guish the wolves into young, old, and great old wolves; they know them by the feet, that is, by the tracks they leave on the ground. The older the wolf, the larger is his foot. The fhe-wolf's foot is longer and narrower, and her heel alfo and nails are fmaller. A good blood-hound is wanting for finding out a wolf, and he must be animated and encouraged when he falls on his track; for all dogs have an aversion to the wolf, and fhew but little ardour in queft of him. When the wolf is difcovered, the greyhounds are brought up that are to hunt him; they are divided into two or three leashes; one of thefe is kept for courfing him, and the others are led forward as relaydogs. The first are instantly let loofe after him, backed by a man on horfeback; the fecond is let loofe within 7 or 800 paces farther off, when the wolf is ready to pass; and afterwards the third, when the dogs begin to come up with and harrafs him. All together foon reduce him to the last extremity, and the huntfman difpatches him by a ftab with his knife Dogs have no defire to tear him afunder, and their repugnance for eating his flesh is fo great, that it must be dressed and feasoned in order to their making a meal of it. The wolf may be alfo hunted with hounds; but, as he always drives forward, and runs a whole day without being spent, the hunt becomes tedious and tirefome, unless the hounds are fupported by greyhounds to feize and harrafs him, and give them time to approach.

To deftroy wolves the country-people beat about with maftiffs, lay traps and fnares, prefent baits, make pits, and fpread about poifoned balls. All thefe expedients do not hinder these animals from being always pretty numerous, especially in countries where there are many woods. The ifland of Great Britain was formerly much infested by wolves, but the cutting down of the woods has cleared the country of that nuifance, though it is faid fome wolves are ftill met with in Scotland.

The colour and hair of thefe animals change according to the difference of climate, and vary fometimes in the fame country. In France and Germany, belides the common wolves, fome are found with a much thicker hair, and bordering upon the fallow colour. Thefe wolves, more wild and lefs hurtful than the reft, never approach either houses or flocks, living intirely by hunting, and not by rapine. In northern countries they are found quite white and quite black; the later are taller and ftonger than the others.

The common fpecies is pretty general in most parts, being found in Afia, Africa, and America, as well as in Europe. The wolves of Senegal refemble thofe of France, but are larger and much more cruel; thofe of Egypt are fmaller than those of Greece. In the Eaft, and especially in Perfia, wolves are exhibited as fhews for diverting the people; they are trained up and exercised from cubs in the art of dancing, or rather in a fort of wrestling against a great number of men. A wolf brought up to dancing is purchased, fays Chardin, for five hundred crowns. This fact proves at Lait, that, by time and constraint, thefe animals are fufceptible of fome fort of education. As long as they are young, that is, in the first and second year, they are pretty docile; they even can fawn, and, if well fed, they never fall upon fowls or other animals; but, about the age of 18 months, or two years, nature becomes predominant in them, and they must be chained, to hinder their running away, or doing mischief. I have known one that was brought up in full liberty in a yard with fowls for 18 or 19 months, and never attacked them; but, as a fample of his natural inclination, he killed them all in one night, without eating one of them; another, which had broken his chain at the age of about two years, fled, after killing a dog with which he had been familiar; a fhewolf, kept for three years, and though fhut up quite young and alone with a mastiff of the fame age in a yard wide enough, could not all that time accuftom herself to live with him, nor fuffer him, even when he was in heat. Though weaker, fhe was the more mifchievous; the provoked, attacked, and bit the dog, who, at firft, only defended himself, but at length, highly irritated, ftrangled her.

There is nothing good in this animal, but its fkin; it ferves for a coarfe fur, warm and durable. Its flesh is bad, loathed by all animals, and none but a wolf can relish wolves flesh. An infectious odour exhales from his throat. To allay hunger, as he fwallows indifcriminately every thing he finds, corrupt flesh, bones, hair, fkins halftanned and still quite covered with lime, he vomits frequently, and has often greater evacuations than repletions. In short, difagreeable in all refpects, his mean appearance, favage afpect, horrid voice, infupportable finell, perverfe difpofition, ferocious manners, render him detefted in life, and ufelefs in death.

