Chapter 4
Page 178
CHAP. IV.
The Continuation of the History of Miss Cummyns.
"IF rightly considered, every State, every Situation in Life, hath some Advantages: Nor is even Poverty absolutely excluded from all Share of Comfort. We cannot look around us without beholding how many Contrivances the Rich are reduced to, in order to enhance the imaginary Value of their own Possessions; whilst to the Poor a small Scrap of Paper, which conveys a Claim even to a little Sum only, becomes a real Blessing, and is valuable indeed. Every common Meal, altho' come at with Difficulty, when the Eyes of every Individual, in be-“
" holding
Page 179
" holding the others, glitter with such inexpressible Pleasure, as starts a Tear to express that Joy which is too big for Utterance, becomes a high Gratification; and I have been present at a Table covered only with the plainest Food, when the Rich and Mighty of the World might have looked on, and secretly wished they could find such Happiness in all their plenteous Store.
What nought can give, or can destroy,
The Soul's calm Sunshine, and the heartfelt Joy,
Is Virtue's Prize,
and cannot be bought by all the Wealth of Peru.We were often thankful, that altho' we were poor with Poverty, yet that the Disease was in outward Circumstances, and not inherent in our Minds, for that attacks the very Vitals of all Happiness ; and to be poor"
I 6 " in
Page 180
"in the midst of Riches, is to be mad, and perhaps the most wretched of all Phrensies whatsoever.
In one fatal Year I lost both my dear Friends. The Stroke was so great, that it at first astonished me, and then the most poignant Grief followed: But here I will draw a Veil, and not attempt describing the piercing Anguish my whole Heart endured at that Time. But when the first Agonies were so far alleviated as to give me Leave to reflect, I began to confider myself in the Light of an obstinate and perverse Child, who is resisting its Father's Will, and crying and sobbing because it cannot be indulged in its own perverse Humour. I perceived a Selfishness in my Friendship which I was not before aware of; for I had always made myself believe, that the Happiness of my Friends was the principal Desire of my whole Heart; and yet, if that was truly the Fact,"
" where
Page 181
" where could I find a Reason for all this Grief, because they were delivered from the Infirmities, Diseases, and Distresses, of this Life, and I was fully possessed of the most reasonable Hope that they were entered into a State of eternal Happiness? And indeed almost all the Incidents which have befallen me since their Loss, have brought with them one only Consolation, that my dearest Friends are escaped from the Possibility of knowing any thing of the Matter; and I find I can much better support Misfortunes alone, than with the additional Weight of seeing them suffer. I have always had one, pleasing Reflexion, that during their Illness, which, being lingering, required many Supports, they were supplied with every Convenience by the Beneficence of a Mind, whose Fortune, tho' abundant, is yet narrow, in comparison of the enlarged Benevolence of his Christian Heart; who, in the midst of Affluence,"
" knows
Page 182
" knows how to feel the Distresses of his Fellow Creatures, and never suffers his own Opulence to dazle his Eyes, and make him forget to dry those of the Widow and the Fatherless; who has the uncommon Happiness to enjoy the utmost this World can really give, in such a manner as to have no Reason to be alarmed with the Fears of losing it, and is wise enough to lay hold of the Hope of a blessed Immortality, as the superior and ultimate Crown of his Blessedness.
One of the greatest Misfortunes that attends on Poverty, is the Impossibility of shewing Gratitude. Every Expression of it in that State must have a doubtful Appearance, and may as well be used by Persons who know not what it is, as by those who are sensible of it in the highest Degree. I have often wished that my Heart was open to the View of the Man to whom I feel myself un-
" der
Page 183
"der such indelible Obligations: But when I consider that he could by no means be benefited by it, and that it is a Wish impossible to be indulged in, I content myself with the Consciousness how much I reverence him, and silently enjoy the Pleasure of Gratitude.
Altho' with all these Comforts, and all the Reflexions I was capable of, I felt so much for this unexpected Stroke of the Loss of both my Friends, that I believe nothing but a future Hope could have kept me perfectly in my Senses. Had I been born amongst the Heathens, where no Revelation had given me a reasonable Cause for such a joyous Expectation, I know not what- had become of me; for sometimes my Imagination strove hard for the Victory, and I seemed as one lost to myself. My natural Constitution was weak, and the Agonies I underwent were almost too strong to
" be
Page 184
" be supported. I could by no means, like the ancient Philosopher, consisider my departed Friends in the same Light with broken Pitchers, and then flatter my Pride, that by that means I proved myself a rational Creature. But when I considered my Friends as immortal Beings, who had got the Start of me in the Race towards eternal Happiness, I found in that a Foundation of Comfort, which was solid and steady; and whatever I felt, I endeavoured to submit with Humility. I begged the Assistance of God's Grace, and hope I attained it; for I can now calmly say, The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.
We are all as little Children in the Hands of God Almighty; and when I look on myself as a Child that has been corrected, I gain great Comfort by the Consideration, that
" it
Page 185
" it is good for me to have been afflicted."
