reasons."—"Excuse me, madam," returned he, nor can you in the least say that I have constrained "they lie too deep for discovery (laying his hand you. But you must not suppose, my dear, that I upon his bosom); they remain buried, riveted here." will ever be instrumental in suffering his honest After he was gone, upon a general consultation, rival to be the dupe of your ill-placed passion. we could not tell what to make of these fine senti- Whatever time you require to bring your fancied ments. Olivia considered them as instances of the admirer to an explanation, shall be granted; but at most exalted passion; but I was not quite so san- the expiration of that term, if he is still regardless, guine: it seemed to me pretty plain, that they had I must absolutely insist that honest Mr. Williams more of love than matrimony in them: yet, what-shall be rewarded for his fidelity. The character ever they might portend, it was resolved to prose- which I have hitherto supported in life demands cute the scheme of Farmer Williams, who, from this from me, and my tenderness as a parent shall my daughter's first appearance in the country, had never influence my integrity as a man. Name paid her his addresses.

CHAPTER XVII.

Scarcely any Virtue found to resist the power of long and pleasing Temptation.

then your day; let it be as distant as you think proper; and in the meantime, take care to let Mr. Thornhill know the exact time on which I design delivering you up to another. If he really loves you, his own good sense will readily suggest that there is but one method alone to prevent his losing you for ever."-This proposal, which she could not avoid considering as perfectly just, was readily agreed to. She again renewed her most positive promise of marrying Mr. Williams, in case of the other's insensibility; and at the next opportunity, in Mr. Thornhill's presence, that day month was

As I only studied my child's real happiness, the assiduity of Mr. Williams pleased me, as he was in easy circumstances, prudent, and sincere. It required but very little encouragement to revive his former passion; so that in an evening or two he and fixed upon for her nuptials with his rival. Mr. Thornhill met at our house, and surveyed each Such vigorous proceedings seemed to redouble other for some time with looks of anger; but Wil-Mr. Thornhill's anxiety: but what Olivia really liams owed his landlord no rent, and little regarded felt gave me some uneasiness. In this struggle

his indignation. Olivia, on her side, acted the co-between prudence and passion, her vivacity quite quette to perfection, if that might be called acting forsook her, and every opportunity of solitude was which was her real character, pretending to lavish sought and spent in tears. One week passed away; all her tenderness on her new lover. Mr. Thorn-but Mr. Thornhill made no efforts to restrain her hill appeared quite dejected at this preference, and nuptials. The succeeding week he was still assiwith a pensive air took leave, though I own it puz-duous; but not more open. On the third he diszled me to find him so much in pain as he appeared continued his visits entirely, and instead of my to be, when he had it in his power so easily to re- daughter testifying any impatience, as I expected, move the cause, by declaring an honourable pas- she seemed to retain a pensive tranquillity, which sion. But whatever uneasiness he seemed to en- I looked upon as resignation. For my own part, dure, it could easily be perceived that Olivia's an- I was now sincerely pleased with thinking that my guish was still greater. After any of these inter-child was going to be secured in a continuance of views between her lovers, of which there were se- competence and peace, and frequently applauded veral, she usually retired to solitude, and there in- her resolution, in preferring happiness to ostentadulged her grief. It was in such a situation I tion.

found her one evening, after she had been for some It was within about four days of her intended time supporting a fictitious gaiety. "You now nuptials, that my little family at night were gathersee, my child," said I, "that your confidence in ed round a charming fire, telling stories of the past, Mr. Thornhill's passion was all a dream: he per- and laying schemes for the future; busied in formmits the rivalry of another, every way his inferior, ing a thousand projects, and laughing at whatever though he knows it lies in his power to secure you folly came uppermost. "Well, Moses," cried I, to himself by a candid declaration."-"Yes, papa," "we shall soon, my boy, have a wedding in the returned she, "but he has his reasons for this de- family; what is your opinion of matters and things lay: I know he has. The sincerity of his looks in general?"—"My opinion, father, is, that all and words convinces me of his real esteem. A things go on very well; and I was just now thinkshort time, I hope, will discover the generosity of ing, that when sister Livy is married to Farmer his sentiments, and convince you that my opinion Williams, we shall then have the loan of his cider of him has been more just than yours."-" Olivia, press and brewing tubs for nothing."—"That we my darling," returned I, "every scheme that has shall, Moses," cried I, "and he will sing us Death been hitherto pursued to compel him to a declara- and the Lady, to raise our spirits, into the bargain." tion, has been proposed and planned by yourself "He has taught that song to our Dick," cried Mo

