Chapter 1
Page 139
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Countess of DELLWYN.
BOOK IV.
CHAP. I.
An epistolary Correspondence.
LADY Dellwyn was entirely ignorant of the whole Transaction mentioned in the last Chapter of the foregoing Book. A constant Correspondence had been kept up between her and her Father from the Time of her leaving London after her Marriage; and Mr. Lucum's Letters were always filled with strong Expressions of parental Fondness. The
last
Page 140
last Letter which Lady Dellwyn had then received from him, is here presented to the Reader, as a Specimen of the Style in which he wrote.
My dearest Daughter,
ALTHO' every thing is welcome that comes from your Hands to your fond Father; yet I was somewhat afflicted by your last Letter, because you seemed to fail in that Spirit of Vivacity which generally is so conspicuous in whatever you write; for, my Child, the Countess of Dellwyn is as famous for her Wit as for her Beauty: But, by your languid Style, I fear that your Health doth not continue in so good a State as is answerable to my most fervent Wishes. Pray take great. Care of yourself, and consider that my Happiness depends on your Welfare. Write by the Return of the Post, and let me know whether I have any Reason for this melancholy Suggestion of your being indisposed; for I shall suffer great Uneasiness whilst I am under
this
Page 141
this disagreeable Suspence. Present my best Respects to your most honoured and revered Lord; and believe me ever
Your most affectionate Father,
C. LUCUM.
From the very kind and warm Expressions of fatherly Fondness in this Letter, a small Ray of Hope darted into Lady Dellwyn's Mind; and she began to flatter herself, that possibly her Father might be prevailed on to apply to Lord Dellwyn in her Favour, and endeavour to dissuade him from his Resolution of exposing her publicly. But she found an almost insurmountable Difficulty in wording properly a Request of this Nature to her Father; for she dared by no means let the whole Truth appear, and yet was conscious that she was very unequal to the Task of being intelligible on such a tender Point, whilst she was under a Necessity of blending together in an artful Proportion two Things so very,
unmixable
Page 142
unmixable in their Natures as Truth and Falsehood. Innumerable were the Instances, in which, if Lady Dellwyn had been possesed of the whole World, she would gladly have resigned it all, in Exchange for the Power of boldly, and without conscious Shame, speaking freely, and throwing off the Practice of every Degree of Deceit.
Many Mornings successively she arose with a fixed Resolution of writing to her Father; often were Pen, Ink, and Paper, vainly placed before her. The Fear of discovering the Fact she laboured to conceal, threw her each Time into such a Perplexity, that, instead of executing her Purpose, she burst into a Flood of Tears, and despaired of succeeding. But, after several Repetitions of these vain Efforts, she at last produced the following con fused Epistle:
Honoured
Page 143
Honoured Sir,
I AM greatly obliged to you for your affectionate and kind Concern for my Health. Indeed I am greatly indisposed; but I believe it is chiefly owing to my present inward Affliction, for my Lord is quite changed in his Behaviour to me. I have certainly, by some unhappy means or other, ignorantly lost his Affection. One Capt. Drumond, who hath been here almost ever since we came, hath so insinuated himself into my Lord's Favour, that he never chuses to let him be absent from his Presence: And I am sure this Man imposes on my Lord a great many Falsehoods; and, amongst the rest, he has made him believe something concerning an Intimacy between me and Lord Clermont; that is, Capt. Drumond says so. I can very truly say, that when my Lord desired me to avoid that young Nobleman, I very chearfully complied with his Commands; which makes this Story of the Captain's highly improbable.
However,
Page 144
However, my Lord talks frightfully about Doctors Commons, and making a public Affair of it; than which no Grief could be more dreadful to me. I could not live to be publicly infamous. I therefore beg, I conjure you, Sir, by all your Affection for me, to intercede with my Lord to change his Determination, and to have more Kindness, even in his Anger, than to expose me to such a terrible Misfortune. I almost sink even under the very melancholy Apprehension. I will submit to any Terms his Lordship shall please to impose on me, if he will but suffer our Separation to be transacted in such a Manner as that no public Reason may be given for it. I have many Pleas to make in mitigation. I was married young, and unexperienced in the Ways of the World. But I pretend not to dictate to you by what Means to try to mollify my Lord. Urge what Arguments you think best. But let me prevail
upon
Page 145
upon you, Sir, to endeavour to use your Interest; for I am at present,
Honoured Sir, Your ever dutiful, but very
unhappy Daughter,
C. DELLWYN.
No doubt but the Reader will perceive that some Parts of Lady Dellwyn's Letter, and more particularly the latter End, visibly confessed that her Lord's Jealousy was not altogether groundless. This was very apparent to her own View from the Moment that it was irrevocable. Those Softenings and Mitigations of her erroneous Conduct were ever uppermost in her Thoughts; and she suffered her Pen to write them, in hopes of raising Compassion in her Father's Mind, before she was aware of any other Consequence; but as soon as she recollected her Indiscretion, she was almost driven to Despair.
Capt. Drumond had acted safely in his Solicitation for Lady Dellwyn's Fa-
vour,
Page 146
Favour, it being impossible for her to run so great a Venture as to reveal it either to her Father or Lord Dellwvyn; for if she could even have obtained Credit with them (which yet was very improbable), a very disadvantageous Conclusion would naturally have followed; and they must at the same time have been thoroughly convinced, that she had descended greatly from her Dignity, and given him Encouragement by the Levity of her Behaviour, before he could have presumed to have affronted her by such an Address.
Mr. Lucum, in the same Morning in which he was shocked by an Account from a Friend that he was in Danger of being superseded in his Place, also received his Daughter's injudicious Letter; insomuch that his double Disappointment almost drove him to Distraction.
From the Time that Lady Dellwyn was married, her Father had assured
himself
Page 147
himself of the certain Continuance of Lord Dellwyn's Favour during his Life; and his whole Mind was so filled with ambitious Schemes, as to admit no Thoughts or Fears concerning his Lordship's Age or Infirmities: He therefore had sold his own paternal Estate in the Country, and made a Purchase near the Metropolis, on which he had determined to build something magnificent, as a Monument that he had passed through this Life. And there was yet a farther Aggravation of his present Afflictions; for a Lady of a considerable Fortune had cast an Eye of Favour on him; but she was past those Years which are generally esteemed the most thoughtless; and Mr. Lucum well knew that his present apparent prosperous Situation, was no small additional Weight in the Balance of his Merits: So that in one fatal Morning all his Prospects seemed to be in a fair way of being overturned; and he was at once unwived, unhoused, and undone.
In
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In this Humour Lady Dellwyn had very little Chance of finding Mercy from her Father; nor did he ever once reflect on any Cause for inward Reproach on her Account. There lived, in his Opinion, one faultless Person in the World, who consequently never experienced his Anger; namely, himself. He perceived Lady Dellwyn's Guilt plainly in her own Letter, which therefore he never deigned to answer. But to Lord Dellwyn, by Fits and Starts, in the Intervals of raving at his Disappointments, he wrote as follows.
My Lord,
THE Confusion of my present Thoughts is so great, that I know not how to express myself in a Manner fit for the Honour of your Lordship's Perusal. I fear the mean-spirited Wretch, whom you have exalted so highly above her Merit, as to confer on her the inexpressible Honour of your Alliance, has demeaned herself unworthy of your Lordship's Notice.
