1777 Bad Effects of Intemperance, &c. themselves by fome extraordinary atchievement. Accordingly fome "heroic fpirit," more enterprizing than the reft, gives the fignal in the true Buck-tile, "Come my Bucks! let's kick up a dufi!" Smash goes the punch. bowl, and the whole apparatus on the table, chairs, looking-glaffes, &c. are facrified as an offering to Bacchus. After this they fally forth like a troop of banditti, perhaps a fiddler in the train, moft miferably perfecuting, or rather murdering cat-gut, and may literally be faid to act in the character of Orpheus, making the beafts to dance around him.It is difficult to defcribe what noble inftances of wit and genius are difplayed on thele occafions. After having given fufficient proof of the harmony of their vocal powers, by vociferating in the highett key, they now fall to mufcular force. Carriages, carts, butcher's bulks; in a word, every moveable object in their way is overturned, difplaced, or broken.After having exhausted their more than Herculean rage on thefe unrefifting harmless objects, they return in triumph like fo many Cæfars or Alexanders, and account over the concluding bowl, their nocturnal exploits; and compliment each other as droll geniufes, and infinite in facetioufnefs and humour. Is it not the groffeft abufe of words to call that man Good-fellow, who not only thus degrades himself beneath the brute creation, but makes use of every artifice to reduce others to the fame ftandard? He looks upon it as a magnificent exploit, when he has perfuaded, or even forced a poor ignorant inoffenfive man to over-charge himself with liquor.-Your Good-fellow will hake you by the hand, and fwear that he loves you in his heart, when at the fame time his defign is to deprive you of the ufe of your senses; and will call you unmannerly clown, if you decline drinking 'till you fall beneath the table, that he may have the opportunity of indulging in a brutal laugh. The Goodfellows are generally what we call good-natured, which makes them more agreeable, and confequently,more dangerous companions, as they have a greater opportunity of playing upon the paffions. Good-nature is an amiable quality, and generally attracts our esteem; though, in fact, it reflects no merit on the poffeffor, because it is 255 conftitutional. When the phyfiognomift told Socrates, that the traits of his countenance indicated he was naturally prone to drunkennels and anger; the philofopher owned the juftice of his remarks; yet (to his immortal honour) this fame Socrates exerted fuch fortitude and refolution, that he triumphed over both thefe natural weakneffes, and became the pattern of self-mortification, fobriety, and placability. Now this was truly meritorious in one whole natural difpofition was averfe to thele virtues. But what in my opinion renders drunkenness inexcufable is, becaufe it does not feem to be a natural weakness incident to mankind in general: I have known numerous inftances to the contrary, and I need only appeal to every man's conscience to fupport my opinion. Are not molt young men averie to hard drinking? Do not most of them confefs, that after the first draught, they detelt the very fight of liquor? Nature exclufive of grace forbids intemperance. Nature indeed does invite to fenfual enjoyments, but intemperance is incompatible with the name. Men voluntarily become fots and drunkards through a mistaken notion of feeming manly, and foolishly imagine that fobriety and effeminacy are infeparable. It is a melancholy reflection to confider how many beautiful youth have in a few years enervated a good conftitution by exceffive drinking, and finally fallen a facrifice to Bacchus ; who, had they been temperate, might, in all probability, have been an honour to their Maker, by diffufing benevolence around them, relieved the indigent, and been useful members of the community, by raifing up a family of children in the practice of industry and piety.-Are my readers bleft with a good conftitution? has nature been liberal in beftowing upon you elegance of form? has the diffufed on your cheeks the roly flush of health? Be thankful and humble. preferve the bleffing, and enjoy the bounties or nature? Shun the forcerefs intemperance.