ses,

"and I think he goes through it very prettily." but preaches as well as he sings, I make no doubt "Does he so?" cried I, "then let us have it: of him. The most of his family, by the mother's where's little Dick? let him up with it boldly."-side, could sing a good song: it was a common say"My brother Dick," cried Bill, my youngest, "is ing in our country, that the family of the Blenkinjust gone out with sister Livy; but Mr. Williams sops could never look straight before them, nor the has taught me two songs, and I'll sing them for Hugginsons blow out a candle; that there were you, papa. Which song do you choose, The dying none of the Grograms but could sing a song, or of Swan, or the Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog?" Marjorums but could tell a story."—" However "The elegy, child, by all means," said I; "I never that be," cried I, "the most vulgar ballad of them heard that yet; and Deborah, my life, grief you all generally pleases me better than the fine modern know is dry, let us have a bottle of the best goose- odes, and things that petrify us in a single stanza; berry-wine, to keep up our spirits. I have wept productions that we at once detest and praise. Put so much at all sorts of elegies of late, that, without the glass to your brother, Moses. The great fault an enlivening glass, I am sure this will overcome of these elegiasts is, that they are in despair for me; and Sophy, love, take your guitar, and thrum griefs that give the sensible part of mankind very in with the boy a little." little pain. A lady loses her muff, her fan, or her lap-dog, and so the silly poet runs home to versify the disaster."

AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF A MAD DOG.

GOOD people all, of every sort,
Give ear unto my song,
And if you find it wondrous short,
It can not hold you long.

In Islington there was a man,
Of whom the world might say,
That still a godly race he ran,

Whene'er he went to pray.
A kind and gentle heart he had,

To comfort friends and foes; The naked every day he clad,

When he put on his clothes.

And in that town a dog was found,
As many dogs there be,

Both mongrel, puppy, whelp and hound,
And curs of low degree.

This dog and man at first were friends;
But when a pique began,
The dog, to gain some private ends,
Went mad, and bit the man,
Around from all the neighbouring streets,

The wondering neighbours ran,
And swore the dog had lost his wits,
To bite so good a man.

The wound it seem'd both sore and sad
To every christian eye;

And while they swore the dog was mad,
They swore the man would die.
But soon a wonder came to light,

"That may be the mode," cried Moses, "in sublimer compositions; but the Ranelagh songs that come down to us are perfectly familiar, and all cast in the same mould: Colin meets Dolly, and they hold a dialogue together; he gives her a fairing to put in her hair, and she presents him with a nosegay; and then they go together to church, where they give good advice to young nymphs and swains to get married as fast as they can."

"And very good advice too,” cried I; “and I am told there is not a place in the world where advice can be given with so much propriety as there; for as it persuades us to marry, it also furnishes us with a wife: and surely that must be an excellent market, my boy, where we are told what we want, and supplied with it when wanting."

"Yes, sir," returned Moses, "and I know but of two such markets for wives in Europe, Ranelagh in England, and Fontarabia in Spain. The Spanish market is open once a-year; but our English wives are saleable every night."

"You are right, my boy," cried his mother; "Old England is the only place in the world for husbands to get wives."—" And for wives to manage their husbands," interrupted I. "It is a proverb abroad, that if a bridge were built across the sea, all the ladies of the continent would come over to take pattern from ours; for there are no such wives in Europe as our own. But let us have one bottle more, Deborah, my life; and Moses, give us a good song. What thanks do we not owe to Heaven for thus bestowing tranquillity, health, and competence. I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth. He has no such fire-side, nor such pleasant faces about it. Yes, Deborah, we are now growing old; but the evening of our life is likely to be happy. We are descended from ancestors that knew no stain, and we shall leave a good and virtuous race of children behind us. While we live, they will be our support and our "With all my heart," cried my wife; "and if he pleasure here; and when we die, they will transmit

That show'd the rogues they lied,— The man recover'd of the bite,

The dog it was that died.

"A very good boy, Bill, upon my word, and an elegy that may truly be called tragical. Come, my children, here's Bill's health, and may he one day be a bishop!"

