/BERKELEY [ LIBRARY I UNIVERSITY OF \CALIFORNIA, THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELI). Per foirtprcUiger uon UnkefteUi. ADVERTISEMENT. There are a hundred faults in this thing, and a hundred things might be said to prove them beauties; but it is needless. A book may be amusing with numerous errors, or it may be very dull without a single absurdity. The hero of this piece unites in himself the three greatest characters upon earth: he is a priest, a husbandman, and the father of a family. He is drawn as ready to teach, and: ready to obey, as simple in affluence, and majestic in adversity. In this age of opulence and refinement, whom can such a character please? Such as are fond of high life, will turn with disdain from the simplicity of his country fire-side ; such as mistake ribaldry for humour, will find no wit in his harmless conversation; and such as have been taught to deride religion, will laugh at one whose chief stores of comfort are drawn from futurity. OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 442 iVo r it) o r t. Qktoifi finb (junbert fifyln in biefem $ud?e, unb bunbcrt ^inge Uefeen fid) fagen, 311 befoeifen, baft es> Sd)6nbeiten finb. Sod) ba ift nu^lo^. iH bet melen 2Rdngc(n fann cin $ud) untcrbaltcnb fein, unb bagegen fefyr mciltg, oljne etne eui^ge 2lbflefd)madft^eit. Tor .volb bie[cr G^cibhuui t>cr= einigt bie brei Qroftten Gbaraftere auf Grbcn in ficfy: er ift eiftli^er, l'anb= nnrtl) unb ^amtltcnimtcr. C5"v ift flefcbilDert: obrti ]"o bcrcit 3U lefyren, al'? ,ui ^ebor^en, eben fo bcmiitbt^ im @Iiid, al-o iU'pf> tin "JJiifu'ioidnd:. 2Bem fann aber in biefem 3eitalter be lleberfluiK* unb ber s ^erfeincrunn ein fo(rf)cr (5l)arattev ncfallcn? s ^ev cin ttorncbntc^ Vcbcn licbt, mirb ftc^ mit ^eracfc tun0 t?on jeincm cinfad)cn lanblidicn .s>oevbo biniiH\-|iiHMiben. s ^or ;}eten fur Burner \)&\t, lt>irb fcincn 5Bi|i in feinem bai'mtofen Cie[prdd)e finbon; unb n)er gelernt itbcr Religion ^u fpcttcn, hJtrb ben .Wann tev(ad)en, ber feine t>or3itnlicbften Xroftflrunbe auv bem titnfticion Vebcn fcbopft. CHAP. I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FAMILY OF WAKEFIELD, IN WHICH A KINDRED LIKENESS PREVAILS AS WELL OF MINDS AS OF PERSONS. I was ever of opinion, that the honest man who married, and brought up a large family, did 'more service than he who continued single, and only talked of population. From this motive, I had scarce taken orders a year, before I began to think seriously of matrimony, and chose my wife as she did her wedding-gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but for such qualities as would wear well. To do her justice, she was a good-natured, notable woman*, and as for breeding, there were few country ladies who could show more. She could read any English book without much spelling; but for pickling, preserving, and cookery, none could excel her. She prided herself also upon @d)ilbmtng ber j^amUie 2Bafeffelb, in ber cine Samitienafmltcfyfeit in 33etrcff unb ^Serfonen fjerrfcfyt. $cfy irar ftet ber 2lnfid)t, bajs ber recfytfcfyaffene !Jfiann, toenn er ficfy tier; fyetratljet unb eine j$at)lretd)e $amilie cmferjiefet, mefyr -ftu&en ftiftet, al> toenn er untierfyeiratfyet bleibt unb nur ton ^et6llerung rebet. ^aiim toar icf) ein 3al>r im 3tmte, ol> id) aud) fd;on r t>on bte[etn 33eH)eg0runbe beftimmt, ern(t= ltd) an meine $erfyetratl;ung 311 benfen begann unb metne ^rau tociblte, gerabe mte fie fyv 33rautf(eib, nic^t nad^ einem gldnjenben 2leufjern , fonbern nac^ bauernben igenf d^aften. llm i^r erec^ttgfett miberfafyren ju (affen, ntu^ td^ fagen, baj? fie eine gutmutf)ige, betriebjame ^rau h?ar; unb t)in|i(^t(id) ber $Ubung gab e rt?enig Sanbmabcfyen , bie tf)r g(eid)famen. Sie f onnte jebe3 engtifd^e ^ud) lefen, o()ne t>iel ^u bud^ftabtren. 2lber im dinpofeln, &ui- ntad)en unb in ber $otiVfunft murbe fie t>on Reiner ubertroffen. 6ie riifymte being' an excellent contriver in house-keeping; though I could never find that we grew richer with all her contrivances. However, we loved each other tenderly, and our fondness in- creased .-is we grew old. There was, in fact, nothing that could make us angry with the world or each other. We had an elegant house, situate in a fine country, and a good neighbourhood. The year was spent in moral or rural amusements, in visiting our rich neighbours, and relieving such as were poor. W<- had no revolutions to fear, nor fatigues to undergo; all our adventures were by the fire-side, and all >itr migrations from the blue bed to the brown. As we lived near the road, we often had the traveller or stranger visit us, to taste our gooseberry wine, for which we had great reputa- tion; and I profess, with the veracity of an historian, that I never knew one of them find fault with it. Our cousins too, even to the fortieth remove, all mm-mlM-red their aflinitv. without any help from the herald's office, and came ver\ fn-ijucntly to see us. Some of them ficb aucb emeu tvefrltcben @rftnbting3ga&e tm .VHiu*balt, obajeid) icb nidn Lv= mevfte, tan unv bci all ibreu (h'finbuna,en reiser tuurben. Tecb liebten luir einanber innuj, unb uniere .^artlicbfeit nal;m nut ben ,Vibrcn 311. -Kite tonnte un* mit tier s -ll 5 clt eUcr eiuaubcr cnt3tt?cien. 2Cir batten em lnibfd)Ci? ^auv, in einet anlnut^igen^egenbgelegen, unb gute 9iad)= barn, ^ae^ahr fei^tng bei getftiflen nnt> Idnbliajen Jrenbcn, inbem toir nn= jere retaken Dtacbbarn befncbten unb bic armcn nnterftiittfen. ^Jir batten teine ( s )litcfviue*ie( 311 fitrcbten, feine 53eid)iuerben 311 erbnlben. ^Ul imferc :Hben^ tener gefd^aben an nnferm.Uamin unb all unieretHiivmanberuntjen flingen nuv i^on bent blauen JsKctte 311 bem braunen. 3>a n?ir na^e an ber i'anbftrajse mobnten , batten mir oft 33efudt)e Don JHetfenben, bie unfern Staa^elbeermein !o[ten h?ollten, beffen Srefflicbfett all-- gemein befannt tt>ar, unb id) Derftcfyere mit ber2i>abrbafttgteit eine^ efcbic^ts: fd)retber, ba[3 ibn, fo iel id) mcifs , -JHemanb jcmale tabelte. s JUle unferc Pattern, felbft bi;o sum t?ier3ioften rabe, erinnerten fidb if)rcr 2?ermanbtfcbaft, obne ben Stammbautn 311 .ftitlfe 3U nebnten, unb befucbten uns bdufia,. did us no great honour by these claims of kindred; as we had the blind, the maimed, and the halt, amongst the number. However, my wife always insisted that as they were the same flesh and blood, they should sit with us at the same table; so that, if we had not very rich , we generally had very happy friends about us ; for this remark will hold good through life , that|the poorer the guest, the better plea- sed he ever is with being treated; and as some men gaze with admira- tion tfynen etnnefen un3 freiltcfy feine grofie Gljre burcfy tfyren 2(nfptud) auf Sertoanbtfcfyaft. SBlinbe, Safyrtte unb 23ucfltge befanben ftd) itnter if;nert. 3)ef; fenungeadjtet beftanb meine $rau barauf , baj? fie aB iinfer eigene ^letf^ unb Slut mtt un an bemfelben Xifd^e ft&en foltten. So fatten irir stoar feine retd)e , aber getoofynlid} f ebr glud'lic^e ^reunbe urn un ; benn bieje Seiner^ fitng befta'ttgt fid) im ?eben: je drmer ber aft, befto beffer ift er ftet mtt feiner 2lufnafytne svifrieben, unb toie manege 2Renfc^en bie ^arbcn enter tion at the colours of a tulip, or the wing of a butterfly, so I was by nature an admirer of happy human faces. However, when any one of our relations was found to be a person of very bad character, a trouble- some guest, or one we desired to get rid of, upon his leaving my house, I ever took care to lend him a riding-coat, or a pair of boots, or some- times a horse of small value, and I always had the satisfaction to find he never came back to return them. By this the house was cleared of such as we did not like ; but never was the family of Wakeficld known to turn the traveller or the poor dependant out of doors. Thus we lived several years in a state of much happiness; not but that we sometimes had those little rubs which Providence sends to enhance the value of its favours. My orchard was often robbed by school -boys, and my wife's custards plundered by the cats or the children. The squire would sometimes fall asleep in the most pathe- tic parts of my sermon, or his lady return my wife's civilities at church with a mutilated courtesy. But we soon got over the uneasiness caused u(pe ober einen od)metter(tn0*ofliia.el nut ^eiwunberung betrad)ten, fo toar id) won Diatur cin 53etounberer froblicfyer 3Wcnfd)emjefid)ter. Tod) iwenn fid) unter unfern ^ertwanbten cine ^HTJOU won fdjledjtem (5 Ija rafter, ober ein 3d'n= filler (9aft fanb, ben fair a,erne lo* fein roollten, unterlief} id) e nie, ujmbeim 2lbfd)tcb einen Oberrocf ober ein S 4>aar otiefeln, jwweilen aud) roofyl etn^ferb t>on fleringem 2Bertfoe 311 leifyen, unb beftdnbig fyatte ia^ ba SSergnugen, baft cr nie toteberfam unb ba (^elte()ene jurudbraa^te. 2(uf biefe 2Beife murbe ba^ .<3au^ won benen befrett, bie line nic^t gefielen; boa^ fonnte man nia^t fagen, baf? bte ^amilie won S^afcfielb je einem yietjenben ober ^iilfebeburfttoen bie Ilntr gemtefen. 3o Icbtcn luir me^rereS^rc in )et)r tjludltd)em3u|tanbe. gretlid) feljlte c ntd)t an jenen fteinen SBtbermcirttgfeiten, iwela^e bie SJorfe&itna, fenbet, um ben SBerttj ibrer aben gu er|)ol)en. 2)Jein Obftgartcn marb oft gepliinbert won Sdmlfnaben, imb bie Gierfdfe ntetner ^rau miirben won ^i'afeen benafd)t ober won ben ^iinbern. er ut:5t)err fa^Iief 3Utt)eilen bet ben erfyabenften 3tel(en meiner ^rebigt ein , ober feine emafyltn erttneberte bie tiefe SBerbeu* by such accidents, and usually in three or four days began to wonder how they had vexed us. My children, the offspring of temperance, as they were educated without softness, so they were at once well formed and healthy: my sons hardy and active; my daughters beautiful and blooming. When I stood in the midst of the little circle, which promised to be the sup- ports of my declining age, I could not avoid repeating the famous story of Count Abensberg, who, in Henry II.'s progress through Germany, while other courtiers came with their treasures, brought his thirty-two children, and presented them to his sovereign as the most valuable offering he had to bestow. In this manner, though I had but six, I considered them as a very valuable present made to my country; and, consequently, looked upon it as my debtor. Our eldest son was named George, after his uncle, who left us ten thousand pounds. Our second child, a girl, I intended to call after her aunt Grissel; but my wife, who during her pregnancy had been reading romances, insisted upon gung tneiner $rau mit gntibigem $opfnid'en. S>o$ tterfcfymer^ten fair balt> ben Summer itber bergletcfyen $orfdlle, imb nadf) brei ober mer Sagen ttwn= berten fair im meiften, lute bergleicfyen un nur fyabe beunrnfytgen fb'nnen. Uletne $inber, bie profrtinge ber -Jftafiigung, ttwrben ntc^t toetdjltcf) er^ ^ogen, unb roaren bafyer toofylgebtlbet imb gefunb : meine Gofme riiftig unb lebfyaft, meine Xb'dfyter fd^on unb bliifjenb. SKenn id^ fo ba ftanb in ber 2Jtitte be f leinen ^reifeg , ber mir in metnem filter etne tii^e 311 toerben t>erl)ief?, fiel mir beftcinbtg bie befannte efd)ic^te be rafen son 2lbenberg ein, ber bei emrtd) be 3^^iten s Jteife burct) S)eut jc^lanb , al anbere ^oftinge mtt tljren 6d)d^en an!amen, jeine giDei unb brei^ig @6l)ne brad)te unb [ie feinem 30^onard)en barbot, aU ba !oftbarfte (5e[(^en!, iteld)e er itjm geit)dl)ren tonne. Obgleid) id^ nur fed^ Ijatte, fo betra^tete id^ ftc'bod^ aU bie toertfc otlfte abe, bie id^ metnem SSaterlanbe bargebrac^t, imb fyielt baffelbe bem= nac^) fiir metnen @ci)ulbner. llnfer dltefter 6of>n fyteJ3 @eorg, nad^ feinem Dn= fel, ber un> setjntaujenb ^3fimb fyinterltefj. llnfer gtoeiteS Htnb, etn 9JMb$en, beab[td)ttgte id^ nac^> t{)rer Sante retd^en 311 nennen; boc^ meine rau / bie her being called Olivia. In less than another year we had another daughter, and now I was determined that Grissel should be her name; but a rich relation taking a fancy to stand godmother, the girl was, by her directions, called Sophia; so that we had two romantic names in the family; but I solemnly protest I had no hand in it. Moses was our next; and, after an interval of twelve years, we hud 1\\.. sons more. It would be fruitless to deny my exultation when I saw my little ones about me; but the vanity and the satisfaction of my wife were even greater than mine. When our visitors would say, "Well, upon my word, Mrs. Primrose, you have the finest children in the whole country:" "Ay, neighbour," she would answer, "they are as Heaven made them handsome enough, if they be good enough; for hand- some is, that handsome does." And then she would bid the girls hold up their heads; who, to conceal nothing, wore certainly very hand- some. Mere outside is so very trifling a circumstance with me, that I wdhrenb ihrer ccbmangerfcr/aft Momanc a,elefen fyatte, bcftanb barauf, baf? fie Cliuia felle genannt n>crben. 3 n meniger ale einem ^atn'e batten mir eine ,;meitc Iccbter, unb nun mar id? fcft entfaMcffen, ban fie Wretdjcn genannt merben folle; bodi cine relate SJcrmanbte befam ben (nnfall, ^atljenftelle 311 vertreten , nnb fo marb ca* il'tctodjen nacb ihrom ^unfcfyc 6opl)te gcnannt. 2o batten luiv benn jmei voman^afte 9iamen in bcr JantiHe. 2)od) betljeuere icb fetevliitft, baf^ ta^ nid)t babei tm <3piele mar. 2Ro)e mar imfer nd(t[ter (Soljn, unb gmolf $CL\)M fpatev Kitten mir nod) yoci 2obnc. I5''j untrbc t>eraeben^ leiu, nteinen 6tols 311 lauanen, menn id} mi^ ton tnetnen it inborn umgebcn fal; ; bod) bie Gitelfeit unb J-reube metner ^rau uber= traf nodi bte metntge. SBenn unfere (^dfte faflten: ,,Xa3 rnufj mat)r fein, 3Jttt~tref> s $rimrofe, 6ie Ijaben bie jc^onftcn .UtnberintGanaen ^anbe/' fo pflcgtc fie $u antmorten: /( 3a, 9iad)bar, fie ftnb mie ber ^immel fie flef^affen ^at - Intbfd) flcniifl, menn fie nur gut 0enu0 ftnb; benn fcfyontft, mcrfc^on ^anbelt," - Unb bann gebot fie ben ^dba^en, bie ^topfe tjubfa^ aufred&t 3" tragen. Urn aber nic^t^ ju t>erfc^metgen, mufjtd) gefte^en, baJ5 fie mivfltd) fe^r fcbon roaren. should scarce have remembered to mention it, had it not been a gene- ral topic of conversation in the country. Olivia, now about eighteen, had that luxuriancy of beauty, with which painters generally draw Hebe; open, sprightly, and commanding. Sophia's features were not so striking at first; but often did more certain execution, for they were soft, modest, and alluring. The one vanquished by a single blow, the other by efforts successively repeated. The temper of a woman is generally formed from the turn of her features; at least it was so with my daughters. Olivia wished for many lovers; Sophia to secure one. Olivia was often affected, from too great a desire to please: Sophia even repressed excellence, from her fears to offend. The one entertained me with her vivacity when I was gay ; the other with her sense when I was serious. But these qualities were never carried to excess in either, and I have often seen them exchange characters for a whole day together. A suit of mourning has transformed my coquette into a prude, and a new set of ribands 2leitJ3ere ift fur mid) cin fo unbebeutenber eaeriftanb, bafj id) e faum toiirbe ermafynt fyaben, irdre nicfyt in ber egenb allgemem bat>on bie $tebe ge= mefen. Dlima, jefet eta ad&tje&n Safyre alt, befajj jene gldn^enbe djonfyett, in tt>el(ter bie 2Mer gemofynlid} enn id) ernft gefttmmt tt?ar. Stefe 6igenl)eiten rtturben abet Don $eiben ntd}t iibertrieben , imb id} babe oft gefefyen, rt)te fie einen gan^en ag il;re (5|)ara!tere gegen etnanber *?er* taitf^ten. Gin ^raiiertleib t>ermod)te meine Hofette in eine probe o 10 < lias given her younger sister more than natural vivacity. My eldest son, George, was bred at Oxford, as 1 intended him for one of the lear- ned professions. My second boy, Moses, whom I designed for busi- ness, received a sort of miscellaneous education at home. But it is needless to attempt describing the particular characters of young people that had seen but very little of the world. In short, a family wcmbeln imb em neuernb $abefa ifyrer jungem Sd}tre[ter mebr a licfye gebbaftigteit 311 tierleifyen. 2ftein ciltefter Sofyn Qkorg n?ar 311 Oyforb ge= bilbet, ba i$ ibn fiir ein gele^rteg $ad) befttmntte. ^ein ^meiter ^nabe 9ftofe, ber efd^cift^mann tnerben follte, erfyielt ju ^aufe eine 2lrt Don gemifcfyter Gr^ 3tebuno. 2)D(^ ttwrbe e tmdloZ fern, eine (5d)ilberim0 ber bejonberen ^a- raftere jimger Seute ^u entmerfen, bie nod) febr menig t>on ber 2Mt gefeljen -<- 11 > likeness prevailed through all; and, properly speaking, they had but one character that of being all equally generous, credulous, simple, and inoffensive. CHAP. II. FAMILY MISFORTUNES THE LOSS OF FORTUNE ONLY SERVES TO IN- CREASE THE PRIDE OF THE WORTHY. The temporal concerns of our family were chiefly committed to my wife's management: as to the spiritual, I took them entirely under my own direction. The profits of my living, which amounted to about thirty-five pounds a year, I made over to the orphans and widows of the clergy of our diocese; for, having a sufficient fortune of my own, I was careless of temporalities , and felt a secret pleasure in doing my duty without reward. I also set a resolution of keeping no curate, and fatten, ^urj cine ^amilienatmltcfyfeit fyerrfcfyte in aden; ober eigcntlidjer ge= fagt, fie fatten alle nur einen Gfyaratter, namlicfy ben, baft fie gleid) ebel, le\A>t- gldiibig, unerfafyren unb fyarmlo* toaren. Bwettcs Itapitd. Jamiltemingturf. 3)ev SSerlufl bc3 ftkrmogenS btent nwr fcqu, ben Stotj bee Slecfytfcfjaffenen ju ermebren. 2)ie irbtfd^e Sorge fiir unfere ^amilie lt>ar l)auptfdc^Ud) ber Settling mei; ner ^rau iibertragen; bte geifttgen 2tngelegenl;eiten Ijatte ic^ gdnjlid} unter meiner 2liifftct)t. 2)ie Ginfiinfte meiner Stetle, bie jd^rlic^ etma fiinfiinb: breiftig ^]funb Sterling betriigen, fjatte i<$ ben SKaifen unb SBittinen ber @eiftlic^)teit unfere $ircfyfprengel iibertt>iefen ; benn ba id? ein fytnld'nglicf;e Sermcgen befaft, f o beliimmerte t(i) mid^ rt?enig urn ba 3 e ^lid)e unb fanb ein gebeimee SSergniigen baran, of)ne $elofynung meine ^flia^t 311 t^un. $d) fafete > 12 -> of being acquainted with every man in the parish, exhorting the mar- ried men to temperance, and the bachelors to matrimony; so that, in a few years, it was a common saying, that there were three strange wants at Wakefield a parson wanting pride, young men wanting wives, and ale-houses wanting customers. Matrimony was always one of my favourite topics, and I wrote several sermons to prove its happiness: but there was a peculiar tenet which I made a point of supporting; for I maintained, with Winston, aud) ten Gntfd}luf>, fcinen OJefyulfen ju fyalten, nut alien Q5emeinbenuta.ltebern befannt 311 toerben, bie tterfyeiratfyeten SJMnner jur SJMjnGunQ unb bie ^univ a,efellen jum Gfyeftanbe 311 ermimtern. So nmrbe e3 in toenig ^a^en 3iim allcjemetnen prild)rt)ort: e tudren bret feltiame 2)ldn0el in SBafefielb - bent N ^rebtger fefyle e an ^D^mutlj, ben 3utt00efcftfti an ^rauen unb ben ^Bierl^dufern an ciften. 2)cr 6l)e[tanb Jrar ftet^ mein Sieblinfl^t^ewa geirefen, unb id) f djrieb mcb= rere ^bbanbluntjen, um ben 9iu^en unb ba G5(tid beffelben $u beiuetfcn, * 13 <^~ tliat it was unlawful for a priest of the church of England, after the death of his first wife, to take a second: or, to express it in one word, I valued myself upon being a strict monogamist. I was early initiated into this important dispute, on which so many laborious volumes have been written. I published some tracts upon the subject myself, which, as they never sold, I have the consolation of thinking are read only by the happy few. Some of my friends called this my weak side; but, alas! they had not, like me, made it the subject of long contemplation. The more I reflected upon it, the more important it appeared. I even went a step beyond Whiston in dis- playing my principles: as he had engraven upon his wife's tomb that she was the on ly wife of William Whiston, so I wrote a similar epi- taph for my wife, though still living, in which I extolled her prudence, economy, and obedience, till death; and having got it copied fair, Avith an elegant frame, it was placed over the chimney-piece, where it answered several very useful purposes. It admonished my wife of her 2)od) gab es einen befonberen Ga& , ben id) 311 ttertfyetbigen fud)te. $d) be= l)auptete mil 2Bl)tfton, e3 jet etnem $riefter ber engltfcfyen $trd)e ntd)t erlaubt, nad) bent Xobe fetner erften *rau etne jineite 311 nebnten; ober um e in einent 2Borte au^ubritcfen, id) ftar [to(g barauf, ein ftrenger DJlonogamift 311 fein. @d)on fritl) Uefc id) mid) auf btefen rtndjtigen Strett ein, iiber ben fd)on fo ttele mii^fam au^gearbeitete 2Ber?e gefd)rieben toorben. %fy liejs etntge ^b= banbhmgen iiber biefen egenftanb brucfen, unb ba fie nie in ben 33ud)f)anbel famen, troftete i(^ mid) bamtt, ba^ fie nur Don ftenigen litdltc^en getefen morben. Gtntge uon meinen ^reunben nannten bte metne fd)tcad)e eite; boc^ leiber fatten fie bie ac^e md)t mte ic^ gum (Segenftanbe langen 9tad)= benfen^ gema^t. ^e mefyr tc^ baritber nad)fann r befto ond)ttger erfd)ien fie mir. $$) ging in ber Gnttnidc lung meinerrunbfd^e fogar nod) etnen Sd)ritt ireiter al> 2Bl)tfton, ber in ber (Srabfd)rift feiner grau bemerfte, bafs fie 28U-- ^elm 2Gl)iftDn ein3ige (^attin getoefen. 3^ fc^rteb etne dl)nltcbe rabfdmft fiir metne nod^ lebenbe $rau, unb rit^mte bartn tl)re ftlugfyeit, Sparfamfett nnb tl)ren e^orfam bi3 3um Siobe. Siefe G5rabfd)rtft tt>urbe jterlid) abge? duty to me, and my fidelity to her; it inspired her with a passion for fame, and constantly put her in mind of her end. It was thus, perhaps, from hearing marriage so often recommen- ded, that my eldest son, just upon leaving college, fixed his affections upon the daughter of a neighbouring clergyman, who was a dignitary in the church, and in circumstances to give her a large fortune: but fortune was her smallest accomplishment. Miss Arabella Wilmot was allowed by all (except my two daughters) to be completely pretty. Her youth, health, and innocence, were still heightened by a com- plexion so transparent, and such a happy sensibility of look, as even age could not gaze on with indifference. As Mr. Wilmot knew that I could make a very handsome settlement on my son, he was not averse to the match; so both families lived together in all that harmony which generally precedes an expected alliance. Being convinced, by expe- rience, that the days of courtship are the most happy of our lives, I was willing enough to lengthen the period; and the various amuse- fd)deben unb in einem fd)6nen iHabmcn uber bent tfammftmS angebraajt, too fie mand)e mt&lid)e 3toecfe beforberte. 3te erinncrte nieine J rau a ^ ^ re S 4$flid)t gegen mid) unb mid) an meine Xreue gegen fie. ie begetfterte fie sum Streben nad) SHufym unb ftellte tbr ftete tin- i'ebensenbe ttor Slugen. $BieUeid)t fam e3 ton bent l)duftgen 2lnboreit ber i'obreben auf ben Csbe= ftanb, bafi mem dltefter <3olm !urj nad) feincm Slbgange fon ber Unit>erfttat feine 91ei0un0 auf bte Sodfyter etne benac^barten (Seiftlid^en ric^tete, ber etne l)ol)e SGBurbe in ber &ird)e befletbete unb tm Stanbe toar, tt;r etne bebeiitenbe SHitgift ju geben. ^ermogen toar jebodf) t(;r geringfter SSor^ug. yrdulein 2(ra= bella 3Bt(ntDt tourbe uon 2Ulen, meine betben Xod)ter au^genommen, fur etne Dollenbete Sd)6nf)ett ge^alten. ^fyre ^lugenb, efunb^ett unb llnf^ulb tour-- ben nod) bura^ einen fo jarten Xeint unb etnen fo feelenfcollen ^Bttct er^o^t, ba^ felbft tiltere ^Serfonen fie nta^t nut (Metd)gulttgfeit anfe^en !onnten. Xa >err 2Btlmot touf^te, bafj id) meinen Sot)n anftanbtg aueftatten fonne, fo toar er ber Setbinbung ntd^t entgegen, unb betbe ^-antilten lebten in all ber Qin- trad)t, bte metftcn etner ertoarteten SSerbtnbung r>oran3ugef;en pflegt. %a id) merits which the young couple every day shared in each other's company, seemed to increase their passion. We were generally awa- ked in the morning by music, and on fine days rode a hunting. The hours between breakfast and dinner the ladies devoted to dress and study: they usually read a page, and then gazed at themselves in the glass, which even philosophers might own often presented the page of greatest beauty. At dinner my wife took the lead; for, as she al- ways insisted upon carving every thing herself, it being her mother's way, she gave us, upon these occasions, the history of every dish. When we had dined, to prevent the ladies leaving us, I generally or- dered the table to be removed; and sometimes, with the music-mas- ter's assistance, the girls would give us a very agreeable concert. Walking out, drinking tea, country- dances, and forfeits, shortened the rest of the day, without the assistance of cards, as I hated all manner of gaming, except backgammon, at which my old friend and I sometimes took a twopenny hit. Nor can I here pass over an ominous au etgener rfafyrung ttmfjte, bafe bie Sage be 33rautftanbe bte gludltd)(ten unfere Sebeng finb, fo toar id) fefyr geneigt, btefe ^eriobe 311 ttertdngevn, iinb bie tnanntd)fad)en greuben, bte ba junge $aar tdglid) tnit einanber genofj, fcfytenen tfyre Stebe nitr nod) git cerntefyren. 2ftora,en ttwrben ttnr burd) SJhtftt ertoed't, unb an fyettern Xagen ritten fair auf bie Stunben gtDifc^en bem ^rubftitd unb ber jauptmal;l3ett mibmeten bie S)amen t>em 2ln!leiben unb ber 2ectilre. Ste lafen Gemo^nlic^ etne ette unb betrad): teten ftd^) bann tm 6piegel, beffen ^(dc^e, tua felbft $f)ilofopf)en gugeben muff en, oft fyofyere 6^onbett geigte, aU bte, roelcfye im S3ud^e entl)alten ift. $etm 2Rittagntal)l itberna^m ntetnegrau bteSettung, unb ba fie ftetg barauf beftanb, Me felber t?orle0en gu molten, fo tfyeilte fie un bet fold?en @elegen= betten guQleic^ bie efc^tc^te jebe eric^te mtt. 2Benn bag ^Jlittag^effen QK enbet mar, Itefj id^ getoo^nlid^ ben tfd? iDegne^men, bamtt un bie S)amen nttt^t t>erlaffen molten , unb ^utoeilen gaben un bte yjltibcfyen nttt .^itlfe bec^ 2)Iufi!lel)rerg etn angenet)me ^ongert. pagtrenge^en, 5lf)eetrtnfen, lanblta^e unb s ^fdnberfpiele er!iirgten ben itbrtgen ^eil beg Xageg, ofyne ^itlfe > 16 ^- < iivmnstance that happened the last time we played thogether: I only wanted to fling a quatre, and yet I threw deuce-ace five times running. Some months were elapsed in this manner, till at last it was thought convenient to fix a day for the nuptials of the young couple, who seemed earnestly to desire it. During the preparations for the \\cil I ling, I need not describe the busy importance of my wife, nor the sly looks of my daughters: in fact, my attention was fixed on another Dor Marten, bcnn id) bafjte jcbe* GHiictefpiel, trictrac au^enommen , in tt>el= cfcem mcin alter ^reunb imb id) jiitoeilen erne gtoeipfennigpartie tragten. C51ucn llmftanb iibler SBorbebeittuna. barf id) Ijier nid)t ubera.ef}en, ber (id; er= eta.nete, ale mtr ba lefete 9Jlal mit einanber fpielten. Sltr fet)lte namtid) nur nod) ein SGBurf x>on 33ieren, unb boct) n^arf id} f iinf mal nad) einanber ^toei 2ljfe. (Sinioe donate iuaren auf btefe 28eife t>erganoen, aU tuir e enblirf) fiir paffenb fyieften, ben ^od^eit^tag bes jungen $aare ^u befttmmen, ba if)n mit Sebnfud3t 311 erirarten fc^ien. 2Beber bie tmd)tia,e efd^dftigfeit ntetner ?^rau, toafyrenb ber ^orbereitim0en ur ^o^eit, nod) bie jd?(auen ^BHcfe mei- ner ^6d)ter n)iU id) ju fcbtlbern iragen. 3}leine 3Cufmtlfatn!eU n?ar auf einen 1 7 1 < -C- - object the completing a tract which I intended shortly to publish, in defence of my favourite principle. As I looked upon this as a masterpiece both for argument and style, I could not, in the pride of my heart, avoid showing it to my old friend, Mr. Wilmot, as I made no doubt of receiving his approbation: but, not till too late, I discovered that he was most violently attached to the contrary opinion, and with good reason ; for he was at that time actually courting a fourth wife. This, as may be expected, produced a dispute attended with some acrimony, which threatened to interrupt our intended alliance; but, on the day before that appointed for the ceremony, we agreed to dis- cuss the subject at large. It was managed with proper spirit on both sides: he asserted that I Avas heterodox; I retorted the charge: he replied, and I re- joined. In the mean time, while the controversy was hottest, I was called out by one of my relations, who, with a face of concern, advised me to give up the dispute, at least till my son's wedding- anbern egenftanb gertcfytet, namlid) auf bie ^ollenbung etner Slblianb-- lung iiber mein Siebltngstfyema, bte id) balbtgft fyerau^ugeben gebadjte. SDa icfy biefelbe fytnftdjtlicfy be $nf)alt unb Stt)(e al ein 9Jtetfterftitcl betrad)tete, fonnte id) mid) in bem tolje metne ^erjen^ nid/t entfyalten, fie meinem alten $mmbe errn 2Bilmot 311 geigen, ba ic^ nicfyt jtocifelte, ba^ er mir feine %& ttgung mitvbe 311 fyeil toerben laffen. f S)od) erft al e fd^on 311 fpdt tear, ent= bedtte ic^, ba^ er ein leibenfdiaftlidjer 2lnt)dnger ber entgegengefe^ten -Uleinung fei, unb ^toar au gutem runbe, \veil er eben urn bte t)ierte ^rau it>arb. 2Bte fic^ ertuarten lajjt, entftanb ein Streit barau, ber mtt einiger ^efttgfett gefiif)rt mitrbe unb unfere beabftc^tigte ^amt(tenterbinbnng ^u unterbrec^cn brol;te. fainen intr iiberein, iiber jenen egenftanb am lage t>or ber ^od^ett t>ert)cmbeln. begann mtt gefyortgem 9Jtutl)c t>on betben eiten. Gr bef)aup; tete, id^ fei fyeterobor; ic^ gab ii)m bte 33efd)Ulbtgung guritd. (5r entgegnete unb id) ernneberte. 21U ber Strett am fyeftigften mar, trarb tdf) Don etnem meiner SBertoanbten au bem 3hmner gerufen, ber mir mit beforgter -^> 18 ->- was over. "How!" cried I, "relinquish the cause of truth? and let him be a husband, already driven to the very verge of ab- surdity? You might as well advise me to give up my fortune as my argument." "Your fortune," returned rny friend, "lam now sorry to inform you, is almost nothing. The merchant in town, in whose hands your money was lodged, has gone off, to avoid a statute of bankruptcy, and is thought not to have left a shilling in the pound. I was unwilling to shock you or the family with the account, till after the wedding: but now it may serve to moderate your warmth in the argument; for, I suppose, your own prudence will enforce the necessity of dissembling, at least till your son has the young Lilly's fortune secure." - "Well," returned I, "if what you tell me is true, and if I am to be a beggar, it shall never make me a rascal, or induce me to disavow my principles. I'll go this moment, and in- form the company of my circumstances: and as for the argument, I even here retr;n-t. my former concessions in the old gentleman's riett), ben ctrott n.ieniflften* fo lange cii^uftellen, bt3 bie rauung mctne* o(?ne3 gefd)el)en fei. ,,3Bie?" ricf id\ ,,icb follte ^ie Sacfye ber SBafyrbett Dev= laffen, unb jugeben, baft or cut (5'bcmann lucrbc, nacbbcm id) Urn bereitS fo in bie Gnge getrieben, baft er nid>t juriid tannV (rbcn fo gut fonnten Sie tnir fagen, id) folle mein ^ermogen aufgeben ate biefcn Streit." ,,3fyr. ^Bermo: gen," entgegnete mein ^-rcunb, ,,e^ ttjut mir (etb, e fagen ^u miiffen tft fo flut tfie t>erloren. Set .^aufmann in ber Stabt, beffen .^dnben fie ibr (9clb iiberflaben, bat fid) baton 0emaa)t, urn bem Sanferottgefefee 311 entgeljen, unb man glaubt, baft !aum etn 6cbilling om ^Jfunb ubrig bletben roirb. unantjenebme 91ad)rtd)t woUte to) ^(jnen unb ber ^amtlie erft nacb ber jcit mittt;ei(cn. tyfyt aber moge fie ba3U btenen, ^i)U >t&e in bem Streite u maftiflen ; benn gettiift mirb ^u etgene ^lugl)ett ^l)nen bie 9totfytt>enbiQtett ber ^Berftellung luenigfteng fo lange empfe^len, bt 3l;r So^n bas SBermoflcn ber jungen ^ame in .^a'nbcn I)at." ,,&nt," ermieberte id), ,,tt?enn e> ma()r ift, lua^ Sie fagen unb id) etn Settler bin, fo foil ntid) bae boa^ ntc^t ^u einem Sd)urfen ntaa)en, ober mid) notbigen, metne (Srunbfa^e 311 tterlaugnen. 3$ ^ 1Q favour; nor will I allow him now to be a husband, in any sense of the expression." It would be endless to describe the different sensations of both families, when I divulged the news of our misfortune; but what others felt was slight to what the lovers appeared to endure. Mr. Wilmot, who seemed before sufficiently inclined to break off the match, was by this blow soon determined: one virtue he had in perfection, which was prudence too often the only one that is left us at se- ventv-two. fogleidj , bie gan^e efellfcfyaft tnit nteiner Sage befannt $u madden. aber ben tteitptmft betrifft, fo nefyme id) jefct fogar juriicf, h)a id) fritter t>em often $errn gugeftanben Ijabe , .unb er foil jefct burd)au fein Gfyemann )ein in irgenb einem Sinne be S5>ort." 6 iDiirbe enblo fein, luollte ic^ bie fcevfdnebenen (Smpfinbungen beiber ^amilien bet biefer ungliidtlic^en D'ta^ric^t fc^ilbern. 2)od^ ita bie Slnbern fii^lten, inar imbebeutenb gegen ba, rt?a bie Siebenben 311 erbulben fd)tenen. .^err SBilmot, ber fd)on fritter geneigt gefd)ienen, bie SSerbinbitng ab^ubre= c^en, fafjte bei biefem 6d^lage balb feinen (5ntfd)lu^. Sine Xugenb befa^ er im t>ollfommen[ten rabe, ndntlid) bie Mugfyeit leiber oft bie ein^ige, bie unS im jiDeiunbfieb^igften ^dfyu nod) iibrig i[t -^ 18 * was over. "How!" cried I, "relinquish the cause of truth? and let him be a husband, already driven to the very verge of ab- surdity? You might as well advise me to give up my fortune as my argument." "Your fortune," returned my friend, "lam now sorry to inform you, is almost nothing. The merchant in town, in whose hands your money was lodged, has gone off, to avoid a statute of bankruptcy, and is thought not to have left a shilling in the pound. I was unwilling to shock you or the family with the account, till after tin- wnlding: but now it may serve to moderate your warmth in the argument; for, I suppose, your own prudence will enforce the necessity of dissembling, at least till your son has the young l.nlv's fortuiH' sf-ciirc." - "Well," returned I, "if what you tell me is true, and if I am to be a beggar, it shall never make me a rascal, >r induce me to disavow my principles. I'll go this moment, and in- t'->nii the company of my circumstances: and as for the argument, I even here retract my former concessions in the old gentlcin.iu '* rietfy, ben Streit tt>enigjten~ fo laiuio ein.iiiftellen, bi* bio .Iranuna. mcute* 2ohie* gefcfyeben fei. ,,2BieY" rtef id\ ,,icb follte Die 3aa> Der SBafyrbeit &er= laffen, unD jugeben, Daft or eiit (5~bcmann iperDe, nacbDem id) ihn bcreitS fo in Die Gnge getrtcben, Daft or nicbt juriirf fannV (5ben fo gut fonnten (Bie mtr fagen, id) fotle metn s ^ermoncn aufneben al\- Diefen ctreit." ,,3^ r 5>fmtD= gen," entgegnete mein ^reunD, ,,ee tbut mir (eiD, ee I'aflen 311 ntujfen i[t fo c[\ii line terloren. Tor Aiaufmann in Der 2tabt, Deffen .sSanben fie tbr ( S 3olb iibeniaben, bat fid) Dauon j^emacbt, urn Dem ^auferottgefe&e 311 entgeben, unD man a.Iaubt, Da^ faum ein Sdjidtng torn $funD ubrtg bletben mirD. !>tefe nnangenebme 9facbrtc^t n?oUte icb 3(wen unD Der ^amtlie erft nad? Der ^ocb= 3eit nuttt)etlen. 3e&t a ^ er nioge fie Da3u Dtenen, ^i)n .^i^e in Dem Strette ju md^igen; Denn gemif^ ttrirb 3^ re eigene ^(ugljett ^bnon Die i)iot(nponDigfett Der 3Serftellung hjenigfteii'o fo lange empfeblen, bte ^bi Sofyn Da 33ermogen Der jungen ame in .sSdnDcn fyat." ,,ut," ermteDerte id), ,,n)enn es tt>a(?r ift, n>a 3te fagen unD ia^ ein Settlor bin, fo foil micb Dae Dod> nidit 311 einem Sd)urfen mac^en, oDer mto} notbigen, metne (3runDfd^e 311 perldugnen. ^dj 19 <*- favour; nor will I allow him now to be a husband, in any sense of the expression." It would be endless to describe the different sensations of both families, when I divulged the news of our misfortune; but what others felt was slight to what the lovers appeared to endure. Mr. Wilmot, who seemed before sufficiently inclined to break off the match, was by this blow soon determined: one virtue he had in perfection, which was prudence too often the only one that is left us at se- ventv-two. gefye fogleid) , bie gan^e efellfcfyaft tnit meiner age befannt 311 madden. aber ben Streitpuntt betrifft, fo nefytne id) je&t fogar gururf, toa id) friifyer bem alten $errn ^ugeftanben l;abe , .unb er foil jettf bureaus fein G^emann fein in irgenb einem inne be ^IBort^." 6 miirbe enblo fein, tooflte id^ bie cerfc^iebenen ^mpfinbungen beiber ^amiHen bei biefer imgliicflicfyen 9lad)ri(^t fcf)i(bern. S)od^ h)a bie Slnbern ful^Iten, mar unbebeutenb gegen ba, ma bie Siebenben 311 erbulben fa^ienen. ,^err SGBilmot, ber f<$on frii^er geneigt gefa^ienen, bie SSerbinbunfl ab^ubre= c^ien, fa^te bei biefem Silage balb feinen (Sntfdbhtfj. Sine Xugenb befa^ er im t>oUfommcn[ten rabe, nantlid) bie ftlugfyeit leiber oft bie ein^ige, bie un^ im jmeiunbftebaigften $afyre no* iibrig ift. ' I1AI'. [II. A MK.KATION Tin: loiiTUXATE CIKC1 K8TAN4 Bfl 0* : i: LIVES \i:i: i \ I KAI.I.Y roi M> AT LAST TO HE OF OVi: >\v.\ 1'Koei KING. The only hope of our family now was, that the report of our mis- fortunes mi-lit he malicious or premature; but a letter from my agent in town soon came with ;i confirmation of every particular. The loss of fortune to myself alone would have been trilling: tin- only uneasi- ness 1 fi'ii \va.- fur my family, who were to be humbled, without an education to render them callous to contempt. \e:ir a l'"rf ni-ht had passed Ill-fore I attempted to restrain their afllirtion: tor premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow During this interval, my thoughts were employed on some future means of supporting them; and at last a small euro of fifteen pounds a ye;ir was offered me in a distant neighbourhood, where I could still CHJOV my principles without molestation. With this proposal I joy- Orittrc (MIK Jlu^ivantcranq. om '.'lll^cmfincn nitrct man, tap unfa ^ebciu^dtcf von mie u-Un-r alban^t. ^offmtftfl inticrcvAaniilie beftanfc tavin, car, ta ( s )orudn IUMI iinjcvm Uiuiluct Dor ^cvhcit cccr tern il'iifuHTitdnfniffo ^uutl^vetbou fct. Tod) evbielt id) bab eiiicir^viof tcn ineinem x JU]cnten in Bonbon, tcr jctcu ein;,clnen ilmftant 1 bci'tati^to. AUV mid? jdber tuar berS^crluft metucv ^crmcgcne you c\c rifler35ebeutun0, Tie eiiutiie 3in\ie, bte id} cmpfanb, gait meincv /"yamilio, bcrcn Ovuclninij nidu fleeifliiet war, fie flt'Gcn ^cradHuiui unnnpfinMidi 311 mad;en. Aaft i>icr3cbn aa.c luaren oer^aiiaen, ebe id^ pcrfucbtc, ibrcn ram gu ^ mtlbern; benn Dorciliiier .^reft erinnert nuv an ben Mummer.) S^a'hrenb biefer Beitbatte id) aiif 2Rittel gefonnen, un^ unfern fiinftigen 'eben5unterl;a(t 311 r>erfd)affen , unb enblicb n^urbe mir cine fletne x |>farre mtt funf^ebn ^>funb iabrlie^er Crinfunfte in etner entfcrnten (3egenb angeboten, mo icb meniflftcns meinen (^runbfa^en ungeftcrt leben fonnte. Tiefen ^pr)\tlag nabm id) freiu > 21 o~ fully closed, having determined to increase my salary by managing a little farm. Having taken this resolution, my next care was to get together the wrecks of my fortune; and, all debts collected and paid, out of fourteen thousand pounds we had but four hundred remaining. My chief attention, therefore, was now to bring down the pride of my family to their circumstances; for I well knew that aspiring beggary is wretchedness itself. "You cannot be ignorant, my children," cried I, "that no prudence of ours could have prevented our late misfortune; but prudence may do much in disappointing its effects. We are now poor, my fondlings, and wisdom bids us conform to our humble situa- tion. Let us then, without repining, give up those splendours with which numbers are wretched, and seek, in humbler circumstances, that peace with which all may be happy. The poor live pleasantly without our help; why then should not we learn to live without theirs? No, my children, let us, from this moment, give up all pretensions to big an unb tr>ar entfdjlofjen, inetn Ginfommen burd) bio eine3 fleinen ^acbtgutes 311 nermeljren. 9iad) btefem (*ntfd)luffe toar e3 tneine nadjfte Surge, bie Xritmmcr met- ne3 SBermogenS 311 fammeln, itnb aU id? alle Scfyulben jufamniengerecfynet unb besaljlt fyatte , blieben mir ton me^efyntaufenb -pfunb nur nod) merfyunbert iibrig. -IRein aorsitglid&fteS 23eftreben beftanb bartn, ben Stol^ meiner^amilie i age I}erab3ii[timmen ; benn ia^) luufjte febr mo^l, bajs Settelftolj ein Gtenb ift. ff ^(jic rui^t fe&r tuo^l, tneine ^inber/' rief id), bajs unfer jungft erlebte 2ftif3gefd)id fia^ ntc^t burd) iinfere lugfyett bermeiben lie^; bod) fann bie f lugl^eit me! tl)un, bie 2Bir!ungen beffelben gu ntilbern. 2Btr fmb je^t arm, ntetne Sieben, unb bie 2Bei^eit gebietet, un nad) unferer be; miitbigen Sage ju ria^ten. Sa^t un batjer ofyne S3ebauern jenen lanj auf= geben, bet toelcfyem 33iele elenb ftnb, unb unter bemittt)igern Umftdnben jenen grieben fudien , burd) ben Sllle gludtta^ fetn fonnen. 55ie Airmen leben gliid- lid) otyne unfere $u(fe; toarum follten toir nid)t lernen, ol)ne tyw iUfe ju leben? ^ein, meine JUnber, lafet un ton biefem lugenblid an alle 2lnfpriid)e ^utility.- we hare still enough left t'..r happiness, it' w.- ar. let us draw upon content for tin- <1< -fluencies of fortum ." As my eldest son was bred a sch<-l tr. I .Irt.-rmiin'il t.< sunl him t< town, when- hi* al*ilities might contribute to our support .-mil his own. The separation of friends and families is, perhaps, one of the most distressful circumstances attendant on penury. The day soon an i\ -.| on which we were to disperse f<>r th> first time. My son, at'tu- taking leave of his mother and the rest, who mingled their tears uith thur am teriutntiv Vilvn ttttj urn OJtud beftfecn tr nod? flenufl, tvcnn itir iniio fii^, unb barum roollcn ft>ir un-J beim 9W puvciibea.* .r 5ohn jum GJcrebrtcn 0ebi(Kt irar, bcfcMop icb, ihn nacb VenDcn ui fcMdon, ire fcino Aahi^tcitcn ibm unb une nu^licb fein fonnten. Tic ^ronnmui ten Areunbcn unt Aamilien ift rioUetcbt cincr ten ben iribcr- wartifliten Umftanben, trctcn bic :(rmutb bcoloitot in.) ^alb fam bcr 7aa, mo nnr un-? trcnnen fe-llten. Otacbbom moiit 3cbn ecu ioincr Gutter unb rcn 00 O ,O < kisses, came to ask a blessing from me. This I gave him from my heart, and which, added to five guineas, was all the patrimony I had now to bestow. "You are going, my boy," cried I, "to London on foot, in the manner Hooker,your great ancestor, travelled there before you. Take from me the same horse that was ^ivon him by the good Bishop Jewel, this staff; and take this book too, it will be your comfort on the way: these two lines in it are worth a million I have been vountr, and now am old; yet saw I never the righteous man forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread. Let this be your consolation as you travel on. Go, my boy, whatever be thy fortune, let me see thee once a year$ still keep a good heart, and fare- well." As lit- was possessed of integrity and honour, I was under no apprehensions from throwing him naked info the amphitheatre of life; for 1 knew he would act a good part, whether vanquished or victorious. His departure only prepared the way for our own, which arrived a t'c\\ days afterwards. The leaving a neighbourhood in which we Uebriiien unter ^hrancu imbMiiffeirJlbfcfoieb gcnommen hat to, bat or muh inn moincn Seani. x x \d> orthcilto ihm bcnfelben tton aanjem &erjen , unb biefer, nebft fiinf Wimtecn, mar ba* gan^e @rbtbeif, melcbc* id) ifym mttadvu fcnntc. ,,2)u gebft 311 #ujj nad) onbon, mcin Sobn," riof id), ,,auf bicfelbe 2Bcife mie Roofer, Sein flro^cr 3>orfabr ; cinjt bortl}tn manbcrte. (5mpfan0e t?on mir bafjelbe s $fcrb , ireld^c^ itjm einft bcr iiuto ^ifd)of ^c\wl gab bicfen Stab, unb ba3ii bic ^ud}. (5'v- iinrb Tid> tvofton auf Tcincm 31*0^0. Ticje 3toei,3e-i r len allein finb eine TOIion irert^: ,,3<^ bin jung geroefen unb alt gcmorbcn; bed) babe id) nte ben ered)ten uedaffen ober feinc Xlinbcr nad) 33rob gel)en feljen." ^te^ moge 2)etn 2ro[t fein auf bem 2Bege. 0eb, mein 6ot)n! 2Bel= cbcx- au* ^etn oo fein moge, la^ 2)ia^ jebes^a^ einmal bet mir feben; be; balte oin gute^ ^er^ unb lebe toofyl." ^a cr^Kebltdifett unb G'bra,cfui)I bcfaji, fo mar id) md)t beforgt, ibn nacfenb auf ba 2(mpl)it()eater be^ ^cben l)inau?3u : ftofcen, benn ia^ Jinif>te, ba^ er fiegenb ober beftegt eine guteJHolle fpieten merbc. Seine Slbretfe mar nur bte ^orberettung ju ber unfrigen, mc(d)e ctni^o fpater erfolgte. 5)er lUbfc^ieb t?on etner ecjenb, mo irir fo mandic -^ 24 li;nl enjoyed o many hours of tranquillity. was not without a tear. which scarce fortitude itself could suppress. Ilr-idc.-. a journey of seventy miles, to a family that had hitherto never Keen above ten from home, filled us with apprehension; and the cries of the poor, who followed us for some miles, contributed to increase it. The first day's journey brought us in safety within thirty miles of our future retreat, ami we put up for the night at an obscure inn in a village by the ua\ . When we were shown a room, I desired the landlord, in my usual way, to let us have his company, with which he complied, as what he drank would increase the bill next morning. He knew, however, the whole neighbourhood to which 1 was removing, particularly Squire Thorn- hill, who was to be my landlord, and who li\ d \\ ithin a few miles of the plaee. Thi gentleman he described as one who desired to know little more of the w..rld than its pleasures, being particularly remark- able for his attachment t> the fair sex. He observed . that no virtue was aid* t<> resist his arts and assiduity, and that (lure was scarce a 2tnnDon ber JHube nencffon batten, n\ir nicbt ohno Ibranon, bio aucb bio 5ianDKifiia.toit nidn Kitto imtorbriiifen fiMinon. l*ino :ioi)o ven ficbiia ."ioilon cn'ulltc nborDio* ciuc, \amilie mit bailor ^cicranilX tic nio itbor u'bn Don bet ^eimat entfernt 0e itc)en tivir, unt 'I.IVKH Nv v J(nncn, tic itn-> mi-brae .I'u-iUMi Iviili'itoton, trug nur oaju bci, tiofilbo .ui orbebon I'ritc ^aaaciie braduo uiiv nlu^lic^ unfcrm tuuitiocn '.Hitfnit Ivilt ->crto inn troi licit ihibor, uiit rir braobtcn tic Jiacbt in cincr fcMcotncn cd'cntc otiu 1 -? Tovfcv an frcr Vanbftrajic 311. 'JU-? man un* cin .-Jimmor aitflcuncfon battc, bat id> NMI x ^iitb, mcincv (Mcioobnhcit nacb, un-> (^cjclljd\ift \\i Icijtcn, iva-> or vicruo that, ta t-ao, u\v> or tranf, am nadrften 9)tor0cu mit auf moino :Hcdv nunfl tarn. 15' r lannto bic flan^o (^cflcnb, teobiit id 1 rctftc, boicnN'r^ ben (9ut6: beiiiuT ibornbill, mcincn funftijicii < s 'ntoborrn, Dor oinino il'tcilon von bem Orte ttjobntc. T iovn vcrvn jdntDorto or al* oinou il'iann, frcr n?enig mobr ten ror ^olt unfion ircllto, al-> ibro Aroitfccn, nnb Dor bojonDcrv Jucflon fotnor DO-> jdH>ncn (9ef(^Ica>t^ beru^tiot in. I ; T bunorfte, noct> babe teinc foinon Munften unb jcinor \lVbarrliiMoit UMDorftobcn fouucn, uuD ~* 25 * farmer's daughter within ten miles round but had found him success- ful and faithless. Though this account gave me some pain, it had a very different effect upon my daughters, whose features seemed to brighten with the expectation of an approaching triumph; nor was my wife less pleased and confident of their allurements and virtue. While our thoughts were thus employed , the hostess entered the room to inform her husband, that the strange gentleman, who had been two days in the house, wanted money, and could not satisfy them for his reckoning. "Want money!" replied the host, "that must be impos- sible; for it was no later than yesterday he paid three guineas to our beadle to spare an old broken soldier that was to be whipped through the town for dog-stealing." The hostess, however, still persisting in her first assertion, he was preparing to leave the room, swearing that he would be satisfied one way or another, when I begged the landlord would introduce me to a stranger of so much charity as he described. With this he complied, showing in a gentleman, who seemed to be fci im llmfreife ton jetrn !DJeUen cine ^>ad)ter?tod)ter ju finbcn, bei ber er nicfyt glurfltd) unb 3Uflleid) treu(o gemefen. 2)iefer 93erid)t, bcr tnid) eimgermaften beunrubiflte, brad)te einc burd)au3 uerfd)tebene SBtrhnui auf mcine 6d)ter fyeruor, beren G5cfid)ter fid) bet bcr Grtvartung eine3 nafyen IrtumpM 311 erbeitern fd)tcnen. 2lud) metne ^rait ftw "id)t member erfreut i'tber biefe 311 ertoartenbe (^ele^enljett unb uertrautc feft ben yicijen unb bcr luflcnb i^rer Xoc^ter. 2Bd^renb unjcrc Webaufeu auf biefe 9Betfc bcfc^dftiflt luarcn, trat bte SiMvtbin ino3intmer, urn ifyrem SWanne 311 faiicn, baft ber frcmbe err, n)elcf)er jiuei Sage im .v>aufe getvol;nt, fcin OJclb l>abc, um bie ^Hed)nung ju bejal^len. ,,^ein elb!" tjerfe^te ber SBirtfy, ,,ba^ !ann ntc^t mealid) fein, benn nco} geftcrn be3a[)lte cr bent Si'tttct bret (iJiiinecn, um ben altcn 3olbatcn 311 fcf^onen, ber ivcgen ^uttbebicbftal;^ burd) ba i o Sorf follte flcpeitfcbt tocrbcn." Tod) bie 2Qtrtl)in b(tcb bci it)ter ^3el;auptung, unb er toollte ba5 3iwimcr Derlaffen, inbem er fd)ftntr, er n?oUe auf bie eine ober bie anbere 2Betfe 311 fcincm Qelbe fommen, a(s id) ben 2Btrtl) bat, ntia^ mtt cinem gremben befannt 311 madjen, bev fo tie( roftmutf) QW\Qt babe. (5'r about tliirty. dn-ssrd in t-lothes that once were laced. His person was well formed, and his face marked with the lines of thinking. He had something short and dry in liis address, and seemed not to understand ceremony, or to despise it. Upon the landlord's leaving the room, I could not avoid expressing my concern for the stranger, at seeing a gentleman in such circumstances, and offered him my purse to satisfy the present demand. "I take it with all my heart, sir," replied he, "and am glad that a late oversight, in giving what money I had about me, has shown me that thi-n- are still some men like you. I must. however, previously entreat to be informed of the name and residence <>t inv benefactor, in order to repay him as soon as possible." In tliis I satisfied him fully, not only iiu-ntinning my name and late misfor- tunes, but tin place to which I was going to remove. "This," cried In-, "happens still more luckily than 1 hoped for, as I am going the same way myself, having been detained here two days by the floods, which, I hope, by to-morrow will be found passable." I testified the em imf fiihrte omen \vrrn inS 3i r / bcr etnxi breifeig ^atyre alt 311 Kin idMen line* befien :Hocf ehemal* niit Ireffen befefjt geroefen roar. (*r tear toofyk aebaut unb Kino ,Sfl flabcn ut erfcnncn, baft cr wel nacbaebacfot babe. (*r n?ar ctunv? fur; unb treden in feiner Enrobe, unb bie aetoofynHcfyen )6flid); feit*fermeln fdnen er entroeber nia?t ju fennen ober 311 t>eracf)ten. 2U-? bcr ^Jirth bav Dimmer ucrlafjon hatte, fenntc ic^ nid)t umbin, bent ^rentbcn mein ^ebauorn auutfpredHMt, ctncn llHann xunt Stanbc in fcldvr Va^c ,^t fchcn, unb bet ihm meine ^orfc an, urn bie aitflenbltdlidje ^orberung ju befriebi: gen. ,,^d) nehme fie ton flan.^ein Mermen an," ermteberte er, ,,unb freue mid?, ban bie Uuboionnonbott, irjcmit icb furjlic^ alle elb meggab, h)cld)e id) bei mir hatte, mi* jeiu iibeneitflt, ban e^ nod) moblmoUenbe ailenfdien in ber x ^elt raebt. o* mun inbeji crlier bitten, mir ben 9tomen unb 5o(}nort mei= ne-> ^LM-lthatero -,u nennen, urn ibm fo balb al^ moglia^ bae 0elb gurucfs ^aliten 311 fennen." 3d) ertbeitte ibm uoilftdnbige 2lu*funft baritber, uannte ibm nid>t nur meinen 9?amen unb erjabtte ibm mein jiintjl't er(ebte 9Jtifcge: , fcnbem beutete ibm aucfy ben Crt an, luobin i$ mtcb begeben teclltc. 27 pleasure I should have in his company; and, my wife and daughters joining in entreaty, he was prevailed upon to stay supper. The stranger's conversation, which was at once pleasing and instructive, induced me to wish for a continuance of it; but it was now high time to retire, and take refreshment against the fatigues of the fol- lowing day. The next morning we all set forward together: my family on horseback, while Mr. Burchell, our new companion, walked along the footpath by the road side, observing, with a smile, that as we were ill mounted, he would be too generous to attempt leaving us behind. As the floods were not yet subsided, we were obliged to hire a guide, who trotted on before, Mr. Burchell and I bringing up the rear. We lightened the fatigues of the road with philosophical disputes, which he seemed to understand perfectly. But what surprised me most was, that though lie was a money-borrower, he defended his opinions with as much obstinacy as if he had been my patron. He now and then ,,Ta* trifft fid} ja glurflid)er, aU id) fydtte fyoffen fennen," ricf er. ,,2lud) id) gefye jenen Beg , nad)bem id) fyier gtrei 5age burd) ben 2lustritt be $luffe aufgefyalten toorben bin. 2)torgen nnrb er fyoffcntlicf) 311 paffiren fein." $d) erfid)erte tfym, baft e tnir grojje 23ergmigen madden toerbe, in feiner @efell= f d)aft 311 reifen , imb auf bag fcereinte bitten tneiner $rau itnb 6d)ter liefj er fid) betoegen, an unferm Slbcnbcffen 2t>eil gu nebmen. 2)ie Unter^altung be ^remben n?ar f o angenebm unb belel)renb , baf? i<^ njunfd^te , (ie langer ju Q^ niej^en. S)D(^ e mar l>of)e 3ett, fic^i gur D^u^e git begeben unb fid) 311 ben S3e= fc^ir>erti(^!eiten be folgenben ^age gu ftdrfen. 2fm ncitt^ften SRorgen marten n?ir uns alle gufammen auf ben2Beg. SJieine ^amitie rt?ar gu ^Pferbe, n?cil)renb err SBur^cK, itnfer neuer ^eifegefdljrte, auf bem ^-u^fteige neben ber Sanbftra^e einfjerging. (Sr bemerfte laa^ielnb, ba irir fo fc^te^t beritten ludren, fo tourbe e nid)t gro^miit^ig bon ifym fein, mollte er un fn'nter fic^ laffen. 5)a ba SBaffer fic^ noc^ ni(^t gang oertaufen ^attc, maren rt?ir genotl)igt, einen 2Begtoeifer 311 nebmen, luela^er oorauftrabte, tt afyrenb ^>err 33ur^eU unb id^ ben -ftacfytrab bi(beten, 2Bir berfitrgten un3 bie > 28 <^- also informed me to whom the different seats belonged that lay in our view as we travelled the road. "That," cried he, pointing to a very magnificent house which stood at some distance, "belongs to Mr. Thornhill. a young gentleman who enjoys a l:ir^- fortune, though ntiri-iy di-prn-lant f his uncle, Sir William Tliornhill, a gentleman who, content with a little himself, permits his nephew to enjoy the rest, and chiefly resides in town." "What!" cried I, ,,is my young landlord then the nephew of a man whose virtues, genero- sity, and singularities, arc so universally known? I have heard Sir William Tliornhill represented as one of the most generous, yet whim- sical, men in the kingdom; a man of rmi-miiinate benevolence." S. UK-thin- , perhaps, too much so," replied Mr. Burchell: "at least, he carried benevolence to an excess when young; for his passions were then strong, and as they all were upon the side of virtue, they led it up to a romantic extreme. He early IM -an to aim at the quali- fications of the soldier and the scholar; was soon distinguished in the Dunt pbtloiopbtiite T imputation, n?ortn cr fcbr erfabrcn ui loin iitien. ^HK> miit abev am nteiftcn in (5'vftaunen fefcte, tuar, bafj er, ob= flleid) cin WclbborQcr, feine lUnfidtfcn nut fo liter .fiartudrfinfeit i>ertbctbtflte, a I irdrc cr mein ^atren ^emcicn. .v>in unb UMODCV tbetltc er mtr and) mit, wjoni ttc ocridMcccnon Sanbft^e geborten, an tenen un ber 2Beg uoruber; fubvtc. , \onov-," rtcf or, inDcm or auf cin praditiflcv .\Sau .^ciflte, it>e(a^ee in oiniiior ^ntu'viunuj lao, ,/ficbcrt cincm .\Scrrn IbornbiU, bcr cin flro^e^ %>&-. nu\uMt bci'iiU, t>oi^ gdnslic^ t>on bem SBilten feine Onfel^, bee 2ir William Xl;ornbill abban^io ift, ber ftd? mit 2Beni0em begnugt, feinem Dieffen bae> UcbriiK Idfu HUD mciftcn-:- in Bonbon JDD^nt." -- ^a-c!" rtcf id), ,,tft mein juiuier (^utvbcrr ber ^Jcffc cincc- iUannc, beffen Xu^enben, C5'belmut() unb Sonberbarfetten fo allgemein befannt ftnb? ^a^ ()abe btefen Sir William Xbornbtll oft al einen ber ebelften, aber 311 gieia^er $eit fonberbarften 2Rd'n; ner im flaxen Monigreicbe fd)ilbcrn bbren, -- a(3 einen 2Uann fon unbe= 2Bol;ltf)dti0!eit." -- ,,$ielletd)t iibertreibt er fie gufe&r," ferfe^te , r ,trenigftens that er e in feiner 3Wib; t>enn feine * 29 army, and had some reputation among men of learning. Adulation ever follows the ambitious; for such alone receive most pleasure from flattery. He was surrounded with crowds, who showed him only one side of their character; so that he began to lose a regard for private interest in universal sympathy. He loved all mankind; for fortune prevented him from knowing that there were rascals. Physicians tell us of a disorder, in which the whole body is so exquisitely sensible, that the slightest touch gives pain: what some have thus suffered in their persons, this gentleman felt in his mind. The slightest distress, whether real or fictitious, touched him to the quick, and his soul laboured under a sickly sensibility of the miseries of others. Thus disposed to relieve, it will be easily conjectured he found numbers disposed to solicit: his profusions began to impair his fortune, but not his good nature; that, indeed, was seen to increase as the other seemed to decay; he grew improvident as he grew poor; and though he talked like a man of sense, his actions were those of a fool. Still, fdjaften ft>aren bamal* mdcfytuj, nnb ba alle fid) 310: Xugenb fyinneigten, fo fiibrten fie ifyn oft 311 romantifd)en @rtremen. d)on frill; ftrcbte er nad) ben ^crbtcnften be $rie0er3 iinb be3 (Mefyrten, ^eicfynete fid) balb in ber Hrmee au imb ertoarb fid) einigen yiuf unter ben G5ebtlbeten. Scfymetcfyelet folgt ftet ben @brgei3iaen , benn bie alletn finben ba t)6d)fte ^ertjmtgen an ber Scr>metd)elet. r tt?ar ton einer Sftenge utngeben, bie i^m blo eine 6eite ihre 6bara!ter geigte, fo ba^ ba s ^ri^atintereffe ftd) in eine unbe^ren^te ^beilnahme fiir 2Inbere certor. 6r liebte ba3 0ange StRenf^engefcblecbt ; benn ber ^Heicfytbum binberte itjn, bie ^rfabrung 311 macben, ba^ e^ and) 6d)itrfen giebt. 2ter3te erjdblen un Don einer ,ftran!^eit, bie ben gan3en Horper fo aufjerft ret3bar macfyt, bafs er bet ber leifeften Seriibrnng Scbnier3 empfinbet. S5>as eintgc forperlid) erlitten, 'fitf)lte btcfer 3Rann in f einer Seele. S^ay ge= rtngfte llngeniad) , entiueber ft)irflid) ober erbic^tet, beriibrte tl)n fd>mer3itcb, unb feine Seele n?urbe betm 2lnblitele feine )itlfe fudHcn. Seine 3>erfcbiDenbunt3 begann fetnen cHeic^tbum 311 uenninbern, aber 30 o- however, being surrounded with importunity, and no longer able to satisfy every request that was made him, instead of money he gave promises: they were all he had to bestow, and he had not resolution enough to give any man pain by a denial. By this he drew round him crowds of dependants, whom he was sure to disap- point, yet wished to relieve. These hung upon him for a time, and left him with merited reproaches and contempt. But in proportion as he became contemptible to others , he became despicable to himself. His mind had leaned upon their adulation; and, that support taken away, he could find no pleasure in the applause of his heart, which he had never learned to reverence. The world now began to wear a different aspect: the flattery of his friends began to dwindle into simple approbation. Approbation soon took the more friendly form of advice; and advice, when rejected, produced re- proachos. He now, therefore, found that such friends as benefits had gathered round him, were little estimable: he now found that a man's nid)t feine l s jutmutbia.feit, toeldfye im egentbeU ^unaljm, foitne ber antere ba= bin fdnuanb. (5 - r ivurbe forQlofcr, jc armor er itwrbe, unb obgleidfy er tote ein tterftdnbia.cr !3)2ann rebete, Ixwtofte er bod) one ein Sljor. Diocfy immer ton ,3ubriiuiluten unuicbcn unb md?t mebr im Stanbe, jeben an ifyn a,ertd)teten Si>unfd? ,}it befriebincn, gab er ^erfpredjungen ftatt baaren elbe3; benn bie3 war "Jllle-?, iuae er nod) 311 geben fyattc, unb i(;m feljlte ber SJhttfy, 3enianb burd) eine abfct)ld0lic^e Slntlrort ju !rdnfen. 3o gog er fid) eine D^enge ton .*oiitfvboburfti0en auf ben $a(; 3it>ar nmfcte er, ba^ er tdufa^te, aber bod) u.nin)d)te er ibnen ju fyelfen. Gine 3^it lang tyinQtn fie ifym an unb certtefien ibn bann nut erbtenten 3Sorn?urfen unb >erad)tung. 3lber aud) fta^ fetbft rt?urbe er eben fo t)erda^t(id), mie er ben 2(nbern getoorben toar. 6etn emutb beburfte ibrer 3cbmetd)eleien , unb al^ biefe 5tu^e b^ n ^ e 00 e "ommen n?ar, f onnte er an bem SBeifall feine^ ^er^en^ !etn 5Ber0nu0en finben , h>elcbe er ntcfyt gu ad)ten gelernt batte. Sic SGBcIt erfa^ien ibm |et in etnem gan^ anbern IHdite. Sic 6a^meid)cleien feiner ^-reunbe begannen gu einfaa^em 33etfalle gu: fammen3ufd)rumpfen. Ser ^Beifall nabm ba(b bie freunbfd)aft(i$ere eftatt -*. 31 * own heart must ever be given to gain that of another. I now found that that I forget what I was going to observe. In short, sir, he resolved to respect himself, and laid down a plan of restoring his falling fortune. For this purpose, in his own whimsical manner, he travelled through Europe on foot; and now, though he has scarce attained the age of thirty, his circumstances are more affluent than ever. At present, his bounties are more rational and moderate than before; but he still preserves the character of a humourist, and finds most pleasure in eccentric virtues." My attention was so much taken up by Mr. Burchell's account, that I scarce looked forward as we went along, till we were alarmed by the cries of my family; when, turning, I perceived my youngest daughter in the midst of a rapid stream, thrown from her horse, and struggling with the torrent. She had sunk twice, nor was it in my power to disengage myself in time to bring her relief. My sensations were even too violent to permit my attempting her rescue: she must be Dfatfyeg an, unb toenn ber Watt) fcertoorfen tourbe, fo gab e> SSortoiirfe. $et faf) er ein , bafj $reunbe , bte nur feine ^reigebigfeit iitn ifyn toerf antmelt, /geringen 2Bertf) fatten ;|er uber^eugte fid),- baJ5 ber Sftenfd) fein jer3 fytngeben I mufc, itm ba eine3 Slnbern 311 gennnnen.I $d) fanb je&t, baJ3 id) fcergeffe, ma i$ fagen luollte: furs, metn jerr, er befd)loJ3 ; fid) felbft 311 ad)ten, imb euttoarf einen $(an , fein gefun!ene SSermogen trieberfjerguftetlen. 3^ biefem 3tDed burd)lt)anberte er nad^ feiner SBetfe a($ Sonberling gan^ (Suropa 311 $11$, unb je^t, el)e er nod) fein bretjsigfteS ^afjr erreicfyt, finb feine 3Sermogenum: ftdnbe beffer al> je. egentttdrttg tertl)eilt er feine 2Bol)lt()aten t>erftdnbtger unb gemafcigter aU frufjer; bod^) ift er in33egug auf fetnen(5F)ara!ternoc^ immer ein Sonberling, ber an iiberfpannter ugenb ba l)6d)fte ^Bergnitgen finbet." 2ftetne Slufmerlfamlett mar burc^ .^errn 33urd)elfar tom ^Sferbe gefd)(eubert inorbcn unb rang mit ben eUen. d)on 3iteima( * 32 < liave certainly perished , had not my companion , perceiving her danger, instantly plunged in to her relief, and, with some difficulty, brought her in safety to the opposite shore. By taking the current a little further up. the rest of the family got safely over; where we u?ar fie untergef unfcn , unb id) fonnte ntid) nidjt fcfyncll genug beftnnen, unt ifyr 311 iilfe 311 etten. ^eiue Seftiirjung mar 311 0ro^, urn auf SPHttct au i()rer Wettiing benfen ju tcnnen. etri^ irate fie uma.efommen, l)dtte fid) nicfyt metn JHeifei3efdl)rtc beim 3(nb(tct ihrer 0cfa()r in bte ^ylutf) geftiirjt unb fie mit eini= ^er 3chn)iencjfett gliidlicb an bas entcjeoien^efefcte lifer getragen. 2)er iibricie IbcU ber /5-aimtte, ber ben ^(uf) etu?a? n?eiter l)inanfgeritten irar, fam 33 had an opportunity of joining our acknowledgments to hers. Her gratitude may be more readily imagined than described: she thanked her deliverer more with looks than words, and continued to lean upon his arm, as if still willing to receive assistance. My wife also hoped one day to have the pleasure of returning his kindness at her own house. Thus, after we were refreshed at the next inn, and had dined together, as Mr. Burchell was going to a different part of the country, he took leave, and we pursued our journey; my wife observing, as we went, that she liked him extremely, and protesting, that if he had birth and fortune to entitle him to match into such a family as ours, she knew no man she would sooner fix upon. I could not but smile to hear her talk in this lofty strain; but I was never much displeased with those harmless delusions that tend to make us more happy. beljalten fnnuber, too totr je^t unfern 3>cmf mit bem ber eretteten ttereinigten. 3&re @r!enntltd)feit lafet fid? mebr fuljlcn aU befd)reiben. Sie banfte tfyrem better mefyr bnrd) 23lic!e al SBorte unb fn'elt fief) nod) immer an feinen 2lrai, aU babe fie nodi) ferner S3eiftanb t>on tfym 311 ertoarten. 2lud) meine rau ^offte einft ba^ 2Sergnu0en 311 baben, eine fold^e (Mte in i^rem |)aufe 311 ucrgelten. 9Zaa^bem toir im nd^ften SStrtl^fyaiiS augemt)t unb ein 3ftittaggeffen einaenommen fatten, nabm ^err ^Burd)el( ton un^ Elbf^ieb, ba fein 2Beg ibn nad) einer anbern iKicfytung fitl;rte. Untertoeg^ dii^erte meine ^rau, ber^rembe babe tyx au^erorbentUc^ gefallen, unb fcerficfyerte, toenn ebuvt unb SSermogen ibn bercd^tigten, fid) mit einer ^-amilte tote bie unfere 311 toerbinben, fo toiijite fie ^iiemanb, ber ibr geeigneter ba^u erfd)tene. $< fonnte nid)t um^in, gu Iddbeln, att fie in fo Borne&mem ^one fprad); bod^) mi^fielen mtr niemals ber= flleid}eu barmlofc 2!diifd)ungcn , bie nuv bap beitvugen, un^fitrben blid gh"td'(td)er gu macben. _* 34 CHAP. IV. A PROOF THAT KVKN THK HUMBLEST FORTUNE MAY GRANT HAPPINESS, WHICH DEPENDS NOT ON CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT ON CONSTITUTION. The place of our retreat was in a little neighbourhood consisting of farmers, who tilled their own grounds, and were equal strangers to opulence and poverty. As they had almost all the conveniencies of life within themselves, they seldom visited towns or cities in search of superfluities. Remote from the polite, they still retained the primeval simplicity of manners; and frugal by habit, they scarce knew that temperance was a virtue. They wrought with cheerfulness on days of labour; but observed festivals as intervals of idleness and pleasure. They kept up the Christmas carol, sent true-love-knots on Valentine morning, eat p:mr;ikes at Shrovetide, showed their wit on the first of April, and religiously cracked nuts on Michaelmas-eve. Being apprized of our approach, the whole neighbourhood came out Uicrtec. ttapttd. (Am ^nvci*, tap fclbft tie teimttbiyifte Vaac oin (SHiirf qctrabven fann, n?e(rf)e$ nid)t von ten II in ft an ten, foment von ter (siemutbebefcljaffcnbcir abbanqt. llnfer 3nflud?t$ort lag in cincr ton^acbtern bett)ol)nten($egenb, bie ibre ^elber felbft pflitgten unb t>on lleberfluft unb 2lrmutfj gleid) mcit cntfernt Rtaven. Ta fio fiit faft a lie 1'cboiivbcburinifie felbft ertnarben, fo befucfyten fie felten bie benac^barten iJRarftflerfen unb Stdbte, um i'uyii^artifel 311 fyclen. l ^crn t>on ber Derfeinerten SBelt bema^rten fie nod) bie itrfprimglidbe Ginfad^-- bcit ber Gitten, unb mafeifl on 9?atuv, toufcten fie faum, baf3 Gntl;a(tfamfett eine Xugenb fet. <3ie arbeiteten nut frofyttcfyem 2UutI)e an 2Ber!tagen; bod) bie tfetertacje maren ber JKube unb bem SSer0nugen gemeiljt. te fangen nod) ibre altenSBeibnacbtelieber, fcfyicften einanberfitebeebdnber am ^Balenttnetage, a^en s ^fannfud?en um ^-aftnacfyt, seigten i(?ren 3St^ am erften Slpril unb fnacf^ ten am iUttcfyaelteabenb gemiffen()aft Siiiffe aitf. 33on unferer 2lnfunft benacb; t, jogen fammtlicbe ^ctuobner be? rte in ibrem Sonntageftaate ibreiu to meet their minister, dressed in their fine clothes, and preceded by a pipe and tabor: a feast also was provided for our reception, at which we sat cheerfully down; and what the conversation wanted in wit, was made up in laughter. Our little habitation was situated at the foot of a sloping hill, sheltered with a beautiful underwood behind, and prattling river before; on one side a meadow, on the other a green. My farm con- neuen s j>rebto,er entgecjen. s ^feifer imb rommelf<$ldger gincjen batten fie ^u unferm Gmpfange em #eftmafyl bereitet, 311 bem fair un3 frofylid) meberfe^ten ; imb tnenn esc ber Untevfyaltung an S5Bi^ fetjlte , f o mnrbe befto Unfere fleine 2BoI)nuiu] lag am Slbfyange eine .'pilgel^ unb toar an bet hintern Seite btircfy ein fa^one^ ebitfd) gef^i't^t. $or bem $aufe plcatfd)erte etn 33arf) unb auf ber einen Seite befanb [id) eine SKiefe, auf ber anbern ein > 36 < sisted of about twenty acres of excellent land, having given a hun- dred pounds for my predecessor's good-will. Nothing could exceed the neatness of my little enclosures, the elms and hedge-rows ap- pearing with inexpressible beauty. My house consisted of but one story, and was covered with thatch, which gave it an air of great snugness: the walls on the inside were nicely whitewashed, and my daughters undertook to adorn them with pictures of their own de- signing. Though the same room served us for parlour and kitchen, that only made it the warmer. Besides, as it was kept with the utmost neatness, the dishes, plates, and coppers, being well scoured, and all disposed in bright rows on the shelves, the eye was agreeably relieved, and did not want richer furniture. There were three other apartments one for my wife and me, another for our two daughters within our own, and the third, with two beds, for the rest of the children. The little republic to which I gave laws was regulated in the following manner. Bv sunrise we all assembled in our common SWeine ^acbtuno, beftanb au<5 jroanjifl 9Jtora,en ortrcffUd)en 33oben3, toelcfye mcin ^crfldiuier uiir fur bunbert ^funb abgetteteit (jatte. 9ttd)t$ iibertraf bie 3ierlid)feit meiner fleinen Okfyege ntit ifyren Ulnten unb ASerfen, bie einen uubcKbrcibltd) jcbdiicn xUnblkf flercaljrten. 2ftein au* be? jtanb aue einem ctorftuert unb luar mit i)iobr Qcbedt, n?elcbe i()m ein fe^r 3icrlicbe^nfel;en gab. s ^on inncn njaren bie^dnbe n?etf 5 abgefe^t, unb meine Xoc^ter iibemafymeu c* , fie mit felbftgeseic^neten ^3ilberu 311 fc^mucfen. Ta line baffelbe3hrnner a(eAtitd)e unb2Bo()nftube bienen niufste, fo irar e nur urn fo tutirmer barin. Xa e* febr gierticf) gebatten rourbe, unb bieScfyiiffehi, feller unb bay ftupferfleraty ttoblgcfc^euert in langen ^Mei(>en auf bem efitnfe auf* gefteltt toar, f o fie( ba^ Change febr gut in S 4luge, unb man Dergajj baruber ben ORangel einer reid)en 2(ufcbmiicfung, 2(uf,erbem batten fcir nocb brei anberf emd(feer eins fur meine $i(au unb mid}, ein anbere bic^t neben itn fitv imferc beiben ^6d)ter unb ein brittes mit jtoei Setten fur bie iibrigen Minber. ie fleine ^Repubtif, ber icb CJefe^e t)orfcbrieb, tpar auf folgenbe Sficife eingericbtet. ^fflit ccnnenauftianoi mfammelten n?iv un* 5?(Ue in bem c\emein= apartment, the fire being previously kindled by the servant. After we had saluted each other with proper ceremony, (for ] always thought fit to keep up some mechanical forms of good breeding, without which, freedom ever destroys friendship,) we all bent in gra- titude to that Being who gave us another day. This duty being performed, my son and I went to pursue our usual industry abroad, while my wife and daughters employed themselves in providing breakfast, which was always ready at a certain time. I allowed half an hour for this meal, and an hour for dinner ; which time was taken up in innocent mirth between my wife and daughters, and in philo- sophical arguments between rny son and me, As we rose with the sun, so we never pursued our labour after it was gone down, but returned home to the expecting family; where smiling looks, a neat hearth, and pleasant fire, were prepared for our reception. Nor were we without guests: sometimes Farmer Flam- borough, our talkative neighbour, and often the blind piper, would Htaftttcben 3immer, too bie 9)tagb Berber ba $eiter ange^imbet fyatte. -Jtocfc bem totr urn? mit anftdnbtget ^eierlicfyfett gegriifct fatten bemt id? fyielt es fin* jtoecrmdfctg, einige mecfyanifcfye ^ormen ber guten Grgtefyung aufrecfyt 311 erfyalten, ofme toelcfye bie ^retfyeit beftdnbig bie ^reuhbfc&aft jerftort brati^ ten totr bem 3Befen unjere 5)anlbarfett bar, lnelct)e un einen neuen ZaQ ge= f(^en!t. 5fiacfy Grfullung biejer ^[licf)t ging id) mit metnem of)n an unfere gert)of)nltd)e Arbeit aufser bem $aufe , todf)renb meine ^rau imb X6(i)ter mit ber Sereititng be ^rubftucf befc^dftigt ttaren f me^e ftetS jur beftimmten Beit in 33ereitfc^aft ftanb. $u biefem 2Wa^(e beftimmte ify eine Ijalbe Stunbe f jum 9Jitttagge[fen jeboc^ eine ganje, bie iinter ^armlofen Sd^ergen ^mifcben meiner ^rau iinb meinen Xod^tern itnb in pl)ilofopbtfcf)en e[prd(^en ^toi mir tmb metnem 38 o_ pay us a visit, and taste our gooseberry wine; for the making of which we had lost neither the receipt nor the reputation. These harmless people had several ways of being good company; for while one played, the other would sing some soothing ballad, Johnny Arm- strong's Last Goodnight, or the Cruelty of Barbara Allen. The night was concluded in the manner we began the morning, my youngest boys being appointed to read the lessons of the day, and Ion macbte un* ber -^debtor 5Iamboroua,b, unfer tjcfcfytoa&iger 9Iacfybar, eft aud) ber bltnbe ^jfeifer einen 23efud), urn unfern Stadfyelbeerroein 311 foften, beffen Accept unb outer ^Huf nic^t Derloren gegangen mar. 2)tefe barmlofen Seute toaren in meljrfad^er ^infic^t angenebme ejelljcfyafter. enn hjd^rcnb ber Gine fpielte, fang ber Slnbere irgenb eine fyubjdfye 33allabe, iuic ,,.^annd)en Slrmftronfl'* t'tbf^ieb," ober ,,S5arbara 3lllen' raufamfeit." ^er Slbenb marb befcfcloffeit, iwe lrir ben ^orgen begonnen fatten. 5Reine jungften ^lin^ ber itiufjten bic fitr ben 2:ag aufgegebenen ^ectionen lefen, imb mer am laute= --> 39 he that read loudest, distinctest, and best, was to have a halfpenny on Sunday, to put into the poor's box. When Sunday came, it was indeed a day of finery, which all my sumptuary edicts could not restrain. How well soever I fancied my lectures against pride had conquered the vanity of my daughters, yet I still found them secretly attached to all their former finery; they still loved laces, ribands, bugles, and catgut; my wife herself retained a passion for her crimson paduasoy, because I formerly happened to say it became her. The first Sunday, in particular, their behaviour served to mor- tify me. I had desired my girls the preceding night to be dressed early the next day; for I always loved to be at church a good while before the rest of the congregation. They punctually obeyed my directions ; but when we were to assemble in the morning- at break- fast, down came my wife and daughters, dressed out in all their former splendour, their hair plastered up with pomatum, their faces jten, beutlid) jtcn unb bcjten las> , erfytelt einen balbcn pfennig, um ibn am Sonntag in bie S 2(rmenbud)je 311 luerfen. 2Benn ber Sonntag !am, jo gtng e an ein $u&en, bem alle tneine Gbtcte gegen ben 2lujft>anb nid)t Gtnfyalt tfyun fonnten. So feft id) aud) glaubte, burd) meine ^prebigten gegen ben .)od)mutt) bie Gitefteit nteiner b'd)ter bejtegt 311 fyaben, jo fanb id? bo$, baJ3 jte insgefwm nod) immer ifyrer alten $ut5Jud)t ergeben toaren. 9ioc^ tmnter liebten jie Spleen, 33anber unb Gorallen ; jelb jt meine ^rau befyielt etne ^orltebe fiir if)ren carmoijinrotfyen jetbenen 9JianteI, aietl \or b^itte t(^ meinen .^od^tern gejagt, jie molten jid) am ncid)jten SO^orgen bet guter $eit an!letben, benn id) mod)te immer gern fritber aU bie emeinbe in ber trd)e jetn. Ste gel;ord)ten pimltli^ meinem $efefyl ; bod) al> mir un3 ^um ^-rut)jtud einfanben , famen meine ^rau unb 2;6d)ter , toollig in ibrem frul)ern Kan^ gefletbet, ba .f)aar mit s -pomabe bebedt, bie(3ejt(^ter mit Sd)6n= pf(dftcrd)cn bellebt, bie langen 6c^Ieppen tnntcn in einen 5Buljt 5ufammcnge; * 40 o patched to taste, their trains bundled up into a heap behind, and rustling at every motion. I could not help smiling at their vanity, particularly that of my wife, from whom I expected more discretion. In this exigency, therefore, my only resource was to order my son, with an important air, to call our coach. The girls were amazed at the command; but I repeated it with more solemnity than before. "Surely, my dear, you jest," cried my wife, u \vc can walk it perfectly well: we want no coach to carry us now." -- "You mistake, child," returned I, "we do want a coach; for if we walk to church in this irim, the very children in the parish will hoot after us." -- "Indeed," replied my wife, "I always imagined that my Charles was fond of seeing his children neat and handsome about him." "You may be as neat as you please," interrupted 1, "and I shall love you the better for it; but all this is not neatness, but frippery. These ruftiings, and pinkings, and patchings, will only make us hated by all the wives of our neighbours. No, my children," continued I, bunbcn, ber bci pfeerStooegKng raufdjte. 3d) muf,tc liber U)re Gitelfeit fadjelii, befcnberS iibcr bio inoincr AVOW, ber id) bod) tnebr Mlugfyeit 3ugetraut fyatte. ,^n biefer Vftkgenfcii nnifttc icb feiitcn anbern 2Ju$rocg, a(3 metnem 6ofyn mit roid)tifler iWienc 311 befeblen, er mofle bic .Uutfd)c oorfatjren (affen. ^3)ie i)lcibd)cn crftauuten iibev biefen 33efeM, id) aber tt>icber()o(te ibn mit nod) mchr Uiacbbrucf. ,,Ta i|t cffeubar ^einScberj, licber DJlann!" rief tneine A-rau, ,,tt>ir fonnen fetjr gut ju ^yujie ge^en unb bebiirfen feincr .ftutf^c." - ,,Xu irrft, mctn .Uinb/' ermieberte id), ,,ft>ir bebiirfen eincr .ilutfdje; benn roenn tuir in biefem i'lufpge in bie Birdie geljen , fo werben bie affenjungen binter un tyi fa^reien." ,,3>d) fyabe aiirflic^ immer geglaubt/' berfe^te meine ^rau, ,,mein ,Uarl fcilie fetne ^tnber gern gter(id) unb faubcr t>or i^m erfd)einen." ,$fyi mogt fo gterlt(^ unb fauber fein, iuie 3^ WoUt," unter= brac^ id) fie, ,,unb 3&r trerbet mir nur urn fo me^r gefallen. 2)a aber ift nicbt 3ierltd)feit fonbern S'Htterftaat. SMefe 2) ( lanfd)etten, Spi^en unb Bd)on^ pfldfterc^en luerbcn un nur bei ben i$raiien unferer9tacf)barn oer^afet mac^en. Dtein, meine ^linber/' fe^te i(^ ernftfyaft btnju, ,,biefe ^(eiber fonnten etmae > 41 <--- more gravely, "those gowns may be altered into something of a plainer cut; for finery is very unbecoming in us, who want the means of decency. I do not know whether such flouncing and shredding are becoming even in the rich, if we consider, upon a moderate calcula- tion, that the nakedness of the indigent world may be clothed from the trimmings of the vain." This remonstrance had the proper effect: they went with great composure, that very instant, to change their dress 5 and the next day I had the satisfaction of finding my daughters, at their own request, employed in cutting up their trains into Sunday waistcoats for Dick and Bill, the two little ones: and what was still more satisfactory, the gowns seemed improved by this curtailing. fuv^er gefdjnitten f ein ; benn f oldjcr S 4&& ift fur un3 fjodtft unpaffenb , ba n>ir faitm bie -Jftittel baben, un3 anftanbig 311 fleiben. 2luti} toeij? id) nid)t, ob ein fo(d)er ^runt unb ^litterftaat fid? felbft fi'tr reicfye Seute fd)idt, lt>enn lr>ir nacfy einer mdfjigen 53ered)nung ermdgen, mie "oid 3(rme tnit bem Ueberfluffe biefe^ eitleu Xanbe fonnten gefletbet roerben." 2)ieje SSorftellung brad)te eine geeignete SBirt'ung tjeruor. 9JZit grojjer Jaffung geigten fie fid} fogleid) bcreit, ibren 3lngug ^u oeranbern, unb am ndd)ften Xage fal; id) mit SSergnuflen, mie meine X6d)ter au^ etgenem Slntriebe befcritiftigt ivaren, au i^reu @d)leppen onntagetoeftcfyen fi'tr ^)tid)arb unb 3StU)etm, meine beiben fleinften naben, gu macfyen; unb tua^ nod) ba $Mte babei mar, bie Iteiber fd)ienen burcb biefe 3Ser!ur3un0 fogar gemonnen 311 baben. 42 CHAP. V. A NEW AND GREAT ACQUAINTANCE INTRODUCED WHAT WK PLACE MOST HOPES UPON GENERALLY PROVES MOST FATAL. At a small distance from the house, my predecessor had made a seat, overshaded by a hedge of hawthorn and honeysuckle. Here, when the weather was fine, and our labour soon finished, we usually sat together, to enjoy an extensive landscape, in the calm of the evening. Here too we drank tea, which now was become an occa- sional banquet; and as we had it but seldom, it diffused a new joy, the preparations for it being made with no small share of bustle and ceremony. On these occasions, our two little ones always read for us, and they were regularly served after we had done. Sometimes, to give a variety to our amusements, the girls sang to the guitar; and while they thus formed a little concert, my wife and I would stroll down the sloping field, that was embellished with bluebells and .TunfU* liapttcl. (tnfithrung enter ncucn imb ocrnclnnen ikfannti'ifyaft. SOBorauf n>ir bie groptc fefccn, baS fchldflt mctftcin? am erftett fcf>l. ^n geringer ISntfernung tom .ftaufe Ijatte mein $organger eine SHaferv bant angelegt, ton ageborn unb (Mplattljecfert bejcf}attet. 28enn bas 2Bet= ter fd?6n unb iinfere Slrbeit friify geenbct mar, fa^en tuir fyiei getr6t)n(id) bei einanber unb freuten im3 ber tneiten Slusfictit in ber Slbenbftitle. $m tranfen ttnr 3Uitetlen Xtjee, ber je^t ju einer 'Jeftlic^feit getDorben tuar unb im neuc ^reuben gemcitjrte, ba ttnr i^n nur f eltcn genoffen ; aiic^ gefd^a^cn bie $orbe-- reitungen bajit mit grower geierltcfyfett unb eic^dftt0!eit. 33ei biefen (Me= genl^eiten mnfjlen unfere beiben ^unflften imtner etmas Dortefen, unb nac^ibem rt)ir getrunfen , befamen aud) fie ifyrcn 2(ntl)ei(. llm unfern G'rQD^Uc^feiten ^u geben, jangen bie 9)tabcfyen gumeilen ^ur OJuitarre, unb fie ein !leine Concert auffutirten, ging ic^ mit meiner^rau am $anbe baMn, ber mit blanen (^locfenblumen unb ^aufenb)rf)iJn gefcfymiicft , 43 centaury, talk of our children with rapture, and enjoy the breeze that wafted both health and harmony. In this manner we began to find that every situation in life may bring its own peculiar pleasures : every morning waked us to a repe- tition of toil ; but the evening repaid it with vacant hilarity. It was about the beginning of autumn, on a holiday, (for I kept such as intervals of relaxation form labour), that I had drawn out my family to our usual place of amusement, and our young musicians roar, rebeten babei mtt (Sntguden ton imfern ^inbern unb fogen ben erquicfen= ben .^aucfy etn, ber im efunbfyeit imb lieblicfye Xone guroefyte. 2Iuf biefe SSeife fingen mir an 311 begreifen, bafj jebe ^eben^lage il)re eigenen greuben ^u geh)dl)ren t>ermag. %&w 2Rorgen roedtte m$ p neuev Arbeit, boc^ belo^nte un ber Stbenb bur^ Ijeitere r^olung. 3u Slnfang be $erbfte an einem $eiertage, TOO rair ftet jebe Slrbeit einftellten, fiitjrte id) nteine ^amilie ^u unjernt gcitol)nlt(^en ^ergniigunge': ptofce bmau. Unfere jungen S)amen begannen ilir Concert. So befd)dftigt, U <*- bcgan their usual concert. As wo wore thus engaged, wo saw a stag bound nimbly by, within about twenty paces of where we were sitting, and , by its panting , it seemed pressed by the hunters. We had not much time to reflect upon the poor animal's distress, when we perceived the dogs and horsemen come sweeping along at some distance behind, and making the yrry path it had taken. I was instantly for returning in with my family; but either curiosity ro -urjirisc, or some more hidden motive, held my wife and daughters to their seats. The huntsman, who rode foremost, passed us with uTr.it swiftness, followed by four or five persons more, who seemed in equal haste. At last, a young gontkmaii. of a more genteel appearance than the rest, came forward, and for a while regarding us, instead of pursuing the chase, stopped short, and giving his horse to a servant who attended, approached us with a careless superior air. He seemed to want no introduction, but was going to salute my daughters as one certain of a kind reception; but they had early faben rotr plotUicb, ettoa Jtoanjig cotn-itte inn- un*, omen .fitrfd} in flrojicn 3den worbeifpriiiflcn. 2ein Meucben foMcn ,u iH'rvatben, baft or won 3^0 ern uerfolflt fei. ^ir batten niebt lamie ;}eit, ubev Die 'Jiotb DC* annen s .Netracbtunflen anjuUeUen, benn in etnia,ev (5'ntfermuui benterften mir M nnb JHetter, bic beufelben ^IH\I ein)\tliuuMi, Pen bev .s>irut flcnommen. %$ wolltc foflleici) mit nteinev /vamitio nait .sSanfe ^itritdfebren, bod} s Jauigterbe obcr Ueberrafcbung , ober irgenb ein anberer niir nnbefannter l?ie(ten mcinc ^rau unb X6d}fer auf ibren 3i^cn feft^cbannt. 2)er tenbe ^cifler fproiiiUo vfeiiict)ncll an une uoritber. J>\m foigten mer ober funf 'Jluberc, bic eben fo flro^e Gile 311 fjaben fdbicnen. 3 u ^^t fam ctn jnnger ."rjerr on ornebmcrem 2lnfe^cn al bie Ucbrigen. Gr betrad^tete un eine 2BeiIe, unb ftatt ber 3a0t> ju folgen, Ijielt er plo&Iicfy [till, gab fein ^pferb an einen Wiener ab, ber ifyn begleitete, unb na^erte ftd) une mit nacblaffi^ t>ornebmer 3)liene. (rr fasten feiner Ginfiiljrung ju bebiirfen, fonbern be0rii^te meine Xoa^ter hrie Giner, ber ftd^ im orau einc^ freunblid}en Gmpfanges erfta)ert bait. T>od() fie batten frub bie .ftunft ^elernt, icbe 3lnma^ung burd) einen ftol: _, 45 learned the lesson of looking presumption out of countenance. Upon which he let us know that his name was Thornhill, and that he was the owner of the estate that lay for some extent round us. He again, therefore, offered to salute the female part of the family; and such was the power of fortune and fine clothes, that he found no second repulse. As his address, though confident, was easy, we soon became more familiar; and perceiving musical instruments lying near; he begged to be favoured with a song. As I did not approve of such dis- proportioned acquaintance, I winked upon my daughters, in order to prevent their compliance; but my hint was counteracted by one from their mother; so that with a cheerful air they gave us a favourite song of Dryden's. Mr. Thornhill seemed highly delighted with their per- formance and choice, and then took up the guitar himself. He played but very indifferently ; however, my eldest daughter repaid his former applause with interest, and assured him that his tones were louder than even those of her master. At this compliment he bowed, which gen Slid surud^utoeifen. terauf fagte er un*, cr fyiefje f)ornl)i(l unb fei ber $efier be l'anbgute, ft>elcr;e in geringer Gntfernung on un3 lag. (*r macfyte einen nodwaligen 23erfud), bie toetblicfyen 9Jtttglteber ber ^vamtlte 311 umarmen, unb f o groj} tt>ar bie 3Rad)t be SHeid&t&utnS unb ber fdjonen ftltis ber, bafe er nid)t gum gtoeiten 2M einen !bfd)tag erfytelt. S)a fein Sene^men 3tt>ar felbftgefddig, aber bod) ungejitjungen trar, fo luiirben trir balb oertrau^ ter mit einanber , unb al er muftfalii^e ^nftrumente bemerfte , bat er , ifm mit einem !iebe ^u erfrenen. 2)a ic^ fo ungleid)e ^Befanntfdiaftcn nic^t btlltgtc, lutnfte ic^ meinen Xoc^tern 311, nifyt il;re 3uftwimung ^u geben. S)od) burd^ einen 2Binf if}rer Gutter inurbe ber meinige aufgebeben, unb fie fangen nun mit tjeiterer 2Rtene em Stebitng^lteb Don 2)rpben. ^err Xfyornfn'U fc^ien felir erfreut iiber bie 2Bafyl unb 2lufut)rung unb nafym bann felber bie uitarre gut anb. Gr fptelte nur mittelmcifng, bod? meine dltcftc Xoc^ter gab ifym f einen frii^ern 33eifall mit ^ntereffen guritd, inbem fie terficberte, fetne Xene mdren tauter, aU felbft bie it)re aitufit'lebrei^. ^ei biefem (^omplimentet>er: beugte er fic^ unb fie cernetgtc fid) barauf ebenfall*, dr rit(;mte i^ren e- r o 46 -' she returned with a curtesy. He praised her taste, and she commanded his unterstanding: an age could not have made them better acquain- ted. While the fond mother too, equally happy, insisted upon her landlord's stepping in, and taking a glass of her gooseberry. The whole family seemed earnest to please him : my girls attempted to en- tcrtain him \\ithtopics they thought most modern; while Moses, on the contrary, gave him a question or two from the ancients, for which he had the satisfaction of being laughed at : my little ones were no less busy, and fondly stuck close to the stranger. All my endeavours could scarce keep their dirty fingers from handling and tarnishing the lace on his clothes, and lifting up the flaps of his pocket-holes, to see what was there. At the approach of evening In 1 took leave; but not till he had requested permission to renew his visit, which, as he was our landlord, we most readily agreed to. As soon as he was gone, my wife called a council on the conduct of the day. She was of opinion, that it was a most fortunate hit; for jcbmacf nnb fie feme tfertuifeit: ciu t \abrbunbert batte fie nicbt Bertrauter macK'it tijnnen. Tic jdrtlicbe Gutter, ajetcbfalls ubergludlid), beftanb barauf, baf> bev Wut*berr ointretou unb oin Wla t>on ifyrem ctacbdbecrtuein foften moae. Tie Qanje ftamilie fcMen c* barauf aimtleaen, ibm 311 Befallen. IHeine ^iHttcr iraren bemiibt, ibn mit Wea,enftd'nfccu ^uuntevbalton, bio fie fiirmoberu Inolton, mdbrcnb O.Uofev eini^e /vraflen itber Die alten (Slaffifer an il?n ridneto unb ba^ Stargafigeit batte, aiivrtelad^t ,^u tuevbon. "JDteine beiben jitngften Mna= beu iiHivcn nidu loeni^er gefd>dftig unb fcbmiegten fid) bid)t an ben ^ x Jiur mit nieler 3)iiil)e fonnte ic^ fie abbatten, mit i^iren fcbmufeiflen fcine "Hocttreffen 311 betaften, ober feine ^afd)en aufjufnopfen , urn ^u f etjen, a\a-5 barin fei. egen xUbenb nal;m er ^bfcbieb, nac^bem er jiitor urn bie (5r^ laubniJ3 gebeten, fetnen 33efucb n?iebert)olen 311 biirfen, tt?ae iljm a(^ unfenn Wutvborni ^erne betvilli^t n)iirbe. 3obalb er fort n?ar, berief meine Jmii eine ^atf)et>crfamnt(un0, urn iiber bie (Mebniffe be ^age 311 tterbanbeln. 