either Hand On pulling the Hanger of a Bell, the great Door opened upon a sumptuous Hall, which led to a Parlour, enlightened by a silver Sconce that hung from the Vaulting.
As we enter'd, the Master turned short upon me, and looking full in my Face, and starting and lifting his Hands in Surprise, Great Ruler of Events! he cried, the very Man I wished my Brother and Companion thro' Life, and this is the very Man You have sent to my Rescue!
Just then the Surgeon arrived, and I hear'd him hastily asking where the Marquis was. On entering, he said, I'm sorry for your Misfortune, my Lord, but Matters may be better than we apprehend. And immediately he took out his Case of Instruments. One of the Ruffians, said the Marquis, before I was aware, came behind and ran me through the Back.
The Surgeon then tipt open his Lordship's Wastecoat, and changed Colour on seeing his Shirt drenched in Blood. But, getting him quickly undressed, and having probed his Wound, he struck his Hands together and cried, Courage, my Friends! it is only a Flesh-business, the Weapon has passed clear of the Ribs and Vitals.
As soon as the Marquis's Wound was dressed, and that we had got him to Bed, I fancy, Sir, said I to the Surgeon, I may have some small Occasion for a Cast of your Office, I feel a little Smart in my Sword Arm.
On stripping, he found that a chance Thrust had entered about Half an Inch into the Muscle above my Elbow, and had ripped up some of the Skin. But, he quickly applied the proper Dressing, and I was preparing to take my Leave, when the Marquis cried out, You must not think of parting, my dear Friend; You are the Master of the Master here, and Lord of this House and of All that is in it.
The Surgeon then ordered his Lordship to compose himself as soon as possible; and, having wished him a good Night, I sent
Tirlah
to my Lodgings to let my People know that I was well and in friendly Hands. I was then conducted by the Domestics to a superb Apartment, where a Bed was prepared, and where a small Supper of Elegancies lay fuming on the Sideboard.
Having swallowed a few Bits, with a Glass or two of Wine, I rose and sauntered through the Room, musing on my
Louisa,
heavily sighing, and nearly despairing of being ever able to find her.
Some time after, I sat down, to undress and get to Bed, when a Number of the Officers of Justice silently entered my Chamber, seiz'd my Sword that I had put off, and coming whisperingly to me, commanded me to accompany them, without making any Noise.
I saw that it was Madness to resist, and, as I went with them, I observed that two of the Family Liveries had joined themselves to the Officers. It then instantly occurred that I was in the House of my Rival; that the Marquis was the very Person to whom my
Louisa
had been destined; that I was somehow discovered; and that they were conducting me to the
Bastile,
of which I had hear'd as many affrighting Stories as are usually told of the Inquisition.
Ah, Traitor, said I to myself, is it thus you serve the Man who but now saved your Life at the Expence of his own Blood? Let no One hereafter trust to the bleating of the Lamb or the courting of the Turtle; the roaring of the Lion, and the Pounces of the Vulture, may thus deceitfully lurk under the One and the Other.
After passing some Streets, they took me to a large House, where dwelt One of their chief Magistrates, being also a Member of their Parliament. Having knocked respectfully at the Gate and waited some Time, at length we were admitted, and they took me to a kind of Lobby, where we staid, while One of the Posse went to advise the Justiciary of my Attendance. At length he returned and, accosting me in a Tone of surly and discouraging Authority, Friend, says he, my Lord is engaged and not at Leisure to Night; To-morrow, perhaps, he may hear what you have to plead in your own Defence. So saying, he and his Fellows thrust me into a waste Room, and locked and chained the Door upon me, and, laughing, bid me to warm or cool my Heels at Pleasure.
Fool, Fool that I was, said I, to quit the Side of my brave and faithful Companions, how quickly should we have discomfited this Magistrate and all his Host! but I must be a Knight Adventurer forsooth, and draw my Sword in the Defence of every Scoundrel who goes the Street.
I then went and felt the Windows, to try if I could force a Passage for making my Escape; but, finding that all were grated with strong and impassable Bars of Iron; O, I cried, that this Marquis, this ungrateful
D'Aubigny
were now in his fuilest Strength and opposed to me, Point to Point, that I might reclaim from him, in an Instant, the Life I have given!
I then traversed the Room with an inconsistent Pace, now rashly resolving on furious Events; and again more sedately deliberating on what I had to do. Till, having ruminated thus for the Remainder of the Night, I at last became more at Ease, and resigned myself to the Dispensations of All-disposing Providence, though, I confess, with a gloomy and reluctant Kind of Content.
When the Day appeared and was something advanced, I hear'd my Door unlocking and the Chain taking away, and I concluded that they came to summon me to my Tryal. But, instead of the Officers of Justice, I saw near twenty Men in the Marquis's Livery, who silently bowed down before me, and respectfully shewed me, with their Hand, the Way out of my Prison. I followed them also in Silence, and getting into the Street, I wished to know if I was really free, and turned from them down the Way that led to my Lodgings; whereupon they cast themselves before me, and, in a supplicating Posture, besought me to go with them.
Finding then that I was still their Prisoner, I gave a longing Look out for my valiant Fellows; but, as they did not appear, I suffered myself to be reconducted to the Marquis's Palace, and followed my obsequious Commanders into the proud Apartment, to which they had led me the preceding Night, and where, bowing to the Ground, they all left me and retired.
As I had been much fatigued in Body and Mind, I threw myself on the Bed, leaving Events to their Issues, and fell into a Kind of starting and intermitting Slumber, when I heard a Voice, at my Side, shout out, in once loved Accents, O, my dearest Mamma, it is He, indeed, 'tis he, it is he himself!
On this I awoke, and rouzed myself, and lifting my languid Eyes, and fixing them on the Object that stood before me; and are you then, I cried, are you also,
Louisa,
in the Confederacy against me?—Say nothing, you are not the
Louisa
I once knew.—I will arise, I will go forth, not all your Gates and Bars and Bolts shall hold me, I will tear my Body and my Soul too, if possible, from you for ever!—Go to your Betrothed, to your Beloved! and leave me to perish, it is a Matter of no Import—I am yet pleased that I saved your Chosen; as it may one Day serve to reproach you with the Merits of the Man whom he has so unworthily treated!
I could no more. A long Silence on all Sides ensued, save the Language that was uttered by Heavings and Sobbings. When the Marchioness, coming and casting herself on her Knees by my Bed; you have Reason, Sir, she exclaimed, you have Reason to reproach and to detest every Branch of our ungrateful Family for ever! you saved myself, you saved my Daughter, and yet the Father and the Husband proved averse to your Deservings, and turned your Benefits into Poison. You have now saved our Son, the only One who can convey our Name to Posterity, and yet, from the Beginning, you have received nothing in Return, save Wounds, Pains and Sickness, Losses, Damages and Disappointments, and, at this very Day, the most ignominious Usage, where you merited endless Thanks and everlasting Renown. Blame my
Louisa
then, and me, but blame not my Son, Sir, for these unworthy Events; he is quite innocent of them, he is shocked and distracted by them; he respects and loves you more than ever
Jonathan
loved the Son of
Jesse.
But he will not, he dare not see you, till we have, in some Measure, made his Peace.
How, Madam! I cried,—but, no more of that Posture, it pains me past bearing—Is it a Fact, can it be possible that the Marquis
D'aubigny
should be your Son? Is he not of the Blood royal, the very Rival whom your Letter rendered so formidable to me? and, was it not by his Order that I was disgracefully confined in a Dungeon all Night?
No, no, said my Lady, he would have suffered the Rack first. He is in Despair, quite inconsolable on that Account. Let us go, my dearest
Harry,
let us go and carry Comfort to him of whom you are the Beloved.
Ah no, my Mamma, cried out
Louisa,
let us put no Constraint on Mr.
Clinton,
I pray you! there has been enough of Confinement, we leave him now to his Liberty; let him go, even where, and to whom he likes best. Once, indeed, we could have tied this all-conquering Champion with the Spinning of a Silkworm; but now he tells us that neitheir Gates, Bars, not Bolts shall hold him to us.
Here, I threw myself precipitately at her Feet, Pardon, pardon, my
Louisa,
I cried, O pardon the misdeeming Transports of your Lover, and pardon the Faults that Love alone could commit. My Enemies are foreign to me, they and their Injuries affect me not; but you are Regent within, my
Louisa,
you sit throned in my Heart, and the Presumption of an Offence from you makes strange Uproar in my Soul. Well, says she, reaching her Hand and smiling through Tears, since it is so, poor Soul, here is the golden Sceptre for you, I think I must take you to Mercy.
I caught her Hand, and impressed my very Spirit on the Wax, and my Lady, casting her Arms about us, and kissing us both, in Turns, requested that we should go and carry some Consolation to her dear repining
Lewis.
As we entered his Chamber, the Marchioness cried out, here he comes, my Son, we have brought your Beloved to you, yet not your Mr.
Goodall,
as you thought, but One who is, at once, both your Good Angel and our good Angel, even our own
Harry Clinton,
the Betrothed of our Souls.
I took my Seat on the Side of the Marquis's Bed, and looking fondly upon him, would have enquired of his Health, but my Speech for the Time was overpowered by my Affections. Then, taking my Hand in his, the Power of this Hand, says he, I have found to be great, but, has your Heart the Power to pardon the Insults and Outrage you have received in the House of him who is so deeply your Debtor? My Lord, said I, I have already drank largely of
Lethe
on that Head; nothing but my Diffidence of your Regard can offend me.
You know not, said my Lady, you know not yet, my dear
Harry,
how this provoking Business came about. I will explain it in a few Words.
On our Return to
Paris,
and on our Remonstrances to my late Lord of the inestimable Services you had rendered to his Family, he enquired your Character among the
English;
and, notwithstanding the Report of the Nobility of your Birth and your yet nobler Qualities, hearing also that you had acquired Part of your Fortune in Trade, he conceived an utter Contempt for you, and took an utter Aversion to you.
Some Time after, as he took Notice that
Louisa
and I wanted our Watch and our Ring, I dreaded his Displeasure, and gave him Room to think that the Robbers had taken them from us in
Flanders;
and this Report became current among our Domestics.
In the mean Time my Lord became importunate with our
Louisa,
respecting her Marriage with the Prince of
C
—who was then with the Army, and her Prayers and Tears, hitherto, had been the only Artillery which she had used in her Defence. But, when the Couriers brought Word that the Prince was on his Return, my Lord sent for
Louisa,
and gave her instant and absolute Orders to prepare for her Nuptials. But she, full as positively and peremptorily, replied that her Soul was already wedded, that she would never prostitute her Body where her Heart was an Alien, and that all the Tortures of the Inquisition should not change her Resolution. Her Father, thereupon, rose to such ungovernable Fury, that, with one Blow of his Hand he struck her senseless to his Feet. But, when he saw my Lamb, my Darling, all pale and as dead before him, the Tide of Nature returned, and the Conflict of his Passions became so violent, that an Impostume broke in his Stomach, and, falling, he was suffocated, and expired on the Spot.
Soon after, the Prince arrived. He had never seen my Daughter, but his Ambition to possess a Beauty of whom the grand Monarch, himself, was said to have been enamoured, had caused him to demand her in Marriage. For that Purpose he also did us the Honour of a Visit.
Louisa
refused to appear; and I told his Highness, with the best Grace I could, that she happened to be pre-engaged. In a few Days after, he met my Son in the
Thuilleries
and accosted him to the same Intent, but my Son had been previously prejudiced in your Favour, my
Harry,
and answered the Prince with so cold or so haughty an Air, that further Words ensued, they both drew, and his Highness was slightly wounded, but, as Company interposed, the Affair was hushed up and, shortly after, the Prince was killed in a nightly Broil upon the
Pont neuf.
We then wrote to our Friend
De Wit
to advertise you of these Matters, and to hasten you hither; but you arrived, my Child, you arrived before there could be any Expectation of an Answer.
Two Days ago, as I observed that my Lamb's Spirits were something dejected, I prevailed upon her to take an Airing to our Country Villa. On our Return this Morning, we were struck half dead with the News that our
Lewis
was wounded and dangerously ill in his Bed. We flew into his Room, and were still more alarmed to find him in a Fury that is not to be imagined, while
Jacome,
his old Steward, was on his Knees, all pale and quaking at a Distance before him. Villain, he cried, what have you done with my Friend, what have you done with my Champion, the Preserver of my Life? — Please your Lordship, said he, trembling, I took him for a Highwayman, I saw my Lady's Ring and my young Mistress's Watch in his Custody, I will swear to the Property before the Parliament of
Paris,
and so I lodged him in Prison — till — till —
Go, Wretch, cried my Son, recall your Information, take all your Fellows with you, and instantly bring me back my Friend, or your Ears shall be the Forfeit, but conduct him to his own Chamber, I cannot yet bear to see him, I cannot bear the Reproach that his Eye must cast upon me.
All afflicted, and yet more astonished, my
Louisa
and I sat down by the Side of my Son, casting Looks of Surprise and enquiring Doubt on Each Other. At length I said, what is this that I hear of our Ring, and our Watch? Alas, he is no Highwayman who took them from us, they were our own free Gift, a Mite in Return for a Million of Services. But do you know any thing of the Possessor? I know, answered
Lewis,
that he is the loveliest of Mankind, the Preserver of my Life, and that his Name is
Goodall.
Ah! screamed out
Louisa,
there we are lost again; this
Goodall
must certainly have murdered our precious
Clinton,
and possessed himself of our Gifts, he would never have parted with them while he had Life. O my Sister, said my Son, when you see my Friend
Goodall
you will think nothing of your
Harry Clinton;
why, why were you so hasty, so precipitate in your Choice? a Robber, a Murderer? no. Had I a thousand Lives, I would pawn them all for the Probity that Heaven has made apparent in the Face of my Preserver.
It is with Shame and great Reluctance, my dearest Brother, that, at Times, I recite Passages tending so much to my own Praise; and yet, did I omit them, I should do great Injustice to the kind and amiable Partiality of Those who were so fondly my Lovers and my Beloved.
But, Madam, said I to the Marchioness, did you not hint something of his Majesty's being enamoured of my
Louisa?
Ah, such a Rival would be a terrible Business indeed, especially in a Country of unlimited Power.
There is no Fear of that now, said my Lady. The King has changed his Fancy, from young Mistresses and old Counsellors, to young Counsellors and old Mistresses. But, what I mentioned was once very serious and alarming.
My
Louisa
was scarce turned of fourteen, when the Dutchess
de Choisseul
requested her Company to
Marlay
where the Court then was. The King fixed his Eye on her and enquired who she was, but took no further Notice at that Time. Missing her, however, at the next, and again at the following Drawing-Room, he asked the Marquis what became of his fair Daughter, said he had a Place in his Eye for her, and desired, in an Accent of Authority, that he would send her to Court.
The Marquis instantly took the Alarm. He was ever jealous of his Honour, and singularly nice in Matters of female Reputation. He gave his Majesty a Sort of equivocal Consent, and, hurrying Home, ordered me directly to prepare for carrying my Daughter out of the
French
Dominions. The Night was employed in hastening and packing. We disguised our
Louisa
in the Manner as you saw her metamorphosed at
Rotterdam,
and set off for
Holland
before Day. The rest you know, my
Clinton,
as You were the principal Mover in all our Concerns. — But, tell me, my
Lewis,
can you conjecture on what Account those Assassins set upon you? — I declare, Madam, said the Marquis, I cannot; perhaps they mistook me for Another; or, now I recollect, it might be owing to some familiar Chat which I had, the other Night, with a pretty Opera Girl, who is said to be in the keeping of a very great Man. But, Madam, you forgot to tell my Brother how my Father was banished, on Account of
Louisa,
to his paternal Seat in
Languedoc,
on the Borders of the
Mediterranean.
Very true, said the Marchioness, and was not recalled till Madame
Maintenon
was taken into supreme Favour.
But, I wonder what is become of our faithful
Gerard,
I thought that he would have been the first to come and to throw himself at the Feet of his Hero. Indeed, my
Harry,
he would have tired Any, who loved you less, with his Praises and perpetual talking of you and your Exploits. — O, here he comes. — Step in,
Gerard.
Is there any One in this Company that you remember, beside the Family?
Gerard
then advanced with a half-frantic Aspect, and kneeling, and grappling at my Hand, seemed desirous of devouring it. God be praised, he cried, God be praised, my noble my glorious Master, that I see you once again, and above all that I have the Blessing of seeing you in a Place, where a Throne of beaten Gold should be raised to your Honour. O, had I been here, all Sorts of Respects and Worships, instead of Indignities, should have been paid to your Deservings But, I have provided for the Hangdog
Jacome,
I have tied him Neck and Heels, and tumbled him into the dark Vault.
Ay, said I, but, my good Friend
Gerard,
I have not yet got my Share of Satisfaction upon him, pray shew me where he is. I then followed
Gerard
to the Place where the deplorable Wretch was cast; and, cutting all his Cords, I led him back to the Company, and warmly joined his Petition for Pardon and Restoration.
As soon as
Jacome
and
Gerard
were withdrawn. Ah, my Brother, cried the Marquis, what new Name shall we find for a Man of your new Character? Moreover, what shall we do with you, what shall we do for you? You have quite overpower'd us, we sink, we drown under the Sense of our Obligations. We have nothing worth your Acceptance, save this simple Wench, and what is She in Comparison of what we owe you? Ah, I cried, She is That without whom all Things are nothing; She is the living Treasure, the
Rachel
of
Rachels;
seventy times seven Years were too short a Service for her! I would not exchange this little pearly Joint of this very little Finger for all the Gems that glow in the Mines of
India,
and so saying, I pressed the precious Finger with my Lips; while
Louisa
turned upon me an Eye of such ineffable Satisfaction and melting Acknowledgment, as sunk upon my Soul and wrapt it in
Elysium.
Ay but, my
Harry,
said the Marquis, you ought not to prize your
Louy
as much as me; She did not fall in love with you at first Sight as I did. How do you know that, honest Friend, cried
Louisa.
Is there a Necessity that our Tongues as well as our Blushes should be Telltales? Are Maidens to trumpet forth their Thoughts, like You broad fronted Men,
whose Ornament is your Boldfacedness.
Thus happy, above All stiled happy upon Earth, we joyed and lived in Each Other, continuing a mutual Commerce of delightful Sensibilities and Love for Love.
Alas, our blissful Junto was soon to be broken in upon. In a few Days, One of the royal Pages came and intimated to the Marchioness that his Majesty required her immediate Presence at Court. And we remained in a Kind of fearful and fluctuating Suspense, till her Return.
As She entered, the Consternation in her Countenance instantly struck an Alarm to all our Hearts. O, my Children, my dear, my dear Children, we must part, she cried, and that too, speedily. Our Hour of Bliss is past, our Sunshine is over, and the Clouds gather thick upon us, heavy laden with Wretchedness. Alas, my Heart misgave me ever since that inauspicious Encounter the other Morning. As we came from our Villa a great Funeral met us (a bad Omen as I have heard) Our Carriage stopped to let them pass, and the Carriage of the Duke of
Ne—rs
drove up beside us. As we remained within a few Paces of each other, he gazed at
Louisa
with such an unmanner'd Intenseness, as caused her to colour and turn aside. However, he accosted us not, nor enquired concerning us; it seems our Arms and Livery were too sure an Indication of our Name and Quality. In short, on my approaching the Presence, the King affected to smile very graciously upon me, and said, I have provided, Madam, a noble and princely Husband for your Daughter; it is the Duke of
Ne—rs.
Ah, I cried, bending my Knee in a supplicating Posture, my Daughter is already engaged by Bands of the most endearing and indissoluble Obligations, to a Man who has preserved the Lives and Honours of all our Family, to a Man who, I trust, by his eminent Courage and Qualities, will become the brightest Jewel in your Majesty's Crown. Madam, said he severely, you must withdraw your Election, I find I have ordered Matters superior to your Merits, but my Will is the Law here, and shall be obeyed. I rose, dejectedly curtsied, and withdrew without Reply.
Ah, I exclaimed, on what Summit does this Rival hold his Abode? I will instantly go and scale it, and at once put an End to his Life and his Pretensions! My Lady then, throwing her Arms about my Neck, and pressing her Lips to my Cheek, what Romance, says she, is this, my
Harry?
would you at once fight the Duke, and the King, and the whole Army of
France?
No, my Child, Prudence reduces us to more salutary, however deplorable Measures. We must part, my
Harry,
we must part this very Night, and my
Louisa
must depart with you. My Chaplain shall, this Minute, unite you by Ties that Death alone can sunder. Alas, my precious Babes, I little expected that your Nuptials should be celebrated by Tears and Wailings! But, better these than no Nuptials. When You are once joined I shall care little for myself. And, if we meet no more here, we may yet meet hereafter, as happily as the Barbarians who tear us asunder.
