carried before them as trophies of their success: and, when they were about to sit down to dinner (or supper), Sir Timothy Thicket desired that Narcissa would honour the table with her presence; but this request, notwithstanding her brother's threats and intreaties, she refused, on pretence of attending her aunt, who was indisposed; so I enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing my rival mortified. But this disappointment made no great impression on him, who consoled himself with the bottle, of which the whole company became so enamoured, that, after a most horrid uproar of laughing, singing, swearing, dancing, and fighting, they were all carried to bed in a state of utter oblivion. My duty being altogether detached from the squire and his family, I led a pretty easy and comfortable life, drinking daily intoxicating draughts of love from the charms of Narcissa, which brightened on my contemplation every day more and more. Inglorious as my present station was, I became blind to my own un worthiness, and even conceived hopes of one day enjoying this amiable creature, whose affability greatly encouraged these presumptuous thoughts. CHAPTER XL. osto, pretty much used. Besides these, trans- | with the skins of two foxes and one badger, lations of the classics into French, but not one book in Greek or Latin; a circumstance that discovered her ignorance in these languages. After having taken a full view of this collection, I retired, and, at the usual time, was preparing to lay the cloth, when I was told by the maid that her mistress was still in bed, and had been so affected with the notes of the hounds in the morning, that she actually believed herself a hare beset by the hunters, and begged a few greens to munch for breakfast. When I expressed my surprise at this unaccountable imagination, she gave me to understand that her lady was very much subject to whims of this nature, sometimes fancying herself an animal, sometimes a piece of furniture; during which conceited transformations, it was very dangerous to come near her, especially when she represented a beast; for that lately, in the character of a cat, she had flown at her, and scratched her face in a terrible manner: that, some months ago, she prophesied the general conflagration was at hand, and nothing would be able to quench it but her water, which therefore she kept so long that her life was in danger; and she must needs have died of the retention, had they not found an expedient to make her evacuate, by kindling a bonfire under her chamber window, and persuading her that the house was in flames; upon which, with great deliberation, she bade them .bring all the tubs and vessels they could find, to be filled, for the preservation of the house, into one of which she immediately discharged the cause of her distemper. I was also informed, that nothing contributed so much to the recovery of her reason as music, which was always administered on those occasions by Narcissa, who played perfectly well on the harpsichord, and to whom she (the maid) was just then going to intimate her aunt's disorder. She was no sooner gone, than I was summoned by the bell to my lady's chamber, where I found her sitting squat on her hams on the floor, in the manner of puss when she listens to the outcries of her pursuers. When I appeared, she started up with an alarmed look, and sprung to the other side of the room to avoid me, whom, without doubt, she mistook for a beagle thirsting after her life. Perceiving her extreme confusion, I retired, and on the staircase met the adorable Narcissa coming up, to whom I imparted the situation of my mistress. She said not a word, but, smiling with unspeakable grace, went into her aunt's apartment, and in a little time my ears were ravished with the effects of her skill. She accompanied the instrument with a voice so sweet and melodious, that I did not wonder at the surprising change it produced on the spirits of my mistress, which were soon composed to peace and sober reflection. About seven o'clock the hunters arrived, My mistress is surprised at my learningcommunicates her performances to meI impart some of mine to her-am mortified at her faint praise-Narcissa approves of my conduct-I gain an involuntary conquest over the cook-wench and dairy-maid their mutual resentment and insinuations—the jealousy of their lovers. DURING this season of love and tranquillity, my muse, which had lain dormant so long, awoke, and produced several small performances on the subject of my flame: but, as it concerned me nearly to remain undiscovered in my real character and sentiments, I was under a necessity of mortifying my desire of praise, by confining my works to my own perusal and applause. In the mean time I strove to insinuate myself into the good opinion of both ladies, and succeeded so well, by my diligence, and dutiful behaviour, that in a little time I was at least a favourite servant; and frequently enjoyed the pleasure of hearing myself mentioned in French and Italian, with some degree of warmth and surprise, by the dear object of all my wishes, as a person who had so much of the gentleman in my appearance and discourse, that she could not for her soul treat me