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Heaven, found in Dr. Jebb's heart, a fource "In his political friendship he was mild, always unexhaufted, tho' conftantly flowing firm, and condefcending, though not conviin every channel, where nature in distress vial. He was attached particularly to Dr. called for the comfort of advice, the affiftance Northcote, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Lofft of a friend, or hand of benevolence.-Such he once had a great partiality for Mr. Fox, calls, even from a fellow-creature in rags, but never could be prevailed on to forgive found the Doctor as anxious and as attentive, the Coalition, which he confidered as a conas the vain man would be to folicit a title, federacy of intereft; and if juftifiable in one, and to accomplish fuch, bend, fmile, or ea- it might be fo on every occafion, and the gerly embrace the arm of a Minister. people be never certain of the objects of their confidence. A heart fo truly devoted to accomplish the profperity of merit, and fo anxious to fee both good men rewarded, as well as excellent meafures promoted, could not but be continually stabbed to the foul by feeing the reverse of the medallion. Such frequent mortifications preyed on his health, and the exertions he made to promote the good of his country, wore out his conftitution, and deprived mankind of a friend and ornament. His attention to the happiness of others made him neglect his own intereft, at leaft in a worldly fenfe; but the fame good God who gave him fuch difinterested virtues, has the power to reward them in a more exalted ftation, to which they cannot fail to lead him, and where alone fo good and valuable a citizen can receive juftice." The Singular Adventurts of Monfieur de Jardin.

"The humanity of the Man of Rofs, whilft it is recorded, exalts not only the character of the individual, but enriches the name of a kingdom. The amiable qualities of that good man were inherited by the Doctor as a facred patrimony which he diftributed among his fellow-creatures; and as a faithful guardian of human nature, when he could not remove diftrefs, he confoled the fufferer; and often when his purse was unable to annihilate poverty, ftill his benevolence never ceafed to leffen the fting of it. Though Dr. Jebb had in his manners the meeknefs of a child, yet the spirit of a lion was manifefted in his political conduct. As he was always difinterested, he was conftantly firm in the fupport of every measure which could add fupport to liberty, or ftrength to a conftitutution to which he was a fincere friend; and if from zeal to cherish whatever carried happinefs to the public, with a contempt of every perfonal advantage, made the illuftri

ous character of a Roman, the Doctor has irrefutable claims to that of an English Patriot. His expanded foul would not be confined to the narrow pedantic rules of a cloifter, and he therefore quitted the gown, and from a confcientious regard to truth, which he difcovered by the light of experience, he changed his profeffion, from reafons which he publicly gave; and though they might not convince others, they affuredly guided him in the choice he made. As a political man, the Doctor never courted any Minifter what ever, nor would he ever accept a favour to leffen his free agency. To eftablish a more equal reprefentation was one of the moft leading objects of his heart; and he endea voured in the newspapers to communicate every information by which he could inftruét the people, that by the nature of the conftitution, the rights of election ought not to be bartered by the venal, or oppreffed by the families of power. His next favourite object was the establishing a law, in conformity to the boafted notion of English freedom, to prevent a creditor from claiming the liber. ty and perion of a fellow-creature for life, if his fortune fhould be by chance, or even indiferation, unable to pay his debts. He was fond of employing his pen in the fervice of the people, and did not blush to own, that he often wrote in the public papers, which 3e relpected as the centinels of liberty.

Cardin, one of his gentlemen, to Naples, with five hundred piftoles, to buy horfes; and being arrived there, as he was standing the next evening in the gate of the inn, throwing his purfe of gold from one hand to the other, he was obferved by a young courtezan, who wanted neither wit nor beauty. The next morning the fent one of her fpies, privately, to inquire who the object of her attention was, his business, and what other circumftances related to him, or could be of advantage to her defign. Being informed of particulars whereon to found her plot, the difpatched one of her emiffaries, a cunning gipfey, to acquaint him, that a lady of quality, and a relation of his, intreated the favour of a vifit. The crafty decoy hovered at a distance till De Jardin came out, who, as was his cuftom, ftanding at the gate alone, the, with a modefty as counterfeit as her innocence, afked if Monfieur De Jardin was within; "Yes, fweet girl," fays he, "I am the perfon.""Signior, fays fhe, my lady commands me to let you know, the has the honour to be related to you; and if it is not too great a condefcenfion, fhe begs you would spare half an hour from your more important af fairs, and befiow it upon her." De Jardin was not much furprited at fo obliging an invitation; for though he knew of none of his relations, who either bore the title of

