forty, though had he gone on as men (and women too, though often against their inclination) usually do, he must certainly have numbered sixty years. This man possessed a large fortune, independent of his church preferment, which was considerable. He had been called 'Beauty Bloomer' in his youth; and still thought himself an Adonis: and he was, and ever had been, so devoted to himself, that no expense his own purse could supply, no trouble which others could take, was ever spared by him for his gratifications. And he was the most formal, precise-looking, being, that ever prim Exactness modelled. That dust, or soil, which the wear of the day gave to others, and even the neatest people, never approached him; for he constantly appeared as if an invisible glass-case, or some ethereal substance, shielded him from all which could discompose or disorder his appearance: and now, at breakfast, he was seated powdered, perfumed, and polished up, to the highest degree of lustre, displaying his fine teeth and white hands to the greatest advantage; and hoping, most fervently, that this young and beautiful stranger was admiting him; when, just as Mrs. Hargrave had completed the sentence Doctor Sydenham is the greatest flirt in the world,' Celestina's immense parrot suddenly flew from his perch, and alit upon Mr. Bloomer's head, and, with a horrible, discordant imitation of laughter, began to flap his wings with all his might, covering the whole tea equipage, and filling the surrounding air, with clouds of perfumed powder. Nothing could exceed the rage of Mr. Bloomer, except the boisterous mirth of Celestina, whose shouts of laughter and hooting, at the universally powdered coxcomb, only in creased Poll's din and exercise. Doctor Hargrave, jumping up, seized the parrot, to extricate his friend; but Pol, either from obstinacy or liking the sport, set her beak fast in Mr. Bloomer's hair, and maintained her ground. Doctor Hargrave was compelled to his utmost exertions, to drag Poll from the head; which he would not loosen his hold of, but dragged too-a peruke off, and left the bald-pated beau an absolute friar, with only a tonsure round his face. Mr. Bloomer had not temper to bear such an unexpected mortification; he aimed at instant retreat: but treading upon one of the puppies, a dreadful yelping succeeded, which brought Celestina to its aid, who having taken the wig from Poll, now, in a rage, slapped it in Mr. Bloomer's face. Doctor Hargrave attempted to apologize; but the now insulted beau, not deigning to hear a word, precipitately retreated from the room, and as soon as possible left the house. 'You should, Celestina, my love,' said doctor Hargrave, as, with lofty composure, he was returning to his seat, after Mr. Bloomer haughtily refused to hear his offered apology You should contrive to make your favourites less annoying, and more amenable to command.' Not I, indeed, pa,' replied miss Hargrave, saucily; and those who do n't like my favourites as they are, need not come to the house. As for that old vamped-up thing, he may go to the d-1, and shake himself.' 'Hell and furies' exclaimed doctor Hargrave, at this moment observing one of the puppies busily employed tearing a manuscript pamphlet. My exquisitely written French Revolution, which I had only completed this very morning. And now, with a passion far exceed, ing Mr. Bloomer's, he kicked the puppy, with violence, to the other end of the room; and, with savage rage, shook his daughter by the arm, and ordered her instantly to quit his presence: And he would take care,' he vociferated, to have the necks wrung off her infernal plagues!' Miss Hargrave set up a hideous yell of crying; and peremptorily declared She would not leave the room.' 'Sir,' said Charles, timidly, the manuscript I saw you correcting before breakfast, is now lying behind the cushion of the sopha, where you left it; and this the dog has unfortunately torn,' picking up some of the fragments-this was a sermon, I believe.... Oh! dear me and, I am afraid, upon the Resurrec. to.... Thank Heaven! it was nothing of consequence!' cried doctor Hargrave, running to the sopha.- Aye, you are right, Charles; my treasure is safe. Really, really I am quite shocked, to have appeared in such a pet; but you can feel for me, Sydenham. Authors, you know, have quick feelings; are ever tenderly alive to the fate of the offspring of their invention:' and doctor Hargrave attempted to smile. 'Aye,' said doctor Sydenham, the head of an author, as well as a beau, is his hobby horse; and we must forgive their being a little disconcerted, if any foe should attack either the head or the offspring with hostilities.' Doctor Hargrave, feeling a little too silly to succeed in the smile he still aimed at, now called his bellow ing daughter to him. Come hither, Celestina, my dear love! come hither, and kiss me. I am sincerely sorry, my mistaking what your favourite had torn, should lead me to rebuke you.