CHAPTER XXIV.

Fresh Calamities.

wretched for life, and polluted a family that had nothing but honour for their portion!"

'If she or you," returned he, "are resolved to be miserable, I can not help it. But you may still

THE next morning the sun arose with peculiar be happy; and whatever opinion you may have warmth for the season, so that we agreed to break-formed of me, you shall ever find me ready to confast together on the honey-suckle bank; where, tribute to it. We can marry her to another in a while we sat, my youngest daughter at my request short time, and what is more, she may keep her joined her voice to the concert on the trees about lover beside; for I protest I shall ever continue to us. It was in this place my poor Olivia first met have a true regard for her." her seducer, and every object served to recall her

be

sadness. But that melancholy which is excited by objects of pleasure, or inspired by sounds of harmony, soothes the heart instead of corroding it. Her mother, too, upon this occasion, felt a pleasing distress, and wept, and loved her daughter as fore. "Do, my pretty Olivia," cried she, "let us have that little melancholy air your papa was so fond of; your sister Sophy has already obliged us. Do, child, it will please your old father." She complied in a manner so exquisitely pathetic as moved me.

When lovely woman stoops to folly,

And finds too late that men betray, What charm can soothe her melancholy, What art can wash her guilt away?

The only art her guilt to cover,

To hide her shame from every eye, To give repentance to her lover,

And wring his bosom-is to die.

I found all my passions alarmed at this new degrading proposal; for though the mind may often be calm under great injuries, little villany can at any time get within the soul, and sting it into rage. tinue to insult me with thy presence. Were my "Avoid my sight, thou reptile!" cried I, "nor con

brave son at home he would not suffer this; but I am old and disabled, and every way undone."

"I find," cried he, "you are bent upon obliging me to talk in a harsher manner than I intended. But as I have shown you what may be hoped from my friendship, it may not be improper to represent what may be the consequences of my resentment. My attorney, to whom your late bond has been transferred, threatens hard, nor do I know how to prevent the course of justice, except by paying the money myself, which, as I have been at some expenses lately, previous to my intended marriage, is not so easy to be done. And then my steward talks of driving for the rent: it is certain he knows his duty; for I never trouble myself with affairs of that nature. Yet still I could wish to serve you,

As she was concluding the last stanza, to which and even to have you and your daughter present an interruption in her voice from sorrow gave pe- at my marriage, which is shortly to be solemnized culiar softness, the appearance of Mr. Thornhill's with Miss Wilmot; it is even the request of my equipage at a distance alarmed us all, but particu- charming Arabella herself, whom I hope you will larly increased the uneasiness of my eldest daugh- not refuse." ter, who, desirous of shunning her betrayer, re- "Mr. Thornhill," replied I, "hear me once for turned to the house with her sister. In a few all: As to your marriage with any but my daughminutes he was alighted from his chariot, and ter, that I never will consent to; and though your making up to the place where I was still sitting, friendship could raise me to a throne, or your reinquired after my health with his usual air of fa- sentment sink me to the grave, yet would I despise miliarity. "Sir," replied I, "your present assur- both. Thou hast once wofully, irreparably deance only serves to aggravate the baseness of your ceived me. I reposed my heart upon thine honour, character; and there was a time when I would have and have found its baseness. Never more therechastised your insolence for presuming thus to ap-fore expect friendship from me. Go, and possess pear before me. But now you are safe; for age what fortune has given thee, beauty, riches, health, has cooled my passions, and my calling restrains and pleasure. Go, and leave me to want, infamy, disease, and sorrow. Yet, humbled as I am, shall "I vow, my dear sir," returned he, "I am amazed my heart still vindicate its dignity; and though at all this; nor can I understand what it means! I thou hast my forgiveness, thou shalt ever have my hope you don't think your daughter's late excursion contempt." with me had any thing criminal in it?"

them."