From the Moment Miss Cummyns had uttered the Word Grace*, Lady Fanny began to sneer; till at last she was so filled with the Pleasantry of her own Ideas, that the could not forbear laughing so visibly, that Miss Cummyns perceived it, and with a steady and calm Aspect said, I beg Leave, Lady Fanny, to relate a short Story, which I met with in a Book of Travels. There is a Place behind a Ridge of Mountains, which separate one Part of Piedmont from the other, where all the Natives have a Wen growing on one
* It is observable, that amongst lall the various Methods Mankind have taken to worship their Creator, even in the obscurest Times, the Language appropriated to what they esteemed sacred, was held in Reverence. Christians only have discovered that the very technical Term of their Religion is well adapted for their Scoff and Derision."
" Side
Page 186
" Side of their Cheeks; and if a Stranger appears amongst them with smooth Cheeks, where there is no Swelling to be seen, the Inhabitants set up a loud Laugh at him; esteeming such a Deficiency full Cause enough to mark a human Creature as an Object of Scorn."
Lady Fanny's Mirth was now turned into Indignation. She arose, dropped a small Curtsey to Miss Cummyns, and that with an Air as if she thought it too great a Condescension; took her Leave politely of Lady Dellwyn; and muttered forth all the Way she went the Words Methodist; Enthusiast, &c. &c. But altho' her Ladyship chose not to give Miss Cummyns any Answer, yet in her Absence she enjoyed the full Pleasure of entertaining her Acquaintance with the Relation of what a ridiculous Creature she had met with that Morning.
Lady
Page 187
Lady Dellwyn wept at the Reflexion, that Miss Cummyns could thus preserve her Tranquility through such Scenes of Distress and Grief, whilst she had rendered herself so miserable. The essential Difference was between Innocence and Guilt; a Mind enjoying the Fruits of good Principles, and a Mind confounded with its own vain Devices, and raving in the Search of imaginary Happiness, whch resembles a Dream,, wherein the Fancy is busily employed, but can never bring about its own Purposes. Miss Cummyns was glad to see Lady Dellwyn weep; but soon discovered that her Tears indicated more of Passion for her own Disappointments than of true Compunction. She was to go the next Day from Bristol; but delayed her Jouney one Week, on purpose to endeavour to persuade Lady Dellwyn into a right Reflection on her own Conduct; but finding it utterly impossible to calm her Mind, she had the Mortification of leaving her still the Shuttlecock of Vanity.
CHAP.
CHAP. IV.
The Continuation of the History of Miss Cummyns.
"IF rightly considered, every State, every Situation in Life, hath some Advantages: Nor is even Poverty absolutely excluded from all Share of Comfort. We cannot look around us without beholding how many Contrivances the Rich are reduced to, in order to enhance the imaginary Value of their own Possessions; whilst to the Poor a small Scrap of Paper, which conveys a Claim even to a little Sum only, becomes a real Blessing, and is valuable indeed. Every common Meal, altho' come at with Difficulty, when the Eyes of every Individual, in be-“
" holding
Page 179
" holding the others, glitter with such inexpressible Pleasure, as starts a Tear to express that Joy which is too big for Utterance, becomes a high Gratification; and I have been present at a Table covered only with the plainest Food, when the Rich and Mighty of the World might have looked on, and secretly wished they could find such Happiness in all their plenteous Store.
What nought can give, or can destroy,
The Soul's calm Sunshine, and the heartfelt Joy,
Is Virtue's Prize,
and cannot be bought by all the Wealth of Peru.We were often thankful, that altho' we were poor with Poverty, yet that the Disease was in outward Circumstances, and not inherent in our Minds, for that attacks the very Vitals of all Happiness ; and to be poor"
I 6 " in
Page 180
"in the midst of Riches, is to be mad, and perhaps the most wretched of all Phrensies whatsoever.
In one fatal Year I lost both my dear Friends. The Stroke was so great, that it at first astonished me, and then the most poignant Grief followed: But here I will draw a Veil, and not attempt describing the piercing Anguish my whole Heart endured at that Time. But when the first Agonies were so far alleviated as to give me Leave to reflect, I began to confider myself in the Light of an obstinate and perverse Child, who is resisting its Father's Will, and crying and sobbing because it cannot be indulged in its own perverse Humour. I perceived a Selfishness in my Friendship which I was not before aware of; for I had always made myself believe, that the Happiness of my Friends was the principal Desire of my whole Heart; and yet, if that was truly the Fact,"
" where
Page 181
" where could I find a Reason for all this Grief, because they were delivered from the Infirmities, Diseases, and Distresses, of this Life, and I was fully possessed of the most reasonable Hope that they were entered into a State of eternal Happiness? And indeed almost all the Incidents which have befallen me since their Loss, have brought with them one only Consolation, that my dearest Friends are escaped from the Possibility of knowing any thing of the Matter; and I find I can much better support Misfortunes alone, than with the additional Weight of seeing them suffer. I have always had one, pleasing Reflexion, that during their Illness, which, being lingering, required many Supports, they were supplied with every Convenience by the Beneficence of a Mind, whose Fortune, tho' abundant, is yet narrow, in comparison of the enlarged Benevolence of his Christian Heart; who, in the midst of Affluence,"
" knows
Page 182
" knows how to feel the Distresses of his Fellow Creatures, and never suffers his own Opulence to dazle his Eyes, and make him forget to dry those of the Widow and the Fatherless; who has the uncommon Happiness to enjoy the utmost this World can really give, in such a manner as to have no Reason to be alarmed with the Fears of losing it, and is wise enough to lay hold of the Hope of a blessed Immortality, as the superior and ultimate Crown of his Blessedness.
