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 ZELUCO 

 
 VARIOUS VIEWS 
 
 OP 
 
 HUMAN NATURE, 
 
 TAKEN 
 
 FROM LIFE AND MANNERS, 
 
 FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. 
 
 BY DR./MOORE. 
 
 .... . Cur tamen hos tn 
 
 Bvasisse putes, quod diri conscia facti 
 
 Meus habet attonitos, et surdo verbere credit, 
 
 Occultum quatiente animo tortore flagellum ? 
 
 Pcena autem vehemens, ac multo ssvior illis, 
 
 Quas et Cteditius gravis invenit aut Rhadamanthus, 
 
 Mocte dieque suum gestare in pectore testem. Jvv 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES, 
 
 VOL. I. 
 A NEW EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND. 
 
 1610. 
 
 v.l-
 
 Printed by Richard Taylor and Co., 
 Shoe Lane, London.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Strong indications of a vicious disposition. 
 
 ID ELIGION teaches that vice leads to endless mi- 
 sery in a future state ; and experience proves 
 that, in spite of the gayest and most prosperous appear- 
 ances, inward misery accompanies her 3 for even in 
 this Jife her ways are ways of wretchedness, and all 
 her paths are woe. 
 
 This observation has been so often made, that it 
 must be known to all, and its truth is seldom formally 
 denied by any j yet the conduct of men would some- 
 times lead us to suspect, either that they had never 
 heard it, or that they think it false. To recal a truth 
 of such importance to the recollection of mankind, 
 and to illustrate it by example, may therefore be of 
 use. 
 
 Tracing the windings of vice, however, and de- 
 lineating the disgusting features of villainy, are un- 
 pleasant tasks 5 and some people cannot bear to con- 
 template such a picture. It is fair, therefore, to warn 
 readers of this turn of mind, not to peruse the story 
 of Zeluco. 
 
 This person, sprung from a noble family in Sicily, 
 was a native of Palermo, where he passed the years of 
 early childhood, without being distinguished by any 
 thing very remarkable in his disposition, unless it was 
 
 VOL. f. 2 
 
 21 2293-5
 
 2 ZELUCO. 
 
 a tendency to insolence, and an inclination to do- 
 mineer over boys of inferior rank and circumstances. 
 The bad tendency of this, however, was so strongly 
 remonstrated against by his. father, and others who 
 superintended his education, that it was in a great de- 
 gree checked, and in a fair way of being entirely over- 
 come. 
 
 In the tenth year of his age he lost his father, and 
 was left under the guidance of a mother, whose dar- 
 'ing he had ever been, and who had often blamed her 
 im>>b:ind for too great severity to a son, whom, in 
 her fond opinion, nature had endowed with every good 
 quality. 
 
 A short time after the death of his father, Zeluco 
 began to betray strong symptoms of that violent and 
 overbearing disposition to which he had always had a 
 propensity, though he had hitherto been obliged to 
 restrain it. Had that gentleman lived a iew year* 
 longer, the violence of Zeluco's tamper would, it is 
 probable, have been weakened, or entirely annihi- 
 Jaied, by the continued influence of this habit of re- 
 straint, and the rest of his life might have exhibited 
 a very different character ; for he showed sufficient 
 command of himself as long as his father lived : but 
 very soon after hi.- death, he induLed, without con- 
 trol, every humour and caprice ; and his mistaken 
 mother applauding the blusterings of petulance and 
 pride as indications of spirit, his temper became 
 more and more ungovernable, and at length seemed 
 as inflammable as gunpowder, bursting into flashes of 
 rage at the slightest touch of provocation^ 
 
 It may be proper to mention one instance of this 
 violence of temper, from which the reader will be 
 enabled to form a juster notion than his mother did, 
 of what kind of spirit it was an indication. 
 
 He had a favourite sparrow, so tame that it picked 
 crumbs from his hand, and hopped familiarly on th^
 
 ZKLUCO. 3 
 
 (able. Ofte day it did not perform certain tricks which 
 he had taught it, to his satisfaction. This put the boy 
 into a passion : the bin), being frightened, attempted 
 to fly oft" the table. He suddenly seized it with 1m 
 hand, and, while it struggled to grt free, with a curse 
 he squeezed ihe little animal to death. His tutor, 
 who was present, was so shocked at this instance of 
 
 absurd and brutal rage, that he punished him as he 
 deserved, saying, I hope this will cure you of giving 
 vent to such odious gusts of passion. If it does not, 
 remember what I tell you, sir ; they will render you 
 hateful to others, wretched to yourself, and may bring 
 you one day to open shame and euless remorse." Ze- 
 
 -luco complained to his mother ; and she dismissed the 
 tutor, declaring, that she would not have her son's 
 vivacity repressed by the rigid maxims of a narrow- 
 minded pedant. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 ' Soe how the world its veterans rewards ! 
 A youth of frulics an old age of cards." P-JPB. 
 
 BEING now freed from that authority which had hi- 
 therto stimulated him to occasional exertions, Zeluco 
 renounced all application to letters. This was partly 
 owing tp the love of dissipation and amusement na- 
 tural to boys, but principally to the influence of a 
 maxim very generally adopted by servants, and by 
 them and other profound observers instilled into the 
 minds of the young heirs of great fortunes, whose 
 faculties it too often benumbs, like the touch of the 
 torpedo, and renders them incapable through life ot 
 6 ery praise-worthy exertion. T.)e maxim is this 
 That learning, although it is sometimes of service 19 
 B 2
 
 4 ZELUCO. 
 
 those who are intended for certain professions, or are 
 in any way to gain a livelihood by it, is entirely use- 
 less to men whose fortunes are already made. It is 
 hardly to be conceived how many young minds have 
 been checked in the progress of improvement by the 
 secret operation of this malignant doctrine. 
 
 The neglect of letters was compensated, in his 
 mother's opinion, by his assiduous application to 
 dancing, fencing, and other accomplishments of the 
 same class. Indeed, she imagined he bestowed super- 
 fluous pains even on these, being persuaded that na- 
 ture had done so much for her son, that there was 
 no need of the ornaments of art. 
 
 Being captivated with the uniform of some Neapo- 
 litan officers, Zeluco, at an early period of his life, 
 announced a decided taste for the profession of arms. 
 This heroic resolution was highly approved of by all 
 those to whom he communicated it ; which, indeed, 
 was generally the case whatever he communicated, 
 because he associated only with those who were ready 
 to approve of all he did or proposed ; for it was an- 
 other miserable trait in this young man's character, to 
 prefer the company of obsequious dependants, who 
 on no occasion withhold their assent, to that of men 
 of a liberal spirit or of equal rank with himself ; a 
 feature which infallibly puts an end to improvement, 
 and renders a man at length as disagreeable to society 
 as society is to him. The tender affection of his mo- 
 ther was not greatly alarmed at the martial resolution 
 of her son, because in the Neapolitan dominions the 
 profession of a soldier having no connexion with right- 
 ing, this indulgent parent knew that her son's mili- 
 tary ardour would subject him to no other danger than 
 is attendant on reviews : to this she submitted, being 
 aware that glory could not be obtained for nothing. 
 
 The pacific situation of the Neapolitan army, how- 
 ever, was not Zeluco's reason for preferring it j for he
 
 ZEI.UCO. A 
 
 was naturally of a daring spirit. He, like many other 
 idle young men, was attracted to the profession of 
 arms by a relish for the dress of an officer, and by the 
 vanity of command over a few soldiers. At this time 
 he thought no deeper on the subject. An applica- 
 tion was therefore made by this indulgent mother for 
 a commission for her son ; between which period and 
 the time of its being granted, Zeluco counted the 
 moments with the most fretful impatience; for al- 
 though he had already ordered his regimentals, and 
 pften indulged himself in the pleasure of strutting in 
 them before a mirror, yet he experienced the agonies 
 of Tantalus till he could appear with them abroad. As 
 the exigencies of the service did not require the im- 
 mediate presence of Zeluco, he was permitted to re- 
 main at Palermo, and was introduced by his mother 
 into a select circle of her own acquaintance, which, 
 she informed him consisted of the very Lest company of 
 Palermo, where he would acquire the most useful of 
 all knowledge the knowledge of the world and tlrii 
 too in the most agreeable and most effectual manner. 
 
 This society was principally composed of a set of 
 ladies of quality maidens, wives, and widows re- 
 spectable undoubtedly on account of their sex and age; 
 and a few gentlemen, who bore a wonderful resem- 
 blance in character to the ladies. Whatever business 
 or avocation the members of this society hud, besides 
 those of cards arid sleep, it must be confessed that such 
 avocations occupied but a moderate share of their time, 
 as all of them spent six or seven hours of the four-and- 
 twenty in the former, and none of them allowed less 
 than nine to the latter. 
 
 Zeluco's bloom, vivacity, and apiitude in learning 
 the different games, procured him many flattering 
 marks of attention from the female members. These 
 for some time pleased the youth himself, while his 
 mother was highly gratified with the congratulations 
 B3
 
 6 ZELUCO. 
 
 poured out on all sides on the promising talents and 
 charming appearance ot" her son ; she reflected with 
 pleasure also on the vast advantage which he enjoyed 
 in being, at such an early period of his life, removed 
 from the contagion of frivolous company, and intro- 
 duced into so polished a circle. What degree of im- 
 provement a steady and persevering cultivation of this 
 society might have produced in Zeluco, was not fairly 
 tried ; for the flattery and blandishments of the old 
 ladies soon became insipid, and he strayed in search of 
 pleasure to those haunts where she appears with less 
 decorum and more zest ; soon after, he joined his 
 regiment at Naples, where he passed most of his 
 time with a few young officers, who, with an equal 
 passion for pleasure, had not equal means of indulg- 
 ing it, and were therefore too apt to flatter his vanity 
 and bear his humours. The love of pleasure seemed 
 to increase upon him by indulgence, and was greatly 
 cherished by the ill-judged prodigality of his mother, 
 whose fondness could not resist his unrelenting im- 
 portunity for money. The means with which this 
 furnished him of indulging all his humours, in a coun- 
 try where rank claims an almost despotic sway over 
 the lower orders of mankind, joined to his keeping 
 company only with dependants, cherished and invi- 
 gorated the seeds of caprice, selfishness, pride, and 
 injustice, which had been early sown in the breast of 
 Zeluco, and perhaps generated those which did not 
 originally exist. With no pursuit but pleasure, and 
 with superfluous means of attaining it, he enjoyed 
 very little, being the constant slave of humour and 
 caprice j and, besides, he looked forward with such 
 fretful impat'ence to the period when the law allowed 
 him the uncontrolled command of his fortune, as 
 was sufficient of itself to embitter all his present en- 
 joyments. 
 
 The original source of his wretchedness, and what
 
 ZF.LUCO. 7 
 
 had augmented, or perhaps generated, this miserable 
 impatience of temper, was the indulgence of his 
 humours, and his being too liberally supplied in the 
 means of gratification ; but he himself imputed all 
 his misery to the scanty allowance granted by his tu- 
 tors, and to his not being of age. 
 
 Previous to this period he returned to Palermo ; 
 and although he did not attend his mother's assemblies 
 with all the punctuality that she wished, yet he could 
 not always resist the importunity of a mother who 
 was ready to make every sacrifice for his gratification, 
 and who exacted nothing in return but that he should 
 give her the pleasure of seeing him admired in pub- 
 lic, and condescend to bestow a little of his companj 
 on her in private. 
 
 The happy moment he had so anxiously sighed for 
 arrived ; and his guardians devolved into his own 
 hands the entire conduct of his fortune. But while 
 he remained in Sicily, on account of certain arrange- 
 ments for which his presence was thought indispetu 
 sably necessary, an incident occurred which detained 
 him longer than he intended. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Virtue she finds too painftil an endeavour ; 
 Content to dwell in decencies for ever." Pon?, 
 
 ONE of the most important personages of the society 
 into which Zeluco had been introduced, was the 
 Countess Brunella, a lady who took every opportunity 
 of insinuating that she had been in her youth greatly 
 distinguished for her beauty. Nothing however re- 
 mained to justify her pretensions, except this single 
 consideration, that as she had no fortune, and possessed 
 no amiable quality, it was impossible to account for 
 tiie marriage which raised her both to rank and fortune,
 
 ZET.UCO. 
 
 but by' supposing that, at the time it took place, she, 
 was handsome. Her charms, however, whatever they 
 had once been, were now entirely fled : but she still 
 retained all the vanity, insolence, and caprice, which 
 ever attended the b'oom of bf-auty, with the addition 
 of that peevishness and ill-humour which often ac- 
 company -its decay. Her insolence, however, was 
 only displayed to the unprotected, and her ill-humour 
 to her servants ; for to her superiors she was always 
 ob-equious, and to her equals she displayed an ever- 
 lasting simper of approbation. This woman's benevo- 
 lence was regulated by decorum ; her friendship by 
 conveniency ; and all her affections by etiquette. Her 
 heart had no concern in any of these matters. 
 
 She was chaste, without being virtuous ; because, 
 in her it proceeded from constitution, not principle. 
 Guarded by the breastplate of frigidity, which, like 
 the aegis of Minerva, repels the shafts of love, she 
 walked through life erect, and steady to the dictates 
 of decorum and self-interest, without a slip or false 
 step. 
 
 Inexorable to all helpless females who, from tha 
 frailty of nature, or the perfidy of man, were ob- 
 served to totter, or even to stoop, in their progress, 
 she insisted that they should be for ever excluded from 
 the society of the upright : and if any person showed 
 a, disposition to palliate their errors, this vulture of 
 chastity quitted, for a moment, the frail bird on whom 
 s';e had pounced, and turned her envenomed beak 
 against those who were for showing the smallest de- 
 gree of mercy ; and being freed by nature from any 
 propensity to one particular frailty, she indulged, 
 without bounds, in the gratification of envy, hatred, 
 slander, haughtiness, and other \ices of the same 
 class, for which, from her childhood, she had dis- 
 covered a decided taste. 
 
 This lady had a neice who lived with her. The 
 young lady had little or nu fortune in her own poes-
 
 ZELUCO. 9 
 
 eion, and as v little in expectation from her aunt, who 
 was too vain and ostentations to save any of her in- 
 come, ample as it was. But the countess flattered her- 
 self that she should procure her niece such a marriage 
 as would instantly supply all deficiencies, and raise 
 her to wealth and grandeur. She made several un- 
 successful attempts for that purpose : the failure pro- 
 ceeded more from dislike of the aunt, than from the 
 want of attractions in the young lady. 
 
 A little after Zeluco came of age, the aunt fixed 
 her eyes on him as a commodious match for her niece. 
 She was not unacquainted with his irregularities ; 
 but as she considered rank and fortune as the great 
 essentials in a husband, these being secured, she 
 thought the rest of small importance. On former 
 occasions she had proved, that she looked upon 
 age and infirmity as no obstacles to the honour of 
 being a husband to her niece ; and by the pains she 
 now took to draw in Zeluco to a marriage, she made 
 it clear that she considered profligacy as an objection 
 equally frivolous. 
 
 She began by paying uncommon attention to the 
 mother of Zeluco : as the Countess Brunella was her 
 superior by nuptial rank, this attention greatly flattered 
 the vanity of that weak woman. She had for some 
 time observed that Zt luco seemed to pay more parti- 
 cular regard to her niece than to any other young lady 
 at Palermo ; and she carefully instructed her in the 
 arts of cherishing a moderate degree of liking into a 
 violent passion. But this young lady, with less pru- 
 dence, had much mote sensibility than her aunt. The 
 genteel figure and alluring manners of Zeluco seduced 
 her into all the unsuspecting confidence of love ; but 
 he, amidst affected passion, preserved all the circum- 
 spection of determined perfidy. 
 
 Whilst the aunt, therefore, was artfully planning 
 what she considered as an advantageous match for her
 
 -10 ZELUCO. 
 
 niece, the unwary young woman granted, without 
 marriage, what her aunt in similar circumstances had 
 carefully preserved ; not from any value she put upon 
 the thing, but merely because she knew that by that 
 means alone she could secnre the husband who then 
 paid his court to her. 
 
 Zeluco soon became tired of his conquest, and dis- 
 gusted with the tears of the unhappy girl. He neg- 
 lected her with an unfeeling indifference more unpar- 
 donable than the crime he had committed. This 
 being observed by the aunt, she questioned her niece, 
 who candidly confessed what her situation would in .a 
 short time have revealed. 
 
 The counte.ss expostulated wiih Zeluco, attempting 
 to obtain by threats, what integrity and a sense of ho- 
 nour ought to have inclined him to perform. He 
 treated her threats with derision, and with all the 
 coolness of a veteran in iniquity he told her that, if she 
 chose to keep her niece's secret, he should ; in which 
 case, by the industry of her aunt, she might still be 
 provided with a husband : In the mean time, added 
 he sarcastically, it is to be hoped yon will make your 
 own niece an exception from your favourite maxim, 
 that all who have made a single false step should be 
 for ever excluded from respectable society. 
 
 The young lady retired to a relation in the country ; 
 and the adventure might have remained unknown to 
 the public, had not the aunt, in the madness of heir 
 resentment, prompted a Neapolitan officer, who de- 
 pended on her interest for his promotion, to call Zduco 
 to an account for his conduct on this occasion. Zelu- 
 ,co, who was constitutionally intrepid, had for some 
 time wished for an opportunity of fighting a duel, the 
 eclat of which was wanting to his reputation, hie 
 went out at the first hint with the Neapolitan, and, 
 being an admirable swordsman, wounded and dis- 
 ^rrued him ; and thus became an object of greater ad-
 
 ZELUCO. 11 
 
 miration in the eyes of many ladies than ever, both 
 on account of this duel and the occasion of it. 
 
 The rage, disappointment, and wounded pride of 
 the aunt, when she knew the event of the duel, ren- 
 dered her exceedingly miserable 5 but as in her pro- 
 sperity she had no feeling for the unfortunate, her own 
 misfortunes excited no compassion. Some of her 
 mo.st intimate acquaintance, who passed for her 
 friend 1 *, involving the niece in their hatred of the 
 aunt, betrayed a malicious satisfaction at the fate of 
 the unhappy young woman. ' And what was equally- 
 unjust, the public indignation at the base conduct of 
 Zeluco was not so great as it ought to have been, 
 merely because the person he had ruined was the niece 
 of this" odious dowager. 
 
 This woman might have gone through life with as 
 few enemies as friends, had she remained passively 
 selfish ; but she wa% making continual professions of 
 friendship ; she affected to be the dearest friend of 
 all her acquaintance, and to take a most extraordinary' 
 share of interest in all their concerns. Each of them 
 in their turns discovered that her professions were 
 false ; from her acquaintance they became her ene- 
 mies, and beheld her misfortunes with joy, which 
 otherwise they would have regarded only with indif- 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The gratitude of a san to an indulgent mother. 
 
 A SHORT time after this adventure, Zeluco passed 
 over to italy, and in the different states of that 
 luxurious country he spent two years, in every volup- 
 tuous and expensive gratification that his own imagi- 
 nation, or that of the profligate company he kept, 
 could suggest. His mother had parted from him with
 
 12 ZELUCO. 
 
 reluctance 5 her fond partiality remained strong as 
 ever, in spite of all the proofs of a vicious disposi- 
 tion he had displayed : she viewed his character in a 
 manner precisely the reverse of that in which Desde- 
 mona contemplated Othello's; she saw Zeluco's mind 
 in his visage ; and as this was fair and regular, she 
 fondly believed it to be a faithful index of the other ; 
 imputing all that part of his conduct which she could 
 not justify, to the warmth of youth, which time and 
 reflection would soon correct. She extracted a pro- 
 mise from him, before they parted, that he should 
 write to her regularly twice every month till his re- 
 turn. And as she had observed on many occasions 
 that he was by no means exact in fulfilling his en- 
 gagements, she took this promise with some solemnity, 
 jnd made him renew it oftener than once, adding, that 
 if he neglected, she should certainly imagine that 
 something very *terrible had happened : she therefore 
 entreated him very earnestly, by a punctual corre- 
 spondence, to save her from such a painful idea. 
 
 The manner in which Zeluco fulfilled this engage- 
 ment, will set his filial affection in a clear point of 
 view. 
 
 In a very short space after his arrival on the conti- 
 nent, he began to think the writing a few lines every 
 fortnight to his mother a piece of intolerable slavery. 
 And being, while at Rome, confined to his cham- 
 ber, on account of a complaint which debarred him 
 equally from pleasure and amusement, he thought this 
 a commodious opportunity of anticipating the trouble 
 of a correspondence which was apt to break in upon 
 him at less convenient seasons. He therefore wrote 
 a number of letters to his mother, a little varied in 
 the expression, and properly dated ; these he arranged 
 according to their dates, and then calling his valet de 
 chambre, There, said he, carry one of these 'letters 
 to the post-house every fortnight ; and when they are
 
 ZELUCO. 13 
 
 exhausted let me know, that I may prepare some 
 more for the old lady. 
 
 It would be equally superfluous and disagreeable to 
 follow Zeiuco through the scenes of extravagance, 
 folly, and vice, in which he acted a principal part for 
 two or three years in the various towns of Italy. Al- 
 though he had been happy during the whole of that 
 short period, it would have been happiness rather too 
 dearly bought at the expense of the misery and re- 
 morse he felt on finding his credit exhausted, and his 
 fortune involved to such a degree, that nothing but a 
 long and steady course of oeconomy could possibly 
 extricate it : but he had not even the recollection of 
 happiness to comfort him for the ruin of his affairs ; 
 his fortune had been dissipated .in debauchery, with- 
 out pleasure ; in magnificence, which conferred not 
 respect -j and in gaming, which sometimes drove him 
 to the brink of desperation. Let this general account 
 save us from entering into a detail of adventures which 
 bear the strongest resemblance to those of so many 
 profligate young men who have acted the same parts 
 on the same theatre. 
 
 When his money and credit were nearly exhausted, 
 he joined his regiment at Naples ; -where, after having 
 remained a decent time to entitle him to ask a new 
 leave of absence, he made application for permission 
 to pass over to Sicily for the arrangement of his do- 
 mestic affairs. 
 
 On his return to Palermo he had no immediate re- 
 source but in what his mother could spare him from 
 her own jointure ; and these supplies were not granted 
 without strong remonstrances against his extravagance. 
 Those, however, he heard with apparent patience, 
 and repeated assurances of amendment, as long as she 
 bad either money or credit remaining ; but when both 
 were exhausted, he showed jhe same impatient and 
 overbearing temper to her, of which he had always 
 
 VOL. I. 6
 
 14 2ELUCO. 
 
 given proofs to the rest of the world ; but what in the 
 one case she had palliated as the ebullitions of you'hful 
 spirit and vivacity, in the other she considered as the 
 most unheard-ot cruelty and ingratitude. In the bit- 
 terness of her heart, she enumerated every instance 
 of indulgence, generosity, aril affection she had 
 shown him, and upbraided him for the returns he had 
 made, in terms dictated by rage and disappointment. 
 He answered with the most insulting coolness and 
 the most stinging indifference. The unhappy woman 
 was wounded to the soul. She had looked forward 
 with parental impatience to the hour of her son's re- 
 turn. Her spirits had risen or fallen as that happy 
 .epoch seemed to advance or to recede. Her daily 
 prayer, and nightly dream, wa this darling son's re- 
 turn, improved bv experience, accomplished by tra- 
 vel, the object of universal ad.niration, while she 
 imagined that she herself should be envied by every 
 mother in Palermo. 
 
 Her disappointment was as severe as her hopes had 
 been sanguine. She felt 
 
 " ii'iw sharperthan a serpe.it's tooth it is 
 To have a thankless child. " 
 
 She retired to the house of a poor relation who lived 
 in the neighbourhood of Palermo; one whom she 
 had neglected in the pride of her prosperity; a cir- 
 cumstance which made her misery more acute, and 
 her misfortunes less pitied. In this retreat, after lan- 
 guishing a few months, she died heart-broken. 
 
 The emotions of remorse which took place on this 
 event, in the conscious mind of Zeluco, were not of 
 long duration ; his embarrassed circumstances gave 
 him more lasting uneasiness ; fir, not withstanding his 
 estate was now disburdened of his mother's jointure, 
 he was still under the necessity of coniiniuj; himself 
 to a very scanty revenue. 
 
 Being mortified with the idea of remaining either in.
 
 ZELUCO. 15 
 
 Sicily or the kingdom of Naples while his affairs were 
 in this embarrassed situation, he applied to a brother 
 of his father, an officer of rank in the Spanish ser- 
 vice, who was then at Madrid, declaring a desire of 
 entering into that service, on condition of obtaining 
 the same rank in the Spanish sen ice which he had in 
 the Neapolitan, with the hope of future promotion. 
 He had already got leave ftom the Neapolitan court 
 for this step, with a recommendation from the mini- 
 ster. His plan was to put his estate under manage- 
 ment till such time as the most pressing debts were 
 cleared ; and he thought, with the remainder of his 
 fortune added to his pay, he should pass his time mote 
 to his mind in the character of a soldier, than he 
 could by observing a languid system of (Economy in 
 Sicily. 
 
 CHAPTER V, 
 The love of a very young lady. 
 
 " Fallere rredentcm nun est upervta puellam 
 Gloria." OVID. EFIST. 
 
 WHILE Zeluco waited the result of this application, 
 a young lady of Palermo became, by the sudden 
 death of her brother, heiress of a very considerable 
 fortune ; for although her father was still alive, and 
 her mother only forty years of age, yet as she had not 
 proved pregnant for many years, the daughter's suc- 
 ceeding to her father's whole fortune was considered 
 as next to infallible. This certainly was the opinion 
 of Zeluco, and he immediately applied every art of 
 insinuation he was possessed of, to gain the affections 
 of this young lady. 
 
 Zeluco was of a very elegant as well as vigorous 
 make 5 his person was finely proportioned ; and al- 
 though some people who pretended to skill in phy- 
 C2
 
 16 
 
 eiognomy asserted that they could detect the indica- 
 tions of ill-nature and -of a vicious disposition in his 
 countenance, yet, in the general opinion, and parti- 
 cularly in that of Signora Rosolia (the young lady in 
 question), he was a very handsome man. Rosolia 
 was one of those young ladies who, when they greatly 
 approve of a man's face and figure, are inclined to 
 believe that every other good quality is added there- 
 unto. 
 
 A gentleman, superior to Zeluco in all respects 
 but external figure, had for some time, with the ap- 
 probation of her parents, paid his addresses to her. 
 But no sooner had the new lover made a declaration 
 of his passion, than he appeared in her eyes prefera- 
 ble to the old. On what this preference was founded 
 appeared afterwards, when Zeluco lamented his hard 
 fate in having a rival who was countenanced by both 
 her parents ; for Rosolia then assured him that this 
 could proceed solely from their not being informed of 
 Zeluco's sentiments ; but, as soon as they are, added 
 she, they will certainly prefer you as a son-in-law to 
 Signor Michelo. 
 
 I am extremely happy to know that you are of that 
 opinion, cried Zeluco. 
 
 lam quite certain of it, said she. 
 You have heard them speak upon the subject then ? 
 said he. 
 
 No, never ; replied she. 
 
 Idol of my soul, cried Zelnco, how then are you. 
 certain that they would prefer me to Signor Mi- 
 chelo ? 
 
 Because, replied this judicious young lady, there 
 is no comparison between you. Every body that has 
 eyes must see that you are a far handsomer man. 
 
 However flattering it might seem, Zeluco was a 
 good deal disappointed when he was informed of the 
 circumstance on which she founded her hopes, and he
 
 .ZELUCO. 17 
 
 thought his surest course was to get possession of the 
 tjcung lady's fortune and person in the tn>t place, 
 and to solicit the lather's and mother's consent after- 
 wards.. 
 
 Having expressed his gratitude on account of the 
 favourable sentiments she entertained of him, he told 
 her, that parents often viewed things of this nature 
 in a different light from their children : That his rival 
 had probably secured the favour of her father and mo- 
 ther, by applying to them in the first instance ; because 
 her fortune, not her heart, was that gentleman's sole 
 object. That he, on the contrary, had given no hint of 
 his passion to them, but had applied directly to her, 
 because it was her heart alone, that he was .solicUoua 
 about. As for fortune, it was what he had always 
 despised, and had not the least weight with him in 
 his present suit ; of which disinterested way of think- 
 ing he was ready to give her an immediate proof, by 
 marrying her secretly without any person's consent 
 but her own, and without the cenainty of a single 
 sequin. 
 
 The young lady, in answer to this, told him, that 
 she could not comply with his proposal without im- 
 piety ; for that her mother had been alarmed on a 
 former occasion with the assiduities of a person she 
 did not approve, had conducted her to the Madre 
 Chitsa, and in the chapel of St, Rosolia, in the pre- 
 sence of the saint herself, had made her plrdge her 
 solemn promise, never to give her hand in mar- 
 riage without the consent of her father and mother; 
 assuring her, at the same time, that they, on their 
 part, should never exact of her to marry any iuau 
 contrary to her incli nation. 
 
 It is impossible for me therefore, added this pious 
 young lady, to break the engagement, without incur- 
 ring the displeasure not only of my parents but also of 
 niy patroness, who hitherto hath always displayed giea[t 
 C3
 
 IS ZELUCO. 
 
 kindness to me, and will certainly not easily forgive 
 the breach of an engagement to which she herself wa? 
 an eye-witness. 
 
 Zeluco, perceiving that the idea of provoking St. 
 Rosolia filled the lady's mind with horror, did not 
 think it prudent to insist at that time on the point he 
 wished to carry ; he took her promise, however, 
 that she would not mention what had passed to her 
 parents, till he had time to reflect on what were the 
 properest measures to adopt. 
 
 This injunction she punctually observed. At their 
 next interview, he told Rosolia, that he had been 
 considering what she had said, regarding the promise 
 she had given to her mother in the chapel of her pa- 
 troness 3 that he was not surprised to find this made 
 great impression on one of her piety and understand- 
 ing. Thi?, and similar instances of the goodness of 
 her disposition, he said, endeared her to him more 
 and more ; for although the graces of her face and 
 person had made the first impression on his heart, yet 
 it was the beauties of her mind, the amiable sweet- 
 ness of her disposition, her piety, and above all her 
 admirable good sense, that riveted his chains. Zel-ucb 
 had an opinion, that people in general are most grati- 
 fied when praised for those qualities in which they are 
 most deficient. On this principle, he never failed to 
 praise this young lady on the superior excellency of 
 her understanding. 
 
 He then proceeded to observe, that with respect to 
 the engagement which she imagined she had entered 
 into at the Madre Chiesa, she had evidently been sur- 
 prised into it, and it was not to be supposed that St. Ro- 
 solia could, in her heart, approve of so rash a vow, es- 
 pecially as'it had been made without her previous con- 
 sent ; adding, that as for himself, he was certain that 
 he should not survive the refusal he was sure of re- 
 ceiving from her mother : he therefore left it to the
 
 ZELUCO. 19 
 
 young lady to consider, whether it was probable that 
 St. Rosolia, her patroness, and without a doubt the 
 most compassionate of all die saints, would approve 
 of a measure which would infallibly occasion the 
 death of a person who was, and had ever been, her 
 faithful votary. And all for what ? To gratify hard- 
 hearted parents, who only consulted their own avarice 
 and disregarded true love. 
 
 As the tenderness of this young lady's heart was equal 
 to the weakness of her understanding, and both infinitely 
 surpassed those graces and beauties which Zeluco had 
 so liberally imputed to her, she began to be convinced 
 by his reasoning, and melted by his entreaties ; but 
 having, in the course of their conversation, said that 
 she was quite certain of prevailing on her father at 
 least to give his consent, for lie had always been in 
 the highest degree indulgent to her, and never had, in 
 any one instance, withstood her persevering solicita- 
 tion, Zeluco, contrary to his first opinion, thought it 
 would be most prudent to allow her to try to move 
 her father ; and if in spite of her sanguine hope she 
 should fail, he still would have it in his power to per- 
 suade her into a secret marriage. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The reasoning of a young lady in love. The weakness 
 of a father. 
 
 THE impatience of the lady's love made her seize the 
 very earliest opportunity of acquainting her father with 
 the state of her heart, which she did in very pathetic 
 terms. 
 
 The astonished father at first insisted on the encou- 
 ragement which had been given to her first lover, the 
 real worth of his character, and the advantages of such
 
 20 2ELUC"). 
 
 a connexion. To thesi argument the lady opposed 
 her love for Zeluco, and her indifference for the 
 other. 
 
 The father hinted at the embarrassed situation of 
 Zeluco's circumstances. 
 
 The lady declared that this gave her peculiar satis- 
 faction., because it afforded a proof to the whole world, 
 that in so material a point as the choice of a husband, 
 she was superior to all low and sordid considerations, 
 which could not fail of raising her in the esteem" of the 
 judicious, and would for ever ensure to her the grati- 
 tude as well as the love of her husband. 
 
 The father suggested, that while she thus proved 
 the' disinterested purity of her own conduct, she could 
 not be certain that her lover was actuated by the same 
 noble and disinterested motives. 
 
 To this the daughter with equal readiness and warmth 
 replied, that Zeluco had already given the most un- 
 doubted proofs of the generous turn of his mind, his 
 superiority to all mercenary views and sordid conside- 
 rations, by the magnificent manner in which he had 
 spent the greatest part of bis own fortune. 
 
 The father sho -k his head with an air of dis^atisfac- 
 tio'.i, and then mentioned the libertine character of 
 Zeluco, the number of women he had seduced, and 
 his neglect of them afterwards; dwelling with em- 
 phasis on the cruel treatment of the Countess Bru- 
 uella's niece. 
 
 This was an unlucky argument, and produced an 
 effect directly contrary to/ what was intended. The 
 young lady acknowledged that Zeluco had been wild 
 and rak'uh ; most young men of spirit were; that 
 he-had turned the heads of many young women no 
 wonder, he was so very genteel and handsome; 
 that he had afterwards neglected them because he 
 found them unworthy of his esteem, and they, of 
 Course, accused him of inconstancy ; that Siguont
 
 ZELUCO. 21 
 
 Brunella's niece was a very weak young woman; it 
 was not to be supposed a man of Zeluco's good sense 
 would ever dream of taking such a person for his wife; 
 that, for her own part, bhe was aware, that by en- 
 tirely possessing a man so greatly admired by all other 
 women, she must be exposed to the envy of her own 
 sex ; but that internal tranquillity, and domestic hap- 
 piness, would enable her to despise their disappoint- 
 ment and malice; for she knew thatZeluco had fixed 
 his heart upon her, and her alone ; was now deter- 
 mined to reform, and to be constant; and all the 
 world allowed that reformed rakes made the very best 
 of husbands." 
 
 The young lady's last arguments seeming rather to 
 alarm than convince her father, she had recourse to 
 a method of reasoning which she had often found suc- 
 cessful when all others failed. She burst into a flood 
 of tears, sobbed as if she had been ready to expire; 
 and, when she recovered her voice, declared that her 
 heart was fixed upon Signer Zeluco, who had given 
 her the surest proofs of the sincerity of his love, and 
 of his noble and generous character ; that happiness 
 in marriage depended on mutual affection and endless 
 passion, and not at all upon fortune ; that she would 
 wander over the wide world with her lover, blest in 
 his fidelity, and depending on St. Rosolia for protec- 
 tion and sustenance, rather than live in the greatest 
 affluence with any other man, although he were the 
 first monarch on earth, or even the king of Naples, 
 Jerusalem, and the Two Sicilies himself: that these 
 were her unalterable sentiments, or, if any alteration 
 could happen, it would be that of an increase, not a 
 diminution, of her love, for she felt it augmenting 
 every hour ; and finally, she entreated on her knees, 
 that he would prove himself an affectionate father to 
 a daughter who had always loved and honoured him, 
 and would obey him in every thing but in this one
 
 5-2 ZELUCO. 
 
 point, which, she was sorry to say, was out of her 
 p.nver ; and which if he insisted upon, he would 
 soon behold her laid in the same grave with her dearest 
 brother, whom he had so long and so bitterly la- 
 mented. 
 
 Before the daughter had finished this affecting ad- 
 dress, the goocl-natured father was also in tears; and 
 as soon a 3 he was able to speak, he raised her up, with 
 an assurance that her happiness was his chief object in 
 life, and he would do every thing she could desiie to 
 promote it. 
 
 Having thus melted her father to compliance, she 
 begged, in (Jie next place, that he would use his in- 
 fluence with her mother, that she might likewise con- 
 sent to the only measure that could make her truly 
 happy j which the good-natured man engaged to do. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The prudence of a mother ; and termination of ever- 
 lasting love. 
 
 THE father speedily had an opportunity of breaking 
 the subject to his lady, assuring her at the same time 
 that he was convinced their daughter would never 
 marry any man but Zeluco j so that she had best save 
 herself the trouble of endeavouring to prevent it, as he 
 had already said every thing that could be said, and 
 without effect. 
 
 He was then proceeding to give her an account of 
 the scene which had passed between them, when she 
 saved him the trouble, informing him that she had 
 overheard the whole in an adjoining room, where she 
 happened to be when his daughter had made the pa- 
 thetic attack upon him above described. Perceiving 
 jhat her husband's h--a.rt was cjuite melted by the
 
 ZELUCO. 23 
 
 daughter's tear*, and his resolution moulded to her 
 views, she declined all discussion with him ; and 
 thought it not prudent to let him into the plan which 
 she had already formed in her mind, to disentangle 
 her daughter from a connexion fraught with ruin and 
 remorse. She contented herself, therefore, with s:iy- 
 ing coolly, that although she did not much relish the 
 match, yet, as she could not think of crossing her 
 daughter's inclinations, she certainly would not persist 
 in op]X)sition, if, on full deliberation, the young lady 
 continued in the same mind ; and at all events she 
 would take no step without the concurrence of her 
 husband, who, she was pleased to add, was a much 
 better judge in a matter o. f such importance than she 
 could pretend to be. 
 
 In reply to this the husband said, that he candidly 
 acknowledged that he was afar letter judge ; adding, 
 that it was impossible for him ever to change hi* 
 mind. 
 
 Not quite, my dear, said the uife meekly: you 
 were under the necessity of changing your mind before 
 you could relinquish the unalterable resolution you 
 told me yesterday you had formed of giving your 
 daughter to bignor Michelo, whom we then equally 
 approved of. 
 
 I did rot know yesterday, said he, a little discon- 
 certed, that 2eluco was the only man who could 
 make our daughter happy. 
 
 He then went and acquainted his daughter that he 
 had prevailed cu her mother to consent to her marriage 
 with /"eluco. 
 
 The young lady flew in a transport of joy to her 
 mother ; asked her forgiveness for having disposed of 
 her heart without consulting so indulgent a parent $ 
 informed her, that she was now absolutely certain of 
 St. liosolia's being pleased with her choice j and as-
 
 24 ZELUCO. 
 
 sured her, that for the future she would be the most 
 obedient and dutiful of all daughters. 
 
 The mother thanked her for her good intention?, 
 and asked her how she came to be so certain of the 
 saint's acquiescence. 
 
 Because, replied the pious young lady, as I have 
 been able to think or even to dream of nothing for 
 some time but my marriage .\vith Signer Zeluco, after 
 attending mass this very morning I retired to the 
 chapel of the saint, and looking her devoutly in the 
 face, and watching her eyes, 1 humbly entreated to 
 know whether she approved of my passion or not r - 
 On which the sweet image of Rosolia looked in the 
 most propitious manner j and at length with a gra- 
 cious smile nodded assent. 
 
 Nay, said the mother, after such a testimony of 
 approbation there can be no doubt And have you 
 equal proofs, my dear, of Signer Zeluco's love ? 
 
 Stronger, if possible, answered the daughter ; he 
 has sworn it to me a hundred times j and, besides, I 
 have it under his hand. 
 
 These are proofs indeed, said the mother ; and, 
 continued she, you have no reason to doubt that all 
 this love is for you alone, independent of your for- 
 tune ! 
 
 Santa Maria ! exclaimed the daughter, Signor Ze- 
 luco is not only the most loving, but also the in( st 
 disinterested of mankind. He has often assured me, 
 that he should be still happier if my fortune were less, 
 that he might prove to the world how lar he is above 
 all mean and mercenary views. 
 
 Then it is highly probable, said the mother, that he 
 will enjoy the felicity he so earnestly desires ; for I 
 shall now inform you, my dear, of what I did not 
 choose to hint till i was quite certain of it : I am se- 
 veral months gone with child, which at any rate will
 
 ZELUCO. 25 
 
 reduce your fortune one half} and, in case of a son, 
 will leave you a very moderate portion. 
 
 I wish with all my heart you may have a son, my 
 dear mother ; for I should like a little brother of all 
 things, cried Rosolia. 
 
 Very well, my dear, said the mother, you will 
 probably obtain your wish. But, continued she, I 
 suppose } ou would not wish that your marriage should 
 take place till I am recovered of my lying-in, that I 
 may join in the pleasure of such an occasion. 
 
 Good heaven ! certainly not, answered the daugh- 
 ter ; and immediately went, in raptures, to commu- 
 nicate these glad tidings to Zeluco, whose joy at the 
 parents' acquiescence was prodigiously damped on 
 hearing of the situation of the mother. His chagrin 
 \vas evident on his countenance. 
 
 I perceive, said the young lady tenderly, that the 
 postponing of our happiness till my mother shall be 
 delivered grieves you. 
 
 Very severely indeed, said Zeluco. 
 
 Be not afflicted, my dear Zeluco, said this love sick 
 maiden : I will endeavour to prevail on her to consent 
 to our union before she is delivered. 
 
 Zeluco begged she would not attempt it, as it might 
 give offence, and render her mother averse to the 
 match altogether. 
 
 She then in the most endearing manner assured 
 him that the delay gave har very near as much unea- 
 siness as it could him ; but he, on the other hand, 
 protested that he felt the disappointment with greater 
 poignancy than she could possibly do ; which, however, 
 he would endeavour to bear rather than risk disobliging 
 her mother, especially in her present condition, when 
 the smallest importunity might injure her precious 
 health. 
 
 But, good God ! added he, did you never before 
 suspect that she was in this condition ? 
 
 VOL. i. o
 
 26 ZRLIICO. 
 
 Never, said this penetrating young lady ; though 
 I am surprised at it ; for the moment she mentioned 
 it I plainly perceived that her waist was uncommonly 
 large. 
 
 Zeluco retired in all the agonies of disappointment ; 
 but determined to be more fully informed before he 
 gave up a pursuit on which he had founded the reesta- 
 blishment of his fortune. 
 
 He called the following; morning on a certain monk, 
 
 O O * 
 
 who occasionally exercised the function of a physician, 
 and was known to be employed in that capacity by the 
 mother of Signora Rosolia. 
 
 After an affected consultation on his own. health, he 
 turned the conversation on hers. 
 
 The wary mother, Living thought it probable that 
 Zeluco might question this man, had prepared him in 
 what manner to answer his inquiries : the medical 
 monk, therefore, assured Zeluco that she was in the 
 way that he and the best friends of her family could 
 wish. 
 
 What, is it true then, replied Zeluco, what I have 
 with so mui/i pleasure heard, Signora Maria is really 
 with child ? 
 
 Nothing of that nature can be more certain, re- 
 plied the physician, than that she is pregnant of one 
 child j some, think from her appearance that she will 
 have twins. 
 
 Twins ! cried Zelnco. 
 
 Yes, signor, continued the doctor, that is the opi- 
 nion of some who are thought judges in such matters j 
 but, in my own mind, no indications however strong 
 can ascertain the point with such precision as those 
 people pretend ; that she IMS' one lively child seems 
 bevond a doubt ; that she will have two, I will not 
 positively assert. 
 
 Why, doctor, said Zeluco, it is a very long time 
 since she was in the same situation.
 
 ZELUCO. 7 
 
 If she has twins, replied the monk gravely, she 
 never was precisely in the same situation ; it is true, 
 indeed, that when a woman has once had twins, she 
 will afterwards be more likely to have them again. 
 
 Pray, how long is it since she had her last child ? 
 aid Zeiuco. 
 
 About nine or ten years, replied the physician. 
 
 Is it not uncommon, after such an interval, for a 
 woman to recommence bearing children ? said Ze- 
 luco. 
 
 Jt, a little singular, replied the monk ; but when 
 a woman does recommence, she generally proceeds 
 with more spirit and perseverance than it no such in- 
 terruption had taken place : therefore, as Signora 
 .Maria is only forty years of age, I should not be sur- 
 prised if, by the favour of the blessed Virgin, who is 
 her patroness, she should have several children before 
 he leaves off child-bearing entirely. 
 
 Several children ! repeated Zeluco with an accent 
 of anger ; you must imagine her patroness has prodi- 
 gious powers in such matters. 
 
 Do you call the powers of the blessed Virgin in 
 question ? replied the monk in a threatening tone. 
 
 Heaveus forbid, father ! said Zeluco witli an expia- 
 tory look. 
 
 Let me tell you, signer, continued the monk in an 
 authoritative style, that the powers of the Virgin are 
 unlimited ; it were impiety to doubt it. 
 
 I have not the least doubt, cried Zeluco, taking the 
 mor.k in an affectionate manner by the hand : so for 
 from calling her power in question, I am convinced, 
 my dear father, added he with a hypocritical accent, 
 that she could bring it about without the assistance of 
 the husband. 
 
 Unquestionably she could, said the monk. 
 
 Zeluco being now persuaded of the reality of Signora 
 .J'-aria's pregnancy , took his leave of the monk ; and hay*
 
 28 2ELUCO. 
 
 ing two days before received a letter from his uncle at 
 Madrid, assuring him of promotion in the Spanish ser- 
 vice, he resolved to set out for that city as soon as pos- 
 sible. When he rece'ved the letter, his determination had 
 been to secure his marriage with Signora Rosolia in the 
 first place, and then deliberate what answer he should 
 make to his uncle's letter ; but having now resolved 
 to have nothing more to do with the fair object of his 
 disinterested and unalterable affection, he seized the 
 opportunity of a vessel ready to sail for Barcelona j 
 embarked with a single servant, and a very moderate 
 quantity of baggage ; and after a prosperous voyage 
 arrived at that city. Being very impatient to get 
 quickly to Madrid, he ordered his servant to have 
 every thing prepared for the journey as soon as pos- 
 sible. While these arrangements were making, he in- 
 
 O O' 
 
 tended to have amused himself by sauntering through 
 the town, but was prevented by a heavy shower of 
 rain. T do not know what in the devil's name to do 
 with myself, said Zeluco. You had as well take this 
 opportunity of writing to Signora Rosolia,said his valet; 
 she may perhaps be a little surprised at our sudden 
 departure. Ay, so I will ; bring me pen, ink, and 
 paper, said Zeluco, yawning. 
 
 The servant supplied him with the materials for 
 writing ; and this ardent lover, renewing his fits of 
 yawning very frequently during the performance, at 
 last finished the epistle. 
 
 Signora Rosolia, when she heard of Zeluco's having 
 sailed for Spain, immediately fainted, as is usual with 
 young ladies when they are abandoned by men who 
 pretend to be dying for them, and whom they consi- 
 der as the only men who can make them happy. 
 She continued for some weeks subject to hysterical af- 
 fections : these, however, gradually disappeared ; atxl 
 her old lover, by the mediation of her mother, renew- 
 ing his courtship, she was in due : ime prevailed on to
 
 ZKLIJCO. 29 
 
 give him her hand. Her mother then informed her 
 that shS'was mistaken in the notion of her being with 
 child. And the day after her marriage, the daughter 
 in return declared to her mother, that she herself had 
 undoubtedly mistaken the image of St. Rosolia, being 
 now convinced that her piesent husband was the only 
 man who could make her completely happy. 
 
 I hope, my dear, said the mother, he is the only man 
 who \vill ever attempt it. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 His generosity gets credit for what was due to his 
 resentment. 
 
 ZELUCO was received in the kindest manner by his 
 uncle at rvJadrid, who viewed his past extravagances in 
 the most favourable light, considering them as entirely 
 proceeding from youthful vivacity and imprudence. 
 -He therefore treated him with all the respect due to 
 the head of his own family ; introduced him to every 
 house of distinction ; flattering himself, that the ardent 
 spirit of his nephew might excite htm to the same im- 
 petuous pursuit of military glory with which he had. 
 followed pleasure, and" fondly hoping that he would 
 one day anive at higher distinction than he would ha\e 
 attained by an unambitious prudence of conduct in the 
 Neapolitan service, which afforded no opportunity of 
 displaying military genius. After pointing out the ad- 
 vantages he would derive from his birth, he inculcated 
 the necessity of distinguishing himself by activity as 
 an officer, that he might give an early impression in 
 his favour, and smooth the way to that rap d promotion 
 he had reason to expect from his exertions in an army 
 where discipline \vas greatly relaxed, and in which, 
 |ew men of rank distinguished themselves.
 
 30 ZF.LUCO. 
 
 Zeluco was appointed to a regiment then on its 
 march to one of the sea-port towns, but with per- 
 mission to remain at Madrid till the troops should ar- 
 rive at the place of their destination, and were com- 
 pleted. He spent this interval in those societies to 
 which he had been introduced by his uncle ; and being 
 sufficiently sensible of the graces of his own person, he 
 was not without hopes of engaging the affections of 
 some female as wealthy as signora Rosolia, and whose 
 mother was less liable to pregnancy. 
 
 At some of those assemblies gaming to a considerable 
 depth was permitted. Zeluco had always been fond 
 of play, and had acquired, at the usual expense, a very 
 great knowledge in most games ; yet he by no means 
 possessed that degree of coolness and command of tem- 
 per which is requisite for a gamester : he was sensible 
 of this himself, but he could not always resist the 
 temptation of gaming ; and sometimes not satisfied 
 with the play at the assemblies, he went in search of 
 deeper stakes at less creditable houses. 
 
 At first he was fortunate, which encouraged him to 
 attend those houses more constantly. One unlucky 
 evening, however, he lost all the money he had about 
 him, amounting to a considerable sum ; most part of 
 it was won by a person who had lately appeared at 
 Madrid, assuming the character of an Hungarian gen- 
 tleman, with the rank of a lieutenant-colonel of hus- 
 sars in the Emperor's service. As the company played 
 for ready money only, when Zeluco had lost his, he 
 sat in very ill-humour, looking over those who conti- 
 nued to play : in this disposition it was not unnatural 
 in him to suspect that the person who had won his 
 money had, by other means besides superior skill in 
 the game, assisted his own good fortune. Zeluco 
 watched him with the most malignant attention, wish- 
 ing to detect him in some unfair trick, and ready to 
 quarrel with him even if he should not.
 
 ZELUCO. 31 
 
 The game was pass-dice. A young stranger held 
 the dice, and had already won four times ; and as his 
 whole money had been covered each time, the sum 
 before him was now sixteen times larger than what 
 he had originally staked. But while he seemed pre- 
 paring to throw a fifth time, there was only about a 
 third part of the money which he now had on the 
 table taken by the company. 
 
 On observing this the stranger said, Does nobody 
 choose to take more ? Every body declined, on which 
 he put the residue of the money into his pocket; but 
 as he shook the box, being about to throw, the hussar 
 officer cried Banco ; and the others took up what they 
 had staked. 
 
 The rule of the game is, that if any one person 
 offers to take the whole, the rest of the company, who 
 have taken smaller sums, immediately withdraw their 
 money in favour of the person who offers to stand 
 against the entire bank ; that is to say, the whole sura 
 which the person who holds the dice has on the table. 
 The hussar meant to avail himself of the equivocal 
 situation of the case : if the dice should prove fortunate 
 to the thrower, he intended to pay the exact sum on 
 the table ; but in case the dice turned against the 
 stranger, he resolved to claim not only that, but also 
 what the young gentleman had just put into his 
 pocket. 
 