I will
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I will never acknowlege her as my Daughter again, but consider her as an Alien to my Blood and Family. Use what Rigour you please, my Lord. I shall think you cannot treat her with too much Severity. But, my very good Lord, let not that Resentment which the has so justly incurred, fall also on my innocent Head; for I am not conscious of ever giving, your Lordship the least Offence even in Thought; but am filled with Love, Respect, Gratitude, and Reverence, for your Lordship's great Goodness to me; and therefore hope your Lordship will confine your Indignation to the only proper Object of it, and continue to me the infinite Happiness of your Lordship's Favour and Friendship. I have the Honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient and devoted humble Servant,
CHARLES LUCUM.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Countess of DELLWYN.
BOOK IV.
CHAP. I.
An epistolary Correspondence.
LADY Dellwyn was entirely ignorant of the whole Transaction mentioned in the last Chapter of the foregoing Book. A constant Correspondence had been kept up between her and her Father from the Time of her leaving London after her Marriage; and Mr. Lucum's Letters were always filled with strong Expressions of parental Fondness. The
last
Page 140
last Letter which Lady Dellwyn had then received from him, is here presented to the Reader, as a Specimen of the Style in which he wrote.
My dearest Daughter,
ALTHO' every thing is welcome that comes from your Hands to your fond Father; yet I was somewhat afflicted by your last Letter, because you seemed to fail in that Spirit of Vivacity which generally is so conspicuous in whatever you write; for, my Child, the Countess of Dellwyn is as famous for her Wit as for her Beauty: But, by your languid Style, I fear that your Health doth not continue in so good a State as is answerable to my most fervent Wishes. Pray take great. Care of yourself, and consider that my Happiness depends on your Welfare. Write by the Return of the Post, and let me know whether I have any Reason for this melancholy Suggestion of your being indisposed; for I shall suffer great Uneasiness whilst I am under
this
Page 141
this disagreeable Suspence. Present my best Respects to your most honoured and revered Lord; and believe me ever
Your most affectionate Father,
C. LUCUM.
From the very kind and warm Expressions of fatherly Fondness in this Letter, a small Ray of Hope darted into Lady Dellwyn's Mind; and she began to flatter herself, that possibly her Father might be prevailed on to apply to Lord Dellwyn in her Favour, and endeavour to dissuade him from his Resolution of exposing her publicly. But she found an almost insurmountable Difficulty in wording properly a Request of this Nature to her Father; for she dared by no means let the whole Truth appear, and yet was conscious that she was very unequal to the Task of being intelligible on such a tender Point, whilst she was under a Necessity of blending together in an artful Proportion two Things so very,
unmixable
Page 142
unmixable in their Natures as Truth and Falsehood. Innumerable were the Instances, in which, if Lady Dellwyn had been possesed of the whole World, she would gladly have resigned it all, in Exchange for the Power of boldly, and without conscious Shame, speaking freely, and throwing off the Practice of every Degree of Deceit.
Many Mornings successively she arose with a fixed Resolution of writing to her Father; often were Pen, Ink, and Paper, vainly placed before her. The Fear of discovering the Fact she laboured to conceal, threw her each Time into such a Perplexity, that, instead of executing her Purpose, she burst into a Flood of Tears, and despaired of succeeding. But, after several Repetitions of these vain Efforts, she at last produced the following con fused Epistle:
Honoured
Page 143
Honoured Sir,
I AM greatly obliged to you for your affectionate and kind Concern for my Health. Indeed I am greatly indisposed; but I believe it is chiefly owing to my present inward Affliction, for my Lord is quite changed in his Behaviour to me. I have certainly, by some unhappy means or other, ignorantly lost his Affection. One Capt. Drumond, who hath been here almost ever since we came, hath so insinuated himself into my Lord's Favour, that he never chuses to let him be absent from his Presence: And I am sure this Man imposes on my Lord a great many Falsehoods; and, amongst the rest, he has made him believe something concerning an Intimacy between me and Lord Clermont; that is, Capt. Drumond says so. I can very truly say, that when my Lord desired me to avoid that young Nobleman, I very chearfully complied with his Commands; which makes this Story of the Captain's highly improbable.
However,
Page 144
However, my Lord talks frightfully about Doctors Commons, and making a public Affair of it; than which no Grief could be more dreadful to me. I could not live to be publicly infamous. I therefore beg, I conjure you, Sir, by all your Affection for me, to intercede with my Lord to change his Determination, and to have more Kindness, even in his Anger, than to expose me to such a terrible Misfortune. I almost sink even under the very melancholy Apprehension. I will submit to any Terms his Lordship shall please to impose on me, if he will but suffer our Separation to be transacted in such a Manner as that no public Reason may be given for it. I have many Pleas to make in mitigation. I was married young, and unexperienced in the Ways of the World. But I pretend not to dictate to you by what Means to try to mollify my Lord. Urge what Arguments you think best. But let me prevail
upon
Page 145
upon you, Sir, to endeavour to use your Interest; for I am at present,
Honoured Sir, Your ever dutiful, but very
unhappy Daughter,
C. DELLWYN.
No doubt but the Reader will perceive that some Parts of Lady Dellwyn's Letter, and more particularly the latter End, visibly confessed that her Lord's Jealousy was not altogether groundless. This was very apparent to her own View from the Moment that it was irrevocable. Those Softenings and Mitigations of her erroneous Conduct were ever uppermost in her Thoughts; and she suffered her Pen to write them, in hopes of raising Compassion in her Father's Mind, before she was aware of any other Consequence; but as soon as she recollected her Indiscretion, she was almost driven to Despair.
Capt. Drumond had acted safely in his Solicitation for Lady Dellwyn's Fa-
vour,
Page 146
Favour, it being impossible for her to run so great a Venture as to reveal it either to her Father or Lord Dellwvyn; for if she could even have obtained Credit with them (which yet was very improbable), a very disadvantageous Conclusion would naturally have followed; and they must at the same time have been thoroughly convinced, that she had descended greatly from her Dignity, and given him Encouragement by the Levity of her Behaviour, before he could have presumed to have affronted her by such an Address.
Mr. Lucum, in the same Morning in which he was shocked by an Account from a Friend that he was in Danger of being superseded in his Place, also received his Daughter's injudicious Letter; insomuch that his double Disappointment almost drove him to Distraction.
From the Time that Lady Dellwyn was married, her Father had assured
himself
Page 147
himself of the certain Continuance of Lord Dellwyn's Favour during his Life; and his whole Mind was so filled with ambitious Schemes, as to admit no Thoughts or Fears concerning his Lordship's Age or Infirmities: He therefore had sold his own paternal Estate in the Country, and made a Purchase near the Metropolis, on which he had determined to build something magnificent, as a Monument that he had passed through this Life. And there was yet a farther Aggravation of his present Afflictions; for a Lady of a considerable Fortune had cast an Eye of Favour on him; but she was past those Years which are generally esteemed the most thoughtless; and Mr. Lucum well knew that his present apparent prosperous Situation, was no small additional Weight in the Balance of his Merits: So that in one fatal Morning all his Prospects seemed to be in a fair way of being overturned; and he was at once unwived, unhoused, and undone.
In
Page 148
In this Humour Lady Dellwyn had very little Chance of finding Mercy from her Father; nor did he ever once reflect on any Cause for inward Reproach on her Account. There lived, in his Opinion, one faultless Person in the World, who consequently never experienced his Anger; namely, himself. He perceived Lady Dellwyn's Guilt plainly in her own Letter, which therefore he never deigned to answer. But to Lord Dellwyn, by Fits and Starts, in the Intervals of raving at his Disappointments, he wrote as follows.
My Lord,
THE Confusion of my present Thoughts is so great, that I know not how to express myself in a Manner fit for the Honour of your Lordship's Perusal. I fear the mean-spirited Wretch, whom you have exalted so highly above her Merit, as to confer on her the inexpressible Honour of your Alliance, has demeaned herself unworthy of your Lordship's Notice.