"If so," returned he, "depend upon it you shall "Go," cried I, "thou art a wretch, a poor pitiful feel the effects of this insolence: and we shall shortwretch, and every way a liar: but your meanness ly see which is the fittest object of scorn, you or secures you from my anger! Yet, sir, I am de- me."-Upon which he departed abruptly. scended from a family that would not have borne My wife and son, who were present at this inthis! And so, thou vile thing, to gratify a mo- terview, seemed terrified with the apprehension. mentary passion, thou hast made one poor creature My daughters, also, finding that he was gone, came

out to be informed of the result of our conference, and old to walk far in such deep snow; but if it which, when known, alarmed them not less than must be so▬▬▬▬▬▬▬❞

the rest. But as to myself, I disregarded the utmost I then turned to my wife and children, and distretch of his malevolence: he had already struck rected them to get together what few things were the blow, and now I stood prepared to repel every left us, and to prepare immediately for leaving this new effort; like one of those instruments used in place. I entreated them to be expeditious, and dethe art of war, which, however thrown, still pre-sired my son to assist his eldest sister, who, from a sents a point to receive the enemy. consciousness that she was the cause of all our caWe soon however found that he had not threat-lamities, was fallen, and had lost anguish in insenened in vain: for the very next morning his stew-sibility. I encouraged my wife, who, pale and ard came to demand my annual rent, which, by trembling, clasped our affrighted little ones in her the train of accidents already related, I was unable arms, that clung to her bosom in silence, dreading to pay. The consequence of my incapacity was to look round at the strangers. In the mean time his driving my cattle that evening, and their being my youngest daughter prepared for our departure, appraised and sold the next day for less than half and as she received several hints to use dispatch, their value. My wife and children now therefore in about an hour we were ready to depart. entreated me to comply upon any terms, rather than incur certain destruction. They even begged of me to admit his visits once more, and used all their little eloquence to paint the calamities I was going to endure;-the terrors of a prison in so rigorous a season as the present, with the danger that threatened my health from the late accident that happened by the fire. But I continued inflexible.

CHAPTER XXV.

No situation, however wretched it seems, but has some sort of comfort attending it.

WE set forward from this peaceful neighbourhood, and walked on slowly. My eldest daughter being enfeebled by a slow fever, which had begun for some days to undermine her constitution, one of the officers, who had a horse, kindly took her behind him; for even these men can not entirely divest themselves of humanity. My son led one of the little ones by the hand, and my wife the other, while I leaned upon my youngest girl, whose tears fell not for her own but my distresses.

"Why, my treasures," cried I, "why will you thus attempt to persuade me to the thing that is not right! My duty has taught me to forgive him; but Iny conscience will not permit me to approve. Would you have me applaud to the world what my heart must internally condemn? Would you have me tamely sit down and flatter our infamous betrayer; and, to avoid a prison, continually suffer the more galling bonds of mental confinement? No, We were now got from my late dwelling about If we are to be taken from this abode, only two miles, when we saw a crowd running and let us hold to the right; and wherever we are shouting behind us, consisting of about fifty of my thrown, we can still retire to a charming apartment, poorest parishioners. These, with dreadful imprewhen we can look round our own hearts with in-cations, soon seized upon the two officers of justice, trepidity and with pleasure!" and swearing they would never see their minister

never.

In this manner we spent that evening. Early go to gaol while they had a drop of blood to shed in the next morning, as the snow had fallen in great his defence, were going to use them with great seabundance in the night, my son was employed in verity. The consequence might have been fatal clearing it away, and opening a passage before the had I not immediately interposed, and with some door. He had not been thus engaged long, when difficulty rescued the officers from the hands of the he came running in, with looks all pale, to tell us enraged multitude. My children, who looked upthat two strangers, whom he knew to be officers of on my delivery now as certain, appeared transportthe justice, were making towards the house.

Just as he spoke they came in, and approaching the bed where I lay, after previously informing me of their employment and business, made me their prisoner, bidding me prepare to go with them to the county gaol, which was eleven miles off.

ed with joy, and were incapable of containing their raptures. But they were soon undeceived, upon hearing me address the poor deluded people, who came as they imagined to do me service.

"What! my friends," cried 1, "and is this the way you love me? Is this the manner you obey My friends," said I, "this is severe weather in the instructions I have given you from the pulpit? which you have come to take me to a prison; and Thus to fly in the face of justice, and bring down it is particularly unfortunate at this time, as one of ruin on yourselves and me! Which is your ringmy arms has lately been burnt in a terrible man- leader? Show me the man that has thus seduced ner, and it has thrown me into a slight fever, and I you. As sure as he lives he shall feel my resentwant clothes to cover me; and I am now too weak ment-Alas! my dear deluded flock, return back to

the duty you owe to God, to your country, and to lowed here nothing but straw, and your apartment me. I shall yet perhaps one day see you in greater is very large and cold. However, you seem to be felicity here, and contribute to make your lives something of a gentleman, and as I have been one more happy. But let it at least be my comfort myself in my time, part of my bed-clothes are heartwhen I pen my fold for immortality, that not one ily at your service." here shall be wanting."

