Chapter 7
Page 57
Wherein Miss Bilson appears, and by her Behaviour proves the great Efficacy of such an Example as her Mother's.
ONE Circumstance proved unfortunate for Lady Dellwyn, tho' it appeared entirely foreign to any of her Concerns. Miss Bilson's modest, bashful Beauty had not raised even one Spark of Envy in her Ladyship, since it could not be brought in Competition with her own, which was so raised by that fashionable Charm Self-complacency, that, amongst People one knows, she was certain of receiving the Preference; besides that most powerful Attraction, of being the gay Wife of an old gouty Man. Hope is allowed
D 5 to
Page 58
to fan the Fire of Love: But it doth more; for it often kindles a Passion which assumes the Name; and the first Motive of a Man's Address shall be the Persuasion that it will be well received.
Tho' Miss Bilson gave no Alarm to Lady Dellwyn's Vanity, yet she proved most destructive of her Peace; for, by depriving Captain Drumond of his Influence over Sir Harry Cleveland, she left him at Liberty to fix his Attention more strongly on his other Bubble, Lord Dellwyn. Sir Harry's Taste was not yet so vitiated as to render him quite insensible to Beauty, adorned with what but a few Months before would have appeared to him its greatest Ornament. His Reason. would sometimes contradict the fashionable Delusions with which he endeavored to silence it; but perhaps all Miss Bilson's Attractions might not operate so strongly on Sir Harry's Fancy, as the insensibi-
lity
Page 59
lity with which he listened to what he thought his brightest Conversations.
Sir Harry's Pride was greatly piqued; for Miss Bilson's great Sensibility, as well as quick Discernment, shone so visibly in her Countenance, that he was thereby wholly deprived of the last Resource to which Vanity so often flies, of accusing the undelighted Hearer of Stupidity. He had therefore nothing left him, but to force her Approbation; and, to effect it, grew still more extravagant in the Exercise of his newly-acquired Talents of Conversation; for he could not doubt but he was in the Road to please, and. therefore had nothing to do but to pursue it with greater Assiduity.
Some Spirit was requisite to pursue this Plan thro' the Discouragements Sir Harry met with ; for the more he endeavoured to shine, the less he pleased Miss Bilson. When he expected she should admire, she only pitied; when
D 6 he
Page 60
he intended to excite at once her Mirth and her Applause, she grieved to see a Man, whose original Character she had heard so differently represented by one who knew him before he came to Bristol, so corrupted by the Stream of fashionable Folly, that he seemed to have buried the Understanding of a Man under the frippery Affectations of a Monkey.
In short, all Sir Harry's Attempts to charm produced a quite contrary Effect from what he intended; and there was but one Thing in his whole Behaviour which pleased her, and that was his ardent Desire to do so; so that she was not quite insensible, any more than to the uncommon Agreeableness of his Person, and the Rays of good Sense which would sometimes make their own Way, and shine forth in spite of himself. But all this could not overbalance the Disgust she conceived at his Turn of Conversation; nay, when she considered how much both Nature
and
Page 61
and Education had done for him, she was the more displeased on reflecting how much he had laboured to do against himself.
One day that Sir Harry saw a Lady sitting by Miss Bilson, whose Awkwardness appeared to him a favourable Subject for his Wit; he determined by the dazling Display of it entirely to captivate Miss Bilson; and accordingly soon took Occasion to change his Address from her to the Lady, to whom he intended the Honour of being unknowingly so useful to him, and who therefore could not put him to the Trouble of acknowleging an Obligation on that Account.
This Lady was brought from almost an entire Solitude to Bristol for her Health. Her Person was awkward, and her Mind ignorant. Mrs. Bilson had observed at her first Appearance her Surprize at the great Number of People she saw there collected toge-
ther,
Page 62
ther, and how much at a Loss she seemed on the slightest Occasions. Mrs. Bilson knew it must be painful, and therefore pitied her; but the Savage became immediately the Object of general Ridicule. The Sons and Daughters of Mirth led their Acquaintance up to gaze at this Novelty. They would sometimes be civil, in order to enjoy the Distress she was in how to make a Return for what she thought so prodigious an Obligation, and then, by a loud Laugh, delivered her out of that Difficulty, but left her no less embarrassed what to judge of so odd a Behaviour. Others would insult her with the utmost Ill-breeding, in order to amuse themselves with the Confusion into which their Insolence had thrown her. But lest this Fact should appear incredible to some Readers, it is necessary to declare, that this Insolence was never expressed in vulgar or Billingsgate Language. The poor Woman was so distressed at this kind of Treatment, that she never ventured
abroad
Page 63
abroad but at the Hours requisite for her Health; therefore she was seldom seen but at the Well Room; and even there she contrived to get into a Corner before the rest of the Company came having more than once experienced what it was to be attacked, with a broad Stare, and a Laugh of Derision, as with bashful Fear and Trembling she had opened the Door.
Mrs. Bilson had observed alI that past; and, feeling great Compassion for a Woman who appeared to be the Object of Ridicule, only because Fortune had fixed her in a State of Solitude, made some Enquiries after her at the Place where she lodged; and, hearing nothing but what was of Advantage to her Character, resolved to take her under Protection, hoping by her Influence to preserve her from Insult; for Mrs. Bilson had an uncommon Flow of Wit, ever ready to defend Innocence from the cruel Attacks of Derision; tho' she had an Understand-
ing
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ing greatly above making use of it to make others smart by a Jest, unless upon such Occasions.
But Sir Harry Cleveland's Motive for desiring to shine, was too urgent to suffer him to respect Miss Bilson's Presence as he ought; and he thought himself peculiarly happy on this Occasion, that her Mother was not at that Time in the Company.
Sir Harry began by humbugging the poor Lady, and told her all the marvellous Things he could invent; while she stared with the utmost Astonishment, to his entire Satisfaction; being of a great Poet's Opinion, that
Wonder is involuntary Praise.
But Miss Bilson, not seeing it in the same Light, at last interrupted his Conversation. "Among all the strange Things Sir Harry hath told you, Madam, (said
she)
Page 65
she) he hath omitted the most marvellous of all; which is, that there are Men, nay, even Gentlemen, and who call themselves Men of Honour too, who take Pride in pubblishing the greatest Falsehoods of their own inventing, to Persons whose Regard for T'ruth renders them unsuspicious of the Deceit; and imagine they have obtamied a great Triumph, when they have imposed on those whose Credulity hath no other Foundation, but a Belief that they are above such low Attempts. This indeed, if called a Lye, they would detest; but sanctify it under the Name of Humbugg: Tho' in reality they are synonymous Terms; only he who tells malicious or interested Lies, humbuggs for the Gratification of Malice, or for Advantages; while he whose Motive is Mirth, lyes for a smaller Temptation; and while we blame him who thus endeavours to raise an Estate, ought we not to despise him who is
guilty
Page 66
guilty of the same Breach of Truth merely to excite a Laugh, and that only from the most trifling Part of the Creation, whose Approbation can no more give Honour, than their Disapprobation can with any Colour of Justice fix Dishonour?
The broadest Mirth unfeeling Folly wears,
is no solid Pleasure to the Person who obtains it, nor can it give any Glory to him who ocasions it."
The untaught Lady was indeed all Wonder and Amazement. A Person must have lived
Where never human Foot the Ground hath pressed,
but in a
Desart inaccessible,
Under the Shade of melancholy Boughs,
Lose and neglect the creeping Hours of Time
who can suppose that Mankind will never seek their Advantage at the Expence of the Truth; but that they should wantonly, almost without
Temptation,
Page 67
Temptation, declare War with it, this Lady's Ignorance of the World (in that respect an Advantage to her) would not suffer her to believe. However, Sir Harry would not leave her the Power of expressing her Incredulity in this Point, from the various Exclamations with which he signified his Surprize that Miss Bilson should be insensible to so polite an Amusement, wherein he was certain she must allow much Wit was requisite to shine, and make any considerable Figure. "Not near so much, Sir (replied she), as in the writing of Mother Goose's Tales, or the Exploits of Jack the Giant-killer. He who first thought of his Four-mile Boots had some Invention; an Honour the most fortunate Humbugger cannot boast; for all the Falsehoods he spreads are so only in respect to Time. They are what have happened, or might naturally happen; and therefore the only Merit he can claim, is that of having a sufficient Capacity to turn Truth
Page 68
Truth into Falsehood; and whilst the Writers of such Histories as Jack the Giant-killer only humbly desire to amuse the Imaginations of Children, the ambitious Humbugger grasps, as his ultimate End, to deceive the Judgments of Men."
Sir Harry had suffered his Mind to be so darkened by vain Affection, that he had lost all the Perspicuity of his Discernment, and was now in as great a Perplexity as he had caused in the untaught Lady herself. He was bewildered by
An Ignis fatuus, that bewitches
And leads Men into Pools and Ditches.
He had great Deference for Miss Bilson's Opinion; but had now so long accustomed himself to consider this trifling Manner of damping his Intellects, and wasting his Time, to be the highest Honour to which the human Species could arrive, that he could not easily persuade
Page 69
persuade himself a Person of Miss Bilson's Understanding could possibly have a Contempt for it; and for some time harboured a Suspicion, that she herself was playing the very same Game which she endeavoured to make him believe she so heartily despised. But when he was convinced that she was in earnest, he could not immediately give up the Talent which he now most valued; but entered into a serious Defence of his Practice; which gave Rise to a Dispute of some Length between them, till, inwardly vexed by the Force of her Arguments, and yet ashamed to acknowlege that he could not reply to them, he left the Room in visible Confusion. And Miss Bilson hoped that his Countenance indicated Marks of Indignation; for when the Lustre of Truth makes a Man angry, it is a much better Symptom, than when it hath no other Effect than to raise in him Sneers of Derision.