In this manner that night, the first of our real misfortunes, was spent in the bitterness of complaint, and ill-supported sallies of enthusiasm. I determined, however, to find out our betrayer, wherever he was, and reproach his baseness. The next morning we missed our wretched child at breakfast, where she used to give life and cheerfulness to us all. My wife, as before, attempted to ease her heart by reproaches. "Never," cried she, "shall that vilest stain of our family again darken these harmless doors. I will never call her daughter more. No, let the strumpet live with her vile seducer: she may bring us to shame, but she shall never more deceive us."

our honour untainted to posterity. Come, my she may yet be innocent."-"Ah no, sir," cried son, we wait for a song: let us have a chorus. But the child; "he only kissed her, and called her his where is my darling Olivia? That little cherub's angel, and she wept very much, and leaned upon voice is always sweetest in the concert."-Just as his arm, and they drove off very fast."—"She's an I spoke, Dick came running in, “O papa, papa, ungrateful creature," cried my wife, who could she is gone from us, she is gone from us; my sister scarcely speak for weeping, "to use us thus. She Livy is gone from us for ever."-"Gone, child!" never had the least constraint put upon her affec"Yes, she is gone off with two gentlemen in a post- tions. The vile strumpet has basely deserted her chaise, and one of them kissed her, and said he parents without any provocation-thus to bring would die for her: and she cried very much, and your gray hairs to the grave, and I must shortly was for coming back; but he persuaded her again, follow." and she went into the chaise, and said, O what will my poor papa do when he knows I am undone!" "Now then," cried I, "my children, go and be miserable; for we shall never enjoy one hour more. And O may Heaven's everlasting fury light upon him and his!-Thus to rob me of my child!—And sure it will, for taking back my sweet innocent that I was leading up to Heaven. Such sincerity as my child was possessed of!-But all our earthly happiness is now over! Go, my children, go and be miserable and infamous; for my heart is broken within me!"—"Father," cried my son, "is this your fortitude?"—"Fortitude, child! Yes, he shall see I have fortitude! Bring me my pistols. I'll pursue the traitor: while he is on earth I'll "Wife," said 1, "do not talk thus hardly: my pursue him. Old as I am, he shall find I can sting detestation of her guilt is as great as yours; but him yet. The villain! The perfidious villain!" ever shall this house and this heart be open to a I had by this time reached down my pistols, when poor returning repentant sinner. The sooner she my poor wife, whose passions were not so strong returns from her transgression, the more welcome as mine, caught me in her arms. "My dearest, shall she be to me. For the first time the very dearest husband," cried she, "the Bible is the only best may err; art may persuade, and novelty spread weapon that is fit for your old hands now. Open out its charm. The first fault is the child of simthat, my love, and read our anguish into patience, plicity, but every other the offspring of guilt. Yes, for she has vilely deceived us."—"Indeed, sir," re- the wretched creature shall be welcome to this heart sumed my son, after a pause, "your rage is too vio- and this house, though stained with ten thousand lent and unbecoming. You should be my mother's vices. I will again hearken to the music of her comforter, and you increase her pain. It ill suited voice, again will I hang fondly on her bosom, if I you and your reverend character, thus to curse find but repentance there. My son, bring hither your greatest enemy: you should not have cursed my Bible and my staff: 1 will pursue her, wherever him, villain as he is."—"I did not curse him, child, she is; and though I can not save her from shame, did I?”—“Indeed, sir, you did; you cursed him I may prevent the continuance of iniquity." twice."-"Then may Heaven forgive me and him if I did! And now, my son, I see it was more than human benevolence that first taught us to bless our enemies! Blessed be his holy name for| all the good he hath given, and for all that he hath taken away. But it is not-it is not a small distress that can wring tears from these old eyes, that

CHAPTER XVIII.

The Pursuit of a Father to reclaim a lost Child to Virtue.

THOUGH the child could not describe the gentle

have not wept for so many years. My child!-man's person who handed his sister into the post. To undo my darling!-May confusion seize-chaise, yet my suspicions fell entirely upon our Heaven forgive me, what am I about to say!-You young landlord, whose character for such intrigues may remember, my love, how good she was, and was but too well known. I therefore directed my how charming; till this vile moment, all her care steps towards Thornhill-castle, resolving to upbraid was to make us happy. Had she but died!-But him, and, if possible, to bring back my daughter: she is gone, the honour of our family contaminated, but before I had reached his seat, I was met by one and I must look out for happiness in other worlds of my parishioners, who said he saw a young lady, than here. But, my child, you saw them go off: resembling my daughter, in a post-chaise with a perhaps he forced her away? If he forced her, gentleman, whom, by the description, I could only