I thanked him, professing my surprise at finding They now seemed all repentance, and melting such humanity in a gaol in misfortunes; adding, to into tears, came one after the other to bid me fare- let him see that I was a scholar, "That the sage well. I shook each tenderly by the hand, and leav- ancient seemed to understand the value of company ing them my blessing, proceeded forward without in affliction, when he said, Ton kosmon aire, ei meeting any further interruption. Some hours be-dos ton etairon; and in fact," continued I, "what fore night we reached the town, or rather village, is the world if it affords only solitude?" for it consisted but of a few mean houses, having "You talk of the world, sir," returned my fellost all its former opulence, and retaining no marks low-prisoner; "the world is in its dotage; and yet of its ancient superiority but the gaol. the cosmogony or creation of the world has puzzled Upon entering we put up at the inn, where we the philosophers of every age. What a medley of had such refreshments as could most readily be opinions have they not broached upon the creation procured, and I supped with my family with my of the world! Sanchoniathon, Manetho, Berosus, usual cheerfulness. After seeing them properly and Ocellus Lucanus, have all attempted it in vain. accommodated for that night, I next attended the The latter has these words, Anarchon ara kai sheriff's officers to the prison, which had formerly atelutaion to pan, which imply—” “I ask pardon, been built for the purpose of war, and consisted of sir," cried I, "for interrupting so much learning; one large apartment, strongly grated and paved but I think I have heard all this before. Have I with stone, common to both felons and debtors at not had the pleasure of once seeing you at Welcertain hours in the four-and-twenty. Besides bridge fair, and is not your name Ephraim Jenkinthis, every prisoner had a separate cell, where he son?" At this demand he only sighed. "I supwas locked in for the night. pose you must recollect," resumed I, "one Doctor Primrose, from whom you bought a horse?"

I expected upon my entrance to find nothing but lamentations and various sounds of misery: but He now at once recollected me; for the gloomi it was very different. The prisoners seemed all ness of the place and the approaching night had employed in one common design, that of forgetting prevented his distinguishing my features before.— thought in merriment or clamour. I was apprized "Yes, sir," returned Mr. Jenkinson, I remember of the usual perquisite required upon these occa-you perfectly well; I bought a horse, but forgot to sions, and immediately complied with the demand, pay for him. Your neighbour Flamborough is the though the little money I had was very near being only prosecutor I am any way afraid of at the next all exhausted. This was immediately sent away assizes; for he intends to swear positively against for liquor, and the whole prison soon was filled with me as a coiner. I am heartily sorry, sir, I ever riot, laughter, and profaneness. deceived you, or indeed any man; for you see," continued he, showing his shackles, "what my tricks have brought me to."

"How," cried I to myself, "shall men so very wicked be cheerful, and shall I be melancholy? I feel only the same confinement with them, and I think I have more reason to be happy."

"Well, sir," replied 1, "your kindness in offering me assistance when you could expect no return, shall be repaid with my endeavours to soften or totally suppress Mr. Flamborough's evidence, and I will send my son to him for that purpose the first opportunity; nor do I in the least doubt but he will comply with my request; and as to my own evidence you need be under no uneasiness about that."

With such reflections I laboured to become cheerful, but cheerfulness was never yet produced by effort, which is itself painful. As I was sitting, therefore, in a corner of the gaol in a pensive posture, one of my fellow-prisoners came up, and sit ting by me, entered into conversation. It was my constant rule in life never to avoid the conversation "Well, sir," cried he, "all the return I can make of any man who seemed to desire it: for, if good, I shall be yours. You shall have more than half might profit by his instruction; if bad, he might be my bed-clothes to-night, and I'll take care to stand assisted by mine. I found this to be a knowing your friend in the prison, where I think I have man, of strong unlettered sense, but a thorough some influence." knowledge of the world, as it is called, or more I thanked him, and could not avoid being surproperly speaking, of human nature on the wrong prised at the present youthful change in his aspect; side. He asked me if I had taken care to provide for at the time I had seen him before, he appeared myself with a bed, which was a circumstance I had at least sixty.-"Sir," answered he, "you are litnever attended to. tle acquainted with the world; I had at that time "That's unfortunate," cried he, "as you are al-false hair, and have learned the art of counterfeit.

