** member her grandfiither Lord W welhj

Digitized by Google

jia The Mi I r u o e. N° 107.

is delighted with the expedation of fuccefsi and that other people arc often little lefs pleafed with tracing the difappointment. The lafk are flattered byieeing the fttperiority of fcience thus levelled and brought down ; the firft folates himfelf by knputiog the failure to errors in the execution, and, (hutting his clofct«door, returns to frefli theories and new fpc-tulation.

In the cpurfe of my reading, I have in« with two theoretical defcriptions, which plcafcd me fo niuch by the appearance they exhibited of felf-fatisfa£tion in the fages who compofed them, that I

"Caanot refift the defire of laying t^em before my readers in this day's paper. The firft I found in an objcure author oIF the ag6 of Queen Elifabeth, who» in tra. cing the progrefs of certain affeflions of the mind, thus perfonifies his ideas of Honotirakk Love*

♦« When a young man,'* fays he, ** of illuftrious defcent, rarely gifted by Nature in mind and body, the which he hath, through the care of his noble parents and his own fpccial induftry, much helped by art, firft conaeth from the, retired haunts of learning into

the

Digitized by Google

N^io'y. The Mirror* 313

the rcfort of the world, he is fuddenly fmitten bf the beauty and rare accomplifliments. of fome young damfel, of parentage no lefs honourable than his own, and of endowments no lefs precious than thofe wherewith himfelf is graced. He feeketh all opportunities of converfe with, and of courtefy towards her ^ which neverthelefs fhe»

out of maiden {hyncfs,, whereof her lady-mother hath well inftiufted her^ doth, with a determined {latelinefs of afpe^i moft conftantly avoid , whereat the young man, being grieved in his mind^ but iK> wife damped in his love, he refteth not till by all means he render himfelf more worthy . of her regard, not only by excelling in all gentlemanlike exercifes, fuch as dancing, horfemanfhip, fkill in his rapier, and the like, but likewife in all becoming foftnefs of behaviour, and courtly nicenefs of fpeech, adding thereunto the ftudy of fweet poefy, wherewith, ia curious fotinets, he fpeaketh the praife of his miftrefs's manifold pcrfeftions. But fhe, no wife yielding to fuch flatteries, nor abating the rigour of her looks, he fomctimes complaineth of his thraldom in more bitter terms, and for a while, as feeking freedom from his fair tyrant, fhunneth her company, and reforteth Vol. III. D d to

Digitized by Google

314 The Mirror. N*^ 107.

to tha't of jovial companions, much given to the fports of the field and the joys of wine, thinking thereby to efface her image quite from his mind.. But, after no great fpace, he groweth uneafy and unquiet, and, though ftoutly denying all allegiance to that domi« nion, whereof he hath fworn to be free. He gpeth fecretly where he can again fteal a glance of her lovely face, by one look of which being, as he deemeth, encouraged to better hope, he reneweth his fuit with frefli warmth, renouncmg l\is pafl: rebellion as a grievous fio^ the which he

is to expiate by tenfold increafed love. Neverthelefs ihe, willing to fhew her power thus riiarveloufly confirmed and increafed, demeaneth herfelf as haughtily as before, and, haply, to punifh his late treafoaous lapfe and falling off, feemeth to caft upon others more foft and favourable looks j whereat our lover, being ftung with envy and jealous wrath, doth encounter the chiefeft of his rivals with fiiarp and angry words, which growing into keener and more deadly rage, they agree to decide which is the worthieft, by trial of arms; and having met, in fome retired place, either on horfeback or on foot, attended by their fqpires, a furious combat cnfueth,

Digitized by Google

N^ioy. The MiRitoit. gi^

cnfueth, in Which the valour of both fhineth out Worthy of their noble birth, and of that love wherewith it is more efpecially inflaiped and fpurrcd on. After various turns of fortune> and many wounds on both fides^ ou|r lover doth, with difSculty, mailer his adverfary, to whom he Iheweth no lefs courtefy ia defeat, than fiercenefs in fight. After a time, liaving recovered of his wounds^ at hearing whereof the lady hath fhewed as much grief and pity as befeemeth a modeft maiden to ihew for man, he appcareth before her, his arm lcarfed» and his cheeks yet pale from lofs of blood, and, kneeling at her feet, imploretb forgivcnefs for paft faults, and vowcth conftaticy and lote, not fliorter than he hath life to fe'el them, and breath to utter j while ihe, without fpeaking a word, doth, by looks and filent blufhesi in fome fort confefs herfelf propitious to his vows; whereof, having^

pafled a probation of years, one. or more, he arriveth at the end of his wifhes, and obtaineth Rer confent to be his wedded wife. Laftly, their noble parents being well fatisfied with this union of their blood, the marriage is cekbrated with much ceremony and pomp, aC the caille of the bride's princely father^. wKereD d ^ at Digitized by Google

2i6 The Mirror. N^ ia7.

at there is all manner of good cheer^ of dan>cingy and of oiiaftrelfy, for many days."