-Come, love, kiss and be friends.' Never do you believe that,' replied miss Hargrave, sullenly. Do n't think you shall break my head, and give me a plaster.' Well!' said her father, I shall not at present contest the point with you: I shall wait until your judgment is unbiassed by indignation; and then,' I know, your reason will lead you to my arms.' And now, feeling himself particularly pleased with Charles, for having proved the herald of joyful tidings to him, doctor Hargrave suddenly addressed Mrs. Goodwin, Really, madam, your son is a vastly fine youth. I was much pleased with his conduct yesterday, at table;-it was so truly gentlemanly. He carved with so much ease and dexterity;was so unobtrusively polite; so attentive to the ladies near him, without servility or officiousness;--that I was infinitely charmed with him; and I am sure his appearance and manners are such, he will rapidly make his way in India..... But pray, Mrs. Goodwin, may I ask, at whose table Charles learned such a gentlemanly deportment?' At his father's, sir,' replied Mrs. Goodwin, with dignity softened by the natural sweetness of her disposition. At this moment, the door was thrown open; Lord Gaythorn,' announced; and a very tall, genteellooking, elderly man, with a countenance of such undaunted boldness, that no woman of delicacy could behold him without disgust, entered; darted up to Mrs. Hargrave, and, taking her hand with much familia rity, expressed his happiness at seeing her look so lovely.' And now the rector contrived to obtrude upon the notice of his lordship; who, the instant he could escape the homage of the doctor, whose bows sent his mouth to kiss the carpet in reverence, turned to observe Mrs. Hargrave's companions, and on beholding Julia, started. Our heroine started not, but felt nothing like satisfaction, at recognising in him one of Fitzroy's companions, who had remained in the sociable, and so much distressed her, the preceding evening, by his rudely indefatigable gaze. His lordship now hastily requested Mrs. Hargrave to introduce him to her fair friends; and Mrs. Hargrave announced lord Gaythorn and the three ladies to each other. Mrs. Goodwin,' said his lordship, with all the appearance of interest he could muster upon the occasion, I rejoice to see you so perfectly recovered from your dreadful alarm. My friend Fitzroy, and myself, could talk of nothing since, but your interesting terror, surrounded by such a savage multitude: and had my friend Fitzroy known where he could have the happiness of finding you, he would (for he is the most attentive man, to the ladies, in the world) have done himself the honour, even amidst the bustle of canvassing, of calling to enquire for you.' : Doctor and Mrs. Hargrave were now highly disconcerted, at finding their guests had been seen, by his lordship, travelling in a hack chaise, without even the protection of a footman, the objects of ridicule and insult and now, even more than they had done the last two days, regretted having given so unlucky an invitation to Mrs. Goodwin; which they would by no means have done, only long feeling a scruple of conscience relative to their neglect of this estimable relation (to whom they owed such a debt of gratitude), and thinking this election afforded an excellent opportunity of inviting her to Z., when the variety of people entertained at every house, would sanction a woman of no fashion being at the Rectory; and the constant bustle every gossip would be engaged in, would occupy them too much to indulge their curiosity: and, above all, lord and lady Gaythorn were in London, where they had resolved to remain during the election; but upon Fitzroy starting up as a candidate, and his lordship belonging to the party which espoused him, he found himself compelled to be present at Z. during the contest: and lady Gaythorn, too, had been obliged, for the same cause, to return to the Priory, his lordship's seat, near Z., the evening before the last ;-the first moment his patron's intended presence at the election was announced to the dismayed rector, when it was too late to put off the visit of Mrs. Goodwin. Lord Gaythorn having made his speech to Mrs. Goodwin, with a bold stare, and languishing manner, addressed some high-sounding compliments and congratulations to Julia, upon her apparent recovery, from her sweetly expressive terror, the preceding evening;' which she received with a formal how, of repulsive ceremony. His lordship then, observing Celestina sobbing, over her still yelping favourite, kindly demanded What ailed his pretty romp?' Only a row with my father, said she; who was such a brute as to kick my beautiful darling, for tearing a dab of a trumpery sermon.' Lord Gaythorn, shocked at this undutiful speech, instantly turned to Mrs. Hargrave, saying I perceive you have not changed your daugh ter's school.' 'No, my lord, nor do I mean it,' Mrs. Hargrave replied. I was dis satisfied certainly; but now they have got the first dancing-master in England, Scamperini teaches there." And can a mother wish for more?' said doctor Sydenham. 'I am sure, sir, a mother must be difficult to please, who could,' returned miss Penrose; for miss What!' exclaimed lord Gaythorn, does signor Scamperini teach the misses to dress, as well as dance?' No, my lord, no; only the arrangement of the frock-to hold it so, when we walk, as to display the whole contour of the figure to the greatest advantage:' replied miss Penrose, consequentially. 