The

Nothing very material happened during the rest of the time which I paft with Lady Betty. The time approached when Lady Betty was to carry me home. It came, and we arrived, without any accident, at my uncle's, where I found Sir Charles. He appeared in raptures at the fight of me. I did all I could in order to feem glad to fee them; but I fear I acted my part very aukwardly. My heart heaved with inward anguish, and tinctured all my looks and actions with an air of melancholy. They, however, attributed this to the concern I felt, on being feparated from Lady Betty Ruffel, who itayed with us but three days. Soon after the was gone, I went to my father's, as did our uncle, aunt, and Sir Charles: During our ftay there, the time was spent in every one's bufying themselves with, and talking of, my approaching wedding. Sir Charles behaved with the utmoft tenderness and respect to me; but I fancied I faw an air of triumph and protection in his countenance, which rendered him deteftable to me, and, at the fame time, harrowed up my heart. Thus I was wretched, but they were all too bufy to take any notice of it. Sophie, my dear Sophie alone, read my heart; fhe was grown a great girl; but as my griefs were of a nature not to admit of relief, I had never made any one my confidant. Sophie guefled that I did not love Sir Charles, but her conjectures went no farther. One night, as I was going to bed, and she was fitting by me, the faid, in a pathetic tone of voice, My dear fifter, I am much deceived, if your heart don't fuffer extremely, I fee you ftrive to hide it, but the eye of friendship is penetrating; I am perfuaded that you don't love Sir Charles Stanly, and from thence fprings all your uneafinefs. Alas! (continued fhe, with a deep figh) how capricious is fortune! Why don't you fee him with my eyes? and then you would both be happy.' I looked at her, and faw her face covered with blufhes, and the tear falling on her cheek. I inftantly gueffed that the was in love with him herself, but did not think it prudent to Jet her fee I had made fuch a difcovery. When I was alone, I asked myself if I was not fufficiently wretched, by being obliged to marry a man I did not love, but that, by facrificing myself, I muft plunge a dagger into the breaft of my tweet Sophie? Good God, I exclaimed. change Sir Charles's heart! Turn his affections on my fifter; let them

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be happy, no matter what becomes of me.' As the time approached for our going to London, my father fixed the week following for our departure from -fhire. He had hi red a ready furnished houfe for himself and family, in Weftminster. It was agreed, that I fhould be at my uncle's, as ufual, till I was married. On the day appointed we all fet out. The next morning after our arrival at London, I rofe early, and went to my father's, in order to inquire how they all did after their journey; when, in croffing the Park, it was my ill fate to meet with Mr. Williams: He was walking a flow pace, with his arms folded, and his eyes fixed on the ground; he did not perceive me till I was clofe to him; when, raifing his eyes, he feemed to be vaftly furprised, as well as pleafed, at meeting me thus unexpectedly. I was aftonifhed to fee him fo altered; he looked pale, thin, and dejected; I could not help telling him, that I thought he was much changed, and I asked him, If he had not been well?' He replied, That he had never known either peace or health fince I left Lady Betty's; and added, with a figh, that he thanked God his forrows would, probably, be foon at an end, as he was fenfible that his health declined daily, and, confequently, would foon lead him to his grave.' I was fenfibly affected, both by his figure and converfation; and anfwered him, That I hoped he was a falfe Prophet; adding, that I

begged he would live for my fake, as he was the only friend I had, in whom I could confide; and that I had much to say to him, and wanted his advice. Without waiting for his answer, I told him where I was going, and that I should return through the Park, in lefs than an hour, where, if he would ftay for me, I would rejoin him, and renew our converfation. He bowed affent, and I went on to my father's. On my return, I met Mr. Williams on the very frot I had left him. I immediately began to relate to him every thing which had paffed fince our feparation. He liftened to me with great attention, and faid he was perfectly convinced, that it would be impoffible for ine ever to be happy if I married Sir Charles, and that there was no way of avoiding it, but by making another choice. He then told me, That he was heir to five thousand pounds a year; that he was an only child; he confelfed that his father was covetous; yet,when the thing is done, I as perfuadel

he will foon be reconciled; and, as to my mother, she will be happy, I know, in feeing me fo.' I started at this proposal, and replied: I never can refolve to run away from my parents, though I forefee that it is the only remedy for the evils which threaten me; if I could get their confent, I would give my hand to you, fooner than to any other man in the univerfe.' He continued, however, to use every argument his imagination could fuggeft, till, in fhort, it was high time for me to return home. I took his direction down in my pocket-book, and promised him, that he should hear from me on any emergency.

