L I E) RAR.Y OF THE UNIVLRSITY or ILLINOIS V.I ; Digitized by tine internet Arcliive in 2010 witli funding from - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http:'//www.archive.org/details/adventuresofralp01linl THE ADVENTURES OF RALPH REYBRIDGE CONTAINING SKETCHES OF MODERN CHARACTERS, MANNERS, AND EDUCATION. WILLIAM LINE EY, ESQ, The ways of Hea^'n are dark and intricate, Puzzled^ with mazes, and perplex'd with errors, Our understanding traces them in vain, Lost and bewilder 'd in the fruitless seirch, Nor sees with how muc!i art the windings run, Nor where the regular confusion ends. Abdison. IN FOUR VOLUMES. VOL. L LONDON: PRINTED FOR RICHARD PHILLIPS, BRIDGE-STREET, BLACKPRIARS. 1809. T. Gillet, Printer, Crown-court, Fleet-street, Loudon. ^ ^-03 3 ^, / PREFATORY ADDRESS TO THE READER. The following pages were written at Madras in the year 1801, soon after the Author's arrival at that Presidency, and before he was appointed to fill any office of responsibility in the service. The 3 Company's ailairs, about this time, were in a situation extremely critical, and when the system of territorial extension so zealously adopted by the Governor- General of India had nearly swallowed up the whole of their resources. Those t- pecuniary supplies which were originally uitended for the maintenance of their commercial credit, were to be appropri- ' ated to the payment of troops to subdue va people who increased in numbers in a2 IV PllEFATOUY ADDRESS. proportion to the defeats thcj sustained, and whose invariable principle was to plunder and destroy as they retreated, leaving their conquerors possessors of a barren and depopulated country, to which it was vain to hope for the return of the scattered inhabitants^ and consequently of cultivation and revenue. How then were the expenses of such a war to be defrayed; and froui whence was the constant supply of money and provision to come, for the maintenance of other troops it became necessary to pour into these newly conquered forts ? It was at that time urged^ and still is, by the partisans of the noble Marquis who then governed, tlrat immediate and successful results were not to be expected from any great scheme of financial policy ; that the advantages to spring from this system. PREFATORY ADDRESS. V though remote, wore sure, and would ultimately render the CDmpany the most wealthy and powerf'/.l people in the world. Bu< even admitting all this, is it not idle to speak of remote advantages, however obvious they may appear, while the existing evils and deprivations of every kind are weii^hing down and ut- terly destroying the parent stock from which these advantages are to spring ? As, in the following pages, there is nothing o£ a political nature particularly touched upon, either in regard to In- dia or this country, the Author would not, in this preface, have obtruded po- litics on the attention of the public, but to account for such general ob- servations regarding India as they will find in several parts of his book. From it& perilous state it is now, he hopes^, a3 vi PREFATORY ADDRESS. happily relieved. The universal peace that reigus there^ and the rigid economy preserved in every branch of the service by the present rulers^ will revive the drooping hopes of the Company, and restore them to the confidence of the na- tion. The establishment of the Cadet Corps is another important improvement that has taken place since the year 1801. By this excellent institution the cadets^ on their first landing at Madras, find them- selves undci th^ immediate pmtection of government, secured from ail those dan- gerous expenses which they before ne- cessarily incurred, prior to the receipt of their commissions, and placed, not only in a safe and agreeable situation, but under the command of a careful and in- telligent oiiicer, appointed to instruct PREFATORY ADDRESS. \il them in the duties of their profession, to fuperintend the progress of their studies in such of the country languages to which they may prefer the application^, and to report and recommend them to govern- ment according to their several merits. Thus a cadet^ instead of entering upon hrs mihtary career like a raw recruit who has every thing to learn, and in whom no coniideuce can be placed, appeals at once ill the character to which he originally aspired, an officer capable of command, and well acquainted with the first rudi- ments at least of his profession. The publication of this work having been retarded by accidcfital circumstances, the Autiior had dimost determined to sup- press i( altogether, but he did not feel disposed to resist iXie, frequent partial so- licitations of his friends, who were of Yiii PREFATORY ADDRESS. opinion that the little merit it possessed should meet the public eye. In that eye, he is too well aware it will materially suffer^ as many, indeed nearly the whole, of those scenes, characters, and conversa- tions, which in the ye^r ISOO were the proper subjects of satire, have either been already handled by abler pens, or have become too stale and uninteresting for animadversion. The story, and the in- cidents connected therewith, have not, however, suffered any thing from their suppression, and, as the principal point to be attended to in all productions of this description is to clothe morality in the garb of innocent anius( niCLjt, if in thi^ he has not entirely failed, he will rest satisfied with his humble exertions. CONTENTS. CHAP. I. Wliicli requires a reader of great pat ie net and good-nature ----- 1 CHAP. II. A brief account of a vert/ good Old Maid and a very queer Old Bachelor - 10 CMAt». Itf, Containing much cQ}\jcctural matter 2S CHAP. IV. Dramatis Personce ----- 38 CHAP. V, U%'ch shews that Mr, Talpfne*s genim had not deserted him with his inisfov^ tunes; and that a little ivorldlij experience is a necessary evil even with the most virtuous of the human race - - 46 CHAP. VI. In which our hero shines forth in great oratorical splendour, and Valpine makes a successful attack upon JMrs. Bcj/- bridge's purse ------ (iO X CONTENTS. CHAP. VII. Authors considered as necromancers, and an instance in 'point. — Further 'particu- lars of the Rector. — A verij interesting conversation, followed up by a verij ex- traordinary adventure - - - - 13 CHAP- Till. Containing a conversation to which the reader is requested to paij particular at- iention. — Mr. Valpine again makes his appearance . — Ilis old friend, the Devil, plai/s him a trick ----- 8^ CUAP. IX. More Dramatis Personam - - - 101 CHAP. X. Which would have been longer than it is, but for an interruption more ?iatural than pleasing - - - - - - 111 CHAP. XI. Containing many very curious particulars, amongst which is a complete revolution in the affairs of our hero ; and a letter from Mr. Valpine to JVIr. Denham, in which the former proves himself to be a man of hunianiiy and integrity beyond dispute -------- 12i CONTENTS. XI 4 CHAP. XIF. A retrospect. The Rector is convinced that he has been deceived. Lord Ardendale, his son, and the Rushdens, quit Neicton Vale. Mr. Denham returns to Stoke Hill, and buries his friend - - HI CHAP. XIII. Containing: sundry waiters of inport- ancc. — Our hero sudd.nly finds himself rich. — The Rector leaves him wider the roof of his guardian - - - 170 CHAP. XIV. Mr. Valpine and Mrs. Trammel are made one. — Their conduct tovcards Ralph not io easily to be accounted for - - 189 CHAP. XV. Which contains Mr. DenlianVs letter to Ralph Reyhrldge 200 CHAP. XVI. In ivhich our hero's misfortunes and Val- pine' s plots begin to thicken. — Mrs. Val- pine appears in high glory.- — Reybridge's decline, ruin, and impjisonment - 212 CHAP. XVII. The arrival of Mr. Shepperton, and the fair trial and condemnation of our hero. Xil CONTENTS. — He is finally renounced bjj his tutor, . hut is preserved from absolute despair ty the unexampled, unexpected, and alto- gether unaccountable beneficence of Mr, Valpinc. ------- 23 1 CHAP. XVIII. What passed between Reijbridv:e and the officer in prison, and a friendship form- ' ed of as much importance to the ensing pages of this history as any one incident therein contained ----- 255 CHAP. XIX. Which treats of various important parti- culars, launches our Juro into a world of adventures, and concludes the first vo- lume 282 RALPH REYBRIDGE. CHAP. I. Which requires a reader of great 'patience and good-nature, *' Plato expresses his abhorrence of some fables of the " poets which seem to reflect on the gods as the '*■ authors of injustice^ and lays it down as a prin- " ciple, that whatever is permitted to befal a just " man^ whether poverty, sickness^ or any of those ** things which seem to be evils, shall, either in \i£€ *' or death, conduce to his good." This quotation from the great disciple of Socrates is very finely and aptlv intro- duced in the Spectator, and it made so strong an impression on my mind the last time I read it over, that I coaceived » i^^Li VOL. I. R Z RALPH REYBRIDGE. SO striking might suggest materials for a pleasing moral tale of fiction. We have had characters and events^ it is true, introduced in some very excellent novels^ which have set forth the danger- ous consequences of bad actions^ and the certain reward resulting from good ones; in like manner, we have had interesting tales, to inculcate the practice of some particular virtue, and to render odious some particM.lar vice: but this is not suffi- cient to impress upon the mind the pre- cept of the Athenian philosopher: in or- der so to do, we must introduce a series of troubles and disappointments, which mav oppareniljj be the unjust attendants on our virtuous hero, but all of which shall be found ultimately to have conduced to his benefit, "When a good man arrives at some un- expected blessing, after a long life of calamity, the moralist exclaims, " Heaven has justly rewarded him for his suffer- ings!" But does he take any pains to RALPH REYBRIDGE. 3 inquire^ whether these very sufferings may not have been forwarding the great end of his happiness? The moral of a tale of any description should be kept as little as possible in the back ground^ and yet not too indiscrimi- nately mingled with general and trite pre- cepts; it should take the lead not only in the main, but adventitious^ incidents of the fable, and become the beacon by which the pen of the author should be iavariablj guided. Among our looser novelists of the pre- sent day, there is no rule whatever for thi* distribution : provided the passions arc agitated, and the mind sufficiently inter- ested by the action and machinery of the fiction, the moral, if any there be, is little thought of, or if at all, only to be con- veniently tacked to the tail of the story; where it produces about as much edifica- tion to the reader, as the sage winding up gf the bell-man*s carol at Christmas. Though doctors differ in ascribing u2 4 IIALPH REYBRIDGE. much morality to the delightful novels of Henry Fielding, yet it would be strong presumption to advance positively that they were utterly destitute thereof. The truth is, that satire is the worst of all ve- hicles for conveying' serious impressions to the heart : the reader is rarely prepared to advert to passages and characters which have excited his laughter, for their moral tendency; and though in the episodes in Tom Jones and Joseph Andrews there is evidently a moral design, yet the interrup- tions in them are so ludicrous, and the sa- tire so severe, that we make our remarks rather on the wit than the solidity of the author. — But Fielding wrote from the life. He contented himself ^^ ith sporting his muse along the confines of his own country, nor sent her to Italy or Germany to collect those characteristic superstitions which have furbished up so many modern romances. Yet he interested as much by a series of natural events, as the ingenious author of Udoljjho herself, with all her RALPH REYBRIDGE. S magical apparatus of mystery. But lie did more than interest; he instructed and delighted. Horace has a fine rale for tb« novelist — *' Ficta volnptatis causa sint proxirna veris"— And surely no one could more rigidly ad- here to it than the great author of Tora Jones. The general observer and delineator of men and manners must always find it diffi- cult to tie himself down in the course of his story to the illustration of any fixed precept. All our old novelists exposed vice as it was, and rather wished to shame people out of it by ridicule, than scare them from it by a train of consequent ca lamities. Whether the former be the bet- ter mode, it is difficult to determine; it is at any rate, the ph asantest. In the course of the following pages, I am thoroughly sensible I shall justly in- cur the censure of the most candid of my • RALPH REYBUIDGE. readers, and^ were it possible for me to foresee with what passages they will be displeased, I would expunge them, though vanity told me they were the best in mj bo:;k. I am doubtful whether my digres- sions will be tolerated or not ; 1 can only say in their defence, that they were all unpremeditated, and sprung immediately from the incidents before me. I may also be blamed for reviving, on various occa- sions, the lev;ty of the old school; but, as I have in no instance violated that decen- cy which my predecessors were not over scrupulous in the observance of, I am in hopes the censure will not be very se- vere. I may be thought arrogant by some for having presumed to set myself up as a satjrizer of public taste, before I have ar- rived at an age to give strength and con- sequence to my reproofs. If, neverthe- less, I have directed the arrow truly, how feebly soever it may strike, I shall bear RALPH REYBRIDGE. Y the accusation with patience^ and say with Hamlet " Let the gali'd jade wince." After all, it will be iirs possible, I fear, to keep my Pegasus within the bounds of simplicity ; nor will 1 answer for my muse's not taking a circumbendibus even to the other side of the globe. In these fanciful and capricious times, authors must be gadding if they would please ; and, though a versatile genius opei'ating with a correct judgment may contrive a profitable and entertaining work of fancy, without absolutely calling in the assistance of horror, and the additional stimulus of impiety and indecency, yet mystery must' be introduced, and, however consistent an author may determine to be, he must be strange. Reverting, finally, to my moral — Let it be remembered that when we rashly form opinions, from our own weak notions, of 8 ^ RALPH REYBRIDGE. the rectitude and fitness of thingS;, and doubt the superintendence of an omni- scient Beingj we cannot be guilty of greater impiety; for if we presume to in- fer, that evil is suffered to operate to an- swer onlij the purposes of evil^ then do we admit* it an attribute of the Creator dis- tinct from that infinite love to his crea- tures which must at all times be ascribed lo him ! YV hy has his providence ordained that,, in the physical world, a bee shall extract honej from the rankest w ced, and iht spider poison from the sweetest flt)vver? From all evil and misfortune, therefore, good must sooner or later inevitably re- sult. Indeed, such is the boundless bene- volence of the Divinity, that he makes even our deserved punishments instru- mental to our good. '^ It was a merciful sentence/' observes the ingenious author of the World, in one of his hebdomadal lucubrations, " which the Creator passed en man for his disobedience- — ' By th« RALPH REYBRIDGE. sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat thy bread' — for to the punishment itself he stands indebted for healthy strength^ and all the enjoyments of life/' b5 10 RALPH REYBRIDGE. CHAP. II. ^4 brief account of a very good Old Maid and a very queer Old Bachelor. In a small village, contiguous to the town of Shrewsbury, lived a lady of many estimable qualities, with the misfortune, however, of having attained her forty- second year under the same name she had derived from her father and mother. An ingenious author,* now, I believe, living, has been rather severe in his stric- tures on ancient virgins. Perhaps a rigid critic might affirm, that there w^as more ^it than humanity in his production; but I am no casuist, and leave it to abler heads to decide the point: in the mean time, I shall only observe, that wit, how- * Vide Estay on Old Maids, by Hayley. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 11 ever poignant^ ceases to be gratifying to a liberal mind, when it attacks the in- firmities, rather than the vices, of man- kind. For mj own part, I have a vast predi- lection for old maids : I have ever held sacred their cats, dogs, monkeys, and pets of every denomination ; nor do I think with some nice judges in these matters, that this fondness for domestic animals must necessarily exclude the sentiments of kindness and compassion towards our fellow-creatures ! I allow that peevishness is not unfrequendy the companion of a long life of celibacy; some instances may occur of a rancorous and vindictive dispo- sition resulting from it ; but if we reflect a little on the imperfections of human nature, and how few of us, when gratified to the extent of our wishes, have virtue enough to be satisfied, we may justly make some allowances for a class of beings which labours under one of the sevcrcit 13 RALPH REYBRIDGE. in the catalogue of worldly disappoint- ments. In regard to the lady above mentioned, I scarcely know in what part of the class to place her; for she had neither cat, dog, nor parrot in her house, and lived so se- cluded, that, although the effects of her active benevolence were to be contem- plated in every cottage that skirted the neighbourhood where she lived, yet had she seldom heard the voice of gratitude from the thatch, or listened to the bless- ings repeated on her name by every child in the village. At the age of thirty. Miss (or Mrs. as we shall hereafter call her) Reybridge lost, in her mother, her only parent and friend. Mr. Reybridge, her father, a re- spectable attorney, had, from his activity and integrity, two qualifications the world in general do not feel disposed to bestow on this fraternity, amassed a pretty con- siderable fortune, but imprudently em- RALPH REVBRIDSE. IS barking it on a West India speculation^ the bulk Nvas involved in the general ruin of a failure, and a small sum of money >vas all that could be saved from the wreck. With this lie purchased an an- nuity for the support of his wife and child^ and then died of vexation. At the time of his demise^ IMiss Rev- bridge was twenty-five : her pretensions to personal beauty were very moderate; but a most amiable disposition, engaging manners, and a well cultivated mind, made «ome amends for this deficiency. She had also accomplishments, which, though few, were well aciapted to her capacity and inclination. Notwithstanding the greatest attention to economy^ the wi(tow could -save little from her scanty annuity; and as her life declined, she had the mortifica- tion of reflecting that a few fleeting months might deprive her beloved child of her only friend, and leave her indigent and unprotected. 14 RALPH REYBRIDGE. Whilst the good old lady was rumina- ting on the biUf r C(^n, trie unexpected arrival of a very rich^ though dlsiant relalion of her hus- band's^ from Lisbi>n. inspired her with the most pleasing hopes. Mr. Carberry had been abroad about fifteen years; she knew he was still unmarried^, with few^ if any^ claims upon him ; and notwithstanding he bore the character of a gloomy^ rather than a sociable man, she did not hesitate a moment in resolving to cultivate his friendship, and court his protection. A letter of welcome was accordingly dis- patched to him, and an invitation to re- side at Wooilburn, Mrs. Rey bridge's house in Esse^, till h^ could be settled to his satisfaction in town. The epistle was couched in terms the most kind and re- spectful, and a short time after replied to as follows : RALPH REYBRIDGB. 15 DEBORAH REYBRIDGE. '' Madam, '' Yours of the 31st ult. received 2;reat deal of business on hand^ but per- adventure may come your way shortly, and will give you a call. Your husband's dead, I hear. Sorry to hear it. There is a small account between us, by which there will appear a balance in my favour of 22Z. 16s. ^\(L; twenty-two pounds, six- teen shillings, four pence and three far- things, which 1 think it regular to inform you about. You being administratrix to my cousin's will, but don't want to hag- gle with you about the discharge. — Com- pliments to Miss, and rest '' Your humble servant, '' Ralph Cauberry." London, October 5, 17—. Mrs. Reyb. idge was a woman of some discrimination, and although the first pe- rusal of the above answer to her letter 16 RALPH KEYBRIDGE. had rather depressed, than raised^ the hopes she had so fondly cherished, yet, on a stricter examination, she thought there was more of the self-importance of a man of business about it, than the in- sensibility of a griping miser, and was, on the whole, better pleased with the stjle of it, than she would have been had it con- tained the most flattering professions of friendship. A fortnight subsequent to its receipt^ the writer made his appearance at Wood- burn, and was received by both the mother and daugliter with as much cordiality as it was possible to express towards a sallow, meagre little man, whose black, bushy eye-brows had been contracted by habi- tual frowning ; and whose whole de- portment denoted a mind infected by peevishness and irritability. After the first salutations, he fixed his eyes steadily upon Miss lley bridge: ''What,'' said he, '* this is your daughter, hey ?'* — Yes, Sir/' replied th.e old lady mildly, '' this is RALPH REYBKIDGE. 17 my Emily — you can have no receilection of her^, I think, she was but a little rompini^ girl when you left England." — ''Aye, aye/* continued Mr. Carberiy, "^ a pretty kettle of fish your wise-acre husband made of it, with his speculations and stuff. And now. Dame, you must look de- \ilish sharp to prevent this poor girl from l^ecoming a beggar 1'* Shocked as Mrs. Reybridge was by the indelicacy and apparent inhumaTiity of this, and many succeeding speeches, she had resolution enough to check every in- dignant sentiment; and, during the few tlays of tiic old cynic's stay, was unre- mitting in the attentions she thought due to a relation of a lamented husband, though she no longer presumed to in- dulge a hope that he would take an in- terest in her daughter's future welfare. On the night, however, preceding his de- parture, an accident happened, which was the means of fulfilling her most sanguino expectations. " But this daughter of IS RALPH RBYBRIDGE. jourSj Dame/' cxclaiaied Mr. Carbcrry^ as he finished his last dish of tea^ " what do you intend to do with her ?'* '' I was thinking;, Sir/* replied Mrs. Reybridge, "■ of placing her with a very respectable woman^ a milliner, at Bristol. My Emily is industrious, and I have little doubt of her giving satisfaction/' *' Vv'ell/' re- sumed the old man, '' the wages of in- dustry are more creditable than those we see bestowed on" — but here he was sud- denly seized with a violent pain and gid- diness in his head, a complaint to which he had been subject for the last five years of his life. On this occasion the attention of Miss Reybridge was eager and inter- esting; and when, in consequence of the remedies she administered for his relief, he began slowly to recover, her anxiety appeared to him so lively, so natural, and so touching, that in spite of his acidity, and the cynical distrust with which, from having been often deceived himself, he had long regarded the actions of others. RALPH REYBRIDGE. \9 he could not help being moved. After his disorder had, in a great degree, abated, he surveyed his young nurse %vith a more scrutinizing attention than he had hitherto done, as if anxions to sift to the very bottom of her heart. The remembrance of her father, at that instant, shot across her mind, and the tear that stole softly down her cheek, gave additional interest to the benevolence and sincerity that beamed therefrom. The old gentleman withdrew his eyes, and, fixing them on the ground, remained in a state of ap- parent irresolution. Mrs. Reybridge re- marked his perplexity, and drew from it a favourable construction. The opportu- nity was not to be lost. ^' I was speaking to you. Sir," said she, '' of the employ- ment I had marked out for my daughter ; it would, however, be doubly satisfactory to me if your approbation — '' Mr. Car- berry here interrupted her w ith a ^' pish" that went to the old lady's heart. She remained silent ; and the subject was soon 20 RALPH REyURIDGE. after resumed hy him. " I don't like mil* liners/' cried be^ suddenly. " Then/' turning shortly to Miss Reybridi^e^ ''you are not strong enough for much work, child, hey?'* There was something bordering upon a smile on the old man'is €Oun(en'cince as he looked at Miss Rey- bridge, but it was scarcely discernible. " Resolution and perseverance/' replied she, '' will, I hope, Sir^, supply the place of strength. Habit w ill render every new exertion less painful than the last; and tlie consciousness of fulfilling an act of duty will always be sweet and ccesoling to me." '' You w^oukl then," replied Car- berry, '' disdain, I suppose, to be consi- dered and relieved as an objectof charity, whilst you retained all this fine resolution and perseverance, hey ?'* Mrs. Reybridge sat in trembling sus- pense : her Emily had be^a taught to distinguish between a proper and a blameable pride, but it was difilcult, on the present occasion, to expert one without RALPH REYBRIDGE. 21 incurring the imputation of possessing the other : how much then was her heart re- lieved by the following reply. '' Charity, my dear Sir, admits of various significa- tions : if you mean, that I should disdain to live upon the precarious produce of ac- cidental charity, I confess I should so ; but I should think myself guilty of an un- pardonable weakness, were I rashly to reject an establishment that might place me not only in a state of comfort and in- dependence myself, but in a condition to render those comfortable and independent about me." " Humph !" muttered Car- berry; ''well, we must see what can be done. Mrs. Revbridge," continued he, rising and taking a candle, '' I shall be up and gone to-morrow before you breakfast, and I must not be put out of my way ; therefore do not say a word to detain me. Ai to Emily, who, to do her justice, seems to be a good natured girl enough, I must consider about her ; I have borrowed a ijrood deal of her time and conversatioa 22 RALPH 11 EYB RIDGE. since I have been here, and it is regular that a balance should be struck between us ; but mind, I am a man of business, and must suffer no interruption, so let the writing apparatus be put in my room. Good night, good night/' Thus saying, he retired, leaving the ladies in a state of anxiety easier to be conceived than de- scribed. In the morning, although Mrs. Rejbridge rose earlier than usual, her guest had breakfasted, and was gone. To have balked his humour, she prudently concluded, would have been useless and dangerous ; yet she felt that the old man deserved more attention at her hands than would ever be in her power to bestow. Upon Miss Rejbridge's appearance, a servant presented this amiable joung woman with a small packet. Gracious Heaven ! what were the emotions of her heart when its contents became known ! A letter was the first paper that caught her attention : she opened it, and read a« follows : RALPH REYBRIDGE. 23 '' TO MISS REYBRIDGE. " Mj good girl, '' Tell your mother that her late hus- band's debt to me must lie over, till she chooses to treat me with less hospitality. I herewith inclose the amount total of what is due to you for value received, as per sundry obligations, viz. B7 a modest and dutiful carriage and £. s. d. behaviour - - . . - - 3,000 C By diffidence, mingled with good sense, in conversation . _ - _ 2,000 By sundry consoling and affectionate attentions, during a short, but severe fit of illness - - - 5,000 Total ^.10,000 ''Yours truly " (Errors excepted) '' Ralph Carberiiy. " P. S. Charity is an amiable virtue ; indulge it. Don't send me any letters about gratitude^ I have no time to read them." 24 RALPH REYBRlDfiE. The papers inclosed in this extraordi- nary epistle were bank bills and drafts^ to the above amount. A writer of eminence^, Dean Swift I think, somewhere remarks, that there cannot be a stronger proof of the contempt with which Providence regards vast riches, than his generally bestowing them upon knaves and fools. The above is an exception, certainly, to the general rule. There is, however, one -truth without an exception, and this is, the instability and uncertainty of all human happiness; and that amidst the vicissitudes we are hourly taught to appre- hend, wealth can no more be a security for the enjoyment of a virtuous, than a vicious life. In the instance before us, fortune had, with most equitable precision, distributed her favours. She had made industry rich, to give competence to virtue ; but what had been given in ex- change ? A grateful and aiFectionate friendship, liable to all its att^adaut RAiril UEYBiilDGr. Sj anxieties and legTets. Scarcely bad IMrs. and jMiss Rcjbridge renewed an acquaint- ance with their benefactor, and experi- enced from him fresh instances of his bounty, when he suddenly fell a victim to that climate in which he had been toiling for their prosperity. This blow, so sudden and unexpected, was soon to be succeeded by another still more severe to Miss Reybridge, the death of her mother! Iler natural good con- stitution, however, aided bv those lessons of piety and resignation which liad, from her infancy, been impressed on her mind, checked, in time, the ravages of grief; but her manners and conversation were no longer vivacious ; a mild tranquillity succeeded to the triumph of her patience, and though still the tender and benevolent friend, she was no longer the sprightly companion. Desirous of emulating her deceased friend, and being left without a relation in whom she could implicitly contide, she couverted her fortune into a YOL. I. « !?5 RALPH REYBRIDGE. liandsome annuitj, and retired soon after she had attended her mother to the grave, to the village we have before mentioned. Miss Rejbridge was, at this time, only thirty years of age; and it will appear strange that a woman still so young, with many mental acquirements, and a good fortune at her disposal^ should not have placed herself under the protection of some respectable family in the metropolis, by whom she mi2:ht have been introduced to society, and secured to herself a good matrimonial establishment; but it must be observed, that Mrs. Reybridge, whose notions of propriety were uniformly rigid, had never encouraged in her daughter the slightest idea of marriage: not that the protection of a worthy man could have been rejected, but she was not to learn that the gieatcst accomplishments, supported by the sweetest disposition and the purest principles, rarely proved atr tractive without either beauty, connexion, or fortune ; and the good lady was careful. flALPH REVBRfDGE. ^ on this account^ not to inspire hopes in her amiable daughter, which she saw not the most distant prospect of being able to gratify. Accustomed, therefore, to the sober recreations only of a country life, having never been exposed to the tempta- tions of dissipation, our good spinster felt noinclination,though now possessed of the means, to emerge from her obscurity. With the inexperience of thirty, she was, however, ignorant of the misery of a rest- less and repining curiosity; and equally unconscious of that aggravating misfor- tune of being a very plain old maid. In the paths of uninterrupted peace, and at her little villa near Stoke, she continued to pursue her mortal journey; and if she lck)ked forward to one day in preference to another, it was to that which particu- larly employed her in supplications and thanksgivings to her Maker. c2 2S RALPH REYBRIDGE. CHAP III. Containing much conjectural matter. The manner in which Mrs. Reybridge lived has already been described^ and for twevle years that life had been nearly the same. Among the very few of the neigh- bourhood with whom she had, during this period, contracted any solid friend- ship, was a gentleman of the name of Mapleton ; he possessed a small estate contiguous to Stoke Hill, Mrs. Rey- bridge's residence; and though his man- ners and understanding would have beea alone a sufficient recommendation to him, it was the severity of his misfortunes that had first endeared him to our benevolent spinster; aud to soothe which she had in- dustiiously culti\ated his acquaintance^ and gained his confidence. RALPH REVBRlDdE. 29 Mr. Mapleton had been a husband and a father; but as his happiness had centred in^ so was it now buried with^ his wife and children. The world liad h)ng been a blank to him, and society could no longer charm him Mrs. Re}bridge, who imagined no human being* could have ex- perienced greater affliction from domestic calamities than herself, was surprized at the deep, and apparently irremcdiable^grief of her friend. She had felt all the acute anguish of fil al affectionj yet time had assuaged her sorrow, and she looked for- ^Yard to many years of tranquillity on this side the grave ; but the good lady was unacquainted wifh that tender union of interests, which is inseparable from con- jugal love. The hand of death had never withered in -the bud two lovely children, thriving under her instruction. She had been allured by the flattering distinctions of the world, ard felt what it was to be deprived, by misfortune, of i(s enjoy- ments. Such had been the trials of Mr. Mapleton ! so RALPH REYBRIDGE. Awake to every advance of real sym- pathy^ and not insensible to consolation when worthily bestowed ; tlie unhappy gentleman did not reject, but rather courfedjthe soothins; conversation of Mrs. Reybridge ; and during the ?