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 L161— O-1096
 
 THE 
 
 I CR O C O S M. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR 
 
 VICISSITUDES'^X GENtatoTUFE 
 
 *' Great events •ftenarife from trifling incidents. A point of 
 *' ctiquettt wiH fooiednits involve ^nation in war." 
 
 ^,onDcn 
 
 'ipti 
 
 TKINTED FOR J. MAWMAN, IN THE POULTRY. 
 
 "^801. 
 
 By T. Gillct, »alifVury-<(i'iire.
 
 r^2^:^/^y: V/- ^^}/,/t.
 
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 ^ np^HE effufion of a heart fraught 
 1 JL with o-ratltude, is ever liable to 
 3 be miftaken for flattery, and an ac- 
 
 w 
 
 knovvledgment of obligation, if accom- 
 panied by only juft praife, deemed the 
 language of adulation. But if to the 
 character of a Senator, whofe indepen- 
 dent conduft, through a feries of years, 
 has evinced his being fuperior to the 
 acceptance of Place, Penfion, or titles, 
 be added^that of a private gentleman, 
 ^ whofe tenanti are permitted to live in 
 »4^ eafe and comfort, while thofe of too 
 ^ many polTeiTors of large landed property, 
 ^re daily raifed to aim oft rack-rents, it 
 '^will furely be beyond the power of even 
 -^the ingenious paffions of envy and ma- 
 lice, to torture the due attribution into 
 A. 2 ^ a principle
 
 IV dedicatio:n^. 
 
 a principle unworthy the acceptance of 
 confcious rediitude: yet, apprehenfive 
 of offending by any femblance of flat- 
 tery, the author will forbear to exprefs 
 more particular fentiments, and will 
 only, in fimple language, make an offer- 
 ing (the acceptance of which will in- 
 creafe a lift of unreturnable obligations) 
 of the enfuing pages, wTitten under 
 various difadvantages, with little more 
 to recommend them than an intention 
 not reprehenfible, 
 
 TO 
 
 Sir Edavard Littleton, Bart. 
 
 ONE OP THE REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 OF THE COUNTY OF 
 
 STAFFORD.
 
 PREFATORY LETTER, 
 
 ADDRESSED TO THE 
 
 REV. WILLIAM JOHNSTONE. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 THE obligation under wfiicb I think 
 myfclffor your friendly advice, makes 
 me determine upon anfvvering your letter 
 ^in this public manner, that I may at once 
 offer you my thank?, and fpare myfelf a 
 formal preface, as the reply which your let- 
 ter demands, will include all I can fay upon 
 the fubjedi. 
 
 You firfl aik me why, as you are pleafed 
 to fay, I have a turn for more ferious com- 
 po(ition, I chufe to employ my time in 
 writing a novel which requires greater la- 
 bor than limple moral efTays ; becaufe in- 
 vention muft be added to a difDiav of moral 
 truths. 
 
 A3 To
 
 Vl i'KEli'ATORY LETTER. 
 
 To i?iy I make emolument a fubordinate 
 confideration, would be abfurd, and like- 
 wife difcredited ; but this, whether or not 
 ^J^m believed, I can afTert with the ft ri died 
 truth — that whatever might be my primary 
 'motive for rendering myfelf liable to public 
 1t:!enfafe, one of the greateft pleafures the 
 ^cMpJoy affords Vine, is to defcribe in glowing 
 tints the beauty and pre-eminence of the 
 Chriftian fyfiem in its primitive attire ; with 
 the happincfs which ever refults from habi- 
 tilal feutimcnts of true piety; and were I 
 tp make t-hti^ attempt in theological lan- 
 giVa'ge, anci'/''tinder a theological title, my 
 eflibfts vvduld probably be fruitlefs; the 
 riurnber'bf tni&s fit>m the pens of profcfied 
 Divines, would throw my puny labors into 
 obfcurity. When the writings of Dodlors ; 
 of Deans, and of Bifliops are daily adver- 
 tifed, who would condefcend to be in- 
 i^rudled in fuperior duties, however excel- 
 lent the precepts, by an humbler author ! 
 I wifh to write to the hearts of my readers. 
 I wi-fti^to dra<v the ductile mind to he in 
 
 Icve
 
 PREFATORY LETTER. Til 
 
 love with re^litude, and the deHgn. of con- 
 veying inflrnvSlIon ; reproof; encourage- 
 ment — of ridiculing folly, originating from, 
 or ending in vice — of iliewing virtqe in. her 
 native beauty and inviting or rather gllui;- 
 ing others into her paths, has ever been 
 mod fuccefsfully purfued by thofe who h,av,e 
 had genius and ability to exemplify precepts 
 in an interefting and well told ftgry^ The 
 fabrications of our Fielding ; Richardfon ; 
 Sterne ; Smollet : Hawkefworth ; Gold- 
 fmith ; Johnfon, &cc. have ever been ef- 
 teemed amongft the firft of Englifh prq- 
 ducSions, even by thofc who alfeei to con- 
 temn this fpccies of writing. And has not 
 Spain boafied of her Cervantes ? — France 
 of Moliere; LeSage; FcTiclon; RouiTeau; 
 Voltaire? — Greece, of Homer? And Italv, 
 of.yirgil? Yet did not every one of thefe 
 delight in fiction ? Were not their mod 
 choice fentimeats and important precepts 
 delivered ,;in the vvords of an imaginary- 
 hero?. Even Milton ohofc the drapery of 
 romance for his fu.bii.m'Cft ideas. Story or 
 A 4 fable
 
 /.■■,.. 
 
 Vm PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 fable has been adopted from the earl left ages 
 of the world, by the mod: pious, as well as 
 mofl: learned men that ever ornamented its 
 furface. What but fc^bles, are the inimita- 
 bly fimple parables in the Gofpel ? What 
 but allegory, the Song of Solomon ? And 
 what the whole Book of Job, (written pro- 
 bably by Mofes) but the fincft of all novels 
 that ever was eompofcd ? Indeed, there can 
 Icarce be named a writer of any celebrity, 
 ■who has not, at one time or another, em- 
 ployed his pen (either in profe or vcrfe) in 
 fomething of the novel fpecies, and yet the 
 critics of the prefent age, too light, perhaps 
 to form an opinion of their own, adopt (in 
 words) the dry fentiments of the laft cei>- 
 tury (which affe(fled to fet amufement at 
 defiance), in expectation of acquiring there- 
 by a reputation for that profound wifdom 
 which, if really poflefled, would but fcrve 
 to render them unamiable companions, and 
 unimproving inflrud^crs ; for can it be fup- 
 pofed that the gayety of a juvenile mind will 
 fo readily acquire a relifh for the informa- 
 tion
 
 PREFATORY LETTER. IX 
 
 tlon which reading affords, if it muft be 
 always confined to the morofenefs of iiic- 
 tatorial teachers, as if it were fometimes in- 
 dulged with a permiflion to ftray in the 
 flowery paths of inftrucStive imagery ? Cer- 
 tainly not ; nor will dry didlatcs alone pror 
 duce fo good an efFe(?f ; for to young peo- 
 ple '' example is better than precept ;" for 
 which reafon it ought to be as much the 
 endeavour of a writer to deform vice as to 
 ornament virtue ; a confidcration feldom 
 fufiiciently attended to. 
 
 You will not miftake my meaning by 
 fuppofing that I approve of an attachment 
 to thcfe kind of writings, without diftinc- 
 tion. Novels whofe tendency is to render 
 any vice, however falTiionable, enticing to 
 a youthful eye, or which leads the puerile 
 heart to entertain romantic ideas, ought" to 
 be reprobated in the fevereft language ; but 
 thofe which draw the mind to love, and to 
 pradtife not only the gentle, but fevcrer vir- 
 tues ; to ihun every vicious principle, and 
 in cue fentence, to make genuine piety the 
 A 5 foundation
 
 X PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 foundation of every a6lion, cannot be con- 
 fleraned but by the pedant or the cynjc — by 
 
 an affectation of vvifdonn, or morofc unami- 
 able virtue — which laft phrafe, however, is, 
 in my opinion, a direcl contradicSlion in 
 terms. 
 
 What kind of writings, let me alk, would 
 you have the ymmg people of this age ad- 
 vifed to perufc ? Hifiory ? Travels ? Poe- 
 try ? or Plays ? Does not the fame objec- 
 tion lie againft thefe as again ft novels ? Is 
 there not good and bad of every fpecies ? 
 Does all hillory inform the mind and im- 
 jprove the heart ? Will the account of every 
 traveller open the undcrfianding and elevate 
 the fentiments of his readers ? A tafte for 
 tlrama muft fiill lefs be indifcriminately m- 
 ^K!^gt(\, as the bcft aiul ti^c worft of precepts 
 are delivered in a dramatic form. And 
 what more corrupting than fome of the 
 poetry which fliines in fiiperb covers on the 
 tbelves'of our libraries ? 
 
 You w'Jl perhaps fay that a proper felec- 
 llon ought to be made of thefe publications. 
 An<l cannot this, with equal propriety be 
 
 faid
 
 PREFATOnY LETTER. XI 
 
 faid of novels ? Why, except from what 
 may be termed vuJgar prejudice^ (hould 
 any one fpecies of coinpofition be con- 
 demned i?i totof If you urge that young 
 people ought to be confined to moral eiiays^ 
 and works of mere inftruclion, I mufl again 
 allc whether this will be cfFc6lual to the 
 defign of alluring the juvenile reader to the 
 love of ftudy. Surely no: a young mind 
 muft be invited, not driven, to a fondncfs 
 of improvement, and after the habit be 
 formed, a relifbi for books more profound 
 will be acquired. To this point I fpeafc 
 from clofe obfervjytion and experimental 
 :k now ledge. :■■ 
 
 ■ You have read Studies of Nature, writ- 
 ten by James Henry Bernardinc de St. 
 Pierre, and you fubfcrrbe to the warmeft 
 clogium that can be given to the author^ 
 Yet even this great man, whofe writings no 
 one can attentively perufe without experi- 
 encing an elevation of fcntimcnt, did not 
 think it derogatory to his dignity to infcrt 
 the'4-iovcl [for fuch, whether the ftory was 
 or was not tbunded in truth, it muli beenv 
 Ad tilled]
 
 Xll PliEFATORY LETTER. 
 
 titled] of Paul and Virginia, which exem- 
 plifies niany of his precepts. 
 r Some lime back. I met with the produc- 
 
 ^ lion entitled '* Pompey the Little," with 
 '^/^Jlie prefiice to which 1 was much pleafed, 
 becaufe my own fentiments, formed long 
 before I read that work, were there prefent- 
 ed. Fearlefs of the accufation of plagia- 
 rifm, of which 1 am totally unconfcious, 
 and which is often unjuftly attributed to 
 many writers whofe imagery and idiom 
 are limilar to that of fome author, to whofe 
 writings they were utter Itrangers, I will 
 Iranfcribe fome paflages from the work 
 above-mentioned, although the fenfe of 
 fome part of it is cxadly what I have at- 
 tempted to exprefs: perhaps the better choice 
 of words will more clearly elucidate that 
 fenfe ; at Icaft it will evince that my opi- 
 ■nions are rot lingular^ and will give feme 
 authority, as the author of that publication 
 was no mean [^xnius, to my fentiments. 
 
 **'!To convey infiru61ion in a pleafant 
 ♦* manner, and mix ctitcrtainment with it, 
 '* is certainly a commendable undertaking, 
 
 '• perhaps
 
 FREFATORY LETTER. XIU 
 
 •• perhaps more likely to be attended with 
 " fuccefs than graver precepts. 
 - :*' Can one help wondering therefore at 
 **'the contempt with which fome people 
 *^: affedl to talk of this fort of conipofition ? 
 ^ They feem to think it degrades the dig- 
 " nity of their underftandings to be found 
 " with a novel in their hands, and take 
 <f. great pains to let you know that they 
 ^* never read them. They are people of 
 " too great importance, it feems, to mif- 
 *^ fpend their time in fo idle a manner, 
 " and much too wife to be am u fed. 
 
 '* Now though many reafons may be 
 '• given for this ridiculous and afFe^^cd diC- 
 'f dain, I believe a very principal one,- is 
 ^^ the pride and {jedantry of learned men, 
 " who are willing to monopolize reading 
 " to themfclves. and4hercfore faflidioufly 
 '•' decry all books that are on a level with 
 *' common underftandings, as empty, tri- 
 " fling and impertinent. 
 
 '• Thus the grave metaphyfician for 
 *' example, after working nights and days 
 '' perhaps for feveral years, feuds forth at 
 
 '' laft
 
 MV PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 " lafl: a profound treatife, where A and B 
 *' feem to contain fome very deep myfleri- 
 ^' ous meaning; grows indignant to think 
 *' that every little paltry fcribbler, who 
 *' paints only the chara6ters of the age, the 
 ^* manners of the times, and the working 
 
 of the padions, fliould prefume to equal 
 
 him in glory. 
 
 The politician too, who fhakes his 
 *^ head in coffee-houfes, and produces now 
 " and then, from his fund of obfervations, 
 ^^ a grave, fober, political pamphlet on the 
 " good of the nation ; looks down with 
 *' contempt on all fuch idle compofitions, 
 *^ as lives and romances, which contain no 
 " ftrokes of fatire at the mioinry, no un- 
 *'. mannerly refle61ions upon Hanover, nor 
 ** anything concerning the balance of 
 ** power on the Continent. Thcfe gcntlc- 
 " men and their readers join all to a man 
 " to depreciate works of humor : or if ever 
 *' they vouchHife to fpeak in their praife, 
 *' their commenc'a'.ion never rifes higher 
 " than, " Yes, 'tis well enough for fuch a 
 *' fort of thing," after which the grave 
 
 *' obfervator 

 
 PR1EFAT0RY LETTEB. XV 
 
 " obfervator retires to his news-paper, and 
 " there, according to the general eftima- 
 ^^ tion, employs his tlnne to the heft ad" 
 " vantage, 
 
 ^' But befide thefe, there is another iet, 
 *^ who never read any nnodern books at alJ. 
 " They, wile men, are fo deep in the 
 '' learned languages, that they can pay no 
 *' regard to what has been publifned within 
 ** thefe laft thoufand years. The world is 
 fr grown old ; mens geniufles arc degene- 
 " rated ; the writers of this age are too 
 " contemptible for their notice, and they 
 " have no hopes of any better to fucceed 
 *' them. Yet thefe gentlemen of profound 
 " erudition will contentedly read any trafh 
 '• that is difguifcd in a learned language, 
 " and the woift ribaldry of Ariltophanes, 
 '• fhall be critiqued and, commented upon 
 *' by men, who turn up their nofes at 
 *' Gidhver'y or Jofeph Andrews, 
 
 " But if this contempt for books of 
 '•' amufcment be carried a little too far, as 
 " I fufpc6l it is, even among men of fcience 
 *^ and learnings what fliall be fiiid to fome 
 
 " of
 
 XVI PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 *^ of the greateft triflers of the times, who 
 " aiFe6l to talk the fame language ? Thcfe 
 ^^ furcly have no right to exprefs any d'lC- 
 *V dain of what is at lead equal to their 
 ^^. underftandings. Scholars and pien of 
 *^ learning have a reafon to give ; their ap- 
 " plication to fevere ftudies may have def- 
 " troyed their relifh for w^orks of a lighter 
 '^^ -cafi, and confcquently it cannot be ex- 
 •^ pe^Q^/'they fhould approve what they do 
 *^.OQt .underftand. But for beaux, rakes, 
 *5,petit-maitres and fine ladies, whofe lives 
 „" are fpent in doing the things which 
 .*^' novels record, I do not fee why they 
 V' (hpuld be indulged in afie^ling a con- 
 '^ tempt for them. People, whofe moll 
 .*< earneft bulinefs it is to drefs and play at 
 ^* cards, are not fo importantly employed, 
 '* but that they may find leifurc now and 
 *' then to read a novel. Yet thefe are as 
 ^' forward as any to defpife them ; and I 
 :" once heard a very fine lady condemning 
 *' fomc highly finifhed converfations in 
 " one of Mr, Fielding's works for this curi- 
 " ous reafon — ** becaufc/' faid flie, " rt 
 
 *' is
 
 PREFATORY LETTER. XVW 
 
 *^'^i^ fucli fort of ftuff as pafles every day 
 " between me and my own maid." 
 
 Speaking farther refpedling the writings 
 of the gentleman laft mentioned, he adds — 
 *' They are, I think, worthy the attention 
 " of the greateft and wifeft men, and if 
 ^* anybody is afhamed of reading them^ or 
 " 6an read them without entertainment or 
 " inftrudlion, I heartily pity their under- 
 " llandings. The late editor of Mr. Pope's ^ 
 '*' works, in a very ingenious note, wherein 
 " he traces theprogrefs of romance writing, 
 " juftly obferves, that this fpecies of com- 
 *' pofition is now brought to perfedion by 
 " Mr. De Marivaux in France, and Mr. 
 " Fielding in England." 
 
 Will v/hat I have written above, be 
 deemed a fufficient reply to the letter with 
 which you favored me upon the fubjedl of 
 compoiition ? If it will not, I mufi: leave it 
 unanfwered, only acknowledging that I 
 have in confiderable forwardnefs feveral 
 pieces of the fpecies of writing you wifh 
 .me to attempt — fome moral ; fome dra- 
 matic, and fome more peculiarly religious,
 
 XVIU PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 but as I only write at intervals of time, I 
 cannot fix any probable period for their 
 completion. 
 
 It was fuggefted to me^ upon the appear- 
 ance of my former publication, that I was 
 obliged to the pen of a friend for many of 
 its parts ; but this, whether criticifm *' fe- 
 
 i^* !vere, or mild," awaits me, I think it 
 
 •rq'nitable to contradidl: ; and to affirm that 
 neither in this, nor in any other produdion^ 
 did I everconfcioufly introduce a line which 
 
 .owed its origin to another, except what I 
 acknowledged by quotation. 
 
 ** Faded ideas float in ibe fancy like half 
 
 -irforgotten dreams; and imagination, in 
 " its fidlefl enjoyments, becomes fufpicious 
 
 5^ of its offspring, and doubts whether it 
 " has created or adopted.'* 
 
 That I have frequently experienced this 
 perplexity, I am forvvard to declare, as no 
 piece of criticifm would more fenfibly af- 
 ft€t me than that of being accufed with 
 endeavoring to pafs off as my own the ori- 
 ginal fcntiments of another ; for Vvhich rea- 
 fon I have marked with inverted commas 
 
 many
 
 PREFATORY LETTER. XTX 
 
 many pafTages in the enfuing pages, which 
 I belreve had never any other author, be- 
 canfc their famiharity raifed an apprehen- 
 fion that it was poffibk I had met with 
 them at fomc former period ; and indeed I 
 have frequently found my own ideas, and 
 ahnofl: my own expreffions, in writers I had 
 never previoufly perufed, which, though it 
 created fjme furprife at the moment, is 
 not, duly considered, a circumftance to be 
 wondered at, as it is not improbable that 
 two people unacquainted with each other 
 fhould think aud'fpeak upon the fame fub- 
 je6l with fimilitude. 
 
 It was not till I had written a great part 
 of the work with which I intend this letter 
 dliall appear, that I ever read one line ia 
 any of the writings of the author of Cecilia, 
 Evelina, &c. yet I found many paflages in 
 them which might induce little critics to 
 pronounce my having filched from thefe 
 publications ; but little critics are mod 
 heartily to be defpifed, as a word, or even 
 a letter mifplaced, appears to them a fault 
 of magnitude. Real genius — a phrafe very 
 
 little
 
 XX PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 little underftood — admires what they con- 
 demn ; being experimentally convinced 
 that a lively imagination cannot always be 
 confined within the bounds of what dull 
 people call flridl propriety. 
 
 It is a misfortune to mc, perhaps a 
 greater to my readers, that I never am able 
 to tranfcribe what I have written. My 
 fifft^ copy has always been my laft. Could 
 I write over again the following volumes, 
 I fhould probably make great alterations in 
 them; but the tafk would be extreme: 
 indeed not practicable. The work muft 
 be fent into the world, if fent at all, '^ with 
 " all its faults upon its head." When I 
 began, it was not my intention to carry it 
 to more than half the length to which it 
 has almoft unavoidably been extended. 
 The (lory is copious, and I could not com- 
 prife it without either crowding the inci- 
 dents, or relating, uninterruptedly, the 
 limple matters of fa6l which lead to the 
 final event. The firft part of the work 
 may be deemed uninterefling, but it is a 
 necefTary hinge for the reft to turn upon ; 
 
 and
 
 PREFATORY LETTER. XXI 
 
 and without a full elucidation of the pri- 
 mary caufe, the efFecl would appear im- 
 probable and extravagant. 
 
 I have been under no little perplexity re- 
 fpe61ing a title to the following pages, 
 having fixed upon feveral which 1 was fub- 
 fcquently informed were monopolized. 
 
 The World as it is, &c. 
 
 A Pidlure of Life — were difcarded upon 
 this account ; and after I determined upon 
 THE MICROCOSM, I was told of Its having 
 been applied to a periodical paper lately 
 publifhed ; but by the advice of a friend, 
 who obferved that a periodical paper was fo_ 
 difiingui finable from a novel, that the fame 
 title, without any apprehenlion of miftake, 
 might be applied to both, I {till determined 
 upon its adoption. 
 
 When I anfwered your firft letter of 
 enquiry, it was as I informed you, my in- 
 tention to publifh by private fubfcription, 
 but being defirous of fending the volumes 
 to the prefs fopner than it was poflible I 
 could more completely efFe6l my purpofe, 
 I determined to avail myfelf of the favor of 
 
 a feledl
 
 XXll TREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 a feledl number of friends, and offer them 
 to the world immediately ; and from the 
 puncluaHty of my printer^ I hope they vviJJ;, 
 foon be under your infpe61ion. 
 
 The grateful refpe6l I entertain for thofe 
 who kindly affifl in promoting my defign, 
 impels me to make a public acknowledg- 
 ment of their favor, by which I think my-, 
 felf greatly honored ; I will therefore tranf- 
 mit to you their names, as I received them, 
 without any alphabetical arrangement^ or 
 honorary di<5iin6lion. 
 
 Sir Edward Littleton. Rev. Richard 
 Slany, for two imprcllions. Rev. M. Kcm- 
 fey. Mifs Small wood. Mifs Sarah Brown. 
 Rev. Flenry White. Rev. J. Fern. Mifs 
 
 Barker. Rev. Taylor. Rev. Charles 
 
 Buckridge. Mrs. Buckridgc. Thomas 
 Maynard Efq. Mrs. Maynard. Robert 
 Sparrow Efq. Mrs. Sparrow. Rev. Bcnce 
 Sparrow. Mrs. Bencc Sparrow. Mr. So- 
 fnervillc. Rev. Hamlet Harrifon. Mifs 
 Hill. Rev. George Crabbe. Mrs. Crabbe. 
 Hon. Edward Monckton. Mifs Pigot. 
 Rev. W. Lawfon. Rev. >^ E. Say. Mrs. 
 
 Say.
 
 PREFATORY LETTER. XXlll' 
 
 S^y. Mrs. Sparks. Mr. T. Hunt. Right 
 Hon. LordVifcount Brome. Earl of Roch- 
 ford, George NafTau Efq. His Grace 
 thcDakeof Hamilton and Brandon. Earl 
 of Dyfart. Countefs of Dyfart. Right 
 Hon. Lord Rous. Phillip-Bowes Broke 
 Efq. Mrs. Broke. Charles Burners Efq. 
 Charles Berners Efq. jun. FI. F. Spencer 
 Efq. Samuel Kilderbee Efq. Rev. Samuel 
 Kilderbee. Lieut. CoL Dupnis. Edward 
 HafcU Efq. Mifs Ann-Gill Gap. Mrs. 
 G. Edwards. Mifs Mary Edwards. Mr. 
 J. Pierfon. Mr. Parrott. Mr. T. Bayles. 
 Mrs. Morrctt. Mrs. Newfon. Moretcn 
 Walhoufe, Efq. for two impreiiions. Har- 
 ry-Spencer Waddington Efq. John Hor- 
 fey Waddington Efq. Peter-Ifiac Thel- 
 lufionEfq. Mrs. Thelhiflbn. Hon. Mrs. 
 Eofcawcn. Henry Gardener Efq. Riglit 
 Hon. Lord' Prcfion. Mrs. Webb. Mifs 
 Devie. Mr. Rennet. Rev. Ph. Sommers. 
 Mrs. Johnfione. Mifs Johnftone. Mr. 
 Charles Johndone. Hon. Mrs. Beaumont. 
 Mifs Beaumont. Lion. Mrs Saville. Rev. 
 Do6lor James Wyreley. Lady Elizabeth 
 
 Hervey.
 
 XXIV PREFATORY LETTER. 
 
 Hcrvey. Mifs Olivia Courtney. Mils 
 Lorimer. Mrs. Clifford. Rev. Richard 
 Frank, D. D. and the Right Hon. Lady 
 Bradford. 
 
 In the opinion of the above, to many of 
 whom I am united by the ties of confan- 
 guineous or fpontaneous affcdlion — to all 
 by thofe of gratitude — I particularly vvifh to 
 fland juftified, and truft their ftridlurcs will 
 be lenient. To the friends, in general, of 
 virtue, I next wi(h to recommend my en- 
 deavors; and then, if the public at large 
 will accept my labors, and by the precepts 
 inculcated, and the examples given in the 
 enfuing pages, any individuals Hiall be led 
 into the paths of rectitude, my defign will 
 be completely effedied, and my moll: fan- 
 guine vviflies gratified. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obliged Friend, 
 
 And obedient Servant, 
 
 The AUTHOR.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Page 
 
 The CharaBer of a great and good Man 
 -in a dozen Lines 1 
 
 CHAP. n. 
 
 The Story moves, yet does not begin . • 10 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 Spencer Aviary l6 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 A ramble throtigh Gardens, GroveSyOnd 
 Pleafure Grounds 19 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 A mere Trifle 33 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 An Introdudion to fome new Acquaint^ 
 
 anoe ...,,,...,.,...• 37 
 
 VuL. L * A CHAP.
 
 XXVI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Page 
 
 Symptoms of AffeB'ioyi too refined for 
 
 common JJfe . .' 48 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 Mr, Spencer s Arrangements at the 
 Aviary^ which thofe who object to 
 Arrangements are not hoimd to perufe 52 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 A PiBure ofModiJli Affeaion 6? 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Which paves the way to other Matters 'J 7 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 Offmall Confequence 82 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 The Story continues dull 85 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 The Introduction of a Stranger 9^ 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 To young Widotvs 100 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Neither Sentimental nor otlicnvife .... lOQ 
 
 CHAP.
 
 CONTENTS. XXVH 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 Page 
 
 To young Parents 11 () 
 
 CHAP. xvir. 
 
 To the numerous Families of the Quaintly s 126 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 j1 Journey to London and an Epifode . . 133 
 
 •CHAP. XIX. 
 Which fums up Particidars 146 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 The Guardian 154 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 The Inn 167 
 
 CHAP. XXII. 
 Symptoms of Learning 176 
 
 CHAP. XXI I [. 
 The Captives I79 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. 
 The Captives continued 183 
 
 CHAP. XXV. 
 The Captives Jinijhed. 1 90 
 
 CHAP.
 
 XXVUl CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. XXVI. 
 
 Page 
 
 For %vhic]i we cannot find a Title .... 1 9 1 
 CHAP. XXVII. 
 
 The Tutor and Tutor efs I96 
 
 CHAP. XXVIII. 
 
 A Tribute to f lull Jfedlon 201 
 
 CHAP. XXIX. 
 
 ChMiood 202 
 
 CHAP. XXX. 
 A Dialogue between Mrs, Percival and 
 
 Mrs. Mitchel 209 
 
 CHAP. XXXI. 
 Youth, Self-dete^ion ; and a Treat for 
 the tender PaJJlons 2 1 9 
 
 THE
 
 T H R 
 
 MICRDCOSM, 
 
 ►^•x-*^ 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 ITlie Charade J' of a great and good Man hi a 
 dozen Lines, 
 
 UPON the caflern coaft of this king- 
 dom, and within a day*s journey from 
 London, flood the feat of a gentlennan of 
 ancient family, whofe name uas Spencer. 
 His pcrtbn was line and attractive, and a 
 few wordls comprifcd his character. Good 
 fcnfc and a good difpofition, marked th&. 
 man. Cxood breeding, and what is greatly 
 beyond il:, true politenefs, (bowed the gen- 
 tleman. But above all — ^genuine piety 
 ditlinguilbed the Christian. 
 
 Vol. r,. B Early
 
 '/ THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 r Early in life^ Mr. Spencer married the 
 Tak daughter and heirefs of Mr. Charlton : 
 li man who had acquired an immcnfe for- 
 kine (report faid upwards of hi\\i a mi-I- 
 iion) in the capacity of a Turkey merchant, 
 and who, being ambitious of an alliance 
 w^ith gentility, objected not to the fmall- 
 nefs of Mr. Spencer s tbrttwie, but admitted 
 him cheerfully as a fon-in-lavv. On his 
 union with Lctitia Charlton, who pofieirod 
 and returned his entire aftcclion, Mr. 
 Spencer relinquiflied his intention of cn- 
 ienftg^ into public life. 
 
 - In a few years Mr. Charlton, to his great 
 joy^i found himfelf grandfather to feveral 
 lovely boys and girls; but none of them 
 arrived to maturity, except one fon and a 
 daughter, who, in procefs of time uere mar- 
 ^-riedT—the fiifi: to a Mils Hatley, the other 
 to h.cr' brother, Sir Everard. 
 .. -Xoung ivXrs. Spencer and the Baronet's 
 JLady were, for alhort period, \ery good 
 friaids, and met once in a week at either 
 the Shrubbery, which was the nanneof Mr. 
 
 Spencer's
 
 XHS MICROCOSM. 3 
 
 Spencer's habitation, or at the more mag- 
 nificent abode of Mr. Ciiarlton, called the 
 Avkry; but Hgns of aniraofity foon began ta 
 dift urb the harmoiiyof thefe nearly related 
 families. - Lady Hattey thought herfelf of 
 too much increafcd confequeiice. to give 
 place, as in thefc family meetings it fecmed 
 ex-pedred that flio Ihoidd, to the wife of 
 her brotber, with whom 'iherTemonltrated, 
 in very warm terms, on this unreafonable 
 rcquifition of Mr. Charlton, as it- was he, 
 v/hp wit-h great folcmnity, fettled the pre- 
 cedency of the party. But asthe harmony, 
 ftj^ the an^itRofity- amongft thefe relations was 
 ft or t, dor i a two years after thefe- marriages; 
 an epidemic feVcr, which raged in allthe 
 neighbocH'ing towns and .villages, made 
 fuch havock amongfl: Mr. Charlton's pro- 
 geniy^iJthat Mr^ Spencer, at the early age of 
 fotrty^fevcn, found jhimfelf the only pro- 
 teiStorofa grandfon and two grand-daugh- 
 ters ; the iirft left to his care by his fon, the 
 two laft by the lady of the -Baronet. Ed- 
 v.ard; wp3 ^t he name of the little Spencer ; 
 B 2 Matilda
 
 4 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 Matilda aod ElcanQr of t<lic MiiTcs ilatky-. 
 Mr. Charlton, indeed, \va& fiill living, but 
 he \\i\s too infirm lo cafe Mr. S|?enecr <j(f 
 any part of tlie care which devolved upom 
 him OH this dcpiivatiou of his lady and 
 children. 
 
 And this is tke period at which our hif- 
 tory — to ornament our work with the lan- 
 gm^ge of ]Mr. Fielding— chufes t-Q Qoui- 
 mencc. : - ; :j . 
 
 And now reader let us Hop in our career 
 i— -or rather before w.c fct out — ^tOiteLl thee 
 our determination. 
 
 We do not intend towritp In ,dire^ im^^ 
 tation of any late or living authors; ncYcr-* 
 thelefs we fliall take the liberty qf uling the 
 ftylc-r—adopti ng the fenfe — and even tranf- 
 cribing the language of any of them.Kbich 
 plcafe us, whenever wcfuvd qu Helved <ljl})0A 
 cd fo to do; and that, .perhaps, without ttl4 
 wayji flopping — :as we fliall, probably, b^ 
 fometimes iji great hafie—lo mark as .quotas 
 lions what wetborrow. However 4S we do jiot 
 ^lean Jtobe guilty of deliberate pkigiarifm ^ 
 
 or
 
 TII^ MICROCOSM. 7> 
 
 or with to pci'fs off as our own, even the /V/^t/.? 
 of another, wc warn otir perulers to Gxpc(:t to 
 find what, perhaps, they may have met with- 
 in the works of foiiic writer of greater con- 
 loquencc; deli ring tbtmi to alFaw us wliat 
 iiierit wc dcfervc for the fclecfiion, wilhoat 
 crying out, as wc know fomc certain pret- 
 ty little critics — by punflers not unaptly 
 termed crichfs—^o, when they meet with 
 fnch cxpreflions as — ShdJ) groves — ['nrlifig 
 fi reams — verdant meads ^ &c. that they are 
 qmtatlojis^ and ought to have been achioiv^ 
 hdged as fuch. We would have thefe lifp- 
 crs — thcfc infiint chirpcrs to underflaiid, 
 'that we have an idea of being elevated above 
 the reach of their fqueaking tones; that 
 we mean to WTite jull as wc plcafe ; leav- 
 ing it to theif option whether or not to 
 fpeud any portion of their time \x\ Jkhnming 
 the fnrface of our pages; that being what 
 they generally do to works of ftili greater 
 importance. 
 
 With regard to the judicious — though 
 
 we do not mean to make ourfcl.ves account- 
 
 B 3 able
 
 6 THE MICKOCOSM. 
 
 able to auy one — wc fhoulcl be unwilling 
 to draw upon ourfclvcs their -fcverity for 
 want of a little proper ex pi anntio n, fdir 
 which reafon we inform theiii tlvat we.have 
 in our lives perufed many tboufands of 
 pagcs/and that we have fo infenfibly im- 
 bibed^ from early years, the iyriages of their 
 authors^ efpeciallyof thofe which mod pleaf^ 
 ed us, that, to borrow the fcnfe of one -of 
 our favourites, we cannot always fepa^atc 
 our ovvn native ideas from thofe which have 
 been fo imbibed. /'•-.. 
 
 Wc next declare that as vre are creating 
 a world of our own, wc fliall conftitate 
 what laws we plcafe : and as thofe whd 
 come under our jurifdi6lion, will come vo- 
 luntarily, and may at an}'^timc fhakc off 
 their allegiailce, we do not expc61 they will 
 pretend to intermeddle — nor to ccnfurc, 
 (except under this great provifo, that they 
 can likewife AMENi>) any thing whicii they 
 mnv encounter within thcfcour realms. • 
 
 -We are not, let it be obferved, friends to 
 unlimited monarchy : a?, notwithliandin^ 
 
 we
 
 THE MICROCOSM. f 
 
 u-e colifidcr ourfclvcs the head of th? go- 
 vernment, we intend to be affiftcd, and 
 even ruled, by Common Senfe — Probabillty 
 — Good humour, Scc. Sec. if we can pre- 
 vail with thefe exalted pcrfonagcs to attend 
 our levee : but as our intended counfellors 
 may poffibly be fometimes abfent on othcF 
 bufinefsj we hope — nay command — that a 
 little ceffation of their minillry may be 
 overlooked. 
 
 Having thus cleared ourfclves from in- 
 tentional defpotifm, we (hall next excul-* 
 pate ourfclves fro4Ty- all defigns of form- 
 ing a Commonwealth ; dil'allowing — :c3 be- 
 fore dilallowed — of every fancied- con fe- 
 qnential upflart's |ji*cfaming to ccr>fure, or 
 even to applaud the work upon which we 
 arc entered; as their approbationy given in 
 the pbrafc of its being '^ Mighty pretty^* 
 wc hold a greater libel than an open con- 
 felllon of its not fuitina: their underlland- 
 ing. 
 
 And now to give an inllancc of our au- 
 thority, we enadl a law that it ihall not be 
 B 4 faid
 
 ^ THE MICROCOSM, 
 
 livid evt;ry perfon can read who knows- tli«- 
 Iband of the words before him, bccaufc it 
 may happen there (hall be fomc who can- 
 even trace all lang'uagTS to their origin^ yet 
 be quite invidnerable to the fcnfe which an 
 author of any refinement wifhes to con- 
 ye}!,\; Sentiment, i-t fecms, is not now hi 
 JaJJnmu The effect of- Mr. Sheridan's 
 Seliool for Scandal has been to explode fen- 
 tinient;, though i-t was evidently the inten- 
 tion of that elegant writer to reprobate oiily 
 tbe aCuraption of it> as a ^cil to hide a vil- 
 lainoiis mind^ The furface-lkimmcrg of 
 tl'ie prefentday> are happy in their miftake 
 of hi3 meanings as they can thus take oc* 
 inifion to decry thofc fentimcnts m others- 
 for vvbich, not having any ia themfelves, 
 they 'have no relifli. They know not how 
 to difitngiiidi btifibo^ery from wit, orduH* 
 nei-s from wifdom; but plcafcd with an in- 
 congruous heap ot'phrafes, which vaife a 
 )augh, and perhaps a blulh, exclaim witb 
 -Scjtiire Tony Lumkin, they " lo-ce's fiuu^ 
 Fun, therefore, is the commodity in high
 
 THE MICROCOSM'. P 
 
 fak : but wc warn all thofc, who for the 
 fun in falliion barter their unclcrilandings 
 not to fully thefe our pages; at thoir peril 
 we warn them; bccaufe if they expect to 
 find any thing in ihem in their own way^ 
 we have the vanity to prcfume that they 
 >viil be greatly clifappointccl. 
 . Another declaration, not to be receded 
 from — is this, that we fball ule our own 
 language; coiaing what words or phraics- 
 wc judge proper, without confidering oiu*- 
 felves ajnenabie to any dictionary -ftudcrit 
 whatever; whether mifs or imUter. 
 