On my return to my uncle's, Sir Charles prefented me with fome jewels, which I accepted, though with the moft vifible reluctance. He perceived it, and faid: My angel, I am fenfible that your beauty will receive no addition from these ornaments; but we must, you know, conform to cuftom; and I fincerely with they were more worthy of your acceptance." I replied: They are vaftly more fo, Sir Charles, than I either defire, or deferve; and I am infinitely obliged to you for them. Ah! Charlotte,' he exclaimed, how coldly was that faid! I fhould think the world, if I ⚫ was Master of it, too little to lay at your feet; the poffeffion of you is above all price : But I own to you, that, lovely and beloved as you are, yet I fhould be the most miferable wretch on earth, though your hufband, if I did not, with your hand, receive that invaluable treasure, your heart.' Here my aunt approached us, and interrupted our converfation, which, however, funk deep into my mind. I faw by it, that, even in charity to Sir Charles, as well as to myself, I ought not to marry him. This reflection confirmed me in the neceffity there was for running away with Mr. Williams. This point fettled, the next thing was to confider of the means how to get away unobserved. My father was to buy my wedding-garments, so I determined to stay till they were made, that, at least, I might not be obliged to my husband for cloathing fme. I found, that I should never be able to execute this important fcheme, without a confidant and affiftant; for this purpose, none was fo proper as my filter. She readily came into my meafures; and we had our cloaths conveyed away, in bundles, by our mantua-maker, to lodgings taken for us by Mr. Williams, with whom I now conftantly correfponded by letter.

On the day appointed for our flight, Sophie, as had been agreed betwixt us, came early in the morning to my uncle's, and

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faid, on entering my room, I am come, Charlotte, to fetch you to spend the day at my father's: You promifed us one day before you married, and we have fixed upon this.' I answered, It was very well, I consented with all my heart. Then turning to my maid, I faid: Make my refpectful compliments to my uncle and aunt, tell them where I am gone, and beg they won't expect me till after fupper; and, if Sir Charles asks for me, tell him I request that he would not follow me.' Sophie had told my father and mother, that he was coming to spend the day with me at my uncle's, and begged they would not come to interrupt us. Thus the old folks feemed pretty fecure from suspecting our elopement till evening. Every thing now being intirely fettled, with an aching heart and an unsteady ftep, I leant upon Sophie's arm, and fet out for the Park, When we arrived there, we found Mr. Williams waiting for us, with a young Gentleman whom I did not know. My lover feemed loft in tranfport, and, in a moment hurried us into a coach, which waited for us, and away we drove to Mayfair, where, tremulous, pale, and dejected, I pronounced that fatal Yes,' which binds us for life. I took a certificate of my marriage, figned by all the parties, and then the coach was ordered to carry us to our lodgings, which were genteelly and pleafantly fituated. We breakfafted at our lodgings; after which Mr. Williams propofed our going to dine at Richmond, and returning in the evening: This, I found, had been a scheme concerted between him and his friend; for, upon looking out of the window, I faw a handsome coach-and-fix at the door, with two livery-servants on horseback. Mr. Williams told me, That it was his friend's equipage, who had been fo obliging as to offer me the use of it, till I got one of my own. I bowed, and expreffed my thanks to the Gentleman for his civility. We then all got into the coach; our beaux tried every means to make this little excursion agreeable to us, by the most lively and entertaining converfation; they had really, both of them, a great fhare of wit and humour; and, I think, I never faw any body fo handfone, as Mr. Williams appeared to me to be, that day.