€ven years which he remained iier neighbour, their friendship suffered no abatement. The good man then followed his beloved fa- mily to the grave, at the age of forty- five, and about a fortnight previously to the opening of this our eventful history. If a scandalous story has gained credit in a village of which an old maid happens to be inhabitant, a stranger, with no real bad intention, and without being con- scious of injustice, will immediately set her down in hisown mind as the fabricator. On the other hand, should chance have made tlie object of scandal the old maid lierseif, she is sure, on account of her celi- bacy, to be the longer and more, ran- corously persecuted ! That our reason should ever assent to prejudices so pre- KALPH REYBRIDGE. ^ pOsterous, only evinces the prevalence of bad example, and that we hold the cus- toms of society in higher estimation, than Ir.oral obligations. Hitherto this foul fiend, scandal, had Vainly endeavoured to ] oUutc the pure atmosphere of Stoks Hill. Mr. Maple- ton and Mrs. Reybridge liad, it is true, tonnmenced their acquaintance in the meridian of life, but the openness of their friendship, the long attested purity of her conduct and morals, not to mention his well-known losses and sufferings, in con- scqr.ence, would have proved a bulwark against the keenest and most skilfully di- rected shafts of malevolence, had not a phcnoiucnon made its appearance, which even candour itself could not tell how to account for. Before I proceed further in my expla- nation, it ^^ill be tieccs^ary that my \\or- thy readers, as well as the worthy neigh- bourhood of Stoke, should have a fair field wliereia to regard the plicnomenju S2 RALPH REYBRIDGE. in question. I must, therefore, premise to tiiem, that our good spinster's hous« was situated at the extremity of the vil- lage, through which it was necessary to {;asa in order to get to it. Here, as w« ohserved before, she resided in a very re- cluse manner, never visiting, and seldom receiving visits from her neighbours. Not that Mrs. Rejbridge would have adopted so unsociable a rule of conduct, could talent, virtue, or distinction, hava been found among them; but as these trifling recommendations were not, unfor- tunately,attached to their numberless other qualifications, and as the good lady was ignorant of the modern refinements on happiness, a kind of amiable neutrality was preserved by both parties. One per- son alone was excepted, of whom more will be said hereafter. The servants of her establishment were, an elderly man who acted in the double capacity of coachman and butler, an elderly woman who officiated in like manner as cook and RALPH R EYE RIDGE. 33 housemaid, and licr house keeper wliohad been brought up by old Mrs. Rey bridge, and \\as about the same age with her present mistress. We shall conclude these preliminary remarks bv observing, that the onlv carrla«:e which had ever been seen to issue from her gates was her own; and that this conveyed her, when the weather permitted, to contemplatethe rich prospects of the surrounding country, and inhale the pure breeze of the evening. It was nearly three weeks after the death of Mr. Mapleton, and for the first time since that calamitous event, that old An- drew the coachman was permitted to renew his evening excursions with his mistress, and to trot his horses through the village with his wonted prudence and steadiness: but not with their wonted in- difference was his equipage regarded by the neighbourhood; for, besides Mrs. ^^'^'- bridge, who,with more than her usual con- descension and benevolence, kept smiling and bowing to every villager that passed c 5 34 RALPH REYBRIDGE. the carriage^ there was a beautiful bloom- ing little bo J, apparent!}^ about four or five years old^ and wbo^ resolving not to be outdone by his companion in these ami- able courtesies^ continued lo dart his iittle head out of the vi'iiidow^ and to laugh, and clasp his hands till the coach was oo longer to be seen. An apparition so very strange, so alto- gether unaccountable, demanded an im- mediate investigation ; and a meeting of the village gossips was summoned on the following day to discuss the important point, at the house of Pvlrs. Trammel, a widow lady, of great celebrity, and who had pariicularly distinguished herself in the neighbourhood where she novi^ resided, by having formerly flourished in the cir- cles of high-life, and for being duly qua- lified, on that account, to superintend the little etiquettes of society. . The august assembly sat accordingly ; but as time had not been allowed foi* an iniparticU inquiry into the matter^ littler I RXlPH REYBRIDGE. 35 passed farther than a few tosses of the head, and significant \vhispefs. In a day or two, however, the worthy president had hecn enabled to make one or two very notable discoveries, which she lost no time in laying' before the assembly; she had paid, she said, a consolatory visit to the poor dear woman, on account of the unthliely death of her friend ; yes, and had seen the little one. It was a charming little boy, but, what was Very extraordinary, bore a strong resemblance to a certain gentleman that was dead and gone, poor soul ! not- withstanding he had a certain lady's curve of the nose ! but she should name no names, not she. In consequeiice of this candid representation, it was, in less than a week, very confidendy reported, not only at Stoke, but even all over the fa- mous town of Shrewsbury, that the Rey- bridge lapse was one of the most extraor- dinary instances of frailty that ever was known. Our good dame heard, as it was meant 36 RALPH REYBRIDGE. she should, these reports ; hut they pro- duced no worse effect than making her appear the oftener abroad^ in evidently better health and spirits, and ahvajs at- tended by the little stranger, whose ca- resses she never returned with greater interest, than when she happened to be publicly seen with him. Such an open defiance of all shame was no longer to be tolerated by the decorous Mrs. Trammel and her friends; and it was therefore, in full council, resolved, that the following letter should be sent to her. *' TO MRS. REYBRIDGE. '' Madam, " I am requested by the ladies of the neighbourhood, to acquaint you that they are concerned the rules of etiquette com- pel them, under existing circumstances, to discontinue their further visits at Stoke Hill. '' I am. Madam, " Your most obedient servant, '' E. Trammel/' Stoke, Tuesday morning. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 37 To this intimation, our worthy spinster returned the following reply. " Madam, '' I beg you will present my compli- ments to the ladies of the neighbourhood, and inform them that I am very much obliged to them. " I am. Madam, '' Your's, '' E. REYBiilDGE.'' 38 RALPH REYB RIDGE. CHAP. IV. Dramatis Personoe, Mrs. Trammel was a widow of thirty- five^, havingjust disposed of her second hus- band — that is to say^ suffered him to die^ as, however^ he had never livedo poor man^ in peace. This lady^ during the early part of her iife^ had been an inhabitant of London, and had frequently been jostled at the routs of the great, in almost every square of that delightful city. Indeed, with such cautious tenderness had she breathed at the assemblies of fashion the whisper of detraction, that, if she some- times a little astonished, she always en- tertained her hearers ; and so much had nature, assisted by good example, fortified her with assurance, that slie would make no scruple of uttering a calumny in one RALPH REYBRIDGE. 39 family and contradicting it in another, though she "was sure of iriCeting both parties the same evening at a, card- table. As a foil to the above inestimable gem, I shall now proceed to speak of the Bev. Mr. Denham, the rector of the parish. This gentleman had received from his fa- ther an excellent education, and was not only an accomplished and truly virtu- ous man, but a good scholar. These ad- vantages were not, liowever, alone suffi- cient to secure his success in ihe vrorld ; and having been left almost destitute by tiie sudden demise of his venerable parent, and having no other recommendation to patronage, save his learning and his vir- tues, it is possible he might, at this mo- ment, have been lingering out his days in want and obscurity, but that the Earl of Ardenddlc, with whom he had contracted an intimacy at the university, with a noble sense of true worth and talent, and dis- daining the adulatory recommendations of 40 RALPH REY'BRIDGE, higher poweiv;, presented his friend with the living of Slokc, which at that period became vacant. Though a small bene- fice, for it was biirely 150 pounds per annum, it v/as amp! v ^ufficie t for a man like Mr Denham, whose chief enjoy- ments were drawn from the sources of his own mental acquircmeji.s. Mis. Rej- bridge, who had, from the firsc moment of her coming to reside at Stoke Hill, courted his society, and excepted him from the gceral herd, would have been happy to have improved his income; but her Icind offers were at all times steadily, though gratefully, reject, d, '' I am be- come attaclied," would he s.»y, ' to the simple style iu which 1 have so long lived, and no less so to the flock over which my Maker has been ph ased to place me his spiritual shepherd : I will not, therefore, suffer the faise glare of piofusion either to endanger my principles or corrupt my taste." It is the unpleasant, but no less neces- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 41 sary^ duty of a biographeiv, to be as impar- tial in his development of a bad as a good character. It is^ there forc^ with some regret, that I feci m}sclf obliged to quit the respectable Mr. Dcnham, to attend to the birth, parentage, and education of a gentleman, who, if he could not boast of being a better member of society, cer- tainly might of his having been placed therein in a more conspicuous situation. INIr. Alexander Valpine ^'\ incroft was born a coxcomb, to the embellishments of which character he in process of time contrived to add the dexterity of a knave. As nature had given him a retentive me- mory and quick perceptions, he very ear- ly acquired the easy habit of beci>ming, among his acquaintances, a very pleasant, chatty, dashing young oog. He wrote a pretty letter, made pretty verses, could quote fluently from the poets and play- books, and, among the misses of Cheap- lide and the Borough, hold an ascendancy over all other beaux. In short. Vanity 4*3 llALPH REYBKIDGE. told the gentleman that he v/as a vcrj prettr felloWj and he, like most other pretty follows, paid implicit deference to the yourg lady's opinion. Articled to an attorney, it was some time before he could bring himself to acknowledge t'lc necessi- ty of drudging in an office, and frequent- ly remonstrated with his father, a respect- able and pains-taking cordwaitier in Bishopggate-strect^on the ij>justice done to his talents, by burying them among the parchments of such a low pettifogging profession. But only one, out of many arguments which the old man used to convince him of liis error, succeeded ; this was the sudden demise of this pru- dent parent, by which he found himself deprived of all other means of subsistence. Mr. Wincroft, senior, had, indeed, very justly concluded, that, in establishing his son in a creditable profession, he had suf- ficiently provided for him ; tiie residue of his fortune therefore, v^hich was but small, was, with equal equity, distributed RALPH KEYBUIDGE. 43 between two maiden sisters, who had long been wretched dependants on his preca- rious bounty. Our youth bore this thunder-clap like a hero. Anxious as he was to give a loose to pleasure and dissipation, he had sense enough to see the gulf into which such pursuits would now inevitably plunge him, and stnck manfully to his office. In a year or two he decided that it would be the wiser plan to follow the chicanery of his profession rather than the hard and precarious path of integrity and perseve- rance ; foi he calculated, that the emolu- ments of the former would be weighty in- deed, when opposed in the scale with the tardy advantages of a regular and con- scientious process. Irideeil, the old adage, '' What has a lawyer to do with con- science?" had, in his first outset, made a very deep impression on his mind. IMr. Valpine Wincroft, therefore, continued his career for some time under very fa- vourable auspices ; the ladies of his ac- 44 RALPH REYBfilDGE. quaintance detennined, that, for an attor- ney, he v/as both hiinds- me and witty; v^hilst some of the breihuen of the parch- ment allowed, that lie was '' one of the best readers in all Ch.ancery Lane for set- ting the understanding at d('fiance/' Af- ter ten } ears' praetic<, his in^Iush-y, v/hicb, by the wav, is a \rry comprehensive term, acquired hiui a decent income, and be wight base continued in a flourishing state at this moniefit, but for a little acci- dent, which somev^bat discomposed blm. He bad, it seems, on one or two occasions, very uiihandsonuly scandalized a }oung lady, whom the ancienls were uont to represent blind, with a srcurd in one band and a p lir of scales iii the olber ; and this same oiicnee bil^i^^ bt en repeated with rather aggra\a(ei c.iemn?.tances, the in- censed da«ne o«>bged him to make a pub- lic expiation nt a c rtain pla( e in London, called Charing Cross, to the very great- annoyance of his ears and bis nose. After such an exhibition, be thought it would RALPH REYBRIDGE. 45 be more for his credit to resign his legal, or rather illegal experience into the hands of his clerks, which he accordingly did, after dropping the name of Wincroft^ and purchasing a small estate not quite three miles from Stoke Hill ; here^ taking up his second name of Valpine^ he soon con- trived to insinuate himself into the good graces of every family in the neighbour- hood, and was looked up to as one of the most polished men in the country. 46 nALPll REVilUIDGE. CHAP. V. Which shews that Mr. Valpine*s genius had not deserted him with his misfor- tunes; and that a little wordlij experience is a necessary evil even with the most virtuous of the human race. Mr.Careerry in the postscript of that memorable letter which had put his ami- able relation in possession of ten thousand pounds, recomn^endsto her the indulgence of charity. Mrs. Reybridge^ on the death of her mother^ reverting to this admo- nition of her benefactor, concluded that she could not better employ the residue left her, which, after discharging all debts, funeral expenses, &c. &c. amounted to 8,3t'0/, than by purchasing with it a handsome annuity, that might enable her, in the fullest manner, to gratify this divine HALPH rEYBRIDCE. 47 propensity. Tiie gcnlleman to whom she applied (o execute this business for her^ strongly disapproved of the measure, and advised her to place the principal in the public fiinds^ from whicli she would re- ceive an interest suilicient to supply the comforts and conveniences of life, and the calls of benevolence too. To this pro- posal she replied, that as she bar', no claims- of relationship upon her whatever, no particular friends among whom she ought justly to distribute, by will, a principal so lodged, she conceived that the poor and the friendless, in general, had the ir-o?t equitcible chiim to the whole, and that the whole they should participate in, so long as her IMaker tlionght proper to continue her the liuinUle and happy in- strument of his l;enenceHce. The an- nuity was consequently purchased, and Stoke Uill be'came the spot fixed upon for the constant exercise of her benevolence and piety. It would be paying but aQ iuditiercal compUaient to the penetratioQ 43 RALPH REVBRIPGE. of my sagacious readers to inform tlicm, that the little stranger in Mrs. Re^bridge's carriage was absolutclv^ and bond fide, the hero whose adventures I am about to record ; and }ct some doubts might have arisen on account of the name he bears in the title page; and Ralph Reybridge have been expected by a few to have started up^-rin the course of time^ from some distant or forgotten branch of tlie good lady's own family. To obviate^ therefore, the possibility of such an ex- pectation being formed, I do declare on the word of an author^ the little gentle- man in question to be the very person to whose life, character, and behaviour, I have dedicated my pen, and no small portion of my time. It had been expected by the Trammel convention, that Mrs. Reybridge would have sunk under the humiliating shock of 8uch a letter as had, like one of the Pope's bulls of old, been fulminated against her ; greatly, therefore, were the worthy mem- RALPH REVDRIDGE, 49 bers mortified by the laconic answer re- turned. Mrs. Trammel, indeed, had seen enough of life to know that the shafts of malice, when they miss their intended victim, not unfieqiicntly recoil on their directors; and being convinced, moreover, that the good spinster was superior to any further attack of calumny, she thought it would be as well to change her tone, and suddenly assume a great deal of can- dour and consideration. In consequence of this resolution of sentiment, the as- perity of sarcasm was converted into restless curiosity, and her presidentship was a second time deputed by the Dames to pay a visit at Stoke Hill. But it was now a visit of concession anil reconcilia- tion. Mrs. Reybridge received her politely, but coldly ; and her apology she treated v/ith still greater indifference. The kind widow was, however, never tired of caressing the little boy, of whom, not- withstanding the repulse she had experi- VOL. I. D 50 RALPH REYBRIDGE. enced^ she determined, at all events, to. know something more. The good ladj of Stoke Hill had, on all public occasions, introduced our Jiero as her little kinsman Ralph JRet/hrklgc. It seemed, however, obvious to the candid and more judicious part of the neighbourhood, that he was a child adopted bj her either from the workhouse at Shrewsbury, or else from some poor faHiil j ; and, indeed, this latter appeared to thein, all circumstances con- sidered, to be the most probable con- jecture, though it will not seem so pro- bable perhaps to the reader, when it is re- membered how impartially Mrs. Rey- bridge had determined to distribute her charity and protection. Ralph was the name by which her bene- factor, Mr. Car berry, had been christened, and — but as I cannot afford to gratify curiosity any further at present, it may be bad policy to raise it, so I shall leave my friends to their conjectures. Little Ralph, in the mean time, in- RALPH REYBRIDGE, 51 creased in strength and beauty. To great vivacity he added penetration, and a so- lidity of understanding rarely to be found in boys of his a.'^e ; in addition to -these qualifications, his temper was both sweet and tractable. As he had^ under the pro- tection of old Andrew the coachman^ free egress and regress to and from Stoke Hill, he ver}' shortly made hin].'>elf known to every soul in the village, and was every wliere vvelcome and at home. To Mrs. Trammel and her friends he would prattle, and tell a number of fanciful stories which he had got by rote : vshile under the roof of Mr. Denham he was more grave and respectful ; and listened v.ith as much delight to his cautions and instructions, as to the flatteries he received elsewhere. But among the poor he loved chiefly to wander ; to be the distributor of his dear mamma's bounty, and to play with the cottage children. Of all Mr. Valpine's accomplishments, in that very useful one of dissiraulatioa o2 UKlVERSl-nr OF iuinob 53 RALPH UEYBRIDGE. he might be snid to excel; having been once introduced, therefore, by Mrs. Tram- mel (who was one of his greatest ad- mirers) to Mrs. Rejbridge, it will not be wondered at, that in (he course of a little time he should so far have insinuated himself into her good graces, as to be con- sidered a welcome visitor, in all seasons, at Stoke Hill. Philosophers have expa- tiated so much on the charms of solitude, that many people take it for granted it must be charming, without adverting to the old adage, '' that what is one man's meat may be another man's poison: " and thus it was that \ alpine, vvho, we will venture to pronounce, iiever read Zimmer- man in his life, very rashly supposed that a solitary life would gi\e him, as it had afforded many others, ; leas u re and satis- faction ; but he had not reckoned on the advantages a life of seclusion gi\es to a certain attendant called conscience, and which companion he would very giadlj have left where he had left \\u ear& — in RALPH REYBRIDGE. 53 the pillory. The voice of prudence is seldom regarded but by those who have suffered from the villainy of mankind ; and Mrs. Reybridge, as she had never yet found it, so she had never thought it ne- cessary to be circumspt ct. On Valpine's first introduction, therefore, he found little difficulty in persuading the good lady that he was a gentleman driven to distress '^ by a train of unavoidable misfortunes ;** and, in the course of succeeding conversa- tions^ so artfully interspersed his moral and religious reflections, and affected so much iHimility, that he completely won her heart. But the true character and motives of Valpine did not escape the observation of Mr. Denham. The worthy rector saw, with no inconsiderable degree of re- gret, into the artifices of our unfortunate gentleman, a!id dreaded the consequences of their success. lie determined, at length, to interfere: but that he might be fully justified in the cautions he was 54 RALPH REYBRIDGE. about (o givCj he commenced an inquiry inlo the pretensions and connections of the present possessor of Ruttle-Wood, the name ofValpine's abode. Whence clid he come ? and who could give any account of him ? The inquiry at Stoke was attended with little success, for even Mrs. Trammel was ignorant of these par- ticulars. At Shrewsbury^ however^ the good rector met with better success ; for the w^aiters at Xh^ gamin g-housc could give a very good account of him, so far as related to many unpaid shares of his dinner reckonings ; and, had the scrutiny been followed up, there was one John Doe, and^ one Richard Roe, in the town, \y1io could have given a still better ac- count of him. Sufficiently confumed in his apprehen- sions, Mr. Denliam immediately commu- nicated them to Mrs. Reybridge. Among Ihe most distinguishing virtues of this good man, was the charitable construction jiie invariably placed on the actions of hii RALPH REYBRIDGE. 55 neighbours. If he could not justly ap- preciate, he had been never known to de- tract from supposed merit. A warning; from such a man, therefore, could not fail to strike ; but, though it struck,^ it did not alarm the good lady. Her favourite had not been accused of sinister designs; his dissipated mode of living only had been reprobated, and much might be said in extenuation of faults that did not amount to absolute depravity. Yet Mr. Denham's concluding observations sank deep into her mind. '' In the exercise of every m'oral vir- tue,'* said he, '' prudence otl^ht to t)« the rule. It is not suflficient that we dis- |)ense, through Providence, the bounties of benevolence ; we should also well consider their appropriation. When cha- rity becomes unbounded, it is frequently abused : by prudence we are enabled to Select the proper objects. The approachdfe of idleness and hypocrisy are thus check- «d^ and the stream permitted to circulate 56 RALPH UEYBRIDGE. purely. I come not to accuse Mr. VaU pine, but prudence, as well as justice, requires that you should know more of his character before you admit him to your confidence.'* Mrs. Reybridge, thou2;li much affected by her reverend friend's caution, was still uncertain what course to pursue. At length, she replied, *' Do you not, my dear Sir, admit it possible that Mr. Val- pine's character may have been falsely represented to you ? Detraction," added she with a sigh, " may point at one sex, as well a§ the other." — '' True, madam," replied Mr. Denhani, '*^ but detraction is a depreciation of once admitted merit : before we apply this term, therefore, to Mr. Valpine, let us ascertain whether he had every any merit to admit.'* Mrs. Reybridge was very much shocked by this last insinuation ; and the good rector, thir.king that he had said sufficient to put his friend upon her guard, took his leave. RALPH REVERIDGE. 0/ Now it SO happened^ that Valpine liad called at his old haunt at Shrewsbury, just after Mr. Denha;!! had left it, and was more surprized thin pleased to hear of the inquiries that had been made about him. On his ri'turn to Stoke he visited his friend Mrs. Trammel, %vho confirmed his worst apprriiensions, by hinting to him that she knew the meddling parson had been, or was io be, \^ith ?'.rrs. Rey- bridge that day^ io inform her of all his play pra:;ks; ''and,'* continued she^ *Mie has su( h an ascendency over her, that ten to one if you ever get admit- ted to the pious old fool again.'' And now would Va' pine's courage have quite deserted bim^ had not the devil, who was seldom from his elbow, sug- gested, that the only safe way tj counter- act this plot against him vvas to figlit his opponent wiih his own weapons; and, by a volutitfUy con teas ion of his follies (which confession he de«>igncd sViOuld ap- pear as originating from the goadings of D 5 ^8 RALPH REYCRIDGE. his .conscience), convince the good ladv of the sincerifj of his repentance. A re- conciliation he knew would be the conse- querice;, and he donbted not but he should find means, in spite of Mr. Denham, and all his rhetoric, to gain a stronger influ- ence over her than ever. Elated with this idea, he proceeded Uiidauntedlv to Stoke Hill, and arrived not long after IMr. Denharn's departure. His scheme was successful. He found Mrs. Reybridge prepared with her inqui- Mtorial. process, but he dexterously con- trived to open his confession previt)usly, and in a manner so completely to disarm her of resentmeiit^ that her pity and for- giveness were not long withheld from him. Wheu IMr. Denhani was informed of this circumstance, it only induced him to keep a^ more watchful eje over the con- duct i\i our gentleman ; of whose pro- jects, whatever might have been a scruple or two before;, be could now have no doubt* Yalpine now became almost one RALPH REVEUIDGE. 59 of the family at Stoke Hill. His attentions to Mrs. Revbridge continued to be as artfully managed as they were studied ; and his apparent fondness for little Ralph completed his triumph. Our hero, how- fever, and sorry are v.e to mention the circumstance, was not quite so grateful for these caresses as might have been ex- pected, and would rather have had one encouraging pat on the head from Mr. benham, than the most soothing blan- dishments and embraces from Valpine, though accompanied by as many oranges and sweetmeats. 60 RALPH REYBRIDGE. ^ CHAP. VI. In which our hero shines forth in great oratorical splendour, and Valpine makes a successful attack upon jMrs. Rey* dridge's purse. It is the prevailing opinion among men of weak and bad principles;, tliat the heart is naturally devoted to sensuality; and that it is onlj the effect of habit and education, when we see a preference shewn to the more digniiied enjoyments of the mind. The truth is^ that fools alone prefer to be sensualists; for the ^^ise man feels, after very little experience, that the gratifica- tions of sense are momeniary^ and only recollected with disgust; whereas the desire for mental recreation increases in proportion as it is enjoyed. T^ow, al- though Mr* Valpine was ignorant in RALPH REYBRIDCE. 61 what degree of relationship master Ralph stood with his protectress, he considered that the blooming boy was the onlj per- son that could interfere between him and a good legacy : for Mrs. Reybridge had frequently related her history to him ; and it occurred to him^ that the only means of preventing such an unjust monopoly, was to debauch the child's mind as soon as possible ; and, by gradually initiating him into vice, weaken the ties of aiTection by which he and his dear maniina were, at present, bound to each other. For this purpose Ralph was continually informed that this dear mamma had given him per- mission to go with Mr. Valpine to some ball or play at Shrewsbury ; on which occasions, the worthy gentleman would endeavour to make him as sensible of the pleasures of idleness and frivolous amuse- meais, as his tender age would admit. But it so happened that our hero's heart, contrary to Mr. Valpine 's creed, was not composed of naturally loose materials. m RALPH REYBRIDGE. and indeed Ralph only expressed his disinclination to be taken to these fine parties^ because he would not be thought ungrateful for what he conceived an in- tended kindness. In the mean timc^ whatever etertioris Were made use of on one side to corrupt liim, there was an equal degree of zeal shewn on the part of Mr. Denham to ren- der him invulnerable to every temptation. This good man had^from the first dawnihs; ofreason, perceived in the child the.seeds of elevated thinking; a grateful disposition, and a compassionate and grateful heart : nor could he refrain fr^^m expressing a wish to Mrs. Reyb ridge, that he might have the pleasure of cultivating a mind so formed by nature. The v, orthy lady jovfifliy acceded to this proposition, and Ralpli entered with an avidity that justi- fied his tirtot's good opinion^ into a regu- lar course of study. Under such a preceptor, no wonder that his improvement was rapid. Val- RALPH UEYBRrDGE. (53 pine, notwithstanding;, .continued his at- tacks, and endeavoured bj every art to wean him from his books, till, at length, the youth's spirits could support them RO longer ; and one day, when he knevt that hiij kind friend meant to ask leave far him to go to Shrewsbury, he resolved to invent some excuse for not goin;:;. For- tur>e favoured his design, for Mr. Denham came unexpectedly to breakfast at Stoke Hill, and entered the breakfast parlour just as Mrs. Reybridge was preparing to make the tea. Ralph, who was sitting ia deep meditation by the fire, immediately started up, and taking his tutor atfectioH"* ately by the hand, "' Now do, dear Sir," cried he with energy, '' do give me a long exercise to do to-day, will you?'' The rector was surprized at his vehemence. '' A long exercise te-day, child?'* replied he, *' and why to day, pray, in particular ? what, have you done any thing wrong ? '* ''I hope not,Sir,"' continued Ralph: — ''But what's the matter, my dear," interrupted 61 RALPH KEYBRIDGE. Mrs. Reybritlge. " Speak the truths and fear nothing.'* — '*" Vvhy, tben^ I 7dU speak the truth/' added he, " if my dear mam- ma will promise not to be angrj ; I know that Mr. Valpine means to ask leave for me to go with him to Shrevv^sbiiry to day, and I don't know how to refuse him if I have no excuse^ because he is very good- natured, and seems so fond of me." '' And why should you refuse him. Sir? " retort- ed Mrs. Reybrid<^e witli some asperity. '^ Because, ma'am/' replied our hero, elated with the consciousness of his argu- mentative powers, '' because he takes me sometimes to the officers of ihe army, and asks me to sing to them : avd they give me money, and praise me so much that they make me ashamed ; for uideed I don't like to take money of any body but you and my tutor, for does it not look as if I can^e like a little beggar, Sir?" turning to Mr. Denham. ^'Then, Uia'am,'' agaiii directing his eyes towards his pro- tectressj '' I don't like the fine Shrews- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 65 T)ury sports. One day Mr. Valpine took me to a bull-baiting, which he told me was the be and Mrs. Reybridge toge- ther; a circumstance which surprized me yet mor& than tl.e sight of you in the arms of Mrs. Rainsford the housekeeper; a«5 your benefactress had never been known to pay evening visits, even to the few ladies of her acquairtance in the nei.9,hbour]iood, since her coming to reside at Stoke Hill. '' Mr. Mapleton approached, and tak- ing my hand, ' my good friend/ said he, ' we require your assistance to make a Christian of this little chcriib, whom Pro- vidence has been pleased to consign to mv care; and, after my death, to that of the worthy Mrs. Reybridge. Yon shall oue day know more about liim ; at present, let me iiitreat you to execute your holy ofiice/ You may imagine, my dear boy, what mv feelino;s were on this occasion. You, perhaps, know not Mr. iMapleton's story."— ^^ I do not, Sir/' replied Ralph. Mr. Denham continued. '' With a be- loved wife and children had long ueen buried his happiness and affections. I!