CHAP.
Wherein Miss Bilson appears, and by her Behaviour proves the great Efficacy of such an Example as her Mother's.
ONE Circumstance proved unfortunate for Lady Dellwyn, tho' it appeared entirely foreign to any of her Concerns. Miss Bilson's modest, bashful Beauty had not raised even one Spark of Envy in her Ladyship, since it could not be brought in Competition with her own, which was so raised by that fashionable Charm Self-complacency, that, amongst People one knows, she was certain of receiving the Preference; besides that most powerful Attraction, of being the gay Wife of an old gouty Man. Hope is allowed
D 5 to
Page 58
to fan the Fire of Love: But it doth more; for it often kindles a Passion which assumes the Name; and the first Motive of a Man's Address shall be the Persuasion that it will be well received.
Tho' Miss Bilson gave no Alarm to Lady Dellwyn's Vanity, yet she proved most destructive of her Peace; for, by depriving Captain Drumond of his Influence over Sir Harry Cleveland, she left him at Liberty to fix his Attention more strongly on his other Bubble, Lord Dellwyn. Sir Harry's Taste was not yet so vitiated as to render him quite insensible to Beauty, adorned with what but a few Months before would have appeared to him its greatest Ornament. His Reason. would sometimes contradict the fashionable Delusions with which he endeavored to silence it; but perhaps all Miss Bilson's Attractions might not operate so strongly on Sir Harry's Fancy, as the insensibi-
lity
Page 59
lity with which he listened to what he thought his brightest Conversations.
Sir Harry's Pride was greatly piqued; for Miss Bilson's great Sensibility, as well as quick Discernment, shone so visibly in her Countenance, that he was thereby wholly deprived of the last Resource to which Vanity so often flies, of accusing the undelighted Hearer of Stupidity. He had therefore nothing left him, but to force her Approbation; and, to effect it, grew still more extravagant in the Exercise of his newly-acquired Talents of Conversation; for he could not doubt but he was in the Road to please, and. therefore had nothing to do but to pursue it with greater Assiduity.
Some Spirit was requisite to pursue this Plan thro' the Discouragements Sir Harry met with ; for the more he endeavoured to shine, the less he pleased Miss Bilson. When he expected she should admire, she only pitied; when
D 6 he
Page 60
he intended to excite at once her Mirth and her Applause, she grieved to see a Man, whose original Character she had heard so differently represented by one who knew him before he came to Bristol, so corrupted by the Stream of fashionable Folly, that he seemed to have buried the Understanding of a Man under the frippery Affectations of a Monkey.
In short, all Sir Harry's Attempts to charm produced a quite contrary Effect from what he intended; and there was but one Thing in his whole Behaviour which pleased her, and that was his ardent Desire to do so; so that she was not quite insensible, any more than to the uncommon Agreeableness of his Person, and the Rays of good Sense which would sometimes make their own Way, and shine forth in spite of himself. But all this could not overbalance the Disgust she conceived at his Turn of Conversation; nay, when she considered how much both Nature
and
Page 61
and Education had done for him, she was the more displeased on reflecting how much he had laboured to do against himself.
One day that Sir Harry saw a Lady sitting by Miss Bilson, whose Awkwardness appeared to him a favourable Subject for his Wit; he determined by the dazling Display of it entirely to captivate Miss Bilson; and accordingly soon took Occasion to change his Address from her to the Lady, to whom he intended the Honour of being unknowingly so useful to him, and who therefore could not put him to the Trouble of acknowleging an Obligation on that Account.
This Lady was brought from almost an entire Solitude to Bristol for her Health. Her Person was awkward, and her Mind ignorant. Mrs. Bilson had observed at her first Appearance her Surprize at the great Number of People she saw there collected toge-
ther,
Page 62
ther, and how much at a Loss she seemed on the slightest Occasions. Mrs. Bilson knew it must be painful, and therefore pitied her; but the Savage became immediately the Object of general Ridicule. The Sons and Daughters of Mirth led their Acquaintance up to gaze at this Novelty. They would sometimes be civil, in order to enjoy the Distress she was in how to make a Return for what she thought so prodigious an Obligation, and then, by a loud Laugh, delivered her out of that Difficulty, but left her no less embarrassed what to judge of so odd a Behaviour. Others would insult her with the utmost Ill-breeding, in order to amuse themselves with the Confusion into which their Insolence had thrown her. But lest this Fact should appear incredible to some Readers, it is necessary to declare, that this Insolence was never expressed in vulgar or Billingsgate Language. The poor Woman was so distressed at this kind of Treatment, that she never ventured
abroad
Page 63
abroad but at the Hours requisite for her Health; therefore she was seldom seen but at the Well Room; and even there she contrived to get into a Corner before the rest of the Company came having more than once experienced what it was to be attacked, with a broad Stare, and a Laugh of Derision, as with bashful Fear and Trembling she had opened the Door.
Mrs. Bilson had observed alI that past; and, feeling great Compassion for a Woman who appeared to be the Object of Ridicule, only because Fortune had fixed her in a State of Solitude, made some Enquiries after her at the Place where she lodged; and, hearing nothing but what was of Advantage to her Character, resolved to take her under Protection, hoping by her Influence to preserve her from Insult; for Mrs. Bilson had an uncommon Flow of Wit, ever ready to defend Innocence from the cruel Attacks of Derision; tho' she had an Understand-
ing
Page 64
ing greatly above making use of it to make others smart by a Jest, unless upon such Occasions.
But Sir Harry Cleveland's Motive for desiring to shine, was too urgent to suffer him to respect Miss Bilson's Presence as he ought; and he thought himself peculiarly happy on this Occasion, that her Mother was not at that Time in the Company.
Sir Harry began by humbugging the poor Lady, and told her all the marvellous Things he could invent; while she stared with the utmost Astonishment, to his entire Satisfaction; being of a great Poet's Opinion, that
Wonder is involuntary Praise.
But Miss Bilson, not seeing it in the same Light, at last interrupted his Conversation. "Among all the strange Things Sir Harry hath told you, Madam, (said
she)
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she) he hath omitted the most marvellous of all; which is, that there are Men, nay, even Gentlemen, and who call themselves Men of Honour too, who take Pride in pubblishing the greatest Falsehoods of their own inventing, to Persons whose Regard for T'ruth renders them unsuspicious of the Deceit; and imagine they have obtamied a great Triumph, when they have imposed on those whose Credulity hath no other Foundation, but a Belief that they are above such low Attempts. This indeed, if called a Lye, they would detest; but sanctify it under the Name of Humbugg: Tho' in reality they are synonymous Terms; only he who tells malicious or interested Lies, humbuggs for the Gratification of Malice, or for Advantages; while he whose Motive is Mirth, lyes for a smaller Temptation; and while we blame him who thus endeavours to raise an Estate, ought we not to despise him who is
guilty
Page 66
guilty of the same Breach of Truth merely to excite a Laugh, and that only from the most trifling Part of the Creation, whose Approbation can no more give Honour, than their Disapprobation can with any Colour of Justice fix Dishonour?
The broadest Mirth unfeeling Folly wears,
is no solid Pleasure to the Person who obtains it, nor can it give any Glory to him who ocasions it."
The untaught Lady was indeed all Wonder and Amazement. A Person must have lived
Where never human Foot the Ground hath pressed,
but in a
Desart inaccessible,
Under the Shade of melancholy Boughs,
Lose and neglect the creeping Hours of Time
who can suppose that Mankind will never seek their Advantage at the Expence of the Truth; but that they should wantonly, almost without
Temptation,
Page 67
Temptation, declare War with it, this Lady's Ignorance of the World (in that respect an Advantage to her) would not suffer her to believe. However, Sir Harry would not leave her the Power of expressing her Incredulity in this Point, from the various Exclamations with which he signified his Surprize that Miss Bilson should be insensible to so polite an Amusement, wherein he was certain she must allow much Wit was requisite to shine, and make any considerable Figure. "Not near so much, Sir (replied she), as in the writing of Mother Goose's Tales, or the Exploits of Jack the Giant-killer. He who first thought of his Four-mile Boots had some Invention; an Honour the most fortunate Humbugger cannot boast; for all the Falsehoods he spreads are so only in respect to Time. They are what have happened, or might naturally happen; and therefore the only Merit he can claim, is that of having a sufficient Capacity to turn Truth
Page 68
Truth into Falsehood; and whilst the Writers of such Histories as Jack the Giant-killer only humbly desire to amuse the Imaginations of Children, the ambitious Humbugger grasps, as his ultimate End, to deceive the Judgments of Men."
Sir Harry had suffered his Mind to be so darkened by vain Affection, that he had lost all the Perspicuity of his Discernment, and was now in as great a Perplexity as he had caused in the untaught Lady herself. He was bewildered by
An Ignis fatuus, that bewitches
And leads Men into Pools and Ditches.