The Chaplain was then summoned and, having performed his Office, no Congratulations nor Salutations ensued, save a Kiss and a Sigh of mine on the Hand of my Angel. The Marquis then called me, and drawing me down to him, he pressed me ardently to his Bosom, cried O my
Harry,
O my
Harry!
burst into Tears and dismiss'd me.
Mean while, all was in Bustle and Hurry throughout the Palace. No Festival was prepared, no Bridal Bed laid. Horses, Arms, and Carriages were all the Cry, and the Marchioness, with an anguishing Heart, but amazing Resolution, issued her Orders with a Presence of Mind that seemed serene in the Midst of Tempest.
I then sent for my brave Fellows, with Orders to double their Arms, and to double their Ammunition. They came accordingly. It was now within three Hours of Day. All was dispatched, all in Readiness, the Carriages were at the Gate. Silence sat on every Tongue and a Tear on every Cheek. I threw myself at my Mother's Feet, I clasped, I clung to them; she wept aloud over me, but neither of us uttered a Word. When, rending myself away, I took my sobbing
Louisa
under my Arm, seated her gently in her Chariot, placed myself to support her, and away we drove.
When we got clear of the Town, and were speeding on the Way, my
Louisa
started and cried out, O, how fast, how very fast they take me from you, my Mamma! Whither, whither do they carry me, perhaps never to return, never to meet again! I answered not, but kissed her Head and drew her gently to me, and she seemed more at Ease. But, after a while, I felt her Agitation at my Bosom, and she exclaimed, From my Birth to this Hour of Wee, my blessed Mamma, never was I from those dear Arms of yours; shall I ever, shall I ever again behold those Eyes that used to look with such Fondness upon me?
Here, I could no longer contain, but taking her Hands between mine, and weeping upon them, I said, will you then, my Angel, are you resolved upon breaking the Heart of your
Harry?
O no, says she, no, not for Worlds upon Worlds would I break that dear and feeling Heart, the Heart of my Heart, the Heart of which I became enamoured. She then leaned her Head fondly over and, in awhile, fell fast asleep; while my Arms gently encircled and my Soul hovered over her, as the Wings of a Turtle over her new-begotten.
When She awoke and found herself so endearingly situated; she gave me a Look that overvalued the Ransom of a Monarch; she kissed my Hands, in turns, she kissed the Skirts of my Garments. O, she cried, I will endeavour, I will do my best to be more composed. I know I ought not to repine. I am too rich, too happy. I ought to wish for nothing more, I ought to wish for no One more; since my
Harry
is so near me, since I have him to myself. — But — but — And here her lovely Lips began again to work; and the Drops that trembled in her living Brilliants could hardly be restrained from breaking Prison. — Soon after, the Grief of her Heart overweighed her Spirits, and she fell again asleep into my Arms, that opened of themselves to receive her.
On setting up for the Night, I rejoiced to find that my
Louisa
was something more alive; and that her Repose on the Way had greatly deducted from the Fatigue that I apprehended.
When we had eaten a Bit of Supper, She looked to me and from me, with downcast Lids; and, with changing Looks and a faultring Accent began to say; Will you, will you permit me, my Love, to be Regent for a little Time, and in a very trifling Matter? Allow me only to be Governess for a few Days, and I promise that you shall be my supreme Lord and sweet Master all the rest of my Life.
I swear, said I in a Transport, by that precious Head, that you are already Queen-Regent of all my Thoughts and Actions; and that, during my Existence, you shall dispose of all that I have and all that I am, at Pleasure.
O then, said she, my
Harry,
we must lye apart for some Nights. I would not have our chaste and blessed Bridal stained by Tears and Dirges. Nay, no Hesitation, you have sworn that I am Ruler, and I will be obeyed.
I then cast myself at her Knees and, hiding my Face in her Lap, Cruel, cruel
Louisa,
I cried, I find You are not yet mine. What shall I do to earn You? But, I will be patient, if possible; I would not, for the World, put the Colour of Constraint on the Love of my Beloved. And so I kissed her Gown, in Token of due Homage.
Arising, I called her Maids, and desired that they would order their Mistress's Chamber to be prepared, as also a Bed for themselves in the same Apartment. I then secretly ordered that a Pallet should be spread for myself before her outer Door, and, laying myself down, with my Arms at my Side, I guarded, like the Dragon of old, the precious Fruit of my
Hesperia.
At length we reached
Calais,
and immediately sent to the Beach to engage a Ship for wafting us over to the Land of Freedom and Rights, but the Wind was contrary.
Mean while the Day advanced toward Evening, and my
Louisa
and I sat together in the Arbour of a little Pleasure-Garden that lay behind the House, when
James
came hastening to us and cried, Hide yourself, Madam, for Heaven's Sake hide yourself! here is the Duke de
Ne—rs
with a large Party of the King's light Horse.
Poor
Louisa
started up and attempted to fly, but She trembled and grew faint, and sunk down again on her Seat.
James
said I, stay and take care of your Mistress. Then, turning with hasty Steps to the House, I recommended my Spirit in a short Ejaculation, and entered, determined that the Duke should accompany me in Death. His Highness was in the Parlour. I advanced fiercely toward him. So, Sir, says he, you have cost us a warm Chase — Heavens, what do I see! — and, so crying out, he threw himself back into an Arm Chair, all panting, and his Aspect working with Distraction and Disappointment. — Cursed Chance! he again exclaimed, are you the Man,
Clinton?
— Ah, I must not hurt You, I ought not to injure You, but, what is then to be done? — Where have you put my
Louisa?
— But, no Matter, let her not appear, let me not see her, I could not answer the Consequence. — I would be just if I could,
Clinton
— O Love, O Honour, how you do distract me! — You refused my Treasures and Jewels,
Clinton,
but then you have rent from me a Gem more estimable than my Dukedom — Help Saints, help Angels, help me to wrestle with myself! — Honour, Virtue, Gratitude, O, compel me to be just! — Tear, tear me away, while there's Strength to depart! — Adieu,
Clinton,
you are recompensed; should we happen to meet again, I may assail you without Reproach. And so saying, he rose suddenly and rushed out of the House.
I then hastened to seek my Love, but had scarce entered the Garden, when I saw
James
on his Knees before her, endeavouring to oppose her Way to the House. But she cried, away, Villain, let me pass, they are murdering my Lord, they are murdering my Husband, I will go and perish with him: Then breaking away from him, she shot along like a Lapwing, till, seeing me advancing, she sprung upon my Bosom, crying, O my
Harry,
O my
Harry,
are you safe, are you safe? and fainted away in my Arms.
The rest of my Story, my Lord, is no way material or entertaining. The Serene of heart-felt Happiness has little of Adventure in it, and is only interesting to the Possessors.
Having settled my Affairs in
London,
and carrying my
Eden
along with me, I passed into
Holland
to settle and be quit of Matters there also. For the World that I wished was in my Holding, and all Things else appeared either nugatory or encumbering.
It was there that I met our
Meekly,
and taking a pleasant Tour through the Skirts of
Germany,
we entered
France,
and leaving
Paris
on the right Hand, we reached the Marquis's Country Seat, situate near twenty Leagues beyond the Metropolis.
What a Meeting, what an Interview! My
Louisa
sunk in Tears, for Half an Hour, on the Bosom of her Mother. And the Marquis would put me from him and pull me to him again, all panting with Transport and insatiate of his Caresses! It was too much of Joy, it was Pleasure to paining. The Domestics would no longer be estrained from their Share of the Felicity; they rushed in and, as though we had been
ew descended Divinities, they dropped on their Knees, they fell prostrate and clung about us, kissed our Feet, our Hands, our Garments, and broke forth into Cries, as though it had been the House of Mourning and Lamentation.
On retiring, they got my
Louisa
's
Gerard
to themselves; he now became a Man of mighty Importance among them. They crowded about him and, in a joint Voice, but a Distraction of Questions, enquired after our Travels, our Adventures, our good and evil Occurrences, and all that concerned us.
The Marchioness then coming, and casting her honoured Arms around me, and weeping upon me, cried aloud, O
Harry,
my Son, my Son, I delivered my Daughter to you, even as
Edna
committed her
Sarab,
of special Trust, to
Tobias,
and I see that you have entreated her very kindly, my Son, my Son!
As my
Louisa
now began to be apparently pregnant, I earnestly pressed my precious Mother and Brother to accompany us to
England,
the Place where Law was Regent, where there was no Apprehension of Inquisitions or Bastiles; and where the Peasant was guarded, as with a Bulwark of Adamant, against every Encroachment of arbitrary Power. They assented with Joy, and the Marquis, going to his Escritoir, brought forth Bills to the amount of ten Million of Livres, the Produce of some Concerns which he had disposed of for the Purpose. Here, my Brother, says he, if I am not able to be grateful, if I am not able to be generous, I will at least be just; here is the Patrimony to which my lovely Sister is entitled. But, I said to the Marquis, my
Louisa
can admit of no Accession of Value. Keep your Goods to yourself. Remember how
Esau
said to
Jacob,
I have enough, enough, my Brother, these Things can add nothing to the Abundance of my Blessings. But then, he cried, you must accept them, as a Token of our Loves, and so he constrained and impelled them upon me.
Soon after, we passed to
London,
where we continued some Months, and where my
Louisa
was delivered of my little
Eloisa,
who was said to be the beautiful Likeness of her Father.
We then retired to my Seat near
Stratford,
on the fatal
Avon,
the chief of the landed Possessions that Mr.
Golding
had bequeathed me; where we remained something upward of five Years, happy, I think, above All that ever were happy upon Earth. For my
Louisa
was perpetual Festivity to our Sight and to our Hearts; her Eyes beamed with living and sentimental Glory, her Attitudes were Grace, her Movements were Music, and her Smiles were Fascination. Still varying yet exhibiting the same Delight, like the
Northern
Aurora she shone in all Directions. And she sported as though she had gone to Heaven, from Time to Time, and borrowed all her Plays from the Kingdom of little Children.
But, she needed not to go to Heaven, since Heaven was ever in her and round about her, and that she could no more move from it than she could move from herself. She had been, from her earliest Years, the beloved Disciple of the celebrated Madam
Guyon;
and the World, with all its Concerns, its Riches and Respects, had fallen off from her, as the Cloak fell away from the burning Chariot of
Elijah.
She looked at nothing but her Lord in all Things, she loved nothing but him in any Thing. She was the sweetest Playfellow that ever lived for the Babe of the Manger of
Bethlehem;
and he was, in her Heart, a Pleasure passing Sense, as well as a Peace that passed Understanding. Even in conjugal Endearment, her Manner refined and chastened the Sense of Possession and her Pudicity awed me in the Midst of Transport.
Our Friends now prevailed upon us to accompany them, in our Turn, to
France;
together with our prattling
Eloisa,
who was become the darling and inseparable Companion of her Grandmother and her Uncle. We again took
London
in our Way. I there renewed, for a while, my old Acquaintance with my Fellows in Trade, and they persuaded me to join them in a Petition to his Majesty for the Restoration of some of the lapsed Rights of their Corporation, as your Lordship may remember.
From
Calais
we turned and, by long but pleasant Journeys, at length arrived at the Marquis's paternal Seat in
Languedoc,
that opened a delightful Prospect on the
Mediterranean.
And here we continued upward of five Years more, even as
Adam
continued in Paradise, compassed in by Bliss, from the rest of the World.
During this happy Period I often pressed my dear Marquis to marry, but he would take me to his Arms and say, O my
Harry,
shew me but the most distant Resemblance of our
Louisa,
and I will marry and be blessed without Delay.
In the mean while, my Angel made me he joyful Father of a little Son, who was, also, said to be the happier Resemblance
of his happy Father. Then, though I had long disregarded the World and all its Concerns, as I saw a Family encreasing upon me, and also considered the Poor as my appointed and special Creditors; I resolved once more to return and settle my long suspended Accounts.
As for the Marchioness, she protested that she could not think of parting with her little
Eloisa,
and that she should not be able to survive her Absence ten Days. So my
Louisa
and I, and my little
Richard,
who was named after you, my Lord, set out by Sea and, after a favourable Voyage, arrived in
England;
comforted however with the Promise that our Friends would join us as soon as possible in
Britain.
Within the ten subsequent Months, we received the joyful Tidings that our Brother was married to the Third Daughter of the Duke of
Alenson,
that they were all in the highest Triumph, and would speedily be with us in a joint Jubilate on the Banks of the
Avon.
Soon after, as my
Louisa
and I rode along the River, pleasing ourselves with the Prospect of a speedy Union with Persons so dear to us, and talking and laughing away at the Cares of the Covetous and the Ambition of the High-minded; a Fowler inadvertently fired a Shot behind us; and my Horse, bounding aloft, plunged with me into the Current, from whence however I was taken, and unwillingly reserved to Years of inexpressible Misery, of a Misery that admitted not of a Drop of Consolation.
Mean while my Love had fallen, with a Shriek, from her Horse and lay senseless on the Sod. Some of my People flew back, and bringing a Carriage conveyed us gently home, where my
Louisa
was undressed and put into a Bed, from whence she never rose. Her Fright had given such a Shock to her Blood and Spirits as threw her into a violent Fever.
On the second Day, while I sat with the Physicians by her Side,
James
put in his Head and beckoned me forth. Ah, my dearest Master, says he, I pray God to give you the Strength and Patience of
Job;
you have great Need of them, for your Calamities, like his, come All in a Heap upon you. Here is a Messenger dispatched from
France
with very heavy Tidings, that my sweet young Lady, your darling
Eloisa,
was cast away, in a Sloop, upon a Party of Pleasure, and that the good old Marchioness did not outlive her five Days. Then lifting my Eyes to Heaven, Strip, strip me, my God, I cried, to the Skin, to the Bone, leave, leave but my
Louisa,
and I will bless thy Dispensations!
On the next Day, my little
Dickey
was taken ill of a severe Cold that he caught, through want of due Attention during the Sickness of his Mother. As he was of a florid Complexion, his Disorder fell suddenly in an Inflammation, on his Lungs, and in less than twenty-four Hours, he went to join his little Brother and Sisters in their Eternity. Did I not feel these Losses? Yes, yes, my Friends; they wrung, they rent my Vitals. Yet I still lifted my Heart in an eager Prayer, and repeatedly cried, Take, take All, even the last Mite, leave, leave me but my
Louisa,
and I will bless thee, O my Creator!
Alas, what could this avail! Can an Insect arrest the Motion whereby the round Universe continues its Course? On the fifth Day I perceived that the Eyes of my
Louisa,
the Lamps of my Life, began to lose their Lustre. The Breath that was the Balm of all my Cares and Concerns grew difficult and short. The Roses of my Summer died away on her Cheek. All agonizing, I felt and participated her Changes, and she expired, while I dropt and lay senseless beside her.
I knew not what our People did with her or me afterward. For three Weeks I lay in a Kind of dosing but uneasy Stupor; neither do I recollect, during that Period, when, or whether I received any Kind of Sustenance.
At length I awoke to the Poignancy and Bitterness of my Situation. I did not awake to Life, but rather to the blackest Gloom of the Regions of Death. And yet it was from this Depth and enfolding of Death alone, that my Soul could find, or would accept an Alleviation of its Anguish.
O Earth, I cried, where is thy Centre, how deeply am I sunk beneath it! How are the Worms exalted over me! How much higher are the noxious Reptiles that crawl upon Earth! I will not accuse thee, thou great Disposer, I have had my Day, the sweetest that ever was allotted to Man; but O, thy past Blessings serve only to enhance my present Miseries, and to render me the most accursed of all thy Creatures.
I then rose, and threw myself along the Floor; and my faithful and valiant Companions immediately gathered to me. But, finding that I would not be removed, they cast themselves around me.
All Light was shut out, save the Glimmering of a Taper, and for seven Nights and seven Days we dwelt in Silence, except the solemn Interruptions of smothered Sobs and Wailings.
At length my Spirit reproved me. What Property, said I to myself, have these People in my Sufferings, or why should I burden those who love me with my Afflictions? I then constrained myself and went and took out a Drawer. Here, my Friends, I said, here is something that may help hereafter to dry up your Tears. Divide these Thousands among ye; neither these Counters nor your Services are now of further Use. Fare ye well, fare ye well, my worthy and beloved Brothers! God will give you a more gracious Master, but—but—such another Mistress ye never—never will find! I then took Each of them to my Arms, and kissed them, in turns, and the House was instantly filled with heart-tearing Lamentations.
I now expected and wished to be left wholly alone, but
James
and two Domestics remained against my Will. I then endeavoured to seem easy, I even struggled to appear chearful, that I might communicate the less of Grief to the voluntary Sharers in my Misery. O World, World, I said to myself, thou once pleasant World, we have now bid a long an eternal Adieu to Each Other! From thee I am cut asunder, thou art annihilated to me, and we mutually reject every Kind of future Commerce.
Ah, how much deeper was my Death than that of those in the Tomb,
where the Wicked cease from troubling, and where the Weary are at Rest.
While I was dead to every Relish of Light and of Life, I was wholly alive to all the Gloom and Horrors of the Grave. The Rays of the Sun became an Offence to my Soul, the Verdure of the Fields, the whole Bloom of Nature were blasted and blasting to my Sight; and I wished to sink yet deeper, and to own a lower Bottom to myself of Darkness and Distress.
I no longer regarded what the World thought of me, or what it did to me, and I left my Hairs and my Nails, even as those of
Nebuchadnezar,
to grow like Eagle's Feathers and Birds Claws.
My Friend
James,
in the mean Time, took a Place for me in this Town, in order to remove me from Scenes that could only serve to perpetuate or aggravate my Misery, by reminding me of the Blessedness that I had once enjoyed.
He was now become my Controuler. I was patient and passive to any Thing, to every Thing, and so he conducted me hither, I neither knew nor cared how.
In all this Time, though I panted after a State of Insensibility, even as a Traveller, in the burning Desart, thirsts after a cool and slaking Stream. I never attempted to lay a violating Hand on the Work of my Creator. I did not even wish an Alleviation of my Misery, since my God had appointed that I should be so very miserable.
At length, my Spirit rose from its Blackness to a Kind of calm Twilight. I called for a Bible and, since this World was incapable of a Drop of Consolation, I wished to know if the next had Any in Store.
As I read, the Whole of the Letter, and of the Facts contained therein, appeared as so many Seals and Veils that removed from before my Eyes, and discovered Depths under Depths, and Heavens above Heavens to my amazed Apprehension. I had no Vision, no Revelation of these Matters; but the Conviction was impressed as strongly on my Soul, as though an Angel or God himself had revealed them to me.
How this came to pass I know not;
Homer
gives to his Heroes a Sight into Futurity at the Time that their Spirits are breaking away from the Shackles of Flesh and Blood. And it is not unlikely that the Eye of the Soul when wholly turned from all carnal and earthly Objects, can penetrate with the greater Scope and Clarity into Concerns that are merely celestial and divine.
I have now told ye the Whole of my dreary History, my Friends, till I met with our
Harry,
and the rest our
Harry
can tell.
But
Harry
was in no Manner of Vein, at present, for entertaining or receiving Entertainment from any One. His Eyes were swelled with weeping, his Spirits totally depressed, and getting up, as with the Burden of fourscore Years on his Shoulders, he retired slowly and silently to his Apartment.
Here, Mr.
Meekly
took the Opportunity of our Hero's Absence, to apprise the Company of what had passed respecting the fair
Aggy Jessamin.
And why, my dear
Meekly,
said the Earl, why would you baulk my Boy? I would rather than fifty thousand broad Pieces get any Offspring of my
Harry
into my Arms, however little it might be, legitimate or illegitimate. He is a glorious Fellow, he cannot be debased by marrying a Kitchen Wench, although his Alliance would ennoble a Princess. What's your Opinion, Brother? Indeed, said Mr.
Clinton,
if the Girl is virtuous, as her Countenance promises, I have no Objection.
Mr.
Meekly
instantly went, with these indulgent Tidings to
Harry,
but he shook his Head, and said, No no, my Friend, I will not abuse their Goodness. Beside, since I hear'd the Story of my Uncle's
Louisa,
my Passion is not quite so violent. I have formed a perfect Idea of the Bride I would wish; and, if I get not some One answering to the Image in my Heart, I will go unmarried to my Tomb. Yet, as I still ardently love the sweet Girl, I would not for the World risque the Temptation of a Meeting with her; and I am willing to pay roundly for her Removal. Be pleased then, my dear Friend, to settle this Matter with her Father, the stipulated Sum shall be ready, on Demand, to any Amount that you please, if they may serve to promote her Happiness.
On the next Day, Mr.
Meekly
introduced to
Harry
a tall and comely young Man in a peasant Dress, but of an Air and Deportment much superior to his Appearance. My Lord, said
Meekly
as he entered, you must quit all further Thoughts of the lovely Miss
Jessamin.
I have here brought a prior Claimant to whom, I am confident, the Probity, the Generosity of your Heart will give Place.
Harry
rose to receive him, when the Stranger, looking earnestly and amazedly at him, cried out, Ah no, we must All give Place here, I find. Does she know him, has
Aggy
seen him? I will then go and bury myself where my Heart may break in Despair of ever reclaiming her Affections.