guess to be Mr. Burchell, and that they drove very than the philanthropic bookseller in St. Paul's fast. This information, however, did by no means Church-yard, who has written so many little books satisfy me. I therefore went to the young 'Squire's, for children: he called himself their friend; but he and though it was yet early, insisted upon seeing was the friend of all mankind. He was no sooner him immediately. He soon appeared with the alighted, but he was in haste to be gone; for he most open familiar air, and seemed perfectly ama- was ever on business of the utmost importance, and zed at my daughter's elopement, protesting upon was at that time actually compiling materials for his honour that he was quite a stranger to it. I the history of one Mr. Thomas Trip. I immedi now therefore condemned my former suspicions, ately recollected this good-natured man's red pimand could turn them only on Mr. Burchell, who I pled face; for he had published for me against the recollected had of late several private conferences Deuterogamists of the age, and from him I borwith her but the appearance of another witness rowed a few pieces, to be paid at my return. Leaving left me no room to doubt his villany, who averred, the inn, therefore, as I was yet but weak, I resolved that he and my daughter were actually gone towards to return home by easy journeys of ten miles a-day. the Wells, about thirty miles off, where there was My health and usual tranquillity were almost rea great deal of company. Being driven to that stored, and I now condemned that pride which had state of mind in which we are more ready to act made me refractory to the hand of correction. precipitately than to reason right, I never debated Man little knows what calamities are beyond his with myself, whether these accounts might not have patience to bear, till he tries them: as in ascending been given by persons purposely placed in my way the heights of ambition, which look bright from to mislead me, but resolved to pursue my daughter below, every step we rise shows us some new and and her fancied deluder thither. I walked along gloomy prospect of hidden disappointment; so in with earnestness, and inquired of several by the our descent from the summits of pleasure, though way; but received no accounts, till, entering the the vale of misery below may appear at first dark town, I was met by a person on horseback, whom and gloomy, yet the busy mind, still attentive to its I remembered to have seen at the 'Squire's, and he own amusement, finds, as we descend, something assured me, that if I followed them to the races, to flatter and to please. Still, as we approach, the which were but thirty miles farther, I might depend darkest objects appear to brighten, and the mental upon overtaking them; for he had seen them dance eye becomes adapted to its gloomy situation. there the night before, and the whole assembly I now proceeded forward, and had walked about seemed charmed with my daughter's performance. two hours, when I perceived what appeared at a Early the next day, I walked forward to the races, distance like a wagon, which I was resolved to and about four in the afternoon I came upon the overtake; but when I came up with it, found it to course. The company made a very brilliant ap- be a strolling company's cart, that was carrying their pearance, all earnestly employed in one pursuit, scenes and other theatrical furniture to the next vilthat of pleasure: how different from mine, that of lage, where they were to exhibit. The cart was reclaiming a lost child to virtue! I thought I per-attended only by the person who drove it, and one ceived Mr. Burchell at some distance from me; but, of the company, as the rest of the players were to as if he dreaded an interview, upon my approach- follow the ensuing day. "Good company upon the ing him, he mixed among a crowd, and I saw him road," says the proverb, "is the shortest cut." I no more. I now reflected that it would be to no therefore entered into conversation with the poor purpose to continue my pursuit farther, and resolved player; and as I once had some theatrical powers to return home to an innocent family, who wanted myself, I disserted on such topics with my usual my assistance. But the agitations of my mind, freedom: but as I was pretty much unacquainted and the fatigues I had undergone, threw me into a with the present state of the stage, I demanded who fever, the symptoms of which I perceived before I were the present theatrical writers in vogue, who came off the course. This was another unexpected the Drydens and Otways of the day?—"I fancy, stroke, as I was more than seventy miles distant sir," cried the player, "few of our modern drafrom home: however, I retired to a little ale-house matists would think themselves much honoured by by the road-side, and in this place, the usual retreat being compared to the writers you mention. Dryof indigence and frugality, I laid me down patiently den's and Rowe's manner, sir, are quite out of to wait the issue of my disorder. I languished here fashion; our taste has gone back a whole century; for nearly three weeks; but at last my constitution Fletcher, Ben Jonson, and all the plays of Shaksprevailed, though I was unprovided with money to peare, are the only things that go down."-"How,” defray the expenses of my entertainment. It is cried I, "is it possible the present age can be pleased possible the anxiety from this last circumstance with that antiquated dialect, that obsolete humour, alone might have brought on a relapse, had I not those overcharged characters, which abound in the been supplied by a traveller, who stopped to take a works you mention ?"-"Sir," returned my comeursory refreshment. This person was no other panion, "the public think nothing about dialect, or