THE Count de Montalto fent Monfieur.

lady,

1786.

The fingular Adventures of Monfieur de Jardin:

173

lady, or even lived in Naples, yet prefum- clofet adjoining. His bufinefs requiring ing on the comeliness of his perfon and good hafte, he boldly stepped in: a loose board, mien, he imagined it was fome perfon of which lay fo, purpofely, fell in, and down quality who was enamoured of him, and he fell to the bottom of the privy. As foon with this pretence courted an opportunity to as he had recovered from the fright, (for difcover her paffion. "Madam," fays he, hurt he received none, except from what "I could with myself worthy fo great a was tranfacting above) he cried out for bleffing as I now receive, and fince a ready help; but nobody answered though he heard fubmiflion to your lady's commands is the his kinfwoman's voice very merry above: beft proof I can give of my zeal and affec- they were too bufy in ranfacking his pocktion to her fervice, I will this minute pay ets, where they found the prize they wantmy refpects to her." De Jardin, without ed. In this diftrefs, he discovered a wall going to his lodging, went directly with his which communicated with the ftreet; this guide, who led him through several crofs he endeavoured to fcale, but with repeated treets and bye-ways, till they came to the flips mired himself over head and ears. At houfe, which in the front appeared fair and laft, however, he fucceeded, and found reputable. At the door a perfon attended, himself in the middle of the ftrect. By the who conducted De Jardin into a room rich light of the moon he gueffed at the house, ly furnished, both for pleafure and ftate, and rung so loud a peal at the door, that a As foon as the lady was informed De Jar- grim fellow opened a window, and afked din was below, the defcended with a portly what drunken knave gave that unmannerly and majeftic grace, which, left it fhould alarm. "I am," fays he, "the lady's frike too great an awe upon her kinfman, coufin."" Sirrah," fays he, "you are the fweetened with an affectionate familia a lyar; I know no such a person. Be gone ity and respect. The wily courtezan fpread in time, or you will too late repent this her net fo well, that his dull eye could not faucy affront." The approach of the watch difcover the leaft deception. She difplayed at this inftant forced De Jardin to break off bis pedigree with fo much artifice, that his the dialogue, and fecure himfelf. As he obfcure family was now derived from one was looking for a place of fhelter, he spied of the nobleft houses in Italy, of which the an open bulk, where in the day time a cobbad the honour to be no inconfiderable ler and a herbwoman kept their fhop. Inbranch; all which his pride and folly eafily to this he crept as far as he could, to concredited. Variety of difcourfe, with mu- ceal himself till the watch was gone by. tual congratulations for fo happy an inter- Three fellows, who that night defigned to view, had now fpent a good part of the rob the tomb of a cardinal, who had lately evening, when the lady was whispered to been buried in the great church, having hid that fupper was ready. She ordered it to their tools in this bulk, now came for them. be brought in; and though it was fplendid De Jardin hearing men talk, lay close; but and elegant, the courteously pretended to one of them groping for the implements, excufe it, as not good enough for fo wor- and often complaining of a horrible smell, thy a gueft. Supper being over, De Jardin at laft catched De Jardin by the leg. The recollecting it grew late, and that he was a furprize was equal on both fides; however ftranger to the streets, was ready with a long the fellow had the courage to pull him out, harangue of thanks to take leave of fo ho- and fee what fort of a creature lay concealnourable a kinfwoman: a profufion of com- ed there. De Jardin's fhirt was fo offenpliments were mutually exchanged; when, five, that they forced him to ftrip; for contaking him by the hand," Nay, coulin," fidering he might be of use to them in their fays the, though I am fenfible your recep- prefent defign, and had poffibly overheard tion has not been equal to your merit, yet I fome of their difcourfe, they compelled him flatter myself my houfe can afford you bet- to go along with them. Notwithstanding ter accommodations than your inn; and if he was now as naked as he was born, yet you rob me of your company to-night, you the filth was thick crufted on his flesh, and have not that effeem for me I am fo ambiti- the fmell fo noifome they could not endure ous of." De Jardin, whofe better genius it. For this one of them thought of a prowas abfent, accepted the invitation: it foon per remedy; hard by there was a deep well, grew bed-time, and De Jardin was attend- with a long chain and a bucket at the end of ed to his apartment by the lady and two of its hither they brought De Jardin, and put her fervants, who, after a folemn good-him into the bucket; and let him down innight, withdrew. As he was ftepping into bed, the wine he had drank began to rumble in his ftomach, for it had been phyfically prepared for that purpofe; he there fore afked one of the fervants for a neceffary convenience, and was directed into a little

