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^laiiizodbvGoogle
I
BODLEIAN LIBRARY
The gift of
Miss Emma F. I. Dunston
J5(*«i
oogic
n
^laiiizodbvGoogle
DiailizodbvGoOgle
DiailizodbvGoOgle
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THE
MISCELLANEOUS
WORKS
OF
Tobias Smollett, M.D.
IN SIX VOLUMES.
VOLUME THE FOURTH,
Tie ADVENTURES s/"FERD. COUNT FATHOM.
EDINBURGH:
HtJKTSD BY DJriD XJilSjr.
FoK ^0. AND yjl. FAISBAIRN, N' 9. Hontm's S^dauk,
A. GVrHRIB, V° »j. SotJTB SwDOR.
1790.
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
3,a,i,;t!db;GoogIe
ADVENTUREl
Ferdinand Count Fathom.
3ol,z.dbvG00glc
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
DOCTOR ******
OU and I, my gasdjriend, have efien deliherated eit
the difficulty of torlting fuch a dedication at might
gratify the fdfcom^lacencj of a patron, •mitbout expofing
the authar to the ridicule or cenfure of the public ; and I
think we generally agreed that the tqPe •was altogether iat-
praBicahU. — Indeed, this ixias one of thefevi fubjeSls on
•ujhkh -we have al-ways thought in the fame manner ; For^
Mot-withjlanding that deference and regard -which vie mu-
tually pay to each other, certain it is, vie have often differed,
recording to the predominancy of thofe different paffonSf
•vshich frequently luarp the opinion, and perplex the under*
Jlanding ef the mcjl judicious •
In dedication, as in poetry, there is no medium; for, if
any one of the human virtues be omitted in the enumeration
of the patron's good qualities, the vihole addrefs is con/lrued
into an affront, and the •writer has the tnortificatiott to find
his praije proflituied to very Utile pur pofe.
On the other hand, fhould he yield to the tranfports of
gratitude or affeBion, -mhich it always i^t to eaiaggerate,
eind produce no more than the genuine effuftons of his heart,
the world will make no allowance for the -warmth of his
pqfjion, but afcribe the praife he bejlovis, to interejled vitvx
and fordid adulation.
Sometimes too, da-zzled by the tinfel of a charaBer which
he has no opportunity to iniiefiigate, he pours forth the ho-
mage of his admiration, upon fome falfe Mtecenas, whofe
future conduB gives the lie to his eutogium, and involves
him injhame and confafton of face. Such -was the fate of
a late ingenious * author, -who wasfo oftenput to tbe blujb
for the undeferved incenfe he had offered, in the heat of an
enthufaflic difpofttion, mijled by popular applaufe, that ht
* The author of the SctTonh
^oiizodbyGoogle
« DEDICATION.
had etfelvti to retroB, in hU lafl vii/i, all the etuomiumt
which he had thus prematurely hejioviedy and Jiigmatize the
unworthy by name: A laudable /cheme of poetical jujlieet
the execution of whivh was fatally prevented hy untimely
death.
Whatever may have heen the fate of other dedicators^
Jf far my omn part^fit down to write this addreft, vtith-
eut any opprehenfton of difgrace or difappointment ,■ ieeau/e
I knov) you are too •well convinced of my affeBion andjtn^
ferity to repine at vthat Ifballfay touching your charaSer
and conduit : And you luiH do me the jufice io btlievey thai
this public diftinBion is a iefUmony of my particular frtend-
Jbip and efteem.
Not that I atn either infenfible ofyiur infirmities, or dif'
pofed to conceal them from the notice of mankind. There are
certain foiiles which can only he cured hypiame and morti-
f cation ; and whether or not yours be of thatjpecies, Jfhall
have the comfort io think my befi endeavours were ufedfor
your reformation.
Know then, I can dejpife your pride, while I homuf
your integrity, and applaud your tafie, while I amfioched at
your ofientation. — / have known you trifling, fuperficialf
and ob/linate in difpute s meanly jealous and aukwardlj re.'
ferved ! rajh and haughty in your refentments ,■ and coarfe
and lowly in your connexions. I have blufhed at the weak-^
tiefs of your converfation, and trembled at the errors of your
conduEl — Yet, as I awn you pojfefs certain good qualitiesi
vihich overbalance thefe defeBs, and diflingui/h you on thit
occqjion as a per/on for whom I have the mo/l perfeB ai~
tachmtnt ondefleem, you have no caufe to complain of the
indelicacy with which your faults are reprehended ; And at
they are chiefly the excefles of a /anguine difpofttion and
loojinefs of thought, impatient of caution or controul, you
may, thus fiimulated, watch over your own intemperance
and infirmity with redoubled vigilance and confideration§
andjor the future profit by thefeverity of my reproof.
^efe, however, are not the only motives that induce me
.la trouble you with this public application. I mufl not only
perform my duty to my friends, but alfo difcharge the debt
I owe to my own interefl. We live in a cenfarious age t
and an author cannot take toe much precaution io antic^tf
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
DEDICATION. -»
the prejuJicct mifapprehen^n, and temerity ^ maRet^ Igr
flerancf, and pre/umptien.
I therefore think it incumbent upon me to give fine prtr
vieut intimation of tbe plan viUch I have executed in tit
fubfequent petfi/rmance, that I may not be condemned upon
partial evidence i and to •whom can I nvith mare propriety
appeal in my explanation^ than to you, viho are fo veil ac^
quainted wiii all the fentiments and emotions of mj breafi P
^ Novel u a large diffufed piUuref comprehending tht
cbara/iers of life, iifpofed in different groupej, and exhi-
bited in various attitudes, for the purples of an uniform
plan, and general occurrence, to luhicb every individual
figure is fubfervient. But this plan cannot be executed tviti
propriety, probability, or fuccefs, without a principal fierv
fonage to attrali the attention, unite the incidents, unwind
the c/ae of the labyrinth, and at Iqfl d^e tbe fcene, by mr^
p/eofbix oil"* importance,
Almofl all the heroes of this kind, who have hitherto fucr
• ceeded on the Englifh fiage,- are charaBers of tranfcendent
niiorth, conduced through the vici^tudes ef fortune, to that
goal ofhappinefi, v/hich ever ought to be the repo/i of /«-
trOerdinary defert.—'Yet tbe fame principle by vihich foe
retofce at the remuneration of merit will teach us to relifb
toe difgrace and difcomfiture of vice, v)bicb it altuays an
example of extenfive ufe and influence, becaufe it leavet a
deep imprejfion of terror upon the minds of thofe who. were
not confirmed in the purfuit of morality and virtue, andy
while the balance wavers, enables the right fcale to pre-
ponderate.
In the Drama, which is a more limited field of inven-
tion, the chief perfonage is often the objeB if our deteflation
and abhorrence i j>nd we are as well pleafed to fee the
wicked fchemes of a Richard biased, and the perfidy of a
Mafkwell expofedf as to behold a Bin'il happy, and an Ed-
ward viHorioui.
The impulfes of fear, which is the mofl violent and in.
terefiing of all tbe pajfans, remain longer than any other
upon the memory i and for one that is allured to virtue, by
the contemplation of that peace and happinefs which it be-
fiovis, an hundred are deterred from the praSice of vice,
by that infamy and punifhmeKt to which it ts liable, from
the laws and regulations of mankind.
DiailizodbvGoOgle
« DEDICATION.
Let itu not thtrefore he condemned- for having ehafen tnj
principal charaEier from ihe purliiui of treachery andfraud^
Viben I declare tny purpofe ii to fit him up at a beacon for
the benefit of the unexperienced and un^waryy who, from the
Perufal of thefe memoirs, may learn to' avoid the manifold
fnarei tuith vjhieh they are continually furrounded in the
paths of life : -while thofe -who befttate on the brink of ini'
quity may be terrified from plunging into that irremeable
gulph, byfurveying the deplorable fate o/"Ferdinand Count
Fathom.
7hat ihe mind might not he fatigued, nor ihe imagination
difgufled by a fucceffian of vitious obj/Efj, ' I have endeavour-
ed to refrefi) the attention "with eccaflonal incidentf of a
different nature; and raifed up a virtuous charaEier, in
eppofition to the adventurer, ^th a vievj to amufo the fancy^
engage the e0'eEtiort, andformafirikingcontrafl which might
heighten the exprefjton, and give a relief to the moral of
the vAole.
If I have not fucceeded in my endeavours to unfold the
myfieries of fraud, to InflruB the ignorant, and entertain
the vacant ; if I have failed in my attempts to fubjeEi folly
to ridicule, and vice to indignation ; to roufe Hhe fpirit of
mirth, "wahe the foul of compajfwn, and touch the fecrci
fpringt that move ihe heart: I have, at leaf}, adorned
virtue with honour and applaufe, branded iniquity ivitb
reproach and Ihame, and carefully avoided every hint or ex-
prejjion •which could give umbrage to the mofi delicate reader i
Circumftances which ('whatever may he my fate viilh thf
fuilicj will with you a/way-t operate in favour of^
Tour very affeBionalt-
, friend and fervantf
The author,
_ ,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf
CONTENTS.
Paget
Cbaf. II. A faperfieitl view of our bero't infiiQcj, 6
CBAt. III. He ia inittilcil iolu a mililar; life, mi bit the good
fortune to acquire a gencroiu patron, y
CajtF. IV. Hi> mother's pniwcfi and <Ie«h~, together with fun*
iiiAuicea of hii own [a.$idtj, t%
Csdr. V. A brief detail of hii educatioD, i)
Chaf. VI. He mtditatei rchcmei of ioiponance, 33
CaAt. VII. Engagei in pinnEtlhip with a female afluciikte, in
order to put fail talenct m a£liao, 37
Chaf. VIII. Their firft attempt ; with a- digreffioQ wliich fame
readen maf tlmik impertinent, $t
CBAf. IX. The confederate! chasge their batccrf, ud atcbieTC
a remar^ble adventure, J7
Cbaf. X. I'hcr proceed tn levy contributioni with great fuccefi,
until OUT hero let! out with the young Count for VicDna, nhers
he enters into league with another adventurer, 41
Chaf. XI, Fa^om intkei varioui cfibrti in the world of gal-
lantry, - . AS
CsAr. XU. HeeffeiSaalodgment inthchoaTeof arichjewcIlM', 49
CvAr. XIII. He i> eipoTcd to a mod periloui incideDC in the
courfe of fail intrigue with the daughter, J4
Chaf. XIV. He i) reduced to a dreadful dilcmnta, ia coole-
quence of an affigiution with the wife, J9
Chap. XV. But at length facceedi in bia attempt upon both, 63
Chaf. XVI. Hi* fuccefa begcta a blind fecurity, by which he ii
once again well nigh entrapped in hia dulcinea'a apartment, 6y
Cb4F.,XVII. The ftep-datne'a fufpitioM being awakened, fte
Uyra fnare for our adKuturer, from which be ii delivered by
the interpoStion of hia good genius, JJ
CuAF. XVIII. Our hero departt from Vienna, and qulti the do-
- main of Venui for the rough field of Man, E3
CuAF. XIX. He palihimfetf under the guidance pf his afTuclate,
and Humbles upon the Ffcnch camp, where he finilhei hit mi-
litary career, 87
Chaf. XX. He prepare! a Dratagem, but finda himfelf cminter-
mincd ; proceedi on hiB journey, and ia overtaken by a terrible
temped, 91
Chaf, XXI. He falk upon ScyHa, feeking to avoid Chirybdli, 98
Chaf. XXII. He arrives at Pari), and i> plcafcd wiih hia recep-
Cbaf. XXlll. Ac^oiubimfelf with tdJie&iiiBnoauraalnot, 107
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
CONTENTS,
Cn«?. XXIV, He o«rlooi> the admneei of hii frieoJs, and
finaru fcTerely for hit aegUS, page ir(
Chaf XXV. He bean hh face like a philoTopher ; md concraaa
acquaJniaDce nith a very remackablc pcifonage, 114
Cbaf XXVI. Thehiftoty of (henoble Caltilian, 118
Chap. XXVII. A iagrani inQince of FathDD'i virtoCi in the
mannei ol hii reireac Co England, I47
CHAr. XXVIII, Some account of hii feUan uavelleri, ' 15a
CHiir. XXEX Anoihet pronidenliat deliTerance from the eSkftt
of Che fniugglcr'a ingenioui conjeSure, ij6
Chap. XXX. The Cngular manner of Fatbom'i attack and trU
mnph oTcr chc virtue of the fair Elinor, 163
Cbaf. XXXI. He br accident encoonten hi) oM friend, w!th
wham he holdi a coiirerence, and icnewa a Ireacjt, l6t
Cbaf. XXXII. He appears in the greic world with uDiverTal ap-
plaufe and admiration, I73
Chaf. XXXIII. He sttraa> the tavj and ill officet of the mbor
knight* of hit own order, over whom he obiaioi a complete
' ^iflory, 179
CaAr. XXXV. Hercpaln to BrIIlol fpring, where lie reigoi pi-
raniuunt during the whole feafon, jj,
Chaf. XXXVl He iaimitien with the charma of a female adven-
turer, whofe allutementi fubjeft him Co a new Ticifllcudc of
foilone, igl
Chaf. XXXVII. FreOi canle for cicrting hii eqnanimitj and for-
titude, »>]
Chap. XXXVIII. The hiter i> bit, air
Csar XXXIX. Our adventurer it made acijnainced with a dew
fixne of life, ai5
Chap, XL. He cnntemplacei majeDr and iit fatelliiei in eclipfe, aai
Cbaf. XLI One qnairel it coiopromifed, and another decided,
by unufual arras, -tii
C>AF. XLn. An uneipeSed rencounter, and id happy rc*alu>
■ion in the affairi of our advcntarer, -l^j
Cbaf. XUII. Fathom juaifiei the proverb, ■■ Wliat'i bred io
the bi^nc will never come out of the fielb," 13S
Cbap. XLIV. Anecdocea of poverty, and eiperimenta for the
bencBt of thofe whom it may concern, 144
CSAP- XLV. RenaUo'a d!flre& deepcni, and Fachom'a pIoT
thickina, a4i^
- Cbap- XLVI. Our adventurer become! abfolace in hii power
over the pallioni of hii friend, ^nd effei£b one half of hit aim , 354
Cbaf. Xl.VII. ihe art of borrowing further cipluoed, ud ao
■ceoont el a fitange phenoncDOD, »6i
^laiiizodbvGoogle
CONTENTS.
CuAt. XL VIII. Count Fathom unmallc) hii baitcTT ; it rcpuUcJ i
and variei hii operitioDi without eScA. Pigc 174
CoAr. XI.IX. Moniinu'i honour ii proteaed b; the intcrpDGtion
of Heaven. iSo
CoAr. L,. Fathom Dutu the Icene, ud appcan in a new du-
Chap. LI. Trinmphi^DTer a medical rival, agS
I, and «nroli himrelf among
307
Cbaf. LIll. Acquire! cmployincm, ia confcquetice ol a Inckf
mifcarriagie, . 5! J
Chaf. I.IV. His eclipre, and gradual dccImitloD, ]lS
Chap. L.V. After divert unrucceUul efforti, be ha> rewttille to
■he DiBtrimiHiiai Dcore, 314
Chap. I, VI. iawhichhiirortiiDeucffidlualljftraiigkd, iji
Chap. L.VII. Fathom being (t!clj houlcd, ibe reader ii enter-
tained with a tetroTpcd, }JJ
Chap. LVIII. Renaldo abridgea the proceedingi at law, and ap
provea hinifelf the lua of hia father. Hi
Chap LIX. He is the meffengcr oE happincft to hia Dder, iKho
removes the film which had long ohUiB^cd bi* pcnelraiioa
with regard to Count Fathom 34f
Chap. LX. Me recompenfei the attichment of bit friend 1 and
Tcccivea a letter that reduce! him Co the verge of death and dif-
traaion, 3J7
Chap. t.XI. Renaldo meeta w!tb a linng monument of jiiftiee,
aiid encouatert a perfonage of fnme note in thelc memojia, 367
Chap. LXII. Hi* return to Eoglaud, and midnight pilgrimage to
Monimia'i tomb, 3 73
Cbap. I.X1I1. Herenevt the rilct of (arrow, and ii entranced, 3S3
Chap. LXIV. The myderf nofolded. Another recognition,
which, it ia to be hoped, the reader could not forcfcc, 3y%
Chap. LXV. Aretrofpedite link, neceDarjforthecs
of ihe(e memoira.
Chap. LXVl. The hiftory drawi near a period.
Chap. LXVII. The longeft and t^ie UA.
^olizodbyGoOglc
DiailizodbvGoOgle
ADVENTURES
FERD, COUNT FATHOM.
CHAPTER I.
&ame fa^e ehfervationi that naturally ititi'oduce our im*
, portani hijiory.
CARDINAL DE ReTz VCTy judicioufly obferves,
that all hiftorians muft of neceiEty be fubjcfl: td
miftakes, in explaining the motives of thofe ac-
tions they record, unlcfs they derive their intelligence
from the candid confeffion of the pcrfon whofc charac-
ter they reprcfent ; and that, of confequencc, every
man of importance ought tp write his own DiemoirSt
provided he has honefty enough to tell the truth, with-
out fupprefling any circumftance that may tend to the
information of the reader. This, however, is a requi-
fite that, I am afraid, would be very rarely found
among the number of thofe who exhibit their own por- .
traits to the public : Indeed, I will venture to fay, that,
how upright foever a rnan's intentions may be, he will,
in the performance of fuch a talk, be fometimes miUcd
by his own phantafy, and reprefent objefls, as they ap-
peared to him, tln"ough the milts of prejudice and
paflion.
Vol. IV. A
DiailizodbvCoOglL"
a The ADVENTURES of
An anconcerned reader, when he penifcs the hiftory
of two competitors, who lived two thoufand years ago^
or who perhaps never had exi{lence, except in the ima-
gination of the author, cannot help interefting himfelf
in the difpute, and eipoufing one (ide of the conteft,
with all the zeal of a warm adherent. What wonder,
then, that we fhould be heated in our own concerns,
review our aftions with the fame felf-approbation that
they had formerly acquired, and recommend them XfT
the world with all the eiKbuHafm of paternal affec-
tion ?
Supposing this to be the cafe, it was lucky for the
caufe of hiftorical truth, that fo many pens have been
drawn by writers, who could not be fufpefted of fuch
partiality ; and that many great pcrfonages, among the
ancients as well as noderns, either would not or could
not entertain the puUic with their owit memoirs. From
this want of inclination or capacity to write, in our hero
himfelf, the undertaking is now left to me, of tranfmit-
ting to pofterity the remarkable adventures erf' Ferdi-
nand Count Fathom ; and by the time the reader
ihall have glanced over the fubfequent fheets, I doubt
Hot but he will blefs God that the adventurer was not
his own hlAorian.
This mirror of modern chivalry was none of thofe
who owe their dignity to the circoffiftances of their
birth, and are eonfeo-ated from the cradle for the pur-
pofes of greatnefs, merely becaufe they are the accidental
children of wealth. He 'was heir to no Tifible patri-
mony, ujjlcfs we reckon a robuft conflitution, a tolerable
appearance, and an uncommon capacity, as the advan-
tages of inheritance : If the comparifon obtains in this
point of confideration, he was aa much as any man in-
debted to his parents; and pity it was, that, in the fe-
qnel of his fortune, he never had an opportunity of ma-
nifelling his filial gratitude and regard. From this
agreeable ai^ of duty to his fire, and alt thofe tender-
nefles that are reciprocally enjoyed betwixt the father
and the fon, he was unhappily excluded by a fmall cir-
cumftance ; at which, however, he was never heard to
repine. In fliort, had he been brought forth in the
£d)ulous ages of the world, the nature of his origin
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 3
cugbt have turned to hii account ; he might, like other
' heroes of antiquity, have laid claim to divine extrac-
tion, without running the rilk of being claimed by any
earthly father. Not that his parents had any reafon to
difown or renounce their ofispring, or that there was
any thing preternatural in the circumdances of his ge-
neration and birth ; 00 the contrary, he was, &om the
^ beginning, a child of promiilng partsj and in duecourfe
of nature ulhered into the world amidA a whole cloud
■ cf witnelTes : But, that he was acknowledged by no
mortal lire, folely proceeded irom the uncertainty of his
piolher, whofe aSeftions were fo dilSpated among a
Dumber of admirers, that Ihe could never pitch upon
the perfoQ from whofe loins our hero fprung.
OvsK and above this important doubt, under which
be waj begotten, other particularities attended his birth,
and (eemed to mark him out as fomething uncommon
among the fons of men. He was brought forth in a
waggon, and might be faid to be literally a native of
two diferent countries ; far, though he £rft faw the
light in Holland, he was not born till after the carriage
arrived in Flanders ; fo that, all thefc extraordinary cir-
Cumftances conlidered, the ta& of determining to what
govornment he naturally owed allegiance, would be at
leaft as diScult as that of afcertaining the Ca much
conteAed birth-place of Homer.
Certain it is, the count's mother was an Engliih-
woman, who, after having been five times a widow in
one campaign, was, in the lafl year of the renowned
Marlborough's command, numbered among the bag->
gage of the allied army, which fhe ftill accompanied,
through pure benevolence of ffurit, fupplying the ranks
with the refrefhing fbranu of choice geneva, and ac-
commodating individuals with clean linen, as the emer-
gency of their occallons required : Nor was her philan-
thropy altogether confined to fuch miniAration; ihe
abounded with " the milk of human kindncfs," which
flowed plentifully among her fellow- creatures ; and to
every fon of Mars who cultivated her favour, fhe libe-
rally difpenfcd her fmilcs, in order to fweetcn the toils,
and dangers of the field.
soiizodbyGoogle
4 Tie ADVENTURES af
And here it will not be amifs to anticipate the re-
marks of the readefj who, in the chaffity and excellency
of his conception, may pofBbly exclaim, " Good Hea-
ven ! wil! tliefe authors never reform their imagina-
tions, and lift their ideas from the obfcene objefts of
low life ? Muft the public be again difguftcd with the -
grovelling adventures of a waggon ? Will no writer of
genius draw his pen in the vindication of tafte, and en-
tertain us with the . agreeable charafters, the dignified
fonverfation, the poignant repartee, in Otort, the gen-
teel comedy of the polite world ?"
Have a little patience, gentle, delicate, filMime cri-
tic i you, I doubt not, are one of thofe conlummate
connoifTeurs, who, in their puriflczitions, let humour eva-
porate, while they endeavour to preferve decorum, an*}
polifti wit, until the edge of it is quite vfrore off: Or,
perhaps, of that clafs, who, in the fgpience of tafte, arc
difgufted with thofe very flavours in^the productions of
their own country, which hqve yielded infinite delefta-
tipn to their faculties, whftn imported fVom anWher
clime ; and damn an author in defplte of all precedent
and prefcription ; — who extol the writings of Petronius
Arbiter, read witb rapture the amorous failles of Ovid's
pen, and chuckle over the ftory of Lucian's afs ; yet, if
a modern author prcfumes to relate the progrefs of a
iimple intrigue, are fhocked at the indecency and im-
morality of the fcenc ; — who delight in following Guzr
man d'Alfarache, through all the mazes of fqualid beg-
gary ; who with pleafurc accompany Don Quixote and his
{qa'iTC, in the loweft paths of fortune ; who are diverted
with the adventures of Scarron's ragged troop of ftroUers,
^d highly entertained with the fCTvile fituations of Gil
. Bias ; yet, when a charafter in humble life occafionally
occurs in a performance of our own growth, exclaim,
with an air of difguft, " Was ever any thing fo mean 1
fure, this writer muft have been very convcrfant with
the loweft fcenes of life i'-* — who, when Swift or Pope
reprefents a coxcomb in the aft of fwearing, fcruple not
tp laugh at the ridiculous execrations ; but, in a lets re-
puted author, condemn the ufc of fuch profane cxpler
tivcs i — who eagerly explore the 'Jakes of Rabelais, for
^ufeincnt, and even extraA huQiour from the dean's
. Mz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 5
delcriptioii of a lady's dreffing-room ; yet, in a produc-
tion of thefe days, unftamped with fuch venerable names,
will ftop their nofes, with all the Hgns of loathing and
abhorrence, at a bare mention of the china chamber-
pot ; — who applaud Catullus, Juvenal, Periius, and Lu-
can, for their fpirit in lafliing the greateft names of an-
tiquity; yet, when a Britiih fatirift, of this generation,
has courage enough to call in qveftion the talents of si
pieudo-patron in power, accuie him of Infolence, ran-
cour, and fcurrility.
If fuch you be, courteous reader, I fay again, have a
little patience j for your entertainment we are about to
write. Our hero fhall, with ftll convenient difpatch, be
gradually fublimed into thoic fplendid connci^ions of
which yoti arc enamoured ; and God forbid, that, in Uie
mean time, the nature of his extraction ihould turn to
lus prejudice, in a land of freedom like this, where indi-
viduals are every day ennobled in confequence of their
own qaalificatione, without the leaft retrofpe^ive regard
to the rank or merit of their aucellors. Yes, refined
reader, wc arc haftening to that goal of perfeiflion,
where fatirc dares not fticw her face; where nature is-
caAigated, almoft even to ftill life ; where humour turns
changeling, and flavCrs in an infipid grin ; where wit is
volatilized into a mere vapour ; where decency, diveft-
cd of sdl fubftance, hovers about like a fantaftic flia-.
dow; where the ialt of genius, efcaping, leaves no-
thing but pure and fimple phlegm ; and the inoSenlive
pen forever drops the iiuld manna of foul-fweetenin^
praife.
DiailizodbvGoOglf
(t rht ADVENTURES <f
CHAPTER n.
Afuperjicial www i^mr hero's ii^ancy,
HAVING thus befpoken the indulgence pi our
guefts, let Di aov produce the particulars of our
entertamment, and fpeedil^ conduct our adventurer
through the ftage of infancy, which fcldom teems with
iaterefttug incidents.
- As the occupatiOiis of his mother wtnild not cqme-
niently pennit her to fuckle this her fiift-born at her
own breaft, and thofe happy ages wore now. no inore^
is which the charge of nto^ng a child might be left to
the next goat or fhe-wolf, fhc rcfolved to improve upon
the ordiDances of nature, and fofter him with a juice
much nKire energic than the milk of goat, wolf, or wo-
mas } this wqg no other than that delicious ne£tar,
which, as we have already hinted, Ote fo cfnrdially dif>
tributed from a fmall calk that bung before ber^, de-
pending from her {houlders by a leathern zone. Thus
determinrf, ere he was yet twelve days old, ihe uiclo>
fed him in a canvu knapfack, which being adjufted to
ber neck, fell dows upon her back, and balanced tho-
cargo that refted on ber bofom.