3ie n?ar ber SJZetnuncj, bie3 fei ein ^reignif?, benn fie babe fcbon t>ie( feftfamere Tinge erlebt, bie enb= c 47 o - she had known even stranger things than that brought to bear. She hoped again to see the day in which we might hold up our heads with the best of them; and concluded, she protested she could see no reason why the two Miss Wrinklers should marry great fortunes, and her children get none. As this last argument was directed to me, I protested I could see no reason for it neither; nor why Mr. Simpkins got the ten thousand pounds prize in the lottery, and we sat down with a blank. "I protest, Charles," cried my wife, "this is the way you always damp my girls and me, when we are in spirits. Tell me, Sophy, my dear, what do you think of our new visitor? Don't you think he seemed to be good natured?" "Immensely so, indeed, mamma," replied she; "I think he has a great deal to say upon every thing, and is never at a loss; and the more trifling the subject, the more he has to say." "Yes," cried Olivia, "he is well enough for a man; but for my part, I don't much like him, he is so extremely impudent and fami- liar j but on the guitar he is shocking." These two last speeches I ltd) eingetroffen todren. Sie fyoffte nod) ben ag 311 erleben, too toir mieber ben $opf fyod) tragen murben, gleid) ben t>ornef)mften euten, nnb betfyeuerte 3um Sd)luf}: fie fefye bod) toafyrlid) nid)t ein, toarum bie beiben ^yrdiilein s IBrinfler3 fo reid)e ^artien macfyen follten unb ifyre $inber nid)t. !a ber le&te 2(ufprud) gegen mid) gericfytet toar, fo erfldrtc id), bafj id) eben fo toenig ben runb einftifye, toarum^rau @itttp!in ^efyntaufenb ^funb in ber Sotterie geironnen l)abe, tod^renb iin eine 9iiete gngefaKen. ,, s JS>al)rf)aftig, ^arl," rief meine ^rau, ,,ba ift S)eine alte 2lrt; mic^ unb bie 9JMbd>en ju !rdn!en, menn tt>ir einmal guter Saune finb. ag ntir, liebe op^ie, tua? bentft bit t>on nnferm neuen aft ? ^dttft 2)n if)n nicfyt fur fel;r gutntut^ig?" ,,0 getmfc, tiebe Gutter/' ermieberte fie. ,,2Jtidj bilnft and), er toeif? uber2ltte gu fpred)en unb ift nie in SSertegenfyeit. ^e unbebeutenber ber egenftanb, befto met)r n?eiJ3 er bariiber p fagen." ,,$a," rief-Olima, ,,filr einen 2Rann mag er gut genug fein, menn er mir aud^ nid)t gerabe befonber^ gefallt. 6r ift 311 unerfd)dmt unb ^ubringlicb, unb bie uttarre fpieft er gang abfcfyeulid)." Die beiben (e^ten 9lu3fpntd)e beutete ic^ untgefebrt. $& fab, baft Sophie ibn * 48 ' interpreted by contraries. I found by this, that Sophia internally despised, as much as Olivia secretly admired him. "Whatever may l)e your opinions of him, my children," cried I, "to confess a truth, he has not prepossessed me in his favour. Disproportioned friendships ever terminate in disgust; and I thought, notwithstanding all his ease, that he seemed perfectly sensible of the distance between us. Let us keep to companions of our own rank. There is no character more contemptible than a man that is a fortune-hunter; and I can see no reason why fortune -hunting women should not be contemptible too. Thus, at best, we shall be contemptible if his views are honour- able; but if they are otherwise! I should shudder but to think of that! It is true, 1 have no apprehensions from the conduct of my chil- dren: but 1 think there are some from his character." I would have proceeded, but for the interruption of a .servant from the squire, who, with his compliments, sent us a side of venison, and a promise to dine with us some days after. This well timed present pleaded more imiiTlicb ebon fo toeracfytete, one Cliwa ibn im Stillen beanmberte. ,,2i>a* fitr cine iDietmuui ^br and) uon ibm baben mogt, meine, Umber," rtcf id), ,,fo muf> icb (*ud) bod) aufrtcl)tia, fleftefyen, bajj er mid) nidit febr fur fid) eiuQcnotnmcn I?at. llng.leid)e 'Jreunbfcfyaft enbet immer mit ^Ibnetgung ; aud) fd)ien er bei all feincr .ftoflicfyfeit fid) be* 3ibftanbes jiuifd^cu il)m unb un$ bcutlia^ bciuufu ,ui fein. 2a}}t unv licber OJefell^aft marten, bie imferm Stanbe angentoffcu iit. (S'y flicbt fcinen t>eraa}tltd)ern DJtann, ale ctucn 0)lud^jd0er, unb id) fel)e nicbt ciu, irarum 9JMba^cu, bie uad) einer retd)eu i3ciratf) ftreben, iud)t eben fo reracbtlid) fein follten. Sluc^ menu e$ uad) SBunfd) get)t, ntiiffen tnir ^llle iH'Viu-btlid) merben, mogen nun fetne 2lbftd)ten el)rentoll fein obev nia^t. -Dtid) fdiaubert bei bent 0ebanfen an ba ^e^tere. ^retlid) l)abc id) toegen ber 3(uf^ fiibruno metner ^{tnber nta^t^ ^u beforgen; bod) glaube id> feines Ct>arafter iveaen ^vura^t begen gu ntuffen." 3d) ttitrbe noaS meiter gereJDet f)apen, bod) murbe id) buraS emeu Tiener bee OniteI)eiTn untcrbrod)eu, ber un uebfl ]ci- ner (5'mpfcblung ein <3titd 2lUlbpret fa^idte unb une fatten lief], ba|5 er au eiuem ber nad^ften Xage mit un>c 311 fpetfen aniufd)e, Xicjee miUfpmmene _^ 49 *+ powerfully in his favour than any thing I had to say could obviate. I therefore continued silent, satisfied with just having pointed out danger, and leaving it to their own discretion to avoid it. That vir- tue which requires to be ever guarded is scarce worth the sentinel. CHAP. VI. THE HAPPINESS OF A COUNTRY FIRE -SIDE. As we had carried on the former dispute with some degree of warmth, in order to accommodate matters, it was universally agreed, that we should have a part of the venison for supper; and the girls undertook the task with alacrity. "I am sorry," cried I, "that we have no neighbour or stranger to take part in this good cheer: feasts of this kind acquire a double relish from hospitality." "Bless me!" ef djenf fprad) ntdcfytiger 311 f einen unften, al irgenb @ttt>a3, tt>a id) gegen ifyn fyatte fagen tonnen. 3$ fcfynneg bafyer unb begnitgte mid) bamit , fie auf bie efafyr aitfmerff ant gemad)t 311 fyaben , tnbetn id) e ifyrer eigenen ftluQ-- ^eit uberlte^, fie 311 toermeiben. S)te Xitgenb, bte ftet3 betra^t fetn mu^, ift ber 6d)tlbiuad)e faum >ie lucffetigfeit am tdnbltd)en famine. Sa ber Streit mtt einiger SBartne roar gefufyrt toorben, nwrbe etnfttmmtg befd)loffen, ba^ irtr einen Xfyetl be 3BiIbpret junt ^Ibenbeffen l)aben follten, unb ntcine Softer itbcrnafymen bte ^uberettung beffelben ntit grower greubtg- !ett. &$ t^iit nttr letb/' rief ify, ,,ba^ toir feine 3^aa^barn unb ^reunbe fyaben, nm an btefem guten Dftafyle Xl)etl gu ne^nten. 93ei $eften biefer 2Irt geit)dl)rt bie aftfreunbfd;aft einen boppelten enu^. y/ ,,2Retner ^ireu/' rtef meine 4 o 50 ^- cried my wife, "here comes our good friend Mr. Burchcll, that saved our Sophia, and that ran you down fairly in the argument." "Con- fute me in argument, child!" cried I, "you mistake there, my dear. I believe there are but few that can do that: I never dispute your abilities at making a goose-pie, and I beg you'll leave argument to me." As I spoke, poor Mr. Burchell entered the house, and was welcomed by the family, who shook him heartily by the hand, while little Dick officiously reached him a chair. I was pleased with the poor man's friendship for two reasons; because I knew that he wanted mine, and I knew him to be friendly us far as he was able. He was known in our neighbourhood by the character of the poor gentleman that would do no good when he was young, though he was not yet thirty. He would at intervals talk with great good sense; but in general he was fondest of the company of children, whom he used to call harmless little men. He was famous, I found, for singing them ballads, and telling them stories; and , ,,l;ier fcmmt unfer guter ftreunb, $>err SBurcfjeU , ber un[ere 6 crrcttcte unb Tid) bcim Steputiren itbermanb." ^Midj betm S)tputtren ubermanb, win Mine!" ricf id), ,,ba irrft 3m, mctne iebe. $d? glaube, eg> giebt nur 2Bemge, bie baju im 3tanbe fmb. ^dj beftreite 2)ir mental^ Seine ef$i<&u$tttt, cine gutc (9anfepaftete ju beretten, barum bitte icfy, tnir ba 311 uberlajfm." SBdfyrenb id? fprarf), trat bcr arme err 23urd)ell iirbe on 2lllcn mit ber^lic^em .S3dnbebructen begritfjt, tocitjrenb ber fletne s Jttc^arb i^m bienftfertig einen 6tu^l barbot. 2lu gtoei riinben luar nur bie A'reunbfdjaft be& armen 2Ranne;o nefytn; n?cil ic^ iDiifite, ba^ er ber meinigen beburfte, unb nti<^ ^ugleic^ seugt f}ielt, bafc er nad) ^{rciften btenftfertig fei. (5'r mar in ber egenb al ein armer ^err befannt, ber in feiner S'uflcnb nidit babe ijut fyun molten, o& Qkify er no$ nid)t brei^ig 3;at)r alt mar. gurnet len fprad) er fefyr erftanbifl ; bixb ant metften liebte er ben Untgang mit &tnbern, meld)e er barmlofe !leme 2Jienfd)en gu nennen pflegte. dr ntad)te ftd^ babura^ bet tfjnen beltebt, ba^ er tl)nen 93a(laben f orjang unb efd)id)tcn er^d^lte, unb feltcn ging er auS, of}ne -> 51 o- seldom went out without something in his pockets for them a, piece of gingerbread, or a halfpenny whistle. He generally came for a few days into our neighbourhood once a year, and lived upon the neighbours' hospitality. He sat down to supper among us, and my wife was not sparing of her gooseberry wine. The tale went fur fie mitsiibringen, enttoeber ein Stud Spfeffettudjen, ober cine ^n- nigSpfetfe. DtetftenS !am er ehunal int Satyr auf einige ^age in unfere egenb unb lebte on ber aftfreunbfc^aft ber SRad&barn. r fefetc fid^ mit un$ juin 'Jlbcnbeffen, unb meinc ^rau mar nid^t !arg nut ihrem Sta^elbeermein. --o 52 < round; he sang us old songs, and gave the children the story of the Buck of Beverland, with the History of Patient Grissel, the Ad- ventures of Catskin, and then Fair Rosamond's Bower. Our cock, which always crew at eleven, now told us it was time for repose; but an unforeseen difficulty started about lodging the stranger: all our beds were already taken up, and it was too late to send him to the next alehouse. In this dilemma, little Dick offered him his part of the bed, if his brother Moses would let him lie with him. "And I," cried Bill, "will give Mr. Burchell my part, if my sisters will take me to theirs." - "Well done, my good children," cried I, "hospitality is one of the first Christian duties. The beast retires to his shelter, and the bird flies to its nest; but helpless man can only find refuge from his fellow- creature. The greatest stranger in this world was he that came to save it: he never had a house, as if willing to see what hospitality Avas left remaining amongst us. Deborah, my dear," cried I to my wife, "give those boys a trug ctn?a jur Unterljaltumi bet ; cr fang un* alte ^olfclieber unb gab ben Minbern bte ($efd}ta}te fom^odfe r>on$eterlanb unb r>om gebulbigcn retaken, bio I'lbenteitcr be* Malienfell* unb bie efd}id}te con bent 3ttnmer ber fcfyb'nen Wofamunbe 3um Soften. Unj'er ausfyal}n, ber ftet* unt elf frafyte, fagte un*, baji e$ jetjt 3ett fei, ftd) 3ur ^tibe ju begeben; bod} jetgte fid} eine unv>orber-' Scfynncriflfeit, lute anr unfern (3aft unterbnttflen folltcn. 3(Ue unfcvo n?aren fdion befe^t, unb e toar ju fpcit, ibn tito ncidjfte 311 fenben. n btefer 5yerlegenl;ett bot t{}nt ber tletne ^)iid}arb feinen an, n?enn fetn ^ruber 2ftofe it)n mtt in ba fcinige nel^nten oolite. )/' rtef SSMUielnt, ,,h?iU ^errn ur(^el[ ntetnen 2tyeil bee 33ette^ iiber^ laffen, tnenn nteinc Sd}tt>eftern mtr etnen $)3(a& in bent t(;ri0en einrdumen toollen." ,,2Bobl get^an, metne ftinber," rtef tcf), ,,Oaftfreunbfd}aft ift eine ber erften G^nftenpfli^ten. Sas l)ier fuc^t feine fcotyle unb ber ^ocjel fliegt in fetn 9]eft; bod} ber f}iilflofe SOtenfd} fann nur bei feinen ^lebennteitfdien einen 3uflucbteort finben. Xer gro^te trembling auf btefer 5i>e(t ir>ar ber, welcber gefommen mar, fie ju erlofen. 6r t)atte nte etn Cbba^, gleid}fam al$ -* 53 -= lump of sugar each; and let Dick's be the largest, because he spoke first." In the morning early, I called out my whole family to help at saving an after- growth of hay; and our guest offering his assistance, he was accepted among the number. Our labours went on light!} 7 ; trollte er fefyen, tote mel aftfreunbfdjaft nod; unter ben 5)lenid)en vodjanben fei. tebe S)ebora," fagte id) meiner ^rau, , f gieb biefen $naben ein Sti'trf 3uder, unb ^Kicfyarb ba gro^te, treil er juerft gefproa^ien." ^ritl) am ndc^ften 2)lorgen forberte id) metne gamilie auf, mir beim Q'm- bringen bc rummet'c bef}iilf(tc^ 311 fein, unb ba unfer aft feinen $etftanb -^> 54 < we turned the swath to the wind; I went foremost, and the rest followed in due succession. I could not avoid, however, observing the assiduity of Mr. Burchell in assisting my daughter Sophia in her part of the tusk. When he had finished his own, he would join in hers, and enter into a close conversation: but I had too good an opinion of Sophia's understanding, and was too well convinced of her ambition, to be under any uneasiness from a man of broken fortune. When we had finished for the day, Mr. Burchell was invi- ted, as on the night before; but he refused, as he was to lie that night at a neighbour's, to whose child he was carrying a whistle. When gone, our conversation at supper turned upon our late unfor- tunate guest. "What a strong instance," said I, "is that poor man, of the miseries attending a youth of levity and extravagance ! He by no means wants sense, which only serves to aggravate his former folly. Poor forlorn creature! where are now the revellers, the flatter- ers, that he could once inspire and command? Gone, perhaps, to 4 anbot, tuurbe er mit in unfere $al;l aufeenommen. Unfere Arbeit QWQ teicbt Don Statten; tuir bretteten bie *3d)n?abe 311111 Xrocfnen au; id) QUIQ tioran unb bie Uebrigen folgten in flefyortger Crbnung. Xabct entfling e tntr niajt, baf; err $urd)ell lebijaft bemiifyt mar, ineiner od)ter Gopfyte bet ifyrer s jlr= belt gu fyelfen. SBcnn er mit fetner eigenen ferttg toar, tfyctlte er bie i^rige unb begann etn tertraulic^c efprdc^. Tod) id) tyatte eine ju gute 2J!cinuno t>on 6cp^ien SSerftanbe, unb toar ju fef;r ton i()rem G^tflefu^I uberseugt, urn wegen etneg 3Jlanne^ ton gerriitteten 58ertn6gen6itmftcinben irgenb Un= rutje ju empfinben. 5l(y ttrir unfer Xaoemerf tollenbet Bitten, luben mir .'perrn 93urc^ell mieber etn, bie 9iad)t bci un gu bleiben; boc^ biesntal letjnte er e3 ab, n?etl er ben t'lbenb noc^ etnen 9iad)bar bcjudjen mollte, beffen .iinaben er eine ^sfetfe mitjubrtngen t>cr|prod)en. 511s er fort fear, fam ba efprad) beim 2lbenbeffen auf unfern unolurfltd)en 0a[t. ,,2BeId^ ein auffallenbes $ei ; fptel," faflte ia^, ,,Itefert btefer arme 2Rann oon bent Glenbe, melees etnem leta^tfinnitjen unb auei^metfenben ^unglinge folgt! Z fe^It tljm tetnesmegs an 33er(tanb ; boa^ urn fo unbeoretflia^er tft feme friifoere ^tior^ett. 2)er arme ** 55 attend the bagnio pander, grown rich by his extravagance. They once praised him, and now they applaud the pander: their former raptures at his wit, are now converted into sarcasms at his folly: he is poor, and perhaps deserves poverty; for he has neither the ambition to be independent, nor the skill to be usefull." Prompted perhaps by some secret reasons, I delivered this observation with too much acrimony, which my Sophia gently reproved. "Whatsoever his former conduct may have been, papa, his circumstances should exempt him from censure now. His present indigence is a sufficient punishment for former folly; and I have heard my papa himself say, that we should never strike one unnecessary blow at a victim over whom Providence holds the scourge of its resentment." "You are right, Sophy," cried my son Moses, "and one of the ancients finely represents so malicious a conduct, by the attempts of a rustic to flay Marsyas, whose skin, the fable tells us, had been wholly stripped off by another. Besides, I don't know if this poor man's situation is Derlaffene 2Jlcmn! 2Bo futb ie&t bie luftigen 33ritber, bie d?metd)ler, bie er fonft begetfterte unb befjerr fcfyte ! $ielletd)t gegangen, um bem fcerborgenen Suppler aufeutoarten , ber burd) feine SBerfcfytnenbung retd) getoorben. Gtnft riitmtten fie ifyn unb je&t preifen fie ben Suppler; ifyr fritljereg Gntgudten itber feinen 2Bi& ift je&t in bittern Spott iiber feine ^fyorfyett t>erft>anbelt. Gr ift arm, unb Btelletc^t cerbtent er feine s Jtrmut|> , benn er befi^t meber ba (^rge: fiil)I, ftd^ unab^dngig ^u ntadfyen, nod) bte (Sefc^idtic^feit, nufelta^ 311 fein." SSon geljeinten 33ett)e0grunben befttmmt, fprad) id) biefe 33emer!ung mtt ^u tjrofjer ^cirte au, unb Sophie ertlcirte fid) mtt 9Jttlbe bagegen. ,,2Belcbe au^ fetn fritfyere S3etragen gemefen fein mag, lieber SSater, je^t wenigftenS fottte itm feine Sage t>or Xabel fcfyuljen. Seine gegentrarttge Slrmutf) ift etne btnlanglitt^e trafe fiir feine friifyere X^or^eit, unb id^ ^abe metnen lieben 33ater felber fagen fyoren, it)tr mitjjten ntemalS einem Opfer etnen unnotljtgen Sd)lag cerfe^ten, itber bem bie SSorfefyung t^re etfjel fd)it)ingt." ,,u l;aft Ke$t, op^ie/' rtef mein 6ol)n -JRofe^, ,,unb ein alter Starter ftellt un^ febr fd)6n ein fo bol)afte 5Betragen in bem SSerfucfye beg ^auern bar, ber ben -s> 56 o- so bad as my father would represent it. We are not to judge of the feelings of others by what we might feel if in their place. However dark the habitation of the mole to our eyes, yet the animal itself finds the apartment sufficiently lightsome. And, to confess the truth, this man's mind seems fitted to his station; for I never heard any one more sprightly than he was to-day, when he conversed with you." This was said without the least design: however, it excited a blush, which she strove to' cover by an affected laugh; assuring him that she scarce took any notice of what he said to her, but that she believed he might once have been a very fine gentleman. The readiness with which she undertook to vindicate herself, and her blushing, were symptoms I did not internally approve; but I repressed my suspicions. As we expected our landlord the next day, my wife went to make the venison pasty; Moses sat reading, while I taught the little ones: my daughters seemed equally busy with the rest, and I obser- fcfyinben mill, nadibent ifynt fcfyon em 2lnberer bie aut fcolltg abge= jogen. Ucbrigen$ ft>eif3 id) nicfyt, ob bie age btefe armen 9Jianne fo ubel ift, tme ber ^ater fte barftcllt. SBtr ntuffen bie Q)eful;le Stnberer md)t itacb bent beurtljeilen, n?a* miv cmpftnbeu miirben, menu mir an ifyrer Stelle md'ren. er= fid^erte, luenig auf ba gead^tet 311 fjaben, n?ag er gefagt; bod? metnte fie, er moge eljemat^ n?o^I ein recfyt feiner ^err geiuefen fein. 3>ie SereitmiUigfeit, momtt fte fid) ju t>ertl)etbigen fuc^te, unb tt)r (^rrotfyen maren Stimptome, bie mir nid)t fonberltd) gefteten; boc^ lie^ id? metnen 33erbad^t ntc^t (aut toerben. 2)a mir ant ndd^ftcn age unfern ut5t)errn erirarteten, befd)dftigte fid? ntetne ^-rau nttt ber ^ubereitung etner SBtlbpretpaftete. 2Rofe Ia, ma'fyrenb > 57 ved them for a good while cooking something over the fire. I at first supposed they were assisting their mother; but little Dick infor- med me, in a whisper, that they were making a wash for the face. Washes of all kinds I had a natural antipathy to ; for I knew that, instead of mending the complexion, they spoiled it. I therefore approached my chair by slow degrees to the fire, and grasping the poker, as if it wanted mending, seemingly by accident, overturned the whole composition; and it was too late to begin another. CHAP. VII. A TOWN WIT DESCRIBED THE DULLEST FELLOWS MAY LEARN TO BE COMICAL FOR A NIGHT OR TWO. When the morning arrived on which we Avere to entertain our young landlord, it may be easily supposed what provisions were id) bie Clemen unterrid)tete, unb tneine 6cfyter fcfyienen eben fo befcfydftigt tme bie Uebricjen, unb id) bemerfte, bafc fie erne giemlicfye Qeit ettt>a am $euer fodjten. 2lnfang3 glaubte id), fie todren ifyrer Gutter betwlflid?; bod) ber fleine ^idfyarb fagte tnir fyeimlid), fie !oc^ten @d)onl)eitgn)affer fur ifyre Q&tfify ter. egen 6d}6n^ettgmaffer alter 2lrt ^atte ic^ ton jefyer eine natitrlia^e 2lbnei0ung, benn id) itu^te, ba^ e ben Xeint terbirbt, ftatt i^n ju serfd^ nern. $d) ritdte ba^er nttt metnem Seffel langfant gum $euer fyn, ergriff ba a^ureifen, tfyat, al iroltte id) ba $euer anfd)iiren unb ftie^ plo^li(^ tote btird) 3faH ta gauge ebrd'u um; unb eg luar 311 fpd't, ein neue gu fod)en. Sicbentcs 33efd)reit)ung eineS 2Btftng8 au ber tabt. 35 te atbernften 23uvfci)c fcnncn etntge 5lbenbe fcchtfiigen. ll ber SJlorgen fam, too hrir unfern jungen ut^^errn bcrtrirtfyen fodten, ia^i leid)t benfen, ba^ alte 33orrdt!)e erfd)6pft tmtrben, um un ein ^(\\- -* 58 < exhausted to make an appearance. It may also be conjectured, that my wife and daughters expanded their gayest plumage upon this occasion. Mr. Thornhill came with a couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. The servants, who were numerous, he politely ordered to the next alehouse; but my wife, in the triumph of her heart, insisted on entertaining them all; for which, by-the-by, our family was pin- ched for three weeks after. As Mr. Burchell had hinted to us the day before, that he was making some proposals of marriage to Miss fefyen 311 geben. 2(iid) farm man ftd? fcorftellen , baft meine $rau unb 6rf)ter bet biefer (Megenfyett ibr buntefte3 efteber aubretteten. err Xfyorntrill fam mit ein paar ^-reunben iinb f einem Kaplan , ber pglei^ ba ef c^dft batte , feine ^ampf^dtjne ju fitttern. Seine ga^Ireicfje Sienerfc^aft mollte er au^ f)of(td)feit in ba ndc^fte 2Birtl)bau^ fcfyiden, boc^ meine grau beftanb in ber ^reube ibre ^erjen barauf, fie alle 3u betutrtben, in $olge bcffen, bei= tdufig gefagt, fid^ bte gamilie brei -JBocfyen nad^^er mit fc^malen Siffen bezels fen mufitc. Ta .^err S3urdbe(I un am Sage t>or^er einen 2lUnf gegeben, o 59 o- Wilmot, my son George's former mistress, this a good deal damped the heartiness of his reception; but accident, in some measure, relie- ved our embarrassment; for, one of the company happening to men- tion her name, Mr. Thornhill observed, with an oath, that he never knew any thing more absurd than calling such a fright a beauty: "For, strike me ugly," continued he, "if I should not find as much pleasure in choosing my mistress by the information of a lamp under the clock of St. Dunstan's." At this he laughed, and so did we: the jests of the rich are ever successful. Olivia too could not avoid whispering, loud enough to be heard, that he had an infinite fund of humour. After dinner, I began with my usual toast, the church: for this I was thanked by the chaplain, as he said the church was the only mistress of his affections. "Come, tell us honestly, Frank," said the squire, with his usual archness, "suppose the church, your present mistress, dressed in lawn sleeves, on one hand, and Miss Sophia, with IfyornfyUl fyabe bem $rdulein Arabella SBilmot, ber friifyeren eliebten met; ne @eorg, einen |jeiratf)antrag gemadjt, fo that bie ber .iperglid^ett fetne3 @mpfange grofjen Gintrag. 3)od) ein gitfall ^ un au fc e r SBerlegenfyeit; benn al Giner au ber efelljcfyaft pfdllig ifyren 9?amen nannte, betfyeuerte err XfyornfyiU mit etnem Gibe, er !enne ni^t Slbgefc^tnadtereS, aU biefe $ot3elf$eud?e eine d^6nl)eit ju nennen. ,,2ftan foil mi(^ braun unb blew jcfylagen," ful)r er fort , ,,tt)enn id) mir nid^t eben fo gerne betm S^etn einer ^atnpe ein 2)dm(^en iinter <3t. unftan' tocfe trd^ten ftjill." .'pierbei lad^te er unb wir tauten mit. 2)ie c^erje reiser Seute finb ja immer toi^tg. Olima !onnte nid^t unt^tn, mir letfe, boc^ f)6rbar genug, 3U3ufliiftern , baJ3 er einen retd)en @d)a^ t>on Saune befi^e. 3^att^ Xifa^e bracfyte id) meinen geiuo^nli^en Xoaft auf bte ^irc^e au, morauf mir ber Kaplan ermieberte: bie $ird)e fei bte ein^tge eltebte feine ^er^enS. ,,.^6'ren 6ie, ^ranf/' fagte ber utl)err mit feiner gero6fynltd?en ^eic^tfertigfeit, ,,feien 6ie einmal efyrlid) ! efe^t, 3^ re gegenmdrttge (Miebte, bie Utr^e, ftdnbe tm bifcfydflicfyen eiuanbe auf ber einen Seite ton ^tynen 60 no lawn about her, on the other; which would you be for?'' "For both, to be sure," cried the chaplain "Right, Frank," cried the squire: "for may this glass suffocate me, but a fine girl is worth all the priestcraft in the creation. For what are tithes and tricks but an imposition, all a confounded imposture? and I can prove it." "I wish you would," cried my son Moses; "and I think," continued he, "that 1 should be able to answer you." "Very well, sir," cried the squire, who immediately smoked him, and winked on the rest of the com- pany, to prepare us for the sport: "if you are for a cool argument upon the subject, I am ready to accept the challenge. And first, whether are you for managing it analogically, or dialogically?" "I am for managing it rationally," cried Moses, quite happy at being permitted to dispute. "Good again," cried the squire: "and, firstly, of the first, I hope you'll not deny, that whatever is, is: if you don't grant me that, I can go no further." "Why," returned Moses, "I think I may grant that; and make the best of it." "I hope too," unb ^rdulein Sophie obnc (9eroanb auf ber anbern, fur toelcfye toiirben Sie fid) entfct>eiben?" ,,en?ijj fur beibe," rtef ber Kaplan. ,,Mecfyt fo, $ranf I" rief ber ut^err. ,,2ft6ge id} an biefem GHafe erfttden, menn ein Mtbfd)e3 2Jtdbd>en nicfyt mel}r fcertl} ift, al bie ganje $riefterfd)aft auf ber SBelt! 2Ba3 ftnb ifyre 3efynten, ifyre 9idnfe unb Mniffe anberS, al 23etrug, afc fcfydnblicfyer fann e^ benjeifen!" ,,3d) iroltte, ie tfjdten e," rtef ntein , ,,unb ic^ glaube im (Btanbe ju fein, Sie n?iberlegen ju fonnen." ,,6el)r gern!" ermieberte ber ittIjerr, ber fcinen 6d)er3 tnit it)m treiben itollte unb ben 2lnbern ^uminfte, bafe e einen Spafj geben miirbe. ,,2BolIen Sie ben egenftanb faltbliitig erortern, fo bin icfy berett, bie ^orberung an; 3unel)men. SSorljer aber erftdren 6ie ficfc : ftnb Sie fur bie analogifd)e ober bialogifdje ^Benjeigfuljrung?" %$ bin fur bie tternunfttnd'fu'ge 53emeie= fu^rung/' rief Uftofe^ ubergludlia^ , ba^ er (Megenfyeit ^abe, ^u bi^putiren. ,,@ut ," fagte ber utstjerr. ,,ur drfte irerben Sie ^offentlid} nid)t Id'ug; nen, ba^ SlUe^, ma tft, ift. SBenn Sie mtr ba nic^t gugeben, !ann id} nid)t n?eiter ge^en." ,,Gi nun," entgegnete yjofe, ,,ba !ann id? mot}! ^ugeben _^. 61 - returned the other, "you will grant that a part is less than the whole." "I grant that too," cried Moses: "it is but just and reasonable." "I hope," cried the squire, "you will not deny, that the three angles of a triangle are equal to two right ones." "Nothing can be plai- ner," returned the other, and looked round him with his usual impor- tance. "Very well," cried the squire, speaking very quickly; "the premises being thus settled, I proceed to observe, that the concatena- tion of self -existences, proceeding in a reciprocal duplicate ratio, naturally produces a problematical dialogism, which in some measure proves that the essence of spirituality may be referred to the second predicable." "Hold, hold," cried the other, "I deny that. Do you think I can thus tamely submit to such heterodox doctrines?'' "What!" replied the squire, as if in a passion, "not submit! Answer me one plain question. Do you think Aristotle right, when he says, that relatives are related?" "Undoubtedly," replied the other. "If so, then," cried the squire, "answer me directly to what I propose: imb e fur mid) cmtoenben." ,,o fyoffe id) cwd)," terfe&te ber Sincere, ,,ie toerben mir giigeben, bafj em Sfyeil tlevner ift, al3 ba anje." ,,2(ud) jiu gegeben," anttnortete 2ftofe; ,,e ift nid)t mefyr aB redfyt imb bUUg." ,,ofc fentltd? merben Sie nid?t Idugnen," fagte ber utfyerr, ,,ba^ bie Sffiinfel eine^ 2)reiec! ^mei rec^ten gleid? ftnb?" ti yi\tf)t% !ann tlarerfein," ericieberte bte^ fer, tnit mic^tiger 2Riene urn fid) btidtenb. ,,$ortrefflicfy!" rief ber ut^err, inbem er fefyr rafc^ fprad); ,,bie ^rdmiffen totiren alfo feftgeftellt, imb id) gefye 311 ber 93emer!ung iiber, bafj bie ^Berfettung ton Selbfteriftengen, fortf^reitenb in gegenfeitigem ^oppeberljdltniffe, tiotl)tt?enbig einen problemajifc^en S)ia : log ^erforbringt , ber getriffennajkn betneift, ba^ bie effenjbcr 6piritualttdt auf baio jireite ^rdbicat begogen i^erben tnujs." ,,-!piIt, f^cilt," rief ber 2In= bere, ,,ba laiigne id). lauben <2ie, ic^i merbe mid) fcl^en fyeteroboren l'et)r; fdfeen bereitn?illig fiigen?" ,,2Ba!" rief ber @utl)err fyeftig au ; w nid)t fiigen! SBeantmorten Sie mir eine ein^ige einfad)e ^rage. (Slauben ie, bn^ s Jlriftotele $e$t t)at, n?enn er fagt: relative d^e feien re(atit? y/ ,,DI?ne ber ^tnbere. ,,2Berm ba^ ift," rief ber ($iit3fyerr, ,,fo ant; > G2 >- Whether do you judge the analytical investigation of the first part of my ettthymerae deficient secundum quoad, or quoad minus? and give me your reasons, I say, directly." "I protest," cried Moses, "I do not rightly comprehend the force of your reasoning; but if it be reduced to one single proposition, I fancy it may then have an answer." U 0, sir," cried the squire, "I am your most humble ser- vant: I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects too. No, sir; there, I protest, you are too hard for me." This effectually raised the laugh against poor Moses, who sat the only dismal figure in a group of merry faces; nor did he offer a single syllable more during the whole entertainment. But though all this gave me no pleasure, it had a very different effect upon Olivia, who mistook it for humour, though but a mere act. of the memory. She thought him therefore a very fine gentleman; and such as consider what powerful ingredients a good figure, fine clothes, and fortune, are in that character, will easily forgive her. tuorten Sie mtr beftimntt auf ntcine $rao,e : fatten fte bie anatyttfcbe Unter= fud^ung be erftcn fyctl3 meinee Gntfyt)mema'3 fur unjuldnfllid) secundum quoad ober quoad minus? OJcbcn Sie $bu (9riinbe an geben Sie ofyne Umicbhjeife S^ rc runbe an!" %$ mitfe Qeftefyen," ernncbcrte SWofes, ,,id) tterftefye bie SJebeutuna, 3ftre 9taifonnement3 nid?t redfyt. 2Benn e auf eine etnfac^e ^ropofttion ^urucfflefu^rt n)iirbe, glaube ic^ barauf antiuortcn 311 fon= nen." ,,0 mein ^err, /y erfe^te bet utfym, n i$ bin ^ Qefyorfamfter Wiener. ^^ f e ^ e f^ n ^ i$ fell Sie nia^t blo mit Slrgumenten, fonbern aud) iibcrbicv nod) mit $erftanb t>erjel;en. 3iein, mein err, bageflen mu{3 ic^ pro= tefttren; Sie finb mtr 311 Ijartfepfig." ^e^t brad) ein (Madder au auf ^o= ften be armen 2)iD|"ee , ber in ber rupfce t>on fr6^lid>en Gkftcbtern eine trau= rige ^itjur fptelte unb md^renb ber Qan^en Unterfyaltung !ein 2Bort fprad^). 2)ie ganse Sac^e erre^te mein DJJifjfaHen, bod? brad)te fte auf Oltfia eine cjanj Derjd)tebene 2Btr!un0 b^^or. Ste t)ielt ba fiir 2Bt^ unb Saune, ita0 blower ebdittntfifram tear. SfyornlnU erfd)ten iljr aB ein 2ftann on feiner , unb toer ben mdi^tt0en ^Jfetj tennt, ben eine ^ubfc^e eftalt, fdfyone -^ 63 Mr. Thornhill, notwithstanding his real ignorance, talked with ease, and could expatiate upon the common topics of conversation with fluency. It is not surprising, then, that such talents should win the affections of a girl, who by education was taught to value an ap- pearance in herself, and, consequently, to set a value upon it in another. Upon his departure, we again entered into a debate upon the merits of our young landlord. As he directed his looks and conver- sation to Olivia, it was no longer doubted but that she was the object that induced him to be our visitor. Nor did she seem to be much displeased at the innocent raillery of her brother and sister upon this occasion. Even Deborah herself seemed to share the glory of the day, and exulted in her daughter's victory, as if it wore her own. "And now, my dear," cried she to me, "I'll fairly own, that it was I that instructed my girls to encourage our landlord's addresses. I had always some ambition , and you now see that I was right ; for unb 33erm60en fold)en -iftenfcfyen tierletfyen, ber ttnrb e3 tfyr leid)t t>er; Ungeacfytet feiner hnrfltd)en Unmiffenfyett fprad) err fyorn(nU mtt grofser etd)ttglett unb fonnte fid? iiber gett>6lmlid)e egenftdnbe ber ilnter; Battling fefyr geldufig au^briitfen. 3ftan barf fid) bafyer md)t munbern, irenn er burd) biefe Gtgenfd)aften bie 3uneigung eirte 9Jltibd)en gemann, bte fid) ttermoge iljrer (Srjiefyung felber nad^ bem du^ern 6^ein beurtl;eilte unb folg-- lid) aud) ben 2Bertl) Slnberer barnac^ fcticifete. 21I unfer junger utl)err fi(^ entfernt ^atte, ftritten iuir nod)tnal iiber )etne 23erbienfte. 2)a feine S3Ud'e unb feine UnterfyaUung beftdnbig an Dli^ia gerid)tet iraren, fo fonnte e nid)t langer 3itetfell)aft fein, baf 3 fie e luar, bte i^n tteranlafite, un p befuc^en. 2lu^> fd)ien fie bie unfc^ulbige 3ted'erei il)re3 33ruber unb iljrer Sd)tt)efter nicfyt iibel gu ne^men. 6elbft 5)ebora fd)ien ben ^iul)m be age gu t^eilen unb frol)Io(!te iiber ben teg ifyrer Xoc^ter, al n)dre eg tl)r etgener. ,,llnb nun, mein Sieber/' rief fie mtr ju, ,,inttl tct) offen befennen, ba^ tc^ nteinen od)tern geratljen babe , unf ern ut3l)m:n in feinen Scinerbungen aufguntuntern. 3d) ^abe on je^er etnen getoiffen > 64 o- who knows how this may end?" "Ay, who knows that indeed!" answered I, with a groan. "For my part, I don't much like it; and I could have been better pleased with one that was poor and honest than this fine gentleman, with his fortune and infidelity; for, depend on it, if he be what I suspect him, no freethinker shall ever have a child of mine." ' "Sure, father," cried Moses, "you are too severe in this; for Heaven will never arraign him for what he thinks, but for what he does. Every man has a thousand vicious thoughts, which arise without his power to suppress. Thinking freely of religion may be involuntary with this gentleman; so that allowing his sentiments to Ix! wrong, yet, as he is purely passive in his assent, he is no more to be blamed for his errors , than the governor of a city without walls for the shelter he is obliged to afford an invading enemy." "Time, my son," cried I: "but if the governor invites the enemy there, he is justly culpable; and such is always the case with those l;abt, unb nun fiefyft !u trotyl, bafs id) JJted)t fyatte; bcnn toer toetfr, itne ba enbet?" ,,2ld) ja, toer tann ba3 twffen!" anttoortere id) mit einem ttefen eufjer. ,,2)lir gcfdllt biefe Gacfye ntd)t. 2Beit licber totire mir ein armer unb reblid)er iWann, a I* biefer feine jerr mit feinem y{ctd)tl)um imb Unglauben; bonn lucnn er, trie id) aviimobno, cin ^reibenfet tft, fo foil er nunmcr etui? on ineincn Minbcrn bcfontmcn." ,,arin bift ^u 0en?i^ 311 ftrenge, lieber SBatcr/' rief 2)Ioje; ,,bcr $\m: mol tinrb ityn nid)t nac^ bent rid)ten, ma er benft, jonbern na^> bem, tna* er Unit. 3 e ^ er SD^nfd^ I;at taujenb lafterl;afte ebanfcn, bie in itytn auffteigcn, ol)ne ba^ er bie 2Rad)t tyat, fie 311 unterbriiden. ^SieUetc^t i[t es biefem ^errn unintllfurHcty , fret itber Religion u benf'en. efe^t, feine 9Jletnimgen finb irrig , fo tterbcilt er fic^ boc^ Delltg paffttt bet fetnen ^rrttyuntern unb tft ntd)t ntebr ju tabeln, aU ber Gontntanbant etncr Stabt otyne 2Rauern, ber fie bem etnbrtngcnben ^etnbe 3U itberlaffen 0enotl)tQt tft." ,,8el)r irabr, metn Sol;n," rief id); ,,bod) tuenn ber (Scntmanbant ben bortbin cinlabct, fo ift er mit SHed?t ftrafbar, unb bte tft [tete ber #aU > 65 < who embrace error. The vice does not lie in assenting to the proofs they see, but in being blind to many of the proofs that offer. So that, though our erroneous opinions be involuntary when formed, yet, as we have been wilfully corrupt, or very negligent, in form- ing them, we deserve punishment for our vice, or contempt for our folly." My wife now kept up the conversation, though not the argument: she observed, that several very prudent men of our acquaintance were freethinkers, and made very good husbands: and she knew some sensible girls that had skill enough to make converts of their spouses: "And who knows, my dear," continued she, "what Olivia may be able to do? The girl has a great deal to say upon every sub- ject, and, to my knowledge, is very well skilled in controversy." "Why, my dear, what controversy can she have read?" cried J. "It does not occur to me that I ever put such books into her hands : you certainly overrate her merit." "Indeed, papa," replied Olivia, bei benen, tie fid) tern ^rrtbum ergeben. 3)as ^ergeben liegt ntcfyt in ber Wil lujung ber 23eroeife, bie fte feljen, fonbern bavin, baft fie bltnb ftnb fur fo mele SJeroetfe, bte fid) tfynen barbieten. 28enn unfere irrigen 2)]etnungen and) in itjrem Urfprunae unnnUturitd) ftnb, fo tterbtenen twr bocfy, n?enn tmr fte mtt ober au3 eid)tfinn ancjenommen ^aben, Strafe fiir unfere $er= ober S i5eracf)tung tr>ea,en unferer X^orl)eit. ;/ 9hm nttfd)te fid} metne ^-rau in ba efprtid), boi^ ol)ne fid) auf riinbe einjulaffen. Sie bemerfte, baft tne&rere fef)r tjerftanbige Seute unter unfern 33efannten ^reibenfer unb bo(^ fef}r gitte 6!)emanner it>aren; and) fenne fte einige cerftanbige 3Rdbd)en, bte Qkjcbtd genug fatten, tf)re banner 311 befeb-- ren. ,,llnb mer toeift, metn Sieber/' fefete fte fyttisu, ,,h)a unfere OIttta t?er-^ ntag? ^)ae 2)iabc^en metft itber jeben (Segenftanb su reben, unb nteiner 2ln^ ftd)t nad) ift fte ntd)t unerfabren in (3laubenftrettto(!etten. ;; ,,3lber metne Siebe," rtef id), ,,toon n?elc(}en 0(aubenSftretttgfetten fann fte benn etraa^ gelefen l)aben? ^c^ beftnne ntid) nid}t, baft itf). if)r bergletc^en s ^ud)er in bte .panb gegeben. 3)u fdbldgft ibr ^erbienft in ber %fyat ^u l)od) -~+ 66 "she does not: 1 have read a great deal of controversy. I have read the disputes between Thwackum and Square; the controversy between Robinson Crusoe and Friday, the savage; and I am now employed in reading the controversy in Religious Courtship." "Very well," cried I, "that's a good girl: I find you are perfectly qualified for making converts, and so go help your mother to make the gooseberry pie." CHAP. vm. AN AMOl K, WHICH I'HO.MISKS I.ITTJ.K (il)Ol) FOKTt'NK , Y KT MAY UK I'lldDfCTIVi: OK MUCH. The next morning we were again visited by Mr. Burchell, though I began, for certain reasons, to be displeased with the frequency of his return; but I could not refuse him my company and fireside. It is true, his labour more than requited his entertainment; for he wrought an." ,,9tein, lieber $ater," tterfefcte Oltoia, ,,ba3 ift nid?t ber Jail. 3d) babe met iiber GHauben*ftreitia.feiten aelefen. 3$ la bie disputation $o\- fd)en Sbtocufwn unb Square, aud? bie jrtrifcben Wobinfon Crusoe unb ,~yrei: tag bem SBilben , unb a.eflemtdrtifl Icfe icb ben Gontror>er3 in bent eijtlicben ^iebbaber." ,,Gi," rtef id), ,,ba ift ja ein iradere^ iRdba^cn! ^cb febe irobl, ^u bift trefflidb geeiflnet, ^reigetfter ju befebren; fo fleb benn nun unb \)\{\ Reiner Gutter ben ctacbclbeerfucften bacfen." Hapttd. @ine ?iebfd)aft, tie ircntg OHiicf vcr^eipt, tod) abev jjropee berbeifutu-en fann. 2Jm nda^ften 2)iorgen befucbte un^ .perr 33uvcbe(l luicber, obgleici} e^ mir au 0en?iffen (^riinben mif^fiel, ba^ er ftcb fo b^'ufig einftedte. 2)o(b fonnte icb ibni ntetne efellfd)aft unb metn ^taminfeuer nicbt werfagen. Seine Arbeit bracbte freiltcb mebr etn, al3 feine ^emirthung foftete, benn er arbettcte nacb -* 67 < among us with vigour, and, either in the meadow or at the hayrick, put himself foremost. Besides, he had always something amusing to say that lessened our toil, and was at once so out of the way, and yet so sensible, that I loved, laughed at, and pitied him. My only dislike arose from an attachment he discovered to my daughter: he would, in a jesting manner, call her his little mistress, and when he bought each of the girls a set of ribands, hers was the finest. I knew not how, but he every day seemed to become more amiable, his wit to improve, and his simplicity to assume the superior airs of wisdom. Our family dined in the field, and we sat, or rather reclined, round a temperate repast, our cloth spread upon the hay, while Mr. Burchell gave cheerfulness to the feast. To heighten our satis- faction , two blackbirds answered each other from opposite hedges, the familiar redbreast came and picked the crumbs from our hands, and every sound seemed but the echo of tranquillity. U T never sit beften $rtiften tntt un unb mar auf ber SiMefe ober behn eufa>ber ftet* ber (*rfte. 2luf3erbem batte er immer etma Unterl;altenbe u erjafylen, moburcfy un bie Arbeit erleicfytert murbe, @r mar juflleidj fo au^gelaffen uub bod) roieber fo fcerftanbtg, baf} id) ifyn lieben, fiber ifm lad^en unb ifyn bemitlet= ben mufste. ^)a (Ein^ige, ma mir mifjflel, mar, baft er DIeigung 311 meiner Xod)ter t>errtet^. r pftegte fie im Sdjer^e fetne !leine 93raiit 311 uennen, unb menn er ben beiben TCbcfyen S3anber !aufte, fo mar 6opl)ien3 93anb oemifj tmmer ba f^onfte, $$ mufjte nicfyt, mie e gefc^al), bod) fd)ien er jeben ^tacj Iieben^murbi0er 311 merben. Sein 2Bt^ r>rfeinerte fid? unb fetn einfa^e^ SBefen nafym etnen 2tnflug t>on I)6l;erer SBei^eit an. Unfere ^amtlie na^m bas> 2Uittaggeffen auf bem ^elbe etn, unb mir fafjen ober lagerten un t)telmet)r urn etn etnfad)e3 SRaf)!, Unfer Xtfd}tuc^ mar fiber einen .^eubaitfen gebreitet, unb Sur^elt 1 ^ ,^eiterfeit miirjte ben 6d)mau. llnfere ^vrenbe ju er^6I;en, antmorteten ^mei Slmfeln einanber con ben ijegen; iiberftebenben ^)ec!en au. S?a ^ittraulid^e JRotbte^lc^en fam unb ^idte bie ^Brobtrumen au$ unfern ^dnben nnb jeber ^.on erf d)ien nun a(3 ba G"d)o ber _<. 68 < thus," said Sophia, "but 1 think of the two lovers, so sweetly described by Mr. Gay, who were struck dead in each other's arms. There is something so pathetic in the description, that I have read it a hundred times with new rapture." -- "In my opinion," cried my son, "the finest strokes in that description are much below those in the Acis and unb 3ufriet>enbeit. ^mmer trenn id) fo bafi&e," fagte 6opl)ie, ,,tnuf3 id) an bie betben Viebenben benfen, bie einanber umarment) om Sli^e getrof.- fen rourDen, rote ee un ^err 0ap fo gart gef cfnlbert fyat. ($> liegt etroas fo s Jtufyrent>e5 in ter Sef^reibung , &afc ic^ fie bunbertmal tnit ftet neuem Gnt- Siicten gelefen babe." ,,2)ieiner Stnftcbt nacb," uerfe^te mem Sobn, w fteben tie feinften 3ufle biefer 8cbilberung tier unter Cuib'^ ebicht: 3(ci5 unb &a Galatea of Ovid. The Roman poet understands the use of contrast better, and upon that figure, artfully managed, all strength in the pathetic depends." "It is remarkable," cried Mr. Burchell, ''that both the poets you mention have equally contributed to introduce a false taste into their respective countries, by loading all their lines with epithets. Men of little genius found them most easily imitated in their defects; and English poetry, like that in the latter empire of Rome, is nothing at present but a combination of luxuriant images, without plot or connexion; a string of epithets, that improve the sound, without carrying on the sense. But, perhaps, madam, while I thus reprehend others, you will think it just that I should give them an opportunity to retaliate; and, indeed, I have made this remark only to have an opportunity of introducing to the company a ballad, which, whatever be its other defects, is, I think, at least free from those I have mentioned." latea. 'Ser ronttfcfye Ttcfyter tierftebt bie 2lnment>img be3 (5ontraftea beffer, unt) auf Dcr fiinftlicfyen 2(ntoenbung btefer $ebeft$ur berubt allc s TiMrhiru] be* ^atbettfcben." ( ift nterftourbtQ ," bemcrfte err SBurd&elf, ,,baf} bte bei= ben ertodbnten ^id^ter ba^u beujetracjen fyaben, einen falfrfjen efcfomarf in tbrem ^aterlanbe etngufubren, inbem fie tfyre 33erfe mit ^eimijrtern itber= (uben. banner ton gerimjeren Salenten fanben e bequem, ibre J-ebler nac^jua^men, unb bie englifd^e ^oefte, t3teic^ ber in ber (eten ^eriobe be vomifd}en JHeid^e^, ift nid()t wetter , al ein Bu^nimenfteUen iippiger Silber obne -}Han unb 3 i n"^ntment)ang, eine &teif)e t>on 23 ei to orient, bie gut fttn; iien, aber fetnen 6mn geben. 2)od), inbem id) Slnbere tabte, balten <5ie es> t3ielletd)t fiir btdig, metn ^rduletn, jenen etne elegen^ett jitr 33erge(tunc3 gu ^emca^ren; unb in ber %fyat nta^te tcb nur btefe 33emerfuntj, um bie 0e; lec|enl)eit gu l)aben, ber efellfcbaft etne S3a(labe orutrac|en, bie, metcbe^ aucf) fonft ibre ^ler fetn mogen, boc^, tote i$ Qlaiibe, on ben eben ertodbnten frei ift." A HALL AD. "Turn, gentle hermit of the dale. And guide my lonely way. To where yon taper cheers the vale With hospitable ray. "For here forlorn and lost 1 tread. With fainting steps and slow; Where wilds immeasurably .-piv;ul. Sri-in lengthening as I go. 1 ' "Forbear, my son," the hermit cries, "To tempt the dangerous gloom : For yonder faithless phantom Hit-.-. To lure thce to thy doom. "Here to the housi-1.'-^ cliil.l of want. My door is open still; Ami though my portion is but ><-:un I give it with good will. n f f n b r. .>ert>or, bu qutcr Cn-cmit, 'Uihv' mid) turd' 1 * etc liortbin, n?o jene Jtcr^c 33ertrrt unt cinfam n>anfcr' id) bici ilJiit mattcn 2d)ritten fort, I)te 2Dilbntp breitet au8 cor mtr <2id) cnt(cei bier itnb tort. 3untrf! viift ta tcr Grcmit, olg' nidjt tern Sdjetn, mein >enn jenes 3rrtid)t treuloe fliebt Unb fprid^t fcem 2Bantrer heimathfofcm J?int 3ft offcn meine Jtnir; lint n?cnn aud) fd)inal bic 33ijfen fine. Xbeii' fie bod) cjern mit btr. -~> 71 < "Then turn to-night, and freely share Whate'er my cell bestows; My rushy couch and frugal fare, My blessing and repose. No flocks that range the valley free. To slaughter I condemn: Taught by that Power that pities me, I learn to pity them. "But from the mountain's grassy side A guiltless feast I bring; A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied, And water from the spring. "Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego; All earthborn cares are wrong: Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long." Soft as the dew from heaven descends, His gentle accents fell: The modest stranger lowly bends, And follows to the cell. @o tvitt benn au bem ftnflcrn b,al 3n meine ^laufc ein; 3)iein Sinfenbett unb m'idjtern 3Jiab,l egen unb 3tul)' ftnb bein. .Rein Samm, bag fret bag f)al burcbftreift, Siibt' id) jur @cb(acfytbanf bin; Der mid) mtt 2Bot)Itt)at uberMnft, fiebrt QJittlcib metnem @inn. ber l' id), tt>a3 nitr gebridjt; ift on 5tuct)t S)em Dnelt fef>lt SBoffer nirt)t. JUnnm, ^itgev, fd)(age in ben 2Binb Die @orgen fd)it>er nnb bong; 9tur n>enig braud^t ein 9Jienfd)enftnb, llnb was eg braucb,t, nid)t tang. 3Jiilb n.ne nom Jgimmct ^bau ftdj fenft, (SrfcfyaUt be ^(augncre SBort; 1)ev fcfteuc $itger fdjiueigenb lenft 3)en @d)rttt jitm fidjcrn Drt. ; 7-2 Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely manison lay. A refuge to the neighbouring jooi . And strangers led astray. No stores beneath its humble thatch Required a master's care; The wicket, opening with a latch, Received the harmless pair. And now, when busy crowds retire To take their evening rest. The hermit trimmed his little h're. And cheered his pensive guest: And spread hia vegetable store. And gaily pressed, and smiled: And, skilled in legendary lore, The lingering hours beguiled. Around in sympathetic mirth Its tricks the kitten tries: The cricket chirrups in the heartli. The crackling faggot flies. lief in verborg'ner SBilbnip lag DaS fleinc duScfyn bort, 2Bar 2lrmcn @cfo,ub in 9lotl) imb 2Banbrern ein reicfoe Scfydfec bidet bier >a8 niefcre Jgitttc^en bar; 1>ie ^tinfe fdjliept fcic female f;ur, ctn barmtoS t, n?c ber Stabler bunte Scfoaav 3um @d)maufc etlt in aft, t einen @ilj ber ^(auSner tar 3lm J&erb bem ftitten aft. 2>er 5rud)te favgen SSorratt) er 3bm ^eiter Idc^etnb beut, Unb bei ber aqen frotyer 2el)r' (S'ntfUcbet rafcf> bie 3eit. Xte Jla^e auct) iiir 1 b.eil begeb,rt tlnb fdjmtegt ftrt) an ibn bictn, jirpct unter'm J^ert, alette fcfynnrrt itm^ Sicbr. -^ 73 But nothing could a charm impark To sooth the stranger's woo: For grief was heavy at his heart. And tears began to flow. His rising cares the hermit spied. With answering care oppressed : "And whence, unhappy youth." he cri "The sorrows of thy breast V "From better habitations spurned. Reluctant dost thou rove? Or grieve for friendship unreturned. Or unregarded love? "Alas! the joys that fortune brings Are trifling, and decay; And those who prize the paltry thing*. More trifling still than they. "And what is friendship but a naino. A charm that lulls to sleep : A shade that follows wealth or fame, But leaves the wretch to weep? Dorf) njeber Sftunterfeit nocfy Stimmt better feinen iDer Summer brucfet fcfyrcer fein 3n btanen fUept er Mn. Der (Sremit bemerft fein 2Bet>, ui-]pri-c(l, he sees new beauties rise. Swift mantling to the view, Like colours o'er the morning skit - : As bright, as transient too. The bashful look, the rising bn-a-t Alternate spread alarm-: Tin- lovely stranger stands eoftfi A maid. In all her charms ! Ami. "Ah! forgive a stranger rude. A wretch forlorn," she cried; 'Whose feet unhallowed thus Where heaven and you reside. lint no* wel leerer ift bie 8ieb', Der bciit'o, SduMien d>cr$, Oi'ur in tor Saube 91 eft fte blieb, icnft flob fte jefceS J&erj. Drum trc^e, licber Sobn, ter Oiotb, b, ft (in 3n feineg a|l' Weficbt. Dem bcdierftaunten sPlirfe bot 9)tand: neucr 9leij fid) bar, "Die SiBan^e gtiibt trie JDicr^cnrctb, Wlctd> ed>felnb unb g(eid) flat. 3n belter d?aatn fenft ftd) ter JBlt Die 33rufi ftd) bebenb Ijebt, Unt> vor bem Jtlaugner fliebt juriirf Gin DJidbd^en, reijbelcbt. U>eqeibt ter ftremben, ffebenb bat Die $refttofe, tter^etb,t ; Dap fctefe Sd^roell' mein Sup bctrat, Der JPteiligfeit geroeibt. -^ 75 "But let a maid thy pity share, Whom love has taught to stray : Who seeks for rest, but finds despair Companion of her way. "My father lived beside the Tyne, A wealthy lord was he ; And all his wealth was marked as mine He had but only me. "To win me from his tender arms. Unnumbered suitors came; Who praised me for imputed charms. And felt or feigned a flame. "Each hour^a mercenary crowd With richest proffers strove : Among the rest young Edwin bowed. "But never talked of love. "In humble, simplest habit clad, Nor wealth nor power had he; Wisdom and worth were all he had. But these were all to me. SWitietb nut tern avmcn J?tnb, DaS 8teb' $um 3Banbern trteb, Dem JHuf)' ttnt> Iiicf entfdjnntnben fint lint mtr SSerjnmflung Mieb. 2Jletn 53ater rooltnte an ber tyne, (Sin madjt'ger Sorb tvar er, lint all fcin 2anb itnb @ut n>ar mein, Jtinbcr fyatt' cr mcbv. feinen 2lrmcn ju entjtel)'n Ram einc greierfcfyaar ; @ar mancijcn 9leij fie mtr setliefy'n, oier in feiler -^aiife tmmevbar 2tttt aben ^anbet trieb! 5lud) itnter itinen @bn>in n>ar, farad) er nte on 8ieb'. reid) n?ar er unb frodjgeeiu Unb tarn in fim)jlem Jtteik; feine 2GBeibett unb fetn SSaren nur mir -Tin- blossom opening to the day. The dews of heaven refined. Could nought of purity display. To emulate his mind. "The dew, the blossom on tin- tn e. With charms inconstant shin< : Their charms were his , but \voe t<> im- : Their constancy was mine. "For still I tried each fickle art. Importunate and vain ; And while his passion touched my heart. I triumphed in his pain: Till quite dejected with my sc.-ni. He left me to my pride, And sought a solitude forlorn, In secret, where he dietl! "But mine the sorrow, mine the t.iult. And well my life shall ]>.i . ; I'll seek the solitude he sought. And stretch me where he lay. t>ie &no3p', erbluht im Sttergcnliclu, oit jefit an trennen nnr unS nid)t, "iOtv tbeifen Sreub' unb djmcv^; Der Seufjer, ber betn Jjev^ einft briolu, 5)er brid)t and) (Sbn.nn'8 ^er;. -^ 78 While this ballad was reading, Sophia seemed to mix an air of tenderness with her approbation. But our tranquillity was soon dis- turbed by the report of a gun just by us; and, immediately after, a man was seen bursting through the hedge, to take up the game he had killed. This sportsman was the squire's chaplain, who had shot one of the blackbirds that so agreeably entertained us. So loud a report, and so near, startled my daughters; and I could perceive that Sophia, in the fright, had thrown herself into Mr. Burchell's arras for protection. The gentleman came up, and asked pardon for having disturbed us, affirming that he was ignorant of our being so near. He therefore sat down by my youngest daughter, and, sportsmanlike, oft'ered her what he had killed that morning. She was going to refuse, but a private look from her mother soon induced her to correct the mistake, and accept his present, though with some reluctance. My wife, as usual, discovered her pride in a whisper; observing, that Sophia had made a conquest of the chaplain, as well SBdbrenb er btefe iitallabe ttortrug, fasten fief} in SopfytenS Setfall erne aeroiffe ^drtltcbfeit 311 mtfdien. Unfcrc JKufye trmrbe abcr plo&lid) burd) ben Mnall cincr /vlinto geftort, bie bid)t ncbcn un* abgefcitert itmrbe, unb fogleid) fahcn imr einen ll'Kinn burd) bie .'pede fprtngen, uni ben gefrofftlien SLtogel auf= juljeben. Xtefer ^sdger roar bcr Maptan be* (^uthcrrn, bcc cine on ben 2(nu feln gefc^offen batte, bie une ebon nod) fo fcbr eriu^ten. Gin fo tauter unb na^er Scfnift er)d}redte mcine loiter, unb id) bemerfte, ba|^ 6cp^ie fid) fiircbt: fam in .f>errn ^urcbell'^ 3(rme gcworfcn t)atte. Xer Haplan fam ndl)er, bat urn 3?er3eit)un0 , un* beunrut)igt ju baben, inbem er crfid)erte, er babe merit a,ett>ufrt, baf) tnir fo nalje tvdren. (5r fe^te fic^ bemnad) ^u metner jungften Xod^ ter unb bot it)r nact) ^dflcrfitte an, ma er an bem 2Rorgen gefa^offen ^atte. 3te icar im S 43eariff, e^ ^ururfjunjetfen ; bod) ein oetjetmer 2Bin! t>on ibrer 9Jiut= ter beftimmte fie, tyrcn s JJiif?0riff ^u crbeffern, unb fte na^m ba efdjenf an, ob$(etd) e mit einigem 2Btbern)tllen gefdjafy. 2lMe geh3ol)nlicf) , duf>erte metne iyrau tl)ren Xriumpb in einent Jliiftern, inbem fie bemerfte, Sophie l)abe an bem Maplan eben fo gut cine Groberung gemad&t, mie i(>re 6d)mefter an bem ^> 79 -^~ as her sister had of the squire. 1 suspected, however, with more pro- bability, that her affections were placed upon a different object. The chaplain's errand was to inform us, that Mr. Thornhill had provided music and refreshments, and intended that night giving the young ladies a ball by moonlight, on the grass-plot before our door. "Nor (Sutefyerrn. $tf) tiermutfyete inbefc ntit grofcerer 2Bafyrjd)einlicfyfeit , baft ihrc 9ieigung auf einen ganj anbern egenjtanb geridfytet fei. 3)er Kaplan Ijattc ben 2Cuftrag, un ju ntelben, baf, ^err X^otn^ill fur 3Kufi! unb rfrifd^ungen oeforgt babe, unb SSillenS fei, ben jungen S)atnen an bem Slbenb auf bem 'Ka= f enplane tor unferer fyur einen Sail bei 2Ronbfc^ein 311 geben. ,,2lud) fann id) nicfyt Iciugnen/' fe^te er l^inju, ,,ba$ icf) ein ^Intereffe babei Ijabe, ber erfte o 80 or- can 1 deny," continued ho, "but 1 have an interest in being first to deliver this message, as 1 expect for my reward to be honoured with Miss Sophia's hand as a partner." To this my girl replied, that she should have no objection, if- she could do it with honour. "But here," continued she, "is a gentleman," looking at Mr. Burchell, "who has been my companion in the task of the day, and it is fit he should .-hare in its amusements." Mr. Burchell returned her a compliment for her intentions, but resigned her up to the chaplain, adding, that lie was to go that night five miles, being invited to a harvest supper. His refusal appeared to me a little extraordinary, nor could I conceive how as sensible a girl as my youngest could thus prefer a man of broken fiirtuno to one whose expectation^- were much greater. But as men are most capable of distinguishing merit in women, so the ladies often form the truest judgment of us. The two sexes seem placed as spies upon each other, and are furnished with different abilities, adapted for mutual i Ueberbringer biefer Sotfcfyaft ,ui join, t>a id) erroarte, baf. /vraulein Sopfytc mir al* x ^elobnung bafitr bie (rbre er^eigen nMrb, mil mir 311 tanjen." -Jfteme lorfner anninmetc, (to nnirbe nicbt* baflca,en ein,uutenben baben, n>enne*mit (*bren lU'fdH'ben fbnne. ,,:>U\T bier in ein MOW/' fufyr fie fort, inbcm fie 35ur : dH'll anlMtctte, rf tor mein ("ieln'ilfe bet imferer .7atio->avbett tuar, unb ee ift ir>obt vedn uni 1 billifl, baf, or aud^ an torn ^cr^nu^en Abeil babe." .^err Surcbcll banftc fiir ibrc Areunolicbfeit, trat abcr tern .staplan )"cin ^ed)t ab imb duf>ertc, er mitife ben lUbenb nod) fiinf 2)ieilen wanfcern, ba er in ber Oegenb ^um Grn= tefefte eingelatien )et. 3eme SBeigerung fasten mir etroas fettfam; aucb fonnte id) nid)t begreifen, mie ein fo tterftanbtoe* SRdbcben, mte meine jitngfte Xod)- ter, einen 3)lann tcn serriitteten ^ermogencumftanben einem anbern ror3ieben tonne, ber tneit beffere 3lueficbten batte. ^Tod? io mie bie banner ba^ ^erotenit \ ber 3"rauen am rtd^tigften 311 beurtt)etlen r>ermogen, fo finb oft aud) bie Samen I I bie geeignetften JKicbterinnen i'tber un^. ^Beibe (Md)(ed)ter fct)einen beittmmr j 311 fein, einanber au^^ufuniDfdiaften , unb finb baber mit ben uerfd)iebenen Adlngteiten iuv geoienfeitigcn 93cobacbtung auegeftattet. 81 CHAP. IX. TWO LADIES OF GREAT DISTINCTION INTRODUCED SUPERIOR FINERY EVER SEEMS TO CONFER SUPERIOR BREEDING. Mr. Burchell had scarcely taken leave, and Sophia consented to dance with the chaplain, when my little ones came running out to tell us, that the squire was come with a crowd of company. Upon our return, we found our landlord with a couple of under -gentlemen and two young ladies richly dressed, whom he introduced as women of very great distinction and fashion from town. We happened not to have chairs enough for the whole company; but Mr. Thornhill immediately proposed that every gentleman should sit in a lady's lap. This I positively objected to, notwithstanding a look of disapproba- tion from my wife. Moses was therefore dispatched to borrow a couple of chairs; and as we were in want of ladies to make up a set of country- dancers, the two gentlemen went with him in quest of a tteunte* 3et febr orne;me )amen treten auf. SSornefjtne JUetbung fcfyeint audj ftetS vornefcme JBUbitng anjubeitten. $err93urdf)ell fyatte un faiint tierlaffen, unb Sophie eingemilligt, tnttbem Kaplan 311 tanjen, al3 tneine Meinen gelaufen famen, un3 311 fagen, bafj ber @utt)err nrit einer grofjen efeTOaft angefommen jei. S5ei tmferer ^iicffe^r fanben n?ir imfern utf)errn tnit einigen ^erren unb jmei rei^>ge!Ieibeten jungen grauenimmern , bie er un> aB fefyr ornef)me unb mobifd^e Santen cm ber tabt DorfteUte. 2Bir fatten nid&t tu^Ic genug fur bie gan^e e; feUfd^aft, unb $err X^om^iU mad)te f ogteic^ ben $orfd)lag, jeber ^err folle ftd& auf ben Sdfyoofc feiner 2)ame fe^en. 2)agegen miberfe^te id) ntid^ aber beftimmt, ungead^tet ber mipilligenben 93licfe meiner ^rau. ^ofe^ murbe bemnad^ ab- gejd^idt, urn ein paar tiifyle ^u borgen; unb ba e aud^ an 2>amen fc^ltc, urn bie ^Jkare jum gontretanj oUgd^ig ju madden, fo begleiteten i^n bie beiben , urn nocfj einige Xdnjerinnen anjumerben. 33alt> mar fiir tu^lc unb > 82 +*, couple of partners. Chairs and partners were soon provided. The gentlemen returned with my neighbour Flamborough's rosy daughters, flaunting with red top -knots. But an unlucky circumstance was not adverted to: though the Miss Flamboroughs were reckoned the very best dancers in the parish, and understood the jig and the rounda- bout to perfection, yet they were totally unacquainted with country- dances. This at first discomposed us ; however, after a little shoving and dragging, they at last went merrily on. Our music consisted of two fiddles, with a pipe and tabor. The moon shone bright; Sdnjcrinnen geforgt. 2)iee grofje rotfye $anbfd)leifen im aar trugen. Gin ungludltcfyer tlmftanb toar inbeffen nidf)t berudEfid^tigt toorben. Obgleic^ bie beiben grduletn ^lamborougb fiir bie beften Xdnjerinnen i gen ^ird)jpiel galten, unb fid) trefflid) betnt Sc^letfer itnb el)rau jc^lt>en!cn iru^ten, fo mar ifjnen ber (Eontretanj bod? fcollig unbefannt. fe^te im anfangS in einige Serlegenljeit, bo$ nac^ einigem 3ured}trt)etfen unb ging e tnit it)nen ganj lufttg orrt)drt. Unfere Mr. Thornhill and my eldest daughter led up the ball, to the great delight of the spectators; for the neighbours, hearing what was going forward, came flocking about us. My girl moved with so much grace and vivacity, that my wife could not avoid discovering the pride of her heart, by assuring me, that though the little chit did it so cle- verly, all the steps were stolen from herself. The ladies of the town strove hard to be equally easy, but without success. They swam, sprawled, languished, and frisked; but all would not do: the gazers, indeed, owned that it was fine; but neighbour Flamborough observed, that Miss Livy's feet seemed as pat to the music as its echo. After the dance had continued about an hour, the two ladies, who were apprehensive of catching cold, moved to break up the ball. One of them, I thought, expressed her sentiments upon this occasion in a very coarse manner, when she observed, that, by the living jingo, she was all of a muck of sweat. Upon our return to the house, we found a very elegant cold supper, which Mr. Thornhill had ordered beftanb in jtoei eigen, einer $feife unb einer >anbtrommel. S)er 2Jtonb fdfyien fyell. $err f)ornl)ill unb meine dltefte Softer eroffneten ben Sail ^um grofien @rgoen ber guf^auer, ^ enn a (g ^ie !ftad?barn gotten, toa fcorging, oerfammelten fie fid) fcfyaarentueife um un. 2Reine Sodjter betoegte fid) mit fo meter Slnmutf) unb Sebfyaftigleit, baft meine $rau ben tol^ fyu nicfyt bergen fonnte. Sie t>erfi$erte, bie ^leine tane ^trar recfyt artig, jeber 6c^ritt fei ifyrer 2Rutter abgeftoljlen. 2)ie S)amen au> ber 6tabt ten fid) t>ergeben, mit gleid^er eid?tigteit gn tan^en. @ie fc^mebten, f^ntad)teten unb trtppelten, bo<^ ofyne tooriDcirt^ gu fommen. 2)ie meinten gtuar, bteg fei jefet 2Robe, bo<^ ^Rac^bar gtatnboroug^ bemerlte, bie S5elr>egung ton ^rciulein Olima'3 ^ii^en ftimme genau mit ber 2Rufi! uber s ein, lt)ie ba (d)o. 2ll ber Xang ettoa eine tunbe gett)dl)rt Ijatte, gaben bie beiben t>ornel)tnen S)amen, au3 ^urc^t, fid) gu ertdlten, ba 3ei<^en 3um'2luf= brud>. 5)ie eine briictte il>re mpfinbungen, n?ie mir e> f^ien, auf etn?a rofye 2Beife au, inbem fie bemer!te, ba^ fie ganj t>on djtoeif; bur^nd^t fei. 2ll tt)ir tn3 $au3 suriidleljrten, fanben mir ein treffli^e Slbenbeffen on falter 6* -^ 84 ^- to be brought with him. The conversation, at this time, was more reserved than before. The two ladies threw my girls quite into the shade; for they would talk of nothing but high life, and high -lived company; with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, Shakspeare, and the musical glasses. It is true, they once or twice mortified us sensibly by slfpping out an oath; but that appeared to me 'as the surest symptom of their distinction (though I am since informed that swearing is perfectly unfashionable). Their finery, however, threw a veil over any grossness in their conversation. My daughters seemed to regard their superior accomplishment with envy; and whatever appeared amiss was ascribed to tip -top quality bree- ding. But the condescension of the ladies was still superior to their other accomplishments. One of them observed, that had Miss Olivia seen a little more of the world . it would greatly improve her. To which the other added, that a single winter in town would make her little Sophia quite another thing. My wife warmly assented to both ; MitdH\ roeld)e ett 3#ornbW batte antigen lajjen. $ie Untetfyaltung juar je&t nod) gejnjunflener, a I* fottn'n. Tic beiben Tamen ftellten meine Softer adn3licf) in ben fatten, benn fie tcbeten nut on i>otnel)mem &ben unb t>or ; nebmet Oefellfcfyaft, nebft anbern mobifdjen li)ea.euftdnben, fo nne tjon emdk ben, torn (yefajmacf, cn cbafefpeate unb tton bet >armomfa. gteilic^ t>er= le^ten fte un3 meljt al^ einmal babutc^, bajj fte einen A(U* auvfttefjen , bod) ba* erfdnen mit al^ bae- ftc^etfte ^enn^eic^en ttjree fyofyen Stanbcs, obgteict) man mit fpdtet flefagt bat r ba^ ba^ #lud)en bureaus ntdjt an bet -JRobe ift. A x sbr ctaat njatf jebocf) einen 3cb(eier iibet alle^o^eiten tt)tet Untet^altung. ll'ietno loiter fc^ienen ifyte I)ot)ete 5iilbung mit s Jteib 311 betracfyten, unv> unfcbicflid) et)a}ien, mutbe bet ^6t)etn Sebensatt jugefdjtieben. laffung bet 3? amen ubetttaf inbe^ nod) it)te iibtigen ^ot^uge. S)ie etne du^ette, fttdulein Ctioia tniitbe unenblid) geminnen, luenn fie etlra? met)t ton bet QWS ^en SBelt fd^e. Xie iUnbete fiigte ^inju: ,,Gin einjiget 2Bintet in bonbon n?utbe aue> 3^ rer fleinen Sopln'e ein gan,j anbetee 2Befen madden." 2Jieine 3'tau gab 33eiben ibten n?dtmften 93eifall ju etfennen unb fugte Innau, fie t)abe. > 85 adding, that there was nothing she more ardently wished than to give her girls a single winter's polishing. To this I could not help replying, that their breeding was already superior to their fortune; and that greater refinement would only serve to make their poverty ridiculous , and give them a taste for pleasures they had no right to possess. "And what pleasures," cried Mr. Thornhill, "do they not deserve to possess, who have so much in their power to bestow? As for my part," continued he, "my fortune is pretty large; love, liberty, and pleasure, are my maxims; but curse me, if a settlement of half my estate could give my charming Olivia pleasure, it should be hers; and the only favour I would ask in return, would be to add myself to the benefit." I was not such a stranger to the world as to be ignorant that this was the fashionable cant to disguise the insolence of the basest proposal; but I made an effort to suppress my resent- ment. "Sir," cried I, "the family which you now condescend to favour with your company, has been bred with as nice a sense of honour feinen fefynlicfyern 2Bunfd), al3 ifyren od)tern bie ^olitur ter 311 uerfcfyaffen. $rf) a & er fonnte nicfyt umfyin, baraiif 311 ermiebern, bajj ifyre Sibling bereit iiber tfjre 23erm6genumftanbe t)inaugel)e. Gine grofcere 33erfeinerung miirbeaber nur bagu bienen, ifyre 2lrmutfy lacfyerlid) 311 madden imb itmen @5efd)tnact an $ergnugungen bei^ubringen , auf bie fie feine 2lnfprud)e fatten. ,,2BeIcbe SSergniigen," rief jerr Sfyornbill, ,,follten ni^t bie er; bienen, in beren!>Flad)t e^ [te^t, fo grofeeg $u getrabren? 2BaS mi(^ betrifft/' fubr er fort, , f mein 3Sermo0en ift fefjr betrcicfytUd). fiiebe, ^retbeit unb @e= nu finb bie (Srunbfa^e metneg Sebeng ; bot^ ic^ mill tterbammt fetn, inenn id) meiner reijenben Olit>ia ntd^t fogletd) ntein fydbe 35ermogen abtrete, im ^all eg tyr greube mad^t ! S)te etn^tge unft, urn bie id) bitten rtritrbe, mare, mi(^ felbft bem efd^enfe beifiigen ju biirfen." %<$ mar nt(^t fo imbefannt mit ber 9Belt, itm ntcfyt ein^ufefjen, ba^ bie 3}iobe0ef(^mci^ bie ^recfyfyeit etne fyofyft f(^anbli(^en 2lntrage umljullenfollte; bod^ mar itt) bemiibt, meinen 3orn 311 unterbritdten. ,,2Retn ,^err/' rief 16, , f ber ^amilie, bie @ie je^t mit $brer e^ genmart gu bee^ren ftdb ^erablaffen, ift etn eben f o feineS (Sbtgeful)l eingeflo^t, *- 86 ^- as you. Any attempts to injure that, may be attended with very dangerous consequences. Honour, sir, is our only possession at pre- sent, and of that last treasure we must be particularly careful." 1 was soon sorry for the warmth with which I had spoken this, when the young gentleman, grasping my hand, swore he commended my spirit, though he disapproved my suspicions. "As to your present hint." continued he, "I protest nothing was further from my heart than such a thought. N". l.y all that's tempting, the virtue that will stand a regular siege was never to my taste; for all my amours are carried by a coup de main. The two ladies, who affected to be ignorant of the rest, seemed highly displeased with this last stroke of freedom , and began a very discreet and serious dialogue upon virtue: in this my wife, the chaplain, and I, soon joined; ami the stjuire himself was at last brought to confess a sense of sorrow for his former excesses. \\ e talked on the pleasures of temperance, and of the sunshine in the une 2ie e* felber beftfcen. ^eber ^erfuch, baffelbe 311 werlefcen, biirfte tton ge= fdbrltcben olgen fetn. l*bre, mcin i^crr, tft jetjt unfer cin.uger ^efift, unb biefcs leiue Mletnob muff en nn'r be*balb unt fo fora.fdltia,cr beroal)ren." $alb reute miit bte .V)it}e, tromit icb iiefprocben, bciin bcr jmuie .VHTV erjiriff mcinc Manb iniD betbeuerte, er lobe tneinen ll'httb, roenn er aucb mcinen ^erbacbt mifUn'U Itgeu miiffe. ,^n ^etreff ^brer je^igen 2lnfpitfinnn," fut^r er fort, ,,muf> id) erfldven, baf? mcbt* meinem Mcnen frembcr ift, ate ein fotdjcr (^3ebanfe. 9Mn, bet :Hilem, ma^ uerfiibren fanu! bie ^u'aenb, bie eine reoelmafitfle SelagerunQ crforbert, luar uiemate nac^ meinem (^efa}madt, bcnn alle meine (Sroberimgen matte iit bunt etnen einjigen ful^nen Sa^lag." Tie beiben 2)amen, bte ft* bibber gefteltt batten, ate beacfyteten [ie unfer Wefprdcfo nic^t, fdbienen du^erft entruftct itber btefcn le^ten 3ug ton lUu-j^i' 1 laffcnbeit unb beganncn ein feljr toerftdnbige^ unb ernftbafteg (^e)prdd) iiber ben 9Bertb ber lugenb, iporan meine ?\rau, ber.Uaplan unb id) naa^ unbnad) Xbeil nabmen. 2luo) 2born{)iU murbe 3u bem eftdnbni^ gebracfyt, ba^ er )Heue ub:r feme friihern Jluofdbmeifungen empfinbe. ^\r rebeten t>on ben -o 87 *- mind unpolluted with guilt. I was so well pleased, that my little ones were kept up beyond the usual time, to be edified with so much good conversation. Mr. Thornhill even went beyond me, and deman- ded if I had any objection to giving prayers. I joyfully embraced the proposal; and in this manner the night was passed in a most com- fortable way, till at length the company began to think of returning. The ladies seemed very unwilling to part with my daughters-, for whom they had conceived a particular affection, and joined in are- quest to have the pleasure of their company home. The squire seconded the proposal, and my wife added her entreaties; the girls too looked at me as if they wished to go. In this perplexity I made two or three excuses, which my daughters as readily removed; so that at last I was obliged to give a peremptory refusal; for which we had nothing but sullen looks and short answers the whole day ensuing. $reuben ber UJMfngfeit unb t>on ber fyettern ^Hufye einer eele , bte toon teiner <5d)ulb beflecft ift. Stefe Unterfyaltung mar mir fo angenefmt, bafj meine Clemen langer al getootmltd) babletben burften, iim ftdj an biefem moraltfcfyen @efprcid)e 311 erbauen. err XfyornfyUI gtng fogar nod) toetter al3 id) unb fragte, ob id) etma3 bagegen fyabe, ba ebet 311 fpredjen. ^d) nabnt biefen SSorfa^tag freubig an unb jo murbe ber Slbenb angenefym l)ingebra(^t, bi bie efellf<^aft aiifeubrecfyen begann. S)ie SJamen fd)ienen fid) jefyr ungern toon meinen 6d)tern 311 trennen, bte fie liebgetoonnen fatten, unb baten, ba^ fie fie nad? ^aiife begleiten molten. S)er uttym unterftii^te biefen $orfd)lag, meine ^ran ebenfall^ unb bie 2JMbd)en fatjen mi$ btttenb an. $n btefer 35erlegen^eit brad)te id) etnige Gntfc^ulbigungen toor, bte meine X6d)ter fcE)nelt befeitigten. Gnbltc^ fafy 16) mio) genott)tgt , eine befttmmte abfd^ldglia^e 2lnt= mort 311 geben, tmb bafiir l)atte id) am folgenben Xage md)t al3 ftnftere @e= filter unb etnftlbige Slntmorten. 88 ~- CHAP. X. THE FAMILY BXDEAVOUR TO COPE WITH THKIK HKTTKKS THl OP THB POOR WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO APPEAR A! \i in in; cine mm V.NCBS. I now began to find that all iny long and painful lectures upon temperance, simplicity, and contentment, were entirely disregarded. Tin- di.stinetions lately paid us by our betters awakened that pride which I had laid asleep, but not n-ni'-ved. Our windows again, as formerly, were tilled with washes for the neck and face. The sun was dreaded as an enemy to the skin without doors, and the fire as a spoiler of the complexion within. My wife observed, that rising too early would hurt her daughters' eyes, that working after dinner would redden their noses, and she convinced me that the hands never looked so white as when they did nothin-. In-tead, therefore, of finishing George's shirts, we now had them new- modelling their old orhntfo fiapitrl. nnilif tvtll fub rcrncbmrn l i : rnVnrn ^Ui*UfUcn. Dae tflent tcr fcrmen, wcnn fie ntfbr f&rmrn n-ellcn, al< ibrr Umftantr crlauben. x \c{U fin^ i* an oinuiii'hcn, ca|> mcine lan^on unb mitbfamcii nun^ou htnfuttlicb tor il'tafujUnt , (:uiKutheit unb ^"fncDcnbcit unbcad>tct blicbcn. Tic I'tufmcrtjamtoit, tic un>> per Muuem ULMI ucrnchntou ^orjencu wwtti irerccn, ircdto Den 2tel3, mclc^en id} einncjctlafcrt, abcr ntcbt aan;,ltch befeitiflt hat to. Unfcre Acnftcr irarcn tuicfccr mie frii^ct mtt 2*LMtlH'it>MiHii|crn fur (9eftd)t unt .\>aU- bcjcju. ;'(u}>or tern .\Saufe fiir^tete man tic 2onnc alv ACtntin tcv fd^cncu Icint-o unt in tcr ^obnunfl jelbft ta-> Acitcr al-> ^crtcrbcr tcfjclben. 2)Jeine ^rau bc^auptete, bae frutje 2(uf: ftcbcn fcbabc ten ?lua.cn ibrer Jotter unb Don ter :Hrbeit naa) tern Ditttaiv efien bcfamcn fte rctbe 9ia|"cn. 2te mollte mic^ auc^ uberreben, taf, ibre .v^ante niemale metier roaren, alv ircnn fie nia^ts ttidten. ctatt (^eorg'sJ .^cmben fertig 311 ndben , icaren |lc nun befdjaftigt , itjren alten Jtorf leibern -^ 89 ^- gauzes, or flourishing upon catgut. The poor Miss Flamboroughs, their former gay companions, were cast off as mean acquaintance, and the whole conversation ran upon high life and high -lived com- pany, with pictures, taste, Shakspeare, and the musical glasses. But we could have borne all this, had not a fortune - telling gipsy come to raise us into perfect sublimity. The tawny sibyl no sooner appeared, than my girls came running to me for a shilling a piece, to cross her hand with silver. To say the truth , I was tired of being always wise, and could not help gratifying their request, because I loved to see them happy. I gave each of them a shilling; though, for the honour of the family, it must be observed, that they never went without money themselves, as my wife always generously let them have a guinea each, to keep in their pockets; but with strict injunctions never to change it. After they had been closeted up with the fortune-teller for some time, I knew by their looks, upon their returning, that they had been promised something great. "Well, einen neuen <5d)mtt 311 geben ober cwf Seibenjeug 311 ftirfen. ie armen ^raulein ^lamborougb, tyre efyemaligen muntern $efpielinnen, hntrben a(3 gemeine 23efanntfd)aften WrnadjldffiQt, unb ba* flange efprdd) brefyte fid) nun urn ben on ber grofeen SBelt unb ttornefyme @efellfd)aften, urn 2ftalerei unb feinen (9efd)tna (j'lut eician^cnV 5age mtr, Sip, bat Tir Me ^abriaiievin ctira* prop^e^eit, bae emeu pfennig iff?" ,,Weimfi, licber ^atcr," fa^te bav- il'iabcben, M fllaube, fie e* mit bom ^efen 311 tbun, benn fie bebauptet befttmmt, ebe nod) ein ^ -<- 91 < declared, that I am to be married to a squire in less than a twelve- month!" "Well now, Sophy, my child," said I, "and what sort of a husband are you to have?" "Sir," replied she, "I am to have a lord soon after my sister has married the squire." "How!" cried I, "is that all you are to have for your two shillings? Only a lord and a squire for two shillings! You fools, I could have promised you a prince and a nabob for half the money." This curiosity of theirs, however, was attended with very serious effects : we now began to think ourselves designed by the stars to something exalted, and already anticipated our future grandeur. It has been a thousand times observed, and I must observe it once more, that the hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowned with fruition. In the first case, we cook the dish to our own appetite: in the latter, nature cooks it for us. It is impossible to repeat the train of agreeable reveries we called up for our entertainment We looked upon our fortunes tierginge, imirbe id) einen Squire fyetratfyen." ,,Unb nun, Sophie, ft>a3 fur ein Gfyemann ift 2)tr beftimmt?" ,,$d) foil einen Sorb befommen, balb nad)bem meine d)tt>efter geljetratbet feat." ,,2Bie?" rief id), ,,ift ba i'llleg, U)a 3fyr fut Gure gtoei GcfytUhuje fyaben follt? s Jhir einen Sorb unb einen Squire fiir gmei Sd)Ulinge! 3t> r ^arrd)en, id) fya'tte @ud) einen Antigen unb einen 91abob fiir ba* fyalbe (Mb t?erfprod)en." $I)re Dfeugterbe fyatte abet fefyr ernftltcfye ^olgen. $e$t begannen trtr 311 cjlaitben, anr mciren ton ben Sternen gu eta ^b'^erem beftimmt , unb fcfyfoelQten ft^on in bent s $orgefiil)l unferer fiinftigen rofse. (S ift taufenbmal gefagt morben, unb ic^ it)teberbole e nod) etnmal , ba^ bie tunben, bie n?tr unter frozen 2lusfid)ten binbrtngen, gliitf liefer finb al bie, toelcfye t>om @enu^ gefront toerben. ^m erften ^atl beretten twr ba ertii)t nad) unferm etgenen (^efd)ntact ; im ^treiten bereitet es bie 9iatur fiir unc-. (S ift unmoglii^, bie gan^e ^Reibe Itebli^er Xrdunie ju wieberbolen, an benen fair un erfreuten. 21>ir fa^en unfere SSermogen^umftcinbe tnieber cnmfttger ficb geftalten, unb ba gauge $ird)fpiel be^auptete, ber ^ no as once more rising; and as the whole parish asserted that the squire was in love with my daughter, she was actually so with him; for they persuaded her into the passion. In this agreeable interval, my wife had the most lucky dreams in the world, which she took care to tell us every morning with great solemnity and exactness. It was one night a coffin and crossbones, the sign of an approaching wed- ding: at another time she imagined her daughters' pockets filled with farthings, a certain sign they would shortly be stuffed with gold. The girls themselves had their omens: they felt strange kisses on their lipps; they saw rings in the candle; purses bounced from the fire; and true-love knots lurked in the bottom of every teacup. Towards the end of the week we received a card from the town ladies; in which, with their compliments, they hoped to see all our family at church the Sunday following. All Saturday morning I could perceive, in consequence of this, my wife ami daughters in close con- ference together, and now and then glancing at me with looks that fei in indue lodjter uerliebt, unb fo nmrbc fie e* rcirflidi in ibn, inborn man fie flleicbfam in bieje Viebe bineinidMimttte. ^abrenb Dicier ana.cnebmcn 3eit battc mcinc /vrau Me ^luct(tcbiten Irduinc uon ber ^l>elt, bie fie un* jeben Dtoraen aeiuifienbaft mit arefu'r ,veierliMeit unb Neuauiiifeit er,db(te. %n finer "Jiacbt battc fie einen 3ara. unb iiber* Mrcir, ^clcate (^ebeine fleietjen, UH'ldH'o cine nabe .\St\t u'it anbeuten 1'ollte. C5'in anbennal batte fie bie Jafcfyen i^rer feebler mit Mnpreraelb anfleiiillt gct'eben: ein 0en?iiie ;>eicben, baft fie balb veil (^clb join ttntrben. lUud? bie "JJidbcben ielber batten fie fitblten feltfame Mufie aur ten vippen ; fie faben JWin^e in ben (^elbbi?rfeii fpraiuien au-> bent ,"yeuer unb Viebe^banber .^einten fid) auf bem ^eben jeber Ibeetaffe. v j(m C5"nbe ber s ^ed)e erbielten mir eine .Harte on ben i'onboner Tamen, auf cldH'r fie nebft oieleu (Jmpfehlinuien bie Moifniuui au^fpracben, unfere aan.;e Aamtlie ncicbften Sonntafl in bev Mircbe 311 feben. Sen 0an^en Sonm abenb 3)Joroen bemerfte id), mie meine ^rau unb Xoa^ter beimlic^ mit eim anber ju 9iatbe flingen unb micb juiveilen anblicften, al^ todren fie mit einem o 93 *- betrayed a latent plot. To be sincere, I had strong suspicions that some absurd proposal was preparing for appearing with splendour the next day. In the evening they began their operations in a very regular manner, and my wife undertook to conduct the siege. After tea, when I seemed in spirits, she began thus: "I fancy, Charles, my dear, we shall have a great deal of good company at our church to-morrow." "Perhaps we may, my dear," returned I; "though you need be under no uneasiness about that you shall have a sermon, whether there be or not." "That is what I expect," returned she; "but I think, my dear, we ought to appear there as decently as possible; for who knows what may happen?" "Your precautions," replied I, "are highly commendable. A decent behaviour and ap- pearance at church is what charms me. We should be devout and humble, cheerful and serene." "Yes," cried she, "I know that; but I mean we should go there in as proper a manner as possible, not al- together like the scrubs about us." "You are quite right, my dear," gefyeimen Gomplot befcfydftigt. Slufricfytig gefagt, fyegte id) grofien $erba$t, bafj irgenb em tfyoridjter tylan im 2Ber! jei, am nddfyften Sage mit lanj 311 erfdjetnen. 2lm 2lbenb begannen fie ifyre Operationen auf fefyr regelmdfeige SBeif e , unb meine $rau ubernafjm e , bie 23elagerung 311 leiten. -ftad) bent Xfyee, al3 idj guterfiaune 311 fein fdfyten, begann fie f olgenbermafien : $$ glaiibe, lieber $arl, toir toerben morgen etne ftattlid?e 33erfantmlung in unferer $ird?e I)aben." ,,2)a mag toofyl fetn, meine Stebe," entgegnete tdj; ,, mad^e 2)ir barum feme orgen, 2)u foltft eine $rebigt l^oren, bie 3 mng mag nun fein, on melc^er 2lrt fie toill." ,,2)a hjeifj ic^ too^I," h)teberte fie; ,,ibafj ift Hlle^ fefyr mafir, bod) ntc^t ba, mag i$ fagen molltc. .%$ meinc, tt?ir foUten auf eine fcfyicflie 2Beife ^inge^en. 2)u meif^t, bie ir$e ift jirei 2)?eilen entfernt, unb ic^ erfid)ere Sic^, e mitrbe mir bochft unangenebm fein, menn icb fe^en mii^te, ft>ie meine ^od^ter gan^ roll) unb etfnfct ftdf) ju bem ir$enftuf)le fd)leppten, al fatten fie ein 2Bettrennen mitgemacE)t, um ben ^eiS ju geirinnen. 2Jlein 33orfcblag mare alfo biefer: ba finb itnfere beiben 2&fergaule , ba ^engftfiilten, mel(^e fd)on feitneun -o 95 ^- been in our family these nine years, and his companion Blackberry, that has scarce done an earthly thing for this month past ; they are both grown fat and lazy: why should they not do something as well as we? And let me tell you, when Moses has trimmed them a little, they will cut a very tolerable figure." To this proposal I objected , that walking would be twenty times more genteel than such a paltry conveyance, as Blackberry was wall- eyed, and the colt wanted a tail: that they had never been broke to the rein, but had a hundred vicious tricks; and that we had but one saddle and pillion in the whole house. All these objections, however, were overruled; so that I was obliged to comply. The next morning I perceived them not a little busy in collecting such materials as might be necessary for the expedition ; but, as I found it would be a business of time, I walked on to the church before, and they promised spee- dily to follow. I waited near an hour in the reading desk for their arrival- but not, finding them come as expected, I was obliged to $af)ren in unferer gamilie ift, unb fein $umpan 23rombeere. 93eibe fyaben ben gan^en Uftonat nicfyte getfyan, al bageftanben unb gefreff en. 3Barum f ollten fie nidjt eben fo gut mie twr ettoa3 tfyun? llnb toenn 2ftofes> fie ein toenig aufgeftufet unb geftriegelt fyat, fo tuerben fie eine ganj ertraglicfye $igur fpielen." egen biefen $orfcfylag macfyte id) bie @intoenbung , bafs e siDan^igmal f djicllicfyer fein ttwrbe , gu gefyen , al> gu etner f o armfeltgen ^etterei f eine 3u= fluent ^u ne^men, ba Srotnbeere auf bem etnen S 2luge bltnb fet unb bent $engft= fiillen ber @d)njeif fef)le. lleberbie totiren fie nifyt ugeritten, fatten allerlei bofe 2Ru(Jen, unb e fet nur ein 6attel unb ein ^eitfiffen im gan^en ^aufe torl)anben. S)oc^ alle biefe inmilrfe itwrben befeitigt, fo ba^ tc) nad^ugeben genotijigt inar. Sim ndd)ften 2Rorgen iraren fie f eljr gefc^dftig , alle notfjigen 2)laterialten ^u bief er ypebition gufammensubringen ; bod) al id^ fanb , bajj lange 3eit ba^u erforberlid^) fein tourbe, fo ging ic^ in bie $ir$e ttoran, unb fie tierfpracfyen, mir balb gu folgen. ^d) martete beinal^e eine Stunbe am il)re 2ln!unft; boc^ al fie ni^t famen, fa^ id^ mic^ genot^igt, 96 . and went through the service, not without some uneasiness at finding them absent. This was increased when all was finished, and JIM appearance of the family. I therefore walked back by the horse- way, which was five miles round, though the footway was but t\\.>, and when got about halfway home, perceived the procession marching forward towards the church my son, my wife, and the t\\n . y ,\t/. ben 0)ette*bienft 311 beginnen , unb mar ma^renb beffelben in niaM fleringer Unrube megen ihrer 'JlbiiYfenbeit. 2Jtcine Unrube murbe nicbt ucrminbert, al^ am (5'nfce l>er ^reMiit tncinc Tfamilic nocb immcr ni*t tarn. 3$ fling auf bom Aabrrocao roiefcer suriidf, bcr funf 2Roilen betrug, md^renb ber ^u^ meg nur jmei aiivinacbto. 2ll \i) etma bie >>alrtc be* 2Bcge jurudgetegt battc, fab id> bie ^reu'iiien mit lanafamen Scbritten auf bic .Hircbe jufommen: mein So^n, tneine ^rau unb bie beiben ftletnen auf einem ^Jferbe unb meine Q7 c- y 4 < little ones exalted upon one horse, and my two daughters on the other. I demanded the cause of their delay ; but I soon found by their looks they had met with a thousand misfortunes on the road. The horses had at first refused to move from the door, till Mr. Burchell was kind enough to beat them forward for about two hundred yards with his cudgel. Next, the straps of my wife's pillion broke down, and they were obliged to stop to repair them before they could proceed. After that, one of the horses took it into his head to stand still, and neither blows nor entreaties could prevail on him to proceed. It was just recovering from this dismal situation that I found them; but per- ceiving every thing safe, I own their present mortification did not much displease me, as it would give me many opportunities of future triumph, and teach my daughters more humility. beiben 6d)ter auf bent anbern. 3d? ftaflte nad) ber Urfadje ifyrer -Sogerung, bemerfte aber f d?on in ifyren Sltden , baft ifynen itntertoegS taufcnb Unfa lie begegnet feien. $ie ^ferbe fatten fid) anfang3 nid)t Don ber fyur entfernen rcollen, bi err syurajell fo gutig getoefen, fie ntit feinem Stodfe etfoa ghjeis fyunbert cbritt fort^utretben. 2)ann h?ar ber urt an bent attelfiffen meiner ^rau geriffen unb man tjatte alt ma^en muffen , urn ifyn n?ieberl)er3uftellen / e^e man bie 3*teife fortfefeen fonnte. 2)arauf n^ar e3 einent t>on ben s ^ferben eina,efa[len, ftill ^u ftel)en, unb toeber a^Iage noa^ Siebfofungen fatten e 3iim 5i>eiterge^en bemegen !onnen. (Sben ^atte e biefen Ginfall aufgegeben, al fie mir begegneten. $a id) fal) , baf? fia) Sllle h)ol)Ibefanben , ntufi id) ge; ftetjen, ba^ il)re SBefcfyamung ntir nia^t fetjr ju ^jerjen ging, benn id^ Ijatte je&t ( s )o(oiionbeit ju einem fi'mftigen Xriumpf), unb id) glaubte audf), nteine murben ficb biefen $orfall jur Setjre bienen (affen. -^ 98 ^~ CIIA1'. XI. THE FAMILY STILL RESOLVE TO HOLD UP THEIR HEADS. Michaelmas -eve happening on the next day, we were invited to burn nuts and play tricks at neighbour Flamborough's. Our late mortifications had humbled us a little, or it is probable we might have rejected such an invitation with contempt: however, we suffered our- selves to be happy. Our honest neighbour's goose and dumplings were fine; and the lamb's-wool, even in the opinion of my wife, who was a connoisseur, was excellent. It is true, his manner of telling stories was not quite so well. They were very long and very dull, and all about himself, and we had laughed at them ten times before: how- ever, we were kind enough to laugh at them once more. Mr. 'Burchell, who was of the party, was always fond of seeing some innocent amusement going forward , and set the boys and girls to blind-man's-buff. My wife too was persuaded to join in the diversion, fiopttd. >ie ftamilte ift nod? immrr entf&lejfcn, ten Jlovf t^ffr $u traqcn. a am nacbften 2aae 1'itdwli* mar, murben mir 311 ^lamborougli* ein^ gelaben, urn s Jiu|)e 311 brcnncn unb ^fdnber 311 fpiclen. ilnfere jitngfte Jlranfung batte un* cin menig gebcmiitbuit, fonft batten mir cine folcfye Gtn= Iabun$ ijtelletdbt mit S5eraa^tung 3iiruct0emiefen ; bod? bieetnal erlaubten mir e im, toergnuot gu )ein. S^er anfebraten unb bie Jilo|?e unfercs ebrlt<$en 91ac()barn maren fobr gut , unb bae Slpfelbier fclbft nad) bem llrtbeile meiner ^rau, bie eine $ennerin mar, gan3 ttortreffltcfy. Seine Wit, 2lne!boten 311 ersafylen, mar fretlia^ nidbt gan3 fo gut. Sie maren febr langmeittg, betrafen faft immer tyn felber, unb mir fatten fa^on jebnmal terser bariiber gelaa?t; bod^i maren mir gefalltg genug , nod? eirnnal bariiber 311 ladjen. err Surdbelt, ber aud^ on ber efellfa^iaft mar, liebte unfd)iilbige $er; gniigungen |ebr unb ermunterte bie jungcn Surface unb 9Wdba^en jum Sltnbe^ metne ^rau liejj ftd? iiberreben , an ber Grgolid)feit * 99 and it gave me pleasure to think she was not yet too old. In the mean time, my neighbour and I looked on, laughed at every feat, and praised our own dexterity when we were young. Hot-cockles succeeded next, questions and commands followed that, and, last of all, they sat down to hunt-the-slipper. As every person may not be acquainted with this primeval pastime, it may be necessary to observe, that the company, in this play, plant themselves in a ring upon the ground, all except one who stands in the middle, whose business it is to catch a shoe, which the company shove about under their hams from one to another, something like a weaver's shuttle. As it is impossible in this case, for the lady who is up, to face all the company at once, the great beauty of the play lies in hitting her a thump with the heel of the shoe on that side least capable of making defence. It was in this manner that my eldest daughter was hemmed in and thumped about, all blowzed, in spirits, and bawling for fair play with a voice that might deafen a ballad-singer, when, confusion on confusion, who should enter 311 nefymen, unb e* getocifyrte ntir SSergnitgen, 311 benten, baft fie nod) ntdfyt 311 alt bagu fei. TOtlertoetle fafyen id) imb mein -ftad)bar betn piele 311, lad)ten iiber jeben Spafc unb riitmtten unfere etgene etnanbtfyett in unfern jungen Sagen. 2)ann folgten janbfd)mtffe , $ragen unb 2lntitorten, unb enbltdj fefcten fid) Me auf ben 23oben, urn ben ^antoffel 311 fyafdfyen. f$ur $eben, ber ntd)t tint biefem altertt)umltd)en ,3ettt>ertretbe befannt ift, mag bte 33emer; lung nottjig fein , bafj fid) bte efellf d&aft bet biefem ptele tm retfe auf ben 23oben fe^t, tnit 2lunal)me einer $erfon, bte in ber 2Ritte fte^en bletbt unb etnen ^antoffet Ijafc^en ntu^ , ben bte ef ellf <$aft etnanber untec ben ^nteen trie etn 2Beberf(^tff guf^tebt. 3) a bte ame, meld^e in ber -JRttte ftef)t, un^ bte gauge efetlfd^aft auf etnmal iiberfefyen !ann , f o Itegt bte grofje ptelS bartn , tl)r nttt bent 2lbfa&e be $antoffel etnen dblag auf ben 3$eil be ^orperg gu terfe^en , ber am itentgften gur SSertljetbtgung geetgnet tft. Sluf btefe 2Beife trar metne altefte ^oc^ter etngefc^loffen unb erljtelt $iiffe ton alien eiten. Se^r aufgeregt unb erfyt&t rief fie, man folle fptelen, mtt etner ttmme, bte einen SBcinlelf anger fyatte betauben 7* 100 < the room but our two great acquaintances from town, Lady Blarney and Miss Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs! Description would but beggar, therefore it is unnecessary to describe, this new mortification. Dratli! to be seen by ladies of such high breeding in such vulgar attitudes! Nothing better could ensue from such ;i vulgar play of Mr. fiwnen. Ta o Scfyam fiber 3*am! trat s Jiiemanb anber* in* 3hnmer, al* unfre beiben vornefymen 33etannten au3 ber 2tabt, Vabi} ^3(arnep unb ^rdulein Caroline 2Dt(^^mine xHmalie 3fe0Q3! ^^ e 33ejc^reibunQ luiirbe burfti^ auefallen, barum i[t e^ unnottjig, biefe neue ^rdnfung ju fc^ilbern. Xob unb ^olle ! ton f o t>ornel}men 2)amen in [o gemetner 6tellung iiberrafc^t gu toerben! 