I will
Page 149
I will never acknowlege her as my Daughter again, but consider her as an Alien to my Blood and Family. Use what Rigour you please, my Lord. I shall think you cannot treat her with too much Severity. But, my very good Lord, let not that Resentment which the has so justly incurred, fall also on my innocent Head; for I am not conscious of ever giving, your Lordship the least Offence even in Thought; but am filled with Love, Respect, Gratitude, and Reverence, for your Lordship's great Goodness to me; and therefore hope your Lordship will confine your Indignation to the only proper Object of it, and continue to me the infinite Happiness of your Lordship's Favour and Friendship. I have the Honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient and devoted humble Servant,
CHARLES LUCUM.
Chapter 2
Page 150
CHAP. II.
Bonds of our own Choice and Making,
the most effectual towards reducing us
to the most abject Slavery.
MR. Lucum had in his Letter plainly indicated that he was acquainted with Lord Dellwyn's unfavourable Intention concerning himself; but he ventured not to mention any Particulars, lest it should have the Appearance of Reproach, and rather irritate than appease his Lordship's Anger. He was thoroughly acquainted with the Disposition of the Man with whom he had connected himself, and knew full well that Submission and Resentment was the Part he must perform; and that it was perfectly neces-
ary
Page 151
sary for him to keep up to the Character he had assumed, and be a very dutiful Father-in-Law. He had not bent his whole Study to Politics, or, to give a more adequate Idea, of his Practice to Politics, almost his whole Lifetime, so much in vain, as to imagine that it cost him any thing to display all the Arts of Flattery and Dissimulation.
Lord Dellwyn deigned no more to give an Answer to Mr. Lucum than he did to his Daughter; but proceeded on steadily in his Purpose, with no more Consideration of him than if there had been no such Man in the World; and altho' his Lordship received repeated Petitions (for so they might with Propriety be called) for an Answer, yet he never condescended to grant this Request.
This Treatment from Lord Dellwyn irritated and inflamed all the irascible Passions in Mr. Lucum to such a Height, that he had no Method to
H4 preserve
Page 152
preserve himself from bursting with Rage, but to find some Object on whom he could safely vent his Indignation. It was vain and impotent, to attempt the revenging himself on his Lordship, the Superiority of whose Station placed him out of Mr. Lucum's Reach: All his Anger therefore fell with redoubled Force on his Daughter; on whom, in the most reproachful Terms he could possibly think of, he vented his Passion; and, whilst Lady Dellwyn was labouring under the most melancholy Dejection, she received the following outrageous Epistle.
THOU abandoned Wretch, I know not by what Name to distinguish whom I mean; for I should despise myself if I was ever more to acknowlege you as a Daughter of mine. I hope your Lord will treat you with all the Rigour and Severity you deserve, if that is possible; that you will be an Out-cast to the World, and that Sorrow and Grief will be your
Portion
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Portion for the Remainder of your Days. Was it for this that I took such Pleasure in your Education, and endeavoured to instil and fix in your Memory all the justly-dignified Pride that attends on Virtue? Your abandoned Conduct has this peculiar Aggravation attending your atrocious Crimes, that by them you have compleated the Ruin of him that was your Father, but will never more esteem himself as such; but will ever continue inexorable to all your Whining and Blubbering, and never cease to be your enraged, as well as highly injured,
C. LUCUM
In answer to this Letter, which was such an Addition to her already-heavy Affliction as drove her almost to absolute Despondence, Lady Dellwyn expostulated with her Father in the most submissive Terms, designedly avoided dropping the most distant Hint that might have any Tendency towards reminding him that he had ever been
H5 guilty
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guilty of any Error in his own Conduct towards her, and in the most pathetic Language besought his Compassion.
Undoubtedly Lady Dellwyn's Conduct gave sufficient Reasons for her Father's Anger; but yet, if his own Bosom had not harboured so many disagreeable Things, that it was painful to him to turn his Eyes inward, he might there have discovered somewhat in mitigation of his Wrath, and reflected that his own Ambition had been the first Cause of his Daughter's Ruin; nor would he yet have been inexorable on the Account of her Crime; for if she could have prevailed on Lord Dellwyn to have forgiven her, to have yet acknowleged her as his Wife, and continued his Favour to her Father, his absolute Pardon would have immediately followed, and the Countess of Dellwyn would have had no Reason to apprehend the being reprobated as Mr. Lucum's Daughter; and yet an Infant
would
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would be capable of perceiving, that her Crime would not have been in any degree the less heinous; nay, such an Instance of her Lord's Lenity and Affection towards her would rather have been an Aggravation of her Fault.
Lady Dellwyn now felt herself bound in the most whimsical Chain, made only by her own Imagination, which had imposed on her the Belief that she was bereft of all Liberty of breaking off her Acquaintance with Lord Clermont; to whom neither the Laws of Heaven or Earth could teach her that she was in any Subjection. This is a strange Infatuation of the human Mind; and Ladies often fancy themselves bound in Chains to a Lover once favoured: altho' they must be at a Loss to find a Reason for being thus fettered; unless they are apprehensive that such a Lover, if enraged, will discover a Secret which is generally very well known before; or that the Superabundance of their Gratitude induces them to think them-
H6 selves
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selves under an Obligation to the Man, whose Pretence of Love is built on so selfish a Basis, as to sacrifice the future Peace of their Lives to his own present Gratification. Surely the Professions of Love must be highly esteemed where such fallacious Coin can pass for sterling Worth. But the Nets woven by the human Imagination, altho' they are composed of the smallest Materials, are perhaps full as difficult to be broken as the strongest real Bonds. Don Quixote, when he was set at Liberty by the Persons who had diverted themselves, by fastening him at Length to the Floor, in order to humour his Phrenzy, continued a long Time in the same Posture, and would not believe that he had the Power of Motion ; so much easier was it to free his Limbs from Thraldom, than to cure his Mind of the Madness of thinking himself inchanted. Besides, altho' Lady Dellwyn's present Trouble had mortified her Vanity, yet it had taken too deep Root to be so conquered. The Snake
was
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was scotched, but not killed; and she was alarmed with the Fear, that, if she avoided any farther Commerce with Lord Clermont, Capt. Drumond would imagine he had Power enough over her to direct her Conduct. But to this Perplexity Lord Clermont himself soon put an End; for having found that his Intercourse with Lady Dellwyn was discovered, and prepared to be brought into a public Court, he thought it most prudent to withdraw. He had all that Courage so properly ridiculed in that most improper Character of Sir John Brute, and could tell the injured Person with as good an Air as any Man, "I wear a Sword, Sir:" But to encounter with a Suit in Doctors Commons was out of his Practice.
Had his Lordship been required, by way of Reparation for the Injury he had already committed, to have taken his Chance for shooting thro' the Head, or stabbing to the Heart, the Man he had injured, no one would
5 have
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have been more punctual to the Summons; for what he dared to do, he dared to justify; and would have done his utmost to deprive of Life the Man whose Honour he had blasted: But a Challenge to appear in Doctors Commons was highly disagreeable to him.
As Lord Clermont was in no respect deficient in that Honour which bears so little Affinity to Justice, the fashionable Honour of a fine Gentleman, he was sorry to leave the Lady when she was going to suffer so much on his Account: But his Humanity rendered him incapable of bearing the Sight of her Distress, which made her an Object fitter for Compassion than Love.
To avoid therefore the Brawling of Lawyers, and the Lamentations of his Mistress, his Lordship determined that he might absent himself with the best Grace he could, to go a Volunteer in the Army abroad; and perhaps his Mind was never in a fitter State for
War,
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War, than now that he was alarmed with the Prospect of suffering very severely for indulging the softer Passion.
