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 Of ILLINOIS 
 
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 * SUFFOLK TALE; 
 
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 THE PERFIDIOUS GVJRDIJN. 
 VOL. I.
 
 •:■> - : : ■ 
 
 
 Cnteito at stationers' IDall. 
 
 S* Gos* ill, Printer, Little Queen Street, Loudon.
 
 A 
 
 OR, THI 
 
 PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 " Ye Powers'. 
 Why fix'd ye not a brand on Treason's front, 
 That we might know t' avoid perfidious mortals ? • 
 
 BY 
 
 ipamtlton Roclje, esq, 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LOKDOH: 
 
 TEIKTBD FOR THE AUTHORj 
 
 AVI SOID BY T. HO0KHAM, ffttf AND C. T. KCOIHAf*!., 
 
 15, OLD 80WB STRiET. 
 
 1810.
 
 3 
 
 H ran* 
 
 ( 
 
 DEDICATION 
 
 TO LADY HIPP IS LEY. 
 
 MADAM, 
 
 The following pages, when 
 they first proceeded from my pen, 
 were addressed to a lady of the 
 most valuable endowments, the 
 most amiable disposition and good- 
 ness of heart : she, alas ! lives no 
 £ longer on earth, unless it be in 
 the honours of a distinguished 
 character, and the sad remembrance 
 of that sincere friendship and ae- 
 
 VOL. I. A
 
 VI DEDICATION. 
 
 quaintance with which she ho- 
 noured me. 
 
 In presuming to submit them 
 at this period to your notice and 
 patronage, it is under a conviction 
 that the same spirit of undefiled 
 virtue, the same course of conju- 
 gal affection which enabled her to 
 triumph over death, have both 
 animated and adorned your life. 
 
 Should the smallest entertain- 
 ment be derived by your perusal of 
 them, my present ambition will be 
 satisfied; offering, as I do, my most 
 heartfelt wishes for the lasting hap- 
 piness of your Ladyship, and the 
 amiable family by which you have 
 the peculiar pleasure to be sur- 
 rounded.
 
 DEDICATION. Vll 
 
 These wishes, as they are the 
 most agreeable employ of my pre- 
 sent thoughts; so they come at- 
 tended with this additional circum- 
 stance of gratification, that they 
 are also the sincerest expression of 
 that very great esteem, with which 
 I have the honour to subscribe 
 mvself 
 
 m 
 
 Tour Ladyship's 
 Devoted friend, and 
 
 Obedient humble servant, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 Sudbury, 1809. 
 
 A2
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 As the pages which follow, were not 
 originally intended for the press, the 
 Author is now induced to submit them 
 to public peiusal, at the particular 
 desire of several persons of distinction, 
 with whom he has the honour of being 
 acquainted. 
 
 They are chiefly addressed to the 
 attention of youth ; it is to them they 
 will perhaps be most useful, and I 
 flatter myself, that, to their minds, they 
 will iiiTbrd some degree of pleasure and 
 instruction, whilst the perusal of them 
 may aot as a caution against those
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 early and intimate connexions, too 
 generally formed in an immature state 
 of life, and which frequently engender, 
 in their consequences, a result, in 
 many instances applicable to the vi- 
 cissitudes of the Hero of this Novel. 
 
 The Author is aware that he may not 
 probably escape the criticisms of those 
 whose professional duty it is to review 
 publications of this nature : with the 
 utmost diffidence he therefore commits 
 the fate of his work to those who will 
 honour it with- an impartial perusal, 
 and judge of its merits by observing 
 whether or not its object be useful and 
 entertaining, and its end moral; and 
 should it be found to inspire noble 
 sentiments and generous resolutions, 
 without ridiculing any thing that is
 
 PREFACE. XI 
 
 good and great, let their decision be 
 marked by that encouragement so pe- 
 culiar to the character of the British 
 Public. 
 
 Dear and virtuous Reader, into whose 
 hands perchance these volumes may 
 fall, receive with affection whatever 
 good they may contain, and reject all 
 that does not touch and penetrate your 
 feelings ; and should you thank me for 
 the performance, and acknowledge that 
 your ideas are corrected by it, I shall 
 congratulate myself upon the sincerity 
 of my intentions; and if, in pursuing 
 an inclination for an honourable and 
 virtuous course of life, you exhibit an 
 aVersion to those societies and friend- 
 ships, whic b ltvc to destroy t : me, 
 disdaining to employ a shameful and
 
 XI 1 PREFACE. 
 
 perfidious method in the acquisition of 
 riches, I shall ask no other benedic- 
 tion for the feeble efforts now sub- 
 nutted to your inspection. 
 
 THE AUTHOR.
 
 Tin' 
 
 PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 CHAP. L 
 
 " In nature's fairest forms, is aught so fair 
 As virtuous friendship j as the candid blush 
 Of him who strives with fortune to be just; 
 The graceful tear that streams for other's woe$, 
 Or the mild majesty of private life, 
 Where peace with ever-blooming olive crowns 
 The gale ; when honour's liberal hands effuse 
 Unenvied treasures, and the snowy wings 
 Of innocence and love protect the scene }" 
 
 Descended from an ancient and noble 
 family in the South of France, the 
 Marshal Duroc, with an amiable and 
 lovely wife, . quitted his native country 
 
 VOL, I. B
 
 S THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN". 
 
 to settle in a southern county in Ire- 
 land, in that mediocrity of life, which, 
 under the directing hand of Provi- 
 dence, embraces comfort and tranquil- 
 lity, and which threatened to be denied 
 to him from political motives, had he 
 continued to reside in a country which 
 gave birth to the titles he renounced, 
 to assume the more humble one of 
 De Claridge. 
 
 The morning of lite had closed 
 around them, and the evening seemed 
 to pass with calm placidity. Mr. De 
 Claridge inherited a good . paternal 
 property, to which he received a 
 handsome addition by his marriage 
 with the daughter of a wealthy and 
 much esteemed clergyman. Their only 
 offspring wa* an adored and idol-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 3 
 
 *zed son, whom they earned Alfred, 
 whose miud they early cultivated ; and 
 although, from younger life, he was des- 
 tined to move in a professional sphere, 
 he was educated in everv branch of 
 elegant and useful science, whether or 
 not connected with the immediate 
 views of his tender and indulgent 
 parents. 
 
 Fond of literature, he promised to 
 drink deep of the Pierian spring, 
 and Alfred was early pronounced 
 to excel in classical and general know- 
 ledge. All the earthly hopes of this 
 fond and much-admired couple centred 
 in this lively and promising youth, 
 upon whom they resolved to bestow 
 the whole of their attention, and whose 
 education Mr. De Claridge had deter- 
 B2
 
 4 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 mined to take charge of himself, at 
 teast till he could discover from his 
 disposition and character the exact sta- 
 tion he should hereafter appear best 
 qualified to fill. 
 
 To represent Mr, DeClaridge merely 
 as a literary character would not be 
 doing sufficient justice to him ; he was 
 a gentleman of great natural as well 
 as mental qualifications, and his exten- 
 sive attainments by no means lessened 
 his general excellence as a husband and 
 a father; on the contrary, his acquire- 
 ments all took a useful and happy turn. 
 He rendered his talents serviceable 
 both to himself and to others; and the 
 refinement of knowledge, and under- 
 standing, which shone and was admir- 
 ed in a literary assembly, equally irra-
 
 TilK PLRFIDIOLS GUARDIAN". ^ 
 
 dialed and enlightened the circle of 
 his domestic friends. 
 
 Mrs. De Claridge was a lady who- 
 possessed correct and strong natural 
 powers, with a well-cultivated mind* 
 She was admirably adapted to fulfil 
 all the social duties of a wife, and ta 
 bestow upon her lovely boy the at- 
 tentions of a mother. She loved her 
 Alfred with the most maternal tender- 
 ness; yet her love was not weakness* 
 She had understanding to discover his 
 faults, and courage to check them r 
 while she taught him to look up to his 
 father for information and intelligence. 
 Thus each fond parent was equally en- 
 deared to their sweet child, and he 
 knew not which of them to love best. 
 ■ rred (as far as judgment could be 
 b3
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUAPJDIAX. 
 
 formed) bade fair to be a proud orna- 
 ment to that society his beloved parent* 
 so eminently graced. He was gentle, 
 affectionate, grateful, open, and gene* 
 rous in his disposition; and he discovered 
 great acuteness of parts, quickness of 
 understanding, and a capacity to learn, 
 which is seldom manifested at so early 
 a period of life. He was not spoiled by* 
 indulgence, and his weaknesses and 
 youthful foibles were corrected by ma- 
 ternal solicitude, and with the utmost 
 tenderness and affection. 
 
 Thus happily passed the childhood 
 of Alfred ; no tempest had yet -beaten: 
 upon his early youth, no blast had nip- 
 ped the tender blossoms of well-formed- 
 hope. He daily accumulated inform- 
 ation and knowledge, from the paternal
 
 lilt TLRFIDIOCS Gl. 
 
 education which lie received. I ii* 
 mind also was engaged in a train of 
 study suited to one whose pursuits were 
 more directed to a literary line; and 
 the understanding of the parent had 
 long begun to cast a lustre on the face 
 of his promising son, when it was de- 
 termined to place Alfred at the . 
 tary academy, Summer Hill, Dublin, 
 under the tuitive and watchful care of 
 the highly respected preceptor of that 
 useful and instructive seminary, who 
 was also the intimate acquaintance of 
 his father. 
 
 An arrangement of so pleasing a na- 
 ture promised the most happy result, 
 when Alfred, in consequence, prepared 
 to leave the paternal roof where he had 
 spentso many uninterrup ted days of hap-
 
 8 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN-* 
 
 piness, for that of his fathers friend 
 He was now fourteen years of age; and 
 although he had left his home for the 
 habitation of friendship, it was not 
 without the most severe, and, I may 
 add, heart-rending feelings. 
 
 The seminary to which Mr. De Cla- 
 ridge was on the point of conducting 
 his son, could not properly be termed 
 a school; though it had every advan- 
 tage that an expensive establishment 
 could afford, it had one also which all 
 expensive establishments do not afford: 
 a preceptor, who knew how to blend 
 softness and indulgence with the ste^; 
 dy judgment that prunes without 
 blighting the exuberant blossoms of 
 youth. — He had always hitherto pur- 
 sued his studies under the caresses of
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. £ 
 
 his preceptor, and he deeply felt the 
 change which was about to take place : 
 he also perceived that the resignation 
 of his amiable mother could not shield 
 her bosom from the pangs of separa- 
 tion. She murmured not, and, when 
 she wept, smiled through her tears, to 
 conceal, if possible, the throbbings of 
 her anxious heart. She appeared gra- 
 tified at the situation which was pro- 
 vided for her Alfred, in the family un- 
 der the care of her friends, and finally 
 surrendered him to the prosecution of 
 his new studies with all the fortitude- 
 she could summon to her relief, for the 
 temporary absence of him in whom her 
 tenderest affections were centred. 
 
 Mr. De Claridge accompanied his 
 son to Dublin, and personally delivered 
 3 5
 
 it) TRfe VERTXDiOGS WAtoEfctt. 
 
 him to the care of his friend, whom 
 he entreated, in the tenderest manner, 
 to interest himself in the welfare and 
 happiness of his son ; and having set- 
 tled some other engagements in towB, 
 he took an affectionate though distress- 
 ing leave of Alfred, and returned to 
 the fond bosom of his beloved wife. 

 
 •*HE SBRFTDIOUS GUMtDIAK. M 
 
 «HAP. II. 
 
 " Hyena's smfles he wears, 
 And in his heart no trace of candour *s found.*' 
 
 At the military academy every branch 
 of science and polite literature was 
 taught, and the establishment obtained- 
 this title from the number of young 
 gentlemen who had been educated 
 there as officers^ and who, by their 
 actions, proved themselves possessors 
 of distinguished merit in His Majesty'* 
 military service. 
 
 Alfred soon became the favourite of 
 
 his kind tutor; he pursued his studies 
 
 with delight, and by his acquirements 
 
 gave early proofs of an uRcommQn ftt- 
 
 b6
 
 12 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. - 
 
 tachment to military science. He 
 formed a friendship, on his part sincere,, 
 with a fellow-student named William 
 O'Connor, and through this became 
 a victim to the vilest perfidy. 
 
 He had pursued his studies for two 
 years at this seminary, and began to 
 unite firmness of character and noble- 
 ness of mind, to mildness and gentle- 
 ness of disposition. He was known to 
 sympathize in every species of suffering, 
 and his heart bled when he could not 
 wipe away the tear from the cheek of 
 Misery. He was naturally warm, but not 
 passionate; and the flame suddenly 
 kindled, having nothing to nourish it, 
 as quickly expired. 
 
 Such was not William. Less irri- 
 table than Alfred, he could look with a
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 13 
 
 more serene eye upon unpleasant 
 events, and he had a well-adapted and 
 superior power of suppressing his emo- 
 tions upon all occasions; timid in ap- 
 pearance, he could be viewed as re- 
 served, and retiring; dissimulation 
 hung upon his smiles, and every day 
 proved that he had an artful method, 
 not only of obtaining confidence, but 
 of gaining possession of the heart. 
 Conscious of his own integrity, and 
 the purity of his motives, Alfred sus- 
 pected not those of his friend; and he 
 contracted an intimacy, which matured 
 into* a permanent and lasting friend- 
 ship. 
 
 William was destined to exert his 
 labours and talents in the field of Es- 
 culapius, and had made great progress
 
 3ft THE 1SSRFIDKRIS GUAHDIAK. 
 
 in the education which led to thatmse- 
 ful and reputable branch of science. 
 
 Friendship is one of the sweetest bless- 
 ings of human life, and few there are 
 who have not felt something of its be- 
 aiign influence. At seminaries of this 
 description connexions and friendships 
 are frequently formed of the most im- 
 -portant nature, and engender in them 
 •consequences, which affect in many in- 
 stances the progress through life of the 
 •youthful possessors. 
 
 Alfred and William continued their 
 intimacy during their residence at the 
 -academy, and were never known* 
 owing to the generous openness and 
 mildness of Alfred's disposition, to have 
 -the slightest disagreement with each 
 other.
 
 THE PEBFIDIOCS GUARDIAtf. IS 
 
 : -Alfred, whose mind, from the foster- 
 ing eare of his parent, had early im- 
 bibed the first principles of education, 
 bow made rapid progress in his studies; 
 and the reports made by his tutor of 
 his acquirements, and the turn of his 
 disposition for a military life, determin- 
 ed Mr. De Claridge to fix upon that 
 profession for him. The period at 
 length arrived when his father resolved 
 to withdraw him from further studies, 
 his first wish being that of giving to 
 Alfred an opportunity of gathering 
 laurels in the field of Mars, while he 
 , had (in theory) applied his youthful 
 studies to acquire a knowledge of the 
 art by which they were to be gained. 
 Satisfied with the pains and attention 
 bestowed by his friend, and which 
 5
 
 16 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 were clearly exemplified in the generaf 
 appearance of Alfred, Mr. De Claridge 
 had only to offer the great remunera- 
 tion for all earthly trouble, gratitude 
 for the improved state and safe return 
 to his arms, of the object of his bright- 
 est hopes. 
 
 Alfred penetrated his father's feel- 
 ings, and with difficulty restrained his 
 own : he felt more than he could ex- 
 press, and with apparent anguish took 
 an affectionate leave of his good pre- 
 ceptor. He had yet another struggle 
 to undergo: he loved his friend William, 
 the early companion of his juvenile 
 sports, the sharer of his pleasures, and 
 the partner of his heart. The knot which 
 united them had been too firmly drawn 
 to be easily disentangled, and the task
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN'. 17 
 
 of parting from William appeared the 
 most severe that had been allotted to 
 Alfred. He flew to seek him amongst 
 his companions : they met; but when he 
 commenced the information of the se- 
 paration that was on the eve of taking 
 place, his anguish could only be equal- 
 led by his earnest entreaties not to be 
 forgotten by William, to whom he 
 promised the most sincere and lasting 
 friendship. William answered all the 
 solicitations and entreaties of his friend 
 with marked composure; and although 
 the heart of Alfred was evidently full 
 of sorrow at the unlooked-for removal 
 from the scene of his happiest days, and 
 the consequent separation from the 
 partner of his pleasures, yet William 
 was only known to heave a soli'
 
 IS THE PERFIDIOLS GUARDIAN. 
 
 sigh, when he bade his amiable compa- 
 nion and friend farewell. 
 
 Mr. De Claridge made immediate 
 preparations for their departure ; they 
 set out at an early hour the next morn- 
 ing, and on the evening of the follow- 
 ing day Alfred found himself onee 
 more at the happy residence of his be- 
 loved father, and pressed to the bosom 
 of his fond and enraptured mother. 
 The friends of Mi\ De Claridge we re- 
 daily seen paying their congratulations, 
 and welcoming to their society the 
 young and admired Alfred ; and all ap- 
 peared eager in their caresses, and anxi- 
 ous to vie with each other in atten- 
 tions to this early image of his fit* 
 t&ar's e^xoeileace.
 
 THE P£RJ?ir>IOi:S GUARDIAN. J 9 
 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 *' And what is friendship but a name, 
 A charm that lulls to sleep, 
 
 A shade that follows wealth or fame, 
 And leaves the wreteh to weep f 
 
 ** And love is. still an emptier sound. 
 The modern fair-one's jest -, 
 
 Oh earth unseen, or only found 
 To warm the turtle's nest." 
 
 Soon after Alfred's departure from the 
 academy, William was found suffi- 
 ciently advanced in his. studies to 
 enter upon a profession, the attainment 
 of which alone comprised his future 
 hopes and prospects in life. His family 
 were by no means wealthy; and having 
 atUar qhildren to provide for, they
 
 $0 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 considered a profession a competent 
 provision to establish him in life. With 
 these ideas he was placed with a 
 country surgeon for a limited period, 
 at the expiration of which he wag 
 sent to London (as it is commonly 
 called) to walk the hospitals, and ta 
 attend the lectures of those eminent 
 professors, who finish and qualify the 
 youthful surgeon for future practice. 
 
 William passed this time in all the 
 idle follies of the metropolis, ever 
 anxious to court the favour of those 
 acquaintances, who .had it in their 
 power, from the respectability of their 
 family connexion and finances,, to be- 
 stow kindnesses upon him, and wha 
 appeared likely to be serviceable in/ 
 forwarding his plans of establishment.
 