2Ba^ fonnte audb ein fo gemeinel Spiel, o 101 o- Flamborough's proposing. We seemed struck to the ground for some time, as if actually petrified with amazement. The two ladies had been at our house to see us, and finding us from home, came after us hither, as they were uneasy to know what accident could have kept us from church the day before. Olivia under- took to be our prolocutor, and delivered the whole in a summary way, only saying "We were thrown from our horses." At which account the ladies were greatly concerned; but being told the family received no hurt, they were extremely glad; but being informed that we were almost killed by the fright, they were vastly sorry; but hearing that we had a very good night, they were extremely glad again. Nothing could exceed their complaisance to my daughters: their professions the last evening were warm, but now they were ardent. They pro- tested having a desire for a more lasting acquaintance. Lady Blarney was particularly attached to Olivia; Miss Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs (I love to give the whole name) took a greater fancy to her r>orgefd)(agen, 23effere* jur $olge baben. @inen Slugenblicf fdfyienen mir mie in ben 93oben gettwrgelt, ober al3 tudren fair t>or ertoanbelt. 2>ie beiben Tatnen batten un in unferm aufe befurfjen toollen. 3) a fie un ntd)t gefunben, famen fte fyierfyer, fefyr begiertg, 311 erfafyren, tueSfyalb ttrir geftern nidjt in bie &irdbe gefontnten. Oliuia na^m ba SBort unb fprarf) ben gan^en 23erid)t in biefen fur^en 3Borten au: ,,llnfere ^Sferbe toarfen un ab ! " 2)ie ^Damen fd^ienen bei btefer $lad)iciti)t febr betroffen ; bocb al ftc borten, ba(3 ^Kientanb befcbcibitjt rtiorben, ^eigten fie ftd^ fet>r erfreut. 2H fte bierauf gotten, ba|3 lutr beina()e t>or Sc^redfen geftorben, ^eigten fie fid) urn enb(td) befiimntert ; bod? al tynen gefagt n?arb, mir batten eine fe^r gute ftacfyt getjabt , trar e tbnen irieber aufierorbentlid) angene^nt. SRid^t^ liber; traf tbre Slrtigfeit gegen meine Softer. $fyu ^reunbf<^aftt>erfid^erungen am le&ten 2lbenb toaren h?arm geirefen, bod) jefet toaren fie glii^enb. ie du^erten ben (ebbaften 2Bunfd^, btefe 58efanntfd;aft [ortfe^en p fonnen. i ? abp S3Iarnep fd^to^ fid^ befonberS an Oltma an; ^rdulein Caroline JSUfyemtne Slmalie Sfegg id) fe&e gern ben gan^en 9tamen be* seigte eine grof,ere -^ 102 < sister. They supported the conversation between themselves, while my daughters sat silent, admiring their exalted breeding. But as every reader, however beggarly himself, is fond of high-lived dia- logues, with anecdotes of lords, ladies, ami kni-hts of the garter, I inii-t beg leave to give him the concluding part of the present con- versation. "All that I know of the matter," cried Miss Skeggs, "is this, that it may lc true. T it may not b< true; but this I can assure your lady- ship, that the whole rout was in amaze; his lordship turned all manner of colours; my lady fell into a swoon; but Sir Tomkyn, drawing his sword, swore he was hers to the last drop of his blood." "Well," replied our peeress, "this I can say, that the duchess never told me a syllable of the matter, and I believe her grace would keep nothing a secret tVum me. This you may depend on as a fact, that the next morning my li.nl id) mir bio Cfrlaubnifj nel^men, ben Sc^lnf, be* lUMenwdrtioen (^efprd** mit^utbetlon. ,, s JUle*, ma^ id) on ber 'Sacfye mei^/' rief ^rauloin 3fe^^, ,ift, ba^ fte njaljr ober au^ ntcf>t mal)r fein mag. So wel aber fann ic^ 3l?rer .^err; lic^feit verfidHTii, baf? bie ganje 3lf[emble'e erftaunte. S^plorb njedjfelte bie unb DWptabp murbe obnmdrf}tifl ; Sir Somfnn aber 309 ben 2)e^en unb , er molle i(?r bi^ auf ben Icfeten Wut*tropfen ange^oren." %&," t>erionte bio ^abp, ,,)o t?ie( fann tc^ Derftc^ern, baj? bie .^er3ogin mir feine culbe on ber Sac^e fagte, unb ta^ gtaubo, ^bre .s>cbeit M fein eljeimntjj t?or mir. ^arauf fonnen 3ie fic^ a,ett>ij? t)erlafion, baf, am nadtften 2)iorgen fetnem Mammerbiener breimat jurtef: Ibormn^bam ! 93rina.e mir meinon Mo[cnbanborben." c- 103 But previously I should have mentioned the very impolite be- haviour of Mr. Burchell, who, during this discourse, sat with his face turned to the fire, and at the conclusion of every sentence would cry out Fudge! an expression which displeased us all, and in some measure damped the rising spirit of the conversation. "Besides, my dear Skeggs," continued our peeress, "there is nothing of this in the copy of verses that Dr. Burdock made upon the occasion." Fudge! "I am surprised at that," cried Miss Skeggs; "for he seldom leaves any thing out, as he writes only for his own amusement. But can your ladyship favour me with a sight of them?" Fudge! "My dear creature," replied our peeress, "do you think I carry such things about me? Though they are very fine to be sure, and I think myself something of a judge; at least I know what pleases myself. Indeed, I was ever an admirer of all Dr. Burdock's little pieces; for except what he does, and our dear countess at Hanover Square, there's aber bdtte id) ba* unfyofltcfye ^enefymen be3 Jperrn 33urd)ell er; rodl)nen f olfen , ber rodfyrenb bief er Unterfyaltung mit bent eftd^te nad? bem $euer getoenbet ba fafc unb am Scfyhijj jebe 6a&e3 ,,Unftnn!" auSrief, toeldjer 2lu*brud un* 2lltcn febr mifjfiel unb ben Muffcfymung ber Unterfyaltung etft>a3 bdmpfte. ,,lleberbie*, ntetne liebe <5!e0g," ful)r bte abty fort, ,,fte^t bat>on nid)t in ber 2lbfcfyrift be^ ebid^t^, h)el(^eg doctor 33urbocf bet biefer (Meflenfyeit mac^te." ,,Unfmn!" fefet mid) in Grftaunen," rief fjrdulcin S!egg^ ; M benn er la^t felten 3, ba er nur ^u jeinem Sergnugen fd)retbt. 5Bu'rben nid^t Sftre bie (Siite l)aben, mir ba ebtc^t ju 3eit3en? // ,,Unftnn!" ebeg SBefen/' r>erjete bie 2abp, ,,olauben @ie, i$ fii^re ber^ 2)in0e bet mir? Obgleid) fie 0en)i^ fel;r fd)on finb unb id) bariiber urtfyetlen ju !6nnen glaube , f o toetj} tc^ boc^ , ma3 mir gefallt unb ma ntd^t. ^n ber Xt)at bemunberte id) ftet bte fdmmtlta^en fletnen ebic^te be doctor Curbed; benn attfcer bem, ma^ er unb unfere Uebe rdftn am -o 104 ^- nothing comes out but the most lowest stuff in nature, not a bit of high life among them." Fudge! "Your ladyship should except," said the other, "your own things in the Ladies' Magazine. I hope you'll say there's nothing low-lived there. But I suppose we are to have no more from that quarter." Fudge! "Why, my dear," said the lady, "you know my reader and companion has left me to be married t-> Captain Roach, and a- my poor eyes won't suffer me to writ.- m\ self, I have been for some time looking out for another. A proper person is no easy matter to find, ami, to be sure, thirty pounds a year is a small stipend fr a well bred girl of character, that can read, write, and behave in company: us for the chits about town, there is no bearing them about one." Fudge! -That I know," cried Miss Skeggs, "by experience; for of the three companions I had this last half year, one of them refused to do icbrciben, liMnmt jeiit nur ba* anncmi'te ^ciui \u laae. Moinc 5pur tton foiuom Sen in bavin ;u finben." ,,Unfinn!" M.Nhrc.sSerrlid^fcit follten ,>bre eifleneirJluiiaii ein fern Tameiuiyiaiwme' aiMMiebmen," faa.te tie flnberc. ,,3io nnTben niir boffcntli* uioobcn, baft (ein ^lea}ter Zon barin fyerrfd?t. SBerben mir nicbt nod) einifle fr lU* mcino Vicbc," fa^te bic i?abp, ,,5ie roiffcn ja, mcino ^crleicvin unb 0)cfcHfd\iftoriit bat mi* uovlaff on , urn ficb init bem C5apttain . s Hoacb -,u wi^ boirathcn, unb moine arnten lUitjicn erlaubcn o mir ntcbt, felbcr ,ui id>reibcii, fo baft tcb mid) fcbon fcit ciniger $eit nac^ etner anbern umfebc. (yinc 0eeia= note ^ovien ba.ut ift nidn loiitt ui finben, unb freilidi ift breiftifl ^funb aufe nur cin flcinor (Cobalt fur cin iDO^Icnc^onov iltabdjen won fliitcm iMuf, o-i? Icfen unb fcferciben faun unb jut in Oiciellicbaft ju benebmcn metft. bic 3tabtf(at)a7erinnen fann icb burcbaue nicbt Iciben." ,,Unfmn!" , f Ta n?oift icb au Crfabrunfl/' riof Ardulem 5fcacv>, ,,benn t>on ben brci (9efel(fc^aftertnnen , bie id) in bicfem Icfeten l^alben ^at>re l)atte, > 105 ^- plain work an hour in the day, another thought twenty -five guineas a year too small a salary, and I was obliged to send away the third, because I suspected an intrigue with the chaplain. Virtue, my dear Lady Blarney, virtue is worth any price; but Avhere is that to be found?" Fudge! My wife had been for a long time all attention to this discourse, but was particulary struck with the latter part of it. Thirty pounds and twenty-five guineas a year, made fifty- six pounds five shillings, English money; all which was in a manner going a begging, and might easily be secured in the family. She for a moment studied my looks for approbation; and, to own a truth, I was of opinion, that two such places would fit our two daughters exactly. Besides, if the squire had any real affection for my eldest daughter, this would be the way to make her every way qualified for her fortune. My wife therefore was resolved that we should not be deprived of such advantages for want of assurance, and undertook to harangue for the family. "I hope," ftd) bie eine, ben 2ag nur eine 3tunbe treif>e 2Bdfd)e 3U ndtjen; bie anbere fytelt funfunbjiran^tg Ohtineen jdfyrltd) fur einen 311 1 (einen el)alt , unb bte britte tnufjte id) fortfcfyicfen, tt>ei( id) ben krbad)t l)egte, a(3 tjabe fie etne tebfd)aft mit bent Kaplan. Sugenb, metne tljeure i'abp $Iarnet), ua,enb tft bod) ba >6d)fte, aber too ift bie 311 finbenV" ,,ltnftnn!" 8d)on lange tjatte metnc ^rau alle Siufmerffamfett auf btefe^ 0ertd)tet ; ber le^tere Xtjetl beffelben Ijatte fte aber bef onber interefftrt. %\Q Wmb unb fimfunbjtDanaiQ C^utneen auf 8 %afyic betru^en nad) engitfd)em elbe fea^yunbfunfjig ^funb fi'tnf 3d?iUina,e. Sa^ Uej? fid) fleiDifferma^en fptelenb erbtenen unb fonnte unferer gamUte leta^t 3U gute fommen. 6te beobaa^tete mid) einen 2(ua,enblicf , unt gu fel;en, ob id) banttt ubereinfttmme, unb efyrltd) geftanben, bie beiben Stellen fd)tenen mir fiir unfere Xoa^ter fefyr geetgnet. .^atte iiberbte^ ber ut'ofyerr reb(ia^e S 2lbfta^ten auf metne altefte 2od)ter, f o h?ar bte^ ber 2Beg, fie auf jebe SBetfe fitr ttjren fiinftigen Stanb 311 bilben. 2)letne Jrau mar bafyer entfd)(offen , fia^ btefen ^ortfyeU nia^t Sc^ua^tern^ett rauben ju laffen, unb ubernaljm e$, fur bie ^amtlte ba 9* 106 ~- cried she, "your ladyship will pardon my present presumption. It is true we have no right to pretend to such favours, but yet it is natural for me to wish putting my children forward in the world. And I will be bold to say, my two girls have a pretty good educa- tion and capacity; at least the country can't show better. They can read, write, and cast accounts; they understand their needle, broad- stitch, cross and change, and all manner of plain work; they can pink, point, and frill, and know something of music; they can do up small clothes, ami work upon catgut; my eldest can cut paper, and my youngest has a very pretty manner of telling fortunes upon the cards." Fudge! When she had delivered this pretty piece of eloquence, the two ladies looked at each other a few minutes in silence, with an air of doubt and importance. At last Miss Carolina Wilelmiua Amelia Skeggs condescended to observe, -that tin- young ladies, from the opinion she could form of them from so slight an acquaintance, seemed -,u fubren. ,,3d? boffe," vtef fie, ,,>re .v>evrliaMeit uvrben meine Xreifttgfeit ivneihen. Arctlt* balvn n?ir foin :Hed>t, auf folcbe Km lift :Unfprud) 311 macfyen, aber bint i|t c* etn natiirltdHT ^unfrf) von mir, ntcino Minber in ber 2Be(t ponpdrt* >u brina.cn. ,Vt barf irobl behaupten, baf? meinc bcibon Iinttcr cine flan.UuibfdH 1 ^tlbiin^ nnb /vdhi^foit befi&cn; meniaucnv finbct man fie auf bent Vanbe nidn beffor. 5ie tinmen lefen, fcfjreiben unb recfincn; aerftefyen fic^ auf ihre "Jiabel, ftnb im 3etbeftirfen, im 3aumen, Mreujftid) unb alien 3(rtcn be ^eifindbcn erfabren, fennen cpiijcn tleppeln unb iHitfenftreifen XHU'T'ertiflcn. 3ie terfteben etn n?entfl Dhtfif, fennen Minberfletber jufcfyneiben unb ftirfen aufiDlarli. lUud) fann meinc I'ldteftectUunictten au^fa)neiben,unb bic 3un0fte befi^t ein febr bubfa^e^ Jalent, an ber Atartc malir^ufaflen." ,,Unfinn!" xUl-j fie btefev iHeifterfturf ber ^erebfamfeit geenbet batte, fatten fid) bie beiben Tamen cine 28cile an, mit 3n?eifei()aften unb bebenf lichen DJttenen. C5'nbltct) lie^ ftcfc ^rdutein (Saroltne ilbclminc lUmalie Sfeggs gu ber Scmer^ fung fyerab, fo ttet fie nact) einer fo flucbti^cn SAmntfdjaft beurt()etlen fonne, > 107 < very fit for such employments: but a thing of this kind, madam," cried she, addressing my spouse, "requires a thorough examination into characters, and a more perfect knowledge of each other. Not, madam," continued she, "that I in the least suspect the young ladies' virtue, prudence, and discretion; but there is a form in these things, madam ; there is a form." Fudge! My wife approved her suspicions very much, observing, that she Avas very apt to be suspicious herself; but referred her to all the neigh- bours for a character: but this our peeress declined as unnecessary, alleging that her cousin ThoriihiU's recommendation would be suf- ficient; and upon this we rested our petition. fd)ienen tfyr bte jungen 5)amen 311 einer folcfyen Stelle fefyr geeignet. ,, s ,Hber bergletcfyen, SJtobame," fagte fie 311 meiner $rau, ,,erforbert cine genaue $ru; funfl ber Gbaraftere unb cine Idngere gegenfeitige 33efanntfd^aft. ^id)t ba^ id^ im getingften bte Xugenb , $lut$eit unb ?8cfOnnen$cit ber jungen S)atnen bejmeifelte; bod) man mufj bei bergleicfyen ^ingen bie ^ovm beobacfyten, 2Ra= bame, bte gorm! " ^Unftnn!" 2Retne ^rau btUtgte biefe S5orfl(i)tSma^te0eI fel)t nnb dufterte, ba^ fie felber gerne torftd)ttg 311 2Bcr!e 0et>e. $tnft(^tlid) be Diufg tf)rer f tinber be" rtef fie fid^ auf ba UrtfyeU ber gan3en 9iad}barfc^aft. Sie abp I)telt bies fur unb bemerfte, ba^ bie (5mpfel)(ung tfyre SSetter X^ornl^iU il;r fd)on llnb barauf ftii^ten mir benn unfer 108 CHAP. XII. FORTLNK SKKMS UKSOl.VKD TO HUMBLK THE 1 A Mil. V <>r WAKKFIKLI) MORTIFICATION- \l:l "ITK.N MOHK PAINFUL THAN K I \ I c\ I. AMITIES. When we were returned home, the night was dedicated to schemes of future conquest. Deborah exerted much sagacity in conjecturing which of the girls was likely to have the best place, and most op- portunities of seeing good company. The only obstacle to our pre- ferment was in obtaining the squire's recommendation; but he had :ilr';nly *hown us too many instances of his friendship to doubt of it now. Even in bed, my wife kept up the usual theme: "Well, faith, my dear Charles, between ourselves, I think we have made an ex- cellent day's work of it." "Pretty well," cried 1, not knowing what to say. "What, mily pretty well!" n'turnrd she: "I think it is very well. Suppose the girls should come to make acquaintances of taste in town! This 1 am assured of, that London is the only apttrl. sdnrful u1>rmt cntiVMi'fffn, tic Aamilic von iUafcnclt' ^u tcmuthiqen. .KraitfuiuK" I'utc i'ft i\tmcr;ltd>cr, al? tvirUitlw ;'ll* irir nad) A>aufc iiiriictfamen, ttrghlfl bor :'lbcnb mit (5'ntnnirfen 311 funftiaen (5'rebcvuna.en. Tebcra roenbete ibren 3dwinnn an, inn ju erra= then, trcUf>e ton bon beibon llUabcben bie befte 3telle befommen unb bie nieifte (^clegentieit baben trerbe, in vornet^me (^e)ellfcbaft 311 fommen. Xie ein3i0e Sa^njicriiifeit, bie fid) unfcrer C5'rhi?bun0 entflegenftellte, mar, bie (5mpfef)(uno be^ utvbcrrn ui erbalten; bocf) er t)atte un bercite fo uiele N ^roben feiner Areunbf*aft flepeben, baf? n?ir nicf>t meljr baran 3meifetn fonnten. 9tod) im '-Bette f efete meine #ran biefcn eflenftanb fort : ,,29afyrbaftt0 , lieber unter line flefagt, glaube icf), mir tjaben beute fetjr flute efc^cifte gemacf) ,,3iemlici) gut," rief idb, meil id) nid)t mu^te, tua taS faa.en fodte. J. nur 3iemlid) gut?" eriuieberte fie; ,,icb glaube, ee ift febr gut. (^emifi irerben bie 2)lcibd)en in ber 3tabt t>ornebme 33efanntfrf)aften mad)en. 3 > 109 place in the world for all manner of husbands. Besides, my dear, stranger things happen every day: and as ladies of quality are so taken with my daughters, what will not men of quality be? Entre nous, I protest I like my Lady Blarney vastly; so very obliging. However, Miss Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs has my warm heart. But yet, when they came to talk of places in town, you saw at once how I nailed them. Tell me, my dear, don't you think I did for my children there?" "Ay," returned I, not knowing well what to think of the matter: "Heaven grant they may be both the better for it this day three months!" This was one of those observations I usually made to impress my wife with an opinion of my sagacity ; for if the girls succeeded, then it was a pious wish fulfilled; but if any thing unfortunate ensued, then it might be looked upon as a prophecy. All this conversation, however, was only preparatory to another scheme; and indeed I dreaded as much. This was nothing less than, that as we were now to hold up our heads a little iiber^eugt, bafj onbon ber einjtge Ort in ber 2Belt ift, too alle Slrten t>on Gfyemannern 311 finben finb. Unb aufcerbem, mem Sieber, ereignen fid} oft nod) toeit feltfamere S)inge. SBenn fdjon 3)amen t>on Stanbe fo fur meine Softer eingenommen finb, mie toerben e erft >erren Don Stanbe fein ! llnter nn gefagt, id? muf} geftefyen, bajj mir Sabty SBlarner) aufserorbentlid} gefa'Ut. Sie ift ciufjerft fyoflid) unb terbinbli(^. lei(^it)ol)l befi^t grdulein (Caroline 2Bttt)eImine 2lmalte @fegg ntein 0an^e ^erj. ViU on tcllen in Sonbon bte ^Kebe mar, fyaft S)u ba mof)l bemer!t, one idj fie feft^ielt? 6age mir, mein Steber, ^abe ta^ ba nicfyt gut fiir meine $mber geforgt?" ,$&," ertoieberte id}, ba id) ntc^t mu^te, toa ia^ non ber 6ad)e benlen follte, ,,moge ber ^tnts met nur geben, bafc fid^ S3etbe l)eute iiber brei donate beffer babei befinben ! " n>ar eine t>on ben SSemertungen, bie ify ju maa^en pflegte, um metner einen fyofyen S3egriff t>on metner ^lugl)ett bei^ubringen. ing e ben 2)ldbc^en gut , f o mar ein frommer 2Bunf d} erfilllt ; begegnete ifynen bagegen etft>a 2Biberlt>drtige, fo fonnten meine 2Borte fiir eine ^ropfyegetfwng gelten. S)tefe ganse Unterljaltung tear inbejj nur eine SSorbereitung auf einen anbern 110 >- higher in the world, it would be proper to sell the colt, which was grown old, at a neighbouring fair, and buy us a horse that would carry single or double upon an occasion, and make a pretty ap- pearance at church or upon a visit. This at first I opposed stout- ly; but it was as stoutly defended. However, as 1 weakened, my antagonists gained strength, till at lust it was resolved to part with him. As the fair happi-nrd nn the following day, I hat intentions of going myself; but my wife persuaded me that I had got a cold, and nothing could prevail upon her to permit me from home. "No, my dear," said she, "our son Moses is a discreet boy, and can buy and sell to very good advantage: you know all our great bargains are of his purchasing. He always stands out ami higgles, and actually tires them till he gf'ts a liar^ain." As I had some opinion of my son's prudence, 1 was willing enough to entrust him with this commission; and the next morning I perceived ma* id) gleid) anfangs befurcMot Kitte. CJo luar IHMI nicM* (9erina.ercm Mo :'ioto ba iinr nun to* einmal ton Mcpf i" bev ili>clt etu?a* l)6l;er tragen Mi tonnen glaubten a I* imfer $>tndftfu[len, ba* fd?en gar ^u alt mar, auf toiu bonad>barton ^iortomartto ut uovtaufcn unt un-:- otn v |>|crb anjufa^affen, iiulttov na* Umitanbcn oin paar % 4>crionon tra^ou fonnc unb (id) auf bem ihkae na* tor Minto ober bei JBei'iutcu oiniaorma|Vn gut au^nel;me. Tom tinbcr)~cj)tc ia) mid) anfange ftanb^aft, bocf) ee l)alf mir ntcbts; je me()r id) nad)0ab, bcfto feftcrn on bom .Vonajtiullen ju trennon. Ta tor ^abrmarft gcrabe am folgcnbem Jage tatt fanb, tuar e* meine v JlbH*t, mid) felbcr bortt)iu 3U begebcn; tod) moinc Arau iibcrrcbete mid;), id) fyatte mid) crfaltet, unb fie mar nid)t ju bemegen, mio} fort^ulaffen. ,, s Jiein, metn teber," fagte fie, ,,unfer iJiofe0 ift ein gefdjeitter ^Burfd)e unb fann mit ielem ^ortt)eil faufen unb tcrfaufen. (!r t)at ja immer alle unfere gro^en (^in!aufe beforgt. 6r ftebt immer ba unb bingt fo lange, bi er einen guten anbel abgefd^loffen fyat." 111 his sisters mighty busy in fitting out Moses for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. The business of the toilet being over, we had at last the satisfaction of seeing him mounted upon the colt, with a deal box before him to bring home groceries in. He had on a coat made of that cloth they call thunder and lightning, which, though grown too short, was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of gosling green, and his sisters had tied his hair with a broad blatk riband. We all followed S)a id) felber cine gute -UMnung ton ber ^lugfyeit meine3 Gofyne^ fyatte, fo mar id? nicfyt abgeneigt, iljm biefe efd&aft 311 iibertragen. 2lnt ndd)ften 2Jlorgen fafy id) feine cfytoeftern feljr gefcfyaftig , 2Jtofe ^um ^a|)rtnar!t au^; pftaffiren. 6ie frciufelten fein $aar , biirfteten feine 6d^nallen unb ftu&ten fetnen ut mit 9tabeln auf. $[l% bte toilette beenbet tuar, fatten trir enblid; ba $ergnugen, tyn bag ^engftfiillen beftetgen 311 fefyen. Gr t)telt eine grofje tor fi^, morin er ettmrg mitbrtngen follte. ein Stocf , au bem Qemadjt, n)el(^e man Conner unb $Blt& nennt, tuar if)m luar ettt?as> ju !urj fiemorben, aber bodj nod^ ^u gut, tint ifyn gang abplegen. 6eine 2Be(te toar gragriin, unb feine ^toeftern fatten if)m ba $aar mit einem bretten > 11-J < liim .several paces from the door, bawling after him, "Good luck! good luck!" till we could see him no longer. He was scarce gone, when Mr. Thornhill's butler came to con- gratulate us upon our good fortune, saying, that he overheard his young master mention our names with great commendation. Good fortune seemed resolved not to come alone. Another footman from the same family followed, with a card for my daughters, import- ing, that tin- two ladies hat received such pleasing accounts from Mr. Tlnmihill of us all, that, after a few previous inquiries, they hoped to be perfectly satisfied. "Ay," cried my wife, "I now see it is no easy matter to get into the families of the great; but when one once gets in, then, as Moses says, one may go to sleep." To this piece of humour (for she intented it for wit,- my daughters assented with a loud laugh of pleasure. In short, such was her satisfaction at this message, that she actually put her hand in her pocket, and gave the messenger seven -pence half -penny. $anbe in cinon 3cpf .wiammenn.ebitnben. 2Bir folgten ifma Mile einige cibrttt nnb viefeii ibm luut: ,,OHiut am ben 28eg! lurf aitf ben 28efl!" bio mir ibn nidn nu'br icben fonnton. Maitnt mar er fort, ate .fierrn IbernbiU'* Mellcrmcifter fam, inn un3 fei; neii Nlmfuninicb abuiftatten. (5r Mte o^ort, fagte cr, mie fein ^evr in fefyr lebonbcu x'dix-brncfcn t?on un* flofprocben. Xa? (^litct fam nid>t allein. Gin anberer ibebicntcr au* bcmfclbcn .V>aujc bracbte inctncn Ied)tern einc Xavtc, tvorauf bic bcibcn Tamon aeiitriebcn batten, ^err XtjornbiU tyabe ibncn [o x Jiadn-iitton itbov nn :Ulle mitoetbeilt, ba^ fie nad) einigen an= (*rhint>uiimaen ganjlic^ jufriebenfleftellt 311 fein ^offten. ,,3&>" rief metne ^vrau, ,,i* febe icftt ein, ban e* feine leicbte 3a(^e ift, in tjornet): men ^amilien 3utritt 311 er^alten. .s)at man aber einmal ^utrttt, fo fann man ftcb, n?ie Dftofee faijt, rubii] fcblafen legen." iefe3 SBi^mort, benn bafiir l;ielt fte ee, miirbe ten meinen 26d?tern bur* muntere unb Iaute ad?en befrdftigt. ^ur3, ibre >yrenbe uber biefe 9iad)rid;t mar fo grofe, bafe fte in bie Safcfye griff unb bent 3)oten fteben unb einen l^alben ^ence gab. -^> 113 < This was to be our visiting day. The next that came was Mr. Burchell, who had been at the fair. He brought my little ones a pennyworth of gingerbread each, which my wife undertook to keep for them, and give them by letters at a time. He brought my daughters also a couple of boxes, in which they might keep wafers, snuff, patches, or even money when they got it My wife was usually fond of a weasel -skin purse, as being the most lucky: but this by the by. We had still a regard for Mr. Burchell, though his late rude behaviour was in some measure displeasing; nor could we now avoid communi- cating our happiness to him, and asking his advice: although we seldom {followed advice, we were all ready enough to ask it. When fyeutige ag follte 311 $efu$en beftimtnt fein. $alb barauf !am err , bet auf bem ^afynriarft getoefen toar. Gr bracfyte meinen $letnen ein 2lltofyabet toon $feffer!u$en tnit, ft>el$e3 tneine $rau aufbetoafyrte, urn e tfynen nacfy unb na<^ bucfyftabentoeife 311 geben. 2lii(^ meinen Xod^tern er ein ))aar 33ud)d?en mitgebra^t, urn bartn Dblaten, 6djmiftaba!, pfldfterd^en ober aiid) (Mb auf^iibeiDa^ren , it?enn [te tt>eld)e befamen. ^rau bielt t?on jefyer toiel auf einen elbbeutel toon s J&tefelfell, ber, luie fie metnte, @Iildt brtnge; bod) ba nur beildufig. 5Ro(^ immer fyefiten tr>ir eine gemiffe Slotting fiir ^errn 5Burct)ell, obgleid^ un toor ^uraem fein rol)e Se^ nefytnen fet>r mifjfallen Ijatte. 2lit(i) !onnten lutr jefet ni(^t uml)in , ifym unfer liidt mit^utbeilen unb ifw urn f einen S^att) 311 bitten ; benn f o felten tr>ir aud^ fremben 3^at^ befolgten, fo toaren inir bod^ ftetS berett, barnad^ p fragen. > 114 *- he read the note from the two ladies, he shook his head, and observed that an affair of this sort demanded the utmost circumspection. This air of diffidence highly displeased my wife. "I never doubted, sir," cried she, "your readiness to be against my daughters and me. You have more circumspection than is wanted. However, I fancy when we come to ask advice, we shall apply to persons who seem to have made use of it themselves." "Whatever my own conduct may have been, madam," replied he, "is not the present question; though as I have made no use of advice myself, I should in conscience give it to those that will." As I was apprehensive this answer might draw on a repartee, making up by abuse what it wanted in wit, J changed the subject, by seeming to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair, as it was now almost night -full. "Never mind our son," cried my wife; "depend upon it he knows what he is about. I'll warrant we'll never see him sell his hen on a rainy day. I have seen him buy such bargains as would amaze one. I'll tell you a good story v Jll-> er ba SBillct toon ben beiben 25amen gelefen, fdjuttelte cr ben tfopf unb dufuTte, cine Sacfye ber S 2lrt tterlange bie grofjte $orftd)t. 2)tcfe3 !UliJ3trauen fcfyien meine 3ie iU't-> Ivreit finb, mtr imb metnen 2od)tern entgegen 311 fetn. 6te ratben groftere 2>orftd)t an,'al noting ift, unb toenn h?ir nncber einee guten Matbcs bcburfcn , f o mcrben mir un fcfjon an Seute njcnben, bie felber bauon ebraud^ gcma^t babcn." ,,5$on welder 2lrt audi mein 33enefymen gemefen fein mag, s JJiabame," terfe&te er, ,,fo ift bauon bod? jefct nic^t bie JKcbc. atte ic^ aucti felber nic^t guten Maty befolgt, fo fann id) tfyn bod^ mil gutem GJehriffen bcnen geben, bie it^n uerlangen." 2)a id^ befurd^tete , btefe lUntmort mocbte auf eine 2Betfe ermiebert merben , bie ba$ burrf) Seletbigung erfe^te, n?a tyic an 2Bi^ ntangette, jo gab id) bent efprad) eine anbere SBenbung , inbem icf) meine SBernwnberung au)>racb, bafj 2Rofe nod) md)t om 3al)rmar!t juruct fei, ba bod) bie SRaa^t fd^on angebrod>en. ,,Set unbeforgt um unfern Sobn," rtef meine ^rau. ,,@r h?et^ fa^on, tnaS er tt)ut, barauf tannft 2)u btc^ cerlaffen. Gr trtrb feme ^enne ni$t am reg= > 115 about that, that will make you split your sides with laughing. But, as I live, yonder comes Moses, without a horse, and the box at his back." As she spoke, Moses came slowly on foot, and sweating under the deal box, which he had strapped round his shoulders like a pedler. "Welcome! welcome, Moses! well, my boy, what have you brought us from the fair?" - "I have brought you myself," cried Moses, with a sly look, and resting the box on the dresser. "Ay, Moses," cried my wife, "that we know; but where is the horse?" "I have sold him," cried Moses, "for three pounds five shillings and two -pence." "Well done, my good boy," returned she; "I knew you would touch them off. Between ourselves, three pounds five shillings and two -pence is no bad day's work. Come, let us have it then." "I have brought back no money," cried Moses again: "I have laid it all out in a bargain, and here it is ," pulling out a bundle from his breast: "here they are; a gross of green spectacles, with silver nid^ten Sage ttertaufert, bafitr ftefye id):.2)tr. 3<$ bin erftcumt iiber bie Gin; ta'ufe, bie er f$on gemadfyt. Nation mill i$ S)tr etne biibfcfye ef$id?te erd> len, bafc 2)u or Sadden berften follft. 2lbet fo toafyr id) lebe! S)a fotmrtt 2ftofe3 olme $ferb unb bie <5d)ad?tel auf bent SRiiden. SBafyrenb fie rebete, font 2Hofe langfant bafyergegangen, unter ber Saft ber ettmtafdjadjtel fcfyim&enb, bie er hrie ein ^aiifirer iiber bie @d}iiltern ge; bcingt Ijatte. ,,28illfontmen, h?ill!omnten, 2^Dfe! SWun, ntetn ^unge, ma baft S)u un tom 3;a^rmar!t mttgebrad^t?" %$ b^be mtd^ felber mitge; bra$t!" rief SRofeg , tnbent er nut fc^lauent Slide bie dfyadjtel auf ben fe|tc. ,,@i, 3JlDfe/' rtef meine gran, ,,ba miff en tmr; aber to ift $ferb?" , ; $ab' t>erfanft/' fagte 2Rofe, ,,fur brei ^Sfunb fiinf unb gmei ^ence." ^rafco, metn guter 6ot)n! y/ erhneberte fie. ,,^ mu^te fd^on, baf? 2)u ilmen einenSSart ntac^en miirbeft. Unter un gefagt, bret^funb fiinf @(i)illinge unb gmet ^ence ift lein iibler Sageloljn. ^un fo gteb eg fyer." %% babe !ein (Mb mitgebra^t/' rief 2Rofe. %% babe 2lUe filr 2Baaren auSgelegt; unb bier ftnb fie/' 3Kit btefen Shorten gog er ein $aclet au bent * 116 < rims and shagreen cases." ,,A gross of green spectacles ! " repeated my wife in a faint voice. "And you have parted with the colt , and brought us back nothing but a gross of green paltry spectacles ! " "Dear mother," cried the boy, "why won't you listen to reason? I had them a dead bargain, or I should not have bought them. The silver rims alone will sell for double the money." "A fig for the silver rims!" cried my wife in a passion: "I dare swear they won't sell for above half the money at the rate of broken silver, five shillings an ounce." "You need be under no uneasiness," cried I, "about selling the rims; for thoy are not worth sixpence, for I perceive they are only copper varnished over." ,,\Vhat," cried my wife, "not silver! the rims not silver!" "No," cried I, "no more silver than your saucepan." "And so," returned she, "we have parted with the colt, and have only got a gross of green spectacles, with copper rims and shagreen cases! A murrain take such trumpery. The blockhead has been imposed upon, and should have known his company better!" SBufen. ,,.\>ier [tub fie! 3toolf Sufcenb grime ^rillcn init filbcrnen (Sinfciffun- gen unb in tfbagrinfutteralen." ,,3roolf Sufccnb grime 33rillen!" nneber; Mtc nietne ,vrau mit matter Stimme. ,,Unb 3u t>aft ba* .s>eitgftfiiUen Inn= gegeben unb bringft un* nid^tc- wetter .uiriirf, al* jtoolf 3)uenb lumpige grime SBrtllen!" ,,iebe flutter," erroiebcrte ber ^unnlinfl/ /fo I?6rc bod) nur ^ernunft an. %d) erbielt fie urn einen 3pottpreie, fonft ba'ttc ia^ fie nid?t ge; fauft. 2)ie fUbernen Gitifaffuugen allein finb boppett fo tiiel mertb." ,,3"^ Confer mit 3)einen filbernen Ginfaffungcn ! " rtef mcinc ^rau leibenfc^aftlid) au->. ,,$3) mocfyte barauf fa^rooren, nid)t bas balbe @etb befommen n>ir une= ber, menn mir fie nacb bem 39ertbe be atten6ilber, fitnf 3a^i(linge bteUn^e, uerfaufen." ^IRadje bir fetne Sorge njegen be 58erfauf^ ber filbernen (5tn; faffung," rief ia^, ,,benn e* ift Ttid)tc- meiter at&itupfcr, nur etn mentg iiberfil= bert." ,,2Ba?" rtef metne^-rau, ,,fetnilber? 2te(5infajtung fein Silber?" ,,o menig Silber/' fcerfefcte id), ^mie^eine^Bratpfanne." ,,So ^aben mir alfo unfer engftfitllen ^ingegeben," rtef fie, ,,unb ntd?t3 bafiir erbalten, aB gmolf 2>uenb griine33rtUen mit fupfernen Ginfaffungen inGbagrinfutteralen! > 117 "There, my dear," cried I, "you are wrong; he should not have known them at all." "Marry, hang the idiot!" returned she, "to bring me such stuff: if I had them, I would throw them in the fire." "There again you are wrong, my dear," cried I; "for though they are copper, we will keep them by us; as copper spectacles, you know, are better than nothing." By this time the unfortunate Moses was undeceived. He now saw that he had indeed been imposed upon by a prowling sharper, who, observing his figure, had marked him for an easy prey. I there- fore asked him the circumstances of his deception. He sold the horse, it seems, and walked the fair in search of another. A reverend loking man brought him to a tent, under pretence of having one to sell. "Here," continued Moses, "we met another man very well dressed, who desired to borrow twenty pounds upon these, saying that he wanted money, and would dispose of them for a third of the value. The first gentleman, who pretended to be my friend, whis- S)er Center bole erne folctyeSJcttftgetei! 3)er$umm!opf &at fid) anfubren laffen! Gr batte fetnefieute beffer fennen follen!" ,,3>a baft 11 Unrecfyt, tneineStebe," ertoieberte id), ,,er batte fie gar nid}t fennen foltetT." ,,3um Center nut bem GinfaltSpinfel ! " erttneberte fie. ,,2ftir fold)e 3eug 3U bringen! 2Benn id) fie batte, it)ollte id) fie gleid) in3 $euer toerfen!" ,,2)arin fjaft 2)u mieber Unrest, meine SieBc/' rief id^. ,,2Benn fie and? nur in Ihipfer gefa^t finb, fo pollen ttir fie bod? anfbemafyren ; benn fupferne 23rtllen finb bod^ beffer al> gar nid)t." ^e^t tt)ar aud^ bem unglucfli^en 2Rofe ein Std^t aufgegangen. (r fab ein, ba^ er t>on einem liftigen auner betrogen morben, ber if)n r fetnem 2leits ^ern naa^, fiir gute^eute mn^te ge^alten baben. $$ fragte itm nun nac^ ben nabern Umftanben bet bem Setruge. 6r Ijatte ba $ferb tterlauft unb mar auf bem 3J?arft umbergegangen , ein anbere3 p fnd)en. (5tn 2ftanri con e^r; miirbigem 2lusfel)en batte ibn unter bem ^Boriranbe, bafc er ein^ 311 terlanfen babe, in ein $elt gefitbrt. ,,$ier trafen irir einen anbern febr gut gefletbeten 2Rann," fnbr 2ftofe fort, ,,ber gman^ig ^Pfunb auf bie ^Brtllen geborgt baben troUte. Gr gebrau(be notbmenbtg G5elb, fagte er, unb tooUe fie um ein Srittet -4 118 < pered me to buy them, and cautioned me not to let so good an offer pass. I sent for Mr. Flamborough, and they talked him up as finely as they did me, arid so at last we were persuaded to buy the two gross between us." CHAP. XIH. Mil. IJUUCHELL IS FOUND TO ME AN ENEMY; FOH HK HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO GIVE DISAGREEABLE ADVICE. Our family had now made several attempts to be fine; but some unforeseen disaster demolished each as soon as projected. I endea- voured to take the advantage of every disappointment, to improve their good sense, in proportion as they were frustrated in ambition. "You see, my children," cried I, "how little is to be got by attempts to impose upon the world, in coping with our betters. Such as are be* Sfikrthe* lovfatoflen. 2er erfte ^err, ber fid) fefyr freunblicfy gegen mid) ftellte, flufterte mir 311,' id) mocbte fie faufcn unb ein fo 0ute 2lnerbieten nid)t won mir meifen. 3d) fd)idte 311 .sScrrn Alamboroiujb, ben fie eben fo liftig mie mic^ befd^nja^ten, unb fo liefsen iuir un enbliit bemcflen, bie uicrunbs 3U faufen." J^err ^uvdjcH l^ !~tri> als einen ^einb, intent er cs njacjt, line unan^cnclnnc JHath'ctHa^c ii cvtfeilcn. Unferc ^amtlie Ijatte jefct terfc^iebene ^erfud^e 0emad)t, tomet)m 311 er= fd)emen; bod) manner imttorfyergefefyene Unfall oereitette bie faum entmor- fenen S 4>(dne. 2lu jeber ;anfcbung fuc^te ic^ ^ortl)et( 3U 3iel)en, inbem id^ bemiibt mar, in bent llftafce it)ren SSerftanb aufjuMdren, mie tl)r G()rget3 ge= !rdnft murbe. ,,^bt: febt, meine .^inber," fagte id), ,,mie menig man burd) ben SJerfud) geminnt, bie SBelt 311 tdufa^en, inbem man ftd^ SSorneI;mern g -<- 119 o- poor, and will associate with none but the rich, are hated by those they avoid, and despised by those they follow. Unequal combinations are always disadvantageous to the weaker side; the rich having the pleasure, and the poor the inconveniences, that result from them. But come, Dick, my boy, and repeat the fable you were reading to-day, for the good of the company." "Once upon a time," cried the child, "a giant and a dwarf were friends , and kept together. They made a bargain that they would never forsake each other, but go and seek adventures. The first battle they fought was with two Saracens; and the dwarf, who was very courageous , dealt one of the champions a most angry blow. It did the Saracen but very little injury, who, lifting up his sword, fairly struck off the poor dwarfs arm. He was now in a woful plight; but the giant coming to his assistance , in a short time left the two Sara- cens dead on the plain, and the dwarf cut off the dead man's head out of spite. They then travelled on to another adventure. This ftellen fucfyt. 2Ber arm ift unb nut mit ben JKeidjen umgefyen anil, tmrb tton benen gefyafjt, bie er t>erntetbet, imb t>on benen x>eracfytet, toelcfyen er fid? auf= brangt. Ungletcfye Serbtnbungen gereidfyen imtner ben rf)tt>adjeren sum 9Iad)= tfyeil. S)ie yteicfyen fyaben bas> SSergnitgen unb bie 2lrmen nur bie baraus> ent= fpringenben 23efd)toerben. $omm, JKtcfyarb, mein $unge, imb er^tifyle einmal 311 %ln% tmb grommen ber efellfdfyaft ba yRaljifyen, meld^eg 2)u tjeute gelefen." &% h?ar einmal ein ^iiefe unb ein3^erg/' er^ca^lte ber ^inabe. ,,2)ie traren gute g-reunbe imb fjtelten fic^ gu einanber. 6ie marten einen ^Bertrag, fie n)ol(; ten einanber nie tierlaffen unb gufammen auf Slbenteuer au^3te^en. S)as erfte @efed)t beftanben fie mit grcei Saracenen, unb ber 3^^9/ toelcfyer fet)r mutljig n?ar, uerfe^te bem $a'mpfer einen Ijeftigen <^lag. S)er tljat aber bent arace^ nen roenig S^aben, er fd)mang tnelmefyr fetn c^mert unb t)ieb bem armen 3tt>erge einen 2trm ab. liefer tuar je^t in trauriger Sage ; beefy ber Stiefe lam ifym p ^ilfe. 3m 2lugenbltc! lagen bie beiben atacenen tobt am 35oben unb in feiner 2Butf) fcfynitt ber 3toerg bem Xobten ben ^opf ab. 3)amt jogen fie auf ein anbere S 2lbenteuer au, unb ^roar gegen brei blutbiirftige Saturn , noelcfye -^ 120 Ww was againts three bloody-minded satyrs, who were carrying away a damsel in distress. The dwarf was not quite so fierce now as before; but for all that struck the first blow, which was returned by another that knocked out his eye; but the giant was soon up with them, and, had they not fled, would certainly have killed them every one". They were all very joyful for this victory, and the damsel who was relieved, fell in love with the giant and married him. They now travelled far, and further than I can tell, till they met with a company of robbers. The giant, for the first time, was foremost now; but the dwarf was not far behind. The battle was stout and long. Wherever the giant came, all fell before him; but the dwarf hat like to have been killed more than once. At last the victory declared for the two adventurers ; but the dwarf lost his leg. The dwarf had now lost an arm, a leg, and an eye, white the giant was without a single wound. Upon which he cried out to his little companion: 'My little hero, this is glorious sport; let us get one victory more, and then we shall have honour for ein flagenbee iUidbcfyen entfiifyrten. er $merg mar biesmal nid)t )"o miitfyenb, trie friiber; bod) tljat er ben erften .ftieb, ben fein Giegner fo beftig eritrieberte, bafj er i(?m ein 5{uge aiK*|~cMufl. iUbcr ber SHtefc fain gleid) (jerju, unb maren fie nid)t entfloben, fo bdtte er fie gemif', alle getobtet. I'llle maren erfrcut it ber biefen Sieg , imb ba3 gerettete -Iftdbcfyen t>erltebte fid) in ben Wtefen unb fyetra= tfjete tyn. ^ann jogen fie in roeite ^yerne, id) meif, nid)t mte meit, bi^ fte etne s J{duberbanbe trafen. 5)ie!omal it?ar ber JKtefe uoran, bod) ber 3^^0 blieb ntd^t mett Winter ifym 3uritrf. ^er ,^ampf mar l)i^ig unb mafyrte lange. 2Bof)in ber 9ttefe !am, ba ftiirjte allee t>or tt)m nteber, boc^ ber Stoerg ^^ tne^rmal nalje baran, getobtet 311 merben. Gnblicb aber entfcfyieb fio) ber Sieg fitrbie beiben Slbenteurer; boc^ ber SfttiQ fycittte ein 53ein nerloren. 5iun fefylte bem Emerge ein s i(rm, ein $ein unb ein s ^luge, mdbrenb ber $tefe gar nid)t t)er= tinmbet morben mar. 2)arauf rief er fetnem fteinen y3egleiter 3u: ,,30Mn !(einer .'oelb, bie ift ein glorretd?e optel! 5Rur noa) einen teg, unb mir fyaben un emigen ^Hu^nt erfauft." ,,9?etn/' ruft ber$KW9> ber inbeffen flitger ge= morben ift, ,,nein! tc^ fage mid) (o unb mill md)t meiter fdmpfen; benn ta^ 121 ever.' 'No,' cried the dwarf, who was by this time grown wiser, 'no ; I declare off; I'll fight no more : for I find in every battle, that you get all the honour and rewards, but all the blows fall upon me.'" I was going to moralize upon this fable , when our attention was called off to a warm dispute between my wife and Mr. Burchell, upon my daughters' intended expedition to town. My wife very strenu- fefye \vot)i, baf? 2)it bet jebem efecfyte Csfyre unb of)n bafcmttrdgft, alle Scfyldge mid) treffen." $cfy mar im ^Begriff , eintge moralifd)e SBetracfytumjen i'tber ba^ an^ufteden, als> meine 2lufitterffamfeit baton abge^ogen tourbe burd) einen Iebl)aften 6treit stmfdjen meiner ^rau unb $errn $itrcfyeU iiber bte ticjte em (5'ifer bavon ab; id) abcr Ijiclt mid) neutral. Sein rodrtifle* I'lbvatben fd)ien nur cine ,~yovt)ei}una, r>on bem 311 )"ein, am *D2or0en fo iibel aufgenommen njorbcn. er Strcit tmtrbe fyeftig, metl bie armc Sebora, ftatt Orunbe anjugeben, nur lautcr fprad) unb ftc^ enb= ltd) genotbigt fat), iljre 9iiebcr(aflc btntcr cin (3e)c^rei ju werbergen. 2)er 6d)(iiJ5 il)rer ^Hebe mar iinc^ alien inbeji fcbr mif>fdUi0. Sie fenne Seute, jagtc fie, irela^c gebeime riinbe 311 bem l;dttcn, roa fie anrietl;en; fie aber njiinf^e, ba^ folcfce Seute inefunftige tfyr .s)au metben molten. ,,2fta; bame," rief ^ura)ell mit grof3er ^Hul;e, bie fie nur nod) mefyr aufbradjte, ,,l)inftd>tltc^ ber gefyeimen (3riinbe l)aben 3ie J){ea^t. %<$ Ijabe gef)eime Oiri'mbe, bie id) nicfyt ermdljne, metl oie md)t im 5tanbe finb, mtr auf bie ju antirorten, morau id) fetn @et)etmni^ mad^e. 2)o(^ id) finbe, ba^ meine 35efud)e l)ier laftig merben; bat)er mill id) jefct get)en unb fomme meletd)t nod7 einmal mieber, um auf immer 3lbfd)teb gu nel)men, wenn to) biefe egenb terlaffe." 2JItt biefen Shorten na^m er fetnen .V)ut, unb felbft Sophie, beren -** 123 < Thus saying, he took up his hat, nor could the attempts of Sophia, whose looks seemed to upbraid his precipitancy, prevent his going. When gone, we all regarded each other for some minutes with confusion. My wife, who knew herself to be the cause, strove to hide her concern with a forced smile, and an air of assurance, which I was willing to reprove: "How, woman," cried I to her, "is it thus we treat strangers? Is it thus we return their kindness? Be assured, my dear, that these were the harshest words, arid to me the most un- pleasing, that ever escaped your lips!" - "Why would he provoke me then?" replied she; "but I know the motives of his advice perfectly well. He would prevent my girls from going to town , that he may have the pleasure of my youngest daughter's company here at home. But, whatever happens, she shall choose better company than such low-lived fellows as he." "Low-lived, my dear, do you call him?" cried I: "it is very possible we may mistake this man's character; for he seems, upon some occasions, the most finished gentleman I 33ltd:e tfym feine Ueberetlung tiorgutoerfen fd)ienen, cermocfyte ifyn ntd)t 311= ritc^ufyalten. 2113 er fort toar , f al;en roir etnanber mefyrere ^ttnuten mit 93e[turgunfl an. S)a meine $rau inufjte, bafs fie bie Steranlafftuig fei, tuar fie bemitfyt, ifyre SBerlegen&eit fyinter einem er^ftwngenen acfyeln unb einer gut>erla)ftflen itttene gu tterbergen, moritber id) fie gur ^Kebe ftellte. ,,28ie, grau?" rief td^, ,,mii man fo r ^wnbe betjanbeln? ^Bergilt man fo i^r SKo^lmollen? laube mtr, meine Siebe, bie tuaren bie fyarteften 2Borte unb fur mid) bie imangenefymften, bte ie iiber beine ^ippen gefommen." ,,28arum fyat er mta^ aua^ fo gerei^t?" erfe^te fie; ,,boa^) id) meifj fe^r gut, ma i^n ^u fetnen Diat^fc^Idgen bemogen bat. dr hjollte meine X6d)ter t>erf)inbern, in bie Stabt gu gef)en, bamit er I)ier 3U .^aufe bte @efellfd)aft meiner jiingften Xoa^ter fyaben fonne. 2Ba aber aua^i gefcfytefyt, fie foil fia^ memgftenS beffern llmgang mdl^len, al^ ben mit einem fo gemeinen2Renfcfyen tote er." ,,(Bemein nennft 3)u ifyn, meine Stebe?" ermieberte ta^. ,,3Stelleicbt trren anr un in bem Sljarafter btefe SO^anne^, benn bei me^reren elegenfyetten babe ia^ il)n aB etnen ber gebtlbeften Scanner ^ 124 **- ever knew. Tell me, Sophia, my girl, has he ever given you any secret instances of his attachment?" "His conversation with me, sir," replied my daughter, "has ever been sensible, modest, and pleasing. As to aught else, no, never. Once indeed I remember to have heard him say, he never knew a woman who could find merit in a man that seemed poor." - "Such, my dear," cried I, "is the common cant of all the unfortunate or idle. But I hope you have been taught to judge properly of such men , and that it would be even madness to expect happiness from one who has been so very bad an economist of his own. Your mother and I have now better prospects for you. The next winter, which you will probably spend in town, will give you opportunities of making a more prudent choice." What Sophia's reflections were upon this occasion, I cannot pretend to determine; but I was not displeased at the bottom, that we were rid of a guest from whom I had much to fear. Our breach of hospitality went to my conscience a little; but I quickly silenced that fennen odornt. 3aao mir, Hobo 3opl)ie, flab cr Sir jo beimltd)e ^eiueife feiner Sunetguftg?" ,,3einc Unterljaltumj tnit mir," erhn'eberte meine od)ter, ,,tt>ar [tot* ocrftanbig, befcbeiben unb ana,enobm. 3on)"t tft mcbte uorflcfommen. $reilid) erinnere id) mid\ baf> or oinft iaaie, er fyabe nod) fein ^rauenjtmmer gefannt, ba^bio^erbienfte cine* llKannov, bcr arm idunne, 311 fcbaljen wiffe." ,,2)ae ijt bte fleti)ol)n(t*e :'Uivu % be allcrltn^tudliiten obet2R#fH0#!tegtt, rnetn Altnb/' terfet?te id). , M f)offcnt(td) aber tjaft Su gelernt, tuie man [o(d)e 3)tanncr bcurt^eilen mufs, unb bcflreifft iuol)l, tnte tl)6rid)t e fcin tuiirbe, ton einem yjtanne, ber )o fd)(ec^t mit bem 3etnia,en .'pau^ fletjciltcn t)at , GHi'tcf ,^u crtt)ar= ten. %<$) unb Seine illutter baben je^t beffere 2(ui?ftc^ten fiir Sid). Ser ndd)[te SHUnter, ben Su luabrfcbeinltd) in Venbon ^ubrinoen mtrft, itirb Sir etegem boit ter)d)anen ; etno fHujere 5Bab( 311 trcffen." 3$ tpacje ntcbt 311 beftimmen, toelcbe 33etrad)tuntjen 3opt)te bei biefer @e; (eoentjett anftellte ; tin runbe mar e mir nid)t unlteb, einen GJaft Io 311 foerben, ber mid) 311 tiielen $eforgmffen teranla^t ^atte. Ste ^Bema^ldfjtfittnfl ber aftfreimbfdjaft fiel mir 3tuar auf^OJenjtffcn, bca^) befc^mi^ttfltc id) bicfe2Rab r-4 125 < monitor by two or three specious reasons, which served to satisfy and reconcile me to myself. The pain wich conscience gives the man who has already done wrong, is soon got over. Conscience is a coward, and those faults it has not strength enough to prevent, it seldom has justice enough to accuse. CHAP. XIV. FRESH MORTIFICATIONS; OR A DEMONSTRATION THAT SEEMING CALAMITIES MAY BE REAL BLESSINGS. The journey of my daughters to town was now resolved upon, Mr. Thornhill having kindly promised to inspect their conduct himself, and inform us by letter of their behaviour. But it was thought indis- pensably necessary that their appearance should equal the greatness of their expectations, which could not be done without expence. We debated, therefore, in full council, what were the easiest methods nung burd) einige @d)eingrunbe, bie mid) berufyigten tmb mit mtr felbft cms?: fofynten. 35ie Giial, bie ba etoiffen einem 2ftenfd)en t>erurfa$t, ber bereit unrest gefyanbelt fyat, ift balb ubertnunben. S)a ennffen ift feig, imb toenn e nid^t ftarf genug ift, ba Unrest 311 ttermeiben, fo ift e felten fo gered^t, fid^ felber an^uflagen. 5Jteue ^rdnfitngen, cber ein S3etteiei, ba^ fc^einbare^ Hngliicf jitm tva^ven oller 3iat^t)erfammlung iiber bie S^ittel, mie man am let^teften 126 of raising money; or, more properly speaking, what we could most conveniently sell. The deliberation was soon finished: it was found that our remaining horse was utterly useless for the plough, without his companion, and equally unlit for the road, as wanting an eye; it was therefore determined that we should dispose of him, for the purpose above-mentioned, at the neighbouring fair; and, to prevent imposition, that I should go with him myself. Though this was one of the first mercantile transactions of my life, yet I had no doubt of acquitting myself with reputation. The opinion a man forms of his own prudence is measured by that of the company he keeps; and as mine was mostly in the family way, I had conceived no unfavourable sentiments of my worldly wisdom. My wife, however, next morning, at parting, after I had got some paces from the door, called me back to advise me, in a whisper, to have all my eyes about me. I had, in the usual forms, when I came to the fair, put my horse through all his paces, but for some time had no bidders. At last a elb auftretben tonne, ober, beutlid)er gefaflt, anr uberlegten, mas tmr am fua,lid)ften inTfaufen tonnten. Tiojc ^eratbunfl toar balb geenbet. 2Bir fam ben, bafe ba* nodb itbruK ^ferb clme fcinen .Uumpan sum s 45ftoQ c unbraud)bar unb eben fo untauglid) 311111 Weiten fei, ba es nur etn 2lua,e l;atte. 2)emnac^ n)iirbe be)diloi"jen , e 311 bem oben ertodfynten Qftede auf bem benat^barten Safyrmarfte ju r>ertaufen. Urn cinen neuen Sktriifl 3u uermeiben, follte id) fclbcr bamit l)inretten. (5'e toar bac- erfte taufmanntjc^e (^efd^dft in mcinem Seben ; bennod^ gmetfelte ic^ tetneemege^, es ritljmlid) au^ufiifjren. 2)te 2Rei= nung, bie man ton fetner etgenen ,^(uof)ett fyeaX ria^tet fid) meiften nad) bem Uma,ange, imb ba ftd^ bet meinige grD^tent^etle auf metne^amide befa^rdnftc, fo fjatte id) fetnen untortl)etlt)aften S3egriff toon meiner 2Be(tfIu0l)eit. S)od) al i(^ mify am folgenben 2ftor0en auf bie Dteife begeben tooUte unb fa^on etnifle Sa^rttte toon bet t)itr entfernt n?ar, ftufterte mtr meine grau nod) n?ar; nenb gu, tc^ moge ja bie 5(ugen red)t aufttjun. 2U i<^ auf bem ^abrmarft anfam , Uefe ia^ metn $ferb balb Sd^rttt, balb Srab unb alopp fleljen; bod) n?dl)rte e lange, e^e 3;emanb barauf bot. Gnb; -o 127 W chapman approached, and after he had for a good while examined the horse round, finding him blind of one eye, he would have nothing to say to him; a second came up, but observing he had a spavin, declared he would not take him for the driving home ; a third perceived he had a windgall, and would bid no money; a fourth knew by his eye that he had the bots; a fifth wondered what a plague I could do at the fair with a blind, spavined, galled hack, that was only fit lid) lam em $aufer, ber bag $ferb t>on alien 6eiten priifte, fid? aber ntd&t auf ben "panbel einlaffen mollte, alg er bemerfte, bafj eg auf etnem 2luge blinb fet. Gin gtoeiter, ber inbe^ Gefommen mar, befyauptete, e> ^abe ben Spatl), itnb fagte, er it>olle e nt(i)t fur ben ^ageloljn fyaben, ben er auSgeben nti'tffe, um e naa^ $auje ju treiben. Gin fritter bemer!te SSinboallen unb toollte nid^t barauf bieten. Gin SBierter fat) eg il)m an ben Slugen an, ba^ eg SBurmer babe, unb ein $iinfter munberte fic^, mag jum Center ia^ mit einer bltnben, fpatigen, munbgebriictten 30ldl)re auf bent 2Rarfte molle, bie au mc^tg tauge, -^ 128 _ to be cut up for a dog- kennel. By this time I began to have a most hearty contempt for the poor animal myself, and was almost ashamed at the approach of every customer: for though I did not entirely believe all the fellows told me, yet I reflected that the number of witnesses was a strong presumption they were right; and St. Gregory, upon good works, professes himself to be of the same opinion. I was in this mortifying situation, when a brother clergyman, an old acquaintance, who had also business at the fair, came up, and shaking me by the hand, proposed adjourning to a public house, and taking a glass of whatever we could get. I readily closed with the offer, and entering an alehouse, we were shown into a little back room, where there was only a venerable old man, who sat wholly intent over a large book, which he was reading. I never in my life saw a figure that prepossessed me more favourably. His locks of silver gray venerably shaded his temples, and his green old age seemed fo be the result of health and benevolence. However, his al sum gutter fur bte wnbe. $e&t begann id) felber mit innerltd)er ad)tung auf ba* arme SD?ier beral^ubltrfen unb fd?dmte mid) faft, menn fid) cm Maufer ndfyerte. enn menn id) aud) md)t 2lUe glaubte, ma bie fieute mir fagten, fo f$ien mir bod) bie gafyl ber3eugen einen flatten 23emet 311 geben, bafc fie $ed)t fatten, mie benn aud) ber tyeUtge 0regor in feinem 33ud)e iiber bie guten 2Ber!e biefelbe 2lnftd)t auefprid)t. 2ll id) in btefer erbrtefeli(^en Sage mar, ntifyerte fic^ mir etn alter 23e; Jannter unb Slmt^college, ber ebenfatle auf bent ^ftartte QJefd^dftc ^atte. 6r briidte mir bie anb unb mad^te mir ben 3?orfd)lag, in etn 2Birtys&ait3 ^u geljen, um etn la ju trin!en. $fy ftimmte bereitir-UItg bet unb mir traten in etn SBterfyauS , mo man uns in etne fletne ^tnterftube brad)te, unb mo SRte; manb metier al etn e^rmiirbiger alter 2)tann itber etnem gro^en Suc^e fajj, mortn er aufmerffam Ia. 9?te in meinen Seben babe id) etne eftalt gefeljen, bie mid) meljr gu t^rem SSort^etl etngenommen l)dtte. ilbergraue Socfen urn; fd)atteten feine Sttrn, unb fetn muntere reifenalter fdbten etne ^olge ber efunbfyett unb be 2Bol)lmolIen?\ Seine egenmart ftorte aber !etnemege presence did not interrupt our conversation: my friend and I dis- coursed on the various turns of fortune we had met; the Whistonian controversy, my last pamphlet, the archdeacon's reply, and the hard measure that was dealt me. But our attention was in a short time taken off by the appearance of a youth, who, entering the room, respect- fully said something softly to the old stranger. "Make no apologies, my child," said the old man: "to do good is a duty we owe to all our fellow -creatures: take this, I wish it were more; but five pounds will relieve your distress, and you are welcome." The modest youth unfere Unterfyaltung. 2ftein $reunb imb id? tfyetlten etnanber unfere beiberfei= tigen cfyidtfale tnit, rebeten on ber 2B^fton'fd}enGontrot>erfe, on tneiner le&ten ^lugfcfyrift, t>en ber 2lnttt>ort be 2lrd)ibiaconu unb toon bent fatten Soofe, tt>elc^e mir gugefalten. S5alb murbe aber unfere 2lufmerlfamfeit auf einen jungen 2Rann gelentt, ber in 3t^wer trat unb ben rei mit G^rfurc^t, aber leife anrebete. ,,^eine (Sntfci)uibigung , mem ofyn!" erluieberte ber 2llte. ff @ute tijun ift eine ^flid^t, bie mir alien unfern ^ftitmenfdjen ftnb. 9Zimnt bie! ic^ miinfdjte, e^ mare meljr. S)Dd^ fiinf ^funb merben au Seiner $erlegenfyeit retten, unb fte ftefyen S)ir ju 2)ien[ten." 2)er befdjeu > 130 shed tears of gratitude, and yet his gratitude was scarcely equal to mine. I could have hugged the good old man in my arms, his bene- volence pleased me so. He continued to read, and we resumed our conversation, until my companion, after some time, recollecting that he had business to transact in the fair, promised to be soon back; adding, that he always desired to have as much of Dr. Primrose's company as possible. The old gentleman hearing my name mentioned, seemed to look at me with attention for some time, and when my friend was gone, most respectfully demanded if I was any way re- lated to the great Primrose, that courageous monogamist, who had been the bulwark of the church. Never did my heart feel sincerer rapture than at that moment. "Sir," cried I, "the applause of so good a man as I am sure you are, adds to that happiness in my breast which your benevolence has already excited. You behold before you, sir, that Dr. Primrose, the monogamist, whom you have been pleased to call great. You here see that unfortunate divine , who has bene junge 2ftann ttergofe Xfrranen ber 2)anfbarfett, obgleid) fein )an!gefufrl fawn bem meintgen gltcfr. 3$ ^citte *>?" Quten alien 2Jlann in nteine Slrme briicfen mogen , fo fefrr geftel mir fein 2BofrltooUen. (5r fufrr fort ^u lefen, unb mil begannen imeber unfere Unterfraltung, bt3 e nteinetn #reunbe nacfr etntger 3eit etnfiel, bajj er nod) efcfrafte auf bem 2ftarfte fyabe. Gr tierfprac^ inbe^, balb auriicf ju fein unb fe^te tn'nsu, es [et ftetS fetn 2Bunfcfy, bte efellfc^aft beg doctor ^runrofe fo lange al moglid^) 311 gemefjen. 21B ber alte err meinen Stamen nennen ^6'rte , f cfyten er mid^ etne 3eitlang aufmerffam gu be* tracfyten, unb alS mein greunb ftd) entfernt tjatte, fragte er fefyr eljrerbtetig, ob id) melleid^t mit bem gro^en ^rimrofe terft>anbt fet, bem tapfern miften, bem ftaden Sollmerle ber ^irc^e. 9tte empfanb metn ^era ein Gntjiidten, aU in btefem 2iugenbltd. ,,Tlein ^err/' ermieberte id^, , f ber 35eii fall etne fo toarfern 2Ranne^ ; n?ofur t<^ @te unbebenfltd) ^alte, t>ermel)rt noa) bte ^reube meme ^erjenS , bie $\)u 2Bobltl)attg!ett bereit gemecft ^at. $a, metn ^err, Sie fe^en frier Dor ftdfr ben doctor ^rtmrofe, ben SO'lonogamtften, ben @ie grojj ju nennen belteben. .6ie fefren frier ben ungluctlia^en eiftlta}en -^ 131 so long, and it would ill become me to say successfully, fought against the deuterogamy of the age." "Sir," cried the stranger, struck with awe, "I fear I have been too familiar; but you'll forgive my curiosity, sir: I beg pardon." "Sir," cried I, grasping his hand, "you are so far from displeasing me by your familiarity, that I must beg you will accept my friendship, as you already have my esteem." "Then with gratitude I accept the offer," cried he, squeezing me by the hand, "thou glorious pillar of unshaken orthodoxy; and do I behold " I here interrupted what he was going to say 5 for though, as an author, I could digest no small share of flattery, yet now my modesty would permit no more. However, no lovers in romance ever cemented a more instantaneous friendship. We talked upon several subjects: at first, I thought him rather devout than learned, and began to think he despised all human doctrines as dross. Yet this no way lessened him in my esteem; for I had for some time begun privately to harbour such an opinion myself. I therefore took occasion to observe, that Dor fid) , ber fo lange wtb roenn id? e fagen barf fo fiegretd) bie 35eute; rogamte be 3eitalter be!dmpft fyat." ,,2Jlein jerr," rief ber grembe, rote t>on Gfyrfurd)! ergriffen, ,,id) finite, id) bin allgu subrtngltd) geroefen. &od) ueraetfyen @te meiner -fteugierbe; fcergetfyen 6ie" ,,9fteinerr," unterbrad) id) tfm, tnbem id? feme $anb ergrtff, ,,6ie ftnb fo roeit entfentt, mtr burd? t^re 3ubringltd)tett p tmfjfallen, baft id? 6te bitte, meine greunbfd^aft men, ba Sie fid) berettg metne 2lc^tung erirorben." ,,^d^ ne^me btefe erbieten ban!bar an/' fcerfefcte er, tnbem er mtr bte^anb briidtte; ,, holler ^fetter unerfc^utterltc^er Ort^oborte! Unb fo fefye td^ benn" unterbrad) id) tl)n; benn raenn tcf> and) al c^rtftftelter etne giemltcfye portion 6d^mei(f)elet terbauen !onnte, fo eiiaitbte mir boc^ metne Sefdjetbenfyett ntc^t, nod^ nte^r baton anaunefymen. SSielletc^t nte Ijaben Siebenbe in etnem ^ioman f (^neller einen >er3en3bimb gef^Ioffen. 2Btr rebeten itber fcerfdjiebene egen= ftdnbe. 2lnfang I)telt id) tfyn mel)r fitr fromm , al3 fiir geleljrt, unb begann fcfyon 311 glauben, ba^ er atleg menf(^ltd)e Stiffen tt)te preu cera^te. S)od^ baburd^ fan! er mc()t in meiner Slotting ; benn fett etntger 3^tt fjatte ict) mir 9* =- 132 < the world in general began to be blamably indifferent as to doctrinal matters, and followed human speculations too much. "Ay, sir," replied he, as if he had reserved all his learning to that moment; "Ay, sir, the world is in its dotage, and yet the cosmogony or creation of the world has puzzled philosophers of all ages. What a medley of opinions have they not broached upon the creation of the world! Sancho- niathon, Manetho, Berosus, and Ocellus Lucanus, have all attempted it in vain. The latter has these words, Anarchon ara kai atelu- taton to pan, which imply that all things have neither beginning nor end. Manetho also, who lived about the time of Nebuchadon- Asser, Asser being a Syriac word usually applied as a sirname, to the kings of that country, as Teglat Phael- Asser, Nabon-Asser he, I say, formed a conjecture equally absurd; for as we usually say ek tobiblion kubernetes, which implies that books will never teach the world, so he attempted to investigate But, sir, I ask pardon; I am straying from the question." That he actually was; nor could felber cine foldfye 2)teinung angeeignet. 3$ aujjerte baljer, bafj bie 2Belt im Slllgemeinen anfange, in laubensjacben eine tabeln^mertbe leid)giil: ttgfeit 311 tterratfyen, unb ftd> ju febr ben menfcfylicfyen Spcculattonen fyim ,,eft)if}, mein .f>err," ernneberte er, ate fyatte er fetn gan^es SCiffen jubiefent Hugcnblicf aufgejpart, ,,gen)ife, mein ^err, liegt bie 2Be(t inber t, unb boct) bat bte^o^mogonte, ober bie 3cb6pfim0 ber 2BeIt bie ^Sl)i; lofopben atler ^b^^^erte in Sermtrrung gefefct. 2Bela^e emtfc^ on 3)Zeinungen baben fie ntd?t ju 2age gebrad}t iiber bie Sa^opfung ber 2Mt? Sanc^imtatljon, 2Uanetbo, 33erofu unb )cetfu Sucanue, alle Ijaben fta^ t>er= geblid) bemiibt. Set le^tere fyat folgenbe SSorte: avmr/ov xal aretevTr)- TOV TO TTI/, ba I^ei^t: alle ;Stnge l^aben meber ^Infang nod) (Snbe. @o fagt aud^ yRanefyo, ber etma urn bie3eit ^ebua^abon 2l[fer'^ lebte. Differ i[t etn fprifa^e^ 2Bort, imb etn gem6^nli(i)er Seiname ber .ftonige jeneg SanbeS, mie ^eglat ^fyael 2ljjer, Dlabon Slffer 2C. liefer 2Ranetbo fage ia^, mact)te ebenfo miberftnnige onjecturen; benn mir pflegen gemetn^in 3U fagen: 1% rot pipUov bebeutet: au Suc^ern mtrb bie 2Belt nid?t fliiger; fo > 133 I for my life see how the creation of the world had any thing to do with the business I was talking of; but it was sufficient to show me that he was a man of letters, and I now reverenced him the more. I was resolved therefore to bring him to the touchstone; but he was too mild and too gentle to contend for victory. Whenever I made any observation that looked like a challenge to controversy, he would smile, shake his head, and say nothing; by which I understood he could say much if he thought proper. The subject, therefore, insen- sibly changed from the business of antiquity to that which brought us both to the fair: mine, I told him, was to sell a horse; and very luckily indeed, his was to buy one for one of his tenants. My horse was soon produced, and in fine we struck a bargain. Nothing now remained but to pay me, and he accordingly pulled out a thirty pound note, and bid me change it. Not being in a capacity to comply with this demand, he ordered his footman to be called up, who made his appearance in a very genteel livery. "Here, Abraham," cried he, toollte er and) unterfucfyen bod) id) bitte urn QJer^etfyung , mein Jperr icfy bin on meinem etgentltcfyen egenftanbe abgefommen." 3)a3 roar er aud) twrflid); benn id? !omtte burcfyaug nicfyt begretfen, ma bie cfyb'pfung ber SBelt mit bem egenftanbe 311 tijun fyabe, iiber ben rotr rebeten. Sod) retcfyte e fytn, tnir 311 jetgen, bafj er ein (Mefyrter fei, nnb id) adjtete ifm begfydb niir wn fo mefyr. 3$ bef cfylojj , ifm auf bie $robe 311 ftellen ; bodj mar er ju milbe unb bb'flid^ , um nad) bem iege gu ringen. obalb id) etne ^3emer!ung ma(^te, bie etner ^erausforberung gum 6treite glidt) , fo fd)uttelte er lacfyelnb ben ^opf unb fd)it)teg, roorau id) fd)lof), ba^ er geanfj fet)r 33iele fagen !6nne, toenn er nur inoUe. 2)a efprdcb lenfte fid^ nun t?on egenftanben be 2lltertl)um 3U ben @efd)dften, bit un% 93eibe auf ben DJlarft gefii^rt. ^c^ fagte ifym, ba metnige beftebe im $erfaufe eine $ferbe, unb gludlid)ertt)etfe mollte er ge^ rabe eine fur einen feiner ^dc^ter faufen. DJlein 3to^ luurbe fogleic^) torge= fiifyrt, unb roir fa^loffen ben anbel ab. fel)lte ntc^t metier alS bie ftafr lung. 6r ^og nun etne 33anfnote ton brei^ig ^pfunb I)ert>or unb bat mid), tfym berau^jugeben. S)a id? ntcfyt bagu im Stanbe roar, rtef er fetnen Wiener, ber -^ 134 <^- "go and get gold for this; you'll do it at neighbour Jackson's, or any where." While the fellow was gone , he entertained me with a pathetic harangue on the great scarcity of silver, which I undertook to improve, by deploring also the great scarcity of gold; so that by the time Abraham returned, we had both agreed that money was never so hard to be come at as now. Abraham returned to inform us, that he had been over the whole fair, and could not get change, though he had offered half- a -crown for doing it. This was a very great disappointment to us all; but the old gentleman having paused a little, asked me if I knew one Solomon Flamborough in my part of the country: upon replying that he was my next-door neighbour, "If that be the case then," returned he, "I believe we shall deal. You shall have a draft upon him payable at sight; and let me tell you, he is as warm a man as any within five miles round him. Honest Solo- mon and I have been acquainted for many years together. I remem- ber I always beat him at three jumps; but he could hop upon one in einer ganj fyubfojen Siure'c erfd)ien. ,,ier, ilbrafoant," fagte er, ,,tr>ea)fele mir ofb bafiir etn. <9el) jum 9Jad)bar faction, ober 311 trgenb einem s 2lnbern." $( ber 23ebiente fid) entfernt fyatte, fyielt er mir erne patbetifcfye SRebe iiber ben tfrofjen 3ftangel an tlbcrgelb. %<& f lagte inbeffen itber ben arojjen 2ftangel an (Mb, unb ate Slbrafyam jurudtetjrte, traren roir mit einanber baruber etnt>er; jtanben , bafe (Mb nod) nie f o farmer aufeutretben getoefen , roie jefet. 2lbra()am jagte , er fei auf bent ganjen ^arft umbergelaiifen , ofyne tymarib gu finben, t>er i^m ^abe mec^fetn toollen, obgletd) er etne balbe f rone 2l0io geboten. 2)te tt>ar une [eljr unangeneljnt ; bod) ber alte ^err fragte mid), nad)bem er etn tt^entg nadjgebacbt, ob id) in metner egenb ni$t einen geanffen Salomon ^lam= borough fenne? %$ antroortete, er fei mem nda^fter Diaa^bar. ,,2Benn ba ber $all tft /' fagte er , ,,f o merben mir ftt)on mtt unferm ^anbel ferttg merben. $$ gebe ^Ijnen einen SBed^fel auf il)n, ^a^tbar naa^ ta^t, unb id) braudje ^l)nen !aum ju f agen, ba^ er etn reiser 2Rann ift , mie e faum einen tm llmfretfe son funf 2Retlen giebt. 3)er ebrltcfye atomo unb id) finb fett t>ielen ^a^ren mit einanber betannt. %$ benfe nod) tmmer baran, ime td^ il)n etnft mtt brei 135 o- leg further than I." A draft upon my neighbour was to me the same as money; for I was sufficiently convinced of his ability: the draft was signed and put into my hands, and Mr. Jenkinson, the old gen- tleman, his man Abraham, and my horse, Old Blackberry, trotted off very well pleased with each other. After a short interval, being left to reflection, I began to recollect that I had done wrong in taking a draft from a stranger, and so prudently resolved upon following the purchaser, and having back my horse but this was now too late: I therefore made directly homewards , resolving to get the draft changed into money at my friend's as fast as possible. I found my honest neighbour smoking his pipe at his own door; and informing him that I had a small bill upon him, he read it twice over. "You can read the name, I suppose," cried I, "Ephraim Jenkinson. "Yes," returned he, "the name is written plain enough, and I know the gentleman too the greatest rascal under the canopy of heaven. This is the very same rogue priingen befiegte; er fonnte aber beffer auf etnem 33etne fyiipfen, al id)." - @in SBedtfel auf metnen 5Rad)bar roar fo gut rote baareS (Mb , benn r>on feiner 3af)lungfabigfett roar id) collfotntnen iibergeugt. 3)er 2Bed)fel roarb unter; jetcfynet unb mtr etngefycinbtgt , unb barauf trabte $enfinf on , ber altc err, fein Wiener Slbrafyam unb mein $ferb , bie alte33rombeere, rooblgemutl) bacon. 2ll id) nun 3eit $ux lleberlegung fjatte, begann ict) bariiber nac^jubenlen, ba^ ic^ mdleicfyt Unrest getljan t)abe , etnen 5Bea^fel won etnem ^rentben an= gunebmen. $< befd)(o^ baf)er, betn ^aufer nacf)3uetlen unb mir ba 2Reinige 3urii(f geben gu laffen ; bo$ baj;u roar e jet ^u fpdt. %&) eilte alf o nadf) ^auf c, urn bie SKe^jel^ablung fo balb al mogltd? con meinem ^reunbe ^u erfyalten. SJlein ebrlt^er 3^ac^bar fa^ t>or feiner Xbiir unb raud)te fein $fetf(i)en. 211? id^ i^m fagte, id) fyatte etnen fletnen 2Be$fel auf ifjn, la er ba papier mat burct). ,,$offentlidj !6nnen 6ie ben ^Ramen lefen," fagte id) ,,(SpI) 3entinfon." ,,^a/' entgegnete er; ber 9tame ift beutUc^ genug gefdjrteben, autt^ fenne id^ ben errn. 6r ift ber gro^te Sti^urfe unter ber onne, berfelbe ptfcbube, ber un bie 93ritlen terlauft bat. 2Bar eg nid)t etn 2Rann t>on et)r; => 136 who sold us the spectacles. Was he not a venerable -looking man, with grey hair, and no flaps to his pocketholes? And did he not talk a long string of learning about Greek, cosmogony, and the world?" To this I replied with a groan. "Ay," continued he, "he has but that one piece of learning in the world , and he always talks it wher- ever he finds a scholar in company: but I know the rogue, and will catch him yet." anirbigem Slnfe&n, tntt grauem >aar unb ofyne .ftlappen i'tber ben SRodttafcfyen? Unb fd?tt?ate er nid&tSangee unb^reite* onG>riedjifd>, on ber ^oemogDme unb on ber 6cf)Dpfung ber 2BeIt? ^cb antmortete tntt einetn tiefen Sender. ,,3a, \a," fiifyr er fort, ,,ba^ i[t bie ein^ige eletirfamfett, bie er beftfct, unb bie framt er ftetS au>, ruenn er einen elefyrten trtfft. 2)od) ic^ fenne ben Sd)iir= len unb mill fdfjon feiner tjabljaft merben." -^ 137 *-- Though I was already sufficiently mortified, my greatest struggle was to come, in facing my wife and daughters. No tru- ant was ever more afraid of returning to school, there to behold the master's visage, than I was of going home. I was determined, however, to anticipate their fury, by first falling into a passion myself. But, alas! upon entering, I found the family no way disposed for battle. My wife and girls were all in tears, Mr. Thornhill having been there that day to inform them, that their journey to town was entirely over. The two ladies having heard reports of us from some malicious person about us, were that day set out for London. He could neither discover the tendency, nor the author of these; but whatever they might be, or whoever might have broached them, he continued to assure our family of his friendship and protection. I found, there- fore, that they bore my disappointment with great resignation, as it was eclipsed in the greatness of their own. But what perplexed us Obgleid) id? fd)on binlcinglid) gebemutbigt toar, fo ftanb ntir bod) nod) ba Sd)toerfte bettor, namtid) meiner #rau unb meinen 6d)tern r>or S 2lugen 311 tre= ten. $ein Jhtabe, ber bie Sd)ule gefd)tt)an3t, tann fid) mefyr ttor fetnem Secret furd)ten , al> id) mid) fd)eute, nad) >aufe ^urvtdfjjufefyren. $d) befcfylofc tnbej}, ber SButfy meiner ^amilie baburd) ^uuorsufommen, bajj id) mid) fel auf0ebrad)t geigte. Slber ac^ ! al3 ia^ etntrat , fanb id) metne ^amtlte tt>ege gum tonpfe geneigt. ^Uieine ^rau itnb Xod^ter fc^trammen in Xt)rdnen. err Xl)ornf)ill luar an bem Sage ba getoefen unb Ijatte ifynen bie ^aa^rid^t ge^ brac^t , bafc au> ber ^Hetfe ntd)t tuerbe. 2)te betben 2)amen fatten t>on einer terleumbert[d)en s $erfon 97ad)rid)ten i'tber un ge[)6rt r bie fie beftimmt, fogleid) na^ Sonbon 3urudtu!et)ren. (Ir !onne meber bie 2lbftd)t entbecf en, nod) and) ben Urfyeber ber 3SerIeumbung ; tt>el(^er s ^lrt biefelbe aber auc^ fetn mb'ge, tmb luer fie i^nen mitgettjeilt fyabe, fo ful)r er bod^ fort, unferer ^amilte feme ^reunb= fdjaft unb feinen @df)it ^ujufi^ern. al)er ertrugenfie mein Ungemad) mit grower ^affung , ba baffelbe in $ergletd) mit bem ibrigen al> unbebeutenb er; fc^ien. ^od) tt>a un am meiften in $erlegenfyett fe^te, n?ar, mer fo nteber= most, was to think who could be so base as to asperse the character of a family so harmless as ours too humble to excite envy, nnd too inoffensive to create disgust. CHAP. XV. ALL MK. BUIU HI.I.I.'s VILLANY AT ONCE DETECTED THE FOLLY OF BEING O VE It --NV I S 1 . . That evening, and a part of the following day, was employed in fruitless attempts to discover our enemies: scarce a family in the neighbourhood but incurred our suspicions, and each of us had reasons for our opinion best known to ourselves. As we were in this perplexity, one of our little boys, who had been playing abroad, brought in a letter -case, which he had found on the green. It was quickly known to belong to Mr. Burchell, with whom it had been trddjtig jein tonne, ben Huf einer fo fyarmlofen ^atntlie, mie bie unfrige, 311 be; flecfen bie 311 bemiitbtg tt>ar, urn 9?eib 311 ertoecfen, unb 311 anfprud)3lo, urn SBiberroillen 311 erregen. -funfjchntrs Uapttd. errn ^urcfceU'g 97Ubertrdcfyttgfett roirb aiif etnmal entbecft. Die Sborbeit, u6erf(uq fein ju roolten. 2)er 2lbenb unb ein Sbeil be folgenben Xa^e murben mit ben fruc^tlofen S ^emu^un0en t)tnflebra(bt , unfere ^einbe 311 entbecfen. gaft feine ^amilie in ber 9iad)barfd)aft entging unferm 2Serbad)te , unb 3^ber oon un I?atte riinbe fitr feine 9Jteinung, bie er felber am beften fennen mu^te. DKitten in btefer Ber; Iegenl)eit brad^te einer t>on nnfern f(einen .tnaben, ber t>or ber Xt)iir gejptelt, eine 33rieftafd)e, bie er auf bem $ajenp(ae gefunben. 2Bir ja^en fogleid^, bajj fie .f>erm 33urd)ell gebore, bet bem anr fie gefet)en fatten , unb a(^ mir fie ntifyer - 139 - seen; and, upon examination, contained some hints upon different subjects; but what particularly engaged our attention was a sealed note, superscribed, "The copy of a letter to be sent to the ladies at Thornhill Castle." It instantly occurred, that he was the base in- former; and we deliberated whether the note should not be broke open. I was against it; but Sophia, who said she was sure that of all men he would be the last to be guilty of so much baseness, insisted upon its being read. In this she was seconded by the rest of the family; and, at their joint solicitation, I read as follows: "Ladies, "The bearer will sufficiently satisfy you as to the person from whom this comes: one at least the friend of innocence, and ready to prevent its being seduced. I am informed for a truth, that you have some intention of bringing two young ladies to town, whom I have some knowledge of, under the character of companions. As I would neither have simplicity imposed upon, nor virtue contaminated, I tmterf ucfyten, fanben mir toerfcfyiebene S 2lnbeuttmgen itber ntancfyerlei Singe bar; in. 2Ba aber befonber unfere 2lufmer!fam!eit auf fi$ 309 , mar em erfte= gelteg billet mit ber 2luff cfyrift : Gopie eineS 33rtefe3, ben id? an bie S)amen p 2fyornln'll Gaftle abfenben trill, ^e&t mar e* un f lar , baft er ber ntebertracfy; ttge $erleitmber fei, imb mir beratljfcf/lagten, ob mir ben 35rief erbrecfyen follten ober ntdfyt. $d) ftimmte bagegen; bod) Sophie, melcfye be^auptete, ba^ er t>on alien 2ftenfd)en gemi^ ber le^te jet, ber eine foIAe 9Ucbertrda^ttg!ett begefyen tonne, beftanb barauf , bafc ber 33rief gelefen merbe. 2)ie ilebrigen [timmten tt)r bet, imb auf tl)re nereinte S3itte la id? mte folgt: ,,2)Zetne3)anten! 2)er lleberbringer mtrb ^t)nen gentigenbe s Jlufitnft iiber bie $erfon ertl^etlen, t>on ber btefer SBrief fommt. SBenigftenS ift er etn ^reunb ber Unfa^ulb tinb berett, gu erl)tnbern, ba^ btefelbe Derfufcrt merbe. ^a^ met^ tntt 33eftintmtl)ett , baf, Ste bie Slbft^t fyaben, ^mei junge S)amen, bie id) emu germafcen fenne, aU ejellfdjaftermnen nac^ Sonbon p brtngen. 3)a id) aber ntc^t gugeben !ann , ba^ bie llnfdinlb getciujcfyt imb bie Xugenb erle^t merbe, fo muf? id) ntetne 2^etnung gerabegu ba^in ciu^ern, bafe etn fo unpaffenber -* 140 *- must offer it as my opinion, that the impropriety of such a step will be attended with dangerous consequences. It has never been my way to treat the infamous or the lewd with severity; nor should I now have taken this method of explaining myself, or reproving folly, did it not aim at guilt. Take, therefore , the admonition of a friend, and seriously reflect on the consequences of introducing infamy and vice into retreats where peace and innocence have hitherto resided." Our doubts were now at an end. There seemed indeed something applicable to both sides in this letter, and its censures might as well be referred to those to whom it was written as to us; but the malicious meaning was obvious , and we went no further. My wife had scarce patience to hear me to the end, but railed at the writer with unre- strained resentment. Olivia was equally severe, and Sophia seemed perfectly amazed at his baseness. As for my part, it appeared to me one of the vilest instances of unprovoked ingratitude I had ever met with. Nor could I account for it in any other manner than by im- Scfyritt gefdbr(id)e ^volgen fyaben biirfte. G* tft niemate meine Sacfye geroefen, bie Scfydnblidien unb i'ieberlicfyen mit trenge 311 beljanbeln , unb id) roiirbe micb aud) jet nid)t auf biefe 28eife gedufcert unb ben Seidjtftnn fo fyart getcu belt fyaben, fyanbelte e* fid) nicbt urn ba 93egeben eine $erbred)en3. |joren Sie baber bie JBarnumj einec^ 'Jreunbee unb ermagen Sie evnftlid) bie A bie barau entfte^en fonnen , fttenn man 3d?anbe unb Rafter in bie einfiibtt, in toetcfyen bie^er nur ^rtebe nnb Unfc^ulb meilten." llnfere 3^etfe( tuaren je^t ge^oben. ^reilid^ roar etne giriefaa^e gung moglid) , unb ber barin entfjaltene Xabel fonnte fia^ eben fo gut auf bie be^iefyen, an bie ber 33rief gerid)tet roar, al auf un. Soa^ bie bosfyafte 2lb= fid)t marflar, unb roeiter pritften roir bie Sad)e nicfyt. -IRetne rau batte laum jo mel ebutb, mid) 311 Gnbe (efen ju laffen, unb fcfyimpfte auf ben Sc^retber be SriefeS, o^ne iljren 3orn ^u ma'jjigen. C(iia roar eben fo ftrenge unb opfyte fasten ganj aufjer fic^ t>or rftaunen iiber feme 9tteber= trda^tigfeit. 2Rtr erfdtiien bie al etner ber fa^dnblia^ften 33eroeife unerbien= ten Unban!, ber mir je Dorgefcmmen. 2(ud) fonnte id? mir bie Sacfye auf r 141 < puting it to his desire of detaining my youngest daughter in the country, to have the more frequent opportunities of an interview. In this manner we all sat ruminating upon schemes of vengeance, when our other little boy came running in to tell us, that Mr. Burchell was approaching at the other end of the field. It is easier to conceive than describe the complicated sensations which are felt from the pain of a recent injury, and the pleasure of approaching vengeance. Though our intentions were only to upbraid him with his ingratitude; yet it was resolved to do it in a manner that would be perfectly cutting. For this purpose we agreed to meet him with our usual smiles , to chat in the beginning with more than ordinary kindness, to amuse him a little; and then, in the midst of the flattering calm, to burst upon him like an earthquake, and overwhelm him with the sense of his own baseness. This being resolved upon, my wife undertook to manage the business herself, as she really had some talents for such an under- taking. We saw him approach: he entered, drew a chair, and sat feine SBeife anber ertlaren, al bajj id? annafym, er roimfcfye meine jiingfte od?ter in unferer egenb gururfgufyalten , unt fyauftger (Megenfyeit gu ftnben, mit ifyr gufammengulommen. 60 fajjen mir ba, mit ^la'nen befcfyd'fttgt, rote mir nn> racfyen tuollten, al> ber anbere $nabe gelaufen fam itnb uns> fagte, n mit bem efiifyle feiner 9Ziebrig!eit ^u 33oben ju fc^mettern. 5Rad)bem bte befd^Ioffen mar, itbernafym metne^rau bie 2lu; fiifyrung , ba fie mirflia) eimge3 Xalent gn einem f ola>n Unternel)men l)atte. 2Btr fa^en tfyn fommen; er trat em, nafym einen 6tu^)l nnb fe^te fid? nteber. -** 142 < down. "A Hue day, Mr. Burchell." "A very fine day, doctor; though I fancy we shall have some rain, by the shooting of iny corns." "The shooting of your horns," cried my wife, in a loud fit of laughter, and then asked pardon for being fond of a joke. "Dear madam," replied he, "I pardon you with all my heart; for I protest I should not have thought it a joke, had you not told me." "Perhaps not, sir," cried my wife, winking at us; "and yet I dare say you can tell us how many yokes go to an ounce." "I fancy, madam," returned Burchell, "you have been reading a jest-book this morning, that ounce of jokes is so very good a conceit: and yet, madam, I had rather see half an ounce of understanding." "I believe you might," cried my wife, still smiling at us, though the laugh was against her. "And yet I have seen some men pretend to understanding, that have very little." -- "And no doubt," replied her antagonist, "you have known ladies set up for wits that had none." I quickly began to find, that my wife was likely to gain but little at this business; so I resolved (& ift beute ein fcfyoner Sag, err 5Burcbell." ,,$a, Sector, ein febr net Sag. 2lber id) glaube, anr merben iKegen befommen, benn id) ftmre ein 3ucten in tneinen eid)bornen." ,,$n $fyren $6rnern?" rief meine ^rati, inbem fte in ein elddbter auSbrad) unb bann um SBer^eibung bat , bafc fte fid) einen d)er$ erlaubt babe. ,,8iebe SRabame," tterfefete er, ,,tcb fcer^eibe 3bttN 2lUe3 t>on gangem ^perjen, benn id) tourbe e nia^t fiir einen djer^ ge^ batten baben, h)enn Sie e nicbt felber gefagt batten." ,,2Bobl mogltcb/' rief meine rau, inbem fte un jiiannfte; ,,unb bodb glaube idb, tdnnen @ie un fagen, ltte met Scfyer^e auf eine llnje getjen." ,,2Babrfcbetnltd) ie beute 2Rorgen ein fdber^afte S3ud) gelefen, 2Rabame/ ,,S)er @infall ift t>ortrefflid) ; bocb ift mtr eine balbe Hnje SSerftanb lieber." ,,S)a glaube idb !" tief meine rau, inbem fte un nod) tmmer anldcbelte, ob= gtetdb bte Sacbenben ntd)t auf tbrer Seite roaren. ,,Unb bod) babe icb banner gefannt, meld)e 33erftanb ju baben bebaupteten unb bocb ttur febr mentg be; fafcen." r/ObneBtoetfel," erfe^te tbr egner, ,,baben ie aucb amen ge= lannt, bte rt)t^tg fetn h?oUten unb bocb fstnen 2Bi& befa^en." ^cb bemerlte > 143 to treat him in a style of more severity myself. "Both wit and under- standing," cried I, ,,are trifles without integrity: it is that which gives value to every character: the ignorant peasant, without fault, is greater than the philosopher with many; for what is genius or courage without a heart? "An honest man's the noblest work of God." "I always held that hackneyed maxim of Pope," returned Mr. Burchell, "as very unworthy a man of genius, and a base deser- tion of his own superiority. As the reputation of books is raised, not by their freedom from defect, but the greatness of their beauties, so should that of men be prized, not from their ex- emption from fault, but the size of those virtues they are possessed of. The scholar may want prudence; the statesman may have pride, and the' champion ferocity; but shall we prefer to these the low mechanic, who laboriously plods on through life without censure or applause? We might as well prefer the tame correct paintings of the balb, bafc meine $rau bet biefem $ampfe 311 furj fommen imirbe, unb entfdfylofj mid?, ilm ftrenger 311 befyanbeln. ,,2Bi& unb $erftanb," rief id), ,,fmb ofyne 3fteblid)!eit gertngfiigige 3)inge. -ftur fie fcerleifyet jebem fcarafter fetnen SBertfy. S)er unttriffenbe 33auer oljne $efyler ift grofjer al3 ber $fyilofopfy mit fcielen ^efylern; benn iua ift enie unb 2Rutl) oljne ^erg ? Gin reblic^er 2Rann ift ba ebelfte SKerf id^ ftet eine^ SRanneg t>on ente fiir untnurbig ge^alten unb aB eine fe^ung feine eigenen 2Bertl)e3 angefe!>en. S)a ber 2Bert^ eine3 S3ud^e^ nic^t in bem -JRangel an ge^lern, fonbern in ber rofce ber bartn entl)altenen dfyonfyeiten liegt, fo foltte man aud) bte SRenfd^en ntc^t nad) bem Mangel an ge^tern, fonbern nacfy ber ro^e t^rer Xugtnben fcfeci^en. S)em ele|)rten ntag e an SBeltfUtgfyeit fel)(en; ber Staat^mann mag t>ielleid)t gu tiiel 6tol^ unb ber $rteger ^u ttiel Olo^eit beft&en; aber follen mir itjnen befyalb ben gemeinen $anbn?er!er tjor^te^en, ber fid? mul)fam burd) Seben fcfyleppt, oljne 3ftul)m ober ^abel? @ben fo gut fb'nnten mtr bie unbebeiitenben, aber correcten : 144 o- Flemish school, to the erroneous, but sublime animations of the Ro- man pencil." "Sir," replied I, "your present observation is just, when there are shining virtues and minute defects; but when it appears that great vices are opposed in the same mind to as extraordinary virtues, such a character deserves contempt." "Perhaps," cried he, "there may be some such monsters as you describe, of great vices joined to great virtues; yet, in my progress thn>iitnfel screen." ,,$ttein err," erroteberte id), ,,3fyre ^emerfung ift ricfytig, toenn es fid) urn gldnjenbe ugenben unb unbebeittenbe ^efyler fyanbelt. SBenn e fid? aber jeigt, baf} in etnem unb bemfelben emutfye grofce Safter aufcerorbentlidijen Xu- genben entgegengefefet finb, fo t>erbtent etn folder Gljarafter nur 3Seract)tung." ,,$8ielleicbt tjiebt es fotcbe Ungetjeuer, mie Ste befc^reiben/' erlrteberte er, ,,tt)o fic^ gro^e Safter mtt grojjen Xugenben oeretntgt finben; boa^ in meinem fieben^laufe ift mtr !ein folc^e ^etfptel tjorgefontmen. 3m egentfyeil l^abe id? tmmer gefunben , baf> auge3etd)nete eifter aucfe eble eftnnungen befa^en. ^n biefer rinftcfyt fd^etnt bte 2Sorfef)ung befonber giitig filr nn> geforgt gu fyaben, inbem fie ben 33erftanb befcfyrtinft, wo ba ^et3 erberbt ift, unb bie 3Wad)t errtngert, mo ber SBtlle jum Unred^tt^un toorfyanben ift. S)iefe 3tegel fc^etnt fid) aud) auf bie Xtjiere 311 erftrecfen. S)a Heine emurm ift immer l)interlifttg , graufamunbfeig, ttjdljrenb bie efd)opfe , treld)e ntit'@tdr!e unb begabt fmb, ftd^ gro^mut^ig, tapfer unb > 145 *- "These observations sound well," returned I, "and yet it would be easy this moment to point out a man," and I fixed my eye stead- fastly upon him, "whose head and heart form a most detestable con- trast. Ay, sir," continued I, raising my voice, "and I am glad to have this opportunity of detecting him in the midst of his fancied security. Do you know this, sir this pocket-book?" "Yes, sir," returned he, with a face of impenetrable assurance; "that pocket-book is mine , and I am glad you have found it." "And do you know," cried I, "this letter? Nay, never falter, man; but look me full in the face: I say, do you know this letter?" "That letter?" replied he; "yes, it was I that wrote that letter." "And how could you," said I, "so basely, so ungratefully, presume to write this letter?" "And how came you," replied he, with looks of unparalleled effrontery, "so basely to presume to break open this letter? Don't you know, now, I could hang you all for this? All that I have to do, is to swear at the next justice's that you have been guilty of breaking open the ,,)iefe 33emerfungen tlingen fefyr gnt," r>erfe&te id), ,,unt> bod) toiirbe e in btefem Slugenblicf leidfyt f em , einen 2Jlcmn cmfguaeigen " fyier foeftete id? metne Slicfe feft auf ifyn, ,,bejfen Jlopf unb er3 einen abfd)eultd)en Gontraft bilben. $a, mein jerr," fuljr id) fort, inbem id) metne Sttmnte erfyob, ,,e ift mir lieb, baj? id) bie elegenfyett fyabe, ifyn in feiner eingebilbeten Sicfyer; f?ett ^u entlartten, ^ennen @ie bie, metn ert? ^ennen Sie bud)?" ,,$a, inein ^>err/' ertoieberte er mtt unerf(^ittter(i(^er ,,ba3 Xafc^enbuc^ getjort mir, unb id) freue mic^, ba^ Sie e< mieberoefunben ^aben." ,,Unb fennen @ie biefen S3rief? /; rief icfy. ,,SRtd&t geftottert! 2Rir gerabe ing eft(^t gefel)en! %<$ frage, tennen Sie biefen 33rtef?" ,,3)iefen SBrief?" ertnieberte er, ,,ben 93rief I)abe ic^ felber gef^rieben." ,,Unb tt)ie !onnten ic," rief id), ,,fo niebertrdc^tig , fo unbantbar fein, i^n 311 fc^rei; ben?" ,,Unb mie !onnten Sie," entgegnete er mtt einer Unt>erfd)dmtl)ett, bie i^re letc^en fud^te, ,,ltne fonnten Sie fo ntebertrdd)tig fein, ben^rtef gu erbrec^en? Stiffen Sie nid)t, bafe ic^ Sie 2llle bafur an ben algen brhu gen fonnte? %$ fyabt wetter nid)t ^u t^itn, alS ttor bent ndd)ften 10 146 < lock of my pocket-book, and so hang you all up at this door." This piece of unexpected insolence raised me to such a pitch that I could scarce govern my passion. "I'li^ratcful wretch! be gone, ami no longer pollute my dwelling with thy baseness. Be gone! and never l-t UK- see thee again: go from my door; and the only punishment 1 wish thee is MM alarmed conscience, which will be a sufficient tor- mentor!" So saying, I threw him his pocket-book, which he took up with a smilr, and, shutting the clasps with the utmost composure, loft u- ijiiitc astonished :tt the serenity of his assurance. My wife was particularly riiragod that nothing could make him angry, or make him seem ashamed of his villanies. "My dear," cried I, willing to calm those passions that had been raised too high among us, "we are not to be surprised that bad men want shame: they only blush at b"in;4 detected in doing good, but glory in their vices. "Guilt and Shame (says the allegory,) were at first companions, and in the beginning of their journey inseparably kept together. ricbter 311 befcbrooren, bajj Sie ba3 Scblofj meiner $neftafd?e getoattfam au\- gebrocben unb Sie tourben fdmmtlidi Dor biefer Xfyiir aufgebdngt mer= ben." Xiefe uncrrtartete Jredjbett uerfe&te nmt in joldje 28utb, baf; id? micb faitm mdfugen fonnte. ,,llnbanfbarcr! Glenber! C^eb unb tterpefte meine 5Bobnimg nicbt mebr burcb T>eine s Jttcbertrddbtigfett. eb unb (af; 2)tcb ntd)t mteber uor mir feben! eb au meiner Xfym, unb bie etnjige Strafe, bio id} 3>tr rt)unf(^e, moge ein beunrufyigte 1 ? ett)i[fen fein, tnelcbe^ Sicfy )cbon \)in- Idnglid) qudlen mirb! " S3ei biefen 2Borten nmrficb i^wi feine S3rieftaf<^e bin/ toelcbe er Iddbelnb aufbob, mit grower Baffling bae S^tof? jubrucfte, mdbrenb fciiic blithe un in ba bocbfte Grftaunen fe^te. 9Jleine ^rau mar befonbers! bariiber erjiirnt, ba^ fie ibn nidbt b^tte aufbringen unb toegen feiner @d)ur; fenftreid)e batte befdbdmt mac^en fonnen. ,,3^etne Siebe," rief ic^, urn bie unter un fo bodb gefteigerte Seibenfdbaftltcbfeit 311 md^igen, ,,mtr biirfen un nidbt ft)unbern, ba^ fd^lea^te 2ftenfcben feine Scbam empfinben. Sie errotben nur, menn fie bei einer guten ^anblung iiberrafd^t merben, riibmen fidb aber tbrer Safter. $a Safter unb bie Scbam, fagt bie^abel, maren anfang^ -a* 147 But their union was soon found to be disagreeable and inconvenient to both: Guilt gave Shame frequent uneasiness, and Shame often betrayed the secret conspiracies of Guilt. After long disagreement, therefore, they at length consented to part for ever. Guilt boldly walked forward alone, to overtake Fate, who went before in the shape of an executioner; but Shame, being naturally timorous, returned back to keep company with Virtue, whom in the beginning of their journey they had left behind. Thus, my children, after men have travelled through a few stages in vice, Shame forsakes them, and returns back to wait upon the few virtues they have still remaining." efdfyrten unb fn'elten fid) beim $egtnn ifyrer 2Banberung un^ertrennlid? ^u- fammen. 