assistance! Try to calm your mind, my dear sister, I beseech you. I wish
I had happened to have been alone, I should then have waited patiently
to see the will of heaven.
EMILIA.
I am frightened—I heard something.
CHARLES.
You heard nothing but the falling of the leaves: come sit down here,
Emilia, by me on the grass.
EMILIA.
We are very unfortunate!
CHARLES.
No, say not so; let us show that we are not inhuman, by thinking more of
others than ourselves, who are not in any immediate danger.
EMILIA.
I will now endeavour to be easy; but I cannot help thinking of my father
and mother.
CHARLES.
They will think that Harry is with us, and that we are very safe.
Charles then suddenly started up, and I saw Harry struggle
violently:—for heaven’s sake, Emilia, walk away a little, said he, Harry
is in a fit. I did so, for I was terrified. I turned round a moment,
after hearing Charles cry out, Gracious God, Harry is dead, sister.—I
was going to speak, but he begged me to compose myself; and then stood
silently five or six minutes till he was certain the poor man had
breathed his last. Charles took his coat, which lay under Harry’s head,
and spread it over the body. While he was doing it he trembled very
much, for I held his arm, afraid to go from him, when I saw, for the
first time, a corpse. At last a violent flood of tears relieved him, and
he took my hand, saying, now it is time to go—we have nothing more to
do, for he is indeed dead. He made me get up behind him, as I was afraid
to leave him. Oh, Charlotte, it is a dreadful thing to see a
fellow-creature die! I shall never forget that evening.
We rode forward with great speed; and I could scarcely believe that we
had left Harry behind, it all appeared like a frightful dream. About two
hundred yards from the house, we heard two horses in a full gallop,
coming towards us. I trembled like a leaf, and dreaded lest some new
misfortune awaited us; but how great was my joy when I saw my father
himself with Robert. I found they had all been in great confusion on
account of the return of my horse, which one of the servants saw quietly
feeding on the lawn. I cannot describe to you, my dear, with what fond
affection I flew into the arms of my tender mother, who had undergone so
much uneasiness on our account; I scarcely thought myself in safety till
she pressed me to her heart—how glad I was to see all the people alive
round me.
While I related the event, Charles sent a servant to take care of the
body. My father said it might have been better had we returned
immediately for assistance; yet he believed that he should not have left
him in such a situation had he been there himself. I know you will be
glad to hear that we are not much the worse for our fright, and that I
am sincerely yours.
EMILIA.
P. S. Charles is to set off for Holland next Thursday. He has promised
to write to me very often, to make the time appear shorter. I told you
before, that I hate these partings; but he will soon return, and bring
our old friend William with him, and his mother and sister. Mean time I
expect to have your company—do come, or I shall be quite dull.
LETTER XXII.
CHARLES _to_ EMILIA.
Drive away your fears with respect to a sea voyage, my dear sister, for
mine has been a very speedy one, though we were overtaken in our passage
by a dreadful storm. You know on shore I can talk very philosophically
of a storm as highly necessary to purify the air; but on the sea, where
the view is almost boundless, and one seems particularly exposed to its
fury, I felt myself struck with a solemn kind of dread: it was as if the
clouds were pouring with accumulated fury, from the four quarters of the
heavens, to burst over our heads. Never did I observe the lightning with
so much attention as in that wide extensive prospect. It really was a
fearful, but at the same time a beautiful sight; I trembled while I
gazed, I do not pretend to deny it; and the distress of some of my
fellow-travellers almost infected me with fears that my reason
condemned, until I began to think it was a kind of mistrust of the
goodness of heaven, which I had so often experienced, when I gave myself
up to unreasonable fears. I soon, then, grew more composed, but I was
moved with indignation when I heard the foolish jests of two gay young
fellows after the storm was over; for it appeared to me almost impious
to mock at so awful an appearance, in which God made his almighty power
very manifest.
When the waves began to subside, I viewed with reverence the wonders of
the deep; and asked myself from whence came this lightning and rattling
thunder? What causes the clouds, which consist of water, to produce such
a tremendous clatter? You know that philosophers have discovered that
thunder is only occasioned by the compression of the clouds, and that
the lightning is the effect of this concussion. But let us change the
subject.