 A third, ami at prefent the lalt procla- 
 matiotl from our throne, is, that we (halt 
 ailhme, at pleaforc, in imitation of other 
 Sovereigns^ the fingulac or the plural lan- 
 guage; arnl lliall like wife &ow ourfelves as 
 either King or Queen, as fuks the occa- 
 iional dignity or dcUcaey of our ibnic and 
 fentiments ; ufmg, as we (ball deem meet, 
 I or W£, whei> we fpeak ; ]wada>£ — sir — - 
 or tome word expreflive o£ the wiwon, if it 
 fliould happen that wc. are di^pofed to • re- 
 B 5 Lte
 
 10 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 relate our having been addrefled. Aiid 
 we; decree that this diflcrtation fhall, to all 
 intents and purpofes^-fervc ^s a •'preface, 
 though we fuppofe, notwithftandlng all we 
 have been enforcing, we Ihall immediately 
 be taxed with abafc and premeditated imi- 
 tation of our great anceftor Laurence Sterne: 
 but we. declare upon the word of Royalty, 
 that the idea never arofe in our mind till we 
 were tar advanced towards a' conclufion. 
 
 ..And now, that: we may give a little reft 
 to ourfclves, and 'to our well-beloved and 
 devoted fubje<5ls5 we here -make our iirft 
 
 CHAP. 11. 
 
 IttiJI 'ke ''Sior^<^mavefy 'yet does fiot hgin* - 
 
 CTTfHE. educatioH>«f hivS grandchildren, 
 
 X . was jnow Mr. Spencer's great con- 
 
 c^^o: Mti wifhed to rnnke them- gobdy^s 
 
 c a well
 
 THE MICROCOSM. J 1 
 
 well as anuiment.il., members of rocicly-;' be- 
 ing tinctured with fuch obiblete opinions 
 as to think that a gallant air in his boy, 
 And a fliOiionable one in his girls, would 
 not entirely compenfatc for the abfence 
 cither of morality or religion: a trait in 
 this excellent man's character which '(if the 
 truth that we are determined to obferve, 
 would permit) we Oiould be glad to pi^ls 
 over, as we well know it will be ant to 
 render him ridiculous. 
 
 *' A fine preceptor for girls of diftinc- 
 tion 1" .cries the lovely Fiorinda. 
 
 **' A queer Put to form a lad of fpirit-" 
 exclaims \\\\.\i the added ornament of an 
 oath, her favoured fwain. " What a Go- 
 "thie appearance muft creatures fo tutored, 
 " cut in fafliionablc life !'* 
 - But notwithitanding many of thefe far- 
 eafms, and i^ great deal of contrary advice, 
 Mr. Spencer pcriifled in his refolution ..<)f 
 not permitting his grandchildren to go {to 
 any public fcrhinary. He provided tutors 
 
 for
 
 1 2 TTIE MrCROCOSAT, 
 
 i'oi* every brancb of education, and had tfe 
 hapfMnel-s of feeing all the objedis of his- 
 paternal wifhcs anfwer his expectation, in 
 the proficiency they made umkr their rc- 
 fpe6tive inHrudlors. 
 
 To lead our readers through the puerile 
 joys ami diftrefTes of thelc our young peo- 
 ple, would be tedious and unnceeliiiry r 
 futiice if the little Edward Spencer was 
 ellcemed one of the braved and bcft hu- 
 moured lads in the country, and Matilda 
 Hatley one of the prcttiefly fprightlicft, and 
 moft agreeable among ft the girls. Eleanor 
 was of a difpolition diilerent from both her 
 fitter and her coufin ; for as thefe were 
 opeU;, artlefs, Jlnd generous ; fhe was fecret, 
 cunning, and felliOi ; but her perfon was 
 attradive^ and veiled from common ob- 
 icrvers the errors in her mind. Her eyes 
 were black and piercing, her features regi>- 
 lar, and the bloom of health aninvated her 
 checks. 
 
 Matilda Hatloy was of li fair complexion. 
 
 Her
 
 THli 511 CHOC OS ^f. I' 3' 
 
 Her iiiie b^n>. eyes were expreflive of the 
 fwcetcft feiilrbilitj; ; and the molt obliging 
 rntention was viilbic in her actions. 
 
 When Edward, to whom no higher 
 praife could be given than that of hR> bear- 
 ing a (trong refemblance to his grandfather^ 
 was juft turned twelve, Matilda about two 
 months younger, and Eleanor near eleven, 
 Mr. Charlton left thcfe lower regions after 
 an iilnefs of a few weeks, tUiring whicb 
 period he made a will, in fomc parts tinc- 
 tured \yiftb fyinptoms of a i^x^ond child- 
 hood ; but it was too rational to be inviv- 
 lidated. Mr. Charlton eonftituted Mr. 
 Spencer fole executor, and gave him alt 
 his podeliions till: the young people lliould 
 refpc6tively arrive at age, when they were 
 to be paid ten thouUind potinds each ; ami 
 if they married with Mr. Spencer's confent, 
 given in writing, according to a prefcribcd 
 form, the firft boru child o( tli€ three, whe- 
 ther fon or daughter, living- to the age of 
 twenty-one, fhould be pitt in poffeffion of 
 the noble eftate called the Aviary, upon 
 
 which
 
 J 4 . THE MICROCCJSM. 
 
 which Mr. Chnrlton made it a condition 
 that Mr. Spencer fhould refidc till the event 
 above mentioned, fhould it take place dur- 
 ing the remaining term of his exigence, 
 that the maniion and grounds might be 
 kept in perfect order ;- and for this purpofe 
 die bequeathed a very handfome annual 
 fum to be expended at Mr. Spencer's dif- 
 icretion. It muft be allowed that this mag- 
 ?tu:ficent as well as beautiful habitation, 
 upon which it is proper to obferve, the lit- 
 tle fclfiCb Eleanor had long fincc call a 
 wifliing eye, well merited this con.lidera- 
 tion, as imagination cannot form any thing 
 to exceed it in elegance. 
 
 Mr. Charlton, with great ingenuity, had 
 a lingular rclifh for improvements, and not 
 thinking his own taftc equal to his delign=, 
 procured fome of the firft artifts of the age 
 to embellifh the Aviary, and fpared no 
 expence through a fcrics of years to render 
 it the admiration of all who h-eheld it.^ — 
 That he fuccecded in the accomplifhment 
 of his favorite fcheme will be evinced in 
 
 the
 
 THE MICROCOSM. I 5 
 
 the enlulng chapter, in which we propofo 
 to give fome dekrriptiou en his houfcaad 
 gardens. To tHe pofleffion of thefe he an- 
 nexed a contiguous eliate of twelve thou- 
 fand pounds j)eV annum ; au'! '*■: jcft the 
 relidue of his property .(in irare of 
 
 dcfcendants) to He difpcrfed ctt»>iHi'$jQf4in^to 
 the judgment of Mr. Speaqeri, for wiiom 
 he had always a great a^ec^ion, aiid vvhofe 
 family name he fo much prefen-cd to his 
 own, that he directed it by a claute in bis 
 will to be aflumcd by the pofiellbrof the 
 ettate,. (which 'Iikewifcw^3 to be entitled 
 Spencer Aviary) for four Ibcceeding gene- 
 rations, on the contingency of its defcend- 
 ing to the female branches of the familv. 
 
 Many :!whimfical particulars in > Mr» 
 Charlton's will might, be diverting to fuch 
 as can fpert with the. infirmities of old age j 
 but we have too great a veneration for thofe 
 who arrive at that period, tQ ridicule their 
 foibles; though poflibly fome of our talhion- 
 ablci.perufers might think; they would prc«f 
 
 CiiAP.
 
 Id THE MICROjCOSM. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Spencer j^oiary^ 
 
 THE manfion fo much and jultly the 
 pride of Mr. Charhon*s latter daySy 
 was Gompafcd of a very fine kind of llon^^ 
 from a new found quarry upon his own ef-» 
 tate, which was fo beautifully veined that 
 it had more the appearance of marble than 
 of any other material. Of the form of the 
 building we ^nd it di^ftieult to give any 
 adequate Idea, as though its Itrudture, when 
 examined, was found to be perfectly con- 
 fiflent, it appeared, at a iirft view to be a 
 beautiful irregular piece of architedlurc ; 
 indeed, with the chape}-, pavilions, tem^ 
 pies, grottoes, alcoves, and numerous of-^ 
 fices cktached from the houfe, a traveller 
 pafTing the park- pale, would have imagined 
 k to be a litte town, rather than a habita- 
 tion for one family ; even the very ftable^ 
 yards were encompalled by wsXh that wore 
 
 the
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 17 
 
 'the appearance of handfome d well in g- 
 houles. but not in that unvaried ilraight- 
 >inc-fof m which generally diilinguinies the 
 offices belojiging to the country feats of 
 Englifh gentleiTien. The yards to the 
 other offices and oiit-buildings were eu- 
 elofcd in ^hc (Inne nnanncr ;: forming cref- 
 cents, fquares, half-fq«arcs. and rotiUKloes^j 
 feveral parts of the fabric were flniffied witlt 
 domes ; two or three with fpires ; and the 
 walls ekfetr parapcttcd or turretted. In 
 one of the apparent temples was a very 
 harmonious fct often bells, moved by clock- 
 work,, and which^ though they rang a peal 
 periodically^ could occafionally be pu-t ia 
 motion with very little trouble : but what 
 particularly engaged the attention of the. 
 curious, was a detached buildinsr of confi- 
 derablc magnitude in the form of an anci- 
 ent caftle, the walls of whieh were entirclf 
 covered with the beautiful p::iik-and-fLlvcr 
 cone cockcl-fliells that adora the Suffolk 
 fliore near Baudfey Ferry. It is impollible 
 lo imagine any thing niore elegant than 
 
 tlii*
 
 i^ THE MICROCCS.\r. 
 
 this cdificCjthc rooiris of which were fbrmcd' 
 ^r various a mu foments : one wing was 
 magnifieently linifhed for dancing, and a 
 neat little theatre tilled the other ; while 
 the centre was adapted to the more com. 
 men purpofes of life. 
 
 The manfion houfe of Spencer Aviary 
 \^as fuperb to an extreme degree. Every 
 room was fnrnifhed in the higheft ilyle of 
 magnificence^ and nothing could exceed 
 the convenience of the apartments, which 
 were fo numerous that though there was 
 an agreeable conne6Vion through the whole, 
 two or three diftin^l families might have 
 lived in the houfe without incommoding 
 each other. In fhort, if ever any llrudlure 
 merited the appellation of a palace, on ac- 
 count of its fpacioufncfs, beauty^ or gran- 
 deur ; that of Spencer Aviary had a juft 
 title to.- the dillin6lion. 
 
 GIIAP.
 
 THE MfcC4^0COSM» 13 
 
 GHAR IV. 
 
 jt"^ RamMk through Gai'dens, Grcn'es^ ami 
 
 TN our laft', we. treated of the edifice, or, 
 -*- more .properly, of the various e^ific;e$ 
 .which compofed the residence of ^M|2f 
 JChariton, and to which, as has ibeeiviuijH'. 
 mated, the young rniiid of Eleanc. = 7 
 •had already dire^^d her wiriiG.>. ... 
 .did not then know the cor: i 
 
 lo'the poflcfhon of the AHl^^y 
 
 It would grve;iiS(gi'ea][i pk^fn^i^j.bcCHi^lt^ 
 we are Aire it wo.u1g ■>, 
 
 could \vc convc ■ • ^je 
 
 ■enchanting gr*. . iiatciy 
 
 UruCiure wcim^e; beei. ingjjvas fur- 
 
 rOiiuded ^ but we ^^9u.t5?is QMr;|QlY-^;^|is^Q.UfiJ 
 tQ the talk, as thp bcai^l},itj(.:^)e^pl^Ge,.far 
 ftirpadcd all that tb: ' " '/^ .. :r -i imagina- 
 tion can portray. 
 
 Our celebrated near reialion and dear 
 
 friendj.
 
 2!^ THE MICROCOSXr. 
 
 friend. Sir Charles Morell, madie a vifit to 
 Mr.CharltonyWith whom he was acquainted 
 at the Turkilli Courts jurt before he pub- 
 lidied' his inconiparableTales of the Geniiy 
 and he th^n tol'd his friendy being ©harmed: 
 with the- beauties of his habitation, that he 
 would defcribc the gardeus of the Queen of 
 Fleafure frotn the ideas impreffed by thofe 
 of Spencer i^viarj. As tnany of our read- 
 ers may be unacGfuainted with the above- 
 mentioned admirable produw^Hon, we wiM" 
 give the defcriptron in Sir Charleses own 
 hnguage; leaving it to their judgment to 
 fubftradl what the inimitable writer added 
 as the fuppofed effe6^ of that enchantment 
 upon which his talcs w^ere founded ; and 
 to make proper allowance for the dllferent 
 cuftoms of the diilant nati-on' in which the 
 iicenes of his fiction lay ; enjoining them,, 
 however^ to keep the fim pic beauty of the 
 place undiminiflicd', in their eye, if they 
 Aviflj to retain aperfetSl idea of the gardens 
 and pleafure-grounds of Mr. Charlton. 
 *^ Abudah awakening at the cheerful 
 
 *' lbun.(J
 
 rHE MiCilOCOSKT. 21 
 
 ^•Yound of innumerable birds vviiich fat 
 '^ around bim., aud flrov^e lor inaftcry ia 
 '' their fvveet wild notes, found himfcli" 
 ^^ lyinj^ in a lovely pavUioa iirewcd witk 
 " frefli lilica and rofes, and filled with the 
 '^ mod raviftiing perfumes ; the downy fofa 
 ^* on which be rccHned was of the fineft 
 " tiilk, wrought with curious devices, and 
 •^ exqQVited with fueh life and ipirit, that 
 *^ fiQvv^er^ feeraed in tbe raimic work t» 
 ^' fpring forth from under him. 
 
 ■'■' The rifing fun, which appeared ovcc 
 " the blue diflant bilk, and warmed the 
 ^^ awakening day.; the cfem*iliers of the 
 " grovTCS, v^'hofe. melody was fofteced by 
 ^' the gentle motion of tlte air ; the un- 
 ^^ fpeakablc elegai>ce of tbe pavilion, which 
 " fcemed formed by the powers of harmony^ 
 ^' and the dciicious fragrance q( the jfir^ 
 '' tranfported the merchant with the moft 
 *' pleafuigfenfationa; be could not forfomc 
 ^' time bclie-ve bis exiftence, but fuppdfcd 
 '* he was ftill lUnder the delightful vifion, 
 ^' which the night before had taken pof- 
 
 '' fcffion
 
 ^•2 'n-iE MrcnocosM. 
 
 ^* fcffion of him. He turned {lis eyes on 
 ^^ all fides to" incet with -new delights; 
 **'whicli,'' thotig-h fiuTipUioiis -and coflly, 
 "owed more lliftre to their dcltcacy'and 
 * * d i rpofit ioVi , t h H h t o the ex peivfi ve nm\ e - 
 " rill Is out of which they were formed. 
 
 *' But if flic h were the ravifhing dehghts 
 ^* within, Abiidah thought them mwch 
 ** heightened wheh^ upon being convinced 
 •* he was awake, he ftopped forward 'Otit' of 
 ** the paviliohj and beheld every enchaHt- 
 " ing' objecfl: that art a«d nature -could 
 " unite. 
 
 '^i^if The pavilion it fclf ftood upon a rifing 
 ^ mount in the Tuidft of a inoft beautiful 
 "green, and was partly (liaded byfome 
 *< upright palms and a fcattered grove of 
 *^ orafigcs and citrons, which on all fides, 
 ^ by beautiful breaks, gave a view of the 
 "neighbouring paradife. 
 '*.i»/i"he centre of the pavilion opened to 
 *^ttielawn, which was bef(^t with elegant 
 *' tufts <yf the moft delightful verdure. 
 ' ** Blufliing and tranfparcnt truits prcf- 
 
 '' fed
 
 THE MICRO CX)S>T. ^?^ 
 
 ^' fed froTTi between the foliage, and every 
 •' colored, every fcented flower, in agrec- 
 ^^ able variety, intermingled wiDh the grills, 
 ^' and rcprcfcnted the garden work of Itix- 
 *^ uriant natare. Here rofes, with wood- 
 *^ bine entwined, appeared in beautiioaS 
 " confufion ; -there the I ufcious grape adorn - 
 *' ed the barren branches of the flately elm, 
 " while beneath Itrayed the rich flocks, or 
 ^' birds of various feather ; fonne in numbers 
 '^ upon the ground, and fome paired inr 
 ^- trees, which added a ne^v variety to the 
 ^•' fcene. 
 
 " At the bottom of the lawn ran a clear 
 *' and tranfparent ftream, which gently 
 '• waflied the margin of the green, and 
 " fcemed to feed it as it pafled. • 
 
 " On the other ^iflde, a grove of myrtle?, 
 " intermixed with ■ rofcs and fioweriro: 
 " ihrubSj led into fhady mazes, in the mid It 
 ''of which appeared the tops of other glit- 
 " tering elegant pavilions, fome of v;hich 
 '-flood juft on the brink of the rij^er ; 
 '' others hadv>'ide avenues leading through 
 
 the
 
 24 TTIK MICROCOSM. 
 
 ** the groves; and others were almdft hid- 
 ^' den from the light by int-ervcning wood?. 
 
 " Abudah diredling his ftcps towards the 
 ^' ilrcam, found there an elegant barge, man- 
 " ned by ten beautiful youths, whofc gar- 
 •^* mewts were of azure trimmed with gold, 
 " They beckoned the happy merchant, antl 
 ^' received him with the utnmft affability 
 ^* into their bark ; then a^l at once plying 
 •** their refulgent oars, they made the cryftal 
 *^ Hood fparkle with their ready ftrokes, 
 
 " The boat rode lightly on the buxom 
 ^' ft ream, and as it paileii through the 
 ** meanders ot' the current, every moment 
 *" prefcutcd a new and ftriking profpecSl of 
 •^ beauties. Hanging rocks of different 
 *' hues ; woods of fpiccs and perfumes, 
 *' breathing fweetnefs over the cool flream; 
 *' fruits refle<Sled in double luiire in the 
 *' clear waves ; Ihrubs dropping their rofes 
 " on them as they paffcd ; flocks and herds 
 *•' llandiiig gazing at their own images in 
 ** the deep; others drinking the tranfparent 
 ** waters, and fomc, more fiitislied, friiking 
 
 on 
 
 <c
 
 THE MICROCOSM. '25 
 
 *^ on the lawns, or cbafing each olher in. 
 *' fport among the trees. 
 
 " At length the ftream, growing wider, 
 ^^. opened into a fpacious lake, which was 
 ^^ half furrounded by a rifing hill, on which 
 *^ might be feen, intermixed with groves, 
 " various gay pavilions; palaces; theatres; 
 " rotundoes : obelilks ; temples ; pillars ; 
 " towers, and other curious marks of ele- 
 " gance and luxury ; various pleafure boats 
 " were failing'on the furface of the lake ; 
 *' fome with gaudy banners fanning the 
 *' winds ; others with pleafing ftructures 
 *' for fliade and retirement : in one boat 
 ** gay mulic ; in another banquets ; in a 
 ** third deferts of the fineft fruit ; viands, 
 ** cooling liquors, and gay company in 
 *' all, who looked more blooming than the 
 ** fonsof the genii, or the daughters of the 
 ** fairies. At the extreiuities of the fwcl- 
 ** ling hill, ran glittering cafcadcs, and 
 ** over the pendent fides dropped down the 
 ** mod luxurious vines, whofe model! leaves 
 " attempted in vain to hide their lufcious 
 
 Yau L C '' and
 
 26 
 
 TIIK MICROCOSM. 
 
 " and tranfpaicnt fruit from the eye of the 
 '• curious obfcrvcr. At the extremity of 
 " the lake, which, by S'ts pure waters, ex- 
 ^* pofed the yellow, golden fand on which 
 ^^ it vyahtoned, two fi reams ran toward the 
 "right and left of the; hill, and loft them- 
 " fclves amidft the groves, pafturage, lawns, 
 " hillocks, and romantic fcenes of the 
 '"^"^adjneent country, where lofty gilded 
 " fpires, fwclling domes, and other curious 
 " labors, were partly concealed and partly 
 '*^ difcovercd by the blue expanfc offky, 
 ^' which at laft fecmed blended with the 
 " country, and luminated the profpecl of 
 *^ tlie groves." 
 
 We previoufly enjoined our readers to 
 make due allowance for the aids of enchant- 
 ment, and for the advantages and cuftoms 
 ofthecaficrn v/orld : depending, therefore, 
 upon their obedience to that injundlion, wc 
 pronounce their being: here furnifhed with 
 an'exac'^l dcfeription of the paradifiacal gar- 
 dens of Spencer-Aviary': but it dill remains 
 w^ilh us to give an account of a very ex- 
 traordinary 
 
 I
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 27 
 
 traordinary rc[)ofii.ory for the feathercvi 
 kingdom, of which Mr. Charlton, in his 
 latter days, was ib immoderatciy fbiid; that 
 he was at an iininenfe expcnic i:i making it 
 complete. The name of this place, as the 
 reader already conjeclares, gave to the cf- 
 tate its title of the aviary. 
 
 When Mr. Charlton purchafed Beverly, 
 there was on one fide of the park a grove, 
 compofed of trees of almoft every defcrip- 
 tion, that covered between four and five 
 acres of gi'ound, in the midfi: of which ftood 
 a temple filled with cages tor fmall finging 
 birds. Pleafed with the harmony of their 
 wild notes, heinftantlv conceived a dcfign 
 of making an Aviary of the whole grove, 
 and corhpleted it, in a very few years, to 
 his perfect fatisfa6tion. The lliapc of this 
 leafy habitation was nearly fqnare ; planted 
 on every fide with lofty trees that wore per- 
 petual verdure; thefe vvcre kept in fuch 
 exact order as gave an idea of perfect: fym- 
 melry within, inficad of which, the eye 
 upon entering was delighted with the mod 
 C 2 enchant-
 
 M THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 chanting irregularity. The grove was 
 robbed of many of its trees to make way 
 for fpacioLis wiilks ; grafs-plots; pieces of 
 water, and various little temples; fome 
 open^ and fome farrounded with glafs. In 
 the centre, was a large rot undo, with dop- 
 ing banks, fet round with lofty ever-green s 
 and flowering fhrubs. I'he whole of this 
 grove, now called the Aviary, was enclofed 
 by net- work, part of which was made of 
 ilrong filk and part of iron-wire; painted 
 ^reen. The height of the net at the top, 
 was about twelve feet from the ground ; 
 but the trees growing through, burlting 
 the iilken fquares as they enlarged, and 
 riling feveral yards above, prevented its 
 being much obferved ; for, even between 
 the trees, flender fibres of vines, woodbine 
 and ivy were fo conducted upon it, that 
 without infpedion, it was not apt to catch 
 the eye. In this enclofure were the fea- 
 thered races of every defcription, that^could 
 be procured from every quarter of the 
 globe, all which, as nearly as poflible, were 
 
 laccommodated
 
 THE Micr.cco^^'. ig 
 
 accoinmoa'ated in their own native manner. 
 Birds of prey had lituations fept^.ratcd froni 
 the hannlcfs little fongftcrs, v^■hicb had full 
 freedom to hop or fly about at pleafure, 
 throughout the reft of the grove, and were 
 rendered fo extremely familiar by conftant 
 intercourfe, that thev would feed from the 
 hand of their viiitors without the leaft ap- 
 pearance of alarm. The walks- and benches 
 in this beautiful Aviary were kept in the 
 moft perfedl clcanlincfs by a number of 
 children who were delighted with their 
 employ, andwhofe labors were direcSled by 
 fome old people, who could no otherwife 
 Ipend their time either ufefully or comfor- 
 tably. Several little buildings, in romantic 
 fhapes, were fitted up with Franklin ftoves^ 
 in different parts, which in the feverity of 
 winter warmed the place, without incom- 
 moding its inhabitants. The grove that 
 compofed the Aviary was formerly the 
 boundary of the park, but Mr. Charlton 
 added a confiderable quantity of land to 
 the diltrict within the pale on that fide, 
 C 3 and
 
 30 THE MI CHOC GSM. 
 
 and made a kind of plcafure-groiind to en- 
 circle it. Not far from this fpot was a 
 crcfcent that contained fifteen habitations, 
 in the front of which were neat little gar- 
 dens, cncompafled with white pales. Thcfc 
 were rtlldences for ii.s many elderly or in- 
 iirm pcoplCj whofe weekly flipend was re- 
 gulated by the price of [)roviIlon?. At a 
 fmall d I (lance from this building, was ano- 
 ther^ which Uood upon a fqnare, having a 
 large court in the middle. This Was def- 
 tined for the inftruction of children, wher6 
 thirty of each fcx, whofe parents were un- 
 able to provide for them, were boarded and 
 taught every thing proper for "fuch chil- 
 dren to learn, and aft eruards were' fiji^eW^ 
 ticed, or fiUed out for fcrvicc,' as their' 
 flrenfrth or abilities dirc(9>cd : two mnftci'S 
 and two miflreiics of the jnou exemplary 
 charadlerswere felccledfor the fupeiintend- 
 ence of this fcminnry. In Mr. Charlton's 
 time, the obie(''is of both thefe benevolent 
 inftitutions were habited it an uniform ^• 
 but this, Mr. Spencer judged it belt to 
 
 difcontinue.
 
 THE MICROCOSM; 31' 
 
 difcontlnue, as he wifhed to avoid the ap- 
 pearance which he thought that it convey- 
 ed of oftentation, and they were provided 
 with neat dreflcs of varions colors. 'J'hc 
 Grefcent, and the Square, were the fin)ple 
 names of thefe habitations of charitv. 
 
 The whole of Mr. Charlton's park was 
 a fine dry fpot, thongh it was divcrfihcd 
 with fome beautiful pieces of water, and 
 this part, which had the additional advan- 
 tage of being rifing ground, was defended 
 on the north-eaft iide by a large plantation 
 of oaks of ancient growlh^ through which 
 were feveral fpacious avenues. 
 
 Our readers who have tafte for rural ele- 
 gance, will eafily conceive the furpaffing" 
 beauties of Mr. Charlton's habitation. 
 Sometimes they will fancy thcmfelves walk- 
 ing through his gardens and various pieces 
 of ground, dedincd for delight: at other 
 times, fitting in a fultry funimefs day in. 
 the midfl of his Aviary, liftening to the 
 harmony of the little feathered chorilters 
 that hop before them on the verdant turf ; 
 C 4 or
 
 3!2 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 or viewing through the open mg glades (the 
 entrance to which were green wire gates, 
 at that diftance^ ahnofl: imperceptible) the 
 dillant country. Then they will imagine 
 themfelves removed to his ftately apart- 
 ments, admiring the fineft pieces of paint- 
 ing that ever the pencil of an artift pro- 
 duced, and which covered the walls of al-^ 
 inoft every room in the houfe. Besides 
 purchaiingat almolt any price, fomcof the 
 beft works of the ancients, Mr. Charlton 
 had full length pieces of all his defcendants 
 taken by the mofi: celebrated modern maf- 
 ters. Amongft thefe, Mr. Spencer, drawn 
 by Gainfborough, ftruck with attention the 
 eye of every obferver, as the fweetnefs of 
 his countenance, united to the finencfs of 
 his figure, gave a picture inexprefiibly in- 
 terefting ; efpecially to thofe who, knew 
 that his mind correfponded wilh his ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 CHAP
 
 Tili: MICROCOSM. o^ 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A mere Tr'ijie. 
 
 ^f^KOSE who have travelled through 
 A our two ihit chapters, will, perhaps* 
 allow the beauties of Spencer- Aviary to be 
 ibme little excule for the ardent wiih which 
 Eleanor Hatley encouraged for its poiicf- 
 lion, while Matilda and Edward Spencer 
 thought of no pleafure beyond that of re* 
 fiding there with their grandfather, for 
 whom they had as ftron^- an atieciion as 
 their young hearts were capable of expe-^ 
 riencing. The good man endeavoured to 
 difpofe of his parental love in as equal a 
 iTiaiiner as pofiibie amonglt his grandchii- 
 <ireni yet in fpite of ,iti^ caiieȣoa\ojd par- 
 tialiiy^ P^dward and Matilda, by whom he 
 was ever received with an artlefs, gladfo:ne 
 fmile, had each a larger (hare than Eleanor, 
 who always fccmed as if ilie was afraid Or' 
 C 5 h.s
 
 34 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 his inquiring eye: but he never permitted 
 any preference to appear. Whatever mo- 
 ney he gave to the two firft, they were Aire 
 to difpofe of early; often amongft their 
 lefs rich companions ; but Eleanor care- 
 fully depofited her's in her little cabinet, till 
 fhc had an oppoi^tunity of going to a milli- 
 ner's to buy fome finery for her perfon ; for 
 though (he was covetous, (he was very 
 ]v/oud ; which qualities, firange as the in- 
 congruous union may appear to thofe un- 
 read in the book of the world, are often 
 known, in thds our day, to refide in the fame 
 bofom. 
 
 Eleanor Hatlcy had a ftrong defirc to 
 be deemed " a faJli'ioriabh-Jooking g'lrr — 
 a term fhc had heard ufcd by fome neigh- 
 bouring ladies, as defcriptive of all that a 
 young woman ought to be : and flie had a 
 right to the -diftindlion, ^ov no girl of her 
 age ever put on her cloaths with a better 
 air ; every thing upon her looked genteel, 
 and as if made for her ; yet, whenever the 
 fifters appeared together, though Eleanor 
 
 might
 
 THE MiCilOCOSM. 35 
 
 might firitcatcii the eye of adrn'ratio:-), it 
 always refted upon Matilda. 
 
 The difpofition which Mr. Charlton 
 made of his efiate, gave eonfidcrable con- 
 cern to Mr. Spencer. He vvi{]:ied that there 
 had been an equal divifion of the property ; 
 but if any ditterence ;?/?//? have been made, 
 he ti^ought that Edward Spencer had^ in 
 every retpect, the preferable claim. H/s 
 Father was the eldefi child^ and the only 
 Ton letl; by Mr. Charlton's daughter. He 
 w^as likewife the eldeti grandchild and only 
 grandfon of the family. No wonder then 
 that Mr. Charlton's will gave Mr. Spencer 
 fome uneafinefs : but as it was not to be re- 
 voked^ he determined to ufe the power 
 which it gave him, by with-holding his 
 formal confent to the marriage of cither of 
 the Mifies Hatley till that of Edward Spen- 
 cer fliould he firft celebrated. Not that 
 this good man had the prefumption to 
 tliink of ruling the event. No: he only 
 t-hought it right, as the matter in this point 
 Wtis yefted in him, to dired in this fmgle 
 
 C 6 indan 
 
 iCe,
 
 36 THE MlCROtOSM. 
 
 inflance, and leave the confequence to fu- 
 perior difpofal. And furely he did not 
 judge amifs : we, doubtlcfs ought to ufe 
 the means which appear to be put into our 
 hands to produce a dciired good effedl, and 
 then to reft refigned ; depending upon this 
 truth — that though we may, at firft^ or 
 even in the end, find our expedat'ions dif- 
 appointed^ fiill our ha-ppinefs \\\\\ be the 
 certain efFe6lofa firm and pious truft in 
 the llipreme and phihmthropic Difpofer of 
 -all events. 
 
 " O monftrous ! the writer of all this 
 ^* ftufF muft be fome antiquated old Parfofi, 
 *' I hate parfons' writings and wont never 
 ** read no more of this." 
 
 Juft as you pi cafe about that, Mifs : for 
 though I confider your difapprobation as 
 the higheft honour which I can receive, I 
 am rather forry you fhould deprive your- 
 felf of the improvement for which you feem 
 to have fo much occaiion. But fince you 
 have interrupted my difcourfe, I will inter- 
 rupt my narrative by finifhing the chapter. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 THE I^UCROCOSM. S/ 
 
 CHAP. YL 
 
 An Introdu3ion tofome new Acquaintance, 
 
 AFTER the death of Mr. Charlton, 
 Mr. Spencer removed to the Aviary, 
 leaving his old habitation, which was a 
 pretty rural fpot, and not more than half a 
 mile from the park-pale of his new one, 
 to the care of a coaple of fervants who had 
 long lived in his family, and had for fome 
 years been married. He wiihed to have 
 the fhrubbery kept in order, that Edward, 
 if he.chofe it, might make it his home upon 
 his marriage ; an event vvhich he could not 
 help wifhing might take place at an early 
 period ; and on the profpect of which he 
 fent him abroad much fooner than he other- 
 wife would have thought of doing, under 
 the care of a young Clergyman, whofe 
 manners were polifhed ; whofe erudition 
 was profound, and whofe knowledge was 
 univerfal. 
 
 la
 
 2^ THE MICROCOSl«t. 
 
 In the neighbourhood of Spencer- Aviary, 
 lived a Mr. and Mrs. Abirigton — a couple 
 who had experienced a feries of niisfortunes 
 through the ill trcatnnent of their relations ; 
 but who, happy in themfelvTS, had retired 
 ito afnriall genteel houfe, in the village con- 
 tiguous to Spencer-Aviary, to enjoy the 
 remnant of their once fplcndid fortune in 
 rural felicity, with their fon and three 
 daughters. In this retirement they were 
 juft fixed before the death of Mr. Charlton, 
 who, intimately acquainted with the fa- 
 ther of Mr. Abington, had invited him into 
 the vicinity v,ith an intciilion of being a 
 friend to him ; an intention which the be- 
 nevolent Mr. Spencer more than falfilied. 
 For this condudl M'\ Spencer foon found 
 himfclf amply rewarded by the i^cquiiition 
 of a mod valuable acquaintance; Mr. 
 • Abington being the exa6t charadler to luit 
 this good man's difpofition. 
 
 The children of this couple had for fome 
 time been difperfed amongti their friends 
 in London. George^ who was the eldeii, 
 
 had
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 3Q 
 
 had been placed at Eton by a merchant, 
 whole death occalioned the }oung man's 
 return to his parents. Sophia, the fecond, 
 and Emily, the third, were at a boarding;- 
 fchool at Chelfea, the governefs of which, 
 being the widow of a clergyman, who had 
 enjoyed a coniiderablc benefice from Mr. 
 Abington's father, and being influenced by 
 the obfolete principle of gratitude, earneftlj 
 entreated to be permitted the pleafure of 
 educating the two cideft grand -daughters 
 of her liuiband's benefaclor. Mifs Martha, 
 the youiigcft, was, in this inftance, out of 
 the queftion, having been taken by IMrs. 
 Dormer, a widow lady, who fpent her time 
 and her fortune at the ditFercnt watering- 
 places in this kingdom, till fhe fubmitted 
 for the fecond time to the authority of a 
 hulband. On this event fhc difmilled her 
 young companion ; and Mifs Martha went 
 down to Beverly, (Mr. Charlton's village) 
 before the reft of the children returned 
 from fchool. George was the next who 
 was introduced at the Aviary, where he was 
 
 very
 
 40 THE MICKOCOSM. 
 
 very cordially received, and in a (Lort time, 
 Edward Spencer and he found themfelvcs 
 fo happy in each other's fociety, that a 
 ftri6l friend riiip took place between them. 
 This determined Mr. Spencer to make 
 George the companion of his grandfon in 
 his travels, to the great fatisfa^lion of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Abington, and to the mutual ad- 
 vantage and happinefs of the boys, who fet 
 out with their tutor and two fervants, to 
 make firfl the tour of England, and after 
 that, of foreign countries. Through this, 
 however, it does not fuit our convenience 
 to attend them, as we find ourfelves en- 
 gaged in other and more neceflary affairs. 
 
 It is to be obferved that previous to the 
 arrangements of which we have been giv- 
 ing an account (for we are not to be cir- 
 cumfcribed in our fancy, though it fhould 
 lead us to relate events a little out of their 
 rotation) Mr. Spencer and his grandchil- 
 dren lived fomc time at Spencer Aviary ; 
 where the-improvements of the young peo- 
 ple went on rapidly, and the affcdlion be- 
 tween
 
 THE MICROCOSftC. 41 
 
 tvveen Edward and Matilda daily encreafed, 
 while Eleanor llill kept herfelf more at a 
 didance. Taught from the confcioufnefs 
 of her own cunning, llie imbibed a jealoufy 
 that her flfter and couiin were contriving 
 fomething to her difadvantage ; but what, 
 fne was unable to conjedure. Mr. Spen- 
 cer thought it time enough to acquaint 
 them with the particulars of Mr. Charlton's 
 will, when they fhould more nearly have 
 attained to what are called years of d'if» 
 cretion. At what period of life, hovvevei*, 
 thefe years of difcretion commence, we 
 never yet could find afcertained. With 
 fome perfons they may poilibly be advanc- 
 ing on the puerile fide of twenty, while in 
 others they may not appear till they have 
 feen their great grandchildren. For in- 
 ilance— if a young lady of feventeen marries 
 a gentleman verging upon fourfcore, with 
 a view to fecure to herfelf the jointure of 
 a foreign princefs^ it will, by all the pru- 
 dent part of the world, be allowed that 
 ihe is arrived tit j ears of dijcretiouy when, 
 
 at
 
 42 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 at the fame time it may be fuppofed, that 
 the grand-clima6lerical youth has more 
 years to wait than it is probable death will 
 afford him, before he can reach the period 
 in queftion. As a fecond inftance — an el- 
 derly widow gentlewoman, with a hand- 
 fome dower, will fometimes accept a young 
 flafhy Captain, with no fortune but his 
 cockade. Here it may be prefumed the 
 lady has cut4lved her difcretionary term, 
 and that the gentleman will not reach his, 
 till after the death of his cara fpofa, when, 
 if the quondam dowager has bkfied him 
 more years than he expe61ed, he, as a 
 proof of being at lad: difcrect, holds out 
 the golden lure, which his late dear left in 
 his polleffion, to jufl fuch a blooming 
 beauty as would have engaged his wifhcs 
 when he firft approached the hymeneal 
 altar. 
 