3)od? toarb biefe ^erbmbung S3eiben balb unangenefym unb lafttg. 3)a Safter &erurfad)te ber $am oft Itnrufye, unb bie d?am tterrietfy fyduftg bie gefyeimen Hnfcfyldge be Safter. 3^ac^ tangent treite befcfyloffen fie enbs lid^ , fid? auf intmer ^u trennen. S)a Safter gtng jefet t>errt)egen allein tor; tt)drt , urn ba c^idtfal ein^ubolen , melc^e^ in ber eftalt be ^pen!er Dor ifym Merging. 2)te c^ant aber, t>on Dlatur fdt>uc^tern, !e^rte nneber ^ur %\a- genb guruct, bie fie beim 93eginn ber SBanberung juriidgelaffen ^atte. So, meine ^tnber, terld^t aud^ ben Sftenfcben enblid) bie c^am, luenn er einige tufen beafter iiberfc^rttten fyat,unb fie fefjrt bann ju ben menigen^ugenb- ^aften ^uriid , bie nod? i'tbrig finb." 148 CHAP. XVI. THE FAMILY USE ART, WHICH 18 OPPOSED BY STILL GREATKK. Whatever might have been Sophia's sensations, the rest of the family were easily consoled for Mr. Burchell's absence, by the com- pany of our landlord, whose visits now became more frequent and longer. Though he had been disappointed in procuring my daughters the amusements of the town, as he designed, he took every oppor- tunity of supplying them with those little recreations which our retire- ment would admit of. He usually came in the morning, and while my son and I followed our occupation abroad, he sat with the family at home, and amused them by describing the town, with every part of which he was particularly acquainted. He could repeat all the observations that were retailed in the atmosphere of the play-houses, and had all the good things of the high wits by rote, long before they made their way into the jest-books. The intervals between conver- liapttcl. >ie ftamtltc njcnbet cine ?tfl an, rocldicr eine nocfy ijropere enttjeflcimnrft. 2Beld)e aud) <5opl)ien Gmpfinbungen fein molten , bie iibrige ^atnilie troftete ficfy leidjt fiber jerrn 93urc^ell' 2lbiefenl?ett burd) bie efellfcfyaft un^ f erg ut-Sfyerrn , ber un* jefct fydufigere unb langere 23efud?e abftattete. Ob; gleid) e ifytn nid)t gehtngen rt>ar, tnetnen X6d)tern bie Sergniigungen ber ^auptftabt 311 ferfd^affen, fo ergriff er boc^ jebe elegenljeit, fie burd? bie !Ieinen 6r06^li(^!eiten 311 entfcfytibigen , bie iinfere @infam!eit geftattete. e= rooljnUcb !am er am Sftorgen ; njd^rcnb mem ofyn unb i$) au^er bem $auje befd^dftigt maren , unb unterfyielt meine ^amilie mit Scfyilberungen on on= bon, njeld)e er in alien feinen XI)eilen genau fannte. 6r ttju^te alle Centers tungen au ber 2ltmofpl}are ber Stt)aufpielt)du)er unb fonnte bie finnreicfyen (Sinfdlle ber 2Bi^linge faft autoenbig , elje fie nod) in eine Sammhmg on traren aufgenommen morben. ie ^?aufen in ber Unterbaltung be; -^ 149 o- sation were employed in teaching my daughters piquet; or, sometimes, in setting my two little ones to box, to make them sharp, as he called it: but the hopes of having him for a son-in-law in some measure blinded us to all his imperfections. It must be owned, that my wife laid a thousand schemes to entrap him; or, to speak it more tenderly, used every art to magnify the merit of her daughter. If the cakes at tea eat short and crisp, they were made by Olivia; if the gooseberry- wine was well knit, the gooseberries were of her gathering; it was her fingers which gave the pickles their peculiar green; and in the com- position of a pudding, it was her judgment that mixed the ingredients. Then the poor woman would sometimes tell the squire, that she thought him and Olivia extremely of a size, and would bid both stand up to see which was the tallest. These instances of cunning, which she thought impenetrable, yet which every body saw through, were very pleasing to our benefactor, who gave every day some new proofs of his passion, which, though they had not arisen to proposals of nu^te er bagu, um metnen 6d)tern S 4>iquet gu lefyreu. 2luatte Olima fte gebadteu, unb mar ber Staa^elbeerirein gut, fo ^atte fie bie 33eeren gepfliictt. ^l)u finger maren e, bie beu emgemacfyten (Surfeu unb Sobneu bie fdjcne griine ^arbe t>erltet)en batten , unb bei ber Q3ereitung eine ^ubbing^ t)atte i^re (Sinficbt bie 93eftanbt(jeile geit>al)It. 3ut>eilen be^auptete bie gute ^rau, er unb Olima toa'ren t>on einer ro^e, unb beibe mufeten aufftetjen, um ^u fel^en, mer ber ro^te fei. Siefe ^unftgrtffe, irela^e fie fur fel)r fetn ^ielt, obgleid) fie 3;ebermann burcbfc^aute , gefielen unferm onner fe^r , fo ba^ er tdgltc!) neue Semetfe tten feiner Seibenfcf)aft gab. Qtocw toar biefetbe nocb nic^t bie 311 einem |>eiratb^antrage gebtel)en ; bod) fcfyien ein folder nid)t mefyr > 150 marriage, yet we thought fell but little short of it; and his slowness was sometimes attributed to native bashfulness, and sometimes to his fear of offending his uncle. An occurrence, however, which happened soon after, put it beyond a doubt, that he designed to become one of our family : my wife even regarded it as an absolute promise. My wife and daughters happening to return a visit at neighbour Flamborough's, found that family had lately got their pictures drawn by a limner, who travelled the country, and took likenesses for fifteen shillings a head. As this family ;merbinbung mifjfaUen. (*tn SBorfall, ber fid) balb barauf eretgnete, fefeto e* abor aitfier alien ,3tt>etfel, baft or un) ever ,\amilie ansugefyoren iwmfdje, unb meine Tvrau fab barin foaar ein binbenbe* ^erfprecfyen. 2llS meine #rau mit ifyren 26d)tern beim 9iad)bar /vlamborougl) einen egenbefud^ abftattete, fal; fie bort, ba^ bie gamilie fic^ on etnem Staler ^atte malen laffen , ber im 1'anbe um^er^og unb ^ortrait^ ju funf^eljn mad 311 beroetfen, llnfere^ 5Ra^bar g-amtlie beftanb au> fieben ^erfonen, irelc^e mit fieben Drangen gemalt tt>aren etne aufeerft gefd}madlofe ^bee, 151 variety in life no composition in the world. We desired to have something in a brighter style, and, after many debates, at length came to an unanimous resolution of being drawn together, in one large historical family -piece. This would be cheaper, since one frame would serve for all; and it would be infinitely more genteel, for all families of any taste were now drawn in the same manner. As we did not immediately recollect an historical subject to hit us, we were contented each with being drawn as independent historical figures. My wife desired to be represented as Venus, and the painter was requested not to be too frugal of his diamonds in her stomacher and hair. Her two little ones were to be as Cupids ofyne Seben unb SBafyrfyett. 2Bir hwnfcfyten etn>a in eblerem Style 3U fyaben unb famenenblid) nad) me= ten S)ebatten etnftimtnig gu bem Gnt= fd)luffe,un* s Me gujammen in etnem flro^en l)tftortfd)en ^amtlienftude malen 311 laffen. Sie miirbe root)l= feiler fein , ba ein $al;men fitr s ^llle btnretd)te, unb gugleid) t>iel t>ornel): mer, benn alle ^antilien Don e-- fc^mad' murben je^t auf btefe jfiJeife ejemalt. Sa un ntc^t fogletd) ein paffetu ber Mftoriji^er Stoff einfiel r fo tuar e ^eber gufrieben, al unabl)dn0icie ^iftortf^e gigur gemalt 311 n?erben, 2Reine grau itmnfcfyte also 3Senu bar^ geftellt 3U irerben, unb ber Dealer nmrbe erfud)t, an bem Sruftla^ unb in bem jaar bie 2)iamanten nta^t 3u fparen. 2)ie beiben $leinen follten al Siebe^gotter neben i^r fte^en, mcil/renb id) im s $riefterornat i^r meine Sdbrif; c- 152 a- by her side, while I, iii my gowii and band, was to present her with my books on the Whistonian controversy. Olivia would be drawn as an Amazon, sitting upon a bank of flowers, dressed in a green Joseph richly laced with gold, and a whip in her hand. Sophia was to be a Shepherdess, with as many sheep as the painter could put in for no- thing; and Moses was to be dressed out with a hat and white feather. Our taste so much pleased the squire, that he insisted on being put in as one of the family, in the character of Alexander the Great, at, Olivia's feet. This was considered by us all as an indication of his desire to be introduced into the family, nor could we refuse his request. The painter was therefore set to work, and, as he wrought with assiduity and expedition, in less than four days the whole was completed. The piece was large, and it must be owned he did not spare his colours; for which my wife gave him great encomiums. We were all perfectly satisfied with his performance; but an unfor- tunate circumstance, which had not occurred till the picture was ten iibcr bte iliMnfton'fcfyen Gontror>erfen iiberrcicfyte. Oltttta mollte at 2lmcu 3one gemalt fetn, auf einer Diafenbant fi&enb, in etnem gri'men golbgefttdtten ))iettf leibe , mit etncr Weitpeitfcfye in ber .vSanb. Sopfyte follte eine ^irtin ttorfteUen, r>on jo mel odfyafen umgeben, al3 ber 2Jtaler umfonft anbrtn= $en roollte, unb 2Jlofe* it etnem ute nnb einer mei^en ^eber flef^niucft merben. Unfer Ginfall tjefiet bem ut^^errn f o f ebr , bafj er barauf beftanb , and) mit in ba ^anttlien:emdlbe aufgenommen ju merben unb ale Slleranber ber Olimene ^i'tfjen 311 !nteen. 2>ie betracfyteten irtr 2llle al> etnen i , ba^ er ein 2Rttglieb unferer gamilie 311 merben ttwnfdje , unb fonnten natiirli^ feine iBitte nid^t abfd^Iagen. 2)er 2Raler ging an 2Ber! unb arbei= tete fo anl^altenb unb f dwell, ba^ er noc^ nid^t ttier Xage braud^te, um ba an^e 3u tollenben. 2)a tudt tt>ar gro^, unb icb muf, geftefyen, ba^ er nid^t fparjam mit feinen ^arben n?ar , mofur meine fjrau ttjm groj3e Sob er= tljeilte. 2Bir roaren fdmmtlid) mit feiner Seiftung tuol)l gufrteben; bodt) ein unglutfltdfyer llmftanb, ben mir erft bemerften, al ba etncilbc fd&on ollen= > 153 < finished, now struck us with dismay. It was so very large , that we had no place in the house to fix it. How we all came to disregard so material a point is inconceivable; but, certain it is, we had all been greatly remiss. This picture, therefore, instead of gratifying our vanity as we hoped, leaned in a most mortifying manner against the kitchen wall, where the canvas was stretched and painted, much too large do be got through any of the doors, and the jest of all our neighbours. One compared it to Robinson Crusoe's long-boat, too large to be removed; another thought it more resembled a reel in a bottle; some wondered how it could be got out, but still more were amazed how it ever got in. But though it excited the ridicule of some, it effectually raised more malicious suggestions in many. The squire's portrait being found united with ours, was an honour too great to escape envy. Scandalous whispers began to circulate at our expense, and our tranquillity was continually disturbed by persons who came as friends bet toar, nerftimmte un fefyr. @ mar fo grofc, bafj toir teinen tylab itn ."paufe fatten, too toir es> aufftellen tonnten. 6* ift unbegreifllicfy , toie toir einen fo toefentlicfyen $unft fatten aufcer 2lrf)t laffen tb'nnen; bocfy toirtlicfy fyatte 9tiemanb baran gebad^t. 3)a* ema'lbe ftanb bafyer, anftatt unfere @u telteitgubefriebigen, toie n?ir ge^offt, an bie Ituc^enmanb angele^nt, too man bie Seintoanb au^gefpannt nnb bemalt t^atte; benn e toar iel gu gro^, urn burd) eine unferer Xbiiren gebrad)t 311 toerben, unb fo tourbe e fiir atle un= fere -Jiacfybarn ein Segenftanb be potted. Csiner t>er0lid) e mit ^Robinfon Gritfoe' (angem 33oot, toelc^eS 311 grofc mar, urn ton ber SteUe gebraa^t ^u toerben. (in Slnberer meinte, e> t)abe nod) ntefyr s Jle^n(ia^!eit mit einer ^pa^pel in einer $Iafcfye. (Sinige bertonnberten fief), tote e ^eraugebra(^t toerben tonnte, unb noc^ 2)le^rere erftaunten, toie e l)ereinge!ommen. SKenn fd)on einige itber ba emdlbe fpotteten, fo madden ^>iele fogar bot)afte 23emer!ungen bariiber. S)a^ aua^ ba portrait be^ utyl)errn fia^ mitten nnter ben unfrigen befanb, toar eine 311 grofce ^ire, aU bafj fie bent 9ieibe l)dtte entgel)en !onnen. canbalofe erna^te t>erbretteten ficfy aiif unfere => 154 to tell us what was said of us by enemies. These reports were always resented with becoming spirit; but scandal ever improves by opposition. We once again, therefore, entered into consultation upon obvia- ting the malice of our enemies, and at last eame to a resolution which had too much cunning to give me entire satisfaction. It was this: as our principal object was to discover the honour of Mr. Thornhill's addresses, my wife undertook to sound him, by pretending to ask his advice in the choice of a husband for her eldest daughter. If this was not found sufficient to induce him to a declaration, it was then resolved to terrify him with a rival. To this last step, however, I would by no means give my consent, till Olivia gave me the most solemn assurances that she would marry the person provided to rival him upon this occasion, if he did not prevent it by taking her himself. Such was the scheme laid, which, though I did not strenuously op- pose, I did not entirely approve. Moften, unb unfere "Hufye tuurbe beftd'nbtg burd) ^rjouen fleftort, bie aB $rembe famen, urn un* mttjuttjeilen, toa $einbe son uns gefagt. 2>tefen (3erud)tcn begegueteii luir ftete miitbig unb entfd)loffen ; bod) bie 2>erleumbung cermefyrt (id) nur burd) 2Btberfprncf). 2Bir beratf)fd)lagten bafyer normals, tric nnr bcr $erleumbttnfl unfcrer ^-einbe entgeben fonnten, unb famen enblid) gu etnem 6nt|d)Iu|fe, ber gu ttel i'ift enttnelt, urn meinen t>olligen ^3eifall 3U I^aben. 3)a unfer .s3auptgtt)ed bar= in beftanb, ju erf orjcfyen, ob .v>err Xt)ornt)iU tcirf lid) reblicfoe Slbfi^ten ^abe, [o nbernat)m metne Jrau e^, il)n au*3u[)ord)en, tnbem fie i^n bei ber 2Bafy( einee 33rdutti|ami3 fiir Clima um^Kat^ fragen oolite. 2Benn bies nid)t geniigte, i^n jut Grflarung gu brtngen, fo follte er burd) einen s Jiebenbiifyler gefc^redt toer= ben. 3^ biefem le^ten ocfyrttte niollte ic^> aber bureaus nid)t metne (5tntt)tl(i= gung geben, bt mtr Olicia feterlic^ t>erfid)erte , bafc fie ben lU^ann fyetratfyen rrolle, ben man bei btefer elegen^ett al;5 3lebenbu^ter genannt, ttienn ber ut^tjerr tl)r nic^t felber feine .^anb retc^e. S)tes mar ber $lan, bem id) mtcf) jmar nidht lebbaft wiberfe^te, ben id) aber aud) nid)t burd)aue btlttgte. ** 155 o- The next time, therefore, that Mr. Thornhill came to see us, my girls took care to be out of the way, in order to give their mamma an opportunity of putting her scheme into execution; but they only retired to the next room , from whence they could overhear the whole conversation: my wife artfully introduced it by observing, that one of the Miss Flamboroughs was like to have a very good match of it in Mr. Spanker. To this the squire assenting, she proceeded to remark, that they who had warm fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands: "But Heaven help," continued she, "the girls who have none! What signifies beauty, Mr. Thornhill? or what signify all the virtue and all the qualifications in the world, in this age of self- interest? It is not, what is she? but what has she? is all the cry." "Madam," returned he, "I highly approve the justice, as well as the novelty, of your remarks; and if I were a king, it should be otherwise. It should then, indeed, be fine times for the girls without fortunes: our two young ladies should be the first for whom I would provide." 2il jerr Xfyorntnll unz ba* ndcfyfte Wlal nneber befud)te, gingen iljm meineod)ter abfid)t(td) an* bem 2ege, urn tfyrer OJlutter elegenfyeit 311 geben, ifyren $lan in 2lufufyrung 311 bringen. Sie fatten fid) inbefe nur in ba* ndcfyfte Dimmer ^uriicfge^ogen , too fie jebe3 2Sort fyoren !onnten. 3)leine leitete ba3 efprdd) feljr fd)(au mit ber 9(ad^ricf)t ein, bajj etn^ Don ben letn ^taittboroug^) eine fe^r gute ^artie mac^e mit .^errn panfer. SDer ^err lrar berfelben 2)ietnung, unb fie ging 311 ber S3emerfung iiber: reid)en 9Mbd)en fonne e^ nie feblen, gute Gtjemanner ju befommen. ,,2tber/' fubr fie fort, ,,ber ^imtnet moge fid) ber armen D^dbd^en erbarmen, bie fetn 5Ber= ntogen befi^en! 2Ba^ ^)ilft Sd&on^eit, ^err XfyornlnU? 2Ba ^elfen Xugenb unb bie beften @igenfd)aften t?on ber SBelt in btefem 3^ita(ter be igennu^eS ? fragt nic^t, tra fie ift, fonbern ftet, tt>a fie fyat." , f 9Kabatne/' ermieberte er, ,,bie ^td^tigfeit unb 9IeuI)ett btefer ^emerftmg id^ fe^r billigen, nnb n?enn ify ^onig tndre, fo follte e anber^ fein. 5>ie o^ne 33ermogen f ollten e bann getrt^ red^t gut fyaben ; fiir unfere betben jungen 2)amen miirbe id) geiri^ guerft forgen. _< 156 <~_ "Ah! sir," returned my wife, "you are pleased to be facetious: but I wish I were a queen, and then I know where my eldest daughter should look for a husband. But now that you have put it into my head, seriously, Mr. Thornhill, can't you recommend me a proper husband for her: she is now nineteen years old, well grown, and well educated; and, in my humble opinion, does not want for parts." "Madam," replied he, "if I were to choose, I would find out a person possessed of every accomplishment that can make an angel happy. One with prudence, fortune, taste, and sincerity: such, ma- dam, would be, in my opinion, the proper husband." "Ay, sir," said she, "but do you know of any such person?" - "No madam," returned he, "it is impossible to know any person that deserves to be her husband: she is too great a treasure for one man's possession; she's a goddess. Upon my soul, I speak what I think, she is an angel." "Ah, Mr. Thornhill, you only flatter my poor girl: but we have been thinking of marrying her to one of your tenants, whose ,,2lcfy mein)err," ertoieberte meine #rau, ,,6te belieben 311 fdjer^en; aber menu id) due ftonigin mare, fo metfj id) , n?o ficb meine dltefte Xocfyter tbren emabl fu&en follte. $od) ba Sie eirnnal ton ber Sacfye angefangen fyciben, )err Sbornln'll, roiffen Sie nicbt eine paffenbe $artie fur fie? Sie ift je&t neunjcbn i^abr alt , toofylgemacfyfen unb mo^lersogen , unb na$ metner bemib ttjigen SWeinung feblt e ifyr aua^ nict)t an Xalent." ,,2Jlabame," erfe^te er, ,,tt)enn icb ^u n>d^(en bcitte, fo n?itrbe 107 einen 2Rarm fua^en, ber mit ben treffliaiften Gtgenfcbaftcn ausgeftattet ift, urn einen Cmgel glucEH^ ?u madden. @r mn^te^lugljeit, 3Sermogen, efcfymacf unb ^Heb= lia^feit beft^en; etn folder ?fflann iDiirbe meiner2Reinung nacb fiir fie paffen." ,,%a ntein^err/'fagte fie; ,,aber tennenOie eine fol$e$erfon?" ,,9letn, 3Jla; bame," evmteberte er, ,,es ift unmoglia^, irgenb etne^Serfon anfgufinben, tteld)e tierbient , ibr atte ^u f etn ; fte ift ein 311 grower Scfyafc fiir ben SBeft^ eine 9ftanne; fie ift eine ottin. 33ei nteiner Seele, id) rebe, nrie ia^ ben!e, fie ift ein @ngel." ,,5ld? $err 2fy?rnt?Hl, Sie fd)meia^eln meinem armen SJldbc^en nur. Qod) ijabm trtr baran gebacfyt, fie an einen $l)icev $a<$ter ^u ter()eira: * 157 *. mother is lately dead, and who wants a manager: you know whom I mean: Farmer Williams; a warm man, Mr. Thornhill, able to give her good bread, and who has several times made her proposals:" (which was actually the case.) "But, sir," concluded she, "I should be glad to have your approbation of our choice." "How, madam!" replied he, "my approbation! My approbation of such a choice? Never. What! sacrifice so much beauty, and sense, and goodness, to a crea- ture insensible of the blessing! Excuse me, I can never approve of such a piece of injustice! And I have my reasons " "Indeed, sir!" cried Deborah, "if you have your reasons, that's another affair; but I should be glad to know those reasons." "Excuse me, madam," re- turned he, "they lie too deep for discovery;" (laying his hand upon his bosom,) "they remain buried, riveted here." After he was gone, upon a general consultation, we could not tell what to make of these fine sentiments. Olivia considered them as instances of the most exalted passion ; but I was not quite so san- tfyen, beffen Gutter furjlid) geftorben ift, unb ber etne$au3frcui gebraucfyt. ie toiffen, n?en id) meine ben$ad)ter2BUltam3. din toofylfyabenber 2ftann, err SfyornfyUl, ber fefjr toofyl itn Stanbe ift, fie 311 erndbren, unb tfyr mefyrmaB 23orfd)ldge gemacfyt fyat (ft>elcfyes> aud) toirfUd) ber #all tear). 2lber mem $en," fufyr fie fort, ,,e3 follte mir lieb fein, tnenn unfere^abl^fyrenSetfatt fydtte." ,,2Bie, 3Dtabame, nteinen ^Betfall?" t>erfe^te er, /f meinen Seifall follte ify fold) einerSSabl Qebert? ^ttnmertne^r ! 2Bie? fo toiel djonfyeit, ^erftanb unb @iite einem SBefen ju opfern, ba ein folcfyeg li'tcf bureaus ntd^t ju.fd^d^en ftetjj? (Sntf^iulbigen @ie, i<^ !ann erne folcfye llntjeredjtigfeit nimmermebr bitltgen! Unb tc^ l)abe meine rilnbe" ,,Sffitr!lt$,memjerr?" rief S)eborab. ,,3Benn ic^re riinbe fyaben, ift ba frei(i(^ eine anbere Sacfye; boc^ td^ mo^te gerne biefe riinbe fennen." ,,ntfd)utbtgen 6te , 9JIabame/' entgegnete er, ,,fie Itegen gu tief , um entbectt gu it>erben. $>ter," fiifyr er fort, inbem er bie >anb auf .^erg (egte, ,,I)ier liegen fie anf immerbar erfd)loffen imb begraben." 2tl er fort toar, Ijtelten tt)tr eine adgemeine iKat|)t)erfammliing , tt>u^ten aber nt(^t, tt)a tt)ir au^ biefem 3flrtgefitb(e madjen follten. OIitia betrad)tete c- 158 *- guine: it seemed to me pretty plain, that they had more of love than matrimony in them; yet, whatever they might portend, it was resol- ved to prosecute the scheme of Farmer Williams, who, from my daughter's first appearance in the country, had paid her his ad- dresses. ( HAP. XVII. SCARCELY ANY VIUTl'K FOUND TO RESIST THE POWER OF LONG AND PLEASING TEMPTATION. As I only studied my child's real happiness, the assiduity of Mr. Williams pleased me, as he was in easy circumstances, prudent, and sincere. It required but very little encouragement to revive his foniHT passion; so that in an evening or two he and Mr. Thornhill met at our house, and surveyed each other for some time with looks e* al* cine $robe ber erfyabenften Seibenfcfyaft. $$ mar nicfyt gan^ fo fan= guimfcb, unb e3 fcfyien mir fefyr flar, bafj mefyr son fitebe, alsJ t>on ber (Stye bie s Jfebe mar. 5Bae^ e^ aber aud) 311 bebeuten fyaben moc^te , f o befcfyloffen mir, ben s |>lan mit ^Sac^ter illtam^ fortjufe^en, meld^er ftd& fogtetd) urn meine bemorben fyatte, fobatb n?ir in bie e^enb ^efommen maren. tiapitrl. <2e(ten frnbet man cine Tugenb, bie ber QJiacfet etner langen unb reqenben 93erfii^rung ju n)iberflet>en oermag. S)a id) allein auf bae malire liict meine ^inbe^ bebadjt mar, fo ^efielen tnir bie 53emerbungen bee ,^errn 2Bt(Iiam'o, ba er ein toerftdnbiger unb reb; tidier 2Rann mar unb fief) in fcermogenben Umftdnben befanb. 63 beburfte nur geringer (Srmutbigung, um feine fru^ere Seibenfc^aft mieber angufac^en. 2ll er einige Slbenbe faciter mit ^errn X^ornf)iH in unferm $au[e jufammeni _, 159 w- of anger: but Williams owed his landlord no rent, and little regarded his indignation. Olivia, on her side, acted the coquet to perfection, (if that might be called acting which was her real character,) preten- ding to lavish all her tenderness on her new lover. Mr. Thornhill appeared quite dejected at this preference, and, with a pensive air, took leave; though I own it puzzled me to find him in so much pain as he appeared to be, when he had it in his power so easily to remove the cause, by declaring an honourable passion. But whatever unea- siness he seemed to endure, it could easily be perceived that Olivia's anguish was much greater. After some of these interviews between her lovers, of which there were several, she usually retired to soli- tude, and there indulged her grief. It was in such a situation I found her one evening, after she had been for some time supporting a fictitious gaiety. "You now see, my child," said I, "that your confi- dence in Mr. Thornhill's passion was all a dream: he permits the rivalry of another, every way his inferior, though he knows it lies in traf, fafyen fie fid) einige geitlang m it gornigem Slide an; bod? 2Bi0iam mar bem ut^fyerrn fetn $ad)tgelb fcfyulbtg unb adtfete menig auf feinen Untmllen. >Hma fpielte ifyrerfeit bie Goqiiette uortreffltd) menn man bas fpteten nennen fonnte , ma ifyr mirfticfyer Gfyarafter mar unb t>erf cfymenbete alle ifyre 3artli$feit an ifyren neuen iebljaber. $err SfyornfyiU fcfyien fefyr nteber^ gefcfylagen bet biefem SSorguge unb empfal)! fia^ mit geban!ent)o(ler Sfttene. 3<^ mu^ gefte^en, ba^ id? au biefer Setriibni^ ni^t recfyt flug merben !onnte. g ftanb ja in feiner 2Rac^t, ben @runb berfelben 311 befeitigen, fobalb er feme 2lbfid)ten offen erflcirte. S 2lber tuaS fiir llnruf)e er aucfy gu empfinben fd^ien, fo fonnte man bot^ beuttid^ bemerten, ba^ OHt)ia'g S3angig!eit nocf) grower mar. 9Iacf) einem f olcfyen 3ufammentreffen itjrer Sieb^aber , bie fid) oft ein= fanben, fucfyte fte gemo^nlid^ bie infamfeit, um it)rem Emerge nao^gu^angen. 3n einem foldfyen 3uftanbc fanb i$ fie etne 2lbenb, nad)bem fie ftcfy !ur^ Dormer fro^lid) gefteltt fyatte. ,,2)u ftet)ft jefet, mein 3?inb," fagte ic^, ,,ba^ S)ein $ertrauen anf ^errn Xl)orn^ilt' ^iebe nur ein Xraum mar. r bulbet einen ^ebenbufyler, ber in jeber |)infi(^t unter itjm fte^t, obgleid) er -. 160 ^- his power to secure you to himself by a candid declaration." -- "Yes, papa," returned she, "but he has his reasons for this delay: I know he has. The sincerity of his looks and words convinces me of his real esteem. A short time, I hope, will discover the generosity of his sentiments, and convince you that my opinion of him has been more just than yours." -- "Olivia, my darling," returned I, "every scheme that has been hitherto pursued to compel him to a declaration has been proposed and planned by yourself, nor can you in the least say th;it I have constrained you. But you must not suppose, my dear, tliat I will ever be instrumental in suffering his honest rival to be the dupe of your ill-placed passion. Whatever time you require to bring your fancied admirer to an explanation, shall be granted; but, at the expiration of that term, if he is still regardless, 1 must absolutely insist that honest Mr. Williams shall be rewarded for his fidelity. The character which I have hitherto supported in life demands this from me; and my tenderness as a parent shall never influence my er bie -Ulacfyt fyat, burd? eine offene Grfloirung Seine anb 311 erljalten." ,,$a, lieber ^ater," entgegnete fte; ,,bod) er bat fcinc (Sritnbe 311 biefem 36= gern; id) metfe, bajj er fie fyat. Sie ^ufridrtigfeit feiner 2Mide imb SBorte iiber^eugt mid) won feiner toafyren 2ld)tung. $n turner $eit imrb'er fyoffentlid) feme ebelmutfyigen $efmnungen offenbarcn imb 2)id) uberjeugen, bafc meine on it)m gerecfyter gemefen, al bie Seinige." ,,0lima, mein inb/' ertoieberte ia^, ,,jeber ^lan,ber bi je&t auggefitljrt morben, urn ifyn 311 einer (Srflcirung ju tiermogen, mar on 2)ir erfunben imb enttoor; fen; au<^ !annft 3)u nicfyt fagen, ba^ ic^ 5)ir ben geringften $mnQ angetl)an. laube aber bebalb nid^t, mein ^inb, baf? ic^ mid) gum 2Berfgeuge fyergeben merbe, fetnen reblia^en s Jieb en busier burd? Seine unpaffenbe Setbenfc^aft 311 fyintergefyen. 3 e ^e ^frift, bie Su toerlangft, urn Seinen mutl)ma^Itd)en 2ln= beter ju einer @rfldrimg 311 bringen, foil Sir geftattet fetn. 2Benn er aber nacb 2lblauf biefer 3^it nocb ftumm bleibt, fo mu^ icb barauf beftet>en, bajj ber biebere 2Billtam filr feine Xreue belo^nt merbe. Ser gute 9iuf ; ben icb bibber im eben bebau^tete, forbert bie on mir, imb meine -^ 161 integrity as a man. Name, then, your day; let it be as distant as you think proper, and in the mean -time take care to let Mr. Thornhill know the exact time at which I design delivering you up to another. If he really loves you, his own good sense will readily suggest that there is but one method alone to prevent his losing you for ever." This proposal, which she could not avoid considering as perfectly just, was readily agreed to. She again renewed her most positive promise of marrying Mr. Williams, in case of the other's insensibility; and at the next opportunity, in Mr. Thornhill's presence, that day month was fixed upon for her nuptials with his rival. Such vigorous proceedings seemed to redouble Mr. Thornhill's anxiety; but what Olivia really felt gave me some uneasiness. In this struggle between prudence and passion, her vivacity quite forsook her, and every opportunity of solitude was sought, and spent in tears. One week passed away; but Mr. Thornhill made no efforts to restrain her nuptials. The succeeding week he was still assiduous, but not $ater foil nicfyt nteine 3lecr;tlid)!eit al 2ftenfd? untergraben. SBeftumne alfo ben Sag er mag jo fern f ein, one 2)u e fur notfyig eracfyteft unb sugleid) benacfyridjtige errn Xfjornfyill on bent 3eitpun!te, too id) 3)eine anb einem Slnbern geben totll. 2Benn er 3)id) nnrflirf) liebt, fo an'rb fein $erftanb tfym fagen, bajs es? nur ein 2fttttel giebt, iroburd) er t>ert)inbern !ann, 2)i(i) auf tmtner 311 fcerlieren." 9JUt btefem $orfd)lage, ben fie filr recfyt imb billig fatten mu^te , ir>ar fie etntoerftanben. te erneuerte ifyr aubrudtli(i)e^ 35er; fprec^en, ^errn 2Gilltam3 gu lietrattjen, n?enn ber Slnbere fid) nid}t entfc^eiben follte; nnb bet erfter (Megenfyeit, in e$enmart be ^errn Xf)ornbiU, h)urbe ber Xag befttmntt, n?o fte feinen -ftebenbufyler beiratl)en follte. Gin fo !rdftige ^Serfaljren fd)ien ^errn fyornln'ir Unrulje ju erbop; peln : bod? ma Dliota irirllid) litt , tterurfacfyte mtr gro^en Summer. S3ei biefem ^ampfe gtuif^en ^lugfyett unb Setbenfdjaft tierlte^ il^re Sebfyaftigfett fie ganoid}; fie fud)te jebe elegen^eit auf, allein ju fein, unb ttergojj X^rd= nen. (Sine SKocfye merging; bod) ^err Xfyornlntt mac^te !einen Serfud^, i^re od?-jett 311 ^tntertreiben. $n ber nadjften SBod^e luar er nid^t roeniger be; 11 -^> 162 ^- more open. On the third he discontinued his visits entirely, and, instead of my daughter testifying any impatience as I expected , she seemed to retain a pensive tranquillity, which 1 looked upon as resignation. For my own part, I was now sincerely pleased with thinking that my child was going to be secured in a continuance of competence and peace, and frequently applauded her resolution in preferring happiness to ostentation. fyarrlicfy , blieb aber nod? immer erfd?loffen. ^n ber brttten 2Bod)e ftellte er feine 33efud?e ganoid) ein unb anftatt bafj meine Softer fyatte Ungebulb getgen follen, tote id) ertoartete, fd?ien fte in ein rufn'ge Sinnen tterfunfen, ma i<^ fiir Dtefignation ^ielt. $$ freute mid? aufricfyttg, toenn id) baran badfyte, ba^ nteinent ^inbe ein rufytge unb f orgenfrete^ Seben gefic^ert fei , unb lobte fie oft, bajj fte ein fttUe litcf bem ^runfe -. 163 +~ It was within about four days of her intended nuptials, that my little family at night were gathered round a charming fire, telling stories. of the past, and laying schemes for the future. Busied in forming a thousand projects, and laughing at whatever folly came uppermost, "Well, Moses," cried I, "we shall soon, my boy, have a wedding in the family: what is your opinion of matters, and things in general?" "My opinion, father, is, that all things go on very well; and I was just now thinking, that when sister Livy is married to Farmer Williams, we shall then have the loan of his cider -press and brewing-tubs for nothing." "That we shall, Moses," cried I, "and he will sing us Death and the Lady, to raise our spirits, into the bargain." - "He has taught that song to our Dick," cried Moses; "and I think he goes through it very prettily." "Does he so?" cried I, "then let us have it: where is little Dick? let him up with it boldly." "My brother Dick," cried Bill, my youngest, "is just gone out with sister Livy; but Mr. Williams has taught me two songs, and I'll sing mer Sage t>or ber beftimmten od^ett mar meine $amtlie 2lbenb urn ba freunbltcfye $aminfeuer fcerfammelt. efcfyicfyten au ber $ergan; genfyeit nwrben er-jablt unb $lane fiir bie 3ufunft entmorfen. 2Btr befdjaf; tigten un mit ntandfyerlei $rojecten tmb ladjten iiber jeben toHen (Sinfall, ber sum 23orfd)etn tarn. ,,5Run, 2ftofe," *ief i$/ ,^ merben ba(b eine ^od^aeit in ber ^amilie fyaben. 2Bas ben!ft 2)u t>on berglei^en Singen im Hdgemeinen?" $$ bin berSKeinung, lieber 3Sater, ba^ alle fet>r gut gefjen toirb. (Sben fiel mir ein, rnenn Sd^mefter Sit) d& en mit $cid)ter 2Bil= liam> t>er^eiratl)et tft , f o tmrb er un feine @iberpreffe unb fein 58raugerdtlje untfonft letfyen." ,,S)a h?trb er, 2Jtofe," rief \, ,,unb un obenbrein nod), urn un p behiftigen, ba Sieb torn Xobe unb ber 2)ame orfingen." ,,Gr ^at unferm s Jttd^arb ba Sieb and? gelefjrt," rief ^Utofeg , ,,unb er fingt e gan^ bwbjd^." ,,2Bir!ltdb ? " ermieberte ify, ,,jo mag er e un orfmgen. 9Bo tft ber fleine Oftdfyarb? (Sr mag fommen unb breift bamit beginnen." - ,,2Rein ^Bruber Cftic^arb/' fagte mein ji'mfter @ol)n 2BiIl)elm, ,,ift eben mit Sd^tnefter Sitx^en bvnau3gegangen. Slber ^err 3Btlltam ^at mir and) jmei o 164 ^- them for you, papa. Which song do you choose The Dying Swan, or the Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog?" "The elegy, child, by all means," said I, "I never heard that yet and De- borah, my life, grief, you know, is dry: let us have a bottle of the best gooseberry- wine, to keep up our spirits. I have wept so much at all sorts of elegies of late, that, without an enlivening glass, I am sure this will overcome me. And Sophy, love, take your guitar, and thruin in with the boy a little." AN ELEGY ON THK DEATH OF A MAD DOG. Good people all, of every sort, Give ear unto my song ; And if you find it wondrous short, It cannot hold you long. fiteber gelefyrt, unb id) null fie 2)ir fcorftngen, lieber 3Sater. 2Ba foil id? ftngen: ben fterbenben Sdfynxm, ober bte @legte auf ben ob etne tollen unbe3?" ,,23or alien Singen bie @legte, mein $tnb," fagte id), ,,bie id) nod) nie gefyort fyabe. Unb 2)u, liebe Seborafy, toeijit ja roofyl, bafc ber .turn; mer burftig mad)t. teb line eine^lafdje tionSeinem beften 6tad)elbeermein, um unfere Sebenggeifter 311 erfrifc^en. 3^ ^ a ^^ fat ^urjem bet alien (Sat; tungen on Glegteen fa^on fo mel geireint, ba^ id) bet biefer ofynmcicfyttg luet; ben miirbe ofyne etn erfrtjd^enbel lac^en. llnb S)u, 6opl)te, nimm S)etne (SJuitarre, unb flitnpere etn trentg 311 bent efange be ^naben." ( f e g t e auf ben Xob eincs tollcn 3^r guten Scute fommt tyerfcet, ^ovc^t atte meinem @ang! Unb ftnbet ibr, ba|i furj er fet, er eud) nicfet ju lang. -^ 165 In Islington there was a man. Of whom the world might say, That still a godly race he ran, Whene'er he went to pray. A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes : The naked every day he clad, When he put on his clothes. And in that town a dog was found ; As many dogs there be, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, And curs of low degree. 3n Setington tnat einft etn SJJiann, eliebt son Sung unb 5ltt, 5)er twanbdte beS J&immetS '-Bafjn, SGBenn er jum 33eten waUt' ! ' itnb Sreunbe aUejett ein erj mitteibtg fct>tug; Oft gab er 9?acftett fcfcon fctn ^(etb, (St)' ev'ei nrct) fetber trug. 2(ucf) war in fener @tabt ein Jpunb ; "Denn n?ie an jebem Drt llnb 2Cinbfe3tete and) bort. > 166 i*. This dog and man at first were friends ; But when a pique began, The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad, and bit the man ! Around from all the neighb'ring streets The wond'ring neighbours ran ; And swore the dog had lost his wits. To bite so good a man. The wound it seemed both sore and sad To every Christian eye ; And while they swore the dog was mad. They swore the man would die. But soon a wonder came to light, That showed the rogues they lied: The man recovered of the bite ; The dog it was that died. "A very good boy, Bill, upon my word; and an elegy that may truly be called tragical Come, my children, here's Bill's health, and may he one day be a bishop!" @rft roaren Sreunbe .unb unb 3ftann, .'Us i"lcfcliii) otnerunb iirt' ^unutcn ^cttcn Streit entfpann; $)a btp ben OJtann ber Jjunb ! ott, 2Bte fte mit 2lugen fatj'n ; @ie frt)wuren alt', ber ^unb fei tott, llnb flerben miipt 1 ber 9Jiann. !)od) n)eld)eg SGBunber fd)aute man! (58 fcf>n)teg ber Sugnet 3Jiunb; 93on fetner 2Dunb' gena8 ber 3Kann, 3)agegen ftarb ber ^unb. , ein guter $unge ber 28ilt)elm ! Unb bie (Slegie ift tragifdj 311 nennen. ^ommt, ^inber! @tof?t an auf 2Bil^eIm 2Bo^l! llnb moge et einft 93ifd>of toerben!" , -^ 167 ^~ "With all my heart," cried my wife; "and if he but preaches as well as he sings, I make no doubt of him. The most of his family, by the mother's side, could sing a good song: it was a common saying in our country, that the family of the Blenkinsops could never look straight before them; nor the Hugginsons blow out a candle; that there were none of the Grograms but could sing a song, or of the Marjorams but could tell a story." "However that be," cried I, "the most vulgar ballad of all generally pleases me better than the fine modern odes, and things that petrify us in a single stanza: pro- ductions that we at once detest and praise. Put the glass to your brother, Moses. The great fault of these elegiasts is, that they are in despair for griefs that give the sensible part of mankind very little pain. A lady loses her muff, her fan, or her lap-dog, and so the silly poet runs home to versify the disaster." "That may be the mode," cried Moses, "in sublimer compositions; but the Ranelagh songs that come down to us are perfectly familiar, ,,$on gan^em^er^en !" rief metne^rau, ,,tt)enn er nut einft fo gut prebtgt, trie er fmgt , f o ift mir ntcfyt bange urn tlm. 3)ie meiften fetner SSerttmnbten mutterltdfyer Seit Derftanben ftd? auf ben efang. Qn unfcrer egenb roar e bie allgemeine 6age, bafc t>on ber $amilie 33lenftnfop feiner gerabe t>orftdj fytnfefyen unb t>on jugginfons> feiner ein icfyt auSblajen fonne; aber unter ben rogram gebe e feinen, ber nid?t ein guter 6dnger mare, unb unter ben 2Rarjoram toiffe jeber ein Ofttifyrcfyen 311 ergafylen." ,,2)a tnag fein/' rief ify, ,,bie 35ol!gballaben gef alien mir aber im Mgememen t>iel beffer, al bie gierlid^en mobernenOben unb all ba3e u Q> mobei man fcfyon bei ber erften trop^ t>er[teinert tttirb. 2)ergleidt)en ^^obucte lobt unb tierabfdfyeut man 311 gleid^er 3ett. %Rtfe$, gieb 2)einem S3ruber ein la 2Betn. 2)er gro^e $efyler biejer Glegieenbic^ter ift, ba^ fte bet einemUngliid fogleid^ in ^erjmeiflung ge= ratten, treld^eS einem ernunftigen 2ftenf$en faum Summer erurfac^t. ine S)ame t>erltert iljren 2Ruff, iljren $adjer ober i^ren a^oo^unb fogletd) lauft ber alberne ^oet -nad) ^aufe , um ben llnfall in Serfe ju bringen." - mag n?ol)l bei erl^abenern Gompofitionen fo 2)Zobe fern/' fagte 2Jlofe; 168 and all cast in the same mould: Colin meets Dolly, and they hold a dialogue together; he gives her a fairing to put in her hair, and she presents him with a nosegay; and then they go together to church, where they give good advice to young nymphs and swains to get mar- ried as fast as they can." "And very good advice too," cried I; "and I am told there is not a place in the world where advice can be given with so much pro- priety as there: for, as it persuades us to marry, it also furnishes us with a wife; and surely that must be an excellent market, my boy, where we are told what we want, and supplied with it when wanting." "Yes, sir," returned Moses, "and 1 know but of two such markets for wives in Europe - Kanelagh in England, and Fontarabia in Spain. The Spanish market is open once a year, but our English wives are saleable every night." ,,bod? bie JKanelagl):&iebet, bie 311 un3 getommen, ftnb febr einfad? unb traultd) unb alte in eine gorm gegofferc. S)a begegnet jans> feincm rettfyen , unb fie reben mit einanber. @r giebt ibr em Safyrmarft*; gefdjenf, um ifyr aar bamit gu fcfymiicfen, unb fie reirf)t ifym einen 33lumenftraufe. ann geben fte mit einanber gur Mircbc unb geben alien 2fta'bd)en unb ^ungltngen ben ^Katb, fo batb al* mog(id) ju tyei-- ratfyen." ,,llnb ba ift ein fefyr guter S^atb/' rief ia^; ,,unb man fyat mir gefagt, e gebe feinen Ort in ber SBelt, mo ein folder $atfy paffenber ertljeilt luerben fonnte, al gerabe bort. 2)enn inbem man iiberrebet toirb, (ia^ gu t>erfyeita; tljen, ift bort auc^ gteid? fiir eine ^rau geforgt. SBafyrlid?, metn oljn, bae mu^ ein ttortrefflidfyer 3?larft fein, tt>o man une fagt, n?a^ un fefylt, unb un fogleia^ mit bent uerftefyt, ma mir braua^en." ,,3a mol)!, Iteber Sater/' toerfe^te 3Jlofe; ,,td) !enne aber nur gmei folc^e 2Beibermcir!te in duropa JRanelagfy in 6ng(anb unb $uentarabia in +*> 169 "You are right, my boy," cried his mother; "Old England is the only place in the world for husbands to get wives." "And for wives to manage their husbands," interrupted I. "It is a proverb abroad, that if a bridge were built across the sea, all the ladies of the conti- nent would come over to take pattern from ours ; for there are no such wives in Europe as our own. But let us have one bottle more, Debo- rah, my life and, Moses, give us a good song. What thanks do we not owe to Heaven for thus bestowing tranquillity, health, and com- petence! I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth. He has.no such fireside, nor such pleasant faces about it. Yes, Deborah, we are now growing old; but the evening of our life is likely to be happy. We are descended from ancestors that knew no stain, and we shall leave a good and virtuous race of children behind us. While we live they will be our support and our pleasure here, and when we die they will transmit our honour untainted to posterity. Come, my sou, we wait for a song; let us have a chorus. nien. S)er fpamfcfye 9)}arft ift nur einmal int Safyi offen ; unfere englifcfyen ^rauengtmmer finb aber jeben 2lbenb fell." ,,S5u baft Diedjt, tnein Sotm!" rtef feine Gutter; ,, s 2tttenglattb ift ber eim jige Drt in ber 3Be(t fur Planner, roelcfye ^rauen fyaben toollen." ,,ltnb fur ^raiten, ifyre banner 311 befyerrfcfyen," fiel id) em. ,,3nt 2lu3lcmbe bat man ein Spricfytoort: ft>enn eine 53riicfe iiber'3 -JJleer gefcfylagen tuare, fo amrben alle ^rauen be^ ^-efttanbev beruberfommen iinb bie unfrtgen ^um 2Rufter netimen, benn in gang Gutopa giebt'g leine f eleven 2Betber, mie bie unfrigen. Slber gieb nod) eine <*vlafrf>e ber, liebe 3)eboral), unb 2)n, finge un ein biibfa^ee Sieb. 2Bela^en 2)an! finb irtr nta^t bem "rnntmel big, ba^ er un ^u^e, efunbbett unb gnteg 2lufommen giebt! ^d^ ntt(^ fur gludli^ier, al> ber gro^te 2ftonarcfy auf Srben. 6r t)at fein f itantinfeuer unb ift nid)t t?on folc^en t)eitern @eftd)tern umgeben. 3a> e; borab, mir merben jefet alt; aber beri>lbenb imfereSfiebens rttrb ttja^rfa^einli^ gtudtlta^ fein. 2Bir ftammen Don 3Soreltern ab , an bencn !etn 2Ra!el fyaftet, unb in unfern ^tnbern laffen irtir ein n?adtere unb tugenbbafte;? efd)led)t -^ 170 < But where is rny darling Olivia? That little cherub's voice is always sweetest in the concert." Just as I spoke, Dick came running in "0 papa, papa, she is gone from us she is gone from us; my sister Livy is gone from us for ever!" "Gone, child!" "Yes; she is gone off with two gentlemen in a post-chaise and one of them kis- sed her, and said he would die for her; and she cried very much, and was for coming back; but he persuaded her again, and she went into aurucf. So lange ttir leben, toerben fie unfere otiifee unb $reube fein, unb roenn toir fterben, erbaften fie imfere Gfyre unbeflecft bei ber !Ha<$n>e(t. 3ta, mein Sofyn, fair marten auf ein 2ieb. Singe un$ eins mit einem djlufidjor. 2)o<$ too ift tneine tiebe OUia? S)ie timme be fleinen @ngel ift immer bie Ueblid)fte im gan^en Concert." ^aum tjatte tcb au30erebet, al ^ictjarb mit ben SBorten herein getaufen fam: ,,0 SSater, Sater! fie ift fort oon un! Sdjmefter Sit?(i)en ift fort auf immer!" ,,2Bie? fort t>on uns?" lt $a, fie ift auf unb baton mit gtoet erren in einer $oft$aife. 2)er eine !uf 3 te fie unb fagte, er. toolle fiir fie fterben. Sie meinte fe^r unb roottte n?ieber umfe^ren. Won er rebete it)r be; -^ 171 < the chaise, and said, 'Oh! what will my poor papa do when he knows I am undone?'" "Now, then," cried I, "my children, go and be miserable; for we shall never enjoy one hour more. And, 0, may Heaven's everlasting fury light upon him and his! Thus to rob me of my child! And sure it will for taking away my sweet innocent that I was leading up to heaven! Such sincerity as my child was possessed of! But all our earthly happiness is now over! Go, my children, go and be miserable and infamous for my heart is broken within me!" "Father," cried my son, "is this your fortitude?" "Fortitude, child! Yes, he shall see I have fortitude bring me my pistols I'll pursue the traitor while he is on earth, I'll pursue him! Old as I am, he shall find I can sting him yet the villain the perfidious villain!" I had by this time reached down my pistols, when my poor wife, whose passions were not so strong as mine, caught me in her arms. "My dearest, dearest husband," cried she, "the Bible is the only weapon that is fit for your old hands now. Open that, my ftd'nbtg gu , unb fie ftieg in bie Qfyatf e imb f agte : ma mirb mein armer SBater tfyun, menn er fyb'rt, bafc id) jo ungefyorfam bin?" ,,@e!)t, meine $inber ," rief id) , ,,gel)t unb f etb elenb , benn mir merben un feiner er= folgen! 9Jlir fo mein $inb gu rauben! S)er )immel mirb mid) erfyoren, benn fur tfyn er^og id) mein liebe unfd^iilbigeg $tnb ! 2Bie rein mar ba $er^ meine^ ^inbe! 3)oc^ all unfer irbij($)e ($IM i[t je^t 311 (nbe! ef)t, meine ^tnber, cjefyt! 3^ feib elenb unb entefyrt unb mein $erg ijt gebrod)en!" ,,5Bater/' rief mein Sofyn, ,,ift bie Xeine <3tanbl)aftig!eit?" ; ,Stanbl)aftiQ!eit, mein 6ol)n! ^a, erf oil fefyen, ba^ ic^ @tanbl)aftigfeit befi^e bringt mir meine ^iftolen id^ mill ben $erratfyer terfoltjen fo lange er auf @rben meilt, mill id) ilm t>erfolgen! @o alt id) bin, foil er bod) finben, bafj ic^ il)n beftrafen tann, ben Gd)iirten! ben treulofen Sd)itrfen!" ^nbeffen l)atte id^ meine ^iftolen l)erbetgel)olt; bod) meine arme ^rau, beren Elufregung nid)t fo grofj mar, mie bie meinige, fd)tofj mid) in iljre Hrme unb rief: ,,0 lieber befter 2Rann! bie Sibel ift bie ein^tge 2Baffe, bie fiir 2)eine alten ."pcinbe paf,t! * 172 **~ love, and read our anguish into patience, for she has vilely deceived us." ''Indeed, sir,"' resumed my sou, after a pause, "your rage is too violent and unbecoming. You should be my mother's comforter, and you increase her pain. It ill-suited you and your reverend character, thus to curse your greatest enemy: you should not have cursed him, villain as he is." "I did not curse him, child, did I?" "Indeed, sir, you did; you cursed him twice." "Then may Heaven forgive me and him if I did. And now, my sou, I see it was more than human bene- volence, that first taught us to bless our enemies: Blessed be his holy name for all the good he hath given, and for all that he hath taken away. But it is not it is not a small distress that can wring tears from these old eyes, that have not wept for so many years. My child to undo my darling! May confusion seize Heaven forgive me; what am I about to say V You may remember, my love, how good she was, and how charming: till this vile moment, all her care was to make us happy. Had she but died But she is gone ; the honour of our 6o)lage fie auf unb lice, bajj un GJebulb fontme in unferm Santera; benn bas> aWabdjen bat uit* fd)dnblid) getdufajt." ,,2BtrfIid), lieber $ater," be= gann mcin Soljn nad) einer Baltic, ,,3)em Sow ift 311 fyefttg, unb jtemt fid) nidjt. $11 follteft bie Gutter troften, unb $u aermeforft nitv tljren od)merj. 63 fd)tdt fid) nid)t fitr Xid) unb $einen ebrnntrbtgen 3tanb, fo 3)einen drg= ften ^einb 3u uerfludnMt. Tu luitteft U)m nid)t fluo^en follen, enn er auc^ ein 3cburfe ift." $$ flucbte ihm nicbt, metn 6o^n. Ober tfyat ic^'^?" - ^ertji^, metn ^ater, Xu ^aft itjm ^metmal gefludjt." ,,Se moge ber $im-- mel mtr unb it)m ergeben r roenn idb'e getljan. 3 e fet fiiljle id) erft, mein So^n, baf) e* ubcrntenfc^lic^eg' 2Bot)l^Dl(en mar, meldie^ un^ guerft Ie()rte, unfere ^einbe 311 fegnen. elobt fet fein f)etliger -ftatne fur alle^ @ute, mela^e^ er im gegeben, fo n)te fur bae, fta$ er un genommen! 3)oa^ es ift fein geringe Ungliid, mela^eg btefen alten 2lugen, bie fett fo oielen ^afyren nta^t gemetnt, Xtirdnen entloden fann. 2Retn inb meinen ^tebltng ins ^8er= berben ju ftiirjen! 3Sernid)tung treffe ber ^immel ttergetfye mtr, n?a id) fagen tooUte ! ^ebenft nur, metne Steben , irie gut fie toar , mie bejaubernb ~* 173 family is contaminated, and I must look out for happiness in other worlds than here. But, my child, you saw them go off; perhaps he forced her away. If he forced her, she may yet be innocent." "Ah, no, sir," cried the child; "he only kissed her, and called her his angel, and she wept very much, and leaned upon his arm, and they drove off very fast." "She's an ungrateful creature," cried my wife, who could scarce speak for weeping, "to use us thus: she never had the least constraint put upon her affections. The vile strumpet has basely deserted her parents without any provocation thus to bring your grey hairs to the grave, and I must shortly follow." In this manner that night, the first of our real misfortunes, was spent in the bitterness of complaint, and ill-supposed sallies of enthusiasm. I determined, however, to find out our betrayer, wher- ever he was, and reproach his baseness. The next morning we miss- ed our wretched child at breakfast, where she used to gife live and 58t2> 311 biefem unfeligen 2lugenblicfe toar fie nur bemiifyt, un $reube 311 madden. 2Bare fie bod) lieber geftorben! Hber fie ift entflofyen; bie @fyre unferer ^amilie ift beflecft, unb id} toerbe auf Grben nie toieber glitctltcr;. u, mem inb, fafyeft fie fnutoegfafyren? 3Stellet(i)t entfiifyrte er fie mit etoalt. 2Benn ba ber $atl toar, fo ift fie unfdfyulbig." ,,2ld? nein, 2Bater/' rief bag Jftnb, ,,er tiifete fie nut , unb nannte fie f einen Gngel , unb fie toetnte gar f efyr unb ftiifete ftcfy auf f einen 2lrnt, unb fo fufyren fie fefyr fdfynell fort." ,,@ie ift ein unbanfbare efd&opf ," rief meine rau, bie t>or 3Beinen !aum reben fonnte, ,,un fo 3U betjanbeln, ba h)ir bod? iljrer D^eigung nid)t ben geringften .Stocmg anget^an ! 2)ie f cfyledtite S)irne bat i^re Item f cfytinblid) unb oljne llrfaa^e \>^- laffen. @o brtngt fie 5)ein graue .f)aar tor ber 3^t in bie rube, unb icb irerbe balb folgen." 2luf biefe 3Beife merging jene 5Rad^t, bie erfte unfre mtrflic^en UngliidEg, unter bittern $lagen unb leibenfa^aftltd^en 2lubriid)en. ^c^ befa^Io^ inbefj, ben dntfiifyrer auf^ufud)en, IDO er aud^ fetn mod^te, unb iljnt feine 9ttebrtgteit 3lm ncid^ften 9Jlorgen rjerntifjten toir unfer ungludfUc^e 174 4U* cheerfulness to us all. My wife, as before, attempted to ease her heart by reproaches. "Never," cried she, shall that vilest stain of our family again darken these harmless doors. I will never call her daughter more. No! let the strumpet live with her vile sedu- cer: she may bring us to shame, but she shall never more de- ceive us." "Wife," said I, "do not talk thus hardly: my detestation of her guilt is as great as yours; but ever shall this house and this heart be open to a poor returning repentant sinner. The sooner she returns from her transgression, the more welcome shall she be to me. For the first time the very beat may err: art may persuade, and novelty spread out its charm. The first fault is the child of simplicity; but every other the offspring of guilt. Yes, the wretched creature shall be welcome to this heart and this house, though stained with ten thousand vices. I will again hearken to the music of her voice; again will I hang fondly on her bosom, if I find but repentance there. My beim grubftucf , too fie line fonft alle 311 erbeitern Pflegte. Nettie $rau er; fucbte auch jettf, ihr >er3 burcb Sdbmdbungen 311 erleicbtern. ,,9ttmmer foil biefer Gcbanbflecf unjcrer ^amilie itrieber in biefe barmlofe 2Bobnung treten," rief fie. ,,$cb n>ert>e fie menial 1 ? toieber Jocbter nennen. -ftein! bie liebedicbe S)irne moge tei ifyrent fcbdnblicben $erfiibrer bleiben! 2Benn fie un aucb Stbanbe bringt, fo foil fie un bodb nicbt irieber tciuf(ben!" f ,^rau/' fagte icb, ,,fprid) nicbt fo fyarit SBorte au. ^ t?erabfcbeue ifyre Sc^ulb eben f o fe^r , nrie Xu ; bocb biefeS ^)au unb biefe .^erj foil ber nneberfebrenben reuigen Sunberin ftet offen fteben. ^e eber fie Don ifyten 5>erimm0en 3uriidtfebrt , befto berjlid^er foil fie tnir millfommen fein. Slucb ber 33efte fann einnial feljlen. Sift itberrebet iinb ber JHei3 ber -fteufyeit loc!t. 2)er erfte ^ebltritt ift ba Iinb ber Ginfalt; bocb alle folgenben entfpringen au bent Safter. 3 a > ba arme 2Befen foil biefem ^aufe imb biefem $er3en itill!ommen fein, unb todre e aucb t>on taufenb ^eblem beflecft. %fy mill ifm toieber boren , ben fufeen Xon ibrer Stintme , mill fie toieber 3drtUcb an meine 33ruft briicf en , menn icb nur in ber ibrigen S^eiie finbe. 2Rein ot)n , bringe o 175 o- son, bring hither my Bible and my staff: I will pursue her, wherever she is; and though I cannot save her from shame, I may prevent the continuance of her iniquity." CHAP. XVIII. THE PURSUIT OF A FATHER TO RECLAIM A LOST CHILD TO VIRTUE. Though the child could not describe the gentleman's person who handed his sister into the post-chaise, yet my suspicions fell entirely upon our young landlord, whose character for such intrigues was but too well known. I therefore directed my steps towards Thornhill Castle, resolving to upbraid him, and, if possible, to bring back my daughter; but before I had reached his seat, I was met by one of my parishioners, who said he saw a young lady resembling my daughter, in a post-chaise with a gentleman, whom, by the description, I could mir meine 93ibel unb meinen Stab, id? trill ifyr folgen, too fie aud) fein mag, imb tuenn id) fie aucfy nicfyt x>on cfyanbe erretten farm, fo farm id) bod) t>iel= leidfyt tterfyinbern, ba)3 fie fortfcifyrt, in Simben 311 leben." 23emufmngen eineS Waters, ein evtorne$ Jlinb $uv Sitgenb jitriicfjufufyren. Obgletd^ ber $rtabe bie ^erfon be 9?lanne nid^t genau befd)reiben !onnte, ber feine d^toefter in bie ^oftfutfdfye 0el)Dben, fo fiel bod^ rnein SSerbad)t ein= 3tg nnb alletn auf iinfern jungen @ut^errn , ber megen folder ^ntriguen nur 311 befannt tear. %$ Unite meine djrttte nafy ^orn^illsGaftle, feft ent= fd^loffen, il)nt l)eftige $ortoitrfe gu madden unb n?o mogltdt) meine Xoc^ter mteber jurudEjubringen. Gfye id^ aber nod^ feinen SBofynfi^ erreid^te, traf id& ein t>on metnen ^farrfinbern , n?eld)e mir fagte, il)m fei ein junge grauen; Dimmer, meiner Xoc^ter afynlid) , mit einem ^errn in etner ^oftfutfd^e begegnet, 176 only guess to be Mr. Burehell, and that they drove very fast. This information, however, did by no means satisfy me; I therefore went to the young squire's, and, though it was yet early, insisted upon seeing him immediately: he soon appeared with the most open fami- liar air, and seemed perfectly amazed at my daughter's elopement, protesting upon his honour that he was quite a stranger to it. I now therefore condemned my former suspicions, and could turn them only on Mr. Burchell, who I recollected had of late several private conferences with her; but the appearance of another witness left me no room to doubt of his villany, who averred that he and my daughter were actually gone towards the Wells, about thirty miles of, where there was a great deal of company. Being driven to that state of mind in which we are more ready to act precipitately than to reason right, I never debated with myself, whether these accounts might not have been given by persons purposely placed in my way to mislead me, but resolved to pursue my daughter and her fancied deluder ben id? ber $ef$reibung nad) fur errn $urd)ell balten mufete. 2lud) fefcte er In'nau, fte maren fefyr rafd) gefabren. Stefer $erid)t befriebtgtc mid? aber fetnemeg, imb id) manberte nad) bem 3d)loffe be* jungen @utberrn, ben idb fogleid) 311 fpredjen tterlangte, obgletrf) e* nod) frith am lage mar. Gr fam mir mit betterer, unbefangener 2ftiene fogletd) enta.ea.en, fd)ien fefyr befturst iiber bie 9?ad)rtcbt on ber glud)t meiner od)ter unb t>erfid)ertc mtr auf feme Gfyre , bafj er bureau* nidjte on ber <5ad)e mtffe. ^c^ t>erbammte je^t met; nen friit)ern Slrgtoofm unb fonnte il)n nur auf >errn S3urd)eU rid^ten, meil berfelbe, mie 107 mto^ ertnnerte, in ber lefcten Beit mei)rmal5 fyeimUd) mit OUia gef^rod^en. Slucb fonnte id) bet bem $erid)t etne gmetten Beugen ntd^t Idnger an fetner 3c^dnbltd)fett 3ireifeln. Stefer befyaitptete ndmlid), metne Xoc^ter mare mirfltd) mit tljm gu etnem etma breifna. 3?ietlen entfernten Sabeorte geretft, mo gerabe tel Sefudf) fet. S)a tc^ in etnem ftanbe mar, mo man genetgter ift, rafa^ ju f>anbeln, aB ber 3}ernunft ju geben, fo fiel e mtr garment em, baj? btefe Seriate melletd)t Don ^erfonen l)erritl)ren !6nnten , bie mi$ abftc^tltd) trre f iifyren mollten. ^a^ entfd^lo^ mid) . 177 o_ thither. I walked along with earnestness , and inquired of several by the way, but received no accounts, till entering the town I was met by a person on horseback, whom I remembered to have seen at the squire's, and he assured me, that if I followed them to the races, which were but thirty miles further, I might depend upon overtaking them; for he had seen them dance there the night before, and the whole assembly seemed charmed with my daughter's performance. Early the next day I walked forward to the races, and about four in the afternoon I came upon the course. The company made a very brilliant appearance, all earnestly employed in one pursuit, that of pleasure: how different from mine, that of reclaiming a lost child to virtue! I thought I perceived Mr. Burchell at some distance from me ; but as if he dreaded an interview, upon my approaching him, he mixed among a crowd, and I saw him no more. I now reflected, that it would be to no purpose to continue my pursuit further; and resolved to return home to an innocent family, alf o , meiner od)ter unb tfyrem Gntfuljrer bortfytn gu f olgen. 3d) roanberte rafd) tiorirartic unb erfunbigte mid) iiberall untertt>eg, bod) ofyne etroa^ 311 erfafyren, bt id) in bieStabt trat. S)a begegnete tnir ein-JRann 311 -pferbe, ben id) frufyer in @efellfd)aft be3 @ut3l)errn gefefyen fyatte , unb meldjer mir t>er= fid)erte, id) miirbe fie getoij? etnfyolen, roenn id) ifynen ettt>a bretfjig 2Reilen it>ei= ter big 311 einemOrte folgen luollte, tuo gerabe etn2Bettrennen gel)alten luerbe. S5ort fyabe er fie noc^ am fcergangenen 3lbenb tanjen fe^en, unb bte ganje e= fellfd)aft fet on ber Slnnmtt) meiner Xod)ter entjiid't geinefen. ^riil) am ndd); ften 2ftorgen maa^te id) mta^ auf ben 2Beg gu bem >rte be 28ettrennen , n?o id) urn met llfyr Jtad^mittagg an!am. S)te efellfd^aft mar fel)r gldn^enb unb f(^ten letnen anbern 3^ed gu Ijaben , al ba $ergniigen auf^ufudjen fei^r t)erfd)teben Don bent meintgen, ber bartn beftanb, ein t>erlorne< ^inb auf ben 2Beg ber ^lugenb surud^ufuljren. ^lofelid^ glaubte id), in eintger Gntfernung or mir .^errn 33urd)ell ^u erblidten; bod) al> fiir^te er eine Unterrebung mit mir, t>er(or er fid) unter bem ebra'nge, unb id) fat) ifyn nt(^t ttneber. - ^e^t fam id) ju ber lleber^eugung , ba^ e3 frud)tlog f ein merbe , metne 12 178 *_ who wanted my assistance. But the agitation of 1113' mind, and the fatigues I had undergone, threw me into a fever, the symptoms of which I perceived before I came off the course. This was another un- expected stroke, as I was more than seventy miles distant from home: however, I retired to a little ale-house, by the road-side; and in this place, the usual retreat of indigence and frugality, I laid me down patiently to wait the issue of rny disorder. I languished here for near three weeks; but at last my constitution prevailed, though 1 was un- provided with money to defray the expenses of my entertainment. It is possible the anxiety from this last circumstance alone might have brought on a relapse, had I not been supplied by a traveller who stop- ped to take a cursory refreshment. This person was no other than the philantropic bookseller in St. Paul's Church-yard, who has written so many little books for children: he called himself their friend; but he was the friend of all mankind. He was no sooner alighted, than he was in haste to be gone; for he was ever on business of the utmost forfdnmgen fortjufefcen, imb id) bejcbloft, mieber 311 tneiner unfd)itlbigen milie jtttddjtlfe^wn, bio meinev ( N >ea.enmart beburfte. Sod) nteinc bemegung imb bte $efd>merben ber iHeife gogen mtr ein ^faber 311, beffen mnptome id) fcbon finite, ebe id) bio Wennbabn oerlaffen. Sa mar ein neuer, unermarteter Sdrtan., ba id) mefjr al fiebjtg 2fteilen t>on meinem aufe entfemt mar. $6l)nltc^en 3uflud)teort ber Slrmutb unb ber 9ftaftia.feit. 2)ort legte ic^ ntid^ gebiilbig nteber, urn ben Siu^gang metner .Hranf beit afyutoarten. ^d) fd)nta(^)tete faft brei SKoaien, bie enb(id) meine t'rdftige ^onftitutton ben '3iocj bat>on trug. 91un aber feblte e wir an C s klb, um bte Soften meine llnterbalty beftreiten 311 fonnen. ^telletd)t bcitte fd)on bie Unrufye bariiber mtr cinen Otudfall ^ugejogen, fyatte mic^ nia^t ein ^tetfenber unterftit^t, ber in ber Sd)enf e einfpraa^ , um etne f letne erfrtfa>ung ^u fia^ 311 nefymen. S)iefer SHann mar -ftiemanb anbers , aB ber ntenfd)enfreunbltd)e S3ud)l)dnbler am t. ^aul!trd)bofe 311 Sonbon, ber fo toiele 23ud)er fiir ^tnber gefd)rteben bat. @r nannte fid^ ibren^reunb; bodb mar er ber $reunb ber gan^en o 179 importance, and was at that time actually compiling materials for the history of one Mr. Thomas Trip. I immediately recollected this good- natured man's red pimpled face; for he had published for me against theDeuterogamists of the age; and from him I borrowed a few pieces, to be paid at my return. Leaving the inn, therefore, as I was yet but weak, I resolved to return home by easy journeys of ten miles a day. My health and usual tranquillity were almost restored, and I now condemned that pride which had made me refractory to the hand of correction. Man little knows what calamities are beyond his patience to bear, till he tries them: as in ascending the heights of ambition, which look bright from below, every step we rise shows us some new and gloomy prospect of hidden disappointment; so in our descent from the summits of pleasure, though the vale of misery below may appear at first dark and gloomy, yet the busy mind, still attentive to its own amusement, finds, as we descent, something to flatter and to fyeit. cutm roar er fcom ^Bferbe gefttegen, al> er aud) fdjon mieber forteilen toollte , benn er aw ftet mit fefyr tt)id)tigen efcfyaften uberl)d'uft unb farm melte gerabe batnal 2Raterialien 311 ber efd)id)te eine getr>iffenl:)oma;rt:p. 3d) erfannte fogleid) ba fupfrige ($efid)t bes> gutmiittngen 2Ranne, benn er fyatte metne cfyrift gegen bie 2)euteroganti[ten ter(egt. $on i^m borgte id) mir eine fteine Summe, bie id) bei meiner ^iicffebr mieber abtragen tooilte. SIB id) ba 2Sirtt)i)au i c tterltefj, iDar id) aber no<^ fo fd)it)ad^ r ba^ ic^ nur in fleinen ^ageretfen ton etma ^efyn 2Jietlen nad) ^aufe gurucfgute^ren befcfylej?. 3Jleme efunb|)ett unb emut^ruf)e toaren fo gtemlic^ tt)ieberberge)"teUt, unb id) tabelte je^t ben 6tolg, momit tc^ mid) ber ftrafenben >anb ber cred)= tigfeit miberfe^t Ijatte. Selten met^ ber SRenf^, tr>eld)e 2)ii^gef^id' feme (Sebulb iiberfteigt, MS er felbft ^u erbulben bat. 2Bie n)tr betnt rftetgen ber @tpfel be ^rfleige, bie t>on unten fo gldn^enb un entgegenf (^tmmern , bei jebem Xrttte erborgene efabren unb Xdufcbungen treffen, fo finbet aud^ beint ^inabfteigen in ba X^al be (lenb, melcbe une t?on bem @ipfel be^ $ergnugen au biifter unb ttjibernjcirtig erfdfoien, ber ftet rege, nacl) enufj 180 please. Still as we approach, the darkest objects appear to brighten, and the mental eye becomes adapted to its gloomy situation. I now proceeded forward, and had walked about two hours, when I perceived what appeared at a distance like a waggon, which I wa& resolved to overtake; but when I came up with it, I found it to be a strolling company's cart, that was carrying their scenes and other theatrical furniture to the next village, where they were to exhibit. The cart was attended only by the person who drove it, and one of the company; as the rest of the players were to follow the ensuing day. ftrcbenbe etft immer etroa, ma ifjm fcfymeicfyelt ober ifm ergo'&t. 33eim annaljen fd)einen ftdj felbft bie bunfelften egenftdnbe 311 erfyellen, unb ba 2tuge be3 $eifte Qetoofynt ftcf) an bie ^infternifj. %$) tranberte toeiter unb inar ettna ^mei Stunben gegangen, ale id) in einiger Gntfernung einen 3Bagen bemerfte , ben id) anfana. fiir eine jhttf dje bielt. 6 gelang mir, benfelben ein^u^olen; boc^ ade- id) ncifyer fam, fat) id^,. baJ3 e ber 2Cagen einer roanbernben Sc^aufpielertruppe mar. 2)Zit (Souliften unb anberm X^eater0erat^ belaben, fufjr er nad? bem ndd)ften SJorfe, mo man ^orftellungen geben mollte. 23ei bem 2Bagen befanb fid) nur ber ^uljrmann unb ein GingtQer con ber efellfdjaft. ^ie iibrtgen 6d>aujpieler mollten am folgenben Xage nad}fommen. > 181 "Good company upon the road," says the proverb, "is the shortest cut." I therefore entered into conversation with the poor player; and as I once had some theatrical powers myself, I disserted on such topics with my usual freedom; but as I was but little ac- quainted with the present state of the stage, I demanded who were the present theatrical writers in vogue who the Drydens and Otways of the day. "I fancy, sir," cried the player, "few of our modern dramatists would think themselves much honoured by being compared to the writers you mention. Dryden's and Howe's manner, sir, are quite out of fashion: our taste has gone back a whole cen- tury; Fletcher, Ben Jonson, and all the plays of Shakspeare, are the only things that go down." "How!" cried I, "is it possible the pre- sent age can be pleased with that antiquated dialect, that obsolete humour, those overcharged characters, which abound in the works you mention?" "Sir," returned my companion, "the public think nothing about dialect, or humour, or character; for that is none of ute efellfcfyaft ocrlurjt bie 3teife, fagt bag pridfytnort. %fy liefe mid) tnit bent armen 6d?auft>ieler in ein @efprdd? ein, unb ba id? felber friifyer einige tfyeatralifd?e3 talent befefien fyatte, fo fcerbreitete id? mid? liber biefen @egenftanb mit meiner getoofynlicfyen $reimutfyig!eit. ^a^ be l)eutigen age tuciren? ,$< gtaube, rnein $err," ent; ^egnete ber dfyaufaieler, ,,nur menige unjerer neuern 35ratnattfer miirben e fiir eine (tyre fatten, mit ben ertudfjnten ^riftfteHern i)ergtid)en gu luerben. ^)r^ben' unb D^otoe'^ 2Ranier i|t gdn^lid^ au< ber SRobe. llnfer ejdjmad ift um ein ganje ^a^r^unbcrt juriicfgegangen. glet^er, S5en ^^f ^ uni) fyatfaeare'-o fdmmtlid^e c^aufpiele (inb bie eingigen inge, bie ie madden." ,,2Bie?" rief id^ , ,,ift e mogli^, ba^ unfer geitalter an %& alteten pracfye, an bem t?erbraud)ten junior unb an ben iibertriebenen rafteren, bie in ben genannten SBerfen im Ueberfluffe orl}anben [inb , fcfymad: finben !ann?" ,,2Rein err," erwieberte mein 33egteiter, , 182 *- their business: they only go to be amused, and find themselves happy when they can enjoy a pantomime, under the sanction of Jonson's or Hhakspeare's name." - "So, then, I suppose," cried I, "that our modern dramatists are rather imitators of Shakspeare than na- ture." "To say the truth," returned my companion, "I don't know that they imitate any thing at all; nor indeed does the public require it of them: it is not the composition of the piece, but the number of starts and attitudes that may be introduced, that elicits applause. I have known a piece with not one jest in the whole, shrugged into popularity, and another saved by the poet's throwing in a fit of the gripes. No, sir, the works of Congreve and Farquhar have too much wit in them for the present taste: our modern dialect is much more natural." By this time the equipage of the strolling company was arrived at the village, which, it seems, had been apprised of our approach, and was come out to gaze at us; for my companion observed, that strollers befiimmert ftcfy toeber urn 3prad)e, nod) urn Burner, nod) urn &ija- raftcre. Ta ift feine Sad?e niaM. 9hir ber Unterfjaltung roegen gefyt man in3 Sweater, unb man ift jufrieben, roenn unter x ~\onfon's ober Sljafjpeare's s j?amen cine pantomime aufgefitlirt nnrb." ,,2)a mufj id) alfo glauben," ertoieberte id), ,,bafc unfere ncuern ramatifer mebr Oiacbabmer fyaffpeare'^ al3 ber 9?atur finb." ,,2)ie 2Bat)rbeit 311 fagen/' ter)c^te mein O ,,mei(5 tcb nia^t, ob [ie iiberbaupt etas nai^abmen. 2lud) blifum e nic^t t>on i^nen. 9Uc^t bte Gompofition bc StiidEsl, nur bie l;eater= unb rupptrungen finben raufc^enben ^HeifaU. i^d) !enne ein 6tiidt, audf) nid)t einen einjigen 2Bi^ entbcilt, aber bod) t>om ^Sublifum er= aottert rourbe; unb ein anbere^ maa^te baburcfy &lud, meil ber 2)id?ter barin einen 3lnfall t>on S5auc^grhnmen toortommen Iie. s Jiein, mein ^err, bie on Gongretoe unb ^arqufyar baben fiir ben je^igen efd)mad gu mel ; unfere moberne <5prad)e i)t bet ireitem natitrlicfyer." ^nbeffen roaren bie $abfelig!eiten ber manbernben ^Iruppe im 2)orfe an= gefommen, ico man fd)on ron unferer SInfunft benac^rid)tigt gu fein fcbien. o. 183 always have more spectators without doors than within. I did not con- sider the impropriety of my being in such company, till I saw a mob gather about me. I therefore took shelter, as fast as possible, in the first ale-house that offered; and being shown into the common room, was accosted by a very well-dressed gentleman, who demanded whether I was the real chaplain of the company, or whether it was only to be my masquerade character in the play. Upon my informing him of the truth, and that I did not belong in any sort to the company, he was condescending enough to desire me and the player to partake in a bo\vl of punch, over which he discussed modern politics with great earnest- ness and interest. 1 set him down in my mind for nothing less than a parliament-man at least; but was almost confirmed in my conjectures, when, upon asking what there was in the house for supper, he insisted that the player and I should sup with him at his house; with which re- quest, after some entreaties, we were prevailed on to comply. benn 2lUe3 lief fyerbei, um un ait^ugaffen. 2Rein $eg,letter aufcerte, roan= bernbe ocfyaufpteler batten met)r 3ufd)auer t>or ber Xfyitr, aBbrtnnen. $d) tjatte ntd)t baran gebacfyt, bafs etne fold)e efellfdjaft nid)t fur mid) paffe, bi fid) etn grower $ol!l)aufen um mid) tterfammelte. $d) nafym bafyer fo fd)ne(l al moa,ltd) gu ber erfteu beften 53ierfd>en!e meine 3uf(ud)t, too matt mid) in bae aftgimmer mie. S)ort t'am ein h?o^Ifle!(eibcter DJZann auf mtd^ 311 unb fragte, ob id^ etn H)tr!lid)er ^rebtgec bei ber Scfyaufpielertruppe fet, ober ob biefe ^Holte auf ber S3itl;ne fpiele? 2(l- ic^ ibm gefagt, bafs id) fetne^= ber efellfcbaft 0el)6re, luar er fo fyerablaffenb, mid) unb ben Sd)au= fpieler ^u etner 33omle ^unfd) etn^ulaben, tDobet er mtt ber gr6J3tenSebl)afti0feit unb mtt ^ntereffe itber bte neueften polttifc^en retamffe fprad^. ^d) l)ielt i^n fiir ntd)t ertngereS, al> etn^arlament^mttglteb, unb awrbe in metner 3Ser; mtttbuna, nod) beftarlt,al er fragte, \va% eg tm.^aufe gunt^tbenbeffen gebe,unb bann barauf beftanb , ba^ ber d)aufpteler unb tcb in fetnem ^aufe 311 Slbenb fpeifen follten, wo^u roir un^ aud) nad) eintgem 33itten bemetjen (ie^en. 184 CHAP. XIX. THE DESCRIPTION OF A PERSON DISCONTENTED WITH THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT, AND APPREHENSIVE OF THE LOSS OF OUR LIBERTIES. The house where we were to be entertained lying at a small dis- tance from the village, our inviter observed, that as the coach was not ready, he would conduct us on foot; and we soon arrived at one of the most magnificent mansions I had seen in that part of the country. The apartment into which we were shown was perfectly elegant and modern: he went to give orders for supper, while the player, with a wink, observed that we were perfectly in luck. Our entertainer soon returned, an elegant supper was brought in, two or three ladies in an easy dishabille were introduced, and the conversation began with some sprightliness. Politics, however, was the subject on which our entertainer chiefly expatiated; for he asserted that liberty was at once his boast and his terror. After the cloth was removed, he asked Hapiid. djtlberunq finer $erfcn, bie mit ber flegcntvarticien dtf^ioruiuj un^ufricbcn ift unb ben ^Berluft unferer $reil)fit furd)tet. Sas au*, tue er un3 betuirtben ttollte, (ag in geringer Gntfernung t>om $>orfe, unb unfer SSMrtfy bemerfte, ba bie ut)d?e nidjt in 93ereitfd)aft fei, molle er unS ju gufj bort^tn fuljren. 5ialb !amen tt>ir auci^ ^u etnem ber prddbtigften .^erren^dufer, bie id) in biejcr (^ogonb gefefjen. 2)a 3i^mer, in tt>cld?e man un^ fii^rte, tear fyod)ft elegant unb nad) bent neueften e; fcbmacf eingerid)tet. $er ^err tierlte^ uny, urn $efet>le ^um Slbenbeffen ju ertbcilen, unb ber 3cbcwfpte(er gab mtr inbefc burd^ einen 28in! ju oerftefyen, ba^ tutr e fel^r gliid(id) getroffen Bitten. 33alb !am unfer 2Birt^ juriid, unb e marb eine trefflid^e ^Ibenbmab^eit aufgetragen. ann traten aud) ^luet ober brei 3)amen in ge)d)madool(er .^auf(etbung etn, unb bie llnterl)attung begann mit grofjer Scb^aftigfeit. s |>olittf mar ber egenftanb , tr>ot>on unfer 35Mrtl) befonbere fpraa^, unb babet mficfyerte, bie ^ret^eit fei jugtei^ fetn -o. 185 < me if I had seen the last Monitor; to which replying in the negative, "What, nor the Auditor, I suppose?" cried he. "Neither, sir," re- turned I. "That's strange, very strange," replied my entertainer. "Now, I read all the politics that come out: the Daily, the Public, the Ledger, the Chronicle, the London Evening, the Whitehall Evening, the seventeen Magazines, and the two Reviews; and though they hate each other, I love them all. Liberty, sir, liberty is the Briton's boast; and by all my coal-mines in Cornwall, I reverence its guardians." "Then it is to be hoped," cried I, "you reverence the king." "Yes," returned my entertainer, "when he does what we would have him; but if he goes on as he has done of late, I'll never trouble myself more with his matters. I say nothing. I think only I could have directed some things better. I don't think there has been a sufficient num- ber of advisers; he should advise with every person willing to give him advice, and then we should have things done in another guess manner." unb fein Scfyreden. 2JI bte Xafel aufgefycben mar, fragte er mid?, ob id) ba le&te Stud be Monitor gelefen. 2113 id? e t>erneinte, rief er: ,,2Bie? 2Bofyl avid? nia^t ben ^ubitor?" ,, s 2lud? ben ntcfyt, mein $err," er- nrieberte id). ,,3)a ift feltfam, fefyr feltfam/' fagte mein SBirtfy; ,,id? lefe alle poltttfdfye geitungen, bie Ijerauigfommen: ba Sageblatt, ba3 trie Gfyroni!, ba Sonboner- unb 2BfritebaMbenbblatt, bie ftebje^n unb bie betben 9iemeit), unb fo feljr fie ftd^ gegenfeittg ^affen, fo Itebc td^ fie bod? alle gufammen. ^ret^eit, mein err, ^reiljett ift ber tola be Written, unb bei all metnen ^o^lengruben in @orntt)all! ic^ terel)re i^ren 23e; fd)u^er. /y ,,o t>erel)ren ie tiermutfyltd? ben ^onig?" fagte id). ,,%a" terfe^te mein SBirtlj, ,,tt?enn er tl)ut, ma mir ^aben irollen. 3Serfdl)rt er aber fo, inie tor ^ur^em, fo tt>erbe id^ mid) nid^it mefyr um feine s Jlngelegenl)eiten be= lummern. %$ mill nid)t meiter fagen, aU ba^ ia^ glanbe, id) miirbe DJland^e^ beffer angeorbnet fyaben. % f c^eint , al$> fyabe e il>m an einer fyinlanglicfyen 3a^l ton ^at^gebern gefel)lt. @r follte ^eben um Wafy fragen, ber iljm geben mill, bann miirben bie 2)tnge etne ganj anbere eftalt annebmen." > 186 ->-- "I wish," cried 1, "that such intruding advisers were fixed in the pillory. It should be the duty of honest men to assist the weaker side of our constitution, that sacred power that has for some years been every day declining, and losing its due share of influence in the state. But these ignorants still continue the cry of liberty, and if they have any weight, basely throw it into the subsiding scale." "How!" cried one of the ladies, "do I live to see one so base, so sordid, as to be an enemy to liberty, and a defender of tyrants? Liberty, that sacred gift of Heaven, that glorious privilege of Britons!" "Can it be possible," cried our entertainer, "that there should be any found, at present, advocates for slavery? Any who are for meanly giving up the privileges of Britons? Can ;m\ . sir, be so abject?" "No, sir," replied I, "I am for liberty, that attribute of gods! Glorious liberty! that theme of modern declamation. I would have ,, v V"b iwtnfcfyte," ricf icb, ,,bafj berflleicfyeii jubrtn0(id)e ^Katfygeber an ben x j>raiifler ftcjtcllt tin'ivben. Meblicbe banner follten e fid) jitr "4$flid)t madyn, bie fd)road)e 3citc unferer ^erfaffunfl 311 unterftutjen , jene gebeiligte bie felt ctniflcn ^abren tacjlid) mebr itnb mebr abgenommen unb ifyren roenbtgen Ginfluf; anf ben Staat t>er(oren fyat. oc^ biefe unmiffenben s ,)Jicit: faSen er^eben nod) immer cin ^reibeitvflefcbvei , unb raenn fie babcn, I'D toerfen fte e fcbanblid)cntctfc in bie fmfenbe ,,ie?" rief eine ou ben Xameii, ,,mufj tc^ e^ erieben, einen fo niebrig benfenben, fo gemeinen 3Jlenfdjen 311 fel^en, ber etn ^-einb ber ^reil)ett unb etn ^ertbeibioier ber Xprannen iftV 'J-retbeit tft ba gebeitigte @efd)enf be tmmel3, ba ^errlicbe Sorrec^t be Written!" ,,.ann e^ moglic^ fetn/' rief unfei* 2Birtl), ba^ e% n ber Sclaueret giebt? 3}Zenfcben, bie niebrtg $enug benfen, bi eine Written auf3u^eben>' 3ft e moglid), mein .^err, bafe ^etnanb fo morfen fein fann?" ff 9?ein, mein .^err," ermieberte id), ,,icb bin fur bie ^reibeit, fiir j -> 187 *~ all men kings. I would be a king myself. We have all naturally an equal right to the throne; we are all originally equal. This is my opinion, and was once the opinion of a set of honest men who are called levellers. They tried to erect themselves into a community, where all should be equally free. But, alas! it would never answer; for there were some among them stronger, and some more cunning than others, and these became masters of the rest: for as sure as your groom rides your horses, because he is a more cunning animal than they, so surely will the animal that is stronger or more cunning than he sit upon his shoulders in turn. Since then it is entailed upon humanity to submit, and some are born to command, and others to obey, the question is, as there must be tyrants, whether it is better to have them in the same house with us, or in the same village, or still further off in the metropolis. Now, sir, for my own part, as I naturally hate the face of a tyrant, the further off he is removed from me, the better pleased am I. The generality of mankind also are of my way tUttribut ber ottfyeit! fur bie berrltcfyc $retbeit, fiir ben auptgegenftanb ber fyeutigen Unterbaltung. 3$ toollte , alle 2Jlenf tfyen bdren 6nige. %fy felber mb'djte $6nig fein. 2$tr alle fyaben on 9totur gleicfyen Sinfprud) auf ben Xfyron, tt>ir finb alle urfpriinglid) gleicb. SDie3 ift titeine 2Reinung uni> mar einft bie 2Infid)t eine Sereins toiirbiger Scanner, bie man ^nbepenbeiu ten nannte. ie maren bemuljt, [107 gu einer emeinfcfyaft 311 erfyeben, too alle ajeid) frei jein follten. Seiber aber irollte ibnen bie nid)t glucfen. @ gab tnitje unter i^ncn, bie ftdr!er, unb mieber inige, bie fd^lauer maren, aB bie 2lnbern, unb btefe murben bie erren ber Uebrtgen. enn jo tDte $fyi fned^t %fyu s $ferbe reitct, meil er ein UftiflereS @efc^6pf ift, als fie, fo mtrb aud^) jebe SCefen, mela^e liftiger ober ftdr!er ift, al er, ftc^ ibm rt)ie.- berum auf bie d^ultern fe^en. S)a e nun ba 6tt^idfal ber 9Wenfcfel;eit ift, ftcb ju untertuerfen, unb (^inige jutn 5Befel)len, Slnbere jum @el)ord)en geboren finb, fo ift bie $rage, ba bod) einmal 2t>rannen fcin muff en, ob eg beffer ift, fie bei uns in bemfelben .^aufe, ober in bemfelben 3)orfe, ober noa^ meiter ent^ fernt in ber . 188 < of thinking, and have unanimously created one king, whose election at once diminishes the number of tyrants, and puts tyranny at the great- est distance from the greatest number of people. Now the great, who were tyrants themselves before the election of one tyrant, are natu- rally averse to a power raised over them, and whose weight must ever lean heaviest on the subordinate orders. It is the interest of the great, therefore, to diminish kingly power as much as possible; be- cause, whatever they take from that is naturally restored to them- selves; and all they have to do in the state is to undermine the single tyrant, by which they resume their primeval authority. Now the state may be so circumstanced, or its laws may be so disposed, or its men of opulence so minded, as all to conspire in carrying on this business of undermining monarchy. For, in the first place, if the cir- cumstances of our state be such, as to favour the accumulation of wealth, and make the opulent still more rich, this will increase their ambition. An accumulatio nof wealth, however, must necessarily be the Jprannen foajfe, f o ift e$ mir urn fo lieber, je roeiter er entfernt ift. ,aM ber iHenfcfren benft roie id), unb M cmftimmicj einen.Uonig erwdfylt, beffen 2Bal;l jugletd) bic xUnjabl ber Xpranncn f erringert unb bie Ityrannet ton ber n ^oltemenge fo roeit a I-? nunilidi cntfcrnt. Tie rof*en, bie ttor ber eine*.Inrannen fclberlnranneu tuarcn, (tnb natiirlic^ ber il^nen iiberlc= eit?a(t abgeneifit, meil biefe auf ben untern Stdnben am fdjmerften laftet. Taber lietjt e^ in bem ^ntereffe ber rofeen, bie fonirtUd)e 5ftad)t fo iel al mofllic^ 311 fcerringern, meil ba^, ma fie berfelben nefymen, i^nen fet^ ber 311 {jute fommt; unb Stiles, rc>a fie in itjrerStellung 311 tfyun ^aben, beftebt bavin, ben etnjelnen Xprannen 3U unterminiren, moburd^ fie ft>ieber gu i^rem uvtprung(td)en S 2lnfefyen gelangen. s Jiun fonnten aber bie ^erfycUtuifie etney 3taat ober fetne efe^e ober aud^ bie efinnungen fetner rei($en 93urger fo befdbaffen fein, bafe bteg SlUes ba3ii beitriige, bie 3^onard)te 3U unter- graben. SBdren 3. ^8. bie 3taateuerbdttntffe r>on ber 3lrt, baft fte bie S 2lm bdufung t>on ^Heicbtbumern begunfttgten unb ben 28ol;lfyabenben noa^ reiser maditen, fo roiirbe ber 6^8^13 ermac^en. Gine 2(nbdufung oon 9ietc^tl;umern ~4 189 *-* consequence, when, as at present, more riches flow in from external commerce than arise from internal industry ; for external commerce can only be managed to advantage by the rich, and they have also at the same time all the emoluments arising from internal industry; so that the rich with us have two sources of wealth, whereas the poor have but one. For this reason, wealth in all commercial states is found to accumu- late; and all such have hitherto in time become aristocratical. Again, the very laws also of the country may contribute to the accumulation of wealth; as when, by their means, the natural ties that bind the rich and poor together are broken, and it is ordained, that the rich shall only marry with the rich; or when the learned are held unquali- fied to serve their country as counsellors, merely from a defect of opulence, and wealth is thus made the object of a wise man's ambition: by these means, I say, and such means as these, riches will accu- mulate. Now the possessor of accumulated wealth, when furnished with the necessaries and pleasures of life, has no other method to em- muj? aber bie notfymenbige $olge fein, roenn mefyr (Mb burd) au*martigen Ijanbel erroorben nnrb, al< burd) ^nbuftrie itn Sanbe. )enn ber autt>drtige >anbel !cmn nur t>on ben S'teicfyen mit SBortfyeil betrieben toerben, unb biefe gtetjen gugleid) alien enrinn, ber aus> ber ^nbuftrie entfpringt, fo bafj bem s Jteid)en gftei (Sriuerb^quellen geoffnet finb , todfyrenb ber 2lrme nur eine ^at. S)al>er finbet man, ba^ in alien janbel3ftaaten ber ^Keic^t^um fid^ bet ein= gelnen 'gamilien anljdufte, unb bafyer luurben biefe nad^ unb nacl) fammtlio) ariftofratijcl). 2)ie 2anbe3a.efee felber fonnen gum Sln^dufen Don 9ieid)tfyum beitragen, menn bie natiirltcfyen 23anbe, bie ben ^Heict)en mit bem S 2lrmen uer- einigen, burd) bie SSerorbnung geloft tt>erben, bafc bie 9iei(ten ftc^ nur mit ben ^eicfyen t>erleiratl)en follen, ober rnenn ber @elef)rte, nur rneil er arm i(t, f iir unfafyig ge^alten mirb , jeinem SSaterlanbe al 9^atl)geber ^u bienen. 2luf biefe Elrt, fage ict>, unb burd) afmlidje 2Rittel it)irb ber Oieicfytfyum Derme^rt. ^ft nun ber 33efter gefammelter c^a^e mit alien $ebitrfniffen unb eniifjen be eben3 ijerfetjen, fo fann er feinen lleberflu^ nic^t anber, al jur 6r- faufung ber emalt anmenben. S)as ^ei^t mit anbern 3Borten: er erroirbt < 190 < ploy the superfluity of his fortune, but in purchasing power; that is, differently speaking, in making dependants, by purchasing the liberty of the needy, or the venal, of men who are willing to bear the morti- fication of contiguous tyranny for bread. Thus each very opulent man generally gathers round him a circle of the poorest of the people; and the polity, abounding in accumulated wealth, may be compared to a Cartesian system, each orb with a vortex <>f its own. Those, however, who are willing to move in a ureat man's vortex are only such as must be slaves, the rabble of mankind, whose souls and whose education are adapted to servitude, and who know nothing of liberty except the name, lint there must still be a large number of the people without the sphere of the opulent man's influence; namely, that order of men which subsists between the very ric-h, and the very rabble; those men who are possessed of too large fortunes to submit to the neighbouring man in power, and yet are too poor to set up for tyranny themselves. In this middle order of mankind are generally to be fut y ,Hnl)dna.er, intern or burftio.en ober feilen !l)ienfcben bie /"vreibett abtauft, bie fur ein Stud $rob ben rud ber drajten Iprannei butben. Sluf biefe SBeife fcerfammelt jeber fefyr retake 2ftann a,emetnia,ltd) cincn Mreis bet IHrmften aii bent ^olte urn fid), unb ben Staat, ber mele foUte uberreicfye 23urg.er bat, fonnte man mit bem 3nfteme be Garteitu* lu'rglcicben, naa^) roeld^em ein jeber planet feinen eigenen ^rei fyat. 2}DC^ i)(lle, bie ficb fretttnUtQ in ben ^reifen cine grojien 9Wanne^ bemegen, finb nur bie 6c{at>en, ber n\i*-- rourf ber 2ftenfcr;l)eit , burc^ eift unb (Srjie^ung jur Sclat>eret beftimmt, unb fie fennen bie Jreibeit nur bem Diamen nact). in grower %.[jei[ be ^olfo mu^ inbej} nod) iibrtg bletben, ben ber Cnnfluf, ber JKeta}en nid}t be= rii^rt, ndmlta^ bie Mlaffe oon ^enfa^en, bie 5it>ifct)en ben lteberreid)en unb bem ^Bobel ftel;t, jene iDtenfc^en, bie gu ie( 3Serm60en f)aben, um fta^ or ber emalt tt)re md^ttgen 3ta^bar 311 beugen, unb bccb gu arm finb, um fid? felbft au errfcbern aufgumerfen. ^n biefer DJitttetftaffe ftnbet man ge= mo^nttc^ alle tiinfte, alle 2Beiei)eit unb aUe burGertic^en Xiigenben. 2)iefe Maffe ift befanntUd) altein bie mal;re SHefrfntfcerin ber ^retfjett , unb nur fie _^. 191 <_ found all the arts, wisdom, and virtues of society. This order alone is known to be the true preserver of freedom, and may he called the people. Now it may happen, that this middle order of mankind may lose all its influence in a state, and its voice be in a manner drowned in that of the rabble: for if the fortune sufficient for qualifying a per- son at present to give his voice in state affairs, be ten times less than was judged sufficient upon forming the constitution, it is evident, that greater numbers of the rabble will thus be introduced into the political system; and they, ever moving in the vortex of the great, will follow where greatness shall direct. In such a state, therefore, all that the middle order has left, is to preserve the prerogative and privileges of the one principal governor with the most sacred circumspection. For he divides the power of the rich, and calls off the great from falling with tenfold weight on the middle order placed beneath them. The middle order may be compared to a town , of which the opulent are forming the siege, and of which the governor from without is hastening fann man eigentlid) ba $olf nennen. 9hm fann e fretlid) gefdjefyen, bajj biefe ^iittelflaffe in einem Staate all ifyren Ginflnfj cerliert, imb bafc ifyre timme on ber be3 S $6bel3 ubertdubt nrirb; benn ircnn ba* $ermogen, ba ^emanben jur timmfabigfeit in taat^angelegenfyetten bered)ttgt, ie&t tfyn-. mat geringer ift, al man bet riinbung ber (Eonfttrutton fitr notfyig fytelt, fo ift e flat, bafc baburd} etne gro^ere 2Jlaffe be ^obel in ba politifcfye pftem t>erflod)ten tntrb, bie, in ben feifen ber ro^en fid} bemegenb, auf tmmer ber ifynen gegebenen D'ti^tung folgen mu^. $n einem fold}en taat bleibt bem 9J^tttelftanbe ba^er nid)t toeiter itbrig, al bie ^Borred)te unb ^ritnlegien be oberften $errfd)er treu unb forgfam ju n?at)ren, tueil er bie 5Rad)t ber ^etd)en ttertfyetlt unb au^gleid}^ unb t>erf)inbert, bafs bie ro^en mtt get)nfad)em ettncfyte anf bem 3ftittelftanbe laften, ber unter il)nen fte()t. 2)en -JJUttelftanb fann man mit etner tton ben ^Keid}en belagerten 6tabt er= gleid)en, 311 beren ntfatj ber errfd)er ^erbetetlt. te iSelagerer, einen aun)a'rtigen ^einb fiird^tenb , bieten natiirlid) ben S3e(agerten bie glanjenb: ften 33ebingungen an, fd)meid)etn ifynen mit leeren 58ortcn nnb fudfyen fie > 192 the relief. While the besiegers are in dread of an enemy over them r it is but natural to offer the townsmen the most specious terms; to flatter them with sounds, and amuse them with privileges; but if they once defeat the governor from behind, the walls of the town will be but a small defence to its inhabitants. What they may then expect, may be seen by turning our eyes to Holland, Genoa, or Venice, where the laws govern the poor, and the rich govern the law. I am then for, and would die for, monarchy, sacred monarchy; for if there be any thing sacred amongst men, it must be the anointed sovereign of his people; and every diminution of his power, in war or peace, is an infringement upon the real liberties of the subject. The sounds of liberty, patriotism, and Britons, have already done much: it is to be hoped , that the true sons of freedom will prevent their ever doing more. 1 have known many of these pretended champions for liberty, in my time; yet do I not remember one that was not in his heart and in his family a tyrant." turd) ^rimlegten anjuloden. 