There are not wanting thofe who affirm, that, while
her double' charge was carried about in this Atuation,
her cag was fiirni^hed with a long and llendcr flexible
tube, which, when the child began to be clamorous,
fhe conveyed into his mouth, and ftrait he ftillcd him-
felf with fucking ; but this we confider as an extrava-
gant alTertion of thofe who mix the marvellous in all
their narrations, becaufe we cannot conceive how the
(cnder organs of an infant could digeft fuch a fiery be-
verage, which never fails to difcompofe the conftitutions
of the moft hardy and robuft : We therefore conclude,
that the ufe of this potation was more reftrwned, and
that it was with fimple element diluted into a compofi-
tion adapted to his tafte and years. Be this as it will,
he certainly was indulged in the ufe of it to fuch a de-
gree as would have efiefbially obftrucled his future for-
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. y
tone, had not he been happily cloyed with the repeti-
tion of the fame fcrc, for which he conceived the ut'
moft dcteftation and abhorrence, rejeAing it with loath-
ing and difguft, tike thofe choice fpirits, who, having
been trammed^with religion in their childhood, re-
nounce it in their youth, among other abfurd prejadices
of education.
'While he thus dangled in a ftate of fufpcnflon, i
German trooper was tranflently fmit with the charms of
his mother, who liflened to his honourable addreiTcst
and once mpre received the £IlEen bonds of matrimony ;
the ceremony having been performed .as ufual at the
dram-head. The lady had no fooner taken poflefiion
of her new name, than flie beftowed it upon her fon,
who was thenceforward diftinguiflied by the appellation
of Ferdinand de Fadotn ; nor was the hufband oficadcti
at this prefufnption in his wife, which he not only con-
fidered as a proof of her ifie<ftion and efVeem, but alfo
as a compliment, by which he might in time acquire
the credit of being the real father of fach an biopeM
child.
Notwithstanding this new (Ingagemcnt with a
foreigner, our hero's mother ftill exercifcd the virtues
of her calling among the Englifh troops, fo much was
flie biailed by that laudable partiality, which, as Horace
obferves, the tiatahfslum generally infpires : Indeed this
inclination was enforced by another reafon, that did not
fvl to influence her conduA in this particular ; all htf
knowledge of thehighDutchlanguage confifted infome
words of traffic abfolutely neceflary for the pra£ticc of
her vocation, together withTundry oaths and terms of
reproach, that kept her cuflomers in awe ; fo that, et-
cept among her own countrymen, ihe could not indulge
that propenlity to converfation, for which fhe had be^
rcm^kable &om her earllcft years. Nor did this in-
fianCe of her aScftion fail of turning to her account in
the fequel: She was promoted to the office of cook to a
regimental mefs of officers } and, before the peace of
Utrecht, was aftually in pofieffion of a futtling-tent,
pitched for tb« accommoduion of the geotlemenin the
army.
^oiizodbyGoogle
ft . The ADVENTURES of
Meanwhile, Ferdinand improved apace in tlie ae*
complifhinents of in&ncy ; his beauty was confpicuous,
and his vigour fo uncommon, that he was with juftice
likened unto Hercules in the cradle : The friends of his
father-in-law dandkd him on their knees, while he play-
ed with tlieir whiikers, and before he was thirteen
months old, taught him to fuck brandy iraptegnated
with gunpowder, tlirougli the touch-hole of a piftol. —
At the fame time, he was carefled by dii'ers ferjeants of
the Britifli army, who feverally and in fecret contem-
plated his qualifications witli a father's pride, excited by
the artful declaration with which the mother had flat-
tered each apart.
Soon is the war was (for her unhappily) concluded,
flie, as in duty bound, followed her hufband intb Bo-
'bemia ; and his regiment being fent into garrifon at
Prague, flie opened a cabaret in that city, which was
frequented by a good many guefts of ^the Scotch and
Iriih nations, who were devotedlpthe exercife of arms
in the fervice of the Emperor, fi was by this commu-
nication that the Englifh tongue became vernacular to
young Ferdinand, who, without fuch opportunity, would
have been a ftranger to the language of his fdrefathers,
in fpite of all his mother's loquacity attd elocution : —
Though it muft be owned, for the credit of her mater-
nal care, that fhe let flip no occafion of making it fa-
miliar to his ear and conception ; for, even at thofe in-
tervals in which ihe could find no perfon to carry on
the altercation, flie ufed to hold forth in eamcft folilo-
quies upon the fubjeft of her own fituation, giving vent
to many opprobrious inveftlves agalnft her hufband's
country, between which and Old England £he drew
many odious comparifons ; and prayed, without ceafing^
that Europe might fpeedily be involved in a general war,
fo as that fhe might have fomc chance of re-enjoying
the pleafin-es and emoluments of a Flanders campaign.
J.,r,l,z<»i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM-
JCH AFTER m.
He is initiated in a military life^ and has the good fir-
tune to acquire a generous patron,
WHILE flie ■wearied Heaven with thefe petitionSf
the flame of war broke out betwixt the houfcs
of Uttoman and Auftria, and the Emperor fent forth
an army into Hungary, under the aufpiccs of the re-
aowDcd Prince Eugene- On account of this expedition*
the mother of our hero gave up houfekeeping, and cheer-
fully followed her cuftomers and hufliand into the field ;
having firft provided herfelf with ftore of thofe commo-
dities, in which Ihe had formerly merchandized. Al-
. though the hope of profit might in Tome meafure vScEt
her determination, one of the chief motives for her vi^
fiting the frontiers of Turky, was the defire of initiar
ting her fon in the rudiments of his education, which
flie now thought high time to inculcate, he being, at
this period, in the fixth year of his age ; he was ac-
cordingly conducted to the camp, which {he confidered
as the moil confummate fchoQl of life, and propofed for
the fcene of his inftruftion -, and in this academy he had
ntit continued many weeks, when he was an eye wit-
nefs of that famous victory, which, with fixty thoufand
men, the Imperial general obtained over an army of one
hundred and fif^ thoufand Turks.
His father-in-law was engaged, and his mother would
not be idle on this occafion : She was a perfect miftrels
of all the ^mp qualifications, and thought it a duty in-
cumbent on her to contribute all that lay 'in her power
tow;u-ds diftreffing the enemy : With thefe fcntiments,
fhe hovered about the Ikirts of the army, and the troops
were no fooner employed in the purfuit, than fhe began
to traverfe the field of battle with a poignard and abag,
in order to confi^lt her own intereft, annoy the foe, and
exercife her humanity at the fame time. In Ihort, ihe
had, with amazing prowel^,, delivered fome fifby or
threcfcore difabled mulTulmen of the pain under which
they groaned, and made a comfortable booty of the
Vol, IV. B
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
lo The ADVENTURES ef
fpoils of the flain, when her eyes were attrafted by the
rich attire of an Imperial officer, who lay bleediflg on
the plain, to all appearance in the agonies of death.
She could not, in her heart, refufe that favour to a
friend and Chriftiap, ihe had fo compaffionately be-
ftowed upon fo many enemies and infidels, and there-
fore drew near with the fovercign remedy, which (he
had already adminiftered with fuch fucccTs. As Ae ap-
proached this deplorable objeft of pity, her ears were
furpriicd with an ejaculation in the Englilh tongue^
which he fervently pronounced, though with a weak
and languid voice, recommending his foul to God, and
his family to the prote^ion of Heaven, Our Amazon's
purpofe was daggered hj this providential incident; the
found of her native language, fo unexpectedly heard>
and fo pathetically delivered, had a furpriGng eiSe£t up-
on her imagination ; and the faculty of refleiHon did
not forfake her in, fuch emergency : Though {he could
not recollect the features of this unhappy odicer, (he
concluded, from his appearance, that he was fome per-
fon of diftinilion in the fervice, and forelkw greater ad<
vantage to herfelf'in attempting to preferve his life, thao
ihe could potlibly reap from the execution of her firfl
refolvc. '* If (faid the to herfelf ) I can find means of
conveying him to his tent alive, he cannot but in con-
fcicnce acknowledge my- humanity with fome confider-
able recompcncc ; and (hould he chance to furvive his
wounds, I have every thing to expeit from his gratitude
and power."
Fraught with thefc [vudential fijggcftions, flie
drew near the unfortunate ftranger, and, in a foftencd
accent of pity and condolance, quellioned him concern-
ing his name, condition, and the nature of his tnil^
chance, at the fame time making a gentle tender of her
fervice. Agreeably furprifed to hear himielf accofted
in fuch a manner, by a perfon whofc equipage feemed
to promife far other dcfigns, he thanked her ' in the
nioft grateful terms for her humanity, with the appel-
lation of kind countrywoman ; gave her to undcrftand
that he was colonel ofa regiment ofhorfe; that he had
fallen in confequence of a Ihot he received in his breall
^ the beginning of the aflion ; and finally entreated her
DoiizodiT/Google
FERDINAND COUl^ FATHOM. ii
tt> piocarc fome carriage on which he migl^ be rc-
tnoTcd to hU tent. PcrcciTing Tiim iatnt and exhauft-
od with tofs of blood, Ihc raUed up his head, and
treated him with that cordial which was her cooAant
companioii ; At that inAant, efpyiog a fmall bod^ of
huSars returning to the camp with the plunder thcf
bad taken, Ihe invoked thdr alEHance, and they ibrth-
with carried the officer to his oxm qnartcrs, where his
wound was drclled, and his prcferver carefully tended
bim until his recovery was completed.
In return for thcfe good offices, this gentleman, who
was originally of Scotland, rewarded her for the pre-
fent, with great liberality, aiTured her of his influence
in proHKiting her hufband, and took upon himfi^lf the
charge o£ young Ferdinand's education ; the boy was
immediately taken into his protection, and entered as a
trooper in his own regiment; but his good intentions
towards his fat her- in law, were fruftrated by the death
of the German, who in a few days after this difpofi-
tion, was Jhot in tlie trenches before Temifwaer.
This event, over and above the conjugal affliftion
vith which it invaded the lady's quiet, would have in-
volved her in infinite difficulty and diftrcfs, with regard
to her temporal concerns, by leaving her unproteclcd
in the midft of ftrangcrs, had not Qic been this provi-
dentially fapplied with an cSedlual patron in the co-
lonel, who was known by the appellation of Count
Melvil. He no fooner law her, by the death of her
hufband, detached from all perfonal connections with
a military lifc^ than he propofed that ffie fhould quit
her. occupation in the camp, and retire to his habitation
in the city of Prcfburg, where flie would be entertained
in cafe and plenty, during the remaining part of her
natural life : With all due acknowledgments of his ge-
ner<dity, fhe begged to be exculed from embracing his
propofal, alleging {he was fo much accuftomed to her
prefent way of life, and fo much devoted to the fervice
of the foldiery, that ihe fliould never be happy in re-
tirement, while the troops of any prince in Chriftendom
kept the field.
The count, finding her determined to profecute her
fchcme, repeated his promifc of befriending her upon
^oiizodbyGoogle
12 The ADVENTURES of
aQ oCciGoDs; and in the mean time admitted Ferdinand
into the number of his domeftics, refolving that he
ihould be brought up in attendance upon his own fon*
who was a boy of the fame age. He kept him, how-
ever, in his tent, i^mil he fhould have an opportunitjr
of revifiting his family in perfon ; and before that oc-
eafion offered, two whole years elapfed, during which
the illuftrious Prince Eugene gained the celebrated
battle of Belgrade, and afterwards made bimfelf maftct
of that important frontier.
CHAPTER rV-
His mother's previtfi and death ; together vnth Jome tif
■ Jiances of his ovun fagacitj.
IT would have been impollible for the mother of oui)
adventurer, fuch as fhe hath been delcribed, to fit
quietly in her tent, while fuch an heroic fcenc was
3fti;ig- She was no fooner apprifed of the general's
intention to attack the enemy, than Oie, as ufual,
packed up her moveables in a waggon, which fhecom-
mitted to die care of a peafant in the neighbourhood,
and put herfelf in motion with the troops } big with
flic expectation of re-a£Hng that part in which ihe had
formerly acqoitted herfelf fo much to her advantage^^
Nay, flic by this time looked upon her own prcfence
as a certain omen of fuccefs to the caufe which flic
e{j>oufed; and in their march to battle, a£bially en-
couraged the rsinks with repeated declarations, import-
ing, that fhe had been eye witncfs of ten dccifivc en-
gagements, in all of wluch her friends had been vic-
torious, and imputing fuch uncommon good fortune to
fome lupcmatural quality inherent In her pcrfon.
Whether or not this confidence contributed to
the fortune of the day, by infpiring the foldiera to an
uncommon pitch of courage and rcfolution« I fhall not
pretend to determine: But, certain it is, the viAory
began from that quarter in which flie bad poiled her-
felf i and no corps in the army behaved with fuch ior
iilizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COXTOT FATHOM. ij
trq>idit7 as that which was man'iicftcd by thoft who
, were favoured with her admonitions and example i for
£he not only cxpofed her perfon to the enemy's fire,
with the indifference and deliberation of a veteran, but
ibe is faid to have atcbieved a very confpicuous exploit
by the prowefs of her {Ingle arm : The extremity of the
line to which fhe had attached herfelf, being afiaulted
in flank by a body of the fpahis, wheeled about, in or-
der to fuftain the charge, and received them with fuch
a feaTonable fire, as brought a great number of turbans to
the ground ; among tbofc who fell, was one of the
ehicft, or agas, who had advanced before the reft, with
a view to iignalize his valour.
Our EngUfli Penthcfilia do fooner faw this Turkifli
leader drop, than, ftruck with the magnificence of
his own and horfe's trappings, Ihe fprung forward to
feize them as her prize, and found the aga not dead,
though in a good meafure difabled by his misfortune,
which was entirety owing to the weight of his horfe,
that, having been killed by a muflcet-ball, lay upon his
leg, fo that he could not difengage himfelf. Never-
thelefs, perceiving the virago approach with fell intent,
he brandiflied his fcymitar, and tried to intimidate his
afliulant with a moft horrible exclamation ; but it was
not the difmal yell of a difmo)mted cavalier, though en-
forced with a hideous ferocity of countenance, and the
menacing gelhires with which he waited her approach,
that could intimidate fuch an undaunted {he-campaign-
er } Ihe faw him writhing in the agonies of a {ituation
' from which he could not move ; and, running towards
him with the nimblenels and intrepidity of a Camilla,
defcribed a letnicircle in the progrefs of her alTault, and
attacking him on one Jide,- plunged her well-tried
dagger in his throat : The fludes of death encompaSed
him, his life-blood ilTued at the wound, he fell prone
upon the e^h, he bit the dull;, and having thrice in-
voked the name of Allah ! flraight expired.
While hia deftiny was thus fulfilled, his followers
began to reel -, they feemed difmaycd. at the fate of
their chief, beheld their companions drop like the
leaves in autumn, and fuddenly halted in the mid ft of
their career. The Imperialifts, obferving the confulion
^laiiizodbvGoogle
14 Tie ADVENTURES of
of the enemy, redoubled their fire ; and, railing a dread'
ful ihout, advanced in order to imiiTOve the advantage
they had gained : The fpahis durft not wait the fliock
of fuch an encounter ; they wheeled to the right about,
and dapping fpurs to their horfes, fled in the uttnoft.
diforder. This was aOually the circumftance that
turned the fcale of battle : The Auftrians purfued their
good fbrtane with uncommon impetuoflty, and in a fev
minutes left the field clear for the mother of our hero,
who was fuch an adept In the art of ftripping, that in
the twinkUng of an eye the bodies of the aga' and his
Arabian lay naked to the Ikin. It would have beea
happy for her, had (he been contented with thcfe firft-
fruits, reaped from the fortune of the day, and retired
with her fpoils, which were not inconfiderable ; but,
intoxicated with the glory fhe had won, enticed by the
glittering caparifons that fay fcattered on the plain, and
without doubt prompted by the fecret ini^inft of her
£itc, fhe refohed to feize opportunity by the forelock,
and once for .ail indemnify berfelf for the many fa-
tigues, hazards, and forrows fhe had undergone.
Thus determined, fhe reconnoitred the field, and
praflifed her addrefs fb fuccefsfiilly, that in lefs than
half an hour fhe was loaded with ermine and cmlwoidery,
and dirpofed to retreat with her burden, when her re-
gards were folicited by a fplendid bundle, which fhe
defcried at fome diflance lying on the ground. This
was no other than an unhappy officer of hullars ; who,
after having had the good fortune to take a Turkifh
fiandard, was defperately wounded in the thigh, and
obliged to quit his horfe -, finding himfetf in fuch an
belplefs condition, he had wrapped his acquifition round
his body, that whatever might happen, he and his glo-
ry fliould not be parted ; and thus fhrouded among the,
dying and the dead, he had obferved the progrefs of
our ho-oine, who fhlkcd about the field, like another
Atropos, finifhing, wherever (he came, the work of
death : He did not at all doubt, that he himfeif would
be viiited in the coiirfi: of her peregrin atitMiF, and there-
foTC provided for her receptifHi, with a pjftol ready
cocked in his hand, while he lay perdue beneath his
covert, in all appearance bereft' of life. He was not
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ,j
deceived in his prognoHic ; fhc no fooncr eyed the gol-
den crefcent, than, inflamed with curioCty or cupidity,
ihe direfted thitherward her fieps, and dtfceming the
carcafe of a man, from which, ihe thought, there
would be a neceffity for difcngaging it, (he lifted up
her weapon, in order to make fure of her purchafc ;
and in the very inftant of difcharging hef blow, re-
ceived a brace of bullets in her brain.
Thds ended the mortal pilgrimage of this modem
amazon ; who, in point of courage, was not inferior to
Semiramis, Tomyris, Zenobia, Thaleftrls, or any boafted
herohie of ancient times. It cannot be fuppofcd that
this cataftrophe made a very deep imprelHon upon the
piind of young Ferdinand, who had juft then attained
the ninth year of his age, and been for a confiderablc
time weaned from her maternal carets ; efpecially, as
he feit no wants nor grievances iq the fatnUy of the
count, who favoured him with a particular Ihare of indul-
gence, becaufe he perceived in him a fpirit of docility,
infinuation, and fagacity, far above his years. He did
not, however, fail to lament the untimely £ite of his.
mother, with fuch filial espreiHons of forrow, as IHU
more intimately recommended him to his patron ; who,
being himfelf a man of extraordinary benevolence,
looked upon the boy as a prodigy of natural affeAioUi
and forefaw in his future fervtces a fund of gratitude
and attachment, that could not fail to render htm a va-
luable acquilition to his family.
In his own country he had often feen conneftions of
that fort, which having been planted in the infancy <^
the adherent, had grown up to a furpriiing pitch of
fidelity and friendfhip, that no temptation could blals,
and no danger dilTolve. He therefore rejoiced in the
hope of leeing his own fon accommodated with fuch a
faithful attendant, in the perfon of young Fathom, oa
whom he refolyed to beftow the fame education hejiad
planned for the other, though conveyed in fuch a man- -
ner as Ihould be fuitable to the fphere In which he was
ordained to move. In confequence of thefc determina-
tions, our youiig adventurer led a very eafy life, in
quality of page to the count, in wbofe tent he lay upon ,
9 pallet;, dole to his field-bed, and often diverted ht(Q
ji.iiiz,,!:,., Google
i6 The ADVENTURES of
witK his childi(K prattle in the Englifh tongue, which the
morcfcldom hismafterhadoccafion tofpeafc,he themore
delighted to hear. In the exercifc of his fundtion, the
boy was incredibly ailiduoiis and alert j far from ne-
glecting the little particulars of his duty, and embark-'
ing in the mifchievous amufcments of the children be-
longing to the camp, he was always diligent, fedatc,
agreeably officious and anticipating ; and in the whole
I of his behaviour feemed to expr'efs the moft vigilant
fenfc of his patron's goodnefs and generofity : Nay, to
fuch a degree had thefe fentiments, in all appearance,
operated upon his refledlion, that one morning, while
he fuppofed the count aflecp, he crept foftly to his
bcd-Cdc, and, gently kiffing his hand, which happen-
ed to be uncovered, pronounced, in a low voice, a
moft fervent ^nyer in Us behalf, befeeching heaven to
ihower down bleffings upon him, as the widow's friend
and the orphan's father : This benediflion was not loft
upon the Count, who chanced to be awake, and heard
it with admiration ; but what rivctted Ferdinand in his
good graces, was a difcovery that our youth made,
while his mafter was upon duty in the trenches before
Belgrade.
Two foot foldiers, flanding centry near the door of
the tent, were captivated with the fight of fome valu-
able moveables belonging to it ; and fuppofing, in their
great wifdom, that the city of Belgrade was too well
■ fortified to be taken during that campaign, they came
to a refolution of withdrawing themfclves from the fe-
Tcrc fcrvicc of the trenches, bydeferting to the enemy,
after they fhould have rifled Count Melvil's tent of thi
fiirniture by which they were fo powerfully allured :
The particulars of this plan were concerted in the French
language, which, they imagined, would fcreen theip from
• all rifk of being detcfted, in cafe they ihould be over-
heard, though, as there was no living creature in light,
they had no reafon to believe that any perfon was privy
to their converfation, Ncverfhclcfs, they were miAaken
in both thefe conjefturcs. The conference reached the
ears of Fathom, who was at the other end of the tent,
and had perceived the eager looks with which they con?
^dered fome parts of the iiirnituie : He had penetration
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. I7
Snougli to fafpefl tbdr defirc, and, alarmed by that
fufpicion, liftened attentively to their difcourfe, which,
from a (lender knowledge in the French tongue, he had
the good fortone partly to undcrftand.
This important piece of intelligence he communi-
cated to the count at his return, and meafures were ita-
mediately taken to defeat the delign, and make an ex-
ample of the authors, who being permitted to load
themfdvcs with the booty, were apprehended in their
retreat, and ponilhed with death, according to their dc-
CHAPTER V.
jf hrief detail of hit education.
NOTHING could, have more feafonably happened,
to confirm the good o^nnion which the colonel
entertained of Ferdinand's principles : His intentions
towards the boy gre* every day more and more warm ;
and inomediately after the peace of Paflarowitz, he re-
tired to his own houfe at IVeflMirg, and prefented young
Fathom to his lady, not onlyas the Ton of a perfon to
whom he owed his life, but aLfo as a lad who merited his
peculiar protei!Hon and regard by his own perfonal vir-
tue. The countcfs, who was an Hungarian, received
him with great kindnefs and affability, and her Ton was
TaviOied with the profpcft of enjoying fuch a compa-
nion ; In Ihort, fortune fcemed to have provided for
him an afylum, ia which he might be fafely trained up,
and fujtably prepared for more in^rtant fcenes of life
than any of his anceflors had eydF known.
He was not, in all refpefts, J|iter(ained on the foot-
ing of his young maOer; yet he.lhared in all his edu-
cation and amufements, as ona[ whom the old gentle-
man was fully determined to (|nalify for the ftation of
an officer in the fervice } and if be did not eat with the
count, he was every day regaled with choice bits from
his table \ holding, as it were, a middle place between
the rank of a relation, and favourite domeftlc. Al-
Voi.. IV. C
^oiizodbyGoogle
IS Tit ADVENTURES ef
though his patron maintained a tutor in the houfc, ts
' fuperintcnd' the conduA of Kis heir, he committed tbtt
charge of his learning to the inftruAions of a public
fchool ; where, he imagined, the boy would imbibe a-
laudable fpirit of emulation among his fellows, which
eould not fail of turning out to the advantage of hJs
education. Ferdinand was entered in the fame acade-
my ; and the two lads proceeded equally in the paths of
erudition*, a mutual friendfhip and intimacy foon en-
fued, and, notwithl^nding the levity and caprice com-
monly difcemible in the behaviour of fuch boys, very
few or rather no quarrels happened in the courfe of
their communication. Yet their difpofitions were a)to«
gether different, and .their talents unlike. Nay, this
diffimilarity was the very bond of their unioii ; because
it prevented that jealoufy and rivallhip which often in-
terrupts the harmony of two warm co temporaries.
The young count made extraordinary progrefs in the
exercifes of the fchoot, though he fcemed to take very
little pains in the cultivation of his {ladies ; and became
a perfect hero in all the athletic diveriions of his fellow
fcholars ; but, at the fame time, exhibited fuch a baOi'
fill appearance and uncouth addrefs, that his mother
defpaired of ever feeing him improved into any dfegree
of polite behaviour. On the other hand. Fathom, who
was in point of learning a mere dunce, became, even
in his childhood, remarkable among the ladies for his
genteel deportment and vivacity ; they admired the pro-
ficiency he made under the dircAions of his dancing-
mader, the air with which he performed his obeifance
at his entrance and exit ; and were charmed with the
SKreeable affurance and lively fallies obhis convcrfation ;
while they expreffed the utmoft concern and difguft at
the boorifh demeanour of his companion, vhofe ex-
torted bows rcfcmbled the pawings of a mule, who hung
his head in Ulence like a detefled Ihcep-ftealer, who fat
in company under the moft aukward exprellions of con-
ftraint, and whofe difcourfe never excetrded the fimple
monofyilables of negation and alTeot.
In vain did all the females of the family propofe to
him young Fathom, as a pattern and' reproach : He re-
mained unaltered by aU their cfibrts aad expoftubtions.
. iiizrt:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. T9
and aDowed our adTenturer to enjoy the triumph of his
praife, while he himfelf wat confcious of his own fupe-
riority in thofe qualifications which feemed of more real
importance than the mere cxtcri(»s and forms of life.
His preTent ambition was not to make a figure at hit
father's table, but to ectipfe his rivals at fchool, and to
acquire an influence and authority among thcfe confe-
derates. Neverthelcr$, Fathom might pofiibly have fal-
len under his difpleafure or contempt, had not that
pfiaot genius found means to retain his friendOtip by
jealbnablc compliances and fubmiflion ; for the folc
fiudy, or at leaft the chief aim of Ferdinand, was to
make bimfelf necelTary and agreeable to thofe on whom
his dependence was placed : His talent was in this par-
ticular fuited to hii inclination ; he feemed to have in«
herited it from his mother's womb ; and, without all
doubt, would have raifcd upon it a moH admirable fu-
perftruAurc of fortune and applaule, had not it been
infepar^ly yoked with a moft infidiout principle of fclf.
love, that grew up with him from the cradle, and left
no room in his heart for thb leaft particle of fecial vir^
tue. This laft, however, be knew lb well how to coun-
terfeit, by meant of a large fliare of duAllity and difii-
mulation, that, furely, he was calculated by nature to
dupe even the moft cautious, and gratify his appetites,
by levying contributions on all mankind.
