III! 
 
 AT 
 
 :^
 
 MODERN LITERATURE 
 
 A NOVEL, 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 V O L. I. ' 
 
 By ROBERT BISSET, L.L.D. 
 
 Non ignota loquor. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 FRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND 0. REES, 
 FATERNOSTER-R.OW. 
 
 1804.
 
 Priatsra-Streei.
 
 hS4 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 COURTEOUS READER, 
 
 The produ<flion that I now fuhmlt to 
 you, propofes to reprcfent the manners 
 of the times, in various fituations, but 
 efpccially in literary departments. Thcfc 
 arc fubjci^ls with which I have been, and 
 am, peculiarly converfanr j and I truft the 
 exhibition will be found fair and impar- 
 tial, and alfo general, v/ithout any fa- 
 tirical allufion to individual charadlers. 
 
 Many are prepofTeffcd with a notion, 
 that a writer, who, in a fictitious ftory, 
 defcribes the times, means particular per- 
 ions, and not clafTcs of perfons. The 
 only work of the kind that I ever pro. 
 duced, was expofed to this prejudice, la 
 my Highlander, there was fcarcely a 
 A 2 cha-
 
 [ iv ] 
 
 chara6ler of any note, that was not ap- 
 plied to half a dozen of individuals, 
 whom I never intended particularly to 
 exhibit, and of moft of whom I had 
 never heard. I confefs, hov/ever, it is . 
 difficult to pourtray any characSler, either 
 good or bad, without taking fome of the 
 lines from fome good or bad perfon, 
 whom you have adually known. But 
 it was my purpofe fo to aflfort and mingle 
 features, as to prevent any approach to 
 individuality. Of the applications, the 
 greater number were made by the ac- 
 quaintances ^nd friends of the fuppofed 
 obje6ls; fome, however, by the parties 
 themfelves. I have had feveral claimants 
 to charadlers, that are none of the bed ; 
 and when the claims were advanced, I 
 really did not know how or why the im- 
 putation arofe. Should a'perfon happen 
 to be a forward, bufy, vain-glorious cox- 
 comb, as thoufands are, and I have no 
 
 know-
 
 [. M 
 
 knowledge of him, or his qualincarions, 
 I rpuft. be furprized, if in having drawn 
 fuch-.a general and common character, I 
 fhould be charged with intending to 
 cxpofe that individual perfon. I mays 
 afterwards, be able to account for the 
 fuppofition : but the- food of vanity is 
 notoriety ; and a frivolous egotifl, by 
 reprefenting himfelfas of fufEcienc con- 
 fequence to be fuirized, Vvill vc ry readily 
 fancy he rifes in importance, and v/ill pre- 
 tend, in every party, to complain of the 
 attack, while his whole purpofe is to make 
 himfelf the JuhjCul of talk, ^^ Vanity ^ 
 and vanity of vanities all is vanity,'* 
 
 More than half a dozen were mention- 
 ed as the models of Dodtor Vampus, the 
 ignorant, boafting, hawking and ped^ 
 diing mafter of an academy. To no one 
 perfon, I am convinced, the whole of 
 that character could apply ; but I am 
 tquaily convinced, many parts of it 
 A 3 might
 
 [ vi ] 
 
 might hit a dozen of dozens of that clafs 
 of the profciTion. A village male gofTip 
 alforcceived an individual application, and 
 perhaps Tome parts might fuit the goflip 
 of that diftri^l ; but I declare it was ap- 
 plied togolTipsin adjacent diflricls; and 
 fome have done me the honour to fay, it 
 fuits fiich a nuifance in moft villages of 
 England. There were feveral demi*. 
 reps, one of whom, fo far from having 
 any modern individual in view, I copied 
 from Lady Bellaflon, only giving her 
 modern manners, and fubftituting for 
 decayed charms, youth and beauty. Lady 
 Mary Manhunt, I find has been applied 
 to twenty originals, when I really had none 
 in view, but the veteran rival of Sophia 
 Weftern. Other demireps, of lower 
 account, had alfo a good many applica« 
 tions ; and to perfons that I at the time 
 had never heard to be demireps. In one 
 individual cafe, referring to the hero's 
 
 fair
 
 fair fellow-traveller in a (lage-coach, a 
 totally erroneous and falfe applica'tion, 
 1 have been told, was made. In certain 
 charadcrs, there might be grounds, 
 though I did not know them at the 
 time i in that charader, I am tho- 
 roughly convinced there never were any 
 grounds. 
 
 There was a great difpoficion to apply 
 exhibitions to fcenes, with which I was 
 once converfant ; and allb to other very 
 diftant fcenes, with which I was conver- 
 fant at the time of the publication. My 
 hero having firft appeared in the High- 
 lands of Scotland, 1 could not avoid 
 defcribing Highland manners j and I 
 exhibittd the majoiity as 1 found them, 
 amiable and rcfpedtablc, and a few 
 as 1 found them able and eftimable. 
 There, however, as well as in other 
 parts of the world, there are fools and 
 knaves i and among the weak, there 
 is particularly the prepollcrous folly of 
 A 4 fup-
 
 t viii ] 
 
 fuppofing, birth and rank a fubftitute for . 
 the want of talents and virtues. That 
 nonfenfical abfurdity, perhaps, I might 
 cxpofe, though I cannot fee why the ap-^ 
 plication ihould have been made to any 
 individual, unlefs, indeed, it accidentally 
 happened, that the cap exaftly fitted -, if 
 it did, it was not my fault j / made the 
 CAP, but I did not make the bead. With 
 regard to the other diftridl in queilion, 
 feme of its inhabitants were of inuch 
 more importance to themfelves, thaa 
 cither to me or the world, in fuppofing 
 that I would confider them individually, 
 ^sfuicable objeclsof fatire. I defcribed a 
 certain clafs in fociety, in the vicinity of 
 London j and I have not the lead doubt, 
 that if the defcription applied to any, ic 
 applies to every one populous village 
 wichin ten miles of the metropolis, as 
 well as to another. Wherever there is 
 gadding, card- playing, gofliping, haif- 
 brecding, mixed with the peculiarities of 
 
 the
 
 the tradefmen, and retired fhopkeepers 
 of London and Middiefex ; in (hort, 
 perfons without the education and fenti- 
 inents of gentlemen and ladies, thrufl: into 
 Gircumdances in which, with the allow- 
 able partiality of felf-eftirrsation, they 
 fancy themfelves to belong to that rank, 
 and ape the failiionable amufements of 
 their betters : where, perhaps, the wi« 
 dovv of a rich grocer, or the dafning 
 daughter of mine hod, now a gemman and 
 an Efquire, by noife and glare, and 
 afFcdation, hope to make you forget the 
 figns of the three fugar- loaves, or the 
 hog in armour: to fuch impotent at- 
 tempts of inveterate and incurable vul- 
 garity, to pafs for gentility, the defcrip- 
 tion in qucflion either applies generally, 
 as was intended, or does not apply at all» 
 One 'hing, I obferved^ that the wife and 
 good charafters in that proJuvflion, have 
 not been applied by friends, 
 
 A 5 In
 
 C X ] 
 
 In the work that I now offer to the 
 public, from former experience of inif- 
 interpration, 1 have been more fcrupu- 
 loufjy cautious to guard againft any pof- 
 fibilicy of individual application. In the 
 former novel, I merely took care not to 
 ccpy a fool, a coxcombj a debauchee, or 
 a knave, or any other charadler of a ri- 
 diculous or bad kind, from any perlbns 
 known to me for thcfe qualifications. 
 Still, however, from inadvertence^ I did 
 take a feature or two here and there, that 
 I grieve to acknowledge, on pcrufing 
 the pidure after it was finifhed, (truck 
 me with a likcnefs in fome lineament. 
 In the prefent novel, 1 have been much 
 more vigilandy cautious. I not only 
 have not copied fools, &c. from perfons 
 known to me to be fuch, but in drawing 
 any charader of that or the other equiva- 
 lent claffes, I have carefully run my me- 
 mory over the individuals that I know 
 
 to
 
 [ xi ] 
 
 to belong to thefe, and have ftudiouriy 
 avoided treading on their fore heel. The 
 end of this work being to give a view of 
 modern literature, I, conformably to fafl, 
 rcprcfent feveral men of extraordinary 
 talents and erudition -, many more of 
 rcfpedlable, but not extraordinary talents 
 and erudition, and a confiderabJe number 
 of literary and other book-makers,, with- 
 out either talents or erudition. In this 
 laft clafs of rr prefentation, have I exerted 
 my principal care to fhun inJividual re- 
 ference ; and when drawing a pidlure of 
 a literary dunce, the following has been 
 my method, and I hope it has fuccecded. 
 I ran over my delineation, and then 
 made my memory run over this literary 
 dunce, and that literary dunce of my 
 own acquaintances and I afked myfelf 
 this qucilion : — Does not this part of the 
 delcription rather hit Jacky Alhry ; now 
 Jacky is a worthy acquaintance of mine, 
 A 6 a dunce.
 
 SL dunce, that without a flngle fpark of 
 genius-, and wiih feme fcraps of know- 
 ledge, having acquired the gift of fpell- 
 ing, is an undertaker- general in litera- 
 ture ? Will'not this picflure of a literary 
 iTsanufadlurer rather hit Jacky ? On re- 
 finding, I find not particularly; the cir- 
 cumflances and adjunds are totally dif- 
 ferent ; there is no refemblance between 
 the picture and that individual, but a re- 
 femblance that holds 'between the pic- 
 ture, and every other origitial that ma- 
 nufadures books without learning or ge- 
 nius. Jacky ftands not alone, he is in a 
 crGud', the mcfl inventive malignity, 
 therefore, can here make no individual 
 application. I have exhibited a fpeci- 
 men of tou?^s, m which the tourift con- 
 veys no information but what was known 
 before, or what was totally immaterial, 
 ■whether it was known or not. Of that 
 kind, numbcrlefs fpecimcns have been 
 
 written,
 
 [ xili ] 
 
 writcen, efpecially in large quartos. I 
 have endeavoured ta copy the general 
 characfler of fuch infignificance and 
 inanity; but to prevent indrviduil appli- 
 cation, have made the fcene and limits 
 totally new. The oucfet of the tour 
 is the Black Bear Inn, Piccadilly, the 
 courfe through Knightfbridge, on to 
 Old Brentford, thence round home by 
 Kingfton and Richmond; and in that 
 circuit, I flatter my felf, that in two pages, 
 I have condenfed the effence of many of 
 our mod voluminous tourifts of the 
 dunce kind. I have introduced plays 
 written by dunces ; but in fuch a man- 
 ner, as to apply generally to many dra- 
 matic joiners, individually to none ; 
 having carefully made the hiftory and 
 circumftances probable in themfelves, 
 but totally unlike any that have adlually 
 exifted. I have touched upon German 
 literature, and the fyflem of tafte, morals, 
 
 and
 
 E xiv J 
 
 and religion, which thefe importations 
 have produced in England. I have men- 
 tioned novels of that kind, and alfo of 
 other kinds, efpecialiy thofe that are 
 written by female fcribes, not forgetting 
 the efFufions of milliners, when their own 
 work is flack -, and, as in duty bound, I 
 have offered a juft tribute of praife to 
 the munificent encouragers of thefe in- 
 cftimable fidions. I have prefentcd a 
 dunce as author of a hiftory much more 
 voluminous than Gibbon's ; but to pre- 
 clude any poflible mifinterprcration, I 
 have made the fubjedt Jack the Giant 
 Killer, of whom it is well known no vo- 
 luminous hiftory has been written either 
 by a dunce, or any other author. Dunce 
 writers I reprefent as faithlcfs and back- 
 biting, towards other profefllonal votaries 
 of literature. At the fame time, to prevent 
 jnifapprehenfion, I carefully declare I do 
 not impute thefe efforts of malignity, to 
 
 any
 
 any thing in dunces more rancorous zhm 
 in other men. It arrfcs merely from 
 taking to an occupation, in which ftupi- 
 dity is not equal to genus j and from 
 that principle of human nature, that 
 makes us repine at the fuccefs of others, 
 in a purfuit wherein we have failed, 
 though the failure be owing to no bad 
 fortune, or no unfair means, but fimply to 
 unfitnefs for the puriuit. If a poor de- 
 formed urchin of no fortune, fcnfe, or 
 accomplifliments, were to addrefs a 
 beautiful young lady, and to have for his 
 rival a very handfome, graceful man of 
 charader, talcnrs, and property, the ur- 
 chin, mod unqucftionably, would fail, 
 from the folly of his fuit, but, agreeably 
 to human nature, he would revile, and 
 try to difparage the accompllfhed cava- 
 lier, who fuccceded becaufe he was 
 formed for fuccefs. Such is a literary 
 dunte, in refped to a literary genius. 
 
 Having
 
 [ XVI ] 
 
 Having thefe general objedls In view, 
 from the precaucions I have ufed, I am 
 thoroughly confident, that no application 
 will be made to any individual dunce, by 
 hh friends who may perufe ''Modern 
 Literature :'* for that he himfelf (hould 
 make the application, I fhould have no 
 apprehenfion, were the likenefs ever fa 
 obvious. 
 
 One kind of fyftem, of which the mofl 
 numerous portion of the votaries cannot 
 be called literary ; but that has an exten- 
 five influence on certain departments of 
 the literature of the times, I have not 
 failed to confider ; that is mcthodifm^ 
 cfpecially itinerant. There have been 
 very able men, and I bs.licve alfo wor- 
 thy men, among methodifts ; and I 
 doubt nor, but there are fonie able, and 
 many good men, partially tinged with 
 that theory. Having the utmoil refpeft 
 for fuch difciples of any Chriilian fed, 
 
 I^ never-
 
 [ xvii ] 
 
 I, nevcrthelefsj can plainly fee, not only 
 the tendency, but refult of certain theolo- 
 gical do6lrines, which net all, but many 
 of the methodids profefs to admit. Vi- 
 fionaries of that clafs (or if not vifiona- 
 ries, what is much worfe, hypocrites), 
 profefs to follow different guides from 
 reafon, confcience, and genuine Chrif- 
 tianity; interpreted by reafon, and the 
 tenour of the fcriptures, and applied by 
 confcience. To the implicit votaries of 
 faith, without worksy I objedl, becaufe to 
 the implicit voraries of faith, without 
 works, reafon^ and confcience, obvioufly, 
 and the fcriptures exprefsly objedfc; and 
 becaufe experience demohflrates, that 
 this chimera is not only mad, but mif- 
 chievous. I farther cenfure a practice, 
 frequent among that fed:, of grof^iy ig- 
 norant men, circulating through the 
 country, and pretending to inftrucl man- 
 kind» This is the more dangerous, be- 
 caufe
 
 [ xviii ] 
 
 eaufe not merely an adventure of an ir^* 
 dividual vagabond, foolifh or frantic, but 
 conne<5led with a principle diffufed 
 through many of the fed, that there ftill 
 cxifts among thefe brethren a divine in- 
 fpiration, which every found Theologian 
 knows to have ceafed in the early ages of 
 theChriflian difpenfation* Ignorantven- 
 ders of nonftnfe or mifchief I have not 
 fpared : I have reprefented an itinerant 
 clown, a preacher of methodifm, in thofe 
 circumftances which reafon may eafily 
 conned vi\\\\/uch dodrines and talents ; 
 and which experience has woefully fhev^n 
 to be clofely conneded with fuch doc^ 
 trinesand talents. 1 have not written a 
 line, to which any wife and learned me- 
 thodifl, (and fuch only are fit forj)reach- 
 ing) can affix any blame,, asadvcrfe to 
 his views and exhortations ; or which any 
 moral and pious methodift can cenfure,, 
 as hoftile to his pradice. 
 
 Though^
 
 Though literature be the chief objeft 
 of the prefent produdlion, ic is far from 
 being the fole ; other charaders and 
 manners are introduced, and, I truft, noc 
 one will be found to bear individual ap* 
 plication^ except a few fketchcs of great 
 and admirable charadliers, that inciden- 
 tally appear. 
 
 The prefent work is only part of my 
 plan, which will be completed in another 
 novel, now confiderably advanced, aad- 
 to be entitled " The Author." 
 
 Sloane-Terrace, 
 May bth, 1 804.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 O F 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 C H A P. I. 
 
 A Journey through TorkJInre. Meeting of 
 BrGther-Officers. What happened on the Road 
 
 from Doncafer. Difafer of Major Hamil^ 
 ion, Kindnefs of a Cottager y who proves to be 
 an old Soldiery and an Acquaintance, Ser^ 
 
 jeant Maxwell conveys the Major to his Cot' 
 tage, The Arrival oj a Surgeon. The Evil 
 proves lefs than was apprehended. Delight of 
 an old Soldier in retracing his Campaigns, 
 Maxwell's Praifes of Mr, Wentbridge^ the 
 Vicar, That Gentleman viftts Hamilton » 
 
 Page I 
 
 CHAP. ir. 
 
 Defcription of the Vicarage, Short Account of 
 Mr, Wentbridgey and his Family y compre- 
 hending his Marriage with a Curate^ s Daugh' 
 tery infead of the proffered Niece of my Lord 
 the Bifhop, Defcription of his Daughter 
 
 Eliza,
 
 [ xxJi 3 
 
 ■EUxa ; of Major Hamilton, Loves of the 
 Major and Mtfs Wentbridge ; are fanFiioned 
 ky the Father. Hamilton's Vifit to his Src- 
 ther^ the Laird of Etterich, Defcription of a 
 Country Gentleman hunting after Heirefjes, 
 Circular Love -Letter on the Occafon, The 
 Laird not fuccefsful in his Courtfhips, His 
 kind Reception of his Brother. He urges his 
 Brother to join him^ in making Love to a Cou* 
 pie of Co'HeireJfeSy offering him his Choi-ce. 
 This liberal Propofition is declined by Hamil^ 
 ten : who returns to England. - Page a 2 
 
 CHAP, III. 
 
 Hamilton arrives at the Vicarage. He accompanies 
 Eliza to a Ball at Doncafler. Account of the 
 Coinpany. Mrs, Sourkrout^ and her Daugh^ 
 ier Mifs Grizzle. Madam* s Claims to Dig- 
 nity and Precedence. Mifs lays Siege to the 
 Heart of Hamilton, Her Battery does not 
 hit the ObjeB, Marriage of Hamilton and 
 Eliza* . . - Page 52 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Jt tempts of Mrs, and Mifs Sour kr cut to djjlurb 
 
 the Happinefs of the young Couple : produce 
 
 2 ns
 
 Z xxui ] 
 
 y/io effeSl, Eiterick viftts his Brother ; learns 
 an Account of the Fortune of M'lfs Sourkrout, 
 nerefore propofes to make Love to her ; meets 
 her at an AJJembly for that Purpofe. He is gra* 
 tioufly received, IVhiJlt the Ruhber in great 
 Dafip;er : isfavedand won by theJk'tlfulConduEl 
 of Mifs, Profound Remark of the Gallant^ 
 upon playing through the Honour* He pays 
 her his AddreJJ'es in Form^ and is crowned 
 
 • ivith Succefs. They marry, and depart ffr 
 Scotland, Birth of a Son to Major Hamilton, 
 The Major rifes to be Lieutenant^CohneL Ac* 
 count of the Childhood of his Son IVilUam^ till 
 he is Seven Tears old, - Page ^^ 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Toung Hamilton fent to School^ under his Uncle ^ 
 DoElor IVentbridge, Genius, Progrefs, and 
 opening CharaBer. Account of M', Scourge^ 
 the JJJloer, Difagreement between him and 
 TVilliam, Severity of to fVi/liam ; who ri» 
 dicules him to the Boys, and compares him to 
 Pardon Thwackum. Dr. Wentbridge inter* 
 feres, Profiaency of William, and high Ex' 
 peifations of the Dgflor, Plans of bis Parents 
 
 and
 
 I 3Lxiv ] 
 
 ^nd Friendsy for the Dejlination of Willianu 
 It is concluded that he flmll he fent to Cam- 
 bridge, Ettertck announces an Intention of 
 'uiftting his Brother, Short Account of his 
 domeflic Comforts. Contejis luith the old Lady 
 on the Score of Genealogy and Dignity, Ar- 
 guments Fro and Con. Collateral Debate on 
 the Supporter Sy and the oppoftte Accounts of 
 their Origin. Sole Offspring of Eiterick and 
 his Grizzle. Graces and AccomplifJjments oj 
 the young Sufannah. They arrive at the Co • 
 loners. Defcription of the P erf on and Accom- 
 plifJjments of young William. He captivates 
 his Coufin Stfan, but is infenfihle to the young 
 Lady's Fajfion. He fets off for V^e Univer- 
 fity. - - - Page 83 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Studies of Hamilton at Cambridge : he be- 
 comes eminently diflinguifJjed for Science^ 
 Literature^ and Compofition : reviftts his 
 Friends in TorkfJjire. His Coufin St fan 
 again brought on the Carpet. Affjort Sketch 
 of that young Lady. Generalifftmo of her Fa- 
 therms Family. She becomes acquainted with 
 
 Mr.
 
 [ XXV ] 
 
 3fr. O'Rourh. Sketch of that Irj/hmnn as 
 Teacher of Dancing, He inp'uBs Mifs ; and 
 is converted to Methodifm. He preaches and 
 paEiiJes the DoBrinecf Faith without IForks, 
 Machinery of Mtthodiflical Converfton ; at- 
 Umpts to convert Mfs, but is prevented^ by her 
 hearing that William is returned : hcfiens tq 
 meet her Ccuftn^ who fill regards her with In^ 
 difference. She difcovers Williarn^s Jttentions 
 to a fair Milliner : is urged by her Maid to re- 
 turn to O^Rourkey and mind her precious SouL 
 Grounds of Betty s Reafoning in Favour of 
 0*Rourke and Methodifm, Danger of Levity 
 (f Maimers even with innocent Intentions, 
 Jenny Colli tigs, Mifs Si fan becomes entirely 
 a Convert to Methodifm, The Ladies of the 
 Family all embrace the fame Faith, Etterick 
 himfclf not fo eafily brought into the Fold, Dex- 
 terous Scheme of O^Rour kefir his Converfion, 
 The Preacher's Do^rines illitf rated in his 
 moral Praclice. C Rourke becomes the Huf- 
 hand of Mifs Sufan. - Page 1 1 4 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Return of Hamilton to the Univerftty, He takes 
 VOt. I. a the
 
 [ xxt'i ] 
 
 the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, afid attains 
 the Honour of Senior U^rangler, He departs for 
 London to Jiudy the Lmv : is entered of Lin- 
 coln s Inn. Intervieiu luith Mifs Collings* 
 Offers her honourable Atonement : generoufy 
 refufed by the young Lady. Dangerous Situa- 
 tions to virtuous Repentance. He accompaniet 
 Jenny to fee the Fair Penitent. She is greatly 
 fiffeEled. Literary Purfuits of our Hero. His 
 Performances are received luith Applauf. 
 Alarming Intelligence from his Mother. He 
 haflens to his Father'^s. Finds the Colonel Jlill 
 alive, but in great Danger. His Diflemper 
 receives a temporary hiterrniffion. Etteric% 
 uifits his Brother. His Account of the Conduct 
 cf O'Rourhe. The Means employed to fecure 
 the Ef. ate from his Machinations. Profigaie 
 Effrontery of the Methodifi Preacher. He 
 fuppofes his Hypocrify completely fuccefsful : 
 comes to Torkfhire. His Deportment at the Co' 
 loners. He receives afevere Chajlifement fi'oin 
 WiUiam : finds it prudent to decamp. Re^ 
 iurn of the Coloners Difi^mper^ and fatal Ter^ 
 minaiion. Family Affairs, Page 156
 
 [ XXVll ] 
 
 CHAP. viir. 
 
 Literary Efforts of our Hero. Mr, Jffery 
 Lawhunt, Appearance^ Drefs^ and Alanncrs. 
 His Hijiory of hlmfelf and his frmer Avoca^ 
 iions. He gives an Account of his Dealings luiih 
 his Authors and Author effes. A Lady propofcs to 
 betake herfelfto the Litterary Line, Laivhunt 
 ivi/JjeS' to enlijl Hamilton^ tuho refufes his Pro- 
 pofals. Hamilton extends his Acquaintance 
 among eminent Scholars and Writers, His 
 firfl Interview ivith Strongbrain, Called to 
 Scotland by his Uncle, Fellow-travellers, De* 
 fcription of Maria Mortimer, Hamilton is cap" 
 tivated by the lovely Maria, He finds her the 
 Sifier of an intimate Friend : is invited by her 
 Father to vifit his Country Seat, which he rea^ 
 dily promifes to do in his Return from Scotland, 
 He parts with them at Northallerton. New 
 Fellow-travellers. Advantages of Drill Ser- 
 jeants^ as InJlruBors to young Ladies at Board- 
 ing School. Reafons for breeding up a Son a 
 Genius, Our Hero arrives at his fournev*s 
 End. « . - Page 198
 
 [ XXV Hi ] 
 
 G H A P. IX. 
 
 iEtierkli s Account of lAs Son-in-La-iiT, Farther 
 pro.Bic-al EffeBs of Faith iv'iihout IForks.- 
 Hamilton brings the Preacher to p>'ofeJtd Con- 
 triticn. The Family of Etterich agree to take a 
 Jaunt to England. Hajnllton nj'fits the Mar' 
 timer Family. Reception from the Father^- 
 Brother^ and Sijler. He declares his Pajfion to 
 jilaria, ivhichjljc profcjfcs to difcourage. Ac* 
 count of young 'Squire Bkffom^ and his Ad' 
 dreffes to Maria. His infolent Rudenefs. Af- 
 fray betiveen him a fid young Mortimer. Ha- 
 milton prevcfits a Duel. Hamilton is fummoned 
 to attend his Family to Brighton. DejeEiion 
 at the approaching Parting iviih Maria^ 
 Maria fill profejfes to difcountenance his 
 Love. Invitation from Mr. Mortimer'' s Bro- 
 ther to him and Family to vfit his Villa in 
 Suffex. Invitation is accepted. Hamilton de-- 
 parts for London : is foon folloived by the Mor- 
 timers ^ to whom he introduces his Family. 
 Hamilton's old Friend^ Mifs Colli ngs^ is ad- 
 drefjl'd by 'Squire Bloffom. Preliminaries. A 
 Treaty of Marriage is concluded. Hamilton 
 mid his Party fet off for Brighton, Page 249
 
 MODERN LITERATURE, 
 
 CHAPtER 1. 
 
 Soon after the end of the war that was 
 concluded by the peace of 1763, two 
 gentlemen belonging to a corps that had 
 returned from the Havannah, leaving 
 their regiment in the South of England^ 
 were journeying northwards to vifit the 
 place of their nativity. Neither had in 
 the courfe of their campaigns acquired 
 opulent fortunes; but they had both 
 made fuch progrefs in the road to wealth, 
 that without any reafonable charge of 
 prodigality or imprudence, in revifiting 
 VOL. I. B their
 
 [2 ] 
 
 their relations they could indulge in the 
 -comrorts of a poftchaife. Travelling not 
 being then efFcdl:ed with the modern ra- 
 pidity, they propoled in a week to reach 
 the cppicai of Scotland, Having fet out 
 on their expedicion, they on the third 
 day arrived at the beautiful town of Don- 
 cafter, whence they intended, after an 
 €arlydinner, to proceed two flages farther. 
 As they were ordering their repafl they 
 defcriedjfrom the windows of their apart- 
 ment, a gendeman entering the inn, in 
 whom they recognifeda regimental mefs- 
 mate, the comrade of their conviviality, 
 and the partner of their dangers. The 
 new comer, finding fellow travellers fo 
 dear to his heart, infifted thefe his friends 
 fl:iouid accompany him to his native vil- 
 lage in the fame county. He could not 
 prtvail on them to deviate fo materially 
 from their northern courfe : he, how- 
 ever, fuccecded in arrefting its progrefs 
 
 for
 
 [3] 
 
 for feveral hours. Dinner had been on 
 the table at two ; at three the poftillion 
 had announced that every thing within 
 the compafs of his office was ready, buc 
 found that his fare were difpofed to con- 
 tinue longer in their preftnt quarters. It 
 was feven o'clock before the gentlemen, 
 taking the mod affedlionate leave of their 
 companion, though naturally (Irongand 
 adlive, were afiifled by the landlord to 
 their feats in the vehicle. Their friend 
 had not accompanied them to the car- 
 riage, being left above found afleep in 
 an elbow chair. 
 
 No road can be plainer than from 
 Doncafter to Ferrybridge. The poftil- 
 lion was a (harp intelligent fellow, that 
 had been three years in his prefent fervice, 
 and had travelled that ftage at leaft three 
 hundred times in that period. It was a 
 remarkably fine evening in the middle 
 of July. Nothing, therefore, appeared 
 u 2 more
 
 [4] 
 
 trjore unlikely than that he fliould mifs 
 his way. It has been often faid, that ex • 
 ample is more powerful than precep:.'— 
 Early in the afternoon the travellers had 
 ordered their Automedon into their pre- 
 fence, and, perhaps, forefeeingthe proba- 
 bility of their own condition, had ftrongly 
 interrogated him concerning his difpofi- 
 tion to fobriety; his anfwers to their 
 queflions contained many afieverations 
 in favoar of his own temperance.— 
 While he pocketed half a crown, which 
 was given as a retaining fee, for the 
 faithful and careful exertion of his pro- 
 fefTional fl<:ill, and fwaUowed a large 
 bumper of brandy to the gentlemen's 
 health, he had averred that even Ivs 
 enemies could not fay he was predi:'^- 
 ed to liquor. In this declaration he 
 might perhaps be correcl, as the moll 
 competent witnefTcs were not his ene- 
 ipjts but his friends. It would be a 
 
 feeble
 
 E 5 ] 
 
 feeble gratitude which would confine it- 
 felf to expreffions of regard in the pre- 
 fcnce of tlie benefaftor. The poft- 
 boy's prayers and libations for the health 
 and profperity of the bountiful donors 
 did not ceafe to flow in ftreams of ale as 
 long as the half crown and confeqnential 
 credit laftcd. After thefe pious and be- 
 nignant offerings he had mounted, and 
 in this condition had taken the northern 
 road. The horfes, being lefs bereft of 
 their fcnfes than their rational com- 
 panions, for feveral miles proceeded di* 
 reflly to the deftined place. They had 
 already made their way through the turn- 
 pikes, paffed the delightful woods around 
 Robin Hood's well, with their leader 
 fnoaring on his feat, and arrived at Dar- 
 rington, where a road branches off to the 
 left. There a pull from their driver put, 
 them into a wrong direftion. Inftcad 
 of keeping dircdly in the new track, the 
 u 3 horfcs.
 
 [6] 
 
 horfes, again left to their own difcretion, 
 entered a crofs lane, and had not gone 
 far in this path when they overturned 
 the carriage in a ditch. This cataftrophe 
 foon recalled both the travellers arfli 
 their guide from the ftate of oblivion by 
 which it was caufed. The effects, how- 
 ever, proved extremely different. The 
 poftillion himfelf, though he tumbled 
 from his feat, was foftly and eafily re- 
 ceived in a very ufeful repofitory, col* 
 leded for fertilizing an adjacent field. 
 One of the gentlemen, by being upper- 
 moft as the carriage fell, was by his com- 
 panion prevented from being materially 
 hurti the other was greatly bruifed, and 
 upon more particular examination found 
 unable to move his leg, which was con- 
 cluded to be broken. The day had juft 
 clofed in when this misfortune happened, 
 and no light was to be feen to guide them 
 to a village or hamlet, where they might 
 
 obtain
 
 [7 ] 
 
 obtain afTiilance. There were houfes not 
 far from the place, but belonging to pea- 
 fants or labourers who had retired early 
 to reft, that with the morning fun they 
 might rife to their ufeful occupations. 
 
 Captain Graham had efcaped un- 
 hurt i— having recovered his recollec- 
 tion,and accuftomed tovvitnefs more dire* 
 ful milhaps than he trufted his friend's 
 difafter would prove, he laid him care- 
 fully on the grafs, while he himfelf, 
 by the clear twilight of a July night, fee 
 forwards in queil of fome friendly habi- 
 tation, where his comrade might repofc 
 until he could be fafely removed. Fol- 
 lowing the track, he in a quarter of an 
 hour arrived at a folicary coctage, which 
 from its firft appearance he feared was 
 uninhabited, till the barking of a dog 
 made him hope that this was a faithful 
 centinel guarding, though humble, the 
 dwelling of man. On his approach the 
 B 4 gallant
 
 £8] 
 
 gallant watch, though not very flrong, 
 railed a loud alarm, more vehement and 
 furious as Graham approached the door 
 of ^his m after. The traveller hallooed 
 with all his vociferation. A rough voice 
 from the hovel, in a northern accent, 
 demanded, who is there? and what is 
 wanted? the other briefly mentioned the 
 miQiap. The mafter of the houfe foon 
 came forth, and the moon, having now 
 begun to fhine, prefented an elderly man, 
 tall, ftraight, and mufcular, who, in a ftyle 
 of language fomewhat better than his 
 habitation denoted, declared his v^illing- 
 nefs toaflift a fellow creature in diftrefs. 
 He however requefted the gentleman to 
 fpeak foftly, as there was, he faid, a 
 detachment of marauders in the rear of 
 his houfe, who if they knew that the 
 commander was out of the garrifon might 
 carry away his (lores and equipage. '* It 
 isa fair ftratagem, pleafc your honour, 
 
 how-
 
 [93 
 
 Irowever, to fire your minute-guns whe-n 
 you are fliifcing your camp. If we go 
 ourfeives we fhall make the vollies of the 
 picquet guard amufe the enemy." He 
 accordingly bound his dog to a poft, well 
 knov/ingthat "in theabfcncecf the com- 
 mander the artillery would be inceffantly 
 difcharged." This figurative language 
 convinced Graham, that his attendant 
 was a brother foldier. But hurrying to 
 the fcene of difafter, he took no time co 
 aik any quefiions, except fuch as per- 
 tained to the cafe of his friend, and 
 learned to his great fatisfa6lion,that there 
 was a fkilful furgeon at a town widiin a 
 few miles. When they arrived they 
 found Major Hamilton, though in great 
 pain, very quiet; and the poftillion had, 
 in his agreeable bed, relapfed into a 
 tranquil repofe. The new acquaintance 
 propofed that the gentleman fliould be 
 carried eafily on their arms to his cot- 
 B 5 tage,
 
 C 10] 
 
 tage, ^vhere hefhould have his poor ac- 
 commodation until better could be pro- 
 vided. But, the moon being now under 
 a cloud, Graham faid, they fhould flop 
 a little until her light fhould enable them 
 to find their fleps with more eafe to the 
 patient. The cottager, forefeeing this 
 difficulty, had brought a lanthern, which, 
 from an oeconomy necefTary in his very 
 limited finances, he had forborne kind* 
 ling till necefTary: but now, flriking fire 
 from a fiint, he went with his light to 
 examine the proftrate gentleman, and 
 tried how he could be moved with the 
 leafl degree of pain and uneafinefs. In 
 this occupation, the rays of the lamp 
 happening to diiplay on the waiflcoat 
 military button's, the cottager with an 
 eager curiofity examining more clofely 
 exclaimed in a tranfporr, '' Our own re- 
 giment by the Lord V* Graham, who 
 had been at this time endeavouring to 
 
 awaken
 
 [ " ] 
 
 awaken the poftillion, hearing only the 
 ]aft words, haftily fancied they imported 
 an unfavourable change in his friend; 
 but fpringing to the place found the cot- 
 tager in cranfports, inceiTantly repeating, 
 " Our own regiment ! our own regi- 
 ment r' At length comprehending him, 
 he afked if he had really belonged to the 
 
 regiment. *' I did," fald the other, 
 
 rapturoufly, " I was with them at Fon- 
 tenoy and Bergen-op-Zoom, and alio in 
 the late war in Ticonderago, Cape Bre- 
 ton, and Quebec." " Did you," called 
 the gentleman on the ground, *^ know 
 Hamilton ?"—<' What, Charles Hamil- 
 ton," faid the veteran, '^ that was made 
 captain at Quebec? i taught the boy 
 his manual, and a gallant ofncer he is." 
 — " Yvou did indeed," faid the gentle* 
 man on the ground, " I lee now you are 
 Sergeant Maxwell."—'^ That I am, 
 pleafe your noble honour, extreme- 
 
 B 6 If
 
 ly forry for your honour's misfortune, 
 but I hope in my poor little tent, though 
 not a marquee, your honour will feel 
 yourfelf more convenient and comfort- 
 able than if you were among ftrangers/* 
 They then with the moft tender care re- 
 moved Major Hamilton to Maxweirs 
 cottage, where he was laid with care on 
 
 the bed bed his hoft had to beftow. 
 
 Maxwell having committed his guefl: to 
 the care of his filler, a widow who lived 
 with him, departed hrmfelf for medical 
 adiftance, and in a fliort time returned 
 with a furgeon. This gentleman hav- 
 ing examined the leg declared it was not 
 broken but bruifed, and announced that 
 the cafe was favourable, if the patient 
 were kept quiet j advifed that he fhould 
 remain where he was, until the cure was 
 cfFeded, and told Mr. Hamilton, that 
 when he was a little eafier, and fitter for 
 converfation^ he would bring him fome 
 
 cheerful
 
 C '3 I 
 
 cheerful and agreeable company, thar 
 would render him more benefit than all 
 the medicines in his fiiopj though to 
 the occupation which he was now exer- 
 cifing he had added the profefTion of 
 apothecary. 
 
 Graham was under anindifpenfiblene- 
 ceflity of hurrying to the north, and as 
 foon as he found that his friend, though 
 confined, was in friendly hands, under 
 fafe and fkilful management, refolved to^ 
 purfue his journey. Hamilton in a few 
 days was able to bear without any danger 
 of bad effedls a moderate degree of con- 
 verfation, and to enjoy the company of 
 his holt and brother foldier. Maxwell, 
 at dated intervals; and as the old Ser- 
 geant was very fond of defcanting on 
 fubjcdls which had occupied the better 
 part of his Ufe, it fortunately happened 
 that his rural avocations prevented him 
 from being with the Major too frequently 
 
 to
 
 [ 14] 
 
 to difturb the repofe necelTary in his prc- 
 fent fituation. Sunday, being a day of 
 intermiffion from the labours of huf- 
 bandry,the veteran halberdier devoted to 
 attendance on his gueft, and to a recita- 
 tion of the labours of war. Early in the 
 morning he repaired to the Major's 
 room, and, breakfafting by his bed, had 
 gone over the battles of Dettingen, Fon- 
 tenoy, had concluded peace, begun a 
 new war, reached America, failed up to 
 St. Lawrence, defcended, landed, mount- 
 ed the heights of Abraham, and was at 
 the fecond wound of the illuftrious Wolfe, 
 when his venerable filler entering the 
 apartment reminded him that the hour 
 for church was arrived. Maxwell, whofe 
 father having been a fchoolmafter and 
 precentor in his native village had in- 
 ftilled into him fentiments of religion, 
 had been extremely regular in his at- 
 tendance at public worfhip, was moved 
 
 by
 
 [ '5 ] 
 
 by this admonition ; butconfidering the 
 focial virtues as an important branch of 
 piety, at laft concluded that the day 
 could not be better fpent than in cheer- 
 ing the fpirits of a brother under indif- 
 pofition, and chofe to fpend it in the 
 company of his gueil. The arrival of 
 the furgeon for feme time interrupted 
 the progrefs of the battle of Quebec ^ but 
 after this gentleman departed the fubjedt 
 was refumed, and Maxwell's campaigns 
 were concluded before the entrance of 
 chicken broth for the ofiicer*s repaft, ac- 
 companied with beans and bacon for the 
 hod himfelf. As Hamilton took his 
 barley water, Maxwell alfo indulged 
 himfelf with barley juice, wifhing to God 
 his noble commander were well enough 
 to partake of his home-brewed, of which, 
 praifed be his gracious Sovereign, he 
 could, he faid, always afford a comfort- 
 able can^ and, fo pleafe your honour, 
 
 here's
 
 [ i6j 
 
 here's His Majefty's health, and God blcfs 
 all his friends ! Hamilton devoutly fay- 
 ing, Amen. His fiRer coming in told 
 him, that neighbour Hayrick, paffing in 
 his return from church, had informed her^ 
 that the vicar had aflced him, if he knew 
 any thing of Mr. Maxwell, and what 
 had detained him from Divine Service? 
 and that he (Hayrick) " had faid as how 
 Tom Tipple the poftillion had mod 
 killed a gemman with his fhay, that the 
 gemman was dying at neighbour Max- 
 well's cottage, and that Maxwell, he 
 fuppofed, had flayed at home to keep 
 him kumpany." The hearers both fmiled 
 at this exaggerated account, and being 
 lefttothemfclves. Maxwell fpoke highly 
 in pralfe of the clergyman, though 
 with many liileners what he faid would 
 have rather been againlt than for that 
 reverend gentleman. *' I underftand 
 him," faid Maxwell, " when he preaches 
 
 as
 
 as plainly as if it was one of our own of- 
 ficers. — He tells us that the Bible is our 
 word of command, snd if we mind it we 
 fhall never be behind in our duty. — ' 
 Every man to mind his own Nation, and- 
 do as he would be done by, and though 
 it may be a toilfome march, he will get 
 {dfe\y invalided in garrifon at Jaft , but if 
 he is a deferter or a poltroon, he will go 
 to the devil 3 as where dfc ought fuch 
 fellows to go ? — This is what he told us 
 t'other Sunday; he v.'as upon fighting the 
 good fight. Not long before he was about 
 the Centurion, who, he told us, is all as 
 one of our captains. Lord, thinks I to 
 myfelf,, for he read the whole ftory, what 
 excellent difcipline they keptl" Hamil- 
 ton, who remembered the padage, hav- 
 ing afTented to this criricifm. Maxwell 
 propofed the vicar's health, and, having 
 emptied and replenidied the jug, enter- 
 tained his friend with many anecdotes^ 
 
 in.
 
