young man, with a good estate will always meet with attention; but re member your grandfather's will; you have yet seven years of probation, take care not to form any attachment or engage any young creature's affections, "for much may happen in seven years." I acquiesced, and feeling perfect security, calmed the old lady's fears, and in compliance with her advice, a few days after set off for the metropolis. On my arrival I took handsome lodgings in Prince's Street; when at the University I had mixed little with the gaieties of Edinburgh, and formed few acquaintances; now society was desirable. From it, I hoped the gloom of my mind might in some degree be dispelled, but I felt that nothing could fill the aching void in my heart, which the loss of my excellent parent and the abscence of my sister had occasioned. My first visit was to a distant relation an old dowager who had an only daughter. She lived in a splendid style and received me with great cordiality. In a few days I was almost an inmate in the family; the sprightly graces of the gay Camilla, perfectly charmed my senses; she laughed at my simplicity, and my blunders in a good humoured, lively manner, and engaged to initiate me in the science of fashionable life, a lesson which to a novice like me was very necessary. The old lady took the most friendly care of me. I was introduced to all her friends as a near relation, and got into a succession of engagements, in which they always formed a part. My awkwardness prevented me seeking the conversation or paying much attention to other females, neither had I seen any one so easy and attractive as Camilla; so that I was ever by her side. She received my assiduities with such apparent sang froid and seemed to consider admiration as so much her due, that I never recollected any of my aunt's warnings, though I sometimes heard as I passed along by her side at a public place, there goes Miss D--and her shadow, while another replied, he has a great fortune; but oh! what an awkward creature! The pepetual evening parties I felt was not consonant to my taste. I languished for domestic intercourse, but here I sought in vain for that which I had been accustomed to. The mornings conversation was generally the review of the evenings amusement; at first there were several other young men that seemed intimate in the family, but they had all disappeared by degrees. I was frequently left alone with Camilla, and our tete-a-tetes were rather insipid; I perceived that she required the stimulus of a large party, and that in our minds there was no communion. The old lady had frequently turned the conversation to the improvements of my estate, and the building of a house; the old Castle she said was only fit for a convent with its small windows, square gardens, and high walls. This was my vulnerable part, the old Castle and every thing connected with it, poured such a flood of tenderness over my soul, that I was not much disposed to join Camilla in a laugh at this fine jest, but gravely replied that I had no thoughts. of building a house, till I was likely to marry, which could not be for seven years. "For seven years! exclaimed the old lady, in the utmost astonishment; from what necessity arises that resolution." Do you not know, said I, of that clause in my grandfather's will, by which I forfeit my fortune if I marry before twenty-eight. Camilla immediately left the room, but the dowager, whose face flushed with resentment, accused me of deceit and presumption to address her daughters, when I knew myself so peculiarly situated. I pleaded my innocence of such an intention, which seemed, contrary to my expectation to offend her still more, and I took my leave, feeling that I had torfeited the friendship of these kind rela tions for ever, though I could not accuse myself of any breach of its laws; yet the circumstance left an indefinite pain in my heart. I had an engagement to a large party next evening, where I imagined myself an object of particular attention, and though unconscious of error, was abash. ed and uneasy. The young ladies whispered as I passed them. One gentleman asked me how I liked to wear the willow, another expressed great joy at seeing me alive, vowing that he heard I had taken the lover's leap; a third advised me, with well feigned sympathy, to try change of air as the best remedy for a mind wounded by disappointment. From all this I perceived that Camilla,through the address of her mother, had got the credit of having rejected me, but I felt so awkward in being an object of observation that I resolved henceforth to avoid their circle; so I did not meet them any more. I now felt myself rather forlorn, though blest with health, youth, and competence, and a suspicion would arise in my mind that my fair friends had laughed at me. To divert my chagrin, I went one evening into the pit of the Theatre, where I met with an old fellow student who invited me when the play was over to accompany him home. He there introduced me to a group of most agreeable sisters, and I passed an hour or two in a very pleasant manner. I was requested to repeat my visit, and feeling my propensity to female society had not been lessened by my late mortification, I