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of the evening, when the Sun feems dropping behind the hills, and throws a feeble but pleafing beam over the landfcape; then might you fee them wander, arm in arm, and flowly on the Avonfide. "JULIA (he would fay to his daughter) my dear JULIA, you and my parish are the comforts of my life. Ye are all my children-but you, JULIA, you are my friend-The thirsty loves not to drink, nor the weary to reft, more than I love to look upon you-What would become of me, JULIA, wert thou gone? And when I am gone, my daughter, what will become of thee?""I hope, father, we fhall die both together.". "God grant it! God grant it!" answered the good old

man.

Thus peaceably glided on their lives, till an unlucky accident in the neighbouring parish disturbed their tranquillity. The vicar of that parifh died. The moment our Curate was informed of this, it roufed one of his worst paffions: he had now but one wish to be gratified in this world; and that was, to have the neighbouring vicarage in poffeffion. "My dear father (faid the unambitious JuLIA) have we not competence; and does not competence afford us felicity and is not this fufficient?"Aye, all that was very true but then the vicarage lay fo fnug-juft at his own door; and he wanted to have it in his power to leave fomething to his JULIA after his death.

But much remained yet to be done. The Curate had talked like a man unacquainted with calculations, and his fancy (old as it was) got the start of his judgment. He did not confider that Lord C the patron of the living,

refided at London, and that his own limbs were too gouty to carry him thither-for perfonal application is abfolutely neceffary in thefe cafes: Befides, the clergy, though they are continually advi fing their flocks to keep their eyes fixed upon the good things of Heaven only, have an irresistible propenfity to keep their own eyes uniformly fixed upon the good things of this earth-Every moment, therefore, was importantto lose a minute was to lofe a vicarage; and while he was talking, fome other reverend brother, who had no gout in his toes, no daughter to provide for, might be posting to his Lordship in Berkeley-Square.

The old man became now greatly agitated; and that bofom, which ought to have been the manfion of refignation and peace, was disturbed by restless wishes, and ill-timed despair. The fympathetic foul of JULIA was tumultuous; her heart throbbed with guiltless pangs, and she felt for the griefs of her father. She tried to foothe him, but tried in vain; the argued against his wifhes, but fhe was arguing against the follies of old age, which are incurable.

The evening came, but came not as ufual; this man of defpair was unconscious of its charmsHis foul was deaf to the voice of Nature, even when her notes were sweetest-at the clofe of the day. He liftened not to the minstrelly of the hinds, nor the choral harmony of the groves; the flocks clustered in the meadows unnoticed; and the fun poured his evening glories over the hamlet unregarded-Even JULIA did not charm him: he faw her kneel at his fide without emotion, and he heard her fighs without pity.

Here

Here a father and a friend was loft to happiness-the only friend too fhe had in the world-and forrows much less than these would have murdered the peace of JuLIA. She had already knelt by the fide of her worn parent: fhe now clafped his hand clofely in her own, and fixing her blue eyes pathetically on his countenance, begged that he would not refuse her one requeft-"What was that?"-To permit her to go to London, and folicit the living.

Electricity could not touch him quicker. The voice of JULIA was pathetic, and it awakened him-His affections returned in an inftant: he leaned over his daughter, and gave her to underftand, that it was impoffible to grant her request; that he would not part with her for a bishoprick; and that the muft not think to part with him-She replied; he anfwered; and fhe re-anfwered; in fhort, the conteft was long, ftubborn, and eloquent and though there was not much learning in it, it abounded with Nature, a richer quality-Suffice it to fay, that JULIA conquered; and the obtained, with great difficulty, what the called the honorable office of being her father's meffenger.

It has been obferved already, that difpatch is one of the few roads to preferment. As no time was therefore to be loft, it was agreed that she should fet off the next morning. The Warwick ftage paffed through the neighbouring market-town, and fhe might walk thither to meet it. The old man retired to get his letters ready, and JULIA to make her little preparations for her calamitous journey.

How they flept, themselves

knew beft; but when the morning came, the Curate's opinions were entirely changed. "He had thought better upon the fubject, and he was refolved not to let her go-The roads were dangerous, and London was still more fo-besides, the might turn fick— or the coach might be overturned ---fhe might be killed-and he fhould never fee her more." JuLIA knew that thefe fears were only the tender workings of timid Nature, and fhe oppofed them. In short, the contest was renewed with its former warmth; and the affection of the daughter triumphed once more over the tenderness of the father. He confented again to let her go, on condition that Joe, his labourer, his gardener, his footman, his hostler, his every thing, fhould attend her with his friendly care-should be the companion of her journey.