1

humour, or character, for that is none of their bu- perfectly in luck. Our entertainer soon return-
siness; they only go to be amused, and find them- ed; an elegant supper was brought in, two or
selves happy when they can enjoy a pantomime, three ladies in easy dishabille were introduced,
under the sanction of Jonson's or Shakspeare's and the conversation began with some sprightli-
name."-" So then, I suppose," cried I, "that our ness. Politics, however, was the subject on which
modern dramatists are rather imitators of Shaks- our entertainer chiefly expatiated; for he asserted
peare than of nature."-"To say the truth," re- that liberty was at once his boast and his terror.
turned my companion, "I don't know that they After the cloth was removed, he asked me if I had
imitate any thing at all; nor indeed does the pub- seen the last Monitor? to which replying in the
lic require it of them: it is not the composition of negative, "What, nor the Auditor, I suppose?"
the piece, but the number of starts and attitudes cried he. "Neither, sir," returned I. "That's
that may be introduced into it, that elicits applause. strange, very strange," replied my entertainer.
I have known a piece, with not one jest in the "Now I read all the politics that come out. The
whole, shrugged into popularity, and another saved Daily, the Public, the Ledger, the Chronicle, the
by the poet's throwing in a fit of the gripes. No, London Evening, the Whitehall Evening, the sev-
sir, the works of Congreve and Farquhar have too enteen Magazines, and the two Reviews; and
much wit in them for the present taste; our modern though they hate each other, I love them all. Lib-
dialect is much more natural."
erty, sir, liberty is the Briton's boast, and by all my

By this time the equipage of the strolling com- coal-mines in Cornwall, I reverence its guardians."
pany was arrived at the village, which, it seems," Then it is to be hoped," cried I, "you reve-
had been apprized of our approach, and was come rence the king."-"Yes," returned my entertainer,
out to gaze at us: for my companion observed, that "when he does what we would have him; but if
strollers always have more spectators without doors he goes on as he has done of late, I'll never trouble
than within. I did not consider the impropriety of myself more with his matters. I say nothing. I
my being in such company, till I saw a mob gather think, only, I could have directed some things better.
about me. I therefore took shelter, as fast as pos- I don't think there has been a sufficient number of
sible, in the first ale-house that offered, and being advisers: he should advise with every person wil-
shown into the common room, was accosted by a ling to give him advice, and then we should have
very well dressed gentleman, who demanded whe- things done in another guess manner."
ther I was the real chaplain of the company, or
whether it was only to be my masquerade charac-
ter in the play. Upon my informing him of the
truth, and that I did not belong in any sort to the
company, he was condescending enough to desire
me and the player to partake in a bowl of punch,
over which he discussed modern politics with great
earnestness and interest. I set him down in my
own mind for nothing less than a parliament-man
at least; but was almost confirmed in my conjec-
tures, when, upon asking what there was in the
house for supper, he insisted that the player and
should sup with him at his house; with which re-
quest, after some entreaties, we were prevailed on
to comply.

CHAPTER XIX.

I

"I wish," cried 1, "that such intruding advisers were fixed in the pillory. It should be the duty of honest men to assist the weaker side of our constitution, that sacred power which has for somo years been every day declining, and losing its due share of influence in the state. But these ignorants still continue the same cry of liberty; and if they have any weight, basely throw it into the subsiding scale."

"How," cried one of the ladies, "do I live to sec one so base, so sordid, as to be an enemy to liberty, and a defender of tyrants? Liberty, that sacred gift of Heaven, that glorious privilege of Britons?"

"Can it be possible," cried our entertainer, "that there should be any found at present advocates for slavery? Any who are for meanly giving up the privilege of Britons? Can any, sir, be so abject?"

No, sir," replied I, "I am for liberty, that attribute of God! Glorious liberty! that theme of The description of a Person discontented with the present modern declamation. I would have all men kings. Government and apprehensive of the loss of our Liberties. I would be a king myself. We have all naturally THE house where we were to be entertained an equal right to the throne: we are all originally lying at a small distance from the village, our in- equal. This is my opinion, and was once the viter observed, that as the coach was not ready, he opinion of a set of honest men who were called would conduct us on foot; and we soon arrived at Levellers. They tried to erect themselves into one of the most magnificent mansions I had seen a community where all would be equally free. But, in that part of the country. The apartment into alas! it would never answer; for there were some which we were shown was perfectly elegant and among them stronger, and some more cunning than modern: he went to give orders for supper, while others, and these became masters of the rest; for the player with a wink, observed that we were as sure as your groom rides your horses, because he