 Before we difmifs this fubjecSi:, let us do 
 that jnfiice to fome few unequally-aged 
 couj)lcs, which we are convinced they de- 
 fcr^e, by declaring it our belief that conju- 
 gal
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 43 
 
 i^-al affection and a purely dilinterefted paf- 
 ion may fometimes unite the young and the 
 old : but as we doubt that this is frequently 
 the cafe, we hold ourfelves juftified in 
 treating the fubjecl with an air of levity ; 
 though we fhould be hurt were we thus to 
 pain any of thofe who, by the fingularity of 
 their choice, have drawn upon themfelves 
 the unmerited cenfure of having bartered 
 their affeclions, and confequently their 
 happinefs for pecuniary intereit. 
 
 We have faid that Mr. Spencer did not 
 think it neceflary to declare to his grand- 
 children the tenor of Mr. Charlton's 
 will, and when the digrefiing fpirit feized 
 our pen, w^cre going to obfcrve, that had 
 Eleanor known the particulars, fhe would 
 immediately have fancied that Edward and 
 Matilda had already entertained a dcfign of 
 uniting themfelves by a future marriage ; 
 for as her little heart was capable of form- 
 ing fuch kind of plans, fne naturally fuf- 
 pc61cd that cunning in others of which flie 
 Vr'as io early a miftrefs. 
 
 We
 
 44 THE MICKOCOSM. 
 
 We wIJI now fuppofe the time to be ar- 
 rived when Edward Spencer and his friend 
 fet out upon their travels ; about which pe- 
 riod two nriiiles of the name of Starlin, who 
 bore fome relation to Mr. Charlton, came 
 down to Beverly. Thefe ladies had twice 
 vilited Mr. Spencer during his refidence at 
 the Shrubbery, of which " Sweet I pretty! 
 dear I neat placed — theie ladies, not yet 
 perhaps arrived atj^^^zn of difcretian^ would. 
 neither of them have had any objc6\ion to 
 be miftrefs ; an opinion which gathered 
 fome ftrength from their often ^^ proiejiing'* 
 that it was " ten thoufands of pities fofweet 
 " a man — fo chartning a man — and fo hand^ 
 ^^ fome a man too,''' as Mr. Spencer, fhould 
 deny himfelf the happinefs '• of an agretabh 
 '' fecond lady r 
 
 Thefe were the fentiments of both fiftcrs, 
 but the language only of the youngeft r 
 the other being a gentlewoman of too much 
 form and confequence to give her opinions 
 fo familiarly. 
 
 Mifs Starlin^ whofe name was Penelope, 
 
 was
 
 THE MICI10C0?M. 45 
 
 vvas lb nearly arrived at the period, which^ 
 whether in the married or lingle (when it 
 has its due -accompaniments) we truly ve- 
 nerate, that we (liould not particularly 
 mention the circumflance, did not fhe lead 
 us to obferve it, by the afteclation of a 
 character ill fuited to her time of life. The 
 pretty, delicate, timid airs, w^hich fl^ie al- 
 ways afiiimed, would convey, if reprefented 
 to our readers, an idea of her not having 
 counted twenty-five, when, in facl, the 
 had long nga^donbled that number. Mifs 
 Starlin had a fair complexion and light hair, 
 which preferved in her an appearance of 
 youth till a late period ; but that appear- 
 ance at length ficd, and almofl all the let- 
 ters of threcfcoie were now legible upon 
 her forehead. 
 
 Mifs Peggy Starlin, about a year younger 
 than her lifter, had been a pretty, and was 
 ftill-a very lively brunette. She was conti- 
 nually flirting and jumping about to fhow 
 her agility ; for as Mifs Starlin chofe the 
 foftnefs of eighteen^ Mifs Peggy thought 
 
 it
 
 46 THE MICKOCOSM. 
 
 it incumbent n{3on her to afilinic the un- 
 tliinking livclinefs of a ftill more youtbrul 
 tige. Nothing could be mare unbecom- 
 ing than the conckict of thcfe ladies ; and 
 inftead of being rcfpedled on account of 
 the years which they had reached, they 
 were by thofe very years rendered the more 
 dcfpi cable. 
 
 Do not mitlake us, gentle reader, by fup- 
 pofing that we are fo deficient in right 
 fentiment as to be capable of fatirizing the 
 infirmities of nature ; the weakcft head, 
 when united with a valuable heart, has our 
 pity and regard, whilft a heart of guile, 
 though connedled with a head informed by 
 the brighted inteiledl, poflefles our abhor- 
 rence and contempt. 
 
 After the departure of the Mifles Starlin 
 from the Aviary, Mr. Spencer received a 
 letter from a lady in London, intimating 
 an intention of making him a vifit, as fhc 
 had a great defire to fee the daughters of 
 her deceafed eonfin, Sir Everard Hatley. 
 For him, indeed^ llic had always profefied 
 
 much
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 4/ 
 
 much regard ; though for his fifter, the 
 mother of E. Spencer, her affections had 
 been annihilated, in confeqiience of a con- 
 (iderable legacy having been left by a com- 
 mon relation to that lady, in preference 
 to herfelf. 
 
 To her letter Mr. Spencer fent a polite 
 anfwer ; thanking her for her delign, and 
 requeuing to be favoured with her com- 
 pany as foon as llie could make it conve- 
 nient to herfelf. In a few days, therefore, 
 fhc appeared in the country, and was re- 
 ceived by Mr. Spencer with that politenefs 
 and hofpitality which always diftinguifhed 
 bis chara6ler. 
 
 Mrs. Hutchinfon — the name of our new 
 vifitant at the x\viary- — made a flay there 
 of fcveral weeks ; declared herfelf much 
 pleafed with her young couiins, and pro- 
 pofed taking them with her on her return 
 to London, to fpend fome time in Berkley- 
 fquare, where fhe lived quite injiyh ; being 
 a woman polTefled of a large fortune, and 
 who prided herfelf on her defcent. 
 
 As
 
 48 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 As Mr. spencer could not objedl to the 
 propofal, the young ladies were made ac- 
 quainted with the leave which they had to 
 attend Mrs. Hutchinfon, and the eyes of 
 Eleanor, now near fifteen, fparkled with 
 joy, while thofe of Matilda were moiftencd 
 with tears. Upon an enquiry into the caufc 
 of her forrow, fhe exprefled with fobs her 
 unwillingnefs to go from her grandfather, 
 and refiding many arguments to induce her 
 to alter her wifhes, fhe was left behind by 
 Mrs. Hutchinfon, who fet off in the courfe 
 of a few days with the delighted Eleanor 
 as her only companion. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Symptoms of AffeBion too refined for com- 
 ^nio7i Ufe. 
 
 FOR the period of nearly two years, 
 nothing material occurred to any 
 branch of the Spencer family worth our re- 
 lating
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 4^ 
 
 lating. The exemplary philanthropift, who 
 occupied the Aviarj, employed all his 
 time in an endeavour to benefit his fellow 
 creatures; difpenfing the fuperabundant 
 bleffings which the great Father of all had 
 committed to his ftewardfhip, in the man- 
 ner which he thought would moft conduce 
 to the temporal and fpiritual good of all 
 within his vortex. Mr. Abington was his 
 friend and afliftant ; and Mrs. Abington 
 had her allotted fhare in the diflribution ; 
 while her daughters, now all arrived at 
 Beverly, were confiantly. called to attend 
 the lef!ans which Matilda continued to re- 
 ceive from her feveral in(tru6tors. Sophia, 
 theeldeft fifter, was Matilda's favorite ; and 
 indeed moft defervedly fo : for both her 
 perfon and mind were formed to win the 
 hearts of all with whom (lie was acquainted. 
 She was about fix months younger than 
 Mifs Hatley. 
 
 Eleanor's refidence in London was length- 
 ened greatly beyond the given term. Week 
 after week; month after month, pafTed 
 
 y^L,L D away,
 
 50 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 away, till an entire twelvemonth had elapfcd 
 before fhe thought of fixing any time for 
 her return. Mr. Spencer, at length, pe- 
 remptorily infifted upon her leaving Lon- 
 don ; fhe having frequently put him off 
 with firft one excufe, then another, for her 
 longer continuance with Mrs. Hutchinfon, 
 but now, fhe found herfelf neceffitated to 
 obey his mandate, and prom i fed to be at 
 Spencer- Aviary, at the end of a month. 
 
 Matilda Hatley, and Sophia Abington 
 conftantly correfponded with their travel- 
 ling relations. The letters on both iides 
 were entertaining and inftru6ling: with 
 thofe of Sophia, Edward Spencer was fo 
 charmed, that he ardently willied for the 
 time of their return, that he might fee 
 the fair who had captivated his under- 
 flanding ; while George Abington, pleafcd 
 ^ven before he left Beverly, with Mifs Hat- 
 ley's engaging form, found himfclf very 
 nmch like being in love with the fifter of 
 his friend. 
 
 This kind of aftedion may feem very 
 
 ., ftrange
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 51 
 
 ftrange to feme of our readers; while others 
 may, happily, be of fuch a texture as to 
 feel its refinement. To thefe, nothing 
 more need be faid ; and to the former, all 
 that we can iiiy will be given in vain ; as the 
 fomething wrong in either their heads or 
 their breafls, which occafions their won- 
 der, will likewife render them infenlible to 
 explanation. 
 
 That thefe young people were all greatly 
 prepofleiled in each other's favor, and, at 
 lea ft, prepared for being what is called in 
 love, is a matter of fa6l, which gave the 
 good grandfather, who obferved the pro- 
 grefsofthe bias in the fair ones minds, 
 much fatisfa(9:ion ; but he would not men- 
 tion it to Mr. Abington, lead any thing 
 fhould arife to difappoint what could not 
 but afford much pleafure, in idea, to both 
 him and his Lady. 
 
 The arrangements Mr. Spencer made at 
 
 the Aviary were very benevolent ones, and 
 
 as we fhall not, till the return of our young 
 
 D % people-
 
 62 THE MICROCOSM, 
 
 people, have much bufinefs upon our hands, 
 we will offer them to the reader's infpec- 
 tion. 
 
 CHAP. VIIL 
 
 Mr, Spencer s Arrangements of the Aviary, 
 which thofe who ohjeB to Arrangements 
 are not hound to perufe. 
 
 OUR prefent date is five years after the 
 death of Mr. Charlton ; at which 
 period Mr. Spencer favv the Aviary eftate 
 in the fituation in which he wifhcd it 
 fhould be before his death. 
 
 Mr. Charlton, as has been intimated, 
 was a man of great ingenuity, but fome- 
 what whimfical, and who limited all his 
 ideas of improvement within the circuit of 
 his park. The furrounding village, in a 
 beautiful fituation, was when he left it 
 nearly depopulated, in confequence of moft 
 of the houfes being too much out of repair 
 
 for
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 53 
 
 for the refidence of people in genteel life : 
 Mr. Abington's, indeed, which Mr. Charl- 
 ton had purpofely fitted up for him, was 
 almofi: the only one in tolerable condition. 
 The caufe of the defertion of this pretty 
 place originated with Lord Brumpley (of 
 whom Mr. Charlton purchafed it), who 
 was fo haughty, fb defpotic, and fo oppref- 
 live, that nobody of any refpec^ability would 
 live near him, nor any one, who could get 
 land elfewhere, farm under him. His terms 
 were fo fevcre that no perfons of fmall, or 
 moderate property could rife to his de- 
 mands ; and his whole eflate foon fell into 
 the hands of a few men who were rich 
 enough to live independently of their farms. 
 Even to thefe he refufed the permanency 
 of a leafe, as he wifhed to keep them in 
 fubmiflion ; and on the fmalleft offence, 
 particularly if it related to hares, pheafants, 
 partridges, &c. to expel them from their 
 occupations. If at any time they met him 
 in any of his walks, they were obliged to 
 turn oat of his path, as he would fcarce 
 D 3 permit
 
 54 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 permit them to look at — much lefs to fpcak 
 to him, and even the old and reverend 
 clergyman of the parifh, who had been his 
 tutor, was not exempted from a feeling of 
 his infolentand ofFenfive fuperiority. 
 
 We will now obferve to our readers, who 
 we fuppofe are of the graver fort, as the 
 mafters and mifles that hunt for fun and 
 jftory, fkip every paflage which might pof- 
 fibly afford fome degree of inftrudion to 
 their little tinfel minds, that " were it not 
 ** frequent, 'twou'd be wonderful," how 
 men whofe underftandings have received 
 any benefit from the ufe of letters, can be 
 fo incorrigibly ftupid as to perfift in think- 
 ing any incidental advantages capable of 
 giving one creature a right to treat ano- 
 ther as if he were of a different order of 
 beings. Do not miftake us, good Chrif- 
 tian reader — we are not contending for 
 fuch a levelling principle, as amongft fome 
 few mal-contents has appeared in a ilrong 
 and deftru(5^ive form. No : we wilb to 
 have that due fubordination continued, 
 
 which
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 65 
 
 which the Great Creator of the Univerfe 
 has ordained to fabfift in it, for the well- 
 doing of the whole ; and confequently for 
 the good of individuals. Bat we would 
 have the great and mighty ones to remem- 
 ber, that they are of no more confequence 
 in the eye of GOD, than the mod indi- 
 gent of mortals. We want likewife to 
 convince them there is a great difference 
 between a condcfcending and a familiar 
 behaviour. Allowing, as we have allowed, 
 the ntceffity of a proper fubordination, we 
 think a:^ability from the high to the low, 
 the mofi likely means to preferve it in the 
 world ; beca-ufe it then receives its fecurity 
 from the covtfent'of the people^ who are 
 always more ready to pay Ivomage when it 
 is not a[)parcn(lv exacted, than when arro- 
 gantly demanded. To ciiny our hints ftill 
 farther, th6 great inequality there is be- 
 tween the extremes of the fid)jr6>-s of this 
 kinji:dom would not be fo likelv to raifn 
 commotions (as it is now to be dreaded 
 that it fomc day will) if thofe in the highell 
 D 4. ranks
 
 66 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 ranks would lay nficle a little of that idle 
 oftentation of fuperiority whicb they are fo 
 ready to exhibit, not only towards people 
 whofe iituation is far removed from their 
 own, but even to thofe with whom they 
 muft neceflarily often mix, and whofe de- 
 gree is not more than a (lep or two beneath 
 their own fancied elevation. What can 
 more fhow the folly of mankind, or what 
 more juftly the ridicule with which it is 
 treated by every man of real underftand- 
 ing, than fuch condudt as this ? " The 
 ** doffed hat," and bending body to a fu- 
 perior who receives the obeifance with a 
 liifF-neck, and (if his haughtinefs be in 
 high ftylc) with averted looks, is generally 
 accompanied with a hearty contempt ; 
 fnewed, probably in a farcadic fmile, as 
 foon as he is pail, and with a confcioufnefs 
 of real fuperiority. 
 
 Mr. Charlton was too much intent upon 
 other particulars to p.iy much attention to 
 the iituation of his tenants, which was an 
 early obje^l of Mr. Spencer's folicitude. 
 
 He
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 57 
 
 He foon made a proper dillr^butlon of the 
 land, upon which he built a great number 
 of houfes, all the old ones being in fuch a 
 ruinous ftate that there was no living in 
 them with that degree of comfort which hi$ 
 benevolent heart wifhed every individual 
 around him to enjoy. Even the cottages 
 which he ereded for the laborers, were re- 
 plete with all the convcniencies fuitablefor 
 people in that department. , . 
 
 The farms were, now, none of them more 
 than two hundred pounds a year, and many 
 fo low as thirty ; it being Mr. Spencer*s 
 pleafurc to enable perfons with fmall bc7 
 ginnings to increafe their property, that he 
 might remove them when opportunity ferv-r 
 ed, to larger occupations. When they firft 
 became tenants upon the cftate, he tried 
 them with fhort leafes, and promifed to re- 
 commend it to his fucceflbr, if he fliould 
 not furvive the terms, to allow them long 
 ones, if they proved worthy. He likewifc 
 permitted them to fport upon their own 
 ground, fo long as they obferved modera,, 
 D 5 tion;
 
 58 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 tion ; in which point, and indeed in all 
 others, they obeyed him ; for he was fo 
 greatly and univerfaily beloved throughout 
 the country, that his word was a general law; 
 and people were happy in the change of 
 the pofTeflbr of the Aviary ; though Mr. 
 Charlton was, in fome refpedls, a tolerably 
 good landlord. 
 
 As foon as Mr. Spencer had fini(hed his 
 arrangements refpe6ling the farms, his 
 next care was to rciit the buildings in the 
 village, and to draw together a decent fet 
 of inhabitants. This defign was facilitated 
 by the beauty of the fpot, for foon after 
 they were repaired, the houfes were applied 
 for by people of almofi: all defcriptions ; fe- 
 veral profeffional gentlemen, tradefmcn, and 
 common mechanics, chuiing the fituation, 
 on account of its being at once agreeable 
 and lucrative : this latter property it derived 
 from the vicixiity ofmany gentlemen's feats, 
 and from Mr. Spencer's pra6tice of advanc- 
 ing to young artificers divers fums of mo- 
 ney, to enable them to begin bulinefs in a 
 
 decent
 
 THE MICKOCOSM. 5^ 
 
 decent manner. In lliort, he refted not 
 till Beverly was genteelly, ufefully, and 
 numeroufly inhabited. All the families in 
 a decent Htuation viiitcd him as if in an 
 equal iituation ; not as if his prefence in 
 their hoafes conferred a favor : but he was 
 careful to prevent his returns being expen- 
 {ivt to them. The fecond fort, who would 
 have been pained had they been obliged to 
 have mixed with the others, were hofpita- 
 bly entertained by his houfekeeper and 
 butler; while the poorcft had frequent 
 accefs to his kitchen : indeed, none who 
 applied, except their chara6ters were no- 
 torioufly bad, were refuled relief, and even 
 the word fort, were chaniahJy treated, he^ 
 fifjtfe they were admoniflied. Mr. Spencer 
 (unlike Squire Oflentation and Lady Popu.- 
 larity) not only forbad the receipt of vails, 
 but took particular care that the order was 
 fjhjerved as well as given ; for the leaft 
 breach of his commands, in that particular, 
 was never excufed. His motive for feve- 
 rity in this article, for. the obfervance of 
 D6 . which^
 
 60 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 which his fervants were amply recom- 
 penfed, was the humane coniideration that 
 feveral of his friends would find it incon- 
 venietit to pay hisdomcftics. Mr. Spencer's 
 table was always furnifhcd for whatever 
 company might make their appearance At 
 the Aviary, whether expedted or not. He 
 might be faid to keep open-houfe ; every 
 one being hofpitably received, and enter- 
 tained- according to his widies. But of 
 all the a6iions which rendered this great 
 philanthropic the blefling of the age, his 
 conllant endeavour to feek and relieve the 
 filent fufFerers, in delicate lituations, ftood 
 foremoft : his mtmificence on fuch occa-^ 
 lions being fo exercifed, that the obliged 
 was- almoft led to think himfelf the obli- 
 gcitj* and 'none within his vortex were loi>g 
 in want of what he could beflow : it was 
 indeed the bufinefs of his life to endeavor 
 to increafe the happinefs of others, for 
 which reafon he took great pains to bring 
 the re6tor and his parifhioners to a lafting 
 compromife refpe6ling tithes^, which he 
 
 efFeded^
 
 THE MICROCOSM. fit 
 
 effedled, to the pleafureand profit of both 
 parties. 
 
 • We will finifli the account of this exem- 
 plary Tiian, \vhich, perhaps, moit of our 
 readers begin to think too long^ with the 
 reafons he gave to an arrogant Squire of 
 the name of Wllbert, who remonftrated 
 with him on the detriment his benevolent 
 fyfiem was to his furrounding neighbours; 
 particularly objeding to the fize of farms ; 
 his treatment of his tenants^ relative to 
 their Jeafes, licence to fport, &c. It was 
 at.a county meeting upon particular bu- 
 finefs, when Mr. Wilbert attacked Mn 
 Spencer refpedling his conducl. v 
 
 But before we give the fubftance of-the 
 good gentleman's reply, w^e w^ill inform our 
 readers that Mr. Wilbert was of that fpe^ 
 cies of men which in make, mind, and 
 manners, very much refemble the animal 
 frequently celebrated in JE(ops Fables un- 
 der the appellation of a bear ; indeed, fo 
 great was the affinity, that we believe the 
 chief difference between them conliilcd in 
 
 the
 
 62 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 the one having, and the other having not, 
 the power of fpeech. In the diakd\ in 
 which his brother bruin would have de- 
 livered his fentiments, had the advantage 
 of articulation been on his fide, did Mr. 
 Wilbert attack Mr. Spencer's arrangements 
 at the Aviary, in the prclence of a number 
 of gentlemen. Mr. Spencer, with that 
 animation, politenefs, and dccifion, which 
 ever diftinguifhed him — fpoke as follows. 
 
 "With regard to the diviiion of my 
 '* land, Mr. Wilbert, it has ever been my 
 " idea that it is 'mjurious to fociety for any 
 *' one man to have an enormous oceupa- 
 " tion, while there arc fo many honelV, 
 " induftrious creatures, who would be 
 ^' able to maintain a family, in a comfort- 
 " able way, had they an opportunity of 
 '* cultivating a few acres ; for the want of 
 " which, they muft go to daily; labour, 
 *' and be miferable dependants on the 
 *' farmer, vvhofe equals they originally 
 ^' were. Thus called upon to juftify my 
 ** proceedings^ it is neceflary for me ta 
 
 " declare^
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 6i) 
 
 " declare, that I think it the indifpenfible 
 " duty of every one who has any quantity 
 " of landed property, to dilpofe of it in 
 *' fuch a manner as will moft conduce to 
 " the benefit of thofe who have not ; for 
 *' which reatbn, I always allot a fmall piece 
 " to every cottage, that the labourer may 
 " be enabled to keep a cow for the ufe of 
 '' his family. No individual is fent inta 
 *' this world to live merely for himfelf; 
 " and Itill lefs exempt than the reft of his 
 *' fpecies from performing the duties of 
 *' fociety, is the man who is made one of 
 " the ftewards of the riches of the earth." 
 
 We will not interrupt ourfelves with re- 
 counting the objeclions of Mr. V/ilbert to 
 thefe fentiments ; as all he endeavoured to 
 fay, amounted to nothing more than a few^ 
 native growlings, but finifb, without obfer- 
 vation, the fum of Mr. Spencer's defence*. 
 
 *' It cannot be imagined," continued 
 he, " that, at my time of life, a wifh to 
 " gain popularity can have any fhare in my 
 [^ motive for making the alterations at Be- 
 
 *J verly.
 
 64 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 verly, to which you, Mr. Wilbert, fo 
 ' ftrangely objedl. Self-ifiterefl, may more 
 ' properly be attributed to me than oflen- 
 
 * tation, as I hold it next to an impoffibi- 
 
 * lity that any man will, or can, fo well 
 ' cultivate a large tracSl of land as a 
 ^ moderate quantity. With refpecl to 
 
 * leafes, which you To highly difapprove — 
 
 * felf-interefl:, or, which is the fame 
 
 * thing, the interedof my grand-children, 
 
 * is. here, particularly, kept in view ; for 
 
 * what perfon of any prudence would be 
 ' at the expenfe of cultivating land, upon 
 ^ the probability of another's reaping the 
 ' benefit. . If it be anfwered that no land- 
 ^ lord of honor would turn a tenant out 
 
 of his farm without juft caufe — then why 
 ^ no^ give him fecurity for a term of years 1 
 *. Why leave him dependent on their own 
 [. caprice— on the caprice of human na- 
 ' turel Why — let me ferioufly aik — not 
 ^ fet the honelV man's heart at reft ! To a 
 ^ bachelor, I never grant a leafe, becaufe 
 
 * I do not, for many reafons, wifti.to have 
 
 " one
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 6S 
 
 '^ one tenant upon the eftate unmarried. 
 ** You next objcdl to the permiffion I give 
 '' to the inhabitants of the village, as well 
 " as to thole who farm under me, to 
 " fport, under certain conditions, upon the 
 '' eftate. 
 
 " One reafon is, that I am convinced I 
 " have, upon this account, more game than 
 " I fliould have otherwife. Every one is 
 " folicitous to prefcrve it ; and from the 
 " number of farm-houfcs and cottages 
 ^' that are upon the eftate, poachers have 
 *^ fmall chance of efcaping detection, if I 
 ^^ wanted any farther excufe on this head, 
 *^ I need but advance the farmer's having 
 " at leaft an equal right with his landlord, 
 '^ to the creatures fed by his labour and 
 *' at his expenfe. 
 
 " You difapprove, likevvife, of my ad- 
 *' mitting my tenants — (fome of them ; 
 " for many of the loweft clafs petition to 
 *' be excufed from going upj — to my own 
 " table. 
 
 " Without availing myfelf of the argu-" 
 
 *' mcnt^
 
 66 THE-^MICROCOSM. 
 
 ^' ments with which Chriftianity would fur- 
 " nifh me, let me afk if they are my fcr- 
 " vants becaufe they pay me an equivalent 
 *^ for my land ! Common unprejudiced 
 '^ reafon tells me that they are not ! Some- 
 *' body muft occupy my farms ; or what 
 '^ muft I do with them ? They would lie 
 *^ upon my hands, and be uielefs : is not the 
 " obligation, therefore, mutual between 
 " the owner and the cultivator ?" 
 
 Mr. Spencer then advanced fereral fen- 
 timents refpe(^ing due. fubordination, and 
 the moft likely means to preferve it, and 
 evinced the propriety as well as the obliga • 
 tion of treating every man, be his ftation 
 ever fo humble, with the refpedl which he 
 merits, from reafon ; from morality, and" 
 from the ftill fuperior arguments which arc 
 fuggeftcd by religion. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 THE MICROCOSM, 6/' 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 A PiSfure of modijh AffeB'ion, 
 
 Gentlemen and Ladies of all defcriptions ! 
 
 AS ye have been heartily tired with the 
 long proftng — preaching — -fentimental 
 ftuff({or that is the fafhionable dialed), 
 with which mofl of the preceding chapters 
 have been ^r^^Tzw^^ : we will now endea- 
 vour to treat you with lighter diet ; confef- 
 fing we were willing to offer you a little 
 wholefome food, before we produced our 
 flummery and whipt fyllabubs. Whether 
 ye have tafted — or if ye have, whether ye 
 have had any relifb for the folids we havei 
 fet before you, we cannot tell. Perhaps ye 
 have faited, hitherto, in expedlation of the 
 coming defert. But let us warn you, O ye 
 lovers of frothy viands, that ye do not fo 
 vitiate your palates by feeding upon fweet- 
 meats, as to dcflroy your powers of digeft- 
 
 ing
 
 68 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 ing thofe fubllantials which only can afford 
 real nourifhment. However, as we ac- 
 knowledge that a variety, properly inter- 
 mixed, may be very falutary, we will here 
 offer you fome trifles. 
 
 When Eleanor Hatley firft returned from 
 Berkley-fquare to Spencer- Aviary, the great 
 alteration in her appearance ftruck every 
 eye with aflonifhment. She was quite the 
 fine lady — or, to fpeak in modern language, 
 " a very fajhmiahle looking woman ;" a re- 
 commendation which is fuppofed, as we 
 have faid, to include all that is dciirable in 
 the fair fex. Mifs Eleanor was certainly 
 very much improved in her perfon ; and 
 having fludied under fome of the bed maf- 
 ters in London, had attained to a confi- 
 derablc proficiency in dancing, drawing, 
 mufick, 8cc. and yet, to an accurate ob- 
 ferver flie was far from being amiable ; a 
 cautious cunning, and a certain fomething 
 of countenance, forbidding the focial heart 
 to contrad^ an intimate acquaintance with 
 her. Mifs Martha Abington, who greatly 
 
 refembled
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 69 
 
 refembled her in mind and manners, 
 thought her all perfe6lion ; and they very 
 foon entered into what they called a friend- 
 fhip. 
 
 During Eleanor Hatley's refidence 
 with Mrs. Hutchinfon, fhc had learned all 
 the particulars of the will of her great- 
 grandfather ; and it induced her, as the 
 reader from his prefent knowledge of her 
 difpofition will- naturally conclude, to think 
 of entering into fomc meafures which 
 might give hcr's, if not her, pofleffion of 
 Spencer- Aviary. Conliftently with her 
 wifhes, (he was, while in Bcrkley-fquare, 
 addrefled by a number of young fmarts, 
 who attended the litfJefuppers given by the 
 lady of the houfe. On all thefe (he looked 
 for fome time with equal indifference ; till 
 one above the reft at length attradled her 
 attention, while (he particularly engaged 
 his, from the information which he had 
 fought and gained of her family circum- 
 ftances. 
 
 The name of this gentleman was Pcrci - 
 
 val.
 
 70 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 val. His figure was tall and flriking; his 
 countenance keen ; his age twenty-three ; 
 his temper like that of Eleanor Hatley. 
 
 Mr, Percival vvab the only Ton of a widow 
 who was left by her hufband, over whom 
 file had always maintained an abfolute fway, 
 with two children and a tolerable eftate, 
 entirely in her own power. Her daughter, 
 a beautiful and an ^amiable young woman, 
 had, without her con fen t, married an ofE- 
 cer of the name of Montague ; and lince 
 that occurrence had never been admitted 
 into her prefence. The fon continued with 
 his mother, and by her was tutored to 
 advance his fortune with fomc credulous 
 and rich fair. He had, however, failed in 
 every preceding attempt, when, carting his 
 eyes on Mifs Hatley, who was young, and 
 by her appearance a girl of fortune, he de- 
 termined to be early in laying fiege to her 
 afFe^lion, which he fuppofed, unlearned as 
 fhe feemed in the ways of life, might be 
 fecured without much difficulty. In this, 
 however, he was confiderably miftaken ; 
 
 for
 
 TlfE MICROCOSM. 71 
 
 for Eleanor Hatley, expelling ibmething 
 much fuperior to what Mr. Percival could 
 offer, paid but little attention to his affidui- 
 ties. When, upon more minute enquiry, 
 he learned the particulars of Mr. Charlton's 
 will, he was almoft difcouraged from any- 
 farther purfuit ; concluding that, on that 
 account, it would be difficult to gain hcr» 
 But, educated in cunning, as Mr. Perci- 
 val was, he was here again miftaken. The 
 very circumftance which he imagined to be 
 deltruclive to his wiflies, accelerated their 
 accomplifhment : for no fooner was the 
 young lady made acquainted by Mrs. 
 Hutchinfon with the arrangement eltab- 
 lifhed by her great-grandfather, and with 
 Mr. Spencer's witli to have her coufin Ed- 
 ward firft married, a circumftance with 
 w^hich Mrs. Hutchinfon w^as much dif- 
 pleafed, than (lie determined to look about 
 her^ and to fecure, if poffible, the coveted 
 inheritance. 
 
 At the time of which we are fpeaking, 
 fhe was not more than lixteen years of age, 
 
 yet
 
 72 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 yet even then did this dcfigning girl lay firft 
 one plan, then another, and then another, 
 to draw her grandfather's confent to her 
 marriage with fome one of her admirers, 
 (and (he hardly cared which,) that flattered 
 her vanity, before the return of her coufin. 
 Yet (he imagined it would be a difficult 
 point to compafs, as Mr. Spencer had de- 
 clared that he did not confider Jt as unjoft 
 to with-hold the formal fanc^ion to the 
 marriage of his grand-daughters, which 
 Mr. Charlton's will required, as he fliould 
 not, by any exertion of his power as their 
 guardian, prevent them from uniting them- 
 fclves to gentlemen whom he approved ; and 
 as he thought that the very handfome for- 
 tunes which they had and would have, were 
 fufficient for girls of even the firft rank in 
 England. This was very unneceflarily re- 
 prefented by Mrs. Hutchinfon in height- 
 ened colors to Mifs Eleanor, who imme- 
 diately fet all her little wits at work to form 
 fchemes for the accompli flimcnt of her 
 wifhes. 
 
 In
 
 THE MICKOCOSM, 75 
 
 In one of her reveries on this fubjccl, Mr. 
 Pcrcival made his appearance. He per- 
 ceived that (he looked thoughtful, and with 
 much apparent tenderncfs enquiring the 
 occalion, with fome management, after 
 fome fincfle on his part and her's, he dif- 
 covered it. An eclairciflcmcnt took phicc, 
 and aftiiirs were Toon in fuch forwardnefs 
 that they united heartily in the fame caufe. 
 Eleanor Hatley faw in Mr. Perci\ al the very 
 Machiavel (h^ wanted. Mr. Pcrcival found 
 in Eleanor all that he widied — a woman 
 poflcilcd of fortune, and ready to befiow it 
 upon him, 
 
 A family compadl now took place. Mr. 
 Pcrcival, before a vifitor, now became an 
 intimate in the family of Mrs. Flutchinfon, 
 who was eafily brought to enter into the 
 views of the young people ; and before 
 Eleanor left London, every thing was fet- 
 tled refpe6ling their future proceedings. 
 Accordingly, foon after her return into the 
 country, Mr. Pcrcival v.'r6te a letter to Mr. 
 Spencer, which was accompanied by one 
 
 Vol. I. E from
 
 7"^ THE MICROCOSM". 
 
 from Mrs. Hutch in Ton ; the fjrft, a propo- 
 fal refpedting the youn/i^ lady, and' the 
 other dictated by Mrs. Hutchinfon, wht) 
 diredled a good underflanding to bad pur- 
 pofes, as high a recommendalion of the 
 propofer, as language could convey. 
 
 From the character given of Mr. Perci- 
 val, and the prepoilcfiion in his fav-our 
 which Mifs El-caiior thought fit to acknow- 
 ledge, Mr. Spencer could not ibrm any 
 reafonable obje<3ion to the alliance : for 
 though his grand-daughter's fortune might 
 demand a gentleman with a larger eliatc, 
 Mr. Spencer's fenliments, \vhii:h Eleanor 
 very well knew, would not permit him, on 
 that account, to difapprove of her choice. 
 Mr. Percival was a gentleman — a gentle- 
 man of good charad^cr — Mifs Eleanor had 
 given him her heart — and there was, be- 
 tween them, a liafncieney to fupport a fa- 
 mily in gentility This, to a man of Mr. 
 Spencer's principles, was all that could be 
 required. Eic anfwered both the letters 
 with that explicitncls which was inf|pa- 
 
 rablc
 
 THE MICROCO'^M. 7a 
 
 rable from his every a<Slion, faying, that the 
 charadler of the irentleman was fuch as 
 could not be objedtcd to, but that he could 
 not give his confent to his grand-daugh- 
 ter's fo loon entering i-nto matrimonial en- 
 gagements. This anfvver produced Mr. 
 Percival's appearance at Spencer- Aviary, 
 where he was received with politencfs by 
 its benevolent podedbr ; with native good 
 humour by Matilda, and with caution and 
 afFecled modefty by the obje6l of attrac- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Perciv^al could luit his behaviour to. 
 almofi: every company, and be (ludiouily 
 attempted to be plcafing to the grand- 
 father- of his Eleanor, yet he failed in his 
 dcfign. Mr. Spencer faw — or inftindtively 
 
 perceived :in inexpreflible fomcthing 
 
 \vhich prevented him from looking on Mr. 
 Percival with plcafure as the future huiband 
 for Eleanor Hatlcy. Something like a per- 
 fualion, (for we know no aptcr phrafe to 
 exprefs our meaning) fecmed to prohibit 
 cv^y idea of.congcniality between thefe 
 oppofite characters. 
 
 E 2 And
 
 >6 THE MICROCOJS-M. 
 
 And here, gentle reader, we will ItQp to 
 alk thee if thou art a ilranger to the per- 
 fuafion of whieh we have given an intima- 
 tion ? If thou art, no words can convey to 
 thee any fenfe of it. If thou art not, thou 
 knoweft what we mean, without our faying 
 any nriore upon the fubje6l. But in either 
 cafe, acecpt a hint which may be fervice- 
 able : never, without examination, rely too 
 implicitly upon this feeling, left, in thy 
 hafte, thou fliouldft yield to a fldfe im- 
 puhe; but never inattentively difcard it^ 
 left it (liould be found that thou haft re- 
 jedled the truth. 
 
 And now, of whatfoevcr complexion 
 thou art, thou wilt be ready to afk of what 
 religion we are profeftbrs. 
 