to the well, and told him as foon as he had wafhed himself clean, he muft fhake the cham and they would draw him up. While they ftaid for De Jardin, the watch came to refresh themselves with water, the night being fultry, and that the only beverage that

could

could be had at that hour. His companions were now forced to run and hide, and the watch laid down their cloaks and halberts, and drew up the bucket. De Jardin with a fudden fpring leaped afhore, which ftruck fuch a panic upon them, that they fled, leaving the pillage of the field, their cloaks and halberts, to De Jardin and his companions. Hoving now joined company again, they went directly to the Cardinal's tomb, and raifed up the heavy marble; but a difpute arose who fhould go in. De Jar dia would not." No!" fays one of them,

2

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won't y you go? but you fhall; what did we bring you here for elfe?" They then forced De Jardin to defcend, and he reached them out the mitre and crofier, and pulled off the Cardinal's gold fringe gloves, which were richly embroider. d.He had heard them mention a diamond ring of great value, and this he flipped off and put upon his own finger, to fecure fomething in cafe of the worft. They ftill bid him look for the ring; but he told them he could find none, and that they muft come in if they either fufpected his honour or his honesty, and look for it themfelves. "I am fure,' faid one, it was faid, he had a very rich ring; feel upon the other hand." As they were thus arguing, they heard a fudden noife in the church, which they fufpected might be fome of the officers. This frightened them fo, that away they ran, and let the fione fall down, leaving poor De Jardin entombed with the dead Cardinal. This was a misfortune a thoufand times worse than any that had yet befallen him. It was impoffible for him to raise up the ftone, and if he made a noife to difcover himfelf, he would certainly be executed for facrilege and robbing the dead. "And to lie there and flarve, or be poisoned with the french of the corrupting body was ftill more dreadful. It happened that the noife, which frightened his companions, proceeded from fome perfons who were breaking into the church upon the fame defign. When they came to the tomb, they railed up the marble, firong ly propped it under, and began like the others to difpute who should defcend."What?" fays one of them, a bold fellow, "are you afraid the dead Cardiñal fhould bite you; let me come."As be was letting himself down, De Jardin catched faft hold of his legs: the fellow, frighten ed out of his wits, cried out, Help! help! the Cardinal has feized me by the legs; and firuggling, got out and followed his companions, who, every step they took, expected the Cardinal would overtake them. This gave De Jardin an opportunity of efcaping: he immediately quitted the church the fame way he entered it, and cloathed with one