So little are the common inftruftors of youth quali-
fied to judge the capacitcs of thofe who are under their
tutelage and care, that Fathom, by dint of his inSnuat-
ing arts, made &ift to pafs upon the fchoolmafter as a
lad of quick parts, in defpite of a natural Inaptitude to
retain his Icilbns, which all his induftry could never
overcome. In order to remedy, or rather to cloak this
dcfeA in his underftanding, be had always rccourfe to
the friendffaip of the young count, whofrwly permitted
. him to tranfciibe his excrcifcs, until a fmall accident
- happened, which had well-nigh put a ftop to thefe in-
.ftmces of his gcncrofity,^The adventure, inconlider-
Ible as it is, we fhall rcccnrd, as the firft ovcrt-a£t of
Ferdinand's true charafter, as well as an illuftration of
tlie opinion we have advanced touching the blind aiid
injudicious deciOons of a right pedagogue.
^oiizodbyGoogle
20 The ADVENTURES of,
AuoKG Other talks impofed by the pedant upon the
form to which our two companions belonged, they were
one evening ordered to tranflate a chapter of Casfar'^
Commentaries. Accordingly -the young count went to
work, and performc'd the undertaking with great ele-
gance and difpatch : Fathom, having fpent the night in
more efieminate amufements, was next morning To much
hurried for want of time, that in his tranfcription he
negle&ed to infert a few variations from the text, theft
being the terms on which he was allowed to ufe it ; fo
that it was verbatim a copy of the original. As thofe
exercifes were always delivered in a heap, fubfcribcd
Nrith the feveral names of the boys to whom they be-
longed, the fchoolmafter chanced to perafe the verfion
of Ferdinand, before he looked into any of the reft,
^nd couM not help bcftowing upon it particular maiks
of approbation : Tlie next that fell under his examina-
lion was th^ of the young count, when he immedately
perceived the famenefs, and, far from imputing it' to
the true caufc, upbraided him with having copied th^
exercife of our adventurer, and infifted upon chalitiCng
him upon the fpot for his want of application.
Had BGt the young gentleman thought his honour
.was concerned, he would have fubmitted to the puniihr
.ment without murmuring ; but he inherited, from tiis
parents, the pride of two fierce nations, and being over-
.whelmed with reproaches for that which he imagined
Ought to have redounded to his glory, he could not
brook the indignity, and boldly affirmed, that he him-
felf was the original, to whom Ferdinand was beholden
for his performance. The fchoolmafter, nettled to find
himfelf miftaken in his judgment, refolved that the
count Ihould have no caufc to exult in the diftovery he
had made, and, like a tm^ Bogger, adhially whipped
him for having allowed Fathom to copy his exercifc,
Nay, in the hope of vindicating his own penetration,
he took an opportunity of queftioning Ferdinand in pri-
vate concerning the circumftances of the tranflation,
and our hero, perceiving his drift, gave him fuch Cart-
ful and ambiguous anfwers, as perfuaded him that the
young count had aftcd the part of a plagiary, and that
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ai
the odier had been reflraincd from doing hitnfelf jufiice]
by the cotiiidcracion of his own dependence.
This profound dirc^r did not fail, in honour of
his own difcernment, to whifper about the mifrcprc-
fentation, as an in {lance of the young count's info leoce,
9nd Fathom's humility and good fenfe. The ftoiy was
circulated among the fervanCs, 'efpecialty the maids lie-
longing to the family, whofc favour our hero had ac-
quired by his engaging bcliaviour ; and at length it
reached the ears of his patron, who, incenfed at his
fon's prefumption and inhofpitality, called him to a fe-
vere account, when the young gentleman abfolutely de-
nied the truth of the allegation, and appealed to the
evidence of Fathom himfelf. Our adventurer was ac-
cordingly fummoned by the fiathcr, and encouraged to
declare the truth, with an afiurance of hia conftant pro-
teftion ; upon which Ferdinand very wilely fell upon his
knees, and, while "the tears guQied firom his eyes, ac>
quitted the young count of the imputation, and exprcC-
fed his apprehenhon, that the report had been fpread
by fome of his enemies, who wanted to prejudice him
in the opinion of his patron.
The old genfj^man was not fatisfied of his fon's in-
tegrity by this declaration ; bcin^ naturally of a gene-
rous difpofition, highly prepoiTefleJ in favour of the poor
prphan, and chagrined at the unpromliing appearance
of his heir, he fufpedted tliat Fathom was over-awed by
the fear of giving oSence, and that, notwith(tanding
what he had Laid, the cafe really Hood as it had been re-
prefented. In this perfuallon, he earnestly exhorted hi^
ibn to refill and combat with any impulse he might feel
■ within himfeJf, tending to it;lfiihn£&, fraud, or impo-
fition i to encourage every fentiment of candour and
benevolence, and to behave with moderation and .aSa^
bilicy to ail his feliqw-creatures. He bid upon him
ib-ong injundlions, not without a mixture of threats, to
confider Fathom as the objeil of his peculiar regard ; to
refpefl him as the fon of the count's preferver, as a Bri-
-ton, a Hrangcr, and, above. all, an helplefs orphan, to
whom the rights of hofpitality were doubly due.
Such admonitionswerenot loft upon the youth, who,
^der the rough hulk of his pcrfonal cxliibition, pof-
. Mz,,!:,., Google
as Hx ADVENTURES i>f
fcfled a large fliare of generous fcnfiWlity : Withont any
formal profdEons to his fether, he retbhcd to goTcm
himfetf according to bis remonftrances \ and, far from
conceiving the leajl fpark of animolity againft Fathoin,
he looked upon the poor boy as the mnocent caufe of
his difgrace, and redoubled his kindncfs towards binsi
that his honour might never again be called in queftion
upon the fame fubjcft. Nothing is more liable to mif-
conftru^on than an aft of uncommon gcnerofity } one
half of the world miftake the motive, &om want of ideas
to conceive an tnftance of beneficence that foars fo high
above the level of their own fcntiments ; and the reft
ftifpeft it of fomething finifter or felfith, from the fug-
S lions of their own fordid and vicious inclinations,
c young count fubjefted himfclf to fuch mifinterpre-
tation, among thofe who obferved the incrcafed warmth
of civility and complaifance in his beha^pur to Ferdi-
nand : They afcribed it to his defire of ftill profiting
by our adventurer's fupenor talents, by which alone
they iuppofed him enabled to maintain any degree of
reputation at fchool ; or to the fear of being convi£h»l
by him of Ibme mifdemcanour of which he knew him-
felf guilty. Thefe fufpicions were not effaced by the
condtlft of Ferdinand, who, when examined on the fub-
Jcft, managed his anfwers in fuch a manner, as confirm-
ed their conjeflures, while he pretended to refute them,
and at tbe fame time acquired to bimfelf credit for his
extraordinary difcretion and felf-denial.
If he exhibited fuch a proof of fagacity 'in the
twelfth year of his age, what might not t>e expected
from his finefle in the maturity of his faculties and
experience ? Thus fecured in the good graces of the
vhole family, he faw the days of his puerility glide a^
long in the moft agreeable elapfe of carcflci and amufe-
ment. He never fairly plunged mto the ftream of
fchool-education^ but, by floating on the fuit«ce, im-
bibed a fmall tinfhire of thofe dtfierent fciences which
his mafter pretended to teach : In (hort, he refembled
thofe vagrant fwallows that {kim along the level of fome
pool or river, without venturing to wet one feather in
their wings, eScept in the accidental purfuit of an in- .
coiifidcrable fiv. Tct, though his capacity or incliiui-
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ty
tkm ms unluited for ftudiei of thi* kind, he did not fail
to manifelt a pcrfeA geoiui in the accjuificiwi of other
more [M-ofitable arts. Over and above the accomplilh-
ments of addrds, for which he hath been already celfr*
bnted, he excelled all his fellows in his dexterity at fivei
and tnlliards ; was altogether unrivalled in his Ikiil at
draughts and backgammon ( began, even at thefe year^>
to undcrfiand the moves and fchemcs of chefs ; and
made himlclf a mere adept in the myftcry of cards, which
he learned in the caurle of his alSduidcs and attention,
to the females of the boufe.
CHAPTER VI.
He meditatis fchemts of importarce.'
IT was in thefe parties that he attraAed the notics
and friendOup of his patron's daughter, a girl by
two years older than himfeU, who was not inTcnfible to
his qualifications, and looked open him with the mod
^Tourablc eyes of prcpaJTcffion. Whether or not he
at this period of his life began to projeA plans for avail-
ing himfelf of her fufceptibility, is uncertain -, but, with-
out all doubt, he cultivated her eftcem with as obfequi-
ous and fubmilBve attention as if he had already formed
the delign, which, in his advanced age, he attempted
to put in execution.
i>iVE&s circumftances confpired to promote him la
the ^vour of this young lady -, the grecnnefs of his years
fecured him from any appearance of fallacious aim ; fl>
that he was indulged in frequent opportunities ofcoo-
verfing with his young milb-efa, whofe parent) cncon-
r^ed this communication, by which they hoped Ihe
would improve in Ipeaking the language of her father.
Such conRedtions naturally produce intimacy and friend-
fhip. Fathom's perfon was agreeable, his talents cal-
cuktcd for the meridian of thofc parties, and hismao-
□ers fo engaging, that there would have been no juft
fubjefk for wonder, had he made an imprellion upon the
tender unexperienced heart of Mademoifelle de Melvily
^oiizodbyGoogle
34 Thi ADVENTURES of
whofe beauty was not fo attraflive as to extingutih h.i4
hope. In raifing up a number' of formidable rivals j
though her cxpefhitions of fortune were fuch as com-
mooly lend additional luftre to perfonal merit.
■ All theft confiderations were fo manyfttps towatdi
the fuccefa of Ferdinand's pretcofions ; and though he
cannot befuppofed to have perceived tliem at firft, he
in the fequel feemcd perfeftly well apprized of his ad-
■vantages, and ufed tiiem to the full extent of his facul-
ties. Obfo-ving that fhe delighted in mufic, he betook-
himfelf to the fiudy of that art, and, by dint of appli*
cation and a tolerable ear, learned of himfelf to accom-
pany her with a German flute, while fiie fung and play-
ed upon the harpfichord. The count, feeing his in-
clination, and the progrefs he had made, refoivcd that
his capacity fliould not be loft for want of cultivation ;
and accordingly provided him with a vm^etj by whom
he was inflructed in the principles of the art, and fooQ
became a proficient in playing upon the violin.
■ In the praftice of thefe improvements and avoca-
tions, and in. attendance upon his young mafter, whom
he took care never to djfoblige or neglect:, he attained
to the age of fixtcen, without feeling the leaft abatement
in the friendfliip and generofity of thofc upon whom he
depended} hut, on the contrary, receiving everyday
frefli marks of their bounty and regard. He had be-
fore this time been fmit with the ambition erf making a
conqueft of the young lady's heart, and forefaw mani-
fold advantages to himfelf in becoming fon-in-law to
Count Melvil, who, he never doubted, would foon he
reconciled to the match, if once it could be eSefhiated
without his knowledge. Although he thought he had
great reafon to believfi that Mademoifclle looked upon
him with an eye of peculiar favour, his difpofition was
happily tempered with an ingrc^yent of ca^Hion, that
liindered him from afting with precipitation ; and he
had difcerned in the young iady's deportment certain
indications of toftinefs and pride, which kept him in the
iitmofl: vigilance and circumfpe£ti(Hi ', for he knew, that,
by a premature declaration, he fliould run the rifk of
forfeiting all the advantages he had gained, and blafting
. Mz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 45
thofe expedtations that now bloflbmcd fo gailj in his
heart.
Restricted by the(e rede^ions, he a£ted at 3 wary
diftance, and determined to proceed by the method of
fap, and, fummoning all his artifice and attraftions to
his aid, empioyed them under the inlidious cover of
profound refpedt, in order to undermine thofe bulwark:!
of haughtinefs or difcretion, which otherwife might have
rendered his approaches to her Impra^icable. With a
view to enhance the value of .his company, and found
her fentimcnts at the fame time, he became more re-
ferved than ufual, and feldomer engaged in her parties
of mt^c and cards ; yet, in the midft of his refcrve, he
never failed in thofe demonilrations of reverence and
regard, which he knew perfedUy welt how to eiprefs,
but devifed fuch excufes for his abfence, as Ihe could
not help admitting. In confequence of this aSedted
Ihyncls, flie more than once gently chid him for his
hegleft and indifference, obferving, with an ironical air,
that he was now too much of a man to be entertained
with fuch effeminate diveriions ; but her reproofs were
pronounced with too much eafe and good humour to
be agreeable to our hero, who defired to fee her ruffled
and chagrined at his abfence, and to hear himfclf re-
buked with an angry affedlation of difdain. This ef-
fort, therefore, he reinforced with the moil captivating
carriage he could alTume, in thofe hours which he now
fo fparingly beftowed upon his miftrefs : He regaledher
- with all the entertaining ftories he could Jearn or in-
vent, particuiaty fuch as he thought would juftify and
I'ecommcnd the levelling power of love, that knows no
didindlions of fortune. He lung nothing but tender
airs and paSionate complaints, compofed by defpond-
ing pr defpairing fwains ; and, to render his perform-
ances of this kind the more pathetic, interlarded thfem
with fome feafonable fighs, while the tears, which he
had ever at conimand, llood coUefted in cither eye.
It was impoflible ior her to overlook fuch ftudicd
emotions i Ihe in a jocofe manner taxed him with ha-
ving loft his heart, rallied the excefs of his paffion, and in
a merry ftrain undertook to be an advocate for his love.
Her behaviour was ftill wide of his wiDi and cxpci£b-
VoL. IV.- D
DolizodbyGoOglc
,26 n^' ADVENTURES of
tion : He thought fte would, in confcqucncc of hcf
difcovery, have betrayed fotne intercfted fymptom ; that
her face would have undergone fome favourable fiifiii->
Hon; that her tongue would have faltered, her breaft
heaved, and her whole deportment betokened tnteraal
n^itation and difordcr i in which cafe, be meant to pro-
fit by the happy impreffion, and declare himfelf, before
ihe could poffibly rccolieft the diflates of her pride. —
Baffled however in his endeavours, by the ferenity of
the young lady, which he Hill deemed equivocal, he
had recourfe to another experiment, by which he bc-
. lieved 'he OiouW make a difcovery of her fentimcnts be-
yond all poffibility of doubt. One day, while he ac-
companied Mademoifelle in her exercifcs of mufic, he
pretended all of a fudden to be taken ill, and counter-
feited a fwoon in her apartment. Surprifed at this ac-
cident, (he fcreamed aloud, but far from running to
his aJSAance, with the tranfports and diltradtton of a
lover, ihe ordered her maid, who was prcfent, to fup-
port his head, and went in perfon to call for more
help : He was accordingly removed to his own chamber,
where, willing to be ftill more certified of her inclina*
tions, he prolonged the farce, and lay groaning under
the pretence, of a feverc fever.
The whole family was alarmed upon this occadon i
for, as we have ahcady obferved, he was an univcrfal
favourite. He was immediately vifited by the old count
and his lady, who exprefied the utmoft concern at his
diftemper, ordered him to be carefully attended, and
fent for a phyfician without lofs of time. The young
gentleman would fcarce ftir from his bed-fide, where
he miniftered unto him with all the demonftrations of
brotherly aflcAibn ; and Mifs exhorted him to keep up
his fpirits, with many expreffions of onreferved fympa-
thy and regard : Neverthelefs, he faw nothing in her
behaviour but what might be naturally expeited from
common fricndfliip, and a compafHonate difpofition,
and was very much mortified at his di (appointment.
Whether the mifcarriage aftually affefted^his con-
ftitotion, or the doftor happened to be miftaken in his
diagnoftics, we flial! not pretend to determine; but the
patient was certainly treated ficiindum arUm, and all
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FEkDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 17
his complaints in a little time realized ; foT the phyli-
cian, liicc a true graduate, had an eye to the apothe-
cary in his prcfcriptions ; and fuch was the concern and
icrupuloua care with which our hero was attended, that
the orders of the faculty were performed with the ut-
moft punAuality. He was blooded, vomited, purged,
and bliftcred, in the ufual forms (for the phylicians of
Hungary are generally as well (tilled in the arts of their
occupation, as any other leeches under the fun), and
fwallowed a whole difpcnrary of bolulTes, draughis, and
apozems, by which means he became fairly delirious ia
three days, and fo untra£bd>le, that he could be no
longer managed according to rule; otherwife, in all
likelihood, the world would never have enjoyed the be-
nefit of thefe adventures. In fliort, his conftitution,
though.unable to cope whh t1*o fuch formidable anta-
gonifts as the doAor, and the difeafe he had conjured
up, was no fooner rid of the one, than it eafUy got the
better of the other; and though Ferdinand, after all,
found his grand aim unaccomplifhed, his malady was
produ^ve of a confequencc, which, though he had not
fbreleen it, he did not fiH to convert to his own ufe
md advantage.
C H A P T E R Vn.
Btigages in partnerpiip ivith afemali ajfodaU, in crder to
put his talents in aSisn.
WHILE he difplaycd his qualifications, in order to
entrap the heart of his young miftrefs, he had
unwittingly enflaved the affeftions of her maid. Thia
attendant was alfo a fevourite of the young lady, and,
though her feuior by two or three good years at leaft,
UDqueftionably her fupcrior in point of peribnal beauty;
Ibe movcovn* polTelTed a good ftock of cunning and
difcernment, and was fumilbed by nature with a very
amorous complexion. Thefe cJrcumftances being pre-
mifed, the reader will not be furprifed to find her fmit*
^olizodbyGoOgle
iS ne ADVENTURES of
ten by thofe uncommon qualifications which iie have
celebrated in young Fathom. She had in good footh
long lighed in fecret, under the powerful influence of
his charms, and praftifed tipon him airthofe little arts,
by which a woman ftrives to att raft the admiration, and
enfnare the heart of a man Ihe ioves ; but all his facul-
ties were employed upon . the plan which he had al-
ready projected ; that was the goal of his whole atten-
tion, to which al\ his meafures tended ; and whether
or not he perceived the imprcffion he had made upon
Tercfa, he never gave her the leaft reafon to believe he
was confcious of his victory, until he found himfelf
baffled in his defign upon the heart of her miftrefs. —
She therefore perfevered in her diftant" at tempts to al-
lure him, with the ufuai coquetries of drefs and addrefs,
and in the fweet hope of profiting by his fufceptibUity,
made fiiift to fupprefs her feelings, and keep her
paflion within bounds, until his fuppofcd danger alarm-
ed her fears, and raifed fuch a tumult within her breaft,
that {he could no longer conceal her love, but gave a
loofe to her forrow in themoft immoderate expreflions
ef anguifh and afiliftion, and, while his delirium laft-
cd, behaved with all the agitation of a defpairing fhep-
hcrdefs.
Ferdinand was, or pretended to be, the laft pcr-
fon in the family who underftood the fituation of her
thoughts ; when h? perceived her pafljon, he entered
■into deliberation with himfelf, and tafked his refle£tion
and forefight, in prder to difcover how beft he might
convert this conqueft to his own advantage. Here, then,
that we may negleit no opportunity of doipg juftice to
our hero, it will be proper to obferve, that, howfoevei'
unapt his underftanding might be to peeeive and retain
the ufual culture of the .fchools, he was haturaily a ge-
nius felf-taught, in point of fagacity and invention.—
He dived into the characters of mankind, with a pene-
tration peculiar to himfelf, and had he been admitted
as 3 pupil in any political academy, would have certain^
ly become one of the ableft ftatefmen in Europet
Having revolved all the probable confequences of
fuch. a connexion, he determined to profecute an amouF ■
with the lady whofe affcfUon he had fubdued i becauft
3,a,l,;fflibyG00gIf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 19
he hoped to intcreft ber as an auxiliary in his grand
fcfacme upon Mademoifelle, which he did not as yet
think proper to la^ afide ; for he was not more ambi-
tious in the plan than indefatigable in the profecution
of it. He knew it would be impoflible to execute his
aims upon the count's daughter under the eye of Tere-
la, whofe natural difcemment would be whetted with
jcaloufy, and who would watch his condufl, and thwart
his progrefs with all the vigilance and fpite of a flighted
maiden. On the other hand, he did not doubt of be-
ing able to bring her over to his intereft, by the influ-
ence he had already gained, or might afterwards acquire
over her paffions ; in which cafe, the would eSe^ally
efpoufc his caufe, and employ her good offices with her
millrefs in his behalf; betides, he was induced by ano-
ther motive, which, though fecondary, did not tail in
this cale to have an effect upon his determination. He
looked upon Terefa with the eyes of appetite, which he
longed to gratify ; for he was not at all dead to the in-
ftigations of the Sefh, though he had philofophy enough
to rdiHt them, when he thought they interfered with
bis iuterefl. Here the cafe was quite difii^ent : His de-
fire happened to be upon the fide of his advantage, and
therefore, refolving to indulge it, he no fooner found
himfelf in a condition to manage fuch an adventure than
he began to make gradual advances in point of warmth
and particular complacency to the love-fick maid.
He firll of all thanked her, in the moft grateful
terms, for the concern Jhe had manifefted at his di(^
temper, and the kind fcrvices he had received from
her during the courfe of it •, he treated her upon all oc-
calions with unufual aSability and regard, affiduoufly
courted her acquaintance and converfation, and con-
traced an Intimacy that, in a little time, produced a '
declaration of love. Although her heart was too much
intendered to hold out againft all the forms of aflault, for
trom gelding at difcretion, fiie flood upon honourable
terms, with great obftinacy of punflilio, and, while flie
owned he was mafter of her inclinations, gave him to
underftand, with a peremptory and refolute air, that
he Ihould never make a conqucfl of her virtue ; obfer-
Ting, that, if the paflion he profcITcd was genuine, he
^laiiizodbvGoogle
30 Tie ADVENTURES of
would not fcruple to give fucli a proof of it, as would
at once convince her of his fincerity; and that he couM
have no juft caufe to refufe her that fatisfa^ion, the bo*
ing his equal in point of birth and Htuation \ for, if he
was the companion and favourite of the young cocmt>
ftte was the friend and confidante of Mademoifelle.
He acknowledged the ftrcngth of her argnment, and
that her condefcenfion was greater than his dcferts, but
ofajefled againft the propofal, as infinitely prejudicial to
the fortunes of them both. He reprefented the ftale of
dependence in which they mutually ftood ; their utter
incapacity to fupport one another under the confequen*
ces of a precipitate match, clandeftinely made, without
the confcnt and concurrence of their patrons : He dif-
played, with great eloquence, all thofe gay expciSatiom''^
they had reafon to entertain, froni that eminent degree
of favour which they had already fecured in the family }
and fet forth, in the moft alluring colours, thofe en->
chanting- fcenes of pleafures they might enjoy in each
Other, without that difagreeable confcioufnefs of a nup-
tial chain, provided flie would be his aflbciatc in the
execution of a plan which he had projected ibr their re*
ctprocal convenience.
Having thus inflamed her love of pleafure and cu-
Tiolity,.he, with great caution, hinted hb deCgn upon
the young lady's fortune, and, perceiving her liftening
with the moft greedy attention, and pcrfcftly ripe for
the confpiracy, he difclofcd his intention at full length,
afliiring her, with the moA folemn protellations of love
and attachment, that, could he onCe make himfclf le^
gal polTeiTor of an eftate which Mademoifelle inherited
by the will of a deceafed aunt, his dear Terefa fhould
reap the happy fruits of his affluence, and wholly en>
grofs his time and attention.
Such a bafe declaration our hero would not have
ventured to make, had he not implicitly believed the
damfel was as great a latitudinarian as himfelf, in point
of morals and principle; and been well a0ured, that,
though he fhould be miftaken in her way of thinking,
fo far as to be threatened with a detcflion of his pur-
pofe, he would always have it in hi* power to refute
her accufationas mere calumny, by the charader hchad
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. jt
hitherto maintained, and the circunofpeftioii of Jus fu-
ture conduit.
He feldom or never erred !n his obrcrvatiom on the
human heart. Tcrefa, inflcad of difapproving, retilhed
the plan in general, with demon (brat ions of lingular fa-
tisfaftion: Shear once conceived all the advantageous
confequcnces of fuch a fcheme, and perceived in it OTilf
one flaw, which, however, fhe did not think incurable.
Xbts dcfcA was no other than a Aifficient bond of union,
by which they might be cfTefhially tied down to thdr
mutual intcreft. She forcfaw, that, in cafe Ferdinand
ihould obtain pofTeSon of the prize, he mighr, with
great cafe, deny their contract, and difavow her claim
of participation. She therefore demanded fecurity, and
propofed, as a preliminary of the agreement, that he
ihould privately tatc her to wife, with a view to difpet
all her apprehenfions of his inconftancy or deceit, as
fuch a previous engagement would be a check upon his
behaviour, and keep him ftriftly to the letter of their
, contra^.
He could not help fubfcribing tothc rightcoufncft
of this propofal, which, nevcrthelefs, he would have
willingly waved, on the fuppoHtion that they could not
poffibly be joined in the bands t^ wedlock with fuch fe-
crccy as the nature of the cafe abfolutely required.^
This would have been a difficulty foon remofled, had
the fcene of the tranfaftion been laid in the metropolis
of England, where palTengers are plied in the ftrcets by
clergymen, who proditute their characters and confci-
ences for hire, la defiance of all decency and taw ; but
m the kingdom of Hungary, ecclefiallics are more fcru- .
pulous in the excrcifc of their function, and the objec-
tion was, Sr fiippofed to be, altogether infurmountable ;
fo that they were fain to have recourfe to an expedient,
with which, after fome hefiiaiion, our fhe-ad venturer •
was fatisiied. They joined hands in the fight of Hea-
ven, which they called to witnefs, and to jijdgc the fin-
cerity of their vows, and engaged, in a voluntary oath,
to confirm their union by the lanftion of the church,
whenever a convenient opportunity for fo doing ihould
occur.
^olizodbyGoOglc
32 tht ADVENTURES of
The females of Tercfa bdog thus removed, flie dda
mitted Ferdinand to the privileges of.a hufbaod, whlcli
he enjoyed in Ao!en interviews, and readily undertook
to exert her whole power in promoting his fuit with her
young miftrefs, becaufe fhe now confidered his intereft
as infeparably conne61ed with her own. Surely nothing
could be more abhird or prcpof^crous than the articles
of this covenant, which Ihe inHfled upon whh fuch in-
, flexibility. How could ihe fuppofe that her pretended
Jovcr would be reftrained by an oath, when the very
occalion of incurring it was an intention to aft in viola-
tion of all laws human and divine ; and yet fuch ridi.'
culous conjuration is commonly the cement of every
confpiracy, how dark, how treacherous, how impious
foevcr it may be : A certain fign that there are fome
remains of religion left in the human mind, even after
every moral fentiment hath abandoned it ; and that the
moft execrable ruffian £nds means to quiet the fuggcf-
tions of his confciencc, by Ibme reverHoaary hope of
Heaven's forgivenefs.
CHAPTER VUr.
^heit firfl attempt ; with a digrijfton which fime readefi
may think impertinent.