 ■HIE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 21 
 
 He frequently corresponded with 
 Alfred, conceiving it of great conse- 
 quence, as well as certain advantage, 
 to secure a continuance of his good 
 opinion ; intending to profit ultimately 
 by his promised friendship and services. 
 In all his letters he contrived, as usual, 
 by dissimulation and artifice, to rivet 
 the attention and afifection of the un- 
 suspecting Alfred, whose correspond- 
 ence, in reply, exhibited the warmth 
 of his firm and sincere attachment; 
 bringing to mind their youthful friend- 
 ship ; and renewing, on his part, the 
 -most earnest expressions of anxiety fur 
 the welfare and happiness of William, 
 the term of whose studies was nearly 
 closed, for it only remained to choose 
 a residence, where he could practise 
 and live by the profits of his profession.
 
 £2 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN, 
 
 la the course of his introductions 
 he formed an intimacy with a young 
 lady — Eliza Grantham, the daughter of 
 a wealthy and respectable farmer, who 
 was visiting a relative in London. She 
 was young and beautiful, and truly sus- 
 ceptible of those tender impressions 
 which the designing William could 
 at all times make upon an unsuspect- 
 ing and innocent mind; and being the 
 only child of an unmarried parent, no 
 expense or pains were spared to educate 
 her, though an illegitimate offspring, 
 while few accomplishments were per- 
 ceptible either in her manners or ap- 
 pearance. She had assurances of in- 
 heriting her father's property at his 
 decease, and a handsome portion at her 
 marriage, which was sufficient to gain
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 23 
 
 the immediate attention of William; and 
 with a view of obtaining her hand and 
 fortune he repaired to the neighbour- 
 hood where her fatlier resided ; and be- 
 ing satisfied, on inquiry, that the old 
 gentleman possessed an ample share of 
 what is termed the good things of this 
 world, lie soon considered an object 
 such as this, worthy of the greatest 
 pains ; and the more easily to obtain 
 what he now set his heart upon, he 
 hired a residence in the adjacent village, 
 and commenced the practice of his 
 profession, 
 
 Eliza shortlv after returned from 
 town, and became anxious to see him ,* 
 and though her acquaintance had been 
 short, she already felt the powerful 
 effects of his attracting manners ; she
 
 24 THE PERFIDIOUS GUAItDIAX. 
 
 ■ 
 
 sighed to behold the object that had 
 first taught her to feel the incentive 
 passion of love, and to disclose a secret 
 which prudence required her to conceal, 
 yet labourino- to withhold the emotions 
 of her mind. She loved him, for he 
 had gained the complete possession of 
 her heart 
 
 An opportunity soon after occurred, 
 which gave her the pleasure so an- 
 xiously wished for. The season hav- 
 ing commenced when gaiety mostly 
 prevails, many days had not elapsed 
 before Eliza received a card of invita- 
 tion to the house of an intimate friend, 
 where she understood she should meet 
 " the new Doctor," who had by this 
 time ingratiated himself into the favour 
 of many of the hospitable villagers, 
 
 5
 
 THE PEHFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 25 
 
 and particularly those who were most 
 likely by their connexions to establish 
 him there. 
 
 The day at length arrived when 
 Eliza arose from her pillow in ail the 
 doubtful suspense of an enamoured 
 female; she felt all the pains which al- 
 ternate hopes and fears produce, con- 
 tinually rising within her breast. Se- 
 renity vanished, and in its place suc- 
 ceeded conjectures, wishes, doubts, 
 fears, and all 
 
 *' The charming agonies of love, whose miseries 
 delight." 
 
 Ill the evening she bent her trembling 
 steps towards the place of festivity, 
 determined, in the event of not finding 
 William there, to make known, previous 
 to his arrival, the particulars of her 
 
 vol. i. c
 
 £6 TWE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN'. 
 
 acquaintance with him. This neces- 
 sary preliminary being accomplished, 
 the recital no less surprised her. friend, 
 than " the Doctor" affected to be 
 when he entered and perceived Eliza 
 (whose silence best bespoke the feel- 
 ings she could scarcely conceal). "Good 
 Heavens !" he exclaimed, "is it Eliza? 
 How unexpected a pleasure! Who could 
 have dreamt of the happiness I now 
 experience in meeting so good and 
 dear a girll I sincerely congratulate 
 you on your return into Suffolk." His 
 words were uttered in a strain which 
 taught her to conclude there was that 
 meaning in them she had so fondly 
 hoped; and with an embarrassment, 
 evident on this occasion, and peculiar 
 to her feelings, she simply thanked
 
 TliE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN'. 27 
 
 liim in Teturn, an'd sincerely wished 
 him a long and happy residence in the 
 neighbourhood. The evening passed 
 extremely pleasant, and proved favour- 
 able to the wishes of both parties ; for, 
 previous to their departure, Eliza had 
 the gratification of hearing William 
 declare his tender regard and honour- 
 able intentions towards her ; while he 
 appeared no less pleased to find he was 
 m possession f of tire confidence and 
 nfTection of this innocent girl, and still 
 more so, as she had no objection to his 
 immediately applying to her father 
 upon the subject. 
 
 With this encouragement, his first 
 object was to wait upon her parent, 
 and endeavour to obtain his approba- 
 tion. Conscious that, to secure this, 
 c 2
 
 28 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 every thing depended upon the im- 
 pression his first appearance and offer 
 .should wear, he proceeded to state the 
 mutual regard and affection that sub- 
 sisted between them, the great proba- 
 bility, nay certainty, of his having a 
 lucrative and extensive practice, and 
 the general regard in which he was held 
 in the neighbourhood. To this he add- 
 ed, the possession of a small annuity, 
 though this latter was only pretence ; 
 and concluded by hoping that his con- 
 duct through life, and the love he bore 
 his daughter, would secure her happi- 
 ness and competence, if not splendour. 
 Surprised at so unexpected a visit, 
 and the proposal made to him, the old 
 gentleman hesitated in his reply; he 
 had heard of " the Doctor's" residence
 
 TIIE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 2# 
 
 and intention of establishing himself 
 in the village, and conceived his offer 
 a disinterested and honourable one. He 
 loved his daughter; yet taking into 
 consideration her illegitimate birth and 
 other circumstances, he concluded the 
 proposal to be worthy his acceptance, 
 and finally agreed to bestow a large 
 part of his property on Eliza as a mar- 
 riage-portion, and to secure the re- 
 mainder to her at his decease. This 
 being all the crafty William sought to 
 obtain, many were the thanks he re- 
 turned for the kind reception he had 
 experienced, and the confidence so ge- 
 nerously placed in him; and taking 
 leave, he returned to his home, to 
 contemplate on his future proceedings. 
 Eliza was not present during this
 
 30 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN., 
 
 interview, having retired to a neigh- 
 bouring friend's, to avoid the disagree- 
 able effects of a refusal, which she ap- 
 prehended would at first be given to 
 William, but which his specious ad- 
 dress and depth of artifice had carefully 
 prevented. On her return she received 
 the happy intelligence from her fond 
 father, who presented her with tho 
 following 
 
 Letter from William.. 
 
 " DEAREST ELIZA, 
 
 " As I had not the pleasure of 
 seeing you after my interview with 
 your kind and affectionate father, it 
 only remains for me. to take the first 
 opportunity to assure you that I feel it 
 impossible for me to describe my feel-
 
 TTI£ PERFIDI01S GUARDIAN. J 1 
 
 iiios on the termination of a visit so 
 
 o 
 
 much dreaded by me, and thaj; I am 
 :ly at a loss for wetda to express to 
 you how grateful I am toyour indulgent 
 father, for his approbation of my affec- 
 tion" for you. The state of my feelings 
 will therefore plead my excuse for the 
 incoherency of this epistle. 
 
 N It will do little more than inform 
 my dear Eliza, that I have obtained 
 the consent of her father to receive 
 her hand in marriage, and now claim 
 her promise of compliance, trusting 
 that an early day will be named for it. 
 Need I add, my dearest Eliza, how 
 tenderly I love you, and that the re- 
 mainder of my days shall be devoted 
 to promote the happiness and pleasures 
 of my soul's best wishes ? Adieu my 
 € 4
 
 3*J TtW PERFIDIOJL'3 GUARDIAN. 
 
 beloved girl ! I shall embrace the first- 
 opportunity of seeing* you which my 
 professional duties will admit of; till 
 then believe me, what I shall ever bey 
 " Your affectionate 
 
 " William." 
 
 The receipt of this epistle, though 
 unlooked for, gave Eliza the most in- 
 expressible joy ■:: she was impatient to? 
 convince- William of her willingness to 
 receive him at the hallowed altar of 
 Hymen, but she could not discover 
 the reason of his wishing her to name 
 so early a day for meeting him there : 
 she would naturally lvave to make 
 many preparations for so serious- a 
 change, and to communicate the cir- 
 Curntftan'ee-to her friends, and prevent
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 33 
 
 am accusation of having taken them 
 by surprise. She. accordingly replied 
 to his letter as follows : 
 
 To William. 
 
 " Nothing could give me more 
 inexpressible delight, than the- receipt 
 of your affectionate favour, which per- 
 fectly relieved me from a state of the 
 most dreadful suspense, and satisfied 
 me as to the cause of your absence, 
 
 " Had I not the greatest reliance 
 on your affection and honour, I could 
 never be induced to change my present 
 most happy situation. Indeed, the new 
 scenes of life I am about to enter upon ? 
 and the duties I fear I am so ill quali- 
 fied to discharge, I acknowledge, make 
 c 5
 
 34 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 me serious and unhappy. Perhaps I am - ' 
 wrong to look upon the most gloomy 
 side of the picture; but I cannot avoid 
 it: the retirement and perfect ignorance 
 of the forms and customs of the world 
 I have been brought up in, hav^e given 
 me a distaste for them : this, I am fear- 
 &1, will disgust you. I sometimes think 
 our pleasures are not congenial; at least 
 if I may judge by your most esteemed 
 friends, their manner of living is by 
 no means such as I could like or ap- 
 prove, yet I respect them as being 
 your choice. The cultivation of my 
 mind will form my highest delight, 
 and the study of it to make you happy; 
 and this can only happen from our 
 pursuits being the same. I will not 
 however write mote on this subject, as
 
 TflE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 35 
 
 "We shall have frequent opportunities 
 of conversing upon it, nor car\ I for 
 a moment think of meeting you at the 
 Hymeneal altar, so hastily as you re- 
 quire, whatever may be your reasons. 
 Take my advice, and be patient. The 
 time doubtless will be short. Consider 
 what I have already consented to resign 
 for your sake. Can you then request 
 arty other proof of my high opinion 
 and sincere affection for you r Every 
 thing that is tender is contained In 
 my consent to become your wife; 
 and I have only to subscribe myself, 
 * Dearest William, 
 
 m Your ever aifectionate 
 
 " EU2A- 
 
 c 6
 
 36 THE watFlMOUS GlT&RDIAtf. 
 
 William was by no means pleased 
 on the receipt of this letter ; he was 
 impatient, for many reasons, to effect 
 an immediate union with this innocent 
 and unsuspecting female, whose fortune 
 he really regarded more than her per- 
 son ; he found, however, that he should 
 wait a reasonable period, and endea- 
 voured to do so, with as much seeming 
 composure as circumstances admitted 
 of. They were seldom a day absent 
 from each other during the prescribed 
 interval; and every necessary prepa- 
 ration being ready, the long- wished- 
 for day at length arrived, when their 
 nuptials were solemnized in the pre- 
 sence of several of their friends, who 
 felt highly delighted at an union that 
 anticipated the brightest prospect of
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GtTAHDTAN. 37 
 
 happiness for this new-married pair, 
 and none more truly so than tjie ve- 
 nerable parent of Eliza, to whose 
 dwelling they all repaired to celebrate 
 the joyous day. 
 
 William soon after made known to 
 Alfred the particulars of his recent 
 marriage, and the settled situation se- 
 cured to him by his new connexion, 
 and was congratulated in return on his 
 attainment of domestic bliss and ac- 
 cession to independence : nor did Al- 
 fred fail to express his anxiety for the 
 arrival of that period, which would 
 permit his visiting them, and paying 
 his personal respects to Eliza. 
 
 " The Doctor " now began to con- 
 sider himself of sufficient consequence 
 to attempt an intercourse with his su-
 
 38 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDrAlf. 
 
 periors in the county. He courted the 
 society of the wealthy and reputable 
 characters around him, but to no pur- 
 pose ; for in- general they viewed him 
 with a suspicious eye, and considered 
 him more an adventurer than the man 
 #f real principle or merit, and stu- 
 diously avoided him in consequence. 
 He found v however, sufficient society 
 by mixing with the gay and volatile 
 characters of the village; and, to imitate 
 their example, he commenced an ex- 
 pensive and extravagant establishment?; : 
 and being extremely partial to his bottle 
 and the sports of the field, he obtained 
 the appellation of an hospitable and 
 social companion. Yet these were no 
 proofs of moral estimation, nor couM 
 he be admired as an attentive and fond
 
 TtJ£ PERFIDIOUS GUARDrAN. 39 
 
 husband, or an open and disinterested 
 friend, but was generally found t(f be 
 deficient in those- estimable qualifica- 
 tions which can alone render the cha- 
 racter amiable, and command the last- 
 ing respect of the good, the virtuous, 
 and regular members of society. We 
 shall therefore leave him. thus settled, 
 and return to Alfred. >
 
 40 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDMIC. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 ct There is no courage but in innocence j 
 No constancy but an an honest cause. 
 
 ■ 
 
 A detachment of that gallant regiment, 
 "The Prince of Wales's Irish," were 
 quartered in the neighbourhood of Al^ 
 fred's residence ; and from the native 
 and justly esteemed admirable character 
 of the indefatigable soldier and hero, 
 who raised and still retains the com- 
 mand of that distinguished corps, it was 
 determined to place Alfred under his 
 immediate protection: a commission 
 was accordingly solicited and obtained 
 in this regiment, and the youthful 
 Alfred soon appeared upon the. parade 
 as an officer.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 41 
 
 Never did human affliction more 
 deeply pervade parental anxiety tlian 
 on his departure from the abode of his 
 loved parents; he tenderly embraced 
 them, and liaving received their fer- 
 vent blessings, departed from the 
 agonizing scene, leaving them to in- 
 voke Heaven to watch over and proj 
 tect him. 
 
 A short residence with the regiment 
 soon convinced the Colonel, that he 
 had a zealous though youthful subal- 
 tern under his command ; and, the offi- 
 cers in general admired Alfred, and 
 considered him a most creditable and 
 happy acquisition to their society and 
 to the regiment. Detachments were 
 shortly after ordered out to recruit the 
 strength of the corps, which had suf* 
 
 •
 
 4C THE PERFIljlOrS GUAnblAtfr 
 
 tercel a great diminution dulling the 
 campaigns on the continent, and Alfred 
 v/as appointed to a centre district in 
 Ireland on this duty. Seen utter ho 
 arrived at his post, the regiment re- 
 ceived orders to emhark tor the West 
 Indies ; and he, \v i th a few other officers, 
 remained behind, to complete the corps* 
 and to witness unexpected scenes of 
 disorder and rebellion in their native 
 country. 
 
 The unfortunate disturbances of 
 1798 had commenced, and threatened 
 to destroy the* existing order of go- 
 vernment. Treason lurked under -al- 
 most every roof, and Ireland began to 
 exhibit a dreadful picture of anarchy 
 and confusion. The frequent march*- 
 ing and countermarching of troops be-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 43 
 
 fame necessary in all directions ; and 
 the town in which Alfred was sta- 
 tioned, was fixed upon as the head 
 quarters of an English, fencible regi- 
 ment. Skirmishes were daily taking 
 place between the Kiug's. troops and 
 the rebels, the latter having in some 
 counties assumed a formidable appear- 
 ance. . Battles, afterwards ensued,, and 
 on all occasions the brave troops and 
 loyal subjects of His Majesty proving 
 victorious,, the flames of civil discord 
 at length appeared on the eve of ex- 
 tinction in many districts. 
 
 Alfred severely regretted the depar- 
 ture of his regiment, and that the da- 
 ties he was employed upon, did not em- 
 brace those of the field: he was, not- 
 withstanding, active and indefatigable
 
 44 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 in procuring recruits, and soon mus- 
 tered a handsome addition of soldiers 
 to add to the strength of his corps. A 
 circumstance shortly after occurred,, 
 which gave him an opportunity of dis- 
 playing his courage in the cause of his 
 Sovereign. — Having received orders to 
 proceed with his detachment to the 
 place of embarkation for the regiment, 
 be tost no time in obeying the mandate, 
 and set out with his party for Dublin. 
 
 On his march he was met by the 
 light company of the fencible regiment 
 alluded to, who had been unexpectedly 
 surprised and attacked at an out-post 
 by the rebels, and were retreating from 
 them. The officer who commanded be- 
 ing severely wounded, Alfred could 
 n*t for a moment resist the impulse o£
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 4i 
 
 martial ardour, which glowed in his 
 loyal breast, nor the duty he owed to 
 that Sovereign by whom he was com- 
 missioned, and whose power he beheld 
 attacked: he instantly flew to the post 
 of honour, rallied the disheartened sol- 
 diers around him, encouraged them to 
 recommence the fight, pledging him- 
 self to lead them on to victory. 
 
 The spark of enthusiasm, now 
 kindling to their view, soon animated 
 and awakened their courage: they 
 obeyed the orders of their heroic 
 leader, and attacked the rebels in a 
 manner which did great credit to the 
 military skill of Alfred, who pursued, 
 dispersed, and totally defeated them ; 
 then led the party back to the regi- 
 ment, crowned with laurels, that had
 
 46 THE PERnraOUS '"GUARDIAN. 
 
 nearly been snatched from them, and 
 amidst the plaudits of the soldiers, 
 who viewed him as the protector and 
 restorer of that fame and honour 
 which was on the point of being 
 tarnished. 
 
 Alfred received as the reward due to 
 his valour, the command of the com- 
 pany he had so gallantly led into 
 action, and was promoted to the rank 
 of a Captain in that regiment 
 
 His filial duty now prompted him 
 to communicate this change to his 
 parents and relatives, who were over- 
 joyed at the meritorious conduct and 
 good fortune of their Alfred; nor could 
 he resist the pleasure of making known 
 to his friend William the entire parti- 
 culars; who, in reply, highly flattered
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 47 
 
 and commended his bravery, assured 
 him of bis perfect affection, and the 
 anxiety he felt to see him in England. 
 