3Benn fie jebod) ben oberfteit >errfd)er einmal befiegt fyaben, fo toerben bie 2Jtoitern ber Stabt tfyren Setootmern nur eiue fd)toadje Sdnifctoefyr barbieten. 2Ba fte bann 311 ertoarten Ijaben, jeicjt ein auf >oUanb, enua ober ^enebig, too bie efe&e bie Airmen, unb bie bie efefce regieren. 3d? lebe unb [terbe bafyer fur bie 2Ronard)ie, fur bie gefyeiltQte 2)ionard)ie; benn toenn e$ irgenb ettoa* eUi$e unter ben 3)tenfd)en giebt, fo tnujj e ber gefalbte Obertjerr bes> 33olfe fein, unb jebe ^erminberung feiner 2Rad}t, im ^rtege tote tm ^rieben, ift ein Gtngrtff in bie toal;re ^retljett ber Untertfyanen. 2)ie2Borte: ^ret^ett, ^attiotiSwu^ unb $3ritte! t>aben fd}on met getfyan, unb e ift gu fyoffen, ba^ bie toa^ren 66l)nc ber ^reifyett t?ert)tnbern toerben, ba^ nod) mefyr djlimmes au i^nen fyeroor; cf) fjabe in nteinem eben fo manc^en angeblid^en $ampfer fiir bie gefannt ; bod) ertnnere id) mid) fetneg etnstQen , ber in fetnem Bergen unb in feiner ^amilte ntd}t ein Xrjrann getoefen tooire." $&) bemerfte, ba^ ntetne 3Bdrme bet biefer JKebe mid} iiber bie ren^en ber feinen ebenart t)tnau^gefut)rt tjabe, 2(uc^ Dermoc^ite mein 2Birti? feine o 193 < My warmth, I found, had lengthened this harangue beyond the rules of good- breeding; but the impatience of my entertainer, who often strove to interrupt it, could be restrained no longer. "What!" cried he, "then I have been all this while entertaining a Jesuit in par- son's clothes! but by all the coal-mines of Cornwall, out he shall pack, if my name be Wilkinson." - - I now found I had gone too far, and asked pardon for the warmth with which I had spoken. "Pardon!" returned he, in a fury; "I think such principles demand ten thousand pardons. What! give up liberty, property, and, as the Gazetteer says, lie down to be saddled with wooden shoes! Sir, I insist upon your marching out of this house immediately, to prevent worse con- sequences. Sir, I insist upon it." I was going to repeat my remon- strances; but just then we heard a footman's rap at the door, and the two ladies cried out, "As sure as death, there is our master and mis- tress come home!" It seems my entertainer was all this while only the butler, who, in his master's absence, had a mind to cut a figure, Ungebulb nicfyt langer gu ^itgeln, ber mid) fcfyon ntefyrmal 311 unterbrecfyen t>erfud)t fyatte. ,,2Bie?" rief er anZ, ,,l>abe id) benn bie gan^e geit einen Sefutten in ber JUeibung eine* $rebiger beanrtfyet? 2lber bei alien $ol)len= gruben in GorntoaU! er foil fid? paden, jo roabr id) SBilfinfon fyeijje." $d) fafy je&t etn, bafc id? 311 belt gegangen, unb bat toegen ber rike, tnit ber id} gefprocfyen, urn SSer^ettjung. $ergeilmng ! " ertnieberte er miitlienb. ,,@old}e runbfd^e, nteine id), bebiirfen etner taufenbfac^en 2Ba ? ^reifyett unb Gtgentbum anfgugeben , unb , mie ber fagt, ben ^u^ nttt bol^ernen Sdjnfyen gu belaben! 2Rein ^perr, id) befte^e barauf , ba^ fie augenbltcfltd) au> biefent ^iaufe geljen, um iiblen ^volgen tor= ^ubeugen. 2ftetn Sjen, ic^ mu^ barauf beftefyen." %fy mar int $egrtff, tnmenbungen gu ma^en , al id) einen Sebienten ftarf an bie Xf)iir Jlopfen prte. 3 U glei(^er 3^it riefen bie betben S)anten: ,,^ob unb Xeufel! unfere .$errfd?aft ift nad) ^aufe gefommen ! " %e$t -jeigte e fid) , ba| mein ni^tS meiter al ber Mlermetfter mar, ber in ber 2lbtt?efenl)eit feineg ben (SinfaU get)abt Ijatte, felber einntal ben norne^men errn gu fpielen; 13 c- 194 o- and be for a while the gentleman himself; and, to say the truth, he talked politics as well as most country gentleman do. But nothing could now exceed my confusion, upon seeing the gentleman and his lady enter: nor was their surprise, at finding such company and good cheer, less than ours. "< ii-nth-nu-n," cried the real master of the house to me and my eomp;mi<>n. "my wife and I are your most humble ser- vants; but I protest this is so unexpected a favour, that we almost sink under the obligation." However unexpected our company might be tho them, theirs, 1 am sure, was still more so to us; and I was struck dumb with the apprehensions of my own absurdity, when, whom should I next soe outer tho room but my dear Miss Arabella Wilmot, who was formerly designed to be married to my son George, but whose mulch w.-ts broken ,.H', as already related! As soon as she saw me, she flew to my arms with the utmost joy. "My dear sir," cried she, "to what happy accident is it that we owe so unexpected a visit? 1 am ure my undo and aunt will be in raptures when they find they have unb offen geftanben, fpracb er cbcn fo gut iiber S 4>olttif, tote bie meifton H'anb= obolloute. S)od) nicM* tarn meiner ^eititr,ung flleufy, al* id) ben (Sbelmann mit fewer (jJcmablin cintvcten fab. v J!ud) tbr tfrftaunen tuar nicfyt geringer, eine folcfye (Sk>fellfd)aft unb ein fo feftlicbe* s lttabl angutreffen. ,,9Reine .vnTren," ricf ber roirflid)e .f)err be Maufoo mir unb meinem efd^rten 311, ^wir ftnb ;\brc untortl;ani0ften Wiener. Soc^ ntu^ ic^ gcfte^en, biefe (Styre fommt mtr fo unermartet, baf, id) unter ber aft beg 2)anfe5 faft erliefle." <3o iinewartet i^m unfere (^efellfcbaft aucb fein mod)te, fo mar bie feinigc e bocb offenbar nod) mehr fitr un. ,\* nanb ftiunm ba, inbem id) finite, bafj id) eine fe^r alberne Diolle fpiele , ale- plofcltd) mein Hebes ^vrdulem S 2lra= bella SBilmot in3 Simmer trat / i e fniber, one bereit^ erjdblt, mit meinem Sol)ne @eorg njar tjerlobt gemefen. S JIU- fie mid) erblirfte, eilte fie mit grower ^rcubc in metne 2lrme. ,,2Rein Iteber ^err!" rief fie, f ,tt>e(d)i 5 m glucfltd^en ^ufall verbanfen toir einen fo unerroarteten ^3efud)? SWein Onfcl unb meinc Xante toerben getoi^ fel)r erfreut fein, ^u l)6ren, ba^ ber gute Doctor rofe tt>r &a]t ift." 2(1^ ber alte ^err unb feine ($emal)lm meinen o 195 ; got the good Doctor Primrose for their guest." Upon hearing my name, the old gentleman and lady very politely stepped up , and wel- comed me with most cordial hospitality. Nor could they forbear smiling on being informed of the nature of my present visit; but the unfortunate butler, whom they at first seemed disposed to turn away, was , at my intercession , forgiven. Mr. Arnold and his lady, to whom the house belonged, now in- sisted upon having the pleasure of my stay for some days; and as their niece, my charming pupil, whose mind, in some measure, had been formed under my own instructions, joined in their entreaties, I complied. That night I was shown to a magnificent chamber, and the next morning early, Miss Wilmot desired to walk with me in the garden, which was decorated in the modern manner. After some time spent in pointing out the beauties of the place, she inquired, with see- ming unconcern, when last I had heard from my son George. "Alas! madam," cried I, "he has now been near three years absent, without borten, traten 23eibe fefyr fyijflid? nafyer unb fyiefcen mid? mit ber aftfveunbfcfyaft nnlltommen. 2)orf) fonnten fie fid) be Sdd)eln nidjt ent- fyalten, als id) itmen bie ^eranlaffung meine S3efucbe er^afylte; aber fie toer-jtefyen auf meine iBitte bent ungliiciHcfyen $ellermeifter, ben fie anfang$ fortjagen tooUten. >err S 2lrnolb unb feine ($aitin, benen bas au t^ter egenb entfernt. Sie fiibrte mid? iiberaU berum in ben meitldufttgen artenanlagen, getgte mir bie Derjdjtebenen Sllleen unb Sauben unb na^m bei jebem egen= ftanbe 25eranlaffung, eien neue $rage in 93etrcff meme o^nes an rnitt^ ^u rtrf)ten. o Derging ber ^ormittag, bis bie lodfe un gum 2Jttttageffen ttef. 3Bir fanben ben director ber oben ermd^nten manbernben d?au= f pielertruppe , meld)er gefommen mar, urn 33illete ?u ber 3SorftelIung ber -+ 197 for the Fair Penitent, which was to be acted that evening: the part of Horatio by a young gentleman who had never appeared on any stage. He seemed to be very warm in the praise of the new performer, and averred that he never saw any one who bid so fair for excellence. Acting, he observed, was not learned in a day: "But this gentleman," continued he, "seems born to tread the stage. His voice, his figure, and attitudes, are all admirable. We caught him up accidentally, in our journey down." This account in some measure excited our curio- sity, and, at the entreaty of the ladies, I was prevailed upon to accom- pany them to the play-house, which was no other than a barn. As the company with which I went was incontestably the chief of the place, we were received with the greatest respect, and placed in the front seat of the theatre; where we sat for some time with no small im- patience to see Horatio make his appearance. The new p.erformer advanced at last: and let parents think of my sensations by their own, when I found it was my unfortunate son! He was going to begin; od)6nen SMfeenben an^ubringen, fteld)e3 Stiicf an bem S 2lbenb follte aufge^ fitfyrt merben. ur bit Doolie be3 ^orajio tt>ar em junger 2Jlann beftimmt, ber nodi) nie bie 23ul)ne betreten fyatte. 'Ser director ertfyeilte bem armen cfyaufpieler fefyr marine Sobfprucfye unb befyauptete, nod) niemaB ^emanb gefefyen 311 fyaben, t>on bem fid) $ortrefflid)eres ermarten laffe. ,,$ie d)au= fpielfunft n?irb nid?t an einem age erlernt," bemerfte er; ,,bod) biefer junge fc^eint ba^u geboren, bie S3iibne gu betreten. eine timme, feine , feine ^altung ift jjortrefftid^. 3ufatli0 trafen toir i^n auf unferer $er- reife." iefe d)ilberung erregte unfere ^{eugierbe, iinb auf bie 33itte ber entfc^lo^ id) mtc^,fie in baa^aufpielbau gn begleiten, n)eld?e ni(^t mar aB eine c^eune. 3)a bie efellf^aft, morin ia^ mic^ befanb, un= ftreitig bie torne^mfte im gan^en Orte irar, fo murben tmr mit grower @^r; furc^t empfangen unb un ber 33iil)ne gegeniiber bie erften ^la^e angen?iefen, mo toir eine 3eittang fa^en unb ^oraaio'S rfd)einen mit nia^t geringer Unge^ bulb ermarteten. nblic^ trat ber neue a^aufpieler auf, unb nur Item !6n; iten fid) metne cfuble benfen, mie id) in ifynt meinen ungluctlic^en ofyn er; 198 when, turning his eyes upon the audience, he perceived Miss Wilmot and rne, and stood at once speechless and immoveable. The actors behind the scenes, who ascribed this pause to his na- tural timidity, attempted to encourage him; but, instead of going on, he burst into a flood of tears, and retired off the stage. I do not know what were my feelings on this occasion, for they succeeded with too much rapidity for description; but I was soon awaked from this dis- agreeable reverie by Miss Wilrnot; who, pale and with a trembling- voice, desired me to conduct her back to her uncle's. When got home, Mr. Arnold, who was as yet a stranger to our extraordinary behaviour, being informed that the new performer was my son , sent his coach, and an invitation for him; and as he persisted in his refusal to appear again upon the stage, the players put another in his place, and we soon had him with us. Mr. Arnold gave him the kindest reception, and I received him with my usual transport, for I could never coun- terfeit a false resentment. Miss Wilmot's reception was mixed with tannte. (5'ben rcollte cr anjaiujen ; bod) feine^lugen fielen auf bie $ufd)auer, & erfannte mid? unb^rduletnUBUmot unb blieb fprad)lo* unb unbcau\i(id) ftefjen. 3)ie 3d)aufpicler fyinter ber Scene, tnelcfye biefe s $aufe feiner natuiiicfyeu 93lobtgfeit jufdnieben, fud)ten itw 311 ermutl)igen ; bod) ftatt 311 beginnen, brad) er in brdnen au unb iu > vUej3 bie $itl)ne. ^d) toetfj nid)t, tueldjer 2lrt meine (Smpfinbungen in biefem Slugenblict ftiaren, benn ftc ire^felten ^u rafa), ai% bafc id) (te j^ilbern tonnte. 2lu biefen unangenetjmen Xrdumen trurbe ic^ inbcffcn balb bnrd) ^rdulein 2Cilmot gemed't^ melctie b(af 5 unb mtt gttternbcr Sttmme mid) bat, fie in bie SBobnumj if)te^ Ofyeimio juhid^ubegletten. 21I n?ir naa^ $aiife tamen, fonnte fid) ^err S 2(rnolb anfang^ unfer feltfameS ^e= tcagen nic^t erflaren, bod) alS miri^mgefagt, ba^ ber neue c^aufpteler mem Sofyn fei, f^irfte ev fogleid) feine ^utfc^e t)in, um iljn ju fia^ einlaben ^u faffen. 2:a er ftd^ ftanb^aft- getoeigert ; inteber bie iBii^ne 311 betreten, fo mu^te etn 2inberer bie iKolle ubernctjmen, unb roir fal)en it)n balb bet un. ."perr ^rnolb !am if)m roobltoollenb entgegen, unb idb empfing tfyn mit meinem geiD6l)n(rc^en ntjucfen; benn ee tt?ar nie meine 2lrt, mid) empftnb(id) gu fteUen. graulein > 199 < seemirig neglect, and yet I could perceive she acted a studied part. The tumult in her mind seemed not yet abated; she said twenty giddy things that looked like joy, and then laughed loud at her own want of meaning. At intervals she would take a sly peep at the glass, as if happy in the consciousness of irresistible beauty; and often would ask questions, without giving any manner of attention to the answers. CHAP. XX. THE HISTORY OF A PHILOSOPHIC VAGABOND, PURSUING NOVELTY, BUT LOSING CONTENT. After we had supped, Mrs. Arnold politely offered to send a couple of her footmen for my son's baggage, which he at first seemed to decline; but upon her pressing the request, he was obliged to inform SBUmot'3 Gmpfano tear bem 2lnfd)eine nad) gleicbgfiltig ; bod) fyatte id) balb elegenfyeit , 311 bemerten, ba)3 fie eine ftubtrte ^KoUe fptele. Ser tumult in ifyrem emutfye fcf)ten nod) ntdit berittytgt 311 fein ; trotyl gman^tgmal fcuite fie t!)6rid)te ^inge, bte mie .^eiterfett ait3fat)en, unb Iad)te banu laut uber ifyre Sinnlofigfett. ^wftjeilen n?arf fie aud) ctnen uerftol)tenen ^BUcf in ben Spiegel, al< fet fie glficf ltd) in bein 33emit^tfem tfyrcr unrt)iberftel)Uc^en 6d)onheit ; itnb oft that fie $ragen, otyne tm gerin^ften auf bte lUnrrovt 311 aditen. iiapitcl. efcf)tcfote eineg y(n{cfcplnfct)cn ^Bagabuntcn, fcev ^icutcit fuc^t, aber feine 3ufrtefcenlieit serltert. bem 2lbenbeffcn mad)te Bftiftrejs Slmolb ba f)6fltd)e2(nerbteten, ein paar ^Bebtente au^pfenben, um ba e^tid: meines 3ol)nes abgutyolen. Un- fdtyien er e^ ab^uletynen ; bod) aB fie barauf beffanb, tear er <> 200 *~ her, that a stick and a wallet were all the moveable things upon this earth which he could boast of. "Why, ay, my son," cried I, "you left me but poor, and poor, I find, you are come back; and yet, I make no doubt, you have seen a great deal of the world." "Yes, sir," replied my son; "but travelling after fortune is not the way to secure her; and, indeed, of late, I have desisted from the pursuit," -- "I fancy, sir," cried Mrs. Arnold, "that the account of your adventures would be amusing: the first part of them I have often heard from my niece; but could the company prevail for the rest, it would be an additional obligation." "Madam," replied my son, "I promise you the pleasure you have in hearing, will not be half so great as my vanity in repea- ting them; and yet in the whole narrative I can scarcely promise you one adventure, as my account is rather of what I saw than what I did. The first misfortune of my life, which you all know, was great; but though it distressed, it could not sink me. No person ever had a better knack at hoping than I. The less kind I found Fortune at one genb'tfyigt, bafj em Stab unb em ^elleifen bie einaige abe toa're, beren er fid) auf Grben rufymen forme. ,,S)u baft mid) arm fcerlaffen, mein Sobn," rief id?, ,,wtb febrft arm juriic!, rote id) fefye; bod) jtreifle id) nicbt, ba]3 S)u S)id) gut in ber SBelt umgefeben baft." ,,$a, lieber SBater," fcerfe^te mein Sobn. ,,SDod) bent liirf'e nad^ureifen , ift nid)t bie S 4rt, e3 311 erlangen; and) babe id) feit Iturjem biefe* Streben aufgegeben." ,,!3)te (Sr^a'blnng $b r et ^ben; teuer mii^te fe^r nnter^altenb fein, follte ia^ benfen/' fagte STCiftrefj Ernolb. ,,5Den erften X^eil berfelben babe id) bereit oft Don meiner 9iia^te SBenn Sie un3 aud) ba llebrige mittbetlen mollten, luitrben Sie bie fdjaft febt t)erbinben." ,,2Jtobame," ermieberte mein obn, ,,glaiiben Sie mir, ba Sergnitgen beim 3uprcn lt>irb nta^t ^alb fo gro^ fein, al> meine (^itelfeit beim Gr^ablen. 5)oa^ fann id^ ibnen in meiner gangen efcbic^te faiim ein ein^ige^ 2lbenteuer t>erfprecE)en , ba id) nicbt ton bem er^abten lann, ma icb getban, fonbern nur uou bem, toa ia^ fal). a^ erfte 2Jttfjgefart erfd)ien, befto ineljr ertoartcte id) in $ufunft t>on bemfelben, unb ba id) mid) am $oben beg $abe befanb, fo tonnte mid) jeber neue Umfd)toung nur fyeben, aber nid)t tiefer finfen laffen. $d) ging ba= ber an etnem fdjonen SRorgen nad) onbon, ofyne fur ben nad)ften Sag 311 forgen, unb frofy one bie Sogel, bte am 21>ege tt)r Sieb 3ttritjd)erten. troftete mid) ber ebanfe, ba^ Sonbon ber raabre Ort fet, loo ^alente ieber s Jlrt ^Ing; 3etd^nung unb Selot^nung ertoarten fonnten. ,,2ll id^ bort anfam, lieber 33ater, mar meine erfte Sorge, 5)einen (m; pfe^Iung^brief an unfern Setter ab^ugeben, ber fid) in nid)t iel beffern Urn; ftdnben befanb, al id). 9Jtetn erfter s $lan luar, rt)te 2)u trei^t, llnterlel)rer an einer 6d)ule gu merben, unb to) fragte tfyn be^^alb urn JWat^. llnfer Setter prte meinen Sorfa^ mit maf)rl)aft far!afttf(^em Sad)eln an. $a, rief er, ba tft mafyrfyaftig eine fc^one Saufba^n, bie man ^Ijnen ba Dorgesetd^net l)at. $d) bin felber Unterlefyrer an einer ^oftfdjule geirefen, unb ioilt gefyangt fein, menn id) nid)t Heber llnter[d)lie^er in 9len?gate gemefen mare ! $riit) unb fpdt hated for my utrly face by the mistress; worried \ty the boys within, ;uid never permitted to stir out to meet civility :ibro:iu sure you a,-e lit for ;i school? Let me examine you a little. Have you lieeii breil apprentice fo the bii-iii' \o. 'Then you won't do tor a school. Can \mi dress the boy's hairV No. - 'Then you won't do tor ;i school. H:ive you had the sni:ill-po\ V ' \o. 'Then you won't do for a school. Can you lie three in ;i bed?' \<>. 'Then you will never do for a school. Have you p.i ;i -rood stomach?' Yes. - 'Then \..n will by no means do for a school. No, sir: if you arc for ;i genteel, easy profession lfsc\en ni apprentice ).. turn a cutler's wheel; but avoid a school b\ any means. Vet come,' c.nl iimed he, 4 I see you are a lad of spirit and some learning: what do you think of commencing :iutlir like me? \ n\\ h;i\e read in books, no doubt, of men of -cniii- starving at the trade: at present I'll show you forty very dull fellows about town that live bv it in opulence. All honest i* auf ben s ^oincn join; bet Director fchnitt mir finiton 1 (no'itbtcr; jcinc Aunt iMj'.to niiit irn'tu'it nu'iiu'r Maf.liditi-it; bii' idMidiiabcn plafltm inid>, HUD nic burfte id^ ra- y\niv tiorlafjon, uni au-Mudrt" boflid)ciT Vcutc au[,?H- induMi. rint> cii % abcv audi iUMrir,, fafi cic fitr tic cdntd 1 paijcit'i' ^d) luill 2ic I'iu UH'iiirt orantiniriMi. cine io ci ( u % n-> ;u bcm (^cid)d|tc cv^ofliMi^ - ^cin. Xann taugcn 8ic ntcbt fur bic 2dnilo. >>abnt cic bio xHlattont iu >: babt ''. Micin. - Xann tauten 2ic nicbt fiir bic 3dMile. MLMIUCU 3io bon Mnabon ba-> >>aar id)iicibcn^ s Jicin. 2)ann tauten 2 it- nicbt fiir bie c*ulo. Monncn 3te mtt nod? ;iiucion in cincm ^ottc fdjlaicn? - JiVin. ^)anu tauftoit 2ic nidit fitr bio 2dniU % . viaben 3ic autcu :'(ppotit^ ,Vi. Tanii tauoon 3ic nimmcrnu'br fiir bio 5d)ulo. v JJiein Arounb, luonn etc otii anftdnbiflc* bo^uoinoo ( s ')oiuorbo trcibcn uuMlon, fo t>cubinrtcn iio fich auf ftcbou x sabro al>> Vobrlin^ bot otiu-nt :iJioffov|\binicb, inn ba* '3d)(oifrab 311 brctjcn. Vlbcr uor bom cdnilmoiftorlobcn bitten cio jid\ Tcd\ fubr or fort, Sic ftnb ein junior Duinit uon ^)oift uitb .Uonntntffon ; nm^ ntotnon Sic ba^n, incnn ote rt)ie id) <8c^tiftfteUcr miirben. Wcirif. babcn 2io in iBi't^crn flelefcn, ba^ Dicinncr o 203 ~- jog-trot men, who go on smoothly and dully, and write history and polities, arid are praised: men, sir, who, had they been bred cob- blers, would all their lives have only mended shoes, but never made them.' "Finding that there was no great degree of gentility affixed to the character of an usher, I resolved to accept his proposal; and having the highest respect for literature, hailed the Antiqua Mater of Grub- street with reverence. I thought it my glory to pursue a track which Dryden and Otway trod before me. I considered the goddess of this region as the parent of excellence; and, however an intercourse with the world might give us good sense, the poverty she entailed I sup- posed to be the nurse of genius. Big with these reflections, I sat down, and finding that the best things remained to be said on flu* wrong side, 1 resolved to write a book that should be wholly new. I therefore dressed up three paradoxes with some ingenuity. They were false, indeed, but they were new. The jewels of truth have been Don cnic bci btefem .sSanbiwl t>erl)una,ert (tub; bod) fann ich ^bnen Kfct !r>ol)l ier$ifl alba-no Merle in Sonbon seigen, bie babci tin Ueberflufk leben, fdmmt: lid) efyrlicfye fieute von a.etr>o'bnltd)em d)laa,e, bie mhifl unb a,ebantenlo* tl;ven s J&eg fortgeben, itbcr v |so(ittf unb efdiidne fd)retben unb fid) grofje* Vob cv= merben. eute, faa.e idi^fynen, bie, menu fieba^Sdntbrnadjerbanbrnerf gelernt batten, ibr Vebenlang Sd)n^e flid'cn tmtrben, obne jc fclbcr auldie 311 madden." ,,2)a id) fanb, baft bei bent Vebvevantte nidit mel berattvtontnte, [o befd)lof> id), fetnen ^or[d)lan an^iincbinat, unb ba idi tier ber Sttcvatur bie bbd)fte 2ld?tunfl l;atte, fo becU'iifUe id) bie 2lntiqna Stater in Wntbftreet mit (Sl)rfurd)t. 3d) Ijielt e fur rul)mltd), einen s ^fab 311 betveten, auf bem Svttben unb Otroat) t>or mir rtotvanbelt. $n ber 2bat betrad)tete id) bie otttn biefer JHeflion alS bie Stutter allcv ^ovtreffltd)en, unb ob^letd) bev ^evt'ebr mit ber a.rofu % n SBclt ben ^erftanb aufflait, fo luelt tc^ bod) bie mid) uma,ebcnbe ^rmut^ fiir bie ^idbfertn be* Wcnie*. v ^on biefen iBctradhtunocn crfitllt, unb einfeljenb, bafe von bem enttic^eniiefcijten eftdn^pnntte an* nod) ba* $eftc gu fagen fet, be= fd)lof) id), ein ^ud) 311 fdjretben, melc^eio bureau* neu fein follte. Wit etnigem -^ 204 ^~ so often imported by others, that nothing was left for rue to import but some splendid things that at a distance looked every bit as well. Witness, ye powers, what fancied importance sat perched upon my quill while I was writing! The whole learned world, I made no doubt, would rise to oppose iny systems; but then I was prepared to oppose the whole learned world. Like the porcupine, I sat self-collected, with a quill pointed jiuain-t rvery opposer." e ftellte id) bret parabore Sdfce auf. 205 -c "Well said, my boy," cried I; "and what subject did you treat upon? I hope you did not pass over the importance of monogamy. But I interrupt: go on. You published your paradoxes; well, and what did the learned world say to your paradoxes?" "Sir," replied my son, "the learned world said nothing to my pa- radoxes: nothing at all, sir. Every man of them was employed in praising his friends and himself, or condemning his enemies; and un- fortunately, as I had neither, I suffered the cruelest mortification neglect. "As I was meditating one day, in a coffee-house, on the fate of my paradoxes, a little man happening to enter the room, placed himself in the box before me; and after some preliminary discourse, finding me to be a scholar, drew out a bundle of proposals, begging me to sub- scribe to a new edition he was going to give the world of Propertius, with notes. This demand necessarily produced a reply, that I had no money; and that concession led him to inquire into the nature of my gefprodjen, mein Sofyn," bemerfte id}; ,,unb tt)ela>3 mar ber e- genftanb Reiner Slbfyanblung? ^offentlid) entgtng 3)ir ntcfyt bie 2Bid)tig!eit ber Sftonogamte? 3)0$ id) unterbrecfye 35iartungen ntc^t grower inareu, al tneine "iUn-fo, fo rief er: ^d) ^l) e too^I, ie finb nod) fefyr unbefannt ntit ber Stabt. 3$ toitt i^|)nen in btejer $infid)t einige fungen geben. e^en ie biefe ^rdnumerationsliften. 3Son btefen merattonc>liften fyaben id) jtoolf %al)U jetjr bequem gelebt. obalb em tnann i?on jetnen 9teif en gurudtfebrt , ein Greole toon ^a^aifa anfotnmt , ober eine reid)e SBtttme on i^rcm Sanbfi^e, fo h>erfe id} gleid) nteine ubfcrt))tton^; angel aue. 3erft belagere id} i^re Jperjen mit d)meid}e(ei, unb bann riitfe __,, 207 < besiege their hearts with flattery, and then pour in my proposals at the breach. If they subscribe readily the first time, I renew my re- quest to beg a dedication fee; if they let me have that, I smite them once more for engraving their coat of arms at the top. Thus,' con- tinued he, 'I live by vanity, and laugh at it. But, between ourselves, I am now too well known; I should be glad to borrow your face a bit: a nobleman of distinction has just returned from Italy; my face is fa- miliar to his porter; but if you bring this copy of verses, my life for it you succeed, and we divide the spoil.'" "Bless us, George," cried I, "and is this the employment of poets now? Do men of their exalted talents thus stoop to beggary? Can they so far disgrace their calling, as to make a vile traffic of praise for bread?" "0 no, sir," returned he; "a true poet can never be so base; for wherever there is genius there is pride. The creatures I now describe are only beggars in rhyme. The real poet, as he braves every hardship id) tnit nietnen ^rdmunerationsflefucfyen fyerauS. SBenn fie fogleid) berett= anllig fubfcrtbiren, fo bitte id? aufserbem urn ein $onorar fiir bie S)ebication. rfyalte id? aud) ba, fo taufcfye id) fie nod) einmal burd) bie 33 orftoieg clung, bajj id) ifyr SBaptoen toor betn SBerfe in Jhtpfer fted)en laffen mil o lebe id) toon ber (itelfeit bet 2)ienfd)en, fitfyr er fort, unb lad)e fie obenbrein nod) au. S)o djj unter uns> gefagt , bin id) jet fd)on ettt)a 311 toofyl be!annt , unb es* foltte mtr lieb fetn, it>enn(Sie mir$fyr@efid)t ein noenig borgen njollten. ben tft ein uorne^mer (Sbelmann au ^jtalien ^uri'td'gef ebrt ; bod) fetn $ortter !ennt metn efid)t. 2Benn ie aber bieebi(^t l)tntragen mollten, fo fe&e ic^ meinfieben gum^fanbe, baf; rt)tr unfern3ft>ed erreid^en, unb anr tl)eilen bann bie33eute! " ,,0 >immel/' rief id), ,,ift bte bie Sefc^dfttgung unferer Antigen 2)id)ter? Konnen banner toon au^^eicfjneten Xalenten ftd^ fo bis pr 93ettelet erntebrt: gen? ^onnen fie tljren 33eruf fo l>erabfe^en, baf? fie urn ein 6tiid 33rob ein fo entefyrenbeS emerbe treiben ? " ,,9Zein, (ieber 33ater/' toerfe&te er, ,,etn tva^rer S)id)ter fann mental? fo niebrig ^anbeln; ben tt>o enie, ba ift and) tolg. 2)ie ^reaturen, bie id) be; -o 208 ->- for fame, so is he equally a coward to contempt; and none but those who are unworthy of protection condescend to solicit it. "Having a mind too proud to stoop to such indignities, and yet a fortune too humble to hazard a second attempt for fame, I was now obliged to take a middle course, and write for bread. But I was un- qualified for a profession where mere industry alone was to ensure success. I could not suppress my lurking passion for applause; and usually consumed my time in efforts after excellence which takes up but little room, when it should have been more advantageously em- ployed in the diffusive productions of fruitful mediocrity. My little pieces would therefore come forth in the midst of periodical publi- cations, unnoticed and unknown. The public were more importantly employed than to observe the easy simplicity of my style, or the har- mony of my periods. Sheet after sheet was thrown off to oblivion. My essays were buried among the essays upon liberty, eastern tales, and cures for the bite of a mad dog; while Philantus, Philaletes, Phile- Ktrcibe, betteln nur tn^Heimen. 5Bie ber tnaliveXicMer uni bc*'Hubme3 roillen jebem SrangfalSrofc bietet, fo fitrcbtet or fid? aucb r>or^erad)tung,unb nur bio, roelcfye be* 2rfMi(u i * ummtrbig finb, erniebrtgen fid? fo febr, um tbn 311 erbetteln. ,,3u ftolj , um mid} 311 f old)cn 9iiebertrdd)ttgfeiten bequgeben , unb bod) in 311 befdbra'nfter i'age, um eincn 3ft>eiten ^erfud) jur Grlangung Don Rubm jit roagen, fab id) mid) genotbigt, etnen 2)?itteIitieG ein^ufcblagen unb um Srob 311 fd)reiben. 2)ocb roar ta^ 311 etnem eroerbe nic^t paffenb, roo ber ^leifc allcin etnen gunfttgen Grfolg ftd^ern !ann. ^c^ tonnte ba bsiwtli^s 3Serlanflen naa^ $etfatt ntc^t unterbriiden , unb t>erfd)roenbete metften^ meine 3eit , tnbetn icb banad) ftrebte, metnen Sirbetten SSolIenbung 3u geben, bte baber nur roenig Staum fiilltcn, rotifyrenb id) mta^ roett t?ortbetlbafter mil fleinen Sa^riften Don eintraglic^er IJRtttelma'fetQfeit t)dtte befcbafttgen follen. 9Jieine fleinen 3(bbanb- lungen rourben ba!)er unbeaditet unb unge!annt on bem trome ber 3d* ; fdbrtften mtt f ortgeriffen. a $ubltf um batte mebr gu tbun , a( bie @in= fadbbeit unb eroanbtbett meine Stt)l , ober ben 2BobtHang metner ^erioben 3U beadbten. Gin 39latt nad) bem anbern rourbe ber $ergeffenbett iibergeben. -^ 209 <*- lutheros, and Philanthropes, all wrote better, because they wrote faster, than I. "Now, therefore, I began to associate with none but disappointed authors like myself, who praised, deplored, and despised, each other. The satisfaction we found in every celebrated writer's attempts was inversely as their merits. I found that no genius in another could please me. My unfortunate paradoxes had entirely dried up that source of comfort. I could neither read nor write with satisfaction ; for ex- cellence in another was my aversion, and writing was my trade. "In the midst of these gloomy reflections, as I was one day sitting on a bench in St. James's Park, a young gentleman of distinction, who had been my intimate acquaintance at the university, approached me. We saluted each other with some hesitation he almost ashamed of being known to one who made so shabby an appearance, and I afraid of a repulse. But my suspicions soon vanished ; for Ned Thornhill was, at the bottom, a very good-natured fellow." 2Reine 2luffd&e tterloren fid) imter Sibbanblungen i'tbcr bie Aretfjeit, unter mora,enldnbifd)en (Sr^afylungen , unb @d)riften iiber bie .fteihmttel gegen bie >unbs>n>utl). ^fyilantljog, ^fnlaletbe^ , $(pleleut$ero3 unb fd)rieben fdmmtlid) beffer, al id), roeil fie fcfyneller fd)rieben. ,,$e&t gefellte id) mid) nur gu cfyriftftellern , bie, trie id), bittere rungen gemacfyt fatten, unb bie einanber lobten, be!lagten unb fd)mdf)ten. S)ie ^reube, bie mir an ben 3Ber!en jebe beriifymten d^riftfteUerS fanben, ftanb in umgefefyrtem 3Serl)dltni[fe ^u intern 58erbien[t. $d) betnerfte , ba^ nttr bie 5alente 2lnberer nid)t gefallen tootlten, 2^eine ungludtltd^en ^araboyen fatten jene Ouelle beg Xrofte^ Qdnglid) augetrodnet. ^d) t)erntod^te treber mit $eranu0en ^u lefen, nod) ^u fcfyreiben, benn SSor^uge Slnberer itiaten mir 3Uft>iber, unb ba 6(^reiben tear mein >anbtt)ert. f ,Wlit biejen finftern ^3etrad)tun0en beft^dftigt, ja^ tc^ eme ^age auf einer 35an! tm @t. 3 ame ^ $cir!, aB fid) mir ein ttornefymer junger 2ftann ndl)erte, ber auf ber Umtterfttat mein t?ertrauter S3e!annter gemefen. 3Bir be-- einanber mit einiger 33erle0enl)eit, ba er fify ber 33efanntfd)aft mit 14 * 210 c "What did you say, George?" interrupted I. "Thoruhill ! was not that his name? It can certainly be no other than my landlord." "Bless me!" cried Mrs. Arnold, "is Mr. Thornhill so near a neighbour of yours V He has long been a friend in our family, and we expect a visit from him shortly." "My friend's first care," continued my son, "was to alter my appearance by a very fine suit of his own clothes, and then I was :td- mitted to his table upon the footing of half friend, half underling. My business was to attend him at auctions; to put him in spirits when he sat for his picture; to take the left hand in his chariot when not filled by another; and to assist at tattering a kip, (as the phrase was,) when he had a mind for a frolic. Besides this, J had twenty other little employments in the family. I was to do many small things without bidding; to carry the cork -screw; to stand godfather to all the butler's children; to sing when I was bid; to be never out of humour: always to be humble; and, if I could, to be very happy. einem jo drmlid) cui'ojefyenben Dienjdjen jajt jcfycimte unb id? mid) fitrd)tete, toon iljm gurucfflenriefen 311 merben. $odj meine ^ejorgnifc jd>manb balb , benn buarb Xbornbill mar im rnnbe etn gntmutbiger $urjornbia! 2Bar ba ber 9tame? eroifi fann e^ 9iicmanb anbere jctn, ale mein iitbcrr." ,,61," rtef tDIijtre^ xHrnolb, ,,ijt ftevr Ibornbill benn ein jo naber ^tacfybar Don 3l;nen? Gr tjt jeit langer ^eit .NSau^fvounb bet un, unb mir ermarten ndd)jten eincn 93ejucb won ibm." ,,3Weine ^reunbe* erfte Sorge mar," fu^r mein 6otw fort, ,,metn ^leu^e- ree burcb einen jelir jd^onen Wn^ua. ton jeinen eigenen ^letbern 311 t>erbefjern, unb bann tuurbe icb ^alb a(e /frennb, l^alb al* llntcrgebener mit 311 Slij^e ge- jogen. 2)lem ej^a'jt bejtanb barin, itm auf s Jluctionen 3U begletten, i^n in guter !^aunc 311 erfyalten, wenn er fid) malen Ue^, auf ber linfen Seite neben ibm im 2Cagen 3U ft^en, menn ber ^Sla^ nicfyt burd^ eincn Slnbern befe^t mar, unb tfym bet einem Infttgen Streid^e be^iilflid^ 311 fein, menn ti;n ba^u bie Sujt anmanbelte. ^luf?erbem tjatte id) mobl nocb jmanjifl anbere fletne ejc^dfte "In this honourable post, however, 1 was not without a rival. A captain of marines, who was formed for the place by nature, opposed me in my patron's affections. His mother had been laundress to a man of quality, and thus he early acquired a taste for pimping and pedigree. As this gentleman made it the study of his life to be acquainted with lords, though he was dismissed from several for his stupidity, yet he found many of them who were as dull as himself, that permitted his assiduities. As flattery was his trade, he practised it with the easiest address imaginable; but it came awkward and stiff from me; and as every day my patron's desire of flattery increased, so every hour, being better acquainted with his defects, I became more unwilling to give it. Thus I was once more fairly going to give up the field to the captain, when my friend found occasion for my assistance. This was nothing less than to fight a duel for him with a gentleman, whose sister it was pretended he had used ill. I readily complied with his request, and though I see you are displeased at my conduct, yet as it was a debt im aufe. 3$ mufete unaufgeforbert mancbe fleine $)inge beforgen, ben .tortgieber ftetS bei tnir fiifyren , bet alien $inbern be $ellermeifter @eatter ftefyen, fingen, menn e$ mil gebeifsen murbe, bitrfte nie itbler Saune fein, ftet untertfydnig , unb jufrieben , menn e moglicfy mar. ,,$n biefem Gfyrenpoften blieb id) inbeffen nicfyt ofyne -ftebenbufyler. (Sin Seecapitain , bet 311 biefer telle gefd?affen 311 fein jctnen, fucfyte mid? bei metnem patron ju t?erbrdngen. Seine Sautter mar bei einem ttornefymen ,^errn S}dftt^erin gen?efen unb babitrcfy l)atte er friib^eitig am $ttppeln unb an tammbdumen efc^mad gefunben. S5a biefer $err e ^ur .^auptaufgabe jeine Seben tnac^te, mit Sorbs befannt ju fein, obgleid? er on me^rern roegen feiner Smmmfyeit mar entlaffen morben , f o fanb er bodj 58iele , bie eben fo einfdltig maren, mie er felber, unb bie feine 3ubringlid)lett geftatteten. 3)a @d^meid)elei fein ^anbmer! mar, fo trieb er fie fo leicfyt unb gemanbt al moglid) ; ia^ aber bena^m mid) Unfifd) unb fteif babei, unb ba meine ^Satron^ x JJeigung jur 6a^meia>elei tdglia) ^una^m, id) aber ftiinblid? feine ^e^ler me^r unb mefyr fennen lernte, fo murbe idj immer abgeneigter, mid^ f einem 2Billen 14* -o 212 ^~ indispensably due to friendship, I could not refuse. I undertook the affair, disarmed my antagonist, and soon after had the pleasure of finding that the lady was only a woman of the town, and the fellow her bully and a sharper. This piece of service was repaid with the warmest professions of gratitude ; but as my friend was to leave town in a few days, he knew no other method of serving me but by recommending me to his uncle, Sir William Thornhill, and another nobleman of great distinction, who enjoyed a post under government. When he was gone, my first care was to carry his recommendatory letter to his uncle, a man whose character for every virtue was universal, yet just. I was received by his servants with the most hospitable smiles; for the looks of the domestics ever transmit their master's benevolence. Being shown into a grand apartment, where Sir William soon came to me, I delivered my message and letter, which he read, and after pausing some minutes 'Pray, sir,' cried he, 'inform me what you have done for my kinsman, to deserve this warm recommendation. But I suppose, 311 fiigen. Oftefyr at* einmal mar id) entfd)loffen , bem Gapitain freimtllig bas }yelb 311 rdutncn , al mem # reunb 23eranlaff ung fanb , [id) meine SBeiftanbs 3U bcbienen. ;Ttee mar md)t @eringere, als baft id) mid) fitr ifyn mit einem ,V)errn bucUtren muftte, beffen 6cbmefter er angeblid) beleibtgt. ^d) fi'tgte mid) btefem efud)e bereitmiUtg, unb obg(etd) id) einfefye, lieber SBater, baft $>u btefe ^anblung mtftbtUtGen ir|"t , fo fonnte id) fie bod) als etne unerldftlidie s ]Sflid)t, bie id) feiner reunbfd)aft fc^ulbig tt>ar, nid)t tiermetgern. 3^ ii^ er: nabm bie Sac^e , entmaffnete metnen Giegner unb Ijatte balb banad) ba^ 3Ser= gniigen, ju finben, baft jene Xame etne lieberltdje 2)irne mar unb ber $itrjd)e ein ^u^pler unb auner. 2)iefer Semets ber g-reunbfc^aft murbe mtr burc^ bie marmften SSerftc^erungen ber Sanfbarfeit ergolten. 2)a aber metn ^reunb in mentgen Xagen bonbon cerlaffen muftte, fo fal) er rein anberes , mir 311 btenen, al% baft er mid) an fetnen DI)eim, @ir SBtlltam , unb an einen anbern Gbetmann on tjotjem ^Range empfa&l, ber etne @telle bet ber Dtegterung befleibete. 2llg er abgeretft mar, beftanb meine erfte Serge barin , fetnen (hnpfefylungebrief ju f ein em Onfel ju bring en , einem -< 213 ^~ sir, I guess your merits: you have fought for him; and so you would expect a reward from me for being the instrument of his vices. I wish, sincerely wish, that my present refusal may be some punishment for your guilt; but still more that it may be some inducement to your repentance.' The severity of this rebuke I bore patiently, because 1 knew it was just. My whole expectations now, therefore, lay in my letter to the great man. As the doors of the nobility are almost ever beset with beggars, all ready to thrust in some sly petition, I found it ao easy matter to gain admittance. However, after bribing the ser- vants with half my worldly fortune, I was at last shown into a spacious apartment, my letter being previously sent up for his lordship's in- spection. During this anxious interval, I had full time to look around me. Everything was grand and of happy contrivance; the paintings, the furniture, the gildings, petrified me with awe, and raised my idea of the owner. Ah! thought I to myself, how very great must the possessor of all these things be, who carries in his head the bus- 2)toune, ber tuegen feines trefflid)en (Sfyarafters mit 'Ked)t allgemetne 2(d)tung $enof}. $d) ttwrbe tion feinem SBebtenten fefyr fyo'flid) empfangen, bennba* ^BoMmollen ber errfd)aft pflegt immer auf bie 3)ienerf$aft uber^ugefyen. $d) ftwrbe in ein grofje 3immer gefiifyrt , roo Sir SBUIiam balb ^u mir !am, imb id) ifym mein efud) t>ortriuj unb ba Scfyreiben iibeiTeicfyte. 2ll er e^ gelefen unb etni^e 5[Rinuten gefc^ttiiegen batte, rtef er: 9tun, mein ^perr, fagen Sie mir bod) gefalliflft, n?a Ste fiir meinen 9ieffen get^an baben, urn eine fo marine Gmpfet)lung gu t?erbtenen? 5)oc^ id) glaube, ic^ errat^e ^t)re $erbtenfte. Sie b^ben fid^ fitr ttm gef d^lagen unb eriuarten bafiir eine $elolmung , ba^ Sie ba SBerfyeug feiner Rafter gemefen. %$ n?unf c^e t>on ^erjen , bafj meine je^ige 3Serrt)etgerung eine Heine Strafe fiir 3ftr ^Sergeben fein moge; bod? nod) mel)r nwnfd)e id), ba^ Sie baburt^ gur.Dteue molten beluogen inerben. 3;d) ertrug biejen barten ^erh?ei gebulbig, ba id) fufylte, ba^ id) ifyn cerbiente. DJieine gan^e |>offnung berul)te nun auf bem 23rtefe an ben tyvtyen Staatbe^ amten. S)a bie X^uren be 2toel3 ftets t>on 93ett(ern belagert finb, bie mit i^ren S3ittfd)riften ein^ubringen fuc^en, fo mar e feine leid)te Sad)e, > 214 ->- "mess of the state, and whose house displays half the wealth of a kingdom! sure his genius must be unfathomable! During these awful reflections, I heard a step come heavily forward. Ah, this is the great man himself! No, it was only a chambermaid. Another foot was heard soon after. This must be he! No, it was only the great man's valet- de-chambre. At last his lordship actually made his appearance. 'Are you,' cried he, 'the bearer of this here letter?' I answered with a bow. '1 learn by this,' continued he, 'as how that ' But just at that instant a servant delivered him a card; and without taking farther notice, he went out of the room, and l<-t't me to digest my own happiness at leisure. I saw no more of him, till told by a footman that his lordship was going to his coach at the door. Down I immediately followed, and joined my voice to that of three or four more, who came like me to petition for favours. His lordship, however, went too fast for us, and was gaining his chariot-door with hrge strides, when I hallooed out to know if I was to have any reply. He had by this time got in, and muttered an 311 erfyalten. 9tod)bem id? aber bie Tienerfdjaft mtt ber dlfte tneineg jeit= lid)en 8tottHgflM beftocfyen fyatte , rourbe id) enblid) in ein gerdumige* 3immer gefiibrt, nachbem rnetn cfcreiben coiner y>crrlid)feit fcfyon friitjer mar iiber- reicfyt roorben. dfyrenb biefeS dngftlidjen .fcarrenS fyatte icb 3ett genug , mid) umgufeben. 2lUe3 roar orofjartig, prcid)tig unb gefc^macfDod 1)ie emdlbc, bie s JJtobeIn, bie ^ergolbunfjen flo^ten mir eine 5d)eu ein unb gaben mir einen ^o^en ^egrtff t>on bent Seftftcr: Slc^, bad)te tc^ bei mir fclber, rote grojj muf, ber JBefifeer all btefer SDinge fetn, ber bie 5taatQefd?dfte tnit feiner^anb leitet, unb beffen.$au bie ^dlfte ber djalje etne ^onigreid^S ^etgt; geroife mu|5 fetn etft unerme^lt^ fein! SBd'fyrenb biefer ebrfur^t^uoUen Setra^tungen ^orte id) einige fefte Sc^rttte. 2ld^, ba roirb ber gro^e SWann fein! SRcin, e roar nur bag ^ammermdbcben. S8alb barauf l)drte id) nod)mal ^u^tritte bte^ ntu^ er fein! 9^ein, e roar nur be grofeen 3}lanne ^antmerbtener. nblid) erfd^tenen e. ^errltc^fett rotrf= ltd), inb ie, fagte er, ber Ueberbrtnger biefe 93riefeg &ier? $$ antroor- tete burd> eine ^erbeugung. ^* erfebe barauf , fubr er fort, fo triel, bafe > 215 answer, only half of which 1 heard; the other half was lost in the rattling of his chariot-wheels. 1 stood for some time with my neck stretched out, in the posture of one that was listening to catch the glorious sounds; till looking round me, I found myself alone at his lordship's gate. "My patience," continued my son, "was now quite exhausted. Stung with the thousand indignities I had met with, I was willing to cast myself away, and only wanted the gulf to receive me. 1 regarded my- self as one of those vile things that Nature designed should be thrown by into her lumber-room, there to perish in obscurity. I had still, however, half-a-guinea left, and of in bemfelben Slugenblid iiber= reid)te ein^Bebienter ijjm eine $arte, unb ofyne roeiter auf mid) ju acfyten, ajng er an* bem Simmer unb iiberliej; e mir, meinGHiid nad) SJftufje 311 tterbauen. ^a^ fab ibn nid)t irteber, bt ein ^ebienter mir faflte, ba Se. errlid)feit auf bem 2Bege 311 feiner ilutfd)e fet, bie tor ber Xbitr l^alte. $$ eilte foa>td) binunter unb tjereinicjte meine Stimme mit nod) brei ober mer Stnbern, melcbe ebenfall Sittfc^riften eina,eretd)t batten. 5)oa) e. ^errttd)feit ging un ju rafcb , unb l)atte eben mit gro^en Sd)ritten ben Jlutfd)enfd)Ia0 erreicbt, aU id) tfym ^urief, ob id) nid)t einc Hntftiort ju eriDar= ten fyabe. 3e^t n?ar er in ben 28agen gefttegen unb murmelte eine ^Inttcovt, tt)oton \$ nur bte i3dlfte borte , unb beren anbcre .^dtfte oon bem Pollen ber 2Bagenrdber iibertdubt nwrbe. 3d* ftawb eine Seitlang mit auegeftrerf tent .^alf e : 216 < that 1 thought fortune herself should not deprive me; but, in order to be sure of this, I was resolved to go instantly and spent it while 1 had it, and then trust to occurrences for the rest. As I was going along with this resolution, it happened that Mr. Crispe's office seemed invitingly open to give me a welcome reception. In this office Mr. Crispe kindly offers all his majesty's subjects a generous promise of 30 pounds a year, for which promise all they give in return is their liberty for life, and permission to let him transport them to America as slaves. I was happy at finding a place where I could lose my fears in desperation, and entered this cell (for it had the appearance of one,) with the devotion of a monastic. Here I found a number of poor creatures, all in circumstances like myself, expecting the arrival of Mr. Crispe; presenting a true epi- tome of English impatience. Each untractable soul at variance with fortune wreaked her injuries on his own heart: but Mr. Crispe at last came down, and all our murmurs were hushed. He deigned to ba, in finer 2telluiui, al* mollte id) bte g(orreid)en 6ne erfyafdjen, bt 107 mid) umfab unb mid) t>or 3v. >>crrlicbfeit t)iir allein fanb. ,,2ftetne ($ebiilb mar jej'.t fait erfcfyopft," fubr mein ol;n fort. ,,$on ben taufenb Unmitrbtafeiten, bte mir begegnet maren, tief tterlefct, mar id) im ^eijviff, nitd> 311 in'nmtten, unb e febfte mir nur bcr "Jlbgrunb, in ben id) mid) batte ftitrjen fonncn. ^id) betrad)tcte mid) aU- em* on jenen niebrigen SJinflen, meld^e bte 9iatur ba^u befttmmt bat, in bie JHumpelfammer gemorfen 311 merben, um bort unbefannt nnb unbead)tet unter3iiflet)en. ^07 l;atte in= beffen nod) etne l;albe uinee iibrig, nnb btefor follte ba-o Sdjidfal fetber mid) nid)t berauben, bad^te id), llm aber beffen gemt^ 3u fein, entfd)(o^ id) mid), ftefoa.letd) au^ucjeben , fo lange ia^ fie nod) l)dtte, unb bann bay Itebrige bem 3ufatl ju iiberlaffen. 211^ id) mtt btefem Gntfd)(uffe metter fortgtng , flldngtc mir .^>errn Grippe'* ^Bureau fel;r etnlabenb entgegen. ^n btefem ^Bureau btetet e naa^ Slmertfa tran^portirt ju . 217 < regard me with an air of peculiar approbation, and indeed he was the first man who, for a month past, talked to me with smiles. After a few questions, he found I was fit for every thing in the world. He paused a while upon the properest means of providing for me, and slapping his forehead, as if he had found it, assured me that there was at that time an embassy talked of from the synod of Pennsylvania to the Chickasaw Indians, and that he would use his interest to get me made secretary. I knew in my own heart the fellow lied, and yet his promise gave me pleasure, there was something so magnificent in the sound. I fairly, therefore, divided my half-guinea, one half of which went to be added to his thirty thousand pounds, and with the other half I resolved to go to the next tavern, to be there more happy than he. "As 1 was going out with that resolution, I was met at the door by the captain of a ship, with whom I had formerly some little acquain- tance, and he agreed to be my companion over a bowl of punch. As 1 roerben. ^d) roar erfveut, emeu Crt 311 finben, roo fid) meine $urd)t in ^er ; ^roetflnmj nerroanbeht fonne, unb trat mtt ber 2>emutb eine* $ilger in feine 3elle, benn fo fab fein efd)dft*local au*. )ier fanb id) eine 2Jlenge armer 2Bef en , alle in berf elben Sage roie id? , bie auf >errn @ripe'3 2ln!unft roar= teten nnb ein trench $ilb ton ber englifd)en llngebulb barftellten. (5s roaren ftorrifdje C^emiit^er, bie, nut bent Scfyidfal gerfallen, feine Xiide an fid} felber ratten. Cmbltd) fam ^err Krtspc l^entnter, nnb unfer SDlurren legtc fic^. (Sr tourbigte mid) eine 33ltde5 , it>orin befonbere^ 2Bot)()i>onen ^n liegen fc^ten, unb in ber fyat mar er ber erfte 2)lann , ber micb f eit einent DJtonate freunb= ltd) angerebet b^tte. 9Jad) etnigen ^vagen fanb er, bafc id) gu 3l(lent in ber SBelt tauglid) fei. ^terauf fann er eine ,3dtlang iiber bie beften 2)Zittet 311 metnem ^ortfommen na^, nnb inbem er fi(i) or bie tirn fd)Utg, ale l;abe er fie gefunben, auJ3erte er, man fpradje je^t Don einer @efanbtfd)aft ber p= nobe on ^Sennfpbanten an bie C^bidafag^nbianer, unb er rootle feinen (Sin-- flu^ benn^en, mtr bei berf elben bie 6telle eine Secretaire ^u toerfd^affen. 3cb roar Dottfommen iiber^cugt, baj? ber ^erllog, unb bocb mac^te mtr fein ~* 218 never chose to make a secret of my circumstances, he assured me that I was on the very point of ruin, in listening to the office-keeper's pro- mises; for that he only designed to sell me to the plantations. 'But,' continued he, 'I fancy you might, by a much shorter voyage, be very easily put into a genteel way of bread. Take my advice. My ship sails to-morrow for Amsterdam: what if you go in her as a passenger? The moment you laud, all you have to do is to teach the Dutchmen English, and I warrant you'll get pupils and money enough. I suppose you understand English,' added he, 'by this time, or the deuce is in it.' I confidently assured him of that; but expressed a doubt whether the Dutch would be willing to learn English. He affirmed with an oath, that they were fond of it to distraction; and upon that affirmation I agreed with his proposal, and embarked the next day to teach the Dutch English in Holland. The wind was fair, and our voyage short; and after having paid my passage with half my moveables, I found my- self, fallen as from the skies, a stranger in one of the principal streets ^erfprecfyen ^rcube, benn c* flang jo berrliai. (*brlid) theilte id) balder tneine balbe Quince mil tbm, boron cine .\Salfte ,ui jetnen breifsigtaufenb s jlfunb fam, unb mit ber anbcrn .sJuUfte bcfd>lof> icb, mid) in bie ncid)fte Scfjenfe ju begeben unb bort frofyer 311 fein, ale- or. ,,2U idi mid 1 mit ricfcm (5'ntfd)luffe entfernte, begegnete mir an ber 3 bur cut erftd)erte cr mir, bafs id) am Wanbe bee 58erberbene fta'nbe, menu id? auf bie $er; iprecfyungen bex- 3colcitticrfauferc- baute; benn er l;abe nur bie S 2lbfia^t, mid) an etnen S 4>flan3er gu oerfaufcn. 2)od) follte id) benfen, fe^te er fcinju, 6ie fonnten ftcb burcb eine meit fiirjere 9^eife unb auf anftanbige s J^eife 93rob t>er= fcbaffen. ^olgen Sie metnem 9fatbe; metn 6a^iff fegelt morgen nad) 2lmfter= bam. 2Ba^ metnen <5ie baju, menn Sie aB ^affagier mitgingen? ^on bem ^lugenbltd an, mo Sie lanben, fyaben 3ie nidjt^ meiter ju tbun, a(3 ben .f>o(Ianbern Unterridit im @ng(ifd?en ju geben, unb ia^ ftefye ^bnen bafur, * 219 ->- of Amsterdam. In this situation I was unwilling to let any time pass unemployed in teaching. I addressed myself, therefore, to two or three of those I met, whose appearance seemed most promising; but it was impossible to make ourselves mutually understood. It was not till this very moment I recollected, that in order to teach Dutchmen English, it was necessary that they should first teach me Dutch. How I came to overlook so obvious an objection, is to me amazing; but certain it is, I overlooked it. "This scheme thus blown up, I had some thoughts of fairly shipping back 1o England again; but dropping into company with an Irish student, who was returning from Louvain, our conversation turning upon topics of literature, (for, by the way, it may be observed, that I always forgot the meanness of my circumstances when I could converse on such subjects;) from him I learned, that there were not two men in tin's whole university who understood Greek. This amazed me: I instantly resolved to travel to Louvain, and there Ste tuerben ScfyiUer unb@e(b genug fyaben. $cfy fe&e Dorau, ba{3ie@nglifcb tterftefyen, fefcte er fyin^u, ober ber Xeufel miifjte im ptel fein! $d) bejafyte e* 3iu?erfid)tlicE), fpradj abet mein^Bebenfen au3, ob bie 'pottanber^uft fyaben miir^ ben, @nglifd) 311 lernen. @r tterftdfyerte mir mit etnem cfyantre, baJ3 fie in bie pracfye gang rxrnarrt tod'ren, unb auf biefe ^erfid^erung l;in nat)tn id) feinen an unb f^iffte tnid) ant folgenben ^age ein, urn ben $ollanbern in gu lel)ren. S)er5lMnb tt>ar gitnftig unb bteyteife !ur t ^. 2ll id^ mit ber >a(fte nteiner bett)eg(id)en uter ntemelleberfafjrt bega^lt ^atte, fab tcb nticf) tote au ben SBoIfen gefaUen al ^rembting in einer ber ^aupts (traj^en ton 2(mfterbatn. ^n biefer^age inollte t<^ feine3eit tjertteven, ntetnen llnterrid^t gu beginnen. $$ rebete batjer einige ^orubergefyenbe an, beren s 2leu^ ^ere^ mir melfcetfprecfyenb fd^ien; bo(^ e mar unmoglid?, un> einanber t?er-- ftanblia^ gu mac^en. 6r[t in biefem Slugenblic! fief e mir etn, ba^ id), um ben .V)Dtlanbern(5nglif(b 311 lefyren, nott)ft)enbig ttorber ton tbnen^ollanbifc^ lernen miiffe. 2Bie id) eine f o in bie Slugen fallenbe Scfytoiertgfeit tyatte iiberfeben fonnen, ift mir unbegreiflid) ; bod^ i[t e3 nid)t mtnber ma^r, ba^ id) fie mirfltcf; uberfab. live by teaching Greek; and in this design 1 Avas heartened by my brother -student, who threw out some hints that a fortune might be got by it. "I set boldly forward the next morning. Every day lessened the burthen of my moveables, like Aesop and his basket of bread 5 for I paid them for my lodging to the Dutch as I travelled on. When I came to Louvain, I was resolved not to go sneaking to the lower pro- fessors, but openly tendered my talents to the principal himself. I went; had admittance; and offered him my service as a master of the Greek language, which I had been told was a desideratum in his uni- versity. The principal seemed, at first, to doubt of my abilities; but of these I offered to convince him, by turning a part of any Greek author he should fix upon into Latin. Finding me perfectly earnest in my proposal, he addressed me thus: 'you see me, young man: I never learned Greek, and 1 don't find that I have ever missed it. I have had a doctor's cap and gown without Greek; I have ten thousand florins a ,,S)iefer $(an roar alfo tiernid)tet, unb id) bad)te jd)on baran, roieber nad) (Snglanb 3urud'3uyegeln, al id) 3ufdllig einen trldnbifcfyen Stiibenteu traf, ber t>on^6roen jurudfetyrtc. tlnfer $efprdd) lenfte fid) balb auf cgenftdnbeber ^iteratur; benn beilduftg gefagt, cergafc id) tmmer metne bitrftigen llmftdnbe, roenn id) (Megenljeit fyatte, iiber bergleid)en Singe 311 reben. SSon il)tn erfufyr id), ba{3 auf jeuerltnttterfttat nid)t gn?ei banner 311 finben irdren, bteried)ifd) er[tdnben. ^pieriiber erftaunt, be[d)lo^ id), fogletd) nad) Sotren 311 retfen, urn bort tomllntevrid)t im @rted)if d)en 3U leben. ^n btcfem^orfa^e beftdrfte mid) ^Bruber Stubio unb gab mir 311 ter[te^en, id) fonne baburd) metn liict madden. ,,2lm ndd).[ten DWoraen mad)te id) mid) fed auf ben 2Beg. 3 e ^ er ^ a fl et; {eid)terte btel'aft meiner^abe, rote e einft 2lefop mit fetnem ^Broblorbe ging; benn id) besafylte ben .f)olldnbern bamit metn 9iad)t(ager auf ber D^eife. 211^ id) in ^oroen anfam , roollte id) mid) nid)t erft tor ben untergeorbneten $ro; fefforen bi'tcten, fonbern bot bent Sector felber metne 5lalente an. $d) ging 311 it)m, roarb corgelaffen unb bot mid) 3um Seljrer ber gned)tfc^en prad^e an, ba e ber llnttjerfitdt , roie man mir gefagt, an etnem fotd)en feble. 2tnfang W 221 ^~ year without Greek; I eat heartily without Greek; and, in short/ continued he, 'as I don't know Greek, I do not believe there is any good in it.' "I was now too far from home to think of returning, so I resolved to go forward. I had some knowledge of music, with a tolerable voice ; I now turned what was once my amusement into a present means of subsistence. I passed among the harmless peasants of Flanders, and among such of the French as were poor enough to be very merry; for I ever found them sprightly in proportion to their wants. Whenever I approached a peasant's house towards night- fall, I played one of my most merry tunes, and that procured me not only a lodging, but sub- sistence for the next day. I once or twice attempted to play for people of fashion; but they always thought my performance odious, and never rewarded me even with a trifle. This was to me the more extraordi- nary, as whenever I used in better days to play for company, when playing was my amusement, my music never failed to throw them into fd)ien ber Sector meine&entttntffe 311 begtoeifeln; bod) id) erbot mid), ibn batfon 311 iiberjeiigen, inbem id) eine Stelle au einem grtecfyifcfyen 2lutor, ben er be- ftimmen moge, in3 atetnijd)e itberfe&en toollte. 2113 er fal), bafc e miv (Srnft bantit toar , rebete er mid) f olgenbermafjen an : efyen Sie , junger s Diann, id) babe mentals rted)tfd) gelernt, unb id) fcnnte nid)t jagen, ba^ mir je ettuae- gefefylt l)dtte. $$ babe ben 3)octorf)itt erbalten, o^ne rted^tfcb 311 fcerftefyen. ^cbert)alteidbrtid)3ebntauyenb@nlben, ol)ne rtecbifd) 311 toerfteben. 3)a3 ffen )(f)nte(ft mir febr gut, otme@rted)tfd) 311 t>er(tet)en; unb fitrj, fe^te er bin3U, ba id) ntd)t ried>ijcb t>erftel)e, glaube id) and) ntd)t, ba^ e 311 etroa nitfeli^ ift. ,,3^ n?ar jefet ^u meit on metner ^eintatb entfernt, urn an bie $iidE!ebr 3U ben!en, unb befcfylofj ba^er, it>eiter 3U manbern. S5a i [te^e unb eine ertrctglid)e 6tintme babe , jo btente mir ba , nur 3um 3Sergnitgen angen?enbet, 3U meinem ebennnterbalt. %< trieb mid) unter ben barmlojen Saucrn in tflanbern um^er, fo n>te and) nnter bem Xbetle ber fran36[ifd)en^anbleute, tueld&e arm genng maren, urn better 3U fetn; benn |e a'rmer (te maren, befto froblicber fanb icb fie. .tarn icb 3lbenb in ein Matter- -^ 222 o- raptures, and the ladies especially; but, as it was now my only means, it was received with contempt: a proof how ready the world is to underrate those talents by which a man is supported. baus, fo fpielte id) ein* meincr luftigen iiieber, unb erfyiett bafiir nidjt nur ein 9iad?tlager, foubern and? Unterfoalt fiir ben ndd^ftenXag. Giniflemal magte id) e^ aud^ , Dor feinern i^euten ju fpielen ; bod? fte fanben mein <5pie( abfd^eulic^ unb gaben mir aud? nid)t ba-s ertngfte. 5)ie tuar mir urn fo unbegreiflid^er, ba in beffern Xagen , mo id? bie 3Rufif nur au? i'tebbaberei getrieben , mein (Spiel 2Ule unb be)onber bie S)amen ent^udft batte. 5)od^ ba e ie|5t mein ein-- c 223 < "In this manner I proceeded to Paris, with no design but just to look about me, and then to go forward. The people of Paris are much fonder of strangers that have money than of those that have wit. As I could not boast much of either, I was no great favourite. After walking about the town four or five days, and seeing the outsides of the best houses, I was preparing to leave this retreat of venal hospitality 5 when passing through one of the principal streets, whom should I meet but our cousin, to whom you first recommended me! This meeting was very agreeable to me, and I believe not displeasing to him. He in- quired into the nature of my yourney to Paris, and informed me of his own business there, which was to collect pictures, medals, intaglios, and antiques of all kinds, for a gentleman in London, who had just stept into taste and a large fortune. I was the more surprised at seeing our cousin pitched upon for this office, as he himself had often assured me he knew nothing of the matter. Upon asking how he had been taught the art of a conoscente so very suddenly, he assured me that julfmittel mar, fo ttwrbe id) mil $erad)tung empfangen, ei mie gering bte SBelt Salente anfd)lagt, burd) bie ber $lenfd) fein $rob ertoirbt. ,,2luf biefc SBeife fam id) nad) $ari, unb stoat in feiner anbern 2lb)~id)t, al3 mid> bort ettoa umjufe^en unb bann toeiter 311 gefyen. S)en ^artfernfinb bie gremben lieber , n?eld)e (Mb , a(3 bie , meld)e 2Bt^ ^aben , unb ba id) mid) tueber be @inen nod) be Slnbern rii^men !onnte, fo tt>ar id) eben md)t t^r un[tlin0. ?tad)bem id) mer ober fiinf Xage in ber Stabt um^ergegangen itar unb ba 2leii^erc ber f d^onften .^dufer angefefyen (jatte , mollte id) btefen 6t^ t?er!ciuflid7er a[tfreunbfd)aft t)erlaffen ; bod) al ia^ eben burd) eine ber ^auptftra^en ging, traf id) gan^ unertoartet unfern better, an ben 2)u mid) guerft empfo^len. S)iefe 2BieberfeI;en h?ar mir feijr angenel^m, unb tt)m nidjt minber , n)ie id) glaube. r fragte nad) ber 33eranlaffung meiner 3teife na<^ ^ari, unb fagte mir, ba^ er felber bafyin gefommen, um (^emalbe, DJkbatUen, gefd)nittene Steine unb Slnttfen aller 3lrt fiir einen ^errn in Sonbon aufgu; faufen , ber eben ju bent 33efi^e eine gro^en Sermogen^ gelangt f et unb ^ gleid) aud) efd)mac! mit erfyalten babe, ^d) erftaunte , bajj unferm better > 224 nothing was more easy. The whole secret consisted in a strict adhe- rence to two rules: the one, always to observe that the picture might have been better if the painter had taken more pains; and the other, to praise the works of Pietro Perugino. 'But,' said he, 'as I once taught you how to be an author in London, I'll now undertake to instruct you in the art of picture-buying in Paris." "With this proposal I very readily closed, as it was living; and now all ray ambition was to live. I went therefore to his lodgings, im- proving my dress by his assistance; and, after some time, accompanied him to auctions of pictures, where the English gentry were expected to be purchasers. I was not a little surprised at his intimacy with people of the best fashion, who referred themselves to his judgment upon every picture or medal, as an unerring standard of taste. He made very good use of my assistance upon these occasions; for when asked his opinion, he would gravely take me aside and ask mine, shrug, look wise, return, and assure the company that he could give bicfcv> Wefdnift ubertrao.cn irovbcn, ba er mir oft Derftd)ert, baft er ntd)t* Don bttgfeu$en 2)tngen uerftefye. 2113 id) fragte, toie er fobalb ein .ft'unfttenner gercorben , tcrfid)crte er mir, nid)t3 in ber SBelt fei leister. $a* ganje e^ fyeimnift beftefye barm, ftd) genau an jtoei Wegeln ju fatten. Grftene* miiffe man ftetS bie 33emerfung mad)en, baft ba* cmcilbe beffer fein tm'trbe, n?cnn ber ^aler meljr 2Ritye barauf Dermenbet l)dtte , unb jnjettcnS mitffe man bie SBerfe be ^Stetro ^eru^ino loben. ,/3o luie id) fflncn etnft in bonbon 3ln^ nnniunfl gab, luie ote ein SdbriftfteUer merben fonnten, mid id) 3te je^t in ^arte in ber ^unft unterrtd)ten , ($emalbe einjufaufcn." ,, x "\d> QIKQ biefen ^orfdblan febr ^ern ein, ba er mir meine Sebenebebiirf; niffe ferfcbajfte , unb barauf befd)rdnfte fid) je&t mein pander (S'br^ei^. 3d) folgte ibm baljer in feine 2Bobnung, nerbefferte meine .Hleibiing mit feiner >iilfe unb begleitete iljn balb barauf gu ben (3ema'(beauctionen, tt?o man auf bie infciufe reiser (^ngldnber recbnete. 3$ hwnbcrte micb nid)t menig iiber feine ^ertraulidbfeit mit ^erfonen torn erften JHange, bie it)n bei jebem (Se= malbe, bei jeber SRebaUle um fein Urt^eit befragten unb e a( einen untritg: > 225 no opinion upon an affair of so much importance. Yet there was some- times an occasion for a more supported assurance. I remember to have seen him, after giving his opinion that the colouring of a picture was not mellow enough, very deliberately take a brush with brown varnish that was accidentally by, and rub it over the piece with great composure before all the company, and then ask if he had not im- proved the tints. "When he had finished his commission in Paris, he left me strongly recommended to several men of distinction , as a person very proper for a travelling tutor; and, after some time, I was employed in that capacity by a gentleman, who had brought his ward to Paris , in order to set him forward on his tour through Europe. I was to be the young gentleman's governor; but with a proviso that he should always govern himself. My pupil, in fact, understood the art of guiding in money concerns much better than I. He was heir to a fortune of about two hundred thousand pounds, left him by an uncle in the West -Indies; tidjen 2RaMtab be3 guten ef $mac! anfafyen. 23ei fold}en(Megenfyeiten toufete er and) metnen SBetftanb febr gut 311 benu&en. Sefragte man ifm um feine 9Jteinung , f o gog er mid) auf bie eite unb befragte mid) um meine 2lnftd)t. S)ann judtte er bie 2ld? fein , madfote em f efyr fluge eficfyt unb fefyrte mit ber SBerfidperung jur efellf cfyaft ptrudt , in einer f o ttridjtigen Sadje miiffe er fein Urtfyetl gurucffyatten. 3umeilen fanb fid? inbefj $eranlaffung 311 einer 3iit>erftd)t= Ucfyern Gntfi^eibung. Gtnmal b^tte er befyauptet, bas Golortt eine emdlbes fei nid^t jart genug, imb ergriff einen sufdlltg inber^M^eltegenben^infel mit braunem ^irni^ , uberftrtc^ bamit in egenmart ber gangen efellf d^aft falt= biittig ba emdlbe unb fragte bann, ob bieXtnten je&t ni(i)t terbe[fert tt)dren. ,,2ll er fein efcfytift beenbet ^atte, nerltefi er mid?, nac^bem er mid? mefc ren uornebmen $errn f efyr angelegentltcb aB einen iungen SWann empfo^len ^atte, ber al ^ofmetfter auf ^tetfen corgugUa^ braucfybar fei. $8alb bar; auf erfytelt id) eine folc^e Stetle bet einem Gbelmann, ber fein ISftunbel ^Partg gebrac^t ^atte , um tton bort f eine 'Jieife burcb uropa fortjufe^en. follte ber ^ofmeifter be^ jungen errn fein, bod^ mit ber SBetfvmg, ba^ & 226 and his guardians, to qualify him for the management of it, had bound him apprentice to an attorney. Thus avarice was his prevailing passion: all his questions on the road were, how much money might be saved; which was the least expensive course of travelling; whether any thing could be bought that would turn to account when disposed of again in London. Such curiosities on the way as could be seen for nothing, he was ready enough to look at; but if the sight of them was to be paid for, he usually asserted that he had been told they were not worth seeing. He never paid a bill that he would not observe, how . i mazingly expensive travelling was; ra A an( ^ a ^ **" 8 though he was not yet r Jv^^^. twenty-one! When arrived at Leg- horn, as we took a walk to look at the port and shipping, he inquired the expense of the passage by sea ftet erlaubt fein miiffe, fid) felber 311 leiten. 2ftetn B^Qlmfi tierftanb in ber Xfyat bie .ftunft , tntt elb umau^efyen, beffer, al id). Gr mar ber Grbe einee* $ermo0en ton ungefafyr 3tt)etl)unbert: taufenb $funb, ireldbe^ i^m ein Df)eim in SKefttnbien t)tnterla[fen, unb um ifyn in ber 2lnttenbuno bee (Mbe gefd^icft 311 ntac^en, fatten ifyn feine ^Bormunber bet einem 5lbtofaten in bie Setjre 0e= gebcn. 2luf btefe 2Beife mar ber etj feine tyutiptfdfiliSfte Seibenfd^aft 0e= morben. Side feine ^ragen auf ber $etfe banbelten nur banon, mte man elb erfparen, tote man am tnofylfeilften reifen itnb ob man md)t ettt)a ein= faufen lonne, um e bet ber Dftudlefjr nad^ bonbon mit SBortfyetl 3" i?er!aufen. ^ertttjurbigfetten, bte man auf ber 5{etfe umfonft fe^en fonnte, mar er tmmer gu betrad}ten berett; boa^ luo man etma$ bafiir be^afjlen mufjte, fagte er ftetg, man fjabe t^m cerftd^ert, bte Sad^e fei feme3meg fet?en?mertb. o 227 home to England. This he was informed was but a trifle, compared to his returning by land: he was therefore unable to withstand the temptation ; so paying me the small part of my salary that was due, he took leave, and embarked with only one attendant for London. "I now therefore was left once more upon the world at large; but then it was a thing I was used to. However, my skill in music could avail me nothing in a country where every peasant was a better mu- sician than I; but by this time I had acquired another talent which answered my purpose as well, and this was a skill in disputation. In all the foreign universities and convents there are, upon certain days, philosophical theses maintained against every adventitious disputant; for which, if the champion opposes with any dexterity, he can claim a gratuity in money, a dinner, and a bed for one night. In this manner, therefore , I fought my way towards England ; walked along from city to city; examined mankind more nearly; and, if I may so express it, saw both sides of the picture. My remarks, however, are but few: I be^afylte er feine ^ecfynung, ofyne babei 311 bemerfen, ba3 ^eifen fei bod) un= gemein foftftnelig, imb bei allebem war er nod) nifyt einunb^man^tg ^afyr alt. 2113 fair in Stoorno angefommen toaren unb einen Spagiergang macfyten, wn ben >afen unb bie cfytffe 311 befefyen, erhtnbigte er fid), roas eine eereife nad) (Snglanb fofte. SDa man tfynt fagte, bie fei eine Meintgfeit im $ergletd) mit ben Soften einer $eife 311 2anbe , f o f onnte er biefer $erfu$ung nidfyt imberftefyen. @r be^afjlte mir bal)er ben fletnen Xt)eil meineS no f(fcon baran getooljnt. $reilid) !onnte mir mein mufi!alifd^e talent in einem Sanbe tuenig fyelfen, ito jeber S3auer ein befferer 2Ruftfer irar, al> ia). S)od) tjatte tc^ mir inamif djen eine anbere ertig!eit erlrorben , bie eben f o gilt mei= nem fitted? entfprad^ , nd'mltd) einige ettjanbttjeit im 3)tie>pittiren. Sluf alien aumarttgen llniterfitaten imb in ben ^loftern merben an getmffen Xagen p^tlofop^tfd)e X^efen gegen jeben auftretenben Dp^onenten tiertljetbigt, unb roer mit einiger @efd)idlid)!eit opponirt, l)at 2lnfprud) auf ein efcfyent an 15* > 228 found that monarchy was the best government for the poor to live in, and commonwealths for the rich. I found that riches in general were in every country another name for freedom; and that no man is so fond of liberty himself, as not to be desirous of subjecting the will of some individuals in society to his own. "Upon my arrival in England, I resolved to pay my respects first to you, and then to enlist as a volunteer in the first expedition that was going forward; but on my yourney down, my resolutions were changed by meeting an old acquaintance, who I found belonged to a company of comedians that were going to make a summer campaign elb, auf etne 2)tal^ett unb ein 9tacfytlager. 60 fdtfug id) mid) bis nad? Cmglanb burcfy, roanberte con einer Stabt jur anbern, beobacfytete bte 9Jlen; fcfyen ntefyr in ber DMfye unb faf) gletcfyfam beibe 6etten bes emalbe3. 3)ie JKefultate ntetner 23eobacfytungen ftnb inbefj tton fciner grojjen 23ebeutung. $fy fanb, bie monar^ifd^e s Jte0terungform fet fiir bte ^rmen, itnb bie republifa; nift^e fur bie Dteidjen bte befte. 34 bemerfte, ba^ in jebem ^anbe 9tad?tl?unt bte etn3t0e^ret^ett fet, unb bajjfttemanb biegret^ett fo fel?r liebe, umnid()t ^u mun^cben, bafe feme lUUtbiirger i^ren2Btllen bem fetntgen unterorbnen molten. ,,2ll td^ in Gngtanb anfam, mar eg mein SSorfa^, 2)tr, tteber 3Sater, %U: erft metne finbltdje G^rfur^t ju be^etgen, unb bann bte erfte rpebttton, bie au3gej$ttffe burd) Xrabitton iiberlteferte ^unftgriffe, bie auf ber S3ul)ne, unb 3tt>ar auf ber 35itl)ne allein, fett ^unbert Qa^ren iiblic^ toaren, biirfte id) mir nid^t einbtlben, gu gefallen. S)ie ncid)fte <5d)tmertgteit mar, ftjeld^e Pollen man mir geben follte, ba fc^on alle ^dd)er befe^t tt?aren. @o irurbe id) etne 3^ittfltig tion einem Sfyaraf'ter gum anbern getrieben, bi man mid) enbltd) gu berStolle be^^oragto beftimmte, bie ia^, burd) ba3 Grfc^etnen ber gegentuar; ttgen efellfd^aft unterbrocben , gtucflicbernjetfe gu fptelen t>ert)inbert murbe." 230 CHAP. XXI. THE SHORT CONTINUANCE OF FRIENDSHIP AMONG THE VICIOUS, WHICH IS COEVAL ONLY WITH MUTUAL SATISFACTION. My sou's account was too long to be delivered at once; the first part of it was begun that night, and he was concluding the rest after dinner the next day, when the appearance of Mr. Thornhill's equipage at the door seemed to make a pause in the general satisfaction. The butler, who was now become my friend in the family, informed me, with a whisper, that the squire had already made some overtures to Miss Wilmot, and that her aunt and uncle seemed highly to approve the match. Upon Mr. Thornhill's entering, he seemed, at seeing my son and me, to start back; but I readily imputed that to surprise, and not displeasure. However, upon our advancing to salute him, he re- turned our greeting with the most apparent candour; and after a short time his presence seemed only to increase the general good humour. Jiopitcl. Die jyreunbfcfyaft unter I'aftcrlmftm tft ten fetner !Daucr, fca ftc ftcfy nur auf gcijenfeittijen 33ortf)etl griinbet. $ie Grjafylung meine @oline toar 311 lang, ale bafe er fie auf einmal fycitte beenben fonnen. 2)en erften Xfyeil berfelben begann er nod) an jenem &benb, unb am folgenben -ftadjmittage bcfcfylofc er fie fo eben, al> errn fyornl)UFerben fasten. S)er ^ellermeifter, ber nun mein ^reunb gemorben toar, fliifterte mir gu, ber utgfyen: l)abe bem ^rauletn SBilmot bereitg me^rere 2lntra0e gemad)t , unb ifyr Obeim unb iljre Xante f dfyienen mit biefer Serbim bung feljr jufrieben ju fein. |>err Xt)ornl)iU ftu^te, al er bei feinem Gintreten mid^ unb tnetnen o^n erblicfte; bod} fcfyrieb i* ba ber ^eripunberung unb nid?t bem 2Jli^falIen ^u. SllS n?ir un tym nd^ertcn , um tl^n gu begriif3en, ertoieberte er unfere rii^e mit anfd)einenber Slufrid^tiflfeit, unb balb fasten feine egentoart bie allgemeine ^eiterfeit nur gu t>ermef;ren. -* 231 < After tea, he called me aside, to inquire after my daughter; but upon my informing him that my inquiry was unsuccessful, he seemed greatly surprised; adding, that he had been since frequently at my house, in order to comfort the rest of the family, whom he left per- fectly well. He then asked if I had communicated her misfortune to Miss Wilmot, or my son; and upon my replying, that I had not told them as yet, he greatly approved my prudence and precaution, desiring me by all means to keep it a secret: "for at best," cried he, "it is but divulging one's own infamy; and perhaps Miss Livy may not be so guilty as we all imagine." We were here interrupted by a servant, who came to ask the squire in to stand up at country-dances ; so that he left me quite pleased with the interest he seemed to take in my concerns. His addresses, however, to Miss Wilmot, were too obvious to be mistaken; and yet she seemed not perfectly pleased, but bore them rather in compliance to the will of her aunt, than from real incli- nation. I had even the satisfaction to see her lavish some kind looks ;Radj bent Jfyec rief er mid) bet ^eite , urn fid) nacb ineiner od)ter gu ei- f unbigen. 2113 id) tbm aber fagte , bafs meinc "Jtacfyf orfd)ungen t>ergeben ge= roefen, fd)ten er fefyr erftaunt gu fein unb fefcte l)ingu, er todre f cittern fyduftg in meinem >aufe getoefen , urn bie iibrige )>-amilie gu troften , bie er gang roofyl angetroffen. Scum fragte er, cb id) ^-rautein SBilmot ober metnem ofyne ba 9ftifjgefd)ict meiner od)ter mitgetbeilt fyabe, tinb ale id) tbnt ermteberte, ba^ ic^ e^ nod) nidjt get^an, bitligte er meine Mugbeit unb SSorfi^t fe^r unb bat mid) , es> aitf alle ^-ciUe gebeim gu batten. ,,S)enn im gimftigften ^alle/' fagte er, ,,tnirb bod) nur babttrd) bie etgene Sd)anbe aufgebed't, unb melletd)t tft ^raulein Olivia ntd)t einmal jo ji^ulbtg, mie fair 2ltle glauben." ^ter rourben fair btird) einen Sebtenten tmterbrod)en, ber ben utSfyevrn gum (Eon; tretange rief. 6r tierlie^ mid} , unb id) freute mid) irafyrfyaft iiber ba 3 n ^reffc, meld^e^ er an metnem (^idtfal gu nebmen fcbien. Seine Seiuerbung um graulem 2BiImot it>ar aber gu offenbar, aB ba)3 man ftcb bartn batte taufd^en fonnen. 2)od^ fasten fie nid)t fet;r baritber erfreut gu fein , unb bulbete jene Slntrdge me^r au 2ld)tung fur ben 2Bunfd) t^rer ante, a(^ au eigener 3Jet'- o 232 ^- upon my unfortunate son, which the other could neither extort by his fortune nor assiduity. Mr. Thornhill's seeming composure, however, not a little surprised me: we had now continued here a week, at the pressing instances of Mr. Arnold; but each day the more tenderness Miss Wilmot showed my son, Mr. Thornhill's friendship seemed pro- portionably to increase for him. He had formerly made us the most kind assurances of using his interest to serve the family; but now his generosity was not coniined to promises alone. The morning I designed for my departure, Mr. Thornhill came to me, with looks of real pleasure, to inform me of a piece of service he had done for his friend George. This was nothing less than his having procured him an ensign's commission in one of the regiments that were going to the West -Indies, for which he had pro- mised but one hundred pounds, his interest being sufficient to get an abatement of the other two. "As for this trifling piece of service," continued the young gentleman, "I desire no other reward but the gung. 3$ fyatte fogar bie $reube, gu feben, bafj fie tneinem ungliidlicben 6obne einige freunblidbe Slide guroarf, bie ibr .fjerr Xbornfyill fceber burd) fetnen Jfteidbtbunt, nod) burd) feine ^ebarrlicbteit abgeminnen fonnte. i^d) nwnberte mid? inbefj nicbt roenig itber feine fdjeinbare 9hifye. 3luf ^errn 2lrnolb'^ bringenbe 33itte batten luir nun fcbon eine 2Bocfye bier ^ugebrad)t. 3Son Xag gu 2;age h?urbe ^rdu(ein3Btlmot jdrtH^er gegen meinen obn; bocb fcfyien .^errn XbornbiU'^ ^reiinbfcbaft fiir ibn in gleid)em rabe gugunebmen. dr fyatte un> fcbon friiber bie giitigften ^erficberungen gegeben, feinen gangen influ^ fiir meine ^amilie angumenben, imb je^t bef($rdn!te fidb feine utb nicbt auf blofeeSBerfpredbungen. 2(n bem 2Rorgen, ben td^ gu tneincr beftimmt batte, fam ^err Xb r nbiW mit beiterer2Riene gu tnir, um ntir gu fagen, melcben 5)ienft er feinem ^reunbe eorg geletftet babe, liefer S)ienft mar nid)t eringere, at ba^ er ibm bei einent ton ben ^tegtmentern , bie naa^ 2Befttnbten gingen, eine ^a'bnricb^fteUe fiir bunbert s $funb t>erfd)afft batte; benn f ein Ginflu^ fei binretcbenb gemefen , bie iibrigen gmeibunbert ^funb gu erfparen. ,,^iir btefen !Ieinen ^reunbf d^aft^bienft ," fubr ber jitnge |)err fort, 233 pleasure of having served my friend; and as for the hundred pounds to be paid, if you are unable to raise it yourselves, I will advance it, and you shall repay me at your leisure." This was a favour we wanted words to express our sense of: I readily, therefore, gave my bond for the money, and testified as much gratitude as if I never intended to pay. George was to depart for town the next day, to secure his com- mission, in pursuance of his generous patron's directions, who judged it highly expedient to use despatch, lest in the meantime another should step in with more advantageous proposals. The next morning, therefore, our young soldier was early prepared for his departure, and seemed the only person among us that was not affected by it. Neither the fatigues and dangers he was going to encounter, nor the friends and mistress (for Miss Wilmot actually loved him,) he was leaving behind, any way damped his spirits. After he had taken leave of the rest of the company, I gave him all that I had my blessing. "And ,,t>er(ange id) feme meitere SBelofynung , al ba3 ^ergnitgen , tneittem genutjt gu fyabcn; unb toa bie fyunbert ^Pfunb betrifft, ft>ennie melletcfyt nicfyt im tanbe fein follten, fie jefet git gafylen, fo miil id) fte ttorfireden, iinb ie foru nen fie mtr nad) $t)rer $equetnltcr>!ett guriidgaljlen." )iefe efalligfeit toar fo> grof?, bafc e un> an Shorten fehlte, imfern S)au! au^ubriicten. ^d^ ftellte tl)TH fogleic^ einen d^ulbf^ein iiber ba elb au unb begeigte ifym babet fo gro|3e2)an!bar?eit, al irate e nid^t nteine2lbfid}t, ba^@elb je gurudtgugablen. eorg follte am folgenben ilRorcjen nacb Sonbon retfen, urn feine telle angutreten, ba fein arofsmittbiger onner e fur noting l)ielt, bie t)od)fte Gile angutoenben , bamtt nid^t tiiedeidit ein Slnberer t>crtl)eilt)aftere Sebtngungen nta^e. S)emna<^ war am nacfyften 9}lorgen unfer junger otbat gur 2(bretfe bereit, nnb er fd)ien t>on tin> SlUen ber ingige gu fein, bem ber SXbfc^ieb nic^t fd^merglta^ mar. 3Beber bie SO'lubfeltgfetten unb efa^ren, benen er entgegenging , nod) feine $reunbe unb feine eltebte , bie er guriidUefj (benn ^rauletn 2Bilmot liebte ii)n irirflid)), r>ermod)ten feinen 3Rutf) gu beugen. 2113 er ton ber iibrigen efellfd&aft 3lbfa^teb genommen , gab id) i^m now, my boy/' cried 1, "thou art going to fight for thy country: re- member how thy brave grandfather fought for his sacred king, when loyalty among Britons was a virtue. Go, my boy, and imitate him in all but his misfortunes; if it was a misfortune to die with Lord Falk- land. Go, my boy; and if you fall, though distant, exposed, and un- wept by those that love you, the most precious tears are those with which Heaven bedews the unburied head of a soldier." The next morning 1 took leave of the good family that had been kind enough to entertain me so long, not without several expressions of gratitude to Mr. Thornhill for his late bounty. I left them in the enjoyment of all that happiness which affluence and good breeding procure, and returned towards home, despairing of ever finding my daughter more, but sending a sigh to Heaven to spare and forgive her. I was now come within about twenty miles of home, having hired a horse to carry me, as I was yet but weak, and comforted myself with the hopes of soon seeing all 1 held dearest upon earth. But the night roa* id? l;atte mctncn ccaai. ,,llnb nun, mein Sol?n," rief id), ,,gei?ft urn fiir Tein ^atovlanD 311 fampfen; crinnere Tid?, baft ^etn tapfrer ttater fiir feincn iiofalbton Monig gefod?ten, al* llntertbanentreue urtter ben Written nod> cine Jugenb roar, el?, mein (obn, iinb at?me ihm nad) bet alien SBecfyfelf alien be* 3cMcffate, tttcnn man c^ etn nnolnd : lid)e^ Sdiidfal nennen fann, mit #orb ^-alflanb ^u fterben. (3e^, mein Sotm, unb roenn S)u in fernem Vanbe fdllft, unbeerbitit unb nnberoeint on benen, bie S)td? Ueben, fo fmb bie toftbarften 3:i?ranen bie, meld?e ber ftimmel anf bae nnbe= grabene ."panpt etnee ^rtcfler* berabtbauen Id^t." :Um ndd?[ten 2)lorc]en na^m id? on ber guten ^amtlte s lbfa^ieb, bie fo frennblid? gen?e[en mar, mid? fo langc ju betrirtljen; aud? ban!te id? ^errn ^bovnbill nodbmal fiir bie mir ii'mgft erroiefene iite. 3^ ^ & m feem cnuffe gurnet, ben ^eid?t^um unb ^ilbung gerodbren, nnb trat ben 2Beg gu meincr .sSctmatl; an, inbem id? bie .^offnitng aufgab, meine Xod?ter roieberju^ ftnben, nnb einen Seufeer jum ^immel emporfenbete, bafe er fte er^alten unb ibr uergeben moge. ^cb roar jefet nnr nodi jroan3ig Sfteilen r>on meiner ei= corning on, I put up at a little public house by the road-side, and asked for the landlord's company over a pint of wine. We sat beside his kitchen fire, which was the best room in the house, and chatted on politics and the news of the country. We happened, among other topics, to talk of young squire Thornhill, who, the host assured me, was hated as much as his uncle, Sir William, who sometimes came down to the country, was loved. He went on to observe, that he made it his whole study to betray the daughters of such as received him to their houses, and after a fortnight or three weeks' possession turned them out, unrewarded and abandoned, to the world. As we continued our discourse in this manner, his wife, who had been out to get change, returned*, and perceiving that her husband was enjoying a pleasure in which she was not a sharer, she asked him, in an angry tone, what he did there; to which he only replied in an ironical way, by drinking her health. "Mr. Symonds," cried she, "you use me very ill, and I'll bear it no longer. Here three parts of the business is left matl) entfernt, benn id) batte mir ein $ferb Qenuetfyct, n?eU id) mid) nod) fel)r fd)ii>ad) fuljlte. OJtetn roft bcftanb in ber .^offnung, balb 2Ule toiebcrjus fefyen, ft>a mir ba Sfyeuerfte auf (frben irar. 21I bie 9tad)t anbrad), !efyrte id) in einem fletnen 2Birtl)baufe an ber i'anbftrafje ein nnb bat ben SBirtl;, mir bei einem -JUafje SBein efellfdjaft 311 leiften. 2Bir fafjen am $amhtfeuer in ber aftftube, ba btefe ba befte 3immer im on gmei ober brei 2Bod)en ftofee er fie unbeloljnt nnb ^iilflog in bie SBelt l)inau. SBdbrenb totr fo rebeten , !am feine rau guriid, melc^e au^mdrt^ SRitnje eingeiDec^felt l)atte, nnb al fie bemerfte, bafe it)r 2Rann ein $eranu0en 0eno^, hjeld^e? fie nid)t t^eilte, fragte fie i^n in arflerlicfyem Xone, mae er ba jn tt)un l)abe? 5)araiif anttoortete er 236 o for me to do, and the fourth left unfinished, while you do nothing but soak with the guests all day long; whereas, if a spoonful of liquor were to cure me of a fever, I never touch a drop." I now found what she would be at, and immediately poured out a glass, which she received with a curtsy; and drinking towards my good health, "Sir," resumed she, "it is not so much for the value of the liquor I am angry, but one cannot help it when the house is going out of the windows. If the customers or guests are to be dunned, all the burden lies upon my back: he'd as lief eat that glass as budge after them himself. There now above stairs, we have a young woman who h:s come to take up her lodgings here, and I don't believe she has got any money, by her over-civility. I am certain she is very slow of payment, and I wish she were put in mind of it." - "What signifies minding her?" cried the host; "if she be slow, she is sure." - "I don't know that," replied the wife; "but I know that I am sure she has been here a fortnight, and we have not yet seen the 'cross of her money." "I suppose, my dear," ifyr auf ironifd)c 2Beife, inbem er il;re efunbbeit tranf. ,,@i)tnonb? ," faflte fte, ,,2)u bebanMft mid? fcbr fcbtccbt, imb id) toerbe e3 nid)t (tinker ertragen. 3)rei SSiertd tton ber xHrbeit mujj id) tbun , unb bas letjtc SSiertcl bleibt una,e= tfyan, todbrenb Tu ben ftangcn ac\ uicbt* tueitcr tbuft, aU mit 2)einen ciften gec^ft. SSenn id) ntir and) burd) etuen Soffcl ott liqueur bag gteber ter= treiben fonnte, fo !oftc ic^ bod^ feinen Xropfen." $fy bemerfte je^t, toorauf fie ^inbeutete, imb fc^enfte ifyr fogleid^ ein ta^ ein, roelcbe fie mit einer ^8et; beuQimg itabnt unb auf meine efunbbeit leerte. ,,2Jietn ^err/' fubr fie fort, ,,icb bin ntd)t a.erabe be etranfee n?e^en argerltc^; bod) man !ann es ja nid)t rul)io mit anfeben , menu 2l(Ie brunter unb briiber getjt. 3Benn ^unben ober cifte Qematmt toerben muffen, fo fdllt mtr bie cjan^e l^aft ju; er fcblucfte Iteber fein @(ae mit binunter, al ba^ er felber binter t()nen t)er irdre. S)a baben n)ir 3. 58. eine 5treppe fyofy ein junges ^rauenjimmer , ba fia^ bei un3 eingemtetbet, unb ic^ 0(aube fd)U)er(id) , ba^ fte e(b fyat, fonft rrwrbe fie nic^t fo boflid) fetu. (5emi^ ift fie langfam im 33e3ab{en, unb id) toiinfdbte, ba^ man fie baran erinnerte." ,,2Bogu fie baran erinnern?" ermieberte ber 237 cried he, "we shall have it all in a lump." ,,Iu a lump!" cried the other, "I hope we may get it any way, and that I am resolved we will this very night, or out she tramps, bag and baggage." - "Consider, my dear," cried the husband, "she is a gentlewoman, and deserves more respect." - "As for the matter of that," returned the hostess, "gentle or simple, out she shall pack with a sassarara. Gentry may be good things where they take; but, for my part, I never saw much good of them at the sign of the Harrow." Thus saying, she ran up a narrow flight of stairs that went from the kitchen to a room overhead, and I soon perceived by the loudness of her voice and the bitterness of her reproaches, that no money was to be had from her lodger. I could hear the remonstrances very distinctly: "Out, I say, pack out this mo- ment! tramp, thou infamous strumpet, or I'll give thee a mark thou won't be the better for these three months. What, you trumpery! to come and take up an honest house, without cross or coin to bless your- self with! come along, I say." "0 dear madam," cried the stranger, ,,tt>enn fie langfam im SBe^afylen ift, fo tft fie befto ftd)erer." ,, tueijj id) nicfyt," t>erfe&te bie $rau; ,,fo triel aber ift gennjj, bafc fie an mergefyn age fyter gemefen ift, olme bafj roir nnffen, rote e mit ifyrem (Mbe ftefyt." ,,@eft)iJ3 ftnrb fie 2llle atif einem 33rete be^afylen, metne Siebe," ertoieberte er. ,,2luf einem 33rete!" rief bie Slnbere, ,,id) ^offe, icir erfyalten e auf trgenb etne2Betfe, imb ba^ foil noc^ biefen Slbenb gefdfyefyen, ober fie tnu^ ^mau mit ad unb ^ad." ,,^8ebenfe/ / fagte ber 3Btrtt>, ,,ba^ fie etne ^erfon on tanbe ift imb mefyr 2td)tunQ cerbtent." ,,2Ba ba betrifft," entgegnete bie SBtrtfyin, ,,on tanbe ober mcfyt t>on tanbe! @enitg, fie foil fid) in Centers* ^Jtamen paden. 35ornel)me Seute mogen ganj gut fein, IDO fie ^)ingel)6ren; id? meine3 Xf)eil l)abe aber im aftfyaiife gur (Sgge noc^ nicfyt t>tel utes babei t)eraus!ommen fefyen." ^tt biefen Shorten eilte fie erne, female Xreppe fyinauf, bie tion bem aftgimmer in em 3itnwer im obern tod fiifyrte, unb balb fd^lo^ id? au bem ^reif^en i^rer timme imb tfyren bittern 33orn?nrfen, bafj bie ^wioe lein elb fyabe. 3^ ^onnte tl)re S)emon= ftrationen fefyr beutlic^ ^oren. ,,^ort," rief fie, ,,pade S)id^ im Slugenbltd, o 23* "pity me; pity a poor abandoned creature, for one night, and death will soon do the rest." I instantly knew the voice of my poor ruined child Olivia. I flew to her rescue, while the woman was dragging her along by the hair, and J caught the dear forlorn wretch in my arms. "Welcome, any infante? 2Bcibbito, ober icfc Derfe&e Ttr cine, bajj 2)u bie ndc&ften brei SRonatc bran benfen follft! 35a3 I'umpenijeftnbel fommt unb mill in einem bomteten aufe aufantommen fein, oline cinen rotten feller ju I)aben! ^acfe fort, faa.e i*. w ,,0 liebc 3Wabamc," rief bie ^rembe, ,,&aben Sie bod) , 2Rittcib mit einem armen terlaffenen efd^opfe! 9tur nocb etne tin-- jige 9iad)t. JBalb rtirb ficb ber Job tneincr erbarmon ! " $3) erfannte fo^leicb bie 6timme meines armen uertornen Itinbe^, meiner Oltoia. 