* r- 8 RALPH REYBRIDGE. was a man of the strictest morals, and ik zealofis observer, both in precept and practice, of religious duties. Yet here was slrong presumptive evidence of your beins: his child ! — That jou \vere his by Mrs. Re; bridge, I cannot, I will not be- lieve. I did, however, as I was requested ; I christened you by the name of Ralph. I even, at Mr. Mapleton's request, pro* mised to be silent on the subject among my parishioners. Yet month after month rolled away without the further explana- tion that had been promised me, till tho death of my poor friend dissolved the pro- mise, on his part, altogether. As I ex- pected, Mrs. Reybridge then took you to herself, and, for the first time, produced you to public notice. I then thought, of cour^, that not only myself^, but the whole neighbourhood, would be informed whose child you were ; but the good lady, whe- ther from respect to Mr. Mapleton's me- mory, or from some dying injunctions she kad received from him, was more cau- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 79 tious than evei* in each word and action thctt regarded you ; especially to me. That she does mean, some day or ano- ther, to conitde in me, I have aot a doubt ; in the mean tiine, I am equally assured that she ha?, in some measure, pro* vided for you in case of her death ; nor am I afraid, my dear Ralphs to encourage your expectations on this head, a^ I am convinced you have resolution enough, under a cor.scientiousness of acting right, either to enjoy your good fortune mo- derately, or bear the reverse with resig- nation." Our hero, who during this communication had been agitated to a \iolent degree, was nov/ on the point of giving vent to his f elings, when his tu- tor, who sat fronting the window of his little parlour, from which he could see a considerable way down the high road leading to the parish church, suddenly arose from his seat, and, without speaking another word, darted out of the room. Our hero had scarcely recovered from the £0 RALPH REYBRlDGi:. astonishment this abrupt behaviour had thrown him into, when a very elegant carriage drove up^ escorted by two out- riders^ the door of which was immediately opened by the good rector himself, and a very elegant figure of a man^ in deep mourning, descending therefrom, folded bira affectionately in his arms. Nothing could exceed the surprize of Ralph, at the appearance of a phenomenon so extraor- dinary. He well knew that his venerable master had, for upwards of thirty- nine years, been secluded from the world: that he had never contracted any new friend- ships, either in the village or at Shrews- bury, and that he had never mentioned any person except his old patron the Earl of Ardendale, with whom he had evcp lived on terms of the least intimacy ; th.c opening and closing Of another door was a hint suflicient for our hero to remain where he v^as, and indeed he had fre- quently been lefi alone without half so auich employment for his thoughts. A RALPH REVBRIDGC, 81 silence of near a quarter of an hour suc- ceeded, excepting now and then sounds, which seemed to issue from (he mouth of the stranger. At length he saw the postil- lions remount their horses, as if by some private signal, and the carriage was out of sight in a moment. The rector now returned to his asto- nished pupil, wlio sat in silent and anx- ious expectation of hearing this mystery explained ; but Mr. Denhara continued for a long time profoundly thoughtful, and our hero, greatly as his curiosity had been raised, yet feared a longer yisit would be intrusive, and was preparing to take a reluctant leave, when the good man broke silence. '^ My dear Ralph," said he, '' I have been at once pleased and grieved by certain revolutions that have lately taken place in the noble fa- mily of Ardendale. The Earl, my once generous friend and patron is no more, but leave me for the present, and in- form Mrs. Reybridge that I shall call E 5 82 RALPH REYBRIDCxE. upon her to-morrow on business of im- portance ; jou will then know more of what I observe appears to jou so extra- ordinary.'* There was an evident anxiety in the countenance of the rector^ which con- vinced our hero that any further inqui- ries would be unacceptable to him. He accordingly took his leave, as much at a loss to account for this singular adven- ture^ as we sincerely hope is the reader. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 85 CHAP. VIII. Containing a conversation to which the reader is requested to pai/ particular at- tention. — Mr. Valpine again makes his appearance. — His old friend, the Devil, plays him a trick, Earlv on the following morning, the rector attended his appointment, and found both Ralph and his benefactress in anxious expectation of his arrival. Hav- ing taken his seat^ he began as follows: " You will be surprized, my worthy friend, when I tell you, that, in the course of a few days, I shall quit this country, perhaps for ever/' Here Mr. Reybridge testified the strc^ngest surprize, and the third volume of an elegant edition of the Spectator fell from the hands of our hero. Mr. Denham continued. '' I have lived iRt RALPH REYBRIDGE. long enough in the world to be able to set a fair valuation on its opinion^ and am therefore indifferent as to \vhat people in general raaj think of a departure so strange as mine will undoubtedly appear. A few there are., however, of whose ap- probation I am proud, and to secure which I will not leave it in the power of malevolence to gain any triumph by mis- representation. YoUj my dear madam, are one of those chosen few. You have frequently heard me speak of the Earl of Ardendale, the nobleman to whom I stand indebted for my present establishment. We had, when young men at college, been very intimate friends ; our studies and recreations nearly the same. When I contemplated his character, how de- L'ghtful was it to me to anticipate the lustre he seemed born to reflect on a noble house, when he should step forward as the representative; not the slave of his passions, and blinded by prosperity, but with a heart open to every impression of RALPH RErBRlDGE. 65 goodness, and a mind highly cultivntcd in the school of true honour and virtue 1 In this view of his character^ it was with pride I received from his hands the living of Stoke. ' Dear Denham/ said he, ' till it be in my power to do more for you, ac- cept of this small testimony of my grati- tude and regard. From your friendship and example I have been taught a lesson that will enable me to apply to the best purposes the gifts of fortune. That I was born to be both a rich and distinguished man^ are circumstances which I as yet know not how to appreciate ; but it be- hoves me, as a good husbandman of these important trusts of Providence, to super- intend them with care, and to be ready at a moment's warning to render a good ac- count of them/ Such were his parting words when last we separated ; but how vain, how weak, are the resolutions of the best disposed men ! How strong, how al* most irresistible are the temptations to deviate from the right course^ when plear 86 RVLPH REYBllIDGE. sure and beauty alone diicct the helm, and the lup ged, but faithful pilot, Reason, is disc iii'ed from t)<^ conierence ! My bi'nefactor^ a sliurt lime after, married a woman hb op| osite in every respect. Bred uu> in the indulgence of every fa- shionalile dissipation, and experienced in every insinuating art, the prartice of which was aid^^d by tire most iinished beauty, she found iitiie diftkulty in con* quering the yieidinii: and susceptible dis- positKui L>f theyourg Earl » and, pursuing a constant s»Mcesfcion of victories, tri- umrlied at 1 'wih over his principles as "well as bis af^ectiofiS, aaa he meanly con- sented 10 be me a partaker in all the fashionable i .ilies of a luxurious age. From that unlucky hour oui correspond- ence ceased. Either tired of, or offended with, my remons lances, he neglected to reply to my letters, and I soon after heard be bad entirely given himself up to the Countess, and entered with blind infatua- tion into all her extravagant projects. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 8T With the deepest regret I now perceived that the moral virtues had lost their hold on his heart, and I desisted from all at- tempts to reclaim him. Thus, a period of three-and-twenty years had nearly ob- literated the name of Ardendale from my memory, when it was revived by an ad- venture equally affecting and extraordi- nary* " Near the town of Newton, which is but ten miles from hence, and five from Shrewsbury, stands a very neat and ro- mantic cottage, inhabited by two very worthy people, who, on account of their slender circumstances, have for many years been obliged to live in total seclu- sion from the world. I know, iry good madam, you will think it strange that you have never heard of a family of this description so near you; but the truth is, th(>ugh poor iVIr. and INIrs. Rushden are far from being in a state of absolute pe- nury, and can even ei joy the comforts of life, yet both the gentleman and the lady 88 RALPH REV BRIDGE. have apparently received a good educa- tion^ and, as they do not choose to return to a rank in life which they are unahle in any way to support, they have so buried themselves from all knowledge and obser- vation, that, excepting to a few indivi- duals at Shrewsbury, they are not even known by name. Newton Vale has a small farm attached to it, which Mr. Rushden cultivates like another Cinein- natus, and his wife attends the dairy and the flock. '' At this very cottage, accident intro^ duced me to the heir and only child of my noble friend, then Lord Westmore. It was on a Sunday, on my return from Newton, where I had been doing duty for the minister of that parish, Mr. Rid^ ley. But here, madam, I must at present stop. I am not yet at liberty to reveal the misfortunes which, from that mo- ment, bound me to him by ties still closer than those which had attached me to his father. RALPH REYEUIDGE. 89 '' At some future period, perhaps, I may be able. Ralph has, no doubt, ap- prized you of my mysterious visitor of yes- terday. You will no longer be at a loss to guess who this visitor was, when I inform you that both the old Earl of Ardendale and his Countess are no more. The suc- cession to the title and estates of his fa- ther would have afforded the present Earl but small consolation after a life long* past in retirement and obscurity in Ire- land, had not his parents* forgivences of a fault too long and deeply resented been at length extended to him. Desirous of fulfilling every former promise made to rae by the late Earl, and anxious to re- turn some obligations which he fancies he owes me, his lordship has petitioned me, on a plea I know not how to resist, to spend the remainder of my days as the chaplain of Roth well Castle. His only son, Lord Westmore, though hitherto he has been under the tutelage of a gentle- man of esen)plary piety and great learn- CO RALPH UEVBRIOGE. ing, has still much to acquire. Bred up in almost actual retirement, he know* Httle of worldlj' matters^ nor ]ias [ye read many books from which he <'ould form any geticrsl obsffVHtioDi ^( men and things. Thus voung' and tofally iivcx- perienced, but with a dispoHJIion at the same time impetuous aud tVaclious^ the Earl trembles at the idea of sending him into the world, and it is for the i/urpose of completing his education^ and correct- ing his temper and manners, that I am thus called upon ; and I feel myself irre-- sistibly compelled to obey the summaas. * *' I am equally surprized and grieved/' replied Mrs. Rev bridge, '' at what you have been telling me, my dear Sir. I have many reasons, indeed many import- ant ones, for wishing but you are not to leave us yet}*' — '' There is, at pre- sent," resumed the rector, " a young cler- gyman in Northamptonshire, who was strongly recommended, some time since^ to the late Earl, for the gentleness of his RALPH REYBRID€E. 91 disposition and the piety of his life. Ho it is who, agreeably to Lord Ardcndale's desire, has cheerfully consented to an ex- change with me. On his arrival^ which will take place in a ft»w days^ I must pre- pare to depart."—'' You would juitly ac- cuse me, worthy Sir,'* replied Mrs. Rcy- bridge, " after your present kind commu- nication, of an entire want of confidence, if I now any longer withheld from yon that explanation which my much-lament- ed friend, Mr. Mapleton, once promised you.*' — *' I am so well convinced, ma- dam/' returned the rector, '' that all your actions spring from the best motives, that I am no otherwise anxious to know what you may be desirous of concealing than as it may enable me to render you ser- vice." — '' I thank you. Sir,'* replied Mrs. Reybridge ; '' believe mCj I do not feel conscious of having done any thing that might justly subject me to reproach. That judgment must be fallible which has not been improved by worldly expe- 92 RALPH REYBRIDGE. rience, and in regard to which I am now going to tell you. Mr Mapleton was my firsts and;, indeed^ only counsellor. Oh ! my dear boy/' continued she, turning her eyes tenderlv towards Ralph, who scarce- ly breathed, " from what a dreadful fate — Even now I shudder at the recollection of an event which .'' Here a servant abruptly entered the room, and announced the arrival of Mr. Valpine at the garden- gate. Ralph iinmediately arose, and took two or three turns, or rather curvets^ about the rooin, in a transport of indig- nant disappointment. '^ Hey-day '."ex- claimed the good spinster, highly dis- pleased, '' what now ? What has Mr. Valpine done, that the very mention of his name should give you such great of- fence. Sir ? If you caiiiiot learn to respect him on his own account, at least shew bim some on mine. You know not. Sir, how much this gentleman has alrcachj teen, and will still continue to be, your friend, unless you make him your enemy, RALPH REYBRIDGE. 9S by continuing to indulge tlicse absurd, and indeed criminal^ prejudices against liim !'* and here gentle reader, Mr. Den- ham, mild as he was, felt every inclination to stride about the room too. He had, for some years, been in a state of alarm regarding an intimacy he knew not how to account for. He had hoped that his amiable friend would soon have felt that instinctive dislike for such a man as Val- pine, which good minds, when opposed to bad, in almost every instance experience : but in this he was disappointed. He was not indeed aware of the pecuniary confi- dence that had been reposed in Valpin^ by this worthy lady, or all surprize would soon have ceased. Her last speech again awakened his suspicions and his fears. That some villainous designs were on foot, or had already been practised upon her, seemed highly probable, but a pause of a few moments convinced him that the present was not a time either for expla- nation orremonstrance. He arose, there* k 94 n.iLPH REYDUIBGE. forej to take his leave. '' Madarn/' ob- served he, as you have kindly conde- scended to begin a conversation in which you may perceive how deeply I am in- terested, let roe intreat you to appoint some time \^hen v/e may be secure from interruption of any kind to end it. I, too, have something more to impart which no mistaken delicacy shall longer induce me to conceal from you.''—*' Well Sir/' re- plied Mrs. Reybridge ''pausing, let itbethe [day after to-morrow at this hour." — '' If you please, madam," rejoined the rectw. ■ ^ Mr. Pailard my successor will not^ I tliink^ be arrived before that time, or if he should. Lord Ardendale, who is at present remaining at Newton Yale, will have no objection to wait a day or two for me, especially as I have some little matters to settle before I take my departure." *' When shall you see his lordship again?" inquired Mr. Reybridge — ' I am pTe-»- paring," returned the rector, '' to set oflf iauxKediatelj to Mr. Rushden's, and shall RALPH" REYBRIDGE. 98 reinaifl with bim pogsibly to-day and to- morrow, and be with you on Thursday morning to breakfast.*' Here Mr. Valpinc thought proper to make his appearance : I say, thonght pro- per, because that gentlcraanj unwilling to interrupt a conversation so interesting", had remained at the parlour cloor for some tiiBe. Mid overheard bf/ accident every word feat was^ passing. Mr. Denham, as usual, wafe withdra^vii^g-with a hasty bow, when the other took the liherty, which he had never done before, to detain him, *' J beg your pardon, Mr. Denham/* ob- served he, '' but, may I a^k, are you ac- quainted with the Earl of Ainlendale ?' — '' I am, 8ir:" returned the rector, " and what then ?"— " It was /??5 carriage then," resumed Valpioe, *' that I saw yesterday afternoon driven throu*^h the avenue ?" Mr. Denham, however mild to tho^e whom he esteemed, was bj no mcan^ for- getful of the dignity dive to b^ a^^e and^ piofe&sioft, when attacked by the imperti- 06 UALPH REYBUIDGE. nent curiosity of such men as bis preseut intenogator. He therefore took no notice of this last question, but again turning to Mrs. Re} bridge, wished her a good morn- ing. Even the philosophical Mr. Valpine was nettled past endurance by a con- tempt so pointed. '' How, Mr. Den- ham 1" exclaimed he, '' will you not deign to answer me ?" '' Will you, Mr. Valpine/* replied the rector^ with more than his usual energy of voice^ '' after- wards answer me?'' '•'And why not?" replied the other. '- Ask your conscience. Sir, ' rejoined the rector with great so- lemnity, and instantly left the room. There is notliing so productive of em- barrassment to a bad man^ as desiring him to appeal to his conscieijce ; for the mo- ment he makes this appeal, whicli by the bye, all men so enjoined involuntarily do, this said conscience will immediately insinuate that such and such enormities must doubtless be alluded to. Mr. Den- ham's bint in fact vyent no further than to RALPH REYBRIDGE. 9T let the gentleman know that he suspected • him of fraudulent designs on the excellent Mrs, Rejbridge ; but his friend con- science instantly whispered in his ear; 'f My very worthy master^ this meddling parson has certainly had a glimpse of your honour's ears in the pill ori/.'* Before we proceed to open the business of Mr. Vaipine's present visit at Stoke Hill, it would be necessary to take a re- trospective view of that gentleman's con- duct from the period of our last chapter. Mrs. Reybridge, in conformity to the plan adopted for the future benefit of Ralph, had contrived, from year to year, to deposit in her worthy agent's hands (taking his receipts for the same^ which he conscientiously insisted upon) the sum of two hundred pounds ; not doubting but that the most zealous measures were constantly employed by this good friend towards the increase of the supplies in question. These sums, however, had never found their v/ay further than the VOL. I. F 98 RALPH IlEVBRiPGE. hazard table, Avbcn they rose and fell like the stocks ; but as thej enabled our agent to support his credit, he disdained to look? forward to future embarrassments, espe- cially as he knew, should the worst come to the woist, '' that the world w as all before him where to choose." — Now it so hap- pened, that out of two-and-tweiily hun- dred pounds, which his deluded friend had advanced him, five hundred was alone remainino' a fortnight prior to the present time. During Ibis period, however, a constant run of good luck had so recruited his purse, that he suddenly found himself in possession not only of the two-and- twenty hundred pounds which belonged to our poor hero, but an additional stock of four hundred. With this treasure, it immediately occurred to him that he could pay off the mortgage upon his Ruttlewood estate, and he prudently set oil to the house of the mortgagee for that purpose. But, unfortunately for him, the residency/ of this gentleman was not to be approached RALPH REVBIIIDGE. 9^ but by the same way which led to ther gaming tabic ; and as he had not pre- pared himself by fasting or prayer, or any other penance, to resist the tempta- tions of that old friend who had ever stuck; by him, and whose name, or rather names, I forbear to mention, he fouad kims^elf* within hearing of the jolls/ casters before' he had time to recollect himself, and. war presently amidbt the thickest of the fray. The tables were crowded on account of a public ball. Some young men of fashiois,; and iiush of money, were present; it was an opportunity not to be lost, and, putting^ up a prayer to Fortune, he entered the lists.^ This fickle lady had, however, granted so- many petitions already, that she had ju»t come to a resolution to grant no more; and after suflPcring her miserable suppli- cant to turn her wheel about for a couple of hours, she left him without a guinea in his pocket. It was not till after he had brooded over this utter rutn to all his hopes for three days, that he came to the \2 100 RALPH REYBRIDGE, resolution of endeavouring to extort money from Mrs. Re^bridge by a feigned repre- sentation of his own immediate distresses. With this supply lie had predetermined to make another desperate effort at the gaming table^, and if unsuccessful to quit the country without further ceremony. This^ indeed, was the object of his present visit; but the conduct and observations of Mr. Denham had by no means contri- buted to prepare the good lady's mind for his artful communications ; nor did he feel his own powers of deception so strong upon him, since the gentle jog he had re- ceived frcm the monitor within, at the instigation of this good man. He there- fore resolved to postpone his attack ; and, after conversing with Mrs. Rey bridge on one or two general topics, arose and left the room. RALPH REYBRIDGE, lOl CHAP. IX. More Dramatis PcrsoraV. Mr. Philip Rushden bad received a liberal education, and was desig;:ed by his fatber, a respectable clergymaa ia Dorsetsbire, for tbe cburcb ; but wbetber it was tbat tbe young gentleman could not conscientiously subscribe totbe tbirty- iiine articles, or wbctber be felt tbat tbe gratification of bis passions was too ne- cessary an appendage to bis bappiness to be abjured, certain it is tbat tbe pulpit had no attractions for bim, nor could all tbe eloquence of bis fond father, wbo was really a pious man, prevail upon bini to take orders, tbougb be bad tbe pre- sentation of a very eligible living at bis disposal. The death of the good old man made his son richer by a couple o^ 102 RALPH REVBRIDGE. thousand pounds ; but a philosophical fiiend^ with whom he had hcen in habits of the greatest intimacy, took this fa- Tounible opportunity of requesting him t) become joint security in a bond for iit'teen hundred thereof, and soon after disappeared, leaving poor Philip solely responsible for the debt. Rushden bore this misfortune very unlike a phiicsopher ; and instead of endeavouring to make the most of the five hundred that remained, carried it to a g-ambliivs; society that had long been established in the regiment, where he very shortly lost the whole. The destructive dice having once been touched, Tvere not to be quitted. Despair for his late losses drove him to deep play, the consequence of which was, that he was obliged to sell his commission to pay his debts of honour, and was reduced to the verge of poverty without a hope of being able to retrieve his circumstances. The regiment to which he had be- longed^ happened^ at this time, to bo RALPH RKYBRIDGr. ]0*1 quartcreJ at Shrewsbury, and as lie was not void of wit and i;<)od nature^ the officers began to compassionate his situa- tion. Bat tliougli tliev pitied, few of theui had the power to reiieve ; and the small subscription raised for him could not long have protracted the approach of poverty, had not an accident happened, which, if it did not in the eyes of the world redound much to his honour, cer- tainly did to his advantage ; a circum- stance which his principles bad placed tantamount to every otiier. Lord D , a young nobleman of great expectations, happened to join the regiment, of which he was the Lieutenant- colonel, a few days previously to its being detached on foreign service; and it also so happened, that his lordship had, a few weeks before, seduced a very pretty girl from her friends, and brought her with him as far as Shrewsbury ; but heie considering ihr impracticability, or rather the incon- venicQce, of keeping her longer, he found 104 RALPH REYBRinsS. it necessary to resolve upon some plan of getting- rid of her : accordingly, when Rushden's case was represented to him, he Tery wisely concluded, that in desperate emergencies desperate remedies were not hastily to be rtjccted. Sending, therefore, f9r our unfortunate i[^enileman, he very frankly explained to him his situation in regard to Miss Rutherford, the young lady in question, and then as frankly and conscientiously proposed, that he should marry her with a dow ry equal to the sum of which he bad been defrauded by his false friend. To this proposal, after stipu- lating that no mention should ever be made of the alliance, Rushden consented: upon which. Miss Rutherford was intro- duced;, and gently informed by the noble Colonel of the steps he had thus taken for the security of her future honour and happiness. That a separation, hov/ever painful, was unavoidable, but that she could not doubt, after what had pa^^sed between them, of RALPH REYBRIDGE. 105 the present creditable match he had pro- vided for her, proving a satisfactory coiii- p^^jisation for the loss of those attentions \i'hich he regretted he could no longer pay her. To this explanation the lady re- turned an ample testimony of her grief^ astonisiimentj and indignation, by a very profuse discharge of tears^ supplications, and upbraidings, in the midst of ^vhich my Lord the Colonel very prudently re- treated;, leaving the husband elect to ad- minister the cup of consolation. His lordship having thus, as it is vulgarly applied, made himself scarce, and those tumults of sorrow which we have before mentioned became no longer necessary, the bride elect turned a couple of very bright eyes upon her intended spouse, which, could they have spoken^ would have said — '' Weil, and what sort of being- are you, that I am to be thus transferred to ?'' To say the truth, our fair frail one, fortunately for her own happiness, and lier seducer's credit, was not of that tender f5 106 rAlph reybkidge. and sensible texture of mind which is apt to break under the weight of such treachery, and the apprehension of that disgrace and misery which so frequently attends it. She had been seduced, it is true, but it had boen by vanity, a title, and promise*, of vast riches : which latter, if ehe could ha\e secured, she would have cared -ittle for the coronet. As love, therefore, had had \evy little to do with her late disappoi^tmeiit, and perhaps ho- nour still less, Rushden, who was a young man of a good figure and pleasing manners, found it no very difficult matter to reconcile her to his addresses. In a few days after, the marriage was celebrated in the presence of Lord D and a confidential friend ; and the bride, having received her dowry, flung her arms round her husba;id's neck, and returned with interest the connubial kiss he gave her, professing, at the same time, that " really as affairs had turned out, she was extremely well satisfied with the arrange- RALPil REYBRIDGE. 1(37 mont that Iia ] been made^ for tliat posi- tively, much as slie had been pleased by his lordsliin's at!eu(ioiis, she should have voted it a [lor-'id bore to have carried his knapsack in a f.Heig;! country.'* During Mr. Uushden's probation in the army, his temper and habits had ren- dered him a very unfit man to begin the world again at the age of thiity-two, and with tlie incun.brance of a wife : for, in addition to a love of idleness and dissipa- tion, tep;p*ations wliich he had never been able to resist, he had a great dread of be- ing ex|>osed to the ridicule and contempt of former friends on account of his mar- riage; for, notwithstanding certain stipu- lations v^hicli had been agreed to by Lord D previously to the wedding, he was by no n^eans confident, after what had passed, that his lordship would consider himsell boui d by ihem. He began, there- fore, o percei\e himself a closer prisoner in vvedio( k, than accorded altogether with bis original expectatious. He mighty in-. 108 RALPH REVBRIDGB deed, have tried the hazard table again^ but he vvcis not so void of all principle and gratitude as to subject the person to ut- ter ruin, by whose means alone he had gained his present acquisition of fortune. After what has already been related in regard to this union, it would be but little short of iaipicty to affirm that mar- riages are made in heaven! — It is never- theless certain, that this worthy pair were so well pleased with each other duriiig the honey moon, that the separating might have proved a more difficult mat- ter than had originally been the joining ©f them. Neither Rnshden nor his wife were deficient in sense. The gentleman, how- ever, had a great deal of pride, and the Jady a groat deal of poverty and am- bition : to struggle, therefore, with these several propci/sities in a cottage, was a difficulty not easily to be removed ; they were obliged, however, to own, that re- tirement was the kast of the evils that I RALPH REYBRIDGE. 109 presented themselves, and as they mutually liked each other^ they did not despair of reconciling themselves to their choice. The cottage and adjoining farm, long known by the name of Newton Vale^ was, at this time, upon sale; and though not quite so far removed from the populous town of Shrewsbury as Rushden could have wished, yet it being a delightful spot, and as he could make it as re- tired as he chose, this objection was soon surmounted, and the greater part of Lord D 's money was employed to a much better purpose than he had any idea, or probably any wish, that it should, viz. in the purchase of a small, but comfortable, estate. ^\e have already remarked, that our worthy coujjle had, between them, a stock of pride and vanity, that it would have been better for them could they have ex- changed it for so much livestock for their farm. Mr. Rushden considered himself as very little fit for the society of his hob- 110 RALPH REYBRJDGE. nail neighbours, having received a college education, and once borne a commission in the aimy: still less could Mrs. Rushden, as his ladij, br'ar the idea of associating with their vulgar wives. As they were consequejitly unable to move in their pro- per sphere, they thought it best ''for any apology. Prepared as 1 was to meet Mr. Pollard and Lord Wastmore, their sudden ap- pearance has rather pleased than surprised mc.*'— *' Alas ! Mr, Donharn/' contiiuied Lord Ardeiulale, '' my venerable uncle, Lord Ley brook, has sunk under the afflic' tion occasioned by my mother's death — he followed her last week to the grave, and has left behind him a grand-daughter who is the heiress of his large possessions, the only child of Colonel Leybrook his second son, and his beloved sister's favour- ite nephew. I believe 1 before told you that the old Baron had nominated me to be the guardian of his beloved child, and had also expressed a wisli that the houses of Leybrook and Ardcndale might be united : hilt this shall be the subject of future dis- cussion. Miss Leybrook, I understand. 114 KALIH REYBIIIDGE. on the death of tlie oood Baron, removed to Rothweli Castle — mv son^ of course^ with a delicacy that became him, re- solved immediately to accompaoy Mr* pollard info Shrop&hire." — '^ You meai], then, my Lord, to return immediately, I presume?" replied Mr. Deuham. *' It is my intention so to do;" continued the Earl, '^ the more es[ ecialjy as my lovely ward is at present without a proper fe- male companion. Our good friends^ the Rushdens, are to accompany us, I am confident I can rely on the teiiderness and attention of Mrs. Rushden towards the sweet girl. She has kindly promised to instruct, and you will not, I hope, be dis- 2)leased to hear that ray good farmer here has condescended to become my stew- ard." — ''This is indeed," cried the rector, *' an unexpected arrangement. And pray, my Lord, what is to become of Newton Vale ?" — '' I have already settled with a man at Shrewsbury," replied the Earl, ^' on that head. So sweet a situation can- RALPH niZYBRlDGE. 115 not long be witliout a tenant or a pur- chaser/' — •'*^ When then does your Lord- ship propose to depart?'* replied the re^'tor. *' That, my good friend/' rc- jniiwd the Earl, '' will now depend upon }ou and INIr. Pollard. You will, doubtless, have some little matters to settle pre- viously to your resigning the living into his hands/*— ^' But little, my Lord,'* re- turned Mr. Denham, with a sigh. *' I own I shall leave my flock with regret ; but I feel an assurance that they will not long be sensible of my loss as a pastor, however they may lament my absence as a man/* To this compliment Mr. Polkrd made a modest bow, and a long pause succeeded. During this conversation, Mrs. Rush- den appeared to be highly delighted and interested. But there was something in the countenance of her husband which seemed to say — '" there may be advantages in this change, but I would rather remain at my cottage.'* Lord Westmore stood at 116 RAtPH REYBRID6E. a window, inattentive to every thing that was said. Tl»e haughty youth had re- turned with cold civility Mr. Deaham's first address ; and the siilienness of his be- haviour afterwards confirmed the good man in his apprehensions, that in such a di^poaitioa, worldly knowledge might sow the seeds of selfishness and duplicity, but do little towards expanding the heart to the cause < f general benevolence. But whatever might have been his feelings, he, for the present, suppressed them, and turned the conversation once more to the subject of the journey into Northampton- shire. Mr. Deoham, who saw, in an equal degree with the Earl, the propriety of a speedy departure for Rothwell Cas- tle, forlorn as tlic present ppssessor, the fair heiress of Ley brook, must have been left there, proposed to Mr. Pollard to set out for Stoke the following morning early, where he would formally consign to him ttic pursona^( -house, and settle all other business previously necessary to a RALPH REYBRIDr.P. ) 17 final resii^nation of his gacred chargo. The good rectofj at the same time, natu- rally concluded, that a day sootier than had been appointed would make no dif- ference to Mrs. Keybridge ; that she could with equal security relate the mystery of Ralph's birth ; from a knowledge of which, and her designs in his favour, he should be the better able to decide upon the future steps to be taken regarding' hia establishment in life. The fact was, that the old gentleman ha4 already fixed upon our hero as the heir of his little wealth, whatever it might be at his death : and had even enter- tained thoujAhts of speakinp*, rJioutd it be found necessary^ to Lord Arderidale in his favour. But in the midst of all these arrange* ments, and about eix o'clock in the e\'ening, a letter arrived at the cottage that threw the whole party into conA'^^ion, young West mo re cxcep'ed^, v/ho, when not spoken to by the Earl, had continued 118 RALPH UEVDRICWSE. to maintain a disdainful silence; nor could the affliction to which he saw the venerable Mr. Denharn now suddenly reduced;, rouse him to take the smallest concern in the business that had occa- sioned it. The letter was brought by a man on a foaming horse, and presented to the good rector, who had scarcely read five lines than he lifted up his hands to heaven, and sunk back in his chair. Lord Ardendale Vvas extrewely shocked at this circum- stance, and was on the point of sending for a physician, had not Mrs. Rushden assured him that it was only a little faint- ness, and would soon go off. This was, indeed, the case ; for after the customary application of hartshorn, Mr. Denhani revived and endeavoured to rise, but found himself loo weak* '' Good God! " exclaimed he, wildly, '' what can be done -f* I must go to her ! If I die in the aXterapt ; I must go to her in this dxeadr- fal extremity." — " Go to whom ?" ip- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 1 1!