MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 1.
Dr. Bartlett is one of the kindest as well as best of men. I believe he
loves me as if I were his own child: but good men must be affectionate
men. He received but this morning a letter from Sir Charles, and
hastened to communicate some of its contents to me, though I could
pretend to no other motive but curiosity for wishing to be acquainted
with the proceedings of his patron.
Sir Charles dined, as he had intended, with Sir Hargrave and his friends.
He complains in his letter of a riotous day: yet I think, adds he, it has
led me into some useful reflections. It is not indeed agreeable to be
the spectator of riot; but how easy to shun being a partaker in it! Ho
easy to avoid the too freely circling glass, if a man is known to have
established a rule to himself, from which he will not depart; and if it
be not refused sullenly; but mirth and good humour the more studiously
kept up, by the person; who would else indeed be looked upon as a spy on
unguarded folly! I heartily pitied a young man, who, I dare say, has a
good heart, but from false shame durst not assert the freedom that every
Englishman would claim a right to, in almost every other instance! He
had once put by the glass, and excused himself on account of his health;
but on being laughed at for a sober dog, as they phrased it, and asked,
if his spouse had not lectured him before he came out, he gave way to the
wretched raillery: nor could I interfere at such a noisy moment with
effect: they had laughed him out of his caution before I could be heard;
and I left him there at nine o'clock trying with Bagenhall which should
drink the deepest.
I wish, my good Dr. Bartlett, you would throw together some serious
considerations on this subject. You could touch it delicately, and such
a discourse would not be unuseful to some few of our neighbours even at
Grandison-hall. What is it, that, in this single article, men sacrifice
to false shame and false glory! Reason, health, fortune, personal
elegance, the peace and order of their families; and all the comfort and
honour of their after-years. How peevish, how wretched, is the decline
of a man worn out with intemperance! In a cool hour, resolutions might
be formed, that should stand the attack of a boisterous jest.
I obtained leave from Dr. Bartlett, to transcribe this part of the
letter. I thought my uncle would be pleased with it.
It was near ten at night, before Sir Charles got to Lord W----'s, though
but three miles from Sir Hargrave's. My lord rejoiced to see him; and,
after first compliments, asked him, if he had thought of what he had
undertaken for him. Sir Charles told him, that he was the more desirous
of seeing him in his way to the Hall, because he wanted to know if his
lordship held his mind as to marriage. He assured him he did, and would
sign and seal to whatever he should stipulate for him.
I wished for a copy of this part of Sir Charles's letter, for the sake of
my aunt, whose delicacy would, I thought, be charmed with it. He has
been so good as to say, he would transcribe it for me. I will enclose
it, Lucy; and you will read it here:
I cannot, my lord, said Sir Charles, engage, that the lady will comply
with the proposal I shall take the liberty to make to her mother and her.
She is not more than three or four and thirty: she is handsome: she has a
fine understanding: she is brought up an economist: she is a woman of
good family: she has not, however, though born to happier prospects, a
fortune worthy of your lordship's acceptance. Whatever that is, you
will, perhaps, choose to give it to her family.
With all my heart and soul, nephew: but do you say, she is handsome? Do
you say, she is of family? And has she so many good qualities?--Ah,
nephew! She won't have me, I doubt.--And is she not too young, Sir
Charles, to think of such a poor decrepit soul as I am?
All I can say to this, my lord, is, that the proposals on your part must
be the more generous--