 [ i8 ] 
 
 in pralfe of his reverend paflor, who had 
 been extremely kind to himfclfindividu-- 
 ally, and had prefented to him thac 
 very flitch of bacon on which he had 
 that day dined. *^ Extremely good in 
 its kind it is,'' faid Maxwell, «« but a 
 little too fall." — To this caufe he im- 
 puted his being fo excefllvely dry, and 
 the quantity of ale that he faid he was 
 obliged to fwallow. 
 
 His eloquence and his ale at lafl fetting 
 the old hero afleep, allowed to the Ma- 
 jor an hour of reft, which he had begun 
 very much to want. When both were re- 
 frefhed, the Hfter announced Mr. Went- 
 bridge. Maxwell haftened out to meet 
 the vicar, and foon introduced a gende- 
 inan turned of fifty, of a countenance 
 mild, pale, and penetrating, with grey 
 hairs thinly fcattercd over his head ; a 
 figure tall, elegant, and prepoiTefTing, 
 and, though fomewhat flender, ftrong and 
 
 adive.
 
 [19 3 
 
 adive. The vifitor with much foftnefs, 
 in a tone of humanity, and a voice Tub- 
 dued by the apprehenfions of difturbing 
 the temporary repofe of dangerous ill- 
 nefs, expreffed his concern for the ac- 
 counts which he had received. — Max- 
 well, anfwering in avoice loud and cheer- 
 ful, alTured his paftor, that the gentle- 
 man was in no kind of danger, and 
 briefly narrated the circumftances. *^ I 
 have been juft a-telling my noble 
 Major about your Reverence's fermons 
 and good deeds." — Hamilton, now ad- 
 drefTing Mr. Wentbridge, exprefled the 
 pleafure he hoped to derive from ac- 
 quaintance with fo refpedabie a gentle- 
 man. — The clergyman, though pious 
 and devout, was frank and open in his 
 manner j Hamilton was an honeft, bold, 
 and intelligent foldier : twofuch charac- 
 ters v/ere not long ftrangers ; they were 
 mutually delighted, and the fctting fun 
 
 had
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 had reminded the vicar of the evening- 
 devotions of his family, before he 
 thought of withdrawing. — Shaking his 
 new acquaintance cordially by the hand, 
 he took his leave, promifing to return 
 the following day. — The next morning, 
 the Sergeant being engaged in (lacking 
 a plentiful crop of hay which he had 
 raifed on a field of very moderate extent, 
 his hoftefs attended the invalid with his 
 breakfaft, when, the convcrfation turn- 
 ing upon the lad night's vifitor, he 
 learned many particulars farther to his 
 honour, and the landlady was jufl: enter- 
 ing into an account of his family,, when 
 Mr. Wentbridge himfelf interrupted the 
 difcourfe. — The Vicar and the Major, 
 as they increafed in knowledge of each 
 other, advanced in reciprocal efteem, 
 Wentbridge found Hamilton a man of 
 abilities and excenfive knowledge, be- 
 fidcs a very imprefilve and engaging de- 
 
 portment*.
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 portmenn — The foldier foon difcovered 
 in Wentbridge, befides the talents, learn- 
 ing, and virtuous fcntiments, which be- 
 -came his facred profeflion, a fund of 
 fcientific and political knowledge, which 
 he was not incompetent to appreciate, 
 relieved by delicacy and ftrength of wic 
 and of humour, v/hich he could highly 
 relifli. — The fkill of the furgeon, with 
 the vigour of his own conRiturion, tlie 
 kind care and affiduity of his hod and 
 hoflefs, and the intereding and amufing 
 converfation of his new clerical friend, 
 combined fpeedily to raife the Major 
 from his bed, and in a few weeks he was 
 able to move about on his crutch, and 
 fometimes to take the air in the vicar's 
 chaife-cart. In the beginning of Sep- 
 tember he found himfelffufficiently well 
 ■ to accept of an invitation to the parfon- 
 aee-houfe.
 
 [ ^o 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 Mr. Wentbridge*s vicarage, fituate in a 
 pleafing diftrifl of the Weft Riding, 
 amounting to about 200I. per annum, 
 in a cheap country, afforded to very mo- 
 derate wants ample means of fiipply.— 
 The pofTefTor was befidcs Ikilled in 
 farmings and as one part of his vicarage 
 was twenty acres of land, and he rented 
 thirty more, he had an opportunity of 
 employing his agricultural talents to his 
 own emolument, and alfo by example to 
 the benefit of his neighbours. No lands 
 were better fenced or . cultivated, laid 
 out in a more fkilful and produdive ro- 
 tation of crops, a more agreeable variety 
 of tillage or pafturage, than the fnug 
 fields of the parfon of Brotherton. Their 
 
 fituatioo
 
 [ 23 3 ' 
 
 fituation alfo enabled the tafte of the 
 cultivator to fuperinduce elegance and 
 beauty on fnutfulnefs and utility. The 
 houfe was placed on the Ibuth-eaft flope 
 of a gentle hill, terminating in a fmall 
 plain that was bounded by a river, 
 which, winding round the farm, appear- 
 ing to rife ^out of woods on the right and 
 on the left, Teemed to lofe itfelf behind 
 an advanced pod of the hill, whilft, feek- 
 ing the eaftern confines of Yorklhire, it 
 haftened to make a part of the conflux 
 of rivers that after their coalition are 
 diftinguifhed by the name of Humber. 
 In this afpe^l was fituated the chief part 
 of the vicar's arable farm j behind were his 
 offices and lands of deeper afcent, bound- 
 ed by a wood, which covering all the 
 upper part of the hill, befides beautifully 
 diverfifying the fcene, fheltered the 
 parfonage from the northern blaft. Here 
 Wentbridge on a beautiful pinnacle 
 
 created
 
 C 24 3 
 
 creded a Imall fu m me r- ho ufe, command*' 
 ing an extenfivc, rich, and delightful 
 profpefl, which on the fouth com- 
 prehended the environs of Wakefield, 
 Sheffield, Doncafter, and Bawcry, to the 
 confines of Notcinghamihire j on the 
 wed, Pontefrad, Leeds, Halifax j ex- 
 tended to the eaft to the borders of Lin- 
 colnfhire, and to the north from the ad- 
 jacent Ferrybridge to York Minder 5 
 and in its compafs included the various 
 p'clurefque fcenes of the fined part of 
 one of the fined counties in England.— 
 The worthy clergyman's heart expanded 
 with benevolent pleafure, as from his 
 little hut he contemplated the goodly 
 profpe6l that fpread around 
 
 " Of hills, and dales, and woods;, and lawns, 
 *' And glittering towers, and gilded ilreams;" 
 
 —As he viewed the fcenes of pado- 
 ral beauty, agricultural fruitfulnefs, and 
 itianufadturing fkill, all combining fo 
 
 powerfully
 
 [ 25] 
 
 powerfully to produce individual plea- 
 fure and profpericy, national opulence^ and 
 grandeur. But the patriotifm and phi- 
 lanthropy of Mr, Wencbridge were 
 mingled with other afFedions, the fame 
 in general fource, though more fpecific in 
 objedl and operation. His domeftic 
 fenfibilities were extremely flrong, and 
 in his relations were afforded energetic 
 incentives to exertion. This clergyman^ 
 now about fifcy-four years of age, had 
 been half that time incumbent of Bro- 
 therton. About the age of thirty he had 
 married the daughter of a neighbouring 
 curate, and thereby rather hurt his worldly 
 interefb, as the niece of a right reverend 
 bifliop had cad the eyes of affcdion upon 
 him, and would have brought a living of 
 five hundred a year, intended by his lord- 
 fhip as a dowry to the young lady, who 
 had, with two fiflers, not very txtri- 
 ordinary in beauty, hung very heavily 
 VOL I. c upon
 
 [ 26 ] 
 
 Upon his hands. The right reverend 
 divine incited, very contrary to the ujual 
 ^ra^ice of dignitaries in the church, in his 
 difpofals of Spiritual prefermenc, be- 
 thought hinifclf of Carnal fubjtdls. In 
 beftowing a cure of louls, he had noc 
 altogether negledcd the confideration of 
 bodies, nor, in appointing within his 
 diocefe minifters for the propagation of 
 chriHian knowledge, had he overlooked 
 the propagation of chriftians. In Tnort, 
 the bifhop ha^ang in hisgifta confiderable 
 number of livings, and at his difpofal a 
 no lefs confiderable number of daughters, 
 nieces, and coufins, had fuffered it to be 
 linderilood by reverend young batche- 
 lors, that the expe6t ncs of livings might 
 be fure of fuccefs if willing to perform 
 all the duties which his providential care 
 had annex d to incumbency \ in other 
 words, that whoever defired the blciTings 
 of tithe pigs, muil with his appointment 
 
 take
 
 [27] 
 
 take a wife by way of a fine. Mr. Wcnt- 
 bridge having been founded on this fub- 
 jeft had demurred ; it was faid, indeed, 
 that he obfcrved to a friend, that he 
 could have no objedlions to the provi- 
 fions which the right reverend bilhop 
 had propofed for his bread, but for his 
 meat he Hked to choofe for himfelf. The 
 truth is, Mifs Sukey Snatchum was not 
 a very delicaue morfel. 
 
 Wentbridge, as we have faid, made a 
 different eledion, and got no promotion 
 from the bifhop. With his wife he lived 
 extremely happy for twenty years, when, 
 having caught a fever from a fick cottager, 
 whom fhe deemed it her duty to vifit, fhe, 
 to his inexpreflible grief, died, leaving two 
 fons and one daughter. The elded fon, 
 now about twenty-three, was broughtup to 
 his father's profclTion} the fecond, having 
 been on a vifit to a fchool- fellow at Hull, 
 was fo delighted with the Ihipping, that 
 G 2 he
 
 [28] 
 
 he caught a fondncfs for the fea, and 
 was in the India fcrvice. The only 
 child that conftintly refided with the 
 vicar was his daughter. 
 
 Eliza Wentbridge was about nineteen 
 years of age, and though not regularly 
 beautiful had an agreeable, engaging, and 
 expreflive countenance, a good height, 
 a comely figure, with a frank, open, and 
 unembarralFed manner, the refultofgood 
 fenfe, good difpofitions, and a judicious 
 education. Wentbridge had, indeed, 
 fpared no piins in himfclf forming and 
 diredlng his daughtcr*s underftanding 
 and heart, and his wife had contributed 
 her fh-ire both to her mind and manners; 
 and the favings of cscbnomy and fclf- 
 denial had not been wanted in fuper- 
 adding accomplifhment to ufcful acquire- 
 ment. For feveral years (he had re- 
 fided chiefly at Doncafter, with a fifter 
 of her mother, who, fceking independ^ 
 
 ence
 
 t %9. ] 
 
 cnce.by laudable induftry and merltori- 
 oy;^, exertion, devoted her time and ta- 
 lents to the fuperintendance 6f a board- 
 ing\.lchooL She was now returned to 
 her father's, the favourite companion of 
 his declining years, the partner of his 
 amufcments, the minifter of his bounties, 
 the attendant of his excurfions, and of- 
 ten the alTociate of his (luJies. Mifs 
 Wentbridge was well acquainted with 
 the beil Britifh authors, and a very com- 
 petent judge of their rffpedive merits. 
 She was particularly fond of hiftory, 
 then beginning to form fo brilliant a 
 portion (^f her country's literature. She 
 inherited from her father a very high 
 admiration of Briillh efforts in the vari- 
 ous departments of ability and exertion. 
 She admired the national heroifm -, often 
 lillened with delir^ht to her father's de- 
 fcriptions of the ardent druggies for in- 
 dependence, which repelled the operofe 
 ,c 3 attempts
 
 C30] 
 
 attempts of bigotry and defpotlfm, under 
 agloriousfovereignofherown fex, though 
 fhe often wifiied, that with the great and 
 lofty virtues of that illuftrious Princefs 
 there had been mixed more of the femi- 
 nine foftnefs, the mild and gentle chari- 
 ties v^hich might have fpared the lovely 
 Mary. Defcending to more recent 
 events, fhe would with pleafure hear the 
 natural though homely recitals of old 
 Maxwell, and enjoy the fire of his eye, 
 when defcribing the defence of Bergen- 
 opZoom, or the capture of Quebec; 
 Ihe was well acquainted with the events 
 of the war juft terminated, efpecially 
 fuch as difplayed heroifm, or maniftfled 
 Britifh charader. Such was the young 
 lady to whom Major Hamilton was now 
 introduced. Hamilton himfelf was a man 
 of a very prepolTefling appearance, tall, 
 and graceful i in face, figure, and deport- 
 ment, at once elegant and manly. He 
 
 was
 
 [31 ] 
 
 was now twenty-eight years of age, 
 eleven of which had been pafied in his 
 Majefty's fervice. — At the commence- 
 ment of the war he had become a lieu- 
 tenant, Quebec made him a captain, 
 the Havannah a major. Maxwell had, 
 with his ufual glee, recited the actions 
 to which he himfclf had been a witnefs, 
 and had not been fparing in celebrating 
 his praifes, and included the fortitude 
 with which he had borne his late difafter, 
 Mr. Wentbridge had alfo fpoken in 
 terms of praife, efteem, and refped con- 
 cerning the abilities and fcntimentsof his 
 new acquaintance, fo that Mifs Went- 
 bridge had before (he faw him received 
 a very favourable imprefllon of the guefl: 
 whom her father now brought to the 
 parfonage. Though for the prefent lame, 
 Hamilton was a very fine man, and, 
 though pale for want of exercife, had a 
 countenance extremely impreffive and 
 c 4 interefting.
 
 [ 32 1 
 
 intcrefllng, intelligent, and animated, 
 with fine blue eyes, which failed not to 
 fpeak what he thought and {tk. He 
 was extremely pleafed with the acquaint- 
 ance which he had now made, 9nd did 
 not fail to teftify by words and looks the 
 fatisfadlion which he received. 
 
 In a few weeks Hamilton's difafter 
 was healed, but he continued at Max- 
 well's, *^ apprthenfive," he faid, " of 
 the confequences of a long journey.'*— 
 The furgcon, indeed, declared to him, 
 that he might now proceed northwards 
 whenever he chofe -, but though he had 
 (hewn the mod thorough convidion of 
 the other's mrdical fkill, had declared 
 his perftd farisfadlion with the treatment 
 of his own wound, and had made a hand- 
 fome pecuniary recomptnce, flill, how- 
 ever, he did not rely To co'uple'ely on 
 his authority as to commence his tra- 
 vels. Meanwhile he fpent the greater 
 
 part
 
 I 33 1 
 
 part of his time at the vicarage, where 
 his heart became completely captivated, 
 and he, ere it was long, had the fatis fac- 
 tion to find, that Mifs Wentbridge was 
 not infeniibie to his attentions. Having 
 none to control his inclination, he hdd 
 no motive to diOuife his^vifhes from rhe 
 vtnerabie clergynian, and frequently, 
 when they were alone, declared in general 
 tcrmsthehighrcfpf^clhehad forhis daugh- 
 ter, but did not defccnd to m; )re particular 
 explanations, unril he fhould afcertain the 
 fentiments cf !he young ladv herfelf. He 
 had not, indeed, any reaf ms to fufpeft 
 avcrfion, bur he wiihed to be more ac- 
 curately Cf^riified, that he might not 
 have conftrued complacency, or at moft 
 efteem, into afftdlion. 
 
 It was now the latter end of 0£lo- 
 
 ber, and the feafon bting 'vec, the au- 
 tumnal rains had fwelled brc^oks into 
 rivers, when our foldier, in his way 
 c 5 to
 
 [34] 
 
 to the parfonage, perceiving the young 
 lady in a (hrubbery by the fummer-houfe 
 before mentioned, baftened to join her, 
 over a long plank which connedled the 
 banks of a rivulet, that pafled the lower 
 walks of their pleafure- ground, inftead 
 of taking a circuit of thirty yards to a 
 regular bridge. The place where he 
 was to crofs being a fmall level at the 
 bottom of a deep hill, formed a kind of 
 pond, fupplied by the cafcade from the 
 upper ground, and now deepened by the 
 great accumulation of water. The plank 
 being flippery, and Hamilton not ha- 
 ving completely recovered the dextrous 
 command of his limb, he tumbled into 
 the pool and entirely difappeared. Mr. 
 Weiubridge, who was in a difbanr part 
 of the fhrubbery, aroufcd by a iing'e 
 Ikriek, ran to the fpoc whence the voice 
 had iflfued, and found his daughter in a 
 fwoon, whence being by his efForts re- 
 covered
 
 t 35 1 
 
 covered, fiie awoke only to mifery, and 
 called en the name o Marnilcon, in the 
 wildeft phrenzy ofdefpairinglove. The 
 worthy clergyman, who had before fuf- 
 pefted thf^ paffion of his daughter, was 
 now apprehcrnfive that fome dreadful 
 difafter had befallen itsobje6t. He had 
 been able to remove Eliza to a mofly 
 bench, and (he was ftill, in terms of the 
 mod endraring afFedtion, deploring the 
 beloved yout^^ ; when, defcending from 
 the fummer-houfe, he prefenttd himfelf 
 fafe and found, though all dropping with 
 wet. Oar Major had been ftunned by 
 the fudden plunge, but foon recovering 
 had fwam to the bottom of the bank, 
 and waded farther down, where he faw 
 the afcent was more pradicable, and, 
 miffing the neareft path, had through 
 the labyrinth of a grove found a difficul- 
 ty in regaining a view of the fummer- 
 houfe, to which the way was entangled 
 c 6 by
 
 [ 36 ] 
 
 by copfe and briars, and hence fo much 
 time had elapfed before his return. He 
 with rapture heard his Eliza bewailing 
 his ;ate. Whcnfhe wasfo far recovered 
 as to be confcious of his return, firft her 
 aftonifhment, her anxious doubts, and 
 laftly her joy, gave her lover the con- 
 vidion which he had fo eagerly defired 
 to receive. The confidtrate care of the 
 father haftened him away to the com- 
 forts of a fire and dry clothes, before he 
 would fuffer him to explain the circum- 
 flances of his efcape to the young lady, 
 who ftiil appeared to entertain an un- 
 fcttied belief of the reali y. 
 
 In an hour Hamilton completely re- 
 adjuftedj and iecure from every difagree- 
 able effcd of this involuntary cold b. th, 
 was alive only to the delightful fenfations 
 which its efFedls had produced. 
 
 When he rejoined the fair hoftefs, in 
 her blulhes, in the enchanted and en- 
 chanting
 
 [37] 
 
 chanting pleafure of her countenance, he 
 read the confirmation of the lentiments 
 which her defpair had betrayed. She 
 no longer auempced to difguife the de- 
 light with which (lie liftened to his ad- 
 drefles, and' the tendernefs whicn fhe 
 felt for his virtues andaccomplifhments. 
 He the following day, with htr confeut, 
 applied to her fithcr, and his prjpofals 
 were moft favourably and glaJly recei- 
 ved by the vicar, from perfinal efttcm 
 and not from motives of inrerefl:. A 
 country fquire, far fuprrior to this gal- 
 lant officer in fortune, had made pro- 
 pofals to Mils Wentbridge, which the 
 father never approved, and the daugh- 
 ter had ever mod pufitively rejecft- 
 ed. Hamilton, alfo, if he had chofen 
 to facririce at the fhrine of avarice might 
 at different timrs have affianced himiclf 
 to riches, but efpeciallf during his re- 
 cent flay at London, where his charms 
 
 had
 
 [ 38 3 
 
 had made a conquefl: of the only daugh- 
 ter of an eminent dry-falter, with whom 
 he had danced at a ball, at the Mary-ie- 
 bone gardens. But though both parties 
 difre^arded intereft as the principal 
 ground of matrimonial connedion, yet 
 it was refolved not completely to dif- 
 regard pecuniary convenience. 
 
 Hamilton received prefiing letters 
 from his Scottifh friends to r pair to 
 the nortr, to arrange fome concerns 
 with his elder brother, pofleiTor of his 
 paternal eftate ; and faw the necefiuy of 
 compliance. He wifhed his deftiny to 
 be irrevocably united to his Eliza's be- 
 fore his departure ; but the affair being 
 referred to the arbitration of the vicar, 
 he in a friendly award recommended to 
 the parties to pcftpone the accomplifli- 
 ment of their purpofe until after Hamil- 
 ton's return. The reafons which he 
 afijgned for this procraftinanon, though 
 
 not
 
 i39l 
 
 not conformable to the wifhes of the 
 lovers, were fuch as their judgments 
 could not but approve. 
 
 Hamilron accordingly fet off for his 
 own country, and arrived at the ft c of 
 his anceftors. His elder brother, Hamil- 
 ton, of Etrerick, was a country gentle- 
 man, of about five and thirty, mjld in 
 his temper, amiable in his difpofirif^n, 
 ana hofpitable in his riianner of living. 
 He pofltfled a good eftate, and, bemg 
 ft ill a bachelor, propofed by miniagc 
 to make it better. He had, indeed, for 
 feveral years been, to ufe his own ex- 
 preflion, locking i^bou" him ff)r .i wife. 
 This ciicumjpiciency was not without 
 difcriminacion. His object was what 
 the Scotch Cdli a weli-tochered lafs, that 
 is, ^i young lady witii y ^^>>od p'>ri;jon. 
 H ving t'i^ fimple purpofe in vir a, he 
 had made hiS addrefTes fucceiliv. 1^ to 
 every hciitfs wichin forty miicb of him, 
 
 and
 
 [40] 
 
 and Kad nor neglected the proprietors of 
 legacies from old aunts, couGns, or any 
 other enriching winifall, nor even 
 dowagers if thrv h;d a fot tineas well as 
 a jointure. Indeed it had been obfrrved, 
 that when a lady, to whom he had paid 
 no attention before, happened to have 
 benefi ed by any fuch caiiijlty, he inn- 
 mediately ordered a new piir of buck- 
 Ikin breeches, and rode off a courting. 
 If thefc expedidons proved unfuccefs* 
 ful, it was not for the want of a fixed 
 plan of operations. He had been in- 
 truded by a friend, that ladies were 
 fond of receiving love-lecters. He, 
 therefore, like Parfon Adams with his 
 fermons, generally travelled with one 
 about him, in cafe of what might hap- 
 pen. Not being a man of very fertile 
 invention, the compofition of fuch pro- 
 duftions was not to him a matter of 
 ready execution. The beft fubilitute 
 
 for
 
 t4i ] 
 
 for riches is parfimony. If, therefore, 
 his genius could not do much, the next 
 beft means was to make a little go a 
 great way. He very cunningly contri- 
 ved that one Icrtter (hould fcrve many 
 counfhips. Ke, as was before^obferved, 
 proceeded by regular approaches, being 
 well apprifed of the (tores in the g^rri- 
 fon. His clifpofuion for the ficge vvere 
 firft, as we have faid, the buck-fkia 
 breeches, with which he propofcd to 
 open the trenches, that he might make 
 good his communication with the 
 covered way. His next (lep was the 
 letter, or proffered terms of capitula- 
 tion. This fummons was to the toiiowing 
 eff a :— 
 
 *' Madam, having by the death of my 
 mother, and the marriigp of my fifters, 
 a kind of vacancy in the fimilV) that 
 makes the houfe fomewhat ionefome, I 
 ^A\d 1 fliall be obliged to enter inio the 
 
 matrimonial
 
 [42] 
 
 matrimonial ftate. >Under(landing,from 
 report, that you are not difmclineable to 
 the married condition, I have thought 
 of making you propofals. All my friends 
 give you a^^verv high charadler, that I 
 aiTurt vou, not any confideration of pro- 
 perty is what now induces me to make 
 bold. BtTidcs the extraojdinary beauty 
 ofyiir f.^ce and perfon, the whitencfs 
 of your fl<in, your (hining eyes, and the 
 fine fall of your fhoulderi^, the dignity of 
 your walk, not to mention other charms, 
 which, though invifible, may be v;ell fup- 
 poled, has created in me a paQion, which 
 preys upon my heart, and wil-, if not 
 gratified, throw me into a confumption; 
 which, as rhe Family Phyfician obferves, 
 is, in this country, a very frequent snd 
 dangerous diftemper. Your fortune, I 
 do afTure you, is rc^rally out of my 
 thou-'hfs, and, if you had not a (hilling, 
 I fiiould prefer you to any other woman, 
 
 though
 
 [43 1 
 
 though mlftrefs or aU. the richfs in the 
 city of Glafgow, I hope, there rorc, v ju 
 will have compdlTion upon your fincere 
 lover, who thinks of nothing but your 
 charms. My lawyer will meet with yours 
 whenever you may pleafe to appoint.-— 
 I propofe a jointure, which, if you fnould 
 furvive me, will give you cm per cent. 
 for your moneyj the faid money there- 
 upon to become my property.— With 
 the mod didntereftcd iovt, I am> madam, 
 your adoring fvvain, 
 
 "Duncan Hamilton." 
 Though this letter, in many cafes, an- 
 fwered pretty well, yet, in iome, it did 
 not altogether fuit. Among the various 
 objeds of his p .(Tion was a Creole, to 
 whom the praife of v;hitenels of fkih did 
 not entirely apply ; a lady who fquinted, 
 that could not fo properly be praifed for 
 her eyes. To a third, the fall of the 
 flioulders had been as well left out, as 
 
 fhe
 
 [ 44 ] 
 
 fhc happened to be Ibmewhat hump- 
 backed j a j-ourth, that limped, might 
 have difpenfed with the encomiums be- 
 flowed on gracefulncfs ofgefturc. — The 
 laird of Etctrick having circulated his- 
 courtlhip to every opulent lady that he 
 could hear of v^^as foon fmoaked. The 
 portioned miiles and dames began to 
 compare notce, and found that as tnc ob- 
 jeA was the fame in all his love purfuits,. 
 viz. the rent-rrll, funded property, and 
 cafh at thrir bankers', the means were 
 firj.ilar in tvtry cafe. At lad the laird 
 of Eterick's courtlhip became a jelVin 
 the country, and he, now approaching; 
 fort),, was a bachelor. His perfonal 
 charms were not very likely to fhorten 
 his celibacy. He was about five feec 
 four inches high, and extremely Gender,, 
 wiih (looping fhoulders, and a pair of 
 legs, whofe (nape, though often roufing. 
 men to martiai deeds, when beating on a. 
 
 kettle-
 
 [45 ] 
 
 kctde-drum, were no: the moft pro- 
 miringfupporters for a lover. 
 
 Hamilton found his worthy fenipr ex- 
 tremely rejoiced to fee him, but fome- 
 what downcaft at a lace difappoint- 
 ment. An eflace within two "or three 
 miles of him had, it fcems, devolved 
 upon an elderly maiden by the death of 
 a nephew. As, befides her age, (he hap- 
 pened to have but one eye, he had fan- 
 guinely hoped for fuccefs, and made his 
 addreffes a few days after the interment; 
 but the lady, large raw-boned and red 
 hair, beftowed her hand and fortune on an 
 Irilh recruiting fergeant of grenadiers.— 
 As rebuffs, however, were familiar to 
 this fuitor, he was not very deeply afflidl:- 
 ed. Major Hamilton Toon ooi^ncd to 
 his brother his engagements with the 
 fair Eliza, and expatiated on the charms 
 of his lovely miftrefs The brother con- 
 fined his remarks to one queflion, whe- 
 7 ther
 
 [, 46 3 
 
 ther the property of her father was in 
 land, mortgages, or the funds ? As the 
 major, though he ftrongly praifed other 
 qualifications of his fair miftrefs, did not 
 dwell upon her fortune, the laird was 
 not without apprehenfions that he had 
 fiegleded the main chance, and advifed 
 him to be cautious. " As to love/' 
 fays he, " my dear brother, it does not 
 make the pot boil, and as you foldiers 
 are none of the richeft, I think it would 
 be much better for you to look after a 
 girl of fubflance, than to give up your 
 mind to beauty. There are clofe by the 
 Eilden hills two young women, jufl come 
 to capital fortunes, by the death of their 
 uncle, a rich Paifley weaver. I only heard 
 of it two days ago, and fhould have 
 been off immediately myfelf, but that I 
 was waiting for you, and alfo for a pair 
 of new boots. They have ten thoufand 
 pounds each, befides a good freehold 
 
 cftate ;
 
 [47] 
 
 efbate ;— rhat, rny dear bi-orher, would be 
 juii the thing to fit us. Indeed I hwe 
 even- made up my mind how we (liouid 
 dilpofe of the money ; I would fell to 
 you, for {twtn thoufand pounds, my 
 fpoufc's half cf the eftate, fo that you 
 would be a landed gentleman of fivef 
 hundred a year, with three thoufand 
 jmore to get you on in the army, which, 
 being now time of peace, is as good a 
 way of laying out your money as any 
 other. Befides, then I could afford to 
 pay vou your portion, which, now as I 
 have been making purchafes and im- 
 provements, would derange my plans. 
 I think there is no time to be loil; for 
 there will be other chaps in the market; 
 and it being indifferent to me which I 
 fnall marry, you may have your choice.'* 
 —The major wjs totally unmoved by 
 the proffered pieces of manufadtory, but 
 informed his brother, that refpedting his 
 
 portion.
 
 [ 48 J 
 
 portion, abvout fifteen hundred pounds, 
 he knew that the proprietor of Ettcrick 
 could command fuch a fum at a day's 
 notice, and that, as he might have im- 
 mediate occafion for it, it would be ne- 
 crfTary to make arrangeaients for its 
 payment when demanded. This inti- 
 mation the laird, who gained much 
 more by his employment of this fum 
 than he paid for its ufe, did not altoge- 
 ther relilh, but as he could not conted 
 the point, he^aniwcred; — Cerrainly it 
 was reafonable the major fhould receive 
 his money, but that it was not fo eafy 
 to be raifed as he imagined. Hamilton 
 had, indeed, niade re eated applications 
 from abro.'d, to have the fum in quef- 
 tion remitted to a banker in London, 
 to be vtfted in the funds. But the 
 laird as often eluded the requifuion.— 
 Though reaiiy attached to his brother, 
 yet he did not forget that, like the brother 
 
 of
 
 [49] 
 
 of every body elfe, he was mortal, and 
 probably the fooner for his profc (lion; 
 and thought that, to ufe his own phrafe, 
 '* a bird in hand was worth tv/o in 
 the builii and the money, to which 
 he was eventually heir, was as weli in 
 his own cullody.'* The laird, with a 
 very moderate uffderftanding, and rnild 
 milkinefs of difpofition, had a heart lefa 
 contraded by intereiled il'lfininefs, than 
 debarred from benevolent exertion, by 
 feeble timidity, or mifguided by family 
 vanity. His heirefs-hunting adventures 
 did not arife fo much from grafping 
 avarice, as from adefire of aggrandizing 
 the houfe of Etterick. His pecuniary 
 anxieties refuked lefs from the defire of 
 accumulation, the means of gratifying 
 which he had fully in his power, than the 
 fear of incurring difScukies, for which 
 there were, in his firuation, no probable 
 grounds, Hamilton had Vi/ritten him en 
 VOL. I* D his
 
 t so] 
 
 Ills arrival in England, that he dcfired 
 to have the difpofal of his own money; 
 the laird having lately bought a property 
 contiguous to his eftate, faw that he 
 could not difcharge his brother's claim 
 without borrowing, and conceived him- 
 felf about to be embarrafTed, although his 
 eftate v/as two thoufand a year, without 
 any other incumbrance. He had com- 
 plained to their mutual friends, of the lofs 
 that would accrue to him, if the major in- 
 filled on payment. Thofc friends, know- 
 ing the little foundation for the laird's 
 apprehcnfions, urged his brother to have 
 the affair fettled as fpeedily as polTible, 
 by coming to the fpot himfelf. 
 
 The proprietor of Etterick, during 
 the firft days of Hamilton's vifir, re- 
 peatedly endeavoured to difTuade him 
 from his intended marriage, and from 
 taking his money into his own manage- 
 ment 5 but found himfelf entirely dif- 
 
 appointed
 
 I 5« ] 
 
 sppointcd in both. At lad, a neigh- 
 bouring gentleman advanced the fum 
 upon the laird's perfonal bond, and 
 Hamilton foon after returned to the 
 fouth. He had meanwhile arranged, by 
 letters, the inveftnient of his property, 
 and the prolongation of his leave of ab- 
 fence, fo that the {\k following months 
 he could, without interruption, devote 
 to love and his Eliza, 
 
 D S 
 
 L!BP/»RY 
 
 UNIV; !«1T7 OF flLINOtS
 
 [ 5^] 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 After an abfence of fix weeks, which 
 had appeared as many years, he found 
 himfelf in fight of the vicarage, and as 
 his chaife afcended the hill, hailed old 
 Maxwell, who blefifed him with the in- 
 telliL;ence, that Mifs Wentbridge was in 
 perfed health 5 and in a few minutes he 
 was in the vicar's parlour, and received 
 by the objed of his fond attachment, in 
 fuch a manner as fhewed, that his rnif^ 
 trefs's love, though lefs impetuous, was 
 no lefs ardent than his own. The 
 worthy vicar who, fuperintending the 
 laborers of the opening fpring, had, from 
 an adjacent field, beheld his arrival, in 
 a few minutes joined the enchanted 
 couple, and diverted their emotions. 
 
 During
 
 [ 53 1 
 During: the abfence of HamiltDn, the 
 vicar had, in an annual vifit at the archi-- 
 cpifcopal palace of York, become ac- 
 quainted vvich a general officer of dif- 
 tinguifhed fame, who fpoke very highly 
 of the abilities, virtues, and high pro- 
 mifes of Hamilton. The teflimonv of 
 fo competent a judge, coinciding with 
 theopinion which he had himfeif formed, 
 enhanced Wentbridge*s eftimation of the 
 merits of his brave young friend ; and ia 
 the defdned hufband of his daughter, he 
 fancied he beheld a future comnriander-in- 
 chicf of an army, fighting f^r his king 
 and country. Mr. Wentbridge, wich 
 the expanlion of the philofbphical fcho- 
 lar, and the liberality of the enlightened 
 gentleman, was not without a profef- 
 iional prcdiledion for forms ot little in- 
 trinfic importance. He preferred mar- 
 riage after the more tedious procefs of 
 publilhing the banns, to the expediiiofi 
 D 3 of
 
 [54] 
 of a licence, fo much more conionant 
 to the eagernefs of lovers. As he was 
 extremely tenacious on this fubjedl, the 
 impatience of the gentlem.an, and per- 
 haps of the lady, was obliged to give way. 
 -—To divide the feelings of fo very tan- 
 talizing a fituation, the judicious clergy- 
 man promoted parties and amufements. 
 One of thefe was a vifit to Doncafter, 
 to be prefent at a ball. Among the 
 company there came,^ in the party of the 
 mayorefs, two ladies, the one old and the 
 other young, both remarkable for the 
 fupercilious fournefs of their counte- 
 nances, which, though not entirely ugly, 
 were extremely difagreeable. The old 
 one, naturally fl-iort, appeared ftill more 
 abridged by a habit of (looping, arifing 
 chiefly from the eager anxiety with 
 which (lie bent hcrfelf in company to 
 liften to what was going forward, efpe- 
 cially if there was any appearance of 
 
 whifpering i
 
 [ S-5 1 
 
 wliifpenng; and as (he had of late be* 
 come a little deaf, greater efforts were 
 flccelTary : fo that, next to the acidity 
 which we have before remarked, the 
 chief exprefTion of her vif.ige was the 
 ftrainingof curioficy not altogether grati- 
 fied. — The young one, though not much 
 fweeter than the other in the natural 
 caft of her villtge, tried to make up 
 that deficiency by induftry, and where 
 a young man to her mind made his ap- 
 pearance, (he fmiled, and fimpered, and 
 lifped, but all couid not conceal the 
 groundwork. On thefe occafions fhe 
 fucceeded no better than children who^ 
 attempting to leffen the bitternefs of the 
 apothecary ^s potions by lumps of fugar, 
 only make the dofe more mawkilh and 
 ioathfome. 
 
 This mother and daughter (for fo they 
 
 were) were hardly feated, when Hamilton 
 
 and his miftrefs rofe to dance a minuet. 
 
 D 4 The
 
 [ 56] 
 
 The beauties of Eliza's face and perfon^ 
 with the graces of her performance,, were 
 of themfelves fufficienttoroufethe cenfo- 
 rious animadverfions of Mrs. Soiirkrout; 
 but another caufe called forth affociacions 
 of more poignant malignity. She fan- 
 'cied fhe recognized the exact image of 
 one who had gained the afftd:ions of the 
 man whom flie had deftined for herfelf. 
 Enquiring the name of the m.ifs that (as 
 fhe phrafed it) was figuring away, fhe was 
 confirmed in her conjedure, on hearing ic 
 was Wentbridge. This Mrs. Sourkroot 
 was that niece of a right reverend bi(hop> 
 whom we have before mentioned, as in- 
 tended by his lordfhipj as the condition 
 to be annexed to the gift which he would 
 have beftowed upon Mr. Wentbridge/or 
 the cure of fouls. By the uncxpscled 
 death of her uncle, failing in her hopes 
 of a fpiritual incumbent, (be had accept- 
 ed of a carnal, and became the lady of 
 
 a to-
 
 l57l 
 
 a topping butcher, extremely proud of the 
 'honour of having to wife the nevoy of my 
 lord the bifliop. Mr. SourkroiJt throve 
 a-pace, rofe to be alderman of the corpo- 
 ration, and at lafi to be mayor. Madam 
 was not infenfible to this elevation, and 
 deported herfelf with what fhe conceive^i 
 fuitable dignity, by taking the lead in all 
 companies of the borough, that was the 
 fcene of her grandeur. Even afterwards^ 
 when, upon the deceafe of her fpoufe, (he 
 began to think herfelf flighted in the 
 fcene of her late glory, and retired to a 
 diftant part of the country,, ilie, among 
 her nev/ acquaintances, as the dowager of 
 a mayor, expeded an homage and de- 
 ference, wliich fne was not aiv/ays fo 
 fortunate as to meet; and,, happening to 
 fix upon a neighbourhood noc defi.:icnc 
 in real gentry, (he found herfelf k-fs 
 valued there, than when prefiding over 
 the municipal gofilps of her corporation^ 
 D 5 entertainment.
 
 1 58] 
 
 entertainment. This inattention to her 
 dignity added to the fournefs of her tem- 
 per, not naturally very fweet. There was 
 another fource of bitternefs j the lapfe of 
 many years had not obliterated the dif- 
 sppointment of her youths and if love for 
 the huiband might have, perhaps, evapo^ 
 rated from a heart not the befl adapted for 
 retaining tender affccflions, there was one 
 paffion which remained in itsearlieft force, 
 hatred for the wife. She had hated her 
 when alive, and ftiil hated her when dead. 
 Brooding over herdeteftation, her fancy 
 faw its objedl in all that torture and tor- 
 menting beauty and lovelinefs, which had 
 captivated the objedl of her own paOloD, 
 She had heard, with rage, of the charm.s 
 of Eliza, and her ftriking refemblance 
 of her mother. As the devil, in fending 
 envy to the human heart, fends its fe- 
 vered punifhment in the admiration of 
 its objedt, and its own rankling gal), 
 
 fhe
 
 [ 59] 
 
 fhe could not, for her foul, avoid think- 
 ing Eliza che mod engaging vvoman in 
 the room. Nay, her attem^ ts, in her 
 own mind, to under-rate the charms of 
 Mifs Wentbridge, recoiled on herfelf in 
 exaggerating their witchery. But though 
 envy cannot really force itlelf to a con- 
 tempt of its obje6l, it may eafily try to 
 afTume that difguifc. Mrs. Sourkrour, 
 while pining at the perception of fuch ex- 
 cellence, obferved to her next neighbour, 
 that the young perfon on the floor, 
 though awkward and hoydenifh, was a 
 decent enough looking girl. *^ I fup- 
 pof^r," fays fhe, " fhe is the daughter of 
 fome farmer, curate, or excifc-man^ ic 
 is wrong of them people bringing their 
 daughters intogentetl company j it gives 
 them high and foolifh notions; d )n*c 
 you chink fo, my dear," faid (he, turn- 
 ing to her daughter i *' Yes m^'am,'* 
 was all the anfwer that came fi"om Mils, 
 D 6 who
 
 C6o] 
 
 who, had paid little attention to the 
 queftion or antecedent converfation, 
 MifVs thoughts were indeed far other- 
 wife employed. 
 
