172 CRUELTY AND LUST. to be fatisfied with difhonour was not confiftent with the goodness of their heart. The father abandoned his home, and all his neceffary employments, to call her back at least to repentance, and a refuge from farther infamy. The poor old man had foon the good fortune to discover his child's lodging, and furprized her and Lothario in an innocent tete a tete-he repeating his vows of everlasting fidelity, and the modeftly confeffing the approbation with which he had inspired her. The abrupt enterance of the honest countryman exceedingly difconcerted both the gentleman and the lady on her knees the intreated his compaffion and forgiveness, bore teftimony to the honour and generofity of her protector, and affured her father that time only was neceffary to complete his utmoft with. He fhook his head in filent anguish, "My once moft tenderly beloved child, for what mifery is your father referved. To behold you in the hour when he expected fupport and confoJation,, thus difreputably withdrawn from his roof-nor will ruin ftop there.". -To prefume to arraign the conduct of his landlord's fon, though in defence of that virtue that is dearer to him than life itself, will be inevitably to incur the difpleasure of the whole family. His farm, for which these one and twenty years paft he has fo punctually paid his rent will be torn from him, and the means of fubfiftence utterly loft, when old age and infirmities render it more peculiarly effential, but let them take all, provided I can receive back the darling of my heart unviolated, content fhail dawn around, and though a fcanty meal awaits us, confcious integrity will fupply every deficiency. Lothario thought proper now to interpofe, and with fuch eloquence as might have deceived the most practifed deceiver, foon difpelled every apprehenfion in the bofom of innocence and fimplicity. The old man was to continue in town to be a happy witnefs of their union, and that point effected, all others were to be fubmitted to the wisdom of his fon-in-law. Lothario was infinitely diftreffed by April what tratagem to elude parental vigilance; now he was for trepanning him by the affittance of a prefs gang, and then he would throw him into the Fleet, but a thought fuggefted itself that hit his fancy beyond measure.--The poor old man had never had the fmall-pox---a fee was accordingly adminiftered to an hofpital nurse to vifit him out of her immediate employment, and convey a handkerchief particularlarly infected for his use, and leave the reft to fate. The villainous plot fucceeded to their utmost hope. The worthy creature imbibed the contagion, and on the one and twentieth day expired in his daughter's arms. No language can defcribe her affliction---fhe would not quit the body of that father whofe life had been forfeited for her fake unless Lothario determined to fulfil the promises he had made him. Lothario was too much a gentleman to do any fuch thing, and conceiving that the moment of despair might prove a moment of triumph, daringly confeffed his base intentions--bade her remember her reputation was loft, and that the fettlement he then offered her was not to be rejected. She caft a look of unutterable aftonifhmert and indignation upon him; but inftantly recollecting herself, demanded a few hours deliberation. Lothario retired with self-congratulation, he returned at the appointed time, when, to his unspeakable confufion, he found fhe had eloped, without leaving one trace behind. In a day or two a letter reached him from the country. The unhappy wretch had found means to arrive at her own home, where, unable to convince her mother and brothers that fhe had escaped uninjured, she was feized with a delirium that terrified all who approached her. The cause was canvaffed from houfe to house, the name of Lothario mentioned with horror, and his father defired to know how far he was, or was not, culpable. Lothario threw himself into a chair and four---prefented himself to the old gentleman, and fat the whole affair in fo just a light, that the wretched family, as a compenfation for the paff, received notice to quit the spot they had fo long occupied. 1769. The fatal Effects thereof. This was too complicated mifery to be endured---the widow and the mother had been fufficiently wounded the worthy induftrious being drooped one fingle week, then funk never more to be remembered; her daughter furvived her but a few hours. Two honeft lads, in whofe breafts nature and honour were lively fenfations, were unable to behold the devaftation of villainy, and fuffer the villain to go unpunished---they challenged him--fcorn and contempt was the only return they obtained.-Their effects were feized, the eldest thrown into goal, and the youngest preffed into his majesty's fervice-friendlefs and poor the unfortunate prifoner died of a jaundice, and the equally unfortunate failor fell from the maft on the deck, and instantly expired. And all this, fir, effected in less than fix months, and the confequence of a little gallantry-for not a worse epithet do the friends of Lothario beftow upon it. Is it not dreadful? Does not humanity recoil at the very idea? It does, where humanity predominates over the ftronger paffions of avarice and pride. But avarice and pride univerfally abforb the finer feelings of the foul, and reduce the mind to the most difgraceful standard. I am, fir, Your humble servant, To the AUTHOR of the LONDON MAGAZINE. SIR, Y tranfla 173 Non ita flaminibus duri fpirantibus By accepting the following traf Ligature undis Boreali frigore fævo, Holland, which appeared in your Magazine three months ago, you will much oblige, &c. &c. Nequicquam his terris, namque omnia texerat æquor, Frugiferos aperire finus, & femina re Tricola