3<^ ciltc t^r ju ulfc, al ba 2Beib fie bet ben aaren fortfc^leppte, unb f<$lojj ba unfllucflic^e 2Befen in meine 2lrmc. ,,2BilIfommen, o 239 way welcome, my dearest lost one, my treasure, to your poor old father's bosom. Though the vicious forsake thee, there is yet one in the world that will never forsake thee: though thou hast ten thou- sand crimes to answer for, he will forgive them all." "0 my own dear," for minutes she could say no more "my own dearest good papa r ! Could angels be kinder? How do I deserve so much? The villain! I hate him and myself, to be a reproach to so much goodness. You can't forgive me; I know you cannot." "Yes> my child, from my heart I do forgive thee: only repent, and we both shall yet be happy. We shall see many pleasant days yet, my Olivia." "Ah! never, sir, never. The rest of my wretched life must be infamy abroad, and shame at home. But, alas! papa, you look much paler than you used to do. Could such a thing as I am give you so much uneasiness? surely you have too much wisdom to take the miseries of my guilt upon yourself." - "Our wisdom, young woman " replied I. "Ah, why so cold a name, papa?" cried she. ttrillfommen , mem %ure t>erlorne $inb, tnein Hleinob! $omm an bie 33ru[t 2)eine armen alten $ater. SBenn 3)idj aud? bie ottlofen terftojjen, fo fyaft )u bod) nod) @inen in ber SBelt, ber 2)id) nie tterlaffen ftnrb; unb fycitteft 3)u gefyntaufenb SBerbred&en 311 tteranttrorten, er oergtebt S)ir alle." ,,0 mein tfyeuerfter " fyter oerfagte ifyr fiir ben Eugenbltd bie Stimnte ,,o mein ttjeuevfter 3Sater! ^onnen ngel guttger fein? 2Bie werbtene ify ba 2lde? 2)er @a^dnbli($e! id^ Ijaffe i^n unb mt^ felbft, fo met itte fo fd)led)t 311 be= (o^nen; 2)u fannft mir nid^t ^er^eiben i<^ toeifj, 2)u !annft e ni(^t!" ,,^a, wein ^inb, t>on gan^em Bergen oerjei^e id) 2)ir. Screite nut, unb loir 93eibe toerben nod) gludlid) fein. 2Bir merben nod^) mantle frol)e Xage erleben, meine Olbia." f M, nimmermefyr, Heber SSatcr, nitnmertneljr ! 3)er $eft meine unglud(t(^en Seben fann nur @d)anbe fein or ber 9Belt nnb @d)am 3U ^aufe. Slber ac^i! lieber 3?ater, u fiefyft t)iel bleid)er au, aU fonft. $onnte ein efd)6pf mie id) S)ir fo t>iel Hummer t>erurfad)en ? Su bejtfeeft ju ciel SBets^eit, um 2)ir felber ba lenb meiner 6d)ulb aufgulaben." ,,Un^ fere 58ei^it, junae ^rauengtmmer ! " ermieberte id) ,,2ld), ttarum einen _^. 240 *- "This is the first time you ever called me by so cold a name." "I ask pardon, my darling," returned 1; "but I was going to observe, that wisdom makes but a slow defence against trouble, though at last a sure one." The landlady now returned , to know if we did not choose a more genteel apartment; to which assenting, we were shown to a room where we could converse more freely. After we had talked ourselves into some degree of tranquillity, I could not avoid desiring some account of the gradations that led to her present wretched situation. "That villain, sir," said she, "from the first day of our meeting, made me ho- nourable, though private, proposals." "Villain, indeed," cried I; "and yet it in some measure surprises me, how a person of Mr. Burchell's good sense and seeming honour could be guilty of such deliberate baseness, and thus step into a family to undo it." "My dear papa, ' returned my daughter, "you labour under a fo fatten s Jiamen, mein ^ater?" rief fie. ,,3)ieS ift bag erfte 2M, too 5)u mid) mil cinem fo fallen 9iamen angcrebet baft." ,,$er$etb, mein icbling ," erancberte id}, ,,id) irollte nur fagen, bafj 2Bet*l)eit fid) nur langfant gegen ben Summer 311 oertbeibtgen ttermag, obgleid) enb(id) mit Stdjerfyeit." $efct fam bie 2Btrtl)in surucf itnb fragte, ob nnr ntd^t ein beffere^ 3iinmer. ^u |}aben iDimfcbten. 3^ bejaljte ey, unb n?ir irurben in ein 3^^i^r gefiitjrt, wo toir ungeftorter reben fonnten. 2lls nad) bem S 2luetaujc^ unferer 6ntpfin= bungen enbli(^ eine gemiffe JKube eintrat , f onnte id) ben 5Bunf d? ni^t unter; briicf en , 311 erfaljren , mie fte nad? unb nad^ in tyre jefetge ungtuctltd^e Sage rtefommen fet. ,,$tnM oc^urfe/' fagte fte, ,,tnad)te mtr fett bem erften Xage unferet 33efanntfc^dft 33orfc^(dge ju etner I;eimlid9en Ser^eirat^ung/' ift es ein S<^urfc," rtef id); ,,unb boct) mttnbert es mid), wie t?on 33ttrd7etl' gefunbem 3>erftanbe unb fc^etnbarem Gl)rgeful)le fid) etner fo itberlegten $8o^eit fd^ulbtg madden unb ftc^ in eine gatntlte einfd7lei= d)en fonnte , um fie 311 runbe ju rt^ten." ,,teber Sater," eriDteberte metne Xoc^ter, ,,2)u bift in etnem grojsen 3rr= o 241 strange mistake. Mr. Burchell never attempted to deceive me. Instead of that, he took every opportunity of privately admonishing me against the artifices of Mr. Thornhill, who, I now find, was even worse than he represented him." "Mr. Thornhill!" interrupted I, "can it be?" - "Yes, sir," returned she, "it was Mr. Thornhill who seduced me; who employed the two ladies, as he called them, but who in fact were abandoned women of the town, without breeding or pity, to decoy us up to London. Their artifices, you may remember, would have cer- tainly succeeded, but for Mr. Burchell' s letter, who directed those reproaches at them, which we all applied to ourselves. How he came to have so much influence as to defeat their intentions, still remains a secret to me; but I am convinced he was ever our warmest, sincerest friend." "You amaze me, my dear," cried I; "but now I find my first suspicions of Mr. Thornhill's baseness were too well grounded: but he can triumph in security; for he is rich, and we are poor. But tell tfjum. err Surd)ell fyat me ben 2Serfucl) gemad()t, mid) 311 tdufc()en ; im egen= tfyeil ergriff er jebe elegenfyeit , mid) t>or {)ornl)iir O^dnfen 311 marnen, ber, mieid) je&tfinbe, nocl) f cfylecfyter ift , al3 erifynmirbarftellte." ,,I)ornI)iU?" fiel id) ein, ,,ift e mogltd)?" ,,$a, lieber SSater," entgegnete fie, ,,f>om= fyill mar e, ber mid) tterfiifyrte. 35ie beiben S)atnen, trie er fie nannte, unb bie nid)t anbereio it>aren, aB ein ^paar lieberlidje 2)irnen au Sonbon, o^ne Silbung unb efiit)!, tjatte er angeftiftet, urn un nad) ber ^auptftabt 311 Iocen. S)u rt>irft Si(^ ertnnern, bajs if)nen tljre Sift gelungen fein toitrbe, t)dtte nid^t $err 33urc^ell jenen 55rief gefc^rieben, beffen ^BoriDurfe ifynen gal= ten, obgleid) irir fie auf un> begogen. 2Bie er fo t>iel (Sinflu^ ^aben fonnte, um i^re Slbftc^t 311 ttereiteln , ift mir nod) immer imer!larltct> ; bod) bin id) feft ubergeugt , ba^ er ftetS unfer mdrmfter unb aufricfytigfter ^reunb gett?efen ift.' y ,,2)u fe&eft mid^ in Grftaunen, liebeS ftlnb," rtef id); ,,je^t fe^e ify f baf? mein friit)erer ^erbad^t in 33egug auf ^crn^ill'S ;}ttebertrdc^ttg!eit nur 311 toofyt begriinbet mar. S)od) er !ann rutiig triumpt)iren : er ift reid) unb mir finb arm. Slber fage mir, mein $inb, gemi^ maren e3 nifyt gcringe 3?er: 1C < 242 ^~ rne, my child: sure it was 110 small temptation that could thus obli- terate all the impressions of such an education, and so virtuous a disposition as thine." "Indeed, sir," replied she, "he owes all his triumph to the desire I had of making him, and not myself, happy. I knew that the ceremony of our marriage, which was privately performed by a popish priest, was no way binding, and that I had nothing to trust to but his honour." "What!" interrupted I, "and were you indeed married by a priest in orders?" "Indeed, sir, we were," replied she, "though we were both sworn to conceal his name." "Why then, my child, come to my arms again ; and now you are a thousand times more welcome than before; for you are his wife to all intents and purposes; nor can all the laws of man, though written upon tables of adamant, lessen the force of that sacred connexion." "Alas! papa," replied she, "you are but little acquainted with his villanies: he has been married already, by the same priest, to jud)ungen, burd) trie es tfym gelang, alle (Sinbrurfe etncr jold)en unb jo tugenbbajter rimbjcifce nrie bie 25einigen jo ganoid) ju i?erl6jd)en?" - ,,,\n ber $l)at, licber $ater," ernrieberte fie, ,,&erbanft er jeinen Xriumpl) blofj bem 2Bunjd)e, tfyn unb nid)t mid) gliirflid) ju mad)en. 3$ ttwfjte, bafe bie t>on einem fatfyoltfcfyen^rtefter i)etmlic^ polijoflcnelrauung feineme0es giiltig jet, unb bafe ic^ mid) auf metter md)te ale auf jcinc i'Ked^tlidjfeit cerlajjen tonne." ,,2Bie?" unterbra^ tc^ fie, ,,unb 3)u bijt mirflid) getraut, getraut burd) einen orbinirten ^riejter?" ,,enrijj, lieber 3?ater/' t>erje^te jie, bod) jd)tuuren tuir Seibe, jeinen 9Iamen 311 oerjcbtneigen." ,,@o fomm noc^ ein; mal in meine Slrme, mein itinb! 2)u bijt mir je^t noc^ taujenbmal nrillfom; mener, al ttor^in, benn Su bi[t in jeber JHuctjic^t unb Se^ie^ung jein 2Beib. 2llle menjd)Ud)en eje^e , unb mciren jie au j biamantenen Xafeln gej^rieben, fonnen bieje tjeilige SSerbinbung nid7t lojen." ,,U$, lieber 35ater/ y werje^te fie, ,,2)ii bijt niir menig betannt mit jeiner Sd^dnbli(^!eit. 2)erjelbe ^riejter l)at i^m j(^on jed^ bi a^t ^rauen ange^ traut, bie er eben jo toie mid) getciujd)t unb t>erla[jen ^at." ,,2BirfUd)?" -+ 243 < six or eight wives more, whom, like me, he has deceived and aban- doned." ''Has he so?" cried I, "then we must hang the priest, and you shall inform against him to-morrow." "But, sir," returned she, "will that be right, when I am sworn to secrecy?" - "My dear," I replied, "if you have made such a promise, I cannot, nor will I, tempt you to break it. Even though it may benefit the public, you must not inform against him. In all human institutions, a smaller evil is allowed to procure a greater good; as, in politics, a province may be given away to secure a kingdom; in medicine, a limb may be lopped off to preserve the body. But in religion the law is writ- ten, and inflexible, never to do evil. And this law, my child, is right; for otherwise, if we commit a smaller evil to procure a greater good, certain guilt would be thus incurred, in expectation of contingent advantage. And though the advantage should cer- tainly follow, yet the interval between commission and advantage, rief id) ; ,,bamt tnufe ber $riefter gefydngt merben , unb gleid) morgen f ollft 3)u $lage gegen ifyn erfyeben." ,,2lber, lieber $ater," eriuieberte fie, ,,tourbe ba red)t fein, ba id) ifym burd) einen Gib $erfc()ttriegent)eit gelobt fyabe?" ,,iebe ^inb/' erfete id), ,,menn 3)u ifmt ttrirflid) ein fold)e3 $erft>red)en gegeben fyaft, fo fann imb mill id) S)td) nid)t bereben, e> 311 brecfyen. 2litd) menu e bem 6taate 3^u^en brdc^te, barfft 3)tt nid^t al ,tld0erin gegen ifyn auftreten. S)ie menfd)li(^en mri^tungen geftatten jmar ein !leinere Uebel, toenn ein gro^ereS $eil barau entfarmgt; it>te man in bet $olittf eine ^ro= t>tn3 aufopfert, um ein $6ntgretd) gu fc^it^en, imb in ber etlfimft ein @lieb abloft, um ben gan^en $6rper gu er^alten. 3 n ^er Religion aber ^errfd)t ba unabdnberlic^e efe&, niental^ etmaS 336fe 311 tfyun. Unb btefeS efe^, metn $tnb, i[t gerec^t; benn tuenn ttnr ein !leme llebel begtngen, bamit ein gr6J3ere @ut babiird^) erlangt toerbe , fo iDiirben ttnr in Grirartung be bamit tierbunbenen 3Sortl)etl bo^ immer eine getmffe d^ulb auf un laben. llnb mare aua^ ber 58ort^etl gettrifj, fo lonnten mtr boc^ in ber 3ett 3tt)if(^en bem SBegefyen unb bem 3Sort^eile abgerufen toerben, um iiber unfere |>anblungen 16* > 244 * which is allowed to be guilty, may be that in which we are call- ed away to answer for the things we have done, and the volume of human actions is closed for ever. But I interrupt you, my dear: go on." "The very next morning," continued she, "I found what little expectation I was to have from his sincerity. That very morning he introduced me to two unhappy women more, 'whom, like me, he had deceived, but who lived in contented prostitution. I loved him too tenderly to bear such rivals in his affections , and strove to forget my infamy in a tumult of pleasures. With this view, I danced, dressed, and talked; but still was unhappy. The gentlemen who visited there told me every moment of the power of my charms, and this only contributed to increase my melancholy, as I had thrown all their power quite away. Thus each day I grew more pensive, and he more insolent, till at last the monster had the assurance to offer me to a young baronet of his acquaintance. Need I describe, sir, how iKed)enfd)aft abjulegen, unb bann mare bas $ud) menfd)lid)er Xfyaten auf tmmer gefd)loffen. od) id) unterbred)e 2)id), Iiebe3 &inb; er^dfyle toeiter." ,,Sd)on am nticfyften 2ftorgen," fufyr fie fort, ,,fafy id? em, nrie njenig tcb on fetner 2lufrid)ttgfett 311 erroarten fyatte. 2ln jenem Hftorgen macfyte er mid) mit aroei anbern unglucfltdjen Jrauen^immern befannt, bte er rote mid) ge^ tdufd)t batte, bie aber jufrteben in iinbe unb 6d?anbe fortlebten. 3$ tljn 311 aartlid?, al ba^ to^ fola^e 9iebenbuf)Iertnnen um feine unft bulben fonnen, unb bemiil;te mic^, meine Sdjanbe in einem 2aume( t>on $er= gnitgungen gu t>erge[fen. n biefer 2lbfid)t tanjte id^ , pu&te mid) unb fc^ma^te ; bod) id) irar unb blieb unglurflid). S)ic ^errcn, bie uns be[ud)ten, fprad)cn beftdnbig on ber 2ftad)t meiner D^etje, unb bie^ trug nur ba^iibei, meine 6c^roermutl; ju er^oljen, ba ic^ bte 2ftad)t jener ^Keije gdn3lic^ on mir ge^ JDorfen I^atte. 60 ttwrbe ic^ mit jebcm 2!age tieffmntger unb er bagegen immer freezer, bi^ ba llnge^euer enblia^ fo h?eit gtng, mt(^ einem jungen baronet on feiner 33efannt)c^aft angubteten. 2Bie lonnte ia) Sir, lieber $ater, meinen fc^ilbern, ben id; bei feiner Unbanfbarfeit empfanb? 2Reine s ^tntmort ^ 245 o his ingratitude stung me? My answer to this proposal was almost madness. I desired to part. As I was going, he offered me a purse; but I flung it at him with indignation, and burst from him in a rage, that for a while kept me insensible of the miseries of my situation. But I soon looked round me, and saw myself a vile, ab- ject, guilty thing, without one friend in the world to apply to. Just in that interval, a stage-coach happening to pass by, I took a place, it being my only aim to be driven to a distance from a wretch I des- pised and detested. I was set down here; where, since my arrival, my own anxiety, and this woman's unkindness, have been my only companions. The hours of pleasure that I have passed with my mamma and sister now grow painful to me. Their sorrows are much; but mine are greater than theirs; for mine are mixed with guilt and infamy." "Have patience, my child," cried I, "and I hope things will yet be better. Take some repose to-night, and to-morrow I'll carry you home auf biefen SHorfdjlag grengte an SBabnfinn. 3$ toollte mid) entfernen. MU id) fortgtng, bot er mir eine 23orfe an, bod) id) tnarf fie ifym t>erd$tlid) gurud: unb entfernte mid) t>on tfym in einem 2lubrud)e ber SButI), bie mid) eine geit- lang ba Glenb meiner Sage ntdit fiifylen liefc. S)od) balb fam id) ^ur 93efim nung imb murbe geroafyr, baft id? ein elenbe, t>ermorfene unb fcfculbbeflectteS SBefen fei, ofyne einen ^reunb in ber gan^en SSelt, an ben id) mid) toenben fonnte. 3 n btefem s JlugenblicE fit^r gerabe eine $o|tlutfd)e orbei, ic^ na^m einen tylafy barin, nur vim mid) fo n?eit al mogltc^ t)on bent lenben ju ent= fernen, ben id) Deradjtete unb tjerabfc^eute. Jpier ftteg ia^ au, lt>o feit metner 2lnlunft metn Summer unb bie[e 2Betbe ^drte meine ein^tgen efeUfo^aftet gemejen finb. Ste frozen tnnben, bie id) mit metner Gutter unb d^tnefter t>erlebt, [tub mir je^t in ber (Srinnerung ^eimgenb. 2Benn t^r Summer grof, ift, fo tft ber meintge bod^ noa^ grower burdb ba3 eful)l ber @d)ulb unb Scfyanbe." ,,^abe@ebulb, metn^inb," ermteberte id), ,,unb td^ ^offc, Silled luirb norf> gut toerben. ^utje biefe %id)t ein menig au, unb morgen fit^re id) > 246 ** to your mother and the rest of the family, from whom you will receive a kind reception. Poor woman! this has gone to her heart: but she loves you still, Olivia, and will forget it." CHAP. XXII. OFFENCES ARE EASILY PARDONED WHERJ. THERE IS LOVE AT BOTTOM. The next morning I took my daughter behind me, and set out on my return home. As \v<> travelled almi^, I strove by every persuasion to calm her sorrows and fears, and to arm her with resolution to bear the presence of her offended mother. I took every opportunity, from the prospect of a fine country, through which we passed, to observe how much kinder Heaven was to us than we to each other: and that the misfortunes of nature's making were but very few. I assured her T that she should never perceive any change in my affections, and that ju Reiner 2Jlutter imb 311 Semen Otefcbrmftern suriid, bie 2)td) freunb(id) empfangen roerben. 3Me arme Butter! e3 ift ifyr ju Bergen gegam gen; bocb debt fie 3)icb nod) immor, Clima, HHD wirb Tir oerjeiljen." iCo nod) Sitebe i>ort>anben tfi, rcerben 5et)(trttte leictjt er$teben. 21m ndd^ften 2Rorgen nat)m id? meine Xoc^ter ^inter mir auf 3 ^Sferb unb fe^te meine s cHiufreife fort. Untertreg^ irenbete id) alle meine 33erebfamfeit an, it)ren Summer unb i^re ^urc^t 311 befdnftigen unb ftc mit Gntfc^loffentjeit 311 maffnen, ibrer gefrdnften Gutter entgegen^utreten. %fy nat)m jebe (^elegen- t?eit ma^r, bie mir ber Slnblic! einer fc^onen Sanbfcibaft gerod^rte, burcfy bie mir famen, iim bie S3emerfung 311 mactjen, lute mel giitiger ber ^pimme( gegen im3 fei, al tutr gegen emanber, unb ba^ bie 9?atur un nur du^erft mentg ^eiben fcfyaffe. $ti) cerftcberte it)r, ba^ icb meine eftnnung gegen fie nie **, 247 o- during my life, which yet might be long, she might depend upon a guardian and an instructor. I armed her against the censure of the world: showed her that books were sweet unreproaching companions to the miserable; and that if they could not bring us to enjoy life, they would at least teach us to endure it. The hired horse that we rode was to be put up that night at an inn by the way, within about five miles from my house; and as I was d'nbern nwrbe, unb bajj fie fid) trd'fyrenb metne3 fiebenS, toeldjeS nocfy lana,e bauern tonne, auf mid) luie auf einen efyrer unb 33efd)u&er uerlaffen folle. $$ fudfyte fie gegen ben 5abel bet SBelt gu toaffnen, unb getgte i^r, ba^ gute ^Buc^er bie angenefyntften unb beleljrenbften ^reunbe fitr ben llngluctltdieu ttjdren, unb toenn fie unferem Seben aud^ fetnen enu^ toerlet^en fonnten, fo lefyrten fie un> bo<^ menigften^ , e ^u ertragen. 2)a 3Rie$pferb, ftielc^e^ it)tr ritten, ntu^te id) an biefem Slbenb in einem 2Birtt)l)aufe an ber Sanbftra^e laffcn , n?eld)eg ettua eine tunbe on unferev _^ 248 ^- willing to prepare my family for my daughter's reception, I determined to leave her that night at the inn, and to return for her, accompanied by my daughter Sophia, early the next morning. It was night before we reached our appointed stage: however, after seeing her provided with a decent apartment, and having ordered the hostess to prepare proper refreshments, I kissed her, and proceeded towards home. And now my heart caught new sensations of pleasure, the nearer I approached that peaceful mansion. As a bird that had been fright- ened from its nest, my affections outwent my haste, and hovered round my little fire -side with all the rapture of expectation. I called up the many fond things I had to say, and anticipated the welcome I was to receive. I already felt my wife's tender embrace, and smiled at the joy of my little ones. As I walked but slowly, the night waned apace; the labourers of the day were all retired to rest; the lights were out in every cottage; no sounds were heard but of the shrilling cock, and the deep-mouthed watch-dog, at hollow distance. I approached my Jpeimatb entfernt roar, llm meine Jamilie auf ben (Smpfang meiner lodjter ttorjuberetten, befcfylofj id), fte bie 9fad)t in bent 2Btrtf)3l)aufe ju laffen unb am ncicbften Sftorgen mit meiner 5od)ter Sopbie suriic^iit'ebren, itm fte ab^u; fyolen. (53 roar Slbenb geroorben, efye roir unfere Station erretcfyten; bod) al id) ifyr cin anftcinbige* 3troroc* tierfcfyafft unb ber 2Btrtbtn aufgetragen fyatte, fur (*rfrifd)ungen 311 forgen, fiifcte id) fte unb tranberte auf meine |)etmat^ gu. ^e ndl)er ia^ meiner friebltcfyen 2Bof)nung fain, bemaa}tioten fid) tntmer freu= btgere (Smpfinbungen meine ^er^en^. 2Bie etn S^oget, ber au fetnem 9lefte aufgefa^eucbt toorben, etlte meine 3^tHd)!eit ben rafcfyen Sc^ritten nod) or= au unb umfdfytoebte meinen fleinen ^eerb mit bem ganjen Gnt^ucfen freubtger @rft>artung. 9Jleine ebanfen n?aren mit ben fyergltcfyen Morten befa^dftigt, bie id) fagen mollte, unb mit bent ^orgefitbl be 2BtUfommen, ber meiner toartete. $$ fiiblte fd^on bie aartltdje llmarmung meiner %iau unb Iddjelte "ber bie L ^reube meiner fleinen. S)a id) nur (angfam ging, fo fyatte mtc^ bie 9tad)t iiberrafd)t. ^ie Slrbetter fatten fia^ f c^on alle jur ^tufye begeben, in alien ^iitten toaren bie Stcbter erlofa^en, unb fein 2on mar ju boren, aufjer bem _c, 249 < little abode of pleasure, and before I was within a furlong of the place, our honest mastiff came running to welcome me. It was now near midnight that I came to knock at my door: all was still and silent; my heart dilated with unutterable hapiness when, to my amazement, I saw the house bursting out into a blaze of fire, and every aperture red with conflagration! I gave a loud convul- sive outcry, and fell upon the pavement insensible. This alarmed my son, who had, till this, been asleep, and he, preceiving the flames, in- stantly awaked my wife and daughter, and all running out, naked, and wild with apprehension, recalled me to life with their anguish. But it was only to objects of new terror; for the flames had, by this time, caught the roof of our dwelling, part after part continuing to fall in, while the family stood with silent agony looking on, as if they enjoyed the blaze. I gazed upon them and upon it by turns, and then looked round me for my two little ones; but they were not to be seen. "0 misery! where," cried I, "where are my little ones?" - "They are ber^tibne unb bem meitfdjallenben^cllen ber)ofbunbe. $d) ndberte mid) mei= nem fletnen ^reubenaufentbalte, imb ctma bunbert cfyritt batten entfernt !am mir unfer treuer >aushimb entgegemjelauf en , uut mid) 311 beftnll!ommnen. ( toar beinafye Oftttternacfyt , al id) an meine Xbiir flopfte. l^lleg ruar ftill unb frieblid). ^ftetn $er d ermetterte fid) son unaufpred)lid)er lucffeltg; feit, al id) plo&lid) gu metnem (ntfe&en belle ^lammen aue bem .^aiife auf= ftetgen unb jebe Oeffnung mit olubenbem JKott) erfitllt fab. $d) ftte^ etnen tauten frampft)aften d)ret au unb fiel bemuJ3tlo ^u 33oben. 2Rein obn ermac^te baruber , bemerfte bie ^lammen unb med'te f oglet^ meine ^rau unb 6d)ter. 2llle Itefen balb nacfenb unb t>on Street t>ertttrrt au bent ^auje, unb ilji s Jtngftgefcbret brad)te mic^ mieber gum 33eiru^tfein. 2)Dtt^ id) mar gu neuem a^redten er^aa^t, benn bie $lammen batten jefet ba 55ad^ unferer SSobnung ergrtffen unb ein 5l)eil nad) bem anbern fiel ein , todbrenb meine ^amilie ftarr in bie ^lammen blidte, al ob fte fic^ baran ergofee. 3$ ric^; tete meine 23Iicfe balb auf fie, balb auf ba3 ^euer, unb fa^ mid) befonber nad) meinen .tleinen um; bod) fie n?aren ntroienbe gu erbltden. ,,0 jammer! _ 050 **. burnt to death in the flames," said my wife calmly, "and I will die with them." That moment I heard the cry of the babes within, who were just awaked by the fire, and nothing could have stopped me. "Where, where are my children?" cried I, rushing through the flames, and too," rtef id), ,,mo jtnb meine on betn Better ertoad^t iraren. Dermoc^te mid) ^urudf^u^alten. ,,2Bo, mo ftnb meine ^leinen?" rtef inbem id) burc^i bie ^Ifimmen [tur^te unb bie X^ur ber hammer bursting the door of the chamber in which they were confined: "where are my little ones?" - "Here, dear papa, here we are!" cried they together, while the flames were just catching the bed where they lay. I caught them both in my arms, arid conveyed them through the fire as fast as possible, while, just as I was going out, the roof sunk in. "Now," cried I, holding up my children, "now let the flames burn on, and all my possessions perish: here they are I have saved my treasure here, my dearest, here are our treasures, and we shall be happy." We kissed our little dearlings a thousand times ; they clasped us round the neck, and seemed to share our transports, while their mother laughed and wept by turns. I now stood a calm spectator of the flames , and after some time began to perceive that my arm to the shoulder was scorched in a terrible manner. It was, therefore, out of my power to give my son any assistance, either in attempting to save our goods, or preventing the flames spreading to our corn. By this time the neighbours were toorin fie fid) befcmben. ,,28o finb meine Clemen?" ,,ter, lieber $ater, f)ter finb arir!" So riefen beibe, aU bie ^lammen fdjon ba3 23ett ergriffen fatten, morin fie lagen. %$) nat>m beibe auf meine Irme unb trug fie fo fcfynell al moglid) burd) $euer. $aum toaren ftnr binburd), al3 and) bo* >ad) einfturgte. ,,SRun/'' rief id), meine Mnber empor^altenb, ,,mm ntogen bie glammen n)iitt)en unb meine gan^e ^abe ter^e{)ren. 3fteme @dt)dfee ^abe ic^ gerettet fyter finb fie! ^ter, Itebe ^rau, finb nnfere 6c^ci^e, unb mir tuerben nod) gliidlt^ fein ! " 2Bir fii^ten unfere !(einen Steblinge taufenbmal. ec^felnb lueinte unb lad)te. d)on ^atte id) cine 3citlang rufyigben ^lammen gugefe^en, al id) be= merfte, ba^ ntein s Jlrm bt jut Sautter auf fc^recflic^e SBeife cerbrannt tuav. 2)et)alb tttar id) ntd)t int Stanbe , meinem ol)ne im geringften beiguftel)en^ ber unfere abfeligfeiten ju retten, unb ba ^euer t>on bet mit etreibe ange= fiiHten c^eune abjubatten fu^te. ^e^t roaren au<^ unfere 9tad)barn au bent d)(afe aufgefd)rerft trorben, unb eilten f)erbei, un ju (jclfctt; boc^ fonnten -o 252 < alarmed, and came running to our assistance; but all they could do was to stand, like us, spectators of the calamity. My goods, among which were the notes I had reserved for my daughters' fortunes, were entirely consumed, except a box with some papers, that stood in the kitchen, and two or three things more of little consequence, which my son brought away in the beginning. The neighbours contributed, however, what they could to lighten our distress. They brought us clothes, and furnished one of our out-houses with kitchen utensils; so that by daylight we had another, though a wretched dwelling, to retire to. My honest next neighbour and his children were not the least assiduous in providing us with every thing necessary, and offering whatever consolation untutored benevolence could suggest. When the fears of my family had subsided, curiosity to know the cause of my long stay began to take place. Having, therefore, in- formed them of every particular, I proceeded to prepare them for the reception of our lost one ; and though we had nothing but wretched- fte nicfyte tueiter tbun, al tote nrir ber 3erftorung gujeljen. 2lUc toas> id) befafj, aud) einige $anfnoten, bie id) ^ur Slusfteucr meiner Softer aufbetoal;rt batte, nnirbe Don ben ^lammen t>ernid)tet, aufser einem $aften mit $apteren, ber im SBotmshnmer geftanben, unb einigen imbebeutenben ftteinigteiten , bie mein Sofyn gleid) Infang* in Sidjerbeit gebrad^t batte. S)ie 9{ad)barn t^atcn inbe^ alle 2Roglid)e, um iins unfer UngliicE gu erletdfytern. Sie brad)ten line .^leiber unb r>erfafyen ein on unfern 9?ebenl)diifern mit ^ud^engerdt^ , fo bafe mir mit ^ageanbrudb in einer anbern, obgleid) drmli^ern SBo^nung ein Obbadj fanben. 2)Zein et)rlid)er 9?act>bar ^-(amborougl) unb feine ^linber lie= ^en e fic^ befonber angelegen fein, un mit atlem 9totlngen ^u Derfe^en unb un j?ben 2ro)"t 311 geird^ren, ben tt?afyre 2Bol)tiDoUen 311 geben t>ermag. 211* meine Jamilie fic^ einigerma^en r>on i^rem Sd^redt ertjolt l)atte, murbe bie Dieugier tege, ben riinb meiner langen Slbaiefen^eit 311 erfafyren. ^d7 t^eilte i^nen alle ein^elnen Umftdnbemit unb begann fie auf ben mpfang nnferer t>erlornen od)ter uorpbereiten. ^reilid^ batten n?ir ifyr nid)t n?eiter al (Slenb u bieten ; bocb rooUte icb i^r menigften eine freunbtid}e 2Iufnafyme -H* 253 ness now to impart, I was willing to procure her a welcome to what we had. This task would have been more difficult but for our own recent calamity, which had humbled my wife's pride, and blunted it by more poignant afflictions. Being unable to go for my poor child myself, as my arm grew very painful, I sent my son and daughter, who soon returned, supporting the wretched delinquent, who had not the courage to look up at her mother, whom no instructions of mine could persuade to a perfect reconciliation; for women have a much stronger sense of female error than men. "Ah, madam!" cried her mother, "this is but a poor place you are come to after so much finery: iny daughter Sophy and I can afford but little entertainment to persons who have kept company only with people of distinction yes, Miss Livy, your poor father and I have suffered very much of late: but I hope Heaven will forgive you." During this reception, the unhappy victim stood pale and trembling, unable to weep or to reply; but I could not con- tinue a silent spectator of her distress: wherefore, assuming a degree oerfdfyaffen. .fjdtte im nicfyt bag eben ergcitjlte fdbmere Uncjliid betroffen , f o roiirbe btefe Eufgabe eine fd)ttneria.ere getoefen fein; aber ber tolj meiner $rau tt>ar jefet gebeitgt, unb fie in nod) tiefern ram r>erfen!t. Qa mid) mein 2lrm fefyr fdjmergte, fo mar id) nicfyt tm Stanbe, fetber mein arme $inb abgu; fyolen, toegfyalb tcfy metnen Solm unb metne anbere Xocfyter nad) tfyr ausfcfyicf'te, bie alter; balb guriicffamen, mit ber armen 6d)it{bbelabenen in tfyrer 2Ritte. @ie ^atte ni$t ben ^Jluti) , i^re Gutter an^ufeljen , bie t^i t>era,eben gu einer 6l!tgen 3Serf6l)nunc5 311 beiocgen 0efud)t ^atte; benn 5*ftuen beurt^eilcn ftjetb; lic^e ^Ber0et)un0en tt>eit ftrenger, al banner. ,,21^, mein $rcmletn!" rtef t^re SJlutter, ,,bieJ3 tft ein fe^r armlid^er Ort, ju bem @ie fommen , ba Sie an fo grojsen lang gelub'^nt finb. 3Retnc !ocr;ter Sophie unb id) fonnen folcfyen ^erf onen, bie mit r>ornefymen Seuten llmgang getjabt , nur eine a'rmlidje Eluf; natjme geimifyren. ^a^ 5 r ^ u ^i n Olitoia, 3^>r armer 33ater unb icb ^abcn feit ^urgem fel;r iel gelttten; boc^> ^offe id^, mirb ber immel ^{;nen terGeben." SBci^renb biefer Slnrebe ftanb bag ungludlid^e 6a^laa)topfer blaf? unb jitternb ba f unfa^ig, ^u metnen, ober irgenb etmae gu ermiebern. ^d^ t)ermod)te nia^t 254 : of severity in my voice and manner, which was ever followed with in- stant submission, "I entreat, woman, that my words may be now marked once for all: I have here brought you back a poor deluded wanderer; her return to duty demands the revival of our tenderness; the real hardships of life are now coming fast upon us; let us not, therefore, increase them by dissensions among each other: if we live harmoniously together, we may yet be contented, as there are enough of us to shutout the censuring world, and keep each other in coun- tenance. The kindness of Heaven is promised to the penitent, and let ours be directed by the example. Heaven, we are assured, is much more pleased to view a repentant sinner than ninety-nine persons who have supported a course of undeviating rectitude: and this is right; for that single effort by which we stop short in the downhill path to perdition, is of itsolf a greater exertion of virtue than a hundred acts of justice." Icinger ben ftummen ^ufo^auer bet ifyrem Sa^mer^e 311 fpielen, unb ^eigte bafjer eine getwffe trenge in Wild unb 6timme , toorauf getoofynlid) augenbUdltcfye Untertuerfung folgte. ><$ bittc, ^yrau, ein fur allental meine SBorte 311 b& acfyten!" rief id?. ,,3d) fyabe $Hr etn arme3 betrogene unb t>erirrte 3urucfgebrad)t. 3^ re ^Hiidfefyr jur $flid?t forbert, bafe aud? rotr unfere Udfyfeit erneuern. *5d}n)ere 5)rangfale be ebene> [tnb iiber uns d)en; boa^ mollen mir fie md)t buraS t)du^lia^en 3rot[t noc^ nermefyren. tt)ir in Gtntraa^t mit einanber leben, fo fi)nnen mir bod) 3 u friet> e tt^ti gente^en, benn anr ftnb une felbft genug unb fonnen ber tabe(fud}tigen 2Bett letcfyt entfa= gen unb unfern 9ftutb gegenfetttg aufrea^t er^alten. 2)te i'tte be^ ^tmmeB ter^et^t beniHeutgen^ergebung, unb barum roolien n?tr un> nacfy btefem 33ei^ fptele rta^ten. S)ertmmel, tiet^t e in berSdjnft, erfreut fid) nte^r iiber einen reuigen@unber,aI0 iiber neununbneun^ig^erea^te, bie niernal^ on bem2Bege berXugenb abgetrtct)en ftnb. llnb ba^tft rea^t; benn ber blofce ntfc^lu^ nta^t mteber auf bem gefafyrltd)en $fabe be3Serberben ^u manbeln, tft an fid) fa^on eine fyofyere Xugenbiibung, al Ijunbert Jpanblungen ber eredittgteit." 255 CHAP. XXIII. NONE BUT THE GUILTY CAN BE LONG AND COMPLETELY MISERABLE. Some assiduity was now required to make our present abode as convenient as possible, and we were soon again qualified to enjoy our former serenity. Being disabled myself from assisting my son in our usual occupations, I read to my family from the few books that were saved, and particularly from such as, by amusing the imagination, contributed to ease the heart. Our good neighbours, too , came every day with the kindest condolence, and fixed a time in which they were all to assist in repairing my former dwelling. Honest farmer Williams was not last among these visitors, but heartily offered his friendship. He would even have renewed his addresses to my daughter; but she rejected them in such a manner as totally repressed his future solicita- tions. Her grief seemed formed for continuing, and she was the only Hapttd. Jtur ber Safterbafte ift iange unb coflfommen elenb. 63 beburfte eimgenleif$e, urn unfere gegenmdrtige2Bof)mmg fo bequem al3 moglid) einsurtdjten ; bod) balb maren nrir ttrieber im Gtanbe, un ber friifyern jeiter!eit 311 itberlaffen. 2)a id) nicfyt t>ermod)te, meinem otwe bet ben 0ero6fynlid)en ($efcf)aften 311 fyelfen, fo Ia id) ber ^amilie au ben irenigen 33ud^ern or, bie mir gerettet fatten, unb befonber^ au fold)en, bic, inbem fie bie $fyantafte ergofeten , gur SSeru^igung be .^er^en^ beitrugen. 2lua) tamen unfere guten9Iad)barn jebenXag gu un, be^etgten un t^re^eils na^nteunb beftimmten 6^63^1, mo fie un alle bet)ulflid) fein motlten, unfere friifyere SBo^nung n3tebert)er3uftetlen. S)er reblid^e $ad)ter 2BilIiam mar nia^t ber Sefete unter biefen, unb bot un Don gangem ^erjen feme $reunb= fd)aft an. dr miirbe aud) je^t noa^ feme S3etDerbungen urn metne Xoa^ter erneuert Ijaben, foatte fie t^n nid^t auf erne f old^e 2Detfe ^urudtgemief en , bafe er alle ^offnung tierlor. 3ftr ram fasten bauernb gu fern, unb fte mar in un= -o 256 < person in our little society that a week did not restore to cheerfulness. She now lost that unblushing innocence which once taught her to respect herself, and to seek pleasure by pleasing. Anxiety had now taken strong possession of her mind; her beauty began to be impaired with her constitution, and neglect still more contributed to diminish it. Every tender epithet bestowed on her sister, brought a pang to her heart, and a tear to her eye; and as one vice, though cured, ever plants others where it has been, so her former guilt, though driven out by repentance , left jealousy and envy behind. I strove a thousand ways to lessen her care, and even forgot my own pain in a concern for hers, collecting such amusing passages of history as a strong memory and some reading could suggest. "Our happiness, my dear," I would say, "is in the power of One who can bring it about a thousand un- foreseen ways, that mock our foresight. If example be necessary to prove this, I will give you a story, my child, told us by a grave, though sometimes a romancing historian. ferm fleinen ftreife bic (Sinjtge, ber nad) ^erlauf einer SBocfye nid)t ber lige $roi)finn 3ururfgefef)rt roar. 3te fyatte bie forglofe Unfcfyulb r>erloren, bie ifyr einft gelefyrt, fid) felbft 311 ad)ten unb fid) baran 311 ergofccn, 3lnbern $er^ gniigen 311 geroafyren. Summer unb ram batten fid) ifyre emiitfyes bemad); tigt unb ifyre fcfyroantenbe efunbfyeit tturfte nacfytfyeilig auf tfyre Scfyonfyett, ber fie burd) $ernad)IdffigunQ nod) mefyr fd)abete. 3ebe3 freunbUdjc 2Bort, roela^e an il)re Sdfyroefter gerid)tet rourbe, oerle^te fie tief unb lodtte X^rdnen in ifyre s lugen; unb fo roie ein Safter, roenn e aud) auSgerottet ift, immer anbere an feine Stelle emporfc^ie^en Iaf,t, fo fyatte it)r friit)ere Sergel)en, ob= ajeid) burd) D^eue aufgeljoben, 9leib unb Giferfucfyt 3urucfgelaffen. ^;d) roar auf taufenbfad)e SBeife bemii^t, i^ren ram 3u (inbern , unb inbem id? bar; liber fetbft meinen eignenScfymerj ttergafc, fua^te ic^ fo mele unter^altenbe (5r; 3dt)lungen l)eror, al> mein gutes ebaa^tni^ unb einige 33elefen^eit mir bar= boten. ,,Unfer liid, liebe^ ^inb/' fagte id) oftmalS, ,,fte^t in ber ^aa^t be^jenigen, ber e auf taufenb unbefanntenSBegen, bie unferer 33orau^fe()ung fpotten, fyerbei3ufiibren tiermag. 2Benne^ eine 23eiftnel bebarf, um o 257 ; "Matilda was married very young to a Neapolitan nobleman of the first quality, and found herself a widow and a mother at the age of fifteen. As she stood one day caressing her infant son in the open window of an apartment which hung over the river Volturna, the child with a sudden spring, leaped from her arms into the flood below, and disappeared in a moment. The mother, struck with instant surprise, and making an effort to save him, plunged in after; but, far from being able to assist the infant, she herself with great difficulty escaped to the opposite shore, just when some French soldiers were plun- dering the country on that side, who immediately made her their prisoner. "As the war was then carried on between the French and Italians with the utmost inhumanity, they were going at once to perpetrate those two extremes suggested by appetite and cruelty. This base resolution, however, was opposed by a young officer, who, though his retreat required the utmost expedition, placed her behind him, and baton 311 uberjeugen, fo mill id) $)ir cine Graafylimg mittfyetlen , bte un ein ernfter , obgleidi) etma rontantjafter (Sfcfcfytcfytfdjretber bertd)tet. 2Jlatfn'lbe mar fefyr jung an einen neapolitaitifdjen Gbelntann erften $ange terfyeiratfyet unb mar im funf^efynten ^afyre berettg SBittme imb 2Ruts ter. 2ll fie etne 5age tfyren Jlehten Sotm liebfofte unb im offnen ^enfter einc emadbeS (tanb , meldfyeS auf ben $luj? 3SoIturna ^inaugtng , mad)te ba3 ^inb eine plo^lt^e Semetjmtg, fprana. au> itjren Airmen in bie $littfy Ijtnab unb t>erfd)manb in betnjelben 2Jioment. ^n ^^r Ueberetluna. be^ 2lugen: blic! fprang bte Gutter i^m nacb unb mar bemnfyt i^n ju retten; bod? anftatt bent $tnbe beifteljen ^n fonnen, gelangte fte felber nur mit grower c^miertg; feit an bag entgegengefefcte lifer , mo gerabe etntge frangoftfd^e otbaten ba3 anb pU'mberten nnb fte fogleicfy gefangen naljmen. ,,S)a ber $rieg gmifd^en ben ^rangofen unb ^taltenern bamaB ntit ber gro^ten llnntenfa^Hc^leit gefii^rt murbe , fo mare fte gemtfj ntit ber a'ufserften rauf antteit be^anbelt morben , Ijcitte ftd^ ntd^t ein junger Officter mtberfe^t, ber fie ^tnter fid) aufs> ^Sferb nabnt, rafd) baton rttt unb fte in feme $aterftabt 17 _<, 258 < brought her in safety to his native city. Her beauty at first caught his eye; her merit, soon after, his heart. They were married; he rose to the highest posts; they lived long together, and were happy. But the felicity of a soldier can never be called permanent: after an inter- val of several years, the troops which he commanded having met with a repulse, he was obliged to take shelter in the city where he had lived with his wife. Here they suffered a siege, and the city at length was taken. Few histories can produce more various instances of cruelty than those which the French and Italians, at that time, exer- cised upon each other. It was resolved by the victors, upon this occasion, to put all the French prisoners to death ; but particularly the husband of the unfortunate Matilda, as he was principally instrumental in protracting the siege. Their determinations were, in general, executed almost as soon as resolved upon. The captive soldier was led forth, and the executioner, with his sword, stood ready, while the spectators, in gloomy silence, awaited the fatal blow, which was only bracfyte. $fyre 6d}6nfyeit feffelte guerft fein 2luge, balb barauf iljr >erbienft fein er$. Ste tterfyeiratfyeten fief?; er.ftieg 311 ben fyocfyften Gfyrenpoften; fie lebten lange mit einanber unb maren glitcflicfy. 2)ocf) bae liicf eine olbcu ten lann mentals bauernb genannt roerben. s Jiatf> mefyreren ^afyren tourben bie Xruppen, bie er befefyligte, juriictgetneben unb er gendttn'gt, in ber tabt 3d)u& 311 fucfyen, n>o er mit feiner 'Jrflu gelebt ^atte. .*pier batten fie eine $e= lagerung aii^uftefyen unb enblid? murbe bie Stabt eingenommen. SBenige tjiftortfcbe ^egeben^eiten liefern fo erfcf)iebene ^roben on raufamfeit , al^ bie ^ranjofen unb ^taliener 311 ber 3eit gegen einanber au^iibten. s -8ei btefer (Megenfyeit befd?loffen bie ieger, alle f ranjoftfd&e efangene ju tobten, bef on= ber aber ben emal)lber unglucflicfyen 2Ratbtlbe, meil er norjugltc^ bie 3Ser= ber 23elagerung tteranlafet l)atte. %m ^((gemeinen murben tfyre liiff e faft eben f o balb augeful>rt, ale man fie gefajjt batte. er gefan= gene^rieger nwrbe corgefiibrt, unb ber 6d)arfritt^ter ftanb mit fetnem@cl)toert bereit, n?a'brenb bie 3uf$auer | n bumpfem Stidfa^meigen ben Xobesfcfylag er^ tparteten, n>eld?er erft erfolgen follte, menn ber (General, ber al ^iic^ter ben ~w 259 o- suspended till the general, who presided as judge, should give the signal. It was in this interval of anguish and expectation, that Matilda came to take the last fareAvell of her husband and deliverer, deploring her wretched situation, and the cruelty of fate, that had saved her from perishing by a premature death in the river Volturna, to be the spec- tator of still greater calamities. The general, who was a young man, was struck with surprise at her beauty, and pity at her distress; but with still stronger emotions when he heard her mention her former dangers. He was her son, the infant for whom she had encountered so much danger; he acknowledged her at once as his mother, and fell at her feet. The rest may be easily supposed: the captive was set free, and all the happiness that love, friendship, and duty, could confer on earth, were united." In this manner I would attempt to amuse my daughter; but she listened with divided attention; for her own misfortunes engrossed all the pity she once had for those of another, and nothing gave her ease. fiifyrte, ba 3eid)en baju gebe. $n biefem SlugenblidE ber Oual unb (Srmartung f am OJlatfyilbe, t>on tl)rem@atten unbSBefreierlbfdneb ^u nefymen, tnbent fie tyre elenbeSage unb bie raufam!eit ifyre 5d)icfal3 beflagte, meld)e fie r>on einent frii^eitigen Xobe in bem ^luffe 35otturna errettet batte , urn nod) grojjereg Glenb ^u erleben. 5)er (General, metier ein junger 2Rann tt?ar, er^ ftaunte iiber tt>re Sdjon^eit unb bemttleibete fie megen ifyu> t f?ummer; bod) murbe er nod) mac^tiger bemegt, al> fie ttjnt ton ifyren frul)ern efaljren er= ja^lte. @r trar i^r 6o^n, ba $mb, urn be^millen fie fic^ fo grower efa^r au^gefe^t. (r erlannte fie fogleid) fiir feine DJhttter unb fiel il)r ju ^itjjen. 2)a llebrtge ift (eic^t 311 erratfyen , ber efangerte nmrbe in ^rei^ett gefe^t, unb alle3 luc!, tneld)e Stebe, ^reunbf^aft unb $flid)t genja^ren fonnen, fanb fid^ jefct tereinigt." 2luf biefe SBeife mar id) betnufyt, meine Xoc^ter ju unterljalten ; bot^ borte fie mir nur mtt getljeilter 2lufmer!fam!eit 311 ; benn ifyr eigene 2Rifeg batte alle 9)litletb aufge^eljrt , meld)e fie f onft fiir Stnbere em))futiben unb nid^t^ fonnte ifyr 3ftube i?erfd)affen. Qn efeUfd)aft fiircfytete fie 17* 260 Jn company she dreaded contempt; and in solitude she only found anxiety. Such was the colour of her wretchedness, when we received certain information that Mr. Thornhill was going to be married to Miss Wilmot, for whom I always suspected he had a real passion, ihough he took every opportunity before me to express his contempt both of her person and fortune. This news served only to increase poor Olivia's affliction; for such a flagrant breach of fidelity was more than her courage could support. I was resolved, however, to get more certain information, and to defeat, if possible, the completion of his designs, by sending my son to old Wilmot's, with instructions to know the truth of the report, and to deliver Miss Wilmot a letter, intimating Mr. Thornhill's conduct in my family. My son went, in pursuance of my directions, and in three days returned, assuring us of the truth of the account ; but that he had found it impossible to deliver the letter, which he was therefore obliged to leave, as Mr. Thornhill and Miss Wilmot were visiting round the country. They were to be married, tung unb in ber Ginfamfett fanb fie nid)tS ate dual. $on biefer 2lrt toar ifyr (iiemutySjuftanb , ate ttnr bie gean'ffe -Hacfyriajt erfyielten, >err fyornf)iU fei im Segriff , fid? tmt $rdulein SBilmot ju fcerfyeiratfyen , unb obgletd? er jebe (Megenfyeit benufet fyatte, gegen mid? feine SBeracfytung fotoot)l in $etreff ifyrer S 4krfon ate aua? ifyre $ermDgen au^ufprecfyen , f o fyegte ic^ boc^ ben 2lrg : iDotin , ba^ er fie toirtltd) liebe. 35iefe 9?acfyrtd)t biente nur baju, bie SBetrubnife ber armen OliDia ju t>ermet)ren ; ein jo fd^dnblia^er Jreubrua^ toar me^r, ate i^r 3Rut\) ertragen fonnte. %$ entfc^lo^ mic^ tnbefc , mir genauere ^Rac^ric^ten 311 tterjcfyaffen unb IDD moglia^ bie ^usfufyrung feiner 2lb[id)t gu fytntertreiben, inbem id) meinen Soljn an ben alien errn SBtlmot abfcfyidfte, um fid) ton ber 2Bat)rt)eit be eruc^te 311 iiberjeugen unb ^rdulein 2BiImot einen S3rief 311 iiberbringen, ber fie on >errn 2l)omI)iU' 33etragen in meiner tfaniifte be= naa^ri^tigte. 2Rein oljn ging itnb fetjrte in brei Xagen mit ber etri^eit jurucf, bajj bie ^aa^ria^t ma^r fei. $0$ mar e itjnt unmoglia^) getoefen, ben S^rief ab^ugeben , unb er fyatte i^n jurucflajfen muffen, ba^err S^orn&iU unb SBilmot eben 33efurf)e in ber egenb gemad)t. 2Bie er fagte , follten o- 261 * he said, in a few days, having appeared together at church, the Sunday before he was there, in great splendour, the bride attended by six young ladies, and he by as many gentlemen. Their ap- proaching nuptials filled the whole country with rejoicing, and the}' usually rode out together in the grandest equipage that had been in the country for many years. All the friends of both families, he said, were there, particularly the squire's uncle, Sir William, who bore so good a character. He added, that nothing but mirth and feasting were going forward ; that all the country praised the young bride's beauty, and the bridegroom's fine person, and that they were immensely fond of each other; concluding that he could not help thinking Mr. Thornhill one of the most happy men in the world. "Why, let him if he can," returned I; "but, my son, observe this bed of straw and unsheltering roof; those mouldering walls and humid floor; my wretched body, thus disabled by fire, and my children weeping round me for bread: you have come home, my fie in tuenigen agen r>erfyeiratfyet roerben , benn am onntag corner , ate er ba geroefen, toaren fie mit grojjem lan^e in ber &ird?e erfcfyienen, bie $raut x>on fed?* jungen 2)amen begleitet imb er fcon eben fo mel erren. $\)U bettor; ftefyenbe ^erfyeirattmng erfullte bie gan^e egenb mit $reube , unb fie ritten gett)Dl?nltd) in fo grofjem efolge au, mie man e feit m'elen 3alj*en in bev @egenb nic^t gefe^en. 2Mle 33ern)anbte betber ^-amilten, fagte er, toaren ba, befonber ber Onfel be @utl)errn, @ir 2CilHam X^ornljtU, t>on bem man fo mel 93ortreffli<$e fagte. r fe^te \)in%n, man rebe on ni<^t metter, al> ton ^uftbarfeiten unb feftltcfyen elagen, bie gan^e egenb riifyme bie d^onbett ber jungen S5raut ; unb bie t)ubftt^e eftalt be S3rautigam^ , unb man fage, bafe fie au^erorbentlic^ gtirtlid) gegen einanber ftaren. 6r fcfylofj mit ber ^3e= merfung, bajj er nic^t umbin fonne, errn XljornliiU fiir etnen ber glitcflid}ften 9Jienfd?en auf rben ju fyalten. ,,(r mag e fein, menn er !ann," tterfe^te id), ,,aber, mein ol?n, be^ tracbte biefe3 tro^lager, biefee t>erfallene Sad^, biefe mobernben SBdnbe, biefen feud)ten ^u^boben, meinen burc^g ^euer nerle^ten elenben $6rper unb > 262 *- child, to all this; yet here, even here, you see a mail that would not for a thousand worlds exchange situations. 0, my children, if you could but learn to commune with your own hearts, and know what noble company you can make them, you would little regard the elegance and splendour of the worthless. Almost all men have been taught to call life a passage, and themselves the travellers. The similitude still may be improved, when we observe that the good are joyful and serene, like travellers that are going towards home; the wicked but by intervals happy, like travellers that are going into exile." My compassion for my poor daughter, overpowered by this new disaster, interrupted what I had further to observe. I bade her mother support her, and after a short time she recovered. She ap- peared from that time more calm, and I imagined had gained a new degree of resolution; but appearances deceived me; for her tran- quillity was the languor of overwrought resentment. A supply of meine $inber, bie urn mid? fyer nad? $rob fd)reien alle3 bie fiefyft 25u mie- ber, tnein ofyn, aber fyier, fyier fiefyft S)u einen llftann, ber nid)t nut iljm tau= fd?en nritrbe , unb fonnte er taufenb 2Mten baburd) genrinnen. meine $m= ber, fonntet $)? nur lernen, mit eiirent eignen .^erjen umgugefyen, unb erfafy; ren, toeldje eble efellfd>aft ^Ijr baran ^abt, fo miirbet ^br bie s $racbt unb ben lang ber Unrourbigen toenig adbten. aft alle 2Jienfcf)en nennen bae Seben eine SBanberfc^aft, unb fid) felber bie SCanberer. 3)a3 leid^ni^ fann nur t>erbe(fert toerben , menn n)ir bemerfen , bafj bie uten freubig unb Better fmb, gleid^ SBanberern, bie tljrer ^etmatl) ^ueilen; ba^ aber bie ottlofen nur jelten gliicflicb fmb, g(eicf) ^eifenben, bie in bie 23erbannung ge^en." SD'lein Uftitleib mit metner armen 2orf)ter, bie burd) biefe^ neue SWifegef^icE iiberrotiltigt murbe, ^ie(t meine hjettern Semertungen gurud. 3^ ^ a * tyw Gutter, il)r beigufteljen, unb nad^ furjer 3^it fam fie mteber gu fid). 3?on ber 3eit an erfcfyien fie rul)tger, unb id) bilbete mir ein, ba^ fie fid? eine neue @nt= fd)Ioffen^eit angeetgnet I^abe; bod) ber Sdjein tauf^te mia^, benn ihre ^ufye mar bie rmattung be iiberfpannten eful)te^. Sine enbung SebenSmittel > 263 provisions, charitably sent us by rny kind parishioners, seemed to diffuse new cheerfulness among the rest of my family, nor was 1 displeased at seeing them once more sprightly and at ease. It would have been unjust to damp their satisfactions, merely to condole with resolute melancholy, or to burden them with a sadness they did not feel. Thus, once more, the tale went round, and a song was demanded, and cheerfulness condescended to hover round our little habitation. CHAP. XXIV. FRESH CALAMITIES. The next morning the sun arose with peculiar warmth for the season, so that we agreed to breakfast together on the honeysuckle bank; where, while we sat, my youngest daughter, at my request, joined her voice to the concert on the trees about us. It was in this t)on tneinen tfyeilnefymenben ^farrfinbern fcfyien neite ^reubigteit in meiner iibrigen $amilie 311 fcerbreiten ; and? tt>ar e tnir lieb , fie tmeber etnmal better unb berulngt 311 fefyen. 6 mare Unrest getoefen , ifyre $ r eube 311 ftoren , urn blofj mit bet entfdfyloffenen Sdjtoermutf) ^u flagen, ober fie mit einev XraurtQ; leit belaften 311 toollen, bie fie nicfyt fiiblten. 60 murbe bie Unterfyaltuttg mie= ber belebt, ber efcmg mieber ge^ort iinb URunterfeit berrfd^te mieber in unferer fleinen 2lm ndc^ften 2Rorgen ging bie onne fur bie ^a^re^jeit mit befonberer 2Bdrtne auf, fo bajs toir ubereinfamen , auf ber mit ei mir bort fafjen, tjeretnte metne jiingfte Xoc^ter auf meine SHtte i^re timme mit bem Concert in ben 33dumen um un b^. 2ln biefer 6telle batte meine arme Dltma i()ren 3Serfubrer juerft gefe^en, unb 264 w place iny poor Olivia first met her seducer, and every object served to recal her sadness. But that melancholy which is excited by objects of pleasure, or inspired by sounds of harmony, sooths the heart instead of corroding it. Her mother, too, upon this occasion, felt a pleasing distress, and wept, and loved her daughter as before. "Do, my pretty Olivia," cried she, "let us have that little melancholy air your papa was so fond of; your sister Sophy has already obliged us. Do, child, it will please your old father." She complied in a manner so exquisitely pathetic, as moved me. When lovely woman stoops to folly, And finds , too late , that men betray, What charm can sooth her melancholy? What art can wash her guilt away? The only art her guilt to cover, To hide her shame from ev'ry eye, To give repentance to her lover, And wring his bosom , is to die. jeber egenftcmb btente baju, ifyre Xraurigfett siiruc^urufen. SDie 6d)tt>er= mutfy aber, bie burd) frofylicfye egenjtdnbe erregt ober burcfy fyarmomfcfye Xone eingeflof3t toirb , befanftigt ba* .fterj , anftatt e 311 t>erleen. s J(ucfy ifyre Gutter f iil;lte bet biefer (Megenfyeit eine angenefyme 6d>roermutfy , meinte unb Itebte ifyre ed)ter toie friiber. ,,XW e, meine gute Oliuia/' rief fie; ,,[inge un bie fleine fd^mermut^ioe S 2(rte, bie em Sater fo tjerne Ijort. 2)eme Sc^iuefter Sophie ^at un bereit^ etroa corgetragen. ^u' e, mein ^inb, e iDirb Setnem alten 3Sater angenet)tn fein." ie nrilligte aitf jo leibenbe SSeife eiu, ba^ id^ babiird? betuegt murbe. Sffienn ftcfe ein bolbes Jttnb jur ^or^eit tuenbet, Unb ftnbet allju [pat, bap banner trii^en: ibt'0 feinen 3auber, ber bie @(^mev^en enrct, llnb fetne ^unfl, fict? fetber ju beliigen? 3)a etnj'ge SOitttet, tfyre @c^u(b ju bccfen, Sieinbeit ft* or ben 9JJenf*en ju erioerben, llnb 9teu' in bem 33erfiif)rer ju ertverfen, ein eq tief ju uertvunben, tft ju fterben. -^ 265 <-- As she was concluding the last stanza, to which an interruption in her voice, from sorrow, gave peculiar softness, the appearance of Mr. Thornhill's equipage at a distance alarmed us all, but par- ticularly increased the uneasiness of my eldest daughter, who, desirous of shunning her betrayer, returned to the house with her sister. In a few minutes he was alighted from his chariot, and making up to the place where I was still sitting, inquired after my health with his usual air of familiarity. "Sir," replied I, "your present assurance only serves to aggravate the baseness of your character; and there was a time when I would have chastised your insolence, for presuming thus to appear before me. But now you are safe; for age has cooled my passions, and my calling restrains them." "I vow, my dear sir," returned he, "I am amazed at all this; nor can I understand what it means! I hope you do not think your daughter's late excursion with me had any tiling criminal in it," ills fie bie letjte Stance fcfylofc, melcfye baburd? eincn bejonbern s 2Ule ba 6rjd)einen ber Equipage be >errn SfyornfyiU in einiger Crntfernung. 23ejonber3 aufgeregt ttwrbe meine dltefte Xocbter, bie tyren 3Ser= fityrer 311 fcermeiben nnmfdjte unb mit tyrer Sajtoefter in' ."pau^ guructfefyrte. 3n menigen SRinuten mar er au3 bent 2Bagen geftiegen, tarn 311 ber telle, tt?o id} nod? fafj, unb fragte mit fetner gemol^nHc^en ^ertrau(i(^lett nac^ nteinem 53efinben. ,,2Rein $err," Derfc^te id) , ,,3fyre gegentDdrtige 3ut)er[i(^tUc^fett btent nur ba^u, bie -)Itebertrdd)ttg!eit $fyres> SbarafterS in ein ^ellere^ Sid)t gu ftellen. S gab etne 3eit, mo ic^ Sfyw Jred^ett, fic^ jo mir ju geigen, nac^; t)riicfltd} mi'trbe ge^ii^tigt fyaben. 3)oct) je^t ftnb (5ie ficfyer, benn ba2l(ter bat meine Setbenfcbaft abgefu^lt, unb mein ^Beruf legt mir 3ft) an 9 auf." ,,2Ba^aftig, Ueber^err," erjefete er, {$ bin iiber alle bieje je^r er= ftaunt, unb Derjte^c nid)t, tua^ e^ bebeuten joll. ^offentlid) merben Ste bocb nic^t glauben , bafc bie !Ieine 9^et je , bie iefy furjlid^ mit 3b r er Socfyter angejtellt, ^erbred^erijc^ee an jid? bat?" 266 "Go," cried I, "thou art a wretch, a poor, pitiful wretch, and every way a liar; but your meanness secures you from my anger! Yet, sir, I am descended from a family that would not have borne this! And so, thou vile thing, to gratify a momentary passion, thou hast made one poor creature wretched for life, and polluted a family that had nothing but honour for their portion." "If she or you," returned he, "are resolved to be miserable, I cannot help it. But you may still be happy; and whatever opinion you may have formed of me, you shall ever find me ready to con- tribute to it. We can marry her to another in a short time; and, what is more, she may keep her lover beside; for I protest, I shall ever continue to have a true regard for her." I found all my passions alarmed at this new degrading proposal; for though the mind may often be calm under great 'injuries, little villany can at any time get within the soul, arid sting it into rage. "Avoid my sight, thou reptile," cried I, "nor continue to insult me ,,efy," rief id), ,,!J)u bift etn @lenber, ein armer jammerlid)er unb ein Siigner in jeber Sebeutung be 2Borte ; bod) eine 9ttebertra'd)ttgfett ftcfyert S)id> t>or meinem $orn! 3'a, ,fterr, id) ftamme au einer $amilie, bie bie nid)t nnirbe erbulbet fyaben ! lint eine augenbltdlid)e Setbenfcfyaft 311 be; frtebigen, fyaft S)u, mebertrddittge featttr, ein artne3 SBefen auf Seben^ett ungliidlid) gemad&t unb einer ^atntlie ein SBranbmaal aufgebructt , beren gam je 33i)"i^t^um @fyre mar." ,,2Benn ^f)re Xoc^ter ober Ste ent)d^lo[fen ftnb, unglud'Iid) 311 fein, fo fann id^ ntd)t ^clfen," ermieberte er. ,,S)od^ Sie fonnen nod) gliidlid) ttterben, unb n?eld)e 3}leinung Sie aud) Don mir fyegen mogen, fo follen 6ie mid) bod) ftet bereit finben , ba^u beigutragen. 2Bir fonnen [te in fur^er $eit an etnen 2lnbern t>erl)etratl)en ; unb tr>as> noc^ met)r tft , fie fann ifjren (Miebten beibe^alten ; benn i<^ r>erfid?ere, id^ merbe nie aufpren, toafyre Sld^tung or i^r 3U Ijaben." 2lHe nteine Setbenfdiaften murben bei btefetn neuen ente^renben 3Sorfd}lage aufgeregt ; benn menn ber eift aud^ oft bei gro^en SSeletbigungen ru{)ig blet; ben fann, fo ma$t boc^ f(emltd)e ^tebertrcicbttgfeit jebergett etnen ttefen in= 267 with thy presence. Were my brave sou at home, he would not suffer this ; but I am old and disabled, and every way undone." "I find," cried he, "you are bent upon obliging me to talk in a harsher manner than I intended. But, as I have shown you what may be hoped from my friendship, it may not be improper to represent what may be the consequence of my resentment. My attorney, to whom your late bond has been transferred, threatens hard; nor do I bruo* unb regt 3111* SButfy auf. ,,@efy au metnen s Jlugen , 35 u jammerltcber SBiirm!" rief id), ,,erlee mid) nicfyt mefyr burdj >eine egenmart! SBare mein madterer obn 311 .fjaufe, er miirbe bies nid)t jugeben; bocfy id^ bin alt, nifyt im tanbe, tneine lieber gu gebraucfyen, unb in jeber ^infid^t elenb." %$ febe, ie mollen mid? notfytgen, in f)drterem^one mit^^nen 311 reben, al e tneine 2lbfid)t irar," rtef er. , f 3)o<^ ba idj> ^^nen ge^eigt l;abe, h)a @te toon meiner ^reunbfd^aft 311 fyoffen baben, fo mag e nidbt vmpaffenb fein, ie aufmer!jam ju madden, weld^cS bie $olge meiner Oiaa}e fein bitrfte. 2Rein 6a(b- malter, bem i^> 3ftre cbulberf cbreibung iibergeben babe , brobt mit [trengen _^> 268 * know how to prevent the course of justice, except by paying the money myself; which, as I have been at some expenses lately, previous to my intended marriage, is not so easy to be done. And then my steward talks of driving for the rent: it is certain he knows his duty; for I never trouble myself with affairs of this nature. Yet still I could wish to serve you, and even to have you and your daughter present at my marriage, which is shortly to be solemnized with Miss Wilmot; it is even the request of my charming Arabella herself, whom I hope you will not refuse." "Mr. Thornhill," replied I, "hear me once for all: as to your marriage with any but my daughter, that I never will consent to: and though your friendship could raise me to a throne, or your resentment sink me to the grave, yet would I despise both. Thou hast once wofully, irreparably deceived me. I reposed my heart upon thine honour, and have found its baseness. Never more, therefore, expect friendship from me. Go, and possess what fortune has given thee , imb tcf) toeij? nicfyt, trie id) ben ang ber ered)tigteit uerfyinbern foil, menn id) md)t ba (Mb felber be^afyle, tt>a nid)t fo gan^ leid)t gefcfyetjen fann,ba id) toegcn mciner beabfiajtigtenSSerfyetratfyung feit.ftur^em betrad)tltd)e $us>gabengel;abtl)abe. Ueberbie^brofyt memaul)ofmetfter mit 2luenn@i bei tneinerjod)3eit mit^rciulein5Bilntot jugegen mctren. meiner rei^enben Arabella felber, ber Sie e3 tjoffentlic^ nia^t abfc^lagen toerben." ,,^)err Xbornl)ill/' erfe^te ic^, ,,fyoren 6te mid^) ein fiir allemal. Qn ^l)re 33erl)eiratt)ung mit trgenb einer ^nbern, au^er meiner od)ter, merbe id^ nimmer einrt)illigen , unb fonnte ^l)u ^reunbf cfyaft mic^) auf einen 2^ron er^ Ijeben, ober %fyu JHad^e mid) in'3 rab fen!en, fo t>erad)te id^ bod^ betbe. S)u I)aft mid) etnmal auf fa^cinblid)e unb imerfe&lidfye SBeife betrogen. 3*^ fcerliejj mid^ auf 2)ein 6l)rgeful)l unb l)abe S)eine ^tebertrcitt^tigfett erfannt. (srtoarte feine ^vreunbfcbaft mel)r tton mir. el) alfo unb befifee, n?a^ ba liidt ** 269 <~- beauty, riches, health, and pleasure. Go, and leave me to want, infamy, disease, and sorrow. Yet, humbled as I am, shall my heart still vindicate its dignity ; and though thou hast my forgiveness, thou shalt ever have my contempt." ,,If so," returned he, "depend upon it, you shall feel the effects of this insolence, and we shall shortly see which is the fittest object of scorn, you or I." Upon which he departed abruptly. My wife and son, who were present at this interview, seemed terrified with apprehension. My daughters also, finding that he was gone, came out to be informed of the result of our conference; which, when known, alarmed them not less than the rest. But as to myself, I disregarded the utmost stretch of his malevolence: he had already struck the blow, and I now stood prepared to repel every new effort; like one of those instruments used in the art of war, which, however thrown, still present a point to receive the enemy. ir gegeben d)6nl)ett, $etd)tbum, efunbfyett unb $reube. efy unb uberlafj mid) bent Mangel , ber cfyanbe , ber Unrufye unb ber orge. o fefyr id) aud) gebemiitbigt bin, roirb mem erg bod) ftetS feine SBitrbe befyaup; ten; unb menn id) !)tr aud) tiergetfye, fo tnerbe id) 2)td) bod) ftet t>erad)ten." ,,$n biefem $alle," errtiieberte er, ,,fonnen te fid^ barauf t>erlaf|en, bafe Sie bie ^otgen biefer llnt>erjd)dmtt)eit empfinben tnerben, unb balb trirb e fid) geigen, irer ber paffenbftc egenftanb ^ur 3Serad^)tunG ift, ie ober id). y> 2Rit btejen 2Borten entfernte er |id^ rafd). 2Reine ^rau unb ntein ol)n, bie bet btefer llnterrebung jugegen roaren, fd^ienen Don ^urc^t ergrtffen. 2l( metne X6d)ter benterften, ba^ er fort mar, fanten fte fyerattS, um ben (Srfolg ^u fyoren, unb bann murben fte eben fo un= ruf)ig, mie bie llebrtgen. ^c^ metne XljetB tro^te fetner du^erften 93o^eit. r fyatte berett ben c^lag auygefiil)rt , unb t^ ftanb geritftet ba , jebem neuen 2lufalle ju begegnen, glei(^ etnent ^nftrumente, tt)eld)e bei ber ^rieg^funft angetnenbet mirb, unb menn e aut^ abgefd)offen ift, bod^ nod) eine ptfce ^at^ um bent ^etnbe 311 tro&en. __c 270 ^- We soon, however, found that he had not threatened in vain; for the very next morning his steward came to demand my annual rent, which, by the train of accidents already related, I was unable to pay. The consequence of my incapacity was, his driving away my cattle that evening, and their being appraised and sold the next day for less than half their value. My wife and children now, therefore, entreated me to comply upon any terms , rather than incur certain destruction. They even begged of me to admit his visits once more, and used all their little eloquence to paint the calamities I was going to endure, the terrors of a prison in so rigorous a season as the present, with the danger that threatened my health from the late accident that happened by the fire. But I continued inflexible. "Why, my treasures," cried 1, "why will you thus attempt to persuade me to the thing that is riot right? My duty has taught me to forgive him, but my conscience will not permit me to approve. Would you have me applaud to the world what my heart must ir fanben tnbefj balb, bajj er ntd}t ttergebens gebrofyt fyatte, bemt fd}on am ncid}ften 2Jlorgen fam fetn |)au3fyofmeifter, urn bag jdfyrttcfye $ad}tgelb 311 forbern, n>eld}e id) in ^olge ber eben erjafylten Gretgniffe ntd)t ^u bejafylen im Stanbe irar. 3)ie Jolge meiner 3af)fongsunfal)igfett ^ oaXt b a jj me in $iel} am Slbenb meggetrieben iinb am nad)ften Stage tartrt unb unter ber jcilfte be 2Bertfye3 t>ertauft murbe. 2Jleine rau unb meine timber baten mid) je&t, lieber alle 23ebingun0en ein^uge^en, a( mid) bem gemiffen llntergange aii5; jufe^en. 6ie baten mid) fogar, nod) einmal feinen S3efud) 311 geftatten, unb tnenbeten all i^re 33erebfamfeit an, mir ba Ungemaa) ju fd)ilbern, feelc^es id} luiirbe p erbulben fyaben: bte Sd}recten eines efangniffe in ber je&igen rauljen ^a^re^eit, nebft ber efatjr, bie meiner efunbfyeit bro^te, megen ber beim $eiter erlittenen S3efd}dbigung. 2)od) id} blieb unbeugfam. ^SBarum, meine fiiebltnge/' rief id}, ,,marum mollt Q^r mid) ^u bem ^u iiber= reben f ud}en, ftaS nid}t rea)t ift ? ^Jleine ^flid)t fyat mid} gelefyrt, i^m ^u tergeben ; bod} mein ertriff en erlaubt mir nid}t, jeine ^anblung^metfe au btlligen. 6ollte id} cor ber5Belt bem S5eifall pollen, ita mein.^era innerlid} erbammt? 6ollte 271 internally condemn? Would you have me tamely sit down and flatter our infamous betrayer; and, to avoid a prison, continually suffer the more galling bonds of mental confinement? No, never. If we are to be taken from this abode, only let us hold to the right, and wherever we are thrown, we can still retire to a charming apartment, where we can look round our own hearts with intrepidity and with pleasure." In this manner we spent that evening. Early the next morning, as the snow had fallen in great abundance in the night, my son was employed in clearing it away, and opening a passage before the door. He had not been thus engaged long, when he came running in, with looks all pale, to tell us that two strangers, whom he knew to be officers of justice, were making to- wards the house. id) micfy gur $ufye geben unb bent lichen $erf iifyrer f djnteicfyeln, unb urn ba efangnifc 311 tiermetben, bie nod) arge; ten Oualen meine* emtf) en erbitlben ? ^ein^niTnmerme^r. elite man unaud) au btefer SBolmung fiifyren, fo laJ3tun bod? am $ed)ten feftfyalten ; benn mofytn toil aucfy mogen gebracfyt toerben, fo fo'tmen nrir un bann bo^i tmmer in ein Ueblicfyes (Sentac^ guriidsie^en, menn mir unerfdfyrodten unb freubig in unfere etgenen Bergen blicEen bilrfen." 2luf biefe SBetfe brad^ten mir ben Slbenb gu. S)a in ber 9Jad}t t>iel c^nee gefallen mar, befd&aftigte ftc^ metn o^n frill) am 2Ror0en bamit, it)n binmeg-' gurtiumen unb einen @ang x>or ber Xfyiir ju offnen. 6r mar nod? nid)t lange auf biefe 2Beife befc^aftigt gemefen, a( er gang blafj ^ereinfturste unb un fagte, ba^ gmet ^rembe, uon benen er miffe, bafe e3 erid^tgbtener mciren, auf ba jau jufa'men. > 272 Just as he spoke they came in, and approaching the bed where I lay, after previously informing me of their employment and business, made me their prisoner, bidding me prepare to go with them to the county jail, which was eleven miles off. "My friends," said I, "this is severe weather in which you are come to take me to a prison; and it is particularly unfortunate at this time, as one of my arms has lately been burnt in a terrible manner, and it has thrown me into a slight fever, and I want clothes to cover me, and I am now too weak and old to walk far in such deep snow; but if it must be so " I then turned to my wife and children , and directed them to get together what few things were left us, and to prepare immediately for leaving this place. I entreated them to be expeditious, and desired my son to assist his eldest sister; who, from a consciousness that she was the cause of all our calamities, was fallen, and had lost anguish in insensibility. I encouraged my wife, who, pale and 2113 er nod) rebete, famen fie fyerein, ndfyerten fid) bem $ette, ttorin id) lag, fagten mir, ft>cr fie todren, nafymen mid) gefangen unb befallen mir, ifynen in ba efdngnife ber raff d)aft gu folgen , meld)e elf 2fteilen entfernt roar. ,,2Jleme 'ftreunbe," fagte id), ,,3fyr fommt bei fd)led)tem 2Better, wn mid) in efdngniJ3 gu bringen, unb e3 trifft fid) befonber ungliirf lid) , ba mein 2lrm Dor $urgem beim fyuei fdjrerflid) uerbrannt ift. $d) liege gerabe im $ieber, unb e3 fefylt mir an ^leibern, urn mid) gefyorig gegen bie $dlte fd)ufeen 311 fonnen. Mnfy bin id) jefct ^u f^mad^ unb 311 alt, um in fo tiefem 6d)nee meit gel;en 311 tonnen ; boc^ menn e fein mu^ " S)ann toenbete ic^ mia^ 311 meiner ^rau unb meinen ,^inbern unb befafyl il)nen, bie roenigen @ad)en, bie un nod) iibrig geblieben todren, gufammen; ^ubringen unb fid^) fogleid) bereit ^u madden, biefen Ort gu oerlaffen. 2Reinen o^n bat id), feiner alteften @d)toefter betguftefyen, bie in bem Semu^tfein, baf; fie bie SSeranlaffung all biefe Ungemad^e^ fei , in Olmmad)t gefallen mar unb ba 33ettwfjtfein i\)u> SeibenS rerloren tjatte. %tf) fud^te meine ^rau gu berufyigen, meld^e bla^ unb gitternb unfere beiben erfd)redten ^leinen um^ -^ 273 *~ trembling, clasped our affrighted little ones in her arms, that clung to her bosom in silence, dreading to look round at the strangers. In the mean time my youngest daughter prepared for our departure, and as she received several hints to use despatch, in about an hour we were ready to depart. CHAP. XXV. NO SITUATION, HOWEVER WRETCHED IT SEEMS, BUT HAS SOME SORT OF COMFORT ATTENDING IT. We set forward from this peaceful neighbourhood, and walked on slowly: my eldest daughter being enfeebled by a slow fever, which had begun for some days to undermine her constitution, one of the officers, who had a horse, kindly took her behind him; for even these men cannot entirely divest themselves of humanity. My son let one of the little ones by the hand, and my wife the other; armte, bie ftd> feft an fie anfcfynttegten unb fid? furdjteten, bie $retnben fefyen. ^nannfcfyen traf meine iiingfte od?ter $orbereitungen 31* tneiner 2lfe reife, itnb ba i^r mieberfyolt gefagt ttmrbe, baft fie eilig 311 2Ber!e gefyen tnoge, fo toaren ttrir etnw in einer Stunbe 311 gefyen bereit. Hapttd. 33et jeber Sage, fo elenb fie auctj erfcfeeint, ift bod^ immer eimger Profit. 2Bir entfernten un au unferer frieblid^en egenb unb gingen langfant wetter. 3)a nteine dlteftc Xod^ter megen eine f c^letc^enben ^ieber , h)elc^e feit einigen Xagen angefangen Ijatte, i^re efunbl)eit 311 untergraben, nic^t 311 getjen hn tanbe itar , f o nafym etner ton ben erid^tbienern fie fyinter fid^ auf ' ^Sferb ; benn f elbft biefe banner tonnen fic^ nid^t gang ton ber 3Renf & (t^feit logfagen. 2ftein ol)n fuljrte einen ton ben (einen an ber ^>anb, unb meine $ran ben anbern , todfyrenb idb mia^ auf ben 2lrm ntetner iitnaften 18 _^ 274 while I leaned upon iny youngest girl, whose tears fell not for her own, but my distresses. We were now got from my late dwelling about two miles, when we saw a crowd running and shouting behind us, consisting of about fifty of my poorest parishioners. These, with dreadful imprecations, soon seized upon the two officers of justice, and swearing they would never see their minister go to a jail, while they had a drop ftiifcte, bie nid)t ifyre3 eignen 2eiben3 toegen, fonbem roegen be$ nteu nigen >rdnen fcergofj. 2Bir roaren ettoa jmet SfteMen on meiner 2Botmung entfernt, a( toir etnen 33olf3fyaufen tnit lautem efd)rei unb tftufen Winter un^ ^er laufen fafyen, ber etma au funf^tg meiner armften 33ei(^tfinber beftanb. 2Rit furd)tbaren S)ro^un0en fielen fte iiber bie beiben eri(^tbtener ^er unb fd^ttwren, fie mollten e nimmerme^r jugeben, bafe iljr ^farrer in' (Sefangnifs g^fu^rt tetbe, fo lange fie nod? einen Sropfen 33lut in tfyren Slbem fatten, ben fte *** 275 <*- of blood to shed in his defence, were going to use them with great severity. The consequence might have been fatal, had I not immediately interposed, and, with some difficulty, rescued the officers from the hands of the enraged multitude. My children, who looked upon my delivery now as certain, appeared transported with joy, and were incapable of containing their raptures. But they were soon undeceived, upon hearing me address the poor deluded people, who came, as they imagined, to do me service. "What! my friends," cried I, ,,and is this the way you love me? Is this the manner you obey the instructions I have given you from the pulpit? thus to fly in the face of justice, and bring down ruin on yourselves and me? Which is your ringleader? Show me the man that has thus seduced you. As sure as he lives, he shall feel my resentment. Alas! my dear deluded flock, return back to the duty you owe to God, to your country, and to me. I shall yet, perhaps, one day see you in greater felicity here, and contribute 3U feinev ^ertfyeibiflung ttergiefeen fonnten. @ben roaren fie tm $egriff , an ben erid)tsbtenern etoalt au^uitben , unb bie $olgen fatten gefd'ljrltd) fein fb'nnen, fytitte icfy micf) md)t fogleid) imberfe&t unb bie @ericfyt3biener au ben Ijanben ber toutfyenben 2Jtenge befreit. 2fteine $inber, bie meine $efreiung je^t al aufcerld'ffig anfafyen, toaren fefyr erfreut unb fonnten ifyr Gnt^urfen nicfyt bergen. 33a(b aber ttmrben (te entttiuf cf)t , al fie fyorten, inie t($) bie armen eute anrebete, tneld^e gelommen maren, urn mir, mie fie glaubten, einen )tenft gn ertueifen. ^SQie, meine $reunbe, ift bteg bie s or Slnbrud;) ber s J!act)t er-. reia^ten tt)ir ba otdbtcben ober ie(mebr bas 2)orf , mclcfye^ ba^ Qiel unferer roar. %e%t beftanb e? nur ait3 n?enigen drtnlia^en ^dnfern, batte fein roobnltdbe^ 2lnfeben tterloren itnb befaf, auJ3er bent (^efdngniffe letn n frit^erer S3ebeutung. Us n?ir anfanten, gingen mir in bas 38irtt)t)au^ , mo mir fo gut als bebient murben , unb mo id) mtt meiner ^amilie mit meiner gemobn^ (tcben ^eiterfeit ju Slbenb fpeifte. 2ll Sllle fur bte ^Rac^t bequem untergebraa^t maren, folgte i< ben erta^t^bienern in bas efdngni^, mela^e^ anfang gu friegertfd)en ^^^^^ mar erbaut morben. (^ befanb ft<^ barin ein , mit ftarfen @ittern Derfeben, mit Stetnen gepflaftert , mortn -^ 277 <^- with stone, common to both felons and debtors at certain hours in the four -and -twenty. Besides this, every prisoner had a separate cell, where he was locked in for the night. I expected upon my entrance to find nothing but lamentations, and various sounds of misery, but it was very different The pri- soners seemed all employed in one common design, that of forgetting thought in merriment or clamour. I was apprised of the usual per- quisite required upon these occasions; and immediately complied with the demand, though the little money I had was very near being all exhausted. This was immediately sent away for liquor, and the whole prison was soon filled with riot, laughter, and profaneness. "How ! " cried I to myself, "shall men so very wicked be cheerful, and shall I be melancholy? 1 feel only the same confinement with thorn, and I think 1 have more reason to be happy." With such reflections I laboured to become cheerful; but cheer- fulness was never yet produced by effort, which is itself painful. toofyl $erbred)er ate au& ocfyulbner $11 beftimmten Stunben aufbalten burften. Slufeerbem batto jeber efangene eine befonbere $elle, \vo er tmifyrenb ber x Jiacbt einge)d)loifen murbe. $cb ermartete bei metnem (fintritt nid)t a!3 $(agen unb fcerjdnebene s Jlubrud)e be @Ienb ju finben; bod? toar e fyier aan^ anber. 'S)ie C: fangenen toaren alle mit einem gemeinf(^aftlid)en 3toeDtenfd)en aus>s 3ittoetd?en, ber fid? mit mir unterfyalten roollte; benn ift bev -iftenfd) gut, fo tann id) aus f einem efprcicfye ettr>a lernen, unb ift cr faMedbt, fo tann ifym ba metnige t>ielletd)t nii&en. .fner fanb id) inbejj einen erfafyrenen %Jlann oon grofjem natiirlid^en ^erftanbe, ber, ane man ^u fagen pflegt, in ber 2BeIt fet)r betuanbert mar, ober, genauer ausgebrudtt, bie Scfyattenfette ber menfc^Ud}en 9latur gut lannte. (Sr fragte mtc^, ob id) baran gebad)t, mtcb mtt einem Sett gu terfet>en ein Umftanb, ber mir nod) nid)t eingefallen mar. ,,S)a ift fd^limm! " fagte er. ,,^ier befommen @ie nta^te ale Strol), unb 3ftr 3itnmer ift fel)r grojj unb fait. S)ocb ba ie mir ein Sftann on Stanbe gu fein foremen, mie aud) ia^ felber in friibern $eiten gemefen, fo fte^t ,^l)nen ein Xbetl meiner S3ettbedten fjer^td) gerne gu 2)tenften. %&) ban!te ifym unb fprad^ mein rftaunen au3 , f o t?tel 2) f ienf(^ltd)lett in einem efangniffe jju finben. Urn ifym gu erfennen gu geben , bafe id) ein @e= -^ 279 in a jail, in misfortunes; adding, to let him see that I was a scholar, that the sage ancient seemed to understand the value of company in affliction, when he said, ton kosmon aire, ei dos ton he- tairon; "and, in fact," continued I, "what is the world if it affords only solitude?" "You talk of the world, sir," returned my fellow -prisoner; "the world is in its dotage, and yet the cosmogony, or creation of the world, has puzzled the philosophers of every age. What a medley of opinions have they not broached upon the creation of the world! Sanchoniathon, Manetho, Berosus, and Ocellus Lucanus, have all attempted it in vain. The latter has these words, Anarchon ara kai atelutaton to pan, which implies " "I ask pardon, sir," cried I, "for interrupting so much learning; but I think I have heard all this before. Have I not had the pleasure of once seeing you at Welbridge- fair, and is not your name Ephraim Jen- kinson?" At this demand he only sighed. "I suppose you must letter fei, fefcte id) fyinju, ber SBetfe be s 2Uterti)iim fcfcemeben SBertfy ber Xfyeilnafyme im Ungtucf 311 erfennen, toenn er fage: rbv xoapov <"(>, el (?<<; TOV trutQov (nimm nttr bie gange 2Belt, menu 3)u tntr rtur ben $reunb laffeft) ; f ,unb in ber Xfyat," fefcte \ fytngu, ,,toa ift bie SBelt, toenn fie un ni^te meiter al 6infam!eit barbietet?" ,,^a, bie 2Belt, mein ^err," entge^nete mein $UtgefanQener, ,,bie 2Belt iiegt in ber ^inbfyett, unb bo<^ Ijat bie Hoemogome, ober bie c^opfung ber 2Belt, bie ^^Uofo))ben alter ^afyrfyunberte in 33ertnirrung gefe^t. 2BeIc^e e= mtfd? ton DJleinungen tjaben fie nicfyt ju Xage gebrad)t iiber bie (tyityfung ber SBelt? and^uniat^on, -Dtanetfyo, 33erofu unb Ocellu Sucanu, alle ^aben fid) loergeblid^ bemut)t. S)er Severe Ijat folgenbe SKorte: j/o/o^ aga xal TtevTr)Tov TO nav ; ba ^ei^t " ,,^ bitte urn ^er^etfjung , mein err," rtef i<^ , ,,ba|3 ify ie bet ber 3)arlegung f o grower ele^rfam!ett unterbredje ; bod) glaube ic^ alle bie fd^on frii^er geprt 311 fyaben. ^atte i<^ nid)t ba SSergnugen, ie einmal auf bem ^afyrmarfte 311 2Belbribge gu fefyen? Unb ift 3^r ?tame ntdbt i?^raim ^enHnfon?" Set btefer ^rage feuf^te er nur. __ 280 w recollect," resumed I, "one Doctor Primrose, from whom you bought a horse." He now at once recollected me , for the gloominess of the place and the approaching night had prevented his distinguishing my features before. "Yes, sir," returned Mr. Jenkinson, "I remember you perfectly well: I bought a horse, but forgot to pay for him. Your neighbour Flamborough is the only prosecutor I am any way afraid of at the next assizes; for he intends to swear positively against me as a coiner. I am heartily sorry, sir, I ever deceived you, or indeed any man; for you see," continued he, pointing to his shackles, "what my tricks have brought me to." "Well, sir," replied I, "your kindness in offering me assistance, when you could expect no return, shall be repaid with my endea- vours to soften or totally suppress Mr. Flamborough's evidence, and I will send my son to him for that purpose the first opportunity; nor do I in the least doubt but he will comply with my request: ,,etttijj," fete id) fjin^u, ,,tuerben Sie fidj etnes? getoiffen ^Doctor ^rimrofe erinnern, bem Sie ein ^ferb abfauften." $e&t erfannte ev mtcf) pfo&lid) , benn t>ort)tn Ijatte er bet ber SDunfetyeit meine efid)t33iige nid)t unterfdfyetben fonnen. n $a, mein >err," ertoieberte err ^entinfon, ,,id() erinnerc mid) Sfyrer fefjr toofyl. ( \d) taufte Sfynen ein ab, ergafe e3 aber ju be^a^len. $fy 9tod)bar Flamborough tft ber , Dor bem idb mid) bet ben nacfyften 2lffifen fiirdjte, benn er fyat bte ans; brudltd^e 3lb)id)t, ju befc^iroren, ba^ id) falfcfye SBec^fel gemad^t l)abe. @ tfyitt mtr ^eqltc^ leib, mein erv, ba^ td^ @ie ober trgenb fonft ^entanb be^ trogen fyabe; benn fel)en Sie/' fn^r er fort, tnbem er auf feme $effeln ^i0te r ^tta^ metne tofen trett^e mir etngebrac^t ^aben." ,,9hm, mein ^err/' tierfe^te tc^, ,,ba te fo giitig finb, mir 3fere ^iilfe an^ubteten, of)ne barauf red^nen ju fonnen, ba^ id? fie ^fynen n)ieberergelte, fo rtnll td^ mir 3Wul)e geben, jerrn ^(amborDugt)' s ^In!(age gu mtlbern ober ganj 311 unterbriiden. %&) will bel)alb bet erfter @elegenl)eit meinen 6ol)n 3U tfjm fd^tcfen, unb jmetfle ntd^t im ertngften an ber @rfullimg meiner 33itte A * 281 -> and as to my own evidence, you need be under no uneasiness about that." "Well, sir," cried he, "all the return I can make shall be yours. You shall have more than half my bed-clothes to-night, and I'll take care to stand your friend in the prison, where I think I have some influence." I thanked him, and could not avoid being surprised at the present youthful change in his aspect; for at the time I had seen him before, he appeared at least sixty. "Sir," answered he, "you are little acquainted with the world. I had at that time false hair, and have learned the art of counterfeiting every age from seventeen to seventy. Ah, sir! had I but bestowed half the pains in learning a trade, that I have in learning to be a scoundrel, I might have been a rich man at this day. But, rogue as I am, still I may be your friend, and that, perhaps, when you least ex- pect it." unb it>a3 mcin eignee Beugmfe betrifft, fo braucfyen ie fid) bet>a(b feme <5orge 311 macfyen." ,,0 mein jerr," rief ev, ,,bajj toill id) ^fynen nad) beftett $raften tter= gelten. ie fallen biefe -ftadjt mefyr al3 bie $dlfte nteinev 23ettbecfen fyaben, unb id) 'mill 3bnen a( $reunb ^ur eite fteben in biefem efangniffe, \v>o id) einigen ^influ^ ^n fyaben glaube." $enigften fed^^tg ^afyr alt ^u fein. ,Mein ^err," antn?ortete er, ,,Sie ftnb toentg befannt ntit ber JBelt. $ u bet Qeit trug id^ falfcfyeS $aar, unb toerftebe bie ^unft, jebe Sitter nadj^ualjmen toon ftebgefon big gu fiebjtg 3^^ 4en 2l<^ > wtw ?nr, bcitte id) auf bie rlernung eine )anbtoerfe nur bie balbe2)Zuf)e getttenbet, bte tdb nrtr gegeben, um eind)ur!e ju luerben, fo l;dtte id) je^t etn reidjer 2Rann [ein fonnen. S)od) jo fe^r id) aud) ein c^elm bin, fo !ann idb nti<^ bod^ al ^^ren Jreunb 3et0en, unb mel-- leid^t in einem Slugenblid, too @ie e am tuenigften ertuarten." - > 282 o We were now prevented from further conversation by the arrival of the jailer's servants, who came to call over the prisoners' names, and lock up for the night. A fellow also with a bundle of straw for my bed attended, who led me along a dark narrow passage into a room paved like the common prison, and in one corner of this 1 spread my bed, and the clothes given me by my fellow -prisoner; which done, my conductor, who was civil enough, bade me a good night. After my usual meditations, and having praised my heavenly Corrector, I laid myself down, and slept with the utmost tranquillity till morning. $e&t nwrben mir in unferer Unterl;altung burd) bie $ntunft ber e= fangentoarter itnterbrocfyen. ie riefen bie efangenen namentlid) auf unb fd^offen fie bann fur bie 9lad)t in ibre gdkn ein. s e mtt einem trofybimbel, tt>eld)e3 nttr al ^Bett bienen follte. (Sr fiibrte mid) burd) einen bunflen ang in ein entad) , h)el(^e \me ber SSerfammUtnggfaal mit teinen gepflaftert n?ar. $n einer (5c!e breitete er ba trol) au unb legte bie S3ettbecten barauf, bie mein 2^it0efangener mir gegeben; barauf toiinfcfytc er mir jiemli^ fybfiid) gute 5Ra(^t unb erlie^ mid). 5iad)bem ic^ metne ge= n)6bnli(f)en 2lbenbbetracfytungen angeftellt unb metnem bimmlifcben SSater fur feine 3ii(^ttgungen gebanft batte , legte id) mi^ nieber unb fcfyltef bie gan^e liber fe^r rubig. -<- 283 CHAP. XXVI. A REFORMATION IN THE JAIL TO MAKE LAWS COMPLETE, THEY SHOULD REWARD AS WELL AS PUNISH. The next morning early, I was awakened by my family, whom I found in tears at my bed-side. The gloomy appearance of every thing about us, it seems, had daunted them. I gently rebuked their sorrow, assuring them I had never slept with greater tranquillity, and next inquired after my eldest daugther, who was not among them. They informed me that yesterday's uneasiness and fatigue had increased her fever, and it was judged proper to leave her behind. My next care was to send my son to procure a room or two to lodge my family in , as near the prison as conveniently could be found. He obeyed, but could only find one apartment, which was hired at a small expense, for his mother and sisters, the jailer with humanity consenting to let him and his two little brothers be in jiciflec iuipttd. (Sine ittentterbeffentng im (Mefdngntfj. @oUten btc (Skfefce wottfommen fetn, f mitfiten fie eben fo gut bclofrnen, a(8 fcefivafen. 2Jtorgen tvurbetch Don metner $amilte getoecft, bie id} in neben ntemem &tger erbltdte. 3)a bitftere ^nfetjen bet gangen Untgebung fcfyten fie erfcfyrecft u t>aben. %<$ tabelte atif tnilbe SBeife if)re 33efummerni^ tterficfyerte iljnen, ba^ id^ nie rutnger gefc^Iafen, unb fragte bann nad? nteiner dlteften Xod^ter, bie fie nidjt bei fid;) fatten. @te fasten ntir, bie Unni^e unb Slnftrengung ton geftern b^be ifyr ^teber Dermebvt , fo bajs fie e fiir not^tg ge^alten, fie surud^ulaffen. SKeine ndd^fte orge beftanb barin, nteinen @ol)n aii^uf d?id;ett , um ein ober stoet 3iwmer fiir meine ^amtlte 311 nrietfyen, fo natje bet bem @efdnc$mf3 unb fo bequem er fie nur finben fonne. @v gtng, f onnte aber nur ein einjtgeg ^iwrner finben , meld^eg mir unt etnen gertngen 2Jttett)3in fiir feme Gutter nnb Sd?teftern er^ielten, benn ber ^erfermeifter fyatte eingemtlligt , ba^ er unb feine beiben Heinen S3ruber bet mir tnt e^ 284 the prison with me. A bed was therefore prepared for them in a corner of the room, which I thought answered very conveniently. I was willing, however, previously to know whether my little children chose to lie in a place which seemed to fright them upon entrance. "Well," cried I, "my good boys, how do you like your bed? I hope you are not afraid to lie in this room, dark as it appears." "Xo, papa," says Dick, "I am not afraid to lie any where, where you are." "And I," says Bill, who was yet but four years old, "love every place best that my papa is in." After this, I allotted to each of the family what they were to do. My daughter was particularly directed to watch her declining sister's health; my wife was to attend me; my little boys were to read to me: "And as for you, my son," continued I, "it is by the labour of your hands we must all hope to be supported. Your wages, fdngmfc fetn burften. G3 uwrbe baber ein Sett in einem 2Binfel be Dimmers fur fte einaeridbtet , meld)e mir ertracjlid) a,ut 311 fetn fd)ien. $orber mollte id) aber rotten, ob nteine fleinen .Hnaben aucb an einem Drte fcblafen mollten, ber fie betm erften Gintrttt erfcfyredft batte. ,,5iun, meine guten .ft'naben," rief id), ,,nne gefallt @ud) Guer Sett? 3$ fyoffe, $t>r furdbtct Gudi ntc^t, in biefern 3i^^ e ^ 3" fcfylafen, fo finfter e liebev JBatcr," fagte . N Kid)arb, ,,id> furcate mid) nic^t an ira.enb einem Orte gu fcf)tafen, mo 3)u btft." ,,llnb mir/' fagte 2Bilbelm, ber bod) erft t>ter ^sa^r alt mar, ,,mir gefciHt jeber Drt am beften, mo metn lieber ^Bater ift." ^ierauf beftimmte t(^ , ma jebe 2)Zit0(ieb metner ^amilie 311 tfyun l)abe. S^eine ^ocbter follte befonberg um i^re !ranle djmeftcr bef^aftigt fetn. 2Reine ^rau follte bei mir bletben, unb metne !letnen Unaben mir etma or= lefen. ,,Unb ma S)id> betrtfft, metn oljn/' ful)r td^ fort, ,,nuiffen mir 2(lle oon S)etner .^anbe Slrbett unfern Unterbalt ermarten. S)ein Sobn al^ 3lrbeiter -^ 285 o- as a day-labourer, will be fully sufficient, with proper frugality, to maintain us all, and comfortably too. Thou art now sixteen years old, and hast strength, and it was given thee, my son, for very useful purposes ; for it must save from famine your helpless parents and family. Prepare then this evening to look out for work against to-morrow, and bring home every night what money you earn for our support." Having thus instructed him, and settled the rest, I walked down to the common prison, where I could enjoy more air and room. But 1 was not long there, when the execrations, lewdness, and brutality, that invaded me on every side, drove me back to my apartment again. Here I sat for some time pondering upon the strange infatuation of wretches, who, finding all mankind in open arms against them, were labouring to make themselves a future and tremendous enemy. Their insensibility excited my highest compassion, and blotted my own uneasiness from my mind. It even appeared a duty in- onrb ttoUfommen ijinreicfyenb fein, ung bet gefyoriger Gtntfyetlung gu erntifyren. S)u bift je&t jed^efyn $afyr alt imb befi&eft $rafte, bie 3)ir 311 fefyr nu^lic^en 3tt>eden gegeben tourben ; benn 2)ii tnujjt baburcfy 3)eine fyulflofen Qltern imb @efd?ttnfter or bem ungertobe fcfyu&en. <5o fiefy 2)id^ benn ^eute s Jlbenb na$ 2lrbeit tint, unb bringe jeben Slbenb ba elb naaS aufe, elc^e3 S)u 311 unfernt llnterfyalte t>erbienft." 9lad7bem id^ ifym biefe ^nmeifung gegeben unb alles ^titfyige angeorbnet tjatte, ging id) in ba3 allgemeine efdngni^ tjinunter, too frifdfyere Suft nnb ntetjr 9fawn mar. oa^ itar id ) nidjt lange bagemefen, al> bie $erttwnfd?wtgen, bie ro^en unb unsno^tigen Sleufcerungen, bie ia^ on alien Seiten tternafym, mtc^ mieber in meine 3^le jiirudtrteben. ^iet fa| id? einegeitlang in33etra(^^ tungen tjerfunfen iiber bte feltjame 58erblenbung biefer dlenben , meld&e feljen, lute bte gange 3^lenja^^eit ifynen ben ^trteg er!lart, unb bennoa^^me aufbieten, fia^ aitcfy fiir ba !unftige Seben etnen fura^tbaren getnb ju t>erfd^affen. $fyre efublloftgfeit erregte metn du^erfteg S3ebauern , unb eine 3^ttlang pergafj id) bariiber mein etgenee 9Jtif5gefcfnon tragen ju fonnen. 2U3 id) mieber 311 ifynen ging, tfyeitte id) errn ^enttnfon meinen tylan mit. (r ladjte freiltd) fyerjltd) bariiber, mad)te aber bie llebrigen bamit befannt. 