THE next morning, our hero, according to appointment, called upon
Sir Edward Hamden, and after a considerable portion of preface and
circumlocution, opened to him the state of Maria’s affections. From
the general character and conduct of Hamilton, together with the
various circumstances of the case, Hamden was thoroughly convinced
that Hamilton possessed Miss Mortimer’s heart, before he was himself
acquainted with her; that he had long before intended to disclose the
truth to Hamden, but had been withheld by considerate humanity. He was
convinced, that Hamilton, in every respect, had acted honourably and
nobly. He esteemed and admired his genius and virtues, and regarded
him as the preserver of his life; still, however, Hamilton had gained
the love which he had most ardently sought. His wisdom, his virtues,
his liberality, candour, and gratitude, could not altogether stifle
that sentiment; all his generosity could not preclude a regret, not
untinctured by envy. He endeavoured to dispel the last-mentioned
passion, and in the conflict of emotions, was silent and distracted;
having been a considerable time in a reverie, his countenance was
overcast with a gloom, which our hero imputing to displeasure, rose to
withdraw. Roused by this movement, Hamden sprang from his seat, and
eagerly grasping Hamilton’s hand, said, “my dearest friend, preserver
of my life, forgive the temporary impulse of feelings, of which you
so justly and highly prize the cause; I am enraged with myself, for
having for a moment suffered them to operate; but (and here he sighed,
and appeared to struggle with himself) Maria cannot be mine; and why
should I repine that she is to be his, whom I value above all men.”
He then asked, if Hamilton thought it was in any way in his power to
promote the views and interests of two persons, whom he so very highly
regarded? Hamilton, with considerable solemnity, answered, “Sir Edward
Hamden, I came with the highest sense of your honor, magnanimity, and
generosity, and by concert with Miss Mortimer, to open confidentially,
whatever regards us, to one whom we both equally esteem. I saw your
agitation and temporary feelings, and therefore resolved to suspend my
communication and consultation; but knowing, that strength of head and
of heart would soon on your side overcome present impulse, I resolved
at a very early future opportunity to resume the subject; but now I
see that the reasons no longer exist for postponing our application.”
Hamden replying, that any advice or assistance within his power would
be afforded, with gratitude for the request, Hamilton freely and
candidly explained to him, that both Miss Mortimer’s father and uncle
had been very anxious for her marriage with Sir Edward; that though he
believed they both entertained a very favourable opinion of him, as an
acquaintance and a friend, yet they would be very much disappointed
by Maria’s refusal of Sir Edward, and preference of a man beneath
him in rank, and so very far below him in fortune. Inferior as his
property was, to what he might desire on account of his Maria, yet it
was sufficient to preserve independence; and his efforts, he trusted,
would produce progressive improvement. Captain Mortimer had, in a
great degree, the direction of his brother; both Maria and Hamilton
were particularly anxious to secure his consent, which the father’s
would certainly follow. Having unfolded all these circumstances in
ample detail, Hamden took him by the hand, and pledged himself to use
every possible argument with Captain Mortimer, and stated the topics
on which he would principally insist; viz, the necessity of studying
the happiness of the parties more than any other circumstance; that the
happiness of Maria was inseparably attached to Mortimer, and that he
would enlarge on the character and prospects of Hamilton, the fortune
and station to which they might lead. Having concerted and formed his
plan of application, to the satisfaction of our hero, he dispatched a
note to Captain Mortimer, proposing an appointment for the following
day. Hamilton, after remaining with him till the evening, returned to
Maria.
Sir Edward waited upon Captain Mortimer, who learned with great
surprize, and greater disappointment, that all hopes of his niece
of becoming Lady Hamden were at an end, and though much attached to
Hamilton, he repined at his having captivated Maria. Hamden, with the
most liberal generosity, praised the talents and accomplishments,
face, countenance, and figure of our hero, and declared he thought it
impossible for any young lady, whose heart was unengaged, to refuse his
addresses, as it was for any young man unengaged, not to love Maria.
