English, though more flow in their motions, were more fure in their aims, let fall a fignal, on which the whole French army appeared in an inftant; but like kites hovering over their prey, they inftantly defcended again with incredible velocity, and pierced almoft everyEnglifh balloon before they fufpected any danger. The numbers who ftrewed the

Channel were then immenfe. I was filled with forrow and vexation for the fate of my countrymen. Fame blew her trumpet, and proclaimed a compleat victory; at the found of which, Louis and his courtiers, who were watching the engagement with optic tubes, fet up fuch a horfe-laugh for joy, that they awaked me from my fleep, and with pleafure I reflected that what I had beheld was only a dream. HERACLITUS.

ELIZA;

OR, THE FAIR FUGITIVE.

A MORAL TALE.

LIZA was the beauteous off

E a fpring of a fond but whimfical couple, whofe peculiar abfurdities were long the jeft, as fhe was defervedly the admiration, of Bath and it's polished environs. Though her education had been confined, and regulated on a plan of uncommon ftupidity, yet fo lavish had Nature been of every mental endowment, that very little aid was required from art to give each it's full degree of brilliancy and effect. Thofe who beheld her could not but admire the graceful eafe of her deportment, and wondered whence the drew thofe large fupplies of reafon and humour which enriched and enlivened her converfation. With all these marks of fuperiority, Eliza had none of that frivolous vanity which feems almoft infeparable from female excellence. If the at times converfed with freedom on the most interefting topics, it was evidently rather to gratify the inclination of others, who never could liften to her but with pleasure, than to indulge a volubility of speech, from

which few of the amiable fex can plead an entire exemption. This obfervation, however, is by no means intended as farcaftic, fince it is to that circumftance we owe more than three-fourths of the charms which embellish fo. ciety.

The parents of Eliza, as it has already been mentioned, poffeffed very few, if any, of her amiable qualities: they were, however, what the world would have ftiled good fort of people, had they cons tinued to act that part in it with which they began their career, and for which alone nature had evidently defigned them. But, if what Pope fays be true, that

men would be angels, angels would be gods,' and by that afpiring prefumption throw every thing into confufion; we may with equal reafon affert, that all is nonfenfe and ridicule, when the illiterate vulgar rufh from theirnarrow fphere, and make aukward attempts to move with eclat in that of fuperior beings. This was literally the cafe with our prefent couple, from the time of their quitting their fhop in Cornhill, to their retiring to a fuperb villa in the vicinity of Bath, and thus exchanging the centre of bufinefs for that of quality and diffipation. The husband having once conceived this fage idea, was not under the neceffity of enforcing compliance with his cara sposa on this as on fome former occafions: the purpofe in view had been the primitive and glorious object of all her exertions and ambition; for this fhe had toiled and economized with unexampled frugality, whilft her no lefs affiduous partner was driving his bargains at 'Change, or negociating loans in the Alley. An additional plumb to that of which they were already posfeffed would fcarcely have afforded her more real fatisfaction than the arrival of that period for which she had fo long fighed.

Having fixed on their place of refidence, and made an ample provision of whatever was neceffary to the very fplen did figure they were now determined to make in the world, they were conveyed thither in the full triumph of a coach and # U 2

fix,

fix, attended by a numerous retinue, to the great furprize and amufement ofall who knew or beheld them. Their mode of life did not difgrace their equipage; and their Bath villa foon became the refort of all who thought proper to regale and divert themselves at their expence. The wines and viands were greatly extolled by those who piqued themfeives on Epicurean tafte, and their excellence was ftill more effectually proved by the moft aftonishing confumption of both at every quick-repeated entertainment, The table converfation was fuch as might naturally be expected from guefts whofe chief defign in reforting thither was to difplay their wit in ironical compliments to the mafter and miftrefs of the banquet, who fwallowed the bait with equal fimplicity and fatisfaction. The peculiar grace of the latter, in her method of carving, was never suffered to pass unnoticed; and when, as was frequently the cafe, a dish or a fauceboat was overturned in the operation, fome person was ever ready to obferve that accidents of that nature might happen to the most alert and experienced. Thefe fallies and inuendoes being perfectly understood by the parties prefent, ufually produced convulfive fits of mirth; in which Eliza was the only per fon who did not take a part: and on this account fhe was frequently reproached for her want of tafte and fpirit; whilft tacit difapprobation was the only expreffion of her pity and contempt. It was not in the nature of things that the follies of her infatuated parents fhould efcape her difcernment; yet the knew how to refpect them in thofe follies, and waited for the moment when time and experience might open their eyes, and give a new turn to their purfuits.