Now this JOE was the aukwardeft mortal--Never, fure, did a more fimple 'fquire page it at the heels of a fair lady-Neither the Sancho of Don Quixotte, nor the Pedrillo of Rofalva, were more arrant children of Naturewere guided by more native fimplicity. He and his occupations feemed made for each other, fo exactly were they respectively fitted. He was never famous but for two things; viz. for whistling, after his team, the loudest and most musical notes of any in the village-and for knitting stockings: this was all the reputation he had in this gairish world-on his forehead fat candour, unprofitably enthroned, and on his tongue truth-His vifage was the fymbol of integrity-His ruddy cheek was tinted like a cloud in the weft, at the eve of a glorious day-The fenfations of guilt had

not

not deranged the line of human beauty!

Now, reader, ftop a moment, and bethink thee of this plan and of this journey-A village virgin, pure as the fnow-drop in the valley, attended by a village boor, are fetting out for London-For London, I fay—in queft of a vicarage! The thing was worthy of a village curate-The defcent of Eneas into Hell was, in comparifon of this, walking upon carpets.

Facilis defcenfus Averni,
Sed revecare gradum-

Our travellers were now ready to begin their walk to the markettown, which was but four miles diftant. Without palfrey, armour,

or other retinue, than the children of the neighbourhood; JULIA and her father led the van, and the reft followed-JoE, as if confcious that he was entering upon a fervice of danger, affumed a ftatelier port and a more august expreffion than ufual; with clean fhirt in his left pocket, bacon and cheefe in his right, and an oak fapling in his hand, he towered majeftically in the midst of the children, with a ftern afpect and long ftrides.

The had now company walked a mile, and were to part. On this trying occafion I could fay much,

but will not-To defcribe the glances of affection, and the looks of love, which gliftened in every eye-which played in every feature, would be tedious: I fhall therefore content myself with informing them, that in this diffi. cult fcene the fimple heart of the curate failed him his ; eyes confeffed it, and he played the woman. The curare marched flowly back, at the head of his young flock, and our two travellers fet

forward to the market-town, with hafty ftep and high expectations.

Having now began a journey, we must be expeditious. They arrived at the market-town, met the ftage coach, and took their appropriate ftations-JULIA in the infide, and Joe, like her guardian angel, perched above her upon the top-They went smoothly on, till they arrived at the lane which is three miles on the weft fide of Uxbridge; when a very civil gentleman came to the window, and defired them to give him all the money they had-The gentleman at the window was far from being unpolite, confidering he had declared war againft fociety-He befpoke them very gently, beginning at the right hand, and following them all, man by man, and woman by woman, till he went round to the left fide-A boifterous cornet of dragoons was un

happily the firft, and he gave his purfe with a fullen filence-JULIA

was next, and held her little mo

ney in her hand, but durft not look towards the window-A meagre cockney gave all, but begged a few fhillings back, to carry him to St. Paul's-A little fat woman furrendered her purfe, with a threat; and a plain dreffed man regretted he had not more for fo accomplished a gentleman.

When they arrived at the inn, each expreffed their forrows as their feelings prompted; but they were now to enter upon their last ftage, and none had fuch weighty caufe to be aggreived as JULIA,

who had not a friend before her— Το go forward was madnefs, and to go backward was impoffible What was the to do?-She call

ed in JoE, and afked if he had provided himself with any money, in cafe of an emergency." Yes,

that

that he had-and there it was at her service"-throwing down his entire ftock upon the table, which in the whole amounted to the fum of three fhillings and nine-This made defpair, more penceblack-It was her firft misfortune; and fhe thought it but an uncouth entrance into a bafe world. The officer now entered the room, and seeing Joɛ there, began to upbraid him for fuffering the highwayman to escape, when he was feated fo advantageoufly at the top, with an oaken fapling in his hand-" You ftupid oaf! (faid this military hero) why did you not attack him?"—" 'Cafe I had not a fwoard by my fide, like you (replied Joe, with the greateft franknefs)--he-he-he--! icod, every man to his trade, meafter !” The argument was unanswerable.