-Let no Bacchanalian perfuade you, that a blotted pimpled face looks more mafculine than a healthy florid countenance. Be not enamoured with the appellation of "Goodfellow," but rather endeavour to merit the character of a “Good man.” Penrith. Would you C.G. Female 256 Female Virtue and Greatness displayed in Principle and Condu&. (Continued from our laft.) May R. Trenchard after this incident After her death he found by the pa MR Tred ha conquer his regard per the gave him, what generous be to Mifs Pelham. He took a journey to London to try what abfence would do-he went to the opera-to the Lord Mayor's feaft, and to other public entertainments, and at laft vainly thought he had got rid of his love notions on his return vifiting his mother, the in Nancy's abfence took occafion to fpeak of her, intending to engage his good opinion and fo his help, (after her death) in cafe Nancy thould need it. This fet all a moving again-it oiled the wheels, and the machine flew swift. Lady Trenchard foon after this grew worfe daily, he therefore vifited her often in a day, and as Nancy was conftantly attending her, he could not but obferve her lovely behaviour -the tenderness, the alacrity, the delight fhe took in miniftring to her dear lady. He never faw her there but his paffion gained new firength. He now found it in vain to refift, and he fell a willing victim to the power of female worth. In this pofture he continued till it iffued in a fixed determination to make his addreffes to her in proper time; and then he felt eafy, for he judged there would be no difficulty in gaining her for his wife, from his circumftances and rank. Had his mother been well, he would have let her know his mind, but he thought her too weak to be acquainted with fuch a tender point, imagining that neither the nor his father would approve of it at first; he therefore kept it wholly to himselfThe day before he died, the fent for him to give him her folemn charges, warnings, and bleffing. It was a tender fcene, Nancy was prefent, and was equally affected-When his mother had done he faid within himfelf, "O cruel arbitrary cullom! why is this diftinction of wealth and title that keeps fouls afunder? was it not for thee, we might jointly have partaken of the parent's blefling; I as a fon, the as a daughter, both dear to the best of parents-Was it not for thee, hand in band might embrace the departing mother 1" quests the had left Nancy, and what teftimony living and dying the gave to her worth; he alfo faw how Mrs. Masham valued her, but how much more Dr. Butler, Dr. Brice, and their ladies made of her; he was highly pleafed to find his opinion corroborated by fuch able judges; he was eafy in the belief he fhould poffefs her, but he thought it decent not to begin his addrefs 'till the time of wearing mourn ing was ended, which at W-n B. -h was fix months. He wanted not any body to fufpect his design except Nancy, but he defired to be more familiar with her, yet could not with prudence as the always fat in the womens chamber.Sometimes he had not a glimpse of her for a week or ten days; he went at laft and asked her to put his mother's books in order, and offered her the choice of any, but the modest cautious girl declined-he infifted; the obferved his emotions, but imagined it was displeasure when it was real affection. He prefented her with a curious and valuable purfe which he found in his mother's casket, and added twenty guineas to her legacy, and fent it as his mother's-this he did, because he thought the ought to have had equal to Mrs. Wilfon the housekeeper, to whom Lady Trenchard left fifty guineas, not thinking that the other valuables which Nancy had, were equal to three times fifty guineas. Thus he refted eafy, until Mrs. Butler from Mrs. Pelham made the motion for Nancy's return home-then his fears and feelings were inexpreffible. He in a few days tried for an opportu nity to fpeak to Nancy alone-he tried repeatedly, but the evidently avoided him-he was ftartled; he went into the womens room, on pretence of taking Mrs. Wilfon's advice about some new night gowns (though he wanted non-) he went feveral times about these trifles. He faw Nancy was easy and chearful there, if he happened to fee her in the garden, or adjusting things in the other 100ms (which her lady uted to direct her to fupervife once or twice 1777. befides, if his views were honourable, why should he behave with more difance while her lady lived, and never feek an intimacy 'till after her death, whofe favourite, all the family, and