He had great Deference for Miss Bilson's Opinion; but had now so long accustomed himself to consider this trifling Manner of damping his Intellects, and wasting his Time, to be the highest Honour to which the human Species could arrive, that he could not easily persuade
Page 69
persuade himself a Person of Miss Bilson's Understanding could possibly have a Contempt for it; and for some time harboured a Suspicion, that she herself was playing the very same Game which she endeavoured to make him believe she so heartily despised. But when he was convinced that she was in earnest, he could not immediately give up the Talent which he now most valued; but entered into a serious Defence of his Practice; which gave Rise to a Dispute of some Length between them, till, inwardly vexed by the Force of her Arguments, and yet ashamed to acknowlege that he could not reply to them, he left the Room in visible Confusion. And Miss Bilson hoped that his Countenance indicated Marks of Indignation; for when the Lustre of Truth makes a Man angry, it is a much better Symptom, than when it hath no other Effect than to raise in him Sneers of Derision.
CHAP.
Chapter 8
Page 70
The great Power of Beauty, when accompanied by Modesty and Reason, not only to warm, but also to amend, the human Heart.
SIR Harry Cleveland immediately fled into public Company, in order to seek a Remedy for the Ill-humour Miss Bilson's Insensibility to all his Wit and Ridicule had thrown him into with the Person in the World he was most unwilling to quarrel with, even himself. He at first determined to quit any farther Attempts on a Heart, which he began to suspect would cost him the unsupportable Labour of once more new-forming himself, before he could entertain any Hopes of succeeding; and if Miss Bilson had at that
Time
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Time by any sudden Misfortune been deprived of her Beauty, he would certainly have prevailed on himself to discover that her Understanding also was very moderate, and that she only affected to despise what she had not Wit enough to attain; for he who had so well succeeded in hiding away his own Understanding, even from himself, could easily have done that Favour by another. But her Person had made so deep an Impression on his Fancy, that, if he had endeavoured it, he could not for his Heart have raised a barbarous Inclination to conceal from his own Eyes her apparent good Sense.
Lady Dellwyn and Lady Fanny Chlegen were both ready to welcome him into their Party, and strove with Emulation which should entertain him most.
Lord Clermont was not at the Rooms that Evening, to Lady Dellwyn's great Joy; for his Presence in public was now
become
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become as much her Mortification as ever it had been her Triumph, and served only to confuse, and put her out of Countenance; so that she endeavoured, by the Amusement of a little Coquetry with Sir Harry Cleveland, to silence her own Reflexions, at least for a short Season. But all their Conversation consisted in an Affectation of Mirth, which was very foreign to their Hearts, and consequently soon grew tiresome.
Lady Fanny was indeed all alive and merry; but it had a very different Effect from what was customary on Sir Harry. He saw the Emptiness of his own acquired Manner of Conversation by the frothy Levity of her Jests; and the more he endeavoured to shine in his Eyes, the more his Judgment was inclined to give Miss Bilson the Approbation she deserved.
He retired to his Apartment in the disagreeable Situation of being
perfectly
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perfectly unsatisfied with himself, his Love and Judgment both combined to urge him to cast off the Practice of all that Knowlege of the World, and its Manners, which he had taken such Pains to acquire, and to bring himself back again into a State wherein his Understanding might have free Liberty to exert itself, and be no longer obliged to be carefully concealed, for fear it should bring a Scandal and Shame on its Owner. But then, on the other hand, to confess that he had been deluded by such glaring Fallacies, to condemn himself of such an Absurdity as to have thus been a Dupe to his own Vanity, whilst he was aiming at the high Applause of having duped others, seemed to his Imagination an Herculean Labour, and he was greatly perplexed to resolve in what Manner he could undertake to begin so mortifying a Talk. It had been much easier for him to slide from a rational Employment into his present Manner of Life, because it came by degrees, and
one
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one Folly naturally succeeds another; but at once to turn from them all, and enter into the one Path, which leads to a reasonable Life, seemed a heavy, if not an absolutely insupportable Burden.
Sir Harry was tome time before he would permit himself again to appear before Miss Bilson; but her Idea had made so lively and strong an Impression on his Fancy, that it was impossible for him to exclude it from his Thoughts. His Reluctance to continue in a wilful Banishment from the Object which contributed so greatly to his Delight, at last conquered his Reluctance to throw off his adopted Follies; and the first Opportunity he perceived of entertaining her apart from other Company, he contrived purposely to introduce the Subject of their last Argument concerning Humbugging; on which Miss Bilson displaying her usual good Sense, he no sooner finished one Sentence, than he cried out,
From
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From Lips like those, what Precepts fail to move?
"I can no longer oppose Reasoning so just.
"Truth divine comes mended from your Tongue;
"and I blush at the Errors into which I have been led. Conduct me, my fair Guide, out of this Labyrinth of dangerous Folly, back into the Land of Truth; strengthen the Weakness of my Mind by your frequent Converse; and, after having convinced my Reason, correct my Manners."
Miss Bilson, somewhat piqued, replied, "Tho' you cannot persuade me that my Cause is not good, you give me a sufficient Proof how bad an Advocate I am, since all I have said cannot prevent your endeavouring to make me the Dupe of the very
"Talent,
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"Talent, as you are pleated to call it, which I am endeavouring to explode;" for she really imagined Sir Harry was humbugging of her; for Truth and Falsehood are so very incompatible in their very Nature, that, from the same Source whence the latter generally flows, we cannot easily believe the former ever proceeds. But he was for once truly serious, and at last convinced her he was so; tho' several Meetings were necessary to prevail on her to give Credit to, what appeared to her so great an Improbability.
Sir Harry now began to cultivate an Acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Bilson; and found, that had he fortunately fallen into their Company when he first came to Bristol, he should not have been under a Necessity of running into so much Folly, to procure his Mind an agreeable Dissipation.
His
Page 77
His Attachment began to wear a serious Air ; and Lady Fanny Chlegen, who had excused his Insensibility towards her only upon a Supposition that it was general, and that he had no Idea of Sentiment, was piqued to see another, and that too, in her own Language, an unexperienced Chit, effect what she had in vain tried at, as soon as she came to Bristol.
Lady Fanny therefore, in revenge, planted all her Raillery at Sir Harry; yet the Fire was not so strong, but a Man less captivated than he was might have borne it undisturbed. She asked him if he meant to rival Harvey, and make some new Discovery concerning the Circulation of the Blood, by continually gazing in Miss Bilson's Face, where it played up and down with all the aukward Rusticity of Blushing? She bid him consider what Figure those untaught Eyes, those uneducated Smiles, and that odious Bashfulness, would make amongst People of Fashion, when he
should
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should introduce her into the World. In short, as Lady Dellwyn was now so oppressed in her Mind, that she was much more unfit than ever to pretend to a Rivalship with Lady Fanny in the large Field of Gaiety and Gallantry, her Ladyship seemed to set her whole Force against the Charms of Miss Bilson; altho' she was too reserved, and appeared too little in Public, to put in a Claim for general Admiration. But one Man of Sir Harry Cleveland's Figure was enough to raise Lady Fanny's Indignation, and to make her shoot forth at her all the Darts of her Ridicule.
So a wild Tartar, when he spies A Man that's handsome, valiant, wise, If he can kill him, thinks t' inherit His Wit, his Beauty, and his Spirit; As if just so much he enjoy'd, As in another is destroy'd.
Sir Harry was so tender of Miss Bilson, that altho' he despised Lady
Fanny,
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Fanny, he could scarcely bear to hear her speak so disrespectfully of one whom he knew not how to think on but with Adoration; and told her Ladyship that, "could he obtain Miss Bilson, he should not only be the happiest, but the proudest, of Mankind, as possessing a Treasure that no other Man could boast: That as for the Company, which she meant by the World, he should be in no Hurry to introduce her to them; for she was as unfit for a Life of Folly, as Folly was for a virtuous and reasonable Woman: For I am sure (added he) it may be said of your Sex,
"When Vice prevails, and Fashions bold bear Sway, The Post of Honour is a private Station."
Lady Fanny did not suffer what she thought so great an Affront to pass unnoticed; but, mistaking Raillery for Railing, she lost some of the Dignity
which
Page 80
which she generally endeavoured to preserve, and thereby encouraged Sir Harry to fail so much in his Respect for her, that he left her without attempting to reply.
After this Conversation, Lady Fanny had very little Intercourse with Sir Harry Cleveland; but aimed her Insolence at Miss Bilson, whom she continually stared out of Countenance; and whenever Sir Harry was speaking to her, would, by directing the Eyes of every one near her, by Gestures and Laughing, raise such Blushes in that young Lady, that Sir Harry was obliged, in Compassion to her, to address her as little in Public as possible; which he was enabled to persuade himself to do, by having obtained Permission to visit Mr. and Mrs. Bilson at home.
Mr. Chlegen likewise gave no small Offence to his Lady, for having made Acquaintance with Mr. Bilson, from which he received great Pleasure. He
soon
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soon extended it to the rest of the Family ; and whenever they were in the same Place, contrived to be near them; glad, by being engaged in Conversation, to seem inattentive to his Wife's imprudent Conduct.
When Sir Harry slackened in his public Addresses to Miss Bilson, he made himself what Reparation he could in the Conversation of her Parents, or the younger Branches of her Family. This naturally threw Mr. Chlegen more into Discourse with Miss Bilson, who was the most at Leisure, and whose good Sense could not fail to please a Man of his Turn of Mind.
