"It was after a fupper of roots from their little garden, poultry that Rebecca's hand had reared, and a jug brewed by young Henry, that the following difcourfe, took place 66 My fon, (faid the elder Henry) where, under the fky, fhall three perfons be met together happy as we three are? It is the want of industry, or the want of reflection, which makes the poor diffatisfied. Labour gives a value to reft, which the idle can never taste; and reflection gives to the mind content, which the unthinking never can know." paffion: but now, that my judgment is matured, I pity the rich. I know that in this opulent kingdom, there are near as many perfons perifning through intemperance, as ftarving with hunger-there are as many miferable in the laffitude of having nothing to do, as there are bowed down to the earth with hard labour there are more perfons who draw upon themfelves calamity by following their own will, than there are who experience it by obeying the will of another. Add to this, the rich fear dying fo much, they have no comfort in living." "There the poor have another advantage (faid Rebecca): for they may defy not only death, but every lofs by fea or land, for they have nothing to lofe." "I once (replied the younger Henry) confidered poverty a curfe but after my thoughts became enlarged, and I had affociated for years with the rich, and now mix with the poor, my opinion has undergone a total change-for I have "Befides, (added the elder Henfeen, and have enjoyed, more real ry) there is a certain joy, of the most pleasure at work with my fellow-gratifying kiud that the human mind labourers, and in this cottage, than ever I beheld, or experienced, during my abode at my uncle's; during all my intercourfe with the fafhionable, and the powerful of this world." is capable of tafting, peculiar to the poor; and of which the rich can but feldom experience the delight." What can that be?” cried Rebecca. "A kind word, a benevolent fmile, one token of esteem, from the perfon whom we confider as our fuperior." To which Rebecca replied,. "And the rarity of obtaining fuch a token is what encreases the honour.". "Certainly (returned young "The worft is, (faid Rebecca) the poor have not always enough." "Who has enough? (afked her husband.)-Had my uncle? Nohe hoped for more-and in all his writings facrificed his duty to his avarice. Had his fon enough, when he yielded up his honour, his domeftic peace, to gratify his ambi-Henry) and yet thofe in poverty,tion? Had lady Bendham enough, when fe ftaked all the had, in the hope of becoming richer?? Were we, my Rebecca, of difcontented minds, we have now too little. But confcious, from obfervation and experience, that the rich are not fo happy as ourselves, we rejoice in our lot."/ "The tear of joy that ftole from her, eye, expreffed, more than his words,—a state of happiness. "He continued :-"I remember, that when I first came a boy to England, the poor excited my com ungrateful as they are, murmur against that government from which they receive the bleffing; and, unlearned as they are, would attempt to alter it. We leave to the phy fician the care of reftoring our health, we employ the foldier in fighting our battles, and the lawyer in the detence of our fortunes, with out prefuming to interrupt them in their vocations-then, why not leave, and without moleftation, thofe to govern a kingdom who have studied the feience of politics? For though a phyfician may not always be skil ful, ful, a foldier may not always have courage, a lawyer not always honefty, or a minifter always good fortune-yet we should confider that it is not upon earth we are to look for a state of perfection it is only in heaven - and there, we may reft affured that no practitioner in the profeffions I have named will ever be admited to disturb our eternal felicity." Yours, &c. ELIZ— L▬▬▬ DERWENT PRIORY; A NOVEL. In a Series of Letters. (Continued from p. 273.) LETTER VIII.-in continuation. IT Thursday afternoon, 5 o'clock. T wants two hours to tea, which time I dedicate to my pen. I left you, in the morning, to join Ellen:-I found the had been weeping. On my accofting her, fhe was viewing with great earnestnefs a fmall portrait. I requested leave to examine it; and, with a trembling hand, the refigned it to my care. At the fame time, fhe drew from a cafe another of the fame fize. "This (faid I, viewing the first The had prefented) was certainly your mother, and I fhould really think, did not the drefs convince me to the contrary, that it was taken for you." I infpected the other, and thought I could trace a distant refemblance of Severn; but, as this was only conjecture, I did not venture to intimate it to my companion, who, fighing, told me, they were the miniatures of her parents. Bet why, (faid !) my dear Ellen, do you not endeavour to fupprefs this unavailing forrow?-We are all born to part from those we love. Death affails, under various forms, the heart of every reasonable being; and the tears with which we bedew the graves of our parents, have scarcely ceafed to moiften the earth which contains their afhes, before our own pofterity are called upon to repay the fame debt to us." "I am forry (faid fhe) to appear fad; I cannot heave a figh but breathes ingratitude to lady Derwent: her kindness fhould efface from my heart every recollection of forrow." Had I interrogated her, I might, perhaps, have heard fome particulars of her ftory; but I defpife the meannefs of working on the moment of diftrefs, to difclofe the weakness of a feeling heart, or to nourish, by illplaced pity, fenfations which prey upon its peace. I changed the difcourfe,-talked of drefs, plays, balls, and concerts.