like a common lackey. My prudence and modesty were not long proof against these bewitching compliments. One day, while I waited at dinner, the conversation turned upon a knotty passage of Tasso's Gierusalem, which it murder of a prince before the altar, where he is busy at his devotions. After the deed is perpetrated, the regicide will harangue the people with the bloody dagger in his hand; and I have already composed a speech, which I think will suit the character extremely— here it is." Then taking up a scrap of paper, she read with violent emphasis and gesture as follows: And toss the sprawling infant on my spear, seems had puzzled them both. After a great many unsatisfactory conjectures, my mistress, taking the book out of her pocket, turned to the place in question, and read the sentence over and over without success; at length, despairing of finding the author's meaning, she turned to me, saying,-"Come hither, Bruno, let us see what fortune will do for us; I will interpret to thee what goes before and what follows this obscure para-Thus have I sent the simple king to hell, graph, the particular words of which I will Without or coffin, shroud, or passing bell. also explain, that thou mayest, by comparing To me, what are divine and human laws! one with another, guess the sense of that I court no sanction but my own applause! which perplexes us." I was too vain to let Rapes, robberies, treasons, yield my soul delight; slip this opportunity of displaying my talents, And human carnage gratifies my sight. therefore, without hesitation, read and ex-I drag the parent by the hoary hair, plained the whole of that which had disconcerted them, to the utter astonishment of both. Narcissa's face and lovely neck were overspread with blushes, from which I drew a favourable omen, while her aunt, after having stared at me a good while with a look of amazement, exclaimed,-"In the name of heaven, who art thou?" I told her I had picked up a smattering of Italian during a voyage up the Straits. At this explanation she shook her head, and observed, that no smatterer could read as I had done. She then desired to know if I understood French: to which question I answered in the affirmative. She asked if I was acquainted with the Latin and Greek: I replied," A little." "Oho!" continued she," and with philosophy and mathematics, I suppose?" I owned I knew something of each. Then she repeated her stare and interrogation. I began to repent of my vanity, and, in order to repair the fault I had committed, said, it was not to be wondered at if I had a tolerable education, for learning was so cheap in my country; that every peasant was a scholar; but I hoped her ladyship would think my understanding no exception to my character. She was pleased to answer," No, no, God forbid." But during the rest of the time they sat at table they behaved with remarkable reserve. This alteration gave me great uneasiness; and I passed the night without sleep, in melancholy reflections on the vanity of young men, which prompts them to commit so many foolish actions, contrary to their own sober judgment. Next day, however, instead of profiting by this self-condemnation, I yielded still more to the dictates of the principle I had endeavoured to chastise; and if fortune had not befriended me more than prudence could expect, I should have been treated with the contempt it deserved. After breakfast, my lady, who was a true author, bade me follow her into the study, where she expressed herself thus:-"Since you are so learned, you cannot be void of taste; therefore I am to desire your opinion of a small performance in poetry, which I lately composed. You must know I have planned a tragedy, the subject of which shall be the Though I did great violence to my understanding in praising this unnatural rhapsody, I nevertheless extolled it as a production that of itself deserved immortal fame; and besought. her ladyship to bless the world with the fruits of those uncommon talents Heaven had bestowed upon her. She smiled with a look of self-complacency, and, encouraged by the incense I had offered, communicated all her poetical works, which I applauded one by one, with as little candour as I had shown at first. Satiated with my flattery, which, I hope, my situation justified, she could not in conscience refuse me an opportunity of shining in my turn; and therefore, after a compliment to my nice discernment and taste, observed, that doubtless I must have produced something in that way myself, which she desired to see. This was a temptation I could by no means resist. I owned, that, while I was at college, I wrote some small detached pieces, at the desire of a friend who was in love; and at her request repeated the following verses, which indeed my love for Narcissa had inspired. ON CELLA, PLAYING ON THE HARPSICHORD AND I. Thy fatal shafts unerring move, Glide swift through all my vital frame! My mistress paid me a cold compliment on | laid their heads together, in order to concert my versification, which she said was elegant a plan of revenge; and the former having enough, but the subject beneath the pen of a been educated at the academy of Tottenhamtrue poet. I was extremely nettled at her