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like the town?-the country is thought infupportably stupid.-If fhe is fond of rural amufements, the town is a scene of empty noife, and not to be endured.

The power of love over the female foul has nearly the fame effect as over that of man. The fair fex have become heroic, and no misfortunes have been able totally to deprefs them. Nay, the confolations of a wife have often smoothed the rugged paths of misfortune, and reftored eafe to a heart from which it might have flown for ever.

As reciprocal affection is the greateft pleasure we are capable of tafting, fo fcorn, if we love, produces the moft fixed and fleady hatred: but if a man be once beloved, and a doubt of conftancy enters his brain, he is. no longer himself. How dreadfully acute are his fenfations! This is

far more lamentable than indifference that cafts a languor upon the whole perfon, it is true; a man in fuch a fituation is filently wretchcd; his affairs are fcorned, and he greets defpair, even as a comfort :But this roufes him to distraction; and as every thing that occurs ferves to inspire affection with new tendernefs, fo the moft indifferent circumstance adds to the torment of jealoufy.

noble, virtuous, and good,-every
thing that is criminal,-the highest
blifs, and the most dreadful misery,
may be occafioned by love :-and
well might Plautus observe-

Amor et melle et felle fecundiffimus.
Love both in fweets and bitters doth
abound.
C.

DERWENT PRIORY;
A NOVEL.

In a Series of Letters.
(Continued from pa 268.)
LETTER VII.

Lady Laura to Mifs Lumly.

The baronet

The Priory, August 7, 179— TO change yet in our politics. N° Ellen ftill looks dejected, and cautioufly avoids Merioneth, who as cautiously avoids me. juft now rudely took hold of Ellen, who was dreffed in her habit,` as we had agreed to go out for a ride,fwore fhe was a tight little filly, and fit to grace a royal ftud. She fhrunk from his violence, and placed herself by the fide of Clifford; on which occafion, Merioneth looked with the

dignity of an emperor. Julia, Ellen, Mrs. Maynard, and myfelf, are goSince this paffion feems to produce ing out on horfebar efcorted by fuch various effects, how careful Merioneth, Severn, Clifford, and ought we to be to combat its firft ap- the baronet,-every one abeau, you proaches for an unworthy object; for may perceive. Mrs. Maynard, Elit is equally certain, that as the virtuous and the good can polifh the len, and Julia, ride horfes they ate understanding and the perfon nearly acquainted with; but to mine I am an entire ftranger:-Merioneth has to perfection, nothing is more dread-ridden him, and gives him a good ful than the unprincipled of either fex. My fair readers will pardon the mention of this, as experience has fhown that there will be bad of both fexes. I fhall not enlarge upon the idea, but content myfelf with faying, that fuch a perfon may taint the mind with every vice that the horrid catalogue affords.

Thus we fee every thing that is

character. The horfes are ready. Adieu.

Wednesday night.

Sucn an accident! but I fuppofe only another contrivance of Dan Cupid's;-however, take the particulars. This has been rather an eventful day. I took my leave of

you

you in the morning, juft as we were fetting off for a ride. We had not gone far, when Mrs. Maynard challenged fir John to gallop with her through the park. He would not go without a bet.

"Well (cried this fpirited lady), two guineas to one, that my horfe reaches the gate first."

"Done!" cried the knight,-and off they rode.

event I shall ever think on with pleasure."

And I with gratitude.-But where is the party?"

"Not far off," he anfwered.[As he spoke they appeared.]~

That unfeeling wretch, fir John, (continued he) propofed to bet five guineas to two that you kept your feat, provided nobody pretended to follow. Mrs. Maynard had declined the race, on feeing the unexpected flight of your horse.".

"Oh! Oh! (faid Mrs. Maynard, as they approached) fir John, if any one had taken up your bet, you would have been prettily lurched.— Here is the lady, it is true; but where is the fteed?"

They had fcarcely paffed us, before my unruly beaft fnorted, and pawed, and finally infifted on following them. I endeavoured in vain to reftrain him;-he flew off, and distanced them in an inftant. I perceived that I could not keep my feat long; fe, difengaging my foot from the stirrup, I prepared to throw myfelf from his back as foon as I could fee a favourable opportunity, -for the road which we were in was fo much interfected with trees, that it was difficult to chufe a fafe place to fall in. At length we approached a gate, which I feared he would attempt to leap-fo I inftantly threw myfelf down. I fell against a tree, but without receiv-politely inquiring into the particuing any injury.

My fteed flew over the gate; and, as I leaned against the tree to recover my breath, I was alarmed by the approach of a cow, who bellowed outrageously. I was in the greatest terror; for I recollected hearing of the exploits of this vicious animal; but, to my great relief, I faw Clifford approaching. He obferved my fituation, and rode up to the cow, which he, with fome difficulty, drove away: then, difmounting, he came up to me, and inquired, with great tenderness, whether I had received any injury from the accident?

None (faid I); but it is very doubtful what might have been the confequence if you had not again arrived at a critical minute."

"To have been inftrumental to lady Laura's fafety (faid he), is an

"Gone to the devil, for aught I care! (faid the knight)-I fhould furely have won, if the race had not been interrupted by him."