This Event made a great Struggle in Lady Dellwyn's Mind; for she found it very difficult to determine whether she should rejoice over or lament his Lordship's Departure. That he was gone, she was pleased; but the Apprehension lest it should be thought that her Charms were not powerful enough to hold him, was full Cause enough of Sorrow.
The Poets never gave more Eyes to Argus, or more Hands to Briareus, than Nature hath given Fears, and consequently Desires, to Vanity, whose Commands are as numerous as they are contradictory. The poor Country-Girl, who is just advanced to the Honour of being admitted an Attendant at the fine Lady's Toilette, when she in one and the same Instant receives a Multiplication of various and opposite
Commands,
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Commands, is not more perplexed to discover her Lady's Mind, than the same fine Lady is to penetrate the Meaning of all the arbitrary Laws imposed on her by the Tyrant she chuses to serve, whilst she is raving for Liberty and Freedom from every reasonable Restraint.
Lady Dellwyn now disliked appearing abroad to as great a Degree as ever she had delighted in it. She was so changed, that she rejoiced in every Instance of her Lord's Good-humour or Complacency towards her; and sometimes even hoped, that, by a constant and assiduous Endeavour to please him, she might in Time prevail on him to alter his Resolution. But this was impracticable, whilst Capt. Drumond continued to be his Shadow. Besides, altho' it was not impossible to have induced Lord Dellwyn to have forgiven her Intimacy with Lord Clermont; yet she had been guilty of another Crime, which had made a stronger Impression on his Memory, and ap-
peared
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peared more heinous in his Sight; for Lady Dellwyn, in her Fits of Vivacity, whilst she talked at her Lord, had sometimes treated him with a Contempt, for which he was inexorable; and gladly embraced any Opportunity of being separated from her for ever: So true is that Observation, that Contempt is generally esteemed a more unpardonable Crime than any real Injury whatsoever. Reflexion shewed her the Folly of her Conduct in this respect also in the most glaring Light; but it was too late to be of any Advantage to her future Happiness; and Lady Dellwyn was a memorable Instance of the great Imprudence a Woman is guilty of, when she fails in due Respect to her Husband. If he deserves such a Treatment, the Contempt justly returns redoubled on her own Head for consenting to be the Wife of a Man she despises. In this Sense the Folly of the Husband reflects as much Dishonour on the Wife, as her erroneous Conduct can possibly do on him; with this ad-
ditional
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ditional Aggravation, that the Scorn which falls on her on that Account is always deservedly; and she may, as Mrs. Western says, Comfort herself that it is her own Fault. Neither is there the least Temptation to such a Practice, unless there is any Woman whose Intellects are so very much disordered, that she can persuade herself of so glaring an Absurdity, as to think her own Understanding is placed in the most advantageous Point of View, when that of her Husband is despised and depreciated.
C H A P.
CHAP. II.
Bonds of our own Choice and Making,
the most effectual towards reducing us
to the most abject Slavery.
MR. Lucum had in his Letter plainly indicated that he was acquainted with Lord Dellwyn's unfavourable Intention concerning himself; but he ventured not to mention any Particulars, lest it should have the Appearance of Reproach, and rather irritate than appease his Lordship's Anger. He was thoroughly acquainted with the Disposition of the Man with whom he had connected himself, and knew full well that Submission and Resentment was the Part he must perform; and that it was perfectly neces-
ary
Page 151
sary for him to keep up to the Character he had assumed, and be a very dutiful Father-in-Law. He had not bent his whole Study to Politics, or, to give a more adequate Idea, of his Practice to Politics, almost his whole Lifetime, so much in vain, as to imagine that it cost him any thing to display all the Arts of Flattery and Dissimulation.
Lord Dellwyn deigned no more to give an Answer to Mr. Lucum than he did to his Daughter; but proceeded on steadily in his Purpose, with no more Consideration of him than if there had been no such Man in the World; and altho' his Lordship received repeated Petitions (for so they might with Propriety be called) for an Answer, yet he never condescended to grant this Request.
This Treatment from Lord Dellwyn irritated and inflamed all the irascible Passions in Mr. Lucum to such a Height, that he had no Method to
H4 preserve
Page 152
preserve himself from bursting with Rage, but to find some Object on whom he could safely vent his Indignation. It was vain and impotent, to attempt the revenging himself on his Lordship, the Superiority of whose Station placed him out of Mr. Lucum's Reach: All his Anger therefore fell with redoubled Force on his Daughter; on whom, in the most reproachful Terms he could possibly think of, he vented his Passion; and, whilst Lady Dellwyn was labouring under the most melancholy Dejection, she received the following outrageous Epistle.
THOU abandoned Wretch, I know not by what Name to distinguish whom I mean; for I should despise myself if I was ever more to acknowlege you as a Daughter of mine. I hope your Lord will treat you with all the Rigour and Severity you deserve, if that is possible; that you will be an Out-cast to the World, and that Sorrow and Grief will be your
Portion
Page 153
Portion for the Remainder of your Days. Was it for this that I took such Pleasure in your Education, and endeavoured to instil and fix in your Memory all the justly-dignified Pride that attends on Virtue? Your abandoned Conduct has this peculiar Aggravation attending your atrocious Crimes, that by them you have compleated the Ruin of him that was your Father, but will never more esteem himself as such; but will ever continue inexorable to all your Whining and Blubbering, and never cease to be your enraged, as well as highly injured,
C. LUCUM
In answer to this Letter, which was such an Addition to her already-heavy Affliction as drove her almost to absolute Despondence, Lady Dellwyn expostulated with her Father in the most submissive Terms, designedly avoided dropping the most distant Hint that might have any Tendency towards reminding him that he had ever been
H5 guilty
Page 154
guilty of any Error in his own Conduct towards her, and in the most pathetic Language besought his Compassion.
Undoubtedly Lady Dellwyn's Conduct gave sufficient Reasons for her Father's Anger; but yet, if his own Bosom had not harboured so many disagreeable Things, that it was painful to him to turn his Eyes inward, he might there have discovered somewhat in mitigation of his Wrath, and reflected that his own Ambition had been the first Cause of his Daughter's Ruin; nor would he yet have been inexorable on the Account of her Crime; for if she could have prevailed on Lord Dellwyn to have forgiven her, to have yet acknowleged her as his Wife, and continued his Favour to her Father, his absolute Pardon would have immediately followed, and the Countess of Dellwyn would have had no Reason to apprehend the being reprobated as Mr. Lucum's Daughter; and yet an Infant
would
Page 155
would be capable of perceiving, that her Crime would not have been in any degree the less heinous; nay, such an Instance of her Lord's Lenity and Affection towards her would rather have been an Aggravation of her Fault.
