Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

present season has produced an exuberant,, virtue, and to all manly usefulness. The

meanest plebeian, who, after a diligent exercise of his calling, desires no relaxation except from the perusal of edifying or innocently amusing books, will, in every connection, act as a superior being, compared to the untaught rugged slave of appetite, or conceited ape of gentility—who have no idea of gratification but in common with the brutes, or in more bestializ

crop let us beware of improvidence, for times less favourable will return; and the|| safety of the rich, and the comfort of the poor, may be ensured, by using abundance with economy, and storing the surplus out of the reach of humidity, or depredation; and we trust the period is not remote, when millions of acres shall no longer lie waste, though crowds of famishing labourers are not only willing, but anxious, to rendering intemperance, or contemptible vanity; the soil productive-and extended tillage would augment a demand for the commodities of our trade and manufactures.

To place in the most striking and unexceptionable light those truths, and the various details in the Warnings, the manuscript has been eight times transcribed,* and, afterwards, several revisals have corrected inaccuracies-trusting that extracts, engrafted upon the imperishable celebrity of the most distinguished periodical publications, may transmit to posterity the general purport of our pages, conducing to elevate our national character, happiness, and political supremacy.

A virtuous and intelligent populace are a wall of fire round an empire, and the demoralizing tendency of wanting uniform opportunity for earning the necessaries of life, has recently proved more deplorable than the pain occasioned by inanition, or consequent malady. Patient endurance of extreme privation cannot be enforced by the most salutary laws-nor can the utmost vigilance of the police constrain good behaviour, nor prevent penal offences: but the poor may be exempted from frequent temptations to injure the wealthy, if constant employment shall be afforded, and their brief intermissions of labour rendered pleasant and improving, by domestic recreations. The competence earned by regular industry, is not merely appeasing the cravings of nature. The consciousness of power to be sufficient for their own necessities, permits self-reverence and independence of spirit, friendly to each Christian

* Dangerous and tedious indisposition hastened the publication of the first, second, and third parts of the Popular Models, and the authoress has often lamented the MS. had been but twice transcribed; the copy for the press was prepared under circumstances of the heaviest affliction, and debilitating malady.

and who own no restraint but judicial terrors, or awe of worldly censure. The cheap, safe, and instructive pleasure of reading, effectuates for working people and ser vants much more than filling up vacant time. They are withheld from grovelling and dangerous pastimes, that might gradually entice them to misdeeds. Their capacity for serving others, and benefitting themselves, is expanded. Their activity receives a right direction. The money that would have been squandered in debauchery is saved, and pauperism averted; and when business claims the contented humble readers, no intoxicating fumes, no lassitude, nor depraved notions, unfit them for exer. tion. They are happy, because they de serve happiness; and their knowledge and worth impart incalculable advantages to infancy and childhood in a higher sphere.

Nursery attendants can largely contribute in confirming, or deteriorating, the corporeal, moral, and intellectual constitution of their charges. Thus the most exalted rank is very deeply interested in all the good derived to the lower orders, through an abiding rational conviction, that a vast increase of true respectability and enjoyment are attainable, independent of any change in their outward condition, beyond what will result from practical knowledge, and a faithful discharge of incumbent duties. It must be so. Reiterated impressions will assert a due ascendancy over the feelings and understanding, and influence the conduct. Exclusive of imbibing the most pure and operative principles of action, we may expect, that, in furnishing the bulk of our population with means for developing their faculties, many germs of genius will be unfolded, and many fine inventions produced, and carried to perfection, by enlightened intellect, combined with handicraft skill. How many

161

invaluable discoveries have been postpon- || dulgencies more degrading than the most toilsome drudgery, and abject indigence. We hope success will reward that aim, though the original undertaking has been partly frustrated. How arduous each effort, can only be conceived by such as, with a profound consciousness of inadequate powers, have resolved upon taxing them to the uttermost, in elucidating topics of extreme delicacy-too long left to vague and perplexed sentiments, or to artful misrepresentation of the most pernicious tendency. B. G.

ed, by the ignorance of husbandmen and artisans, will probably appear, when daily scope for actual observation has been assisted by the recorded experience of others.These probabilities have a more full description in the Popular Models; and since the sale of those volumes is a disinterested tribute to the improvement of public morals, the writer may presume to add, that, though overwhelming grief hindered a due finish to the style, many of the most powerful motives have been adduced, for prevailing with the rising generation to avoid in

THE REFORMED GAMBLER.

credited what was said to him of his former passion.