 Thofe obfervers of character, counte- 
 nance, and difpofitions, greatly err; who, 
 from acidity, or even harfhnefs of vifage, 
 temper, converfation, and anions, infer 
 in women an infenfibility to. amorous 
 pafTions. Indeed thefe appearances very 
 often arife from extreme fenfibiliry, 
 crolTed in its purfuits, repining at the 
 want of attainment, or, perhaps, regret- 
 ing unfortunate fuccefs. Mary of Eng- 
 land, the votary of the foureft bigotry, 
 was dill more the devotee of boundlefs 
 love for her hufband. There has often 
 been obferved to be a confiderable ana- 
 logy between mankind and irrational 
 animals. We know there are cats who 
 will fcratch, and bite^and tear others with 
 all the diflbnance of fqualling treble, yet 
 
 foftly
 
 [ Si I 
 
 foftly and gently purr upon their mates,- 
 Mifs Sourkrout was a very fulceptible 
 / young damfcl ; and if fhe ftill remained 
 in a ftate of celibacy, it was not for want 
 of good vnW to the oppofue condition.—^ 
 She had often (hot the rays of love from 
 her azure-coloured orbs, but they had not 
 reached the dellined marks. Perhaps, in- 
 deed, this might be owing to their oblique 
 diredioni for it often happened, that when 
 file intended to' dired the artillery of 
 her charms to the front, iis force was 
 fpent beyond the right or the hft win?-. 
 Mifs Sourkrout had no fooner beheld 
 the manly and graceful Hamilton, than 
 fhe was captivated. She immediately 
 betook herfelf to ogling, an art in which 
 if file was not perfed, it was not for 
 wantof pradtice. Planting her batteries 
 oppofite to him, flie forgot that the 
 movements of her gunnery were more 
 curvilincal than fuited her purpofe, and 
 
 horizontally
 
 [62] 
 
 Horizontally inftead of perpendicular^ 
 carried bed at an angle of forty-five.-— 
 She was enraged at the apparent infenfi- 
 bility of the major, whom (he deemed 
 impenetrable to all her glances j but in 
 fi:6l none of them had reached him.— 
 Thofe from her right eye caufed much 
 agitation in the heart of a fuperannuated 
 beau, that fat near the fire at the upper 
 end of the room -, whereas the \tk reach- 
 ing an attorney's clerk^, who fat by the 
 door at the bottom, he conceived him- 
 felf challenged to execute a capiaSy alias^ 
 et pluries, — This learned gentleman^ not 
 ignorant of the goods,, tenements,and he- 
 reditaments of Mifs Sourkrout,. formed a 
 refoiution, which he communicated im- 
 mediately to a friend (the waiter by 
 whom he had been introduced), to leave 
 his mafter, get poficffion of Mifs and her 
 property, and, perhaps, might have ob- 
 tained a verdid: in his favour^, but for a 
 
 nijl
 
 [-^3 } 
 
 niji priusy which proved the young lady's 
 affc<ftions to be the property of another 
 defendant. 
 
 Mifs Sourkrout, after having in vain 
 endeavoured to make Hamilton fenfible 
 of her fentiments, made fome enquiries, 
 in confequence of which, fhe learned his 
 name, and alfo his approaching marriage 
 with his partner, whom, in her own mind, 
 fhe prcTently denounced for the fevered 
 vengeance. She did not doubt, that fo 
 very accomplifhed a gentleman muO: 
 have been entrapped, before he could 
 involve himfelf in marriage with a girl of 
 fo very inferior a fortune. She conclud- 
 ed, that fuch a projefl mull arife from 
 the forwardnefs of the young lady, and 
 the lover's unacquaintance with an ob- 
 jeift worthy of his addrefles. She, 
 during the country dances, made over- 
 tures to converfation v/hich the major, 
 having no fufpicion of her intention 
 
 or
 
 [ 64 1 
 
 or defign, returning with the ufual com- 
 placency of a gentleman, imprefTed Mifs 
 Sourkrout with an idea, that her regards 
 were perceived by the objccl, and that 
 the difcovery was agreeable. As the 
 ball broke up, watching Harriikon's mo- 
 tions, fhe whifpered him on the Hairs, 
 that he fhould hear from her in the 
 morning. Accordingly as they were 
 ready to fct out for the vicarage, a let- 
 ter was brought to Hamilton, fubfcribed 
 Juliet, declaring he was the Romeo had 
 won her aftedlions at a dance, and ho- 
 ping that the former Rofalind would, ia 
 his afFedions, give way to another mif- 
 trefs. Hamilton, who had not been un- 
 ufed to fuch billets, fmilcd and put the 
 letter in hispocker, neither knowing nor 
 defiring to know who might be the au- 
 thor. The lady, finding that her hero 
 was departed without paying any atten- 
 tion to fo tender an intimation, fell into 
 
 afu-
 
 [65 ] 
 
 a furious pafTion, termin:iting in a ^t 
 that foon fummoneci her mother. The 
 old lady learning the caufe of this com- 
 motion, fvmoatnized readily in herdau^h- 
 tcr*s rcfentment, and even prompted ifs 
 cffufionSjWhen fnc confidered that thefuc- 
 cefsful rival of Grizzeiina was the daugh- 
 ter of that abominated woman, who had 
 triumphed over herfelf. The mother 
 and daughter, not knowing that the nup- 
 tials were fo very near, agitated various 
 fchemes for preventing their accom- 
 plifhmcnt. 
 
 Meanwhile the aufpicious day arrived, 
 which was to unite this gallant foldier to 
 his lovely miflrefs. They were married, 
 in the parilh church j old MaxA^ell, at 
 the expfcfs defire of the bridegroom and 
 bride, made one of the guefls at the 
 v/edding-dinner. The day was fpenc in 
 the moil happy chrcrfulnefs, rinng to a 
 fellive conviviahty in fome of the guefts,, 
 
 efpecially.
 
 ■ [ 66 ] 
 
 cPpecIally the veteran halberdier, which,. 
 on any other occaiion, the vicar would 
 probably have reproved ; but his heart 
 now fo overflowed^ that he readily for- 
 g-^vc the effed arlfiog from the over- 
 flowings of his cellar. 
 
 Maxwell, in his cups, defcantcd on the 
 foldier's charafter, and efpecially the 
 fuperior ruccefs of military men among 
 the ladles. On that topic he fang as well 
 as he could, the famous fong of Dum- 
 barton's drums, dwelling with peculiar 
 cmphafis on the verfe— 
 
 '* A foldier alone can delight me O, 
 
 ** His manly looks do invite me O, &c/' 
 
 As feveral young neighbours were 
 prefent, a dance was propofed, and to- 
 wards the clofe. Maxwell, who at the 
 beginning had refrefiied himfelf with 
 a nap, propofed to the company to dance 
 a hornpipe : the Dufly Miller was at- 
 
 tempted'a,,
 
 [ 67 ] 
 
 tempted, but the muQc was (o little to- 
 the performer's mind, that he begged 
 the noble commander, as he (lyied him, 
 to fhevv them what Scotch muficianers 
 eould do. Hamilton good-humoured!/ 
 took his own violin, on which Hq was a 
 very rnafterly player, and defired his 
 veteran friend to name his tune -, Max- 
 well accordingly called for — If you kijs 
 my wife, — Hamilton executed it in fo 
 animating a flyle as quite infpired the 
 fergeant to feats of agility, that Ireland 
 himfelf could hardly furpafs. Supper 
 foon after terminated the ball; the party 
 broke up; Hamilton retired to the hap- 
 pinefs of virtuous love in the arms of 
 his Eliza.
 
 [ 63 J 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 For tv;o rnonths our young couple had 
 enjoyed each other wieh ardent and in- 
 creating afFedlion, though not without at- 
 tempts to interrupt their happinefs.— 
 Xhefe fprang from Mrs. and Mifs Sour- 
 krouc vvhofe inventions, not being fo fer- 
 tile as their difpofitions were malignant, 
 hadconfinedtheir exertions to anonymous 
 letters, too frivolous in contrivance, and 
 ^bfurd in execution to produce any effe6b. 
 From forae circumftances Mr. and Mrs.. 
 Hamilton were able to trace them to the 
 riglitful authors -, but without deigning 
 to refent malice fo very inefricient.— * 
 About this time a ktter arrived from the 
 laird of Etterick, in which he announced 
 his intention of vinting his bro'her. — 
 His expcdations from the co heirefles 
 
 had^
 
 [69] 
 
 'hadj it feems, though he had tried both, 
 proved as fallacious as his hopes from any 
 of his former undertakings. He was 
 now meditating to try his fortune among 
 the Englifh ladies, who, he hoped, would 
 be more fenfible to his merits than the 
 miiTes of his ovvn country. In a few 
 weeks he arrived at BrGthertons and was 
 greatly pleafed with his reception at the 
 vicarage. He foon contracted a very 
 high admiration for the worthy clergy- 
 man, not fo much on account of his abi- 
 lities, learning, virtue, and piety, as for 
 his ikWl in rearing cattle -, and declared, 
 that he had gained fo much knowledge 
 of green crops, during the time he paiTcd 
 in Yorkfhire, as would much more than 
 indemnify the expences of his excurfion. 
 Though he fpent much of his time with 
 Mr. Wentbridge, when fuperintending 
 his hufbandry, and lllll more with the 
 hind, yet the evenings were paffcd in the 
 2 parlour.
 
 [70] 
 
 |)arloiir, and he frequently heard mentlori 
 made of the machinatiors of Mils Sour- 
 krout. As the flare of her finances did 
 not happen to be brouahc on tht carper, 
 her name excited liitle attention. But 
 as the fcafon advanced the evenincrs &rew 
 long and fine, the laird, tiring ofdomeftic 
 fociety, found out a neighbouring public 
 houfe, wherein he was introduced to an 
 amicable company, confiding of the 
 parifh clerk, the barber, the excifeman, 
 the lawyer, and fome others, who, though 
 the chief fubjed of their converfation 
 was the ftate of public affairs, would 
 fometimes defcend to more private con- 
 fiderations. In one of thefe conferences 
 the attorney, who had that day returned 
 from Doncafler, informed the company 
 that he had the honour of fpending the 
 evening in the houfe of an alderman, 
 that there he had met with a young lady 
 of a capital fortune, who had treated him 
 
 with
 
 t 71 J 
 
 Vuh great complacency. *' I do be* 
 Heve," laid he, with a (tlf^ approving nod ^ 
 " that if I had not been married I might 
 ■ ' " hem/' The laird, aroufcd by this 
 intelligence, inquired what the amount 
 of the lady's property was, and how it was 
 difpofed of^ learned from the communica- 
 tive, lawyer the account he had heard 
 from the alderman*s lady, that there vvas 
 twelve thoufand pounds burdened, indeed, 
 with a dowager. The next day the laird, 
 though not much addided to balls or' 
 aiTf mblies, propofed to his brother and 
 lifter-in-law to go ro the firft meeting of 
 that fort which fhould be held at Doncaf- 
 ter, '^ widiing," he faid, '* to have a vievv 
 of the Yorkdiire lalTes." — They readily 
 agreed to his propofal, and about a week 
 after repaired to the feftlve fcene. Think* 
 ing an auxiliary might be ufeful, in carry- 
 ing on his enterprize, he had t>ethoughc 
 himlclf of applying to the aitorney, and 
 
 opened 
 
 •
 
 [ 72] 
 
 'Cipened his mind To much to the fatisfac- 
 tion of that learned gfntleman, that he de- 
 clared he fhould want no afTidance in his 
 power. The lawyer, early in the day ap- 
 pointed for the ball, rode to Doncailer, 
 and making a vifit to the alderman's lady, 
 informed her, by way of news, that there 
 was to be a Scotch gentleman of four 
 thoufand a year in the afiembly room 
 that evening, the elder brother of parfon 
 Wentbridge's fon-ln-law; that he had 
 heard much of Mils Sourkrour, and had 
 been making many enquiries about her 
 temper and difpofitions. Pvlrs, Alderman 
 regarding a dowager mayorcfs as a very 
 high lady, and having attained the pin- 
 Tjacle of dignity at which fhe herfeif 
 afpired^ was defirous of gratifying the 
 mother and daughter, and haftily convey- 
 ed to them this intelligence. 
 
 Both madam and mifs were arouzed* 
 A triumph over the daughter of Went- 
 
 bridge.
 
 i 73 3 
 
 bridge, who was the wife of a younger 
 brother of the fquire> was not the leafl: 
 confideration with either. No beauty 
 that mantua-makers or milliners could 
 beftow on fo fhort a notice was fpared. 
 When the company met, the laird hav- 
 ing learned which was Mifs Sourkrout, 
 after taking fomething of a circuit round 
 the room, came to mifs, and very refped:- 
 fully requcfted the honour of her bein^ 
 his partner in a country dance, when 
 they fhould begin. Mifs mod gracioufly 
 complied, and, though fond of exhibiting 
 herfelf in a minuet, forbore for the pre- 
 fent that gratification. He, meanwhile, 
 entered into converfation with both mifs 
 and her mother. He foon took a great 
 fancy to the fagacity of the old lady, and 
 the ingenuity of the young one. At 
 length, the time for their dance arrived, 
 and a couple exhibited themfelves, which 
 attradled the eyes of the company more 
 VOL. !• £ than
 
 t 74 ] 
 
 than any that appeared that evening. — - 
 The gentleman cxtrfeiilely lank, with 
 high cheek-bones, a lean vifjige^ the 
 foleiTin ferioufnefs of afpe^l which fo 
 often diftinguifhes our northern country- 
 liieri, oppofed the lady, fquab, fat, and 
 blowfy, flirting arid fihipering; he with 
 narrow flioulders, and a flat chell ; (he 
 with back broad and brawny, cheft large^ 
 deep, and capacious. The fwain moved 
 in the attitude of a trotting dromedary, 
 fo uftful to Arabs, the nymph like a 
 quadruped which, though little relilhed 
 by Jews, is not without value among 
 Chriftians, and if we may believe Field- 
 ing, had even occupied the chief care of 
 a chriftian paftor *. As both had la^bour- 
 ed extremely hard, they were very happy 
 when the rules of the affernbly fuffered 
 
 * See Parfon TrulHber and hisjlod, in Jofepk 
 Andrews. 
 
 them
 
 [7n 
 
 them to have reil. The mother moft 
 politely thanked the laird for his attention 
 to Grizzle, to which he anfwered, after 
 much confideration, that he thought it 
 the duty of a gentleman to be polite to 
 ladies : that was a maxim that, he faid, 
 had been very early imprefTed upon him 
 by his worthy grand-mother, to whom, 
 he obferved, he was chiefly indebted for 
 his education ; having, while his brother 
 went to fchool, been brought up under 
 the old lady's own eye. Mrs. Sourkrout 
 propofed, as they appeared heated with 
 dancing, to take to a rubber, faying, 
 " fhe doubted not that a gentleman of 
 his appearance could play at whift," 
 " O yes," replied he, " that was one of 
 my grand-mama's chief lefTons ; from 
 the time I was twelve year old, till I 
 was pad twenty, we fpent almoft every 
 evening in that paftime, and while my 
 mother lived, and my filters were at 
 E 2 home.
 
 C 76 ] 
 
 home, we long after kept in the fame 
 courfe : but fince I am an orphan and 
 lonefome, I fend for my foreman, and 
 take a hit at backgammon. But I fhould 
 like a rubber very much. A party was 
 accordingly formed. Mr. Hamilton and 
 the fair nymph were partners. Their 
 opponents had won a double, were nine 
 to four of the fecond, and had turned up 
 the king ; three tricks were gained be- 
 fore the bird and his partner had got one. 
 Mifs Sourkout, the dealer, with the king 
 guarded, had two aces, from which flic 
 reafonably entertained fanguine hopes of 
 a bumper. Mifs having the queen, knave 
 of trumps, and along fuitj after taking 
 a trick, fhewed a fuit ; with profound 
 (kill difcontinued it, to play through the 
 honour ; at the fecond round drove the 
 king prifoner into the hands of her part- 
 ner's vidlorious ace. Her right-hand 
 adverfary's ten fell by the fame fatal 
 
 blow^
 
 [77 ] 
 
 blow, the laird's nine and eight exhauft- 
 ed all the enemy's trumps, and left his 
 three lord of the board. Now did the 
 comprehenfive wifdom of the laird, hav- 
 ing before its view every trick, return 
 his partner's fuiti the lady made two 
 more, one only remained the dcftined 
 vidim of the corps de referve, and thus 
 fecured the victory, A fingle hand de- 
 termined the next game in favour of the 
 laird and mifs. Mr. Hamilton Gonfider- 
 cd the rubber as won by mifs's dexterity, 
 which raifed her very high in his eftima- 
 tion. He with much gravity remarked, 
 " that it was a very providential cir- 
 cumflance, that fhe thought of playing 
 through the honour." 
 
 The major and his lady obferved their 
 
 brother's attention to Mifs Sourkrout, 
 
 but thinking it accidental, regarded it 
 
 with, unconcern. The next morning the 
 
 E 3 laird
 
 [78] 
 
 kird went to pay the lady a viflt, and 
 was very gracioufly received, 
 
 A few days after, taking an opportunity 
 of being alone with the major, he turn- 
 ed the difcourfe upon Mifs Sourkrout, 
 with a very particular detail of her ca(h 
 and moveables, according to the informa- 
 tion which he had received from his 
 acquaintance the attorney. The major 
 ftrongly dilTuaded his brother from at- 
 tempting any fuch connexion 5 but as 
 in his difluafives he faid nothing to the 
 difparagement of her fortune, he made 
 Uttle imprelTion. 
 
 The laird vifited and revifited the fair 
 objed of his purfuit, and as flie and her 
 mamma had taken care to be well in- 
 formed concerning his circumftances, he 
 was received with kindnefs, manifefting 
 itfelf the more openly at every fuc- 
 ceeding interview. A few weeks con- 
 cluded
 
 [ 19 ] 
 eluded the negodation, and after a de- 
 cent facrlfice to coynefs and decorum, 
 the efquire was bleiled with all the hap- 
 pinefs th?t the lawful pofTefTion of mifs's 
 charms, fuch as they were, could beftow. 
 Thefenior and junior relations of mayoral 
 dignity foon after fet out with the efquire 
 for the houfe of Etterick. 
 
 Major Hamilton, meanwhile, after 
 having fpent the defbined time in York- 
 fhire, rejoined his regiment, then quar- 
 tered at B^rvvick and adjacent towns.— 
 The remainder of the fummer and the 
 following winter he and his lady palTed 
 in the county of Northumberland. The 
 time now approaching, that was to ren- 
 der her a mother, Eliza anxioufly wilhed 
 to repair to the vicarage. The major, 
 procuring a fhort leave of abfence, ac- 
 companied her thither, and foon after 
 (March 22d, 1765,) fhe prefented him 
 with a fon and heir. In due time the 
 » 4, infant^
 
 [80] 
 
 infant was chrlftened by a neighbouring 
 clergyman, whild his grand- father, being 
 iponfor, gave to him his own name of 
 William. Mrs. Hamilton having re- 
 folved not to delegate to another the 
 duty which fhe found herfelf able to dif- 
 charge, it was agreed that the vicarage 
 fhould continue to be her chief refidence, 
 while fhe fuckled little William ; and as 
 the regiment was now removed to York, 
 that the major fhould fpend, at Brother- 
 ton, all the time that he could fparc 
 from profcfTional duty. As thefe vifits, 
 depending in fome degree on contin- 
 genccs, were neither fixed as to time, 
 nor certain as to duration, they en« 
 hanced the impafiioned affcdion with 
 "which the hufband and wife regarded 
 each other, and their little boy. Whilft 
 the mother, in the father's abfence, 
 traced his beloved features in the fon, 
 Ihe could not help reflcQing, that the 
 
 caufe
 
 caufe of their frequent feparation was the 
 performance of duties that might tear 
 them much farther and longer afunder; 
 carrying her fancy to events not im- 
 probable, fhe often dwelt with anxious 
 tendernefs on the likelihood there was 
 that Hamilton might be ordered abroad. 
 Peace, it was true, did not at prefent 
 fcem about to be foon broken, but dif- 
 contents already manifefted themfelves 
 in America, and might become more 
 ferious; (hould troops be requifite to 
 fupportthe authority of government, no 
 regiment, fhe thought, was more likely 
 to be feleded than that of which her 
 adored huiband was a member.— Thefe 
 confiderations tinged the love of EJiza 
 with a penfive foftnefs, that rendered her 
 more peculiarly interefting. Her father, 
 who divined the caufe of her uneafinefs, 
 afiured her, that fhould any circumftance 
 call his efteemed and valued fon-in-law 
 E 5 to>
 
 [ 82 ] 
 
 to a diftant land, William (hould be his 
 care, and that no pains or expence, which 
 an income, though moderate not fcanty, 
 could afford, fiiould be wanting to give 
 him an education becoming a gentleman 
 and a fcholar. The forebodings of Mrs. 
 Hamilton for fever?] years proved un- 
 founded. Afcer William was of fuffici- 
 entage and ftrtngth to allow hcrabfence,^ 
 fhe accompanied her hufband to the re- 
 gimental quarters, which, tmough they 
 frequently fhrfted, were never farther re- 
 napved than Liverpool, Chefter, Shrewfl^ 
 ^ry, or Wmt otner town within a hun- 
 dred miles of her father and her fon. 
 
 Before William had reached the fecond 
 year of his age ihe had brought him a 
 brother, and foon after he attained his 
 third (he produced another boy. Young 
 William by this time wasaftrong, adive, 
 fprightly little fellow, and the chief fa- 
 vourite of his grand-father, who looked 
 
 on
 
 [■83] 
 
 an him as a kind of phenomenon, and 
 though only in his fourth year, began to 
 teach him the firfl rudiments of litera- 
 ture. 
 
 Having about a year before rifen to 
 be lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, 
 Hamilton had fo clofcly attended to the 
 troops that he procured a leave of ab- 
 fence for fix months, which he, with his 
 lady, fpent with the vicar, and in vigi- 
 lantly watching the opening underdand- 
 ing and heart of their eldefl; fon3 and 
 from the acutenefs of his remarks, quick- 
 nefs and retentivenefs of his memory, 
 and readinefs of his ingenuity, together 
 with the affedlionate kindnefs of his dif- 
 pofition, all feen through the exag- 
 gerating medium of parental partiality, 
 regarded him as a furprizing inftance of 
 intelligence and goodnefs. AfFcdion, 
 however, did not fo much blind difcern- 
 ment as to prevent them from difcover- 
 E 6 ing
 
 I HI 
 
 ing that his temper was irritable and 
 fiery, that under the impulfe of anger he 
 would very readily do mifchief, thougb 
 he foon repented ; and they ftrongly re- 
 prefented to the vicar this dt{t6t in the 
 child, and he promifed his efforts to its 
 correction. Hamilton now rejoined his 
 regiment, which was ordered to the 
 fouth of England, and did not for the 
 two following years after find leifure to 
 revifit his fon. William, during this 
 interval, made quick proficiency under 
 his grand-father j at fix years old began 
 his accidence, and at feven had made no 
 fmall progrcfs in Corderius. Befides the 
 old vicar he had another preceptor, who 
 as anxioufly fuperintended the efforts of 
 his bodily flrength, as his grand-father 
 his mental improvement. This was fer- 
 geant Maxwell, v/ho inllruded him in 
 boxing and cricket, as he had himfelf 
 learned them in his youth, from Hamp- 
 
 fhire
 
 [ ^5 I 
 
 fliire and SufTex men, when quartered m 
 the fouth of England; and alfo procured 
 him the inftrudlions of young villagers^ 
 eminent for the Yorkfhire wreflling, and 
 efpecially for crofs buttocks. Under 
 his various tutors William made fuch 
 advances that he had few matches of his 
 own age, at either grammatical or gym- 
 naflical exercifcs. About this time the 
 vicar*s elded fon, after having held a 
 fellowfbip at Cambridge for feveral 
 years, was prefented to a living in his 
 native country, near twenty miles from 
 his father's houfe. Having, during his 
 refidence at the univerfity, been accus- 
 tomed to tuition, he propofed to add to 
 his income by eftabiifhing an academy. 
 The vicar highly approved of this plan, 
 propofed to knd his young grandfon as 
 a fcholar to the new feminary. His fon- 
 in-law and daughter, who were now at 
 the vicarage, were greatly delighted with 
 
 this
 
 [85]' 
 
 this fcheme, as they faw their boy, with 
 many excellent qualities, required much 
 ftricler and fteadier difcipline than was 
 adminiflered by his grandfather's indul- • 
 gence. The colonel's regiment being 
 fpeedily to embark for Ireland, it was ac 
 his inftanee determined that young Ha- 
 milton Hhould be immediately fent to 
 fchool. The fecond fon of colonel Ha- 
 milton had died an infant, the third was, 
 at the earned entreaty of the vicar, lefc 
 to replace William. The youngeil 
 child, a daughter, accompanied her pa- 
 rents. Mrs. Hamilton, with extreme 
 reiu6i:ance, parted from her two boysi 
 yet convinced that their refpeftive fitua- 
 tion was the fittcft that could be chofen 
 for their feveral ages, bore it with forti- 
 tude. She was now lels uneafy on her 
 hufband's account, than during the firft 
 appearance of American difcontent.— 
 The conciliatory policy with which the 
 
 admJnlflra-
 
 [ «7 I 
 
 adminiflration of lord North had com- 
 menced, had already, in a great meafurCa 
 quieted difturbances, and it was hoped 
 that meafures fo agreeable to the mild- 
 nefs of his charader would be uniformly 
 adhered to, and produce a total cefTation 
 of dlflatisfadtion. From thefc expeda- 
 tions, fo gratifying to loyal and patriotic 
 poluiclans, Mrs. Hamilton drew an in- 
 ference conducive to private happincfs, 
 that the colonel would not be ordered to 
 America. Cherifhing thefe hopes^ ihe 
 with the lefs regret took leave of her 
 father and children, whom, as the dis- 
 tance was comparatively inconfidcrable, 
 fhc hoped ere long to have in her arms.
 
 [ 8S ]: 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 William Hamilton, the young hero of 
 this true hiftory, was eight years of age 
 when he removed to his uncle dodtor 
 Wentbridge's fchool, in the neighbour- 
 hood of Weatherby. That gentleman 
 began his feminary with a confiderable 
 profpeft of fuccefs, and among a good 
 number of pupils had feveral boys of 
 nearly his nephew's (landing. William's 
 genius, therefore, both quick and ftrong, 
 was flimulatcd by emulation. His lite- 
 rary career gave his uncle very thorough fa- 
 lls fadion. Before he reached his eleventh 
 year, he was advanced to Csefar and 
 Ovid's Metamorphofes, and at the head 
 of a clafs of promifing fcholars in the 
 various fchoolexercifes. Though in his 
 difpofitiovi frank, liberal, \ and bold, and 
 very popular among his fchoolfeliows, 
 
 yet
 
 yet he continued pafTionate ; his anger 
 being vented in violence where prowefs 
 could operate, but where valour was in- 
 applicable, convergingitfelf into poignant 
 and fevere farcafm ; infomuch that his 
 uncle told the old vicar, William would 
 turn out a very clever fellow whatfoever 
 profcflion he embraced, but if he be- 
 came literary would moft: probably be a 
 fatirill. The venerable clergyman was 
 pleafcd with the teftimony borne by his 
 fon to his grandfon*s ability, but declared 
 hi$ fincere wi(h that the violence of his 
 pafTions might be reftrained, and his far- 
 caftic efforts might bereprefifed. Though 
 Dr. Wentbridge was no lefs defirOus of 
 confining his nephew's fatirical effufion 
 within the limits of moderation, he could 
 not always fucceed. There was at the 
 fchool an ufher of acute and vigorous 
 talents, but malignant in his difpofition, 
 four and fneering in his manners, felfifli 
 
 and
 
 [90] 
 
 and avaricious in his condud, extremely 
 ugly and coarfc in hh appearance. It was 
 cuftomary at the return to fchool after the 
 holidays for the fcholars to make aprefenc 
 to this perfon,and their treatment by him 
 was generally found indulgent or rigorous, 
 according to the amount of the dona- 
 tion* Dr. Wentbridge had not thought 
 it necefTary, as he paid his teacher fuf- 
 ficiently himfelf, to make any addition- 
 on account of his nephew. The covet- 
 ous pedant was difpleafed at this omif- 
 fion, and vented his refcntmcnt in rigour 
 and infult to the boy as far as he durfl:, 
 without offending the mailer. William 
 had once or twice complained of the 
 ufher's behaviour, but as Dr. Went- 
 bridge vv^ell knew the plaintiff's irritabi- 
 lity, and highly valued the defendant on 
 account of his preceptorial qualifications, 
 he, on rather a fummary inquiry, gave 
 judgment in the defendant's favour.— 
 
 The:
 
 C 90 
 
 The ufher, encouraged by thefe acquit- 
 tals, had perfifted in perfecuting young 
 Hamilton. One day the boy, now 
 turned of twelve, having finifhed an ex- 
 ercife, in which he had tranflated into 
 Englidi verfe the ftorm in the firlt 
 ^neid, had betaken himfelf to Tom 
 Jones, which he was reading at his lei- 
 fure hours with a devouring eagernefs. 
 He had before pointed out parfon 
 Thwackum to his fchoolfcllows, as the 
 reprefentative of Mr. Scourge, and the 
 uflicr, was not without an intimation 
 of William's comments, but had not 
 a plaiifiblc pretext for venting his galL 
 Now perceiving that Hamilton was 
 engaged with this novel, while thofe 
 about him were occupied at their e^- 
 crcifes, he imperioufiy demanded why 
 he was not at his talk. " The talk is 
 finifhed,** anfwered the other, without 
 the reverential preface of, fir, — " What 
 
 ilupid
 
 [ 9^ J 
 
 ftupid book is that you are readingj. 
 firrah ?"— <' Tm reading no ftupid book, 
 it's all very natural. — There,rir5".faid the 
 young dog, *^ you will fee parfon Thwac- 
 kum is at laft found out by his mafter, and 
 turned off.'* — " What do you fay, you 
 fcoundrel," faid Scourge. *' Away, I 
 am no fcoundrel," replied the boy, " but 
 parfon Thwackum was a fcoundrel, and 
 was treated accordingly.*' — The ufher 
 confidering this remark as treafon, pro- 
 ceeded to fummary punirhmcnr, and it 
 would have fa'red hard with our hero, 
 had not one of the young gentlemen, 
 who was ftronger than the ufher, inter- 
 fered, and fent another to the mafter,, 
 requefting his immediate prefence. Dr. 
 Wentbridge appeared ; at once malici- 
 ous and mean Scourge preferred his 
 accufation. Wentbridge, not without a 
 knowledge of the difpofitions and cha- 
 rader of his deputy, and who of late had 
 
 difcovcred
 
 [93l 
 
 difcovered his acrimony againft William, 
 foon found out the real merits of the 
 cafe : but not defirous of lowering, in the 
 eyes of the fcholars, a teacher whom he 
 found extremely fuccefsful, he difmiffed 
 his nephew with a flight rebuke, but 
 fcnt for him into the parlour, and know- 
 ing he could depend upon his veracity, 
 though not on his temper, defired him 
 ingenuoufly to recount the whole circum- 
 ftances. Thefe Hamilcon' very plainly 
 and fully explained. He confeflTed that, 
 enraged at the ufher's feverity, he had 
 compared him to parfon Thwackum, 
 *' though, fir, I muft confefs, when 1 
 law him entering a complaint to you, 
 and trying to fimper and fmile while 
 he is really fo rancorous, I thought of 
 another part." — <^ What is that, fir?" 
 faid the dodor, pretending to fpeak 
 angrily: <' Why, fir," faid William, 
 who penetrated into his uncle's real fen- 
 
 timents.
 
 [94] 
 
 dments, ^^ that part in which Mr. Blifil, 
 trying to do mifchief, has one of thole 
 grinning fneers, with which the devil 
 marks his bed beloved." — Wentbridge 
 could hardly avoid fmiling at an applica- 
 tion, which he could not help thinking 
 moft forcibly appofitej but conftraining 
 his countenance, mod feverely rebuked 
 his nephew for fpeaking fo difrefped- 
 fully of his teacher. He did not, how- 
 ever, fail privately to expoftulate feri- 
 oufly with the tutor on his harflmefs, 
 and charged him to abftain from it in 
 future. The ufher, who had a better 
 place than he could eafily get anywhere 
 clfe, was lefs violent thereafter, and 
 though, perhaps, he hated the boy more, 
 flogged him much lefs. 
 
 William's time now pafTed very plea- 
 fantly, and he proceeded in his ftudies, 
 making rapid proficiency. His father 
 and mother regularly correfponded with 
 
 our
 
 [ 95 3 
 
 t3»r young hero, and derived high gra- 
 tification from his letters. 
 
 About two years before the regiment 
 had been ordered to America, io quickly 
 that they had not time to revific Eng- 
 land, and embrace their children. Our 
 colonel was actively engaged in the battles 
 of Long Ifland, New York, and White- 
 plains, and deemed them all, in decifive 
 fuccefs, little adequate to Britilli force, 
 valour, and efforts. He accompanied 
 lord Cornwaliis in his vidlorious career 
 through the Jerfeys, and had no doubt 
 of. capturing Philadelphia, when the 
 commander in chief, by recalling the 
 viftorious Britons, arrefled the pro- 
 grefs as it was about to be complete.-^ 
 He faw and regretted the diffipated 
 fcenes of New York winter quarters, but 
 fortified by principle, and confirmed by 
 habit, remained uninfected by the de- 
 ftrudive contagion. Dilapproving of 
 7 plans,
 
 [96] 
 
 plans, he was Intrepid and fkilful in exe- 
 cution. Lamenting the late outfet of mi- 
 litary operations in the campaignof 1777, 
 and the circuitous courfe of invafion, 
 which poftponed adive warfare till the 
 feafon for it was nearly expired. When 
 the Bricifh army at length took the field, 
 colonel Hamilton was one of its mod 
 valiant and fkilful leaders. At Brandy 
 Wine and German town, he was parti- 
 cularly diftinguifhed; he now hoped that 
 Britiih achievements, though tardy in 
 commencement, would beefFedual in re- 
 fult. But premature departure from the 
 field completed the inutility of Britifh va- 
 lour. Northern difcomfiture combining 
 with fouthern inefficiency, demonftrated 
 the conteft to be henceforth hopelefs. 
 Hamilton perceived, with forrow, the de- 
 bauchery that unnerved Britifli prowefs, 
 and with mingled pity and contempt be- 
 held the farcical pageantry of triumph 
 
 without
 
 t 97 3 
 
 witlioiit atchievement, which terminated 
 inglorious command. The capture of 
 Burgoyne, and the obilinacy which con- 
 tinued hoftile contention, after its objedt 
 was defperate, rendered large reinforce- 
 ments of troops neceflary. The levies^ 
 of new regiments procured Hamilton 
 promotion, which permitted him to re- 
 turn to Britain with his lady and his 
 daughter. 
 
 Our hero was about fourteen years of 
 age when revifited by his parents;- 
 comely, healthy, adive, and ftrong, and 
 in his mental powers and acquirements 
 far beyond moll youths of fixtecn. Both 
 father and mother were proud of fuch a 
 fon, and anticipated future eminence from 
 fopromifing talents and accompiifhments. 
 As their fccond fon was now at the fame 
 feminary5a neighbouring boarding fchool 
 was commodious for the daughter. The 
 colonel and his lady fixed their abode ia 
 
 VOL, I. F the
 
 t 98 ] 
 
 the fame village. The venerable vicar of 
 Brotherton having for upwards of forty 
 years difcharged, without afTiftancc, the 
 •duties of his trufl:, was, after he had 
 turned his feventieth year, prevailed on 
 to delegate the moft laborious part of his 
 fundion to a curate, and was thus able 
 to fpend much of his time in the houfes 
 of his fon or daughter. 
 
 Old Maxwell, though pafl his grand 
 dimaderic, found no difficulty in walk- 
 ing twenty miles to vifit thefc friends, 
 and efpecially to confer with the colonel 
 on the military operations, " Pleafc 
 your noble honour," he would fay, *' I 
 think we have not done half fo much 
 againft thofe yankies as we did againft 
 the French, and yet, God be praifed, 
 
 Britifii foldiers have fought like what 
 
 can I fay ? Why, like Britifh foldiers. 
 But their generals — — -, O Lord, your 
 honour, the Hippery ground at White- 
 plains
 
 L 99 3 
 
 plains would not have flopped general 
 Wolfe ; the heights of Abraham were a 
 great deal deeper. Some people change 
 hy preferment. I remember ac that 
 very place general — *— , then a colonel, 
 was one of the firtl that got up the pre- 
 cipice. 1 muft fay/' continucjd the lo- 
 quacious veteran, ^^ Fort WaOhington 
 was a gallant feat. The defence of Que- 
 bec was very well too j and fo by G-— d 
 was the attack. That Montgomery was 
 a brave fellow j from his name he mud be 
 a Scotchman by birth. Poor Frafer coo 
 —but I do not know how it was, there 
 was a great deal of courage and valiant 
 fighting with no upfhot. We are no 
 nearer the mark than when we began." 
 The colonel could not help really coin- 
 ciding with fome parts of this criticifm, 
 though for obvious reafons he did not 
 reckon it expedient to open his mind 
 without rcferve. 
 
 F 2 >Both
 
 [ ICO ] 
 
 Both the Meffrs, Wentbridge con- 
 curred in cenfurlng the execution of the 
 war, but carried their itridlures alfo to 
 its plans and origin. Hamilton as a mi- 
 litary man had lofty ideas of the fubmif- 
 fion due to government in every depart*, 
 ment, pohtical as well as military i and 
 various difquifitions took place from a 
 divcrfity of opinion, fufEcient to enliven 
 and animate converfarion without cauf- 
 ing afperity of difpute. Our hero was 
 often prefent at thefe difiertations; and 
 being permitted to deliver his opinion, 
 and intruded to fupport it with acute- 
 nefs and force, though with modefty and 
 candour, he greatly promoted the exten- 
 fion of his knowledge, as well as the in- 
 vigoration of his powers, by thefe exer- 
 cifes. He was himfclf ftrongly inclined 
 to the whig fide, a reader of the newf- 
 papers, and a profound admirer of 
 Charles Fox. He often expreffed the 
 
 delight
 
 [ 101 ] 
 
 delight he fhould feel on being the au* 
 thor of fuch fpeeches as were delivered 
 by that celebrated orator. His father 
 would anfwer, "You may, if you have 
 merit enough. There are fame eminent 
 men in parliament, who raifed them- 
 fclves from a Gtuition no higher than 
 yours.'* Topics of this fort fometinies 
 led to confiderations refpedling the fu- 
 ture profedion of our hero, efpecially 
 when he approached the age of kvcn- 
 teen, and acquired a degree of clafilcal 
 literature, as well as other knowledge, 
 that rendered him fit for being fent to an 
 univerfity. His grandfather reviewing 
 th:* happinefs which he himfelf had en- 
 joyed in a fequeftered life, and in the 
 vigour of his own conftitution hoping 
 for feveral years longer life, wilhed to 
 fecure the reverfion of his living to his 
 grandfon, Tne do^or, who bv ?ong re- 
 iidencc at college chiefly regarded aca- 
 F 3 demia
 
 [ I02 ] 
 
 dcmic dignities and promotion, did nor 
 doubt that the genius and erudition of 
 his nephew might rife to the higheft ap- 
 pointments in the univerfity, if not in 
 the church. He himfelf had by his col- 
 kge conne6lions procured a livings 
 formed his fchool, and lately obtained a 
 more valuable benefice. He knew thac 
 a contented and unambitious temper only 
 prevented him fromriringfiill higher, and 
 faw that Hamilton was of a much more 
 afpiring difpofition. The colonel, much 
 as he venerated the elder, refpe(fl:ed and 
 cfteemed the younger Wentbridge, yet 
 valued political more than ecclefiaftical 
 advancement, and defired his fon to rife 
 in the ftatc rather than the church.— 
 They all, however, agreed that he 
 fhould fpecdily be fent t© an univerfity s. 
 and as Cambridge was bed known and 
 moft highly prized by Dr. Wentbridge,, 
 that was the fcminary chofen for young 
 
 Hamilton^.
 