This theory of ancient love and courtfliip^ Inftead of fimplifying the matter, makes it much more difficult than, in modern pra^ice at leaft, it is actually found. The lover, nowa-days, finds but little of that ftately pride and maiden fhynefs above defcribed ; nor is he ob* ligcd to cultivate poetry to celebrate his mi« fireis, nor to meet any rival attended by his fquire, nor to fuffer wounds and lofs of blood for her fake, nor to go through a probation of years, one or more. All he has to do is, to dance with the lady at a ball, fay a few foft things to her in plain profe, then meet her father attended by his lawyer, go through a probation of deeds and fettlements, and fo proceed to the bridal ceremony, and to good cheer and jollity for as ihort or as long a time as he thinks proper.

The fccond theoretical defcription which I ihall lay before my readers, is fo far different from the firft, that it renders 2u very confufed and intricate bufincfs, as I have been told it is, perfe^Iy clear and obvious to the meaneft

capacity.

Digitized by Google

N*^ 107. The KT i it a o r. jif

capacity. This, however, is by no meanr owiog to any waot in the theoretics^l fituatioa of that incident or buiHe which occurs in thb real 5 on the contrary, the events are infinitely more pumeroas and aiioniihing in the iirfl: than in the latter, though the art of the theo-xdft carries the imagination through them alk with wonderful didin^tnefs and reguiarityr The inftance to which I allude is the dcfcription of a battle^ given by the^ingenious Mr Ai Boyer, in his Ftencb Di^ionary^

under th«( word BatfaiUe.

DescriptiOk of a Battle.

^^'Ths two armies being in fight, the can-^ non roar on each fide; and the fignal of the fight being given, they both move, andbcgia* tike encounter. In the height of danger, the generals ihew their intrepidity, by prelerving their cool temper, and by giving their ordc:i'$' without emotion and without hurry* In tho clofe engagement, the officers perform won-** ders,. and ihew extraordinary valour and> judgement

\ and feconded by their men, who' fight like lions, they cut the enemy in pieces^, kill and overthrow all they meet in iheir wdy, D d 3 break Digitized by Google

3r8 The MiRxeit. 1^107.

break through battalions, and bear dowir i<|uadron$. Upoi> the point of being overpowered by numbers, they refolutely fuftainthe effort of the enemy;. and the generals be* ing informed by their aids-de-camp of what pafles on that iide^ caufe fuccours to march thither with all fpeed, revive the ipirits of th& Ibldiers by their prefence, rally the brokenr battalions, bring them again to the charge, Fepulfe the enemy, drive them before them, regain the ground they bad loft^

retrieve the whole affair, purfue the enemy clo(e, trample them Under foot or ride over them, entirely difable them, pu,t all that refift to the iword; and, after having fuftained continual difcharges of cannon and fmall fhot, and gamed'an entire arid complete viftory, caufe a retreat tobe founded, and lie on the field of battle^ while the air refounds.with the flourifhes of trumpets/*

The above dcfcriptron is contained in an edition of Mr Boyerh learned and ufeful work, now become exceedingly, fcarce. It is there given in French and Englijb \ but I chufe to publiih the tranflation only, as I mean it iot the fole ufe of our Britijb commanders^ from whofe

Digitized by Google

N^ ray. The Mirror. 31^

whofe praAice at the time of its firft publication (about the beginning of this century) the .de(cription was probably taken. Perhaps, in fome late campaigns, our generals .had coa* fulted other Didtionaries, containing a^ much lefs animated^and decifive definition of a battle than that which I have tranfcribed from th« ingenious Mr Boyen ^

N<^ i«S;.

Digitized by Google

Jh vices f glided by the rich and gay.

SlTENSTONrf.

IF we examine impartUlly that ^iniate of plcafure, which the higher ranks of focicty are apt to form, we fhall probably be furprifcd to find how little ihtrt is in it cither ©f natural feeling or real fatisfaftion. Man]f a fafliionable voluptuary, who has not totally blunted-his tafte or his judgement, will own,, in the intervals of recolle^ion, how often he has fuffered from the infipidity, or the pain of his eifjoyments; and that, if it were not for the fear of being laughed at, it were fome* times worth while, even on the fcore of plca» fure, to be virtuous.

Sir Edward ——, to whom I had the pleafure of being introduced at Florence, was . a chara£^er much beyond that which diftinguiflies the generality of Englilh travellers of fortune. His ftory was known to fome of his countrymen who ibeo refided ia Italy; from one

Digitized by Google

N*^io8^. The M i r r or. 3^1

one of whom, who could now and then talk of ibmething befide pictures and operas, I had » particular recital of it.

