young gentleman pursuing his course to Constantinople, with intent to visit some parts of Asia, and took the oppor- ' tunity of a vessel that was bound for Leghorn, to retúrn thither.

His health was happily established: and, knowing that Mr. Grandison expected the long-desired call from his father to return to England, and that it was likely that he could be of use to his ward Miss Jervois, and her affairs, in her guardian's absence, he was the more desirous to return to Italy.

• Mr. Grandison rejoiced at his arrival: and soon after set out for Paris, in order to attend there the expected call; leaving Emily, in the interim, to his care.

He ex

• Lorimer's father did not long survive his son. pressed himself in his last hours highly sensible of the doctor's care of his unhappy boy; and earnestly desired his lady to see him handsomely rewarded for his trouble. But not making a will; and the lady having, by her early over-indulgence, ruined the morals of her child, (never suffering him to be either corrected or chidden, were his enormities ever so flagrant,) she bore a secret grudge to the doctor for his honest representations to her lord of the young man's immoralities: and not even the interposition of a Sir Charles Grandison has hitherto been able to procure the least acknowledgment to the doctor; though the loss as well of his reputation as life, might have been the consequence of the faithful services he had endeavoured to render to the profligate youth, and in him to the whole family.'

LETTER XXXVIII.

DR. BARTLETT.-IN CONTINUATION.

[Enclosing the preceding.]

THUS far, dear Miss Byron, (delight of every one who is so happy as to know you!) reach my kinsman's extracts from my papers. I will add some particulars, in answer to your inquiries about Mr. Beauchamp, if, writing of a man I so greatly love, I can write but a few.

Mr. Beauchamp is a fine young man in his person. When I call him a second Sir Charles Grandison, you and the ladies, and my Lord L-, will conceive a very high idea of his understanding, politeness, and other amiable qualities. He is of an ancient family. His father, Sir Harry Beauchamp, tenderly loves him, and keeps him abroad equally against both their wills; especially against Mr. Beauchamp's, now his beloved friend is in England. This is done to humour an imperious, vindictive woman, who, when a widow, had cast her eye upon the young gentleman for a husband; imagining that her great wealth (her person not disagreeable) would have been a temptation to him. This, however, was unknown to the father; who made his addresses to her much about the time that Mr. Beauchamp had given an absolute denial (perhaps with too little ceremony) to an overture made to him by a friend of hers. This enraged her. She was resolved to be revenged on him, and knowing him to be absolutely in his father's power, as to fortune, gave way to Sir Harry's addresses; and, on her obtaining such terms as in a great measure put both father and son in her power, she married Sir Harry.

She soon gained an absolute ascendant over her hus

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CC

band. The son, when his father first made his addresses to her, was allowed to set out on his travels with an appointment of 600l. a year. She never rested till she had got 4007. a year to be struck off; and the remaining 2001. were so ill remitted, that the young gentleman would have been put to the greatest difficulties, had it not been for the truly friendly assistance of Mr. Grandison.

Yet it is said, that this lady is not destitute of some good qualities; and, in cases where the son is not the subject, behaves very commendably to Sir Harry but being a managing woman, and Sir Harry loving his ease, she has made herself his receiver and treasurer; and, by that means, bas put it out of his power to act as paternally by his son as he is inclined to do, without her knowing it.

The lady and Sir Harry both, however, profess to admire the character of Sir Charles Grandison, from the letters Mr. Beauchamp has written from time to time to his father; and from the general report in his favour: And on this, as well I, as Mr. Beauchamp, found our hope, that if Sir Charles, by some unsuspected way, can make himself personally acquainted with the lady, he will be able to induce her to consent to her son-in-law's recall ; and to be reconciled to him; the rather, as there is no issue by this marriage; whose interest might strengthen the lady's animosity.

Mr. Beauchamp, in this hope, writes to Sir Charles, that he can, and will, pay all due respect to his father's wife, and, as such, treat her as his mother, if she will consent to his return to his native country: but declares, that he would stay abroad all his life, rather than his father should be made unhappy, by allowing of his coming over against the consent of so high-spirited a woman. In the mean time he proposes to set out from Vienna, where he now is, for Paris, to be near, if Sir Charles, who he thinks can manage any point he undertakes, (and who, in this, will

be seconded by his father's love,) can prevail with his mother-in-law.

I long, ladies, to have you all acquainted with this other excellent young man. You, Miss Byron, I am sure, in par◄ ticular, will admire Sir Charles Grandison's, and my Beauchamp: Of spirit so manly, yet of manners so delicate, I end as I began; He is a second Sir Charles Grandison.

I shall think myself, ladies, very happy, if I can find it in my power to oblige you, by any communications you would wish to be made you. But let me once more recommend it to you, Lady L-, Lord L--, and Miss Grandison, to throw off all reserves to the most affectionate of brothers. He will have none to you, in cases which he knows will give you pleasure: and if he forbears of his own accord to acquaint you with some certain affairs, it is because the issue of them is yet hidden from himself.

As to Lady Olivia, mentioned to you by good Lord L-, she never can be more to my patron than she now is.

Allow me to be, my good Miss Byron, with a true paternal affection,

Your admirer and humble servant,

AMBROSE BARTLETT.

SUBJOINED, IN A SEPARATE PAPER, BY MISS BYRON TO HER LUCY.

How is this, Lucy? Let me collect some of the contents of these letters. If Sir Charles forbear, of his own accord, to acquaint his sisters with some certain affairs' -'Issue hidden from himself' Engaged in some affairs at Bologna and Florence, that embarrass him'-[Is, or was so engaged, means the doctor?] Sir Charles not reserved; yet reserved.'-How is all this, Lucy?

Byt does the doctor say, That I shall particularly • admire Mr. Beauchamp?'-What means the doctor by that?-But he cannot affront me so much as to mean any thing but to shew his own love to the worthy young man. The doctor longs for us to see him. If I do see him, he must come quickly: For shall I not soon return to my last, my best refuge, the arms of my indulgent grandmamma and aunt ?-I shall.

But, dear Lucy, have you any spite in you? Are you capable of malice-deadly malice?—If you are, sit down, and wish the person you hate to be in love with a man, (I must, it seems, speak out,) whom she thinks, and every body knows, to be superior to herself, in every quality, in every endowment, both of mind and fortune: and be doubtful, (far, far worse is doubtful than sure!) among some faint glimmerings of hope, whether his affections are engaged; and if they are not, whether he can returnAh, Lucy! you know what I mean-Don't let me speak ont. But one word more-Don't you think the doctor's copliment, at the beginning of this letter, a little particular?

Delight of EVERY ONE who is so happy as to know you.' Charming words!-But are they, or are they not, officiously inserted?-Am I the delight of Sir Charles Grandison's heart? Does he not know me?-Weak, silly, vain, humble, low, yet proud Harriet Byron!-Be gone, paper-mean confession of my conjecturing folly-Ah, Lucy, I tore the paper half through, as you'll see, in anger at myself; but I will stitch it to the doctor's letter, to be taken off by you, and to be seen by nobody else.