^ quired the Earl anxiously, ''Can I do any thing? — speak; my carriage can be got ready in less than an hour, and I will send for it instantly."— '^ That will not do/* coniiuued the rector, '' It will be too late, cannot I have a horse ?" Lord Arden- dale, who saw at once the inipossibility' of the old clergyman, in his present en- feebled state, attempting to mount a horse, but at the same time, concluding that something had occurred to require) his immediate return to Stoke, begged permission, in a faltering voice, to read the letter ; and without waiting for Mr, Denharn's consent, snatched it from tbe ground on which it had fallen, and p^r^ rused the following words : . ,/ " TO THE REV. MR. DENHAM. " Dear Sir, *' Lose no lime, on the receipt of this, in returning to Stoke. The excellent Mrs. Reybridge is at the point of death ! An apoplexy. Fuither particulars I have 120 UALPH REYBRIDGE. neither time nor spirits just now to relate. The last words she spoke, however^ related to you and youna; Mr. Reybridge; and tticre appeared something more than com- mon in the anxiety she expressed to gee you both. Unfortunately, Mr. Ralph, a few hours only beibre the fatal accident hap- pened — an accident which will, I cannot doubt, deprive us of the best and most charitable of \vomen — had received her consent to accompany some young friends on a small party of pleasure; but 1 know not where to send for him, nor do any of the servants. He will, however, I hope in God, return before he loses his benefac- tress for ever, or his grief, poor youth, will be too great for endurance. I think it necessary to add, that the good lady was taken ill during her dinner, and that when I Was sent for, I found her attended by JNir. Valpine, and, to my utter asto- nish meiit, Mrs. Trammel, with whom I had no conception Mrs. Reybridge had for many years kept up the slightest ac- RALPH REVBRID«K. 121 qualntance. I do not like all this: Val- pine is a needy man ; an adventurer ; Mrs. Trammel a woman in whom no con- fidence can be placed : they may have their plots, especially as young Reybridge is out of the way. You will see tlie ne- cessity, therefore, of an immediate attend- ance. I shall not quit the dying lady while any symptoms of life remain. At present she is speechless. *' Believe me. Rev. Sir, *^ Yours, with respect, " Walter Monford.*' Stoke Hill, Sept. 4, 17— •. Mr. Denham, who, while the Earl has- tily perused this fatal letter, never had withdrawn his eyes from his lordship's countenance, now desired, in a voice tre- mulous indeed, but more calm, to be left alone for a few minutes, while his lordship and Mr. Rushden retired to consult on what was best to be done in this extremity. In a little time, however, Mrs. Rushdeir roL I. e 122 RALPH REYBRIDGE. joined ihemj and reported the old rector so much worse, that it would endanger his life, if he was sufiered to go at all to Stoke Hill ihat evening. The Earl, in- conceivably shocked bj this intelligence, knew not how to decide. The doctor's letter was too important to be wholly disregarded; but what was to be done ? It ^^as at length determined, that Mr. Rushden should be intrusted to receive from the djing lady her last injunctions; at the same time, that he would be a check upon any impostors that might be about her in the absence of her adopted son, and Dr. Monford. This oflSce^ our recluse, who was a man not deficient in humanity, readily undertook ; and Mr. Denham, feeling the utter impracticability of going himself, reluctantly consented to the ar- rangement. One of Lord Ardendale's horses was immediately ordered, and Rushden, in a few minutes, ready to follow the messenger who had brought the letter. [' I thank you, my dear friend/' cried Mr. RALPH REVBUiDGE. 123 Denhani, feeblv, to him, as he was pre- paring- to depart, '^ for this kind service. A stranger shouiJ not have undertaken a charge so sacred, but you I have long known, and can confide in. Oh! be mindful of the least word that escapes the dear lad vre^tirdingher young kiiisiiian,aad keep a watchful eye on the people about her; this letter has filled me with appre- hensions almost too painful to bear. If you knew all ! — but, go, my friend, and good angels guard you ! my blessiug I my blessing ! '* Here the good rector's emotions were too strong for utterance, A few tears^ however^ came to his relief, and Mr. Rushden mounting his horse wa» ought of sigtit in a rnomerit. «.ri m 124 RALPH KEVBKIDGE. CHAP. XI. Containing many very curious particulars, amongst which is a complete revolution in the affairs of our hero ; and a letter from Mr. Valpine to Mr. Denham, in which the former proves himself to be a man of humanilif and integrity beyond dispute. The following morning had been fixed by the rector for introducing Mr. Pol- lard to his new office; but the old gen- tleman's spirits were too much agitated, and his frame yet to weak to bear even so short a journey. Lord Ardendale and his son, though they had quitted Newton Vale late the night before, for Shrewsbury, where they slept, returned there early again the next morning. Mr. Denham was still in a state of anxiety, but he had RALPH KEYBUlDfiE. I2,> reconciled his mind to the death of lu^ tViend, and his chief fears were now for poor Ralph. The good rector^ who for tlielast hour had been anxiously expecting- hU deputy fVoni S(oke Hill, began to be surprized at the delay. '' If any extraordinary change had taken place for the belter/' said he, " surely I should have received intelli- gence of it? If my valuable friend is no more.what can possibly detain Rushden?" Lord Ardendale was about to reply, when the gentleman himself rode furiously up to the door. On entering the room Mrs. Rushden was the first to perceive his pale looks and agitated countenance; arid though she veil knew a perturbation so unusual could not have been occasioned by the death of a person he had never before seen, yet she had reasons for suppressing her curiosity on the subject, and observing that he had over heated liimself in ridiiig, proposed that he should take some re- 125 nAT.PH REVRRIDGE. fVeshment. This advice was accompanied by a glance v/bich was very well under- Rtooii by Ruslidon^ notwltiit.'inding his disorder^, and he instantly followed her ©ut of the room. E:iger as the rector was to know the worfet that had hap[>«^>7rd, his poor frhrul a|)pcared to be so exluiusicd^ tbat be did not attempt to stop hiiu. Lard Arden- dale'g curiosity was not so easily restrained, and he requested Westmore to stop, aiid iijquire whether Mrs. Reybridge was slive or dead. The young Lord, wlio soemed superior even to his father's com- mandj slowly and sullenly obeved. But all auxietv was at once removed hy the arrival of ?/lr. Pollard from Shrews- bury, who informed Mr. Denliam that the fatal event had taken place at twelve o'clock the preceding night, and about two hours after the arriva»l of Mr. Rush- den. He did not know the particulars of the good lady's death, but he bad heard tliat some very iutcrrsting words had KALPH REYBRIDGE. 127 escaped her relative to the young man that she had adopted^ and which Mr. Rusiiden no douht was in possession of. " And from whom. Sir." Jreplied the rec- tor, '' have you obtained this intelli- gence ? " '^'^ Why Sir/' continued Pollard, " from an authority by no means to be depended upon^ one of the waiters at the inn where I last night slept^ and who had overheard a gentleman, who was coi mtimate friend of the deceased, mention the particulars of her death.'' — '' Aye/' replied the rector, with a sigh of heart- felt anguish, ''that friend must have been Valpine; however, I do not despair! Ruihden may have prevented villainy." Mr. Rushden at this moment entered ihe room. He seemed rather more composed, but still with a countenance far from being unrufHed. '^ I have, worthy Sir/* said he, addressing the rector, *' a letter for you of great importance, from a Mr. Valpine; but before I give it to }ou, I must^ in justice to this person^ premise 1^8 RALPH REV BRIDGE. that he has siafetl nothing therein regard- ing Mrs. Ilejhridge's last moments hut Mhat is true. As to the other parts of it^ Avhich speak of her anxiety, and what she had began to set aside for the young man^ her adopted son^, I cannot ^ixe any opi- nion. I neither like the man, nor his female friend Mrs. Trammel, who ap- peared to have a considerable influence over him; but, I confess, from the confi- dence which was ultimately reposed in him by the dying Mrs. Reybridge, and his conduct after her death, I am inclined to think his behaviour must, in many instances, have been candid and disinter- ested." — '^ I never can believe it,^* inter- rupted the rector; ''scrupulous to a nicety as I am of imputing blame to, or insinu- ating suspicions of, any man, however strong the apparent evidence, I cannot doubt Val pine's character. Duplicity was never more forcibly pourtrayed in a human countenance, and his conduct has ever been correspondent thereto. Yet RALPH REYBRIDGE. 129 it is true that I have no positive proof of his hypocrisy, or that he hasheen actu.illy criminal in regard to the lady that is now no more. God alone can read the true state of the heart !" Rushden bowed assent to this, and then producing the let- ter, would have withdrawn, but the old rector requested him to stay. " Before I begin to read this letter,** continued he, '' tell me, my friend, at w^hat hour last night did you arrive at Stoke Hill; and in what state did you find the family ?" — ''I arrived,'' replied Rushden, '^ about ten o'clock, and inquired, as you desired nie, for young Mr. Rey bridge, but he was not yet returned from his ex- cursion." — '' Unhappy Ralph ! *' inter- rupted the rector; *' then he did not see his benefactress to receive her last bless- ing ? '' — '' He did not indeed, Sir/' replied Rushden, '' for I was in the room when she died, and a long time prior to that melancholy event." Here the old man heaved a deep sigh, and requested Mr. g5 130 RALPH REYBRIDCE. Rushden to proceed. '' I then asked/' continued liCj " to be sliewn to the sick chamber^, for that I had come^ deputed by jou, to receive any injunctions Mrs. Rejbridge might be v/illing or able io commit to my charge. Dr. Monford, to whom this report was immediately carried, ordered me to be conducted up stairs, and receiving me at the door of the dying lady's room, *^ I doubt, Mr. Rush- den/ said he, ' you are come too late : few symptoms of life remain, and I am fearful her speech is irrecoverably gone. — I am glad, however, to see you, — go in. — I can be of no further service at present, and wish to write some letters of consequence: if any change takes place, pray order me to be called, but on no account quit the loom yourself.' ' 1 was not surprized at tliis caution, after what I had heard you say regarding Mr. Valpine and Mrs. Trammel, whom I found standing near the sick bed. Mrs. Rcybridge was lying without sense or motion^ and^ except from RALPH REYBRIDGE. 131 an occasional convulsion, it could not easily have been ascertained whether she lived or not. For farther particulars, my dear Sir^ I refer you to Mr. Val pine's letter; and repeat, that v/hatever might have been his former conduct in regard to his deceased friend, or young Reybridge^ on the present occasion it certainly reflects no discredit upon him " Riishden then left the room, and the old rector opening the epistle, read as follows : '' TO THE REV. MR. DENHAM. ^ Sir, " As I know you to have been in the particular confidence of the late Mrs. Key bridge, it appears to me just, not only to her memory, but to your pretensions and my credit, that you should be made fuUy acquainted with every thing that passed from the hour you left Stoke Hill' for Newton, to the moment that deprived the world of this most excellent woman. I am the more anxious you should receive: 132 RALPH REYBIIIDGE. this information from the hands of youv friend Mr. Rushden^ because you will then have no reason to doubt the truth thereof; at least that part of it which immediately relates to the good lady's death ; as he was present^ and can attest it. At tiie time I was so unfortunate as to interrupt your last interesting conver- sation^ I had come, in conformity to a summons from the good lady^ expressing a wish to consult me on some matters ap- pertaining to the future establishment of young Reybridge ; but, whether what had previously passed between you had too much affected her spirits, or from whatever other cause it was, it is now unnecessary to inquire, she thought hi, on your departure, to wave the discussion of the subject on which I had been sum- moned, till after dinner, to which she kindly invited me. *' Mr. Reybridge soon after accepted, with the consent of his benefactress, of an invitatioa to accompany some young RALPH REVBRIDGE. 133 friends on a little excursion of pleasure on the borders of Wales. Unfortunately, no particular inquiries were niade^ either by Mrs. Re}brid2:e or her servants^, to whose house he was going ; and, though he had mentioned the name of the person at the time^ }ct I little thought there would be any necessity for my paying at- tention to it I was cot able, therefore, to send directly to any particular place for him ; but messengers were dispatched to Oswestry, and to every family at Shrewsbury with whom he is acquainted^ for information. This led to a discover}' of the house to which he was gone (Mrs. Plastow's, at Grimstone Lodge) ; but, though every possible exertion was made by the poor youth to reach Stoke Hill time enough to receive the last blessing of the best of friends, he arrived not till near an hour after her dissolution. '' It were unnecessarily painful to dwell upon the anguish he experienced on this melancholy occasion. He is now some- 134 RALPH REYBRIDGE. what more calm ; but it is impossible to remove him from the body, on wbicb^ without having taken either rest or re- freshment^ he continues to gaze in speech- less grief. Your presence. Sir, may da something; but he will pay no attention to me, still less to the worthy Mrs. Tram- mel, who, 1 muisi say, has shown, on thi* melant holy occasion, the most active hu- Hianity. But, to return. '' I came at the hour appointed to dinner, during which she informed me, to my very great surprize, of a circumstance I should ne^er have suspected; this was,, her having sunk an original property of ten thoiisaud p. unJs in the purchase of an annraty, and that, not adverting to the eonsideratioi> of her income's ceasing at her death, had hitherto neglected to set aside any thitig for her dear boy ; an. omission only to be attributed to her total ignorance and inexperience in every thing relating to her business : that she was- jaow> however^ resolved to delay this ne-^ RALPH REY BRIDGE. 135 cessary duty no longer, and had, for the purpose, sent to consult me on the sub- ject, and to beg I would take charge of tivo hundred pounds y and lodge rt^ To r her, in the name of Ralph, in tiie house of Messrs. Critchill and Vines, at Sinews- bury. ' This sum/ said the good lady, ' I mean to put bye for him ajmually^ in- dependently of the pocket-money I at present allosv him ; and if you, ray friend, who have been a man of business, wiiY nnJertake to settle with my bankers the best mode of employing his little fortune as it accumulates, you know how much it will oblige me.* Upon my cheerfully promising io offer my best advice on this occasion, and to be at her commands foF anv other service she mioht honour me with, she arose with more alacrity than ever I observed in her before, and, open- ing a small escritoir, drew from thence two bank notes. These she was return- ing to present to me, when the fal.il apo- plexy seized her. Being placed in her 136 RALPH REYBRIDGE. arm chair, I rang for the servants, and she was conveyed fiom thence to her chamber. Dr. Monford arriving sooa after, every possible assistance was offered^ though I saw, from the first glance of this skilful man's eye, that he believed all his art would prove inefi'ectual. I also took the liberty, as Mrs. Reybridge's own maid was herself unwell, to send privately for Mrs. Trammel, who I knew was with a neighbouring friend, and whose assistance might be necessary. It was about half past seven in the evening when the skill of the Doctor triumphed, for a short time, over the fatal disorder, and Mrs. Rey bridge recovered her speech ; but it was only to mention your name, and Ralph's, and to express a particular anxiety to see you both. She then sunk again into a state of insensibility. Her dissolution, however, was protracted till about an hour after the arrival of Mr, Rushden. In this interval, Mrs. Rej- bridge agaia opened her eyes^ and again RALPH REYBRIDGE. 137 spokfs' but Dr. Monford \vas not in the chamber : your friend^ Mr. Rnshdtn^ •however^ was. I was standing bv the bed-side, when, to my surprize, she dis- tinctly uttered my name, her dying eyes firmly rivctted upon me. I approached, and took her hand. ' My dear Ralph,* said she, ' I bequeath him to your care. Merciful Heaven protect my child!' Then, after a short pause, ' Oh! Mapleton! do not — do not let him know* Here the cruel hand of death cut short a sen- tence which might have decided a ques- tion that must now for ever remain in doubt. I shall not presume to offer an opinion upon it, further than as it extendi to the late Mr. Mapleton, whose name, from having been joined with young Rey- bridge's in the last words of the dying lady, mu5t unquestionably incline the most scrupulous person to admit, that that gentleman must either have been the father, or else some near relation of this young man's. But conjecture is now 158 RALPH REYBRIDGE. useless. It onlv remains to resolve upon the best means of providing for the poor } oulh thus unaccountably cast upon the AYorld, without a relative he can lay any certain claim to. " When all w as over, I left the body to the care of Mrs. Trammel and the maid-servant, who was immediately sum- moned, and, together with Mr. Rushden, repaired to Dr. Monfoid'a apartment^ where we found him employed in writing letters it v/as necessary for him to dis- patch early in the morning to Shrewsbury. To him we related ail that had happened in his absence. He expressed the great- est astonishment; but was still convinced, that, although Mr. Mapleton might have been, and, all circumstances considered, very probably was, the father of Ralphs that it was next to an impossibility Mrs. Reybridge should, at any time, have de- viated from the paths of virtue, especially at the age of forty. Indeed, in this opi- nion both Mr. Rushdeo and myself were flALPH REVnRIDGE. 139 ready to agree. Notliinp: now remained but to put a seal upon the tr^mli*. eseri- 'toir, and all oilier papers, &c.;, which Dr. Moaford himself did, in the presence of the afSicted servants, and soon after de- parted. '' I have thiis. Sir, related to you, Vflih candour and precision, tha paiticulars of this sad affkirj and I hope you will see no reason to susp-xt that any one fdct has been either cxuggerated or si^ppressed. I shall conclude by calling your ati=^iition to that part of Mrs. Re\ bridge's last speech, in whirli she so expressly be- queaths yourg Mr. Rey bridge to my care. It has ever been a matter of much regret io me, that Mr. Den ham has not only thought me unworthy of his notice, but de-erving of his censure. I own, Sir, that my conduct has been faulty in many re- spects. 1 contracted propensities, whea very young, that I have not yet be-'^n able altogether to subdue ; but I hope I am neither selfish nor ungrateful; and^ be- 140 RALPH UEYBRIDGE. lleve ir.e, I very sincerely rejoice^ even amidst the depression of the present scene, that an opportunity is aflforded me of proving this. '' My circumstances, Sir, are not very splendid ; but I thank God they are by no means desperate, notwithstanding: so many idle tongues in the neighbourhood have made them so. The two hundred pounds I received from Mrs. Re> bridge are stiii in my posse si on, and, from what passed between us, may fairly be consi- dered as belonging to Ralph. This sum it is my ii te tion to deliver over to him, when he is in a condition to receive it; and it is further my design, if you. Sir, approve, to take him, till he is of age under my proledion, according to the wishes of my departed friend ; and not even then tc pa»t with him, unless it shall have been in your power, through the interest of Lord Ardeiidale, to procure for him some eligible situaion. Even Mr. Dciiham must own that there can be no RALPH REYBRIDGE. 141 Selfishness in tbis^ and that I can have no other view than wishing, as I most sin- cerely do, to fulfil the dying injunctions of my much-lamented friend. *' But lam willing to believe. Sir, that you may have been prejudiced against rae ; for the best of us cannot escape ca- lumny, and sincerely hope that my fair dealing in the present instance will remove all unjust suspicions, and that I may be allowed^ in future, to subscribe myself with very sincere respect, your faithful humble servant *' Alexander Valpine." Stoke Hill, Sept. 5, 17—. It would have been difficult for suspi- cion itself to have discovered ambiguity or deception in the foregoing letter. Every circumstance was succinctly related, and exactly corresponded with previous in- formations. The circumstance of the two hundred pounds was a strong presumptive evidence of the rectitude of the writer's 142 RALPH REYBUIDGE. intentions ; for had he been a villain and in pressing want of nionev^ what would have hindei'td him from secreting such a sum, and turning it to his own use ? No person was bv \ ]i.m it was given : no person knew that it was the good ladj 's design to ad- vance it. Dcttctionj therefore^ appeared impossible And it was manifest that Valpine knew all this. It w'as apparent thcit he had acted v^ith integrity, and even tenderness, U^m the moment Mrs. Rev- bridge was taken ill. And finally, it seemed indisput-«bie that in accepting with avidity the charge of providing for a young man who was left withouta name, a relative, or the future means of subsist-* ence, he could have been only actuated by humanity. Such were the reflections and conse- quent conclusions of the rector, and in- deed the whole party at Newton Vale. As they separately perused and re-perused the letter in question ; but as we have some reason to believe that our segacious readers RALPU IIEYBIIIDGE. 143 will form a vety diffeient opinion of this said epistlejroiii one or two little contra- dictory circuaistanccs in i;, tliat IVIr. Den- ham was not quite so well acqiaintod wah^ we shall proicod to explain these mys- teries, to a certain extent, in ttic next cliapter, and put an cud to this without further ceremony. Hi RALPH REVBRIDGE. CHAP. xri. A retrospect. The rector is convinced that he has been deceived. Lord Ardendale, his son, and the Rushdens, qtdt Newton Vale, Mr, Denham returns to Stoke Hill, and buries his friend. The reason of Valpine's visit, as falselj explained in his letter to Mr. Denham.^ has already been truly related in the con- clusion of our eighth chapter. The in- vitation to dinner was, however, true, proceeding only from a different motive ; for whereas Mr. Denham had been in- formed that it was to give the good ladj an opportunity of consulting her worthy friend on matters relating to herself, it was in fact to hear what he had got to say on his own affairs. Convinced by Mrs. Reybridge** manner R4.LPH REYBIilDGE. 145 at Die time, tliat the story be had pre- pared io deceive her with would be at- tended with success, he had no sooner left Stoke Hill than he dispatched a messenger to Shrewsbury, to secure a post-chaise to be in waiting for him on the London road, about half a mile from the turnpike, in \^hich it was bis intention to take refuge, should he a second time be worsted at the gaming table. This point being settled, he paid a visit to his friend Mrs. Trammel, not to deceive, but to undeceive thi$ w orthy lady, in a certain affair, w hich it is now high time to lay before the reader. Mrs. Trammel had long found, in the sentiments and disposition of this illus- trious character, something so conformable to her own, that, although turned of fifty, she at length formed a plan of attack upon his heart before he was prepared to defend the citadel. But great Generals, when they find themselves unexpectedly and vigorously assailed, usually make a diversioD, and sometimes succeed ia VOL. I. H 146 RALPH REYBRIDGE. turning the adversary's weapons against himself. Thus it was with the cautious Valpine, whoj though he really detested, appeared to encourage the fair widow's advances, in the hope of being able, by gaining her aflfections, to gain also some little ascen- dency over her purse, which the fluctuat- ing state of his finances pointed out as a very desirable circumstance. Unluckily for him, Mrs. Trammel was as good a politician, and as well schooled in the arts of finesse and hypocrisy as himself : she easily discovered the '' weak device of the enemy/' and her offended pride imme- diately suggested to her the only mode of revenge that was likely to gall him most^ and accelerate her own purpose at the same time. Pretending, therefore, to be caught in his snares, she seemed no longer to doubt the prevalence of her personal and mental charms ; whilst he, secure as he thought of his conquest, made the first use of his advantage by softly insinuating, that, could RALPH REVBRIDGE. 14? he get out of a cursed gambling; scrape, he had now a much better opportunity of employing his time, flattered as he was bjr the condescending approbation of Mrs. Trammel. In shorty after a few more gentle hints, the fair widow, with a sigh, promised to advance the hundred pounds he wanted ; and it was accordingly done, iu)t through her own hand, for, perhaps, such would have been the delicacy and confidence of lovers, that she might have forgotten to demand, and he to deliver, any acknowledgment, but by means of Mk\ Tifus Tal )n, the village attorney, who^ if he was not as great a rogue, was at least as good a lawyer as Mr. Yalpine (alias Wincroft j himself. In this manner, at various times, he ex- torted from the love-sick widow SOi-l. but not being able to sigh and ogle her out of any more, he concluded that it was high time to think of a retreat. Indeed, as the worthy lady in question had been three times led to the altar before, and having, h2 148 RALPH REYBRIDGE. moreover advanced to that stage of life from which Cupid flies as fast as his wings can carry him^ it will not be a matter of surprize if Valpine^ who in his youth had been a great lady's man^ should have car- ried on the farce of his courtship rather awkwardly: so ridiculous, indeed, did this flirtation appear in the eyes of the neighbourhood, that it was made the sub- ject of diversion at every tea-table. The worthy gentleman, therefore, pre- pared to discontinue his visits, and his re- solution was more strengthened than re- tarded by his last dreadful defeat at hazard. The purport of his present call was, con- sequently, to inform the good widow of a fatal letter which he had received from abroad, acquainting him with the unex- pected recovery of his wife, whom he had long given over for dead, and of the cruel necessity which prudence and propriety prescribed, of a discontinuation of their former intimacy. So well had our widow played her cards, that Valpine, quick- RALPH REYERIDGT. M) ^ighied as he was^ bad been deceived into a belief of tiie sincerity of ber attachment. He therefore resolved, on the present oc- casion, not only to acquaint ber with bis misfortune in regard to bis marriage, but also with bis late irreparable loss at the hazard table, relying on the strength of ber former professions of affection, not only for a formal release from bis present debt, but for a further advance of casii. This instance of blind security may seem a little out of character ; but it must be con- sidered, that, vilLiin as be was, he was still a coxcomb ,- and vanity will deceive the most skilful dissembler. He was, in short, by no means convinced that those personal aJiractions which had once adorned his youth were so effaced bv age and debauchery, as not to have power still over the heart of sue h a wo- man as Mrs. Trammel ; and, as he was not so well acquainted as our readers with certain qualificaiions that lady pos- sessed, and a certain line of life she bad 150 RALPH REYBRIDGE. once pursued, he concluded from her present coudvict. that she was one of those infatuated fools, who, having once pro- fessed a platonic attachment, would go any length to serve the object that had inspired it. The door of Mrs. Trammel's house was opened, accidentallij, by a gentleman he had frequently seen at Shrewsbury, but whom he was by no means prepared to meet so near his dear widow's. This was no less a personage than Mr. Snappum^ an humble follower of Mr. Titus Talon, who very kindly informed Mr. Valpine, that the learned attorney was then in close conversation with the widow. This intelligence by no means prevented our lover from requesting admission to his mistress on business of the utmost im- portance. The lawyer was accordingly desired to witrhdaw : '' But," continued Mrs. Trammel, '' as Mr. Valpine's bu- siness is of importance, I think, Mr. Talon, you may as well remain in the back par- lour, in case of accidents.'* RALPH REYBRIDGE. 151 Valpine now made his appearance, with a face dressed up in the insignia of grief and disappointment ; the fair wi- dow received him with all those tender fears and apprehensions which such marks of affliction in a favoured lover might na- turallv he expected to excite. The usual compliments past : he began the sad story of his woes, interlarding it with many pa- thetic lamentations on the severity of his fate, and concluding it with a determina- tion to abandon Isimself to despair, sinee it had torn from him the only object that could make life desirable. Having finished, he ventured to lift his downcast eyes to those of the widow, and lucky it was for him that time had robbed them of their wonted fire, or he might have expe- rienced a worse fate than Phaeton. The good Dame sat erect in her chair, and only wanted a crown of snakes to have passed, among curious and learned men, for Tysiphonc herself. Her iron visage at Ib2 RALPH REVBRII>GE. length underwent a certain decree of re* Jaxatioh, terminating in much such an- other laugli as Caliban's in Shakspeaic's Tempest. ''Your most obedient hum- ble servant/' cried she, '' Mr. Humbug I — and so you really had the impu- dence to think I should be fool enough to believe all this flummery, hey ? and the vanity to suppose, that I, who have had the first people of distinction in my chainS;, and the credit, moreover, of having bu- ried two rich and respectable husbands, could for a moment think of disgracing myself with such an old worn out scare- crow as thou art !" — '' But, my dear Mrs. Trammel !" replied the astonished lover, — '' And my dear Mr. Vaipine," con- tinued the exasperated widow, '' does my dear Mr. Valpine recollect that he owes me 2b0l. } and does he happen to be acquainted with one Mr. Titus Talon ?" The gentleman perfectly recollected both the circumstance and the acquaintance, and was m.uchinir off without further ce- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 15J remony, when he received a check from the good-natured Mr. Snappum, who was, indeed, one of those useful members to so- ciety, who, instead of carrying the argu- mentum ad liominem on their tongues, al- ways bear it in their hands-, Valpine now returned to the parlour in a transport of rage, and vexation. He saw, with bitter disappointment,^ that he had been most egregiously foiled at his ow^n weapons ; nor could all his inge- nuity suggest even a temporary means of escaping from his dilemma, for Mr. Snap- pum had, unfortunately, a writ against him in his pocket. Being re-seated, he exclaimed, darting at the same time a look of reproach at the widow, '' And pray, madam, what end will it answer, knowing as yoii now do my destitute condition, to ruin mo com- pletely ? How much of yo^ur 250Z. do you propose to recover by sending me to prison ?'* — '' Look'ye, Mr. Valpine," re- plied the widow, *' when two people I 154 RALPH REYBRIDGE. play at the same game, one of them must expect to be the loser. I have a better opinion of your understanding, than to suppose you want a further explanation. Now^ Sir, you will please to recollect, that you have been a long time paying your addresses to me, and that I have a reputation to lose ; and although this re- putation will, it must be confessed, suf- fer considerable injury by my honouring you with my hand, yet it will not be so effectually ruined, as it would be by the gross supposition that I had received you on any other terms, and of which your present plan of desertion, if carried into execution, would be pretty strong evi- dence : thus situated, you will excuse me, if of two evils I choose the least, and re- solve on matrimony. After all, consider- ing the mutual contempt which I dare be »worn we have for each other, we shall agree very well together as man and wife/' — '*" 'Sdeath, madam!" sputtered Valpine, trembling with rage.—'' Well, RALPH REYBRIDGi:. 