M 2^^ FJf - ■'-',. 7XZ1 ■r-- ^>VV ■ - £ , ' .- ^^E^H "'">— ft •^•^"^^1 * ■', k '«.. • - - < pfe, Aj *j . :: Yi -""'*" <* V <^V, '• . V- -' '"-- ^r-i^ ,- " T ", : ^" 3^t>£f^5 *^""^C' T*3[ 5f_. v, : : ;: -.->.. ,~ ;' %&i: ■ H^ME3&'" r--~y-'" ■ j_ ■ * , T - -■- * ft^r^.*? • ' ~T- *!*f 9g«KEHEY LIBRARY CALIFORNIA . ( //"sY/srsY/ >y^,/ f // CCELEBS SUITED, OR THE Opinions and Part of the Life or CALEB CCELEBS, ESQ. A DISTANT RELATION OF THE LATE CHARLES CCELEBS, ESQ. DECEASED. BY SIR GEORGE ROVER, BART. LONDON - ■ PRINTED FOR EDMUND LLOYD, HARLEY STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 1809. G.E. Miles, Printer, 127, Oxford Street, St. Mary-le-bone. Cot PREFACE. The importunity of friends has become so general an excuse for publishing our adventures and cogitations, and has been so well received, that I shall not look further for an apology for offering to the Public a few observations I have made on the general characters and manners of our sister country. The original letters have been handed about among friends too 403 11 PREFACE. partial to the Author for him to be able truly to appreciate their merit; but the Public may receive some amusement, and at any rate will respect the motive, which is no other than to endeavour to raise the female sex, " Heaven's last best gift," to higher charms; and to encourage them to add to virtuous habits all those attractions of elegant accomplishment, which a late system of education is endeavouring to supersede. I must take the opportunity of this address to introduce myself to my readers. I am now in my forty-first year, and having inherited from my father a large independent fortune, have made the amuse- ment of travelling subservient to my desire PREFACE. iii of mental improvement ; and have eagerly seized the opportunities which have offered of accompanying friends of similar in- clinations in their tours to the northern capitals of Europe ; to Paris, Rome, and Constantinople. I had been early struck with the obser- vation of Doctor Johnson, (a man whose opinions, when unbiassed by party prejudice, I had always held in the greatest esteem) " All travel," says he, " has its advantages; if the passenger visits better countries, he may improve his own ; if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it/* Finding myself, then, in the spring of 1808, entirely at leisure, and without any family restraint upon me, I accepted the invitation IV PREFACE. of my friend Caleb Ccelebs, a distant relation of a gentleman of the same name, who has lately made a great noise, and to whom my friend is very proud of being twentieth cousin, and sailed for England. After a pleasant voyage, I arrived safe in this most delightful country, and met my friend, Ccelebs, with much real satis- faction. At first, his primitive manner much sur- prised me, as I knew that his connexions were high; but recollecting him to be much of a theorist, and that, whatever scheme he had filled his imagination with, still the good of his fellow creatures was his greatest concern, I suffered it to pass without comment ; and being anxious to PREFACE. reach the capital, we ordered our chaise to proceed. In my journey, I was agitated by no other feeling than the expectation of gratifying a laudable curiosity, in ex- amining the domestic habits and customs of a people bearing the highest rank in the scale of nations ; and whose political consequence was known and felt over the whole habitable world ; love, avarice, and ambition, the most powerful movers of the human breast, I had scarcely felt. In my passage through life, I had hitherto kept the " even tenor of my way," and en- deavoured to live in the true spirit of my christian profession. I remembered, " that the fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom," and that Christ our Saviour, had promised life and immortality to those who IV PREFACE. of my friend Caleb Ccelebs, a distant relation of a gentleman of the same name, who has lately made a great noise, and to whom my friend is very proud of being twentieth cousin, and sailed for England. After a pleasant voyage, I arrived safe in this most delightful country, and met my friend, Ccelebs, with much real satis- faction. At first, his primitive manner much sur- prised me, as I knew that his connexions were high; but recollecting him to be much of a theorist, and that, whatever scheme he had filled his imagination with, still the good of his fellow creatures was his greatest concern, I suffered it to pass without comment ; and being anxious to PREFACE. reach the capital, we ordered our chaise to proceed. In my journey, I was agitated by no other feeling than the expectation of gratifying a laudable curiosity, in ex- amining the domestic habits and customs of a people bearing the highest rank in the scale of nations ; and whose political consequence was known and felt over the whole habitable world ; love, avarice, and ambition, the most powerful movers of the human breast, I had scarcely felt. In my passage through life, I had hitherto kept the " even tenor of my way," and en- deavoured to live in the true spirit of my christian profession. I remembered, " that the fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom," and that Christ our Saviour, had promised life and immortality to those who VI PREFACE. truly believed and worshipped him in their works. On these principles I endeavoured to frame my conduct, and to live in christian charity with all mankind. When I left my native country, I pro- mised to communicate my movements and observations to my good friend Charles Rastock, Esquire, to whose earnest intreaties I have yielded in making them public ; having first obtained from the other cor- respondents the few letters which were necessary to elucidate my own. George Rover. CCELEBS SUITED, $c. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to C. Rastock, Esq. Woodstock , Oxon. Dear Charles, Lai fe has not many things better than this," said Dr. Johnson, as he was bowling along in his carriage, with his friend Boswell ; and I am inclined to think, that travelling with a pleasant observing com- panion, in a well-hung post chaise, on such roads and with such horses as this country furnishes beyond all other that I have visited, is among our most innocent amusements. In B 2 CCELEBS SUITED. a descriptive tour of England it is difficult to find any thing to object to, except the — — charges. After rolling along for two days in the pleasantest manner imaginable, I cannot but begin my correspondence by paying a just tribute to these accommodations. At Holyhead, I found our friend Ccelebs, who arrived last evening ; he had made every arrangement for my comfortable reception, and was as friendly and warm hearted, as you well remember him. He has acquired less polish, than might have been expected, considering his easy access to some of the first families, hehasatthe same time, lost none of his rigid uprightness, but even preserves his very punctilious integrity; I do not think, he would pass a turnpike without paying, though it delayed him half an hour to find the keeper. He is rather more plain in his dress than is consistent with his age, or with his fortune. These, I think should always be considered ; and I believe you agree with me in the opinion, that a man of opulence COELEBS SUITED. 3 should carry with him the appearance of a liberal and proper expenditure. " Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, " But not express'd in fancy ; rich not gaudy, " For the apparel oft proclaims the man." He is rather prone to argument ; in this we suit exactly, as a very trifling objection will keep him going, and his anxiety to set every one right will not allow him to leave a sub- ject while there is any hope that he may bring conviction to his auditor. He knows that I am writing to you, and desires to be kindly remembered : I shall now bid you adieu, with best compliments to your dear Lady, believe me, Yours, very sincerely, Geo. Rover. P. S. I hope my next letter will be from London. b 2 4 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock. Esq. Woodstock j Oxon. Dear Charles, On the morning after I had the pleasure of last writing to you, we visited Blenheim- House, the princely residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, raised and endowed by the munificence of the country to reward and commemorate the services of the successful opponent of Lewis the 14th. To his con- summate skill as a politician, he added the genius and ability of the most renowned of generals. By the first, he formed, cemented, and brought into action, a most powerful confederacy, to which his talents and courage gave direction and complete success. Vol- taire says of him, "Cet homme qui n'a jamais assiege de ville qu'il nait prise, ni donne' de bataille qu'il n'ait gagnee,avoitfait autant de mal a la France par son esprit que par ses amies." CCELEBS SUITED. The entrance of the park from Woodstock is remarkably fine. It is more grand than vou can conceive anything, which carries with it such evident marks of artful arrangement. At the same time every thing is on so vast a scale ; the palace, the wood, the water, are each so large, yet so well suited to each other, that I know nothing that quite equals the first impression of it. — You are not to think from this, that there is any thing sublime or romantic in it; and I cannot better describe it to you than by requesting you to enlarge m as great a degree, as your imagination will permit, the mansion and domains of your neighbour at Horn. • There is nothing in the park greatly to surprize, after this first view. The palace covers a great area, and is at a distance very magnificent, but the wretched proportion of the portico in the principal front makes one regret, that at a time when the true principles of beauty are so much better understood, the liberality of' the pos- sessor does not improve this most striking O CCELEBS SUITED objection to so grand a building. I must here too enter my protest against the pillar, called Churchill's Pillar, and though I would not now condemn it to destruction, vet, I must raise my voice against erecting a column of such an altitude as to reduce the stately trees which surround it to the appearance of shrubs, or to convey the idea of a stunted vegetation. The interior corresponds with the impression you receive from without; and the pictures, in excellence and number, are worthy of the place. The memoranda I have made upon them, I shall be happy to submit to you at Rastock. — "Every fee more truly paid than the Turk's tribute," we once moreentered the park, and Ccelebs, after a long reverie, exclaimed.—" To what purpose does all this magnificence tend ! Might not all those acres which now serve for the maintenance of a few deer only for ornament, or for the pam- pering of-a vitiated palate, be better employed in a more useful agriculture. What is now of service to increase the importance of an individual might then give bread to hundreds. CCELEBS SUITED. 7 and- the vast extent which now scarcely bears any thing, might smile with life and happiness." " You do not seem to consider," said I, "that in rewarding a person to whom the country was certainly greatly indebted, it was thought right to raise a monument of its own liberality, to be an incentive to after- ages, to act so glorious a part.*' "I am not objecting," replied he, "to the original grant, though I think that very far from unobjectionable. — The talents of the first possessor do not descend with the entail; and I do not believe, that the sight of Blenheim has made one Marlborough. I could wish to see inculcated a more generous thirst of fame, a more noble motive for action than the rewards of palaces and pensions. AVe have the examples of the ancient republics, whose statesmen and defenders after exerting their talents and valour in the service of their country, have returned to mix with their fellow citizens, rich only in their own and their country's applause and estimation. — But to return to our original position, are 3 CCELEBS SUITED. these immense enclosures of service, or a detriment to the country?" We now found ourselves at the door of the Bear Inn, and were we found that our dinner had been waiting some time. This broke up our argument for the present, and I shall close my letter with best remembrances to all kind enquirers, and with assurance of truest regard, Dear Charles, Yours, &c. Geo. Rover. CCELEBS SUITED. 9 Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Woodstock, Oxoii. Dear Charles, After dinner, our friend Coelebs re- turned to his argument. — "Are these im- mense possessions when so employed, service- able, or prejudical to the state? You know I am not fond of an argument, and parti- cularly after dinner." I now recollected that he had frequently, in the course of our journey, hinted his objections to the great enclosures we had passed. " I cannot bear," said he, " To mark the beauties of the wide domain, " Which half a county scarcely can contain." I answered him in the accommodating style of the much admired Spectator, " There was much to be said on both sides;" which as it gave up the subject to him ; he thus continued, and let me into the original source of his objection. 10 CCELEBS SUITED. "Ill my opinion, on this subject," said he, " I am not singular. In Wiltshire, adjoining the estate of my good friend, Sir John Beau- field, is the splendid mansion and domain of the Earl of Stantley. The estates and honors have passed in a direct line from father to son for several generations, and the large fortunes of more than one heiress have added much to its original extent. The present earl's grandfather was reckoned, and I believe justly, to be a man of great taste. — He had been in Italy, and on his return, brought with him artists of every description, under whose direction, the present villa was built. At the same time, no expence was spared to enlarge and beautify the park. The river which flowed through, what was then, a populous village, was converted into a spacious lake. The village, as its situation T\as too near the house, was removed to another spot; though I would not have you suppose, that the interests of its inhabitants was neglected. Another was built on a regular plan, forming a street from the prin- CCELEBS SUITED. 11 cipal entrance gates, and uniting as an appendage to the building, combining every advantage of use and beauty. His son inherited his taste with the means of exerting it, and finished those plans which had already been commenced upon. — The house and park were now considered as models of elegant refinement, but here ended their merit and their use. " The present earl married at the age of twenty- three, in the life- time of his father, He had enjoyed the confidence, and lived in habits of the greatest intimacy with the late Duke of Bedford ; from him he had learned to appreciate the benefit to be derived from a more enlarged and better understood system of agriculture ; and laboured with him, to produce so desirable an end. From him he learnt his favorite maxim, 'Xothing can be good that is not useful.' " After his marriage, he bought a small estate, near to his friend in Bedfordshire, and carried on his experimental farming, in a way highly, creditable to his talents and \'2 CffiLEBS SUITED. his industry; upon his accession to the honor and estates of his ancestor, Stantley House changed at once its character. Having parted withhis farm in Bedfordshire, and trans- ported to Stantley his implements of agricul- ture, his patent ploughs, patent harrows, and instruments of every description ; he im- mediately gave orders to make every thing subservient to his favorite schemes. The large woods of forest and alpine trees, which formed a boundary to the northward of the estate were cut down, and in their place some thousands of firs were planted, timber, which for the demand of farming, in the erection of sheds and out- houses, he was told, had a decided advantage. The lawn in front of the principal facade, was converted into a ploughing experiment ground. The lake, suffered once more to meander in its natural channel, and the land brought again into cultivation. — But, I fear, I tire you with description ; though I allow, that the subject is with me, a favorite one." CCELEBS SUITED. 13 "Not at all," said I, "I have listened with great attention, though I by no means subscribe to his lordship's system. Pray what family has he ?" " To you, Sir George," said he, " who have never fell the passion of love, who indeed consider it a weakness;"' — " Excuse me," said I, interrupting him. "you mistake both my opinions and feeling on this subject; I respect the state of matrimony, and consider it as capable of bestowing the highest felicity, or being productive of the greatest misery. For my own part, I neither seek nor avoid it, and I candidly own to you, that I never yet saw the woman, in whose power I would trust my happiness.*' " Nor have I," returned he, " but I fear you will laugh at my romance, and treat my understanding with less respect than formerly, when I disclose to you my failing — Having for a length of time corresponded with you with the greatest unreserve. I will own to vou, that the character of Lord Stantley s eldest daughter, Lady Priscilla, has taken entire possession of me. Lady Beau- 14 CCELEBS SUITED field has often described her to me. and in holding her up to the imitation of her daughter has fascinated me; she has not thrown away her time in acquiring those arts which the world terms accomplishments, as she neither paints, nor plays, nor sings ; but in improving an understanding naturally excellent, by reading, and the study of our best writers. Her mother's example has operated to make her an excellent manager, and complete mistress of domestic arrange- ments ; the proper sphere of woman, and in which she greatly excels. To me, she seems to fill correctly the station Providence has assigned to her sex, and to be the woman to whom I could devote myself." " I must confess," replied I, smiling, "that I no more agree to his Lordship's system of education for the daughter of an earl, than I do to his converting his lawn into a plough- ing ground. Is she an only daughter ?* "No," said he, " he had two daughters before he left Bedfordshire, Lady Priscilla, who is now nineteen, and Lady Hebe, who is CCELEBS SUITED, i 15 one year younger ; and he has a son, twelve years old."' — We found our conversation had carried us far through the evening. — I thanked Ccelebs for his candour and con- fidence, and after taking a light supper, we retired to bed. We agreed to leave Woodstock early, and to get to town by easy stages. — I have exhausted my paper, and I fear your patience, but I was anxious to give you this trait of our worthy friend. Yours, &c. Geo. Rover. 16 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Cha. RASTOCK,Esq, Dear Charles, I have only time to inclose to you, my good fellow, Dermot's letter, and to request you will do me the favor to act as you think proper towards the poor sufferers. The mare you will order to be shot, if you find her so bad as Dermot describes, and if so, tell him to bury her under the great chesnut-tree, to the right of the cascade. — She carried my poor mother nearly to the day of her death ; and is, as he says, one of my earliest acquaintances. Excuse this trouble. I will write more at length in a day or two. Jermyn Street, St. James's. Yours truly, Geo. Rover, CCELEBS SUITED, 17 Dermot O'Xiel, to Sir Gecrge Rover, Bart. Fairland Hall. Your Honor, We are all pretty well, though the occasion of this present writing is to inform you, that the grey mare is taken dangerously ill ; I have spoken to Dr. Garlick, but I fear we can make nothing of her at all, but shoot her. — Poor soul 1 she is one of your Honor's oldest acquaintances, and has done her duty in this dirty world. But this is not all, at all, at all; we have been sadly bothered with these floods ; the three cottages at the bottom of the little close, where Pat'Fallop and Dennis CKDoole. and the old widow Turtle lived, have been all demolished, clean out of sight and all inhabitants washed out as clean as a fresh skinned potatoe. I have had the great barn cleared out and divided for them. IS COELEBS SUITE©. and have rigged them out as well as I could. — The old widow has caught a terrible ague infection; but I hope I have nearly cured her- with some of your Honor's best whiskey ; she takes it most kindly ; I think, observing its good effect on an old woman, I cannot help wishing that the poor mare would take it too. Ah ! your Honor, the old mare no more nor none of us has been quite right since your Honor went away, Besides, this, Phelin O' Whack has been drawn for a militia-man, and his wife and two children, have come here for a lodgment during his absence. I have put them into the cottage, at the back of the dairy-house, which has been empty ever since poor Kate went to the hospital, to be cured of her dropsy. Phelin says, your Honor told him, you thought him an honest fellow, and that you always considered his children as your own ; indeed for a matter of that, your Honor is so kind, and so bene- volent, that all the parish look upon you as the father of their children. — the blessing of St, Patrick on you — CALEBS SUITED, 19 I hope, your Honor, will give me a speedy answer, as what with the grey mare, the widow, and Phelin's wife, I have more on my hands than my poor abilities can manage. I am, your Honors humble servant, Dermot ONeii. 20 .CCELEBS SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to C. Rastock, Esq, Jermyn Street, St. James 8, Dear Charles, I thaxk you, most truly, for your kind attention to my poor tenants at Fairland. — The mare's loss, in my absence, I rather regret. I have a curious epistle from Der- mot, with a description of the funeral, which we will laugh over when I have the pleasure of meeting you at Rastock. I am glad your little boy has recovered his alarming attack. I will now continue my journal of operations. — While breakfast was preparing at Woodstock, we were amused with a party of the Warwick militia, who were quartered here last night, and were starting for their day's march. They were a fine body of men, and every way well appointed. An incident occurred which strongly marks our friend's character. The bill being pro- duced, Coeleb examined it most scrupulously, and discovered that twopence was charged CCELE3S SUITED. 21 for eggs, for our first morning's breakfast, which we had not had ; after some altercation, for the landlord was not willing to cede the point, least we should suppose it an intentional act of fraud, the charge was withdrawn, and the bill settled. "I cannot bear," said he, when we were alone, " to be imposed on." u I give thrice as much To any well deserving friend ; But in the way of bargain, — mark ye me, I'll cavil for the ninth part of a hair." The chaise was announced, we descended the stairs, and at the bottom we found a grenadier supporting a woman, who appeared in a very weak state. Our friend enquired kindly, if she was unwell ? the soldier touch- ing his cap ; answered, in the most modest and respectful manner: — "This poor woman, Sir, is my mother. My father died when I was only eight years old. By her single exertion, she brought me up, 'till I was able in my turn to assist her. — We have laboured together ever since, and have supported our- 22 CGELEBS SUITED. selves, in comfort and credit. At the last ballot, I was drawn for the county militia; we could not bear the idea of parting, but she has sunk under the fatigue, of travelling, and I fear it will prove too much for her. — I am waiting to see the ^commanding officer, in the hope of procuring for her a better conveyance." The poor woman said not a word, but her looks spoke most forcibly for her. Coelebs slipt a guinea into the man's hand, and hurried me with him to the carriage. The boys were mounted, the door shut, the landlord, landlady, waiters, and others, were making their conge\ when the drivers were suddenly called to, to stop, and the door was quickly opened by the soldier. " I beg pardon, Gentlemen," said he, " for stopping the carriage, but I think you have made a mistake, in giving me a guinea instead of a shilling." I shall never forget my own feelings at the moment; but how much more were those of our good friend to be envied. M No, my honest fellow," said he, "I did not CCELEBS SUITED. 23 mistake, and besides, here is my direction, which I forgot to give you, and if you want my assistance, don't fail to ask it." I begged to add my donation to that of Coelebs. The door was again shut, the carriage in motion, and we reached Oxford, without a word being spoken. — How exactly does this man, thought I, obey the injunction of our blessed Saviour. " And when thou doeth alms, 1ft not thy left hand know -what thy right hand doeth." I asked for your nephew, Jack, at Christ Church; but found that he was absent for a few days. As I intended to spend some time with him, on my return, we hastened our departure, and arrived in London at five o'clock. I shall dispatch this, to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. Con- gratulate your dear lady from me, on the recovery of your little charmer, And believe, &c. Sac. Geo. Rover. 24 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Jermyn Street, St. James's. Dear Charles, I take as early an opportunity as I possibly can of continuing my correspon- dence. — We are here most comfortably lodged. On entering the sitting-room, Coelebs took me by the hand and said, '•'You have done me the honor, Sir G. of becoming my inmate, and I hope you will consider yourself as quite at home. Our evenings, I trust, we shall generally spend together, but as there is much to see for the time you propose to stay, I shall place my carriage entirely at your disposal for the mornings, and the coachman will wait upon you for orders. — To-morrow, indeed, I have business in the city, where perhaps, you will have no objection to accompany me." I thanked him for his kindness, dinner was shortly after announced, and we remained at home for the rest of the evening. He is CGELLEBS SUITED. 25 in furnished apartments, sufficiently large to enable him to accommodate a friend. At eleven o'clock next morning, the carriage came to the door, and we soon found ourselves in such a throng of coaches, chariots, aiss, wagons, and carts, as I never before witnessed. For the whole length of the streets, called the Strand and Fleet-street, the principal entrance to the city, I thought my bones in jeopardy, and had plentiful occasion to admire the skill of our coach- man. The situation of London, you are acquainted with from better descriptions then I can give you. In real cleanliness, in the regularity of the paving, in the convenient and plentiful supply of water, it is superior to most capital cities, but as far as I can yet judge it is most miserably deficient in beauty; not that it is wanting in buildings, or oppor- tunity to give it character and effect, but the former are so surrounded with houses, and so little attention has been paid to their being seen after they have been built, that I wonder how any set of sensible men, could so 2t> CCELEBS SUITED. foolishly part with their money. This remark holds good with regard to almost every build- ing of note. St. Paul's Cathedral, the metro- politan church of England can be seen, as a whole, from no one point of view. The building itself is of a magnitude to require an area equal to that before the church of St. Peter at Rome ; but here, you cannot see even the second tier of columns, without the hazard of dislocating your neck, or receiving the contents of a porter's load on your stomach, from your inattention to the swarms of people who are continually passing. The Mansion House, the Bank, the Royal Exchange, theEastlndia House are allin the same predicament, and I am sure, that the only time to obtain a competent idea of the style of architecture of these several buildings is to make your observations at five o'clock in the morning, or at least, long before the business of the day begins. I am confident, that if a thorough-bred Londoner was to see any of these buildings, when removed to a more open situation, he would not know C(£L£B5 SUITED. 27 them, for he never has been able to con- template them at leisure. What folly then to talk of embellishing a city by such means, a twentieth part of the money judiciously employed would have done more good. Our friend"s first business was at the Bank, Here they have been employed for years in undoing what had taken years to do; and have laid out immense sums in erecting an ornamental wall at the back of the building, which will never be seen, but by those whose curiosity leads them out of the way to vievr it. As I before said, this is not the way to improve the taste of a people, or to beautify a c i t y. — A single ornamented column, pos- sessing all the necessary requisites of just proportion, excellent sculpture, and appro- priate situation, would much sooner answer the purpose. Description can never exactly convey the character and effect of a building. I shall, therefore, purchase the best prints I can procure of the principal ones, and make my £o CCELEBS SUITED. remarks on them for our mutual amusement, when we have the happiness to meet. Ordering the carriage to follow, we walked from the Bank to the India House. The inconvenience we felt from the pressure of the croud, would not allow me time to examine the front of the Royal Exchange as it appeared to deserve. The India House has lately been rebuilt, and does great credit to the architect. According to Pennant, (speaking of the one pulled down,) "It was not worthy of the Lords of Indostan." The new r erection, however, is creditable to their liberality, and will be to their taste, if they purchase the houses in front of it, and afford it the area it requires.— In returning, we walked as far as St. Paul's church, admiring the vast profusion of costly and elegant wares, displayed in the shop windows ; and taking our carriage there, we returned to Jermyn Street. Tis much to be regretted, for the beauty of the town, that it has spread solely on the north side of the river, while the banks, instead of affording a cheerful and CCELEBS SUITED. %9 healthy walk as in Paris, in Petersburg, and Dublin, are croudeci with wharfs for coals and timber, and present every annoyance of smoke and filth. I am told many persons remain all the season in London without seeing the Thames, and never pass over the bridges, which are remarkably handsome, but on entering or leaving the metropolis. On our return, we found a card from Lady Beaufield, for dinner on Wednesday next, Coelebs will introduce me there to-morrow morning, and we are to make a walking day of it. Kindest remembrance to Madame, Yours, &c. 30 C&LEBS SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart to C. Rastock, Esq. Jermyn Street, St. James's. Dear Charles, You have obliged me very much, by your kind interference at Fairland. It is only by endeavouring to ameliorate the con- dition, and add to the comforts of the people, that we can expect to subdue the spirit of disaffection, and restore our country to the blessings of confidence and peace. Yesterday morning we walked to Sir John Beaufield's. Her Ladyship received me with great polite- ness, and our friend with much warmth of affection. She was reading aloud, the Life of Petrarch, to her eldest daughter, a young lady of about eighteen ; I was very much surprised to find her knitting a worsted stocking. Ccelebs complimented her on her industry, and progress she had made since he had last the pleasure of seeing her ; she was pleased with the attention, and told him, "That she hoped to finish it, by Tuesday. — CCELEBS SUITED, 31 the fellow had been done, some time, and I expect," said she, "to complete a pair of gloves, by the time we return to Beaufield Lodge, as a present to an aged attendant of my mamma's." — "We think, Sir," said Lady Beaufield, addressing herself to me, "that in employing our time, in thus administering to the wants of our poor neighbours, and at the same time enjoying the pleasure of reading, and social conversation, we act the part of rational creatures." You know, as I said be- fore I hate an argument, especially with system-mongers; I therefore assented to the justice of her Ladyship s observation, and paid her a compliment on her courage in adopting it. Then, turning to Ccelebs, "Mr. Coelebs/' said she, "We called yesterday at Lord Stantley's, he wishes much to see you." Ccelebs recollecting our late conversation,, appeared a little confused. Her Ladyship continued, "We found Lady Pri-cilla at the same employ as my Sophia, and it is sur- prising how inimitably well she succeeds, considering she has. only, practised ix for. two : 32 CCELEBS SUITED. years; she has nearly completed a pair, Which, her father intends she shall present to the Society of Arts and Sciences at the Adelphi, and she expects to obtain the gold medal." " If the utility of her employ and the introduction of a just notion of the value of time, deserve rewards, Lady Pris- cilla certainly stands foremost amongst her sex," said Ccelebs. " With talents equal to attain the more shewy qualifications, she has the sense to disdain them, and to suffer her merit to rest on the innocence of her employ- ments, and the usefulness of her life." — " She has the satisfaction of knowing," said Lady Beauneld, "that she enjoys the good opinion of most people of sense ; and I know, that she does not rank Mr. Ccelebs, among the least warm of her admirers." " Her character," replied he, " I really do admire, and I regret that untoward circumstances have, as yet, denied me the pleasure of seeing her." The conversation now took .a general turn. We talked of Ireland; and they seemed well acquainted with its geography, and natural productions. CCELEBS SUITED. S3 Her Ladyship now rang the bell, and desired the servant to tell Sir John that Mr. Coelebs and Sir George Rover were there ; but on hearing that he \^as in the library, Coelebs desired the servant to inform him that with fyis permission, we would wait on him there, After spending a little more time with the ladies, we took our leave, and descended to the library. Sir John received us in a very courtly manner, and enquired, with much kindness after you, whom he recollected to have met at Lord Clancard's, when he was in Ireland, some years since. I was very much surprised at the very un- pleasant smell of the room, but I recollected that in many of these houses, they have car- ried the rooms out so near to the stables as sometimes to be very offensive. Addressing himself to me, " Sir George" said he, " I should not have received you here, had I had more notice of your intending me this honor ; for the experiments I am employed upon may give out an unpleasant effluvium, which may be disagreeable. To me, who 34 CCELEBS SUITED, have been prosecuting the enquiry for near six weeks, it is scarcely perceptible." I con- fessed that I smelt something, that I could not very well account for, considering the airy and unincumbered appearance of the house. " I am employed, Sir George," said he, "in endeavouring to detect an error which I think has crept into some deductions of my friend, Lord Stantley's. — He has with much pains and perseverance drawn up a paper on the chemical properties of several kinds of manure, which he will read at the next agricultural meeting. At a chemical lecture at the Royal Institution, my daughter, Sophia, was struck by an experiment which I thought affected a material part of his- Lord^nip's theory ; I have employed myself in endeavouring to ascertain it, before I mention it to him ; and I think I have nearly determined it." We then talked over the politics of the day, which at present are very interesting, and to some people, very alarming. Sir John is no croakd, and feels that the good sense and dispositions of the G<ELEBS SUITED, 35 people are a sufficient pledge for our national security. He is really a very clever man ; but this principle of " utility ill understood," has so •warped his judgement that he does not per- ceive how very ridiculous he often appears. As we walked towards home. " How noble," said Coelebs, "is the character of the Earl of Stantley ; instead of dissipating the fortune which Providence has blessed him with, in a course of riot and excess, he employs his means and time in encouraging the real sources of national grandeur and prosperity. — He condescends to undergo the fatigue of personally superintending his ex- periments and directing the exertions of his servants. His character as a christian is as exemplary as his general conduct is praise- worthy. — He feels the necessity of strictly attending to the commands of the Gospel, and enforces them with all his power among his dependants : he would no more think of travelling on a Sunday, than a man of ton would think of abstaining from it." " If a peer d % 36 CCELEBS SUITED. had no other duties to fulfil, nor any other objects of study," said I, " I would allow him to direct his attention to farming, or to any other useful or innocent employment ; but to my mind, with his rank and fortune, a nobleman inherits higher duties and greater responsibility. — i To whom much is given, of him shall much be required.' — I could not wish to see him a farmer, a painter, or a musician, any more than I wish that he should neglect either ; I would have him to be a competent judge of all, but to neglect neither. " His great study should be to understand the constitution and interest of his country; to feel his consequence equally as a check on the too great influence of the crown and the overbearing spirit of the people; to exert himself as the patron of arts and commerce, by the respectability of his support, and the liberality of his expenditure. In short, that as a peer of parliament, he should act with firmness and integrity towards his king and country; and, as a man of fortune, with CCELEES SUITED. 