captivos tranfcurrit fedulus am 174 Letter from a Great Man; and Anfwer. April Et pax dilectæ ramum prætendit The following is faid to be the Copy of a Ο Madam, N the final difference I had with my lady, I connected myself with you, as one I thought whofe perfonal and mental qualifications were fuch as would, in a great measure, alleviate my domeftic misfortunes. My expectations, I must do you the juftice to fay, were perfectly answered; and it would be perhaps difficult even for illnature to point out a fingle defect in your truth and unwearied affiduity to please me; but, as I often told you, (particularly at our first interview, that I should have nothing in future to charge myself with) that fuch a course of life was unfeemly both in my moral and political character, and that nothing but the neceffity could juftify the measure; I am now to tell you (that obftacle being removed by the the laws) that all our former ties are from this day at an end. I have taken care, my dear friend, (for I will now totally throw by the lover) to make that establishment for you as will make you easy in your circumftances for life, chargeable only with this provifo, that your refidence be not in these kingdoms; the rest of Europe lies at your choice, and you have only to fend me word on your arrival where you are, and the next poft fhall carry you your first quarterly payment. Affure yourself that nothing fhould induce me to act in this manner but the determined refolution I have taken, now that it is in my power, of speedily entering into chalter connections; and that I am, and ever shall be, with great efteem and friendship, Your's, Letter to a Great Man, written by bis Mifrefs, in Anfwer to the foregoing. "My very dear Lord, Fate your coldness) nothing ORI will not-indeed I cannotretaliate could have furprized me more than your letter. It is very true you did infinuate on our first connection, that it did not totally agree with your prin. ciples and fituation, as you was then married. I admitted every force of this reafoning, knowing how, in one of your exalted character, appearances fhould be fupported: But, my Lord, little did I think when that marriage was diffolved, and the odium which attended our connections confequently fo, that your affections could fo mechanically abate, as in an inftant thus to facrifice the lover to the fordid confiderations of intereft or public opinion. I can readily place your defire of parting with me to the love of variety; but, my Lord, what am I to fay to that part of your letter wherein you infift (as I hall forfeit every future, claim to your munificence) on my leaving thefe kingdoms? Am I to attribute it to malevolence or ill-nature? No, my Lord, the actual fuffering of this fevere fentence (cruel as it is) fhall not wring from me this confeffion. I will call it the lapfe of the heart, the fault of conftitution, or any other fofter name, that will cover the perfon I hold dearest in the world from the unnatural (yet too often affociated) titles of feducer and perfecutor. Miftake me not, my dear Lord, that I want to plead a remiffion of this fentence from the cruelty of being driven from my native kingdom (though I think this fhould have an effect on your feelings) I urge it on a principle as much more refined as it is diftracting; that of being, for ever, feperated from the man, not the Lord, of my choice. Though my pride won't permit me to fue for the recovery of a heart, which, I find, is fo obftinately detached from me; yet, my Lord, fuffer me this poor confolation, to live in the fame kingdom with you. Give me fome time to mitigate a paffion you first infpired me with; and though I 1769. Rich Seymeter and Belt defcribed. find I must bid adieu to the tranfports of love, let me hope for the calmer delights of friendship; and do not, at ence, overwhelm me with all the ago. nies of pofitive-neglected feparation. You inform me, in the clofe of your letter," of your speedily entering into chafter connections."I am refigned!And may your future lady love like me, but never meet with fuch returns!-May every hour of your life be brightened by profperity; and may the happiness of your do. mestic character ever keep pace with your public one, prays The unfortunate A Defcription of a meft rich and curious THIS ver, prefented by Sujah-Ul-Dowlar to a great conqueror. The blade, which is of the finest fteel, is incurvated to about the fourth of a circle, is hollowed like that of a razor, finely polished, and fo highly tempered as to cut iron. The upperpart of the blade from the hilt downwards, to aboutro inches, is of gold, the thickness of a guinea, let into the fteel so as to be even with it, and cover it in every part but the edge, is molt curiously engraved, and enamelled of a beautiful transparent blue, in various ornaments of flowers, trophies, and other elegant designs, in a manner, as it is believed, was never before at tempted, furpaffing in richness, all the inlayings on steel both ancient and modern. The hilt, or handle, is of gold, enriched with large diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, curioufly introduced therein, in leaves, flowers, paim branches, and other ornaments. The fpace between the jewels are enamelled, to correfpond with the ornaments of the blade; at the lower part of the handle on each fide, are tars of diamonds, in the center of which are two fmall, but curious watches, which perform to great truth and exactness. The top of the hilt, or handle, after the eastern manner, is a large round plate, of three inches diameter, 175 hollow at the upper, and rounding on the under fide, which ferve as a reft for the hand, and at the fame time counterpoifes the blade, fo that it feels extremely light. To this