In

Or the divers passions which assail the human breast, that of gambling, long experience has evinced to be the most un- The reason why gambling is found a governable. The man who is given to more incurable affliction, proceeds from the drinking, sometimes in consequence of do- infatuation of the gambler being a com mestic infelicity, of unsuccessful specula-pound of several infirmities, such as avarice, tions, or of slighted love, will get cured of || ambition, gluttony, lewdness, &c. the malady by the reform of his compa- other respects female adventurers, at the nion at home, by a happy change in his card or hazard table, will shew a boldness circumstances, or by meeting with another of spirit equal to that of the soldier or seamore amiable object, still willing to repay || faring man, who, having greater perils to his affection. Satiety, the natural incon- encounter in his professional pursuits, restancy that "our flesh is heir to," besides tains the same hardiness in the contest many other causes, will extinguish the with propitious or adverse fortune. raging flame of the most ardent lover! I cannot abstain introducing here a very extraordinary instance of a case relative to this subject, which occurred during the seven years' war.

An officer of high rank in the French army, had left behind him, in Paris, a fair lady, with whom he was desperately in love. Now in Germany, he would dispatch, daily, a messenger, with an epistle, to his beloved, from whom he was no less anxious to receive an answer every day. This officer happened to be severely wounded at the battle of Minden, where the Scotch Greys, amongst others, performed such feats of valour. What with the loss of blood prior to his being removed to his tent, and the subsequent copious bleedings requisite, the excessive weakness of his bodily constitution, influenced his other faculties to such a degree, that he was entirely cured of his love, and scarcely No. 115. Vol. XVIII.

[ocr errors]

To enumerate the expedients which are frequently recurred to in order to be able to take the field, would prove to me as arduous a task as distressing to my readers; yet, though ever so reluctantly, I cannot abstain mentioning some, which perchance meeting the eye of the offender in his cooler moments, may prevent a repetition of the nefarious transaction. Many a father will abridge the support of his family; many a debtor defraud his creditors, and in consequence be removed from his comfortable home, to an unhealthy prison, there to associate with profligates of every description, whom, at a future period, to his utmost disgrace, he will be accosted by in public. Hard as may be the lot of those. how supportable in comparison to that of the unfaithful collector, who, in hopes of being enabled to replace it, will venture to risk his charge! Though Providence be friended you once, believe not it were with

X

an intent to foster an imprudence; think, party, who commissions the broker to sell rather, unwary youth, it was a warning from above, and that you are more bound than ever through gratitude to that Being who has opened a door to your repentance, never more to deviate from the path of rectitude.

them, which is generally done for little more than one-third, or at most oue-half, of what they are charged by the original vender. The broker is allowed for his trouble the copper included in the payment, which, upon an average, is the fortieth || part of the sum total. But what are fiftytwo and a half per cent. interest to a gambler, who, at the first deal, may get a hundred per cent.?

Madame d'Imbert, a widow lady who resided in the neighbourhood of Meaux, had two sons. The younger brother, who from his earliest youth had been intended for the church, had become a rich prebendary before he was twenty years of age. In the absence of all virtues to recommend him, he nevertheless preserved a good name, owing to his being free from either of those passions which are so liable to lead us poor mortals astray. His elder brother || stood in a very different predicament. His natural abilities, improved by refined education, had made him the complete gentleman. Duly qualified to sit either in a court of justice or at the head of a troop, he had preferred entering the corps of the Light Horsemen of the King's Guard, that he might not be far removed from Versailles or the capital, where he could both day and night indulge his violent passion for gambling, without, however, neglecting his military duty. His filial piety would also induce him to pay frequent visits to his mother in the country; and as the distance did not exceed ten leagues, the jaunt could be easily accomplished in the course of a few hours, and back again. It is not to be imagined that Baron d'Imbert was more secure against the arts of Greeks and sharpers than the rest of his fellow adventurers at the card-table. He, therefore, was reduced to the sad necessity of often applying to money-lenders, in order to recruit his finances, for he durst not always make his embarrassments known to his mother.