But what more than all contributed to fupport the fund of merriment, was the fuppofed antiquity of her father's family, on which he valued himself more than on all he poffeffed. To prove his pretenfions in this way, (for fuch they moft literally were) the bottles and glaffes were removed to make way for a Jarge roll of parchment, containing his pedigree from nameless generations.

The family name was originally Nidrom, which, by an apt tranfpofition of the two letters m and d, was now changed into Nimrod, as he proved himfelf to a demonftration lineally defcended from that celebrated hunter, which was alfo a fufficient authority for a ftag's head, by way of creft, in his arms, and two bucks for fupporters. To NIMROD, Eq. was invariably added; and Sir was not unfrequently prefixed to ALEXANDER; though he was prudently filent as to the time and occafion of his obtaining the honour of knighthood. My lady might have been equally puzzled to account for her title, had not the politeness, or rather policy, of her visitors, made them wave all difagreeable queftions whilst in her prefence, and thus rivetted both in the filly delufion. Eliza,whofe tender heart was wounded by the daily repetition of this farce in high life, was often tempted to remonftrate with her parents in private; but when at last she did venture to break through her ufual reserve, her intention was mifconftrued into infolence and difrefpect, and she was or dered not to prefume to cenfure their conduct, which ought to be the model of her own. The delicacy of filial piety made her feemingly acquiefce in what she knew to be pregnant with abfurdity; efpecially as the clearly faw that the feeds of folly were too deeply fown to be eradicated by her feeble exertions: fhe therefore gave up the point as abfolutely defperate, and waited with refignation, till death, or more welcome Hymen,fhould remove her from a scene fo irkfome and painful to her feelings. Alas! how vain and precarious are most of our wishes! and how often do we look forward to fome diftant point with eager defire, which when attained only leaves room for deeper regret, and more heartfelt forrows!

Had Eliza been left by her parents, as fhe was by Heaven and Nature, free in her choice of a partner for life, her good fenfe and penetration would doubtlefs have been the guide to her affections, and fixed them on an object deferving of fo much loveliness and perfection; but even in this point

(which was to determine nothing lefs than her happiness or mifery for ever) was Eliza doomed to be the flave of parental authority, at the expence of every fuggeftion of reafon, every fentiment and feeling of her soul.

And will Eliza fubmit to this most unnatural ftretch of power? No: Nature shrinks back at the gloomy profpect which must then be opened to her view; fhe fees it in all it's horrors; duty for one moment keeps reafon in thoughtful fufpenfe. 'Tis paft! her refolutions are taken; and much is her fpirit to be commended for thus claiming thofe facred rights which cruel oppreffion would have extorted from her. This was done by a timely elopement; for which no perfon will, I believe, be inclined to blame her, who attends to the following faithful portrait of her intended husband.

This very hopeful youth had little in his form, and nothing in his fentiments, to distinguish him from the brute creation; though his manners had received every aid from cultivation, and at first fight fpoke too much in favour of his character. Never, perhaps, were the fool and villain more compleatly blended than in his compofition; and the too partial indulgence of a fond mother correfponded but too well with the evident defign of nature in his original formation. A too great application to books, she would obferve, might poffibly prove injurious to health; and, as her fon, thank Heaven! was not born to acquire, but to spend, a fortune, he would furely have as much learning as was necef fary for a gentleman. The most unreftrained practice of every fpecies of gaming was admitted on the plea of gentility, and all his vices were excufed because they were not of a vulgar caft, but thofe of a gentleman. Thus was he early initiated into irregularities; and feldom, if ever, retired from fcenes of nocturnal riot but in a state of wretched intoxication. Woman, that last and best gift of Heaven to man! that lovelieft image of his kindnefs, and faireft work of his creation! woman was only prized by this intemperate fon of lewdnefs, as fhe fubmitted to be the venal inftrument of his

pleasures; and all that he knew of conjugal felicity was, that it would be his province to command-that of his paffive confort to be filent and to obey. His heart had never been warmed by one generous feeling; brutality was the test of his focial ties; and his haughtiness to those beneath him was only furpaffed by his fervility to fuperiors when fubmiffion pointed out the obvious path to interest.