37 generosity to those within his influence. With regard to the latter part of your encomium on his Lordship's character, I entirely agree with you ; that the sabbath day is not kept at all equal to my idea of pro- priety; I would by every means discourage, both by my own example and authority, the system of making it a day for travelling, or for carrying on the ordinary business of life; at the same time that I should feel excused, and excuse others too, when I saw it the effect of great necessity. Our Saviour him- self allows this, on healing the man afflicted with the dropsy. I would even go further than this, I would, especially, in the country, make it a day of relaxation and innocent enjoyment to that portion of mankind, whose lot requires every alleviation. I would suffer, and indeed encourage them, (always expecting that they had attended the service of the church) to amuse themselves at quoits, or other pastimes. By adopting the op- posite course, we have filled our barns with fanatics, and our hospitals with lunatics.'' 38 CCELEBS SUITED. At a few paces from our own house, we met the young Marquis of Heron. This put an end to our argument; and I will here end my letter, which I hope you will not think insufferably long. Best compliments to your good Lady 5 &c, &C-. Geo. Rover. CCELEBS SUITED. 39 Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Chas. Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, You are for ever adding to the obligations I owe you, and I feel the in- crease of them, whether near you, or at a distance. The Marquis of Heron no sooner heard my name, than he recollected me as your neighbour, and after enquiring with great affection after yourself and all the family, hoped to have the pleasure of seeing me frequently during my stay in England; and indeed he has almost promised to accom- pany me on my return, in order to pay a visit to you, of whom he entertains a very high opinion. He dwells with great pleasure on the time he spent at Rastock. For my own part, I am so pleased with him, that I fear I shall fill my letters with little else. — He left us to keep an engagement he had made, but promised to call next morning to 40 CCELEBS SUITED. accompany us to St. James's church. He was punctual to his appointment, and we had the gratification of hearing that excellent man, and much admired preacher, Dr. Andrews. To judge of the state of the religion of the capital by the ardor with which this gentleman is followed, might perhaps lead us astray, his popularity is, however, equally creditable to himself and to his congregation. — His manner is nervous, forcible, and convincing; his discourses admirably arranged, and his introduction of christian precepts always highly appropriate. His elevation to this charge does honor to the Bishop of the diocese. We returned to Jermyn Street. Ccelebs said, " I admire Dr. Andrews extremely, there is an unaffected simplicity in his manner, which denotes the elevation of his mind ; I am told too, that he is a merry man." " He is," said the Marquis : 11 The merriest man; " Within the limits of becoming mirth, "I ever spent an hour's talk withal." CCELEBS SUITED. 41 Coelebs proposed a walk to Hyde Park, which was agreed upon, to shew me the beauties of their countrywomen; warning me sit the same time of the danger to which they exposing me, as the arrows of C"i rid '.- in every direction from the elevated seat of a barouche box to the level of the scarce less shewv pedestrian. ■ I promised to be on my guard, and indeed my attention was for some time so well kept up in avoid- in^ the crane-neck turns of some fashionable charioteers, that I could think of nothing else; when we had made our way through the croud, the Marquis said, "This barouche driving fashion is truly despicable. The masters are most of them out-done by their servants, whose dress and manners they a p e# — The conversation is upon nothing but their horses, and many of them, as Portia says of her Neapolitan lover, ' Make it a great appropriation of their own good parts, that they can shoe them themselves." — I hope, Sir George, you will not think it affected for 20 young a man to talk thus: my excellent 42 CflBLEBS SILTED.. father's precepts, I trust, I shall never forget He was a great stickler for propriety in every sense of the word, and he wished to see every one in his proper sphere. — He used to say, I consider the people of England as an Egyptian pyramid, raising by true and exact degrees from its broad base to its summit; while this is kept in view, the pyramids themselves will not be more durable, but when one stone is displaced, the whole is unsightly, and its ruin may be the con- sequence. The Duchess of Ormond passed in her curricle; Col. Dashley was lolling indolently by her side. " Grace ful as John, she moderates the reins, " And whistles s-.vect, her diuretic strains." Said Coclebs. " A female,'' said I, "ought never to place herself in a situation to call forth such a quotation." "What can we expect,*" said C celebs, " but that the Ladies should follow the example of their Lords ; the driving seat requires no mental exertion, and the danger which is sometimes incurred. CCELEBS SUITED. 43 is immediately repaid by the admiration of the spectators at the dexterity of the escape." The Marquis enquired, if I had yet been at the Opera. He regretted to hear that I had not. " We had last night," said he, "a most exquiste treat.— Catalani was in fine voice, and Naldi inimitable ! this man's humour surpasses every thing I ever heard ; it does not consist in noise and buffoonery, for he is always in an under tone, but he is delicate and exquisitely finished. I am" said he, " a great lover of music, and acknowledge its force, from the simplest ballad to the most difficult bravura. The Opera as it affords the best we can have, I never fail to attend. 1 know our friend, Cceiebs is rather fastidious on this subject ; but 1 hope to enlist yen on my side, and to have the pleasure of your company in my box, which will be always at your service, during your stay in London." The Marquis utters my sentiments so exactly, that I had nothing to do but to bow assent. 44 C(ELEBS SUITED. We returned time enough for afternoon church at St. James's ; immediately after which, leaving the Marquis at his house in Piccadilly, we drove to Sloane Street, to dine with Mrs. Morrison, an aunt of Ccelebs'. He is engaged to call at Lord Stantley's to-morrow, and has some other business on his hands, which has induced me to accept the Marquis's offer of acting as my guide to the sights at Westminster ; his rank will give us every access to all we wish to see. He is really a very amiable character. I hope my affairs at Fairland have ceased to give you the trouble, which I am much vexed that my absence throws upon you. Best compliments, &c. Geo. Rover C0ELEB5 SUITED. 45 Cha. Rastock, Esq. to Sir Geo. Rover, Bart. Rostock, near Limerick, Dear Sir George, I am just returned from Fairland, and I think, I have nearly restored all things to their original order. The cottages are re- building on the spot yon pointed out, and the damage done to the lower farm has been repaired. Tansy's case I have had a little difficulty with, as his creditors were angry with him ; I settled it, and replaced him in the farm ; better stocked than before, and at a much less sum than you had appropriated for it. The remainder I will keep in hand to assist " a at his going off. — I fear he has a natural w j Jolence about him, which it is difficult for him to overcome : if he does not now suc- ceed we must think of something else for him, for he is a worthy creature. I am heartily glad you have met with the Marquis of Heron, both on his own account 46* CCELEBS SUITED, and yours ; he is a young man of the greatest promise, and having arrived at the age of twenty-four, without the least propensity to extravagance or excess, I hope his country will be much benefited by him. — u I know him noble, " Of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth ; " In voices well divulged, free, learn'd, and valiant, "And, in dimension, and the shape of nature — " A gracious person." He was an only son, and his excellent father spared neither pains nor expence in his education ; 'till the age of thirteen he kept him at home under a domestic tutor, the present Bishop of this diocese. His chiejf care was to give a proper bent to his inclinations and pursuits, and to inculcate the christian principle of his duty towards God, and good-will towards man. At the same time he encouraged him in great bodily exertion, and in acquiring the accom- plishments of riding, fencing, dancing, and drawing, in all which he excels. He then sent him to Eton school for three vears, ^r CCELEBS SUITED, 47 where he had the happiness to see him gain the good opinion of his Bias his as- siduity, and of his companions by his spirit and courage. At sixteen he returned home, and remained for three years more under his father's roof, still attended by his worthy tutor, and the best masters of the living languages and elocution. He had a natural taste for music, in which his father freely indulged him, as a source of much independent pleasure. He felt too all the charms of painting, and his sketches from nature are marked with great truth spirit. It was during this interval that his father visited Ireland, in company with his son, and Dr. Hewitson. — They remained nearly two months at Rastock, and I parted with them with great regret ; he was at that time just eighteen, rather tall of his age, and in figure might have rivalled the statue of Antinous. His form was of the finest Grecian model, and his tine dark bine eyes the most sparkling I ever beheld. He Mt me to join a hunting party at 48 CCELEBS SUITED. Lord ClaricarcTs; an amusement which hi? father did not object to, as inspiring courage, and inuring him to fatigue, though he re- probated it when carried to excess, and made the business of life. At nineteen he was entered at Christ Church, Oxford, where he remained three years more, I am told, with great advantage. His father then sent him on a tour to Peters- burg, and to those courts from which the in- fluence of Buonaparte had not then excluded us ; before he left Humburgh, he recived an express kr inform him of the good Mar- quis's dangerous indisposition. He hastened back ; when he arrived he found his father a little better, but he lingered onlv two months, leaving his son his blessing, and an example of all that was amiable and good ; He was never a robust man, and after a long protracted debate in the House of Lords, he had walked some distance to his carriage, through a newly-fallen snow, the ill-effect of which he never recovered. Pray use all the influence you may acquire l£S^2 CGELEBS SUITED. 49 with him to induce him again to visit us ; io- this all my neighbours will most cordially join me, and especially his young friends, the Hancourts. Dermot tells me he has written +o you upon a very interesting matter ; he a most kind-hearted deserving creature. Mrs, Rastock desires to be most kindly remembered to you, and begs to second me in my invitation to the Marquis. Yours, &c. &c, Charles Rastock, SO CCELEBS SUITED, Dermot ONiel to Sir George Rover, Bart. Fairland. Honored Sir, Squire Rastock has been here, and set us almost to rights again. The new cottages are going on well, and so is Phelim's wife; and Tansey is in his house again, and the waters are gone down ; and the barley begins to come up. Poor Phelinrs wife heard from her husband last Thursday. She says, your Honor must be a Saint, though she can't find your name in the calendar. He does not dislike soldiering at all, at all, and says, its better work than ploughing, or digging potatoes — more fool he. But I want to ask your Honor a bit of advice ; Your Honor knows my eldest daughter, Shelah; well, Patrick Conod's son, at the Mill, has taken a mighty fancy to her, and he's a stout strapping lad, and his father well to do. Shelah is a good girl, and asks my advice, and I ask your Honor's? Old Patrick says, =>T^3? CCELEBS SUITED, 51 if your Honor will give him a fresh lease of the mill, that he will give his son a smartish bit of the trade ; and as I have had the good fortune to save a few pounds in your Honor's service, Shelah shan't go bare-foot to her husband. I have no other news at present^ only young Squire Hancourt has hurt his hand by the bursting of a gun ; and the large- white bitch has pupped. I am, your Honor's, &c. Dermot Q'Nisl. e 2 S% CCRLEBS SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq, Dear Charles, I enclose Deimot's letter, which will explain what he wants, and I have written to him, with my approbation of the match- supposing the youth of age. If you can make it convenient to see Conod, have the goodness to say to him, that he shall have a fresh lease of the mill at the old rent, if his son marries Dermot's daughter. I am delighted with your account of the Marquis. Our sentiments accord so well, that we seem to be old acquaintances already. He came according to promise to take me to Westminster. He had just received a packet of tickets for the benefit concert of a very favorite musical professor. " I am exerting myself to make it known to my friends," said he, " which wiil be quite sufficient to procure the patronage we want. He has a large family ; and his awful CCELEBS SUITED. . . 53 visitation, makes him now as much pitied as he was formerly admired." We of course agreed to go, and Coelebs took tickets for the Beaufields, on whom he intended to call. His Lordship's curricle was at the door; his equipages are remarkably elegant, and well- appointed; and he is an excellent whip, without affecting the costume, or vulgarity of a mail coachman. He begged Coelebs to convey his compliments to Sir John and Lady Beaufield ; and off he drove. "Sir John Beaufield," said he, "I do not know much of, though from my intimacy with Coelebs, I have often been in his com- pany. The system he has adopted of ( not exactly excluding) but not encouraging those arts which refine and embellish life, have made his house and table a dull unvaried scene of disputation. He has taken Lord Stanttey for his model, as her Ladyship is a copyist of Lady Stantley. My good friend, Sir Wm. Pascon, who remains still at Oxford, his father's will fixing his majority at twenty-five, has an 54 GMtyUm, spited. estate. in. the neighbourhood-of his Lordship, on which his mother and two sisters reside. Lady Paston too has taken Lady Stantley for her model, and Sir William tells me, that nothing can be so dull, .as. the routine of their life. Music and drawing are neither heard nor seen ; dancing, of course, they have not a sufficiently enlarged society for, so that the day begins with work and reading, and ends with work and reading, and this, as the young ladies reside constantly in the country, has made them unfit for town. They are rather older than him, and really amiable and sensible women : but seem now likely, 6 to live and die in single blessedness.' I am sorry that he had not possession of his fortune some years ago, as I think his good sense would have drawn them out, but he was a youth of great spirit, and his father was afraid of him. If the original has character, the copy is generally a caricature. Observing my valet while attending me, a few mornings since, brimful of something that seemed greatly to CCE LEBS SUITED, 55 amuse him, and knowing him to be ' a fellow of infinite humour,' I encouraged his well- known turn for loquacity, when he surprised and amused me not a little with the following account ; but I should first let you know that Lady Beaufield affects an independence, and actually goes to market, and on these occasions chuses to walk. ' A few mornings since,' Sir, said he, 'Lady Beaufield was at Phillip's, the fishmonger, in Bond Street, at the same time that Lord Duncar ton's house steward was there. They left the shop at the same moment, and waited some time on account of the press of carriages. The man, who hearing the fish ordered to Lady Beau- field's, mistook her Ladyship for the house- keeper, addressed her familiarly with ' What cursed dirty weather we have.' At the same moment, thinking he saw an opportunity of crossing the way, he caught her by .the arm; and hurried her along with him. Indignant at being thus addressed, and enraged at the roughness of the action, she struggled to loose herself, and unfortunately missing her 56 CCELEBS SUITED. footing, reeled, and fell into a heap of mud which the scavengers had left for removal; her daughter, who attended her, fainted ; her Ladyship went into violent hysterics ; the man, alarmed at the consequences of his un- fortunate mistake, ran away, leaving them to recover themselves as well as they could.'' His story has, I dare say by this time, found its way to every stewards' table in town, from w T hich quarter, as you may well suppose, her Ladyship meets with but little mercy. You may imagine this account amused me at first, but upon reflection excited my pity much more, to think that people of so great fortune, and, in other respects, good sense should expose themselves to the chance of such indignities. "I now," said the Marquis, " enter on my duty as a ciceroni, and I am sorry I have so little to praise, and such ample room to find fault. The Palace I have passed without comment, as nothing can be said in favor of its exterior. Its apartments, however, are convenient, and at these times it is prudent to avoid the appearance of unnecessary CCELEB3 SUITED. 57 expence." We stopped opposite Carlton- House. " Here now/' said he, " is a build- ing whose principal ornament is its portico, and the most enriched and beautiful part of that is hid, by the interference of an unne- cessary screen. The Prince has great tasle, and when his funds are better, will, it is said, remove this to the Park entrance, where it will be a great ornament." I approved much of the idea, for the enrichments of the pedi- ment and cornice are very excellent, and appear to me to be in good taste. He themturned about his curricle : "You remember" said he, "an elevated spot in the Green Park, which C celebs pointed but as having been fixed upon for the erection' of the Naval Column. " — " I do," said I. — " It was in contemplation," returned his Lordship, "to have purchased and taken down those few houses which now obstruct the view into the Park, and the column would have terminated the vista. The Park- wall in Piccadilly was to have been supplied by an : iron railing, and the pillar 58 CCELEBS SUITED. would have been seen with great effect from the top of St. James's street. By the judi- cious removal of a few trees, it would, from the Horse Guards, have appeared to ter- minate an avenue, and so situated, it would likewise have been seen from nearly the whole of Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens. The idea was an excellent one, but the funds were never large enough to carry it into effect.'* — He then took me to St. Martins church. — "Behold," said he, " another subject for grieving. Here is a finer church than most capitals can boast, but which no one can see. However I am told that there is a plan for removing the Mews, which is inconveniently situated, and much out of repair, and building a handsome square on the scite. The church will form one side, and appear to great advantage." We then stopped at the Admiralty, and very much admired its elegant screen. Next to the Admiralty is the Horse Guards, a large unornamented building of hewn stone ; and a little further down, on the same side of CCELEBS SUITED. 53 the way, is the elegant residence of Lord Melborne. The building opposite, is the only remains of the once magnificent Palace of Whitehall. It is from the designs of Inipo Jones, and the ceiling is the work of Ru ens. It is now used as a chapel for the Guards. From one of the windows, the unfortunate Charles the First walked to the scaffold, a melancholy reflection on the character of mankind, which visits the vices and exactions of its tyrants on the most unoffending and irresolute of its u:onarchs. " A little lower down," said the Marquis, u the commissioners have unaccountably missed an opportunity of greatly improving this entrance to London. For the sake of a paltry ground rent, they have suffered those two houses to be built, and have shut out the finest view of the Thames, having Blackfriars bridge, and the river front of Somerset-house, for the principal objects. — The ground might even have been given to the adjoining houses, obliging the proprietors to GO CCELEBS SUITED. lay it down as a terrace. 'Tis much to be regretted, as at the same time immense sums are expended in other places to obtain that object." We now arrived at the House of Lords. As I shall read you a lecture upon all the objects I think worth notice, and with the assistance of views of the buildings, I shall at present say but little about them. — There is a commission with powers, to purchase, for removal, any buildings they think right for the improvement of this part of the town. They have acted on a very broad scale, and I think judiciously. This refers however to what has been removed ; of what has been erected nothing can be said that is too severe. Thousands have been expended on a stuc- coed gothic facade, the designs for which nobody will now own, but the credit of it is generally given to a lady of high rank. AVhile I was regretting the execrable bad style of the building, and the wretched taste, -which could place such a specimen of modem trash in the very front of the most CCELEBS SUITED. 6l beautiful and highly finished piece of gothic architecture lever beheld; the exterior of that part of Westminster Abbey, called Henry the Seventh's chapel, the Marquis said, "The days of gothic ignorance are, I hop;\ quickly vanishing, but would you believe it possible, that it was at one time in contemplation to restore, as it was termed, the whole of this front in plaister; a composition which has had the experience of only a few years to determine its durability." I shuddered at the barbarous idea, and rejoiced to hear that it had been abandoned. " But these real improvements. 4 said I, "are very creditable, and must, lam sure, meet the people's applause, though they may feel the expence." u The public purse," said his Lordship, " is low, and its calls are large and increasing, but there is a plan which waits only for better times to be put in practice, which will, in my opinion, be of incalculable- service to the health of the metropolis, and to its beauty; I will men- tion it now, and shall be happy at some 6% CCELEBS SUITE!). future opportunity to point out the spots.— Three large tracts of ground have been determined upon to be appropriated (for I believe they are all crown land) for the recreatk a and amusement of the public, and to be planted for the use of the navy ; one is a spot called Tothill Fields, a large tract lower down, which will be cleared and im- proved for the benefit of this part of London ; a large portion, including all the unoccupied ground between the New Road, and includ- ing Primrose Hill, for the advantage of the upper parts of the town ; and a similar por- tion to the eastward for the benefit of the City. The north Park having Primrose Hill, may from the inequality of the ground, be' made very beautiful. Plans have been drawn up for it, and I hope we shall soon see them carried into effect." We then walked through Westminster Hall, the House of Lords and Commons, and the Abbey, then re-mounting our carriage, crossed the Thames, at Westminster Bridge, and returned home over the bridge at Black- friars. CCELEES SUITED. 63 I never spent a day more satisfactorily. The good sense and good intentions of the Marquis are evident in all he says and does, his opinions are modestly delivered, but are always the effect of reflection, and a clear conception of the subject on which he speaks, and his taste and feeling are genuine. Adieu, my good friend, let me again thank you for introducing me to this interesting young man. Yours truly, Geo. Rover. t)4 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, We dined yesterday at Sir George Beaufield's. The party consisted of Sir John, his Lady, and Miss Beaurleld, the Countess Villette, an elegant and amiable French woman, and her friend, Miss Lamb, Dr. Truman, Ccelebs, and myself. Sir John is rather formal at his table, and the whole establishment proceeds by settled rules more strictly observed than the laws of the Medes and Persians. We found the two younger children in the drawing room, playing with the Countess's little son of about five years old i the eldest, a fine boy of four years, and his little sister of a year younger. As the Countess kissed the little girl, a tear started in her eye. I was told afterwards that she had lately lost a daughter. The children were amusing themselves with dissected maps. CCELEBS SUITED. 65 Coelebs enquired of Miss Beaufield after the progress of her stocking, which she had not been fortunate enough to complete as she expected; and I found too, that Sir John had not quite detected Lord Stantley's chemical error, or finished his useful experi- ment, • Dinner was announced, and I was glad to find^ myself seated next the amiable Countess ; she speaks English rather fluently, but when wishing completely to convey her meaning, has recourse to her native language, "I think," said Sir John, " that the system of 'the ancien regime,' in France was better than ours. The settled and natural hour of two o'clock, for the dinner of the whole city, from the king to the lowest mechanic was, I think, more sensible than protracting it to the proper time of supper, and losing the enjoyment of a rational afternoon." " Par- donnez moi," said the. Countess, " I do not exactly agree with you ; in my opinion, and from my experience, I am inclined to give the preference to the English mode of life. — The system of a late dinner, if not carried F ; 66 ' CCELEBS SUITED. to great excess gives more time, -without interruption, to the morning study and employments ; and the evenings, chez vous, generally passes in the elegant amusement of music, or the charms of conversation." "As I have never been in France," said Sir John, " I am not competent to speak of the habits and customs of the country." " The routine of the day," said the Countess, " was seldom varied. In Paris, the morning until dinner was dedicated to seclusion and study ; this meal was invariably fixed at tw r o o'clock, after which we walked in the Champs Elysees or Luxembourg, or took an airing in the Bois de Boulogne. The Opera and theatres began early, and finished in time for an early supper, ■which was the repast of the most interest and social enjoyment. But by this system the family was not brought together sufficiently early in the evening, nor was the morning long enough for useful occupations. "In the principal divisions of time, per- sons of the same rank in life must necessarily agree; in the occupation of that time they C(ELEBS SUITED. 6? will differ, " said her Ladyship. " I do not think," returned Sir John, " that the utility of the employ is sufficiently considered, or the value of our time properly estimated." Coelebs agreed with Sir John, and instanced some young ladies whose time was entirely 1 a <upied in acquiring accomplishments, to the exclusion of more solid qualifications. — " This is certainly wrong," said the Countess, " as all excess is bad, but the rank in life should determine the education." " I will again repeat my idea, that nothing should be taught that has not a useful end," said Sir John, "and as musical professors can be hired, as pictures and drawings can be bought, I would not recommend those arts to form a part of any education." " Est il possible ! si vous etiez roi, Sir Jean," ex- claimed the Countess, "nous aurions un palais sans ornemens et une cour sans delices." This system has excluded all conversation on those, to me, delightful arts ; we talked a little upon politics ; a little upon Ireland, and a little about you and your f 2 68 CGBLEBS SUITED. family, with frequent references by Sir John and his Lady to the dispensations of Providence, and the advantages and necessity of religion. I do not like those constant repetitions, especially when no end is in view. The subject is here too frequently introduced t&e table. You know my notions on this subject, and I am now more settled in my opinion, that the effect is weakened by its frequent introduction. Do not think I mean to flatter you, but I really know no house where the true moment of introducing it is so well understood as at your's, and I never have received more edification from any discourse then I have from your's and your dear Lady's, flowing mutually from the question under discussion, and not weakened by its constant recurrence. Dr. Truman is almost a silent man, but there is an animation in his countenance that speaks an interest in the conversation, and his few observations are always listened to with respect, and heard with advantage. CCELEBS SUITED. 69 Z\Iis3 Lamb who possesses many of the acquirements she had just heard condemned, remained modestly silent ; Miss Beaufield is of course a true disciple of her mother, and took some little share on that side of the o< ion. When we went into the drawing- room, we had again the pleasure of seeing the children, who had not been admitted to the eating-room, a custom I never saw adopted before, except at your house, and which cannot be too much praised, whether the health of the children, or the comfort of the guests is considered. During coffee Dr. Truman was regretting the French revolution, and its unfortunate termination, after exhibiting so long a series of crimes and folly. " Ah !" said the Coun- tess, "I fear we have much to thank you for as the means of disseminating a great share of that discontent which originally produced it." " You surprise me, Madame la Comtesse ) , ' said Sir John, " at the charge you now make against us — I thought that England was always considered as the chief 70 CffiLEBS SUITED. support of the falling fortunes of the unfor- tunate House of Bourbon." "I do not," said the Countess, " speak of the later occurrences of those unhappy times, I am regarding the source of our misfortunes. Your writers, even those of the greate:y celebrity, whose works had been imported in great numbers, both in their native tongue, and translated into ours, had been read with great avidity. They had almost universally charged us with the greatest baseness and meanness of character, and had lavished upon us every epithet that could degrade and villify man. Your authors, both in prose and verse, had attacked us, evenyour amiable and kind-hearted poet, Cowper, had joined against us: he says of our countrymen, — " We never feel the alacrity and joy, " With which he shouts and carols Vive le Roi ; " Fill'd with as much true merriment and giee, " As if he heard his King say, — Slave be free." "I fear," said Dr. Trueman, " the Countess is too much for us; to make our people contented at home we have spread dis- CffiLEISS SUITED. 71 content abroad, and promoted, I will not say produced, great disturbances." The Countess continued, " Count Villette," said she, " was very fond of England, and of English authors. He understood the language well, and has often pointed out passages which could only wound sensible minds, and lead astray weak ones." Knowing the custom of the house, she now ordered in her embroidery; Miss Lamb produced a purse she was employed upon; Lady Beau- field took a book, and Miss Beaufield her stocking. Sir John, Dr. Truman, Ccelebs, and myself, formed a rubber at whist, and our evening was enlivened by the anecdotes and lively conversation of the Countess. At a little after ten, Sir John's chariot came to the door for her and Miss Lamb, they immediately prepared to depart, and finding myself next to her, I could not resist the impulse I felt to hand her to the carriage. Yours, &c. Geo. Rover. 72 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Chas. Rastock, Esq; Jermyn Street, St. James's. Dear Charles, I broke off my last letter without taking leave of Sir John or his family, for I had still much to say, and I left it for the subject of another epistle, least I should weary you. When I returned to the drawing-room, Sir John rallied me on my attentions to the interesting foreigner, but wondered I did not rather attach myself to Miss Lamb, "Though," said he, " I should recollect that my neighbour, Sir William Paston, would dispute that prize with you, and I believe with a strong party in his favor with the object of contention." "I professed my admiration of the appearance and good sense of Miss Lamb, but owned I felt more interested by her amiable friend. "Her story," said Sir John, " is unhappy CCELEBS SUITED. 73 and affecting, but her fortitude is great, and her just sense of religion always supports her. Her father resided with great pomp in one of the finest provinces of France, and employed a large fortune in supporting a splendid hospitality. He had only one son and one daughter, the present Countess, who married at the age of seventeen, as it was too much the custom at that time, a wealthy neighbour, but of an age, that could not render him an agreeable companion for so young a woman. However, he died in a few years, and left her at the age of twenty, in possession of an immense fortune. On such occasions, it was customary for the widow to place herself as a boarder at a convent, and under that cover, indulge abroad in all the gaiety and dissipation of the vicious capital. — Not so, Madame Beau- jou ; she returned to her father's house, and once more consigned herself to his protection. Here she had formerly seen the young Count Villette, who left France a short time before her marriage, to place himself in the service 74* - CALEBS SUITED. of one of the German princes. On his return, he found her again at her father's house ; and after a short time, they married. Nothing could exceed their mutual happiness, and their pleasures were increased by the birth of a son and daughter. The little boy is the same you saw to-day ; the girl is lately dead. Upon the dispersion of the great families of France, they fled to England. Her father and mother were dead, and her brother fell a. victim to the fury of the times. The family were protestants; her mother was an Englishwoman, and a near relation of Mr. Lamb's, the father of the young lady, who is on a visit to her ; so that her connections here soon placed her on a comfortable footing. On the formation of the late expedition to the coast of France ; the Count having borne arms, could not do otherwise than place himself under the com- mand of their gallant leader, though he despaired of any good resulting from the attempt. On the landing, he received a mortal wound, and lived only to set his foot J3P» CALEBS SUITED. 75 on his native land. He had a strong pre- sentiment that he should not return, and before he left England requested to see the young Marquis of Heron, who had been his most intimate friend, since he left France. — The Countess was present; taking the Mar- quis by the hand, "My Lord," said he, "your kindness to me since my arrival in England, a foreigner and a fugitive, without the means or the hope of being able ever to repay the obligation, has sunk deep in my heart. I can- pay you only by thanks, but the conscious satisfaction of your own breast, and the sense of divine approbation will be your reward. The call of my country forces me now to leave to the care of others, a charge, which is dearer to me than life, but which I can only deserve by not forfeiting my honor. The sense I have of the high principles, which you my Lord, who have done me the honor to call me friend, are actuated by, has in- duced me to request that I may place in your care tliir precious charge. My life ! my hope ! my happiness \" The Marquis accepted the 76 CCELEBS SUITED. trust," and cheered him with the hope of a speedy and victorious return. "I will hope so too," said the Count, "but my mind sadly mis- guides me. I have selected you, my Lord, as my boy's youth will long want a protector, and his spirit, an active guardian." At these words • he sunk into a chair, leaving the Marquis standing in a thoughtful pensive posture. The Countess left the room with the greatest, emotion, and immediately re- turned with her two children. The Count ctarted from his seat, and taking the children by the ^ hand — "These, my Lord," said he, *' are the - pledges of an affection which no time can destroy, nor any circumstance abate. If I fall, to your care I leave them, and by your advice will the Countess be directed, for their future welfare." The Count then embraced him, and taking a brilliant from his finger placed it on that of the Marquis, without uttering a word. They once more embraced and parted, never to meet as;ain. CCELEBS SUITED. 77 I thanked Sir John for the recital,, which raised my admiration still more of the un- fortunate stranger. On our preparing to depart, Sir John informed us that Lord Stantley's ploughing match was fixed for to- morrow week. That he, Sir John, left town on Tuesday for Wiltshire, in order to be present, as it is a jubilee for that part of the country, and -pressed us to accept an invitation to his house. I saw on C celeb's countenance a strong wish to join the party ; for my part, I had much to see here, and I dreaded that I should be obliged to join it too. In our way home, he said, " Sir George, our habits of intimacv demand candour, and mine, I know, will not dis- please you. I very much wish to join this party, and I know that your inclination does not lead that way ; will you do me the favor to remain in Jermyn Street as in your own house for a few days? I will endeavour to return on Saturday." I insisted that I might be no tie upon his movements, and told him, that though I was sorrv to lose his comnanv. 