No fear, Sir, said
Harry,
reaching his Hand, give me but to know that you have entitled yourself to her Regards, and my own Heart shall break in a thousand Pieces, rather than oppose or disturb the Peace of two gentle Lovers.
I will give you our Story, my Lord, in a very few Words. Mr.
Jessamin
and my Father
Jessop
served an Apprenticeship to the same Merchant, and, when that was expired, they joined in Trade to the
Levant.
But, as my Father was of the more adventurous Temper, they soon after broke Partnership. My Father traded to
Turkey
and the Isles of the
Archipelago;
and Mr.
Jessamin
confined himself to the
Italian
Coast.
In one of his Voyages to
Genoa,
he there married and begot the charming
Aggy,
and, returning to
London
after a Number of Years, he fitted out a Ship of considerable Force in order to convoy his Wife and Daughter, with all his Treasures to
England.
On their Way home they were taken by a
French
Privateer. Their Ship and rich Cargo were sent to
Toulon.
And Mrs. and Miss
Jessamin,
with some other Prisoners, were taken on board the Enemy's Vessel, that proceeded on her Cruise for further Captures.
I happened, at the Time, to be on my Return homeward, in a Ship called, WELCOME ENEMIES; she had the Appearance of a Merchant, but was actually better fitted for War than Trade.
The same Privateer came up with us, and bearing on us, with Confidence, commanded us to strike; but we answered them with an unexpected Broadside and, coming to close Quarters, we nearly cleared their Deck by the Discharge of our small Arms. Soon after, we grappled and boarded; when, hastening down to the Cabbin, I there for the first Time beheld my
Aggy,
in a fainting Fit, with her lovely Head reclined on the Lap of her Mother.
As I kneeled to give Assistance toward her Recovery, she first opened the Morning of her Eyes upon me, then turning them to her Mother, cried, Ah, Madam, what new Misfortune has been added to our Misery? I hope we have not fallen into the Hands of the Infidels. No, Miss, I said, you are free, you are free, and you are freed by Hands that offer themselves of their own Accord to your Shackles.
When we came to Port, I divided the Freight of our Prize among the brave Fellows who had seconded me so gallantly. And, having sold the Vessel for three and twenty hundred Pounds, I compelled Mrs.
Jessamin
to accept of it, as some small Compensation for the Losses that her Family had sustained.
As soon as I had paid my Duty to my Father, and that the Warmth of his first Caresses was over. Sir, said I, I have melancholy News to tell you. I fear your old Friend and Partner, Mr.
Jessamin,
is undone, as to Trade; great Part of his Fortune has been seized by the
French,
and that may prove a heavy Loss to myself also. He has but one Daughter, and might I prevail upon her to accept of my Hand, I should thereby become entitled to all her Father's Possessions. But, Sir, I cried, casting myself passionately at his Feet, if the Happiness of your Son is of any Weight with you, You will still assent to our Union, and thereby make me the most blessed of all human Beings!
Everard,
said my Father, sedately, you know I love you, and I am willing to divide that Love between your Fancy and your Fortune. If
Jessamin
lays down twenty thousand Pounds, in Hand, toward portioning your four Sisters, I will consent to your Union. And that's what I would not do, with any other Wench, under double that Sum.
As I knew my Father's Disposition to be as obstinate as it was affectionate, I rose and retreated without Reply. I instantly went to Mr.
Jessamin
's, I found my Charmer alone. I threw myself at her Knees. I solicited, I urged her to an immediate Marriage. When, blushing like the Morning, when it arises as ashamed of the Brightness that it brings, Sir, said she, we owe you all Things, I never can refuse you any Thing that Virtue will allow me to grant. Ah, how cold is that, I cried; I will not accept You as a Debt, my
Aggy,
if your Heart is not a free-will Offering, then let mine burst in sunder, they can have no Commerce together. Indeed, says she, giving her Hand, I never had an Inclination for any Other, and I have in the World but the one Objection to you. What is that, what is that?—It is, she cried, with filling Eyes, that I fear to hurt You by a Match so very much disproportioned to your Merits.
Her Parents entered and found me still at her Feet. I rose in much Confusion and, taking a Seat, I candidly told them what had passed between my Father and me; and urged the same Petition to them that I had to their Daughter; when Mr.
Jessamin,
recollecting himself, gave me an Answer deserving of everlasting Memorial.
Mr.
Jessop,
says he, had I a Province to bestow along with my Child, you should have it as freely as I would give, of my Water-Cistern, to a thirsty Traveller. But here it happens that the inestimable Obligations, which you have heaped upon my Family, are quite averse to the Promotion of your present Desires.
In the first Place, as a Man of Probity, if I wish, one Day, to merit the Happiness of your Alliance, I cannot consent to be a Party in any clandestine Matter. Again, shall a Heart, full, and bursting with Gratitude, be a Partaker in bringing either Damage or Disgrace, on the only One whom I account my Benefactor and Patron? Lastly, shall a Father, who estimates the Honour of his Child, as a Pearl above the World's Purchase; shall he subject her tender, perhaps her melting Gratitude, to the Temptation of yielding further than she ought? or even to the Temptation of binding her virtuous Affections beyond the Power of a Retreat? This would be too severe a Tribute even for All that you have done for us. Do not exact it, my Son. My Heart wrings under the Necessity of rejecting your Suit. You cannot be pained as I am by this Refusal. But it is inevitable. You and my Daughter must meet no more till these Clouds are overpassed and that a new Light, of happier Influence, begins to dawn upon us.
I answered not. I wept where I sat for Half an Hour, I was not unaccompanied, and I then withdrew.
But, my Lord, I begin to grow tedious in Spite of my Intentions. I returned to my Father and requested him, in order, as I said, to get rid of my present Passion, that he would dispatch me abroad upon another Voyage.
I had given him a very lucrative Account of my last, and that made him the less inquisitive respecting the Prize we had taken.
He assented with Joy, as he feared that my Love might yet contend, and prevail in the Combat against Duty. And he took upon himself the Care of equipping out my Ship in a more gallant Plight than ever.
The Day before I went on board, I stepped to Mr.
Jessamin
's. My
Aggy
did not appear, and I found her Parents employed in preparing for a disconsolate Retreat to the Country. I told them I came to take my Leave, and asked if they would send any Venture by me. The very worthy Man then went to his Desk and, taking out the Bills of the Sale of the Privateer, here, my
Everard,
says he, I have nothing to adventure with you save your own free Gift. The Remainder of the Wreck of my Fortune is little enough to supply us with very frugal Accommodations, in our desired Exclusion from the World and its Ways. And here is a little Note of the Place of our Retreat, if ever, my Child, if ever—if ever we shall happen to meet on this Side of Eternity! O, I cried, kissing the Bills, if I do not bring you a good Account of these Ventures, never, indeed, shall we meet, till parting shall be no more!
We then set about taking Leave, and having several Times rushed alternately into the Arms of Each other, we again sat down and wept, till no Tears were left; when, rending myself away from them, and nearly blind to the Way that I went, I departed.
Within a Year and a Half I returned, and, in a Storm, put in at
Plymouth.
But notwithstanding the Intrepidity, and great Affection of my Companions; though I had made Death and Success as Matters equally indifferent, and on one of which I was determined; yet, our high Hopes and Enterprizings had failed us on several Occasions, and I am come back with little more than ten thousand Pounds for Mr.
Jessamin,
over the Produce of the Voyage which my Father may exact from me.
Wherefore, with post Horses, and a beating Heart, I have crossed the Country in Disguise, impatient, yet fearful, to know, how the Heart of the nobly inexorable
Jessamin,
may be affected toward me, and this Morning, as I skulked about the House, this Gentleman met me and, having questioned me, brought me directly to your Lordship.
Here
Harry
covered his Eyes with his Hand, and musing for a Time, at length said, I fear, my Friends, it may be difficult to bring this Matter about with Propriety. I would not willingly affront Mr.
Jessop
here, by a Gift of the Sum that is deficient to his Happiness. Neither, indeed, would it be duely delicate in Mr.
Jessop
to offer, to his Father-in-law, a Penny beyond what his Venture, so well supported by Mr.
Jessop
's Bravery, had acquired. You therefore, my dear Mr.
Meekly,
shall be the Conduit of the Expedient that I propose on the Occasion. I question if the War was proclaimed when
Jessamin
's Ship was made Prize; but, be that Matter as it may, I trust I have Interest sufficient to procure a Restoration the first Treaty of Peace. Do you therefore, my Friend, get me an Order from
Jessamin
for £.10000, on the first of his Effects in
France,
(with legal Interest however) and then take this Key and deliver to our Friends the very utmost of the Sum required by the Father of the darling Fellow who is now before me.
Meekly
then sprung up, advanced in Years as he was, and catching and clinging about
Harry,
O my Hero, my
Scipio,
he cried, you are the Champion whom Heaven delighteth to empower to subdue itself by Violence! Go on, till the Wreath of Triumph shall be bound to your Head in all its prepared Glories!
Mean while, young
Jessop,
lay prostrate, in the Oppression and Agony of Gratitude, at the Feet of his younger Patron. But
Harry
gently and affectionatly disengaging himself from them, withdrew to his Closet, saying to his own Heart; now
Aggy
adieu, adieu
Aggy,
for ever!
For three succeeding
Sundays,
our Hero hear'd the Bands of Marriage published between
Everard Jessop
and
Agnes Jessamin,
all which he bore with the Firmness of a Stoic, or rather with the Resignation of a Christian who keeps a Look forward to a more pearly Hope.
Perhaps, some may be curious to know how
Aggy
stood affected in regard to our young Lord. Let it suffice to be told that she made the worthiest of Wives to the very worthy
Everard,
notwithstanding that he had the Imprudence to tell her of
Harry
's Regard for her, as also of the Obligations by which he had bound them.
Aggy,
therefore, could not justly refuse
Harry
a Share in her Friendship, and there is something extremely tender in the Friendship of a generous Female.
Be that as it may, in about three Weeks after her Marriage, as she walked, with two fair Visitants, in a pleasant Field behind the Town, she saw our Hero coming toward her, attended by two Servants, and galantly mounted on a proud young Steed, whom he had undertaken to dress, and was now gracefully riding to the Manage.
She felt a sudden Alarm she knew not why, and, as
Harry
approached, she turned away that he might not recognize her. But, as soon as he had passed, she gave one Look after him, and feeling herself discomposed by a little hysterical Fit, she sat down on the Grass between her Companions, and wept till she was restored to her Strength and Spirits.
In a few Days after, she set out for
London,
where she became the daily Idol of her Father-in-law, and saw our
Harry
no more.
On an Evening, after Coffee, as the Earl stood fondly fooling with his
Harry,
as one Child with Another, he turned to Mr.
Clinton
and said, How came it to pass, my Brother, that
Jesus
suffered near four thousand Years to elapse, before he became incarnate for the Salvation of the World, although it was by him alone that the World could be saved?
We may as well demand of God, said Mr.
Clinton,
why he suffered near four Days of Creation to lapse, before he compacted yon glorious Body of far beaming Light. For, this Matter was barely a Type, and the Sun himself but a Shadow of the CHRIST that was to come. But, did the World want Light, before Light became incorporated in its illustrious Circumscription? No, my Lord. JESUS, who was from Eternity the Illumination of the dark Immensity of Nature;
Jesus
who, alone, is the living Light of Spirit, Soul, and Sentiment; the perpetual Fountain of the Streams of Beauty and Truth; he said, LET THERE BE LIGHT! and instantly, through the Darkness of a ruined World, the
Internity
of his ever living Light kindled up an
Externity
of corporeal Irradiation, that has its Effluence from him, and cannot beam but by him.
Now, as a Day is as a thousand Years, and a thousand Years as a Day, in the Sight of God; you see that the fourth Day of Creation, wherein the Light of this outward World was compacted into the glorious Body of the Sun, precisely answers to the four thousandth Year, wherein
Jesus,
the Light of Eternity was to become embodied and incarnate in Christ the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
But, as the World wanted not Light, before the Sun opened his first Morning in the East, neither did it want the Means of Salvation before the blessed Doctrine of MESSIAH was promulged upon Earth!
All Sorts of Sectarians, All Persons of selfish and little Minds would make a Monopoly of the SAVIOUR, they would shut him up into a Conventicle, and say to their God,
thus far shalt thou go, and no further.
But he is not so to be confined. The Spirit of our
Jesus
bloweth wide and where he listeth. And he is at once both the Purifier and Redeemer, as well of all Nations, as also of all Nature.
Accordingly, we see that the
Turks,
who are wholly unblessed by true Religion or Liberty; who live the Slaves of Slaves; without a Form of civil Government; temporally subjected to the Will of a Tyrant; and spiritually to the Worship of a sensual Impostor; yet want not the Feelings of our JESUS in their Heart.
Even the wild
Indians,
who never listened to the Toll of a Bell, nor ever were called into any Court of civil Judicature; These want not their Attachments, their Friendships, their Family-feelings, nor the sweet Compunctions and Emotions of the human Heart, by
Jesus,
forming to DIVINE.
The Truth is that People live, incomparably more, by Impulse and Inclination than by Reason and Precept. Reason and Precept are not always within our Beck; to have their due Influence, they require frequent Inculcation and frequent Recollection; but Impulse and Inclination are more than at Hand, they are within us, and, from the Citadel, rule the Outworks of Man at Pleasure.
When the Apostle, speaking of CHRIST, affirms that
there is no other
NAME
under Heaven whereby a Man may be saved.
And again, when he affirms that Those,
who have not received the Law, are a Law unto themselves.
He intends one and the same Thing. He intends that CHRIST, from the Fall of Man, is a PRINCIPLE OF REDEMPTION in the Bosoms of All Living. That he is not an
outward
but an
inward Redeemer,
working out our Salvation
by the Change of our depraved Nature.
That in and from Him, alone, arise all the Sentiments and Sensibilities, that warm the Heart with Love, that expand it with Honour, that wring it with Compunction, or that heave it with the Story of distant Distress. And that He alone can be qualified to be Judge at the last Day, Who, from the first Day to the last, was internally a Co-Operator and Witness of all that ever passed within the Bosoms of all Men.
Hence it is that, although the Christian Countries have received the
two Tables
of the Laws of Christ, his
external
as well as
internal Revelation,
(Each witnessing to the Other that the God of our
Gospel
is the God of our
Nature
) the Nations however, who are Strangers to his Name, yet acknowledge his Influence, they do not indeed
hear,
but they
feel
the Precepts of that LIGHT
which lighteth every Man who cometh into the World.
My dearest Brother, said the Earl, my Conceptions are quite clear with respect to the Omnipresence of Christ's Divinity. But, as his Body is circumscribed by external Features and Lineaments, I can form no Notion of its being in several Places at once. How then will it be, I pray you, at and after the last Day? Will he be present to, and approachable only by a select Number of his Saints; or will he go certain Journeys and Circuits through the Heavens, blessing All, in Rotation, with his beatific Presence?
Is not the Body of yonder Sun circumscribed, my Lord? Most certainly — It is now, said Mr.
Clinton,
at a Distance of many Millions of Leagues from You, and yet You see it as evidently and feel its Influence as powerfully as if it were within your Reach. Nay, it is more than within your Reach, it is within your Existence. It supplies Comfort and Life to your animal Body and Life; and you could not survive an Hour without its Influence and Operations.
Now, this is no other than the apt Type and prefiguring Promise of what Christ will be to his New-begotten in the Resurrection, when
Corruption shall be swallowed up of Glory and Mortal of Immortality.
The same blessed Body which, for the Redemption of commiserated Sinners, went through the shameful and bloody Process of Scourges, Thorns, Spittings, and Buffettings; which hung six agonizing Hours on the Cross; which descended into the Grave, and thence opened the Way through Death into Life, and through Time into Eternity; Even this Body shall then shine forth in ineffable Beauty and Beatitude, in effentially communicative Grace and Glory; through the Heighth and through the Depth, through the Length and through the Breadth, beaming wide beyond the Universe, from Infinity to Infinity.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will then become co-embodied in this divine Body; they will be the Repletion of it, they will operate all Things by it. To bring the Creator nearer to his Creatures, the invisible Godhead will then become visible, the Infinite circumscribed, the Unapproachable accessable, and the Incomprehensible comprehended, within the Humanity of our CHRIST.
Then will his Cross be exalted, for an Ensign to the circling, bending, and worshipping Universe. His Wreath of Thorns will kindle all Nature with the Dartings and Castings forth of its Corruscations. And his Reed of Mockery will become the Sceptre of unlimited Domination.
From his five Wounds shall be poured forth incessant Floods of Glory and wide diffusing Blessedness upon all his Redeemed. Adoring Worlds, in self-Abjection, shall strive to sink beneath the Abjection that became their Salvation. These ever apparent Ensigns of so dearly purchased Benefits shall inevitably attract the Wills of all Creatures, they shall cause all Hearts and Affections to rush and cleave to him, as Steel Dust rushes to Adamant, and as Spokes stick in the Nave whereon they are centred. There shall be no Lapse thence-forward, forward, no Falling away, for ever. But God in his Christ, and Christ in his Redeemed, shall be a Will and a Wisdom, and an Action and a Mightiness, and a Goodness and a Graciousness, and a Glory rising on Glory, and a Blessing rising on Blessedness, through an ever beginning to a never ending ETERNITY.
O Brother, Brother, Brother! exclaimed the Earl, I am enraptured, I am entranced! — I see it all, I feel it all. I am already, with all my Corruptions, with all my Transgressions, desirous of being crushed to Nothing under the Foot of my Redeemer. But he comforts instead of crushing me. O that I were this Night, this very Moment to be dissolved and to be with my Christ!
That Night, the Earl was quite happy and pleasant, and affectionate even beyond his Custom. He said and did every Thing that could be endearing to his
Harry
and to his Friends. He caressed them at parting for Bed. He smilingly shook Hands with all the Domestics that approached him; and, in the Morning, was found dead, without any Notice or Warning to the Servants who attended and lay in the Room.
A sudden and grievous Alarm was instantly given through the Family, and quickly reached the Town, and spread through the adjacent Country.
Harry
fell upon his Father's Face, and wept upon him, and kissed him, and wept aloud, and kissed him again, crying, my Father, O my Father!
And they laid his Remains in a plated Coffin, under Escutcheons and a sable Canopy of Velvet. And the House and the Court was circled with Mourners from all Parts. And they mourned for him fifty and nine Days. And, on the sixtieth Day, he was deposited in his Family Tomb; but Mr.
Clinton
would not permit
Harry
to attend the Funeral of his Father.
Our Hero was now the Master of Millions, approaching to the Prime of Youth, glowing with Health, Action and Vigour, of Beauty incomparable, beloved of All who knew him, and the Attraction and Admiration of every Eye where he passed. Yet all these Advantages, with all his higher Accomplishments, became as Matters of no Value, they sunk and sickened to his Sense, while he felt a Void in his Bosom, eager after he knew not what, sighing he knew not why; keen and craving in his Desires, yet pining and languid in the Want of Possession.
What is the Matter, my Love? said Mr.
Clinton,
my dear Brother died in a good old Age. Such Things should be expected, we know that they must be, and we ought not to grieve as Persons who are without Hope.
True, Sir, said
Harry,
and yet it is a very melancholy Thing for a poor Man to reflect how very rich he was a very little while ago. I lately had a dear Brother, a dear Mother, and the dearest of Fathers, but where are they All now? I look round the World and see nothing but yourself therein. And — should you too — should you too — Here
Harry
could no more. His Uncle also broke into Tears, at the Thoughts of parting with his Darling
Harry,
though it were to join his
Louisa.
My
Harry,
says he at last, we have yet two precious Treasures left upon Earth, if we did but know where to find them; it is your Cousin the Countess of
Maitland,
and the Brother of my
Louisa
the Marquis
D'Aubigny.
Let us go in Search of them, my Son. Next to my
Louisa
they are the loveliest of all Living. They abound in all human and divine Affections, and will caress us with kindred and corresponding Hearts.
Soon after, they set out for
France
and, by a roundabout Tour of short but pleasant Journeys, arrived at
Paris,
where Mr.
Clinton
ordered his large Retinue to his ancient Inn, and, taking only two Footmen, he and
Harry
went in their Post-Chaise to the Marquis's Palace.
On the ringing of the Bell and the opening of the Gate, a single Domestic came forth. Mr.
Clinton
perceived that all was dark in the Hall, and this instantly gave an Alarm to his ever ready Feelings.
He alighted, however, and, stepping with his
Harry,
up the Flight of Marble, Where is your Master, says he, where is my Brother the Marquis? Heaven bless us, cried the Fellow, are you my Master's Brother? I have heard a Deal of and about your Lordship, though I never was so happy as to see your Face before. Ho! he continued, and rung another Bell, come All of You! attend the Brother of your Lord, attend the present Master and Lord of your Houshold!