BE this as it will, our lovers, though real voIuptna<>
ries, amidft the firft tranfports of their enjo^menty
did not negleft the great political airri of their conjunc-
tion. Terefa's bed-chamber, to which our hero con^
ftantly repaired at midnight, was the fcen« of their de-
liberations, and there it was determined that the dam-
fel, in order to avoid fufpicion, fliould feign herfelf ir- '
riiated at the indifference of Ferdinandy her" palfion for
whom was by this time no fecret in the family ; and
that, with a view to countenance this affeftation, he
lhoul4 upon alt occalkms treat her with an air of lofti-"
nefs and difdaip.
So fcreened from all imputation of fraud, {hi was
furniihed by him with artful itiftnifUoos how to found
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
3FERDINAND COUNT FAtHOM. 3}
^ inclinations of her young miftrds, how to reccmi-
mend his perfon and qualifications by the fure methods
of contradi^oD, compaiifons, rcYilings, and reproach j
how to watch the paroxyfms of her difpofitiod) infkune
her pafltons, and improve, for his advanUge, thofe mo-
ments of frailty, from which no woman is exempted.
In fliort, this confummate politician taught hi> agent
to pmfbn the young lady's mind with infidious conver-
faticMi, tending to infpire her with the love of guilty
pleafure, to dcbatlch her fentiments, and confound her
ideas of dignity and virtue. After all, the talk ii not
difficult to lead the unprSfUfed heast afbay, by dint of
thofe opportunities her feduCcr pQJTcfled. The feeds of
inlumation feafonably fown upon the warm luxuriant
toil of youth, could hardly fail of Ihooting up into fuch
tntemperatc dellres as he wanted to produce, efpecially
when- cultured and chcrifhed in her unguarded hours,
by that ftlmulating difcourfe which familiarity admits,
and the loofer paflions, ingrafted in every breaft, are apt
to relifli and excufe.
Fathom had previoufly reconnoitred the ground,
and difcovered fome marks of inflammability in Madc-
moifelle's conftitution | her beauty was not fuch as to
engage her in thofe gueties of amufement which could
flatter her vanity and diffipate her ideas ; and fhe was
of an age when the little loves and young defires take
polleflion of the fancy ; he therefore concluded, that flic
had the more Icifure to indulge thofe enticing images
of pleafure that youth never fails to create, particularly
in thofe who, like her, were addiftcd to foUtude aad
fludy.
Teresa, full fraught with the wily injunAions of her
confederate, took the field, and opened the campaign
with fuch remarkable foumefs in her afpeA when Fer-
dinand apfwared, (hat her young lady could not help
taking notice of her affcftcd chagrin, and aOted the rea-
fon of fuch apparent alteration in her way of thinking.
Prepared for this queftion, the other replied, in a man-
ner calculated for giving Mademoifelle to underftand,
that, whatever impreflions Ferdinand might have for-
merly made on her heart, they were now altogrther ef-
faced by the pride and infolcnce with which he had re-
VoL.IV. E
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
34 • Tht ADVENTURES of
ceivcd her advances ; and that her breaft now glowed
with all the revenge of a flighted lover.
To triocc the Unccrity of this declar;dioii, (he bitter'
ly inveighed agaioA htai, and even aSedcd to depreciate
thofe talents, in which fhc knew his chief merit to con-
fill ; hoping, by thefe means, to ifiterelt Mademoifelle's
: candour in his defence. So fiir the train Succeeded:
. That young lady's love for .truth wasoiTcnded.at [he ca-;
himnies that were vrinted againft Ferdinand .jn his ab-
sence. She chid her woman for the rancour of her re-
marks, and undertook to refute the articles of his dif-
praife. Terefa Aipportcd her own aflcrtions with great
obltinacy, and a difpute enfued, in which her millrefs
was heated into fome extravagant commendations of our
adventurer.
His fuppofed enemy did not fail to make a report of
her fuccefs, and to magnify every advantage they had
gained ; believing, in good earnefl:, that her lady's
warmth was the effedt of a real paffion for the fortunate
Mr Fathom : But he himfelf viewed the adventure in a
different light, and rightly imputed the violence of Ma-
demoifellc's behaviour to the contradi£iion ihe had foX-
tainedjrom her maid, or to the £re of her natural ge-
ncroiity gloAving in behalf of innocence traduced. Ne7
verthelefs, he was perfectly well pleafed with the nature
of the conteft; becaufe, in the cotirfc of fuch debates,
he forcfaw that he fliould become habitually her hero,
and that> in time, £he would aiSUially believe thofe exag,-
gerations of his merit, which fhe herfelf had feigned,
for' the honour of her own argument-s.
This prcfage, founded upon that principle of felt
TCfpe^t, without which no individual exifts, may cer-
tainly be juftiiied by manifold occurrences in life : Wc
oucTeWcs Jiave known a very pregnant example, which
we ihall relate, for the emolument of the reader. A
cei:tain needy author having found means to prefent a
. mamifcript to one of thole fons of fortune who are dig.
nified with the appellatioi^'Of patrons, intlead of reap^
ing that applaule and advantage with which he had re-
galed his &iicy, had th^ mortlScation to find his per^-
nrniance treated with infinite irreverence and con>-
tempt ; and, in high dudgeon and difappointment, ap- .
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 35
pea^ to the judgment of another critic, who, he tocv,
had no veneration for the £rll.
This common conlblation, to which all baffled au-
thors haverccoutfe, was productive of very happy con-
fcqucDccs to our bard ; for, though the opinioDS of both
judges concerning the piece were altogether the fame,
the latter, either' out of compaffion to the appellant, or
■ defire of rendering his rml ridiculous in the eye of
tafte, undertook to repair, the misfortune, and in this
manner executed the plan: la a mfleting of literati, to
which both thefe wits belonged, he who had cfpoufed
the poet's caufe, having pKvioufly defircd another mem-
ber to bring his compolition on thp carpet, no Iboner
heard it mentioned, than he began to cenfure'it with
flagrant marks of fcom, and, with an ironical air, look-
ing at its £rft condemner, obferved, that he mull be fu>-
rioufly infcAed with the rage of patronizing, who could
take fuch a deplorable performance into his prote^on.
The farcaftn took effeft.
The perfon againflwhom it was levelled taking nm-
brage at his piefumption, ailiimed an alpcA of difdain,
and replied, with great animofity, that nothing was
more eafiiy fupported than the character of a Zoiliis, .
becaufc no produ£kion was altogether fice from blcmifh-
es, and any man might pcpnouncc againft any piece by
the lump, without iotercfting his own difcemmcnt ;— t-
bnt to perceive the beauties of a work, it was requisite
to have learning, judgment, and tafte ; and therefore he
did not wonder that the. gentleman had overlooked a
great many in the compofition which he fo contcmptu-
oully decried. A rejoindure fucceedcd this reply, and
produced a long train of altercation, in whidi the gentle-
man who had formerly treated the book with fuch
diirefpeCt, now-profeffcd bimfdf its pa IGpn ate admirer,
and held forth in pralTe of it with, great warmth and
cIocutitHi.
Not contented with having exhibited this initance
of regard, he next morning fent a meflage to the own-
er, iinportmg, that he had but fopcrficially glanced o-
ver the manufcript, and dcfiring ^he favour of pcruling
it a fecoiid time ; heing indulged in this requeft, he re-
commended it in. terms of raptwc.ta all his friends and
_, ,i,z<,i:,., Google
3$ The ADVENTURES if
dependentg, uid, by dint of unwearied folicitattcn, prth
cured a vtry ample fubfcription fcr the anther.
BtJT) to refiime the thread of our ftarjt TaeTa'a
praAices were not confined to fimple defamation : Hee
reproaches were contrived fo u to impl^ fome intdli*
gencc in favour of the pcrlba ihc reviled. In exempUr
^ing bis pcrtnefs and arrogance, (he rqieated hb viny
repartee; on pretence of Uamii^ his ferocity, flie're-
counted proc^ of bii fpirit and prowefs} and, in ex-
ptaining the fource of bis vanity, gave her tniftrG& tp
underfed, that a certain young lady of &lbioa was
faid to be enamoured of bis pcrfon. Mor did this itall-
inftruded underftrapper omit thofe other parts of her
cue which theprincipal judged necei&ry for the fiiillierr
ance of his fcteme. I^er converfation became ids
guarded, and took a freer turq thspi nfnal ; £be feized
all opportuuties of introducing littk amorous fiories,
the greateft part of which were inycn^ for ihe purpofes
of warming her palBons, and lowering the price of cha?
ftity in her ^f|eem ; for Ihe reprefented all the ycung
lady's cptenqx^raries in point gf age and fituation, as fo
msny fenfiulifis, who, trithput fcruple, indulged thein*
jelves in the ftolen pteafures of yciuth.
Meanwhile Ferdinand feconded thefc pideamnn
vith his whidc indnftry and addrcfs : He redoubled, if
poffiblc, his deference and refpe^ whetting his afEdni-
ty to the keenefl edge of attqition ; and, in fliort, re-
gulated hia drefs, converfation, and deportment, ac-
cdrding to the £uicy, turn, and prevailing humour of
his young miArcTs. He moreover attempted to profit
l>y her curioilty, which he knew to be truly feminine^
and having culled &om the library of Ins patron certain
dangerous books, calculated to debauch the minds of
young people, left them occafiqnally upon the table in
nil apartment, after having directed Tcrefa to pick
them up, as if by accident, in his abTence, and cany
them off for the entertainment of Mademoifellc i nay,
tlus crafty projeAor.feund means io fbmifh his aflbciabe
vith fome mifchievona preparations, which were mingled
in her chocolate,- tea, or cofiise, as provocations to warm
her conftitotion ; yet all thefe machinations, ingenious
^r they were, fidled, not only ia fulfilling their aim^
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 37
ixit even in fluking the foundations of her virtue of
pride, which ftood their aflkulcs unmoved, like a ftroog
tower built upon a rock, impr^nable to ^11 the tem-
peftuous blalVs of heaven.
Not but that the confpiratort were more than once
miftaken in the c^^ of their artifices> and difpofed to
applaud themfeWe? on the progrels they had made.
When at any time the czprefled a dcfire to examine
dkofe performances which were lud before her as fnares
to entrap her chaftity, they attributed that, which was
BO other than curiotity, to a loo&ncfs of fentiment ; and
when {he diicovercd no averfion to hear thoTe anecdote*
coQcemkig the frailty of her nel^boun, they imputed
to abatement of chaftity, that fatisfiifliDn which was
ihc r^ilt of felf-congratulatioa 00 her owd fuperlor
l^rtue.
So far did th« treacheroui accomplice of Fathom
presume upon dieft mifconftru^tioni, that (he at length
diveftcd her tongue of all relhraint, and behaved in fuch
a manner, that the youQg lady, confounded and in-
cenfcd ^t her indecency and impudence, rebuked her
with great fcveiity, and coo^mand^ her to reform her
difcourf^ on paiq pf being (lifmifled with dilgraca bonk
^ f^rice.
CHAPTER IX.
T&f cst^tdtraies change thtir htitteryt and atchieve a no
markabU adventure,
THdndebstrdck at thlsdifappointment, the con-
federates held a council, in order to deliberate
tipon the next mcafurcs that fhould be taken ; and Fer-
dinand, for the prefent, defpairing of accompliihing his
grand aim, refolvcd to profit in another manner, by the
conveniency trf^his iituation. He reprefented to bis
help'mate, that it would be prudent for them to make
hay while the fun flione, as their connexion might be
fomicr or later difcovered, and an end put to all thofe
ppportapities which they now fo happily enjoyed, AH
^olizodtyGoOglc
3« Tie ADVENTURES 9^
principles of morality had been already excluded from
their former plan ; confcqucntly he foand it an eafy
taik to intcreft Tercfa in any other fchcmc tending to
their mutual advantage, howfoever wicked and peril-
dious it might be. He therefore perfuaiied her to be
his auxiliary in defrauding Mademoirelle at play, and
gave her fuitable direftions for that pBrpofe ; and even
tutored her how to abule ihe truft repofed in her, 1^
embezzling the young lady's cffcfts, without incurring
the fufpicion of difhonefty.
On the fuppofitton that every Tervant in the houfe
was not able to refift fuch temptation, the purfe of her
miftrefi (to which the maid had always accefs] wa»
dropped in « pallage which the domeflies had occafiort
to frequent, and Fathom pofted himfelf in a coRT^ient
place, in order to obferve the efie£t of his firatagem.
Here he was not difappoihted in his conjefhire. The
firft pcrftm who chanced to pafs that way was one of
the chambermaids, with whom Terefa had lived for
fome time in a ftate of inveterate enmity, becaufe the
wench had felled in that homage and refpeA which was
paid to her t^ the reft of the'fervants.
FEKDiHiiND had in his heart cfpoufed thcquMrelof
his alTociate, and longed for an occafion to deliver her
from the malicious obfervance of fuch an antagonift:
"When he therefore faw her approach, his heart throb-
bed with joyful expectations-, but, when fhe fnatched
Up the purfe, and thmft it in her bofom, with all the
eagcmefs and confufion of one determined to appro-
priate the windfall to her own ufe, his tranfports were
altogether unfpeafeable. He traced her to her own
apartment, whither fhe immediately retreated with great
trepidation, and then communicated the difcovery to
Terefa, together with inftruftions how to behave in the
fcquel.
In conformity with thefe kflbns, flie took the fiHl
opportunity of going to Mademoifellei and demanding
money for fome neceflary expence, that the lofs fnigbt
be known before the finder could have lelfurc to make
any fj^efli conveyance of the prize; and, in themfem
t^me, Ferdinand kept a ftriil eye upon the nrotions of
the chambermaid. The young Udv, having rummaged
_, ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 39
ha poctets- in vain, cxprdTed fc^me furprile.at the lo()
of her purfe, upon which her attendant gave indications
of extreme amazement and concern : She faid, it could
not poffibly'be loft; intreatcd her to fcarch her cTcru-
torc, wMq ihe hprfelf ran about thp roqm, ptjing into
every comer, with all the fyrqptoms of fear and diftrac-
tion. Having made this .unfuccefsful enquiry, fhe pre-
tended to Hied a flood of tears, bewailing her own fatc^
m being ^ear the perfon of any lady who met with fuch
a misfortune, by which, Qie obrerved, her charafleT
night be called in queftipn: She produced her own
keys, and begged upon her knees, that her cbaiaber and
boxes might be Searched >v|thqut delay.
In a word, ihe demeaned l^ericlf (o artfully upoi) thia
occafion, that her miflrcis, who never, cntcriained tlie
Ical^ doubt of her integrity,, now looked upon hor as a
miracle of fidelity and attachment, and was At infinite
pains to confole her fiar the accident which had hap-
pened ; pratcfting that, foB her own part, the lols of the
money Jhould never affeit.licr, with a motnent's uneafi-
nefs, if flie could retrieve a certain medal which ihe had
long kept in her purfe, as. f remembrance of her d&-
ceal»i aunt, from whom {he received it in a.prefent.
Fathom entered accidentally in the midft of this well-
a£led fcene, and, perceiving the agitation of the maid,
and the concern of the miftrefs, defired, In a refpe^ul
manner, to know^the caufe of their dlforder. Before the
joung lady had time to make him acquainted with the
circumftances of the cafe, his accomplice exclaimed, in
an affe^d paffion, « Mr Fathom, my lady has loft her
purfe; and as no perfons in the family are Jb much
about her as you and I, you muft ^ve me leave^ in my
own juftification, to inUft upon MademoifcUe's ordering
the apartments of us both to t^ fearched without \o&
of time: Here are my pockets and my keys, and you
cannot fcmple to give her the fame fatisfa^on i for la-
nocence has nothing to fear."
Miss Melvil repritnanded her fliarply for her
unmannerly zeal; and Ferdinand eyeing her with a
look o£ difdain, " Madam (faid he), I approve of your
propofal; but, before I undergo fuch mortliication, I
would advife Mademoifelle to fubj«^ the two chambet-
. Mz,,!:,., Google
40 Tie ADVENTURfiS 0/
taaids to fuch rnquJiy; as they alio have accefs to tbe
Bpartraents, and are, I apprcheodi as likely as you or I
to behave in (bch a fcandalous mannCr.
The ydtmg lady declared that flie win too well la-
tisficd of 'Terefa's honefty and Ferdinand's honour, to
liarboor the teaft furpicion of either, and that Die would
fooner die than difgrace them fo far aa to comply with
the propofal the former had made; but as fbe faw no
reafon for exemptiDg the inferior fervants from that
examiuation which FathOm advtfed, Die would forth-
Vith put it in execution. The chambermaids 'being ac-
cordingly fiiinmoned, flie calmly alked if either of them
had accidenully found the purfe fhe had dropped ; and
both replying in the negative, flie afibmed an air of fe^
Verity and determination, and, demanding their keys,
threatened to examine their trunks on the inftant.
The guilty Abigail, who, though an Hungarian, was
not inferior, in point of eflroniery, to any one of the
fifterhood in England, no fooner heard this menace,
than ihe afie£led an air of afii-onted innocence, thanked
God Ihe had lived in many reputable families, and been
trufted whh untold gold, but was never before fufpefted
of theft i that the other maid might do as (he &6uld
thii^ proper, and be mean-fpirited enough to let her
things be tumbled topfy-turvy and expofed ; but, for her '
own part, if fhe fhould be nfed in that inhuman and
difgraceful manner, fhe would not ftay another hour in
the honfe ; and in conclution fald, that Mademoifelle
had more rcafon to look fharp after tbofc who enjoyed
the greateft fharc of he!- fevour, than believe their ma-
licious infinuations againfl innocent people whom they
Vfere well known to hate and defame.
This declaration, implying an hint to the prejudice
of Terefa, far from diverting Mifs Melvil from her
purpofc, ferved only to enhance the charaftcr of the
accufcd in her o^nion, and to confirm her rDfpicion of
the accnfer, of whom fhe again demanded her keys,
protcdjng that, fhould fhe prove refraftory, the count
himfelf fhould take cognizance of the affair, whereas,
if fhe would deal ingenuoufly, fhe fliould have no caufe
10 repent of her confeffion. So faying, fhe defired onr
iTdventurer to take the trouble of calling up fome of the
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 41
Men lervants ; upon which the conlcious criminal began
ti> tremble, and, ^llllag upon her knees, acknowledged
her guilt, and implored the forglvenefs gf her jioung
miftlrers.
Teresa, fet^ing A'a occaiion to fignalize her genc-
roGty, joined in the ftqueft, and the offender was par-
doned, after having reftored the purfe, and promifed in
the fight of Heaven, that the devil fhould never again
entice her to the commiffion of fiich a crime. This ad-
venture fiilly anfwered all the purpofcs of our politician j
it eftablifhed the opinion of his fcUow-labonrer's virtue,
beyond the power of accident or information to fhake,
and fct up a falle beacon to miflcad the fentiments of
Mademoifelle, in cafe Ihe fhould for the future meet
' with the like misfortune.
CHAPTER X.
Yhey procieJ to levy cantrihutions viith grtat fuccefj, until
mr herofets out mith tht young nantfir f^enna, where
he enters into Uague viitb another adventurer.
UNDER this fecufe cover, Terefa levied contribu-
tions upon her miilrcfs with great fuccefs. Some
toinket was miffing every day ; the young lady's patience
began to fail ; the faithJFiil attendant was overwhelmed
with conlternation, and, with the appearance of e:Ltreme
chagrin, demanded her difmifQon, affirming that thefe
things were certainly effe^ed by fome perfon in the Sa^
Riily, with a view of murdering her precious reputation.
Mifs Melvil, not without difficulty, quieted her vexa"
tion with afliiranccs of inviolable confidence and eftcem,
until a pair of diamond ear-rings vanilhed, when Tere-
& could no longer keep her affii^ion within bounds.
Indeed this was an event of more consequence than all
the reft which had happened, for the jewels were valued
at five hundred florins.
MademoiselIe was accordingly alarmed to fuch
a degree, that ftic made her mother acquainted with
her lofs, and that good kdy, who was an cxcellcat
Vol. IV. F
DiailizodbvCoOglc
41 The ADVENTU-RES of
cconomift] did not £iil to give indications of extraoT'
(linary concern. She afted, if her daughter had reafon
to fulpeA any individual in the- iziaWf, and if flie< was
perfectly confident of her own woman's integrity : Upon
which Madcmoifelle, with many encomiums on the fi-
delity and attachment of Terefa, recounted the adven-
ture of the chambermaid, who immediately underwent
a ftrit^ enquiry, and was even committed to prifon, on
the ftrength of her former mifdemeanour. Oin* ad-
reiiturer's mate inlilled upon undergoing the fame trial
with the reft of the domef^ics, and as ufual compre-.
hendcd Fathom in her infmuations ; while he feconded
the propofal, and privately counfelled the old lady to
introduce Terefa to the magiftratc of the place.. By
thefe preconcerted recriminations, they efcapcd ; all
fufpicion of collufion. After a fruitlefs inquiry, the'
prifoner was difcharged from her confinement, and
turned aut of the fervice of the count, in whofe private
opinion the charafler of no perfon fuftered fo much, as
that of his own fon, whom lie fufpeiTled of having em-
bezzled the jewels, for the ufe of a certain inamorata,.
who, at that time, r/as faid to h;ive captivated his af-
fcftions.
The old gentleman felt upon this occaGon, all that
internal anguifh which a man of honour may be fitp-
pofed to fufier, on account of a Ton's degeneracy ; and,
withcHit divulging bis fentiments, or even hinting hi 9
fufpicions Co the youth hinifelf, determined to detach
him at once, from fuch dangerous connexions, by lend-
ipg him for*h*yith to Vienna, on pretence of finifhlo^
bis exercifes at the academy, and ufhering him into ac-
quaintance with tl)e ^eat world. Though he would
not be thought by the young gentleman bimfclf to har-
bour the l^afl doubt of his morals, he did not fcruple
to unbofom himfetf on that fubjed to Ferdinand, whofe.
(agafiity and virtue he held in gre« veneratiqii. , This
indulgent patron «ii^e£led himfelfi^the moft pathe-
tic terms* on the i^nEoward difpofition of his fon ; he
told Fathom, that he Ihould accompany Renaldo (that
was theyouth'sname] no^ only as a cooipai^ion, but a
preceptor and. patten j conjured him to ailift his tutor
ip fupcrkitending I^is c^nduA, ^ t(4,reinfQrce.ttt^gi>-
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 43
pernor's precepts by his owii example; to inculcate
upon him the moft delicate pun£liltoi of honour, and
decoy htm into extravagance, ratho- than leave the leaft
Ulibcral fentimcnt in his heart.
OoR crafty adventurer, with dcmonftrations of the
jatmoA fcnfibility, acknowledged the great goodnefs of
the count in repoflng fuch confidence in his integrity;'
which, as he obfcrved, nope but the worft of villains
could abufe } and fervently wiflied that he migiit no
longer ezin, than he Ihonld continue to remember and
Tcfeht the obligations he owed to his kind benc&ftor.
While preparations were making for their departure,
oar hero held a cotincil with his aJTociate, whom he
enriched "with many fage inftniftioDs touching her fu--
tare operations ; he at the fame time difburdened her
of all or the greateA part of the fpoits Ihe had won,
and after having'received divers marks of bounty from
the count and his lady, together with a purfe from his
young miftrcfs, he fet out for Vienna in the eighteenth'
year of his age, with Renaldo and his governor, who
were provided with letters of recommendation to fome
pf the count's friends bcionging to the impMal court.
Such a favourable introduftion could not fail of
being advantageous to a youth of Ferdinand's fpecious
accomplifljments j for he was confidcrcd as the youtfg
count's companion, admitted into his parties, and in-
cluded in all the entertainments to which Renaldo was'
invited. He foon diftinguifhcd Kimfelf by his aflivity
and addrefs, in the courfe of thofe exercifes that were
taught at the academy of which he was pupil-, his
manners were fo engaging as to attraft the acquaintance
6f his fellow fhidents, and his converfation being
.fprightly and inoffenfive; grew into very great requcft }
in a word, he and the young count formed a remark-
abla contraft, which, in the eye of the world, redound-
ed to his advantage.
Thet were certainly, tn all refpefts, the reverfe of
each other.- Renaldoi under a total defeft of exterior ■
cultivation, po;ireficd a moft excellent uriderftanding,
with every virtue that dignifies the human heart j while
the other, beneath a moti agreeable outlidc, with an
jnaptitude and averGon to letters, concealed an amafiing
^oiizodbyGoogle
44 Tht APVENTURES ^
fiind of villiiny'and ingratitude. Hitherto his objerTa>
tion had been confined to a narrow fpltere, and his re«
fictions, though furprifingly juft and acute, had not
attained to tliat maturity which <tge and experience give ;
but now, his perceptions began to be more diAinA, and
extended to a thoufand objefts which had never before
, come under his cognizance.
He had formerly imagined, but was now fully pui
fuadcd, that the fons of men preyed upon one another^
and fucli was the end and condition of their being.
Among the principal figures of life, he obferved few or
bo characters that did not bear a ftrong analogy to thp
favagc tyrants of the wood. One refembled a tyger in
fury and rapacioufnefs ; a fecond prowled about hke an
hungry wolf, feeking whom he might devour; a third
afted the part of a jackall, in beating the bum for game
to his voracious employer; and a fourth imitated the
vily fox, in pra£^iling a thoufand crafty ambufcades fpr
the dejlruftion of the ignorant and unwary. This laA:
was the department of life for which he found himfelf
bfeft qualified by nature and tncUnation, and he accor-r
dingly rcfolved that his talent fhguld not ru(l in his pof^
ftffion. He was already pretty well verfed in all the
fciences of play; but he had every day occafion to fee
thcfe^rts carried to luch a furprifing pitch of finelTe and
dexterity, as difcouraged hipa from building his fchemcs
on til at .foundation.
He therefore determined to fafcinate the judgment,
rather than the iryes of his fellow-creatures, by a conti-
, nuaj exercife pf that gift of deceiving, *ith which he
knew himfelf endued to an unrivalled degree ; and to
acquire unbounded in^uence with thofe who might be
fubfervient to his intercll, by an afliduous application to
their prevailing paflions. Not that p!ay was altogether
left out in the projeftion of his economy ; — Though he
engaged himfelf very little in the executive part of gar
ining, he had not been long in Vienna, when he enter-
ed into league with a genius of that kind, whom he dif-
tjnguifhed among the pupils of the academy, and who
Indeed had taken up his habitation in that place with a
view to pillage the provincials on their firft arrival ip
town] befofe ^cy could be armed with proper circum-
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 4j
fpcAlon to prcferve tb'eir igoQC;^, <«' Iiave time to di&
pofe of it in any other Oiape.