“Why, to be sure, he is a very fine fellow, as handsomely built as
any man that ever walked a quarter-deck, or the parade at Portsmouth,
and, to be sure, young girls are very much taken with the outside of a
man; but still I am very sorry that Molly had given her heart to him,
and wish most sincerely it had been otherwise.” Hamden proceeded to
paint his prospects and abilities so strongly, that the Captain began
to be more reconciled; he was, indeed, in a great degree, an optimist,
and not only with ease accommodated himself to actual events, but had
a sanguineness of temper, which, from most occurrences anticipated a
great degree of happiness. Maria being purposely absent, Sir Edward
staid most of the day with the Captain, and at length reconciled him
to the proposal, and even procured his promise to use his influence
with his brother. Hamden leaving the Captain, repaired to his friend
Hamilton, and suspecting that Maria was there, requested to see him
alone. Being introduced into his library, he was immediately joined
by Hamilton, who felt all the gratitude that a very high benefit can
excite in a susceptible and benignant heart. Hamden could not be
prevailed on to join the ladies; and candidly acknowledged, that as
yet, he would rather not encounter the sight of Miss Mortimer, but that
in a short time he hoped to be able to congratulate her, on being the
wife of the man that she loved. In less than a week, Captain Mortimer
received an answer from his brother, though he certainly wished very
earnestly that his daughter had accepted the offer of Sir Edward, he
would yet be guided by the opinion of his brother, and in the course of
a fortnight would set off for London. In the interval, Miss Primrose,
who with her mother had been some weeks in town, made several
overtures to cultivate an intimacy with Miss Hamilton. That young lady
perceived the chief purpose of Miss Primrose; thoroughly assured of
the state of William’s affections, though she could not avoid liking
the amiable qualities of Louisa, without discouraging, as much as
possible, avoided an intercourse, which feeding hope that was totally
groundless, must eventually enhance disappointment. Our hero himself,
notwithstanding his extraordinary personal charms, was far from being
addicted to an easy belief of being beloved by women; nevertheless he
could not avoid discovering the affections of Miss Primrose, nor even
that it was approved by the mother. Thinking her a very amiable and
interesting girl, he was extremely sorry that her affections were so
directed; but no opportunity offered that enabled him, with proper
regard to delicacy and humanity, to undeceive either the daughter or
the mother.
At length Mr. Mortimer arrived in town, and had repeated consultations
with his brother, and also Mrs. Hamilton, who had similar objections
on the score of interest. Finding opposition vain, they endeavoured to
postpone the nuptials; but the eager entreaties of Hamilton, seconded
by the friendship of Hamden, wrung a reluctant consent. After they
did agree, the parents resolved to contribute, as far, respectively,
as their pecuniary circumstances would admit, for the service of the
young couple. Her father bestowed on Maria a thousand pounds; Captain
Mortimer as much: Mrs. Hamilton would have given up one half of her
annuity, but her son and Maria would not hear of the alienation; and
Dr. Wentbridge added another thousand; so that with the interest of
his own property, he would have about four hundred a year, and already
made about four hundred more by his literary employment, and was in a
fair way of greatly increasing his emoluments; and this, with such a
mind and soul as he possessed, though not rich, he was independent.
The arrangements and preparations for the intended marriage, though
conducted with privacy, yet were not so secret as to escape the
notice of the Countess of Cockatrice, who, for the various reasons
which we have before stated, was extremely inimical to an affiance
that interfered so much with her own wishes and views. She suspected
that the plan, of which, Mrs. Dicky had been the instrument, was
unsuccessful; her lowly minister had been received with extreme
coldness, in subsequent visits to Miss Mortimer; and on being
officious and impertinent in her inquiries, had been refused
admittance. The Countess having no means of intercourse with Miss
Mortimer, nearly despaired of effecting a breach between the lovers;
but her invention being extremely ready, especially where mischief was
the object, she conceived a project which she thought very feasible.
There was a person, that having published several obscene and
slanderous productions, took to himself the name of a bookseller. This
fellow (whose name was Blackball) was peculiarly distinguished for
what was some years ago denominated by the cant term of _ink-making_,
that is, threatening to publish defamation, unless he was paid for
concealment, an employment, in point of turpitude and infamy, analogous
to the practice of that class of highway-robberies which extorts money
by threatened charges of flagitious criminality; but not like these,
subjecting the perpetrator to the gallows.