Lady Dellwyn now felt herself bound in the most whimsical Chain, made only by her own Imagination, which had imposed on her the Belief that she was bereft of all Liberty of breaking off her Acquaintance with Lord Clermont; to whom neither the Laws of Heaven or Earth could teach her that she was in any Subjection. This is a strange Infatuation of the human Mind; and Ladies often fancy themselves bound in Chains to a Lover once favoured: altho' they must be at a Loss to find a Reason for being thus fettered; unless they are apprehensive that such a Lover, if enraged, will discover a Secret which is generally very well known before; or that the Superabundance of their Gratitude induces them to think them-
H6 selves
Page 156
selves under an Obligation to the Man, whose Pretence of Love is built on so selfish a Basis, as to sacrifice the future Peace of their Lives to his own present Gratification. Surely the Professions of Love must be highly esteemed where such fallacious Coin can pass for sterling Worth. But the Nets woven by the human Imagination, altho' they are composed of the smallest Materials, are perhaps full as difficult to be broken as the strongest real Bonds. Don Quixote, when he was set at Liberty by the Persons who had diverted themselves, by fastening him at Length to the Floor, in order to humour his Phrenzy, continued a long Time in the same Posture, and would not believe that he had the Power of Motion ; so much easier was it to free his Limbs from Thraldom, than to cure his Mind of the Madness of thinking himself inchanted. Besides, altho' Lady Dellwyn's present Trouble had mortified her Vanity, yet it had taken too deep Root to be so conquered. The Snake
was
Page 157
was scotched, but not killed; and she was alarmed with the Fear, that, if she avoided any farther Commerce with Lord Clermont, Capt. Drumond would imagine he had Power enough over her to direct her Conduct. But to this Perplexity Lord Clermont himself soon put an End; for having found that his Intercourse with Lady Dellwyn was discovered, and prepared to be brought into a public Court, he thought it most prudent to withdraw. He had all that Courage so properly ridiculed in that most improper Character of Sir John Brute, and could tell the injured Person with as good an Air as any Man, "I wear a Sword, Sir:" But to encounter with a Suit in Doctors Commons was out of his Practice.
Had his Lordship been required, by way of Reparation for the Injury he had already committed, to have taken his Chance for shooting thro' the Head, or stabbing to the Heart, the Man he had injured, no one would
5 have
Page 158
have been more punctual to the Summons; for what he dared to do, he dared to justify; and would have done his utmost to deprive of Life the Man whose Honour he had blasted: But a Challenge to appear in Doctors Commons was highly disagreeable to him.
As Lord Clermont was in no respect deficient in that Honour which bears so little Affinity to Justice, the fashionable Honour of a fine Gentleman, he was sorry to leave the Lady when she was going to suffer so much on his Account: But his Humanity rendered him incapable of bearing the Sight of her Distress, which made her an Object fitter for Compassion than Love.
To avoid therefore the Brawling of Lawyers, and the Lamentations of his Mistress, his Lordship determined that he might absent himself with the best Grace he could, to go a Volunteer in the Army abroad; and perhaps his Mind was never in a fitter State for
War,
Page 159
War, than now that he was alarmed with the Prospect of suffering very severely for indulging the softer Passion.
This Event made a great Struggle in Lady Dellwyn's Mind; for she found it very difficult to determine whether she should rejoice over or lament his Lordship's Departure. That he was gone, she was pleased; but the Apprehension lest it should be thought that her Charms were not powerful enough to hold him, was full Cause enough of Sorrow.
The Poets never gave more Eyes to Argus, or more Hands to Briareus, than Nature hath given Fears, and consequently Desires, to Vanity, whose Commands are as numerous as they are contradictory. The poor Country-Girl, who is just advanced to the Honour of being admitted an Attendant at the fine Lady's Toilette, when she in one and the same Instant receives a Multiplication of various and opposite
Commands,
Page 160
Commands, is not more perplexed to discover her Lady's Mind, than the same fine Lady is to penetrate the Meaning of all the arbitrary Laws imposed on her by the Tyrant she chuses to serve, whilst she is raving for Liberty and Freedom from every reasonable Restraint.
Lady Dellwyn now disliked appearing abroad to as great a Degree as ever she had delighted in it. She was so changed, that she rejoiced in every Instance of her Lord's Good-humour or Complacency towards her; and sometimes even hoped, that, by a constant and assiduous Endeavour to please him, she might in Time prevail on him to alter his Resolution. But this was impracticable, whilst Capt. Drumond continued to be his Shadow. Besides, altho' it was not impossible to have induced Lord Dellwyn to have forgiven her Intimacy with Lord Clermont; yet she had been guilty of another Crime, which had made a stronger Impression on his Memory, and ap-
peared
Page 161
peared more heinous in his Sight; for Lady Dellwyn, in her Fits of Vivacity, whilst she talked at her Lord, had sometimes treated him with a Contempt, for which he was inexorable; and gladly embraced any Opportunity of being separated from her for ever: So true is that Observation, that Contempt is generally esteemed a more unpardonable Crime than any real Injury whatsoever. Reflexion shewed her the Folly of her Conduct in this respect also in the most glaring Light; but it was too late to be of any Advantage to her future Happiness; and Lady Dellwyn was a memorable Instance of the great Imprudence a Woman is guilty of, when she fails in due Respect to her Husband. If he deserves such a Treatment, the Contempt justly returns redoubled on her own Head for consenting to be the Wife of a Man she despises. In this Sense the Folly of the Husband reflects as much Dishonour on the Wife, as her erroneous Conduct can possibly do on him; with this ad-
ditional
Page 162
ditional Aggravation, that the Scorn which falls on her on that Account is always deservedly; and she may, as Mrs. Western says, Comfort herself that it is her own Fault. Neither is there the least Temptation to such a Practice, unless there is any Woman whose Intellects are so very much disordered, that she can persuade herself of so glaring an Absurdity, as to think her own Understanding is placed in the most advantageous Point of View, when that of her Husband is despised and depreciated.
C H A P.
Chapter 3
Page 163
CHAP. III.
The Story of Miss Cummyns.
I Have somewhere read a Definition of Prudence in very near these Words:
"Prudence is that Faculty or Power of the rational Mind, which is most preparatory to the seeing and obtaining your own true Happiness."
It must be confessed, that in our Pursuits and Schemes, even when we think ourselves most prudent, we are apt to direct all our Aims in such a Manner, as if we were convinced that Prudence consisted in following imaginary, instead of true Happiness. It would be launching into a large Field,
which
Page 164
which is foreign to the present Purpose, to endeavour to prove how much Mankind use Means inadequate to their Designs, and that the general Error lies in fancying that real Good is to be found where there is no such Thing.
Persons who by every Revolution in outward Circumstances are also totally changed in their Minds and Desires, seek different Sets of Acquaintance, according to the varying of their Situation; and it is amazing with what Celerity the human Eye penetrates the Characters which are best adapted for the present Pleasure. One Sort of Acquaintance are necessary to them when they roll aloft in the Sphere of Prosperity, and another when they are cast down into the lower State of Adversity. Indeed those who are only suited, like Butterflies, to bask in the Sun shine of the former State, are generally so conscious of the Narrowness of their own Talents, that from the very same Persons, for whose Notice they have
strove
Page 165
strove with Emulation, whilst they fancied they could by that means obtain a kind of secondhand Honour, they fly precipitately at the Approach of the least Calamity, knowing that Compassion they have none to spare, their whole Stock being confined at home; and what they abound most in, namely, Flattery and Servility, they judge it unnecessary to employ on the Wretched. Well says the Poet,
Hope, thou pleasant, honest Flatterer; for
none
Flatter the Unhappy, but thou alone.
On the other hand, those Persons whose Delight in the Intercourse with Mankind arises from the Communication of Affections, find neither Employment or Pleasure in the Conversation of their old Friends, when by their outward Form only they can possibly distinguish them, and when they are turned so giddy with some accidental Elevation, that it might be properly said they have
lost
Page 166
lost their Senses. The Followers of Prosperity only have been so numerous, and so conspicuous, that they have been recorded by various Authors throughout all Ages. They have found a Place amidst historical Prose, and Poets have celebrated them in harmonious Verse. The faithful Followers of Adversity too have had their Memory preserved by judicious Writers. Of which there are many Instances. Virgil could no more forget Achates than he could AEneas. The Station of the Hero preserved the Memory of his Friend: But in common Life the Followers of Adversity only, generally pass through Life in too great Obscurity to leave any Traces of themselves behind them. And yet, altho' not very common, there are Characters who will submit to all the Infirmities that can possibly attend on Distress, and yet will not bear the least Insolence from Grandeur and Exaltation; who would rejoice to see their Friends in Possession of every Good, provided they are endued with Strength
of
Page 167
of Mind enough to preserve their Steadiness; yet chuse rather to accompany them in a State of Distress and Humiliation in outward Circumstances, than to see them meanly metamorphosed into irrational Creatures by any accidental Exaltation.