One of the greatest Misfortunes that attends on Poverty, is the Impossibility of shewing Gratitude. Every Expression of it in that State must have a doubtful Appearance, and may as well be used by Persons who know not what it is, as by those who are sensible of it in the highest Degree. I have often wished that my Heart was open to the View of the Man to whom I feel myself un-
" der
Page 183
"der such indelible Obligations: But when I consider that he could by no means be benefited by it, and that it is a Wish impossible to be indulged in, I content myself with the Consciousness how much I reverence him, and silently enjoy the Pleasure of Gratitude.
Altho' with all these Comforts, and all the Reflexions I was capable of, I felt so much for this unexpected Stroke of the Loss of both my Friends, that I believe nothing but a future Hope could have kept me perfectly in my Senses. Had I been born amongst the Heathens, where no Revelation had given me a reasonable Cause for such a joyous Expectation, I know not what- had become of me; for sometimes my Imagination strove hard for the Victory, and I seemed as one lost to myself. My natural Constitution was weak, and the Agonies I underwent were almost too strong to
" be
Page 184
" be supported. I could by no means, like the ancient Philosopher, consisider my departed Friends in the same Light with broken Pitchers, and then flatter my Pride, that by that means I proved myself a rational Creature. But when I considered my Friends as immortal Beings, who had got the Start of me in the Race towards eternal Happiness, I found in that a Foundation of Comfort, which was solid and steady; and whatever I felt, I endeavoured to submit with Humility. I begged the Assistance of God's Grace, and hope I attained it; for I can now calmly say, The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.
We are all as little Children in the Hands of God Almighty; and when I look on myself as a Child that has been corrected, I gain great Comfort by the Consideration, that
" it
Page 185
" it is good for me to have been afflicted."
From the Moment Miss Cummyns had uttered the Word Grace*, Lady Fanny began to sneer; till at last she was so filled with the Pleasantry of her own Ideas, that the could not forbear laughing so visibly, that Miss Cummyns perceived it, and with a steady and calm Aspect said, I beg Leave, Lady Fanny, to relate a short Story, which I met with in a Book of Travels. There is a Place behind a Ridge of Mountains, which separate one Part of Piedmont from the other, where all the Natives have a Wen growing on one
* It is observable, that amongst lall the various Methods Mankind have taken to worship their Creator, even in the obscurest Times, the Language appropriated to what they esteemed sacred, was held in Reverence. Christians only have discovered that the very technical Term of their Religion is well adapted for their Scoff and Derision."
" Side
Page 186
" Side of their Cheeks; and if a Stranger appears amongst them with smooth Cheeks, where there is no Swelling to be seen, the Inhabitants set up a loud Laugh at him; esteeming such a Deficiency full Cause enough to mark a human Creature as an Object of Scorn."
Lady Fanny's Mirth was now turned into Indignation. She arose, dropped a small Curtsey to Miss Cummyns, and that with an Air as if she thought it too great a Condescension; took her Leave politely of Lady Dellwyn; and muttered forth all the Way she went the Words Methodist; Enthusiast, &c. &c. But altho' her Ladyship chose not to give Miss Cummyns any Answer, yet in her Absence she enjoyed the full Pleasure of entertaining her Acquaintance with the Relation of what a ridiculous Creature she had met with that Morning.
Lady
Page 187
Lady Dellwyn wept at the Reflexion, that Miss Cummyns could thus preserve her Tranquility through such Scenes of Distress and Grief, whilst she had rendered herself so miserable. The essential Difference was between Innocence and Guilt; a Mind enjoying the Fruits of good Principles, and a Mind confounded with its own vain Devices, and raving in the Search of imaginary Happiness, whch resembles a Dream,, wherein the Fancy is busily employed, but can never bring about its own Purposes. Miss Cummyns was glad to see Lady Dellwyn weep; but soon discovered that her Tears indicated more of Passion for her own Disappointments than of true Compunction. She was to go the next Day from Bristol; but delayed her Jouney one Week, on purpose to endeavour to persuade Lady Dellwyn into a right Reflection on her own Conduct; but finding it utterly impossible to calm her Mind, she had the Mortification of leaving her still the Shuttlecock of Vanity.
CHAP.
Chapter 5
Page 188
CHAP. V.
Another Device of Capt. Drumond.