The first in the calumnious line, Blackball, was in some request in
the fashionable world, and well known to the Countess: To him she
applied in the present case, and instructed him to hunt for anecdotes
concerning Hamilton and also Miss Mortimer. The countess learned that
Maria had, about three years before, been for some months a parlour
boarder at a respectable school in a village in which there was another
much less respectable, and which about that time had been the subject
of some discussion, on account of an adventure of one of the young
ladies and a Frenchman: Blackball had heard the particulars from a
young teacher, an intimate friend of his, that used to convey to the
misses of the boarding-school such books and pictures as he was in
the habit of collecting and vending; and for which the seminary in
question afforded a sure and rapid sale. The story, it seems, had
been hushed, and Blackball having been paid for secrecy, and also
afraid if he published any thing on the subject, it might interfere
with his custom, had adhered to taciturnity. On hearing the village
mentioned, calling the circumstance to mind, he said, that he thought
it would be no very difficult matter to confound the two schools, and
attach the report in question to Miss Mortimer.--“Suppose, please your
ladyship, we were to revive that story by a few smart paragraphs in the
newspapers?” “How would you manage to introduce so old a story?” “Oh
very easily!” said the other; “give it first as new, then acknowledge
the mistake, and attack the illiberality of ripping up such matters
at such a time.” He entered into particulars, which he explained to
the satisfaction of his right _honourable_ employer. Accordingly the
next day there appeared the following paragraph: “In a certain boarding
school not a hundred miles from one of the great northern roads, a
French dancing-master has been teaching one of the scholars a new
_step_.”--Two days after, another journal had it as follows: “The young
lady that has been taking French lessons, has retired towards Yorkshire
to meditate upon her instructions.” Next came paragraph third: “What
a dearth of intelligence and entertainment there is to be found among
our brother scribes! The story of the boarding-school is more than
two years old.” In another part of the same journal the affection of
obsoleteness was repeated with a moral reflection on the illiberality
of reviving what had been almost forgotten, and a flaming metaphor
about “calumny’s envenomed tooth.” The fifth article was,--“The young
lady that was so shamefully traduced by a false report about a French
dancing-master, has so satisfactorily cleared her character, that she
is about to give her _hand_ to a young baronet of great and increasing
parliamentary eminence.--If he be satisfied, who has a right to be
otherwise?” The sixth; “We can assure our readers, that Sir E. H. is
not to marry Miss M----; the reasons of this change we do not undertake
to explain.” Seventh,--“The boarding-school report still continues to
_haunt_ poor Miss M----r; not that she is under any dread of spectres;
her disturbance is _from flesh and blood_.”--Eighth, in another paper,
the same morning: “It has been reported that a young man of high and
rising literary reputation is about to lead to the altar a young lady
that has for several days engrossed the attention of the public; as
he is a very respectable young man, we, on his account, hope he will
look before he leap. What feeling heart but must deplore the fate of
Altamont, though only fictitious! how much deeper must be regret when
the case is real! Alas! we fear that like Horatio’s discovery, it will
be too late.” Ninth was an advertisement in the same paper: “Tomorrow
morning will be published, a faithful narrative of the Yorkshire
Calista, including some anecdotes of the gay and sportive Lothario;
humbly dedicated to Altamont H----n, Esq. of Lincoln’s Inn; _not_ by
permission; by the profound admirer of his genius and erudition, and
the friend of his virtues, Horatio. Printed for J. Blackball.
Were you, ye fair, but cautious whom ye trust,
Did you but think how seldom _fools_ are just,
So many of your sex would not in vain,
Of broken vows and faithless men complain:
Of all the various wretches love has made,
How few have been by MEN OF SENSE betrayed!”