There were amongst the passengers a respectable looking old man. I could
not take my eyes off him. He had the appearance of a gentleman, but his
clothes were thread-bare; and I found by his conversation that he was a
Dutchman. He had laid up for himself but a slender stock of provision:
my heart suggested that he must have been unfortunate; and I perceived
him several times lost in thought. I endeavoured, without intruding on
his sorrows, to engage him in conversation, as he spoke English very
well for a foreigner. What he said was so sensible and interesting, that
he prejudiced me in favour of the people I was going to visit; in short,
none of the passengers pleased me so well as he did; perhaps, because I
thought him unhappy; I could think of no one else. I at last drew him
into conversation: we talked together during the storm; and I offered
some of my provisions to the other passengers, that I might, without
seeming to have observed his scanty stock, press him to partake of mine.
He then enquired if my parents were living, and, wiping a tear from his
eye, he softly said, Happy are they to have such a son! I read the
thoughts of his heart, Emilia; I guessed the source of his uneasiness.
And you, Sir, replied I, perhaps you have children? Alas! answered he,
yes, I have children—I have a son, but he has not a heart like yours; I
left him in London: heaven bless him! may he never feel the pangs he has
made me endure. I wished to have said something more, but I was afraid
he might think my curiosity impertinent, as I was so young; yet I
sincerely felt for him. This circumstance threw a damp over my spirits—I
cannot bear the idea of those children who are ungrateful to good
parents, whom, next to God, they ought to honour. I desired Robert to
enquire who he was, but the captain knew nothing more, than that he was
an inhabitant of Amsterdam, and in distress, for he had not money
sufficient to pay his passage, and offered to leave his small bundle of
linen on board, as a security for the payment, while he went on shore to
borrow it. No, thought I, that must not be; but how shall I manage the
matter? I was in a dreadful dilemma—it would have been almost an
affront, if I had offered to make a person of his appearance a present.
I went down into the cabin without having taken any resolution. At last
I determined, and folded ten guineas in a piece of paper, sealed it, and
wrote his name on it, which I had heard accidentally. I then spoke to
the captain, who appeared to be a humane man, and requested him to
deliver that paper to the gentleman after I had gone on shore, but not
to say who gave it to him. The captain seemed pleased, and added, that
he carried him over to England some time ago, when he was in a better
plight, but that he feared his wild son had distressed him in more ways
than one.
Robert saw afterwards the captain give the gentleman the money, whilst I
hastened forward, lest he should suspect me. Do not mention this
circumstance to any one, my dear sister; my father, you know, gave me
above fifty guineas to spend in this tour, and I could well spare this
sum.
Sleep sound, my dear sister, and in the morning I will return to my
letter, and give you some account of my meeting with my friend.
IN CONTINUATION.
It was evening when we arrived at my friend’s native place; they did not
expect us that day. The servant who opened the door, told me her young
master was at home alone; she conducted me into a small apartment, and
was going to call him down. You know, Emilia, that I love a trick in
which there is no mischief; I then desired she would conduct me to the
room without telling him of my arrival. I crept to his chamber door,
which was half open: he was playing on his violin one of the lively
songs we had often sung together when he was in England. I immediately
began to accompany him with my voice: his violin was instantly silent,
and he listened a moment to my prolonged note, then he darted out of the
room, and soon discovered me behind the door. After we had embraced each
other, he overwhelmed me with questions, not forgetting how Emilia
looked, how she sung, &c. &c. He wished me to have some refreshment; but
you know I never eat any thing between meals.