The manner in which those loans are generally procured in the metropolis of France, will appear rather curious, and open a wide field to reflection.

A bill of exchange, drawn by any one, but accepted by the party in want of cash, is given to a kind of broker, who takes it to one of his compeers: this latter ascertains whether the accepter is solvent, and if the signature be really his; in this case he furnishes goods of any description, an inventory of which is produced to the

[ocr errors]

Chance would have it one day that Madame d'Imbert was out when her son came to pay her an interested visit. Till such time as she returned he proposed to sit down and read a book, when, crossing the room to reach the library, he accidentally observed a press, with the key in it.—“ Oh! oh!" quoth he, “this may be my mother's museum. Let us survey the antiques she has collected."—So saying he opened the press, which he found to contain divers articles of wearing apparel, and some of these to be rather out of date. At sight of a pea-green quilted satin petticoat-" this," added he, “is quite out of fashion, but will make me a very comfortable coverlid; come down:" and he really did give a pull, when lo! to his utmost surprize and joy, he had occasion to suspect the under garment contained something more valuable than ordinary wadding. In fact he soon ascertained that most squares of the quilting had been made a repository, each for a double Louis. He hastily drew the running; the most expert sempstress could not have completed the work more skil fully, or with greater expedition; the threads he pocketed with the gold, returned the petticoat to its former station, locked the press as he had found it, and marched out of the room to retrace his steps, forgetful even of there being a library in the house.

Meanwhile his mother's waiting-woman having informed him that her mistress was to dine out, he had his horse brought to him, and without loss of time made towards Paris, anxious to know what his booty amounted to. In the first intoxication of his joy, he reflected not on the enormity he had been committing; neither did his guilty conscience allow him to anticipate the expectation of returning the stolen money; he only thought of the im

possibility of replacing it as he found it,, child? O my son relent. Let us think

which idea soon made room for another no less cutting-where was he to recruit his finances when the cormorants he was going to engage would have devoured his present capital? So far then his offence remained not entirely unpunished.

no more of all that has passed. An aged woman will sometimes have queer fancies. I have long wished you would think of marrying, and proposed procuring an agreeable surprise to your bride, by offering to make her a present of the ancient petticoat that has occasioned all this mischief. Whoever she may be, please God, she will never want such a trifle."

Upon his arrival at home, the first thing he did was to count his treasure, which he found to consist of two hundred and fifty double Louis d'Ors, a very pretty round No more was said upon the subject; sum. From that moment the young Baron nay, the fond parent, without inquiring never went out without writing down the what was become of the money, was the different places where he was to be found, first to urge her son to return to the capiwith strict injunction to his servant to re- tal, there to enjoy such pleasures as her main stationary, that in case any message || chateau in the country could not afford. or letter should come from the country it About six weeks after, Madame d'Imbert might be conveyed to him without loss of had invited a large party of the neighbourtime. A whole week elapsed, and three-ing nobility and gentry to a grand fête she fourths of the money were gone, when d'Imbert received the following letter:"Hasten to me, my dear son: a wretch in whom I reposed the greatest confidence, has robbed me of an immense sum. I want you to help me in having the offender apprehended; we shall have her put to the rack to make her confess her guilt, and then the law will take its course. The miscreant must be hanged, as I am your loving mother,

"LA BARONNE D'IMBERT." At the perusal of those few lines the pangs of the youth are not to be described. Post-horses were immediately ordered. His noble mind revolted at the very idea of leaving an innocent dependent under the lash of suspicion, whilst he alone was guilty. He flew to accuse himself, whatever might be the consequence.

[ocr errors]