Such was the man felected by the parents of Eliza from a numerous train of admirers. Should it be asked what could poffibly induce them to give him the preference, the only reason that can be affigned is the extent of his influence, the number of his titles, and that alluring ignis fatuus, his pedigree. Thefe were to fupply the want of fense, honour, and fuch other requifites as can alone in any degree indemnify the tender fex for the refignation of liberty and that irrefiftible empire which beauty enfures to them over every fubject heart. Determined not to be the prey of fuch a monster, Eliza fled, taking with her in money and jewels what would provide decently for her future fupport, and fought an afylum in the houfe of a friend and diftant relation, who lived retired from the world in a very remote part of the country.

Misfortune, however, attended her to this retreat; for, having depofited her little property with a merchant at the ufual rate of intereft, he foon became a bankrupt, and fhe was left with no refources but fuch as must

flow through the narrow channels of what is improperly called friendly benevolence. She now foon experienced thofe flights which usually attend a life of dependence; and refolv ed to quit a houfe where the clearly perceived fhe was no longer a welcome guest: but whilft she was revolving in her anxious mind on what plan fhe should determine for her future fupport, the arrival of two fervants from her father convinced her fhe had been betrayed by the perfon on whose fidelity fhe had relied for protection. Entreaties, the knew, would be loft upon

mercenary

mercenary fouls; and, having no money to offer as the price of her freedom, fhe fubmitted to the hard law of neceffity with becoming fortitude, and ftepped into the chaife prepared for her, fully determined to act the only part which could now refcue her from worfe than deftruction.

On her arrival at Bath, fhe appeared perfectly compofed in her actions; juftified her conduct in few words; was callous to reproaches, which he was confcious fhe did not deferve, and ftill more fo to menaces which were far lefs terrible to her imagination than the threatened marriage, to which the repeated her moft determined averfion. Every thing was however prepared for the nuptials; and, on the appointed day, he was dragged like a victim to the altar.

The clergyman, however, did not find Eliza foready to answer questions as he was to ask them; or, at least,in the way that he expected, and her parents could have wished. She protefted against the violence offered her, in terms of just yet modeft indignation; interrupted the parfon more than once in the ufual preamble; and when at length the decifive queftion was put, the answered No!' in a tone of refolution which immediately deftroyed all hopes of concluding the ceremony. Old Nimrod exclaimed, that the girl was all perverfenefs; and my lady pronounced her mad: to which Eliza replied with a fmile, that in either cafe fhe was in a very improper ftate for marriage, and confequently hoped they would excufe her objections. The difappointed bridegroom declared, with an oath, that if he would not, fome other would, and that it made very little difference to him: whilft the parfon and clerk retired with heavy hearts for the lofs of their refpec

tive fees.

Among others who were prefent at this ceremony, was a ftranger of genteel appearance, and who feemed greatly interested in what had engaged all his attention. The youth, the beauty, and perhaps more than all,