LORD Dellwyn had now for some time admitted Capt. Drumond to such a Degree of Intimacy, that in their frequent Conversations he became Master of every Transaction of his Lordship's Life; for as they were both heartily engaged in the Scheme of the Divorce, tho' for very different Reasons, they were almost continually together. Lord Dellwyn could meet with no other Person who would be confined to hear a continual Repetition of what concerned only himself. And the Captain was always his ready Companion; and strove as much as possible to keep all other Company from him, left he should accidentally meet with any Per
-son.
Page 189
son who might endeavour to employ all the good Offices in their Power to incline him to forgive his Lady, on the Condition of her promising to live retired at his Castle, and expect to make no more Excursions into the World.
This was an unnecessary Care of the Captain; for Lord Dellwyn was full as earnestly determined on the Separation from his Lady as he could possibly wish. But it was his Nature, like Macbeth,
to make Assurance doubly sure.
And if he was at any time disappointed in his Schemes, he could not accuse himself of not having broke many Hours Rest in revolving and considering of every necessary Caution. His busy Thoughts, and various Stratagems, robbed him of his Sleep, or so perplexed him in his Dreams, that he received not half the Refreshment from
The
Page 190
The Death of each Day's Life, sore Labour's Bath,
Balm of hurt Minds, great Nature's Second Course,
Chief Nourisher in Life's Feast,
as other Men, who lead a Life of Simplicity; and this he called acting the Part of a wise Man. Oh, Cunning! thou real Weakness of the human Understanding! Thou Companion of Ideots and Madmen! thou buffoon Mimic of essential Wisdom! of what Avail are all thy perplexed Devices ?
Amongst other Things with which Lord Dellwyn had acquainted the Captain, he also told him the Manner in which he had engaged Miss Lucum to marry him, by alarming her with the Fear of Lady Fanny Fashion's being his Countess. This was by small Hints dropped out at different Times accidentally, in such a manner that his Lordship knew not himself that he had
thoroughly
Page 191
thoroughly informed him of the Pains he had taken to obtain Miss Lucum's Consent. But the Captain was well versed in the Art of collecting from such Hints the whole Story, and was assiduous to send it to Lady Fanny's Ears, who till that Time was never acquainted with all the Particulars.
Lady Fanny had always received Lord Dellwyn's Notice with Politeness; and sometimes had flattered herself that his Lordship might at length open his Eyes, and distinguish her superior Charms; which caused her to heighten her Professions of Friendship to Miss Lucum, that when it was his Lordship's Humour to be most particular in his Notice of her Friend, she might not be excluded the Party. But as her Ladyship had at the same time many other Prospects of the same Kind, many other Gentlemen, whose Fortune and Rank would have been agreeable to her, and whose Addresses, as far as Gallantry goes, she had entertained,
her
Page 192
her Desires, like a divided Stream, flowed less violently than if they had been confined to one Channel; and therefore could the more easily bear her Friend's becoming Countess of Dellwyn.
But Lady Fanny never suspected the Use she had been made of in that Transaction; which no sooner came to her Knowlege, than it piqued her Pride, and roused her Indignation; the Two Passions of her Mind which were ever most ready to advance into the foremost Place of her Bosom. Yet she was not in the least moved to Resentment against Lord Dellwyn; but all her Anger fell with redoubled Force on his Lady.
This was perfectly agreeable to Capt. Drumond's Wishes. He knew the Haughtiness of Lady Fanny's Temper could contrive many Methods of mortifying Lady Dellwyn in her present disagreeable Situation.
4 Tho
Page 193
Tho' the Captain had no particular View in irritating Lady Fanny against Lady Dellwyn; yet it was one of the principal Wheels in the great Machinery of his Cunning, to contrive Methods of depreciating every Person to whom he had exposed his own real Character, and to give all their Acquaintance such an ill Opinion of them, as he imagined might invalidate their Testimony, should any ill Usage provoke them to lay open the Baseness of his Heart. Besides, in this Cafe, his implacable Revenge against Lady Dellwyn was in some measure gratified by it; and he had seen enough of Lady Fanny to perceive very plainly that her Passions were too violent, and too much accustomed to be uncontrouled, to suffer her to retain a tolerable Opinion of any Person with whom she even imagined that she had any Reason to be offended. To preserve Candour, and keep the Mind unprejudiced, against even a fancied Offender against Self, belongs to such Minds as are quite otherwise
VOL. II. K regulated
Page 194
regulated than was her Ladyship's: Neither was the Captain ignorant that she was possessed of full Wit enough to be satirical whenever it was her Inclination; and Lady Dellwyn had given sufficient Foundation for the Mixture of disadvantageous Fact with Satire, to make it acceptable to the Ill-natured.
Lady Fanny now contrived every Method of making it more disagreeable than ever to Lady Dellwyn to appear in Public. Her very Looks and Gestures indicated Contempt; which she was also careful should be visible to all that were present, mixed with an uncommon Indignation; tho' for the latter Lady Dellwyn was not conscious of any fresh Cause; for the Captain played his Part behind the Curtain, and never appeared; which is the general Practice of Underminers in Mischief.