He had been firft abroad at an early period ioi: life^ foon after the death of his father had left him mafter of a very large eilate, which he had the good fortune to inherit, and all the inclination natural to youth to enjoy. Though always fumptuous,' however, and fometimes profufe, he was obferved never ta be ridiculous in hisexpences; and, though h& ¥ras now and then talked of as a man of plea* fure and diffipation, he always left behind him more inAances of beneficence than of irregu« larity. For that refpcft and cftecm in which his character, amidft all his little errors, was generally held, he was fuppofed a good deal indebted to the fociety of a gentleman, who had been his companion at the univerfity, and now attended him rather as a friend than a tutor. This gentleman was^ unfortunately, leized at Marfeilles with a lingering diforder, for which he was-under the neceffity of taking a fea-voyage, leaving Sir Edward to profecutc the remaining part of his intended tour alone.

Defcending into one of the valleys of P/W^ wicnt^ where, notwithftandipg the ruggednef^

of

Digitized by Google

322 The Mirrok. N^ loff.

of the road. Sir Edward, with a prejudice natural to his country, preferred the conveyance of an Englifh hunter to that of an -Italian mule, his horfe, unluckily, made a falfe ftep, and fell with his rider to the ground, from which Sir Edward was lifted by his fervants with fcarce any figns of life. They conveyed him on a litter to the neareft houfe, which happened to be the dwelling of a peafant ra« ther above the common rank, before whoie door fome of his neighbours were aflembled at a Pcene of rural merrhnent, when the train of Sir Edward brought up their mailer in the condition I have deicribed. The companion natural to his ^tuation was excited in all i but the owner of the manfion, whofe name wa» Fenoni, was particularly moved with it.

He applied himfelf immediately to the care of the ' firanger, and, with the affiftance of his daughter, who had left the dance fhe was

engaged in, with great marks of agitation, foon reftored Sir Edward to fenfe and life. Venom p6fi<^d fome little ikill in furgery, and his daughter produced a book of receipts in medicine. Sir Edward^ after being blooded, was put to bed, and tended with every poffible care by his hoft and his family. A confiderable

degree

• Digitized by VjOOQIC

N^ io8. The Mirrok. 323

degree of fever was the confequenc^e of his accident ; but after fome days it abated, and, iQ little more than a weckj he was able to joia in the fociety of Venoni and his daughter.

He could not help expreffing fome furprife at the appearance of refinement in the converfation of the latter, much beyond what herfituation feemed likely to confer. Her father accounted for it. She had received her edu« cation in the houfe of a lady; who happened to pafs through the valley, and to take ihelter in Vimni*% cottage, (for his houfe was but a better fort of cottage), the night of her birth, M

When her mother died,'* faid he, " the '< Signora, whofe name, at her defire, we had << given the child, took her home to her own '< houfe

\ there ihe was taught many things^ ** of which there is no need here

; yet (he is *< not fo proud of her learning as to wiih to *' leave her father in his old age 5 and I hope '* foon to have her fettled near me for life."

But Sir Edward had now an opportunity of knowing Lonifa better than from the defcription of her father. Mufic and painting, in both of which arts ftie was a tolerable proficient, Sir Edward had ftudied with fuccefs. l,mifa felt a fort of pleafure from her drawings^

Digitized by Google

324 The Mirror. N^ ioS«

kigSi which they had never given her before, when they were praifed by Sir Edward *, and the family-concerts of Venoni were very different from what they had formerly been, when once his gueft was fo far recovered as to be able to join in them. The flute of Venoni excelled all the other mufic of the valley \ his daughter's lute was much beyond it; Sir Ed'* ward\ violin was finer than either. But his converfation with Loid/a —it was that of a fuperior order of beings !

— fcience, tafte, fentiment! —— it was long fince Louifa had heard, thefe founds ; amidfl: the ignorance of the valleyi it was luxury to hear them \ from Sir Edward^ who was one of the moft engaging figures I ever fa\i^, they were doubly delightful. In his countenance, there was always an expreffion, animated and interefting ; his ficknefs had overcome fomewhat of the firft, .but greatly added to the power of the latter.

Louifah was not leli captivating — and 4S'ir Edward haA not feen it fo long without emotion. During his illnefs, he thought this emotioti but gratitude ; and, when it firft grew warmer, he checked it, from the thought of her fituation, and of the debt he owed her.

But

Digitized by Google

N® io«. The Mirror, ^jaj

.But the ftntggle was too mcffeftual to ovcrcomCf and, of confequence, increafed his paf* ^on. There was but one way in which the pride of Sir Edward allowed of its being gratified. He fometimcs thought of this as a bafe and unworthy one ; but he was.the fool of words which he had often defpifed, the flave of manners he had often -condemned. He at laft compromifed matters with himfelf ; Jie refolved, if he coulci, to think no more of Ltmi/a •, at any rate, to think no piore of the ties of gratitude, or the reftraints of virtue.