 Of the Christian, good Sir, and defire 
 not — indeed we think we cannot attain — 
 any greater dillinftion. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 TUT. MICROCOSM /-/ 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Which paves the fVay to other MaiUn, 
 
 MR. SPENCER could not mix his 
 mind with that of Mr. Percival. 
 It was the fcnfe of the laft phrafe that re- 
 lated to our ftory. What followed, was, 
 we fufpeci, written by fome fylph who 
 gently ftole our pen as we fell afleep at the 
 word congeninlity ! for, ladias, we would 
 have you undcrfland that we have our fur- 
 rounding geniij to whom we apply uport> 
 every emergency; and that thefe geiui 
 have their fylphs, who have ft ricl: orders 
 to attend us very diligently. As it will 
 therefore fometimes happen that v/e grow 
 fupine, and may perhaps drop or leave our 
 pen, it will probably be taken up, to pre- 
 vent the fiory from dropping likewife, by 
 one or other of thefe aerials — ethcrials — or 
 whatever epithet they mci-y deferve ; who, 
 though of various orders, are all wife and 
 good. For this reafon we warn our reader?, 
 E 3 aiid
 
 79 THE MICKOCOSrvf. 
 
 aiul particularly our fair ones, to be careful 
 bow tbey find faujt with what may be be- 
 yond the reach of their capacity ; left they 
 Ihould happen to cenfure the work of one 
 of thefe immaterial beings, (for whofe per- 
 formances it mult be remembered, we are 
 not accountable) ; becaufe though our 
 y^ung ladies may not comprehend the force 
 of the reafoning, nor the foundation of the 
 principle, they may depend upon it, that 
 what is produced by lb efe our fuperiiiten- 
 dcnts, cannot be erroneous. 
 
 Many little mi^es — nay, indeed fomc 
 maftcrs, and thofe pretty nearly approach- 
 ing to the height of fix feet — make it a 
 rule to exclaim— "Nonfenfc"—«V Stuff 1" 
 —-*' Ridiculous !" &c. whenever they meet 
 with what they cannot underftand. By 
 which>mean^, we beg leave to obferve, that 
 every line in the work of an author, of 
 more than ordinary clcvernef?, runs the 
 hazard of being falulcd with thefe fupcrci- 
 lious exprcflions, from the clafs of readers 
 we have now in our miners eye — a phrafc, 
 my pretty dears ! which we acknowledge 
 
 to
 
 THE MICROCOSM. JQ 
 
 to have borrowed from a play written by 
 one William Shakcfpear, who^ as having 
 been a man of neither fall^iion nor fortune, 
 can confequcntly pofiefs but little cirima- 
 tion in your opinions. 
 
 But to return from our fccond^ to our 
 firft digreflion, and to finith both — All 
 \^'e allow to the little gentry whofe minds, 
 are not fufficicntly capacious to achnit the 
 truth of our reafonings, is a phrafe which 
 we have heard from feveral prcttviips, the 
 fenfe of which, for it Jhas been put into a 
 variety of forms, is this. *' // mtiji he true ; 
 *< lut IJIhiUnot helieve ity 
 
 And now to advert to the lovers. 
 ,'_,** The good man could not mix his mind 
 " with the mind of Mr. Percival.*' 
 
 No ; for they were of very different 
 textures. The one v\'as of pure fpirit ; the 
 other a drofly fubitance, with oil floating 
 upon its furface ; a very fafhionable com- 
 pcfition for prefent fafliionable difpofitions. 
 
 Mr. Percival could not eafily be per- 
 
 Hiaded to relinquidi his purfuit. Theflght 
 
 oi Spencer-Aviary had rivetted his affec^ 
 
 E 4 tion^
 
 so THE l#l£Sd%OSM. 
 
 tion.s to that and Eleanor ; ^vho now, in 
 compliance with the opinion of her lover, 
 thought it right to make an open avowal 
 of her attachment. Mr. Spencer, there- 
 fore, judged it proper to be pcrfe<^tly 
 nnrcferved, In refpedl to his intentions 
 relative to the marriage of his grand- 
 children. I Te declared his determination 
 of not 4'iving the formal approbation, re- 
 qnifite to entitle a child to the Aviary ef- 
 tate, till he faw Edward Spencer a hufband. 
 To this they oppofed every argument art 
 could fuggell J but to no purpofe : the ut- 
 mod they could obtain was an aflu ranee 
 that the celebration of their nuptials (after 
 the previous execution of proper fettle- 
 ments) (hould not, by him, be prevented ;' 
 with a promife, if it (hould be their choice 
 to poftpone their intention, of giving tlie 
 required fan6lion after the marriage of his 
 grandfon ; for the excellent maii had no 
 idea fo prefumptuous as that of ruling the 
 event. All his meaning was, not to give 
 confent to any propofal which might, pro- 
 bably, entirely cut off from this only male 
 
 heir
 
 THE MICKaCOSM. 81' 
 
 heir of the family, every poffibility of feeing, 
 his defcendants in polieffion of the pater- 
 nal eflate. 
 
 As- Mr. Spencer fpoke with deliberate 
 firmnefs, Mr. Percival and Eleanor Hatley 
 thought it prudent to appear fatisiied with 
 his determination, and Mr. Percival re- 
 turned to London ; obtaining leave to cor- 
 refpond with the young lady, and fome- 
 times to vifit at the Aviary. On thefe oc- 
 caiions he took abundant care to remove 
 any prejudice that Mr. Spencer might have 
 entertained againft him, on account of his 
 folicitude to fecure, with Mifs Eleanor, a 
 probable right, for one of his children, to- 
 the eftate, which was the great objc61 to 
 both the lovers, as they crroneoufly were 
 termed. Mr. Percival's art was not entirely 
 unfuccefsful ; for though it could not re- 
 move Mr. Spencer's prepofleflion in his dif- 
 favor, it prevented fuch an increafe of it as 
 could not have failed taking place with a 
 man who had fuch a (hare of penetration, 
 had not Mr. Percival with the utmofl cau- 
 
 E 5 tioa
 
 S2 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 tion concealed the objedlionablc parts of 
 bis character. 
 
 Affairs now went on without any parti- 
 cular variation, till the return of Edward 
 Spencer, with his friend, from foreign coun- 
 tries, an event which gave great joy to 
 every individual concerned. Mr. Spencer 
 faw in his grandfon all that he wiflied to 
 icfe. -' He was, indeed, a fine young man in 
 his perfon';^ had an excellent underftand- 
 ing, which had been properly cultivated, 
 and a difpofition that gained him univer- 
 fal approbation. 
 
 George Abington was as much refpec^cd 
 as his companion, and had fimilar advan- 
 tages of perfon ; though not quite fuch re- 
 gularity of features ; but Matilda Hatley 
 thought he wanted no improvement. 
 
 >♦«♦*••<«-!«-" 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 Of /mail Conjequence* 
 T T 7E will pafs over a variety of little 
 W preliminary incidents till the arri- 
 val of the period in which the partiality of 
 
 Edward
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 83 
 
 Edward Sjx^ncer lor Sophia Abington, and 
 that of George Abington for Matilda Hat- 
 ley produced an acknowledged affeciion, 
 which met with the approbation of both 
 families. Accordingly on the day which 
 completed the twenty-iirft year of Edward's 
 life, was he united to his Sophia, amidfi: 
 the congratulations of his furrounding 
 friends ; after which they retired to the 
 Shrubbery ; Tvlr. Spencer having kept that 
 manfion in order for his grandfon's recep- 
 tion. 
 
 Previous to the celebration of the wed- 
 dings rMrj-Perci^al, had for fome time^ been 
 a vilitor at the Aviary, and had received a 
 promife from Mr. Spencer that he would 
 give the required fancSlion to his marriage 
 with. Eleanor op,, the ;day,^hat was to 
 unite Mr. George Abington with Matilda ; 
 whicb; w^^;iaii>e>fixed at no \ery diftant 
 
 r|)eriod. v, ; ; ■ ,..,;, 
 
 After the vifitSJ occalioncd by this iirfl: 
 wedding were over,, and the happy couple 
 
 . fettled in their new b/ibitation^ which though 
 E 6 not
 
 84 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 not fo magnificent as the Aviary, was con- 
 venient and elegant, Mrs. Hutchinfon, ac- 
 companied by Mr. Perciva), made another 
 vifit to Mr. Spencer and his grand-daughters, 
 and at her return, obtained the promife of 
 feeing the young ladies before their en- 
 trance into the conjugal llate-. Mifs Elea- 
 nor agreed to the propofal with alacrity; 
 but Matilda gave rather a relu^ant con- 
 fent to their entreaties. Jull before this 
 party left the Aviary, the death of a Mr. 
 Appleby occafioned the falc of an eftate 
 near the village of Beverly. The houfe 
 in which he had refided was large and an- 
 cient ; but it was in a pleafant fituation. 
 For this eflate, Mr. Percival agreed, and, 
 in a fhort time, by the aiTiftance of his mo- 
 ther, completed the purchafe. This fpot 
 was particularly convenient to Mr. Ferci- 
 vaFs views, as it was contiguous to that 
 which devolved to the MiOes Hatley, upon 
 the death of their father, which it was 
 agreed fhould be divided between them 
 by two celebrated furveyors^ upon their re- 
 
 fpe^live
 
 THE MicRocos^vr. 95 
 
 fpe(^lve Tmarriagcs. It was llkevvife fettled 
 that Mi*s. Pcrcival fhoiild relide W^ilb her 
 fon and intended danghter-in-Iaw (retain- 
 ing the houfe irt London for an Dccafional 
 abode), and that George Abington and 
 Matilda fhould live at the Aviary with the 
 venerable an-ceftor, during his refidence in 
 that envied habitation. To this propofal^ 
 Eleafior immediately acceded : her realbn — 
 though not her profcfled one — was her dif- 
 like to continue under the penetrating eye 
 of her benevolent parent ; whofe difpofition, 
 as (he wjls confcioufly convinced, was very 
 oppofite to her own, with which that of Mr?. 
 Pcrcival was greatly more congemal. 
 
 The Story continues dull, 
 
 THE young ladies have now been lome 
 time in London : Eleanor immerfed 
 in its gaieties ; and Matilda, fighing for 
 
 the
 
 b6 the microcosm. 
 
 the tranquil pleafures of Spencer- Aviary, 
 •from which fhe never before was fo long 
 abfent ; while Mr. Spencer was expecting 
 their return with fome impatience, though 
 enjoying the profpedl which the indifpo- 
 •fitlon of the amiable wife of his grand- 
 fon opened to his wifhes. Mrs. Spencer 
 was, indeed, in what is called ihe family 
 way, to the great fatisfadlion of the. parties 
 immediately interefled. Even Eleanor 
 Hatley, whofe wedding day was fixed, re- 
 ceived the intelligence with a fmilc, which 
 we beg leave to ai^bre our readers was fm- 
 cere. This young lady, with the advice of 
 her worldly-wife mother-in-law elecl, had 
 furnifhed herfelf with fo many rcafonable 
 motives for being perfe6lly fatisficd with 
 this event, that ihe did not even wifh it 
 other wife. 
 
 Matilda, who during her refidence in 
 London, had frequently been vifitcd by 
 Mr. George Abington, a young man de- 
 ferving of more attention than we have been 
 ftble to afford him^ now returned to Spencer- 
 Aviary ;
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 87 
 
 Aviary ; but Eleanor complied with the 
 entreaties of her London friends to con- 
 tinue in town till within two or three days 
 before that appointed for the double nup- 
 tials. In the mean time Mr. Percival had 
 completed every thing for their reception 
 at the Lodge, which was the name of his 
 newly purchafed efiate ; it being deter- 
 mined that the London party fhould go di- 
 redly thither, and after the ceremony, re- 
 tire, to it again. 
 
 ' This proceeding was not, in the leaft, 
 agreeable to Mr. Spencer, whofe truly be- 
 neiicent foul wifhed to fee cordiality reign 
 unboundedly throughout the univerfe, and 
 moil particularly amongft the individuals of 
 his own family : but Eleanor, once fixed 
 in her plan, was not to be diverted from its 
 execution. 
 
 The day was now arrived which was to 
 convey the Londoners to Beverly, and the 
 coach driven to the door. Eleanor Hatley, 
 all evident delight, was going down to Mrs. 
 Hutchinfon, to tell her that fheonly waited 
 
 the
 
 8S' THE MrCROCOSlVr. 
 
 the return of her maid, who was gone for 
 fome ribbands which the milliner had omit- 
 ted to put up with the reft of the bridal 
 finery, when her foot flipped from one of 
 jhe flairs, and (he fell into the hall. She 
 was immediately heard by the fervants, who 
 ran to fe^ what oceafioned the noife, when 
 they found her lying without any ligns of 
 life. The whole family were now about 
 her; Mr. and Mrs. Percival, who had juft 
 before arrived at Mrs. Hutchinfon's, were 
 very much alarmed. They immediately 
 fent for a furgeon, and before he could 
 reach the houfe, for a phyfieian. Upon car- 
 rying her into the parlouri, (he fomewhat 
 revived, but was totally unable to fland. 
 When the gentlemen of the faculty ar- 
 rived and examined into the nature of the 
 injury (lie had received, they found that 
 ilie had diflocated, in a very bad manner, 
 her right knee. Infiead of being conveyed 
 into the coach, flie was carried to her 
 chamber and put to bed, from whence, both 
 thQ medical gentlemen gave it as their opi- 
 nion
 
 TifE irtbno CO s\r. Sg 
 
 nion that (he would not be well enough to 
 be removed iiRder a month. Upon hear- 
 ing this, (he was hke a mad woman, and 
 the violence of her paffions adlualiy occa- 
 fioned a delirium. A meffenger was im- 
 mediately difpatched to Mr. Spencer, wha^ 
 with Matilda, inftantly fet oft^ for London, 
 where they found Eleanor in a very dange- 
 rous fituation. The prognoftics of the doc- 
 tors were more than verified : (he wa^3 not 
 able to leave her bed for five weeks, btit at 
 the end of that period, mended very fhi^y 
 and began to be extremely urgent to go 
 down to Beverly, that the matrimonial 
 fchemcs might be refumed ; for Matilda' 
 would not, on any account, thmk of en- 
 tering into the conjugal ftate duHng her 
 lifter's confinement. 
 
 The period fixed for the tv.'o marri^^gcs 
 once more arrived. On the preceding 
 evening Eleanor and her friends reached 
 the Lodge, from whence, as it was reckon- 
 ed dangerous for her to walk, though but 
 a few yards, (he was carried in a fedan to. 
 
 the
 
 go THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 the village church, where flic was met by 
 her filler and a large party from the Aviary^ 
 Shrubbery, and Mr. Abington's ; but (he 
 codd not be prevailed upon to return with 
 them^ affigning, as a new caufe of objec- 
 tion, her inability to join in their fefiivities. 
 
 On the Sunday following the nuptial 
 ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. George Abing- 
 tOD, in conformity to the fafliion of the 
 times in which they lived, appeared at 
 church, and after that, received and re- 
 turned the vifils of the furrounding gentry j 
 but Eleanor (whom for the fake of diRine- 
 tion we ihall hereafter term Mrs. Richard^ 
 or Mrs. R. Percival ; except when we (hall 
 ehoofc to fay old Mrs. and young Mrs.. ; 
 for that we ihall do at pleafure), only re- 
 ceived and returned cards of compliments ; 
 pofiponing her ceremonial till her perfect 
 recovery. 
 
 We now fee the family at Spencer- 
 Aviary — that at the Shrubbery- — and that 
 of Mr. Abington, in perfed harmony with 
 each other and with all the neighbourhood ; 
 
 every
 
 THE MICROCOSM. Ql 
 
 rvcry one admiring and taking examples 
 ifom their condu<?t. ; while the Percivals 
 confined theinfelvcs within their own nar- 
 row circle, and confeqtiently were neither 
 beloved nor refpecfled. Mifs Martha Abing- 
 ton, indeed, was their conftant vifitor ; 
 ihe having formed a dole alliance with 
 Mi's. Richard Percival, by v.'hom fhe v/as 
 united by 'a fimilar dilcordancy of difpo- 
 fition. Mifs Emily, now called ]Mif3 
 Abington^ was the delight of the other 
 party : her temper reffembllng that of he^ 
 fifter Spencer, 
 
 ►e-if'e.* 
 
 CHAP, xrir. 
 
 The Infrodu^/ofi of a Stranger, 
 
 THE benevolent parent of thefe fami- 
 lies now faw two of hisgrand-childrea 
 as .happy as he could wifh them to be; 
 Eleanor was not, perhaps, unhappy ; but 
 her mode ofcondud when it prefled upon 
 
 his
 
 Q1 THE MICROCOS^T. 
 
 his mind, was an abatement of bis tran- 
 q.nilbty. He thougbt fbe was exceffively 
 wrong ; he did not approve- of the people 
 with whom flic had conne6led hcrfelf ; but 
 he wifely endeavoured to fliut the difagrec- 
 able part from his view. 
 
 Mrs. Speneer was now advifed, by her 
 phyficians, to forbear too much exercife ; 
 and it was thought proper for her to re- 
 turn, for the lafl time before her confine- 
 ment, the vifits fhe owed in the vicinity. 
 The laft fhe made was to the Lodge ; in 
 which fhe was accompanied by her grand- 
 fethcr and the Abingtons^ 
 
 Towards the approach of night, Mrs. R,- 
 Percival was taken extremely ill ; Mr. Ed- 
 ward Spencer was the firft who obfervtd': 
 the change in her countenance, and fprang, 
 ijcrofs the room to foppori her in his arms, 
 as fhe was near falling from the eafy chair 
 in which (lie leaned, not yet being fore- 
 covered as to be able to fit upright. She 
 was now carried up ftairs, and put to bed^. 
 where flic rcqucfled being left to herfelf,. 
 
 at
 
 THE MICROCOSM. ^3 
 
 Mi lead with only one fervant. About an 
 hour after, receiving for anlvver to their 
 enquiries that (he was better, but not able 
 to fee company, the Spencers and Abing- 
 lons took their leave and returned, as was 
 before agreed upon, to the Aviary, where 
 it was dcternnined Mrs. Spencer ihould 
 continue during her confinement. When 
 they met in the morning, Mrs. R. Percival 
 engrolfcd their firft convcrfation, and by 
 univerfal dedre a fervant was difpatched 
 with enquiries about her health ; the an- 
 fwcr to which threw them into the greateft 
 confternation ; for it was, that " S/ie ivas 
 '* i7S IV ell as could he expelled, and tluit the 
 ^' CHILD zvas Z'ery ivell, likexvi/e,'' ■ 
 
 The whole of the artful fchemes which 
 .had been carried on amongft the Percivals, 
 now fiaihed upon Mr, Spencer's imagina- 
 tion. Eleanor's lengthened fuiy in London 
 — her going from thence to the Lodge, 
 inftead of to the Aviary — the afrecled con- 
 tinuance of lamenefs; always thought to be 
 'beyond the occafion — her refufal to receive 
 
 company.
 
 Q'i THE MirnocosM. 
 
 company, or to be feen by any one out of 
 her eafy chair — and the air of effrontery 
 with which, as it was now recolledlecl, the 
 whole of their condudl had been diftinguilli- 
 ed, convinced every one thnt the criminal 
 proceeding had refultcd from a deliberi^te 
 determination to difap})oint, if it were pof- 
 fible, Mr. Spencer's ju ft wilh of fixing the 
 family of his grandfon in the paternal elVate. 
 This convi6lion was fo juflilied by the re- 
 ply of Mrs. Percival, in the prefence of her 
 fon, to the enquiries which were made, 
 that Chanty herfelf refuted to wa(le a ligh 
 on the guilty and fallen fair one. 
 
 Frudrated as Mr. Spencer's views were 
 by this event, his concern for ihe infamous 
 condu6l of his grand-daughter, was what 
 fat moll heavily upon his mind. Every 
 principle in his heart revolted againft the 
 proceedings of the Perclvals ; who, with the 
 iitmofi audacity triumphed in their tuccefs. 
 
 Soon after the return of the fervant from 
 the Lodge, Mr. Clarkfom, the accoucheur 
 of the village, called at the Aviary to en- 
 quire
 
 TKE MICROCOSM. C5 
 
 quire about Mrs. Spencer's healih. This 
 gentleman, who was very prudent and 
 ikilful, had been fummoned to Mrs. R. 
 Percival about an hour after the departure 
 of the Aviary party from the Lodge, and 
 bad delivered the lady of a Ton. He 
 therefore confirmed to Mr. Spencer the 
 fubllance of the fervant's mefllige. 
 
 The news now became public. Every 
 
 body inveighed againft the vile conduct of 
 
 the Percivals, except Mifs Martha Abing- 
 
 ton ; and every body elfe determined upon 
 
 not vriiting them. However, as on her 
 
 recovery, Mrs. R. Percival went to church 
 
 in form, and fent cards of invitation to 
 
 thofe from whom fhe had received cards 
 
 upon her marriage, many, who where pre- 
 
 viouflv determined to avoid any intercoiirfe 
 
 with her, were induced by her meafure?, 
 
 to call upon her ; and flie appeared fo 
 
 openly to defy the world's opinion, that 
 
 -whenever fhe had company, the little 
 
 Spencer-Hatley Percival was carried down 
 
 to be admired. Patty Abington^who^ young 
 
 as
 
 <)6 THE MlCROCOSUvt. 
 
 as ilic was, had already trcafurcd tip ninny 
 certain figns and tokens which would give 
 an infightinto the future events of a child's 
 life, fawj from a ring about his ankle ; a 
 fpot on his neck ; a red mark upon his 
 arm, he, that Mafter Percival would live 
 to be the grcateft man in the country ; and, 
 by a mole-fpot near his ear, predidtcd his 
 being, one da_y, a prime mini ft cr. 
 
 To all this, Mrs. R. Percival gave Urong 
 credence, and was every day fecking for 
 frefli information refpedlingher fon's dcftiny, 
 which her friend ceafcd not to affirm would 
 be marked with fortunate circumftances. 
 
 Some time after the birth of Mafter Per- 
 cival, Mrs. Spencer prefented the family 
 with a lovely girl, who was named Letitia, 
 The beautiful features of this infant ftruck 
 every beholder with admiration, and every 
 one lamented the treachery which had de- 
 prived her of her birth-right, as Spencer- 
 Aviary might with juftice be termed. 
 
 About fix months after the above-men- 
 tioned little lady made her appearance upon 
 
 this
 
 IHH MiCiiOCOSM. 07 
 
 this vnriable theatre, Mafter Pcrcival was 
 attacked by the mealies ; a diibrder at that 
 time prevalent amongit the children of the 
 neighboiirjiood. All the phyficians in the 
 coantiy were Uimmoned, and the utmoU 
 attention was atrbrdcd him by eveiy female 
 in the tamily ; but notwitliftanding all their 
 care, and in fpite of Mils Patt\'s pre- 
 dictions at his birth, this prefumptive heir 
 to Spencer Aviary »died on the feventh day 
 of his ilinefs. Mrs. Richard Pereival was 
 now in a ftate of diltraction; and no won- 
 der. Ail her plans difappointed — at vari-- 
 ancewith her family— her reputation bbiil:^ 
 ed^^and to no purpnfe! She was at this 
 time, again enceinte, and the violent per- 
 tuibation of her fpirits nearly occaiioned 
 her death ; but the ftrength of her conilir 
 tuiion was triumphant, and fhe was, in 
 <lue time, delivered of another fon, who 
 was chrtftened Stephen, the name of Mr. 
 Percivars father. Patty Abir.gton was now 
 called upon to^ read ikis chilifs deftiny, 
 which, (he faid, would certainly be what 
 Vol. I. F ' Ihe
 
 gS THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 flic bul pronounced for ihc other, the 
 marks upon which (lie had Tor fonie weeks 
 obferved to flide, and therefore expected its 
 death, though fhc would not ihock her 
 friend with her apprehcnfions. 
 
 Mrs. R. Percival's health was now pretty 
 well eftablifhcd, but her fpirits Teemed to 
 be funk beyond reftoration ; and, at times, 
 her intellects were thought to be aftected, 
 fo greatly had the difappointmcnt preyed 
 upon her mind. At length (he fent a fup- 
 plicating letter to Spencer- Aviary — acknow- 
 ledging and lamenting her crime — owning 
 the iudice of the difpcntation which had 
 deprived her of her child, and imploring a 
 return of favor from her grandfather and 
 coutins : and in a little time, a general re- 
 conciliation was the confcqucncc. 
 
 Soon after this, Mrs. z\bington received 
 a letter from the only brother who ever 
 {liewcd her any affedlion. His name was 
 Ruifel. He had refided for many years in 
 the ifland of Madeira, where he had ac- 
 quired a handfome fortune. From him 
 
 JNlrs.,
 
 ! ili MICilOCOoM. 00 
 
 •Mrs. Abington had frequentlj received con- 
 fiderable luais of money. In the early part 
 of his life he married a lady who died in a 
 few yeai^ after their union, and as he had 
 not any family, intended to make the 
 children of his fifter Abington heirs to his 
 property. On this account he fent to re- 
 queft that his nephew would immediately 
 come over to him, as he had been fome 
 time ill, and was appreheniive that he 
 ihould not recover. 
 
 This letter was an interruption to the 
 'happinefs of the focial families, but as the 
 •requifition could not be refufed, he fct 
 off with all pollible expedition for Madeira; 
 leaving his lady under an afflidiion, which 
 all her friends exerted their endeavors to 
 alleviate. 
 
 F % CHAR
 
 100 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 C II A P T E R XIV. 
 
 To yowig ffldozvs, • 
 
 PEACE and frugality fcemed now to be 
 eftablidied at Beverly. Every one 
 appeared happy except the frentle, the ten- 
 der, the anniable Mrs. G. Abington, whole 
 anxiety for a beloved hufband debarred her 
 from fliaring the apparent felicity around 
 her; but the excellency of her underfiand- 
 ing, difpofition, anci principles, prevented 
 her from difiurbing her friends with the ter- 
 rors which (be could not remove from her 
 fpirits. She fighed in fccret, and in com- 
 pany endeavoured to be chearful. 
 
 We, juft now, ufed the phrafe " appa- 
 rent felicity;" Mrs. Richard Percival at that 
 moment croffing our ideas. This lady was 
 indeed incapable of experiencing felicity in 
 reality, while the daughter of her coufin 
 was the prefumptive heirefs to Spencer 
 Aviary. However, (lie determined to dif- 
 
 femble
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 101 
 
 femble her chagrin, nurdng the idea that 
 kind chance, as (he termed it, might, pof- 
 fibly, put an end to the exiitence of the 
 httle Letitia, as it had done to that of her 
 firft born Ton ; and this poflibihty, by fa- 
 miHarity rendered probable, became h 
 continually the fabjc<5l of her contempla- 
 tion, that Ihe was never happy but- when 
 muiing upon the event in pcrfpedlive. 
 Happilyj for the relief of her mind, her 
 hufband and his mother indulged her in 
 converfing upon her favorite topic, being' 
 no lefs dcliroiis than herfclf to fee one of 
 their dcfcendajts in pofreliion of' the 
 Aviary. 
 
 Continual was now the expectation of 
 the Abingtons to hear from Madeira, yet 
 day after day, week after week rolled on 
 without that expedation being fultillcd. 
 All that were concerned began to be 
 alarmed ; and Mrs. G. Abington felt more 
 than her fnare of the common uneafjncfs. 
 Every rap at the door — every horfeman Ihe 
 
 UwVj threw her into tremors; and every dav, 
 
 1? --> 
 
 -L o near
 
 iG2 THE ^iV<! noCOSM. 
 
 near im hour before the ufual time of the 
 arrival of the pod-bo^f did fhe fit in a bow- 
 window with her eye fixed upon the road 
 which led to the houle, to watch his com* 
 ing ; fpringing to the door when fhe faw 
 him, yet then not daring to aik him for 
 letters. In this fituation fhe continued for 
 ibme time, till at length Mr. Abington 
 vV'rotG to Mr. Ruflel for intelligence, and 
 at the end of three months received the 
 following reply. 
 
 Madeira, Nov. gth. 
 
 " Your letter, my dear brother, has given 
 " me concern- beyond cxprefiing. How 
 ^* fliall I anfwer it ! What words ufe to tell 
 ^* you that George has never yet reached 
 ^^ this ifland ! I give you the dreadful in- 
 " formation too abruptly, but you arc for- 
 " tilled by Chriflian philofophy, and as you 
 *^ have prudence in no ordinary degree, 
 *' you will, I am certain, be properly dcli- 
 *' berate in communicating the intelligence 
 " to the amiable woman whom our dear 
 
 <' boy
 
 THE MtGROCOSM. 103 
 
 *' boy married ; to his mother, and to his 
 ^ filters. I feiir — I greatly fear poor George 
 " is entirely loft to iis. By degrees I wifii 
 " to tell you what I doubt is a certainty, 
 " yet cannot prevent the ardor of my af- 
 *^ fli(9.ion from (bowing, at onee, the fatal 
 " truth. Let me {i\y that i/ is indeed all 
 " over ivith him. As foon as I received 
 ** your enquiring letter, which told mo he 
 '' had failed from Briftol in the Enterprife, 
 " Captain Williams, I loft all hope. The 
 " certainty of his death fnccecded in an in- 
 " ftantj as intelligence of the fate of that 
 " fliip had been received at our port fomc 
 " weeks before yours reached my hands. 
 '* The Enterprife had llniled from England 
 '* in company with the Dolphin, the Har- 
 " raony and the Leopard, and had fallen in 
 " with the Tiber and Baltic. They kept 
 " near each other for fiiiveral days, after 
 "^ which they encountered one of the moll 
 " dreadful ftorms I ever heard dcfcribed ; 
 " and were driven weftward for twenty- 
 '* ein^bt hours. When the fccond mornirjo; 
 E 4 appeared^
 
 i04 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 '' appeared, the Harmony and. Tiber vveie 
 " within fight of each other, and both took* 
 *' up Ibme Avreck known to belong to the 
 '' Baltic ; and a boat, which was afcertain- 
 *' ed by the name on it to have been that 
 '•' of the Enlerprife. Of all thefe fhips the 
 *^ Do]|)hin was the firifl that was heard of. 
 ** She touched at this ifland to refit, being 
 *^ bound, with the Harmony and Leopard, 
 ** (o the Eafl Indies: thefe two. lall inen- 
 *' ti^ne 1 came frparalcly within a few days 
 *> afier, and the next morning the, Tiber 
 *^ arrived, but the Baltic and Enterprife are, 
 '' doubilefs, gone to the bottom. 
 
 " The affli<^l:ion I feel upon this difpen- 
 ^" fation of Providence is , greatly beyond 
 " expreiling, and almoit beyond even your 
 " imagination. George was to me as a 
 " fon. He was coming at my requeft, and 
 *' to my affiflancc ! By my means, his pa- 
 *' rents have been deprived of their chief 
 " hope ; and I have been the occafion of 
 " my own lofs. 
 
 *^ Thefe recolIe6lions aggravate my grief; 
 
 '^ though
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 105 
 
 ^' tboLigh rightly confidcred, tlicy ought 
 *• not to occalion anydifiercnce in our fen- 
 " timents upon the event. If we do a right 
 '^ thing from right motives, y/hatever may 
 " be the refult, we are juitified : to judge 
 "by the effe6t is the wifdom of a fool. 
 
 " L prefent thefe confiderations to my 
 " mind's view continually^ yet cannot, at 
 ^' times, forbear to recrimmate upon m}felf. 
 " But to the A 11- wife Difpofer of events I 
 " endeavour to refign, knowing that his 
 '^ goodnefs, as well as his power and wif- 
 •' dom, is exerted in his difpenfations for 
 '' his children ; confiderations which will, 
 " I hope, have that force with you and 
 '^ yours I am confcious they ought to have 
 *^ with me. 
 
 " Soon after I wrote my laft, my difoi'- 
 " der took a favourable turn; and, con- 
 '^ trary to all expeelalion, I am now en- 
 *'•' tirely recovered. My afl'liirs arehkcwife 
 ••^ in fo favourable a train, that I mean to 
 *' quit Madeira and fail for England in the 
 "^ iirft fliip in which I" can have tolerable 
 F 5 *' accom-
 
 }06 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 ** accommodations, and hope to end my 
 *^ days with 3^011 and my filter. I will not 
 " now fay what an abatement I find in the 
 ''^ joy this intention has afforded me in con- 
 '* templation. 
 
 *' You will prefent my affectionate re- 
 "^ membrance to my fifter, Sophia, Emily 
 " and Patty ; and will believe me to be, 
 '* with the moft faithful fraternal fympathy. 
 
 ^' Yours, 
 
 " Geokge Russel." 
 
 My tender-hearted readers will i-equire 
 HO information refpedling the effects this 
 letter produced upon the intercfted inhabi- 
 tants of Beverly. The married fair, whofe 
 heart boats high with conjugal afiecStion — 
 whofe delicate fenfibility is ever awake to 
 the welfare of the beloved of her heart — 
 v/hofe intelligent eye receives additional 
 luftre from the refined ardency which glows 
 in her bread, when (lie firft catches fight 
 of him after an ab fence longer than fhe 
 expc(51cd — can feel for and will deeply 
 
 fympathize
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 10? 
 
 fympathize witli the poor Matilda, when 
 inllcad ol rcccivinrr the affurancc which 
 her fond hope hd her to expect, of the 
 fafety and approachins: return of her dear 
 George, Ihe was told that in this world /5^ 
 ivouhl never fee Inm more. Not that 2vlr, 
 Abington communicaicd the fatal tidings 
 in fuch explicit terms. He only began to 
 prepare her to receive them, when her fears, 
 equally itrong and in continual balance 
 with her hope, told her every thing at 
 once. She faw the whole in vivid colors 
 through the intended concealment, and 
 farik, e'er he could enter upon the dreadful 
 particulars, into the arms of the diftrciied 
 mother of her loft huitand. 
 
 Every confolation that could pofUbly be 
 given under fuch circumftances, Mrs. G. 
 Abington found in the tender foothings of 
 her furrounding friends ; but nothing could 
 remove, or indeed alleviate, the poignancy 
 of her diitrefs. Yet (he did not murmur 
 or repine : fhe was too good a Chriftian to 
 be rebellious. Her grief was of the tender 
 F 6 kind.
 
 108 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 kind, and (lie j^rayed and flrove for refigna- 
 tion : but for Icvcral years her thoughts 
 were fo perpetually, fo entirely devoted to 
 the memory of him whom fhe had loft, 
 that file feemcd almofl as if in continual 
 expedlation of feeing him ; and would 
 fcarcely believe that her deprivation was 
 reaL Never could the faithful nefs of her 
 afle6lion be prevailed upon to lifien to any 
 of the numerous admirers who vifited, on 
 her account, at Spencer-Aviary. The pro- 
 grefs of time made no abatement in her 
 conftancy ; nor could flic, at the expiration 
 of the ufual period, be perfuaded to lay alide 
 her mourning habit. Yet her grief was 
 chiefly folitary : for when in company with 
 her friends, fhe endeavoured to put on the 
 refemblance of chearfulncfs, that fhe might 
 not darken their enjoyments. Thus lived 
 Mr. George Abington — admired — beloved ; 
 and a pattern of conjugal fidelity. 
 
 The ibrrow of the family for the heavy 
 lofs they had fuftained, was ftill lively when 
 Mr. RuiTel arrived from Madeira/ and it
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 1 OQ 
 
 was nt)t till long after, that their " grief 
 " was fo mellowed by time as to fub- 
 '■yrlideinto a pleating remembrance." Mr. 
 and Mrs. Abington, for their only fon ; the 
 fifters, for their brother; Mr. Edward Spen- 
 cer, for the frlena of his heart, and the be- 
 nevolent grandfather, for ihe worthy and 
 amiable huiband of his Matilda, feit very 
 poignantly this lofs to their fociety ; and 
 we lind ourfelves- difpofed to fympathize 
 with each indiviciual. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 Neither Jenthnental^ nor othenvife, 
 
 AFTER the event lall: mentioned, no- 
 thing material occun-ed at Beverly 
 for a confiderable period, except the in- 
 creafe of the families of Mr. Edward Spen- 
 cer and Mr. Fercival. Lititia, the elded 
 child of the iirit, was at the time to which 
 
 we
 
 110 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 we chufe to advance, between two and 
 three years of age, and one of the lovelieft 
 little girls ever beheld ; with a difpofition 
 uncomtnonly fweet, and an underltanding 
 already diftinguifliable. 
 
 The next in feniority, and younger only 
 by a few months than Lctitia, was Mr. Per- 
 cival's fon Stephen. Within a year after 
 him, Mrs. Percival had two children at one 
 birth, a boy and a girl ; the firft called 
 Robert ; the other Barbara^ in honor of 
 the notable dowager, her grandmother. 
 Mr. Spencers fecond child was a daugh- 
 ter, of the name of Lucy, whofc birth was 
 fucceeded by that of a flill brother. 
 
 Diminifhed only by the ftill-remembered 
 lofs of Mr. George Abington, happincfs 
 feemed to refide in the hearts of our favo- 
 rite families at Beverly. Mr. Ruifel en- 
 livened every party in which he mixed ; as 
 there was a vein of humor in his difpofi- 
 tion which feemed always new and pjeafing. 
 By his means the Abingtons were in a ftate 
 of affluence. Except Mifs Polly, every 
 
 body
 
 fHE MICROCOSM". I 1 T 
 
 body regarded him with efteem and affec- 
 tion ; but that young lady had fo fmall a 
 fbare of tendernefs in her compofition, that 
 the attachment between her and Mr, R. 
 Percival engrofied" all that (he poflelfcd. 
 Like this her nominal friend, Ihe was proud 
 and covetous. She was likewife conceited 
 and envious in a high degree. The uni- 
 verfal approbation given to her fifters and 
 fifter-in-law, was a continual bane to her 
 happinefs. She could not endure their 
 being celebrated for qualities which (he 
 thought, and which the Percivals allured 
 lier, fhone much more confpicuoufly in 
 herfclf. She had a good face ; was fuffi- 
 cicntly genteel, with an underflanding above 
 mediocrity, and cultivated by education : 
 for Mrs. Dormer had taken care to have 
 her in{lru6ted in the fadiionable branches 
 of female learning. She, Hkewife, had the 
 happy art of putting on her cloaths in a 
 modilh ftyle, and had acquired that digni- 
 fied appellation of " a very fafhionable- 
 " looking young woman-." The fancied 
 
 knowledge
 
 112 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 knowledge {he had obtained of future 
 events from figns, marks, &cc. (lie gained 
 from iin old female fervant of Mrs.. Dor- 
 mer's, who had early imbibed thofe ideas ; 
 and who hnd predicted that Mifs Martha 
 would be raifcd by marriage to high rank.^ 
 This the old fortune-teller had aflurcd her 
 would be her defliny, unlefs the gentleman 
 whofe ftar met her's at her birth, lliould 
 die before he faw her. A fate fo confo- 
 nant to the young lady's willies, obtained 
 her implicit belief, and whenever (lie heard 
 of the death of a young nobleman jfhe 
 fighed, on the apprehenfion of its being 
 that, ,of her confort-cle6l. However jncon- 
 fiftent this foible may fecm to be with a 
 good underftanding, it was really found 
 combined with one in Patty Abington ; 
 who, though empowered by nature to be 
 a plealing companion and a ufeful friend, 
 proftituted her talents to the moil oppolitc 
 purpofes. 
 