Miss Cummyns, who made a small Appearance in the former Part of this History, as having incurred Lady Dellwyn's Displeasure, and lost the Honour of her Notice on her first Arrival at her Lord's Castle, for want of a proper Proportion of Servility to bestow on her Ladyship's new Dignity, was now at Bristol; and Lady Dellwyn's present disconsolate Situation rendering Comfort and Compassion more necessary to her than fawning Flattery, she endeavoured again to cultivate her old Acquaintance with Miss Cummyns. There is something in a proper Spirit, unmixed with any Degree of Haughtiness, which forcibly gains the Esteem, even whilst it piques the Pride, of the Insolent. And
Lady
Page 168
Lady Dellwyn now, when Mortification had restored to her the Power to reflect, found how much more worthily she thought of Miss Cummyns, than of any abject Fatterer her high Station had ever gained her.
Miss Cummyns, altho' not unacquainted with Lady Dellwyn's Crimes, was so charitable as not to decline her Advances, especially as she was now separated from Lord Clermont; for she would not have renewed Acquaintance with her Ladyship whilst she continued her Converse with that young Nobleman.
Miss Cummyns was some few Years older than Lady Dellwyn, and her Character established on so exact a Behaviour throughout Life, that she did not burden herself with any unnecessary Terrors, that her conversing with Lady Dellwyn could cast any Blemish on her spotless Reputation. She chose not to draw on herself the Curse de-
nounced
Page 169
nounced by the Royal Psalmist on the Unrighteous, of being afraid where no Fear is. She was satisfied in the Consciousness that her Design was good, which was no other than, if possible, to make Lady Dellwyn recollect herself, and view the Errors of her Conduct, from some better Principles than such as were dictated by disappointed Pride; which, tho' greatly mortifying, never lead to any Amendment.
Lady Dellwyn, who, from the Time that she was thoroughly infected with Vanity, had esteemed Grandeur as a necessary Ingredient of Life, making a nice Distinction between that and bare Existence, was astonished to find that Miss Cummyns (to whom she knew a very small Share of worldly Goods had fallen) yet preserved the Placidness of her Countenance, and the Tranquillity of her Mind; insomuch that she could not help expressing a Curiosity on that account. To which Miss Cummyns replied,
VOL. II. I "I will
Page 170
“I will willingly tell your Ladyship all the Means I make use of to preserve myself from sinking under the Weight of any Misfortunes. I have no Nostrum for that Purpose, but what all Mankind may know and practice if they please. I loved Retirement and Solitude."
And now the Door opened, and admitted Lady Fanny Chlegen. As soon as the usual Compliments were passed, and her Ladyship seated, a profound Silence followed; which is usually the Case when any particular Conversation is interrupted by the Arrival of a third Person. But Lady Fanny politely desiring that her Coming might not put a Stop to the Conversation which was commenced before she entered, and Lady Dellwyn having informed her on what Subject they were conversing, Miss Cummyns, by the united Desire of both the Ladies, proceeded.
"I do
Page 171
"I do not mean that I had no Taste for the Pleasures of Society; for, on the contrary, I placed all human Delight in a mutual Communication of Affections; and all Conversation, however diversified by Wit and Humour, soon grew insipid to me, unless the Heart also became Partaker of the Enjoyment. Whereever I found the Love of Ridicule was uppermost, I considered the most extraordinary Talents but as so many Instruments of Mischief; but when I perceived that pernicious Quality in great abundance shedding forth its Venom from such Persons as had only the Affectation of Wit and Humour (which indeed is much oftener the Case), it then became loathsome and abominable."
Lady Fanny Chlegen; sat in such a Manner, that she had only a Side-Glance of Miss Cummyns. Contempt arose, and bustled in her Bosom at every Word Miss Cummyns uttered;
I 2 but
Page 172
but it overflowed in such abundance at her last Expression, that her Ladyship suddenly turned fully towards her, and displayed a broad Sneer on her Countenance. Lady Dellwyn, who had never attained to any great Perfection this way, was now so out of Humour with all Jesting whatever, being apprehensive that she herself might become the Object of it, that she was half-inclined to assent to Miss Cummyns's Sentiments; who, without the least Notice of Lady Fanny's expressive Motions, thus proceeded:
"In short, my whole Delight was in Friendship; but then that must be founded on the Goodness of the Heart, and the Regulation of the Mind of its Object; and not on Flights of Fancy, or a Capacity to throw forth a Variety of droll Whims of the Imagination.
"I was bred up with Two Cousins, with whom my Disposition to Friend-
ship
Page 173
ship was fully gratified. They were ever chearfully merry, innocently witty, and so calmly religious, without mixing any Flights of Fancy with their lively Expressions of Piety, that in them I found a continual Source of Entertainment. We had but one Misfortune, and that was Poverty," [Here Lady Fanny's Upperlip began to contract itself.]; "but that we supported with Chearfulness. The common Necessaries of Life constituted the Height of our Desires; nor did we want Arguments to convince us how very inadequate every outward Appearance, or gaudy Shew; is for the obtaining any solid Satisfaction; for most of those Pursuits; which are generally followed with Earnestness and Anxiety, presented themselves at first View in so very trifling a Light, that we judged them not worthy our Consideration. Nor did we think it the least beneath us to undertake any decent Employment to support ourselves; but a
I 3 Combination
Page 174
Combination of odd Circumstances, wavering Prospects, and want of current Coin to give the first Motion to any Scheme, prevented us. The Joy we took to lighten this Burden to each other, and the Confidence we placed in the Protection of Providence, preserved us from repining. We were never grieved at receiving an Obligation"--Receive an Obligation! repeated both the Ladies at one instant, lifting up their Hands, as in Astonishment; -- "but; on the contrary, Gratitude was to us a pleasing Sensation. Want of Generosity only can render it painful. Such who have it, will not envy to others the Power of obligeing; but will accept an Obligation with Pleasure, knowing that those who have conferred it enjoy still a greater Delight; and feel the Blessedness of giving so much beyond that of receiving, that they are only uneasy to think so far a happier Lot should fall to their own Share.
A truly
Page 175
A truly generous Person esteems the Gratitude of those who are obliged, as a great Reward for what they have done; not as the Price of the Favour, but in knowing the Person obliged is not unworthy their Regard. On the other hand, the truly grateful Heart doth not even wish to quit
The Debt immense endless Gratitude;
but enjoys the inward Satisfaction of knowing,
--that a grateful Mind,
By owing, owes not; but still pays, at
once
Indebted and discharged. MILTON.
I allow that many may give who are not generous. A bountiful Hand may sometimes belong to a Heart which thinks itself so highly meritorious in what it bestows, that the Obligation can never be sufficiently
I 4 acknowleged.
Page 176
acknowleged. I look upon such Persons as no less mercenary than those whose Merchandise is Slaves. The Services of the Body are not necessary to these bountiful Benefactors; but the Obsequiousness of the Soul is agreeable to their Pride; and they would purchase the Slavery of all our Faculties at a less Price than they must pay for an inanimate Piece of Furniture. These Traffickers with Obligations are, like many other People in Trade, seldom satisfied with their Gain, and demand the Pay they expect with the most rigid Exactness. But such Dispositions are easily read, and consequently it is not difficult to refuse the Fetters they are so willing to prepare for every one they can enslave.