the watchman's cloaks, walked about

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The fcene is on the coaft of Scotland, near the Orkneys; and the fable is founded on fome of thofe events which tradition relates, confifting of depredations committed by the Kings of Scotland on the Princes of the liles, and their attendant circumftances. Such a King was exhibited in Conal; he was the tyrant of the tragedy; two of his victims were Eregon, and Malvina, the wife of Eregon, for whom he entertains a paffion. The brother of Conal, who is named Everallan, is a prince of moderation and virtue, but is provoked to arms by his brother's oppreffion, and defeats him in battle. Conal being deferted by the remnant of his army, meets with Eregon; they fight, and are both flain. Malvina is a witncis of this event, and becomes a ipecchlefs mourner for fome time over her husband's body; but at length bursts into a violent grief, and ftabsherself. We shall not go minutely into the fable; but of the incidents we must observe, that many of them poliefs intereft of this defcription are Eregon's first interview with the King; his being fent by royal command,

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dead husband.

--

The imagery is chiefly from the fchool of Offian, but not given in the exact idiom ;fuch imagery however being in ftrict accordance with nature and the locality of the ftene, was attended to with pleasure.-The diction was dreffed with appofite expreffion, but was not abounding with fublimities, or fancies of extraordinary brightness: at the fame time it must be admitted that it cannot be charged with poverty of ideas.

The author deferves compliment for his invention, but in the order of the piece, his judgment in a few inftances failed.

The tragedy was well dreffed-the habit of Mr. Kemble was according to the ftile of the ancient Scots; but as it had no fimilar drefs to keep it in countenance, its peculiarity was objectionable.

The tragedy upon being given out for a fecond night was received with disapprobation. The houfe was divided in opinion, but the ayes had it! thongh after the third night the piece was withdrawn.

The following are the Prologue and Epilogue.

PROLOGUE.

By Thomas Vaughan, Efa. The Speaker Mr. BANNISTER, jun. in the Character of a diftreffed and difap pointed Poet, peeping in at the door,

looks round the houfe.

ARE you all feated—may I venture in ?
[Noije bebind.
Hufh-be quiet-ftop your unfriendly din-
Whilft with more than common grief
opprefs'd,

A tale unfold-just burfting from my breaft.
[Advancing, points to the Pit doors.
But firft-are both your pit doors fhut, I
pray?

Or noife will drown my ftrictures on the
play.
[Noife from front boxes, opening doors and
calling places.]
Do you hear how very
hard my
cafe is-
Inftead of bravo, bravo-places-places-

[mimicking. Your feat, my Lord, is here-your La'fhip's

there :

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175

But bere-quite vulgar to be out of time.
[Noife from front boxes repeated.
Again-why fure the devil's in the clown,
Do pray, Sir Harry, knock that fellow
[pointing.

down.

And you, ye Gods-it were a dreadful fhock,
If thrown from thence- a Critic's head is
rock-
[the pit:
So keep your centres, and my bus'neis
know;

I am a bard, as these my Acts will fhew.

[Pulling out plays from each coat pocket. But then the managers-aye! there's the

curfe

Which makes us patient bear the fad reverse,
To hear they've feveral pieces to peruse,
And when I call, all anfwer they refufe.
But fay, is't fit that mine be laid afide,
To gratify their prefent author's pride?
Who comes with nature, and fuch idle ftuff
As please my friends above there well
errough
[the galleries.
When I more bold and daring, quit all rules,
[In the pompous burlesque of Tragedy.
And fcorn to draw from Claffics and the
Schools;

But bid the dreadful furges form a grave
To fink the merchant" in the bankrupt
wave:"

Or when I long for fair Aurora's light,
"I am witch-ridden by the hag of night :"
Thus always keep fublimity in eye,
And fometimes lead in hand-fimplicity;
New tropes, new pallages for ever raise,
With starts and attitudes to gain your praise;
Try every incident of trick and art,
To mend, at once, the drama and the heart,
Such is my ftyle, and fuch each nervous line,
Which all my friends who read pronounce

divine:

And yet thefe hoftile doors their barriers
keep,

And all my labours-in my pockets fleep.
[Pointing to them.
Revenge my caufe, affert each critic right,
And damn with me the author of to-night,
Whofe play, tho' yet unknown, untried,
unseen,

Has felt in paragraphs an author's fpleen.
But hark!-I'll tell you a fecret-'twas I
Who drew the fhaft, and forg'd th' en-
venom'd lie;

To crush this fimple nature which he boafts,
Drawn from the manners of the northern
coafts;

For fhould bis hope your generous plaudits

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Yet hold, methinks my words feem loft
in air,

And fmiles of candour for the bard declare;
For here no fecret influence e'er was known,
But merit triumphs in berfelf alone;
As all who know ye, muft in this agree,
A British audience ever will be free.