We chatted delightfully together, expecting Mrs. D— home every moment;
mean while I cast my eyes round the room: the walls were hung with his
own drawings; neatness and order were conspicuous in every thing. This
little solitary apartment, said he, must seem to you very homely after
Grandison Hall? It is just that neat simplicity which suits my taste,
answered I; it is all adorned with your works; you look cheerful, and
are sincere, what more is wanted to give dignity to the place? How much
more honour do these drawings do you, which are a proof of your
diligence and skill, than the most excellent pictures, which are
purchased for show, by those who do not even know their value. On his
table stood a cabinet which looked so beautiful that I was curious to
examine it, but how surprised was I, when he told me it was only
pasteboard, which he had made himself, and ornamented with landscapes
and wreaths of flowers. He told me he intended it for a young lady whom
he highly esteemed. Will you listen, Emilia, while I whisper in your ear
who I think that lady is—your noble self. These, said William, are my
employments. I draw, read, and play on my violin; then I have my
mathematical instruments and my box of tools; I declare the day is not
long enough for all I have to do. And it is very happy for me that I can
amuse myself, as my mother’s circumstances are so confined, I could not
keep company with my father’s relations and friends, without leading her
into expenses that she could not well bear. And believe me, Charles,
added he, I never will condescend to be _intimate_ in a family where I
am considered in the light of an inferior: of course I will never
receive any favours in the style of an humble companion. What noble
principles, Emilia! how glad I am to have such a friend!
Mrs. D— returned soon after with her daughter Annette. My friend
introduced me to his mother, saying, behold the friend whom I love next
to yourself. William had reason to praise his mother, for there is a
sweetness in her manners that charmed me more than I can describe, and a
look of sorrow that makes her very interesting. Annette is a pretty
lively girl, but her gaiety does not render her remiss in her duty, for
she watches her mother’s looks, anxious to anticipate her wishes. She
immediately enquired about you, and expressed a great desire to be
acquainted with you.
We are going to take a walk with Mrs. D—, so I must finish my long
letter: I have written by the same post to both my father, mother, and
Dr. Bartlett. Across the dreadful ocean, which you fear so much; I send
you my good wishes. God bless you!
CHARLES.
LETTER XXIII.
CHARLES _to_ EMILIA.
The order and regularity which reigns in this family would surprise you,
considering they have but one servant. Mrs. D— sees but little company—a
few particular friends, and the society of her children, is all she
wishes for. She is always employed; and William reads to her, in the
evening, history and books of rational amusement, which she comments on,
and frequently repeats his father’s sentiments of the various authors
they read, which William treasures up, and often transcribes in a little
book, which he has made for that purpose.
He keeps the accounts of the family; and, under the direction of his
mother, manages her little property. In the evening, just before bed
time, something serious is read, and Mrs. D—, repeating a short but
fervent prayer, recommends us to the protection of the Almighty. We rise
early, and William and I go on with our former studies till we meet the
ladies at breakfast.
Annette has no master but William: he teaches her reading, writing, and
arithmetic; drawing she begs as a favour; and we all instruct her in the
French and English languages; and you can hardly imagine what a progress
she has made.
William’s cheerful diligence excited my admiration; and I could not help
mentioning it to him yesterday in terms of praise. How, my friend, said
he, is it not my duty to communicate to her the knowledge that my mother
has procured for me at a great expence? I am happy that I can by my zeal
in this respect, prove that I am grateful for her constant kindness;
besides, is not the dear girl my sister, and is not her welfare and
happiness of the greatest consequence to mine? I find myself richly
rewarded for my trouble, when I see her gradually improve; and I think
all elder brothers and sisters ought to do the same when their parents
are not in affluence.
What do you think I have done, sister? I have given up my regular
correspondence with you to William, not that I shall forget to write
sometimes, but as I have many letters to write, which I must not
neglect, and wish to finish some drawings I have sketched of this place,
I cannot write to you in such a circumstantial manner as I wish to do,
without depriving myself of the company of my friends. William, you
know, has the knack of writing particulars, and he can write to you
while I write to my father, Dr. Bartlett, &c. You must answer his
letters, and not refuse to write to my best friend, if you love me.
CHARLES.
LETTER XXIV.
WILLIAM _to_ EMILIA.
May I presume to write to you, dear Miss Emilia; your brother desires me
not to fear your displeasure. I have not been much accustomed to write
to young ladies; you must not, then, laugh at my blunders, and I am sure
my subject will interest you, for I shall tell you what your brother
does and says, as I used to tell my mother.
The appearance of our country pleases him, and I endeavour to let him
see as much of it as I can. Yesterday we went to Leyden, one of the most
beautiful cities in Holland. We visited the university, and saw whatever
else was worthy of observation. It would certainly be a matter of regret
to my friend to leave Holland without seeing the public buildings and
other curiosities. We had very fine weather: Robert accompanied us. Your
brother chose to go in one of the Trekschuits rather than in a carriage.