Nor was it less our Care to avoid the Acceptance of any thing which a generous Mind would part with, when their Circumstances would
not
Page 177
not allow of such Instances of Goodnature, as they were incited to by the Warmth of their friendly Hearts."
Here Miss Cummyns was interrupted by a sudden Motion of Lady Fanny Chlegen, which disturbed a little favourite Lap-dog, which lay asleep in her Ladyship's Lap, and was some time before it could be persuaded to be silent again; when she proceeded, as shall be seen in the next Chapter.
I 5 CHAP.
CHAP. III.
The Story of Miss Cummyns.
I Have somewhere read a Definition of Prudence in very near these Words:
"Prudence is that Faculty or Power of the rational Mind, which is most preparatory to the seeing and obtaining your own true Happiness."
It must be confessed, that in our Pursuits and Schemes, even when we think ourselves most prudent, we are apt to direct all our Aims in such a Manner, as if we were convinced that Prudence consisted in following imaginary, instead of true Happiness. It would be launching into a large Field,
which
Page 164
which is foreign to the present Purpose, to endeavour to prove how much Mankind use Means inadequate to their Designs, and that the general Error lies in fancying that real Good is to be found where there is no such Thing.
Persons who by every Revolution in outward Circumstances are also totally changed in their Minds and Desires, seek different Sets of Acquaintance, according to the varying of their Situation; and it is amazing with what Celerity the human Eye penetrates the Characters which are best adapted for the present Pleasure. One Sort of Acquaintance are necessary to them when they roll aloft in the Sphere of Prosperity, and another when they are cast down into the lower State of Adversity. Indeed those who are only suited, like Butterflies, to bask in the Sun shine of the former State, are generally so conscious of the Narrowness of their own Talents, that from the very same Persons, for whose Notice they have
strove
Page 165
strove with Emulation, whilst they fancied they could by that means obtain a kind of secondhand Honour, they fly precipitately at the Approach of the least Calamity, knowing that Compassion they have none to spare, their whole Stock being confined at home; and what they abound most in, namely, Flattery and Servility, they judge it unnecessary to employ on the Wretched. Well says the Poet,
Hope, thou pleasant, honest Flatterer; for
none
Flatter the Unhappy, but thou alone.
On the other hand, those Persons whose Delight in the Intercourse with Mankind arises from the Communication of Affections, find neither Employment or Pleasure in the Conversation of their old Friends, when by their outward Form only they can possibly distinguish them, and when they are turned so giddy with some accidental Elevation, that it might be properly said they have
lost
Page 166
lost their Senses. The Followers of Prosperity only have been so numerous, and so conspicuous, that they have been recorded by various Authors throughout all Ages. They have found a Place amidst historical Prose, and Poets have celebrated them in harmonious Verse. The faithful Followers of Adversity too have had their Memory preserved by judicious Writers. Of which there are many Instances. Virgil could no more forget Achates than he could AEneas. The Station of the Hero preserved the Memory of his Friend: But in common Life the Followers of Adversity only, generally pass through Life in too great Obscurity to leave any Traces of themselves behind them. And yet, altho' not very common, there are Characters who will submit to all the Infirmities that can possibly attend on Distress, and yet will not bear the least Insolence from Grandeur and Exaltation; who would rejoice to see their Friends in Possession of every Good, provided they are endued with Strength
of
Page 167
of Mind enough to preserve their Steadiness; yet chuse rather to accompany them in a State of Distress and Humiliation in outward Circumstances, than to see them meanly metamorphosed into irrational Creatures by any accidental Exaltation.
Miss Cummyns, who made a small Appearance in the former Part of this History, as having incurred Lady Dellwyn's Displeasure, and lost the Honour of her Notice on her first Arrival at her Lord's Castle, for want of a proper Proportion of Servility to bestow on her Ladyship's new Dignity, was now at Bristol; and Lady Dellwyn's present disconsolate Situation rendering Comfort and Compassion more necessary to her than fawning Flattery, she endeavoured again to cultivate her old Acquaintance with Miss Cummyns. There is something in a proper Spirit, unmixed with any Degree of Haughtiness, which forcibly gains the Esteem, even whilst it piques the Pride, of the Insolent. And
Lady
Page 168
Lady Dellwyn now, when Mortification had restored to her the Power to reflect, found how much more worthily she thought of Miss Cummyns, than of any abject Fatterer her high Station had ever gained her.
Miss Cummyns, altho' not unacquainted with Lady Dellwyn's Crimes, was so charitable as not to decline her Advances, especially as she was now separated from Lord Clermont; for she would not have renewed Acquaintance with her Ladyship whilst she continued her Converse with that young Nobleman.
Miss Cummyns was some few Years older than Lady Dellwyn, and her Character established on so exact a Behaviour throughout Life, that she did not burden herself with any unnecessary Terrors, that her conversing with Lady Dellwyn could cast any Blemish on her spotless Reputation. She chose not to draw on herself the Curse de-
nounced
Page 169
nounced by the Royal Psalmist on the Unrighteous, of being afraid where no Fear is. She was satisfied in the Consciousness that her Design was good, which was no other than, if possible, to make Lady Dellwyn recollect herself, and view the Errors of her Conduct, from some better Principles than such as were dictated by disappointed Pride; which, tho' greatly mortifying, never lead to any Amendment.
Lady Dellwyn, who, from the Time that she was thoroughly infected with Vanity, had esteemed Grandeur as a necessary Ingredient of Life, making a nice Distinction between that and bare Existence, was astonished to find that Miss Cummyns (to whom she knew a very small Share of worldly Goods had fallen) yet preserved the Placidness of her Countenance, and the Tranquillity of her Mind; insomuch that she could not help expressing a Curiosity on that account. To which Miss Cummyns replied,
VOL. II. I "I will
Page 170
“I will willingly tell your Ladyship all the Means I make use of to preserve myself from sinking under the Weight of any Misfortunes. I have no Nostrum for that Purpose, but what all Mankind may know and practice if they please. I loved Retirement and Solitude."
And now the Door opened, and admitted Lady Fanny Chlegen. As soon as the usual Compliments were passed, and her Ladyship seated, a profound Silence followed; which is usually the Case when any particular Conversation is interrupted by the Arrival of a third Person. But Lady Fanny politely desiring that her Coming might not put a Stop to the Conversation which was commenced before she entered, and Lady Dellwyn having informed her on what Subject they were conversing, Miss Cummyns, by the united Desire of both the Ladies, proceeded.
"I do
Page 171
"I do not mean that I had no Taste for the Pleasures of Society; for, on the contrary, I placed all human Delight in a mutual Communication of Affections; and all Conversation, however diversified by Wit and Humour, soon grew insipid to me, unless the Heart also became Partaker of the Enjoyment. Whereever I found the Love of Ridicule was uppermost, I considered the most extraordinary Talents but as so many Instruments of Mischief; but when I perceived that pernicious Quality in great abundance shedding forth its Venom from such Persons as had only the Affectation of Wit and Humour (which indeed is much oftener the Case), it then became loathsome and abominable."
Lady Fanny Chlegen; sat in such a Manner, that she had only a Side-Glance of Miss Cummyns. Contempt arose, and bustled in her Bosom at every Word Miss Cummyns uttered;
I 2 but
Page 172
but it overflowed in such abundance at her last Expression, that her Ladyship suddenly turned fully towards her, and displayed a broad Sneer on her Countenance. Lady Dellwyn, who had never attained to any great Perfection this way, was now so out of Humour with all Jesting whatever, being apprehensive that she herself might become the Object of it, that she was half-inclined to assent to Miss Cummyns's Sentiments; who, without the least Notice of Lady Fanny's expressive Motions, thus proceeded:
"In short, my whole Delight was in Friendship; but then that must be founded on the Goodness of the Heart, and the Regulation of the Mind of its Object; and not on Flights of Fancy, or a Capacity to throw forth a Variety of droll Whims of the Imagination.