the peculiar fituation of Eliza, had made the deepest impreffions on his mind, and produced a moft effectual revolution in his heart. To feel for the diftrefs and injuries of the fofter fex is a fentiment fo effential to the idea of true courage and honour, that we may in general pronounce that man every way unworthy of life who hefitates one moment to facrifice it for their defence or refcue. Horatio was not a perfon of to daftardly a foul; and, yet uncertain whether the intereit he took in Eliza's fate proceeded from compaffion or love, he refolved, at all events, to redrefs her wrongs without delay. But before the means he adopted to effect this purpofe are defcribed, it will be proper to give the reader a juft idea of his rank and character. Both thefe were fuch as to entitle him to univerfalefteem, thoughthe latter was remarkable for one trait, which was rather extraordinary in a perfon of his strong sense and manly benevolence. This was nothing less than a rooted prejudice againft the female character, as neceffarily fiaught with levity, inconftancy, and deceit; io that, though he was really the friend and advocate of the fex in one fenfe, he might be confidered almoft in the light of an enemy in another. His misfortune, it feems, had been, at an early age, to be familiar with none but the most abandoned of the fex; and fuch were the difgufts excited in him from these juvenile fcenes of indelicacy, that he had formed a refolution never to make the happinefs of his life depend on a female who might probably be tinged with fome portion of thofe vices which had infpired him with fuch horror and deteftation. Though a man of perfect candour in other refpects, in this he proved himself moft illiberally unjuft; condemning, like many others, the whole for the errors of a few, when even they perhaps ought rather to be confidered as objects of compaffion than contempt.

Dear, tender, yet too often injured woman! never let me lofe an opportu

nity of afferting thy worth, or of vindicating thy character. To thee we owe whatever can tend to refine the joys, and foothe the cares of life; and if, in the general diftribution, a few flight imperfections may have fallen to thy fhare, let them not be feen through the microfcopic eye of malevolence,but rather loit in the brightnefs of thy perfections. Too well can I account for all thy feeming foibles in the tyranny of that ufurper who would gladly mark thee for his flave; and often do I blush for the brutality of my ruder fex, when I fee it infult the eafe and gentleness of thine!

Had Horatio given way to fentiments like thefe, he would doubtlefs never have determined, in the full vigour of youth, to relinquish thofe charms which can only be found in the fociety and affection of a virtuous female, without confidering that life, devoid of that invaluable bleffing, is at beft but a cheerlefs and dreary fcene. A fhort experience, however, had taught him,whilft he languished in the profufion of fortune, that there is a void in the human heart which woman alone was made to fill, without whom, pleafure, and even repofe, muft be banished from it for ever. Thus convinced of his error, Horatio only waited for a proper opportunity of retrieving it; and he thought he faw in the perfon of Eliza what he had fo long defpaired of ever being able to find. There is a native eloquence in the female eye, that speaks conviction more feelingly to the heart than all the powers of diction combined, and this had in one glance fpoke oracles to that of Horatio.

Having determined on his plan of operations in the conqueft he had in view, which, as the reader will obferve, was literally a coup de main, he went unattended to the house of old Nimrod; and with as little ceremony as Aimwell in the Stratagem, told him he was come to take away his daughter.Aye!' faid the father, in a confounded paffion; and what right have you to claim my daughter, Sir That,' replied

perate and fout young fellow, such as was Horatio, effectually cooled old Nimrod's rage and courage: he therefore only faid, with a faltering voice, that fince he had refufed to marry the man of his choice, he would not give her a fhilling. It is not your purfe,' answered Horatio with dif dain, but your daughter, that I come

for!' and, gently feizing her hand, he led her with him out of the apartment, without farther explanations; leaving the parents to make what comments they might please on his mode of proceeding.

Eliza, who at first had followed her new lover with fome miftrust and reluctance, was foon convinced of his honourable intentions, by the proposals of marriage which he made to her, and which were brought to effect in a few days after this their first auspicious interview. Never, I believe, had any man more reafon to bless the name of Hymen than Horatio, or woman more caufe than Eliza to revere that of her husband. The yawning fiend Ennui never once was known to break in on their felicity; nor was the voice of dif content ever heard within their doors. Every action was fpontaneous, and the idea of unlimited obedience could not poffibly find admittance in minds which feemed only to vie in efforts of mutual kindnefs and condefcenfion. If Horatio indulged in the fports of the field, it was chiefly in the hope of returning with fpoils which might fuit the tafte of Eliza; whilft fhe in the mean time was preparing, a feast for the man fhe loved.' Juft Heavens! of what importance do the most trivial occurrences in life become, when confe crated at the fhrine of love and fidelity!

Three years had infenfibly fleeted away in this blissful union, when the fenfible heart of Eliza was deeply wounded by accounts which he had for fome time had reafon to apprehend.

Since