Meanwhile our hero had seen the first paragraphs without any emotion;
but he was struck with the article that mentioned a baronet of great
parliamentary abilities, inserted in a morning paper, which he happened
to see in a coffee-house. He reviewed the antecedent paragraphs. Firmly
assured of the dignified virtue of his Maria, he did not, for a moment,
feel any uneasiness on that account; nevertheless, one afternoon,
suspecting that they meant to apply to her, he was filled with rage:
an evening paper just coming in mentioning Sir E. H., initials that
applied to no member of parliament but Sir Edward Hamden, he had no
doubt but some villainous calumny was machinated against the adored
mistress of his heart. He first thought of immediately interrogating
the editors; but on a little cooler reflection he saw the propriety
of consulting his friend, Sir Edward, and requesting him in the first
instance to demand an account of the freedom used with his character,
and who the young lady was who had been so disgracefully appended to
his name. Sir Edward was abroad; and, though boiling with impatience,
Hamilton was obliged to suspend all investigation till the next
morning. Repairing home in the greatest agitation he found his mother,
Charlotte, and Maria together. Having embraced Maria with impassioned
violence, he recollected his resolution of concealing his partial
discovery until he was able to make out the whole. He endeavoured
to appear calm, but the attempt was unavailing, and the effort was
obvious. Maria, with the most soothing affection, entreated him to
inform them what had distressed him. He at first attempted to laugh
away the idea, but finding that they were not to be imposed upon, he
acknowledged that there was a paragraph in a newspaper, that appeared
to convey an implication concerning Sir Edward Hamden that was very
injurious, and which he was determined to investigate:--to-morrow
morning, after seeing his friend, he would get at the particulars. The
arrival of Captain and Mr. Mortimer, prevented any farther discussion
of this subject; but Maria was extremely uneasy; she thought the
agitation of Hamilton much greater than even friendship for Sir Edward
Hamden could produce, and could not avoid thinking that she herself
was somehow or other concerned. No opportunity occurred of making
any enquiry that evening; she went home with her father and uncle,
and immediately retired to her room, and brooding over the idea that
Hamilton was distressed upon her account, she turned her imagination
through the wild region of possibility, and coming to plausibilities,
made a conjecture, not wide of the truth, that some attempt had been
made in the public papers, in some way or other, unfavourable to
her. She was conscious of no act or thought that could expose her
to reproach; what could be the motive or cause of such an attempt?
Bewildered in her labyrinth of possibilities, where she had no probable
clue, she tormented herself with conjuring up successive phantoms of
evil, and at last concluded that some rival was endeavouring to part
her and her beloved Hamilton. Of the Countess of Cockatrice she knew
nothing as a rival.--Louisa Primrose, she was well assured, was fondly
attached to Hamilton, yet she appeared a very amiable girl; could such
be guilty of suborning calumny? This idea she dismissed as illiberal
and unjust; but was the more distressed that she could find no other
to substitute in its place. After a sleepless night she rose early,
and telling her servant she was going to call on Charlotte Hamilton,
with whom she often walked before breakfast, she went out. Although
it was hardly seven o’clock when she arrived at Mrs. Hamilton’s, she
found that William had gone out at six, and had come back about half
an hour after in a very great _fluster_, as the servant expressed it,
had gone up stairs, and after staying some time was just gone out
again. Charlotte presently joined her, and the maid coming to arrange
the room in which they were, they moved into Hamilton’s library;
there Charlotte happening accidentally to cast her eyes to the place
where her brother’s pistols used to hang, perceived that the cases
were empty, and without consideration remarked the circumstance
to Maria. Miss Mortimer was extremely alarmed; remembering he had
mentioned his intention of seeing Sir Edward early in the morning,
they immediately concluded that William was engaged in some dangerous
quarrel, in which his friend was to be his second; no time was to be
lost; a coach was ordered immediately, and directed to drive with all
speed to Sir Edward’s. It had reached the corner of Portland Street,
where Maria eagerly exclaimed, “Mr. Hamilton.” William instantly
joined them, and perceived the terrified countenance of both; they
informed him of the cause of their alarms. He assured them that it
was totally groundless; that he was on his way home to wait for Sir
Edward, who would be with him in half an hour; and after giving orders
to the coachman, reflecting that they might hear of the slanders
from some other person, he resolved and promised to inform them as
soon as he was at home. Accordingly he told them of the paragraphs
he had seen the preceding day, and added that as he was repairing
early that morning to the house of Sir Edward, he had seen several
papers, two of which contained most infamous insinuations, and one an
advertisement worse than the rest. In his anger he had determined to
pistol the fabricator; but his friend Sir Edward had fully convinced
him of the impropriety of such a proceeding, and that a resolute
coolness only could effectually investigate the villainy, and bring
its authors to condign punishment. By this time Mrs. Hamilton was up
and breakfast was prepared, and while they were informing her of what
had happened, and she making the comments of honour and rectitude upon
such villainy, Sir Edward’s servant arriving told Hamilton his master
was waiting at the Gray’s Inn coffee-house. They first proceeded to
the house of the editor, in whose papers the most flagrant and pointed
paragraphs had been inserted. Hamilton, on their way, expressed his
surprize that so malignant a calumny should appear in a journal of
considerable ability, and that did not require scandal to supply
the want of valuable materials; besides, the editor, whom he knew
very well, was a man of fair and respectable reputation. Sir Edward
observed, that in the vast multiplicity of matter it must be difficult
for the editor of a daily newspaper to guard against the insertion
of very objectionable passages. Being introduced to the gentleman in
question, Sir Edward opened the business as relating to himself; Mr.