 [ I03 I 
 
 Hamilton, and preparations were made 
 for his being entered of Trinity college. 
 Before William's departure for the 
 univerfity, he unexpcdledly became ac- 
 quainted with relations whom he had 
 never as yet feen. The laird of Et- 
 terick had, as we have recorded, return- 
 ed to the north, polTcfiing all the charms 
 of his Grizzle's perfon, and the half 
 of her twelve thoufand pounds, the old 
 lady having retained the other during 
 life, a period which the honeft laird could 
 not help thinking very long, Etterick 
 had not all the fatisfadion in this con- 
 ne(5lion that he had hoped ; — not that he 
 felt or had any reafon to feel jealoufy. 
 The amiable Grizzle had indeed had the 
 good fortune never to excite any inordi- 
 nate defire: during her virginty the views 
 of her fuitors had been bounded by her 
 pockets ; and fmce her entering the mar- 
 riage-date, all men that faw her regarded 
 F4 her;
 
 E 104] 
 
 her as having difpofed of the oni/ 
 temptation which had been ever in her 
 power ; and the laird when in his cups, 
 fometimes wifhing to celebrate the won- 
 derful purity of his wife, would declare 
 that fhe was not only fingularly virtuous, 
 but that he would venture to fay no man 
 ever defined her to be otherwife. So 
 wron<^-headed women arc fometimes 
 found, that the kdy did not relifh this 
 compliment, and no fubjedt was more 
 grateful to her than affercions that at- 
 tempts had been made upon her virtue. 
 The laird and fhe, after the honey- moon 
 was over, were not extremely rapturous 
 in their exprefTions of affedlion. Some- 
 times, indeed, they fell into Httle fpar- 
 ring matches which temper the fweets of 
 connubial ecftacies. In thefe family- 
 pieces Mrs. Sourkrout would now and 
 then take a part. The chief fubjed of 
 difpute was the rank and conlcquence of 
 
 the
 
 C ro5 ] 
 
 the refpfftive families, whether the 
 daughter of a mayor or the laird of Et- 
 trick brought the greateft honour. This 
 point was frequently contefted with 
 warmth, and introduced a great variety 
 of narratives, of arguments, replies, and 
 rejoinders. The laird would mention the 
 many centuries during which the family 
 of Etterick had lafted. They had often 
 been in the fuite of the earls of Douglas, 
 and had been extremely aflive in plun- 
 dering the Englifh borders. They had 
 three boars' heads for their arms: from 
 which it was inferred by themfelves, that 
 their forefathers had been intrepid and 
 fuccefsful hunters 5 whereas the detrac- 
 tors of the fanfiily derived thofe emblems 
 from the will and bequeft of one of its ma- 
 ternal uncles,. who, having been an emi- 
 nent pork-butcher at Newcaftle, in leav- 
 ing his wealth to a nephew, proprietor of 
 Etcerick,then much involved, had chofen 
 - F 5 * to
 
 to annex to his legacy a condition re- 
 ferring to his own profefTion. To this 
 lad interpretation the lady would adhere. 
 The laird would farther alTeverate, that 
 the family of Etterick had from many ge- 
 nerations in its marriages kept to its own 
 rankj and that if he had a little demeaned 
 himfelf, he dill thought Grizzle ought 
 to be fenfible of the promotion (he had 
 received, and duly to value the alliance to 
 which fhe had been raifed. — The lady's 
 firft line of arguments by which fhe op- 
 pofed fo unwarrantable attacks on the 
 dignity of the Sourkrouts confifted of the 
 mayor and his importance, and corpora- 
 tion dinners and eledion balls, and the 
 tnayorefs partner to the chief candi- 
 date my lord Ethelwald Mercia, fon to 
 Edgar earl of Pentweazle, the Coun- 
 tcfs of Coventry's Minuet danced by 
 the faid lord and faid mayorefs. But 
 if the firft line by the force of his charge 
 
 did
 
 [ 107 ] 
 
 did not difcomfit the boars* heads and 
 the Etterick antiquity, there was a ftrong 
 line of referve, commanded and with 
 impetuous fury led on by Mrs. Sour- 
 krout herfelf, confiding of her uncle the 
 bifliop. The laird of Etterick ought to 
 remember, that the lady who had ho- 
 noured him with her hand was great 
 niece to a fpiritual lord. Was any of 
 his boars' heads a right reverend father 
 in God ? could any of then (hew a mitre 
 on their carriage ? — The laird, finding 
 his opponents more voluble than hrm- 
 felf, at laft defifted from contefting the 
 point; unlefs now and then when he re- 
 turned from a conference with the par- 
 fon-ovcr Maggy Wood's whifky- punch, 
 or from a meeting of juftices held to 
 promote good morals and efpecially fo- 
 briety among the poor, or from a Mon- 
 day's dinner after the adminiltration of 
 the facrament. 
 
 f G With
 
 [ 108 3 
 
 With thefe little interruptions they 
 were not on the whole deficient in family 
 harmony, and Providence bleft their 
 loves with a daughter, who, followed by 
 no fifter and interrupted by no brother, 
 wasdeftined heir of the eftate of Etterick 
 and the money of Sourkrout, both con- 
 fiderably increafed by the oeconomy of 
 her parents. Mrs. Sourkrout paffing 
 the fummer in Scotland generally win* 
 tered at her houfe in Doncafler : there 
 ihe was at this time fituated. The laird 
 not having for many years feen his bro^ 
 ther, propofed to fetch the dowager, and 
 with his wife and daughter to vifit the 
 colonel. Accordingly they fee out, and 
 in due time reached the abode of our 
 hero's parents. The colonel and his 
 fon were abroad on a vific -, and Mrs. 
 Hamilton, having completely forgiven 
 the machinations of the quondam Mifs 
 Sourkrout, now received her with a cor- 
 diality
 
 [ 109 J 
 
 didlty and kindnefs of a fifter-in-lawy 
 and was no lefs affedionate in her treat- 
 ment of the laird and their young Mifs. 
 The heirefs of Etterick was now about 
 fifteen years of age but a very forward 
 plant, combining her father's height 
 with her mother's breadth and rotun- 
 dity : fhe alfo inherited the maternal 
 locks with a ruddy complexion and 
 fanguine afpeft. Though father and 
 mother did not coincide in every 
 fubject, they agreed refpedling Su- 
 key J both indulged her without re- 
 ft raint or moderation. The old lady, 
 though it mufl be confcfied not very 
 prone to kindnefs, cherifl-ied this her 
 heir and reprefentative with more bound- 
 lefs fondnefs than even her parents 
 themfelves. Mifs Sukey was accuftomed 
 to fpsak without' referve whatever fhe 
 thought or felt. She had not been half 
 an hour in the houfe before fhe afked 
 
 Mrs.
 
 [ MO ] 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton if they had many fine 
 young men about the place ? and whe- 
 ther her coufm William was not very 
 handlbme ? The lady of the houfe 
 having fmiled without returning a direct 
 anfwer, (be went on to an account of the 
 different gentlemen (he knew, with an 
 accurate defcription of their refpedlive 
 features, face, height, and fhape. She 
 was (landing by a window expatiating on 
 thefe fubje(5ls, and her aunt and mother 
 were fitting at fome little diftance, when 
 fuddenly (lopping and gazing out for 
 a minute fhe exclaimed, ** Good 
 Lord 1 mother, what a lovely youth i'* 
 but before the mother came to make 
 her obfervations, the young man was 
 out of fight. A few minutes after, co- 
 lonel Hamilton entered the room ; and 
 after a very affedionate meeting with 
 his brother, and paying his refpedbs to 
 his fifter-in-law and niece, he fent a fer- 
 3. vant
 
 C I" ] 
 
 vant to the dodtor's to fummon his two- 
 fbns. Henry, the youngeft, firft made 
 his appearance ; a fine, active, blooming 
 boy of fourteen, with the carelefTnefs 
 about drefs incidental to boys before 
 the ideas of commencing manhood give 
 them different fentiments. Soon but not 
 immediately after arrived William, and 
 was recognized by his coufin to be the 
 perfon whom a little before Ihe had fo 
 lavilhly praifed. William was now en- 
 tered the eighteenth year of his age, with 
 an animated,. exprefTive, and engaging 
 countenance, above the middle fize, 
 well proportioned, graceful, adlive, and 
 mufcular, with a frank and manly addrefs, , 
 and manners which, though they did 
 not amount to courtly politenefs, coming 
 diredlly, were more imprefTive than the 
 mod ftudied refinement. His charms 
 and accomplifliments had already made 
 an impreflion on fome of the young 
 
 Delias
 
 [ "2 ] 
 
 Delias who had learned, while peruf^ 
 ing their prayer-book at church, to 
 take a glance at the Damons, and with 
 foft eyes, pouting lips, and dimpling 
 cheeks to indicate the blolToming emo- 
 tions of nature. William however, 
 though fully fenfible to female charms^ 
 had not fixed his attentions on any par- 
 ticular objedt j or rather was the admirer 
 of every pretty girl he faw, and of her 
 moll whom he had laft beheld. Young 
 as he was, he moreover poflefled a very 
 confiderable difcernment; and though 
 he might be pleafed for a time he could 
 not be long interefied, by any objed that 
 did not add good fenfe and fenfibility to 
 beauty. His coufin, minding mere ex- 
 ternal appearance, was captivated at fir ft 
 fight with our young hero ; and having 
 been inftrudted by her grandmother and 
 her old nurfe that a young lady of for- 
 tune is to be baulked in nothing that fbe 
 
 may.
 
 I "3 1 
 
 maypleafe to defircjinftcad of concealing 
 her fenfations, fhe with much pains dif- 
 played them to their obje6t -, and though 
 William certainly did not make the ex- 
 peflcd return, yet, as fhe could not learn 
 that he was attached to any other, (he 
 hoped her battery might ultimately be 
 cffcduaj. But before that blefTcd time 
 arrived, our hero let off for the uni* 
 verfity.
 
 E ^H 3 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 Our hero arriving at Cambridge was. 
 cntrufted to the care of the head of a 
 college, the old intimate friend of his 
 uncle, and entered as a penfioner. Ha- 
 milton had carried with him a flock of 
 claflical literature that equalled the pro- 
 ficiency of any cotemporary youth from, 
 even Weftminfler or the other great 
 fchools. He alfo had made fome pro- 
 grefs in mathematics. This happened 
 to be what Cantabs call a good year;, 
 among the frefh men there were a great 
 proportion of hard ftudents. Our hero 
 made one of the number, and made a 
 diftingui(hed figure in the various exer- 
 cifes. He excelled both in Latin and 
 Engiifh compofition in profe and verfe,„ 
 
 and
 
 t n.5 ] 
 
 and mide feveral efiays at poetry that 
 dirplaycd a fancy both ftrong and briU 
 liant. His fatiric vein, which grew with 
 his age, was not unemployed. Enraged 
 againft Mr. Fox for coalefcing with 
 a flatefman whom in the jl^JgmenC 
 of Hamilton he had execrated fo jullly,, 
 he for a time forgot his at:schment to. 
 the tranfcendent orator, and wrote a> 
 ludicrous poem in the mcafure of Ha- 
 milton's Bawn, containing a brilliancy 
 and force of imagery with a faciric poi- 
 gnancy not unwoithy of a Sheridan. 
 This effay wiis the more highly relifhed 
 at Cambridc?e becaufe it fided with Mr, 
 Pitt, the proud political bead of that 
 univeinty. But thefe fportive exercifes 
 of his genius were far from chiefly em- 
 ploying the talents of our youth. Ac- 
 cording to the inculcations of his pre- 
 ceptors, and the example of the mod 
 admired ftudentSjhe applied himfelf with 
 
 peculiar
 
 [ ii6 ] 
 
 peculiar vigour to mathematics ; and 
 as he approached the year of his gradu- 
 ation, was farther ftimulated by the 
 hopes of academical honours. He alfo 
 added metaphyfics on a more extenfive 
 fcale than is ufual at Englilli univerfities, 
 and did not negled ethics and political 
 ceconomy. He imbibed the high fpirit 
 of liberty which Cambridge breathes,, 
 was a bold and conftiiutional whig> 
 and a great friend to Smith's doc- 
 trines of free trade. He approved 
 greatly of Mr. Pitt's principle of com- 
 mercial politics, the expediency of ex- 
 changing furplus for fupply; and wrote 
 in one of the periodical publications an 
 cfiay on the Irifh propofuions, which 
 was very highly valued by both par- 
 tieSj both for the vigour of reafoning 
 and eloquence of impreflion. Some of 
 his academical friends, to whom he 
 communicated this produdion^ flrongly 
 
 advifed
 
 [ 117] 
 
 advifed him to fuperadd the lighter 
 graces of rhetoric j and by their adv^ice 
 he read Cicero, Quintilian, and Blair. 
 This laft work was the fubjed: of his 
 lludies during one of the vacations while 
 he vifited his friends in Yorkfhire. 
 
 There he pafied about two months, 
 delighted and aftonifhed them by his 
 powers and attainments. Care had been 
 bellowed on his accompliihments as 
 well as his erudition. His mother fav7 
 with pleafirre he was the bed dancer at 
 Doncalier ball. His father having in- 
 troduced him to the officers of his own 
 corps quartered at Leeds, he was uni- 
 verfally allowed to be one of the fined 
 men on the parade. Old Maxwell 
 vowed that he ought to be at the head 
 of the grenadier company. The young 
 farmers acknowledged that at foot- ball, 
 wreftiing, and cudgel-playing, young 
 Mr, Hamilton was a match for any man 
 
 in
 
 [ "8 ] 
 
 in the Weft Riding. The young dam- 
 fels bore witnefs to the handlbmenefs of 
 his face, the fweetnefs and fpirit of his 
 eyes, and the finenefs of his figure 5 not 
 forgetting the charmingnefs of his dan*, 
 cing. WiUiam himfclf, though fenlible 
 of the power of beauty, was not fmitten, 
 at leaft deeply, by any young lady* 
 With veryconfiderable fenfibility, he had 
 little of the delicate and fl^ntimental : he 
 liked a pretty girl when he faw her, and 
 another pretty girl when he faw her; 
 but without being the votary of lan«* 
 guifhing and pining love. 
 
 His coufin Sufan had not yet forgotten 
 herfweetWilliam, as (he ftyled him. Not 
 but that flie had flirted with a cornet of 
 horfe, a lieutenant of marines, the young 
 laird of Mofpaul, and fome others of late. 
 She had from being giddy taken rather a 
 ferious call, and it feems from the fol- 
 lowing caufe. One Roger O^Rcurke, a 
 
 native
 
 C 119 ] 
 
 native of Carrickfergus, had come to 
 Edinburgh to puih his fortune, with one 
 coat, one fhirt, one fiddle, and no pair 
 of breeches, and had been employed as 
 a performer by a dancing-mafter. Being 
 himfelf a ;mufcular adVive fellow and a 
 capital hand at an Irifh jigg, in fummerp 
 when his mafler's bufinefs was flack, he 
 refolved to try his hand, or rather his legs, 
 in delivering inftrudlions himfelf through 
 country villages. In the courfe of his 
 itinerancy, he had arrived at Etterick, 
 and had the honour to give leflbns to 
 Mifs, in order, as the laird phrafed it, to 
 keep her in exercife. The following 
 winter he had been induced by a female 
 acquaintance to vifit the Methodift cha- 
 pel, where, as this friend inftructed him, 
 he would hear the choiceft dodrines for 
 poor frail Tinners. 0*Rourke foon be- 
 came a convert to tenets which he found 
 very accommodating, and readily en- 
 tered
 
 [ 22<^ ] 
 
 tered into a compromife to fwallow all 
 their articles of faith and keep to his 
 own articles of pradice. Being a fel- 
 low of lively fancy, an enterprizing and 
 adventurous difpofition j he having 
 during that winter heard the fermons, 
 joined in the private devotions, partaken 
 of the love-feaits, given and received 
 the holy kifs, experienced the commu- 
 nion of faints, in fliort, ferved the ap- 
 prenticefhip of Mcthodifm, he determin- 
 ed to fee up as a journeyman, and the fol- 
 lowing fummer to have two firings to 
 his bow,— dancing and preaching. Our 
 llrapping miffionary fet out and was not 
 long a vifiting the manfion of Etterick ; 
 but with his drcfs and appearance very 
 greatly changed. For whereas in the 
 former year, he had been a fmart fellov/, 
 with a bonnet and green ribbon, a fhort 
 green coat, tartan waiftcoat, and trow- 
 (trsy he had now a douched hat, a com- 
 plete
 
 [ 121 ] 
 
 pkte fuit of black, which he had got 
 through the munificence of a taylor's 
 lady, that defcribed him to her hufband 
 as a powerful labourer in tne vineyard 
 of the Lord. Mifs, who had regarded 
 her dancing-mailer with much compla- 
 cency, fcarcely recognized him under 
 this m.etamorphofis ; and, at firft, whea 
 informed of the double capacity in 
 which he propofed to ad, treated hiai 
 with ridicule. Her mother, however, 
 was of a different opinion ; that good 
 lady was not without a pre-difpofition to 
 Methodifm. She had fpent fome part . 
 of the preceding winter at Glafgow, and 
 was much pleafed with the fublimated 
 Calvinifm which fhe there heard j as (he, 
 indeed, always had been the friend of faith 
 without works. She had at Edinburgh 
 attended the chapel of Lady Glenor- 
 chy, or, as it was ufually called, the 
 VOL. I. G Ladfs
 
 [ 122 ] 
 
 Ladfs Kirk ; and, finally, fhe had quar- 
 relled with the parfon of her own parifh, 
 becaufc he had given fhelter to a fer- 
 vant whom (he had been pleafed to 
 buffet and difcharge, though not in the 
 wrong. Being, therefore, not difinclined 
 to undergo converfion, (he chid her 
 daughter for treating fo facred things 
 lightly. Suke, having reconfidered the 
 matter, refieded, that, though the out- 
 ward man was different, the inward was 
 the fame ; fhe even complimented him 
 on the change; in his trowfers, (he faid, 
 he had looked too rohuftious^ in his 
 blacks he was more genteel. Under 
 this inftruftor Mifs Sukey made rapid 
 progrefs in grace 5 fhe had learned all 
 the fpiritual terms, and had read Whit- 
 field's and many others' Sermons, and, 
 through the miniftry of the fervent Ro- 
 ger, had very nearly reached the goal of 
 
 female
 
 [ 1^3] 
 
 female faintfhlp *-, when, behold, a letter 
 arrived from a friend at Doncader, that 
 knew nothing of Mils Sukey's f[^iritual 
 change ; defcribing the appearance of 
 William Hamilton at the ball, and 
 fettlng forth his charms, and the many 
 young ladies whom they had captivated. 
 The evangelical paftor and this wan- 
 dering (liecp (not, like Mifs Prudence, 
 little, but of the Tiviof-ddle breed,) 
 were fitting on a fofa, difcutTing the doc- 
 trine of fpiritual love, w.hich he eluci- 
 dated by apt illuftrations -, he had ex- 
 emplified the kifs of peace, and was im- 
 printing on her lips the kifs of joy, when 
 a foot on tht ftair made them withdraw 
 from the clofenefs of thtir devotions, 
 afraid ieft their holy zeal, being mifcon- 
 ilrued, might be a ftumbling-block to 
 
 • See Mifs Prue*3 Letter in the Bath Guide, 
 and Mr. PolvThele's Note. 
 
 G 2 the
 
 [ ^24 3 
 
 the ungodly; and (he had redched the 
 window, when a fervant brought the let- 
 ter. Mifs Sukey having read and re- 
 read this epiftle, her afFcdion for Ha- 
 milton immediately rekindled in her 
 combuRible bofom. Roger and his kifs 
 of joy had no longer any joy for her. 
 She refolved that her father and mo- 
 ther (hould immediately accompany her 
 to Yorkfhire. Agnin looking at the dear 
 letter, fhe obftrved apoflfcript which had 
 before efcaped her, mentioning that it 
 was remarked that the excellent old Mrs. 
 Sourkrout had been of late declining 
 much i (he ran to her mother and ihewed 
 her this poftfcript, and did not fail to 
 recoiled a dream which fhe had about 
 her grandmamma ; — fhe had feen that 
 beloved lady lying on her death-bed, 
 reproaching her daughter and grand- 
 daughter for negleding her in her laft 
 
 moments.
 
 [ >^5 ] 
 
 mamcnts. Her conrcience could not be 
 ac cafe unlefs they poftcd inftanily to the 
 houfe of their parent. The mother, 
 who was incapable of refufing any re- 
 quifuion to her d^iughccr, granted this 
 the more readily, as (he wilhed to take 
 cognizance of the old lady's progrefs in 
 grace. The lairJ, who was generally 
 padive on fuch occafions, did not ob- 
 ject to the intended expedition ; and, 
 when his wife and daughter had left the 
 room, ringing for his chief confidant and 
 counfellor, the footman, with much glee 
 fqueezed him by the hand, faying, 
 «' Andrew, my boy, the everlafting 
 dowager is going at length ; by the 
 Lord Ihe has had a tough time of itj 
 when we have her once under ground, 
 we fhall have a ranting night of it at 
 Maggy Wood's." They prepared to 
 fct out immediately j Roger accofted 
 Mifs as ihe came inno the hail equipped 
 G 3 for
 
 [ n5 ] 
 
 for her journey, but to his aftonifhment 
 received no an:\ver« She hurried into 
 the carriage, was followed by her pa- 
 rents, and they drove off, leaving the 
 pieacher to account for this fudderi 
 change; all he could learn from the fcr- 
 vants was that the old lady was at the 
 point of death, for fo Andrew had re- 
 ported. He wifhed Providence had de- 
 ferred this intelligence a little longer : 
 meanwhile he addreffed hixnfelf to the 
 hearts of other devotees. 
 
 The travellers had proceeded with 
 fuch expedition that, having left Selkirk 
 at three o'clock in the afternoon, they 
 the next evening at nine arrived at Don- 
 cafter, and, very little to the fatisfaiflion 
 of the laird, found Mrs. Sourkrout en- 
 gaged at whift and in high fpirits, in the 
 very acl of receiving three tricks for a 
 revoke. She was agreeably furprifed 
 by a viQt of which fhc had no appre- 
 
 henfion
 
 [ 127] 
 
 henfion of the motives. Bur, though die 
 was not fo ill as the laird had expedled, 
 (he was fo much emaciated he was not 
 without hopes of foon laying her under 
 ground. The dowager afked Mifs Suke 
 if they had taken the coioneFs in their 
 way, and if (he had feen her coufin Wil- 
 liam ? She anlwered in the negative; 
 but learned with mucn fatisfaftion, that 
 he was expelled in town the following 
 day to the races. The next day came, 
 William made his appearance, and paid 
 his compliments to Mif> with the caieof 
 good-humoured indifference. Mifs was 
 in raptures with her charming coufin, 
 as ihe did not fcruple openly to call 
 him, but could not help finding that 
 though he behaved with polite atten- 
 tion he exhibited no marks of mutual 
 regard. She watched his eyes as they 
 followed various belles ; and though 
 ihe did not fee them fixed long upon 
 04 one
 
 [ '^8 ] 
 
 one obje(5t, fhe faw the exprefiion was 
 much more animated cowards fcveral 
 objeds than to herfclf. The third day, 
 fhe obferved our hero very earnefliy 
 ogling. a fmart young milliner that came 
 to the inn with preparations for the 
 enfuing ball, and that as fhe left the 
 room William went out alfo ; foftly fol- 
 lowing them to the flairs, Mifs faw them 
 meet, and William beftow on her a kind 
 carefs not unlike Roger O'Rourke's 
 kifs of joy. Though various opportuni. 
 ties had offered, he had never made the 
 lead advances to fuch a freedom with 
 Mifs Sukey, After a minute the fair 
 companion of Hamilton caught a view 
 of the liftener, and hurried away. Ha- 
 milton, who had not feen her motive^ 
 haflened after her to the flreer. Mean- 
 while Mifs Sukey retired to confulc a 
 favourite fcrvant who had followed them 
 by the ftage-coach i Ihc was dircdcd to 
 
 watch
 
 [ »29 ] 
 
 watch the motions of the drefTer of caps 
 and her fuppofcd admirer, which (he 
 could the more eafily do as fhe had feen 
 both without being known to either. 
 Betty executed her commifTion, and ob- 
 ferved both at a fmall diftance in a lane 
 that opened to a large garden belonging 
 to the inn. This intelligence fhe com- 
 municated to her young miftrefs, and 
 they fet out to reconnoitre. As the 
 garden was full of bufhes and trees, ic 
 was not difficult to fee without being 
 feen, or to hear without being heard. 
 Hamilton was a young man of honour 
 and principle, and confcquently could 
 not deliberately plan the fedudion of aa 
 innocent female, nor even inrentionally 
 engage her affcdions and fo diftrefs her 
 heart: but he was by no means averie to 
 intrigues, when he conceived the objcdt 
 not to come under that delcription. 
 Jenny Collings, the daughter to a Shef- 
 G 5 field
 
 E ISO ] 
 
 field manufaclurer, after having been an 
 apprentice in her native town, was now 
 afllftant to one of the chief milliners in 
 Doncafter. She was a pretty lively girl, 
 with what are called roguifh eyes j fond 
 of admiration, thoughdefs, giddy, with 
 no little appearance of levity. Hamil- 
 ton had repeatedly fecn her, and, from 
 her volatile manners and appearance, 
 had formed a conjedure that really did 
 not do her juftice. Under that impref-^ 
 lion he at firft addreJTed his glances, 
 which (he, pleafed with the attention of 
 fo fine a youth, had fo returned as to 
 convey a different imprefiion from that 
 which Hie intended, and to confirm him 
 in his opinion. He had taken an op- 
 portunity before that morning of (igni- 
 fying his attachment, not doubting that 
 ihe perfecftly underftood its nature and 
 objc6l. She encouraged his advances 
 by a repetition of her unguarded be- 
 haviour.
 
 [ 13' ] 
 
 haviour, and in this difpofition they now 
 met as before feen and reported by Betty. 
 Our hero and his companion had ar- 
 rived at an alcove at a remote part of the 
 garden, and v^^ere engaged in converfa* 
 tion, mingled with that dalliance which, 
 favoured by opportunity, is between the 
 fexes fo dangero'jfly progrefiive ; when 
 Mifs Sukey and Bet polled themfelves 
 behind the recefs, to explore the fecret 
 tranfadlions between the parties. The 
 lovers were wound up to a very in- 
 terefting pitch, and poor Jenny was 
 about to pay the price of her levity, 
 when her guardian angel, afTuming the 
 fhape of a female adluated by curiofity, 
 faved her from the impending danger. 
 Both Betty and Mifs Sukey had heard the 
 enraptured whifperings of ardent attack, 
 the fofc fighs and imperfedt rcpuifes of 
 feeble and yielding defence, when Mifs 
 Sukey efpied a cranny in the fummer- 
 G 6 houfe.
 
 I ^3^ 1 
 
 houfe, through which fhe did not doubt 
 fhe might more thoroughly afcertain 
 fadls. Bending forward over a bufh to 
 reach this place of contemplation, and, 
 in her eagernefs, not minding her ba- 
 lance, fhe fell plump againft the boards 
 into the bu(h, and fet up a fcream. The 
 lovers haftily withdrew, and Jenny had 
 time to recoiled: her many engagements 
 for the day to the various belles of Don- 
 cafter, to decorate and equip them for 
 the important evening. She hurried 
 home without adverting to the perils 
 which fhe had avoided. Hamilton 
 having parted with his companion be- 
 took himfelf to the place whence the 
 interrupting voice had iffued, and there 
 met with Mifs Sukey and her attendant, 
 Mifs, totally unufed to difiimulation, 
 pouted and frowned. Betty, with the 
 pert flippancy and confcquential felf- 
 importance of a waiting-maid exalted 
 
 into
 
 C 133 ] 
 into confidence, firft aiked what he had 
 done with his fweetheait, and then, put- 
 ting her hand in her fide and eievafng 
 her face, declared that a gentleman fuch 
 as he oft to be afhamed of himfelf for 
 keeping company with fich nafty low 
 trollops. Hamilton walked on as if un- 
 confcious to what circumftance the fage 
 remarks of Madam Betty had alluded. 
 Mifs Sukey and Mrs. Betty having re- 
 turned to the houfe, the pin-fticker ex- 
 patiated with great feverity on the 
 wickednefs of Hamilton, and finally de- 
 clared him totally unworthy of the regard 
 of her young lady. " Ah 1 my dear Mifs 
 Sukey, were I to give my humble opi- 
 nion, I think he is nothing to come into 
 compolifom with Mr. O'Rourke. Mr. 
 Roger is both more taller and more pro- 
 perer^ he has the fear of God before his 
 eyes, he is in a ftate of grace, and is 
 moreover the bed built, beft Ihouldered, 
 
 2 and
 
 [ 134 ] 
 
 sand beft limbed man one can fee in a 
 fummer's day ; he is conjarned for the 
 good of your foiii. If you had feen him 
 how grievoufly he took to it when you 
 went away without once fpeaking to him, 
 you would have bepiiied the poor youth. 
 Were I as you, Madam, I would give 
 over all thought of your ungrateful 
 coufm and give my mind up to Mr. 
 O'Rourke. He converted you to a 
 ftate of grace, and enlightened you with 
 the knowledge of the gofpel. He 
 would be a loving and a cherifhing 
 hufband, and not be running after fuch 
 gilflirrs under your nofe." Betty was 
 ruot altogether difintercftcd in this praife. 
 Roger, by his piety and other qualifica- 
 tions, had made a very deep impreffion 
 upon this young woman. He had pro- 
 tefted to her that fhe was the real ob- 
 je6t of his affedlion, and that his atten- 
 tions to Mifs Sukey were only beftowed 
 
 on
 
 [ IJ5 ] 
 
 on her account. Roger's Methodifo^ 
 like that of many others, admitted a 
 very great laxity in moral pradice and 
 the duties of focial life, Betty, who had 
 already given him every teftimony in 
 her power of her love and affection, 
 defired his promotion and aggrandife- 
 ment j and was not without the hopes 
 that he might marry the h^irefs of Et- 
 terick, while fhe might in private fhare 
 with him fome of the benefits of this 
 affinity. Befidcs remote views, fhe was 
 not without the apprehenfion of more 
 urgent circumfiances, which for the con- 
 venience and welfare of her and hers 
 required an addition to the worldly fub- 
 ftance of Mr. Roger O'Rourke. She, 
 therefore, very anxioufly endeavoured to 
 detach Mifs Sukey from Hamilton. The 
 difappointed affcdion and pride of Mifs 
 Sukey co-operated with the inftances of 
 Mrs. Betty, and the cold deportment oi 
 
 Hamijton
 
 [ 136] 
 
 Hamilton at the ball conduced power- 
 fully to the fame purpofe. Our hero 
 had no motive to pretend fentiments and 
 affcdlions which he did not feel. He 
 was difgufted with Mifb's appearance and 
 general demeanour ; and not knowing, 
 becaufe not regarding, her fentiments 
 towards hlmfelf, he had imputed the ad- 
 venture in the garden to the influence 
 of prying and impertinent curiofity, and 
 had from that time treated her with an 
 undifguifed contempt, which thofe who 
 moft deferve can lead bear. — Mean- 
 while he continued to beilow attention 
 on Jenny Collings, and they had fre- 
 quent private interviews. Hamilton did 
 not intend to feduce, — Jenny did not in* 
 tend to be feduced j — but the refult was 
 the fame as if there had been the deep- 
 eft premeditation on either fide. So 
 true it is that inftances occur in the hif. 
 tory of love as well as of politics in 
 
 which
 
 [ '37] 
 
 which killing is no murder *. Defigned 
 feduflion, if followed to all its probable 
 efFeds of vice and milery, is one of the 
 greacelt crimes that can be committed j 
 and exceeded in hurtfulnefs by few affcd- 
 ing private individuals only, except mur- 
 der. But there are gradations in the one 
 as in the other, according to the degree 
 of intention : there is apoifon which un- 
 dermines and deftroys the vitals of vir- 
 tue j an afTafTi nation, which attacks it in 
 its unguarded and defencelefs feafons j 
 culpabfe homicide, in which without 
 malici propenfehoth parties are to blame, 
 and chance-medley the efFed of unfor- 
 tunate fituations and collifions of paf- 
 fions. From fuch recontres female vir- 
 tue is more frequently in danger than 
 from any other. Many perfons who are 
 
 • See Hume's Hifiory of Oliver Cromwell,. 
 Yol. s'lL 
 
 peaceable
 
 C 138 ] 
 
 peaceable enough when fober, are pron^ 
 to fight when heated with liquor : fiich 
 ought to abflaln from too plenteous liba- 
 tions. There are, likewife, many ex- 
 tremely well dirpofcd young women> 
 who yet are not to be trufted with the 
 no lefs intoxicating beverage of moon- 
 light walks, or even daylight excurfions 
 through fields and woods. Though 
 there may be no particular plot formed 
 againft innocence and happinefs, yec- 
 nature and paffion have contrived a ge^ 
 neral plot, which, carried on in fuch 
 fcenes and by fuch adors^ rarely fail$ 
 to produce the cataftrophe. As, alas ! 
 all the human race is frail, the bed and 
 wireH: of moral fyftems has ftrongly incul- 
 cated, that the fureft means of avoiding 
 vice is to keep from temptation. Chaf- 
 tity may be confidered as a garrifon, 
 which may ftand a very long fiege, may 
 cither repulfe the aflailant or make terms 
 
 of
 
 [ 139 1 
 
 of honourable and advantageoiis capitu- 
 lation. But where difcretionary cap- 
 ture is the bcfieger's object, a florm wiil 
 rarely anfwer the purpofe ; he tries either 
 Tap or furprize. The firft of thcte two 
 modes depends on the (kill of the be- 
 fiegerj requires time for his arts to 
 operate, and may be refiiled by equal 
 fkill fupported by firmnefs. As he 
 mines, you may countermine, and, per- 
 haps, finding that you will not furrender 
 at dilcretion, in his eagernefs to have 
 pofieffion, he will grant fuch terms as 
 even the braved garrifon may with ho- 
 nour receive. In a (lege of this kind the 
 chief danger is from mutiny ; there may 
 be a ftrong party well afFefted to the 
 enemy, let reafon, the governor, (not 
 cruih thefe, for that would often be im- 
 ■pradlicable, but) win them over by de- 
 monftrating, that firm and vigorous re- 
 finance is the only way to infure torhcin 
 
 die
 
 [ MO ] 
 
 the terms which thev defire. But, per- 
 haps, the mod frequent mode of capture 
 IS furprize i the outpolis are unguarded, 
 the centinels are afleepi a reconnoitring- 
 party, which has approached the fortrcf^^ 
 without any thoughts of a capture, is 
 invited by this obvious carelefTnefs to 
 make the attempt, and carries the caftle 
 before any alarm is given. Let my 
 youthful readers of the fofter fcx attend 
 to thefe admonitions : let them not 
 truil too much to their own ftrength : 
 their furefl ftrength is the caution of 
 confcious weaknefs. Let parents and 
 guardians not only fupply the garrifon 
 with ftores of principles, but ftrongly 
 line all the approaches to fituations from 
 which thofe principles might be blowa 
 up ', and take fpecial care firmly to fe- 
 cure the outpofts : then they may avoid 
 the fortune of Jenny Collings, who fell a 
 vidim, not to the defjgns of an enemy, 
 
 buc
 
 I HI ] 
 
 but to her owa indifcretion and im- 
 prudence. 
 
 Our hero now greatly relaxed in the 
 intenfenefs of his ftudies, A coufin of 
 his mother's who lived by Doncafter had 
 repeatedly aflced him to fpend a month 
 in (hooting with him. Hamilton had 
 not been peculiarly addi£led to this 
 amufcment^and had refufed the offer; but 
 he now changed his mind, and accepr- 
 ed the invitation, alleging that his Cam* 
 bridge friends had often ridiculed him 
 for his ignorance of that diverfion, and 
 that on refledion he wifhed to learn ic 
 under fo fKilful a mailer. His parents 
 agreed to be of the party, and Hamilton 
 continued there during the remainder of 
 the vacation. The fagacious reader will 
 not need to be informed of the real mo- 
 tive of chufing this place of refidence, 
 or that he very frequently had inter- 
 views with Mifs Collings. This poor 
 
 girl.
 
 girl, though thoiightlefs and giddy, pof- 
 leffed both fc-nfe and feeling. Hamil- 
 ton, who had conceived her addi61:ed to 
 intrigue, was now convinced he had 
 totally miftaken her charadler, and that 
 he had done her an irreparable injury. 
 Her peace of mind he faw was gone, 
 and felt with poignant remorfe that he 
 was himfcif the caufe. Her fondnefs 
 for him increafed almoft to diftradion, 
 while regret and pity gave a foftnefs to 
 his converfation and attentions, that her 
 wilhes and hopes conlVrued into reci- 
 procal love. As tlie time approached 
 in which he mull: depart for Cambridge, 
 finding that nut only the heart of this 
 young v»/oman was tornafundtr, but that 
 her reputi^tion muft eventually fuffcr, he 
 himfelf became a prey to deje6lion, 
 contrition, and remorfe. His parents 
 did not fail to remark his altered coun- 
 tenance and fpirits, but without being 
 
 able
 
 [ H3 I 
 
 able to explore the caufe. Mean- 
 while he concerted with Mifs Collinos 
 a plan which, thougli it might not pre- 
 vent fufpicion, would hinder certain 
 cxpofure. Having lomewhat reconci- 
 led Jenny to his departure, he returned 
 to the univerfity. 
 
 Soon after the ball before comme- 
 morated, Mifs Sukey had earnefLiy in- 
 fifted on returning to Ettericlc. Oid 
 grandmamma made one of the party : 
 and, when the laird returned, he renewed 
 his complainrs co his cronies, that fhe 
 ftiil was everlafting, and that the treat 
 to be given on her burial muft be pofl- 
 poned, as the dowager was above ground. 
 His lady by this time had made great 
 progrefs in bringing her mamma to a fcate 
 of grace. Mifs being now returned from 
 her wanderings after another (hepherd 
 to the folds of Methodifm, and affcdlion 
 for its pallor alfo warmly promoted the 
 
 fpiritual
 
 ! H4 ] 
 
 fpiritual amendment ofher grandmother* 
 Betty lent her alTiftance, and nothing 
 was wanted to connrm the dowager in 
 the right vvay, but the miniftry of Roger. 
 This powerful engine of converfion was 
 not wanting long. O'Rourke, having 
 received faithful information from his 
 votary Betty of the (late of affairs in the 
 Etterick family, was at the manfion- 
 hoiife the day after their return. He 
 found himfelf received v/ith great cor^r 
 dialicy by his female devotees, and by 
 Mifs with many kind glances. He o\S- 
 ferved that the laird regarded him very 
 coldly, and that this dlfpleafure was in- 
 creafed by the lady, who ftrongly ex- 
 horted her hufband to refrain from pro- 
 fane company at the public-houfe, and 
 to attend to the admonitions of Mr. 
 O'Rourke ; and the laird feared left the 
 influence of the preacher might abridge 
 if not prevent his evening potations. 
 