 The stranger threw and lost. Take your money, 
 said he, shoving the whole parcel to the Hungarian. 
 
 The latter insisted on having that also which he had 
 put into his pocket, saying, it belonged to the bank 
 as much as what remained on the table, since there 
 had been no intervening throw. 
 
 The young gentleman was astonished at this de- 
 mand, asserting, that the money he had pocketed was 
 entirely out of the question, having been withdrawn 
 before the Hungarian had spoken. That if the officer
 
 35 ZELUCO. 
 
 meant both sums, he ought to have declared that 
 meaning when he called Banco ; adding, that in ca-<e 
 he had done so, or if (he company had set against the 
 whole of his winning, he himself had determined to 
 pass the box, and not have risked so great a sum at 
 one throw. 
 
 This pretended colonel, however, who was a stout 
 man, with a long sabre and a formidable pair of whis- 
 kers, was loud and boisterous in asserting his right to 
 the whole. The stranger defended his cause but 
 fa ; ntly ; the company in general, whatever they 
 thought of the justice of the case, did not seem dis- 
 posed to assert the stranger's claim against this ferocious, 
 hussar. 
 
 In this state of affairs, Ztluco, who burned with 
 resentment against the person who had won his mo-r 
 ney, said, it was a clear case, and that the Hungarian 
 had a right to nothing but the sum on the table when 
 he first spoke ; adding, he was convinced if he had 
 lost he would have paid no more. How, sir ! what 
 do you mean ? cried the Hungarian, turning fiercely 
 round to Zeluco. 1 mean precisely what I said, re- 
 plied the latter. What, sir ! repeated the hussar, 
 in a loud tone of voice, and putting his hand to his 
 sword. Yes, sir, cried Zeluco, and further, I mean 
 to cut the throat of any rascally adventurer who dares 
 be insolent to me : saying this, hs half drew his 
 sword, when the company interposed. The hussar 
 affected not to hat'e heard Zeiuco's last words, but 
 said, in a sofiened tone, that if the company were of 
 opinion that his claim was not strictly just, he was 
 willing to yield it. Willing or unwilling, you shall 
 yield it, cried Zeluco - } and the company being now 
 unanimous in favour of the stranger, the pretended 
 Hungarian officer withdrew from the assembly; and 
 next morning early he left Madrid, afraid that this in- 
 cident v, odd produce an investigation exceedingly pre-
 
 ZELUCO. 33 
 
 judicial to him, being conscious that he had no title 
 to the character ho assumed. 
 
 This adventure was much talked of, and did a great 
 deal of honour to Zelucoi It was peculiarly agreeab!e 
 to his generous uncle ; who having he.ird that his ne- 
 phew h:id been unfortunate on the night in which he 
 had behaved with such spirit, he presented him with a 
 sum sufficient for clearing all his expenses at Madrid, 
 and equipping him in the genteelest manner for his 
 expedition to the West Indies. Zelnco himself, hav- 
 ing no immediate prospect of meeting with another 
 Rosolia, grew tired of the formality of Madrid, and 
 impatient to join his regiment, which he understood 
 had now arrived at the head-quarters. 
 
 This resolution being communicated to the uncle, 
 was imputed by him to a laudable zeal for the service. 
 The worthy veteran assured him that he would take 
 particular care of his interest, and assist his promotion 
 with all his influence at court, making no doubt but 
 his efforts for that purpose would be rendered success- 
 ful by the rising reputation of Zeluco. 
 
 The regiment was in a very short time completed, 
 and soon after embarked for the island of Cuba, where 
 it arrived in safety. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The remonstrance of an old officer. 
 
 " La fcrocite naturellefait mains de rmeh que 1'amonr-proprr." 
 Due de la ROCHR.FOUCAULT. 
 
 ZELUCO possesssed not the generous ardour of a sol- 
 dier ; his impatience for promotion was excited by the 
 hopes of emolument more than a thirst for military 
 glory ; and if he was willing to suffer fatigue and in- 
 cur danger, it was because in his present situation they
 
 34 ZELTJCO. 
 
 were necessary for his obtaining some lucrative com- 
 mand, that might speedily furnish him with the means 
 of pleasure and luxurious enjoyment, which he consi- 
 dered as the only sensible pyrsuits in life. 
 
 Having heard that the commander in chief was a 
 very strict and attentive officer, and Zeluco's views 
 teinc now centred in military promotion, he was 
 impatient to acquire favour and recommendation by 
 distinguishing himself as a disciplinarian. Naturally 
 selfish and unfeeling, he was not checked in the pro- 
 secution of this plan by any sentiment of justice or 
 compassion ; provided he could make the men under 
 his command more dexterous in their exercise, or 
 more smart in their appearance, than others, he re- 
 garded not the inconveniency or torture he occasioned 
 to them. Nor did he care whether this was of use to 
 the service or not ; he was convinced it might be of 
 use to himself, and that \vas sufficient. Without 
 temper to make allowance for the awkwardness of 
 recruits, or equity in propprtioning punisnments to 
 crimes, his orders were often dictated by caprice and 
 enforced with cruelty. He exacted from the private 
 men such a degree of precision in the manual exercise, 
 and in the minutiae of their dress, as was almost out of 
 the power of the most dexterous and best disposed to 
 observe. 
 
 Provoked and irritated on finding that the soldiers 
 did not arrive at that degree of perfection which his 
 vanity required, and becoming daily rrore unreason- 
 able and unrelenting by the exercise of power, he ex- 
 hibited rminy instances of cruelty on a detachment from 
 the garrison of Havannah, of which he had for some 
 time the command. 
 
 His conduct on that and other occasions came to the 
 knowledge of the commander in chief by the following 
 incident : 
 A soldier having committed some slight mistake in.
 
 ZELUCO. 35 
 
 the exercise, Zelnco treated him with great severity, 
 which the man endured with all the passiveness which 
 military discipline exacts ; till Zeluco, swelling with 
 the insolence of power, expressed himself in this bar- 
 barous and absurd manner: If you. are not more alert 
 for the future, you scoundrel, I will cut you to pieces 
 and send yonr soul to hell. 
 
 To this the man replied with tranquillity : Your 
 honour may cut me to pieces if you please, but I thank 
 God it is not in your power to send my soul to hell. 
 
 This very sedate answer, while it raised a smiie in 
 others who heard it, augmented the rage of Zeiuco. 
 Do you mutiny, villain ? cried Zeluco. 
 I do not, indeed, said the soldier. 
 I'll let you know in due time, said Zeluco, whe- 
 ther you do or not. 
 
 He ordered the man to be carried tcr the guard- 
 prison and put in irons. 
 
 Zeluco h td been long disliked by all his fellow-offi- 
 cers. On talking o\ T er this matter with some of them, 
 in order to prepossess tbem with the opinion that what 
 the soldier had said amounted to mutiny, he found 
 them little disposed to consider it in that light ; he 
 was in no haste, therefore, to bring the man to a court- 
 martial, being convinced he would be acquitted : but 
 he had it insinuated to the soldier himself, that if he 
 would acknowledge a mutinous intention, and implore 
 mercy, he should be liberated without a trial ; where- 
 as, if he were tried,, he would certainly be severely 
 punished. 
 
 But the soldier, secretly encouraged by those of the ' 
 officers who most detested Zeluco, refused to make 
 any such avowal, and remained in irons. 
 
 Meanwhile the chaplain of the regiment, having vi- 
 sited the soldier, approved of his conduct, declaring he 
 could not justly be punished" for an answer so ortho- '
 
 36 ZELUCO. 
 
 dox. He next dny informed the commander in chief 
 of the whole transaction. 
 
 This gentleman, unwilling to rely entirely on the 
 account he had received, sent for some of the officers, 
 belonging to the detachment, and obtained from the -m 
 the same information which he had already received 
 from the chaplain. 
 
 In the mean time Zeluco, having got a hint of what 
 was going on, freed the soldier from confinement. 
 But the indignation of the commanding officer being 
 roused by what he had heard, he made inquiries into 
 Zeluco's conduct to the soldiers on other occasions ; 
 and soon discovered with astonishment, and some de- 
 gree of self-condemnation, that many acts of unne- 
 cessary severity and oppression had been committed 
 by Zeluco. Having blamed some officers, whose duty 
 he thought it was to have informed him of those trans- 
 actions sooner, he sent for Zeluco, and in the presence 
 of all the officers of the battalion lo which he belonged 
 he addressed him to the following effect : 
 Signer ZELUCO, 
 
 I think it my duty to deliver my sentiments to you 
 before these gentlemen on a subject that ought to be 
 well understood by every officer, but of which it ap- 
 pears by your conduct you have formed very erroneous 
 notions. 
 
 Strict discipline is essentially requisite for the well- 
 being of an army; without which it degenerates into 
 a lawless mob, more formidable to their friends than 
 enemies, the ravagers, not the defenders, of their 
 country. 
 
 But it is equally essential that discipline be exercised 
 with temper and with justice. A capricious and cruel 
 exertion of power in officers depresses the spirits of 
 the private men, and extinguishes that daring ardour 
 which glows in the breast of a real soldier.
 
 2ELUCO. , 37 
 
 Is it possible that a man of a generous mind can 
 treat with wanton cruelty those who are not permitted 
 to resist, or even to expostulate, however brave they 
 may be ? 
 
 I believe, sir, you have not as yet served in time 'of 
 war 5 but 1 will inform you, that in the course of my 
 services I have seen common soldiers gallantly face the 
 enemy, when some officers, who had been in the habit 
 of using them with insult and cruelty, shrunk from the 
 danger. 
 
 You are sufficiently acquainted with the condition 
 of private soldiers to know, that when they are treated 
 with all the lenity consistent with proper discipline, 
 still their condition is surrounded with such a variety 
 of hardships, that every person of humanity must wish 
 it were possible to alleviate it. 
 
 Only reflect, sir, on the small ness of their pay ; 
 how inadequate to the duty required of them, and how 
 far beneath the intrinsic value it bore when it was first 
 fixed 3 yet this grievance remains unremedied in some 
 of the wealthiest countries .of Europe, even in those 
 where the greatest attention is paid in other particulars. 
 to the rights of mankind. But weak as the impression 
 may be which the soldier's hardships make on the cold 
 heart of the politician, one would naturally expect 
 they should meet with sympathy in the breasts of their 
 own officers ; the men best acquainted with their situ- 
 ation, whom they are constantly serving and obeying, 
 who are acting in. the same cause, and exposed to the 
 same dangers, though not to the same hardships with 
 themselves. It is natural to imagine that, independent 
 of more generous motives, their own interest, arid the 
 idea of self-preservation, would prompt officers to be- 
 have with mildness, at least with equity, to the soldiers 
 under their command. How many officers have been 
 rescued from death or captivity by the grateful attach- 
 ment and intrepidity of the soldiers ! 1 myself, sir, 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 38 ZELUCO. 
 
 V 
 
 once lay on the field severely wounded, when, in the 
 midst of general confusion, officers and men flying 
 promiscuously, I was carried to a place of security by 
 two soldiers, at the infinite hazard of their own lives. 
 From one of those, indeed, I might naturally have ex- 
 pected some exertion in my favour; he was a Castilian, 
 born on my own estate : but I had no claim on the 
 other, except as an officer who had always behaved 
 equitably to him in common with the rest of my com- 
 pany ; he was an Irishman. 
 
 Had 1 treated him with caprice or ill-nature., would 
 this foreigner, or even would my own countryman, 
 have made such a generous exertion to preserve my 
 life? No, sir ; if they had regained from giving me 
 a fresh wound as they fled past me, which soldiers are 
 not unapt to do to cruel officers, they certainly would 
 at least have consulted their own safety by conlinuing 
 their flight, and left me to be trampled to death by the 
 enemy's cavalry, as I certainly must have been, had 
 not these two soldiers removed me from the spot on 
 which J lay. 
 
 But waiving every consideration derived from the 
 ideas of personal safety, there is another kind of self- 
 ishness which might induce officers to behave well to 
 soldiers; that is, the pleasure of alleviating, in many re- 
 spects, the unavoidable hard.ships of our fellow-crea- 
 tures, and the consciousness of being loved by those 
 around us. 
 
 At this part of the general's remonstrance Zeluco 
 raised his eyes mechanically, with that kind of stare 
 which a man gives when he hears what he thinks a 
 very extraordinary proposition. 
 
 It is true, sir, 1 assure you, continued the Castilian ; 
 next to the approbation of his own conscience, nothing 
 is so grateful to the heart of man as the love and esteem 
 of mankind. In my mind he is an object of compas- 
 sion, in whatever situation of life he may be placed,
 
 ZELUCO. 39 
 
 who is not sensible of this from his own experience ; 
 Jind surely no man can be tolerably happy who thinks 
 himself the object of their hatred. 
 
 We all know, gentlemen, continued he, turning a 
 moment from Zeluco to the other officers, that the 
 love of soldiers, important as it is to those who com- 
 mand them, may be acquired on easier terms than that 
 of any other set of men ; because the habit of obedi- 
 ence in which they are bred, inclines them to respect 
 their officers ; unbiassed equity in the midst of the 
 strictest discipline commands their esteem, and the 
 smallest mark of kindness secures their gratitude and 
 attachment. I have ever endeavoured to preserve a 
 steady and regular discipline among the troops I have 
 had the honour of commanding ; yet I have the hap- 
 piness to believe, that 1 am more loved than feared 
 by those among them who have had the best opportu- 
 nity of knowing me. One of the greatest pleasures 
 I ever enjoyed (I see some here who were with me 
 on that occasion), was in overhearing an advanced 
 guard of soldiers talk affectionately of me, when they 
 knew not I was near them : I will own to you, sir, it 
 came over my heart like the sweetest music: and if 
 I thought myself the object of the secret execrations 
 of the men under my command, it would spoil the 
 harmony of my life, and jar my whole soul out of 
 tune. 
 
 Signer Zeluco, what I have heard of your behaviour 
 to the soldiers I am-willing to impute to a misplaced 
 zeal for the service. It is difficult to believe that a 
 man of birth and education could have been prompted 
 to the severities you have exercised by other motives. 
 
 This consideration, joined to the regard I have for 
 the recommendation of my old friend your uncle, has 
 weighed with me in not subjecting certain parts ot 
 your conduct to the judgement of a court-martial. 
 
 With respect to the soldier whom you confined so 
 
 E2
 
 40 ZELUCO. 
 
 long and so improperly in irons, yon certainly treated 
 him from the beginning with too much severity. The 
 natural awkwardness of a recruit is to be corrected gra- 
 dually, and with gentleness ; severity confounds him, 
 and increases the evil that is to be remedied. To give 
 \vay to anger and passion on such an occasion is in- 
 consistent with the dignity which an officer ought to 
 preserve before the men, and is always attended with 
 injustice. As for this man's answer to your very intem- 
 perate menace, although a soldier under arms ought 
 not to make any reply to an officer, yet, all the circum- 
 stances being weighed, what he said was excusable ; 
 to endeavour to torture it into mutiny would be ab- 
 surd. 
 
 You ought to remember, gentlemen, that as mili- 
 tary discipline looks to the general tendency and re- 
 mote consequences of things, more than to their in- 
 trinsic criminality, many actions are treated as crimes 
 by the military law r s which in themselves are innocent 
 or frivolous. And when a soldier, irritated by unde- 
 served insult, overleaps subordination, and repels the 
 wanton tyranny of an officer, however he may be 
 condemned by the unrelenting laws of discipline, 
 he will be absolved by the natural feelings of the hu- 
 man heart, which revolts a: oppression ; nor will he 
 appear, even in the eyes of those who think his pu- 
 nishment expedient, an object either of contempt or 
 aversion. But when an officer, armed with the power, 
 and intrenched within the lines of discipline, indulges 
 unmanly passion, or private hatred, against an unpro- 
 tected and unresisting soldier, in what light can this 
 officer appear, either in his own eyes or in those of 
 others ? 
 
 Signer Zeluco, I have thought proper to explain 
 my sentiments to you thus fully before these gentle- 
 men, who have been witnesses to your conduct since 
 you first joined the regiment, and who I do not thiuU
 
 ZELUCO. 41 
 
 entirely free from blame for not making me acquainted 
 with it. I have only to add, that the considerations 
 which prevent my laying the whole before a court- 
 martial cannot operate a second time. I hope, sir, 
 that for your own sake you will keep this in your re- 
 membrance, that while I insist upon all the troops 
 under my command performing their duty with punc- 
 tuality, I will not permit the poorest sentinel to be 
 treated with injustice. 
 
 The soldier whom you used so harshly may still 
 appail, if he pleases, to a court-martini ; it will be 
 prudent in you to find means to prevent him. 
 
 Having saicl this, the general dismissed the company. 
 Zeluco made a present to the soldier more than suffi- 
 cient to satisfy him. And his expectation of sudden 
 promotion in the army being greatly damped by the 
 general's harangue, he formed the resolution of quit- 
 ting the road to military rt-nown, and of turning into 
 a path more agreeable to his talents, and from which 
 he hoped to reap greater advantage. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Gratitude to a friend. Curiosity in a maid. 
 
 ZELUCO had formed an acquaintance with a Spanish 
 gentleman, to whom he had brought a recommenda- 
 tory letter from his uncle at Madrid, and from whom 
 he received daily marks of attention and civility. As 
 this gentleman, though of but a moderate fortune, 
 lived in a most hospitable style, and was of a character 
 less reserved than the Spaniards in general are, Ze- 
 luco found him a very convenient acquaintance, and 
 cultivated his good opinion with such assiduity, that he 
 gained at last his entire confidence. Ju the course of 
 3
 
 42 ZELUCO. 
 
 their intimacy, the Spaniard informed Zeluco that he 
 had long paid his addresses to a widow lady possessed 
 of a very valuable estate of her own, and a large sum 
 of money secured in mortgages on some of the best 
 estates in the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola ; that she 
 had, on his first making proposals, protested in positive 
 terms, according to the established custom of widows, 
 against ever entering into a second matrimonial engage- 
 ment j but that of late he had observed, with much sa- 
 tisfaction, that her objections became gradually w-eaker, 
 both in their nature and in the manner in which they 
 were urged ; and that he now had good hopes of their 
 being soon removed altogether : that as her great for- 
 tune was entirely in her own power, as she had no 
 children, and was in herself a woman of good disposi- 
 tion and of a cheerful temper, he expected many ad- 
 vantages and much domestic happiness from the union. 
 Zeluco was introduced to this lady's acquaintance 
 by her lover 5 and having made a cautious and minute 
 inquiry into the state of her finances, he was satisfied 
 that they rather surpassed than fell short of the account 
 he had received of them ; and from that moment 
 formed the design of supplanting his unsuspicious 
 friend. 
 
 But he did not think it prudent to pay his court 
 avowedly to a woman who was almost betrothed to 
 another ; and that other a person from whom he re- 
 ceived hourly civilities, and whom he acknowledged as 
 his friend. 
 
 He assailed her, however, with the eloquence of 
 glances and sighs ; which, while he affected to conceal 
 them from her, he took particular care should not 
 escape her observation : and as often as they seemed 
 to be discovered he endeavoured to blush, and then 
 assumed an air of uneasiness and confusion. 
 
 When he was in her company, which happened as 
 often as he decently could., he added to this the most
 
 ZELUCO. 43 
 
 obsequious approbation of whatever she said ; and the 
 general tendency of his discourse^ though often ad- 
 dressed to others, was to adopt and illustrate those 
 sentiments and opinions which he knew to be hers. 
 
 By these means, aided by the graces of his person, 
 he gradually made advances on the heart of the wi- 
 dow j and in a short time gained a decided preference 
 over the old lover. But although this skilful engineer 
 was fully sensible of -the impression which he made, 
 he declined Bending an open summons, trusting that 
 Lis masked battery of sighs and glances would extort 
 from the fortress itself a proposal of surrender. To 
 hasten which, he took care to engage the widow's 
 confidential maid in his interest, by ordering his own 
 valet to make assiduous love to her, and instructing 
 him in what manner to proceed after he had gained 
 her heart. 
 
 The attentive valet began his operations without loss 
 of time. Having spent a few days in general court- 
 ship, he told her that he had something of an import- 
 ant and very secret nature to communicate to her pri- 
 vate ear. 
 
 To my private ear ! cried the maid. 
 
 Assuredly, my dear, said the valet, to yours, and to 
 no other person's. 
 
 This so mightily raised the curiosity of the maid, 
 that she gave him a rendezvous in a grove of her mis- 
 tress's garden ; merely, as she herself repeatedly assured 
 him, to know what this important matter was ; for she 
 owned it was beyond the compass of her power to di- 
 vine what it could be. 
 
 The valet gained her heart as he had been ordered j 
 and in the intervals of his own successful passion he 
 observed the other instructions of his master.
 
 44 ZELUCO. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 '* Rien nc pese tnnt qu'im secret ; 
 
 Lepnrler loin esl difficile mix dames ; 
 
 Et je sais mime sur cefait 
 
 Bun nombre d'liommes yui tontjemvtfs.'* 
 
 LA FONTAINE. 
 
 AFTER having lived for some time together in a state 
 of mutual happiness, the valet presented himself one 
 day to his mistress with every appearance of sorrow. 
 This tender-hearted maiden (for she had never been 
 married) affectionately inquired into the cause of his 
 grief. The valet answered, That it was all on account 
 of his unhappy master, who, from being the most 
 cheerful of mankind, was of late become the most de- 
 jected and heart-broken. 
 
 Have you no notion, said the maid, what has occa- 
 sioned such a melancholy change ? 
 
 No notion ! replied the valet, I know but too well 
 what has brought it about. 
 
 And pray, for goodness* sake, what can it be ? said 
 the maid impatiently. 
 
 That, replied the valet, is what no earthly conside- 
 ration will make me ever divulge. 
 
 No ! cried the maid ; and for what reason ? 
 
 Because, said the valet, I have promised never to 
 mention it to any human creature. 
 
 I insist upon knowing it immediately, said the 
 maid. 
 
 . I beg you will not, cried the valet ; it would be 
 horrid in me to divulge a secret with which i have 
 been intrusted my master never would forgive me. 
 
 Your mistress never will forgive you ifjou do not, 
 said the maid. 
 
 Only consider what you require of me, rejoined the
 
 ZELUCQ. 4.5 
 
 valet ; to break my trust ! To press such a thing is aa 
 attack on my honour. 
 
 Well, exclaimed the maid, have you not made an 
 attack on my honour ? Is all your pretended love 
 come to this? To refuse theirs/ favour she ever asked 
 to her who has granted you the last. \Vas there ever 
 such ingratitude? O! I shall burst with vexation. 
 Yes, continued she, weeping, if you do not imme- 
 diately tell me the cause of your master's misery, you 
 will render me ten thousand times more miserable than 
 he. 
 
 There was no resisting such a rational and pathetic 
 remonstrance. The valet unfolded the whole mystery. 
 His poor master was desperately and hopelessly in love 
 with her mistress ; for knowing that she was in some 
 measure engaged to a friend of his o\vn, he was a man 
 of such delicate honour, that he would pine away his 
 very soul in secret rather than interfere with a friend : 
 that he ate little or no food; never slept a wink ; sighed 
 from morning to night : and as for my own part, con- 
 tinued the valet, how shall I be able to support the loss 
 of such a generous master ! for he is the most liberal 
 cf men ; one who thinks he never can sufficiently re- 
 compense those who do him even the smallest service. 
 
 The maid expressed her admiration at the account 
 he gave of his master, particularly at his neither eating 
 nor sleeping ; she likewise approved very much of his 
 sighing night and day for love. She knew that such 
 things were common formerly, for in the course of her 
 studies she had read of them in books. But I fear, 
 said she, they are not much the fashion among lovers 
 of the present age. Yet 1 must confess, continued 
 f>be, that your master is to blame for not acquainting 
 my mistress with his passion. 
 
 He never will, replied the valet ; nothing will ever 
 prevail on him to come in competition with his friend j 
 lie will lalher pine away his very soul in secret.
 
 46 ZKLUCO. 
 
 He is very much to blame, said the ma;d j for allow 
 me to put a case which has this moment come into my 
 head. If so be that many men were to act in the 
 same manner, it would be a great hardship on the fair 
 sex ; for many of them might accept a man who was 
 not very agreeable to them, while others, whom they 
 would have preferred, are pining away their souls in 
 secret ; for, if they always pine in secret, how is a wo- 
 man to know that they are pining at all ? And a pru- 
 dent woman, continued the maid, will secure what she 
 can get, rather than run the risk of getting nothing. 
 It is therefore a clear case, that your master should 
 speak out, and acquaint my mistress with his love j 
 and who knows, added she with a significant nod to 
 the valet, what may happen, since your master is so 
 generous a man ? 
 
 Generous ! cried the valet, you can have no notion 
 how generous he is ; nobody ever did him a service 
 without being rewarded far beyond their expectations : 
 but as for speaking of his passion to your mistress, it 
 is what he never will do ; but no doubt it might be 
 happy for both, that she knew how much he loves 
 her ; for J confess I tremble for his life : for rather 
 than offer himself in competition with his friend, he 
 will conceal the flame which consumes him within 
 his own breast. 
 
 Jesu Maria ! cried the maid, conceal a flame within 
 his breast ! 
 
 Yes, continued the valet, and sigh his soul to the last 
 pufFunobserved, like the dying flame in a dark lantern. 
 
 The maid burst into tears at this affecting image ; 
 and after endeavouring to comfort her, he begged 
 of her never to mention to any of the human race 
 what he had told her, but particularly not to her 
 mistress. 
 
 I am sure, replied the maid, my mistress would not 
 deserve to be numbered among the human race, if she
 
 ZELUCO. 47 
 
 allowed so faithful a lover to expire in any such man- 
 ner. 
 
 It would, indeed, be ten thousand pities, said the 
 valet ; but you will never give a hint of what I have 
 told you. 
 
 I give a hint ! exclaimed the maid ; I will be cut 
 into ten thousand pieces first. 
 
 So saying she left him, and went with all possible 
 speed, and informed her mistress, as the valet ex- 
 pected, of all he had said j ending the narrative, 
 \vhich the lady listened to with evident satisfaction, by 
 declaring, that in the whole course of her life she had 
 never heard of such an ardent lover as Signer Zeluco. 
 
 Ardent ! said the mistress; what can you know o f 
 his ardour ? 
 
 All that I know, replied the maid, is, that he carries 
 aflame in his breast; and is, besides, a much hand- 
 somer man than Don Lopes. 
 
 Thy head, said the mistress, is always running on 
 beauty a prudent woman will think of more essential 
 qualities. 
 
 To be sure, every prudent woman, like your lady- 
 ship, will do so, replied the maid ; but there is no 
 judging for certain but by experience ; though in all 
 appearance Signer Zeluco has every essential quality as 
 perfect as Don Lopes, and is a handsomer man into the 
 bargain. 
 
 Well, but, said the widow, smiling, you would not 
 have me go and court this handsome man of yours 
 would you ? 
 
 No, assuredly, said the maid ; I am always for sup- 
 porting the dignity of our own sex : but I would have 
 you to dismiss Don Lopes. 
 
 What, before Signer Zeluco makes any proposal ? 
 cried the widow. 
 
 Yes, said the maid, he will not dip an oar into the 
 water till Don Lopes is dismissed : this I know from
 
 48 ZELUCO. 
 
 good authority, that till you have given a final answer 
 to Don Lopes, Signer Zeluco rather than speak will 
 expire. 
 
 Expire ! cried the widow. 
 
 Yes, indeed, madam, I am assured that Signer Ze- 
 luco is that kind of man. 
 
 He is a very extraordinary kind of man indeed then, 
 resumed she. 
 
 That I am informed for certain he is, said the maid j 
 for although he is languishing for love of your lady- 
 ship, yet rather than open his mouth to you on the 
 subject he will certainly die. 
 
 Die ! nonsense ! cried the widow. 
 
 Yes, die, cried the maid; and, what is worse, die 
 in a dark lantern : at least, I am told that is what he 
 is in danger of. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Heroic love. 
 
 ALTHOUGH the widow affected to laugh at the maid, 
 and despise her advice, yet she had for some time been 
 in expectation of a declaration of love from Zeluco ; 
 and having gathered from her maid's discourse what 
 the obstacle was which prevented it, after consulting 
 her pillow, she determined to overleap the barriers of 
 female delicacy, and encourage him to a declaration 
 of sentiments which were highly agreeable to her. 
 
 Zeluco paid her a visit at a time when she was dis- 
 engaged from ail other company, and she had pre- 
 viously given orders that none should be admitted 
 while he remained with her. 
 
 When they met, the lady's countenance was dressed 
 in smiles, and her whole manner announced the most 
 encouraging frankness. But on the brow of Zeiuco
 
 ZELUCO. 49 
 
 care and solicitude seemed to sit brooding, and the 
 sighs of despondency burst, as it were, involuntarily 
 from his bosom. 
 
 They conversed for some time on indifferent sub- 
 jects; but Zeluco displayed such absence of mind, 
 and made so mnny pauses of melancholy import, 
 that the conversation was continually interrupted. 
 
 I fear, said the lady tenderly, that some secret care 
 preys upon your mind. 
 
 Zeluco, heaving as profound a sigh as ever -was 
 heaved on any theatre, threw up his eyes, and \va* 
 silent. 
 
 Why will you not disclose the cause of your afflic- 
 tion ? said the widow. 
 
 Alas ! madam, the cause of my misery cannot 
 be removed; my complaint is past remedy; why, 
 therefore, should I disquiet others with sorrows which 
 are peculiar to myself? especially, why should I dis- 
 quiet those whose happiness it is my ardent wish, and 
 would be my greatest pride, to promote ? 
 
 I know not who have the honour to be of that num- 
 ber, said the widow with diffidence. 
 
 My most fervent desire, madam, would be to pro- 
 mote the happiness of Here he hesitated, and 
 
 seemed in a state of trembling confusion. 
 
 The happiness of whom ? cried the impatient wi- 
 dow. 
 
 Alas ! madam, do not insist upon my disclosing 
 sentiments which 1 have so long striven to suppress, 
 and still wish to conceal ; sentiments condemned by 
 the voice of friendship, though inspired by the purest 
 love j sentiments which, if known, might render me 
 odious and criminal in your eyes. 
 
 J am convinced you labour under a mistake, sir, 
 said the widow ; pray tell me therefore whose happi- 
 ness it is you wish so earnestly to promote ? 
 
 The happiness of the most deserving and most 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 50 ZELUCO. 
 
 amiable of her sex", cried Zeluco, fixing his eyes at 1 - 1 
 dently on the widow ; but this blessing never will 
 be in my power. 
 
 If I am the person you allude to, said the lady, 
 throwing her eyes modestly on the ground, and blush- 
 ing with all her might, I must acknowledge that it 
 is myour power more than in that of any man alive. 
 - There was no resisting a hint so directly favourable 
 as this. Angels and saints of heaven ! cried Zeluco, 
 am I awake, or am 1 deluded by a dream of felicity ! 
 And so he poured out a rhapsody extremely in- 
 sipid in itself, but mightily relished by the hearer. 
 This was followed by a long conversation, in which 
 the lady removed all the scruples of Zeluco, by as- 
 suring him of what he was convinced was not strictly 
 true, that she never had any intention of giving her 
 hand to Don Lopes ; and that although he, Zeluco, 
 were entirely out of the question, she never would : 
 that the gentleman was much mistaken if he had enter- 
 tained any sue!) hopes ; and she would seize the first op- 
 portunity that orlered to inform him of this. Zeluco 
 begged, if she was resolved on that measure, that 
 she would execute it in the least offensive manner pos- 
 sible : an advice which she promised to follow. 
 
 In the next conversation which Don Lopes had 
 with the widow, while, inspired by the most flatter- 
 ing hopes, he began to urge his suit, and was endea- 
 vouring to remove those objections which the lady had 
 formerly stated against a woman's engaging in a second 
 marriage ; an expression fell from her which did not so 
 much imply a reluctance to marriage as to choosing him 
 for her husband. On his appearing surprised, and hum- 
 bly requiring an explanation, the lady acknowledged, 
 that the prejudice she had so strongly entertained against 
 a second marriage was now effaced by his very judicious 
 arguments, many of which would never have occurred 
 to her uninstracted judgement, and she should always
 
 ZELUCO. .51 
 
 retain a grateful sense of the pains lie had taken to free 
 her mind from an error so prejudicial to society. But, 
 at the same time, after a thousand apologies, she con- 
 fessed, that, although she was convinced of the pro- 
 priety of her marriage, yet she had not that degree of 
 love for him which, in her opinion, was necessary to 
 constitute happiness in the marriage state. That she 
 should be extremely glad to remain on a footing of 
 friendship with him (for she really had a high esteem 
 for his character); but unfortunately not that passion- 
 ate ardour of love, which alone could ensure felicity 
 to a married couple j and therefore, on his own ac- 
 count, as well as hers, she begged he would desist 
 from his suit. 
 
 The gentleman thanked her for her esteem, and 
 the obliging attention she displayed for his felicity ; 
 hinted, that if she had been equally explicit sooner, 
 it would have saved both herself and him some trou- 
 ble ; and begged to know whether he might be per- 
 mitted to ask, if the sentiments she expressed pro- 
 ceeded entirely from her indifference to him, or were 
 in part owing to a passionate ardour of love for some 
 other man. 
 
 After throwing her eyes en the ground, and cover- 
 ing her face with her handkerchief, the lady declared, 
 that, contrary to her wishes, and without any design 
 on his part, she felt such an attachment to his friend 
 Zeluco, as rendered it highly improper for her to give 
 her hand to another j particularly, she was incapable 
 of such injustice to a person for whom she had so high 
 a regard as the gentleman to whom she then spoke. 
 
 You are certain that Zeluco is unacquainted with 
 the preference which you give him ? said the gen- 
 tleman. 
 
 I know not what he may suspect, answered the 
 blushing widow ; I only know that he never explained 
 himself to me, nor, I am convinced, ever will, what* 
 l 2
 
 52 ZKLUCO. 
 
 ever his sentiments may be, while it is believed that 
 you continue your pursuit. 
 
 My pursuit terminates here, madam ; and .1 will 
 myself inform Zekico of his good fortune, continued 
 the generous Spaniard : since I cannot have the hap- 
 piness I expected myself, I will not stand iii the way 
 of another whom you prefer, and who very possibly 
 may render you happier than I could. 
 
 This well-meaning and candid man acquainted Ze- 
 luco, according to his declaration, of the widow's 
 sentiments. The consummate hypocrite expressed 
 great surprise and concern at the intelligence, and 
 affected infinite reluctance, in accepting of a piece of 
 good fortune, however desirable in itself, which had 
 befallen him at the expense of so dear a friend. All 
 this affectation and mummery was in due time over- 
 come, and Zeluco's nuptials with the widow were 
 celebrated in form. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 " On ne trouvcguere d'irigrats, tant quon esl en etat de faire du 
 lien,'' RociiEFOucAf LT. 
 
 As the gentleman who so generously had quitted bis 
 claim had never, during his courtship, shown any 
 anxiety on the subject of settlements, Zeluco also 
 waived all discussion of that kind, that he might ap- 
 pear equally disinterested. He knew, however, that 
 by the lady's will, as it then stood, her fortune, if she 
 should have no children, would devolve to one of her 
 relations. This destination he thought he should pre- 
 vail upon her at his leisure to alter j and as the lady 
 was near fifty years of age, and never had a child by 
 her former husband, or, as far as he knew, by any 
 other person, Zeluco thought there was little danger 
 f his being shoved out of her fortune, either by her
 
 ZELUCO. 53 
 
 relations or his own offspring. Ths lady herself, in- 
 deed, did not look upon her having a pretty numerous 
 posterity in such a desperate light as it appeared to 
 others : for in her latest settlement, which was not 
 of an old date, she had specified the provision of her 
 second begotten son or daughter, her third, her fourth, 
 and so on, and with the most lauda"ble and truly ma- 
 ternal solicitude she had amply provided for a dozen 
 of her expected progeny. 
 
 Zeluco appeared equally obsequious afier mar- 
 riage as before, making every effort in his power to 
 engross and secure the affections of his spouse, who 
 on her part became every day more dotingly fond of 
 him ; and at length, all the regard, kindness, and 
 friendship, she formerly felt for other relations and 
 connexions, were totally effaced, and the whole af- 
 fection of her heart centred in her beloved husband. 
 
 One idea, however, intruded into her mind, and 
 disturbed her happiness ; this arose from her husband's 
 profession, which she dreaded might occasion a sepa- 
 ration between them, and expose him to the hardships 
 and dangers of war. She often conjured him there- 
 fore, with all the eloquence of love, to abandon a si- 
 tuation which kept her in perpetual alarm, and em- 
 bittered the sweetest enjoyments of her life. 
 
 Zeluco disliked the profession as much as his lady, 
 and was fully resolved to quit it ; but he was equally 
 resolved to make his yielding to her entreaties sub- 
 servient to another plan which now occupied his 
 thoughts. 
 
 He always replied to her endearing solicitations on 
 that head with every appearance of grateful acknow- 
 ledgement, expressing at the same time the greatest re- 
 luctance to give up a piofession of which he was pas- 
 sionately fond, and in which he expected to obtain 
 gl'.ry and preferment. 
 This, affecting contest was often renewed. On one . 
 
 F3
 
 54 ZELUCO. 
 
 occasion, Zeluco, exaggerating the advantages he 
 might derive from continuing in the service, said, that 
 if he should be as fortunate as some other officers, he 
 might be enabled one day to redeem the estate of his 
 ancestors, and appear with splendour and reputation 
 in his native country. He probably expected, that in 
 consequence of this hint she would have put it in his 
 power immediately, by making over her fortune to 
 him ; bnt whether from not fully comprehending the 
 import of what he said, or from some remains of 
 prudence, she made no direct answer ; and her fears 
 respecting her husband's profession seemed to relapse 
 into a slumber, when they were suddenly roused by 
 her receiving an anonymous letter from one who pre- 
 tended great anxiety for her happiness, at the same 
 time informing her, that war would very soon be de- 
 clared j that her husband's regiment was destined for 
 immediate service, in a secret expedition, of which 
 lie himself had already received intimation, though 
 out of tenderness he concealed it from her. 
 
 This alarming news at once awakened her appre- 
 hensions and lulled her prudence. She tenderly ex- 
 postulated with her husband for concealing intelli- 
 gence of such infinite importance to her peace of 
 mind. Without absolutely admitting the truth of her 
 information, he used it as a fresh argument against the 
 propriety of his quitting the army. If he had hesi- 
 tated, even in the time of peace, how could he in 
 honour agree to it on the eve of a war ? This con- 
 vinced her of the truth of the intelligence. . 
 
 But you have not heard, cried the half-distracted 
 woman, that war is yet declared ? 
 
 With whatever certainty it may be expected, it as- 
 suredly is not actually declared, replied Zeluco : if 
 that were the case, even you, my dearest love, could 
 no longer wish that I should leave the army ; nor could 
 I after that allow of any entreaty on the subject.
 
 ZELUCO. 55 
 
 Yell, thank Heaven, it is not yet too late, cried 
 she; and immediately leaving Zeluco, she ordered 
 an -revocable deed to be made out, by which her 
 \vhde fortune, real and personal, was transferred to 
 heriusband. This she showed him ; telling him at 
 the ame time, that she would deliver it into his pos- 
 sessbn the moment that he resigned his commission. 
 Afte the highest expression of admiration, at what 
 he ttrmed her generosity of soul, and some very he- 
 roic sentiments denoting the reluctance with which 
 he hid sacrificed the hopes of military glory, he con- 
 cluded, by repeating a line from a Spanish poet, equi- 
 valen: to this from Pope's Eloisa : 
 
 " Fame, wealth, and honour, what are ye to love ?" 
 
 This scrap of poetry, though not vary applicable on 
 suci an occasion, was heard with rapture, and con- 
 sidered by the enamoured lady^as exceedingly in 
 poirt. 
 
 Having obtained liberty to resign, he quitted the 
 army, to the great joy of his lady, and of the regi- 
 ment to which he belonged. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 " Projjrium humani ingcnii est, uclisse quern laseris." 
 
 TACIT. 
 
 THE heroic markoflove above mentioned was the last 
 that Zeluco was solicitous of receiving from his lady j 
 for he seemed ever after very willing to dispense with 
 all indications of her passion, and his expressions of af- 
 fection towards her diminished in their energy from this 
 period. She, at first with gentleness, and afterwards 
 with a mixture of acrimony, remonstrated with him 
 on this alteration. JBut it has been observed, that
 
 56 ZELUCO. 
 
 complaints and remonstrances seldom prove restca- 
 tives to a languid love. In the best and mildest is- 
 positions they do no good, in acrimonious dispositins 
 they exasperate the disease. 
 
 Zeluco bore the murmurings of his wife from the 
 beginning with but an ill-o Assembled patience, bec.mc 
 more and more morose and sulky as they were on- 
 tinued, and his behaviour terminated in avowed ion- 
 tempt and open abuse. 
 
 The unhappy woman, finding herself thus negleited, 
 insulted, and despised by the person nn whom she had 
 fixed her affections and bestowed h?r whole forune, 
 gradually sunk into despondency j and after endaring 
 all the bitterness of self-reproach, she died at tli3 end 
 of two years. 
 
 Disappointment and disquietude had attended Ze- 
 luco through the whole of his life : notwithstanding 
 the great acquisition of fortune he derived from his 
 marriage, even his matrimonial state had been embit- 
 tered with continual chagrin. This was the natural 
 effect of his own vicious conduct ; yet by a partiality 
 of self-deceit, which is very common, he always im T 
 puted his missing of happiness to other causes : few 
 people blame themselves, while it is in the power of 
 ielf-love to twist the charge against others. All the 
 discontent and fretfulness which Zeluco experienced 
 during the lifetime of his wife, he thought originated 
 in the ill-humour and bad temper of that unhappy 
 woman. 
 
 When he was freed therefore from what he con- 
 sidered as the only obstruction to his happiness, he 
 expected that what he had hitherto pursued without 
 attaining, wasatla^t within his reach. 
 
 But to render his felicity more certain and perma- 
 nent, he thought it necessary to bring his estate to the 
 highest pitch of improvement ; after which he pro- 
 posed to return to Europe, and there in splendour and
 
 ZELUCO. 57 
 
 magnificence enjoy every pleasure that bis heart could 
 desire. 
 
 In the prosecution of this plan he laboured with such 
 assiduity and impatience as kept himself in everlast- 
 ing fretfulness, and proved fatal to several of his slaves, 
 some of whom expired under the exertions he forced 
 them to make, and others under the punishments he 
 inflicted for the smallest remissness or neglect. 
 
 Zeluco was now in that situation in which the un- 
 derstanding cannot improve, and the disposition is the 
 most likely to degenerate: avoiding and being avoid- 
 ed by every person of a liberal and independent mind ; 
 living almost constantly on his own estate, with a set 
 of people over whom he had unlimited power ; seeing 
 no person whose character he much respected, or 
 whose censure he so much dreaded as to put him 
 on his gnard against the overflowings of passion, or 
 make him check the impulses of caprice ; of course 
 he became every day more unreasonable, passionate, 
 and cruel ; and at length was unable to hear with 
 patience the most candid and rational remonstrance, 
 flying into violent fits of rage on the most 
 trivial occasions ; and when his domestics had the 
 good fortune to execute his orders with such precision 
 and rapidity as left him not the least pretence for 
 blame, he then turned his rancour on the climate and 
 soil, the vicissitudes of the weather, bursting into 
 ridiculous fits of passion at the commonest and most 
 inevitable occurrences. 
 
 The daily habit which this odious man thus acquired 
 of tormenting himself, would have afforded satisfac- 
 tion to all who were witnesses to it, had it not been 
 accompanied with the diabolical propensity to harass 
 and torment all those unfortunate creatures whom 
 Providence, for reasons we cannot penetrate, subjected 
 to his power. 
 
 When a man of a good disposition is of a peevish,
 
 58 ZELUCO. 
 
 fretful, and capricious temper, which unfortunately is 
 sometimes the case, the uneasiness which he needlessly 
 gives himself is lamented by those who are acquainted 
 with his entire character. But when a villain is the 
 slave of caprice, and of course a self-tormentor, his 
 misery affords satisfaction and amusement to all who 
 know him. And although they durst not display it 
 openly, yet it undoubtedly gave secret satisfaction to 
 every one of this wretched man's slaves, to be wit- 
 nesses to the disquietude and misery of their perse- 
 cutor. 
 
 Zeluco having been represented as avaricious as 
 well as cruel, it may be said that the first of those 
 dispositions would prove a restraint upon the last 5 
 and that the suggestions of self-interest would prevent 
 his pushing cruelty the length of endangering the 
 lives, of his slaves. 
 
 It is a common argument against the necessity of 
 new laws for the protection of slaves, that they need 
 no protection from a just and humane master, because 
 he will never injure them ; nor from a master of an 
 opposite character, because his own interest will be 
 their protection : but let ir be remembered, that men 
 who are not nnturally compassionate, who are devoid 
 of religious impressions, and in the habit of giving 
 vent to every gust of ill-humour, are apt, in the vio- 
 lence of rage, to become deaf to the voice of com- 
 mon-sense and interest, as well as of justice and 
 mercy. An unfortunate gamester throws the cards 
 into the fire, and regrets that they have not feeling ; 
 a choleric man breaks and destroys the furniture of 
 his house, however valuable : and how often do we 
 see men in an absurd rage abuse their most serviceable 
 cattle ! But a thousand causes, which must occur to 
 every one, expose human creatures to the vindictive 
 rage of ill-tempered proprietors, in a much greater der 
 gree than inanimate things or the brute creation eve?
 
 ZCLUCO. 59 
 
 ean be. And we find iu fact, that cruel and passionate 
 masters, however interested in other respects, do gra- 
 tify their ill-humour against their most valuable slaves 
 at the expense of their interest. 
 
 Jt will be alleged, that in all the Christian colonies 
 the slaves are so far protected from the injustice of 
 their master, that none of them can be condemned 
 capitally, but after a trial in a court of justice. Long 
 experience has made it clear, however, that the pro- 
 prietors of land in those colonies, Christians as they 
 are, show little disposition to listen to the complaints 
 of slaves, or interfere with each other respecting the 
 manner in which slaves are treated ; and when it is 
 whispered about that a slave has expired under the 
 lash, or has died in consequence of the arbitrary pu- 
 nishment of his master, people in general are not fond 
 of the trouble of collecting proofs, or appearing in 
 the character of accusers ; particularly when the de- 
 linquent is a white man, of interest perhaps in the 
 colony, and the sufferer a black slave. Besides, there 
 may in many instances be a full conviction of the 
 crime, and yet the criminal may not be deemed with- 
 in the grasp of those vague laws which the policy of 
 Europe has thought sufficient for the protection of 
 slaves from the cruelty of their masters. The law 
 may direct, that a master shall not order more than a 
 limited number of stripes to be inflicted for any fault 
 that his slave commits. But if the law requires no 
 proof of the fault, except the allegation of the mas- 
 ter, what security has the slave that he shall not be 
 punished unjustly, or that his master shall not, as 
 often as he pleases, repeat the punishment at such 
 intervals as keep him out of the reach of the Jaw ? 
 It must be owned that the slave has no security from 
 such abuses, which is tantamount to putting it in the 
 master's power to torture his slaves to death with im- 
 punity. Such laws are no safeguard, but rather a
 
 60 ZELUCO. 
 
 mockery of the unhappy race of men they pretend to 
 protect. 
 
 This unlimited power, which is left in the hands 
 of the masters, has a bad effect both on the slave 
 and the master. It tends at once to render the first 
 more wretched, and the second more wicked. How 
 many men have, for a great part of their lives, sup- 
 ported the character of well -disposed good-natured 
 people j and on going from Europe to the West In- 
 dies, and becoming proprietors of slaves, have gra- 
 dually grown ill-tempered, capricious, haughty, and 
 cruel ! Even Zeluco, though of a capricious, vio- 
 lent, and selfish disposition, was not naturally cruel ; 
 this last grew upon him in consequence of unlimited 
 power. His severity to the soldiers arose from a de- 
 sire of gaining the favour of the commander, by ren- 
 dering the men under his immediate command more 
 expert than others. In pushing this point be disre- 
 garded, indeed, the sufferings of the men ; because 
 his excessive selfishness engrossed all his feelings, and 
 left him quite indifferent to the feelings of others ; he 
 stili was not positively cruel. Uninfluenced by pas- 
 sion or rage, he had no satisfaction in giving pain ; he 
 was only unconcerned whether they suffered or not. 
 And afterwards, when he became the absolute master 
 of a great number of unfortunate creatures, whom 
 he considered as his property, he thought he had a 
 right to make the most of them. And lie was in- 
 formed by those who have heads for such a calculation, 
 and hearts to act in consequence of it, that to force 
 slaves to their utmost exertions, and purchase new ones 
 as the old expire, is, upon the whole, more agronomical 
 than to treat them with a certain degree of gentleness, 
 and oblige thc-m to no more labour than is proportioned 
 to their strength, although, by this means, the purchases 
 would be less frequent. A person who passed for a 
 very sensible man, who formerly kept an inn on cue-
 
 ZELUCO. .61 
 
 of the great posting roads in England, and was at this 
 time a considerable proprietor of land in one of the 
 West-India islands, had assured him, that he had 
 found this to hold with regard to post horses ; and the 
 argument was equally just when applied to slaves. 
 Zeluco therefore had originally no direct intention of 
 injuring his slaves ; his view was simply to improve 
 his estates to the utmost ; but in the execution of this 
 plan, as their exertions did not keep pace with his im- 
 patience, he found it necessary to quicken them by 
 an unremitting use of the whip. This produced dis- 
 content, murmurs, sulkiness, sometimes upbraidings, 
 on their parts ; rage, threats, and every kind of abuse, 
 on his : he saw hatred in all their looks, he presumed 
 revenge in all their hearts; he became more and more 
 severe, and treated them as he imagined they wished 
 to treat him, and as he was conscious he deserved to 
 be treated by them : at length he arrived at that shock- 
 ing point of depravity, to have a gratification in pu- 
 nishing, independent of any idea of utility or advan- 
 tage to himself. 
 
 This, unfortunately for a large proportion of man- 
 kind, is often the progress of unlimited power, and 
 the effect which it too frequently produces on the hu- 
 man character. 
 
 If the reign of many European proprietors of es- 
 tates in the West Indies were faithfully recorded, it 
 is much to be feared that the capricious cruelties 
 which disgrace those of Caligula and Nero would not 
 seem so incredible as they now do. Ar.d perhaps no 
 memoirs could be more affecting to a candid and hu- 
 mane mind, than those of many negroes, from the 
 time of their being brought from the coast of Guinea, 
 till their death in the West Indies. The fate of one 
 of Zeluco's slaves, called Hanno, being connected 
 with our purpose, may, without impropriety, be men- 
 tioned here. 
 
 VOL. i. e
 
 62 ZELUCO. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 " Merciful Heaven ! 
 
 Thou rather, with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt, 
 
 Sf)!itt'st the unwed.u'eable and gnarled i'ak, 
 
 Than the soft myrtle ' O, but man ! proud man ! 
 
 Brest in a little brief authority, 
 
 Most ignorant of what he's most assured, 
 
 His glassy essence like on ancrry ape, 
 
 Plays such fantastic trick- before high Heaven, 
 
 As make the angels ueep." SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 HANNO, the slave mentioned at the end of the fore- 
 going chapter, allowed symptoms of compassion, per- 
 haps of indignation, to escape from him, on hearing 
 one of his brother slaves ordered to be punished un- 
 justly. Zelnco, having observed this, swore that 
 Hanno should be the executioner, otherwise he would 
 order him to be punished in his stead. 
 
 Hanno said, He might do as he pleased j but as for 
 himself he never had been accustomed to that office, 
 and he would not begin by exercising it on his friend. 
 Zeluco, in a transport of rage, ordered him to be 
 lashed severely, and renewed the punishment at legal 
 intervals so often, that the poor man was thrown into 
 a languishing disease, which confined him constantly 
 to his bed. 
 
 Hanno had been a favourite servant of his lady's 
 before her marriage with Zeluco; he was known to 
 people of all ranks on the island, and esteemed by all 
 who knew him. The Irish soldier wlio had curried 
 the commanding officer from the field, as was related 
 above, was taken into that gentleman's service 
 some time after, and remained constantly in his fa- 
 mily from that time ; this soldier h::d long been ac- 
 quainted with Hanno, and had a particular esteem 
 for him. As soon as he heard of n s dangerous situa- 
 tion, he hastened to see him, carried him wine and 
 other refreshments, and continued to visit and com-
 
 ZELUCO. 63 
 
 fort hini during his languishing illness. Perceiving at 
 last that there was no hope of bis recovery, he thought 
 the hist and best good office he could do him was to 
 cany a priest to give him absolution and extreme unc- 
 tion. 
 
 As they went together, I should be very sorry, fa- 
 ther, said the soldier, if this poor fellow missed going 
 to heaven ; for, by Jesus ! l.do not believe there is 
 a worthier soul there, be the other who he pleases. 
 
 He is a black, said the priest, who was of the order 
 of St. Francis. 
 
 His soul is whiter than a skinned potatoe, said the 
 soldier. 
 
 Do you know whether he believes in all the tenets 
 of our holy faith ? said the priest. 
 
 He is a man who was always ready to do as he .would 
 be done by, replied the soldier. 
 
 That is something, said the Capuchin, but not the 
 most essential. Are you certain that he is a Christian ? 
 
 O, I'll be damned if he is not as pretty a Christian 
 as your heart can desire, said the soldier ; and I'll give 
 you a proof that will rejoice your soul to hear. A 
 soldier of our regiment was seized with the cramp in 
 his leg when he was bathing ; so he hollaed tor as- 
 sistance, and then went plump to the bottom like a 
 stone. Those who were near him, Christians and all, 
 swam away as fast as their legs could carry them, for 
 they were afraid of his catching hold of them. But 
 honest Hanno pushed directly to the place where the 
 soldier had sunk, dived after him, and, without more 
 ado, or so much as saying By your leave, seized him 
 by the hair of the head, and hauled him ashore; where, 
 alter a little rubbing and rolling, he was quite reco- 
 vered, and is alive and merry at this blessed moment. 
 Nosv, my dear father, I think this was behavine like 
 a good Chi istian, and, what is much more, like a brav 
 irishman too. 
 
 G2
 
 64 ZET.UCO. 
 
 Has he been properly instructed in all the doctrines 
 of the catholic church ? said the priest. 
 
 That he has, replied the soldier, for I was after in- 
 structing him yesterday myself; and as you had told me 
 very often that believing was the great point, I pressed 
 that home. By Jesus, says T, Hanno, it dees not sig- 
 nify making wry faces, but you must believe, my dear 
 honny, as tast as ever you can, for you have no time 
 to lose ; and, poor fellow, he entreated me to say no 
 more about it, and he would believe whatever I 
 pleased. 
 
 This satisfied the father. When they arrived at 
 the dying man's cabin, Now, my dear fellow, said 
 the soldier, I have brought a holy man to give you 
 absolution for your sins, and to show your soul the 
 road to heaven ; take this glass of wine to comfort 
 you, for it is a hellish long journey. 
 
 They raised poor Hanno, and he swallowed the 
 wine with difficulty. 
 
 Be not dismayed, my honest lad, continued the 
 soldier, for although it is a long march to heaven, you 
 will be sure of glorious quarters when you get there. 
 I cannot tell you exactly how people pass their time, 
 indeed ; but by all accounts there is no very hard duty, 
 unless it is that you will be obliged to sing psalms and 
 hymns pretty constantly ; that to be suie you must 
 bear with : but then the devil a scoundrel who delights 
 in tormenting his fellow- creatures will be allowed to 
 thrust his nose into that sweet plantation} and so, my 
 dear Hanno, God bless you ! all your sufferings are 
 now pretty well over, and I am convinced you will be 
 as happy as the day is long in the other world all the 
 rest of your life. 
 
 The priest then began to perform his ofnce ; Hanno 
 heard him in silence, he seemed unable to speak. 
 
 You see, my good father, said the soldier, he be- 
 lieves in all you say. You may no-.v, without any
 
 ZELUCO. 63 
 
 further delay, give him absolution and extreme unc- 
 tion, and every thing needful to secure him a snug 
 birth in paradise. 
 
 You are, fully convinced, friend, said the priest, 
 addressing the dying man in a solemn manner, that it 
 is only by a firm belief in all the tenets of the holy ca- 
 tholic church, that God love your soul, my dear 
 
 father, interrupted the soldier, give him abso ution in 
 the first place, and convince him afterwards; for,, 
 upon my conscience, if you bother him much longer, 
 the poor creature's soul will slip through your fingers. 
 
 The priest, who was a good-natured man, did as the 
 soldier requested. 
 
 Now, said the soldier, when the ceremony was 
 over, now, my honest fellow, you may bid the devil 
 
 kiss your b de, for you are assure of heaven as 
 
 your master is of heilj where, as this reverend father 
 will assure you, he must suffer to all eternity. 
 
 I hope he will not suffer so long, said Hanno in a 
 faint voice, and speaking for the first time since the 
 arrival of the priest. 
 
 Have a care of what you say, friend, said the priest, 
 in a severe tone cf voice : you must not doubt of the 
 eternity of hell torments. if your master goes cnce 
 there, he mu->t remain for ever. 
 
 Then I'll be bound for him, said the soldier, he is 
 sure enough of going there. 
 
 But I hope in God he will not remain for ever, said 
 Hanno and expired. 
 
 That was not spoken like a true believer, said the 
 priest ; if I had thought tiiat he harboured any doubts 
 on such an essential article, I should not ha\e given 
 him absolution. 
 
 Jt is lucky then that the poor fellow made his escape 
 to heaven before you knew any thing of the matter, 
 iaid the soldier. 
 
 AS the soldier return -d home from Hanno's cabin 
 G 3
 
 66 ZELUCO. 
 
 he met Zeluco, who, knowing where he had been, 
 said to him, How is the d d scoundrel now ? 
 
 The d d scoundrel is in better health than all who 
 know him could wish, replied the soldier. 
 
 Why, they told me he was dying, said Zeluco. 
 
 If you mean poor Hanno, he is already dead, and 
 on his way to heaven, said ihe soldier ; but as for the 
 
 scoundrel who murdered him, he'll be d d before 
 
 he get there. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 The Portuguese. 
 
 SOME time after this an occurrence took place, which 
 contributed more to render Zeluco less cruel to his 
 slaves than all the occasicnal attacl-.s of compunction 
 he felt for the death of Hanno, or than all the laws ex- 
 isting for the protection of Negro slaves. 
 
 A rich Portuguese merchant, who had been settled 
 for several years in the town of Havannah, had lately 
 purchased an estate contiguous to that of Zeluco, who 
 displayed a great inclination to cultivate his acquaint- 
 ance by every kind of polite attention. 
 
 He frequently visited this merchant at his house in 
 town, and offered him every kind of accommodation 
 which his estate afforded, while the Portuguese was 
 repairing a house on his new purchase for the reception 
 of his family. 
 
 This very obliging behaviour of Zeluco seemed ex- 
 traordinary to all those who knew him, and did not 
 know that the merchant had a very handsome wife, 
 who was fond of admiration, and not entirely free 
 from coquetry. 
 
 Zeluco was much struck with her beauty, and used 
 all his art to seduce her. Shi, on her part, although
 
 ZELUCO. 67 
 
 not entirely insensible to the charms of his face and 
 person, was still more pleased with the eclat of having 
 a man of his rank and fortune among the number of 
 her admirers, and probably had no idea of ever making 
 any other use of him. This lady was one of that class 
 of women, who. being kept out of the way of temp- 
 tation, and not vigorously attacked, will preserve the 
 citadel of their virtue inviolate through life. She was 
 apt, however, through vanity, to expose some of the 
 outworks a little too much, which invited the attacks 
 of the enemy ; and although she had no serious inten- 
 tion of ever formally surrendering the fort, she might 
 possibly through innattention, have allowed it to be 
 surprised by a cow/) de main. 
 
 This lady was allured into an epistolary correspon- 
 dence with Zeluco; at first on the most trifling sub- 
 jects, and with the knowledge of her husband, to \vhom 
 she showed the billets. By degrees, however, it hap- 
 pened that she received some which she thought it un- 
 necessary to communicate. 
 
 When the Portuguese brought his family to the 
 house which he had repaired for their reception, 7e- 
 luco's intercourse with them was more frequent; and 
 he often walked with the husband and wife in a se- 
 questered field situated between his own house and 
 that of her husband. 
 
 With some difficulty Zeluco at length prevailed on 
 her to promise to meet him at this place towards the 
 close of an evening, when he knew that her Ir.isband 
 was engaged on business, which would necessarily de- 
 tain him very late, at the house of a gentleman who 
 lived at a considerable distance. 
 
 From the time that Zeluco's correspondence with 
 the lady became of a nature that she was rather shy of 
 communicating, he always employed on'; particular 
 slave, who, he imagined, was very cordially attached 
 to him on account of a few indulgences which were
 
 68 ZELUCO. 
 
 granted to him previous to his being intrusted as an 
 agent in this business. 
 
 In this conjecture, however, Zeluco was greatly 
 mistaken ; those slight favours had riot eradicated from 
 the man's mind that hatred and thirst for revenge 
 which his master's former treatment had planted 
 there. 
 
 Having come to the knowledge of the intended in- 
 terview, he actually went and communicated all he 
 knew to the husband, and returned rejoicing in the 
 hope that his detested master would be assassinated 
 that very night. 
 
 The lady, however, had accidentally seen this slave 
 with her husband, and remarked, that from the time 
 the slave had spoken to him he was uncommonly 
 thoughtful, morose, and agitated. 
 
 This led her to suspect that her husband was in- 
 formed of the appointment, which she herself had al- 
 ready begun to repent of, and to hesitate about keep- 
 ing. 
 
 After maturely weighing every circumstance, she 
 determined to reveal to her husband what she thought 
 he knew already. 
 
 She approached him therefore with an air of since- 
 rity and contrition, saying, she was about to acquaint 
 him with something which lay like a load upon her 
 mind ; that she had without scruple indulged an ac- 
 quaintance with Signor Zeluco on account of the 
 friendship he expressed for her husband, and his 
 polite and obliging behaviour to herself; but that of 
 late she had been surprised at a change in his manner 
 of addressing her, which had terminated in a declara- 
 tion of L.ve : that she had been restrained from men- 
 tioning this to him sooner, being unwilling to give 
 him uneasiness, and in hopes that, froin the manner in 
 which she had received his declaration, he would not 
 venture to renew it : but finding he persisted in his
 
 ZELUCO. 09 
 
 criminal assiduities, and had' even gone the length of 
 proposing that she should meet him privately auj un- 
 known to her huiband, she thought herself b mud in 
 duty to conceal this behaviour ot Zeluco's no longer, 
 but to inform her husband of the whose 
 
 Here she nude a fill stop : and the husband, per- 
 ceiving th.it she meant to add noihing further, said, 
 Have you then informed me of the whole : 
 
 She took hc-aven and earth to witness that she had. 
 
 I did not hear you mention that you had promised 
 to meet him, said the husband. 
 
 The lady, having recovered from a short embarrass- 
 ment which this observation occasioned, replied, That 
 she had been so much shocked with the proposal, and 
 in such confusion, that she could not now recollect 
 every word of what she had said ; bat that she had im- 
 mediately left him : and whatever, added she, has 
 fallen from me, which he may construe into a promise, 
 I am conscious that I never should have gone near the 
 place : of the truth of this, the information I have just 
 given you is a sufficient proof 5 and if I have erred in 
 concealing this matter so long, my error proceeded 
 from a desire of preventing mischievous consequences, 
 and out of tenderness to you. 
 
 The eloquence and fair pretences of the wife at 
 length lulled the suspicions and soothed the rage of 
 her spouse with respect to herself} but his rancour 
 against Zeluco remained in full force, and he threw 
 out some threats of determined revenge. The wife 
 was alarmed at this ; tor although she was now re- 
 solved never to renew the intrigue, yet being conscious 
 that she was in some degree to blame herself, she 
 would willingly have prevented any mischief from be- 
 falling Zeluco : with this view she begged of her hus- 
 band to overlook and despise the vain attempt which 
 had been made, and leave the man to be punished by 
 the mortification of disappointment, and the thoughts
 
 70 ZELUCO. 
 
 of (he ridiculous light in which he must be conscious 
 that he stood in the sight of both. The husband 
 seemed to acquiesce in his wife's reasoning, but was 
 determined to satisfy his revenge, a plan for which had 
 already occurred to him. 
 
 Having persuaded his wife to go to bed earlier than 
 usual, he dressed himself in her clothes, and throwing 
 a white mantle over his head and shoulders, he slipt 
 secretly out of his house, and with vindictive impa- 
 tience walked to the place of rendezvous, where Zo- 
 luco had been waiting ever since the appointed mo- 
 ment. 
 
 With reviving joy, and by the glimmering light of 
 the stars, he perceived a person in famale attire ap- 
 proaching ; and never doubting but it was the object 
 of his wishes, he sprang forward with bounding velo- 
 city to met her embrace ; but at that instant his boil- 
 ing blocd was frozen on hearing the following words 
 pronounced in an unnatural voice, The spirit of thy 
 wife, she who fell a victim to thy perfidious cruelty, 
 sends thee this. On which the Portuguese plunged 
 his stiletto into the breast of Zeluco, who immediately 
 fell to the ground. The blow was given with good- 
 will; the weapon rushed to the hilt; and the husband, 
 convinced he had killed him, returned quietly to his, 
 own hcuse, without his wife or any of the family 
 having suspected that he had gone abroad. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The reward of inhumanity. 
 
 ZELUCO lay for some time on the ground before he 
 could collect his terrified and scattered senses ; and 
 when he had in some degree recovered them, he was 
 Still unable to account for \\ hat had happened : seme-
 
 2KLUCO. 71 
 
 times he believed he had in reality seen the ghost of 
 his deceased wife ; and every circumstance of his un- 
 grateful and perfidious conduct to her rushing on his 
 memory, at a moment when he thought himself on the 
 point of entering into a state of retribution, filled his 
 mind with horror, and drove him to the brink of mad- 
 ness, from which perhaps he was saved by the quantity 
 of blood he lost as he lay on the ground. 
 
 After passing several hours in a state of terror and 
 remorse, the day beginning to dawn, he felt himself, 
 though in a very weak condition, able to move j and 
 at length, by the aid of a tree, at whose root he had 
 fallen, he got upon his legs, and then attempted to 
 move towards hi? own house ; but soon through faint- 
 ness sunk again to the ground, where he lay a consi- 
 derable time longer in anguish, and despairing of re- 
 lief. At length he saw some of his own slaves going 
 to their morning labour. 
 
 In a tone very different from that in which he had 
 been accustomed to address them, with whining humi- 
 lity he implored their succour, and begged they would 
 ha-ve the goodness to carry him home. 
 
 At the sound of a human voice expressive of distress 
 the slaves sprang eagerly to give their assistance ; but 
 the instant they perceived it was Uieir master, they 
 stopped short with looks of abhorrence, as if it had not 
 been a man but a wounded serpent they saw writhing 
 on- the ground. Some turned aside, willing to ba . 
 thought not to have observed him ; others looked as 
 if they enjoyed his agony. None offered him assist- 
 ance ; and it is not probable he would ever have 
 reached his own house alive, had not one of his ma" 
 nagers joined them. By his authority he was at last 
 carried thither, and the best medical and surgical aid 
 was immediately sent for. The wound upon the 
 first examination was thought mortal ; and the univer- 
 sal satisfaction that this occasioned, as soon as it cir-
 
 72 ZELUCO. 
 
 culated among this detested man's slaves, was very 
 evident, in spite of all their endeavours to control their 
 features and gestures. After languishing many weeks, 
 however, (he symptoms at last became favourable. 
 During all the time in which it was doubtful whether 
 he was to die or to live, the mind of the patient him- 
 self was hardly more cruelly agitated between fear 
 and hope, than that of every slave, male and female, 
 that belonged to him. And when he was pronounced 
 to be out of danger, so fully was he loaded with their 
 hatred, that the news produced a shock like that of 
 electricity over his whole family. A number of slaves 
 who happened to be at work in the garden under the 
 window of Zeluco's bed-chamber, burst into a loud 
 and uncontrollable howl of sorrow when his recovery 
 was first announced to them. 
 
 The patient, alarmed at the sound, asked the phy- 
 sician then sitting by his bed-side, what it meant. The 
 physician, who understood it no more than Zeluco, 
 went to inquire, and, having discovered the true source 
 of the outcry, returned to the patient. 
 
 What is the meaning of that howl ? said Zeluco ; 
 it seemed prompted by sorrow. 
 
 It proceeded from your slaves, answered the phy- 
 sician ; they are inquiring after your health. 
 Well, what then ? cried Zeluco. 
 Why then, answered the doctor, I suppose they 
 must have been told, by mistake, that you are worse, 
 and likely to die. I have frequently known slaves ex- 
 press their grief in the same mariner, when they were 
 in danger of losing a good and humane master. 
 
 The irony of this reph was wormwood to Zeluco ; he 
 fell into a gloomy fit of musing, and made no further 
 inquiry ; neither did he, during his illness, or after his 
 recovery, give any satisfactory account of the manner 
 in which he had received the wotind. Whatever his 
 opinion might be, his fears were dissipated ; and when
 
 ZELUCO. 73 
 
 he was able to weigh circumstances, he abstained from 
 suggesting any suspicion against particular persons, or 
 from making any investigation of the subject. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 ** Ye who one bitter drop have drain'J 
 From slav'ry's cup, with horror siaiii'd ; 
 O!i, let no fatal dregs he found, 
 But dash her chalice to the ground." 
 
 HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS. 
 
 FOR a considerable time after Zeluco was out of darir 
 ger from his wound, and even after he began to walk 
 abroad, and resume the management of his affairs, ha 
 appeared more pensive than formerly ; and although 
 his thoughts seemed of a gloomy nature, yet he did 
 not burst out into those violent fits of rage that had 
 been cu?tomiry with him before that accident. But 
 the impression which it made on his mind gradually" 
 diminished, and the sentiments of dread and rem rse, 
 which influenced his conduct for a time, wearing '/.life 
 away, his former dispositions returned with his bodily 
 health. 
 
 One day as he was walking around his estate with 
 the physician already mentioned, who had called upon 
 him on his return from visiting a patient, Zeluco gave 
 pretty strong indications of a relapse into his fcnner. 
 cruelty. The physician, who was a man of sen->e and 
 humanity, checked him, and expressed sentiments of 
 compassion for the deplorable condition of the poor 
 sJaves. 
 
 They are, said Zeluco, the most villainous race 
 alive. 
 
 They certainly are the most unfortunate, said the 
 physician. 
 
 VOL. I, H
 
 74 ' ZELUCO. 
 
 Let them perform their task as they ought, replied 
 the oiher, and they will not be unfortunate. 
 
 Why, it is not a slight misfortune, said the doctor, 
 to have suck tasks to perform. 
 
 They are in a better situation than when they were 
 in their own country. 
 
 That would be difficult to prove, said the physician ; 
 but were it certain, I should think it a bad reason for 
 treating them ill here, merely because they had been 
 very ill treated there. 
 
 Negro slaves in general, all over the West Indies, 
 sa : d Zeluco, are in a better condition than the com- 
 mon people in most countries in Europe. 1 have 
 heard this asserted a thousand times. 
 
 Jf it were so, said the physician, it would convey a 
 dreadful idea of the condition of Europeans ; but the 
 tiling is impossible, signer. 
 
 How impossible ? said Zeluco. 
 
 Because, even if slaves were in general fed and 
 clothed a-; well as you are yourself, yet while it is in 
 the power of their master to impose what task he 
 } 'leases, and punish their faults according to his hu- 
 mour, their condition must be infinitely worse than 
 that of the cottager, whom nobody can abuse with im- 
 punity, and on whom the cheering spirit of liberty 
 smiles as he reaps the fruit of his own industry. 
 
 You have certa'niy, said Zeluco, borrowed that 
 sentiment from- an Englishman ; some of those enthu- 
 siastic fools who are pleased to bear the insolence of 
 mobs, snd to sacrifice many of the conveniences of 
 life to the empty frhade of freedom. Yet I have heard 
 some, even <>f their West India proprietors, assert that 
 the. negroes of those islands were happier than the 
 COM": mon labourers in England. 
 
 There is nothing too absurd for some men to assert, 
 rnid the physician, when they imagine their interest is 
 concerned, or when it tends to justify their conduct.
 
 ZELUCO. 75 
 
 Arid were a law to be proposed now against the slave- 
 trade, or to rentier the condition of slaves more to!e- 
 . rable than it is at present, which is mure likely to hap- 
 pen among the generous enthusiast-; you mention than 
 in any other country, it would perhaps be opposed by 
 those very proprietors: but would you impute .-u-.:h 
 opposition to tenderness to the slaves, and a humane 
 wish to prevent their becoming us miserable as ihe 
 common labourers in England ? 
 
 I am told, however, replied Zeluro, that your 
 English in general are a most lugubrious race, and 
 that there is much melancholy and discontent in their 
 country with all their liberty. 
 
 I am told, answered the physician, that there is 
 much frost and cold in their country with ail their 
 sunshine, yet it has not been as yet clearly proved ilut 
 . the sun is the cause of either. 
 
 Well, but to return to the slaves, said Zeluco, I do 
 not perfectly understand what is your drift. Are they 
 not my property ? Have I not therefore a right to ob- 
 lige them to labour for my profit ? 
 
 With regard to the right which any man has to 
 make a property of other men, and force them to la- 
 bour as slaves solely for his benefit, i suspect it would 
 be difficult for the greatest casuist that e\trr lived to 
 make it out. 
 
 Why so ? replied Zeluco ; I am assured that the 
 slave-trade is authorized by the Bible. You are too 
 sound a Christian, my good doctor, to controvert such 
 .authority. 
 
 Without considering whether those who furnished 
 you with that argument did it with friendly or un- 
 friendly intentions to the Elsie, siguor, and without 
 touching any controvert ible point in the Scriptures, i 
 will just observe, that charity, benevolence, and mercy 
 to our fellow-creatures, are not only authorized, but in 
 the plainest unequivocal terms repeatedly oruuint.-jj in 
 H 2
 
 76 
 
 these writings. Let therefore the proprietors cf slaves 
 begin, by conforming their conduct to those injunc- 
 tions, and then they may be allowed to quote Scrip- 
 ture authority in support of such property. Elessed 
 are the mtrcijul. j'cr they i>halL obtain mercy. What- 
 soever ye would that vien should do lo you, do ye so 
 to them. Come unto me, all ye that laiour and are 
 Jieaiy laden, and I will give you rest. 1 hese are the 
 words of the author of Christianity, whose whole life 
 was a representation by action of his own precepts. 
 Let the proprietors of estates in America and the West 
 India islands consider how far their treatment of the 
 negroes is agreeable to his doctrine and conduct 5 and 
 their time will be better employed than in perverting 
 detached passages of the Bible, and endea\ curing to 
 press that which is proclaimed peace on earth, and 
 good-will to men, into the service of cruelty and op- 
 pression. 
 
 After all this fine sermon, said Zeluco, you do not 
 pretend to assert that negroes are originally on a foot- 
 ing with white people ; you will allow, i hope, that 
 they aie an inferior race of men ? 
 
 I will allow, replied the doctor, that their hair is 
 short and ours is long, that their noses are flat and 
 ours are raised, and their skin is black and curs white ; 
 yet after all those concessions, ! still have my doubts 
 respecting our right to make them slaves. 
 
 Well, doctor, said Zeluco, if you are determined to 
 dispute our right, you must admit that \ve have the 
 pc/rer, which is of much more importance. 
 
 \Vhile I admit that, signer, I most sincerely wish it 
 were otherwise exercised. 
 
 How the devil would you have it exercised ? 
 
 \Ve should, in my opinion, exercise it with more 
 moderation and lenity than some of us do, said the 
 physician. 
 
 Lenity, cried Zeluco, to a parcel of rascals, a gnng
 
 ZEI.UCO. 77 
 
 of pilfering clogs, downright thieves ! "why, as often ns 
 they can, they steal the very provisions intended for 
 my own table ! 
 
 You cannot be much surprised at that, signor, when 
 they are pinched with hunger. 
 
 You would have them pampered with delicacies, 
 forsooth, and never punished for any crime : 
 
 No, sir ; but I would certainly allow them a suffi- 
 cient quantity of wholesome food ; and psrcr-iving that 
 all my neighbours are liable to commit faults, and be- 
 ing conscious of many failings in myself, I should not 
 expect that poor untutored slaves were to be exempted 
 from them, nor would I be relentless or unforgiving 
 when they were discovered. 
 
 Po, poh that is not the way to deal with negroes ; 
 nothing is to be made of them by lenity ; they are the 
 laziest dogs in the world; it is with the greatest dif- 
 ficulty sometimes that my manager can get them roused 
 to their morning work. 
 
 Consider, signor, how natural it is after hard labour 
 to wish to prolong the intervals of rest. 
 
 Rest ! cried Zeluco angrily ; they will have rest 
 enough in their graves. 
 
 Well, signor, replied the physician, shocked at this 
 brutal remark, it would be fortunate for some people 
 that they could promise themselves the same. 
 
 Bur, uoctor, said Zeluco, taking no notice of the last 
 observation, can you really imagine that such treatment 
 as you seem to recommend, would render slaves of 
 equal benefit to the proprietors of West India estates? 
 
 Ay, signor, replied the physician, that is coming di- 
 rectly to the point, which a man of sense would wish 
 to investigate, leaving all the foreign matter concern- 
 ing religion and humanity, which embarrass the argu- 
 ment, out of the question. 
 
 Well, considering the business with a view to a 
 man's interest or profit only ; long observation on the 
 H 3
 
 conduct of others, with my own experience, which 
 has been considerable, convinces me that the master 
 who treats his slaves with humanity and well-directed 
 kindness, reaps more benefit from their labour than he 
 who behaves in a contrary manner. There are many 
 instances of ingratitude, to be sure, but it is not natural 
 to the human heart : we naturally endear ourselves to 
 those to v. horn we impart pleasure, and men in general 
 serve with more alacrity and perseverance from love 
 than fear. The instant that the eye of the manager is 
 turned from the slave who serves from fear alone, his 
 efforts relax ; but the industry of him who serves from 
 attachment is continually prompted by the gratitude 
 and the regard for his master's interest which he car- 
 ries in his breast. 
 
 Besides, signer, how infinitely more pleasing is it to 
 be considered as the distributor of happiness than the 
 jnflictor of pain ! What man who has it in his power 
 to be loved as a benefactor, would choose to be de- 
 tested as an executioner, and see sorrow, terror, and 
 abhorrence in the countenances he daily beholds ? 
 Come, signer, continued the physician having during 
 the course of your illness given you many advices for 
 which you have paid me, pray accept of one from me 
 gratis ; you will renp much satisfaction from it, and it 
 may prevent your being exposed to new dangers, si- 
 milar to that from which you have with such difficulty 
 escaped.^-?, Ty advice is th's : .Alter entirely your con- 
 duct towards your slaves; scorn not those who demand 
 justice and mercy ; treat them with much more indul- 
 gence, and sometimes with kindness ; for certainly 
 that man is in a most miserable as well as dangerous 
 situation, who lives among those who rejoice in his 
 sickness, 1 owl with despair at his recovery, and whose 
 only hope of tranquillity lies in their own death or in 
 his. 
 
 The physician having made this remonstrance took
 
 ZELUCO. 79 
 
 his leave. Zeluco remained musing for a considerable 
 time afier he was gone; the result of his reflections 
 \vns a determination to behave with more indulgence 
 to his slaves, being alarmed by what was suggested, 
 and convinced that such conduct in future was highly 
 expedient for his own personal security. Those reso- 
 lution* were however very imperiectly kept. Indeed, 
 Zeluco had already given so very bad an impression 
 of his character, that a much more thorough re'orma- 
 tion must have been continued a long time before it 
 could answer the purpose of recovering the good opi- 
 nion of the public. 
 
 Perceiving, therefore, that all intimacy with him 
 was rather avoided, he gave over every attempt of cul- 
 tivating new acquaintance; and, as it frequently hap- 
 pens to those who have deservedly forfeited the public 
 esteem, he endeavoured to indemnify himself lor the 
 lo.ss of character and the want of respectable society, 
 by an unbounded indulgence in sensual pleasure, and 
 the company of a few dependents ; to which he added 
 the contemplation of accumulating wealth, which in- 
 deed was the only mental enjoyment he had, as well as 
 the only cause of his remaining out of Europe ; for, ac- 
 cording to the custom of money-makers, he had set 
 his heart on a particular sum, and was resolved not to 
 quit the superintendence of his own affairs till he had 
 acquired it, after which he proposed to pass the rest of 
 his life in uninterrupted enjoyment. 
 
 In this manner, therefore, Zeluco spent a few more 
 miserable years in the West Indies; miserable surely 
 they must have been, for what bodily gratifications, 
 what accumulation oP riches, could prevent that man 
 from being wretched, whom no one approached that 
 Could avoid it, whom no one served but through fear, 
 and who was conscious of being the object of the hatred 
 and execration of all who knew him ? 
 
 Fatigued and jaded by a life of comfortless voluptu-
 
 80 ZELUCO. 
 
 ousness, and finding a favourable opportunity of dispo- 
 sing of an estate he had purchased to great advantage 
 in the island of Hispaniola, as well as a considerable 
 part of his estate in Cuba, he granted a lea.se of the re- 
 mainder, settled his affairs, remitted his money to Eu- 
 rope, and prepared to return to his native country, in 
 expectation that his wealth would procure him there 
 that happiness which he found it unable to produce in 
 the West Indies. But before he finally left this part 
 of the world, he resolved to settle an account, which, 
 in his own vengeful heart, he thought he justly owed 
 to his neighbour the Portuguese merchant. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Perfidy and revenge. 
 
 IN giving an account of Zeluco's adventure with the 
 Portuguese merchant, it was remarked, that he slipped 
 out of his own house and returned unobserved by his 
 wife or any other person. With like caution he ever 
 after abstained from mentioning what had happened. 
 
 When it became publicly known that Zeluco had 
 been stabbed, the Portuguese expressed e<|ual surprise, 
 and rather more concern than other people, and was 
 exceedingly attentive in sending messages of inquiry 
 about his health. 
 
 One of Zeluco's slaves having run away the same 
 evening on which his master was stabbed, it was gene- 
 rally believed that this slave had done the deed. Ze- 
 luco himself encouraged that report, and for obvious 
 reasons discouraged all pursuit or search for the fugi- 
 tive. He had no doubt, however, that the real perpe- 
 trator of the fact was the Portuguese ; and strongly 
 suspected that the wife was an accomplice. On his 
 recovery, however, he thanked his Portuguese neigh-
 
 61 
 
 bour with the most satisfied air imaginable for his ob- 
 liging inquiries, and descanted with every appearance 
 of conviction on the treachery and ingratitude of the 
 fugitive slave who had so basely attempted to murder 
 him. 
 
 No man was ever more ready to forget a good office 
 done to him than Zeluco, and none ever more tena- 
 ciously remembered an injury : these opposite turns of 
 disposition generally go together. 
 
 While Zeluco carefully concealed his suspicions 
 within his own breast, he determined to act as if these 
 suspicions amounted to certainty, and to be fully re- 
 venged of both the husband and wife. He saw, how- 
 ever, that it behoved him to act with great circum- 
 spection, and it was not easy to form what he consi- 
 dered as a suitable plan of revenge j for, whatever con- 
 cern the Portuguese had seemed to take in the health 
 of Zeluco, he did not carry his dissimulation the length 
 of renewing their intimacy. His wife, likewise, ob- 
 served the utmost reserve towards Zeluco, giving him 
 no opportunity of demanding an explanation of what 
 was past, or of renewing the intrigue. 
 
 She had not proved with child during the first two 
 years of 'her marriage, but in the course of that in 
 which her adventure with Zeluco took place she 
 bore a son. As the husband had been uncommonly 
 anxious to have children, his impatience on that head 
 had made him almost despair of ever having any. His 
 joy on the happy event was equal to his former unea?- 
 siness, and his fondness for his wife was redoubled by 
 his satisfaction in being a father j while the augmented 
 attention which he paid her, joined to the natural af- 
 foction she felt for her child, operated a favourable al- 
 teration in her character, and Confirmed her virtuous 
 resolutions. 
 
 Zeluco understood, with redoubled wrath and ma- 
 lignity, that two people he mortally hated lived with
 
 82 ZELUCO. 
 
 mutual confidence, and in the happiest union. Some- 
 times he had the mortification of hearing them quoted 
 as a striking example of parental affection and conjugal 
 felicity. He at length founded his scheme of revenge 
 on a knowledge of these circumstances, and resolved 
 to attack their happiness in its source. 
 
 By a few presents, and the intervention of his valet, 
 he gained the maid of the Portuguese ; and without 
 exactly explaining what his views were, he prevailed 
 on her to be sdbservient to them. 
 
 He was informed by the girl, that the nurse some- 
 times carried the child to a shady seat at a small 
 distance from her master's house. Zeluco passed 
 that way one day, when he knew of the Portuguese 
 and his lady being elsewhere. He expressed the 
 greatest joy at the sight of the child ; took it in his 
 arms, and fondled it with every appearance of the ten- 
 derest affection. He earnestly and repeatedly begged 
 of the nurse to be exceedingly careful of the sweet 
 infant, presented her with a purse of gold as a reward 
 for her past care, and promised her another in due 
 time, provided she persevered in her tenderness. He 
 earnestly entreated the woman not to mention what 
 had passed to her master j and taking his leave with 
 seeming reluctance, entreated her to return to the same 
 place with the child as often as she should know that 
 her master was absent, or engaged with company. He 
 ad several i nterviews of the same kind in the same 
 place within die space of a month. 
 
 Whatever reflections occurred to the nurse on these 
 secret vis'us, and his extraordinary affection for the 
 child, she kept a prudent silence, and hoarded them 
 carefully up within her breast, as a precicns fund tobtf 
 expended among her particular friends and gos.sips on 
 future occasions. 
 
 Zeluco at length arranged matters so that the lady 
 and her maid approached the place while he was ca-
 
 ZELUCO. 83 
 
 ressing the child ; and as soon as he was satisfied that 
 they observed him, he delivered the infant with preci- 
 pitation into the nurse's arms and retired. 
 
 The lady, greatly surprised at what she had seen, 
 questioned the nurse ; who with some hesitation (as 
 the maid was present) told her all that passed, with- 
 out suppressing a circumstance, except that of her hav- 
 ing received the purse. 
 
 The 1 )dy was more and more at a loss what con- 
 struction to put on so strange and unlooked-for an in- 
 cident. She asked the nurse, Whether she had ever 
 mentioned this matter to her master ? 
 
 A'o, never ; 1 do assure your ladyship I never did, 
 replied the nurse with earnestness. 
 
 I do not know why you should not, said the mistress, 
 with affected unconcern ; as there seems something a 
 little extraordinary in this man's taking so much notice 
 of the child, I think it would be proper that my hus- 
 band should be informed of it. 
 
 Lord, madam, said the maid, who was instructed to 
 prevent fins, if the nurse were to inform my master of 
 all those who caress and seem fond of the child, she 
 could do nothing else ; every mortal is struck with 
 his beauty ; and Signor Zeluco, in admiring and ca- 
 ressing him, does no more than others. To mention 
 him in particular to my master would seem exceed- 
 ingly odd. The mistress seeming still to balance 
 whether it would not be her safest course to acquaint 
 her husband the maid continued : I will refer it to 
 the nurse, if any body could ever look on the child 
 without admiration. The nurse declared,' that no- 
 body ever could. Only look at him yourself, madam, 
 continued the maid; observe how like an angel he 
 smiles. Can you be uneasy, or think it extraordinary, 
 that all the world should admire and wish to caress 
 such a delightful creature? 
 
 The moiher, whose eyes were fixed on the child
 
 64 S4ELUCO. 
 
 during this harangue, thought, as she gazed, that the 
 incident which had given her uneasiness was less ex- 
 traordinary u'jan she had at first imagined ; and at length 
 allowed herself to believe, that it was very natural 
 for Zeluco, or any other person, to behave as he had 
 done. 
 
 Let those who are ready to accuse this poor woman 
 of excessive weakness, remember that she was a mo- 
 ther, and that the infant, though far from being hand- 
 some, was her first-born and only child. 
 
 Yet as she is represented as not deficient in quick- 
 ness of thought and clearness of understanding, she 
 may be thought to have acted inconsistently with 
 this character, in attempting to conceal from her 
 husband what he was so likely, to come to the know- 
 ledge of, from the babbling propensity natural to 
 nurses and maids. If I am not mistaken, however, 
 the sex in general are apt to shrink from present in- 
 conveniences, even when sensible that by encounter- 
 ing them they would obviate (he risk of future mis- 
 fortunes. The lady was certain that the knowledge 
 of Zeluco's secret visits to the child would throw her 
 husband into immediate ill humour, and awaken very 
 disagreeable reflections in his mind. She flattered her- 
 self, that he might never hear a word of the matter, 
 and she could not bear to disturb the present calm to 
 secure herself from a future storm, which possibly 
 might never occur. In behaving as she did in this 
 particular, she will be kept in countenance by many 
 who oct on the same principles in matters of far greater 
 importance ; but she seems to have been entirely foi> 
 saken by her natural sagacity, when she anxiously en- 
 joined the nurse and her own maid to conceal v. hat had 
 happened from her husband. For it required but a 
 superficial glance of their dispositions to perceive, that 
 this was giving them an additional incitement to re- 
 veal it.
 
 ZRLUCO. 83 
 
 She was probably tempted (o this inconsiderate 
 step, by the knowledge she had that Zelnco was 
 soon to return to Europe ; and she lost no time in 
 persuading her husband to remove with his family to 
 his house in town, that Zeluco might not be tempted 
 to seek another interview ; and she resolved to keep 
 herself and the child sequestered from any chance of 
 meeting him before his departure from the island. 
 
 Zeluco being informed of these circumstances by 
 the maid, who, on the pretence of some necessary 
 arrangements, remained one day after the departure 
 of her master and mistress ; he, io prosecution of his 
 base scheme, gave her a letter, which he desired her 
 to place in such a situation as to be observed by the 
 former, and seem to have dropped from the latter. 
 When the maid joined the family in town, she exe- 
 cuted these orders with but too much dexterity. 
 While she stood behind her mistress, who was writ- 
 ing, the husband entered the room a little abruptly, 
 and told his wife that somebody wished to speak to 
 her in the parlour. She immediately locked up her 
 papers into a small writing-desk, and withdrew. As 
 she rose, the maid took that opportunity of dropping 
 the letter she had received from Zeluco, beneath the 
 seat her mistress was quitting, and immediately fol- 
 lowed her out of the room. The husband picked up 
 the letter, which was unsealed, rumpled, addressed to 
 his wife, and conceived in the following terms : 
 
 "It is impossible for me, my dearest sor.l, to ex- 
 press the happiness I have enjoyed in seeing and ca- 
 ressing the sweet pledge of our mutual love j I shall 
 never forget your kind attention, in directing the nurse 
 to the spot where I had that delicious enjoyment. I 
 must, however, acquiesce in the prudence of your 
 determination, to persuade your tyrant to move for 
 some time to his house in town, where an interview 
 may be arranged with less danger, and I shall wait 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 86 ZELUCO. 
 
 with as much patience as I am able for that happy 
 moment. 
 
 " P. S. 1 continue to disguise my writing, and 
 earnestly recommend to you the same pre- 
 caution." 
 
 The astonishment and rage of the Portuguese on 
 reading this may be easier imagined than described ; 
 seizing his wife's writing-desk, which stood upon a 
 table, he carried it into his own apartment, and there 
 read over and over the fatal scroll which filled his 
 heart with anguish. Notwithstanding the disguise of 
 the writing, he easily distinguished it to be that of Ze- 
 Inco, which left him no doubt of his wife's infide- 
 lity. The first violence of his wrath and indignation 
 might have proved fatal to her, had it not been damp- 
 ed and counteracted, in some measure, by the grief 
 and dejection he felt, that the child he so dearly loved, 
 and had been so proud of, might not be his own, but 
 the offspring of his detested enemy. 
 
 The impression of sorrow, from whatever cause it 
 is derived, mollifies the violence of rage, and the 
 conflict of those opposite sentiments in the present 
 instance repressed a little the madness of the hus- 
 band's fury. However convinced he was of his wife's 
 guilt, he could not be certain ihat the child was not 
 his own : and all his rage against the mother couid 
 not unloose the bonds of affection which nature and 
 the child's infantine endearments had twined around 
 his heart. 
 
 Hearing the voice of the nurse and the maid in (he 
 passage, he called them into his apartment, and shut- 
 ting the door, he, with as much serenity as he could 
 assume, questioned the nurse, whether any man was 
 in the use of accosting her at a particular place which 
 he named, and of caressing the child. 
 
 The woman denied that any such thing had ever 
 happened.
 
 ZELUCO. 87 
 
 Be sure, woman, that you speak truth, said the 
 Portuguese. 
 
 I would not depart from the (ruth, said the nurse, 
 for ail the gold in Mexico. 
 
 The Portuguese repeated the question, and the nurse 
 gave the same answer. 
 
 Thou abominable wretch, cried he, I have certain 
 information of the contrary ; and nothing but an 
 avowal of the truth shall save thee from punishment 
 here, and a long expiation in purgatory hereafter ! 
 
 I have told the truth, said the woman, hesitating 
 with conscious falsehood. 
 
 The Portuguese, with augmented rage and repeated 
 threats, continued to question her. 
 
 She at length acknowledged, that Signor Zeluco 
 had several times met her at the place he mentioned, 
 and had shown great fondness for the child. 
 
 Wretch ! cried the enraged Portuguese ; why did 
 you deny this ? 
 
 The nurse was silent. 
 
 What harm did you imagine there was in that 
 man's seeing and caressing the child ? 
 
 No harm in the wide world, said the nurse ; for if 
 there had been any harm I should never have permit- 
 ted it. 
 
 Wherefore then did you conceal it from me ? and 
 wherefore did you so solemnly deny it just now ? 
 
 The confounded woman finding herself so hard be- 
 set, and quite unable to extricate herself by prevarica- 
 tion, acknowledged, that she had concealed it from 
 him at the request of her mistress. 
 
 I suspected as much, cried the husband. 
 
 But my mistress, interrupted the maid, desired her 
 to conceal it for no other reason but merely that your 
 honour might be saved the uneasiness of hearing 
 that another man was in the practice of caressing 
 and showing such paternal affection to your child, 
 i 2
 
 S3 ZELL'CO. 
 
 The wrath of the Portuguese, which had been for 
 some time glowing, was so instantaneously kindled 
 by this suggestion, that he struck the maid an un- 
 manly blow on the face, so that the blood gushed 
 from her nose and mouth ; in which Condition she ran 
 to her mistress, who was just returned to her own 
 apartment. 
 
 The poor woman was exceedingly terrified at her 
 husband's violence, and her fear was rot diminished 
 when she understood the cause of it. She was 
 now sensible of her imprudence, in concealing from 
 her husband Zeluco's treacherous visits to her child, 
 and in depending on the discretion or fidelity of ser- 
 vants. She knew nothing however of the letter, and 
 imagined that her husband's ill-humour proceeded 
 solely from his hearing of Zeluco's behaviour. She 
 thought her best course was to explain the whole to 
 him without further delay. 
 
 She flew into his apartment, assured "him that the 
 information which displeased him had given still more 
 vexation to her, and that when the r.urse acquainted 
 her with it, her own first impulse had been to men- 
 tion it directly to him ; that she sincerely repented 
 her not having done so, for she was now convinced 
 that a virtuous woman should have no secrets con 
 cealed from her husband. 
 
 The Portuguese, who had listened hitherto with a 
 stern countenance, burst into a laugh, which, forcing 
 its way through features distorted with anger and 
 the thoughts of vengeance, chilled his wife with hor- 
 ror. She proceeded in a confused manner to assure 
 him, that however improper it was not to acquaint 
 him with \vhat the nurse told him, she had refrained 
 for no other reason than to save him uneasiness. 
 
 Your faithful confidant and you adhere I find to the 
 same story, and are both equally tender of giving me 
 mieasiness, said the . Portuguese, renewing his fright-
 
 ZELUCO. 8 
 
 ful laugh j but be assured, faithless woman, that you 
 shall not deceive me twice, and that your punishment, 
 if possible, shall equal your guilt. 
 
 What guilt ? Alas ! I know no guilt, cried the 
 trembling woman ; I am innocent as the babe 
 newly born. 
 
 Before you have the effrontery to speak of inno- 
 cence-, you should learn to be more careful of your 
 letters look at this, cried he, holding the letter open 
 before her eyes. 
 
 Holy Virgin ! cried the astonished woman, as she 
 perused the letter ; I never saw this paper before, 
 it is a forgery of the villain's to deceive you, and ruin 
 me. 
 
 How came this forgery of the villain's to drop out 
 of your pocket ? said the husband. 
 
 It assuredly dropped not out of my pocket, replied 
 she ; for as I hope for mercy from Heaven I never 
 saw the paper before. 
 
 No, never ; to be sure, said the husband, with a 
 ghastly sneer j You you are innocent as the babe 
 newly born. 
 
 I am indeed, exclaimed the wife ; and when you, 
 have patience and coolness to examine the whole mat- 
 ter, you will find so. 
 
 What examination is necessary ? cried he ; what 
 confirmation can be added to such a letter as this ? 
 this infallible evidence of your shame ! 
 
 That letter is an evidence of nothing, but of the 
 mean revenge of a disappointed villain, i beseech 
 you therefore, added she, laying hold of his arm ; I 
 earnestly beseech you, for the sake of your child, for 
 
 your Think not, interrupted he, shaking off 
 
 her hand, to deceive me again ; begone to your 
 chamber, and repent, for be assured that I will have 
 ample revenge. So saying, he thrust her rudely 
 out of the rco;i3, and shut the door with violence, 
 i3
 
 2ELUCO. 
 
 She wns put to bed, and passed the rest of the day 
 and the whole night in anxiety and terror. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Unjust accusations seldom affect us much, lutfiwin 
 some justice in them. 
 
 A s soon as he was alone, the husband broke open her 
 writing-desk ; but after a very strict scrutiny he found 
 nothing to justify the insinuations of the letter, or in 
 the smallest degree to confirm his suspicions: But 
 what confirmation is needed, said he, of her criminal 
 connection with this man ? why should he wish to 
 see the child in a clandestine manner ? why did she 
 order the nurse to conceal this from me ? And above 
 all, this letter, in which he has in vain attempted to 
 disguise his hand-writing, must have fallen from her 
 pocket ! O ! her guilt is manifest. 
 
 In reflections of this nature, and in forming plans 
 of vengeance, the Portuguese passed as sleepless a 
 night as his lady. 
 
 The following d:iy she was so ill that she kept her 
 bed ; the husband went not once to inquire for her, 
 nor did he send any message : he also kept his apart- 
 ment, and was heard walking backwards and forward 
 with a hurried pace the whole of that day. 'I he next 
 forenoon the physician who had formerly attended Ze- 
 luco called accidentally, and was taken immediately 
 to see the lady, one of the servants having informed 
 him she was indisposed. 
 
 As she had the greatest confidence in the doctor's 
 good sense and prudence, and knew also that her hus- 
 band had a very high opinion of him, she informed 
 him of the true cause of her illness; Zeluco's visits 
 to the child ; her own imprudence in ordering the
 
 ZELUCO. 91 
 
 nurse to conceal them ; of his hearing of them ; his 
 jealousy thereupon, and of the hoi rid anonymous 
 letter. 
 
 The first thing that struck the physician in her nar- 
 rative was, that no motive was assigned for the base 
 scheme, the lady imputed to Zeluco : he hinted this 
 to her. 
 
 She said, it must have proceeded from the natural 
 malice of the man's wicked heart ; she knew of no 
 other motive. 
 
 The physician observed, that it was hardly credible 
 thnt any man would form such a shocking scheme 
 without some more particular cause. 
 
 The lady, peiceiviug the force of this remark, 
 thought herself obliged to mention her first connec- 
 tion with Zeluco ; although that was a subject on 
 which she never thought without pain. She could 
 not help however giving as favourable a gloss to her 
 story as possible, by declaring, that Zeluco had for- 
 merly had the insolence to make love to her ; that no 
 woman was safe from an insult of this nature -, yet, 
 as it is generally imagined that men seldom make such 
 declarations but where they have reason to hope they 
 will be well received, she had naturally wished to 
 conceal this incident, though she had heard his wicked 
 proposal with equal surprise and horror j and had, in 
 consequence of his persevering, been obliged to acquaint 
 her husband 5 and, finally, she now suspected that the 
 pride of the man hurt by her resistance, so different 
 from what he was accustomed to, had prompted him to 
 this diabolical schen.e on purpose to ruin her. 
 
 It is evident that in this narrative the lady did not 
 adhere exactly to the truth, but thought proper to 
 sink the circumstance of her having at first agreed 
 to meet Zeluco. If all those forgive her for this 
 part of her conduct, who, in relating facts in which 
 themselves are concerned, are apt to leave out what
 
 92 ZELUCO. 
 
 makes against them, and put in the most conspicuous 
 point of view whatever is in their favour, it is to be 
 presumed that the Portuguese lady will not be cen- 
 sured by a vast number of our readers. 
 
 The physician, it is probable, made allowance for a 
 bias so very general among men, and from which the 
 fair sex themselves are not entirely free. 
 
 After inquiring very minutely into every circum- 
 stance, his suspicion fixed strongly on the maid as an 
 agent of Zelnco's. On his hinting this to the lady, 
 she declared, that of all her family this girl was the 
 last she could suspect j because she had always dis- 
 played the most unbounded attachment to herself, 
 and often expressed, particularly of late, an aversion to 
 Zeluco. 
 
 This did not weaken the physician's suspicions. 
 Poor girl, continued the mistress, she is of a delicate 
 constitution, and subject to hysterical fits ; she was 
 much terrified by my husband's treatment of herself, 
 but still more on seeing me so ill. I happened to say 
 that I feared it would kill me ; on which she \vas seized 
 with a violent trembling, and has kept her bed ever 
 since. 
 
 The physician asked, whether the lady had ever, in- 
 trusted this maid, who seemed to be a great favourite, 
 with any secret which it would give her uneasiness to 
 have revealed. 
 
 The lady answered, with some warmth, that she 
 had no such secret ; that she cared not if all the actions 
 of her life were made public ; that she defied the 
 power of malice; and thus she ran on with a zeal 
 and fluency natural to people who are endeavouring to 
 justify themselves, and are conscious of not being en- 
 tirely innocent ; she concluded by asserting, that 
 (here was no part of her conduct she wished hid from 
 the world. 
 . The physician having waited till, being out of breath,
 
 ZKLUCO. 93 
 
 she stopped, he then calmly observed, that his question 
 was not of so extensive a nature as she seemed to 
 imagine 5 that he was not so imper inent as to inquire 
 whether she had ever done what she \vi.- hec! to conceal 
 from the world, but only whether her maid was ac- 
 quainted with any thing of that nature. 
 
 Certainly not, said the lady ; since I am not myself 
 conscious of any such secret, how is it possible that 
 my maid could be acquainted with it ? I admire the 
 acuteness and logical precision with which you reason, 
 madam, said the doctor ; but I should be glad to know 
 whether this maid was in your service at the time you 
 mention, when Signer Zeluco paid his addresses to 
 you. 
 
 If she had, she could have known nothing of that 
 nature, said she. Certainly not, said the doctor ; but 
 I wish to know the fact, Was she or was she not? She 
 was not, answered the lady, t o much the better, re- 
 sumed the doctor. I ask pardon, madam, for being 
 so inquisitive ; but I thought it of importance to have 
 this point cleared up befors I visit the maid, which I 
 now mean to do with a view to discover, if possible, 
 by whose means the letter was thrown in your hus- 
 band's way ; if that can be traced to the person you 
 suspect, your justification follows of course. 
 
 So saying, he left the lady, and was conducted into 
 the maid's chamber, and left with her alone. Tbe 
 maid immediately inquired how her mistress was ? 
 
 Your mistress is very ill indeed, replied the physi- 
 cian, looking at her with a penetrating eye ; some 
 monster of wickedness has been bribed to ruin that 
 worthy woman : you know of the forged letter which 
 was thrown in your master's way do you not ? 
 
 I have heard of such a thing, said the maid, changing 
 colour. 
 
 Have you any notion who has been guilty of such 
 a perfidious action ? said the physician, still fixing her.
 
 91 ZELUCO. 
 
 Lord, sir ! how can I have any notion ? replied the 
 {mid. 
 
 Could you have believed, resumed the doctor, that 
 such a viper crawled upon the earth ? 
 
 I could hardly have thought it, replied the maid, 
 with a languid voice. 
 
 Do you not think that the vengeance of heaven will 
 pursue the vile wretcli ? said the physician. 
 
 Perhaps she will repent before she dies, said the 
 maid, trembling. 
 
 She I repeated the physician how do you know she 
 is a woman ? 
 
 Me ! I, I know nothing ; no, nothing in the 
 least, said the maid, in confusion ; only if she is a wo- 
 man, I hope she will repent before she dies. 
 
 If she is a woman, cried the physician, she is a dis- 
 grace to her sex, and the vengeance of heaven will 
 overtake her in this life,, and hell awaits her in the 
 next, unless she confesses her crime, and prevents the 
 ruin of an innocent lady : But how are you yourself? 
 you seem very ill. 
 
 I am indeed not well, replied the maid. The phy- 
 sician, feeling her pulse, cried with a voice of surprise, 
 Good God, you are very ill indeed; let me see your 
 tongue. Gracious heaven ! what is this ! why, I had 
 no idea of your being in this way. 
 
 O, dear doctor, cried the maid, do not frighten me ; 
 you do not imagine 1 am in danger of dying? 
 
 Danger! said the doctor; yes, assuredly : yet, per- 
 haps, at least, I hope you still may recover; that is, 
 provided you in short, i will do all 1 can for you ; 
 but if you have any spiritual or worldly affairs to settle, 
 you had best set about it directly. 
 
 The doctor, having ordered her some medicines, 
 went into the apartment of the Portuguese, whom he 
 found alone and in a very gloomy mood. He ex- 
 pressed satisfaction, however, at seeing the physician.
 
 ZELUCO. 95 
 
 who immediately told him that his lady had informed 
 him of what had happened. Her assurance must equal 
 her guilt, cried the Portuguese, to enable her to men- 
 tion it. He then poured out a torrent of abuse against 
 his wife. The physician did not think proper to in- 
 terrupt him ; but when he had done, he coolly asked 
 what proofs he had of her guilt? 
 
 The Portuguese enumerated the circumstances of 
 Zeluco's behaviour towards the child, his wife's hav- 
 ing instructed the nurse and maid to conceal it, and 
 then showed him the letter. 
 
 The physician, having heard him patiently, endea- 
 voured to make him sensible that all these circum- 
 stances were not sufficient to justify the inferences 
 which he drew against a lady who had a ways behaved 
 with affection to him, and the greatest tenderness to 
 his child. Besides, added he, these circumstances, 
 inconclusive as they are, lose much of their weight, if 
 they can a'<l be accounted for on the very probable sup- 
 position of their being contrived by an enemy. 
 
 The letter! the letter! cried the Portuguese. 
 Well, said the doctor, the letter is of a piece with the 
 clandestine visits ; it was no difficult matter to bribe 
 some person to throw a letter in your way in such a 
 manner as that it would appear to have dropt from 
 your lady. Recollect if there was any person in the 
 room with her immediately before you observed the 
 letter. 
 
 Nobody but her own confidential maid, said the 
 hv.sband. 
 
 And if an enemy had formed the scheme of ruining 
 you both in tnis manner, who would he think of se- 
 ducing as an assistant so likely as the domestic who 
 attended her person ? Consider also, continued the 
 doctor, how very improbable it is that she would keep 
 such a letter in her pocket.
 
 (Jf3 ZELUCO. 
 
 Jf guilty people were always cautious, they would 
 not be so often detected as they are, said the Portuguese. 
 
 But is it not natural to think, rejoined the doctor, 
 that the same want of caution \vhich made her wear 
 a letter of this importance carelessly in her pocker, 
 would have appeared when you examined her papers? 
 Did you find among them any other letters to the same 
 purpose with this ? 
 
 He answered, that he had not. 
 
 This, therefore, i.s a fair presumption, said the doc- 
 tor, that there never was any ; that the letter you found 
 was purposely thrown in your way by the direciion 
 o c some person equally the enemy of you and your 
 lady. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 Comfortable hints to married men. 
 
 WHILK they were conversing, the Capuchin, who had 
 attendee! lianno in. his dying moments, was introduced. 
 This venerable person was spiritual director to all the 
 Christians white and black in the family. The Portu- 
 guese immediately ordered, as was his custom, some 
 cold victuals a IK! a large flask of wine to be set before 
 the father, who h:ul only time to drink a few glasses, 
 when a message came from the sick maid, who ear- 
 nestly wished to see him. He was rising with re- 
 luctance from his repast, when the physician bt-gged 
 his delay for a moment ; and taking the Portugue-;-.; 
 to a corner of the room, he, in a few words, explained 
 his intention ; which the oilier, on whom the doctor's 
 arguments had already made some impression, having 
 approved, they turned to the father, who in this in- 
 terval had finished his flask of wii;e The doctor then 
 informed him, that a very unfortunate affair had hap-
 
 ZELUCO. 97 
 
 pened, in which he might be of service ; that in short 
 a discovery had been made, that the lady of the Louse 
 had been unfaithful to her husband, as was proved by 
 a letter from her lover, which she had dropt ; that a 
 plan was already formed for punishing her in an ex- 
 emplary manner; that in the mean time she was kept 
 in confinement till endeavours were made to discover 
 those who had assisted in carrying on the correspon- 
 dence with her lover, as there was reason to think she 
 had been assisted by some person in the family. 
 
 The Capuchin, who was a little warmed with wine, 
 and who valued himself greatly on his eloquence, and 
 on the han])}' talent bethought he possessed of consol- 
 ing the afflicted, could not allow so fair an occasion of 
 displaying it to slip unimproved : addressing himself 
 therefore to the Portuguese, he expressed his concern 
 far the misfortune which had happened to him, ob- 
 serving at the same time, that however painful it might 
 be, his case was by no means uncommon ; for that a 
 large proportion of husbands laboured under the same 
 calamity. Not, continued he, that I mean to insinu- 
 ate that any number being in the same predicament 
 renders you, my worthy iiiend, less a cuckold than if 
 you were the only one upon earth. I only mention 
 this circumstance, because, although not much to the 
 honour of human nature, yet there is reason to think 
 that mankind in general derive consolation from the 
 thoughts of others being in the s^me disagreeable situ- 
 ation with themselves. I therefore assure you, that 
 even among my acquaintance there are many, some 
 of them very respectable gentlemen, to whom the 
 same accident has happened that there is so much rea- 
 son to think has befallen you, notwithstanding which 
 they live as easy and comfortably as they did before; 
 this depends entirely on people's way of thinking. 
 Things of this kind are undoubtedly rather unpleasant 
 at first ; but when we are accustomed to them, thej 
 
 VOL. i. K.
 
 98 ZELUCO. 
 
 give little or no uneasiness ; for habit reconciles us ts 
 any thing. 
 
 The Capuchin was a man of influence in the island; 
 and the Portuguese, who had been, although unjustly, 
 accused of Judaism, had more reasons than one for 
 wishing to keep on good terms with him ; }et he 
 could not help betraying his impatience at the reverend 
 father's manner of comforting him, by a most ago- 
 nizing contortion of countenance at the last observa- 
 tion ; which the other observing, he added, I perceive, 
 sir, that you do not bear this dispensation with the 
 resignation you ought; I must therefore desire that 
 you will keep in your remembrance, that it has been 
 undoubtedly permitted for some wise purpose ; it will 
 therefore be as impious as unavailing for you to mur- 
 mur, for what has happened admits of no remedy. 
 Now that the thing is clone, it cannot be undone, at 
 least I- nlever yet heard of any method by which a 
 man can be uncuckolded : this, my valuable friend, 
 is the peculiar cruelty of your case ; another person 
 commits the crime, and you who are innocent sutler 
 the shame. And what is still more vexatious, although 
 one wicked woman can place her husband in this op- 
 probrious state, all the virtuous women on earth can- 
 not take him out of it. I beg you will further ob- 
 serve Here the eloquent father was interrupted 
 
 in the middle of his harangue by another message 
 from the maid ; and was with some difficulty prevailed 
 on by the physician to go directly, without waiting to 
 finish his discourse. 
 
 When he was gone, th6 physician remarked to the 
 Portuguese, that in the present state of the maid's mind 
 she would probably confess every thing she knew to 
 the father, and was impatient to see "him forttiat very 
 purpose ; that although the Capuchin was bound not 
 to mention what was revealed to him in confession, 
 yet there would be no great difficulty in gathering
 
 ZELUCO. 99 
 
 from him, particularly in his present trim, the im- 
 port of all the maid should say, without his intending 
 to inform them of a tittle. 
 
 1 be physician was right in his conjecture. The 
 maid, terrified with the idea of immediate death, 
 made a confession of her sins to the priest, and par- 
 ticularly acknowledged that she had been prevailed on 
 by Zeluco's \ulet, to throw under the chair of her 
 mistress a paper which he gave her, and which she now, 
 to her great affliction, understood had produced the 
 most mischievous consequences to her mistress ; but 
 the import of which she did not fully understand at 
 the time; otherwise, she added, in alleviation of her 
 conduct, she would not have been accessary to so 
 great a crime. 
 
 The priest, although not the clearest-headed of his 
 profession, had understanding enough to tell her, that 
 the best reparation she could make was by a full avow- 
 al of this to her master, and he refused to give her 
 absolution on any other conditions. On the maid's 
 consenting to this, the father returned to the Portu- 
 guese, whom he found in his apartment with the 
 'doctor; and addressing himself to the former, he 
 begged Fhat he would attend him to the maid, who 
 had something of the last importance to commu- 
 nicate. 
 
 They went accordingly, accompanied by the phy- 
 sician. The maid, with a flood of tears, and the 
 most earnest supplications to her master for his forgive- 
 ness, made an avowal of what she had told the priest : 
 confessing at the same time, that she had prevented 
 her mistress from informing him of Zeluco's inter- 
 views with the child, which was her intention the 
 moment she was informed of them ; ana -this the 
 maid owned she had done at the desire of the same 
 valet who had given her the paper. 
 
 The Portuguese with difficulty restrained his indig- 
 K 2
 
 100 ZELUCO. 
 
 nation against the woman; at length, however, he 
 was prevailed on to say he forgave her, and imme- 
 diately desired to see the nurse. When she appeared, 
 he asked in what manner his wife had expressed her- 
 self when first she was informed of Zeluco's behaviour 
 to the child. The nurse naturally, and without hesi- 
 tation, declared, that her mistress had insisted on her 
 husband's being informed directly, bu: was dissuaded 
 from that measure by the maid. 
 
 After a few more questions, being fully convinced 
 of his wife's innocence, he repaired along with the 
 priest and the physician to the apartment in which she 
 was confined; apologized in the most earnest man- 
 ner for the ill-treatment she had received ; begged 
 her forgiveness for the suspicions he had harboured ; 
 declared his perfect confidence in her virtue, which, 
 he added, it should never again be in the power of 
 villany or malice to shake. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 He 
 
 Compounds for sins he v.as mclin'd to, 
 
 By damning those he had no mind to." BUTLER. 
 
 THE lady behaved with tha utmost propriety on the 
 occasion ; throwing the whole blame on the villain 
 who had woven snch an artful net of circumstances as 
 might have caught the belief of the least suspicious 
 of husbands. 
 
 Dearly shall he pay for his viilany, said the Por- 
 tuguese. 
 
 Leave him to the torments of his own conscience, 
 rejoined his wife. 
 
 Jn case his conscience should not torment him 
 sufficiently, said the father, the deficiency will be
 
 ZF.LUCO. 10t 
 
 amply made up to him before he gets out of pur- 
 gatory. 
 
 The physician then drew the father out of the 
 room, thinking the husband and wife would complete 
 their reconciliation in the most satisfactory manner by 
 themselves. He told them, however, as he retired, 
 that he would have the pleasure of dining with them, 
 and then walked with the priest into the garden, where 
 he remained till dinner was announced. 
 
 His view in remaining was to endeavour to turn 
 the Portuguese from thoughts of revenge, which he 
 suspected to be brooding in his breast. 
 
 Being left alone with him after they had dined, he 
 observed, that however strongly he was convinced of 
 Zeluco's being the .writer of the letter, yet as he had 
 had the precaution to disguise his hand-writing, it 
 would be fruitless to found any legal prosecution upon 
 that circumstance. 
 
 I despise all legal prosecution, cried the Portuguese; 
 but I will find means of doing myself justice without 
 any such tedious and uncertain process. The phy- 
 sician apprehending that he meant to challenge him, 
 represented that as a most absurd and uncertain me- 
 thod of repairing an injury ; and the Portuguese, who 
 had no such plan in his head, listened calmly to his 
 arguments, and at length seemed to be convinced by 
 their force, on purpose to deceive the physician, and 
 prevent his suspecting the real design he had in view. 
 
 In a short time Zeluco was informed that the base 
 train he had laid for the ruin of the Portuguese and 
 his lady, with every circumstance of his perfidious 
 conduct, was discovered by the husband ; and although 
 the particular cause of their misunderstanding was 
 not publicly known, yet he was told that it had been 
 whispered about, that he was hurrying out of the 
 island to avoid the resentment of the merchant. 
 
 This rumour determined him to postpone his voy- 
 K 3
 
 102 ZELUCO. 
 
 age for some time, that he might give his enemy an 
 opportunity of calling him to the field if he chose it ; 
 or in case he did not, that the world might be con- 
 vinced that Zeluco himself was not afraid to give him 
 that species of satisfaction. 
 
 Il appears in the course of this narrative that Zeluco, 
 however defective he was in other virtues, possessed 
 a considerable share of constitutional intrepidity : in 
 the early part of his life, from sheer vanity, he had 
 oftener than once courted opportunities of distinguish- 
 ing himself by a duel ; and through the whole of his 
 lite he showed, that whatever injustice or wickedness 
 he was tempted to commit, he had also sufficient firm- 
 ness to justify, if he thought that measure expedient ; 
 or to fight any person who accrued him when he 
 thought proper to deny it. Courage was indeed the 
 sole virtue he admired in others, and the only one he 
 possessed himself. It has been often said, that cow- 
 ards only are cruel ; but although it is natural to think, 
 and observation will justify the opinion, that they are 
 more apt to be so than the intrepid, yet there are but 
 too many proofs that one of the most respectable and 
 brilliant qualities which can adorn the character of 
 man, is sometimes united to the most odious that can 
 disgrace humanity, and that courage is not incompa- 
 tible with cruelty. 
 
 Of this Zeluco was a striking example j and the 
 same person who with little regret had forfeited the 
 good opinion of every virtuous mind, cou!d not brook 
 to have it thought that he feared the resentment of 
 the man he was conscious of having injured, or that 
 he would make any apology to him, rather than run 
 the risk of injuring him in a more violent manner. 
 
 In the mean time the suspicions of the physician 
 were not entirely removed by the dissimulation of 
 the Portuguese. Notwithstanding the latter's declin- 
 ing to seek legal or honourable redress from Zekico,
 
 ZELUCO. 103 
 
 the doctor perceived something in his manner, which 
 gave him the impression that the Portuguese meditated 
 a less justifiable measure than either : his benevolence 
 inclined him to prevent what his sagacity and know- 
 ledge of the man's character led him to suspect. His 
 suspicion was confirmed a very short time after by the 
 merchant's wife, who, under pretence of being in- 
 disposed, sent him a very urgent message to come and 
 see her. With perturbation of mind she told him, 
 that she had reason to dread that her husband had 
 formed a very criminal project of being revenged on 
 Zeluco, and watched an opportunity of putting it in 
 execution. She was prompted to this step by no re- 
 gard for Zeluco, but from a horror at the intended 
 deed, and from anxiety for her husband ; adding, that 
 she was afraid. of displaying much eonrern, partly be- 
 cause she did not wish that he should know of her 
 being suspicious of what he intended, and partly that 
 she might not awaken the jealous disposition of her 
 husband : with tears in her eyes, therefore, she en- 
 trea\ed the doctor to exert all his inflaence to turn her 
 husband from such an unjustifiable design ; or, if he 
 failed, to use such means as his own prudence could 
 suggest to render it ineffecuial. 
 
 The good doctor applauded her conduct, and seized 
 the earliest proper opportunity of renewing the sub- 
 ject, which he had once before touched on to the 
 Portuguese j adding, that he feared he still harboured 
 vindictive intentions against Zeluco; representing the 
 danger of such a scheme ; that, however cautiously it 
 might be executed, ho would infallibly be considered 
 as the perpetrator. I know no oth'Jr reason which you 
 cm have for suspecting that I harbour such intentions, 
 said thfl Portuguese, bat your thinking it impossible, 
 after what you know of this man's behaviour, that it 
 should be otherwise. 
 
 You are mistaken, replied the physician ; I think
 
 104 2ELUCO. 
 
 it ought to be otherwise ; and thia is not my reason for 
 harbouring suspicions. 
 
 1 do not tell you, said the Portuguese, that your 
 suspicions aie well- or ill-founded ; but could you be 
 surprised?/' it were as you suspect ? 
 
 Nor shall I be surprised, rejoined the doctor, if you 
 are convicted and executed for gratifying your revenge 
 in such an unjustifiable manner. Come, come, sir, 
 added he, allow yourself to be guided by reason, and 
 not impelled by passion, in this matter : consider what 
 a dreadful situation your wife and child will be in, 
 should any misfortune befall you in consequence of 
 such an attempt. The wisest plan you can follow, 
 since this man is on the point of leaving the island, is 
 to let him go in safety, and it is probable you will 
 never see him more. Here the Portuguese shook his 
 head. Then, sir, resumed the doctor, your next 
 best measure is to challenge him honourably. What 
 right has a man who has acted so perfidiously to ex- 
 pect that he is to be so dealt with ? said the Portuguese. 
 None, replied the doctor ; but were I in your place, 
 I should be more solicitous about what was reputable 
 for myself, than about what my enemy had a right to 
 expect. I only hinted this as being of two evils the 
 least ; and the best argument that can be made use 
 of to one who despises the Christian religion. 
 
 I do not understand you ! What do you mean ? said 
 the Portuguese. "Why, that you are in that predica- 
 ment, answered the physician. 
 
 "Who! I despise the Christian religion! cried the 
 Portuguese, in terror and amazement. 
 
 You seem at least to despise one of its most impor- 
 tant precepts, said the physician ; from which it may 
 naturally be concluded, that you have no great respect 
 for the rest. 
 
 I do not comprehend what you mean, rejoined the 
 Portuguese.
 
 ZEI.UCO. 105 
 
 Yet I have expressed my meaning very plainly, 
 said the physician ; I re-ally do not think you can with 
 propriety be. called a Christian. 
 
 Jesus Maria ! exclaimed the Portuguese, you fill 
 me with horr >r ! Why, sir, [ take the Holy Trinity, 
 the Blessed Virgin, with St. Joseph her husband, St. 
 James, and ail the host of heaven, to witness, that I 
 attend mass regularly, and have always from my in- 
 fancy beiieved in every article of faith which our 
 holy mother church requires ; and I am rea-ly to be- 
 lieve twice as much whenever she is pleased to exact 
 it : if this is not being a Christian, I should be glad 
 to know what is. 
 
 Nay, my good friend, resumed the physic'an, it is 
 a matter of indifference to me what you do or do not 
 believe ; I am not, 1 thank God, your or any man's 
 father confessor: but if you understood the spirit of 
 the Christian religion half as well as you believe what 
 the church exacts, you will find that your attending 
 mass, and all your faith into the bargain, will not 
 make you a Christian, while you indulge such a violent 
 Spirit of revenge. 
 
 As for that, replied the Portuguese, neither the 
 church nor the Christian religion have any thing to do 
 with it; that is my affair, and depends on my private 
 feelings ; and it is impossible for me ever to forgive a 
 Villain who attempted to injure me. 
 
 It is because he attempted to injure you, that it is 
 in your power as a man, and your duty as a Christian, 
 to forgive him. Had he never injured you, nor even 
 attempted it, continued the doctor, it would indeed 
 be impossible for you to have the merit of forgiving 
 him. 
 
 Jt will naturally be imagined, from the vindictive 
 character of this Portuguese, that he was a hypocrite, 
 and pretended to more faith than he really had ; but 
 this was not the case. It never had occurred to his
 
 10(3 ZELUCO. 
 
 mind, that there could be any doubt of the truth of 
 those tenets in which his father and mother had in- 
 structed him, and which he heard venerable-looking 
 men in sacred habits proclaim from all the pulpits of 
 Lisbon. He was decidedly of opinion that none but 
 mobsters ol wickedness, who ought to be burnt in 
 this wcrld by way of preparing them tor the next, 
 could harbour any doubts on such important points ; 
 he had indeed occasionally heard it hinted, that some 
 of those doctrines were incomprehensible, and others 
 contradictory^ but this did not convey to his judge- 
 ment any reason for doubting of their truth. He 
 never omitted, therefore, any of the ceremonies pre- 
 scribed by the church : he confessed his sins regularly, 
 performed penance faithjully, would not eat a morsel 
 of meat on a Friday on any consideration ; and with 
 the most punctual perseverance repeated daily his Pa- 
 ter Noster, Ave Maria, and Credo, to the last bead 
 of his rosary. A person who thought that the whole 
 of Christianity consisted in these and other ceremo- 
 nies, could not but be surprised and shocked to hear 
 his claim to the name of a Christian disputed. As to 
 that thirst for revenge on every real or imaginaryinjury, 
 v. hich he had indulged from his childhood, and some 
 oiher culpable propensities to which he was addicted, 
 he considered all of these as venial foibles, which 
 v ere more than expiated by his obedience to mother 
 church in more essential points ; and when his indul- 
 ging in those culpable practices to which he was by 
 temper or constitution prone came in question, he 
 shrugged his shoulders, and said, Well, I t^ank 
 God, .they are neither heresy nor schism. 
 
 The physician, however, endeavoured to give him a 
 dihc rent notion of these matters, founding most of his 
 arguments on passages of a sermon to be found in the 
 go-pel of St. Matthew ; for this happened to be a 
 physician who sometimes read the Bible : there are,
 
 ZELUCO. 107 
 
 it would appear, some of that kind in America. The 
 Portuguese, at first, thought the 'passages in question 
 of a very singular nature ; and as they were plain and 
 intelligible, and contained nothing mysterious, he 
 could hardly believe that they were quite orthodox : 
 besides, he was a good deal surprise 1 tint certain ar- 
 ticles which he thought of great importaii-e were not 
 touched upon : yet on being informed who the person 
 was who had preached this sermon, he could n >t de.iy 
 that it had a fair chance of being sound Christianity-. 
 The physician having brought him so far, found little 
 difficulty in persuading him that it was his duty as 
 well as interest to leave Zeluco to his own wicked 
 heart, which carried its punishment within itself; 
 hinting also the probability of his falling sooner or 
 later within the grasp of the la\vs of society, which his 
 passions continually tempted him to violate. 
 
 It was probably owing to the remonstrances of this 
 extraordinary physician that Zeluco left the island in 
 safety, and the Portuguese merchant was indebted to 
 him for being freed from the t*'o most tormenting 
 daemons that can possess the human heart, jealousy 
 and the spirit of revenge. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 " To whom can riches pive rf pute and trust, 
 Content and pleasure, !>ut the gOijd and ju-t ? 
 Judges and senates have been bought for gold ; 
 Esteem and love were never tu be sold. POPE. 
 
 WHEN it was evident that the Portuguese had no inten- 
 tion of calling Zduco to account for his base behaviour, 
 he publicly announced the time of his departure f"j\ x 
 the Havannah ; and having freighted a vessel entirely 
 for his own use, after a prosperous voyage he an ived at
 
 1OS ZKLL'CO. 
 
 Cadiz, where -lie \vas detained for some time, but 
 as soon as be had transacted his business he proceeded 
 lo Sicily. 
 
 Soon after his arrival at Palermo, Zeluco furnished 
 n Louse expensively, and began to live in a most mag- 
 nificent style 5 inviting every person of distinction to 
 his table, and entertaining in the most sumptuous 
 manner. This way of living, with the idea univer- 
 sally entertained of his great riches, soon acquired him 
 r. numerous acquaintance and the warmest professions 
 of attachment. 
 
 Zeluco, who had never known any motive of action 
 but self-interest, \vas not deceived by such professions; 
 but while he plumed himself on account of his supe- 
 lior penetration, he was the dupe of his own max- 
 ims, which, being drawn from the feelings of a cor- 
 lupted heart, were often erroneous. 
 
 Insensible himself to the r.rdour of friendship, he 
 thought there was no such hen'.iment, and most cer- 
 tainly never had a friend. \Vhat the world calls 
 iriendship, in his opinion was merely a compact of 
 comenicncy or interest between a class of people, in 
 which it was tacitly agreed,, that when, by the loss 
 of fortune, health, or otherwise, any individual of 
 the association became useless to the rest, all further 
 connection with that person terminated of course. 
 
 Had Zeluco been satisfied w'nh thinking this was 
 often the case, he wouid have been in the right, but 
 he was com "meed it was always so, and there he was 
 v. ror; : all declarations of attachment and friendship, 
 therefore, he viewed as indirect attacks upon his 
 jiorsc : (lie punctual attention paid to his invitations, 
 he rightly considered as nothing else than a proof of 
 the excellency of his cook, and of the superior fla- 
 vour of his wine. 
 
 The favourable notion \\hich he entertained of the 
 symmetry and beauty of his own person and face, hi-
 
 ZELUCO. 109 
 
 elined him however to believe, that the partiality 
 which several of the ladies displayed towards him was 
 void of hypocrisy, an:! proceeded from sincere per- 
 sonal attachment. For Zeluco had no sooner returned 
 to Palermo than he became an object of great atten- 
 tion, and sometimes a subject of controversy among 
 the ladies. 
 
 The elegant turn of his person and the graces of 
 his countenance were universally admired, and even 
 his character and disposition were favourably thought 
 of, from that common trick of the fancy which give* 
 the head and heart as much sense and virtue as the 
 ftce has beauty. But he had not remained long at 
 Palermo ere h's real character began to develop itself; 
 and then the graces of his countenance were called in 
 question, and his features were said to convey an idea 
 of malevolence, or even atrocity : this happened 
 from another play of fancy, which transfers the defor- 
 mity of the mind into the face. 
 
 Pleased with the attention paid him by the men, 
 and the favour of some of the women, he passed his 
 time less disagreeably than he had done in the West 
 Indies. But that degree of popularity which he had 
 obtained at his arrival gradually diminished j his tem- 
 per, naturally insolent and overbearing, detached the 
 most respectable of the men from his society ; and 
 the intolerable caprice of his disposition, joined to a 
 continual jealousy of temper, rendered him at last 
 odious to the women. He therefore with great sa- 
 tisfaction embraced a proposal made .by a Sicilian 
 nobleman, more distinguished by rank than character, 
 of accompanying him to Naples. 
 
 In that gay city he immediately set up a still more 
 splendid domestic establishment than he had at Pa- 
 lermo ; and as he played deep, and with apparent in- 
 attention, he was considered as a valuable acquisition 
 by some very fashionable societies. 
 
 YOL. I. L
 
 2ELUCO. 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 " The frail one's advocate, the weak one's friend." POPE. 
 
 SOON after his arrival, he was presented to Signora 
 Sporza. This lady was the widow of a Neapolitan 
 nobleman, one of the poorest of a class of men in 
 which few are rich. He had lived for t..o years after 
 his marriage in a degree of magnificence more suita- 
 ble to his rank than fortune, and died very opportune- 
 ly when he had nothing left to live upon. 
 
 As, contrary to the advice of her friends, she had 
 relinquished great part of the funds appropriated for 
 the security of her own jointure, to relieve her hus- 
 band's difficulties, she had nothing to support her after 
 his death ; bat the revenue arising from the small part 
 which remained, and a very moderate pension granted 
 to her by the court. 
 
 She lived however in a decent, not to say a genteel 
 style, which was the more surprising, because, al- 
 though her husband had left no money to maintain 
 her, yet he contrived to leave a child by another wo- 
 man for her to maintain. 
 
 Signer; 1 . Sporza was not acquainted with this circum- 
 stance till several months af:er her husband's death, 
 when she was informed of it by the mother, who was 
 then in a starving condition, and who, as the wretched 
 woman herself expressed it, would not have applied 
 to her fur relief, had she not been driven by compas- 
 sion for her infant more th?.n*for herself. 
 
 Those same relations who had advised Signora 
 Sporza not to relinquish ?ny part of what was se-. 
 cured by marrir.ge articles to herself, for the sake of 
 jiii extravagant husband, exclaimed against the inde- 
 cency and folly of her .supporting an adulterous bns- 
 turd and its wicked mother; they insisted upon it, 
 that she, of all women, had the least ca 1 ! to take such
 
 ZELUCO. 1 1 1 
 
 a load upon lier. All the answer which Signora 
 Sporza made to these exclamations and arguments, 
 was desiring them to find out some other woman or 
 man, if ihey pleased, who would maintain the un- 
 happy woman and her child, in wh'ch event she was 
 willing to yield up her claim. Till that is done, ad- 
 ded she, however indecent it may seem, I must be 
 indulged in this folly. 
 
 She accordingly took both the mother and child into 
 her house, where, contrary to the prediction of her 
 relations, that the two serpents she was taking into 
 her bosom would certainly sting her, they greatly con- 
 tributed to her happiness ; for the wicked woman be- 
 came a most grateful and serviceable domestic, and 
 Siguora Sporza grew as fond of the child, who was a 
 very sprightly boy, as if he had been her own. 
 
 This lady was of a character which rendered her 
 universally agreeable ; she supported the incon- 
 veniences of very narrow circumstances with so much 
 gaiety and good-humour, understood the art of ar- 
 ranging her parties so judiciously, and animated them 
 with such pleasantry, that her assemblies were thought 
 the most agreeable though the least splendid in Na- 
 ples. As she was well received every where, and her 
 house frequented by the most fashionable company, 
 Zeluco thought it worth his while to cultivate her ac- 
 quaintance, and he was for some time a pretty con- 
 stant attendant at her assemblies. One circumstance, 
 however, made him less so than otherwise he would 
 have been ; the play in general was not so deep as in 
 many other assemblies, owing to Signora Sporza's dis- 
 couraging it as much as she easily could. Independent 
 of more permanent ill consequences, she declared an 
 aversion to deep play on account of the immediate 
 gloom with which it overspread every countenance en- 
 gaged in it, to the entire destruction of all good-humour 
 and pleasantry. But Zeluco had a greater relish for 
 L 2
 
 112 ZELUCO. 
 
 deep play than for either good-humour or pleasantry ; 
 and as he sometimes met at Signora Sporza's with peo- 
 ple of the same turn of mind, they were apt to in- 
 dulge their humour in spite of her remonstrances, 
 which indeed, however seriously meant, were always 
 jocularly made. 
 
 Among the British subjects at this time at Naples, 
 
 there were two young Englishmen, Mr. N and 
 
 Mr, Steele, who lodged in the same house, although 
 of very different characters. The honourable Mr. 
 N had already made the tour of Europe, and re- 
 turned to his native country more free from narrow 
 prejudices, less infected with foreign fopperies, and 
 more improved both in knowledge and in manner, 
 than the generality of his countrymen who have made 
 the same tour. After remaining a few years at home, 
 he was seized with a complaint in his breast threaten- 
 ing a consumption, for which he xvas advised to return 
 to Italy, and resided for the most part at Naples, 
 where he intended to remain a year longer, although 
 at this time he seemed to have in a great measure re* 
 gained his health. 
 
 Mr; N had been well acquainted with Signora 
 
 Spoi'za during his first residence at Naples, and was 
 now on the most friendly footing with that lady. 
 Besides his companion Mr. Steele, he had introduced 
 to her acquaintance another countryman of his own 
 Mr. Squander. This gentleman was distinguished by 
 spending more money with less enjoyment than any 
 English traveller in Italy. Without any knowledge 
 of horses, or any love for the animal, he kept a stable 
 of English horses ;it Naples. His incitement to this 
 was, his having heard a certain pi j er who had a violent 
 passion for the turf mentioned with admiration for 
 having established a horse-race in the English style. 
 Mr. Squander matched one of his horses with one of 
 his lordship's, and had the renown of losing a greater
 
 ZELUCO. 113 
 
 sum than ever was lost at a horse-race at Naples: what 
 rendered this the more memorable thor.gh the less 
 surprising was, that he rode himself. He gave fre- 
 quent entertainments, to which he invited his own 
 countrymen only j they generally ended in drunken- 
 ness, noise, and riot. He bought pictures, statues, 
 and seals, because they were highly prai.-ed by the 
 venders; and afterwards gave them away in presents, 
 because they were despised by the rest of the world. 
 Without any inclination for ganrng, this young man 
 was ready on the slightest invitation to join any party 
 at deep play, and had sometimes been drawn into that 
 above mentioned at Signora Sporza's. As he was the 
 only one of this party devoid of skill, and who played 
 without attention, he generally lost the most, and 
 sometimes was the only person who lost at all. 
 
 How Mr. Steele came to be connected with Mr. 
 
 N- will appear hereafter; but as he and Squander 
 
 had been presented by hun to Signora Sporza, she 
 was particularly uneasy to see them throw away their 
 money. She was uncommonly attentive to strangers, 
 and rather partial to the English; by her frank and 
 engaging manners, she gradually overcame their na- 
 tural reserve, and dissipated their timidity; and so in 3 
 of that nation who from the time of their crossing 
 the Channel had never dined but with a club of their 
 own countrymen, and had never gone twice to any 
 other assembly at Naples, were insensibly prevailed 
 upon to attend those of Signora Sporza; and at length 
 they went with pleasure instead of reluctance. 
 
 At her assembly one evening, Signora Sporza per- 
 ceived the same party forming with which ivlr. Squan- 
 der had lost so much money. Why do you not ad- 
 vise your countryman, said she in a whisper to Mr. 
 
 N , to avoid these people ? they will pillage him 
 
 of all his money.
 
 1 14 ZELUCO. 
 
 Because, replied Mr. N , my countryman hates 
 
 advice more than he loves money 
 
 You Englishmen, resumed she, perhaps consider 1 
 advice as an encroachment on that liberty you are so 
 fond of. 
 
 Certainly, said Mr N , smiling; the Chero- 
 
 kee.s, and other refined nations in America, think in 
 the same manner. 
 
 Will you not try then to keep him out of those peo- 
 ple's hands ? said she. 
 
 I should try in vain, said Mr. N ; but if you 
 
 please to draw him off to a safer party, whatever he 
 rmy wish, he is too awkward, and will be too much 
 embarrassed, when a lady speaks to him, to be able 
 to excuse himself. 
 
 Basta ! cried she; and immediately accosting 
 Squander, We have need of you here, signer, sa:d she; 
 and so she engaged him for the evening with a party 
 who played at a very small stake. 
 
 Signora Sporza thus using all her address to prevent 
 deep play at her assemblies, and to save the unwary 
 from bt-ing preyed upon, the gnmesters gradually paid 
 her less attention, and at last entirely forsook her 
 house, for that of another lady with whom Signora 
 Sporza was on ill terms, and who, oat of mere spite, 
 established an assc-mbiy at her own house on thd 
 evenings which Signora Sporza had fixed upon. 
 
 Zeluco, although he now possessed far more wealth 
 than he could enjoy, required the agitation of gaming 
 to ward off the intolerable languor which is apt to in- 
 vade unoccupied minds, and also to preclude reflec- 
 tion or retrospect on past conduct, which in him was 
 always atiended with self-condemnation. He there- 
 fore became a constant attendant at the rival assembly, 
 and a considerable time had passed since he had wait- 
 ed on Signora Sporza, when he observed her one
 
 2ELUCO. Il5 
 
 fcvening at the opera, accompanied by two ladies, nei- 
 ther of whom he had ever before seen : the elder 
 a genteel-looking woman, between forty and fifty 
 years of age ; the other about twenty : he gazed on 
 the latter, and thought her by far the most beautiful 
 woman he had ever beheld ; the longer he looked, he 
 was the more conurmed in that opinion : he now re- 
 gretted the coldness subsisting between him and Si- 
 gnora Sporza, and resolved to use all means for remov- 
 ing it, as the most easy way of being introduced to the 
 tady whom he so much admired. Impatient as he 
 was to address Signora Sporza, he hesitated about 
 doing it that night, lest she should impute it to the 
 real cause. A glance from the young lady brought 
 him at once to decision ; he could no longer command 
 his impatience ; but leaving Signora Sporza to put 
 \vhat construction she pleased on his behaviour, he 
 suddenly darted from his own box, and entered that 
 in which she and the two strangers were. With eager- 
 ness, and in the most obsequious language, he apolo- 
 gized to the former for not having paid his duty to her 
 of late, imputed it to indispensable business, and beg- 
 ged to be permitted that honour the next morning, 
 alleging he had something of importance to acquaint 
 her with. Having finished his % apology, he bowed 
 Very respectfully to the strangers, and then looked 
 with significance at Signora Sporza, who heard him 
 with the reserve of ofttnded pride, taking no notice 
 of his significant look ; but, after a grave bend of her 
 head to him, resumed her conversition with the 
 strangers as if no other person had been in the box. 
 In spite of this very cool reception, Zeluco kept his 
 place in the box, and his eyes almost constancy riveted 
 on the young lady, till the opera was finished, and 
 then attended them to their carriage ; after which he 
 went home and ruminated all the rest of the night on 
 the charms of the fair stranger.
 
 116 ZELUCO* 
 
 He waited next morning on Signora Sporza, who 
 had not been an inattentive spectator of the impression 
 which her young friend's beauty had made on Zeluco ; 
 she allowed him with the most cruel tranquillity to go 
 through the ceremony of explaining his pretended af- 
 fair of importance, without interrupting him, or as- 
 sisting him in his way to the real business which she 
 well knew was the object of his visit. 
 
 She heard him without seeming to take any interest 
 in what he said ; the important affair did not draw 
 from her a single observation : he was so much dis- 
 concerted by the coldness of her behaviour, that he 
 was unable to introduce any discourse regarding the 
 strangers. He wished to do this in an indirect manner, 
 as a thing in which he took little concern, and waited 
 for a favourable opportunity. 
 
 Do you know, said signora Sporza, interrupting the 
 silence, how many birds his majesty killed yesterday ? 
 1 heard he went early a-shooting. 
 
 A-propos, replied Zeluco ; Pray, Signora, who is 
 that lady I had the honour of seeing with you yester- 
 day at the opera ? 
 
 Very a-propo.?, indeed, said she ; May I ask which 
 lady you mean ? there were two in the box with me 
 last night. 
 
 Two ! cried Zeluco : O yes ; I now recollect there 
 were two ; but I mean I mean the elder. 
 
 She is a very near relation of mine, replied she, 
 suppressing a smile ; and then turned the conversation 
 to a different subject, which, with the awkward man- 
 ner in which he had introduced his favourite topic, 
 increased his embarrassment. Yet before he took his 
 leave, he recovered his presence of mind so far as to 
 let a china snuff- box he had taken off the table fall 
 on the hearth, where it instantly shivered in pieces. 
 After making becoming apologies, he took his leave, 
 and the same day sent a gold . snuff-box, enriched
 
 ZfeLUCO. 117 
 
 uith diamonds, with a letter to Signora Sporza, en- 
 treating her to accept of the one as an atonement for 
 having destroyed the other. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 " Digna minus nvsfro, non meliure viro." OVID. 
 
 SOME few days after this, Zeluco again waited on Si- 
 gnora Sporza. She received him with more frankness 
 than at his last visit ; he imputed this to the benign 
 influence of the snuff-box : as soon as he was seated, 
 she whispered her maid, who instantly withdrew. 
 
 They talked for a while on the common incidents 
 of the place ; of a new singer that was expected ; of 
 a violent explosion which had happened the preceding 
 night from mount Vesuvius ; of the queen's having 
 seemed out of humour at the last gala ; of a man who 
 had stabbed his rival in the street at mid-day, and then 
 had taken refuge in a church ; of a religious proces- 
 sion that was to take place next morning, and of a ball 
 in the evening. 
 
 Zeluco endeavoured to turn the conversation from 
 those topics, so as that it might seem to fall undesign- 
 edly on that which xvas the object of his visit. Signora 
 Sporza observing this said, I will give you the history 
 of the ladies by and by, signer ; but I expect two 
 people immediately, to whom you have rendered a most 
 essential service ; and you must permit them to thank 
 you in the first place. 
 
 He could not possibly comprehend her meaning : but 
 soon after the maid introduced a very handsome young 
 woman, plainly dressed, with a child in her arms, fol- 
 lowed by a genteel -look ing man, who seemed to be a 
 tradesman, and a few years older than the woman,
 
 118 
 
 Zeluco was greatly surprised at their appearance. 
 This is your benefactor, Camiilo, said Signora Spor- 
 za, addressing herself to the man; the generous person 
 who enabled me to free you from prison. 
 
 I am greatly indebted to you, signor, said the man 
 in a most respectful yet manly manner ; and although 
 I do not absolutely despair of being one day enabled 
 to repay what you have so humanely advanced to libe- 
 rate me, yet 1 shall never be free from the strong sense 
 of obligation I feel towards you. 
 
 Ah, signor ! cried the woman, unable to contain 
 herself, you do not know what a worthy and noble- 
 hearted man you have relieved ; you do not know the 
 extent of the blessed deed you have done ; you have 
 preserved my sweet infants from death ; you have ran* 
 somed nay beloved husband from prison, and you have 
 saved my poor brain from madness. O signor ! had 
 
 you but seen Here the tears obscured her sight j 
 
 the recollection of her husband's condition when in 
 prison, with the keen sensations of gratitude, suppressed 
 her voice ; she was ready to taint ; her husband 
 snatched the child from her arms, and the poor w r o- 
 man sunk down on a chair which Signora Sporza sud* 
 denly placed to receive her. 
 
 Camiilo, with his child in one arm, supported his 
 wife with the other ; while Signora Sporza chafed her 
 temples with aromatic spirits. Marghenta will be well 
 immediately, Camiilo, said Signora Sporza ; see, she 
 recovers already. Thank Heaven, cried Camiilo with 
 fervour; then begged leave to conduct his wife home. 
 Signora Sporza attended her wilhCamiilo and the child 
 into another room, ordered them some refreshment, 
 and desired they might not leave the house till she 
 came back. 
 
 All this was as great a mystery to Zeluco as it is to 
 the reader. If t had suspected, said Signora Sporza 
 to him., as she returned to the room in which he had
 
 ZELUCO. 119 
 
 remained, that this poor woman would have been so 
 much affected, I should have spared you the scene, 
 which I will now endeavour to explain : I have 
 known this young woman from her childhood ; she 
 was always the most cheerful sweet-tempered creature 
 I ever knew. By my recommendation, on the death 
 of her mother, she was taken into the service of the 
 
 Marchesa de B ; and in a short time she became 
 
 her favourite maid. The marchesa is liberal, and the 
 girl was as, happy as a maid could be whose mistress 
 has the misfortune of being put out of humour every 
 day as soon as she rises : the cause of her ill-humour 
 was without remedy, and grew daily more inveterate j 
 it proceeded from her observing more gray hairs on 
 her head, and more wrinkles in her face, every morn- 
 ing than she had seen the day before : but although 
 her peevishness was diurnal, it did not last long at a 
 time, for Margherita powdered her hair with wonder- 
 ful expedition ; and as soon as her face was varnished, 
 and her toilet finished, she contemplated herself in the 
 mirror with complacency, recovered her cheerful ness_, 
 and Margherita was happy for the rest of the day. 
 Meanwhile, the man who has just left us fell in love 
 with her, and she fell in love with him ; and from that 
 moment the girl's mind was more occupied with her 
 lover than her mistress ; whose head, after this inci- 
 dent, was neither so expeditiously nor so neatly dressed 
 as formerly. When the marchesa found out the cause 
 of this alteration, she was very much out of humour 
 indeed, and told Margherita, that she must either give 
 up all communication with the lover or with her : 
 So you will consider the difference between me and 
 him, continued she, and then decide. Margherita ac- 
 cordingly did consider the difference ; and decided in 
 favour of the man. After leaving the marchesa, she 
 passed more of her time than ever with her lover ; and 
 their mutual love increased to a very alarming height.
 
 120 ZELUCO. 
 
 Neither of them, however, ever thought of any other 
 remedy than marriage ; and notwithstanding ihe num- 
 bers who have found it a radical- cure for love, to this 
 couple it has hitherto proved ineffectual ; in the opi- 
 nion of the poor people themselves, the disease rather 
 gains ground, although they have now been married 
 two complete years, and have two children. 
 
 The husband, who was at first employed in the 
 coarse preparatory work for sculptors, has himself be- 
 come a tolerable artist ; he redoubled his industry as 
 his family increased, and saved a little money. Mar- 
 gherita on her part cheered him under his labour, by 
 the most active attention to family oeconomy, by ever- 
 lasting good-humour, and undiminished affection. The 
 bloom and growing vigour of. their children was a 
 source of joyful foreboding to both. It was delightful 
 to contemplate the happiness of this little family. I 
 often called on Margherita, purely to enjoy that hap- 
 piness ; health, content, and mutual love resided under 
 their humble roof: obtaining with difficulty the super- 
 fluities, or even necessaries of life, they tasted pleasure 
 with a relish unknown to those who have the over- 
 flowing cup of enjoyment constantly pressed to their 
 lips. The gloom of their poverty was cheered by some 
 of the brightest stars of pleasure, and by the hope of 
 permanent sun-shine. But all this fair and serene pro- 
 spect was suddenly obscured by a terrible storm. The 
 imprudent husband, impatient to become rapidly rich, 
 was persuaded to collect all the little money which he 
 had saved, to accept of a larger sum on credit, and to 
 risk the whole in a commercial adventure : the whole 
 was lost; and the obdurate creditor immediately 
 seized on all the furniture and effects of this little fa- 
 mily, and threw Camillo into jail. Margherita, half 
 distracted, came and told me her story. It happened 
 by a superabundance of ill-luck that I v. as very low 
 in cash myself, and had overdrawn my credit with my
 
 ZELUCO. If I 
 
 banker ; I gave her what I had, but it was not suffi- 
 cient to procure her husband's liberty, which happened 
 to be what poor Margherita was most solicitous about. 
 I begged of her to call on me the following morning, 
 determining then to go in search of the necessary sum j 
 but before 1 set out, the snuff-box, of which you de- 
 sired my acceptance, arrived : instead of going to bor- 
 row money, signor, which, if you ever had the expe- 
 rience of it, you must know to be the most disagreeable 
 thing on earth, I went and sold the snuff-box, and in 
 my opinion to very great advantage ; for the sum I re- 
 ceived has not only freed the poor fellow from prison 
 and redeemed his effects, but also makes him a little 
 richer than he was before his unfortunate attempt in 
 commerce. I informed the joyful couple that I had 
 received the money from you, which in effect 1 did; 
 they know no more of the matter; and now that you 
 have heard the whole, and have seeu the family whom 
 your bounty has saved, I am convinced you will ap- 
 prove of what has been done. 
 
 Zeluco expressed great admiration of the benevo- 
 lence of Signora Sporza, but insisted on redeeming the 
 snuff-box, and restoring it to her. This she abso- 
 lutely refused, saying, that the circumstances which 
 she had related formed the only consideration which 
 could have prevailed on her to accept of a present of 
 that value; but she was willing to receive from him 
 a snuff-box of the same kind with that he had so for- 
 tunately broken, which she would wear as a memorial 
 of that happy event. Zeluco, finding her obstinate, 
 was obliged to agree to this compromise of the matter. 
 Jt was already observed, that Zeluco was greatly 
 surprised when A-argherita was presented to him : he 
 had, however, frequently seen her before ; and this was 
 one reason of his being a little confounded at her ap- 
 pearance at Signura Sporza's ; but on recollecting, that 
 VOL. i. M
 
 122 ZELUCO. 
 
 although he knew her, yet she did not know him, he 
 reassumed his composure. 
 
 In going to church, Margherita usually had passed the 
 windows of Zeluco's apartment, and he had often re- 
 marked her as she went and returned to and from mass. 
 
 Being somewhat captivated by her face and person, 
 he employed an agent to find out where she lived and 
 what she was ; and afterwards commissioned the same 
 person to engage her to meet a very honourable gentle- 
 man, who was greatly captivated with her beauty, at 
 a house appropriated for a rendezvous of this nature. 
 Margherita rejected the offers of the agent, baffled the 
 arts employed to seduce her, and would have nothing 
 to do with the very honourable gentleman. 
 
 This unexpected resistance increased Zeluco's ar- 
 dour. His valet was acquainted with the man who 
 had lent Camillo the money which the imprudent fel- 
 loe had sunk in the ill-judged commercial adventure. 
 This man, who thought his money in little or no dan- 
 ger when he first advanced it, was now exceedingly 
 uneasy, and had already begun to press Camillo for 
 payment. The valet acquainted Zeluco with those 
 circumstances, who instructed the valet to persuade 
 the creditor, that it was vain for him to expect that 
 ever Camillo could pay the money ; and that as long 
 as he was left at large, none of his friends would think 
 of advancing it for him ; but that, rf he were thrown 
 into prison for the debt, some of his or his wife's 
 friends would then certainly step forth for his relief. 
 
 The man scrupled to use so violent an expedient ; 
 but having mentioned it to his wife, by whom Mar- 
 gherita was envied on account of her superior beauty, 
 and hated on account of her unblemished character, 
 she pressed her husband to adopt this harsh expedient, 
 as the only means of recovering his money. The 
 creditor, however, still hesicated, till the valet assured
 
 2ELUCO.- 123 
 
 him, under the obligation of an oath of secrecy, that 
 he knew a person who would advance a sum sufficient 
 to pay all Camillo's debts, rather than allow him to 
 remain long in prison ; and he became bound himself 
 to do this if Camillo was not released by the other 
 within a month. 
 
 Zeluco, who took care not to appear in all this in- 
 famous transaction, imagined, that when Margherita 
 was once separated from her husband and humbled 
 by distress, she would then listen to the secret pro- 
 posals he intended to renew through his former agent. 
 
 The creditor having given orders to his attorney to 
 proceed to extremities against Camillo, went himself 
 into the country, that he might avoid a scene which 
 bis heart was not hard enough to support. But his 
 orders were executed very punctually on the very day 
 in which Zeluco was so much struck with the beauty 
 of the young lady at the opera. She had engrossed 
 his mind so entirely, that from that moment he never 
 once thought of Margherita, till he saw her introduced 
 with her husband at Signora Sporza's, and found that 
 the present he had sent to that lady with a very dif- 
 ferent view, had been the means of relieving a family 
 brought to the brink of ruin by his insidious arts. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 " On aime a dniner les autres, mais on n'aime pas a etre devinL" 
 
 ROCHEFOUCAUI.T. 
 
 WHATEVER shame or compunction Zeluco felt on re- 
 ceiving praises he so little deserved, for conferring be- 
 nefits which he never intended, he certainly supported 
 the character he had to act with great assurance. 
 
 After the compromise already mentioned, Signora 
 Sporza gave him the following account of the ladies 
 M 2
 
 124- ZELUCO. 
 
 whose history he was so impatient to know. Th6 
 elder, she said, was her eousin-german, and widow of 
 Colonel Seidlits, an officer lately deceased, in the king 
 of Prussia's service. She was a Neapolitan by birth, 
 who finding it disagreeable after her husband's death 
 to remain at Berlin, where she could not afford to live 
 in the same style she had formerly done, had lately 
 returned to her native country, with her daughter 
 Laura ; that she inherited from her father a small 
 estate in the Campagna Felice, and her inclination for 
 removing from Berlin to Naples had been strengthened 
 by the hopes of making good a claim she had in right 
 of an uncle, which, although of no great value in itself, 
 was of great importance to her in her very circum- 
 scribed circumstances ; and which, however just, did 
 not the less depend on the favour of the minister. 
 
 Zeluco expressed much concern that two ladies of 
 their merit should labour under difficulties ; adding, 
 that on account of their connexion with her, he 
 should think himself very happy in having it in his 
 power to be of service to them. 
 
 Signora Sporza penetrated into the motive of Ze- 
 luco's proffered services; but she also knew that he 
 was on an intimate footing with the minister, and 
 might be of essential service to her cousin in the aflair 
 of her claim, the decision of which had been hitherto 
 protracted on the most frivolous pretexts in the most 
 litigious manner. Jt must be confessed, tha't, in the 
 warmth of Hgnora Sporza's zeal to serve her friends, 
 she was often regardless of the motive from which 
 those who served them acted : could she have induced 
 Zelnro to serve Madame de Seidlits from pure and 
 honourable motives, no doubt she would have pre- 
 ferred it ; but that not being in her power, she thought 
 the next best was to secure the same effect whatever 
 produced it. After thanking Zeluco therefore for his 
 obliging offer, she added, that if he would do her the
 
 ZELUCO. 125 
 
 pleasure of calling in the evening, she would present 
 him to her two relations j and that Madame de >Seid- 
 lits would herself explain to him the grounds of her 
 claim. 
 
 Being introduced accordingly to the two ladies as a 
 friend of Signora Sporza, he became intoxicated with 
 the elegant sweetness of Laura's manner, which he 
 found equal to her beauty, and listened with much 
 seeming attention and-apparent solicitude to the his- 
 tory of her mother's suit, expressing great zeal to serve 
 her on that or any other occasion. 
 
 The nobleman with whom Zeluco came to Naples 
 had considerable influence with the minister : Zeluco 
 himself had more; both were employed in giving him 
 a favourable idea of Madame de Seidlits's case, or 
 rather in inspiring him with a desire of promoting it, 
 independent of the right on which it was founded. It 
 is probable that Zeluco was thinking on something 
 else during that part of Madame de Seidlits's narrative, 
 for the foundation of her claim was what he was un- 
 able to explain, but it was also what the minister 
 showed no anxiety to understand. Soon after, how- 
 ever, he publicly hinted, that having taken much pains 
 to gee a clear idea of Madame de Seidlits's claim, he 
 was led to believe that the judges would decide in her 
 favour. As the minister's prophecies of this kmd 
 were generally accomplished, Madame de Seidlits was 
 congratulated on this happy omen, as if she had al- 
 ready gained her cause; and she in putecl this fair pro- 
 spect to the interposition oi Zeluco. 
 
 From this time he had frequent opportunities of 
 seeing and conversing with Laura, and he exhausted 
 all his power of insinuation to ingratiate himself into 
 her good opinion, but without success. This young 
 lady had more penetration into character, and a far 
 juster way of thinking, than any of her sex with whom 
 he had hitherto been acquainted j the same arts which 
 M 3
 
 12fi ZfcLUCO. 
 
 had rendered him agreeable to many of them, had a 
 contrary effect on her: she was not pleased when 
 she observed, that, as often as he found her alone, 
 his conversation was much interspersed with compli- 
 ments on her beauty. She had been sufficiently ac- 
 customed to sweeteners of this kind, not to value them 
 nbove their worth ; and she had remarked, that they 
 proceeded as often from a contempt of the understand- 
 ing, as from an admiration of the beauty of the person 
 to whom they were addressed. But whatever doubts 
 Laura might have of Zeluco's sincerity, when he ex- 
 pressed a high opinion of her merit, there was some- 
 thing in his air and manner which convinced her he 
 had a very high opinion of his own. In this, how- 
 ever, Laura was in some degree mistaken ; for, not- 
 withstanding the loftiness of his manner, Zeluco's self- 
 conceit was confined to his external figure, to his ad- 
 dress, and his natural talents ; he was conscious of 
 having neglected the opportunities of improvement, 
 and lamented the want of certain accomplishments 
 which he with envy saw others possess ; for, with 
 whatever plausible varnish he concealed his foibles or 
 vices from the sight of others, he found it impossible 
 to hide them from his own ; so that, when flattery 
 poured the honey of adulation into his cup, the un- 
 conquerable power of conscience often turned it into 
 gall, and rendered him unable to swallow the nau- 
 seous draught : yet by a singular effect of selh'sh ca- 
 price, though sensible of his own failings and vices, 
 he detested all whom he suspected of having sufficient 
 penetration to see into his real character, and of hnr- 
 bouring the same sentiments with himself. He could 
 support the company of those only upon whose un- 
 derstandings he imagined he imposed, by giving them 
 a much better idea ol his character than it deserved. 
 This accounts for his constant preference of ignorant 
 society, and for the gloom and dissatisfaction which
 
 ZELUCO. 127 
 
 attended him as often as lie was not engaged in such 
 pursuits as kill thought and reflection. Yet this dis- 
 satisfied miserable man, on whose mind repentance and 
 remorse were often obtruding themselves, was, on ac- 
 count of his wealth, and the splendid style in which 
 he lived, considered by many as remarkably fortunate 
 and happy. 
 
 We are never more apt to be mistaken than in our 
 estimate of the happiness of grandeur. The grove 
 overlooking the precipice has a fine effect at a distance ; 
 we admire the sublimity of its situation, and the 
 brightness of its verdure when gilded by the rays of 
 the sun ; we grudge no labour in scrambling up to 
 this seat of pleasure, which, when attained, we ofien 
 find cold and comfortless, overgrown with moss, 
 pierced by the winds of every quarter, and far less 
 genial than the sheltered bank from whence we set 
 out. In like manner many men, who are viewed with 
 admiration and envy at a distance, become the object 
 of piiy or contempt when nearly approached. Of this 
 we may be most assured, that all the decorations of 
 rank and the smiles of fortune cannot prevent the in- 
 trusions of remorse and self-condemnation upon a 
 mind sensible of having abused talents, and neglected 
 through life the opportunities of improvement; far 
 less can they convey happiness, or even tranquillity, 
 to one conscious of perfidy, cruelty, and ingratitude. 
 But Laura did not at this time know that the peace of 
 Zeluco's mind was disturbed by intruders of this na- 
 ture ; and the vain satisfaction which he frequently 
 enjoyed from the contemplation of his face and figure, 
 she imagined extended to his whole character, and 
 rendered him, in her opinion, by much too well satis- 
 fied with himself. 
 
 However profuse of panegyric Zeluco was, as often 
 as he happened to find Laura by herself, yet he always
 
 J28 fcELUCO. 
 
 stopt short, and abruptly changed the tenor of his dis 
 course when her mother joined them. 
 
 This did not escape the observation of Laura ; and 
 one day, on his making this sudden transition as Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits entered the room, Laura said to him 
 gravely, There is no need, signor, for you to fly from 
 the subject on which you have dwelt so long ! I do 
 assure you, the praises of my beauty are to the full as 
 agreeable to my mother as they are to myself. 
 
 At this unexpected remark, Zeluco's countenance 
 suddenly displayed strong marks of displeasure, and 
 even rage ; but recollecting himself, he instantly 
 smoothed it over with the smile of good-humour ; and 
 having bowed, and inquired after the health of Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits, he turned to Laura, saying, I fly not 
 from the subject, madam ; the praise of your good 
 qualities is the most delightful of all subjects to me ; 
 but a sudden thought struck me immediately before 
 your mother entered the room. 
 
 A sudden thought seemed to strike you also after 
 she entered, said Laura, if one may judge from the 
 alterations in your countenance. 
 
 I know nothing of my countenance, said Zeluco 
 with a careless air ; but I have great satisfaction at my 
 heart in informing you, madam, continued he, and 
 turning to Madame de Seidlits, that your claim is ad- 
 mitted to its fullest extent, of which you will have 
 more formal notice this very day from the court. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits expressed a strong sense of ob- 
 ligation to Zeluco, imputing her success to his influ- 
 ence and exertions : he on h part affected lo place 
 it wholly to the justice of her cause ; expressing asto- 
 nishment, however, at its having been delayed so very 
 long, and with an ostentatious air of modesty dis- 
 claiming any kind of merit from his poorfeeile efforts. 
 When Zeluco withdrew, Madame de Serdlirs spoke 
 of him with all the partiality of gratitude. Laura as-
 
 129 
 
 sented with coolr.ess and moderation ; she had ob- 
 served something in his looks and conduct which dis- 
 pleased her, and conveyed some faint suspicion of his 
 motives. Madame de Seidlits did not refine on looks 
 or language ; she founded her idea of Zeluco's general 
 character on the personal obligations she lay under to 
 him. On occasions of this nature, the mother is ge- 
 nerally more prone to be suspicious than the daughter ; 
 in this particular instance it was otherwise : Laura had 
 as much sensibility to the impressions of gratitude a^ 
 her mother ; but having doubts respecting Zeluco's 
 disposition and motives, she would have been more 
 pleased if the favour had come from another hand. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 " La physionnmie n'tst. pas tine, regie qui nous soil donnee pour 
 jvger -les hornmes ; die nous pent servir de conjecture.'' 
 
 LA BRUVERE. 
 
 MADAME de Seidlits felt great satisfaction in the 
 thoughts of her having at length obtained justice; and 
 the good and friendly character of Zeluco was the 
 frequent theme of her panegyric. When she was 
 dwelling one day on this favourite topic, It is unfor- 
 tunate, said Laura, that the expression of his coun- 
 tenance corresponds so ill with the qualities of his 
 heart. 
 
 I do not know what you mean, my dear, said the 
 mother; few men are so handsome as Signer Zeluco. 
 
 It is, I believe, generally thought so, said Laura; 
 but 1 confess I am not of the general opinion. 
 
 No ! that a little surprises me. 
 
 When I speak of the expression of the countenance, 
 resumed Laura, I mean something different from 
 beauty or ugliness: there are many men whom I
 
 130 ZELUCO. 
 
 think plainer than Signer Zeluco, whose countenance 
 has nothing of that expression, which I think rather 
 disagreeable in his, 
 
 Am I to understand, child, said Madame de Seidlits. 
 smiling, rhat a man may be too handsome to be agree- 
 able to you ? 
 
 You would laugh at me if I said so, replied Laura ; 
 yet if a man seems too sensible of his being handsome, 
 you must admit that he is the less agreeable on that 
 account. 
 
 When a man happens to be handsome, replied Ma- 
 dame de Seidiits, people are apt to conclude, without 
 any other reason, that he is vain of his looks. 
 
 I am not, however, so unjust, said Laura: for ex- 
 ample, I agree with the general opinion in thinking 
 
 Mr. N , the Englishman who is so often at our 
 
 cousin's, very handsome ; yet he is so free from airs 
 and all appearance of conceit, that it is impossible to 
 think him vain. His features express goodness of 
 heart, but i have seen features which, considered se- 
 parately, seem as good, and yet the countenance on 
 the whole to which they belong, conveys the idea of 
 the reverse. 
 
 I do not admit, replied Madame de Seidiits, that 
 this is the case with Signer Zeluco's. 
 
 Perhaps I am whimsical in this point, said Laura; 
 but I am convinced a man may be hard-favoured, and 
 yet give no idea of his being a bad man. And with re- 
 spect to Signer Zeluco, I do think that those who do 
 riot know from experience that he is of a good cha- 
 racter, might be apt to suspect him of a bad. 
 
 Nothing depends more on whim, or is more uncer- 
 tain, than the pretended art of physiognomy, said Ma- 
 dame de Seidiits. 
 
 Yet it never fails to have some influence on our 
 opinion, cried Laura. 
 
 It ought not, replied Madame de Seidiits 5 it may
 
 ZELUCO. 131 
 
 mislead us greatly : Did you ever, for example, behold 
 a more lovely face than that of the wretched woman 
 we saw the other night at the opera ? yet her profli- 
 gate life is well known. You may recollect also, how 
 very hard and unpleasant the countenance of your 
 father's friend Colonel SleifFen was ; yet there never 
 existed a worthier man. You ought therefore, my 
 dear Laura, to beware of imagining that vice is con- 
 nected with deformity, or virtue with external beauty. 
 
 I beg pardon, my dear madam, replied Laura, but 
 1 might use the two instances you have given in sup- 
 port of my argument j for the opera woman you men- 
 tion, in spite of her beauty, 1 should never have thought 
 a person of a virtuous disposition ; and I always ima- 
 gined I saw benevolence shining through the harsh 
 features of Colonel Gleiffen. 
 
 I suspect, replied Madame de Seidlits, that a pre- 
 vious knowledge of their character led your opinion 
 in both cases ; and I am sure that candour and charity 
 ought to prevent our suspecting any person of being 
 bad, till we have reason to believe so from their 
 conduct. 
 
 I do assure you, my dear mother, said Laura, that 
 it always gives me pain to think ill of any body, and 
 it affords me sincere pleasure to find them better than 
 I expected. 
 
 Have you any reason to think ill of Signer Zeluco ? 
 said Madame de Seidlits with some emotion ; I re- 
 member you said something that seemed unpleasant 
 to him as I entered. 
 
 Why, no, no, replied Laura, with a little hesita- 
 tion; he was paying me a few compliments, and 
 stopped short as you entered. I only hinted to him 
 that I liked no conversation when you were not pre- 
 sent, that he judged improper when you were. But 
 as to thinking ill of him, 1 have I have no reason ; 
 we were talking of his looks.
 
 132 ZELUCO. 
 
 They afford no reason indeed, said Madame de 
 Seidlits; I hope experience, my dear, will- teach you 
 to judge of worth by some more certain criterion than 
 the features of the tace. 
 
 I hope it will, my dearest madam, replied Laura, 
 taking her mother's hand affectionately in both hers, 
 and till then, my opinions shall be directed by your 
 judgement; of this you may rest assured, that nothing 
 can ever influence me to think ill of those whom you 
 continue to think well of. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIN. 
 
 " Ilia quidem primj ituW-s inlelligrl. ignes.'' 
 
 OVID. Metamorph. lib. ix. 
 
 ZELVCO had been disconcerted, as has been men- 
 tioned, and was a little piqued at the manner in which 
 Laura received the compliments that he paid her, and 
 what she sa'd in his hearing to her mother ; but he 
 was still more mortified to perceive the indifference 
 which sht; displayed towards him on all occasions, 
 n -^withstanding his peculiar attention to her, and the 
 pains he took to gain her regard. Had Laura been 
 thoroughly acquainted with. Zeluco's character, the 
 distaste she had to him would not have been surpriwrg, 
 but she had not had sufficient opportunity of knowing 
 him ; she saw something in his manner indeed, and 
 in the expression of his countenance, which she did 
 not like; yet it might have been expected that the ele- 
 gance of his person, and the splendour of his wealth, 
 would have inclined her to get the better of this pre- 
 judice, as perhaps they would, had not her imagination 
 been prepossessed in a manner which will appeal- 
 singular. * 
 
 Laura's father had a son by a former marriage, whe
 
 ZELUCO. 133 
 
 was now a captain of dragoons in the Prussian service. 
 This gentleman's most intimate friend was the Baron 
 Carlostein, a man of family and very considerable for- 
 tune. They served together under the great Frederic, 
 in the short war concerning the Bavarian succession. 
 
 Alter one unfortunate skirmish, a small detachment 
 which Carlostein commanded formed the rear of the 
 retreating party, and defended a particular post with 
 great obstinacy, that the main body might have time 
 to make good their retreat : as he was falling back at 
 last, his detachment was surrounded by a numerous 
 party of Austrian hussars, and, notwithstanding a very 
 steady resistance, would have been cut to pieces, or 
 made prisoners, had not Captain Seidlits, at the head 
 of a few dragoons, made a desperate charge, by which 
 the hussars were dispersed, and Carlostein, with the 
 survivors of his detachment, brought off. 
 
 This was the commencement of a very intimate 
 friendship between these two officers. At the termi- 
 nation of the war, Captain Seidiits prevailed on his 
 friend to pass a few days at a little villa belonging to 
 his father in the neighbourhood of Berlin ; Laura was 
 then a child between ten and eleven years of ar~. 
 She had often heard her father, and other officers, 
 mention Carlostein as a young man of the greatest 
 hopes ; she had heard many ladies talk of him as re- 
 markably genteel and amiable. Her brother had 
 written in terms of high admiration of Carlostein's 
 conduct in the action above mentioned, and she had 
 heard his letters read to the company at her father's 
 table. When Laura understood, therefore, that the 
 person whom she had heard so much applauded was 
 coming to her father's house, she expected to see a 
 hero. The appearance and manners of Carlostein did 
 not belie her expectation : during the short stay which 
 he made at the villa, he was treated by Colonel Seid- 
 lits and his lady with that distinguished hospitality 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 134 2ELUCO. 
 
 -which it was natural they should pay to a man of his 
 character and rank, the intimate friend of their son. 
 What Laura had heard of this young officer, the re- 
 spect paid him by her parents, the affectionate attach- 
 ment of her brother, his own figure and elegant man- 
 ners, tended to fire her fancy, and render him, in her 
 mind, the first of human beings. He had received a 
 wound with a sabre on one side of his brow, which 
 reached beneath his temple : the scar was covered with 
 a slip of black plaster, appearing peculiarly graceful in 
 the child's eyes, and a confirmation of the heroic cha- 
 racter of Carlostein. Colonel Seidlits and his lady 
 perceived Laura's admiration of their guest, and were 
 amused with the earnest manner in which she some- 
 limes looked at him, and the pleased attention with 
 which she listened when he spoke. 
 
 The colonel one day observed her examining a 
 print of Le Brun's picture of the family of Darius. 
 What has caught your fancy here ? said he, coming 
 behind, and tapping her on the shoulder. The child 
 imagined that she saw a likeness to Carlostein's in the 
 countenance which Le Brun gives to Alexander. Do 
 you not think, replied she, that this face, pointing to 
 Hephaestion, has a resemblance of my brother ? 
 
 The colonel having looked attentively at the print, 
 and observing the resemblance which really had at- 
 tracted Laura's attention, fell a-laughing, and replied, 
 JXo, my dear, 1 cannot say I do, but I own I am 
 somewhat surprised that the resemblance between this 
 face, pointing to Alexander, and your friend Baron 
 Carlostein, stems entirely to have escaped so accurate 
 an observer as you are. 
 
 The child seemed a little out of countenance ; and 
 when Colonel Seidlit? recounted the circumstance to 
 his lady, he added, I should be glad to know at what 
 age a young lady begins to disguise her sentiments ? 
 At the same age that young gentlemen begin to dis-
 
 ZELUCO. 133 
 
 guise theirs, replied Madame de Seidlits j when they 
 suspect, from the behaviour of those around, that there 
 is something wrong or ridiculous in their sentiments. 
 We first taught Laura, continued she, to admire the 
 baron; and afterwards, by laughing at the child for the 
 marks of admiration which she shows, we give her a 
 notion that there is something ridiculous in it : of 
 course she wishes to conceal what exposes her to rail- 
 lery. A boy would have done the same. 
 
 I imagine, not exactly in the same way, replied the 
 colonel. 
 
 Carlostein went soon after to his estate in a distant 
 part of the Prussian dominions ; he afterwards passed 
 some time in France ; on his return to his own coun- 
 try, his duty as a soldier kept him with his regiment, 
 and he had never after seen Laura, or thought of her 
 more than as an agreeable child, the sister of his 
 friend. 
 
 The impression which he made on her imagination 
 tvas certainly stronger, and more permanent ; although 
 her parents considered this partiality of Laura's to 
 Carlostein as 
 
 " A violet in the youth of primy nature, 
 Forward, not permanent j sweet, but not lasting, 
 The perfume and suppliance of a minute*." 
 
 Laura herself endeavoured to conceal it to prevent 
 the raillery to which it exposed her ; yet it had some 
 influence in making her reject the addresses of more 
 than one lover before she left Germany 5 all of whom 
 were thought advantageous matches, considering the 
 smallness of her fortune. She found them to fall so 
 far beneath the accomplished Carlostein, that she did 
 not hesitate a moment. The same impression, though 
 now considerably weakened by time, tended to make 
 her view Zeluco with indifference, and often with 
 
 * Shakespeare. 
 N2
 
 136 ZELUCO. 
 
 dislike : so much did he fall below that model of 
 which she still carried the traces in her memory. In 
 this preference, Laura proved that her judgement was 
 not directed by external appearance; for, in the general 
 opinion, Zeluco would have passed for a handsomer 
 man than Carlostein. 
 
 .CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 " Non te Penelopen diflldlem prncis 
 
 Tyrrhenus genial parent" HORAT. 
 
 HOWEVER much Zeluco was mortified and piqued at 
 the indifference of Laura, his passion for her rather 
 seemed to augment than to cool. As the house where 
 he had the most convenient opportunities of meeting 
 with her was that of Signora Sporza, he thought it 
 indispensably necessary to keep that lady in constant 
 good-humour with, him : with this view he cultivated 
 ber favour with the most respectful assiduity. He at- 
 tempted in vain, however, to prevail on her to accept 
 of any present of value : she always declined his offers 
 with good-humour and gaiety, saying,Nobody in whom 
 she was particularly interested was at that time in 
 prison for debt ; but when any such case occurred, 
 she would apply to him for a ring or snuff-box proper 
 for their relief. Zeluco considered all this as mere 
 affectation and grimace, and was convinced that she 
 would, in due time, unfold the particular mode in 
 which she wished to be indemnified ; for he took it 
 for granted, that indemnified in one shape or other 
 she intended to be, for whatever civility she showed, 
 or whatever trouble she took on his account. In the 
 mean time, he plainly perceived that she would not 
 stoop to be directly assisting to his views on Laura. 
 He imagined she had come to a resolution to observe
 
 ZELUCO. 13/ 
 
 a neutrality, till such time at least as she could exact 
 a very large subsidy for acting as an auxiliary. But in 
 these conjectures he had entirely mistaken the cha^ 
 racter of the lady. 
 
 Bred in a country where a very free system of gal- 
 lantry prevails, Signora Sporza certainly did not view 
 it in the light that a virtuous woman ought. In her 
 youth, she had been a coquette, and she retained 
 something of that appearance at an age when coquetry 
 is less tolerable ; which gave a handle to her enemies 
 lo insinuate that she had carried matters beyond the 
 point at which simple coquetry is supposed to stop : 
 this, however, they were never able to ascertain; 
 and as those who were most industrious to spread the 
 insinuation, were, with better grounds, thought to 1 be 
 in that predicament themselves, their malice had the 
 less effect. Her constant good-humour, humane dis- 
 position, and easy manners, rendered her highly agree- 
 able to society in general j and she had lived on the 
 best terms with her husband, undisturbed with jea- 
 lousy, notwithstanding his being an Italian. 
 
 Her talent for raillery she managed with such ad- 
 dress, as to render it entertaining in general, without 
 being offensive in particular. Mere dull downright 
 scandal, which had no object but the gratification of 
 malice, she detested, and considered the circulation of 
 every story to the disadvantage of others, as inexcu- 
 sable, even although founded in truth. When a con- 
 nexion of a particular kind subsisted between two 
 people of different sexes, nobody was more quick than 
 uignora Sporza in perceiving it ; yet she was never 
 heard to give the least hint of her knowledge or sus- 
 picion of such an intrigue. If the parties met openly 
 at her assemblies, she received tliem with her u^ual 
 poii u-ness 5 if either of them made her acquainted 
 wi'h their intimacy, she would not suffer them to 
 visit her afterwards. She never would be the confi- 
 
 N3
 
 138 ZKLUCO. 
 
 dante of a love intrigue ; because accessaries, she said, 
 were as guilty as the principals, with far less tempta- 
 ^ion : besides, she added, as the loving couple gene- 
 rally quarrel afterwards, and sometimes go the length 
 of hating each other, part of this hatred may extend 
 to those who encouraged their connexion. 
 
 Another of this lady's maxims was, that nothing 
 should ever be told concerning one friend of another, 
 particularly to a husband of his wife,or to a wife of her 
 husband, which would give them pain to know. If 
 what is told is false, all the world agrees, that the 
 tale-bearer has done a very ill thing; and if it happens 
 to be true, in Signora Sporza's opinion, a much worse; 
 for a malicious falsehood, said she, ceases to do harm, 
 when the truth comes to be known, but the mischief 
 attending a malicious truth i-> more durable. Jealousy, 
 whether well or ill founded, she considered as the 
 greatest plague of society ; a jealous husband or wife 
 she thought the most odious of all odious animals, and 
 as carefully to be excluded from good company as mad 
 people or cut-throats. She had no scruple in declaring 
 that, in her opinion, the man was devoid of principle 
 who intrigued with any gentlewoman, however willing 
 she might be, before such gentlewoman was provided 
 \yith a husband, or at least within a very short time 
 of being so : and she thought that man was very little 
 better, who did not take due precautions to prevent 
 his intercourse with a woman of reputation from be- 
 coming public, even although the lady was married. 
 
 As Signora -'porza had no favourable opinion of 
 Zelucofrom her first acquaintance with him, and even 
 strongly suspected the nature of his views on Laura ; 
 it will seem extraordinary that she did not communi- 
 cate these suspicions to Laura, or to Madame de Seid- 
 Jits, for both of whom her esteem and affection hourly 
 increased : the truth is, it was this very affection that 
 prevented her. She expected to make Zeiuco's at-
 
 ZKMJCO. 139 
 
 tachment to Laura, and his influence with the minis- 
 ter, of service to her friends in other schemes which 
 she meditated for their benefit; but she saw plainly, 
 from the avowed principles and undeviating conduct 
 of both the mother and daughter, that on the slight- 
 est idea of his views on Laura they would renounce 
 all connexion with Zeluco, and spurn at every ad- 
 vantage that could attend it. Having a very high opi- 
 nion, therefore, of Laura's prudence, on whioh she 
 relied much, and believing in her aversion to the man, 
 on which she relied more, she permitted him quietly 
 to proceed in his scheme, convinced however that he 
 would be successful only in promoting hers. 
 
 There certainly was little delicacy in Signora Spor- 
 za's way of thinking on thi.s and some other subjects; 
 and as she was of a friendly benevolent disposition, 
 and possessed some excellent qualities, it is to be re- 
 gretted that they were intermingled with any of baser 
 alloy. 
 
 Our only reason for describing men and women as 
 animals of heterogeneous composition, made up qf bad 
 as well as good materials, is, that we have hitherto always 
 found them so ; but we shall be happy to delineate 
 uniform and perfect characters as soun as we have the 
 good fortune to meet their prototypes in nature. There 
 is room to fear, however, that they are as difficult to 
 lind as they would be agreeable and easy to describe ; 
 and that the race of those perfect beings, incapable of 
 weakness and invulnerable; to vice, who are ever 
 armed at all points, and cased in virtues as the knights 
 of chivalry were in mail, has entirely failed, as well 
 as that of those tremendous giants, void of every vir- 
 tue and replete with every vice, who lived in the 
 same age.s : till these opposite extremes, men entire- 
 ly good or completely wicked, appe.ir again, ue must 
 be contented with that mediocrity of character which 
 prevails, and draw mankind as we find them, the best
 
 140 ZELUCO. 
 
 subject to weaknesses, the worst imbued with some 
 good quality, 
 
 In a "character, such as that of the person whose 
 story we have the unpleasant task of recording, there 
 are, perhaps, fewer good qualities than in any other, 
 because cruelty was become the basis of Zeluco's cha- 
 racter, at least a total disregard to the feelings of his 
 fellow-creatures, when any interest or gratification of 
 his own was in question. 
 
 This disposition of the mind, we conceive, admits 
 of fewer good qualities, and is connected with a 
 greater number of bad, than any other of which hu- 
 man nature is susceptible. Montaigne, indeed, has 
 said, "Nature a (ce crains-je) , elle-meme attucM a 
 I'ho'mme quelque instinct a I 'inhumanity * ." But it is 
 to be hoped, that the instinct he mentions belongs 
 only to devils, and that a disinterested pleasure in the 
 sufferings of others exists not even in the most wicked 
 of human breasts. It is sufficiently deplorable that 
 any of mankind are capable of pursuing what they 
 consider as their own interest, and sometimes interest 
 cf a very frivolous nature, at the expense of extreme 
 misery to their fellow- creatures. The proofs, how- 
 ever, of this degree of cruelty need rot be drawn 
 irom the stories of giants, and records of chit airy j 
 they are frequently found in more authentic history, 
 and may be adduced from ti:e conduct of too many 
 ot the heroes and great men of antiquity; not to 
 mention the great men of our own days, whose sen* 
 tiniems and conduct, however different from those of 
 the former in every other respect, have a wonderful 
 resemblance to their predecessors, in this article of in- 
 sensibility and disregard of the misery of others. 
 
 * Essais de Montaigne, livre xi. cliap. 11.
 
 ZELUCO. 141 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 A perfidious attempt. 
 
 As Zeluco now found more frequent opportunities 
 than ever of being in company with Laura, he conti- 
 nued his assiduities with increased zeal, and strove by 
 every means of insinuation with which he was ac- 
 quainted to gain her good opinion : but with all the 
 pains he took and the art he used, her behavior. r to 
 him never exceeded the bounds of common polite- 
 ness, and sometimes a kind of politeness which sa- 
 voured a little of dislike. 
 
 Although few men had less tenderness than Zeluco 
 for the self-love of others, none could feel more ex- 
 quisitely when their own was wounded ; he perceived 
 Laura's indifference with indignation, and would have 
 endured it with still more impatience, had he not 
 found a balsam to alleviate the smart in the very root 
 from whence it sprang. His vanity, while it made 
 him feel the indiiFerence of Laura, persuaded him 
 that she was deficient in penetration, and did not re- 
 lish the graces with which he thought himself adorned, 
 as women of tasie usually did. " L' 'amour propre," as 
 Rochefoucault finely observes, " ernpeche lien que 
 celui (jid nous flatte soit jamais celui qui nousjlatle le 
 plus.'" It might be thought that this mean opinion 
 of Laura's taste would tend to diminish the force of 
 his attachment to her ; but we must remember that 
 Zeluco's love was entirely sensual : he thought Laura's 
 face the most beautiful, and her person the most 
 piquant, he had ever seen. The qualities of her 
 mind he regarded not. 
 
 The attentive and complaisant manner in which 
 Madame de Seidlits always behaved to him, convinced 
 him that he enjoyed" her good opinion ; he perceived
 
 142 2ELUCO. 
 
 also, that she had a taste for show and magnificence, 
 and was a little out of countenance sometimes on 
 account of the want of those superfluities which cus- 
 tom has rendered almost necessaries in a certain rank 
 of life. On this weakness he founded an opinion, 
 that, with proper management, she might be gradu- 
 ally brought to wink at the connexion he wished to 
 form with her daughter; a piece of complaisance, 
 however shocking, which he had already met with in 
 more than one instance. 
 
 He resolved therefore to begin his horrid design by 
 fixing an obligation of an important nature on her, 
 unknown both to her daughter and Signora Sporza : 
 he waited on her one forenoon, when he knew the 
 two other ladies were abroad ; and preluding what he 
 had to propose with many apologies, he said, that the 
 high esteem he had for, and the sincere concern he 
 took in her interest, had prompted him to make some 
 inquiry into her circumstances ; and that he was much 
 grieved to find they were so ill-proportioned to her 1 
 merit. As your husband, continued he, belonged to 
 another service, I find it will be difficult to have this 
 remedied by the bounty of this court ; but you will 
 oblige me infinitely (especially if you will a^ree to 
 keep it a secret from every oiher person without excep- 
 tion), by permitting me to be your banker for an an- 
 nual sum, till such time at least as your own affairs 
 are better arranged. So saying, he presented her with 
 a note of very considerable value. 
 
 The blood mounted into Madame de Seidlits's face 
 at this proposal, and she immediately replied, with 
 an air of surprise and displeasure, that she was sorry 
 he had taken the trouble of making an inquiry of such 
 a nature ; that he had received an erroneous account 
 of her affairs, which were not in a situation to justify 
 her in accepting assistance of that kind from any per-
 
 ZELUCQ. 143 
 
 son ; but more particularly from one with whom she had 
 no natural connexion. She added, that she should 
 always have a proper sense of the obligation which, 
 unexpected and unsolicited on her part, he had already 
 conferred on her ; but she was determined to be ex- 
 ceedingly cautious of permitting a load to be increased 
 which she had already felt too heavy for her to bear 
 without great uneasiness. Having said this, she with- 
 drew, throwing such a look at Zelucoas his conscious 
 heart interpreted into a suspicion of his base design. 
 He remained some time fixed to the spot, and then 
 returned to his own house in much disturbance of 
 mind. 
 
 He was now convinced that he had made a false es- 
 timate of the character of Madame de Seidlits ; that 
 he had betrayed his scheme on her daughter, and 
 dreaded that lie should be deprived of the pleasure of 
 visiting her any more, without which he felt he could 
 enjoy little comfort or repose. 
 
 After much reflection, and after forming and reject- 
 ing various plans to remove the effects of this rash step, 
 and reinstate himself in the good opinion of Madame 
 de Seidlits, he at length sent her the following letter : 
 
 " I AM much afraid, my dear madam, that I have 
 offended your delicacy by my proposal this morning, 
 which I am now convinced was made in too abrupt a 
 manner, owing to my having received some vexatious 
 news of a domestic nature, which will oblige me to 
 embark for Messina within a few days. Having little 
 expectation of returning to Naples, I grasped too 
 eagerly at the happiness of serving a person I so highly 
 esteem, and whom there is reason to fear I shall never 
 see again. I hope you will forgive my precipitate 
 zeal ; for, however just your reasons may be for reject- 
 ing the satisfaction aimed at, I hope you will never
 
 144 ZELUCO. 
 
 have any for denying some share of your regard to him 
 who is, with the highest esteem, and the warmest 
 prayers for your happiness, 
 
 " Madam, 
 " Your most obedient 
 
 " and most humble servant, 
 
 " ZBLUCO." 
 
 Although Madame de Feidlits's pride had been 
 alarmed by Zelnco's proposal, she had no suspicion 
 that it was dictated by any base motive ; and therefore 
 ihe was not without uneasiness, even before receiving 
 this letter, lest she had behaved with too much lofti- 
 ness to a well-meaning and friendly man. She be- 
 came entirely of this opinion the moment she perused 
 the letter ; her candid mind wns filled with remorse 
 for her own behaviour, and sorrow for his threatened 
 departure. 
 
 She directly sent him a letter, apologizing for her 
 behaviour, and entreated him not to leave Naples 
 without seeing her once more. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX I. 
 
 " Tamen ad mines nuturo rf turrit 
 JJamnalij.'i, j'ra el mtttaii tifscia. " 
 
 Juv. Sat.xiii. 25?. 
 
 .WHEN Signora Sporza r.nd Laura returned from their 
 airing, Madame cie Seiollits informed them, that Ze- 
 luco had paid her a \ i-.it, and that he intended to leave 
 Naples. She mentioned this in such a manner that 
 they naturally thought the sole design of his visit had 
 been to acquaint her with his sudden departure ; this 
 the did to prevent any inquiry concerning the real
 
 ZELUCO. 145 
 
 motive of his visit, which, in compliance with Ze- 
 luco's request, she intended to conceal. 
 
 Signora Sporza was greatly surprised at Zeluco's 
 sudden resolution : it appeared unaccountable to her, 
 who was convinced his affections centered at Naples, 
 and did not believe that any business would appejr of 
 sufficient importance in the eyes of a man of his cha- 
 racter and fortune, to draw him from the place where 
 his affections were fixed. 
 
 Laura was uneasy because she saw her mother so ; 
 for, independent of that circumstance, she would 
 have been pleased with the departure of a man whose 
 company was disagreeable to IKT. 
 
 The reader needs not be informed that Zeluco 
 had no intention of leaving Napjes tnd that the 
 story of vexatious news, which obliged him to em- 
 bark for Sirily. wis an invention, calculated to re- 
 move all suspicion of his real pl:ui fro.-n the mind, of 
 Madams de Seidlits, and to convince her, that his 
 proposal could be dictated by pure benevolence 
 alone ; for if, previous to making it. he had already 
 formed the resolution of quitting Italy, with no v ew 
 of returning for several years, and little chance of ever 
 seeing her or her daughter again, the orrVr must have 
 been well intended, whether she thought it became 
 her to accept it or not. 
 
 But it was necessary that he should seem in earnest 
 before he sent the letter to Madame de "eidlits; 
 therefore he announced his intention to the domestics 
 of his own family, ordered several things to be pre- 
 pared and packed up, called in his debts, orden- in- 
 quiry to be made about a proper vessel for transport- 
 ing him and his suite. In short, he acted his part so 
 well, that none of his acquaintance, except Signora 
 Sporza, had any doubts of his intention. 
 
 Wht.-n Zeluco recriv xl Madame de Sekilits's answer 
 to his letter, he began to resume his old opinions : 
 
 VOL. I. O
 
 146 ZKLL'CO. 
 
 his mind, habituated to hypocrisy and deceit, could 
 not enter into the natural movements of an honest 
 heart, apprehensive of having acted ungenerously, 
 and throbbing with eagerness to make reparation, he 
 imagined her answer displayed an inclination to accept 
 of his offer, and thought her stately behaviour had 
 been assumed on purpose to enhance the value of her 
 future acquiescence, or perhaps was a temporary 
 triumph, with which the good lady chose to indulge 
 her vanity ; but having been driven to immediate de- 
 cision by the unexpected news of his departure, she 
 was now ready to capitulate en reasonable terms. 
 
 He did not continue long in this way of thinking; 
 for when he waited on her the following day, and 
 Madame de Seidlits having repeated her apology for 
 the coolness of her behaviour at their last interview, 
 he began to hint, though in a distant way, at a re- 
 newal of his former proposition ; but was immediately 
 stopt short, by her rejecting it with equal firmness, 
 though with less anger than at first. She added, in 
 the most obliging manner, that she had taken the 
 liberty of requesting to see him ; because she could 
 not bear the thoughts of his leaving Naples after such 
 a cold interview as their last, without expressing that 
 sense of gratitude which she should ever retain for his 
 goodness to her on a late occasion, and without wish- 
 ing him a good voyage. 
 
 There was so much virtuous dignity and unaffected 
 candour and benevolence in the whole of her discourse 
 and deportment, as overawed his insidious tongue, 
 and checked every presumptuous hope that began to 
 spring up in his breast. 
 
 At his taking leave, Madame de Seidlits, with some 
 degree of solemnity and fervour said, Heaven ciT.ect 
 you, sir, wherever you go, and bless you with all the 
 prosperity and success which your disinterested con- 
 auct and benevolent character deserve ! The con-
 
 ZELUCO. 147 
 
 science of Zeluco smole him at this petition, and he 
 felt a pang sharp as the stiletto of the Portuguese. 
 
 Disappointed, humbled, and self-condemned, in 
 broken accents, and with a faltering tongue, he was 
 withdrawing, without having the assurance once to 
 pronounce the name of Laura, when Signora Sporza 
 and that yonng lady entered the room : even then he 
 was unable to recover himself so far as to address them 
 in his usual manner; after bowing to each, without 
 uttering a word, he hurried out of the room. 
 
 His agitation spoke more powerfully in his favour 
 with Madame de Seidlits, than he could himself have 
 done had he he been ever so cool and recollected ; that 
 confusion which proceeded from disappointment, 
 perfidy, and conscious guilt, she imputed to the sen- 
 sibility of a benevolent heart, on being separated from 
 friends, without the hope of seeing them again for a 
 long time. 
 
 Laura, without being so fully convinced of its jus- 
 tice, acquiesced in the construction of l,er mother. 
 
 Signora Sporza could not account in a satisfactory 
 manner for the behaviour of Zeluco ; but she was too 
 much convinced of the selfishness of his disposition, 
 to believe that he could be much affected with any 
 thing unconnected with his own personal interest or 
 pleasure. 
 
 He was under the necessity of continuing the pre- 
 parations for his .departure for some days ; but on the 
 arrival of the first vessel from Sicily, he pretended 
 that he had received letters, informing him that tha 
 business which required his presence was happily and 
 unexpectedly terminated ; so that his voyage was no 
 longer necessary. This news lie allowed to reach the 
 ladies in the common course of circulation, fearing that 
 their delicacy might he hurt by his sending a formal 
 message to acquaint them with it; as that would im- 
 ply his thinking his motions of more importance to 
 O 2
 
 148 ZELUCO. 
 
 them, than they might incline to have believed : but 
 en his waiting on them a few day after, he was highly 
 pleased when Madame de Seidlits chid him for omit- 
 ting to send her a piece of -intelligence which gave her 
 much pleasure. He looked at Laura, in hope* of her 
 showing marks of agreeing with her mother ; but as 
 she felt differently, she seemed as if she had not heard 
 what her mother had said. Signora Sporza, looking 
 slily at Zeluco, said, 1 am less surprised than my 
 friend, having all along had a prepossession that some- 
 thing would occur to prevent this voyage. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 The importance of a man to himself. 
 
 ZELUCO was now on a better footing than ever with 
 Madame de Seidlits, visited her more frequently, and 
 became more and more enamoured of her daughter. 
 The natural gracefulness of her manner, the lively 
 good sense of her conversation, and the winning 
 sweetness of her temper, would have attracted the 
 admiration of every man of sentiment, although these 
 qualities had been connected with a face and person 
 of the common kind. Even in the eyes of Zeluco, 
 sunk as he was in sensuality and debased by vice, the 
 filial affection, the graceful modesty, and benevolent 
 heart of this amiable young woman, gave additional 
 poignancy to those external beauties which hitherto 
 he had esteemed as all that is valuable in woman. 
 
 From the observations which Zeluco had made on 
 the conduct of mankind, confirmed by what passed 
 within his own breast, his opinion was, that virtue 
 was mere varnish and pretext; and whatever apparent 
 disinterestedness, generosity, or self-denial, there 
 were in the conduct of any person, that if the whole
 
 ZKLUCO. 149 
 
 could be chemically analysed and reduced to their 
 original elements, self-interest would be found at the 
 bottom of the crucible : he was, besides, of a suspicious 
 temper, and convinced that for the most of their ac- 
 tions mankind h.ive secret reasons very different from 
 the ostensible. If, therefore, the motive announced 
 was of a generous or disinterested nature, he never 
 believed it to be the real one, but turned his eyes 
 in search of a motive where self-interest pro-lonu- 
 nated. 
 
 In the present case, not being able to conjecture 
 any advantage that could accrue to Laura from behav- 
 ing with so much reserve to him (as to disliking him, 
 
 O \ O 
 
 he thought that impossible), nor any benefit which 
 Madame de Seidlits could derive from rejecting his 
 proposal, especially as he had annexed no condition to 
 it j he laboured to discover what could impel two wo- 
 men who were not devoid of common sense to act in 
 such an irrational manner. And after much deliberate 
 reflection, he at length imputed the whole of their 
 conduct to a scheme concerted between the mother 
 and daughter, with the aid of Signora Sporz-a, to take 
 advantage of his passion for Laura, and, by assumed 
 dignity in the one and reserve in the other, to allure 
 him into a marriage. 
 
 Replete with this notion, he determined to be more 
 sparing in his attentions to Laura, to pay his court 
 with ostentatious assiduity to a young tady of family 
 and considerable beauty then at Naples ; and by 
 alarming Madame de Seidlits and Laura with jealousy, 
 and the fear of losing him for ever, induce them both 
 to more complaisance. 
 
 He acted the part he intended so well, that within 
 a short time it was generally believed at Naples that 
 a treaty of marriage was on foot between Zeluco and 
 the young lady in question ; and he took particular 
 care that Signora Sporza and her two friends should
 
 130 ZELUCO. 
 
 have more reason than others to be convinced of the 
 truth of this report. 
 
 In requital for the pains he gave himself in his new 
 assumed character, he had the vexation to perceive, 
 that those of all his acquaintance who took the least 
 interest in his behaviour and in the news he had cir- 
 culated, were precisely the persons he wished to 
 affect the most ; that Madame de Seidlits and Si- 
 gnora Sporza heard and believed it with the most 
 perfect indifference ; and if there was any alteration 
 observable in the behaviour of Laura, it was that she 
 seemed a little gayer than formerly. 
 
 Finding that a stratagem which he imagined would 
 have greatly disconcerted the supposed scheme of the 
 ladies, and produced something favourable to bis own 
 views, had entirely failed, he now thought proper to 
 relax in his assiduities to the young lady in question, 
 and renew them to her whom, for sometime, he 
 seemed to have abandoned. 
 
 He was the more eager to return to his former so- 
 ciety at Signora Sporza's, as he understood that Mr. 
 
 N , the English gentleman formerly mentioned, 
 
 spent a great deal of his time with her, and in the 
 company of Madame de Seidlits and Laura He 
 could hardly indeed allow himself to imagine that any 
 woman who had eyes could prefer this Englishman 
 to himself j yet, recollecting that the tastes of women 
 are wonderfully capricious, he felt some sensations of 
 
 jealousy on hearing of the visits of Mr. N . 
 
 Having prepared a plausible story to account for his 
 late absence, and what he thought a mighty well-turn- 
 ed apology, he again waited on Madame de Stidlits. 
 He had no opportunity, however, of pronouncing his 
 apology 5 for as no notice had been taken by Laura 
 or her relations of his retreat, the same inattention 
 wa<* paid to his return. He was received as if be had 
 passed the preceding evening with them - } Signora
 
 ZELUCO. 151 
 
 Sporza saying, just as he was about to make his apo- 
 logy, This is lucky enough, as N cannot be 
 
 with us ; we were in want of somebody to form our 
 parly. Pray, Signer, draw a card. 
 
 Baffled in all his plans of seduction, his usual 
 amusements becoming insipid, and his former plea- 
 sures nauseous, feeling himself incapable of any en- 
 joyment out of the company of Laura, the obdurate 
 and haughty spirit of Zeluco was obliged to relinquish 
 every idea of obtaining the object of his wishes by 
 what he called conquest, and to think of proposing 
 articles of union. 
 
 This last recourse was the more mortifying to him, 
 as it was a favourite maxim of his, that no man in his 
 senses would ever think of entering into the state of 
 matrimony, but by the door of wealth or ambition ; 
 yet impelled by desires which he could not gratify on 
 other terms, he now found himself obliged to sue for 
 admission into that state without the attractions of 
 either wealth or ambition. 
 
 After a long internal struggle, he at last waited on 
 the mother of Laura, and without much ceremony 
 or circumlocution, for he had not the least doubt of 
 success, he acquainted her with his honourable inten- 
 tions respecting her daughter. Few things could have 
 been more agreeable to Madame de Seidiits than such 
 a proposal. 
 
 During the first violence of her grief and dejection 
 of spirits on her husband s d<. j ath, she felt the diminu- 
 tion of her foitune as an inconsiderable evil after so 
 great a misfortune ; but now that the sharpness of 
 her sorrow was somewhat biunted by time, she began 
 to be more sensible of the inconveniences and morti- 
 fications attendant on narrow circumstances. 
 
 Her husband, like most Germans, was fond of show, 
 and had encouraged his wife in a more expensive style
 
 152 ZELUCO. 
 
 of life than he could well afford. She herself, hi 
 other respects of a very amiable character, was not 
 without vanityj she was desirous that her house, fur- 
 niture, and equipage, should not only be genteel but 
 splendid. It is not surprising, therefore, that the 
 minute oeconomy which was absolutely necessary 
 in her present circumstances should be highly disa- 
 greeable to her, even on her o\vn account, but still 
 more so on account of her fondness for Laura, whom 
 she eagerly wished to see possessed of all the elegan- 
 cies of life, and for whose smallest pleasure she was 
 ever ready to sacrifice any gratification of her own j 
 indeedj all her own gratifications, even those of her 
 vanity, were more sensibly enjoyed by her in the per- 
 son of her daughter than in her own. 
 
 As Madame de Seidlits foresaw that Laura's mar- 
 riage with Zeluco would probably be accompanied 
 with many conveniences to herself, would put her 
 beloved daughter into that state of affluence and 
 splendour which so well became her, and as Zeluco 
 was a man of whom she had a good opinion, she 
 heartily rejoiced at the proposal which he made. 
 Having therefore in polite terms thanked him for his 
 good opinion of her daughter, she said she would in- 
 form her of his proposals, and then leave the matter 
 to her own decision. 
 
 That is all I wish, madam, said Zeluco. 
 
 For, continued Madame de Se dlits, Laura's duti- 
 ful behaviour gives her a claim to the utmost indul- 
 gence, and her excellent xinderstanding renders it 
 improper for me strongly to influence, far less to con- 
 trol her on such an occasion. 
 
 Control ! repeated Zeluco ; Have you reason to 
 think your daughter's aftectons are aheady engaged ? 
 
 I know they are not, said Madame de Seidlit's ; had 
 thatbeen the case, 1 shouldhave begun by teilingyouso.
 
 ZELUCO. 153 
 
 Then, madam, said Zeluco, it is to be hoped there 
 will be no need of control. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits was not so sure of Laura's 
 agreeing to. Zeluco' s proposal as he seemed to be, and 
 therefore had spoken in doubtful terms, which he 
 thought unnecessary, and a little ridiculous. 
 
 Having obtained leave to make his proposals to 
 Laura herself, he withdrew, fully convinced that they 
 would be most acceptable ; but somewhat abashed, 
 that, to arrive at the wished-for goal, he was under 
 the necessity of taking the detested road to matri- 
 mony. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 Maternal affection. Filial duly. 
 