I cannot refrain from relating to you the following adventure, which
does your brother so much honour.
Coming a little too early, as we were walking backwards and forwards, we
saw two young gentlemen, genteely dressed, who came from Leyden, and
were waiting as well as ourselves, for the schuit. They appeared like
persons of rank not well educated, with that mistaken pride which leads
a person to look down with disdain on those whom they imagine to be
their inferiors. It was particularly conspicuous in one, whom we heard
the other address by the title of baron. What a contrast there was
between his and your brother’s manners! Soon after came a poor Jew boy,
he looked sick, and had a basket on his arm with small wares in it,
which he offered to us for sale. The two young gentlemen soon cast their
eyes on him, and began to laugh, handing his basket backwards and
forwards, pretending to look at what it contained. Great people
sometimes think they may do any thing because they are rich. The jokes
seemed to displease your brother not a little, and he turned away
several times to avoid hearing them. But the thoughtless young men were
not satisfied with a trifling joke, they pretended to buy the whole
basket, and promised to pay him his full demand, which was five
guilders, provided he would bring it to Leyden to the house of a Mr.
Vanderk. The young Jew was exceedingly glad, and danced for joy, as
perhaps he might not have sold as much in two months.
The skipper, and a man I knew, was present at this transaction. Your
brother quickly observed, that there was some cheat intended in this
purchase; and, after the gentlemen had stepped into the schuit,
questioned the boy, who informed him that his mother was sick, and on
her account he rejoiced that he had sold the whole together: he added,
that he should immediately set off for Leyden, and return in the evening
with the money to his mother, who was in want of it. Charles then
desired the skipper to take the boy in the schuit, and paid the fare,
saying, you heard those gentlemen buy the boy’s basket of wares? Yes,
answered the skipper, and I too, said another man, but it is only a
trick, for there is no such gentleman as Mr. Vanderk in the whole city
of Leyden: they only mean to let him have his walk for his pains, and
will laugh all the evening at the fine trick they have played a Jew.
The poor Jew was happy to find he was to go in the schuit, for he was
scarcely able to walk on account of an ague. We then went on board, and
while we were standing at a distance from the rest, we had the following
conversation.
WILLIAM.
I perceive, Grandison, what your generous heart meditates; you intend to
give the poor boy the five guilders, which they promised him for his
wares.
CHARLES.
No, this trick, or rather vile deceit, raises my indignation; I think
that they deserve to be punished, to teach them more thought and
humanity in future. The haughty baron shall pay the five guilders
himself, or I am much mistaken. You may recollect that I asked the
skipper if he had not heard them bargain for the basket, and an honest
man, you know, also offered to bear witness: if I was to pay the money,
it would be a kind of encouragement of the cheat, and perhaps heighten
the jest. It is our duty, as much as we can, to assist our
fellow-creatures, and to hinder one man from injuring another.
WILLIAM.
You excite my wonder; I had not extended my thoughts so far.
CHARLES.
It is not the loss of the five guilders that will affect the baron; a
person so rich, as the skipper informs us he is, cannot think much of
such a small sum; but he will, at least if he has any virtue, be ashamed
of his foolish conduct: it shall be made public; his own companions will
blush for him, and the joke will be turned against himself.
WILLIAM.
I did not think you had been so severe, Grandison. Your humane heart has
often——
CHARLES.
You are mistaken, William; indifference in this case would prove rather
that I had a weak than a good heart. I may forgive a cheat practised on
myself, and I would do it as far as was consistent with my honour, but I
must, when I see a fellow-creature deceived, exert myself to maintain
his right.
WILLIAM.
Many who are called Christians think there is no harm in cheating a Jew,
but my mother has given me a very different definition of humanity.
CHARLES.
A Jew is a man as well as we are, and we ought no more to cheat a Jew or
a Turk, than we would a Christian: we must not despise, much less hate,
those who profess a different religion: created by the same God, we are
all brethren.
WILLIAM.
