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BOOK V.

CHAP. I.

In which the Reader will meet with an old Acquaintance.

BOOTH's affairs now put on a better aspect than they had ever worn before, and he was willing to make use of the opportunity of one day in seven to taste the fresh air.

At nine in the morning he went to pay a visit to his old friend Colonel James, resolving, if possible, to have a full explanation of that behaviour which appeared to him so mysterious; but the Colonel was inaccessible as the best defended fortress, and it was as impossible for Booth to pass beyond his entry, as the Spaniards found it to take Gibraltar. He received the usual answers; first, that the Colonel was not stirring, and an hour after that he was gone out. All that he got by asking further questions was only to receive still ruder and ruder answers; by which, if he had been very sagacious, he might have been satisfied how little worth his while it was to desire to go in; for the porter at the great man's door is a kind of thermometer, by which you may discover the warmth or coldness of his master's friendship. Nay, in the highest stations of all, as the great man himself hath his different kinds of salutation, from an hearty embrace with a kiss, and my dear lord, or dear Sir Charles, down to, well Mr- what would you have me do? so the porter, to some bows with respect, to others with a smile, to some he bows more, to others less low, to others not at all. Some he just lets in, and others he just shuts out; and in all this they so well correspond, that one would be inclined to think that the great man and his porter had compared their lists together, and like two actors, concerned to act different parts in the same scene, had rehearsed their parts privately together, before they ventured to perform in public.

Though Booth did not, perhaps, see the whole matter in this just light, for that in reality it is, yet he was discerning enough to conclude from the behaviour of the servant, especially when he considered that of the master likewise, that he had entirely lost the friendship of James; and this conviction gave him a concern, that not only the flattering prospect of his lordship's favour

was not able to compensate, but which even ob literated, and made him for a while forget, the situation in which he had left his Amelia, and he wandered about almost two hours, scarce knowing where he went, till at last he dropt into a coffee-house near St James's, where he sat himself down.

He had scarce drank his dish of coffee, before he heard a young officer of the guards cry to another, "Oh d-n me, Jack, here he comeshere's old honour and dignity, faith."-Upon which he saw a chair open, and out issued a most erect and stately figure indeed, with a vast periwig on his head, and a vast hat under his arm. This august personage having entered the room, walked directly up to the upper end, where having paid his respects to all present of any note, to each according to seniority, he at last cast his eyes on Booth, and very civilly, though somewhat coldly, asked him how he did.

Booth, who had long recognized the features of his old acquaintance Major Bath, returned the compliment with a very low bow; but did not venture to make the first advance to familiarity, as he was truly possessed of that quality which the Greeks considered in the highest light of honour, and which we term modesty: though, indeed, neither ours nor the Latin language hath any word adequate to the idea of the original.

The Colonel, after having discharged himself of two or three articles of news, and made his comments upon them, when the next chair to him became vacant, called upon Booth to fill it. He then asked him several questions relating to his affairs; and when he heard he was out of the army, advised him earnestly to use all means to get in again, saying, that he was a pretty lad, and they must not lose him.

Booth told him in a whisper, that he had a great deal to say to him on that subject, if they were in a more private place. Upon this the Colonel proposed a walk in the Park, which the other readily accepted.

During their walk Booth opened his heart, and, among other matters, acquainted Colonel Bath, that he feared he had lost the friendship of Colonel James, "though I am not,” said he, "conscious of having done the least thing to deserve it."

Bath answered, "You are certainly mistaken, Mr Booth. I have indeed scarce seen my brother since my coming to town, for I have been

here but two days; however, I am convinced he is a man of too nice honour to do any thing inconsistent with the true dignity of a gentleman." Booth answered, "he was far from accusing him of any thing dishonourable."-"D-n me," said Bath, "if there is a man alive can or dare accuse him if you have the least reason to take any thing ill, why don't you go to him? you are a gentleman, and his rank doth not protect him from giving you satisfaction."-"The affair is not of any such kind," says Booth; "I have great obligations to the Colonel, and have more reason to lament than complain; and if I could but see him, I am convinced I should have no cause for either, but I cannot get within his house; it was but an hour ago a servant of his turned me rudely from the door."-"Did a servant of my brother use you rudely?" said the Colonel, with the utmost gravity. "I do not know, sir, in what light you see such things; but to me, the affront of a servant is the affront of the master, and if he doth not immediately punish it, by all the dignity of a man, I would see the master's nose between my fingers."-Booth offered to explain, but to no purpose; the Colonel was got into his stilts, and it was impossible to take him down, nay, it was as much as Booth could possibly do to part with him without an actual quarrel; nor would he, perhaps, have been able to have accomplished it, had not the Colonel by accident turned at last to take Booth's side of the question; and before they separated, he swore many oaths that James should give him proper satisfaction.

Such was the end of this present interview, so little to the content of Booth, that he was heartily concerned he had ever mentioned a syllable of the matter to his honourable friend.

CHAP. II.

In which Booth pays a visit to the noble Lord. WHEN that day of the week returned in which Mr Booth chose to walk abroad, he went to wait on the noble peer, according to his kind invita

tion.

Booth now found a very different reception with this great man's porter, from what he had met with at his friend the Colonel's. He no sooner told his name, than the porter, with a bow, told him his lordship was at home; the door immediately flew wide open, and he was conducted to an antichamber, where a servant told him he would acquaint his lordship with his arrival: nor did he wait many minutes before the same servant returned, and ushered him to his lordship's apartment.

He found my lord alone, and was received by him in the most courteous manner imaginable. After the first ceremonials were over, his lord

ship began in the following words: "Mr Booth, I do assure you, you are very much obliged to my cousin Ellison. She hath given you such a character, that I shall have a pleasure in doing any thing in my power to serve you. But it will be very difficult, I am afraid, to get you a rank at home. In the West Indies, perhaps, or in some regiment abroad, it may be more easy; and when I consider your reputation as a soldier, I make no doubt of your readiness to go to any place where the service of your country shall call you." Booth answered, that he was highly obliged to his lordship, and assured him, he would with great chearfulness attend his duty in any part of the world. "The only thing grievous in the exchange of countries," said he, "in my opinion, is to leave those I love behind me; and I am sure I shall never have a second trial equal to my first. It was very hard, my lord, to leave a young wife big with her first child, and so affected with my absence, that I had the utmost reason to despair of ever seeing her more. After such a demonstration of my resolution to sacrifice every other consideration to my duty, I hope your lordship will honour me with some confidence, that I shall make no objection to serve in any country."-"My dear Mr Booth," answered the lord, "you speak like a soldier, and I greatly honour your sentiments. Indeed, I own the justice of your inference from the example you have given; for, to quit a wife, as you say, in the very infancy of marriage, is, I acknow ledge, some trial of resolution." Booth answered with a low bow; and then, after some immaterial conversation, his lordship promised to speak immediately to the minister, and appointed Mr Booth to come to him again on the Wednesday morning, that he might be acquainted with his patron's success. The poor man now blushed and looked silly, till, after some time, he summoned up all his courage to his assistance, and relying on the other's friendship, he opened the whole affair of his circumstances, and confessed that he did not dare to stir from his lodgings above one day in seven. His lordship expressed great concern at this account, and very kindly promised to take some opportunity of calling on him at his cousin Ellison's, when he hoped, he said, to bring him comfortable tidings.

Booth soon afterwards took his leave with the most profuse acknowledgments for so much goodness, and hastened to acquaint his Amelia with what had so greatly overjoyed him. She highly congratulated him on his having found so generous and powerful a friend, towards whom both their bosoms burnt with the warmest sentiments of gratitude. She was not, however, contented, till she had made Booth renew his promise, in the most solemn manner, of taking her with him. After which they sat down with their little children to a scrag of mutton and

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broth, with the highest satisfaction; and very heartily drank his lordship's health in a pot of porter.

In the afternoon this happy couple, if the reader will allow me to call poor people happy, drank tea with Mrs Ellison, where his lordship's praises being again repeated by both the husband and wife, were very loudly echoed by Mrs Ellison. While they were here, the young lady, whom we have mentioned at the end of the last book to have made a fourth at whist, and with whom Amelia seemed so much pleased, came in; she was just returned to town from a short visit in the country, and her present visit was unexpected; it was, however, very agreeable to Amelia, who liked her still better upon a second interview, and was resolved to solicit her further acquaintance.

Mrs Bennet still maintained some little reserve, but was much more familiar and communicative than before. She appeared, moreover, to be as little ceremonious as Mrs Ellison had reported her, and very readily accepted Amelia's apology for not paying her the first visit, and agreed to drink tea with her the very next after

noon.

Whilst the above-mentioned company were sitting in Mrs Ellison's parlour, Serjeant Atkinson passed by the window, and knocked at the door. Mrs Ellison no sooner saw him, than she said, "Pray, Mr Booth, who is that genteel serjeant? he was here every day last week to enquire after you." This was indeed a fact; the serjeant was apprehensive of the design of Murphy; but as the poor fellow had received all his answers from the maid or Mrs Ellison, Booth had never heard a word of the matter. He was however greatly pleased with what he was now told, and burst forth into great praises of the serjeant, which were seconded by Amelia, who added, that he was her foster-brother, and, she believed, one of the honestest fellows in the world.

"And I'll swear," cries Mrs Ellison," he is one of the prettiest.-Do, Mr Booth, desire him to walk in. A serjeant of the guards is a gentleman; and I had rather give such a man as you describe a dish of tea, than any Beau Fribble of them all."

Booth wanted no great solicitation to shew any kind of regard to Atkinson; and accordingly the serjeant was ushered in, though not without some reluctance on his side. There is, perhaps, nothing more uneasy than those sensations which the French call the mauvaise honte, nor any more difficult to conquer; and poor Atkinson would, I am persuaded, have mounted a breach with less concern than he shewed in walking across a room before three ladies, two of whom were his avowed well-wishers.

Though I do not entirely agree with the late learned Mr Essex, the celebrated dancing-mas

ter's opinion, that dancing is the rudiments of polite education, as he would, I apprehend, exclude every other art and science; yet it is certain, that persons whose feet have never been under the hands of the professors of that art, are apt to discover this want in their education in every motion, nay, even when they stand or sit still. They seem, indeed, to be overburdened with limbs, which they know not how to use, as if, when Nature hath finished her work, the dancing-master still is necessary to put it in motion.

Atkinson was at present an example of this observation, which doth so much honour to a profession for which I have a very high regard. He was handsome and exquisitely well made; and yet, as he had never learnt to dance, he made so awkward an appearance in Mrs Ellison's parlour, that the good lady herself, who had invited him in, could at first scarce refrain from laughter at his behaviour.

He had not, however, been long in the room, before admiration of his person got the better of such risible ideas. So great is the advantage of beauty in men as well as women, and so sure is this quality in either sex of procuring some regard from the beholder.

The exceeding courteous behaviour of Mrs Ellison, joined to that of Amelia and Booth, at length dissipated the uneasiness of Atkinson; and he gained sufficient confidence to tell the company some entertaining stories of accidents that had happened in the army within his knowledge; which, though they greatly pleased all present, are not, however, of consequence enough to have a place in this history.

Mrs Ellison was so very importunate with her company to stay supper, that they all consented. As for the serjeant, he seemed to be none of the least welcome guests. She was, indeed, so pleased with what she had heard of him, and what she saw of him, that when a little warmed with wine, for she was no flincher at the bottle, she began to indulge some freedoms in her discourse towards him, that a little offended Amelia's delicacy; nay, they did not seem to be highly relished by the other lady; though I am far from insinuating that these exceeded the bounds of decorum, or were, indeed, greater liberties than ladies of the middle age, and especially widows, do frequently allow to themselves.

CHAP. III.

Relating principally to the affairs of Serjeant Atkinson.

The next day, when all the same company, Atkinson only excepted, assembled at Amelia's apartment, Mrs Ellison presently began to discourse of him, and that in terms not only of ap

probation, but even of affection. She called him her clever serjeant, and her dear serjeant; repeated often that he was the prettiest fellow in the army, and said it was a thousand pities he had not a commission; for that if he had, she was sure he would become a general.

"I am of your opinion, madam," answered Booth; "and he hath got one hundred pound of his own already; if he could find a wife now to help him to two or three hundred more, I think he might easily get a commission in a marching regiment; for I am convinced there is no colonel in the army would refuse him."

"Refuse him, indeed!" said Mrs Ellison; "No! He would be a very pretty colonel that did. And, upon my honour, I believe there are very few ladies who would refuse him, if he had but a proper opportunity of soliciting them. The Colonel and the lady both would be better off, than with one of those pretty masters that I see walking about, and dragging their long swords after them, when they should rather drag their leading-strings."

"Well said," cries Booth, "and spoken like a woman of spirit. Indeed, I believe they would

be both better served."

"True, Captain," answered Mrs Ellison," I would rather leave the two first syllables out of the word gentleman than the last."

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Nay, I assure you," replied Booth, "there is not a quieter creature in the world. Though the fellow hath the bravery of a lion, he hath the meekness of a lamb. I can tell you stories enow of that kind, and so can my dear Amelia when he was a boy."

"O, if the match sticks there," cries Amelia, "I positively will not spoil his fortune by my silence. I can answer for him from his infancy, that he was one of the best-natured lads in the world. I will tell you a story or two of him, the truth of which I can testify from my own knowledge. When he was but six years old, he was at play with me at my mother's house, and a great pointing-dog bit him through the leg. The poor lad, in the midst of the anguish of his wound, declared he was overjoyed it had not happened to Miss, (for the same dog had just before snapped at me, and my petticoats had been my defence.) Another instance of his goodness, which greatly recommended him to my father, and which I have loved him for ever since, was this my father was a great lover of birds, and strictly forbade the spoiling of their nests. Poor Joe was one day caught upon a tree, and being concluded guilty, was severely lashed for it; but it was afterwards discovered that another boy, a friend of Joe's, had robbed the nest of its young ones, and poor Joe had climbed the tree in order to restore them, notwithstanding which, he submitted to the punishment, rather than he would impeach his companion. But if these stories appear childish and trifling, the duty and

kindness he hath shewn to his mother must recommend him to every one. Ever since he hath been fifteen years old, he hath more than half supported her; and when my brother died, I remember particularly Joe, at his desire, for he was much his favourite, had one of his suits given him; but instead of his becoming finer on this occasion, another young fellow came to church in my brother's clothes, and my old nurse appeared the same Sunday in a new gown, which her son had purchased for her with the sale of his legacy."

"Well, I protest he is a very worthy creature," said Mrs Bennet.

"He is a charming fellow," cries Mrs Ellison; "but then the name of serjeant, Captain Booth; there, as the play says, my pride brings me off again.

And whatsoever the sages charge on pride, The angels fall, and twenty other good faults beside;

On earth, I'm sure—I'm sure—something-calling Pride saves man, and our sex too from falling.”

Here a footman's rap at the door shook the room. Upon which Mrs Ellison, running to the window, cried out, "Let me die if it is not my lord; what shall I do? I must be at home to him. But suppose he should enquire for you, Captain, what shall I say? or will you go down with me?"

The company were in some confusion at this instant, and before they had agreed on any thing, Booth's little girl came running into the room, and said, "There was a prodigious great gentle man coming up stairs.' She was immediately followed by his lordship, who, as he knew Booth must be at home, made very little or no enquiry at the door.

Amelia was taken somewhat at a surprise, but she was too polite to shew much confusion; for though she knew nothing of the town, she had had a genteel education, and kept the best company the country afforded. The ceremonies, therefore, passed as usual, and they all sat down.

His lordship soon addressed himself to Booth, saying, "As I have what I think good news for you, sir, I could not delay giving myself the pleasure of communicating it to you. I have mentioned your affair where I promised you, and I have no doubt of my success. One may easily perceive, you know, from the manner of people's behaving upon such occasions; and indeed, when I related your case, I found there was much inclination to serve you. Great men, Mr Booth, must do things in their own time; but I think you may depend on having something done very soon."

Booth made many acknowledgments for his lordship's goodness, and now a second time paid

all the thanks which would have been due, even had the favour been obtained. This art of promising, is the economy of a great man's pride, a sort of good husbandry in conferring favours, by which they receive ten-fold in acknowledgments for every obligation;-I mean among those who really intend the service; for there are others who cheat poor men of their thanks without ever designing to deserve them at all.