Immediately the Palace was in Commotion, the Parlour and Hall were lighted up, and All seemed to have acquired a Set of Wings to their Motions.
Mr.
Clinton
looked with Eagerness at Each of the Domestics, endeavouring to recollect the Features of some old Acquaintance, but all the Faces were strange to him. Pray tell me, my Friends, says he, where is your Master, where and how are he and his Lady, are they still in good Health, has he had any Children by her?
Please your Honour, said an elderly Man, my Master's first Lady died of Childbirth, and her Infant perished with her. But, he is since married to One of the loveliest Women in the World. He is gone, a Year since, on an Embassy into
Africa;
his Lady would not be left behind, we lately heard from them, they are Both in Health; and we expect that less than a Month will bring them safe to us; indeed, the Sum of our Prayers is for their happy and speedy Return.
What, said Mr.
Clinton,
are there none of my old Friends, not one of our ancient Domestics to the fore? — Please your Lordship,
Jacome,
the white headed Steward, is still left, but, though in good Health, he is very little more than half alive. — Pray go and tell him that an old Friend of his is here, and would be very glad to see him, but don't do Things suddenly, and be very tender and careful in bringing him to me.
Old
Jacome
was wheeled in, wrinkled, pale, and paralytic, and all enfeebled as he sat reclining in an easy Chair, he seemed to recover Life and new Spirits, as they brought him forward. Bring me to him, bring me to him; my Eyes are wondrous dim; bring me closer, that I may know if it is my very Master indeed. Bring me but once to know that it is his sweet pardoning Face and then let me die with all my Sins upon me, I care not.
Mr.
Clinton
then took him very lovingly by the Hand, my good Friend
Jacome,
says he, we are both growing old I find, I rejoice however to see you once more upon Earth. O, cried the old Man, a well known and a sweet tuned Voice is that Voice; it is you then, it is you yourself, my Master! Alas, for all your Losses since last we parted! I have got a salt Rheum in my Eyes of late, and I never thought of you but it began to come down.
Here
Jacome,
sobbing aloud, provoked the joint Tears of his attending fellow Servants; though they had never been Partakers in the foregone Calamities, farther than by the Ear, whence they were now recollected and carried home to their Hearts.
My Lord, says
Jacome
at last, I am not the only One that remains of your old Servants. Your
Gerard
too, who (Blessings on his Hands) once tied me Neck and Heels,
Gerard
too is forthcoming and near at Hand. Your Honour's wonderful Bounty made a Gentlemen of him at once, and he is now in a high Way with a Wife and three Children. A hundred and a hundred Times have we washed your Remembrance with our Tears. And indeed I think your Honour ought not to send for him, lest he should suddenly die or run distracted at your Sight.
In the mean time, One of the Lacqueys had officiously gone and informed
Gerard
of the Arrival of his Patron. He came panting, and rushed forward, as it were to cast himself at the Feet of his Lord. But stopping suddenly, and drawing back some Steps, he nailed his Eyes, as it were, on the Face of Mr.
Clinton,
and spreading his Hands, cried:
You live then, my Lord, you still live, my dearest Master! you survive all your Deaths and Sufferings, and the Weight of ten Mountains has not been able to crush you! — O, the Times, the Times, my Master, never more to return! — will there be such Times in Heaven, think you? — Will there be such Angels there as we once lived with upon Earth?
Here he clapped his Hands together, and set up such a Shout of bitter Lamentation, as was enough to split the Heart of every Hearer, and, in a Manner, to split the Graves of the Persons whom he deplored.
As soon as Mr.
Clinton
and his two old Friends had parted, for the Night: Tell me, my dear Sir, said
Harry,
are there different Kinds of Grief, or is it, merely, that Grief affects us in different Manners?
When I wept for my dear Father, my Mother and Brother, my Affliction was anguishing and altogether bitter, without any Species of alleviating Sensation to compensate my Misery. But, it was far otherwise with me to Night; when I grieved in the Grief of your old and faithful Domestics, I felt my Heart breaking, but I was pleased that it should break; I felt that it was my Happiness so to grieve; and I could wish a Return of the same sweet Sensations.
The Reason is this, my Love: When you lamented your Parents, you lamented Yourself in your private and personal Losses. Your Affliction was just, it was natural, it was laudable. But still it was confined, it participated but little of the Emotion that is excited by the Affliction of Others, and the Anguish was the keener by being nearly limited to your own Bosom and your own Concerns.
But, in the Griefs of my old and loving Servants, this Night; you became wholly expanded; you went beyond, you went out of yourself. You felt, without Reflection, how delightful it is to go forth, with your God, in his social, generous, noble, and divine Sensibilities. And you delightfully felt, my
Harry,
that such a House of Mourning is more joyous to your Soul, than all the Festivals that Flesh and Sense can open before you.
And now, my Child, I will finally, and once for all, lay open the very horrible and detestable Nature of SELF in your Soul.
SELF appears to us, as the Whole of our Existence, as the Sum total of All, in which we are interested or concerned. It is as a NARCISSUS, self-delighted, self-enamoured. It desires, it craves, and claims, as its Right, the Loves, Attachments, and Respects of all Mankind. But, does it acquire them, my
Harry?
O, never, never. SELF never was beloved, never will be beloved, never was honourable or respectable in the Eye of any Creature. And the Characters of the
Patriot,
the
Hero,
the
Friend,
and the
Lover,
are only so far amiable, so far revereable, as they are supposed to have gone forth from the Confines of SELF.
As Mr.
Clinton
proposed to wait the Return of the Marquis, he employed the mean Season in Endeavours to amuse his Darling, and to dispel the Cloud of Melancholy that continued to hang over him.
For this Purpose, he went with him to
Versailles,
and to the many other elegant Environs of
Paris.
He also shewed him the
Thuilleries
and other public Walks, where our Hero became oppressed by his involuntary Attraction of all Eyes upon him.
One Night, happening to go to the Play, without the Company of his Guardian, as he came forth, with the Crowd, a Carriage was opened for him which he took to be his own, and in he stepped, and away he was taken.
In the mean Time, Mr.
Clinton
waited Supper for him, and began to grow uneasy when the Clock struck Twelve. At last his Carriage and Servants returned with Tidings that they staid for him, above an Hour, at the Theatre, after the Play was over, and had ever since been in Search of him, to no Purpose.
Though Mr.
Clinton
was, by Nature, of an intrepid Spirit, and was still more assured by his Reliance on Providence, he yet found himself agitated in a very alarming Manner. He therefore retired to his Closet, and there, on his Knees, fervently commended his
Harry
to the Protection of his God.
At length the Clock struck Three. Soon after, the Bell was heard from the Hall, and
Harry,
entering, with a Page in a rich Livery, flew like Lightening up Stairs, and cast himself into the Bosom of his Patron.
My Father, my Father! he cried, I have been in sad Pannics for you. I knew the Love that you bore to your good for nothing
Harry.
But, indeed I could not help it. I could not get to you till this Instant. I have been a Prisoner, Sir, and here is my dear Deliverer.
As soon as they were something composed, and All seated;
Harry
proceeded to satisfy the Impatience of his Uncle.
As I came out of the Theatre, ruminating on a Passage in one of
Racine
's Tragedies, I found a Chariot in the Spot where I had left my own, and stepping heedlesly into it, I was soon set down, and hastening through the great Hall, flew up Stairs to salute you. But, think how I was surprised, when I suddenly found myself in the most sumptuous Chamber, perhaps, in the Universe. It was wainscotted with Mirrors of the most perfect Polish, whose Plates were artfully buttoned and buckled together by Diamonds and other Gems of a most dazzling Lustre.
All astonished, I recoiled, and was going to withdraw, when I was met by a Lady who followed and accosted me. Have you Commands, Sir, says she, for any One in this House?—A thousand Pardons, Madam, I perceive my Error! I really thought I was set down at my own Lodgings.—No great Offence, Sir, but now that I look at you again, I think you ought to pay the Forfeit of your Intrusion, by giving me one Hour of your Company, at least.—You must excuse me, Madam, my Guardian would be under the most terrifying Alarms for me.—A Fig for Guardians, she cried, You are now my Prisoner, and nothing less than my Friend
Lewis,
with his Army at his Back, shall be able to take you out of my Hands.
So saying, she rung a Bell, and, immediately a folding Door of pannelled looking-Glass flew open, and shewed us to another Apartment, where a Supper, composed of all the Elegancies of the Season, was served up, as by Magic, and lay fuming on the Table.
She then took me by the Hand and, having graciously seated me, placed herself opposite. A Number of Servants then vanished, on the Instant, leaving a dumb Waiter of Silver behind them.
Sir, said she, we are not to have any further Company. You alone were expected, you alone are desired, All Others are forbidden. In short, I have seen you often at the public Walks and Theatres. You did more than strike my Fancy, you laid hold on my Heart. I enquired every Thing about you. I know your Rank, Title and Fortune. I made use of this Night's Stratagem to decoy you to me, and, though there are few Women, in
Europe,
of equal Opulence or Dignity, I think I cannot much demean myself by an Alliance with a sweet Fellow whom I so ardently love. But come, our Supper cools.
I gazed at her with Admiration. She was indeed the most finished Beauty I ever beheld. And I was inwardly flattered, and in a Manner attached to her by her Partiality in my Favour.
After Supper, and some futile and insignificant Chat, she drew her Chair nearer to me. What say you, my Lord, says she, fondly, am I to live, or to perish?
Ah Madam, I cried, Love is, as a little Bird, if you cage it, it will beat itself to Pieces against its Prison. Not that I regard your late Threats of Confinement; my own Arm is at all Times sufficient to deliver me from your Thraldom; but, in Truth, I am partly become a willing Prisoner to You; and Time may, possibly, reconcile me to your different Customs.
What Customs, I pray you? Why, Madam, the Ladies, in my Country, use no Paint, except the Rouge of Nature's Blush and the Paleness of Chastity. Love also, in
England,
is a Kind of Warfare between the Sexes, just such as once happened between the
Parthians
and old
Rome;
our Ladies conquer, by flying, and our Men are vanquished while they pursue.
Persons, Sir, of a certain Rank, said she, are dispensed with from conforming to little Matters of Decorum. However, if you will endeavour to adopt the Manners of my Country, I will do my best, on my Part, to conform to those of Yours.
So saying, she looked languishingly at me, and drew her Chair quite close; when, by an involuntary Motion, I put mine further back. Don't be alarmed, my Lord, says she, Women of my Condition know always where to stop. Right, Madam, said I, but possibly you might not be quite so successful in teaching me where to be stopped.
Cold constitutioned Boy! she cried (indignantly rising and colouring) your Bed lies yonder, you may go to it, if you like, and ruminate till Morning on the Danger of slighting and insulting a Princess. So saying, she swept haughtily out of the Room, and locked me in.
During an Hour after she had withdrawn, while I walked about, considering what I had to apprehend from the Threats of this extraordinary Woman, I hear'd a great Bustling in and about the Falace; but, within another Hour All was quiet and still again.
I then conceived Thoughts of attempting my Escape. But again, I held it beneath me to be caught in the Manner; and so I resolved to wait till Morning, and then to force my Passage through her Guards in open Day.
In the mean Time, I imagined that a Pannel in the Wainscot stirred. And, soon after, it was removed, and my young Friend, here, entered my Chamber on Tiptoe. He beckoned me to Silence and, taking me by the Hand, he led me through the Way by which he came.
We then descended a narrow Pair of back Stairs, and, groping along a dark Entry, he cautiously unbolted a Door that opened into a Garden; and hurrying with me, across, he unlocked another Door that opened to the Street, and out we got, rejoicing!
Soon after, we met a Party of the Guards, who were patroling the Streets, and, putting a few Pieces into their Hand, I requested their safe Convoy, and they conducted us Home.
My Lords, said
Perrè,
(for that was the Page's Name) it would be extremely dangerous for Ye to remain another Day, or even till Morning in
Paris.
The Princess is the most intimate Friend of Madame
Maintenon,
and through her can do what she pleases with the King. During my Residence with her, she grew tired of two handsome Lovers, in Succession; but they told no Tales; and no One can yet tell what became of them.
Mr.
Clinton
was quite of
Perrè
's Opinion. He instantly sent for his People. All was Hurry, Pack and Dispatch, and, toward Dawning, they set out on a Road that led to the Cantons. But, changing their Course again, for several successive Mornings, they arrived at
Calais
by a long Tour of near five Weeks travel.
Mr.
Clinton
set up at his old Inn, and after Dinner, the Host entered to pay his Compliments. Have you any News, Landlord? Nothing at present, my Lord, all is quiet again. But here has been a fearful Bustle about three Weeks ago. The King's Army came down, in Pursuit of young
Englishman
who ran away with a Lady of Quality from
Paris.
For my Share, continued he, looking earnestly at
Harry,
I fear that You, pretty
English
Lads, will hardly leave us a lovely Wench in the Nation.
Harry
looked quite secure, being wholly innocent of any present Design on the Sex; but poor little
Perrè
turned as pale as the Table Cloth.
I remember, continued our talkative Host, that just such another Affair happened, when I was a Boy and Servant in this House. Here came a young
Englishman,
just such another sweet Fellow as this before me; and he brought with him an Angel of a Creature, the like of whom my Eyes never did, nor ever shall open upon till they close in Death. After him came one of our great Dukes, with a Party of the King's Army, and terrible Things were expected. But, they made it up in a Manner I know not how. And my Lord
Anglois
carried off his Prize in Triumph! Mr.
Clinton
stooped his Head, and dropt a silent Tear, but held no further Converse with our Landlord on the Subject.
That Evening, a Gale sprung up and, going on Board, they were safe anchored, before Morning, in the Bay of
Dover.
They then mutually embraced; and
Harry,
catching his beloved Deliverer to his Bosom, we are now upon
English
Ground, says he; welcome to my Arms, my dear
Perrè,
no longer my Page or Servant, but my Friend and my Brother! You can't conceive what Pain your Officiousness has hitherto cost me, but, there must be no more of this; You shall hereafter be served and attended as I am, nay, I myself will gladly serve You to the utmost of my Power and the Extent of my Fortune.
Ah, my Lord, cried the lovely
Perrè,
gently falling at the Feet of his Master, if you deprive me of the Pleasure of serving You, you deprive me of all the Pleasure that the World can afford me. If you knew the Delight I find in being always about you, in watching your Thoughts and Motions, in looking into your fine Eyes and there reading your Desires, before they rise to Expression, You could not find in your Heart to deprive me of such a Blessing. Well then, said
Harry,
raising him fondly in his Arms, our future Contest shall be, which of us shall serve the Other with most Affection and Sedulity.
After Dinner, the Evening being calm and shiny,
Harry
took his
Perrè
with him along the Shore that stretches under the stupendous Cliffs of
Dover.
They had not walked far when, getting out of the Sight of People within the Winding of a Creek, a Man advanced toward them, and, taking out a Pistol, called to
Harry,
and ordered him to throw down his Purse. Our Hero did not regard his Purse, but, thinking it an Indignity to be robbed by one Man, he put his Hand to his Sword. Hereupon, the Villain cocked and levelled his Pistol, and the faithful
Perrè,
observing that he was going to fire, instantly jumped in between her Master and Danger and received the Ball into her own lovely Bosom.
Harry
saw his Darling drop, and, flying all enraged at the Robber, he ran him thrice through the Body and pinned him to the Ground. Then, flying as swiftly back, he threw himself by the Side of his dying
Perrè,
and gently raising her languishing Head, placed it fondly on his Bosom.
You are wounded, my Friend, dangerously wounded I fear, says
Harry.
Yes, my Lord, I am wounded just as I could wish; and I would not exchange my preent blessed Death for the longest and happiest Life that the World could bestow.—But, it is Time to undeceive, and eveal a Secret to you, which nothing but death should ever have extorted from me —I am not what I seem, my most beloved Master!—I am a foolish and fond Girl who, at the first Glance, conceived a Passion for you.—My Name is
Maria de Lausanne;
—I am Niece to that bad Woman whom you justly rejected.—But, what did I propose by this Disguise? First your Deliverance, my Lord, and that I effected.—But, did I further aspire to the Honour of your Hand? Far from it, far from it—I felt my own Unworthiness, I did not think you could be mated by any Thing less than an Angel—But then to see you, to hear you, to serve, to touch, to be near you, to fix my Eyes on you unheeded, and, if possible, to win your Attention by the little Offices of my Fondness, this was my Happiness, the Whole of the Heaven that I proposed upon Earth—I have had it, I have enjoyed it;—and I ought to die content—But, alas, to part from you, there is the Pang of Pangs.—O, if this Day merits any Thing, by the Offer of my own Life for the Preservation of my Beloved.—Then cause my chaste Clay to be kindly deposited in the Tomb of your Ancestors—that—when Time shall come—my Dust may be neigh boured—to your precious Dust—and there sleep in Peace—beside you—till we spring—together—from Corruption—into Glory and Immortality!
During these short Sentences and difficult Respirations,
Harry
could answer nothing—He was suffocated by his Grief.—But, putting his speechless Lips to the fading Lips of his
Maria,
he drew her latest Breath into his own affectionate Bosom, and Angels instantly caught her Spirit into the Regions of Purity, of Love, and of Faith unfailing!
Harry,
then, plucking up Strength from Oppression, and Courage from Despair, pressed his Lips to the pale, and unfeeling Lips of his true Lover, and cried, Yes, my
Maria,
our Dust shall be joined, and I feel that our Spirits too shall shortly be wedded!—Then, raising her in his Arms, and pressing her to his Bosom, he bore her to the Town, while he poured upon her, all the Way, the two Fountains of his Affection.
When he got to the Inn, and came to is Uncle; Here, Sir, said he, I present you with a very precious little Burden, a Burden that lies much heavier on my Heart than
did in my Arms. He then related to Mr.
Clinton
the Whole of what had passed; then, heavily sighing, and shedding a Tear, Mr.
Clinton
cried, Ah, my
Harry,
I would to Heaven that your
Maria
had lived, She exceeds your
Aggy Jessamin
all to nothing.
Harry
ordered a Carriage, on Purpose, for himself and his Beloved. She was deposited in a Coffin hurried up for the Occasion; and, notwithstanding all the Remonstrances and Entreaties of his Parent,
Harry
proved a Rebel, for the first Time, and would not be divided from his
Maria,
till they reached
London.
There, our Hero ordered a Coffin of unallayed and beaten Silver to be prepared for her Reception. And, tho' near five Days had passed since the Departure of her Spirit, her chaste Flesh remained as pure and untainted, as that of a Lamb newly slain.
While they were putting her into her solemn Repository. Ah, Sir, said
Harry,
I pretend not to compare with you, your Losses, I own, have been greater than mine. You are a Man, like your divine Master, wholly made up of Sorrows and acquainted with killing Griefs. But still you must allow that, for my little Time I have had a competent Share. It matter not. I am reconciled to them. I begin to be pleased with them. And indeed Joy is become my utter Aversion, while I think on this loved Creature, who willingly bled and died for my Sake.
As
Harry
thought it his Duty, so he thought it would be his Delight to weep and lament his
Maria
for ever. But Passions seldom are permanent, and Time, though it may not wholly efface, daily wears away an insensible Portion of the deepest Impressions.
Harry
caused the Coffin of his Deliverer to be exalted on a Cabinet in his Bedchamber, that it might be always in his Sight. But the Familiarity of affecting Objects daily lessens their Force; and
Harry,
Week after Week, began to contemplate the Repository of the loved Remains of his
Maria,
with abating Affliction.
In the mean Time, Mr.
Clinton
received a Letter, by the
French
Mail, in answer to One which he had left for his Brother-inlaw, at
Paris.
And, this Letter informed him, under the Marquis's Hand, that he had returned from his Ambassy to the Court of
Morocco,
and that he and his Lady would be shortly in
England.
And, at the Bottom he found written, in a different Character,
Will it be any Satisfaction to see them accompanied by your once loved
—FANNY GOODALL.
We have found them, my
Harry,
he cried, we have found them, our long and far sought Friends; the two Treasures which our God had graciously laid in Store, for the Comfort of us poor People who lost All beside. But, don't let us do them the Disgrace, my Son, of meeting and receiving them with Tears and Dirges. Let me then prevail upon you to permit your faithful
Perrè
to be conducted by some of our People, with an honourable Train of Undertakers to
Enfield,
and there to be treasured up in your Family Vault, where I shall speedily join her, and whereto even my
Harry
must finally adjourn.—
Harry
wiped his Eye and said, be it as you please, my Father!
Within the following Fortnight, as our Hero stood with a single Attendant in
Cheapside
overagainst the
Devil Tavern,
where the Club, called
Legion Club,
was kept; he was accosted by a glittering Appearance, who took him by the Hand and said, How are you, Master
Fenton?
—Well, Sir, I thank you; Lord
Bottom
I presume!—The same, Sir—And pray how are the worthy Lord and Lady
Mansfield,
as also your lovely Sister, the Lady
Louisa?