 THAT very evening Madame de Seidlits took occasion 
 to mention Zeluco to Laura, in terms agreeable to the 
 good opinion she had formed of him, and the grati- 
 tude which she felt for the good office he had done 
 her j and then added, She was convinced he would 
 make a good husband. 
 
 Perhaps he might, said Laura, to a woman who 
 loved him. 
 
 A man of generosity and worth must command 
 the esteem of a virtuous woman, answered Madame 
 de Seidlits ; and that, my dear, is often a stronger 
 pledge of happiness in the married state, than the fan- 
 tastical notions some women form of love. 
 
 Alarmed at the significant manner with which Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits pronounced this, Laura, looking 
 earnestly at her mother, cried, Heavens ! what docs 
 this mean ? has Signer Zeluco sure he cannot 
 think 
 
 Yes, Laura, said Madame de Seidlits, he thinks of
 
 )5l ZELUCO. 
 
 you, and you only; aud this day he offered to make 
 you mistress of his hand and fortune. 
 
 The blood immediately forsook Laura's face ; she 
 became as pale, as snow, and seemed ready to faint. 
 
 My dearest child, exclaimed Madame de Seidlits ; 
 what is the matter ? 
 
 Oh ! mother, said Laura, in a feeble voice, will 
 you give me to a man I cannot love ? will you order 
 your Laura ? 
 
 How can you talk so, child, said the mother ? 
 when did I order you ? 
 
 Alas ! said Laura, is not every indication of your 
 wishes obeyed as an order by me r 
 
 For which reason, replied Madame de Seidlits, I 
 have no wishes but those which you can with pleasure 
 obey. 
 
 It has been the happiness of my life, said Laura, 
 to obey, to anticipate your wishes, when it was in 
 my power ; But can you wish me married to a man 
 whom I cannot love ? or would you make such a re- 
 quital to the person who has obliged you, as to give 
 him a wife without fortune, and without the least af- 
 fection, without even 
 
 For Heaven's sake, rny dear, do not talk in that 
 manner, interrupted Madame de Seidiits ; you well 
 know, I can desire nothing but what is for your good ; 
 but I beg you may hear me calmly, your decision on 
 this matter is of great importance. You must be sen- 
 sible of the sad reverse of fortune which has befallen 
 you by the death of your father ; his rising prospects in 
 the army, his generous spirit, and above all his love for 
 us both, have accustomed you to a style of li.'e very 
 different from what our present circumstances can sup- 
 port. In the mean while, Signor Zeluco, a man of a 
 friendly and benevolent character, and of a vast for- 
 tune, offers you his hand, and is ready to rescue you 
 from all the inconveniences of poverty, and to place
 
 ZELUCO. 155 
 
 you in a state of affluence which you never before ex- 
 perienced. But you say, you do not love him. 
 Well, if that continues to be the case, there is no 
 more to be said j I shall never desire you to give your 
 hand to a man whom you cannot love ; but I fear, 
 rny dear, you are misled by false and romantic notions 
 on that head. 
 
 Is there any thing unreasonable or romantic, said 
 Laura, in refusing my hand to a man who in no de- 
 gree interests my heart ? But you have alluded to the 
 inconveniences of our present confined circum- 
 stances, as affecting me in a more particular manner. 
 I know not, continued Laura, if I understood my 
 mother right ? 
 
 1 he narrowness of our circumstances are a source 
 of unhappiness to me OH your account only, replied 
 Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 Fiom this moment then, my dear madam, let that 
 source be dried up, said Laura ; for our present cir- 
 cumstances, confined as they are, give me no unea- 
 siness : and be assured, that if you can bear them 
 cheerfully, all the inconveniences attending them are 
 bliss to me, m comparison with affluence as the wife 
 of Zeluco, 
 
 Well, my dearest girl, I have done ; you have said 
 enough, and more than enough ; you shall never 
 again hear him mentioned as a lover by me. 
 
 My dear mother, cried Laura, with tears of affec- 
 tion, how can I requite you for this goodness ? 
 
 By following the dictates of your own virtuous 
 heart, said Madame de Seidlits ; be you happy, my 
 dear child, and I am contented. 
 
 I am happy ! exclaimed Laura, throwing her arms 
 around her motht- r's neck ; How can I be but happy 
 while I am blessed with such a parent ? 
 
 Madame de Seidlits then informed her daughter, 
 that Zeluco had desired to have an audience of her by
 
 156 ZELUCO. 
 
 himself, in which he would make his proposals ; 
 which she had agreed to. 
 
 Laura begged with earnestness that her mother 
 would take on herself the office of acquainting Ze- 
 luco with her determined sentiments. But Madante 
 de Seidlits urged her promise, and that Zeluco might 
 consider himself as disrespectfully used; adding, with 
 a smile, you must allow me, my dear, to carry one 
 point in this negotiation. Laura acquiesced, and next 
 morning mustered up all her resolution for a scene 
 which she thought on with a good deal of uneasiness. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 " Si on emit aimer sa maitresse pour I' amour it die on est lien 
 trompe." ROCHEFOUCACI.T. 
 
 ZELUCO called at Madame de Seidlits's the day fol- 
 lowing : after he had waited a few minutes alone, 
 Laura entered the room pale and in evident emotion, 
 without looking him in the face, pointed to a chair, 
 and desired him to be seated, placing herself at the 
 same time at a respectful distance. 
 
 No doubt, said he, your mother has informed you, 
 madam, of the sentiments with which your beauty 
 and merit have inspired me, and with the purport of 
 this visit. 
 
 She has, sir, said Laura, and I am sensible of the 
 honour your good opinion does me ; the obligation 
 you conferred on my mother demands, and has my 
 warmest gratitude ; but 
 
 Zeluco, construing Laura's confusion in his own 
 favour, stepped across the room, seized her shrinking 
 hand, and exclaimed, Talk nnt of gratitude for trifles, 
 my whole fortune is now at your disposal ; and you
 
 ZELUCO. 157 
 
 will, 1 hope, name an early day that the rites of the 
 church may unite us for ever. 
 
 The security implied in this abrupt address offended 
 the delicacy and roused the spirits of Laura : she dis- 
 engaged her hand, and thowing an indignant look at 
 Zeluco, said, Carry your fortune, sir, to some wo- 
 man more desirous and more deserving of it j I have 
 claim to share it with you on neither account. 
 
 Zeluco, surprised and piqued at her manner, an- 
 swered, I am sorry you seem offended, madam ; I 
 hope there is nothing in the proposal I have made to 
 hurt your pride. 
 
 Without giving grounds for an accusation of pride, 
 replied Laura, I may be surprised at being pressed to 
 fix a day for a purpose I never agreed to, and never 
 shall. 
 
 I understood, madam, that your mother had been 
 so obliging as to explain my sentiments and plead my 
 cause ; having her approbation, I flattered myself I 
 should have yours, and that you would be willing to 
 abridge unnecessary delay. 
 
 My mother, sir, has a warm and grateful heart, 
 and is penetrated with a sense of your services on a 
 late occasion ; I hope I also have becoming sentiments 
 on that head, of which the best proof I can give, is 
 by assuring you at once, that it is not in my power to 
 repay the partiality you express for me in the manner 
 you desire. 1 hope, therefore, you will here termi- 
 nate a pursuit which must be vain, and is so little 
 worth your while. 
 
 I was informed, madam, said Zeluco, that your 
 heart was disengaged. 
 
 You were informed rightly, said Laura. 
 
 What then are your objections to me ? said he. 
 
 Since the reasons which determine me, said Laura, 
 seem valid to those to whom I think myself account- 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 153 ZELUCO. 
 
 able, I must be excused from an explanation to any 
 other person. 
 
 The possibility of his honourable proposals being 
 rejected, had never once entered into the contempla- 
 tion of Zeluco ; on the contrary, he was convinced 
 that all her former reserve was assumed for no other 
 purpose but to allure him to this point ; on finding 
 them refused in so decided a manner, his heart 
 swelled with anger, which he could with difficulty 
 suppress. 
 
 Laura, perceiving the struggle, added, I do not 
 mean to offend you, sir ; but I think it my duty, on 
 such an occasion, to assure you, that my determina- 
 tion is unalterable. I sincerely wish you happiness 
 with a more deserving woman. 
 
 You are infinitely obliging, madam, said lie, his 
 eyes flashing with rage. 
 
 f must beg to be excused from attending you any 
 longer, said she, retiring with some degree of preci- 
 pitation. 
 
 She was no sooner gone, than Zeluco struck his 
 clenched fist twice, with frantic violence, on his 
 forehead, and rushed out of the house, before Ma- 
 dame de Sddliis, who meant to have waited on him, 
 had time to reach the room. 
 
 The grateful heart of this well-disposed lady was 
 hurt when she understood that Zeluco had left her 
 house in so much displeasure ; and even after hearing 
 her daughter's account of the scene which had passed 
 ' between them, she thought that Laura ought to have 
 softened her refusal, and borne more calmly those 
 signs of vexation and disappointment which Zeluco 
 had displayed; which, after all, my dear, added Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits;, are proofs of his love. 
 
 They might have been mistaken for marks of 
 hatred, said Laura, and could not have been more.
 
 ZET.UCO. 15$ 
 
 disagreeable to me had I known them to be really 
 such. 
 
 When Zeluco returned to his own house, he 
 poured out a thousand execrations against the sex in 
 general, and the pride and folly of Laura in particu- 
 lar ; abused his servants, and displayed many of those 
 ridiculous extravagances which wounded vanity and 
 disappointment prompt men of peevish and passionate 
 tempers to exhibit. But after having sworn, raged, 
 stamped, bounced and blasphemed for two hours to- 
 gether, he recollected at last, what was very obvious 
 from the first, that these extravagances would not 
 bring him nearer his object. The fermentation excited 
 by this unexpected disappointment settled in a gloomy 
 reserve, during which he avoided society, and passed 
 great part of his time in meditating some scheme for 
 getting Laura into his power, that he might at once 
 satisfy his desires and his revenge. 
 
 He once thought of causing her to be seized, forced 
 aboard a vessel, and of passing over with her to Tu- 
 nis ; and he had some conversation with a bold en- 
 terprising fellow, who commanded a trading vessel, 
 then at Naples, was well acquainted with the Barbary 
 coast, and had lived a considerable time at Tunis : 
 this man, Zeluco had first became acquainted with at 
 Palermo, and had taken great pleasure in listening to 
 his adventures. He sent for him on the present oc- 
 casion, and stating a case from which the seaman 
 could not guess at the scheme he meditated, he sound- 
 ed him with respect to the practicability of some such 
 plan. 
 
 But while his mind was agitated with this villain- 
 ous project, he occasionally visited Madame de Seid- 
 lits, who, by the complacency of her behaviour to 
 him, endeavoured, as much as lay in her power, to 
 compensate for that of Laura, which she could not 
 help thinking had been too harsh to a person who 
 P 2
 
 160 ZELUCO. 
 
 had conducted himself in so obliging a manner to 
 them both. And she made no scruple of declaring 
 to him, that she would have been better pleased 
 that Laura had listened more favourably to his 
 suit ; which possibly might be the case at some fu- 
 ture period. She advised him however not to urge 
 her further at present j adding, that she should ac- 
 quaint him, as soon as she perceived any change in 
 the sentiments of Laura in his favour. 
 
 This discourse of Madame de Seidlits tended to 
 turn the mind of Zeluco from the mad and vindictive 
 projects with which it was occupied, the difficulties 
 and danger of which also became more apparent to 
 himself as he cooled. 
 
 But still feeling himself in an awkward and morti- 
 fied situation, and unable to suppress the over-boilings 
 of wrath and indignation at the sight of Laura, he 
 determined on making another tour through Italy, and 
 perhaps through France, in the hopes that a variety of 
 objects would dissipate his vexation from the constant 
 contemplation of one. When he arrived at Rome, 
 he endeavoured to extinguish a passion which gave 
 him unremitting pain, by plunging into that current 
 of dissipation and debauchery from which he had of 
 late abstained. This expedient had no better effect 
 than his rage, execrations, and blasphemy had for- 
 merly produced. Invited to every splendid assembly 
 and magnificent entertainment, indulging every grati- 
 fication of sense, he seemed to be passing his days in 
 joy, and his nights in pleasure ; but was in reality the 
 victim of chagrin and of disgust. His passion ap- 
 peared to gain fresh force from the efforts made to sub- 
 due it ; and the lovely form of the virtuous Laura, 
 ever present in his mind, obscured even in his vitiated 
 imagination all the allurements of those meretricious 
 charms by which he endeavoured to efface it. 
 
 Unable to pursue his original plan, or to support a
 
 ZELUCO. l6l 
 
 longer absence from Laura, after pouring out a fresh 
 torrent of execrations against her, he sent an apology 
 
 to the Cardinal B , with whom he was engaged 
 
 to dine, ordered post-horses, and returned to Naples 
 with the rapidity of a courier. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits received him with her usual po- 
 liteness, but gave no hint of any change of sentiment 
 on the part of Laura. He had the additional morti- 
 fication, in a short time, to find, that though the 
 inother seldom allowed herself to be denied when he 
 called, yet it frequently happened that Laura did not 
 appear during the whole of his visit. 
 
 While Zeluco's aim was seduction, all that he had 
 expected from Signora Sporza was connivance ; when 
 he was afterwards driven to the resolution of making 
 proposals of marriage, he considered her mediation as 
 unnecessary, being fully convinced that his terms 
 would be accepted as soon as made. Disappointed in 
 both his plans, and excessively galled at Laura's not 
 appearing when he visited her mother, he again had 
 recourse to Signora Sporza, spoke highly of his admi- 
 ration of her young friend, and ended a very pathetic 
 harangue, by swearing, that his passion was, and 
 had ever been, of the purest and most honourable 
 nature. 
 
 Of what other could it be, Signor ? said she. 
 Could any body suspect you wicked enough to at- 
 tempt an affair of gallantry with a woman of birth, 
 who is unmarried ? 
 
 He agreed that nothing could be more horrid than 
 such an attempt ; bin that he had offered her his hand 
 and fortune in the most respectful manner, which, to 
 his great surprise and vexation, she had rejected. 
 
 It is natural, replied Signora Sporza, that you 
 
 should be vexed on such an occasion ; but there are 
 
 so many instances of women refusing men who offer 
 
 to marry them, that I see no reason for your being 
 
 P3
 
 162 ZELUCO. 
 
 greatly surprised. It was with difficulty that Zeluco 
 could conceal the anger which glowed in his breast at 
 this observation of Signora Sporza : after a short pause, 
 however, he said, there was reason to fear that Laura 
 had conceived a prejudice against him ; and entreated 
 Signora Sporza, with whom he knew that Laura was 
 quite confidential, to advise him what was the best 
 method of removing this prejudice, and rendering her 
 more favourable to his wishes. 
 
 I know of no qualities, replied Signora Sporza, by 
 which a man has a greater chance of making a favour- 
 able impression on the mind of Laura, than by sin- 
 cerity, good temper, and benevolence ; and were I 
 to offer any advice, it would be, that you should 
 rely on these, and these only. 
 
 Although Signora Sporza pronounced this with a 
 serious countenance, the irony did not escape the ob- 
 servation of Zeluco : without seeming to take notice 
 of it, he laid it up in his memory, and thanked her 
 for her good counsel ; adding, that he was sorry to 
 perceive that Laura seldom appeared when he visited 
 Madame deSeidlits ; that probably this happened from 
 her suspecting that he would renew his su t; he beg- 
 ged that bignora Sporza would assure her, that he in- 
 tended not to tease her with solicitations ; but that he 
 earnestly wished for the happiness of being received 
 by Madame de Seidlits on the general footing of a 
 friend ; which he could not think was the case, when 
 any of her family thought themselves obliged to be 
 absent when he visited her. 
 
 Signoia Sporza was so pleased with the apparent 
 reasonableness and humility of this request, that the 
 rancour and indignation which lurked in the breast of 
 him who made it, entirely eluded her notice. She 
 promised to acquaint her friends with what he had 
 said 5 and the following day sent Zeluco an invitation 
 to meet them both at her house.
 
 ZELUCO. 163 
 
 Madame de Seidlits joined with Signon Sporza in 
 representing to Laiua, that there was no necessity for 
 her behaving with peculiar reserve to Zeluco after the 
 declaration he had madej and she agreed to behave 
 as they required, without arguing the point ; although 
 she would have been infinitely better pleased to have 
 kept herself secluded from the corripany of Zeluco. 
 
 Zeluco now had frequent opportunities of being in 
 company with the object of liis wishes. He passed 
 whole evenings with the mother and daughter, atten- 
 tively studied the characters of both, and endeavoured 
 to adapt his behaviour, and every sentiment he uttered, 
 to what he thought would please them most; and 
 notwithstanding the restraint to which this obliged 
 him to submit, he had, on the whole, a sensation in 
 their company more agreeable than in any other so- 
 ciety however jovial or voluptuous. And had not his 
 own character been intrinsically vicious, the continu- 
 ation of the self-command he was thus obliged to as- 
 sume, and the efforts he made to please, might, per- 
 haps, have effected a favourable change in his own dis- 
 position : for nothing is more powerful in alluring 
 the heart of man to virtue, than the society of amia- 
 ble, accomplished, and virtuous women. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 " Novas aites, nova pectore versat 
 
 Concilia. " VIRG. 
 
 IT was already remarked, that a portion of vanity 
 formed part of the character of Madame de Seidlits, 
 and sometimes obscured the lustre of her best quali- 
 ties : she was apt too frequently in conversation to in- 
 troduce the names of persons of very high rank, with 
 \vhom her husband had been intimate in Germany,
 
 ZELUCO. 
 
 and who had occasionally visited her when she resided 
 in that country. She paid a minute attention to the 
 ornaments of her person, and sometimes adopted a 
 style of dress which suited her better at an earlier pe- 
 riod of her life. Having been distinguished for beauty 
 in her youth, of which there were some remains, 
 she seemed more pleased with the share which 
 she still retained, than sensible that far the larger por- 
 tion was fled. This error in calculation many women 
 fall into who have not the good qualities of Madame 
 de Seidlits to compensate it ; for her general deport- 
 ment was genteel and elegant, her temper cheerful 
 and complacent, her disposition benevolent and ge- 
 nerous. 
 
 Jn Laura Zeluco observed a depth of reflection and 
 solidity of understanding, which he thought incompa- 
 tible with her sex, and is very uncommon at her age. 
 This was joined to an elegant simplicity of manner, 
 and a total want of affectation, equally uncommon j 
 ever ready to remark, and fond of displaying, the ac- 
 complishments of others, she seemed insensible of 
 those with which she herself was so eminently 
 adorned. 
 
 No daughter ever had a stronger sense than Laura 
 of what she owed to her mother ; the affectionate 
 care and solicitude with which Madame de Seidlits 
 had watched over her infancy, and the unceasing at- 
 tention she bestowed on her through life, were, in 
 the mind of this young lady, obligations never to be 
 repaid ; and independent of all sense ot obligation or 
 filial duty, she had a high esteem for he mother's 
 personal qualities. Neither gratitude nor esteem, 
 h< wever, prevented her seeiug the weaknesses above 
 enumerated : her clearness of sight was to her, in 
 this particular, a source of uneasiness : and if she sus- 
 pecied any other person of being equally clear-sighted, 
 she could not help feeling a temporary dislike to that
 
 ZELUCO. 365 
 
 person. As often as any of the little failings above 
 enumerated began to make their appearance, she en- 
 deavoured, with all the address in her power, to turn 
 away the attention of the company, and with theirs, 
 she would have been glad had it been in her power to 
 have turned away her own. 
 
 But it was her happiness to reflect upon, and her 
 delight to display, every graceful and good quality 
 that belonged to her mother. Easy even to indif- 
 ference about the common forms of respect when 
 they regarded herself, she had a jealous sensibility of 
 the smallest neglect or want of attention to her 
 root her. 
 
 Zeluco remarked this peculiarity in the character 
 of Laura ; he saw that the compliments he sometimes 
 ventured to pay to herself were always heard with 
 indifference, and sometimes with disgust j while every 
 just and well-founded compliment paid to her mother 
 seemed to give pleasure to the daughter : declining, 
 therefore, the beaten road of insinuation, he tried to 
 gain access to tht heart of the one by the praises he 
 bestowed on the other. 
 
 It behoved him, however, to be on his guard, in 
 what manner, and on what occasion, he risked his 
 compliments ; it was necessary they should seem at 
 once just and a-propos. He once mistook his aim so 
 far as to compliment Madame de Seidlits for a quality 
 she certainly did not possess, and was instantly warned 
 of his error by such a glance of indignation from the 
 expressive eye of Laura, as prevented his ever repeat- 
 ing it. 
 
 But as often as, on proper occasions, he remarked 
 with justice and delicacy on the good and amiable 
 qualities that really belonged to Madame de Seidlits, 
 which he frequently did with equal penetration and 
 address, it was evident that Laura listened with looks 
 at more complacency than she ever displayed when
 
 106 ZELUCOi 
 
 lie spoke on any other subject. He acquired by study 
 and use such a masterly manner of dwelling on this 
 favourite theme, that Laura's aversion began to dimi- 
 nish; and she could not help feeling sentiments of 
 approbation and good-will to the person who furnished 
 her with so sweet a source of enjoyment. 
 
 This alteration in the sentiments of Laura was ob- 
 served with more pleasure by her mother than by 
 Signora Sporza, whose esteem for Laura and her dis- 
 like of Zeluco had increased with her acquaintance 
 with both. Her dislike of the latter, however, did 
 not proceed entirely from her own penetration ; she 
 hafl received such an account of him from a female 
 correspondent at Palermo, as confirmed and greatly 
 augmented her original ill opinion, and made her 
 averse to the idea of his ever becoming the husband 
 of her young friend, notwithstanding the temptation 
 in point of fortune for such an alliance. But being 
 convinced that her mentioning her sentiments on this 
 subject to the mother or daughter, would prevent 
 their ever again having any connection with Zeluco, 
 she therefore was silent 3 at the same time deter- 
 mined, if it should be necessary, to speak in sufficient 
 time. 
 
 But although Signora Sporza concealed from Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits and her daughter the opinion she had 
 of Zeluco, her real sentiments were detected by the 
 jealous and penetrating eyes of the man himself. 
 There is perhaps no sentiment which it is so difficult 
 to conceal from the person who is the object of it, as 
 violent hatred : a moderate adept in the art of dissi- 
 mulation may impose on those for whom he feels no 
 esteem, or whom he even holds in contempt ; and, if 
 he has an interest in it, may persuade them that he 
 has a high respect or even veneration for them ; this, 
 in some measure, accounts for so many people of the 
 highest rank being ignorant of the true rate at which
 
 ZELUCO. 16? 
 
 they are estimated. For the indications of contempt 
 are easily restrained, and those of admiration as easily 
 assumed ; but it requires the powers of a finished hy- 
 pocrite to hide hatred or aversion. Such strong feel- 
 ings it is difficult to control, and prevent their dis- 
 covering themselves by some involuntary appearance 
 in the countenance or manner. It is not surprising, 
 therefore, that Zeluco became fully convinced that 
 Signora Sporza had a very unfavourable opinion of 
 him, and was averse to his ever succeeding with Laura. 
 The rancour which gathered in his breast on this dis- 
 covery was of the most deadly kind ; but he endea- 
 voured to hide it till he should find a proper occasion 
 of giving it vent ; and being, notwithstanding her 
 sex, a better dissembler than Signora Sporza, he for a 
 Ions: time succeeded. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 ' Full oft by holy feet onr ground was trod, 
 Of clerks pood plenty here yon mole e.-j<y. 
 A little, round, fat, oily man of God, 
 Was one I chiefly wark'd ;mong the fry : 
 He had a roguish t\vin!;!e in his eye, 
 And shone ail glittering wiih ungodly dew, 
 If a tight damsel chaunc'd to tripperi by j 
 Which vvlic-n observed, lie shrunk in!i> hi.- mew, 
 And straight would recollect his pie.y anew. " 
 
 THOMSON. 
 
 ALTHOUGH Zeluco perceived with pleasure ihe change 
 which had taken place in Laura's behaviour to him, 
 he did not choose to rely entirely on his own address ; 
 but as lie now believed he had no aid to expect from 
 Signora Sporza, he resolved to seek other allies, and 
 even attempted to draw them from thj church itself,
 
 16S ZELUCO. 
 
 a quarter in which one would think he had little in- 
 terest. 
 
 Father Mulo was an ecclesiastic more remarkable 
 for the rigidity of his manners and opinions than the 
 depth of his intellects. Father Pedro was a monk of 
 a different order, indulgent in his disposition, agreea- 
 ble in conversation, naturally shrewd, and what piety 
 he possessed was far from being of a morose kind. 
 He had adopted the ecclesiastical profession from ne- 
 cessity not inclination, and he endeavoured to assume 
 an air of gravity and self-denial, which was equally 
 discordant with the turn of his mind, the rotundity 
 of his person, and to his rosy complexion, all of 
 which announced him Epicuri de grege porcus. The 
 warmth of father Pedro's constitution had formerly 
 drawn him into some scrapes from which it required 
 all his address to disengage himself, and rendered 
 him exceedingly cautious ever after. He had behaved 
 with peculiar circumspection ever since he had been 
 at Naples : and being a man of more understanding 
 than most of his brethren, he was chosen by Signora 
 Sporza as her father confessor, and through her re- 
 commendation he now acted in the same capacity to 
 her two friends, in preference to Father Mulo, who 
 was their relation. In a short time, Father Pedro, 
 whose manners were gentle and insinuating, gained 
 the entire coh6dence of Madame de Seidlits, and 
 was rather well thought of by her daughter. Father 
 Mulo was by no means pleased with the choice his 
 relations had made ; yet as they behaved to him in all 
 other respects with much deference and attention, no 
 open breach took place between the father and any of 
 them on this account. 
 
 Zeluco having informed himself of the character 
 of those two monks, and knowing their connexion 
 with Madame de teidlits, he thought it might be of 
 importance to gain them to his interest.
 
 ZELUCO. 169 
 
 He began with Father Pedro, whose favour he en- 
 deavoured to acquire by all the address and powers of 
 insinuation he was master of, setting out by choosing 
 him for his ghostly father j and to the gentle penance 
 which he enjoined for the venial faults which Zeluco 
 thought it expedient to confess, he frequently imposed 
 upon himself a mulct in money, which he delivered 
 into the hands of the father, to be applied to what 
 ever pious use he thought proper. 
 
 This behaviour on the part of Zeluco gave great 
 satisfaction to Father Pedro, who not only received his 
 visits with pleasure at his convent, but more frequent- 
 ly waited upon him at Zeluco's house. 
 
 After a pretty free repast, during which the father 
 displayed much good-humour and jovialness, Zeluco, 
 seizing what he thought a lucky moment, informed 
 him of his passion for Laura 
 
 This ghostly father assuredly had never imagined 
 that the sudden veneration which Zeluco professed 
 for him, proceeded either from an admiration of his 
 character or countenance ; on the contrary, he had all 
 along suspected its real source. He was not a man 
 of very great delicacy of sentiment, and certainly was 
 not troubled with prejudices of a superstitious nature ; 
 yet there were occasions on which he thought it ex- 
 pedient to affect as much terror for the horns of Satan 
 as his brother Mulo was really impressed with. Ze- 
 luco had no sooner mentioned his passion for Laura, 
 than the monk started as if a culverin had unexpect- 
 edly exploded at his ear, displaying as much astonish- 
 ment and horror in his countenance as if the devil 
 had appeared before him in full uniform, with his 
 cloven feet, longest tail, and largest pair of horns. 
 
 What is the matter with you, my good father ? 
 said Zeluco ; do you perceive any thing unnatural or 
 extraordinary in my desiring to be united in holy wed- 
 lock with a virtuous and beautiful young lady ? 
 
 VOL. i. a
 
 170 ZELUCO. 
 
 The father, although he had long perceived Zelur 
 co's londness for Laura, had never heard of his pro^ 
 posing marriage to her, nor had he any idea that such 
 was his intention. When Zeluco mentioned his love, 
 the father took it for granted that he was about to re- 
 quest his aid on a different system ; but finding that 
 he really intended mairiage, the monk began to ima- 
 gine that he had played off his pantomime a little in- 
 advertently, and was at a loss how to give a plausible 
 account of his own affected surprise : he endeavoured 
 to colour it, however, as well as he could, by saying, 
 that as his business with Zeluco was of a spiritual na T 
 ture, he could not help being very much surprised at 
 the mention of a thing so different from what he was 
 accustomed to have any concern in. 
 
 1 do humbly hope, my worthy father, said Zeluco, 
 that you will think you have a natural concern in this, 
 as I can assure you my happiness not only in this 
 world, but very possibly in the next, depends on my 
 being able to prevail on this young lady to accept of 
 my hand ; for my heart is so fixed upon her, that 1 
 do not know what desperate measures I may be driven 
 to, if she continues obstinately to refuse me. 
 
 The monk seemed to soften by degrees. Zeluco 
 gave him a full account of the proposals he had made, 
 the settlements he had offered, Laura's unaccountable 
 qbstinacy; concluding by informing the monk, that 
 he had laid apart a sum of money which, in case of 
 success in his honourable proposals, he woirld request 
 the father to accept, and appropriate to whatever pious 
 or useful purpose he thought most expedient ; but on 
 this express condition, that it should remain an ever- 
 lasting secret to all the rest of the world ; Because, 
 added he, an ostentatious display of such donations 
 destroys, in my opinion, any Jittle merit there may be 
 in making them. 
 
 The father agreed to this last condition with some
 
 ZELUCO. 171 
 
 Seeming difficulty, praised Ziluco's modesty and cha-> 
 ritabie disposition, and finally assured him of all the 
 assistance in his power. In the first place, said he, 1 
 will use my influence out of friendship to yon : se- 
 condly, from the regard I have for Madame de Seid- 
 lits and the young lady herself, who so perversely op- 
 poses her own happiness ; and lastly, and above all, t 
 will use my interest in your favour for the sake of re- 
 ligion and the poor, as both must be benefited by the 
 success of your honourable views. 
 
 This ecclesiastic, partly from probity and partly 
 from prudence, would have rejected a bribe to assist 
 in any prpject which he thought wicked or unlawful) 
 but he had no scruple in allowing himself to be well 
 rewarded for doing what he approved, and would, of 
 himself, have been happy to promote without any 
 bribe at all. 
 
 Indeed he had no notion that Madame de Seidlits 
 or her daughter had a serious intention of standing 
 out against a match which he thought so advantageous 
 for both. He imputed their refusal to affectation, ca- 
 pricej or a desire of indulging a few feminine airs ; 
 and he had a meaner opinion of Zeluco's understand- 
 ing, on account of his being in this manner the dupe 
 of a little female Vanity. 
 
 And so impatient was he lhat the poor should reap 
 the fruits of Zeluco's promised liberality, that the first 
 time he found Madame de Seidlits alone, he expressed 
 much surprise that she had never told him of Zeluco's 
 addresses to her daughter. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits replied, that after Laura had 
 given her negative, she thought it best not to men- 
 tion a subject which might be disagreeable to Signor 
 Zeluco, and was so foreign to those in which the fa- 
 ther was usually employed. 
 
 It is true, replied Pedro, I am principally interested
 
 172 ZELUCO. 
 
 m your spiritual concern;;, but by no means indifferent 
 to the temporal welfare of your family. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits then informed him of all the 
 particulars. 
 
 I have such an opinion of Signora Laura's filial duty 
 and affection, said Pedro, that 1 am convinced, if you 
 were to press this matter earnestly upon her, she would 
 consent. 
 
 It is not impossible but she might, said Madame de 
 Seidlits, for which reason I shall be particularly care- 
 ful not to press her. 
 
 Father Pedro expressed astonishment at her taking 
 so little concern in an affair of such importance to her 
 daughter's happiness. 
 
 It is because it is of so much importance to her hap- 
 piness that I leave it to her own judgement, said Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits ; Laura is endowed with prudence 
 and good sense, and she is certainly the best judge of 
 her own feelings ; if Zeluco ever becomes more 
 agreeable to her, importunity would be superfluous j 
 and if he does not, it would be cruel : besides, I have 
 given her my word never to urge her on the subject, 
 and I will assuredly adhere to my engagement. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 " For he a rope of sand could twist, 
 As tough as learned Sorbonist, 
 And weave fine cobwebs, fit for scull 
 That 's empty when the inoon is full ; 
 Such as take lodgings in a head 
 That 's to be let unfurnished." BUTT.ER. 
 
 THE father was prevented from reply, by Laura's en- 
 tering the room with Father' Mulo. Before any ac- 
 count is given of the conversation which this venera*-
 
 ZELUCO. 1*3 
 
 hie man introduced, it is necessary to throw a retro- 
 spective glance on incidents which occurred long be^ 
 fore : from this an idea may be formed of the cha- 
 racters of Colonel Seidlits, and others, connected with * 
 our purpose. 
 
 Without recapitulating the circumstances by which 
 the colonel and his lady became first acquainted, it is 
 sufficient to observe, that their marriage took place 
 before the fathrr knew any thing of the matter ; but 
 he expressed infinite concern, and probably felt some, 
 on hearing that his relation was the wife of a heretic. 
 When she went with her husband to Germany, the 
 zealous father continued from time to time to rtmind 
 her in his letters of the dangers she incurred in a land 
 of heresy, and furnished her with the best arguments 
 he had at his disposal, to enable her to adhere to the 
 religion in which she was bred, stimulating her at the 
 same time to attempt the conversion of her husband* 
 by which she would acquire immortal glory, effect her 
 husband's salvation, and secure to herself the comfort 
 of his company both in this life and that which is to 
 come. 
 
 The father being infinitely delighted with both the 
 style and arguments of those letters, he could not deny 
 himself the gratification of showing copies of them to 
 several of his acquaintance ; and as the intention of 
 showing them could not be mistaken, his acquaintance 
 in general were good-natured enough to praise them 
 to the monk's contentment ; one old maiden aunt of 
 Madame de eeidlits's, however, whose zeal for religion 
 and hatred to heretics increased with her years, seemed 
 to approve of the correspondence less than any other 
 person to whose inspection he had submitted it. 
 When Father Mulo hinted this to her, she told him 
 that she was so provoked at the odious heretic who 
 had seduced her tvece, that it was not in her power 
 to wish in earnest for his conversion, for she could not 
 a 3
 
 ZELUCO. 
 
 bear even to liear his name mentioned ; and she was 
 very certain she should faint at the sight of him when- 
 ever she met him, were it even in heaven. 
 
 But the father had too much ardour for making 
 converts, to follow the suggestions of this virgin ; he 
 therefore continued to transmit such morsels of elo- 
 quence as, in his opinion, could not fail to operate the 
 conversion of Colonel Seidlits. 
 
 But the reverend father's zeal being far more con- 
 spicuous than his arguments were convincing, Madame 
 de Seidlits never thought proper to communicate them 
 to her husband ; while he, on his part, left his lady, 
 without molestation, in the full enjoyment of her re- 
 ligious opinions, and at perfect liberty to worship God 
 in the manner which her conscience approved. This 
 he had promised when he married her ; and he would 
 have thought it inconsistent with honour to have tried 
 to bring her over to his own persuasion, even although 
 he had been certain of succeeding. The colonel has 
 been blamed for this by many zealous protestants : 
 we do not mean to approve or censure his conduct in 
 this particular, but only mention the fact, leaving it 
 to better judges to decide whether he was blame- 
 worthy or not. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits herself, who was pler-sed with 
 all her husband's behaviour to her, was peculiarly de- 
 lighted with what she called his delicacy in this point ; 
 and when Father Mulo insisted peremptorily in one 
 of his letters on knowing whether she had ever made 
 any attempt to convert her husband, or had shown 
 him the forcible reasoning contained in his letters to 
 her 5 she was obliged to acknowledge that she had 
 done neither, and gave for her reason, that her hus- 
 band having left her at liberty on the subject of reli- 
 gion, she thought it would be a bad requital in her to 
 tease him. 
 
 Father Mulo, in answer, endeavoured to demon-
 
 ZELUCO. 175 
 
 strate the weakness of that argument. It is not ne- 
 cessary to transcribe the whole of the father's letter; 
 the following paragraph will, in ail probability, be 
 thought sufficient : 
 
 "It was natural enough in you, my dear madam, 
 to apprehend that your own argumruts would be too 
 feeble to convince your husband ; but it is surprising 
 that you do not perceive, that those I provided you 
 with are of a very different nature ; indeed, they are 
 such as seldom fail to persuade even the weakest 
 minds. From this you may judge what impression 
 they would make on a person of such good sense as 
 you describe your husband to be. 
 
 " You say that it would be improper in you to 
 tease him, because he never attempts to disturb you, 
 nor allows any other person to trouble you on the sub- 
 ject of religion : but you do not distinguish, my dear 
 madam, the great difference between the two cases. 
 For your husband, indeed to rmke any attempt, or 
 to allow any to be made by others, for the purpose of 
 seducing you from your religion to his, would not only 
 be improper, but also highly criminal, and for this 
 very sufficient reason, becau e it is criminal to draw 
 any person iv hate ver from truth to falsehood . But for 
 you to labour, without ceasing, to prevail on your de- 
 luded husband to abjure his own faith and adopt 
 yours, is in the highest degree meritorious ; because it 
 is highly meritorious to Lead any person whatever, and 
 far more a beloved husband, from falsehood to truth, 
 or from darkness to light. 
 
 " After having cleared up this point, I have only 
 just to hint, that instead of reasoning upon what I in- 
 form you it is your duty to do, your safest course, my 
 dearest cousin, will, for the future, be, to perform it 
 implicitly, for reasoning is by no means what you 
 shine in : and although you are generally allowed to 
 be endowed with very good common sense, and surfi-
 
 176 2ELUC3. 
 
 cient understanding to conduct common affairs, take 
 my word for it, your immortal soul is of too much 
 consequence to be intrusted in your own hands." 
 
 This remonstrance had nol the effect which, in Fa- 
 ther Mulo's opinion, such forcible reasoning and such 
 rational requests ought to have produced. What con- 
 tributed, perhaps, to render Madame de Seidlits the 
 more unwilling to touch on such subjects, was an in- 
 cident of which she was informed about the very time 
 when the monk was urging her so earnestly. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 " No suonev could a hint appear, 
 }?iit up he started to picqurer, 
 .And made the stoniest yitid to mercy, 
 \Vhm lie engaged in controversy, 
 Not by the force of carnal reason, 
 But indefatigable teasing." BUTLEH. 
 
 A YOUNG protestant clergyman, a distant relation of 
 Colonel de Seidlits, came about this time to Berlin. 
 He had applied himself with ardour to the study of 
 controversy. He was distinguished by his wonderful 
 faculty of creating disputes where they were least ex- 
 pected, and by his invincible courage in maintaining 
 them when begun : he often asserted, and with truth, 
 that he had never yielded an argument in his life. 
 He was greatly admired for the flow of his pulpit elo- 
 quence, and the force of his reasoning, by all who 
 were previously of his own opinion. The longer this 
 happy ecclesiastic lived, he seemed to be the more 
 confirmed in the favourable impression which, from 
 hisbojisb years, he entertained of his own talents, 
 and in his contempt for those of others ; and became 
 at length so powerful in self conceit, that he would, 
 without hesitation, have engaged a whole conclave of
 
 ZELUCO. 177 
 
 his adversaries, being convinced not only that he could 
 overturn all their arguments, but that the prejudices 
 of education, the considerations of interest, and the 
 allurements of ambition, must all yield to the irre- 
 sistible strength of his demonstration. 
 
 This gentleman was sometimes invited to dinner by 
 Colonel Seidlits, and was made welcome by his lady 
 as often as she saw company in the evening. 
 
 In return for those civilities, he thought it incumbent 
 on him to point out to her the absurdities of the po- 
 pish religion, as preparatory to her conversion to Cal- 
 vinism. With this view he was apt to introduce ques- 
 tions of a controversial nature, and at one time throw 
 out a sneer at the doctrine of transubstantiation, in the 
 presence of Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 This was repeated by one of the company to Colonel 
 Seidlits, who, the next time he saw the clergyman 
 alone, said to him mildly, I am not certain, my good 
 sir, whether 1 ever informed you that my wife is of 
 the Roman Catholic church. 
 
 You never informed me, replied the other ; but it 
 is long since I knew that Madame de Seidlits had that 
 misfortune. 
 
 You may, if you please, leave her misfortunes to 
 those who are more naturally concerned in them, said 
 the colonel ; but since you knew of what I was in 
 hopes you had been ignorant, I own I am surprised 
 that you could speak of one of the articles of her faith 
 in the manner you did, in her presence. 
 
 I recollect what you allude to, said the clergyman ; 
 but really the article in question is so absurd and in- 
 comprehensible, that it is impossible to mention it 
 otherwise than in terms of derision. 
 
 Pray, replied the colonel, do you believe in all the 
 doctrines to be found in the public creeds and formu- 
 laries of our own church >
 
 1/8 ZELUCOi 
 
 That I do, replied the divine ; and would die at the 
 stake, were it necessary, avowing them. 
 
 Then I hope you have a better reason fcr thinking 
 transubstantiation absurd, than merely its being in- 
 comprehensible ? 
 
 There is no article in any of the protestant creeds 
 so incomprehensible as that you mention, replied the 
 divine. 
 
 1 did not know there were degrees in incomprehen- 
 sibility, said the colonel; if there is any proposition 
 which I arn quite unable to comprehend, it will be 
 difficult to state another which 1 can comprehend less. 
 J will undertake to make you comprehend distinctly 
 every article of the creeds you allude to, said the di- 
 vine, with an undaunted air. 
 
 Rather than impose such a task upon you, said the 
 colonel, allow me to continue to believe them without 
 fully comprehending them. 
 
 Well, colonel, you will do as you please ; but surely 
 it would afford you great satisfaction if your lady could 
 be prevailed on to embrace the same religion that you 
 profess. 
 
 No ; I cannot say it wbuld, replied the colonel 
 coldly. 
 
 Good God ! that seems very unaccountable ; Will 
 you be so good as to tell me your reason ? said the 
 other. 
 
 Because the thing cannot happen, sir, without 
 cither my changing my religion, and i intend no such 
 thing, or by my endeavouring to persuade my wife 
 to change hers, which I have solemnly promised never 
 o do : besides, I am certain that Madame de Seidlits 
 is an amiable woman, and a most excellent. wife, with 
 the religion she professes ; and there is no knowing 
 what alteration a change of sentiments might make. 
 What alteration, but a favourable one, can accrue
 
 ZELUGO. 1 79 
 
 from renouncing one of the worst religions in the world 
 for the best ? 
 
 As to which is the worst and which the best, said. 
 Seidlils, the world is much divided. 
 
 The protestant religion is gaining ground every day, 
 said the clergyman ; and there is reason to hope, that 
 in a short time there will be more protestants in the 
 world than papists. 
 
 That to be sure is very comfortable news, said the 
 colonel ; but it can have no weight in the present ar- 
 gument ; because, ever since the beginning of the 
 world, there have been greater numbers devoted to 
 false religions than to the true; and even now, if the 
 question were to be decided by a plurality of voices, 
 the religion of Mahomet might perhaps carry the palm 
 both from the protestant and Roman catholic. 
 
 But you yourself are a protestant ? you at least pre- 
 fer the protestant form of worship to all others? said 
 the clergyman. 
 
 I certainly prefer no other form of worship to ths 
 protestant, replied the colonel. 
 
 Then I should be glad to know, said the clergyman, 
 with a triumphant air, wherefore you prefer no oilier ? 
 the same arguments which convinced you, might con- 
 vince your lady. 
 
 No, said the colonel, that they could not. 
 
 Why so? said the clergyman. By what powerful 
 arguments were you persuaded to adhere to the pro- 
 lestant religion ? 
 
 By this powerful argument, replied the colonel, 
 that I was born in Berlin, and bred at Konigsberg. 
 
 That answer smells of infidelity, colonel, and im- 
 plies that you consider religion merely as an aliair of 
 geography, and of little or no importance in the world, 
 said the clergyman. 
 
 It implies more than I intended then, replied Seid- 
 litsj for although I do think that 'nine hundred an J
 
 ISO ZJ:LUCO. 
 
 ninety-nine in a thousand of mankind are determined 
 in the religion they profess by the place of their birth 
 and education, 1 do not infer from thence that reli- 
 gion is of no importance : on the contrary, I am con- 
 vinced that those who cherish religion, perform the 
 relative duties of life in the most conscientious man- 
 ner. 
 
 So you put all religions on the same footing ? said 
 the clergyman. 
 
 By no means, answered Seidlits ; I know indeed of 
 no religion which does not inculcate morality ; but as 
 I have not had any opportunity of observing the in- 
 fluence of other religions on men's conduct, I speak 
 of the Christian religion only 5 which, if I am not 
 mistaken, contributes greatly to render mankind better 
 and happier even in this life. 
 
 You speak of the reformed religion, I presume ? said 
 the clergyman ; for as to the absurd tenets of the Ro- 
 man catholic creed, it is impossible for you, or any 
 man of sense, to respect them. 
 
 I speak not of the creeds which, since the Christian 
 aera, have been composed by the fathers of either 
 church, replied the colonel ; I have not leisure, per- 
 haps not understanding, sufficient to weigh or compare 
 them with due precision. My observation regards 
 only the precepts given, and the example set, by the 
 Author of Cnristianity himself, and in which both 
 churches are agreed. The good effect which a due 
 impression of those divine precepts has upon the mind, 
 seems, I confess, very evident to me, whether the in- 
 dividuals on which it operates are Roman catholics or 
 protestants. 
 
 That you, by accident, have met with Roman ca- 
 tholics who were reckoned good moral men, I shall 
 not dispute, said the minister ; but that any part of 
 their goodness proceeded from their religion, is what I 
 can never admit.
 
 ZELUCO. 181 
 
 Why not ? said the colonel ; the moral precepts of 
 both religions are the same. 
 
 The spirit of those who profess them are very dif- 
 ferent, however, resumed, the minister. When did 
 the protestants display the same spirit of persecution 
 that the papists have so often done ? 
 
 Let us remember, replied Seidlits, that the church 
 of Rome was established in power when the first re- 
 formers began to attack its doctrines ; that an attack 
 n its doctrines endangered the power and riches of its 
 clergy : thnt it is natural for mankind, when they have 
 long been in possession of power and wealth, to be 
 exceedingly unwilling to relinquish them ; and the 
 clergy do not form an exception to this general rule : 
 they, as well as others, are apt to be extremely angry 
 with those who attompt to dispossess them : besides, 
 let us recollect that all established governments think 
 they have a right to use severities against revolting 
 subjects, whatever good grounds those subjects have 
 
 had for revolting, and 
 
 But remember, interrupted the clergyman, the per- 
 fidy and cruelty displayed by the Roman catholics in 
 the massacre of St. Bartholomew think of the shock- 
 ing reign of the gloomy bigoted Philip, and the 
 enormities of his unrelenting general the D,.ke of 
 Alva. 
 
 I do think of them with horror, said the colonel, 
 and I have no mind to palliate suc-i dreadful instances 
 of human wickedness and delns'on. I only meant to 
 hint, that those ought not to have credit for not dis- 
 playing the same spirit who were not in possession f 
 the same power. I am milling to believe, however, 
 that with equal power they would not have committed 
 equal excesses ; though I am sorry to say that in- 
 stances might be mentioned, which create a su >,)-.(.: <>n 
 that move p-nver would hive perver ed Uie *\> ><< of 
 some of the most distinguished reformers, and uii^ht 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 152 ZELUCO. 
 
 possibly have the same effect on their successors. It 
 is therefore fortunate for the clergy of Holland, Swit- 
 zerland, some parts of Germany, and other countries 
 in Europe, that there is little danger of their degene- 
 rating from that cause. 
 
 I doubt much whether that is a fortunate circum- 
 stance, replied the clergyman ; for although riches, 
 power, and pomp have a mischievous effect when pro- 
 stituted to (he unworthy, yet they are suitable to the 
 character we bear of the ambassadors from Heaven, 
 and might give more weight to our admonitions. 
 
 Power and wealth are the great corruptevs of the 
 human heart, said Seidlits, and might spread their 
 baneful influence even to the amlassadors themselves ; 
 in which event, in lieu of that spirit of toleration, be- 
 nevolence, and humility, which distinguishes them at 
 present ; a great accession of power and riches might 
 gradually inspire them with pride and ambition, aud 
 render them at last little better than so many cardinals 
 and popes. 
 
 Never, never, cried the clergyman ; the spirit of 
 protestantism is too averse to any such alteration. 
 
 The spirit of human nature, however, has a mighty 
 tendency that way, said Seidlits. 
 
 Learning and deep reflection correct the depraved 
 tendencies of our nature, resumed the ecclesiastic, and 
 leave the mind equally free from the degrading ab- 
 surdities of superstition, and the impious sophistry of 
 scepticism. 
 
 That is a state of mind devoutly to be wished, said 
 Seidlits. 
 
 Is it not? cried the parson with exultation; You 
 yourself allow that superstition is degrading to the 
 mind of man ? continued he. 
 
 I do, replied the colonel ; and the more readily, as 
 I never said it was otherwise. 
 
 Well, I will now prove to you, that scepticism is-
 
 ZELUCO. 183 
 
 as uncomfortable as the other is degrading. I hope 
 you have no pressing business at present, continued 
 the parson, because, to put the subject in a clear 
 light, it will be necessary to divide it into three heads, 
 and then subdivide each of these into four principal 
 branches. 
 
 To begin then with the first and most important of 
 those three heads. 
 
 Any degree of doubt or uncertainty, particularly on 
 matters of high importance, has been considered in all 
 ages as irksome, and 
 
 I ask pardon for interrupting you, said the colonel ; 
 it is only to know whether you mean to prove, that 
 to a well-disposed mind a state of certainty is more 
 agreeable than any degree of doubt on religious sub- 
 jects ? 
 
 That is precisely what I am going to demonstrate, 
 resumed the parson. 
 
 I will save you the trouble, said Seidlits, for there 
 is nothing of which I am more firmly convinced. 
 
 Is it not astonishing then, said the other, that so 
 many should be so foolish as to persevere in a state of 
 uncomfortable doubt ? 
 
 Very astonishing indeed, said the colonel ; especially 
 as it is in every body's power to believe whatever will 
 afford them most comfort. 
 
 I perceive, said the parson, you have perused my 
 treatise upon the faculty of believing. 
 
 The colonel nodded. 
 
 I there clearly prove, that the Roman catholics have 
 too much faith, and some sects of the protestants too 
 little ; and then carefully point out the golden medium 
 which mankind ought to adhere to. 
 
 It is very fortunate for mankind, said the colonel, 
 that you know it. 
 
 It is so, resumed the parson j for of this happy me- 
 R 2
 
 194 ZELUCO. 
 
 dium it may be said, more emphatically than of any 
 thing else, nescire malnm est. 
 
 If I am not mistaken, said Seidlits, an answer to 
 your work was published by a certain French abbe, 
 who, according to the custom of his countrymen, 
 seemed very fond of jesting. 
 
 That was a most abominable and a most provoking 
 performance, cried the parson with great vehemence ; 
 but jests are no arguments, colonel. 
 
 No; nor arguments are no jests, said Seidlits; yet 
 this provoking abbe endeavoured to make a jest of all 
 your arguments. 
 
 There will be no jesting in hell, however, said the 
 parson, with a vengeful aspect. 
 
 True, said the colonel ; when you have once got him 
 there, the laugh will be on your side 
 
 But pray, colonel, resumed the minister, do you 
 imagine that your lady has ever read my book ? 
 