 O'Rourke
 
 [ '45 ] 
 
 O'Rcurke was naturally a fagacious 
 fellow, wirh a great deal of vcfatllity 
 and addrefs. He could become all 
 things to all men. He took an oppor- 
 tunity of accofting the laird one after- 
 noon in the fields, and bellowed many 
 encomiums on his fKill in farming. The 
 laird, who, as O'Rourke was a favourite 
 with the higher powers, did not chufe to 
 behave uncivilly at firfl:, liflened to him 
 with indifference, but, as O'llourke hit 
 his favourite fubjeds, at lad:, v/ith com- 
 placency. He had defcanted on the 
 excellence of a field of wheat then 
 ready for the fickle, and they had walked 
 along a path by its fide, when they ar- 
 rived at a (lile- within view of which 
 was the alc-houfe, the fcene of the laird's 
 evening amufements. Etterick, fuppo- 
 fing that they muft now part, paid his 
 companion ' a compliment, faying, 
 «« Really, Mr, O'Rourke, you have 
 VOL. I. K more
 
 C 146 ] 
 
 more fenfc than 1 thought you had, 
 and I think you and I may be better 
 friends than we have been, but don't 
 you now tell at home that you faw me 
 going towards Wood's." " So far from 
 that, pleafe your honour," faidO'Rourke, 
 *' that if you will allow me I will attend 
 you, but it is for the honour of your 
 company, and not for the liq'jor. Al- 
 though I muft fay I fee no harm in a 
 cheerful glafs with a friend." " I thought, 
 Mr. Roger, you would think it contrary 
 to religion." " Oh, not all. Our reli- 
 gion minds higher things, faith and 
 grace ', but is not fo ticklifh as to mind 
 a little drop of whiflcy." " Vv^hifivy is 
 good," replied the laird," " but rum is 
 better s" " and fo thinks myfelf, pleafe 
 your honour." By this time they were 
 arrived, and the laird's ufual companions 
 being engaged at the h;:rveft, they had 
 the parlour to themfelves. The firfl: 
 
 bowl
 
 [ 147 3 
 
 bowl of punch paffed In fpiritual dif- 
 courfe, and O'Rourke had afiured the 
 laird, that if he would join the metho- 
 difts in their prayers and fpiritual de- 
 votions, his pleafures at other times 
 fhould not be an inch abridged. By 
 the end of the fecond bowl, this nevr 
 difciple had come to a kind of com- 
 promife, that he ihould attend to all the 
 prayers and devotions which did not in- 
 terfere with the club-hours. This point 
 ofconfcience being fatisfaclorily fettled, 
 they proceeded in their jovial career. 
 The acquired gravity of the faint gave 
 way to the natural vivacity of the Irifh- 
 man. O'Rourke fang feveral fongs, 
 and told feveral comical ilories, and 
 was actually engaged in the firil ftanza 
 of 
 
 " Sweet Molly Mog is as foft as a bog ! 
 As wild as a kitten, &c.'* 
 
 H 2 when
 
 [ '48 ] 
 
 when the evening bell rang for prayers, 
 which ever fince 0*Rourke's refidence 
 in this manfion had been regularly per- 
 formed, at dated periods, by the whole 
 family, befides their private devotions. 
 O'Rourke was fomewhat llartled at 
 this found, as the punch was excellent 
 and the bowl nearly full ; but being a 
 ready-witted fellow, he immediately dif^ 
 patched a note to the lady, informing 
 her that he had met his honour ; that 
 the finger of God was evident in the 
 meeting-; and that he was in a blefTcd con- 
 dition of converfion. He had got the 
 eftedlual calling, and wanted only a litde 
 fillip* more of the fpirit of the gofpel, 
 to make his election fu re ; that in a fiiorc 
 time he would prevail on him to come 
 home, and join in the evening exercife. 
 Having fent off this epiftle, our apoftle 
 gave up Molly Mogs and, to put the 
 
 laird
 
 [ H9 ] 
 
 laird in a right frame, expatiated on the 
 joys of heaven and the terrors of hell. 
 At this laft fubjecl he declared, that fin- 
 ners who did not repent, that is to fay, 
 betake themfelves to faith and grace, 
 would be burned by the devil until they 
 were as black as the fkiii of a roafted 
 pocatoe. And come, here's a bumper to 
 your honour's falvation, and I fliall be 
 glad at time and place convanient to 
 lend you a lift. You're in a bleiTed 
 difpofition, and if you keep to it you're 
 fure of getdng to heaven among the 
 faints and the pretty iitde angels ; and 
 heaven, let me tell you, is as fine a place 
 as the Curragh of Kildare, or the lake of 
 Killarney itfelf." '' Yes," anfvvered the 
 laird, witli true Caledonian gravity, " it- 
 is a bleiTed manfion, where God granc 
 we may arrive with due fpeed/* *^ Oh,'' 
 replied Roger, *^ there's no hurry." 
 The laird now whiftUng, the landlady 
 H 3 made
 
 [ ^So 1 
 
 made her appearance. The laird in- 
 quired what was to pay, and being in- 
 formed, ordered another bow], obferving 
 that it was an eflablifhed rule of the 
 houfe never to pay the reckoning over 
 an empty bowl. " And a very good 
 rule it is/' faid the faint: "but as we are 
 in haftc, I think we had better have 
 larger glaffes." Mrs. Wocd having 
 joined the company, Roger inquired 
 into the (late of her religion, and finding 
 her rather a ftray llieep, undercook for 
 her guidance, declaring that his heart 
 warmed to fo comely and handfome a 
 woman, and that nothing in his power 
 .fhould be wanting for her convcrfion. 
 His honour being gone on a little before, 
 the fpiritual guide faluted the dame with 
 a holy kifs, overcook his comrade, re- 
 turned to the manfion-houfe, and prayed 
 with even more than ufual fervour. The 
 laird joined mofi fmcerely 5 and, bating 
 
 that
 
 [ »5' ] 
 
 that he fell aQeep and fnoared In the 
 middle, went through with becoming 
 zeal. The ladies would have rebuked 
 him for this mufical accompanimenta 
 but his friend Roger took his parr, re- 
 prefenting that fome allowance muft be 
 made for a novice. They now fat down 
 to fupper. Our apoftle read a leclure 
 upon temperance, not long,— as it only 
 lafted while he eat a coup'.e of pounds 
 of minced collops, with onions and po- 
 tatoes in proportion: he drank another 
 tumbler, and having recommended him- 
 fclf to the private prayers of his fevcral 
 difciples, he retired to his own apart- 
 ment, and was at the ufuai time vifitcd 
 by the punctual Betty. 
 
 The next day he met the laird, at- ' 
 tended him to the former place of fpi- 
 ritual communion, and in the courfe of 
 a week made him a complete convert. 
 The converfion of the landlady was (till 
 H 4 fhorter J
 
 [ '52] 
 
 iliorter; nor were other profelytes want- 
 ing on whom his perfuafives had equal 
 influence : fo that the preaching coal- 
 heaver himfelf never in fo fhort a time 
 fhot more fmners into the cellar of re- 
 pentance, than this worthy in(lru6lor 
 Roger O'Rourke. 
 
 Having thus edabliiLed the holinefs 
 ofmethcdifm throughout Ecterick and 
 its dependencies, Mr. O'Rourke now 
 began the improvement of his dodlrines. 
 He made ardent love to Mifs Sukey, 
 though generally arrayed in fcripture 
 phrafeology. *' Come, kifs me," he 
 would fay, " with che kiffes of thy lips, for 
 thy love is fweeter than wine," It was 
 at length concerted between Mr. Roger 
 and Mifs Sukey, that they ihoulJ be 
 privately married in the fight of heaven ; 
 Mifs did doubt that her influence with 
 her parents, added to the influence 
 of Mr. O'Rourke and his methodifm, 
 
 might
 
 [ '53 ] 
 
 might reconcile them to the conneclion. 
 The paflor was partly of the fame opi- 
 nion, but referved to hiinfelf the pri- 
 vilege, fhould he be deceived, of de- 
 camping and leaving his prefent feraglio 
 of faints, preaching the new light in 
 other partSj or betaking himfclf to fuch 
 other calling as might befb fuit his piir- 
 pofes. Accordingly the nuptials were 
 concluded in the manner agreed. 
 
 In a few weeks Mr. 0*Rourke, having 
 now brought himfelf into very high 
 favour wiih the father, mother, and 
 grandmother, ventured to difclofe his 
 pafTion for Mifs j and, addrelTing himfelf 
 to their worldly as well as their heavenly 
 feelings, aiTured them he was a gentle- 
 man born, and next heir to a great eftate, 
 which he fnould pofTefs as foon as his 
 two coufins and their refpedive fons 
 and daughters ihould be in the duft. 
 Although this reverfionary profpedt was 
 H 5 fomewhac
 
 t 154 ] 
 
 fomewhatdidant, yet it was a great com- 
 forttothe laird, that Mr. RogerO'Rourke 
 was a gentleman. Mrs. Sourkrout and 
 her daughter had alfb the fatisfadlion to 
 learn that Mr. O'Rourke's great grand- 
 father by the mother's fide had been a 
 bilhop ; and though it is true he had 
 been popifli, ftill he had a title to wear 
 a mitre on his carriage. Thefe confi- 
 derations having all the evidence in their 
 favour which the teftimony of the nar- 
 rator could beftow, made a deep im- 
 prefTion on the worthy faints, and com- 
 bined with their evangelical fympathy 
 in inclining them to admit the fuit of 
 this holy gentleman. Ere long they 
 agreed to his propofals, and the mar- 
 riage was duly folemnizcd. The bride- 
 groom having a difb of vanity, deter* 
 mined to publifh this alliance in the newll 
 papers, vvhich he did in the following 
 terms, involving in them an alluiion to 
 
 fome
 
 [ '55] 
 fome of his former avocations. — ^' Yef- 
 terday was married in the holy bands of 
 matrimoney, the Rev. Roger O'Rourke, 
 alias Roger O'Rourke, efq. to Mifs 
 Sufan Hamilton, the only daughter of 
 Duncan Hamilton, efq. by Grizzle his 
 wife, to the great joy of the ancient and 
 honourable families and parties con- 
 famed." — This notification the printer 
 took from the copy literatim and vsr^ 
 hatim. The nuptials being concluded, 
 the family, comprehending this new 
 member, returned to Etterick, excepting. 
 Betty, vvho procured leave of abfence, 
 being, fhe faid, going to viHt her parents 
 in the north. 
 
 h6
 
 [ iSM 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Before all thefe affairs were brought to 
 the clofe which we have recorded, our 
 hero was returned to Cambridge, to pre* 
 pare for his enfuing graduation. He re- 
 newed his mathematical fludies, but 
 fometimes could not help rePie(fling on 
 poor Jenny Collings more than either Sir 
 Ifaac Newton or Maclaurin. The exer- 
 tion of his faculties, however, and not 
 defponding regret, were the means by 
 ■which he could make any atonement,— 
 The intenfenefs of his former application 
 had now rendered only revificn necef- 
 fary. The important period arrived, he 
 ilood the various conteds, and attained 
 the honour of fenior wrangler, the higheft 
 that a bachelor of arts can reach, and 
 
 was
 
 [ 157 ] 
 
 was generally efteemed one of the abled 
 and moil promifing young men that 
 Cambridge had raifed for many years. 
 
 He now fet out for London, where his 
 father had intended he fhould be brought 
 up to the law. He was accordingly en- 
 tered at Lincolns Inn, and began the 
 ufual courfe of (ludies. He had not 
 been long in his new fituation, when one 
 morning, fitting ruminating on his future 
 profpeds, a gentle knock was heard at 
 the door ; he opened it himfelf, and a 
 female fainted in his arms. Inftantly re- 
 cognizing Jenny Coliings, he carried her 
 into his apartment, and at length brought 
 her to herfelf. Having recovered her 
 recolledlion, fhe gently reproached him 
 for his omifTion, in having fuffered a 
 whole month to pafs fince he left Cam- 
 bridge, without writing to her. He de- 
 clared he had written to her twice, and 
 
 was
 
 E 158 ] 
 
 was much furprifed he had received no 
 anfwer. '^ Where did you addrefs to 
 me ?*'— " At Doncafter, to be fure : I 
 wrote to you, my dear Jenny, that I 
 hoped I fhould in a few weeks have af- 
 fairs properly arranged for receiving you 
 here."— *^ Good God," faid fhe, *' I 
 dare fay our letters have been opened,, 
 and every thing difcovered, which I 
 hoped to conceal. I wrote to you lad 
 from Sheffield, having, as I before men- 
 tioned, bade adieu to Doncafter." Ha- 
 milton having declared he never had re- 
 ceived the inieliigence ; he now inquired 
 tenderly into her adventures and fitua- 
 tion. She acknowledged with a faint 
 blufh and downcafi: eyes, that in the 
 fuhjedl of his anxious interrogatories, 
 which ihe had nevf r anAvered, his ap- 
 prehenfions had been but too well found- 
 ed. Confcious of her condition, (lie had 
 with a broken heart communicated it to 
 
 hesr
 
 [ 159] 
 
 her widowed mother, whofe chief hope 
 Ihe had been. Mrs. Collings, borne 
 down by former afflidlons, had not once 
 reproached her for the grievous addition 
 which her condu6l had made; and by 
 her forbearance had cut her to the heart. 
 " I have,'* faid Jenny, " two younger 
 fifters, to whom fhe intended me as an 
 example, and hoped I would be a fup- 
 port. I know (he mufllook on me as ha- 
 ving blafted all her expedlations. Two 
 days ago fhe came into the room where 
 we were, and looking at us alternately^ 
 burft out into a fit of crying, which tore 
 my very foul. I thought her tears and 
 fobs a reproach to me. I could not bear 
 them. I left the room, went to my own, 
 and refolved to feek my fortune in the 
 capital. I had fix guineas hoarded up, 
 from different prefents of relations, and 
 alfo of ladies vv'ho were pleafed with my 
 attention to their orders. I left the half 
 
 inclofcd
 
 E i6o] 
 
 inclofed in a farewell letter to my mo- 
 ther, and with the reft fallied out un- 
 obferved to the office of a ftage coach, 
 thatpafled about that time, found a feat, 
 2nd this morning arrived in town. — 
 Knowing from yourfelf that you were to 
 be in Lincolns Inn, I hurried hither.'* 
 
 " My deareft Collings/' (aid our hero, 
 <' whatever I can do to atone for the in- 
 jury, and to gratify afFeftion, Ihall be per- 
 formed. My means are not great, but 
 I truft they will increafe. I underftand 
 there is a confiderable market for literary 
 efforts in this place j I am not without 
 hopes of rifing by fuch exercifes -, and 
 my dear Jenny fhall fhare all the fruits 
 of my labours." " Mr. Hamilton,'* 
 faid the young lady, " in what way you 
 mean that propofal, I am very anxious 
 to know : in one way, in my rank, and 
 after my indifcretion, I cannot flatter my- 
 felf it is intended i in another, though 
 
 my
 
 [ »6I ] 
 
 my condudl juftifies it, dill I am grieved 
 that you fliould make fuch an offer.'' 
 Here Ihe burft into a paroxyfm of afflic- 
 tion, exclaiming in hyfcericai (lirieks : 
 '^ I am ruined, but will not be your 
 miftrefs/' Our hero, tenderly afFecled, 
 difavovved any fuch intention, and, with a 
 high knic of retributive juflice, and of 
 companion for a misfortune caufed by 
 hlmfelf, went farther than in the calai 
 moments of prudence he would have 
 propofed, and adualiy declared that he 
 would by marriage atone for the eviL 
 Mifs Collings anfwered, ^* No, fir, I am 
 charmed to find that the man whom I 
 have trufted fo far beyond the bounds of 
 prudence and honour fhould prove him- 
 felf worthy of any trull: that can be 
 honourably repofed in; but I will not 
 avail myfelf of a generofity that would be 
 ruinous to yourfelf. Poor Jenny Col- 
 lings, the daughter of a lowly mechanic^ 
 
 Ihaii
 
 [I62] 
 
 fhall not be the wife ofthe noble gentle- 
 man than (lie doats on to diilraclion. I 
 know my own bufinefs well, and can by 
 it earn the means of fubfifting myfelf, 
 and lending aid to my mother and her 
 orphan children. Mr. Hamilton, I love 
 you too well to hear an offer dictated by 
 pity, or at bed the feeling gratitude of 
 a kind heart." «^ No, upon my foul,'* 
 faid Hamilton, " 'tis love for the wo- 
 man who pofTtfles To many charms, and, 
 higheft of them all, fcch sn affcdion for 
 myfelf," 
 
 Soothing fpeeches and carefies unbent, 
 in confiderabie degree, the refoliuion of 
 Mils Collings, and though Hie continued 
 firmly determined not to marry a youth 
 whom flie regarded as tiiC firft of human 
 beings, and dellined to arrive at the 
 Kigheft fituatioiis, yet llie felt that Ihe 
 could not exercife the fame firmnefs in 
 refifting the repetition of f(5rmer errors*. 
 
 She
 
 C -63 ] 
 
 She was refolved not to live with him^ 
 and even, if pofTible, to eftrange herfclf 
 from his knowledge: but her purpofe 
 was not immediately executed. Several 
 days pafled, the tranfadions of which we 
 fhall not particularize, but content our- 
 fclves with obfcrving, that noihing is 
 more dangerous to the votaries of peni- 
 tence, than renewed intercourfe with the 
 partners of frailty. Poor Jenny, with 
 all her virtuous intentions, pafied the 
 chief part of her time with Hamiiton.— • 
 One evening (he exprelTedan earneil in- 
 clination to fee the Fair Penitent. Our 
 hero attended her to Drury-lane, where 
 fhe beheld the effcdls of indifcretion fo 
 flrongly drawn by the poet, exhibited 
 with fuch force and poignant efFed, 
 doubly poignant to the confcious Cdif- 
 tas. Our fiir penitent had never ktn 
 Mrs, Siddons, and had no idea that 
 it was pofTibk for acting to approach fa 
 
 near
 
 [ i64 ] 
 
 near- to adud life and feeling. In the 
 fcene between Caliila and her parent, il^ic, 
 in great agitation, exclaimed, ^^ That is 
 no adling, heavenly Gad, that is natural." 
 In the laft fcene her interefl: was wound 
 up to the higheft pitch. When Califca is 
 frantic, poor Collings was frantic alfo; 
 when Califta died, Collings gave one 
 Huiek, and became lifelefs in her lover's 
 arms. With much difBcuky ihe recover- 
 ed her confcioufnefs, but not her perfect 
 rccoUedion, and g-azing eagerly in our 
 hero's face, and preffing him to her 
 arms, fhe faid, *^ You are not Lothario, 
 I was undone by myfelf." At length 
 entirely recovering the u(q of her reafon, 
 and becoming fenfible that fhe had ex- 
 pofed herfelf, (lie was extremely dif- 
 trefTed, and begged immediately to re- 
 tire, and was conducted home to a lodg- 
 ing Vv'hich Hamilton had provided in his 
 neighbourhood. There Ihe was taken 
 
 very
 
 [ i6S ] 
 
 very ill ; the confcquence was, a very 
 premature change in her condition.-— 
 Whilft (he was recovering, cur hero, 
 aware that his finances could not eafily 
 bear this addiiional expcnce, v/ithout ad- 
 ditional refources, refolved to exerc his 
 literary abilities, and to fed his way by 
 gratuitous efiays and nev/fpapers, and 
 had the fatisfaftion to fee that his per- 
 formances were received v»^ith Mattering 
 approbiition. Underftanding that one 
 of the earlieft ftages of literary progrefs 
 was reporting debates, he offered his 
 fervices for that purpofe. His exertions 
 were received with applaufe, and pro* 
 cured him fo much ennolument as to af- 
 ford his Jenny a country lodging, which 
 he thought necefiary for the re-eftablifh- 
 ment of her health. During her con- 
 valefcence Mifs Collings formed her 
 plans : ardent to adhere in future to 
 the dictates of virtue, and knowing the 
 
 weaknefs
 
 [ i66 3 
 
 weaknefs of her heart, (lie refolved to 
 withdraw entirely from her beloved Ha- 
 milton. She wrote her mother an ac- 
 acount of what had happened, and alfo 
 to her late employer, at Doncaiier, pray- 
 ing an introdudion to a corrcfpondent 
 in London, but dcfiring that the truth 
 fhould be fairly dated, though confiden- 
 tially imparted. Her employer by re- 
 turn of poft complied with her requeft, 
 fent her a letter to be delivered to an 
 eminent milliner in London, informing 
 her at the fame time, that (he had by 
 another prepared the lady for Mifs Col- 
 lings's vifit. She accordingly repaired 
 to the houfe of Mrs. Fafliion, was kind- 
 ly engaged, and (that being on a Wed- 
 nefday) appointed to come to the houfe 
 the following Saturday, and commence 
 her labours on the Monday. 
 
 It was now near the end of May, and 
 our hero had cflabiifhed, through his re- 
 porting
 
 C 1^7 3 
 
 porting exertions, fuch a chara6ler and 
 conncdlion as infured him an engage- 
 ment for the next feafon, (liould it be 
 required j and he was preparing on 
 a Saturday to vifit his Collings, while 
 ihe at the very inftant was writing him 
 a farewell letter ; — when the poflman's 
 knock called him to the door, and a 
 letter was delivered in his mother*s hand, 
 but hardly legible, Haftily opening it, 
 he found thefe words : " My beloved 
 V/illiam, your father is extremely ill, we 
 fear dangerouflyj — -lofe no time, — fpare 
 no expence, — come inftantly." Though 
 the letter had no date but Friday morn- 
 ing, it appeared to have been put into 
 the Doncafter pod-office, whence he 
 conclucied that they were now at Bro- 
 therton, and therefore trufted he would 
 reach them in four and twenty hours. 
 Having a credit on his father*s agent, 
 he went immediately -, in half an hour he 
 
 was
 
 [ i68 ] 
 
 was on horfeback, for the fake of expe« 
 dition preferring fhat mode to a chaife. 
 His father dying was the only idea pre- 
 fent to his mind. Leaving London about 
 twelve, in ten hours he reached Stam- 
 ford ; where taking chaifc during the 
 night, he met the dawning day at Newark* 
 At Doncafler he found his father's fer- 
 vant waiting with horfes, and learned 
 that he -vv^as flill alive and fenfible, and 
 calling every moment, *' When do you 
 €xpe6l my dear William?" Our hero 
 galloped, without waiting to hear more, 
 to the vicarge, and arriving before nine, 
 found that his father was flill alive, but 
 that he had the gout in his ftomach, and 
 that the phyficians had very little hopes. 
 One, indeed, faid he thought the pa- 
 roxyfms fomewhat abated, and that this 
 nt might leave him, but that he would be 
 fo much reduced, that another would 
 certainly carry him off. Our hero 
 
 having
 
 [ i69] 
 
 having fpent fome minutes in the arms 
 of his weeping mother, and venerable 
 grand-father, the phyfician apprized 
 his patient of his fonV arrival. " Do, 
 dear doflor,'* he fiid, " bring him to 
 my embrace, he vsill do me more good 
 than all your prefcrlptions." William 
 was introduced, and eagerly prefTed by his 
 languid father. He deiired they might 
 be left alone, and had fignified to his Ton 
 his higheft approbation of his abilities, 
 charadler, and condu<5t; when feeling 
 himfelf exhaufted, he faid, he hoped he 
 would by-and-by be able to go on. The 
 phyfician now returning, his patient ob- 
 ferved, he felt a difpofition to fleep; 
 '^ That," laid the other, « muft be by all 
 means encouraged.** The colonel foon 
 fell into a flumber, which lafted feveral 
 hours, and he awoke free from pain, 
 and very much refrefhed. The phyfi- 
 cian was now confirmed in his hopes, that 
 VOL. I. I the
 
 [ I70 ] 
 the fit was over for the prefent, though 
 he apprehended a very fpeedy return. 
 The next morning the colonel was able 
 to leave his bed. Refuming the conver- 
 fation with his fon, he opened to him the 
 whole ftate of his affairs, the difpoficion 
 of his property, and ftrongly recom- 
 mended to him, his mother, lifter, and 
 younger brother. " I know, my dear 
 fon, my refpite is only fhorr, but it is 
 very fatisfadlory to me, that it permits 
 me to unfold to the chief pride of my 
 heart, my thoughts, fentiments, pro- 
 fpedls, and wiQies. To you, my eldefl: 
 fon and reprefentative, I have left the 
 half of a very moderate fortune, and 
 the other half divided between Eliza 
 and Henry, Your mother, during life, 
 is to h ve the half of the intereft of 
 the whole, befidcs the penfion which Ihe 
 v/ill receive as a coloneFs widow. What 
 I have acquired will, if properly managed, 
 
 prevent
 
 t 171 ] 
 
 prevent indigence, but will require in= 
 duilry to procure a comfortable indepen- 
 dence. i firmly rely on your efforts and 
 condud, and have no doubt that you 
 in your profefTion wilJ, if you live, at- 
 tain dill higher rank and a much greater 
 fortune than I have been able to reach 
 in mine." This fubje6l, and alfo his wife 
 and other children, he often refumed. 
 
 Our hero, in his eager anxiety to fee 
 his father, had entirely forgotten Mils 
 Collings : but his apprehenfions being 
 for the time relieved, he with much con- 
 cern fancied to himfelf the uneafinefs 
 and alarm which his abfence would 
 create, and v/rote immediately an ac- 
 count of its caufe. in five or fix days he 
 received an anfwer, aiTuring him of her 
 unalterable love, but at the fame time an- 
 nouncing her fixed determination never 
 more to behold her adored Hamilton : 
 Hie informed him that fhe had a very 
 I 2 advan*
 
 t 172 ] 
 
 advantageous fituatlon in her profefll6nal 
 employment. Our hero, who notwich- 
 flanding his fuccefs ftill continued ex- 
 tremely fond of Jenny, determined, as 
 foon as he fhould return to London, to 
 difcover her abode. Meanwhile the co- 
 lonel was able to walk our, and for a 
 fortnight appeared pretty well. His old 
 friend Maxwell told him he ho[ ed his 
 honour had got a long furlough, and trufl- 
 ed he would not be called haftily from his 
 family. The colonel ihook his head, and 
 declared he had a very different opinion. 
 *' However," he faid ^' with the affiftance 
 of my venerable father-in-law, I endea- 
 vour to hold myfclF in readinefs." 
 
 About this time the laird of Etterick, 
 having heard that his brother was ill, 
 haftened ro pay him a vifir, which he 
 had before intended, in order to confult 
 him on feveral affairs that gave him un- 
 eafinefs. 8 
 
 Mr.
 
 [ 173 ] 
 
 Mr. O'Rourke, conceiving himfelfby 
 his marriage not merely the heir bat 
 the rightful proprietor of the Etterick 
 fortune, had chofen to affume the (late 
 and importance he confidered befitting 
 fuch a chara(5ter. Being naturally arro- 
 gant and overbearing, he treated Et- 
 terick with an infolence and contempc 
 which he could not bear. This deport- 
 ment rather gave a fhake to the laird's 
 new religion, which, haiiily builc, and on 
 a vfry flight foundation, had never been 
 fecure. Moreover he happened to gee 
 an infight into the preacher's real dif- 
 pofitiuns and morals, and had evidence 
 which he could not poiTibly dcubr, that 
 this faint, like many other famts, was a 
 profligate finner. This dlfcovery (be- 
 ing a quiet and peaceable man) he did 
 not communicate to the females of the 
 family i bur, renouncing Methodifm, he 
 immediately repaired to his old friend 
 I 3 the
 
 [ 174 3 
 
 the parfon of the parifh, and by his ad- 
 vice made fuch a fettlement of his affairs 
 as would preclude Mr.O'Rourke's inter- 
 ference in any of his property. The 
 clergyman had gone to Edinburgh to 
 have a deed for this purpofe properly 
 and legally formed. Truitees were in- 
 tended, and the blanks left for their 
 names. The laird propofed that they 
 ihould be his brother, nephew, an emi- 
 nent counfcllor, and Mr. Kerr the clergy, 
 man. — An event long wiflied for, though 
 unexpected when it adually happened^ 
 interrupted the execution of this deed : 
 this was the death of the dowager, who, 
 after having fpent the evening very cheer- 
 iuliy over a rubber at whift, and after- 
 wards very pioufly in prayers and medi- 
 tations, and, laflly, very heartily over a 
 hot fupper, had withdrawn to her apart- 
 ment j where without any ceremony (he 
 departed this life about midnight. Her 
 
 daughter
 
 [ '75 ] 
 
 daughter and grand-daughter hoped (he 
 was only in a fit. " By G — d/' faid 
 Roger, who had been that evening very 
 free with his bottle, " *tis a fit that will 
 lad till the day of judgment." The old 
 lady having never entertained any appre- 
 henfions that death was a probable contin- 
 gency, had made no will, fo that all her 
 property devolved upon Etterick. In 
 this (late of things the laird, hearing that 
 his brother was ill, haflened to Yorkfhire, 
 and arrived when, as we have feen, the 
 colonel was recovered. Having ex- 
 plained all thefe circumftances, and re- 
 quelled his brother's acceptance of the 
 truft, the colonel told him, he was 
 thoroughly convinced that his life would 
 be very fhort, and advifed him to infcrt 
 the name of Dr. Wentbridge. The ad» 
 vice was accepted, and a deed was ex- 
 ecuted accordingly. The laird, having 
 of late been extremely uncomfortable at 
 I 4 homf3
 
 [ 176 ] 
 
 home, was in no great hurry to return 3 
 and, after frequent confultations with his 
 friends, inflruded his counfellor in Edin- 
 burgh to" repair to Etterick, and inform 
 his daughter, that for various reafons he 
 was relolved that Mr. O'Rourke and he 
 fhould not live in the fame houfc, that 
 a fuitable allowance fliould be made for 
 her cftablilhmenr, but chat they mud re- 
 move immediately. The lady of Et* 
 terick, in addition to her fpirit of me- 
 thodifm, had recently very much addid- 
 cd herfelf to the fpirit of brandy, and 
 was between both in a (late of perpetual 
 intoxication, and incapable of attending 
 to any bufinefs. When the intimation 
 was given, O'Rourke declared he would 
 have no objedion to change quarters, 
 but that he mud have the whole of Mrs. 
 Sourkrout's fortune, and half the eflate 
 made over to him. The counfellor af- 
 fured him that there was no fuch inten- 
 
 tion,
 
 [ 177 ] 
 tlon, but that he would Inform the lady 
 of the manfion and her daughter of the 
 allowance which Mr. Hamilton of Et- 
 terick intended as a free gift to beilow on 
 Mrs.O'Rourke. " Inform the lady of the 
 manfion!" faid O'Rourke, "inform a 
 ftupid old drunkard! tell me; I am the 
 perf )n chiefiy concerned. I fbali accept 
 nolefs than I faid, Mr. Counfellor, and if 
 I were by that ftupid old fool of a laird, 
 I would make him agree to my terms.'* 
 The counfellor declining any farther con- 
 verfation upon the fubjedl, O'Rourke 
 determined to fet out immediately in 
 quefbof his father-in-law, not doubting 
 but he would intimidate him to return 
 home, and agree to whatever terms he 
 fhould diclacc. Advent^urous without 
 judgment, he ntvtr rhonght of the vari- 
 ous obftacles he mighr have u^ encoun- 
 ter. He ordered tiie Iteward into his 
 prefcnce, and demanded an immediate 
 15 account
 
 [ 178] 
 
 account of :he money he had in his 
 hands. The man anfvvered, he had 
 fettled with the laird before his depar- 
 ture. " Don*t tell me of the laird, I 
 fhall be laird here. What cadi is there 
 at the banker's ? I fuppofe about fcvea 
 hundred pounds ; give me a draft for 
 five hundred. 1 want it immediately.'* 
 *' You a draft for five hundred ! I can- 
 not give you a draft for a farthing with- 
 out my mailer's orders." " Cannot 
 you write a hand like your mafter's ?'" 
 " Sir," faid the fleward, in indignant 
 rage, *' you may try that expedient if you 
 pleafc: and fo good morning to you." 
 As the fteward was a very ftrong athletic 
 man, and the hero of the country for 
 all manly cxercifcs, the preacher, gigan- 
 tic as he was, did not choofe forcibly to 
 prevent his departure. Calling for his 
 horfe, he rode to Selkirk, repaired to the 
 bank, and being known as the fon-in- 
 
 law
 
 [ >79] 
 law and heir apparent of Etterick, eafiiy 
 procured cafh for a draft upon Edin- 
 burgh, for a hundred pounds, and order- 
 ing a chaife, fct off in purfuic of the 
 laird. On' the way he determined to 
 appropriate to himfelf che whole fortune, 
 and to leave to the laird and his wife a 
 fmall annuity. Pie anticipated oppofi- 
 tion to his defigns upon the laird from 
 his Yorkfhire connexions, and had 
 worked himfelf into a very violent rage 
 againft colonel Hamilton. The fecond 
 day he (lopped to dine at Weatherby, 
 where he found the landlord To much to 
 his mind as a companion, that he in- 
 dulged himfelf in a hearty glafs, and in 
 lefs than two hours they had finidied a, 
 bottle of Iherry and three of port. In 
 this trim he entered his chaife, and, the 
 wine operating on the paffions before 
 kindled, he rcfolved to fetch the laird 
 away by force that very night, if any 
 I 6 obdruc-
 
 [ i8o 3 
 
 ob(lru6lion fliould be made. From the 
 quantity he had drunk, the heat of the 
 weather, and the duilinefs of the roads, 
 being exceflively thirfty, he had at every 
 hedge-alehoufe that he paiTed poured in 
 large potations, and by the time he ar- 
 rived at Ferrybridge was in that flate of 
 drunkennefs in which a man fays what- 
 ever he thinks or feels, without any re- 
 gard to time, place, or company. He 
 inquired for Brotherton, and informed 
 the landlord, waiters, and hoftlers, that 
 he was going to fetch the fool his father- 
 in-law from the clutches of that fcoundrel 
 colonel Hamilton. It was now the end 
 of J urie ; and the colonel, having con- 
 tinued free from any frcfh attack, was 
 fitting with his wife and fon at a par- 
 lour window facing the gate, while his 
 brother and the reverend old gentleman 
 were amufing themfelves at another 
 window with a hit at backgammon, and 
 
 old
 
 old Maxwell, who had been paying 
 them a vifit, was juft opening the gate 
 to deparr, when a chaife came up, and 
 a loud, boifterous, and angry voice 
 called out, " Pray, old fellow, is Hamil- 
 ton ofEtterick here?*' " Old fellow!" 
 replied Maxwell, " I do not kn .w 
 who the devil you are, but you're a fel- 
 low, and a damned unmannerly fellow.'* 
 *' Keep a good tongue in your head, or 
 by Jafus I will give you a touch of the 
 ihilhla, my boy." *^ Ol 'tis your own 
 felf, Mr. Patrick," faid Maxv/ell, '^ with 
 a drop of whifky in your head, and 
 therefore I make allowances. Mr Ha- 
 milton of Etterick is here, what do you 
 want with him?'* During this dialogue 
 our hero v/enc to the gate, where by this 
 time Mr. O'Rourke was alighted; and 
 accofting him civilly, inquired his com- 
 mands. " I am come after that old fool 
 Etterick j are- you one of the Hamil- 
 
 tons?"
 
 [ i82 1 
 
 tons?"— .'« Yes."—*' Then I am Roger 
 O'Rourke, Efq. of Carrick, and heir 
 apparent of the Etterick eftate. You 
 have inveigled my father-in-law from 
 Etterick, among you, without my pri- 
 vity and concurrence; and I am come 
 to bring him back. So now, honey, 
 you have my name, dedgnation, and 
 bufinefsi but where is the old one, he 
 muii come off with me immediately. I 
 have ordered a fuppcr and beds at the 
 Inn there by the bridge." " You ap- 
 pear, fir," faid Hamilton, " not to un- 
 derftand v hat*you rite faying; but if you 
 are really Mr. O'Rourke that married 
 my coufin, if you will ilep in and repofe^ 
 you may in the morning be better able 
 to explain yourfelf." " What the devil, 
 do you fuppofe I am tipfy ? Well to be 
 fure I do feel a l't:le comical; but where 
 is Etterick?" — '' He is within." Our 
 he: q's filler^ a fine young girl about fix- 
 teen.
 
 [ i83] 
 
 teen, had juft entered the parlour from 
 the garden, without having heard of this 
 vifitor, when the firft objedl fhe beheld 
 was O'Rourke daggering into the room. 
 This perfon was about fix feet four inches 
 high, about twenty-one inches acrofs the 
 fhoulders, with legs large and mufcular 
 in proportion. Projecting from his face 
 was a huge Roman nofe, like the pro- 
 bofcisof an elephant J his eyes were light 
 grey, and beamed with vivacity mixed 
 with ftolidity, and now farther illumina- 
 ted and inflamed by the liquor that he had 
 drunk. His neck, naturally long, now 
 manifefted the full dimenfions, as from 
 the heat he had been induced to take off 
 his cravat, and to unbutton his fhirt. 
 Thus eafy and difengaged about the 
 throat, ilill retaining the outward fem- 
 blance of methodifm, his bread was 
 adorned with a band, (tiff, ftraight, and 
 perpendicular. This holy teacher of the 
 
 new
 
 [ i84 ] 
 
 new light having made his way into the 
 parlour, to the aftonifrjment of all to 
 whom he was a (xranger, and to the 
 amazement, of Eric rick, accofted that 
 gentleman, '' Laird, I am come to bring 
 you home, thu we may fettle our ac- 
 counrs together ; I have taken every 
 thing into confideration, and have de- 
 termined h' w all matters are to be fettled: 
 but v;ho are all thefe good people in the 
 room?" On being introduced fuccef- 
 fivelv, he thought it incumbent on him 
 to pay his bed compliments. AddreiTing 
 Mifs Hamilton, our hero's fifter, with 
 an expreffion of mixed impudence, drol- 
 lery, and folly, he looked in her face 
 and hiid, '' So you're coufm-german to 
 my fpoufe Sukey : well, you are a fweet 
 little angel-, it I had you inftead of her, 
 I fhould not have looked abroad. Did 
 you ever fee your coufin, my dear?'' — 
 " Yes, fir^" — ^" I don't fuppofe you think 
 
 her
 
 [ i8s ] 
 
 her a great beauty 3 but how the devil 
 ihould (he with fuch a father and mother ?" 
 Our hero endeavoured to change this dif- 
 courfe, and at lad fucceededi and 
 O'Rourke happening to fit down near 
 old Mr. Wentbridge, ailced him whether 
 he had not e'er a bairel of good ale 
 among his other tithe pigs. A jug was 
 produced, which gave him perfed fatif- 
 facflion. At fupper Mr. O'Rourke un- 
 folded the purpofes of his journey ; he 
 propofed, he fair), to take the tftates into 
 his own poffr ITion j he would act very 
 generous. The whole pr()perry wa? not 
 more than three thoufind five hundred 
 a year; he would content himlelf with 
 the three thoufand, and allow, as he ex- 
 preflTed himfelf, the five hundred to the 
 proprietor during life. The reft of the 
 company, confidering this modeft propo- 
 fition as the cff'td: of intoxication, fuf- 
 fered it to pafs without remark. The 
 
 next
 
 [ '86] 
 
 next morning, Mr. O'Roiirke being now 
 refreflied by fleep, and exempt from the 
 fumes of liquor, though ftill pofTcfTed by 
 the maggots of folly, applied to the 
 laird, and ferioufly propofed to him to 
 relinqui(]:i his eftate, and retire upon an 
 annuity. It was, he faid, much more 
 becoming that a young man in the vigour 
 of life (hould enjoy fuch a property, thaa 
 an old man with one foot in the grave. 
 The laird, though totally unmoved by 
 this reafoning, yet landing in fome awe 
 of O'Rourke, very mildly informed him^ 
 that if he would open his pretenfions to 
 the colonel, or his fon William, he would 
 receive a complete anfwer, as they were 
 entirely in the fecret of all his plans and 
 intentions. *' I don't fee/' faid O'Rourke, 
 *« any bufinefs they have wich it. You 
 have a6led like a fool as you always do 
 in trufting any one but me." The laird, 
 whofe quietnefs was the refult of indo- 
 lence.
 
 C 187 ] 
 
 ience, and not of timidity, fired at this 
 infolence, and he anfwered : ^* You are 2 
 very ignorant and impertinent fellow. 
 I confider my daughter and family dif- 
 graced by a connection with a drolling 
 adventurer." '* Do you know/' faid the 
 other, loudly, " whom you are talking 
 to, you filly old fool r'* '' Old I am,'* 
 replied the laird, *« but not fo old as to 
 bear an infult from alow fcoundrel. So, 
 fir, leave this room inftantly, I fhall 
 take care of my unfortunate daughter, 
 but for you, a fingle fliilling of mine 
 fhall never pafs through your hands 
 again." « O, I fee," faid O'Rourke^ 
 " it is all as I fufpe<fled, that old villain, 
 colonel Hamilton, has for his own pur* 
 pofes been working on your poor weak 
 head." Etterick, incenfed at this, pro- 
 ceeded to fuch violence as his feeblenefs 
 would admit; and the fellow, Vv'ith un- 
 manly rage exerting hisilrengthj pulhed 
 
 the
 
 [ i88 ] 
 
 the old man againfl the wall, and he was 
 feyertly brulfed. The noife brought our 
 hero into the room. *^ Heaven," faid 
 he, ^' what's the meaning of all this ?" 
 " 'Tis the old rooFs own fault ;'' faid 
 O'Rourke ; *f he's let me into fome of 
 your tricks, but you won't cheat me." 
 *• Tricks, and cheat!" faid our hero, 
 breailing the other. *' Be eafy now," 
 faid O'Rourke, " or by Jafus I'll throw 
 you down by the old one there. 1 fay 
 your father and you have been ading like 
 villains." To fuch a charge Hamilton 
 could only make one anfwer, which he 
 inflantaneoufly did by a blow, that drove 
 the preacher to the farther end of the 
 room; and, before he could recoUedc him- 
 felf, followed it with a fecond, which 
 hitting his temples levelled him with the 
 ground. The whole family was alarmedy 
 the colonel and even the old clergyman 
 could not help approving William's con^ 
 
 dua.
 