—Passable, Sir; but what makes you in black? I hope Mr.
Fenton
is still in the Land of the Living.—He is, my Lord. But Black is a cheap Kind of Wear, it is a Matter of Frugality to kill a Cousin once in a Twelve-month.—Well, be that as it may, I insist on your stepping over the Way to take one Glass with me—Your Lordship must excuse me, I am going to the Wharf, to enquire concerning some Friends whom I expect from
France.
O, I protest, Master
Fenton,
you shall not disappoint me, I insist on renewing our old Acquaintance.
Harry
could hardly have found it in his Heart to refuse the Request of an avowed Enemy, much less could he think of rejecting an Invitation that was made under a warm Appearance of Friendship.
When Lord
Bottom
had seated his old Enemy (as he still supposed him to be) in the Midst of fourteen or fifteen Bloods and Bucks,
Harry
would gladly have retreated; but rejected the Thought, lest they should think that he was intimidated.
Gentlemen, cried Lord
Bottom,
give me Leave to introduce a Phenomenon to you, my Friend yonder is a CHRISTIAN! A Christian, cried One; a Christian, cried Another? Ay, said Lord
Bottom,
a Christian of the right Cast, he literally conforms to the Example of his Master. If you smite him on the one Cheek, he will turn the Other to you, and you cannot delight him more than by Kickings, Spittings, and Spurnings.
Pray Sir, said One of the Company, are you actually a Christian? I hope so, Sir, said
Harry.
And may I spit in your Face, Sir, said Another, without Fear of Chastisement? You may, Sir, said
Harry.
I told ye so, Gentlemen, I told ye so, exclaimed Lord
Bottom.
I have myself put the Christianity of my Friend there to the Proof. I have made him the But and the Jest of all Companies. I have dubbed him with the Title of FOOL. I have pasted it on his Back in Capitals, in the Midst of the Levee, and in the Presence of his Majesty. And yet, he never shewed the least Instance of his being offended. For Example now, and so saying, he spit directly in
Harry
's Face.
Another then, and then Another, and so on, in a numerous Succession spit full at our Hero. While he, without the smallest apparent Emotion, barely took out his Handkerchief and wiped the Moisture from his Face.
At rength a lusty-looking young Man arore Damn the Rascal, said he, I will not demean myself by spitting at him, I will piss upon the Rascal; which he accordingly prepared to do. But
Harry,
perceiving his Approach, turned mildly and said, I do not recollect, Sir, that this was any of the Indignities to which my Lord and Master submitted. Then, without rising from his Seat, he gave him a Knuckle in the Temple which laid him asleep on the Floor.
'Sbl—d, cried One of the Company, I fear,
Jemmy Bottom,
you have brought us into the wrong Box. You have certainly mistaken your Man.
He has indeed, said
Harry,
calmly. He calls me
Fenton,
but my Name is not
Fenton,
my Name is
Henry
Earl of
Moreland;
and you shall, every Man, lie these twelve Months in
Newgate
for this Day's Breach of Privilege against a Peer of the Realm. Here is my Star, Gentlemen; I can put my Riband on at Pleasure.
The whole
Legion
were instantly struck with mute Terror and Astonishment. They lifted up their Hands, or sunk to their Knees in petitioning Postures. But
Harry
said, with a firm and alarming Accent, I desire your Reformation, Gentlemen, and I will endeavour to compleat it. I have hitherto, only shewn you the first Part of Christianity in the Example of meek and lowly Sufferance. The second Part remains. It is to teach You, abject Wretches, to suffer in your Turn. However, I am not of a very vindictive Nature, and if All of you will be upon Honour to give me your Hands, I will pardon what is past and dismiss you in Succession.
Lord
Bottom
and his Friend
Rakely
were the first who advanced, lowly bowing, to claim the proposed Terms of Peace, when
Harry,
seizing
Bottom
's Hand with a strong and agile Gripe, crushed the Bones and the Grisles as it were into one Mass, and
Bottom,
giving a huge Scream, dropt roaring on the Floor.
Rakely
then would have recoiled, but
Harry,
catching at him, sent him to join his Brother in Iniquity and Affliction on the Boards.
Well, Gentlemen, said
Harry,
what keeps you in your Seats? Why do ye not come and give me the Honour of your Hands as was agreed? If you do not do it directly, I will take Each of you, very quietly, by the Nose, and kick you through the Crowd of Attendants down Stairs.
My Lord, cried One of the Company, I will not give you my Hand, neither shall any Man living take me by the Nose. So saying he sprung up, and catching at his Sword, which lay with Others on a Table, he hastily drew it and stood on his Defence.
O fye, Sir, said
Harry,
without moving from his Seat, you don't put yourself in a Posture. Any Man, who was not a very good natured Man, might take you at an Advantage, and run you under the Open that you give to your right Flank. But Sir, said
Harry,
rising, I will only caution you by a little Puncture in the Sword Arm; I don't mean you much Hurt. And, so saying, he passed his Sword through the Flesh of his Adversary's right Arm, and, taking him to the Door, he wished him a good Evening, and turned him down Stairs to seek for a Surgeon.
He then returned to the Company, and, taking Each of the intimidated Wretches (in Succession) by the Nose; he led them out, and footed them down Stairs, through the Midst of their own Servants, the Waiters,
&c.
crying, a Kicking to all the infamous and scoundrel Sons of
Belial
who dare to spit at Christianity!
Then, calling two of the Drawers, Here is something for yourselves, my Lads, says he; and here I leave you yonder Swords and these two very fine Gentlemen in pawn for your Reckoning. So saying, he walked quite composedly away, through the Midst of two long Ranges of bowing Admirers, who lined the Stairs and the Entry, and thus
Harry
dissolved the
Legion Club.
The next Morning early before Mr.
Clinton
was up, while
Harry
sat sipping a Dish of Tea, dressed in a dark grey Frock, his Hair slightly bound up after the Footman Fashion, and his long Staff of quarter cleft Oak, without Knot or Flaw, standing polished beside him, Mr.
Frank
introduced a young Man, whom he recommended to his Lordship's Service.
Harry
measured him, with a Glance, from Top to Toe, and was instantly struck by the visible Action, Power, and Energy of his Proportions.
Sit down,
Frank,
says
Harry,
while your Friend and I treat. What is your Name, my Lad?
John Sutton,
so please you. And what Wages do you desire? From one Pound to one hundred yearly. — A great Difference indeed,
John.
— Why, please your Honour, if I mayn't happen to like you I shall march without asking a single Penny. But if I should have the Misfortune to love you, as your Countenance threatens, I shall certainly deserve the whole of my Demand, by All that I shall do, and dare to do in your Service.
Can you wrestle,
Jack?
— Whenever your Honour shall get a Man, through the Shires of
England,
who is able to fling me, I will serve you the Remainder of my Life for nothing. Can you cudgel,
Jack?
— I was born a Fencer, so please your Lordship, my Father was a famous Prizefighter, and my Mother could beat my Father himself at the Quarter Staff. — Did you ever read the History of
Robin Hood, Jack?
— I did, Sir. — Then you may remember that honest
Robin
never took an Abettor into Pay, save such a One as was able to cope with himself.
Frank
here shall sit and see fair Play.
Harry
then rose, and taking two Sticks, gave one of them to his Opponent, then, putting a Brass Helmet upon
Jack
's Head, there is something, said he, to save you from Hurt, and now, come at the Thickness of my Skull as fast as you can!
To it they strait fell, with equal Confidence of Ability. But
Harry,
perceiving that
Jack
intended to spare him, cried, Come,
Jack,
the best, the very best that you can do, or not a Penny, a single Penny of Wages, I assure you.
Jack
then exerted his utmost, and put nearly the fullest Powers of our Hero to Proof, till
Harry,
dazzling his Eyes by a sudden Flourish, gave him a smart Stroke on his brazen Head-piece, and drove him stunned and staggering several Paces backward, till he rested against the Wall that stood behind him.
Ha, said
Jack,
recovering, and casting his Cap aside, that indeed was a Blow which neither my Father nor Mother ever taught me to fence.
Well, my Friend, said our Hero, as soon as you are rested, we must have a little Turn or so at Wrestling. No, no, cried
Jack,
I would not advise your Lordship to that, there lies all my Excellence, the very best of my Manhood. Well,
Jack,
said
Harry,
a Fling on this Floor can't hurt us a Whit more than a Fall on the Downs.
They closed, they grappled, they griped under and over, at Hip and at Shoulder, alternately lifting and lifted, till they were nearly overbreathed. Then, parting for a Moment, they rushed forward and seized each other by the Breast, when
Harry,
giving his Adversary a sudden Twist on one Side and then an agile Jerk and Foot on the other, cast him sidelong on the Carpet.
Poor
Jack
rose, astonished and in utter Abasement, ashamed even to lift his Eyes toward the Eyes of his Friend
Frank;
when
Harry
took him by the Hand and forceably seated him at the Tea-table. Come,
Jack,
says he, don't be discouraged. You have put me harder to it than did the great
Roger
of
Ross-town,
though I think I am much abler than I was at that Day. Here
Frank,
order us something more substantial for Breakfast, while your Friend and I endeavour to accommodate our Differences.
When Breakfast was over,
Harry
looked fixedly at his late Opponent and said, I will give you,
Jack,
a little Matter above the Extent of your Demand; I will give you one Hundred a Year for your Cudgelling, another Hundred for your Wrestling; and as you say you can love, I will lay another Hundred in store for you, till that Promise is put to Proof; and here is twenty Guineas as Earnest of our Agreement.
Jack
then threw himself prostrate before the Feet of his new Master. Keep your Bounties, keep your Bounties for my Executors, he cried, for I feel that, when your Service demands my Life, I shall not survive another Minute.
Harry
then rose and, putting another Quarter-staff into the Hand of his new Servant, here is a Horse for you,
Jack,
says he, in case you should tire; for we have a long Walk from Pal-Mall here, to the Custom-house Wharf and back again.
As they drew near the Quay,
Harry
observed a great Crowd, all in Motion, and shouting as in the Midst of an Affray. Immediately he hastened up, and, making way through the Mob, perceived that they were kicking, and wounding, and dragging above twenty unhappy Foreigners along the Pavement. While a Lady, who stood with her Women on the Stairs, cried aloud, five hundred, a thousand, five thousand Pounds to Any who will save my poor People!
Come,
Jack,
says our Hero, let us try to deliver these abused Strangers from the Cruelty of our savage Countrymen.
On the Word,
Harry
found himself well seconded by
Jack,
and, in less than a Minute, above thirty of the Assailants lay sprawling on the Area; while the wounded and bruised Foreigners arose as well as they could, or crawled and got in a Group to the Feet of their Mistress.
The Mob, thereupon, rallied, and, gathering to the Number of some Hundreds, advanced in a formidable Body against our two Champions. But, they had better have kept aloof. For
Harry,
running upon them, overturned the First he met with one End of his Staff, and laid a Second at his Feet with the Revolution of the other End, insomuch that at every Motion, as it were, he dispatched two Men.
Neither was
Jack
unactive. The Crowd began to recoil, when, rushing into the Midst, they overthrew such as opposed them, and, whirling their Staffs about their Heads, they quickly opened and cleared large Room for themselves. No One dared to abide within the Wind of their Weapons; and the Mob, flying several Ways, left our Hero quiet Master of the Field of Battle.
Mean time, the Lady stood fixed in utter Astonishment at the Feats which she had seen, when
Harry,
gracefully approaching, I think myself happy, Madam, says he, in having done some small Service to a Lady of your fair and noble Appearance; of what Country may I presume? Of
England,
Sir, says she, and I am ready to discharge my Promise of five thousand Pounds for the gallant Rescue which you brought to me and my People.
No, Madam, said our Hero, I will not debase the little Merit of my Humanity by the Acceptance of a Bribe. But I shall not be easy till I see You and your Attendants out of the Reach of these
London
-Barbarians. They may return with different Weapons, and a larger Reinforcement. He then called to some Porters and, throwing them a Parcel of Silver, ordered them to bring all the Coaches they could muster. And go You,
Jack,
says he, to the Shipping, enquire after the Friends that I told you of, and then follow me to the White Cross Tavern in
Cheapside.
The Coaches came, and
Harry
assisted his Porters in carrying, helping, and gently stowing the Maimed and the Wounded into half a Dozen of them. He then handed in the Lady, and next, coming to a Blackamoor Boy, who had a Coronet of Diamonds inserted in his Cap, he offered to lift him in. But the Youth, bending one Knee to the Dust, and seizing on
Harry
's Hand, eagerly and repeatedly kissed it, crying out in
French,
heavenly, heavenly Creature! and then, breaking into Tears, sprung into the Coach, and sat down by the Lady.
Our Hero then bestowed the four female Attendants, with such Luggage as was brought on Shore, into the four remaining Coaches. Then, grasping his Quarterstaff, and ordering the Porters to attend, he guarded and escorted All safe to the White Cross.
The first Thing he then did was to order private Apartments for the Lady and her Attendants. He next dispatched the Waiters for all the Surgeons in the Neighbourhood. He then locked the Room where he saw the Luggage safe lodged; ordered a sumptuous Dinner to be prepared as soon as possible; and, lastly, discharged the Coaches and Porters, who poured their parting Blessings upon his Head; and all this he did with wonderful Dispatch, for
Harry
was now in the wide Element of his Beneficence, as a Whale in the Ocean.
Four Surgeons then came, and our Hero, putting five Guineas apiece into their Hands, desired them to examine and dress their Patients; and staid till he hear'd the delighting Tidings that None of them were incurable. He then sent up to the Lady to desire Permission to attend her. She rose and met him as he entered; Child of Heaven, said she, from which of the Orders of Angels have you descended? I have heared as well as seen what you have wonderfully done for us. Madam, said
Harry,
endeavouring to turn the Discourse, I would not advise you to remove your People for some Time: I have ordered Beds and Apartments for them in this House; where those, who are tolerably well, may assist the Doctors to attend their sick Fellows till All shall be restored. In the mean time I have sent to my Father's for his Coach and Chariot to convey You, and this young Gentleman, and your Women, to our House, where you can want for no Servants, since my Father, and I, and All will be truely and tenderly your Servants. We are your Property, Sir, said the Lady, dispose of us as you please.
But, pray Madam, said our Hero, what could provoke the Rabble to insult You and Yours, in the Manner that they did this Day? I protest, Sir, said she, I cannot conceive, except it be that, as some One says in LEAR,
our Countenances liked them not.
In a little Time after, Dinner was served up, and
Harry,
happening to turn his Head, perceived the black Youth by stealth kissing the Hat, and pressing the Gloves to his Bosom that he had laid on a Table.
Whatever the Darkness or Deformity of any Aspect or Person may happen to be, if the sentimental Beauty of Soul shall burst through the Cloud upon us, the Dark becomes Light, the Deformed quite comely, and we begin to affect what was lately our Aversion. Thus it was that
Harry
found himself suddenly and inevitably attached by the two recent Proofs that this outlandish Youth had given of his Affection.
Being all seated,
Harry
looked earnestly at the young Moor, and turning to the Lady said: I now perceive, Madam, how ridiculous all Sorts of Prejudices are, and find that Time and Observation may change our Opinions to the Reverse of what they were. I once had an Aversion to all Sorts of Blacks, but I avow that there is something so amiable in the Face of this Youth, and his Eyes cast such a Lustre over the Darkness of his Countenance as is enough, as
Shakespear
has it, to make us in love with Night, and pay no more Worship to the gaudy Sun.
The Moor, hereat, smiled celestial Sweetness, and Joy beamed from his Eyes and throughout his dimpling Aspect.
But who can you be, my sweet Fellow, said the Lady, who are the Picture, the Image, almost the Thing itself that I was so sadly in love with five and thirty Years ago? Why, Madam, said our Hero, you could not have been born at that early Day. Ah you Flatterer, says she, I am turned of Forty. But, pray Madam, who was he that was so happy as to attract your infant Affections? — His Name was
Harry Clinton
— Why, Madam,
Harry Clinton
is my Name. —
Harry Clinton, Harry Clinton!
screamed out the Lady, and started up from her Chair; — Yes, Madam, I am Son to the Earl of
Moreland,
and I almost dare to hope that you were once the enchanting
Fanny Goodall.
—Yes, my lovely Kinsman, I am indeed your
Fanny Goodall.
Harry
then sprung forward, and seizing her Hand, kept it dwelling on his Lips. But, disengaging it, she opened her Arms and clasped him to her Bosom, and wept over him as a Mother would over a long-lost Son. While the young
Moor
ran and danced about the Room, like a mad Thing, clapping Hands, and springing, like an
Antelope,
almost to the Cieling.
When they were something composed, the
Moor
caught the Lady about the Neck and kissing her, cried, Joy, Joy, my dearest Madam, the greatest of all Joys! Then turning to our Hero, he took each of his Hands, in Turns, and pressed them to his Lips, while
Harry,
kissing his Forehead, cried, my Brother, my Brother!
When they were again set to Dinner,
Jack
entered. My Lord, says he, I have been all along the Quays and the Shipping, but can learn no Tidings of the Marquis
D'Aubigny,
nor of any
French
Family save that of the Dutchess
Bouillon,
who, this Morning, came up the River with a numerous Train.
Well, says
Harry,
our Happiness has been already quite sufficient to the Day. To morrow may crown our Wishes with full Success.
No, my Love, said the Lady, you cannot see the Marquis for some Time. The Truth is that you find, in me, your
Fanny Goodall,
the Marchioness
D'Aubigny,
and the Duchess
de Bouillon.
But these Matters shall be explaimed more clearly, when I am blessed with the Sight of your precious Uncle.
News was now brought that the Carriages were at the Door, when, taking a hasty Bit or two, they visited and left Orders for the Care of the Sick and Wounded, and then set out in a Hurry for
Pal Mall.
When they arrived, the Dutchess hastened in, enquiring for Mr.
Clinton,
and, when she came where he was, she cried out, as she advanced, and as he rose to receive her, your
Fanny,
your
Fanny Goodall,
my Cousin! and throwing herself into his Arms, dwelt there for a Minute. Then recoiling awhile, she looked fondly at him and cried, your Sister also, my Brother, your Sister
D'Aubigny!
the Wife of the Brother of your heavenly
Louisa!
then clasping him to her Arms, she broke into Tears; and again, quitting him, sat down to quiet her Emotions.
Mr.
Clinton,
having seated himself affectionately beside her, said: These are wondrous Things that you tell me, my precious Sister; by what Miracle have these Blessings been brought about?
I am too much agitated at present, says she, let me have a little Coffee, and the Matter shall be unravelled.
As they were settling to the Tea-table, give me Leave, Sir, said the Duchess, to introduce my little black Companion to your Notice. He is a sweet Fellow I assure you, notwithstanding his Complexion. He is Child to our royal Friend the Emperor of
Morocco,
who has entrusted him to our Guardianship for his Travel and Education. However he might have come by his sable Outside, his Father, the great
Abenamin,
is the least of the tawny of any Man I saw in
Africa,
and his Mother is one of the fairest and finest Women that ever opened a Pair of living Diamonds to the Light; but, she took Fright, while she was pregnant, at the sudden Sight of a
Blackamoor.
But, my Brother, I shall more particularly recommend him to your Regard, by telling you that he is an exceedingly pious Christian, though as playful as Lambs and as chuckling as Infancy.
She then turned and, taking the little
Abenamin
by the Hand, led him up and placed him before her Brother. When the Youth, suddenly dropping on his Knees, looked up to Mr.
Clinton,
with Eyes that spoke Love and reverential Awe, and besought his Blessing.
The old Gentleman found himself surprizingly affected and, lifting up his Hands, cried, God be gracious to you, my Child, and make your Soul as bright as your Countenance is sable! and may the Sun of Righteousness shine with Power upon you, and soon disperse or illumine every Shade that is about You. The Prince embraced his Legs, kissed his Knees, and arose.
Soon as the Coffee was removed, You may remember, my dearest Cousin, said the Duchess, in what a Hurry I last parted from you. Mr.
Fairface,
with whom the Bulk of my Fortune was deposited, went off with above a hundred thousand Pounds of my Substance, beside four times that Value entrusted to him by Others.
I traced him to
Paris,
and there he had the Impudence to give me an Interview, but at the same Time had the Impudence to bid me Defiance.
Immediately I commenced Suit, and sent dispatch to
London
for my Papers and Witnesses.
On the Opening of my Cause in Court, I was summoned by the Title of Countess of
Maitland,
otherwise
Frances Goodall.
On hearing the Name, a Gentleman who was near me started, and turning and coming up, Pray, Madam, says he, are you any way related to the honourable
Harry Clinton,
who once went by that Name in this City? I am Sir, said I, almost the nearest Relation that he has upon Earth. — He is, Madam, my dearest Friend and Brother. Pray speak to your Advocates to postpone your Suit for a few Days, till I am informed of the Nature and Merits of your Cause.
This was accordingly done. He desired to know where I lodged, and in less than an Hour his Chariot was at my Door.