gave in celebration of her son's birth-day. The Baron, of course, was summoned to superintend the preparations, and to act as master of the ceremonies. On the day appointed for the company to meet, although every one of the guests had reason to be satisfied with his polite reception, complimentary address, and attention, yet it could not but be observed that his most delicate assiduity was directed towards Mademoiselle du Castel, daughter to a general officer whose estate was contiguous to that of Madame d'Imbert. The Baron, who himself had not been sensible of the preference he had shown to this young lady till the company dispersed, felt no little regret when he saw her take her departure. Her sweet figure that stood before his eyes during his sleep, still haunted his imagination when he was awake, and he longed On his knees before his mother, he had for the coming of the next day that he was scarcely uttered these words-" It was I to go and return thanks for their kind atwho robbed you," when the old lady, inter- tendance, and to inquire after the health rupting him, said, “I renounce you for my of all his guests after the fatigues of the son, and will post instantly to Versailles, tonight. General du Castel, as may well be solicit a Lettre de Cachet; you shall die in imagined, was not the last whom he waita dungeon, Sir!"'—" No, Madam," replied ||ed upon; and during a short conversation the sou, drawing his cutlass; “I will die || with his lovely daughter, the Baron had an on the same spot where I have committed opportunity of discovering that her beauthe crime."-Whether he was sincere in teous figure was not her greatest recomthe declaration, is more than 1 can tell, but mendation. Common civility, however, I well know that the alarmed mother cried would not allow him to make a louger stay; out:-"What! have I deserved being he withdrew, but the barbed arrow had treated with such barbarity: because an been shot, and he bore it in his heart. angry word has escaped my lips, am I to be threatened with the loss of a beloved"

[ocr errors]

The Baron, who had hitherto been a stranger to the sweet passion of love,

thought that the bustle of Paris, and the attractions of the card-table would soon cause what he termed a transient effervescence to vanish. He hastened to try the experiment, but it proved abortive. From a thorough conviction, at length, that he struggled in vain, and that he must surrender to the merits of Mademoiselle du Castel, he to wrote his mother, requesting, if she approved of the match, she would demand her hand of her parents. The Baroness readily granted a request congenial to her own feelings. Her son, impatient to know his doom, arrived just as she was stepping into her carriage to go and urge her suit. She was not gone long." Well, mother?" "We must have enemies, my dear son! | They have been telling Monsieur and Madame du Castel that you are addicted to play; and they in consequence have refused their consent. O that I knew the author of such fabrications !"-" Your animadversions are due to me alone. But I shall see

[ocr errors]

Monsieur du Castel myself; he will hear of my contrition, and I doubt not but I shall succeed in having the sentence respited."

He actually went, aud after a becoming exordium, begged the generous parents of his beloved would put him to the test for a twelvemonth. Monsieur du Castle, who suspected his daughter to be partial to the Baron, replied:-" Half the time will convince me that your conversion is accomplished; and when we hear from your own lips that you have resisted the temptation, Madame du Castel and I will readily consent to entrust you with the welfare of our child."

The Baron was as good as his word; he obtained his prize even before the half year was expired: and thus was a gambler reformed. But hard is the fate of us frail mortals! one violent passion had been wanted too perate the cure of another.

ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE FEMALE CHARACTER.

"When will the English begin to acquire more correct ideas of the duties of the sex, and the purposes for which it was designed "-MEINERS.

is to fish for a good husband; this the young lady is taught, if not in a disguised, at any rate in a sophisticated line of conduct, which is not likely to produce that noble ingenuousness which stamps the greatest virtue on the human mind. If papa can spare the money, or indeed if he cannot, she snatches a few lessons of drawing and music, to be like her superiors; with these she endeavours to form her net: alas! she had much better have been apprenticed to a wire-worker, and taught to make a

The following disquisition, dictated | by the love I bear for the female sex, may, perhaps, be regarded by some of the readers of LA BELLE ASSEMBLEE as it is really meant, for their use and benefit. It will contain a few observations which have occurred to me on the present method of disposing of young women; that is to say, of fitting them for the world. Of the higher classes of society I shall take no notice, they are above me; let them practice chemistry, if they like, it will do them little hurt; botany also is a harmless study; let paint-cage. ing occupy their leisure hours; let the pallet, Metaphorically or literally this will apthe maul-stick, and easel occupy one apart-ply, for I could wish to see my young ment, the forte-piano, the harp, or the guitar be seen in another; these are at least serviceable, because they are the means of supporting distressed genius by rich folly; but I particularly wish to notice those in a more obscure, though perhaps in a more useful sphere of life, the daughters of respectable professional men of small fortunes, whose only hope, under the present system,

friends so employed, that should they not meet with an agreeable partner in a matrimonial connection, they might be enabled to support themselves independent of sour and distant relations, or supercilious patronesses. That the form of woman precludes her from laborious employment, I am ready to admit; but surely there are many and valuable pursuits completely

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »