THE NATURAL DAUGHTER. (Embellished with an elegant Copper-plate.) many husbands who does not love P. is one of the his wife. Thus much can be faid in his vindication, that his lady is far from being feminine or amiable: on the contrary, fhe prides herself on having acquired a fiattering of the dead languages, and fpeaks French, German and Italian, admirably well to those who are no judges. She is likewife a great critic in Poetry, Painting, and Mufic. With thefe accomplishments Mrs. P. can think none of her fex worthy of her fociety, and domeftic affairs are held in deteftation: in a word, this lady, upon every occafion, affumes the pedagogue, and avoids the fine feelings of a woman. The confequence of this abfurd conduct is, that the governor was forced to find, in another place, his pleafures and bis amusements. The firft object of an illicit amour was Mifs Hortenfia Raymond, the daughter of a goldfmith, who by his extravagancy became a bankrupt. The Governor defrayed the expences of her education, and placed her in one of the firft fhops in Taviflock-ftreet, in order to learn every branch of millenery. This attachment was not the effect of love, but that of a caprice which feldom lafts but for a few months, Hortenfia, in this fituation, became acquainted with a young mufician, who undertook to teach her to fing. The Governor, looking upon this mafter in the light of a lover, gave Hortenfia to underfland, that he fhould defift from his vifits, if the ever received any more leffons from that young man. Hortenfia promifed to comply with his injunctions. She kept her refolution for fix months, but a favourite fong got the better of her prudence; the fent for the musician, and, unfortunately, the Governer entered her apartment as the other was going out: this produced a rupture, and the Governor bid her an eternal adieu. Thefe particulars have their importance, in this little hiftory of modern manners. Hortenfia, about fix months after, was brought to bed of a girl, whom we fhall call by the name of Lavinia. Her mother adopted every poffible mode to inform the Governor of this circumftance, in order to procure a fufficiency for her maintenance; but he burnt her letters unopened, and refufed fecing any one in her behalf. Hortenfia, worn out with EUROP. MAG. hope of finding fuccours from that quarter, and began feriously to bring up her infant in the beft manner fhe was able; not doubting but chance or accident might effect what he was not able to obtain by her fruitlefs importunities. "A weaknefs to one man is, faid Hortenfia, undoubtedly a fault, but to repeat it with a fecond is infamous." With this fentiment, fhe, for the space of fourteen years, fulfilled the duties of a mother and a vir tuous woman. Time however had not made her lose fight of her favourite plan, of contriving fome means, by which Lavinia fhould become known to her father, and to clear up every doubt refpecting her character, prior to the rupture. She was at that period ignorant of the fate of her letters, concluding that they had been read by the Governor, and therefore the was encouraged to hope, that the perfonal and acquired accomplishments of Lavinia, would one day infpite the father with the affections of a parent. The mother, confidering Lavinia arrived at the moft interefting epoch of her life, and concluding that the ravages of time had rendered her unknown to the Governor, began her enquiries accordingly. She learnt that the Governor continued in the fame habits of life, and that he was fill without chil dren. Having enquired minutely coucerning his walks and hours of amufement, the contrived that Lavinia should attract his attention. As foon as the difcovered him at a great diftance, the informed Lavinia that the gentleman fhe faw coming that way was her father. She obferved, that her mother had been defpifed and fhe neglected, nevertheless, the was inclined to expect that the steps fhe had taken, would lead to fome kind of eclairciffement, and of course terminate in her favour. This information caufed the moft lively emotion in the breaft of Lavinia, and the beheld her father's eyes faftened upon her, with a degree of curio fity and attention. Hortenfia, wearing a calèche, obferved the conduct of the Governor, who was carefully watching the movements of Lavinia. At laft they left the gardens, at the gate of the palace, and not finding there a coach, expreffed their concern fo loud, as to be overheard by the Governor, who politely offered them his carriage, to fet them down C wherever wherever they thought proper. Hortenfia, in the midst of her confufion and folicitude, thanked him for his attentions; and after fome preffing compliments, fhe and Lavinia stepped into the Governor's elegant equipage. They were scarce feated, when the Governor recollected the features of the mother; and he immediately exclaimed, "If I am not greatly deceived, you are Hortenfia ?” "You are right, fir, in your conjecture, anfwered the lady." "You have here, madam, a lovely little creature." She is my niece, fir. This fuppofed information gave the Governor a fecret pleasure, and he preffed Hortenfia that he would permit him to be better acquainted with the young lady; and as he spoke thefe words, he darted upon her looks of great tenderness and animation. Hortenfia, knowing the character of the Governor, feared to come to a proper explanation at once. She therefore continued for fome time to treat Lavinia, in his prefence, as her niece, but obferving the real views that induced the Governor to be fo affiduous in his vifits, he thought it highly eceffary to put a flop to them, by avowing the relation in which Lavinia really flood. This letter, fir, faid Hortenfia, will explain myfelf in a few words; you will find by the date that you returned it unopened fourteen years ago, it is within but a few hours I have obtained this information from Mis. B. who had always affured me the had delivered it into your hands, from a motive of tendernefs to my then fufferings. The Governor broke the feal and read: "Sir, "An unfortunate creature whom you have abandoned, after having been brought to bed of a daughter, has recourfe to you, Sir, not in behalf of herfelf, but for the helplefs innocent who has claims on your humanity and tenderness." Where is fle, exclaimed Mr. P. Here, Sir, before you is my adored child. "Come, my daughter, come and embrace thy aftonish'd father." Thele words were fcarce articulated, when Lavinia, with a cry of joy, flew to the arms of the Governor. This mute fcene being paffed in tears of extacy; it was fome time ere Mr. P. recovered the faculty of tpeech. Having contemplated his daughter's features with a ftudied at tenton, "I have, faid he, for fome time endeavoured to trace the features of this lovely creature, and I now recal thofe of a fifter that I tenderly loved, and who is now no more. Yes, fhe has her eyes, her mouth, and her enchanting finile. Hortenfia! what obligations am I under for this long forbearance, and what injury has my ignorance occafioned. Can you pardon me for a conduct so highly reprehenfible ?" Hortenfia, overwhelmed with the confequences of this eclairciffement, anfwered him with tears, that announced her prefent happiness, and a perfect oblivion of what had paft. The Governor, reading this language in every linament of Hortenfia's countenance, turned about to his daughter, and obferved, that he was arrived at an age, that required his immediate attention towards a proper connexion, and fettling her in the beft manner he was able. "I have a wife-faid he, but if ever your conduct fhould refemble hers, I fhould ceafe to love you. I have an object in view, he is in fact another felf --he is my nephew; and his youth, amiable manners, and addrefs cannot fail of infpiring my child with fentiments of tenderness. I am not lefs certain that you will be the object of his choice; who indeed can fee thee, Lavinia, and not adore thee? my fifler, whom you refemble fo very much, was univerfally adored. I love my nephew as my fon, and I have a long time confidered him as the heir to all my property. It may be however prudent for the prefent to conceal the circumftance of your birth, even to my nephew and it must be left to my prudence, if I should fome time hence think proper to make the difcovery myfelf. As for you, Hortenfia, to whom I am indebted for this invaluable treasure, judge how dear you are to me." Then, embracing his daughter, he added, "You are from henceforth to confider me as the father that adores his childnevertheless, you will be announced to the world as my niece. When I have effe&ted your union I fhall be lefs folicitous of the fentiments that contracted minds might adopt in our disfavour." Hortenfia and Lavinia, left to felicitate each other, enjoyed that tumultuous pleasure that banished fleep from their eyes; and early in the morning the Governor was announced. He informed Hortenfia that he had taken proper lodgings for them in Harley-ftreet; and that he would not permit his nephew to fee his daughter till he could fee her in the externals of opulence opulence and gentility: and therefore I request you will be both ready to enter them by tomorrow evening. "I am the happiest of daughters," faid Lavinia, kifling his hands, which the held while Mr. P. was talking-" And I am the happiest of fathers," faid the Governor! Your merit and virtues are equal to your perfonal attractions. Adieu my little enchantress! I leave you, but it is only for to contribute to the eafe and comfort of you and your mother." As foon as every neceffary preparation was made, the Governor conducted them both to their new apartments. Lavinia affumed the name of Mifs P. who was recently come to town from her mother's manfion in Derbyshire. The Governor maturely reflected on the mode he was to adopt in bringing about an acquaintance between Lavinia and his nephew. He determined to take him in his carriage and to drive occasionally down Harley-street. The uncle ftopped at Lavinia's door, apologizing to his nephew that he would not detain him three minutes. As he returned to his feat, Lavinia faluted him at the window, which was foon obferved by the nephew, and caught his whole attention. "Who is that handfome young lady," faid the nephew. "One of my relations," replied the uncle. "She is extremely beautiful," faid the other; "well my nephew, if you think her fo, and defire to be introduced to her acquaintance, I think I can venture to prefent you without incurring any cenfure from her mother." The next evening the nephew was introduced, for the first time, to Lavinia's mother, who, as the reader naturally conjectures, received him in the moft gracious and flattering manner. The young man, delighted with the converfation of Lavinia, became deeply enamoured of her charms, and was extremely preffing with his uncle to speak to her mother in his favour. But it is now high time to introduce the learned lady, Mrs. P. She had fecretly found out the intrigue of her husband, but he thought it beneath her way of thinking to difplay the leaft jealoufy on that account. On the contrary, having one day, by mistake, opened one of the letters of the unhappy Hortenfia, fhe was let into all her fecrets. It is necessary to remark here, that if this lady were a very indifferent wife, fe poffeffed, in an eminent degree, the virtues of humanity, and a generous difpofition. She had, from that moment, contributed to the wants of the mother and child, by furnishing the former with frequent commiffions in the millenery bufinefs, for which he was always paid double the worth, under the pretence that fhe was fuperior to others in point of elegance and fashion. This fecret connexion with Hortenfia, foon gave Mrs. P. an opportunity of knowing that her hus band had renewed his former acquaintance; and the found, upon nearer inveftigation, that he had acknowledged Lavinia as his daughter. She efteemed him the more for this generous and manly procedure; fhe was highly pleafed that he had the fatisfaction of being a father, without fubjećting herfelf to the pains of child-birth, and a thoufand other diftreffing circumstances, too humiliating for a woman, who prided herself in every qualification that was energetic and mafculine. And by a fingularity, the more extraordinary, fince they never agreed in any one point, Mrs. P. had projected to establish Lavinia in a manner fuitable to her condition. fhe was likewife very fond of her nephew, who had affiduoufly cultivated her good graces, fhe had him in view for a husband, and full of this idea, the propofed to introduce him to an elegant lovely woman, whom he had long fince adopted to fucceed to her perfonal eftates, independant of her marriage with Mr. P. As At the fame time fhe intimated, that as his uncle had made him his heir, fhe thought it an object of fome moment, if he could unite their refpective fortunes, by marrying the young lady. "I am madam, penetrated with a fenfe of the favours you have always conferred upon me; but as my fate is placed in the hands of my uncle, I hope you will per mit me to confult with him upon that fubject.” Your dutiful conduct towards your uncle, is very grateful to me; and as I could wifh to oblige him in a matter of fuch moment, I wish to know that if he gives into it, it would meet your inclination." "With tranfport, dear madam, I fhould embrace your kind offers." This converfation being ended, the nephew did not fail of communicating to his uncle the refult, who was greatly alarmed at this piece of intelligence. Mr. P. loft no time in giving Lavinia previous notice of the extraordinary vifit the was foon to receive; and that he might become mafter of her motives, he pofted himself in an adjoining apartment for that pupofe. Mrs. P. and her nephew were announced, and being conducted into the drawing room; Lavinia rofe to receive her, C & with with every poffible mark of refpect and confideration. After the first ceremonious compliments were reciprocally paffed, the communicated, in the most delicate terms poffible, her long friendship, altho' unknown, and of her withes that he would receive the addreffes of her nephew. She obferved, that fhe was anxioufly defirous to furprise the Governor, as the was certain fuch a measure would caufe the most lively pleafure; but to procure his confent in the firft inftance, would deprive her of an advantage that the highly prized. The nephew, delighted with the propofition, defired his aunt would permit him to pay his addreffes to Lavinia alone, and Mrs. P. prevailed on Lavinia to receive him the next day. As foon as he was withdrawn, Mrs. P. confelled that he had taken pains to procure proper intelligence, that he was greatly pleafed with the conduct of her mother, and charmed with the noble procedure of her husband, who fhe found had adopted her as his daughter. This information gave new fpirits to Hortenfia and her daughter, who threw themfelves at her feet, and implored her to indulge, in their favour fuch honourable fentiments. The Governor did not quit his retreat till Mrs P. had left the drawing room, in order that he might receive no obflacle in purfuing her project. He alfo cautioned the nephew to keep the fecret, in order that Mrs. P. might always confider the happiness of Lavinia as the fruits of her own plan. Mrs. P. gave her husband to under fland, that fhe would leave her nephew her heir likewife, provided he would let her have the fole direction in marrying him, according to her defires and wifhes, and that he would not meddle in the affair. This fingular propofition met with many apparent difficulties, but as Mr. P. knew the drift of her intention, he acquiefced to what he dignified with the title of an extraordinary whim. As foon as matters had been duly arranged, and the day fixed for figning the marriage articles was arrived, Mrs. P. prefented Lavinia as his intended niece. “I receive her Madam, faid the Governor, to give her to my nephew as a tender, dutiful, and affectionate daughter." "I am delighted with this honeft avowal, replied Mrs. P." "And I am fill more, faid the hufband, in finding that my daughter is indebted for her happiness to you alone. This proof of your friendship for me will never be effaced from my memory or from my heart. And I from this day fhall look upon you as my best friend. "Now fir! replied Mrs. P. I have heard the expreffion that I have defired for thefe last fifteen years. Reft affured, that I fhall never forget, while I have life, that I owe this to your Natural Daughter." Then turning towards Lavinia fhe faid, " And you are allo my daughter as well as the Governor's, and I love you with the fame cordiality." Inuances of the MUTABILITY of FORTUNE; felected from Ancient and Modern Hiftory. (Continued from Vol. IV. p. 421. ) INSTANCE THE THIRD. Job. THE book of Job, in the facred fcrip poem; and, like that fpecies of writing among the Greeks, contains fiction founded on facts. The honour of being its author, has been attributed to feveral of the writers who lived in the earliest ages; the probability, however, from many expreffions and circumftances in it, is greatly in favour of Mofes. To whomfoever the merit is due, it is certainly the most ancient and nobleft work of the kind, extant; and contains, with one of the most inftructive leffons on the efficacy of pa tience and refignation to the will of hea ven, an extraordinary inftance of that mu tability of fortune we are treating of. The difcriminating eye of the judicious reader, will diftinguifh with facility the part, the which is the produce of the author's luxu riant imagination, from the ftory, which appears to have had its foundation in truth. Job, as therein related, was the moft opulent of all the men in the East, at the time he lived; poffeffing large tracts of land in the country of Idumea, or Uz, and his fubftance confifting of 7000 fheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 the-affes, befides a numerous houfhold of fervants and dependants. So that he exceeded in wealth the richest of |