155 Sir/' continued the widow coolly, " as you please. Here, Mr. Talon/* the worthy attorney, entered the room. " You will be obliging enough to see that our friend Mr. Valpine is escorted safely home. There is a trifling difficulty to be got over in coming to the definitive arrange- ment we were speaking about, for effect- ing which, I shall give the gentleman three hours. If we cannot then agree, the ultimatum must rest with Mr. Snap- pum. Good morning, gentlemen." So saying, the good lady, with a smile of triumph, waddled out of the room, leav- ing poor Valpine in almost as pitiable a situation as he had once before been left in the pillory. The respite of three hours which Mrs. Trammel had mercifully given him was not, however, to be lost in idle com- plaints : and though he felt, in all its dis- agreeable novelty, the sensation of having gentlemen at his heels, whom he had had the honour to dispatch after the heels of 156 RALPH REYBUIDGE others^ lie nevertheless continued to rumi- nate^ plot, and contrive, all the way to hi& own house, on the means to escape the miserable slavery of Mrs. Trammel's arms ; and was determining, at all events, rather to submit to perpetual imprison- ment, when his infernal majesty, too sen- sible of the value of Mr. Valpine's ser- vices to sulTer them to be lost in a jail, instantly suggested to him, that if he could contrive, by a little coaxing and a little bribery, to ^et arrested while he was relating his tale of sorrow to Mrs. Rcy- bridge at dinner, at Stoke Hill, the cha- ritable lady would not only discharge the debt, and release him from the fangs of the widow, but still supply him with mo- ney to keep off the other misfortunes which he came particularly to relate. Delighted with the mere prospect of such a triumph, he summoned all his rhetoric to his aid, by the assistance of which, and a bribe of ten guineas, he prevailed on Snappum to suffer him to attend bis ea- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 157 gagementj instructing him, at the same time, at what hour to arrest him, and not to wait till he should quit the house, but to produce his writ in the presence of Mrs. Reybridge. This matter being settled, at the hour of three he set off for Stoke Hill, and arriv- ed just as the unsuspicious lady was pre- paring to call for dinner. His confused manner and pallid countenance might have deceived a more shrewd examiner than our good spinster, and she partook of the sorrows that appeared to weigh him down. The cloth being removed, he be- gan his story, expecting every minute the interruption of the bailiffs; but Provi- dence, for wise purposes, had ordained one much more awful. It is not impossible but that one of those sudden revulsions of the whole system for which there is no accounting, and which is frequently at- tended with fatal consequences, was brought on by mental agitation in the present iostance ; for it was in the midst 158 " RALPH REYBRIDGE. of a fiction, well adapted to interest the various feelings of her soul, that the old ladj fell back in her chair, as if she had been struck dead by the contagion of so many abominable falsehoods. Even Valpine was shocked at this ca- tastrophe, and something like humanity, for the first time, penetrated his marble heart. He arose, and rang the bell for as- sistance, with real concern. He forgot the bailift'at the door. He sent an express for young Reybridge and the doctor ; and helped to convey the good lady to her chamber, without once reverting to the desperate dilemma to which this dreadful accident might reduce himself. But these disinterested feelings were soon put to flight by the sudden appearance of Mrs. Tram- mel in the sick room, which left him no doubt but that Mr. Snappum had be- trayed him. In this conclusion the gen- tleman was perfectly correct. The worthy officer of the lav/ had, it is true, received ten guineas from Mr. Valpine; but, ac- RAJLPH REVBRIDGE. 159 cording to the letter, this said sum was for permitting him to dine at Mrs. Revbridge's : — no stipulation had been made to keep this arrangement a secret from Mrs. Trammel ; accordingly, leav- ing his followers on the look-out, he re- paired immediately to the widow's house^ and acquainted her with the whole affair^ conscientiously pocketing another guinea for his pains. Mrs. Trammel was not long in deliberating on the proper measures to be pursued. She resolved to follow the traitor instantly to Stoke Hill, where it was her intention to have revealed every thing she knew regarding Valpine and his knaveries. The widow well knew that Mrs. Reybridge, tender and bene- volent as she was, would shrink with horror and indignation from a man who, under the mask of penitence, had at- tempted to make her the innocent cause of gratifying his vicious propensities. After this explanation, our readers will, it is probable, more than ever be a*to- 160 RALPH REYBRIDGE, nished at the mixture of strange contra- dictions in Val pine's letter to Mr. Den- ham; the legacy of two hundred pounds; the sudden and cordial understanding between him and Mrs. Trammel ; and, above all, his disinterested conduct in re- gard to Ralph, and his anxiety to fulJBl the dying bequest of an old woman whom he had, in the very youth he was thus engaged to protect, so irreparably injured. His extreme poverty at the time, his debt to the incensed widow, in short, every other curious particular must undoubt- edly puzzle them very much; but we cannot afford to be more explanatory oa the business, at present, fox our worthy friends are become, now-a-days, so con- foundedly prescient, and prophecy gene- rally with so much success, that we authors cannot be too cautious how we unravel the great secret of all our labours; or, in the good old homely phrase, let the cat out of the bag. The oftener Mr. Denhaia examined RALPH REVBRIDGE. 161 Valpine's letter, the raore difficult >vas it for him to trace in it the slightest appear- ance of imposition. Yet, to leave young Reybridge under his protection went to his soul ; and though he doubted not of being able in a year or two^when the Earl's family affairs \vere perfectly arranged^ to provide for him an independent establish- ment ; yet, into what dangers might not the unrestrained temptations of youth lead him, with such an example as Valpine continually before his eyes. That Mr. Mapleton was the father of Ralph he had now no longer any doubt, but that Mrs. Reybridge could have beeu his mother appeared still as improbable as ever, not- withstanding what had been spoken by her on her death-bed. The rector had scarcely recovered from the first emotions of grief and surprize, raised by the affect- ing account of liis friend's last moments, when he was joined by the Earl and Mr. Pollard. '' Mr Pollard,'* cried he, as that gentleman approached, *' I am now 162 RALPH REYBRIDGE. released from my chief anxiety^ and am ready to attend you, as we proposed^ to Stoke. My Lord/* continued he, addressing the Earl, '' the friendship that has for so long a time subsisted between the late Mrs. Reybridge and me;, makes it impossible for me to leave the country before I have performed over her remains the last mournful office, and arranged any little matters regarding her ser- vants, and the youth, her adopted child, which she may have left unsettled: let me, therefore, iutreat your lordship to wave all further ceremony, and depart for Rothwell Castle. Your presence there is absolutely necessary, and you may depend upon my following you as soon as possible." — '' Well,'' replied the Earl, after a pause, '^ be it so ; we will set out this afternoon, but T shall insist upon leavi wg Robert with you ; he will take care to provide those proper accommoda- tions, and prev«-»nt those impositions on the road, which otherwise you^ who have HALFII HEVBIIIDGE. 163 travelled so little^ would be liable to. — But, tell mc, my reverend friend, can I be of the least assistance to you at Stoke Hill ? and wbat is to become of young- Reybridge ? "' — " My dear Lord/' replied the rector, '' you are always kindly ready in anticipating ray wishes. At present he rs, I believe, provided for ; but per- haps some time hence" — '' I understand you," rejoined the Earl, " command my best interest and support in any line of life you may have chalked out for him ; and only let me know when they are to be exerted." — '' My Lord," replied the old rector, the tear trembling in his eye, ^' accept an old man's thanks — his grati- tude : — they are all he can, at present, bestow ; but true beneficence will well appreciate even so poor a return." This arrangement being settled, it was communicated to Mr. and Mrs. Rushdcr>, and orders given to the Earl's servants to prepare everything at Shrewsbury for a departure in the afternoon: but Lord 164 RALPH REYBRIDGE. Ardendale insisted upon Mr. Denham and Mr. Pollard staying and taking an early dinner with him at the inn at Shrews- bury, from whence they could return be- fore dusk to Stoke, in a post-chaise. The old rector in consequence sat down, and wrote not only a consolotary epistle to our hero, but also one to Valpine, in which he could not avoid expressing his approba- tion of the fairness of his proceedings, and also his thanks to Mrs. Trammel for her kind attention to the deceased. He then wrote another epistle to his friend Dr. Monford, acquainting him with the can- did behaviour of Valpine, and requesting he would give him the meeting the fol- lowing day at Stoke Hill, to talk over the sad aS'air, and to settle finally on what was to be done in regard to poor Ralph ; also to fix on a day for consigning the remains of their benevolent friend to the grave. These letters being severally dispatched, the good man found himself more at ease. The Earl's promise regarding his beloved RALPH REYBRIDGE. 165 pupil was a great comfort to hliiij and, ' as he knew he could rely on its being speedily and successfully fulfilled when- ever he chose to claim it, he endeavoured to reconcile himself to the necessity of submit- ting his, now more than ever^adopted child to the care of the guardian his old friend had, in her last moments, pointed out for him ; to put him upon his guard against the dangerous pleasures he might be se- duced to participate in, now he was of an age the more powerfully to feel their ascendancy. In the midst of these con- templations, the Earl, who had retired whilst Mr. Denham was writing his let- ters, to inquire after Lord Westmore, whom he had not seen since his abrupt departure in the morning, now re-entered the room with a countenance clouded with vexation. *' This strange boy, Mr. Denham," said he, '' what can I do with him ?" — '' Bless me, my Lord, what is the matter?" replied the rector. '' He was at the inn," continued the Earl, 166 RALPH REVBRIDGE, " when mj order arrived regarding ouv journey this evening, and Robert says very unwell from having overheated him- self: — but, no sooner were my orders reported to him^ than he instantly got into a post-chaise^ ordered his servant to follow on horseback^ and is now pursuing a rapid journey into Staffordshire by himself/'—'^ What, my Lord V replied the rector with amazement, " without a message or line to your Lordship }*' *' Not so,'* continued the Earl, '' this note is his excuse ; but it does not please me.— I do not like these sudden fits from a gloomy insensibility to every thing about him, to a determination of paying a visit to a man whom he never saw but once, and then with indifference/* The rector took the note which was couched in the following terms. '' My Lord, ^' I understand it to be your intentiop to set off for Northamptonshire this even- ing. As my presence at the funeral of RALPH REV BRIDGE. 167 the late Lord Ley brook will not, I con- ceive, be necessary ; and as I have for sonJe time been afflicted with an unusual depression of spirits, I hope your Lordship will not be offended at the resolution I have taken to pay a visit of a few days to Colonel La Trobe, whom you did me the favour to introduce to me once at Iversfield, and who is at present at his seat in Staffordshlie. The change of scene will^ I hope, ecruit my health; in the mean time, present my best respects to Mr. Den ham, " And believe ine, '' Your Lordship's affe»:tionate son, '* Fredeiucr Westmore.'* Shrewsbury, Friday noon. '' I own, ray Lord,'* replied the rector, returning the letter, '' the resolution is rather strange and sudden ; but the de- pression of spirits he complains of, I think it very likely his journey may remove. — He certainly had not the appearance of being at case here." — '' Weil," replied 163 RALPH REYBRIDGE. the Earl with a sigh, '' it is some conso- lation, at least, to observe that he has re- membered, and speaks of ?/om with respect. It' jou cannot qualify this strange turn of mind, no body can." — '^ You know, my Lord, what I have already said on this subject," returned Mr. Denhani. The farmer with whom Lord Ardendale had agreed for the rent and future disposal of Newton Vale^ being arrived to take charge, Mr. Rushden and his wife deli- vered over to him every thing on the premises, together with the household furniture, and prepared to take leave of their long-beloved residence. Mrs. Rush- den expressed some agitation ; but Rush- den was several minutes before he could force himself to enter the chaise that was to carry him to Shrewsbury; he then flung himself back in the seat, and hid his face in his handkerchief with such marks of affliction, that the Earl and Mr. Denham were astonished. '* Surely^ my RALPH REYBRIDGE. 169 friend/' observed he to the rector as the carriages drove off^ '' Rushden can have no very strong reasons to be attached to this place; alas'/* continued he, with a deep sigh, " What cause have not I^ to sicken at the sight of it !'* Nothing now materially occurred till the time of Lord Ardcodale's departure, when, taking the rector aside, '' I think my friend,*' said he, " you once informed me that the young man you are so interested about, would, on the event of Mrs. Reybridge's death, be possibly reduced to some diiti- culties; I desire therefore that you will, as your judgment shall see occasion, em- ploy these notes for him till something better can be done. — Heaven bless you my dear and venerable friend ! I shall expect you soon.*' Thus saying, he put two bank notes into Mr. Denham's hand^ walked to his carriage, and was out of sight before the rector could recover from the emotions of grateful surprize, inwhich this his noble friend had left him. VOL. I. I 170 RALPH REYBRIDGE. CHAP. XIII. Containing sunctry waiters of import^ ance.—Our hero suddenly Jinds him elf rich. — The Rectex lem^^ Mm under the foof of his guardian.. I DO not recollect ^ weakness so injiu xious to the individual ^rA to society iu general as false delic^ej. TherC: is ^. bashfulness in some people, that alwayf stands in the way of their prefern^ent ; and many a nice person, from an appr^ hension of being unpolite and trouble- sonaC;, has lost an excel l(>nt opportuiiity of securing to hiniself a good establish* mcnt. But this miserable infirmity is not unfrequently the cause of successful trear cV.ery, — of calumny ^nd of disappointr ni 'nts, misuiiderstandings and vexationa of eve. y kind. la these instances^ it be- RALPH REVERIDGE. 171 •omes a species of cowardice, airl de- prives us of the power of preventing the commission of the greatest crimes^ and sometimes asserting ourjust rights. Now our worthy rector, Mr. Denham, excellent as he must appear in all other respects, was a little tainted with this in- firmity, or he would not, during so many years acquaintance w^ith Mrs. Reybridge, and esteeming her as he did, have been so very sparing of his cautions in regard to the serpent he had the least reason to sus- pect was daily winding himself about her. A steadier observatron of his con- duct would have proved to him Valpine's villainy beyond dispute; but the good man, too scrupulous of forming wrong conclusions, had kept rather aloof from the general opinion concerning him, and had not once heard that Valpine, from a state of absolute ruin, had found out some resource for the support of his dissipated habits, as sudden as unexpected, What this resource was, and how it was secUfed 1% 172 RALPH REVBRIDGE. to him bej ond the possibility of detection, whilst no inquiries should be made, the' reader well knows. As Mr. Denham and his brother divine approached Stoke Hill, the former endea- vouredj though not very successfully, to settle his countenance into that serenity and resignation which he knew to be ne- cessary both for the support of his own and Ralph's resolution ; but the sight of the poor of the village drawn up at the door to receive him, their cries and la- mentations ^s the name of their deceased benefactress was repeated, quite unmanned him ; and he had been half an hour in a back parlour before he was in a condition to see or speak to any body. Mr. Vai pine was then admitted, and, for the first time, courteously received by the rector. After some general inquiries, the old gentleman desired to be shown to the room where the body lay. To this movement, however, the other ventured to object. '* Young Reybridge is still her« RALPH REVERIDGE. 17S Sir/* said lie^ "^ and the sight of jou^ though comfortable to him any where elsc^ will^ I fear^ onlv increase his an- guish/' — " It is not unlikely/' replied Mr. Denham. '' Do me the favour, therefore, Mr. Valpine^ to inform mj poor boy, that I am arrived, and anx- iously wish to see him here/' — '' Cer- tainly. Sir," rejoined Valpine; '' in the mean time will vou allow Mrs. Trammel to make you some tea ?" — '' Mrs. Tram- mel \" exclai-ned the rector, surprized, " is Mrs. Trammel still here ?" — '' She is. Sir, Mrs. Richards was taken ill before Mrs. Reybridge, and it is not to \\ondered at, that the death of her old m. stress, which we could not conceal from her, should have increased her disorder. On this account, Mrs. Trammel very warmly insisted upon staying in the house, kindly hinting, that it was by no means proper, or even decent, that the corpse of the good lady should be committed to the care only of the menial servants/' 174 RALPH KEYBRIDGE. Mr Deribam was very warm in hi» expressions of a; probation at a conduct »o considerate and humane^ and consented to have some tea made for him. Yalpine then withdrew; and the good rector, sum- moning all bis fortitude to his aid, and seating himself in his arm chair, prepared to receive his pupil. Our hero, griefs struck as he was^ obejed, with trembling iteps, the commands of his tutor, and bursting into the room where he was, threw himself into the old man's arms, and a flood of tears, the first he had yet ihed, gushed from his eyes. Mr. Den- ham did not attempt to check the friendly shower, but pressed him fondly to his breast, and waited in silence till it had ceased to floAv. '' Oh ! my tutor, friend, father!" at length faltered Ralph, " without you to look up to, how could I have supported this dreadful afflietioti^*^ this irreparable and unexpected: loss ? the best ! the dearest ! kindest !" — '' B« eomfortcd;, my child ;/' fcplied the pcekor. KALPH REVBRlDGU. 175 "the storm of grief Mrill take its course, but soon passes over the b^ad of him \i'ho calls- religion to his aid. Turn^ therefore^, to Heaven, my dear Ralph, and remember jrour benefactress only as an ang'el of light, the inheritor of everhstiiig life and joy ! These trials of constancy v^hictt chequer the days of man, and to whicb he must eipect to be sometimes called by Providence, should rather be thank- fully accepted, than weakly avoided — the noblest hearts have been nurtured in the vale of misfortune, as the fairest flow- ers have blown in the bosom of a wil- derness.'* The good rector, after the first emo- tions of grief had subsided, acquainted our hero with all those particulars re- specting Mrs. Reybridge's death, which •we have before related. He laid great ^ress on the good lady's last words, and could not avoid imoressini*: him with an idea that Mr. Mapleton, notwithstanding^ the circumstances of bis lifc^ must hav© 17G RALPH REYERIDGE. been his father, though by whoni, God alone could discover. '' It only remains now, my dear boy/* continued he, '' to fuifil, in some measure, our beloved friend's last ^vishes respecting you. I must, in justice to Mr. Valpine, confess, that, however faulty I know him to have been in some respects, and that he is by no means .. m?n I can set up as an example of your imitation, yet his attention to Mrs. Reybridge in her last moments, his ho- nourable and considerate conduct respect- ing you, and the openness of his whole behaviour, from a period which put so ef- fectual a stup to all interested designs upon the excellent lady, make it evident, beyond a doubt I think, that he was sincere!', affected by her sudden and un- timely fate. But, after aii, my dear chilJ, shoidd any specious villainy iurk bencaih ihh show of candour; should this unaccountiible man have been insti- gated by the devilish passion of revenge, for we must call to mind, that we have RALPH REYBRIDGE. 177 neither of us been accustomed to pay him the smallest attention on his own account, and taken the advantage of your benefac- tress's weakness^ to get you in his power ; you are now arrived at that time of life -when reason may fairly be opposed to every pleasurable temptation, and prevent your stumbling upon error and vice. All circumstances considered, therefore, I am of opinion you should remain under Mr. Valpine's protection for a twelvemonth at least ; by which time I have reason to believe the family arrangements of ray noble friend, Lord Ardendale, will have been so far completed, as to enable me, without running the risk of encroaching upon his time and dearer interests, to con-. suit him on your future establishment; on which subject he has already most ge- nerously invited me to speak whenever I may think it proper. In short, my dear boyi do not suffer your feeling heart to be depressed by gloomy anticipations. While the Almighty spares my life. 1 5 K78I RALPH REVBRIDOB. 3*011 shall never be fatherless^ ! — whilst his beneficent hand continues to. pour upon me those abuiidant comfoits \vhiGh I have so long" enjo-ved^ r/ou, my chikl^ shall, share them with, me, unexposed to. tho hardl earnings of servility^ or the more dangerous cravings of necessity." Mthe fbtmer part of the good ma«'s speecli. caused our hero to hang his head', ho^ was it elevated bj the concluding words ! — Indeed;, as little justice can be done, by language^ to those emotions which bene- volence experiences in the greatest ex- ertions of its power, and a grateful and* feeling heart, whilst accepting a benefit^ I shall draw a veil over the scene which followed, and leave it to the good- patured reader's imagination to paint it, at its leisure, which it will indtibitablj* do much better than my pen. On the following morning. Dr. Mon- fordi arrived at Stoke Hill, in consequence of the rector's desire. Mr. Denham met kim at; the door, and conducted the wof^ fliy ph}^icktt into a pi htitie room, ^Here fif ibiig cortvei^sat'ion passed' beht(?erttheili'. ThcN Doctor^ notwithstanding the new light in which Valpine at present appear-^ ed'> was very averse i^o our hero's being consigned t-o h'\9 protection^ even for the short? period the i*ector had proposed. '' t ^ery much fear, mj old friend/* said* he, '""in' spite of the principles with AvhicH you have fortified the youths that this man and his wife togetiier will be too much for them." — '" His wife !'' exclaim- ed the rector : '' What! is he married?" — '' Is to be, r fancy,'' rejoined the Doc- tor, *' to Mrs. Trammel. You, my wor- thy friend^ well know, that matches of this nature are mere prostitutions of that" sacred' ceremony which enjoins mutual' love and affection, and which is too fre- quently debased by avarice on one side^ and incontinence on the other. In the instance before us, T db not scruple to* maintain, that one or both of these pas-' sions are to be gratified ; not that- the 180 RALPH REYBRIDGE. widow would have fixed upon such a man as Valpine for her purposes, or that he would have sacrificed himself to the lad J, could she have got a gallant, or he money, by any other means/' — '' Indeed, Doctor,'' replied Mr. Denham, '' j^ou very much shock me hy this account; and yet this very circumstance of Mr. Valpine's wanting money is the strongest proof of his integrity in regard to my boy ; for there is no doubt but he might have secreted the two hundred pounds given to him for Ralph's use, without the possibility of detection." — '' That is an affair, I own," replied Dr. Monford, which very much amazes me. Has he produced the notes he affirms to have re- ceived from Mrs. Reybridge?" — '' He offered them to Ralph last night," conti- nued the rector, '' to dispose of them as he might think proper ; upon which I observed, that, till the funeral of our dear friend was over, and her papers examined, ke bad better retain them in bis own po«- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 181 session/' — *' Why, faith/' rejoined the worthy Doctor, '' this does, somehow, lay claim to a little confidence. I know not what to say. A year is no great matter, to be sure, and I shall take the liberty of keeping a vtatchful eye over my young friend now and then.*' — '' Then, my dear Sir," replied Mr. Denham, '' I shall have little fear about him." The result of a few more queries and provisos was, that Ralph should remain with Mr. Valpine till a profession had been determined upon for him. Our hero received this intimation with grateful submission; and as both Mr. Valpine and Mrs. Trammel had been ever officiously kind to him since the death of Mrs. Reybridge, he endeavoured to get rid of his former prejudices, and to pay them that attention which their con- duct seemed to deserve. '' It is my duty now," said he to his tutor, '' to pay some respect to Mr. Valpine ; for, though I do not — I cannot love him, I am bound to 18© R:AtP« KEViafiriI!>Gfi. rBeoIlect ibat niv beloved benefmfiUss re- CGJTi mended lue to hie case.*' The re- muiiTs of the benevolent Mrs. Revbridg-e Trere Ivilowed to t)ie a:ra\e by our bero^ Dn Monfoid, Mr. Vaiipine, Mr. Pollard; and Mri^. Trammel, together with a vast number oi the poor of the neischbouring parishes, who had long been supported, by- her ( han't y. Mr. Denhaoi, on this occa- sion^ had collected all his firtnness^, but it was bar^^ly si-fficient to support hint tiiroiigh the solemn and afi'ecting cere?- mony he had oetcrmined to perform. Of the pinuh aiid grateful behaviour of young Reybrifigc it were unnecessary to speak^, or of the decent and consolatory conduct of IVfc "Val^jine and Mrs. Trammel : suf- fioeitto add^ t-hafin afew days the gloom' of sorrow began to CNaporate, and the lighter clouds of resignation to give ear- nest of returning tranquillity. At the subsequent examination of the old lady's papers,;no will was to be found, nor aliiy memorandum whatever regarding- ITilrnPH REYBRID(7E. 183 •wr hero. Tliis- disap^pointmcnt was ra- ther unexpected by the good rector, who had still flattered liiiuself with a- hope that tt docuflient would start up amt)n^ her letter and other papers that might give some little insight into the mvstery of his* birth or connexions. Nothing, howeven; appeared, though the search was diligent- ly repeated. As Mrs. Reybridge had, however, on* a41 public occasions, called Ralph her kinsman, jls he had been adopted by her/ and she had stood godmother at his chris- tening (ibr Mr. Denham formally relatetf that extraordinary event the day after the' funeral), it was generally allowed that he would- be t-he lawful heir of whatever mms of money might remain in the hands- of Messrs. Critchill and Vines on her ac- count, on the event of no [)rior claimants- starting up, in coasequcnce of the usual- legal advertisements. These, consequent- ly, having bem m.ide agreeably to form, aud no such claimant appearing, the bank- 184 RALPH REYBRIDGE. ers, on the strength of those declarations of the old ladj's which had heen so re- spectably attested, agreed to deliver over the balance in their hands to youiig Rey- bridge, which amounted to 350/. Both Mr. Denham and Dr. Monford were agreeably surprized at the magnitude of the sum; but one of the clerks informed them, that, though no person had been more regular in paying away money, the good lady sometimes forgot to draw for it. This sum Mr. Denham advised him to let remain in the bank< rs' hands till some establishment should be fixed for him, as the money would tiien be of the utmost service to him. '' In the mean time/' said the rector, '' whatever trifling sup- plies you may necessarily want, let me know, and I w ill take care you shall have them." Mr. Denham and Mr. Pollard having now adjusted all matters relative to the transfer of the living, the former prepared KALPH REVBRIDGE. 185 for Ills journey into Northamptonshire. Distressed as his parishioners had been at the first thoughts of losing their pastor, so long and so deservedly beloved, they be- came better reconciled to their misfortune when they heard his successor preach, and observed the elegance of his deportment and the simplicity of his manners. Mr. Pollard had, indeed, every requisite for the holy profession he had chosen. He was mild in his disposition, temperate in liis eujoyments, of an unblemished inte- grity, and great benevolence of heart ; and when such qualities are blended with those pure sentiments of devotion, which exalt the heart in graiitudo to the D; ity, they present a brighter example for the imitation of good christians, than is to be met w ith among the greatest luminariea in theatrical controversy. Valpine still carried on the appearance of disinterested friendship towards ouc heroj and the good rector was more aoid 185 RALPH REVBRTDGE. more convinced that he had nothing to apprehend, either fronfi the artifices of the one, or the weakness of the other. '* I leave with you Mr. Valpine/* said Mr. DeriharDj on the night before his depar- t«re, " a heart free from guile^ a disposi- tion gentle a^d tractablcj a niird well cultiva'iet', and principles which I hope and believe are unassaihible. Whatyoar own are I do not preBiime to inquire, but if r am to judge from the liberal con- duct you have hitherto observed tovvaid* our young friend, I cannot snppose you will interfere with his, and abo\e all, that you will rather check, than encourage, in him the sli*?Jitest propensity to dissipa* tion; which, in his present situation, with- out any immediate establishment, aii4 ignorant of bis future d«st' nation, might plunge him iula difficulties whence it would be beyond either your power or mine to extricate him." Mr. Val pine's reply was pertinent RALPH REVBRIDGE. 187 enough, but as it contained a great deal of profession, and ver^^ little truth, we have not thought it necessary to insert it. The parting of Ralph and his tutor was almost as deep an affliction to tlie former as the death of his benefactress had been ; nor could all the coiisolatory endeavours of the latter, or his grave ex- postulations, reconcile the poor youth to a separation so insupportably painful. The tears rolled down his cheeks as he strained his earliest monitor and friend to his breast; and though the rector endea- voured to comfort him with the assurance of his constant correspondence, and that they should meet again in perhaps less time than he had mentioned, yet Ralph felt a sad conviction that the happy period was much further ofi' — that it would per- haps never arrive. Mr. Denham was equally affected, but the kindly drops did not so immediately 1S8 RALPH RFYBRIDGE. come to his relief: — One tear alone, the result of contending emotions, si(;le softly down his face, and it was, perhaps, the last sweet offering of declining^ na- ture. RALPH REYCRIBGE. 