he alfo, knew he was? These reflections caufed her much concern, and the began to apprehend herself in danger. This concern increased, and was vifible to the women. Nancy was penfive, often in deep thought, never would fit alone, though ever fond of books and retirement; would not ftir out of an evening, not even to Mifs Collet's or Mifs Harmel's without Katy would go with her, and what the matter was they did not know, nor would Nancy reveal. She was far from a fufpicious temper, but his conduct put her on thinking. So many little rea fons were affigned for his getting into her company from time to time in the womens chamber, as feemed unaccountable to her. She felt distressed, and earnestly wished herfelf in her father's houfe: but how could the go without affigning the reafon? that would be very imprudent. She could not fay a word to Mrs. Wilson, for Mrs. Wilfon admired Mr. Trenchard. She could not to Mrs. Butler, for the would think her vain and conceited, and the dared not to any one elfe; yet the always felt a certain pleasure while he was with her and any-body was by. She faw his eyes full of glowing pleafure, when the was in converfation obliged to look on him, and her eye met his. Still his carriage was fo decent and winning, his looks and converfation fo innocent, that few young women but the modeft, the humble, the cautious, and prudent Nancy Pelham, but would have thought themfelves fecure of a conqueft, and prided themselves in it. Mrs. Wilfon had not suspected him as yet, but Katy Nelfon had (he was fatisfied) made a difcovery of his paffion, and after a few weeks watching, fhe was ftrengthened in it, and gave Mrs. Wilfon an item, putting her in mind of feveral incidents that paffed before her, and of many other while fhe was below ftairs. The worthy woman was concerned, and determined to try both of them; to him the hinted an alteration in Nancy, "that the was very dull, yet would not own it, and fhe was concerned to fee her fo." He faid little, but looked grieved and anxiLI ous. 258 Female Virtue and Greatness displayed. ous. They both bantered Nancy about Mr. Tait, whom they knew the had difmiffed, and could not like. At other times they hinted at Mr. Trenchard's frequent coming there; the wished he would not, and wondered he could not Say what he wanted to Mis. Wilfon in her room below, or fend for her into the parlour. Katy intimated that his errands were not to Mrs. Wilfon, only in pretence, Nancy was the real one. At this the wept. They told her the was not dull while he fat there; fhe took unkindly the fuggeftion. They loved her too well to diftrefs her, but were afraid he was catched by the little blind idol, and faid no more. Soon after this, his father and aunt propofed a match to him of a young lady of fortune at Bh; he knew the lady, but he could think of none but Nancy. His father was in earnest, and invited her guardian to dine, with a view to bring it on. Nancy now grew very uneasy, and got Mrs. Wilfon to afk Sir William to let her go and fee her mother; he confented, and told Mrs. Wilfon when he was gone to London to take the chaife and go with her, the ride would do her good, and that Billings fhould ride by their fide, and bade her carry fome good things, as rich cordials, fruits, and wines for, a prefent to Nancy's mother, and he gave her a guinea to carry to Nancy to buy any trifles the wanted for the journey. In a week Sir William and his fon fet out for London; the night before, he met her in the Green-walk with Katy, and fought to retain her, but the was on her guard, and kept clofe with her mate. Nancy now was eafy, and the day was spent very agreeably by her with Mrs. Willon and Katy. She went out in the forenoon to call on Mifs Collet, Mifs Harmel, Mifs Rolfe, and to take leave of them, as fhe intended to go home the next day. Thele young ladies being very fond of her company, charged her not to stay long at En, for they now expected more of her company; as he had no thing to keep her immured in Trenchard manor, they intended to fhare her among then, and "Nancy (faid Mifs Collet) you need not be thy of coming here now on Mr. Trenchard's account. My word for it, he will be among the first of us to court your convertation." Nancy replied, "I don't understand you Miss Collet, you May affect to talk in the clouds." No mat ter faid Polly, obferving Nancy to look