fcymeter, two of these tops are made to ufe on different occafions; that in the Indian tafte is of folid gold, moft curioufly enamelled on both fides, with ornaments of transparent blue, extremely beautiful, and bordered with a circle of fine and large rubies. In the center is a flower of large bril liants, enclosing a most beautiful emerald. A pendant of rubies fet in gold, is fixed to the flower, through which a string of gold paffes, which goes over the hand when the fcy meter is wielded, but when carried in proceffion before the prince, or nabob, is held up by a flave, or officer, with an arm ftretched out, fo that all the richness and elegance of it may be seen. To answer therefore thefe purpofes of ftate and grandeur, the blue and gold top enriched with rubies, takes off, and another of the fame diameter, enamelled in like manner with circles of large brilliants, both at the front and fides, fixes in its ftead, in the center of which is a ftar of diamonds and rubies, furrounded with other fmaller ftars, contrived by the touch of a fpring to be fet in motion, forming the most pleafing variations. The fcabberd is of crimfon velvet, moft fumptuously embellifhed with large diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and faphires, formed (in high relief) into trophies of war, both in the Roman, European, and Afiatick tafte. The various colours and claffes of the jewels, adapted with the utmolt propriety diftinctly to reprefent upwards of forty warlike inftruments on a ground of gold elegantly enamelled, to correfpond with the fcymeter. To the upper and middle ornaments are loops of diamonds, by which it hangs to the belt when wore. The gold keys of the watches are of a peculiar conftruction, and fixed as ornaments to the top of the fcabberd, to be always at hand for winding them up. The belt, compofed of the most rare and capital gens, is rich in all the luxuriance of fancy, and elegance of execution, formed into flowers and ornaments, Note to Correspondents. 176 ornaments, bold and mafterly, suited to the magnitude of the jewels. In the center is a ftar of diamonds and rubies bordered with brilliants finely enamelled like that to the top of the fcymeter, with the fame motion and variations. On each fide are flowers of diamonds, rubies, and pearls, with leaves of emeralds that embrace the ftar, and join to two of the moft capital emeralds in Europe, for fhape, fize, and beautiful deep colour, exactly alike; they are two inches long, by one and three quarters wide, weighing near four hundred and forty carats, furrounded with feventy-two large brilliants. The reft of the jewels, extending on each fide, confift of feveral other capital emeralds, rubies, pearls, and diamonds formed into flowers, leaves, and branches, which terminate at each end with a knot of diamonds and rubies tying the whole together. The belt is fecured behind by a large gold enamelled locket, and before by a gold hook which fixes in the fath or girdle, by which any inconveniency from the weight is prevented. The pendant part of the belt, which receives the fcymeter, is in two branches, equally fumptuous with the reft, and linked fo ftrongly together, as not to be effected by the weight of the fcymeter, and terminates with fwivels of diamonds, to which it is fufpended. April The verses on the harp require a commentary, before we can understand them. Mr. C's prologue might do upon the ftage; but is too bald for the closet. The gentleman who fent us that vile, urchriftian, untrue abufe of the independants, muft furely entertain a most contemptible opinion of our understandings, to imagine we would infert fuch a paltry production. They are, to our knowledge, a worthy fea of Chriftians, formed upon the best principles, thofe of toleration, and what would move, one fhould think, a generous antagonist, are now fuffering political perfecution, and we think, most unjustly. Clarifa Shovel, &c. are obliged, they will fee, this month. Mr. Johnfon may be fure that af-. ter the obfervations are made, proper types will be given. Mr. F-r's acroftick and rebus will, by no means, pafs mufter; nor the ftaymaker's rebus. We do not, in fact, defire to be troubled with fuch puerile attempts. Mr. W's favours will be very acceptable, if he will allow us to rejec fuch as are not proper. We could not think the firft piece he fent would be generally entertaining. The verses on the departure of Mifs are too hyperbolical and bombaftic. Thanks to the ladies, mankind are undeceived, and fince they have left their families to mingle in fcenes of folly and diffipation, the epithets divine, angelic, &c. &c. are justly fallen into difufe; the flowers have ceased to fade, and the trees and plants to droop at their departure, and to revive at their approach. The S our readers, general, modern love verfes are a To fill up in an elegant manner the vacancies between the two pendant branches, chains of rubies linked with diamonds hang down in two falls, and between them rows of large pearl embracing two pearl drops, weighing upwards of two hundred grains each. A greatly pleafed with the plate of rational plan, and fuppofe the ladies 'S cogent remarks on the Rev. Mr. W. cannot be inferted, as we know, from the temper of his antagonist, there would be no end of the controversy. to be what they really are, as frail, as weak, and as faulty as their friends the males-we mean the prefent race of male coxcombs. The cat and moufe are little to the purpose. Hogan Mogan's ftrains are as muddy as the covered ditch in the neighbourhood of which he refides. Amazing! that a butcher should set up for a poet! The addrefs to ferjeant Glynn we by no means approve of; the Sons of Li berty, fhall never be abused in the London Magazine. |