court, undertook to challenge me to single indifference, and looked at Narcissa, who had combat. He accordingly, with many opproby this time joined us, for her approbation; but brious invectives, bade me defiance, and she declined giving her opinion, protesting offered to box me for twenty guineas. I told she was no judge of these matters: so that I him, that although I believed myself a match was forced to retire, very much balked in for him, even at that work, I would not demy expectation, which was generally a little scend so far below the dignity of a gentle too sanguine. In the afternoon, however, man as to fight like a porter, but if he had the waiting-maid assured me that Narcissa any thing to say to me, I was his man at had expressed her approbation of my perform- blunderbuss, musket, pistol, sword, hatchet, ance with great warmth, and desired her to spit, cleaver, fork, or needle; nay, I swore, procure a copy of it, as for herself, that she that, should he give his tongue any more (Narcissa) might have an opportunity to saucy liberties at my expense, I would crop peruse it at pleasure. I was elated to an his ears without any ceremony. This rhoextravagant pitch at this intelligence, and domontade, delivered with a stern counteimmediately transcribed a fair copy of my nance and resolute tone, had the desired ode, which was carried to the dear charmer, effect upon my antagonist, who, with some together with another on the same subject, confusion, sneaked off, and gave his friend as follows:an account of his reception. The story taking air among the servants, procured for me the title of Gentleman John, with which I was sometimes honoured, even by my mistress and Narcissa, who had been informed of the whole affair by the chambermaid. In the mean time the rival queens expressed their passion by all the ways in their power; the cook entertained me with choice bits, the dairy-maid with stroakings. The first would often encourage me to discover myself by complimenting me upon my courage and learning, and observing, that if she had a husband like me, to maintain order, and keep accounts, she could make a great deal of money by setting up an eating-house in London, for gentlemen's servants on board-wages. The other courted my affection by showing her own importance, and telling me, that many a substantial farmer in the neighbourhood would be glad to marry her; but she was resolved to please her eye, if she should plague her heart. Then she would launch out into the praise of my proper person, and say, she was sure I would make a good husband, for I was very good-natured. I began to be uneasy at the importunities of these inamoratas, whom, at another time, perhaps, I might have pleased without the disagreeable sauce of matrimony; but at present my whole soul was engrossed by Narcissa, and I could not bear the thoughts of doing any thing derogatory of the passion I entertained for her. II. For, while I gaze, my bosom glows, My faltering tongue attempts in vain, IV. Condemned to nurse eternal care, And ever drop the silent tear; Unheard I mourn, unknown I sigh, Unfriended live, unpitied die! Whether or not Narcissa discovered my passion, I could not learn from her behaviour, which, though always benevolent to me, was henceforth more reserved and less cheerful. While my thoughts aspired to a sphere so far above me, I had unwittingly made a conquest of the cook-wench and dairy-maid, who became so jealous of each other, that, if their sentiments had been refined by education, it is probable one or other of them would have had recourse to poison or steel, to be avenged of her rival; but, as their minds were happily adapted to their humble station, their mutual enmity was confined to scolding and fisty-cuffs, in which exercise they were both well skilled. My good fortune did not long remain a secret; for it was disclosed by the frequent broils of these heroines, who kept no decorum in their encounters. The coachman and gardener, who paid their devoirs to my admirers, each to his respective choice, alarmed at my success, CHAPTER XLI. Narcissa being in danger from the brutality of Sir Timothy, is rescued by me, who revenge myself on my rival-I declare my passion, and retreat to the sea-sideam surrounded by smugglers, and carried to Boulogne-find my uncle, Lieutenant Bowling, in great distress, and relieve him-our conversation. Ar certain intervals, my ambition would revive; I would despise myself for my tame resignation to my sordid fate, and revolve a hundred schemes for assuming the character of a gentleman, to which I thought myself entitled by birth and education. In these fruitless suggestions time stole away unperceived, and I had already remained eight months in the station of a footman, when an accident happened that put an end to my servitude, and for the present banished all hopes of succeeding in my love. not killed him, filled me with just apprehension of his resentment, which I found myself in no condition to withstand; especially when I considered his intimacy with our squire, to whom I knew he could justify himself for what he had done, by imputing it to his love, and desiring his brother Bruin to take the same liberty with his sister, without