Before we left Richmond, I thought it neceflary to write a line to my uncle and aunt, in order to prevent their imagining that fome terrible accident had happened to us, upon my not returning home in the evening: I begged my fifter would do the fame to my father; and that the next day they would hear farther from us, when they

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fhould

fhould be informed of the reasons which had induced us to abfent ourselves from them. Thefe notes, on our return to town, we sent by two common porters, ired by a fervant, a mile from our lodgings, who could give no account from whom, or whence, he brought them. The next morning, I fat myself seriously down to make my apology, and to plead my caufe, to my father, mother, uncle, aunt, and poor Sir Charles, for whom my heart bled. This difficult task over, I fent the letters by my fervant, with orders to inform them, if asked, where we lived. The next morning brought an abfolute order for Sophie to return home immediately, and a prohibition to me ever to approach my parents more, as they difclaimed any kindred with fo infamous a girl. Thefe were their words, wrote upon a card by my father. My aunt's was a letter, and couched in civiller terms, though much to the fame effect; only the added, that my punishment, she was afraid, would, in the end, be even more than adequate to my crime; for fhe knew the man I had married; that he was a libertine, and vaftly in debt; but his fine figure, and artful tongue, had (the fuppofed) turned my brain. Thus abandoned by all my friends, my husband was the only fupport I had now in life; and he, my aunt faid, was a libertine. Good God! I exclaimed (in my own mind) if that's true, what a wretch am I!' He read thefe letters; and, when he came to that part of my aunt's which spoke fo difrefpectfully of himfelf, he fmiled, and, taking hold of my hand, faid: My dear Charlotte, I fancy Mrs. Boldby has forgot the old adage, That a reformed rake makes the best husband;" and, as to my debts (if I have any) they are my father's affair, not mine; he is my fteward, and, by that means, faves me the trouble of paying my bills myfelf. The light manner, with which Mr. Williams treated thefe two important charges laid against him, both furprifed and grieved me. I was abforbed in a chain of the most difagreeable reflections, when a fervant brought me a letter, which I knew, from the fuperfcription, to be from Sir Charles Stanly. He began by inveigh. ing against the cruelty of his destiny, in not having endowed him with merit fufficient to have engaged my affections: He affured me, that my happiness was the most ardent with of his heart; but that the lofs of me he knew to be irreparable, and, therefore, his future life must be a blank; he added, that he should fet cut on a tour through Europe, in a few days; and ended with affuring ine of his everlafting refpect and efteci.'

I was prodigiously affected at the generous manner in which Sir Charles acted on this octation. I gave Mr. Williams the letter; he read it; then, throwing it careleily upon the table, faid, Sir Charles is a noble fellow, and I wish him a good journey, with all my heart.'

The hurry of a scene so new, and fo embarraffing, as that which I had been in ever fince my marriage, had fcarcely left me a moment for reflection; but the first time Mr. Williams took his hat, and faid he would go to the Coffee-houfe for half an hour, gave me to myfelf. What a chaos of remorse, trouble, and vexation, presented itself to my view! I trembled at the profpet, and, once more, called Reafon to my aid; he came, but to upbraid me for having difcarded her at Lady Betty Ruffel's, from which fatal moment, the convinced me, that I had gone ftraight on in the paths of error, which lead infallibly to misfortune. The hint my aunt had given me of my husband's character made me carefully examine his every word and action. I foon found his education to have been that of a modern fine Gentleman, differing, however, from moft of them in this, that he really was a good fcholar, and had many accomplishments. I foon perceived the danger of being united to a man who had no fixed principles, but a few romantic ones, which were quite foreign to domeftic happiness; such as a high sense of honour, which was confined to the paying, with the utmost exactness, his play-debts; as alfo a thorough conviction of the neceffity of drawing his fword, whenever called upon fo to do, without examining either by whom, or for what. He valued himself upon understanding the chances at White's, as well as any man there; and boafted, that he had never been taken in, but once, at Newmarket. He never fpoiled company by flinching (as he called it) though he did not love drinking; nor ever objected to a girl, if the was introduced where he was. This was his catechifm. Whilst I was abforbed in thus confidering my husband's character, he came home, and brought with him a Gentleman whom I did not know. On prefenting him to me, he faid: This Gentleman, my dear, is an intimate acquaintance of my father's; he has the goodnefs to offer himself as a mediator betwixt him and me. Mr. Smith (for that was his name) advanced towards me, and withed nae joy. I expreffed to him the fenfibility I had of his benevolence, and my gratitude for his kind intention to ferve us; and, with a forced fimile (for my heart was ready to burst) I added: By fo good an act, Sir