But how will you contrive to get the five guilders from the baron?
The approach of the gentlemen interrupted us, and your brother stood
musing a short time.
We were now to change schuit, and went into a public house, where we
were to stay half an hour to get a little refreshment. Your brother
called me aside, sent for Robert, and ordered him to pay the Jew five
guilders. How, said I, you have changed your mind! No, said he, it shall
be repaid out of the baron’s purse, if my plan succeeds according to my
wish. When you, continued he to Robert, have paid the money, bring the
boy into the house, the rest will follow of course.
We then went into the coffee-room, where the two giddy young men were
drinking and teazing a great dog. Robert quickly followed, with the Jew
boy and his basket, for as they were in a different part of the schuit,
they supposed he was gone on foot to Leyden. But I must give you,
verbatim, the conversation that passed between them and Charles on that
occasion.
BARON.
How came this boy in the schuit?
CHARLES.
Sir, your generosity in purchasing all this poor little merchant’s ware,
by the sale of which, he assists to maintain a sick mother, had such an
effect on me, that I determined to pay his fare, because I perceived
that he had an ague on him, which has weakened him in such a manner that
he would scarcely have been able to walk to Leyden, much less to have
returned back to night. But my servant, who just now came in with him,
felt so much compassion for him when he saw him so sick in the boat,
that he has done a great deal more, he has given him the five guilders,
and taken charge of the purchase, that the boy may return without any
delay, and he will himself deliver it at the house of Mr. Vanderk.
The baron and his friend soon perceived your brother’s design, and
looked very foolish, and the eyes of all the people in the room were
fixed on them. They stammered, and knew not at first what to answer.
Your brother, with his usual presence of mind, called the skipper, and
said, you undoubtedly know Mr. Vanderk, of Leyden, to whose house those
gentlemen have directed the young Jew; if you will go with my servant,
when we arrive there, I will give you something to drink. The worst of
all is, said the skipper, that in all Leyden I do not know where to find
a gentleman of the name of Vanderk.
CHARLES.
That gentleman, pointing to the baron, will have the goodness to inform
you.
BARON.
I do not know any gentleman of that name at Leyden: we only meant to
amuse ourselves a little with the young rogue.
CHARLES.
That amusement is well worth five guilders: it is to you gentlemen the
wares must be brought, and that is just the same; my servant is not
afraid of the payment.
Every one now began to laugh, and the baron and his friend seemed
ashamed of themselves. An honest burgher, who was in the room, cried
out, with a look of contempt, the prank is really well recompensed.
Another pitied the poor Jew, and thought it very inhuman to have sent a
child, shaking with an ague, so many miles to no purpose; for every one
perceived that the poor boy would have got nothing, and after having
long sought for Mr. Vanderk, he must have returned back with his wares.
At last the jokers, with very serious faces, paid Robert the five
guilders, and to take off part of the odium from themselves, they
desired the boy to keep his basket and wares, which they could make no
use of. Your brother ordered the boy a warm breakfast, and paid his fare
back to the Hague.
We were then called to go on board again, and the baron and his friend
were cured of their airs for that day at least. What a long letter I
have written! Permit me, however, to assure you, that I am your most
humble servant.
WILLIAM.
LETTER XXV.
CHARLES _to_ EMILIA.
My friend William has acquitted himself so well, that I have very little
more to say of our late excursion. I shall soon be with you to tell you
all, as our voyage to England is fixed for the end of next month. Your
brother is grown very idle, and our time is almost entirely lost in
amusements. We walk, or ride, from one village to another; go to the
play, pay visits, &c. Yet, now I think of it, I cannot call it time
lost, I endeavour to get all the information I can respecting the
customs and dispositions of the people I am now with. I shall send them
to Dr. Bartlett, and as he has been frequently in this country, he will
rectify my mistaken opinions when I return. Indeed, I wish to see as
much as I can, for I should be ashamed, when any one asked me what I had
seen in Holland, to be only able to speak of the air, the ground, the
sun, the houses, the fields, the cattle, without being able to add, that
the air is warmer or colder, the houses better or worse built, the
fields more or less fruitful than in England; in short, not to be able
to give a discriminating account of the country and the manners of the
people.