availed myself of the privilege and became a frequent visitor. Here, thought I, I shall run no risk of the dilemma I have escaped from, for here are so many that my attention to one cannot be remarked, and a sensible man who will not misconstrue them; sometime passed in the most delightful intercourse. They moved in a genteel sphere, though less gay than that of lady They sung, played, and danced well; they were all agreeable, but Julia more particularly so. She had a happy mixture of gentleness, and vivacity, with some taste for Belles Lettres which rendered her conversation to me peculiarly pleasing. Her frankness was. sufficient to relieve my embarrassment without oppressing my diffidence, and to her I insensibly and involuntarily attached myself. I felt so much pleasure in this society that I forgot the more brilliant graces of Camilla, the restrictions of my grandfathers will, and the counsels of my aunt Martha; but alas! so fair a sunshine did not continue, my evil genius still haunted me in the form of this fatal will. One evening I met accidentally at my friend's, a gentleman from the part of the country where my estate lay, he was a facetious old man, and seeing my intimacy began to joke the young ladies, "ah my little Julia," said he, " you must take care of this youth, unless you can secure the constancy of his heart as well as your own, for seven long years,' ""seven years exclaimed every one; what do you mean, Sir !" upon which the stranger paused, and. looked to me, I felt myself called upon to give an explanation,-but O! Mr. Spy, pity my mortification, when I perceived the appalled looks of the whole. party, had I been discovered the perpe. trator of some shameful crime, they could not have been more changed; even the amiable Julia, my friend, my companion, cast on me the cold glance of reproach; I soon took my leave, and when I next returned, entered with downeast eyes, no longer feeling the consciousness of a kind welcome; my reception did not re-assure me; and I was permitted to withdraw my visits, without a remark being made, or one kind reproach for my absence. What was now to be done, I was become a very outcast from society. I endeavoured to console myself with my aunt Martha's enumeration of my advantages; my elegant person, my engaging accomplishments, (pardon the vanity Mr. Spy of a desponding heart), of my handsome fortune, I almost cursed it, when I considered that from this tantalizing possession arose all my mortifications; I deprecated the whimsical revenge of the obstinate old fellow, and was only softened into patience, when I recollected the heavenly virtues of my revered mother, on whose account were all my sufferings. I determined to abjure female society altogether, and for this purpose sought the assemblies of men only; I attended societies, literary, academical,-philological, &c. &c. but alas! there was still a blank, the lively graces,-the bewitching smiles, the tender sympathies of the interesting sex, were still awanting. "Fair,lovely woman young and affable." stroyed, when upon my next visit I I was in despair, and was just resolving to return to the old Castle, and my good aunt, when I recollected a friend of hers, whom she requested me to call upon; my first interview with this lady made me regret my undutiful delay. Though far advanced in life, her figure was graceful, and her aspect engaging, it bore the stamp of a masculine intellect, which her conversation did not contradict; but her strictures belonged to the events of the last age, and to the authors of past times. She held every thing modern in contempt, would give no poet the meed of praise since the days of Goldsmith. I argued warmly in behalf of some inspired bards of our own day, and had a most lively critique from her, which I discovered was her forte, however, she yielded to the power of truth, and I had the triumph of opening her eyes to some of their beauties. I was delighted with my acquisition, here, surely thought I, I shall be safe my seven years probation will not injure my interest here, and I saw my-spoke of him with much fondness and self in imagination, like another Telemachus under the guardianship of Minerva. But how was my security de of his expected arrival in Edinburgh. He did arrive, and in the first interview, I could perceive, beheld me with a most suspicious eye, he appeared to me another Chamont," a very loving but most jealous brother." I was now in the greatest perplexity; the disclosure of my situation had hitherto been followed by circumstances of the most humiliating nature. My existence since my acquaintance with Matilda had received a new spring; but aware of my situa tion I had made no avowal of my sentiments. She was the child of simplicity and innocence, and the old lady had a mind too liberal and independent for mean prejudices and selfish feelings. The day after our young soldier's arrival, I observed my Matilda pensive and embarrassed, I suspected, but did not presume to enquire the cause. He did not allow me to remain in suspence but calling at my lodgings, asked the motive of my attentions to his sister. The question was blunt but I respected his frankness and taking him by the