Similar chara^ers naturally attraA each otbcTf and
pet^le of our hero's principles are, of all others, the moft
apt to diftiaguifh their own likeneTs whcrefoever it oo>
curs ; becaufe they always keep the faculty of diicent*
ing in full exertion. It was in confequcnce of this mu-
tual alertnefs, that Ferdinand and the (banger, who was
a native of Tyrol, pcrcciyed thcrafclves rene£ted in the
difpofitions of each other, and immediately entered into
an odi:nr(ve and defenlive alliance ; our adTcnturer un-
dertaking ibr the nicies of intfltigence, countenance,
and counfet, and his aSbeiate charging himfelf with the
fiijp .of exccupop.
CHAP. XI,
. Fathom makes various e^rU in the vigrU of gallantry.
THUS connected, they began to hunt in couples ;
and Fathom, in order to profit by the alliance
witb a good grace, contrived a fmall fcheme that fuc-
ceedcd to his wifh. Renaldo being one night intoxica-
ted in the courfe of a merry-makiDg with his fcUow-pU-
pils, &om which Fathom bad purpofdy abfented him-
felf, was by the Tyrolcze fo artfully provoked to play,
that he could not relifl the temptation, but engaged at-
pafs-dice with that fell adverfary, who, in lefs tlun an
hour, ftripped him ai a pretty round Turn. Next day,
when the young gentleman recovered the ufc of his r©-
fle^on, he was fenUhly chagrined at the folly and pre-
cipitation of his own condu£^, an account of which he
communicated ip confidence to our hero, with demoiu*
Arations of infim'te (hams and concern.
Ferdinand, having moralized upon the fubjefl with
great fagacity, and Qiarply inveighed againft the Tyro-
leze, for the unfair advantage he had taken, retired to
his clofet, and wrote the followmg tnllct, which was inn
mediately fent to Vis ally.
^oiizodbyGoogle
46 ■ Th, ADVENTURES of
'* THE obligations I owe, and the attachments I
feci, to the Count dc Mclvil, will not fufier me to be
in idle fpeftator of the wrongs offered to his fon, in the
4{fhenourable ufc, landerftand, you made laft night o£
liis linguarded hours : I therefore infifV upon your ma-
Ung immediate FeftitiitJQh of the- booty which you fa
nnjuftly got } otherwife I expedt you will meet tne upon
the ramparts, near the- haftion de la Port Ncuvc, to*
nwHTOW morning a* day-brcBlc, in order to juftify, with
yoor fword, the fiiftfle you have praftifed upon thtf
friend of - ■
FeRBIN-AND de FlTHOM."
The gameftcr no fooner received this intimationf
than, according to the plan which had been precon-
certed betwixt the author and him, .he went to the
apartment of Renaldo, and prcfentiijg the fum of mo-
ney which he had defriuded him of the preceding night,
told him, with a ftcrn countenance, that, though it
was a juft acquiiition, he fcorncd to avail himfelf of his -
good fortune againft any perfon who entertained the
finallcA doubt of his honour. '
The young count, ftirprized at tfaisaddrels, rejcAcd
his offer with difdain, and defired to Icnow the meaning
of fuch an uncxpefted declaration. Upon which, the
' other pi'oduced Ferdinand's billet, and threatened, in
very high terms, to. meet the ftrippling according to his
jftvitation, and chaftife him feverely for his prefump-
tion. The confequence of this explanation is obvious.
Renaldo, imputing the officioufnefs of Fathom to the
ZCalt^his friendfhip, interpoied in the quarrel, which .
vfas amicably compromifed, not a little to the honour
of our adventurer, who thus obtained an opportunity
of difplaying his courage and integrity, without the
kafl hazard tc» his perfijn ; while, at' the fame time, Kii
confederate recommended himfelf to the efteem of thft
young count, by his fpirited behaviour on this occa-
fion ; fo that Renaldo being lefs ftiy of his company for
the future, the Tyroleze had the feirer opportunities
to profccutc his defigns upon the young gentleman's
purfe.
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 47
It would be almoft Tuperfiuous to fay, that (hefe
IrcTC not neglciftcd. The Ton of Count MeWil was not
deficient in point of penetration ; but bis whole (hidf
was at that time cngroiTed by the care of his education,
and he had fometimcs recourfe to play as to an amufe-
mcnt by which he fought to unbend the feverity of his
attention : No wonder then that he fell a prey to an art-
ful gameftcr, who had been regularly trained to the pro-
feffion, and made it the fole l^udy of his life ; efpeciallf
as the Hungarian was remarkable for a warmth of tem-
per, which a knight of the poft always knows how ta
manage for his own advantage.
In the courfe of thefe operations, Fathom was a very
nfeful coirefpondent : He inftruiSed the Tyroleze in the
peculiarities of Renatdo's diipofition, and made him ac-
' quainted with the proper feafons for profiting by hb
dexterity. Ferdinand, for example, who, by the au-
thority derived to him from the injunftions of the old
count, fometimcs took upon himfelf the oScc of an ad-
vifcr, cunningly chofe to counfel the fon at thofc con-
junctures when he knew him leaft able to bear fuch ex-
poflulation. Advice improperly adminiftered generally
i&s in diametrical oppohtion to the purpofe for which
it is fuppofed to be given ; at leaA, this was the cafe
with the young gentleman, who, inflamed by tlic re-
proof of fuch a tutor, ufed to obey the diftates of his
refentment, in an immediate repetition of that conduit
which our adventurer had taken the liberty to difap-
prove; and the gamefler was always at hand, to mint-
&er ttnio his indignation.. By thcfe means he was dit
encumbered of divers conGdcrable remittances, with
which his bther cheerfully fupplied him, on the fuppo-
fition that they were fpent with tafte and liberality, un-
der ihe direction of our adventurer,
B T Ferdinand's views were not confined to the nar-
row field of this alliance : He attempted divers cnterpri-
zcs in the world of gallantry, confcious of his own pei;-
fonal qualifications, and never doubting that he could
infinuate himfelf into the good graces of fome married
lady about court, or lay an opulent dowager under con.>
tribution. But he met with an obftade in his endea-
vours of this kind, which all his art was unable to fur-
^lailizodbyGoOgle
4t nt ADVENTURES 0/
mount. This was no other than the obfcurity of hJa
birth, and the want of 2 title, without which no pcrlbd
in that country lays claim to the privileges of a gentle-
man. Had he forefccn this inconvenience, he might
have made fhift to obviate the confequoices, by obtain-
ing permilSon to appear in the charafler of the count's
kinfman : Though, in all probability, fuch an expedi-
ent would not have been extremely agreeable to the old
gentleman, who was very tenacious of the honour of his
family ; neverthelcfs, his generofity might have been pre-
vailed upon to indulge Fathom with fuch a prciext^ in
confideration of the youth's fuppofcd attachment, and
the obligations for which he deemed himfelf indebted
to his dcceafed mother.
True it is, Ferdinand, upon his firft arrival at VJ«
enna, had been admitted into fashionable company, on
the footing of Rcnaldo's companion, becaufe no body
iufpefted the defcft of his pedigree ; and even after a
report had Ijecn circulated to the prqudice of his ex-
tra£tion, by the induftry of a lacquey who attended the
young count, there were not wanting many young people
of diftinition who ftill favoured him with their counte-
nance and correfpondence ; but he was no longer invi-
ted to private femilics, in which only he could cxpeA
to profit by his addrefs among the ladies, and had the
mortification of finding himfelffrequently excepted from'
parties which were exprefsly calculated for the entertain-
ment of the yoilng count. Luckily, his fpirit was fo
pliant as to fulbiin thefe flights without being much de-
jefted ; inflead of repining at the lofs of that rcfpedl
which had been paid to him at firft, he endeavoured,
with all his might, to prderve the little that Hill re-
mained, and refolved to tranflaCe into an humbler fphere
that gallantry which he had no longer opportunities of
dilplayiug in the world of rank and faihion.
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 49
CHAPTER XII.
Ht tfftBi a kdgpunt in tht boufe of a rich jeweller,
IN confequence of this determination, he to the uttcr-
moft exerted his good humour among the few fritnds
of confequence his fortune had left, and even carried
his complaifance-fo far, as to become the humble fer-
vant of their pleasures, while he attempted to extend
his acquaintance in an inferior path of life, where he
thought his talents would fhinc more confpicuous than
at the aflcmblies of the great, and conduce more effec-
tnally to the intereft of all his deligns. Nor did he find
faimfelf difappointed in that expeiftation, fanguiae as it
was. He foon found means to be introduced to the
houfe of a wealthy bourgeois, where every individual
was charmed with his esfy air and extraordinary qualifi-
cations. He accommodated himfelf forprifingly to the
humours of the whole ftmily; fmoaked tobacco, fwal-
lowed wine, and difcourfed of ftonw with the hufband,
who was a rich jeweller; iacrificed himfelf to the pride
and loquacity of the wife ; and ^yed upon the violin,
and fung alternately, for the amufement of his only
daughter, a buxom lafs, nearly of his own age, the fruit
of a former marriage.
It was not long before Ferdinand had reafon to con-
gratulate himfelf on the footing he had gained in this
iociety.- He had expcftcd to find, and in a htile time
aftually ditcovered, that mutual jealoufy and rancour
which almoft always fubfift between a daughter and her
ftep-dame, inflamed with all the virulence of female
emulation ; for the difparity in their ages fcrvcd only
to render them the more inveterate rivals in the defire
of captivating the other fcx. Our adventurer, having
deliberated upon the means of converting this animofity
to his own advantage, law no method for this purpolc
fo feafible, as that of making his approaches to the
hearts of both, by miniftering to each in private, food
for their reciprocal envy and malevolence ; becaufc he
■well knew, that no road !ies fo direit and open to a wo-
VoL. IV. G
j,=,i,z<,d.vGoogIf
50 , . 7ht ADVENTURE3 cf
man's lieart, as that of gratifying her paflious of vanity
and refeotment.
When he had an opportunity of being particular
vitb the mother, he exprelTed hts concern for having
unwittingly incurred the difplcafure of MademoifeUc,
which, he obferved, was obvious in every circumftance
of her behaviour towards him ; protefting he was utter-
ly innocent of all uitcntion of oSending her; and that
he could not account for his difgracc any other way,
than by fiippofing flic took umbrage at the direilion of
hts chief regards towards her mother-in-law^ which^ he
owned, was altogether involuntary, being whi^y in-
fluenced by that lady's fuperior charms and politeners.
Such a declaration was perfcdlly well calculated for
the meridian of a dame like her, who with all the in-
toxications of unenlightened pride, and an increased ap-
petite iot pleafure, had begun to find herfelf negleftcd,
and even to believe that her attraftions were aftually on
the wane. She very gracioufly confoled our gallant for
the mifhap of which he complained, reprefenting Wil-
helmina (that was the daughter's name) as a pert, illi-
terate, envious baggage, of whofe difgufl he ought to
make no conftderation ; then fhe recounted many in-
fiances of her own generosity to that young lady, with
the returns of malice apd ingratitude flie had made ;
and, laftly, enumerated all the imperfections of her per-
fon, education, and behaviour ; that he might fee with
>vhat juftice the gypfy pretended to vie with thofc who
had been dilllnguilhed by the approbation and even
gallantry of the beft people in Vienna.
. Having thus eflabliflied himfelf her confident and
goffip, he knew his next (lep of promotion would ne-
cefTarily be to the degree of her lover 9 and in that be-
lief refolved to play the fame game with Mademoifelle
"Wilhelmina, whofe complexion was very much akin to
that of her ftep-mother : Indeed tbey refembled each
Other too much to live upon any terms of friendfiiip or
even decorum. Fathom, in order to enjoy a private
converfation with the young lady, never failed to repeal
his vifit every afternoon, till at length he had the plea-
fiue of finding her diicngaged, the jeweller being occu-
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 51
jHed among hjs vorkmen, and his wife gone to aJCft at
a lying-in.
Our adventurer and the daughter had already ex.-
(Sianged their vows, by the expreffive language of the
eyes ; he had even declared luEnfclf in fome tender ejacu-
lations which had been foftly whifpcred in her ear, when
he could fnatch an opportunity of venting them nnper-
ceived'i nay, he had upon divers occasions gently fqucezed >
her ^ir hand, on pretence of tuning her l^pfichord, and
been favdnred with returns of the fame cordial preflurt :
So. that, inftcad of accofting her with the fearful hefi-
tation and rcferve of a timid .fwain, he told her, after
the czercife of the douz-yeuz, that he was come to con-
fer with her upon a fubjeA that nearly concerned her
peace ; and alked if fhe bad not ohferved of late an evi-
dent abatement of friendtfaip in her mother's behaviour
to hiin, whom fhe had formerly treated with fuch
marks of favour and refpcdt. Mademoifelle would not
pay fo ill a compliment to her own dtfcemment as to
fay the had sot perceived the alteration, which, on the
contrary, fhe owned was extremely palpable ; nor was
it difficult to divine the eaufc of fuch el^anged looks.
This remark was accompanied with an irreHftiblc glance,
flie finiled enchanting, the colour deepened on her
cheeks, her breafl began to heave, and ber whole frame
underwent a motl agreeable confufian.
Ferdinand was not a man to let fuch a ^vonraUe
conjunAure pafs unregarded. " Yes, charming Wit-
heliainal (exclaimed the politician in an affected rap-
ture), the caule is as confpicuous as your attractions.
She hath, in fpitc of all my ctrcumfpoftion, perceived
that paffioB which it is not in my power to conceal, and
in confequence of which I now declare myfelf your de-
voted adorer; or, confcious of yourfuperior excellence,
her jealoufy hath taken the alarm, and, though ftung
with conje£hire only, repines at the triumph of your
perfedions. How for this fpirit of malignity may be
inflamed to my prejudice, I know not : Perhaps, as this
is the firit, it may be alfo the laft opportunity I fhall
have of avowing the deareft fentiments of my heart to
the fair obje<5l that infpired them ; in a word, I may be
for ever excluded from your ^lence. Excufe me, then^
^laiiizodbvGoogle
j2 The ADVENTURES ef
divine creature ! from the praflice of thofe uimecdiary
forms, which I ihould take pride in obferving, were I
indulged with the ordinary privileges of an honourable
lover ; and> once for all, accept the liomage of an heart
overflowing with love and admiration. Yes, adorable
WUbelmina ! I am dazzled with your rupernatural beau-
ty; your other accomplifhmcnts ih-il^e me with wonder,
. and awe. I am enchanted by the graces of your de-
portment, raviihed with the charms of your converf»-
tion ; and there is a certain tendernefs of benevolence
in that endearing afpe^, which, I truit, will not fail to
melt with fympathy at the emotions of a faithful ilave
iilcc me."
So faying, he threw hifnfelf upon his knees, and>
ieizing her plump hand, preilcd it to his lips with aU
the violence of real tranfport. The nymph, whofe paf-
fions nature had filled to the brim, could not hear fucH
a rhapfody unmoved : Being an utter ftranger to ,ad-
drelTes of this kind, Ihe underftood every word of it in
the hteral acceptation ; (he believed implicitly in the
truth of the encortiiums be had beftowed, and thought
it reafonablc he fliould be rewarded for the juftice he
had done to her qualifications, which had hitherto been
almoA altogether overlooked : In (hort, her heart began to
thaw, and her face to hang out the flag of capitulation;
which was no fooner perceived by our hero, than he re-
newed his attack with redoubled fervour^ pronouncing
in a moft vehement lone, " Light of my eyes, and em-
prefs of my foul ! behold me proftrate at your feet,
waiting with the moft pious reOgnation, for that fen-
tencc from your lips, on which my future happinefs and
mifery muil altogether depend. Not with more reve-
rcnce does the unhappy balhaw kifs the Sultan's letter
that contains his doom, than I will fuboiit to your fatal
determination. Speak then, angelic fweetncfs ! for ne-
ver, ah ! never will I rife from this fuppUant pofturc,
until I am encouraged to live and hope. No ! if you
refufe to fmile upon my pallion, here Ihall I breathe the
hA fighs of a defpairiug lover; here fhalL this faithful
Iword do the lall uf!ice to its unfortunate mailer, and
ihed the blood of the trueft heart that e^er felt the cruel
pangs of dilappointcd love."
DiailizodbvGoOgle-
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. yj
The ..young lady, well nigh overcome by this cffii-
fion, which brought the tears into her eyes, " Enough,
raough (cried fhe, interrupting him), fure you men
were created for the ruin of our fcx." " Ruin ! '{re-
echoed Fathom), talk not of ruin and Wilhelmina ! let
thefe terms be for ever parted, far as the eaft and weft
afunder! let ever fmilling peace attend her fleps, and
love and joy ftill wanton in her train! Ruin, mdeed,
{hall wait upon her enemies, if fuch there be, and thofe
love-lorn wretches who pine with angiiiih under her
difdain : Grant me, 'kind Heaven, a more propitious
boon : Direft her genial regards to one whpfc love is
without example, and whofe conftaucy is unparalleiled :
Bear witnefs to my conltancy and faith, ye vei'dant hills,
ye fertile plains, ye fliady groves, ye purling ftreams)
and if I prove untrue, ah ! let me never find a foUtary
willow or a bubbling brook, by help of which I may be
enabled to put a period to my wretched life."
Hebe this excellent aftor began to fob moft piteoui^
ly, and the tender-hearted Wilhelmina, unable longer
to withftand his moving talc, with a repetition of the
mtcrjeftion ahj gently dropped into, his arms. This
was the beginning of a corrdpondence that foon rofe to
a very interefting pitch ; and they forthwith concerted
meafures for carrying it on without the knowledge or
fufpicion of her mother-in-law. Nevcrthelefs, the young
lady, vanquilhed as fhe was, and unlkilled in the ways
of men, would not all at once yield at difcretion ; but
inlifled upon thofe terms, without which no woman's
reputation can be fecured. Our lover, far from feeking
to evade the propofal, ailcntcd to it in terms of ancom-
znun fatis&ftion, and promifcd to ufc his whole in-
duftry in finding a pricft upon whofe difcretion they
could rely j nay, he certainly refolved to comply with
her rcq^ucft in good earned, rather than forfeit the ad-
vantages which he forefaw in their union. His good
fortune, however, exempted him from the ncceffity of
taking fuch a ftcp, which at bcft muft have been dit
agreeable: For fo many difficnJlies occurred in the en-
quiry which was fet on foot, and fo artfully did Fathom
in the mean time manage the influence he had already
gained over her heart, that, before her paffion could
^olizodbyGoOglc
54 The ADVENTURES of
obtain a legal gratification, fhc furrendcrcd to his wilh,
without any .other afTurancc, flian his fotcmn profcffion
of lincerity and truth, on which fhe rqwred hprfelf
with the moft implicit confidence and faith.
CHAPTER SIIL
Ht is expofed to a mefl perilous incident in the courfe of hit
intrigue •with the daughter.
HE was rejoiced to find her fo eafily fatisfied in fuch
a momentous concern : For the principal -aim of
the intrigue was to make her neceflaty to his interefted
views, and even, if poffible, an afTociate in the irauda-
lent [Jans be had projefted upon her father; confe-
quently he coni(idcr«d this relaxation in her virtue as an
bappy omen of his future fucccfs. All the obftaclcs to
their mutual enjoyment being thus removed, our ad-
venturer was by his miftrefs indulged with an aifignation
, in her own chamber, which, though contiguous to that
of ber ftcp-mothcr, was provide with a door that
opened into a common fiair-cafe, to which he had ac-
ccfs at all hours of the night.
He did not negleft the rendezvous, but, prcfenting
liimfclf at the appointed time, which was midnight,
made the lignal they had agreed upon, and was iiiuiie» '
diately admitted by Wilhelmina, who waited for him
with a lover's impatience. Fathom was not deficient in
thofe czprefiions of rapture that are current on fuch oc-
cafious; but, on the contrary, became fo loud in the
tranfports of felf-congraiulation, that bis voice reached
the ears of the vigilant ftep-moUicr, who wakening the
jeweller from his firft nap, gave him to underftand that
fome perfon was certainly in clofe convcrfation with his
daughter; and exhorted him to rife forthwith, and vin-
dicate the honour of his family.
The German, who was naturally of a phlegmatic
habit, and never went to bed without a full dofo
of the creature, which added to his conditutioual drow-
^cls, gave no ear to his wife's intimation^ until ihe
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. . .55
bad repeated it thrice, and uled other means to roufe
him from the arms of flumbcr. Meanwhile Fathom
and his inamorata overheard her information, and our
hero would have made his retreat immediately, through
the port hy which he entered, had not his intention
been over-ruled hy the remonftianccs of the young lady,
who obferved that the door was already faft bolted, and
could not pofCbly be opened without creating a qoife
that would confirm the fufpicion of her parents ; and
that over and above this obje^liofi, he would, in Tally-
ing from that door, run the rilk of being met by hei:
£ither, who in all probability would prelent himfelf be-
fore it, in order to hinder our hero's efcape : She there-
fore conveyed him foftly into her clofet, where ihc
alTured him he might remain with great tranquillity, in
fiiU confidence that Ihe would talce fuch mcalbres as
would effectually fcreen him from detection.
He was fain to depend upon her aflurancc, and accor-
dingly infconced himfelf behind her drefilng table ; but he
could not help fwcatingwith apprehenfion, and praying
fervently to God for his deliverance, when he heard
the jeweller thundering at the door, and callijig to his
daughter for admittance. Wilhelmina, who was al-
ready undre^d, and had purpofcty extinguilhed the
light, pretended to be fuddenly waked from her Heep^
and ftarting up, exclaimed, in a tone of furprife and
affright, " Jefu, Maria ! what is the matter ?" " Huffey !
(repUed the German in a terrible accent), open the door
this inftant, there is a man in your bed-chamber, and>
by the lightning and thunder ! I will walh away the
tiaia he has caft upon my honour with the fche l lum'«
heart's-blood."
, Not at all intimidated by this boifterous threat, flie
admitted him without hcfitation, and, with a fhrlllnels
of voice peculiar to herfdf, began to hold forth upon
her own innocence and his unjuft fufpicion, mingling
in her harangue fundry obUque hints againft her mo-
ther-in-law, importing, that fome people were fo viti-
ouQy inclined by their own natures, that {he did not
wonder at their doubting the virtue of other people %
but that thefe people defpifed the iniinuations of fuch
people, who ought to be more circum^eA in their own
^oiizodbyGoogle
j(S The ADVENTURES of
conduft, left they thcmfelvcs Oiould fuffin- reprlfiils
from thofe people whom they had fo malicioufly flan-
dercd. . .
Having uttered thefe flowers of rhetoric, which
were cakubted for the hearing of her ftcp-dame, who
flood with a light at her hufband'a back, the young iady
affumed an ironical air, and admoniflied her father to
feareh every corner of her apartment ; Qic even affcifV-
ed to afiift hi5 inquiry ; with her own hands pulled out
a parcel of final] drawers, In which her trinkets were
contained j defired him to look into her needle-cafe and
thimble, and' feeing his examination fruitlefs, carneftly
intreatcd him to rummage her clofet alfo, faying, with
a fnert-, that in all probability the diflionourer would
. be found in that lurking-place. The manner in which
fhe pretended to ridicule his apprchenfions made an im-
preflion upon the jeweller, wlio was very weli-difpofcd
to retreat into his own neft, when his wife, with a
certain flynefs in her countenance, befought him to
comply with his daughter's requeft, and look into that
fame clofet, by which means Wilhelmina's virtue would
obtain a complete triumph.
Our adventurer, who overheard the convcrfation^
was immediately feized with a palfy of fear : He trem-
bled at every joint, the fweat trickled down his fore-
head, his teeth began to chatter, his hair to ftand
on end, and he in his heart bitterly curfed the daugh-
ter's petulance, the mother's malice, together with his
own precipitation, bj* which he was involved in an ad- ,
venture fo pregnant with danger and difgrace. Indeed
the reader may eafily conceive his diforder, when he
heard (he key turning in the lock, and the German
fwcaring that he would make him food for the beafts
of the field, rfnd the fowls of the air.
Fathom had come unprepared with weapons of de-
fence, was naturally an economift of his perfon, and
faw himfelf on the brink of forfeiting not only the pro-
mifed harveft of his double intrigue, but alfo the repu-
tation of a man of honour, upon which all his future
hopes depended ; His agony was therefore unfpeafcabie,
vhen the door flew upon, and it was not tiUafter a
confiderablc paiifc of recoUcftion, that he perceived the
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDlNAOTi COtTNT FATHOM. 57
l!andle extinguiOied by the motion of the air produced
from the German's fudden irruption; This accident,
%hich difconcertcd him fo much as to put a fall ftop to
bis charge, was very favourable to dur hero, who fum-
moniilg all his prefcnce of miiid, crept up into the
chimney, while the jeweller ftood at the door waiting
for his wife's return with another light ; fo thatj when
the clofet was examined, there was nothing Foui:d to
juftify the report which the ftep-mother had made, and
the fether, after having made a flight apology to Wil-
hclniina for his intrufion, retired with his yoke-fellow
hito theii" Own chamber^
The young lady, who little thought that her papa
would have taken her at her word, was overwhelmed
with confulion and difmay, when Qie faw him enter the
clofet J and, had her Jover been difcovercd, would in
all probability have been the loudell in his reproach,
and perhaps have accufcd him of an intention to rob
the houfe ; but flie was altogether aftonifhed when ftic
found he had made fhift to elude the inquiry of her
parents, becaufe flie could not conceive the polBbility
of his efcaping by the window, which was in the third
ftory, at a prodigious diflance from the ground ; and
how he could conceal himfelf in the apartment, was a
myftery which (he could by no means unfold. Before
, her fether and mother retired, {he lighted her lamp, oil
pretence of being afraid to be in the dark, after thd
perturbation of fpirits fhe had undergone, and her
room was no fooner evacuated of iiich troublefome vi-
fitans, than &e fecured the doors, and went in queft
of her lover.
AccoRDiNGLT, evcry corner of the clofet undcT-
frent a new fearch, and fhe called upon his name with a
foft voice, which fhe thought no other perfon would
overhear i But Ferdinand did not think proper to gra-
tify her impatience, becaufe he could not judge of the
predicament in which he ftood by the evidence of all
his fcnfes, and would not relinquilh his -poft, until he
fliould be better certified that the coaft was clear.-—
Mean while, his dulcinea having performed her in-
quiry to no pTirpofe, imagined tnere was fomething
preternatural in thecircumftance of his vanllhing' fo
Vol. IV. H
DiailizodbvGoOgle
58 TA* ADVENTURES /
unaccountably, and began to crofs herTcif widt gr«c£
devotion. She retoraed to her chamber, fixed the
lamp in the fire place, and throwmg hcrfetf upoi^ the
bed, gave v^y to the foggefttons of her fuperftiti(m>
which were reinforced by the filence that prevailed, and
the gloomy glimmering of the light. She refie^ed upon
the trefpais Ihe had already committed in her heart*
and in the conjefhires of her fear believed that her
lover was no other than the devil himfelf, who had
afliimcd the appearance of Fathom, in order to tempt
and feduce her virtue.