ing every age from seventeen to seventy. Ah! sir, to me. "And as for you, my son," continued I, had I but bestowed half the pains in learning a "it is by the labour of your hands we must all hopɑ trade that I have in learning to be a scoundrel, I to be supported. Your wages as a day-labourer might have been a rich man at this day. But rogue will be fully sufficient, with proper frugality, to as I am, still I may be your friend, and that per- maintain us all, and comfortably too. Thou art haps when you least expect it." now sixteen years old, and hast strength; and it We were now prevented from further conversa- was given thee, my son, for very useful purposes; tion by the arrival of the gaoler's servants, who for it must save from famine your helpless parents came to call over the prisoners' names, and lock up and family. Prepare then this evening to look out for the night. A fellow also with a bundle of straw for work against to-morrow, and bring home every for my bed attended, who led me along a dark nar-night what money you earn for our support." row passage into a room paved like the common Having thus instructed him, and settled the rest, prison, and in one corner of this I spread my bed, I walked down to the common prison, where I and the clothes given me by my fellow-prisoner; could enjoy more air and room. But I was not which done, my conductor, who was civil enough, long there when the execrations, lewdness, and bade me a good night. After my usual medita- brutality that invaded me on every side, drove me tions, and having praised my Heavenly Corrector, back to my apartment again. Here I sat for some I laid myself down, and slept with the utmost tran-time pondering upon the strange infatuation of quillity till morning.

CHAPTER XXVI.

A Reformation in the Gaol.-To make Laws complete, they should Reward as well as Punish.

wretches, who, finding all mankind in open arms against them, were labouring to make themselves a future and a tremendous enemy.

Their insensibility excited my highest compassion, and blotted my own uneasiness from my mind. It even appeared a duty incumbent upon me to attempt to reclaim them. I resolved therefore once more to return, and, in spite of their contempt, to THE next morning early I was awakened by my give them my advice, and conquer them by my perfamily, whom I found in tears at my bed-side. The severance. Going therefore among them again, I gloomy strength of every thing about us, it seems, informed Mr. Jenkinson of my design, at which he had daunted them. I gently rebuked their sorrow, laughed heartily, but communicated it to the rest. assuring them I had never slept with greater tran- The proposal was received with the greatest goodquillity, and next inquired after my eldest daugh- humour, as it promised to afford a new fund of enter, who was not among them. They informed tertainment to persons who had now no other reme that yesterday's uneasiness and fatigue had in-source for mirth, but what could be derived from creased her fever, and it was judged proper to leave ridicule or debauchery. her behind. My next care was to send my son to I therefore read them a portion of the service with procure a room or two to lodge the family in, as a loud unaffected voice, and found my audience near the prison as conveniently could be found. perfectly merry upon the occasion. Lewd whisHe obeyed; but could only find one apartment, pers, groans of contrition burlesqued, winking, and which was hired at a small expense for his mother coughing, alternately excited laughter. However, and sisters, the gaoler with humanity consenting I continued with my natural solemnity to read on, to let him and his two little brothers lie in the prison with me. A bed was therefore prepared for them in a corner of the room, which I thought answered very conveniently. I was willing, however, previously to know whether my children chose to lie in a place which seemed to fright them upon entrance.

“Well,” cried I, “my good boys, how do you like your bed? I hope you are not afraid to lie in this room, dark as it appears?"

sensible that what I did might mend some, but could itself receive no contamination from any.

After reading I entered upon my exhortation, which was rather calculated at first to amuse them than to reprove. I previously observed, that no other motive but their welfare could induce me to this; that I was their fellow-prisoner, and now got nothing by preaching. I was sorry, I said, to hear them so very profane; because they got nothing by it, but might lose a great deal: "For be assured, my friends," cried I, "for you are my friends, however the world may disclaim your friendship, though you swore twelve thousand oaths in a day, it would not put one penny in your purse. Then what sigAfter this I allotted to each of the family what nifies calling every moment upon the devil, and they were to do. My daughter was particularly courting his friendship, since you find how scurvidirected to watch her declining sister's health; my ly he uses you? He has given you nothing here, wife was to attend me; my little boys were to read you find, but a mouthful of oaths and an empty

"No, papa," says Dick, "I am not afraid to lie any where where you are."