Louifa^ who trufted to both, now communicated to Sir Edward an important fecreU ^ It was at the clofe of a piece of mufic which they

had been playing in the abfence of her father. She took up her lute, and touched a little wild melancholy air, which flie had fiompofed to the memory of her mother. ** That,'* faid (he, " nobody ever heard except my fa*^ ther; I play it fometimcs when I am alone, ** and in low fpirit?. I don't know how 1 « came to think of it now 4 yet I have fome -«< rcafon to be fad." Sir Edward prcfled to know the caufe ; after fome hefitation fhc .t©ld it all. Her father had fixed on thefoa .of a neighbour, richinpofleffions, but rude . Vol. III. E c j»

Digitized by Google

326 The Mirror. N^ 108.

in manners, for her hufband. Againft this match (he had always protefted as ftrongly* as a fcnfe of duty, and the tnildneis of her nature, would allow ; but Venoni was obftinatc- ^ ly bent on the match, and ihe was wretched

from the thoughts of it. **To marry,

*** Where one cannot love, — to marry fuch a "*' man. Sir Edward I

^-""^ It was an opportunity beyond his power of refiftance. Sir Ed"

ivard prefied her hand ; faid it would be profanation to think of fuch a marriage ; praifed her beauty, extolled her virtues ; and concluded, by fwcaring, that he adored her, . She heard him with unfufpefting plcafure, which her bluflies could ill conceal. Sir Edward ' improved the favourable moment; talked of the ardency of his paffion, the infignificancy of ceremonies and forms, the inefBcacy of legal engagements, the eternal duration of thofc di£lated by love ; and, io fine, urged her going off with him, to crown both their days with happinefs. Loui/a ftarted at that propofal. She would have reproached him, but her heart was not made for it 5 fhe could only weep.

They were interrupted by the arrival of her father with bis intended fon^in-law. He was

juft

Digitized by Google

N^ io8. The Mirror. 327

juft fuch a man as Louifa had repi:erented him^ coarfc, vulgar, and~

ignorant. But F^noniy though much above their neighbour in every thing but riches^ looked on him as poorer men often look on the wealthy, and difcovered none of his impcrfeftions* He took his daughter afidc, told her- he had brought her future hufband, and that he intended ' they flbould be married in a week at fartheft.

Next morning Louifa was indlfpofed, and kept her chamber. Sir Edward was now^perfedlly recovered. He was engaged to go out with Venoni\ but, before his departure, he took up his violin, and touched a few plaintive notes on it. They were heard by Louifa. In the evening fhc wandered forth to indulge her forrows alone. She had reached a fequeftcred fpot, where fome poplars formed a thicket on the banks of a little ftream that watered the valley. A nightingale was perched on one of them, and had already begun its accuftomed fong. Louifa fat down on a withered ftump, leaning her cheek upon her hand. After a little while, the bird way feared from its perch, and flitted from the thicket. Louifa rofe from the ground, and: E e %. burfti Digitized by Google

528 The Mir r or. N^ioSt

bnrft into tears. She turned—and beheld* Sir Edward, His countenance had much of its former languor; and^ when betook her hand| he caft on the earth a metencboly look, and fcemed unable to fpeak his feelings. " Are•'you not well, Sir EdxvarJP^ faid Loitifa^ with a voice faint and broken* — •* I am ill; •* indeed/' faid'he, " but my illnefs is of the* •*'mind. Loidfa cannot cure lAe of that, T •• am wretched \ but fl deferve tb^ be fo. I' •*'have broken every law of hofjiitality, and •' evciy obligation of gratitude* I have dared* **-to wi(h for happineft, and to fpeak what I ** wifhed, though it wounded the heart of my ** deareft bcncfaftrefs — but I will make a fe*• vcre expiation. This moment I leave you, ^^'Loulfa ? I go to be wretched ;

but you may •''be happy, happy in your duty to a father^ *' happy^ it may be, in the arms of a hufbandj. **whom the pofTciHon of fudi-a wife may•*^ teach refinement and fenfibility. — I go to'' my native country, to hurry through fcenes , <^^of irkfome bufinefs or taftelefs amufement ;. •'that I .may, if pofliblc, procure a fort^of *^ half-oblivion of that happinefs which I have "left behind^ a liftkfs endurance of that life

**- whicih»

Digitized by Google

N° 108. The M' i r r o k; j^^i

" which I once dream'd might be made de«*• lightful with Louifa^

Tears were the only anfwer {he could give; Sir Edv>ard*% fervants appeared, with a carriage, ready for his departure. He took from his pocket two pidlures ; one he had drawn> of Louifa^ he fattened round his neck, andi k^iffing it with rapture, hid it in his bofom. The other he held out in a heiitating manner* ** This,** faid he, ** if Louifa will accept of it,, ** may fometimes put her in mind of him who* ••

once offended, who can never ceafe to adore •* her. She may look on it, perhaps, after '* the original is no more; wh^n this heart" fhall have forgot to love, and ceafed to be ** wretcl^cd.**