7S CCELEBS SUITED. yet I should regret still more, depriving him of a pleasure for which I knew he had so great a relish. It was then fixed that he should leave town at the same time as Sir John. With best remembrances to all my friends, and your good Lady in particular, Believe me, vours, &c. Geo. Rover, CQ1LEB3 SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, I have had nothing particularly in- teresting to relate, nor truly have I now ; but you press me so much to write, that I will indulge you at the same time that I amuse myself. On Sunday morning the Marquis called, and we again accompanied him to St. James*s Church. The day was wet, and we adjourned to Ccelcb's apartments. "We cannot too much praise our ex- cellent liturgy," said Coelebs, " though I could very much wish to see a portion of it differently arranged. The lessons which are appointed to be read, are on a calculation, that the Old Testament is completed in the course of the year, and the New oneoftener; but this arrangement can never make people acquainted with the Bible, as the greater number so to church only on Sunday, and 80 CCELEBS SUITED. then only once. I have always remarked, that daring the time of the lessons, unless it happens that it is a very interesting one, the ladies take their survey of the dress of the congregation, or read the service of matrimony; and the gentlemen play with their gloves, or gold seals. I think the idea of reading the whole through, should be given up, and a selection made of the most interesting for the use of the Sabbath." The Marquis and I entirely agreed with him. His Lordship said, " They have adopted in this church, a very laudable plan, in assigning a large space in the middle aisle for free seats. Sir George Beaufield told me, that the death of Lord Harcourt had given his parish some hopes of being able to obtain the scite of his house for the erection of a parish church; and that they intend in that case, to appro- priate not only a portion of the middle aisle to free seats, but also the whole of the space under the galleries. This situation for a church would be almost the best in London. It would stand, according to the canon, «;,_£, ■ c'oelebs- suited; Si east and west, and would be. seen with great advantage from the square, with the houses in which, the front steps of the east portico would range ; this arrangement would give a sufficient area for a handsome open portico in the west front also." I mentioned the pleasure I had had in meeting the Countess Villette, and the in- terest her story had created in her favor. " She is as deserving as she is unfortunate." said the Marquis. Coelebs mentioned the idea she had started that the writings of the English had greatly promoted the French Revolution. • " I have no doubt of it," said he, "and indeed the Countess has too much reason to indulge the idea. — Count Villette had been for a short time in England, and with a great respect for the national character, had acquired a strong impression of the ex- cellence of our constitution. He was well read in our best authors; and felt very mueh galled at the reflections and sarcasms which he everv where found in them on the 82 CCELEBS SUITED. character and habits of his country. Orf his return to France, he was active in endeavouring to promote a reform in some of the most notorious abuses which existed in that government, and was for a time the idol of the people, but when he under- took to stem the torrent of jacobinism and fix some bounds to their demands, he was heard with displeasure, and lost for ever their confidence. How much, after the experi- ence of the past, ought we to dread the revival of such a cry in this country," said Ccelebs. " Reform," replied the Marquis, " is by some considered only as the cry of a faction, while many, very many, see the necessity of such a measure. — The difficulty is how to reform ; Dr. Johnson has said> and very justly, that it was impossible to create a sufficient fund of public honesty. — A lamentable truth ! In examining my father's political papers, I found one which contained a plan for a parliamentary reform, by a note at the back it appeared, that he at one time had submitted it to the heads of CGELEBS SUITED. 8S the party with whom he generally acted ; I know not why it was never "proposed for adoption. "It began by stating the influence which a man of rank and wealth must necessarily obtain over his less fortunate neighbour, and the obligation such a one must lie under to vote as his patron should direct. His name appearing on the poll books, what can pro- tect him from the resentment, and the loss of the support and patronage of him whose interest he has resisted from motives of the most pure patriotism. This influence every one must know will be always exerted, and here is the principal obstacle to reform pre- vented by the rich and powerful, and it cannot be supposed that the mass of mankind will sacrifice their means and livelihood to a duty whose good consequences they see only remotely, while from a ditferent conduct they pmtt their daily bread. The conscience is quieted by the reasouing of Sir Pertinax Mac Sycophant, 'its only generosity o'the one side and gratitude o"the other.' This holds g 2 $4 CCELEBS SUITED. good even in county elections, where the great landholder attaches large farms to small freeholds, and reckons on the number of votes he can command. The remedy he proposed, was simple, easy to carry into execution, and immediate in its effects. He insisted on disfranchising all those boroughs that had not five hundred voters ; and he then proposed, that those votes should be taken by ballot, as at the India House, or private clubs. This seems likewise, to me," continued the Marquis, " the only means of acquiring a representation, uncorrupt in its appointment, and independent in its prin- ciples, for who would give a bribe, when he could have no certainty of its influence ; or risque a ballot, unless he knew that his character and pretensions gave him a fair chance of election. In this plan the hustings, were to be continued as usual, the candidates might harangue ; the populace might shout ;. the ladies might dress> and the gentlemen might drink ; nothing should be lost of the shew and freedom of an election time ; all CCELEBS SUITED. 85 which would be sacrificed if the ballot were taken in separate parishes, as has been pro- posed, but which never would satisfy the people. The right to a voice would be tried at the hustings before the voter gave his suffrage; when that had been determined, the name would be taken down, and he would deposit a ball presented to him by the sheriff cr superior officer, in that division of the ballottin^ box destined to belong to the candidate he thought most eligible, fcw**e4ted, and consequently uninfluenced. The sheriff, or other officer, with a gentleman deputed by each candidate, would at the end of each day's ballot, reckon the votes, and thus favor and corruption would cease to exist. To this plan the only opposition could arise from those who now possess the power and the influence; an influence always unjustly exercised, whether for a deserving candidate or otherwise, but too frequently perverted to faa r f those whose only intention in getting into parliament is to share in the good things to be obtained, or to screen themselves from $6 GCELEBS SUITED. the just indignation of their creditors, and the horrors of a jail. " The more I have considered this idea," said the Marquis, "the more I am confirmed in its efficacy. The high character with which it came to me, as the result of the mature deliberation of my revered father, has stamped it with a sanction of the highest authority.' 1 "I can indeed see no possible objection to the plan," said Ccelebs • " and for my own part, on the most attentive consideration, I cordially join with the Marquis." " At a time," said his Lordship, " when every committee that has been ap- pointed has disclosed the most alarming peculations ; when we have seen men, 'till lately held in the highest respect, disgorging their ill-gotten wealth, and expiating their crimes in the vilest prison; how can we refuse to give our whole attention to per- fecting some scheme, which will in future prevent such nefarious conduct. We certainly .have much to amend. The manner of .rewarding public men by a commission, CCELEBS SUITED. 87 thereby giving them an interest in the in- crease of the national expenditure, and filling their pockets in proportion as the public purse is emptied, is as unguarded and impolitic, as to suffer them, under the plea of perquisites, to rob the offices under their controul, to supply the wants of their own private establishments. With regard to the existence of sinecure places, no one can defend them. Let every one be paid for his exertions, and amply recompensed for his talents and assiduity. Let the family of the benefactor of his country, if fallen unhappily from affluence, receive from the liberality of the nation a noble support, but let not any one under the name and outward appearance of performing a duty, receive an emolument for which no duty is done ; I cannot think that man a patriot (a term, however per- verted by faction, or stigmatized by hirelings, that all good men must respect) who receives, or suffers any one under his controul to receive, a salary to which no service js annexed, nor for which any duty is required. How much must he feel, if he possesses 88 CCELEBS SUITED. any feeling, the distress and difficulty of the government to raise its supplies, and how ought he to blush at receiving a salary, to which, probably, he has no other claim but that of having sacrificed his conscience and his integrity." The weather had cleared up, and the Marquis wished us good morning. Ccelebs recollected that the benefit concert was fixed for to-morrow, and excused himself from attending, as he had an invitation for both of us to dine at Sir John Beaufleld's, and spend the evening at Lord Stantley's. " Let me, however, Sir George,*' said he, "be no tie upon you." As I had no acquaintance with Lord Stantley and his family ; I agreed to dine with Sir John, if I were permitted to depart at the same time that they went to his Lordship. This was arranged, and Ccelebs was not sorry to get over his first intro- duction without me. He then presented his Lordship with a five pound note from Sir John, and the same from himself, for the benefit ; " Here," said his Lordship, " is the triumph of talents; when the man of CCELEBS SUITED. 89 ability by unforeseen and unhappy circum- stances is placed in situations of difficulty and distress, bis cause is the cause of the country; and men unacquainted with the person, and knowing only his character and his works, step forward with alacrity to give him ease and independence, without imposing on him a weight of obligation. If the trader, or the man of business is unsuccessful, his character and honesty may draw forth the assistance of his immediate friends, but the obligation is ever near him, and can never be cancelled." He then took leave, agreeing to call for me in Cavendish Square, to- morrow, on his way to the Opera House. We met to go to church in the afternoon, after which, as last Sunday, we set the Mar- quis down in Piccadilly, and went to Chelsea to dine. We found the old kdy very unwell. Ccelebs deserves great credit for his kind attentions. Best, &c. &c Geo, Rover. 90 CGSLEBS SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Charles Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, Co nod's son seems to have the very quotidian of love upon him, I hope his fit will be of long continuance ; his father has served me honestly for many years, and I wish well to his children, so pray let them have all they ask for. The Marquis called upon me in Cavendish Square, as he had promised, for the concert. — I never had a greater treat ; the performers exerted them- selves gratuitously, and with effect equal to the nobleness of the principle which actuated them. How gratifying is it to see men of a liberal and elegant profession thus exerting themselves for one of their own body whose misfortune, not whose misconduct, has ren- dered him necessitous. This it is to improve the talent committed to our care, ancj wor- ship in our actions the Giver of all good gifts. I was much surprised at my return, to find C<ELEB9 SUITED. 91 Ccelebs at home before me. "There, surely^ said he, "is some spell against my seeing Lady Priscilla; I have been again disappointed; as I was stepping into the carriage an express arrived from Mrs. Mor- rison, informing me that she had had a very alarming attack, and was not expected to live through the evening, and begging me to 'come to her immediately ; 1 hastened to obey, and took with me Sir W. Parquhar, whom I was fortunate enough to find at home. On our arrival, we found her much better, Sir Walter sa^s there is not the least danger, and that the alarm of her servants was quite un- necessary. You may judge how much I was vexed, but my presence was a consolation to the old Lady, and I feel happy that I was with ner in her uneasiness : Sir Walter says, there cannot be the least occasion for my remaining in London, but I should not feel satisfied at leaving her so quickly after such an alarm. In this case I shall not quit town until Wednesday morning, and will have the pleasure of dedicating to-morrow to you." 92 CCELEBS SUITED. We were late on Tuesday morning at break- fast, and were detained within till near one by visitors. Young Trash, who has made so great a figure on the turf, and injured both his health and circumstances by his devotion to the cause, paid Ccelebs a visit. Their father's estates joined, and as very young men they were known to each other, but their habits have led them different wavs, and their acquaintance has been continued only by occasional nods in Bond Street or Hyde Park. He has a gay airy manner, and chatted for a longtime very pleasantly, lie recounted some of his late adventures, and he. has really done such extraordinary things that one cannot deny credit to many more than have been publicly known. — After ex- hausting these topics, he gradually slackened fire, and with a little hesitation informed Coelebs that he had made a match to ride an old mare of Iris father's, who was always known as a great trotter, against time. That he was confident she would do it, but that Lord Barrvnose had not vet been able to CCELEES SUITED. 9$ him what he had won of him the last Brighton races, and that he wanted a little stance to enable him to deposit stakes.— Ccelebs told him very calmly, that he disap- proved of the nature of the bet too much to lend any assistance to the furtherance of it, at the same time, if he were willing to make a trial of his own strength and exer- tions in any pedestrian match, he should, as an old acquaintance, assist him. Trash thanked him heartily, and after a little abuse of the ministry, and sarcastic jokes at their ill success, which he fairly avowed his opi- nion must be the case under such manage- ments, he took his leave. " Here now," said Ccelebs " is one of the menders of national affairs; three years ago he was in the possession of a clear two thou- sand a year, and now he cannot rise a stake for a horse race.— This dreadful practice of running horses against time, should be severely punished —The noble exertion of the racer, who feels as much desire to pass his opponent, as the riders can do, and 94s CCELEBS SVlTEfii whose trial is short, I have always witnessed with pleasure, ; but I am shocked when I read accounts of the performance of some of these poor animals* I confess I know not how the legislature could interfere to put a stop to it but it certainly is much to be regretted that it is permitted." The servant announced Captain Harker, "Did you say I was engaged," said Ccelebs aloud, and father angrily. — A very elegant man entered, and I was shocked lest he should have heard it. — " I fear I intrude," said he, "but my visit will be short." — He took a seat — "I was very sorry to hear thatMrs. Morrison had been unwell" said he, "I hope you entertain no fears for her life," Coelebs answered coldly, that he was happy to understand there was no danger. "I served with her worthy husband in America, and respected him much ; we had many a- severe march together. — The privations of our troops were very great, though I think not equal to those which our brave men have suffered through the neglect of the ministry, COELEBS SUITED. 95 on some late occasions... The real wants of a soldier are not understood ; if they are equipped with a good pair, of : shoes, and a great coat, we call' them ready for service ; but from a long experience and attentive consideration, I know that there are many trifles, which would greatly alleviate their sufferings. This has been for some time so strongly impressed upon my mind, that I have determined to give the public a concise history of the campaigns in which your late worthy uncle and myself bore an active part. The expences incidental to such an under- taking are too lar^e to be furnished from my present means, and I am therefore induced to publish it by subscription, an& may I request the honor of your name, and your friends." Coelebs enquired after the history of Botany Eay, which was to have made its appearance some time since. — The Captain said that the manuscript was in a great state of forwardness, but that it waited for some returns and surveys from thence to enable him to be exactly correct, and that 96 CCELEBS SUITED. he had some reason to expect he might have an opportunity of visiting that settlement himself, when he should he able to publish it with more confidence. His history of the American campaigns, however, he had com- pleted, and it would be committed to the press as soon as he could be enabled to print a respectable subscription list, to give it consequence. Ccelebs was excusing him- self from putting down his name, but pro- mised to purchase it as soon as it appeared, when the servant announced Dr. Truman. The Captain as soon as he heard the name, pocketed his subscription book, and shewed his generalship by a hasty and well or- dered retreat, and not only by not losing any of his own baggage, but by carrying off some of the enemy's, for in the haste he took my hat instead of his own, thus found himself a gainer by the visit. The Doctor soon explained the reason of his decamping so quickly, by informing us that he had lately been brought before the bench of magistrates of which he was a -L CCELEBS SUITED. 97 member, under the charge of obtaining money under false pretences, and had been threatened with transportation. — Thus it appeared indeed likely that he would have an opportunity of correcting his manuscript, and that too at the expence of government, — The Doctor was more talkative than when I had the pleasure of meeting him at dinner in Cavendish Square. — He had just come from thence, and had left Lady Beaufield and herdaughter, preparing to attend Lady Stant- ley to Oxford Street, to examine the merits of a washing machine. ".Why did not you accompany them," said Ccelebs; "the study of mechanics is very pleasant, and those inventions which forward our com- fort deserve our attentions.'' " In the first place/' said the Doctor, "I do not like to encourage Lady Beaufield's whim, by giving countenance to it ; and in the next, I would not go to see a machine which, if it answers, must do harm, by lessening the quantity of employ for females, who have already too few means of gaining a livelihood. — If you ii 93 CCELE3S SUITED. would inform me of a machine which could impart a proper sense of the shame -and de- gradation men suffer, when twirling caps and bonnets, and snipping ribbons for the live long day, thereby occupying situations which unprotected females ought to fill, or a machine which should impress on our women of fashion the impropriety of ever suffering a man to wait upon them in those situations, I would walk to Whitechapel to see it, and do my utmost to recommend it. But a washing machine, I will not go to see, till I hear that a bill has been carried through Parliament to restrict the use of it to peeresses, or at furthest to the service of the judges, and ladies of the aldermen of London. u My visit here is however for a specific purpose. I have in the cure which provi- dence has placed under my charge, a sad instance of the versatility of all mundane affairs. — The privations and difficulties which have been thrown in the way of par- ticular branches of trade, by the unexampled HK CCELEBS SUITED. 99 manner in which the present war has been conducted, has gradually reduced a deserv- ing family from opulence to indigence ; from the means of bestowing to the necessity of requesting support. The difficulty I have found in obtaining a situation for two very deserving young women has made me angry with the usurpation I have lately remarked. — I have however been able to place them as governesses in res- pectable schools, and to obtain some employ for the rest of the family, until public affairs wear a better aspect. — In the mean time, some small debts hinder a good man from exerting the means he possesses to procure subsistence for the rest of his family, and these I am endeavouring to li- quidate." Coelebs inquired the extent of his wants, when the good Doctor fixed a sum, which he said, he hoped he should obtain from each person he had put upon a list to call upon. — Ccelebs begged to double it, as some of his friends might be from town, and slightly hinted the name of the Marquis of Heron. — h 2 100 CCELLBS SUITED. " The Marquis, " said he, "is I believe ac- quainted with every body's wants, and super- sedes the necessity of application. He called upon me early this morning, and left me so no- ble a donation that I was enabled considerably to reduce my list both in number and value. "You will not I hope, think it rude," said he, " if I now take my leave, I have many calls to make, and the business is urgent."— He then wished us good morning. — "Thatman," saidCoelebs, "really goes about doing good. Let us now" said he, "take our hats, or we may be deprived of our walk, It draws on to the time of grand promenade, and the beauty of the day will bring forth all the butterflies." — We turned into St. James's Street, and fixed ourselves at the corner of Piccadilly, a central point to which all the gay and fashionable must repair, that they may hear and see every thing new and worth notice. "At the door of that subscription-house, " saidCoelebs, "stands the carriage of the no- ble peer whomade suchafigure in the debate CCELEBS SUITED. 101 last night. After these fatigues he retires here to recruit, and frequently quits the spot only 'to be present at another consultation on the state of the nation, and the interests of £ ur0 pe. — The carriage next to his Lord- ship's belongs to a celebrated blackleg, who relieves many a young heir from the ne- cessity of troubling his head with the ma- nagement of his father's stock and acres. — Though notoriouslybelievedtohaveno other means of living, this man finds his way into the most respectable houses, and even receives invitations to the evening parties of many of our nobility." " But who is the gen- tie man Who is driving the elegant equipage I see coming up the street," said I. " He is a chough," sir, said Ccelebs, "and as they eay spacious in the possession of dirt. — I never heard that he was rich in anv thing else, except in his knowledge of the points of a horse, or the flavor of claret. He has lately come into a large fortune, and luckily if he dissipates, he will himself be, the only loser, for he is an only son. 102 CCELEBS SUITED. and has no connexion that depends upon him. "The chariot that follows, does more harm than any carriage in London. It belongs to a fashionable demirep. She some time since fomented a quarrel between her keeper, a young nobleman of fiery temper, and his par- ticular friend, in which the former fell, she now lives with his Lordship's second. A sad instance of the depravity of the times." At this moment young Trash came up. After the salutations of the morning, " I have been seeking you at home," said he: "you said you would assist me if I made any engagement more consistent with your idea of propriety, I have just backed myself to perform on foot a given num- ber of miles in as many hours. If you will assist me now, I shall be obliged to you, and if you wish to make a little money, I would advise you to back me 100." — Ccelebs told him that he seldom made any bets, and certainly should not on the present oc- casion, but that if he would call in Jermvn CCELEBS SUITED. 10S Street at six o'clock, he would supply him with what he wanted. Beins: satisfied with this answer, he made the passing of an acquaintance an excuse for his leaving us, promising to be punctual to the appointment. " I need not doubt that," said Coelebs, turn- ing to me; "by the calculation this exploit will keep him for six weeks out of mischief, and I have expectations of procuring for him an employ in the country, which I hope will be of service to him ; he has good nature and abilities, though being born to affluence, it was not thoughtnecessary that they should be cultivated." Three young men passed us, dressed to the extreme of fashion. Two of them wore leather pantaloons and hussar boots, the heels of which were so high and so small at bottom, that it required much care to preserve the equilibrium ; at the same time they had immense gilt spurs, which struck the ground at every step, and added to the trouble of walking. They had en- couraged the growth of their mustachios, •104 CCELEBS SUITED. and but for the smoothness of their chins^ might have rivalled the Saracen's head. — The other was in a frock riding dress, and his whole equipment of an entirely opposite cut. His boots were decorated with a number of long straps, his spurs were scarcely thicker than pins, and they were fixed as high on the leg as possible. He had on a green coat, loaded with buttons of an ex- travagant size, and in his hand a hunting; whip, the thong of which was plaited of leather of various colours, and the handle ornamented with a quantity of gold wire work. " In these three, 1 ' said Ccelebs, " you have a specimen of the whole range of our men of fashion you will find no other variety ; until the heat of the weather makes them substitute white or nankeen trowsers for their close drqsses." The young Countess of Apsby passed us ; she was in an elegant vis-a-vis, her horses decked with a profusion of gilt harness, and her whole appointment remarkably hand- some, " You must have heard of her," said MHfiH^UH C(ELEBS SUITED. 105 Ccelebs. — "I have forgotten any particular circumstances respecting her,*' replied I. "She was the elder ofthree sisters/' continued he, "and as such entitled to the largest fortune we have heard of for many years; of course, -she was an object of attraction to all the single men of fashion ; and having rank on her side as well as riches, she might justly aspire to the highest titles. She is hand- some too, and a good figure. — Xo sooner was she presented in public, then she was besieged by the attentions, and harrassed by the offers, of a numerous train of pretenders; some thought to catch her by their titles, some by their persons, others by their gaiety and wit. After much deliberation she made choice of the young Earl of Apsby, a noble- man of high family, great personal beauty, and every way deserving of her ; and she had the happiness to present to the man she had chosen, the means of raising the titles and honors of his ancestors to a pitch of grandeur and consequence, greater than it had ever enjoyed; and to relieve it from i*9 106 CCELEBS SUITED. embarrassments into which it had unfortu- nately fallen. They have lately been blessed with a son, and will I hope, long continue to deserve and enjoy the comforts which have showered down upon them." " How enviable was her lot," said I,— il there is no blessing that independence, gives greater than the liberty it allows us of choosing our acquaintance; and selecting the partner one supposes most likely to make one happy. To a female this election is most commonly denied ; I am glad that in the present instance, it has been so well directed." " The variety of the female dresses dis- played in their open carriages," said Ccelebs, " really reminds me more of a masquerade than of any thing rational. It was not so even in my recollection. As much care and attention is now paid to the arranging of the morning appearance, as was formerly bestowed on the full dress of an evening; even in times but little past, the morning dress of our females appeared more in cha- CCELEBS SUITED. 107 racter, neat and modest, and their appearance unassuming; but at present, they make a far different appearance, and exhibit themselves in the gayest colours, and the greatest pro- fusion of ornaments." We now inclined to move, and walked up Bond Street. To this gav parade, flock the bucks of the City and the bloods of St. James's, the grandees of Thames Street, and the elegantes of Gros- venor Square : the shopkeepers pay im- mense rents, which are amply returned to them by their great profits. This street swarms with beggars too, and objects of the most offensive and disgusting cast. Every affliction that human nature is subject to, every disease which poverty and filth intail on the wretched, are suffered to be here exposed, and besiege the doors of the carriages with the greatest importunity, and endeavour to interest the feelings by a display of their calamities. That such sights are permitted, is certainly a disgrace to the police of this opulent city. If their visita- tions are incurable, they should be obliged 108 CCELEBS SUITED. to reside in proper receptacles, if medical aid is necessary, they should be obliged to accept the benefit of it, which would be the case if they were not permitted to make their calamities a source of profit, and to view , the prospect of returning health, as a misfortune, cutting them off from a life of indolence, and which custom has to them made pleasant. We returned to dinner, to Jermyn Street. In the evening, Trash called. He told us, " That he should immediately leave London for Newmarket to go into training, and that he had found numbers to back him. — I shall remain three weeks in training under Lord Clumbars groom, and have no doubt of my success." Ccelebs gave him a draft for the sum he wanted. When he was gone, I could not help regretting this sad dereliction from just thinking and proper conduct; nor admiring the delicate kindness with which Ccelebs treated him. "I hope/' said he, . " this will be his last folly.; for . I think he will be willing to. retire to the country, on a CCELEBS SUITED. >0Q small place in the Excise, which I have the promise of." The servant is just arrived from Sloane Street, and brings an account that Mrs, Morrison is quite recovered. Make my best compliments to Mrs. Rastock, &c, &c. Geo, Rover, 110 CALEBS SUITED, Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock 9 Esq, Dear Charles, I have every reason to believe we shall succeed in obtaining what we want from Parliament. The bill has been read once, and met with but little opposition. The Marquis breakfasted with us on Wednesday, and at eleven o'clock, Ccelebs departed. He generally travels on horse- back, attended by a single groom; a mode he prefers, as most independent, and agreeing best with his habit of body, which rather inclines to corpulency ; but, on this occasion, wishing to arrive at Beau- field Lodge that night, he posted. " He is an excellent creature," said his Lordship, " and I have an high respect for him." A sentiment in which I cordially joined. We had assigned this day for a view of some exhibitions of pictures, and first visited the British Institution in. Pall Mall; an CCELEBS SUITED. Ill exhibition for the sale of paintings by modern artists. It occupies the rooms lately called the Shakespeare Gallery, where the pictures painted to adorn the magnirieient edition of our admired poet, brought out under the direction of the late Alderman Boydeli, were open for the inspection of the public. " I am happy," said the Marquis, "in calling mvself one of the original promoters of this establishment which must be favorable to the fostering of genius, and the advancement of the arts. We have as yet but few attempts at the higher walks of painting ; but the public must take the chief blame of that upon themselves. The encouragement and ap- plause which has been lavished on works of a different description, by which the mind is lowered and debased, instead of exalted, has turned the attention of the student, from the really noble and elevated, to the course and vulgar, has sacrificed the character, and lowered the feeling of the art. The early prod actions of the young artist are most generally attempts to represent the- 112 C CELEBS S17ITED. sublime and glowing descriptions of Homer or Milton, but he finds his efforts unassisted and his works neglected. He applies to the delineation of low life, and he gains en- couragement and employ. For myself,*' continued his Lordship, "I would rather purchase those early attempts to embody great and elevated scenes, than the more finished and elaborate specimen of the dexterous management of the pencil, exhibit- ing no mark of feeling, nor any elegance of mind. Large sums have been given for these productions, which has given rise to another inconvenience, that of exalting in the opinion of the artist, the merit of his work, and impressing him with a false idea of excellence. I am sorry too that this encouragement, so injudiciously exerted, has induced artists .to put prices to their pictures whichrthey have no right to demand. If a man wishes to grow rich, he must give his attention to trade, not to the arts; and he should consider that by virtue of his pro- fession he enjoys a certain consequence; CCELEBS SUITED. 113 that he ranks as a gentleman ; and that the art he practises will carry him into companies where his more wealthy neighbour would not be admitted. All that he can expect, at least while a young man, is to be able to maintain himself decently, and live frugally. I do not mean to condemn indiscriminately all the exhibitors ; many who have shewn great talents have appreciated their works modestly, and those artists should receive the encouragement of the great and opulent ; but unfortunately some performances which have attracted a good deal of notice have been so extravagantly valued, that the patrons withdrew their support, (with but few exceptions) from the whole, and thus involve the conscientious and modest, in the same neglect with the conceited and exorbitant." The Marquis pointed out with great dis- crimination, the articles of excellence to be found in the several performances. He is a liberal purchaser of these efforts of rising genius, and is sanguine in the hope of, 'ere i 114 CCELEBS SUITED, long, seeing greater exertions. We went after this to an exhibition of water colour drawings. This branch of the art has of late years made a wonderful advance, and from the examples we have both at Fairland and Rastock, you can judge but very imperfectly of the excellence to which it has arrived. The artist in this line has this great advan- tage over painting in oil; there are no ancient drawings by which the value of modern performances can be estimated, a comparison always prejudicial to every description of modern art. We parted in St. James's Street; the Marquis engaging me to dine with him at six o'clock, and to go with him to the Opera, after which he had a small party to supper. Yours, &c. &c. Geo. Rover. CCELEBS SUITED. 115 Ccelebs to Sir George Rover, Bart. Beaufield Lodge, Dear Sir George, To obey your injunction, I write, though I have nothing to say, but that by God's blessing, I arrived here in safety, and just in time for the post. — The whole family desire me to present their compliments. The ploughing match is fixed for Saturday, and I will give you an account of the day; I am anxious for its arrival. Yours, &c. Ccelebs, I £ 115 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir William Pastox, to the Marquis of Herox. Oxford. Dear Marquis, Never did a young girl pant to enter her teens, or to bid adieu to frocks and tuckers, as I do for dear twenty-five, — a short month, and heigh-o for the world. Here have I been confined to the arms of alma mater, with as good an inclination to make one of the gay throng as the best of them. Here have I been pinioned, and condemned to see the young birds try their light wings, and soar above my reach. But I will not now repine, if I have been robbed of much pleasure, I have likewise escaped much danger, and when I recollect the end of the flights of many of these young birds, the chance of my own better success seems doubtful. Two or three who have exchanged alma mater for a red coat, and gay parades, have found their quietus in a bed of honor, and one has broken his neck CCELEBS SUITED. 