"And I," says Bill, who was yet but four years old, "love every place best that my papa is in."

belly; and by the best accounts I have of him, he guise, and taking him by the hand, with a smile will give you nothing that's good hereafter.

forgave him. "Yet," continued he, "I can't help wondering at what you could see in my face, to think me a proper mark for deception."

"If used ill in our dealings with one man, we raturally go elsewhere. Were it not worth your while, then, just to try how you may like the usage "My dear sir," returned the other, "it was not of another master, who gives you fair promises at your face, but your white stockings, and the black least to come to him? Surely, my friends, of all riband in your hair, that allured me. But no disstupidity in the world, his must be the greatest, paragement to your parts, I have deceived wiser who, after robbing a house, runs to the thief-takers men than you in my time; and yet, with all my for protection. And yet how are you more wise? tricks, the blockheads have been too many for me You are all seeking comfort from one that has al- at last." ready betrayed you, applying to a more malicious being than any thief-taker of them all; for they only decoy and then hang you; but he decoys and hangs, and, what is worst of all, will not let you loose after the hangman has done."

"I suppose," cried my son, "that the narrative of such a life as yours must be extremely instructive and amusing."

"Not much of either," returned Mr. Jenkinson. "Those relations which describe the tricks and vices only of mankind, by increasing our suspicion in life, retard our success. The traveller that distrusts every person he meets, and turns back upon the appearance of every man that looks like a robber, seldom arrives in time at his journey's end."

When I had concluded, I received the compliments of my audience, some of whom came and shook me by the hand, swearing that I was a very honest fellow, and that they desired my further acquaintance. I therefore promised to repeat my lecture next day, and actually conceived some hopes “Indeed I think, from my own experience, that of making a reformation here; for it had ever been the knowing one is the silliest fellow under the my opinion, that no man was past the hour of sun. I was thought cunning from my very childamendment, every heart lying open to the shafts hood: when but seven years old, the ladies would of reproof, if the archer could but take a proper say that I was a perfect little man; at fourteen I aim. When I had thus satisfied my mind, I went knew the world, cocked my hat, and loved the laback to my apartment, where my wife prepared a dies; at twenty, though I was perfectly honest, yet frugal meal, while Mr. Jenkinson begged leave to every one thought me so cunning, that not one add his dinner to ours, and partake of the pleasure, would trust me. Thus I was at last obliged to as he was kind enough to express it, of my con- turn sharper in my own defence, and have lived versation. He had not yet seen my family; for as ever since, my head throbbing with schemes to dethey came to my apartment by a door in the nar-ceive, and my heart palpitating with fears of detecrow passage already described, by this means they tion. I used often to laugh at your honest simple avoided the common prison. Jenkinson at the first neighbour Flamborough, and one way or another interview, therefore, seemed not a little struck with the beauty of my youngest daughter, which her pensive air contributed to heighten; and my little ones did not pass unnoticed.

"Alas, doctor," cried he, "these children are too handsome and too good for such a place as this!" "Why, Mr. Jenkinson," replied I, "thank Heaven, my children are pretty tolerable in morals; and if they be good, it matters little for the rest."

"I fancy, sir," returned my fellow-prisoner, "that it must give you great comfort to have all this little family about you."

"A comfort, Mr. Jenkinson!" replied I; "yes, it is indeed a comfort, and I would not be without

generally cheated him once a-year. Yet still the honest man went forward without suspicion, and grew rich, while I still continued tricksy and cunning, and was poor, without the consolation of being honest. However," continued he, "let me know your case, and what has brought you here; perhaps, though I have not skill to avoid a gaol myself, I may extricate my friends."

In compliance with his curiosity, I informed him of the whole train of accidents and follies that had plunged me into my present troubles, and my utter inability to get free.

After hearing my story, and pausing some minutes, he slapped his forehead, as if he had hit them for all the world; for they can make a dun- upon something material, and took his leave, say geon seem a palace. There is but one way in this ing he would try what could be done.

life of wounding my happiness, and that is by in

juring them."

"I am afraid then, sir," cried he, "that I am in some measure culpable; for I think I see here (looking at my son Moses), one that I have injured, and by whom I wish to be forgiven."

CHAPTER XXVII.

The same subject continued.

THE next morning, I communicated to my wife My son immediately recollected his voice and and children the scheme I had planned of reformfeatures, though he had before seen him in dis-ing the prisoners, which they received with uni