Except yourself, my Cousin, the Marquis had the most lovely and winning Aspect and Person that ever I beheld. I soon convinced him of the Equity of my Demand and of the Villainy of my Trustee, and made him perfect Master of the whole Affair. But he still continued to visit, and to stay with me a considerable Part of every Day, under Colour of being better informed touching this and t'other Particular, the remaining Time was spent in soliciting for me.
At length a Hearing came on; and, after a short Trial honest
Fairface
was cast in Principal and double Costs. He was instantly taken into Custody, and put under Confinement, till he discharged the whole Amount of the Judgment in my Favour.
No sooner was one Suit over, wherein I was Plaintiff, but Another was commenced wherein I happened to prove but a very weak Defendant. The Marquis now became Solicitor for himself, but with such a sweet Timidity as seemed to doubt, and greatly dread the Success of his Cause.
I could not refuse my Time to him who had devoted the Whole of his Time and Assiduity to me. We spent whole Days together. But O, what Floods of Tears did that Time (at Times) cost both him and me, while he pathetically and feelingly related your History, from the Place where you broke off, to the Death of your
Louisa
and your precious Infants.
I believe, my Cousin, that, as Grief is a greater Softener, so it is a greater Cementer of Hearts than any other Passion. I gave the Marquis, in my Turn, my little Story, and dwelt on every tender Minuteness of my infant Passion for you. Ah, said he, what a pity that a Heart, so susceptible of all divine and humane Feelings, should sit as a lonely Turtle, upon the House-top, without a suitable Mate.
I took him for that Mate, my Cousin, and in a Husband I found the truest and tenderest of Lovers. I became pregnant, for the first Time of my Life, and was delivered of a sweet and promising little Fellow, whom we left at Nurse in our Country Seat, while I attended my Lord on his Embassy to
Morocco:
But, here I must stop, my Brother, I am under the positive Interdiction of an imperial Thing called a Husband, not to divulge a Word further till he sees you Face to Face. But I trust that he has blessed Tidings for you, my Brother, he says that he, otherwise, would not have dared to present himself before you, after his Loss of your
Eloisa.
Mr.
Clinton
smiled (careless) as at the Impossibility of any consoling Event upon Earth. Again, smiling archly, I protest, my Sister, said he, you appear to me to grow younger for your Years. I see no Manner of Alteration, save that you are something plumper, and not quite so slender as when we parted. O, says she, laughing, there may be a Reason in Nature for that.
I rejoice at Heart to hear it, said Mr.
Clinton;
but pray, when may we expect my Brother? — In about two Months; at present he is engaged with the King, who is extremely fond of him, and lately created him a Duke, on account of the Services which he rendered the State in
Africa.
We received your dear Letter, my dearest Brother, at
Paris,
but wondered who the sweet Fellow could be who was said to accompany you.
In the mean Time, our Hero and the young Prince were in close Combination.
Abenamin
stepped about, and about
Harry,
and toyed with him, and twisted the Curls of his careless Locks around his Fingers. Then turning and looking fondly up in his Face, Ah, how fair, says he, does this black Visage of mine shew in those fine Eyes of yours! It is in Truth, said
Harry,
so fair in my Eyes, that I would not exchange it for fifteen of the fairest female Faces in
Britain.
The Prince then caught his Hand and pressed it to his Bosom. But what shall I call you, says he, you are a great Lord in this Country, and, in my own Country I am greater than a Lord. But I hate the Formality of Titles between Friends, and I will call you my
Harry,
provided you promise to call me your
Abenamin.
A Bargain, says
Harry,
let us seal it with a Kiss! No, no, says the Prince, we never kiss Lips in
Africa,
but I will kiss your Head, and your Hands, and your Feet too with Pleasure. But tell me,
Harry,
what makes you so mighty clever a Fellow, will you teach me to be a clever Fellow also? Ay, that I will, says
Harry,
and to beat myself too, provided you promise not to hit me over hard.
Abenamin
fell a laughing, and aimed a little Fist as though he meant to overturn him.
As soon as
Harry
's Grief, for his late
Maria,
would allow him to associate, he had been to seek his old Friend and Tutor Mr.
Clement,
but he found only a single Domestic at home, who told him that the old Gentleman had been some Time dead, and that the Family were lately gone to take Possession of a new Seat that they had purchased in the Country.
However, as
Harry
found himself quite happy in the present Society, he sought no further Acquaintance or Amusement in
London.
In less than three Weeks, the Retinue of the Prince and the Dutchess were well restored, and they All set out for
Enfield,
there to await the wished Arrival of the Duke.
They slept the first Night at
Oxford,
and toward the Noon of the third Day they set up at the Angel Inn in
Coventry.
It happened to be a Season of Festivity in the Town. Over against the front Windows, a Stage had been erected for a Mountebank and his Merry Andrew; and, as soon as they had dismounted, it became a Stage for Combatants. Two Quarterstaffs and a Pair of Basket-hilted Cudgels lay thereon; while an adjoining Pole was hung with a Variety of Prizes destined to the Conquerors.
Immediatley two Champions mounted, with two Seconds appointed to see fair Play. But One of the Combatants was quickly dismissed with a broken Head. Another then succeeded, and then Another, to the Amount of half a Score, but the first Hero still kept the Field of Battle. While
Harry
sat, with his Company, looking out of the Dining-Room Windows at the Diversion.
At length
Jack
came behind his Lord, and giving him a Touch on the Shoulder, whisperingly begged his Permission to claim the Stage.
Harry
assented.
Jack
was up in a Twinkling, and quickly dispatched the Victor, as he had served his Predecessors. A Number of Candidates then succeeded, but with no better Fortune; and the Prize was taking down to be deliver'd to our Friend
Jack;
when an elderly looking Man desired to be lifted on the Stage.
Come, says he to
Jack,
you seem to be a clever Fellow, let us quit this Boy's Play, and take up the Quarterstaff; when
Jack,
remembering a Piece of an old Ballad, repeated,
accurss'd be he, Earl
Piercy
said, by whom it is deny'd.
They grasped their formidable Weapons, and Each threw himself into an expert Posture of Defence. Then began the Work to grow warm, and these Champions had twice traversed the whole Round of the Stage, before a Wound or Bruise was received on either Part.
At the third Bout, the old Stager made a Feint at his Adversary's left Leg, and, in attempting to defend it, the Sconce of our Friend
Jack
was cover'd with Blood, and he sprung off the Stage and instantly vanished.
Harry
then stepped backward and ordered his Servant to be called, and, laughing, cried, Ah my poor
Jack!
I knew what would be your Fate the Moment I saw the Face of your Opponent. You unfortunatley met with the famous
Oakum,
the old Prizer of
Islington;
many and many a Lesson have I got from him. But, you may happen to get some Satisfaction ere long. Run, and give yonder Fool a Crown, for the Loan of his patched Coat for a few Minutes.
Jack
flew on his Embassy, while
Harry
burned a Stick at a back Room Fire, with which he made to himself very formidable Eyebrows and Whiskers. Then, hurrying on the Fool's Coat, he stepped forth and desired to be lifted on the Stage.
Oakum
little expected a second Adversary, but, when he saw the Merry-Andrew, as he supposed, he had like to be suffocated by a sudden Fit of Laughter, while the Crowd tore the Elements to Fritters with their Clamour.
Harry
then put himself in an aukward and peasant-like Posture, while
Oakum,
advancing carelesly, made a slight but, as he thought, demolishing Stroke at him. But
Harry,
setting it aside with the one End of his Staff, gave
Oakum,
with the other End, as it were a chance Chuck under the Chin, and tossed him on the broad of his Back along the Stage.
The Shouts of the Populace were then redoubled. At length
Oakum,
arising, fixed his Eyes upon
Harry
with an inquisitive Astonishment, as desirous of knowing how this Business came about. While
Harry,
with a Grin of stupid Amazement, seemed equally to wonder at what he had done.
Again they set themselves in hostile Opposition.
Oakum
then aimed a disabling Stroke at
Harry's
right Shin; but
Harry,
quick as Thought, slipping his Leg backward, gave the Weapon Room to pass, and, at the same Time, bestowing a sudden Tip on the Crown of his old Master, he cut him along the Skull, and gave him once more to measure his Length upon the Boards.
The Crowd stood awhile silent, as scarce crediting what had passed before their Eyes, till
Oakum,
rising and staggering, and again fastening his Sight upon our Hero, cried aloud, either You must be the DEVIL or young HARRY FENTON.
Harry
then stepped up, and put his Mouth to the Ear of his Adversary.
Oakum,
says he, here are five Guineas to help toward the Cure of your broken Head. But remember that it is not honourable for the Masters of our Science to set themselves in Competition against the Ignorant.
Oakum
bowed and withdrew; crying, Heaven be praised that it is no Other than my own Scholar who foils me.
The Clamours of the Populace now became outrageous. The Prize of a silver'd Coronet interwoven with Laurel, was plucked down in a hurry and placed on the Head of our Hero. All the Towns-people then put their Hands in their Pockets, and, mustering their Shillings and Sixpences, threw them in Showers on the Stage; while the Dutchess, Mr.
Clinton,
and the generous
Abenamin
also emptied their Pockets, to reward the Prowess of the Man who had vindicated the Quarrel of their favourite
Jack.
All this Profusion of Money was faithfully gathered up, by the two Seconds, and delivered in a Hat full of Silver to
Harry,
who, bestowing a Handful on Each, delivered the Remainder to his Man
Jack
who stood by the Stage.
The Crowd then ascended, and, laying violent Hands on our Hero, bore him triumphantly away. They then placed him in an Arm-Chair erected on long Poles, and, hoising his Carriage on their Shoulders, they carried him in the Midst of Peals of Shouts up the Street, while an appointed Herald went before them and cried, O the FOOL, the FOOL, the brave, the noble FOOL, who beats the Skill of the Wise, and the Acts of the Mighty to Pieces! At length,
Harry,
growing tired of this Parade, put his Hand on the Head of one of his Carriers, vaulted lightly over, instantly vanished from their Sight, and flew up Stairs to his Company.
His Friends now began to recognize their
Harry,
in the Coat of the Fool, and broke into repeated Fits of Laughter.
Abenamin
then turned to his beloved Friend and cried, what's become of my handsome
Harry?
why, he is turned to almost as ugly a Fellow as myself. Then, kissing his Forehead and stroaking his Cheeks, he said, O, It was the cleverest and darlingest FOOL that ever I knew in the livelong Days that I have passed upon Earth.
When the Populace perceived their favourite Fool seated in the Midst of Quality, they All gathered to the Inn, and commenced their Shouts anew. But
Harry,
calling for his Hat of Silver, as also for all the Change that could be mustered in the House, amounting to the Value of about thirty Guineas, he threw his Cash in Handfulls on every Side, till he was nearly exhausted, and that the Crowd cried out, Enough, enough, your Honour, too much, too much indeed▪ O, that All would equally learn to set Bounds to their Avarice!
When Dinner was over, and that
Harry
was restored to his former Self, our Company, again, set out on their Journey, amidst the Blessings and Acclamations of the whole City, who had ranged themselves on, each Side, to behold and pay them Obeisance as they pass'd.
The next Day, as they stopped at a Village to repair the fractured Harness of an over mettled Horse;
Harry,
mean while, took a walk with his
Abenamin
along the Road. In their Way they came to a long and waste Cottage, where they heared the confused clattering of junior Voices.
Harry
stepped to the Door, and, looking in, perceived about forty or fifty Boys ranged on Benches of Turf, while a Man of a pale Aspect sat on a decayed Chair, instructing them in their Lessons.
Your Servant, Sir, says
Harry,
pray what Language do you teach? — I can teach
Latin
and
Greek
too, so please your Honour, but the People of this Country choose to confine themselves to the Language of old
England.
—If I am not too free, Sir, pray what is your Name?—
Longfield,
so please your Honour.—
Longfield, Longfield?
I have surely heared that Name before. Pray, were you ever acquainted with a Man called
Hammel Clement? — Hammel Clement,
Sir? he was my dearest Friend, the Friend whom I injured, the Friend of my Heart! — Then, cries
Harry,
you are the Friend of my Heart too, my
Longfield,
and so saying, he embraced and pressed him to his Bosom.
The poor Man shrunk back, in half Wonder and half Terror at what this might mean, but the benevolent
Harry
soon quieted his Apprehensions. Your Friend
Clement,
says-he, is come to great Fortune, and, I dare answer for him, would be nearly distracted with Joy at your Sight, and would gladly divide his Substance with you; but, if you please, you shall be no Incumbrance upon his growing Family. You shall instantly come with me, and, as
Pharaoh
said to
Jacob,
regard not your Stuff, for the Good of all my Lands lies before You, my
Longfield.
And I rejoice more in acquiring such a Heart as Yours, than if I had acquired the Possession of a Province.
Harry
then called a few of the Neighbours in, and giving them some Guineas, to be changed and divided among the Children, in order to enable them to see a new Master, He and
Abenamin
took the threadbare
Longfield,
on each Side, under the Arm, and carried him away.
When they came to the Turn that led to the Mansion House,
Harry
perceived with much Pleasure, that the two School-Houses, which he had put in Hand before the Death of his Father, were now compleated. They stood opposite to each other, with the Road between them. Their Fronts were of hewn Stone; and a small Cupola rose over Each, with Bells to summon the Children to Meals and to Lesson.
Here,
Longfield,
says our Hero, is to be your Province. You are to superintend these Schools, at a Salary of three hundred a Year. And I will soon send you, with proper Means, throughout the Country, to muster me a Hundred chosen Children of each Sex, for I yearn to be a Father,
Longfield,
and to gather my Family of Little Ones under my Eye and my Wing.
As soon as they alighted, Mr.
Clinton
and his
Harry
once more welcomed the Dutchess and her
Abenamin
to their Home and their Hearts, and the late House of Mourning became a House of Joy.
Above All,
Abenamin
inspired Mirth and Good humour throughout the Family; and Melancholy fled before him wherever he turned. He was daily inventive of new Matters of Entertainment. He danced
African
Dances, for them, with wonderful Action and Grace; and he sung
African
Songs that imitated and exceeded the wild and inarticulate Warblings of the Nightingale. So that he became the Darling and little Idol of the whole Houshold.
Harry
had sent for the Town Taylor, and got
Longfield
fitted with three or four Suits from his Father's Wardrobe. He then sent him on his Commission, in Company with Mr.
Trustly
the Agent, whom he ordered to shew him the Country, to introduce him to the several Families of the Peasantry, and to furnish him with whatever Sums he should call for.
In the mean Time, our Hero and
Abenamin
became inseparable. He made the Prince a Present of his little dressed Jennet, and at Times rode out with him, and taught him the Manage. At other Times they would run and wrestle, and play a hundred Gambols through the Walks and the Gardens.
Did you ever see the Chase of the Antelope,
Harry?
—Not I truely.—You shan't be long so, says the Prince. Go, gather me all the House, Man, Woman, and Child before the Door here. You shall be the Huntsman, and I will be the Antelope, and if any of your People can catch me, in a Mile's Running, they shall have my Cap for a Kerchief.
Immediately the whole Posse was summoned, to the amount of about sixty Persons, Male and Female; and Mr.
Clinton
and the Dutchess, hearing what they were about, came laughing to the Door to see the Diversion.
Harry
then gave his royal Antelope about fifty Yards Law, then cried, away! and instantly all Heels and all Voices were loosed after him.
The Prince then turned, and bounded over an Aha, that was sunk on the right Side of the Avenue, then, clearing several other Obstacles, whereby he threw out the greatest Number of his Pursuers, he at length reached the Fields, and shot away like an Arrow.
Our Friend
Jack
headed about nine foreign and domestic Footmen, who still held the Chase, though at a Distance; while
Abenamin
led them a Round of above a Mile. Then, turning short homeward, he came flying up the Avenue, with only
Jack
and two Followers puffing far behind. At length, reaching near the Door, the Prince threw himself precipitately into the Arms of his Friend, as it were for Protection, crying, Save me, my
Harry,
save, save your little Antelope!
Mr.
Clinton
and the Dutchess, then, successively embraced the Victor, and wished him Joy. I protest,
Harry,
cried Mr.
Clinton,
I will bet a thousand Pieces with you, on the Head of my
Abenamin
against your famous
Polly Truck.
That Night, as our Hero sat with the Prince in his Apartment, Have You ever been in Love, my
Harry,
says he? I confess, said
Harry,
that I have had my Twitches and Tendencies that Way.
He then gave him a Narrative of the Struggles of his Heart, respecting the fair
Aggy Jessamin.
And again he related to him the Tragedy of his faithful
Maria,
which cost the Prince the drenching of a Handkerchief in Tears.
Ah, exclaimed the Prince, never, never will I forgive your
Maria
her Death! Why was it not my Lot, by some severer Doom, to prove to you the Superiority of my Friendship and Affection? What, cried
Harry,
would you not leave me a single Companion upon Earth? when my
Abenamin
quits the World, I shall also bid it adieu!
When Tears were wiped away, the Prince took his Friend by the Hand and said: I have a Sister, my Brother, a Sister twinned with me in the Womb, and as fair as I am black. All
Africa
is pleased to hail her as the Beauty of the Universe, but the Truth is, that I think but poorly of her. The Duke brought her with him to
France,
and, should he bring her to
England,
beware of your Heart, my
Harry!
for, though I am prejudiced against her, she is the Idol of all Others, who bow down to her, as before a little Divinity. This has made her so excessively vain, that she holds herself of a different Species from the rest of Mankind, and thinks the Homage of the World nothing less than her Right. And now, my
Harry,
though I earnestly wish to be allied to you, by a Tie, nearer if possible than that of Friendship, yet I would not wish my own Happiness, at the Expence of your Peace; and so I give you timely Warning against this dangerous and haughty Girl.
Our Company had now been upward of six Weeks at the Mansion House.
Harry,
hitherto, had never seen any Part of the Country, or any Part of his own Estate, above a Mile from the House. Wherefore, leaving his Friend
Abenamin
in Bed, in the Presumption of his being tired with his last Day's Fatigue, He issued early forth, accompanied only by
Jack
and his Agent's Runner, who knew and was known every where.
With their Staffs in their Hands, they crossed and quartered the Country, at Pleasure, without Let or Obstacle.
At length, they came within Prospect of a House sumptuously fronted, and of a happy Situation.
Harry
stopped here, with Pleasure, comparing, as he approached, the Acquirements of Art with the Advantages of Nature; when a Servant issued forth, and humbly besought him to walk in.
Harry
heard the Voice of Music. What is your Master's Name, says he?
Fielding,
so please your Honour, and we are this Day celebrating the Nuptials of his Son, the young Squire.
The Master of the Family met our Hero at the outward Door.
Harry
recoiled at recognizing the Face of the Mr.
Fielding,
whom he had seen at
Hamstead,
but, taking no Notice, walked with him into the House.
Breakfast, soon after, was ushered in, and Mrs.
Fielding,
and Mr. and Mrs.
Catharines,
and
Ned
came with his blooming and blushing Bride to the Table.
Harry
chuckled and rejoiced at Heart, but still took no Note; when, after some cursory Conversation,
Ned
looked at him with an eager Disturbance and cried, Bless me, my Heart tells me that there is something in that Face which is not quite unknown to me. If I could think, after my many and late Enquiries, that my Patron was alive, bating the Difference of Years, I should verily believe that you were—your
Harry Fenton,
cried our Hero, springing up, your
Harry Fenton,
my dear
Ned!
Harry
then opened his Arms to receive his Friend, while
Ned
leaped and catched at him, as the grapling Iron of a Corsair would catch at a Ship from which great Prize was expected,
All the Family then, so highly as they had been obliged by our Hero and his Father, struggled who should be foremost in their Acknowledgments and Caresses. The holy
Catharines,
fondly taking him to his Arms cried, Christ be gracious to you, my Child! and may the God, who has formed you as an Angel upon Earth, make you also of the highest Order of Angels in Heaven!
After Dinner,
Harry
rose and took his Leave, but they all got in a Group and opposed his Passage, telling him he must be their Prisoner for that Night. I consent, only on this Condition, said
Harry,
that you promise to dine with me, All, To-morrow. Why pray Sir, where do you live, says Mr.
Fielding?
At
Enfield,
with the young Earl of
Moreland,
says
Harry,
but he has a great Friendship for me, and the House is as it were my own.
Much Company arrived in the Evening, and the Ball was opened and held till late. But our Hero declined dancing, that his Friend
Ned
might stand forth peerless in the Eyes of his Bride.
Harry
rose, by the Dawning, and footed it in an Hour to
Enfield.
He flew up Stairs to salute the Family, but found no One, save Mr.
Clinton,
from whom he received, at once, a warm Blessing and Embrace.
Where is the Dutchess, Sir, and my Friend
Abenamin?