1S9 CHAP. XIV. Mr. Valpine and Mrs. Trammel are made one. — Their conduct towards Ralph not so easili/ to be OGcauntedfor. Mr. Valpine's residence of Ruttle Wood^ was situated on the side of a hill, commanding a view of the town of Shrewsbury, from which it was a distance of about five miles. As the grounds and gardens about it had been much neglected by their present wortliy possessor, it was with no small share of satisfaction that young Reybridge, who had been always particularly fond of botanical pursuits, took them under his own care and ma- nagement; the rest of his time he devoted to his studies, and to music and drawing, in which dehghtful accomplishments^ though perhaps not a proficient, he had 190 RALPH REYBRIDGE. made considerable progress. He had also a horse, which Mrs. Rejbridge gave him a short time before her death, and an apartment to himself. In short, the first six weeks after Mr. Denham's departure, during which he was left entirely to pur- sue his own inclinations, he had so little reason to complain of Mr. Valpine's con- duct towards him, that he began to accuse himself of injustice, and to believe that both himselt and the good Mr. Denham had been deceived in the worthy man'i character. In this interval, notwithstand- ing his former reluctance, the gentleman in question, with much apparent tranquil- lity, conducted to the altar the timid biushing Mrs. Trammel. We do not mean to assert that the good widow's blushes were of that convenient descrip- tion which come and go as occasion calls, but of that good substantial quality which causes them to stick firm to the face in defiance of sickness, shame, or surprize; in short, the fair lady was conscious that RALPH REVDRIDGE, 191 •he wa8 about to deceive lier lover with a divided heart, and that the conlac bottle had an equal share at least in her affcc- tioiis. This valuable addition to Mr. Valpine's domestic eataljiisliment made no alteration whatever in tlje mode of life our hero had setdovrn for himself; from Mrs. Vaipine be met with neither interruption nor op- position ; on the contrary, she seemed to Yie with her worthy husband in t:ie atten- tions she paid to him, and the kindness with which she treated him. Not lonp* o after this auspicious union, Mr. Vaipine became so weary of the retrrement of Ruttle Wood, that she prevailed upon her spouse to dispose of the estate and take a house at Shrewsbury^ where they rniglit be a little more seen, and be the better able to enjoy the greatest of all blessings, plenty of good company. x4s this estate had some excellent arible land cibout it, and under the inanu^emcit of a good farmer would ha\e yielded twice the crop 192 RALPH REYBRIDGE. that Valpine had heeii accustomed to raisCj a purchaser was not difficult to be found, and a bargain was struck to the entire satisfaction of Mrs. Valpine. Mr. Valpine was however rather more easily reconciled to this charge, than his ward, who very soon discovered that he would now be necessarily obliged to accommo- date himself sometimes to the humours of the ladj, and make one in the amusements she had so long planned, and now began to put in practice. But poor Ralph cal- culated only upon the inconvenience and waste of time attending such recreations; he had no apprehension that they might gradually lead ii) a corruption of taste, and a laxity of principle. To gain the affection and confidence of our hero was no very difficult task ; for he was naturally good-tempered, ingenuous, and unsuspicious. Valpine was indebted both to nature and euiication for a smooth plausibility in his acti^!n^ and conversation, and it required inbnitely more pcnetra- RALPH REYBRIDttE. \99 tion and worldly experience than Ralph was perhaps ever destined to acquire, to detect villainy under that specious covering his guardian could always put on. Our hero had not yet conquered his former prejudices against these people^ but it was impossible for him to remain long insen- sible to unremitting kindness; Valpine on his part was never weary of telling him what a happiness it was to have him under his roofj whilst the wife insinuated her flattery, by observing what a charming youth he was ; how elegant in his person^ how engaging in his mannerSj and how £very way calculated to, win the affection* of the ladies ; so that poor Ralph was at lastovercome;, and his heart yielded to the first dangerous impresssion of vanity. What was the surprize of the whole neighbourhood of Stoke, when the good inhabitants were informed of the sudden de- parture of this woiihy pair from the sober mansion of Ruttle Wood, for the purpose of entering into a gay life at Shrewsbury: VOL. I. K Wi RALPH REYBRIDGE. not that it was unknown to them that a gay life would be the one prefered by both^ the wonder was from whence pro- ceeded the fund for supporting it? Mrs. Valpine was a woman^ it is true (or had been so), of some property, but the greater part of this she must have sunk in the first instance, to pay oflf a heavy mortgage on the Ruttle Wood estate, for Valpine's final ruin at the gaming table had long been the subject €f general observation, and it was also as generally known that his creditors w ere determined to put him into prison in con- sequence. That Mrs. Valpine before her marriage had more than sufficient to an- swer all these exegencies was not to be disputed; but that having answered them, she should still retain enough not only to keep up her usual establishment, but to increase it, and even commence a career of extravagance, to which her husband seemed to have no objection, though he had obviously consented to marry the good RALPH REVBRIDGE. 195 widow to get quit of difficulties brought on by a similar mode of life; all these circumstances^ therefore, afforded matter for great marvel and inquiry ; and it was supposed that the worthy couple must, by some means or other, have received some considerable legacy, unknown to every body else, from the late Mrs. Reybridge. This conduct towards our hero was still more amazing ! — Not but what certain slanderous tongues found little difficulty in ascribing pertinent reasons for the lady's endearments, preposterous as the idea was: but that Valpine, envious, mean, selfish, and revengeful, should take so much pains to ingratiate himself with a forlorn youth, who had never liked hira orcourted his regard, and was now, though not absolutely an object of charity, yet utterly destitute of rank or connexion in life, was a riddle that defied solution. Surprizing, however, as all these matteri were, reasons might possibly have been assigned for them, had the tongues of the 196 RALPH REYBRIDGE. good people in question been obliged to reveal what was written in tbeir hearts. Among the various visitors that were con- stant attendants at the card-table of Mrs. Valpine, we must not forget to mention a few of those gentlemen who had contri- buted to tbe ruin of her husband. Shock- ed as Rejbridge was^ at firsts by the licen- tiousness of their manners and conversa- tion, even before ladies, yet, as there was always a seducing mixture of good hu- mour and pleasantry in their songs, repartees, and anecdotes, and as on these occasions the rites of Bacchus were most cheerfully celebrated, Ralph would oftener join in the jest than retire from the table: sometimes he even contributed thereto; till, by degrees, he began to argue with himself whether those sober maxims of temperance which Mr. Denham had taken 80 much pains to impress upon his mind, were not a little too rigid. The first wound the poor youth's conscience re- ceived, was in his being reduced to the RALPH REYBRIDGK. 197 necessity of encroaching upon the little fortune he had lodged in the hands of the bankers, and which he had faithfully pro- mised his tutor not to touch. He had, however, contracted a debt at cards ; and how could he draw upon his reverend friend for money to discharge such an obligation ? And thus does insincerity \x\ th€ first instance pare the way for greater mis- fortunes ; for had not the worthy rector been kept in ignorance of this first lapse of his adopted son, he would have rescued him instantly from the hazard of a second, and preserved him from a long succession of anxieties and distresses. But Heaven directed otherwise; how wonderfully, and how justly, will be known in due time. Stung to the quick by this breach of promise, to a man, too, of all others h© could least bear to deceive, he gave vent to his self-reproaches before Mr. and Mrs. Valpine, and begged their advice how he should act: — Valpine replied only bj 198 RALPH REYRRIDGE* bursting into a fit of laughter; but Mrs. Valpine thought proper to display her eloquence on the occasion. '' Mj dear Ralph/' said she^ " w hen you know a little more of the world, you will not be terri- fied at bug-hears of this kind. The breach of a promise so ridiculous is not in my opinion half so reprehensible as the exaction of it. Indeed, I am quite asto- nished, that a sensible man, like Mr. Denham, should wish thus to deprive you of the means of enjoying the innocent re-- creations of life, and in which you are now of the properest age to participate.'* " You don't consider, my dear boy,*' added Valpine, '' that with your talents and address, it should be your first object to acquire the confidence and esteem of people, who, either of themselves, or by their recommendations, may be able to bring those talents forward, and make you beneficial to society. — But this confidence is only to be obtained by coaforming, in souie measure, to the cus- RALPH REYBRIDGE. 199 toms and fashions of the world ; and studying the dispositions cf men, whom it may be to your advantage to keep well with/' On the following evening, Mrs. Val- pine had a larger party at her house than usual : Ralph, naturally viva£ious,no long- er thought of moderating his spirits ; but sung, lauglied, chatted, played cards, and drank his wine with the gayest in the cir- cle. The next morning, the long expect- ed letter arrived from his tutor. His con-^ Ecience smote him as he traced the well-. known characters, and Valpine and his " midnight crew," were remembered only with disgust. After a late breakfast, he retired to his room, and opening the letter with eyes of expectation, read what is contained in the next chapter. 200 RALPH REYBRIDOE. CHAP. XV. Which contains Mr, Denham's letter to jRalph Reyhridge, " Mj dear Ralph, '^ I fear you will have suffered much anxiety from my long silence ; but the truth isj 1 have, since my arrival here, been so employed by various little occu- pations and domestic arrangements with my noble friend, and I may say benefac- tor. Lord Ardendale, that till this mo- ment I have not had an opportunity se- cure from interruption. My journey hither was not so fatiguing to ray spirits as I apprehended it would be; princi- pally owing to the activity and diligence of a servant of the Earrs, who had orders to accompany me and secure for me the best accommodations on the road. I ar- AALPR nEYfiRID«i;. 261 riT«d at Rothwell Castle, therefore, in tolerably good health, and as my situation in the family was generally known, the most respectful attention was paid to me, and my generous host received me with- open arms. *' This ancient and magnificent struc- ture is situated on the borders of the river Ouse; and commands an extensive and picturesque view of the surrounding country. It is defended by a romantic grove of trees, beyond which is a noble park, and grounds to a great extent. If I were inclined to enter upon a poetical description of RoMiwell Castle, I could bring you back to the thirteenth century; so wild and Gothic does every thing ap- pear to me, whose contemplations at my beloved village never extended further than the cottage, the upland lawn, or the corn-field. And after all, my dear boy, these simple prospects are most de- lightful to my eyes, most cheering to my heart. When I view the smoke ascend- &5 fOi KALPH REYBUIDGE. ing from the thatch of the husbandman, mj thoughts are instantly directed to the pure and healthful enjo^'raents of inno- cenccj industry^ and content. But, when I turn my eyes to edifices such as I behold in Rothwell Castle, my mind is clouded by the sad conviction that feudal barba- rity may have originally erected them for the support of pride, ambition, cruelty^ slavery, and bloodshed ! " But, if the imagination of the specta- tor be transported to the dismal era I have mentioned, by surveying the Castle, and surrounding scenery without, it will quickly be brought baxjK to our own times by a view of its internal decorations, which are so well adapted to put every idea of gothicism out of his head, that he would very justly suppose himself in apartments ornamented for a birth-day ball or masnuerade. Lord Ardendale con-^ templates these innovations with some dis- gust; but respect and tenderness to his mother's memory will prevent him, at RALPH Rl^YBRIDGE. 203 least for some time, from restoring this ancient seat of his ancestors to its former dignity. " The apartments allotted to me I find rather more capacious than comfortable; however, they contain an excellent libra- ry, a pair of globes^ a telescope^ and a set of mathematical instruments : those branches of the mathematics which com- prehend astronomy and geometry, I stu- died with great perseverance in the earlier part of my life, and the renewal of them now with my new pupil. Lord Westmore> will afford me very great satisfaction. The study of astronomy is not only pleasing in itself, but contributes to amplify the mind by abstracting it from worldly con- siderat.'ons, and inviting it to the sublimest of all contemplations — the infinite pawer^ wisdom, and goodness of God ! '' Not far from Rothwell Castle is an- other ancient building, which the late owner. Lord Leybrook, has left in the posiesbion of a most amiable young ladj. 204? RALPH REYBRIDGE his grand-daughter: as she is not yet of age, she resides with her guardian Lord Ardendale, who treats her with all the affection which a father would pay to St beloved daughter ; she is indeed a most lovely young woman, and vrell deserves every attention that can be shewn her. - " There is a very interesting, but mourn- ful tale attached to the first meeting of the present Lord Ardendale and myself, which you shall one day hear : it relates to his lady, who, when she died, was only Lady Westmore. The circumstances of her death have yet been concealed from the world, but now I think they should be made known. '^ The Earl's domestic establishment is preserved without any appearance of pomp or ostentation : every thing is con- ducted in a manner to restore that dignity to the name of Ardendale, which the fol- lies of the late Countess, and the weakness of her Lord, had almost wholly effaced.— Yet it will require all the care and abi- RALPH REYBRIDCE. 205 \ity I am master of, to make tlie son resemble his noble father. Not that Lord Westmore wants acuteness, or is insensi- ble to the distinctions of right and wrong, but there is a fickleness in his temper that makes him equally indifferent to com- mendation or encouragement^ as impatient of reproof. Indeed I fear the preceptor's yoke will sit heavy upon this young man, but I shall endeavour to make it as easy as I can^ consistently with my own cha- racter and my duty : what I most regret to find in him is, an inclination to deceive. This I must, in the first instance, check; or every other attempt to make him either useful or virtuous in life will be ineffec- tual. '' Nothing, my dear Ralph, is so dan- gerous as disguise, in any shape : if the slightest spark be upon the garment of truth, it will be easily discerned; never, therefore, be induced to deceive even in jest, for innocent deceptions will most assuredly, at some period of life^ lead to 206 RALPH REYBRIDGE. guilty ones. Thus the child who is told he maj play about in a pleasant garden, so long as he is careful to avoid a certain pitfal in a particular spot^ will^ neverthe- less, in some unguarded moment neglect his usual caution, and rush into the snare. " Your letters, my dear' boy, give a mixture of pleasure and uneasiness. Your last afforded me very little indeed of the former, and a great deal of the latter ; and I shall not be satisfied till you are away from these Valpines : their inten- tions towards you may be kind, and in- deed I believe they are so, but this sudden change from Ruttle Wood to Shrewsbury, is by no means pleasing to me; and the worthy Dr, Monford continues to write in alarm about you. — All these matters considered, therefore, I shall take the ear- liest opportunity of speaking to Lord Ardendale on the subject of a profession for you. " The natural vivacity of your dispo- RALPH REYBRIDGLE. 207 «ition, aided as it is by a retentive me- mory and quickness of perception, inclines me to think you would succeed at the bar ; and I should make no hesitation in deciding upon this profession^ were it not so expensive and precarious; besides a London life, the men you must associate with, generally giddy and dissipated, would lead you imperceptibly into dan- gerous confidences, and temptations would result from these beyond your power to resist. '' Should the law, however, be ulti- mately our choice for you, I think you will hold out against the allurements of vice, should you not enter too precipi- tately into the views and opinions of hun- dreds, who, pleased with your good na- ture and your talents, will be courting your acquaintance. Be civil and cour- teous to all; but your friendship and confidence reserve for the sdisibie and judicious. Keep in mind this great moral truth — that nothing is.truly valuable in S08 RALPH REYBRID««, the world but in proportion as it is use* ful; that most pleasures^ unless tbej lead to the improvement of the mindj are incen- tives to idleness. Above all, remember that when 3 ou are cast upon the ocean of life, however watchful you may be to avoid the false lights that may be hourlj attracting your little bark to destruction, that it is your confidence in Providence alone that will enable you to keep on your steady course. *' Mr. Rushden has commenced his occupations as the Earl's steward with credit and success ; he is kind to the te- nants, and punctual and accurate in his accounts : Mrs. Rushden does not, how- ever, succeed so well in her capacity as Miss Leybrook*s companion. This young lady, to very great personal attractions, unites a fine natural understanding, a highly cultivated mind, an amiable dis- position, and a refinement and delicacy in her manners and conversation, which Mrs. Rushden is totally unacquainted with; RALPH REYBRIDGE. 20^' yetj SO fearful is this sweet girl of giving uneasiness either to her guardian or the lad J he has chosen for her companion^ and being moreover of a sprightly and con- tented nature, that she endeavours to re- concile herself to love and even esteem her. In answer to this long letter, my dear Ralph, I expect a good account ot yourself. "Becivil and attentive to the friends you are with, but by no means make yourself the butt of their companies ; rather avoid them as much as you possibly can, with- out giving offence. I have no objection to your making cards an amusement some- times, if you find your inclinations tempt- ing you no further ; but the moment you feel a desire to make the winning of mo- n«y the primary object, renounce them fi'om that moment: gambling, of all other viccs^ is the most dangerous ; of itself, it is not so odious, perhaps, in' the sight of God, but it leads to those that are most §o; it agitates the mind, it inflames ih% 210 KALPH REYBRIDGE. passions^ il destroys the reason^ it breaks every bond ofsociety^ every link of friend- ship, every tie of love, and it leads, by dreadful gradations^ from avarice, frauds and impiety, to poverty, disgrace, and untimely death ! '' But these cautions, my dear Ralph,.. I am sure, are needless. Let the little fortune you possess remain where it is, for the reasons I have before given ; the in- closed note of 50/. will answer all imme- diate expenses, and should you find it insuffirient, let me know, but touch not your capital. *' I need not remind you of the necessity of close and regular application to your reading; and do not forget to send me, occasionally, your CvSsays in English acd Latin, on didactical, poetical, and histo- rical subjects. Your lighter pursuits, music and drawing, be likewise attentive to, for they WfiU be of great advantage to you hereafter, in your introduction into life. Above all, be scrupulously mindful RALPH REYBRIDGE. 211 of jour religious duties : let no frivolous enjoyment seduce you from a regular per- formance thereof; so may you hope for the favour and protection of him who can alone give efficacy and success to your endeavours.— Adieu ! my dearest child, Nvrite soon and often to your " Aftectionate friend, '' Charles Denham.'^ Hothweil Castle, Dec. 3, 17—. 912 RALPH REYBUlDftE, 1 CHAP. XVI. In which oiir hero's misfortunes and Val- fine's plots begin to thicken. — Mrs. Val- pine appears in high glory. — Feyhridge's decline J ruin, and imprisonment. When brilliant talents are joined to great good nature, the virtuous prin- ciples of a young man are not sufficiently sheltered from the incroachments of se- duction by mere books. There must be a living monitor to counteract them ; some friend, beloved as well as respected^ and to whom the heart is attached as to a parent,, brother, or dear and old acquaint- ance. And this is more especially neces- »ary wben there exists great sensibility ; for sensibility generally requires an object of attachment, and will yield to the con* slant kindness of vice itself. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 213 In this dangerous predicament^ now stood our hero. He bad a good natural understanding, but for want of experience he was unable to exert it effectually. He had imbibed the pernicious draught of adulation, but had no Mr. Denham to fly to, to rescue him from a repetition of it. Thus dissipation had, by degrees, become pleasant to him, and he was too sensible of the kindness with which the Val pines and their friends treated him, to refuse any longer to join in their most riotous parties, engage in the deepest play, take his occasional trips to London with any dashing young men that pro- posed a frolic of the kind. In short, his promise to Mr. Denham was no longer regarded. He neglected even to write to him. Heedless of the dreadful conse* quences, he suffered himself to be imposed upon by false friends, and his money in the bankers* hands was daily and hourly employed, not only to supply his own but their extravagancies. The letter^ 914 RALPH REYB RIDGE. however, with which we concluded our last chapter, had, in the first instance, been of service to him, for though in his answer thereto he did not, as he ought to have done, confess his breach of promise in having drawn upon Messrs. Critchill and Vines, yet on all other matters he had been sincere ; and his conduct for several weeks after, such as the most rigid moralist would have approved. His studies were pursued with avidity, his recreations with temperance, and though he continued his cheerful habits, he never descended to turbulent mirth, or joined in scandalous and licentious conversations. But an accident intervened which over- set every commendable resolution, and plunged him once more into folly, thoughtlessness, and extravagance. A rheumatic fever had for a long time put a stop to the letters which his guar- dian angel, (he rector had before regu- larly sent him ; for the efficacy of which was such, that every irregular desire Qcd UALPH REYBRIDGE. 215 Tit their approach from his heart, and rendered him invulnerable to seductions of every description. Deprived of these timely rectifiers, his conduct became gra- dually less guarded, and Mr. and Mrs. Valpine were too sensible of the import- ance of his return to dissipation, not to* take every advantage of the change. The worthy Dr. Monford who had;» according to his promise, narrowly watch- ed both the conduct of Ralph and that of his seducers, without either party ima- gining he was taking the slightest obser- vation thereon, was, by this time, satisfied in his own mind, that some secret villainy lay concealed in every part of Mr. Val- pine's friendly, disinterested, and ingenu- ous behaviour : — and, though it was alto- gether impossible for him to trace this villainy to its source, he thought it high time our he'ro should be rescued from it« further influence, and he wrote to the old rector accordingly. The contents of this epistle were of such a nature as to grieve 216 RALPH REYBRIDGE. and alarm the worthy man more than he had ever been before : for he had so fixed his affections upon our poor youth of mys- tery and misfortune, that the death or dis- honour of his own child could not have more afflicted him. In the first tumult of his anxiety and apprehension, instead of answering his friend's letter^ he, ill and disabled as he was by the rheumatism that had not yet left him, immediately dis- patched the following lines to Ralph. ^' I have only strength, forgetful and irresolute young man, to bid you fly — instantly fly from beneath the roof of these hateful Valpines — get into a post- chaise, and take the road to Warwick. There you will meet with a servant who "will conduct you to Rothwell Castle. Make no delay as you value your future happiness, and my further regard and piotection. " Charles Denham." Rothwell Castle, March 15, 17—. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 217 This important epistle on its arrival was carried to Mrs. Valpine, Ralph not beii)g at home, who, having cast at it two or three suspicious glances, accompanied by several unsuccessful squeezes, in order to ascertain the contents thereof, betook her- self to her scissars, which she managed so dexterously, that she contrived to unfix the sealing-wax, but with a conscientious determination of replacing it after a care- ful perusal of the words it had so faith-- fully concealed. When she came, how- ever, to that part of the good rector's epis- tle where the name of Valpine was so ex- pressively distinguished, the good ladj Altered her resolutions ; not but that she would quietly have acquiesced in the op- probrious epithet alluded to^ had it beea applied solely io her husband, but she could by no means endure so scandalous a reflection upon her own chaste character: accordingly, after summoning to her pre- sence the worthy partner of her cares by a bell, the clapper of which the good mao VOL. I. L $IS RALPH P.EYERIDGE. deemed infinitely preferable to that which occupied bis wife's mouth, she flung the letter at him, desired him to read it, and then to decide upon some method of re- venging an affront so gross and unpro- voked. Valpine took the letter up, and having perused ii — '' By heavens ! my dear," said he exultingly, ** this is as it should be. Reybridge must never see this letter; and every future epistle from this Si dotard must be intercepted. I tell you, rs. Valpine, the youth is on his last l«gs ; this morning he has lost 40i)L at billiards ; and, to his utter confusion and sstonishment, on applying to Critchill and Vines for the money, they showed him his account, by which it appeared, after the most correct examination, and a produc- tion of the different vouchers, that he had not more than S2bL remaining in their possession. This sum he, however, in- itantly deposited in our friend Robert Milcham's hands, together with his pro- ^cissory note for the payment of the re- RALPH REVBRIDGE. 21 ■> maining 75/. in a fordiiglit. In his des- pair, poor lad, he quite forgot that his friend Dr. Monford, to whom I am per- suaded it was his intention Vo have ap- plied for the money, hid heen suddenly called to London on a lawsuit, which to my knowledge will detain hiai there six months: — besides^ before his return, it shall go hard, but I will raise such a storm of indignation in the bosom of old Denham against him, as shall completely destroy both his credit and his hopes. la the mean time, it will be necessary to keep his head a little above water, to save ap- pearances : — for it must be believed, you know, ray dear, that so far from having contributed to his imprisonment, we havg used every exertion to preserve him there- from.*' — '' Imprisonment!" interrupted the lady, fury flashing fiom her eycs^ " what mighty good can be done by impri- soning, unless you could bring the block- head to the gallows? And pray, what sar tisfaction will it be to me for thii insult J l2 220 RALPH REYBRIDGE. liave received from this filthy old purita- nical parson ?" — " The greatest in the worlds my dear/' replied Valpine^, '' as you will shortly own : but we must go safely over the ground^ and affect a little pity and forbearance^ if we have it not. In truth, my love, if you had been a man, you'd have made an excellent lawyer/'— '' None of your gibes, Mr. Valpine/' re- joined the still incensed wife, '' none of your wheedling bamboozling tricks with me ! I say, I am resolved to be revenged ! Hateful, indeed ! an old hypocrite, with his sanctity and fulsome cant \" — '' Have patience, Mrs. Valpine," rejoined the husband, ^^ you have often promised io leave all matters that relate to a certain l)usiness to me. You may depend upon being amply revenged ; and so will I too, for more than one good turn I owe to this all-benevolent Mr. Denham.'* — And here then sat upon Mr. Val pine's visage a smile of such genuine malignity, that his amiable partner retired, fully confident. V RALPH REYBRIDCE. 221 that whatever his plan might he, it was frauffht with as much vindictive malice and cruelty as she could reasonably wish to have inflicted on her bitterest enemy. Poor Ralph was no sooner ruined, than he obtained that secret so rarely purchased but by severe experience, a knowledge of the real value, or rather the wortlilessness, of every-day friends. With an aching heart he returned home from the billiard- table at which he had been plundered ; but his honourable and generous spirit had formed no idea of the base desertion that was to succeed a misfortune so deplor- able. What then was his consternation to find himself, the morning after, shunned as a nuisance hy the very persons who^e debts he had often paid, and on whom he had placed his entire confidence ! His dear friend Jack, and his good fellow Tom, and his honest boy Harry, no longer held out tlie hand of welcome, but Sir'd and Mister 'd him with as much S22 RALPH REYBRIDGE. coldness and affected surprize, as if they had never seen bini before. In vain the poor youth now looked for- ward to the only coi solation under his grievances, a letter of pardon from his venerable tutor; from whom he no longer concealed his guilt, but with real contri- tion wrote a confession of all his faults^ and in the most melting and affecting lan- guage implored the good man's forgive- ness ; requesting, at the same time, to be put to the meanest employment, that by his cheerful resignation to the labour as- signed him, he might evince the sincerity of his repentance. Three miserable weeks elapsed without any answer ar- riving to this petition ; and, indeed, it would have been surprizirg if one had come, for the letter had been delivered to the servant to carry to the post-office, who conveyed it, according to previous orders, to Mr. Valpine, who committed it, to the flames. KALPH REYBRIDftE. ^'i5 But what were the feelings of Mr. Dcii- hain to find, that, so far from attending to his commands to quit the Valpines^ he did not think fit to answer his letter ! A second, third, and fourth, were written %\ithout a reply ; yet still he heard, not only from Dr. Monford, but the bankers at Shrewsbury, that the young spendthrift was well, but wholly absorbed in his dis- sipated pursuits. "Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed th« good man to himself, on perusing the last accounts of him, '' can it then be pos- sible, that depravity has succeeded to in- temperatice ? In so short a time have his principles been corrupted, his heart hdfdened ?" A hope slill remained. Ralph might not have received his letters; and as it happened about this time that a friend of the old rector's, a Mr. Sheppei- ton, had come to visit him at Rothwell Castlt', and was proceeding into Wales, he engaged him to make such inquiries perbunally at Shrewsbury, concerning our 224 HALPH REYBRIDGE, hero^ as should leave no doubt as to his innocence or guilt. Reybridge, in the mean time^ was in » «tate little short of distraction; he found himself abandoned by those he had even treated as his intimates; and even Mr. Dcnhatti had apparently forsaken him. Mr. and Mrs. ValpinC;, it is true^ still protected him^ but he now^ felt the misery <>f a dependent situation, and sickened at the idea. Mr. Melcham, in the mean time, took an opportunity one evening, at Mr. Valpine's house, of throwing out some very broad hints about the payment of the 75/. due to him, and our poor hero, driven to the last extremity, was obliged to have recourse to his guardian for his advice and assistance. Yalpine told him to be comforted. '' I will go myself,'* said he, '' to Melcham, and try what is to be done. I have not so much money as the sum you mention by me, or I would pay it for i^ou, with the greatest pleasure. At all events do not RALPH REYB RIDGE. 2^5 be apprehensive of any personal incon* venience^ as rny bail will always be your security."—'' You are very kind, my dear friend/' replied Ralphs '' and relieve my mind extremely, by this benevolent assur- ance." — "^Not at all, not at all/' returned the good gentleman, '' do not mention it» I am your friend, Reybridge ; and— 'but tell me, when did you hear last from your tutor?" — ''Alas! Sir," replied Ralph, " I fear I have offended him beyond for* giveness ; for he has long since ceased ta write to me, and I have every reason to ap- prehend, that having heard of my extra- vagance and folly^ he has discarded me from his confidence for ever " — " Na doubt, he has so/* replied Valpine, " and what regard can you retain for a maa who harbours a resentment against you in the very face of the religion he professes ; and for a few trifling irregularities leave you to struggle with poverty and shame? It is plain he only wanted an excuse to get lid of you altogether, for he always hated 1.5 226 RALPH REYERIDGE. me^ and has now no earthly reason to love you.'* — '' What reason/' returned Rey- bridge, '' had he at any time to love me }'* — '' The best in the world," replied Val- pine, *' while Mrs. Reybridge lived, for, igiiorant till her death that she was sup- ported by an annuity, he very naturally con luded that he should be liberally re- warded for your education : but he has now neither time nor inclination to con- tinue those irksome and useless professions of regard for you, and though I do not think the worthy man bears you any se- rious ill-v.ill, rely upon it, Ralph, he does not care one farthing about you/' — '' Good God !" exclaimed our hero, '^ it surely cannot be possible ; nor can I ever believe it. I have, it is true, but too lately been wofully and miserably de- ceived, but Mr. Denham ! assuredly his friendship was ever pure and disinter- ested." — '' The idea is chimerical, Rey- bridge,'' returned the other ; '' friend- ship is the common term for mutual coa- RALPH REYBRIDGK. 