Louifa was at laft overcome. Her face was.firft pale as death ; then fuddenly it was croffed with a crimfon blufh. " Oh ! Sir Ed«* wardr*

faid fhe, •* What — what would«* you have me do !"—He eagei)ly feized her hand, and led her, reluftant, to the carriage. They entered it, and, driving off with furiousfpeed, were foon out of fight of thofe hills^ which paftured the flocks of the unfortunate Venoni, V

E e 3; N® icoii,

Digitized by Google

TH £ virtue of Loui/a was vanquifhed ;; but her fenfe of virtue was not over* come. Neither the vows of eternal fidelityof her feducer, nor the conftant and rcfpeft*ftil attention which he paid her during a hurried journey to England; could allay that anguifli which flie fuflcred at the recolleAion of her paft,and the thoughts of her prefent iitu* ation. Sir Edii^ard felt-ftrongly the power of her beauty and of her grief.. His heart was not made for that part which, it is probable; He thought it could have performed : it, was ftUl fubje6t to remorfe, to compaffion, and to love. Theic emotions, perhaps, he might* fbon have overcome, had they been ^met by vulgar violence or reproaches j but the qtiier and unupbraiding forrows of Loui/a nourifh^ ed thole feelings of tendernels and attach* ment. She never mentioned her wrongs in words : fometimes a few ftarting tears would fpeak them 5

and, when time had given hcr» si

littk

Digitized by Google

HP 109. T' H- B M r R R a* %\ 334?

little more compofure^ her lute difcourfcdi melancholy mufic On their arrival in England^ Sir Edwari carried Louifa to his- feat in the country* There fhe was treated with all the obfervanceof a wife ; and> had flie chofen it, might have commanded more than the ordinary. fplen« dour of on«. But fhe would not allow the indulgence of Sir Edward to blazon with equi* page, and Ihow that ftate which jQie wiihed^ always to hide/and, if poflible, to forget. Her books and her mufic were her only plea«» fures ; if plcafurts they could be called, that fcrved but to alleviate mifery, and to blunt,, for a while, the pangs of contrition.

Thefe were deeply aggravated by the recol* leftion of her iaihcr : a tathcr lett in his age to feel his own misfortunes and his daughterV

dy'grace. Sir Edixiard was too generous not to think of pi'ovidiug for Vaioni, He nieant to make fome atonement tor the injury he had done him, by that cruel bounty which is reparation only to the baie, but to

the honeft is infult. He had.not, however, an opportunity of'

accomplilhing his purpose. He learned that Venoni^ foon after his, daughter's ^opement, removed froia his^foriner place of refidence.

Digitized by Google

yyz' The M i r r o r. N^ 109^

peiidence, andi as his neighbours reported,, had died in one of (he villag/es of Savoy, His* daughter felt this with anguiih the mod poignaat| and her affli^lion, for a wbilCj refufed* confolation. Sir Edward^ whole tendernefa amd attention w^re called i'orth to mitigate her grief ^ and» after its firft tranfports had. fubiided, he carried her to Londonf. in hopesthat objeAs new to her> and commonly attrac* tive to all| might contribute to remove it.

With a man pofTefied of feelings like Sir Edward% the affliction of Louija gave a cer* tain refpf£t to his attentions. He hired herlodgings feparate from his own^ and treated, her with all the delicacy of the purcft attachment But his folicitude to comfort and. amufe her was not attended with fuccefs* She. felt M the horrors of khat guilt which flie now confidered» as not only the ruin of her<^ fclf, but the murderer of her father.

In London Sir Edward found his fifter,. who had married a man of great fortune and high fafhion. He had married her, becaufe&e was a fine woman, and admired by fine men \ (he had married him, becaufe he was the wealthieft of her fuitors. They lived, as is^

common to people in fuch a fituation^ necef*

fitous

Digitized by Google

N® it)9- The Mirror. 3^3?

fitous with a princely revenue, and very wretched amidft perpetual gaiety. This fcene. was fo foreign from the idea Sir Edward had fcH^med of the reception his country and friends were to aSbrd him, that he found a conftant fource of difguft in. the fociety of his equals.

In their converfation fantaftic, not refined, their ideas were frivolous^, and their knowledge ihaliow;; and with alL the pride of birth^ and infolence of ftation^ their principles were mean, and their minds, ignoble. In their pretended attachments, he difcovered only defigns of felfi£hneis ; and their pleafures, he experienced, were as fallacious, as their friendfhips. In the fociety oi Loui/a he found feniibiiity and truth \ hers was the. only heart that feemcd interefted in hi^ welfare :- Ihe faw the return of virtue in Sir Ed' ward, and felt the friendfhip which he fhewed her. Sometimes when fhe perceived him forrowful, her luxe would leave its melancholy for more lively airs, and her countenance affume a gaiety it was not formed to wear. But h^ heart was breaking with that anguifli-which her gcnerofity endeavoured to conceal, from him; her frame, too delicate for the.