Gone,
Harry,
says his Uncle, about Breakfast Time Yesterday; a Courier arrived with the joyful Tidings that my Brother was on the Road, and so my Sister and our
Abenamin
hastened to meet him. By this Time I suppose they are All on their Return. And now take Care of yourself, my
Harry.
The Duke brings with him the Sister of our
Abenamin,
the fair Princess
Abenaidè;
the Dutchess tells me that a lovelier Creature never beheld the Light; so that you must guard your Heart with double Bars, against the Power of this Beauty.—She is vain and disdainful, Sir, excessively vain, I am told, so that her Pride will prove an Antidote against the Poison of her Charms. However I will haste to meet and welcome your most noble Brother.
Harry
was mounted on a haughty Charger, that cost fifteen hundred Guineas when a Colt in
Mauritania.
He was white as new fallen Snow, save a black Mane and Tail, one Foot jet Black to the Joint of the Fetlock, and three large blood-like Spots on the far Shoulder. He was so perfectly instructed and subdued to the Manage, that he seemed to have no Will save the Will of his Rider, while
Harry
's least Motion, like Electricity, informed every Joint and Member. O, that the Wills of all Men were equally subdued to the Sceptre of the Prince of Righteousness, reigning and ruling within them!
The Princess came foremost in an open Chariot drawn by six spotted Arabians. The Chariot was plated all around in burnished Gold emblazoned with Gems of Lustre. But, if the Eye could scarce bear the Blaze of the Vehicle, much less could it support the Brightness of the Beauty who sat enthroned within it.
Harry
bowed twice, as he approached, but she scare deigned a perceptible Nod of Acknowledgment to his Salute.—Our Hero felt himself piqued. Proud Beauty! thought he, I thank you for your timely Prevention of a Passion that, perhaps, might have proved unhappy to me. He then passed forward with affected Carelesness to salute the Duke.
When he came up, the Coach stopped, and
Harry,
flying from his Saddle, approached the Window, while his Steed stood trembling but motionless behind him.
My Lord, said
Harry,
seizing the Duke's Hand and respectfully kissing it, if you were sensible of the Joy that my Heart receives from your Presence, I think it would make you nearly as happy as myself. My sweet Fellow, said the Duke, I have often heard of you at
Paris,
as also by the Letters of my Love here; my Longing at last is gratified, though my Wonder is encreased.
But Madam, says
Harry,
what have you done with my little Playfellow, what's become of my
Abenamin?
O, cried the Dutchess, laughing, he is forthcoming I warrant you; but what has so bewitched you to him? I think you could not be fonder, if he were a Mistress. True, Madam, answered
Harry,
sighing, I never look to have a Mistress that I shall love half as well; but pray put me out of Pain, and let me know where he is. Be pacified, said the smiling Duke, he is not far off; and here is my Hand and Promise that you shall see him before Night.
Our Hero then turned, and touching his left Hand to the Shoulder of his Horse, he rose perpendicular, like a Pyramid of Fire, and again descended on his Seat, as a Flake of Snow on a Rose-Bud. He then touched his white Wand to the Neck of his Steed, who instantly mounted the Air, like a winged
Pegasus,
while the Dutchess shouted out, thinking her
Harry
a gone Man, but he returned as composed, as though he were seated on a Bed of Cotton.
The Coach now began to move, and
Harry
put his Wand to the Flank of his Horse, who, turning his Head to the Carriage, as of his own Accord, moved sidelong toward
Enfield,
with a proud but gentle Prancing; while the Duke cried out, Look, look! O the Boy, O the Boy, the lovely glorious Boy!
As our Hero attended the Carriage of the Duke, the Princess and her Train had got to the House and alighted, while
Harry
opened the Coach Door, and handed out the noble Pair, who alternately kissed and took him to their Arms. Mr.
Clinton
then came forth and received them All with Transport. But
Harry,
under some Pretence, walked away, ruminating, in order to avoid the disdainful Regards of the young Lady.
In the mean Time, our Company, rejoicing, and caressing Each other all the Way, had got slowly, though very lovingly, to the great Mansion Parlour. The Duke then, respectfully taking the young Lady by the Hand, Permit me, Brother, says he, to recommend to you my lovely Ward, the fair Princess of
Morocco.
The Lady then gently bent one Knee toward the Ground, while she received the cordial Blessing and Salute of the old Gentleman.
They then took their Seats. When, Mr.
Clinton,
while he looked more earnestly on the Princess, grew suddenly affected, and called out for a Glass of fair Water and Hartshorn. When he drank it, be found himself in a Measure restored, and, lifting his Hands, he cried, I protest One would think that Nature had copied this young and lovely Creature from an Image that has lain impressed upon my Heart, near these forty Years.
You are in the right, my Brother, exclaimed the Duke, it is even as you surmize. Allow me then, once more, to introduce to you the Counterpart of our once adorable
Louisa,
to introduce to you my Niece and your own Offspring, my Brother, even the Daughter of your still living and ever precious
Eloisa.
The Princess then sprung forward, and, dropping precipitately at the Feet of her Grandfather, she put her Face between his Knees, and, seizing both Hands, she bathed them with her Tears, crying, My Father, O my Father, my dear, my dearest Father, how inexpressibly blessed I think myself, to be the Offspring of such a Father! Mr.
Clinton
then raising her, and seating her fondly on his Knee, and grasping her to his Bosom, I will not ask, he cried, how these Miracles came about, it is enough that I feel the Attraction which pulls you into my Heart. And so saying, their Tears flowed, till they mingled on the Flooring.
Go, my Angel, said Mr.
Clinton,
and take yonder Seat, that I may view and delight my Soul with your Sight, at Leisure. My Eyes begin, at these Years, to see best at a Distance.
At length, the soft Voice of our
Harry
was heard in the Hall, and the Duke, whispering his Brother, requested him, for a little Time, to take no Notice of what had passed.
Our Hero then entered, bowing respectfully and gracefully, but carelesly toward the Side where the Princess sat. He then took his Seat beside the Duke, and bending fondly to him, and seizing a Hand, with both his Hands, he pressed it to his Lips and cried, Welcome, welcome, my dearest Lord, to the House and the Hearts of your truest Lovers!
Then, giving a Glance to the Side where the Princess sat, he caught a Glimpse of her Attractions and, sighing, said to himself, O, the Pity, the Pity! But, no Matter; her Pride shall never suffer a single Charm to take Place; and, so thinking, he turned his Eyes aside.
Mean time,
Abenaidè
arose, with as little Noise as a Hare from her Seat; and stealing round, like a Cat circumventing a Mouse, She came behind
Harry
's Chair, and reaching, and covering an Eye, with each of her Hands, she turned his Head to her, and made a Sound with her Lips, as though she had kissed him.
Harry
opened his Eyes in utter Astonishment, while in a Twinkling standing before him, she chuckled a Laugh and cried, Ha, ha, he, — my
Harry,
what, have you forgot me, don't you remember your old Playfellow, your little Friend
Abenamin?
Harry
's Eyes were now opened, in the Midst of the Hurry and Agitation of his Soul. At a Glimpse he took in the whole Oppression of her Beauties; and, casting himself, quick as a Glance of Lightning, at her Feet, he seized the Hem of her Robeing and glued it to his Mouth.
At length, lifting up his Eyes, he cried, Ah, what are all these Wonders to me, or my Happiness, unless my
Abenamin
will also become my
Abenaidè?
That, replied the Princess, is not at my Option, there sits my Lord and Father at whose Disposal I am.
Harry
then rose, and, throwing himself at the Feet of his revered Patron, embraced his Legs in Silence, while Mr.
Clinton
cried out, Yes, my
Harry,
I understand you; nothing shall ever be wanting to the Happiness of my Darling, that the Power of his tender Parent and loving Uncle can effect. I can have nothing in Heaven or Earth, that is not the Property of my
Harry. Harry
kissed his Feet and sprung up.
Mr.
Clinton
then continued, I aver, I am still in a Labyrinth. Did you not say, my
Abenaidè,
that you were also our
Abenamin?
I did, my Lord, says she, but I did not dare to avow myself. Ah what a painful Struggle did that Restriction cost me! while I panted to catch and to cling to your honoured Feet; while I used to look, and gaze upon you, unperceived; while my Heart swelled with Affection, and my Eyes with restrained Tears, and while I kissed, in secret, the Book that you read, and the Ground that you trod on.
Abenaidè
then sat down, and
Harry,
lightly throwing himself on the Ground beside her, looked beseechingly around and cried, My Lord, my dearest Lady, our still precious
Fanny Goodall,
can you vouch, can ye warrant that I am safe in this Matter? Then, looking up to the Princess, and drinking her in; No, he cried, you cannot engage it, I feel that I shall perish in the very Ecstasy of the Expectation of being united to her.
Just then, Mr.
Meekly
came in. He had been long and far away, upon many a blessed Tour of doing good through the Earth. But, as soon as he heared of the Arrival of his beloved Patron and young Lord, he rode post to embrace them.
Harry
sprung from Love to Friendship, and catching him in his Arms, cried, O, my
Meekly,
my dearest
Meekly,
how seasonably you come, to temper, by your Advice, the insufferable Transports of my Soul; behold the Regent of my Heart, behold the Queen of all my Wishes!
Meekly
then fixed his Eyes upon the Princess, and soon after exclaimed; Gracious Father! what do I see? Can
the Louisa
be resuscitated and new raised from the Dead? O then, it must be so, she must be her Descendent. No One, save my peerless Patroness, could produce the Likeness of my Patroness. But how this blessing Miracle was brought about is the Question.
That is my Question too, my dear
Meekly,
said Mr.
Clinton,
if my most noble Brother would be so good as to solve it. I will gratify you, Gentlemen, said the Duke, in as few Words as possible. Mean while, the Princess withdrew.
On my Embassy to the Court of
Morocco,
I had several private Interviews with the Emperor, before my Credentials were opened in Public. I had the good Fortune to be liked by him, so that he suffer'd no Day to pass without seeing me. His Name was
Abenamin,
he was accounted a great Captain, he exceeded All in his Dominions for Grace of Person and Beauty of Aspect; and that which render'd him still more singular was, that he had given Liberty to all the Ladies of his Seraglio, and, for many Years, had kept constant to the reigning Sultana, said to be the most exquisite Beauty upon Earth.
As we grew more intimate, in the Exuberance of his Affection for his Empress, he could not refrain from speaking of her to me, and he promised that, before I departed, I should see and converse with her; a Grace, he said, never granted to any other Man.
At length, the Day being appointed for my public Entry, I rode through the City, attended by a sumptuous Train, and alighting before the Palace, advanced to the Hall of Audience.
The Emperor was seated, with his Sultana at his right Hand, upon a Throne of Ivory. As soon as I had approached the Presence, and began to open my Commission, the Empress gave a great Shriek, and fell over in a Swoon upon the Bosom of her Husband.
The royal
Abenamin
instantly turned pale as Death, tore off her Veil with trembling Hands to give her Air, and called me to his Assistance, as it is accounted Profanation for any Moor to touch the Person of the Empress. But, O Heaven, O my Friend! think what was my Astonishment when, in the pale Face of the Queen, I beheld the loved Features of our darling
Eloisa!
The Court broke up in Confusion, and her Women came hurrying with Drops and Essences. As soon as she recover'd, she opened her Eyes upon me, and reaching out her Arms, and catching me to her, she cried. O my Uncle, my dearest Uncle, am I so bless'd then as to behold you before I expire.
The Monarch, in the mean Time, looked upon me with a jealous Eye, and twice put his Hand to the Haft of his Dagger, but checked his rising Indignation, till he should have the Mystery of his Queen's Behaviour explained. The Women then raised her up and bore her to her Apartment; while the Emperor, turning to me, with no very friendly Aspect, ordered me to follow him.
When I had attended a considerable Time in the Antichamber, He came forth with a serene and joyous Countenance, and embracing me, cried, O my Friend, my dear Kinsman, how transported I am to find and acknowledge You for such; the Parent of my Angel becomes a Part of myself.
He then led me by the Hand into the Bedchamber of my
Eloisa,
where we renewed our Caresses without Restraint. But the Monarch, fearing that these Emotions would be too much for her, told me that he had something for my private Ear till Dinner; and took me into an adjoining Closet.
There, seating, and taking me affectionately by the Hand, I will now tell you, my Uncle, says he, how I came by this inestimable Treasure of your Niece.
I had fitted out a royal Ship of my own, not as a Corsair, but rather for Trade in the
Mediterranean.
On their Return from the Coast of
Egypt,
as they past, after a violent Hurricane, within Sight of old
Carthage,
my People perceived, at a Distance, a Sloop stranded on a Shoal of Sand about a League from the Shore. Immediately they sent out a Boat and took the distressed Company in, consisting of my Charmer, two female Companions, and three Servants in Livery, beside the Boatmen.
The Intendants of my Ship behaved themselves with all possible Respect toward the young Lady and her Attendants, and endeavoured to quiet her Terrors, by assuring her that she was free, and that their Prince was a Person of too much Honour and Humanity to derive any Advantage from the Disasters of the Unfortunate.
The Moment that they brought her before me, pale, trembling and in Tears; while she dropt on her Knees, and lifted to me her fine Eyes in a petitioning Manner; the Gates of my Soul opened to the sweetly affecting Image, and ever after closed, of their own accord, upon it.
Ah, I cried, heavenly Creature, calm, calm your causeless Fears! I swear by our Prophet and the God of our Prophet, that I would rather suffer the Gaunch, than put the smallest Constraint on your Person or Inclinations. You are free, Madam, you shall ever be free, save so far as I may bind you by my tender Offices and Affections.
I raised her, and she grew something better assured; when, bending a Knee in my Turn, I kissed her Robe and cried, Look not upon me as your Tyrant, look not on me as your Lover; but look upon me as your Friend, the tenderest and truest of Friends, who shall ever be ready to sacrifice his own Happiness to Your's.
From that Time I studied every Amusement, every Diversion, that might serve to dissipate the timid Shrinkings of her remaining Apprehensions. While I conducted myself toward her, with a distant though fond Respect, not even presuming to touch her ivory Hand.
In the mean Time, my Soul sicken'd, and grew cold to all other Women. If you were ever in Love, my dear
D'Aubigny,
you know that it is a chaste as well as a tender Passion. I languished indeed for her, I longed and languish'd to Death; but then it was rather for her Heart than her Person that I languished.
One Day, as she heaved a heavy but half suppress'd Sigh, Ah my Angel, I cried, I can have no Joy but Your's, and yet You have Griefs to which you keep your Friend, your
Abenamin
a Stranger. True, my Lord, says she, Tears breaking from her, all your Bounties have not been able to silence the Calls of Kindred or Claims of Nature within me. Ah, my Parents, my dear Parents; I feel more for You, than I feel even for myself, in being torn from you.
The Weight of her Affliction fell, like a Mountain, on my Soul and crushed me to her Feet. You would leave me then,
Eloisa,
you wish to leave me, but your Generosity delays to tell me so, for fear of breaking my Heart.—Well, be it so—go from me—you know I cannot survive you—but, my Death is of no Consequence, my
Eloisa
shall be happy.—I will go this Instant, I will dispatch my swiftest Galley to
Languedoc
—I will write Word to your Parents that you are safe, that you are beloved, and yet pure and untouched, since respected as a Deity.—I will invite them to come and take Possession of my Treasures, my Dominions, my Heart: But—should they reject my Suit, I again swear, by
Alla,
to send You to them, laden with Wealth, though I myself should drop dead at the Instant of your Departure.
The noble Soul of my
Eloisa
became instantly affected. She caught a Hand between both of hers, and bathing it with Tears, cried, O, now indeed you have bound me by Chains infinitely stronger than all the Shackles that fasten the Slaves to the Gallies of
Africa.
I kept firm to my Engagement, and, in a few Weeks, my winged Messengers returned. But, O the Tidings, the very doleful Tidings for my Beloved! They brought Word that they found no Creature; save two ancient Domestics in the great Hotel, as two Ravens in the Midst of a lonely Forest.
From these they learned, that my
Eloisa
's Mother and little Brother were dead, that her Grandmother was dead, her Aunt the Marchioness also dead, and that the Marquis had retired they knew not whither.
She wept incessantly, and I wept with her.—At length she softly said; You have conquer'd, my Lord, you have conquer'd; I am subdued by your Weight of Affection! O, that You could but conform to one Article more, that we might be united as one Heart, and one Soul, and one Sentiment for ever!
It was now, for the first Time, that I dared to seize her Hand, I crushed it to my Lips, and thrust it into my Soul. What would you enjoin, I cried, I would do any Thing, dare any Thing to be united to my
Eloisa!
in Life and in Death, Body to Body and Dust to Dust, never never to be sundered, till her Spirit should make the Heaven of my Spirit hereafter.
Ah, she suddenly exclaimed, that, that is the very Thing I so eagerly desire. Let the God of my Heart be the God of your Heart, let the God of my Spirit be the God of your Spirit, so shall we be united in him, and jointly partake of his Blessedness through Eternity!
Ah, I cried, can I forego the divine Precepts of our Prophet? Your Prophet, says she, preaches only to the Eye and the Ear, and this is all that he does or can pretend to: But
Christ,
my Prophet, preaches, in the Heart, to the Affections. From him is every good Motion divine or human, He is the unknown God of your Spirit, my Master, my
Abenamin,
and you feel his precious Power while you disavow his Name.
I was puzzled, I was silenced. I bent a Knee in Reverence, kissed her Hand, and withdrew.
I sent for the Chief of the Christian Missionaries, throughout the City and Country. I consulted Each of them in private, but received no Satisfaction from them. They All appeared equally zealous for my Reformation, but attempted it by different and even by opposite Arguments.
Some would have persuaded me to be Christian, by shewing the Absurdity of every Religion that was not Christian. Others affirmed that my eternal Salvation depended on my Conformity to certain external Rules and Penances. While the greatest Number inveighed against the Christians of every other Denomination; and would have thrust me wholly from Christ, if I did not consent to receive him within their stinted Pale.
I knew not what to do: I was put to a Stand, and quite confused by this Multiplicity of conflicting Opinions. At length, a Countryman of my own came to me from the Desart. He had been a great Sinner, but was converted by the Sense of his Sins, and he was revered and resorted to by All the Friendless and Afflicted.
I opened my Soul to him, with all its Doubts and Difficulties.—My Friend in CHRIST, said he, with a gentle and still Voice, they have been leading you all astray, quite away from the Haven that stretches forth its Arms for the Reception of long toiled Mariners, whom Storms have, at length, compelled to seek a final Port.
The God of your Creation can alone be your Redemption, the God of your Nature can alone be the Salvation of the Nature that he imparted. But, who shall convince you of this? Not all the Angels in Heaven, nor all the Doctors upon Earth, till the Christ of your Heart shall be pleased to convince you that you are, as indeed you are (however mighty a Monarch) a poor, frail, erring, vile, and despicable Creature; subjected to innumerable Lapses and Infirmities, Sickness, Passions, and Crosses, Griefs, Agonies and Death. When this is effectually done, the Whole of the Business is done. You will call for and catch at a Saviour, in the Sensibility of your Want of him. When you come thus laden with your Sins to him, he will in no wise cast you out. But he will take you, as
Noah
took the wearied Dove into the Ark. He will take you within the Veil of his own Temple of Rest, and all Sects, Forms, and Ceremonies will be as the outward Courts, with which you shall have no Manner of Commerce or Concern.
My Heart felt the Weight and the Fulness of Conviction. I took him to my Arms and requested instant Baptism. My
Eloisa
was called, we locked ourselves in. And I was washed by Water and Faith into Christ, while my kneeling Angel wept a Stream of Delight beside me.
It is said that Possession cloys. But I experienced, my dear
D'Aubigny,
that Love never cloys. Every Day, with my
Eloisa,
seemed to triumph, in heart-felt Happiness, over my first bridal Day. But O, what was the Joy, the Exultation of my fond Heart, when she gave me to be the Father of a little Daughter of Paradise!
One Day, while we were toying and fooling with the smiling Infant, and throwing her, as she crowed, from the One to the Other. Ah, my Husband, cries
Eloisa,
how poor I was lately, no Parents, no Kindred, nothing but my
Abenamin
upon the whole Earth; and now God has been pleased to make my Affliction to laugh, and to give this Babe for a further Band, a precious Link of Love between us.
He was just in this Part of his Narration, when the Music sounded to the Banquet. We instantly rose and joined our
Eloisa.
When the Collation was removed. Madam, said I to the Empress, have you ever heard of a Relation, of yours, christened by the Name of
Fanny Goodall,
and lately Countess of
Maitland?
I have, said she, often heard my fond Father speak of her with filling Eyes. She is in this City, Madam. She is no longer Countess of
Maitland.
She is now doubly your Relation, your Aunt as well as your Cousin, and goes by the Title of the Marchioness
D'Aubigny.
With the good Leave of my Lord here, I will bring her to you directly.
I went to the Palace appointed for my Residence: I there gave my
Fanny
a few Heads of the Story of our
Eloisa,
and took her hastily to the Presence.