Her Ladyship was perfectly Mistress of the Art of conveying her Ideas
without
Page 195
without Words, and perfectly agreed with Volumnia in Shakespeare's Coriolanus, that
-- in such Business
Action is Eloquence, and the Eyes of
th' Ignorant
More learned than the Ears.
By these means Lady Dellwyn was perfectly comfortless both abroad and at home. However, she thought the latter exposed her to the fewest Mortifications; for she was now permitted to retire to her own Apartment as much as she pleated, without the least Danger of Interruptions from her Lord, who no longer placed any Delight in her Presence.
When Lady Dellwyn had thus in a manner voluntarily confined herself to her own Apartment, she had sufficient Leisure to reflect; and the more she considered, the more Cause she perceived to despair of any future Com-
K 2 fort.
Page 196
fort. But amongst the various Perplexities which laboured in her Mind, at last a small Glimmering of Hope began to flatter her that this manner of Life might possibly be a Proof to her Lord that she was weary of her Follies, and induce him to relent, compassionate, and forgive her. She several times endeavoured to find him unaccompanied by Capt. Drumond; but such Endeavours were fruitless. He was as constant an Attendant as his Shadow. She feared, that if she sent a Message to his Lordship to desire the Favour of speaking with him alone, the Captain would employ all his Arts, if he suffered him to come at all, that it should be with a full Resolution against complying with her Request.
At last, after revolving many Methods repeatedly in her Thoughts Lady Dellwyn determined to write to her Lord; by which means she fancied she could explain herself more fully than in the Confusion of talking on
Page 197
on such a Subject; especially to the very Man she had injured by her Crime in the tenderest Point, and con- sequently in whose Presence she must necessarily feel the greatest Shame. She wrote the most submissive, pathetic Letter she could pen, beseeching her Lord's Forgiveness in the humblest Terms; made the most solemn Pro- mises that she would retire to his Castle, and pass the Remainder of her Life in any manner his Lordship would please to command; and concluded with conjuring him to have Compassion on her, in the most moving Expressions she could possibly think on. And indeed her Heart was so much. set on the Success of this Letter, that she was at no great Difficulty to find Words which might (if any thing could) conduce to that Purpose.
This Letter she sent with the greatest Anxiety. But herein her Ladyship laboured under a small Mistake; for she could not believe that a Man who had
K 3 been
Page 198
been once so fond of her as Lord Dellwyn was, could so totally have obliterated that Fondness, but that some little Sparks of remaining Kindness might still induce him to relent on such humble Submissions. Whereas, however Lord Dellwyn might have been prevailed on, had she been right in her Conjecture, he was so far from retaining any Degree of his former Affection, that he was greatly pleased at the Discovery of her Amour with Lord Clermont, as it gave him an Opportunity of being separated from her for ever: Therefore all her Intreaties met with the strongest Opposition from his Inclinations, and wanted not the Assistance (which yet he had in abundance) of Capt. Drumond's Devices to render them fruitless.
Indeed those strong Promises, which Lady Dellwyn was so lavish in making, seemed to be only with the View of flying from Infamy, in the same manner as King Lear says,
Thou'dst
Page 199
-- Thou'dst shun a Bear;
But if thy Flight lay toward the roaring Sea,
Thou'dst mcet the Bear i' th' Mouth.
And in all Probability her Ladyship would not have long endured Confinement to her Lord's Castle, before she would have been ready to have exchanged it again for any other Misfortune. But Lord Dellwyn did not put her to the Trial of her Steadiness in that respect; and this was the last Effort she attempted to regain her Lord, but was forced to submit to his Determination; tho' it could not be said with any Propriety that she did so with Content; but, on the contrary, with the utmost Reluctance and Impatience of Spirit.
K 4 CHAP.
CHAP. V.
Another Device of Capt. Drumond.
LORD Dellwyn had now for some time admitted Capt. Drumond to such a Degree of Intimacy, that in their frequent Conversations he became Master of every Transaction of his Lordship's Life; for as they were both heartily engaged in the Scheme of the Divorce, tho' for very different Reasons, they were almost continually together. Lord Dellwyn could meet with no other Person who would be confined to hear a continual Repetition of what concerned only himself. And the Captain was always his ready Companion; and strove as much as possible to keep all other Company from him, left he should accidentally meet with any Per
-son.
Page 189
son who might endeavour to employ all the good Offices in their Power to incline him to forgive his Lady, on the Condition of her promising to live retired at his Castle, and expect to make no more Excursions into the World.
This was an unnecessary Care of the Captain; for Lord Dellwyn was full as earnestly determined on the Separation from his Lady as he could possibly wish. But it was his Nature, like Macbeth,
to make Assurance doubly sure.
And if he was at any time disappointed in his Schemes, he could not accuse himself of not having broke many Hours Rest in revolving and considering of every necessary Caution. His busy Thoughts, and various Stratagems, robbed him of his Sleep, or so perplexed him in his Dreams, that he received not half the Refreshment from
The
Page 190
The Death of each Day's Life, sore Labour's Bath,
Balm of hurt Minds, great Nature's Second Course,
Chief Nourisher in Life's Feast,
as other Men, who lead a Life of Simplicity; and this he called acting the Part of a wise Man. Oh, Cunning! thou real Weakness of the human Understanding! Thou Companion of Ideots and Madmen! thou buffoon Mimic of essential Wisdom! of what Avail are all thy perplexed Devices ?