 From the vigorous and prompt mea- 
 sures adopted by the government, 
 tranquillity was at length restored to 
 this distracted and unhappy country : 
 the deluded and dismayed rebels re- 
 turned to a quick and dutiful sense of 
 allegiance to a virtuous Monarch, the 
 example of the age in which he lives, 
 whose exemplary conduct is a model 
 for all Kings, and by whose godlike 
 clemency a Cobnwallis was chosen, 
 ami empowered to extend mercy, and 
 to restore to their families, and deserted 
 homes, thousands of those misled and 
 penitent subjects. 
 
 The regiment to which Alfred now
 
 4* THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN', 
 
 belonged, being also much reduced m 
 numbers, parties were selected and 
 sent to England to recruit its stren :th ; 
 he was amongst the number of of: 
 chosen for this service, and received 
 orders to hold himself in readiness ac- 
 cordingly. Several stations were se- 
 lected, and he obtained permission 
 from his commanding officer, to pro- 
 ceed to a military post in the imme- 
 diate neighbourhood of his friend 
 William.
 
 rEIU'lDIOU •> GUARDIAN. 4<> 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 • *' 'T is Heaven alone can tell 
 How fatally the secret struggles here ; 
 With what impetuous force it beats my breast, 
 And tears my very quiet in its way." 
 
 Alfred made speedy preparations for 
 his departure; and having written to 
 his parents on the subject, stating the 
 nature of his journey, and the happy 
 prospects it embraced, set out for, and 
 arrived in London. He immediately 
 addressed William,, making known his 
 arrival, assuring him his stay would not 
 be long in the metropolis, and promising 
 to see him verv shortly. Being much 
 fatigued, he was anxious to get settled 
 in his new quarters as soon as possible, 
 
 VOL, I, d
 
 jO THE FERVIPIOL'S GUA3BIAN. 
 
 and tomake arrangements for establish- 
 ing his party there, intending, when 
 this was effected, to surprise William 
 with an early visit, as he lived but a 
 few miles distance from his station. 
 
 The morning at length arrived when 
 Alfred arose from his pillow with a 
 heart full of affection, and set out to 
 meet the friend of his bosom. He di- 
 rected his steps along the foot-path of 
 a field adjoining the road which led to 
 a. neighbouring hamlet. The sun had 
 already removed the grey mantle of 
 the morning, and had just entered 
 upon his course. The ears of the sur- 
 rounding corn gently waved to the 
 breeze; the bee was sipping the 
 dew that sat embosomed in the cups 
 and leaves of the opening flowers;
 
 TMe' PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN fit 
 
 the woods re-echoed with diversified 
 harmony; and the twittering of the 
 swallow already on the wing in pursuit 
 of the insect, united with the chirp- 
 ing of the sparrow, who boldly sought 
 the ears of corn, now swelled to matu- 
 rity. The mind of Alfred expanded 
 with pleasure, as he viewed the de- 
 lightful scene ; he pictured to himself 
 the happy meeting he should have 
 with William; his anxiety increased as 
 he approached the spot; and his bosom 
 already opened to receive the friendly 
 embrace. 
 
 On passing the hamlet, he stopped 
 at a cottage to inquire the road which 
 led to the village he had set out for. 
 On entering, he was delighted with the 
 clean and neat appearance of the inside; 
 Pt 
 
 UNIVERSITY OP 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY
 
 50 TH£ FERf imDUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 and to make arrangements for establish- 
 ing his party there, intending, when 
 this was effected, to surprise William 
 with an early visit, as he lived but a 
 few miles distance from his station. 
 
 The morning at length arrived when 
 Alfred arose from his pillow with a 
 heart full of affection, and set out to 
 meet the friend of his bosom. He di- 
 rected his steps along the foot-path of 
 a field adjoining the road which led to 
 a neighbouring hamlet. The sun had 
 already removed the grey mantle of 
 the morning, and had just entered 
 upon his course. The ears of the sur- 
 rounding corn gently waved to the 
 breeze; the bee was sipping the 
 dew that sat embosomed in the cups 
 and leaves of the opening flowers ;
 
 lilt' PERFIDIOUS GUAftlDIA^ it 
 
 the woods re-echoed with diversified 
 harmony; and the twittering of the 
 swallow already on the wing in pursuit 
 of the insect, united with the chirp- 
 ing of the sparrow, who holdly sought 
 the ears of corn, now swelled to matu- 
 rity. The mind of Alfred expanded 
 with pleasure, as he viewed the de- 
 lightful scene ; he pictured to himself 
 the happy meeting he should have 
 with William; his anxiety increased as 
 he approached the spot; and his bosom 
 already opened to receive the friendly 
 embrace. 
 
 On passing the hamlet, he stopped 
 at a cottage to inquire the road which 
 led to the village he had set out for. 
 On entering, he was delighted with the 
 clean and neat appearance of the inside; 
 D2 
 
 /ERStlY OF 
 
 ILLINOIS LIBRA**
 
 54 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAV. 
 
 arms of his friend, and greeted by the 
 smiles which adorned the happy coun* 
 tenance of Eliza* 
 
 Inquiries soon took place on both 
 sides, which embraced all the particu- 
 lars and circumstances that had oc- 
 curred from the period of their sepa- 
 ration to that moment ; and many were 
 the happy scenes they renewed to each 
 other's recollection. Alfred admired 
 the residence, and bestowed great en- 
 comiums on Eliza, feeling a sincere 
 and evident degree of gratification at 
 the delightful situation and comforts 
 which surrounded William : he endea- 
 voured to be happy himself, but could 
 not account for the uneasy state of his 
 feelings, and a restlessness which per- 
 vaded his mind and thoughts: the cot-
 
 THI, PERFIDIOUS GSAiiL] 
 
 tage, and Louisa,- were every where pre- 
 sent to h . ; the fatal secret of his 
 disquiet struggled within his perturbed 
 bosom, destroying with impetuous 
 force the tranquillity of his happiest 
 moments, and tearing from him his 
 " very quiet in its way." 
 
 »4
 
 56 THE PERFIDIOUS GCARDMTC, 
 
 CHAP. VL 
 
 •" Virtue may be assail'd, but never hurt ; 
 Surpris'd by unjust force, but not enthrall'd : 
 Yea even that which mischief means most harm» 
 Shall in the happy trial prove most glory." 
 
 After remaining a few clays at the vil- 
 lage, and exchanging the complimen- 
 tary visits paid him, Alfred returned 
 to his quarters, accompanied by Wil- 
 liam. In passing the cottage which 
 contained the object of his affections, 
 many were the inquiries he made re- 
 specting the happy cottagers ; and al- 
 though his inclinations strongly 
 prompted him to pay them a visit of 
 gratitude, yet his friendship for Wil- 
 liam urged him to a disclosure of the
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 57 
 
 particulars of his acquaintance, pre- 
 vious to his again seeing the beloved 
 object of his wishes. He accordingly 
 made known the circumstance of his 
 having culled at the cottage, his in- 
 terview with and admiration of Louisa, 
 and finally concluded by telling him 
 he loved her; nor could he be happy 
 until he a°;ain beheld her, and esta- 
 blished an intercourse with the cot- 
 tagers. William smiled at what he 
 termed the romantic turn of Alfred's 
 ideas, and used every influence he was 
 possessed of, to prevail upon him to 
 give up so ridiculous a business, 
 which promised to him nothing but dis- 
 grace and ruin if he persisted in the 
 pursuit of it. It was true, he granted, 
 that Louisa was beautiful and inno- 
 d 5
 
 58 THE PERFIDIOtS GUARDIAN. 
 
 cent, and had scornfully rejected the 
 seductive offers of the neighbouring 
 squire; but then he remarked, that 
 her parents were poor and degenerate, 
 and, though honest, they had it not in 
 their power to add to his property, 
 nor the respectability of his connexion. 
 The father of Louisa, he added, had 
 lived for years with the squire's an- 
 cestors, till, superannuated by age and 
 faithful services, he received as the 
 reward of his fidelity, a legacy of the 
 cottage and garden where he resided, 
 with a pension for life, to enable him 
 to live comfortably. The good old 
 mother had seen better days in the 
 early period of her years, and received 
 a tolerable education, which enabled 
 her to increase the comforts of her de- 
 5
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN 59 
 
 clining life, by the profits arising from 
 her little school, wherein she daily in- 
 structed the youthful offspring of the 
 hamlet. 
 
 Alfred heard this account of the 
 good cottagers with delight, pleased 
 to mid that their degenerate birth and 
 humble situation did not detract from 
 their honest and happy pursuits in life; 
 nor could he refrain from expressing- 
 his astonishment at William, for not 
 setting a higher value on the merits of 
 those good old people; and particularly 
 on the virtues of her who had nobly 
 preferred innocence and virtue with 
 poverty, to the infamy attached to 
 high polished seduction and sordid af- 
 fluence ; nor could all the entreaties of 
 William to the contrary, persuade him 
 v6
 
 60 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 to relinquish the positive determina- 
 tion he then entered into, of visiting 
 and cultivating an acquaintance with 
 those humble but honest cottagers, 
 and their lovely daughter. 
 
 William had engaged himself to 
 spend the afternoon with Alfred, and 
 being the " fair-day," the town was 
 thronged with visitors from the neigh- 
 bouring villages and hamlets : all was 
 therefore bustle and merriment; the 
 recruiting parties tended to enliven 
 the scene, and a performance was an- 
 nounced at the theatre which promised 
 them much pleasure : they accordingly 
 proposed attending the place of enter- 
 tainment, and Alfred sent to engage 
 places for their reception. 
 
 No sooner did they enter and were.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN', 6 1 
 
 seated, than they beheld the beauteous 
 Louisa, with her venerable parent,, 
 seated in the pit. adjoining the box 
 they occupied. The sight of her his 
 soul admired, and whose image his 
 heart adored, instantly produced the 
 most affectionate attentions en his 
 part ; he kindly entreated and prevailed 
 upon them to remove to his seat; and 
 he now blessed the moment which 
 gave him the happy opportunity of re- 
 newing his acquaintance, and esta- 
 blishing that intercourse at the cottage 
 he so much wished for.. 
 
 The entertainment they were pre- 
 sented with was " Lovers' Vows." Al- 
 fred and Louisa were equally pleased 
 with, and admired the filial and heroic 
 affection of Frederick, as well as the
 
 62 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIANS 
 
 heartfelt repentance and noble conduct 
 of the Baron Wildenheim; while the 
 haughty and proud spirit of William 
 would not allow him to share the 
 evening s entertainment, and he parted 
 from the good cottagers, and returned 
 to the quarters of Alfred, without even 
 performing the common civilities of 
 wishing them a good night. Not so 
 with the generous Alfred : he was 
 highly pleased in their society, and 
 with what had passed ; and when tak- 
 ing leave of them, he solicited their 
 permission to visit at the cottage, 
 which was granted to him : when on 
 his return home he could not refrain 
 from telling William how much his 
 admiration and love increased for 
 Louisa, and assured him of his deter-
 
 TfiE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 63 
 
 mination to use every honourable me- 
 thod in his power to obtain a return of 
 affection from her. 
 
 William strongly reprobated his in- 
 tentions, and used every artilice irr 
 point of argument to divert him from 
 his purposes; and even hinted the pos- 
 sibility of obtaining this innocent girl 
 on terms so repugnant to virtue, and 
 hostile to even- principle of moral feel- 
 ing as to draw forth the merited in- 
 dignation and reproaches of Alfred : 
 who assured him, in reply to his va- 
 rious arguments, that he could never 
 consent to hear any conversation on 
 that subject, which had not for its 
 true object the happiness, the plea- 
 sures, and welfare of Louisa ; and on 
 parting he earnestly entreated he
 
 64 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN".. 
 
 would not propose any thing of a con- 
 trary nature in future to him. 
 
 They then separated for the even- 
 ing; and notwithstanding the opposi- 
 tion William experienced in his plans* 
 against the happiness of the innocent 
 Louisa, and the severe manner in 
 which they were defeated, he retired 
 with a perfect tranquillity, and that 
 affected composure of mind, which 
 induced Alfred to conclude he had 
 given up every idea of a future attempt 
 to disturb their happiness, or to inter- 
 rupt the intimate intercourse they now 
 enjoyed.
 
 VUK JMilUIDIOUS GUARDT. fij 
 
 chap. vii. 
 
 «_« They lov'cl— 
 Twas friendship heighten'd by the mutual wiiht 
 Th' enchanting hope and sympathetic glow 
 Beamed from the mutual eye, devoting all 
 To love j each was to each a dearer self. 
 Supremely happy in th' awaken' d power 
 Of giving joys." 
 
 Alfred became a constant visitor at 
 the cottage ; and from the attentions 
 received by Louisa, she appeared sus- 
 ceptible of the tenderest impression, 
 and he soon imparted to her the early 
 flame which animated his fond bosom. 
 The open, generous, and noble man- 
 ners he displayed on every occasion, 
 produced in her mind the highest ad-, 
 miration ; and while her heart was pe-
 
 66 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARD IAS. 
 
 netrated with affection, she viewed 
 Alfred as the most endearing object of 
 human perfection, and listened to all 
 his conversations with a rapturous 
 sense of delight; and when he inti- 
 mated his wishes of making her his 
 wife, and the partner of all his joys,* 
 her heart beat in unison with his own, 
 nor could she longer withhold a dis- 
 closure of her tender sentiments, and 
 the gift of that hand to him she 
 owned as the sole possessor of her 
 heart 
 
 An engagement of a most honourable 
 nature accordingly took place, and they 
 exchanged vows of everlasting affection 
 to each other, promising in the most 
 fervent manner not to suffer any impe- 
 dim en t to prevent their union. Thus,.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUAfmiAX. 67 
 
 M Where thought meets thought, ere from the 
 
 lips it part; 
 And each warm wkh- springs mutual from the 
 
 tear t * M 
 
 With confidence they therefore re* 
 lied on the smiles of Heaven for the 
 completion of their wishes, resolving 
 to communicate them to their parents 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 As the first step towards accom- 
 plishing their desires, Alfred made 
 known the entire particulars to Louisa's- 
 parents, and had the gratification to 
 find they esteemed end prized the 
 honour he intended their daughter as it 
 duly merited ; but in the most pathetic 
 manner they entreated him to consider 
 all the consequences attendant on an 
 alliance with their child, innocent and.
 
 fi$ TUE PKHFIDIOUS GtMfrElAJCr 
 
 artless as she was, and unaccustomed 
 to the ways of the world : their dispa- 
 rity of situation and manners in it, be- 
 came a matter of just consideration, 
 and required the interposition of his 
 reflection ; and they humbly implored 
 him not to deprive them of their 
 only happiness, under any impression 
 of regard or affection, which was not 
 founded on the most honourable prin- 
 ciples, having in view and embracing- 
 the future welfare and domestic quiet in 
 life, of their daughter, and' such as was 
 freely sanctioned by his own family 
 connexion, whose consent to the pro- 
 posed union could alone insure theirs. 
 
 Alfred having so far obtained what 
 lie required of the worthy cottagers, 
 concluded his interview by kindly as-
 
 TUB PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 69 
 
 suring them of the sincerity and ho- 
 nour of his motives towards their 
 Louisa; to convince them of which, 
 his resolution was equally firm to per- 
 form the same duty to his own family 
 he had felt it incumbent upon him to 
 do to them; and on their being in pos- 
 session of the mutual affection subsist- 
 ing between them, he feared not but 
 that he should shortly have it in his 
 power to claim their sacred promise ; 
 and having eased their minds of every 
 fear, he embraced his fond Louisa, 
 whose happiness was equal to his own: 
 nor could admiring gratitude be more 
 truly pictured than in the silent tear 
 which stole down the cheek of this 
 lovely girl, beaming the certain token 
 of grateful love, and exhibiting; in it£
 
 70 THE PERFIDIOUS CUAKDIAN, 
 
 lustre an affection " more sincere than 
 even sincerity itself." 
 
 Never were youthful hearts more 
 closely nor tenderly united; their hap- 
 piness seemed complete, and they 
 only awaited the wished-for sanction 
 of the friends of Alfred, to give them- 
 selves to each other for ever. 

 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 7 I 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 4 * O dire Ambition ! what infernal power 
 Unchain'd thee, from thy native depth of" hell; 
 To stalk the earth with thy destructive train, 
 Falsehood and Fraud ! to waste domestic peace, 
 And tvery heartfelt joy ?" 
 
 From the severe reprimand received 
 by William in his attempt to seduce 
 Alfred from the paths of virtue and 
 honour, he resolved to encourage him 
 in his wishes, and to second his efforts 
 (in appearance), with a view of hasten- 
 ing, if possible, an alliance with Louisa, 
 contrary to his parents' consent. He 
 had his base views and ambitious pro- 
 jects for so doing, which were of the 
 deepest and most dangerous dcscrip-
 
 72 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN, 
 
 tion, as his only study was to enrich 
 "himself, regardless of the means he 
 used to acquire property. The more 
 completely to effect his purposes, and 
 to gain the good opinion of Alfred's 
 father, he addressed the following let- 
 ter to him. 
 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 u 
 
 MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 
 " You no doubt have been 
 informed by your sou, of the early 
 and intimate connexion that took place 
 between myself and him, and which, 
 nurtured by a long and youthful inter- 
 course at the school of our studies, our 
 affection has since ripened into a happy 
 maturity. 
 
 " Placed again within the reach of
 
 THE riCKFIDlduS GUARDIAN'. 73 
 
 .1 intercourse, I have, with the 
 most painful feelings attendant upon 
 a sincere and affectionate regard for 
 his welfare, beheld him, since his ar- 
 rival in this neighbourhood, attach 
 himself to a worthless and degenerate 
 female, the daughter of a cottager, 
 possessing no other qualification to 
 recommend her to notice, but extreme 
 beauty of person; and notwithstand- 
 ing I Have entreated and advised him 
 to relinquish so absurd a pursuit, he 
 persists in the most open avowal of 
 his aftecti >n for her, and I am sorry 
 to add. he has even proposed to her 
 parents his soliciting your consent and 
 concurrence to effect an alliance by 
 marriage with their family. As I have 
 reason to apprehend, in the event of his 
 vol. i. j-
 
 74 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN'. 
 
 so doing, that his affection for this 
 female may lead him into an extrava- 
 gance of praise and misrepresentations, 
 which he would in any other situation 
 or on another subject be guarded in 
 making to you ; I have thought fit to 
 acquaint you with the facts : and I 
 beg leave further to assure you, 
 that nothing but misery and disgrace 
 can attend so unequal an intercourse, 
 which, for the sake of his future hap- 
 piness, should, in my opinion, be sus- 
 pended. 
 