you

you will infure to yourself the kingdom of heaven, for you know it is promised to the peace-makers. Whilft I was speaking thefe words, I received a letter from Sophie, acquainting me, that my mother irritated my father exceffively, by faying, that my ill conduct was the natural confequence of the falfe education he had given me; that he had bred me up like a boy, rather than a girl, and that he always forefaw what all my learning would come to.' She alfo mentioned, that Sir Charles was fet out for Italy, and that the parting of him and my father was truly pathetic. This letter caufed me to turn my eyes feverely on myfelf, who had rendered miferable fo many worthy people, in order to gratify my own inclinations; I was forry, truly forry, to have given them pain. The next day, Mr. Smith came to inform us, That he had obtained leave to prefent me to the old folks, on the Sunday following, if I would confent to go; but that, till they had feen me, they would not fee their fon. Accordingly, on Sunday noon he came, in my father Williams's coach, to fetch me.' I thanked him, and the coach foon stopped at their door. Mr. Smith handed me out, and a fervant defired us to walk up stairs; we did fo, and were introduced into a dining-room, where fat a good-looking elderly Lady, with her feet almoft within the fender. She turned her head towards us, on the opening of the door, and, as if she had not feen me, faid, with the most provoking indifference, 'Your fervant, Mr. Smith, Is that George's wife?` "Yes, Madam, (replied my friend) and The is worthy to be the wife of an Emperor." Come hither, young woman,' fays fhe. I advanced. She ftare at me for fome minutes, and then fud: Yes, I can forgive George for marrying you, becaufe you are very pretty; if you had been lefs fo than you are, I never would have feen him whilft I had lived; but I like you fo well (continued the) that I believe, had I been him, I fhould have done the fame thing: But, pray (laid fhe) you can live upon love, child, I fuppofe, can't you? It is thin diet, I have heard, but I don't find you are likely to have any other; your husband, I can tell you, has nothing at prefent, but what his father allows him, and, whether he will continue that allowance, now he has difobliged him by marrying a beggar, I don't know.'

Then, taking a fecond furvey of me from head to foot, the faid, You are very fine, child; but I think you would have been as well dreft, if your gown had been without any filver in it; I fuppofe all that trumpery is not paid for yet; "hey 'I answered,

"Yes, indeed, Madam, they are." Which was the firft word I had articulated fince I entered the room. My mind had undergone various revolutions in that thort space of time. I began by refpecting her as the parent of my husband, as well as on account of her age and figure; the latter of which had much of the Gentlewoman in it; and the ftill was handfome. Her keeping her feat on my entering the room, and her Cavalier manner of accofting me, had given fuch a fhock to my fpirits, or, if you please, my pride, that I was ready to fink into the earth; till, from the continuation of this abfurd and indelicate behaviour, I cented to respect her; and the then appeared to me in fo ridiculous a light, that it was no longer in her power to wound me: On the contrary, I felt my own fuperiority fo forcibly, that, from a state of the moft violent agitas tion, I became as calm as death, and as infenfible; I looked at her, not without fome degree of contempt, but without feeling the leaft particle of humiliation from any thing fhe faid. So true it is, that the fenfible mind can be hurt only by those whom they esteem.

Mr. Smith, who had fat all this time like a perfon ftupefied with aftonishment, now looking at me, met my eyes; Ifmaed, and he feemed to recover himself a little, upon perceiving me to be fo much at my cafe. My mother interrupted this filent converfa tion of ours, by faying, Talk, child; I want to know if your mind correfponds with your figure; but I fuppofe not, for I am fure you acted like a great fool in marrying George.' I answered, "That, if the thought that a proof of my folly, I was afraid I should stand condemned, in her opinion, for an idiot, because I was so far from thinking that my judgment erred in the choice I had made of her fon, that, if I could poffibly be unmarried again, I would again give him my hand at the altar." She was going to reply, when my father in-law entered the room: He fixed his eyes ftedfaftly upon me; and then asked his Lady,

If I was his fon's wife?'"Yes, it is Mrs. Williams," the replied. He inftantly advanced, and faluted ine, faying, I am glad to fee you, daughter.' Then, turning to Mr. Smith, he added: You did not do her justice, Sir, when you defcribed her perfon to me; fhe is the prettiest girl, I think, that I ever faw; and I don't in the leaft wonder, that she turned George's head.'

This old Gentleman was handfome, and wore upon his countenance an uninterrupted finile; he spoke with a foftness of voice which was engaging; he poffeffed, to a de

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