Amongst other Things with which Lord Dellwyn had acquainted the Captain, he also told him the Manner in which he had engaged Miss Lucum to marry him, by alarming her with the Fear of Lady Fanny Fashion's being his Countess. This was by small Hints dropped out at different Times accidentally, in such a manner that his Lordship knew not himself that he had
thoroughly
Page 191
thoroughly informed him of the Pains he had taken to obtain Miss Lucum's Consent. But the Captain was well versed in the Art of collecting from such Hints the whole Story, and was assiduous to send it to Lady Fanny's Ears, who till that Time was never acquainted with all the Particulars.
Lady Fanny had always received Lord Dellwyn's Notice with Politeness; and sometimes had flattered herself that his Lordship might at length open his Eyes, and distinguish her superior Charms; which caused her to heighten her Professions of Friendship to Miss Lucum, that when it was his Lordship's Humour to be most particular in his Notice of her Friend, she might not be excluded the Party. But as her Ladyship had at the same time many other Prospects of the same Kind, many other Gentlemen, whose Fortune and Rank would have been agreeable to her, and whose Addresses, as far as Gallantry goes, she had entertained,
her
Page 192
her Desires, like a divided Stream, flowed less violently than if they had been confined to one Channel; and therefore could the more easily bear her Friend's becoming Countess of Dellwyn.
But Lady Fanny never suspected the Use she had been made of in that Transaction; which no sooner came to her Knowlege, than it piqued her Pride, and roused her Indignation; the Two Passions of her Mind which were ever most ready to advance into the foremost Place of her Bosom. Yet she was not in the least moved to Resentment against Lord Dellwyn; but all her Anger fell with redoubled Force on his Lady.
This was perfectly agreeable to Capt. Drumond's Wishes. He knew the Haughtiness of Lady Fanny's Temper could contrive many Methods of mortifying Lady Dellwyn in her present disagreeable Situation.
4 Tho
Page 193
Tho' the Captain had no particular View in irritating Lady Fanny against Lady Dellwyn; yet it was one of the principal Wheels in the great Machinery of his Cunning, to contrive Methods of depreciating every Person to whom he had exposed his own real Character, and to give all their Acquaintance such an ill Opinion of them, as he imagined might invalidate their Testimony, should any ill Usage provoke them to lay open the Baseness of his Heart. Besides, in this Cafe, his implacable Revenge against Lady Dellwyn was in some measure gratified by it; and he had seen enough of Lady Fanny to perceive very plainly that her Passions were too violent, and too much accustomed to be uncontrouled, to suffer her to retain a tolerable Opinion of any Person with whom she even imagined that she had any Reason to be offended. To preserve Candour, and keep the Mind unprejudiced, against even a fancied Offender against Self, belongs to such Minds as are quite otherwise
VOL. II. K regulated
Page 194
regulated than was her Ladyship's: Neither was the Captain ignorant that she was possessed of full Wit enough to be satirical whenever it was her Inclination; and Lady Dellwyn had given sufficient Foundation for the Mixture of disadvantageous Fact with Satire, to make it acceptable to the Ill-natured.
Lady Fanny now contrived every Method of making it more disagreeable than ever to Lady Dellwyn to appear in Public. Her very Looks and Gestures indicated Contempt; which she was also careful should be visible to all that were present, mixed with an uncommon Indignation; tho' for the latter Lady Dellwyn was not conscious of any fresh Cause; for the Captain played his Part behind the Curtain, and never appeared; which is the general Practice of Underminers in Mischief.
Her Ladyship was perfectly Mistress of the Art of conveying her Ideas
without
Page 195
without Words, and perfectly agreed with Volumnia in Shakespeare's Coriolanus, that
-- in such Business
Action is Eloquence, and the Eyes of
th' Ignorant
More learned than the Ears.
By these means Lady Dellwyn was perfectly comfortless both abroad and at home. However, she thought the latter exposed her to the fewest Mortifications; for she was now permitted to retire to her own Apartment as much as she pleated, without the least Danger of Interruptions from her Lord, who no longer placed any Delight in her Presence.
When Lady Dellwyn had thus in a manner voluntarily confined herself to her own Apartment, she had sufficient Leisure to reflect; and the more she considered, the more Cause she perceived to despair of any future Com-
K 2 fort.
Page 196
fort. But amongst the various Perplexities which laboured in her Mind, at last a small Glimmering of Hope began to flatter her that this manner of Life might possibly be a Proof to her Lord that she was weary of her Follies, and induce him to relent, compassionate, and forgive her. She several times endeavoured to find him unaccompanied by Capt. Drumond; but such Endeavours were fruitless. He was as constant an Attendant as his Shadow. She feared, that if she sent a Message to his Lordship to desire the Favour of speaking with him alone, the Captain would employ all his Arts, if he suffered him to come at all, that it should be with a full Resolution against complying with her Request.