— This method fucceeded.-She fmiled at my defcriptions; and, after spending a pleasant hour, we returned to drefs for dinner. On entering the dining-room, we met the racers, Mrs. Maynard was in great fpirits;--he had actually won her bet. Sir John was very much out of humour, at being beat by a woman. "Aye, (fhe cried) Laura, you may now ride him very fafely,-for I believe I have given him enough of galloping." "I hope (faid Merioneth) lady Laura will never ride him again:he is too fpirited for a lady."" "Why then did you before recommend him to Laura " faid Mrs. Maynard. Because I was not acquainted with his tricks. - I had rode him once, and he carried me eafy: befides, the groom gave him a very good character." "Which he merited (faid Mrs. Maynard); for he really is an excellent creature." Sir Sir John fwore he was a devil,and the converfation dropped. Our dreffes are arrived-I am fummoned to lady Derwent's dreff. ing-room.-Before I fleep, I will endeavour to elofe this letter. Thursday night. OUR dreffes are very fplendid: - | Ellen's is a Spanish habit,-mine a Turkish, but we are fo near of a fize, that I expect much amusement from the mistakes of Merioneth, who does not know which of the two dreffs belongs to Ellen. When we met at tea, they were very importunate for a knowledge of our characters. "We shall pot inform you (faid 1); for we mean to exercife your fagacities." But what reward do you offer to the fast gentleman who diícovers you?" faid lady Derwent. "Even the undivided honour of being my protestor for the evening.' "Now Cupid befriend.me, (cried Merioneth) and grant I may be the happy moital." Sir John advanced to Ellen,-and, pulling her rudely towards him, vowed he fhould know her, though difgwifed like Hecate:-then im printing a boisterous kifs on her | delicate check, while he in vain ftruggled to get from him, he wore fhe fhould fit on his knee for an hour, unless she told him what colour her dress was.. "It would be, fir, (faid fhe, with contemptuous fcorn) a very fevere Funifanent to me, alter fuch outrageous behaviour, to be odiged to ftay an hour in your company, much more to fit that time on your kuce. 1 define you will loofe my hand." fallnot, (faid he) indeed; fo you may as well be quiet." He dragged her to a feat, fat down, and pulled her on his knee. "Sir John, (faid the) your infolence is unbearable. I will not be treated fo." "Won't you? (cried the unfeeling brute)-how the devil will you help yourfelf?" If mifs Rutland cannot help herfelf, (faid Merioneth, advancing) her friends muft aflift her." I faw he had with difficulty reftrained himself from interfering before. "Permit me to release you, ma'am." "Sha'n't give up my point-will know the colour of the gown-will, by G! and then you may go if you will.-Stand off, my lordfland off.-Bet you three guineas to one that the tells me in five minutes." “I would do almost any thing to from "faid the. get you, "Tell us the colour." "Green (faid fhe).-- Sir, are you satisfied?" Yes (faid he): I wish Merioneth had took my bet:-know'd I fhould bring you to." Albert took her hand, and led her to a feat. The evening was wet,-we could not walk; we therefore went to cards. We formed two tables at whift-I feated myself, and was followed by Ellen.-Lord Merioneth followed her. "We yet want another, (faid I, looking round the room)--whọ comes?" "I want a feat (faid Clifford) will you take me in?" Certainly," faid I. He was in a moment at my úide.Sir John leaned over Ellen's chairMrs. Maynard took a feat by me,--and they betted on the game. At laft they wrangled fo about their wagers, that we could not proceed with the game. "What a strange creature you are! (faid Merioneth to her) If I was Bateman, I fhould abfolutely expect you would box me." Perhaps, (faid fhe) if you are impertinent, I may begin with you.' Say "Say you fo? (faid he, jumping up) then it is time to think of felfdefence." In faying this, he got behind her and feized her hands. We adjourn ed to the fupper-room,-the elders were already there, -and left Mrs. Maynard to ftruggle for herfelf. They foon followed us :-fhe railed herself out of breath at Merioneth, who declared he only acted for felfdefence. And now, having fcribbled almost to the end of my paper, I must here think of taking my leave of you till after the ball. And here let me thank you for your well-meant letter; I am fenfible it was written with the warmest wishes for my happiness. I allow the juftice of your arguments, though I cannot adopt the conclufion to which they lead. Whatever may be mifs Rutland's birth, I know not; yet this I know, that the is too good to be made unhappy, and that, if there were no other motives for my conduct, I would never be the means rof making her fo, is a determination beyond the power of time to alter. But of one thing be certain, that, were affluence or penury depending on my decifion, I could only act upon my prefent principles. Yours, fincerely, LAURA MERIONETH. P. S. What are you doing with Danville? LETTER IX. The Priory, Wednesday, . August 14, 179THE ball is over, Jane; and I fuppofe you are in expectation of receiving fome particulars of the entertainment. I will endeavour to oblige you, and sketch a few of its moft prominent features; but, un fortunately, in thefe amufements, there is fo little variation, fo much folly, and fo little originality, that I VOL. XXVII. fcarcely know whether it is worth while to enter at all on the fubject. -You have been prefent at one, and can easily conceive what every other of the fame clafs must consist of.