11 in a fall from his phaeton ; some have made their exits after a ten bottle dinner, and others remain with a fashionable mistress fastened round their necks, whom they cannot shake off, and whom they don't wish to keep. Faith, I shall begin to applaud my father's foresight ; if any of these ills could have befallen me, I think it would have been the becoming the dupe of some artful woman ; who that has feeling, and whose blood is not a little cooled by a few years reflection and commerce with the world, can steer clear of the temptations ; who can guard against their charms, assailing us at one time, with all the arts of pleasure ; at another, under the specious veil of decorum: "all things by turn and nothing long !" What young mind can resist the spell ? Heaven be thanked ! the chance of losing my way by this road seems now to be removed, and having my attention so fortunately with- drawn from this, I must endeavour to guard every other avenue to evil with the more care. 118 CCELEBS SUITED. I thank you heartily for your whimsical account of your friend Coelebs, and do really expect to see him playing the lover at Stantley, and if he continues to entertain the sentiments you mention, I can answer for his being a welcome visitor — chez nous. Mr. Lamb writes me word, that the scheme of alteration goes on rapidly at the Park. His Lordship has presented him with all his rare plants, and with a fine aviary of curious foreign and native birds, which he has thought worth building a house for. I am sorry for the mania ; but the ploughing match, Mr. Lamb says, will exceed the folly of all former years. Lady Priscilla is to represent Ceres, and he believes, that the rest of the family are to personate the characters of the gods and goddesses presiding over agriculture ; the servants are to be fawns and dryads. I sadly fear, I shall forget in this strange medley, the elegance of the place in the late Earl's time. The house is nearly square, you enter at the north front by a noble double flight of steps, CALEBS SUITED, H9 flanked by lions and sumptuous iron standards for lamps. The sides of the hallare designed from the front of a Roman triumphal arch ; the walls are lined with the finest Sienna marble, and the fluted columns against them are of highly polished porphyry. The figures in the niches, the basso relievos, and other ornaments are of bronze of most exquisite workmanship. From the hall you pass to the saloon, which opens to a magnificient portico of the Corinthian order in the south front. The walls of this room are of white marble, the columns of verde antique, the capitals of the columns, and the ornaments of the deling and cornice white heightened with gold. To the right and left of these rooms are the living apartments, and the wings, taking the depth of the building, from north to south, are occupied the one as a library, the other as a ball room. Nothing can possibly exceed the propriety and elegance of the furniture. The statues, pictures, and books are also well selected. The south portico commands a fine view 120 CCELEBS SUITED. of the lake and woods beyond, which had . been formed and matured with great judge- ment and at a vast expence ; and thus I remember it But now, I am told, the house is converted into a temple of Ceres, and the ornamental grounds sadly neglected. I have wandered very far from my Original intention in writing, it was to ask whether you would meet me at my mother's, and if you can persuade Sir George Rover to accompany you; you know how happy I shall be to be introduced to him. I wrote immediately on last hearing from you, to order a room to be prepared for him, which I hope he will make use of. The Countess writes me word she shall be at the Elms on the twenty-fourth, and I shall not fail to be there to receive her. Here our pursuits and politics are much as you remember them. Old Norton is dead and has left his niece, who has long been waiting for it, a large fortune, which has created no small bustle among the fellows of Queen's : CCELEBS SUITED. 121 " Oh, what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults u Looks handsome, in three hundred pounds a-year." Tinson is presented to a good living, by his patron, Lord Thurville ; so that he may now relieve the sighs of his little Carry. Jack Charleroy has been in great disgrace with the Dean ; but the dog offends I believe only to be forgiven, and would rather suffer any disgrace than pass unnoticed. Don't forget the pandeans. If I can leave Oxford, I will be at home time enough to see every thing arranged before any of my friends arrive. Pear Marquis, Yours sincerely, W. Paston, 122 CCELEBS SUITED, Caleb C<elebs ; Esq. to Sir Geo. Rover, Bart Beaujield Lodge, Dear Sir George, I had no intention of writing to you until our fete was over, that I might have something interesting to communicate ; but I cannot resist the inclination I feel to relate my adventure of this morning; and I set down immediately on my return, having yet a short time before breakfast. Feeling no great inclination to sleep after six o'clock, I rose and took my horse for an airing over the Downs. I was insensibly led towards Stantley House, and soon found myself stopped by the boundary of the Park. I was admiring the high state of cultivation in which every thing appeared, the forward character of the crops, and the general appearance of good farming, when I arrived at a gate which had accidentally been left open. I hesitated a moment, then tying CCELEBS SUITED. 123 my horse to the rails, entered the domain of this genius of agriculture. Oh, Sir George, how I wished for your presence. I am sure I should have made a convert of you. You must have confessed that here, at least, was the triumph of good sense. As I was ruminating on this and regretting 'that the principle was not more generally allowed and respected by men of rank, I found myself in front of a beautiful little building. It had a centre and wings. The centre was circular, covered by a dome of nice propor- tion. The cornice supported by columns, standing just detached from the wall; the interior was lined with the finest marble, and enriched with basso relievos of the most exquisite workmanship. The roof of the wings was of glass, to admit air and light to a beautiful green house, terminated by an aviary. I was very much struck with the beauty of the building, and was con- templating it with great attention, when I heard the sound of voices, and then the first stanza of Shenstone's Ode to Spring. 124 C(ELEBS SUITED. " Now in the cowslip's dewy cell, " The fairies make their bed ; " They hover round the chrystal well, " The turf in circles tread. " The lovely linnet now her song, " Tunes sweetest in the wood ; " The twiii'ring swallow skims along, '* The azure liquid flood." was warbled in the most artless and affecting manner. I hesitated whether I should advance or retire. The song ceased, and I went gently round to the back of the building, which I perceived had been fitted up as a dairy. Nothing could exceed the neatness and cleanliness of the place. The pails whiter than snow, were piled with extra- ordinary care, and the necessary implements of milking were disposed around with the greatest precision. Under a deep thatched roof, supported by rustic columns, two Alderney cows were reposing. It was the most beautiful morning I ever beheld, all nature felt the return of the enlivening spring, and was pouring out its CCELEBS SUITED. 125 praises and acknowledgment to its Great Director. I was advancing to examine the interior, when the soiiii again besan. I was attracted by it to move my situation, so as to command the further wing. I then saw, I hardly know how to describe her,-^ the very goddess of health and good humour, her cheeks glowing with the bloom of exercise, and her countenance decked with smiles. She was dressed in white, and wore on her head a straw bonnet, ornamented with li^ht blue ribbons, which were playing on the most lovely neck I ever beheld ; and her every motion was marked with energv and thought. She was churning ! I again hesi- tated how to proceed; to have discovered myself, might have alarmed the lovely girl ; yet I knew not how to retreat. I remained to contemplate and admire, and soliloquized not a little upon the usefulness of her employ, and the good effects her early, rising and exercise must have on her health and spirits. In a short time, she finished her task, and taking up a book, which lay by 126 CCELEBS SUITES, her side, took the path to the house, reading aloud Gray's Ode to Spring ; beginning, " Lo, where the rosy-bosom'd hours, — " Fair Venus' train appear." I was enraptured, I rushed into the room she had quitted, kissed the churn she had used, drank some of the cream she had left, and was indulging myself in repeating, after her, the passage I had just heard ; when my voice attracted the atten- tion of the guardian of the dairy. She was a nice clean country girl, and though a little frightened at first, soon recovered the alarm she had felt, at, as she said, seeing her mistresschangedintoaman. "Dear me, Sir,'* said she, " I did not know, Lady Pris. was gone." " Lady Pris " said I, " Pray who is Lady Pris ?" " Lord, Sir !" said she, "don't you know Lady Pris ? Why I thought every body knew Lady Priscilla Stantley." I acknowledged that I did not, and then I found that the divinity I had been adoring, was her, whose image has so long filled my mind ; and whose character, I was happy CCELEBS SUITED. 127 to find was not exaggerated. I took a seat, and the girl furnished me with all that she could recollect about her young lady. I was charmed with her artless manner, and listened with most eager and delighted attention. " In summer, Sir, Lady Priscilla rises at six o'clock ; and three mornings in tiieweek, which she calls churning mornings, she comes here to assist me, for she says its useful and healthy ; and she is so cute that, I verily believe as there ant a better dairy woman in Wiltshire ne'r she. My Lord says as she ought to be a pattern to all young ladies. On the other three mornings, she sees after the poultry, and goes wi Margery to see the pigs, and my Lord gives her one out of each, thof Margery has the greatest trouble wi um. Then, Sir, she takes all the trouble of the house off my Lady, and sees to the house- keeper and cook's work, and takes care to keep em honest, whether they will or no. And then she teaches some little children in the parish ; and then she knits, and then she takes a walk round, and sees as every thing 128 CCELEBS SUITED. has been done as she ordered. And she reads a great deal, as much they say almost as the Rector. Lady Priscilla is always doing good ; and for a matter of that, so is Lady Hebe, only she is not always at it as Lady Priscilla is." I encourged her loquacity, and she proceeded. " Lady Hebe never comes here to churn ; but she always rises at six o'clock in the summer, like Lady Priscilla, and mostly comes here with her, or to fetch her, but then she generally goes into the marble room to read, or draw pictures, and she takes off the wood, and the water opposite the windows. When the late Lord was alive, the rooms was all furnished, and the green-house was full of exotics, as the gardener called em, and the avary had all manner of curus birds; but, my Lord said, they was of no use, no more they was ; for they eat more nor their heads were worth, so my Lord gave em away to Mr. Lamb, at the Elms." " And how does Mr. Lamb dispose of them," said I, "Oh, Mr. Lamb built a place for em, exactly like this, CCELEBS SUITED. 129 only lesser ; you may see it from the great portico, a"nd so you may Mr. Lamb's house. Lady Hebe is almost always there. She and the youngest Miss Lamb is great friends. When Lady Priscilla goes to see about the dinner, and them things ; Lady Hebe, after she has done reading to her Papa, generally goes there, and I does not think as my Lord quite likes it ; then, sometimes, they comes here, for they walk a great deal, and know every body in the villages about. But they never go into any cottages without they are asked in ; because they say it's like spying, but the poor people have only to ask for what they want, and Lady Hebe is sure to get it for them. Housekeeper says too, that she is very clever in the house affairs, only she don't take to it like Lady Priscilla."' I now looked at my watch, and found that I must hasten home. I rewarded the girl for her information ; and finding the family not yet ready, have seized the opportunity of communicating my morning K 130 CCELEBS SUITED. ramble to you. Pray let the Marquis know that I have seen Lady Priscilla ; indeed you may make known to him the contents of this letter. To-morrow morning we breakfast at the Park. Yours, &c. Caleb Coelebs. CCELEBS SUITED. 131 Caleb Ccelebs, Esq. to Sir Geo. Rover, Bart. Dear Sir George, I promised to give you an account of our fete, and shall immediately proceed upon it. Early on Saturday morning every one was on the alert, and preparing for the interesting spectacle. We went to breakfast at the Park. Sir George had volunteered to assist in some of the arrangements. — Accordingly we left Beaufield Lodge at eight o'clock, dressed as villagers ; it having been announced that the gentlemen and ladies were expected to appear in a rustic costume. This was sensibly done, with a view of creating in the common people a just sense of their value, and not over- powering them by the superior appearance of the visitors. It had been originally intended that Lord Stantley should have personated Vertumnus; Lady Stantley, Pomona; Lady Priscilla, 132 C0ZLEBS SUITED. Ceres; and the rest of the family to have taken appropriate characters, but some difficulties occurred, and it was in part abandoned. Lady Priscilla, however, took the character of Ceres ; Lady Hebe and the young Lord appearing as her attendants. If I admired her at the dairy, how much more was I charmed with her now. She was dressed as the Grecian Goddess, and on receiving the salutations of the company, presented each with an ear of corn ; mine I shall keep with the greatest care. Sir George has kindly informed me how to make a preparation which will preserve it for ever. She was universally complimented on the taste and propriety of her dress, not one word of which was lost upon me. You per- ceive that I am an enthusiast already, but my father's old friend had always strongly impressed me with the value of propriety, and here I have found it entire. Breakfast was served in the Marble-hall. In the centre was an immense table supported upon rustic legs, cut from pines of Lord Stantleys COELEBS SUITED. 133 planting, and which, by an improved management, he has brought to a size far beyond any we have seen in this country before. The whole of the repast was served from the farm, and I found that the butter was made by Lady Priscilla, and the bread baked under her direction ; she has too a very superior method of managing her hives, and I think, I never tasted honey with such a flavour ; I very much regret that you did not accompany me. But I must proceed in my description : The hall is of Sienna marble, and has four niches, in which formerly were placed bronze figures; these have been removed, and natural curiosities supply their places. In one is suspended the rind of an immense turnip from Norfolk, a present from a great agriculturist of that county, and when sent to Stantley, contained in its inside a lamb, to whom it afforded sustenance for a week. In another, a cabbage from Lewes, in Sussex ; the fellow to which had fed a cow for the same time. In a third was one of the Dutch 134* CGELEBS SUITED. cheeses which had been used in the action between Lord Duncan and the Dutch fleet off Camperdown, instead of balls, in conse- quence of the scarcity of ammunition ; and in the fourth, is a head of asparagus, from Ireland, it was sent over as a great curiosity, being from the only bed that had been brought to perfection during the reign of any one viceroy. On one side of the room stood a beautiful model of a plough ; an improvement on the curricle plough, having the advantage of a seat for two persons, so that experimentalists may take the air, and make their observations without fatigue ; there is likewise a head to it, so that there is no dread of being over- taken by a storm, and ladies may profit by it as well as gentlemen. In another place was a model for a reaping machine, by which, if it could have been made to act, manual labour would have been greatly abridged. Against the wall, hung in regular succession, from the field mouse up to the fox, all those animals which are the scourge of the farmer ; CCELEBS SUITED. 135 they are ticketed, and the nature of their depredations described. Over the chimney, in a handsome glass case, is the rook which his Lordship shot^ to prove the advantage of this animal to man. She has in her craw- eight grubs. In preserving her, this part has been laid open so as to exhibit them. I had not time to finish my remarks, and admire sufficiently this minute attention to many useful experiments, before the ringing of bells, the sound of pipes, tabors, the jingling of morrice dancers, and the shouts of the populace, announced that the arrangements were ready. By this time too, most of the neighbouring families of note had arrived. Mr. Lamb and family ; Sir William and Lady Paston; the Miss Pastons; and, in short, a party of about forty. They w r ere all dressed in the costume that had been prescribed for them. At the signal of a bugle horn, we left the breakfast room, and passing through the saloon, walked out to the south portico ; Sir John handing Lady Priscilla; Sir William Paston taking Lady Hebe. On our appear- 136 CCELEBS SUITED. ance we were saluted with three cheers, and here ended all the distinction of rank, except that the portico was held sacred for his Lord- ship's visitors. Lady Priscilla, as Ceres, then recited a short ode which had been composed by her father expressly for the occasion; and finished by an address, recommending to the competitors confidence and exertion. At the conclusion, the music again sounded as the signal for preparation. I should tell you that marquees had been erected at each extremity of the lawn, forming a very broad avenue from die house; and the line marked for this trial of skill, was from the river and back again, thrice repeated : there were six competitors. Having yoked their cattle they advanced to the portico, and received from Lady Priscilla a goblet of ale, and then making their obeisaruce, they took their posts at the head of their respective teams. The bugle again sounded, and all was interest and anxious expectation. After the first heat the men advanced to the portico, Lady Priscilla recited a stanza of six lines, CCELEBS SUITED. 137 and again presented the goblet. The bugle sounded, and at the finish of each trial, the same ceremony took place. After the last heat the competitors mounted a waggon which was in attendance, decked with oak and laurel branches, and were carried to a marquee which had been erected within view on a distant hill, where refreshments were prepared for them. His Lordship now marshalled the procession ; Lady Priscilla, attended Lady Hebe, and her brother walked at the head ; then the umpires, the company followingtwo and two. — Ithad been intended that the servants should have personated fawns and dryads, but the idea was after- wards abandoned. The music struck up as the procession began to move, and the morrice dancers were substituted in place of the fawns. — After examining the several claims we arrived again at the portico ; the umpires declared their opinions, and Ceres deciding between them, adjudged the prizes. The bugle sounded, and the men soon ap- peared. Lady Priscilla pronounced another 135 CCELEES SUITED. address, and presented the rewards, consisting of a purse of money, according to the superiority of the performance ; and a medal, which she herself hung round their necks, suspended by a light blue ribband. On the obverse of the medal was a head of his Lordship, with his titles and motto; and in the reverse, encircled by an oaken wreath, a representation of the plough I have before described, with the legend, "speed the plough." The men then retired, and a number of females appeared, singing verses, and bearing certificates of their good behaviour in their respective places; their claims were examined, and rewarded. — Then came the girls from the school which Lady Priscilla superintends, who recited some lines in her praise ; they were very kindly received, and presented with cakes and wine ; and next the iittle boys from the same school, who went through the same forms. — The bugle sounded, servants were seen running in every direc- tion, and covering the tables in the tents with CCELEBS SUITED. 139 rounds of beef, hams, and fillets of veal ; and distributing a handsome allowance of ale. During the time that the villagers dined, we partook of a collation that had been prepared in the ball room. — The young Lord and some of his companions, who had come from Eton on purpose for the day, had been sup- plied rather too freely with wine, and became a little troublesome, but his Lordship's inter- ference soon set them right again. — We pro- ceeded once more to the portico, and found the villagers drawn up for a country dance. The victor waiting to receive the fair hand of Lady Priscilla. How I envied the dog ! I thought I could follow the plough all the rest of my life for this one gratification. She led down a dance with each of the six com- petitors, after which every one took the partner he preferred, and I was fortunate enough to obtain Lady Priscilla. But un- luckily before the dancing again commenced, a little affray between two men obliged us to retire to the ball room; and the evening approaching, the company ordered the 140 CCELEBS SUITED. carriage, and we returned to Beaufield Lodge. How much do I feel obliged to Sir John for his introduction to this excellent family, but to Lady Priscilla, I feel myself strongly devoted. — I have met in her, all that my father's old friend so strongly impressed upon me, an absence of all accomplishments, and the space filled with the knowledge and practice of domestic duties. Here too the pride of birth gives way to a more noble feeling, the pride of good works. Lady Hebe is a charming girl, but did not take a very active part in the fete. I was very happy in meeting your friend, Sir William Paston here, who arrived unex- pectedly from Oxford, to be present; a com- pliment which his Lordship felt very sensibly. I have made good a footing in the family, and am engaged to ride over the farms with his Lordship on Tuesday next. — Sir William tells me that his coming of age is to be a day, or rather days of jubilee; I hear that in con- sequence of his long minority, he will be- CCELEBS SUITED. 141 come master of a splendid fortune, and that it is expected he will marry the eldest Mis- Lamb. — Let me have the pleasure of hearing from you as often as possible. Yours, &c. Ccelebs. 142 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir William Paston to the Marquis of Heron. Dear Marquis, You will be surprised to hear from me from hence, but finding that I could escape from Oxford, and knowing that Lord Stantley would be much gratified by my appearance at the ploughing match, to which he had sent me a very pressing in- vitation, I determined to join the party. I saw Mr. Lamb the evening previous, who was debating whether he should go, but his daughter was so anxious to be present to support Lady Hebe, that he reluctantly consented. " I never knew," said he, when w ? e were alone, " any good arise from it. The men will always plough as well as they can for their own credit and good wages, and I dislike this kind of fete champetre, confounding all ranks. As a magistrate, I never interfere to put down wakes or fairs, or any days of jollity and merriment among them, where CCELEBS SUITED. 143 their poverty generally keeps them sober, and the fear of the consequence chaste. Never since Lord Stantley has been among' us has one of these days passed off without unpleasant consequences. By the liberal allowance of ale distributed equally among men and women, the blood is heated, and in the fantastic dresses which most of them have assumed, they forget their real situation, and the parish is generally burthened with the consequence. However," said he, "I will go, and return as soon as the ploughing is over." All this really added to my wish to be present, and I expected the highest enter- tainment from this display of human folly, and truly I was not disappointed. But how was I shocked on entering the Marble hall. Will you believe it? His Lordship has dispossessed of their places the beautiful bronze statues which occupied the niches, and filled their places, by natural curiosities, as he says, much more worthy of our atten- tion. I read the labels attached to two of 14-1 CCELEBS SUITED. them. One was a head of asparagus from Ireland. You have read the account of the bed it -was reared upon in the ' Right merrye and conceited historic of our facetious Knight Errant.' — The other was an immense cabbage from Sussex, presented by your friend of oratorical celebrity. If he were fuller of cabbages and less so of words, it would be well for the gravity of the Imperial Parliament. — The walls are huns round with dead vermin, and the room is clustered with fanciful implements of agriculture. How I shuddered at the sight. Could the ghost of the late Earl rise from the silent tomb and witness this change, how would he be troubled, how would he be tortured at this aberration from the true principles of taste, which he had always endeavoured to inculcate.- The completion of all the arrangements was announced by such a rare compound of villainous noises, as you can have no conception of, unless, you have heard two bands besieging the doors of Stevens's hotel, CCELEBS SUITED. 145 each exerting all their power to drive the others from the lucrative post. — Bugle horns, drums and fifes, hurdy gurdies, and tam- bourines joined to the jingling of the merry drums, made up a most hideous concert. You know how sensitive Mr. Lamb is, and can feel all his horror at such a visi- tation. We proceeded to the portico where Lady Priscilla recited a very pretty ode to the mob, composed by Lord Stantley, which of course none of the mob could understand, and then the ploughing commenced. At the conclusion, Lady Priscilla, who was habited as Ceres, and the brother and sister as attendants, received the report of the judge, and gave her decision. The scheme of making the servants personate fawns and dryads had been very reluctantly given up, for they could not get over the difficulties of the lunar signs. In- stead of them we were annoyed by clumsy morrice dancers, capering about us every time we moved, — A collation was served in the ball room, to which we adjourned. L 145 CCELEBS s'UITEB, while the villagers dined. Here Lord Seymour, and his companion from Eton, made rather too free with the bottle, which added to the heat of the day and the unusual exercise, produced on their brains no little confusion, and his Lordship with one sweep of the wand with which he had been invested as the token of his authority, cleared his end of the table, and overturned into Lady Hebe's lap, a bottle of port wine. After we had recovered this confusion, a bugle horn sounded, and we again proceeded to the lawn, to join the merry dancers, I saw that your friend Coelebs, who by the bve seems a very good fellow, was much chagrined at the accident, but he was so occupied with the appearance and performance of Lady Priscilla, that little else seemed to make any impression. I hate this dancing in the heat of the sun, or seeing others dance, especially such others. Lady Priscilla gave her hand to the first victor, and then successively to five other clowns; Coelebs waiting with the utmost im- COELEBS SUITED. 147 patience, as he had the promise of dancing with her after those men, who claimed it as a right. Thus far we had proceeded pretty well, but unfortunately Cupid having, by a slight mistake, struck two youths with the same arrow, and the one claiming the fair one's hand by right of merit (having been a suc- cessful competitor in the ploughing match), a claim which the other would not admit, they had immediate recourse to more power- ful arguments than words. This reference is generally too instantaneous to admit much prologue, nor were either of the disputants in a state to listen to calm reasoning. ' The mugs were large, the drink was wondrous strong,' and they had not refused their share. The damsel threw herself between the com- batants, but was quickly obliged to retire ; Lord Stantley then interfered, but unluckily one of the men, in aiming a blow at his adversary, overshot his mark, and felled his Lordship to the ground. All was now terror and confusion ; the ladies fainted, and L 2 148 CCELEBS SUITED. begged their carriages might be called; while among the villagers the scene became a battle royal, in which both men and women took part. The field was quickly strewed with caps, hats, and handkerchiefs, and many a damsel made a very unexpected display of her charms. After the greatest exertion on the part of your friend Ccelebs and all the gentlemen present, order was restored, and the people quietly dispersed, each seizing those articles of dress she could obtain, and determining that each should exchange them for their own property when more at leisure. His Lordship was the greatest sufferer. He was some time recovering from the effect? of the blow he had received, and still ex- hibits strong marks of the power of his an- tagonist. — "These awkward circumstances,'* said his Lordship, when I called upon him the next morning, "will sometimes occur,but I always attribute them to the real cause, an innate national spirit; and I consider that the skill and courage which these fellows exert to thrash one another, is the surest C CELEBS SUITED. 149 pledge that they would treat any invaders with even less ceremony." — I did not think it right to put his Lordship out of humour with the beating he had received, and there- fore assented to his observation. — From thence I rode over to the Elms ; Mr. Lamb was highly amused with my account of the conclusion of the fete. Lady Hebe had made the accident at dinner an excuse for withdrawing; and Mr. Lamb, seeing his daughter at liberty, had retired before the dancing commenced. u It is always so," said he,— "I think indeed," continued he, "that it is the most fortunate circumstance when the meeting is so broken up, for it sends the people home to their respective houses, in no humour for further amusement. I must call on his Lordship, and condole with him, thourii I fear he will think I am jesting, as he knows my objection to these things." Ccelebs talks of returning to town at the end of next week. I have exacted a promise from him, that he will return here with you on the twenty-fourth, and I hope you will 150 CCELEBS SUITED. prevail on Sir George Rover to accompany you. — I have not yet determined what I shall do with this house : I like the last plans which I have received, the best. — I shall certainly not meddle with the exterior any further than putting it into complete repair; I think to modernize the whole of the interior, except the entrance hall and great gallery. Thus it will bear with it all the character of its antiquity, and all the advan- tage ofmodern comfort. Mr. Lamb approves this idea, and I think, unless your taste sup^ plies any other ideas, that I shall begin as soon as possible after the twenty-fourth. — I hope Blades will not fail to send down men to remove the marquees from Stantley to my grounds in time, and if you are driving that way, pray have the goodness to spur up^ Baber to forward the awning for the dancing. — I have written by this post to Emily, and if you see the Duke, pray second my invitation to him to accompany the Countess. Yours, &c. William Paston, CCELEBS SUITEP. 151 Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to C. Rastock, Esq. Faith, Charles, I know not when lam to return to the quiet shades of Fairland, for I seem likely to have much more to do than I calculated upon when I left you. Our friend Coelebs has at last met his Lady Priscilla, and writes to me in so rapturous a strain, that I think matrimony must ensue. She appears by his letters exactly to answer the description he has so frequently had of her from Lady Beaufield. He popped accidentally upon her at Stantley Park, and unobserved by her, drew such large draughts of love, as would have turned a much stronger head than our friend's. He sees in her all he wishes, and I hear from other quarters that she is a very deserving woman. I read a letter I had received from him to the Marquis; he laughed most heartily at his fanciful account of her occupations, and thinks he shall fall in love with Lady Hebe, 152 CCELEBS SUITED. who is in many respects the reverse of her sister. Sir William Paston is at present at his mother's preparing for the entertainment he intends giving on his coming of age; and as the business in parliament seems likely to be satisfactorily concluded, I hope I shall be able to accept a very pressing invitation I have had to accompany the Marquis. If Ccelebs is sufficiently rapid in his advances, we may have a double wedding, for Sir William is immediately to marry Miss Lamb. I had the pleasure of calling at the Countess Villette's this morning ; they leave town for the Elms to-morrow. They had received from Sir William an account of the ploughing match at Stantley Park, which had amused them very much. He does not view the rural fetes with the same eye as our friend, and had treated the Marquis with an account of it too. It might have passed off very well, but that unfortu- nately a drunken squabble between two ploughmen for the right of the hand of their Blouzelind, set the. whole lawn in confusiono CCELEBS SUITED. 153 Lord Stantley was knocked down in endeavouring to part them, and his fail was a signal for a general battle. The ladies fortunately escaped to the house, but night alone put an end to the furious contention. His Lordship was severely hurt, but sets the best face he can upon the matter, and rejoices in the prowess of his countrymen. I am to dine to-morrow with our worthy member. — The bill is to be read a third time on Thursday, and is expected to pass without opposition ; some restrictions have been proposed, which will hinder its becoming a speculation for private advantage : this seems to point at some of our neighbours. I hope I shall not be suspected of advising the clause, though I think it right. If it does pass, I think to leave town with the -Marquis for Sir John Beaufield's, for having been first invited to his house, etiquette will demand that I should accept his offer before Sir William's. You know I hate to throw myself in the way of the tender looks, and half-expressed, half-stifled sighs of conscious 154: CCELEB5 SUITED. lovers, and there I shall scarcely be able to escape them. Besides our friend Ccelebs, Sir William Paston is playing the dying swain, and sighing out his soul to Miss Lamb. I hear much in praise of this family, and think Sir William's choice highly to the credit of his judgment and taste. I have some fear that the infection may be catching, and scarcely can make up my mind to trust myself among them. The very air will be loaded with amorous whispers : "Each bids the stream in murmurs speak his flame ; •* Each calls the grove to sing her much-lov'd name.'* The Marquis's company may be some relief, however ; for if Ccelebs opens his attack in form, he will claim so much of Sir John's attention, that I shall necessarily be over- looked ; and if the ladies interest themselves for him, it will become the great concern of the day. You must have remarked how very much women interest themselves about these affairs. If a man is going to be CCELEBS SUITED. 155 married his most intimate friend seldom interferes further then to play off a few- jokes upon his happy prospects, and to hint slightly at the jollity he quits, and the grief his old acquaintances will feel at the loss of his company; though he may promise not entirely to desert them, yet the universal sway of woman and the rigour of petticoat government is slightly touched upon. He marries with this idea impressed upon him ; that though he may find much happiness, yet that he must purchase it by some sacrifices. — Not so the female sex. They seem to consider the approaching marriage of their friend as the means of increasing her happiness, and forward it by every kindness and assistance. They attend her to the altar, and officiously exert every power they possess to give her confidence and ease, while the bridegroom, accompanied by his intimate relations, is only cheered perhaps, by the kind ad- monitions of his mother, or grandmother. The women do certainly attend more to the duties of society than men, they are 156 CCELEBS SUITED. of a more sociable nature. On my return to Ireland you must positively take me in for a short time, and gradually accustom me to the quiet and seclusion of Fairland. With best remembrances to all friends, Believe me, yours, truly, Geo. Rover. CCELEBS SUITED. 157 Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, On Tuesday last, previous to the Opera, Ihad the pleasure of a tete-a-tete dinner with the Marquis, in Piccadilly. He is remarkably sumptuous in his establishment, and lives in great splendour and elegance. Every thing about him bespeaks an elevation of character, and I hear that his benevolence is universal, and his charity large and well applied. The style of his furniture is on the model of those specimens of true taste which Mr. T. Hope has displayed in his house, and which I have an invitation to examine when I have more leisure. The Marquis paid a just tribute to this gentlemans true feeling for works of art, whom he thinks very highly of. After dinner, Ccelebs , journey was mentioned. " He has taken up/' said his Lordship, "a most confined notion of the education proper 15$ CCELEBS SUITED. for a women of fortune," " The character of Lady Priscilla," returned I, " seems so to have fascinated him ; that to object to any part of it, is almost to offend him." " He encourages the strange idea," returned the Marquis, " that accomplishments and do- mestic virtues, that elegance and economy, are incompatible; he has heard that Lady Pris- cilla, does a great deal, and does not consider that she might do a great deal more, both to cultivate her own talents, and to amuse and instruct others. The character I have heard of her is very far from fascinating me. Chaq'un son gout. To a man incessantly and wholly engaged in the ardent pursuit of wealth, who sleeps for his hour after dinner, and then returns to his counting house, such a women may be a useful companion, and with such a man, a woman of elegance and accomplishment is badly suited ; she loses, from his neglect of them, those arts she has spent much time to acquire, and much pains to keep. But these arts are necessary to engage and secure the affections of a man CCELEBS SUITED. 