At last, after revolving many Methods repeatedly in her Thoughts Lady Dellwyn determined to write to her Lord; by which means she fancied she could explain herself more fully than in the Confusion of talking on
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on such a Subject; especially to the very Man she had injured by her Crime in the tenderest Point, and con- sequently in whose Presence she must necessarily feel the greatest Shame. She wrote the most submissive, pathetic Letter she could pen, beseeching her Lord's Forgiveness in the humblest Terms; made the most solemn Pro- mises that she would retire to his Castle, and pass the Remainder of her Life in any manner his Lordship would please to command; and concluded with conjuring him to have Compassion on her, in the most moving Expressions she could possibly think on. And indeed her Heart was so much. set on the Success of this Letter, that she was at no great Difficulty to find Words which might (if any thing could) conduce to that Purpose.
This Letter she sent with the greatest Anxiety. But herein her Ladyship laboured under a small Mistake; for she could not believe that a Man who had
K 3 been
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been once so fond of her as Lord Dellwyn was, could so totally have obliterated that Fondness, but that some little Sparks of remaining Kindness might still induce him to relent on such humble Submissions. Whereas, however Lord Dellwyn might have been prevailed on, had she been right in her Conjecture, he was so far from retaining any Degree of his former Affection, that he was greatly pleased at the Discovery of her Amour with Lord Clermont, as it gave him an Opportunity of being separated from her for ever: Therefore all her Intreaties met with the strongest Opposition from his Inclinations, and wanted not the Assistance (which yet he had in abundance) of Capt. Drumond's Devices to render them fruitless.
Indeed those strong Promises, which Lady Dellwyn was so lavish in making, seemed to be only with the View of flying from Infamy, in the same manner as King Lear says,
Thou'dst
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-- Thou'dst shun a Bear;
But if thy Flight lay toward the roaring Sea,
Thou'dst mcet the Bear i' th' Mouth.
And in all Probability her Ladyship would not have long endured Confinement to her Lord's Castle, before she would have been ready to have exchanged it again for any other Misfortune. But Lord Dellwyn did not put her to the Trial of her Steadiness in that respect; and this was the last Effort she attempted to regain her Lord, but was forced to submit to his Determination; tho' it could not be said with any Propriety that she did so with Content; but, on the contrary, with the utmost Reluctance and Impatience of Spirit.
K 4 CHAP.
Chapter 6
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CHAP. VI.
A Divorce.
LORD Dellwyn now, instead of carrying his Lady to his own Seat, which she had before so much dreaded, carried her to London; the Place in the World to which she would have rejoiced to have gone, had her Lord's Journey thither been for any other Purpose than that of attending the Event of his Cause for a public Separation. But such is the Vicissitude of human Minds, as well as human Affairs, that even the hateful Country would now have been less terrible to her Apprehension than the gay Metropolis; and she would have thought the former much the most eligible Choice.
A Fancy
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A Fancy now came into Lord Dellwyn's Mind, which was by no means conformable to Capt. Drumond's Inclinations; for his Lordship had no Heir, that is, no Child of his own, to inherit his Title and Fortune. He had Two Brothers indeed; but it was by no means satisfactory to him to leave any thing so valuable as worldly Goods and Honours, to any other Person but such as was so immediately derived from him, that he could contrive to flatter himself he was in a manner to enjoy them in Futurity. He therefore was not contented merely to be separated from his Lady; but would be divorced from her by the House of Lords, that he might be enabled to marry again; not in the least doubting but that some other young Lady would gladly accept the Honour of being his Countess.
The famous Genius before mentioned, who invented the Art of nursing Estates, found not half the Difficulty in managing them, that Capt.
K 5 Drumond
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Drumond did in the directing his Nursery. Lord Dellwyn was something more froward and self-willed than the Land, and would not always be controuled.
Capt. Drumond was now seized with such a violent Fit of Compassion for the Lady, that altho' he had been very earnest to have her name exposed, and her Reputation blasted in one Court of Justice; yet he chose it should be before the fewest Witnesses; and displayed all his Eloquence to prevent its coming into the House of Lords. But it was perfectly in vain; for in this Point my Lord baffled his utmost Endeavours; and, after several Efforts to no manner of Purpose, he was at last reduced to the Necessity of submitting to his Lordship's resolute Determination; tho' he plainly perceived, that if Lord Dellwyn should marry again, all his Schemes were in much more Danger of being frustrated, than if he had continued to live on with his present Lady, against
whom
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whom he was too full of Indignation to suffer her to obtain any great Influence over his Actions.
It could not possibly afford any Entertainment, but, on the contrary, must be very tedious, to the Reader, to dwell on the Particulars relating to Lord Dellwyn's Divorce. It is sufficient to inform him, that his Lordship obtained it in the manner he desired, and was at full Liberty to bestow himself and Title on whomsoever best pleased his Fancy.