 [ i89] 
 
 dii6i:. Meanwhile the reverend mfflion- 
 ary recovered, and was bluftcring and 
 threatening vengeance upon his anta- 
 gonili, when the old clergyman inter- 
 pofed, and William called that if he 
 v/ould follow him to the green he would 
 give him all the fatisfadlion he could 
 take. O'Rourke, though verv ftrong, 
 was nf)t much adJi6led to fighting, un- 
 lefs ht CO ifidered his adverfary much his 
 under match, andcouid have difpenfed 
 with this invitation: hoping, however, to 
 intimidate his opponent by a difplay of 
 his fizt and 'mufcles, (an artifice which 
 had frequently fuccredcd in former ren- 
 counters,) he went down and dripped. 
 Our hero was not flow in imitating his 
 cxami ie^ and old Maxwell, who was 
 p. lent, exukingly fwore, that young 
 Mr Hamilton was the more mufcular 
 mar. of the two. The conflid began; 
 out hero, who was really fomewhat fu- 
 
 perior
 
 perior to his adverfary in ftrength and 
 adivity, was far before him in cool in- 
 trepidity and ikiU. The Irifliman, wild 
 and furious, ftruck at random ; the Eng- 
 liOiman, parrying his blows, referved his 
 own efforts, only irritating the favage 
 impetuofiry of the other by fetching 
 blood. When the preacher was ex- 
 haufted by ill-direded exertions, Ha- 
 milton began with fuch tremendous force, 
 that his adverfary, who had little of what 
 amateurs call bottom, after the firft 
 knockdown blow, called for quarter, 
 and Hamilton coolly returned into the 
 houfe. As it had been refolved not to 
 admit O'Rourke again into the vicarage, 
 he was condudled to a public houfe in 
 the neighbourhood. Our hero, with Dr. 
 Wentbridge, who arrived that morning, 
 called on him in the courfe of the day, to 
 iearn more fully the purpofe of his vifit, 
 and to explain to him that every expecla- 
 
 tion
 
 [ 195 ] 
 
 tion of his having now or hereafter any 
 ihare of the property, or man'^gemenn 
 of the Ecterick eftate, was totally ground- 
 lefs. They carried with them, for his 
 infpedlion, a copy of the truft deed. 
 0*Rourke, creftfallcn by his defeat, was 
 now totally dejeded, and was as abjedt 
 under difappointment as he had been 
 arrogant and infolent in fancied profperi- 
 ty. He faw that ail his expedations of 
 revelling in the riches of Etterick were 
 forever gone, and that even if the laird 
 were to change his mind, he had put it 
 out of his own power. He balanced 
 with himfelf^ whether it would be wife 
 to return. On the one hand there was 
 the annuity fettled on his wife, which, 
 though only a fourth of what he had 
 propofed to pofrcls, might enable him 
 to live very comfortably -, on the other, 
 his achievements in the courfe of his 
 mechodiftical mifTion, fome of which 
 
 were
 
 [ «90 
 
 were now likely to become public, were 
 not fuch as would make his reception 
 very pleafing in that country, and efpe- 
 cially from his own wife, whom he now 
 regarded, as upon her he mud depend. 
 If .methodiftical mifTionarits are, per- 
 haps, not diredly beneficial to the order 
 and virtue of a community, they pro- 
 mote one valuable branch of political 
 ceconomy : they are accounted ex- 
 tremely conducive to population j firft, 
 unhinging moral principles by eilablifh- 
 ing the ail-fufficiency of faith, and the 
 ufelcffnefs of virtuous condud:, they 
 open the way for the uncontrolled domi- 
 nion of palfjoni feccndly, inflaming the 
 heart vvjth a fan tical enthufiafm, they 
 facilitate enthufiafms of other kinds; 
 and as the paftors have an abfoiute influ- 
 ence over the minds of their votaries, 
 itinerant preachers, either fpontaneous 
 or miffionary, arc in the country deemed 
 
 more
 
 [ ^n 1 
 
 more effedliial and fuccefsful miniflers 
 of fedition and profligacy than packmen, 
 drolling players, gypfies, or any other 
 fraternity of vagabonds. This obferva- 
 tion Mr. O'Rourke could teftify from 
 his own experience; for having at dif- 
 ferent times exercifcd the feveral pro- 
 fcflions in queftion, and being indefati- 
 gable in his addrefles, was greater in his 
 evangelical itinerancy than in any other. 
 The refult he v/as now apprehenfivc 
 would be much greater than his finances 
 could bear, Befides, his adventure at the 
 Selkirk bank would not increafe the 
 agreeablenefs of his reception in that 
 part of the country. He, therefore, 
 thought it bell: to defer his return, and to 
 try his mcthodifticai talentsin countries to 
 which neither Scotch bailiffs nor Scotch 
 parifh officers could carry their authority. 
 He accordingly fet off towards the manu- 
 faduring towns, to exercife his miniftry 
 VOL. I. K in
 
 [ 194 ] 
 
 in its various and extenfive fundlions. 
 In this expedition, we (hall for the pre- 
 fent leave the holy Roger O'Rourke. 
 
 For two months the colonel continued 
 free of his complaints, and in this time 
 his fecond fon, who had been mate of 
 an Indiaman, commanded by his uncle 
 captain Wentbridge, arrived in Britain, 
 and hurried down to fee his parents.—- 
 The colonel rejoiced extremely to fee 
 young Plenry, and anticipating, from 
 fome twinges and fpafms, an early and 
 fatal return of his didemper, exprefled 
 himfelf thankful to Providence for al- 
 lowing him, before his death, to have 
 all his children in his prefence* A 
 fortnight more, however, pafTed without 
 any important occurrence i when early 
 one morning Mrs. Hamilton ran into 
 William's room, and in the greatefl con. 
 fternation and grief told him his father 
 was dying. The alarm proved too well 
 
 founded ;
 
 [ '95] 
 
 founded; the gout had returned to his 
 flomach, with more violence than ever; 
 every regimen and medicine requifice in 
 fuch cafes was employed, but all to no 
 purpofe. A few hours brought the ma- 
 lady to a fatal termination. The family 
 was long inconfolable for the lofs of fuch 
 a head. By degrees, refledion and time 
 allayed their affli(5lion. Mrs. Hamilton, 
 tenderly loving all her children, was 
 moft ftrongly attached to her elded fon, 
 who was the exad image of his father; 
 fhe could not bear the thought of part- 
 ing with him. When the time approach- 
 ed that he muft return to London, fhe 
 propofed to make the metropolis her 
 refidence, and confidered her finances, 
 if ceconomically managed, as adequate 
 to fuch an undertaking. Her late huf- 
 band, ever fince his marriage, had been 
 extremely oeconomical, and, in addition 
 to his own fifteen hundred pounds, hav- 
 
 K 2 mg
 
 [ '96 3 
 
 ing received as much by the death of 
 Mrs. Hamilton's aunt and god-mother, 
 the fum, by frugality and judicious pur- 
 chafes in the funds, had now rifen to 
 about fixteen thoufand confols. Her 
 moiety of the intereft of which, (he did 
 not doubt, would be fufBcient. Accord- 
 ingly it was determined that (he fhould 
 remove to London, as foon as a houfe 
 was procured. Old Etterick, who was 
 become extremely fond of his nephew 
 and niece, would have with much plea- 
 fure made one of the party ; but the 
 urgent entreaties and remonftrances of 
 his daughter, who reprefented hcrfelf 
 and her mother as heart-broken by af- 
 flidion for the condud of O'Rourke 
 (now completely difcovcred), and her 
 mother as approaching her difTolution, 
 impelled him to take a different courfe. 
 The laft piece of intelligence he bore 
 with much refignation, but thought that 
 
 decency
 
 t '97 ] 
 
 decency required his prefence on that 
 occafion, and accordingly fet off for 
 Etccrick, about the middle of Novem- 
 ber. Our hero, taking a contrary direc- 
 tion^ proceeded to London. 
 
 ^3
 
 [ i9n 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Our hero now refumed his legal ftudles, 
 and his literary purfuits. He continued 
 to admire the adminiftration of Mr. Pitt, 
 in general principle, and in mofl of its 
 particular adls. The commercial treaty 
 with France he regarded as a grand and 
 ftriking inflance of liberal and enlighten- 
 ed policy, and wrote a very ingenious 
 and able pamphlet in its favour, but 
 hitherto did not put his name to his per- 
 formances. He continued to attend Par- 
 liament on important debates, and occa- 
 fionally to write eflays, but was not yet 
 a profefTed author. 
 
 Meanwhile he made very anxious in- 
 quiries concerning Jenny Colhngs, but 
 that worthy girl, with great magnanimity 
 and felf-denial, refoluteiy fccluded her- 
 
 feif
 
 [ ^99 3 
 
 fclf from his company during the whole 
 winter. It was now the month of May, 
 and on a Sunday morning, which our 
 hero generally devoted to walking in the 
 f{t\dsy and William had llrolled as far as 
 the north gite of Kenfinf^con gardens, 
 when he faw at a little diftance before 
 him, on the other fide of ihc wall, a weli- 
 drefled and well-made girl, whom, ap- 
 proaching more nearly, he found, to his 
 furprife and delight, to be his long-loit 
 Jenny. At fo uncxpedted a fight poor 
 Coliings fcrcamed and aimoll fainted, 
 but recovering, fhe intreated him, for 
 Heaven's fake, to leave her. But whilft 
 her tongue faid fo, it was contradidled 
 by her eyes, that melted with tender- 
 nefs and love. Soft and gentle dalliance 
 proceeded to ardent and dangerous ca* 
 refTes, which Jenny firfl: attempted to 
 refift but at length returned. Poor Col- 
 lings again experienced that no trial can 
 K 4 be
 
 [ 2QO ] 
 
 be more perilous to female penitence 
 than meeting with the beloved caufe of 
 former indifcretion. 
 
 In the courfe of their converfation (he 
 informed him, that fhe was going to 
 Shepherd's Bufh, to fpend the day wich 
 a lifter of her employer. But learning 
 that fhe had not abfolucely promifed, he 
 pcrfuaded her to feign an excufe, and to 
 fpend the day with him. The ice being 
 cnce broken, this change was efFeded 
 with little difficulty, and from this time 
 the frail fiir one confented to interviews 
 as often as they could find opportunities. 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton was now arrived in 
 town, and a houfe was taken in Hatton- 
 garden, convenient for her fon*s pur- 
 fuits in Lincolns Inn. Our hero was 
 now beginning to be known among the 
 bookfelitrs, and was not without applica- 
 tions from gentlemen and others of that 
 profeflion. 
 
 It
 
 [ aoi ] 
 
 It was again a Sunday morning ; and 
 William, having pretended an engage- 
 ment to dine at Richmond, was break- 
 fafting with his mother and filler, pre- 
 vious to his departure to meet his Jennys 
 when aloud knock thundered at the door, 
 and the maid coming up ftairs laid, that 
 a perfon below wanted her mafter. " A 
 perfon, Sally, what kind of a perfon V* 
 ** I don't think much, he be a gentle- 
 man, chough he be very fmart."— • 
 *' Well, fhew him up." Accordingly 
 the perfon, as Sally phrafed it, was 
 introduced. He was a fhorr, fquat, 
 fturdy man, with a face round like an 
 apple, chubby, and adorned with cheeks 
 of the kind of that fruit that is called red- 
 ftreak, goggling eyes, and an expreffioa 
 of mingled pertnefs, feif-importance, and 
 inanity. To decorate this graceful pre- 
 fence, there was a cocked hat, a green 
 coat lined with yellow fatin, a red filk 
 K 5 waift-
 
 [ aoi ] 
 
 waiflcoat, and black filk breeches, all 
 bran new, with white filk (lockings, now 
 inclining to yellow, very fmart fhoes, 
 graced with plated buckles, which, hav- 
 ing feen fervice, fhewed the brafs in va- 
 rious parts. Having walked in with his 
 hat on, he took it off and made to the 
 ladies a bow, which he intended at once 
 to exhibit dignity and condefcenfion 5 
 then turning to the gentleman faid, " I 
 prefume you ave Mr. Hamilton/'—*'^ Ac 
 your fervice ; pray, fir, be feated." — 
 Having taken a chair, the vifitor began: 
 *' My name, fir, is JefFery Lawhunt, I 
 keep a bookleller's ihop; here's my 
 card; perhaps you have heard of me> 
 and of my charader.'* — " Yes, 1 have,*' 
 replied the other, " I was not brought 
 up to the bookfelling bufinefsj I was in 
 the taylor line, and ftifl do a little in 
 that way ; thefe breeches are my own 
 making, and fee, madam, they fit very 
 
 well/'
 
 C 203 3 
 
 well." — The young lady ran out at this 
 appeal.—" I got the piece pretty cheap, 
 in payment of a debt that I thought 
 bad.— But I am wandering from the 
 point on which I called on you. — You 
 muft know, fir, fince I have taken to the 
 bookfelling trade, I am a great pattern 
 of learnings and hearing you are a very 
 good hand, I am willing to give you 
 employment, fir," — " You are very 
 kind," faid Hamilton. ^ — " And as to 
 terms, I tell you how I do with my 
 journeymen, and I find fome of my au- 
 thors agreeable to it ; alfo I gives them 
 their wages in traffic." — '* In traffic /" 
 faid Hamilton.—" Yes, and I find it a 
 very good way : for inftance, a coat, or 
 a waiftcoar, or a pair of breeches, or 
 fometimes in provifions. I buy a lot of 
 hams, and give pieces of them as pay- 
 ment, both at the board and printing- 
 houfe. Do you ever do any thing in the 
 K 6 theatrical
 
 [ 204 ] 
 
 theatrical line ?*'— « Never/* — <* Could 
 you not write me a pretty fmart novel ? 
 I give a very good price. Mrs. Devon, 
 a famous writter, fhe wrote the Per- 
 feverance of Perplexity, and the Lavifh 
 Landlord. She has, firft and lad, had 
 twelve guineas of my money. I have a 
 letter in my pocket here, that will (hew 
 you the kind of applications I receive.'* 
 Our hero accordingly perufed the follow- 
 ing epiftle; — 
 
 " Mr. Jeffery Lawhunt; 
 *' Sir ; — Having been in bufinefs irr 
 the child-bed linen way, and not finding 
 things anfwer, I have been advifed by 
 my friends to fet up in the Utterary line, 
 which they tell me requires little capi- 
 tal, and fo no wonder fo many poor 
 people takes after it;" — (« A very juft 
 remark,* obferved Lawhunt j) — " fo I 
 am a vriting a novel, with plenty of 
 
 ghoftefes
 
 [ 20S 3 
 
 ghodefes in it ; which is now quite the 
 kick." (' So it is/ obferved JefFery, ' you 
 fee Ihe knows what's what/) Now, fir, 
 as I underftand you arc a great inkur- 
 rager of harudifhon, I have made bold 
 for to offer to you what, to ufe a com- 
 pollifon, may be called the firft child of 
 my virgin mufe. (^ A very marvellous 
 produ6lion,* faid our hero, * this firft 
 child of the virgin mufe, I dare fay, is.') 
 (* I thought,' obferved Jeffery, « you 
 would like the figure.') 1 hope it, will 
 give you fatisfa6tion, and I am, fir, your 
 moil humble fervant, to command, 
 
 ** Sarah Shift. 
 
 *• P. S. If you could let me have a 
 little in advance, fhud be much obligated 
 to you." 
 
 " Well, fir, have you complied with 
 the lady's requeft ?** — " O yes ; I think 
 you will fay I behaved very generous.— 
 
 I gave
 
 [ 2o6 3 
 
 I gave her two guineas in money, a flitch 
 of bacon, a couple of fowls, and a green 
 goofe from my cottage in the country, 
 and ftufF for a callimanco petticoat. I 
 got the manufcript, but the printer tells 
 me that the fpelHng is not fo right as it 
 fhould be. Now, fir, as I am told you 
 are a fcoller, I would not fcruple twenty 
 pounds for a novel that you fhould 
 write." " You are liberal even to mu- 
 nificence, fir J but at prefent I have no 
 thoughts of any fuch compofition."— 
 *' Will you favour me with your com- 
 pany to dinner, firj there is to be a lite- 
 rary party ; there is to be little Dr. Grub, 
 and Mr. Whipperfnapper, a great maker 
 of verfess and Mr. Maccuipin."— " Is 
 Mr.Macculpin a Scotch gentleman ?"— 
 "No; damn the Scotch, I have had 
 enough of them ; though I am Yorkfhire 
 my (elf, they are farther north. Here 
 there was one of them that wrote a book 
 
 that
 
 [ 207 ] 
 
 that Ipublifhed for him; I thought I could 
 have got him off with thirty pounds, 
 but he would have three hundred : 
 to law we went, and by G — d it coft 
 me five hundred before I was done with 
 it. So that my profits, which I thought 
 would have been fix hundred, were little 
 more than one. I will have nothing 
 more to do with the Scotch. No, Mr. 
 Macculpin is a Irifh gentleman. There 
 will alfo be Mrs. Ogle that writes hymns 
 for the Gofpel Magazine, and other ar- 
 ticles of poetry, efpecialiy facred; and 
 Mr. Spatter, the reviewer, who is a great 
 favourite with her. It is not for nothing 
 that he praifes her pfalms, but that's not 
 a fubjed to fpeak of before a lady."— . 
 Mrs, Hamilton now haftily followed her 
 daughters and Lawhunt, not being able 
 to prevail on our hero, at length depart- 
 ed, and William haftened to his Jenny, 
 who waited with the moft anxious im- 
 patience.
 
 [ 208 ] 
 
 patience^ Her paffion, increafed by re- 
 newed indulgence, now knew no bounds. 
 She was willing to facrifice fame, em- 
 ployment, and every thing elfe, and ar- 
 dently defired to live with Hamilton.— 
 By perfeverance in illicit love, her mind 
 became gradually debafed. Sentiment 
 and afFedion, though ftiil very ftrong, 
 began now to be furpafied by mere fen- 
 fual define, and though Hamilton had no 
 reafon for jealoufy, the fidelity of Col- 
 lings was now owing much more to the 
 clofenefs of his attentions than to the 
 firmnefs of her conftancy. She gradu- 
 ally became negligent about her employ- 
 ment, and not long after rclinqui(hed ic 
 entirely. Hamilton could not help per- 
 ceiving her degeneracy, and cooUing in 
 his own pafTion, but confcious that he 
 himfelf was the caufe of her apoftacy 
 from virtue, and afterwards from deli- 
 cacy, felt keen remorfe. Her fituation 
 
 foon
 
 [ 2^9 3 
 
 foon came to require retirement; the 
 fruits of their affection was a fine boy, 
 born the very day his father reached the 
 24th year of his age. 
 
 Hamilton was now extending his ac- 
 quaintance among gentlemen of the law, 
 and alfo men of literary eminence. He 
 had the honour to be known to Gibbon, 
 who thought very highly of his talents 
 and erudition, perhaps, not the lefs that 
 a mafterly review of the hiftory was 
 found to be the production of Hamilton. 
 He occafionally met Dr. Samuel Parr, 
 bidiops Watfon and Horfeley, and was 
 very intimate with Paley. He knew 
 Dr. Gillies, and received much valuable 
 information from the accurate and well 
 digefted knowledge of that elegant fcho- 
 lar. He was well acquainted with the 
 philological refearch, fportive humour, 
 and convivial hilarity of the younger Bur- 
 ney s the unafTuming manners, carelefs 
 
 and
 
 [ 210 ] 
 
 and thoughtlefs deportment, but pro- 
 found erudition of a Porfon. 
 
 Our hero, encouraged by the high 
 praifes bellowed upon his literary efiays, 
 determined to bring forward a work of 
 fome magnitude and importance. 
 
 Hamilton, one afternoon, having been 
 in the neighbourhood of Pancras, where 
 Mifs Collings now refided, and return- 
 ing through Gray's Inn Lane, obferving 
 a literary acquaintance in the Burton ale- 
 houfc, entered that manfion, where, after 
 they had been about a quarter of an hour, 
 a gentleman came in, and accofiing our 
 hero's acquaintance, joined the conver- 
 fation. Hamilton was aftonifned at the 
 brilliancy and ftrength of this gentle- 
 man's obfervations, the extent and depth 
 of his metaphyfica), moral, and political 
 fcience. He foon found that this was 
 William Strongbrain, a gentleman very 
 highly prized in the republic of letters, 
 
 and
 
 [ "I 3 
 
 and in Hamilton's eftimation, deferving 
 ftill higher praife than that which he had 
 received. Hamikon had read, with very 
 great admiration, his execution of an 
 hiftorical plan, projected by another, but 
 left imperfed by his death. He had 
 perufed with peculiar delight a mixture 
 of profound philofophy, enlightened po- 
 licy, and poignant fatire, exhibited in a 
 book of a very whimfical title, and com- 
 prehending an intclle(flual and moral 
 portrait of a very illuftrious orator, and 
 that he was at this time engaged in con- 
 ducing a review, commenced by a cele- 
 brated vindicator of the lovely and un- 
 fortunate Mary. In the courfe of the 
 evening Hamilton received from this 
 gentleman fuch an accefnon, not only 
 of details and facts, but of principles and 
 views, as convinced him he would be 
 a very valuable inftru6lor, while the 
 ilrength and fplendour of his wit and 
 
 humour
 
 [212] 
 
 humour rendered him a mofl: delight- 
 ful companion. The charms of Strong- 
 brain's colloquial powers fafcinated our 
 hero to a very late hour, and he deter- 
 mined to fpare no pains in cultivating 
 fo very valuable and pleafant an acquaint* 
 ance : but for fome weeks family parties 
 interrupted the progrefs of their new 
 acquaintance. The old vicar and his 
 fon took an excurfion to London, whence 
 their friends promifed to return with him 
 to Yorkfhire. The day was appointed 
 for their departure, when a letter arriv- 
 ing from Etterick, ftrongly foliciting 
 William to come as foon as poflible to 
 Scotland, as his afliftance was very much 
 wanted, both by the father and daughter. 
 The mother had, it fecms, been dead 
 upwards of a year, and for many months 
 the father and Mrs. O'Rourke had lived 
 together in tranquillity. But of late, dif- 
 turbance had taken place, which they 
 
 thought
 
 [ 213 ] 
 
 thought our hero's prefence would mod 
 effcftually remove. Imparting the par- 
 ticulars to his friends, he convinced them 
 all, that it was neceflary, or at Icafl ex- 
 pedient, for him to comply with the re- 
 qutft. Accordingly he (tt off for the 
 north in the Highflyer, which left town 
 from Fetter-lane, in his neighbourhood. 
 They fet off between one and two in 
 the afternoon, having only three infide 
 paffengers. Nothing remarkable oc- 
 curred till they arrived at Hertford, 
 where our hero ordered fome coffee, 
 while the horfes were changing; and 
 having entered a public room, he ob- 
 ferved, (landing by a table, talking to an 
 elderly gentleman that appeared fettling 
 with a waiter, an obje6t that riveted him 
 to the fpot where he ftood. This was 
 a young lady about nineteen years of age, 
 with a face and countenance thM he 
 thought the moft intercfting and enga-
 
 [ 214 3 
 
 ging he had ever beheld. She was above 
 the middling ftature, exquifitely formed, 
 having her (hape and proportions exadly 
 difplayed by a riding habir. Her fea- 
 tures were at once regular and promi- 
 nent, her hair was black, her forehead 
 fmall but oval, with eyebrows even, 
 full, and ftrongly enhancing the pene- 
 trating fagacity and brilliant luftre of her 
 dark and piercing eyes, that indicated 
 quicknefs and ftrength of genius, mixed 
 with benignity of difpolicion, and an 
 arch intelligence, that gave a zed to the 
 foftnefs. Her nofe was aquiline, the 
 fweetnefs of her mouth, containing teeth 
 like the driven fnow, plump, foftly pout- 
 ing lips, and cheeks on which cupids 
 played in fmiles and dimples tempered 
 the fire of her eyes. Her whole coun- 
 tenance difplayed an acute and powerful 
 underftanding, fpirit, fenfibility, and be- 
 nevolence, but a benevolence of ardent 
 
 afFedlion>
 
 affedlion, and not fcncimental mawkifh- 
 ntr$. Our hero h id gazed on tiiis lovely 
 girl with eyes of fpcaking delight and 
 admiration for a minute or two, when 
 perceiving their direction fhe fat down 
 by the gentleman. William foon learned 
 that the young lady and her companion, 
 who was no other than her own father, 
 were to be his fellow travellers in the 
 coach; whither they were now fummoned, 
 and William had the pleafure of touching 
 her hand as he aiTifted her afcent to the 
 vehicle. In the courfe of the following 
 ftage, which was through a very beauti- 
 ful country, the obfervations of the 
 young lady, though not many, fhewed a 
 mind not only alive to the charms of 
 nature, but which, cultivated and dif- 
 criminating, could aiTign to the various 
 objeds their due proportion of the beau- 
 tiful, the grand, or the pidurefque, as 
 the one or the other happened to pre- 
 dominate.
 
 [2i6] 
 
 dominate. After they had pafTed Bal- 
 dock, a bare and black afped prevenied 
 farther remarks on the face of the coun- 
 try, and foir.e other travellers endeavour- 
 ed to take the lead in the converfation, 
 by introducing topics on which they con- 
 ceived they could refptdively fhine.— 
 One of the firft of thefe was a parfon, 
 who had joined them a little before, and 
 who, having obferved that the converfa- 
 tion was at a (land, imputed the ceilation 
 to veneration and awe of his dignified 
 appearance, and with condefcending 
 gracioufnefs faid, " Pray, good people, 
 do not conftrain yourfelves on account 
 of my prefence ; I am candid and liberal, 
 and ready to make allowance for inex- 
 perience or mifinformation ; therefore 
 open, and if you fhould happen to be 
 wrong in any afiertion or obfervation, I 
 ihall put you to rights." The bright 
 eyes of the young lady at this pompous 
 
 and
 
 [ 217 J 
 
 and felf-fufficicnt declaration aflumed an 
 cxpreflion of fportive archnefs that im- 
 mediately demonftrated her comprehen- 
 fion of his character, and her relilh for 
 humour. Our hero perceiving this, de- 
 termined to gratify her by inducing his 
 reverence to a full difplay. He faid, he 
 was extremely happy to find a gentleman 
 fo willing to communicate his inftruc- 
 tionsj that he himfelfwas confcious of 
 great ignorance and many errors; but 
 he truded he was docile. " Docility," 
 faid the pried, in the imperative tone of 
 pulpit inculcation, " docility is one ftep 
 towards the acquificion of knowledge; to 
 receive inftrudlion you muft be willing 
 as well as capable." " A very juft, and, 
 to my belief, an original remark." '' It 
 is," faid the parfon, *^ the refult of long 
 experience, accompanied by deep reflec- 
 tion. I have feen and obferved much, 
 but I have thought more. In my in- 
 voL, I. I. quiries
 
 [ 2»8 ] 
 
 quiries I always dive to the bottom, and 
 do not float on the furface. What had 
 been the fubjed of yourconverfation be- 
 fore it was interrupted by my prefence 
 and your own mcdefly ?" *' We were 
 fpeaking of the face of the country, 
 which is not fo pleafant as that between 
 Hertford and Stevenage. It is bare and 
 chalky.*' — *^ A bare and bleak face of 
 a country, young gentleman, is not fo 
 pleafant to the eye, as a fucceflion of 
 woods, lawns, and verdant paftures.-— 
 You will farther obferve that an expanfe 
 of flat is lefs agreeable than a viciflitude 
 of hill and dale. But if you are going 
 much farther north, I fhall have an op- 
 portunity of illuftrating this remark as 
 we pafs through Lincolnfhire. Even in 
 the profpeds near London, which many 
 fhallow judges praife, I have difcovered 
 defeds ; they are either too flat and mo- 
 notonous, or want the diverflfication of 
 
 water s
 
 t ii9 ] 
 
 water 5 for water is a very momentous 
 addition to the external afpedl of nature." 
 Thefe profound reriiarks were regarded 
 with much admiration by a female paf- 
 fenger who fat oppofite to the beneficent 
 inftruftor, and next to the young lady. 
 This liftener conceived (ho was hearing 
 the voice of wifdom, and being one her- 
 felfthat fought the charadlerof fenfe and 
 knowledge in her own circle, fhe treafur- 
 ed thefe obfervations in her memory, to 
 be afterwards repeated as the difcoveries 
 of her own fagacity. During the delivery 
 of the oracles the coach arrived at Big- 
 glefwade, where they were to fup. The 
 parfon having expended his v/ifdom 
 upon one topic difplayed his {lores on 
 another, and opened on the fubjed of 
 the coalition, on which, though not new, 
 he profefied to deliver fome opinions and 
 obfervations, that the company would 
 find a little out of the ordinary way.— 
 L 2 ** You
 
 [ 220 ] 
 
 *^ You will obferve, Mr. Fox for many 
 years oppofed lord North, and laid he 
 was totally unfit for being a minider — 
 He faid, the country muft be ruined if 
 he continued in office. — He was the chief 
 inftrument of driving him out.— Soon 
 after he formed a coalition with this very 
 man, and came together with him into 
 office.— I fay, my good friends, that in 
 fo doing Mr. Fox was not confident, 
 mark my words well, Mr. Fox was not 
 confiftent. — There are other parts of 
 Mr. Fox*s condudt which I can no lefs 
 clearly demonftrate to be extremely 
 wrong. — What did his India bill do? — It 
 violated chartered rights j I fay, violated 
 chartered rights, and it raifcd a fourth 
 cftate within the empire. — I pointed that 
 out to my friends Burke and Wind- 
 ham, and advifed them to explain it to 
 Mr. Fox, but they would have their own 
 ways; and fo it fares. There arc other 
 
 parts
 
 t 221 ] 
 
 parts of Mr. Fox's condin51, which! by 
 no means approve. I very much blame 
 his fupport of ihc dilfenters, and his 
 friendly difpofition to Prieftlcy, a heretic 
 and infidel, and one that would dcftroy 
 our church : one that has himfclf boaftcd 
 that he would blow up the church with 
 gunpowder. Can one that is preparing 
 to blow up the church, be called a friend 
 to the church ? mark that.'* Mrs. Hali- 
 fax, the lady whom we have before 
 mentioned, being a found churchwoman, 
 agreed with the cenfure of Priellley, and 
 obferved that '* that was a very ftrong 
 argemcMty that thofe who would fet fire 
 to a place could not wifh well to the 
 owner. There was," fays (he, " in our 
 neighbourhood, a barn fet on fire on 
 purpofe the other week, and all the 
 country faid ic muft have been done in 
 malice." Our hero praifed the fagacity 
 of thofe who found out that wilful in- 
 L 3 cendiaries
 
 [ 222 ] 
 
 ccndiaries muft ad from bad motives.— 
 " I reinemb.er," he fald, '* reading in the 
 biftory of England, that there was a gun- 
 powder plot contrived, in order to blow 
 up the Parliament houfe, and that the 
 chief inftrument was one Guy Faux;" 
 he with much gravity obferved, " I can- 
 not think that this fame Guy Faux was 
 a well wifher to the Parliament." The 
 young lady fmiled at this obfervation in 
 fuch a way as dcmonftrated her thorough- 
 ly to comprehend the charaifler^ or at 
 Jeafl, intellediial reach of Dr. Truifm* 
 The travellers now returned to the coach, 
 and fleep foon put an end to the con- 
 verfaiion. Our hero had been fome- 
 what amufed by the pompous emptinefs 
 of Dr. Truifm, but his mind was really 
 engaged by a very different objedl. The 
 charms of the young lady engrofTed his 
 thoughts and feelings, and did not fuffer 
 Morpheus to poffcls his ufual influence. 
 
 His
 
 C 223 ] 
 
 His fine expreflive eyes had told the fair 
 nymph the fentiments by which he was 
 impreflcd, but told it with fuch delicacy 
 and foftnefs as could not give offence, at 
 lead did not give offence. Whether 
 from the jolting of the coach, or fome 
 other reafon, Ihc alfo was av/ake a con- 
 fidcrable part of the time. She had fal- 
 len into a (lumber about morning, and 
 the reft continued buried in fleep, while 
 fome of their nofes loudly teftified 
 that it was not the fleep of death. Our 
 hero was gazing on the lovely nymph 
 with fervid admiration and eager delight, 
 when, the rifing fun playing on her eye- 
 lids, opened her beautiful eyes, and 
 fhe beheld the impaffioned gaze of Ha- 
 milton* She could not poffibly mifun- 
 derftand the expreffion of his looks, and 
 received them with more confufion than 
 difpkafure. Many minutes elapfed be- 
 fore our hero began the converfation. — 
 L 4 He
 
 [ 224 ] 
 
 He durft not venture to fpeak to the 
 young lady on the fubjcdl neareft his 
 heart with his tongue, though his eyes 
 fpoke the language of love, clear, forci- 
 ble, and imprcffive; but wifhing to 
 hear the found of her voice, and to en- 
 gage her in difcourfe, he opened with 
 the common compliments of the morn- 
 ing, which he offered in a tone mel- 
 lowed by tendernels. The young lady 
 very fenfible of tiiis intonation, endea- 
 voured to turn the difcourfe to fubjeds 
 in which it could not eafily be introduced; 
 and feeing, and ftill better hearing, that 
 the fpontaneous preceptor was found 
 afleep, flie obfcrved with arch irony, that 
 it was a very fortunate circumftance for 
 perfons pent up in a ftage coach to meet 
 with fo wife and learned a gentleman, 
 fo very willing to communicate his (lores 
 for the public benefit. " One perfon," 
 faid our hero, *« receives from his Icffons 
 
 the
 
 [ 225 ] 
 
 the imprefTion which they are defigncd 
 to make. This fleeping lady on the Jefc 
 hand evidently regards him with very 
 high admiration. I think," continued 
 he, '^ there are few abfurdities more 
 laughable and humourous than one per- 
 fon fpeaking nonfenfe, or at lead frivo- 
 lity, and another hftening to it as fenfe 
 and wifdom." ** It is/' replied the 
 nymph, " I believe, extremely common, 
 fir, and, perhaps, after all, merely fliews 
 that if one perfon is weak, another is 
 weaker." Hamilton obfcrved that he 
 had never feen it more happily ex- 
 emplified than by that great mafter of 
 nature, and of life, Shakefpear, in the 
 dialogue between the grave-diggers. — 
 He mentioned fcveral other inftances,and 
 paflcd rather abruptly, though not with- 
 out defign, to another mafterly painter 
 of life, and quoted the celebrated in- 
 ilancc of the attorney's clerk, who fo 
 L 5 profoundly
 
 [ 226 ] 
 
 profoundly admired the wifdom of Mr. 
 Partridge. Before the young lady had 
 an opportunity of either agreeing or 
 difagreeing with his remarks, he hurried 
 to a very different fubjedt and character, 
 in the fame performance, and expatiated 
 on the charms and lovelinefs of Sophia 
 Weftern ; declaring that Fielding, in his 
 defcription of that beautiful creature, 
 exadly hit real objeds in their higheft 
 perfe6lion. Having a copy of Tom 
 Jones in the coach, which he had taken 
 to amufe himfclf, he opened the firft 
 volume, and read with a very poignant 
 fignificance the account that he had men- 
 tioned, dwelling with peculiar emphafis 
 on the cxadlncfs and delicacy of the 
 Ihape, the black hair, the full and even 
 eyebrows ; he then alked the young lady 
 if fhe did not think the following pafTage 
 particularly ftriking : *' Her black eyes 
 had a iuflre in them which all her foftnefs 
 
 could
 
 [ 227 I 
 
 could not extinguifh ; her nofe was exa(EV- 
 ly regular; and her mouch, in which were 
 two rows of ivory, exa£lly anfwered 
 fir John Suckling's defcription in thefe 
 lines : — 
 
 * Her lips were red, and one was thin^ 
 
 * ComparM to that was next her chin, 
 
 * Some bee had ftung it newly.' 
 
 Her cheeks were of the aval kind ; 
 and in her right (he had a dimple, which 
 the leaft fmile difcovered. Her chin 
 had certainly its fhare in forming the 
 beauty of her face; but it was difficult 
 to fay it was either large or fmall, though, 
 perhaps, it was rather of the former 
 kind. — Her mind was every way equal 
 to her perfon ; nay, the latter borrowed 
 fome charms of the former: for when 
 fhe fmiled, the fweetnefs of her temper 
 diffufed that glory over her countenance, 
 which no regularity of features can give.'* 
 L 6 The
 
 [ 228 1 
 
 The young lady could not mifappre- 
 hend the fcope of this recitation, and 
 could not avoid blufhing. Meanwhile 
 the jolting of the coach upon the rugged 
 ftones of Stamford awakened others of 
 the company, and during the next two 
 ftages the converfation was more mixed 
 and general. The parfon continuing 
 drowfy, the difcourfe was chiefly carried 
 on by our hero and the young lady*s 
 father. In the courfe of their talk, Ha- 
 milton found that the gentleman's name 
 was Mortimer, and that he had an eftate 
 in the North Riding of Yorkfhire, to 
 which his daughter and he were now 
 proceeding. *« Pray, fir,** faid Hamil- 
 ton, ** is not the name of the place Oak- 
 grove, near Northallerton ?'\ " The 
 fame," replied Mr. Mortimer, with fur- 
 prife. "Then you are the father of 
 my moft intimate friend : we were four 
 years together at Cambridge/' " What, 
 
 do
 
 [ 2^9 1 
 
 jdo you know my fon Jack ? Then I 
 dare fay, fir, your name is Hamilton." 
 *' The very fame, fir." *^ You are a won- 
 derful favourite with our Jack j is he not, 
 Maria ?" but before Maria anfwered, and 
 fhe was in no hade, the old gentleman, 
 very unjuftly imputing her filence to 
 forgetfulnefs, with a view to refrefh her 
 memory faid, " Don't you remember, 
 girl, that when Jack ufed to be dcfcant- 
 ing on his friend, you would fay to him. 
 Don't talk fo much to me, brother, about 
 that Mr, Hamilton, fo handfome, fo 
 brave, fo witty, and fo every thing ; or 
 you will make me in love with him by 
 hearfay." This reminifcence, delivered 
 by the mere undefigning franknefsof an 
 open and honeft country gentleman, 
 overfpread Maria with bluflics, the exaifb 
 fource of which fhe would have found it 
 very difficult to define. Her father after- 
 wards once or twice unintentionally added 
 
 to
 
 i 230 ] 
 
 to her confufion, and efpecially when 
 Ihe appeared abfrnt and in a reverie, by 
 flapping her (boulders and chucking her 
 chin, and afking what was become of 
 all her fprighdinefs ; why (he did not 
 fpeak. ** Your brother's friend here 
 will think you a mere mope." Maria, 
 who from the conveyance of his eyes 
 had received ftrong expreflion of very 
 different fentiments, had little apprehen* 
 fions of that interpretation, but was ftill 
 farther confufed by the appeal. The 
 parfon being now completely awake, 
 very agreeably relieved Maria, by a dif- 
 fcrtation, in which hedemonftrated, that 
 after fatigue one is greatly difpofed to 
 fleep, and that fleep is very refre(hing» 
 They now arrived at Grantham, where 
 they were to breakfaft. Our hero was 
 waiting to hand Maria from the coach, 
 when, by fome inattention of the waiter, 
 the ftep gave way, and fhc would have 
 
 fallen
 
 [ 231 ] 
 
 fallen on the pavement, had not Hamil- 
 ton caught her fo quickly as to prevent 
 every danger to her perfon, but not with- 
 out an unavoidable fhock to her delicacy^ 
 of which the adroitnefs of our hero ren- 
 dered the caufe of the fhorteft pofTible 
 duration, and (he herfelfonly conjedlured 
 what had happened. Greatly agitated, 
 fhe tottered into the houfe, and found 
 herfelf ready to faint v when fal-volatile 
 for the prefent prevented her, and (he 
 was able to colledl hf r fcattered fpirits. 
 Her father, who had not attended to the 
 accident, at lead in all its circumftances, 
 and knew nothing of her being indif- 
 pofed, fent to hurry her to breakfaft. 
 Nanny, who delivered this melTage, and 
 who was remarkably loquacious, began, 
 *^ Mifs, you is wanted in the parlour to 
 breakfaftes. — Well, I have been two 
 years and a half, come next Michalmus^ 
 in/arvke here, and of all the men that 
 I ever
 
 [ 232 ] 
 
 ever I fee, mallicious and fouldlers, with 
 the colonels and captains, and Tangents 
 and cruperals, and fweet grenadiers, none 
 of them, in my mind, is fit to carry a 
 candle to the charming grntlcman that 
 had you in his arms." Maria looking 
 down at the lad obiervation, Nannv, to 
 encourage her, '' Don't be aba(hed, 
 ma'am, you need not be afhamed; a 
 more prittear leg I never fee in my life, 
 
 and bcfides ." But before this fen- 
 
 tence was finifhed, Maria hurried away, 
 defiring no farther elucidations. Our 
 hero, as (he entered the room, with con- 
 fiderate delicacy forbore every inquiry 
 that could allude to the accident, which 
 he knew fhe mud wifh to be buried in 
 oblivion. As they proceeded, though 
 he could not fo far command himfelf as 
 to avoid doing homage to her with his 
 eyes, yet he avoided fuch topics as led to 
 difcuffions concerning beauty and love. 
 
 Forty-
 
 [ '^33 ] 
 
 Fortunately the reft of the company were 
 in a great degree difufed to fuch fabjcds, 
 and the converfation being diverfified, 
 Maria, though much lefs brilliant than 
 ufual, took fome part in it ; and as they 
 got beyond the bounds of Nottingham- 
 Ihire, they all joined in ctlebraiing the 
 praifcs of Yorklhire. Having dined ac 
 Doncafter, they, about fix in the even- 
 ing, arrived at Ferrybridge. Here our 
 hero had intended to wait for the Glaf- 
 gow mail, to convey him to CarliQc ; 
 but he now changed his mind, and faid, 
 that as he had never feen Edinburgh, he 
 would go to York, and take his feat in 
 the Edinburgh mail. The parfon now 
 left them, and foon after the lady and 
 another pafTengcr, fo that there remained 
 only fquire Mortimer, his daughter, and 
 our hero. When they arrived at York 
 about ten, Hamilton took his place in 
 the mail in which the fquire and his 
 
 daughter
 
 [ 234 ] 
 daughter meant to proceed to Northal- 
 lerton. Mortimer had ftrongly folicited 
 our hero to accompany him to his feat^ 
 and fee his friend John, who was com- 
 mander in chief in his abfence. Hamil- 
 ton informed him of the neceflity of his 
 immediate procedure ; but promifcd to 
 vifit Oakgrovc on his return. At the 
 ufual hour they arrived at Northallerton, 
 and the father having pointed out his 
 houfe, which was in the immediate 
 neighbourhood, they came to the Inn, 
 whence the fquire declared he would fee 
 his new friend fairly fct off, before Maria 
 and he fhould walk home. They were 
 fitting in a parlour, and, the fquire having 
 gone out, Hamilton very ftrongly ex- 
 prefled the delight which he had enjoyed 
 from fo charming a companion, and the 
 cagernefs with which he would avail 
 himfelf of her refpeflable father's friendly 
 invitation. " 1 fhail," he faid, " have 
 
 very
 
 [ ^35 3 
 
 very great happinefs in feeing my friend 
 John, than whom I can love no man 
 more affedionately, but with what ex- 
 quifite joy I fliall again behold his lovely 
 and angelic fifter/* Before he had time 
 to finifh, the fquire returned ; and a mi- 
 nute or two after, a tall (trapping lady, 
 very thinly drefled, and who about the 
 neck anticipated the imitation of mother 
 Eve, that has fince become fo prevalent, 
 came in, faying, fhe underftood there 
 was one gentleman to be her fellow paC» 
 fenger in the mail, fhe had come to have 
 the pleafure of his acquaintance before 
 they embarked together. *' I under- 
 ftand," (he continued, " that he is a 
 very handfome young gentleman, and h^ 
 fir, I fuppofe you are he/* Hamilton, 
 though not unacquainted with the world, 
 and not without many opportunities, 
 could not be called a man of gallantry, 
 and made a very flight anfwer to this 
 
 compli-
 
 [ ^3^ ] 
 
 compliment, perhaps the more fiighc 
 from the prefence ofMaria. The fquire, 
 a hearty and a civil man, yet had not 
 that kind of politenefs which can com- 
 pletely diflemblc fentiments and opinions; 
 he was moreover a wag. He winked 
 fignificantly on Hamilton, and calling 
 him afide, whifpered, «' This will be a 
 good joke to your friend John, but take 
 care, my boy, fome of thofc dafhing 
 mifles arc Tartars.'* He might have ex* 
 plained this metaphor, but was inter- 
 rupted by the found of the horn, and the 
 coachman fummoning them to depart. 
 Accordingly Hamilton was under the 
 necefTity of leaving the charming Mifs 
 Mortimer, and at parting, though he 
 hardly fpoke with his tongue, yet in 
 half a minute exprefifed with his eyes an 
 ardour of affcdlion and tendernefs of re- 
 gret, which Maria mud h^ve been as re- 
 markable for dullnefs as (he was for the 
 
 contrary.
 