Lady Fanny's Resentment at Mr. Chlegen's Intimacy with the People to whom she had the strong Antipathy of Good to Bad, operated so violently, that she endeavoured to raise a Report of his being enamoured of Miss Bilson, knowing the Ease and Freedom with which she conversed with him
would
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would bear the Appearance of Encouragement. But her amiable and modest Conduct, as well as the very high Reputation of her Parents, blunted the Sting of Slander; and her Ladyship could not succeed in a Point wherein she was unwittingly endeavouring to mortify her own Vanity, by making People believe that she was neglected, for one whose unfashionable Bashfulness rendered her so despicable to her Ladyship. However, such was her unwearied Malice, that Sir Harry found it necessary to put a stop to her Attempts, by some Intimations concerning her own Conduct; which his Politeness would not have suffered him to utter, if any thing of less Consequence than Miss Bilson's Character had been concerned.
Sir Harry was by degrees brought to a very strong Sense of the Folly in which he had been immersed, and by his Friends convincing him, that
All
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All Praise is foreign, but of true Desert; Plays round the Head, but comes not near the Heart.
Capt. Drumond's Merit, like a Bubble in the Water, began to sink to nothing; and Sir Harry became acquainted with his true Character by Mrs. Bilson, whose Penetration was too acute to be imposed on by any of those numerous Virtues he pretended to assume; tho' she saw very little of him; for he perceived in her something from which he naturally absented himself, and feared Detection; for where-ever he found Praise was deserved, and consequently not courted, he knew there was no Employment for a Flatterer.
Sir Harry had gained the good Opinion of the Family he most esteemed; but it was much increased by a little Incident, which shewed he was not insensible to the Distress of Persons who had no particular Title to his
Regard,
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Regard, farther than as his Heart was to be affected by general Compassion. But this Incident shall be reserved for the next Chapter.
The great Power of Beauty, when accompanied by Modesty and Reason, not only to warm, but also to amend, the human Heart.
SIR Harry Cleveland immediately fled into public Company, in order to seek a Remedy for the Ill-humour Miss Bilson's Insensibility to all his Wit and Ridicule had thrown him into with the Person in the World he was most unwilling to quarrel with, even himself. He at first determined to quit any farther Attempts on a Heart, which he began to suspect would cost him the unsupportable Labour of once more new-forming himself, before he could entertain any Hopes of succeeding; and if Miss Bilson had at that
Time
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Time by any sudden Misfortune been deprived of her Beauty, he would certainly have prevailed on himself to discover that her Understanding also was very moderate, and that she only affected to despise what she had not Wit enough to attain; for he who had so well succeeded in hiding away his own Understanding, even from himself, could easily have done that Favour by another. But her Person had made so deep an Impression on his Fancy, that, if he had endeavoured it, he could not for his Heart have raised a barbarous Inclination to conceal from his own Eyes her apparent good Sense.
Lady Dellwyn and Lady Fanny Chlegen were both ready to welcome him into their Party, and strove with Emulation which should entertain him most.
Lord Clermont was not at the Rooms that Evening, to Lady Dellwyn's great Joy; for his Presence in public was now
become
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become as much her Mortification as ever it had been her Triumph, and served only to confuse, and put her out of Countenance; so that she endeavoured, by the Amusement of a little Coquetry with Sir Harry Cleveland, to silence her own Reflexions, at least for a short Season. But all their Conversation consisted in an Affectation of Mirth, which was very foreign to their Hearts, and consequently soon grew tiresome.
Lady Fanny was indeed all alive and merry; but it had a very different Effect from what was customary on Sir Harry. He saw the Emptiness of his own acquired Manner of Conversation by the frothy Levity of her Jests; and the more he endeavoured to shine in his Eyes, the more his Judgment was inclined to give Miss Bilson the Approbation she deserved.
He retired to his Apartment in the disagreeable Situation of being
perfectly
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perfectly unsatisfied with himself, his Love and Judgment both combined to urge him to cast off the Practice of all that Knowlege of the World, and its Manners, which he had taken such Pains to acquire, and to bring himself back again into a State wherein his Understanding might have free Liberty to exert itself, and be no longer obliged to be carefully concealed, for fear it should bring a Scandal and Shame on its Owner. But then, on the other hand, to confess that he had been deluded by such glaring Fallacies, to condemn himself of such an Absurdity as to have thus been a Dupe to his own Vanity, whilst he was aiming at the high Applause of having duped others, seemed to his Imagination an Herculean Labour, and he was greatly perplexed to resolve in what Manner he could undertake to begin so mortifying a Talk. It had been much easier for him to slide from a rational Employment into his present Manner of Life, because it came by degrees, and
one
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one Folly naturally succeeds another; but at once to turn from them all, and enter into the one Path, which leads to a reasonable Life, seemed a heavy, if not an absolutely insupportable Burden.
Sir Harry was tome time before he would permit himself again to appear before Miss Bilson; but her Idea had made so lively and strong an Impression on his Fancy, that it was impossible for him to exclude it from his Thoughts. His Reluctance to continue in a wilful Banishment from the Object which contributed so greatly to his Delight, at last conquered his Reluctance to throw off his adopted Follies; and the first Opportunity he perceived of entertaining her apart from other Company, he contrived purposely to introduce the Subject of their last Argument concerning Humbugging; on which Miss Bilson displaying her usual good Sense, he no sooner finished one Sentence, than he cried out,
From
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From Lips like those, what Precepts fail to move?
"I can no longer oppose Reasoning so just.
"Truth divine comes mended from your Tongue;
"and I blush at the Errors into which I have been led. Conduct me, my fair Guide, out of this Labyrinth of dangerous Folly, back into the Land of Truth; strengthen the Weakness of my Mind by your frequent Converse; and, after having convinced my Reason, correct my Manners."
Miss Bilson, somewhat piqued, replied, "Tho' you cannot persuade me that my Cause is not good, you give me a sufficient Proof how bad an Advocate I am, since all I have said cannot prevent your endeavouring to make me the Dupe of the very
"Talent,
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"Talent, as you are pleated to call it, which I am endeavouring to explode;" for she really imagined Sir Harry was humbugging of her; for Truth and Falsehood are so very incompatible in their very Nature, that, from the same Source whence the latter generally flows, we cannot easily believe the former ever proceeds. But he was for once truly serious, and at last convinced her he was so; tho' several Meetings were necessary to prevail on her to give Credit to, what appeared to her so great an Improbability.
Sir Harry now began to cultivate an Acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Bilson; and found, that had he fortunately fallen into their Company when he first came to Bristol, he should not have been under a Necessity of running into so much Folly, to procure his Mind an agreeable Dissipation.
His
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His Attachment began to wear a serious Air ; and Lady Fanny Chlegen, who had excused his Insensibility towards her only upon a Supposition that it was general, and that he had no Idea of Sentiment, was piqued to see another, and that too, in her own Language, an unexperienced Chit, effect what she had in vain tried at, as soon as she came to Bristol.
Lady Fanny therefore, in revenge, planted all her Raillery at Sir Harry; yet the Fire was not so strong, but a Man less captivated than he was might have borne it undisturbed. She asked him if he meant to rival Harvey, and make some new Discovery concerning the Circulation of the Blood, by continually gazing in Miss Bilson's Face, where it played up and down with all the aukward Rusticity of Blushing? She bid him consider what Figure those untaught Eyes, those uneducated Smiles, and that odious Bashfulness, would make amongst People of Fashion, when he
should
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should introduce her into the World. In short, as Lady Dellwyn was now so oppressed in her Mind, that she was much more unfit than ever to pretend to a Rivalship with Lady Fanny in the large Field of Gaiety and Gallantry, her Ladyship seemed to set her whole Force against the Charms of Miss Bilson; altho' she was too reserved, and appeared too little in Public, to put in a Claim for general Admiration. But one Man of Sir Harry Cleveland's Figure was enough to raise Lady Fanny's Indignation, and to make her shoot forth at her all the Darts of her Ridicule.
So a wild Tartar, when he spies A Man that's handsome, valiant, wise, If he can kill him, thinks t' inherit His Wit, his Beauty, and his Spirit; As if just so much he enjoy'd, As in another is destroy'd.
Sir Harry was so tender of Miss Bilson, that altho' he despised Lady
Fanny,
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Fanny, he could scarcely bear to hear her speak so disrespectfully of one whom he knew not how to think on but with Adoration; and told her Ladyship that, "could he obtain Miss Bilson, he should not only be the happiest, but the proudest, of Mankind, as possessing a Treasure that no other Man could boast: That as for the Company, which she meant by the World, he should be in no Hurry to introduce her to them; for she was as unfit for a Life of Folly, as Folly was for a virtuous and reasonable Woman: For I am sure (added he) it may be said of your Sex,
"When Vice prevails, and Fashions bold bear Sway, The Post of Honour is a private Station."
Lady Fanny did not suffer what she thought so great an Affront to pass unnoticed; but, mistaking Raillery for Railing, she lost some of the Dignity
which
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which she generally endeavoured to preserve, and thereby encouraged Sir Harry to fail so much in his Respect for her, that he left her without attempting to reply.
After this Conversation, Lady Fanny had very little Intercourse with Sir Harry Cleveland; but aimed her Insolence at Miss Bilson, whom she continually stared out of Countenance; and whenever Sir Harry was speaking to her, would, by directing the Eyes of every one near her, by Gestures and Laughing, raise such Blushes in that young Lady, that Sir Harry was obliged, in Compassion to her, to address her as little in Public as possible; which he was enabled to persuade himself to do, by having obtained Permission to visit Mr. and Mrs. Bilson at home.