 " On my part, my dear Sir, I have 
 only to offer my services, and to state 
 my perfect willingness to abide by any 
 directions you may be pleased to give 
 me, as the sincere friend of Alfred; 
 and I humbly trust, that I shall be en- 
 abled; by your advice and authority*
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 75 
 
 to prevent the possibility of so great a 
 misfortune attaching itself to him. I 
 shall therefore anxiously await your 
 jreply : meantime I entreat your silence, 
 until you receive a communication 
 from himself on the subject, as I have 
 not, nor do I consider it would be 
 proper, from prudential motives, to 
 inform him of my having taken the 
 liberty of addressing you. Trusting, 
 therefore, that you will impute the 
 same to an affectionate regard for what 
 concerns his future welfare, I conclude 
 with assurances of profound respect, 
 while I have great pleasure in sub- 
 scribing myself, 
 
 * ; Dear Sir, 
 
 '1 Most sincerely yours, 
 * ; William O'Connor." 
 e 2
 
 76 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 The receipt of this epistle shocked 
 Mr. De Claridge to a degree which 
 rendered him for the moment inca- 
 pable of acting ; it was a death-blow to 
 his domestic peace, and carried in its 
 destructive train the immediate sub- 
 version of every heartfelt hope and 
 joy. The affection so strongly, but 
 artfully, exhibited in the conduct and 
 language of William, was well calcu- 
 lated to deceive his open and affec- 
 tionate breast; he admired his apparent 
 sense, integrity, and great regard for 
 his son, and he resolved, in conse- 
 quence, to await a letter from him 
 on the subject, previous to commen- 
 cing any steps for counteracting the 
 evil com plained of. 
 
 William, in the mean time, gave a
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 77 
 
 different advice to Alfred; and, pur- 
 suing Ms course of infamv, desired 
 him to address his father on the sub- 
 ject, and to entreat him to give that 
 sanction to his wishes, lie was so an- 
 xious to obtain, assuring him of his 
 cordial support throughout the busi- 
 ness, and intentions of forwarding his 
 desires in every respect : Alfred accord- 
 iagly wrote to his father upon the 
 subject, as follows : 
 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 11 MY DEAREST FATHER, 
 
 "It would appear undutiful, and 
 a want of that respect and affection 
 which I owe to you, as the author of 
 my existence, and the best of parents, 
 did I longer hesitate in communicat- 
 e3
 
 78 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN". 
 
 ing to you an intimacy and attachment 
 I have recently formed for an innocent 
 and lovely female in this neighbour- 
 hood, the only child of an honest and 
 respectable cottage family. 
 
 " To describe her amiable and artless 
 disposition, the beautiful form of her 
 person, and the loveliness of her coun- 
 tenance, is beyond any power I possess. 
 Imagination may supply the place of 
 defective portraiture; yet picture to 
 yourself, my dear father, that my 
 Louisa is every thing which can be 
 called good, amiable, and lovely, and 
 then add to my present happiness, by 
 telling me you have no objection to an 
 alliance of an honourable nature taking 
 place between 'this heavenly, this en- 
 chanting girl, and your son. 
 
 " Be assured that her parents, though
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 79 
 
 placed in obscurity, are honest and 
 worthy of such a child; and let me tell 
 you, that when I proposed to them 
 an union with their daughter, they 
 nobly stated to me the consequences, 
 and entreated I would not gain her af- 
 fection, nor deprive them of her society 
 for any purpose, or under any pre- 
 tence, which had not for its basis the 
 purest and most virtuous motives ; nor 
 would they consent, on their part, to 
 my application, until I had obtained 
 an unqualified approbation from you. 
 
 a Let me therefore urge you, my dear 
 parents, as you value my lasting happi- 
 ness, not to object, in this particular 
 instance, to my dearest wishes and ex- 
 pectations ; but establish my future 
 bliss, by consenting to my alliance 
 e4
 
 80 THE JPERHDIOIN (,l \KV 
 
 with that loved object, in whose s > 
 alone I can henceforward experience 
 veal happiness, and m ithout whose af- 
 fection the insignificant joys of this 
 worldcould afford me but little plea 
 
 "Adieu, my dear father. With a heart 
 possessed of the most tender and duti- 
 ful affection for my loved parents, and 
 anxious for your reply, 
 
 " Believe me ever yours, 
 
 " Alfred."' 
 
 During the period which elapsed 
 previous to an answer having been ob- 
 tained to the foregoing letters, Alfred 
 was continually at the cottage with 
 Louisa; and on all occasions he called 
 upon, and staid some time with 
 William and Eliza, who had consented
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 81 
 
 at length to an introduction, and the 
 consequent receiving of Louisa at their 
 house; and by thus far acquiescing with 
 their wishes they rendered the time ex- 
 tremely agreeable to them, when Al- 
 fred received the following letter from 
 his father. 
 
 To Alfred. 
 
 " MY DEAR SON, 
 
 " Nothing could possibly give 
 me more heartfelt pain and surprise, 
 than the perusal of your late epistle. 
 To find by it that your affection i 
 strongly and improperly placed upon 
 a mean and worthless cottage ffirL is 
 to me truly afflicting. If you recol- 
 lect your own situation in life, and 
 really respect it, you will immediately 
 e 5
 
 82 THE PfcRFlDIOtTS GUARDIAN. 
 
 give up the thoughts of this vain and 
 volatile passion. Let reflection inter- 
 pose, and no doubt you will perceive 
 the folly of your pursuit. On my part 
 I have to assure you, that, whatever 
 your wishes may be on this subject, or 
 however strong your affection for the 
 object in question, I shall never con- 
 sent to your alliance with any person 
 beneath your own rank and situation in 
 life; and I should hope your affection 
 for me is too powerful, and your duty 
 more firm and complete, than to per- 
 mit your writing to me again on a sub- 
 ject I have heard quite sufficient of, 
 and which I forbid in any future cor- 
 respondence with me. It therefore 
 only remains to add, that should you, 
 in direct violation of my advice, pur- 
 sue an object which will lead you to dis-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 8S 
 
 grace and ruin, you must have no other 
 expectations from me, than a total loss 
 of my affection, and a disinheritance 
 from every thing* else valuable and dear 
 to you ; and be assured a destiny in this 
 case shall await you, which I will trust 
 to and rely upon your future conduct to 
 supersede; for the sufferance of it, on 
 your part, even in idea, corrodes my ima- 
 gination, and would consign me to an 
 untimely grave ! Do not therefore, my 
 dear Alfred, heap affliction upon your 
 fond parents, but return to a sense of 
 duty and feeling; pursue the path of ho- 
 nour and lasting fame, in which you are 
 engaged, and which holds forth to you 
 every happy prospect. Be guided by 
 your parent in this, as well as in all 
 things, whose happiness shall ever be 
 z6
 
 84 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 concentred in your real good and 
 lasting pleasures, and who now sub- 
 scribes himself, what he wishes you 
 ever to consider him, 
 
 " Your indulging and fond father, 
 
 " F. De Claridge." 
 
 The letter which follows was also re- 
 ceived by William in reply to his. Sa- 
 tisfied in his expectations, the founda- 
 tion of his future plans was now se- 
 cured; and receiving that encourage- 
 ment he so anxiously sought to obtain, 
 he was gratified in possessing the con- 
 fidence of Mr. De Claridge, and in pro- 
 curing that authority over the actions 
 of Alfred, which he was resolved to make 
 suitable to his own purposes. While 
 he carefully concealed the nature and
 
 HIE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. Sj 
 
 substance of his base designs from each 
 party, he appeared the sincere friend 
 of both: by which means the artful 
 hypocrite was enabled to prostitute a 
 confidence at the shrine of infamy, and 
 to waste that domestic peace and hap- 
 piness he afTected to be concerned in 
 the protection of, and which he was 
 bound by the most sacred promises of 
 friendship to promote. Pursuing such 
 conduct, well might lie, in the lan- 
 guage of his actions, exclaim: 
 
 " Glorious Hypocrisy ! what fools are they, 
 Who, fraught with lustful or ambitious views, 
 Wear not thy specious mask !" 
 
 Letter to William. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " I was duly honoured with 
 your kind favour, and also with one
 
 $6 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 from my son on the same subject, to 
 which I have replied by this post, ap- 
 pealing to his affectionate feelings, and 
 entreating him to suffer the interposi- 
 tion of reflection to relieve him from 
 such ideas of romantic folly. I have 
 also threatened him with disinheritance, 
 should he persist further in his present 
 attempt to gain the cottage girl J and 
 I hope and sincerely trust, from what I 
 have written on the subject, that he 
 will return to a proper sense of his 
 duty and situation m life, and duly ap- 
 preciate the advantages of a more ex- 
 alted and reputable connexion. 
 
 "To your friendly care lam greatly 
 indebted, and I commend his future 
 conduct to your superintendence, en- 
 treating you to prevent by every 
 2
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN*. 87 
 
 means the possibility of so unequal an 
 alliance taking place; nor can I suffici- 
 ently thank you for the affectionate 
 interference and very honourable part 
 you have already acted towards myself 
 and Alfred, which makes me the more 
 readily grant the authority which you 
 require ; and you have therefore my 
 unqualified permission to take any 
 steps you may think proper, and best 
 calculated to ensure the completion of 
 your good wishes towards him. 
 
 " I shall flatter myself with the ho- 
 nour of your future correspondence, 
 while I subscribe myself for the 
 present, 
 
 " With grateful esteem, 
 " Most truly yours, 
 
 " F. De Claridge."
 
 88 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX, 
 
 William perused this epistle with 
 heartfelt delight, particularly as it gave 
 him that power he was so desirous to 
 obtain; and having written in silenceand 
 with treacherous designs towards Al- 
 fred, he determined to keep him unac- 
 quainted with this correspondence, and 
 the confidence so liberally placed in 
 him by his fond and anxious parent, 
 resolving to profit in his perfidious 
 plans by so doing. 
 
 How different was the conduct of 
 the unsuspecting Alfred! He flew to 
 William immediately on the receipt of 
 his father's letter, and communicated 
 to him the contents. Frantic with 
 disappointment and despair, he begged 
 and entreated him to continue his 
 friendship, and not to take any steps
 
 :i could tend to the digarra 
 men. 
 
 Louisa too tenderly to forsake her; he 
 hud gained her affection, and could 
 
 withhold from her the possession of 
 his; yet he was unwilling to 1 
 known his father's determination, fear- 
 ing he should destroy her happiness 
 by so doing, and also lose his inter- 
 course at the cottage, as her parents 
 had expressed a resolution not to en- 
 courage the connexion contrary to the 
 approbation of his friends. lie felt at 
 a loss how to act. The duty of affection 
 his heart told him lie owed to his 
 parents, caused hiin the utmost grief, 
 as they disapproved of his wishes in 
 this particular; yet he concluded with- 
 in his own bosom to fulfil bk 
 tendons.
 
 SO THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 Ill what manner therefore he should 
 effectually complete them, became the 
 first object of his thoughts, previous to 
 disclosing his sentiments to William ; 
 and he parted from him with a miser- 
 able heart and dejected appearance, to 
 return to his quarters, promising to see 
 him the next day, and to consult re- 
 specting his future proceedings relative 
 to the attainment of his first ambition.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUAttoiXX. 9 1 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 " Oh thou Eternal Power, whose piercing eye 
 Discerns each secret guilt, search thou my heart ! 
 And as thou know'st me innocent, support me, 
 And to the world acquit my blemish'd fame." 
 
 On Alfred's arrival at home, and being 
 left to reflection, the uneasiness of his 
 mind can be easily conceived. Fluc- 
 tuating between love and filial duty, 
 he was at a loss to know what course 
 he should pursue. To disobey the 
 mandate of his indulgent parent he was 
 naturally unwilling: yet he loved and 
 was equally beloved by Louisa; he 
 vowed and had received vows of ever- 
 lasting affection, and his own happi- 
 ness appeared of little concern when
 
 #2 Tilt 
 
 ccmpared with the unhappiness he 
 ■d occasion this innocent and beau- 
 teous female by deserting her ; the 
 verv li- .;;:>; ,icli. honour forbid. 
 
 lie had tasted the sympathies of the 
 most pure and heartfelt love, and life 
 without affection now appeared to him 
 an existence the most horrible! With 
 these impressions he could no longer 
 hesitate, and finally determined on I 
 ing to his arms the amiable object of his 
 youthful choice; and, regardless of the 
 consequences, he resolved to doso with- 
 out the least delay; he therefore repaired 
 to his friend William, to consult, and 
 fix upon a plan which would secure 
 the completion of his wishes, and it 
 was instantly advised that he should 
 propose to Louisa the expedient of
 
 THE PEKFIDIOrs OUilSDIAK. 
 
 ■quitting her parents'' home for an im- 
 mediate trip to Gretna Green, there to 
 solemnize their nuptials; which being- 
 accomplished, they should return and 
 make a dutiful intercession to obtain 
 parental forgiveness. 
 
 Pleased with an idea which pro- 
 mised him so much bliss, Alfred soon 
 appeared at the cottage, and made 
 suitable apologies for an apparent ab- 
 sence; he was joyfully received by his 
 enchanting Louisa, who flew to meet 
 and embrace him, and after manv in- 
 quiries, and much conversation (in 
 which he studiously avoided the sub- 
 ject of his late letter), he proposed a 
 w r alk, which was readily acceded to, 
 and leaning on the arm of her lover, 
 this innocent girl directed her steps to
 
 94 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 the usual place of fond and silent in- 
 tercourse, unconscious of the proposal 
 she was on the point of receiving* 
 
 Alfred had now a task to perform, 
 the most difficult in its nature ,* and 
 the very idea of what he wished to 
 communicate rendered him uneasy ; — 
 his filial duty again interfered with 
 his ardent affection, but his sentiments 
 of honour forbade him to revoke those 
 vows he had made, or to retain that 
 affection he .could not fully return ; 
 he could hesitate no longer — his ac- 
 tions and feelings almost gave utter- 
 ance to his thoughts, and he disclosed 
 the secret of his anguish and his 
 wishes in the most tender and artless 
 manner, assuring his Louisa how per- 
 fectly honourable his intentions to-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. £J 
 
 wards her were, entreating her to con- 
 fide her future destiny to one who 
 tenderly loved, and would never de- 
 ceive her : appealing to her affection 
 and vows of unalterable regard, he 
 again solicited her consent to his 
 wishes as the most sacred pledge of 
 both, and the prelude to that happi- 
 ness and bliss he was so anxious to 
 bestow upon, as well as receive from 
 her. 
 
 The blushing and innocent Louisa 
 was astonished at this unexpected and 
 strongly urged proposal ; she directed 
 his attention, but in vain, to the pos- 
 sibility of obtaining at some future pe- 
 riod that consent which was now de- 
 nied ; in vain did she picture to him 
 the distresses and afflictions so rash a
 
 95 TliE PLRI-JDIOUS GUARDIAN . 
 
 step would heap upon her aged parents. 
 u Have patience, my beloved Alfred," 
 Was her reply ; " you are secure in the 
 enjoyment of my hest affection ; my 
 fond heart shall never own but you for 
 its possessor; and the day, I hope, will 
 soon arrive, when we shall be united 
 in the tenderest ties without incurring 
 the displeasure of those it is our duty 
 to make happy, but whose unhappi- 
 ness, brought on by us, would only 
 tend to the greatest misery, and bring 
 the authors of our own existence per- 
 haps to an untimely gravel I conjure 
 you, therefore, not to urge what may 
 prove your own ruin, and the ruin of 
 my unblemished innocence; nor to in- 
 sist upon a sacrifice my heart tells me 
 it would be baseness to den v."
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 97 
 
 Delighted with the remarks and 
 confession so artlessly made by this 
 innocent girl, the enraptured Alfred 
 pressed her fond bosom to his own; 
 and placing his hand upon his heart, he 
 invoked Heaven to witness his vows 
 of everlasting affection; and appealing 
 to his God for the purity of his inten- 
 tions, he again solicited that sacrifice 
 an unsuspecting and artless soul could 
 no longer withhold ; and resting her 
 head upon his bosom, ghe communi- 
 cated her consent in a look of expres- 
 sive silence, conveying a love surpass- 
 ing even knowledge itself, and which 
 it would be weakness in language to 
 attempt to describe! 
 
 They tenderly embraced each other, 
 while Alfred exclaimed, " Now then, 
 
 VOL, I. F
 
 9$ THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 my beloved Louisa, we shall be happy 
 indeed, for we shall taste the pleasures 
 of domestic bliss — the joys of matri- 
 monial love, where every kind expres- 
 sion is remembered, every thought 
 cherished and treasured up, every. tes- 
 timony of affection returned ! we shall 
 enjoy in each other's society all the 
 pleasures of an ardent and sincere 
 love; and there is no feeling of a tender 
 nature which will not communicate it- 
 self to our youthful breasts ; and that 
 passion which the God of nature has 
 so happily implanted within our 
 hearts, shall for ever remain unde- 
 stroyed, and always directed to those 
 pleasures which shall secure to us the 
 height of happiness here, and an eter- 
 nal reward hereafter ! Come then to
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. <# 
 
 my amis, you inestimable girl, and press 
 those lips which shall ere long ac- 
 knowledge you at the altar of Hymen, 
 giving you the heart and hand of your 
 Alfred for ever ! " 
 
 Ye amiable youths, from whose 
 minds the artifices and gaieties of the 
 world have not yet obliterated the 
 precepts of a virtuous education ; who 
 are not yet infected with the inglorious 
 vanities of this life ; and who, still 
 ignorant of the blandishments of per- 
 jured seduction, have preserved in 
 your souls the desire to perform some 
 noble and generous action — imitate the 
 conduct of the virtuous Alfred, and let 
 the voice of experience teach you to 
 cultivate a fondness for domestic- plea- 
 sures, ami to acquire that benevolent 
 F 2
 
 100 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 and admirable spirit which teaches 
 you to estimate the characters of the 
 world and the pleasures of society by 
 their intrinsic value alone. 
 
 The following morning was ap- 
 pointed for their intended journey, 
 and Louisa was conducted back to 
 the peaceful home which gave her 
 birth, and left to ruminate, during the 
 night, on the many unhappy thoughts 
 which opposed themselves to her pro- 
 mised bliss ; and to prepare for a sud- 
 den departure from the scene and centre 
 of all her early joys and affections. 
 