159 of taste. Let us recollect Addison's defini- tion of accomplishment, for I detest the newly adopted term, acquisition, which conveys no precise idea or meaning, as we may acquire wealth or honors, or what not; I think he defines accomplishment to be 'Elegance of mind or body.' How praise- worthy, how desirable to obtain ! Let us look to the authority of Richardson, he savs, 'All that a woman can learn above the use- ful knowledge proper to her sex, let her learn;' and in drawing the character of Clarissa Harlowe (which when the females of the present day have reached the excel- lence of, all farther hints at improvement will be needless) he says, < The delight she gave by her skilland great compass in singing was heightened by the ease and gracefulness of her air and manner;' and lie' describes her as an extraordinary judge of 'painting.' and a good artist. Nearly in the'same terms too, he describes Miss Birori:''''Mi'fon's character of Eve has been pressed into the service of these ad'vdcUtes^ -for l60 CCELEBS SUITED. the uselessness of accomplishments. But the poet has decked her with every perfection her situation was capable of, and the skill and taste she possessed, she exerted to the utmost; but the reasoning is futile, that because Eve did .not sing to the angel Raphael, or shew sketches of the garden of Eden, that there- fore her daughthers are to neglect these arts. By a parody of reasoning, we may send the king to parliament in a brown surtout, for we find Adam described going forth to meet an angel thus : " In himself was all his state, " More solemn than the tedious pomp of princes." If the question were to be tried by the opinions of the most excellent writers on this subject, it would quickly be decided ; Richardson I have before mentioned. Locke, had he written of female education, would certainly not have denied to women the study of elegant accomplishments, since he recommends to men the practice of dancing, fencing, and riding. The interesting and elegant Rousseau says, * Forbid not young CCELEliS SUITED. l6l women to acquire those arts which have a tendency to render them agreeable. Why refuse them the indulgence of learning to dance, to sing, to study such other accomplish- ments, as afterwards enable them to entertain their husbands ; and the Marquise de Lambert whose advice to her son and daughter ought to be read by every one who has children to educate, says, 'Les graces sans meVite, ne plaisant pas long terns : et le merite sans graces peut se faire estimer sans toucher : II faut done que les femmes ayent un merite amiable, et quelles joignent les graces aun vertus." " Since I have been in England," said I, " it has appeared to me that unfortunately, by some people, ignorance of these elegancies is recommended, and that they are to be confined to those only, to whom they are to provide the means of living." " It is but too true," replied the Marquis. — " But," said I, " if this were to obtain, upon what terms could we expect to hear and see those exhibitions which now delight us. If the professors of music, dancing, and drawing. lt)2 CCELEBS SUITED. drew their subsistence from those public exhibitions only, what rate of payment could enable them to live as men of such pretensions have a just right to expect. I know not whether your Lordship was acquainted with the wife of the late "Mr. Ccelebs ? She was held up as a model for imitation." u And justly too," replied the Marquis, "as far as her abilities went; I saw her only once, but by report she was an ex- cellent woman ; virtuous, well-read, charita- ble, and domestic ; such a character indeed as everv woman ought to be, but where rank and -affluence are their fortunate lot with the charms of polished life superadded, • Alike to virtue and the graces known/ I have the pleasure of being acquainted with a family of seven daughters," continued he, "whom I would instance as patterns for the sex; and happily for the country they are now dispersed in different parts of the kingdom, being all married to men of rank and opulence. They write correctly, and speak fluently both French and Italian'; understand CCELEBS SUITED. 163 music thoroughly, and play with judgment and taste; they likewise draw with great spirit and effect. They were instructed in these things but as apart of their education ; nothing that could make them good women and good wives was neglected, and the great principle of being constantly well employed, was insisted upon by their excellent mother. They are now, in every sense of the word, good wives; they understand and practice an exact economy, distribute their charities with judgment, and without ostentation, are entertaining and agreeable companions to sensible men, who feel a conscious happi- ness in their own good fortunes in obtaining so much perfection." Our very interesting conversation was broken off by the servant announcing the carriage. In the Marquis's box we found the Countess Villette and Miss Lamb, attended by the Due de Belgarde, so well known for his patriotism and his misfortunes. The Marquis introduced me to him, and behaved to him with the polite attention so justly due m 2 1,64 co:lees suited. to him. " He is," said he afterwards, u a man of the nicest honor, and most strict integrity. He had fortunately secured a small annuity in the English funds, and could never be prevailed upon to accept any assistance from the government of this country. During the time he was employed in the expedition in which his favorite nephew, the Count Villette, fell, he received the pay of his rank, as he had an appearance to support, but on its failure and consequent return, he would never accept even the arrears that were due to him." The Opera was well attended, and went off with spirit, Catalani was in fine voice, and exerted herself with much effect; and I was as much pleased with Naldi, as the Marquis had give me reason to expect. I was indeed highly delighted with the performance, and the good Duke and Countess forgot for an instant, in the charms of the music and the brilliancy of the scenery, their misfortunes and their fall. We retired early, as the Marquis had engaged a small party to supper. C CELEBS SUITED. 165 The Countess and her friends accompanied us, and I had soon the pleasure of seeing Lord and Lady Erston, whom I have not met for many years, and their lovely daughter, enter the room. About twenty sat down to supper, among whom were Madame Catalani, Naldi, and the Knyvetts. His Lordship once said to me, "I am as particular about the character as the talents of my professional visitors, and I would no more receive them without the one than without the other." After a very elegant supper we adjourned to the music room; it is circular, with a dome, painted in arabesque, after the logic of Raffaelle, and lighted by a beautiful lamp suspended in the centre. The Marquis accompanied Madame Catalani on the violincello with great taste ; and after a very delightful treat from Naldi, the Knyvetts, and Miss Lamb, we retired at the reasonable hour of one. — If my own private affairs, and your friendship did not solicit my return, I know not when I should quit this charming societv. The Marquis. 166 CCELEBS SUITED. however, promises to accompany me, which I am sure will gratify as much as it pleases me. Yours, &c. &c. Geo, Rover. j. CCELEB3 SUITED. 167 Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, I have been so much employed in viewing the wonders of every description with which this town abounds, that I have not had time to answer your two last letters 'till this moment. The Marquis, who has been my constant companion since Ccelebs^ left town, being engaged at the House of Lords, I shall occupy the leisure his absence Hives me from other amusements, in writing to you. I have, been with him to the~ Royal Academy, Somerset House, the British Museum, to Mr. T. Hope's, Lord Elgin's and several other private collections of pictures and statues. At the Royal Academy the exhibition is chiefly made up of portraits and landscape. The first, unless when presenting the resemblance of some great public character, can create but little interest; however, 168 CCELEBS SUITED. the artists in this line have made great strides towards perfection, and the pictures of Phillips and Owen approach nearer to the splendid performance of the old masters than any thing I ever saw. As scarcely any body thinks of purchasing from the pictures which are here exhibited, it has become the shew room of portrait-painters. This is not creditable to the institution, which ought to have given a marked encouragement to poetic and historical designs. This principle ought.to.be impressed upon the public; and indeed, how much better would it be to. decorate a town hall, or other building, with a picture of some brilliant action of a hero's life than merely to place his portrait there ; marking no particular service, and putting him on a level with his worship the mayor, and those common- councilmen who had vanity enough tc present their effigies to the worthy corporation. As to the generality of portraits which are transmitted as heir looms, and mount by degrees from the drawing room to the chambers, and: CCELEBS SUITED. 1&9 from the chambers to the garrets, in proportion to the distance of the relation- ship, as they give bread to deserving men, I would not abuse them ; but I only mean to say, that these things should not be made so principal as in this exhibition they appear to be. We sat down in the middle of the room, and looking casually over the catalogue I perceived that there were near nine- hundred performances. Thus had we to reckon, the number of artists who exhibit here, and you will scarce believe it, when I tell you that they amount to nearly five hundred. Besides these, there are a great number of clever men who will not be at the expence or trouble of exhibiting. I remarked this to the Marquis: " They have,' 1 said he, " wonderfully increased of late years. In the early exhibition of this Institution they did not amount to more than one-third. The ease with which students get admission here, and thereby enjoy the opportunity of studying from the best models, the small expence their 170 CCELELS SUITED. parents are at to provide them with the necessary materials for drawing, and the hopes every one has that his son will prove a great genius, certainlymultiplies the number of artists. But the walks in the art are numerous, and require various abilities. If a young man does not prove himself equal to the first line, he must descend until he -finds the level of his talent. And indeed to obtain great artists, which is the object of .this Institution, and the pride of all polished societies, we must proceed on this plan. If ■in- making ten men painters, we made ten artists,, then their numbers must be limitted, fcs in '-ordinary trades; but as out of fifty painters there may not be one artist, these •persons j must apply the talents they have, aided by their own industry, and the opportunities they have enjoyed to please persons of a less refined taste, but who equally wish to encourage and support the ar.ts, or at least to see themselves and their families displayed in splendid gold frames, and ornamenting trheir houses. CGELEBS SUITED. 171 "The idea that the profession is over, stocked," continued the Marquis, "is I believe not true, at least, when compared with other professions. Some in all 'profes- sions will have more to do than they can well manage, and among the rest, there will always be a struggle for employ." " Your Lordship," said I, "would make one believe that every thing we see is for the beat"*-"! do say so," returned the Marquis. "I know that if we had the arrangement of -all these things, de novo, we should not exactly place them on the footing they are at present; but at the same time, I think, that a very few years would see them so." We left the great room, and descended to the apartments chiefly appropriated for drawings in water colours. Here we re- marked a magnificent drawing by tin architect of the name of Gandy.— " Here now," said the Marquis, "is a man wlio ought to be consulted on any 'public Vork ehat iu&Kt be in agitation. I know hot bfe I 7% CALEBS SUITED. abilities as a practical architect, but Lis skill in effect, and his chaste and classical knowledge, ought to bring him forward." On the ground floor is a room dedicated to architectural designs and statuary. The former are seldom of greater consequence than elevations for villas, or cottages ; what the artist modestly assures you are picturesque. The statuary, I am told, is improving, and indeed well it may, for the public monuments are a great revenue for it. I think, however, that all modern statuary is too smooth ; it wants articulation. You know what a treat fine statuary is to me, and I have been very much gratified at Lord Elgin's'. The collection, it is said, is to be purchased by government, and placed in the British Museum: the marbles too at this latter place are very good, and most admirably arranged. It is open to the public four days in the week, and this opportunity must in the end, though insen- sibly, infuse a better taste into all ranks CCELEBS SUITED. 1?3 of the people. Here is a large and very fine collection of Etruscan vases. The varieties of their form, and the elegance of their pencilling, is truly admirable. I think it is to be regretted that they did not employ a greater variety of colour. They have some very ancient armour too, and I remarked that it would scarcely have litted an ordinary-sized man of our days. The helmets bear pretty good proof of the advantage of such a defence. Every sort of antique curiosity is admirably displayed in glass cases, even to iron and brass nails ; I looked for a screw but could not find one. But I will not forestall the pleasure I expect, in minutelv describing to vou all these things; they will serve us for many a long evening when no other matter more interesting call for our attention. In the present state of affairs, I hardly know when this can be. Every day teems with proposals for amend- ments and alteration-. May we live to see the good effects of what has been already done, and have j)ower to place bounds to 174 CCELEBS SUITED, the spirit of reform. My servant has just brought me word that the Bishop of London is dead. His dissolution has been daily expected, and his advanced age gave but little hopes of his living either to enjoy himself or benefit others. This last he has done more than most men, and he carries with him to the grave the grateful remem- brance of all the good. Patrick begins to feel the amor patriae very strong upon him, and inquires most affectionately after all the neighbourhood, as often as he brings in any letters from Ireland. He seems uncomfortable at every movement that has not a tendency towards home, and however he may like the skim- mings of the rich Camacho's kettles, I doubt not but he would rather solace himself with more moderate cheer at Fairland Hall. He has learnt from the Marquis's servants, that we are to join the party at Sir William's, and has been rather uneasy about it. He hopes, however, that we shall not return to London, and then calculates CCELEBS SUITED. 1/5 upon our being so much nearer home. I partake a little of Patrick's feeling, but hoping for the pleasure of the Marquis's company is a great inducement for me to make mv time his. Make my best remembrances to all our neighbours who may mil in your way, and with compliments to Mrs. Rastock, Believe me, ever yours, &c. Geo. Rover. - UG CCELEBS SUITED. Caleb Ccelebs, Esq. to Sir Geo. Rover, Bart. Dear Sir George, I AM happy to see by the papers that your bill is likely to pass on Thursday. As this will relieve you for your attendance in London. Sir George desires me to repeat his request that you will favour him with your company at Beautield Lodge. As the Marquis will be at Sir William Paston's, and great preparations are making to celebrate his, Sir William's, entering his twenty-fifth year, he expects to be able to give you an agreeable week. Tuesday morning, according to my appointment, I rode over to Stantley to inspect the farms. —I was very kindly received, and had the pleasure of a reproof from Lady Prisciiia for not coining to breakfast. " Papa," said she, "certainly expected you, and we all felt disappointed at your neglect." I apologized for my inatten- tion, which could only have proceeded from CCELEES SUITED. 177 "my unwillingness to intrude upon them at so early an hour. His Lordship entered the room, and repeated these kind expressions. " Before we take our hats,*' said he, "lest other occu- pations should drive it from my recollection, pray make my compliments to Sii George Beaufield, and tell him that I have received his paper, on manure, and will give" it the attention it deserves. My time I consider as dedicated to the cause of good farming, and though the necessary experiments will confine me for some weeks to my study, yet I shall think myself bound to ascertain exactly my positions before I make my theory public/' — How noble ! how patriotic ! is this con- duct. Figure to yourself a nobleman of the first rank and fortune confining himself, in the heat of the month of May, to his study, surrounded by every species of these filthy compositions, and extracting from them even more than their general bad smell, by his experiments upon them, for the purpose of perfecting so useful a science. Lady Prisciila N 178 CCELEB3 SUITED. excused herself for a few moments — " Laciv Priscilla takes upon her/' said his Lordship, " to relieve her mother from all the duties of the house." Turning to his younger O J- CI daughter who was reading, " My dear Hebe,*' said he, " when are you to take your turn at these employs." — "Whenever you wish it, papa," replied her Ladyship. " My sister's kindness seems at present to make it unne- cessary." — Lady Priscilla now returned, and we immediately walked to the poultry yard, or rather garden, for a more delightful spot I never saw. The range of houses for the occupations of these favourites of the feathered tribe, (for these indeed seem to be particularly fortunate in their lot, ) forms three sides of an irregular octagon. They are erected on a lawn sloping down to a small canal. Every thing bespoke the most exact attention to cleanliness and order. The little animals seemed to feel all the comforts of their situation, and were basking in the genial warmth of the sun, when the entrance of Lady Priscilla put them all C(ELEBS SUITED. 179 in motion, and they hastened to receive from her hand their wonted allowance. — I was delighted with her kindness to them, and participated with her in the grief it occasion- ally gave her in ordering them for the supply of the table. From hence we went to the piggery, exhibiting the same neatness and cleanliness, and the animal which we always held up to detestation as a monster of filth and dirt, appears here to possess better in- clinations, if he could more generally be indulged in them. " I will now," said her Ladyship, " attend you to the dairy, and there ends my province." I felt an inexpres- sible glow at the mention of the dairy, and was so occupied by the recollection of my first sight of her there, that his Lordship remarked my absence of mind, and enquired if I were wearied by my walk. — I started at the question, and made a thousand excuses for my inattention, and begged him to believe that I was solely occupied with the contemplation of what I had just seen, When we arrived in front of the Marble room, as 180 CCELEB5 SUITED. it is called, " This building," said his Lord- ship, " was from the design of my late father, and is very elegant. Its exterior I shall pre- serve with great care. The birds and plants I have given to Mr. Lamb, who very much admired them ; indeed so did I, and my daughters, particularly Hebe ; but they with- drew their attention from other things, many of them of more consequence." As we en- tered the dairy I dreaded a discovery of my late visit there, through the loquacity of the servant, and was greatly relieved by finding another girl in her place. I learnt from Lord Stantley that she had been hurt at the little fracas after the ploughing match, and had been confined to her room ever since. Though I was sorry for the girl's misfortune, I was inclined to rejoice at any thing that kept her out of the way at present. Every thing was in the same order as I had before seen it, which appeared- to be the effect of general good arrangement, and settled rule. — Lady Priscilla presented us with some cream, and then took her leave • CCELEBS SUITED. 181 to attend other occupations. ' " She is never idle,"' said his Lordship, " the surest pledge of the proper turn of her mind, and the good effect of the education she has received." The horses had been ordered here, and we rode over the different experiment farms. Every thing bespoke the agriculturist, aided by the mind of the philosopher. He is par- ticularly attentive to the improvement of the breed of a curious sort of guinea pig, to which he hopes to attach his own name, and lias by crosses so increased its size, as pro- mises shortly to make it an object of more general consideration. — ''We shall pass,"' said his Lordship, "near to my neighbour Mr. Lamb's, I will take the opportunity of introducing you to him." I thanked his Lordihip for this fresh proof of his kind- ness. I nthe library we found Mr. Lamb instruct- ing his younger daughter in the use of the globes. The elder was copying a beautiful landscape drawing. The Countess Yillette 182 CCELEBS SUITED. and Lady Hebe Stantley, were amusing themselves with the Countess's little son. Mr. Lamb is about fifty, tall, handsome, and when free from the attacks of the gout with which he is much troubled, remarkably active. Mrs. Lamb has been dead some years, and he has given his whole time and atten- tion to the education of his daughters. He is as great an advocate for accomplishments as Lord Stantley is for the absence of them, but the subject has so frequently been dis- cussed without bringing conviction to either of the fallacy of their arguments, that they have declared a truce, and the subject has been suffered to die away. After the first salutation, his Lordship said, " I see, Mr. Lamb, you still' fascinate my Hebe. My love," said he to her, "I thought you were very earnest in your examination of the book I left you with." — " I found some dif- ficulties, papa, which I could not overcome," said she; " and hearing that the Countess Villette had arrived, I took the opportunity CCELEBS SUITED. 18S of requesting her assistance. My sister was not quite ready, but will be here in a short time I hope, as we are going to walk to Lady PastonV As she spoke Lady Priscilla entered, and shortly after Sir William Paston. Mr. Lamb excused himself for quitting Stantley House, so early after the ploughing match, especially as he had since heard that his presence might have been of use. His Lordship thanked him and said, "I like to witness these ebullitions of my countrymen's spirit. 1 prefer it infinitely to the dull plea- sure of a German boor, or the frisky capering of a Frenchman. I beg pardon, Countess, for making use of this allusion." "I can never take offence at anything, LordStantley says," returned the Countess, "and the present application, I take as a compliment." — ;: Nations as well as individuals, have their character;" said Mr. Lamb. "L T nfor- tunatcly with us, a day of pastime, a holiday, must include drinking. ' Oh that men will put an enemy into their mouths to steal away 1S4 CCELEBS SUITED. their brains ;' but so it is with us. We are not made for frolick and fun. At least we have so little very fine weather, that we d not acquire a proper relish for those enjoyments in which the Frenchman and the Italian takes the greatest delight. Our long winter obliges us to cherish the comforts of our fire side, and it is in our domestic relations and duties, that we shew an example to the rest of the world." — "In these, unfor- tunately," said Lord Stantley, we are far from perfect. But I fear, until our natures are perfected, it must be so. Convenience too often joins together those whom no other nature operates upon, and what good can arise from such matches?" — ci It was an opinion once expressed by Dr. Johnson," said Air. Lamb", but I know not whether he was earnest in it, or only sported it for an argument, that if the Lord Chancellor arranged all marriages with a proper reference to age and circumstances, the world would be benefited. I do not, however, approve the idea, or sanction its propriety." " I CCELECS SUITED. 1 85 cannot at all agree with the Doctor," said Sir William Pastbn, " unless an application was to be made from the parlies themselves. I should then go with him." Sir William now attracted our attention to the beautiful drawing which Miss Lamb was preparing to copv, and we very much admired ir. " My papa," said she, " has finished the <*reen house and aviarv from the drawings I made of your Lordship's beautiful building, and the plants are entirely arranged. I hope to complete the catalogue of them in a few days." His Lordship smiled, and hinted that he was glad to have heard she had so very pleasing a motive for expedition. Vv r e now took our leave, and accompanied by Lady lYiscilla and Lady Hebe walked to Lady Paston's. She is a nice primitive old Jady, and her daughters were digging in the garden. I thought the occupation rather too young for them, but was convinced by his Lordship of their good sense, and propriety of not giving up too soon those pleasures which wc have still a relish for. — 186* C CELEBS SUITED. To-morrow we dine at Stantley Park. Pray let me bear from you on Friday. I hope it will be to announce your intention of accom- panying tbe Marquis. Make my best compliments to him, &c. Caleb Ccelebs. CCEEEBS SUITED. 187 Caleb Ccelebs, Esq. to Sir Geo. Rover, Bart. Dear Sir George, You will receive this very quiclHy after my last, but I wish to request you will, with the key herewith sent, open my writing desk, and send by the coach, the packet of papers, labelled, " Copies of letters of the late Mrs. Ccelebs." I have promised Lady Stantley the perusal of them, and I wish much to have them before the approach of Sir William Paston's fete drives all such things far away. We dined at Stantley Park on Wednesday, Mr. Lamb, and his two daughters, Countess Villette, Lady Paston, her son and daughters were of the party. We spent a very pleasant day. Lady Stantley acquits herself re- markably well at the head of her table, and possesses the art of making everyone happy. Nothing particular occurred at dinner. When we attended our summons to coffee, 15B CCELEBS SUITED. we had the pleasure to find it had been served in the Marble room, and that the younger ladies of the party were waiting to escort us. Sir William, of course, soon made his election, and I seized the opportunity of walking with Lady Priscilla : such a - moment was not to be lost. I therefore began by expressing the sense I entertained of the right direction her excellent mother's instructions had given to her pursuits, and, as I thought I perceived she listened with pleasure, I led the discourse to the loss which her own family, and the neighbourhood, must have to regret when her destiny should lead her to fulfil more extensive duties, and act in a larger sphere. She replied, that her inclination as well as her education had led her to consider that to perform her duty, whatever it might be, was her highest praise ; as to the part she at present took, her sister Hebe, who now felt it unnecessary, would then apply to it, and her love for her mama would never suffer her to feel the change. ""How happy T CCELEBS. SUITED. 199 said I, " had we more Lady Stautleys, and could the instructions so judiciously given be always to well seconded by the delicacy and sensibility of the pupil !*' " You flatter," said she, "as much as Lord Launton.'' i'.Is Lord Launton a neighbour ?— is he a frequent visitor at Stantley,*' said I, ."with some emotion." "Oh yes, 1 ' replied she, "his Lordship seldom misses a day without calling, when he is in the country ; his estate joins Mr. Lamb's. — He was here yesterday, and we were disappointed, of seeing him to dinner to-day, by the necessity of his attendance in London .upon .some particular business.' 1 • Here ended the con- versation on my side ; and indeed here ended all my attention to Lady PriscUla, — I had not courage to • ask more about his Lordship, -and as the subject wandered to other matters, and my mind was entirely occupied by what I • had just heard, I moved forward without animation, and felt all the terrors of despair, and torments of jcalousv. Lord Launton here every 190 CCELEBS SUITED. day, thought I — Lord Launton flatter her ? and to boast of it too ! How shall I reconcile this with the hopes Lady Beaufield has given me ! I entered the room more like a statue of despondency, then the happy and delighted Ceelebs, who had lately caught with alacrity and joy the opportunity of conversing with this idol of my heart. As I advanced to the table, Lady Stantley kindly inquired if I were unwell, and the attention of Lady Beaufield, and the rest of the company, brought me to a sense of the necessity of disguising my feelings. I rallied as well as I could, and passed it off, as the effect of a slight head-ache. " I fear we have disturbed you too soon after dinner," said his Lordship. " Let me recommend to you, this cup of coffee, " said Lady Priscilla, presenting me with a cup, in a manner so enchanting, as immediately to drive Lord Launton from my mind. Stiil I could not entirely divest myself o( the recollection, and anticipated the time of quitting the CCS LEES SUITED. 191 house, with as much pleasure as I ever had expected the moment of entering it. The evening closing in, we returned to the drawing room, and after a rubber of whist, we retired. * The carriage door was scarcely shut, before I enquired about Lord Launton ; Lady Beaufieid in a moment guessed the cause of my illness, and in the most glowing colours described his Lordship's person, and elegant accomplishments. " He is heir to a large fortune, and is at present, in search of a companion to share his honors, and complete his felicity." " Lady Beaufieid,"' said I, in the greatest agitation, " you torture me beyond bearing ! plainly tell me, is Lord Launton an admirer . of Lady Priscilla*" " I scarcely know any one that is not," said her Ladyship, " her virtues, — " I interrupted her, " Pray, dear Lady Beau- field, answer me to the point; excuse my interrupting you, but this suspense is dread- ful ■!■— Is Lord Launton a declared admirer of Ladv Priscilla ?'-' "Why, indeed," said 19£ CCELIIBS. SUITED. Lady- Beaufield, smiling, "that would be rather improper, considering that his Lordship is expected to shortly marry the rich ward of our neighbour, Colonel Ellis." " I could worship you, Lady Beaufield," said I, "for this kind information ! bu.J how shall I repair my fault — how shall I appear at S.tantley after the exhibition I made of myself/' This difficulty cleared away before brighter prospects ; and I slept without any phantoms of lords and coronets floating before me. I rose early, and took my horse, to, perform a penance on the spot where I had transgressed. I recollected that it was not churning morning, and that I should not. intrude upon Lady Pris.cilla. After doing., all that my fancy dictated to expiate my folly, I walked into the dairy, and was glad to find my old acquaintance again, per-, forming her duties. I expressed myself, happy to see her recovered. " The goodness , of Lady Priscilla has help'd me on," said she, - "faster than I otherwisc..shouJd ; and jL*adjf .. CALEBS SUITED. 193 Hebe took care of me too, for I was sadly beaten. I was somehow got into the middle of the scuffle ; I was trying to help Margery, who was trying to part Tom Styles and Great Jack, else I had nothing to do in the piece of work — I see'd you walking with Lady Priscilla, and I warrant people did not talk about it at all ; I told Lady Priscilla so yesterday morning, and she laughed, I warrant; and I told her how you com'd here, that morning, and repeated her speech after her, and all about it. I thought she would never have let me go ; for she ask'd the same questions over and over again; and wou'd know what chair you sat down in, and which bowl you drank out of; and then she sat down in the same chair, and drank out of the same bowl; I warrant, she thought I did not see her, but I peeped in, after she sent me away, and there I see'd her."' I was thunderstruck ! I sat motionless for some time, then hastily taking my horse, I gallopped home, and threw myself on the bed J had quitted, to ' endeavour to r£4 C1ELEBS SUITED. compose myself sufficiently to appear at breakfast. Lady Beaufield inquired jocosely after my night's rest. She had seen me return through the Park on horseback ; and asked, if I had been myself the messenger of a challenge to Lord Launton ? As I had made up my mind to the prosecution of my addresses, and as Lady Beaufield had kindly interested herself in my favour, I thought it right- to acquaint her with my morning's discovery, touching as slightly as I could on the hopes which Lady Priscilla's conduct led me to indulge. " You have opened a conversation," said her Ladyship, " which I intended to have commenced as soon as the breakfast was dispatched. I yesterday took an opportunity of mentioning to Lady Stantley,' your attachment to her daughter, and the high opinion which Sir John had of your character and pretentions." My agitation being extremely, evident, Lady Beaufield kindly continued; "Lady Stantley seemed pleased with the proposal, and said, I have established for myself the rule, CGELEBS SUITED. 1£5 never to interfere in directing my daughter's affections, and I can only say, that Mr. Ccelebs has my good wishes, both on the score of his own merit, and his ; ntimacy with you. Sir John, likewise mentioned it to Lord Stantley, and it met with him an equally agreeable reception." Thus, dear Sir George, do I see myself likely to realise the almost visionary scheme of happiness I had pictured to myself; after this declaration, I shall go immediately to Stantley ; and I have imployed the leisure between breakfast and the time that Lord Stantley is at leisure to see visitors, in writing to you. My horse is at the door. Adieu, dear Sir George, Yours truly, Caleb Ccelebs. o 2 196 CCELEBS SUITED. Caleb Ccelebs, Esq. to Sir George Rover, Bart. Congratulate me, dear Sir George! 1 am just returned from Stantley, where his Lordship received me with the greatest kindness : " I will never," said he, " put the least constraint on my daughter's inclinations; Lady Stantley and myself have the same feeling towards you, whose good sense in discerning the propriety of our system of living, and the justice of our principles of education, are a strong recommendation. I am now obliged to attend a meeting of the county magistrates, and my horses are at the door; do me the favor to attend me to the library?" I followed him. Lady Stantley was alone. His Lord- ship took me by the hand, and presenting me to his Lady, " My love," said he, " I had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Coelebs to you some time since, as a friend of Sir John Beaufield's, and therefore a welcome. CCELEBS SUITED. 197 visitor here — I have now the satisfaction of numbering him amons mv own, and as I am unavoidably summoned away, I leave him to your particular care." He immediately wished us good morning. Her Ladyship then used the same kind expressions as Lord Stantley had done. I repeated my acknowledgements, and mentioned the alarm I had had on account of Lord Launton. "His Lordshipis a neigh- bour of ours," said Lady Stantley, " but M'e never viewed him in any other light than a common acquaintance." Lady Hebe en- tered, and Lady Stantley enquired after her sister, and learnt that she was just gone to the farm ; and as she was as yet ignorant of my formal proposals, I took my leave, at the same time receiving an invitation to dinner, which I joyfully accepted. On meeting Lady Priscilla in the drawing room, I immediately perceived that she had been made acquainted with my hopes, and I augured well from my reception. After dinner we walked into the Marble-room, 198 CCELEBS SUITED. and I took that opportunity of obtaining from herself, though in a very imperfect and half expressed manner, sufficient grounds whereon to rise my most sanguine hopes of success. Having succeeded thus far, I shall throw aside all hesitation, and do my utmost to forward our settlement. The country as it has most charms, and most employments for Lady Priscilla, is likewise particularly agree- able to me; and in the continued round of the varieties it affords, shall we pass our time without satiety and without disgust. — I know your predilection for what you term the joys of society, my habits and inclinations lead me to love a less extended sphere ; my education has always had that direction, and as I know that there are few females of the present day, whose opinions would suit with mine, I am grateful that providence has been thus kind to me. When I look around at those whose rank and life ought to raise their conduct nearer to the standard of perfection, how seldom do we see our expectations realised, and instead of a CCELEBS StriTLD. 199 thankful recollection of the blessings they enjov, we perceive a wanton indirrerence to their great benefactor, and a proud display of their own consequence. — I know there are exceptions to this general censure. The families at Stantley and Beaufleld rescue the class from one common disgrace, and 1 feel that there are a few more who deserve to be discriminated. — But alas, how few !! During the whole evening I almost felt the weight of two much happiness, I was even more silent than usual ; for I could scarcely believe my senses, when I perceived myself thus received into the bosom of a family so congenial to my heart. Ladv Priscilla is improving by a new process the rearing of silk worms, and was committing to paper the result of her expe- riments, while Lady Stantley was at her needle work, and Lady Hebe engaged with her father in tracing the progress of our countrvmen in Portugal. — I think you will like Lady Hebe. — She has great ability, and if she is fortunate enough to meet with a 200 CCELEBS SUITED. man who will direct her vivacity, restrain a little her too lively feelings, and turn her powers to their proper use, she will become a valuable member of society. In the hope of very soon seeing you, I remain, Yours, &c. Caleb Ccelebs. CGELEBS 'SUITE*). 