The Ladies looked at Each other, in long and silent Admiration. Then, opening their Arms, and rushing together, they continued some Minutes locked in mutual Embraces.
Madam, said the Emperor, smiling, I think I ought to be allowed the same Liberties with my Aunt, that your Husband took with his Niece. Whereon, he welcomed and caressed her with an affectionate Fervour.
O, exclaimed the royal Fair, how very poor, and how very rich our God can suddenly make us! But then, Lord of my Life, to think of parting, of parting with these dear Friends again, perhaps never to see them more, that's what sinks and wrings my Heart, in the very Midst of Exultation!
That, my Love, said the Emperor, is the very important Article on which I wish to consult with you and our Friends here, our dear Kindred in Christ. But I must first shew them their young Relation, my little Enchantress, my priceless Pearl, my Eye delighting
Abenaide.
He then stept forth, and, after a while, led in a gracefully moving Creature, but veiled from the Head to the Waist. Throw up your Veil, my Love, says he; here are none but your Friends, your very dear Relations, your lovely Aunt and your Uncle, the Marquis and Marchioness
D'Aubigny.
She did as she was ordered, and instantly broke upon my Sight, like a new Glory arisen upon Mid-day.
My
Fanny
seized upon her, as desirous of devouring her. And I, in turn, took her to me, with tearfull Eyes, as almost persuaded that I embraced the newly revived Person of my dearest Sister
Louisa;
so perfect was the Resemblance in every Grace and Feature.
When we had nearly oppressed the celestial looking Maid with our insatiate Caresses; She seized our Hands and, kissing them, cried, What a blessed Day is this, that enriches
Abenaidè
with two Parents more; another precious Father, and another lovely Mother, happy, happy
Abenaidè.
Her royal Father then gave a Beck, and she instantly vanished; while her Absence seemed to cast a Shade throughout the Room.
The Monarch then, deeply musing and heavily sighing, began—I am now, my dearest Friends, Friends beloved above the World and all that it contains, I am now to open to you my inmost Heart, and to reveal a Purpose whereon I have been ruminating these many Months, but could not hit on an Expedient for bringing it to pass. How opportune has our
Jesus
sent you to us on this Occasion!
I have but the two Children living; my
Abenaidè,
and a Son, by a former Woman of my Seraglio. His Name is
Abencorrage;
he is a Youth renowned in the Field, but of a proud and impetuous Demeanour. He had long conceived an illicit Passion for his young and lovely Sister. At length the Fire broke forth, and he lately attempted her Honour.
I would instantly have put him to death, had I any other Heir to succeed to my Dominions. I therefore contented myself with banishing him my Court and my Presence, though I am sensible that this has not availed for the extinguishing his horrid Flame.
Now, my Friends, should I die, or should this violent Boy break into Rebellion, for he is the Favourite of the licentious Soldiery, I tremble to think what would become of my bright eyed Dove, within the Talons of such a Vulture.
This, together with my eager Desire of quitting a Kingdom of Infidels, and of joining with the blessed Society and Communion of Saints, has, after some Struggles, determined me to abdicate my Throne, as soon as I can amass and transmit a Fund sufficient for supporting my
Eloisa
and myself, with becoming Dignity, in her native Country.
Ah, my Lord, I cried, clasping him passionately in my Arms, regard not your Treasures, delay not a Moment for that! your
Eloisa
's Relations, both by Father and Mother, are possessed of princely Fortunes, and they will all be freely at the Disposal of your Majesty.
Ah, my
D'Aubigny,
said he, I am not yet so duely mortified a Christian as needlesly to elect a State of Dependance, or willingly to descend at once from the King to the Beggar. I have however been preparing: I have already converted a large Part of my Effects into Bills and Jewels, of high Value but light Portage, to the amount, as I think, of about Sixty Million of
French
Money; this I will transmit by you, and as soon as I shall have compassed an equal Sum, I will stay no longer in
Africa,
I will fly to your Bosoms, my precious Friends.
In the mean Time, this violent and lustful Boy gives no Rest to my Apprehensions. It is therefore necessary that I commit my
Abenaidè
to your Trust. It is necessary, I say, that I tear away my choicest Limb, the dearest Part of my Vitals! Support me, Christ, in the Trial, but it must be gone through.
This, however, must be done with all possible Privacy. I am persuaded that my young Villain has his Spies in and about my Palace. I shall therefore request my dear Aunt, to disguise my little Girl in Boy's Apparel, and to blacken every Part of her visible Complexion, that she may pass unnoticed, as your Page, through the Midst of my Attendants. As also that it may prove, during the Travels of my Darling, a Preservative against the Lust of the Eye, and any further Attempt tending to Violation.
At length the Time approached and pressed for my Departure, but how to part was the Question. All Attendants were ordered to avoid the Presence, far away. Our metamorphosed
Abenaidè
stood weeping beside us, while her Father and Mother crushed us, successively, to their Bosoms. All was Passion, a Gush of Tears, but not a Word was uttered on any Part.
O, my
D'Aubigny,
cried the Emperor at length, Friend, Brother of my Heart, can you conceive what I feel at this Instant? I regard not the World, nor the Things of the World. Omit such necessary Accommodations as are common to us with Brutes; and All, belonging to the immortal and divine Humanity of Man, is Magnetism, is Fellowship, the Feeling, as of Steel to Adamant, and of Adamant to Steel. There is the Friendship, the Endearment, the Love, passing Love, and surpassing all other Enjoyment. If we meet again, my
D'Aubigny,
I shall anticipate my Heaven!
Again, he embraced his little Angel, and again he embraced his Queen, and besought her to be comforted. We then took Leave, as for the last; and again they called us back, and embraced and took Leave again; till, seeing no End, I suddenly broke away, hurrying with us our
Abenaidè,
for fear of Observation. I forgot, however, to tell You that, the Day before our Departure, the royal
Abenamin
had enjoined me to set apart twenty Million of Livres, for the Portion of his Child, in case she should be married to any great Prince or Potentate, requesting me, at the same Time, not to put any Constraint on the Inclinations of his Lamb.
I have little further to say, my Brother. We arrived safe at
Paris,
where we received your Letter; and, impatient to make you happy, I dispatched my
Fanny
with her Train and your
Abenaidè
before me; enjoining them, however, not to reveal our Secret till my Arrival. For, as I had charged myself with the Loss of your
Eloisa,
I deemed myself best entitled to make you Reparation in Person. But, I ought not to omit that, before I left
Paris,
I received a further Remittance of twenty Million from your Son-in-law, so that we may speedily look to have the royal Pair in
England.
Soon after, a Post Chaise whirled into the Court, and
Harry,
flying out, caught
Clement
and
Arabella
into his strict Embrace. He then hurried them in, where Mr.
Clinton
received and caressed, and introduced them to the Duke and Dutchess, as Persons of great Merit, and his highly valued Friends. He then presented to them his
Abenaidè,
who accordingly saluted
Clement,
and embraced
Arabella
with an affectionate Familiarity.
O Sir, cried our Hero, kissing his Uncle's Hand, am I to be the last Person in the World, whom you will honour with a Salute from your bewitching Daughter? I ask your Pardon, my Lord, said Mr.
Clinton
(solemnly) Allow me then, at length, to repair my Omission by presenting to your Earlship her little Highness
Abenaidè.
The Duke and Dutchess and
Meekly
laughed. But
Harry
was not a whit the slower in laying hold of his Advantage. He kissed her Forehead, her Eyes, her Cheeks, and lastly dwelt upon her Lips, as though he would have infused his Soul between them.
Harry, Harry,
cried Mr.
Clinton,
I will never introduce you to my Girl again, unless you promise not to kiss so hard and bring so much Blood into her Face.
Just then a Footman entered; My Lord, says he to
Harry,
here are three Carriages and several Horsemen waiting without the Gate, they enquire for one Master
Fenton
who, they say, lives with the Earl of
Moreland,
but I assured them there was no such Person in the House. O Sir, said
Harry,
these are our old Friends the
Fieldings,
and out he flew.
As he approached the Carriages, the Company gave a Shout of Joy. Why, Sir, said Mr.
Fielding,
a Servant denied you to us, and said that no One of the Name of
Fenton
lived here. O, says
Harry,
don't heed the Puppy, he is but a new Comer.
He then opened the Doors of the Carriages, and handed and kissed them, in Turns, as they came out, Mr. and Mrs.
Fielding,
the reverend Mr.
Catharines
and his sainted
Phaebe,
and
Ned
and his blooming Bride.
Mr.
Clinton
received them at the Door, with the Joy of his Heart apparent in his Countenance. He then introduced them to his most noble Brother and Sister, to his Friend
Meekly,
and lastly he presented his
Abenaidè
to them, on whom they all gazed in mute and reverential Astonishment.
Harry
then observing that his Uncle had not equally presented his Daughter to
Ned.
Sir, says he, I apprehend that this is not quite fair; I have already kissed the fair Bride of my Friend, with all my Heart, and it is but honest that he should be favoured with a Salute from Mine, in turn.
Harry
then took
Ned
by the Hand and presented him to his Beloved. While
Ned
bent the Knee, and touching her Hand tremblingly, looked awfully to her Face, and said: Yes, Bride of
Eden,
lovely Extract of every Beauty! You alone can reward, You alone can deserve him, You alone are fitted to be the Mate of my incomparable Lord and Master, my Patron and Preserver! So saying, he lightly touched his Lips to the polished Hand. But the Praises of her
Harry
had gone, with a pleasant Trickling, to the Heart of
Abenaidè,
and, gently raising
Ned,
she affectionately saluted him, with a glistening Eye.
Pray Sir, said Mr.
Fielding,
whisperingly, to Mr.
Clinton,
is the Earl of
Moreland
in Company?—That is he, Sir, pointing to
Harry.
—O then, cried
Fielding,
he is titled below his Merits, it was for an Emperor that Nature intended him.
Dinner was then served.—During the Repast the Duke said, Let us not, my Brother, keep our
Harry
in Pain: Why should we delay the Happiness of Children so very dear to us? With Regard to your Child's Marriage to some mighty Prince, as your Son-in-law hinted, I think her more ennobled and more illustrious, by her Marriage with our Hero here, who purchased her, at his Peril, than if she were mated to the greatest Potentate on Earth.
You must excuse me, my noble Brother, said Mr.
Clinton,
I will have no clandestine Doings in this Business. My Girl shall be married in the Face and witnessing of Thousands; left hereafter, this young Rogue should have the Effrontery to deny her. What Day of the Week is this,
Thursday,
I think, let
Monday
Sennight be the Day!
Harry
rose and press'd and kiss'd the Hand of the Duke with Rapture, and then kissed the Hand of his Patron in silent Submission.
They kept the
Fieldings
with them for three Days. But
Harry
would not part with his
Clement,
nor
Abenaidè
with
Arabella
till the Marriage should be over.
Harry,
in the Presence of these two Friends, attempted to take some little accustomed Liberties, under her Name of
Abenamin.
But, the Proprietor of his Heart sweetly repulsed him and cried, No, no, honest Friend, I will box with you whenever, and as often as you please, but, no more wrestling, my
Harry!
In the mean Time, all Preparations were pushed into Forwardness by Mr.
Clinton.
The many Shops of the many Towns, within many Miles around, were emptied of their Boards and Sheeting, their Knives and Forks,
&c.
Thousands of Tables and Forms were framed, Thousands of Tents were erected. Proclamation was made in every Village, and all People, within thirty Miles, invited to the Wedding.
When the Day approached, one hundred Oxen were slain, five hundred Sheep, three hundred Swine, with fifty fat Deer,
&c. &c.
The Spits fried, and the Cauldrons smoaked over the Fires of many a Field.
At length the auspicious Morning rose; and
Harry
and his Bride were already up and dressed in their respective Apartments.
Harry
wore a Jacket and Drawers of white Satin. His Locks flowed through a Knot of oriental Pearl. And a Mantle of purple Velvet, embroidered with Needle wrought Flowers of Gold, hung over his left Shoulder, and came under the right Arm in floating Skirts, joined at the Ends by a Buckle of Carbuncles.
The Princess was habited, after the
Persian
Fashion, in a Vest of Silver Brocading, scollop'd over a Petticoat of the same Fabric, that flowed in a Train behind. A Scarf of cerulean Tint flew between her right Shoulder and her left Hip, being buttoned at each End by a Rose of Rubies. Her shining Tresses of jetty Black, bound together at her Neck beneath a huge Amethyst, fell down in luxuriant Ringlets, and shaded and revealed, by Turns, the fine Bend of her tapering Waist. A Coronet of Diamonds, through which there waved a white Branch of the Feathers of the Estrich, was inserted on the left Decline of her lovely Head. And a Stomacher of inestimable Brilliants rose beneath her dazzling Bosom, and, by a fluctuating Blaze of unremitted Glory, checked and turned the Eye away from too presumptuous a Gaze.
Our Hero, coming forth, beheld her, as a Pillar of Fire, just issuing from her Antichamber. He stepped back, as she advanced, and fixed his Eyes upon her in mute Astonishment; then springing forward he fell prostrate and kissed the Hem of her Robeing. Again rising on one Knee, he lifted his Hands toward Heaven, and his Eyes to her glowing Countenance. Oppressive Power of Beauty! he cried, O, may every Day rise, like this, on my Soul-enrapturing
Abenaidè,
encircling her with Friendship, Love, and Joy, and the Knee of admiring Thousands!
Arabella
attended her royal Friend, and
Clement
his noble Pupil, just as
Longfield
entered to give an Account of his Expedition. But, he had scarce begun his Detail, when, catching the Image that had long since made an Impression on his Heart, he started and turned pale, and breaking off he cried, Bless me, my Lord, Mrs.
Clement,
I think! Yes, my
Longfield,
said
Harry,
and here too is your old and fast Friend
Hammel Clement. Clement
would not have known
Longfield
in his present genteel Plight; but, hearing his Name, and recollecting him at a Glance, he flew and seized upon him with a strenuous Embrace.
Arabella
then advanced to welcome her old Friend; but poor
Longfield
respectfully bowed and shrunk back.
You shall not escape me so, my dear Mr.
Longfield,
says she; I cannot forget what I owe you, even my Life and Reputation; and I bless the Father of Mercies, who has put it in our Power to pay Part of our Debt, and so saying she embraced him with Freedom and Cordiality. Yes, my dear
Longfield,
cried
Hammel,
your's is the Half of our Fortunes, and more than the Half of our Hearts. Your Heart, Sir, said
Longfield,
will ever be most valuable; but as to any Thing additional, the Bounty of my young Master has rendered all further Fortune quite superfluous to me.
Longfield
then beckoned his Lord forth, that he might relate to his Eye, rather than to his Ear, the Success of his Commission. They hastened to a long Barn, where he shewed
Harry
two Ranges of beautiful Children, One of a hundred chosen Girls, Another of a hundred chosen Boys, All dressed in a clean and elegant Uniform.
Harry
walked between the Ranks, his Heart exulting in the Sense of its own divine Humanity. Then, embracing his Agent, Yes, my
Longfield,
he cried, These shall be indeed my Children; and I will prove a true and affectionate Father to them. But let us hasten to bestow upon them a tender Mother too, I trust.
He flew back, as a Glimpse of Lightening, and seizing and half devouring the Hand of his Bride, Will you pardon me, my Beloved, says he, some Matters that happened before our Union? I have collected all the Children I ever had before Marriage. I scorn any Thing that is clandestine. They wait for your Inspection; and I hope that you will not prove a hard Stepmother to them. You are a Rogue, says she, archly smiling, and giving him a Pat on the Cheek; but come along, and so saying, away they tripped.
The Princess walked, with a silent and musing Attention, up and down the Ranges. Her Heart grew strongly affected, and, taking out her Handkerchief, she wiped away the dropping Tear. And has my Lord, says she to
Longfield,
has he indeed taken upon him to be a Father to all this pretty Host of Little Ones? He has, so please your Highness, says
Longfield,
and has accordingly cloathed and provided for them. O, she cried, under the FATHER, which is in Heaven, he is the dearest and sweetest Father that ever was upon Earth! So exclaiming, she sprung at
Harry,
and notwithstanding her late Coyness, scarce vouchsafing a Hand to his Lips, she now grappled about his Neck, half smothering him with the Repetition of her Kisses and Caresses; and then thrusting her Face into his Bosom, she vented her Passion in Tears.
On their Return, they perceived Mr.
Clinton,
the Duke and Dutchess, all standing in the great folding Door, and flying up the marble Steps, they Both bent the Knee, and received the joint Blessings and successive Caresses of their three exulting Parents.
Just then
Harry
spied Goodman
Dobson
and his Dame coming diffidently but puffingly up the Avenue. Instantly he caught his Angel by the Hand and hastened to meet them. He took them successively in his Arms, and kissed them with warm Affection, while with yearning Hearts and Bowels, they wished him Joy upon Joy. They then kneeled down on each Side of the Princess, kissing her Hands and Garments, and blessing her for bestowing such a Heaven of Beauty upon their
Harry.
But, as soon as
Harry
told her that they were his Fosterers, his very dear Daddy and Mammy; she raised and kissed them, in turns, with her Arms about their Necks; and besought them to be her Daddy and Mammy also; for, alas, says she, my Daddy and Mammy are far away.
Harry
then gave them into the Hands of his Man
Jack,
with Orders to take them to the Larder.
The Multitude, before this, began to thicken apace. And the Youth had got together in the great Lawn, casting the Coit and the Sledge, and leaping over a Cord that was raised between two Posts.
My lovely
Harry,
cried the Duke, I have heard Things, almost incredible, of your Prowess and Action, but never saw any Sample save the mounting of your
Bucephealus.
Will you be so good to give me some Instance of your Excellence among yonder young Competitors, whom I suppose to be the most eminent that the Shire can exhibit? Do, my
Harry,
said Mr.
Clinton,
clasping and kissing him, indulge my dearest Brother on this our Day of Jubilee.
Harry
bowed, and ordered
Jack
to bring him his Quarterstaff, and dispatched Another for a Cord and two long Poles. He then walked down the Avenue, attended by the Males and Females of the whole Family.
As they approached the Lawn, a Youth, of uncommon Vigour, had cleared the former Cord, though raised to something upward of five Feet in Height, but All, who attempted to follow, either recoiled or pitched over.
Harry
then caused his two Poles to be erected to an Elevation of ten Feet, with a Cord reaching from Top to Top. The Multitude came down, in Thousands, to see what they were about. When
Harry,
having cleared the contested Cord with a standing Hop, went backward from his lofty Poles, about the Distance of thirty Paces; then, rushing forward, he advanced one End of his Staff to the Ground, and springing, and raising, and rising upon the opposite End, he pitched himself over the elevated String, while the Multitude beheld him, as a new risen Phenix, suspended and glittering in the Air, and then alighting, as winged, on the other Side.
The Elements were rent by a universal Shout, which followed and undulated after our Company, till they sheltered themselves within the House.
The
Fieldings
then arrived, with the reverable Mr.
Catharines,
who was appointed to join the angelic Pair.
After Breakfast, the Carriages were ordered out. First, Mr.
Clinton
and his
Meekly
moved away, in Mr.
Clinton
's Coach and Six to the Church. The Family of the
Fieldings
then followed, in a Coach and Six, and two Chariots. Next went
Clement
and his
Arabella,
in their Post Chaise and Four. The Duke and Dutchess then succeeded, in a sumptuous Coach proudly drawn by Six
German
Greys, attended by a long Retinue of
French
Liveries, and the Dutchess's Women in a Coach and Four. Last advanced the Princess's four faithful
Moors,
mounted on fiery Coursers, and All glistering in
Barbaric
Gems and Adornments. And last of all came our Hero and his
Abenaidè,
enthroned in her open Chariot, as two Pearls of the Orient in a Case of burnished Gold; her six spotted
Arabians,
restraining their Impatience, beat Measures with their Feet, scarce seeming to advance the Pace of a Tortoise. Never will any Sight so glorious be exhibited, till the heavenly
Jerusalem
shall descend upon Earth.
Harry
's
Jack
closed the Rear, mounted on his Lord's rhone Charger, who stepped foaming behind the Chariot; and the long Cavalcade nearly reached from the great Hotel to the Entrance of the Town.
The Crowd, however, extended wide and far beyond the Cavalcade. They bowed respectfully and payed Obeysance to Mr.
Clinton,
the Duke,
&c.
as they passed; but as soon as they got a Glimpse of the Chariot of their young
Phaeton,
their Acclamations became unremitted and almost insufferable to the Ear, like the Shouts of a
Persian
Army at the rising of the Sun.
Slowly as our
Harry
moved, the Multitude strove to retard him, by throwing themselves in his Way, that they might satiate their Eyes and Souls with the Fulness of Beauty. Bended Knees and lifted Hands, Prayers, Blessings, and Exclamations were hear'd, and seen on all Sides; and, all the Way as they went, Thousands, upon Tens of Thousands, shouted forth the Hymeneal of the celestial Pair!
THE END.