While her imagination teemed with thofe horrible
ideas, our adventurer, concluding from the general ftill-
nefs, that the jeweller and his wife were at lall happily
afleep, ventured to come forth from his hiding-place,
and flood before his miftrefs all begrimed with foot.—
Wilbelmina, lifting ixp her eyes, and Teeing this fable
apparition, which ihe miftook for Satan in propria per-
fona, inflanlly fcreamed, and began to repeat her pater-
nofter with an audible voice : Upon which Ferdinand,
forefeeing that her parents would be again alarmed^
would not ftay to undeceive ber and ex[Hain bimfelf, but,
unlocking the door with great expedition, ran down
ftairs, and luckily acccmfdifhed his efcape. This wa&
undoubtedly the wifcft meafure he conld have taken :
For, he had not performed one half of his defcent to-
ward the ftreet, when the German was at his daughter's
bed-iide, demanding to know the caufe of her excla-
matiOTi : She then gave him an account of what ihe
had feen, with all the ex^gerations of her own fancy,
and, after having we^hed the clrcumftances of her
ftory, Ik interpreted the apparition into a thief, who
had found means to open the door that communicated
with the ftair, but having been feared by Wilhclmina'a
{hriek, had been obliged to retreat before he could exe-
cute his purpofe. '
Our hero's fplrits were fo woefully difturbed by
this adventure, that for a whole week he felt no incli-
Aation to vifit his mamorata, and was not without ap-
prehenfion that the aSair had terminated, in an expla-
nation very little to his advanti^c. He was, however>
deliirered from this difagreeable fufpcnce, by an acci*
3,a,l,zt!dbvG0bgIe
TERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 5 j
{fental meeting with the jeweller Mmfelf, who kindly
chid him for his long abfeiicc, and entertained bim ia
the Hrect with an account of tix alarm which his fami-
ly had fuliained, by a thief who broke into Wilhelmi-
na's apartment. Gl^ to god his apprebenfion miflaken,
he renewed his correfpondciicc with the family> and in
a little time found reafon to confoie himTelf for the jeo*
pardy and panic be bad undergone.
CHAPTER HV,
. fk is riiucti t» a drtadful diUmifia, in confet^uenct of a^
qffignatien viith the Viife.
NOR was his whole care and attention engroSed
by the execution of this fcheme upon the daugh-
ter. While he managed his ccmcems in that quarter
with incredible ardour and wplicatlon, he was not the
leis inde£)tigablc in the profccution of his deiign upoa
(he mother-in-law, which he forwarded with all his art
during tbofs opportunities he enjoyed in the ^bfence of
WilhelminS) who was frequently called away by the do-
meftic duties of the houfe. The paeons of the jewel-
ler'^ wife were in fifch a ftate of exaltation as esempted
our hero from the repulfes and fatigue attendiiig a long
fcge.
We have already obferved how cunningly he catered
for the gratification of her roling appetite, and have
exhibited pcegnant prpo& of his ability in gaining upon
the humati heart ; (he reader will not therefore be fur-
prifed at the rapidijy of his conqueft over the aSi:£Hons
pf a lady whofc complexion was perfeftly amorous, and
whofe vanity laid her open to 4IL the attempts of ^u-
lation. In a word, matters were quickly brought to
&ch a mutual undemanding, that one evening, while
they amufed themfelvcs at lanfquenet. Fathom con-,
jured her to give him the rendezvous next day at the
houfe of any third perfon of her own fex, in whofe dil^
trction Ihexould confide; and after a few afiefted
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
tfo Tif ADVENTURES of
fcruples on her fide, which he wqll know how to ftiivi
nioimt, flie complied with his rcqueft, and the cir-
cumftances of the appointment were fettled accordingly.
After this treaty, their fatisfaction rofe to fuch a
warmth, and the converfation became fo reciprocally
endearing, that our gallant expreffed his impatience of
waiting fo long ibr the acconiplifiiment of his wiihes,
and with the moft eager tranfport, begged flie would, if
ppffiblc, curtail ,the term of his expeftation, that his
brain might not fuffer by his fianding fo many tedious
hours on the giddy verge of rapture.
The dame, who was naturally comp^fllonate, fym--
pathized with his condition, and, unable to refift his
pathetic fuppli cations, gave him to underftand that his
defire could not be granted, without fubjefting them
both to fome hazard, but that ihe was difpofed to run
anyriJk in behalf of his happinefs and peace. After
this affeftJonate preamble, Ihe' told him that her huf-
band was then engaged in a quarterly meeting of the
jewellers, from whence he never foiled to return quite
bverwhelmed with wine, tobacco, and the phlegm" of
his own conftitution ; fo that he would fall faft aUccp
as foon as his head fhoold touch the pillow, and flie be
St liberty to entertain the lover without interruption,
provided he could find means to deceive the jealous
tigilance of Wilhelmina, and conceal himfelf in fomc
corner of the houfe, unfufpefted and unperceived.
Our lover, remembering his adventure with the
daughter, would have willingly difpenicd with this ex-
pedient, and began to repent Of the eagernefs with which
he had preferred his folicitation ; but, feeing there was
now no opportunity of retracing with honour, he af-
feflad to enter heartily into the converfation, and, after
much canvaflmg, it was determined, that, while Wij"
helmina was employed in the kitchen, the mother fliould
coBduft our adventurer to the outward door, where he
I fhould pay the compliment of parting, fo as to be over-
heard by the young lady; but, in the mean time, glide
foftly into the jeweller's bed-chamber, which was a place
they imagined leaft liable to the effects of a daughter's
prying difpofition, and conceal himfelf in a large prefs
t>r wardrobe, that ftcod in one comer of the apait-
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. fit
(Dent. The fcene was immediately afted with great
fuccefs, and our hero cooped up in his cage, where he
waited fo loog, that his defircs began to liiblick-, and
his imagination to aggravate the danger of his situa-
tion.
" Sui'posE (faid he to himieU) this brutal Ger-
man, inftead of being ^upified with wine, Jhould come
home inflamed with brandy, to the ufe of which he is
fometimes addi^d, far &om feehng any inclination to
ileep, he will labour under the moil fi^etfut anxiety of
watching, every irafcible particle in hii difpoiition will
be exafperated ; he will be oQendcd with every object
that may prefent idelf to his view j and, if there is the
leafl ingredient of jcaloufy in his temper, it will inani-
kft itlclf in riot-and- rage. What if his frenzy Ihould
prompt him to fcarch his wife's chamber for gallants ?
this would certainly be the firft place to which he would
direft his enquiry ; or, granting this fuppofition chime-
rical, I may be feized with an irrefidiblc inclination to
cough, before he is oppreffed with Heep : He may be
waked by the noife I fhall make in difcugaging myfclf
from this embarra£cd jituation ; and finally, I may find.
it impraflicable to retire unfecn or unheard, after every
thing clfe Qiall have fucceeded to my wifh."
These fuggeftions did not at all contribute to the
quiet of our adventurer, who, having waited three whole
hours in the moft uncomfortable fufpence, heard the
jewelicr brought into the room in that very condition
which his fears had prognofticated. He had, it feema,
quarrelled over his cups with another tradefman, and
received a falutation on the forehead with a candlefticic,
which not only left an Ignominious and panful mark
upon his countenance, but even difordered his brain to
a very dangerous degree of delirium : So that, inftead
of allowing himfclf quietly to be undfofled and put to
bed by his wife, he anfwcred all her gentle admonitiona
and careftes with the moft opprobrious inveftives and
obftreperous behaviour ; and, though he did not tax
her with infidelity to his bed, he vinUently accufed her
of extravagance and want of economy; obferwed, her ex-
penfive way of Jiving would bring him to a morfel of
i)read ; and, unfortunately recollecting the attempt o^
3,a,l,zt!dbvGpOglc
dx The ADVENTURES oj
the fuppoled thlefj fiirtcd vf from his chair, fweariii^
by Gi>d's mother, that he would forthwith arm himrelf
with a brace of piftols, and fcarch every apartment of
the hoDfc. '( That prcfe (faid he, with great vocifcf
ration) may, for aught I know, be the receptacle x£
jbme ruffian."
So faying, be appFOachcd the apk ia which Fathom
was embarked, aiid exclaiming, <( Come foRh, Satan,"
applied his foot to the door of it, with fuch violence a*
threw him &oin the ceatre of gravity, and laid him
fprawling on his back. This addrefs made fuch an im-
{ffeffion i^n our adventurer, that he had well nigh
obeyed the fammooG^ aiwl burfl from his concealment,
in 3 defperatc effort to dcape, without being recognized
by the intoxicated German j and indeed, had the ap-
pEcation been repeated, be in all ltt:elihood would have
tried the eneriment, fo> by this time bit terrors had
waxed too m-ong to be much longer fupprefled ; From
this hazard oa^»iter prize he was however exempted by:
a lucky accident that happened to his dilhtrber, whofc
head chancing to pitch tq>on the comer of a chur in
his fall, he was immediately lulled into a trance, duraig
which the confideratc lady, gueffing the <£fordcr of her
gallant, and dreading further intemipttoQ, very pn>-
dently releafed him from his confinement, after fhe ,
had put out the light, and in the dark conveyed him to
the door, where he was comforted with the promife
that Jhc would punfhiaUy remember the rendezvous o^-
next day.
She then invoked the afliflance of the fervants, who
being waked Sar the purpofe, lifted up their lOa&er, and
tumbled him into bed, while Ferdinand hied him h<«ie
in an utuver&l fweat, bleffing himfelf from any fiiture
atchievem^t of that ion in an houfe where he had
Ixea twice in fuch imminent danger of life and reputa-
tion. Ncvcrthelers, he did not £iU to honour the a(-
fignatiim, and avail himfelf of the difpofition his miflrcls
manifested, to make him all the recompcnce in her
^wer for the diiapp<nntment and chagrin which he had
undergone.
_■ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
tiRDlKAND COUNT FATHOM. 6^
CHAPTER XV.
Sut at /eitgti futatdt in his mtimtpt upon bath.
HAVIKG thus gained a complete tliXarj ovct tlw
a9c£HoRs of thefe two ladies, lie began to c(m-
vcrt his good fortune to the porpofei of that prlnclple>
from which his view was never, no not for a mojnent,
deticfaed. In other words, he ulcd tluua as minifters
•nd purveyors to his avarice and fraud. As for the
mothcr-ia-law, (he was of herfelf fo liberal as to ^ti-
cipate the wiQiea of anj moderate adventurer, and pre-
(ented him with fundry valuable jewels, as memorials of
her cfteem ; nor was the dauglitei' backward in fucli
exprctlions of r^ard \ fhc already conltdo'ed his in-
tereft as her own, and took frequent opportunities of
fecreting, iot his benefit, certain llray trinkets that Ihe
happened to pick up in her excurfions within doors.
All thefe gratifications he received with dcmonftra-
tions of ii^nite conftraint and reludtancc, and, in the
midft of his rapacious extortion, afted fo cunningly as
to impofc himfelf upon both f<»^ a miracle of difin-
terefted integrity. Yet, not contented with what he
thus could earn, and dcfpairing of being able to fteer
the bark of his fcMlunc for any length of time between
two fuch dangerous quickfands, he rcfolved to profit by
the occafion while it laftcd, and ftrikc fome confider-
able flroke at once. A plan was fin-med in ctxilequcnce
of this determination, and, at an appointment with the
mother in the houfe of their female friend, our advent
turer app^ed with an air of dqe£tion, which he veil-
ed with a thin cover of forced pleafantry, chat his mi-
ftrefs might fuppofc he endeavoured to conceal- ibme
mortal chagrin that preyed upon his heart.
The ftratagem lucceedcd to his wifh: She oMerved
his countenance between .whiles over-cafl, took notice
of the involuntary Ijghs he heaved ; and, with the moft
tender expreiBons of fympathy, conjured him to make
her acquainted with the caufe of his affliction. Inll:i:ad
of gratifying her requdt' immediately, he evadfd !;r
^oiizodbyGoogle
^4 thi ADVENTURES ef
ijueftions with a rcfpeftfiil rcfervc, implying, that hit
love would not fuffer him to make her a partner in hiil
forrow ; and this delicacy on his part whetted her im-
patience and concern to fuch a degree, that, rather than
keep her in fucti an agony of doubt and appr^henlion,
he was prevailed upon to tell her, that he had been, the
preceding night, engaged with a company of his fellow-
ftudents, vherc he had made too free with the cham-
paigne, To that his caution forfook him, and he had <
been decoyed into play by a Tyroleze gameder, who
ftripped him of all his ready money, and obtained from
him an obligation for two hundred florins, which he
could not pofGbly pay, without having recourfe to bis
relation the Count de Melvil, who would have juil
. caufe to be inccnfed at his extravagance.
This information he concluded, by declaring, that,
coH what it would, he was refolvcd to make a candid
confeffion of the truth, and throw himfelf entirely up*
on the generofity of his patron, who could inflift no
other puniQiment than that of difcarding him from his
favour and proteftion ; A misfortune which, how grie-
vous foever it might be, he Ihould be able to fuftain with
fortitude, could he fall upon fome method of fatisfying
the Tyroleze, who was very importunate and favage in
his demand. His kind miftrefs no fooner found out
the fource of his inquietude, than fte promifed to dry
it up, aflliring him, that next day,' at the fame hour,
Ihe would enable him to difcharge the debt \ lb chat he
might let his heart at eafe, and recoiled that gaiety
which was the foul of her enjoyment..'
He exprcffed the utmoft aftoniihment at this gene-
rous proffer, which, however, he declined, with an af-
fected eamcflnefs of rcfufal, protefling, that he Ihoutd
be extremely mortified, if he thought flic lool^ed upon
him as one of thofe mercenary gallants who could make
fuch a fordid ufe of a lady's affe<!lion. " No, Madam,
(cried our politician, in a pathetic drain), whatever hap-
pens, I fhall never part with that internal confolation that
confcious honour never fails to yield in thedeepeftfccnes
df folitary diftrefs-: The attachment I have the honour
' toftfofefs for your aiiliablc pcrfon is not founded on
fuch inglorious motives, but is the genuine reliili of that
^laiiizodbvGoogle
■FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 6j
gtoerous paffion which none but the noble-njinded feci,
and the OdIj circumftacce of this misfortune that I
dread to encounter, is the neccffity of withdrawing my-'
fclf for ever from the prefence of her whofe genial fmiles
could animate my foul againil all the perfecution of ad-
Tcric fbrtune."
This declamation^ accompanied with a profound
£gh, fcrred only to inflame her defire of extricating him
firom the difficulty in which he was involved. She ez-
haufted all her eloquence in attempting to perfuade him
that his refufal was an outrage againft her aflWtion : He
pretended to refute her arguments, and remained un^
fbakcn by all the power of her folicitatians, until fhs
had recourfc to the moft paffionate remonftrances of
love, and fell at his feet in the pofture of a forlorn ihcp^
herdefsi What he refiifed to her reafon, he granted to
her tears, bee aufe his heart Was melted by her affliftion,
sind next day condefcended to accept of her money, out
of pure regard to her happinefs and peace.
. Encouraged by the fuccefs of this atchievement,
he relblved to pradiife the fame experiment upon Wil-
hebnina, in hope of extra^ng an equal Ihare of profit
from her Umplicity and attachment, and, at. their very
next nocturnal rendezvous in her chamber, rcafted the
force already rehearfcd, with a fmall variation, which
he thought neccflary to ftimulate the young lady in his
behalf: He rightly concluded, that Ihe was by no means
miftrefs of fuch a conliderable fum as he had already
extorted from her mother, and therefore thought pro-
per to reprcfent himfelf in the moft urgent predica-
mcilt, that her apprehenfloh, on his account, might
be fp alarmed as to engage her in fome enterprize for
his advantage, which othcrwifc ihe would never have
dreamed ofundenaking. With this view, after having
deicribed his own calamitous Situation, in confecjuence
of her prefling entreaties, which he affefted to evade,
he gave her to underftand, that there was no pcrfon
Upon earth to whom he would have recourfc in this
emergency ; for which reafon he was determined to rid
himfelf of all his cares at once, Upon the friendly point
of his own f^thfiil fword. •
Vol. IV. i
^oiizodbyGoogle
66 The ADVENTURES a/"
Sdch a dreadful icfolution could not (ul to opti3tm-
upon the tender paSions of bis dulcinea ; the was in*
tondy feized with an agony of fear and diftn£ti(Mi i
Her grief manifeftcd itfeU in a flood of tears, while flie
bung round hia neck, conjuring him, in the moft melt-
ing terms, by their mutual love, in which they had
been fo happy, to lay afide that fatal deteTmination,
which would infallibly involve her in the fame file ; tort
ihc took heaven to witnefs, that flie would not one mo»
iDCnt furvive the knowledge of his death.
He was not deficient in exprefllona of reciprocal re^
gard : He extolled her love and tendemels with a moft
extravagant eulogium, and leemed wrung with morKd
anguifli at the profpcft of parting for ever from his love-
ly Wilhclmina ; but bis honour was a Aem and rigid
creditor, that could not be appcafed, except with his
blood ; and all the boon ihc could obtain, by dint of
the moft woeful fupplication, was a proinife to defer
the execution of his baleful piu-pofe for the fpace of four
and twenty hours, dyring which ftie hoped heaven
would compalllonaie her fuSerings, and infpire her with
fome contrivance for their mutual relief . Thus he yield-
ed to her fervent requeft, rather with a view to calm
the preient tranfports of her forrow, than with any e»-
pc^ation of feeing himfelf redeemed from his fate by
her intcrpoHtion ; fuch at leaft were his profeifions
when he took hia leave, aftiiring her, that he would
not quit his being before he ftiould have devoted a few
hours to another interview with the dear object of his
love.
Hating 'thus kindled the train,' he did not doubt
that the mine of his craft would take effeft, and repair-
ed to his own lodging, in full perfuafton of feeing bis
aim accomplifticd, before the time fixed for their laft
affignation. His prognoftic was next morning vnified
by the arrival of a meflenger, who brought to him a
fmall parcel, to which was cemented with lealing-wac
the following epiftle :—
" Jewel of mt sotJL !
" Scarce had yon, laft night, quitted my difconfolate
arms, when I happily recolleAed that there was in my
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 67
poflcffion a gold cbaint of value more than fufficient to
anfwcr the exigence of your prelcnt occaJiom : It was
pledged to my grandfather for two hundred crowns bjr
a kni^t of Malta, who ixm after pcrilhed in a fca en-
gagement with the enemies of our faith, fo that it bc<
came the property of our houfe, and was bequeathed to
me 1^ the old gentleman, as a memorial of his partial-
lar a&ftioQ. Upon whom can \ more properly heftow
it, than him who is already maAer of my heart ! Re*
cdve it, therefore, &om the bearer of this billet, and
convert it without fcruplc to that ufe which Ihall be
Bioft ccraducive to your eafe and iatisfaAion ; nor feek,
£om a too romantic notion of honour, which I know
you entertain, to excufe yourfclf from accepting' thli
telKmony of my afie^on : Fc»: I hsve already fwom
bdore an image of our bleSed bdy, that I will no long-
er own you as the fovcreign of my heart, nor even in-
dulge you with another interview, if you iqcd this
mark of tendemefs and concerafrom your ever^ithfiil
WiLHELMlNA."
The heart of our adventurer began to bound'with
joy when he furveyed the contents of this letter ; and
his eyes fparklcd with tranfport at fight of the chaM, •
which he immediately perceived to be worth twice the
liim Ihe had mentioned. Neverthelefs, he would hot
avail himfelf, without hirther queftion, of her gcnero-
fity } iMit, that fame night, repairing to her apartment
at the ufual hour of meeting, he proftrated himfelf be-
fore her, and, counterfeiting extreme agitation of fpirit,
' begged, in the moJtuTgem terms, not even unaccompa-
nied with tears, that fhe would take back the prefent,
which he tendered for her acceptance, and fpare him
the mod infuficrable mortification of thinking himf^
expofed to the imputation of being mercenary in his
love. Such, he faid, was the delicacy of his pailloD,
that he could not poffibly ezift under the apprebenfion
of incufring a ccnfure fo unworthy of his fentiments ;
and he would a thoufand tjmes fooner undergo the per-
fecution of lus rancorous creditor, than bear the thought
of being in the fmalleft confideration leflened in her e-
fteem ; nay, fo far did he carry his pretenfions to punc-
DiailizodbvCoOglc
68 Tht ADVENTURES of
tilio, as to protcft, that, (hould {lie refiifc to quiet the
fcruples of his honour on this fcore, her unyielding bct
Beficcnce would ferve only to haftcn the execution of hi^ ■
determined purpofe, to withdraw himlelf at once from
a life of vanity ^nd misfortune.
The more pathetically he pleaded for her compliance*
the more ftrenuoufly did ftie rcfift his'remonftrances.
She advanced all the arguments her reafon, love, and
terror, could fuggeft, reminded him of her oath, from
which he could not fuppofe flie would recede, whatever
the confequence might be ; and in concluGon vowed to '
heaven, with great folemnity and devotion, that the
would not fuTvive the news of his death. Thus the al-
ternative the oSered, was either to retain the chain and
be happy in her affeflion, or forfeit all title to her love, '
and die in the conviftion of having brought his innocent
miftrefs to an untimely grave.
His fortitude was not proof againft this laft confide^
ration : ^f My favagc honour (faid he], would enable
me to endure the pangs of eternal reparation, in the COR7
fidence of being endowed with the power of ending thefe
tortures by the energy of my own hand ; but the pro-
fpefl: of Wilhelmina's death, and that too occaiioned by
my inflexibility, difarms my foul of all her refolution,
fwallows up the diftatcs of my jealous pride, and fills
my bofom with fuch a guih of tendcrnefs and forrow,
as overwhelms the whole economy of my [>urpofc ! Yes,
enchanting creature ! I facrifice my glory to that irre-
fiftible reflexion ; and, rather than know myfelf the
cruel inftrument of robbing the world of fuch perfec-
tion, confent to retain the fatal teftimony, of you^
love."
So faying, he pocketed the chain, with an air of 107
effable mortification, and was rewarded for his com[di-
ance with the mofl: endearing careflcs of his dulcinea,
who, amidfi: the tumults of his joy, ejaculated a thou->
fand acknowledgments to heaven, for having bleffedher
with the affeftion of fuch a man, whofe honour was un*
rivalled by any thing but his love,
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM.
CHAPTER XVI.
fjufucctfs hegets a blind fecurity, hy which he it anciagt^n
well nigh mtrappei in his duldneds apartment.
IN this manner did the crafty Fathom turn to account
thofe ingratiating qualifications he jnhcritcd from
natnrc, and maintain, with incredible alBduity and cir-
cumfpe£tion, an amorous correfpondence with two do-
meftic rivals, who watched the conduA of each other
with the moft indefatigable virulence of envious fufpi-
cion, untU an accident happened, which had well-nigh
overturned the bark of his policy, and induced him to
alter the courfe, that he might not be fhip-wrecked on
the rocks that began to multiply in the profecution of
yas prefent voyage.
The jeweller, who, as a German, wanted neither
pride nor oftentation, never failed to celebrate the aniu-
verfary of his birth by an annual feafi granted to his
neighbours and friends ; and on thefe occaGons was ao
cuAamed to wear that chain, which, though bequeathed
to his daughter, he confidered as an ornament apper-
taining to the family, whereof he hlmfelf was head :
Accordingly, when the time of this feftival revolved,
he, as ufual, ordered Wilhehnina to furrender it for the
day. This injunt^on, the reader will perceive, our
young lady was io no condition to obey ; Ihe had, how-
ever, forefeen the demand, and contrived a fcheme of
behaviour for the occafion, which fhe forthwith put in
execution,
With an air of uncommon cheerfulnefs, purpolely
aflumcd, fhe retired to her clofet, on pretence of com-
plying with his defire, and having employed a few mi-
nutes in rummaging her drawers, and difordering her
moveables, uttered a loud fliriek, that brought her fa-
ther inllantiy into the apartireut, where he found his
daughter toiQng about her cloaths and trinkets with
violent demonftrations of diforder and affi-ight, and
heard her, in a lamentable ftrain, declare that fhe was
robbed of her chain, and for ever undone. This was f*
^oiizodbyGoOglc
,7» Tht ADVENTURES ^
far from being an agreeable intimation to the jeweller,
that he was ftruck dumb with aftonifliment and vexa-
tion, and it wa« not till after a long paiife that he pro*
nounced the word Sacrament ! with an emphafis deno-
ting the moil mortifying furprife.
Soon as that exclamation efcaped from his Ups, he
flew to the fcrutore as if inftinftively, and, joining Wil-
helmina in her occupatign, tumbled its whole contests
Bpon the floor in a trice.
While he was thus emjdoycd, in the moflexprcf-
five filence, the wife of his bc^om chanced to pafs that
way, and feeing them both occujued with fiich violence
and trepidation, believed at flrA that they were certain-
ly aAuated by the fpirit of frenzy } but, when Ihe in-
terpofed, by afking, with great earneftnefs, the cau&
of fuch tranfports and diftra^ed behaviour, and heard
lier hufband reply, with an accent of defpair, " The
chain! the chain of my forefathers is no morel** Ihe
immediately judified his emotion, by undergoing the
£unc alarm, and, without further hefltation, enga^d
herfHf in tbe fearcb, beginning with a fong, whici)
loight be wmp»-cd to the hymn of battle among
the Greeks, or rather more aptly to that which the
Spartan females fung round the altar of D'ana, furnamed
Chrthiaoi for, ic was attended with flrange gefticula-
tions, and, in the courfe of utterance, became fo loud
and Ihrill, that the guells, who were by this time part-
ly aflembled, being confounded at the clamour, rulhed
towards the piace from whence it feemed to proceed,
and found their landlord, with his wife and daughter^
jh th^ attitudes of dinra^toB and dcTpair.
When they underftood the nature of the cafe, they
condoled the family on their misfortune, and would
have retired, on the fuppofltion that it would defeat the
mirtbflil intent of their meeting ; but the jeweller, muf-
terisg up his whole temper and hofpitality, intreated
them to excufe his diforder, and favour hira with thnr
. company, which, he obferved,was now more than ever
wanted, to difpel the melancholy ideas infpired by his
lok. Not withilan ding this apology, and the eflbits he
made in the fcqacl to entertain his friends with jollity
Kod good Jaumour, his heart was fo linked to the chain,
Ji.iliz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 71
dat he could not detach himrdf trom the thoughts of
it, which invaded him at Ihort' intervab, in fuch quahnt
ts effeAuallf fpoiled his appetite, and hindered his di<
jcftion.
He refolved within himfelf the circutnfiancct of h!«
dilaftcr, and, in canvafiing aQ the probable means bf
which the chain could be ftolen, concluded that the
deed muft have been done by fome perfon in the famU
Ij, who, in confequcnce of having accefs to his dauglw
let's chamber, had either found the drawer left open
bf her carcleirncrs and negIcA, or found means to ob>
tab a falfe key, by fome waxen impreifion : For the
locks of the efcrutore were fafe and uninjured. His
fiifpicion being thus contioed within his own houfe,
fometimes pitched upon his workmen, and fometimec
upon his wife, who, he thought, was the more likely
to praftifc fuch fineiTe, as Qie considered Wilhelmina in
the light of a daughter-in-law, whofe intereft Uiterfered
with her own, and who had often harangued to turn in
private on the folly of leaving this very chain in the
yoimg lady's polTeflion.
The more he conHdered this fubje£l,,he thought he
faw the more reafbn to attribute the damage he had
fnftained to the machinations of his fpoufe, who, he did
not doubt, was difpofed to feather her own neA, a^ the
expence of him and his heirs, and who, with the lame
boneft intenticMi, had already fccretcd, for her private
nXky thofe incouGderable jewels which of late had at dif-
fa^nt times been miffing. Aroufed by thefe fentiments,
be rcfolved to retaliate her own fchemes, by contriving
means to vlCt her cabinet in fecret, and, if poflible, to
rob the robber of the fpoiis Ihe had gathered to his pro-
judicc, without coming to any explanation, which
might end in domcdic turmt^ls and eternal difquict.
Vf MIL'S the hufband cxcrcifed his reflection in this
manner, bis innocent mate did not allow the powers of
her imagination to reft in idlenefs and lloth. Her obi'er-
vations touching the lofs of the chain were fuch as a
fufpicious woman, biafled by hatred and envy, would
naturally make. To her it fecmcd highly improbable,
that a thing of fuch value, fo carefully depoGted, fhould
vanifb without the connivance of its keeper, and with-
^olizodbyGoOgle
1i r** AfiVENtuRES 0/
out much expence of conjcfture, divined the true matt'
lier in which it was conTcyed. The foic difficulty thai
occurred in the rcfearches of her fagacity, was to know
' the ^lant who had been favoured with fuch a pledgti
of Wi&ehnina's affe£Hon ; for, as the reader will eafily
imagine, flic never dreamed of viewing Ferdinand in ,
that odious perfpeftive. In order to fatisfy her curiofi<'
tV) difcover this happy favourite, and be revenged on
her petulant rival, Ihe prevailed upon the jeweller to
' employ a <cout, who fhould watch all night upon the
ftair, without the knowledge of any other perfon in thd
femUy, alleging, that in aU likelihood the houfe-maid
gave private admittatice to fome lover who was the au-
thor of all the lolTes they had lately fnSercd, and that
they might poffibly deleft him In bis nofhimal adven-i
tures ; and obfcrving that it wotUd be imprudent to in*
timate their dcfign to Wilhelmina, left, through the
heedleffhefs and indilcretion of youth, flie might
chance to divulge the fccret, fo as to fruftrate thei*
aim.
A Swiss, in whole honefty the Germati could cOat
fide, being hired for this purpofc, was pofted in a dark
comer of the ftair-cafe, within a few paces of the dooTi
which he was direftcd to watch, and adhially flood ccn*
tinel three nights, without perceiving the Icaft otqeft of
fufpicion ; but, on the fourth, the evil ftars of our ad>
venturer condu£):ed him to the fpot, on his voyage to
the apartment of his dulcinea, with whom he had pre^
concerted the affignation. Having made the fignal,
which confifled of two gentle taps on her door, he was
inmicdiately admitted ; and the Swifs no foonef faw him
fairly houfed, than he crept foftly to the other docv,
that was left open for the purpofe, and gave immediate
intimation of what he had perceived. This intelligence,
however, he could not convey fo fccretly, but the lovers,
who were always vigilantupon theft occafions, overheard
a fort of commotion in the jeweller's chamber, the caufe
of which their apprehenfion was ingenious enough to
comprehend.
Ws have formerly obferved, that our adventurcf
could not make his retreat by the dOor, without ruD-
ning a vciy great riik of being detected, and the ezpC'
^olizodbyGoOglc
PERDINAMD COUNT FATHOM. 73
dtent of the chimney he had no inclinattop to repeat i
fi> that he found himfelf in a very uncomfortable dilem-
ma, and was utterly abandoned by all hla invention and
addrefs, when his miftrefs, in a whifpcr, dclired him to
begin a dialogue, aloud, in an apoiogy, importing, that
he had miftakcn the door, and that his intention was to
vifit her father, touching a ring belonging to the young
Count Metvil, which (he knew Fathom had put into hts
hands, In order to be altered.
Ferdinand, feizing the hint, avulcd himfelf of it
irithout delay, and, unbolting the door, pronounced,
in an audible voice, " Upon my honour. Mad emoifelle,
you wrong my intention, if you imagine I came hither
with any difrefpeftful or diflionourablc motive : I have
bufinefs with your father, tvhich cannot be delayed till
to-morrow, without manifeft prejudice to my friend and
myfelf i therefore 1 took the liberty of vifitiog him at
thefe untimely hours, and it has been my misfortune to
miflake the door iq the dark. I beg pardon for my in-
voluntary intrufion, and again alTure you, t^at nothing
was farther from my thoughts than any defign to violate
fhat refpe^ which I have always entertaipcd for you and
your father's family."
To this remonftrance, which was djftinflly heard by
the German and his wife, who by this time ftood liAen-
ing at the door, ^he young lady replied, in a fhrill ac-
tent of difpleafurc, "Sir, lam bound to believe that
all your aftions are conduced by honour j but you muft
giye me leave to tell you, that your miftake is a little
extraordinary, and your vifit, even to my father, at
this time of the night, altogether unfeafonablc, if not,
myfterious- As for the interruption I have fuffered in
my repofe, I impute it to my own forget fulncis, in lea-
ving my door unlocked, and blame myftlf fo fefferely
for the omiffion, that I (hall, to-morrow, put it out of
my own power to be guilty of the like for the future, by
ordering the palTage to be nailed up} meanwhile, if yoa
would pcrfuade me of your well-meaning, you will in»
itantly withdraw, left my reputation Ihould fuffer by
your continuance in my apartment.?
" Madam {anfwered our hero), I will not give you
an opportunity to repeat the cdpimand, which I JhaU
Vol. IV, K
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
74 fhi ADVENT^URES if
forthwith obey, after havjng entreated yoij opcc mope
to forgive the difturbance I have givefl." So &yili^
he gently opened the door, and, at light of thg Qcrouh
and his wife, who, he well knew, wai.cd for hjs exit»
^rted back, and gave tokens of confuGon, which was
partly real and partly affe^ed. The jeweller, fully 6-
tisiicd with Fathom's declaration to his daughlicr, re- '
ceivcd him with a complaifant look, and, in order x6 al-
leviate his concern, gave him to underftand, that he al-
ready knew the reafon of his being in that apartment,
and defired to be informed of what h^d prociire<l bttO
the honour to fee him at fuch a jun£lure.
« My dear friend (laid our adventurer, prctendiog to
McoUcft himfelf with difEculty), I am utterly albaoued
^nd confounded to be difcovered in this Situation ; but,
?.« you have overheard what paiTed between Mademoi-
ellc and me, I know you will do juilice to my inten-
tion, and forgive my miftake. After begging pardoja.
for having intruded upon your family at thefe hours, J
muft now tell you, that my cou fin, Count MclvJl, wa^
feme time ago fo much mifreprefented to his mother by
certain malicious informers, who delight in fowing dit
cord in private families, that Ihe q^u^Uy believed her
foQ an extravagant fpendthrift, who had not only con-
fumed his remittances jn the moft riotous fccnes of di£-
oi-der, but alfo indulged a perniciGus appetite foj- ga-
oling, to fuch a degree, that he had' loft al! his cloaths
and jewels at play. In confequenc? of fuch felfc ip-
formation, fhe expoftulatcd with him in a fcverc let-
ter, and defired he would tranfmit to her that ring
which is in your cuftody, it being a family ftone, for
which fhe exprefled an incftimable value. The youn^
gentleman, in his anfwer to her reproof, endeavoured
to- vindicate himfelf from the afperlions which had beetl
caft upon his chara£ter, and, with regard to the ring,
told her it was at prefent in the hands of a jeweller, in
<jrdcr to be new fct according to her own direflions,
and that, whenever it Ihould be altered, he «f0uld fend
it home to her by fomc fafe conveyance. This gccount
the good lady took for an cvafion, and upon that fuppo-
Jltion has again written to him, in fuch, a provoking '
ftile, that, although the letter arrived but half an hour
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. rj'
ago, he is determined to difpatch a courier before
ffloming with tte mifchievous ring, for which, in
compliance *ifli the impetulofity of his temper, I have
taken the freedom to difturb you' at this nnfeafonabte
The German parti implicit fertb to every circum-
ftance of this (lory, which indeed could not well be
foppofrd to be invented extempore } the ring was im-
mediately reftored, and oat adventurer took his leave,
cAngratulating himfelf upon his lignal deliverance from'
the faase id wMich he had fallen. *
CHAPTER XVn.
*tBeJfep-dain/j /n/piaom Being a-waienrj, Jht lays afnart
fst'our advtnturir^ from •which he is delivered by the
i^iefpofit^M of his gaed getiiat.
TBOTTGH the huiband- fwatlowed the bait with-
out fiffther enquiry, the penetration of the wife
Was nor fo eaffly deceived. That fame dialogue in Wil-
bdmiiia''9 apartment, ftrr from allaying, rather inflamed
ter fafpicton J becaufe, in the like emergency, flie her-
ftlf had (Mice profited' by the fame, or nearly the fame
contrivance. Without commnnicating -her doubts to
the father, (he rcfolved to double her attention to the
daughter's fti tore conduft, and keep fuch a' ftrift eye
over the behaviour of our gallant, that he (hould find
irverydifficult, if not impoffible, to elude her obferva-
tloir. For this purpofe ihe took into her pay an old
maiden, of the right four dlfpolition, who lived in an
houlc of^ofite to her own, and direftcd her to. follow
the young lady in all her otitgoings, whenever fliefhould
receive from the window a certain fignal, which the mo-
ther-in-law agreed to make for the occafion. It was
not long before this fchcmc fucceeded to her wi(h. The
door of communication betwixt Wilheloiina'a apart-
ment and the ftair-cafc being nailed up by the jeweller's
eicprefs order, our adveofcrer was altogether deprived
of tWfc opportunities heTftfd hitherto enjoyed, and was
DiailizodbvCoOglc
76 The ADVENTURES- gf
not at all mortified to find bimfelf fo rcftriftcd in a coT-t
teTpondencc which began to be tirefomc and difagrce-
able : But the cafe was hx otherwife with his dulciuea,
vhole pallion, the more it was thwarted, raged with
greater violence, like a 6re, that, from the attempts that
are made to extinguish it, gathers greater force, and
flames with double fury.
Upon thefecond day of her misfortune, fhe had
written a very tender billet, lamenting her unhappinefs
in being deprived of thofe meetings which conftituted
the chief joy of her life, and entreating him to contrive
' ibme means of renewing the delicious commerce in an
bnfufpe^ed place. This intimation flic propofed to
convey privately into the hand of her lover, during his
next vifit to the family ; but both wfcre fo narrowly eyed
by the mother, that {he found the execution of her de-
fign impracticable ; and, /lext forenoon, on pretence of
going to church, repaired to the houfe of <t companicHif
who, being alfo her confident, undertook to deliver the
billet with her own hand.
The flie dragon employed by her mother, m obe*
dience to the fign which was diiplayed from the win-
dow, immediately put on her veil, and followed Wil-
helmina at a diftance, until flie faw her fairly houfed ;
She would not even then return from her cxcurfion, but
hovered about in fight of the door, with a view of ma-
king flirther obfervations. In lefs than five minutes af-
ter the young lady difappeared, the fcout perceived her
coming out, accompanied by her comrade, from whom
flic inflantly parted, and bent her way towards the
church in good eameft, while the other ftecred hof
courfe in another dife^ion. The duenna, after a mo-
ment's fufpence and confiderationy divined the true;
caufe of this fliort viflc, and refolved to watch the mo- ,
tions of the confident, whom IhC traced to the aca-
demy in which our hero lodged, and from which Qie
faw her return, after the fuppofed meflage was deli-
vered.
Fraught with this intelligence, the rancorous un-
derftrapper hied her home to the jeweller's wife, ana
made a faithful recital of wJialAfee had feen, communi-<
eating at the fame time her o^ptonje^Vures oa the fob'
^olizodbyGoOglc
fERClNAND COUNT FATHOM. 77
Wt Her employer was equally aftonifhcd and incen-
icd at this information : She was l^ized with all that
jihreDzy which takes polTeffion of a {lighted woman,
when Die finds hcrfelf fupplantcd by a dctefted rival t
and, in the firft tranfports of her indignation, devoted
them as iacrifices to her vengeance. Nor was her fur-
prize fo much the cScA of his diiHmulation, as of his
want of tafte and difcemment. JShe inveighed agalnft
him, not as the moft treacherous lover, but as the moft
tib)e£l wtetch, in courting the fmilcB of fuch an auk-
ward dowdy, while he enjoyed the favours of a woman
who bad numbered princes in the tialn of her admirers.
tor the brilliancy of her attraftions, fuch as they at
prefent Ihone, {he appealed to the decifion of her mi-
niAer, who confulted her own fatisfa^on and jntere{t,
by flattering the other's vanity and refentment ; and fo
unaccountable did the depravity of our hero's judgment
appear to this conceited dame, that {he began to believe
there was fome mi{lake in the pcrfon, and to hope that
Wilhelmina's gallant was not in reality her profeffed ad-
mirer, Mr Fathom, but rather one of his fellow- lodgers,
whofc pafGon he favoured with his mediation andaffift-
ancc.
On this notion, which nothing but mere vanity could
have infpired, in oppofition to fo many more weighty
prcfumpttons, the toot the refolution of bringing the
affair to a fuller explanation, before {he would concert
any meafufes to the prejudice of our adventurer, and
forthwith difpatched her fpy back to his lodgings, to
foliclt, on the part of Wilhelmina, an Immediate an-
fwer to the letter he had received. This was an expe-
dition with which the old maiden would have willingly
difpenfed, becaufe it was founded upon an uncertainty^
which inight be attended wHth troilblefome confequen-
ees ; but, ratihet than be the means of retarding a nego-
tiation fo produftive of that fort of mifchief which is
particularly agreeable to ail of her tribe, {he undertook
to manage and efFeft the dlfcove'ry, in full confidence of
her own talents and experience.
With fuch a fund of felf-fufficiency and inlligation,'
ihe repaired to the academy on the inftant, and, enqui-
ting for Mr Fathom,, was introduced to his apartment.
DiailizodbvGoOgle
7» The ADVENTtJRES /
where (he fotmd him in tbc Vcty aft of writUig a biBrf
to the jewrfler's (fangfitcr. The artftil ageat hffving^
a&ed, with the myfteridtis air of an expert gobitwceiiv
if he had not lately ivccivcd a mcflage from a; cAtaif^
yonng lady ; and being anfwefcd in the affinnati\fe, gavff
him to underftand, that fhe htfrfetf was a perfon fivonr-
cd with the frientWhip and confidence of 'Wilhehnina^
whom (he had fenown from her cradle, and often dandletf
CD her knee ; then, in the genuine ftile of a {^rattling
dry-nnrfe, ihe launched out in encomiums on hH
dulcinea's beatrty and fwcctnefs of temperi recounting
many iimple occurrences of her infancy and childhood \
and finally, deiGring a more ciraimftanttat anfwcr to thi^
which Ihe had fent to hjm by her friend Catherine. In
tbc courfe of her loquacity, flic had alfo, atJcording tc^
her infhnjftions, hinted at the nlisfoitunc of the door f
and, on the whole, performed her cue with ftrch dexj
terity and difcretion, that our politician was aftually
over-reached, and, having finiflwd his epiftle, com-
mitted it to her care, with many verbal expreffioilt
of eternal love and fidelity to his charming WUheW
mina.
The meflenger, doubly rejoiced at her atchievement,
i^hich not only recommended her minifiry, but ^fo
gratified her malice, returned to her principal' vrith
great exultation, and delivering the letter, the reader'
will ealily conceive the tranfporrs of that lady when Qxe
read the contenD of it in thdc words.
" A-NGELIC WILHELMll)*!
*' TO forget thofe extatic fcenes we have enjoyed t*-
gethcr, or even live without the continuation of that
mutual bills, were to quit all title to perception, and r»-
fign every hope of future happinefs. No ! my charm-
er, while my head retains the leaft fpark of invention, '
and my heart glows with the refolutiQu (rf a lavD, our
correfpondcncc fliall not be cut off by the machinMion»
of an envious ilcp-mother, who never had attractions tO'
infpire a generous pafiion; and, now that age and
wrinkles have deflroyed what little (hare of beauty (hr
once pofielTed, endeavoursj like the fiend in paradifc.
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 79
to blaft thoTc joys in otHerE, from which Ihe ii hcrfdf
eternally excluded. Doubt not, dear foTorciga of mf
foal I that I will iludy, with all the eagerncfs of deli>
ring love, how to frufhrate her malidoiu intention.
»od renew thofe tranTporting moments, the remem>
brancc of which now warms the breaft of
Tour ever conftant
Fathom."
Had our hero murdered her fethcr, or left her a
dtfconfolate widow, by cSc^ng the death of her dear
faulband, there might have been a poffibility of her es-
crting the Chriftian. virtues of refignation and fbrgivc-
nefs; but fuch a p^rfonal outrage as that contained in
this cpiftle precluded all hope of pardon, and rendered
penitence of no figni£cat1on. His atrocious crime be-
ing now fully afccrtaincd, this virago gave a loofc to -
her rcfentmcDt, which became fo loud and tempeftuous*
that her informer {huddered at the ftorm Ihe had 'rai-
fed, and began to repent of having communicated the
intelligence which feemed to have fuch a violent eSeA
upon her brain.
She endeavoured, however, to alUy the agitation,'
by flattering her fancy with tHe profpeft of revenge,
and gradually foothed her into a (late of deliberate ire i
durii^g which die determined to take ample vengeance
on the delinquent. In the zenith of her rage, flie
would have had immediate recourfe to poifon or fteel,
bad fhe not been diverted from her mortal purpofe by
her counfellor, who reprefented the danger of enga-
^ng in luch violent meafures, and propofed a more fe-
curc fchemc, in the execution of which flie would fc«
the perfidious wretch fufficiently punifhed, without any
hazard to her own perfon or reputation. She ad-
vifed her to inform the jeweller of Fathom's efibrtg
to feduce her conjugal fidelity, and impart to him a
plan, by which he would have it in his power t<^ de-
tc£t our adventurer in the very a£t of praftiling upon
her virtue.
The lady rclilhed her propofal, and anally rcfolved
to make an aflignation with Ferdinand, as ufual, and
^laiiizodbvGoogle.
t9 The ADVENTURES tf
give notice of the appointment to her hufband, that h*
might pcrfonally difcover the treachery of his pretended
friend, and inSif^ upon him fuch chaftifement as the
German's brutal difpoJition Ihould fuggeft, when infla-
med by that fpecies of provocation. Had this projeA
been brought to bear, Ferdinand, in all likelihood, would
have been difqualified from engaging in any future in-
trigue; but fate ordained that the defign fliould be de-
feated, in order to refervc him for more important ocr
caOons.
Before the circumftances of the plan could be ad-
jured, it was his good fortune to meet his dulcinca Ii^
the ftreet, and, in the midft of thdr mutual condolance
pD the interruption they had fuffered in their corre-
fpoodencCj he ailured her, that he would never give his
invention refpite, until he fliould have verified the pro-
teftations contained in the letter he had delivered tq
her difcreet agent. This allufion to a billet (he had
never received, did not fail to alarm her fears, and in-
troduce a very mortifying explanation, in whiqh he 1q
accurately deicribed th? perfon of the meflenger, tha(
fhe forthwith comprehended the plot, and communi-
cated to our hero her fentiments on that fubjeft.
Though he cxpreflcd infinite anxiety and chagrin
it this misfortune, which could not fjil to raife new
obftacles to their love, his heart was a ftranger to the
vneafinefs }ie aS^efted j and rather pleafed with the oc-
caOon, which would, furnifli him with pretences to
withdraw himfelf gradually from an intercourfe by thi;
time become equally cloying and unprofitable. Being
well acquainted with the mother's temperament, he
gueffed the prefent fituation of her thoughts, and con-;
eluding fhe would make the jewcUer a party in her rcT
venge, he refolved' from that moment to difcontinue hii
vifits, and cautioufly guard againft any future, intervievf
with the lady whom he had rendered fo implacable,
It was well for our 'adventurer that his good fortune
fo feafonably interpofed ; for that fame day, in the afi
ternoon, he was favoured with a billet from the jeweU
ler's wife, couched in the fame tender ftilc flie hadfor-
. merly ufed', and importing an eameft defire of feeing
him next day at the wonted rendezvous. Although his
_ ,i,z<,i!;., Google
FERDINAlro C0T7NT FATHOM. 8i
penetration was fufficient to perceive the drift of this
meffage, m- ac Jeaft to difcem the rilk he fliould run in
complying with her requeft, yet he was willing to be
more fuUy certified of the truth of his fufpicion, and'
wrote an anfwcr to the billet, in which he alTured her,
that he would repair to the place of appointment with
all the punftuality of an impatient lover. Neverthcleft,
inftcad of performing this promife, he, in the morning,
took poft in a public koufe oppoUte to the place of af-
fignation, in order to reconnoitre the ground, and
about neon had the plesfure of feeing the German,'
wrapped in a cloak, enter the door of his wife's ftie-
fricnd, though the appointment was fixed at five in the
evening. Fathom btelled his good angel for having
condu<^ed him clear of this confpiracy, and kept his
ftation with great tranquillity till the hour of meeting,
when he beheld his enraged Thaleftris take the fame
route, and enjoyed her difappointment with ineffable
fatisfa^ion.
Thus favoured with a pretext, he took his leave of
her, in a letter, giving her to underfland, that he \*ss
no Aranger to the barbarous fnare Ihe had laid for him ;
and upbraiding her with having made fuch an ungrate-
fill return for all his tendernefs and attachment. She
was not backward in conveying a reply to this expoftu-
lation, which feemed to have been diftated in all the'
"diftraftion of a proud woman who fees her vengeance
bafBed, as well as her love difdalned. Her letter was
nothing but a fucceflion of reproaches, menaces, and
incoherent execrations. She taxed him with knavery, in-
fenfibility, and diffimulation ; imprecated a thouf'and
curfes upon his head, and threatened not only to perse-
cute his life with all the arts that hell and malice could'
infpire, but alfo to wound him in the perfon . of her
daugbter-in-Iaw, who Ihould be inclofed for life in a'
convent, where (he would have leifure to repent of thofc
looie and difordcrly pradtices which he had taught her
to- commit, and of which flic could not pretend inno-
ceucCf as they had it in their power to confi^nt her
with the evidence of her lover's own coBfeffion. Yet
all this denunciation was qualified with ad alternative,
by which he was given to nnderftand, that the gates of
Vol. IV. L
^olizodbyGoOglc
82 The ADVENTURES ef
mercy were ftill open, and that penitence was capable
of waihing out the deepeft ftain of guilt.
Ferdinand read the whfce remonftrance with great
compofure and moderation, and was content to incur
the hazard of her hate> rather than put her to the
trouble of making fuch an effort of generollty, as would
induce her to forgive the heinous offeoce be had com.
mittcd} nor did bis appreheufion for Wilhelmina in
the leaft influence his behaviour on this occafion : So
jealous was be for her fpiritual concerns, that he would
have been glad to hear ihe had a£\uall^ tal:en the veil j
but he knew fuch a ftep was not at all agreeable to her
diipoiition, and that no violence would be ofiered to
her incrinations on that fcore, unlefs her ftep-motbeF
Ihould communicate to the father that letter of Fathom's
which Ihe had intercepted, and bjr which the German
would be convinced of his daughter's backJliding ; hot
. this meafure, he rightly fuppofedi the wife would not.
venture to take, left the hufband, inftead of taking her
advice touching tlie young lady, fhouM fcek to compro*
mife the afiair, by ofiering her in marriage to her de-
baucheT) a proffer, which, if accepted, would overwhelm
the mother with vexation and defpair. He therefoco
chofe to truft to the effe^ of lenient time, which bo
hoped would gradually weaken the refentment of this
penthefilea, and diffolve his conneAion with the other
parts of the family, &om which he longed to be totally
detached.
Hpw well focver he iliight have fucceeded in his at-^
tempts to Ihakc off the yoke of the mother, who by her
fituation in life was retrained from profecuting thofe
mcafures her refentment bad planned againft his forti-
tude and indifference ; he would have found greater
difficulty than he had forefeen, in dlfengaging bimfelf
from the daughter, whofc affe^ons he had won under
the molt folemn profeffions of honour and ^delity, and
who, no«: jhe was debarred of his company and cod-
verfation, and in danger of lofing him for ever, had ac-
tually taken the refolution of difcloiiDg the amour tp
her fat^i <Jtiat be might interpofe in behalf of her
peace and reputation, and feeijre her bappinefi by the
fandion of the church.
^oiizodbyGoogle
FEftDiMAM) COtTNT FATHOM. ij
CHAPTER XVm.
Our hero departs front Vienna, and quits the domain of
Venus fir the rtugh field o/" Mart,
LUCKILY for our adventurer, before he adhered
to tlus determination, the young Count de McItII
vas fummoned to Prcfburg by his father, *ho delired
to lee him, before he ihould take the field, in confc-
quence of a rapture between the Emperor and the
French King ; and Fathom of courlc quitted Vienna,
in order to attend his patron, after he and Renaldo had
rcilded two whole years in that capital, where the for-
mer had made himfelf perfeft in alL the polite cxercifes,
become mafter (rf the French tongue, and learned to
fpeak the Italian with great facility! over and above
thofe other accompli fhments in which we have repre-
lentcd him as ao inimitable original.
As for the young count, his exteriors were fo much
improved by the company to which he had accefs, Jince
hi< departure from his father's houfe, thdt his parents
were equally furprifed and overjoyed at the alteration.
All that aukwardncfs and ruflicity, which hung upon
his deportment, was, like the rough coat of a diamond*
poliihed away} the conneflion and difpofition of his
limbs feemed to have been adjufted anew ; his carriage
was become eafy, his air perfectly genteel, and his con*
TCifation gay and unreflrained. The merit of this re-
formation was in a great mcafure afcribcd to the care
and example of Mr Fathom, who was received by the
(AA count and his lady with marks of lingular friendfhip
and eflecm ; nor was he overlooked by Mademoifelle,
who ftill remained in a ftate of celibacy, and feemed to
liave refigned all hope of altering her condition; Ihe
cxpreficd uncommon iatisfaftion at the return of her
old &vourite, and re-admitted him into the fame de«
grce of familiarity with which he bad been honoured
before bis departure.