2)er $8orf(^Ia0 tvurbe mit ber beften i'aune aufgenommen, meil er einen neuen toff jur llnterfyaltung fur iUienfc^en erl)ie^, bie je&t feine anbere^Beluftigung fannten, aB Spotteretunb unanftdnbige2leu^erungen. ^fy la$ iljnen bafyer nttt tauter Sttmnie einen t)eH ber ^iturgie or, fanb aber, bafj meine 3ul)6rer ft<^ nur bariiber luftig mad)ten. ^red^eg efliifter, nad)gea|>mte 6eufjer ber ^erfnirfc^ung , eftdjtstoeraerriingen unb ^uften er= vegten abmec^felnb elad)te#:. 3^ltt angemeffener $eterltd)teit ful)r ic^ aber fort , gu lefen , in ber Ueber^eugung , ba^ ic^ babitrd) tielleid)t inige beffern, boc^) in fetnem ^alle on Gtnem fonne gefdt>nid^t merben. ^aa^ bem Sefen ging ia^ ju einer Grmafynung iiber , bie ntel)r barauf be; rennet mar, iljre 3Xufmer!fam!eit 311 erregen, alS i^nen $ormurfe 311 ntad)en. > 287 observed that no other motive but their welfare could induce me to this; that I was their fellow -prisoner, and now got nothing by preaching. I was sorry, I said, to hear them so very profane; be- cause they got nothing by it, and might lose a great deal: "For r be assured, my friends," cried I, "(for you are my friends, however the world may disclaim your friendship,) though you swore twelve thousand oaths in a day, it would not put one penny in your purse. Then, what signifies calling every moment upon the devil, and courting his friendship, since you find how scurvily he uses you? He has given you nothing here, you find, but a mouthful of oaths and an empty belly; and, by the best accounts I have of him, he will give you nothing that is good hereafter. "If used ill in our dealings with one man , we naturally go else- where. Were it not worth your while, then, just to try how you may like the usage of another Master, who gives you fair promises, at least, to come to him? Surely, my friends, of all stupidity in the 3d) bemerfte uorldufig , bafe mid) fein anberer 33emeggrunb baju beftimmen tonne, a(3 bic oorge fur ifyr 2Bol)l; bafe id? tfyr SRitgefangenet [ei, unb fetnen Solm fiir meine ^tebigten erfyalte. Gs> tfyue mir letb, fagte id), fo rud)lofe $eben on Umen ju fyoren, lueil fie baburd) nid)t getoinnen, mofyl aber er* lieren fb'nnten. ,,etb terfid)ert," fagte id), ,,meine reunbe benn ba feib 3fyr, n?enn aud^ bte 2Be(t (Sure greunbfd)aft tteririrft fetb terfic^ert menn ^t)r auc^ taufenb ^liic^e in einem Xage au^ftoftt , f o bringen fie bod) feinen. pfennig in uren Seutet. 2Ba tytft e , jeben 2lugenbttcf ben Xeufet an^urufen unb 6ii(^ urn feine ^reunbfc^aft 311 bemerben, roenn ^^r finbet, nrie fd)dnbli(^ er (Sud^ be^anbelt? @r t)at 6ud> ni$t> gegeben, mie 3^r fe^t, aB einen 2Runb toll ^lud^e unb einen leeren SOtagen, unb nad^ Client, h?a id) on i|)m mei^, ijabt 3ftt aucb fiinfttg ntc^ts ute on t^m ju erirarten. 2Berben fair t>on einem 3Jfenfd)en fc^lec^t befyanbelt, fo ge()en tt>tr natiirlict) ju einem anbern. 2Bdre e nun ntd)t ber SWu^e merit), ^u terfud)en, mie e (ud^ bet einem anbern errn gefdllt, ber @ud) mentgften^ fd^one 3Serf)ei^ungen giebt, um dud) gu ibm gu menben? erni^, meine ^reunbe, Don alien c 288 - world, his must be greatest, who, after robbing a house, runs to the thief -takers for protection. And vet how arc you more wise? You are all seeking comfort from one that has already betrayed you, applying to a more malicious being than any thief -taker of them all; for they only decoy, and then hang you; but he decoys and hangs, and, what is worst of all, will not let y>au* beraubt bat unfr frcmn bei frcnen 3dnm furfn , fric frie $iebe einfana,en. er^ fprad) fraber, meine ^orlefungen am ndcbften Xage ju roiefrerbolen, unfr idb boifte toirflidh, eine ittenDerbefferung eingufubren, frenn e^ mar ftets meine 9)leinun0 (lemefen, fra^ 9?iemanfr uber frie Stnnfre frer SBefferung \)inau% jei, unfr fra^ jefre* ^erj frcn $fei(en free $afrel* pgangltcb |ei, menn frer fScbu&e nur gu jtelen Derftebe. Site icb fo mein emiitb bernbigt batte, ging id^ in mein Simmer juritrf, n>o meine ftrau cin md^igee 9Jial bereitete, * 289 < meal, while Mr. Jenkinson begged leave to add his dinner to ours, and partake of the pleasure, as he was kind enough to express it, of my conversation. He had not yet seen my family, for as they came to my apartment by a door in the narrow passage already de- scribed, by this means they avoided the common prison. Jenkinson at the first interview, therefore, seemed not a little struck with the beauty of my youngest daughter, which her pensive air contributed to heighten, and my little ones did not pass unnoticed. "Alas! doctor," cried he, "these children are too handsome and too good for such a place as this." "Why, Mr. Jenkinsou," replied J, "thank Heaven, my children are pretty tolerable in morals, and if they be good, it matters little for the rest." "I fancy, sir," returned my fellow-prisoner, "that it must give you a great comfort to have this little family about you." "A comfort, Mr. Jenkinson!" replied I, "yes, it is indeed a comfort, and I would not be without them for all the world; 3enf inf on bat, f ein -Uttttag^effen mit betn unf ern seretntgen 311 bitrf en, wn, tote er fid) tjerbinbltd) genug aubriic!te,ba$ergnugen meinerUnterfyaltungsufyaben. @r fyatte nteine$atniUe nod? nie gefefyen, benn fie toar burd? ben friifyer ertod'bn= ten ang in meine 3elle gefommen unb fyatte fo ben 33erfammlungfaal ntcfyt betreten. $enftnf on fd)ten bafyer bet ber erften 3ufaTnmenfunft Don ber <5d?6n= fyeit meiner jiingften od)ter ni$t toenig iiberraf d&t , benn ein fc^toermut^iger 3ug Ijatte biejelbe nod^ ett)6I)t. 2)0$ attd) meine Clemen lie^ er nicfyt itnbead)tet. ,,3lc^, doctor! " rief er, ,,biefe ^inber ftnb ju fd^b'n unb 311 gut fiir einen folc^en Ort, tote biefer." ^^un ja, ^err 3fentinfon," uerfe^te t<^, ,,nteine ^inber ftnb ott fei 5T)anl t>on ^jerjcn gut genug, unb toenn ba ber gall tft, fo fyat ba llebrtge nic^t t)tel gu bebeuten/' ,,^d^ benle, metn^err," ertoteberte ntetn 2Ritgefangener, ,,es mu^ ein grojjer 3^roft fiir ie fetn, biefe Heine gamifie urn ftd? gu ^aben." ,,2llterbtng , ^err ^enftnfon," ertoteberte ic^, ,,tft e ein roft, ben ic^ um 2(Ue in ber 2Belt totlten m<^t terlteren ntodite; benn fie ntadjen mir metnen 19 290 .^r for they can make a dungeon seem a palace. There is but one way in this life of wounding my happiness, and that is by injuring them." "I am afraid then, sir," cried he, "that I am in some measure culpable; for I think I see here (looking at my son Moses,) one that I have injured, and by whom I wish to be forgiven." My son immediately recollected his voice and features, though he had before seen him in disguise, and taking him by the hand, with a smile, forgave him. "Yet," continued he, "I can't help wondering at what you could see in my face, to think me a proper mark for deception." "My dear sir," returned the other, "it was not your face , but your white stockings, and the black ribbon on your hair, that allured me. But, no disparagement to your parts, I have deceived wiser men than you in my time; and yet, with all my tricks, the block-heads have been too many for me at last." tofer sum $alaft. (3 giebt nur @in auf ber 2Belt, tr>a mem ludf 3er= ftoren tonnte, ndmltd) tvenn ifjncn ein eib jugefiigt ttwrbe." ,,3)ann mitjj id) furd)ten, mein err," ertuieberte er, ,,baft id) mid) in getoiffer >inft$t gegen 5ie ttergangen babe ; benn id) glaube" 33ei biefen SBorten fafy er meinen Sofyn UJlofeg an ,,fyter fefye id) ^emanben, ben td> gefranft fyabe, unb won bem t<^ ^erjeifyung 311 er^alten miiin^e." SRetn Sofyn erlannte fogleic^ bte Sttmme unb ba efi(f)t be Cannes- aneber, obgieid) er tljn bamals in einer 23erfleibvmg gefe^en. 6r ergriff [eine t ^anb unb er!Idrte ladjelnb, ba^ i^m t>er3iel)en fei. ,,93et alle bem mu^ td^ mid) aber munbern," fefete er Inn^u, ,,h)a ie in meinem @efid)te fe^en molten, um ju glauben, bafj t^ [o leid^t ansufufyren fei." tffiein lieber^err/' ermieberte berSlnbere, ,,cS mar nt^t^^^efia^t, fon= bern bie n>etj3en@trumpfe unb ba fc^marjeSanb in i^rem^aar, ira mtd^ an; iodte. 3)od^ o^ne eringftt^cifeung ^f)re 3Serftanbe fei e gefagt, id& l)abe in meinem Seben fd^on Iliigere Seute angefitljrt; unb bod^, bet alt meinen fd)lauen fyaben bie ^)ummlo^fe enbli^ bie Oberfyanb iiber mitt^ gemonnen." -o 291 "I suppose," cried my sou, "that the narrative of such a life as yours must be extremely instructive and amusing." "Not much of either," returned Mr. Jenkinson. "Those relations which describe the tricks and vices only of mankind, by increasing our suspicion in life, retard our success. The traveller that distrusts every person he meets, and turns back upon the appearance of every man that looks like a robber, seldom arrives in time at his jour- ney's end. "Indeed I think, from my own experience, that the knowing one is the silliest fellow under the sun. I was thought cunning from my very childhood; when but seven years old, the ladies would say that I was a perfect little man; at fourteen I knew the world, cocked my hat, and loved the ladies; at twenty, though I was perfectly honest, yet every one thought me so cunning, that no one would trust me. Thus I was at last obliged to turn sharper in my own de- fence, and have lived ever since, my head throbbing with schemes 3toeifel," rtef metn ofyn, ,,muf5 eine ebengefd)td)te une bie aufeerorbentlid) belefyrenb unb unterfyaltenb fein." ,,$ein Don Seiben," ermieberte ^entmfon. ,,@r3cifylungen, melcfye nur bie SRcinte unb Rafter ber -Iftenfcfyen f cfyilbern , rauben un$ unfere ^tufye, in- bem fie im mit beftcinbtgem -IRifjtrauen erfiillen. S)er SBanberer, ber jeber $erf on mifjtraut, bie ifym begegnet, unb fid^ bet ber @rf$einung jebe 2Ranne^ umtoenbet, ber ba 2lnfel)en etne^ daubers t)at, erreid)t felten jur red)ten 3^tt ba 3tel f einer $etfe. %$ n?ei^ au eigener rfatjrung , ba^ ber Mugfte oft ber (Einfaltigfte unter ber Sonne ift. Sdjon in nteiner ^inbl^eit l)ielt man rnit^ fur fcfylau. 21B tc^ laum fieben 3^r alt irar, pflegten bie 2)amen gu fagen, i(^ fet fd)on ein 0anj artiger fletner 2Jiann. iRit bem toier^e^nten ^afyre fannte ia^ bie 2Belt , f e&te ben $ut auf ein Ofyr unb ^atte Siebfcfyaften mit ben 2)amen. Obgleid) icfy im ^iranjigften ^afjre nod^ fcollfommen eljrlic^ mar, fo ^telt man mid) bod) fur fo fdfytau, bafj mir 5Rtemanb trauen toollte. 60 mar ify enblid^ ju meiner iRe($tfertigung genotljigt , ein aimer gu merben, unb feitbem gerbrad) id) mir fortmdbrenb ben f opf mit^Ianen juSSetrugereien, 19* -^ 292 *~ to deceive, and my heart palpitating with fears of detection. I used often to laugh at your honest simple neighbour Flamborough, and one way or another generally cheated him once a year. Yet still the honest man went forward without suspicion, and grew rich; while I still continued trickish and cunning, and was poor without the con- solation of being honest. However," continued he, "let me know your case, and what has brought you here; perhaps, though I have not skill to avoid a gaol myself, I may extricate my friends." In compliance with his curiosity, I informed him of the whole train of accidents and follies that had plunged me into my present troubles, and my utter inability to get free. After hearing my story, and pausing some minutes, he slapped his forehead, as if he had hit upon something material, and took his leave, saying, he would try what could be done. unb mein &erg flopfte sor gurdjt, entbecft 311 toerben. Oft fyabe id) iiber bie Ginfalt %t)U% efyrlidjen -ftad^bars $Iamborougl) getacfyt unb meiften betrog \$ ifw einmal im 3al>re. 2)od? ber ebrltdje 2ftann ging arglo feinen 2Beg unb roarb reid?, tptifyrenb id) meine Manfe unb .stnifie fortfefcte unb arm blieb, ofyne ben roft gu fyaben, rec^t^affen ju fein. Sagen Sie mir aber bod^/' fufyr er fort, ,,n>a^ Sie fyterfyet gefuljrt l)at. SBenn ic^ aucb mid) felbft nid)t au^ bent better befreten fann, fo fann idb bod) t>ie(Ietd)t metncn 5 r ^ un ^ en baju werbetfen." Urn feine -fteiiQierbe ju befriebtgen , erjaljlte id) tfym bie flange O^eilje Don Unfallen unb X^or^eiten, bie mid? in mein je&ige UnflliidE geftur^t fatten, unb fc^ilberte tbm ^ugleid? metne gdnjlid^e Unfa^igfett, mid) ttrieber in tjeit ju fefeen. 2lt er meine ejd^i^te gefyort ^atte, fd^mieg er einige blidte, fc^lug ftd^ bann t>or bie Stirn, al fei ifym ettt?a 2Bid)tige eingefaKen, unb nafym mit ber ^Ber[t(^erung Slbfc^ieb, bafe er fef)en mode, ma^ babei 311 tljun fei. ~^> 293 o- CHAP. XXVII. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. The next morning I communicated to my wife and children the schemes I had planned of reforming the prisoners, which they re- ceived with universal disapprobation, alleging the impossibility and impropriety of it; adding, that my endeavours would no way contribute to their amendment, but might probably disgrace my calling. "Excuse me," returned I; "these people, however fallen, are still men; and that is a very good title to my affections. Good counsel rejected, returns to enrich the giver's bosom; and though the in- struction I communicate may not mend them, yet it will assuredly mend myself. If these wretches, my children, were princes, there would be thousands ready to offer their ministry; but, in my opinion, the heart that is buried in a dungeon is as precious as that seated ftortfefcung. s <*ltn ncicfyften 2Rorgen tfyetlte id) meiner $rau unb metnen tnbern ben nut, toelcfyen id) jur SSefferung ber efangenen entrcorfen fyatte. 2ttle mtjsbUltgten tfm, unb beljaupteten, er fei unauSfitfyrbar imb unpaffenb. 3ftetne 93emufyungen, fe&ten fie In'n^n, hwrben gur Sefjerung biefer Seiite nid}t bet; tragen, bod? fonnte id^ baburd} meinen tanb t)erabtr>urbtQen. ,,(r(aubt tnir!" entgegnete ic^ ; M n?enn biefe Seitte and) gefaUen finb , fo finb fie bocfy intmer 2Renf<^en, unb ba3 giebt i^nen ein groJ3e ^Ke(^t auf metne 3uneignng. in guter Watty, ber t>errt?orfen tntrb , !e^rt 311 bern Bergen beffen gnriid, ber ityn gegeben, unb bereid)ert baffelbe. 3Benn and) bie i^nen mit= get^eilten fie^ren fie nicfyt beffern, fo beffern fie bod) gemifj mtc^ felbft. SBdren btefe (Slenben ^urften, fo toiirben ficb Xaufenbe anbteten, fie -$u unterri^ten. 3Hir aber tft ba3 ^per^, n?eld)e^ in etnem Verier begraben ift, eben fo tfyeuer, mie ba?, mel^e? auf etnem X&rone fc^Uigt. ^a, metne Steben, menn id) fie -, 294 < upon a throne. Yes, my treasures, if I can mend them, I will: per- haps they will not all despise me ; perhaps I may catch up even one from the gulph, and that will be great gain; for, is there upon earth a gem so precious as the human soul?" Thus saying, I left them, and descended to the common prison, where I found the prisoners very merry, expecting my arrival, and each prepared with some gaol - trick to play upon the doctor. Thus, as I was going to begin, one turned my wig awry, as if by accident, and then asked iny pardon. A second, who stood at some distance, had a knack of spitting through his teeth , which fell in showers upon my book. A third would cry "Amen!" in such an affected tone as gave the rest great delight. A fourth had slily picked my pocket of my spec- tacles. But there was one whose trick gave more universal pleasure than all the rest; for observing the manner in which I had disposed my books on the table before me, he very dexterously displaced one of them, and put an obscene jest-book of his own in the place. beffern farm, fo nnU id) c tfyun. ^telleicfyt tnerbe id) ntcbt t>on 2tlten er= a$tet. 2SteUetd)t tann id) n>emgften Ginen com Slbgrunbe retten, unb bas> roare fcfyon ein grower ennnn. iebt e* benn auf (Srben ein $lcinob, tt>eld)e3 foftbarer roare, al3 cine menfd)lid)e <5eele?" ~lHtt btefen SBorten oerliefe id) fie unb gtng in ben $erfammlungfaal l;tnab, mo id) bte efangenen in Grnjartung tnetner Slnfunft jefyr luftig fanb. 3eber fyatte eine $ofje in Serettf^aft, bte er bent doctor fpielen mollte. Gben oolite id^ anfangen, ba brel)te nttr (Siner toie au 3Ser[e^en bte ^erriide fyerunt unb bat bann um ^crjeibitng. din 3^^iter, n?elc^er etroas entfernt ftanb, befafj eine gro^e $erttgf ett , burc^ bte Safyne 311 fpri^en , unb bene^te mem 93iid) mtt fetnem peic^el. (Sin fritter tief in fo affectirtem Xone ,,2lmen/ ; ba^ e ben itbrigen 311 grower 35elu[ttgung btente. in 33terter [tatjt mir V\ bie Grille au ber Xajcfye. 2)oc^) etner con tfynen fpielte mtr etnen ber feme $ameraben mel)r beluftigte, al ade anbern. 6r Ijatte fid) gemerft, in meld^er Drbnung id? meine SSiicfyer or mtr auf ben Stfd) gelegt. 6e^r ge= f d^tcft bradt)te er etn auf bteSette unb legte etn^ud), mortn un^iicbttge 6a>erge ~* 295 ^ However, 1 took no notice of all this mischievous group of little beings could do, but went on, perfectly sensible that what was ridi- culous in my attempt would excite mirth only the first or second time.', while what was serious would be permanent. My design succeeded, and in less than six days some were penitent, and all attentive. It was now that I applauded my perseverance and address, at thus giving sensibility to wretches divested of every moral feeling, ftanben, an bieStelle beffelben. $cfy adfytete inbejs ntd?t tm geringften auf ba3, tt>a biefe bogfyafte @ruppe tleinlidfyer SBefen tfyun fonnte, fonbent fufyt in ber ttolltommenen Ueber^eugung fort, bafj ba, a [ie an ntetncn SSemuljungen ladjerlid) fanben, [te ttjofyl etntgemal belufttgen fb'nne, ba|3 aber ba Grnfte berfelben einen bleibenben tnbrucf auf fie mad)en iwrbe. 2Reine ^Ibftc^t ge; Jang mir, benn in meniger ai> fed} Sa0en empfanben (Stnige JKeue unb Me waren aufmerlfarn. ^e^t freute id^> mid) iiber bie Sluebauer unb efd}tdtU(^!eit , momtt id^ jjene tenben, in benen iebes fittltcfyc @efi'tl)l erftorben gu fein fcfyien, gur 93eftn= > 296 aud now began to think of doing them temporal services also, by rendering their situation somewhat more comfortable. Their time had hitherto been divided between famine and excess, tumultuous riot and bitter repining. Their only employment was quarrelling among each other, playing at cribbage, and cutting tobacco-stoppers. From this last mode of idle industry 1 took the hint of setting such as chose to work, at cutting pegs for tobacconists and shoemakers, the proper wood being bought by a general subscription, and, when manufactured, sold by my appointment; so that each earned something every day; a trifle indeed , but sufficient to maintain him. I did not stop here, but instituted fines for the punishment of immorality, and rewards for peculiar industry. Thus, in less than a fortnight 1 had formed them into something social and hu- mane, and had the pleasure of regarding myself as a legislator, who had brought men from their native ferocity into friendship and obedience. nung gebradjt batte, unb begann barauf 311 benfen, ibnen aud? geitlid)e 3)icnfte 3U leiften, inbem idh il;re Sage tnenigcr briidfenb 311 macfyen fudjte. 93i bafyitt ttjar ifyre $eit 3toif*cn .ftunger unb $6llerei , 3tt>ifd)en augelaffenem Xoben unb bitterem Summer oetfyeilt flouxien. A ^re gcu^e SBefcfytiftigung roar, mit cinanber 311 3an!en, Garten 311 fptelen unb abafftopfer 311 fd^nt^en. 2)te le^tere 2lrt tt}ro Qefc^dftigen SRu^i^gange^ oab mir SSeranlaffung, biejentgen, meld^e u|t batten, 311 arbeiten, mitSBerfertiflung tjcn^flodten fur^abaf^fabrifanten unb <^ubmad)er 3U befd^dfttgen , nacfybem ba ba3u notfjige .^0(3 burd) ge= mcinfcbaftlid^e 6ubfcription tt>ar angefd)afft luorben. SBenn es ferarbeitet n?ar A nnirbe e^ unter meiner s on it)ter angebornen s Jtobfyeit 3ur intrant unb 3unt eborfant M* 297 ^- And it were highly to be wished, that legislative power would thus direct the law rather to reformation than severity; that it would soon be convinced that the work of eradicating crimes, is not by making punishments familiar, but formidable. Then, instead of our present prisons, which find or make men guilty; which enclose wretches for the commission of one crime, and return them, if returned alive, fitted for the perpetration of thousands; it were to be wished we had, as in other parts of Europe, places of penitence and solitude, where the ac- cused might be attended by such as could give them repentance, if guilty, or new motives to virtue, if innocent. And this, but not the increasing of punishments, is the way to mend a state : nor can I avoid even questioning the validity of that right which social combinations have assumed, of capitally punishing offences of a slight nature. In cases of murder their right is obvious; as it is the duty of us all, from the law of self-defence, to cut off that man who has shown a disregard for the life of another. Against such all nature rises in arms ; but it is @ tudre gu ttwnfdfyen, menn bie gefe&gebenbe 2Rad)t fid) mefyr mit ber SBefferung, al mit ber Seftrafung befd^dfttgte. (8 erfcfyeint einleucfytenb, baft bie 2lurottung ber 33erbre<$en nid&t bnrd) Ijduftge, fonbern gefcfydrfte 6trafen bemirft merben mufj. Slnftatt imferer je&igen efdngniffe, in benert bie Safter; Ijaften nod? lafterljafter merben, mo Ungludlidfye megen etne begangenen $er= bred?en emgefperrt imb, toemt fie am Seben bleiben, mieber entlaffen merben, urn taitfenb neue gu begeljen, ftatt biefer efdngniffe follte man, toie in an- bern Sdnbern Guropa'^, fiir 2Bol)niingen forgen, gur Gtnfamfeit unb 33u^e ge= eignet, n?o berSlngeflagte t)on^>erfonen umgeben todre, bie if)n jur yteue fufyr= ten , rnenn er fcfyitlbig , unb tt;n in ber Xugenb befeftigten, n?enn er unf cf^nlbtg mare. 9hir bieg, unb nid)t ^erme^rung berStrafen, ift ba^SWittel terbefferung be StaatS. 2lud^ fann \en au bem 2Bege 3U f^affen, ber ge^eigt l;at, ba^ i^m ba Seben eine ^Inbern glei^giiltig ift. - 298 < not so against him who steals my property. Natural law gives ine no right to take away his life, as, by that, the horse he steals is as much his property as mine. If, then, I have any right, it must be from a compact made between us, that he who deprives the other of his horse, shall die. But this is a false compact; because no man has a right to barter hia life, any more than to take it away; as it is not his own. And besides the compact is inadequate, and would be set aside even in a court of modern equity, as there is a great penalty for a trifling inconvenience; since it is far better that two men should live than that one man should ride. But a compact that is false between two men, is equally so between a hundred and a hundred thousand; for, as ten millions of circles can never make a square, so the united voice of myriads cannot lend the smallest foundation to falsehood. It is thus that reason speaks, and untutored nature says the same thing. Savages, that are directed by natural law alone, are very tender of the lives of each other; they seldom shed blood but to retaliate former cruelty. egen etnen f oldfyen emport fid) bie gan^e $Jtcnfd)l)ett ; bocfy ift es ettoag ganj Snbeted mit bem, ber tnir mem (*tgentfyum fttefylt. X>a5 9iaturgefe& giebt tnir fein SKecfct an fein Seben, ba nad) jenem efe&e ba* $fetb, toeldjeS er ftiefylt, il)in fo gut nrie tnir gefjort. 2Benn id? bafyer ein folcfye* 9ied)t fyabe, fo muf? e* au irgenb einom unter un gefd)Ioffenen ^Bertrage entfpringen, ba^, met bem 3lnbern fein ^>ferb ftie^It, fterben foil. 2)od^ btcs ift ein falfdjer 33ertrag, ba SRiemanb ein ^ecbt bat, mit fetnem 2eben Xaufc^Ijanbel 311 treiben, eben fo toenta, mie er e ton ftd? werfen barf, ba cs nid}t feinGigentbum ift. Ueberbies ift ber $ertrag ungleid^ imb toiirbe felbft toon etnem ^eiittflen ttatqleigtri&t tiertuorfen trerben, meil ^ter eine ju nrofee Strafe auf ein fleines Serge^en gefe^t roirb, ba c bod) offenbar beffer ift, bafj gmet 2Renfct)en leben, ate bafj ein ^Uienfd) reitet. @in SSertrag aber, ber ntd^t redjtetrd'ftig ift gmtfd&en jmei SWenfd^en, fann e eben fo fttenig jtotfc&en ^unberten unb punberttaufenben fein; ben eben fo n?te jetjn TOIionen ^retfe nimmer ein 3Sieredt bilben fonnen, fo lann aud) bie ueretnte 6ttmme t>on ^>unberttaufenben mental^ llnred^t in uermanbeln. So rebet bie SBernunft, unb bie ungelel)rte 9Jatur fagt -^ 299 o Our Saxon ancestors, fierce as they were in war, had but few exe- cutions in times of peace; and in all commencing governments, that have the print of nature still strong upon them, scarce any crime is held capital. It is among the citizens of a refined community, that penal laws, which are in the hands of the rich, are laid upon the poor. Govern- ment, while it grows older, seems to acquire the moroseness of age; and, as if our property were become dearer in proportion as it in- creased; as if the more enormous our wealth, the more extensive our fears; all our possessions are paled up with new edicts every day, and hung round with gibbets, to scare every invader. I cannot tell, whether it is from the number of our penal laws, or the licentiousness of our people, that this country should show more convicts in a year than half the dominions of Europe united. Perhaps it is owing to both; for they mutually produce each other. When, by" indiscriminate penal laws, a nation beholds the same punishment baffelbe. 2)ie SBilben, bie fid) blojj nacfy bent 9Zaturgefe&e rtd)ten, seigen eine jarte cfyonung fur ba. Seben anberer. ie t>ergief?en felten 23lut, toenn fie ni$t melleicfyt eine friifyere raufamfett rdd)en. 23et unfern angelfdd)fifd)en 2}orfabren, fo graufam fie and) im $rtea,e toaren, fanben in$rteben3geiten nur tt}emgejinricf)tungentatt, unb in alien taaten , bie nod) tm ntftefyen finb unb nod) ba eprdge be3 9fatur3uftan= be3 beiitlid) an fid) tragen, tt>irb felten ein $erbred}en mit bem Xobe beftraft. 9tur unter ben ^Burgern ci^tlifirter taaten finb bie trafgefe^e in ben Jpanben ber ^etd^en, unb treffen ba^er nur bie Slrmen. 60 lute bie $egte- rung alter ttnrb, fd}etnt fie tuie ba2llter miirrifd} ju merben, unb e ift, aU ob unfer Gigentfyum in bem 2Ra^e, lute e fid) oergro^ert, un fd)d^barer ftwrbe, al> ob unfere ^ur^t mit ber 35ermel;rung unferer 'Sd)dfee gitntifyme. o 3du= nen tttr unfere Seft^ungen gleid^fam tdglic^i mel)r unb mefyr burc^ neue traf- gefe^e ein unb umgeben un mtt@algen, um jebenD^duber I)wtt)eg3uf<^eud)en. 3d) toeijjnicfyt, ob e t>on ber -Jftenge unferer trafgefe^e l)errul)rt, ober t>on unfere 35olf, ba^ btefe Sanb j > 300 *-, affixed to dissimilar degrees of guilt, from perceiving no distinction in the penalty, the people are led to lose all sense of distinction in the crime; and this distinction is the bulwark of all morality: thus the multitude of laws produces new vices, and new vices call for fresh restraints. It were to be wished, then, that power, instead of contriving new laws to punish vice; instead of drawing hard the cords of society till a convulsion came to burst them ; instead of cutting away wretches as useless, before we have tried their utility ; instead of converting cor- rection into vengeance; it were to be wished that we tried the restrictive arts of government, and made law the protector, but not the tyrant, of the people. We should then find, that creatures whose souls are held as dross, only wanted the hand of a refiner; we should then find, that wretches, now stuck up for long tortures, lest luxury should feel a momentary pang, might, if properly treated, serve to sinew the state in times of danger; that as their faces are like ours, 3onGuropa ^ufammengenommen. liegt bie Srfwlb an $etben ; benn (5'in-o er^cugt irecfyfelytoeife ba Slnbere. cine Nation fiefyt, bajj SBerbrecfyen ton tterfa^iebenem rabe tnit ajeicfyer Strenge beftraft tuerben, fo fcerltert fte aud) ben $egriff be Unterfd)iebe in ben ^erbrecfyen , inborn fie feinen llnterfdiieb ber Strafen bemerft; unb auf biefem Unterfanebe bevufyt bocb alle 2Horalitat. $ie ^enge ber efe^e erjeugt auf biefe SBeife neue Safter, nnb neue Vaftcv forbern tnieber neue S3efc^rdnfunfien. h)dre ba^er 311 munfdien , ba^ bie otaate^etoalt, anftatt neue @trafge= fefee fiir 3Serbrecf)er ju entmerfen, anftatt bie 23anbe ber burGeriia^en @efe(Ifd)aft fo feft gufammer^usiefyen, bt^ eine frampffyafte SeiDegung fie fprengen mu^ r anftatt Uebeltfydter al unnii^ aue bem SBege ^u fd^affen, e^e man tterfucfyt bat, IDOJU fie nu^Hd) finb , anftatt beilfante 3ucfytigunQ in rad)fua^tige Strafe ^u toertoanbeln anftatt beffen ftjare e >t>unf tt)eniott)ertt) , ju ^efa^ranfunggmitj teln feine 3"f^cbt ^u nebmen, unb bie efe&e 3 S3efa^u^ern, aber nicfyt ^u X^rannen be^ SBolte ju madden. 2l(bann miirben mir finben, ba^ efa^opfe, beren Seelen fur unnii^e Sa^ laden ge^alten toerben, nur ber bilbenben <* 301 <*- their hearts are so too; that, few minds are so base, as that per- severance cannot amend; that a man may see his last crime without dying for it; and that very little blood will serve to cement our security. CHAP. XXVIII. HAPPINESS AND MISERY RATHER THE RESULT OF PRUDENCE THAN OF VIRTUE IN THIS LIFE; TEMPORAL EVILS OR FELICITIES BEING REGARDED BY HEAVEN AS THINGS MERELY IN THEMSELVES TRIFLING, AND UNWORTHY ITS CARE IN THE DISTRIBUTION. I had now been confined more than a fortnight, but had not since my arrival been visited by my dear Olivia, and I greatly longed to see her. Having communicated my wishes to my wife, the next morning the poor girl entered my apartment, leaning on her sister's arm. The bebiirften; our miirben finben, baf? Ungludlidje, 311 langer dual tterbammt, gefyorig befyanbelt, in getten bet efafyr bem taate mofyl eine Stii&e barbieten tonnten, bafj ifyre Jperjen one ifyre eficfyt^uge ben tmfrigen gteid), bajj toentge emiitfyer fo fcfylecfyt ftnb, nm nici)t burdi) ernitlid)e 93e(treben gebeffert 311 toerben, bafe ein 3^en[c^) jur @r!enntnijj feine 3Serbre<^en gebra^t it?erben !cmn r ol^ne baffelbe mit bent Xobe 311 biifeen, unb ba^ e nur menigen bebarf , wn unfere id^erljeit 311 befeftigen. (Sliirf unb @lenb ftnb in btefem Seben mefjr bie JRefuttote ber ^tug^eit, al ber Sugenb; benn ber ^immel fcetrac^tet jettltcfye llefcet unb jeittt^eS SGBo^l o.U 35tnge, bie on unb fur fid} unbebeutenb flnb, unb tiatt fie einer forgfdltigen 33ertt;eitung fawn tuertf). $$ n?ar je^t f$on Idnger al tieraet)n Xage tterfyaftet, boc^ Ijatte meine iiebe Olima f eit nteiner 3ln!unft nod? nidfyt befuc^t, unb e toeriangte mic^ feljr, fie 311 fefyen. $fy petite nteiner ^rait meinen Sunj(^ mit, nnb am nd'dj: ften SJlorgen trat ba arme 2Jta'bd?en, auf ben 2lrm tfyrer d^mefter geftii^t, in 302 change which J saw in her countenance struck me. The numberless graces that once resided there were now fled, and the hand of death seemed to have moulded every feature to alarm me. Her temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness sat upon her cheek. "I am glad to see thee, my dear," cried I; "but why this dejection, Livy? I hope, my love, you have too great a regard for me, to permit disappointment thus to undermine a life which I prize as my own. Be cheerful, my child, and we may yet see happier days." "You have ever, sir," replied she, "been kind to me, and it adds to my pain, that I shall never have an oppor- tunity of sharing that happiness you promise. Happiness,! fear, is no longer mcin 3immer. 2)ie $crdnberung, bie id) in ifyrem($efid)tebemerfte, tear mirauffallenb. fatten, roaren jeijt entflofyen, unb bie anb be35obe fcfyien alle,3uge jo geftaltet gu l)a= ben, um mid) 311 beunrufyigen. 3l)red)lafe toaren eingefunfen,it)reStirn ftraff gegogen unb Xobtenbldfie fyerrf d)te auf ifyrer SBange. ,&> ift ntir Iteb, 2)i<^ gu feljen, nteine ,,aber toarum fo niebergefcbtagen, Clit>ta? ^^ fyoffe, S)u ^eflft 3U mir, um bem 2Jtt&0efd)icf ^u geftatten, ein Seben ^u un^ tergraben, meld)e id) bem meinigen gleict)f(^d^e. ieb ^id) gufrieben, mein ^tnb, mir fonnen me((eteld^e u toerljei^eft- 3$ fur^te, e giebt auf Siebe," tief e 303 o- reserved for me here, and I long to be rid of a place where I have only found distress. Indeed, sir, I wish you would make a proper sub- mission to Mr. Thornhill: it may, in some measure, induce him to pity you, and it will give me relief in dying." "Never, child," replied I, "never will I be brought to acknowledge my daughter a prostitute; for, though the world may look upon your offence with scorn, let it be mine to regard it as a mark of credulity^ not of guilt. My dear, I am no way miserable in this place, however dismal it may seem; and be assured, that while you continue to bless me by living, he shall never have my consent to make you more wret- ched by marrying another." After the departure of my daughter, my fellow-prisoner, who was by at this interview, sensibly enough expostulated upon my obstinacy r in refusing a submission which promised to give me freedom. He observed, that the rest of my family were not to be sacrificed to the peace of one child alone, and she the only one who had offended rben !ein titdt mel)r fitr mid? , unb id) tr-unfcfye mid) con einem 5rte 311 ent; fernen, too id) nur Ungemad) gefunben fjabe. $n ber 2$at, lieber $ater, id) ttwnfcfye, 2)u gdbeft errn Xfyornfnil nad? ; melleid)t mod)te er betoogen toerben, einige3 2Ritleib mit 3)ir 311 fyaben , unb e> toiirbe mid) im terben berufytgen." ,,9ttmmermefyr, mein^tnb," erttrieberte i<$ ; ,,nimmermel)r laffe id) mid) bafytn bringen, meine 5loc^ter fur ein fcertoorfeneS ^rauen^tmmer 311 erHdren; benn menu auc^ bie 2Be(t S5ein 3SergeI)en mit SSerac^tung anfiefyt, fo betrad^te t(i) bod) baffelbe al> einen S3eit)et ber SetcfytglciubtQteit unb nid^t be Rafter?. 2fteme ^iebe, id^ fiiljle mtc^ an btefem Drte !etne^tDeg unglucflid^, fo ttnber= todrttg berfelbe auc^i fcfyeinen mag. $alte S)id^ iiber^eugt, fo lange bie bung S)ir ba Seben f^enft, foil er ninttner meine (tnit>illtgung er^alten, nod) ungludtltc^er gu madden, inbem er fid) mit etner Slnbern oerbinbet." 2ll meine ^oc^ter fort toar, mad^te mir mein 2Ritgefangener, ber bet ber Unterrebung jugegen getoefen, iiber meine $artnddEigfeitS3orrt)urfe, ba id) mid) getueigert l)atte, mid) ^u fiigen, obgleid^ mir in biefem $alle ^ r eil)ett cer^ei^en toar. (r aufeerte, meine iibrtge gamilie biirfe nic^t bem^rteben eine ein^igen > 304 me. "Besides," added he, "I don't know if it be just thus to ob- struct the union of man and wife, which you do at present, by re- fusing to consent to a match which you cannot hinder, but may render unhappy." "Sir," replied I, "you are unacquainted with the man that op- presses us. I am very sensible that no submission I can make could procure me liberty even for an hour. I am told, that, even in this very room, a debtor of his, no later than last year, died for want. But though my submission and approbation could transfer me from hence to the most beautiful apartment he is possessed of, yet I would grant neither, as something whispers me, that it would be giving a sanction to adultery. While my daughter lives, no other marriage of his shall ever be legal in my eye. Were she removed, indeed, I should be the basest of men, from any resentment of my own, to attempt putting asunder those who wish for an union. No, villain as he is, I should even wish him married, to prevent the consequences of his future aufgeopfert toerben, ba fie bie Ginjige fei, bie fid) tiergangen fyabe. ,,Ueberbie*/' fefcte er tjinju, ,,tt)eifnd)md)t, obererf)tift, aufbiefeSBeife bie$er- ewtgungetneS ^anne unbeine^rauenjtmmer* W tterfyinbern, tmeSie gegeru rtjdrtig ttjun, inbem ie ftd) n>eigern, 3b* e GinRnlltgung 311 einer $eiratl) 311 {jeben, berSte nid)t3 in ben3Beg legen,bie ie abet ungludlid) madden fonnen." ,,2ftein err," erroieberte id), ,,@ie tennen ben 2ftann nicf)t, ber im urn terbriicft. $d? fyalte mid) uberjeugt, bafc and) bie grofcte llnterttwrfigtett tnir feine <5tunbe ber ^rettjeit t>erfd)affen tDiirbe. 2Bie tc^ Ijore, ift in btefem felben 3intmer nocb int le^ten $af)r einer t>on feinen d)ii(bnern im Glenb geftorben. 2)od) n?enn mid) aud) meine Untertrurfigfeit unb ^uftimmung tion l)ter in ba fd)6nfte 3i^i"ter bring en !6nnte, n?e(d^e er beftfct, fo miirbe ic^ biefelbe boc^ nid^t geben, benn etne innere timme fagt mir, bajj ic^ babiird^ nur einen (Sfyebrud) beftdttgen murbe. o lange meine od)ter lebt, ift feine ^eiratfy, bie er fdt>liefet, in meinen 2liigen red^tmd^ig. 2Benn aber Clitna nid)t mel;r lebt, fo mare id) ber t>ercid)tltd)fte aJlenfc^, toenn ic^ biejenigen, bie eine $er; binbung a>unfd)en, au s Jtadbe trennen tooflte. 9Rein, fo niebertrdd^tig ** 305 < debaucheries. But now should I not be the most cruel of all fathers, to sign an instrument which must send my child to the grave, merely to avoid a prison myself; and thus, to escape one pang, break my child's heart with a thousand?" He acquiesced in the justice of this answer, but could not avoid observing, that he feared my daughter's life was already too much, wasted to keep me long a prisoner* "However," continued he, "though you refuse to submit to the nephew, I hope you have no objection to laying your case before the uncle, who has the first character in the kingdom for every thing that is just and good. I would advise you to send him a letter by the post, intimating all his nephew's ill usage, and my life for it, that, in three days, you shall have an answer." I thanked him for the hint, and instantly set about complying; but I wanted paper, and unluckily all our money had been laid out that morning in provisions; however, he sup- plied me. ift, mill-be id) bod) munfd)en, bafj er fid) ert>eiratfye, urn feinen fiinftigen Slug; fd)meifungen r>or3ubeugen. ^e&t abet nnirbe id? bet graufamfte alter 3Sdter fein, toenn id? etnen fyecontract unterfd)rtebe, ber metn $tnb tn' ($rab brittgt, blofj um mid) au meinem tofer 311 befreien. Urn etner dual gtt entgefyen, toiirbe id? ba $erj metneg $inbe taufenbmal bred)en." (r gab bie $ttd)ttgtett btefer 2lntft>ort 311 , fonnte fid? aber ber ^emerfung nid?t entfyalten, bajj er furcate, bie efunbfyeit meiner Xod?ter fei f^on 311 jefyr angegriffen, al bafe metne efanaenfc^aft nod} (ange bauern follte. ,,^ beffen/' fu^r er fort, ,,toemt <5ie bem ^effen nicfyt nad)geben moUen, follten 6ie bod) ttnbebenfUd? ^\)U 8ad)e feinemOtjeim tjorlegen, ber tm gansenSanbe al gut unb gered)t befannt ift. $d) rat^e 3>fynm, mit ber $oft einen S3rtef an ifyn 3U fdjiden, morin Sie if)n t>on bem fd)led)ten ^ene^men feine s Jteffen benad); rid)ttgen, unb id) fe&e rnetn fieben sum ^Pfanbe, bafc Sie in brei 5Tagen eine n. /y ^d) banlte tfym f itr bief en JHat^, ben id) f ogleid) bef olgen mottte. fel;lte mir an ^Sa^ter, unb unglitdlidjermetfe ^atte id) all metn (Mb bief en ^Ulorgen fur^ebenmitte( auggegeben. ,3;entinfon aber t>crfal) mic^ bamit. < > 306 For the three ensuing days 1 was in a state of anxiety, to know what reception iny letter might meet with; but in the mean time was Frequently solicited by my wife to submit to any conditions rather than remain here, and every hour received repeated accounts of the decline of my daughter's health. The third day and the fourth arrived, but I received no answer to my letter; the complaints of a stranger against a favourite nephew, were no way likely to succeed; so that these hopes soon vanished, like all my former. My mind, however, still supported itself, though confinement and bad air began to make a little alteration in my health, and my arm that had suffered in the fire grew worse. My children, however, sat here, and, while I was stretched on my straw, read to me by turns, or listened and wept at my instructions. But my daughter's health declining faster than mine, every message from her contributed to increase my apprehensions and pain. The fifth morning after I had written the letter which was sent to Sir William Thornhill, I was alarmed with an account that she was 3n ben ndcfyften bret lagen mar id) in grower Untune tuegen ber SUufnafome, bie mein $rtef mdc&te gefunben tyaben. ^ngnnfcben befturmte mid) mcinc $rau, mid? lieber jeber $ebingung ju untertoerfen , als langer bier 311 bleiben. ,3 U; gleid) erbielt id? ftiwblid) bie traurigften s J?ad)rid)ten son bem ^eftnben meiner Xocbtcr. S)er britte, ber merte ag merging , unb nod) immer er^ielt id) feine 2(nth)ort auf meinen ^Brief. Xie ^"lage eine< ^-remben gogen ben geliebtcn Weffen fiatte oielleic^t feinen inbrucf gemad)t ; unb fo t?erfcbtt>anb auc^ biefe ^offnung, h)ie alle tneine frutyeren. 2)iein (*5eift blieb tnbc^ nod) immer imge* f(3btt)d(^t, obgteicfe bie Skrbaftung unb bte fc^tecbte iift meiner efunb^ett fe^r na^t^eilig roaren. 2luo^ mein erbrannter 2lrm murbe fdjlimmer. 9J?eine ^itu ber fafcen tnbe^ noc^ immer bet mir, imb n}dt)renb id) auf meinem Stronger lag , lafen fie mir abmed)felnb or , ober fyorten metnenb meinen rmatjnungen 3U. *S)oon tfyr t>erme(>rte meine S3ef orgni^ unb meinen ram. 2lm funfs ten 2ftorgen nad) ber 3lbfenbung meine^ 93rtefe an Sir SBilliam Kwrbe id) feljr beunru^igt, ale icb erfubr, bafe fie bie Spracbe erloren 307 < speechless. Now it was that confinement was truly painful to me; my soul was bursting from its prison, to be near the pillow of my child, to comfort, to strengthen her, to receive her last wishes, and teach her soul the way to heaven. Another account came she was expiring; and yet I was debarred the small comfort of weeping by her. My fellow-prisoner, some time after, came with the last account. He bade me be patient she was dead! The next morning he returned, and found me with my two little ones, now my only companions, who were using all their innocent efforts to comfort me. They entreated to read to me, and bade me not cry, for I was now too old to weep. "And is not my sister an angel now, papa?" cried the eldest, "arid why then are you sorry for her? I wish I were an angel, out of this frightful place, if my papa were with me." "Yes," added my youngest darling, "heaven, where my sister is, is a finer place than, this, and there are none but good people there, and the people here are very bad." @rft je&t umrbe mir meine @efangenfd)aft 3ur dual. Jfteine Seele toollte ifyren $er!er fprengen, um bem Sterbebette meineg $inbe3 nafye 311 fein, um fie 311 trb'ften, gu ftar!en, ifyre le&ten 2Bunfcfye 311 fyb'ren unb ifyrer Seele ben s JKeg 3um immel 311 3eigen. 9tad) etner 3iteiten $otfd)aft rang fie berett3 mit bem obe, unb bod? tt?ar mir ber geringe roft geraubt, neben ifyr 311 iveinen. Gintge $eit barauf fam mein 2Ritgefangener mit ber teuton 9tad)rid)t. Crr bat mid? , gefafct 311 fein fie fei tobt! 2lm nticfyften 3Jcorgen fam er 3iirudt unb fanb mid} mit meinen Jileinen allein, bie ifyre gan3e unfc^ulbige S5erebfam!eit aufboten, mic^ 311 troften. Sie erboten fid}, mir t>or3ulefen, unb fagten, id) moge nid?t meinen , benn id) fei fcfyon 3U alt 3um SBeinen. ,,^ft meine c^mefter ntcfyt jefet ein ngel, lieber SSater?" rief ber altere; ,,marum trauerft ^u benn fo um fie? 3$ tooUte, ic^ mare ein (ngel, unb fern t>on btefem fa^recfs (ic^en Orte, menn mein lieber $ater mic^ nur begleitete." ^a" rief mein iiingfter fiiebling, ,,ber ^pimmel, n?o meine Scfytoefter ftd^ je^t befinbet, ift toofyl ein fd^onerer Ort, al biefer, unb ba giebt e3 nur gute ^eute; t)ier aber finb fie gar $u bb'fe." -^ 308 c_ Mr. Jenkinson interrupted their harmless prattle, by observing, that, now my daughter was no more, I should seriously think of the rest of my family, and attempt to save my own life, which was every day declining for want of necessaries and wholesome air. He added that it was now incumbent on me to sacrifice any pride or resentment of my own to the welfare of those who depended on me for support; and that I was now, both by reason and justice, obliged to trv to reconcile my landlord. "Heaven be praised!" replied I, "there is no pride left m<> now. 1 should detest my own heart, if I saw either pride or resentment lurking there. On the contrary, as my oppressor has been once my parishioner, I hope one day to present him up an unpolluted soul at the eternal tribunal. No, sir, I have no resentment now; and though he has taken from me what I held dearer than all his treasures, though he has wrung my heart, (for I am sick almost to fainting, very sick, my fellow-pri- soner,) yet that shall never inspire me with vengeance. I am now ^enfinfon unterbrad) ifyr tyarmlofe* eid)n>a& ntit ber SBemerfung, ba nteine od?ter tobt fet, moge id) bod) an bie iibrige ,~vamilie benfen unb mem eigeneS eben ju retten t>erfud)en, roeldje* jeben Jag mel)r unb mebr roegen bc 2Jlangel ber notfyigen 23eburfmffe unb ber gefunben iift gefahrbet rourbe. Gr fe&te ^inju, e fet je^t meine ^fli^t, jeben Stolj unb jebe Wacbfucfyt meinem eigenen 2Bol)l unb bem ber S 45erfonen ju opfern, bie on mir Scbufe unb $ei; [tanb ermarteten; unb je&t ^ei t^ ber 35ernunft unb bem Wecfyte nacb genot()igt, ben 33erfud) ju ma^en, meinen uteherrn mteber aucsufobnen. ,,2)er ^immel jei geprtejen/' ermieberte tcb, ,,i* fabe ic^t fetnen Stol.^ me^r. 3$ ttJiirbe metn eigenee ^er^ erabf d^euen , menn i, ifyn einft ale eine retne unb un= beflecfte eele t>or bem eiwgen 9*ttd)terftul)I barftellen ju fonnen. 9^ein , metn ^err, id? fyege je^t feine ^Rad)[u(^t, unb obgleicfy er mir genommen fyat, roa& id^ \)b\)ti aa^tete, al alt feme d^d^e, obgteid) er mein $era tief t>ermunbet fyat, feenn tc^ fiible mic^ matt unb !ranf , mein 5Ritgefangener: fol( mid^ bas 309 willing to approve his marriage, and if this submission can do him any pleasure, let him know, that if I have done him any injury, I am sorry for it." Mr. Jenkinson took pen and ink, and wrote down my submis- sion nearly as I have expressed it, to which I signed my name. My son was employed to carry the letter to Mr. Thornhill, who was then at his seat in the country. He went, and in about six hours returned with a verbal answer. He had some difficulty, he said, to get a sight of his landlord, as the servants were insolent and suspicious; but he accidentally saw him as he was going out upon business, preparing for his marriage, which was to be in three days. He continued to inform us, that he stepped up in the humblest manner, and delivered the letter, which when Mr. Thornhill had read, he said that all sub- mission was now too late and unnecessary; that he had heard of our application to his uncle, which met with the contempt it deserved; and, as for the rest, that all future applications should be directed to his attorney, not to him. He observed, however, that as he had a very bod) me gur D^cicfye betnegen. 3d) bin je&t bereit, meine GintDiUigung gu feiner ^erfyeirattjung gu geben , unb tt>enn biefe llntertoerfung ifytn irgenb ein 33er= gnitgen getodbren farm, fo moge er aud) tniffen, bafj, toenn id) ifym trgenb Urn red)t getljan babe, e mir febr leib tbtit." >err $enfinfon nafym $eber imb 5tnte, iinb ft^ricb tneine Gmiinlligiing faft eben fo niebcr, ft)ie id) fie auge= fprod^en batte , toorauf id), meinen 9iamen barunter fefete. 2Rein Sobn trurbe abgefcfytcft, urn ,f)errn Xhornbitl ben $vief ^u iiberbringen, ber fic^ bamaB auf feinem Sanbfitje auf^ielt. Gr gtng unb feljrte nad) ettoa fed) tunben mit etner munbtidjen 2Intit)ort junicf . &3 babe ifym etnige 3Jiiibe gefoftet, ben nt= berrn gu efid)t u befommen, fagte er, benn bie 33ebicnten ludrcn untjerfd^dmt unb argtt)6f)mfd) geirefen; bod^ fei er t()m ^nfdlltg begegnet, al er gerabe auge= gangen, um 3Sorbercttungen gu feiner ^od^cit 311 trcffen, tteld)e in brei Xagen Statt finben luerbe. (h* berid)tete nn ferner, ba^ er fid) ifym auf bie bemiitfyigfte SBeife gend^ert unb ben 53rtef abgegeben babe, irelc^en ^>err SbornfyUl gelefen unb gefagt, je^t fei atle Untertoerfimg gu fpat unb burcfyaug unnotl)ig. @r habe nebort, ba^ tr>ir un an fetnen Dnfel getcenbet, ber unfere 33itte mit. ter; 310 < good opinion of the discretion of the two young ladies, they might have been the most agreeable intercessors. "Well, sir," said I to my fellow-prisoner, "you now discover the temper of the man who oppresses me. He can at once be facetious and cruel; but let him use me as he will, I shall soon be free, in spite of all his bolts to restrain me. I am now drawing towards an abode that looks brighter as I approach it; this expectation cheers my afflictions, and though I leave a helpless family of orphans be- hind me, yet they will not be utterly forsaken; some friend, perhaps, will be found to assist them for the sake of their poor father, and some may charitably relieve them for the sake of their Heavenly Father." Just as I spoke, my wife, whom I had not seen that day before, appeared with looks of terror, and making efforts, but unable, to speak. "Why, my love," cried I, "why will you thus increase my afflictions by your own? What though no submission can turn our severe master, bienter ^eracfytung juructgeroief en ; iibria.cn* nn'if;ten allc ti'mftigen efudije an f einen >aubofmeifter unb nia?t an ibn gericbtet roerben. 3)a er eine fcbr gute 2fteinuno fcon ber Mugbeit ber bciben jungen ^amcn babe, bemerfte er toeiter, fo nnirben fte ifym bie angenefymftcn ^ittftellertnnen fcin. ,,9tun, mein err ," fagte id) ju meinem 2ftttgefangenen , ,,fonnen Ste ben Gbarafter be3 2Jlanne^ beurtbetlen, ber mia^ terfo(at (5'r fann juoleia] f einen Sdier^ treiben unb Qraufam fein. 2)od) moge er mid? bebanbeln, tt>ie er it>t(l, ici) n^erbe tro aller JKtegel unb itterftangen balb frei fetn. $iefe6ra)artim3 linbert metnenSd)mer3, unb obgleid^ tdb eine bulflofe^amilie gurudtlaffe, fo mtrb fie bocfy ni(f)t gdnjlta^ t)erlaf)en fetn. ^teHeia^it finbet fid) ein $reunb, ber fte um ibre armen 5Bater mttlen unterftii^t, unb 2lnbere merben tl)nen cieUeia^t au 2ftenfd?enliebe um ibre bintmlifcben Waters ttnttenbetfteben." 2Bdb^enb icb nocb fpradt), fam meine ^rau, bie id) ben Sag fcorfyer nta^t gefe^en, mit $licfen be (Sntfe^en b^^in, unb t>erfuci)te gu reben, h?ar aber nicbt ba^u itn tanbe. ,,9hm, meine Siebe/' rtef icb, ,,arum tergro^erft ^>u * 311 though he has doomed me to die in this place of wretchedness, and though we have lost a darling child; yet still you will find comfort in your other children, when I shall be no more." "We have indeed lost," returned she, "a darling child! My Sophia, my dearest, is gone snatched from us, carried off by ruffians!" "How, madam!" cried my fellow-prisoner. "Miss Sophia carried off by villains ! Sure it cannot be !" She could only answer with a fixed look, and a flood of tears. But on" of the prisoners' wives, who was present, and came in with her, gave us a more distinct account: she informed us, that as my wife, my daughter, and herself, were taking a walk together, on the gread road, a little way out of the village, a post-chaise and pair drove up to them, and instantly stopped. Upon which a well-drest man, but not Mr. Tliornhill, stepping out, clasped my daughter round the waist, and forcing her in, bid the postillion drive on, so that they were out of sight in a moment. meinen Summer burd) ben 3)einigen fo fefyr? 2Benn aud) meine Unterroerfung itnfern Serfolger nicbt umfttmmen fann, roenn er mid) aud) t>erurtbeilt bat, an bief em elenben Orte 311 fterben , unb toenn nrir and? ein geliebteg $inb tterloren baben, fo ruerben 2)td) bod) Seine iibrigen $inber troften, toenn id) nid)t mebr bin." ,,$n ber Xfyat baben fair ein geliebte $inb tiertoren!" erltrieberte fie. ,,2ftetne Sopbie, mem liebfte ,finb, ift fort geraubt, entfiibrt tton Sc^urfen ! " ,,2Bie, SJIabame!" rief mein ^yittgefangener , ^^rduletn Sopfyie won S(i)urfen entfiibrt? S)a ift wimoa,ltcb." ie !onnte nut mit einem flatten Slide unb einer $lutb xion Xbranen ant= roorten. S)od) bie ^rau eine> efangenen , bie mit ify* eingetreten tuar, ertfyeilte un einen genauern S3ertd)t. @ie fagte un, meine ^ rau / roeine ^oc^ter unb fie felber totiren eine !letne trede au bem SDorfe auf ber Sanbftrafee fpa^ieren gegangen, ba irdre eine ^toeifpannige 2Riett)futf(be angefabren gefommen unb babe fogletd) angeljalten. Sarauf mare ein moblgefletbeter 9Jtann , aber md)t , au^geftiegen , b^be meine Xodbter um ben Ceib gefafit, ft in * 312 "Now,' cried 1, "the sum of my miseries is made up, nor is it in the power of any thing on earth to give me another pang. What! not one left! not leave me one! the monster! The child that was next my heart! she had the beauty of an angel, and almost the wisdom of an angel But support that woman, nor let her fall. Not to leave me one!" "Alas, my husband!" said my wife, "you seem to want comfort even more than I. Our distresses are great; but I could bear this and more, if I saw you but easy. They may take away my children, and all the world, if they leave me but you." My son, who was present, endeavoured to moderate her grief; he bade us take comfort, for he hoped that we might still have reason to be thankful. "My child," cried I, "look round the world , and see if there be any happiness left me now. Is not every ray of comfort shut out? while all our bright prospects only lie beyond the grave." "My dear father," returned he, "I hope there is still something that will give you an interval of satisfaction; for 1 have a letter from my brother ben 2Bagen a.efd)leppt unb bent ^oftillon befoljlen , ir-eiter 311 faljrcn, morauf fie ibnen amienblirflid? an* bent Wcficbtc a,emefen. ,,3hui ift bio Summc meine* Glenbg Doll," ricf icb; ,,ntd)t* auf (*rben fann mir nod? grojiern Sajmerj oerurfacben. C ! nid}t @ine mebr iibria. ! S)a& llnflclieuer! 2>letn Mtnb, bay moinem ^erjcn am nad)ften n>ar! Sic befaf, bie Scfyo'nfjeit etne3 Gngete unb faft bic 2Beiel?eit einee Gngete. Slbcr ci(t mciner ^rau 311 ulfe, fie n?irb ^infadcn. 9ii(^)t 6'ine nte^ir ubrig!" ,,2(0*1, licber 2)iann/' fagte meine &au, ,,5)u fd^einft bes rofte noc^ ntet)r ^u bebiirfen, al* id), llnfcr (Slenb ift grof?; bod) i<$) !onnte bie unb nod) tnefyr evtragen^ tronn id? )td} nur rut^ig fd()e. 313 ^~ George." "What of him, my child?" interrupted I, "does he know our misery? I hope my boy is exempt from any part of what the wretched family suffers." "Yes, sir," returned he, "he is perfectly gay, cheerful, and happy. His letter brings nothing but good news; he is the favourite of his colonel, who promises to procure him the very next lieutenancy that becomes vacant." "But are you sure of all this?" cried my wife, "are you sure that nothing ill has befallen my boy?" "Nothing, indeed, madam," re- turned my son; "you shall see the letter, which will give you the highest pleasure; and if any thing can procure you comfort, I am sure that will." "But are you sure," still repeated she, "that the letter is from himself, and that he is really so happy?" "Yes, madam," re- plied he, "it is certainly his , and he will one day be the credit and the support of our family." "Then, I thank Providence," cried she, "that my last letter to him has miscarried. Yes, my dear," continued she, turning to me, "I will now confess, that though the hand of Heaven ,,&eber $ater," entgegnete er, ,,id) (joffe, e giebt nod) getoafyren fann, benn id) babe einen $rief on meinem $ruber eorg." ,,2Bie get)t e> ibm, meinol;n?" fid id) ein, ,,rceiJ3 er urn unfcr @tmb? $d) Ijoffe, ntein ofyn ift frei on bem, toa feine ungludlicfye gamtlie leibet." ,,3a, $ater," ertoieberte er, ,,er ift ttollf'ommen Better unb c^ludUd). 6ein S3rief ettt= t)dlt nur gute 9Iad)ric^ten. Gr ift ber iinftling feine^ Oberften, ito(der ibm bie ndc()fte offene Sieutenantsftelle erfprod)en bat." f ,S)oc^ bift S)u on alle bem ubergeugt ? " rtef meine lyvau, ,,bift 3)u tjerai^ ba^ meinem Sobne !ein Unbeit gcfdje^cn ift? ;/ ,,9M$tS in ber Xfjat, licbe Gutter/' criuiebertc mein Sobn; ,,2Du follft ben 33rief fe^en, ber Sir ba* gro^te 33er0nit0en 0ert?al)ren toirb ; unb luenn Sid^ irgenb trt)a troften tann, fo bin id) Qetmfj, ba^ e babnrd) gefd)e|)en mirb." ,,2lber bift Sit fleroife," roieberljolte fie noa^ intmer, ,,bafe ber ^Brtef ton ifym fetber unb ba^ er nnrflid? fo glucflic^ ift?" ,,^a, Gutter/' ermieberte er, ,,ber 35rief ift gemi^ t>on ibm, unb er toirb unferer #amilie einft ^ur l)re unb jur 6tit^e bienen." ,,Sa ban!e i(^ ber ^sorfebunj /' rief fie, ,,baf3 er metnen le^ten ^rief nid)t erbalten , 314 ^~ is sore upon us in other instances, it has been favourable here. By the last letter I wrote my son, which was in the bitterness of anger, I desired him, upon his mother's blessing, and if he had the heart of a man, to see justice done his father and sister, and avenge our cause. But, thanks be to Him who directs all things, it has miscarried, and 1 am at rest." -Woman," cried I, "thou hast done very ill, and at another time my reproaches might have been more severe. Oh! what a tremendous gulf hast thou escaped, that would have buried both thee and him in endless ruin! Providence, indeed, has here been kinder to us than we to ourselves. It has reserved that son to be the lather and protector of my children, when I shall be away. How unjustly did I complain of being stripped of every comfort, when still I hear that he is happy, and insensible of our afflictions; still kept in reserve to support his widowed mother, and to protect his brothers ami sisters! But what sisters has he left? he has no sisters now: they are all gone, robbed from me, and I am undone!" "Father," bat. X V, ntein ieber," fubr fie jumir getoenbet fort, ,,wenu audj in anbcrcr >inficbt bie Jpanb be3 >immel fcbtoer auf un rubt, fo muf, icb bocb gefteben, bafe cr un$ in biefem ftalle giinftig gewefen ift. 3" meinem le^ten $riefe, ben icb in ber SHtterteit meine330ee fcbrteb, befdbtoor icb mcinen Sofyn bei bem egen feiner 2Jhitter, unb irenn er ba* .S;>erg eince- banned l)abe, ^u forgen, bafe feinem ^Bater nnb feiner ccbmefter erec^tigfeit gefcbetje, unb un %u rdci)en. 2)ocb bem ftimmel fei 3)anf , ber 5Brief ift nicfyt an tyn gefommcn unb icb bin berufyiat" ,,^rau," rief id^, ,,^u baft fefyr llnrecfjt get^an, unb 311 anberer 3^it tvurbe icb ^ir bartc 3?ortt)urfc (U'mactt baben. 0, njctcbem furcbtbaren s Jlbgrunbe bift Su entgancjen , ber 2)icb unb ibn in enbtofe^ ^Bex- berben nwrbe gefturgt baben ! 3)ie $orfebuncj ift bier in ber Xbat giitiger gegen un gemefen, aU rt)ir gegen un^ felber. @ie bat un biefen Sobn erfyalten, urn ber 0>ater unb 33efcbu&er metner ^tnber ^u fein, toenn icb babingegangen bin. 2Bie ungered)t n>ar nteine Jltage, baf> icb allee 3^rofte beraubt fei, ba icb bore, bajj er ajurflicb ift unb an unferer Iritbfal Xbeit ntmmt; ba^ er nod) iibrig ift, urn feiner tiertoitttoeten Gutter bei^ufteben, unb fcine $ritber unb 6cbtt?eftern 315 < interrupted my son, "I beg you will give me leave to read this letter: I know it will please you." Upon which, with my permission, he read as follows: "Honoured Sir, "I have called off my imagination a few moments from the pleasures that surround me, to fix it upon objects that are still more pleasing, the dear little fire-side at home. My fancy draws that harm- less group as listening to every line of this with great composure. I view those faces with delight, which never felt the deforming hand of ambition or distress. But, whatever your happiness may be at home, I am sure it will be some addition to it, to hear that I am perfectly pleased with my situation, and every way happy here. "Our regiment is countermanded, and is not to leave the kingdom ; the colonel, who professes himself my friend, takes me with him to all companies where he is acquainted, and, after my first visit, I generally find myself received with increased respect upon repeating it. I danced 3U befd)ut*en! 2iber h?elo)e Sd)fceftern liat er nod) ubrtg? @r bat feme ftern tnefyr! te finb Me fort, mir geraubt, unb id) bin elenb." ,,38ater," fiel mem Golm em, ,,erlaube mir, biefen 23rief ^orjulefen; id) roeife, er mirb ^tr SSergniigen gemabren." S)arauf la er mit meiner (Srtaubnif) true folgt: Sieber^sater, ,,^d) \)abe meine ^^antaftc einige 2lugenbltcte von ben ^ergnitgiunoen abgelentt, bie mid) nmgeben, umfte aufegenftdnbe ^u rtcfyten, bie mir nocb angcnc^mer finb, ndmlicb auf ben lieben fletnen .ffantin gu ^aufe. 3cb [tellte mir |ene barmlofe ruppe t?or, hue fie mit grower S 2lufmerffamfeit auf jebe SBort biefe^ 39rtefe Ijorcfyt. %$ fe^e btefe eftd)ter mit ent^iden, melc^e niemaB bie entftellenbe ^anb be @l)rge^e^ ober be 2)ti^gefdbi(f empfanben. 2)ocb fo grof? (Suer li'tct 311 ^aufe and) fetn mag, fo bin id) bod) getoifj , ba^ e noc^ ertjb'bt merben mirb , tt>enn ^br erfaljrt , bajs ic^ mit metner Sage fcoUfommen ^nfrieben unb bier in jeber .fttnftdjt gtudltcb bin. ,,Unfer Regiment bat Gontreorbre erljalten unb nnrb bae ^ontgretdb nta^t tertaffen. er Oberft, ber mtdb jetnen ^reunb nennt, fii^rt mid) in atle 3irfel, tt?o er befannt ift, unb itberall merbe tcb bet fortgefe&ten 33efud^en mit hist night with Lady G , and, could I forget you know whom, I might be, perhaps, successful. But it is my fate still to remember others, while I am myself forgotten by most of my absent friends; and in this number, I fear, sir, that I must consider you; for I have long expected the pleasure of a letter from home to no purpose. Olivia and Sophia, too, promised to write, but seem to have forgotten me. Tell them that they arc t\\n arrant little baggages, and that I am this moment in a most violent passion with them; yet still, I know not how, though I want to bluster a little, my heart is respondent only to softer emotions. Then tell them, sir, that. after all, I love them affectionately; and be assured of my ever remaining your dutiful son." "In all our miseries," cried I, "what thanks have we not to return, that one at least of our family is exempted from what we suffer! Heaven be his guard, and keep my boy thus happy to be the support of his widowed mother, and the father of these two babes, which is all the patrimony I can now bequeath him! May he keep their innocence erbofyter Slcfytuiifl aufgenotirmett. (Seftern 2lbenb tanjte tit mit i'abp , unb fonnte id) bio ^VuntfUe ivraeffcn, fo nioobte id) bet tbr t>ie(leid)t ajiidltd) fetn. Xecb o* ift mein i'oo*, mid* innnor "Jlnberer 311 ertnnern, tua'fyrenb bte mctften metiuT ahvefenben Areunbe mid) erflcf|en; unb ^u btefer gabl muf 3 idb and) Tucf" vocbncn, (ieber v ^ator, benn lange ^abe id) t>ergebeit'o aitf ta^ (U'iimrtot, eincn ^rief ucn ^>aufe ,^u erbalten. C(it>ia unb ancb 311 fcfrroiben, tod? fio fd?eincn mic^ toergeffen 311 baben. itwen, fte mciren ein $aar niditenufcifle ^infler, unb idb tt>are bitterbofe auf fie. 2)cd) id> faeifj nid>t, tt>ie e^ sugebt, menu id) audi ein menttj auf fie fd)e(te, fo fltebt mem "per^ bod) gletd) fanftern (9eful;len nac^). Sage ibnen alfo, baf> id) fie bet alle bem .v.irtlid^ liebe, unb fet tterftcfyert, ba^ tcb ftet bletben roerbc ,,2Bte grojkn 2)anf ftnb trtr bet all unferm Glenb bem ^immel fdwlbia,/' rtef tdb, ,,bafe h?eniiiften^ Giner unferer ^amtlte t?on bem fret ift, teas n?tr letben! 3)er .^immel fc^u^e tl;n unb erl)alte metnen Sol)n fo Qludlid), bamit er bte Stutjc fetner ttemtttmeten Gutter fetn moge unb ber $ater biefer betben -^ 317 o- from the temptations of want, and be their conductor in the paths of honour!" I had scarcely said these words, when a noise like that of a tumult seemed to proceed from the prison below; it died away soon after, and a clanking of fetters Avas heard along the passage that led to my apartment. The keeper of the prison entered, holding a man all bloody, wounded, arid fettered with the heaviest irons. I looked with compassion upon the wretch as he approached me, but with horror $naben, bie id? iijm al einjigeS Grbtfyeil fyinterlaffe! 9Jloge er ifyre Unfcfyulb tjon ben $erfucfyungen bet 2lrntutl) juritcffyalten unb ifyr ^iifyrer fein auf ben 2Begen ber @fyre!" $cmm ^atte \$ biefe 2Borte au0ef proven, al id^ unten Dor ber Sfyiir be^ efdngnt[fe einen tumult t)ernal)Tn. 3ialb ^)6rte ba3 (&& rciuf (^ auf unb ^ettengeraff el tarn ben ang baljer, ber 311 meinem @ema(^ f iifyrte. er @efangenlt)drter trat ein unb fiifyrte einen ^ann, gang ntit Slut bebecft, tjermunbet unb mit ben fdjtoerften ^effeln belaben. $d) fat) ben Ung(uc!lic^en mitletbig an, al3 er fid^ ntir ncibrte, bocb mit (Sntfe^en, al tdf) bemerfte, ba -~> 318 when I found it \%as my own son ! "My George! my George! and do I behold thee thus? wounded! fettered! Is this thy happiness? Is this the manner you return to me? U that this sight would break my heart at once, and let me die!" "Where, sir, is your fortitude?" returned my son, with an intrepid voice; "I must suffer; iny life is forfeited, and let them take it." I tried to restrain my passion for a few minutes in silence, but I thought I should have died with the effort. "0, my boy, my heart weeps to behold thee thus, and I cannot, cannot help it! In the moment I thought thee blest, and prayed for thy safety, to behold thee thus again, chained, wounded! And yet, the death of the youthful is happy. But I am old, a very old man, and have lived to see this day; to see my children all untimely falling about me, while I continue a wretched survivor in the midst of ruin! May all the curses that ever sunk a soul fall heavy upon the murderer of my children! May he live like me to see " e mem Sofcn jei. ,,2)iein corg! mein corgi fefye id) Xid) fo iweber? ^ernwnbet! @efeffelt! oft bie* Xetn @Iurf? tfebrft $u fo $u mir jururf? niod;tc bicfcr s J(nblid ntein era brecfyen unb id) fogleid) fterben ! " ,,2Bo ift 2 cine 3tanobaftigfeit, ^atcr?" ermieberte mein 6ol)n mit fefter Stimme ; ,,icfy mujj ben ob erbulben , mein fieben ift cerroirft ; mag man e3 nefymen." 3ie fannft Sit fo Sein Sitter unb Semen tyeiligen $eruf ttergeffcn, Sir ba3 ^id)ter- amt be >immel3 an^umafsen unb btefe #lu$e fyinaufju fenben , melcfye balb toteber tjernieberfinfen mitffen, urn Sein graue* >aupt 311 Dernicfyten! ^ietn, $ater, lafj e melmefyr Seine ^lufgabe fein, mid) auf ben icfymcifylidjen Xob ucrjubereiten, ben id^ balb erbvtlben tnu^, mt<$> init ^offnunq unb ntfa^loffen; tjeit 311 roaffnen, mir DKutl) ein^uflo^cn, ben bittern Held) git trinfcn, ber mir balb tt>trb geretd)t merben." ,,90'lem oljn, Subarfftnidjt [terben! ^c^ bintjewi^, Su baft nid)t began: gen, urn eine fo fa^mafylicfye Strafe 311 oerbteuen. s Dletn(^eorg fann ntmmerme^r etne $erbre$en3 fd)ulbig fein, beffen fia^ feme ^orfa^ren fcbamen mitten." ,,Sa meintge tft leiber ein un^ersetblicbe^, errcieberte mein ol)n. f ,2ll ta^ ben $rtef metner Stutter er^tett, fam icb fogteia^ Berber, entfa^toffen , ben Member unferer l)W 311 beftrafen , unb fcfytcfte t^m eine ^orberung , morauf er nidjt in ^Serfon erfd^ten, fonbern mer t>on fetnen Sebienten fd^idtte, urn fief) meiner 311 bemda}tigen. Sen erften, ber mid) angrtff, neriDunbete tcb prisoner. The coward is determined to put the law in execution against me; the proofs are undeniable; I have sent a challenge; and, as I am the first aggressor upon the statute, I see no hopes of pardon. But you have often charmed me with your lessons -of fortitude ; let me now, sir. Mud them in your example." "And, my son, you shall find them. I am now raised above this world, and all the pleasures it can produce. From this moment 1 break from my heart all the ties that held it down to earth, and will prepare to n't us both for eternity. Yes, my son, I will point out the way, and my soul shall guide yours in the ascent; for we will take our flight together. 1 now see and am convinced you can expect no pardon '" " and I c-an only exhort you to seek it at that greatest tribunal where we both shall shortly answer. But let us not be niggardly in our exhortations, but let all our fellow-prisoners have a share. Good jailer, let them be permitted to stand here, while I attempt to improve them." Thus saying, I made an effort to rise from the straw, but fd)tt>er, roie id) fiird)te., bod) bte anbern nalnncn mid) gefangen. 2)er Glenbe iff entfd)loffen, bas @efefc gegen mid) in Mmuenbung 311 bringen. 2)ie $etoetfe finb nid)t 311 laugnen. $d) bin ber Ain'berer, uno ba id) ber angreifenbe Ztyii bin, fo fyabe ia), luenn man nad) ber Strenge be* cfefee* r>erfal)rt, feme nabe 311 boffen. Xod) $n baft mid) oft jur ctanbhafttflteit ermabnt, Ueber 5>ater, (a^ mtd^ bicfelbc jctu in Teinern 53eifpie(e finben." ,,3)u follft fte finben, mein 3obn," eririeberte icb. ,,^d) ftebe je&t iiber ber 2BeIt nnb ben Jreuben, bte fie gemabren fann. $on btefem Stugenblicle an nel)me id) alle /"ycffetn t>on meinem .^er^en, bie e an bte Grbe fniipften, nnb mill itne $eibe auf bte .(Smigfctt rorbereitcn. ^a, mein Sobn, id) mill 2)ir ben 2Beg jeigen, unb meine 3eele foil bie 2>etmge binaufgeletten. 3d) hflftc mid) je&t itbei^eugt, bafe 2)u feine ^egnabigung ju erirarten baft, unb tann nnr ermahnen, btefelbe tor bent grofeten JHid)terftul)le ^u fucfyen, mo mir balb erfd)etnen merben. ^od) mill id) md)t farg fetn mtt meinen 6r; mabnungen, unb alle unfere Oftitgefangenen follen baran %\)t\l baben. 2ftein flitter .^erlermeifter, erlauben te c ibnen, bier etngutreten, bamtt id) and) fte * 321 wanted strength, and was able only to recline against the wall. The prisoners assembled according to my directions, for they loved to hear my counsel; my son and his mother supported me on either side; I looked and saw that none were wanting, and then addressed them with the following exhortation. CHAP. XXIX. THE EaUAL DEALINGS OF PROVIDENCE DEMONSTRATED WITH REGARD TO THE HAPPY AND THE MISERABLE HERE BELOW THAT, FROM THE NATURE OF PLEASURE AND PAIN, THE WRETCHED MUST BE REPAID THE BALANCE OF THEIR SUFFERINGS IN THE LIFE HEREAFTER. My friends, my children, and fellow-sufferers, when I reflect on the distribution of good and evil here below, I find that much has been given man to enjoy, yet still more to suffer. Though we should examine the whole world, we shall not find one man so happy as to ermatmen fann." $et biefen 2Borten uerfucfyte id), mid) uonmeinem trol)= lager 311 erfyeben, bod; fefylte mir bte $raft, imb id) mar genotfytgt, mt$ an bie 2Banb 311 lefynen. 3)ic efangenen oerfammelten fid) auf meinen 2Bunf d) , benn fie fyorten mir gerne 311. 2Rem Sofyn unb meine $rau fytelten mid:) aufred)t ; bann fat) id) mid) urn imb bemerfte, baft ^temanb fefyie, unb rebete fie folgen= berma^en an. (^ reirb bewiefen, nne bte SSovfcbung auf (Srben tiicf unb llngtucf gteic(> tiegt in ber 9^atur ber gveubc unb cee SdjmerjeS, ba^ bte ttngtucf(tct)en in jener 2Bett (rfa fvic t^re Setben ftnben muffen. Sterne Jreunbe, meine Hinber unb meine eibens>gefat)rten! 2Benn ic iiber bie 3Sertbeilung be uten unb 33ofen auf Grben na<^ben!e, fo finbe id ba^ bent 3Jtenfd)en iete ^reuben, aber noc^ mefyr Setben suget^eilt finb. f patten irir and) bie gan^e $Mt, fo miirben it)ir bod) feinen 2ftenfd)en fo -^> 322 o j+ have nothing left to wish for; but we daily see thousands who, by suicide, show us they have nothing left to hope. In this life, then, it appears, that we cannot be entirely blest, but yet we may )>< com- pletely miserable. "Why man should thus t'crl pain; why our wretchedness should be requisite in the formation of universal felicity ; why, when all other systems are made perfect by the perfection of their subordinate part-. the great .system should require, for its perfection, parts that are not >nly subordinate to others, but imperfect in themselves: these are questions that never can be explained, and might be useless if known. On this subject Providence has thought fit to elude our curiosity, satisfied with granting us motives to consolation. "In this situation, man has called in the friendly assistance of philosophy; and Heaven, seeing the incapacity of that to console him, has given him the aid of religion. The consolations of philosophy are very amusing, but often fallacious. It tells us that life is filled lid) finben, baft tl;m fetn -JBunfd) mel;r iibrig bleibe; taglid) aber aeigen un<3 Xaufenbe burd? Gelbftmorb, bajj il;nen feine jpoffnung geblieben. fa^eint e3, bajj iwr in btefem Vcbcii nimmer ganj g(iidlid), rootyl aber men elenb merben tonnen. 2Bariim mufj ber iDienfa^ od^nerj empfinbenV Saturn i|t unfer C^lenb jur ^ert>orbrin0ung aUflcmeincr luctieligfeit notl^menbig? Xa alle anberen opfteme bura^ bie Ueberetnftimmung ilirer untergeorbneten Xl)eile oollfommen ftnb, marum beburfte biefe gro^e Si))tem ^u feiner 3SollfDmmen()eit bie nic^t nur anbern untergcorbnet , fonbern au<^ an fid) mangelfyaft ftnb V finb Jragen, bie nte tonnen beanttvortet toerben unb beren ^oi'ung uns nii^en miirbe. 6^ ^at ber $orfel)ung gefallen, unfere 9teugierbe fiber biefen egenftanb nid;t ^u befrtebigen unb uns allein auf Xroftgrunbe ^u befa^ranfen. ^n bteferSage l?at ber 2)len)a) ben f rennblia^en $eiftanb ber ^l)tlo)"Dp^te 311 ^iilfe gerufen, unb ber .^tmmel, iro^l etnjefyenb, ba^ biefelbe nid)t im Stance fei, tl;n ^u troften, ^at i^m bie^itlfe ber Religion gefenbet. 2)ie Xroftgriinbe ber ie [inb feljr etti^meia^elnb unb gefdllig ; bod) tauten fie oft. Ste r-f 323 < with comforts, if we will but enjoy them; and, on the other hand, that though we unavoidably have miseries here, life is short, and they will soon be over. Thus do these consolations destroy each other; for, if life is a place of comfort, its shortness must be misery, and if it be long, our griefs are protracted. Thus philo- sophy is weak, but religion comforts in a higher strain. Man is here, it tells us, fitting up his mind, and preparing it for another abode. When the good man leaves the body and is all a glorious mind, he will find he has been making himself a heaven of hap- piness here; while the wretch that has been maimed and contami- nated by his vices, shrinks from his body with terror, and finds that he has anticipated the vengeance of Heaven. To religion, then, we must hold, in every circumstance of life, for our truest comfort; for, if already we are happy, it is a pleasure to think that we can make that happiness unending; and if we are miserable, it is very consoling to think that there is a place of rest. Thus, to the fortu- fagt un, bos Seben entfyalte iele$reuben, toenn frit fie nur gefyortg geniefcen rcollten. $reiUd) mufeten mir bagegen mandfye uuttermeibHdje llebel ertragen ; bo$ ba eben fei lurg, unb fie gtngen balb ttoniber. 60 fyeben btefe Xroft; griinbe emanber gegenfeittg attf ; benn toenn ba Seben em 2Bofynfi& be $er= gnugenS ift, fo ift bie ^ur^e beffelben em Unglud, unb toafyrt e> lange, fo fcer; Idngern fid) unfcre Seiben. @o ift bie ^btlofopl)te fc^mad) ; bod? bie Religion troftetun^ aitf l)6t)ere2Betfe. S)er 2Renfc^ lebt auf rben, le^rt fie un, urn feinen etft au3iibilben unb ftcfy auf em anbere^ 2)af ein ttorauberetten. 2Benn ber gute 2)lenfc^fetneirbif^e itu"e cerldfet unb ein feliger eift twirbjo lernt eretnfeljen, ba^ er fid) fcfyon auf rben etnen^immel ollSelig!ett gefdbaffen, itjctfjrenb ber (Slenbe, ber fid? burd) feineSafter Derftummeit unb befledt, mit ntfe^en t>on fei; netntorper ftd^ trennt unb einfte&t, ba^ er ber^ac^ebe$immel orgegriffen. 2ln bie Religion miiffen n?ir un bafyer in jeberSage beSeben luenben unb bet tfyr mabrl)aftenXroftfud)en; benn menu tt>irau$fd}on auf Grbengludlt^finb, fo Uegt bod^ SBonne in bent ebanf en, bajj mir bief es @lud* enblo3 ntac^en fonnen ; unb menu totr elenb finb, fo finbenmtrXroft in bemeban!en,ba^tmrbort etnen * 324 nate, religion holds out a continuance of bliss; to the wretched, a change from pain. u But though religion is very kind to all men, it has promised peculiar rewards to the unhappy; the sick, the naked, the house- less, the heavy-laden, and the prisoner, have ever most frequent primuses in our sacred law. The Author of our religion every where professes himself the wretch's friend; and, unlike the false ones of this world, bestows all his caresses upon the forlorn. The unthinking have censured this as parti;ilil\ , as a preference without merit to deserve it. But they never reflect, that it is not in the power even of Heaven itself to make the offer of unceasing felicity as great a gift to the happy as to the miserable. To the first, eter- nity is but a single blessing, since, at most, it but increases what they already possess. To the latter, it is a double advantage; for it diminishes their pain here, and rewards them with heavenly bliss hereafter. finben. o pcrbeifet bie Religion bent liidltdfyen ^ortbauer f enter 2Bonne unb bent Unglitdltdien einen Uebergang au feinent @lenb jitm liid. 2>od? fo gutig aiid) bie Religion gegen alle 2ftenf$en ift , fo rjerfyeifet fie ben Ungludltcben nod) einen befonbern ofyn. liefer foil nad) bem 2(u3fprud) ber fyeiligen Scfyrift ben .ftranfen, ben 9}adten, ben Scfyfterbelabenen unb ben efangenen 311 Xljetl toerben. Xer Stifter unferer Religion erfldrt fief) iiber- a(( fiir ben ^reunb ber Unglurfltcfyen, unb Dotlig itngleid) ben fa(fd?en grennben btefer2Belt, fc^enft er ben t>on benSO^enfcbenSlufgegebenenfeinefiiebe. 2Renf(^en ol>ne 9lad)benfen l)aben bie? ^arteiltc^feit ober einen Sorjug genannt, ber fid) auf letn Serbienft griinbe. ^oct) fie bebacfyten nic^t, ba^ e felbft nta^t in ber 9J?ac^t be ^immele ftebt , ba efcfyenf ununterbroc^ener liictfeligfett fitr ben &iud lichen ju einer eben fo t^euren abe 311 madden, nrie fiir ben Slenben. S)em Grftern ift bie 6tt)ig!eit nur ein etnfacfyer Segen , ba fte ifym ^6cf)ften nnr erme^rt, toas er fc^on befi^t. ^iir ben Severn ift fie aber ein boppelter e= iDinn, benn fie Derntinbert nid)t nur fein Seiben l)ier auf 6rben, fcnbern be; lobnt itjn and) bort oben mit ertt>er macfyt, fo ebnet fie tfym ben Uebergang bortfyin. SMe Ungludlia^en finb Idngft mit bem Summer in jeber cftalt ttertraut getrorben. 3)er S)ulber legt fid) rufyig fyin, er bat feme @d)d&e 311 bebauern, unb nur roentge 23anbe feffeln iijn an Seben. @r empftnbet nur bie naturlicfye Xobequal behn le^ten .^ampfe, unb btefe ift nict)t grower, al bie Seiben, unter benen er berett ge= fenf^t. S)enn fobalb ber dfymerg etnen gemiffen @rab erreidfyt ^at, ntad^t bie 9Iatur fiir iebe neue 2Btinbe unempfinblid? , bie ber ob bem Bergen f^la'gt. o ^t bie 3Sorfel)iing bem UngliidtUa^en in biefem Seben jmei ^orgiige or bem liidtlia>en gegeben grofjere liic!felig!eit im obe, unb im ^)tmmel bie $reubenfiUle, bie au> bem ontrafte mit ben friifyeren Seiben entfprtngt. liefer ^or^ug , meine ^reunbe , ift fein gertnger eroinn unb fcfyetnt etne ber gteubcn be armen 2Ranne in ber $arabel geirefen ^u fetn; benn obgletdb er fd)on im ^immel mar unb alle 2Bonne empfanb, bie berfelbe genjcibren fonnte, Jo trnrb e bod) nod^ al eine rbotyung feine ludEe erttcil)nt, baf] er etnft 326 been wretched, and now was comforted; that he had known what it was to be miserable, and now felt what it was to be happy. "Thus, my friends, you see religion does what philosophy could never do: it shows the equal dealings of Heaven to the happy and the unhappy, and levels all human enjoyments to nearly the same standard. It gives to both rich and poor the same happiness hereafter, and equal hopes to aspire after it; but if the rich have the advantage of enjoying pleasure here, the poor have the endless satisfaction of knowing what it was once to be miserable, when crowned with endless felicity, hereafter; and even though this should be called a small advantage, yet, being an eternal one, it must make up by duration, what the temporal happiness of the great may have ex- ceeded by intenseness. "These are, therefore, the consolations which the wretched have peculiar to themselves , and in which they are above the rest of man- kind: in other respects they are below them. They who would know Setben erfafyren unb nun getroftet rcerbe, bafe er ba Glenb fennen ge(ernt unb je&t empfinbe, toa Seltgfeit fei. So fefyt ^fyr alfo, mcine Avounbc, baft bte Religion gemdfyrt, mac- bie nitnmer getoafyren fann. 6ie jeigt un bie Unparteilidtfeit be gegen bie Unglucflicfyen unb litcfltd)en , f o tme bie gleicfymafiige $er: ttjetlung aller menfcfylicben enitffe. Sie tterfyeifct bent S'teic^en it)ie bem 2(rmen gletc^e e (?at unb burcf) bie er fief) iiber anbere SRenfdien er^aben fillet, Winter benen er in anberer juriicfftebt. iBer ba Glenb ber Airmen fennen lernen mill , muj~3 e^ fetber -^ 327 <> the miseries of the poor, must see life and endure it. To declaim on the temporal advantages they enjoy, is only repeating what none either believe or practise. The men who have the necessaries of living, are not poor; and they who want them, must be miserable. Yes , my friends , we must be miserable. No vain efforts of a refined imagination, can sooth the wants of nature, can give elastic sweetness tho the dark vapour of a dungeon, or ease the throbbings of a broken heart. Let the philosopher, from his couch of softness, tell us we can resist all these. Alas! the effort by which we resist them is still the greatest pain. Death is slight, and any man may sustain it; but torments are dreadful, and these no man can endure. "To us then, my friends, the promises of happiness in heaven should be peculiarly dear; for, if our reward be in this life alone, we are, indeed, of all men the most miserable. When I look round these gloomy walls, made to terrify, as well as to confine us; this light, that only serves to show the horrors of the place; those shackles, that fasten unb ertragen. 3>ie 3eitlicfc>en $or%ile, bie bamit cerbunben fmb, riifymenb l)ert>orfyeben gu ftollen, fyiefte rmr 3)inge itneberfyolen, bie 9iiemanb glaubt unb9ttemanb toerfucfyen mag. -JRenfdben, bie bie notljmenbigften eben^ bebiirfniffe befi&en, ftnb nid)t arm; bie aber, benen fie fefylen, fmb etenb. $a, meine ^reunbe , nnr miiffen elenb fein ! $etne Semnfyung einer aufgeregten v ]if)antafie fann bie^orberungen ber9tatur fcon fid) toeifen. Ste fann bie feuc^te tofevluft rtid^t in balfamifd^e 2)iifte toermanbeln, ober ba dngftlic^e ^(opfen etne brea^enben ^er^eny befanftigen. 2Rag ber s ^t)i(ofop^ t)on feinem metc^en ager ^erab un guriifen : baS Sltlee laffe fic^ ubertcmben ! 21$, fd?on bie 3tnftren= gang, bie e un toftet, ift bie grofjte dial. 2)er ob ift leidjt, unb ^eber fann ihn ertragen; boc^ Pattern ftnb fcbreclfid), unb fie fann 91iemanb erbulben. S)a^er, ntetne ^reunbe, miiffen un3 bie 3Ser^ei^ungen einer r;immltfd)en Setigfett befonber^ tl;euer fein; benn irenn iinfer Soljn un^ nitr in biefem ju Zfyeil merben f elite, fo mdren nnr in ber X^at bie unglncflicfyften SBenn i$ biefe biiftern 3Jlauern betrac^te, bie un einferfern unb fdbreden follen; menn icb biefe Sammerung fel)e , bie nur ba raufen biefe -< 328 tyranny has imposed, or crime made necessary; when I survey these emaciated looks, and hear those groans 0, my friends, what a glorious exchange would heaven be for these! To fly through regions unconfined as air; to bask in the sunshine of eternal bliss; to carol over endless hymns of praise; to have no master to threaten or in- sult us, but the form of goodness himself for ever in our eyes: when I think of those things, death becomes the messenger of very glad tidings; when I think of these things, his sharpest arrow becomes the staff of my support; when I think of these things, what is there in life worth having? when I think of these things, what is there that should not be spurned away? Kings in their palaces should groan for such advantages, but we, humbled as we are, should yearn for them. "And shall these things be ours? Ours they will certainly be, if we but try for them; and, what is a comfort, we are shut out from many temptations that would retard our pursuit. Only let us try for Ovte* erfenncn IdfU; biefe /veffeln, won ber Xprannei gefcfcmiebet unb bur d) $erbred)en notbroenbui flomaobt; toenn id; bicfc fyalb erlofcfycnen Slide be- tradbte, biefe* Stofynen tternebme o meine ftreunbe! melcb em OHiuf, menu mir alleS bte mtt bem .fitmmel t>ertaufd)en merben ! roenn mir Dtdutne burdh eilen, bie flrenjenloS fmb mie ba* Coital! menn n?ir un fonnen in bem lan^e en?iger eligfcit enblofe ^ubelhtimnen ftngen unb feinen ^errn ,m fiir^ten fyaben, ber une broljt ober ocrfolftt imb auf immer ba llrbilb ber ctoigcn iite or Stugen baben: menu id) alles bie bebenfo, fo tturb tniv ber^ob 3U einem ^eitern^rieben^boten. 9Senn icb biee bebenfe, ttrirb mir fein fcbcirffter $feil 311 einer ftc&ern Stiifee. 2Benn icb bie bcbenfc, h?eld)en SBertt) bat bann nod) ba Seben fur mid)? SSenn icf) bie bebenfe, follte id) ba nid)t alles irbifc^e(ud Derac^ten? ^enige in ibren^aldften fodten nacb biefem^or= juge feufeen unb mte follten ttnr es nic^t, bie it)ir fo barniebergebeugt finb? llnb hjerben mir biefer SSoquoe tbeil^aftig irerben? 3 a 0ert)i^, menn mir eifrtg barnad) trad)ten. 2iud) ift e etn Xroft fiir un, baJ3 mir mancfyen nicbt au^gefefet finb , bie unfern 6teg erfdmteren mitrben. ^affet , 329 ^- them, and they will certainly be ours; and, what is still a comfort? shortly too; for, if we look back on past life, it appears but a very short span, and whatever we may think of the rest of life, it will yet be found of less duration: as we grow older, the days seem to grow shorter, and our intimacy with time ever lessens the perception of his stay. Then let us take comfort now, for we shall soon be at our journey's end: we shall soon lay down the heavy burden laid by Heaven upon us; and though death, the only friend of the wretched, for a little while mocks the weary traveller with the view, and, like the horizon, still flies before him; yet the time will certainly and shortly come, when we shall cease from our toil; when the luxuriant great ones of the world shall no more tread us to the earth : when we shall think with pleasure of our sufferings below; when we shall be surrounded with all our friends, or such as deserved our friend- ship; when our bliss shall be unutterable, and, still to crown all, unending." un mtr barnacfy trad)ten, barm nrirb er uns a,emiJ3 311 Xlje'il, unb gmar ma nodi) ein Xroft mefyr ift in fitter $eit. SBlicfen mtr auf unfer toergangeneS &ben gurudE , fo erfcfyetnt e un nut al etne furje Stoanne, unb ma mir aucfy on unfernt ferncrn Seben ben!en mogen, fo fdjeint e3 un3 toon nod) fur^erer S)auer: je alter mir merben, befto f lonelier fcbetnen bie $abre ^u entfltel)en; je mtrauter mir mit bem SBefcn ber 3eit trerben, befto me^r entfd()rtrinbet ber 2Bat)n, baJ3 fie ftill fte^e. 2)arum feib getroft! 58alb finb mtr am $ide unferer ^]tlfierfat)rt. s -Balb merben mir bie fcfymere ^Bitrbe t>on un* merfen, bie un ber .^intmel auferlegt fyat; unb menn aud) ber Job, ber einjtge^reunb be Un0li'td : : licfyen, auf !ur3e3^it ben ermitbeten 3Banberer tdufcfyt unb mie ber .^ort^ont t>or tbnt ^u flte{)en fd^etntjo fommt bod) geixnfs in ^urgent bte3eit,tt>o mir toonSRulje unb Erbeit au^rufyen, mo bie ro^en ber Grbe un ni(^t nte^r mit /yitfien treten fonnen, mo mtr freubic; 3urutfben!en an unfere irbtf(^en Setben, mo mir une toon alien unfern ^reunben umgeben fel)en, ober toon benen, bie unferer $reunb; fcbaft murbtg finb, mo unfere Seligfett unaufpred)lta> unb unenblidt) fetn mirb. 330 CHAP. XXX HAPPIER PROSPECTS BEGIN TO APPEAR LET US BE INFLEXIBLE, A.M. l.ilill M \\ii.i. AT LAST CHANGE IN OUR FAVOUR. \Yhe.n I had thus finished, ancic flitenoMfii. Vrtjit im* nontboft btciten, ie n?irt ta Wturf un$ cntlicf' irictcr .iiinftig fcin. 2U* id) nioino Mebe fleenbet unb bie3uf>6rer fid) entfernt Kitten, faflte ber AtcvformciUor, fcer cincr ber menfcblid)[ten fcines 5tanbc icar, id) ntcgc cv ilnu , menn feine ^flid^t if?n notbine, mctnen So^n in ftrengcre .'naft 311 . (5'v fcllo i^m inbefj erlaubt fein , micb jeben 2)iorgen gu bejudjen. %d) banfte ibin fiiv feine Outo, briicfte metnem 3obne bie jpanb, na()m ^(bfd)ieb t>on ttjm unb erinnerte ttjn, be gro^en 2iugenblicte ehiflebenf ju fein, bem er 2)ann le^te id) mid} roteber nteber, unb etner tton meinen ^tleinen fa^ lef enb neben metnem 33ette , a(s ^err ^enftnf on eintrat unb mir fagte , ba^ Oiacbrtc^t Don meiner 5tod)tcr ba fei. >or 3ttet Stunben Ijabe fie 3'cntanb in S ^e0lettung eine^ fremben ^errn gefe^en , ale fte in einem benad)barten 2)orfe abiioftiecjen, urn einipe Grfrifcbun^en ein^unebmen. 35ann mdren fie n?ieber o 331 *r- as if returning to town. He had scarce delivered this news, when the jailer came, with looks of haste and pleasure, to inform me that my daughter was found! Moses came running in a moment after, crying out that his sister Sophy was below, and coming up with our old friend Mr. Burchell. Just as he delivered this news, my dearest girl entered, and, with looks almost wild with pleasure, ran to kiss me in a trans- auf ba^ Stabtcfyen 311 0efal;ren, too loir un3 befdnben. Haunt tiatte er btefe 9tad}rid)t tttitgtfyeilt , ale aud) ber Herf'ermeifter etligft unb rnit freubigem e; ficfyte eintrat unb mic melbete, meine Xoa^ter fei miebenjefunben. letc^ barauf fam 2)Jofe3 gelaufen unb rief , feine Sc^mefter Sophie fei unten unb mevbe fo= gleicfy mit unferm alten ^reunbe .^errn 33uvc^eU tjerauffommen. Haunt Ijatte er biefe SBorte gefprcd^en, al aud) meine gefiebte Xod)ter _^ 332 c port of affection. Her mother's tears and silence also showed her pleasure. "Here, papa," cried the charming girl, "here is the brave man to whom I owe my delivery; to this gentleman's intrepidity I am in- debted for my happiness and safety.' V kiss from Mr. Burchell, whose pleasure seemed even greater than hers, interrupted what she was going to add. "Ah, Mr. Burchell," cried I, "this is but a wretched habitation you find us in; ami we are no\v very different from what vou last saw us. You were ever our friend: we have long discovered our errors with re- gard to you, and repented of our ingratitude. After the vile usage you then received at my hands, I am almost ashamed to behold your face; yet I hope you will forgive me, as I was deceived by a base ungene- rous wretch, win., under the mask of friendship, has undone me." "It is impossible," replied Mr. Uurehell, "that I should forgive you, as yon never deserved my resentment. I partly saw your eintrat unb nut Widen, tie for AiTiibe ftraljlten, in meine s Jlrme eilte. Stutter tonnte uor (5'ntu'iden nuv tpcincn unb fcfymeigen. ,,.v>ier , liebor SHater," rief ba* lieblicbc 2)ldbd>en, ,,fyier ift ber bratie 9Jtann, bem id) meino Settling rcrbanfo. Tor llncvutroctenbeit bu'K* >?errn bin ict ntctn ( s >hid nnb mem Vcbcn fdbulbig." Gin ^u^ on ^errn 33ur^eU, beffen Areube faft noc^ grower 311 fein fcf)ien, ale bie ibriae, untcrbrad) I}ter, n?a^ fie nodi n>eiter fagen tnollte. ,,3ld) err 3)urc^eU," rief id), ,,ie treffen une in einer fet^r elenben 2l^o^ nung. llnfere Vage fyat fto^ febr ferdnbert, f ett Sie un3 3iile^t fal)cn. ie roaren ftet unferon mtr erfal)ren, fc^cime id) mid? faft, %tynen in efid)t P ft^en ; bod) fyoffe id^, irerben 6ic mtr ter^eiben, ba td) t>on einem niebertrddutgen, fc^dnbltdben Suben ge^ tdufd)tmurbe, ber mic^unterber9)iaefeber^reunbfcbafttne Berber ben ftur^te." M ift itmnoglid), 3^ ne " 3" Dcrgetben," ernneberte . fitr ebel gefyalten," eraneberte id?, ,,unb fefye jet, baft id) mid) bartn nid&t geirrt. Slber erjdljle mir bocf), mein $inb, mte >u gerettet toorben, imb toer bie Sdfyurten maren, bte S)ia7 entfii^rten ? " ,,ieber 3Sater/ y jagte fie, ,,mer ber Sd)dnblid)e tuar, ber mid) entfiifjrte, tueift ia^ nicfyt. 