hand, explained to him the delicacy of my circumstances; he said it was well I had been explicit for Matilda's situation was peculiar; she could not always have his protection; but he had a sword to defend or to avenge her; that he had heard remarks injurious to her, such as she could not for seven years be exposed to, and that he inust request I would desist. I had now no resource, but to submit my case to the decision of her friend who with the candour and good sense I expected, conciliated matters betwixt us. I was privileged to declare my sentiments to Matilda; but I was to leave town immediately and to be permitted to visit her only once or twice a-year, that my absence might save her from the cEscrvation of the censorious and illiberal. By this ar rangement we satisfied our hero; but I was obliged to forego the society so de-lightful to me, to wander from place to place, or rest my troubled spirit at the old Castle, and talk of past things with my good aunt Martha. Now, Mr. Spy, is not my case a very perplexing, and I suspect not an uncommon one. There are many causes beside the whim of a grandfather, that make it necessary for a man to defer the serious and important event of marriage; and I cannot help thinking that if the state of society permitted a more frequent and confidential domestic intercourse between young people of different sexes, so many men would no not fall into batchelor habits; and relinquish the thoughts of marriage, which I am persuaded very often arises from ignorance of the delights of female society, such as I have been accustomed. to, and which I have endeavoured to describe. Now, Mr. Spy, what pleasures belonging to the tavern, the gaming table, or even the cultivation of literature and science, can equal the felicity which that man enjoys who feels in every occurrence of his life, whether of a pleasing or an adverse nature, that there is a being whose fate is interwoven with his, who not only gives him the sympathy of the most faithful friend; but has a mutual interest in every event in which he is concerned, and who feels. for him, as none else can feel. But, Mr. Spy, at that thought, the recollection of my Matilda rushes upon my heart, and I must lay down my pen, and indulge myself in a reverie which tran sports me to her side, and presents her sweet smile to my mind's eye, Yours sincerely, J. S. EDINBURGH-Printed at the Star Office, (price 4d. a single Number, 4s. 6d. per quarter, deliverable in town, and 5s. when sent to the country), by A. AIKMAN, for the PROPRIETORS; where Subscriptions, and Communications, (post paid), will be received. 1811. The Spy. SATURDAY, JUNE 15. Experto crede. THE SCOTS TUTOR CONTINUed. SIR, Of all descriptions of teachers, a Scots Tutor has, perhaps, the most urgent and honourable motives to guide his conduct. To the parents, or other relatives of his pupil, he looks for independence, and will willingly make any reasonable sacrifice of his ease and comfort, when necessary to secure the good opinion and support of his patron; at the same time, that the liberality of his education, and the prospect he has in view, preserve him, in general, from meanness and servility. His own pupil too, is fast advancing to the years of maturity, and will soon regard the conduct of his Tutor in a proper light, as it tended to promote his progress in knowledge and virtue. From all these circumstances combined, a Scots Tutor is almost compelled to that line of conduct which is the best. Adopting that view of human nature which a witty but profligate philosopher would persuade us is the justest, and allowing with him every man to be influenced by motives of interest only, and to be at heart a knave, even on this principle, the Scots Tutor will be faithful, diligent, and virtuous. 4 And let any man endeavour to calcu late the advantages resulting to society No. 42.. In all from labours thus regulated. cases early impressions are decisive of character, and should therefore be received under the most discriminating eye; but in the higher walks of life, in men of property, political influence, and rank, these impressions do not only determine the fortune and the hap-: piness of the individuals, but of the public. Vices gravitate through the gradations of society with encreasing velocity, till the follies and the foibles of the rich and the great, become the boast and the ruin of humble industry.. It is not easy to calculate that aggregate mass of misery which may be produced in society, by the neglected or misguid-, ed education of a young nobleman, in whose hands the virtues or the fortunes of his ancestors, have left the comfort of his dependents, and to a certain extent, the most sacred rights of his country. The peasant, as he shares, with a cheerful family, the regular and well earned meal, as he cheapens at the annual market, the winter's apparel for his wife and children, when he lifts up his eyes on that verdure and plenty which the breath of benevolence has called forth from the barren and uncultivated waste; this man will bless the hand which plucked the first shoots of lordly pride and ungoverned passion from the breast of his landlord, and planted in their place a sacred and en |