The officer now walked up to JULIA, whofe embarraffment he perceived; and, taking her afide, told her he gueffed the cause of her forrow; and that he was happy he had it in his power to remove it: For (continued he) I know the road too well to venture my all upon it, and leave myself unprovided with refources. Here (faid he, untying his ftock, and haking out of it a fiender green purfe) here is my corps de referve I gave the robber a few fhillings, and I fecured this for your ufe." Now JULIA examined the face of this affair fimply as it ftood-It was a cafe of neceffity; and fhe thought it ridiculous for one who was many, many miles from Elmwood, and who had not two-pence in her pocket, to refufe the loan of a few guineas, which would remove all her forrows. She might have an opportunity of hinting the matter to Lord C when

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fhe faw him, who would no doubt advance the money upon the vicarage, and thus all would be right again-She therefore thanked him politely, and told him that when The faw her noble friend Lord C- fhe hoped to be able to repay him. Lord C! (faid he)-what-you are are going to vifit him?" "Yes, Sir." "O-a relation, I prefume, Madam?" "No, Sir! only a friend: his Lordship and my father were great friends when they wer young, and at school."—" Aye, aye-your father, I prefume, Madam, lives in the country?""Yes, Sir; he's Curate of Elmwood, near ***** in Warwickfhire."-" Your vifit, Ma'am-is it a vifit of pleasure or business?""

"Bulinefs, Sir I am only come to town with a letter from my father to Lord C- -to folicit the living of *****.”—“ Oh, I understand you, Ma'am. Lord Cis my particular acquaintance, and it will give me pleasure to be your protector and your guide, till I deliver you fafely and honorably to his Lordfhip. Would you chufe to alight, Ma'am, at any particular place in London?" "No (faid the fimple JuLIA) I intend to stay at the inn all night, and to wait upon his Lordship in the morning.""Ah! Madam (replied the Officer) you do not know the confufion, the difguft, and danger you will meet with at the inn: I have a mother in town, who lives elegantly: Be prevailed upon to be lodged this night at her house: She will receive you with cheerfulness, and treat you with tendernefs. May I perish, Madam,May I beg the honour to know your name, Madam?"—“JULIA.”

"May

"May I perish, Mifs JULIA, but I am interested in your cafe, as fincerely as if you were my own fifter!" This laft propofal was better and better. To meet fo good a friend at once!-She was certain her father's prayers for her were heard and the thought fhe could not be too thankful to Heaven, nor to the Gentleman. She accepted his offer; and they mounted the stage coach once

more.

As the ftage-coachman was at this place paid his full demand, there was nothing to be done but to roll into town, and go where they pleased. The fat woman lived in Holborn, and the coach ftopt to fet her down. "Here too, Madam, (faid the Officer to JULIA) we may get out, for we are near our home." The artful abruptnefs and hurry of the fumimons--the confcioufnefs of finding herfelf fuddenly in the midft of the immenfe metropolis, where the already faw ftrange things, and expected to fee ftill ftranger -her total ignorance of every thing around her her hopesher expectations-her fimplicity -all contributed to throw her mind into confufion, and her fpirits into a flutter: She forgot every thing the forgot even JoE and Joe, alas! forgot her; for he was exactly in the fame predicament-He was aftonifhed; he was in a new world: his recollection forfook him, and a mift wandered over his eyes: he fat nailed to the top of the coach, with his mouth open, looking at every thing and feeing nothing. In this cloud JULIA efcaped; and fhe neither fpoke nor looked around her, till her gallant com. mander led her into Lincoln's

Inn-Fields.-Now, when a young gentleman, with a young lady by his fide, who is refolved to follow him, finds himself in Lincoln'sInn-Fields, the road to CoventGarden lies direct: 'tis only going up Queen-ftreet, croffing the lane and the acre, and there you are. He conducted her into a houfe in the Piazza; where the polite inhabitants received the young gentleman with all the freedom and civility of an old acquaintance, which convinced JuLIA that he was quite at home.

Now, gentle reader, while JuLIA and her friend are feated at a bottle of Madeira, recollect and confefs, whether we have not journied well-From the banks of the Avon-from the manfion of innocence-from the warm bofom of a father-to place our rural virgin on the very throne of perdition. Now, ye guardian fpirits, whether Sylphs, Genii, or Fairies-if ye have any regard for devoted purity-now open your golden eyes, now ply your filver pinions for innocence is in danger. And now, thou wretched old man, thou ambitious Curate of Elmwood-rekindle your piety, and redouble your prayers-for your daughter, your JULIA, is in a Bagnio-and without a fear!

:

Every thing that paffed around JULIA in this houfe appeared too plaufible for her eyes to be opened, or her fufpicion to be rousedfor fhe had never been in a Tavern before and as to the inceffant tinkling of bells, and the inceffant running of waiters-why, bells and fervants must be in all great families, and, no doubt, muft be continually employed.The deception, I fay, was good, and every thing appeared extreme

ly

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