2Zi Tf nience ; and, however a parcel of ro- mantic fools may gloss it ovcr^ it is still founded on stlf. All mankind are sub- ject to the infirmities which are inherent in their natures^ and it is folly and pre- sumption to boast a resolution to subdue them ; these infirmities all centre in sel- fishness^ and selfishness will predominate^ and show itself from beneath the closest disguise." Ralph had no spirits to reply to this fine piece of oratory : Mr. Valpine ac- cordingly left him, to find out Mr. Mel- cham, and endeavour to put the debt due to him into a train of liquidation. Hovr far he succeeded will appear by the fol- lowing letter which our kero received a little time after from the w^orthy creditor, and which ran as follows : — " TO MR. REYBRIDGE. . '' Sir, '^ Business of great consequence calling; me to London, I must beg you will take 228 RALPH REVBRIDGE. up your note to me for 75/. as soon as pos- sible ; the bearer is authorised to receive the money and give the proper acknow- ledgment. '' I am. Sir, '' Your very obedient servant, " Robert Melcham. '^ Slirewsbary, Fridaj noon. Reybridge was thunderstruck by thi§ billet, and desired to see the person wliQ had brought it. A shabby looking fel- low immediately made his appearance. '' Pray, my friend,'" cried our hero, *' when does Mr. Melcham leave Shrews- bury ?'' — '' That's more than I know, Sir>*' replied the other ; " but I take it about to-morrow.'' — ^^ I wish very much to se$ him on the subject of the letter you have brought me," rejoined Ralph; ''^ and I beg you will inform him, friend, that it is my intention to call at his house to- morrow morning early, when I hope to satisfy him fully in regard to the €oa- RALPH REYBRIDGE. S29 tpnfs." Here the man hesitated ; and after a little time employed in scratch- ing his headj replied — '' Well, Sir, T shall tell Mr. Melcham what vou sav, and if you hear nothing further from me, 'tis odds but he'll expect to see you." Hey- bridge was by no means comforted by this speech ; the fellow had every ap- pearance of being a bailiff, and he sat a long time deliberating, whether he should stir from the house the next morning or not. At length he decided that there might be more eventual dan- ger in breaking than attending to his own appointment, and he accordingly determined to go. The following day was remarkably fine : our poor hero^ summoning all his courage, set out for the house of his creditor, not without cherishing a hope, as he went along, that the catalogue of misfortunes he was pre- pared to enumerate would move the tiger's heart, but he had scarcely walked the length of the street, when the same 220 RALPH REYI5RIDGE. man that had called upon him the daj before, addressed him in his true capacity, and bj virtue of a writ, and a couple of stout followers, conducted the disconso- late youth to prison. RALPH REYBRIDGE. ^31 CHAP. XVIL The anival of JMr. SheppertGn, and the fair trial and condemnation of our hero. — He isfinallij renounced by his tutor, but is preserved from absolute despair by the unexampled^ unexpected, and alto^ gether unaccountable beneficence of Mr, Valpine. Now it so fell out, that Mr. Denham's friend, Shepperton, the same who had been deputed by the good clergyman to inquire into the true state of matters at Shrewsbury, arrived at the Crown Inn just as the person who had called upon Ralph with the letter from his creditor was returning with our hero's answer ; and both entered the coffee-room together, where stood Mr. Melcham by the fire reading the newspaper. 232 RALPH REYBRIDGE. '^ The young gentleman won't come to. Sir/* exclaimed the messenger; '' I doubt we must have him in limbo. 'Squire Valpine was at home, and so I thought to have proceeded to business then; but young master said he could settle all par- ticulars with you, if so be^ you'd allow him to see you to-raorrow morning."— ^' You did wrong. Clinch," replied Mel- cham, '' to pay any attention to this hum- bugging stuff. See me, indeed ! you must know very well it can only be for wheed- ling, and to endeavour to trick me out of ray due ; but I have no time to lose m listening to his excuses and palavering nonsense ; and so, Mr. Clinch, you must talk to the young spendthrift. I will teach him to boast of being able to beat me at my own weapons." The bailiff, thus tu- tored, withdrew, and Mr. Shepperton^ who had no longer any doubt but that Reybridge was the unfortunate young man alluded to, begged Mr. Melcham ta inform him how long he had known th^ KALPH IIEYBRIDGE. 233 youth against wlioni he wasaboutto proceed so roughly J and whether he was so totally destitute of friends that no charitable per- son could be found to bail him?" Mel- cham having regarded Mr. Shcpperton for some minutes^ and observing he was a stranger, " Why, truly^ Sir/' said he, '' it will seem odd at first, that a young- ster, just turned of age, should be consi- dered a fit object for a jail ; but though. Sir, I have not known Ralph Rei/bridge above five months, I have seen enough of him, in that time, to be convinced he is a sly hand, and if I did not lay him by the heels, he would soon find means to fob me out of my money. Master Ralph, I suppose, thought I was a pigeon, but I can handle a cue, and rattle the bones, as well as^any man in England."—'* If I un- derstand you rightly. Sir,'' replied Shcp- perton, '' it should seem that this Mr. Reybridge is a professed gamester, and with no very great character to lose ?"— • ^' Character 1" returned Melcham, *' ha ! 234 FALPH kETBIMDGE. ha ! ha ! a good joke indeed. Wlhjj I tell you^ Sir, if he was not the slipperiest young rogue in the country, I might he induced to have some compassion on him, but I think it a public duty to put such a scamp out of harm'a \^ay. And, after all, if the }Oung dog can'but find his wench and his bottle in prison, he will be as happy there as any where else," Mr. Shepperton was rather slower in giving credit to these liberal attestations of Mr, Meicham than that illustrious personage designed he should, and, though disgusted by the ob\ious scurrility and personal enmity of the creditor's speech, }et he had heard enough to convince him that more was true than was necessary to con- vict Ralph in the opinion of his reverend friend. His principal object, however, was to find out whether ingratitude to- wards the good man was to be abided to his list of ofiences ; and, in order to as- certain this point, he determined not only to see Mr. Valpine, but also the young RALPH REV BRIDGE. 235 man himself; and accordingly sat down in one of the boxes of the coffee-rooni, and dispatched the following- note to th« house of the former gentleman : '• Mr. Shepperton having been re- quested by the Rev. Mr. Dcnhaui to make some inquiries concerning Mr, Ralph Rey bridge, will thank Mr. Val- pine to inform him when and where he may have half an hour's conversation with him and the young man in ques- tion." Crown Inrij May 4j 1 " — . To this note, Mr. Valpine, who hap-, pened to be at home when it was brought to him, after some consideration, returned an answer as follows ; " Mr. Valpine is sorry that business of consequence will prevent him the pleasure of seeing Mr. Shepperton to-day, but will 236 RALPH REYBRIDGE. be at his commands to-morrow morning at half past ten, A. M/' Ko, 5. Queen Street. As our sagacious readers may very fair- ly presume that Mr. Valpine was well ac- quainted with the proceedings and ulti- mate determination of Mr. Melcham, they will not be surprized that the former should have deferred receiving Mr. Den- ham's ambassador till after that determi- nation had been carried into effect, and which he soon received intelligence would take place the morning following, on Ralph's way to Melcham*s lodgings. A meeting, indeed, between our hero and his tutor's friend, might not have taken place without some explanations not altogether advantageous to himself, and as he con- ceived himself sufficiently qualified to answer any inquiries a stranger could pos- sibly have to make, concerning the poor youth, he prudently determined to have EALPU REYBRIDGE. 237 him safely housed before hand, to prevent the possibility of a misunderstanding". Our hero was, therefore, no sooner cast into prison the next day, than Mr. Shepperton made his appearance, punctual to Mr. Valpine's appointment ; as neither of the gentlemen was in a disposition to pay many compliments, Mr. Shepperton open- ed his business, by making some general inquiries regarding the conduct of young Reybridge for the last six months, which inquiries were answered by the other with €0 much moderation, and apparent ten- derness to the poor lad's reputation, that Shepperton was inclined to think Mr. Denham must have been deceived in Mr. Val pine's character ; but we have already expatiated upon our gentleman's insinu- ating qualities. '' Well, Sir," observed Mr. Shepperton, after these preliminary inquiries, '' the dissipation and extrava- gance of this young man, I am willing to believe, Mr. Denham would excuse on the score of his youth and inexperience, upon 238 RALPH REYBRIDGE. his sbevving a just sense of his foWy, and promising- amendment ; but he will not so easily be brought to overlook shameful disrespect^ neglect, and ingratitude!"-— " He is perfectly safe, then, Sir/* replied Valpine, '^ for these are crimes I am con- fident that Ralph can never have been guilty of/'— -^^ I am glad, Mr. Valpine, to hear you say so ;" returned Shepperton; '^ and yet I have something to laj to his charge, which requires explanation before he can be honourably acquitted of these crimes. — Do you know. Sir, of his having received any letters \yithin these two months from his tutor?" — ''I do not. Sir," replied Valpine; '^ but as I never interfere with him in these matters, he may have received some unknown to me." — ''Mr. Denham has, however. Sir," continued the other, "' written to him several times ; and though the letters were on subjects of the grc at^t importance, young Reybridge has neglected to reply . to one of them ; a circumstance in itself. RALPH REYBUIDGE. 239 the situation of the respective parties considered, which, if he had received these epistles, must convict hiin of the blackest ingratitude." — '' Depend upon it, Mr. Sheppcrton,'* replied Valpine, '" they never could have come to his hands, for though the young man has been a little extravagant, I will stake my life on the goodness of his heart, and the since- rity of his respect and affection for Mr. Denhani. However, to end all our scru- ples, we will question Ralph himself on the subject. He is, no doubt, in his own room, for he seldom goes out so early."— *' I will attend you. Sir," answered Shep- pcrton; 'Sand if he can settle this business to my satisfaction, I will myself rescue him this time from his hard-hearted credi- tor.'* Here Mr. Valpine gave a very natu- ral stare of surprize; and upon the other's explaining his meaning, " Alas !" replied he, '' who would have thouglit a few oc- casional parties of pleasure could have done so much mischief. 1 doubt. Sir, 240 RALPH REYBRIDGE, Mr. Denham believes me chiefly to blamft in this afl^air; but I assure you, Mr. Shep- perton, on the honour of a gentleman, mj conscience fully acquits me/' To this honourable declaration, Mr. Shepperton made no reply^ and they proceeded toge- ther to our hero's chamber ; the door was wide open, but no Ralph appeared; every thing, however, in his room had the appearance of negligence and confusion : his books were thrown on one sida, his clothes on another, and papers of different sorts were scattered about. Among num- berless smaller notes thrown under the grate of the fire-place, lay scveralletters, some open, and some torn ; epistles w hich Mr. Denham had written to Ralph sub- sequently to that which had been origi- nally intercepted by Mr. Valpine. How they came reduced to their present muti- lated and degraded state, and for what purpose to answer, our sagacious readers will scarcely require to be informed. None other of the rector's letters were to be KALni UEVKillDGt:. $lh found; for, in fact^ poor Ralplihadj previ- ously to his going out that morning, taken, them away with him, that in case an accident should happen to him, he might not be without their consoling influence in his prison. Sheppcrton having paused a moment to contemplate so unquestionable a proof of our hero's ingratitude, turned to- wards Mr. Valpine, who appeared over- v;helined with shame and confusion, and asked him if he had any objection to his taking the abused fragments to their much injured writer. '' The conviction/* said he, ''of this young villain's depravity will; I am aware, be painfui to the worthy man; but justice demands iliat the mild- ness of his nature should no longer ha abused. I am not prepared to ofier yoiv any advice, Mr. Valpine, on this subject ; but I am of opinion myself that no steps^ whatever should be taken, at present at least, to rescue this wretch frimi ihv dan- ger tliat hangs over him. PcrpctLiul lui- 242 RALPH REYBRIDGE. prisonment falls far short of the punish- ment such baseness deserves : towards a man, too, that would have taken him to his bosom as to the bosom of a father, and shared with him every comfort of life/^ Thus sajing, he put the letters in his pocket, took a hasty leave, and getting into a post-chaise pursued his journey into Wales, from whence he dispatched a packet into Northamptonshire, the con- tents of which proved a greater trial of our good rector's fortitude than almost any other calamity that could have befallen him. For the first week of our hero's con- finement, he experienced none of those indulgences which a good purse of money would have procured him : the room he inhabited was dark, cold, and cheerless ; a truckle bed and a chair composed the whole of his furniture; bread and water his only food ; the jailor w^as civil enough, but silent, and even surly^ when impor- RALPH REyBRTDGE. 24S tuned. Valpine not having seen^ or even written to him in consequence of his mis- fortune^ though he had on a former oc- casion promised to bail him^ very much astonished the poor youth. A week had passed by, and no notice taken of him ! *' Surely/' said he to himself, '' it is im- possible he can have resolved to abandon me in this miserable situation ?** Whilst he was losing himself in painful conjec- tures of this nature^, the jailor, on the seventh morning of his imprisonment, entered the room with brighter looks than it was usual for him to wear, and conduct- ing him to a lower apartment well fitted up, and with a comfortable fire, begged to know what his honour would like for dinner that day? '"for to be sure/' -con- tinued the fellow, '' you ha'nt a had many dainties for this week past/'—'' Nor shall I fatten on many now, I take it, my good friend/' replied our hero ; ^' for it should appear by all this attention, that you have had some misinformation about me.— I will m2 2i1t RALPH REVDRIDGE. not profit however hj your error. — I aiu Dot worth a shilling in the world." — " Vi ell, well, voiing gentleman ; replied the jailor, '' all's one for that, perhaps vour honour mayn't be quite so forsaken as you think. — Howsomcver, I never med- dles nor makes with other people's busi- ness; and if 'Squire Valpine and his good ladv have turned out to be charitj folkj whj 'tisn't the first miracle that was ever wrought." — '' You speak &barplj, this morning, Mr. Jailor,'* returned Reybrid<>:e. '' And so it 'n to ihe orders of Mr. Val- pine that I n-iibi attribute this change .^" — '^^hy, Sir," replied the jailor, ''I must do him the justice to say it is; and more than that, I am pretty cerium he means to fice you tVom Master Milcham's clutches altogether, afore it be long.'*-— ^^ Generouis man/' rejoined Ralph, '' how blind have I been to so much goodness !** — "Why for the matter of that," reji)iHed the keeper, ^' your honour is not the only person that have been long blind to it; RALPH nrvcHiD-:^. ll.) but there may bo r?;o<)d reason lor rou^iiii^ ofeegs, as the snyi^ig; is." Biit though "our |)o:>r hero h.pA now every thing he conld ui-h for in his nri- Son^ lie v/as niKible to i^.count' for his bcnoflirtor's non-nppcaranro ; tliosad itlea too of htivjng rcrl^aps for evor h>st Mr. Dcnliam's confidence and re»;ar()j was not to be counterbalanced by any future hopes or expectations. The next morning put him in possession of a letter, v/hich confirmed his worst apprehensions. It was from his tutor, and he opened it with as much fear and frenibling as if the contents were to decide upon liis Hfe or death. A criminal^ in-» deed, reprieved^ by mistake, with the baiter round his neck', could scarcely have experi 'need a more bitter pang than ihc following words indicted upon him: " ''^yhen I consi(!er that you wore once dear to me, and that I lia\e had the mis- fort uue to bcfctow on you an ediicatioa 248 RALPH REYBRIDGE. which may be the means of making you feel your present disgrace more poig- nantly than might otherwise, have been the case, I conceive it right and just that I should release you from the same; and I inclose for that purpose a note for 100/. which I am told will be amply sufficient. I shall still pray for you, and as a Chris- tian forgive you ; but we must never meet again, for where there is no longer confi- dence, there can be no longer friendship. '' Farewell ! '' Charles Denham/' Rothwell Castle, May 13, 17-—. After the first conflict of affliction, our hero began to scrutinize his conduct, and though he sav/ in it enough to condemn, yet allowing for the warmth of his con- stitution, the openness of his disposition, and his total want of worldly experience, he could not but feel shocked at the seve- rity of his tutor's decision. A decision so unlike what he might have expected from a heart so benevolent, a temper so RALPH REYBKIDGE. 3** mild, and a judgment so considerate and correct. These considerations stirred up somewhat of an innate pride that had long laid dormant in Ralph's bosom ; and he was deliberating* on what was best to be done with the bank note inclosed in the letter, when the door opened, and Mr. Valpine, with a face dressed up with unusual smiles of complacency, entered the room. — Rejbridge sprang forward immediately to receive him ; and squeezing him affectionately by the hand, '' My dear friend^'' exclaimed he, *^^ how rejoiced am I to see you at last. — I am convinced you must have been prevented by some urgent business from coming to me be- fore.'* — '' You are right, my dear Ralph,'* answered Valpine, " and much I assure you has the circumstance grieved me; but I hope I shall be able, before we now part, to satisfy you that I ever have been, and ever wish to be, your sincere friend.'' Here the jailor entered the room, and Ralph took the opportunity of observing 24S RALPH REYBRIDGE. that he had been treated by the honest man with great kindness and atiention^ lately. " Why your honour is pleased to say so/' replied the worthy keeper, " but alVs one for that. — I was alwavs of a compassionate disposition, and he must be a devil indeed that would not give the host he had, whether paid for or not/ to Buch a handsome gentleman as your honour/' Here a noise from tjjc room underneath interrupted the benevolent speaker, who immediately running to the stair- head ba\Yled out with stentorian lungs, *^'Bet, if that there spindie shanked officer can't muster no more money, why d'ye see I can't afix)rd to ^tt^ him like a Christian upon beef and pudding every day. — If there's a bit of the pig*s cheek in the pantry, you may gV it him if you like." — " This poor gentleman, I take it," r^bserved our hero, as the jailor returned, *' has not much hcauty to boast of. Key, friend ?" — '' Aye, aye," rejoined Cerberus/'you are a wag, young gentleman, KAF.PH REYBRIDGJ. 249 you are a wag" I see. — liiit thof, as I said before. Til defy any mini be of service to \ou in no small degree, without the least iu- convejiience to myself or (o Mrs. Vaipiue, who \ery cordially acquiesces in i^e ar- rangement I ha»e made in your laveur. I have procured for you, if 3011 choo>c t(> accept of it, the situation of a fosslblG for us at present to dis- cover, the worthy Mr. Denham, for wor- thy beyond di^^pute he is, has been deceived in you. His letter implies a breach of confidence and gratitude on your part, ^vhich, if you luive candidly related your story, you ha\e not been guilty of; not- withstanding, therefore, this good mau't RALPH REYB RIDGE. 261 present opinion of you, I wouid strongly advise you to write to bim ai^ain ; explain to him the whole of Valpine*s behaviour to you, and request to know if he has re- ceived any other account of you besides that which was the subject of your own confessional letter to him in the hour of your distress. I can never believe he received tliat letter." — ''Good God I Sir/* interrupted Ralph, '' you astonish me ! He must have received it, for I gave it with my own bauds into those of the ser- vant's, to carry to the post-office.*' — ''And why did you not ^o with it yourself?'* demanded the stranger : *^' Ah ! my young friend, little are you yet aware of the villainy of the world; I have long been- a wretched wanderer on its surface ; and long has experience, with an iron hand, been qualifying me to see deeply into the designs of men. Of Valpinc 1 must yet suspend my opinion ; I would not rashly influence your judgment, or suppress those acknowledgments you think are bii 262 RALPH REYBllIDGE. due; but do not put your confidence in him too niuclij till you see how matters turn out : above all, remember to convey jour next letter to the post-office your- self." Here the stranger paused, and our hero was about to reply, when he observed the tears standing in his new friend's eyes, as if occasioned by some sudden recollection of his own misfortunes. The officer felt them and renewed his discourse. ''Upon pride, selh^^hness, and insensibility^ ray story would produce Utile good; but your mind Mr Reybridge, seems cast in a dif- ferent mould, and will, at least, deduce this moral from it ; ' that it is always dan- gerous to reject that establishment in life, through caprice or fancy, to which you may have been called by prudence and duty * — My name is Fitzallen; my father was a clergyman residing on a small living near the town of Limerick, in Ire- land,and on the banks ofthe river Shannon; I was his only child, and as he had been RALPH REYBRIDGE. 253 promised for me, by the Bishop of the dio- cese, an rlig;ible curacj^ and the reversion of the benefice, provided I was bred to the church, he gave me an education accord- ingly. But notwithstanding all his pa- teriial care and attention, I frequently expressed an unwiliingness to take the gown ; prompted by my vanity to imagine I had talents too bright and versatile for the becoming gfavity of a clergyman, and that I was better calculated for a profes- sion of activity, where freedom of opinion on allgreatand general subjects would give ample scope to the energy of my mind. — Fatal and destructive delusion, which gradually led me from wickedness to wickedness, and has now left me to strug- gle with the bitterest misery ! '' During one of my college vacations, I obtained my father's permission to visit a relation of my mother's, residing at Dublin. This gentleman, though he had contrived to conceal his infamous princi- ples from my iaiaer^ was a free-thinker 264 RALPH REYBllIDGE. in the vilest sense of the word ; for he would occasionally proclaim his blasphe- mies aloud, without respect to persons, and in open defiance of all common de- cency. This wretch, before I had lived with him a month, contrived to makc^ne think as freely, and chatter as impiously as himself. To act the csLuUug hypocrite in a long gown, for thus my most hononr- able cousin was wont to speak of tha clergy, was now an occupation that ray principles, as well as inclination., revolted at; and I did not scruple ( Oh, God for- give me! ) to utter my execrable sarcasms even in mocking of my much-abused and indulgent father ! Infidelity is the parent of every vice that is degrading to human nature. Once satisfied of the absurdity of admitting the providence of a Supreme Being, and a future distribution of re- wards and punishments, man basely tram^ pies upon reason, the noblest prerogative of his nature, yields liimselfup to every species of corrupt and abandoned profli- RALPH REYBRIDOE. 265 ^acy, and becomes worse, ten thousand times worse, than the beasts of the desert. —Alas ! Mr. Rejbridge, I was, for a while, this wretth. — I became a drunk- ard, a gamester, -a sensualist, and a blas- phemer. My passions were restrained by no one principle of honour; and to attain the gratification of my pleasures, I would not have shrunk from the commission of the worst of crimes ! Sometimes my con- science, in spite of every thing, would reproach me; but I then fled to the fiend that bad undone me, and his modern phU losophy silenced every whisper. Satiated with common indulgences, I made use of those taleuls I was so proud of, for the purposes of seduction, and got involved in several duels in attempting to corrupt the wives and daughters of my friends. It was on one of these occasions that my deluded father first became acquainted with my apostacy. He wrote to me, more in grief than in anger, conjuring VOL. I. N )cGG UALPU KEYBKIDGE. me to return to liim^ if I bad a spark of virtue or humanity left alive in mj breast: I had not; for I neglected even to reply to bis letter. Not long after this, my de- baucheries, and my attempts to justify tbenij on the ground of my abandoned principles, became so notorious, that the worst accounts of nie could no longer be concealed from my venerable parent, and he never after held up his head ! A second letter was immediately dispatched to me by this injured good old man, in which, after having painted to me in the strong- est colours the enormity of my crimes, he informed me that I had broken his heart, but that he was determined 1 should not embitter his last moments by my presence ; that if X offered to intrude upon him, either personally or by letter, from that moment he would denounce that terrible curse upon my head, which, by my iniquity and barbarous ingratitude, I had already too richly merited. On the other hand, he acquainted me that bis banker at IIALPH REYUPvIDGE. 5G7 JDublin had received directions to pur- chase for mc, if I chose it, a commission in a marching regiment, and to supply me with 500/. besides. I confess, so com- pletely had the vile principles instilled into my mind deadened in me every sen- sation of pity, gratitude, and natural af- fection, that I read this dreadful epistle with little emotion, and indeed was wcU pleased to conform to the stipulations therein contained. Soon, however, di 1 the just vengeance of Heaven pursue me I I bad scarcely been an ensign in the regiment six weeks when news was brought me of my father's death, but that his last words had breathed^ instead of curses on my head, ableisingand forgive^ nes3 ! — Gracious Heaven ! what were then my torments I the black cloud of im- piety, with all its attendant vices, vanished before the anguish and remorse that op- pressed me, and the bitter tears of re- pentance were shed too late. I had been the murderer of the best of fathers^ and n8 S68 RALPH REYBRIDGE. despair and horror seized me. To Ihe first paroxysms of my grief succeeded a gloomy determination to revenge myself on the villain that had first misled me : I accordingly, having obtained leave of absence from my regiment^ quartered at that time at Meatb, and furnished myself with a brace of pistols, set off for Dublin, the scene of my former depravities, where I found Mr. Kowell ( for this was the name of my villainous relation) preparing to set off for his country seat, about thirty miles from the capital. It was not without difficulty that I* persuaded him to ac- company me to a little distance from the metropolis, on pretence of having some important business to impart to him; and when we were arrived at a convenient spot, I suddenly produced my pistols, w^iich I had previously loaded, and com- manded him to take one, and defend him- self, or I would lodge the contents in his. breast without further ceremony. Hei €pdeavoure.d to expostulate, but I was in H ILPII REYBRIDGE. 859 no temper to bear excuses which I knew >vomfi be unavailin2:. I told biin to turn to his dittolical principles, to his ijhilosO' phical code, and then to the grave ot^my sainted father, for an exphmation ; and, retiring; a few paces back, tired, and shot him through the lungs. He fell instantly, but not before he had returned the com- pliment, his ball passing below my right hip. It was some time before anybody came to our assistance, and it is probable we should both have bled to death, had not a boy, who was playing in an adjoining fields observed us, andgivon the alarm at a public bouse, to which we were im- mediately removed. '' I pass by a period of six months, during which I sutfered greatly from my wound, as did also my wretched cousin from his, which was even more desperate than mine. At length we were both relieved from our tortures, but Howell, whether from an apprehension of further violence from me, or whether a rcraorseof 270 RALt»H REYBRIDGC. eonsciencc had \isited Lini during his ronfjnement, quitted Dublin, froin that pnriodj, altogether;, to reside on a small estate at the extreniity of the kingdom, T>here, it came to my knowkdgc only a few days ago^ he died. — Miserable man ! may Heaven have received thy last^ though late repentance ! '' During my long illness, the Father of all Mercy was pleased to assist my endea- vours in acquiring a just sense of the heinousness of n)y former errors. Mj comprehension was not slow, and my un- derstanding had only been perverted. \ read books of fine and sound moralitv, and the more I read, the more was I aniazcdjthat the incongruous jargon of the modern philosophers^ hypothesis shoidd have been tolerated one moment by a common reflecting understanding. '' In consequence of my conversion^ which, on my re-appearance among mj brother officers, was soon discovered ; I wa«, at first, the object of their derision; RALPH REYBUIOGB. 271 b\jt a perseverance in temperance and rational pursuits changed, by degrees, this derision to respect ; for it is the peculiar property of virtuous behaviour to com- mand esteem and respect even from the most dissolute ; whilst, on the other hand, St vicious conduct, though wealth, power, and connexion, may procure it an outward triumph, is secretly despised. " But though my repentance was Sincere, my former crimes were not to pass unpunished. My life Ins since been a perpetual scene of fatigue, clanger, and disappointment. Without friends or in- terest, I have fought under the command of majors and lieutenant-colonels whom I had instructed in their duty as ensigns. I have served in fourteen different battles^ abroad and at home, and have experienced every hardship of campaigns both in sum- iner and winter. In short, I have been wounded in almost every part of my body, yet am I now sinking to the grave with only the half-pay of a lieutenant to sup- 272 RALPH REYBRIDGS. port a wife and three children^ who arc this moment, for aught I know, perishing for bread in an obscure lodging in London. But I see, my young friend, you are affected ; I will, thexefore, hasten to the conclusion of my story. I had, till very iMely^ supported my dear Lucy and her little ones pretty well ; for she is aa ex- cellent oBconpinist. Some debts however we were obliged to contract, owing to the scarcity of provisions ; and one of ray creditorsbecoming extremely importunate^ I had the imprudence to reproach him- At the time he took no notice^ but a fe\t days ago I was destined to feel the full force of his malevolent relalidtion. *' As I was returning from the city, 'where I had been on some private business pf my own, a man stopped me in Fleet- street, and asked me if I had no recollec- tion of him ? I answered in the negative; he then informed me that his name was Mullins ; and that he was in the service of Mr. Howell at the time I first came to RALPH ntVBRIDGE. 273 Tisit bim in Dublm/' — '' I am very much surprized/* continued he ''to see you. Lieutenant, look so pale, thin, and £0 poorly clad. I was in hopes the legacy left you by your cousin would haveenabled you to pull 7ip a little." — '' Cousin? good God !" replied I, '' Is Mr. Howell dead ?" ^^ At this question poor Mullins's astonish- ment was almost equal to my own. To be brief, he informed me that his old master had died several years ago in great agonies of remorse on account of his former wretched life, and had left me a legacy of 3000/. as some small atonement for the injuries he had done me ; that as this piece of intelligence had been withheld from me, it was, doubtless, the intention of the scoundrel lawyer who drew up Mr. Howell's will, and had been appointed one of his executors, to withhold also t he legacy. ' But lose no time. Sir,' continued my friend Mullins, ' in setting off for Dubli'i, where I know Crosbie, for that is tlie ra-cal's name, lives, aad is at present in great N 5 274 KALFH REYBRIDGE. practice. It will, I think, be impossibk for him, shrewd as he is, and clever at contrivances, to set aside your claim ; but should he begin to start any objections^ or fob you off with any evasions, just mention Pat MuUins's nariie to him, and that you can bring him over as an evidence in youi: favour, and don't doubt but he will ac- knowledge your right instantly/' Con- trcive,Mr, Reybridge, my joy and astonish- ment at this unexpected piece of good news. I embraced my kind friend, and having taken his direction where to send to him, should his presence be necessary, I hastened home to my dear wife to inform her of the prospect of independence that was now opening to our view. No time was to be lost in making preparations for my departure to my native soil, and which I had quitted in disgust, as having been the theatre of all my misfortunes, but was now about to return to it, elated with the most flattering hopes and expectations. Every thing we possessed was immediately V RALPH REYBRIDGE. 