 Mrs. Percival, by whom it is to be un- 
 derwood, we always mean the elder, faw 
 
 Mifs
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 113 
 
 Mifs Patty's failings and made her advan- 
 tages of them ; for more cunning — more 
 true fubtilty than this Dowager poflefTed, 
 never inhabited the bread of a female. 
 She wifhed to keep Mifs Patty in the in- 
 tereli of her family, therefore reprefented 
 the inJLiftice which tlie faid her relations 
 did her by not conddering her as the firit 
 of her name. 
 
 ^' A young lady of your talents Mifs 
 ''Martha," would this artful dame ex- 
 claim, " ought to be looked up to upon 
 *^ all occafions.'' 
 
 " So I think, and always did think," (aid 
 Mrs. R. Percival, with feeming careleflhefs 
 in her manner. " Patty Abington is an 
 *' honor to the name fhe bears." 
 
 '' Nobody doubts that,'* rejoined Mr. 
 Percival. " You are taking very unnecef- 
 " fary pains, ladies, to point out what every 
 " body {^^^. But when you, my dear Mifs 
 " Martha, arc married into, the rank you 
 ^' certainly were formed to adorn, you will 
 '' find every body will do you jufticc.'* 
 
 Mifs
 
 114 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 Mifs Martha had lufficient uncfcrrtand- 
 ing to receive this adulation in a decent 
 manner, attributing their praifes to their 
 kindnefs ; nevertholefs, flie was confcioufly 
 fatisfied that what they faid was true. 
 
 About this time almofl all the children 
 in the neighbourhood of Beverly were at- 
 tacked with that frequently fatal diforder 
 called the chin -co ugh ; or, as we think 
 more properly, the whooping-cough. The 
 little Spencers and Percivals fufFered whth 
 the reft. Letitia was the word:, and it con- 
 tinued upon her fo long, that the phyfi- 
 cians apprehended its leading her into a 
 confumption. Change of air was (Iron gly 
 advifed, and the anxious friends imme- 
 diately endeavoured to find an eligible 
 Situation, within a proper diftanoc, to which 
 their little darling might with fifcty be re- 
 moved. After fome enquiry, a woman who 
 had formerly lived at the Aviary in the ca- 
 pacity of a chamber-maid ; was married 
 from thence, and left a widow with a 
 daughter then fix yeai-s of age, was deemed 
 
 a proper
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 115 
 
 a proper pcrfon to be entrufied with the 
 care of the little fick Letitia ; (he being 
 reckoned very clean and healthy, kind to 
 the feveral nurfe-children with whom (he 
 had been entrufted, and lixed in an airy 
 rpot, called Hilton^ about three miles from 
 Beverly. Th€ only objeclion was the lize 
 of her habitation, which was fo fmall that 
 Ihe could not lodge an attendant for the 
 child ; but the advantages were fo peculiar, 
 refpeding fituution, &c. that it was de- 
 termined Letitia fhould be carried to her 
 houfc immediately. This was accordingly 
 done, Mrs. Eilenfon being very glad to- 
 take the charge of her, as there was no- 
 doubt of the trouble being handfomely re- 
 compenfed. The child bad not been at 
 Hilton more than three days before her 
 health appeared evidently to improve, and 
 as the air feemed fo well to agree with her, 
 the doclors advifed her being continued 
 there till Ihe fhould be perfedly rcftored. 
 Twice in each day was the little Letitia 
 viiited by two medical gentlemen of the 
 
 lirll
 
 I l6 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 firft repute in the neigbbourhoocl ; and It 
 feldom happened that (lie was not feen 
 both morning and evening by one or other 
 of the anxious friends from the Aviary, the 
 Shrubbery or Mr. Abington's, fo intereftcd 
 were they all in the life of this beautiful 
 little girl. Mr. Rullel was her conftant 
 vlfiter ; and even the Percivals aflumed a 
 femblance of concern ; which few people 
 believed to- be fincerp. When the child 
 re)apfcd, Mrs. 1^, Perciyars hopes, were all 
 awakened : when jt; mended, they fell ; 
 and according to the anfvvers (lie received 
 to her confiant morning enquiries were her 
 fpirits good or b^d for the day. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 To young Parents. 
 
 SHORT, hitherto, has been the period 
 of tranquillity enjoyed by the. defcen- 
 dants of our good Mr. Spencer. 
 
 Will
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 117 
 
 Wilt thou, O reader ! from that confi- 
 deration prefume to pronounce that they 
 were not the favorites of Heaven ! If thy 
 complexion leads thee to form fuch a dan- 
 gerous conclufion, we advife thee to endea- 
 vour to root from thy heart the pernicious 
 principle whi'.^h a<Sluates thy judgment. 
 Remember that the Great Parent of the 
 Univerie is not lefs merciful, than powerful ; 
 not lefs good and kind, than wife. The 
 lenity which would benefit one, would 
 eventually injure another of the children ; 
 ti^all of whom this care is ecjuolly extended. 
 At proper fcalons, we have each of us our 
 fliareof tiie good things <f this World. 
 P^vcn u hat zz:e call happinefs is ir^orc equally 
 difpenfed th.-in a curfory view may induce 
 us to fuppofe. If my yoimg readers ot what- 
 ever age, are not. acquainted with this trath^ 
 they have much knowledge to acquire. 
 Thinkcft thou, whofccircuFnftances are but 
 ftraitly proportioned to thy ftation, that the 
 rich and great are at the fummit of fub- 
 lunary felicity ! Learn, if thou art fo ig- 
 norant.
 
 116 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 norant, to know better. Teach thy heart 
 to believe that thefe outwardly ornamented 
 ones have perplexities from which thou art 
 exempt. And doft thou, who art exalted 
 In thy Situation, look down — not with pity 
 but with pride — upon thofe who are below 
 thy ideal exaltation ; fancying they are not 
 worthy to enjoy the blellings of the earth ! 
 If thou doll — let me advife thee to accele- 
 rate thy freedom from this more dangerous 
 miflake. Open thy mind to the knowledge 
 of their being in pofieflion of gifts, favors, 
 joys, to which thou, perhaps, wilt ever re- 
 main a flranger. 
 
 The little Letitia Spencer was feveral 
 weeks under the care of Mrs. Ellenfon ; 
 during which time the tlrength of her con- 
 ilitution (ecmed to vanquifh her diforder ; 
 but one morning, when Mrs. Spencer was 
 at Mr. Abington's, fhe received an alarm- 
 ing meflage from the nurfc, importing that 
 the child had been ill all night, and beg- 
 ging to fee fome of the family immediately. 
 Alarmed at the intelligence, Mrs. Spencer 
 
 requefted
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 13 U 
 
 requeded her mother and (illcrs to go w ith 
 her to Hilton ; accordingly, the coach be- 
 ing then in waiting, they all let off, and 
 when they arrived at Mrs. Ellenfon's found 
 the child aileep, the doctors having jult be- 
 fore, given it fomething compofing. The 
 nurfe feeraed in great diftrefs ; faid, that 
 Mifs Spencer had been ill almoft continu- 
 ally, iince eleven the evening before, and 
 that at eight in the morning fhe was feized 
 with convullions ; upon which the nurfe 
 had thought it neceliary to fend, firft to 
 Do6lor Wiltred and Mr. Clarktbm, and 
 then to Mrs. Spencer, as it apf)eared to her 
 that the child was in the greatell: danger 
 imaginable. The medical gentlemen gave 
 it as their opinion that her danger was not 
 fo impending; comforting 'Mrs. Spencer 
 with telling her that if the child could be 
 kept in a gentle fleep, they hoped llie 
 fhould foon be well again. The doctors 
 then departed, leaving the anxious mother 
 and her friends at Hilton, at which place 
 they continued till late in the evening, and 
 
 then
 
 120 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 then fet off for the Aviary, where they 
 found Mr. Spencer, Mr. Abington, Mr. Rul- 
 fel, and Mrs. G. i^bington, in anxious ex- 
 pedlation of fomc account fubfecjucnt lo 
 what they had received from Mr. Edward 
 Spencer, who about ihe middle of the day 
 went to make enquiries. Mrs. R. Percival 
 had likewifc been at Hilton, which was 
 nearer to the Ledge than to either the 
 Aviary or ShrubbcTv, and - had put on a 
 face of fuch concern v.lu^n fl"ie was told of 
 the cbiid's danger ; wjth how much fin- 
 cerity the reader may be left to conjedure. 
 There were fome people who, upon ob- 
 feryi^jg the figns of ibrrow which (he rather 
 Otiicioufly difpiayed, did not fcruplc to in- 
 timate that it was '• a tlioiijartd plies'^ little 
 Mife )Was nurfed fo near to " Mr. Perci- 
 varsy'and malicioufly iniinuated that Mrs. 
 Eilcnfon had lately been very iTiuch careii- 
 ed at. the Lodge, though they exprellod 
 their hope that nurfe knew better than to 
 give the child '^ any Jiuff to make it bad'' 
 ludejCd/to acknowledge the truth, we our- 
 r'».'; felvcs
 
 fMfi MICROCOSM. 12 1 
 
 felves are (bmewhat apprehenfive that this 
 artful, envious family was capable of form- 
 ing defigns of a fable hue, though we are 
 unwilling to condemn^ in an affair of fuch 
 confeqaence, without a fufncient evidence 
 X}f guilt. 
 
 Upon the declaration of the medical gen* 
 tlemen that they did not apprehend any 
 danger of a relapfe, and with a promife from 
 Mrs. Ellen fon to procure a man to fit up 
 in her houfe throughout the night ; that in 
 cafe of any unfavorable alteration he might 
 be difpatchcd for affiftancc, the anxious 
 party returned to the Aviary ; and retiring 
 earlier than ufual. with the hope of getting 
 fome reft after the fati2:ue of mind thev had 
 experienced^ moft of the frimily were aileep 
 . when a violent ringing at the gate occa- 
 fioncd an univerfal alarm. Mr. Edward 
 Spencer ran to a wrndoW, -when he Vv'as 
 conjured by a man from below to ha den to 
 Hilton, as Mrs. Ellenfon feared Mifs Le- 
 titia wduld die before any body could get 
 near her. The man, whole name was 
 
 Vol. L G Taylor,
 
 122 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 Taylor, faid he had fet out the moment the 
 alteration in the child took place, upon a 
 horfe which was kept in readinefs, but that 
 juii before he reached Mr. Clarkfom's he 
 was thrown with violence into a ditch, the 
 creature having been frightened while go- 
 ing full fpeed, by fomething lying in a 
 hedge; that when he got up he was ob*- 
 liged to haflen on foot to the do61or, as the 
 horfe had gallopped off, and that afterwards 
 he had run every ftep of the way to the 
 Aviary ; he concluded with begging fome 
 of the family would go to Hilton with all 
 pofiible expedition, as he was terribly afraid 
 it would elfe be too late to fee Mifs alive. 
 
 All this the man had full time to fay to 
 Mr. E. Spencer, who feemed to with to 
 prolong his flay at the window, dreading 
 to communicate the intelligence to his 
 lady, whofe prcfence, as he jufl:ly con- 
 cluded, could notpoffibly benefit the child, 
 and who probably would fufter injury by 
 the journey. But it was impoilible to keep 
 from her the knowledge of the truth, and 
 
 as
 
 THE MICROCOSM, 123 
 
 as impofHble, when fhe was acquainted with 
 it, to diffuade her from going. The whole 
 family was now informed of the occafion 
 of the alarm ; the coach ordered, and Mr, 
 E. Spencer, Mrs. Spencer, and the two 
 Mrs. Abingtons driven off for Hilton. The 
 night was exceeding dark and they could 
 not go very fad ; but had they been two 
 hours fooner Mrs. Spencer would have re- 
 ceived the fame dreadful information — ^tbat 
 of the death of her darling child. The firft 
 objedl which ftruck her fight when fiie 
 rufhed into the houfc, was the lifelefs in- 
 fant upon the lap of the nurfc, who vowed 
 (he never would remove it from that iitua- 
 tion, till fome of the family arrived, Nei- 
 ther of the doctors had been in time to be 
 of fcrvice. The child was dead before they 
 reached the houfc ; indeed before the mcf- 
 fenger was gone a hundred yards from the 
 door. When our readers are told that this 
 poor babe had died in convuliions, and 
 that it had bled from its mouth and nofe, 
 of which ftrong marks were vifible upon 
 G 2 il<
 
 124 THE MICIiOCOSM. 
 
 its little face, the inoll heroic heart -will not 
 wonder that Mrs. Spencer, when (lie beheld 
 the (hocking fpedlacle, fhould fall fenfelefs 
 into the arms of her furrounding friends. 
 It waS' long before they coul<l recover her ; 
 and when they fucceedcd, they only awak- 
 ened her to the mod: poignant grief 
 
 " My dear Sophia^ ' {md Mr. E. Spencer, 
 with his own heart labouring with its feel- 
 ings, "moderate, ifpofliblc, the violence 
 " of your afBidlion, left you endanger a 
 *^ life (till more precious than that which 
 " is loft. Think upon little Lucy ; and 
 *^ think upon me. Letitia, dear as fhe 
 ^^ was to us, was not our only happincls." 
 
 He could fay no more ; for at that mo- 
 ment the recolle6lion of her infant beauty, 
 and the thoufand future charms which the 
 parent's eye had anticipated, ruftied fo for- 
 cibly on his mind, that he reproached him- 
 felf for endeavouring to make his Sophia 
 think lightly of the lofs. 
 
 But we will not any longer detain our 
 readers at Hilton. The mourners, at length 
 
 depait-
 
 THK MICROCOSM. 
 
 tlepartcd, leaving orders with the miiTc 
 to, prepare fuch things for the funeral as 
 >vcre imincdiately neceflluy, and to be 
 ready to attend the child's removal on the 
 ne^t morning. At the appointed time 
 Mrs. Ellenfon, her daughter, and the in- 
 fant-corpfe were conveyed in a mouming 
 coach, attended by a fuitable number of 
 fervants, to Spencer- Aviary ; from whence 
 the little body was carried to the village 
 church and depofited in a vault made by 
 Mr. Charlton for the reception of him and 
 bis defccndants. In this repofitory was 
 likewife laid the deceafed child of Mr. Per- 
 cival : for though, at that time, the inha- 
 tiipts of the Lodge did not Hand very high 
 ifi Mr. Spencer's eftimation, he would not 
 refufe Mrs. R. Pcrcival's requeit of admit- 
 ting the innocent offender into the vault- 
 intended for its anceftors. Not in the 
 church, but in the church -ycirdy .was this re- 
 pofitory funk ; for Mr. Spencer, at whofc 
 fuggellion it vras built, did not deem it right 
 G 3 to
 
 }2d THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 to make a fepulchre of a place deftined for 
 ofTering public worfhip to the'Grcat Su- 
 preme. 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Tb tne numerous Fiwillies of the Qiuuntljs* 
 
 THE funeral over, the Spencers and 
 Abingtons once more began to glide 
 into a melancholy tranquilhty. Theafflidling 
 remembrance of Letitia was at length, in 
 fome meafure, funk m the feeling of other 
 cares ; not only for Lucy, but, as Mrs. 
 Spencer again difcovcred fymptoms of preg- 
 nancy, for the yet unknown. ¥/hat rp- 
 tained, for a eonfiderable period, the me- 
 mory of the lofl child, was the inheritance 
 of the Aviary cftate. But to the will of 
 Heaven they endeavored to rcfign them- 
 felvcs ; being too fmcere Chriftians to mur- 
 mur at any evident difpenfation of Provi- 
 dence. Mrs. R, Percival's criminality, rc- 
 
 fpcCling
 
 TilK MICROCOSM. 1 27 
 
 fpe6ling the firlt born, bad failed of its 
 objecl, and ihc had only expofed herfclfhy 
 her condu(5l. With the Spencers there was 
 no guilt ; and though no object upon earth 
 could have equalled in their eitimation the 
 refloration of the child, the piety of the 
 mourners effed^ed their fubmillion. 
 
 There were not wanting fome, who, in- 
 fluenced immediately by events, without 
 waiting for that explanation which is fre- 
 quently given by the final refult, prefumed 
 to juftify Mrs. R. Percivars condu(!:l: pre- 
 vious to her marriage ; pronouncing Mr. 
 E. Spencer's lofs to be a demon ftration that 
 it was GOD's will the eftate fhould pafs to' 
 her family, as fhe had now two fons, ftroiig 
 healthy boys, and a daughter ; all older 
 than the little Lucy. The evident probabi- 
 lity, indeed, that after the lapfe of a few- 
 years, the Percivals would prelide at the 
 Aviary, drew many du6lile hearts to bow 
 before their fhrine, as, from the fame cen- 
 furable flexibility, they had prcvioufly done 
 homage to the inhabitants of the Shrubbery. 
 G4 An
 
 i28 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 An elderly dowager^ whofe policy led her 
 to worfliip the rifing fun — to exalt the high 
 and opprels the opprelfed — met Mr. RufTel 
 one afternoon at a neighbouring gentle- 
 man's, and began a con verfation upon the 
 death of Mr. E. Spencer's daughter, an 
 event which, as flic faid, betokened tho 
 dcfign of Providence to give the cftate to 
 Mrs. R. Percival's family. 
 
 Mr. Ruflel had much urbanityj but he 
 had likewife a warmth in his temper which, 
 when mixed with a native vein of humor, 
 was fometimes caullic and bitter, in an en* 
 counter with vicious folly. 
 
 '' AndfOjMr.Ruilei;' fays Mrs Quaintly, 
 ** Mrs. Spencer has loft her little girl 1 Ah 1 
 *' Well ! — I always thought, but I did not 
 *' like to fay any thing, yet I always 
 *• thought—" 
 
 She paufed : Mr. RufTel looked as if 
 expeding the reft of the fentence ; but (he 
 only gave her head a motion that was be- 
 tween a nod and a bow, as if fhe had faid ; 
 *« excufe me Sir, Tfliall not fay any more.'* 
 
 But
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 12Q 
 
 But he would ?io^ excufe her. He afkcd 
 what flic meant, and what (lie had further 
 to fay upon the iubje^l. 
 
 " Why then Sir,"* laid flie, '' I mean 
 " that I think Mrs. R. Percival is the lady 
 " de%ncd by Providence ibr the cftate of 
 '• her anceflors, and th:it Mr. Spencer's 
 *^ endeavor to fecure it to his grandibn was, 
 */ doubtlefs, very pi-elumptuous." 
 
 '' Mr. Spencer, Madam", returned Mr. 
 Ruflel with fome fhow of alpcrity, ** is n 
 ** jiranger to prcfumption. His heart is the 
 ^* relidence of every great and good fenti- 
 *^ mcnt. Had you and I, Mrs. Quaintly, 
 '^ half his worth between us, we need not 
 " be afraid of the machinations of Satan ;'' 
 a phrafe often made ufe of by this lady. 
 
 Mrs. Quaintly's charadler was fuch as 
 juflilied Mr. PvufreFs abrupt treatment of 
 her. She had feveral times, in his pre- 
 ience, dared to infinuate that fuch and 
 fuch people v/ere flwored by Pleaven, 
 ^nd that fuch and fuch were under its 
 frown ; from an opinipn ^ which fllie had 
 G 5 pre-
 
 130 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 prefumptuoufly formed from the jippcar- 
 ances of their worldly fortunes. Once 
 Mr. Ruflcl had oppofcd a judgment thus 
 founded by faying — " Inftead of fuppofing 
 *' that the Almighty places in the moft 
 *^ profperous lituations thofe whom he beft 
 ^* loves, we may fometimes be led, from 
 •^ obfervation, to conclude the dire6l con- 
 ^'tr^y:'' Xook," continued he, *^ at Mr*?. 
 **^Kee\*es! Can you any where point out 
 *'■ 16 tTjc a better woman ! ? and yet through 
 ** all her late life fhe has been in adverfe 
 ^ circnmftances, while you, Mrs. Quaintly, 
 *' are h.nppy in a competency. How will 
 ** "you reconcile tkis to your fyftem ?" 
 ^^^^^' How Sir!— Why Sir !— Pray Sir F"— 
 wis all Mrs. Quaintly could return. 
 ■ '•" O 1 I know very well," Hiid Mr. Ruf- 
 fe!, feeming to underftand her exclamatory 
 monofyllables, " that you go conftantly to 
 ** public worfhip ; that when you are there 
 ** you keep awake and make very loud 
 "refponfes; that you fing pfalms in a 
 *^ high note, and fix your eyes upon the 
 
 *^ preacher.
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 131 
 
 ** preacher. I likcwife know that you are 
 " very feverc upon all deviations from your 
 *' own regular condudl, and greatly more 
 '^ value the refemblance of piety than that 
 " which lies hid in the heart." 
 
 The converfation was then interrupted ; 
 but Mrs. Quaintly, from a recolledlion and 
 feeling of Mr. Rufiel's feveritv, was led to 
 revive the occafion of it by mentioning the 
 lofs of the Spencers in Lctitia : and thus 
 provoked Mr. Rui7el to make the obferva- 
 tion endmgwith the word Satan. 
 
 At the conclufion of his fpeecb, Mr.^. 
 ■Quaintly boiled over with rage. 
 
 " I do not know, Sir, what you mean 
 " Sir ! But I would have you to underitand 
 " that I think myfelf as good as any Mr. 
 *' Spencer whatever ; and that I have no 
 " more reafon to be afraid of Satan, than 
 " he has." 
 
 *' You have not fo rniicli reafon, in my 
 
 " opinion. Madam, to fear his refentment^'* 
 
 coolly replied Mr. Ruilel, " as, I dare en- 
 
 " gage for it, you never did half fo much 
 
 go' « to
 
 132 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 " to difobligc him. Pray Sir/* continuec! 
 he, turning fuddenly to a gentleman who 
 fat next him, " do you hold your intention 
 *^ of going next week to London ?'* 
 
 ^' I do Sir," anfvvered the gentleman, 
 whofe name was Kelby, '' and hope I (hall 
 ^' not be dilappointed in my expecStations of 
 *^ your accompanying me." 
 ' *^1 mean to be there about the tenth," 
 returned Mr. RufTel : " let us agree to go 
 " together." 
 
 The gentlemen fettled the particulars of 
 their intended excurfion, and then Mr. 
 RuQel took his leave of the company; 
 leaving Mrs. Quaintly ready to burft with 
 Ycxation. 
 
 CHAR
 
 THE MICROCOSM, 133 
 
 CHAP. xvm. 
 
 A Journey to London^ and an Epfode, 
 
 ACCORDING io the time and plan 
 propofed, Mr. RufTel and Mr. Kelby 
 fet out upon their journey to London ; in 
 whichj not being otherwife particularly en- 
 gaged, we will accompany them. A ftage- 
 coach being the vehicle chofen by both the 
 gentlemen : they took their places in one 
 that carried fix paflengers^ four of whom 
 were feated when they went in. Their op- 
 tion of fituations being confequently fmalJ^, 
 Mr. Kelby filled the vacancy between two 
 gentlemen upon the back feat ; and on the 
 oppofite one Mr. Rufiel was wedged in 
 -Ipetween two women of remarkable corpu- 
 lency. For fome miles there was an uni- 
 verfal filence^ till, at length, in confequence 
 of fome particularly rough road, a general 
 complaint arofe of the inconvenience of 
 
 common
 
 134 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 common ftages ; a fa 61 of which nobociy 
 all the time was fo fcnfible as Mr. RufTcl, 
 fiifpended and abfolutcly pinioned as he 
 was between the ladies. 
 
 " Mercy !" cries the fat one upon his 
 right hand^ " we fhall, for certain, be all 
 " jammed to pieces before we get to Lau- 
 " nun. I was a monftrous/zJ^ not to take 
 *^ mama's advice of travelling in pod and 
 " chaifes, as mama would have had me 
 " done. To folks that are ufcd to fiages 
 " it does not matter ; but to me 'tis a 
 " mortal punifliment to be thus Jquo^eiu 
 " Sttfudder Sir," faid fhe, bouncing her- 
 felf into the middle of the feat, to the great 
 annoyance of poor Mr. RufTel and the fat 
 lady on his left hand, " I am fure you 
 ^^ might gi one a little more rume together 
 '* if j'^ woude^ 
 
 ** I do not know what you mean Ma^ 
 *' dam," faid the other lady, *' by being 
 *• fquozen, as you call it, but I expedl 
 *^ every inllant that the little bafket of eggs 
 •* which I have got in the corner here be- 
 
 '' bind
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 135 
 
 ''• hind me, to carry as a prefent to my 
 " coufin in town, will be Jmajhed all to 
 " hits^ and then we fhall be finely hedanhed, 
 " Astoapoft-chaife — perhapsyou cou'd not 
 " afford to pay for one; but I am certain 
 " this is the laft time I will ever be pegged 
 " into fuch a nmibidating wehicle as this." 
 Violent was now the contention between 
 thefe two great perfonages ; each a (faring 
 the other that flie was as able to pay for a 
 polt-chaife as herfelf. The voice of the 
 firft w^as loud and hoarfe ; that of the other 
 fnrill and fqueaking, and the exertion of 
 them both filled the carriage with fuch 
 horrid diflbnance as almofi: diftradled the 
 auditors. At length Mr. Rulfel begged 
 they would flnifh the difpute ; protefting. 
 that he was Jtnfihly convinced they were 
 both endowed with hnnienfe property ; and 
 he concluded with a requeft that the baf- 
 kct of eggs, which the left-hand lady had 
 mentioned, might, for general fafety, be 
 placed behind him, as there was in that 
 triangular vacancy a fafe repofitory. Nei- 
 ther
 
 136 THE MrcRocos\r. 
 
 ther of the ladies iinderllood the extent of 
 the gentleman's inuendo ; yet conft ruing 
 it into fome affront, they both, like true 
 Englifh women, joined to defend them- 
 felves againft the enemy ; and thus con- 
 trived to render Mr. Ruffel's litnation fo 
 extremely didigreeable to him, that he de- 
 termined to take a poft-chaife from the next 
 ilage. Finding however the two gentle- 
 men had no flirther to travel, he altered his 
 intention, and taking the backward feat 
 with Mr. Kclby, continued his journey in ' 
 the fame vehicle without farther annoy- 
 ance. The bufincfs that carried him to 
 London being finifhed in two days, he 
 vifited Mrs. Percival, who had been in town 
 for fome time. Theoccafion of this lady's 
 journey to the capital may perhaps be fuf- 
 iiciently intereiling to our readers to juftify 
 VIS for paufing in our chief narrative to ex- 
 plain it. 
 
 It has been mentioned then, that Mrs. 
 Percival had a daughter who had married, 
 without her confent, a gentleman of the 
 
 name
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 137 
 
 name of Montague : from this daughter 
 {he received a fupplicating letter, mention- 
 ing that fhe was under the mod fevere af- 
 fliclion ; having juft loft her hulband, aftei? 
 an illnefs of only a few days ; and her little 
 Harriet, the only furvjving child of five, 
 being then very dangeronfly fick : that in 
 confequence of thefe afflictions flie was 
 herfelf greatly difordered both in body and 
 mind, and that (he earneflly implored her 
 mother to come to London, that fhe might 
 give her pardon and bleiling to a penitent 
 and dying child, whofe inability alone to 
 travel prevented her from throwing herfelf 
 on her knees before her parent. 
 
 This letter produced not the lead efre(^ 
 upon either the mother or the brother, to 
 whom a part of it was addrefled ; and they 
 agreed not to notice it. They were in- 
 deed generally influenced by the fame turn 
 of thought ; and though Mr. Percival, fince 
 his marriage had made him independent 
 of his m.other, was of courfe lefs mindful 
 of her cdicls, their dilpofitions were fo 
 
 fimilac
 
 i38 THE AIICEOCOSM. 
 
 llmilar that they ufually formed the fame 
 opinion of perfons and things; cfpecially 
 on occallons where their intcrcft was con- 
 cerned. 
 
 In a fhort time after, Mrs. Montague 
 ventured another letter, in which fome part 
 of the firit was repeated, with a confirma- 
 tion of her declining ftate. This letter 
 added that it had^ for fcveral months, been 
 believed fhe was in a confumption ; that 
 her attendance upon Mr. Montague in his 
 illnefs, together with her grief upon the 
 event, had fo rapidly increafed her diforder, 
 that her diflblution mufl foon be expelled ;. 
 that it was with the greateft difficulty fhe 
 fat up to finifli her letter, and that the life 
 of her child likewife was thought to be ir> 
 danger. 
 
 Mrs. Percival received this affcdling let- 
 ter in the prefence of her fon ; her daugliter- 
 in-law, and Mifs Martha Abington. Hav- 
 ing with the greateft indifrercnce read it 
 aloud, flie fcemed, when flic had fuiKlied 
 it, to be ftruck with a fudden thought, and 
 
 fat
 
 THE MICROCOSM, ISQ 
 
 fat in a muling attitude. After a filence of 
 fome minutes, fhe faid — " Richard 1 think 
 '' I (hall go to London." 
 
 " Not with my confent^ madam," re- 
 plied he. 
 
 " I think I fhall go," faid (he, " how- 
 '' ever." 
 
 " What, to reward an undutiful daugh- 
 " ter ! ?" — tauntingly afkcd Mr. Percival : 
 — " you could not do more at a requeft of 
 « mine." 
 
 " When you know my motives Sir/' faid 
 his mother with fome acrimony, " perhaps 
 *^ I fhall have your permiflion ; for you 
 " feldom rcfufe to liften to your own in- 
 '' tereft." 
 
 Much altercation pafTcd on this fubjedl 
 in the prefence of Mifs Polly, which led 
 that young lady to conclude that Mrs. Per- 
 cival looked forward to the death of both 
 her daughter and grand-daughter as to 
 events which mijht pat the other branch 
 of her family into the pofTeiTion of wealth 
 
 that
 
 140 THE XriCROCOSM. 
 
 that perhaps, in'firid juftice, ought to go 
 to another quarter. 
 
 This was indeed Mrs. Pcrcival's view, 
 which, after Mifs Patty was retired to her 
 channber, (he fct in fuch glowing colors 
 before her fon, that he not only approved 
 of her going, but refplved to accompany 
 her, to the entire fatisfa6lion of his lad}^, 
 with whom fclf-intereft was ever the ma- 
 terial point in view. After flaying two or 
 three days to fettle fomc buCinefs in the 
 neighbourhood, Mrs. Percival, attended by 
 her fon, fet off for the metropolis, and after 
 fending to acquaint Mrs. Montague with 
 her arrival, made her a vifit ; but Mr. Pcr- 
 cival could not be prevailed upon to favor 
 his fifter with his prefence. 
 
 The predi<51ion of the unfortunate young 
 widow, refpe(?ling her difiblution, was 
 fpecdily verified. She died foon after fhe 
 had received her mother's verbal forgive- 
 nefs ; and had recommended to her pro- 
 tection the infant Harriet, who feemed at 
 
 that
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 14 I 
 
 that time not likely long to furvive her ex- 
 piring parent. For this child, however, 
 Mrs. Montague requeilcd with the greateft 
 fervency that Mrs. Pcrcival would give her 
 a good education, though half of Mr. 
 Montague's property fhould be expended 
 for the purpofe. 
 
 Mrs. Percival gave the promifc which 
 her daughter required {6 earnefdy with her 
 departing breath, and Mrs. Montague 
 clofcd her eyes for ever. 
 
 After the funeral, Mr. Percival af^ifted 
 his mother in the pecuniary bufinefs which 
 his fifter had left unfcttled, and then re- 
 turned into the country, juft before the 
 period of Mr. Pviiircrs vifit to the dowager. 
 This gentleman finding the lady in a, ftate 
 of evident difcompofurc, after the civilities 
 and enquiries were difpatchcd^ rcquefied to 
 be informed of the caufe of her uncalinefs". 
 In reply to this qucfiion, fhc informed hiul 
 that about half an hour before his arrival 
 (he, had been rudely attacked by a fca-of- 
 ficer of the name of Montague ; and llie 
 
 proe ceded
 
 142 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 proceeded to give him the particulars in the 
 following words : 
 
 " You are not, Mr. Ruflel, unacquainted 
 *^ with the hiftory of my poor Harriet. 
 " You know (he married much againft my 
 *^ approbation to a gentleman who died a 
 " few months back ; that fubfequent to that 
 " event, my daughter (before in an ill flate 
 " of health) grew rapidly worfe, and in a 
 ^' fhort time, left to my care her only child, 
 " who w^as then thought to be affedcd with 
 " the fame diforder which carried off her 
 M poor mother, but who recovered upon be- 
 f^ ing removed into frefh air, and feems 
 " now growing ftrong and hearty. You 
 " are, <\s I faid, acquainted with thefe cir- 
 ^* cumftances, as my fon, who has frequent- 
 *' ly journeyed backvi^ards and forwards 
 " fince my late abode in London, told me 
 *' he faw you jufi: before his lafi coming 
 « up." 
 
 '" He did, Madam," fiid Mr. Rullcl, 
 ^* and informed U5 of the particulars you 
 ^' have mentioned." 
 
 ** Well
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 143 
 
 ,i; *' Well then Sir," continued Mr. Perci- 
 val, " whether you know what I am now 
 *' going to mention, or not, I will proceed 
 " with faying that Mr. Montague, my 
 "daughter's hufband died inteftate, but 
 " that Harriet, as foon as I arrived in Lon- 
 " don, and engaged to take care of her 
 ** child, fent for an eminent lawyer to tak6 
 " in writing her laft wifhes, which ward 
 " that I fhould be her fole executrix, and 
 " have abfokite power over her daughter 
 *^ and all her etFe61s ; urging me to give 
 *• the child a good education, though the 
 " chief of her property lliould be expended 
 " on that account. Ading under the 
 " power of this will, which was duly exe- 
 " cuted, and reducing all her effe6ls, her 
 " clothes excepted, into money ; I found 
 " the whole produce to be no more than 
 " eight hundred pounds. As this, how- 
 " ever, added to what it will be in my 
 " power to give her, will be fufficient to 
 " fupport her as a gentlewoman, I have de- 
 " termined to comply with my daughter's 
 
 " entreaty
 
 "544 I'HE MlCROCOSJVi:. 
 
 ^* entreaty of having her properly educated, 
 *' and intend to carry her xlown to Beverly 
 *^ to be inftrudled there by the preceptors 
 *^ whom my foti tnuft provide for his own 
 '^ children. Till fhe is of an age indeed 
 *^ to be benefited by their inftrudlions, I 
 ^* have thought it would beft to continue 
 ^V her with the woman, under vvhofe care 
 '^fhe now is at Hampftead, in a fitua- 
 *^ tion which is remarkably healthy; and 
 " where many children of confiderable 
 ^' quality are brought up. This is certainly 
 '*V rather an expenfivc plan, but I fhall not 
 ^' hefitate to defray the charges out of my 
 *^ own pocket, as I do not wifh to increafc 
 ■*^ my fon's family unneceflarily ; and if the 
 " child be now carried down, there muft be 
 *^ a fervant on purpofe to attend her.'* 
 
 Mrs. Pcrcival Hopped to receive Mr. 
 Ruilel's approbation and then continued— 
 " Thus, Sir, had I placed every thing in a 
 y proper train, when, juft after my fon'B 
 " departure for Grantham, to infped the 
 *' condition of niy efilate near that place,, 
 
 "I wa0
 
 THK iMICROCOSM. 143 
 
 *'' I was -infultcd by the Mr. Montiigue I 
 "mentioned; who having heard of thri 
 '' death of his brother, and of his iirollicr'i} 
 ".^'ife, and not knowing that they bad iefc 
 *' any child, came to demand their ctiecls; 
 " It was not till I had fent to the dowager, 
 " who made the will, and had given hi ni a 
 '^ direction for his little niece, whom he 
 '' is now gone to fee, that I could fatisty 
 t* him." 
 
 Mrs. Percival ended her narrative with 
 requeuing Mr. Kuliel to accept the office 
 of a trultee for the little Harriet MontiJgue, 
 as the lawyer had defired her to nominate 
 one^. out of her own family, with whom, -in 
 cafe of her death, the efrecls would be fe- 
 cure till the child fhould arrive at age. 
 ]Mr. Rulfel immediately complied, for he 
 had a heart fraught with urbanity ; and 
 likcwife took into his hands the little pa- 
 trimony ; tor which he gave the moft ample 
 fecuriiy.. 
 
 Mrs. Percival could not but look upon 
 Vol. J. H this
 
 146 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 this as a high obligation, and made her ac- 
 knowledgment accordingly. 
 
 After this tranfadion, Mr. Rufiel foon 
 returned to Beverly. In a few weeks, Mrs. 
 Percival followed ; and the related families 
 feemed to live in greater harmony than 
 heretofore. 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 miich fums up ParficuJars. 
 