 Alfred hastened to William, and 
 with a heart full of gratitude made 
 known to him the pleasing result of 
 his solicitations, and the determina- 
 tion he had formed of setting off the
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 101 
 
 next morning for Scotland, to solem- 
 nize his marriage with Louisa. He 
 addressed a letter to his father on the 
 subject, written in the most affection- 
 ate manner, which he delivered to Wil- 
 liam, to be forwarded by him ; and he 
 also entreated his interference in writing 
 to him, influencing that forgiveness 
 he feared would otherwise be denied. 
 
 William promised on his part to in- 
 terest himself in the behalf of Alfred 
 with his father, and to use every per- 
 suasive argument in his power to in- 
 duce him to look over that which was 
 on the point of taking place, and 
 which though he had promised, and 
 was authorized to prevent, he now en- 
 couraged to the utmost. He also took 
 charge of Alfred's letter, engaging to 
 F 3
 
 102 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN 
 
 forward it as directed : having made 
 every other arrangement for him, they 
 parted, taking an affectionate leave; 
 and Alfred now only awaited the 
 happy moment which intrusted to his 
 care the protection of an innocent and 
 lovely girl, who according to promise 
 met him at the hour of appointment, 
 and surrendered her fame arid fate to 
 his protecting care. 
 
 At a short distance from the hamlet 
 the servant of Alfred was in waiting 
 with a chaise, and the necessary equi- 
 page for the journey: a handkerchief 
 containing a few changes was all the 
 innocent Louisa took with her from 
 that home she now deserted for the 
 arms of her Alfred ; and
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 10S 
 
 t( Willing at once to prove 
 The certain joys that are in virtuous love," 
 
 they entered the chaise together, 
 and the sound of the village clock 
 striking the sixth hour was instantly 
 drowned in the rattling of the carriage 
 whceU. 
 
 V 4
 
 104 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX, 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 ■ ; " Ye power* ! 
 Why fix'd ye not a brand on Treason's front, 
 That we might know t* avoid perfidious mortals?" 
 
 Arrived at the first stage, and fearless 
 of pursuit, Alfred with his fair fugi- 
 tive stopped to breakfast; nor could 
 they resist the impulse which prompted 
 them at the moment to write to the 
 unhappy cottagers, who were rendered 
 completely miserable by the sudden 
 and unexpected departure of their 
 innocent daughter. 
 
 Louisa consequently addressed her 
 unhappy parents, and Alfred inclosed 
 the letter to William, requesting him
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 105 
 
 to wait upon and explain to them his 
 motives and honourable intentions in 
 the steps he had taken; he also en- 
 treated his earnest attention to his 
 own epistle, and the forwarding of it 
 to his father, with the letter William 
 had promised to write in his favour on 
 the same subject; and satisfied he had 
 so far performed an incumbent duty, 
 he now pursued his journey with the 
 more heartfelt pleasure and peace of 
 mind. 
 
 The letters were duly received by 
 William, who carefully delivered the 
 one from Louisa to her parents, while 
 he artfully caused their fears to sub- 
 side, and perfectly satisfied them of 
 the honourable motives by which Al- 
 fred was actuated, assuring those sim- 
 
 F S
 
 106 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 pie but honest people, that the greatest 
 happiness and pleasures awaited their 
 daughter ; but less punctual in the per- 
 formance of his solemn engagement 
 to Alfred (although he inclosed his 
 epistle as directed), he addressed his 
 father in a different style to that he 
 had promised, displaying in his com- 
 munication a depravity of heart un- 
 equalled in the annals of treasonable 
 and perfidious friendship, and but ill 
 calculated to procure that pardon 
 which the generous and unsuspecting 
 Alfred vainly sought to obtain through 
 the promised intercession of his sup- 
 posed friend, which will appear by 
 the following letter from
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 107 
 
 William to Mr, De Claridge. 
 
 U MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " Your favour was duly re- 
 ceived by me, since which period I 
 have with uneasiness and anxiety ob- 
 served the conduct of Alfred towards 
 the cottage girl ; and although I had 
 the pleasure to receive assurances from 
 him, that all ideas of so unequal an al- 
 liance had totally subsided in his 
 mind, yet I have in this instance been 
 made the dupe of my own credulity. 
 
 " Happy in the confidence yott were 
 pleased to honour me with, I exerted 
 every influence I possessed in favour 
 of your wishes, and 1 had flattered 
 myself with the pleasing hope, that 
 your son had altogether forgotten the 
 f 6
 
 108 THE PERFIDIOUS GFARDIAN. 
 
 object of his juvenile passion, when, 
 alas! I found myself not only disap- 
 pointed in my just hopes and expecta- 
 tions, but deceived by Alfred in all 
 his promises. 
 
 " I have therefore the mortification 
 to inform you, that your son has in the 
 most unexpected and sudden manner, 
 disappeared from his recruiting sta- 
 tion, taking with him the degenerate 
 daughter of the cottagers ; where they 
 have fled to is quite uncertain, as the 
 reports respecting them are various; 
 yet I much fear that Alfred will nei- 
 ther hesitate nor lose time in making 
 her his wife ; thus disgracing his fa- § 
 mily and name, and rendering an art- 
 ful and designing girl the instrument 
 of his own ruin.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 109 
 
 " I am so deeply concerned in the 
 fate of Alfred, and so much regard his 
 welfare, that it grieves me to be 
 obliged to recite to you, as his parent, 
 such calamitous proceedings on his 
 part; and I have to assure you how 
 truly happy I shall feel in obeying any 
 commands you may intrust me with, in 
 reply to which depend upon my most 
 faithful and correct discharge; at the 
 same time I beg leave to intimate the 
 propriety of keeping my correspond- 
 ence a profound secret, that I may be 
 enabled more effectually to inform you 
 of the intentions of Alfred, who no 
 doubt, on his return, will state to me 
 the particulars of his future plans, and 
 not being aware of our intercourse, ht 
 will the more readily confide those se*
 
 110 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 crets it will be your interest, and per- 
 haps your wish, to obtain a knowledge 
 of; and by this means I shall have it in 
 my power to give you a full detail of 
 every future transaction on his part. 
 
 " Be comforted, my dear Sir ; affairs 
 may yet turn out much better than 
 their present aspect affords reason to 
 suppose; though from the silence of 
 the cottagers, and their seeming tran- 
 quillity, I fear they are not only per- 
 fectly acquainted, but well satisfied 
 with what has taken place. A little 
 time will develope more particulars ; I 
 shall make further inquiries, and be 
 watchful of his interest. All I have 
 learned at present respecting the period 
 of his return is, that he must be at his 
 quarters to attend an inspection in pre-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. Ill 
 
 sence of the field-officer at the expira- 
 tion of ten days, until when. I under- 
 stand, he obtained leave from him to 
 absent himself from duty. 
 
 " The inclosed letter was left this 
 morning at my house by one of the 
 soldiers, with a request from Alfred 
 that I should forward it to you the 
 moment I received it; I now do so, as 
 required, and no doubt it contains a 
 partial recital of those occurrences I 
 have lost no time in making known to 
 you. 
 
 " I am much distressed, and feel se- 
 verely for your natural anxiety on this 
 occasion, yet I hope you will compose 
 yourself as much as possible. I la- 
 ment the conduct of your son, to se- 
 cure whose interest and happiness I
 
 112 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 would have willingly sacrificed my 
 own. My spirits are quite dejected and 
 depressed, as no doubt yours will be 
 on the receipt of this ; but we must be 
 patient, and learn to reflect oa the 
 numerous and severe trials of others, 
 wisely considering that 
 
 " All things are possible; 
 And grief on earth, finds friends in heaven.'* 
 
 " I am too sensibly affected to write 
 more at present; and while I await 
 your reply, believe me to remain with 
 sentiments of lasting esteem, 
 "Dear Sir, 
 
 " Yours very sincerely, 
 " William O'Connor." 
 
 Who can possibly peruse the fore- 
 going letter, without viewing the per-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 113 
 
 lidious William as a deep and well- 
 polished hypocrite; a character too 
 artful to expose his own hidden infamy 
 to a premature disclosure, and whose 
 words, cloaked by friendship, were the 
 harbingers of the foulest deceit and 
 perfidy ! 
 
 The following is the inclosure al- 
 luded to from 
 
 Alfred to his Father. 
 
 * MY DEAREST FATHER, 
 
 " At the period I had the*, 
 pleasure to receive your late affectionate 
 epistle, my mind was strongly im- 
 pressed with the hope that it would 
 have been favourable to those wishes 
 contained in my last letter. Be assured,. 
 my dear father, the perusal of your*
 
 1 14 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 
 
 has caused me the most heartfelt un- 
 easiness; for, allow me to assure you, 
 that my dear Louisa, though a cottage 
 girl, is by no means worthless, nor 
 has she been educated in that obscurity 
 you have attached to her birth and 
 humble situation in life; on the con- 
 trary, she will be found every thing 
 you can possibly admire, and by no 
 means what you suppose. 
 
 " I have made every appeal to my 
 own feelings, and the recollection of 
 my situation in life, while reflection 
 has interposed, but in vain, to change 
 my opinion of this inestimable girl ; 
 and although my filial duty and af- 
 fection for my father, prompt me to 
 adhere strictly to his advice, yet a 
 sense of honour, and that all-powerful
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 115 
 
 incentive, love, forbid me to revoke 
 vows I have made and received; and 
 the innocent heart of that female whose 
 affections I have gained, cannot be 
 deceived in its proud opinion of your 
 son's integrity, who could never enter 
 iato the unfeeling determination of 
 betraying a trust imparted by the most 
 artless and ardent affection. 
 
 " In having, therefore, obeyed the 
 dictates of my own heart, and satisfied 
 the desires of my fond and impassioned 
 affection, I fear I have too seriously 
 offended, to expect an instantaneous 
 forgiveness ; and as you so forcibly 
 forbid this subject, I shall not enlarge 
 upon it, further than to state that I have 
 been prompted by a sense of honour- 
 able duty to a performance of promises
 
 l\6 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 
 
 which, in my opinion, should never 
 be recalled or forfeited; and in conse- 
 quence, ere you receive this, I shall be 
 the happy husband of my soul's Louisa. 
 " Why did you, my dearest parent, 
 implant in my youthful heart the pre- 
 cepts of early virtue, but that I should 
 pursue the happy paths which lead to 
 it? why bestow upon me an education, 
 and place me in a profession that leads 
 to glorious deeds, but that I should 
 perform some noble and disinterested 
 action? Let this be recorded as the 
 proudest of my early days, for my 
 heart assures me it is; and that the 
 wreaths of honour entwined on the 
 youthful soldier's brow, can never fade 
 within the soft embrace of love.; and 
 should vour son be blessed with a
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 117 
 
 tender offspring, and live to be account- 
 ed a veteran warrior, your grandchil- 
 dren, I trust, will imitate their father's 
 example, and bless the closing of their 
 grandsire"s setting days, and this, not 
 only by their grateful actions, but their 
 generous deeds. Let me therefore en- 
 treat, my dearest parent, that you will 
 not enforce the severe threats contained 
 in your letter, nor put them in practice 
 against your Alfred, whose future fate 
 rests upon your tender decision; and 
 permit me to remind you, that it is 
 vour son who implores forgiveness, and 
 solicits vou to forget the first offenct 
 he ever committed against the dictates 
 of his affectionate and indulgent father; 
 and, as you know my motives, a love 
 like mine, perhaps may deserve the 
 
 5
 
 11& THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 
 
 tribute of a tear, and call one gentle 
 sigh from your relenting heart. For- 
 get my transgressions I beseech you; 
 and while my virtues (if any) live, let 
 my follies die within your bosom. 
 
 " Adieu, my dearest father. By tire 
 time you can favour me with a reply 
 to this, I trust I shall have returned 
 to my station, blessed in the posses- 
 sion of an amiable wife, who now 
 unites in tenderest, dutiful love, while 
 I remain, 
 
 *' Your ever affectionate 
 
 " Alfred." 
 
 The receipt of these letters gave to 
 Mr. De Claridge the most severe dis- 
 appointment he had ever experienced 
 as a parent; he perceived by the con-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. I 19 
 
 tents, that it was impossible for him 
 to prevent his son's union with the 
 cottage girl; it was indeed too late 
 a period to take any steps for that 
 purpose, and he viewed his connexion 
 with Louisa as the greatest possible 
 disgrace that could attach itself to 
 him, while he feared the worst conse- 
 quences f.om a further intercourse 
 with her parents and relatives ; he 
 would not therefore be reconciled to 
 their union, although the persuasive 
 entreaties and affectionate language 
 used by Alfred in his letter, had a 
 very powerful and impressive effect 
 upon his feelings, and he resolved to 
 avail himself of the proffered (but too 
 perfidious) interference of William, and
 
 120 THE PERFIDIOUS GUABDIAtf . 
 
 to profit by his influence with Alfred, 
 in prevailing upon him to remove into 
 a regiment on foreign service, as the 
 securest means of preventing that in- 
 timate intercourse at the cottage, he 
 was so anxious to have discontinued, 
 as well as satisfy Alfred that his im- 
 mediate compliance could alone lead 
 to the forgiveness he solicited, and 
 insure to him a continuance of his 
 affection and future support through 
 life. 
 
 Endeavouring, therefore, to reconcile 
 to his feelings, what had passed, and 
 unwilling to excite alarm, or disturb 
 that happy tranquillity by which he 
 was otherwise surrounded ; he con- 
 sidered it as prudent to let matters
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 121 
 
 rest until the return of Alfred to his 
 quarters, and till he had a more par- 
 ticular and positive communication 
 from William, on this painful but in- 
 teresting subject 
 
 VOL. I,
 
 4%S THE PERHDIOVS CCARDIAX. 
 
 CHAP. XT. 
 
 " How can that passion be a crime 
 
 Which gave to Alfred birth ? 
 How can those joys not be divine 
 
 Which make a heaven on earth?'* 
 
 The morning of the clay on which 
 Alfred set out on his matrimonial ex- 
 cursion was passed nearly in silence; 
 for Louisa had left that happy cot- 
 tage, where so many days had passed 
 in tranquillity, with emotions which 
 could not have escaped discovery, had 
 she attempted to converse. — They who 
 have heen placed in circumstances si- 
 milar to those described will alone 
 be able to judge of the feelings which 
 
 5
 
 .11IX PERFIDIOUS GVARDIMf. L£3 
 
 such a journey would excite. There 
 are certain seasons in lite which de- 
 scription fails in painting, and which 
 the imagination of the reader must 
 .picture to itself; and if there he a 
 youthful mind employed in reading 
 these pages, that lias really experienced 
 the scenes that are here portrayed, 
 that mind will be moved at a picture 
 (delineated in faithful colours; and the 
 recital of the elopement of the innocent 
 Louisa may excite the finest feelings 
 of the heart, may melt down every 
 unfeeling passion, and recall to his 
 recollection the pleasures of those 
 happier days, over which, perhaps, ob- 
 livion may have too soon dropped her 
 mantle. 
 
 As the day advanced, and the sua
 
 124 TILE PERFIDIOUS GUABDIAK. 
 
 poured light over the face of nature, 
 the gloomy and apparent fears of Louisa 
 vanished, and Alfred began to engage 
 her attention by pointing out the va- 
 rious objects particularly worthy of her 
 observation. Sometimes he directed 
 her regard to the fields, whose verdure 
 was interspersed with the simply ele- 
 gant flowers peculiar to the season; 
 amidst the grass were seen the cowslip 
 and the butter-flower, with here and 
 there a primrose peeping from under 
 the hedge, or unfolding her modest 
 leaves along the bank; while the daisy 
 " crimson-tipped" gave variety to the 
 scenery, and relief to the eye. 
 
 Sometimes the romantic hills, dimi- 
 nished by distance, and shaded by 
 woods, with all the beauty and diversity
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 12i 
 
 Qt prospect which the pencil of a 
 Claude would find it difficult to de- 
 scribe, claimed the tribute of their 
 admiration; at other times the pride of 
 art displaying itself in elegant man- 
 sions, increased the pleasures of the en- 
 amoured pair; and there the more ma- 
 jestic hand of Nature elevated their 
 minds to those ideas of sublimity pecu- 
 liar to that happy state of life they 
 were on the point of entering. 
 
 Alfred had dispatched his servant 
 before him to make preparations; and 
 having arrived (after a fatiguing jour- 
 ney of three days) at the residence of 
 the "descendant of Vulcan," they 
 hastily alighted from the post-chaise; 
 and every thing being in perfect readi- 
 ness, the wished-for ceremony was 
 c3
 
 126 
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN 
 
 performed, when Alfred tenderly em- 
 braced his lovely bride, whose fears had) 
 now subsided, and who exclaimed in 
 the gratitude of her heart, as she pressed 
 him to her enraptured bosom, " Oh ! my 
 beloved Alfred, your faithful discharge 
 of those sacred promises I had ven- 
 tured to believe, and a reliance upon 
 which has brought me here, and united 
 me with a generous and loved husband, 
 can never be lost in my recollection. 
 May I ever prove deserving of that 
 heart, which has this day acknow- 
 ledged me as its proud possessor, mak- 
 ing me the happiest of my weak though 
 boasting sex; and may we, my Alfred, 
 long dwell in that peace and uninter- 
 rupted tranquillity which alone can 
 live in the hearts of virtuous and dis- 
 interested lovers^ securing the happy
 
 Xȣ PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN.. l&J 
 
 smiles of unfading bliss, and the enjoy- 
 ment, of those pleasures which reign 
 tor ever with unblemished splendour!" 
 
 After remaining a few days in Scot- 
 land, which were spent in perfect re- 
 tirement, and devoted to the soft em-. 
 braces of the most impassioned love^ 
 this fond and happy pair returned to- 
 their quarters, gratified in every wish 
 their youthful hearts could desire, and 
 were now anxious alone to remove 
 from their revered parents' bosoms all 
 the anxiety, disapprobation, and disap- 
 pointment, which their hasty and in- 
 considerate departure must have occa- 
 sioned them. 
 
 Immediately on their arrival Alfred 
 waited upon the good cottagers, and 
 presented to them, as his wife, their 
 g4
 
 128 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 happy daughter, who with tears of af- 
 fection implored and obtained that for- 
 giveness she so earnestly solicited front 
 her venerable parents, whose fears 
 were now taught to subside, and whose 
 grateful hearts bestowed upon them 
 their proudest blessing, while they in- 
 voked Heaven to watch over their 
 future destiny. 
 