275 converted into cash to provide for mj journey, and the next day I found myself in possession of SOL a sum which I calcu- lated would be much more than I should require. My Lucy, however, was of a different opinion, uer could I, at parting, prevail upon her to take more for the support of herself and children during my absence than five guineas. " As my safest route to Dublin was by Holyhead, I took my plac^ in the Shrews- bury coach; and reserving only a little silver to defray my expenses on the road, I secured the rest of my fortune, being in bank notes, in my pocket book, and began my journey with a light heart and greater spirits than I had for many years experienced. Oh, with what joy did I look forward to the blissful moment, when^ blessed with my little independence, I should be able to educate my children, and establish them in life, secure from the clamour of creditors, and the more in- tolerable contempt of an unfeeling world* 276 RALPH RLVBIUDGE. But my exultation was soon to have a lall. On nij arrival at llils place six days ago> on searching for iuy pocket hook^ con- taining my treasure^ it was no where to be found. This misfortune^ great as it was, I might, however, have surmounted; fori had fortunately paid for my passage all the ^yay to Holyhead, and had still eighteen shillings in my pocket; but it was suc- ceeded by a calamity, which none but a fiend, at such a moment, and knowing the misery of my situation, could havebrought upon me. '' The merciless creditor whom I had so imprudently reproached, had left me with a smile of humility on his countenance, only that he might lull my suspicions of the diabolical revenge he from that mo- ment determined to take upon me, when a proper opportunity should serve; the bar- barous villain, therefore, no sooner obtained intell igence that I was settingoif for Ireland, for the express purpose of reco\ering a fortune that would enable me to discharge I b4^^.. .mS^^' RALPH REYBRIDOE. 211 all my debts, than, no longer actuated by avarice, but the most cruel malice, for he well knew that any delay might frustrate my views, he followed me hither, and con- trived to have me arrested for 42/. just as I was stepping iuto the coach to proceed on my journey ! All the miseries of my former life were nothing in comparison with the anguish that now assailed me ; but I will not obtrude the description of my sufferings on you, young gentleman, further than is necessary, for I see it gives you pain. Suffice it to say that, after the first tumults of my sorrow had somewhat subsided, I wrote to my poor wife, appriz- ing her of my misfortunes, and requesting that she would lay the matter before our neighbour, Mr. Staples, an attorney, and the only person we knew any thing about, in the hope, that when our future expecta- tions should be represented to him, he might strike upon some method of libe- rating me from my present hopeless state. To this letter I yesterday received tha 278 RA1.PH REYRRID6E. following reply, written by my eldest boj Tom. Mr. Fitzalien here pulled a small scrap of paper from his pockety and read as follows : '' My dearest papa. '' My dear mamma bids me say that she is very ill of a fever^ which prevents her writing to you, but that she has been praying to God Almighty to give her strength enough to come to you, if you will permit her : and Mr. Linwood the apothecary is very kind, and says he thinks she will soon be able. But don't grieve for us, dear papa, for we shall always be happy where you are, though we were to stay with you in prison all our lives. Mamma and little Harry and Emma send their kindest love and duty to you, and I am, dear papa, '' Your loving and dutiful son, *' Thomas Fitzallen." Lawrence-court, Friday night. RALPH ULYDRIDGE. 279 " The meausurc of m^' woe was now filled up. The death of my beloved wife, underall thehorrors of a raging fever; my famishing children crying vainly for bread, these were now the terrible forebodings of jny disturbed imagination, and almost drove me to put a period to my miserable existence ! — But the guardian angel that had before watched over and directed my thoughts shed;, a second time, his divine influence on my mind, and I resigned myself to a punishment my conscience told me I deserved. Providence had al- lotted to me a calling, of all others, to a peaceable and virtuously disposed inclina- tion, the most honourable and the most happy ; and had I not ungrat^^fully re- jected this bountiful distinction^ and pre- ferred to the exalted duties of Christianity, a life of idleness, uproar and bloodshed? Oh, yes ! — for such a preference am I deservedly punished ! — I ask not, I expect not a mitigation of my mieeries, nor shall another murmur nor another tear escape 280 RALPH REYERIDGE. mb\" Here the Lieutenant paused^ and our lierOj after wiping away the tears which this affecting recital had drawn forth, took the poor man's hand^and pressing it with great warmth — '' Oh, Sir/' said he '' your melancholy story has penetrated my heart ! but I will not waste time, which should be more actively employed, in vain professions. Here, dear Sir, take this bank note, putting into his hand that for 50/. which he had received from Valpine, and instantly liberate yourself. Fly to your wife and children, and pour comfort into their drooping spirits. To-morrow^, I will myself follow you, and assist you \vith as much more as you may require for your expedition to Ireland !'' A faint glow spread itself over Fitz- allen's face at the conclusion of these w ords. He gazed some minutes on Ralph's countenance, brightened up as it was by the warm emanations of benevolence; then, suddenly clasping him to his bosom, ex- claimed-^'' Yes, ray nobk boy ! dear, and RALPH flEVUrilDGE. 2S1 most benevolent friend, it were an insult to truth and honour to reject a bounty thus bestowed ; but Fitzallen will re- member ft:" then, falling on his knees^ he continued some niinutes in mental de- votion;' after which he sunk exhausted on his bed ; where Reybridge left him, to Hcrange matters for discharging his dfht, an^ to order some refreshments, anJ a nost- chaise and four to convey him, as speedily H^ possible^ to the arms of his lamentinc^ wite ai>d children. . 28S RALPH UKIBIUDGE, CHAP. XIX. Which treats of various important parti' ciilars, launches our hero into a xvorld of adventures^ and concludes the first vo* lami. No sooner was tlie Lieutenant sufficient- ly ?;efi'eslied to begin liis journey back to town, than, again fervently embracing his young benefactor^ liis debt and the cus- tomary fees having been discharged, he entered the post-chaise, and Ralph re- paired to the Crov/n to join Mr. Val- pine; but the gentleman was gone home, and our hero accordingly followed. His gratitude towards a man that was raising him from indigence to a comparative state of affluence, was still lively, notwith- sianding the hints and cautions of Fitz- allea. Both Mr. and Mrs. Valpine re- RALPH REV BRIDGE. 2S3 ceivcd Iilm with open aims on his return) but did not appear altogether so well pleased ^Yith the new acquaintance he had rornicd. Rey-bridge briefly related the circumstances of the poor officer's case^ and what he had been compelled to do for him. lie also informed Valpine of the bank-bill he had received from Mr. Den- ham, and that it was his intention to re- turn it, but at the same time to inforni him of the good fortune that had made his kind present unnecessary. '^ Be- sides/' continued he, '' I have reason to think Mr. Denhara has not received soma of ray late letters ; for if he had, I do not, I cannot believe he would have so sud- denly abandoned me." Here the husband and wife exchanged looks^ the full mean- ing of which, were I to explain it, would take up three or four pages of my paper. A pause succeeded, after which Mr. Val- pine pursued the discourse. '' Though I see no necessity," said he, " for your writing to your tutor on this subject, yet. 284 RALPH RliYBRIDGE. if jou like it, I have no objection. Yonr letters to him miglit possibly have mis- parried ; but, if jou put them ia the post- office yourself, it is not likely/* — " Alas ! Sir, I did not," replied Ralph ; '' I gave Ihem to James, your servant/' — ^' Well> uo matter," rejoined Valpine; '' when do you purpose writing ?"—'*^ Not till I ar- rive in town," replied our hero, " and have a little settled mvself. However determined my venerable master ( for so I must still call him) may be to withhold his blessing and forgiveness, I am con- vinced he will not grieve to hear of your beneiicencc towards me. And now, dear Sir, as you have kindly informed me it is your intention to supply me v/ith a capi- tal of 1000/., which, if I understand you rightly, I am to receive from the gentle- man with whom I shall reside in town, will you and Mrs. Valpine have any ob^ jection to my appropriating one hundred thereof to the use of the worthy but dis- tressed family I have mentioned ? for> RALPH REYBRIDGB. ^85^ though I might possibly have done this without your knowledge, > et I should by no means have conceived myself justified in the action/' — '' The money being yours, Ralph/* replied Valpinc, '' I can have nothing further to say to the dis-* posal of it. I shall give you a draft upoii Mr. Horton, and you may then do with the amount what you please. But, pr*y- thee, child, if you go on at this rate, how do you ever expect to make your fortuae by trade ? Merchants, Ralph, are go-^ verned by certain political laM s, and re- volve round the mighty emporium of commerce as planets round the sun, each pursuing his appointed course without deviation. These laws contain the grand mysteries of profit and loss, by an accu- rate knowledge of which the industrious computator is enabled to turn every con- tingency, however apparently unfavour- able in the beginning, to his ultimate ad- vantage. But you, my friend, are begin- ning your career in a retrograde motion. 2S6 RALPH ^EYBiaDGE. Instead of considering how vou are to make i\^o out of one^ you are diminishing' jour original stock, to the utter destruc- tion of all order and sjstem. Mercury will never protect such votaries^ depend on it/' — '' I do not very well understand what you say, my dear Sir/' replied our hero; '^ but, most assuredly, I shall never succeed as a merchant, or as any things else, if I am to be so systematically saving as to shut my heart and my doors against the pleadings of want and misfortune. However, I have a much more pleasing idea of these commercial mysteries than you 8eern to entertain, and cannot help believins; that the wealth which has ever made the British merchant respected at least, has cfteaer resulted from his in- tegrity, liberality, and benevolence, than. his jnofet careful computatiGns or specu- lative successes,'* To this Valpine only j^nswered by a sneer, and, ijhifting the dis- course, informed our hero, that, as h& would have pany things to do in Londaa RALPH RKYCIUDGE. 287 previously to his embarkation at Ports- mouth, where the Madras fleet at pre- sent lay at anchor, he should give him his dispatches to Mr. Horton that night, who would introduce him to Captain Daven- try ; and that he would advise him by all means to set out the next morning for the metropolis " For although, my dear boy," continued he, '' it will be grievous to Mrs. Valpine and me to part with you so suddenly, yet the movements of ileets are uncertain, and as the convoy is already, I understand, appointed, the orders for sailing may as reasonably be expedited as retarded/' Our hero was not displeased at this ex- pedition, as he was anxious to see once more his new friend, the Lieutenant, for whose welfare he felt unusually interest- ed. A place in the London coach was therefore immediately taken for him, and he was directed to be in readiness the fol- lowing morning at ^ise o'clock. On tak- ing leave of big benefactors, Ralph was S8S RALPH KEYRRIDGE* much affected, and there was a confusion in the behaviour of the Valpines on this occasion ; but whether it proceeded from regret at parting with our young adven- turer, or from some other cause, we shall leave tlie reader to guess. Reybridge, thougli grateful for the be-» nefit thus rendered him, was not sorry to quit a country aad people among whom he had never tasted any real pleasure, but, on the contrary, had experienced the greatest w retched ness, from bis own, fol- lies, 2ind the* ingratitude of others. liii journey:, thereforo, was far from being disagreeable, and he arrived at Mr. Kor^ ton's house in Cornliill, after travelling day and night, wiel^out much fatigue. Reybridge, tho ugh he had been brought up in obscurity, and the constant habit of heipg with Mr. Denham had somewhat damped the natural ardour of his inclina-' tions, wanted neither energy n©r spirit vyhen occasion called for thieir exertion^ li»(), in his present circumstances, he r«** RALPH i.vvrilUDf.'E. 2S0 solved to Jose no (opportunities of iiiakin^ himself acquainted ^vith iriCn and tiling^!, and to qualify hiiT:self for the line of life lie so suddenly found himself placed in. The same feelings, thus called into action, made him look forward^ ^vilh the highest delight, to the change of scene and situa- tion he was about to experience, and he almost began to fear, that one conse- quence of his tutor's forgiveness might be to put a stop to his voyage. With a cheerful countenance, tliercfore, he made his appearance in the parlour of INIr. Horton, just as that gentleman was sitting down to breakfast. Having announced himself, Horton welcomed him with more civility than cordiality, and, while he was reading Valpine's letter, cast such fre- quent and curious glances at our hero, that the youth, by no means pleased with his reception, turned upon his heel, and walked to the window. '* I beg your pardon, Mr. Reybridge,'* exclaimed Hor- ton, after reading the letter^ '' but yout TOL. I. o 290 RALPH IlEYB RIDGE. friend Mr. Vulpine gives so flattering a description of your person and manners." — '' Pray, Mr. Horton/' replied Ralph, interrupting bim, " do not think of an apology. I doubt I am a curious figure, for 1 have not been able to change my dress during my journey. If you will allow one of your servants, therefore, to show me my room, I will make myself a litile comfortable before 1 sit down to breakfast/' — '• By all means^ my dear Sir/' replied Horlon, ringing the bell ; *' and, in the mean tin^e^ I will step to the India House, and see if your creden- tials are prepared. Mr. Crokum told me he should have ihem ready by to-day, and I assure you no time is to be lost^ for the Phoenix arrived at the Mother- bank yesterday, and there is no knowing how soon the fleet will sail, for the pursers have all left town with the Company's dispatches.'* He then burned away, leav- ing our hero, who was totally unacquaint- ed with the absurd and consequential / IiALI*H REYBRIDOJK. *2.)l cant of these sprigs in office, in lae great- est apprehension lest he should lose his passage. By the time he had dressed himself, Horton returned^ and the gentle- men both sat down to breakfast. '' Well, Mr. Reybridge/' observed the communi- cative man of business, '' I have been at the House, but nothing is done yet re- specting your business^ for 1SU\ Crokum, though the most punctual and obliging man alive, has been lately so overwhelmed with indispensable calls that have pressed upon him, that he has now scarcely a leg to stand upon. However, we shall get it over to-morrow." — '' But, good God I Sir/' replied Ralph, '' shall I not be in danger of losing my passage ? I am sur- prized my friend Mr. Valpine, who must long since have planned this generous ar- rangement in his own mind, did not in- form me of it before ; or that he should have sutfered me to go to prison at all ; for I take it for granted, Mr. Horton^ that you are not unacquainted with thiii o ^ 292 RALPH REYBRIDGE. circumstance of my disgrace.** — *' \Thy, not altogether/" replied Hoiton, with soiiie hesitation ; '' but as for Mr. Val- pine/s sudden determination in your fa- vour^ \yhy it is a thing that happens, among whimsical men, every day. How- e\er, mj dear Sir, do not be alarmed about the fleet ; for, after all, I think it very probable you will not sail this month.** — '' Vvhy, Sir,** answered Ralph, whose respect for this worthy gentleman's talents did not quite amount to adoration, *' I thought you hinted just now that it was probable the fieet would sail imme- diately, as the pursers had all left the India House.**— '^ So I did. Sir," returned Horton, '' that*s very true ; but the con- voy is not quite ready, and, you know, my dear Sir, they may as well go without rudders as without a convoy.** Our hero, who was already heartily tired of his new friend, and anxious to see Mr. Fitzallen again, now a ked Horton if he could ad- vance him 200/. in notes or cash, in part KAi.Pfi iii.v!ir:n)f;K. 2)3 payment of Mr. V;ilpitic's draft iij)()a him? *' Assuredly 1 can, Sir/' replied Mr. ilorton, '' but i was j^ivcu to iiiKlcr- staiid Va.xi vou would liot n^quire iw.y part of your capital, tl:c v/l.ole of whi^ii I intended tiji;, nidrnin^.^ to Iiave })rcsentcd to you in a bill payable at si.^j,hl at Ma- dras.'*—*" ioiue (liOiUi^lit sj. ioi:/' replied Ralphs ^^ but rin Ui^.stiir.t'tv-? li-;vo hlmo occurred which would make the posses- lion of the sum 1 have merdioned more convenient to nie here. It you will hi me have two hundred^ I sl'all require us) more money to answer every demand pre- vious to my departure, clolLc-s and other necessaries for my voyage excepted ; and the remaining SCO/, can be given nie in the bill you mention, as w ell us the whole thousand." This proposal seemed to puz- zle Mr. Horton ; but he at length con- sented to it, and furnished our hero with the money required, with whicli Ralph instantly repaired in a hackney coach to Lawrence Lane. 594 KALITI fiLYSnirOE. Had \ve the pen of Bternc, v. e might po?siblv be fcmptcd to give a description of the second meeting of Rcybridge and the worthy lieutenant^ now a joyful hus- band and fatlier in the arms of his wife and children ; but as his magic quill was buried with him^ and ^Ye^ willi all our necromantic art, have no power to in- voke it to our aid, the reader must be led as we have hi^t him on other occasions^ to his own imagination. Jt was not till after repeated solicita- tions^ that Fitzallen consented to receive the hundred pounds Ralph had provided for him ; but the urgency of the case^ the prospect which it opened to him of under- taking with greater convenience the ob- ject of his expedition to Ireland, and the noble and disinterested conduct of his be- nefactor^ at length prevailed ; and the worthy man^ after forcing our hero to accept of a proper acknowledgment for IbOl. received the additional supply. It was immediately settled that Fitz- R\I.l»H UEYRUIDGE. 295 ollcn should set cff again for Shrewsbury that nig].t, and that no fresh disaster mfg'ht happen to him^he called in all his trilling debts, and having discharged them, sewed the remainder of his for- tune, which he converted into bank notes, within the lining of his coat. In the mean time Rc\bridge returned to Mr. Horton's, where a man attended according to appointment, to fit him out with linen, and all other conveniences for the voyage. He had made oiit an inven- tory which even Ralph tlioj^ght crowded with many superfluities, but as Mr. Hor- ton had seen and approved the articles, nothing would be objected to on his part. This weighty point being adjusted, lie re- tired to his room and wrote, as he had been advised by Fitzallen, once more to his tutor. He entered largely into every circumstance of his past life, since their separation at Stoke, and ventured even to ii^tQ his apprelicnsions, that his last pe- ^96 RALPii nE\BRIDGh. lictential letter could ncMii' have lavn fc- Ci.'iv(:d^ or his beloved fricGd would not ro n'j'^idly have treated him. Tiiat, how- € might have been seduced by bad t.^ampk% he had uevcVj in ilioughi^ word, or dcedj disobeved or neglected his com- niands ; nor could he accuse himself of having so far forgotten his precepts^ aa cither io have practised deceit, or sunk into df'.pravitj. lie then eK^hxUwd the good fortune that the extraordirsaiy boufitj of Mr. and Mrs. Valpine had poured upon him^ and of the neccssitj he was uncier, of immediately setting ofi for Portsmouth ; and inclosing the bank note he had received^, as a sum no longer ne- cessary to his VAanls, lie concluded in the following terms. "' Perhaps my dearest friend and father 1 may never see you moiC ! and oh ! my heart bleeds at the tlio light ! but my prayers and l>iessi!igs will be nignily jours. \our precept?, my venerable iustructcr, shall be rnv RAtPH nKYCRiDGE S97 fiilnre monitors and ^r.i'.des through the wayward forlune I miy be dcsuiud to pursue.'* IJavin^ sealed and deposited ^^'\ih his own hands, this leitcr in the post-oSice, he returned to the lieutenant's to partake of an early dinner with him and hisamiahle wife. Fitzallen approved of \^ hat he liail written io rlw Dcnhani. '' And I think. it highly probable^ niv dear boy/* said he, '' that vou may still he detained in Ens:- land : — for I cannot but believe tliat tlii? good man has been deceived, and will never suffer you to take so long and ha- zardous a voyage, eligible as your presv-^nt pro?pects^ with prudence, certainly are.'* Herfe the lieutenant proceeded to give our hero such cautions and instructions aahe thought requisite for a young man just tauni-hing, as it were, into a now life. And, in(kcd, few were better qualified for the task, for Fitzallen had seen and stu- died mankin J, and was well acquainted with the arcana of hunian policy : \irtucx o5 298 RALPH REVBRIDGE. in short;, was as quickly acknowledged bj hirnj as vice detected. When the time came for the worthy officer to depart, he tenderly embraced his wife and his children^ and, together with Iley bridge, walked slowly to the inn. The horses of the coach were putting to^ when iliey arrived, which the lieutenant perceiving, took our hero aside, and again ardently embracing him — '' Farwell ! my life's preserver \" said he, the tears gush- ing from his eyes ; '' amiable, generous Reybridge ! I know not what it is that assures me I shall one day or another — but, let it pass. God knows the wishes of all hearts ! — sometimes he graciously designs to accomplish them ! I will write to you, my friend, rely upon it ; and give you^ the earliest information of my success. Have a wary eye on those who may here- after profess themselves your friends, for there is some mystery in the conduct of the Yalpines, concerning you; and I fear, notwithstanding appearances^ they are not RALPH REYBRirCE. ^99 Ivnc." — '' Good Heaven, my dear friend," exclaimed our hero, '' what is it you would infer ? that Valpine in his last ac- tions, lias not been sincere ! From indi- gence, from the walls of a prison has he raised me to a creditable independence, and establiibed me in a line of life that with prudence, application, and integrity^ aided by the blessing of Heaven, must lead on to fortune. This did he ^o too, at a time when my first and only friend had forsaken me, and I found myself an outcast on the face of the earth, without parent or relative ! Is it within the bounds of possibility, -that, under such circumstances, there can lurk treachery?" Here the coachman interrupted them by summoning the lieutenant to take his place in the coach, which was just going off. Fitzallen, therefore, had only time to embrace our hero for the last time. *' Notwithstanding what you have said, my dear lad," replied he, ''be upon your guard ; still keep in mind the precepts of SOO RALPH REYBUIDGE. your virtuous tutor, and rciiiember Fifz- «illen.'* Thus sayijig-, he sprung into the couch, and was |:resci)tly on his way to Shrewsbury. • Ralph returned to Cornhill, wholly at a loss to account for his friend the lieu- tenant's suspicions, yet convinced that ihey were founded upon a long and well-tried observation of the actions of mankind. Shocked at the bare supposition of accept- ingfavoursthat miglit, for aught he knew^, ultimately prove the wages of villainy, he endeavoured to get rid cf his disagree- able reflections, by thinkifig of bis voy- age and its happy consequence ; in which employment he was found by Mr. Hor- ton. This worthy man had been dining, he said, with some gentlemen of the navy, from whom he had learned that the con- voy was at last appointed : to consist of the Vengeance of 50 guns, and the Phoebe sloop of war. ^' So that you have no time to lose, Mr. Revbridgc," con- tinued he^ '' and I think you wid da ihiht to set oiF by to-niouow cvcnino; at furthest. I liavc tiikeii care about your Ihings^ r,nd procured a bill upon Messrs* Jl and Co. Madras, at fifteeu davs sight, for st:ir png-odas two thousand^ which will Lc your own fault if you do tiot incrsiisc to t^ventv* in the course of H Icwjear? ; foi* itic common interest there ii eight p^i' euiit.''— ■* Good GodP' t<^* pliod Rttiph, ^* thii is verj sudden, iii. deed ! I thought I should have had Hvvftfk at least given me to prepare. '*-^^' Phj), pho,'* answered [ !orton, '^ you are young ill these matters, ?»Tr. Reybridi^e ; and have no conception how looq our slop- shops at this end of the town arc able to fit out a sijgle passenger like you. \on may rely u])on it^ the thing's you ordered yesterday are not only ready for you, but put on board tlie Pha?nix by this time, so you will liave nothing to do hut to get your credentials, and an order to be received on board, which Mr. Crokuiri has bound himself to haye re.idv to-ni(Mro\v r.icrn- 302 RALPH UEYliRIDGE. ing/' Our hero could not but feel thank* ful for the fiicndliness with which riorton appeared to have acted, and thanked hira accordinglj. He was_, how- ever, rather incredulous with regard to tlie suddenness and dispatch of the slop- scileis, but his anr^icty on this head was soon over, for calling at their house of business in -- — - street^ soon after, he was given to understand, with no less pleasure than surprize, that Mr. Re}bridge's trunks, &c. Sec. had actually been dis- patched that morning early, according to the directions of Mr. Horton. Much re- lieved by this intelligence, he made the best of his way to the inn, from which he had been told the Portsmonth coach set out every evening, and securing himself a place, returned to his friend whom he yery warmly thanked for the trouble he bad put himself to on his account. '' No thanks. Sir, no thanks, I beg;" replied Horton. '^ I am used to these things, and would have got your business done RALPH 11 nVD RIDGE, 303 for von, liTid it been necessarv^ in a quar- ter of tlie time : for these fellows, vou must kfiow, would as soon eat their lin- gers as disoblige me/' The following morning Ralph and his friend proceeded to the palace in Leaden- ludl-strect, where a confusion of tongue?^ (to which that of the building of Babel would have seemed soft music) almost stunned our hero ; nor^ did the motley crowd which blocked up the avenues io every office, fill him with less astonish- mcnt. At lengthy by dint of pushing and perseverance, the gentlemen got access to the august presence of the great Crokum^ who, after abundance of cross questioning and crors examination^ for which poor Rejbridge had come verj' little prepared:, and would have made but a bad hand in replyi:ig to, but for the assistance of Hor- ton, presented him wi(h the requisite cre- dentials, &c. taking care, however^ with the most conscientious exactness, to ad- minister the oaths, and pocket tlic fees. "jOl RALini liEVBHiDGE. .\\hic]i wore so exorhitavA^ that a b}^- sfander at all conveisarit in affairs of this iiaiure, would have set our hero down, YOiMis: as he was, as a senior Dierchant ia ilic service, williout further question. But the fact Was^ that the worthv Mr. Cro- kum had been duly apprized of its being poor italpli's i^rst sppearaiice iii Leaden - liaJl«feireet^ and that li^ kti^w r^o rr.ore of ofllee perqulgiteg than thu man in the wioou. The pariing of Reybridge and Fitz- allen's familv was affecting in the ex« treme. Mrs, Fifzallen embraced him as slie would have embraced a dear and much loved sou, and the children clung round him, ihcii* little eyes overflowing with tears v.f gratitude ai^d affection. At knglh our hero tore himself away fr m a scene which was become i ns up- port ainv painfL;], a lid hurried to the €ofiec i ouse where Pvlr. Horton had ap- poinit'd to meet him previously to his depciiiure. The wortbY~ngcnt was sitting '^\ RALPH REYliRIlXiE. 30jt in a bDXj with some letters and other papers before him. On seeing Ralph, ha ordered tea, and then opened his discourse in the following terms : '*^ ?»Jr. Rejbridge^ I have, with some difiiculty I confess, procured for you some letters of recom- mendation, among which is one to Mr, Macglib, who is in council, and will be able to do a great deal for you. Here they are," putting the letters into our hero's hands, ^' and indeed I doubt not but they will be of essential assistance to you in the line you are in. At all events, they will give you a respectable introduc- tion into society, and you will be able to work your own way with the greater ad- vantage." Ralph was utterly confounded at a piece of good fortune so Yery unex- pected ; and his conscience smote hira for having paid so little respect and atten- tion to a man who had not only proved himself an active friend, but, to ail appf-ar- ances, must be a person of no inconsiaer- able infiueflce with the higher powers^ 306 RALPH U EVE RIDGE. since he could procure recommendationi to counsellors. He was beginning, there- fore, at once to testify shame for his past conduct, and to express his grateful ac- knowledgments for the present favours, when Horton interrupted him. " Pho, pho,** said he, '^ there is no mighty fa- vour in the business, these things are done every day, Mr. Reybridge ; how- ever, I wish you heartily, success. Here," contined he, '' is the bill on R and Co. but I would advise you to lock it up in your trunk for fear of accidents." Then, looking at his watch, '' bless me I it is time vou should be at the inn where your coach sets out, but you have not far to go. I am sorry a particular engage- ment prevents my accompanying you, but I wish you every happiness, I do upon my soul !" Thus saying, and shaking our hero cordially by the hand, he hurr'ed off, leaving Ralph astonished, to observe in the same man, such a strange mixture of conceit^ insensibility, and beRevolence. RALPH REYBRIDGE. 307 Having now carefully deposited his valuable paper treasure in his pocket-book, not witliout tbiiiking of his friend the lieutenant's mishap, he proceeded with all expedition to the inn. The horses were putting to, but he had still time to lodge his pleasing burden in his trunk; be then stepped into the place in the coach that had been reserved for him, and gave himself up to all the flattering illu* fiions of a warm imagination. END OF VOL. I r. Gillet, Printer, CrowA-court, fleet-street, London. ERRATA, Owing to the Author's distance from the press, the follov*- jng errors of the printer escaped correction in cons,iderabl*- part of this Edition. Vol I. p. 15. 1. 13, after about JeJe full point — S4. \. 7, for clasp reaj clap — 49. I. 1 2,/or resolution rfao' revolution — 62.1. 1, /or expressed r^a(/ suppressed — 92, 1. 1, /or which rertd what «- ib. 1. 2, Jelf full point after VOU — 135, 1. } 4, after know read not — 185. 1. 20,y or theatrical ?van Guineas elegantly bound; and the Voyages intlr.rteen volumes, or ilie Travels in fifteen may be had separately after the? same rate. A COMPLETE COLLECTION of VOYAGES and TRAVELS. from t'lo First Voyage of COLUMBUS in the vear 1 492, to the COMMENXEMENT of the PRESENT CENTURY, the principal of them printed verbatmi from the best Editions of the Original Works, i'he wliole selected and prepared for the press BY WILIJAM }1AV0R, LL. D. Vicar of Hurlev, and Rector lo Stonestield; Chaplain to the Earl of Moira; Honorary Member lothj Beard of Agriculture; Autiior of the Universal History, British Nepos, Sza &c. &c. This new and enlarged Work consists partly of a Re- print of a similar Collection made by th2 same Author^ which has for a considerable time been out of print; aud partly new matter, comprising the N'ovages unabridged of AN:50N, BYRON, WALLIS, CAlMEHEr, and COOK ; the Travels unabridged of ADDISON, MON- '^i'AGU, and SMOLLET; and of abridgments of many Valuable works published subsequently to ti:!e. appearaiK;e of the former Edition, bringing the collection down to the present time. 'Ihe contents of the several volumes willbe^t illustrate the Nature, Utility, and value of this new work. THE VOYAGES. Vol. 1. Columbus, De Gama, Cabot, Drake, &c. 2. Anson, Ulloa, &c. 3. Byron, \^'allis, Carteret, &c. 4 Cook's First Voyage. 5. Cook's First Voyage. 6. Cook's Second Voyage. 7. Cook's Second Voyage* fer^-- Nev: Books lately Published. R. Cook's Third Voyage. 9. Cook's Third Voyage. 10. Cook's Third Voyage. 11. Pliipps, Fielding, 'Forest, Piiirip, Wilson, ."^L-.;. 12. Pa^es, Vai?couver, Ike. 13. Maliievvs, iiligh, I'urnbull, aiid Index. 1 llE TRAVELS. 14. Ad.dison, M. W. Montagu^ 5<:c. 15. Siiaw, ilanway, Nienbuhr, &c. iu. Bruce, iViaupertuis, Wood, &f. 17. Snioliel's France and Italy. 18. Brydune, Swinb\trne, Wraxall, &c. 30. Moore, Coxe, Ike. 20. Pallas, Macartney, &(\ 21. Valiiant, Brown, Sarrow, &rc. 22. Sonnini, Denon, Parke, Sec. '?3. Forste.r, Buchanan, &c. 24. riearne. Weld, Liancourt, Mackenzie, &c. :i.:>. Bourgoing's Spam. ;:'t>. 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A COLLECTION of MODERN and CONTEM- PORARY VOYAGES and TRAVELS, published in monthly numbers, at Half-a-cro\vn each, and consisting (1) of Translations of new Voyages and Travels from Foreign languages ; (2) of Voyages and Travels never before published ; and (3) of Analyses of new Voyages and Travels published in England, "Nine volumes already completed, illustrated with numerous views, &:c. price 15s. each in boards. All the above may be had on the shortest notice, of every Bookseller in 1 own or Country, in boards, and in every variety of plain-anU elegant binding. ^ T. Gillet, Printer, Crowa-court, Fleet-street, Londoai ^ -<*. a CO w> o u W4 C/3 I tJ) o G O o indin on ^S .2 a ra • - -M ^ -M — ^ rt o O Cj z^ rt +j >> •4— > OJ o .5 G G -4— > o o ^ .(_> -4— » CO •1—1 QJ fcjO CO u «-M ^ •r w Cvj ^ c^ c5 HH 1 O Ph o CO G CO ."S ^ *o '^ .2 G .2 ^ u .2 G 4-> CO • •-< CJ s? 'o -4-» o 3 oj J4 o O 3 o CO CO S ost diti G £ u o o J3 < < U U H £ fe c/3 o H .S