 AS we have lately accomplifhed fo 
 much bufinefs, we will here (land 
 Hill and take a view of the fitiuition. into 
 which we have brought our heroes and he- 
 roines ; beginning with Mr. Spencer. 
 
 That good — that great man, though now 
 fomcwhat advanced in years, ha\ing pafled 
 his firll clima6leric, was the life of evc»y 
 party with which he afibciated — the idol 
 
 of
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 147 
 
 of the poor — the veneration of all ages and 
 degrees of both fexes. 
 
 Mrs. G. Abington — as fhe rcfided at the 
 Aviary with her grandfather — miift next be 
 mentioned. " The charming widow" was 
 the appellation which generally diftinguirh- 
 ed her. More than three vears were now 
 pafTcd fince fhe lofl: the beloved of her 
 heart, yet was her affection as lively as' 
 ever, and her grief nearly as poignant. 
 Both outwardly and inwardly did (he con- 
 tinue to mourn, and though not yet twenty- 
 five, fteadily determined never again to lif- 
 ten to any of the overtures of marriage ; 
 which were almoft conftantly made to Mr, 
 Spencer on her account. Indeed this ami- 
 able woman was univerfally admired and 
 beloved ; and every body was folicitous to 
 foot he her forrows. 
 
 At the Shrubbery, Mr. Edward Spencer 
 and his lady lived an enviable life of conju* 
 gal happinefs ; ftill, however, at times la- 
 menting their loft Letitia ; but little Lucy, 
 and after her a daughter, for whom Mrs. 
 H 2 G. Abing-
 
 ]48 THK MfCKOCOSM. 
 
 G. Abington flood fponfor, and who was 
 named Matilda ; with another, jn proccls of 
 time, called Caroline, drew their attention 
 from the one they had loft. Mrs. Spencer 
 never bat once was enceinte with a Ion, and 
 that was ftill- born. 
 
 Mr, and Mrs. Abington with Mr. Ruf- 
 fe! lived in great harmony ; Mifs Abington 
 and Mifs Martha, completing the family^ i 
 The firfi had been engaged to the fon of a 
 neighbouring gentleman Avlk) died not long 
 before the time appointed^ for their nuptials. 
 This event was a great affliction to her; , 
 and with a contlancy refcmbling that of her 
 iifler iti-law, {lie,feemed deaf to all new fo- 
 licitations. . T^iis, young ladywith a moft 
 C^i^cellent underftanQfing, united a difpolition 
 ^o' charming, that i^ rendered .her the de- 
 fijrht of her friends. She pafled much of 
 herrtime.at Spencer Aviary, where fli^ wijs 
 often accompanied by her uncle Knlfcl^ of 
 whom flic feemed to be, the favourite niece ; 
 that gentleman not being very fond of Mifs 
 Martha, and obicrving that Mrs. Spencer 
 
 had
 
 tHE MICROCOSM. I'i'J 
 
 had ample happinefs in a moft excellent 
 hufband. 
 
 Mils Martha continued to be juft as we 
 have defcribed her. Her lovers were few ; 
 yet (he had two or three good oflcrs ofnrjf- 
 riage, to which her friends willicd her to 
 attend. Bat though it was thought that 
 flic did not difiike any of thefe fuitors, fne 
 refufed them all, becaufe they were not 
 of the quality Oie was told and believed the 
 mail ought to be to whom fl>e Ihould con- 
 defccnd to be a wife. PoQefied with this 
 idea of her own ccnfcquence — vain of lier 
 Tuppofed native charms and accomplifli- 
 inentj?—-Mirs Martha looked with contempt 
 an thofe who were, in every refpev5l, her 
 equals, and with whom, would her temper 
 have permitted, (lie might have lived a life 
 of hopprnefs. 
 
 A li m i I a 1- i ty of d i fpofi t i on u n i ted the Pc r- 
 ciVa^'in' all the grand concerns of life ; but 
 \\nrh i-'cfpeS to its' more trifling incidents 
 they v/ere continually jarring: and as *'fmall 
 ^ thiitgs,' more them great,'*" contribute oi* 
 H3 deltroy
 
 160 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 dcftroy domcftic happlnefs, their houfe was 
 frequently a fcene of difcord. Mrs. Per- 
 cival, the elder, was artful, or rather cun- 
 ning, to an extreme degree, and this in- 
 duced her to fufpedl in others the exiftence 
 of that quality of which flie was confeious 
 in herfelf. The duplicity which her own 
 long experience had found prevalent, llic 
 concluded to be uoivcrfal. Self- intereft 
 biaflcd all her a6i!ons, and if t^-hat objedl 
 could be attained (Lc was in different ^,s tp 
 the means. 
 
 Her ion^ with kindred qualities, pof^eflcd 
 a difpofition not fo pliable as that of his 
 mother. He loved ppwer, as well as riches^ 
 and was haughty to all around him. 
 
 His lady partook of the principles of 
 both the mother and the fon ; while her 
 charadler aflerted fome peculiarities of its 
 own. She loved adulation, and was in all 
 rcfpedls very proud. The tempers^, in 
 fbort, and behaviour of the three induced 
 many to {c'^r, but not one to love or rcfpedl 
 them : xiukSs the attachment, profefled by 
 
 Patty
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 151 
 
 Patty Abington were to be honoured with 
 the name ot' either affeclion or elteem. The 
 probabih y^ indeed, of their future confe- 
 quence engaged the attentionsof many ; but 
 fome would not fcruplc to afiert, in allufion 
 to the ftrange relapfe of little Letitia Sperv- 
 cer, that this revcrfionary conkqucncc was 
 dearly earned. 
 
 The eldcft child of the Pcrcivals has been 
 known to the reader by the appellation of 
 Stephen ; the fccond and third by the 
 names of Robeit and Barbara. They had 
 afterwards another fon whom the^' caHed 
 George, and & fccond daughter named De- 
 borah, in honor of Mrs. Hutchinfon, who 
 frequently vifited at the Lodge, and was 
 fponfor to this younged child. 
 
 We do not recolledl any one who hr.s 
 aeled a material part in thishifiorv, whole 
 fituation we have not here recapitulated, 
 iinlefs it be that of Nurfe Ellenfon : and to 
 her, as we are unwilling to be thought ca- 
 pable of negledling any irdividual, merely 
 from the circumfiance of rank ; and are de- 
 H 4 firous
 
 ^^'2 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 iiroiis of exhibiling another amiable trait 
 in the cBaraAer of the good Spencers, we 
 will now direct our attention. Fearing pro- 
 bably the fiifpicion of having been carelcfs 
 ofher infant charge during its illnefs, which 
 we will do her the jit It ice to fay was by no 
 fineans the cafe, this poor woman (till wore 
 thefemblaiice of deep affiietion for its lofs. 
 The concern under which llie perfifted to 
 appear, fo greatly afTcdlcd Mrs. Spencer, 
 Ihit, willing to quiet apprchcnfions and 
 expei^^iing to find in her a good and ftiithful 
 attendant, Ihe offered to take her to the 
 Shrubbery ; an offer which flie accepted 
 with tears of joy and thankfulnefs flream- 
 ing down her cheeks. But when (he was 
 preparing to take pofTeffion of her new 
 place, O'le went to Mrs Spencer uith a let- 
 ter, that moment received, as fhe fnd, from 
 an old aunt in Yorkdiire, who had not 
 fpoken to her, nor taken any notice of her 
 fmce flie n^irried. Tiie purport of this 
 letter was to inform her of her aunt's being 
 very ill, and to defirc that fhe would come 
 
 to
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 153 
 
 to her, to refide with her as long as fhe 
 Jived ; and on the event of her death, to 
 inherit what (he w^as worth ; a property 
 which Mrs. Ellenlbn reprefcnted as confi- 
 derable. To fuch a plan, no objection 
 conld be made : the poor woman, there- 
 fore, difpofed of her hoiifehold elfecl^, and 
 receiving from Mrs. Spencer a very hand- 
 fome prcfent, took her place, with her 
 daughter, in the next Itage coach, and left 
 the neighbourhood of Beverly. 
 
 And now, chronological reader, thou 
 wilt obferve that we are advanced fome 
 years farther in our ftory than when we 
 began this chapter ; and that in the con rfe 
 of fome of our laft p^'ges, feveral grandchil- 
 dren have been born to Mr. Spencer. As 
 thy imagination therefore, jnay.' perhaps be 
 Ibmevvhat fatigued by thefpeed 0four jour- 
 ncv, and the number of its incidents, we 
 will give thcc an opportunity to lepofc. 
 
 H 3 eiiAP.
 
 154 THE MICROCOSJVf. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 The Guardian, 
 
 A REPUTATION for economy is a 
 magnet to the thoughts of dying pa- 
 rents, carefLilfor what is called the welfare 
 of their children ; though we muft confcfs 
 that we ourfelves (hould be more ilrongly 
 attradied by the renown of generolity, and 
 confeqnently (hould not chufefuch a man as 
 Mr. Percival to be the guardian of our fon 
 and heir. But the father, whom we arc 
 going tb mention, entertained in this refpecl 
 ientiments very different from ours. 
 
 Mr. Seymour was a gentleman dcfcended 
 from a noble family, who lived upon a for- 
 tune of about five thoufand pounds a year, 
 in the northern part of Leiceflerfirrre The 
 name of a very pretty feat in the middle of 
 the eftate, was Martin's Priory. A part 
 of the farm which Mrs. Percival poflcfled 
 on the borders of Lincolnlliire was inter- 
 mixed with fomc lands belonging to Mr. 
 
 Seymour,
 
 THE MICROCOSM, 155 
 
 Seymour, of which an exchange was made 
 to the benefit of both parties ; and this con- 
 tributed to increafe the acquaintance be- 
 tween the families. From this traufadtion 
 Mr. Seymour, an honeft, plain man, in a 
 bad ftate of health, imbibed fuch an opi- 
 nion of Mr. Pereivars management, that 
 he accepted his offer of future fervice, by 
 conftituting him his executor, and Ible 
 guardian for his fbn, who was a year older 
 than Mr. Percival's ekleft. The will gave 
 the executor unlimited power over the 
 efiate till the little Henry fliould arrive at 
 the age of twenty-two. Two hundred 
 pounds a year were allowed for the child's 
 board and education till he fliould arrive at 
 the age of ten. after that time, five hun- 
 dred were to be annually allotted for the 
 fame purpofe, it being Mr. Seymour's de- 
 fire that his fon (hould be as well educat- 
 ed as pofliblc without going, out of Eng- 
 land ; a meafure to which he exprclTcd a 
 ftrong objedlion. If the orphan Ihould 
 die before his arrival at the Itipulated pe- 
 H 5 riod,
 
 IbO THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 riod, the whole property was to revert to 
 the elder branch of the family, then rcfi- 
 dent in Ireland ; Mr. Seymour's lady leav- 
 ing him no other child than this, during 
 whofe minority Mr. Percival was to receive 
 one hundred a year for his care and trouble; 
 
 Mr. Seymour was called from his ter- 
 reftrial inheritance when Henry was be- 
 tween feven or eight years of age : of which 
 event, Mr. Percival being immediately ap- 
 prized, went down to the Priory and fav/ 
 every thing, relating to the funeral, de- 
 cently performed; fettled the affairs which 
 called for prefent attention, and returned 
 to Beverly with his young ward. 
 
 Henry Seymour, the youth whom we 
 now beg leave to prefent to our readers, is 
 well defcrving of our higheft notrce. His 
 perfon, his abilities, and the qualities of 
 his mind were fuch as we are appreheniive 
 we (h'dW not be able to do juftice to, with- 
 out givmg room for the imputation of un- 
 due part'-'-iity. Let our fair friends fuppofe 
 what their favorite fwains were at his age — 
 
 let
 
 THE micbocosm:. 157 
 
 let the fond mother tcep iu her eye the 
 image and rare endowments of her darling' 
 fon. — In fhort — *let imagination create one 
 of the fined figures, it can portray, ani* 
 mated by an intellec^l of the firft order and 
 fparkle, and Henry Seymour wiH fhine m 
 fome degree dir,Mayed. 
 
 Our srrcat Richardfon — a diflant relation 
 to one part of our family, though his ge- 
 nius was inherited by another branch of 
 his own — drew, as a perfect: character, his 
 favorite Grandifon ; and indeed we do ho- 
 mage to our kinfman's admirable piciure, 
 and witTi to make our advantage of it by^ 
 faying, that Henry Seymour and young' 
 Grandifon were very much alike in many" 
 refpeds. We cannot, perhaps, boaftofhis 
 being quite (o good a youth;, truth obliging 
 us to confefs that in fome particulars, he 
 bore an affinity to the Tom Jones of our 
 counn Fielding; though he ^lever was fo 
 depraved either in tafle or inclination as that 
 celebrated hero. Full of fire and fwoetnefs 
 was his temper, and thoagh he was, fome- 
 
 tnnes^
 
 15S THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 times, what rigid people would call " an 
 " unluky child," or " a wild boy," he had 
 a coniiderable (liare of refinement in his 
 fentiments. You might, at the fame in- 
 fant, obferve in his air and manner, fpirit 
 and greatnefs^a quicknels of refentmcnt 
 with a loftnefs of difpofition. 
 
 Which of my young female readers does 
 not inftantly look forward and form an idea 
 of what Henry Seymour will be when ar- 
 rived at the age of one or two and twenty ! 
 
 " /, Sir, do not think any thing about it" 
 — cries Mifs iVuclerilla. " Nor /, I am Jure' 
 -f-excIaimsMifs Anthropy ; while the finil- 
 ing Honeda wonders at their infenfib>lity, 
 and confcfies Oie (hould be greatly pleafed 
 with the addrefies of Aich a lover. 
 
 Of the two lirft meiiiioncd young ladies, 
 I mud beg as a particular favor — that they 
 never will open one page more of our 
 works, as no where in them will they find 
 one fentimcnt in the leail congenial with 
 ihc\v particular difpofition^;. Thofc w^hom 
 we write to pieafe, have urbanity, benevo- 
 lence.
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 159 
 
 leoce, and afFedion in their fouls ; and 
 will not hefitate to acknowledge the fympa- 
 thy which they are capable of experiencing. 
 
 Mr. Percival, upon his return to Beverly, 
 turned his thoughts towards conftituting a 
 feminary in his own houfe, prudently deter- 
 mining that the ftipend allowed for the edu- 
 cation of the little Seymour ihould defray, 
 in a great raeafure, the expences attending 
 that of his own children. To facilitate this 
 economical fchcmc, he furnifhed a hiiherto 
 unoccupied wing of his houfe, and engaged 
 various teachers to in(iru6l the young ones 
 in every ufefid and ornamental fcience. A 
 footm; n was, likewife, retained in the name 
 of Mafter Seymour, whole bulineis it was 
 to wait upon the children in genenil. To 
 fave appearances, be wore the Seynoour li- 
 very. 
 
 As we intend to devote this chapter to 
 the infantine part of our acquaintance, we 
 will give a iliort hint of the perfons and 
 difpoiitions of feme of this clafs with whom 
 we mean to be upon an intimate footing in 
 
 the
 
 \66 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 the courfc of time, and wc v^ill bcfHrt 
 with the deleft fon of Mr. Pc-civnl. This 
 boy, then, bote fo Rrong a Tefernblance to 
 Mafter Blifil, that had his exiftence been 
 previotTs to the period in which our worthy 
 kinfman labored, it would have been {nC- 
 pe6lcd that he had drawn Ihc portrait in 
 queftion from our Stephen Percival ; who, 
 however, in regard tb figure, had confide- 
 rably the advantage of young Blifil :" there 
 was indeed fomething of a hirh'nig in his 
 countenance that dcfor'med a face by fome 
 people thought handfome. We, indeed, 
 rlever were of the number of thofe who en- 
 tertained that opinion, as we have always 
 been partial to cxprefjive bcauty-^to beauty 
 that exifV^independently of feat ure—(liape — 
 complexion : that ischicfly fornici by that 
 animating — fafcinating quality — fweetnefs- 
 of difpolition ; which, when united wiih a 
 good undeirtanding and redlitude of prin- 
 ciple, enlivens the fkin ; gives brilliancy to 
 the eyes ; regularity to the features ; giace- 
 to the form, and, m {hoft,:*<!:onftitutes that 
 
 irrefifiible
 
 THE MICROCOSM. l6l 
 
 irrefiltible fomething for which not one of 
 our predeceflbrs has yet found a name ; and 
 for which, as we do not prefumc even to 
 an equality "with our deceafed celebrated 
 friends, we will not pretend to invent aii 
 appellation . 
 
 . The children of Mr. Pcrcival, George 
 only excepted, were very much alike each 
 other in moft refpe^ls, and feemed to par- 
 take of the qualities of both their parents. 
 Yet there was this ditference between them 
 — the two eldcfi: vvere fubtle and flow ; the 
 girls pert and peevifh ; but they were alike 
 proud ; felfifh, and conceited, a fimilarity 
 which is not to be wondered at, when it be 
 confidercd that the example and precepts 
 given by their father, mother and grand- 
 mother, tended to cultivate thefe unamiable 
 qualities. George, however, as has been 
 inlimated, diflcred greatly from the reft, for 
 he was as honeft, and as free-hearted a lad 
 as any in the countrv. In perfon, he was 
 fomewhal like the others, who were all reck- 
 gncd handfomc ; though their complexions, 
 
 like
 
 l62 THE microcosm;. 
 
 like their father's, were rather bad. In this 
 refped-, George had the advantage, if the 
 apparent difference were not in fa 61 occa- 
 fioned by the vivacity and fweetnefs of his 
 countenance. 
 
 The litjle MifTes Spencer did not, in any 
 particular, relemble the young ones we 
 have been defcribing, either in make, mind, 
 or manners ; for they were three very lovely 
 and agreeable children, the amiablenefs of 
 their native qualities being improved by the 
 inftru6lion which they received from their 
 parents and other friends. Mr. Ruflel made 
 them frequently his companions, and might 
 almoft be deemed their tutor ; as he took 
 particular delight in giving them lefibns. 
 
 The feminary at the Lodge being pro- 
 perly eftablifhed, Mrs. Percival thought it 
 would add to the prudent plan to carry the 
 little Harriet Montague to Beverly, that 
 flie might be educated at a trifling ex- 
 pence ; for, excepting the fiipcnd of a go- 
 verncfs for the young ladies, Henry Sey- 
 mour defrayed the fum total. This ma- 
 naging
 
 THE MICROCOSM. l()3 
 
 naging dame found another planfible pre- 
 text for the removal of her yoLing charge : 
 the woman with whom fhe had placed her, 
 grew too fond of her, and as (he was a mod 
 winning little creature, Mrs. Pcrcival was 
 apprehenfive (he might fo gain upon the 
 afFedion of thofe about her, that they 
 would nQt only fpoil her by indulgence, 
 but inftil into her young mind ideas too 
 high for the fortune towhich.it was vviibed 
 to confine her expectations. The little 
 Harriet had been removed from Hamp- 
 ftcad and put under the care of her old 
 nurfe, Mrs. Watkins, who lived at Chclfea. 
 This woman had imbibed fuch an afFeclioQ 
 for the child as made her very unwilling to 
 part with her, and to the gre^.t difpleafure 
 of Mrs. Percival, fhe took leave of her with 
 flreaming eyes. 
 
 From what we laft faid, our fagacious 
 reader will conclude that the above-men- 
 tioned Dowager had not much regard for 
 the poor little orphan-girl under her pro- 
 tection. In truth Ihe had not. She hated 
 
 both
 
 164 THE IVrrCROCOSM. 
 
 both its fiither and its mother ; and (he 
 hated the child itfclf. A vvifh to enlarge 
 the property of her ihuy was her motive for 
 troubling hcrfelf about it ; for which rea- 
 fon (he wiflicd for its death ; as its inhe- 
 ritance on that event would legally revert 
 to his family ; and fo great was her avcrfion 
 to this innocent little creature, that the 
 idea of taking her from thofe who had long 
 known her, and indeed from all the friends 
 ilie had in the world, was a great induce- 
 ment with Mrs. Percival for removing her 
 to Beverly. 
 
 This child, now about feven years of 
 age^ was one of the lovelicfl: that ever ap- 
 peared in our vilkige. She drew the atten- 
 tion of every beholder from the family erf 
 Mrs. R. Percival; and thus induced that 
 lady to imbibe a diflike to her foon after 
 her arrival at the Lodge. In truth, the poor 
 little girl did not fccm to be much regarded 
 by any of the principnls of the' family, 
 though out of it, and amongfl the fervants, 
 ihe obtained univerlai favor ; and no won- 
 der ;
 
 THE MICKOCOSM. l65 
 
 cer; for both in pcrfon and mind (he 
 Teemed born to create affection. Her face 
 was beaiitiful beyond defcription ; her dif- 
 pofition uncommonly Uprightly and Aveet ; 
 her underftanding, with the proper refe- 
 rence to her age, was aftonifhing ; and her 
 heart, with all her native wildnefs, fo ten- 
 der, that if {he heard the relation of any 
 affecting circumftance, her face would in- 
 ftanlly be covered with tears, and it would 
 be fomc time before Che could recover her 
 ufual liv.clincfs^ 
 
 Such was the little Harriet Montague, 
 who, at an early age, u as deprived of pa- 
 rental tenderncfs, and left to the care of 
 relations whofe hearts were turned againft 
 her; and from whom, the more (he me- 
 rited fondnefs, the more fhe obtained ha- 
 tred. But for Mr. Euli^ whofe partiality 
 for hervvasjoqn diitinguifhed, and who, in 
 fome m.eafur.e^.confidered himfeif as her 
 guardian, , her education would not have 
 been much attended to: but he interefted 
 himfeif very particularly in her improve- 
 ments.
 
 l66 the' microcosm. 
 
 merits, a circum fiance which made Mrs. 
 Percival repent of having ever brought her 
 to Beverly. She could not, however, with 
 any decency, remove her, unlefs it were in 
 compliance with Mr. Ruffel's often expref- 
 fed vvifhes (for he obferved how negligently 
 fhe was treated) of having her educated at 
 the Shrubbery. To this propofed fcheme 
 Mrs. Percival would not accede, nor would 
 fhe permit her ward's going to this houfe, 
 when, upon any plaufible pretence, (he 
 could prevent it. Indeed (he never would 
 fufFer her eh^rge to be abfent from her for 
 more than a fbw hours together • which 
 led fome people to believe that (he was very 
 fond of the child; while others, who were 
 more fhrewd, conlidered her behaviour as 
 a cloke for the indulgence of a fecret dif- 
 like. ^ 
 
 Having now fet in diftindl view our rif- 
 ing generation, we will leave them to pur- 
 fue their puerile (ludics, while we advert 
 to other bufinefs, 
 
 CHAP.
 
 THE MICKOCOSM. idj 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 Th Inn. 
 
 UPON a fuppofition that our readers 
 are fufficicntly refrefhed to proceed 
 on their journey, we will convey them to 
 the Crown in Beverly ; a large and refpec- 
 table inn, kept by a widow of the name of 
 Clinton. 
 
 About the period at which our laft chap- 
 ter doled, a chaife arrived at the above- 
 mentioned Crown-inn at a late hour in the 
 evening with two gentlemen, who upon 
 alighting, ordered fuppcr and beds, and re« 
 qneftcd Mrs. Clinton, with whofe appear- 
 ance they feenicd plcafed, to oblige them 
 with her company at table. 
 
 During the time of fupper the gentle- 
 men made many enquiries refpc61ing the 
 different families in the neighbourhood of 
 Beverly, and afkcd fuch particulars about 
 
 the
 
 X68 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 the Abingtons as led Mrs. Ointon to con- 
 clude one of them to be a gciUlenian wh.o 
 had been much talked of for being in love 
 with IVIifs Abington, whom he met with at 
 Ipfwich;, on a viiit to an bid fchool-fellow. 
 The gentleman was faid to be of high de- 
 fgent and poflefTed of a large cftate ; and 
 as he likeunfe bore an exceedingly good 
 chara^er, it is not to be wondered at that 
 lyiifs Abington's friends (trongly urged her 
 acceptance of him • but file, ftill confiant 
 to her firfi: attachment, could not be pre- 
 vailed upon to lillen to his folicitations. . 
 The affair was, therefore, laid alide. 
 
 The gentlemen at the Crown enquired 
 about various other perfons in and near Be- 
 verly ; but this appeared to be only an ar- 
 tifice to prevent Mrs. Clinton's gucHing 
 their errand ; and iJic was the more con- 
 firmed in this conjcciure, as flie overheard 
 them talk of writing to Mr. Abington in 
 the morning, and as one of them alked, in 
 a manner which fliowed that he did not 
 
 want
 
 TH15 MICROCOSM. lS% 
 
 want the information, if that gentlenfian 
 had a large family. Mrs. Clinton replied, 
 that he had only fotir children living. 
 
 " Have any of them been married, Ma- 
 dam ?" 
 
 " His eldell: daughter, Sir, is Mrs. Spen- 
 *' cer, and his fon, who was loft at fea, 
 '' married the oldeft Mifs Hatley." 
 
 " The daughters will then, I fuppofe, be 
 " large fortunes ; for Mr. Abington is a 
 " rich man, I prefumc." 
 
 ^* He has now, I believe, a very hand- 
 *^ fome income," anfwered Mrs. Clinton ; 
 *^ but formerly, I have heard, his circum- 
 " fiances were rather adverfe," 
 
 " Then you have not long known the 
 family. Madam" — continued the fecond 
 gentleman. 
 
 '' I have lived in Beverly, Sir," replied 
 fhe, '' only three years." 
 
 ^' Is it not rather extraordinary^" afked 
 the firft, " that fo amiable a young woman 
 " as Emily Abington fhould determine to 
 '' liveringle?" 
 
 Vol. I. I As
 
 t70 "^I^J^ MICROCOSM. 
 
 As this queflion, from its importing that 
 they knew more of the family than they 
 profefTed to do, feemed to confirm Mrs. 
 Clinton's conjedlure, Ihe replied with a 
 fmile — *^ I do not know what to fay a^io 
 ^' its being extraordinar}^, but I am often 
 *^ forry for it, becaufe I think fhc would 
 ^^ make an exennplary mirtrcfsof a family." 
 • : *f'^Pray," alked the other gentleman, 
 partly turning the {libjcS, '* what^-is: t)6- 
 " come of the Mifs; Hatley who married 
 " the ion ? Does (he continue ia widow ? 
 r^^Gr is fb^ married again V - i ' 
 
 *^VShe i^ not iiiarricd Sir," replied' -Mi^s. 
 Clinton, ** nor will fhe ever agliin, I dare 
 ^^ aver, be a wife," 
 
 *' I am forry for that," hid ihc gentle- 
 man, who fpckc lafl ; '* as by whnt'l Mve 
 *' heard' of her chrira6Ver,ifl'ie would ^m'ake 
 *' as exemplary a ibiftrefsof a family as'htv- 
 ff fifl£r--in-law;"n i : 
 
 " Mrs, Georgb' Abington," faid Mrs. 
 
 Clinton, " is one of the molt amiable wo- 
 
 *^ men in the univcrfc. She ;> miftrefs of 
 
 ■ " a^ family —
 
 THE MICROCOSM. I7I 
 
 *^ a family — of the family at the Aviary ; 
 *"' and fhines in that^ as in every other ca- 
 " pacity ; but fhe is too much attached to 
 ^^ the memory of the hufband fhe has jof^, 
 ^' ever to think of another." 
 
 " Such a conftant widow is a lingular 
 *' chara6ler in this age, Mrs. Chnton/' 
 faid thQ fame gentleman ; " but pray is 
 ^' there not a fifter of her's who lives at a 
 *^ feat called the Lodge ?" 
 
 ^^ There is Sir. Her name is Percival.'* 
 
 " Is fhe any thing like the young wi- 
 " dow ?" 
 
 " In perfon there is a flight limilitude, 
 *• but they are reckoned different in their 
 *' difpoiitions" — was all Mrs. Clinton's a^- 
 fwer. 
 
 The Spencers, Mr. Riiflei, and feveral 
 others in the vicinity were now talked of 
 till the travellers retired to repofe. Havirfg 
 experienced fome previous fatigue, our gen- 
 tlemen flept conlidcrably longerthan they 
 intended, and perceiving when they awoke, 
 that the morning was pretty far advanced, 
 I 2 they
 
 17 '2 TUB MICKOCOSM. 
 
 they afofe in anxious hafte, and were going 
 down flairs into the hall jnft as a coach 
 Hopped at the front door, which was oppo- 
 lite. The coach was Mr. Spencer's, and 
 in it was that gentlemen, with Mrs. Spen- 
 cer, Mrs* Abington, and Mrs. G. Abing- 
 ton ; Mr. E. Spencer, and a gentleman of 
 the name of Lenox, attending on horfe- 
 back. 
 
 Upon feeing Mrs. Clinton, Mrs. G. 
 Abington, who fat next the door, afked if 
 the mail had not left a parcel direded to 
 the Aviary. Mrs. Clinton replied in the 
 affirmative, and was ordering a fervant to 
 fetch it from the bar, when Mrs. G. Abing- 
 ton's eyes were caught by one of the gen- 
 tlemen who had then reached the bottom 
 ftep, and ftood fixed. 
 
 " Heavens and earth 1" exclaimed the 
 *^ amiable woman, forcing open the door 
 of the coach and fpringing from it into the 
 hall, " it is he — it is he himfelt" — drop- 
 ping upon the pavement ere her hufband — 
 for indeed it was no other'— was quick 
 
 enough
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 1/3 
 
 enough to catch her in his arms. Ilr 
 kneeled down and raifed her from tl.u 
 ground ; preiTing to his bofom, with un- 
 fpeakable ardency, the then litelefs image 
 of his beloved wife — fo lately thought his 
 inconfolable widow. She had fainted as 
 fhe fell, and continued infenlible fome 
 minutes. 
 
 It would be folly to attempt a defcrip^ 
 tJon of the fcene which enfued. The coach 
 -cvas inftantly deferted : the hall filled. 
 Every body was convinced of the reality of 
 the apparition, and that it was indeed Mr. 
 George Abington, upon whom every eye 
 gazed with tranfported amazement. 
 
 The mother, the lifter, the friend — nay, 
 even our venerable Mr. Spencer himfelf, 
 who ftrove to attain fome degree of com- 
 pofure, found reafon too weak to ftem thg 
 torrent of the unbounded joy with which 
 they were overwhelmed. 
 
 The travelling companion of Mr. G. 
 
 Abington, whofe name was Lewis, aflifted 
 
 Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Lenox to convey the 
 
 I 3 agitated
 
 i/^i 'illE MICROCOSM. 
 
 agitated party into an adjoining room ; 
 but it was a long time before any of them 
 could be brought to n)oderate their tranf- 
 j^orts. 
 
 When Mrs. G. Abington firft recovered 
 from her Avoon, (he opened her eyes ; fixed 
 them upon the face of her hufband ; threw 
 her arms around him, and giving a violent 
 fcrcam, again returned to infenfibility. 
 This fhe repeated fo often that it >Yas judged 
 iieceilary to feparnte them and to fend for 
 Potior Wilfred, who ordered her fome me- 
 dicine and defired (he might be kept as 
 quiet as poffiblc. 
 
 Were we to defcribc the revivals and re- 
 lapfes of this tenderly afle6icd and truly 
 lamiable woman, we (houid tire the patience 
 of almod all our readers. It was fcveral 
 hours before flie could fee, and fpeak to 
 her hulband with any compofure. Her 
 joy was, indeed, incxprcflible ; nor can it 
 be imagined but by thpfe whofe bofoms beat 
 with the fondefl — purefl aflei'Uion, and who 
 have been under tliaapprchcnfion, nay, have 
 
 felt
 
 THPE MICROCOSM. 1 7 3 
 
 Mt the pang of loiing the objcdl of their 
 attachment. Thcfe, and thefc only, can 
 pofiibly form an idea of the extravagant 
 joy Mrs. G. Abington endured at feeing 
 the rnan whofo lof^ fhe had fo long mourn- 
 ed^ with undiminiOied afleclion, reftored at 
 ©nee to life and her. Surely no fublunary 
 blifs could exceed what (he^ on this occalion, 
 experienced ! / •:}; 
 
 As Toon as the lady was removed to 
 another room, and the remaining friends 
 had reduced /y^<?/V' tranfports-to fome degree 
 of reafon, Mr. Lewis, accompanied by 
 Mr. Lenox, went to impart the important 
 intelligence to Mr. Abington, Mr. RufTel, 
 and the two fingle (ifters. Amazement and 
 joy again contended for maftery when the 
 ftory was related, and it vvas fome time be- 
 fore they fccmed to give full belief to the 
 truth of the intelligence. At length they 
 feated themfelvcs in the coach with Mr. 
 Lenox and Mr. Levvi>, and arriving at the 
 Grown, had the happincfs of folding to their 
 hearts their long-loft relation and friend. 
 ^ I4 It
 
 i/t) THE MIOROCO&M. 
 
 It was bard, to fay which of the feniors 
 Ihowed the highcft tokens of joy. They 
 feemed to be all equally delighted ; and 
 now, Mrs. G. Abington being fiifficiently 
 recovered to be conveyed, onr joyful com- 
 pany were removed to Spencer- Aviary, 
 where we will leave them in the midft of as 
 much bappinefs as this terrcftrial ftate ever 
 afforded. 
 
 CHAP. XXII. 
 
 . Symptoms of Learning, 
 
 THAT our readers may not be left to- 
 form an idea of our taking upon us- 
 to relate as fadb, things im.pofliblc, it will 
 be neceflary to give fome account of the- 
 feeming. myilcry which brings to view a 
 pcrfon vi'ho (to fliow, in imitation of other 
 great authors, the depth of our learning)^ 
 we will fay was long fince fuppofed to be a. 
 
 fubicct
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 177 
 
 (ubjedl of Neptune and Ampbitrite; con- 
 demned to their regions by Abeona^ who, 
 as our poetical readers well know, is the 
 queen (we like not the word g'oddefs) of 
 voyagers. 
 
 In the twelfth chapter of thcfc our pro- 
 found lucubrations — for it may be fuppofcd 
 we are often neceffitated to commit depre- 
 dations on the rights of Nox, Somnus and 
 Morpheus (pertbnages brought in to givef 
 ferther proofs of our profound erudition) ;> 
 being obliged to obey the dicfatcs of oiu* 
 great Lady Clio, whenever fhe chufes to 
 convey her inltrud^ion— in this chapter, 
 we fay, it may be obferved that the death 
 of Mr. George Abington was never affirm.- 
 ed, the belief of it rcfling only upon con- 
 j^clure ; which however^ was founded upon 
 the ftrongelt prefumptive proofs : yet ilrong 
 as they were, the conjecture was fallacious. 
 One of the boats of the Enterprise (the 
 ihip in which that gentleman had failed 
 from England) was, as has been related, 
 difcovered and taken up by the Tiber. The 
 1. 5 probability
 
 176 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 probability that this was the boat in \vhich 
 fome of the fhip-wrecked mariners had en- 
 deavoured to fave themfelves, was con- 
 firmed as a certainty, by the relation Mr. 
 George Abington and Mr. Lewis gave of 
 their adventures. 
 
 The florm they had encountered was 
 terrible beyond defcription. The crew and 
 paffengers were eager to quit the fhip for 
 the boats, which they did with all poffible 
 difpatch, and the one in which Mr. George 
 Abington and Mr. Lewis efcaped from the 
 linking veficl, was in about four hours after 
 difcovcrcd ; purfued, and taken by an Al- 
 gerine corfair. The pirates faftened the 
 boat to their fliip, but not fo fecurely as to 
 prevent its breaking away in the night ; 
 and its being afterwards found by the Ti- 
 ber, occafioned the conclufion of the lofs 
 of the Ibip and crew : it is indeed probable 
 that the red of the unhappy creatures be- 
 came a prey to the ocean, as they never 
 afterwards were heard of. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 179 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 TTi^ Captives, 
 
 MR. G. Abington and Mr. Lewis (the 
 fon of a gentleman in London, go- 
 ing upon a voyage of plealiire to Lifbon) 
 with eleven of the i^ilors who were taken 
 by the corfair, were carried to Algiers and 
 expofed to fale. Mr. George Abington 
 and Mr. Lewis were bought by the fame 
 mailer^ who proved to be an acquaintance 
 of the father of Mr. Lewis, and being a 
 veryremarkable perfon, was by that gentle- 
 man foon recognifed. This circumftance, 
 which the young captives thought would 
 pfodufce their enlargement, wa^ the fole 
 caufe of their long detention. The rene- 
 gade — for fuch he was — who had pur- 
 chafed thefe gentlemen, was the fon of a 
 dignified lei orgy man in London, whofc . 
 name was Wbittington. Early in life he i 
 I 5 Ihewed
 
 ISO TftE MICROCOSM. 
 
 fhewed a ftrong penchant for vifiting fo- 
 reign countries, and being one of many 
 fons, his father, though unwillingly, was 
 prevailed upon to confent to his making a 
 voyage to Algiers, with a view of increafing 
 a fmall fum left him by a diftant relation. 
 The voyage of this^ gentleman was profpe- 
 rous, beyond exj^edlation, and during his. 
 refidence in Africa, he had a rich lu- 
 crative employment offered to him by a 
 jich rcnegado,' on the trifiing condition of 
 renouncing the profeffion of the Chriftian 
 taith. To this, as Plutus was the only 
 deityhe truly worfliipped, he readily fub- 
 icribed ; and aiTumed the turban without 
 helitation : but as he was not fo hardened 
 as to wifh his father to know of his apof^- 
 tacy/he changed his name from Whitting-. 
 ton to Loriuner, and caufing a letter to be 
 written to his family with a fabricated ac- 
 count of his illnefs and death : he corro- 
 borated the ftory, by remitting through the 
 means of his friend, the renegado; before : 
 n^entioned, a part of the property which he 
 
 had
 
 THE MICROCOSM. ISl 
 
 had carried with him to Algiers. When 
 he found himfelf therefore remembered by 
 Mr. Lewis, he fent both the young cap- 
 tives into the country, where he had fome 
 land with a fmall houfe upon it ; to which 
 he often retired. In this phicc they were 
 kept by the overfecr, in conitant employ, 
 and in ftri(9: confinement, with an injunc- 
 tion that they fhould not be permitted tO' 
 fend away any letter or mefTage ; fo afraid 
 was the ci-devant Mr. Whittington that 
 his father fliou Id receive intelligence of the- 
 facrifice which he bad made to avarice. 
 However, fome months before the return- 
 of Mr. G. Abington and Mr. Lewis, Mr.- 
 Whittington-Lorimer was feized with me- 
 lancholy ; which fo rapidly increafed, that 
 he was foon rendered incapable of following 
 his ufual occupation at Algiers, and en- 
 tirely reiided at his country houfe. Con- 
 feience had laid hold upon him ! CON- 
 SCIENCE — that fovereign exiled from al- 
 raofi every nation under Heaven^ had fixed. 
 
 her
 
 j'82' THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 her iron fangs into the inmoft recefles of 
 his heart. The glories he had acquired 
 faded in his eye : ihofe he had renounced, 
 mocked his bankruptcy of faith by appear- 
 ing in their brighteft, native colors. Poor 
 deluded Whittington ! — thy cafe fo fimi- 
 lar to that of many who wear a grinning 
 malic, excites at once our pity and con- 
 tempt ! Hear, O ye inhabitants of this 
 favored ifle ! — Hear and believe that this 
 word of all plagues — an acculing con-* 
 fcience — rmay crofs the Mediterranean ! 
 Hear ! believe ! and beware, O thou re- 
 nowned MALIGNOSUS! of the ap- 
 proach of this pefiilence 1 If.it feize 
 thy heart — thy callous and hitherto im- 
 penetrable heart— -great and terrible willi 
 be thy affli6lion ! Thy thoufands, annually 
 laid by for the word of purpofes, will cau^ 
 kerife ihy foul! Thy coronet will, prove a: 
 coronet of thorns ; and thy years will be 
 flunned with imaginary cries of the op- 
 prelied ; whofc clamours, if thou turneft not 
 
 thine
 
 THE MICBOCOSM. 1^3 
 
 thine eyes inward — and alterefl: not thy 
 doings, will reach the vaulted roof of Hea- 
 ven, and be regiflered in the book of un- 
 changeable decrees. 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. 
 