"I was bred up with Two Cousins, with whom my Disposition to Friend-
ship
Page 173
ship was fully gratified. They were ever chearfully merry, innocently witty, and so calmly religious, without mixing any Flights of Fancy with their lively Expressions of Piety, that in them I found a continual Source of Entertainment. We had but one Misfortune, and that was Poverty," [Here Lady Fanny's Upperlip began to contract itself.]; "but that we supported with Chearfulness. The common Necessaries of Life constituted the Height of our Desires; nor did we want Arguments to convince us how very inadequate every outward Appearance, or gaudy Shew; is for the obtaining any solid Satisfaction; for most of those Pursuits; which are generally followed with Earnestness and Anxiety, presented themselves at first View in so very trifling a Light, that we judged them not worthy our Consideration. Nor did we think it the least beneath us to undertake any decent Employment to support ourselves; but a
I 3 Combination
Page 174
Combination of odd Circumstances, wavering Prospects, and want of current Coin to give the first Motion to any Scheme, prevented us. The Joy we took to lighten this Burden to each other, and the Confidence we placed in the Protection of Providence, preserved us from repining. We were never grieved at receiving an Obligation"--Receive an Obligation! repeated both the Ladies at one instant, lifting up their Hands, as in Astonishment; -- "but; on the contrary, Gratitude was to us a pleasing Sensation. Want of Generosity only can render it painful. Such who have it, will not envy to others the Power of obligeing; but will accept an Obligation with Pleasure, knowing that those who have conferred it enjoy still a greater Delight; and feel the Blessedness of giving so much beyond that of receiving, that they are only uneasy to think so far a happier Lot should fall to their own Share.
A truly
Page 175
A truly generous Person esteems the Gratitude of those who are obliged, as a great Reward for what they have done; not as the Price of the Favour, but in knowing the Person obliged is not unworthy their Regard. On the other hand, the truly grateful Heart doth not even wish to quit
The Debt immense endless Gratitude;
but enjoys the inward Satisfaction of knowing,
--that a grateful Mind,
By owing, owes not; but still pays, at
once
Indebted and discharged. MILTON.
I allow that many may give who are not generous. A bountiful Hand may sometimes belong to a Heart which thinks itself so highly meritorious in what it bestows, that the Obligation can never be sufficiently
I 4 acknowleged.
Page 176
acknowleged. I look upon such Persons as no less mercenary than those whose Merchandise is Slaves. The Services of the Body are not necessary to these bountiful Benefactors; but the Obsequiousness of the Soul is agreeable to their Pride; and they would purchase the Slavery of all our Faculties at a less Price than they must pay for an inanimate Piece of Furniture. These Traffickers with Obligations are, like many other People in Trade, seldom satisfied with their Gain, and demand the Pay they expect with the most rigid Exactness. But such Dispositions are easily read, and consequently it is not difficult to refuse the Fetters they are so willing to prepare for every one they can enslave.
Nor was it less our Care to avoid the Acceptance of any thing which a generous Mind would part with, when their Circumstances would
not
Page 177
not allow of such Instances of Goodnature, as they were incited to by the Warmth of their friendly Hearts."
Here Miss Cummyns was interrupted by a sudden Motion of Lady Fanny Chlegen, which disturbed a little favourite Lap-dog, which lay asleep in her Ladyship's Lap, and was some time before it could be persuaded to be silent again; when she proceeded, as shall be seen in the next Chapter.
I 5 CHAP.
Notes to Vol. 2, Book 4, Chapters 1-3
Epistle: a letter
Doctors Commons: Doctors' Commons also referred to as the College of Civilians, was a society of lawyers in London practicing civil law.
Notes to Chapter 2
Dissimulation: “The action of dissimulating or dissembling; concealment of what really is, under a feigned semblance of something different; feigning, hypocrisy” (OED). The first recorded usage of the term is from 1386.
Irascible: “Easily provoked to anger or resentment; prone to anger; irritable, choleric, hot-tempered, passionate” (OED). The first recorded usage of this term is from 1530.
Don Quixote: A novel by Miguel de Cervantes, published in 1605.
The Snake was scotched, but not killed: Cf. Act 3, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Macbeth:
“We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.” (1.15-17)
“We have scorched the snake, not killed it.
She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.” (1.15-17)
Sir John Brute: Character from John Vanbrugh’s play, The Provok’d Wife (1697). As a drunkard and a brute, he was frequently a source of comedy.
"I wear a Sword, Sir": Cf Act 5, Scene 2 of Vanbrugh’s The Provok’d Wife:
“Sir, when you are cool, you’ll understand reason better. So then I shall take the pains to inform you. If not, I wear a sword, sir, and so good-bye t’ye.”
“Sir, when you are cool, you’ll understand reason better. So then I shall take the pains to inform you. If not, I wear a sword, sir, and so good-bye t’ye.”
Doctors Commons: “The Society was formed in 1509, by civilians entitled to plead in the Court of Arches. In 1768 they were incorporated under the name of ‘the College of Doctors of Laws [of Oxford and Cambridge] exercent in the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts’...[T]he business included all matters of ecclesiastical law, prosecutions for heresy, divorce suits, licences for marriage, testamentary affairs, Admiralty and Prize cases, etc. The Society was dissolved in 1858 and the buildings were taken down in 1867” (OED).
Argus: In Greek mythology, Argus is a giant with 100 eyes.
Briareus: In Greek mythology, Briareus is one of three giants, each with fifty heads and 100 arms.
Notes to Chapter 3
Hope...thou alone: Cf. Abraham Cowley’s “For Hope”:
“Thou pleasant, honest flatterer! for none / Flatter unhappy men, but thou alone.” (9-10)
“Thou pleasant, honest flatterer! for none / Flatter unhappy men, but thou alone.” (9-10)
Virgil, Achates, Aenas: Virgil (70 BC – 19 BC) was a Roman poet that wrote several epic poems, including Aeneid, in which he depicts the close friendship between Achates and Aeneas. The hero, Aeneas, is joined by Achates on his journey through Greece and Italy.
Fatterer: Flatterer; possible typo in 1759 edition.
Nostrum: “fig. A means or device for accomplishing something; a pet scheme or favourite remedy, esp. for bringing about some social or political reform or improvement” (OED). The first recorded usage of this term in this sense is from 1741, thus suggesting a very modern usage for Fielding's text.
The Debt...discharged: Cf. Book 4 of Milton’s Paradise Lost:
“I 'sdained subjection, and thought one step higher
Would set me highest, and in a moment quit
The debt immense of endless gratitude,
So burdensome still paying, still to owe,
Forgetful what from him I still received,
And understood not that a grateful mind
By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
Indebted and discharged” (50-57).
“I 'sdained subjection, and thought one step higher
Would set me highest, and in a moment quit
The debt immense of endless gratitude,
So burdensome still paying, still to owe,
Forgetful what from him I still received,
And understood not that a grateful mind
By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
Indebted and discharged” (50-57).
bountiful Benefactors: Reference to Lady Bountiful character. As defined by the OED, “[originally with allusion to the character of Lady Bountiful in G. Farquhar Beaux Stratagem (1707)] a wealthy, munificent person; (in later use depreciative) a wealthy person who engages in ostentatious acts of charity.”
Obsequiousness: “Ready compliance or obedience; eagerness to serve or please; deference; dutiful service. Now rare” (OED). The first recorded usage of this term in this sense is from 1447.