Hamilton stated its other objects, branches, and connections, and
very strongly represented its gross falsehood and malignant tendency.
Their purpose in troubling the editor, he said, was to require the
name of the author. As the language and manner of both was temperate
and polite, the editor conducted himself accordingly: he declared,
upon his honour, that the paragraphs of both that and the preceding
day had been inserted without his knowledge; that he had been out
of town the two last days, and was only arrived that morning. He
had seen his paper of the day before at Salt Hill, on his way to
town, and was extremely sorry to observe a paragraph alluding to so
respectable a member of the senate as Sir Edward Hamden. The paragraph
in his paper of to-day was equally unknown to him; in itself it was
insignificant, but connected with the advertisement, other paragraphs
both in his and other papers, he acknowledged it appeared to be all
one chain of defamation. He, himself, protested he did not know whence
it proceeded; but as his paper had been one vehicle of the calumny,
he would be extremely happy to trace it to its source; and added,
that they themselves should dictate, as far as respected his paper,
any strictures upon the slander, which they should judge expedient.
Convinced that this editor was not intentionally to blame, they
accepted of his apology, and Hamilton asked whether he could not see
the hand writing in which the calumny had been conveyed. The editor
not immediately answering this proposition, our hero observed that
he was convinced no writer known to or approved by the editor could
have sent such defamatory libels; but an anonymous calumniator was
an assassin that attacked in the dark, and ought to be made public.
The editor said he had not seen the hand-writing, but that there was
a general rule to withhold from persons complaining of a libel, the
means of establishing the proof. Hamilton immediately answered to
this,--“Mr. Editor, I must take the liberty of observing that you
misconceive my meaning; we do not want the hand-writing as the means
of establishing the libel. The libel, sir, is printed and published by
you, you assert, and we believe, without your knowledge, and contrary
to your practice. But I am determined that the libel shall undergo
the prosecution which its atrocity deserves; but we wish to prosecute
the real author, and request from you the only means you can have,
according to your statement, of giving the desired information; but
I do not say I require or demand, because you have an alternative.”
Hamilton now asked Sir Edward if he would go; Sir Edward answered he
made no doubt but the editor would, on reflection, afford them the
satisfaction which they desired. The editor asked if they could defer
till the following morning pressing for a sight of the hand-writing?
“I had much rather you would discover the truth in any other way; and,
upon my honour, I have not seen the hand-writing. I think from the
_last_ part of the advertisement you have some kind of a clue.” “Well,
sir,” said Hamilton, “I believe I comprehend you, and I shall promise
not to require an answer to my questions about the hand-writing,
till to-morrow morning.” At this time a servant calling the editor
forth, he begged to be excused for a few minutes; and on his return
said, that he had just learned the insertion to have arisen from the
inadvertence of the person that acted for him as editor in his absence.
The hand-writing he had now seen; but would say nothing on the subject
until the following day; “I have only to observe one thing, that if you
should happen to suspect any individual person, perhaps by pretending
to know more than you do, you may best answer your purpose.”