 The Captives continued, 
 
 "TXXEwere fo deeply afre6led by the 
 yl ▼ horrible idea of the punifhment 
 which, either in this world or in the coming 
 one, the gentleman whom v/e mentioned 
 at the latter end of the lafl chapter, might 
 poffibly experience, that unable to proceed 
 with the fubjecl which laft employed our 
 pen, we laid it alide till we fhould find our- 
 felves in a better difpofition to continue 
 the progrefs of our ftory. 
 
 Mr. Whittington-Lorimer w^as 
 
 feized by the fangs of confcience. That 
 is the thread which muft pierce our rela- 
 tion
 
 184 THE MlCROCOS]^. 
 
 tion of the fads. The confild in his mind 
 between his old and his new ideas, greatly 
 iTiattered his conftitution. In hopes to 
 bargain for peace of nnind, he determined 
 to ftarve his body ; without one thought of 
 altering his way of life. 
 
 Miferablc ! miflaken man ! Will the 
 Great Giver of Peace be bribed to make 
 happy the wretch who refufes to accept his 
 offered favors ! ? Will he come into a com- 
 promife, and receive the worthlefs facrifice 
 in payment for the indulgence the finncr 
 requefts of living unmolefled in his favo- 
 rite vices ! ? No : the price of inward peace 
 will not be lowered. Obedience — or re- 
 pentance with reformation^ is the demand :: 
 it cannot be obtained on any other condi- 
 tions. Nor indeed can any other of greater 
 lenity be pr6pofed ; as the performance of 
 thefe, when once entered upon^ is not only 
 eafy, but extremely pleafant. 
 
 To relieve our frowning readers — we will 
 pafs over the firft months of our confcience- 
 flrickcn, and at length truly penitent. Mr. 
 
 Whittingtori!-
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 185 
 
 Whittington-Lorlmer, and proceed to the 
 time of his confining himfelfto his coun- 
 try boufe. 
 
 During his refidence at this place^ he 
 often encountered with his two captives, 
 who though they were kept employed and 
 confined^ had never been treated with ri- 
 gour ; their work being chiefly to attend a 
 fmall botanical garden contiguous to the 
 houfe. In this, Mr. Whittington walked 
 feveral hours every day, and, at times, 
 w^ould enter into fome converfation with 
 our two friends, who perceiving his melan- 
 choly, ventured to take fome little notice 
 of it in their difcourfe, and, at length, to 
 offer him fome advice ; and this, willing to 
 catch at every gleam of comfort, he liftened 
 to with attention. 
 
 In this manner did the captives in no 
 long fpace of time render themfelves of fo 
 much confequence to their maflier, that he 
 lirfl made them his companions and then 
 his confidants ; committing to their fccrefy 
 the caufe of his melancholy. Mr. Lewis 
 
 and
 
 186 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 and Mr. G. Abington had not profited fo 
 little by the fevcrity of their fate, as to be 
 flrangers to the confoling arguments of 
 Chriftianity ; and from thefe, as they were 
 offered to him, Mr» Whitthigton received 
 fo much mental relief, that he kept the pro- 
 pofers of them with him as much as pof- 
 lible. But though his mind was bealing,. 
 his body feemed to be in a fwift decay. In 
 a {hort period he was obliged to confine 
 himfelf to: his chamber ; and foon after, to^ 
 his bed. During the lafl: ftage of his ill- 
 ivefs, he feemed to be quite an altered and 
 a happy man ;. and delirous of fettling hi«. 
 temporal affairs, he made his will ; dividing 
 bis property, which was immenfe, into four 
 equal parts — one to his father, who, as he 
 had been informed, was flill living; one to* 
 his connedlions in Alo'iers, and the two 
 other n]arcs to Mr. G. Abington and Mr. 
 Lewis, as feme compenfation for the years 
 af flavery he had vnflidtcd upon them ; 
 making it his reqaefl that they would con^ 
 tinue with him till he died ; and that, as^ 
 
 foou
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 187 
 
 foon as poffible after that event, which he 
 Teemed convinced was near, they would fee 
 his father and family, and unfold by de- 
 grees, the circumftances of his recent death ; 
 his (hameful renunciation- of the Chriftian 
 faith, and his fubfequent repentance and 
 return. This they promifed to do, and this 
 performed ; taking pafliige in the firit fliip 
 that failed after his deceafe, from Algiers 
 to London ; where being landed in fafety^ 
 they foon found the WhlUingtons, who 
 (though now divided into feveral families) 
 all redded in the n;GLropolis. After du© 
 preparation, the ftory of the defundl was, 
 with all pofiible tendernefs, unfolded, which 
 gave fuch grief to all, efpecially to the fa- 
 ther, that the account of the affluent cir- 
 cumftances in which he died was difre- 
 garded. A rare inftance, O reader, of the 
 force of principle ! 
 
 Our gentlemen now told the afflicted 
 parent that previous to their departure from 
 Africa, they had put affairs into fuch a 
 train, that nothing more would be neceilary 
 
 than.
 
 J88 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 than to draw bills upon a very refpec^ablc 
 Englifh merchant then at Algiers, as foon 
 as they fhould receive an account of the dif- 
 pofalof the effects which they had left unfold. 
 The good man made acknowledgments to 
 them for the part they had adled, and faid^ 
 that had the fon given them the whole of 
 his property, he would (till have died their 
 debtor : and more for the fervice which 
 they had been the means of rendering him, 
 refpecling his future exigence, than on ac- 
 count of the flavery to which for fo many 
 years he had fubjeded them. 
 
 " A queer way of reckoning," fays the 
 man of the world. " I have not been ufed 
 " to fuch arithmetic." 
 
 Mod likely not, reverend Sir. Pounds, 
 fliillings and pence, arc better fuited to the 
 droffinefs of thy fubftance ; and fmce thou 
 thyfelf fctteft fo little value upon that part 
 of thee which, greatly againft thy intercil, 
 thou wilt find to be immortal, thou canil 
 not be offended that wc put thee down as 
 a poor and worthlefs foul, however rich- 
 
 thou
 
 THE MICROCOSM. ISQ 
 
 tilou mayeft boail: thyfelf to be in pofleffing 
 large quantities of the entrails of the earth. 
 And fo reverend Doclor — your Worihip— 
 or your Honor: your Lordfhip or your 
 Grace — or your any thing you pleafe — we 
 take our leave of all your worthlefs diftinc- 
 tions, with an intention to meditate on the 
 amazing difference between thee and that 
 truly rich man who now trembles at the 
 found of thy auguft footftep and bows down 
 
 at thy prefence, becaufe he hath not 
 
 But he will fpare the mortifying demon- 
 flration, and permit thee to enjoy in as 
 much quiet as thy great enemy, confcience, 
 will give the leave to do, this thy day— 
 thy only day — of boafted fuperiori ty over 
 thy at prefent opprefled fellow-immortals. 
 
 t 
 
 CHAP.
 
 IgO THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 CHAP. XXV. 
 
 The Captives Jimjhedn 
 
 AFTER our quondam captives had per- 
 formed their promife to the dying 
 Mr. Whittington-Lorimer, they proceeded, 
 after firfl fending a preparatory note, to 
 the houfe of Mr. Lewis's father, where 
 their prefence occafioned a tumult of joy ; 
 and they then polled down to Beverly, 
 with the intention of em[>loying the fame 
 prudent intervention of a previous note : 
 but their dcfign in this refpcdl was fruf- 
 trated by the unexpedled arrival of the 
 Spencer carriage, which was going to 
 convey the family to a town about a dozen 
 %iiles diflant from the Aviary, in com- 
 pliance with an engagement, which they 
 had made to fpend a loTTg day with fome 
 particular friends : to thefe, as foon as any 
 one was fufficiently compofed to confider 
 the propriety of fuch a meafure, they fent 
 a mcfTenger with excufes. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 THE MICROCOSM. IQl 
 
 CHAP. XXVI. 
 
 For- "ivhkJt IV e cannot find a Title, 
 
 EXCEPT we Oiould unexpeaedly be 
 ■decoyed fi^om oar intended path, we 
 ^il! n€>w confine onrfelves to fhe families 
 4'irti whom we are intimate at Beverly : 
 f^at'.fe' to fay, to the Aviary with Mr. 
 Spcrrcer, -Mr. George Abington and his 
 no*v happy Matilda: — to the Shrubbery 
 With-Mr. and Mrs. Edward Spencer^ their 
 Ldcy, Matilda and Carorme •—- to Mr. 
 Q^birigton's with that gentlem-.::, his !adv, 
 Mifs- Abingtonj ■ Mffs Martha and Mi^ 
 lluflel ;— aiid to the Lodge with Mr. ant 
 ±Vf!^. Pe^reivtil,' their five chiidf-enl'Sr^ephen, 
 l^ob^t, '-Bafbara^ -Gc'cirge^ aiid * Deborah, 
 Mrs. Percival the elder, He^ry 'StHmoui-, 
 and the- t^harnrii tig little orphar>, Ilarfiet 
 MontWuc, 
 
 Beloved
 
 ig2 THE mk:kocosm. 
 
 Beloved Readers ! 
 
 You have here a fecond re- 
 capitulation of the families with whom we 
 wifh you to be particularly acquainted, and 
 will probably be affronted by our fuppoiing 
 it neceflary fo foon to refrelb your memo- 
 ries ; but as we have travelled over vaft 
 tradls of the globe fince we were lad at 
 Beverly, it ought not to be conftrued into 
 an offence to your retentive faculties, that^ 
 to make circumflances perfe6lly eafy to 
 your recolle6lion, we give ourfelves the 
 trouble of taking a diflin6l review of our 
 friends in that neighbourhood. We will 
 indulge you in a little grwrihUng, as we 
 know it is a diforder to which you are 
 prone, provided you forbear unloyal ex- 
 preffions ; but if any proof fhall be brought 
 againft you of abufive language, we ihall 
 immediately expel you from the honor of 
 being our fubje<^s. 
 
 Given from our high court of judica- 
 ture, anc^vritten with our own hand. 
 
 # * # * 
 The
 
 THE MICROCOSM. I gS 
 
 The families of Beverly were now in ap- 
 parent fricnddiip with each other ; and on 
 three fides it was perfe611y fincere, but tbc 
 Perclvals confolted only their own intcrefl 
 in the union : they wiflicd to conciliate the 
 elteem of Mr. Spencer, who had it largely 
 in his power to give what they deemed fub- 
 ftantial proofs of his favor. The chief 
 objecl that excited the envy of Mrs. R. 
 Percival was Mrs. Spencer, to whofe chi!* 
 drcn fhe had a particular averiion, veiird 
 with a fhow of fondnefs, which, fo flrong 
 was the general diflike to this woman, few 
 people believed to be real. The fufpicion 
 laifcd by the unexpe^lcd lofs of Mr. E. 
 Spencer's little girl, never perfe6llv fnb- 
 fidcd. Mrs. R. Pcrcival's great kindnef'^ 
 (uhich we have been rather unwilling to 
 mention) to the child's nurfc — her remark 
 
 I <y( the " J>oor v:oman s'"" deep forrow upon 
 the event — with her often officiouflv-ex- 
 
 i preiled belief of the "^'>W^/-^/7/?/rf''/' ho- 
 
 nefty — fo preferxHng alive the whifpered ap- 
 
 VoL. 1. K prehenfion,
 
 194 IllJ- IvlICKOCOS-M. 
 
 prehenfiOii; that it iiithcr gathered Ttrcngth 
 thiiii otherwifc, by the progrefs oftimej 
 but the family was rich.; high in rank, and 
 looked up to as the. future fovereign of the 
 vllliigo. It was thcreibre reverenced, and 
 iis,fmiles courted by the perfpe<!^iv.e eye of 
 lelf-jntercft. 
 
 .lyjie inordinate fonuncfs of Mrs. R. Per- 
 cival for our celebrated Spencer-Aviary^ 
 could not be gratified i)y the view of its 
 being pofielled by one of her cinlchen. No : 
 llie willied — it was a wi(h formed in early 
 life — to be herfelf the miftrcfs of that mag- 
 niticent habitation ; and to atehieve this 
 objccl, (lie h'cid facritieed, and was wiihng, 
 itill farther to offer up, if occafion required, 
 tlic eonfcioufncfs of perfedl rectitude. Her 
 Ion Stephen— the heir apparent to Spencer- 
 Aviarv-—fhc educated with ideas of tlie ne- 
 cclTity of a perfect fubmiHion to the will, 
 of his parents, and infufed a behef that it- 
 was in her power to with-hold from him the. 
 eflate ; a power which flie vowed fhe cer- 
 
 tainlv
 
 THE MICROCOSM. Ifjj 
 
 ^ainly woukl exert, if, upon his arrival' at a 
 proper age, he fhould rcrlilb to fign fuch 
 articles as the might prefcribe. 
 
 Wliether Mrs. R. Percival had actually 
 the fccrct art of making this young man, 
 as he grew up, believe, and fubmit to her 
 power ; or whether, by promifing iinphcit 
 obedience, he had an eye to the jointured 
 eftate, which, from a hope of their eldeit 
 child's inheriting the Aviary, the Percivals 
 had referved in their own difpofal ; or whe- 
 ther he conlidered that the fiouature of a 
 minor could not be binding in a Court of 
 Juftice, we do not take upon us to aflirm; 
 but certain it is that Stephen Percival, 
 whofe chara6leriflic vice was avarice, very 
 folemnly engaged by every methcxl that 
 could be devifed, to fubmit to the edicl of 
 his parents ; or, in other words, to yield 
 to t'ncm, when he fhould become entitled 
 to it, the poiiclpiou of the Aviary ; even 
 declaring that he fhould be content wiih 
 the view of being maficr of -the Lodge dur- 
 ingv the term of iiielr cxiftence : — and in 
 K 2 this
 
 ](j6 THR MICROCOSM. 
 
 this (IctertTiiiintion he continued fir-m^ urri- 
 withdanding there were not wanting thofe 
 who afliircd him that his .})o\vcr would be 
 abfolute. But; as we have advanced confi- 
 d^rably too forward in |K)int of time, we 
 will, in imitation of many a gallant oflrictT, 
 purlue a retrograde clirc6\ioi>. 
 
 «aei-!»^-X-** 
 
 criAP. xxvii. 
 
 'j'/^e Ihfor and Tutorejs. 
 
 A Young gentleman of the name of 
 Barker, .who is henceforward to di- 
 rect the ftudies of the juvenile party, at Be- 
 verly ILodge^ lliall open this chapter, lliis 
 gentleman was educated for the church, 
 and had taken deacon's orders. He was 
 the ton of a clergyman who had not one 
 r]ualiiy to recommend him to the rich and 
 powerful ; being only a fenfible ; learned, 
 and good man : circumtlanccs vvbicb were 
 
 fcarce
 
 TliE MICIIOCOS.M. i(>7 
 
 jrarce ever known to advance, in the cle- 
 rical line, any one who was^ clcrtitutc of the 
 more valuable poiU'irions of birth and for- 
 tune. 
 
 Mr. Barker the cklcr, paifcd the whole 
 .term of his hfe, upon a curacy of fixty 
 pounds per annum, and having at an early 
 age, loft a wife of whom he \v^ extremely 
 fond, the education of this their only child 
 was his fole care, and thus young Barker 
 was matured in the great and good princi- 
 ples of bis father. He was recommended 
 to Mr. Percival by a gentleman who lived 
 jiear the eftate of Mr. Seymour ; and much 
 honor did he reflect upon his recommender 
 by the exertion of his too lingular ablities. 
 • Mrs. Mitchel, the govcrnefs, was a hu- 
 man being ot^ a cafl quite different from 
 Mr. Barker. In her youth, (lie had figured 
 in what is called Life ; and perfectly knew 
 the fit and the unfit, refpe6ling drefs and 
 falTiionable decorum. No one entered a 
 room with a better grace, or was mora 
 ikiilcd in polite dilcourfe. Mrs. Mitchel 
 K 3 Wei 5
 
 was the widow of a gentlcmnn who Fiad a 
 Ihiall place nt Court : but fivini:: bryoDtl bis 
 income, was obliged to go abroad, and altcT 
 a Ihort abiencc, died at Vienna. 'Ihc lady 
 now law herfelf alone in the world, and en- 
 deavoured to make the moft of her attrac- 
 tions : but her pride, if not hcT prrncipfe, 
 forbad her liitcning to any ternforjry over- 
 ture^,, and no laftrng ones, of tufHeient con- 
 fcquence, were ottered to her acceptance. 
 She therefore c!ofcd with the p'opofal oi 
 Mrs. Percival, wiih whom fhe had foug 
 been imin:iate, of fuperintending the femi- 
 narj at the Lodge, for which offiee fhe wa4 
 extremely well calculated in the opinion of 
 the fafhionable ladies of the prefenf agie! 
 Had we, indeed, been confulted, we fhonld 
 have preferred Mifs Jermyn, who procured 
 a recommendation to the Pcrcivals from the 
 clergyman of the Parifh. This young lady 
 was daughter to a gentleman who pra^ifed 
 phyfic in a village near London. Herwidi 
 of being able to aflift her mother and three 
 fillers, who, at her father's death, found 
 
 thcmfclvcs
 
 riJB MlCfiOCGSM. ipQ 
 
 thcmlelves in inconvonierrt cirruuiftsnccs, 
 induced her to feck a fitnation of |x*cuniary 
 advantage. She had been cducaU-d by a 
 great aunt, who put it out ol' her own 
 power to pcrfuvm her promife of providing 
 for her niece, bv giving way to her rncH- 
 nation of doing a greater acJ of charity in 
 fwddenly marrying a ipruce young footman; 
 for whom flie had previoufly given a bond 
 to the Parifh officei-s, to prevent his being 
 thrown into jail on account of two ftparatci 
 crimes very oppoiitc to that of murder ; the 
 jmart-moniy for which, fome former levies 
 of the fame kind -lia<l rendered the poor f el* 
 low unable to difchargc. But the goodoi<l 
 lady had not denied herfelf the pleat lirc of 
 being of fervice to her niece, by the above- 
 related exertion of pure Philanthropy be- 
 fore tne Lad i*cndercd her perfccSt^y qnali- 
 iied for the large fortune of which fhe 
 brought her up in ex[)eclation, by giving 
 her whvA, without the ufual inverlion of 
 language^ might be called a finifbcd edu- 
 cation. Mils Jermyn, with a genteel perfoti 
 K -l and
 
 '20(:> ITIE MICROCOSM. 
 
 and ii pretty face, IkuI a good rindcrliand- 
 ing; a pleafiuir diijx^filion, and politcncts 
 of manners She was an adept in French 
 .'Hid Italian ; a prolieicnt in ninlu: and 
 drawing, and had, likeVvife, a competent 
 knowledge of geograpliy . 
 
 It has been infinuated by your w/'/^/z^/Z/ro- 
 f{/h, who grudged Mils Jermyn\s aunt the 
 exercife of her ^mciyJt^ra principles, that it 
 was very cruel in the ancient gentlewoman 
 to a fiord her niece fiich an education, and 
 then deprive her of the fuitable fortune fl)e 
 was continually bidding her expevft : and 
 indeed my dear ladies, whatever may be 
 your ffiotive for condemning the good wo- 
 man's condu^l, we perfectly agree in your 
 opinion : but we advife you not to be too 
 fcvere, left that fe verity fhould direct a fern- 
 tinizing eye to e^amine jioiir condu<51, 
 which, however prectfe you may ]o;>k upon 
 the occafion, will not, perhaps be able to 
 endure a minute invcftigation. 
 
 Mifs Jermyn*s iine qualities were not of 
 fufficient eonfcquencc to procure her ad- 
 mi iTion
 
 THE MICROCOSM. !?01 
 
 miffion into Beverly Lodge; but they gained 
 her a fituation a hundred times more defi- 
 nable. She was received at the Shrubbery. 
 The little Mifles Spencer were configned 
 to her tuition, and the excellent and re- 
 vered parent of the family, took her under 
 his protedlion. 
 
 CHAP. XXVI il. 
 A TrihiUeto jlTuil Affe^'ion. 
 
 WHENEVER vv-e mention Mr. Spcn- 
 cer, we are immediately fenfible 
 of/uch an elevation of fcnlimcnt as makes 
 it inconfident to talk of fuch earthly be- 
 irigs ias the PercivaTs. Indeed we hardly 
 know oF any oiic whofe given charafler,' 
 after his, would not form an anti-climax.' 
 A Suffolk gentleman of the name of KiU 
 derbee, with whom we once had the ho* 
 nor of being intimately acquainted, but 
 ' K 5 w Ii6
 
 202 TIIK MICROCOSM. 
 
 who ]V, now traiiflated (for he fcarccly 
 fccmcd to die) to a brighter — to his native 
 region, bore the flrongeftfimilitnde to him 
 of any one that ever exiftcd. 
 
 And now, reader, we cannot proceed any 
 farther. Short as this chapter is, we muft 
 put an end to it, for the particular recol- 
 ledlion of this gentleman, whofe image is 
 almoll conftantly in our idea, brings fuch 
 a variety of affe61ing incidents to our view, 
 that v.e mu ft drop the pen. 
 
 CHAP. XXIX. 
 
 Childhood, 
 
 MUSIC, drawing and dancing were 
 taught the young ones at the Lodge 
 and the Shrubbery, by three gentlemen who 
 attended occafionally upon the two families; 
 uoder whofe tuition the children, in ge- 
 neral, made the cxpeded progrefs ; but the 
 little Harriet Montague (lione confpicuous, 
 to the mortification of the whole family of 
 the Pcrcivals, in every branch of knowledge. 
 
 At
 
 THE MICnOCGSM. 203 
 
 At an carlv nge (he could fpeak both French 
 and Italian with precilion. iVJuficwas her 
 native Icicnce ; her ibul was harniony itfclf. 
 In drawing", (he excelied all the reft, and in 
 dancing, fixed the attention of every one 
 preient. Her reading was juft and melo- 
 dious^ and (he Toon wrote a fiac, Iwift hand. 
 As (he grew up, fhiC delighted in. the ftudy 
 of geography, and, indeed, in cvciy ftiuly 
 which could render a young woman ami- 
 able and accompiilhed. Yet it did not ap- 
 pear that flic labored at anythine ; for fuch 
 facility had fhe by nature, that Hie often 
 caught what it w\is not intended Ihe (houli 
 ever learn. Mr. Rnfiei faw the wiili ct 
 the Percivais to keep her i).:ckward ; Lr 
 which reafon he frequently vifited the Lodge 
 during the hoars devoted to the teaching 
 of the children, that he might, as much as 
 poflible^ prevent a neglect of Mifs Mon^ 
 tague ; and, this gentleman was known to 
 have fo much intereft with Mr. Spencer, 
 that the Percivais did not chufe to hazard 
 a difobcdience to his injunctions refpedling 
 his favorite. Not thi.t Mr. RufTcI u\'is fo 
 K im -.u .
 
 '201 Tim MICROCOSM. 
 
 impolitic as to declare his partiality to the 
 little Harriet : he knew mankind too well to 
 do that ; for fuch a declaration would doubt- 
 lefs have bcxn an injury to her, rather than 
 a benefit. 
 
 Mrs. Mitchel foon entered into the views 
 of the family, to render the Mifles Pcrcival 
 as accomplidied as poUible, and to leave 
 Mifs Montague to nature, lefl, being too 
 much polifhed, flie Ihould prevent the pre- 
 ferment of the daughters of the houfc, by 
 eclipfmg their charms. 
 
 Mrs. Mitchel, therefore, was fo kind as 
 to with-hold from Harriet her partieular 
 inflrudions ; and thus to fave this young 
 lady ii'om the contagion of thofe pernicious 
 principles which fhe freely imparted to her 
 other pupils. Thefe, in procefs of time, 
 became diftinguifhed for their good-lreed- 
 w^, while Harriet fhone with that true po- 
 lltenefs which, in a good heart, originates 
 from a defirc of pleafing ; and which, a\ hen 
 reftrained and directed by a good under- 
 llanding, is greatly preferable to a puncti- 
 lious obfervancc of the rules of cold and 
 
 formal
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 205 
 
 formal civility, and will ever render Its pof- 
 fellbrs not only amiable, but valuable com- 
 panions. Yet, let it be remembered, that 
 our Harriet was not dejicmit even in fa- 
 fhionable manners ; only it did not appear 
 that (hey^z^^//V<^ to excel in them. She had 
 from nature a great fbare of diffidence and 
 timidity, which her abundant vivacity 
 prevented from being apparent to a difa- 
 greeable excefs, and which, of confequence, 
 cffedtually excluded every degree, both of 
 conceit and forwardnefs. Indeed, before 
 fhe was checked by coniideration, flie was 
 one of the wildeft little creatures that ever 
 lived, yet at the fame time one of the ten* 
 dereft. At fight of Mr. Ruffel, whom both 
 fhe and the Pcrcivals, in imitation of the 
 little Spencers, ahvays called uncle, fhe 
 would jump and clap her hands, as if (he 
 knew not how to contain her tranfport. 
 The good gentleman's partiality for her, 
 which this fondnefs of her condudl necef- 
 farily encrcafed, and which he could not al- 
 ways fufiiciently difguife, fomctimes cauied 
 
 a little
 
 206 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 a little jealoufy among the children; Mr. 
 Ruflcl, who frequently carried them cakes 
 and fweetmeats, being held by them all in 
 great efVimation. 
 
 " Pray Mifs," faid Mifs Percival^ one day 
 to Harriet, " what bafinefs have yoii to call 
 ** Mr. Ruflel uncle ! I am fure he is not 
 " any uncle of yours." 
 
 '** As much as he is yours Mifs," return- 
 ed Mifs Montague; "and my guardian, 
 " into the bargain." — For fo Mr. RufTel 
 would fometimes order her to call him, to 
 the diflike of Mrs. Pcrcival ; who repented 
 that (lie had ever troubled him about the 
 child's affairs. 
 
 " I am fure, coulin Harriet," faid Mifs 
 Deborah, " Mr. Ruflel cannot be your un- 
 " cle, for your papa was nothing but a 
 '' foldier." 
 
 " Do not abufe my pnpa, Mifs Debba," 
 returned Harriet, the glow of refentmcnt 
 covering her little face ; "he was as good 
 "' as your papa : and nurfe Watkins has 
 " often and often told roe he was a fine 
 
 " gentle-
 
 THL: MICROCOSM". 207 
 
 ** gentleman ; and my mama was your 
 " papa's (ifter, Mifs ; and fhe was a lady." 
 
 " And you fhall be a lady too,'* joined 
 in Henry Seymour, who always fiderd with 
 the pretty Harriet, " for all your croflhefs, 
 •^ Mil&Debba ; or yours either. Mils Bab ;'"* 
 fpeaking with a haughty air to Mils Per- 
 cival. 
 
 *' A pretty lady ?" fliid Mafier Percival, 
 " for I hcatxi my mam.a tell Mrs. Quaintly 
 " that file would have only eight hundred 
 *"* pouiitis; and perhaps, if all her papa*s debts 
 ^* were* paid, not that ; for mama faid fo 
 *^ veftcrday.'* 
 
 " But lire fhall have more than that, 
 ^* brother Stephen,** faid little George ; 
 *^ for I will give her fome of my money 
 " when I am a man." 
 
 "And pray who will give it to yoa ?'^ 
 aflcedthefullen Robert. ** Perhaps papa will 
 •^ not let you have any, becaufe you are the 
 '' youngeft ; for Stephen and I are both 
 '*' before you." 
 
 " Well, I fhall not c|parrel with you, 
 
 " coufin
 
 !Z08 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 '^ coufin Bobby,'* fa id Harriet, jumping 
 about the room, her anger being fubfided 5 
 ". for it is not worth while. Mr. Ruffel 
 ^* loves .me, and my coufin Spencers loyp 
 " me ; and if you do not, I cannot help it 
 '' you know ; but I Hiall love you for all 
 " that." 
 
 A fummons into the teaching-room pre- 
 vented any farther altercation, and a viiit, 
 in the evening, from the funily at the Srub- 
 bery made them all frends again. 
 
 " Pray," fliidLucy Spencer to her mother, 
 as they fat at tea — " pray, mama let me (lay 
 "all night with my coufin Montague ^ or 
 " elfe Jet her go home with us." 
 
 ** She cannot go without your other cou- 
 *' fins my dear," returned the mother ; 
 " but we will afk Mrs Richard Percivfil to 
 *' give them all leave to return with us, as 
 *'' tomorrow will be a play-day." 
 
 '' I wifh we could have Harriet," faid 
 Caroliae ; " and I widi for George, and 
 *' Mafier Seymcur ; but, mama, I do not 
 ,";iike. my Qtherpoufi^is." 
 
 " No
 
 THE AIICKOCOSM-. 2CK) 
 
 ** No more do I," added Matilda, ^^ they 
 "• arc fo proud and focrors." 
 
 All this was whifpered to Mrs Spencer by 
 her little girls as they fat belidc her upon a 
 fopha, for which (lie reproved them, and 
 her fliarpnefs lb affecled the gentle Lucy, 
 that llic dropt a tear and promiled to 
 love all her couiins, if fne might love Har- 
 riet bcft ; to which Mrs. Spencer forbore 
 making any reply, as fhe could not but ap7 
 prove her daughter's partiality. 
 
 »<?i»?^«^»i 
 
 CHAPTER XXX, 
 
 .if Dialogue hhveen Mrs, Perchal and 
 
 Mrs, ASuhL 
 
 M 
 
 .m /- Y dear, crlticifing, chronological, 
 i-^A fnapping, fnarling readers, v^il! now 
 begin to calculate the age of the young ones 
 whofe converfation made a part of our laft 
 chapter, and upon a curfory review, will 
 give themielves the confequcnce of having 
 found an abfurdily in the puerile dialogue, 
 
 by
 
 210 TTE MICROCOSM!. 
 
 by imagining that there muff be too mncfr 
 diflercnce between the years of the oldcd 
 and the youngeft to allow its coniiftency. 
 
 The period at which we now write is a 
 very pleafant one, and we find ourfeives in 
 luch perfed good humor with all arouncf 
 us, that we will eondefcend to prove our 
 not having made any miflake in thrs parti- 
 cular, by arguments perfectly level to the 
 capacities of the perfons in qiiefiion. 
 
 Henry Seymour^ now arrived at the age 
 of twelve (for we advance in our hiftory 
 with what-fpeed we think proper, without 
 alking leave of the tardy imagination of any 
 gentleman or lady whatfoever) was one year 
 older than Stephen Percival, who had only 
 by three years the ftart of his- youngciV 
 lifter, Mils Deborah. 
 
 " How I how ! how is that !" cries one 
 and all. '' The eldeft of five children no 
 " more than three years older than the 
 ^'youngeft ! it cannot be i it is not polli- 
 *' ble !" 
 
 Notwithftanding the impofTibility, my 
 
 good
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 211 
 
 goovi friends^ it reaify was the cafe, as Mrs, 
 R. Pcrcival told ihafe who fo!d them that told 
 ns—^a. proof- po (it ive for affertions ftill more 
 impojjibk than this, and which I dare fay 
 you have often advanced in that court of 
 judicature-— a tea table circle, when infti- 
 gated by envy to aflift in the condemnation 
 of fome female culprit^ whofc criminality 
 confided in her being young, beautiful, 
 lively, and agreeable ; and of courfe a nw>- 
 nopolizer of general admiration. 
 
 Mrs. R. Percival's fpeedin producing h-er 
 frft child has been reprobated by at leaft 
 three fourths of our friends, but her fubfe- 
 quent celerity will, it is to be fuppofed, 
 pafs without any cenfure. When it be recol- 
 lected that fbe once had two at one birth 
 [Robert and Barbara], a circumftancc 
 which we declared in due form and time, 
 our fagacious critieifeis will allow that a 
 lefs period than wc have given^ would have 
 been ftiflicient for the birth of the five. • 
 
 Wedonot, madam, wi'fhlobethought^^^/7 
 nice calculators, therefore will leave it to 
 
 your
 
 212 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 your more profound willlom to fatlsfy Uie 
 cavillers, while we proceed with averting 
 that Stephen Percival wasonly.eleven^ when 
 Deborah, his youngcfl lifter completed her 
 eighth year. The little Spencers were 
 nearly of the age of their coufms ; Caroline, 
 the youngell of both families, being born 
 when Mifs Debby was iix. months old ; 
 after which Mrs. R. Percival was two or 
 tthree times encemle, but from various acci- 
 dents as frequently rnifcarried, Harriet 
 Montague was fome months younger than 
 Mafter Seymour. 
 
 And now, readers, if you have any other 
 objedlions to raife, we requeft yoa to be ex* 
 peditious in producing them, left our cwn- 
 defcending humor, which begins to evapo^ 
 rate, fhould go off entirely. We are al- 
 ready fatigued with the conceflion we have 
 made to your querulous difpofitions, and 
 we cannot, much longer, have patience- with 
 your futile obfcrvations- In one word-^ 
 have you any thing more to objccSt } 
 
 " No, no, no," methinks I hear you all 
 
 fay
 
 THE MICROCOSM, 213 
 
 fay in one voice ; *' we only vvifh to have 
 ^^ you proceed with your ftory, which we 
 '^ muftfay has been very flow in its pro* 
 '' grcls." 
 
 In that opinion \\^ ngrce with you, and 
 will endeavour to haften our moments ; but 
 muft tirit give you a little piece of conver- 
 Tation which about this time paffed between 
 old Mrs. Pcrcival and Mrs. Mitchel, andas 
 wcfuppoie you have fufficient talte to be 
 fond of the drama, we will to indulge you, 
 as \YeH as to fpare otirfclvcs the trouble of 
 frequently repeating " fays one trnd lays the 
 ^•' other," ^\vt yoii ♦he fliort dialogue as it 
 pailed, aftei* previoufty deiiringyou to ima- 
 gine the ladies feated in an arbor while 
 the children were playing on a grafs-plot 
 before them. When the ladies had given 
 fome attention to the manoeuvres of the 
 young ones, they thus bcg-an : 
 
 Mrs. Percival. Upon my word, Mafter 
 Seymour grows a very handfomc lad. 
 Airs. MltchcL He does indeed, madam, 
 
 and
 
 21'4 THE MICKOCOSM. 
 
 aaul has quite the appearance of a yoiuii oi 
 fail) ion. 
 
 Mrs. PercmaL Very much (o^ I think ;. 
 but he fcems to want ambition. 
 
 Mrs» MitcheL JVIr. Barker too forcibly, 
 in my opinion, inculcates humility ; which, . 
 I atFrontcd him laft night, by faying, is a. 
 mean unfafhionable virtue. 
 
 Mrs. Percival [cbjerving the children~\. I 
 can hardly help thinking, Mrs. Mitchcl,. 
 that you endeavor to give the manners of 
 Harriet Montague a higher polifh than will 
 fuit her future iituation. 
 
 iWj. MitcheL Indeed, madam, I nevcr^ 
 tnke any pains with her. What fhc poflelies, 
 flie has from nature, or catches by accident : 
 I .mean as to accompli fhments; for Mr, 
 Barker takes particular care to inltruct her 
 in knowledg.c. As to French iind Italiaii--r-. 
 flie fpeaks thoiC; languages nearly as well as 
 tbe does Engiiih. Drawing, fhe cannot be 
 kept from ; and mufic, in which you know 
 ?vIr.Rullel infifts upon her being in flrue^^cd, 
 
 the
 
 THE MicnocosM. 215 
 
 lire adually feems to hiherit. It likewifc 
 appears as if (he had been taught to dance 
 from infancy. 
 