iirugglc with her feelings, fecmed to yield..to thek

Digitized tiy VjOOQ IC

334 The Mirror. N® 109,

their force; her reft forfook her; the colour faded in her chee^, the luftre of her eyes grew dim. Sir Edward faw thefe fymp*tomS^of decay with the decpeft remorfe. Often did he curfe thofe fali'e ideas of pleafure which had led him to confider the ruin of an artlefs girl, who loved and trufted him, as an objeft which it was Aixi^ry to attain and pride to accomplifh. Often did he wifh to blot out from his life a few guilty months, to be again reftored to an opportunity of giving happii nefs to that family, whole unfufpedting kind^ ncfs he had repaid with the treachery of a rob^ bcr, and the cruelty of an aflaffin.

One evening, while he fat in a little parlour witli Loui/a, his mind alternately agitated and foftened with this impreffion, a hand-organy, of a remarkably fweet tone, was heard in the ftreet. Louifa laid aiide

her lute, and liileo!-' cd : the airs it played were thofe of her native country ; and a few tears, which fhe en.^ deavoured to hide, dale from her on hearing them. Sir Edward ordered a fcrvant to fetch the organift into the room : he was brought in accordingly, and feated at the door of the apartment. '

He played one or two fprightly tunes, to

which

Digitized by VjOOQIC

N^ 109. The Mirror. 335

which L§uifa had ofun danced in her infancy: ihe gave herfelf up to the recoUeftion, and her tears jQlowed without controul. Suddenly the muiician changing the ftopi introduced a little melancholy air of a wild and plaintive kind.— Louifa ftarted from her feat, and rufhcd up to the ftranger.— He threw off a tattered coat, and black patch.-«|- It washer father! — She would have fprung to embrace him 5 he turned afide for a few moments, and would not receive her into his'arms. Fut Nature at lafl: overcame his refentment; he burft into tears, and preiled to his bofom his long-loft ^ daughter.

Sir Edward ftood fixed in aftonifhment and confufion. — ** I come not to upbraid you," faid Venani; ** I am a poor, weak, old man, ** unable for upbraidings ; I am come but to •' find my child, to forgive her, and to die ! ** When you faw us. firft, Sir Edward^ we ** were not thus.

You found us virtuous *' and happy; we danced and we fung, and •*

there was not a fad heart in the valley ** vhere we dwelt. Yet we left our dancing, ** our fongs, and our chearfulnefs ; you were "

diftreffed, and we pitied you. Since that ^* day the pipe has never been heard in Veno

-''ni'%

Digitized by Google

J36 The M i a h o h. N® rop.

** nPs fields : grief and fickncfs. have almoft -*' brought him to the grave 5 and his neigk^* hours, who loved and pitied him, have been

** chearful no more. Yet, methinks, though •* you robbed us ,of happipefs, you are not ** happy 4 — clfe why that dejcdled look which, *•* amidft all the grandeur around you, I " faw you wear, md thofe tears which, un^^ der all the gaudinefs of her apparel, I faw **

that poor deluded girl flied ?"— " But flic ^< fhall ihcd no more/* cried Sir Edward i ^* you Ihall be happy, and I fliall be juft. For^*give, my venerable friend, the injuries ** which I have done thee ; forgive me^

my ** Louifaj for rating your excellence at a price ** fo mean. I have fecn thofe high-born fc^' males to which my rauk might have allied ^'

me ; I am afliamed of their vices, and ilck ** of their follies. Profligate in their hearts, ** amidft affeOed purity, they are Haves to '* pleafuEC

without the finceritylof paflion \ and, •** with'the name of honouii^ arc infeniible to •*' ^he feelings of virtue. You,, my Louifa / **—but I will not call up recoUeftions that *• might render me lefs worthy of your future ** efteem.— Continue to love your Edward; -** but a fewiours, and you (hall add the title V <« to

Digitized by Google

N^'ibp. The Mirror. 337

*** to the affeftions of a wife; let the Qarc ^^* and tendernefs of a kufband bring back its •* peace to your ftiind, and its bloom to yout •*

chieck. We will leave for a while the won^ ''* der and the envy of the fafhionable circle ■** here* We will reftore your father to his '** native home; under that roof I fkall once •* 'more be happy ; happy withoiit allay, be^ caufe I (hall deferve my happinefs. Again "^'^hall the pipe and the dance gladden the ^ valley, and innocence and peace beam on ** the cottage of FMoniJ*

Vol. III. ^f N*iio.

Digitized by Google

N^iio. Saturday, iffisty 27* 1780.

. Extrfmum concede lahrenu Virg.