EPILOGUE.
By the Same.

Spoken by Mrs. SIDDONS.

AT length our Bark has reach'd the wifh'dfor shore,

The winds are hufh'd-but is all danger o'er? The trembling Bard ftill hovers o'er the main

Still dreads the dancing waves that lash in

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Here Chronicle, like Scylla, guards the coaft,
There foams Charybdis-in the Morning Poft,
Mark how they break his rudder, cut his
cable,

Tear up plan, diction, fentiment and fable;
Their order is-an order they enjoy,
To feize, to burn, to fink, and to deftroy.
What wond'rous chance our author fhould
furvive,

That in fuch boift'rous feas his bark's alive?
But fond ambition led the bard along,
And Syren Mufes tempted with a fong;
Fame like another Circe beck'ning ftood,
Way'd her fair hand, and bade hiin brave the
flood,

Who could refift, when thus fhe fhew'd he charms,

Sooth'd his fond hopes, and woo'd him to her arms?

Half-rigg'd-half-mann'd, half-leaky, yet you find,

He trick'd his frigate out, and brav'd the

wind.

Your partial favour still may swell his fails, And fill his veffel with propitious gales:

Though pepper'd with small-shot, and tempeft-tofs'd,

You ftill may land him on this golden coaft : Convinc'd that thofe the fureft path pursue, Who truft their all to candour and to you.

II. The Confcious Lovers was acted at Covent-Garden; Young Bevil and Indiana, for the firft time, by Mr. Holman and Mrs. Warren. Mr. Holman has not yet acquired eafe fufficient to perform Comedy at all, and on this occafion he was ftiff and unnatural. Mrs. Warren's performance was above mediocrity. Mrs. Abington in Philis, and Mr. Lewis in Tom, did great juftice to their characters.

THE

A Key to the Rambler.

HE fine Rambler on the subject of Procraftination was haftily compofed, as I have heard, in Sir Joshua Reynold's parlour, while the boy waited to carry it to prefs and numberlefs are the instances of his writing under immediate preffure of importunity or distress. He told me that the character of Sober in the Idler, was by himfelf intended as his own portrait; and that he had his own outfet into life in his eye when he wrote the eastern story of Gelaieddin. Of the allegorical papers in the Rambler, Labour and Reft was his favourite; but Serotinus, the man who returns late in life to receive honours in his native country, and meets with mortification inftead of refpect, was by him confidered as a mafterpiece in the fcience of life and manners. The character of Profpero in the fourth volume, Garrick took to be his; and I have heard the author fay, that he never forgave the offence. Sophron was likewise a picture drawn from reality; and by Gelidus the philofopher, he meant to represent Mr. Coulfon, a mathematician, who formerly lived at Rochefter. The man immortalized for purring like a cat was, as he told me, one Bufby a proctor in the Commons. He who barked fo ingenioufly, and then called the drawer to drive away the dog, was fa ther to Dr. Salter of the Charter-houfe. He who fung a fong, and by correfpondent mo. tions of his arm chalked out a giant on the wall, was one Richardson an attorney. The letter figned Sunday, was written by Mifs Talbot; and he fancied the billets in the firft volume of the Rambler, were fent him by Mifs Mulfo, now Mrs. Chapone. The papers contributed by Mrs. Carter, had inuch of his efteem, though he always blamed me for preferring the Letter figned Charieffa to the Allegory, where religion and fuperflition are indeed moft mafterly delineated.

Voyage

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