 1 should rather think not, said the colonel. 
 
 What a pity ! exclaimed the other ; it would go a 
 great way to cure her of many prejudices. 
 
 The remedy would be rather violent, said the co- 
 lonel. 
 
 Perhaps it might seem a little so at first, rejoined the 
 clergyman ; but were I to converse with her on those 
 subjects, I should begin in gentle terms. 
 
 Thai would be very proper, said the colonel. 
 
 The sooner I begin then the better, said the parson ; 
 after I have talked with her for a few hours, she will 
 be able to decide between the two religions on rational 
 principles. 
 
 I have already decided, on what I think rational 
 principles, said the colonel, not to disturb her. 
 
 You have decided very erroneously, resumed this 
 persevering ecclesiastic. 
 
 Let me intreat you, my good sir, interrupted the
 
 ZELUCO. 185 
 
 colonel, not to interfere in my domestic concerns, but 
 to mind your own business. 
 
 ] beg leave to inform you, Colonel Seidlits, said the 
 clergyman, with a dignified air, that I consider the 
 propagation of Gospel truths, and the unmasking of 
 imposture, particularly those of the church of Rome, 
 as my business ; and I will embrace every opportunity 
 of doing both, in spite of the united opposition of m^n 
 and devils. 
 
 The colonel having looked very earnestly for some 
 time at this violent reformer, at length said, 1 beg your 
 excuse, sir, for having engrossed so much of your va- 
 luable time; it is a mistake I shall never again fall 
 into. So raying, he pulled off his hat, made a low 
 bow, and walked away. The moment he entered his 
 own house, he gave orders that his relation should be 
 no more admitted. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 " Multa putans, sortemque animo misera';re iniqnam." 
 
 VII.G. JEn. I. vi. 
 
 THE attention which Colonel Seidlits displayed in pre- 
 venting his lady from being disquieted in her religious 
 opinions, and the delicacy of his behaviour on every 
 occasion, was felt by her with affectionate gratitude. 
 She was, however, by' no means so easy in the con- 
 templation of her husband's being a protestant, as he 
 was in that of her remaining a Roman catholic ; and 
 although the arguments of Father Mulo did not prevail 
 on her to attempt his conversion, yet few things could 
 have afforded her greater satisfaction than to have seen 
 her husband adopt from conviction, what she consi- 
 dered as the only true religion. But with what face 
 could she speak to him on a subject which he never 
 R 3
 
 1SG 2ELUCO. 
 
 mentioned to her, and which he permitted no person 
 whatever to disturb her about ? Any attempt on her 
 part to alter his sentiments, implied that she considered 
 herself as wiser than he; whereas she only considered 
 herself as more fortunate, in having been educated in 
 a better religion. 
 
 These and similar considerations, which occupied 
 the mind of this worthy lady, were sometimes on the 
 point of being sacrificed to the anguish she. felt as often 
 as the kiea of her husband's continuing in heresy, and 
 all the dreadful consequences, occurred to her terrified 
 imagination ; for the natural clearness of her under- 
 standing and the serenity of her disposition, were 
 clouded and disturbed by the terrific aspect and unre- 
 lenting severity. of some of the doctrines in which she 
 had been instructed. 
 
 This anxiety of mind on her husband's account al- 
 ways increased in proportion to the hazards he was 
 exposed to in the exercise of his profession } and became 
 particularly severe in the course of a tedious illness, 
 into which he fell in consequence of a blow by the 
 but-end of a musket, which he received on his breast 
 at the battle of Hochkirchen. This contusion pro- 
 duced a spitting of blood, and was supposed to lay 
 the foundation of that illness of which he afterwards 
 died. 
 
 Soon after the battle, the colonel was canied to a 
 place of safety. And Madame de Seicilits, having ob- 
 tained a pass from Marshal Daun, hastened to the vil- 
 lage in \\hich her husband was ; where she attended 
 him during his long illness with equal patience and 
 tenderness. At one time he was, by the mistake of 
 the physician, thought in immediate danger. The 
 anxiety which had so long lurked within the breast of 
 Madame de fceidlits now became too violent for her 
 to conceal ; the very acute sorrow which she endured 
 from the thought of losing a husband she highly es-
 
 ZELUCO. 157 
 
 teemed and dearly loved, w;is absorbed in the keener 
 anguish arising from the awful idea of the danger 
 which threatened his immortal soul ; and this impress- 
 ed her with the more dread that it seemed to give him 
 none. 
 
 Her terrors on this subject were augmented by a 
 letter which she received from her indefatigable re- 
 lation Father JVlulo; who, having heard of the colonel's 
 illness, most charitably entreated her to exert herself 
 now or never ; as there was no possibility of salvation 
 for her husband, unless he relinquished heresy, em- 
 braced the catholic faith, confessed his sins, and ob- 
 tained absolution. One argument, he thought, proved 
 the good policy of this measure beyond the power of 
 reply j it was this : The protest ants themselves, s.iid 
 this ingenious priest, admit that well-meaning and vir- 
 tuous persons may be saved, notwithstanding their 
 dying in the Roman catholic persuasion ; whereas we 
 assert, that no heretic, however virtuous in other re- 
 spects he may be, can enter into the kingdom of hea- 
 ven : it is apparent, therefore, that your husband runs 
 no risk in follow.ing your advice, but the greatest by 
 neglecting it. 
 
 The agitation and confusion of Madame de Seidlits's 
 mind prevented her from seeing this kind of reasoning 
 in the same light in which her good sense would have 
 presented it in a calmer moment. 
 
 One day, therefore, when her apprehensions on the 
 colonel's account were at the height, after much cir- 
 cumlocution, with infinite delicacy, but in the most 
 pathetic terms, she communicated her fears to him, 
 and concluded by urging him to forsake his own reli- 
 gion, and embrace that of the church of Rome. 
 
 Having heard her with the utmost attention and 
 some degree of surprise, the colonel said, 1 fear, my 
 dear, you are too much alarmed on my account ; but 
 I assure you I have passed an uncommonly good night,
 
 188 ZRLL'CO. 
 
 and I feel myself better than I was yesterday. I am 
 most exceedingly giad to hear it, said Madsme de 
 Seidlits ; but let this be no reason tor preventing a 
 measure of infinite importance, which cannot be taken 
 too soon, but may be delayed till it is too late. 
 
 My dearest Theresa, said the colonel, taking hold 
 of her hand, I view your present solicitude and impor- 
 tunity in the true light ; 1 consider them as fresh 
 proofs of that noble friendship and affection which has 
 been the happiness of my life, and of which 1 ever 
 had a grateful conviction ; hut 1 must assure you, that 
 although I have never "rged you, nor permitted any 
 other person to urge you, on the same subject on 
 which you now press me, it is not because 1 have less 
 concern for your soul than you have for mine ; nor is 
 it from a want of partiality for the religion which I 
 myself profess. From what motive then has your fort 
 bearance proceeded ? said Madame de Seidlits. From 
 a conviction, replied he, that you are r. certain of sal- 
 vation in your religion as I can be in mine. You must 
 believe then, said Madame de ;reidlits with quickness, 
 that both religions are equally good. No, my love, 
 that does not follow ; for although I think there is 
 much good in both, still I think my own is the pre- 
 ferable ; yet, continued he gaily, as you possess so 
 much more of yours than I do of mine, I imagine the 
 superiority in quantity will make up for the defi- 
 ciency in quality, and render you as secure as you can 
 wish. 
 
 My dear colonel, replied Madame de Seidlits, is this 
 a subject, or is this a proper occasion for jesting ? 
 
 I beg pardon, my dear, said the colonel, 1 will be 
 very serious : in one great and essential point we Irave 
 the happiness to be of one opinion; both religions 
 agree, that it is our duty to live a life of integrity, and 
 do all the good we can to our fellow-creatures. 
 
 For which reason, interrupted Madame de Seidlits, 

 
 ZELUCO. 159 
 
 I am so anxious to do the greatest good possible to him 
 who is infinitely the dearest to me of all my felldw- 
 creatuivs. 
 
 None of them can be more grateful, replied the co- 
 lonel, than I am for those good intentions ; and you 
 cannot doubt of my being willing to render you the 
 same service : yet if you were to continue to press this 
 upon me, and I the same upon you, the unavoidable 
 effect of our eagerness to make each other eternally 
 happy, would be the making each other eternally mi- 
 serable ; for what can be worse in this world or the 
 next, than everlasting disputes between man and wife ? 
 Let us therefore avoid all disputable points, continued 
 he, and endeavour to promote our own happiness, and 
 that of our neighbours, by every means in our power. 
 The most probable reason I can conceive for the un- 
 equal distribution of the comforts of life, is to afford 
 mankind opportunitiesforthe'exercises of benevolence, 
 gratitude, and other virtues, which I am inclined to 
 believe is the most likely way of acquiring the favour 
 of the Deity. We certainly have it frequently in our 
 power to add to the happiness or misery of our fellow- 
 creatures ; to God Almighty we can neither do good 
 nor harm : and therefore I cannot help thinking, that 
 the conduct of our lives is of infinitely more import- 
 ance, than our religious opinions, or the forms of our 
 worship. It has been already settled between us, con- 
 tinued he, that you shall educate our daughters in your 
 way of thinking, as our sons shall be educated in 
 mine ; our mutual endeavour will be, to render them 
 virtuous women and honest men, which implies bene- 
 volence and liberality of sentiment; if we succeed, I 
 have no doubt, notwithstanding our having taken dif- 
 ferent roads, but we shall all meet in heaven. 
 
 God Almighty, in his infinite mercy, grant it may 
 be so, cried Niadame de Feidlits, in a transport of affec- 
 tion : for I am certain heaven will be no heaven to
 
 190 ZKLUCO. 
 
 me without those I so dearly love. Then recollecting 
 herself a little, she took occasion, from what her hus- 
 band had just said, to urge the last argument of her 
 confessor: Since you hive no doubt, said she, of our 
 meeting in heaven, although 1 retain my religion, and 
 since those of our church declare there is no admission 
 for those who persist in heresy, uhy will you not, my 
 dearest husband, take the safer course, and embrace 
 the catholic faith ? 
 
 Here the colonel, smiling through the tears which 
 his lady's endearments had previously forced into his 
 eyes, replied, I confess, my beloved Theresa, that this 
 last argument is so unworthy of your excellent under- 
 standing, that I am convinced you have had it sug- 
 gested by some one of far inferior sense and candour 
 to yourself. Consider that, in my conscience, for 
 whether t am right or wrong is out of the question ; 
 but in ray conscience I think the protestant religion 
 preferable to that which you profess ; yet you advise 
 me, as the safest course 1 can take, to embrace yours j 
 that is to say, to commit a piece of gross hypocrisy, 
 and with a view to what ? to impose on men ? ^o ; 
 there might be sense in that ; for men are imposed 
 upon daily by hypocrites : but this piece of hypocrisy 
 to which you advise me, is with a view to impose upon 
 God, and to get smuggled into heaven as a Roman ca- 
 tholic, while in my heart and conscience i remain a 
 protestant. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits seemed emharras-ed : after a 
 short silence, she said, 1 fear my anxiety makes me 
 absurd ; forgive me, my dear, continued she, for teas- 
 ing you in this foolish manner. 
 
 i shall think myself for ever obliged by the affec- 
 tionate and generous anxiety of my Theresa, said 
 Seidlits. 
 
 Ho .v could I allow myself to think for a moment 
 that such integrity, such manly generosity of mind, as 

 
 ZELDCO. 101 
 
 YOU have always displayed, said she, taking her hus- 
 band by the hand, and such strict adherence to the 
 dictates of conscience, can be rejected ? These also 
 were the virtues of the man whose memory you so 
 much revere, your noble friend and patron the mar- 
 shal. 
 
 Ah ! my Theresa, cried Seidlits, Can the long course 
 of honour and integrity pursued by the gallant Keith 
 be forgotten and rejected of Heaven, because he was 
 born in a prott slant country, or perhaps entertained 
 erroneous speculative opinions ? I well knew the up- 
 rightness of his mind, have seen many instances of his 
 humanity and benevolence even to his enemies, and 
 have myself received proofs of his generous friendship ; 
 it will be my latest boast to have been a witness to 
 those noble exertions in which he finished a life of 
 honour in the field of Hochkirchen, where the gallant 
 Prince Francis of Ejunswick, a family so fertile in he- 
 roes, also fell. I thank Heaven I had the honour of 
 assisting the marshal's intrepid endeavours in rallying 
 and inspiriting our disordered troops, in following him 
 again and again to the charge ; by which means the 
 elated enemy was checked, our troops protected, the 
 great monarch he served, and who honoured him with 
 his friendship, enabled to retreat in such order as to 
 pitch his camp within a few miles of the field from 
 which he retired. This great officer himself refusing, 
 although dangerously wounded, to quit the field, con- 
 tinued his exertions, till he received a second wound, 
 which proved instantly mortal. And shall a parcel of 
 ignorant monks, a gang of useless drones, deal dam- 
 nation around on all who have not a ready faith in 
 their legends and their ? But I ask your pardon, 
 my dear, said Seidlits, checking himself ; 1 did not 
 mean to say any thing disobliging ; but I heartily wish 
 you would observe the dictates of your own under- 
 standing more, and listen to the suggestions of others
 
 192 ZRLUCO. 
 
 less ; the virtuous conduct which you have hitherto 
 pursued is your best security for happiness here and 
 hereafter; permit me to endeavour to secure mine in 
 the manner most agreeable to my conscience, and of 
 course the most likely to be successful. 
 
 Forgive me, my dearest friend, said Madame de 
 Seidlits, for this once, aud I shall assure you, all the 
 monks on earth shall never prevail on me to give you 
 a single hint of this nature again. I am not a little 
 ashamed of what I was foolishly induced to say ; 
 Heaven be praised that you seem so much better than 
 you were last night. 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 " Shall man be left abandon'd in the dust, 
 When Fate relenting, lets the flow'r revive? 
 Shall Nature's voice, to man alone unjust, 
 Bid him, th<>' doom'd to perish, hope to live ? 
 Is it fur this fair Virtue oft must strive , 
 With disappointment, penurv, and pain ? 
 No; Heav'n's immortal sprincr shall yet revive, 
 And man's majestic beauty bloom ag'in." BEATTIE. 
 
 THIS was the first and last dispute on religion that 
 ever passed between Colonel Seidlits and his lady, 
 although boih continued attached to that in which 
 they had been bred ; yet, from this time, Madame de 
 Seidlits seemed to adopt, in many particulars, the libe- 
 ral sentiments of her husband. They .lived together 
 in the happiest union for several years after the general 
 peace. 
 
 Laura, their only child, was educated according to 
 the agreement between them, in her mother's religion. 
 
 It was already rerriarked, that the colonel never 
 fully recovered his health after the contusion in his 
 breast j on the slightest cold, and sometimes without
 
 ZELUCO. 193 
 
 any known cause, he was liable to be seized with fits 
 of oppressive and difficult breathing ; a severe attack 
 of this nature obliged him, by the king's express order, 
 to quit the field in the middle of that short war be- 
 tween Prussia and the emperor respecting the succes- 
 sion of Bavaria. Having returned by slow journeys 
 to Berlin, he soon after had the happiness to hear of 
 his son's distinguishing himself by relieving the Barou 
 Carlostein from the Austrian hussars. And at the 
 conclusion of the peace, he retired to his small villa, 
 with his wife and daughter, where he had the pleasure 
 of entertaining the two friends, as has been mentioned, 
 Carlostein he never saw more; but Captain Seidlits 
 spent all the time he could be spared from his regi- 
 ment in his father's family, with whom he lived in the 
 greatest harmony. 
 
 But Colonel Seidlits's health gradually declined. This 
 however was more apparent to others, than to those 
 constantly with him ; and Madame de Seidlits was for 
 a long time deceived by the cheerful air her husband 
 always assumed in her presence ; for his mind re- 
 mained in full vigour notwithstanding his bodily weak- 
 ness. Having perceived, however, for some days, that 
 he showed uncommon solicitude in arranging and set- 
 tling his affairs, she took notice of that circumstance 
 to him with an air of apprehension. 
 
 Is it not a sufficient reason, snid he, my dear friend, 
 that 1 know 1 must die some time or other, and that 
 I do not know how soon ? 
 
 But why disturb your mind with business at pre- 
 sent ? said she ; you are certainly in no immediate 
 danger. 
 
 You are not then of the opinion of the Due de la 
 Rochefoucault, replied the colonel, who says, Iln'y a 
 que I mart f/ui .i'>it h-rtaine, et cependant nous Ogissons 
 i !t (a scute chose incerlaine. 
 
 VOL. r. s
 
 194 ZELUCO. 
 
 That is applicable to me as well as to you, my dear, 
 said Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 It is so, replied the colonel ; and if I had become 
 apprehensive of your dying as often as you prepared 
 yourself for death, I should have been in continual 
 apprehension ever since 1 knew you. The colonel 
 said this with such an easy air, that Madame de Seid- 
 lits became less a'armed. 
 
 But although the colonel had none of the oppressivo 
 asthmatic attacks as formerly, he felt his strength melt- 
 ing fast away : he permitted none of his family, how- 
 ever, to attend him through the night ; an old soldier 
 alone, who had been long in his service, lay in his bed- 
 chamber. 
 
 A few d.iys after this conversation with his lady, 
 having had a very disturbed night, he perceived the 
 near approach of death. He caused himself to be 
 raised in his bed in the morning, a little before the 
 hour at which his family usually entered the room j 
 they were unconscious of his iilnsss through the night ; 
 his ladv, with Laura and Captain Seidiits, sat around 
 his bed ; when the colonel, smiling, said in a taint 
 voice to his son, It is a long while, Seidlits, since I 
 assured my wife, that, notwithstanding the difference 
 of our sentiments on certain subjects, this company 
 should all meet in heaven. 
 
 I hope your prophecy will be accomplished, sir, said 
 the young man ; but not for a long time. 
 
 It is my hope, replied the colonel, that it will bs 
 long before the rest of the company follow ; but I feel 
 that 1 nm-.t set out soon. 
 
 Ah, father ! cried Laura, with a voice of sorrow. 
 Captain Seidlits looked with anguish at his mother- 
 in-law. 
 
 Why do you talk so, my dear ? said Madame de 
 Seidlits j you seem a little laiut this morning ; but
 
 ZKLUCO. jys 
 
 you have often recovered from more oppressive sym- 
 ptoms. 
 
 Never, never ! my beloved friend, said he ; but 
 you would not wish me lo struggle any longer; the 
 hope of perfect recovery has been long over, and the 
 truggle is ending. 
 
 Aias ! cried she, starting from her sot greatly alarm- 
 ed, send for a physician. 
 
 Jf you line me, said he, let there be no intrusion. 
 
 She sunk on the bed, grasping his hand ; Let my 
 latest breath, continued he, declare my unaltered af- 
 fection, i regret that I have been able to make so 
 small a provision ; but what can a soldier provide ? I 
 have served a heroic monarch with fidelity : he 
 knows it. Your conduct, my t-eidlits, looking at his 
 son, has thrown comfort and gladness on the heart of 
 your father, and made my declining years the happiest 
 of my life, i know you will behave with duty to your 
 mother, and affection to your sister. Farewell, my 
 beloved Theresa ; farewell, my sweet Laura; fare- 
 well, my Seidlits : I resign you to his protection, 
 into whose merciful hands I resign my own soul. 
 God Almighty bless you; once more, farewell! 
 but 1 hope I trust not for ever. My eyes grow dim \ 
 a dark mist overhangs them ! I see you not, my 
 Theresa ! My childrm ! my organs fail ! yet my 
 Boul departs entire Father of mercy, receive my soul ! 
 His voice failed, and after a few sobs, this gallant 
 soldier expired, 
 
 Madame de Seidlits remained in speechless affliction, 
 holding the cold hand of her husband tor a con>-ider- 
 able time after he had breathed his last. Laura, kneel- 
 ing by her mother, wept without uttering a syllable, 
 and Captain Se ; diits, unable to comfort either, stood 
 inntiomess with grief, till a servant entering the cham- 
 ber, .- eidlits supported Laura and her mother to their 
 apartment, and then tetired to his own. 
 s 2
 
 196 ZELUCO. 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 " La gravile es/ nn mystere du corps, invente pour cacher les de- 
 fauls de f esprit." ROCHEFOUCAULT. 
 
 COLONEL Seidlits left his family in very moderate 
 circumstances. The king appointed a pension to his 
 \vidow, and soon after promoted his son, who had 
 only the rank of lieutenant, to the command of a troop 
 of dragoons. This young man behaved with great ge- 
 nerosity to his mother-in-law, and continued for some 
 time after his father's death to live with her and his 
 sister j but, on his being 'obliged to attend his regi- 
 ment, Madame de Seidlits took the resolution of re- 
 turning to her native country, which she put in exe- 
 cution notwithstanding the strongest solicitations on 
 the part of Captain Seidlits, whose friendship and 
 affection for them both made him exceedingly desirous 
 of their remaining in Germany. 
 
 When we were led into this long digression, we 
 left Madame de Seidlits in conversation with Father 
 Pedro, wh'ch was interrupted Ly the coming of Laura 
 and Father Mulo. The latter always harboured fears 
 that Madame Seidlits's long residence in a country of 
 heretics had diminished in her mind that salutary hor- 
 ror in which he thought they should be held by every 
 sincere catholic. To counteract this, and to revive 
 her faith in those points which he considered as most . 
 essential, he sent her, since her arrival at Naples, a 
 large folio of divinity, earnestly entreating her to pe- 
 ruse it attentively along with her daughter, telling her 
 at the same time that she might rely on having the 
 second volume as soon as they had read the first. 
 
 Have you perused that admirable work, my dear 
 daughter ? said Father Mulo, seeing the book lie on 
 the table. 
 
 I have begun it, replied Madame de Seidlits j it is
 
 ZELUCO. 197 
 
 * book of too serious a nature to be read over super- 
 ficially. 
 
 It is indeed a work of great weight, and requires ihe 
 utmost attention, said Father Mulo. 
 
 It were fortunate, said Laura, if the authors of books 
 which require so much attention, could write them so 
 as to command it. 
 
 The business of an author is to write books, said. 
 Father Mulo, with becoming gravity ; it is the duty 
 of the reader to command his attention when he pe- 
 ruses them. 
 
 You are indeed too hard upon authors, my good 
 young lady, said Father Pedro, to expect that they 
 should not only write their books, but also be obliped 
 to command the attention of their readers. My 
 learned brother has, with more regard to distributive 
 jusfice, divided the toil between the author and the 
 reader, 
 
 In my humble opinion, replied Laura, smiling, he 
 allots too large a proportion of the task to the cour- 
 teous reader. It is not so easy a matter to command 
 one's attention on perusing certain books as you teem 
 to think. I own I never found mine more disobedient 
 than in the perusal of that very admirable work which 
 the reverend father recommends. 
 
 Your taste, I am afraid, said Father Mulo, address- 
 ing himself to Laura with much solemnity, is in some 
 measure corrupted by books of profane history, or of 
 amusement, whose merit consists in their eloquence, 
 or perhaps in their wit. 
 
 And you may judge, my dear daughter, added Fa- 
 ther Pedro, how little value ought to be put on that 
 kind of merit, by its being often to be met with in the 
 writings of infidels anti heretics. 
 
 I should be better pleased, resumed Laura, to meet 
 jt elsewhere ; but I hope, father, you do not think 
 thai \shere there is wit there must also be infidelity. 
 s 3
 
 198 ZELUCO. 
 
 Why really, daughter, said Father Mulo, answering 
 with more gravity of manner than depth of reflection, 
 where there is much of the first, there is often reason 
 to suspect some of the last. 
 
 I cannot be of that opinion, said Madame de Seid- 
 lits ; for i have generally found true wit in better 
 company ; and although we sometimes find infidelity 
 accompanied by wit, how much ofteuer are we shock- 
 ed with pert ostentatious infidelity without any wit 
 at all ? 
 
 1 am convinced my mother is in the right, cried 
 Laura; and .1 hope you will allow, father, that there 
 is not a necessary connection between them. 
 
 Father A.ulo pe~ceiving at length that he had 
 spoken a little inconsiderately, was obliged to own, 
 though with evident reluctance, that he hoped there 
 was not. 
 
 I am certain there is not, added Laura ; and I am 
 obliged to my mother for having made me remark in- 
 stances, both in conversation and in reading, where not 
 only the strength of the arguments, but also the purest 
 wit, was on the side of virtue anil piety. 
 
 I can assure you, young lady, from my own expe- 
 rience, said Father Mulo, with an air of great sagacity, 
 and wishing to retract his first assertion, that it is al- 
 most always the case; true wit and eloquence are 
 generally on the side of orthodoxy. 
 
 How comes it then that this author, said Laura, 
 pointing to the large volume, nas not seasoned his 
 work with a little wit or eloquence, ^ince there is no- 
 thing sinful in them ; and they would have made it 
 more universally read, and of course more useful ? 
 
 f-'ow comes it ? repeated Father Mulo, who was 
 not famous for quick replies on emergencies of this 
 kind, how comes it, did you say ? 
 
 Why it comes by the diabolical ma! ice of Satan, 
 cried Father Pedro, stepping in to the relief of his bro-
 
 ZELUCO. 1QQ 
 
 ther; it is all owing to the spite of our great spiritual 
 enemy, who is ever ready to enliven the works of the 
 wicked ; and has, it would seem, perplexed the sense 
 and darkened the reasoning of this excellent author, 
 so as to render it a little, laborious for the young lady 
 to rend his work with the attention it requires. 
 
 The greater the effort, the more meritorious will it 
 be in the young lady to perform that duty as she ought, 
 resumed Father Mulo. 
 
 True, brother, said Pedro ; and thus the malice of 
 Satan is defeated, and, like the words of Balaam the 
 son of Beor, what was intended as a curse is converted 
 into a blessing. 
 
 Father Pedro had a sovereign contempt for his ve- 
 nerable brother; and as he wished to retain his influ- 
 ence with Madame de Seidlits without participation, 
 he was too ready to display him in a ridiculous light 
 before her, as in the present instance. 
 
 But perceiving that he should have no further op- 
 portunity that day of prosecuting the object of his visit, 
 he withdrew, leaving Father Mulo to dine with his two 
 relations, which he did accordingly, and in such a 
 manner as gave them no suspicion of his having al- 
 ready made a very ample repast at the house of a pious 
 old lady, whose time of dining was two hours earlier 
 than that of Madame de Seidlits : for it must be allow- 
 ed, in justice to Father Mulo, that although he rea- 
 soned but feebly, and thought with difficulty, he di- 
 gested with uncommon force and freedom.
 
 200 ZELUCO 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 With tract oblique 
 
 At first, as one who sought access, but fenr'd 
 
 To interrupt, side-lonjr ho works his way. 
 
 As when a ship by skilful steersman wrought 
 
 Mifjh river's iirmth or foreland, where the wind 
 
 Veers oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sails ; 
 
 So varied he. " MiiTON. 
 
 FATHER Pedro having found Madame de Seidlits less 
 tractable than he expected, resolved, on the next oc- 
 casion, to sound Laura herself, and try to dispose her 
 to the purpose he had in view. Accordingly, a few 
 days after, on being left alone with her, he turned the 
 conversation on the subject of charity ; mentioned 
 some individuals who distinguished themselves by the 
 exercise of this virtue, and dwelt particularly on Ze- 
 luco, whom he represented as one of the most chari- 
 table persons he had ever known ; adding, that those 
 were happy who were -blessed with benevolent aricj 
 charitable inclinations, but much more were they to 
 be envied, who were also blessed with the means of 
 putting such inclinations into action. 
 
 Laura agreeing with him in this sentiment, he said, 
 Would not you be happy, my daughter, to be in this 
 enviable situation ? 
 
 I flatter myself, replied she, that if I ever had a great 
 desire to be rich, it proceeded from a disposition to 
 relieve the distressed. But it has been remarked, fa- 
 ther, added she, that those who have nothing to give, 
 are wonderfully generous ; and I myself have known 
 some, who, when they had not the power, expressed 
 the strongest inclination of being liberal ; yet when 
 they afterwards came to have the power, seemed en- 
 tirely to lose the inclination. Those observations give 
 me diffidence in myself; I am not certain what alter- 
 ation riches might make in my own disposition.
 
 ZELUCO. 201 
 
 , I have no diffidence of you ; said the father. 
 
 Of this, at least, 1 am certain, said Laura, that if I 
 could know before-hand, that wealth would have the 
 same effect on me that it seems to have had on some 
 of my acquaintance, I should refuse it were it offered 
 to me. 
 
 Depend upon it, my dear daughter, said Father Pe- 
 dro, those you allude to never had charitable and be- 
 nevolent dispositions ; they have only affected to have 
 them, when they well knew that nothing wasexpected, 
 nor wou<d be received from them. Their real dispo- 
 sitions appeared afterwards when they became rich. 
 But in you, my dear child, exists the reality, not the 
 semblance, of benevolence 5 and riches could only en- 
 able you to extend your generosity, not render it more 
 sincere. 
 
 Laura thanked him for his good opinion. 
 
 I should have still a better opinion of you, said fa- 
 ther Pedro, if 1 had not been informed that you refused 
 this very enviable power. 
 
 I have no idea of what you mean, said Laura. 
 
 Tell me, in the first place, my dear daughter, whe- 
 ther you really refused your hand to Signor Zeluco ? 
 
 I did, said she without hesitation. 
 
 And what good reason could you have, my dear 
 child, for rejecting so generous a man ? 
 
 You will allow, father, that a woman may have good 
 reasons for refusing a man for her husband, although 
 she does not think proper to reveal them to her father 
 confessor. 
 
 You ought to have very good reasons indeed, daugh- 
 ter, for declining such a fortunate and happy match. 
 
 But my particular sentiments and feelings might 
 render it a very unhappy match. 
 
 How could it be unhappy for you, said the father, 
 who would reap every advantage by the alliance ? 
 
 If my husband could reap none, said she, that c'u>
 
 202 Z.KLUCO. 
 
 cnmstance alone would make it an uncomfortable al- 
 liance to me. 
 
 Do not mistake me, my dear child ; your husband 
 would certainly acquire a beautiful, accomplished, and 
 I hope a pious wife ; but the gifts of fortune are all 
 on his side. There are many beautiful and accom- 
 plished young ladies in Italy who would be happy to 
 be united to Signor Zeluco : But what probability is 
 there of your having the offer of a husband of superior 
 fortune to his ? 
 
 Not the least, said Laura ; but, my good father, I 
 thought the question between us related to happiness, 
 not merely to fortune, 
 
 It does so, answered Father Pedro ; And what do 
 you think of the happiness of having it in your power, 
 as well as in your inclination, to do good to others j 
 to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, protect the or- 
 phan, and make the widow's heart sing for joy ? 
 
 According to your own account, father, said Laura, 
 all th:s is done by Signor Zeluco's fortune already ; to 
 embarrass such a generous and charitable man with 
 the additional expenses which a wife occasions, she 
 added with a smile, would be diverting into different 
 channels that bounty which at present flows entirely 
 upon the naked, the orphan, and widow. 
 
 There is no occasion for turning it into another chan- 
 nel, said the father, a little peevishly ; but 1 perceive 
 you are in a jesting mood, 
 
 You shall not be angry, father, said Laura ; if you 
 are offended, I must be to blame. 
 
 Nay, replied he, J am not offended, chile! ; your vi- 
 vacity cannot offend me; I wish, however, it may not 
 lead you into error. 
 
 if it ever should, fnlher, said Laura, I beg you will 
 not, by way of expiation, enjoin me to give my haud 
 to Zeluco, for that is a penuuce I shall never submit 
 to.
 
 2ELTJCO. 203 
 
 Laura pronounced these last words with such 
 strength ut emphasis, as, joined to \v hat her mother 
 had said, greatly damped the sanguine hopes of IVdro, 
 with regard to the success of his mission. 
 
 CHAPTER XLITI. 
 
 ** S'il y a im amour pur el extmpt i!u mi.'aiige de >is antrex pas- 
 sivity, c'est cviui (j':i est cache au fund an ta:nr ,t </i/e nu'iy ;^'- 
 noTtjtts 'iwus-iitnine.i, t> KoctiicioucAi I.T. 
 
 IN the mean time S : gnorn Sporzn became so very 
 fond of her two rtlr.iions, that she preferred their 
 company to those numerous as>embiies hi which she. 
 had been accustomed to pa.->s her evenings. Having 
 perceived that Laura had no great relish for them, she 
 formed a small select party at her own house, which 
 met two or three times a week, and to which the ho- 
 nourable Mr. N , and a few others, were constantly 
 invited. 
 
 Thisgentlemanhad long been on a footing of friendly 
 intimacy with Hgnora Sporza, and now iound an ad- 
 ditional power of attraction to her parties in the lively 
 and judicious conversation of Laura. Few men's com- 
 pany was more universally acceptable than Mr. N 's 
 but what rendered him peculiarly agreeable to Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits and her daughter, was his acquaint- 
 ance with the Baron Carlosiein and Captain beidlits. 
 He becan;e known to the first during his residence at 
 Potsdam ; and the baron, on hisexprcsv.ivj; an inclina- 
 tion to see the camp at Ma<>i ! eburg, gave him a letter 
 of introduction to his friend" Captain Seidlits, who was 
 there with his regiment ; and Mr. N always spoke 
 of those two gentlemen in high term* of commen- 
 dation. 
 
 Laura was seldom or never in company with Mr,
 
 204 ZEUJCO. 
 
 N , without making fresh inquiry concerning her 
 brother. It was not in Mr. N 's power to talk much 
 of him, without his friend Carlostein's being included 
 in the circumstances of the narrative ; and every anec- 
 dote relating to those gentlemen seemed highly in- 
 teresting to Madame de Seidlits, and still more so to 
 Laura. 
 
 Pray, sir, said she to Mr. N , one evening when 
 the rest of the company were engaged at cards, is my 
 brother as fond of horses as ever ? 
 
 He is remarkably fond of his horses, replied Mr. 
 N ; and no officer in the army is esteemed -a better 
 rider. 
 
 He is very graceful on horseback, said Laura. 
 
 He is very much so, replied Mr. N . 
 
 I do not think the scar on his face at all difigures 
 him, said Laura. 
 
 He had no scar on his face, madam, when I saw 
 him, replied Mr. N . 
 
 No scar ? said Laura, with surprise. 
 
 No, madam ; not Captain Seidlits : his friend, the 
 baron, indeed, has a very honourable scar covered with 
 a piece of black plaster, which does' not .disfigure him 
 in the least. 
 
 I thought you had mentioned him, said Laura, blush- 
 ing very deeply. 
 
 A considerable degree of intimacy was gradually 
 formed between Mr. N and this young lady. It 
 was hardly possible for them -not to have a mutuat 
 esteem for each other. Laura had received the mosl 
 favourable impression of r. N from Signora Spor- 
 za, who had spoke of him as a man of sense, integrity, 
 and benevolence ; and her own observation of his con- 
 versation and behaviour confirmed her in the justice 
 of her friend's representation. He, on the other hand, 
 while he agreed with the general opinion of the graces 
 of Laura's face and person, was still more struck with
 
 ZELUCO. 205 
 
 her other accomplishments, with the genuine modesty 
 and unaffected dignity of manner which accompanied 
 iier beauty : she was equally free from coquetry and 
 disguise ; her sentiments of those' around her might 
 be easily guessed by her behaviour. 
 
 To those of whom she had but an indifferent opi- 
 nion, she observed such a degree of cautious and polite 
 reserve as rendered it very difficult for them to be on 
 a footing of any degree of freedom or ease with her, 
 however strongly they were desirous of being so. But 
 to those of whom she thought well, and particularly 
 to Mr. N , she behaved with a natural frankness, 
 expressive of confidence and good-will. 
 
 Yet although this engaging frankness of manner was 
 extended to her male friends as well as her female, it 
 was always attended with such expressive purity and 
 dignity as precluded licentious hopes or wishes ; for 
 innate modesty pervaded the easy openness of her 
 manners, appeared in all her words, actions, and 
 gestures, and presided even in her dress. As often as 
 the mode seemed to lean to the opposite side, Laura 
 had the art of making hers retain the fashionable air, 
 while she corrected the circumstance which she dis- 
 approved. 
 
 Mr. N had the ssme degree of esteem and ap- 
 probation of Laura, which she made no difficulty of 
 declaring for him ; and there was no engagement 
 which he would have preferred to passing an evening; 
 at Signora Sporza's, when he knew that Laura was to 
 be of the party. 
 
 VOL. I.
 
 t'OG ZELUCO. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. 
 
 Characteristic sketches. 
 
 MR. N had for his servant out of livery, one Bu- 
 chanan, a Scotchman, to whom his master's growing 
 attachment to Laura gave the greatest concern ; and 
 his concern augmented in proportion to the beauties 
 and accomplishments which lie himself could not help 
 observing in that young lady, and the good qualities 
 he heard ascribed to her ; for he had too good an opi- 
 nion of his master's taste and penetration to thiuk him 
 capable of a lasting attachment to one who was not 
 remarkably accomplished, but Laura had one tailing 
 which, iu this man's opinion, neither beauty, nor tor- 
 tune, nor understanding, nor an assemblage of every 
 good quality of mind or person could compensate she 
 was a Roman catholic. 
 
 That his master should be captivated, and possibly 
 drawn into a marriage with a woman of that religion, 
 Buchanan considered as one of the greatest misfor- 
 tunes that could happen to him, and he knew it would 
 be viewed in the same light by Lady Elizabeth, Mr. 
 N 's aunt, by whom he had been placed with her 
 nephew. The strong attachment this man had for his 
 master, and his extraordinary zeal for his welfare, 
 prompted him to intermeddle in matters which did 
 not p.operly belong to him, and to offer his advice 
 much oftener than it was wished or expected. 
 
 One day when Mr. N dined at home, and ex- 
 pected nobody but Mr. Steele, who lived with him, 
 the latter invited Mr. Squander, and he brought along 
 with him a certain Mr. Bronze, one of those gossiping 
 companions, who know every body, are of every body's 
 opinion, and are always ready to laugh at every body's 
 joke; who nestle themselves into the intimacy of men 
 of fortune and rank, allow themselves to be laughed
 
 ZELUCO. 207 
 
 at, are invited on that account, or to fill a vacant chair 
 at the table ; and sometimes merely to afford the land- 
 lord the comfort of having at least one person in the 
 company or inferior understanding to himself, whose 
 chief employment is to fetch and carry tittle-tattle ; 
 become ar length as it were one of the Jamily, and are 
 alternately caressed and abu?ed like any other spaniel 
 in it. 'J his person had, many years ago, come to Italy 
 with a party of young English, who, as they posted 
 through the country, dropped him sick at Ferraraj 
 and having resided ever since in Italy, he was thought 
 to have some taste in pictures, antique intaglios, ca- 
 meos, statues, &c. and had picked up a considerable 
 fortune by selling them to his countrymen who came 
 to Rome or Naples. 
 
 Mr. Squander would not, for his own private satis- 
 faction, have given a horse-slice for all the antiquities 
 in Ptome, and had no more taste in painting than his 
 pointer; yet, thinking that he must carry home a 
 small assortment of each, were it only to prove that 
 he had been in Italy, Mr. Bronze had been recom- 
 mended to him as a great connoisseur, who would 
 either furnish him with what he wanted, or assist him 
 in purchasing it. 
 
 Buchanan waited at the side-board. They talked 
 of an assembly, at which Messrs. N , Squander, and 
 Steele, had been the preceding evening. The first 
 spoke with warmth of the beauty of Laura, The an- 
 tiquarian, who had also seen her, said, her face had a 
 great resemblance to a certain admired madonna of 
 Guido's. Mr. Squander observed, that he thought 
 she was very like a p.cture which he had seen at Bo- 
 logna, but whether it was painted by Guido or by 
 Rheni, he could not recollect. iVir. N said, smiling, 
 that it was probably done by both, as they otten painted 
 conjunctly ; but, however that may be, continued 
 he, the young lady 1 mentioned, has one of the finest 
 T2
 
 208 ZELUCO. 
 
 countenances that I ever saw either in nature or on 
 canvass. Buchanan, who was sorry to hear his master 
 praise her with such a warmth, shook his head. 
 
 You have seen many handsomer in Scotland ? said 
 Squander, addressing himself to Buchanan. 
 
 I will not presume to make any comparisons, Mr. 
 Squander, replied Buchanan 5 for, on the present oc- 
 .casion, I doubt they would be thought odious. 
 
 Mr. N had often desired Squander to leave off 
 the indecent custom which he had, of addressing the 
 servants, but without effect. So taking no notice of 
 what passed between him and Buchanan, he proceed- 
 ed to praise Laura's accomplishments, particularly her 
 voice, and her execution on the piano forte. 
 
 Your countrywomen, said quander, renewing his 
 attack on Buchanan, prefer the Scotch riddle. The 
 antiquarian laughed very heartily, and all the footmen 
 tittered at this jest, which Squander himself called a 
 bon mot. A bon mot ! repeated Steele. Yes, by 
 G d, said Squander, and as good a one as ever George 
 Bon Mot uttered in his life. What think you, Bu- 
 chanan ? 
 
 It certainly bears this mark of a good joke, Mr. 
 Squander, said Buchanan, that it has been often re- 
 peated ; yet there are people who would rather be the 
 object than the rehearser of it. 
 
 You are a wit, Mr. Buchanan, said Bronze, tipping 
 the wink to Squander, and you will certainly make 
 your fortune by it. 
 
 If I should fail that way, Mr. Bronze, I may try 
 what is to be done by the haberdashing of intaglios 
 and cameos, and other hardware, said Buchanan. 
 
 A great many more of your countrymen, indeed, 
 have made their fortune as pedlars than as wits, re- 
 sumed Squander. 
 
 The antiquarian burst into a loud fit of laughter at
 
 ZELUCO, 209 
 
 this sally, clapping his hands, and crying, Excellent, 
 bravo ! 
 
 Buchanan, observing that Mr. N was displeased 
 at what was going on, made no reply, till Squander 
 pushed him, by saying, What have you to say to that, 
 Buchanan ? 
 
 All I have to say, Mr. Squander, is, that I have 
 known some of my countrymen, as -well as yours, 
 who were beholden to their fortune for all the applause 
 their wit received. 
 
 A'though Mr. N could with difficulty refrain 
 from smiling at this remark, assuming a serious air, 
 he told Buchanan, there was no need of his further 
 attendance; and when he withdrew, Mr. N started 
 another subject, which prevented the antiquarian and 
 Mr. Squander from abusing Buchanan, for which he 
 saw them prepared. 
 
 Mr. N , however, spoke not in his usual affable 
 manner to Buchanan the whole evening, and when 
 he went out, addressing one of the footmen instead of 
 Buchanan, as was his custom, he said, he was going 
 to Madame de IHeidlits. 
 
 Buchanan, imagining that his master was highly 
 displeased with him, imputed it to his having shaken 
 his head at the praises of Laura ; and was now more 
 convinced than ever, that Mr. N was desperately in 
 love with her, and in immediate danger of proposing 
 marriage to her. 
 
 Under this apprehension he resolved to use every 
 means, even at the risk of greatly offending his master, 
 to prevent a measure which he thought diametrically 
 opposite to his interest and happiness. Knowing that 
 a certain baronet, who was uncle to Mr. N by the 
 mother, and whose presumptive heir Mr. N was, 
 had lately arrived at Home, and was soon expected at 
 iSiaples; Buchanan imagined the most likely means 
 be could use to accomplish his purpose, was to inform 
 
 T3
 
 10 ZELUCO. 
 
 the baronet : he therefore determined to write to him 
 all his fears relative to his master. Buchanan had been 
 educated at an university, and had learning sufficient 
 to render him a pedant; to have an opportunity of 
 displaying his learning therefore, in all probability, was 
 an additional motive for his writing the following letter 
 to the baronet : 
 
 " Honoured Sir, 
 
 " HEARING of your arrival at Rome, I think it my 
 indispensable duty to inform you, that my master, and 
 your nephew, the honourable Mr. N , has been seized 
 with a violent passion for a young lady denominated 
 Laura Seidlits, who lately arrived at this city from 
 Germany. The young -woman is of a comely coun- 
 tenance Fullus nimium lubricus aspid, and, as far as 
 I have hitherto been able to learn, of a verv tolerable 
 reputation. Yet, notwithstanding the fairness of her 
 character and countenance, she is at bottom a b!ack 
 papist. Hitic illce lachrymce ! This i? the cause of 
 my affliction; for were she as beautiful as Helen of 
 Greece, Cleopatra of Egypt, or even as Mary Queen 
 of Scots, she, being, like the aforesaid Mary, of the 
 popish persuasion, would be a most unsuitable spouse 
 for my master. Yet there is hardly a day goes over his 
 head that he is not in this young woman's company, 
 and the Lord above only knows how far a headstrong 
 youth, instigated by passion, may push matters, more 
 especially as he generally meets her at one Signora 
 Sporza's, a very pawky * gentlewoman, who under- 
 stands what's what as well as any woman in Naples, 
 and being the relation of the aforesaid Laura, will leave 
 no stone unturned to get her linked to Mr. N . 
 
 " 1 once had hopes, that as the young woman at- 
 tends mass regularly every day for those poor de-t 
 
 Sly.
 
 ZF.LUCO. 211 
 
 hided 'creatures show more zeal for their own super- 
 stition than some protestants- do for true religion I 
 had once hopes, I 'say, that she might object to mar- 
 rying a protestant. But I am informed, that, as the 
 song is, Her mother did so before her, which has greatly 
 diminished my hopes of refusal on her part j for it is 
 natural to conclude that the mother has given the 
 daughter a tincture of her own disposition, and you 
 know, sir, that 
 
 " Q'/o semel esf. imbuia recens, servaUl ndorem, 
 Testa diu.'' 
 
 " I am sure I need add no more to convince you 
 of the misery that such a match as this would occasion 
 to all Mr. N 's relations, particularly to his honoured 
 aunt, who holds Antichrist and all his adherents in the 
 greatest detestation. You must likewise be sensible, 
 that a popish wife, however fair her aspect, must give 
 but a dark prospect to a protestant husband, inasmuch 
 as her religion instructs her that she is not obliged to 
 keep faith with heretics. Hen, quuties Jidem mutatos- 
 fjue Deosflebit ! 
 
 " These reflections are so manifest, that you will 
 wonder they do not occur to Mr. N ; but you must 
 remember, that he is blinded by the mist of passion, 
 and in that state people cannot perceive the force of 
 reason ;--Quid enim ration e limew us aut citpinuis. 
 Yet if yon could find a plausible pretext for desiring 
 Mr. N to meet you at Rome instead of allowing 
 him to wait for you here at Naples, I am convinced 
 he would obey your summons; and when he is re- 
 moved from the opportunities of seeing this young 
 woman, he may possibly be beyond the influence of 
 her attraction, and above the wiles of her coadjutors ; 
 and you may then prevail upon him to listen to the 
 voice of reason, abandon this land of superstition and 
 delusion, where we have sojourned too long, and re- 
 urn directly to Britain j whereas it would be as easy 
 

 
 212 BELUCO. 
 
 to whistle the lavrocks out of the lift *, as to make him 
 agree to this proposition while he remains within eye* 
 shot of this same Laura fieidlits. 
 
 " I am, with all due respect, 
 
 " Honoured sir, 
 " Your most obedient servant, 
 
 " GEOKGE BUCHANAN." 
 
 The gentleman to whom this letter was addressed, 
 had already received a hint from a friend of his at Na- 
 ples to the same purpose 5 he therefore determined to 
 follow Buchanan's advice, and actually wrote to his 
 nephew, that it was not in his power to proceed to 
 Naples, as he had intended, and expressing a strong 
 desire of seeing him and Mr. Steele at Rome. 
 
 However fond Mr. N was of Laura's company, 
 he could not think of allowing his uncle, for whom, 
 independent of other considerations, he had a very 
 great respect, to return to England without waiting 
 on him} he therefore took his leave of Signora Sporza 
 and her two friends a few days after receiving this 
 letter, and he and Mr. Steele set out for Rome, accom- 
 panied by Buchanan and two footmen. 
 
 Signora Sporza told him at parting, that she was 
 herself engaged to a lady of her acquaintance, who 
 had business of importance at Rome, to make that 
 jaunt with her, so that she expected very soon to have 
 the pleasure of meeting him in that city. 
 
 Squander, and two or three other young English- 
 men, finding their time pass a little heavily without 
 Mr. N and Steele, followed them on the third day 
 after they set out. 
 
 * The larks from the sky.
 
 ZELUCO* 213 
 
 CHAPTER XLV. 
 
 " Uhypoerisie esl un hommage que Is vice rend a la vertit." 
 
 RocriF.FOL'CArLT. 
 
 ZELUCO plainly perceived at their next meeting the 
 ill success -of -the father's negotiation, in spite of the 
 palliations with which it was communicated. As his 
 hopes had been great! v raised, his disappointment was 
 great in proportion : his enraged spirit, unaccustomed 
 to restraint, on this occasion was deaf to the dictates 
 of caution, and rejected the mask of hypocrisy ; . he 
 raved like a mad-man, poured curses on both mother 
 and daughter, particularly the latter, on whom he 
 vowed vengeance for what he termed her insolence, 
 and for all the trouble and vexation she had given 
 him. 
 
 Father Pedro crossed himself, and began to repeat 
 his Pater Noster. 
 
 Come, come, father, said Zeluco, do not let you 
 and I keep up the farce with each other any longer. 
 I know you have too much sense to lay any stress on 
 these mummeries ; and I am not such a fool as to 
 think that a woman is to be won by crossings 01 
 prayers. 
 
 You have as good a chance that way, however, 
 replied the father, as by swearing and raging like a 
 fury. 
 
 I will have her one way or another ! exclaimed 
 Zeluco. 
 
 And what way do you intend to take next ? said 
 Pedro. 
 
 I'll have her by force. I'll have her seized and 
 carried aboard a vessel. I'll fly with her to Algiers ! 
 to the West Indies ! any where ! exclaimed he with 
 a loud voice, and stamping with his foot ; for she shall 
 be mine ; by all the gods, she shall !
 
 214 ZELUCO. 
 
 Of all the gods, said Father Pedro calmly, the god 
 of hell was the only one who was driven to the mise- 
 rable shift of committing a rape to get himselt a wile ; 
 do you intend to imitate him, signer ? 
 
 i do not care who i imitate, roared Zeluco, were it 
 the devil. 
 
 In the present case, however, you will not even 
 have the satisfaction of imitating him throughout ; for 
 although you may hurry yourself to hell, you have 
 little chance of carrying the lady along with you. I 
 would advise you, therefore, to adopt some less de- 
 sperate expedient. 
 
 What expedient ? cried Zeluco ; I can think of 
 none ; I can hardly think at all. But if thou canst 
 assist me in obtaining this woman, thou wilt eternally 
 oblige me, priest ; and thou shalt have money enough 
 to build a church. 
 
 Although Zeluco in his rage thus threw himself 
 open, and put himself in some degree in the father's 
 power, the latter was resolved not to follow his ex- 
 ample, and put himself in Zeluco's. He plainly per- 
 ceived, indeed, that Zeluco did not imagine that he 
 had acted from motives of piety ; but whatever sus- 
 picions he might entertain, Pedro considered that there 
 was some difference between being suspected of a 
 villainy, and actually avowing it ; he therefore assured 
 Zeluco,that he would have no further connection with 
 him in this business, and that he would inform against 
 him if he made any criminal attempt on Laura. He 
 acknowledged, he said, that as he had thought his 
 marriage with that young lady would be happy for 
 both, and agreeable to the worthy lady her mother, 
 besides conducing to other good purposes, he should 
 have been extremely happy to have promoted it ; but 
 after the furious and unwarrantable projects he had 
 just heard of, he desired to have no more to do with 
 it, directly or indirectly,
 
 ZELUCO. 215 
 
 This calm remonstrance brought Zeluco to his 
 senses 5 he now perceived that the person he had to 
 deal with, and whose assistance he still thought might 
 be of use, was of too wary a character to act without 
 a cover, to which he might retreat on occasion. 
 