Mr. Chlegen likewise gave no small Offence to his Lady, for having made Acquaintance with Mr. Bilson, from which he received great Pleasure. He
soon
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soon extended it to the rest of the Family ; and whenever they were in the same Place, contrived to be near them; glad, by being engaged in Conversation, to seem inattentive to his Wife's imprudent Conduct.
When Sir Harry slackened in his public Addresses to Miss Bilson, he made himself what Reparation he could in the Conversation of her Parents, or the younger Branches of her Family. This naturally threw Mr. Chlegen more into Discourse with Miss Bilson, who was the most at Leisure, and whose good Sense could not fail to please a Man of his Turn of Mind.
Lady Fanny's Resentment at Mr. Chlegen's Intimacy with the People to whom she had the strong Antipathy of Good to Bad, operated so violently, that she endeavoured to raise a Report of his being enamoured of Miss Bilson, knowing the Ease and Freedom with which she conversed with him
would
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would bear the Appearance of Encouragement. But her amiable and modest Conduct, as well as the very high Reputation of her Parents, blunted the Sting of Slander; and her Ladyship could not succeed in a Point wherein she was unwittingly endeavouring to mortify her own Vanity, by making People believe that she was neglected, for one whose unfashionable Bashfulness rendered her so despicable to her Ladyship. However, such was her unwearied Malice, that Sir Harry found it necessary to put a stop to her Attempts, by some Intimations concerning her own Conduct; which his Politeness would not have suffered him to utter, if any thing of less Consequence than Miss Bilson's Character had been concerned.
Sir Harry was by degrees brought to a very strong Sense of the Folly in which he had been immersed, and by his Friends convincing him, that
All
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All Praise is foreign, but of true Desert; Plays round the Head, but comes not near the Heart.
Capt. Drumond's Merit, like a Bubble in the Water, began to sink to nothing; and Sir Harry became acquainted with his true Character by Mrs. Bilson, whose Penetration was too acute to be imposed on by any of those numerous Virtues he pretended to assume; tho' she saw very little of him; for he perceived in her something from which he naturally absented himself, and feared Detection; for where-ever he found Praise was deserved, and consequently not courted, he knew there was no Employment for a Flatterer.
Sir Harry had gained the good Opinion of the Family he most esteemed; but it was much increased by a little Incident, which shewed he was not insensible to the Distress of Persons who had no particular Title to his
Regard,
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Regard, farther than as his Heart was to be affected by general Compassion. But this Incident shall be reserved for the next Chapter.
Chapter 9
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CHAP. IX.
A Scene of great Distress reversed, and the Sufferers relieved by Mrs. Bilson.
ONE Morning, when Sir Harry Cleveland accosted Mrs. Bilson, she thought she perceived an Air of Melancholy on his Countenance; and asked him if she was mistaken? He acknowleged there might be some Grounds for her Observation; for that he had been greatly shocked that Morning, by the Distress of a Family who lodged in the same House with him. The Master of it, who was a Clergyman, was just dead; and his Widow and Two Daughters in such Excess of Grief, that he could not be ignorant
of
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of it, for their Lamentations reached his Apartment.
Mrs. Bilson was shocked with tle pathetic Description of Distress Sir Harry gave her. Her Compassion was always ready to be bestowed on the Unhappy; but in this Case her Pity was enlarged, by the additional Sensibility of a Person who was but just delivered from Fears of the same Calamity; and imagined it probable that this poor Woman might have still an addditional Affliction, as Part, at least, of the Support of their Family must be lost with her Husband.
As soon as Mrs. Bilson could conveniently withdraw from her Company, she went, with her eldest Daughter only, directly to the House where Sir Harry lodged; and having asked for the Mistress of it, inquired of her the apparent Circumstances of her distressed Lodgers.
2 The
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The Woman told the Ladies she imagined their Fortunes must be very narrow; for, as soon as they came, they requested her to procure some Plain-work for them; and that they had dispatched a great Quantity since they had been there, having worked as hard as possible, and lived with the utmost Frugality in every thing but where the poor sick Man was concerned, for whom they had been most careful to provide every Comfort and Convenience that a much more ample Fortune could have procured him.
This Account of the poor Widow demanded Mrs. Bilson's good Opinion, as much as her Distress had raised her Compassion; for she always gladly embraced every Opportunity of thinking well of another; her Fund of Charity in that Branch being as extensive as in that of distributing to the Poor; and she grieved to think that a Clergyman and his Family should he reduced to such Necessity. When the
Mistress
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Mistress of the House, perceiving by her Countenance how much She was affected by what she had related, thus proceeded:
"Indeed, Madam, I have Reason to think the little Fund they brought with them, notwithstanding the Pains they have taken to add to it by their uncommon Industry, is almost, if not quite, exhausted. But Sir Harry Cleveland has been so generous, as to desire me to contrive to defray the Expences of the Funeral in a decent Manner, and to undertake the Ordering of it, which he had promised to discharge, as well as what shall be due for Lodgings; and also he will furnish them with whatever Sum shall be requisite for their Journey back. But as he thought it might not be proper for him to wait on them in their present melancholy Situation, he has requested me to transact the whole Affair; the Management of which
I find
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I find to be so difficult a Task; that "I have not yet obeyed his Commands."
Miss Bilson's Eyes, at the Relation of Misery she at first heard, had flowed with tender Tears; but by a sudden Transition they now sparkled with Joy, at the Account of Sir Harry Cleveland's Generosity; one Proof of Virtue in her Lover giving her more Pleasure than all the Flattery he could have bestowed on her. But this Effect did not pass unobserved by her Mother, who was watchful to discover how far Sir Harry's Assiduities had made an Impression on her, without putting her to the Confusion of confessing.
As the Woman of the House found Mrs. Bilson was inclined to visit her Lodgers, she told her, she wished that she would be so kind to undertake the acquainting them with Sir Harry Cleveland's generous Offer to them, as it
would
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would come better from her than from an Inferior.
In this Mrs. Bilson willingly acquiesced, and was introduced to them. After offering every Assistance in her Power for their Convenience in a Place where they were entire Strangers, she acquainted them, with all the Tenderness she was Mistress of, of the generous Intentions of Sir Harry Cleveland. Mrs. Bilson did not confider Poverty as having a Power to make human Creatures relinquish their Feeling: But, as is truly the Case, she thought Poverty added to the Apprehension and Sensibility of Insult; and therefore was more peculiarly careful of the Manner in which she treated the Distressed, whom she endeavoured to assist, than she thought necessary in her Intercourse with her Equals, or even her Superiors; and would often reflect, that if her own former Misfortunes had led her Mind into this Consideration for others,
she
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she had great Reason to be thankful for having been in a State of Humiliation.
The poor Widow felt her Goodness deeply in her Heart, and therefore had no Flow of Words ready to burst forth in Elocution to express her Thanks; but turned her Eyes, with a quick Transition, alternately on Mrs. Bilson and her Daughters, full of the highest Amazement. Mrs. Bilson endeavoured as well to sooth her Sorrows, as to assure her of Deliverance from future Oppressions in-point of Fortune; and offered her all the Services she could render her towards establishing her Family in the World. At which Words, tender Feeling for her own, and the Offspring of the Man she had loved with an ardent Affection, brought a Flood of Tears to her Relief. She wept, cast up her Eyes to Heaven, could just utter the Words, Good God! and then sunk back in her Chair, as being overwhelmed with the grateful Emotions of her own Mind.
When
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When she was recovered, and the Abatement of her Fears for her Children, by Mrs. Bilson's Assurances, had given her a little more. Strength to support Conversation, Mrs. Bilson found, by discoursing with her, that her eldest Daughter was to have been married to a young Clergyman of excellent Character, whom her Husband intended to make his Curate, upon his coming into Possession of a Living which was promised him at the Death of the Incumbent, who was dying of a Dropsy, but had out-lived his intended Successor. This Match the poor Woman grieved to think was at an End, as she feared her Daughter would not be able to support at once her Father's Death, and the Loss of a Man on whom she had placed the strongest Affection, but could not now marry, as they had no Prospet, at least no near one, of a Subsistence.
Mrs.
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Mrs. Bilson desired she would not suffer this Thought to add to hers or her Daughter's Affliction; for she would engage to secure them as good a Provision as the Curacy she mentioned; and desired she would inform her Daughter, who was left in the Countty to take care of the Remainder of their Family, of this Consolation, that she might not sink under the Weight of her real and apprehended Misfortunes.
A considerable Part of every Day Mrs. Bilson spent with this distressed Family; and had the Satisfaction of seeing them resigned to the Dispensation of divine Providence, tho' grieved for the Loss of one who was justly infinitely dear to them; but the unexpected Generosity, of which they stood in great need, left them only one Subject for their Affliction.
Before they left the Place, Mrs. Bilson explained more particularly to
them
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them her Intentions for the young Clergyman. Her many charitable Institutions, as she chose they should be very constantly and carefully attended, the thought too hard a Duty for one Man, and therefore determined to join this young Man in the same Office; about whom she had written Letters of Inquiry to all Persons capable of giving any Account of him, and had received very satisfatory Answers concerning his whole past Behaviour.