any fear of offence. When we arrived at the house, Narcissa assured me, she would exert all her influence in protecting me from the revenge of Thicket, and likewise engage Narcissa went one day to visit Miss her aunt in my favour; at the same time, Thicket, who lived with her brother, within pulling out her purse, offered it as a small less than a mile of our house, and was per- consideration for the service I had done her. suaded to walk home in the cool of the But I stood too much upon the punctilios of evening, accompanied by Sir Timothy, who, love to incur the least suspicion of being having good deal of the brute in him, was mercenary, and refused the present, by sayinstigated to use some unbecoming fami- ing, I had merited nothing by barely doing liarities with her, encouraged by the solita- my duty. She seemed astonished at my riness of a field through which they passed. disinterestedness, and blushed: I felt the same The lovely creature was incensed at his suffusion, and, with a downcast eye, and rude behaviour, for which she reproached broken accent, told her, I had one request to him, in such a manner, that he lost all regard | make, which, if her generosity would grant, to decency, and actually offered violence to I should think myself fully recompensed for this pattern of innocence and beauty. But an age of misery. She changed colour at Heaven would not suffer so much goodness this preamble, and, with great confusion, to be violated; and sent me, who, passing by replied, she hoped my good sense would accident near the place, was alarmed with hinder me from asking any thing she was her cries, to her succour. What were the bound in honour to refuse, and therefore emotions of my soul when I beheld Narcissa, bade me signify my desire. Upon which I almost sinking beneath the brutal force of kneeled and begged to kiss her hand. She this satyr! I flew like lightning to her immediately, with an averted look, stretched rescue; and he, perceiving me, quitted his it out; and I imprinted on it an ardent kiss, prey, and drew his hanger to chastise my and, bathing it with my tears, cried-" Dear presumption. My indignation was too high madam, I am an unfortunate gentleman, and to admit one thought of fear; so that, rushing love you to distraction; but would have died upon him, I struck his weapon out of his a thousand deaths rather than make this hand, and used my cudgel so successfully, declaration under such a servile appearance, that he fell to the ground, and lay, to all were I not determined to yield to the rigour appearance, without sense. Then I turned of my fate, to fly from your bewitching preto Narcissa, who had swooned, and sitting sence, and bury my presumptuous passion in down by her, gently raised her head, and eternal silence." With these words I rose supported it on my bosom, while, with my and went away, before she could recover her hand around her waist, I kept her in that spirits so far as to make any reply. My position. My soul was thrilled with tumul- first care was to go and consult Mrs Sagely, tuous joy at feeling the object of my dearest with whom I had maintained a friendly corwishes within my arms: and while she lay respondence ever since I left her house. insensible, I could not refrain from applying When she understood my situation, the good my cheek to hers and ravishing a kiss. In woman, with real concern, condoled me on a little time, the blood began to revisit her my unhappy fate, and approved of my resoface; she opened her enchanting eyes, and lution to leave the country, as being perfectly having recollected her late situation, said, well acquainted with the barbarous disposition with a look full of tender acknowledgement- of my rival," who, by this time," said she, "Dear John, I am eternally obliged to you!"" has no doubt meditated a scheme of reSo saying, she made an effort to rise, in which I assisted her, and she proceeded to the house, leaning upon me all the way. I was a thousand times tempted by this opportunity to declare my passion, but the dread of disobliging her restrained my tongue. We had not moved an hundred paces from the scene of her distress, when I perceived Sir Timothy rise and walk homeward; a circumstance, which, though it gave me some satisfaction, inasmuch as I thereby knew I had venge. Indeed I cannot see how you will be able to elude his vengeance; being himself in the commission, he will immediately grant warrants for apprehending you; and as almost all the people in this country are dependent on him and his friend, it will be impossible for you to find shelter among them: if you should be apprehended, he will commit you to jail, where you may possibly languish in great misery till the next assizes, and then be transported for assaulting a magistrate." : of the French shore, one of the smugglers told me, I must pay for my passage. To this declaration I replied, that my passage was none of my own seeking, therefore they could not expect a reward from me for transporting me into a strange country by force. "Damme!" said the outlaw, "none of your palaver; but let me see what money you have got." So saying, he thrust his hand into my pocket without any ceremony, and emptied hat and