201 Sir William Paston to the Marquis of Heron. Dear Marquis, I have been plagued to death with these detestable marquees. The riot at Stantley had made such havoc with them that the men could not fix them for some time. I have, however, at last got them arranged, and I have arranged more than this. I have agreed that Sir George Rover shall remain at Beaufield Lodge from Friday to the Thursday following, when he shall become my inmate. Cupid is very busy here. Ccelebs has declared himself, and is received at Stantley as a favored suitor, We dined there on Wednesday, and spent a pleasanter day than usual ; but the want of diversity must always be felt. We talked before dinner, we talked at dinner, after dinner, at coffee, and after coffee, and at last had recourse to cards, 202 CCELEBS SUITED. for I don't think any of us had any thing left to say. By the bye, "we took coffee in the Marble room, which has not been used for many years, and your friend Coelebs was suddenly taken ill. What his complaint was I dont know, but as I guess, 'twas a little touch of alarm, or dread of non- compliance on the part of the Lady Priscilla. He rallied very indifferently, but the next morningopenedhis attack in form, and seems likely to carry the fort. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few mornings since at the Elms, and Lord Stantley afterwards walked with him to Hampton, and introduced, him to my mother and sisters. Mr. Lamb and his Lordship no longer dispute about system of education, but each follows his own, and regrets the blindness of his friend to what he thinks the most eligible. I know you will" join with me, and his Lord- ship has a strong recruit in Coelebs. Lady Hebe, who has acquired a great share of ability in several elegant arts, (a proof of her exquisite taste and great CCELEBS SUITED. 203 application, when the difficulties which have been thrown in her way, are recollected) was at the Elms, and engaged in finishing a beautiful view taken from Mr. Lamb's ground, when she saw her father riding up the avenue. Knowing his prejudices, she placed her performance as a subject for Emily to copy, who immediately began a hasty outline. The drawing they admired as a great effort of art, and an exquisite representation of nature, yet how astonishing is it that they should object to so delightful an accomplishment, which can renew the remembrance of the beautiful scenes we visit, and relieve the ennui of many a solitary moment. I was told Miss Bolton arrived at the Elms yesterday. She is a very old and intimate acquaintance of Mr. Lamb's, and a Lady I wished to see, as I had heard much in her praise. " She has not," said he, "the primness of the old maid, nor the testiness of the old batchelor ; she has not the care about her of a married woman, nor the melancholy of the widow ; 204 C CELEBS SUITED. she is never troubled with spleen, or the vapours, never complains of blue devils, or indeed of any thing else. I once said to her," continued Mr. Lamb, " My dear Miss Bolton, I doubted how I ought to address you; when I last wrote, I thought I should have applied a more dignified appellation." She replied, " You mean that I should take the title of a married woman, and think that Miss is too juvenile a designation for a woman of thirty-nine ; now the truth is, that I hold out no false colours ; impose upon no one by a false appellation, but carry the title properly belonging to an unmarried woman. I feel no degradation, no shame, at remaining single, you know that I do not repine at it. Had I, when a girl, met an offer that would have given me a fair chance of happiness, I certainly should have accepted it, but when I reached thirty-five, I determined never to change my situation, and strove to acquire a habit of mind that should equally protect me from the sneers of the young, and the pity of the aged," CCELEBS SUITED. £05 I admire the strength of her mind. Her sense and fortitude have raised the character of an old maid, from a vulgar odium, to the rank it deserves, and it certainly should stand higher than that of an old batchelor, who ought, unless it is known that he has offered to share his fortune with some de- serving woman, to be considered as a fair butt. She has seen the errors of others, and has profited by them. How different to her old friend, Miss Sharke. She is well known to have refused two very deserving men, because they had not titles, and would now gladly accept any one who could boast a profession. Still however, she will not quite despair, but cherishes tlie hope of catching^ a peer or baronet, or at least a knight, though at the same she would not object to lower her pretensions according to circumstances, and take up with a less dignified offer. Her beauty will not do the first, nor is her fortune a sufficient bait for the other. So that I fear she must assume another part, and rail at fickle fortune in good terms. 206 CCELEBS SUITED. The two Miss Latons still see with longing eyes every new presentation in the fashionable world. At the gay concert, or the splendid rout, they are the foremost in the rank of elegance and beauty. When we follow them home, and see them restore to their dressing boxes their borrowed charms, and strip themselves of their paint and perfumes, how must we pity them ! When we know that they deny themselves their dinner, lest they should look coarse at the evening party, yet at night drink bottled ale enough 10 satisfy a porter, to preserye their plumpness; how must we pity them ! At this moment Miss Bolton entered, and Mr. Lamb introduced me to her. Her dress and long habit of acting for herself, and her extreme independence of mind, have given her rather a tincture of masculine appearance, but I was much pleased with her. "Miss Bolton," said Mr. Lamb, "we have been entertaining ourselves with the characters of your friends, the Miss Latons and Miss Sharke." '^ C CELEBS SITITZD. " Charitably I hope/ returned she, fl for I could retaliate v.ith great severity. You surely cannot think Colonel Thompson a more engaging or amiable character than either of the ladies you have mentioned; though certainly not less than fifty, he gives himself all the airs of eighteen, and kindly hopes that he is not the death of every young giri he talks to. Though the jest of all his acquaintance, he vainly thinks that his wit, not his folly, provokes the smile : and while lie hides his diminished legs under an immense pair of Hessian boots, flatters himself that his wrinkles are overlooked. Vv 'hat think you of his constant companion, Charles Winter, who retails his dry jokes on the slavery of matrimony, yet dares not contradict his kept mistress ; and though he has the strongest proof of her infidelity, fears even to hint a suspicion. But the catalogue of miserable old batchelors is inexhaustible. The two Malsoms, Lord Courtley, and some others whom I could mention, feel the state of celibacy not quite so much of a heaven 208 CCELEBS SUITED, as some of these lords of the creation would make us believe. As to your young men of fashion, I know not what you'll say to them. * Cawke, a dashing member of the whip club, paid a Brentford coachman five guineas to teach him to spit, in a coachman- like "style. They wear wigs made by Vickery, which have a lock of hair falling down on the near side, and without this distinguishing mark, no one is allowed to mount the driving seat." She is very chatty, and thinks with ori- ginality, and expresses herself easily. She draws and plays tolerably well, and if she has not very much excelled in any thing, it it has been from encouraging the idea that every thing was attainable, and therefore she attempted every thing. Thus she knows a little of all arts and all sciences; and is never at a loss either to amuse herself or others, I have been obliged to defer my en- tertainment till Wednesday, on account of the absence of Colonel Embry. The weather promises to be favorable, but our CCELEBS SUITED. 209 variable climate is ofttimes a great trial to our patience. I hope I shall see you on Friday, and with compliments to Sir George Rover, Believe me, &c. William Paston. 210 C.ffitfcBS SCITXP.. SirG. Rover, Bart, to Charles Rastgck, Esq. Beaufidd Lodge. Dear Charles, You will no doubt receive from Colonel Urington, an account of our success to obtaining our wishes from Parliament, and I feel happy that some restrictions which appear in the bill were proposed by Lord Kilcarty, as our well known hostility will exculpate me from having advised such a measure, though nothing could be more proper than such a clause, and indeed it provides against the only objection that could have been started. The Marquis set me down here on Friday, and went on to Sir "William Paston's. — As I ventured to guess, Ccelebs is so entirely occupied with the charms and merits of Lady Priscilla ; and Lady Beaufield is so busy in forwarding arrangements, and CCELEBS SUITED. 211 explaining with Lady Stantley upon every little lover's hesitation that occurs, that Sir John and I are left to amuse ourselves as we like. He lives in a very handsome style. His house is spacious, and his appointments complete. The greatest regularity prevails. At eight prayers are read in the eating-room, to which every servant, male and female is summoned ; breakfast is over by ten, when Sir John generally retires (if without company) to his study, and Lady Beaufield with her daughter to her sitting-room, where the many studies are gone through. At two the carriage is ordered, and the ladies pay morning visits in the neighbourhood, and inspect the situation, and supply the wants of the poor of their vicinity. Sir John rides over his farm, generally in company with Lord Stantley. Dinner is served at five o'clock with the greatest exactness, at w T hich there is generally a good deal of dissertation on economical housekeeping, and cards and books supply the evening amusement. Lady Beaufield plays chess, with some pretensions p 2 212 CCELEBS SUITED to skill, and I have had some little difficulty to establish my superiority. — At ten, the servants are again summoned, and evening service is performed, the conclusion of which is the signal for retiring. This routine never admits of any other variation than that of receiving company, or of going out to dinners. That such a system as this should ever have obtained among sensible people who have the means of procuring every superior intellectual enjoyment; who have leisure to attend to, and fortune to furnish a large sphere of pleasure, is what I cannot understand. I must own that I never felt so strong an inclination to take my nap after dinner, or felt so yawning by ten o'clock at night, as I do here. Lady Beaufield with her carpet work, and Miss Beaufield with her knitting and sewing, tire me to death. However, I have taken this opportunity to refresh my memory with Dante's Inferno, and shall probably not regret my want of other entertainments. Our friend seems almost to have changed CCELEBS SUITED, 213 his nature, having received the approbation of Lord and Lady Stantley, and obtained a declaration from Lady Priscilla, that he is not disagreeable to her, as warm an acknow- ledgment as a man can expect before marriage, he hastens the preparations with an activity almost incredible to those who know his general mode of maturely consi- dering every step. He is already in treaty for the purchase of an estate in tiie neigh- bourhood, and intends to occupy himself in following up the plans of his father-in-law. Thus her Ladyship will only have to add the care of a few children, to her present ' employs; and, however she may support the character that Ccelebs admires as a model for the sex, will soon shrink from the world, and feel the task of supporting any outward appearances a burthen, which he will evade by every means. The motives from whence all this springs is so good, that one very much regrets seeing it so perverted, but the medium is difficult to hit. The follies and . distresses which have overwhelmed many 214 CCELEBS SUITED. females, who have ventured to put themselves forward, and exhibit themselves as leaders of the ton, has unfortunately transferred the odium of their fall, to the merits they possessed : but nothing can be so injurious or so bad as this mode of reasoning, and the fact is directly the reverse. Those who really possess the ele- gance of life have a resource which super- sedes the necessity of continually forcing themselves into company, and upon the town. They can retire to the calm and varied amusement of reading, drawing, or of music; and please themselves with the idea that when they meet their husbands or their brothers, they will be able to exhibit their attention to an improvement in these gratifying arts. This system well understood, can never put aside other duties, nor will it with people of just thinking. I have been drawn it) to a long train of moralizing, butTeally it is 'catching ; however here they act up to their doctrine, what is not the case with all moralizers. CCELEBS SUITED. £15 I leave this place for Sir Williams's on Friday, a change I think I shall not regret ; though nothing can exceed the kind attention and hospitality of this worthy family, vet I feel a want of the amusements I have been always accustomed to, and almost languish for my violincello. If nothing very particular occurs, I shall leave Hampton for Oxford, and shall from thence return immediately to Ireland. With best remembrances to Mr. Rastock, believe me, Yours, truly, Geo. Rover, 216 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. Dear Charles, This morning the Marquis and Sir William Paston called upon me to ac- company them to Mr. Lamb's. Coelebs and Sir John Beau field were gone with Lord Stantley to look at the estate which has been offered for sale; and which, I think, Coelebs will purchase. It adjoins a part of his Lord- ship's, and appears from the description to be very desirable. I anticipated much pleasure from this visit, and was not disap- pointed in the expectation I had entertained. Mr. Lamb unites the elegance of the courtier wjth the simplicity of the country gentleman, and carries with him great weight in all public business. He speaks well, and strictly to the purpose; and has more than once had the power of stopping popular and unjust clamour, by the good sense and firm- ness of his conduct. He has lost his excellent CCELEBS SUITErr. 227 mfe about three years, and his grief for this sad visitation has subsided into a settled melancholy, which nothing disturbs but the kind remarks and endearing attentions of his family. This consists of two daughters, the. eldest, twenty-one years of age ; the younger, nineteen; and Miss St. Louis, a young lady who was their governess; but who remains with them as a sister. He was; employed in his study, when Sir William introduced me to him, in making out a statement of some calculations, to form the basis of a petition to parliament respecting the poor laws. " There is no system that has met the evil of the increasing poor rates," said the Marquis, "and the great accumulation of reports and authorities makes it difficult to comprehend, what in many instances is the meaning of the legislature on this subject." "The system," said Mr. Lamb, "of granting parochial relief, excepting in very particular cases, such as a man's being drawn for the militia, or some other unex- 21S CCELEES SUITED. pected cause, is very bad; and it has ail originated in a bad principle. The pay of the labourer is so small in almost every county in England, that he cannot live without parochial assistance, and here is the evil to which a remedy must be applied. In large towns, and in manufacturing dis- tricts, combinations have been formed by the men, who have exacted from their masters such wages as the pressure and necessities of the times have demanded ; let us not drive these people to the same course." " Can it be right?" said the Mar- quis, " that the laws of the country should admit that the labouring man, the bold and hardy peasant, his country's pride, should not be able to support more than two children by the wages of his hands. Yet such a principle is admitted, by ordering assistance to such men; and though that assistance is so niggardly as to be scarcely worth receiving, yet the man who, had he iived in earlier days, would have shrunk with horror from the idea of being charge- CCELEBS SUITED. 21§ able to the parish, is now glad to receive even this paltry pittance; for this, barters his freedom, and submits to the supercilious taunts of men, richer indeed, but in no degree better than himself. This is the situation in which the laws of his country views the greater part of the population of these kingdoms.'' " And the truth of this/' returned Mr. Lamb, " was so strongly impressed upom me, and the bad policy of the system so evident, both, as degrading the receiver, and impoverishing the donor, as loosening the bond of society, and making men regard each other always unfavorably, that on coming to the estate, which I have now r lived upon for five and thirty years, I determined to adopt a* different course, and to influence all within my power to abandon a system so replete with evil. *I saw that even a single man could scarcely support himself on his wages, having great advantages in obtaining occasional assistance by extra work; that in reckoning his means he always counted on something beyond his 2£0 CCEXEES SUITED. - means for procuring many of the necessaries; and that if he married, which indeed he seldom thought of, unless the parish forced him to it, to atone for a moment of un- guarded passion, he calculated on the parish.purse as the means of supporting his offspring." " How sadly degrading," said Sir William, " to the human character ! How pregnant with mischief are such regulations !" '"Thus," continued Mr. Lamb, " had marriage ceased to become an honourable tie, and the pride of an English peasant was extinguished. "I immediately greatly increased the wages of every labourer on my estate, and by the influence I had acquired, and the calculations I produced of the ultimate advantage, I induced all the landholders of the parish to adopt the same course; in a short time all claim on the parish for relief ceased ; the motive for thieving, or for begging, was removed : man looked at man with a consciousness of an honest and upright feeling towards each other : — the CCELEBS SUTTED. 221 young married from choice, and the natural consequence was a healthy and happy peasantry. No one can rejoice more than I do, in hearing of the generous and praiseworthy interference of the rich and enlightened, descending from their rank and visiting the cottages of the poor z.\v\ needy. It is a kind and good feeling, but I could wish to see the necessity of such inter- ference removed. Under the present system of things, it must be necessary, for if the labourer can scarcely support himself when in health by the wages of his employ, how can he put by any thing for the day of sickness? If any unforeseen calamity over- take him, he cannot assist himself either by having recourse to the savings of his healthier days, or by forestalling a small part of his future wages."' Sir William now left us to seek the ladies. " My dear Lord V said Mr. Lamb. " the satisfaction I inwardly feel, and my gratitude to God for giving me such a son- in-law as your dear friend, is inexpressible. £22 CGELEBS SUITED. That my daughter should have been so fortunate as to attach to herself so good a christian, so worthy a man, and so perfect a gentleman, has raised her, even, in my eyes — Oh ! that her excellent mother were living to witness the completion of this wish always so near her heart!'' The Marquis joined in the praise of his friend, and congratulated Mr. Lamb in the chance for happiness which his daughter must have with such a character. " Sir William's past conduct," said he, " must be. the pledge of Lis future life; and the education Miss Lamb has received must make his home the mansion of peace, and the centre of bliss." A servant came in to say, that a person wished to speak to Mr. Lamb for a moment. " Pray excuse me," said he, "and I will then have the pleasure of introducing Sir George to my family." In his absence the Marquis gave me the following account of the system they had pursued, and of which the result was so successful. "They adopted," said he, "no wild theories, CCELEiiS SUITED. il'CS no fanciful scheme of making their children prodigies of perfection. Their object was to teacii them all they were capable of learning, but to force upon them no ac- complishments which their genius, upon fair exertion, did not give a prospect of acquiring. As children, their whole care was to impress them with a love of goodness, with a respect for their elders, and with a just knowledge of themselves; to inculcate a sound principle of religion, of honor, and of integrity. Until Emily was ten years old, Mrs. Lamb took this duty upon herself. They then enquired among their friends for a governess, requiring that she should be young, well-tempered, elegant, and accom- plished. They would have given the preference to an Englishwoman, but the unfortunate situation of France threw in their way a Miss St. Louis, the daughter of a gentleman, who had fallen a victim in that sanguinary struggle, and whom thev decided upon taking. She fled to England with the Countess Villette, and. thev were 224 CCELEBS SUITED. delighted to receive her. She was just twenty-two years of age, handsome and polished in her manners, and every way proper to give an example of excellent conduct, and refined behaviour. She spoke Italian with the same fluency as her native tongue, drew with some skill, and excelled in her performance on the harp. On the first day of her arrival, Mr. Lamb led her to the upper end of the dinner table, and placing her next to Mrs. Lamb, begged her to consider that as her constant situation. This was the result of a determination to impress upon their daughters the respect which they themselves paid to the talents and virtues of Miss St. Louis; a confidence and a distinction she justly merited. They now began the study of the French language, of music and drawing ; while their m opened and explained to them the principles of their religion, and the duties of their sex. The kind attentions and instructions of their governess v ere seconded by their pupil's diligence and quickness of comprehension. C<XLE"BS SUITED. .225 When Emily reached her eighteenth year they had the pleasure of seeing her elegant and graceful in her person; thoroughly instructed in the principles of her religion ; and practising, with con- scientious exactness, its excellent precepts; well read in ancient and modern history, writing and speaking with ease and elegance both French and Italian; and exhibiting great taste and skill in music and drawing. "In the arrangements of the house she took an active part; every order for which, by a regulation adopted by her mother, and never swerved from, ■ was dispatched before the breakfast hour. Her younger sister followed her in all her acquirements, with the difference only of her age. "Thev now thought it right that thev should visit London ; the great seat of intellectual amusement, the nurse oi the arts -and sciences, and the school of life. They engaged the assistance of the best masters of music, drawing, and dancing;- the sciences they were equal- to ;at- home. -Every Q. -20 CCELKB3 iVITl.i), thing worth}- of notice w«a visi^eci, and the} 7 profited much by their opportunities' of comparing their own deficiency with the ability of others, and their own happiness with the ennui of those who had neglected to store their minds with reading, and to acquire the means of employing their time upon their- own stock of knowledge and amusement*. At this time they had the misfortune of losing their excellent mother; a woman of a most refined mind, a strong sense, possessing all the virtues, and all the graces which -adorn the sex. Mr. Lamb was deeply affected at her loss/* said the Marquis. " and will never, I fear, recover the cheerfulness he formerly enjoyed. " The system which this excellent woman iiad laid down, he continued to adopt with the most religious attention. Miss St. Louis's extreme good conduct was a source of the greatest comfort to him, and relieved much of his anxiety about his daughters. In the autumn they visited Brighton, and made a tour -of that coast; and have each year CCELEBS SUITED. 22/ continued the plan of being in London for a month in the spring, and of travelling to see the beauties of England in the autumn. "They have gratified, by their improvement, his most sanguine wishes. They have rewarded all the anxiety of the parent, and he feels that they have the means of acquitting themselves, if fortune should elevate their rank in life; or of passing their days without repining, let their lot be what it may!"' You may be sure I was not a little anxious, after all that I had heard, to see these young ladies ; and Mr. Lamb returning we followed him to the library. Here we found the Miss Lambs, Miss St Louis, the Countess Viilette, and Sir William Paston. The elder Miss Lamb was at her drawing; Sir William was sitting by her, turning over Scott's Lay of the Last Minstrel, and applying, no doubt, some of its beautiful passages to express more forcibly his own feelings. The younger Mias Ct 9. 228 C CELEBS SUITES. Lamb was at her harp, with Miss St. Louis, and the Countess was listening to her little son's reading. It was an elegant and delightful scene. Our entrance put an end to all these pursuits, and I was particularly pleased again to meet my interesting French friend ; she enquired after the Beaufields, and facetiously asked after the progress of the stocking, and the other useful employs in which the family were engaged; which as they had but little interested me, I could give but a poor account of. After a good deal of. pleasant conversation, Mr. Lamb requested Miss St. Louis to favor us with a song she had lately received from London, and to accom- pany herself on the harp; she however begged to be allowed to decline it, and to request Miss Harriot to take her place ; without the least hesitation she complied, and sung a few lines from the Last Lay, in a most finished style. — I was charmed with her performance, and with the manner in which Miss St. Louis seized the opportunity of exhibiting the abilities and .taste of her £<£LEBS SAUTED- 2S& amiable pupil. Mr. Lamb was equally delighted, and said, that he should have thought it perfect if he had never heard Miss St. Louis. How excellent is it to see people thus kind and considerate to those, whom Providence has put in their power; persons who possess oftentimes with more talents an equal share of feeling, and a keen sense of those slights, with which the pride and ignorance of riches frequently subject them to. But to convince you, were any thing more necessary, of the liberality and delicacy of Mr. Lamb's sentiments, I should inform you, that taking into consideration Miss St. Louis's late affluence, and the weight which must remain upon her mind from her present dependent state, crushing her natural cheerfulness, and making more arduous the duties she had undertaken; after satisfying himself by a year's^xperience of the uprightness of her conduct, and her great merit, he presented her with a hand- some annuity ; thereby, in a great measure 250 CCELEBS SUITEt). restoring her to her natural flow of spirits, exchanging her downcast and careful look for the smile of grateful recollection ; and as good results from good, his daughters have had the advantage of receiving their instructions from an obliging and cheerful friend; who has had their improvement at heart, instead of the cold admonitions of a dependant. Alter this we walked into the pleasure grounds to see the green-house and aviaries. Miss Lamb had just finished the arrange- ment and catalogue, in which she has shewn great taste and judgment, We then returned to the house, and Sir William took me over it. It is built nearly from the description of Pliny's Villa, called " Lau- rentinutn," and is most elegantly decorated : so much comfort, and so much beauty, I never before saw combined. We then took our leave. — As we were riding home ; Sir William said — " No man has done more good within his influence than Mr. Lamb, yet without pretence or ostentation; he is QCELKBS 6U1TED, 231 kind and attentive to the comforts of his peasantry ; poor, there are none near him. He encourages applications for the repair of the cottages on his estate, and personally investigates the necessity of the claim; but at other times, very seldom enters them. On a Sunday, if a y part of a family is absent from church, or appears less happy, or worse clothed than he has before remarked them, he immedi- ately enquires of themselves the cau?e, and applies the relief they want. After the service of the day, he remains for iome time in the church yard, to give any one an opportunity of asking any favour or advice they may require; but in granting their requests he always endeavours to impress them with the advantage and comforts of helping themselves; and with the consequence Which independence gives them. I can bear witness, " continued Sir William, " tp the good result of this course of conduct ; and the assistance and co- operation of my excellent guardian, Col, 232 CCEX&BS SULTED. Embry, has extended the good effects to the next parish. " In adopting this course he has relieved both himself and his neighbours from much trouble; he receives no applications for petty assistance ; his time is not occupied in distributing petty charity, or his kitchen filled with the claims of the hungry and oppressed. Herein he will often say, I am the champion of a system, but I am not a theroist only ; the experience of twenty- five years, since which time it has been in full practice, has convinced me of its efficacy, and I feel confident that the common people of this and the neighbour- ing villages have more of the comforts, more of the character of English peasants, more of the dignity of man, than is generally met with !" Shortly after this we arrived at Beaufield Lodge ; and I parted with my good friends, highly delighted with my day's excursion. Sir John and Ccelebs not being yet C'CE'tEBS SiriTED. p t £33 returned, I' take the opportunity of theif absence to commit to paper this account of so interesting a family. Make my kindest remembranecs to your good Lady, And believe me, &c 8 Geo. Rover, 234 CALEBS SUITED. Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastocx, Esq. Dear Charles, Sir William Paston sent his carriage for me on Friday, according to appointment, and I left Eeaufield Lodge, strongly impressed with the kindness of its worthy inhabitants. Every arrangement for the fete is completed, and it is fixed for Wednesday next. Sir William enters his twenty-fifth year on Sunday, and the neces- sary absence of Colonel Ertibry, has induced him to postpone the celebration of it till Wednesday, that he may have the pleasure of his company. We dined on Saturday at Mr. Lamb's. There was no addition to the party I mentioned, having met there last week, except a Miss Bolton and Dr. Templeton, the rector of the parish. The dinner was well dressed, and well served, and did credit to the taste of Miss Lamb. Her father has said, that'in the arrangement CALEBS SUITED. B3S of his household, he never felt the loss of his dear laclv. The regularity and economy which she had adopted, her daughter never swerved from, nor was the sum he allowed for housekeeping ever exceeded. The conversation was general and pleasant, and I was happy to see the chearful ease of Mi^s St. Louis. The ladies enlivened our party by their animation and good sense; and they left us to a freer, but not less rational intercourse. To me, there is nothing more delightful, than the social mingling of mind, and interchange of opinion, which occurs when a company of sensible men, uninfluenced by party or prejudice, and willing both to inform and be informed, find themselves fairly met ; enlivened by good wine, and actuated by good-will towards each other. This I may say to you, whd know that I never indulge in what are termed the pleasures of the bottle. As there was much talk, I shall give you some parts of it, as well as my memory will serve. 236 COE LEBS SU IT E D, Marquis of Heron. — The excellent and Correct principles which are now endea- voured to be inculcated by all writers on jbTanaT education, must, we should hope, effect a change in the prevailing rage for dissipation, and consequent deviation from propriety. <- . Mr. Lamb.— There is much good to be derived from these publications. They make virtue pleasing, and paint her in glowing colours; they teach, that happiness consists in a life of innocence, and in a regard for religion, and thus far they are right, but they have lately objected to accomplishments and works of art, here thev are wronc;; it is by a constant employ in works of mental exertion alone, that the young mind can be kept free from vice ; and as these addresses are for the most part intended for women of a certain rank in life, they lose their effect by not encouraging these elegant employments. Doctor Templeton. — But it does not appear to me that accomplishments are pro- EE0S StllbBl W _ .. scribed in the system of education; whicn many deserving people are endeavouring to introduce; they only insist that they should be considered as subservient- to more useful employ, and more necessary knowledge. Mr. Lamb. — Excuse me, Doctor Tem- pleton, you have now Laid, down the esact medium, the true line of propriety ; but ia some late publications which have been read with. much avidity, and praised I think rather too highly, we have had heroines, .the daughters of men of fortune, and of a respectable rank in life, who ..have, not- possessed, and have been extolled for not possessing, a single accomplishment; and what is worse, we have had no character introduced that has acquired those charms,, but has been held up to ridicule, for some other parts of their characters. Marquis of Heron. — Such works must defeat their own ends, Mr, Lamb.— They would lower rather than elevate the female character. — The 238 CCELEBS SUITED. exclusion of the study of the polite arts would make them either disputatious blue stocking ladies, rigid methodists, or reduce them to narrow minded housekeepers, and however a single character may be decked out and held up for imitation, let us re- member how very few will attain the praised excellence of the original, and the kind of companions those females who fall short of it, must make to men of liberal education. Sir William Paston. — The late restriction which the lords have put upon the future marriage of the parties convicted of criminal conversation will not I think have a good effect. Sir George Rover. — The dreadful in- stances we have lately witnessed of the violation of the marriage tie ; the impudence with which the parties guilty of those infamous transactions have defended them- selves ; and the confidence with which they have appeared in public and met the world, should receive some serious check. i:CL£3S. S CITES. S$g Marquis of Heron. — It is a very difficult case to legislate for. The avarice or pride of the parents may have matched their offspring to men but -little suited to them, and their, husbands may have been worthless and unkind. Tis cruel to shut the gates of mercy. If we deny their union with those who have seduced them, who else will marry them, and it still remains with the world to deny or accept their atonement. Mr. Lamb. — The laws are certainly defective on this point, and do not meet the evil ; I can see no punishment so proper for the offence as solitary imprisonment, or sending both culprits to Botany Bay. The idea of giving damages, though sanctioned by custom, is preposterous. No man of honor can accept them, nor ought a villain to be allowed to receive them. Impri- sonment would be a punishment immediate in its effects, and by dividing the parties, might be the means of restoring them to a just, sense of the iniquity of their conduct 240 CCELEBS SUITED. No sum however great, can restore to any man the comfort he has lost by his wife's misconduct ; and to a rich man the fine for their transgressing the laws of God and of his country, is often a subject of jest and merriment, and fixes upon him the unhappy female who has thus sacrificed herself. Doctor Templeton. — I agree with the Marquis, that it is not good to hinder the future marriage of the culprits ; I would rather enforce it ; I would compel it, after inflicting whatever punishment might have been affixed to the crime in both offenders, let their rank be what it may. Sir William Paston. — Doctor Johnson thought that the dread of punishment, of such punishment as would be really felt, would nearly prevent all crime. Air. Lamb. — I am very much inclined to agree with him. Doctor Templeton. — The early habits of life of most of our young men of fortune are unfortunately very loose ; but I believe that CCELEBS SX T ITED. 241 even in the army there is much less open vice than formerly ; that the initiation of a young man into this too frequently school of licentiousness, is not now so gross as •formerly. ; Sir William Paston. — I hear with pleasure that it is not ; and the character of the armv must rise with this desirable chancre. The conversation now wandered to other subjects, and the Marquis mentioned his father's plan of Parliamentary Reform, which I believe I have before detailed to you. Doctor Templeton. — Property has been considered the true basis of representation. The great stake which the rich and power- ful have to protect, and the large share which they must necessarily pay towards the exigencies of the state, seems to give them a right to great influence in the choice of the national council. Mr. Lamb. — But this is false reasoning Every man has his all to protect. Very few 242 CCELEBS SUITED, persons in the event of the loss of our independence, would be so well situated as they are at present; and our independence may be equally threatened by the too great influence of the crown, or by a combination of the aristocracy, as by the anarchy of the people, or the arms of foreign enemies. — Property is not therefore, the true basis of representation, but opinion, the uninfluenced opinion of men who are capable of thinking, a faculty which certainly is not confined to rank or fortune. Marquis of Heron. — Property is certainly not the criterion of virtue, or talent. Im- mense possessions oft engender the ambition of immense power, and frequently enforce the right to break through the laws of the country, in the most flagrant manner. — Power will not brook opposition, and will use its influence to effect its purpose, often- times very unjustly. Thus the influence of powerful men has been exerted to force the government to grant favors with the most glaring impropriety; and the same cause CCELEBS SUITED. 