The lady replied, fhe would ride against him any other day. Eut neither of thefe well bred folks thought proper to ask me if I had received any injury from my fall The reft of the party were very

lars of my difafter, when they were interrupted by Mrs. Maynard, who exclaimed,-" What a fufs you all make about nothing! the lady, you may perceive, is very well; and the gentleman is much obliged to your runaway fleed, lady Laura, for giving him fuch an opportunity of fhowing his gallantry."

"Indeed, madam, (faid Clifford, warmly) you are much mistaken; no event which places this lady in danger (bowing to me) can be fatisfactory to her friends."

"And among thofe of that defcription, you have the vanity to rank yourself?" faid the lady.

"Mr. Clifford (faid I), madam, has done me an honour I will study to deferve."

"Well faid, ingenuous lady Lau ra! (fhe replied) I am not one that doubt

doubt it, I affure you. But come,
<-fure this filly accident is not to
interrupt our ride ?”

"By no means (faid I); I beg you
will proceed:-I fhall walk back to
the Priory."

While this converfation was paffing, lord Merioneth difpatched a fervant in fearch of the runaway.

"Clifford, (faid Mrs. Maynard, farcaftically) I fuppofe you are engaged,"

"I certainly, ma'am, fhall not leave lady Laura alone."

"if you will permit me, coufin, (faid Albert) to attend you, I will give my horfe to a fervant, and-"

"By no means, my lord, (cried Clifford) it is unneceffary.-I certainly fhall not refign the honour of walking with this lady, unless the commands it."

"What nonfenfe! (cried Mrs. Maynard)-Are we to go on, or to return?"

"Go on, by all means," said I. "Indeed, (faid Ellen) I have-not courage to proceed.-Pray, Mr. Clifford, help me to difmount."

Before he could reach her horfe, Merioneth had fprung from his, and caught her in his arms; then, bowing to the party on horfeback, wifhed them a plealant ride.

"So, (faid Mrs. Maynard) the four turtles choofe to bill alone."

They rode away.

"Mrs. Maynard (faid Ellen) may be very witty; but I am fure the is very ill-natured."

Her wit (replied Merioneth) is frequently ill-timed."

Our beaux led the horses; for, of Itwo fervants, one, I have before ob'erved, was gone in purfuit of the horfe, and the other, by lord Metrioneth's orders, continued with the party. I took the offered arm of iClifford. The timid Ellen, encou1aged by my example, leaned on Merioneth and in this manner we reached the Priory, where we found

the elders in clofe converfation, and feparated till dinner.

We then met the whole party. Mrs. Maynard rallied me most unmercifully on my want of courage, fpirited creature five miles, for ten and declared he would gallop the guineas, against Lightning, fir John's here with him, for fear in his abfence favourite horfe, which he brought it fhould be neglected. Sir John took the offer. We all endeavoured to diffuade the lady from the enterprife, but without fuccefs. Would glances towards the knight :-they to heaven he would direct her kind would be a charming pair!

After dinner, the gentlemen went ped at a neighbouring village, by a to the ftables. The horse was ftoppeafant who knew him, and of courfe brought him home. The fervant had not taken the right route in the purfuit. Mrs. Maynard followed them.

"Where are you going?" cried lady Derwent.

"Only to fee if the horse is safe, (faid the) and likely to carry me tomorrow, for I am determined to win that fellow's money," pointing to fir John.

"Then you have no apprehenfion of a broken neck?" faid I.

"Not in the leaft: befides I fhall infifi on Clifford's going with us; and, if there is any abfolute danger, I fhall call on him to difmount, loofe my foot from the ftirrup, and jump into his arms."

"You muft (faid I) first provide him with a horfe fwift enough to keep pace with you."

66

Uh, he shall ride Myrtle !-know he will, if not checked, keep pace with any in lord Derwent's itud."

"Then ride him yourself," faid Mr. Merioneth.

"Foo! that will entirely change the wager; and, I tell you, I muft win this ten guineas. Why, it will

pay my next fubfcription to the opera."

Aye, (faid Julia) but I don't think, if you gallop Wildfire, that you will ever come back alive; and, in that cafe, you will not be called on for another fubfcription to the opera."

Mrs. Maynard laughed at her fimplicity, and followed the gentlemen. We read till tea, when we met again. Mrs. Maynard then an nounced that Wildfire had received no injury, and that the should ride him the next day. The gentlemen were of courfe to attend; and the pofitively ftipulated that Clifford hould ride Myrtle, and keep near; "because (the cried) I know you are very useful in these cafes."

"In what cafes, (faid he) have I the honour of being thought fo ferviceable ?"

"Why, in this cafe:-(replied this ftrange woman) fuppofe a lady finds her horfe abfolutely unmanageable -which I am far from expecting will be my misfortune, and is obliged to fpring from his back, can you not open your arms to receive her?"

again. But I shan't stand any nonfenfe: down with the bit."

"Down with yours, (faid the la dy) and let Merioneth hold stakes.” This was done.

"Now then.faid the knight) I bar all jumping off; unless, indeed, you are fairly thrown:-that alters the cafe."