confufed, "the clouds will foon disappear when the fun arifes; you may be Lady T-d yet." Nancy beg'd the would not banter her, as her spirits were too low to jeff. "going to leave my friends here, faid the, and know not whether ever I fhall fee them again!" A figh and a tear then ftarted, but the fuppreffed them, and faid, "adieu, Mifs Collet." "Stop, a word in your ear, Mifs Pelham; Mr. Harmel tells me Mr. Trenchard is certainly in love; he hates the words fortune, family, birth, titles, &c. and wifhes there was common fenfe enough in the world to banish fuch idle diftinctions. This he faid a few club nights ago to Jack Denham, to my brother, and Mr. Harmel, but he never mentioned it to any but me; adding, that he said he would lay a hundred guineas my Amanda had made herself mistress of his Strephon." Nancy was then in the gate-way, and went out without making any other reply than, "It is all a chimera, Mr. Harmel is vafly out in his guefs, I can affure him." In the afternoon fhe fat with the women. Towards night they wanted to go on some errands, and as Nancy was in hafte to finish fome work she was doing for Mrs. Butler, the chofe to stay alone, which she could do without fear, as Mr. Trenchard was gone his journey, intending to take leave of Mrs. Butler in the morning before he went. As Sir William and Mr. Trenchard were out of town, Mrs. Wilson thought it proper for her to keep below, the better to guard the houfe; fo they all fat in the little parlour, which used to be the lady's adjoining to the dining room. There Nancy was fitting alone at her work with an easier mind than fhe had been mistress of for many weeks, when fuddenly a perfon's voice aroufed her with the words, "Where are all the folks ?" The parlour door opened, and Mr. Trenchard entered in his riding drefs. He was rejoiced to find her alone, and with a pleafant voice afked her how the did, and threw himself on the settee where he was. She trembled, turned pale, and her work fell from her fingers. He took her by the hand with a refpectful though free air, and defired her to fit, for the role to go eut, 1777. In the Hiftory of Nancy Pelham. out, but he prevented her by retain 259 her that the believed he could guess, and asking her if Mr. Trenchard had feen her? the antwered with tears," O yes." Mrs. Wilfon told her if any thing about him gave her uneafiuefs, the might with fafety reveal it to her, and he would be in this and all other cafes her fteady friend; her honour was concerned in protecting her, as he had given her word to Mrs. Butler. This opened the way for Nancy to vent all her thoughts and fears. Mrs. Wilfon was equally alarmed, but toki her, "Come don't let us judge too hattily; if he prevents your going tomorrow, as he now knows is your purpose, I fhall be as afraid as you; in that cafe I would have you fly the houfe, go to Dr. Butler's, and from thence home in the ftage immediately: this fhall be a teft." Nancy, as we may well judge, was unfit to appear at breakfaft, but it was moft prudent to go; fhe did, but faid nothing all the time, until he asked her when the went to En; fhe anfwered to-day. Upon which he turned to Mrs. Wilfon, and faid, you can't to-day, for Billings muft fettle an affair for me, and it will be unfafe for you two to go without him, but if you stay 'till to-morrow, he shall attend you, and you know there was a robbery near K- Bridge a little while fince." This, faid with a sweet kind look, and fo plaufible, fatisfied Mrs. Wilfon and Katy, but added to Nancy's fears, remembering Mrs. Wil. fon's remark, and the test as she called it the night before. She was so affected with her own apprehenfions, that the could not quite refrain the cryftal memorial. Upon breakfasting, the immediately withdrew. He ftaid below, he traverfed the rooms, the gardens, and the walks; he roamed thro' the chambers in hopes of feeing her, not caring now to go into the women's apartments; he faw he kept at a difiance, nor though he tried could he get at her fpeech. Nancy was fo uneasy at his detaining them, notwithftanding Mrs. Wilson thought he meant all in kindnefs (as he really did to her, and to answer his own purpofe) that the refolved to go to Mrs. Butler's and spend the day there. Mrs. Wilfon told her, "the had better, fince he was fo uneasy, but beg'd her not to drop a hint there about these affairs. Mr. Trenchard's L12 character |