243 has screened from public justice, many a public defaulter. The Marquis men- tioned the increase of religious sects in England. Mr. Lamb. — Pray Sir George, does me- thodism increase in Ireland ? Sir George Rover. — In the towns I think it does ; among the peasants, who are chiefly catholics, it of course makes but little progress. Mr. Lamb. — I have an uncharitable aversion to methodists. I would rather trust my life and property to the mercy of an athiest, than a methodist. The former sub- stitutes, for a stronger impulse and motive, honor, "the sacred tie of kings," a principle of great strength, and capable of urging men to the performance of great actions, and to the supporting severe privations ; but the saving faith of the methodist covers a multitude of sins, and he shrinks not from the commission of great enormities, in the assurance of the efficacv of the great expiation. r2 244 CCELEBS SUITED. Sir George Rover. — Are their numbers increasing here as in other parts of England, Mr. Lamb. — Thanks to DoctorTempleton, they are not. Doctor Templeton.— To your endeavours, Mr. Lamb, is due the happy change. We were now summoned to coffee. We found the ladies in the music-room. Miss Lamb had made a selection for the evening. — Miss St. Louis enquired if I had read Dr. Rett's late work ; I had not met with it, and she strongly recommended it to me. In return, I mentioned your favourite author, and the conversation took a literary and religious turn. Mr. Lamb encouraged it, and told me afterwards that his design in it was to prove to me, that though his daughters were accomplished in all the elegancies of polished society, they were not ignorant of those things in which alone is true happiness, and from which spring eternal life. We then had a most delightful treat of music. The Marquis and his friend, Sir William, both excel on the violincello, and the "taste and CCELEBS SUITED. £4j execution of Miss St. Louis and her amiable pupils, are beyond my praise. We spent a most agreeable evening. As we returned home, Sir William recommended to his friend, the younger Miss Lamb; "I have the highest opinion of the merits of Miss Harriot,'' replied the Marquis, " but I do not feel that strong impulse, which I hope will direct my choice of a wife." I enquired by what means Mr. Lamb had overcome the demon of methodism in his village. He opposed to it, said Sir William, all his influence, and all his ability; and he was aided by the good sense and energy of Dr. Templeton. He watched with the greatest anxiety the least appearance of departure from the Established Church, and brought back the seceder by argument, and the most considerate care ; he seriously studied the best means of rooting out the evil ; and after enforcing the necessity of a regular attend- ance on the sabbath, he for the summer season postponed the time of evening service 246 CCELEBS SUITED. to five o'clock, after which he encouraged the amusement of quoits and athletic sports. By this means he broke in upon the hours of the methodists, and by making the rest of the evening a scene of innocent relax- ation and amusement, he sent the people home with light hearts to a refreshing sleep : he has appropriated the large field ad- joining his mansion to their use, and here he furnished, for the use of the people, every means of enjoyment they required. From his own house is always supplied the refresh- ments they stood in need of, and here they enjoyed themselves surrounded by their wives and families, and defied equally the threat of fanatics and the insinuations of Jacobins. — In the winter, evening service is performed at six o'clock at his own house, for which purpose he has built a small chapel, warm and comfortable. By this easy means, he has stopped this hydra in its progress, and secured the happiness of his neighbours. — I must close my letter, as I hear the family CCELEBS SUITED. £47 movincf down to breakfast, and I must hasten to pay my congratulations to Sir William. With best remembrance to all friends, believe me, &c. &c. George Rover. 248 CCELEBS SUITED, Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastogk, Esq. Dear Charles, At length the joyful day, so long and anxiously expected by Sir William, which was to put him in the possession of a vast property, to open to him new scenes of life, and give him, by enlarging his power, a more extensive means of gratifying his noble and generous nature — has arrived. — When large fortunes are thus expended, we perceive the advantage only which results to the community from such causes, and rejoice in the extended means of good which opulence produces. " My dear Sir George," said Lady Paston, on meeting him in the breakfast room, " that I have lived to see this day ! to witness the happy completion of that period, which your father's prudence h>:<\ fixed for your majority, gives me the most CCELEES SUITED. 249 lively pleasure ! I shall shortly see you happily married, and in the kindness of your dear Lady, your sifters will feel my loss with less seventy. Herein will my prospects and wishes terminate, and I shall leave my dear children with a feeling of regret, but not of anxiety." Sir William returned her embraces and congratulations with great affection, and presented her Ladyship and his sisters with sumptuous presents. The meeting of the ais and his friend was noble and interesting; between them there is the affection of brothers, and the polite- ness of less intimate acquaintances; and their friendship is the more firm from being governed and cemented by the most honorable principle, and most virtuous conduct. Each seems to have been directed by the advice of Pythagoras : — u Choose out the man to virtue best inclin'd, u Him to thy arms receive — him to thy bosom bind !" At church, Sir William and his relations and friends received the sacrament; he then L J50 C CELL'S SL'ITED. placed on the altar a rich offering for the poor. After church most of the respectable neighbours called to congratulate him, among whom was Mr. Lamb, Sir J. Beau- field, Lord Stantley, and Ccelebs. His Lordship introduced our friend in so particular a manner as to oblige us to notice the reports of his happy prospects. " I am happy." returned his Lordship, "that Lady Priscilla has obtained the good opinion of Mr. Ccelebs, and that I shall have the felicity of presenting to her a man who justly ap- preciates her good qualities." We had then a round of compliments, and I understand that the match is to be forwarded with all expedition. I should not wonder if the same week was the completion of the happi- ness of Sir William and our friend. Eetween the morning and evening service, we walked to see an elegant small villa which has been built in an adjoining pad- dock for Lady Paston, and which Sir William presented to her, neatly and taste- fully furnished, On Monday the Stantleys. CCELEES SUITED. 251 the Beaufields, Calebs, and Mr. Lambs family were engaged (o dine here. I was very much struck with the beauty of Ladv Hebe; she has more ease of manner, and more expression than her eider sisicr. I perceived the ?>Iarquis was very much pleased with her, and immediately requested Mr. Lamb to introduce him to her. He seemed very much delighted with her con- versation; and contrived to place himself next to her at the dinner table. The Countess Villette had the same attraction for me. Her melancholy seems rather to increase than diminish, which I must attribute to the contrast she has now before her in the prospect of these approaching marriages, and the revival of the recollection of her irreparable loss. We dined in the great hall; a room of very large dimensions, whose sides and roof were of polished oak, enriched with carving and ornamental pendants, and bearing in compartments, the arms of the family ; and as-isted by the rich antique-cut liveries of the attendants, £J2 CCELEES SUITED. carried us back to former days. Ap excellent band played in the gallery during the repast. After the ladies left us, Sir William pointed out the alterations he proposed making to the house. It is built in the form of a Roman II, and is enriched with a profusion of turrets and minarets, and has an antique and impressive ap- pearance. The exterior he will perserve most scrupulously, and of the interior, the great dining hall, the gallery, and chapel ; the other rooms he intends to modernize completely ; he will shortly unite every comfort of modern improvement without diminishing the respectable and antique character of the mansion. "The music room," said he, " I shall arrange under the direction of Cramer, and shall take some pains to give full effect to this elegant amusement. My father fitted up the present room; and I beleive, with so much judgment as to require but little alteration to adapt it even to the nicety of modern times." In the midst of our C(ELEBS SUITED. 253 conversation we heard the enchanting sound of a harp! "I am extremely surprized/' said Sir William; " I thought there was not a musical instrument in the house ; it must surely be from the old music room, and I am charmed once more to here the delightful sounds, which have so longr been banished from Hampton.'' After much trouble in tuning, we heard the following lines sung in the most tasteful and finished manner. " To the pangs of remorse, or the silence of grief, " What power can give ease, or what art bring relief? " When the heart is oppress'd, when the spirits sink low, (t What in sorrow and sadness its aid can bestow ? " In the high spring of life, when all pleasure around, u Makes the scene of this world with gay transport? abound ; " What shall draw forth our feelings from selfish excess, " And teach us the friendless and orphan to bless? " Tis Music, this charm o'er our passions exerts ; " 'Tis music this solace can bring to our hearts ; " 'Tis music will teach us this kindness to shew. " And a heav'n to make of this resion below !*' £54 COELEBS SUITED, V/c all exclaimed in ecstasy at the exquisite taste and execution, and could not tell on whom to fix our praises. " Did not I know that my Hebe has had no opportunity of acquiring such ability," said Lord Stantley, " I could persuade myself, it was her voice." "I can assure your Lordship,'' said Mr. Lamb, " that I have often heard Lady Hebe sing, even with more effect ; it certainly was her Ladyship. The song and music are her own composition; she sent it yesterday to my Harriet, and I was delighted with it." " But how did she obtain all this ability," said his Lordship, "with us these trifles have given way to more solid qualifications ; and music has been considered as even less necessary to happiness, than even most other arts." " She has visited much at our house," said Mr. Lamb, "and has practised with Miss St. Louis with great advantage ; I doubt not but she has profited as much by the instructions of her relations at home as bv the kindness of her friends abroad." CCELEB3 SUITED, 2o5 ' J Hebe/' said his Lordship, " is a good and clever girl." "And after the specimen we have just had of her Ladyship's taste and feeling," said the Marquis, " your Lordship cannot regret that she has added this delightful accomplishment to her other merits/" We were soon after summoned to coffee. On entering the drawing room, Lord Stantley took Lady Hebe by the hand, and enquired of her, if the performance which we had lately been so much charmed with, was hers; to which she modestly assented. — " I hope," replied his Lordship, "that your good sense will direct you not to neglect those necessary employs, and useful knowledge which form the duties, and are so much more suited to the female character." The expostulation brought tears into the charming ghTs eyes, but the praises of the greater part of the company, and particularly of the Marquis, soon restored her to her accustomed cheerfulness. While waiting for coffee, she. had strolled with 256 CGELEBS SUITED. Miss St. Louis through those apartment! which had been so long uninhabited, and supposed themselves in u remote part of the house, not having noticed a turn they had made from one of the rooms, which brought them into the old music room, divided from the great hall, by an oak partition only. The sole remaining piece of furniture, was a neglected harp, and her love for music had prompted her to tune it, and to try the song she had just composed. "Has your Ladyship heard Madam Skrumpholtz in the Opera of Julienne ?* said Miss St. Louis, addressing herself to Lady Paston. " I have not visited London for some years," replied her Ladyship, "nor would my habits or inclinations allow me to freo^ent any amusements of the kind ; — the use and advantage of music, is most woefully perverted. Those abilities which God has given to man, with which to cele- brate his name, and sing his praises, are ap- plied to decorate and recommend licentious CCELEES SUITED. 257 writings, and to give a zest to sensual and irregular pleasures. The world is conta- minated by this rage for music ; even the selection for a Sunday evening concert is not made up without having recourse to the prophane oratorios and fashionable operas ; and as I only draw my information of these matters from the public papers, I am at a loss to guess io what the difference from a regular concert consists:" "The assembling large parties on the evening of the sabbath,'' said ]\Iiss St. Louis, "whether under the specious pretext of hearing sacred music, or the plea of a mere modern conversazione, are equally improper, and are far from being countenanced by well thinking people." " The mischief," said Mr. Lamb, "is not so great, perhaps, to the parties enjoying the entertainment, as to their inferiors, and especially to their immediate attendants, who see no difference marked by their superiors, between the sabbath and the rest of the week, and whose duty forces them to spend the greater part s £58 GCELEBS SUITED. of the evening of this festival in a public house, among crouds of their fellows ; made dissolute and abandoned by the obligation which is thus put upon them, of attending the irregularities of their masters." " But,"' said the Marquis, " Lady Paston, seems to think that profane music, as she terms operas, and I suppose all concerts not positively sacred, is a perversion of the use and meaning of this charming science. But the abuse of a good thing is no argument against its use, and an art which enables great numbers of clever men to obtain an ample and honest livelihood, in giving innocent amusement to every rank of society, should be protected. I fear her Ladyship will think me an enthusiast, but how can we recollect the instance we have so lately had of its power of charming, and refuse it our warm support..*' Lady Paston smiled at his Lordship's energy, and though far from allowing her conviction, politely gave up the argument. We now fell into parties. Coelebs amused Lady Priscilla with tender CCELEBS SUITED. 259 tales, while she employed herself with some needle work she had brought. The Mar- quis undertook to explain to Lady Hebe the particular merits of a fine set of prints which Sir William has collected, and seemed equally well pleased to talk as she to listen. Lady Beau field and myself went to chess, and the remainder joined in a game of vingt-et-un. On Tuesday, in arranging our morning's ride, Sir William proposed inquiring after the Stantley family, if the Marquis had no particular objection. It would not be far out of the way, as they had intended calling at Mr. Lamb's, and as Lord Stantley had given a pressing invitation to the Mar- quis ; Sir William thought it right to call there before Wednesday, if his friend did not object to lengthening his ride. The Marquis laughed, and assented to his friend's reasons for visiting Stantley. Lord Stantley was pleased with this mark of attention, and took us to his farm yard to shew his guinea pigs. These animals seemed but s 2 $00 CCELEBS SUITE©. little to interest the Marquis, though he listened with much attention to the benefits to be expected. from them, and asked many questions about them, to his Lordship's great satisfaction; but when we heard that Lady Hebe had walked over to the Elms with her sister, he shewed but little inclination to examine any other im- provements, and departed ignorant of many of the contrivances upon which his Lordship particularly prided himself; his Lordship, however, took the opportunity of presenting him with his " Treatise on Manure," sumptuously bound. At Mr. Lamb's we found Lady Priscilla ? Lady Hebe, and Ccelebs, and I had some difficulty to persuade ourselves to leave this charming family. They had been rallying Lady Hebe upon the effect her song had had upon the Marquis, and the Countess was congratulating her on the success of her finesse, as she termed the surprise it had occasioned. In the midst of this pleasantry we entered, and the poor girl was not % CCELEBS SUITED. 261 a little confused, . when the servant announced us. But if Lady Hebe was embarrassed by our entrance, the -Marquis was not less so; and it required no great penetration to perceive how much he was struck by her. After some general con- versation, he ventured to request to be favoured once more with the sons we had be- fore but imperfectly heard. We were not less charmed with it now; and the Marquis, whose ear of music, and knowledge, are highly culti- vated, pointed out a slight alteration; which was admitted by Mr. Lamb to be an improvement, and was adopted by her Ladyship. Sir William requested Miss Lamb to pro- duce her port-folio of drawings, amongst which he knew there were some by Lady Hebe. The truth and spirit of her performances are only excelled by those of professors of the art, and exhibit great feeling and assiduitv. The Marquis seems greatly charmed with her; and her artless, modest, and engaging ' manner, sets off her abilities with the greatest 9.69, CCELEBS SUITED. lustre. We spent a pleasant hour, and returned just in time to dress for dinner. During our absence, Col. Embry had arrived. Judge of my surprize and pleasure at rinding him the same who had the com- mand at Hern during the rebellion. His spirit and promptitude in discovering the retreats, and disconcerting the plans of those deluded people, and the lenity he showed to those who fell into his power, has made his name dear equally to high and low. He remembered being once at Fairland, but it was during my absence; and was very happy to hear my account of our present tranquillity. " You may act," said he, M with a little severity, and perhaps some injustice, but you must never again surfer rebellion to wear so fearful a front; I would in the event of a recurrence of such scenes use the most determined hostility at the time, but afterwards amply recompense the claims of those who had suffered un- justly ; but whose innocence could not be ascertained in the general disturbance." CCELEBS SUITED, 2.63 After coffee, we found ourselves in a corner of the drawing room, talking over these matters; and having noticed the inhabitants of Rastock with the respect and affection due to them, he passed to the character of his ward, Sir William. " His father," said he, " served in the same regiment with myself in America, but feeling disgusted at some supposed neglect, he retired from the service. He was a man of a violent temper, and had entered the profession in a moment of contemptuous indignation at the insolence, as he termed it, of those rebellious colonies. He was much disliked in the country, as a severe magistrate, and overbearing neighbour; punishing, with the greatest rigour, every infringement of the game laws ; and endea- vouring to rule at all public meetings by the strength of his lungs, and the influence of his fortune. His displeasure at not obtaining the rank he wished, threw him into opposition, and he exerted the most ran- corous hostility against the ministry, and 264 CCELEBS SUITED. exhibited the most indecent joy at their ill- success. . His riches brought around him a number of factious discontented men of broken fortunes, and his manners and habits became loose and irregular. He was passionately fond of hunting ; and was at last killed by a fall from his horse, after attempting to force him to a leap beyond his strength. I had not seen him for manv years, and was surprized to find myself nominated to the trust of sole guardian of his children. He had requested it of me during a conversation we had one night in my tent; and a memorandum of this, with his nomination, was the onlv arrange - ment he had made for the disposal of his vast property. '" Lady Paston, who was an excellent woman, was strongly affected by the con- duct and death of her husband, and her melancholy, acting upon her religious turn of mind, drove her to embrace some of the absurd doctrines of the methodists ; from n any of these, the society of Mr. Lamb's CCETL'KBS SUITED. 2&> family' has gradually weaned her. My profession would not allow me often to visit her. ' She looked upon me as a man of the world, and seldom required my attendance. — I gave Sir William the best education I could, placed about him the most virtuous and learned men that were recommended to me; and endeavoured to mix the system of public and private education, so as to preserve his morals and integrity, at the same time that he acquired courage to act in public, and to render those qualities useful to his country. I hope we shall soon see him a prominent character in our national councils, when his independence will never allow him to betray his trust to ministerial influence ; and his good sense will preserve him from lending his support to unjust popular clamour, or joining the ranks of a needy and harrassing opposition. " Yesterday he came into the possession of a very large property, and the first order lie made upon his banker, was to pay to the £66 CdLXBS SUITED. respective treasurers of the Magdalen, the Asylum, the Philanthropic, St. George's and Middlesex Hospitals, and the Society for the Relief of Persons imprisoned for Small Debts, five hundred pounds, each ; following in this the example of his friend* the Marquis on the like occasion; in his own parish too, he has granted annuities to several old men, and as many old women. These are actions worthy a rich and enlightened man, these are deeds which will never die ! and the recollection of this period will live in the remembrance of all ranks to his eternal honour ! He has at the same time nobly enlarged his mother's jointure, and presented his sisters with a respectable independence. His approaching marriage will be the consummation of my wishes, and the end of my fears respecting him ; and in the society of such friends as the Elms will afford, and the company of such a woman as Miss Lamb, he has a fair chance of being the happiest of men: CCELEiiS SVITJED. 267 ** There shall the virtues, there shall Wisdom's train, " Embrace the smiling family of arts, " The Muses and the Graces." I congratulated the Colonel on the success of his endeavours, and on the sense which Sir William seemed to entertain of his kindness. He desires I will make his best compli- ments to you and Mrs. Rastock; and ex- press his happiness at hearing that you are both well. These doings remind me of Fairland. I am glad to hear Dermot's daughter has so good a prospect. Poot Patrick is sadiv vexed at not being present at the wedding, but has written to Dermot to congratulate him. I thank you for the kindness you have exerted towards them, for which I remain your debtor. Make my best compliments to Mrs. Rastock, And believe me yours, 5;e. Geo. Rover, C68 ' CO-LEES SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rasiock, Esq, Hawpton, JF? Its. Dear Charles, We have had a day of Jubilee here which will be lone remembered in the county, as uniting elegance and liberality with order and decorum, as establishing the grace and charms of polished society without excluding the hospitality of earlier times. Nothing that a refined taste could suggest or expence procure, was wanting. Cards had been issued to all the nobility and gentry of the neighbourhood, and the respect in which Sir William and Mr. Lamb are held, bro .: t vefal families from a very great distance. The arrangements had been completed under the super in ten dance of Sir William and his friend, with as much secrecy as possible, and even the greater part of the ly themselves, were ignorant of them ; I liefve to avoid the objections winch the CtELEBS SUITED. 269 rigid notions of Lady Paston might have made to a part of them. The house is situated in the centre of a finely wooded park. A small but rapid river divides it from the adjoining meadows, and its steep bank, cut into irregular terraces, extending for a considerable way along its course, are finely clothed with wood. From thence are seen the luxuriant meadows opposite, and the distance is bounded by the sea, and the high grounds of the Isle of Wight. We had had but little appearance of previous preparation, but on coming down to breakfast were agreeably surprised by seeing every thing completed, as if by the wand of a fairy. Opposite the drawing room windows, but at a considerable distance, was erected an awning of large dimensions supported by slight pillars, entwined with honey suckles, the floor painted of a grass green for dancing, and from thence marquees were fixed, form- ing a crescent to the house. — In the centre of the lawn were placed the Pandean minstrels; the band of the Suffolk militia ph £70 CCELEBS SUITED. in the entrance hall ; and horns and other wind instruments were stationed in the plan- tations, and along the margins of the river. Nothing could exceed our anxiety as to the weather, which is so material to this species of entertainment; fortunately it was as favourable as could be ; the sun shone with undiminished lustre during the whole day, and a gentle breeze mitigated its fervour. At about twelve o'clock the company began to arrive. After receiving her friends in the hall, (for the entertainment was given in Lady Paston's name) she conducted them to the lawn, where Sir William met them, and received their congratulations; they were then at liberty to ramble over these beautiful grounds, and enjoy the full effect of this scene of joy and merriment.— The music, softened by the assemblage of the wood and water, the gay and lively appearance of the company, the view of the opposite meadows covered by the people in their holiday clothes, amusing themselves at cricket and other exercises, and animated CCELEBS SUITED. 271 by the presence of their families, was a scene to enliven the spirits of the most gloomy, and to give sincere pleasure to the true philan- thropist. By Sir William's order, marquees had been fixed in these meadows, and every kind of entertainment provided for the populace; as he well knew that their curiosity would be excited, and their expectation alive to the share they were to take in the festivities, and knowing that they would rather enjoy themselves in their own way, than gape at the amusements of others, he had thus arranged it, so as to have the double effect of gratifying them, and giving spirit to the view from the woods. At about two o'clock the company again collected on the lawn, and the marquees were thrown open, offering every delicacy of the season. During the repast, the Pandeans re- moved to the awning, and a number of dancers, dressed in the lightest and most tasteful manner, advanced from behind the marquees. Thev were led bv Monsieur and Madame 272 CC1LEES SUITED. Deshays, whom Sir William had engaged, with nearly the whole corps de Ballet. — They went through a ballet and action, to the infinite gratification of the company, who were exceedingly delighted by the unex- pected treat, and to many of whom it was recommended by its novelty. During the dance several persons came forward as spectators, dressed in the character of villagers, who proved to be some of the best comic singers from the London theatres. Between the acts ef the ballet, they sung catches and glees, and at the conclusion seated themselves on the grass, as if uncon- scious of the presence of the company, enter- tained us with a diverting dialogue, written by Sir William, and interspersed with the most favorite songs and glees. — Soon after the Marquis led Miss Paston to the awning. Sir William took Miss Lamb, and the danc- ing commenced and was kept up with great spirit till the evening closed in, and put an end to our joyous amusement. — I was so carried away by the scene as to dance too. CCELEES SUITED. 273 and Coeleb and his partner, Lady Priscilla, were more alert than I gave them credit for, but it could scarcely be otherwise. — After the first dance the Marquis attached himself to Lady Hebe, and appeared even more pleased with her than formerly. — We were now sum- moned to the house, which we found most brilliantly illuminated. The great hall and staircase were lighted with a profusion of variegated lamps; the long gallery in which supper was served, was decorated with beauti- ful emblematical transparencies, interspersed with laurel and oak branches. — Nothing could be more tastefully arranged, and the repast consisted of every delicacy of the sea- son. The beauty and elegance of the females, the interesting occasion of the entertainment, and the delightful singing of several pro- fessional men and amateurs, made the scene completely enchanting. Among the ladies the Miss Lambs were conspicuous, for the unaffected taste and simplicity of their dress, and by the exact propriety of their behaviour — not a constrained and formal conduct, too T 274 CCELEBS SUITED. often held up as the line of propriety, but an animated and joyous expression of delight at the happiness which surrounded them. Every one seemed to leave the fairy scene with regret, and as the Marquis handed Lady Hebe to the carriage, he expressed his hope that she would not suffer by her exer- tions, and hinted his intention of having the honour of enquiring after her health to- morrow. As they drove off he followed them with his eyes along the avenue, and turning suddenly to Ccelebs, who was engaged in the same contemplation, he congratulated him with unusual fervour on his approaching happiness. Then addressing himself to Sir William; "I fear," said he, " I have been less attentive to your guests than became me as your inmate, but I have been so much entertained with my lovely partner in the dance, that I may have neglected other duties. 5 " Sir William laughed at the excuse, and admitted his apology. We returned to the drawing room; Mr. Lamb's family and the Beaufields were pre- C02LEBS SUITED. 275 paring to depart. The Marquis repeated his apology to Lady Paston. — iC I am happy," returned her Ladyship, "that we have been able to amuse vou so well : and indeed that Lady Hebe obtained so excellent a partner ; I have heard she is a charming girl." " She is indeed," said Mr. Lamb, " her intimacy in my family has given me great opportunities of judging of her, and I know that she possesses the best of hearts, and the most cultivated mind." The subject dropped here ; for one cannot en- large upon these topics. To praise Lady Hebe, is almost to dispraise Lady Priscilla, an unthankful office, in presence of her lover ; and the systems of the Beaufields and Mr. Lamb are so much at variance, that nothing but a serious argument can arise out of any observations on their particular merits. They left us soon after, complimenting Sir William and his frieud on the arrangements of their fete, and the success of their endea- vours to please. On opening my letters at night, (for the t 2 276 COF.LEBS SUITED. day had employed me too much for me to think of them,) I found one from Colonel Urington, requesting my attendance in London, as some opposition had arisen in the Lords to our bill, and to which I was summoned as a witness. I have made the merits of the case known to the Marquis, who thinks our application very proper, and has promised to accompany me to London, and give it his support. The ardour with which he performs every duty he undertakes, and the weight he had already acquired, leaves me no doubt of our ultimate success. This morning we are to ride to see our neighbours, after the fatigues ; and to-morrow I shall accompany the Marquis to London. The considera- tion of our business is fixed for Monday next. I have not received a letter from you for this fortnight past; I hope the winds are the only obstacle in the way of my hearing from you. With best remembrances to Mrs. Rastock, believe me, &c. Geo. Rover. CGELEBS SUITED. 277 Sir G. Rover, Bart, to Charles Rastock, Esq. Hampton, Wilts. Dear Charles, I received a packet of letters from Ireland by yesterday's post, and was particularly gratified in finding two from Rastock. That you and all your good family enjoy uninterrupted health must give pleasure to all who know you, and that my remarks afford you entertainment repays me amply for any trouble you may suppose I have in committing them to paper. — The epigram you have met with, respecting the bridge and water at Blenheim, referred to the place during the life time of the late Duke. — The original intention of the bridge was scarcely more than to connect two hills, and to enable you to approach the principal front of the house in a direct and curb line. A very insignificant brook meandered in the 278 CCELEBS SUITED. bottom. The liberality and taste of the present possessor, directed by the knowledge of the famous capability Brown, at a great expence dammed up the river, and flooded the valley. On completing his design, and assuring himself of its security, he is said to have exclaimed, " that the Thames would never forgive him for what he had done at Blenheim." On Thursday morning we rode over to Stantley, and as we turned towards the park, we perceived our friend Ccelebs coming over the Downs at speed. If I were of such a temperament, I could have envied the feel- ings of my three friends, whose sentiments were here so muchin unison, and all of whom seemed to be so exactly on the same scent. None of us could restrain a smile as we shook hands. We were glad to hear that the Beau field's were well. Lord Stantlev was gone to meet Sir John at one of his farms, but the ladies were at home. They were discussing the amusements of the pre- ceding day, and on our entrance retraced the. CCELEBS SUITED. 279 pleasing subject ; not with a jeering triumph at those who were worse drest or less alert than themselves, but seeking to discriminate and give due praise to the really elegant and unaffected.— After some time it was proposed to walk to the Elms, and the grooms were sent round with the horses. Sir William and I took the lead, Ccelebs escorted Lady Priscilla, and the Marquis took Lady Hebe under his care. — As we entered the library, the penetrating and arch look of the Countess drew a smile from his Lordship, and raised a blush on the cheek of Lady Hebe, which she retired to a window to conceal. The Marquis had certainly made the most of his time, and the thoughtful and hesitating manner of Lady Hebe made it evident to those who were acquainted with her, that she had something of more than common interest to ponder over. • Here again the fete was the subject of conversation. " Indeed, Sir William," said the Countess, "you gave us yesterday a very great treat. How much to be regretted, 230 CCELEB5 SUITED, that this species of entertainment is not more general ; I mean not to require it always to be carried to so great an extent. The routine of a London rout, can never repay the fatigue." " I don't know," said the Marquis, "how any greater variety can be given to London pleasures, than are at present enjoyed." " But you will allow with me," replied the Countess, "that they are generally very unvaried, and very dull." " I do," said his Lordship, "and I agree with Goldsmith, that the system of opening our houses to immense multitudes of people, whose faces one is scarcely acquainted with, and whose characters one is perfectly in- different to, to the neglect of public places, such as Ranelagh and Vauxhall, is absurd. — It is there the business of the proprietor to provide an entertainment which must have taste and novelty to recommend it, and if a full dress were insisted upon, ami admission refused to those who were indecent, or would not conform to these regulations, such place ought to receive great encouragement. CGSLEBS SUITED. 281 would allow us to enjoy our own houses, and not so anxiously to consider, in the choice of a residence, the probability of being able to accommodate five hundred persons at a time, scarcely five of whom we admit to the fa- miliarity of an ordinary acquaintance." " The present rage for large routs," said Mr. Lamb, "is certainly very ridiculous, to c:Jl it by no harsher term. — To send invitations to persons whom one would scarcely acknowledge in the public streets, to encourage black legs, and seek the com- pany of people of oftentimes very equivocal character, because they have beauty, or wit to recommend them, or because without them you can scarcely fill your rooms, is a great re- flection on the good sense of the town." "But surely," said Lady Hebe, "character must have some weight among people of fashion ; there cannot be many so depraved as to overlook in their associates the absence of virtue and honor." "When a favorite object is to be obtained," replied Air. Lamb, " the means are too often but little regarded. C~C. CCELEBS SUITED. The intention is here to give a splendid rout, and that cannot be done without a numerous and splendid company. This drives people to invite all within a certain rank, with (I will not say no regard, but in fact very little) to character, and with scarcely any other idea than the eclat of immensely crowded drawing rooms. " And the mischief does not stop here. One person can scarcely refuse to converse with another whom he may meet at the house of a mutual acquaintance, and perhaps he is ignorant, at the time, of the unprincipled conduct and loose sentiments of the person he is talking to. He sees him gay and ele- gantly dressed, and thinks him honorable; and thus an intimacy may be made with a scoundrel, whom you would otherwise never have met, or had you met him, it would have been in such situations as would have put you en your guard against him, and this applies equally, or indeed with more force, to females." " Domestic comfort is sacrificed," said CCELEBS SUITED. 