'So, my lord, so,' .... cried Celestina, now flattered into good-humour, and suddenly dashing down. her beautiful darling..... I could shew it better had I a thinner frock on.. Our governess makes us practise this a great deal:-but some of the girls, who are rickety, do n't like it at all, Aye, and if there is an election ball, I'll shew you, too, what good dancing is:-I'll dash through Parisot's hornpipe, like mad :—I'll make the company stare, I'll warrant me!' That I have no doubt of,' said doctor Sydenham. The rector now, with profound respect, asked his lordship some questions, relative to the election; and lord Gaythorn told in his replies, that Fitzroy was a guest at the Priory; that he was then gone far into the county, to canvass, and had deferred waiting upon doctor Hargrave until evening, of whose vote his lordship had assured him.' 'Does your lordship favour any other of the candidates?" doctor Hargrave asked. 'No,' returned his lordship; ain for Fitzroy alone.' I That is kind, said lord Gaythorn,` shaking the rector's hand. And pray, doctor Sydenham,' he continued, may I ask, who is to have the honour of your vote and interest ?' I am at present,' replied doctor Sydenham, smiling, 'devoted to miss De Clifford, my lord; who must have the goodness to determine for me.' then if you have, great, many, Must I,' said Julia, smiling too, hundred, votes, I wish them all to be given, for Mr. Fitzroy.' Indeed!' said his lordship.-His knight-errantry to your fair friend, has won, I see, your interest for him.' My knowledge of Mr. Fitzroy," replied Julia, feelingly, was of longer time, than his, so kind rescue, of Mrs. Goodwin's servant. I am of myself, under obligation, to him: and, her cheeks glowed with, and her eyes spoke, the most animated gratitude, while she continued: I was once, in so great distress-insulted, mortified, derided (by my own sex, it was; who had no shame, to do it)-I had friend, none near me--Oh! it was to me, a moment of strong suffering!-but Mr. Fitzroy, came, and came to my help. Mr. Fitzroy, was a stranger; but that, for him, was nothing; his heart was benevolent, I wanted of him aid, and he gave me, safe protection.' My vote and interest, then, are his,' said doctor Sydenham, with emphatic feeling. Happy Fitzroy! to have such a resistless advocate!' said his lordship, looking expressively at Julia, who gravely replied That man, indeed, is most happy, my lord, whose own merits, claim, and secure him to, the so honourable support, of such a venerable, and so good friend, as doctor Sydenham.' Lord Gaythorn now entered pleasingly into general conversation; and at length, when he arose to take leave, he, with much politeness and hospitality, invited the whole party at the Rectory to dinner, next even ing, at seven o'clock ;— ;-an invitation which was most cordially accepted by Doctor and Mrs. Hargrave;and his lordship departed, attended to the very outward gate by the obsequious rector. The morning was chiefly taken up by a variety of insipid visitors to Mrs. Hargrave; and at dinner, a large company assembled. The dinner was fatiguingly pompous, yet excellently good; but went off hea vily, the whole conversation turning upon the election. ON SOLITUDE. HAD not society been that for which we were designed by infinite wisdom, there would not have been so strong a bias in our inclinations, such pleasures annexed to conversation, such irresistible charms in agree able company; something that by a secret sympathy, an internal force, a pleasing kind of violence, seems to link us to each other, and makes us delight in a mutual communication of thoughts, a reciprocal exchange of sentiments. Besides, it is not probable that faculties so eminent as ours were given us to be concealed like se pulchral lamps intended only to enlighten urns, and spread their useless rays round their small circumfer ences. Doubtless they were designed for greater, much nobler pur poses; their splendour was to be more extensive like the sun, to be every where conspicuous. They were to be the objects of esteem, to attract respect and veneration, by which their influence might become more prevalent, and they thereby be rendered capable of becoming benefits more widely diffused. It was certainly not intended that those who possess exalted understandings should live only to themselves, and shine in private, but that they should be guides to those of less elevated sense, and that the ignorant and novices in knowledge should receive instruction from them. Such as had learned only the ele ments, the first rudiments of virtue, were to be enabled to make a greater progress by the precepts and examples of those who had made it their long and constant practice, and who by continual conflicts had acquired the mastery of their passions, the entire government of themselves. The rich were made so, that they might reward merit, and supply the necessities of the indigent and unfortunate: the great were made powerful, that they might become public blessings, defenders of the distressed, protectors of the innocent, and revengers of the injured. From what has been said, it seems evident that we were not created wholly for ourselves, but designed to be serviceable to each other; to do good to all within the circle of our acquaintance, and in some way or other render ourselves useful to those we converse with; for which reason slitude ought never to be our choice, an active life including in |