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CHAP. XVII.

Scarcely any virtue found to resist the power of long and pleasing temptation.

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 Mr. Thornhill met at our house, and surveyed each other for some time with looks of anger, but Williams owed his landlord no rent, and little regarded his indignation. Olivia, on her side, acted the coquet to perfection, if that might be called acting which was her real character, pretending to lavish all her tenderness on her new lover. Mr. Thornhill appeared quite dejected at this preference, and with a pensive air took leave, though I own it puzzled me to find him so much in pain as he appeared to be, when he had it in his power so easily to remove the cause, by declaring an honourable passion. But whatever uneasiness he seemed to endure, it could easily be perceived that Olivia's anguish was still greater. After any of these interviews between her lovers, of which there were several, she usually retired to solitude, and there indulged her grief. It was in such a situation I found her one evening, after she had been for some time supporting a fictitious gaiety-"You now see, my child," said I," that your confidence in Mr. Thornhill's passion was "all a dream he permits the rivalry of another, every way his inferior, though he knows it lies in "his power to secure you to himself by a candid de"claration."" Yes, papa," returned she, "but

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"he has his reasons for this delay: I know he has "The sincerity of his looks and words convinces me "of his real esteem. A short time, I hope, will "discover the generosity of his sentiments, and con"vince you that my opinion of him has been more just than yours."" Olivia, my darling," returned I," every scheme that has been hitherto pursued "to compel him to a declaration, has been proposed "and planned by yourself, nor can you in the least 66 say that I have constrained you. But you must "not suppose, my dear, that I will ever be instru"mental in suffering his honest rival to be the dupe "of your ill-placed passion. Whatever time you re

quire to bring your fancied admirer to an expla"nation shall be granted; but at the expiration of "that term, if he is still regardless, I must absolutely "insist that honest Mr. Williams shall be rewarded "for his fidelity. The character which I have hi"therto supported in life demands this from me, and my tenderness, as a parent, shall never influence "my integrity as a man. Name then your day, let "it be as distant as you think proper, and in the "mean time take care to let Mr. Thornhill know "the exact time on which I design delivering you

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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 fixed upon for her nuptials with his rival.

Such vigorous proceedings seemed to redouble Mr. Thornhill's anxiety: but what Olivia really felt gave me some uneasiness. In this struggle between prudence and passion, her vivacity quite forsook her,

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and every opportunity of solitude was sought, and spent in tears. One week passed away; but Mr. Thornhill made no efforts to restrain her nuptials. The succeeding week he was still assiduous; but not more open. On the third he discontinued his visits entirely, and instead of my daughter testifying any impatience, as I expected, she seemed to retain a pensive tranquillity, which I looked upon as resignation. For my own part, I was now sincerely pleased with thinking that my child was going to be secured in a continuance of competence and peace, and frequently applauded her resolution, in preferring happiness to ostentation.

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It was within about four days of her intended nuptials, that my little family at night were gathered round a charming fire, telling stories of the past, and laying schemes for the future. Busied in forming a thousand projects, and laughing at whatever folly came uppermost, "Well, Moses," cried I, "we "shall soon, my boy, have a wedding in the family; "what is your opinion of matters and things in ge"neral?"-"My opinion, father, is, that all things go on very well; and I was just now thinking, "that when sister Livy is married to farmer Williams, we shall then have the loan of his cyder-press and brewing tubs for nothing."That we shall, Moses," cried I," and he will "sing us Death and the Lady, to raise our spirits into "the bargain."-" He has taught that song to our "Dick," cried Moses, " and I think he goes through "it very prettily."-" Does he so?" cried I," then "let us have it: where's little Dick? let him up "with it boldly."My brother Dick," cried Bill my youngest, "is just gone out with sister Livy: but Mr. Williams has taught me two songs, and "I'll sing them for you, papa. Which song do you choose, the dying Swan, or the Elegy on the Death

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of a Mad Dog?""The elegy, child, by all means,'

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said I; "I never heard that yet; and Deborah, my life, grief you know is dry, let us have a bot"tle of the best gooseberry wine, to keep up our spirits. I have wept so much at all sorts of elegies of late, that without an enlivening glass I "am sure this will overcome me; and Sophy, love, "take your guitar, and thrum in with the boy a "little.'

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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 wond'rous short,
It cannot 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 cloaths.

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

Both mungrel, puppy, whelp, and hound,

And curs of low degree.

This dog and man at first were friends;
But when a pique began,

Thedog, to gain some private ends,
Went mad and bit the man.

Around

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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 shew'd the rogues they lied,
The man recover'd of the bite,
The dog it was that dy'd.

"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."

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"With all my heart," cried my wife;" and if he "but preaches as well as he sings, I make no doubt "of him. The most of his family, by the mo"ther's side, could sing a good song: it was a com"mon saying in our country, that the family of the "Blenkinsops could never look straight before them, "nor the Hugginsons blow out a candle; that "there were none of the Grograms but could sing "a song, or of the Marjorams but could tell a "story. "However that be," cried I, "the "most vulgar ballad of them all generally pleases me better than the fine modern odes, and things "that petrify us in a single stanza; productions that "we at once detest and praise. Put the glass to "your brother, Moses. The great fault of these "elegiasts is, that they are in despair for griefs that give the sensible part of mankind very little pain. "A lady loses her muff, her fan, or her lap-dog,

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