 Alfred was surprised at an early 
 hour the next morning by the arrival of 
 William and Eliza, who came to break- 
 fast with him, joyfully welcoming his 
 return, and wishing a continuance of 
 all the happiness his heart told him he 
 must possess in the smiles and affec- 
 tion of his amiable Louisa, whom they 
 invited with Alfred to spend a short 
 time with them, there to receive the
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS ..GUARD I. 
 
 congratulations of their friends; which 
 invitation was readily acceded to, as it 
 gave them an opportunity of consult- 
 ing the manner in which he could most 
 effectually address his father, to ohtaia 
 conciliation for what had passed. 
 They therefore set off immediately 
 after breakfast for the habitation of 
 William, making a hasty call at the 
 eotrage as they passed. 
 
 The first few days were spent in re- 
 ceiving and returning compliments; 
 when Alfred began to feel the greatest 
 uneasiness in not having any 
 letter in reply to his epistle written 
 p leading his quarters for Scotland ; 
 and as William informed him he had 
 addressed his father on the same sub- 
 ject, and to the manner required of him, 
 o 5
 
 130 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 it appeared the more mysterious to 
 Alfred, that their letters should be 
 treated with silence: it was in conse- 
 quence determined upon, that he should 
 write again to his father, which he 
 did as follows : 
 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 U MV DEAREST FATHER, 
 
 " Previous to my departure for 
 Scotland, I had the pleasure to address 
 you, stating the reasons which occa- 
 sioned my journey there. I have now 
 to inform you of my return to my sta- 
 tion after the ceremonies of the Hyme- 
 neal altar were performed, and that I 
 there received the honourable possession 
 of the inestimable object of my choice. 
 It therefore becomes mv first duty to
 
 WE PERFIDIOUS G 1J1 
 
 solicit your forgiveness for having in 
 this instance conducted myself in op- 
 position to the dictates of a most in- 
 dulgent and tender parent, whose an- 
 ger, I trust, I have not so far pro- 
 voked, but that he will patiently hear 
 what his son has to offer in extenua- 
 tion • f his first offence. 
 
 " Educated in principles repugnant 
 to vice and hostile to every thing which 
 appeared inimical to virtue, the vain 
 boastings of society were to me of little 
 value, compared with the domestic 
 felicity which is ever experienced in 
 the company and conversation of an 
 amiable female, whose charms awaken 
 all the dormant faculties of the soul, 
 and inspire th- mind u ith finer enerr 
 gics than all our exertions could oi>- 
 g6
 
 132 THE PERFIDIOUS OUAftDIA*. 
 
 tain; who in the execution of our en- 
 terprises prompts us by her assistance, 
 and encourages us by her approbation 
 to surmount every difficulty ; who im- 
 presses us with the greatness of her 
 ideas and the sublimity of her senti- 
 ments; who weighs and examines with 
 judicious penetration our actions, our 
 whole character; who observes all our 
 foibles, warns us with sincerity of then- 
 consequences, and reforms us with 
 gentleness and affection; who by 
 a tender communication of all her 
 thoughts and observations, conveys 
 new instruction to our minds, and by 
 pouring all the warm and generous 
 feelings of her heart into our bosoms, 
 animates us incessantly to the exercise 
 of every virtue, and completes the po-
 
 THE 'PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 133 
 
 lisrhed perfection of our character by 
 the soft allurements of love, and the 
 delightful concord of her sentiments. 
 
 " A thousand of the insidious gri- 
 maces, with which we are honoured by 
 servile flatterers, are nothing, in my 
 opinion, when compared to the sweet 
 converse of her private friendship., 
 which inspires us with a noble bold- 
 ness, rendering us insensible to the 
 oppressions of the world, pointing out 
 the road to true honour, and accom- 
 panying us on our way to obtain it. 
 Oh, my dearest father! who would not 
 prefer to every other enjoyment the 
 soft embrace of virtuous affection? 
 Who would not renounce the universe 
 for one single tear of Urt 
 
 >houldyou now desert m oik!,
 
 134 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN". 
 
 without doubt, will judge of me as you 
 do; and this is another cause of my unea- 
 siness. You are happy in the smiles and 
 affection of a most tender and amiable 
 wife, the beloved mother of your sup- 
 plicating Alfred. Do not then hesitate 
 to bless me even in the ecstacy of your 
 own felicity, bat render me as blissful 
 as yourself. I shall then be truly 
 happy, and experience upon my pillow 
 a repose both of body and mind, a 
 thousand times more sweet than sleep 
 itself. 
 
 " Impressed with sentiments of last- 
 ins: affection for the virtues and excel- 
 lence of my fond father's heart, to the 
 dictates of which I shall leave the rest, 
 I now conclude by subjoining the re- 
 mark of a learned and celebrated uhilo^
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN". 135 
 
 sopher on this subject, who says: 
 1 It is the peculiar effect of virtue to 
 make a man's chief happiness arise 
 from himself and his own conduct. A 
 bad man is wholly the creature of the 
 world : he hangs upon its favour, lives 
 by its smiles, and is happy or miser- 
 able in proportion to his success. But 
 to a virtuous man, success in such 
 undertakings is but a secondary con- 
 sideration. To discharge his own part 
 with integrity and honour, is his chief 
 aim. If he has done properly what was 
 incumbent upon him to do, his mind 
 is at rest: to Providence he leaves 
 the event. Satisfied with the approba- 
 tion of Heaven, and the testimony of a 
 good conscience, he enjoys himself, 
 and despises the triumphs of guilt
 
 \36 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 . " In proportion therefore as such 
 noble principles rule the hearts of man- 
 kind, they become independent of the 
 world, and forbear complaining of its 
 trifling disadvantages. Yours, no doubt, 
 will be animated by this example; I shall 
 therefore rest satisfied till favoured 
 with your reply; while I entreat your 
 acceptance ox our united affection, 
 believing me, 
 
 " Your ever grateful 
 
 " Alfred.* 
 
 The contents of this letter were 
 highly approved by William, who per- 
 suaded Alfred it was unnecessary he 
 should address his father on the present 
 occasion ; meanwhile he secretly wrote 
 him to the following effect :
 
 TIIE ' PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 137 
 
 To Mr. Dfc Claridge. 
 
 lt MY DEAR SJR, 
 
 11 I was unwilling to trouble 
 you with a further correspondence un- 
 til the return of your son, with his 
 lady, to this neighbourhood. I now beg 
 leave to inform you that they have at 
 length arrived ; and I am sorry to add, 
 Alfred has been so imprudent as to 
 make the cottage girl his wife, by a 
 solemnization of matrimony at Gretna 
 Green. The first visit they made on 
 their return, was at the cottage ; the 
 inmates of which received them most 
 kindly, and were pleased, no doubt, at 
 the alliance made by their daughter. 
 Nor have thev neglected to render the 
 circumstance as public as possible, bj
 
 13S THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 the insertion of it in the different 
 newspapers. 
 
 " You will this day receive a letter 
 from Alfred on the subject, written 
 in all the extravagance of an ardent 
 and romantic lover; and although I 
 objected to its being forwarded, when 
 submitted for my opinion, he sent it. 
 I have not as yet informed him of my 
 intercourse by letter with you, nor do 
 I conceive this information would serve 
 your wishes or promote his welfare ; as 
 such, I shall conceal from ' him and 
 every person, the honour you confer 
 on me in this confidence. What his 
 intentions are, I know not : at present, 
 lie frequently talks of going into a 
 regiment on a foreign station ; which 
 the cottagers, and his lady* by no meau&
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 13 ( J 
 
 approve; looking forward, no doubt, 
 to the ultimate success of their daugh- 
 ter's good fortune, through your fa- 
 mily, to place the entire of hers in 
 reputable life: as it is, I think the 
 sooner he is removed from amongst 
 them, the better. With such advice I 
 shall conclude this letter, assuring you, 
 I shall at all times be watchful of his 
 proceedings and interest, and continue 
 in readiness to forward your wishes in 
 exzry respect, while I remain, 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " With esteem, 
 " Yours truly, 
 
 " William O'Connor/ * 
 
 The foregoing letter from Alfred to 
 Ins father was calculated to move the
 
 140 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 finest feelings of the heart, and written 
 Avith all the ardour of an enthusiastic, 
 enlightened, and virtuous lover ; while 
 the epistle from William exhibited 
 hypocrisy and perfidy in their basest 
 view, serving to lull Mr. De Claridge 
 into a confidence he too generously 
 and fatally bestowed, in consequence, 
 upon so artful and designing a cha- 
 racter, who had no real object in con- 
 templation, but that of superseding 
 Alfred in the aifections and good opi- 
 nion of his father, to cause, if possible, 
 a separation and disagreement between 
 them, of a nature to require a more 
 immediate interference on his part, and 
 which would place their future happi- 
 ness in his power; while he aimed at 
 becoming the agent of Mi\ De Claridge
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAV. 141 
 
 in the payment of a yearly allowance 
 to his son, as well as to be considered 
 the guardian of his future actions : nor 
 were his perfidious views limited to a 
 circumference of this description ; for 
 it will be found, that he sought the 
 destruction of his credulous and un- 
 suspecting friend by attempting to 
 deprive him not only of his parents' 
 affection, but to defraud him ultimately 
 of his paternal property ! 
 
 " Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep, 
 And in his simple show he harbours treason." 
 
 Thus fair, but specious, are the 
 paths of delusive and selfish hypocrisy; 
 where every object tends to subvert 
 the mind, to weaken its energies, and 
 to destroy its peace. There lies, in
 
 142 THE PERFIDIOUS GtfAKDIAN. 
 
 dread concealment, the barbed arrow 
 of insatiate death; and many, in the 
 hoar of false security, fall its innocent 
 and unwarv victims.
 
 JI1E PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. Ho 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 94 'T is thus that Heav'n its empire does maintain) 
 It may afflict, but man must not complain." 
 
 Dcrixg the period that elapsed pre- 
 vious to receiving Mr. De Claridgcs 
 reply to the foregoing letters, the en- 
 amoured Alfred enjoyed the sweetest 
 domestic harmony in the society of his 
 lovely bride, and Peace began already 
 to spread her angel wings around them, 
 when, alas ! their bosoms, which had 
 previously been the seat of tran- 
 quillity, MX re now disturbed, and the 
 ■ arrival of the wished-for letters pro- 
 duced sensations of a most unpleasant 
 nature, and such as by no means sa-
 
 144 THE PERFIDIOUS CtTARDIAtf. 
 
 fisfied them, as will appear on "perusing 
 
 the letters from Mr. De Claridgein 
 i 
 
 answer to those he received on the sub- 
 ject of his son's marriage, as commu- 
 nicated by Alfred, and his supposed 
 friend William ; they were to the fol- 
 lowing effect. 
 
 Mr. De Claridge to Alfred. 
 
 " MY DEAREST ALFRED, 
 
 " Nothing could possibly 
 more astonish me, than the contents 
 of your late epistles, nor any thing 
 more sensibly affect me, than the un- 
 rlutiful and disobedient line of con- 
 duct you' adopted, and have pursued. 
 
 " Admitting that your education and 
 a sense of virtue have anirnated you to 
 
 the performance of a noble and gcne- 
 n
 
 Tim PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 145 
 
 rous deed, and that marriage is th# 
 best state for mankind, do you not 
 think it a pity, that the interest and 
 just hopes of a parent should be sacri- 
 ficed not only to the follies of his son, 
 but to the pleasures and convenience 
 of others ? Nor am I less sorry to ob- 
 serve that such is the common process 
 of late marriages (by which I fear 
 they can never be eminently happy). 
 A youth and girl, meeting by chance, 
 or brought together by artifice, ex* 
 change glances, reciprocate civilities, 
 go home and dream of each other, and 
 having little to divert their attention, 
 or diversify thought, they find them- 
 selves uneasy when they are absent, 
 and therefore conclude they shall be 
 happy together; they marry, and at 
 vol. i. ti
 
 146 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 Ilngth discover what nothing but vo- 
 luntary blindness before had concealed, 
 for they frequently wear out life in 
 altercations, and charge nature with 
 cruelty. 
 
 " What can be expected but disap- 
 pointment and repentance, from a choice 
 made in the immaturity of youth, in 
 the ardour of desire, without judgment,, 
 without foresight, without inquiry 
 after conformity of opinions, similarity 
 of manners, rectitude of judgment, or 
 perhaps purity of sentiments ? 
 
 " Surely all these probable evils might 
 have been avoided by that deliberation 
 and delay, which prudence prescribes 
 to irrevocable .choice. In the variety 
 and follies- of youthful pleasures,- life 
 may fee- well 4 enough supported without
 
 TfifX PEttFIDIOUS GUAKDTAK. 14? 
 
 the assistance of a partner; longer time 
 would have increased experience, and 
 wider views would have allowed better 
 opportunities of inquiry and selection ; 
 one advantage at least, would have 
 been certain — the parents would have 
 been visibly older than their children. 
 
 " When I sought a wife, many were 
 my considerations, and my first led 
 me to inquire, whether she was willing 
 to be led by reason ? You have entered 
 (it is tme) upon the honourable state 
 of matrimony , without the least pre- 
 vious consideration; yet I will hope, 
 that by prudential foresight, and a 
 dutiful adherence to the precepts of 
 your parents, you will make marriage 
 happy; for be assured, my dear Alfred, 
 on this alone rest all your hopes of 
 h %
 
 1<££ TI1£ rZRtlDIQUS GUARDIAN'. 
 
 future bliss ; and as you have now be- 
 come a husband, let me entreat you 
 not to flatter yourself with contra- 
 rieties of pleasure. Be sparing in your 
 praises, and in your future deeds of 
 generosity, remember, he does no- 
 thing, who endeavours to do more than 
 is allowed to humanity. Of the happi- 
 ness set before you, make your choice, 
 and be contented. Let no circumstance, 
 nor hope of additional pleasures or 
 gratifications, prevail upon or induce 
 you to lose that which you feel at pre- 
 sent t sat is ned with. Can we partake 
 of tjie : fruits of autumn, while scent- 
 ing the. delightful odours .of spring? 
 No man can at the same time fill 
 his cup from the source, and from the 
 mouth of the Nile,
 
 ''" 4< Tiiis' is my advice to you. Pera.se 
 fibfv the* terms on which you are alons- 
 to expect forgiveness, and the return 
 tif my affection you require for your- 
 self, as well as the reconciliation to, 
 and reception of your wife, as that 
 -addition to my family which you so- 
 licit she should be considered, 
 
 u I have long thought that you are 
 losing your time, and the rank in the 
 service, which I wish you to obtain, 
 by remaining in a Fencible corps. Gra- 
 tifying as it will ever be to my feelings, 
 to reflect upon the circumstances that 
 placed you in tlie regiment to which 
 you at present belong, yet I must con- 
 sider it as disadvantageous to your 
 future prospects remaining in it longer. 
 u 3
 
 1 5b THE EfcRFIIHOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 In consequence, I wish you to ex- 
 change to a regiment of the line, serv- 
 ing on a foreign station; indeed I am 
 so anxious that this should take place, 
 that I beg you will lose no time in 
 effecting it. Your former services, no 
 doubt, will be considered, and re- 
 warded, while you shall have every 
 assistance in my power to procure you 
 the same rank in the Line, which you 
 row hold in the Fencibles. 
 
 " I shall, in a few years, have am 
 opportunity of judging how far your 
 present alliance is calculated to pro- 
 mote your happiness ; and should your 
 conduct meet my approbation, and 
 ■your lady prove herself, by hers, 
 deserving of my affection, the utmost
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. l&l 
 
 of my wishes will be satisfied ; I will 
 then embrace and meet you as the 
 proudest ornament of my declining 
 years, receive you both to my aged 
 bosom with heartfelt joy, and not 
 only bless the day which gave to me 
 an Alfred, but that which also gave 
 to him a Louisa. You shall then return, 
 and enjoy the pleasures of a paternal 
 dwelling which gave you birth; be- 
 neath its peaceful roof, and in wit- 
 nessing your happiness, my own will 
 be completed. The evening of my then 
 lengthened day will close in soft 
 tranquillity; my sweetest bliss will be 
 to gaze upon my Alfred, to listen to 
 his deeds of heroic valour, performed 
 Oiy distant plains ; while his children, 
 no doubt, will divert, by their engage 
 H 4
 
 ■132 TIFE PERFIDIOUS GtfA&JlAN. 
 
 •ing manners, their gronctefte's leisure 
 moments, and bless him to the lates* 
 period of his existence, by their affcc! 
 tionate smiles and dutiful attentions. 
 
 " Such then, my dearest Alfred, are 
 my present wishes, the joys I picture 
 to myself hereafter. The height of all 
 my happiness, you find, is centred 
 within your reach. By your future con- 
 duct I shall be rendered exceedingly 
 happy, or truly miserable. Choose be- 
 tween two such opposite extremes; but 
 let your choice be free and generous, 
 and do not decide against your incli- 
 nation: and should your opinion and 
 wishes agree with mine, I shall make 
 you an independent allowance exclu- 
 sive of the profits your commission 
 \ritt. offordy; with whatever arrange-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUABDIAW. 153 
 
 ment you may require for the payment 
 of it to you. Requesting, therefore, yotir 
 particular attention to my wishes, and 
 a speedy, determined reply, believe me 
 to remain, with all due regard for 
 your lady, 
 
 My dearest Alfred, 
 " Your anxious, 
 
 " And ever affectionate, 
 " F. De Claridge." 
 
 : The folio wing is a separate epistle 
 from 
 
 Mr. De Ciaridge to William. 
 
 ** XY DEAR SIR, 
 
 f! While I acknowledge tire 
 UTival of your late friendly favours, 
 allow me to return you sincere thanks 
 
 h 5
 
 1 54s THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 for the many marks of kindness yon 
 have exhibited towards myself and 
 son, and to own my great obligations 
 to you on this account. The receipt 
 of your last letters surprised, and 
 caused me much uneasiness, as those 
 from Alfred had confirmed the facts 
 you communicated. 
 
 "I am perfectly of opinion with 
 you, that the sooner he quits the 
 society of the cottagers, the better, 
 though I am quite inclined to make 
 the best of what I consider a bad bar- 
 gain, in hopes his union may not prove 
 so very injurious to him, as I had at 
 first reason to suppose. Indeed I am 
 willing to hope it may ultimately equal 
 even my best expectations. I have 
 written to my son on the subject, in
 
 THE PLRFipiOUS.GVARJDfAN. IJJ 
 
 reply to his letters ; and as ,hc will, no 
 doubt, exhibit my correspondence to 
 your- perusal, it is unnecessary for mer 
 to repeat in this, what I have written 
 to him. I will simply entreat you to 
 use your influence in forwarding my 
 wishes as expressed in my letter.. 
 