The Salary Mrs. Bilson allowed was above that of a common Curacy; and she promised, on her Return home, to fit up a House, not only for the Reception of the young Couple, but for the Widow and her younger Children likewise; and, to render their Situation as comfortable as possible, by stocking a little Land with what might be useful for their Family. The Clergyman's second Daughter was something older than Miss Bilson, who took a particular Fancy to her; and, as her
own
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own Maid was going to be married, had a great Inclination to take her; and Mrs. Bilson gave the Mother her Choice, whether she should be put into Business, or gratify Miss Bilson's Desire. The Mother immediately replied, that she had rather her Daughter should be placed in her Family, and receive the Advantage of her Instruction and Example, than be put into any other Employment; and Mr. Bilson's Daughter received another with the utmost Marks of Kindness; her Mother not having been able to find any Person she thoroughly liked to be about this new- found Darling of her Heart.
Sir Harry Cleveland performed what he had undertaken; and Mr. and Mrs. Bilson made the Widow so considerable a Present as would enable her to settle her Affairs quite to her Satisfaction; and Miss Bilson and her Sister-in-law insisted on the good Woman's suffering them to equip her Daughter, if the Marriage took Effect.
Thus
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Thus was this distressful Scene reversed, and the Widow and Fatherless cheered by the good Offices of compassionate Humanity. The poor Widow left the Place with a most grateful Heart for all the Favours which had been showered down upon her, and felt all the Consolation her Grief for the Loss of an excellent Husband could admit of, from a true Sense of the great Blessing of having Three of her Children well-provided for. Her Pride felt no Wound from thinking Two were in a State of nominal Servitude; for in reality they were used with all the Kindness of Friends; insomuch that many Persons, who have experienced what it is to be dependent under the Denomination of Friends, would rejoice in every Corner of their Hearts to meet with half the same Indulgence. And their Mother, who had flattered herself with no high Expectations for them, poured out her Thanks to the Almighty for their being so placed, that they were rather with
Protectors
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Protectors of their Youth, and Exemplars for their Conduct, than with Mistresses, where their Dependence was the strongest Security for the kind Treatment they should receive; for Mrs. Bilson's Children had learned of her to admit no one into any Connexion with themselves, but with an Intention to render them happy.
Mrs. Bilson's frequent Visits to this afflicted Family became known, and consequently ridiculed, by many of those who esteemed themselves the superior Part of the Company. Lady Fanny Chlegen "greatly wondered, how it was possible for a Woman of any Fashion to go raking into Holes and Corners after every crying Woman, and more especially a Country Parson's Wife, who surely was below one's Notice. But the Pride of some People took a strange Turn, and laboured hard to get the Character of Good-nature; whereas, if they had any Sensibility, or the least Delicacy
VOL. II. F of
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of Nerves, they could not be thrusting themselves into Scenes of Distress."
Thus would her Ladyship run on till she was almost out of Breath; and, when she had a little rested herself, she would begin again, declaring, "that she wished with all her Heart she had as little Feeling as those People: It had been the greatest Misfortune of her Life to be born with such tender Nerves; that, for her Part, she could not recover herself again the whole Day, after having been accidentally present at any melancholy Spectacle."
Lady Dellwyn did not think what Mrs. Bilson did was so strange, as unnecessary; for she delivered it very gravely as her Opinion, that the Distress was not so very great as represented; " for," said she, "the Woman has only lost her Husband: Or suppose he suffered a little in Fortune, why
surely
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surely Liberty might recompense her for that, as she would remain sole Mistress of what remained, and be subject to no perverse Controul, unreasonable Humours, or authoritative Refusals of her Inclinations."
Both the Ladies heartily forgave Sir Harry Cleveland, whose Generosity they had also heard of; for they concluded it must be right for a Man to be generous to a Woman, whatever was his Motive: Tho' Lady Fanny could not forbear insinuating on that Occasion, that the Widow was accompanied to Bristol by Two pretty Daughters; and in her Heart was not the less inclined to speak favourably of his Charity, for imputing some Part of it to Motives of Gallantry.
Tho', in real Fact, Sir Harry, in what he did on this Occasion, had not had any Retrospect to Self whatsoever, not even the least View to Miss Bilson's Approbation, nor did he suppose it would
F2 ever
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ever reach her Knowlege; yet he was not sorry that such was the accidental Event, as he found that this Action had raised hers, and her whole Family's, Esteem for him: But yet, till they began to talk of leaving Bristol, he could not take Courage to explain his Views, and request their Approbation and Interest with their Daughter.
This Proposal was no more than they expected. They perceived the young Lady was favourably disposed towards him. But tho' his late Behaviour had gained their Esteem, they were afraid ot giving their Daughter to a Man who could be so easily led into Folly, and whose Conduct they therefore apprehended could not safely be depended on in an Affair of such Consequence for Life, as the Marriage of a young Lady, who, as well as her Mother, thought that a Woman's Happiness consisted chiefly in domestic Pleasures.
Miss
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Miss Bilson also had the same Fears with her Parents. Her Heart spoke in favour of Sir Harry such as he then was; but she knew not how he might alter, and was sensible that there was a Degree of Folly which would render her as unhappy a Wife as if he became vicious. In truth, there seems to be no Reason why a Man who moulders away his Understanding in such Pursuits as are below an Infant, should be nominated by a less reproachful Appellation, than him who falls into any other erroneous Conduct whatever.
This Consideration made it difficult to give Sir Harry an Answer correspondent to his Wishes. His Fortune was not sufficient Inducement to tempt them to sacrifice a Daughter where they thought she might be unhappy; and they could find no Way of treating Sir Harry more genteelly, than by telling him the Truth. He might justly claim their Sincerity; and therefore
F3 they
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they acquainted him with their Objections.
It is easy to suppose that Sir Harry omitted nothing he could urge to persuade Mr. and Mrs. Bilson, that he was entirely disgusted with the trifling, absurd Follies, which justly gave Rise to their Objection to him. But he could prevail no farther, than to be looked upon in a State of Probation; wherein after he had spent a sufficient Time to prove his Sincerity, if he continued unaltered, he might expect to be accepted.
He would gladly have passed his probationary State in their Neighbourhood; but that they judged no Trial of his Steadiness: For where he could meet with no Temptation for his Vanity, and in Sight of the beloved Mistress of his Heart, he could not well waver in his Resolutions: They therefore required that he should spend some Part of the Winter in London; at the
same
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same Time giving him Leave to make them a Visit before he went thither; and engaging to give him a very favourable Reception, if he passed the gay Season in Town unperverted.
Sir Harry was obliged to acquiesce in this Decision, as he found he could, obtain no better Terms; and was so well assured of his own Steadiness, that he looked on his Compliance with it only as a Delay; but, as such, his Impatience to call Miss Bilson his, made him esteem them very cruel. He accepted their Invitation, and made them a Visit soon after they left Bristol; where, had it not been the End of the Season, he could have found no Temptation to stay after their Departure. His Mind was so strongly attached to the valuable Treasure they carried with them, that he found no Pleasure in her Absence.
I have some Reason to believe Miss Bilson would have shortened the Term
F4 of
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of his Probation, had it been left entirely to her Decision; but she had too just a Sense of the Obligation she was under to that parental Affection which was so tenderly apprehensive for her Happiness, to give any the least Hint of her Inclination: But when she saw him set out for London, she had some Fears, which shewed that she herself was less assured of his steady Adherence to Reason than she had before imagined.
The Result of Sir Harry Cleveland must be left to be disclosed at a future Opportunity; for it is now high Time to return to the Lord and Lady who are the principal Subjects of these Volumes.
CHAP.
CHAP. IX.
A Scene of great Distress reversed, and the Sufferers relieved by Mrs. Bilson.
ONE Morning, when Sir Harry Cleveland accosted Mrs. Bilson, she thought she perceived an Air of Melancholy on his Countenance; and asked him if she was mistaken? He acknowleged there might be some Grounds for her Observation; for that he had been greatly shocked that Morning, by the Distress of a Family who lodged in the same House with him. The Master of it, who was a Clergyman, was just dead; and his Widow and Two Daughters in such Excess of Grief, that he could not be ignorant
of
Page 86
of it, for their Lamentations reached his Apartment.
Mrs. Bilson was shocked with tle pathetic Description of Distress Sir Harry gave her. Her Compassion was always ready to be bestowed on the Unhappy; but in this Case her Pity was enlarged, by the additional Sensibility of a Person who was but just delivered from Fears of the same Calamity; and imagined it probable that this poor Woman might have still an addditional Affliction, as Part, at least, of the Support of their Family must be lost with her Husband.
As soon as Mrs. Bilson could conveniently withdraw from her Company, she went, with her eldest Daughter only, directly to the House where Sir Harry lodged; and having asked for the Mistress of it, inquired of her the apparent Circumstances of her distressed Lodgers.
2 The
Page 87
The Woman told the Ladies she imagined their Fortunes must be very narrow; for, as soon as they came, they requested her to procure some Plain-work for them; and that they had dispatched a great Quantity since they had been there, having worked as hard as possible, and lived with the utmost Frugality in every thing but where the poor sick Man was concerned, for whom they had been most careful to provide every Comfort and Convenience that a much more ample Fortune could have procured him.