 [ m ] 
 
 contrary, if fhe had not obfcrved. She did 
 more than obferve, fhe alfo felt. — After a 
 very cordial fqueeze of the father's hand, 
 and a renewal of his promife to vifit the 
 Grove on his return, he departed. Hav- 
 ing, after the coach was fetoff, continued 
 to gaze on the window where Maria ftood, 
 on the turning of the corner he loft Gghc 
 of the beloved objcd, and, regardlefs of 
 his fellow traveller, threw himfclf back, 
 and feigning to be aflecp, brooded in 
 fancy over the lovely image of Maria, 
 His companion was one of thofe young 
 ladies who, having the eye of an hawk 
 after the handfome of the oppofitc fex, 
 are not unfkiiled in quarrying upon def- 
 tined prey. Mifs Dartwell was a very 
 likely girl, with animated and fafcinating 
 eyes, a clear and frefh complexion, rofy 
 lips, white teeth, tall, ftraight, and well 
 made. She was the daughter of a tradcf- 
 man, who being in tolerable circum- 
 
 ftances.
 
 [ 238 ] 
 
 fiances, propofed, at the inftigation of 
 his wif^-, to breed Fanny to be a young 
 lady, trufting that llie would acquire, by 
 marriage, rank and fortune ; and thus 
 enable her parents to look down upon 
 their neighbours. With thefe hopes 
 they had fent her to a boarding fchool, 
 near the metropolis; there fhe learned 
 to fmatter a little French, to drum a 
 little on the pianoforte, to read a little, 
 and to fpeak a great deal. The lady 
 governefs of the feminary often boafted 
 of her connexions, and among thefe 
 had a brother whom fhe ufcd to ftyle an 
 officer in the guards, and indeed fo he 
 was, and a very ufeful officer too, and 
 having rifen from the ranks to be cor- 
 poral, had afterwards become a fergeant, 
 then fergeant major, and laflly, an adju- 
 tant. He had a fon, who, inheriting his 
 military fpirir, was now a ferge.'nt of 
 grenadiers, one of the handfomeft young 
 
 fellows
 
 [ ^39 1 
 
 fellows on the parade, and peculiarly emi- 
 nenc for his fRlli in drilling. Abo<Jt this 
 time it began to be deemed expedient oy 
 fome of the wife perfons who fuperin- 
 tended female tuirion, to have their fair 
 pupils initiated in military affairs; the 
 exercife of a foldier would give them 
 a free mid eafy carriage, and improve 
 their /hapes. The lady to whom the 
 formation and guidance of Mifs Dartwell 
 was commitied, chinking fuch precep- 
 torial employment might be a good job 
 for her nephew, introduced fergeant 
 Sycamore in this capacity. Mifs Fanny, 
 being the tailed of the young corps, oc- 
 cupied the right hand, and thinking ic 
 incumbent on her to do honour, by dex- 
 terity of performance, to her confpicuous 
 ftature and ficuation, and being well 
 formed, a<5tive, and alert, foon furpalTed 
 the reft of the company, and was ap- 
 pointed///^/^. Her exhibitions and evo. 
 
 luiions
 
 [ 240 ] 
 
 lutions procured great praife from the 
 fergcant, to which fhe would liften with 
 much complacency. She often would 
 make comparifons between this heroic 
 you h, and the various other teachers of 
 his (cxy and declared to her intimates, 
 that he was far before the dincing-maf- 
 ter himftlf. ^' To be fure-, Mr. Cotillion 
 is a very pretty man, but Mr. Sycamore 
 is a very pretty and a very fine man." 
 Notwithftanding the ftri6l vigilance of 
 boarding fchools, the fergeant found 
 means to make a conqueft of one of the 
 teachers, no very difficult achievement; 
 and thereby to have various opportuni- 
 ties of converfing with the miffes entruft- 
 cd to her charge : and how could he em- 
 ploy his time better, than in giving them 
 private Icffons? Praftifing the military 
 flcps, Mifs DartwcU became diftinguilh- 
 ed for free and eajy carriage^ and the 
 improvement of her fjdpes. Soon after 
 
 this
 
 [ 241 ] 
 
 this difplay of tadlics the fergeant^ 
 by the influence of another difciple, of 
 much higher rank, who, though of a 
 more advanced age, had condefcend- 
 ed to avail herfelf of his inflrudions, 
 was promoted to a pair of colours, and 
 ere long to a lieutenancy of guards, 
 whence he had recently been appointed 
 a captain in a marching regiment. Mifs 
 Dartwell, after her ftudies, had returned 
 to her parents, and had received offers 
 of marriage from divers young tradef- 
 men, whom (he rejeded with difdain, 
 not failing to reprobate the rnfolence of 
 fuch fellows, who durft: prefume to make 
 propofals to a young lady that had been 
 at boarding'Jchooly and learned fo many 
 fine accomplifhments. Meanwhile fhe 
 did not fail to manifeft to young fquires 
 and captains of militia, that their ad- 
 dreffes would not be deeroed fo degra- 
 ding. Being artful and infinuating, fhc 
 VOL. I. M had
 
 [ 242 ] 
 
 liad laid fnares with an apparent pro-^ 
 bability of fuccefs for a fpruce young 
 counfcllor^ but at laft found that the . 
 lawyer was perfeclly acquainted with the 
 difference between being taken in mefne 
 procefs, where the caption was only 
 temporary, and being taken in execu* 
 ticn^ from which there was no oail.— 
 Her father being now dead, and having 
 fome hundred pounds at com -nand, fhe 
 refolvcd to fet out in que ft of Sycamore^ 
 and having, in London, learned that his 
 regiment was at Invernefs and Fore 
 George, flie had left the metropolis in 
 a different coach the fame morning as 
 our hero, and having arrived late the ^ 
 evening before at Northallerton, had 
 waited for the mail Such was the fel- 
 low-traveller of our hero. Captaia 
 Sycamore ftill continued the principal 
 favourite ofhii^fair pupil. Deeming the 
 attention and regard of this worthy pre- 
 ceptor
 
 [ ^43 ] 
 
 ceptor the chief good^ yet, being in het 
 philofophy rather a peripatetic than a 
 ftoic, flie confidercd it as the Jummum 
 but not iht Jolum expetenduyn^ the greatefr 
 but not the only blcfTing which life 
 might afford. Though Ihe Vv'as ap- 
 proaching Sycamore, Hill he was three 
 hundred miles off: here was a very fine 
 young man clofe by her; beildes, foldiers 
 might, in change of fcene, be incon- 
 -ilant. She now recolleded that there 
 was fome reafon to Tuppofe Sycamore 
 rather forgetful. She was one of thofe 
 prudential perfc^^ns who preferred poifef- 
 iion t9 reverfion, and thought a bird in 
 the h^nd worth two ivi the bufh. But 
 tojuftify the application of this proverb, 
 it was necelTary that \}i^t bird lliould ac- 
 tually be in hand, and not merely, becaufe 
 very near, fuppofed within reach. She 
 had penetrated into the fentiments of 
 our hero, tiie few minutes ihe faw him 
 M 1 with
 
 i 244 ] 
 
 with Mils Mortimer, and obferving his 
 concern, fhe forbore for fome time to 
 interrupt his reverie, but at length tired 
 €ven offo long a filence, flie' attempted 
 to engage him indifcourfe. She began 
 with indifferent topics, dexteroufly Ai- 
 ding into his opinion, however flightly 
 it might be delivered, and by degrees 
 opened upon plays and romances, the 
 fpecics of reading in which fhe v/as 
 chiefly converfant, thence paffing to va- 
 rious defcriptions of beauty, flie endea- 
 voured to plealc him by beflowing high 
 panegyrics on the young lady, who had 
 come in the coach to the laft inn. To 
 her obfervations Hamilton made civil 
 and afienting anfwers, but very fhort. 
 They now arrived at Darlington, where 
 mifs to her great vexation found chat 
 they were to be joined by another travel- 
 ler. This was a (lout, hearty, plain 
 man, who appeared to be a fubftantial 
 
 farmer
 
 [ 24S ] 
 
 farmer or a yeoman. He foon, how- 
 ever, informed the company he was 
 a freeholder of.Durham, and proceeded, 
 in the ufual ftyle of vulgar loquacity, to 
 open upon his own private affairs. He, 
 it feems, farmed his own lands, and had 
 two fons ; one of whom, a ftout young 
 man, he was breeding up to hulbandry : 
 but the other, a poor puny lad, quite 
 unfit for labour, therefore he was ma- 
 king him a genus, he was to be a great 
 fcdardi he was not more than feventcen 
 years of age, and in two or three years 
 more would be fit for the varfity ; fo 
 Mifcer Syntax, our fchoolmafler, tells 
 me ; and he is a -perdigious ^xt2xJcolard* 
 From his own affairs, this communicative 
 perfon, in the natural courfe, proceeded 
 to thofe of his neighbours, mentioned 
 many names, totally unknown to his fel- 
 low-travellers, but, atlafl, came to one 
 lady, of whom they and moft others had 
 M 3 very
 
 [ 246 ] 
 
 very often heard. Not being fparing ii^ 
 his ilridures on combined profligacy and 
 folly, or the connexions which ihefc 
 had formed, he obferved, that he re- 
 membered her a very good, agreeable 
 young woman. ^' But, ah! mafter, 
 when women once begin going to the 
 devil, they do not ftop half way j firft 
 they are baihful and coy, and we mud 
 court themj but after men has once their 
 own v/ay, by jingo then they courts us, 
 and are no more (hamefaced.'' Our 
 hero could not controvert the obferva- 
 tions of this fage, and almoft fmiled at 
 (as he conceived) their applicability to 
 his fair companion. Whether the lady 
 perceived, or at leaH" felt their appofite- 
 nefs, could not eafily be difcovered. She 
 certainly did not blufn^ bur, perhaps^ 
 that might be partly from her original 
 tuition at the boarding- fchool, and partly 
 from having of late been totally difufed
 
 [ n? ] 
 
 t?o the fufturion. At Durham they only 
 (lopped to change horfes. Before they 
 reached Nev/caftle their fellow-traveller 
 left Hamilton and Mifs Dartweli to them- 
 fclves. The lady began to relume the 
 operations which the worthy free- 
 holder had interrupted : Hamilton, as 
 we have fee n, was not infenfible to the 
 attradlions of even this fpecies of ladies^: 
 ytty at prefent, his imagination was fo^ 
 much engrofTed by the charms of the 
 lovely Mifs Mortim.er^, that his fenfes 
 were lefs alive to prefent objeds. To 
 Morpeth they v/ere flill alone, and the 
 lady began to hope that her efforts would 
 not be in vain. But* as they arrived at 
 the inn, whom (hould mifs defcry, at a 
 window, but her old friend and favourite, 
 captain Sycamore ? Reverfing her in- 
 tended application of the proverb^ about 
 " a bird in. hand," ihe haftened from the 
 M 4 eoach^
 
 [ 248 ] 
 
 coach, and with looks of the warmefi: 
 afFedion, flew to her military inftruflor. 
 Hamilton proceeded on his journey. — 
 From Berwick he crofTed the country 
 in the morning, and arrived at Etterick,
 
 [ 249 3 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The old gentleman received his nephew 
 \^'ith very great delight, and having 
 ordered for him every refrefhment that 
 the houfc afforded, or at lead that he 
 could command, proceeded without de- 
 lay to unfold his various reafons for re- 
 quefling the prefence of William. " I 
 had/* he faid, ''many trials v^hile my 
 wife was alive, but it pleafcd the Lord to 
 take her to himfelf, I was rcfigned, and 
 fince that time have lived with Sufan very 
 comfortably. She^ to be fure, was down 
 in the mouth, from the behaviour of 
 (whifpering) that damned fcoundrcl her 
 hufband ; and fometimes I have thought 
 that, bad as he was, fhe regretted his 
 abfence as much as any thing, however, 
 M- 5 that'i
 
 [ 250 ] 
 
 that's between ourfelvcs. In fad, he 
 returned about a month ago, and be- 
 haved very civilly for a week, and his 
 wife appeared as fond of him as ever. I 
 hoped he had taken himfelf up, and to 
 encourage him, allowed him as much 
 money as I could fpare for the prefent, 
 and promifed to do more if he continued 
 to behave himfelf: but 1 foon found the 
 money did him more harm than good: 
 he returned to his old pradices, and at 
 length became fo extremely infolent that 
 I dare hardly call my houfe my owno 
 He daily abufes me for having (he fays) 
 defrauded him, by fe curing my property 
 as I have done j and as to my daughterg. 
 he takes up with the vileft trollops under 
 her very nofe s and told her, no longer 
 ago than lail night, in his cups, that he 
 knew no other ufe tha5 (he and the old. 
 fool her father could be of, but by their 
 fortune giving him the means of plcafure. 
 9 Hje
 
 [ 251 I 
 
 He has no idea that I wrote to you to 
 come down, and talks very highly, boail- 
 ingly, and falfely, about your encounter 
 and his InYorkihire/' — After farthercon- 
 verfation Hamilton retired into an adjoin- 
 ing drefTing-room, to make fome change 
 in his habiliments, when Mr, O'Rourke, 
 who, having been abroad, had heard no- • 
 thing of the guefl that was arrivedycntered 
 the apartment, and accoiling the laird in a; 
 loud and imperious tone, told him that 
 he required more money imm.ediately^- 
 '' I have a demand that cannot be puf 
 off} fo I mud have none of your excufcs^ 
 or delays." '^ I have really no m.oney 
 for you; you knov; very weJi how I aiii; 
 circumftanced."' '*' Yes, yes, I know 
 how thofe villains choufed you/* " What 
 villains, fir?" '^ Your brother and his 
 fon, to be fure ; but I fancy the fon will 
 keep out of my way again." ** Here he 
 comes/' faid the old gentleman,- ^^ to- 
 M 6 ■ anfwer
 
 [ 252 ] 
 
 anfsverforhimfelfj and immediately our 
 hero prefented himfclf before 0*Rourke. 
 Aftonifhment at firft fufpended the facul- 
 ties of the preacher, but was foon fuc- 
 ceeded by confternaiion and fear, and 
 as Hamilton fternly regarded him, the 
 impudenc-e of the bully was totally over- 
 whelmed by the dread of merited chaf- 
 tifement. Hamilton, however, abftain^ 
 ing from adual violence, coolly afked 
 his uncle if he would leave the manage- 
 ment of the man entirely to him ? " That 
 I will,.m.y dear nephew: you know I 
 fent. for you for that very purpofe."— » 
 *? Then," faid Hamilton, " you, Mr. 
 O'Rourke, withdraw, until my uncle and 
 1 determine hov/. to proceed." This 
 command he very fubmiffively and ex^ 
 peditioufly obeyed. Having learned the 
 details of O'Rourke's conducSl, our hero 
 afked his uncle, whether he did not think 
 a.feparation would be the wiftflmeafure? 
 
 **Lthink.
 
 [ ^S3 1 
 
 « I think fo," faid the laird, " but I am^ 
 afraid Sufan will not altogether agree j 
 for fhe has dill a great hankering after 
 the fellow.*' Mrs. O'Rourke aow came 
 to pay her compliments to her coufin^ 
 bringing with her her little boy, whom 
 fhe introduced to William, who beftow- 
 cd great encomiums on his young rela- 
 tion... The lady anfwered with a figh, 
 that he already appeared to have the 
 look and ihape of his father,. Hamilton, 
 as they farther converfed, eafily difcover- 
 ed that an. entire feparation was not to 
 the lady's mind. Of courfe it would be 
 totally inexpedient to propofe fuch a 
 meafure. She expreffed her hopes, that 
 he might be reclaimed, and earneftly 
 conjured Hamilton to devife fome means 
 for making the experiment. While 
 they were deliberating, a fervant enter- 
 ing in hurry and agitation, informed 
 thema that there were king's melTen- 
 
 gers^
 
 [ ^54 I 
 
 gers* below, and that they were in pur* 
 fuit of Mr. O'Rourke. Hamilton, ha- 
 ving inquired into the circumftances of 
 the cafe, found that they were writs 
 againft the preacher, for fums amount- 
 ing to five hundred pounds, for debts 
 incurred during his former refidence in 
 that country, and that other profecutions 
 were threatened from places which he 
 had fince vifited, in the courfe of his me- 
 thodiftical mifiion or other adventures, 
 Hamilton advifed his uncle not to inter- 
 fere immediately, but to fuffer him to 
 undergo, for a time, the punifhment of 
 his vices, and afterwards to relieve him 
 conditionally, according to his future 
 condu6t. Etterick agreeing to this ad- 
 vice, O'Rourke was, for the prefent, 
 taken to the county gaoi. Hamilton^ 
 in a day or two, fent the fleward to fee 
 
 • Eqmvalent to bailiffs, in England. 
 
 the
 
 [ ^S5 1 
 
 the prifoner, and endeavour to learn 
 from himfelf the amount of his incum- 
 brances, O'Rourke, abjed In adverfity, 
 humbled himfelf before this agent, whom, 
 in the infolence of fancied profperity, he 
 had formerly treated with imperious 
 rudenefs; in the mod fupplicatory terms 
 entreated his interpoficion, acknow- 
 ledged his ov/n unworthinefs, and con- 
 fefTed that his debts were not much lefs 
 than a thoufand pounds. He wrote let- 
 ters to his wife;, father-in-law, and our 
 htro, reproaching himfelf and praying 
 forgivenefs, Thefe humiliations wrought 
 upon the feelings of Mrs, O'Rourke, 
 and at her earnefl: entreaties it was agreed 
 that the laird fhould privately guarantee 
 a loan for the liquidation of the dcbts^ 
 but that the land-fteward, who was to 
 be the often fible lender, fhould take 
 O'Rourke's bond, to be held in terroreniy 
 ^jvith a thircat of execution if he repeated 
 
 any
 
 C 256 J 
 
 any of his former mifcondufl. Hamil- 
 ton both before and after the releafe 
 fpent much time in exhorting the huf- 
 band of his coufin to afl as became the 
 connexion which he had formed, and 
 advifed him particularly to abilain from 
 hard drinking and from methodifm, both 
 of which intoxicating the brain, unhin- 
 ging the faculties, and giving full reins to 
 pafTion, often led to madnefs, profligacy, 
 or both. O'Rourke acknowledged that 
 it was very true, and promifed faithfully 
 hereafter to avoid the drunkennefs of 
 either (Irong liquor or fanaticifm, both 
 of which he confefTed from experience, 
 heightened the propenfity towards loofe 
 women and other irregularities. Though 
 Hamilton did not altogether rely on the 
 confcientious penitence of this perfon, 
 yet knowing that his fears, wherever 
 circumftances led them to operate, would 
 powerfully influence hi^aflions, dcCned 
 
 to-
 
 I '^57 1 
 to have him under his own eye. He, 
 therefore^ prevailed with the father and 
 daughter to fpend the following winter 
 in London, and to pafs the intervening 
 time at different watering places, whither 
 he promifed occafionally to join their 
 party. Arrangements being made for 
 their meeting in England, our hero in- 
 formed them thar he had engaged to 
 vifit a college-friend in Yorkfhire. He 
 took his uncle's horfes to Berwick, 
 whence he fct out by the mail, in which, 
 though full of paffengers, nothing oc- 
 curred interefting in icfelf, or, at lead, 
 that engaged the attention of our hero, 
 which was entirely cngrofTed by the an- 
 ticipation of the pleafure he was to re- 
 ceive at Oak-Grove. Arriving at North- 
 allerton, and inquiring about Mr. Mor- 
 timer's ^family, he had the happinefs to 
 hear that they were all in perfed health; 
 
 and
 
 [ 258 ] 
 
 and haflily dining, he walked on towards 
 Oak-Grove. 
 
 The morning on v.'hich the fquire and 
 his daughter had parted with Hamil- 
 ton, they had immediately gone home j 
 Mr. Mortimer retired to bed and to- 
 fleepi his daughter to bed,, but not to 
 lleep. Some hours after flic defccnded. 
 to the parlour, where fhe found herfelf 
 in the affectionate arms of her brother- 
 John. Having aficed many kind quef- 
 tions about herfelf and their father, and 
 how fhe liked London, he could not 
 help obferving, that, retaining all her 
 fweetnefs and tendernefs, fhe was much 
 kfs fprighdy and communicative.— 
 " What's the matter with you, Maria ? 
 have you loft your heart that you are fo 
 penfive ?'' At this queftion, Maria 
 bufhed, but pretended to laugh. Before 
 fhe could anfwer the queftion, her father 
 making his appearance,, after the recipro- 
 city.
 
 [ 259 ] 
 
 city of embrace, of looks, and exprelTions, 
 that parental and filial love mighc be ex- 
 pected to produce, and fome difcourfe 
 on private and domeibic affairs, he turn- 
 ed to his daughter : — *^ Well, Maria, how 
 long/' he faid, " have you been up ?'' 
 " Near rhefe two hours, fir.'' " O, then 
 you have been telling John all the fine 
 fights you have feen, at the plays, and 
 operas, and Ranelagh, and Vauxhall/' 
 " Very little of that," faid John. " And 
 of his friend, our fello-wtraveller."— 
 *' My friend,^your fellow-traveller?'' faid 
 the fon ; *^ no not a v.'ord t who was he ?" 
 ^^ Lord, girl, how came you to be fo 
 forgetful ? Be fides, the young man was 
 really very civil to you." Maria agaia 
 biuilied. " Who is the fubjedt of your 
 difcourfe ?" faid John. '^ Your friend 
 Mr. Hamilton v/as our fellow traveller 
 from Hertford ; and as fine a young man 
 as ever I fav/^ is he not, Maria ?"—^ 
 
 «f Pretty:
 
 [ 260 ] 
 
 »« Pretty well, pretty wf 11," replied the 
 hdy; " nothing extraordinary/' repeat- 
 ing her bluOies. " Pretty well !'' re- 
 plied the father ; *' by the lord Harry, 
 mlfs, I believe you had not the ufe of 
 your eyes, I think hc*s a very hand- 
 fome J5nd a very fine young man. I am 
 fure John does not agree in your opi- 
 nion; do you, John ?" " Not in the opi- 
 nion which fhe has exprefled." " And 
 belides you are to confider you are very 
 much obliged to him; he faved you 
 from a very bad fall." Maria now pre- 
 tended fome errand out of the room,, 
 and thd father continued to defcant upon 
 the agreeablenefs of Hamilton, and his 
 attentions to Maria and to him on find- 
 ing who they were. " I don't know how 
 it was," he faid, *' Maria is an excellent 
 girl, and a daughter to my wifh, and I 
 have hardly any occafion to find fault 
 with her, but (he was filent and referved 
 
 during
 
 [ a6i ] 
 
 during moft of the journey. I invited 
 your friend to vifit us as he returns from 
 Scotland. I winked and even whifpered 
 to her, that out of common civility flie 
 ought to join in the invitation, but fhe 
 did not fay a word." 
 
 Mr. Mortimer was an extremely wor- 
 thy man; but, totally without difguife 
 himfelf, he did not readily fufpe6l ic in any 
 other. J'jhn was a man of abilities, pe- 
 netration, weil-acquainted with the woxld, 
 and with the fair fex, and not ignorant 
 of the artifices and dilTimulation which 
 modefty and delicacy often introduce in 
 the moft virtuous and elevated female 
 bofoms. He heard from the communi- 
 cative old gentleman, all the detail of 
 their journey, including the dafhing 
 mifs that fet off with Hamilton. In 
 various converfations with his fifter he 
 turned the-difcourfe upon his friend, buc 
 obferved that fne rather fhifced the fub- 
 
 jed:.
 
 ]td:. She was much graver than ufual, 
 or if (he attempted the appearance of 
 gaiety, it v^as evidently an effort. One 
 day a family in the neighbourhood was 
 dining at Mr. Mortimer's, and Maria^ 
 with a companion, was feated near a 
 window that commanded a view of 
 Northallerton, and the interjacent fields, 
 and exerting herfelf to amufe the com- 
 pany, file had begun a very animated 
 account of the comic performance of 
 Mrs. Jordan in the country girl, and 
 had placed her on the table fealing the 
 letter, when the gate-bell ringing, fhe 
 haflily turned about, and as haflily with- 
 drawing her eyes, v/as overfpread with 
 blufhes, and (lopped fh^rt in the middle 
 of her defcription. '' Dear Maria," 
 faid the father, '' what's the matrer with 
 you, girl ?" A fervant now entering ad- 
 dreffed Mr. Mortimer, faying, *' Here 
 -h^ a young /quire f.xing for my meafter 
 
 and
 
 mid young 7neafter :'' and Immediately 
 after, our hero made his appearance, and 
 was receieved wich warm afFeclion by his 
 friend, and cordial kindnefs by the old 
 gentleman. His recepdon from Maria 
 appeared to her father too cold a civility 
 to an acquaintance, who was the friend 
 of her brother, to whom fhe herfclf had 
 been obliged. When the ladies with- 
 drew, they all, with the exception of 
 Maria, united in praifingthe face, figure^ 
 and addrefs of the young ftrangcr.— • 
 Though Mifs Mortim.er was far from 
 diflenting in her heart from thefe opi*. 
 nions, yet Ihe had feveral reafons for 
 concealing her acquiefcence. Maria had 
 often, among her companions, ridiculed 
 the folly of love at firft fight, and de- 
 clared fhe thought it impoITible for a 
 -radonal woman to be enamoured of a 
 mar^ however agreeable in appearance 
 and manners, before fke had an oppor- 
 tunity
 
 C 2643 
 
 tunity of knowing the qualities of his un- 
 derflanding and hearty and alfo, unlefs 
 ihe had reafon to conceive him attached 
 to herfelf. This theory Mils Mortimer 
 had often fupported with brilliant inge- 
 nuity, but had begun now to apprehend 
 that, like many plaufible and fple'ndid 
 hypothefes, it would not iland the teft of 
 experiment. She really feared that fhe 
 prized her fellow-traveller much too 
 highly for fo Ihort an acquaintance, and 
 befideSj had not been without uneafinefs 
 fince his departure, in company with 
 the lady from Northallerton. Delicacy 
 had reftrained not only the tongue, but 
 the eyes of our hero from that expref- 
 fion which his heart didated, and though 
 the young lady would have been afhamed 
 and vexed by the repetition of the looks 
 which (he had received in the coach, fhe, 
 perhaps, was not altogether pleafed at 
 what Ihe, not certain as to the mo- 
 tive.
 
 [265] 
 
 eive, confidered as a change. A hdy 
 whofe affe6lions are perfedliy unengaged, 
 may be pleafed with attentions, which 
 are merely homage to her charms, d.ndy 
 though indifferent to the man who has 
 beftowed them, may be piqued or mor- 
 tified at their dilcontinuance, real or 
 ima^intd. The mind of Maria, how- 
 ever, was too ftrong to be much alfecled 
 by pique. She was lefs mortified than 
 anxious. She recollected, however, chat 
 there was no motive, which fiie could 
 avow, for coldnefs and difrance to a 
 gendeman who was her father's gueft, 
 the intimate friend of her brother, and 
 whole m.anners and deportment had a 
 claio-i to every atrention which the polite- 
 ncTs of hofpirality could exact from a 
 yoUi"?;^ and fair hotlefs : fhe, therefore, 
 refolvcd to attempt a greater degree of 
 cafe and franknefs. Ac tea, the worthy 
 hod, in order to amufc the comp>iny 
 VOL, I, N wich
 
 [ 265 ] 
 
 with a joke, a paftime of which he was 
 very fond, began to road our hero 
 about his fellow-traveller to the north. 
 Hamilton, whofe eyes were turned to- 
 wards Mifs Mortimer, obferved her flufh 
 and fuddenly look to him at this addrefs, 
 but on perceiving the direction of his 
 eyes withdraw hers in confufion. Ani- 
 mated by thefe movements, which he 
 flattered himfcif indicated, at leafl, a 
 curiofity about his condufl, he very 
 eagerly and briefly related her meeting 
 with an oflicer, who appeared to be her 
 hulband^ and having fpoken very flightly 
 of the appearance and accomplishments 
 of the lady, he, for fome reafon, chofc 
 to defcant on the grace, elegance, and 
 manly beauty of the gentleman whom 
 fhe had met. He did not, he faiJ, 
 know who they were, having parted 
 with them at Morpeth, and having 
 heard nothing, and indeed thought no- 
 thing of them from that time to the pre- 
 
 fcnt*
 
 [267] 
 
 fent. Maria in this account faw two 
 circumftances, with neither of which llie 
 was difpleafed : firft, that Hamilton had 
 cultivated no acquaintance with the lady: 
 fecondly, that he was extremely defirous 
 to make that known. One or two op* 
 portunities had occurred for his coun- 
 tenance fpeaking to Maria the energetic 
 and impalTioned language of love ; and 
 ihe did not mifunderftand the expreflion. 
 A country performer, who had learned 
 that there was a party at Oak Grove, 
 arrived with his violin and rural fecond, 
 to exhilarate the company. The drains 
 of loyalty, ipegun in the veftibule, an- 
 nounced his arrival. He and his com- 
 rade were inftandy introduced ; and Ha« 
 milton requeued the hand of the charm* 
 ing hoftefs. Both gentleman and Jady 
 excelled in agility, grace, and juftnefs of 
 niufical earj and though all the other 
 young people acquitted thcmfelves ex« 
 N 2 tremely
 
 [ 1S% ] 
 
 tremely well, yet no couple equalled, or 
 nearly equalled, William and Miria. — 
 In the courfe of their feflive amufement, 
 and in the intervals of refl, our hero did 
 not fail to tell his fair partner how beau- 
 tiful Hie was, how lovely, how irrefiftibly 
 intrrefting. She pretended to confider 
 thefe declarations as mere words of 
 courfe, and to anfwer with gay indif- 
 ference. Gaiety, fprightlinefs, and briU 
 liancy (he difplayed ; indifference did not 
 appear. Our hero, infpired by Maria, 
 and moreover warmed with the focial 
 bowl, to which the old gentleman had 
 allowed but little refpite, gave vent, 
 afrer f'pper, to his imagination i de- 
 lighted by the novelty and bcuiity of his 
 imagery, and by the failles of his wit, 
 furprifed and fafcinated his he?jrers. The 
 ftage happening to be mentioned, and 
 Mrs. Sidd ons in Belvidera called from 
 our youth the pathos of genius io ir- 
 
 refiflibly
 
 [ 2C9 ] - 
 
 refiftibly imprefiive, that gllflemng cyci 
 and moiftened cheekb of the fair auditors 
 bore unequivocai teiliniony to the fofc- 
 nefs of their fenfibihcy. Far tranfccnd- 
 ing all the ftm -le guefls, in the vigour 
 of htr imagination^ and the tendernefs 
 of her heart, Maria, by the adion and re- 
 adion of fancy and of fctling, was more 
 enchanted and altered by the defcrip* 
 tions and exhibidons of our hero, than 
 any of her companions. She faw how 
 exquifitely his countenance correfponded 
 with the varying fubject ; and, indeed, 
 though fne did not fee it, her own 
 was in changing unifon. The mem- 
 bers of the party were fo extremely 
 pleafed with each other, that the dawning 
 morn was the firft intimation that mid- 
 night was palled. Late as it v/as, and 
 though Wiiham had not been in bed the 
 preceding night, yet he lay awake, me- 
 ditating on love and Maria, and wholly 
 N 3 bene
 
 t ^7^ ] 
 
 bene on winning the affedlions of fo 
 charming a fair. In the tumultuous 
 cagernefs of pafiion, reafon did not alto- 
 gether negledt one of her favourite vo- 
 taries, but afked, to what end could he 
 indulge his affedlion ? was his fituation 
 in life fuch as to juilify fo early a mar- 
 riage, deferving as the young lady might 
 be ? would not it be prudent to defer his 
 advances until he had made greater pro- 
 grefs in the deflined purfuits of life ?—* 
 Honour and humanity faid, '^ Do noe 
 irrecrievably engage the heart of this 
 lovely and interefting young woman, 
 before you are afTurtd that no impedi- 
 menrs may retard, or obftacles obftruft 
 gratification.'* To thefe monitors the 
 ingenuity of love anfwered, " That in- 
 itead of oppofing he would fatisfy them 
 all." He was confcious that he polTefTed 
 talents, erudition, and literary powers, 
 which, if fleadily and uniformly exerted, 
 
 would
 
 [ 271 ] 
 
 would procure him an income fufficient 
 for real happinefsj that Maria would 
 Simulate exertion; and that fo infpired 
 he would probably be greater and richer 
 than if acting without any fuch motive ; 
 bur, at leall:, he would be happier. Ac 
 length he was overpowered by flccpj and 
 was in a dream careffing the objccl: of 
 his waking thoughts, when his jolly hofl 
 entering his apartment roufed him to 
 breakfaft, that, according to an appoint- 
 ment on the f:)rmer evening, they might: 
 take a ride over his farm and eftare.— 
 *' I fuppofe, my yonng fncrid, you are 
 like John, therefore I need not offer you 
 a tankard for your morning draught." 
 Hamilton acknowledged the rcfcmblance 
 in that part of their tafte, and the fquire 
 left him, and, while he equipped himfelf,. 
 went to pay his compliments co the other 
 guefts. Having left his room, he was 
 preparing to defcend to the parlour, 
 N 4 whence
 
 [ ^72 1 
 
 whence he heard the cheerful voice of 
 his hoft ; when z door opening into the 
 landing place, Maria unexpedledly pre- 
 fenced herfrlfto his e/iraptured view.— 
 He thought her fomevvhat pale, and in- 
 quired afrer her health, not as a compli- 
 ment, but as one whofe whole foul was 
 concentrated in its objed. She anfwer- 
 ed him with fv/ectnels, butf^ill attempt, 
 ed indifference. Fie foftly took hold of 
 her hi^nd, and earnefily requefted one 
 moment's convcrfation. Confounded by 
 his addrefs, flie at firft flood flill, but 
 recolle(5ling herfelF, gently withdrew her 
 hand, faying, (he rnuil defcend to the 
 breakfait-room. The allegation of rea- 
 fon founding fo like an apology for de- 
 parture, delighted our hero, v^^ho con- 
 fidently expedled ere long he might have 
 the opportunity which he wiihed. Mod 
 of the morning was occupied in viewing 
 the farms of the fquire and his tenants. 
 
 His
 
 [ ^73 3 
 
 H's own demefnes evinced the flcill and 
 ability of the farmer and gardener, that 
 happily mingled utility with pleafure; 
 in whofe plans, culture was the ground- 
 work, while decoration was the edging 
 and interfpcrnon, in which produ6live- 
 nefs, the primary objed, did not pre- 
 clude delight. The fields, hufbandry, 
 houfes, drefs, and perfonsof his tenants, 
 evinced the induftrious and thriving 
 farmers of Yorklhire. 
 
 The rtft of the vifitors were now de- 
 parted, and Hamilton was the only guefc. 
 They returned to dinner. The fquire, 
 convivial from fcciability, but not in- 
 temperate from habit, promoted neither 
 by precept nor by example the abforp- 
 tion of any more liquor than fuited the 
 taftes of his company. After a cheerful 
 but moderate glafs, the gentiemen joined 
 Maria in the garden. Young Mortimer 
 was foon after fummoncd to Northaller- 
 N 5 ton^
 
 [ 274 ] 
 
 ton, on fome bufinefs which would re- 
 quire about half an hour's attendance, 
 and the fquire was a Jitiie after obliged 
 to give audience to one of his tenants j fo 
 that now rhere remained only our hero 
 and the objed of his adoration. The 
 reader will not doubt that Hamilton em- 
 braced fo favourable an opportunity of 
 unfolding his fentiments, which he did 
 with mingled ardour, tendernefs, and de- 
 licacy. The young lady heard him with 
 agitation, but an agitation that appeared 
 to arife more from apprehehfi.n than 
 from anger. Educated with the ftridleft 
 fenfe of decorum and propriety, as well 
 as mode fly, flie thought fhe was wrong 
 in liflening to him ; but his deportment 
 was fo refpedful, engaging, and perfua- 
 five, thar though fhe once or twice at- 
 tempted it, (he was unable to chide him 
 for fo hafly a declaration, or even abrupt- 
 ly to leave him and retire. She, in a 
 
 very
 
 [ '^IS 1 
 
 very low voice and faltering accents^r 
 requefted him not to talk on fuch a Tub* 
 je6t to her -, they were almoft (Irangers 
 to one another i it was impoffible he 
 Gould know fo much of her mind and 
 difpofitions as to juftify the preference 
 which he profefTed \ though accident had 
 left them alone at this time, fhe would 
 take care to prevent the recurrence of 
 fuch a fituation j at leail, unlefs he pro- 
 mifed to defift in future from fuch a 
 topic. Hamilton declared his refolution 
 to open his fentiments to his friend 
 John, and fhe was deprecating the ap- 
 plication, when her father rejoining 
 them, interrupted their dilcourfe. 
 