283 Coelebs, "and the example extends its baneful influence much wider than we may think. Every class of society is injured by the scenes of dissipation which the great daily exhibit." " My dear sir, you are too harsh a censurer," replied Mr. Lamb, "the great as they exhibit great follies, are likewise foremost in the display of genuine patriotism, and the practice of virtuous and laudable conduct. Every virtue and every vice may be said to thrive there, and though evil example is more followed than good, yet that is not the fault of the rich or powerful. It is a few among them that do all the harm, and the influence of the rest is scarcely able to counteract the prejudices such conduct encourages." — " I think, sir," said Lady Hebe, " that if you lived in London, you would give great entertainments." "I would give entertainments," replied Mr. Lamb. "I know not if the town would call them great I would invite my acquaintance, that out of them I might select friends, but they should all be people of character, and I would ZcA CCELEBS SUITED, never sacrifice the honour of my house, and the credit of my party, to the foolish grati- fication of having it reported that I had given a splendid rout" The Marquis mentioned his intention of going to London to-morrow. — Lady Hebe, could not conceal an expression of extreme surprize. "You are very sudden, my Lord," said the Countess, " it must be a matter of great moment to carry you from us so un- expectedly." " It is indeed," said his Lordship. "Sir George Rover is interested in a bill which is now on its passage through the house, he thinks that my presence may expedite it, and I am happy to think I may be of service to him." — " We shall not lose you for any great length of time I hope," said Mr. Lamb. " I propose to return in the course of next week," replied his Lordship. "Sir William has a claim upon me, which I shall be most happy to attend to, though Wiltshire does not want attraction, had I not this engagement to revisit it." I expressed my regret at being the means co:lees suited. S285 of carrying him to London at this moment, but he politely refused the compliment, and assured us, that some other concerns equally demanded his attention. Soon after, Lady Priscilla and her sister proposed returning, and the Miss Lambs offered to accompany them. In retracing our steps, I took the Marquis's arm, who had again attached himself to Lady Hebe. In our way he expressed his admiration of Mr. Lamb, his great respect for his virtues, and good sense, and his regard for his opinions; Lady Hebe joined with him, and instanced some noble acts of benevolence, which he had performed with a delicacy and feeling, that did him great honour. As we crossed a little rustic bridge, she pointed out the former boundary of the water, and lines which the woods formed, when they first came into Wiltshire. " His Lordship has certainly sacrificed much beauty to his plans," said the Marquis. " But he has the satisfaction," replied Lady Hebe quickly, **' to think that he does much good thereby." £S6 CGELEBS SUITED. " Lord Stantley s good motive cannot be questioned," said his Lordship, " and it would be well if every one as seriously devoted themselves to the service of their country." The park has still some little natural beauty left, which the Marquis did not fail to point out; and we found that our fair companion had selected most of them as subjects for the pencil. We had attempted to return by the lower path, but the effect of the late rains had rendered it impracticable, and we were obliged to take the road through the village. Nothing could exceed the respect with which both the young ladies were viewed by the villagers ; but I think I perceive more affection in the common people of Mr. Lamb's village, towards their generous benefactors. Lady Stantley was in the library at our return, and on hearing that I was going to London to-morrow, requested that I would do her the favour to procure for her, the regulations of the New Society of Female CCELEBS SUITED. 287 Literati ; some skeins of yarn, prepared by an improved method ; and a receipt for a new and cheap potatoe pudding, which her friend, ?>Irs. Ferrett, has invented. I thanked her for honouring me with her commissions, and having taken the addresses of the persons from whom I was to obtain the various articles, I enquired if it were possible that the celebrated Female Literary Club was about to be revived? "And why not, Sir George r" replied Lady Stantley, "can you wish to keep all the learning to yourselves, or do you think that ignorance becomes a woman better than knowledge, and reduces her more easily to the rank of a domestic drudge."' " Excuse me, Lady Stantley,*' said I, " I am not prepared to defend myself, but I know that the general feeling is against these coteries, and thought that the effect of several severe satires, which are yet read with much pleasure, would have debarred our modern females from a like attempt." M But,"' returned her Ladyship, "if the attempt is laudable? ought 288 CCELEBS SUITED. a satire to drive us from the endeavour, or ought we to relinguish an attainment because those who dreaded our talents sought to repress them?" "We see every where around us," said the Marquis, " that know- ledge does not render women less amiable, and Sir George only dreads that this new principle may render them less accessible." This little unction softened her Ladyship, for I found too late niy error, and had not an apology at hand ; I was therefore most thankful for being thus helped out by my friend. We shortly after took leave, and returned to dine with Lady Paston at her new residence ; the good Dr. Templeton was of our dinner party, and returned with us to Hampton, where he will take up his abode for a few days. As we were calmly sitting after supper, the Doctor addressed himself to Sir William, and expressed his pleasure at seeing Miss Harriet Lamb more composed, and even willing to be amused. " Her sister's situation," said Sir William, "prompts CCELEBS SUITED. m her to exert herself, and indeed her own prospects may warrant a gaiety she has till lately been a stranger to." I had remarked that she had a melancholy about her, which I did not understand, and had perceived that the attentions of her father, and the rest of the family were very much directed to her amusement ; I enquired if the cause were at all of a private nature ? " Rather so," replied SirWilliam, "but as we have now more than a prospect that this unfortunate affair will terminate happily, Dr. Tem- pleton will perhaps relate the circumstances, while I request you to excuse my absence, that I may give the Marquis some com- missions which he has been kind enough to offer to execute for me in London." He then left the room, with his friend, and the Doctor began as follows : "Mr. Wilford, a gentlemen who resides on the edge of the Forest, and who possesses a small estate in the county, has an only son. of whom he was mott doatinglv fond, and whom he could scarcely ever be persuaded u 290 CCELEBS SUITED, to trust from his sight. He could not bear the idea of sending him to school, where his health might suffer by the inattention of masters, and his morals by the ill-example of other boys, but kept him at home, under a domestic tutor, from whom he received a very good education, and was as learned as books could make him; of the great world and its intricacies he was entirely- ignorant. He had great expectations from an uncle, a merchant in London, who had always been very partial to his nephew, and being yet a batchelor, had declared him his heir. With these pretensions he became a welcome visitor at the Elms. — He had almost from a child been an admirer of Miss Harriot, and his free access to the house at all times, gave him an opportunity of paying her great attention, and produced on her side, a serious and warm attachment. To their union, his youth was the only obstacle. Mr. Lamb could not object to his connexions ; he had no vices, no bad propensities, his learning and ability were universally allowed, CCELEBS SUITED. 291 and his fortune, though not large, was even now amply sufficient. Still did Mr. Lamb always regret that he had been bred to no profession, or rather that he had not been bred a little more in the world. He would often say with St. Aubert, * This young man has never been in London.' " His uncle, who had gone there early in life, had acquired a large fortune in the su- perintendance of an extensive commercial concern. He had often pressed his brother to place his son with him, instead of allowing him to waste his time, as he termed it, in the limited range of action, and the unprofitable occupations of a country gentleman. Ashe intended shortly to give up his share in the management, and to retire to the enjoyment of his great gains, he was now more anxious than ever to bring forward his nephew to succeed him, and the fond father, who saw his son now in his nineteenth year, felt some confidence that the good principles he had endeavoured to implant in his mind •'vould preserve him from harm, and in the 17 £ 292 CCELEBS SUITED. hope of completely establishing him in his uncle's affections, committed him to his care. The distress of the father at parting with his only son was great, still he was buoyed up by the expectation of seeing him return more affluent, and therein, as he thought, more worthy of Miss Lamb's affection. — But our poor Harriot was the greatest sufferer ; she could see no occasion for his being richer, and dreaded the chance of his becoming less virtuous. Her modesty would not permit her to shew any great grief at his leaving the country, but a sad presentiment thathis good nature would be imposed upon, and his ignorance of mankind make him a prey to designing villains, always troubled her. — From books she had learnt how often the most vigorous resolutions had given way to the ridicule and allurements of the wicked, and though she now knew him virtuous, she likewise knew that he had had no temptations to be otherwise. Mr. Lamb would not suffer his daughter to enter into any engage- ments, but it was an implied agreement that i CCELEI3S SUITED. 2<)3 in three years, when he should have reached his twenty-second year, they should be united. —The parting of the young people was tender and affecting. — Mr. Lamb encou raged him to write frequently ; and after taking him into his study, and giving him some excellent advice for the regulation of his future conduct, and beseeching him to confide in him as a true friend in any difficulty that might occur, parted with him with scarce less emotion than his daughter. "In his uncle's counting-house were several young men, who had never been out of the sound of Bow bell, but who were perfectly acquainted with, and initiated in all the routine of London dissipation. The whole concern of the morning was to consider how they might purchase most pleasure for the evening, at the smallest expence ; they were however, sufficiently on their guard not to be drawn into any great extravagancies, and their pleasures were bounded by the extent of their means. — When young Wilford took his seat in the counting-house, a novice in *' 2^4 CtELEBS SUITED. the ways of the town, and possessing naturally an open and animated nature, he was struck by the gaiety of his companions, by the history of their exploits, and by the vivid descriptions of their amusements. — But his observations soon shewed him how little they knew, and how slight was their acquaintance with any thing but the routine of the counting house, and the lobbies of the theatres. In his early communications with Mr, Lamb, he recounted only his uncle's kindness, and the civilities he had experienced from his numerous friends. — His companions at the desk he did not think worth noticing ; and when he returned, to spend the Christmas with his father and his early friends, they found him rather improved in manner, and not less open or engaging. If they were pleased with him, how much more was he delighted with his Harriot's reception of him. and with her improvement in every grace and every charming accomplishment. He left them more confident in himself, and with less diffidence of his own ability to direct and regulate his conduct CCELEBS SUITED. 2^0 " He found on his return to the counting- house, a young man of the most fascinating manners, but of loose and licentious princi- ples, who had, till then, been absent from ill health, the consequence of his own irregu- larities. — At the same time that he was un-. principled and extravagant, he kept a steady eye on the prospect of obtaining a share in the concern, on the old gentleman's retiring, and heard with great uneasiness of the intro- duction of young Wilford. He however quickly resolved on his plan of conduct towards him. From the first time he saw him, he paid him the most obsequious attention, studied every art to make himself agreeable to him, and in the end succeeded so well as to make him a confident of his pleasures, and the companion of his noc- turnal carousals. — But I will not enlarge upon our young friend's fall. He was only twice afterwards at the Elms, and though neither quite so chearful, nor apparently quite so healthy as formerly, yet not so altered as to create any suspicion, or excite any apprehension. L 296 CCDLEBS SUITED. " Many a pang did his false representations of his manner of spending his time cost him, and the difficulties which he experienced to satisfy some claims upon him, which his extravagance had created, agitated him still more, For these his friend promised to procure supplies, and he felt not the extreme of his folly, 'till the threat of an arrest brought him again to his senses. He applied once more to his friend, who pretended that his funds were too low to cover the unexpected demand, and advised a fraudu- lent appropriation of some of his uncle's riches. — All this was the result of a settled plan to ruin Wilford in the old gentleman's opinion, and to place himself in his stead ; but the proposal of a fraud upon his kind benefactor struck him with horror. He retired to his chamber, and the first effect of his returning reason was to examine the state of his affairs, and to acquaint himself with the extent of the demands upon him. He was thunderstruck at their magnitude, and the shock be received so affected him CCELEBS SUITED. 29/« as to confine him for some time to his room. " Daring his seclusion, he revolved every method of retrieving his affairs, without burthening his friends ; and of recovering his character (which the publication of his follies must injure) by his own exertions. At his next attendance upon change, he kept his attention awake to any enquiries for a person to superintend any foreign specula- tion, and soon closed with a favourable offer to take the direction of a commercial house, in a healthy part of the West Indies. He then waited upon every one of his creditors, obtained from them, with but little trouble, the liberty of prosecuting his plan ; and immediately completed his ar- rangements with the greatest secresy. When he saw every thing ready, and the time fixed for his sailing, he acquainted his uncle with the whole of his situation, and of his plan of retrieving his affairs, by quitting, for a short time, his native land. Astonished at the recital, and alarmed at the consequences 2Q8 CCELEBS SUITED. of jsuch a step, as affecting the happiness of his brother, the good man used every means to dissuade him from the scheme; offered to discharge all his debts, and pointed out the much greater chance of recovering his affairs at home in a concern at which he would shortly be at the head, than in a foreign speculation amongst strangers. His re- solution was however taken, he could not bear the idea of remaining in England, with- out seeing his Harriot, and to see her with the present weight on his conscience was an idea at which he shuddered. His uncle finding all his endeavours to turn him vain, supplied him liberally with money, allowed him the full advantage of his credit ; promised to conceal from his father the real motive of his journey, and to place it to the account of a business connected with the firm, which required immediate attention. Young Wilford then wrote to Mr. Lamb, and requested the favor of a meeting at Salisbury, and begging the favor of my presence also, CCELEBS SUITED. £99 "We immediately suspected that all was not right, and hastened to see him. The kind manner in which Mr. Lamb met him, for a ti'ne completely overpowered him, but at length recovering himself. — ■ I have re- quested this interview, Sir," said he, ' and the presence of Dr. Templeton as a witness to my contrition, and to my determined resolve. I have much to say, and will consider you attention, without interruption, as a favor. I shall merely relate facts; nor shall I seek to excuse myself by the indiscretion incident to youth, or the ignorance of a confined education.' He then recounted in a clear distinct manner the history of his follies ; produced a statement of his engagements ; and then detailed the nature of the situation he had accepted, and the advantages he proposed to himself from it. "After a pause, 'What I have hitherto said/ continued he, 'depends onmyself alone for its execution ; but I have a request to make which the character of Mr. Lamb and 300 CffiLEBS SUITED. Dr. Templeton would deter me from, if the motive were any other than to save the heart of a father from the distress of hearing that his son is unworthy, and to shield him from the bitter pang of disappointed af- fection. To my uncle every thing that I have now related to you, is known. He will attribute my absence to the extension of the firm, and the increasing advantages of the trade. May I hope that my other friends will not contradict such a report ? and will save me from the reflection, that I have destroyed the peace of the kindest of parents, and brought his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave.' "The scene was most affecting; the manly firmness with which he had began his recital had gradually failed him, and when he spoke of his father, and the effect his follies might have upon his peace, his voice faultered, the tears rolled down his cheeks, and he turned aside to conceal his emotion. We promised to be ruled by his wishes, and Mr. Lamb, who was equally affected, was pro- CCELEBS SUITED. SOI ceeding to endeavour to dissuade him from quitting the country, when young YTilford interrupted him, ' Tis now impossible,' said he, ' but you have relieved my heart from a load of anxiety ; and my hopes of success increase from your willingness to assist me.' "After some hesitation, he continued, 1 There is another subject, Sir, that I scarcely dare touch upon, but I know that my happiness alone is not concerned in my success, and this idea has supported me in my present resolution, and given me courage to make this frank avowal. 1 Your daughter, Sir, — may I think that this enumeration of my follies has not so lowered me in your esteem as to cut me off from my greatest hope of happiness, and my principal tie to life.' Mr. Lamb assured him that his candour had even raised him in his esteem, and strongly urged him still to remain in England. ?My resolve is taken,' said he, ' I have written to my father to inform him of my destination, and to say 302, CGELEBS SUITED. that I will spend to-morrow with him. On the following day, the vessel which will convey me to Jamaica will sail.' — After a considerable pause. — ' Might I once see Harriot before I go?' said he; * I should leave England with even less reluctance: might I be allowed to assure myself that she will excuse my indiscretions, and accept the contrition of a sincere penitent!' ' I will make my daughter acquainted with the circumstances,' said Mr. Lamb; 'to her, concealment would be unpardonable; af- fectionately taking his hand, ' in my estima- tion your conduct has raised you ;' said he, * my carriage shall come for you to-morrow morning, and from the Elms, may convey you to your father. Your candour and your high principles attach me even more to you than before, and let me press you to accept from me, either as a loan to be returned, if your speculations are successful, or, as a gift, should the reverse be the case, this draft — ' ! My uncle's liberality,' replied he, 'precludes the necessity of your CALEBS SUITED. 303 kind offer, which I would otherwise thank- fully accept. Let me know that I leave England with some hope that Harriot may yet be mine, and my toils will be light indeed.' Mr. Lamb repeated his expressions of good-will towards him, and in our way home, declared his conviction of his sincerity and honour. I have heard from his uncle, the highest encomiums on his industry and activity, and his integrity is unquestionable. with these qualifications he must succeed. "On his return home, he acquainted his daughter in the gentlest manner possible, of young Wilford's embarrassments, attributing them chiefly to unsuccessful speculations, and then mentioned the resolution he had taken. 'I have consented,' said he, 'that he shall see you to-morrow, and I shall send the carriage to Salisbury to fetch him/ — ' To-morrow, Sir 1' exclaimed Harriot ; 'may I not go to see him to-night? His disasters ought not to make us abandon him, and if his conduct has otherwise been good and virtuous, he must want our kind atteft- 304 CCELEBS SUITED. tions to lighten his sorrows and alleviate hi* distresses/ ' After my interview with him this morning,' said Mr. Lamb, 'his mind will not be sufficiently recovered to see yon.' 1 Then to-morrow morning, Sir, I hope you will not object to my accompanying you in the carriage ; grant me this request, and I will relinquish the idea of seeing him to-night' To this Mr. Lamb consented. After a most affecting interview they ail came to the Elms to breakfast ; for his daughter had ordered the carriage at five o'clock, and was ready to depart long before that hour. From thence he went to visit his father, greatly relieved by his kind reception, and the next morning called at the Elms, in the way to Portsmouth. After taking a most affectionate farewell, and receiving from Mr. Lamb the same pressing injunction to write as formerly, he left them with a feeling of sincere love and veneration. "He is expected home in the autumn. His ability m his new situation 1ms gained CCELEBS SUITEI>. 305 him the highest credit, and his public con- duct on a late occasion has drawn from the Governor the greatest encomiums, and a recommendation to the Ministry to confer on him some lasting honour. His uncle just lived to heaf this gratifying account, and died, leaving him heir to his immense wealth." I thanked the Doctor for his recital. "Thus," continued he, " has been saved to his country a valuable man whom harshness or negligence might have drawn to self-destruction, and thus we see that though the learning of books does not always teach the knowledge of men, yet that an acquaintance with the writings of the ancients implants in us a strong principle of liberty and independence, and encourages us to a spirited exertion of our own abilities." Soon after Sir William and his friend returned, and we retired for the: night. The enquiries you make after young Hancourt, I will endeavour to satisfy myself x ----- 306 CCELEBS SUITED, about, and procure the other information you want. With best remembrances to Mrs, Hancourt, and all my friends, Believe me, &c. &c\ George Rover. CALEBS SUITED. Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. London. Dear Charles, We left Hampton early on Friday morning, and reached Salisbury to breakfast. On our way down I had not an opportunity of visiting its beautiful cathedral, and I now accompanied the Marquis to see it. Great alterations have lately been made to it, under the superintendance of a much esteemed architect, whether for the better or not I cannot determine. Every age thinks it improves on the ideas and designs of its predecessor; for my own part, I cannot but think that the best line of conduct is, to keep in as complete repair as possible those remains which are yet left us; and neither to add nor take away any thing under the uncertain plea of improvement. The building is indeed very elegant, and gives an exalted idea of the knowledge and skill of our ancestors. x 2 308 CCBLEBS SUITED. As we again entered the carriage, the master of the inn informed us of the death of Lord Fortnam ; a nobleman who has long been foremost in the patronage of the arts, and famous for his collection of pictures, antique statues, and gems. " These remains," said the Marquis, "cannot be too much prized, but we should not purchase them to the neglect of our native artists. To painters and statuaries great encouragement has lately been given, but other arts ought to share in the liberality of the times. The ring I wear is the work of an artist, whom the want of encourage- ment drove from his country, and obliged to seek employ at foreign courts. The engraved gems which this nobleman, as well as others, purchased at immense prices, are certainly great efforts ; but at the same time that they give extravagant sums, in many instances, for supposed specimens of an- tiques, they refuse to purchase the works of moderns at the most moderate charge, which has compelled professors of great excellence CCELEBS SUITED. 309 in this curious art, to seek patronage in other countries, and in other employs. In proof of which, I am in possession of an impression from a ring, shewed my father by the Duke of Dorrett, when at Paris, said to be the actual portrait of Julius Cffisar, and which was certainly im- posed upon him when at Rome for such, by his English banker, who had acquired the Italian° mode of dealing; he having as a matter of great favour selected it from his baguette ; and had the assurance to charge his Grace sixty pounds sterling for this soi-disant portrait, of which the badness of execution, and total deficiency of character, leave in my mind no doubt of its being the work of some inferior artist of the time, for which he most likely did not receive more than a sequin or two. And I well remember my father relating his being present, when an English artist of great merit in this line, *as shewing his Grace some of his works, one of which pleasing the Duke particularly, he requested to know the price; the artist 310 CCELEBS SUITED. replied, fifteen guineas ; when his Grace tendered him, twelve ; which the artist modestly, and properly refused. Judge of my father's feeling, when he could not resist exclaiming, ' Oh ! Duke, never bargain with an artist !' One of the most eminent in this line, a man much talked of, who has been long known for his ability, and who lias been elected to nearly the highest honour that our Academy of Arts can confer, has been glad to accept a situation of com- paratively small profit, and little credit, to secure himself a livelihood ; and to employ bis time in superintending the cutters of newspaper stamps, and other trumpery, instead of exerting himself to leave behind him works which would have almost rivalled those of antiquity, and have gratified posterity by the likenesses of our princes, statesmen, and warriors. Some noblemen have had their collections engraved, and have been proud to see their names attached to them ; yet have they refused their support to their countrymen — men of scarcely less C(ELE£S SUITED. SI 1 ability than those whose works they now idolize; and suffered them to languish in obscurity and neglect. In the execution of this elegant art," continued the Marquis, "is required great feeling, great taste, and great delicacy of execution, and it is worthy great attention." I really felt ashamed of my ignorance on the subject, and am much delighted with a ring which his Lordship has presented me ; and which I shall value, not more from its own intrinsic merit, than from my respect and affection for the donor. AVe stopped to dine at Staines, and there met your old friend, Jack Castor. He was surprised and delighted to see me; enquired after you, and your family ; of whom I was happy to be able to give so good an account. He still rides his favorite hobby with as much glee as formerly; and very soon informed us, that he was on his way home (for he now resides near Bagshot,) from attending a committee of the proprietors of the new theatre. " I think," said the Marquis, 312 CCELEBS SUITED. ^some regulations are necessary to accommo« date these public spectacles to the altera- tions of the times, I mean with regard to the hours of people of fashion." " I agree with you entirely, my Lord;" said Jack, "and. I think much more ought to be done in order to restore the drama to its former credit, and the weight it ought to have in public opinion. — The stage, my Lord, might be the vehicle of as much good as the pulpit, but not while its exhibitions are regulated by the taste of tfre vulgar, and supported only by the illiterate and un- informed. To counteract the ill effects of .such low decision on dramatic merit, we must encourage the presence of the great and enlightened : we must do all we can to procure their attendance; and in so doing, we must for a while, perhaps, en- counter a little opposition, and look on]y to the ultimate good. Every human insti- tution must change with the times, or soon become ruinous and neglected." "I do not see," said I, " in what way C CELEBS SUITED. 313 you propose to revive those triumphant days of the drama, when lords were critics, and ladies condescended to applaud." "The greats said he, "are driven fiom the theatres by the noise and vulgarity of tradesmen and mechanics, who usurp their seats, and annoy them with their coarseness. No places are now held sacred to people of fashion, nor are their hours, any more than their consequence considered. To these points I would direct my improvements. I would oblige persons to pay for a box on taking it, and it should be considered as private property during the whole night, to which no one should have access on 'any pretence whatever, leaving it for the pro- prietors to enter at what time they liked. — This is the great principle that has supported the respectability of the Opera-house. I would too thus far fall into their hours. I would alternately perform the play before the farce, and the farce before the play. But at present, confined as they are to a certain moment of attendance, and liable 514 C<XLEBS SUITED. to the intrusion of drunken shopmen, and pretended gentlemen, who are the more rude that they may be the more noticed, is a just subject of complaint, and must deter people of fashion from visiting the theatres ; the only situation in which they are liable to similar inconveniencies. Resolutions to this effect I have this day proposed, and they lay for the confirmation of the body of proprietors ; if adopted, we shall soon banish from our stage the vulgar oaths, obscene jests, and ridiculous interpolations of our clowns, which the roar of the gallery consecrates, and which are scarcely less enjoyed by the company who now usurp the boxes. Men of character and feeling would then be gratified by the applause of liberal and enlightened audiences; the legitimate drama would again flourish, and the stock of harmless pleasures be increased." We. coincided in his opinions, and wished him success i:i their adoption. His carriage soon after came to the door, and he left us, desiring me to make his best compliments CCELEBS SUITED. 315 to you, and your lady ; a duty which I hereby perform. In our way to town, the Marquis recurred to the praise of Mr. Lamb. "I wonder," said he, " that the Beaufields and Lord Stantley do not see the great advantage and propriety of such conduct." " The effects of prejudice and long continued habit," said I, "will defeat the most reasonable plans, and destroy the effect of the most sensible propositions." " Between these families," said his Lordship, " the different systems are fairly tried, without lowering either by caricature, or extravagant description. To follow up Lord Stantley '3 schemes to the extent that a more visionary enthusiast would carry them, or to describe them with the pen of one who wished to ridicule them, we should see Lady Priscilla, milking, as well as churning ; we should hear of Lord Stantley bargaining for the sale of his beasts at Smithfield ; and her Ladyship attending the next market, with butter and eggs. By the same rule, the oppo- site folly might be drawn, as rendering Mr. 316 CfELEBS SUITED. Lamb ignorant of any thing but fiddling and painting, neglecting for those arts, the hap- piness and improvement of his family ; and the young ladies singing bravuras, and dancing fandagos, to the exclusion of the knowledge of writing and arithmetic. It would not be easy to decide between the comparative advantages of these two pictures of life, for persons of rank ; but between the family arrangements of our two friends there can be no difficulty to determine. They are both virtuous, and equally atten- tive to the comforts and happiness of their neighbours, but they take different roads, and in their family employments, they are as contrary as possible. "When our two friends are married, we shall see the difference even more strongly marked, for I know that Coelebs will enter on the scheme of life which he has planned, with great earnestness ; and I think that Sir William will at firstgive into too much gaiety; but in the delights and employments of a family, this will soon regulate itself, while CCELEBS SUITED. 317 with Coelebs the same cause will operate to keep him "more at home, to contract his circle, and circumscribe his ideasand actions. The residence of the one will become the centre of an elegant and refined society, while in the family of the other, every art will be exploded, and every prejudice confirmed." I could not but agree to opinions so consonant to my own, and to which I know you would likewise have assented. On our arrival in Piccadilly, I found a note from Colonel Urington, to say, that if the opposition on Monday evening did not seem formidable, he should leave London on Thursday, for Ireland, and offering me a seat in his carriage. — My late letters from Fairland very much induce me to take advantage of this offer. I hinted to the Marquis his former idea of visiting you, but he does not listen to it with the same at- tention as formerly, and I guess that he is ruminating upon far different enjoyments for the summer. 318 CCELEBS SUITED. I will have the pleasure of writing on Tuesday, when I shall determine my move- ments. — Make my respects to Mrs. Rastock, and believe me, , Yours, &c. Geo. Rover. CCELF.BS Sl'iTFD. 319 Sir Geo. Rover, Bart, to Cha. Rastock, Esq. London. * Dear Charles, I have the pleasure to inform you, that our bill passed the third reading last night, by a great majority; the Marquis sup- ported it in a clear argumentative speech, and fully convinced the house of its justice and propriety. I shall therefore take the advantage of Colonel Urineton's return to accompany him, and will accept with much pleasure your offer of spending a few weeks at Rastock. The Marquis has received a letter from Sir William Paston, to inform him that his marriage is fixed for next' Thursdav, and that Ccelebs 1 will take place in the course of the following week. I am now too much hurried to write a long letter, but I must take the opportunity of telling vou, that young Hancourt was 3£0 CCELEBS SUITED. well, in the last returns from the army; and that his conduct has been much praised. Make my compliments to his father, and to Mrs. Hancourt; with best remembrances to all your family, believe me, &c, &c. Yours, in great haste, Geo. Rover* CCELEBS SUITED. 321 Sir George Rover, Bart, to the Public, Fairland. Sir George Rover presents his respects to the Public, and in laying the foretfointf letters before them takes the opportunity of informing them, that shortly after his arrival in Ireland he received an account of the marriage of his two friends, and in answer to his letters of congratulation has been favored by each with a description of his occupations, and the manner of spending his time. Sir George thinks he need not publish these letters, nor indeed has he requested permission; but he refers the reader to the opinion of the Marquis of Heron, as given in travelling from Staines to London : never was there a truer prophecy. For the Marquis, himself, he under- stands that he is making rapid advances in the affections of Lady Hebe, and that he is at present on a visit to Ccelebs, at v 322 CCELEBS SUITED. Phantom Farm. No doubt is entertained, but that her Ladyship will soon become Marchioness of Heron. He is informed too, that young Wilford arrived earlier than was expected, and that in consequence of his spirited conduct during a time of general disturbance in that part of the Island where he resided, his Majesty has thought proper to confer on him the dignity of a baronetcy. Sir George Rover now takes his leave; should the Public call for the continuance of this correspondence, he will be happy to endeavour to obtain the consent of his friends to its publication, but will not pledge himself for his success. JIN is. G E. Mi Lib, Printer, 157, Oiford Street, St. Mary-te-boue. RETURN TO the circulation desk of any University of California Library or to the NORTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY Bldg. 400, Richmond Field Station University of California Richmond, CA 94804-4698 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS • 2-month loans may be renewed by calling (510)642-6753 • 1-year loans may be recharged by bringing books to NRLF • Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days prior to due date. 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