This Account of the poor Widow demanded Mrs. Bilson's good Opinion, as much as her Distress had raised her Compassion; for she always gladly embraced every Opportunity of thinking well of another; her Fund of Charity in that Branch being as extensive as in that of distributing to the Poor; and she grieved to think that a Clergyman and his Family should he reduced to such Necessity. When the
Mistress
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Mistress of the House, perceiving by her Countenance how much She was affected by what she had related, thus proceeded:
"Indeed, Madam, I have Reason to think the little Fund they brought with them, notwithstanding the Pains they have taken to add to it by their uncommon Industry, is almost, if not quite, exhausted. But Sir Harry Cleveland has been so generous, as to desire me to contrive to defray the Expences of the Funeral in a decent Manner, and to undertake the Ordering of it, which he had promised to discharge, as well as what shall be due for Lodgings; and also he will furnish them with whatever Sum shall be requisite for their Journey back. But as he thought it might not be proper for him to wait on them in their present melancholy Situation, he has requested me to transact the whole Affair; the Management of which
I find
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I find to be so difficult a Task; that "I have not yet obeyed his Commands."
Miss Bilson's Eyes, at the Relation of Misery she at first heard, had flowed with tender Tears; but by a sudden Transition they now sparkled with Joy, at the Account of Sir Harry Cleveland's Generosity; one Proof of Virtue in her Lover giving her more Pleasure than all the Flattery he could have bestowed on her. But this Effect did not pass unobserved by her Mother, who was watchful to discover how far Sir Harry's Assiduities had made an Impression on her, without putting her to the Confusion of confessing.
As the Woman of the House found Mrs. Bilson was inclined to visit her Lodgers, she told her, she wished that she would be so kind to undertake the acquainting them with Sir Harry Cleveland's generous Offer to them, as it
would
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would come better from her than from an Inferior.
In this Mrs. Bilson willingly acquiesced, and was introduced to them. After offering every Assistance in her Power for their Convenience in a Place where they were entire Strangers, she acquainted them, with all the Tenderness she was Mistress of, of the generous Intentions of Sir Harry Cleveland. Mrs. Bilson did not confider Poverty as having a Power to make human Creatures relinquish their Feeling: But, as is truly the Case, she thought Poverty added to the Apprehension and Sensibility of Insult; and therefore was more peculiarly careful of the Manner in which she treated the Distressed, whom she endeavoured to assist, than she thought necessary in her Intercourse with her Equals, or even her Superiors; and would often reflect, that if her own former Misfortunes had led her Mind into this Consideration for others,
she
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she had great Reason to be thankful for having been in a State of Humiliation.
The poor Widow felt her Goodness deeply in her Heart, and therefore had no Flow of Words ready to burst forth in Elocution to express her Thanks; but turned her Eyes, with a quick Transition, alternately on Mrs. Bilson and her Daughters, full of the highest Amazement. Mrs. Bilson endeavoured as well to sooth her Sorrows, as to assure her of Deliverance from future Oppressions in-point of Fortune; and offered her all the Services she could render her towards establishing her Family in the World. At which Words, tender Feeling for her own, and the Offspring of the Man she had loved with an ardent Affection, brought a Flood of Tears to her Relief. She wept, cast up her Eyes to Heaven, could just utter the Words, Good God! and then sunk back in her Chair, as being overwhelmed with the grateful Emotions of her own Mind.
When
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When she was recovered, and the Abatement of her Fears for her Children, by Mrs. Bilson's Assurances, had given her a little more. Strength to support Conversation, Mrs. Bilson found, by discoursing with her, that her eldest Daughter was to have been married to a young Clergyman of excellent Character, whom her Husband intended to make his Curate, upon his coming into Possession of a Living which was promised him at the Death of the Incumbent, who was dying of a Dropsy, but had out-lived his intended Successor. This Match the poor Woman grieved to think was at an End, as she feared her Daughter would not be able to support at once her Father's Death, and the Loss of a Man on whom she had placed the strongest Affection, but could not now marry, as they had no Prospet, at least no near one, of a Subsistence.
Mrs.
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Mrs. Bilson desired she would not suffer this Thought to add to hers or her Daughter's Affliction; for she would engage to secure them as good a Provision as the Curacy she mentioned; and desired she would inform her Daughter, who was left in the Countty to take care of the Remainder of their Family, of this Consolation, that she might not sink under the Weight of her real and apprehended Misfortunes.
A considerable Part of every Day Mrs. Bilson spent with this distressed Family; and had the Satisfaction of seeing them resigned to the Dispensation of divine Providence, tho' grieved for the Loss of one who was justly infinitely dear to them; but the unexpected Generosity, of which they stood in great need, left them only one Subject for their Affliction.
Before they left the Place, Mrs. Bilson explained more particularly to
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them her Intentions for the young Clergyman. Her many charitable Institutions, as she chose they should be very constantly and carefully attended, the thought too hard a Duty for one Man, and therefore determined to join this young Man in the same Office; about whom she had written Letters of Inquiry to all Persons capable of giving any Account of him, and had received very satisfatory Answers concerning his whole past Behaviour.
The Salary Mrs. Bilson allowed was above that of a common Curacy; and she promised, on her Return home, to fit up a House, not only for the Reception of the young Couple, but for the Widow and her younger Children likewise; and, to render their Situation as comfortable as possible, by stocking a little Land with what might be useful for their Family. The Clergyman's second Daughter was something older than Miss Bilson, who took a particular Fancy to her; and, as her
own
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own Maid was going to be married, had a great Inclination to take her; and Mrs. Bilson gave the Mother her Choice, whether she should be put into Business, or gratify Miss Bilson's Desire. The Mother immediately replied, that she had rather her Daughter should be placed in her Family, and receive the Advantage of her Instruction and Example, than be put into any other Employment; and Mr. Bilson's Daughter received another with the utmost Marks of Kindness; her Mother not having been able to find any Person she thoroughly liked to be about this new- found Darling of her Heart.
Sir Harry Cleveland performed what he had undertaken; and Mr. and Mrs. Bilson made the Widow so considerable a Present as would enable her to settle her Affairs quite to her Satisfaction; and Miss Bilson and her Sister-in-law insisted on the good Woman's suffering them to equip her Daughter, if the Marriage took Effect.
Thus
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Thus was this distressful Scene reversed, and the Widow and Fatherless cheered by the good Offices of compassionate Humanity. The poor Widow left the Place with a most grateful Heart for all the Favours which had been showered down upon her, and felt all the Consolation her Grief for the Loss of an excellent Husband could admit of, from a true Sense of the great Blessing of having Three of her Children well-provided for. Her Pride felt no Wound from thinking Two were in a State of nominal Servitude; for in reality they were used with all the Kindness of Friends; insomuch that many Persons, who have experienced what it is to be dependent under the Denomination of Friends, would rejoice in every Corner of their Hearts to meet with half the same Indulgence. And their Mother, who had flattered herself with no high Expectations for them, poured out her Thanks to the Almighty for their being so placed, that they were rather with
Protectors
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Protectors of their Youth, and Exemplars for their Conduct, than with Mistresses, where their Dependence was the strongest Security for the kind Treatment they should receive; for Mrs. Bilson's Children had learned of her to admit no one into any Connexion with themselves, but with an Intention to render them happy.
Mrs. Bilson's frequent Visits to this afflicted Family became known, and consequently ridiculed, by many of those who esteemed themselves the superior Part of the Company. Lady Fanny Chlegen "greatly wondered, how it was possible for a Woman of any Fashion to go raking into Holes and Corners after every crying Woman, and more especially a Country Parson's Wife, who surely was below one's Notice. But the Pride of some People took a strange Turn, and laboured hard to get the Character of Good-nature; whereas, if they had any Sensibility, or the least Delicacy
VOL. II. F of
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of Nerves, they could not be thrusting themselves into Scenes of Distress."
Thus would her Ladyship run on till she was almost out of Breath; and, when she had a little rested herself, she would begin again, declaring, "that she wished with all her Heart she had as little Feeling as those People: It had been the greatest Misfortune of her Life to be born with such tender Nerves; that, for her Part, she could not recover herself again the whole Day, after having been accidentally present at any melancholy Spectacle."
Lady Dellwyn did not think what Mrs. Bilson did was so strange, as unnecessary; for she delivered it very gravely as her Opinion, that the Distress was not so very great as represented; " for," said she, "the Woman has only lost her Husband: Or suppose he suffered a little in Fortune, why
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surely Liberty might recompense her for that, as she would remain sole Mistress of what remained, and be subject to no perverse Controul, unreasonable Humours, or authoritative Refusals of her Inclinations."
Both the Ladies heartily forgave Sir Harry Cleveland, whose Generosity they had also heard of; for they concluded it must be right for a Man to be generous to a Woman, whatever was his Motive: Tho' Lady Fanny could not forbear insinuating on that Occasion, that the Widow was accompanied to Bristol by Two pretty Daughters; and in her Heart was not the less inclined to speak favourably of his Charity, for imputing some Part of it to Motives of Gallantry.
Tho', in real Fact, Sir Harry, in what he did on this Occasion, had not had any Retrospect to Self whatsoever, not even the least View to Miss Bilson's Approbation, nor did he suppose it would
F2 ever
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ever reach her Knowlege; yet he was not sorry that such was the accidental Event, as he found that this Action had raised hers, and her whole Family's, Esteem for him: But yet, till they began to talk of leaving Bristol, he could not take Courage to explain his Views, and request their Approbation and Interest with their Daughter.
This Proposal was no more than they expected. They perceived the young Lady was favourably disposed towards him. But tho' his late Behaviour had gained their Esteem, they were afraid ot giving their Daughter to a Man who could be so easily led into Folly, and whose Conduct they therefore apprehended could not safely be depended on in an Affair of such Consequence for Life, as the Marriage of a young Lady, who, as well as her Mother, thought that a Woman's Happiness consisted chiefly in domestic Pleasures.