 " I am happy to find my son is in- 
 clined to enter a regiment on foreign 
 service, as it is my particular wish he. 
 should do so ; for this will, in all pro- 
 bability, frustrate the designs of the 
 cottagers, and lead him into new 
 scenes of life, diverting his attentions 
 from their private wishes, and laying 
 a foundation fox his future happiness,. 
 Ilis lady will also have an opportunity 
 of seeing the world, and of profiting 
 by the lessons of it, and be rendered. 
 u 6
 
 156 f*E£ TERTIDI0Uar'ffB3CBEDHk«r. 
 
 in consequence, competent to fill hei 
 situation as his companion through life; 
 £ With these hopes I have givei* 
 him my advice, which is clearly ex- 
 pressive of my determination concern- 
 ing his future advancement; and I 
 sincerely trust he will adhere to my 
 wishes, and reap the benefits accord- 
 ingly; my best hopes will then be gra- 
 tified, and my happiness completed. 
 Meantime, I must learn to practise 
 patience, not willing to inspect 
 volume of futurity (the pages of which 
 would but deceive me), considering that 
 the objects which men sometimes be- 
 hold at a distance with fear and trem- 
 bling, lose, on a nearer approach, u©t 
 only their disagreeable and menacing 
 aspect, but frequently, in the event,
 
 THE: TEBPID1QU9 CtT'ARDIAU ; 157 
 
 produce the most unexpected and 
 agreeable pleasures; for he who tries 
 every expedient, who boldly opposes 
 himself to every difficulty, who neg- 
 lects no exertion within his power, 
 but relies with confidence upon the 
 interference and assistance of his God, 
 will not only extract from affliction, 
 both its poison and its sting, but de- 
 prive misfortune of its victory. 
 
 " Adieu, my dear Sir. With a per- 
 fect reliance upon your friendly inter- 
 ference, and forwarding: all mv wishes, 
 together with the happiness of my son, 
 and requesting a communication from 
 you in reply, I beg to be considered; 
 with unceasing regard, 
 
 " Your grateful and sincere 
 
 ■*'. F. De Claridse/'
 
 158 TJH-E PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN* 
 
 Alfred, on the receipt of his letter^ 
 immediately communicated the con- 
 tents to William (who concealed, with 
 the utmost caution, the circumstance 
 of his having received one). He had now 
 to determine upon a new course of life, 
 to obtain a reconciliation, and the en- 
 joyment of pleasures promised to him, 
 as the ultimate reward of a compliance 
 with the desires of his parent, whose 
 hopes he was willing to realize ; while 
 his innocent Louisa was no less anxious 
 on her part, to confirm the general 
 aggregate of his expectations. He re- 
 solved, however, to reflect upon the 
 circumstances as they might affect the 
 private wishes of the cottagers, and to 
 take their opinion on the subject, pre- 
 vious to submitting his determinatioa
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. loj 
 
 for the sanction of William, whom he 
 unhappily considered as the best cal- 
 culated to advise him on the destiny 
 of his future happiness : they therefore 
 separated for tire evening,' and Alfred 
 returned to his quarters, leaving the 
 artful hypocrite to enjoy in silence, a 
 confidence too profusely and gene- 
 rously heaped upon him, to admit of 
 the possibility of any detection in hii 
 designs upon the unsuspecting Alfred, 
 who could not as yet discover that 
 
 " Tenderness dwells not in the dissipate. 
 Ambitious heart !" 

 
 d *§M*n * **ftty mJfcfkh : and ha ; - 
 nag KUtt^ta trjem respecting the firtiaw 
 hcnrifr* * iik ;i mch a change woaU 
 taiiih' ptoouct, he conriwitd by ■■■r 
 
 ■ I If m . I h - 1 A E 1 1 I ' 5 - air j ; p if a pf 
 
 i*£*u* aod mcreasmg tie bapphie** of 
 
 w% *»i*ivi* • v rdi «•*
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUABDfAN. 16$ 
 
 It now remained to have the opinion 
 of William, who (from motives, of an 
 interested nature) resolved on this oc- 
 casion to forward the wishes of Mr. De 
 Claridge; and on Alfred's communicat- 
 ing his intentions to him, of complying 
 with his father's advice, as contained 
 in his last letter, he highly applauded 
 him in his resolution, and recommended 
 Ins immediate removal into another 
 regiment, previous to his again address- 
 ing his father on the subject. 
 
 Being therefore willing to perform 
 what he considered an incumbent 
 duty due to his loved and respected 
 father, he lost no time in making an 
 application to the Commander in Chief 
 to be removed; stating his former ser- 
 vices, and offering a continuance of
 
 1 64 THE '-MEAWDIOns GVAtiblAS. 
 
 therri in any regiment employed 'in a 
 foreign settlement, and 'soliciting the 
 favour of being appointed as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 Alive to the merits and personal 
 wishes of Alfred, the Commander in 
 Chief received his memorial with grea't 
 satisfaction, and in the most gracious 
 manner complied with his request, by 
 recommending him to his Royal I :her 
 for the appointment he desired; and'tne 
 next Gazette placed him accordingly 
 in a regiment stationed in the province 
 of New Brunswick, North America:' 
 He at the same time received\a letter 1 
 from His Royal -Highness's secretary; 
 requiring him to proceed without de- 
 lay to the head quarters of his corps. '• 
 
 Gratified by the attention psid'teJ
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN, 1-6j 
 
 his application, and equally delighted 
 with the prospect of being enabled to 
 fulfil his parents commands, he re- 
 turned the most heartfelt thanks to 
 his royal patron, while he called forth 
 the emotions of his heart to dictate the 
 following lines to his indulging pa- 
 rent, i 
 
 ■ 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 ". MY DEAREST FATHER, 
 
 " I have been favoured with 
 your very affectionate epistle, and have 
 now the pleasure to answer it most 
 fully, by assuring you, I feel equally 
 affected by your inquietude at what 
 you have termed my folly and disobe- 
 dience; the former idea I wili trust to 
 future events to [erase from jtour mind) 
 
 5
 
 T66 THE PERFIDIOUS GUA«WaV. 
 
 white I hope for a perfect forgiveness 
 in aokhbwledging the latter. 
 
 " Your affectionate disquisition x>ti 
 marriage has fortunately given me an 
 opportunity of making known to you 
 the exactitude of my ideas upon that 
 state of life, in which it has at length 
 pleased Providence to place me. Allow 
 me therefore, my dear father, to repeat, 
 that if I make my own situation to co- 
 incide with all my sentiments of hap- 
 piness in this world, by an union with 
 a most endearing, amiable, and virtuous 
 female, and continue to conduct her 
 and myself th rough the vicissitudes of 
 life with an honest and honourable 
 fame, I cannot conceive reason for 
 either your hopes to be decided unfa- 
 vourably, .or your best wishes disap-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. \GT 
 
 pointed ; and if I have even served the 
 conveniences of the venerable and 
 worthy cottagers, surely, while we en- 
 deavour to suit our own purposes, it is 
 but reasonable to grant the same privi- 
 leges to others, which we ourselves 
 wish to profit by and enjoy; I there- 
 fore hope, under the impression of such 
 reflections, you will no longer feel dis- 
 concerted with this particular part of 
 my conduct 
 
 " On necessary and inevitable evils 
 all disputation is in vain; when they 
 happen they must be endured patiently; 
 while it is evident that most of those 
 principles which picture universal un- 
 happiness and distress, are in general 
 more dreaded than felt; for thousands 
 and ten thousands flourish un vouth,
 
 K>$ THE PEBFJ£)IOUS GUARX>Mfc\ 
 
 and wither in age, without the know- 
 ledge of any other evil than domestic 
 disquietude, occasioned at all times by 
 the capricious train of ideas attendant 
 upon pride, and the ignoble resolution 
 of preferring wealth and un worthiness 
 to humility and sterling worth. I shall 
 not, however, endeavour to change 
 the sentiments of others in this strange 
 and ridiculous maxim : it shall be my 
 study alone to consider what a being 
 like myself may perform; or, in labour- 
 ing for my own happiness, I shall try 
 to promote within my circle, however 
 narrow, the felicity of others; this is 
 evidently the dictate of nature and, 
 hjumanity; and as the sexes were made 
 to be the companions of jeach ^)ther, I 
 cannot be peisuaded but that marriage
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN l6P 
 
 is an essential promoter of alt happi- 
 ness. 
 
 " What reason cannot collect, and 
 what experiment has not yet taught, 
 can certainly be known only from the 
 report of others. You, my dear father, 
 are of opinion that late marriages can- 
 not be eminently happy. This is a 
 question too important to be neglected, 
 and I have often proposed it to those 
 whose accuracy of remark, and com- 
 prehensiveness of knowledge, made 
 their suffrages worthy of regard. They 
 have generally determined, that it is 
 dangerous for a man or woman to 
 suspend tfceir fate upon each other, at 
 a time when opinions are fixed and 
 habits are established; when friendships 
 have been contracted ©n both Aides, 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 170 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 when life has been planned into me- 
 thod, and the mind has long enjoyed 
 the contemplation of its own pro- 
 spects. 
 
 " It is scarcely possible, that, tra- 
 velling through the world under the 
 conduct of chance, two persons should 
 •have-been directed to the same path; 
 and it will not often happen that either 
 will quit the track which habit has 
 made pleasing. Nor are long-esta- 
 blished customs easily broken. He that 
 attempts to vary, the- course .of his own 
 life, very often toils in vain ; and how 
 shall we perform that for others, which 
 we are seldom capable of completing 
 for ourselves? 
 
 " To be guided by aeason is no doubt 
 a very happy requisite in matrimony;
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN 171 
 
 but thus it is, that many are deceived. 
 There are a thousand familiar disputes, 
 which neither reason nor judgment 
 can decide — questions that elude in- 
 vestigation, and make logic insipid; 
 cases where something must be done, 
 and where little can be said. 
 
 " Consider, my dearest father, the 
 state of mankind, and inquire how few 
 can be supposed to act upon any occa- 
 sions, whether small or great, with all 
 the reasons of action present to their 
 minds. Wretched would be the pair, 
 *above all names of wretchedness, who 
 'were doomed to adjust by reason, 
 every morning, ail the minute detail 
 of a domestic day. 
 
 M Those who marry at an advanced 
 age, will probably escape the encroach- 
 i 2
 
 172 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDTAX. 
 
 ments of their children; but in dimi- 
 nution of such an advantage, tliey will 
 be likely to leave them, ignorant and 
 helpless, to a guardian's mercy ; or, if 
 that should not happen, they must at 
 least go out of the world before they 
 see those they love best, either wise or 
 great. 
 
 " From their children, if they have 
 less to fear, they have less also to hope; 
 and they lose without equivalent, the 
 joys of early love, and the convenience 
 of uniting with manners pliant, and 
 minds susceptible of new impressions. 
 Nature, therefore, sets her gifts on the 
 right hand and on the left; while those 
 conditions which flatter hope and at- 
 tract desire, are so constituted, that, as 
 we approach one, we recede from the
 
 THE TERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 17 o 
 
 other : and there are pleasures, no doubt, 
 so opposed, that we cannot grasp at 
 both, yet by too much prudence we 
 may pass between them, at too great a 
 distance to reach either! And you 
 surely conclude too hastily, my beloved 
 parent, from the infelicity of early 
 marriage against its institution. Will 
 not the misery of life prove equally 
 that life cannot be the gift of Heaven? 
 The world must be peopled by mar- 
 riage, or peopled without it. 
 
 " If marriage therefore be the best 
 for mankind (and in my opinion it cer- 
 tainly is), it must be evidently best for 
 individuals, or a permanent and neces- 
 sary duty will be the course of evil, and 
 some will inevitably be sacrificed to 
 the convenience of others. In the ge- 
 i 3
 
 174 THE PERFIDIOUS Cl'AUDIAX. 
 
 ueral estimate which you have made of 
 the -two extremes, it appears to me that 
 the ineonvenieueies of a single life are 
 in a STPeat measure necessary and cer- 
 tain, while those of the conjugal state 
 are accidental and avoidable. 
 
 " Under a conviction of these ideas, 
 I have taken to my bosom the fond 
 object of my heart's best affection ; and 
 may she long prove to me a lasting 
 source of that connubial bliss I now 
 enjoy and feel bound to acknowledge 
 in the possession of my innocent ami 
 loved Louisa, whose every action to* 
 wards your son appears the offspring 
 of an unbounded gratitude, and whose 
 love, surpassing even human expecta- 
 tion, would require the immortal pen 
 of a Milton to describe.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. I7i 
 
 - I am come now, my dearest father, 
 to the perusal of that particular part 
 
 uf \our letter which mentioris the 
 
 ■ 
 
 terms on which alone I am to ex- 
 pect forgiveness, for trangressing your 
 commands, as well as to have my 
 Louisa received hy you as the tender 
 pledge of returning affection. Happy in 
 being the instrument of obtaining the 
 first wishes of my heart, I readily 
 embrace all your desires in this re* 
 spect; and, to convince you of my 
 termination in abiding by the result, 
 I have already obtained an appointment 
 in a regiment serving in America, with 
 orders to embark and join without de- 
 and I only awuit your answer^ 
 pointing out the manner in which I 
 am to receive ths stipend you JdndLy, 
 i -i
 
 174 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 neral estimate which you have made of 
 the two extremes, it appears to me that 
 the inconveniencies of a single life are 
 in a o-reat measure necessary and cer- 
 tain, while those of the conjugal state 
 are accidental and avoidable. 
 
 " Under a conviction of these ideas, 
 I have taken to my bosom the fond 
 object of my heart's best affection; and 
 may she long prove to me a lasting 
 source of that connubial bliss I now 
 -enjoy and feel bound to acknowledge 
 in the possession of my innocent and 
 loved Louisa, whose every action to- 
 wards your son appears the offspring 
 of an unbounded gratitude, and whose 
 love, surpassing even human expecta- 
 tion, would require the immortal pen 
 of a Milton to describe.
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 175 
 
 • I am come now, my dearest father, 
 to tlie perusal of that particular part 
 of your letter which mentions the 
 terms on which alone I am to ex- 
 pect forgiveness, for trangressing your 
 commands, as well as to have my 
 Louisa received hy you as the tender 
 pledge of returning affection. Happy in 
 being the instrument of obtaining the 
 first wishes of my heart, I readily, 
 embrace all your desires in this re- 
 spect; and, to convince you of my de- 
 termination in abiding by the result, 
 I have already obtained an appointment 
 in a regiment serving in America, with 
 orders to embark and join without de- 
 lay; and I only await your answer^ 
 pointing out the manner in which I 
 am to receive the stipend you kindly 
 i -*
 
 178 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN' .- 
 
 This letter was, as usual, submitted 
 to William, and highly approved of by 
 him, while he failed not in renewing his 
 insidious representations to the father of 
 Alfred, in answer to his last favour re- 
 ceived. The opportunity was indeed too 
 important to his mind to let pass, and his 
 perfidious designs were pursued in the 
 following manner, exemplifying but 
 too fully this important truth, .that 
 "our good qualities, more than our 
 errors, expose us to persecution/ 
 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " I should have acknowledged 
 your last esteemed favour previous to 
 this period, but awaited the opportunity 
 which gives me the pleasure of inform- 
 ing you I have at length (after much
 
 THE PEBFTBIOUS GUARDIAN. J 79 
 
 pains and persuasion) prevailed upon 
 your sou to adopt the advice you so 
 strenuously gave him in your last 
 letter. 
 
 " I have now the satisfaction of com- 
 municating to you this agreeable intel- 
 ligence, and I beg you to refer to Al- 
 fred's statement for all particulars. I 
 am at the same time truly sensible, the 
 sooner he departs from this neighbour- 
 hood, the more it will contribute to his 
 interest; and should you, on mature 
 reflection, authorize me to advance him 
 a necessary supply of cash for that 
 purpose, I flatter myself in being en- 
 abled to get him off without delay. 
 This, no doubt, you will, with me, see 
 the necessity of accomplishing, when 
 I assure you, the cottagers are by no 
 16
 
 ?80 THE PfcHFIDIOUS GUARDIAN". 
 
 means reconciled to his determination, 
 but are using every method in therr 
 power to effect their purposes, in all 
 which the lady of Alfred is by no 
 means deficient: to change his present 
 sentiments is their daily employ. 
 
 "The accomplishment of your wishes 
 in this respect will depend upon your 
 final reply, which I beg to be favoured 
 with as soon as possible, for the rea- 
 sons above-named. Nor can I con- 
 clude without offering my future ser- 
 vices to yourself and son, in becoming 
 the instrument or agent to any allow- 
 ance you may be pleased to grant him, 
 and which I can make an immediate 
 arrangement for having paid to him 
 regularly on his arrival in America, by 
 furnishing him with letters of credit 
 for the amount of it
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS ^CUAKDIAN. 381 
 
 •My best wishes will ever attend his 
 future destiny. And while I am anxious 
 for his welfare, believe me, dear Sir, 
 ?! With sincere regard, 
 !? Yours most truly, 
 
 " William O'Coxxor." 
 
 Alfred being still ignorant of the 
 treacherous and designnig correspond- 
 ence carried on by his supposed friend, 
 and superseded in his military duty in 
 that neighbourhood by his late ap- 
 pointment, he removed with Louisa to 
 the residence of William, being invited 
 to remain there until the arrival of his 
 next letters, and until they were ready 
 to embark for America to join his new 
 regiment.
 
 182 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 GHAP. XIV. 
 
 " Then to be good is to be happy ! Angels 
 
 Are happier than mankind, because they're better. 
 
 Guilt is the source of sorrow, 't is the fiend, 
 
 The avenging fiend, that follows us behind 
 
 With whips and stings : the blest know none of 
 
 this, 
 But rest in everlasting peace of mind, 
 And find the height of all their heaven in good." 
 
 During this anxious interval, Alfred 
 had frequent opportunities of witness- 
 ing the inattentions and coldness of 
 William towards the invaluable Eliza.; 
 nor did he ever fail to upbraid him in 
 the most generous and friendly manner 
 for what he considered ingratitude and 
 a want of reciprocal affection for an 
 amiable wife, by whose patrimony and
 
 Tfc- PERFIDIOUS GUARMAV. 
 
 alliance solely he was established in 
 the world, and placed in a state of re- 
 putable independence; but, alas! his 
 interference proved of little moment. 
 The tender ties of disinterested love 
 had never united his heart with hers, 
 nor was he ever known to expatiate on 
 the subject of domestic bliss and hap- 
 piness, or to consider either as attain- 
 able, but where an accumulation of 
 property led the way to his contracted 
 sentiments, and promised to secure him 
 the golden object of all his desires — 
 sordid wealth. 
 