This matter being sufficiently discussed, the conversation took a gayer turn; and my lord began to entertain the ladies with some of that elegant discourse which, though most delightful to hear, it is impossible should ever be read.

His lordship was so highly pleased with Amelia, that he could not help being somewhat particular to her; but this particularity distinguished itself only in a higher degree of respect, and was so very polite, and so very distant, that she herself was pleased; and at his departure, which was not till he had far exceeded the length of a common visit, declared he was the finest gen tleman she had ever seen, with which sentiment her husband and Mrs Ellison both entirely concurred.

Mrs Bennet, on the contrary, expressed some little dislike to my lord's complaisance, which she called excessive. "For my own part," said she, "I have not the least relish for those very fine gentlemen; what the world generally calls politeness, I term insincerity; and I am more charmed with the stories which Mrs Booth told us of the honest serjeant, than with all that the finest gentlemen in the world ever said in their lives.'

"O to be sure," cries Mrs Ellison," All for love, or the world well lost, is a motto very proper for some folks to wear in their coats of arms; but the generality of the world will, I believe, agree with that lady's opinion of my cousin, rather than with Mrs Bennet."

Mrs Bennet, seeing Mrs Ellison took offence at what she said, thought proper to make some apology, which was very readily accepted, and so ended the visit.

We cannot, however, put an end to the chapter without observing, that such is the ambitious temper of beauty, that it may always apply to itself that celebrated passage in Lucan,

Nec quenquam jam ferre potest Cæsarve priorem, Pompeiusve parem.

Indeed I believe it may be laid down as a general rule, that no woman who hath any great pretensions to admiration, is ever well pleased in a company, where she perceives herself to fill only the second place. This observation, however, I humbly submit to the judgment of the ladies, and hope it will be considered as retracted by me, if they shall dissent from my opinion.

VOL. I.

CHAP. IV.

Containing matters that require no preface.

WHEN Booth and his wife were left alone together, they both extremely exulted in their good fortune in having found so good a friend as his lordship; nor were they wanting in very warm expressions of their gratitude towards Mrs Ellison. After which they began to lay down schemes of living, when Booth should have his commission of captain, and, after the exactest computation, concluded, that with economy, they should be able to save at least fifty pounds a-year out of their income, in order to pay their debts.

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These matters being well settled, Amelia asked Booth what he thought of Mrs Bennet. "I think, my dear," answered Booth, "that she hath been formerly a very pretty woman."-"I am mistaken," replied Amelia, "if she be not a very good creature. I don't know I ever took such a liking to any one, on so short an acquaintance. I fancy she hath been a very sprightly woman: for, if you observe, she discovers by starts a great vivacity in her countenance."—"I made the same observation,” cries Booth ; sure some strange accident hath befallen her.' "A misfortune indeed!" answered Amelia. "Sure, child, you forgot what Mrs Ellison told us, that she had lost a beloved husband. A misfortune which I have often wondered at any woman's surviving." At which words, she cast a tender look at Booth, and presently afterwards throwing herself upon his neck, cried, " O Heavens! what a happy creature am I! When I consider the dangers you have gone through, how I exult in my bliss!" The good-natured reader will suppose that Booth was not deficient in returning such tenderness; after which, the conversation became too fond to be here related.

The next morning Mrs Ellison addressed herself to Booth as follows; "I shall make no apology, sir, for what I am going to say, as it proceeds from my friendship to yourself and your dear lady. I am convinced then, sir, there is something more than accident in your going abroad only one day in the week. Now, sir, it, as I am afraid, matters are not altogether as well as I wish them, I beg, since I do not believe you are provided with a lawyer, that you will suffer me to recommend one to you. The person I shall mention is, I assure you, of much ability in his profession, and I have known him do great services to gentlemen under a cloud. Do not be ashamed of your circumstances, my dear friend; they are a much greater scandal to those who have left so much merit unprovided for."

Booth gave Mrs Ellison abundance of thanks for her kindness, and explicitly confessed to her, 20

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