2tuf bem pagiergange mtt meiner Gutter fam er t)inter ims> ^er unb f^Ieppte mtc^ , efoe tc^ noc^ urn ^)iilfe rufen fonnte, in bie ^oftfutfcfce, melc^e bann fc^nell metter fii^r. ^d) fab me^reve Seute auf ber Sanbftrafee, bte id^ um ^iitfe bat, bo<^ (ie ad)teten nia^t barauf. ^n^ijc^en tuenbete rt)i(^t atle moglid^en $imftgrtffe an, mid) tom @d>reien ab^ufyalten. fa^meta^elte , balb brofyte er mir, unb fd^mur, toenn tc^ nur fa^njeige, foUe mir md)t gufieibe gefc^eben. ^wbeffen fcatte i^ b ^n $enftert>orbang jerriffen, ben er guge^ogen , unb erblitfte in eintger ntfernung unfern alien $reunb ^>errn SBurc^ell , ber mtt fetner gem6I)nltd)en 6d)nelltglett auf ber Sanbftrafje n)an= berte, ben grofjen 6tocf in ber >anb, momit mir tbn fo oft 311 nerfen pflegten. 334 stick for which we used so much to ridicule him! As soon as we came within hearing, I called out to him by name, and entreated his help. I repeated my exclamations several times, upon which, with a very loud voice, he bid the postillion stop; but the boy took no notice, but drove on with still greater speed. I now thought he could never over- take us, when, in less than a minute, I saw Mr. Hurchell come running up by the side of the horses, and with one blow knock the postillion to the ground. The horses, when ho was fallen. MMMI stopped of themselves), and the ruffian stepping out, with oaths and menaces, 2lte ttrir ifym fo nafyc gefommen, bafc er micb boron tonnte, rtef id? ifon beim 9tamen unb bat ityn, mtr 311 ulfe 3U fommen. 3$ roiebertyolte mein efd^rei rnorauf er bem ^oftiUion mit tauter Stimme befall, ftittauMten. nal;m fetne 9totife bauon unb ful^r nod? fd)neUer al^ uorl^in. ubte id?, er miirbe uns fd)roer(id) eml;olen fonnen , bod? toenige Slugen; bltcfe barauf fa^> id? , mte ^err S3urd}ell neben bem 2Bagen ^erlief unb bem ^oftillton einen 6d?lag uerfe^te, ber tfyn gu S3oben n?arf. 3e&t [tanben bie S 4>ferbe [till, unb mein Gntfiifyrer f prang mit 2)rol?ungen unb ^lud?en au bem <- 335 ^- drew his sword, and ordered him at his peril to retire; but Mr. Bur- chell running up, shivered his sword to pieces, and then pursued him for near a quarter of a mile: but he made his escape. I was at this time come out myself, willing to assist my deliverer; but he soon returned to me in triumph. The postillion, who was recovered, was going to make his escape too; but Mr. Burchell ordered him at his peril to mount again, and drive back to town. Finding it impossible to resist, he reluctantly complied, though the wound he had received seemed to me, at least, to be dangerous. He continued to complain of the pain as we drove along, so that he at last excited Mr. Burchell's compassion; who, at my request, exchanged him for another at an inn where we called on our return." "Welcome, then," cried I, "my child; and thou, her gallant deliverer, a thousand welcomes. Though our cheer is but wretched, yet our hearts are ready to receive you. And now, Mr. Burchell, as you have delivered my girl, if you think her a recompense, SBagen. Gr gog ben 2)egen imb rief "perm Surfeit gu, ftcfy fogleid? 311 entfer* nen, menu ifym fetn Seben lieb fei. err 25ur$ell brang aber auf iljn ein, fcfylug feinen 25egen in Stude unb tierfolgte ifyn bann eintge ljunbert Scfyritt, morauf $ener entflofy. $d> lr)ar inbefi fyerauSgefprungen, wn meinem better beijii; ftefyen, ber je&t fc^on fiegreic^ 311 mtr 3uriic!!e^rte. 2)er ^ofttUton, ber rtjieber gu fic^ ge!ommen toar, mollte ebenfalt^ entfliel)en; boc^) ^err Sitrcfyel! befat;l it^n, fogleic^ in ba tdbtd)en jurucfaufa^ven. (Sr fat? ein, bafj ieber SBiber* ftanb ttergebenS fei, unb getjorc^te fogletc^), tuenn aud^ ungern, ba feine SBunbe mir tt)enig[ten gefdt)tlid) 311 fein fcfyten. 6r Hagte beftcinbtg itber ^eftige d^mer^eit, als ft)ir metier fufyren, fo ba^ i[t, fo ftnb bod? unfere er$en ju $fyum mpfange berett. llnb nuu, ^err a. ie meiue Xod)ter gerettet i;aben, fo ift fie bie 3l;rige, menn 6ie she is yours; if you can stoop to an alliance with a family so poor as mine, take her, obtain her consent, as I know you have her h<-:irt, and you have mine. And let me tell you, sir, that 1 give vim no small treasure; she has been celebrated for beauty, it is true, but that is not my meaning I give you a treasure in her mind." "But 1 suppose, sir," cried Mr. Burchell, "that you are apprised of my circumstances, and of my incapacity to support her as she deserves." "If your present objection," replied I, "be meant as an evasion of my offer, I desist; but 1 know no man so worthy to deserve her as you; and if I could give her thousands, and thousands sought her from me, yet my honest brave Burchell should be my dearest choice." To all this his silence alone seemed to give a mortifying refusal; and without the least reply to my offer, he demanded if we could not fie fur cine sBelobmmg baltcn. ^enn Sie fid) 311 einer ^erbinbung nut einer fo armen Jamilte tine bie meinige berablaffeii fimnen, jo nel)tnen Sie fie. Sud)en Sie fid) ifyre @inroilligung 311 erfd)affen ifyr^erj fyabenSte fd)on geroonnen, rote id) roetfc unb 3ie follen aud) bte metntge fyaben. 3$ wufe $t)nen aber fagen, metn .s^erv, bafj id) ^ijnm feinen germgen 5d^a^ gebe. 'greiUcb ift fte ifyter on ber traurtgen Sage it>re Sruber ge= fyort, unb Sllle fdjtenen abgeneigt, burd) ben 39erid}t baon il)re $reube ju ftoren. S)od^ e mar r>ergeben, ba^ ic^ freubig gu erfdjeinen terfud^te, bte Sage meine* ungludltdjen @of)ne t>ernid)tete alte 23emufyungen , mid) gu t)er= ftellen , f o ba^ 109 enblid) genottjigt mar , bura^ bte r^afylung f etne SO'lt^ge; f cfyids unfere ^rot)lid)!eit ju bdmpfen unb ben 5Bunf d) au3ufpred)en , e moge 22 -<- 338 '+~ in this little interval of satisfaction. After my quests were recovered from the consternation my account had produced, I requested also that Mr. Jenkinson, a fellow-prisoner, might be admitted; and the jailer granted my request with an air of unusual submission. The clanking of my son's irons was no sooner heard along the passage, than his sister ran impatiently to meet him; while Mr. Burchell, in the mean time, asked me if my son's name was George; to which replying in the atHrmative, he still continued silent. As soon as my boy entered the room, I could perceive he regarded Mr. Burchell with a look of astonishment and reverence. "Come on," cried 1, "my son, though we are fallen very low, yet Providence has been pleased to grant us some small relaxation from pain. Thy sister is restored to us, and there is her deliverer; to that brave man it is that 1 am indebted for yet having a daughter; give him, my boy, the hand of friendship he deserves our warmest gratitude." My son seemed all this while regardless of what I said, and still ibm erlaubt fetn, unfer s Dtabl L ui tbeilen. xUl* meine dfte fid} tton ber Se= Itiirjuna, erbolt batten, bte meine Grjdblung bcrt>orbrad)te, bat id), aucb metnen iRttgefangenen .fterrn ^enfinfen jujiilaffen, unb ber Aterfermeifteu gemdbrte meine Sitte mit ungeiubbnter ilntenuurftgfeit. 3obalb bic Jetton meine* 3ohnov im Oian^e flivvten, otltc ibm feme 3ct>roefter uuflebulbig entgegen, mabrenb .fierr s -8uvitell midt fragte, ob ber "Jtame meines Sobnesc nid)t eorg fet. od) bejal^e es unb er fd^mteg. S 2lt5 mein 3obn in53itnmer trat, bemerfte tc^ , bafi er ^errn 53urcf)eU mit etnem ^lict be^ (5'rftaunen^ unb ber ^crefyrung anfe^e. ,,Momm ndbcr , metn <5obn ," rief id} ; ,,obgleid) n?ir fefyr tief gefallen fmb, \)at un3 bod) bie 3?Drfebung eine fletne (frbolung on unferm Mummer gerod'fyrt. S)eine Sd}ivefter ift une nneber gegeben unb bier ift ifyr better. Xic= fern bratjen -Uhnne erbanfe io^ es, ba 107 nod) etne ^ocbter l?abe. $etd)e ibm bie ^anb ber $reunbfd)aft, mein So^n er t>erbient unfere mdrmfte 5)anfs barfeit." $ftein Qofyn fasten burd>au ntd^t auf bag ju ad^ten, ma id) fagte, unb bielt fidb nod) immer in refpectuoUer ntfernung. ,,9ftein lieber 33ruber," continued fixed at a respectful distance. "My dear brother," cried his sister, "why don't you thank my good deliverer? the brave should ever love each other." He still continued his silence and astonishment; till our guest at last perceived himself to be known, and, assuming all his native dig- nity, desired my son to come forward. Never before had I seen any thing so truly majestic as the air he assumed upon this occasion. The greatest object in the universe, says a certain philosopher, is a good man struggling with adversity; yet there is still a greater, which is the good man that comes to relieve it. After he had regarded my son for some time with a superior air, "I again find," said he, "unthink- ing boy, that the same crime " But here he was interrupted by one of the jailer's servants, who came to inform us that a person of dis- tinction, who had driven into town with a chariot and several atten- dants, sent his respects to the gentleman that was with us, and begged to know when he should think proper to be waited upon. "Bid the rief feine cfymefter, ,,n)arum ban!ft S)u nidjt nteinem eblen better? 2>ie 33raen follten immer einanber lieben." ein cfymeigen unb (Srftaunen bauerte nod? immer fort, bi3 unfer aft enbltd) fat), bafj er erfannt fet, unb inbem er all feine angeborne SBiirbe an^ nafym , meinen Sofyn nafyer treten Ijiefj. 9tte fyabe id) etma f o mafyrfyaft 2ftaje; ftdtifd&eS gefefyen, trie bie 2Jttene, bie er bei btefer (Megenfyeit annafym. 2)er 0rofetee0enftanb im2Beltall, fagt ein geimffer $fyilojopfy, ift ein guter 2Jlenja^, ber gegen ba ^Jli^gefc^ic! anfcimpft; bod) giebt e einen nod) grojsern: es ift ber gute 2Jlenfd) , inelc^er !ommt , itm ba^ Ungliid 311 erletcfytern. ^ad^bem er meinen 6o^n eine 3eitlang mit t>ornel)mer ^tene angefe^en, fagte er: ,,djon tnicber finbe id? , itnbef onnener ^nabe , bafc 6ie beffelben 3Serbrec^en " ^ier miirbe er burcfy einen Wiener be ^er!ermeifter unterbrocfyen , lueld^er fym fagte, bafc ein ^ann ton tanbe, metier mit meljreren Segleitern in ba tabt^en gefommen f ei , bem errn , ber fia^ bet un aufljalte , fein Gompli; ment fenbe unb gu miff en nwnfd?e, mann er i^m feme Stufmartung madden biirfe? ,,Gr mag marten, bi ia^ 3ett babe, feinen 93efu$ an^uneljmen/' rief 22* -* 340 * fellow wait," cried our guest, "till I shall have leisure to receive him:" and then turning to my son, "I again find, sir," proceeded he r 'that you are guilty of the same offence for which you once had my reproof, and for which the law is now preparing its justest punish- ments. You imagine, perhaps, that a contempt of your own life gives you a right to take that of another; but where, sir, is the difference between a duellist, who hazards a life of no value, and the murderer who acts with greater security? Is it any diminution of the gamester's fraud, when he alleges that he staked a counter?" "Alas, sir!" cried I, "whoever you are, pity the poor mis- guided creature; for what he has done was in obedience to a deluded mother, who, in the bitterness of her resentment, required him, upon her blessing, to avenge her quarrel. Here, sir, is the letter, which will serve to convince you of her imprudence, and diminish his guilt." He took the letter, and hastily read it over. "This," says he, unfer ($aft unb roenbete fid) bann mit folgenben Shorten ju meincm Sofyne: ,,$d) finbe Sie roieber beffelben 23erbred)en3 fcfmlbig, lueiMjalb Sie fd)on cin- mal meinen Xabel erfafyren fyaben imb mofiir bag efe& $tmen jefct bie gerecfyte Strafe 311 Sfyetl toerben Idjjt. Sie glauben meUeidjt, bafc bie Seracfytung $t)re eigenen eben %\)nen em ^Ked)t gtebt, etnem IHnbern ba feinifle 311 rauben; bod? roo liegt ber llnterfcfyteb jmifdjen einem Xuellanten, ber ein tt)ertl?lofe Seben auf Spiel fe&t , imb bem Berber, ber mit flro^erer Sta^er^ett (janbelt? e ben S3etrug eine^ Spieler^ , menn er angiebt , nur 9J?ar!en ein= tjaben?" %,$ mein .f>err! " rief ic^, ,,mer Sie and) fein mogen, ^aben Sie -JJtttteib mit einem armen irre geleiteten ef a^opfe ; benn rt?a er getfyan , gef c^at) au et)orfam gegen etne getdufd)te Gutter, bie il}n in ber S3itterfeit i bei i^rem miitterlia^en Segen befa^mor , i^>re Sad)e 311 radjen. $ier, mein ift ber 23rief, ber baju bienen roirb, Sie ton itjrer Unbefonnenfyett 311 jeugen unb feine Scfyiilb 311 minbern.'' (r nafym ben 23tief imb la ifyn eilig burd). ,,0bgleic^ bie feine toll- ~x 341 , "though not a perfect excuse, is such a palliation of his fault as in- duces me to forgive him. And now, sir," continued he, kindly taking my son by the hand, "I see you are surprised at finding me here 5 but I have often visited prisons upon occasions less interesting. I am now come to see justice done a worthy man, for whom I have the most sincere esteem. I have long been a disguised spectator of thy father's benevolence. I have at his little dwelling enjoyed respect, uncontaminated by flattery, and have received that happiness that courts could not give, from the amusing simplicity round his fire-side. My nephew has been apprised of my intentions of coming here, and I find he is arrived; it would be wronging him and you, to condemn him without examination; if here be injury, there shall be redress; and this I may say without boasting, that none have taxed the in- justice of Sir William Thornhill." We now found that the personage whom we had long entertained as a harmless, amusing companion, was no other than the celebrated fotmnene $ed)tfertigung ift," fagte er, ,,fo luirb bod) fein ^ergefyen baburd) fo rtJeit gemtlbert, bajj id) ifym Bergei&e. $d) fefye, mein >err," fufjr er fort, in^ bem er freunblid) bie anb nteineS @olme ergriff, ,,bafj @te fid? nwnbern, micfy fyier gu fefyen; bod) id) fyabe oft efangntffe bet toeit geringern $eran= laffungen befuc^t. tybt bin id) gefommen, einem miirbigen 2)ianne Sfccfyt 311 terfd)affen, fur ben id) ftet bie aufric^ttgfte ^o(^ad)tung empfunben. Sange .gett ^be id) unerfannt bie ^jergen^giite $l)W$ ^ater beobad)tet. $n feiner fteinen 2Bobnung fyobe id) eine s Jlc^tung genoffen, bie burd) t'eine c^nteid^elet befled't hwrbe, itnb ba lud , meld)e an ben ^6'fen ber $itrften ntd^t gu fin= ben ift, boten mir bie etnfadien $reiiben an f einem lanbltd^en ^amtn. 2JMn 9teffe it>ei^ um meinen $orfa&, biertjer gu reifen, unb ttne ify fyou, ift er ebem fall tym ange!ommen. $fy toiirbe t^m unb 3b nen Unrest tfyun, tvoHte idh tyn ungeljort t>erurtt)eilen. SBcnn er gefel)lt ^at, fo foil er bafiir bii^en; benn ofyne Gitellett barf id) tool)l fagen , ba^ ftd) nod) -ftiemanb iiber @ir 2Billiam iir Ungerec^ttgfeit be!lagt bat." fet jeigte fid), baf^ ber StRann, ben ttiir fo lange al einen batmlofen unb e. 342 o- Sir William Thornhill, to whose virtues and singularities scarce any were strangers. The poor Mr. Burchell was, in reality, a man of large fortune and great interest, to whom senates listened with ap- plause, and whom party heard with conviction; who was the friend of his country, but loyal to his king. My poor wife, recollecting her former familiarity, seemed to shrink with apprehension; but Sophia, who, a few moments before, thought him her own, now perceiving the immense distance to which he was removed by fortune, was unable to conceal her tears. "Ah, sir," cried my wife, with a piteous aspect, "how is it pos- sible that I can ever have your forgiveness? the slights you received from me the last time I had the honour of seeing you at our house, and the jokes which I audaciously threw out these, sir, I fear, can never be forgiven." "My dear good lady," returned he with a smile, "if you had your joke, I had my answer. I'll leave it to all the company if untert)altenben(9aft bennrtfyet fatten, s Jiiemanb ember* fci, al* ber berutmitc 3ir JBilliatn bornfyUI, beffen ugenben unb Settfamteiten jo aKgemem befaiint toaren. $er arme err ^uraVll tuar nnrfltd) ein 2Jtonn Don betrdd)tlid)em yvc- mb'gen unb grofjem (*influfj; ein 2ftann, bem bie iHid)ter tfyren SBeifall 311 geben unb ben bie^arteten mttUeberjeugung anjufyoren pflegten. @r mar ber^-rcunb feine^ ^aterlanbee, aber jugleta^ ein treuer Unterttjan feine^ ,ft6nig. DJietne arme ^rau^bie fic^ ibrer fritbern 5)rei[ti0feit erinnerte,3ittertet>or2ln0[t, unb Sophie, bie tbn nod) menige 2lugenblicfe ^utior al ben ^^tiflcn betracbtct batte, unb fia> je^t burd) etne unge^eure ^luft ton ifym getrennt fab, njetd^e bie uerfcfytebenen ftanbe 3n)i|"d)en i^n unb fte geftellt, f onnte tt)re X^ranen nicfyt t>crbergen. tnein ^err ! " rief meine ^rau mit flagUc^er SRiene, ,,E6nnen @ie mir 2Bie geringfc^dfeenb babe id) Sie befyanbelt, al id) ba lefeteSRal bie dbre batte, @ie in unferm ^au[e gu feljen! Unb bie a^er^e, bie id) mir fo fed erlaubte ad) mein ^err, id) fiird)te, 6ie !6nnen mir nie Derjetyen." ,,iebe gute S ante/' eririeberte er Ida^elnb, /f trieben Sie ^fyren mit mir, fo blteb icb ^tynen bie 2(nttr>ort barauf nid)t fcbulbtg. 2)ie ganje ** 343 >- mine were not as good as yours. To say the truth , I know nobody whom I am disposed to be angry with at present, but the fellow who so frightened my little girl here! I had not even time to examine the rascal's person, so as to describe him in an advertisement. Can you tell me, Sophia, my dear, whether you should know him again?" "Indeed, sir," replied she, "I cannot be positive; yet, now 1 recollect, he had a large mark over one of his eye-brows." "I ask pardon, madam," interrupted Jenkinson, who was by, "but be so good as to inform me if the fellow wore his own red hair." "Yes, I think so," cried Sophia. "And did your honour," continued he, turning to Sir William, "observe the length of his legs?" "I cannot be sure of their length," cried the baronet; "but I am convinced of their swiftness; for he outran me, which is what I thought few men in the kingdom could have done." "Please your honour," cried Jenkinson, "I know the man; it is certainly the same; the best runner in Eng- fellfcbaft mag beitrtbeilen, ob mein SHM& ntdjt eben fo gut mar, ale $n 2Bal)rl)eit, id) mufjte fetnen, bem id) in biefent SlugenbUtfe gitrnen fb'nnte, al bem 8d)urfen , ber meine liebe $letne bier f o erf dbredft bat. dj fyatte nicbt einmal fo mel $eit, ben 93urfd?en genau gu berracfyten, urn iljn in einem 6terf= briefe befcfyreiben gu fonnen. Sagen 6ie mir, liebe Sopljie, mitrben Sie i^n n?ol)( luieberertennen?" ,,2)a0 fann id^ md)t beftimmt bebaiipten, mein $err," errrteberte fie. n o tjiel id) mtdb erinnere, fycrtte er eine tiefe s J?arbe iiber etner on feinen 2litgen= braunen." $< bitte um Sergetbung ," fagte ^enftnfon, ber babei toar, ,,fagen Siemtr bod) gefalltgft, ob ber telfein eigene rotbe .f)aartrug?" ,,%a, midfy biinft, fo mar eg/' rtef op^ie. f ,llnb baben (to. naben," fu^r 3enlinfon fort, inbem er ftdb gu Sir 2Billiam manbte, ,,mobl bte Scinge feiner ^Beine bemerft?" ,,3Son ifyrer i ? ange fann td^ feme $ed)enfcbaft geben," fagte ber --Baronet; ,,bod) on i^rer Sd)neUig!eit bcaftle tin 3dwlllaufen iibertroffen. bimotfyeu3 93arter ift fein9tame. $d) fenne ifyn fefyr genau unb meif, ben Drt, roo er fid) in bittern XUugenblicf aufbdlt. 3BoUen (*tt>. naben bem $erfermetfter befet)len , mtr ^mei I'eute mit3u0eben , fo nta*e id) mid) tterbinbltd), i^n )pdte= ften in einer Stunbe 6m. naben tioquftellen." .^ierauf murbe ber ,fter!er= meifter flerufen, ber fogletc^ er[Aien. Sir2Bt(Iiamfragteil)n,ob eribn fenne? ,,;Uuf3Utt)arten , 6n>. @naben!" anttvortetc bet 5terfermei)"ter; ,,id) fenne Sir 2BUliam Xborn^ill febr moM, unb roer irgcnb Gtn?a t>on ifym 0et)6rt, munfcbt me^>r t>on ttnn ju erfabten." ,,nt," fagte ber 93aron; ,,mein @efudi befte^t barin , ba^ ^br biefem SWannc rnit gireien t>on Guren Seuten erlaubt , biefen Ort ju uerlafjen, urn eini^e t^uftraae fur mtc^ ju beforgen. 5)a i(f) ^rtebene: rioter bin, nel^me ic^ jebe ^erantraortlic^fett auf nttcfy." ,,^l)r 33erfprec^en ift fymreidbenb ," antmortete ^ener , ,,unb menn id) e nur eine 9Winute uorfyer , !iinnen ibn (5m. naben na(^ Setieben burd^ 0anj Gnglanb f^tcten." be^ $erfermeifter murbe ^enfinfon corau^gefcfeidtt, urn > 345 **. duity of our youngest boy, Bill, who had just corne in, and climbed up to Sir William's neck , in order to kiss him. His mother was im- mediately going to chastise his familiarity, but the worthy man pre- vented her; and, taking the child, all ragged as he was, upon his knee. "What, Bill, you chubby rogue!" cried he, "do you remember your old friend Burchell? And Dick, too, my honest veteran, are you here? you shall find I have not forgotten you." So saying, he gave each a large piece of gingerbread, which the poor fellows ate very heartily, as they had got that morning but a very scanty breakfast. We now sat down to dinner, which was almost cold; but, pre- viously, my arm still continuing painful, Sir William wrote a pre- scription; for he had made the study of physic his amusement, and was more than moderately skilled in the profession: this being sent to an apothecary, who lived in the place, my arm was dressed, and I found almost instantaneous relief. We were waited upon at dinner Slimotfyeus barter nad^ufpiiven , mafyrenb loir un> an itnferm jungften Sofme SBilbelm ergo&ten, ber eben eintrat unb an Sir SBUliam fn'naufflettertc, um ibn 311 titffen. cine flutter toollte ifyn con biefer $ertraultd)!eit giiriidfyalten, bod) ber an'irbige 2Rann fam ifyr gucor unb nafym ben $naben , f o gerlumpt er tt>ar, auf ben Sd)oof3. ,,(1, 2Bift)elm, u bauSbddiger cbelm ! " rief er, ,,!enn[t S)u Setnen alten ^reunb S3iird)ell nod}? llnb 2)11, mein alter e^rlidjer $id)arb, btft S)u aud> l;ier? 3ftr follt fe^en, ba^ id) (ud) nid}t ergeffen ^abe." Set biefen Shorten gab er 3rt>em ein groftee tiid ^Pfefferf ud)en , h?eld}e bie armen ^ungen fyaftig tjer^etjrten, ba fie biefen 3Rorgen nnr ein jel)r !argltd)e^ ftruljftucf befommen fatten. ^oterauf fe^ten itiir un jum OJlittag^effen, meld)e beinabe !alt geiforben war. Sa mid) mein 2lrm nod) immer febr fc^mer^tc, fo f)atte mtr Sir 2Btlltam fd)on terser ein D^ecept t?erfd)rteben, benn er tjatte 311 fetnem ^ergnitgen D)le; bicin ftubtrt unb 3iemlid)e ^vortfcbritte in biefer 3Btffenjd)aft gemad)t. 2lle ba^ ticrfdn'iebene SWittcI au ber s Jlpot^efe be Orte ge^olt unb mein Slrm gel}6rig iierbunben tvorben ir>ar, fiiblte id) faft augenbIidUd)e Stnbernng. Set ti~d)e by the jailer himself, who was willing to do our guest all the honour in his power. But before we had well dined, another message was brought from his nephew, desiring permission to appear, in order to vindicate his innocence and honour; with which request the baronet complied, and desired Mr. Thornhill to br introduced. CHAP. XXXI. IOKMM: I:I.M:VI.I IM i. .\>\v nr.i'\ii> WITH i M XPM n i IXTKKEST. Mr. Thornhill mad*- liis entrance with a smile, which he seldom wanted, and was going to embrace his uncle, which the other re- pulsed with an air of disdain. -No fawning, sir, at present," cried the baronet, with a look of severity; "the only way to my heart is by the road of honour; but here I only see complicated instances of falsehood, cowardice, and oppression. How is it, sir, that this poor tmirtete mi* bcv .Uerfenneil'ter jelber aw", tor unferm Otoftc alle moglicfye @bre crweifcn toollte. iliocb ebe ifir unfere iWabljeit bconbet batten, fam >Jiad)ricbt t>on feinem "Jieffen. (^r (ie^ tbn urn C^rlaubnif, bitten, erfdbeinen 311 burfcn, urn fcine (!(}re unb Un)dnt(b recbtfertiflen ^u fonnen. Ter baronet fein efud) unb befabl , >>errn Tbcrnbid ein^utaffen. Jnibere SBttfltfytttt mcrccn jebt mit uncrwartcten 3tiiKit $err Xt)ornbt(l trat Idc^elnb ein unb gin^ auf feincn Ofyetm 311 , urn tbn 311 umarmen; boc^ biefer tt)ie5 il?n mit t)crdd)t(ic(}er iUiene guriid. ,,.tteine A?eudH'lei, metn $m," rief ber ^aron mit [trengem Slide. ,,er ein^tge 2Beg 311 meinem er3en ift bie Sabn ber @bre ; bod} tym febe id) nur ^alfc^beit , Jeifl^ beit unb ^erfolgung mit einanber t>erbunben. SBie fommt e, baj? biefer arme 3Wann, ben ie, n?ie id) mei^, ^bren ^reunb genannt baben, |o t^art c. 347 *i. man, for whom I know you professed a friendship, is used thus hardly? his daughter vilely seduced, as a recompense for his hospi- tality? and he himself thrown into prison, perhaps but for resenting the insult? His son too, whom you feared to face as a man " "Is it possible, sir," interrupted his nephew, "that my uncle should object that as a crime, which his repeated instructions alone have per- suaded me to avoid?" "Your rebuke," cried Sir William, "is just; you have acted in this instance prudently and well, though not quite as your father would have done: my brother, indeed, was the soul of honour, but, thou yes, you have acted in this instance perfectly right, and it has my warmest approbation." "And I hope," said his nephew, "that the rest of my conduct will not be found to deserve censure. I appeared, sir, with this gentle- man's daughter at some places of public amusement; thus, what was levity, scandal called by a harsher name, and it was reported that 1 belt anrb ? $unt i'oljn fur feme ($aftfreunbfd)aft ift feine 5ocbter aitf ltd)e SBeife tterfiibrt unb er felber in efa'ngntf? getoorfen rcorben, roett er jene Sd)ntad) ntcfyt gebulbig ertragen rcollte. Stud) fein ofyn, bem <5te mtinm ltd) entgegcngutreten fid) fcfyeuten ". ,,2Bie," fiel fein 9?effe em, ,,fann mein Ofyettn mir ba al ^8erbred)en anredmen, tt?a id) mir in #olge feiner etgenen inieber^olten 2Betfungen 0e; t^an?" ,,3ftt 3Sorit)urf ift gered)t/' entgegnete 6ir 2BtUiam; ,,tn btefem ^atte l)aben @te ret^t unb !lug gebanbelt, toenn aucl) nt(^t gan^ fo , tote fid) tfyr 3Sater mitrbe benotnmen baben. 2)Zein 95ruber mar in ber Xbat ein (Sfjrenmann, aber Ste boc^ in btefem ^alle l)aben te Dolltg red)t gebanbelt, unb id) ntujs ^bnen meinen toarmften Seifall pollen." $<$) boffe, auc^ metn iibrtge JBene^men mtrb !etnen Xabel fcerbtenen," fagte ber 9ieffe. ,,3d) erfd)ten nttt ber Xoc^ter btefe ,$errn an etntgen offent; lichen $ergnugung3orten, unb ma nurSetcbtftnn mar, belegte bte 3>erleumbung mtt etnem pattern Stamen unb tterbrettete ba (^eriidbt, baft id) fte terfitl)rt -o 348 had debauched her. J waited on her father in person, willing to clear tin- thing to his satisfaction, and he received me only with insult and abuse. As for the rest, with regard to his being here, my attorney and steward can best inform YOU. as I commit the management of business entirely to them. If he has contracted debts, and is un- willing, or even unable to pay them, it is their business to proceed in this manner; and I see no hardship or injustice in pursuing the most legal means of redress." "If this," cried Sir William, "be as you have stated it, there is m. thing unpardonable in your ofi'cnces; and, though your con- duct might have been more generous, in not suffering this gentleman to be oppressed by subordinate tyranny, yet it has been at least equitable." "He cannot contradict a single particular," replied the squire; "1 defy him to do so, and several of my servants are ready to attest what I say. Thus, sir," continued he, finding that I was silent, (for babe, cpatev beiudne id) ibven ^ator, urn ibn itbcr btefe Sacbc geborig auf= .Uifldreu unb 311 berubigen. 2>ocb icb nmrbe mtt Scfymdbungen unb Seleibu gungen empfangen. 2Jj a * iibrtgen* feme Wefangenfdxift betrtfft, fo fonnen mein cad^tvalt unb mein .ftausbofmeifter $bnen bavitbcr bio befte geben, bencn tcf) bic efd)dft^fiibrung gdnjlicb iibertragen. 3Benn er flemacbt unb fie nid)t be,^ablen mill ober fann, fo ift e ibre ^Jflidjt, auf bteje 2Beife ju erfat)rcn , unb id> finbe meber .^a'rte nocb Uftgered?tigfett in ber lUu* menbung bey efct{c." ftd? bio 3ad)e verbd(t , mie 6te fie bavftellen," ermieberte Sir , ,,fo finbe id? in V x sbrem^erfabrenntd)t3llnt)er3etblid)ce: grofjmutbtger tt>are e freilicb gemefen, n?enn Ste biefen .^errn ntd^t ber tnrannifcben 33ebanb= lung Q^rcr 35eamten untertuorfen batten; bodi ben efe^en nad) lafjt fia^ ntd^t'? bagegen etnroenben." ,,(r roirb nicbt einen einjigen ^unft Idugnen fennen," ermieberte ber ut*berr. $$ forbere i^in auf, e ^u tbun. D^e^rere meiner SJiener finb bereit, meine lUu^fagen ju beftdtigen. Unb fo, mein &err," fubr er fort, ale -o 349 o~ in fact I could not contradict him,) "thus, sir, my own innocence is vindicated. But though at your entreaty I am ready to forgive this gentleman every other offence, yet his attempts to lessen me in your esteem, excite a resentment that I cannot govern; and this, too, at a time when his son was actually preparing to take away my life this, I say, was such guilt, that I am determined to let the law take its course. I have here the challenge that was sent me, and two wit- nesses to prove it; one of my servants has been wounded dan- gerously; and even though my uncle himself should dissuade me, (which I know he will not,) yet I will see public justice done, and he shall suffer for it." "Thou monster," cried my wife, "hast thou not had vengeance enough already, but must my poor boy feel thy cruelty? I hope that good Sir William will protect us; for my son is as innocent as a child, I am sure he is, and never did harm to man." "Madam," replied the good man, "your wishes for his safety are id) fd)ttrieg , ba id) ifym in ber Xtjat nid)t rwberfared)en fonnte ,,fo ift alf o meine llnfd)ulb ermiefen. 2Benn mid) aud) $\)W $ertr>enbung genetgt mad)t, btefem errn alle itbrtgen Q3eletbtgungen 311 t>ereifyen, fo fyat bod) fein $erfud), mid) in $t)rer 2ld)tung fyerabgufefcen , einen Unttnllen bet mir erregt , ben id) nicfyt iibertmnben fann. Ueberbie3 mad)te fein <5oi)n ju gleid)er$eit ben ernft; Ud)en SSerfud), mir ba eben 311 ttefymen, toa mid^ allerbing^ 311 bent (nt- fd^Iujfe brad)te , bent ^ec^te feinen Sauf 311 (affen. ter ift bte ^erauSforbemnQ, bte er mir fcfyidte, unb id) mill ^met 3 ei *0en ftetlen, bte e befd)it)6ren fonnen. diner t>on metnen2)tenern ift gefafyrltd) toertnunbet morben ; nnb foflte mir aua^ mein O^etm bauon abrattjen, wa> er getut^ md)t t^un tntrb, fo roill id) bod) etn marnenbe^ S3efptet auffteden, inbent id) tfyn fiir fein $ergefyen bii^en taffe." ^tlngeljeuer!" rtef meine $rau, ,,tft Seine 3tad)enocb ntcfet gefdttigt? 6oll ati(^ mem armer ofyn Seine raufamteit fit^len? ^c^ fjoffe, ber gute 6tr SBtlliarn mirb nn fa^ufeen, benn mein Sofyn ift fo unfc^ulbtg mie ein &inb. ^a^ bin feft nber^eugt, ba^ er noc^i nie Sentanb ein Seib gugefiigt $at." ,,aftabame," ermteberte ber biebere 2)^ann, ,,3ftr SBunfa^, if)n 311 retten, c. 350 o- not greater than mine; but I am sorry to find his guilt too plain; and if my nephew persists " But the appearance of Jenkinson and the jailer's two servants now called off our attention, who entered hauling in a tall man, very genteelly dressed, and answering the description already given of that rutliiiu who had carried off my daughter. "Here," cried Jenkinson, pulling him in, "here we have him; and it' c\ ] there was a candidate for Tyburn, this is one." The moment Mr. Thornhill perceived the prisoner, and Jenkinson who had him in custody, he seemed to shrink backward with terror. His face became pale with conscious guilt, and he would have with- drawn; but Jenkinsou, who perceived his design, stopped him. "What, squire," cried he, "are you ashamed of your two old acquaintances, .!<)! kiuson and Baxter? But this is the way that all great men forget their friends, though I am resolved we will not forget you. Our pri- soner, please your honour," continued he, turning to Sir William, ift mcr>t grofcer, ale ber meinige; leiber aber liegt feine Sajulb nur ju flat ttor 2lugen, unb roenn mein 3teffe barauf beftefyt " Unfere 2(ufmerffainteit uwrbe je&t auf ^enfinfon unb bie beiben Wiener bee ^erfermetfter* geridjtet, bie etnen grojjen, fefyr anfta'nbig gefletbeten 9Jlann bereinfdbleppten, ber ber 33efa^retbung beffen DoUfommen entjprac^, t>on bem meiue Xodbter mar entfii^rt morben. ,,-^oier/' rtef ^enfinfon, inbem er itm ^erein^og, ,,t}ier baben trir ifyn! llnb menn eg je etnen algencanbibaten fiir Xpburn gab , fo ift bte^ etner." 2U* ,f>err 2l)ornl;ill ben efangenen unb ^cnfinfon erbltcfte, ber it>n f^er; etnf d)leppte , fasten er.toor 6cfyrerfen jurudt^ubeben. ^ m ^Beiou^tfein feiner 6d)ulb n?urbe fein Q5efid)t bla^, unb er toollte fta^ entfernen; bod) 3 en ^ n [ n bemer!te feine 2lbfia>t, ^ielt ifyn ^uriict unb rief: //SSte, mein jerr, f teamen 6te fi* 3fyrer beiben alien Se!annten ^enftnfon unb barter? 2)oa^ fo er; geffen alle gro^en ^erren tfjre ^reunbe; ia^ aber bin entfcfyloffen, Sie nid;t gu t>ergeffen. 2Jttt ro. naben rlaubnifs ," fufyr er ju ir 2Billiam gemenbet fort, ; ,unfer efangener bat berett 2llle eingeftanben. (Sr ift berfelbe 2ftann, ~ 351 *r- "has already confessed all. This is the gentleman reported to be dangerously Avounded: he declares that it was Mr. Thornhill who first put him upon this affair; that he gave him the clothes he now wears, to appear like a gentleman, and furnished him with a post-chaise. The plan was laid between them, that he should carry off the young lady to a place of safety, and that there he should threaten and terrify her; but Mr. Thornhill was to come in, in the mean time, as if by accident, to her rescue, and that they should fight awhile, and then he was to run off, by which Mr. Thornhill would have the better opportunity of gaining her affections himself under the character of her defender." Sir William remembered the coat to have been frequently worn by his nephew, arid all the rest the prisoner himself confirmed by a more circumstantial account; concluding, that Mr. Thornhill had often de- clared to him, that he was in love with both sisters at the same time. "Heavens!" cried Sir William, "what a viper have I been fostering in my bosom! And so fond of public justice, too, as he seemed to t>on bem man tiorgegeben, bafc er gefcifyrlicfy ueritmnbet morben. (fr erfla'rt, >err XfyornfyUl fyabe ifm juerft 311 biefem Unternefymen aufgeforbert unb ifytn biefe Meiber geborgt, urn aB 9Jlamt son tanbe erfcfyetnen p fonnen; aud) fyabe er fur eine ^oftfutfcfye geforgt. ^iacfy tfyretn gemeinfcfyaftlid) enttrorfenen $lane fyabe er bie junge 5)ame an etnen ficfyern Ort bringen imb bitrcfy ungen f(^rec!en jollen. 2)ann aber roollte ^err Xt)ornt)ill n?ie bur iljrer Settling erf^einen. Slnfangso mollten jte pm 6<^ein etn menig mtt ein^ anber fed^ten unb bann foltte barter bie glud^t ergreifen , tooburd) [id^> ^errn Xborn^iU bie befte (Megenbeit bot, fid^ unter ber SOIa^fe eine Sefd^u^erg bie (Simft ber Same ^u ermerben." ir 2Bitltam ertnnerte ftd^, bajj fein S^effe jene ^leiber oft getragen, unb ber efangene beftattgte alteS llebrtge in einem auf ii&rlidjen 33ertd^te , ben er bamit Wofy , ba^ ^err Xfyornfyill tym oft erlldrt tyabe , er fei ju gleid^er fteit in betbe c^meftern oerliebt. ,,ered)ter ^immel ! " rtef ir SBUItam, ,,n)e(d^e Matter fyabe id) in metnem s -Bufen gena't)rt! 2Bte rebete er ber 3tuubung ber @erecfytigfetf ba 9Bort! Slber -* 352 ~- be! But he shall have it secure him, Mr. Jailer yet, hold: I fear there is no legal evidence to detain him." Upon this, Mr. Thornhill, with the utmost humility, entreated that two such abandoned wretches might not be admitted as evidences against him ; but that his servants should be examined. "Your servants !" replied Sir William; "wretch, call them yours no longer. But come, let us hear what those fellows have to say: let his butler be called." When the butler was introduced, he soon perceived by his former master's looks, that all his power was now over. "Tell me," cried Sir William, -trmly, "have you ever seen your master, and that fellow dressed up in his clothes, in company together?" "Yes, please your honour," cried the butler, "a thousand times: he was the man that always brought him his ladies." "How!" interrupted young Mr. Thornhill; "this to my face?" "Yes," replied the butler, "or to any man's face. To tell you a truth, Master Thornhill, I never either loved you or liked you, and I don't care if I tell you now a piece of er foil fie empfinben! lUVbmt iijn feft, Merfenneifter! 2lber halt! id? furdtfe, feine Serbaftimg fann nod) nid)t auf gefefcmafuge SBeife gefdjefyen." >ierauf batmen Xipornfn'U bemiitbigft , man mege bod) nid)t gtuei fo oers morfcne 6d)itrfen ale 3eugen gegen itw gelten laffen, fonbern melmefjr feine Wiener uerfyoren. ,,$eine S)iener?" rief Sir SBilliam. ,,@lenber! ncnne fie nidjt ntel^r bie 3)etnigen! 2)007 lafet im Ijoren, ma bie 93urfd7en fagen rocrbcn. OJlan rufe feinen ftellermetfter." 21B ber ^eltermeifter ^ereingefubrt ttwrbe, bemerfte er balb an ber 2Jtiene feine bi^^erigen ^errn, baft feine 2Ifaa^t je^t 311 (5nbe fei. ,,6age mtr," rief Sir SBilliant fet)r ernft, ,,{)aft Su feinen ^errn unb biefen fterl Ijier, ber feine ^lleiber tragt, jemal bet einanber gefe^en?" ,,$a moljl, taitfenb; mat, mtt ID. naben Grlaubni^/' ermieberte ber ^ellcrtncifter ; ,,biefer JRenfd) ntu^te ifym immer feine 2)ldb^en tjerfa^affen." ,,28ie?" fiel ber jimgere Xfyornbtll ein, ,,bie fagft 2)u mir gerabe in @efid)t?" %&," ber ^eUermeifter, ,,ba fage id) ber gangen 2Belt in eftd?t. ^c^ offen fagen, .^err Sbornbill, ba^ ie tnir niemaB geftelen unb -^ 353 -^~ my mind." "Now then," cried Jenkinson, "tell his honour whether you know any thing of me." "I can't say," replied the butler, "that J know much good of you. The night that gentleman's daughter was deluded to our house, you were one of them." "So then," cried Sir William, "I find you have brought a very fine witness to prove your innocence; thou stain to humanity! to associate with such wretches! But," continuing his examination, "you tell me, Mr. Butler, that this was the person who brought him this old gentleman's daugh- ter.",* "No, please your honour," replied the butler, "he did not bring her, for the squire himself undertook that business, but he brought the priest that pretended to marry them." "It is but too true," cried Jenkinson, "I cannot deny it; that was the employment assigned to me; and I confess it to my confusion." "Good Heavens!" exclaimed the worthy baronet, "how every new discovery of his villany alarms me! All his guilt is now too plain, and 1 find his present prosecution was dictated by tyranny, cowardice, and bafyer fage id) je&t offen meine 2fteinung." r ,yiun fagt aber audi) St. ben," rief $enfinfon, ,,tt>&> ifyr t>on mir ttnfjt." $<$) ttwfjte gerabe nicfyt mel ute won $fynen 311 fagen," antmortete ber $e(Iermeifter. ,,%n ber *Rad?t, tt>o bie ^ocfyter biefe jerrn in nnfer $au3 gebracfyt ttwrbe, traren Sie and) ba : bet! " ,,@t, bag ift ein t>ortre[flic^er Baige, mem ^err, nnt ^re Unfcfyttlb 311 bemetfen/' rief @ir SBUliatn. ,,2)u @d)anbflecf ber 3^enWeit! %(&) nttt fol; d^en S3uben etn^ulaffen ! Slber 2)u fagteft mir, -Mermetfter," fnljr er fcrt, ,,ba{3 e biefer 3Wenfc^ mar, ber meinem 9teffen bie Xoc^ter biefe alien ^errn ^ fiifjrte?" ,,9tem ; nttt 6tn. naben Csrlaubnifj," entgegnete ber ^ellermetfter, ,,er fear e nid)t, ber bie2)ame i?olte. 2)er ^err Ijatte fid^ biefe efd^aft felber orbe^alten; bod^ bracfyte er ben ^defter, ber fte gum @d)ein trauen mufete." ,,@ tft nur gu matjr/' rief ^entinfon; /,i^ !ann nid^t Idugnen, ba^ id) mtd^ gu biefem efd)tifte ^ergab, unb mu^ e 311 meiner 6d^anbe etngeftefjen." ,,ered)ter ^immel!" rief ber SBaronet; ,,iebe nene ntbedtung feiner ^^nrtenftreid^e beimrufyigt mia^ immer me^r ! eine 6d)ulb Uegt je^t liar tor 2lugen, unb tc^ bin iiber^engt, bafe raujamleit, Seig^eit unb , 354 o_ revengc. At my request, Mr. Jailer, set this young officer, now your prisoner, free, and trust fo me for the consequences. I will make it my business to set the art air in a proper light to my friend, the ma- gistrate who has committed him. But where is the unfortunate young lady herself? let her appear to confront this wretch. I long to know by what arts he has seduced her. Entreat her to come in. AVhcrc is she?" "Ah! sir," said 1, "that question stings me to the heart. 1 wa* once indeed happy in a daughter, but her miseries " Another in- terruption here prevented me; for who should make her appearance but Mi>s Arabella Wilmot, who was the next day to have been married to Mr. Thornhill. Nothing could equal her surprise at seeing Sir William and his nephew here before her; for her arrival was quite accidental. It happened that she and the old gentleman, her father, were passing through the town, on their way to her aunt's, who had insisted that her nuptials with .Mr. Thornhill should be consummated i(?n 311 biefer 2Jerfolgung angetrteben! Merfermeifter ! lajjt auf mctne &krant- mortung ben jungen Officier fog(eid) fret, bcr Guer efangener ift. fur bie %oiQtn etn unb merbe meinem Jreunbe, bem Mister, ber il;n lieji, bie or bie Slugen treten. 3^ moc^te miffen, burd) meldje ^tft er fie erful;rt Ijat. &af5t fie boci) fommen. 2Bo ift fie? ,,iUd) mein ^err/' ermteberte ic^, biefe grage oernjunbet metn ^erj. C5inft mar id^ gliicfltd} tm Sefi^e biefer Xoc^ter; bocfy i^re Seiben " (Sine neue torung unterbrac^ mtct) in meiner $tebe ; benn s JUemanb anber^- al^ ^rduletn Arabella 2BUmot trat ein, bie am folgenben Xage mtt ^errn XbornbiU follte getraut merben. s JUc^tg glic^ ifyrem (Srftaunen, Sir SBilliam unb feinen 9?effen l)ier ^u finben, benn tfyre Slnfunft mar gan^ jufdllig. 6ie mar namlid^ mit ifyrem 3Sater burc^ biefe 6tdbta^en gefommen , al fie mit ifym ju itjrer Xante reifte, meil biefe barauf beftanben, ba^ bie mit erbanfen mir md?t jeben enu^ itnb jebe 23equemltd?fett be Seben? 2Bie manege fcfyeinbare 3ufdlltg!etten miiffen ftc^ ntc^t fceretmgen, el)e mir ^leiber ober 5M?ritng erljalten? 3)er Sanbmann mu^ gnr Arbeit aufgelegt fetn, ber $egen tnufe fallen, ber SBtnb bte eg el be d)tffe bidden, n>emt nid^t toielen 2)tenfcl)en ba ^otfytoenbigfte feblen foil. 23* > 356 o- We all continued silent for some moments, while my charming pupil (which was the name I generally gave this young Univ in her looks compassion and astonishment, \vlno4i. .'<" - :{, to her beauty. "Indeed, my dear Mr. ThornJ 1 : - *M*J.- the squire, who she supposed was come here tmr good in secret." "He find pleasure in doing good!" cried Sir William, interrupting her: "no, my dear, his pleasures are as base as he is. You see in him, madam, as complete a villain as ever disgraced humanity; a wretch, who, after having deluded this poor man's daughter, after plotting against.the innocence of her sister, has thrown the father into prison, fyen einanber nod) immer fd)toeigenb an, mdtyrenb id) in ben S&lidcn meiner liebenSmiirbigen Sdjulerin, mie id) bie junge Same 311 nennen pflegte, abmedjfelnb UJlitleib iinb S 4krtt>nnberung bemerfre, tooburd) ifyre yteige nur nod) erfyb'fyt hmrben. ,,3n ber X^at, lieber 3^orn&ill," fagte fie ^u bem ut^l;errn, ton bem fie glaubte, bafc er ^ier fet, um uns> beijufteljen, aber nic^t um im ju unterbriirfen %$ nefyme e $\)nen ein menia iibel , bafe 6ie oljne micfy l)ie^er geganflen finb iinb mir nid)t bas eringfte toon ber Sage einer $amilie mitget^eilt fyaben, bie un^ Seiben fo mertl) ift. @ie miffen ja, baft id^ eben fo gern etit>a3 baju beitragen miirbe, bie i'age meine alten e^ririirbigen Setjreve 311 erleic^tern, ben ia^ ftet bod)ad)ten merbe. 2)od^ ic^ fe^e oljl, gleia) ^t)rem Onfel finben ie ^ergniigen baran, im Serborgenen ute& gu t()un." ,,6r im Serborgenen @ute tyunl" rief Sir 2Bil(iam, fie iinterbrea^enb. .Wein, meine ^iebe, feine ^reuben fmb fo gemein, mie er felber. 3n ifym, mein ^rciulein, fel)en 6ie einen fo ttolienbeten Sa^urfen, n?ie nur je einer bie menfd); lid?e 9Zatur gefc^cinbet etnen Glenben, ber erft biefe^ armen -Jftanneg Xoc^ter t, bann ber Unfd)ulb itjrer a^mefter naa^gefteUt, bierauf ben SSater in _^ 357 ^~ and the eldest son into fetters, because he had the courage to face his betrayer! And give me leave, madam, now to congratulate you upon an escape from the embraces of such a monster." "0 goodness," cried the lovely girl, "how have I been deceived! Mr. Thornhill informed me, for certain, that this gentleman's eldest son, Captain Primrose, was gone off to America with his new-married lady." "My sweetest miss," cried my wife, "he has told you nothing but falsehoods. My son George never left the kingdom, nor ever was married. Though you have forsaken him , he has always loved you too well to think of any body else; and I have heard him say he would die a bachelor for your sake." She then proceeded to expatiate upon the sincerity of her son's passion; she set his duel with Mr. Thornhill in a proper light; from thence she made a rapid digression to the squire's debaucheries, his pretended marriages; and ended with a most insulting picture of his cowardice. efcingntfj toerfen unb ben tilteften ofm in $etten legen liefe, toeil er ben SJhttfy fyatte, bem fcfyanblidfyen $erfufyrer entgegenautreten. Grlauben ie mir, ^fynen lud 311 mimf cfyen , bajj ie ben Umarmungen eine f oldjen Ungefyeuer ent= gangen ftnb." ,,@uttger immel!" rtef bag liebengrtwrbtge 2JMbd;)en, ,,h)ie bin id? {jetciufc^t morben! $err Sfyornfyill tterfidfyerte mir, ber altefte ofyn biefeS ^errn, Sapitatn ^Srimroje, fet mit feiner jungen $rau nad) Slmertfa ge; fiangen." 2Rem liebe ^rciuletn /' tief tneine ^rau , er fyat ^^nen nid^)t al Un- toafyrfyeiten gefagt. ^ein o^n eorg fyat (Snglanb nte erlaf)en unb fid? ntd)t erl?eiratt)et. 2Benn ie tfyn aud) erlie^en, f o liebte er ie imnter no(^ 311 fefyr, urn an irgenb eine Slnbere ^u benfen, unb er l;at gefagt, nm 3^etmtl(en h?olle er al3 ^unggefelle fterben.'' ierauf fc^ilberte fie bie treue Siebe t^re^ ol)ne, fe^te fetnen 3^eifampf mit ^errn Xl;orn^ill in> gefyorige Sti^t, rebete bann t>on ben 2lufd?iDetfungen bee @utt)errn , ton fetnen c^etn^eiratben unb entinarf exn treuee ^tlb t>on feiner -^ 358 o- "Good Heavens!" cried Miss Wilmot, "how very near have I been to the brink of ruin ! but how great is my pleasure to have escaped it! Ten thousand falsehoods has this gentleman told me! He had, at last, art enough to persuade me that my promise to the only man I esteemed was no longer binding, since he had been unfaithful. By his falsehoods I was taught to detest one equally brave and ge- nerous." But by this time my son was freed from the encumbrances of justice, as the person supposed to be wounded was detected to be an impostor. Mr. Jenkinson also, who had acted as his valet-de-chambre, had dressed up his hair, and furnished him with whatever was ne- cessary to make a genteel appearance. He now, therefore, entered, handsomely dressed in his regimentals, ;mie nabe bin id) bem ftanbe be 33erberben3 getrefen, bod) nne grofj ift meine $reube, bemfelben entgangen 3U fein ! 3e(wtaufenb ugcn bat mir biefer 9Jtenfd) fcorgefagt. (*nblid) gefana. e ibm, mid) 311 uberreben, bafj metn 33erfprecben, tteld)e id) bcm etn^tgcn 9J?anne gegeben, ben tcb ad)tete, nid)t mebr btnbenb fiir mid) fei r ba er mir un= treii gemorben. 2)urd) feine Sugen brad)te er mid) baf)tn ; etnen 2)?ann 311 tier; abfd)euen, ber gleid) tapfer imb ebelmittbig ift." 2Bdt)renb biefer 3^it tuar mein ot)n au feiner .<3aft befreit iDorben, ba ber liftann, ben er jolite certrunbct l;aben, |tcb a(s etnen $etritger au^gemtefen l)atte. $err ^entinfon batte ibm ale ^ammerbiener gebient, fein ^aar frifirt wnb ibm alle 9^6tbige terfd)afft ; urn anftdnbig erfd)einen 311 fonnen. S 2(B er nun in ber Uniform fcine* $egtment3 etntrat, mu^ id) ofyne Gitelfeit (benn bar= iiber bin id) buwii) gefte()en, bafe id) nie etnen fd)cnern OHann in mUitdrtfd)er Xrac^t gefe^en. S3ei fetnem Gtntrttt t>erbeugte er fid) bofltd), aber etn?a %& riidbaltenb gegen ^aitlein 3Bi(mot; benn er mufjte nocb nta^t, meld)e gitnftigc Btrfung bte Serebfamfeit feiner Gutter berorgebrad)t f^atte. 2)ocb termocbte ^ 359 *~ eloquence of his mother had wrought in his favour. But no decorums could restrain the impatience of his blushing mistress to be forgiven. Her tears, her looks, all contributed to discover the real sensations of her heart, for having forgotten her former promise, and having suffered herself to be deluded by an impostor. My son appeared amazed at her condescension, and could scarce believe it real. "Sure, madam," cried he, "this is but delusion; I can never have merited this! To be blessed thus, is to be too happy!" "No, sir," replied she, "I have been deceived, basely deceived; else nothing could have ever made me unjust to my promise. You know my friendship, you have long known it; but forget what I have done, and, as you once had my warmest vows of constancy, you shall now have them repeated; and be assured, that if your Arabella cannot be yours, she shall never be another's." "And no other's shall you be," cried Sir William, "if I have any influence with your father." This hint was sufficient for my son Moses, who immediately flew bie (Etiquette nicfyt , bie Sefynf ud)t ber errotfyenben etiebten 311 unterbrudfen, fid) mit it)m auSguf ofcnen. %fyw Sfyranen unb ifyre $Hicfe fcerrietfyen bie toafyren efu&le ifyre* ^er^eng. Sie bereute, intent friifyern $erfpred)en nid)t treti ge= blieben 311 fetn, unb bafc fie fid? Don etnem $etritger fyabe tdufc&en laffen. 2ftein So&n erftauntc iiber ifyre erablaffung , unb toottte biefeibe anfangg nic^t fiir aufrid)tig fallen. ,,^|n ber Xfyat, mein ^rdulein," rief er, ,,bte3 ift nut Xdiif cfyimg ! S)ie ^abc ic^ nicfyt toerbient! S)a ^ei^t 311 glucEUd) fein!" - ^^ein, mein err," ermieberte fie, ,,ic^ bin getduf^t, auf fc^dnblic^e 2Beife ge^ tdufcfyt ivorben, fonft ptte mid) nid)t in ber SGBelt beiregen follen, mein SKort ju bred;en. Sie lennen meine ^reunbfc^aft fiir Sic langft. SSergeffen 6ie, tra tcfy getfyan l;abe ; unb tote id) $l)nen einft ^reue gelobt, f o erneuere id) mein ^erfprecfyen in biefem Stugenblicf. fatten Sie fid) iiber^eugt, ba^ ^^>re 2lrcu bella, toenn fie nid)t bie 3f)ri0 e toerben fann, aud) me bie attin etne 3lnbern toirb." ,,llnb !eine Slnbern @attin follen @ie toerben/' rtef @ir 2BilHam, ,,toenn ic^ nod^ irgenb influ^ bei ^brem 33ater fyabe." Xtefer 2Bin! toar fiir meinen Sofyn 2Rofe l)inreid)enb , fogleid) in ben -^ 360 < to the inn where the old gentleman was, to inform him of every circumstance that had appened. But, in the mean time, the squire perceiving that he was on every side undone, now finding that no hopes were left from flattery or dissimulation, concluded that his wisest way would be to turn and face his pursuers. Thus, laying aside all shame, he appeared the open and hardy villain. "I find then," cried he, "that I am to expect no justice here; but I am re- solved it shall be done me. You shall know, sir," turning to Sir William, %i l am no longer a poor dopcmlrnt upon your favours. I scorn th.ni. Nothing can keep Miss Wilmot's fortune from me, which, I thank her father's assiduity, is pn-tty large. The articles, and a bond for her fortune are signed, and safe in my possession. It was her fortune, not her person, that induced me to wish for this match; and, possessed of the one, let who will take the other." This was an alarming blow: Sir William was sensible of the justness of his claims, for he had been instrumental in drawing up QJaftfcof ju cilen, too fid) ber alto .sSerr befatto, urn ibm ron bem SBorfal rtd)t ju erttjetlen. S)er utefyerr faf) je&t ein , bafj er gan^icb wcrloren fet unb fid) roeber burd) Sd)metd)elei nod) burd) 33erftellung retten tonne. (5r fyielt e* beSbalb fur'* Mliiajte, feinen Aeinben feet entgegen ju tretcn, unb alie Sa?am iHTlaugnenb, jeigte er fid) al ein fred)er Sc^urfe. <$ fe^e mobl/' fagte er, ,,ba^ \$ bier feine erec^tigfeit gu erruarten liabe; bod) bin id) entfd)loffen, fie mir ju erf(^affen. So toiffen 6te benn, metn ^err," fut)r er fort, tnbem er ft^ ju Sir SBilliam toenbete, ,,ba^ id) md)t mel)r ber arme Xeufel bin, ber toon 3I)rer nabe lebt. %<$ erad)te btefe@nabe. ^eine $dnfe fonncn mir ^-raulein SBtlmot's 23ermoa.en toorentljaUen, iret^es 2)anf fei e ber Sparfamfett tt)re* $ater fe^>r betrd'c^tlt^ ift. Scr Metratb^contract unb etne ^Berfc^retbung auf ibr ^ermogen ftnb unter^etc^net unb in nteinem SBeftfce. %ln SSermogen ttar ee, nid^t itjre $erfon, n?a micb ju biefer ^erbinbung teran(apte ; unb ba id) nun im $eftfce bee Ginen bin, mag bte Slnbere nebmen, roer ba mill." 2)ie toar ein empfinblid)er cblag, unb Sir SBBilliam mu^te bte ^ic^ttg; fett feiner 5lnfprud)e um fo mefyr anerfennen , ba er feiber bet ber Slbfaff uufl 361 * the marriage-articles himself. Miss Wilmot, therefore, perceiving that her fortune was irretrievably lost, turning to my son, asked if the loss of fortune could lessen her value to him. "Though for- tune," said she, "is out of my power, at least I have my hand to give." "And that, madam," cried her real lover, "was, indeed, all that you ever had to give; at least, all that I ever thought worth the ac- ceptance. And I now protest, my Arabella, by all that's happy, your want of fortune this moment increases my pleasure , as it serves to convince my sweet girl of my sincerity/' Mr. Wilmot now entering, seemed not a little pleased at the danger his daughter had just escaped, and readily consented to a dissolution of the match. But, finding, that her fortune, which was secured to Mr. Thornhill by bond, would not be given up, nothing could exceed his disappointment. He now saw that his money must all go to enrich one who had no fortune of his own. He could bear be 6fyecontract bet)iilf(id) geroefen. 2lls ^raulein 2Bilntot ifyr 33ermb'gen itnaneberbringlid) uerloren fafy, toenbete fie fid) an meinen obn iinb fragte, ob biefer SSerluft ibren SBertfy in feinen Slugen tterringere? ,,0bgleid) id) ntein SSermogen fcerloren babe," fagte fie, ,,fo babe id) toenigftenS nod) meine erfd)en!en." ,,llnb ba, inein ^rduletn," rtef tfyr (Miebter, ,,tr>ar in ie je ^u geben fatten ; menigftene s 2lUe, ft>a id) ber 3Rube men. 9Jun, ntetne Slrabella, bet^eure id^ bet 2lUem, ma ntir fyeUig ift, ba^ ber $evluft$I)re$erm6gen in biefemSIugenblid nur nteine ^reube er^obt, inbem id) metn geliebte yjiabd)en fe^t toon metntv S 2liifrtd)tig!eit iiber^eiigen !ann." ^err SKilmot, ber jet etntrat, fd)ien nid)t toenig erfreut, bafe feine ^od)= ter etner fo gro^en @efal)t entgangen fei, unb geigte fid^ fogletd) bereit, bte 58erbinbung mieber anfenlofen. 21I er aber borte, ba^ ifyv ^ermb'gen, toelfyeZ .^errn ^l)ornl)ill t>etfd)rieben roar, ntc^t icieber beran^gegeben toerbe, mar feine ^eftiir^ung febr grofe. (Sr fal) je^t, ba^ all fein (Mb einen Wlam be; reid)ere, ber felber !ein Qkrmogen beft^e. (?r fonnte e ertragen, ju J)6ren, -^ 362 his being a rascal, but to want an equivalent to his daughter's fortune was wormwood. He sat, therefore, for some minutes, employed in the most mortifying speculations, till Sir William attempted to lessen his anxiety. "I must confess, sir," cried he, ''that y<>nr present dis- appointment does not entirely dilease ni". Your immoderate passion for wealth is now justly punished, lint thou-h the young lady cannot be rich, she has still a sufficient competence to give content. Here you see an honest young soldier, who is willing to take her without fortune: they have long loved each other; and, for the friendship I bear his father, my interest shall not be wanting in his promotion. Leave, then, that ambition which disappoints you, and fr once admit that happiness \vhieh o.urt.s your acceptance." "Sir William." replied the old gentleman, "be assured I never yet forced her inrlinations, nor will I now. If she still continues to love this young gentleman, let her have him with all my heart. There is still, thank Heaven, some fortune left, and your promise will make tan icner cin 'Scburfc for, baf> abcr join ^crmoa.en cent inner locbter nicbt rtletd) flenx'ien, fcie* frdnfte iht bitter. 15' r fafi einuie ilUiuutcn ba, tntt ben trau; viaften Ok'banfen befd^afticU, bi-> 3ir William fid? bemubte, tbn 311 berul;ia,en. ,, v Vt muf; aefteben, inein .\>err," faa.te fciefer, ,,fcaf> ^bro nf9 e ^fl^^fl e Scfimi: inerniii mir nicbt ^1113 unlteb ift. , x \hrc unmdf.t^e >>abfucht bat jcfet ibrc flerccbte 3trafc cmpfan^cn. 2Benn aucb bie junge Tame nicbt mefyr md) ift, fo befi^t fie bed) nod) (jenuii 311111 Bitten Sdicfcmmcn. .\Stcr fcben 5ic einen jungen 3o(= baten tor ftcb, melc^er berett ift, fie and) obne ^crmoflen gu l)eiratf)en. 3te baben etnanber lange geliebt, nnb ivcgen ber ^rennbfdiaft, bie id) fur feu nen 3>ater bege, foil es il)m an ^eforberung nid)t feblen. 3o geben 6ie benn i^ren (rbriioi^ auf unb gemdl)ren ba ludE, meld)e 3b r ^> ort 3 U ^erleiben termag." ,,3ir William," uerfefete ber alte $ew, ,,feien 3ie uber^eugt, ba^ id) nie ifyrer 9?ei0ung 3^ano antl)at; unb and) je^t tDtll id) ee nid)t t^un. 2Benn fie btefen jungen erm noc^ licbt , f o nebme fie if)n ton oan^em ^er^en. 2)em fei ^5)anf, e ift nod) etma 3?ermb'flen iibrin, unb %\)i s ^erfpred)en > 363 *. it something more. Only let my old friend here," (meaning me,) "give me a promise of settling six thousand pounds upon my girl, if ever he should come to his fortune, and I am ready, this night, to be the first to join them together." As it now remained with me to make the young couple happy, I readily made a promise of making the settlement he required; which, to one who had such little expectations as I, was no great favour. We had now, therefore, the satisfaction of seeing them fly into each other's arms in a transport. "After all my misfortunes," cried my son George, "to be thus rewarded! Sure this is more than tfjut and) etma*. s Jhtr muf? tnein alter $reunb fyier (er tneinte mid)} mtr Q^ loben, metner Stodjter fedj3 taufenb $funb au^ufe^en, menn er tuieber 311 feinem $ermogen gelancjen follte; bann bin id) bereit, fie nod) biefen 2lbenb tntt emanber 311 tterbinben." ^a e je^t nur tton mtr abfjiitg, ba^ junge $aar cjiiidflicb gu mac^en, iimr id) fefyr bereit, ba gemitnfc^te SSerfyred&en 311 geben, melc^eg bet metnen ge= ringen Grlrartimgen fetne grofce unft mar. && fatten fair bie ^reube , ju fefyett, mte fie emanber t)olt nt^itcfen iintarmten. ,,$latf) all meinem 2JUi3a,e= fo beloljnt 311 merben! " rief eorg. ^emt^ bie ift meljr, al id) je fonnte. Wad) etner 3ttnfd)m3eit be ^ummer alle nteine 2Bimfd)e c^e= '-*+ 364 < I could ever have presumed to hope for. To be possessed of ali that's good, and after such an interval of pain my warmest wishes could never rise so high!" "Yes, my George," returned his lovely bride, "now let the wretch take my fortune: since you are happy with- out it, so am 1. O what an exchange have I made from the basest of men to the dearest, best! Let him enjoy our fortune: I now can be happy even in indigence." "Ami I promise you," cried the squire with a malicious grin, "that I shall lie very liappy with what you despise." -Hold, hold, sir," cried Jenkinson; "there are two words to that bargain. As for that lady's fortune, sir, you shall never touch a single stiver of it. L'ray, your honour," continued he to Sir William, "can the squire have this lady'> fortune if he be married to another V" "How can you make such a simple demand?" replied the baronet: "undoubtedly lie cannot." - "I am sorry for that ," cried Jenkiuson; "for, as this gentleman and I have been old fellow-sporters, I have a friendship for him. Hut 1 must declare, well as I love him. that his front 311 fetyen !" ,,,Vi, lieber eorg," ernneberte jcinc ^vaut, ,,jefct moge ber eienbe meiii ^HTmogen nebmen ; ba Tu ehte baffdbe gliirflid) bift, fo bin id) eaud). mcldu'ii lau|\b babe \\k gemadM! 3tatt be* niebertrdd)tigften s lflenfd)en ift mir bor tbeuorfto, bcr beftc 311 Sfyetl flcir-orben. (5v moge fid) unferc 1 ? ^ermogens erfreuen, iol^t tann id) aud) in Xnrfttiitoit ^litdltd) fetn." ,,Unb id) t>er[prcd)c 3 ll tMi," enuicberte bcr 3quire mit boe^aftcm l'dd)eln, ,,bap mtdi ba, iua>> 3te ucrac^tcn, fehr glitdlid) madjen rotrb." ,,.V)alt, halt, metn ^>err," rief 3^finfon, ,,td) b<-ibc nod) jmei ^IBorte gu bem Manbel ,^n fagen. 2Bae bae ^ermogen ber S)ame betnfft, mein i)evr ; fo follcn Sie aufy feincn cinjigen pfennig bat>cn in bie ^)dnbe befommen. Sagen mir bed} (Stt). (^naben gefciUigft," fu()r er ^u Sir William gemenbet fort, ,,iann bev ($utt)crr ba ^ermcgen btefer Xante befommen , tucnn er berette an eine 2ln= bere erl)eiratl)et iftV" ,,2Bte fonnen Sie etne fo einfdlttge /yrage t^unV" ucrfoiUe ber baronet; ,,obne ^^oifet fann er e* nic^t." ,,Tae tfyut mir leib," rief ^ntinfon, ,,benn ba biefer . erfldren, fo febr id) ibn and) _> 365 OT- contract is not worth a tobacco-stopper; for he is married already." "You lie like a rascal!" returned the squire, who seemed roused by this insult; "I never was legally married to any woman." "Indeed, begging your honour's pardon," replied the other, "you were; and I hope you will show a proper return of friendship to your own honest Jenkinson, who brings you a wife; and if the company restrain their curiosity a few minutes, they shall see her." So saying, he went off with his usual celerity, and left us all unable to form any probable conjecture as to his design. "Ay, let him go," cried the squire; "whatever else I may have done, I defy him there. I am too old now to be frightened with squibs." "I am surprised," said the baronet, "what the fellow can intend by this. Some low piece of humour, I suppose." "Perhaps, sir," replied I, "he may have a more serious meaning. For when we reflect on the various schemes this gentleman has laid to seduce innocence, perhaps some one, more artful than the rest, has been found able to liebe , bafc fein fyecontract einen 5aba!ftofer toertfy tft , benn er tft bereitS mit einer anbern S)ame oerbeiratfyet." ,,2)u liigft trie ein d)urfe," ermieberte ber @utfyerr, ber bie fur eine grofee $eleibtgung nafym, ,,ia) ttnirbe me mit irgenb einem grauenjimmer gefe&mafeig getraut." ,,$oa), bod)/' entgeg= nete ber Slnbere, ,,mit @to. naben Grlaubnifc mar bies boc^ ber gall , imb id^ boffe , 6ie irerben ben ^reunb[c^aftbienft %ft)i& efyrlicfyen ^enfinfon gemi^ anertennen, rnenn er ^fyrten eine rau brtngt. IJBenn bie (Sefellfc^aft il;re ^eu: gierbe einige ^Jlinuten aiigeln mill, fo foil fie fogletc^ erfd^etnen." @o rebenb ging er mit f einer getoofynlicfyen d^nelligfeit fort, unt> Reiner on un n?ar im 6tanbe, ft(^ einen ^Begriff batoon gu madden, mas feme 2lbficfyt fei. ,,^a, la^t iljn nur gefyen," rief ber ut>\)tn; ,,toas id) fonft aud^ mag getl)an ^aben, in biefer $tnftd)t fann i^ i^m Xro^ bieten. $d) bin je^t ju alt, itm mtc^ burd) ^Ranfe fa^reclen gu laffen." ,,(S foil mitt) boa) itwnbern," fagte ber baronet, ,,tt>as ber .H'erl mo(}l be= abfia^tigt. 2Bafyrfd)einli$ mirb e ein fa)lea)ter 2Btfc fein." ,,(! fann ana) melleidfyt (Srnft babei gum ritnbe liegen/' entgegnete ia). /; S)enn toenn to) * 366 < deceive liiin. When we consider what numbers he has ruined, how many parents now feel with anguish the infamy and the contamination which lie has brought into their families, it would not surprise me if some of them Ama/ement ! Do I see my lost daughter? Do I hold her? It is, ray life, my happinos! I thought thee lost, my Olivia, yet still I hold thee, and still thou shalt live to bless me!" The wannest transports of the fondest lover were not greater than mine, when 1 saw him introduce my child, and held my daughter in my arms, whose silence only spoke her raptures. "And art thou returned to UK-, my darling." cried I, "to be my comfort in age?" "Thai she is," cried Jenkinson, -and make much of her; for she is your own honourable child, and as honest a woman as any in the whole room, let the other be who she will. And M for you, squire, as sure as you stand there, thN young lady is your lawful wedded wife; and to con- vince you that I speak nothing but the truth, here is the licence by which you were married together. So saying, he put the licence into bie tterfa?teberu'ii Wane bebcnfe, bie biejer err enttoorfen, urn bte Unfcfyulb 311 uerfufyren , fo fann e* melleicbt Giner , bie Ufttger toar ate bie Uebrtgen, QC- lungen fein , ibn \\\ iiberliftcn. SiJenn mir bebenfen, tnie iWelc or in* ^erberben a.c|tiint - nne tio(e G'ltern jeht bio 3dnnad) unb Sc^anbe bejammern, bie er fiber ibre Aaniilicn gebrac^t fo barf man fta^ nict)t rcunbern, n?enn Gine unter biefen SBunber! fobo tit meine berlorene 3;oc^ter? .?)alte ia^ fte in metnen lUrmonV Sic tft'3! 2ein Seben! metn liict! 3$ fyieit Xtct) fiir ter(oren, inoino Ciiina, unb balte 2)t(^ in meinen Strmen, unb ju metner greube lebft 5)u nocf)J " Ta l)od)[teGnt3ucten be^ feuri3ftcn^iebl?aber* fann nid?t grower fetn, ale ta^ nioine betm 2Bieberfe^en meme3 .ft'inbes, njelcbe^ an fetncr anb bereintrat unb in fprac^tofer ^rcube an meine 58ru[t fan!. ,,llnb btft ^u. mtr miebergegeben , metn Siebltng/' rtef id), ,,um ber Xroft metnee s 2Uter 311 fetn?" ,,2)a^ ift fie," rief ^enfinfon. ,,<5c^a^en Sie fte fyo$, benn fie ift 3bre redbtfci)affene Xoc^ter unb eine fo unbefcfyoltene ^-rait, h)ie nur trgenb eine ^ier gegenrodrtig ift , fie moge nun fetn tt>er fie molle. llnb ma Sie be^ trifft," fagte er 311 bem ut|)errn, ,,fo toafyr ie bafteljen , ift biefe junge Tame -^ 367 < the baronet's hands, who read it, and found it perfect in every respect. "And now, gentlemen," continued he, "I find you are surprised at all this; but a very few words will explain the difficulty. That there squire of renown, for whom I have a great friendship, (but that's between ourselves,) has often employed me in doing odd little things for him. Among the rest, he commissioned me to procure him a false licence and a false priest, in order to deceive this young lady. But as I was very much his friend, what did I do, but went and got a true licence and a true priest, and married them both as fast as the cloth could make them. Perhaps you'll think it was generosity made me do all this. But no: (to my shame I confess it:) my only design was to keep the licence, and let the squire know that I could prove it upon him whenever I thought proper, and so make him come down when- ever I wanted money." A burst of pleasure now seemed to fill Jthe whole apartment; our joy even reached the common-room, where the prisoners themselves sympathised, 3fyre gefe&ftd) angetraute emafylin. S)ajj meine s erren," fuljr er fort, ,,baJ3 ie iiber alle bie erftaunt finb, bod) toenige 2Borte toerben bie Qange Sa$e erfltiren. iefer beriifymte (Sjutgbefi^er , fiir ben ic^ bie grofcte ^reunbf^aft bege (bo<^ ba bleibt unter un), bebiente fid) meiner oft in atlerlet fleinen efd)dften. Unter anbern erbiett id^ aud) benSluftrag, itjm einen fallen Grlaubnifjfcfyetn unb einen falf^en eifttid^en 311 t>erf t^affen , um biefe junge 5)ame ^u tciufc^en. 3$ tneinte e aber gut mit it)m unb ^olte einen ci$ten $1-- taubniM^^n unb einen lt>irfltd)en eiftlic^en, fo ba^ Seibe fo un^ertrennlidi uerbunben njurben, luie e3 nur burd^ ^rtefter^anb gefd)el)en !ann. SieHetcbt glauben ie, ba^ id? bte au Gbelmutb getl;an? 9Mn, ju meiner c^anbe muf; id) befennen, ba^ e nur meine 2lbfid?t tt>ar, ben(SrlaubntMd?ein ^u befyalten unb bann ben ut^^errn nriffen ju laffen, ba^ id) benfelben nad) Selieben gegen i^n antoenben !6nne, menn id^ mid^ gerabe in (Mbt>erlegenl;eit befinbe." Gin tauter Vn.l -li<>..k tln-ir rliaiiK In transport and mile harmony. Hippinesi was expanded over every face, and even Olivia's cheek- seemed flushed with pleasure. To be thus restored to reputation . to friends, and fortune at once, was a rapture sufficient to stop the pro- gress of decay, and restore former health and vivacity. But perhaps, among all, there was not one who felt sincerer pleasure than I. Still holding the dear loved child in my arms, I asked my heart it these transports were not delusion. "How could you," cried 1. turning to Jenkinson, "how could you add to my miseries by the story of her death? But it matters not; my pleasure at finding her again is more than a recompense for the pain. "As to your question," replied .Jeukinson, "that is easily answered. I thought thr only propable means of freeing you from prison. wa> by submitting to the squire, and consenting to his marriage with tin- other young lady. But this you had vowed never to grant while your tor AVOUDO on'iillto c\v> aanji 1 , Simmer, llnjcv v \ubel M\uui iolbft bi-> iu bom Berjamniluiuv>iaal CYI (V'aiuu'nen, iroldv fveblerfenb I'iuuimniton unl ^)io .' riolton in iiMltor .^avinoiiic. AU'iiCi jtvablto auf jefrem Menir-t, unt fclbft Cliina'- il^an^i-n jdMcnni fi(^ wilder ui vbtbiMi. Tor C ; 'bro, bi-iu Mliidc, ben Arounbcn fo pUM',lid> uncboi uiriid0e0eben ju fern, irav In]iUiii^lid\ inn ibrcui InnmelfonDon Morpoi mil ter frulurni NejiuitK'it aiut ibro >>citortoit tiMoti-ruMcbon. ^'iolloidn abor u\ir untor alien Moincr, ter einc aufvid^ti^crc Aivnto cmpr'anfe , ab> id\ v Jioct^ iiuiner biclt id^ Mo jiotiobto ^luttor in moinon I'lnnon , unb fva^to ntctn Aiorv ob bicd (*nt?ni1on toin ^lonbivorf ioi. ,,^IMO (onnton *ie," riof id 1 ,\i-iifin|on ;n, M UMO fennton 3io moin l^lciiD MIVCT- tic N .'i\irfn-iitt uon ibrom 7oto nod) t)er= arof.oni ''. TcdMiidn-:- ntobv taiuMi; inoino AVOUDO, |io nnororiiini^on, bolel^nt miir biulanalid^ fur u^o dial, bio id) empfunbon." ,, v \bro ;vva^o ift leiitt boantivortot," fafltc 3^ntinfon. ,, x ut> bielt oe- fiir ba eiiriifle ivirtfame SDlittol , 2io au:- bom (^ofan^nij] \\\ bofroien, rocnn c\c torn (Hut*bcrrn nacbaabon unb ,\bvo ^innnlliaiino ui foinor >>oiratb mil ber -o 369 ^- daughter was living; there was, therefore, no other method to bring things to bear, but by persuading you that she was dead. I prevailed on your wife to join in the deceit, and we have not had a fit oppor- tunity of undeceiving you till now." In the whole assembly there now appeared only two faces that did not glow with transport. Mr. Thornhill's assurance had entirely forsaken him; he now saw the gulf of infamy and want before him, atfd trembled to take the plunge. He therefore fell on his knees before his uncle, and in a voice of piercing misery implored com- passion. Sir William was going to spurn him away, but at my request he raised him, and after pausing a few moments, "Thy vices, crimes, and ingratitude," cried he, "deserve no tenderness; yet thou shalt not be entirely forsaken ; a bare competence shall be supplied to support the wants of life, but not its follies. This young lady, thy wife, shall be put in possession of a third part of that fortune which once was thine; and from her tenderness alone thou art to expect any extra- anbern jungen Same ertfyeilten. Sod) te fatten gelobt, bte ntd)t bet eb; jeiten Sftrer o$ter 311 tfyun , unb fo blieb mir fein anberer 2Iutoeg i'tbrtg , al Sie burd) bte %.id)rtd)t tton ifyrem Xobe ju tdufdfyen. $d) berebete tfyre atttn, mir bet btef er dufd)ung bet^tftefyen , unb erft jet fanben mir (Megenfyeit , te 311 enttdufd?en." 3n ber gansen efellfd^aft maren nitr jmei eftd)ter , bte ntd)t t?or greubc fllitl)ten. Xt)ornbttl fyatte feine 3ut>erft(^t ganjltd) tertoren. @r [al; je^t ben 2lb0runb ber Sdjanbe nnb be 2Ran0el nor Slugen unb bebte jitriic!, fid) in bcnfelben 311 [titrjen. ^afyer iriarf er ftc^ feinem Ofyetm 311 ^ii^en unb bat tm ttdflUd^ften 2one um Grbarmen. Sir SBUItam mollte i^n tion fid? ftofjen, boa^ auf meinc $itte lte er iljn auffteljen unb rief tfym naa^ etntgem 93ebenfen 311: ,,Xeine Safter, 2)eine SBerbrecfyen unb 2)etn Unban! oerbtenen feine Diaa^ftcbt; bod) 2)n joll[t nicfyt fldnjlic^ nerlaffen jetn. S)u follft baben, Jt>a^ gu 2)einen 2ebcn3beburfmffen ^inret^t, aber nia^t fo mel, um Seine X^orbetten befrie= btgen 311 fonnen. Siefe junge Same, Seine atttn, foil in ben 23efi& etneg Srittel? Seined bi3fyertQen 3Serm6gen gefe^t merben, unb Don tl)rer itte 24 ordinary supplies for the futtiro." He was going to express his gra- titude for such kindness in a set speech; but the baronet prevented him, by bidding him not aggravate his meanness, which was already but too apparent. He ordered him at the same time to be gone, and from all his former domestics to chose one, and such as he should think proper, which was all that should be granted to attend him. As soon as he left us, Sir William very politely stepped up to his new niece with a smile, ami wisln-d IHT j>y. His rxample was followed by Miss Wilmot and her father; my wife, too, kissed her daughter with much affection, as, to use her own expression, she was now made an honest woman of. Sophia and Moses followed in turn, and even our benefactor Jenkinson desired to be admitted t<> that honour. Our satisfaction seemed scarce capable of increase. Sir William, whose greatest pleasure was in doing good, now looked round, with a counte- nance open as the sun, and saw nothing but joy in the looks of all except that of my daughter Sophia, who, for some reasons we could alloin halt Tu fitnftig cincn auf.crorbentlicfyengufcfyuf^u ermarten." 3 born.- bill roollte eben feinen Xanf fur biefe ( s >iite in etncr jierlicben MCDC au*jpred>en, als ber 33aronet ifjn baran mbinbevte unb ilnn viotb , jetnc 9iiebertrdd)tigfeit, bie er fcfyon fo flar an ben ag 0ele0t, nic^t no(^ 311 t>erflrof,ern. j^ugletcb befall cr Ujm , ftc^ ju entfemen imb ftc^ unter feinen btc^erigen 2)ienern einen nadb ieincmiBclieben au^umd^len, ba e* i^m ntcljt erlaubt fein folle, me^r ,^u ^alten. 2ll IbornbiU un r>erlaf)en l^atte, ndljerte fid? Sir SSilliam X^ornbill feincr jetugen 3iict)te ntit freunblic^em 'dcbeln unb miinfc^te it^r &lud. /"vrdu= lein SKilmot unb if)r 3Satcr folgten feinem SBcifpicI. Mud) meine ^rau fujjte i^re Xod)ter nttt grower 3err," fagte er 311 mir , ,,ba|3 ftiir $eibe bem err $enfinf on melen 3)an! fcfyulbig finb unb e* bafyer ntcfyt mefyr al billig ift, bajj mir ii)n gemeinfcfyaftlicfy belo^nen. ^rdit: lein opbic roirb ibn geroi^ fetjr gliidUd) macfyen, unb t>on mir foil er fiinf; l)unbert $f unb al3 i^re 2Ritgift er^alten ; batton f onnen fie gang bequem leben. iftwt, ^rdulein @opl)ie, tr>ag fagen Sie 311 ber $artte? 2Bollen ie tyn ne^ men?" 2Jleine arme Xodjter fiel bet biefem f^dnblt^en^Borf^lage faft o^nmdd)^ tig in bie Slrme i^rer Gutter. ,,$l)n nefjmen?" rtef fie, ,,nein, netn, nimmer; me^r!" ,f2Bie," fagte Sir SBilliam, ,,6ie irollen >errn ^en!infon, S^ren 2Bol)ltl)dter, ntd^t nel}men, ben f)ubfc^en jungen Wlann mit fiinffyunbert ^Pfunb unb guten 2hifidjten?" '$&) bttteSie, metn^err/' oerfe^te fie, faum fdbtg, ?u fprecfyen, ,,fte^enie bacon ab nnb macfyenSie mid) nid^t fo elenb! " ,,^at man je folc^en Gigenfinn erlebt?" rief er mieber; ,,einen 2Rann au^^u; fc^lagen , bem bie ^amilie f o gvo^en 2)an! f c^ulbig ift ! ber ^fyre 6c^mefter ge= 24* -^ 372 *-* whom the family has such infinite obligations to, who has preserved your sister, and who has five hundred pounds? What, not have him!" "No, sir, never," replied she, angrily: "I'd sooner die first!" "If that be the case, then," cried he, "if you will not have him I think I must have you myself." And so savin;:-, he caught her to his breast with ardour. "My loveliest, my most sensible of girls," cried he, JKMV could you ever think your own Burchell could deceive you, or that Sir William Th<>rnhill could over cease to admire a mistress that loved him for himself alone? I have for some years sought for a wo- man, who, a stranger to my fortune, could think 1 had merit as a man. After having tried in vain, even among the perl and the ugly, how great at last must be my rapture, to have made a conquest over such sense and such heavenly beauty!" Then turning to .Jenkinson, "As 1 cannot. Mr, part with this young lady myself, for she lias taken u fancy to the cut of my face, all the recMm^ense I can make is, to give you her fortune, and you may call upon my steward to-morrow for rot tot unD Titmlnmbort v j>funb Iviir.t ! t \bn ivellon 2to nid>t nobmen?" ,, s J?ein, moin .v>orr, nimmormobr! " orunoberte fio boftifl ; ,,liobor roe lite id) ftcrbcn!" ,, s Jhm, ipoiin Da* Dor ,uill ij't," riof or, ,,n>enn 3to tint Donn bureau* ntcbt fyaben roollen, )"o muj; id> cie \vofy( jolbft nobmen." s ^oi bie)on Shorten Driulto or no uirtltd) an foino ^nift. f ,^\m fldiobto-? iWdbcben/' rief er, , r mio !onnte(t $11 fllaubcn, Dafj Toin tronor ^urdjell Tid> tauuton ober Sir 2Billiam S^ornbill jornal^ aufboron mitrbo, oine eltebte an^ubeten, Die ibn nur um jetnor felbft millen ttebtV 3oit .Vabron babe id) oiit iDtdbcben oefud)t, bae, un= befannt mit motnom ^crmogen, nur meinen 2Bertb al^ s Uiann fc^a&e. Tiafr-- bem ic^ t>ei\jobonv folbft unterben (^eifte^armen unb $dj}lic^en gejud^t, roio ^ro^ mu^ mein Gnt^u'den join, iibor fo in'mmlifctH 1 3cbonbeit nnb ^u^enb ben 3ieg bat>on cjetragen 311 baben!" ^ann ^aflte er ju ^enftnion: f> ^a tcb mid) i^on biofer juncjen Tamo nic^t nut trennen fann, meil fte fid? nun einmat in moin efid)t t>erliebt, fo !ann tcb Sie nid)t anber^ entfcbabigon, aU bafe id) en it>re 2Ilitgift abtrete, unb 6io fonnen fic^ bafyer morgen on metnem funfbunbert s ^funb au^a^len laffen." -^ 373 < five hundred pounds." Thus we had all our compliments to repeat, and Lady Thornhill underwent the same round of ceremony that her sister had done before. In the meantime, Sir William's gentleman appeared, to tell us that the equipages were ready to carry us to the inn, where every thing was prepared for our reception. My wife and I led the van, and left those gloomy mansions of sorrow. The ge- nerous baronet ordered forty pounds to be distributed among the prisoners, and Mr. Wilmot, induced by his example, gave half that sum. We were received below by the shouts of the villagers, and I saw and shook by the hand two or three of my honest parishioners, who where among the number. They attended us to our inn, where a sumptuous entertainment was provided, and coarser provision dis- tributed in great quantities among the populace. After supper, as my spirits were exhausted by the alternation of pleasure and pain which they had sustained during the day, I asked permission to withdraw; and leaving the company in the midst of their s err 2Bi(mot, burd) fein 23eifpiel aufgemuntert, gab bie ^cilfte biefer umme ba^u. Unten irurben anr on ben Semo^nern be tabtcfyeng ntit adgemeinent ^ubel empfangen, unb id) erblicfte einige ton metnen SSeic^tlinbern unter ber 2Renge, melcfyen ic^ freunblia^ bie ^>anb briidte. ie begletteten un nac^ bem aft&ofe, wo n?tr etn !o[tbare 2Ra^l bereit fanbcn unb too berbere peifen unter ba gufammengeftromte Self t>ertt)eilt tourben. S)urcf) ben 2Becfyfel ton ^reube unb cfymerg toaren metne Seben^geifter fo ganalia^ erfd&opft, ba^ id^ nad^ bem Slbenbejfen um bie rlaubni bat, mid? jur JKul)e begeben p bitrfen. 21I id^ bie ejellfd?aft in i^rer greube t>erlie^ 374 ^- mirth, as soon as I found myself alone , I poured out my heart in gra- titude to the Giver of joy as well as sorrow, and then slept undisturbed till morning. unb mid) allcin fab , ergofc id? meine 2)anfflefu|)le im (9ebete 311 bent ber ^icuben unb bc^ Jftummcr*, unb fd^licf bann unfleftort bis ^um IHorqen. o 375 ^- CHAP. XXXII. THE CONCLUSION. The next morning, as soon as 1 awaked, I found my eldest son sitting at my bed-side, who came to increase my joy with another turn of fortune in my favour. First having released me from the settle- ment that I had made the day before in his favour, he let me know that my merchant, who had failed in town, was arrested at Antwerp, and there had given up effects to a much greater amount than what was due to his creditors. My boy's generosity pleased me almost as much as this unlooked-for good fortune. But I had some doubts whether I ought in justice to accept his offer. While I was pondering upon this, Sir William entered the room, to whom I communicated my doubts. His opinion was , that as my son was already possessed of a very affluent fortune by his marriage , I might accept his offer without hesitation. His business, however, was to inform me, that as he had 2ll id) am na'd)ften Sftorgen ertoad)te, falj id) meinen tilteften otw an meinem JBette fi&ett, toelcfyer ge!ommen tear, urn nteine $reube burd) einen neuen HicIStoedbfel 311 erfyofyen. !>Ra(fybem er mir bie 23erfd)retbung gegeben, bie id) am Stage ttorfyer au^geftellt fyatte, fagte er mir, bafj ber mann, toelcfyer in Sonbon fallirt, in 2lnth>erfeen uerfyaftet itjorben jet unb ft<^ met>r baare (Mb in fetnem 35eftfee gefiinben, al er fetnen laiibigern fd^ulbig fet. %si.-tance in making all the company happy that morning. A footman entered while we were speaking, to tell ua that the messenger was returned; and as I was by this time ready, I went down, where I found the whole company as merry as affluence and innocence Could make them. JIo\vever, as they were now preparing for a very solemn ceremony, their laughter en- tirely displeased me. I told them of the gra\e. In-coming, and sublime deportment they should as-ume upon this mystical occasion, and read them two homilies ;md a thesis of my own composing, in order to prepare theiB. Yet they -till seemed perfectly refractory and un- governable. K\en u w.- were go ing alo ii- to church . to which I led Ilie way, ail gravity had .jiiite forsaken them, and I was often tempted to turn back in indignation. In church a new dilemma arose, which promised in- e:i*y solution. This wa-. which couple should be married first. My son's bride warmly insisted that Lady Thornhill (that was iHbenb bte (h-laubnir,f*etne uiv Gramma, a.eforbert fyabe nub fie ftiinblid) er= ivarte. (rr boffe baber, baf, id^ mi* ni*t nviaern roerbe, no* biefen SWorflcn v ,Hlle ajiictlu* ,u madvn. s Ji?abrenb biefev MefpradK* trat ein Tiener nut ber :Ka*ri*t ein, baft ber XHote uiriutiefebrt fei, unb ba i* mi* untertHiien an iicfloibet batte, tiiitii id^ btnunter unb fanb bie Qtm^ @efellf*aft in fo frober 3timmnna, line ^oblftanb unb Wemutbvritbe fie nur .ut ^cbcn ucrmafl. Tod) miftfid mir il\ ( x ')dad>ter in einem 1'luflenblid, iro fie fid) auf eine fcicrlid>e A>anblun^ uorberetten follten. 3^ ma*te fie auf bav ernfte unb anftanbia,e ^enehmen aufmerffam, luddux- man bet enter fo and)tia.en ^eranlaffuna, an; nebmen ntiiffe, unb urn fie barauf voi^ubcreiteit, la^ id? t^nen jtuet ^omilien Dor unb eine v>on mir felbft verfafttc (Safualprebi^t. Tod) fie blieben nod) imnter aitvaelaffen unb luaren ni*t ^u si'uidn. 3elbft auf bent sfikfle nad) ber ^ttrd)e fetjten fie alien (5"rnft fo cuinjli* bei 3eite, baft id^ mid) oft terfncbt fanb, mid) unnnllta, nad' 1 ibnen iimjufel^en. ,^n ber Mirage entftanb eine neue 33ers le^enbett, bie ni*t leicbt 511 befettujen fd)ien. DJJan ftritt bariiber, meld)ee ^aar ^uerft folle oetraut luerben. v .l'ietne-> 3obnev ^raut beftanb barauf, bie fiinf; -<> 377 -c to be) should take the lead; but this the other refused with equal ardour, protesting she would not be guilty of such rudeness for the world. The argument was supported for some time between both with equal obstinacy and good breeding. But as I stood all this time with my book ready, I was at last quite tired of the contest, and, shutting it, "I perceive," cried I, "that none of you have a mind to be married, and I think we had as well go back again; for I suppose there will be no business done here to-day." This at once reduced them to reason. The baronet and his lady were first married, and then my son and his lovely partner. I had previously that morning given orders that a coach should be sent for my honest neighbour Flamborough and his family, by which means, upon our return to the inn, we had the pleasure of find- ing the two Miss Flamboroughs alighted before us. Mr. Jenkinson gave his hand to the eldest, and my son Moses led up the other; and I have since found that he has taken a real liking to the girl, and my ttge abt) fyornl)t(l miiffe ben Slnfang macfyen ; bod) btefe lefynte e eben fo tHivtndcftg ab , inbem fie i?erftd)erte , fie toerbe fid? um leinen $ret erne f olcfye Unfyoflid)!eit 311 3d)utben tommen (affen. 33eibe $arteien fitljrten biefen Streit ntit gleidfyer artnddigfett unb gletdjer >cflid)feit. $d? mufcte unterbeffen mtt aufgefd)lagenem 23ud)e baftefyen. (Snblicfy tourbe ntir bev Streit fo Idftig, baf> id? e sufdtfug unb auSrtef : ,$$ fe|>e woljl, Reiner on Gii(^ Ijat Suft gum ^)eiratt>en, iinb baber fyafte id) e> fi'tr ba $efte, tt>ir gel;en mieber nac^i ^aufe, benn i($ trerbe l)ier fyeute boc^ trol)l nit^t'o gu tfywt ^aben/' 2)ie brad)te fie fog(eid) gur 58ernunft. 2)er Saronet unb feme ^Braut murben perft getraut, iinb bann mein ofyn mtt fetner liebenStritrbigen efdbrtin. Scfyon am 3Jlorgen ^atte id^ metnem ebrlic^en Dflac^bar ^lamboroitgl; imb f einen 6djtern eine ^utfd)e gefd}tdt, unb at mir in ben aftfyof gurudEfe^rten, !amen eben bte beiben ^rduletn ^lamborougl; an. ^err ^enfinfon relate ber cilteften ben 2lrm , unb mein So^n 2Rofe fit^rte bie ^mette. Settbem fyabe id) bemerft, ba^ itjm ba 9)Mbc^en fe^r gcfdUt, unb meine tnwilltgung unb mein egen follen it)m nic^t fel?len, n?enn er fie serlangt. ^,'aum maren mir consent and bounty he shall have whenever lie thinks proper to de- mand them. We were no sooner returned to the inn, but numbers of my parishioner-, hearing of my success, came to congratulate me; but among the rest were those who rose to rescue me, and whom I for- merly relinked with such sharpness. I told the story to Sir William, my son-in-law, who went out and reproved them with great severity ; but finding them quite disheartened by this harsh reproof, he gave them lialf-a-guinea a piece to drink his health, and raise their dejected spirits. .1 after this we were called to a ver\ genteel entertainment, which was dressed by .Mr. ThoruliiU's cook. And it may not be im- pn.per fco observe, with respect to that gentleman, that he now resides, in quality of companion, at a relation's house, being very well liked, and seldom sitting at the side-table, except when there is no room at the other: for they make no stranger of him. His time is pretty much taken up in keeping his relation, who is a little melancholy, in spirits, in ben aftbcf ^unirfaefebrt , al* vide manor ^farrfinber, bic non mcincm Wiicfe aebert, ficb einfanben, urn mtr ;,u amtuliren. llntev biefen befanben ficb aucb bte, roc-UK 1 mid? einft mit Weroalt an* ben .ftanbcn ber Okricbtebiener befreien jrcllton unb bama(-> barto U'cnintrfe I>PH mtr erbtelteu. v \* er^ablte bic>:- meinem cdMuiecien'ebne 3ir William, unb cr ciinc] binan3 unb maci^te ibnen ^cnintvfe iiber ibr ^euebmen. i?((5 er aber fafy, ba^ fcin ftrenger label fie fefyr betriibte, fd)enfte er ^ebem eine ba(be (^)uinee, um feine (Sefitnbbeit ;,n trinfen unb fid) uneber 311 crhcitcrn. 33alb baraiif tinirben mir 311 einem ftattltd^en ^od)^ettemab(e gerufen, n?cl*ev ber Me* bec> Ohitvbcrrn Ibcrnt}i(l jubereitet I}atte. ^tnftd)tlid) btefe^ >>errn nuiu icf> nocb bemerfcn, ban er ficb ge0enroartig al^ efelljdiafter bet eincm ^eriranbten aufbdlt, n?o er jtemttcf; motjlgentten ift, unb mo er nur bann, n?enn bie Jafcl f*on befefct tft, ftcb gefallen laffcn muf3, an einem 9{eben; tifd^e 311 fpeifen; benn man mad)t nicbt t)te( Umftanbe mit ibm. 3eine $e\t menbet er siemli* gut an; fu$t fetnen Setter 311 erljeitern, ber etma^ fd)tt?cr; mutt)ig ift, unb (ernt uberbiee ba^ ^atbborn blafen. 9^eine dltefte Iod)ter :- 379 o and in learning to blow the French-horn. My eldest daughter, how- ever, still remembers him with regret; and she has even told me, though I make a great secret of it, that when he reforms she may be brought to relent. But to return, for I am not apt to digress thus: when we where to sit down to dinner, our ceremonies were going to be renewed. The question was, whether my eldest daughter, as being a matron, should not sit above the two young brides; but the debate was cut short by my son George, who proposed that the company should sit indiscriminately every gentleman by his lady. This was received with great approbation by all, excepting my wife, who I could perceive was not perfectly satisfied , as she expected to have had the pleasure of sitting at the head of the table, and carving the meat for all the company. But notwithstanding this, it is impossible to de- scribe our good-humour. I can't say whether we had more wit among us now than usual, but I am certain we had more laughing, which answered the end as well. One jest I particularly remember: old Mr. benft inbefj nod? immer mit 33etrubnif? an ibn ; aud? fagte fie mir f ogar ma id) aber gefyeim fyalte toenn er fid? beffere, fei fie nid)t abgeneigt, fid? tweber tnit ifym au^ufb'fynen. 35od? mieber jur Sacfye; benn id? bin fein $reunb tion 2lbfd?toeifungen. 2(1* mir un 311 Xifd? fe&en molten, fd?ten e3, al follte ba friifyere Gompli-- mentiren mieber beginnen. ( entftanb bte $rage, ob meine dltefte od?ter ate Itingft tierfyeiratfyete $rau ntd?t iiber ben betben jungenSrciuten ftfeen miiffeV S5oc^ mem Sol?n eorg tnad^te biefem Streit burc^ ben Sorfd^lag ein Gmbe, ba^ bie efellfc^aft o|>ne llnterfdjieb bes D^ange^ il)re ^pld^e einnefymen f elite, unb 3itar ein jeber $err bet feiner ame. $)te murbe on 2lllen gebttligt, nur ntc^t t>on meiner ^rau, bte etma un^iifrieben 311 fein fcfyten, ba fie ermartet I?atte, obenan .311 ft^en unb ber efellfcfyaft t>on alien eridjten bor^ulegen. S)efiemmgead?tet ift e> unntoglia^ , unf ere frol?e Saune y\t fd?ilbern. 3d) i$ nifyt, ob mir jefetme^r 3Bi^ befa^en, aB getoofynlid?; aber fo t>iel mei^ id?, bafj mir me^r al gemofynltd? laa^ten, ma am (Snbe auf tn^ ^inau^!ommt. erinnere id? mid? nod? befonber. 21(3 ber alte err SBtlmot -~o 380 o^ VVilinot drinking to M^- head was tumod anotlior way, my son replied: "Madam, I thank you." I'jion which the old gentleman. winking upon the rest of the company, observed that he was thinking of his mistress. At which jest I thought the two Miss Flamboroughs would have died with laughing. As soon as dinner was over, accord- ing old custom. 1 requested that thetalde might bo taken away, to have the pl.-a^ure of seeing all my family assembled once more by a cheerful fire-sidr. .My two little ones sat upon each knee; the rest f the company by their partners. 1 had nothing now on this side of the grave to wish for: all m\ my pleasure was un- ,'ole. It now only remained that my gratitude in good fortune, 1 my former submission in adversity. auf bte ( x >cjimbbeit incine* 2ohu--> ll'iou 1 * anitof.cu rocllte, ber cbcn nad) einer anbern :)iiil)tuna, binfab, anttrovtete bieier: ,, x Vi) banfc ( Vnieu, ntctn Ava'ulein! " Mtcrauf irinftc tor alto .VHTV bcr itbriflcn 03c|ellfd)aft 311 unb macbtc btc ^c-- merfuiifl, llUofev bcnfe irobl an fcinc Wclicbto. Uobcr bio)cn 3paf> laditcu bio bcibeit Avduliiii Alainbercucib [c fobr, baf> idt faft ajaubte, (io iinivbcn ftcvben. 2ebalb ba-> iWitta^niabl ivviibot ivar, jpracb id) ben ^unjct) au, ban nad) mcincr (^cirebnboit bcr lijd) mpflc iDCflflcncmmen tucvben, urn mcinc ^an.^o Aamitic cinmal tricbcv urn otn freunbiidH^ Maminfoucr teriammclt ^u icbcu. 1'icino bctbon Mloincn faf.cn auf moiiicn Mniccn unb bic Uebriflcu bet ibren iHrduten. v Jiun batte icb bicffcit* be^ ( s )vabeo nicbte mel}r ^u mimfc^en. y ^llle metne VoiDcn iraren lu^riibev unb nieinc 51*onne unau^fprecblid}. s Jtur ber SE^unfd? bleibt mir nod), bafe meine $anfbarfeit im liicf noc^ grcf>er )etn , ale- mcinc frul;ere @ra,ebuna, im llnglud. True! Dm t5hff