 The following day a hunting party 
 prevented the intended explanation in 
 the mornings and when they returned 
 to dinner, a neighbouring gentleman,, 
 who invited himfelf to Oak Grove, was 
 of the party. This was fquire BiolTom, 
 N 6 whofe
 
 [276] 
 
 whofc father, a very great farmer near 
 Richmond, had acquired a confiderable 
 property by fpeculating in corn and 
 cattle, and by horfe-dealing ; and his 
 fortune being more than doubled by the 
 death of a brother, an opulent manufac- 
 turer : a fhort time before he had died, 
 leaving to this his only child, an eftate 
 of two thoufand pounds a year. This 
 youth having been intended by his fa- 
 ther for following his own footfteps, had 
 received litcle education, except fo far 
 as related to rearing horfes, and difpofmg 
 of them to the bed advantage. In this 
 lad branch he, though only fix and 
 twenty, had already attained fuch fkill 
 that he could over-reach colonelO'Black- 
 leg himfelf, and was fall: adding to his 
 fortune. He, Hke his father, was alfo a 
 Ikilful corn-dealer and grazier, Ac- 
 quing his money with great eafe, though 
 not liberal to other perfons, he was not 
 
 fparing
 
 [ ^77 ] 
 
 fparing in what miniftered to his own 
 pleafures ; being a frefh- coloured llrap- 
 ping fellow, he was a fuccefsful gallant in 
 the country ; and young as he was, was a 
 kind of a patriarch. This perfon having 
 neither birch, abilities, or any other 
 fource of diftindlion but his riches and 
 his vices, confidered money as the firft 
 conflituent of eminence, and next to that 
 the deception of female credulity. BloC 
 fom had frequently feen Maria Morti- 
 mer, and though without tafte, feeling, 
 or comprehenfion to do juftice to many 
 of her charms, yet from fentimencs purely 
 animal, he regarded her as a very defirable 
 objedt. The fortune of Mr. Mortimer 
 he well knew was confiderably inferior 
 to his own, and as he had feveral children, 
 the portion of his daughters could not 
 be great. He himfelf was determined 
 not to marry but merely as a matter of 
 convenience, and had in his eye the only 
 
 child
 
 [ 278 ] 
 
 child of an opulent button-maker of 
 Sheffield. This fellow had the prefump- 
 tuous wickednels to conceive difhonour- 
 able intentions towards the virtuous and 
 elevated Maria. Bur, though not without 
 courage in rencounters of wreirling, 
 cudgel-playing, or boxinp, he was no 
 friend to fword and piftol, which he well 
 knew fuch an attempt would immediate- 
 ly raife againft him from Maria's brother, 
 who was brave, intrepid, and high fpirit- 
 ed. Knowing, however, that John was 
 foon to leave the country, he determin- 
 ed to execute his nefarious defign, when 
 its object fhould, he conceived, be lefs 
 guarded. He therefore had often vifited 
 Oak Grove, The father and brother, 
 though they had no fufpicion of his real 
 defigns, yet did not much approve of his 
 attention to Maria, and were not fo for- 
 did as to dcfire, for the fake of mere 
 fortune, that Ihe Ihould facrifice herfelf 
 
 to
 
 [ 279 3 
 
 to a man whom (he did and mufl: defpife^ 
 Maria, from whom he had not completCQ 
 ly concealed his real defign, regarded 
 him with contempt and indigmtioni but 
 her fear of involving in a quarrel that 
 might prove fatal to thofe whom fhe 
 mod dearly loved, prevented her from 
 explanations. In fuch circumftances all 
 that file could do was to avoid his com- 
 pany as much as poflible, and when in 
 it to treat him with chilling coldnefs. — 
 BIofT-m, w ho confidered his own face and 
 figure as irrcfiftible, imputed this be- 
 haviour to artifice and coquetry, and 
 perfifted in his fcheme. Accordingly, 
 having met with the father and fon, he 
 offered them his company,intending to re- 
 turn the hofpitality of the family by ruin- 
 ing the daughter. As BlofTom and the old 
 gentleman were riding before, John in a 
 few words communicated the heads of his 
 charader 5 — that he was a rich blockhead 
 
 of
 
 [ 280 ] 
 
 of a profligate horfe-jockey 5 that he 
 hated his company and converfation, as 
 he was ignorant, impudmt, andgrofs; 
 but that the reception of fuch fellows 
 was in the country a facrifice, which 
 mufl be frequrntly made to focial neigh- 
 bourhood, Maria was dicfled that day 
 with an elegnnt fimplicity, that rendered 
 her irrefiftibly bewirching. BlofTom and 
 Hamilton, different as they were in their 
 fentiments and views, both as^reed in be- 
 ing more than ever fired by her charms. 
 Our hero could have inftantly married 
 her, to have fuch corporeal and mental 
 attradtions his own ; and Bloffom would 
 have almoft encountered any ri-Qc to per- 
 petrate his purpofe. He eafry faw the 
 fondnefs of Hamilton, but eiliipated its 
 nature and objed by the groff.iefs and' 
 depravity of his own mind. Himilton,. 
 he could not help perceiving, was ex- 
 tremely handfome, and as fuch might 
 
 doubt-
 
 E 281 1 
 
 doubtlefs procure a rich match; he^ 
 therefore, could, in Bloflbm's opinion, 
 only purfue Maria as a miftrefs. He 
 could not avoid obferving, that Mifs 
 Mortimer treated Hamilton with much 
 more complacency than himftlf. Ri- 
 valry and rcfentment added frefh incen- 
 tives, and he refolved, coft what it would, 
 10 fnatch from the ilranger fo delicious a 
 morfel. Having, both during dinner 
 and after, indulged freely in the bottle, 
 his pafiion was more and more inflamed, 
 though fomewhat diffipated by long and 
 boafting narratives of his own amours. 
 In the drawing-room he became excef- 
 fivcly troublefome, and, in the temerity 
 of infolent brutality, conceiving himfelf 
 not obferved by the gentlemen^ offered 
 theyoungladyagrofs affront. The eyes of 
 the virtuous and delicate Maria flaihed fire. 
 She threw in his face the fcalding teapot, 
 and forgetting all her caution, called to 
 
 her
 
 [ 282 ] 
 
 her brother to come to turn the fellow 
 out of the houfe. John haftily fcized 
 the offender, who fmarting with pain, 
 maddened with h'quor and with anger, 
 began to pour out the abufe of enraged 
 vulgarity, calling, he was richer than 
 them all put together. Here's a fufs, 
 becaufe — — , and he ilated the offence. 
 John returned this fpeech by a blow, 
 which levelled BlofTom with the ground; 
 and after he recovered, feizing him, and 
 being fuperior in ftrcngthj, dragged him 
 to the door, and thruft him out of the 
 houfe. BlofTom, enraged and bloody, 
 haflened to the inn at Northallerton, 
 thence wrote a defiance, conceived in the 
 groireft terms of abufe, avowing his de- 
 fign, and fwearing that it fhould be effedl- 
 ed. Mortimer having read this letter, 
 declared his refolution to meet the fel- 
 low immediately. His father and fifter 
 eagerly befeeched him to difregard a 
 
 challenge
 
 [283] 
 
 challenge from fuch a man. John, how- 
 ever, haftily ran out, followed by his fa- 
 ther; and was immediately after heard 
 above flairs in his own room. Ha- 
 milton was following him, when Maria, 
 afraid he was going to accompany him 
 as his fecond, eagerly grafped his arm, 
 and prayed he would hear her for one 
 minute. " One minute, my lovely Ma- 
 ria ! for my life and for ever." ** O 
 my dear fir/' (he proceeded, *' pre- 
 vent my brother from expofmg himfelf, 
 perhaps, to death : it is all my railinefs 
 and precipitancy. I fhall be the mur- 
 derer of my kind, accomplifhed, and be- 
 loved brother, I fhall deprive my father 
 of his darling fon, and bring his grey 
 hairs with forrow to the grave. Do, 
 Mr. Hamilton, prevent this calamity, 
 and you will merit my eternal gratitude.'* 
 Hamilton told her, that he had juft form- 
 ed a fcheme, which he trufled would 
 prevent the extremities Ihe apprehended. 
 
 He
 
 [ '^84 ] 
 
 He went to his friend, whom he found 
 vehemently contending with his father, 
 that he miift meet and chaftife the vil- 
 lain. " My dear friend/' interrupted 
 our hero, ^' do you believe me a man 
 of honour, or that I would fuffer an in- 
 fult to pafs without a punifhment ade- 
 quate to the fubjecl and objedl ?'* "I 
 know you would not." " Do you think 
 I would accept a challenge from a foot- 
 man ?** " Unqueflionably not.'* " Or 
 from any one not a gentleman ?" ** Cer- 
 tainly not/' ** Can you think the writer 
 of this letter entitled to the treatment of 
 a gentleman?" " Not by conduds but 
 by his fituation in life, and the eRimaiion 
 of fociety." ^^ His fituation in life is 
 nothing to us," replied our hero, " and if 
 you will follow my advice, you will fatisfy 
 fociety, even that part of it that fupports 
 the faclitious honour of duelling, and pu- 
 nifh the fellow v^ithoutdegradingyourfelfi 
 a gentleman, to the low level of a brutal 
 
 clown."
 
 [285 ] 
 
 clown/* William accordingly explained 
 his propofition ; that John fhoiild write 
 an anfwer, declaring " chat he would not 
 admit a man of fuch behaviour to the 
 privilege of a g^;ntleman; but that he 
 would perfonally chafiife him, and would 
 not fufFer him to appear in any public 
 meeting, until he had publicly aiked 
 pardon for his infamous behaviour."— 
 John at lafl agrred to this expedient, 
 and alfo to defer the anfwer till the fol- 
 lowing rnornin^j, when BloiTom might 
 have had time to cool and rtfltct on the 
 exad predicament in which he Hood.— 
 Maria and her father regarded our he ro 
 with the mod delighted graritude, and 
 the remainder of the c/enin?:^ oaflcid in 
 tranquiiliLy. 
 
 Early in the morning Himikon be- 
 took himfeif in queft of the efquire.— 
 Bloiiom, bein(>- informed tliat a gentle- 
 man from young Mr. Mc r timer deiired 
 5 to
 
 [ 286 ] 
 
 eo fee him, was very little pleafed with 
 the meflage. His courage had in a great 
 degree flowed from the wine which he 
 drank, and as the fumes were now in a 
 confiderable degree evaporated, part of 
 the valour had alfo oozed away. To 
 give it time to return, or to deliberate 
 how it might be unneceflary, he pro- 
 pofed to defer the interview about two 
 hours. Our hero returned at the ap- 
 pointed time, and was introduced to the 
 apartment of BlofTom, whom he found 
 fitting with a bandage round his head, 
 which, however, did not fo completely 
 cover his face as to prevent it from ex- 
 hibiting impudence contending with 
 fhame and fear. He received Hamil- 
 ton civilly, and then in a bluftering tone 
 proceeded to exclaim againfl young Mor- 
 timer. Hamilton cut him fhort by rellmg 
 him, his bufmefs was merely to deliver 
 him a letter, and, according to the reply, 
 
 to
 
 [ 287 ] 
 
 to add a fubfidiary meflage. Thecfqulrc 
 having read the letter; '* And fo," fays 
 he, *' mafter Mortimer refufes the chal- 
 lenge ?" " Bur/' fays Hamilton, " he 
 ftates his realons and determination,"— 
 *^ Pretty reafons : cowardice ; don't you 
 think fo, Clump?" turning to his groom, 
 who had continued in the room. " Be- 
 fore," faid our hero, " Mr. Clump has 
 the trouble of delivering his fcntiments, 
 I have to afk (imply. Will you apologize 
 in the required manner?" ^^ Til be 
 d— d if I do." " That's right," faid the 
 groom, ^' don't be timherfcme,'^ *' Then 
 I have farther to inform you, that Mr. 
 John Mortimer will, in half an hour, 
 be in ihe public room, in this inn, to cane 
 you, if you dare appear there ; and that 
 he will repeat the fame difcipline in 
 every public place where you dare ap- 
 pear, to teach you the manners befitting 
 fuch a perfon as you^ if admitted into 
 
 the
 
 [ lu ] 
 
 t1ie company of ladies and gentlemen.*' 
 Having delivered this embafiy, our hero 
 departed. Bloflbm having ihut the 
 door aiTumed a very valiant face, and 
 faid to Clump, " Did you ever hear fo 
 infolent a fellow as this meflenger ? Ha- 
 milton they call him : it was with difficul- 
 ty I could keep my paffion. Did not 
 you remark how red and angry my face 
 looked ?*' *' No, I thought it was rather 
 pale, pleafe your honour, and whicilh as it 
 were." *' But did not you fee me even 
 trembling with rage ?" " O yes, when 
 he fpoke about the cane in the public 
 room, your honour did tremble." «' I 
 think I will run after him yer," faid the 
 efquire, clapping hinifelf on a chair, 
 " to trach him to talk fo to a man of 
 my confcquence : but now that I think 
 of it, 1. cannot well go out as my head 
 is tied up. I believe it will be as well 
 CO avoid the cold and keep quiet to-day, 
 
 Ciump i
 
 [ 2«9 ] 
 
 Clump; I fhall not go down flairs.*' — 
 Clump, who was his mailer's chief con- 
 fident, and was a fharp fellow, did not 
 fail to perceive the real motive; but 
 profefTed to acquiefce in the ollenfible. 
 Some time afterwards as the efquire was 
 declaring his ardent defire of having an 
 opportunity of chaftifing both Mortimer 
 and Hamilton, Clump (landing at the 
 window, informed him that an opportu- 
 niiy was, arrived, for they both were enter- 
 ing the houfe. '^ I will go down, don't 
 fay a word againil it. Clump." " I, 
 pleafe your honour, I am faying nothing 
 againil it/* " However you may go 
 down firii, to fee what is going on."— 
 Clump in a few minutes returned, bear- 
 in his hand a paper to the following 
 cffea :— 
 
 ** Whereas, a peafant and clown 
 named Banholomew Bloflbm, cow- 
 kccper and horfe-jocky, of Docktail- 
 
 VOL. I. o Place,
 
 [ 290 ] 
 
 Place, near Richmond, impudently and 
 falfely calling himfelf a gentleman, did 
 audacioufly, in a vulgar and ribaldrous 
 letter., fend me a challenge. I hereby 
 declare, that Iwill.notaccept a challenge 
 from the faid Bartholomew Bloflbm, 
 peafant and clown as aforefaid ; but I 
 come prepared to chaftife the preiump- 
 tuous infoience of the feliow, by caning 
 Mm in the public room, or ftreets of 
 Korthallerton, or wherever tlCt I may 
 have the good fortune to find him. At 
 the fame time believing him to be a 
 poltroon and a coward, I fhall forbear 
 beating him if he confines himfelf to the 
 kitchen or ftables, without arrogating to 
 liimfelf the privilege of making one of a 
 company of gentlemen. 
 ^^ Juguft 29. 1789. John Mortimer,'* 
 Bloflbm having perufed this paper, 
 declared his refolution of infliding a moit 
 fcvere vengeance oa the traducer of his 
 
 honour.
 
 [ 292 3 
 
 lianour, but thought it would be wife ft 
 to fufpend the execution of his valour- 
 . ous projeds, till after his recovery.-— 
 The wound which had thus refpited the 
 courage of Mr. BlofTom, in the courfe of 
 -the eveningfo quickly healed, that though 
 it rained hard, he fet off in the dark for 
 Docktail-place. There he confulted an 
 attorney, who not without thojghLs of 
 fix and eightpence often repeated y ftrong- 
 ly urged a profecution for alTaulr, bit- 
 ttry, and wounding; and not doubting 
 but in fuch a cafe the adverfary would 
 profecute for a challenge ^ he hoped 
 on the one hand " Bartholomew Blof- 
 foni, efquire, of Docktail-place, in 
 the parifli of Richmond, in the North 
 Riding of the county of York, plaintiff; 
 and John Mortimer, efquire, younger, 
 of Oak Grove, in the parifli of Northal- 
 lerton, in the aforefaid North Riding; 
 of the aforefaid county of York, defen- 
 o 2 dant;
 
 r 292 ] 
 
 ilanti and on the other hand, John Mor- 
 timer, efquire, younger, of Oak Grove, 
 in the parifh of N;jrchallerton, in the 
 North Riding of the county of York, 
 plaintiff, and Bartholomew BlofTom, 
 ^efqulre, of Docktail-p'ace, in the parifh 
 of Richmond aTorc faid, in the North 
 Riding of the aforefaid countv of York, 
 defendant, carried through all the pro- 
 cefs of declarations, replies, rejoinders, 
 and demurs, and abundantly interlperfed 
 with the vacation after Trinity term, 
 being on the 29rh day of Augufi, in the 
 year of our Lord 1789, and in the reign 
 of our Sovereign Lord George the 
 Third, King of Great Bricain, France, 
 and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and 
 Arch Treafurer of the Holy Roman 
 Empire,'* would help materially to fill 
 paper and fwell the bill. Befides Ha- 
 niiltcn could be introduced as " com- 
 forting, aiding, and abetting the faid John 
 
 Morti-
 
 [ 293 ] 
 Mortimer, Sec,'* Bloflbm himfelf was 
 2verfe to this counfel, and appeared dif- 
 pofed to confine his views to having 
 Mortimer bound over to the peace. — 
 The lawyer ftrongly urged the contrary, 
 but in vain. Finding he could not fuc- 
 eeed in bringing on crofs adtions, he de- 
 termined to fuit himfelf to the humour 
 of his client, and advifed the following 
 expedient for keeping the peace and 
 preferving the efquire*s honour : Bloflbm 
 was to fend a thundering defiance to 
 Mortimer, offrring to meet him at 
 Northallerton, and threatening, if he 
 would not fight, to cudgel him unmerci- 
 fully. The attorney was to communi- 
 cate thefe bloody minded intentions to a 
 friend, this friend was to alarm the mayor, 
 and both parties were to be bound over 
 to keep the peace. A captain of Militia 
 delivered this menacing meflage to Mor- 
 timer. Hamilton and he attended, met 
 o 3 the
 
 C 294 3 
 
 the redoubtable champion in the publls 
 room 5 and knowing there was help at 
 hand, BlofTom both looked and talked 
 very big: Mortimer immediately pro- 
 ceeded to adion ; but the magiflrate and 
 his attendants rufning in prevented mif- 
 chief. The parties were bound over, 
 and thus the matter terminated* 
 
 Meanwhile our hero was becoming 
 every day more fondly enamoured of 
 his charming Maria. The young lady 
 alfo on her part the more fhe knew Ha- 
 milton the more fhe admired and efleem- 
 cd his talents and difpofitions. His fuc- 
 celsful interference preventing the'cataf- 
 trophe, which her fufceptible imagina- 
 tion had apprehended, enhanced her re- 
 gard. She had promifed him her lalling 
 gratitude i nor was fhe difpofed to vio- 
 late fuch an engagement. She now was 
 not only pleafcd, but vifibly delighted 
 with his company and convcrfation. — 
 
 Be fides
 
 [ '^95 T 
 Btfides that range of genius, extent of 
 knowledge, and happy power of com- 
 munication, which muft render him, Ma- 
 ria thought, rerpe6]:ed and admired ia 
 public life, he feemed to her to have 
 thofe jufl: moral principles, virtues, and 
 refined fentiments, which conftitute, at 
 once, the ufe and pleafure of domeftic 
 life. But thinking fo favourably of him, 
 and feeling fo kindly to him, fhe cau- 
 tioufly forbore an acknowledgment of 
 mutual afFedlion. She obferved, that in 
 his ideas he was lofty and afpiring, and ap- 
 prehending that whatever love might now 
 didtate, ambition might hereafter prompt 
 views and connexions more conducive 
 to aggrandizement. She, therefore, not 
 only refufed his immediate offers, but 
 would admit of no promifes or engage- 
 ments : that if at any future time interefl 
 or inclination might induce him to de- 
 fire a change, there might be no re- 
 o 4 flrainc
 
 [296] 
 
 flralnt upon him from juftice and honoirr. 
 Hamilton communicated his paflion to 
 his friend J )hn, but not thereby any in- 
 telligence which he had not difcovered 
 before. Mortimer told him, that there 
 was no man whom he thought, in cha- 
 racter and condu61,-fo worthy of his dear 
 Maria, and that their refpective ranks 
 were equals that to fuch a woman as 
 Maria, he was confident Hamilton would 
 make an affecf^ionate and devoted huf- 
 band, and to fuch a man as Hamilton, 
 Maria would make a tender, fond, and 
 interefting wife. <f Bur, my dear friend, 
 (he continued) there are at prefcnt ftrong 
 objeft i % You have ability, erudition, 
 andeloquenccj you arc breeding to a pro- 
 fefilon in which, with prudence, you may 
 rife to be at the head -, after giving law 
 to the bar, you may initrud and delight 
 the fenate; inform and direct the cabinet: 
 thefe are all attaiments within the reach 
 
 of
 
 [ ^97 3 
 
 of William Hamilton : and farther they 
 arc within his wilh and view. You are 
 ambitious and afpiring, but feeking the 
 pinnacle, you ought not> having fo fteep 
 an afcent to climb, to burden yourfeif fo 
 near the bottom, v.ith the cares of a fa- 
 mily. Your own fortunf: though fnfRci^ 
 ent for your fupport, until- your- exer-» 
 tions bring fame and emolument, yet is 
 inadequate to the maintenance of an in-* 
 creafing family, in the ftyle to which both 
 you and my filter are accuftom.ed, and be- 
 fore your efforts, by eftabllfbing your re- 
 putation, had infured your fucccfs,embar- 
 raffments might commence, which break- 
 ing your fpirits might dam.p the ardour of 
 your genius, enfeeble the energy of elo- 
 quence and make a manof fotranfcendant 
 powers, furpaffed in his profefTions by 
 plodding mediocrity. My dearHamilton, 
 I revere you, and by my affcrcStion and ad- 
 miration I conjure you,atleaft, for the pre^ 
 o 5 fent.
 
 [ 298 1 
 
 i'ent, to make no overtures of the kind. 
 Be called to the bar, be engaged in fomc 
 eaufe which will make you known, and 
 lay the foundation of eminence and opu- 
 lence. Be once eftablilhed, and if you 
 continue your love to Maria, I Ihall 
 mofl eagerly promote a connedion that 
 will contribute to her honour and hap- 
 pinefs." " Happinefs,did you fay," cried 
 our hero eagerly, ** have you, my dear 
 Mortimer, any idea that your filter is fa- 
 vourably difpofed." John aware that an 
 anfwer in the affirmative would by no 
 means conduce to his fchemc of poft- 
 poning the fubjefV, evaded a dire6l an- 
 fwer, but faid, " In cafes where there is 
 not certainty we mud draw inferences 
 from probability. Withoutflattering you, 
 I muft fay, that the manifefl afFedion of 
 fuch a youth as my friend Hamilton is 
 likely to imprefs any woman of fenfibility 
 that Ihould be unengaged. I have no 
 
 doubt 
 
 fev4
 
 [ ^99 ] 
 
 doubt that Maria pofTciTes fenfibility, and 
 I firmly believe that when you and (he 
 became acquainted fnc was unengaged ; 
 but I am convinced, that though flie 
 fhould love you, both her reafon and 
 ftrength of mind would refufe an affimce, 
 which the fincereft and bed judging 
 friends of both miift fee would be, at 
 prefent, indifcreet.** H unilcon could not 
 avoid feeing the fenfe and candour of his 
 friend's opinions, and as the time was 
 approaching at which he was obliged to 
 go fouth, Mortimer hoped by abfence to 
 prevent the immediate contraflion of fo 
 premature an engagement. He knew 
 that during the reft of the autumn he v/as 
 to be at Brighton and its environs 5 and 
 that in winter he v/as occupied by profef- 
 fional preparations and literary exertions, 
 and hoped that, while on the one hand the 
 affiance wasfufpendcd, on the other great 
 advances would be made towards its con- 
 o 6 clufion
 
 [ 300 1 
 
 clufion with prudence and propriety. He 
 had frequent conferences with his fiiler, in 
 which, by addrefiQng himfelf to her un- 
 derftanding and elevated fentiments, he 
 endeavoured to perfuade her to refufe 
 every proffer for an immediate or early 
 marriage. Maria perceived that her 
 brother was well acquainted with the Hate 
 of her mind ; and did not affetfl either 
 Ignorance of his meaning, or indifference 
 to its fubjed ; (he candidly owned that 
 her opinion of Mr. Hamilton was very 
 high, but denied that her heart was irre- 
 trievably engaged ; having before form- 
 ed the refolution he defired, ihc readily 
 and fbrongly promifed adherence. Ha- 
 milton had already outfbaycd his time^ 
 until a letter from his mother earneflly 
 rcqucfted that he v/ouid come fpeedily 
 to town, to join and direct the autumnal 
 cxcurfion, and he had taken his place 
 for the metropolis for the next day but 
 ^ one*
 
 [ 3^1 ] 
 
 one, which was to be on a Monday. — - 
 Saturday evening he was penfive and 
 fad, and Maria was not joyful ; both her 
 brother and lover obferved in her coun- 
 tenance and voice the foftnefsoF forrow, 
 while a forced cheerfulnefs concealed her 
 emotions from her father. Having in 
 the ftillnefs and folitude of a night un- 
 interrupted by fleep, given full vent to 
 her tendernefs, fhe was at the ufual hour 
 in the breakfaft room, exhibiting marks 
 of increafing dejtdion, which even her 
 father mull have difcovered. Our hero di- 
 redled to her the touching melancholy of 
 his countenance; and fhcwasalmoft over- 
 come, when her father entering with an 
 open letter, gave it to his daughter, fay- 
 ing, " Read that, my girl : by Jupiter it 
 will be a merry year this; two jaunts in 
 one fummer.'* " Two jaunts," faid his 
 fon. " Yes, your uncle Benjamin, in- 
 ftead of wintering in the Weft Indies as 
 
 we
 
 [ 302 J 
 
 we thought, is come to Portrmouth with 
 his fhip, and begs that we may meet 
 him next week in London, to go down 
 with him to his box on the coaft of Suf- 
 fex/' « On the coaft of Sudex!" faid 
 Hamilton, eagerly. " Yes, near Wor- 
 thing, ten miles from Brighton, in the 
 fiope of the Downs ; a fwect liitle place 
 it is ; he fends Maria there a draft of a 
 hundred pounds, for crincum crancums, . 
 as he calls ir, for herfelf, and not for- 
 getting her fitters at fchool. So Moll,, 
 we Ihall be new-rigged." Maria's 
 face now teftified joy and animation, 
 which fhe in vain endeavoured to con- 
 ceal or even to moderate. Thefe move- 
 ments her father obferving, turned to 
 the young gentlemen, and facetioufly re- 
 marked the wonderful effcds of drefs 
 and finery upon young women. His fon 
 faid he was aflured the hope of feeing 
 their beloved uncle made om part of the 
 
 caufe
 
 [ 303 ] 
 
 caufe of her joy, though not xkitfole-, he 
 whifpered to his fifter. ^« Ah," faiJ the 
 fquire, " brother Ben has a rough face 
 and manner, but he has a kind heart.*' 
 Hamilton with the utmoft delight ob- 
 ferved the change which this unexpeded 
 intelligence efFedled on Maria, and inter- 
 preted it in nearly the fame manner as 
 John had infinuated. He exprefled great 
 pleafure in the happinefs he would have 
 in making his hofpitable friends of Oak- 
 Grove acquainted with the family party 
 that he was going to join. Elated with 
 the affurance of fo foon again beholding 
 his lovely Maria, he departed at the ap- 
 pointed time, and arrived in London 
 without any material occurrence. The 
 laird of Etterick, his daughter, and fon- 
 in-law were alfo now arrived, and lodged 
 at an hotel in the neighbourhood of 
 Mrs. Hamilton. The laird being alone 
 with his nephew, exprefled himfelf well 
 
 fatisfied
 
 [ 3^4 ] 
 
 fatisfied with the behaviour of his Ton* 
 in-law fince William left Scotland. He 
 was very refpeflful and attentive, and 
 had hitherto fhewn no difpofuion to re- 
 turn to his former habits, either of pro- 
 fligacy or preaching. William finding 
 on enquiry that his coufin had fee n but 
 very little of London, propofed that, be- 
 fore they went to Brighton, they fnould 
 fpend a week in viewing the metropolis 
 and its environs, and fucceeded. They 
 made exurfions to Windfor, Hampton-* 
 court, Richmond, and other places..-— 
 One day Mifs Hamilton had gone to the 
 Jiotcl to make an arrangement for a 
 party to one of the theatres, and paffing 
 through a gallery, met a young lady, who, 
 after regarding her very attentively^ 
 blufiied, curtfied, and was pafFing alongw 
 An elderly gentleman came immediately 
 after, who having looked earneftly in 
 Charlotte's- face faid, " I aik; your par* 
 
 don^
 
 ^ [ 305 ] 
 
 don, mifs, is your name Hamilton ?'*— - 
 '^ Yes, fir," faid (lie, furprifed, '' but I 
 have not the pleafure of recolle6Ving 
 you." *^ 1 dare fay not," faid the gen- 
 tleman, " for you never faw me in your 
 life, nor I you, mifs. But, Molly, did 
 you ever fee fo ftriking a likenefs ? She's 
 his very image, is not fhe ?" " Ex- 
 tremely like, indeed,'' replied Maria. — 
 *^ Have you not a brother named Wil- 
 liam ?" faid the old gentleman. " Yes, 
 fir. I dare fay, fir, you muft be Mr. 
 Mortimer.'' " Very well guefifed,*' 
 faid the old gentleman, g' ing down 
 flairs to give fome orders. M f^ Hamil- 
 ton, addrcfilng the young bdy, faid. ** I 
 know you muit be Mil's Mortimer, you 
 fo exaftly anfwcr William^ defcription." 
 At this remark Maria blulhed; they re- 
 turned together, and being predifpofed 
 to mutual kindncfs, the one towards a 
 young lady whom fl-ie had difcovered. 
 
 from
 
 l3o6 1 
 
 from the letters and confidential com*- 
 munications of her beloved brother, to 
 be the objcd of his fond attachment : 
 the ether towards the fiftcr and foftened 
 pi6tur^ of a man whofe love fhc felt that 
 Hie requited, they in a quarter of an 
 hour ceafed to confidcr one another as 
 flrangers. The old gentleman now re- 
 turned with his fon, who had been to 
 call for his friend William^ had not found 
 him at home, but feen his mother, and 
 accepted an invitation to dine at Hatton 
 Garden, and promifed to prevail on hi& 
 father and filler to be of the party, but 
 found his embafly anticipated by Mifs 
 Hamilton. They were all met except 
 William, and the hoflefs knowing he had 
 fo'mc bufinefs to tranfa£l which might 
 detain him beyond the dining hour, 
 ordered dinner. They were juft feared, 
 and by fome accident, Maria Mortimer 
 
 occupied the place neareit the bottom 
 
 of:
 
 [ 307 1 
 
 of the table, and facing the doer, wherr 
 Hamilton haftily knocking and entering 
 the room, the firft object he beheld was 
 his beloved Maria. Having with an 
 anxious earnetlnefs and confuicd eager- 
 nefs of manner, voice, and countenance 
 acceded Mils Mortimer, and with af- 
 fedionate kindnefs her father and bro- 
 ther, he learned the meeting at the hotel, 
 and had the fatisfad^ion to fee that his 
 fiftcr and mother were delighted with 
 the objed: of his adoration. It was re- 
 folved to defer the theatre party till the 
 following evening; and the day v/as fpent 
 with great pleafure and happinefs; 
 
 Our hero had been fo much engroflfed 
 by either the company or image of 
 Maria, that he had almofr entirely for- 
 gotten his old flame, Jenny CoUings.— 
 Though Jenny had not forgotten him ; 
 yet finding his abfence very tedious, fhe 
 began to iiften to the addrcffcs of another.. 
 
 This
 
 [ 3o» 3 
 
 This other, it feems, was that redoiibc- 
 able champion efqnire BloiTomj who be-- 
 ing frequently in London, had feen Mi(s 
 Ceilings before his late adventure wirll 
 Mortimer, and aftervvards choofing to 
 change the fcene a little had come to 
 London, and renewed his application, in 
 hopes of feducing the virtue of the fair 
 CollingSi He had fucceedcd, and had 
 lived with her about a week, when one 
 morning a gentleman was inrro. laced in 
 a naval uniform, who> in rather a ftern 
 voice and manner demanded to fee Mifs 
 ColTmgs. BlofJom told him, that there 
 was no fuch perfon in the h^ufe; the 
 officer anfwered, ^> That is falfe, I kno^v 
 ihe is here ; I fav^ her at the window.— 
 Your name is Blofibm ; you have fe- 
 duced my fifter, and if you do not 
 marry her inllantly, this moment is your 
 lad." — Wirh that he pulled out a brace 
 of piftols, Jenny being well tutored for 
 
 the
 
 [ 309 ] 
 
 the purpofe> ran our with her hair dif- 
 (hcvelied, and throwing herfch^ at her 
 brother's feet, conjured him not to mur- 
 der her betrothed hufband, '« Are you 
 this lady's hufDand ?" BlolTom made no 
 anfwcr: the lady anfwered, " He is in 
 confcience and honour, but I acknow- 
 ledge not in law. BloiTom, afraid of the 
 piftols, which were prefented .^nd cocked, 
 refolved to temporize that he might get 
 away, and accordingly acknowledged 
 that he had promifed marriage, and that 
 he was willing and ready to perform his 
 engagement. Thar,raid the feaman, alters 
 the cafe, though I flill muft blame my 
 filler's fimplicity and creduUty j yet, as 
 I find you difpofed to make an honour- 
 able atonement, I Ihall bury the paft in 
 oblivion. Thtre are two friends of mine 
 without who will witnefs your propofal of 
 amends. The friends were called in, the 
 brother agreed in their prefence to pardon 
 
 Bloflbm,
 
 1 310 ] 
 
 BlofTom^if he immediately performed the 
 engagement which he had admitted. " I 
 am, (he faid,) obliged to be out of town 
 to-morrow afternoon, therefore we muft 
 finifh the calls of honour and juftice im- 
 mediately. There is a coach in wait- 
 ing, let us now, Mr. Bloilbm, go to 
 Do6lors* Commons and procure a li- 
 cence for to-morrow morning." Blof- 
 fom demurred at this propofal, but the 
 f^ern and peremptory condutl of the 
 brother over-ruled his objedions. He 
 accompanied CoUings and his compa- 
 nions, the licence was obtained, the 
 brother did not loie fight of the bride- 
 groom ; the next day the nuptials were 
 folemnized, and the new-married couple 
 iet off for Docktail -Place. Before their 
 departure, the lady being informed that 
 our hero was returned, wrote the fol- 
 lowing epiflle to our hero: 
 
 «( 
 
 My
 
 l 3" ] 
 
 ^' My beloved Hamilton, 
 
 •^^ Finding that you are become totally 
 indifferent to your CoUings, I have,- 
 <ontrary to my own inclination, liftened 
 to the advices of my friends, and ac- 
 cepted the addreffcs of another. I am 
 now the wife of Bartholomew BlofTom,- 
 cfquire, of Yorkfhire, a gentleman of 
 -great fortune and merit. As my affec- 
 tion for you and its confequences have 
 been concealed from m.ofl: others, I have 
 that confidence in your honour, that i 
 am affured no paffagc will ever efcape 
 your lips that can affed the tranquillity 
 of your affectionate and devoted 
 
 " Jane Blossom." 
 
 ** P. S. Though I have made a fore 
 of vow to myfelf for ever to abftain 
 from your enchanting and dangerous 
 company, I fhould wiih to fee you once 
 to convince you, that though prudence 
 
 and
 
 [ 3^2 1 
 
 and the inftances of my brother induce 
 mc to accept of Mr. BlolTom's hand, 
 my heart will ever remain fondly at- 
 tached to the firft dear objed of its 
 virgin love, T B " 
 
 This letter afforded our hero very 
 great pleafure. He had formed a refo- 
 lution of relinquilhing all intercourfe 
 with Mifs Collings, buc determined to 
 ufe every effort that might be in his 
 power, in order to promote the intereft- 
 and advantage of one who had fuffcred fo 
 much from her attachnient to himfelf. 
 Now her fuuation in point of rank and 
 opulence was much higher, through the 
 vice and folly of another, than any which 
 Ihe could have expedted ro have attain- 
 ed. He could have regretted the de- 
 ception or compulfion, if it had been 
 pradifed upon a man of honour and 
 worch. But in the prefent cafe he was- 
 
 extremely
 
 E 3^3 ] 
 
 extremely well pleafed, that a proflig'^tes 
 unprincipled debauchee, who had fo be- 
 haved himfelf to his beloved Maria, was 
 caught where he had propofed feduflion 
 afid ruin. 
 
 Meanwhile, the party ftt ofF for the 
 coaftof SufTex ; the fair Maria^ with her 
 father and brother, betook them-rdves to- 
 the vicinity of Worthing^ while Hamil- 
 ton^his mother,and the reft of theirparty^ 
 took up their refidence at Brighton. 
 
 Our hero, much as he had been en- 
 gagedj had dill found opporrunltics of 
 meeting Dr. Strongbrain, who exacEled a 
 promife from him^ of fenuing him a writ- 
 ten account of Brighton and its environs,, 
 according to the iroprefi:on it made upon 
 him at the time. Our hero was as g0')d 
 as his word, and wrote a cfelcripri'^n of 
 this celebrated watering-place, wnich ci^e 
 reader will dnd in the following ca.<pcer» 
 
 END OF TH£ FIRST V0LU:vJ£9 
 VOL. I. P
 
 WORKS printed for T. N. Longman and 
 O. Re£S, No. 39, Faternojter Roiu. 
 
 1. An EXCURSION in FRANCE, and other 
 Parts of cne CONTINENT of" EUROPE, from the 
 Ccflation of Koftilities in iror, to the 13th of' De- 
 cember <^o^ : including a Narrative cf the unpre- 
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 TERTAINMENT of BOCCACCIO. Tranflated 
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 en the Life and Writings of Boccaccio, and an Ad- 
 vertifement. By the Author of *' Oid Nick,*' &c. 
 Sec. 1 he Second Edition, correffed and improved, 
 iri Two Volumes, O'lavo, Price :6s, in Boards. 
 
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 " The Tales of Koccaccio are too well known to the Public, to 
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 judicious than they were neceffary." 
 
 Anti-yaabin Rev, March 1S04. 
 
 3. ALFRED; an EPIC POEiM, in Twenty-four 
 Books. By Joseph Cottle. In Two Volumes 
 Foolfcap Octavo, Price ics. 6d. in Boards, The 
 Second Edition, with confiderable Additions. 
 
 «* We obferve, that Mr. Cottle has, v.ith a laudable Indufliy, 
 av^led hioile;/ of ever^ relic of infuianation, which is left upon 
 
 J[£«ord^
 
 Worhs printed for Longman and Rees. 
 
 record, r<-fpe6\ing the charadl-r and condudl of his hero. He 
 has fkiifully contrived lo keep the intereil of his reaiers awake by 
 interweaving into his llory the pr-icefs and termirarloa 'f h\% 
 hero's domeftic diftreHes .By the exhibition of (he peiilous ad- 
 ventu;es of Alfwitha, his amiable Qu-en, and her i funt i. n, he 
 hat-pily leferve^, thioagh^ut g cat pait oF his work, the pleaHn^, . 
 painful unceitiiiity of the drama. i-^'e feems todAell with. pej:u- 
 liar delight u on the reprefi?ntations of the gentler pailions, and 
 ftrivei, ra her to melt the heart th m to neive the arjn of heroifm. 
 He has adovted, as his movlel, the Odyfl'ey in pr ference to the 
 liiad." Critical Re-vkxvy Fib. l?oi, 
 
 4. SCENES of INFANCY; D Jcnptive of Te- 
 viofdaie. A Poem. By John Leyden. Finely 
 printed by BaHantyne of Edinburgh, iu Foolfcap 
 Oclavo, with « Frontifpiece, Price 6s. in Boards. 
 
 5. bOClE i Y, a POEM, in two Parts, with other 
 Poems. By James Krnney. In One Volume 
 Foolfcap Odavr. Price a^. in Boards. 
 
 6. SIR IRiSFEM, a METRICAL RO- 
 MANCE. By THOMAS of ERCELDOURH, 
 called the Rhymer. Edited from an Ancient MS. 
 with an In'.roduftiori and Notes. By Walter 
 Scott, Eiq. Editor ot ♦* The Miniirelfy of the Scot- 
 tifr» Border. Superbly printed in Royal Odavo, by 
 Ballantyne. (iJnly 150 Copies printed.} PriwC 
 2I. 2-. in Boards. 
 
 7. LE riEKS from Mrs. PALMERSTONE to 
 her DaUGH lER ; inculcating Morality by enter- 
 taining Narratives. By Mrs. Hunter, of Nor- 
 wich. In Three Volumes, Poll Odavo, Price ijs. in 
 Boards, 
 
 " Thi Is a very pleafmg and well-executed performance. The 
 Author has before averted claims to the public favour, and not 
 without fuccefs ; but we thit.K thefe volumes wiil materially add 
 to her reputation. Her objedl, as we le.irn from her Pre''ace, was 
 neither to be too fe ious, nor too childifh j neither to fay too 
 inudi, nor too little ; but t> produce a fuitable book for females, 
 between twelve and feventeen years of age» To fuofe we recom- 
 mend
 
 IVorh printed for Longman and Rees. 
 
 mend thefe agreeable and moral narratives, n^ofl of which ws- 
 have perufed, with no ino nfiderable de^ee uf" e;tertainiijent." 
 
 Biittjh Cntic, ^duguj} i?,o3. 
 
 8. LKTITIA; or, a CASTLE WliHOUT a^ 
 SPEC FRF. By Mrs hUNTER- in Four Vo- 
 lume, P?ice ll. IS. in Boa ds. 
 
 '* The Author pofleHes cor.hderahle meri' as a wiirer, as weI^ 
 as an obleive; oj hua.an life and mantie-s. Her d fcrim'-nuiona- 
 are juft and accurate." Brltip Critic, Du^mbtr iSoi. 
 
 " Mrs. Runter has (hewn both talent ar^d jud-^ment in (hfs 
 performance. On ihs whole, t!ie Novel has a good iender)cy in 
 endeavouring to comniunicate that knowlevige of the vvo'ld, with- 
 out which it is impflibk to have the crui- e'ljoyrDent of it." 
 
 Monthly Rer. Dc(. l8o2. 
 
 « This is one of the very few Novels «vh'ich, in point of mo- 
 ral and religious tendency, dema.',ds honi us an unquaafied re» 
 commenda ion to every clafs of readers." 
 
 An:i-Jac(ilnn Rev. Jan. 1802. 
 
 9. The HISTORY of rae GkUBlTIORPii: 
 FAMILY ; or- the Old Bachelor and his S iler Pe- 
 nelope. By Mis. tluNXKR. In Three Vols. Price- 
 J.2E. 6d. in Beards. 
 
 "10. The UNLXPECTED LEGACY; a Novel.; 
 B-y M-rs. liUNiEa. in 1 wo Vols. izmo. Price 5 «» 
 in Boards. 
 
 Works in the Prefs : 
 
 1. The LAYofciieLAyi M NSTREL, a Poe- 
 tic^^i Romance. By W.-vLter bcjTT, Efq. Editof- 
 of •* i he Mii.ftrelfy of the Scottiih Border." 
 
 2, SPECiMENd of the MODERN ENGLISH: 
 POEl S, with PieJiminary Keii arks, 8cl. By Ro- 
 bert SouTHhY. Defigned us a Sequel to the 
 '* Specimens ot Early hn^liih Poets," By Ge^RGE: 
 Ellis, Efq. 
 
 Printed by A. Strahan^, 
 Friniers-Stieet, 
 
 I i^'k
 
 ttW
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOI9-URBANA 
 
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