 Mrs. PercivaL Why, all that is true ; 
 and I cannot but fay I am forry for it ; as 
 her fortune will inevitably be trifling ; for 
 I fhall not rob my Ton's family to give it to 
 the child of a man to whom I had always 
 a diflikc. If it was not for that impertinent 
 Mr. Rufiel, whohasfuch a great fway. with 
 old Spencer, I would remove her from Be- 
 verly. 
 
 Mrs, MhcheL You furcly, madam, have 
 a, right to do as you pleafe with your grand- 
 daughter. 
 
 Mrs, PercivaJ, I'rue : but were I to fend 
 her away, decency would oblige me to give 
 fome account of her, and then I know Mr. 
 Hufliel would foon get her to either Spen- 
 cer-Aviary, or the Shrubbery. 
 
 Mrs, MiinheL Well then, let him main- 
 tain her ; and let him, likewifc, give her a 
 Uiilable fortune, 
 
 Mrs,
 
 2\d THE MICllOCOaM. 
 
 Mrs. PercivaL No ; fiich a proceed inj^ 
 would alter the plan upon which I have i^- 
 folvcd. A rooted diflike to her parents oc- 
 curs with every recolle6iion of them ; ren- 
 ders their offspring difgufting to me, and 
 prefents her as inimical to the intereft of 
 my fon's children. Let what will be the 
 confequence, I will, if poffible, prevent her 
 entrance into either of the before-mention- 
 ed families ; which is the reafon (left it 
 fhould incrcnfe their fondnefs), why I fo 
 n-cadily refufe her vifiting there without mc; 
 telling Mr. Ruffcl (fori was obliged \o take 
 IV little liberty) that I had promifcd my 
 daughter to keep her perpetually under my 
 own eye, after fhe (hould be old enough to 
 imbibe inllrucSlion ; that my promifc bound 
 me, or I (hould be happy in Harriet acccfrt- 
 iiTg their invitations. 
 
 Mrs. Mitch el \^ffniUfig~\. The liberty you 
 mention, my dear madam, muft fometimes 
 be taken with people who think fo oddly as 
 the Spencers, and moil of the Ahingtons 
 
 do.
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 217; 
 
 d(x Mils Martha excepted, I proteft I do 
 not think there is one amongft them with 
 rational ideas. 
 
 Mrs, FercivaL Indeed there is not : their 
 Iciitimentsof charit}', generoiity, and difia- 
 tercftedners, are quite romantic. They feem 
 to Jive not for themfelves, but for other 
 people. But obfer\^c that child — Matter 
 Seymour I mean ; how gallantly the little 
 rogue carries himfelf ! His attention feems 
 fixed upon Barbara. It would give great 
 fatisfriclion to us all if Ibe could fix him for 
 life. 
 
 Mrs, MitcheJ, To cficct which^ I aflure 
 you madam, I have exerted my utmoft 
 efforts ever fince I perceived what your 
 wifhes were ; and told him, the other da^j*- ' 
 in plain lerms, that I thought Mifs Percival 
 would make him an elegant little wife. 
 
 Mrs. FerchaL Excufe me^ Mrs. MitcheJ, 
 that 1 fay you did not then proceed with your 
 ufuai adroitnefs. If you widi young people 
 to form an attachment, prohibit their inti- 
 macy. Nine times in ten, this method will 
 
 Vol. I. L fuc-
 
 218 THE MFeROCOSM. 
 
 faccccxL ' It is however very early with our 
 couple. A 5'^ear or two hence, and v\^ will 
 try to manage them. ''^" '"^' 
 
 Mrs. Mit.chd. With deference, madam, 
 to your fiijierior experience, I think in fuch 
 juvenile day.^, the bcfi mode is to encou- 
 rage the ideas I have endeavored to indil ; 
 and then, as thefe fen timents begin to t)e 
 lively, before too much familiarity with them 
 has brought on an indifference, to forbid^ 
 all at once, with much gravity, as if it was 
 already a matter of conrcquence, any far- 
 ther particular acquaintance. 
 
 Mrs . Fcrcival [after ajh ort confu'lerafioii\ . 
 Mrs.Mitchel, I fubmit to your opinion : you 
 certainly have projc61ed the bed method of 
 •proceeding. Purfuc your plan ; I hope it 
 will be fuccefsful. Tf it /;^— depend upon 
 Avhat I fay — you fliall not go without a di- 
 .(linguiflicd reward ; for I will acknowledge 
 to you that this is a matter upon which we 
 have all fct'our hearts. 
 
 A confiderable deal more, to the fame 
 purpofe pafTcd between thefc artful women, 
 
 who
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 219 
 
 ^vho perfectly underftood each others mean- 
 ins:. Mrs. Mitchel was as fubtile as molt of 
 her fex ; and as to Mrs. Percival — fhe was 
 a perfect female-Machiavel. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Youth, Self-dete^lon ; atid a Treat for the 
 tender PaJfio?ts. 
 
 IT is Hx years iince the date of our lafl 
 chapter. Henry Seymour is confe- 
 qiiently eighte-en, and Mifs Caroline Spen- 
 cer between thirteen and fourteen years of 
 age. The ages of the intermediate ones, 
 the reader will eafily calculate. Bat beware, 
 O ye fufceptible fons of Britannia 1 how you 
 take into your mind's eye the image of Har-^ 
 riet Montague ! She was — we cannot fay 
 ivhat file was. Take her altogether, fhe was 
 charming in the extreme. She was beau- 
 tiful. She was heii'itchhig. We once 
 heard a lovely, lively young woman com- 
 pared to the fweet wild tones produced by 
 L 2 an
 
 290 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 an iEolian l^arp. Such was our Harnct. 
 But flie was more. In her fercnc moments 
 (and furely never gaiety, 'foftnefs iind fere- 
 nity lb fwcetly modulated each other be- 
 tfore), her appearance, manners and conver- 
 fation harmonized the foul like the iineft 
 and moft pcrfedl mulic that ever was com- 
 pofcd. 
 
 Ricliardfon has given ushis Pamela ; his 
 Clarifla Harlowc ; Mils Byron, and Clc- 
 mentinaj as mcdels of beauty and acconv 
 plifliment. Fielding .has favored us w-ith a 
 Sophia Wcftern ; and other writers with 
 other defcriptions, but there is not one 
 amongft them that dcpic^ls our Harriet- 
 Montague ; for fhe did not hear any refem- 
 blancc to Pamela : nor was fhe fo grave as 
 circumftances made Clarilfa. Not fo prim 
 as the fadiion of the times rendered Mifs 
 Byron ; nor fo fiatcly as the pride of Ital}^, 
 Clementina. Neither was (lie like Sophia 
 Wellern. ■ In fliort, (lie was fuch an afiem- 
 blage of charms as perhaps never before met 
 ia the form of a female. To mention the 
 
 fine
 
 THE.MICROCOSJrr. Ml 
 
 line and ealy proportion of her frames — the 
 lovelinefs of her complexion— -the rofes in 
 her cheeks — the peculiar beaaty of her hair 
 -^her Hps — -her teeLh, or even her eyes, ex- 
 celling as they were, would be injuftice to 
 "every unnoticed elegance and grace ; as 
 every feature^ and every part of her frame 
 merited equal diftinclrion. Bat fafcinating 
 as was her exterior, it was her mi]s:d that 
 perfe6led her power over all hear.ts but thofc 
 of the Pcrcivals. The qaickncfs, the fine- 
 nefs, the depth of her underftanding ; fo 
 duly tempered by the diffidence^ timidity 
 and ffweetnefs of her.dilpoiition, which was 
 Ibftoefs itjfelf, though Jivdy beyond idea, 
 rendered her. iiot only a truly plealing, but 
 an enchanting companion. .Every fafliion 
 became her : everything fat we^U upon her, 
 and her appearance ;at once evinced fenti- 
 ments of gentlencfs and coufeqnence. 
 
 Could fuch a youth, as we have deferibed 
 
 Henry Seymour to be, live infeniibie to 
 
 fuch an allemblage of beauties ? No : he 
 
 few — headmired — he loved her perfedlions. 
 
 L 3 The
 
 2 22 THE MICEOGOS^f. 
 
 The rliing charms of Mifs Montague grew 
 in his heart ; encreafed with his fcntimcntrr 
 of exigence ; and his affe6\ion was fixed 
 long before he was confcious of any parti- 
 cuhir attachment. Often woakl he com- 
 pare Harriet with Mifs and Mifs Debby 
 Percivai ; turning his eye upon fxrft one, 
 then another of the young ladies : refting 
 it with an ahnoll: involuntary caution, when 
 lie faw himtelf obferved, upon the latter or 
 Iicr fifler; which led the elders to think 
 their phn would eventually prove faccefs- 
 ful. 
 
 Could Harriet, it will now be afked, be 
 infenlible to the partiality oi Henry Seymour? 
 She was. She faw not that he regarded 
 her with any diftinguifhable attention. 
 Henry Seymour — to whofe fuperiority every 
 generous youth fubmitted with pleafjre — 
 whom every woman beheld with approba- 
 tion — long experienced the mod tender and 
 ardent aftc6lion, while its lovely object 
 continued unconfcious of the ^fieSi of her 
 uttrac^iions. She knew, indeed, that (he 
 
 was
 
 tHE MICROCOSM-.- Q>23 
 
 Was in poficflion of his friendly regard ; and 
 was lendblc of the continual proofe which 
 every day aflbrdcd her of his eftcem ; but 
 love, however lirangc it may fcem to foine 
 of my readers, had not taken off the veil, 
 which he wore, of fraternal atrection, and 
 Harriet was not confcious of there bcinc;; 
 any other fentiment between them than 
 that which cemented the hearts of brothers 
 and lifters. 
 
 We widi here to ftop the progrcfs of our 
 tale^ by again prefcnting to our friends tlie 
 image of the youth who fo early yielded to 
 the tender paffion ; but we canipot ftid 
 language to give an adequate idea of the 
 elegance of his figure; much lefs are we 
 capable of doing juftice to his mental mer 
 rits. It has been faid that not one of the 
 heroines of our Richardfon or Kieldinf*^ 
 would anfwer the defcription v.' hich juftice 
 demanded us to give of Mifs Montague. 
 With equal truth it may be affirmed that 
 Henry Seymour could not be drawn from 
 their heroes. Of the perfon of Pamela, 
 L 4 Mr.
 
 •i2J THE MrCROCOSM. 
 
 Mr. E. we never could form any diftincl 
 idea. SirCharles GrandiTon and Tom Jones 
 Itand more coafeft, and, in appearance^ they 
 perhaps would, in fome ref[x:6is, portray 
 our favorite : but his mind, though he had 
 many of the qualities of both, was upon the 
 v.'hole, different from either. The figure of 
 Mr. Seymour was tall and commanding ; 
 yet the greatefl: condefcenfion and gentle- 
 iiefs appeared in his manner. The mod 
 lively fenfibility, with traits, perhaps rather 
 too confpicuous, of impetuofity predded m 
 his countenance and adlions. Like his 
 Harriet, he had a great deal of vivacity ; 
 yet, like her, was entirely void of any in- 
 clination to be iv}/(y — a modifn accom- 
 plifliment uncongenial with the fvveetncfs 
 of their difpofitions : but it has been ob- 
 fervcd in both that when provoked to it by 
 the tart folly of their companions, the 
 weapon of wit was not beyond their reach; 
 though very feldom ufcd. 
 
 And here let me requcli of the fmart re- 
 torting Mifies of theprcfent age, that they 
 
 would
 
 THE MICKOCOSM. 225 
 
 would endeavor to reltrain, rather than en- 
 courage, the faculty of repartee. Good 
 fenie is not to be dilplayed by a quaintnefs 
 of expreffioQ ; a well adapted phrafe, or a 
 glibly-given opinion. No : this habit of con- 
 verfation — this knack of talking, may be 
 acquired by an early commerce with the 
 world ; by a native u nfemin in e afTu ranee, 
 or by an immoderate quantity of Umple 
 felf-conceit. Good fenfe coniifts in idecr-^ 
 however imperfedlly expreiied ;^and js to be 
 difccrned in an c\^\dtvit jiiftnefs of thinkings 
 rather .than by much talking. Be you^ 
 therefore, my dear- young lady, more de^ 
 (lro^s of fpeaking with more rectitude than 
 fluency. Endeavor to appear lefs bold and 
 for.vva;rd, than difiident and withdrawing. 
 Men ///?f/z to the foft ftill fpeaker, when the 
 is ngt afFecliedly fo, at the fame time that 
 they would be emulous to fubdue and 
 lilence a. uoify one.' If at any time you are 
 drawn into an argument, let it be feen that 
 you- are net more dcfirous of convincing 
 than of being convinced,, and let a com^ 
 L 5 pi a i fan t:
 
 226 THE MICROCOSM". 
 
 plaiiant attention to your opponent be con- 
 ilantly vifible, divefted of an apparent eager- 
 nefs to reply. In fhort, let your converfa- 
 tion be that of a fenlible and an arniable 
 young woman, rather than of a learned 
 gentleman ; which latter limilitude will 
 afTuredly procure you the contempt of both 
 fex^s. 
 
 To return to the attractive perlbn cf our 
 Mr. Seymour — thecolorof his hair was a fine 
 hazel brown ; that of his eyebrows confi- 
 derably darker. His eyes, like Mifs Mon- 
 tague's, were foft and fparkling : for their 
 color we can hardly find a comparifon ; 
 that of bright coffee teems to be nearer than 
 any other. His nofc was a beaiitifuliy 
 fhaped aquiline. The bloom of health 
 played upon his checks, and with all his 
 gentlenefs, intrepidity was confpicuous in 
 his actions. 
 
 We have faid that Harriet was infenfible 
 to the afFecHonate partiality of Henry Sey- 
 mour ; and that the regarded him as a friend 
 and brother : but the time approached 
 
 when
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 227 
 
 when fhe was to be made fenfible that her 
 attachment to this amiable youth was com- 
 pofed of fentimcnts more warm and lively 
 than thofe of bare efteem. 
 
 Sitting one morning in an arbor, wiih a 
 pencil in her hand, taking a view of a diftant 
 profpcdl, Mrs. Percival and Mrs. Mitchel 
 entered into a Chiaefe alcove which joined 
 the arbor at its back, and fearful of being 
 difcovered at that employ, in which fhe was 
 always difcouraged, fhe flided to one cor- 
 ner, where fhe thought fhe (liould remain 
 unfeen, without the leaft idea of being privy 
 to their converfation. The ladies fat down 
 upon one of the benches ; and new Harriet 
 trembled for the confequence of her folly 
 in not immediately quitting the arbor at 
 their approach to the alcove ; but flie 
 hoped that they would not itay long, and ap- 
 prehend ve of an angry ledlure for not being 
 better engaged, flie ventured to fit Itill. At 
 length Mrs. Percival, who at her entrance 
 was reading a letter, faid to Mrs. Mitchef 
 L 6 — ^* thefc
 
 228 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 — " thefe arrangements can eafily be made 
 after our young men are gone to college. 
 
 " And is Henry Seymour,'* alked Harriet 
 of herfelf, '^ going to college r" " Why 
 " yes, to be fure'' — was her mental reply : 
 and ihc fighcd at the certainty which her 
 reafon gave her of the circumfiance. " I 
 ^^ fliall then fee him but feldom :" and fhc 
 lighed again involuntarily, motioning (for- 
 getful of her fituation) to leave the arbor, 
 for her feat feemed uneafy. But (he recol- 
 ledled herfelf, and fat ftill. At that 
 jundlure Mrs. R. Percival entered the al- 
 cove and told the two ladies that a letter 
 wasjull arrived from Mr. Bullion, who very 
 readily accepted the propoflils refpcding 
 his daughter, and that he wifiied the nup- 
 lials to take place between her and Mr. 
 Stephen Percival on the day the young 
 gentleman fhould become polTefled of 
 Spencer-Aviary. 
 
 This piece of intelligence^ new as it was, 
 did not affcdl, though it furprifed Mifs 
 
 Mon-
 
 THE MICKOCOSM. 220 
 
 Montague. The idea of Mr. Seymours 
 leaving Berverly was predominant. 
 
 '^ It would be a clever thing" laid Mrs, 
 Percival, '* if the fame day which unites 
 '* Stephen and Mifs Bullion, fhould joia 
 ^^ Barbara and Henry Seymour.*' 
 
 Harriet was as if thunderftruck. 
 
 *' I fee no reafon why it fhouLd not be," 
 replied Mrs. Mitchel, *• for his partiality 
 *' for ijer is very difcernable." 
 
 " I think it is," added Mrs. R. Percival, 
 ^' 1 often catch him gazing at her with at- 
 '« tention." 
 
 A fiTmrnons from ihe houfe now relieved 
 Mifs Montague, by occaiioning the ladies 
 to quit the alcove. For a few moments 
 fbe paufed ; then burft into tears. 
 
 " Mr. Seymour to marry Mifs Percival!'* 
 exclaimed fhe in her mind. '^ Well, and 
 '' why lliould that difturb 7ne /" " I wifh 
 '' them both hap[)y" — continued fhe to 
 herfelf, while a fccond fhower of tears co- 
 vered her lovely face. " He will then be 
 " my coufin, and now, though I fometimes 
 
 " call
 
 230 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 " call him brother, he is not, in reality, any 
 *^ relation. But Mifs Percival is fo crofs— 
 ^' however if he loves her — '* 
 
 At that moment Henry Seymour ap- 
 peared at a cliftance. For the firft time in 
 her life fhe faw him with difpleafure, and 
 left he (hould enter the walk which led to 
 the arbor, haftily quitted it and went into 
 the houfe a round-about way. 
 
 The remaining part of the morning was 
 fpent by Harriet with new fealations. She 
 often afked herfelf the caufc of her difquiet^ 
 but could not give any fatisfa<^ory reply. 
 
 At dinner, her eyes appeared red and 
 fwclled, which, in Ulence, was particularly 
 noticed by Mr. Seymour. He knew ho\V 
 negligently fhe was treated by the Percivals,. 
 and concluded that their unkindnefs had 
 been the caufe of h^r uneaiinefs. Towards 
 the evening of this day Mifs Montague 
 walked to a little grove, which was at a 
 ihort diftance from the houfe, and feated 
 herfelf upon a bench within its cnclofures. 
 She fat fome time muling and wondering 
 
 why
 
 THE MICEOCOSM-. 231 
 
 why flie was not fo happy as ufual, and 
 when (he had ahuoil: perfaaded herfelf that 
 nothing was the matter, her coufin Barbara, 
 as Mr. Seymour^ glided acrofs her imagina- 
 tion. " Good Heavens, how happy fhe will 
 *' be!" exclaimed the now partly confcious 
 Harriet, in a whiiper to herfelf. '' Well, and 
 ^' fhall I not be glad to fee her happy ! She 
 '' is not, indeed, very kind to me now, but 
 *^ perhaps when fhe is married fhe will afic 
 *' me to vifit her." 
 
 Thefe would have been her exprefTions 
 had her thoughts been put into language. 
 
 Jult then, (lie again faw the principal 
 object of her contemplation. Mr. Seymour 
 haa been exceedingly diftrefTed all day on 
 account of the unufual folemnity of Harriet's 
 countenance, and being determined to en- 
 quire into the caufe, he watched for an op- 
 portunity of fpeaking to her alone, and at 
 length faw her leave the houfe and direct 
 her fteps to the grove before-mentioned. 
 
 And. now, however improper the period 
 may be deemed by forae of our impatient 
 
 readers.
 
 131 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 readers, we (hall leave Mr. Seymour In his 
 approach to the fair, whofe heart was un- 
 ufually fluttered by his appearance, while 
 we give an account of the regulations that 
 had been made in the family at the Lodge 
 iince the young people were no longer to 
 be confldered as children. Mifs Debby, 
 indeed was fcarcc fourteen, but fhe was 
 fuch a pert, womanly girl, both in her per- 
 fon, manner and converfation, that an ob- 
 fcrver would have judged her to have been 
 as old as Mifs Montague, whom Mifs Pcr- 
 cival appeared to exceed in age, having the 
 countenance and oehavior of a young 
 woman of twenty. It was probably owing 
 to the encouragement thefc two Mifles had 
 to bring themfclves forward, that they at- 
 tained this (how of womanhood ; as upon 
 all occafions — '' Do not you think fo Bar- 
 ** bary ?" And — '• what is your opinion 
 *' Debby?"-- — were the queflions put to 
 thefc young ladies by their injudicious 
 friends, who received their anfwers with ap- 
 probation ; while every reply made to the 
 
 addrefs
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 233 
 
 acldrcls of a flranger, by the charming Har- 
 riet, was treated with fiich contempt, that 
 had (he not had more than a comnnon {l)are 
 of vivacity; it muft have damped her fpirit; 
 but tlic rofe fuperior to every infult, and 
 fmiled away, though fomctimes with a ligh, 
 every inftance of unkindncfs. Mr. Barker, 
 Mr. RulTel and Henry Seymour were her 
 conftant friends ; and indeed every creature 
 who knew her but the Percivals, and Mrs. 
 Mitchel ; who cordially clofed with the 
 views of the family. 
 
 The regulations of the houfe, which we 
 bad almoft forgot having entered upon, 
 were, that the female part of the family 
 Ihould now inhabit the fuit of rooms for- 
 merly fitted up for the common reception 
 of the cliildrcn and teachers, and that the 
 gentlemen fhould purfue their fiudies or 
 amufements at the other end of the build- 
 ing ; meeting the ladies only at the hours 
 of eating. 
 
 This was an arrangement of Mrs. Perei- 
 
 val's.
 
 23^ THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 V'dVs, who objected to a frequent intercourfe' 
 of the young people, as being detrimental 
 to the phin of the fecuring to INIifs Pcrcival 
 the afFe6lion of Henry Seymour;, and right- 
 ly judging that too conllant a familiarity 
 would be apt to dellroy the ardency of the 
 attachment^ which Mrs. Mitchel had per- 
 fuadcd her that fhe had obfervcd between 
 the dcltined couple. 
 
 The mode purfued had certainly the pre- 
 {agcd efre6l of keeping in continual livelinefs 
 the preclilcdlion of the juvenile Henry ; 
 but Mifs Montague, and not Mifs Percival,,, 
 was the chofen objc^l of the lovely youth ; 
 a circuniftance which never entered into 
 the heads of any of the managing family. 
 Whether the young couple were inftindtive- 
 ]y cautious of permitting their almoft infen- 
 lible bins to be difcovered ; or whether 
 the pafiion on both fides was fo pure 
 and, for a time, fo gentle, that it did not 
 afFcd either the words or the adions of its 
 vi^lims^ we cannot determine; but certain 
 
 it
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 235 
 
 it is that none but Mr. Barker, who faw 
 the dawning tendernefs with pleafure, had 
 the leaft idea of their mutual partiality. 
 
 The family of the Pcrcivals lived as the 
 phrafe is quite mjlyle, and entered into every 
 gaiety whieh the country afforded. Con- 
 tinually vifiting or vilited, they had not 
 much time for reflexion. Mrs. Mitchel, 
 though regular teaching was now laid afide, 
 remained at the Lodge in the charaCler of 
 an inttruvSling friend, and Mr. Barker, who 
 occafionally continued his leclures, ftaid to 
 go with the young gentlemen to college, 
 Mifs Montague, fometimes at her own re». 
 queft, that (he might uninterruptedly pur- 
 fue her favorite fludies, and fometimes on 
 account of the fulnefs of the carriages, was 
 often left at home, when the ladies vifitcd 
 in the vicinity, except when they went to 
 the Abingtons or Spencers, where Mr. 
 RufTel always infifted upon feeing her with 
 her coufins. This good friend frequently 
 made her prefents of money ; both that fne 
 might gratify the charitable difpofition of 
 
 her
 
 !236 TitE TVriCROCOSAr. 
 
 her heart, and appear as genteel as the reft of' 
 the family.. 
 
 On the evening* to which we were arrived 
 when we began with the arrangement at 
 Beverly-Lodge,, all the ladies, Harriet ''ex- 
 cepted, were gone to vifit at Havington- 
 Ilall, where many matters of va(t impor- 
 tance were talked over., whiehv if 'related', 
 would greatly entertain fome of our friends* 
 but w^e mull now haften- to the redefs where 
 we left our favorite, who at the inftaiit of 
 our deferting her,.obferved the approach cf 
 Mr. Seymour, and doubted not but he 
 would proceed to the place of her retire- 
 naent, it being a foot frequently vifited by 
 all the young people. 
 
 As the intelligence flie had gained in the 
 morning was of fuch confequenee in her 
 opinion as entirely to engrofs her ideas, it 
 was a natural fuppolition- that it muft be a 
 prevailing circumiiance in the contempla- 
 tion of others; at leaft of thofe who were 
 lo much concerned in it, as was the objedl 
 now in view, afid fearful left he fhould ful- 
 
 pedl
 
 T«E MICROCOSM. 2-37 
 
 ^cct its being the caufe of her ferioufneis, 
 Ihe determined to endeavor to appear as 
 chearful as polliblc, and to keep her fitting 
 as (he would have done, had die not been 
 acquainted with the intended event. 
 
 As he approached nearer to the grove, 
 Jier heart throbbed in an unulual nnanner, 
 and fhe was alarnried at her own agitation. 
 When he entered, (he lookod confufed. 
 She blulhed.: (he trembled ; and her me- 
 ditated (liovv of indifference, vanifhed in a 
 moment. He faw her perplexity, and feat- 
 icg himfelf beiide her, took one of her 
 hands, and a iked with anxious teodernefs, 
 the occafion of her diibompofure. 
 
 " Nothing," faid fhe in a faultering ac- 
 cent; " nothing of confequence." "You 
 *•' cannot," returned he, '" be thus afFe6led 
 ^^ without fome caufe. What have I done 
 " that I may not be truftcd with your 
 " grievances ?'* 
 
 " You know," faid Mifs Montague, with ■ 
 the iij(t evafion (he had ever praclifed, 
 *^ that I am fometime^a little fenfible of the 
 
 *^ unkind
 
 238 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 ^^ unkind treatment I meet with from my 
 " relations. But," continued (he, wifhifig 
 to turn the fubject, '^ you are^ I underftand, 
 ^^ foon going to college.'* Then imme- 
 diately recoilecSting the inference for which 
 the obfervation gave room — *' Not that t/iat 
 — not that I — " 
 
 She could not fay more, for venturing to 
 iook up, (lie faw Seymour's eyes fixed uport 
 her lace with expreflivc tranfport, while he 
 f(ft<emed to wait in anxious expedlation of 
 farther confirmation of tlic now prefiiged 
 caufe of her concern. But fmding (he could 
 not proceed, and too generous to encreafc 
 his own happinefs by paining a delicacy 
 which he knew to bereal,he replied, " I have 
 *' long contemplated, with regret, the ne- 
 '^ ceffity of my abfencc from Beverly ; with 
 " more regret than I can cxprefs: for what 
 *' fhall I do" [tenderly pre fling one of her 
 hands in his] '' when 1 cannot fee my Har- 
 ^' riet every day 1" 
 
 The -ftrongcft fit of a tertian i]guQ could 
 not more forcibly have afFe6ied the frame 
 
 of
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 23v) 
 
 of the lovely girl, than did this fentence. 
 'She trembled exceffively, and her cheek 
 was fufiuled with the brighteft crimlbn. 
 For a few moments fhe could not fpeak^ 
 during which time Mr. Seymour, likewife, 
 feemed almoft incapable of articulation. 
 At length, however, (he recollcclecl herfelf, 
 and faid with an averted eye: — " You furely 
 ^^' mean, when you cannot every day fee 
 '' INlifs Pcrcival." 
 
 '' Mifs Percival!" echoed he, with real 
 i\H*prifc. " What comparifon can Mifs 
 ^' Percival bear in my idea with Mifs Mon- 
 " tague!" 
 
 " Do not flatter/' faid flie, half angry*- 
 ** Do not difiemble. You need not furely 
 *' difguife your fentiments to one whom you 
 *' have fo often called your fifter." 
 
 *' My llder!" replied the ardent youth. 
 ** My more than filler — more \\\2iW fnencL 
 " No exiiting creature is fo dear to me as 
 •' my Harriet." 
 
 This was the firll time anything exprcf- 
 five oi more than fraternal aftedion had 
 
 paficd
 
 ^1\3 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 pafioJ between our amiable couple, and it 
 was not entirely unpreinedilated. Henry 
 fought, indeed, to find his Harriet, that 
 he n^.ight inquire the caufe of grief which 
 be perceived in her countenance, but he 
 bad not, at that tiinc any flirther intention. 
 He had long been confcious of her bein^ 
 vefted with a power over his happinefs, and 
 wiflied to inake her fcnfible of the ardency 
 of his fentiments, and to find that her 
 jrentle heart beat in iinifon with his own ; 
 yet he feared to change his ftyle of addrcfs- 
 ing her, left he (bould deprive himfcif of 
 the felicity he had always found in her un- 
 retrained cbnverflition whenever, by acci- 
 dent, he could engage her alone. The 
 effort Mifs Montague made to turn his id^a 
 from a fubjed which (becaufe it was upper- 
 moft with her) (lie apprebendcKl was a lead- 
 ing idea with him, by mentioning his go- - 
 ii)g to college, was the incident that in- 
 voluiUarily led Mr. Seymour to fpcak in ■ 
 the language of his heart. And in the 
 language of his heart he did fpeak ; for 
 
 nothing
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 241 
 
 nothing but the words of truth fell from his 
 lips. 
 
 The fubjedt was now advanced — the 
 path was opened ; and fo exquiiitely fweet 
 was the entrance, that the young travellers 
 had no power to refift the incitement which 
 drew them on to proceed. 
 
 Reader ! Art thou of a phlegmatic habit ! 
 Canft thou not of thyfelf conceive the fofr, 
 the bewitching happinefs of the fcene be- 
 fore thee ? — where two pure hearts — un- 
 hackneyed in deceit — unfkilled in the arts 
 of delufion, are unfolding tp each other the 
 gentleft, yet molt ardent paflion that ever 
 warmed the human brealt ! If thou art in- 
 fenfible to this kind gift of nature, what 
 can we fay to animate the drear}'' wilderr- 
 nefs of which thy frozen mind is an epi- 
 tome ! ! ! We commiferate thy wretched- 
 nefs, and will do what we can to warm thee 
 into life — to thaw that ice-lump called a 
 heart which occupies thy bofom. We will 
 lead thee into the midft of an Arcadian 
 grove, where^ if thou wilt open the eye of 
 
 Vol. I. M imagination.
 
 242 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 imagination, thou maycft fee one of the 
 moft beautiful. maids in the Creation, feated 
 under a fpreading oak, delicately, yet can- 
 didly, acknowledging what it was not in 
 her power to deny — that Beverly, when 
 Seymour was gone, would no longer con- 
 fine her ideas. Thou mayeil: fee one of the 
 fineft figures ; one of the handfomefl: of 
 Britifli youths, rapturoufly bending over 
 the face of his Harriet, whom he ventured 
 to fupport with an encircling arm, liften- 
 ing with the fupremefl of earthly delights, 
 to the helitating accents which, though 
 they did not exprefsly confirm, led him to 
 hope that her heart was all his own. 
 1- Avert not thine eye from our pidlure, O 
 Genius of Purity ! There is not even in 
 our imagination, one trait uncongenial with 
 thy eilence. The fabled Diana herfelf 
 might have gazed with approbation — with 
 pleafure, upon our lovely couple : nay even 
 Ano-els would witnefs fuch a fcene with 
 fmiles of applaufe. 
 
 The fentiment O reader I which adluated 
 
 our
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 243 
 
 our favorites, was not that paffion, mifcalled 
 love, which often leads our giddy youth to 
 Gretna Green. Not the ajfei^ion which 
 binds together, in wretched exiftence, two 
 people of high hirth, or great riches, be- 
 caufe they are fo born or fo endowed. 
 Not the predilection which influences the 
 wifhes of mifs to be '' my lady," or the 
 miflrefs of a fine houfe and equipage. The 
 attachment of our Henry and his Harriet 
 was founded in purity; in virtue; on an 
 habitual conviction of the goodnefs and 
 amiablenefs of each other's difpofition ; on 
 the confcious congeniality of their fouls. 
 This was the principle — this the ground 
 upon which the fervency of their youthful 
 minds raifed that fuperftru6lure which truly 
 deferved the name of genuine affeCl:ion. 
 They loved before they knew it ; and with- 
 out knowing why ; fo infenfibly did their 
 union of hearts increafe with their years. 
 Surely they were now amongft the hap- 
 piefl: of tluir kind ! They were to each 
 other, all the Univerfc ; and could they 
 M 2 thenceforth
 
 244 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 thenceforth have lived in continual retire- 
 iftent ; would probably never hav,e wifhed 
 for a fiate of more felicity. Hence the 
 argument for the utility — the falutarinefs 
 of worldly difappointments and perplexities. 
 Our frames are mortal and mufl decay ; 
 therefore the Great, the Benevolent Author 
 of our being cafts fhadows over our prefent 
 profpe6^s, that we may lift our eyes above 
 the clouds that frequently furround us, in 
 fearch of thofe radiant bleflings which the 
 tade we here have of felicity, leads us ear- 
 neflly to defire. Troubles are fent from 
 the tendered mercy, and if rightly received 
 and made ufe of, will fecure to us the high- 
 eft happinefs our imiigi nations can por- 
 tray. 
 
 Ye cautious mothers ! — anxious for your 
 daughter's flifety — fhut not thefe our pages 
 from their eye lell: our pichire fhould lead 
 their minds from prudence and referve : 
 rather encourage them to cultivate the fen- 
 timent, built upon the principle, which 
 conquered the young heart of Mils Monta- 
 
 gue*
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 245 
 
 gue. This purity of affection for a deferv- 
 ing obje6l will fecure them again ft the con- 
 tagion of vice and foil} — againllfarnion aq^ 
 coquetry — againft a fordid joylefs matrimo- 
 ny, and miferable old-age : and again it the 
 very error into which you may be appre- 
 henlive that our tale (hould draw them — a 
 paflionate inclination for a defigning li- 
 bertine. 
 
 That no exifting creature was fo dear 
 to him as his Harriet — w^as Henry's lad 
 allertion. 
 
 Mifs Montague blufhcd, but (he looked 
 grave, and involuntarily made a motion 
 with her head which feemed to imply a 
 doubt. He underftood her apprehenfion, 
 and with furprife and anxiety allied whence 
 it could arrife. Her reply led to other 
 queftions, which, in the end, unravelled 
 the caufe of her m.orning's concern. Mr. 
 Seymour was charmed by the effedl of 
 the groundleis fuggeftion : he now openly 
 avowed the ardour of his fentimenl?, while 
 (lie liftened with filent pleafure; her eyes 
 
 however.
 
 246 
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 however, and her blufhes performing the 
 office of her tongue, and evincing that her 
 heart underftood his langiuige. 
 
 Near two hours were pafTed in this inde- 
 fcribable happinefs, when Mifs Montague 
 heard a diHindl found of carriages. 
 
 *' The family is returning," faid fhe. 
 *' Mr. Seymour you muft now leave me." 
 
 ** With more reludlance," repHed the 
 youth, '« than I ever left you before, how- 
 " ever unwilling I always was to quit your 
 ** company. The endearing moments I 
 ** have this evening pafTed, will ever be a 
 *^ remembered period in my life; and I 
 *' hope the time will come when my Har- 
 ** riet will dare to acknowledge that it is 
 *^ not entirely forgotten by her." 
 
 A fweet confiifion played upon her face, 
 while he taking her hand, which he prefled 
 with fervor to his lips, faid — ^' Forgive me 
 '^ my beloved Mifs Montague that I can- 
 '^ nut, as I wifh to do, retrain my raptures. 
 ^^ My heart is filled with happinefs and it 
 ^' w;7/ overflow. 1 only leave you becaufc- 
 
 " you
 
 THE MICROCOSM. 24? 
 
 *^ you defire that I fhould. I fliall fee you 
 *' foon at fapper." 
 
 '' O no!'* faid (lie, '' I cannot go into 
 *' the flipper room this evening.'* 
 
 ^' Why not ?'* afked he with concern. 
 
 '' I do not know,'* repHed the lovely 
 maid ; '' bat indeed I cannot go into com- 
 *' paijy to night.** 
 
 *' Do then as you pleafe," faid he. "I 
 *^ fhall wiQito lee youj bat your happinefs 
 *i has long conftituted mine.'* 
 
 The nearer approach of the carriages 
 haflened their feparation, and after again 
 prefling the lovely hand of his Harriet to 
 his lips, Mr. Seymour quitted the grove, 
 leaving; her abforbed in refleclins: on the 
 pall hour, which appeared the moft impor- 
 tant in her life. Every mcident was im- 
 prefled upon her remembrance, yet fhe 
 fecmed as if gleaning the air that fhe might 
 colle6l and treafure up every fy liable in 
 which he had exprefied his fentiments. In- 
 deed, both the lovers when divided recog- 
 nized every moment of the interview, and 
 
 in
 
 243 THE MICROCOSM. 
 
 in idea lived over again the cxquifitely hap- 
 py period, till the fapper-bell fummoned 
 Mr. Seymour to join the family, and Mils 
 Montague fending an excufe for not ap- 
 pearing, retired to reft ; a circumftance at 
 which we fuppofe fome of our readers may 
 be rejoiced, as with it we intend to finifli 
 this chapter. 
 
 END OF THR FIRST VOLUME,