Miss
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Miss Bilson also had the same Fears with her Parents. Her Heart spoke in favour of Sir Harry such as he then was; but she knew not how he might alter, and was sensible that there was a Degree of Folly which would render her as unhappy a Wife as if he became vicious. In truth, there seems to be no Reason why a Man who moulders away his Understanding in such Pursuits as are below an Infant, should be nominated by a less reproachful Appellation, than him who falls into any other erroneous Conduct whatever.
This Consideration made it difficult to give Sir Harry an Answer correspondent to his Wishes. His Fortune was not sufficient Inducement to tempt them to sacrifice a Daughter where they thought she might be unhappy; and they could find no Way of treating Sir Harry more genteelly, than by telling him the Truth. He might justly claim their Sincerity; and therefore
F3 they
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they acquainted him with their Objections.
It is easy to suppose that Sir Harry omitted nothing he could urge to persuade Mr. and Mrs. Bilson, that he was entirely disgusted with the trifling, absurd Follies, which justly gave Rise to their Objection to him. But he could prevail no farther, than to be looked upon in a State of Probation; wherein after he had spent a sufficient Time to prove his Sincerity, if he continued unaltered, he might expect to be accepted.
He would gladly have passed his probationary State in their Neighbourhood; but that they judged no Trial of his Steadiness: For where he could meet with no Temptation for his Vanity, and in Sight of the beloved Mistress of his Heart, he could not well waver in his Resolutions: They therefore required that he should spend some Part of the Winter in London; at the
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same Time giving him Leave to make them a Visit before he went thither; and engaging to give him a very favourable Reception, if he passed the gay Season in Town unperverted.
Sir Harry was obliged to acquiesce in this Decision, as he found he could, obtain no better Terms; and was so well assured of his own Steadiness, that he looked on his Compliance with it only as a Delay; but, as such, his Impatience to call Miss Bilson his, made him esteem them very cruel. He accepted their Invitation, and made them a Visit soon after they left Bristol; where, had it not been the End of the Season, he could have found no Temptation to stay after their Departure. His Mind was so strongly attached to the valuable Treasure they carried with them, that he found no Pleasure in her Absence.
I have some Reason to believe Miss Bilson would have shortened the Term
F4 of
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of his Probation, had it been left entirely to her Decision; but she had too just a Sense of the Obligation she was under to that parental Affection which was so tenderly apprehensive for her Happiness, to give any the least Hint of her Inclination: But when she saw him set out for London, she had some Fears, which shewed that she herself was less assured of his steady Adherence to Reason than she had before imagined.
The Result of Sir Harry Cleveland must be left to be disclosed at a future Opportunity; for it is now high Time to return to the Lord and Lady who are the principal Subjects of these Volumes.
CHAP.
Notes to Vol. 2, Book 3, Chapters 7-9
Notes for Chapter 7
Self-complacency: Self-satisfaction. Here, it contextually means vanity. (OED)
gay: Originally of persons and later also more widely: dedicated to social pleasures; dissolute, promiscuous; frivolous, hedonistic. (OED)
gouty: A specific constitutional disease occurring in paroxysms, usually hereditary and in male subjects; characterized by painful inflammation of the smaller joints, esp. that of the great toe, and the deposition of sodium urate in the form of chalk-stones; it often spreads to the larger joints and the internal organs. The name is derived from the notion of the 'dropping' of a morbid material from the blood in and around the joints. (OED)
Bubble: One who may be or is 'bubbled'; a dupe, a gull. (OED)
Approbation: The action of expressing oneself pleased or satisfied with anything; or the mere feeling of such satisfaction; approval expressed or entertained. (OED)
frippery: fig. Empty display, esp. in speech or literary composition; showy talk; ostentation. (OED)
Savage: (of a person) badly adapted to life in society OR person who lives in solitude and avoids human contact (1656) (OED)
The Sons and Daughters of Mirth: i.e. aristocratic/idle rich or fashionable people.
Billingsgate: One of the gates of the city of London; the fish-market near it; the latter noted for vituperative [bitter/abusive] language. (OED)
Well Room: An apartment or building containing a mineral spring or spa, where the waters are drunk by invalids. - From Dict. Trade Products (OED)
Humbugging: To trick and make a jest of; to impose upon, hoax, delude. (OED)
Poet: Poet and clergyman, Edward Young (1683 - 1765), educated at Winchester College and Oxford University. (Oxford Reference)
Wonder is involuntary Praise: From Edward Young's "The Revenge" Act III.
Lye: Variation on spelling in 1759 edition of the manuscript. Also spelled as "lie," "lies," and "lyes" in subsequent lines.)
Raise an estate: In this context, the ability to increase one's property, possessions, fortune, capital (OED)
The broadest mirth unfeeling Folly wears: From Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man" (1733-1734)
Where never human Foot the Ground hath pressed: Poem by Abraham Cowley (1618-1667)
Desart inaccessible ...:
Cf. Act 2, Scene 7 of Shakespeare's "As You Like It"
Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you.
I thought that all things had been savage here;
And therefore put I on the countenance
Of stern commandment. But whate'er you are
That in this desert inaccessible,
Under the shade of melancholy boughs,
Lose and neglect the creeping hours of timeIf ever you have look'd on better days,
If ever been where bells have knoll'd to church,
If ever sat at any good man's feast,
If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear
And know what 'tis to pity and be pitied,
Let gentleness my strong enforcement be
In the which hope I blush, and hide my sword.
Cf. Act 2, Scene 7 of Shakespeare's "As You Like It"
Speak you so gently? Pardon me, I pray you.
I thought that all things had been savage here;
And therefore put I on the countenance
Of stern commandment. But whate'er you are
That in this desert inaccessible,
Under the shade of melancholy boughs,
Lose and neglect the creeping hours of timeIf ever you have look'd on better days,
If ever been where bells have knoll'd to church,
If ever sat at any good man's feast,
If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear
And know what 'tis to pity and be pitied,
Let gentleness my strong enforcement be
In the which hope I blush, and hide my sword.
Mother Goose’s Tales: Referring to a collection of tales gathered together by French author Charles Perrault, published in 1697. The collection includes classic fairytales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Puss in Boots.
Jack the Giant-killer: Referring to the popular story of Jack, who slays giants during the reign of King Arthur. The story was first published in 1711.
Four-mile boot: Referring to the fairytale Puss in Boots
Perspicuity of his Discernment: i.e. lost all the ability to judge clearly
An Ignis fatuus ...:
Cf. Samuel Butler's "Hudibras" (published 1663).
Cf. Samuel Butler's "Hudibras" (published 1663).
Coquetry: According to the OED, mid 17th century: from French coquetterie, from coqueter 'to flirt', from coquet 'wanton'
Dupe: According to the OED, a victim of deception. Origin, late 17th century, from dialect French dupe "hoopoe", from bird's supposedly stupid appearance.
From lips like those...: From Alexander Pope's "Eloisa to Abelard" (1717), an Ovidian poem inspired by the tragic 12th century story of Heloise and Abelard's illicit love and secret marriage.
Precepts: According to the OED, a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
Truth divine...: From Alexander Pope's "Eloisa to Abelard" (1717).
Piqued: According to the OED, a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride. Origin: mide 16th century (denoting animosity between two or more people), from French piquer 'prick, irritate'.
Humbugging: According to the OED, deceiving, tricking.
Chit: According to the OED, obsolete name of Sa bird: the Tit, Titlark, or Meadow Pipit, so called from its short and feeble note.
Raillery: According to the OED, good-humored teasing: mid 17th century, from French rallerie, from railer 'to rail'.
Harvey: William Harvey (1578-1657) and English physician and the first to provide a detailed explanation of the circulatory system.
Tartar: According to the OED, a member of the combined forces of central Asian peoples, including Mongols and Turks, under Genghis Khan. A harsh, fierce or intractable person.
So a wild Tartar...: From Hudibras (1674) a mock heroic poem by Samuel Butler..
When vice prevails...: From Cato, Act IV, Scene I, Joseph Addison (1712). The play centers around the last days of Cato the Stoic's death. Prologue by Alexander Pope and epilogue by Samuel Garth.
Intercourse: According to the OED, from late Middle English (denoting communication or dealings): from Old french entrecours 'exchange, commerce," from Latin intercursus, from intercurrere 'intervene', from inter-'between' + currere 'run'. Communicationor dealing between individuals or groups. The sexual use of the word did not arise until the 18th century.
All Praise is foreign: From "May Not The Love of Praise be an Incentive to Virtue?", Susanna Blamire (1747-1794).
Dropsy: A morbid condition characterized by the accumulation of watery fluid in the serous cavities or the connective tissue of the body. (OED)
Spectacle: (In this instance) "With descriptive adjs. denoting the impression conveyed by the thing seen." (OED)
Humours: Mental disposition; constitutional or habitual tendency; temperament. (OED)
Inclinations: In this instance, Liking, affection. (OED)
Moulders: To decay to dust; to rot; to crumble. (OED)
Season: The period of the year during which a particular place is most frequented for business, fashion, or amusement; esp. the time (now May to July) when the fashionable world is assembled in London. (OED)
Town: i.e. London
Unperverted: To avoid being misguided or corrupted. (OED)