wig, which captivated his fancy, he took them off, and clapping his own on my head, declared that a fair exchange was no robbery. I was fain to put up with the bargain, which was by no means favourable to me; and a little while after we went all on shore together. While she thus warned me of my danger, precaution; for when we came within sight we heard a knocking at the door, which threw us both into great consternation, as, in all probability, it was occasioned by my pursuers; whereupon this generous old lady, putting two guineas into my hand, with tears in her eyes, bade me, for God's sake, get out at the back door, and consult my safety as Providence should direct me. There was no time for deliberation. I followed her advice, and escaped by the benefit of a dark night to the sea-side, where, while I rumi-it of the contents: then casting an eye at my nated on my next excursion, I was all of a sudden surrounded by armed men, who, having bound my hands and feet, bade me make no noise, on pain of being shot, and carried me on board of a vessel, which I soon perceived to be a smuggling cutter. This discovery gave me some satisfaction at first, because I considered myself safe from I resolved to take my leave of these desthe resentment of Sir Timothy but when I peradoes without much ceremony, when one found myself in the hands of ruffians, who of them cautioned me against appearing to threatened to execute me for a spy, I would their prejudice, if ever I returned to England, have thought myself happily quit for a year's unless I had a mind to be murdered; for imprisonment, or even transportation. It which service, he assured me, the gang never was in vain for me to protest innocence: I wanted agents. I promised to observe his could not persuade them that I had taken a advice, and departed for the upper town, solitary walk to their haunt at such an hour, where I inquired for a cabaret or public-house; merely for my own amusement; and I did into which I went, with an intention of taking not think it my interest to disclose the true some refreshment. In the kitchen, five Dutch cause of my retreat, because I was afraid sailors sat at breakfast, with a large loaf, a they would have made their peace with justice, firkin of butter, and a keg of brandy, the bung by surrendering me to the penalty of the law. of which they often applied to their mouths What confirmed their suspicion was the with great perseverance and satisfaction. At appearance of a custom-house yacht, which some distance from them I perceived another gave them chase, and had well nigh made a person in the same garb, sitting in a pensive prize of the vessel; when they were delivered solitary manner, entertaining himself with a from their fears by a thick fog, which effec- whif of tobacco from the stump of a pipe as tually screened them, and favoured their black as jet. The appearance of distress arrival at Boulogne. But before they had never failed to attract my regard and comgot out of sight of their pursuer, they held a passion; I approached this forlorn tar with a council of war about me; and some of the view to offer him my assistance; and, notmost ferocious among them would have withstanding the alteration of dress, and disthrown me overboard, as a traitor who had guise of a long beard, I discovered in him my betrayed them to their enemies; but others, long lost and lamented uncle and benefactor, more considerate, alleged, that, if they put Lieutenant Bowling! Good Heaven! what me to death, and should afterwards be taken, were the agitations of my soul, between the they could expect no mercy from the legis- joy of finding again such a valuable friend, lature, which would never pardon outlawry and the sorrow of seeing him in such a low aggravated by murder. It was therefore condition! The tears gushed down my determined, by a plurality of votes, that I cheeks; I stood motionless and silent for should be set on shore in France, and left to some time; at length, recovering the use of find my passage back to England as I should speech, exclaimed," Gracious God! Mr think proper, this being punishment sufficient Bowling." My uncle no sooner heard his name for the bare suspicion of a crime in itself not mentioned, than he started up, crying, with capital. Although this favourable determi- some surprise,—“Holla!" and after having nation gave me great pleasure, the apprehen- looked at me steadfastly without being able sion of being robbed would not suffer me to to recollect me, said," Did you call me, be perfectly at ease. To prevent this calamity, brother?" I told him I had something extraas soon as I was untied, in consequence of ordinary to communicate, and desired him to the foresaid decision, I tore a small hole in give me the hearing for a few minutes in one of my stockings, into which I dropped another room: but he would by no means consix guineas; reserving half a piece and some sent to this proposal, saying," Avast there, silver in my pocket, that, finding something, friend; none of your tricks upon travellers: they might not be tempted to make any if you have any thing to say to me, do it further inquiry. This was a very necessary above board: you need not be afraid of being |