-But, on fecond thoughts, which fome fay are beft, I will preferve this from the oblivion it might otherwife be configned to, by giving it a place in our correfpondence. Splendour and liberality vied with each other in the decorations and refreshments. The party were nu- ́ merous and fashionable Company came from twenty miles round, and many of them.are ftill here.-There were many characters attempted, but few fupported. The earl, the countefs, and aunt Merioneth, wore dominos-lord Merioneth was an Apollo, Severn a mountebank, Clifford a counsellor, fir John a coachman, Mrs. Maynard in a fancydrefs, Julia a Yarico, Ellen a Spaniard, and myself a fultana. At ten o'clock the rooms were crowded: we of the family affembled, by appointment, in the breakfastparlour. I fhould have obferved that the elders were engaged among the company.-Ellen and myself were firft in the room.-We were foon followed by Mrs. Maynard and Julia, and we were all mafqued. Our beaux entered.-"Do you know me ?-I know you:"-paffed for a few minutes, when Apollo ftruck his guitar,- and, taking the hand of Ellen, whom he feigned to miftake for me, exclaimed," Thus then, infpired by Venus where to chufe, I claim my cousin's promife." "Have you (in a feigned voice) prayed for infpiration?" Moft fervently," he replied. "Then know, fon of Latona, that Venus has rejected your petition." Impoffible! (faid I) befides, a divinity could not want infpiration. -No, no; he has peeped behind our mafques, and knew where `to chufe." Rr "Spare "Spare your raillery, fweet cou- | Clifford, cried, "Hands off-hands fin, (faid he) and condescend to off, Mr. lawyer-d'ye fee this?” enrol me among the number of your holding up his whip. flaves." I fhould have obfèrved that I "Thofe that I encourage must be made a motion to Ellen not to speak, all free men,at leaft wear no chains purpofely for an opportunity of debut mine."-This I faid in a whifper.ceiving this part of the family.-I "Do not be too fevere, (he re- was likewife filent. plied) or I may find a way to repay you." "Pifh! (faid I)-Sure the god of harmony is not out of humour." Clifford advanced :— -66 My heart,, (faid he) charming fultana, true as the needle to the pole, points here." "Take (faid I, prefenting my hand) the reward of your penetration for this evening I depute you my protector." "Would to heaven (drawing me a little way from the company) it were for life!" Really, Jane, I believe I mentally faid Amen to his prayer. Mrs. Maynard, who had during the above dialogue been adjufting her nofegay, and varying the effect of a feather, advanced towards us, faying, Come, come, counsellor; there is none there likely to want your affiftance:-you gentlemen of the robe fhould always be doing fomething in the way of bufinefs. Come along with me, and I'll engage to procure half a dozen briefs in lets time than I won fir John's wager." "How will you do that?" cried Merioneth. "Oh! I'll fwear this brute (turning to the baronet) endeavoured to run away with me, bring an action against him for damages, and counfellor Plausible (pating Clifford on the fhoulder) fhall plead for me." "I am fo fuperlatively happy, madam, (faid he) in having gained permiffion to plead here, (bowing to me) that I have not leifure to repay as I ought your kind intentions in my favour." "D'ye fee this?" said fir John again, fhaking the whip at Clifford, while he held me tight under the other arm. Mrs. Maynard laughed immoderately. "And what of your whip, fir?" faid Clifford, with contempt.. "What of it! (replied the other) Why if you, or any body elfe, offers, d'ye fee, to touch this here. little filly, I fhall refent it, fir; and, perhaps, you may feel the weight of this little friend of mine,"-fhaking the whip again. "Sir John, (faid Clifford, unmasking) I infift on your relinquishing that lady.-She has done me the honour to place herfelf under my protection; and I fhould defpife myself, if I could permit you to infult her with impunity.-Your fchool-boy threats, fir, are entirely loft on me." The knight paufed. "And pray, fir, (faid Mrs. Maynard, tauntingly) who is the lady in whofe caufe you are fo valorous a champion?" "Without the lady's permiffion, I certainly fhall not fay who the is," faid Clifford. Merioneth came forward. I waved my hand: he underflood me, and retreated.. It muff be mifs Rutland; (faid the) and I heard lady Derwent autherife fir John to feek her: to perhaps, fir, your gallantry may be exerted in a wrong caufe." "That cause, (faidhe) ma'am, can never be wrong, when the end to be She turned away without anfwer-obtained is the prefervation of a lady from infolence.-Sir, (with a refo ing. Sr John, rudely pulling me from late tone) will you releafe that lady?" |