Now the gay Vision of dazling Jewels, Grandeur, Magnificence, &c. &c. which had danced before Lady Dellwyn's Eyes at the Ceremony of her being made a Countess, passed thro' the Ivory Gate mentioned by Virgil, and was for ever buried in Oblivion.
K 6 CHAP.
CHAP. VI.
A Divorce.
LORD Dellwyn now, instead of carrying his Lady to his own Seat, which she had before so much dreaded, carried her to London; the Place in the World to which she would have rejoiced to have gone, had her Lord's Journey thither been for any other Purpose than that of attending the Event of his Cause for a public Separation. But such is the Vicissitude of human Minds, as well as human Affairs, that even the hateful Country would now have been less terrible to her Apprehension than the gay Metropolis; and she would have thought the former much the most eligible Choice.
A Fancy
Page 201
A Fancy now came into Lord Dellwyn's Mind, which was by no means conformable to Capt. Drumond's Inclinations; for his Lordship had no Heir, that is, no Child of his own, to inherit his Title and Fortune. He had Two Brothers indeed; but it was by no means satisfactory to him to leave any thing so valuable as worldly Goods and Honours, to any other Person but such as was so immediately derived from him, that he could contrive to flatter himself he was in a manner to enjoy them in Futurity. He therefore was not contented merely to be separated from his Lady; but would be divorced from her by the House of Lords, that he might be enabled to marry again; not in the least doubting but that some other young Lady would gladly accept the Honour of being his Countess.
The famous Genius before mentioned, who invented the Art of nursing Estates, found not half the Difficulty in managing them, that Capt.
K 5 Drumond
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Drumond did in the directing his Nursery. Lord Dellwyn was something more froward and self-willed than the Land, and would not always be controuled.
Capt. Drumond was now seized with such a violent Fit of Compassion for the Lady, that altho' he had been very earnest to have her name exposed, and her Reputation blasted in one Court of Justice; yet he chose it should be before the fewest Witnesses; and displayed all his Eloquence to prevent its coming into the House of Lords. But it was perfectly in vain; for in this Point my Lord baffled his utmost Endeavours; and, after several Efforts to no manner of Purpose, he was at last reduced to the Necessity of submitting to his Lordship's resolute Determination; tho' he plainly perceived, that if Lord Dellwyn should marry again, all his Schemes were in much more Danger of being frustrated, than if he had continued to live on with his present Lady, against
whom
Page 203
whom he was too full of Indignation to suffer her to obtain any great Influence over his Actions.
It could not possibly afford any Entertainment, but, on the contrary, must be very tedious, to the Reader, to dwell on the Particulars relating to Lord Dellwyn's Divorce. It is sufficient to inform him, that his Lordship obtained it in the manner he desired, and was at full Liberty to bestow himself and Title on whomsoever best pleased his Fancy.
Now the gay Vision of dazling Jewels, Grandeur, Magnificence, &c. &c. which had danced before Lady Dellwyn's Eyes at the Ceremony of her being made a Countess, passed thro' the Ivory Gate mentioned by Virgil, and was for ever buried in Oblivion.
K 6 CHAP.
Notes to Vol. 2, Book 4, Chapters 4-6
Notes to Chapter 4
Wealth of Peru: Under the Spanish rule colonial rule, Peru prior to and during the eighteenth century was considered a wealthy country for its natural resources.
What nought can give...Prize: From Alexander Pope's poem "An Essay on Man," lines 75-77.
The Lord gave...Lord: Allusion to the Bible, John 1:21.
Shuttlecock: A piece of cork or light material fitted with a crown, used in the game of "battledore and shuttlecock," or Badminton.
Wen: A lump or protuberance on the body, a wart. OED.
Notes to Chapter 5
to make Assurance doubly sure: Shakespeare's Macbeth IV.i.
MACBETH: Then live Macduff: What need I fear of thee?
But yet I'll make assurance doubly sure
And take a bond of faith: thou shalt not live;
That I may may tell pale-hearted fear it lies,
And sleep in spite of thunder. (l.123-6)
MACBETH: Then live Macduff: What need I fear of thee?
But yet I'll make assurance doubly sure
And take a bond of faith: thou shalt not live;
That I may may tell pale-hearted fear it lies,
And sleep in spite of thunder. (l.123-6)
The Death of Each...Feast: Shakespeare's Macbeth II.ii lines 35-37.
in such Business...Ears: Shakespeare's Coriolanus III.iii. lines 75-77.
Thoud'st shun a Bear...Mouth: Shakespeare's King Lear III.iv. lines 9-11.
Notes to Chapter 6
Vicissitude: “The fact of change or mutation taking place in a particular thing or within a certain sphere; the uncertain changing or mutability of something” (OED). The first recorded usage of this term is from 1576.
Froward: Forward; possible typo in 1759 edition.
Ivory Gate: In Book 6 of Virgil’s Aeneid, Virgil references the Gates of Horn and Ivory. Through the Gate of Ivory, false dreams are sent to those that are living and the Gate of Horn is the gateway for “true shades.”