"No, no, (cried the lady) you are not to have every thing your own way. I will fit him, if poffible:

if not, I jump off; and, in that cafe, the bet fhall remain for a further trial with Myrtle."

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This was, after a deal of altercation, finally agreed to. Are you not weary of fuch a jargon of nonfenfe, and do you not wonder how this brute of a baronet got admittance here? I believe I can explain this feeming mystery.—Sir John is a borough-monger, and permits lord Derwent to nominate the candidates. It is whispered, too, that his eftate is deeply mortgaged to the earl.This accounts for their intimacy. Lord Derwent, I obferve, infually contrives to make his acquaintance fubfervient to his intereft; and fir John is moft devoutly at his difpofal.

"I certainly, ma'am, will endea- A party on the water was provour to prevent any accident which pofed for the evening. Chance you may be liable to from this un-placed me by the fide of Merioneth. dertaking; but I think it would be I thought it an excellent opportunity better entirely to drop the fcheme." to come to fome explanation on the "No, no, (cried fir John) I will views of our family. It was an not agree to that;. nor I don't think aukward fubject to introduce; and it is fair for Clifford to be allowed to yet I wifhed to inform him that Į keep up with you." was not leagued againft his peace. i paused for a moment, then took courage, and fpoke of the propofals I had received.

Why not?" faid the lady. "Why not! (repeated he)-why, becaufe you may perhaps like better to walk with him than to ride with me, eh!-Believe I am right," winking fignificantly at Merioneth, "Well, and what of that?" faid the lady, with great composure.

"Were thefe propofals, (faid I) my lord, fanctioned by your approbation? Do favour me with an ingenuous anfwer,"

"Will lady Laura (faid he) "What of that!-why then, may-pardon my temerity, when I confefs hap, you will ride a little way, that thofe proposals never received then jump from your horfe,-hop my affent; and that my opinion of off with him,-declare it was an their propriety has never been atked? accident, and want your money I was recalled from Italy, to begin at

once

ence my political and my matrimo- | appeared anxious and uneafy :

Merioneth feated himfelf by me,
and played the lover admirably.
I believe they were all furprised at
his attention. Mrs. Merioneth fim-

verity, and the countess looked de-
lighted beyond what I had ever seen
before. I, really, Jane, was forry
for the difappointment they are
doomed to feel.

nial career:-in both, I fear, I fhall
disappoint the wishes of my father.
I have, my fweet coufin, the deepest
fenfe of your perfections, the most
profound admiration of your cha-pered, lord Derwent relaxed his fe-
racter, but I have no heart to offer
for your acceptance. My fondeft
withes took an early root: they are
interwoven with my exiftence, and
never, but with that existence, can
they end. The man, lady Laura,
whom you honour with your choice,
fhould have but one object in the
world; and that should be yourself."
"A truce (faid I) with compli-
ments; and let us think how to avoid
the high road to matrimony, to
which thefe good folks are endea-
vouring to fend us poft."

"I muft rely (he anfwered) on your generofity.-You are independent, and need not fear offending." "But they will not (faid I) take my refufal."

"How ftrange (he replied) is fuch a procedure! What can be done? The refufal must come from you, coufin; for what objection could I poffibly make to receiving the honour of your hand?”

"Why, tell them (faid I, laughing) what you have just told me, that you like another better."

"Thank you, fair lady; but at prefent that declaration would not be quite convenient."

"Well, (faid I) fet your heart at reft; appear very attentive to me, I will complain of your importunities, flight your civilities, laugh at your folicitudes (that is, when you tell me you have had any), and, in due time, formally reject you."

After about an hour spent on the water, madam Cynthia reminded us that it was time to return. Lord and lady Derwent, accompanied by Mrs. Merioneth, walked faft, for fear of the damps, which fell apace. There was no longer any restraint; Merioneth caught the hand of Ellen, who was ftruggling to release herself from the knight:-I leaned on his other arm.

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Happy Merioneth! (faid Clifford, advancing) you are indeed a favourite of fortune."

"Do not be envious, man; (faid Merioneth) but come and fhare in her favours."

"May I hope to be admitted, ladies?"

"Certainly, if you wish it," said I. "Oh, Laura! (in a low voice) if I wifh it! (taking my hand).Is there a thing on earth fo dear to Clifford as your fociety?"

Perhaps you might have been of. fended at fuch a declaration, made in fuch a manner :-but, for my part, I was too pleased to be angry.

And here I will paufe, for the prefent, for I am too weary to proceed,

Thursday morning, 11 o'clock. As we entered the house, Merioneth obferved that it was not yet fupper-time, and propofed adjourn

He looked as if he could have faid he was very much obliged to me. He kiffed my hand, and vowed Iing to the mufic-room. The plan was an angel. was adopted. They entreated me We had now reached the lake, to fing:- I complied. Clifford acand most of the company were al-companied me on the harpfichord, ready in the boat. Clifford offered on which he is a great proficient. me his hand:-I took it; he looked Actuated by a wifh to please, (why ferious, and fighed deeply, Ellen'fhould I deny it?) I exerted myfell,

and

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