Hamilton and Hamden now set off to the house of Blackball, and finding
that worthy person at home, desired a few minutes conversation. He,
bowing very obsequiously, requested their attendance in a back parlour.
Hamilton, profiting by the hint of the editor, told Mr. Blackball
that they had examined the paragraphs which they now presented to
him, and found they were all deduceable from the same origin. “Now,
Mr. Blackball, what we have to say to you is short; you will either
confess yourself the author of the paragraphs in question, or stand
the actions for defamation of Miss Maria Mortimer, in the paragraphs
which we will prove to be from you. Will you or not?” “Gentlemen, you
are very sudden,” said Blackball. Finding them, however, inexorable he
fully confessed the whole. The different papers acknowledged themselves
completely deceived: the countess’s scheme was entirely discomfited,
and Blackball, for the present, was allowed a respite from the pillory.
Hamilton having returned, informed Maria of Blackball’s confession, but
without taking any notice of the prompter.
The attempted obstacles to the marriage of our hero and heroine were
now entirely removed. Old Mr. Wentbridge came to town to perform the
ceremony, and was accompanied by his son the doctor. Charlotte being
bridemaid, and her father giving the bride away, the nuptials were
solemnized on the 17th of May, 1790, and the lovely Maria became the
wife of Hamilton.
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
_Books printed for_ T. N. LONGMAN and O. REES, _No._ 39,
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1. ST. CLAIR OF THE ISLES; or the Outlaws of Barra; a Scottish
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At the present moment also, when our independence, and our very
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_Critical Rev. Oct,_ 1802.
Printed by A. Strahan, Printers-Street.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A bathing-man under the west cliff, in great request among the fair.
[2] Meaning, perhaps, _toujours perdrix_.
[3] Miss Lacecap here uses a different word from many of her sister
novelists when expressing the same idea. With them the favourite
word is _error_. If a man seduces the sister, daughter, or wife of
his friend, that is an _error_. If a woman leaves her husband for a
gallant, the poor lady is in an _error_. Should a young lady, in the
elegant periphrasis of modern novels, be a mother without being a wife,
the unfortunate girl is in an _error_. However, I think Miss Lacecap’s
phrase of mistake may answer the purpose as well, and may also suit in
other kind affections as well as love. Should a person’s sentimental
susceptibility, instead of your wife or your daughter, fancy your purse
or your watch, and under the influence of too ardent passion, happen to
put his hand into your pocket, why not call this error a mistake? Or
should the same susceptibility be turned towards your cups and spoons,
and should its votary with two or three more as sentimental as himself,
pay your house a nocturnal visit and elope with the beloved objects,
why should not this error be called a _mistake_? Or if one should
happen to put another person’s name to a bill or bond instead of his
own, soft and sentimental phraseology may also call that a mistake.
Fielding has expressed it otherwise. For instance: We do not find that
Miss Maria Seagrim, the sentimental sensibility of whose heart had
betrayed her into error with Will Barns, Tom Jones, and Square the
philosopher, is even, by the eloquence of Parson Supple, exhibited
with such courtly circumlocution. See the chapter in which that worthy
clergyman informs Squire Western and Sophia of the state of the too
susceptible Maria, with the penetration and facetious remarks of the
squire on the occasion.
[4] See Castle Spectre, Cambrobritons, &c.
Corrections
The first line indicates the original, the second the correction.
p. viii (Table of Contents)
CHAP. XV. Page 113
CHAP. XV. Page 133
p. xi
Harlobothrumbo, a Tragedy,
Hurlobothrumbo, a Tragedy,
p. 21
on this delighful spot
on this delightful spot
p. 38
physics and metapyhsics, history
physics and metaphysics, history
p. 110
displays strong discrimination; he is a of naturally good intentions,
displays strong discrimination; he is of naturally good intentions,
p. 133
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XV.
p. 159
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVI.
p. 197
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XVII.
p. 179
you certainly are Hamilton’s appatition.
you certainly are Hamilton’s apparition.
p. 225
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XVIII.
p. 265
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XIX.
p. 301
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XX.
p. 302
He esteemed and admired his genins and
He esteemed and admired his genius and
Erratum
p. 47
There is no division for Chapter XII.