AS, at the clofe of lifci people confefs the fecrets and ezplaia the myfteries of their conduft, endeavour to do juftke to thofe with whom they have had dealings, and to die in peace with all the world ; (b, in the /concluding number of a periodical publication^ it is ufual to lay afideahe aiTumed name, or ££litiou5 charaAer> to afcribe the different papers to their true authors, and to wind up the whole with a modeft appeal to the candour or indulgence of the public.

In the courfc of thefe papers, the author has not often ventured to introduce himfelf, or to give an account of his own fituation ; ia this, therefore, which is to be the laft^ he has not much to unravel on that fcore. From the narrowne& of the place of its appearance, the MiRBOR did not admit of much periboification of its editor j the little di/guiie he has

ufed

Digitized by Google

N®110. The MrRR^R. ^ yjj^

lafed has been rather to conceal what he was^ than to give himfelf out for what he was notr

The idea of publxfliing a periodical paper in Edinburgh took its rifc in a company of gen* tlemen, whom particular circumftances of conneftron brought frequently together. Their* difcourfc often turned upon fubjefts of manners, of tafte, and of literature. By one of thofc accidental rcfolmions, of which the ori* gin cannot cafily be traced, it was determined to put their thoughts into writing, and ta read them for the entertainment of each other. Their cffays aflumed the form, and^ fbon after, Ibme one gave them the name of a periodical publication : The writers of it were naturally affociated ; and their meetings in* creafed the importance, as well as the number of their

produftions. Cultivating letters ia the midft of bufinefs, compofition was to them, an aftiufement only ; that amufement washeightened by the audience which this fociety afforded s the idea of publication fuggefted itfelf as produftive of ftill higher entertainment.

It was not, however, without diffidence

that fuch a refolution was taken. From that,.

^and feveral other circumftances, it was thought.

proper to obfcrve the ftrifteft fecrccy with re E f Z gardi

Digitized by Google

340 The Mirror. N°iio*

gard to the authors ^ a purpole in which they have been fo fuccefsful, that^ at this moment^ the very publifher of the work knows only one of their numberj to whom the conduA of it was entruftedv The afliftance received from correfpondents has been conliderable.

To them the Mirror is indebted for the following papers; the Sth, the note from Ignor^^mus in the 9th, the letter in the 17th, the izd^ the 24th9 the 29th, (except the fliort letter at the end), the firft letter in.the 35th, the 37th,. the letter io the 46th9 the 50th, the letter in the 56th»

the 59th, 62d,; 66th, 73d, 74th, and 75th, the firft letter in the 79th, the, 82d, 86th> the firft letter in the Sijib^ the letter in the 94th> the 95th| 96thy 97th, and 98th, the letter Ui the i02.d» and the letter in the 103d. Of ibme of theii: correfpondents* were they ajt liberty to difcloie them^^ the names would do credit to their work; of others they arc entirely ignorant, and can-only return this gc« neral acknowledgement for their favours. To many of them thpy have to apologize for feveral abridgements, additions, and .alterations, which fometimes the compoiition of the cfiays ibemfelvesj and fometimes the xuture of the

work

Digitized by Google

N^iio; The M i* r k ok. 341*

work in which they were to appear,Teemed torender neceflary.

The fituation of the authors of the MiRB&R was fuch as neither to prompt much am^ birion of literary iucc^fs, nor to cr6ate much*

dependence oh it. -Without this advantage,, they had fcarcely ventured to fend abroad into the world a performance, the reception of which was liable to fo much> uncertainty. They forefaw many difficulties, which a pu» blication like the Mirror, even in handsmuch abler than- theirs, muft neceflarily cncounten The ftate of the timeSi they were fenfibic,, was very unpropitious to a work of this fort* In a conjuncture fo critical as the prefent, ata period fo big with national danger and pu* blic folicitude, it was not to be expe(Jted thatmuch attention Ihould be paid^to fpeculaiion or to fentiment, to minute invefligations of charafter, or pidlures of private manners, A volume which we can lay afide and refume at. pleafure, may fufFer lefs materially from the interruption of national concerns; but a fingle fheet, that meafures its daily importance with the vehicles of public intelligence and political dif<iuifiuo»j can hardly fail to be neglefted.,

Yi z But,,

Digitized by Google

342 T fit E Mirror. IX^tiOi

But, exclufive of this general difadvantage^ there were particular circumftances which it» authors knew muft be unfavourable to the MrRKOR. That fccrccy which they thought Jt neceflary to keep, prevented all the aids of patronage and frtendfliip; it even damped thofe common exertions to which other work? are indebted^ if not for

fame, »t leaft for kf troduftibn to the world. We cannot expefl! to create an intereft in thofe whom we have not ventured to truft ^ and the claims even of merit are often little Fegarded, if that merit be anonymous and tinknown^

The fface of its publication was* in feveral. refpeds, difadvantageous.