 After a little recollection, he replied in conciliating 
 terms, Surely, father, you cannot imagine that what 
 has escaped me in a moment of passion is my serious 
 intention ; my own reflections would very soon have 
 convinced me of the folly and wickedness of an at- 
 tempt which your prudence ha* in an instant put in a 
 just light. I think myself mast happy in such a friend, 
 on whose wisdom 1 may rely, and whose counsels I 
 shall ever be ready to follow. My love and respect 
 tor the virtuous young lady is such, that I will use 
 every lawful means in my power to obtain her hand. 
 I know the well-placed confidence which she has in 
 you, and i most earnestly beg that you will use your 
 influence with hr-r in my favour. In the mean time, 
 my dear father, I am sensible of the trouble which I 
 give you; and as the only way in which you permit 
 me to show my gratitude is by enabling you to extend 
 your benevolence to the deserving and the necessitous, 
 i beg you will accept of this, which you will apply to 
 whatever pious purpose you think proper : So saying, 
 he put a purse of sequins into the father's hands, as- 
 suring him of double the sum, independent of what he 
 had already promised, on the successful conclusion of 
 the business. 
 
 Now, my son, replied the monk, you talk rationally} 
 and reason always suggests a mode of action opposite 
 to what is prompted by rage. You have already gain- 
 ed the good opinion of the young lady's mother ; please 
 to recollect how you gained it ; not by violence, but 
 by gentleness, by rendering her an essential service : 
 and although the young woman herself seems indis- 
 posed towards you, yet who knows what a sense of
 
 216 ZELUCO. 
 
 gratitude might do ? it might have the same effect 
 on the daughter that it has had on the mother. The 
 last obligation you laid on the family was of a pecu- 
 niary nature, which is more apt to make an impression 
 on an old heart than on a young ; but there are obli- 
 gat ions which make deeper impressions on young heart* 
 than on old. 
 
 What obligations are those ? I am ready to do 
 whatever you direct. 
 
 Opportunities of this kind may occur, said the fa- 
 ther, and then your own good sense will direct you 
 how to profit by them. In your rage you proposed 
 methods the most likely to make her detest you, and 
 love those who should have the good fortune to free 
 her from you ; }ou spoke not like yourself, but like a 
 roller, like a ravisher. A man who attempted what 
 you threatened, would draw upon himself her just ha- 
 tred ; whereas he who did the reverse, who had the 
 good fortune to save her from such an attempt, might 
 probably gain her love. 
 
 Having said this in a very significant manner, Fa- 
 ther Pedro took his leave. In spite of Zeluco's en- 
 deavours to prevail on him to be more explicit, after 
 remaining forborne time in profound meditation, He 
 who has the good fortune, said he, repeating to him- 
 self the words which Pedro had pronounced with em- 
 phasis ; He who has the good fortune to save her from 
 such an attempt might probably gain her heart. Who 
 can make such an attempt ? How can I deliver her 
 from dangers to which she is not exposed ? 
 
 He conjectured, however, that the father meant to 
 convey a hint to him respecting some emergency, 
 which he knew would occur, although he was resolved 
 not to be further explicit ; and determined to observe 
 his words and actions attentively, in the hopes of dis- 
 covering his meaning more clearly. 
 
 Two days after, he was able more fully to compre-
 
 ZKLUCO. 217 
 
 herd the father's idea ; when he informed Zeluco that 
 he had just left Madame de tieidlits and her daughter ; 
 that Laura having often expressed a curiosity to visit 
 Mount Vesm ius, her motiier, who had formerly op- 
 posed it, had now agreed to it, on his offering to ac- 
 company her aud Signora Sporza ; that accordingly he 
 and these two ladies were to dine next day at Portici, 
 visit the mountain in the evening, and return to Na- 
 ples the same night. If you are eager to be of the 
 party, added he, I will endeavour to obtain the ladies', 
 consent. 
 
 Zeluco, engrossed by reflection, did not give an im- 
 mediate answer. 
 
 But I know, continued the father, you have been 
 there already ; and possibly do not choose to return 
 again. 
 
 Pray, my good father, said Zeluco, rousing from 
 his reverie, at what hour do you propose returning to 
 town ? 
 
 It is impossible to say exactly, repl'u-d Father Pe- 
 dro; I dare say it will be late enough, for I find Si- 
 gnora Laura wishes to see the explosions to the great- 
 est advantage; but I perceive we cannot have you. 
 I shall not, however, inform the ladies that i made 
 you the proposal, or that you so much as know of the 
 expedition, lest they should accuse you of want of gal- 
 lantry. Adieu. I can stay no longer at present. 
 
 What servants do you take with you ? resumed Ze- 
 luco. 
 
 I really do not know, said the father; but I must 
 be excused, I cannot stay any longer now ; one of 
 my penitents waits for me. Servants ! let me see- 
 there will be no need of many sen ants, i presume 
 v e shall have only Giacomo. The muleteers will be 
 with us till we regain the carriage; an<l then we shall 
 have only the coachman and Giacomo to attend us to 
 town. Saying this, the cautious monk hunied away, 
 VOL.I. v
 
 218 ZELUCO. 
 
 leaving Zeluco satisfied respecting the meaning of his 
 former hints. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVJ. 
 
 -Revenue, at first thought svvp 
 
 Bitter ere long', back on its< It' recoils." MILTON. 
 
 ZELUCO now determined to plan an attack on the la- 
 dies as they returned from the mountain, to drive off 
 the assailants, and assume the merit with Laura of 
 having saved her from robbery and assassination. 
 
 Having communicated his design to his valet-de- 
 chambre, the confidant and accomplice of many of his 
 villainies ; the scheme seemed practicable and safe in 
 all respects, except in the necessity which appeared 
 of employing many agents. The valet, however, un- 
 dertook the business with the assistance of only one 
 person, and spoke with a confidence of success seldom 
 acquired otherwise than by experience in similar 
 scenes. 
 
 Being now convinced of Signora Sporza's dislike (o 
 him, and having a violent suspicion that it was through 
 her means that Laura was so ill disposed towards him, 
 Zeluco expressed some anxiety with regard to Signora 
 Sporza, lest she might suspect the source of the at- 
 tempt. The valet assured him, that she should be 
 particularly attended to, for he would order his com- 
 panion to fire his pistol so close to her ear, that, though 
 charged only with powder, it would confound her 
 sufficiently to prevent her from making observations, 
 and terrify the rest of the company into non-resist- 
 ance. 
 
 This suggested a horrid piece of wickedness to the 
 vengeful mind of Zeluco, -which, however, he did not 
 communicate to the valet ; but next day, when ha
 
 ZELUCO. 219 
 
 understood that every thing was arranged, he desired 
 to see the pistol with which the man was to arm his 
 companion : You are certain it is charged with pow- 
 iler only i said he. I nm very certain, replied the valet j 
 for I charged it myself. Let the fellow lire then di- 
 rectly at her head ; this will frighten her into silence, 
 said Zeluco, and render every thing easy. He then 
 gave him very particular directions in what manner 
 they were to behave to Laura ; and, sending the valet 
 to fetch something from a distant part of the house, 
 he slipped two builets into the pistol : the hatred and 
 thirst of revenge, which burned in his breast, against 
 Signora Sporza, overcoming his caution, and prompt- 
 ing him to a measure which might have produced a 
 discovery of the whole plan. 
 
 Before these two emissaries set out, Zeluco agaiil 
 repeated to the valet not to allow his companion to 
 touch Laura, but to pull Signora Sporza entirely out 
 of the carriage, and then fii e the pistol in her face; 
 which would be the signal for Zeluco himself to make 
 his appearance. 
 
 In the evening, Zeluco waited on Madame de Seid- 
 Hts, where he found Father Mulo ; he affected great 
 surprise when she told him that her daughter, Signora 
 Sporza, and Father Pedro had set out that same morn- 
 ing on an expedition to Mount Vesuvius, and that 
 they were not as yet returned. 
 
 When the night advanced without their appearing, 
 Madame de Seidlits became uneasy ; the noise of every 
 carriage gave her hopes that it was theirs ; and every 
 disappointment when ihe carriage passed increased her 
 uneasiness. 
 
 When Madame de Seidlits first began to express her 
 apprehension, Zeluco withdrew on pretence of an en- 
 gagement ; and Father Mulo remained, as he said 
 himself, to comfort Madame de Seidlits, in case an/ 
 u 2
 
 2-20 ZELUCO. 
 
 misfortune should really have happened to Laura and 
 the rest of the party. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits had heard, in general, of peo- 
 ple being sometimes hurt by the fall of the substances 
 exploded from the mountain : her alarmed imagina- 
 tion prompted her to make particular inquiries on this 
 subject ; and Father JVlulo's retentive memory sup- 
 plied her with every instance of that kind which had 
 happened for many years back ; but he added, at the 
 close of every example, that such a misfortune having 
 happened to the people he mentioned, could not be 
 considered as a positive proof ihat the same had be- 
 failen any of the company for whom she was so much 
 interested ; and if the like had happened to some of 
 them, still it was possible that Laura was not the un- 
 fortunate person : for which reason, added he, my 
 dear madam, you ought to keep yourself in perfect 
 tranquillity, and hope for the best; because vexing 
 yourself will be of no manner of use, but is rather a 
 tempting of Providence, and may draw down upon 
 your head the very misfortune you dread, or some 
 other as bad. liy such reasoning Father Mulo en- 
 deavoured, with uninterrupted perseverance, to quiet 
 her fears. 
 
 . What effect this method of conveying comfort 
 ' might have produced on the nrnd of Madame de Seid- 
 lits, can never be known, for her imagination was too 
 much alarmed to permit her to attend to his discourse: 
 besides, although it may seem a bold word, no eccle- 
 siastic ever possessed the faculty of speaking without 
 being listened to, in greater perfection than the re- 
 verend Father Mulo. 
 
 On leaving Madame de Seidlits, Zeluco mounted 
 his horse, and rode directly towards the place which 
 he had fixed on for the attack. Having perceived his 
 emissaries in waiting, he turned b'w horse without
 
 ZELUCO. 221 
 
 sreming to take notice of them, and rode slowly back- 
 wards and forwards, till he saw the carriage coming 
 briskly along. The valet and his companion, with 
 masks on their faces, riding furiously up to the car- 
 riage, ordered the driver to stop, on pain of having his 
 brains blown out ; the driver instantly obeyed, and 
 Giacomo fell from his horse on his knees, supplicating 
 for mercy in the name of the Father, t-'on,- j;nd Holy 
 Ghost j to whom, after he had recovered his recollec- 
 tion a little, he added St. Januarius. Father Pedro 
 also prayed with much seeming fervency, invoking 
 the aid of tit. Dominic, and a whole host of other 
 saints. 
 
 After the valet had taken the ladies' purses, which 
 were instantly presented to him, the other fellow 
 dragged Signora Sporza out of the chaise : she ex- 
 claimed that e'very thing had been delivered to them, 
 and attempted to get into the carriage again ; but thft 
 fellow, standing between her and it, presented his pis- 
 tol, which flashed without going off. Zeluco seeing 
 the flash, and hearing the screams of Laura, galloped 
 towards the carriage, hollaing, and threatening the*, 
 assailants with immediate death if they did not desist : 
 but the fellow, whose pistol had snapped, fearing that 
 he should not be thought to have peribnr.td his part 
 properly, if he did not actually fire it, cocked it once 
 more, and fired it off in such a hurried manner, that 
 both the bullets passed the head of Signora Sporza, and 
 one of them lodged in Zeluco' s shoulder. 
 
 This staggered him a little ; but the attackers flying, 
 he came up to the carriage in time to prevent Laura 
 from rolling out of it : she had retained her presence 
 of mind while she considered the assailants simply as 
 robbers ; and after delivering their money, seeing Sj.. 
 gnora Sporza pulled violently out of the carnage, she 
 called to Father Pedro to assist her ; bat on hearing 
 the pistol fired, which she imagii/ed had killed her-
 
 222 J5ELUCO. 
 
 friend, she fainted in the chaise. Signora Sporza also 
 was greatly alarmed ; but seeing the aggressors fly, 
 she rose from her knees, on which she had sunk when 
 the pistol was fired, and assisted Zeluco and Father 
 .Pedro in their endeavours to recover Laura; who, as 
 soon as she recognised Signora Sporza and the father, 
 and understood that the danger was over, exclaimed, 
 What blessed angel ba delivered us from the ruffians? 
 Father Pedro immediately answered, We all owe our 
 deliverance to Signor Zeluco. Signer Zeluco ! cried 
 Laura, with painful surprise. Yes, my daughter, added 
 he , and here he is to receive our grateful acknow- 
 ledgements. Weare all highly indebted to you, signor, 
 said she. How providential was your coming ! added 
 Father Pedro. Considering the hour of the night, said 
 Signora Sporza, his coming seems miraculously so. 
 
 Zeluco then informed them how he was induced to 
 meet them ; that as he drew near the carriage, hearing 
 the shrieks of Signora I aura, he rode up to the ruffians, 
 one of whom, he said, he could have taken, had he 
 not been more anxious to relieve them than to seize 
 him. 
 
 The driver and Giacomo having now recovered from 
 their terror, the carriage was prepared, and (he com- 
 pany moved towards the town. Giacomo told the 
 driver as they went, that he had made an observat on 
 \vhich he would communicate to him as a friend, be- 
 cause it might be of me on future occasions of the 
 same natr.re ; it was this: that while he continued to 
 implore the first three persons to whom he had ad- 
 dressed his prayers, r,o interposition had been made 
 in his favour ; but that as soon as he began to implore 
 the protection of St. Jamuvius, Signor Zeluco had ap- 
 peared for the rescue of the company. Ccrto, said the 
 coachman, St. Januarius takes the greatest care of all 
 his votaries on Mount Vesuvius and the neighbouring 
 district, ad ogni uccdlo suo nido e lelio ; but out of
 
 ZKLUCO. 223 
 
 sight of the mountain, he assured Ghcomo that Ft. 
 Januarius was as regardless of prayers as his neighbours, 
 and not more to be depended upon than those he com- 
 plained of. 
 
 When the company arrived at the house of Madame 
 de Seidlits, Father JVInlo was giving hera circumstan- 
 tial account of a robbery with assassination, which 
 happened many years before on the road between Per- 
 tici and Naples; and, as he with wonderful accuracy 
 remarked, looking at his watch, much about the hour 
 in which he was then speaking ; he also detailed the 
 providential manner in which the murderer wa^ dis- 
 covered, ar.d how he was broken on the wheel, to the 
 edification, as lather Mulo expressed himself, of all 
 the beholders, and the great comfort of the murdered 
 person's widow. 
 
 The powerful faculty hinted above, which the father 
 possessed, and which shone with peculiar lustre in 
 narrative, prevented these anecdotes from affecting 
 Madame de Seidlits so much as they would otherwise 
 have done. The sight of the company which uow 
 entered her house relieved her, however, from a set 
 of very disagreeable reflections. 
 
 Father Pedro, in the presence of the Indies, gave her 
 the history of their adventure, in which the generous 
 intrepidity of .- ignor Ze!ut:o made a conspicuous figure ; 
 and the watchful care of Providence in sending him 
 to their deli\eunce was mentioned in the most pious 
 terms. 
 
 . Madame de Seidlits then poured out the grateful 
 effusions of her heart in thanks to Zelr.co, who mo- 
 destly acknowledged that, on seeing her alarmed at the 
 ladies not returning, and being himself exceedingly 
 uneasy, he had, on leaving her, immediately mounted 
 his hone, and galloped towards Portici, which he 
 should ever comi'-lei- as the moit fortunate incident of
 
 ZELUCO. 
 
 his life, with whatever consequence the accident which 
 had happened to hitnFelf should be attended. 
 
 Accident! cried Madame de Seidlits: What acci- 
 dent ? and then perceiving blood on his clothes, 
 Alas ! signer, said she, you are wounded ! send directly 
 for a surgeon 1 
 
 Father Pedro, who, notwithstanding the blood, had 
 reasons of hi.s own for thinking that he was not at all, 
 or in no dangerous degree hurt, said it would be best 
 that Zeluco were removed to his own house, where 
 the wound would be examined more conveniently, 
 and proposed to accompany him immediately. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits, wringing her hands in the ut- 
 most grief, begged that all possible care might be taken 
 of him; for she should never aain know comfort if 
 any accident should accrue to so worthy a man, par- 
 ticularly, added she, looking to Lam a, on such an 
 pccasion. 
 
 Her daughter, with more composure, but with 
 visible emotion, begged of Father Pedro not to leave 
 Zeluco till his wound was dressed, which she hoped 
 would not be found dangerous. 
 
 Father Mulo desired Zeluco to be of good cheer, 
 for heaven seldom permitted villainy of this kind to 
 pass unpunished ; but that in case this wound should 
 prove mortal, he might rely up(m it, that the planners 
 of such a daring attack would be brought to open 
 shame ; for, sooner or later, murders were always 
 discovered. 
 
 Signora Sporza observed to Zeluco, who by this 
 time was not the least alarmed in the company, that 
 the wound could not be dangerous, as he had been 
 able to sit on horseback while they were coming to 
 town. 
 
 Zeluco was then put into a carriage, and slowly- 
 transported to his own house, accompanied by Father
 
 ZELUCO. 223 
 
 Pedro, who did not choose to make any particular in- 
 quiry, nor to express the surprise he really fell at there 
 being a wound at all ; for, as the carriage went slowly, 
 he was afraid of being overheard by the servant that 
 walked by its side. 'Ihe wounded man himself was 
 silent, except that once he muttered, Damn the awk- 
 ward blockhead ! and afterwards, What a cursed 
 blunder ! 
 
 As soon as he was placed in his own bed -chamber, 
 Is the surgeon come ? said he to Father Pc-dro. 
 
 Do you really wish for a surgeon ? said the father. 
 
 Certainly ; don't you see how I bleed ? 
 
 I see blood ; but i had hopes it was not from your 
 veins. 
 
 It is a cursed business : pray send for a surgeon, 
 cried Zeluco impatiently. This was done accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 The valet and his accomplice had returned before 
 Zeluco had even reached the town. The former, on 
 hearing that a surgeon was sent for, and seeing blood 
 ou his master's arm, was astonished, and cried, How 
 it it possible, sir, that you can be wounded ? For 
 
 Peace, babbler, said Zeluco. 
 
 Can any thing be more natural, said Father Pedro 
 with a sarcastical smile, than for pistols to make 
 wounds, especially when fired by two such bloody, 
 minded ruffians ? But I must now leave you, signer ; 
 you may depend on my prayers for your recovery, and 
 that you may soon reap the fruits of your generous va- 
 lour. He then withdrew, convinced that the wound 
 was fictitious, and invented as a natural incident in 
 the farce, which would be better acted by the master, 
 the servant, and the surgeon, without his taking any 
 part.
 
 226 ZELUCO. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIL 
 
 A medical consultation. 
 
 As Father Pedro went out, a physician and surgeon 
 entered the room together. It was fouhd that" thfi 
 bullet had entered the arm, near the shoulder, and, 
 without having injured the bone or joint, was felt be- 
 neath the skin on the opposite side. 
 
 It was extracted without difficulty after an incision. 
 The doctor and surgeon then retired to another room 
 to consult. The latter was a Frenchman of some hu- 
 mour, a considerable share of shrewdness, and much 
 of a coxcomb. 
 
 This wound is nothing, said the doctor. 
 
 We must try to make something of it, however, re- 
 plied the surgeon. 
 
 It will heal of itself directly, resumed the doctor. 
 
 It must therefore not be left to itself, said the sur- 
 geon. 
 
 What further do you intend > said the physician : 
 little more seems necessary, except applying some 
 fresh lint every day. 
 
 Lascia far' a Marc Antonio, replied the surgeon j I 
 will take care that his excellency shall not be exposed 
 to danger on the high road for at least a month to 
 come. 
 
 Unless it be to prescribe some cooling physic, and 
 such a low regimen as will prevent his suffering from 
 want of exercise, I can do nothing, said the physician. 
 
 That is doing a great deal, said the surgeon j it 
 keeps the patient in low spirits, and renders him obe- 
 dient. 
 
 But after all, how do you intend to treat the wound 
 itself? said the physician. 
 
 I intend to treat it secundum arlem, replied the sur- 
 geon.
 
 . ', ZELUCO. 227 
 
 Bcnc, lent: retpondifti, said the physician ; and so 
 much for the wound. Now, pray what say yon to the 
 news ? continued the physician j they taik of a Russian 
 fleet in the Mediterranean. 
 
 Whether that will take place or not, said the sur- 
 geon, depends entirely on the king's pleasure. 
 
 How so ? said the physician ; how can his majestjr 
 prevent it ? 
 
 By threatening to sink them if they presumed to 
 enter the Streiglns, replied the surgeon. The Toulon 
 fleet will be sutricient. 
 
 Toulon Heel ! cried the physician : Why, what king 
 do you mean ? 
 
 Why, the king of France, to be sure, replied the 
 surgeon : What other king can I mean ? 
 
 Vi pre.go di scusarmi, signer, cried the physician ; 
 but in speaking < f the king in Naples, I thought the 
 king of Naples might perhaps be meant. 
 
 Aft di Dio, signer, replied the surgeon j non m't 
 venuto inai in pensiero ; but I believe, added he, look- 
 ing at his watch, our consultation has lasted a decent 
 time enough. 
 
 The physician being of the same opinion, they re- 
 turned to the patient's bed-chamber. The doctor 
 ordered a low diet, and cooling ptisans in great abun- 
 dance. 
 
 What do you think of the wound ? said Zeluco to 
 the surgeon. 
 
 It would be rash to speak decisively at the very first 
 dressing, signer, said the surgeon. 
 
 But what is your general notion ? resumed Zeluco. 
 
 Why, signor, if my friend here will answer for keep- 
 ing down the fever, I will do my best to save your 
 excellency's arm. 
 
 Save my arm ! exclaimed Zeluco ; I would rather 
 be damned than lose my arm, sir.
 
 228 ZELUCO. 
 
 That may be, signer, said the surgeon, but people 
 are not always allowed their choice on such occasions. 
 
 Zounds, sir! exclaimed 'Zeluco; do you think there 
 is any clanger of my losing my arm ? 
 
 I am determined to save it, if possible, said the sur- 
 geon, and it will afford me great pleasure to succeed. 
 
 Here the physician interfering, begged of Zeluco 
 to be composed, for nothing retarded the cure of 
 wounds more than impatience ; be hoped, by the great 
 skill of his friend, every thing would terminate to his 
 satisfaction, provided he would be resigned, and fol- 
 low the directions that from time to time would be 
 given him. 
 
 W'uh much internal chagrin, Zeluco was obliged 
 to assume the appearance of serenity, and he promised 
 to ob^y the injunctions of those two learned gentle- 
 men. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIII. 
 The French surgeon. 
 
 TUB following day the physician and surgeon did not 
 think it expedient to take the dressings from the 
 wound, but renewed their injunctions that Zelnco 
 should be kept exceedingly quiet, take his medicines 
 punctually, and strictly adhere to (he coolest regimen. 
 As the wound now was more painful than at first, the 
 patient became apprehensive of losing his arm, and 
 complied with the directions given, though not with- 
 out breaking out frequently into violent execrations on 
 the unlucky chance by which he was reduced to the 
 necessity of suffering such penance. 
 
 Madame, de Seidhts had sent a message, desiring that 
 the surgeon might call at her house when he left hi* 
 patient.
 
 ZELUCO. 
 
 He went accordingly; and found Father Mulo with 
 her. 
 
 I am extremely happy, madam, said the surgeon, 
 to have this opportunity of paying you my devoirs ; 
 it is an honour I h:n r e long wished tor. I perceive, by 
 the brilliancy of your looks, that you are in charming 
 health. 
 
 Pray, sir, said Madame de Seidlits wilh impatience, 
 how do you find ? 
 
 I ask you ten thousand pardons, madam, for inter- 
 rupting you, said the surgeon ; but I beg to know, 
 before you proceed how the amiable and accomplished 
 young lady, your daughter, does ? 
 
 My daughter is very well, sir, answered Madame 
 de Seidlits ; now will you he so obliging 
 
 You may command whatever is in my power, ma- 
 dam, said the surgeon, bowing very low. 
 
 Then pray tell me, sir, how you left your patient ? 
 
 I have a great many patients, madam ; but I pre- 
 sume your ladyship inquires, at present, for Signor 
 Zeluco. 
 
 I do, sir, and earnestly beg to know how you loft 
 him ? 
 
 Much better than I found him, madam I have cut 
 a bullet out of him. 
 
 Poor gentleman ! cried Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 He is not the poorer for that, madam, said the sur- 
 geon ; he is a great gainer by wiiat has been taken 
 from him. 
 
 I hope he is in no manner of danger ? said Father 
 Mulo, who was still with her. 
 
 Alas ! father, said the surgeon, how often are our 
 hopes fallacious ! A heretic hopes to go to Heaven, 
 \\hich is impossible: Is it not, father? 
 
 That certainly is impossible, said Mulo. 
 
 I knew, continued the surgeon, that you would b 
 fully convinced of tV.:t great and comfortable truth. 
 
 VOL. i. x.
 
 230 ZF.LUCO. 
 
 But you do not think this poor gentleman in dan- 
 ger ? said Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 A person of your ladyship's excellent understanding 
 must know, replied the surgeon, that gun-shot wounds 
 re often attended with danger. 
 
 This is only a pistol-shot wound, said Father Mulo. 
 
 Very judiciously observed, father, said the surgeon ; 
 that certainly makes a difference ; it happens unluck- 
 ily, however, that even pistol-shot wounds prove some- 
 times mortal. 
 
 The bullet, I understand, passed through his arm 
 only ? said Father Mulo. 
 
 Had it passed through his heart also, it would have 
 been more dangerous to be sure, father, said the sur- 
 geon. 
 
 You have extracted the ball I think you said so, 
 sir ? resumed Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 I have, madam, and quite in the manner recom- 
 mended by Mons. Lewis al Paris ; it is by much the 
 safest. I never made a sweeter incision in my life. 
 
 It must have been very painful, said Mad'ame da 
 Seidiiis, shrinking like one who suffers. 
 
 Painful ! not in the least, madam ! replied the sur- 
 geon j I performed it with the greatest ease. 
 
 I imagine, said Father Mulo, the lady u;eant, that 
 the operation must have been painful to the-palient. 
 
 To the patient ! Oho ! cried the surgeon ; your 
 ladvship spoke of the palient did you ? 
 
 .1 did indeed, sir; I fear he* suffered a great deal, 
 said Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 "Why, yes, a good deal perhaps ; though I should 
 think not a vast deal neither. I have seen many suffer 
 more ; in short, there is no knowing, said the sur- 
 geon, carelessly ; then added with earnestness, out of 
 this I do assure you, madam, that Monsieur Lewis's 
 method is by much the best. I had the honour of
 
 ZEI.UCO. 231 
 
 be'ing a favourite eleve of his and, in some instances, 
 have improved on his ideas. 
 
 1 dare say, sir, said Madame de Seidlits, willing 
 that he should withdraw, you will do all that can be 
 done for (his gentleman. I shall be glad to know how 
 he is after the next dressing. I have heard your skill 
 much commended. 
 
 You are extremely polite and obliging, madam, said 
 the surgeon, bowing : Your ladyship, no doubt, has 
 passed some time at Paris ? 
 
 I never did, sir ; I shall expect to hear from you 
 to-morrow. 
 
 1 am surprised at that, said the surgeon j I could 
 have sworn that you had lived a considerable time at 
 Paris. 
 
 Pray, sir, resumed Father Mulo, will ycu be kind 
 Enough, before you go, to say whether or not you 
 think this gentleman's wound will be long in healing ? 
 for I have not yet been able to gather from your dis* 
 course what your opinion is, 
 
 The art of surgery, my good father, replied the sur- 
 geon, consists in healing wounds well and radically, 
 not soon and superficially ; the last is the art of char- 
 latans. 
 
 I honour the art of surgery, sir, said Madame de 
 Seidlits : it is one of the most useful that mankind 
 possess, and particularly so to the bravest class of man- 
 kind. 
 
 Your politeness can only be equalled by your ex-" 
 cellent understanding, madam, said the surgeon. The 
 art of surgery is not. only the most useful and most 
 hoaourable, but also the most ancient of all the arts } 
 it caix boast higher antiquity than the art of medicine 
 itself. 
 
 Perhaps it may be so, said Madame de Seidlits. 
 
 I will have the honour of proving it to your lady- 
 ship, said the surgeon ; then coughing and adjusting 
 x 2
 
 232 2ELUCO. 
 
 himself like one going to make a formal harangue, he 
 began The earliest race or mankind 
 
 I am fully convinced it is as you assert, said Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits, interrupting him; but 1 must really 
 beg your forgiveness for being obliged to leave you at 
 present. You will be so good as to let me know how 
 your patient does after the next dressing ? Your hum- 
 ble servant, sir Adieu, father. 
 
 When Madame de Seidlits was withdrawn : Is it 
 possible, cried the surgeon, that this lady was never 
 at Paris ? 
 
 She never was, I assure you, replied Father Mulo. 
 
 That seems very extraordinary, said the surgeon. 
 
 I had a notion, resumed the father, that there was 
 a considerable number of people in the world who 
 never were at Paris. 
 
 Your reverence's notions are all wonderfully well 
 founded, said the surgeon ; but my surprise at present 
 proceeds from my not being able to conjecture where 
 or how Madame de Seidlits could acquire so much po- 
 liteness and liberality of sentiment. 
 
 She was educated in a convent, said the father. 
 
 That clears up the matter at once, said the surgeon ; 
 for so were you, father, and yet perhaps you never 
 were at Paris any more than the lady. 
 
 Never in my whole life, answered Father Mulo. 
 - Nor at Moscow, neither ? added the surgeon. 
 
 No, never, answered the father; though I have 
 heard a good deal about Muscovy, particularly of late. 
 
 O, you have ? said the surgeon. 
 
 I have, indeed, answered Father Mulo ; some 
 people tell me it is larger than Napies. What is your 
 opinion ? 
 
 About what ? said the surgeon ; I fear I do not 
 quite understand what your reverence means. 
 . J only asked which you believed to be the largest 
 city, Naples or Muscovy ?
 
 ZELUCO. 233 
 
 Why, I should think Naples the most populous, 
 answered (he surgeon, though Muscovy stands upon 
 rather more ground. 
 
 I had some suspicion of that kind myself, said Fa- 
 ther Mulo. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIX. 
 
 An anodyne sermon. 
 Impediat verl-is lassos oncran/ibus aures. Hon. 
 
 WHEN Madame de Seidlits left Father Mulo and the 
 surgeon, it was partly to get free of the loquacity of 
 the latter ; and also because Laura, who did not choose 
 1o appear herself, wailed with impatience to know the 
 surgeon's opinion of Zeluco. That young lady had 
 passed a very disturbed night, owing, in some mea- 
 sure, to the fright, but more to the uneasiness she 
 felt on account of Zeluco's wound, or perhaps rather 
 on account of the occasion on which he had received 
 it 5 for it is more than probable that Laura would have 
 felt less concern had he received the same wound in 
 any other cause. Of all mankind the person she wished 
 Last to be obliged to was Zeluco. 
 
 Madame de Seidlits having perceived her daughter's 
 anxiety, although she had herself been agitated by 
 the alarming manner in which the surgeon had spoken, 
 affected a degree of composure which she had not, 
 and spoke to Laura as if there were no doubt of his 
 recovery; she afterwards desired Signora ^porza and 
 Father Mulo to talk the same language to her. The 
 former did so naturally j for there appeared some- 
 thing mysterious and suspicious to her in the whole 
 adventure, and she never once believed him in any 
 danger. 
 
 Father Pedro visited Zeluco daily, but never thought 
 x 3
 
 534 ZELUCO. 
 
 proper to ask any particular explanation of the acci- 
 dent by which he was wounded : nor did the latter 
 ever talk to him but on the general supposition that 
 the attack had been made by real robbers. Yet they 
 so far talked without disguise to each other, that the 
 father informed Zeluco of Laura's distress on his ac- 
 count, the mother's precaution in softening the ac- 
 counts of his illness to her daughter, advising Zeluco, 
 as the best means of keeping alive the interest which 
 that young lady took in him, that he should not be in 
 too great a hurry to announce his perfect recovery j 
 and declaring, at the same lime, that he had better 
 hopes than ever of his success. 
 
 Several days after the adventure, Father Pedro found 
 the three ladies together ; and endeavouring to suit 
 the account he gave of Zeluco with the sentiments he 
 wished to inspire, he said, that, for his part, he did not 
 know what to think of Signor Zeluco's state of health; 
 that sometimes the surgeon imagined the wound dis- 
 posed to heal, that soon after he declared that it had a 
 \vorse appearance, and threatened the most dangeroui 
 consequences. But what gave him the greatest un- 
 easiness was, that the physician, a man of great skill 
 anil penetration, had told him, that he suspected some 
 secret anxiety of mind preyed upon his patient, pro- 
 ducing a slow fever, which gradua.ly undermined his 
 strength, and destroyed the effect of the medicines ; 
 and he was much afraid would render a wound, which 
 might otherwise have been cured, the apparent cause 
 of his dissolution. Madame de Seidlits threw a look 
 at Laura, as the father pronounced these words, and 
 the young lady herself betrayed symptoms of great 
 emotion. Avauni, thou prophet of evil! cried Signora 
 Sporza with an air of raillery, see you not that this 
 audience cannot bear a sermon from the Lamentations 
 of Jeremiah ? N<;r is there need for such gloomy 
 forebodings. I will be answerable for it, that our he-
 
 ZELUCO. 935 
 
 roic knight errant's wound will heal in due time, in 
 spite of the secret sorrow which preys on his tender 
 heart. 
 
 Signora Sporza continued to slight every idea of 
 danger, and endeavoured to keep up the spirits of hef 
 friends, which seemed ready to sink under the artful 
 insinuations of Father Pedro. 
 
 Signcra Sporza, in consequence of the engagement 
 above mentioned, set out for Rome with her com- 
 panion a few days after this conversation, having taken 
 an affectionate leave of her t\vo friends, both of whom 
 were a little hurt at the want of concern she displayed 
 on account of the illness of Zeluco, who, they ima- 
 gined, merited more regard from her than she was 
 willing to allow. 
 
 When she departed, Father Pedro circulated, with- 
 out restraint, such reports as he thought would an- 
 swer his purpose. One day Madame de Seidlits was 
 told that Zeluco was a little better, the next a great 
 deal worse ; at one time it was given out, that the 
 surgeon feared it might be necessary to amputate his 
 arm, as the best means of sa\ing his life; and the fa- 
 ther was always at hand to lament, that his gene- 
 rous intrepidity should be attended with such conse- 
 quences. 
 
 One day he filled Madame de Seidlits's mind with 
 the greatest apprehensions for Zeluco' s life ; asserting 
 that the sigony of his wound was excruciatin ; that 
 he had not slept fen- the three last nights, and that the 
 fever threatened his brain. What a benevolent and 
 liberal friend, exclaimed the fattier, are the poor about 
 to lose ! And so he left both ihe mother and daughter, 
 in very great concern. 
 
 He had hinted to Zeluco himself, that he intended 
 to give this impression, that he might act accordingly, 
 and give suitable answers to all inquiries maJe about 
 jlii health. The father's view was to imprint, in tlrfe
 
 S36 ZELUCO. 
 
 first place, a strong degree of compassion in the breast 
 of Laura, in the hope that this would render her more 
 favourable towards Zeluco ; and he purposed return- 
 ing that same evening to the ladies with exaggerated 
 accounts of Zeluco's tortures, which, by totally de- 
 priving him of sleep, augmented the fever ; and when 
 he should perceive Laura's compassion strongly inter- 
 ested, he intended again to urge his suit, in the hopes 
 of obtaining some favourable declaration Irom Laura> 
 in the event of Zeluco's recovery. 
 
 This shrewd plan, however, was a little deranged. 
 Father Mulo called on Madame de Seidlits two hours 
 after Pedro had left her. When he had sat a little 
 while, she begged he would be so obliging as to pay a 
 visit to Signer Zeluco, endeavour to see him, and re- 
 turn afterwards to her ; for his case, as she was in- 
 formed, altered every hour, and she did not know 
 whose account- to depend upon. Laura joined in this 
 request, that she might be relieved from the reverend 
 father's conversation, which she had always felt un- 
 commonly oppressive. 
 
 Father Mulo's connexion with Madame de Seidlits's 
 family was known to all Zeluco's servants ; therefore, 
 although they had received orders to admit nobody to 
 his- chamber except the medical people and Father Pe- 
 dro, yet they imagined that father Mulo was meant 
 to be comprehended in the exception. He was ac- 
 cordingly introduced. 
 
 But as Zeluco expected no such visit, he was not 
 exactly in the situation he would have chosen, had lift 
 known of the father's coming. The wine and sweet- 
 meats which were on the table had been placed there 
 on Father Pedro's account, who was always pleased to 
 find a collation of that kind ready arranged when he 
 called. Father Mulo expressed great satisfaction at 
 seeing him look so much better than he expected, 
 adding, that it would afford consolation to his friends,
 
 ZELUCO. 237 
 
 particularly to Madame de Seidlits, when he shoald 
 inform them how well he looked. 
 
 Alas ! father, said Zeluco, nothing is more deceit- 
 ful than looks. I am in continual pain. I have not 
 slept at all for these three nights. The physician thinks 
 1 might be better if I could get some sleep ; but no- 
 thing he orders has the effect, the agony of my arm is 
 so violent. Oh ! 
 
 You had best ta 1 e a glass of wine ; allow me to help 
 you, said the father. 
 
 I dare not taste wine, replied Zeluco ; but I beg you 
 will help yourself to some ; and pray, my good father, 
 try at the same time, if you can, to taste those biscuits; 
 you seem fatigued with walking in this sultry weather. 
 There is a napkin to dry you with ; you are in a very 
 violent perspiration. Pray take another glass of wine. 
 I will endeavour to suppress my complaints while you 
 refresh yourself. The Lachryma Christi is excellent ; 
 do taste it. 
 
 Father Mulo acknowledged that he was indeed very 
 much fatigued, having visited many penitents that 
 morning, and walked a great deal. After he had ate 
 and drank very plentifully, thinking himself bound to 
 repay Zeluco for his agreeable repast, he prepared to 
 do it in the most ample manner in the only coin he 
 ever carried about with him, a consolatory exhortation. 
 He turned, therefore, from the buffet, and addressed 
 himself to Zeluco in tftese wcrds : The accident which 
 has befallen you, my dear son, in all human probabi- 
 lity, is the most fortunate that could have happened ; 
 you have had time during your confinement to reflect 
 on your past life, and to repent of your manifold ini- 
 quities. As for the pain, it is temporary and trivial 
 in comparison of the pangs which sinners endure in 
 purgatory. Of what account are the frivolous enjoy- 
 ments of sense ? of what avail are all sublunary ? 
 &c. &c. &c.
 
 238 ZELUCO. 
 
 In this strain, and with an uniform monotonous 
 voice, mightily resembling the drone of a bee, the fa- 
 ther continued his harangue with wonderful persever- 
 ance, and shut his eyes, as was his custom when he 
 prayed and admonished. It is difficult to say how long 
 he might have continued, had he not been surprised 
 into a full stop, in the midst of a sentence full of 
 unction, by the snoring of Zeluco ; who, unwilling to 
 interrupt the relation of Laura, and unable to attend 
 to what he said, had been long lulled into sleep by the 
 lethargic hum of his voice. 
 
 Father Mulo, opening his eyes, perceived the situa- 
 tion of Zeluco. As it was no ways uncommon to the 
 father to find many of his audience in the same con- 
 dition at the end of his sermons, he betrayed no marks 
 of surprise on the present occasion j but afrer having 
 with wonderful composure finished what remained of 
 his bottle, and ate a few more biscuits,he walked softly 
 out of the room, told the servant that his master had 
 most providentially fallen into repose, and desired that 
 he should on no account be disturbed till he awaked 
 pf himself. 
 
 Father Mulo, not choosing to be troubled with in- 
 quiries into particulars, sent a general message to Ma- 
 dame de Seidlits, importing that Signor Zeluco was a 
 great deal better. This afforded much pleasure to 
 both the mother and daughter ; and the same evening, 
 when Father Pedro called on purpose to strengthen 
 the impression he had already made, they congratu- 
 lated him on the comfortable accounts they had re- 
 ceived of Zeluco. As Father Pedro had not seen nor 
 heard of him since he had been last with the ladies, 
 he was a good deal surprised at the intelligence ; he 
 could see no motive Zeluco could have f >r deviating 
 from the plan that had been settled between them, and 
 therefore declared his disbelief of i he account which 
 the ladies had received. Have you seen Signor Ze-
 
 ZELUCO. S3<) 
 
 luco since you were here ? said Madame de Seidlits. 
 Father Pedro owned that he had not. Then our ac- 
 counts are later than yours, and may be depended on j 
 they come from Father Mulo, who was with Signer 
 Zeluco, nnd sent me the message after he left him. 
 
 There is some mistake, said Pedro angrily ; he can- 
 not possibly be better. 
 
 One would imagine, however, said Laura, that there 
 is nothing to put you out of humour in the intelligence 
 we have received, and which it is certainly possible 
 way be true. 
 
 The reason that I have co fear that it is not, resumed 
 Father Pedro, recollecting himself, makes me averse 
 to your adopting an opinion which will give double 
 uneasiness when found to be false. 
 
 Whether it is false or true may be soon ascertained, 
 said Madame de Seidlits, who immediately sent a foot- 
 man to inquire. The messenger returned in a few 
 minutes, and informed them, that Signor Zeluco had 
 been asleep for several hours ; and that he slept so 
 calmly, there was every reason to hope he would be 
 greatly better when he awoke. 
 
 Heaven be praised ! exclaimed the father ; some 
 powerful soporific must have been administered to 
 produce such a lasting effect. 
 
 Zeluco was at length awakened by Father Pedro 
 himself, who was greatly irritated at what had hap- 
 pened, and burned with impatience to vent his ill- 
 humour. 
 
 You seized a very seasonable moment truly for 
 slumbering, snid he, after a long altercation. 
 
 I seized it not, replied Zeluco ; I am -hoarse with 
 telling you, that,. in spite of all I could do, it seized 
 me. 
 
 After I had melted them with the accounts of your 
 sufferings, assuring them you had not slept for three 
 nights, when I returned with the strongest hopes of
 
 540 ZELUCO. 
 
 improving on this favourable disposition of Laura's 
 mind, continued Pedro, it was too provoking to find 
 them informed that you were in perfect ease, sound 
 asleep, and the effect of all my labour annihilated. 
 
 if the whole world had been to be annihilated, I 
 could not help it, cried Zeluco ; your brother Mulo 
 has power to lull Prometheus asleep, in spite of all the 
 efforts of his vulture. I'll tell you, father, added Ze- 
 luco with vehemence, as if he intended a stronger 
 illustration, your own eloquence is scarcely more pow- 
 erful to rouse and animate, than his drowsy monodies 
 are to benumb the senses. 
 
 This last stroke softened the wrath and smoothed 
 the brow of Father Pedro. Well, well, my friend, 
 said he with a smile, repining: at what is past can do 
 no good j all may yet be repaired : that this long and 
 unexpected repose has been of service to your health' 
 must not be denied to the ladies, but remember that 
 you are to recover very slowly, and that you may pos- 
 iibly relapse. 
 
 After a consultation of some length, they separated 
 as good friends as ever. 
 
 CHAPTER L. 
 
 " 77 est aussi facile de fe tromper soi-merne sans t'cn apperctvoir, 
 qu'il est dijjicile tie trumper ies autres sain i/ Si/s a' en apperyii- 
 vent." ROCIIE/OUCAULT. 
 
 ABOUT this time, Madame de Seidlits received accounts 
 of the failure of a house at Frankfort, in which her 
 husband had placed most part of the money he had 
 left for the use of his widow and daughter. In the 
 same house also was the residue of the money pro- 
 duced by the sale of her furniture and other effects, 
 when she left Germany ; part of which had served to
 
 ZELUCO. 24! 
 
 defray the expense of her jovrney; the rest she had 
 ordered to be remitted to her hanker at Naples, and 
 expected every day to hear that this was done, when 
 the sad news of the failure arrived. 
 
 This news was accompanied, as is usual on such oc- 
 casions, with the comfortable assertion that it was only 
 a temporary stoppage of payment; for that the house 
 would pay all it owed in time. However that might 
 be, Madame de Seidlits felt very great immediate in- 
 conveniency from the accident : she had already con- 
 tracted debts at Naples, for the discharge of which her 
 sole reliance was upon this money : she. concealed this 
 misfortune from Laura, to save her the shock of such 
 calamitous news, and in hopes that she might in a few 
 posts have the first statement confirmed, that there 
 would finally be no loss by the bankruptcy. In this 
 distressing situation she lamented the absence of 3i- 
 gnora Sporza, who was the only person to whom she 
 could freely speak on such a subject ; and she once 
 thought of writing to her for a small supply of money 
 for her immediate occasions : but fearing that this 
 might not he convenient, or perhaps not agreeable, 
 and having naturally a great reluctance to lie under a 
 pecuniary obligation, she determined rather to part 
 with her jewels, even those which she had received 
 from her husband, and on that account valued far 
 above their intrinsic worth: she accordingly applied 
 to a jeweller, and sold them for a sum sufficient for 
 the discharge of her most urgent debts. 
 
 Father Pedro having seen the jeweller, with whom 
 he was acquainted, coming out of Madame de Seid- 
 lits's house, entered into conversation with him, and 
 endeavoured, from a prying disposition not uncommon 
 to monks, to sift from him what his business with her 
 was; for he well knew that Madame de Seidlits was 
 not in circumstances to" purchase jewels. The jewel- 
 ler, in consequence of her injunctions, evaded his ques- 
 
 VOL. i. y
 
 242 2ELUCO. 
 
 tions, which more and more excited the curiosity of 
 Father Pedro, who did not rest till he learned from 
 one of the jeweller's woikmen, what his -master's bu- 
 siness with Madame de Seid'its was. 
 
 This gave the father an idea of the distress of her 
 circumstances far beyond what he had hitherto eiuer- 
 tained, and inspired him at the same time with fresh 
 hopes of success in the scheme he was so sanguhely 
 engaged in. He immediately communicated the in- 
 telligence to Zeluco. adding, that he imagined it \vonld 
 be no longer necessary for him to exaggerate the un- 
 ea^iness of his. wound, but. rather to admit the idea 
 which the ladies had already received of its being bet- 
 ter : although his general health was still delicate, this 
 plan \vonldallow him the benefit of enjoying the fresh 
 air, the pleasure sometimes of seeing and paying his 
 court to Laura; while the perplexed state in which the 
 mother's circumstances seemed to be, with the admo- 
 nitions which the fa 1 her undertook on eveiy proper 
 occasion to give both to the mother and daughter,- 
 might at length dispose them to listen to his prop .s; . 
 Zeluco waited on Madame de Seidlits and Laura 
 the following day ; they both manifested sincere satis- 
 faction at seeing him. Madame de Seidlits cautioned 
 him. with all the solicitude of friendship, to.be very 
 careful of himself, till his health should be fully re- 
 stored ; and Laura, impressed with a sense of obl'ga- 
 tion, and softened by the danger in which he had been 
 behaved with more cordiality than she had ever shown 
 to him before. He continued to visit them very fre- 
 quently, and was always received in the same manner. 
 Fai her Pedro congratulated him on the very friendly 
 reception which he met with, from which he augured 
 an agreeable answer when he should next speak to 
 Madame de Seidiits on the subject of Zeluco's suit, 
 which he hinted he intended to do very soon ; but the 
 same circumstances whicl. had imparted this confidence
 
 ZRLUCO. 243 
 
 to t';e mind of the father, revived Zeluco's original 
 hwpes of obtaining Laura without marriage. He ima- 
 gined that the proud spirit of both mother and daugh- 
 ter, humbled by misfortune and terrified by the hor- 
 rors of impending poverty, would in a short time ac- 
 quiesce in the settlements he determined to make un- 
 clogged with the ceremony he detested. 
 . He wished not, therefore, that the father, by a pre- 
 cipitate renewal of the proposal of marriage, should 
 render it more difficult for him to succeed upon his 
 own terms, as he expected, though perhaps at a more 
 distant period. 
 
 The wound in his arm was now on the point of 
 healing ; hut the fears he had undergone, the medi- 
 cines he had taken, the regimen he had followed, had 
 weakened him considerably, giving him also an ap- 
 pearance of sickness, which corresponded with the 
 accounts that had been spread of his danger, and en- 
 abled him to support a delay in the gratification of his 
 desires, with a degree of patience which he could not 
 have displayed had he been in perfect health 
 
 He begged of Father Pedro, therefore, not to urge 
 his former suit at present, expressing an apprehension 
 of disgusting the ladies by too much importunity ; then 
 talked of his sorrow at the thoughts of the distress they 
 were in, wished that the father would prevail on .v.a- 
 dame de Seidlits to accept of a sum of money, with 
 which he directly presented him, on the pretence of 
 its coming from a person who suspected her situation, 
 but was unknown lo Father Pedro and to herself, and 
 was determined to conceal the transaction from ail the 
 world. 
 
 Although Zeluco behaved on this occasion with a 
 gocd d^al of address, spoke with great gentleness and 
 in plausible terms, Fatner Ped'o s penetration pervaded 
 his hypocrisy, and heat once saw his motive and drift. 
 
 Father Pedro, it must be confessed, was not a monk of
 
 $44 ZELUCO. 
 
 that rigid self-denial and sublime piety that will entitle 
 bim, a hundred years after his death, to canonization. 
 Had Laura been inclined to meet Zeluco on his 
 own terms, very possibly he would have winked at 
 the connexion, or given her absolution on easy terms ; 
 but his mind revolted at the thought of being acces- 
 sary to betraying her : besides, the virtues of Madame 
 de Seidlits and her daughter commanded his entire 
 esteem ; whereas the money lie had from time to 
 time received from Zeluco had not produced a single 
 sentiment in his favour. He wished well to both the 
 former, and would have cheerfully served them in 
 Jany thing not attended with great inconveniency to 
 himself} but he would not have abstained from a 
 pinch of snuff when his nose required it, to have saved 
 the other from the gallows. For these reasons Father 
 Pedro refused the money ; saying, he was sufficiently 
 acquainted with Madame de Seicllits, to know that 
 such an offer would offend her ; that as for his own 
 part, he had been induced to interfere in this business 
 \vitb the sole view of rendering him the most essen- 
 tial service that, in his opinion, one man could do to 
 another, by assisting him in his avowed inclination of 
 marrying one of the most accomplished, beautiful, 
 and virtuous w r omen in Europe : But, continued he, 
 signor, if you have altered your mind, my interference 
 of course must end here. 
 
 To this Zeluco replied, that he was sensible of what 
 he owed to the father ; that he would ever take the 
 warmest interest in both the ladies j but wished not 
 to have his former proposal pressed on them at that 
 particular time. 
 
 END OI' THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
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