 " Oh J cursed lust for gold ! when for thy sake 
 The fool throws ap his interest m both worlds, 
 First starv'd in this, then damn'd in that to come.'* 
 
 It was in this manner lie employ < d 
 the most precious moments of his life, 
 
 4
 
 184 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 disdaining the exercise of those actions 
 "winch would have secured to him re- 
 spect and lasting honours, while his 
 mind must have been a constant prey 
 to that avenging fiend, remorse of con- 
 science, attendant on perfidious and 
 corrupt deeds. 
 
 How different was the course of life 
 pursued by Alfred and Louisa, who 
 became the admiration and pride of 
 those who had the pleasure of being 
 known to them ; and their intended 
 departure from the village now caused 
 many to regret their loss, for their 
 society was highly esteemed by all, 
 and the poor had already learned to 
 hail them as their benefactors ; nor was 
 their happiness ever more complete, 
 than when, in visiting the haunts of
 
 THE PJ.RHDIOUS GUARDIAN, 185 
 
 |>pverty, they had an opportunity of 
 d lopping a tear upon the couch of suf- 
 fering, and wiping away those which 
 fell from the cheek of the miserable, 
 by supplying their wants. 
 
 Thus passed the early days of con- 
 jugal felicity, enjoyed by this fond and 
 exemplary pair, when they were sum- 
 moned to other scenes, and the arrival 
 of the letters which follow, hastened 
 their departure from the centre of all 
 their youthful joys. 
 
 Mr. De Clariege to Alfred* 
 
 " MY DEAREST ALFRED, 
 
 " I have now the pleasing 
 task not only of replying to your fa- 
 vour, but assuring you how "highly I 
 approve of your determination, and
 
 184 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 disdaining the exercise of those action* 
 which would have secured to him re- 
 spect and lasting honours, -while his 
 mind must have been a constant prey 
 to that avenging fiend, remorse of con- 
 science, attendant on perfidious and 
 corrupt deeds. 
 
 How different was the course of life 
 pursued by Alfred and Louisa, who 
 became the admiration and pride of 
 those who had the pleasure of being 
 known to them ; and their intended 
 departure from the village now caused 
 many to regret their loss, for their 
 society was highly esteemed by all, 
 and the poor had already learned to 
 hail them as their benefactors ; nor was 
 their happiness ever more complete, 
 than when, in visiting the haunts of
 
 IHE Pi-RHDIOUS GUABDIAX. 185 
 
 poverty, they had an opportunity of 
 chopping a tear upon the couch of suf- 
 fering, and wiping away those which 
 fell from the cheek of the miserable, 
 by supplying their wants. 
 
 Tims passed the early days of con- 
 jugal felicity, enjoyed by this fond and 
 exemplary pair, when they were sum- 
 moned to other scenes, and the arrival 
 of the letters which follow, hastened 
 their departure from the centre of all 
 their youthful joys. 
 
 Mr. De Claridge to Alfred. 
 
 " MY DEAREST ALFRED, 
 
 " I have now the pleasing 
 task not only of replying to your fa- 
 vour, but assuring you how highly I 
 approve of ycur determination, and
 
 186 TKK PERFIDIOUS GUAKDIAX. 
 
 the conduct which led to your imme- 
 diate adoption of my desires, as speci- 
 fied in your last letter. 
 
 '• I shall not expatiate further, upon 
 the evils attending the pleasures ari- 
 sing from matrimonial alliances, whe- 
 ther ill judged or maturely considered. 
 You, my dearest Alfred, have decided 
 your fate upon this subject, and it 
 only remains for me to hope it may 
 prove propitious to your lasting felicity. 
 
 " I now beg leave to urge that you 
 will not lose any time in repairing to 
 the quarters of your new appointment; 
 and doubtless you will perceive the 
 necessity of so doing, when you reflect 
 how very disreputable it must appear, 
 to continue longer in a state of inac- 
 tivity and idleness : I trust, therefore,
 
 THE riAtflDIOL'S OCARDIAST. 187 
 
 •vill, without further delay, pro- 
 I to embark for your corps ; and to 
 enable you to do; so in a respectable 
 .manner. I have this day addressed your 
 friend William, requesting him to ad- 
 vance you whatever cash may be ne- 
 Cfcwary to defray your expenses, and 
 likewise empowered him to act as the 
 agent to your remittances from me, 
 while you now possess my authority 
 to draw upon him for your future sup- 
 plies. I am convinced, on his receiv- 
 ing my letter, he will exhibit a perfect 
 .willingness to comply with my wishes, 
 and will arrange every particular to 
 your entire satisfaction. 
 
 " I am induced to place this confi- 
 dence in him, on account of the very 
 sincere and friendly disposition he has
 
 188 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 at all times exhibited towards you, and 
 the more particularly since your resi- 
 dence in Suffolk ; and I will be suffi- 
 ciently candid with you to remark, 
 that I have had, for some time past, 
 a most agreeable, though private cor- 
 respondence with him, the nature of 
 which convinces me of his strong re* 
 gard and attachment towards you. I 
 therefore advise you, in the most stre- 
 nuous manner, to view him as a firm 
 and anxious friend, and to be guided 
 by him in all things which concern 
 your interest and welfare, when you 
 cannot, at the moment, receive advice 
 from me. 
 
 I am much pleased to observe, that 
 the climate you^ are on the point of 
 removing to> is congenial to the health
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 1 89 
 
 of European residents; and concluding 
 that I shall, on receipt of your next 
 epistle, find you in a state of readiness 
 for your voyage, I will so far rest sa- 
 tisfied. Meantime it will, no douht, 
 prove gratifying to your feelings to be 
 assured, I shall henceforward esteem 
 your innocent Louisa as a happy ad- 
 dition to my family ; and in this as- 
 surance is contained an equal partici- 
 pation in the affection of, 
 % Dear Alfred, 
 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 " F. De Claridge." 
 
 The contents of this letter were pro- 
 ductive of every wish that filled and 
 could gratify the heart of the decep- 
 tion William, while it surprised Al-
 
 190 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 fred to learn that a secret correspond 
 ence had been so long carried on 
 between his father and him ; nor could 
 he forbear reproaching his friend for 
 this breach of confidence, though his 
 father's assurances led him to consider 
 it as a happy circumstance in its ge- 
 neral tendency. 
 
 In reply to his upbraidings, he was 
 also assured by William that these com- 
 munications were of a most simple and 
 disinterested nature, and had proved 
 highly advantageous in forwarding his 
 wishes; nor could he longer refrain 
 from telling him, they had the effect 
 of. accomplishing that reconciliation 
 tto hfa late conduct, which had taken 
 place on the part of his father. 
 
 The accompanying epistle that Wil-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN"* 191 
 
 Uam received from Mr. De Claridge 
 (and which he designedly submitted to 
 inspection), together with the advice 
 contained iu Alfred s letter, tended to 
 imp res Ms mind wi-h this idea, and 
 rendered his affection and regard for 
 William the more secure ; nor can this 
 be wondered at, when the following 
 meets perusal. 
 
 3/;*. De Claridge to William. 
 
 4 MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " The receipt of yours afforded 
 me the most inexpressible deliirht, in- 
 asmuch as it served to convince me 
 the more forcibly of, your. great regard 
 for my son. Allow me to return you 
 my most heartfelt thanks for your nu- 
 merous kindnesses, to him at a moment
 
 192 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 
 
 which gives me the pleasing opportu- 
 nity of placing him more immediately 
 under your guidance, certain as I am 
 that you will, on all occasions, ten- 
 derly cherish his interest. 
 
 " I have, by this post, made known. 
 to Alfred, that he may receive from 
 you, not only a supply of cash to take 
 him to his regiment, but that he may 
 draw upon you to furnish all other 
 exigencies necessary on his arrival in 
 America, and during his stay with his 
 regiment. I will, therefore, gladly em- 
 brace your offer of becoming an agent 
 in this business, and I will thank you 
 to present him with the letters of cre- 
 dit you have been pleased to mention ; 
 and in return, you will have the good- 
 ness to draw upon me for every ex-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN'. 193 
 
 pense you may sustain, according as it 
 is incurred by him. 
 
 '•I am still very anxious that he 
 should depart from your neighbour- 
 hood, and in hopes, with your in- 
 fluence, to accomplish this wish also. 
 I shall conclude, assuring you of my 
 great obligations, by subscribing my- 
 self, 
 
 u Dear Sir, 
 
 " With sincere esteem, 
 
 " Yours trul}-, 
 ° F. De Claridge." 
 
 Weak and misguided beings, who 
 thus place implicit and unlimited con- 
 fidence in the delusive friendships and 
 artifices of the adventurous and per- 
 fidious miscreants of the present day, 
 whose private aims are alone directed 
 
 TOL. I. k
 
 194 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 to disturb domestic tranquillity, to- 
 effect the ruin of the credulous, the 
 unsuspecting, and unguarded, and by 
 a brutality almost inconceivable, smi- 
 ling at the sacred name of Friendship, 
 practise, under its prominent mask, 
 the most daring cruelties ; making de- 
 struction subservient to their basest 
 purposes, and inevitable and heart- 
 rending sorrow flow from the source 
 of their perfidious guiltiness.
 
 THE PERITDIOVS GUARDIAX. 195 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 " O ! how my spring of life resembleth 
 Th' uncertain glory of an April day, 
 Which now shows all the beauty of sun, 
 And by and by a cloud takes all away." 
 
 The preparations for Alfred's departure 
 were hastened by William, who began 
 to use every exertion and influence to 
 get him in readiness for his journey 
 as soon as possible; nor did he fail to 
 supply him in a plentiful manner with 
 cash, furnishing also letters of credit 
 for fresh supplies as occasion might 
 require on his arrival at Portsmouth, 
 where he was to embark, and also on 
 joining his regiment in America. Every 
 thing at length being completed, it only 
 remained to take an affectionate leare
 
 196 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 of those friends in whose society he 
 had spent many happy days, to bid the 
 humble cottagers a tender adieu, to em- 
 brace his friend "William, and seek new 
 scenes, in expectation of experiencing, 
 in a distant clime, joys and pleasures, 
 which, alas! proved but too expressive 
 of "the uncertain glory of an April 
 day." 
 
 His first duty was to address his 
 anxious parents, which letter w r as ac- 
 companied by a few lines from William; 
 and here the genuine feelings of his 
 heart will be best portrayed in his 
 farewell letter. 
 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 " MY DEAREST FATHER, 
 
 " To answer your last favour, 
 I waited the period which now permits 
 4
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 197 
 
 my informing you that I shall imme- 
 diately leave this to embark for Ame- 
 rica. Nor have I lost any time in 
 making the preparations so absolutely 
 necessary for our voyage to New Bruns- 
 wick. I am likewise happy in being 
 enabled to communicate that my good 
 and anxious friend William has pro- 
 vided me with every essential requisite 
 in a pecuniary point of view, agreeable 
 to your careful instructions. And while 
 I return you my most grateful thanks 
 for your bountiful marks of affection, 
 suffer me also to assure you, that I feel 
 satisfied you will never have cause to 
 regret the generous confidence you 
 have thus so happily placed in that 
 friend I shall ever look up to as a pro- 
 tector, and be proudly guided by as 
 k 3
 
 19$ THE PERFIDIOUS GUAKDIAX. 
 
 my Mentor, on all occasions, where I 
 cannot have your immediate assistance 
 and advice. 
 
 " Your pleasing reception of my 
 soul's best treasure into your affection, 
 now claims the warmest tribute of my 
 grateful heart. O my dearest father! 
 what pleasures have I not already ex- 
 perienced, what joys have I not al- 
 ready felt, from an intercourse so ten- 
 derly, so intimately, so closely united? 
 Pleasures which can alone be equalled 
 by those we feel in rendering our duti- 
 ful and united love for the blessings 
 you have fondly heaped upon your 
 children, whose eyes, now streaming 
 with affection, shall be constantly up- 
 lifted in orisons to a beneficent Creator, 
 beseeching him to watch over and pro-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 199 
 
 tect the peace and happiness of our in- 
 estimable parents. 
 
 "It now remains, my dearest father, 
 to bid a painful adieu; and be con- 
 vinced, while I do so, it is in the bitter- 
 ness of my heart I articulate a sad 
 farewell! And in this cruel hour of 
 separation, I exclaim, even in the an- 
 guish of my soul, that in all my exer- 
 tions to do good, my greatest reward 
 shall be to give you pleasure; for the 
 happiness of my life shall for ever be 
 concentred in the joys which you 
 receive. 
 
 " Adieu, adieu! 
 
 " Your ever fond and affectionate 
 
 "Alfred." 
 
 " P.S. I had nearly forgotten to say, 
 that, immediately on our arrival in 
 k4
 
 200 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 
 
 America, I shall not fail to address 
 you, giving you the particulars of our 
 voyage.'* 
 
 To Mr. De Claridge. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR, 
 
 " I have now the pleasure to ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of your last 
 esteemed favour, and to state that your 
 son is at length (after many exertions 
 on my part) in perfect readiness for 
 embarkation, and leaves this place di- 
 rectly for that purpose. 
 
 " I am highly flattered and grati- 
 fied with the confidence you have 
 been pleased to confer on me ; and be 
 assured my services are, on all occa- 
 sions, at your command, while my in-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAX. 201 
 
 terest and influence shall be attendant 
 on the welfare of Alfred. 
 
 u I have, according* to your wishes, 
 advanced him a supply of cash, and fur- 
 nished the letters of credit as required, 
 and when in need of reimbursement I 
 shall apply to you as desired. 
 
 " I will take particular care that 
 your son's journey is not impeded by 
 the cottagers; and while I shall re- 
 main anxious to hear of his safe arrival 
 at the station of his regiment, allow 
 me to subscribe myself 
 
 " Your ever sincere friend, 
 
 " William O'Coxxor." 
 
 A most painful task still remained 
 for Alfred to perform, namely, that of 
 separating from William and Eliza;
 
 202 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 while the feelings of Louisa were no 
 less agitated at the thoughts of leaving: 
 her native village, and parting from 
 her venerable parents, and the circle of 
 a society which it was her pride to live 
 in, but to which, alas! she was doomed 
 never to return. 
 
 Oh! how strongly did she move 
 and interest the heart of Alfred, when, 
 in speaking of the diversity of scenes 
 and pleasures there appeared before 
 them, this innocent girl so simply and 
 artlessly replied to him, "I should prefer 
 a residence in my native fields to all 
 others, not because they are more 
 beautiful, but because I was brought 
 up there. The spot on which I have 
 passed my earliest days, possesses a 
 secret charm, an inexpressible en-
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN". £03 
 
 chantment, superior to any other the 
 world could aiford, and for the loss of 
 which no country can compensate — the 
 spot where the gambols of my irj 
 days were played, those happy days 
 which passed without waf : etude or 
 cares. Happy, my Alfred, are they, 
 who have it in their power to reside 
 at the place of their attachment, that 
 spot where they have fondly fixed an 
 affection on all around them, and 
 where every object appears amiable to 
 their eyes, even the fertile fields in 
 which they are wont to exercise them- 
 selves! 
 
 " These delightful ideas have en- 
 graved indelibly on my heart the re- 
 membrance of my infant residence at 
 the cottage of my humble parents,
 
 204 THE PFRFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 and of those happy days I have passed 
 with so much pleasure in the charm- 
 ing shade of my native, hut lowly 
 home. Who is there, my dearest Al- 
 fred, who has not experienced, even 
 in the hours of languor and disgust, 
 the sweet effects which a view of the 
 enchanting pleasures enjoyed by tlie 
 village rustics is capable of affording? 
 
 " It is only in rural life -I fear 
 that we can truly enjoy the trea- 
 sures of the heart : in the society of 
 a fond husband, endearing children, 
 and sincere friends, our native home 
 has in every respect the advantage over 
 all others. The prospects are ever smil- 
 ing, the living comfortable, the man- 
 ners simple, and the mind virtuous. 
 In such a life the passions unfold
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 205 
 
 themselves without injury or envy to 
 any person; and the bosom, inspired 
 with the most tender love, can feel itself 
 dependent on Heaven alone for further 
 joys. The warrior may follow the din 
 of clashing arms and the chase ; the 
 voluptuary may cultivate the rich 
 fruits of the earth, and the philosopher 
 indulge his contemplation at ease; but 
 give me my native village for a resi- 
 dence, the society of my relatives, and 
 the bosom of my Alfred to repose 
 upon in sweet contentment : this is 
 all I shall require to complete my hap- 
 piness when surrounded by the friends 
 of my youth* and secure in the affec- 
 tion of a tender and virtuous hus- 
 band." 
 
 A discourse so innocent and pathe- 
 tic could not fail to make a deep im-
 
 206 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 
 
 pression on the feeling and susceptible 
 heart of Alfred, who readily foresaw 
 the different changes which might 
 take place in the course of a few years. 
 The friendships of younger life he 
 considered as the most sweet, contain- 
 ing an enthusiasm and force about 
 them, which is perhaps never after- 
 wards experienced ; while he wisely 
 reflected that every happiness has its 
 correspondent trial, and that, in pass- 
 ing through life, sorrow and joy gene- 
 rally act as a mutual counterbalance 
 upon each other. 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding his resolution, 
 he dreaded the idea of the moment 
 which must separate his Louisa from 
 the centre of all her earthly pleasures : 
 to avoid therefore the pangs which
 
 THE PERFIDIOUS GUARDIAN. 207 
 
 would necessarily accompany a formal 
 adieu, he resolved to make a hasty and 
 unexpected departure, not suffering 
 more time to be expended in a parting 
 embrace, than would be occupied in 
 saying farewell! 
 
 Every thing being prepared for this 
 purpose, he completed his wishes, and 
 at an early hour the next morning 
 they set off with aching hearts for the 
 place of embarkation. 
 
 What a trying scene was this for the 
 cottagers ! what a painful moment to 
 their lovely daughter ! But, protected 
 by an affectionate husband, who would 
 not proceed through the roughest and 
 most difficult path, when conducted 
 by the hand they love ? 
 
 END OF VOL. I.
 
 S. Gosjtell, Printer, Little Queen Street, London.