There is a- certain * diftance at which writings, as well as men^

fhould be placed, in order to conmand our attention and refpeft. We do not eafily allow a title to inftruA orto amufe the public in. our neighbour, with whom we have been in the ufe of comparing our own abilitiesv Hence the faffidioufnefs with which, in & place (b narrow as Edinburgh, home produAions are commonly received 5 which, if they are grave, are pronounced dull; if pathetic, are called unnatural; if ludicrous, are termed low. In the circle around bim^ the man of bufinefs

fees

Digitized by Google *

V^ ria. The M x r r o «^. 2^T

fees few who {hould be willing, and the maa. of genius, few who are abk, to be authors f and a work that comes out uofupported by e^

ftablifhed namesi is liable alike to the cenfure of the grave, and the fneer of the witty. E*Ten Folly herfelf acquires fome merit from being difpleafedj when name or faihion has not fanAtfied^a work from her difpleafure.

This defiix of levelling the pride of author^* fliip is in none more prevalent than in thoie who themielves have wi*itten. Of thefe the unfuccefsful have a prefcriptive. title, to criticifm 'j and, though eftablifhed literary reputa^ tion commonly fets men above the neceffity oi detra£iing from the merit of other candidates . for fame, yet there are not warning inilances of monopoHft^ of public favour, who wilh not only to enjoy, but to guide it, and arc willing to confine its influence within the pale of their own circle, or their own patronage* General cenfure is of all things the eafieft i from fuch men

it paf&s unexamined,^ and its fentence is decifive j nay, even a fhidied fi« lence will go far to fmother a produftion, which, if they have not the meannefs to envy, they want the candour to appretiate with jo* ftice.

Digitized by Google

344 The M z r r a Ri. N® iioj

fe point of fubjeft, as wcU as of receptioa^ the place where it appeared was unfavourable to the Mirror. Whoever will examine the works of a fimilar kind that have preceded it,, will eafily perceive for how many topics thefr were indebted to local chara^ers and tcmpo-^

lary follies, to places of public amufement^ andcircumftances of reigning fafhton. But^ with uSj befides the danger of. perfonal appli*?

cation, thefe are hardly^ various enough for. the fubJ€£lt« or important enough for the dig« nity.of writing. There is a fort of claffic pri* Tilege in the vei'y names of places in London, which does not extend to tbofe of Edinburgh. The Canongate is alfnoft as long as the Strand^ but it will not bear the comparifon upon paper; and B

lackfriars^wynd cAnnevcv vie with> Drury-lane in point of found, however they may rank in the article of chaftity. In the department of humour^ thefe circumftance*^ muft ncccflarily have great weight j and, for* papers of humour, the bulk of readers will, generally call, becaufe the number is much greater of thofe who can laugh than of thofQ who can think. To add to the difficulty, fcoplc arc too proud to laugh upon eafy terms with ouc^ of whofe title to make them laugh

Digitized by Google

NPmo. T he M I r r 0 R. J45:

hugh they are not apprifed. A joke in wri^ng is like a joke in converfation; much of ks wit depends upon th€ rank of its author.

How far the authors of this paper have been able to overcome thefe difficulties, it k not for them to determine. Of its merits with the public, the public will judge; as to themfelves, they may be allowed to fay, that they have found it an amufement of an elegant, and, they are inclined. to believ^, of a ufcful kind. They imaging, that^ by tracing the manners and. femiments^ of. others, they have performed a fort of exercife which may have fome tendency to cultivate and refine their own ; and, in that fociety which was formed by this publication, they have drawoi fomewhat clofer the ties of a friendihip, which Uiey flatter themfelves they may long enjoy, with a recollection, not unpleafing, of the 11-^ terary adventure by which it was flxcngthcxxjcd and improved.

The difadvantages attending their publica* tion they have not enumerated, by way of plea, for favour, or apology for faults. They will, give their volumes as they gave their papers9. to the world, not meanly dependent on its fa*iLOur, nor coldly iodlffereat to it.. There is^

Digitized by Google

54* The Mii^rctr. N^iio.

BO idea;? perhaps, more pleafing to an ingenuous mind, than that the fentences whieh k di£kates in iUence and obfcurtty, may give pleafure and entertainment to thofe by whonx the writer has never been feen, to -whom even his name is unknown. There is fomething peculiarly interefting in the hope of this intefcourfe of fentiment, this invifible fort of fricndfliipi with the virtuous and the good ; and the i^ifionary warmth of an author may be allowed to extend it to diftaut places, and to future times. If, in this hope, the authors of the

^iRKOR may indulge, they truft, that, whatever may be thought of the execution, the ^motive of their publication will do them no difhonour; that, if they have failed in wit, ihey have been faultlefs in fentiment; and that, if they (hall not be allowed the praife of genius, they have, at leaft, not forfeited the. "commendation of virtue*

THE E N U

Digitized by Google

Digitized by Google

01

Digitized by VjOOQIC

Digitized by Google

i

Digitized by Google •>'

Document Outline

• The mirror: a periodical paper, published at Edinburgh in the years 1779 and ...