Th e joy of Terefa was fo exceffivc at his arrival, that
Ihe could fcarce fupprefs her raptures, fo as to conceal
DiailizodbvCoOglc
84 TA^ ADVENTURES of
thcni from the notice of the family ; and our hero^ npu
on this occafion, performed the part of an cxquifite aftor,
in dilTcmbling thofe tranfpoits which hJs bofom never
knew. So well had this pupil retuined the leCbns of
her lnftni£lor, that, in the midfl of thofe fraudulent
appropriations, which {he ftlU continued to make, ihe
had found means to fupport her intereft and character
with Mademoifelle, and even to acquire fuch influ-
ctMic in the family, that no other fervant, male or fe-
male, could pretend to live under the fame roof, without
paying incclTant homage to this artful waiting- woman,
and yielding the moft abje£t fubmilllon to her will.
The young gentlemen having tarried at Prcfljur^
about fix weeks, during which a fmall £eld equipage
was prepared for Renaldo, they repaired to the camp'
at Heilbron, under the aufpices of Count Melvil, in
whofe regiment they carried arms as volunteers, with a
view to merit promotion in the ferrice by their own
perfonal behaviour. Our adventurer would have wil-
lingly d ifpeqfed with this occafion of fignalizing himfclf^
his talents being much better adapted to another fphere
of life; neverthelefs, he affeftcd uncommon alacrity at
the profpeft of gathering laurelc in the field, and fub-
fcritied to his fortune with a good grace ;^forefeeing».
that even in a campaign a man of his art and ingenuitf
might find means to confiilt his corporal faftty, with-
out any danger to his reputation. Accordingly, before
be had lived full three weeks in camp, the damp fitua-
tion, and Hidden change in his way of life, had fuch. a>
violent effeft upon his eonftitution, that he was de-
prived of the ufe of all his limbs, and mourned, with-
out ccaling, bis hard fate, by which he found bimfelf
precluded from all opportunity of exerting his diligence,
courage, and a^vity, la the chamber ^f ». Ibldier, to
which he now afpired. .
REtNALDO, who was adlually enamoured of a maitial
life, and mi^d no occafion of diftinguilhing bimfelf,
coafo|ed lus companion with great cordiality, encou-
raged him with, the hope of feeing his conllitution fa-
miliarized to the inconveniences of a camp, and accom-
modated him with sv^fy thing which he thpught would
alleviate the pain of his body, as well as the anxiety of
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. «j
Us mitid. The old count, who fincerely fytnpathizcd
' mih his afBidUon, would have pcrfuaded him to retire
' into quarters, where he could be carefully nurTed, and
provided with every thing ncceiTary to a perfon in his
condition % but fuch was his deiire of glory, that he re-
fifted his patron's importunities with great conftancyi
till at length, feeing the old gentleman oblUnately de-
termined to confult his health by removing him &om
the held, he gradually fuffered Imnfelf to recover the
, life of his hands, made fhiit to fit up in his bed, and
amufe himfelf with cards or back-gammon, and, not-
with{landing the feeble condition of his legs, ventured
to ride out on horfcback to vilit the lines, though the
count and his Ton would never yield to his foli citations,
(o far as to let him accom^^ny Renaldo in thofe ex-
ciu^ons and reconnoitring parties, by which a volunteee
inures himfelf to toil and peril, and acquires that know-
ledge in the operations of war, which qualifies him fiwr
a coaitnand in the fervice.
NoTwiTHSTAi^D-iNG this exemption from all duty,
our adventurer managed matters fo as to pafs for a
youth of infinite mettle, and even rendered his back-
wardneis and' timidityfubfervient to the fupport of that
character, by exprefling an impatience of lying ina£livet
and a defire of fignalizing his prowefs, wtuch even the
difabled coodition of his body could fcarce reftrain. He
mult be a man of very weak nerves and excelHve irrefo-
lution, who can live in the midft of actual fervice, with- .
out imbibing fo^ie portion of military fortitude ; danger
becomes habitual, and lofes a great part of its terror ;
and as fear is often caught by contagion, fo is courage
communicated among the individuals of an army. The
hope of fame, defire of honours and preferment, envy,
emulation, and the dread of difgracc, arc motives which
co-operate in fuppre0ing that averlion to death or muti-
lation, which nature hath implanted in the huipan
mind ; and therefore it is not to be wondered at, if Fa-
thom, who was naturally chicken-hearted, gained fome
advantages over his difpofition before the end of the
campaign, which happened to be neither perilous nor
fevere. .
DiailizodbvCoOglc
i$ ■ n^ Adventures «/
During the vinter, while both armies remained tfi
quarters, our adventurer attended his patron to Prcl^
burg, and, before the troops were in motion, RenaJdo
obtained a commiflion, in confequence of which he
«ent into garrifon at Philipfbnrg, vhither he was fob
lowed by our hero, while the old count's duty called
him to the field in a different place. Ferdinand for
fome time bad no reafon to be difiatisfied with this dif-
poficion, by which he was at once delivered from the
fatigues of a campaign, and the iirfpeflion of a fevers
ccnfor, in the perfon of Count Melvil ; and his fati{^
fa^ion was ftill increafed by an accidental meeting with
the Tyroleze who had been his confederate at Viennaj
and now chanced to ferve in garrifon, on the fame foot-
ing with himfelf. Thcfc two knights-errant renewed
their former corrcfpondence, and, as all foldiers arc ad-
dicted to gaming,, levied contributions upon all thofc
officers who had money to lofe, and temerity to play.
However, they had not long puriued ibis "branch
of traffic, when their fuccefs was interrupted by 3 very
ferious occurrence, that for the prefent entirely detach-
ed the gentlemen in the garrifon from fuch anvifements.
The French troops iriveftcd Fort Kehl, fitnated on the
Rhine, oppofitc to Strafburg ; and the Im per iaiifts, dread-
ing that the next ftorm would fall upon Phitipfburg,'
employed thetiiftWes with great diligence to put that
important fortrcfs ill a proper pofture of defence. If
the fufpenfion of play was difpleafing to our hero, the
expeftation of being befieged was by no means more
agreeable. He knew the excellence of the French en-
gineers, the power of their artillery, and the perfeve-
rance of their general : He felt, by anticipation, the
toils of hard duty upon the works, the horrors of night-
alarms, cannonading, bombardment, failles, and mines
blown up ; and deliberated with himfrlf, whether or not
he fliould privately withdraw, and take refuge among
the bcfiegers ; but, when he reflected that fuch a ftep,
befides the infemy that muft' attend it, would be lilcc
that of running upon Scytia, feektng to avoid Charyb-
db, as he would be expofed to more danger and incon-
venience in the trenches than he could poffibly undergo
in the town, and after all run the rilk of being taken
Dja,l,;t!d.byG00gIe
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 87
god trotted as a dcfciter ; upon thefe conlideratioiis he
reTolvcd to fubmic himrelf to h» deftiny, and endea-
voured to mitigate the rigour of his fate by thofe arts
he had formerly pra^ifed with Jhccefs. He accordingly
ibund means to enjoy % very bad ftate of health during
the whole hege, vhich lafted about fix weelcs after tha
tienchcs were opened ; and then the garrifon marched
out by capitulation, with all the honqrtrs of .mr.
CHAPTER XIX. .
He puts himfelf under the guidance of hit e^mate, an4
fumbles upon the French cainp, where hi Jimjhei bu
military career. '
NOTHING elfc of moment .was tranfafted during
that campaign; and in the winter our adven-
hirer, with the young count, and his friend the Tyro-
kzc, were dilpofed in quarters of cantonment, where
Ferdinand made himfelf amends for the chagrin he had
undergone, by the exerdfe of thofe talents in which he
excelled- Not that he was fatisfied with the fphcre of
life in which he aited ; though .he knew himfelf con-
£jmmate in the art of play,, he vr^s not at all ambitious
of a gamefter's name ; nor did he find himfelf difpofed
to hazard thofe dil'coveries and explanations to which
heroes of chat clafs are fometimes necefiarily expwfcd.
His aim was to dwell among the tents of civil life, gn-
djfturbed by quarrels and the din of war, and render
mankind fubfervienC to his intereft, not t^ fh'atagems
which irritate, but by that fupplenefs of infinuation,
which could not faiLtofooth the temper of thoic on
whom he meant to prey.
He faw, tliat alt his expectations of Count Melvil's
future favour were connedted with his choice of a mili-
tary life i and that his promotion in the fervice would,
in a great meafure, depend upon his perfonal behaviour
in fuch emergencies as be did not at all wilh to encoun-
ter. On the other-hand, he coniided fo much in his
own dexterity and addreis, that he never doubted of
^laiiizodbvGoogle
tt Ti, ADVENT0KES ,/
being able to rear a fplendid fortune for himfelf, prO'
vided he could mee obtain a Hxcd and fimv foundation.
He had in ftncy often enjoyed a profpcft of England,
not only as his native country, to which, like a true ci-
tizoi, he longed to be united; but alfo as the -land of
promife, flowing with milk and honey, and abounding
with fubje^ on which he knev his t^ent? ^uld he
properly cxerEifed, . .
These reflections never occurred, without leaving a
ftrong imprelBon upon the jnind .pf our adventurer,
which influenced his deliberations in fuch a manner, as
at length amounted to a pcrfeft refolutipn of withdraw-
ing himfelf privately froin a fcrvice that teemed with
di&greeable events, and of tranfpcvtingbimrelf into thq
' cmiDtry of his qnc^ors, which he cpqOdcred as the
Canaan of all able adventurers. But, previous to hb ap-
pearance on that ftage, he was defirous of vifiting the
metropolis of France, in which he hoped to imjwovc
himfelf in' the knowiodge of men and things, and ac-
qture fuch intclligcnGe as would qualify him to aft a
more important part upon the British fcene. After
having for fonie time indulged thefe pr ofpe^s in fecret,
he determined to accommodatei himfelf with the com-
pany and experience of the f^oleze, whom, under the
fpecious title of an aflociate, he knew he could convert
into a very ferviceabte tool, in forwarding the execu-
tion of his own projefts.
Accordingly, the inclination of this confederate
was founded by diftant hints, and being found apt, our
Ifero made him privy to bis deflgn of decamping with-
out beat of drum % though, at the fame time, he beg-
ged his advice touching the method of their departure,
that he might retire vrith as much delicacy as the nature
of fuch a litep would permit. Divers confultations were
held upon this fubjeft, before they adhered to the re*
foIutioD of making their efcape hota the army, after it
ihould have takoi the field in the fpring ; becaufc, in
that cafe, they would have frequent opportunities of
gcdng abroad on foraging parties, and, during one of .
thefe excurCons, might retire in fuch a manner as to
perfuade their companions that they had fallen into the
fvemy's hands.
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 8p
Agkeeablb to this determination, the csmp was n^
fooner formed in Alface, than our aflbciates began to
make preparations for their march, and had already
taken all the previous meafures for their departure,
when an accident happened, which our hero did not
fail to convert to his own advantage : This was no
ether than the defertion of Renaldo's valet, who, in
confequencc of a gentle chaftifcment, which he had
richly merited, thought proper to difappear,' after ha-
ying plundered his maker's portmanteau, which he had
forced open for the purpofe. Ferdinand, who was the
firA perfon that difcovered the theft, immediately com-
prehended the whole adventure, and taking it for grant-
ed that the delinquent would never return, refolvcd to
£nt(h what the fugitive had imperfectly performed.
Being favoured with the unreferved confidence of
the young count, he inftantly had recourfe to his bu-
reau, the locks of which he found means to burft open,
and examining a private drawer contrived with great
art to conceal Renaldo's jewels and ca{h, made himfelf
mailer of the contents without hefitation ; then cutting
open his cloak-bag, and ftrewing the tent with his linen
and cloaths, began to raile his voice, and produce fuch
a clamour as alarmed the whole neighbourhood, and
t)rought a great many officers into the tent.
He, on thi;, as on all other occafions, performed
{lis cue to a cniracle, exprelling conFufion and concern
fo naturally jn his geftures and exclamation, that no
loan could poJSbly fufpeft bis fincerity ; nay, to fiich a
degree of finelTe did hi$ cunning amount, that whea
his fi-icnd and patron entered, in confequence of an in-
timation he Toon received of bis lofs, our adventurer
exhibited undoubted figns of diftra£lian and dcliriumy
and, fpringing upon Renaldo with all the frantic fiinr
of a bedlamite, " Villain I (cried he), rcftore the et-
fcfts you have ftole from your matter, or you fliall be
immediately committed to the care of the prcvot."^
However mortified M. de Melvil might be at his own
misfortune, the condition of his friend feemed to touch
Urn more nearly ; he undervalued his own lofs, as a
trifle that could be calily repaired, faid every thing
which he thought would tend to foothe a^d compofe
Vol. IV. M
3,a,l,;JdbyG00glc
9S Tht ADVENTURES tf
the agitation of Ferdinand, and finally pffrvaited nfton
him to retire to reft. The calamity ^tas wholly attri-
buted to the deferter, and Renaldo, far frftm mf[>efl-
ing the true author, took occasion, frnfti Sr'^'. behaviotif
on this emergency, to admire hjm as a miirdr of irrte.
grity and attachment ; io liich an exquiflte tnanntir «Iid
he plan all his defigns, that almoft every inflancC of
his fraud fumifhed matter of triumph to his reputa-
tion.
Havij^G thus profitably exercifcd his genius, this
fubtle politician thought it high time to relinquifli his
military expeflations, and, fecuring all his valuable ac-
quifitions about his own perfon, rode out with hia
■ underftrapper, in the midft of fifty dragoons, who
went in quefl of forage. While the troopers were em-
ployed in making up their truffes, the two adventurers
advanced towards the tkirt of a wOod, oti pretence (rf
reconnoitring, and the Tyrolezc, who undertook to be
our hero's guide, direffing him to a path which leads
towards Straiburg, they fuddehly vanifhed'from the
eyes of their companions, who in a few minutes hearing
the report of feveral piftols, which- the cotifedetatea
purpofely fired, conjeflured that they had fallen In with
a party of French, by whom they were made prifotlCrs
of war. -
The Tyrolezc had over-rated his own knowledge,
when he took upon himfelf the charge of conducing
our hero ; for, upon their arrival at a ceitain place^ -
where two roads croffed each other, he chanced to fol-
low that which not only fxnftrated their intention, but '
even led them direftly to the French camp : So that,
in the twilight, they fell in upon one of the out-guards,
before they were aware of their millake, ■Whatever
confufion and perplexity they mi^ht undergo, when
they heard theinrelves queftibhed by the centinel on the
advanced poft, certain it is, they betrayed no fyiriptoms
of fear or diforder ; but, while Ferdinand endeavoured
to recoiled himfelf, his fellow-traveller, with the ap-
pearance of admirable intrepidity and prefence of mind,
told the fqidier, that he and his companion were twq
gentlemen of family, who had quitted the Auftrian
army, on account of having fuflaiiied fome ill-ufage.
,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATflOM. 91
.which th.tf had DO opportiuiUy of refentuig io any
otlier yftf } and that thcj' were come to oSer their fer-
vices to the French general, to who^ quarto^ thtj de-
fied t9 be imn^diately coQTcycd.
The ceatiuel, to whom fuch an 'uiUvtce of deTcrtion
ym neither rare^ noi' indeed uncomman, dircAed them
■withcnit fcTupIc to the uext poft, where they found a
ierjeant's party, bom which, at their requefl, they
vere traimnitted to the officer of the grandguard, and
by hini next morning introduced to Count Coigny, who
♦ery politely jeceivcd them as yolunteers in the array of
fr^Dce. Though this trandation was not at all to our
Jiero's liking, he was forced to acquiefce in his fate,
glad to £ad tumrdf, on thefe terms, in poiTeJGon of
his eSe^, of which he would otherwife have been in>
iailibly rificd.
This campaign, however, was the moft difagree-
able period of his whole life ; becaufc the manner in
which he had entered into the fervice, fubjefted him
to the particular obfervation and notice of the Ffench
officers ; fo that he was obliged to ,be very alert in his
duty, and fummon all his fortitude, to maintain the
charafler he had aiTumed. What rendered his fitua-
tion ftill more unpalatable, was the aftivity of both
irmics in the courfc of this feafon, during which, over
and above fundry fatiguing marches and couttter-
JD^tches, he was perfonally engaged in the a&ir of
Hallch, which was very ob^inate, where, being in the
4kirts of the detachment, he was aftually wounded in
.(he fice by the fword of an huffir j but this was, lucki-
ly for him, the laft time he found hiinfelf under the
neceJlity of exerting his military prowefs, for a ceSation
of arms was proclaimed, before he was cured of his
wound, and peace concluded about the end of the cam-
paign.
During his fojoum in the French camp, he affum-
cd the character of a man of family, who ixing dil^
gufled at fome fuperciHous treatment he had met with
In the German fervice, and at the fame time ambitious
of carrying arms under the banners of France, took the
Opportunity of retreating by ftealth fram his friends,
. accompanied only by one with whom he could entruCl
^olizodbyGoOglc
pa tilt ADVENTU,ltES of
his' intention. In this capacity he had managed hj»
matters to fuch advantage, that many French officet^
of rank were very well difpofed to contribute their in-
tereft in his behalf, had his inclination verged towards
promotion in the army ; but he thought proper to con-
ceal his real defign, undCT the fpecious pretext of long-
irtg to fee the metropolis of France, that centre of
pleafurc and politencfs, in which he propofed to fpend
fotee time for the improvement of his addrefs and un-
derfbindlng. Thcfe were motives too laudable to be
oppofed by his new patrons^ fome of whom furnifhed
him with letters of recommendation to certain noble-
men of the firft rank at the court 6f Verfaillcs, for
which place he and his companion fet out frbm the
banks of the Rhine, very well fatisfied with the honour-
able difmilQon they had obtained front a life of iiN
convenience^ danger, and alarm.
CHAPTER XX. '
He prepares ajfratagem^ hut finds hltnfelj countermined ;
proceeds on his journey, and is overtaken by a terriblt
tempejf.
IN the courfe of this journey, Ferdinand, who vraa
never deficient in his political capacity, held a lecret
conclave with his own thoughts, not only touching the
plan of his own future conduct, but alio concerning his
alTociatc, of whofe fidelity and adherence he began tit
entertain fuch doubts as difcouraged him from the pro-
fecution of that delign, in which the Tyroleze had been
at firft included : For he had lately obferved him prae-
tife the arts of his occupation among the French of-
ficers, with fuch rapacity and want of cautioh, as indi-
cated a dangerous temerity of temper, as well as a furi-
ous rage of acquiring, which might be fome time or
other fatiatcd upon his own friends. In other words,
our adventurer was afraid that his accomplice would
profit by his knowledge of the road and countries
through which they travelled, and, after having made
DiailizodbvGoOgle
f£rdiKan0 count fathom. ^
freft vkh his mod valuable cffe^k, in confequence of
the familiarity iublining between them, leave hidi
fbme morning without the ceremony of a formal a-
dieu.
Arroused by this fufpicion, he refolVed to antici-
t«te the Jiippofed intention of the Tyroleze, by taking-
his own departure in the fame abrupt manner; and
this fchcme he aflually put in execution, upon their arri-
Val in Bar-IC'duc, where it was agreed they Qiould fpend
a day to rcpofc and refrefh themfelves from the ^tiguc
fef hard riding. Ferdinand, therefore, taking the ad-
vantage of his companion's abfenccj for the Tyroleze
had talked abroad to view the town, found means to
hire a peafant, who undertook to condudl him through
a bye-road as far as Chalons, and with this guide he ae-
tordingly fet out on horfeback, aftet having difcharged '
the bill, left a blank paper fealed up in form of a let-
ter, directed to his friend, and fecured beUnd his own
laddie a pair of leathern bagf in which his jewels and
talh were uflially contained. So eager was our hero to
leave the Tyroleze at a confidefable dillance behind,
that he rode all night at a round pace without halting
and next oioming found himfelf at, a village dlftant
thirteen good leagues from any part of the route which
he and his companion had at fird rcfolved to purfue.
Here, thinking himfelf fafely delivered from the
caufc of all his apprehenlion, he detennine^^ta lie in-
cognito for a few days, fo as that he might run no rifle
of an accidental meeting upon the road with the perfoa
ivhofe company he had fprfaken ; and accordingly took
{wflelGon of an apartment, in which he went to reft,
defiring his guide to wake him when dinner ihould be
ready. Having enjoyed a very comfortable refrelhmenc
of Heep, with his bags under his pillow, he was fum-
moned, according to his direction, and ate a very hearty
meal, with great tranquillity and internal fatisfaflion.
In the afternoon he amuled himfelf with happy prefa-
gcs and ideal profpefts of his future fortune, and, in
the midd of ihefe imaginary banquets, was fcized with
an inclination of realizing his blifs, and regaling his
eye-fight with the fruits of that fuccefs which had hi-
therto attended his endeavours. Thus inflamed, he
^oiiz.dbvGoogk"'
■ 94 ^he ADVENTURES tf
opmed the repofit(»y, and, O «adcr ! what were bi*
re0efllons, when, in lieu af Ma4einoirejUe Melvil's car-
tiuigp fOKl necklace, the Otrman's goilden cham, divers
jewels of conGderable yalue, the fpoils of fundry dupc^^
iind about two hundred ducats in ready raonej, he found
• neither more nor Icfs tljvi a parcel of njfty nails, difp9-
fed iji fuch a manner as to refcmble in wdghl and bidk
the moveables he had lo^^.
It is not to be fuppoied our adventurer made this
fUfcovory without emotion. If the eternal falvation of
mankind could ^ve beep purchafed for the tenth part
<^'his U'eafurc, he would have left the whole Ipccies in
a ftate of reprohation, rather than red^m them at that
price, unlefs he had fcen in the bargain fome evidm
advantage to hb own concerns : One may therefore Cjl-
fily conceive with what milkinefs of retignation he \xxe
the lofs of the whole, wid faw himfdf reduced from
fuch affluence to the neceffity of depending upon about
twenty ducats, and fome loofe lilver, which he carried
in his pocket, for his expcnce upon the road. Howe-
ver bitter this pill might be in fwallowing, he fo far ma-
ft»vd his mortification, as to digeft it with a goqd
grace : His own penetration at once pointed out the ca-
nal through which this misfortune had flowed upqn
him; he forthwith placed the calamity to the account
of the Tyrolezc, and never doubting that be had reti-
red with the booty acrofs the Rhine, into fome place to
which he knew Fathom would not follow his footlleps,
he formed the mebncholy refolution of purfuing with all
difpatch his journey to Paris, that he might, with all
convenient expedition, indemnify hlmfeli for the diT'
comfiture he had fuflained.
With regard to his confederate, his conjoflure was
perfectly right j that adventurer, though infinitely in-
ferior to our hero in point of genius and invention, bad
mahifeniy the advantage of him in the articles of age
and experience ; he was no ftranger to Fathom's quali*
iications, the happy exertion of which he had often
fcen. He knew him to be an cconomijl of Chc mofl
frugal order, confequently concluded his finances were
worthy of examination ; and, upon the true principles
j>f a Qiarpcr, eafed him of the incumbrance, taking it
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT tATHOM. ^$
for granted, that, m To doing, he only precluded Fer-
dinand from the po\^er of acting the fame tragedy upoQ
him, fhouM ever opportunity concur with his inclina-
tion. He had therefore coHccrtcd his meafures with
the dexterity of an experienced conveyancer, and,
Ibatching the occafion, while our hero, trareWtainted,
lay fank in the arms of profonnd rcpole, he ripped up
the fcams of the leathern dcpofitory, withdrew the con-
tents, introduced the parcel of Hails, which ^e had made
up for the purpofe, and then repaired the breach with
great deliberation.
Had Fathom's good genius prompted him to exa->
Ttiine his effe^ next morning, the Tyrolezc, in all pro*
bability, would have tnaintained his acquifition by force
of arms ; for his peiffonal courage was rather more de-
termined than that of our adventurer, and he was con-
ftious of his own afccndency in this particular; hut his
good fortune prevented fuch explanation. Immediate^
ly after dinner, he availed himfelf of his knowledge,
ted betaking himfelf to a remote part of the town, Tet
Out in a poft-chaifc for Luneville, while our hero wa9
meditating his own efcape.
Fathom's conception was fufficient to comprehend
the whole of this adventure, as fbon as his chagrin would
give his fagacity fair play ; not would he allow his refo-
lution to Unk under the trial ; on tKe contrary, he de-
parted from the village that fame afternoon, under tha
aurpices of his condu^r, and found himfelf benighted
in the midlt of a fbreft, far from the habitations oF
men. The darknefs of the night, the ^ence and foli*
tnde of the place, the indifVinfl images of the trees that
appeared on every lide, " Itretching their extravagant
arms athwart the gloom," copfpircd with the d^efiioit
of fpirits occafioncd by his lofs, to difturb his fancy^
and ralfe ftrange phantoms in his imagination. AJ-
though he was not naturally fu perditions, bis mind be-
gan to be invaded with an awful horror, that gradually
prevailed over all the eonfolatipns of reafon and philo-
fophy ; nor was his heart free from the terrors of aflaf-
^nation. In order to diHipate thefe difagreeablc reve-
ries, he had recourfe to tlrc converfation of his guide,
by whom he was entertained with the hiftory of di-
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
^6 The ADVENTURES cf
Ycrs travellers who had been robbed and n^urdcFsd
bf ruiSans, whofe retreat was in %he recedes of that
Tjery wood.
In tbe midfl of this communication, which did not
at all tend to the elevation of our hero's fpirits, the
condu^lor made an £xcufe for dropping behind, while
our travciler jogged on in expeftation of being joined
;)gain by him in a few minutes : He was however difap-
pointed in thgt hope ; the found of the other horfe';
ftct by degrees grpw njore and more faint, and at laft
^together died away. Alarmed at this circumftance,
fathom .halted in the middle of the road, and Ijftened
with the moil fearful attention ; but his fenfc of hear-
mg was fainted with nought but the difrnal fighings of
the treesi, that feemed to foretell an approaching {torni;
Accordingly, the heavens contracted a more dreary a-
fpedl, the lightning began to gleam, the thunder to roll,
and the tempeA, railing its voipe to a tremendous ro^^
defcended ina torrent.pf rsin. .'
In this emergency, the. fortirtidc of our hcrp was al-r
moll:, quite overcome. So many concurring circumftan-
ces of danger and diftrefs might have appalled the moft
tindaunted breaft ; what impreflion then muft they have
tnade upon the mind of Ferdinand, who yiAS by no
means a man to fet fear ^t defiance I Indeed, he had
nell nigh IqH the nfe of his reflexion, and was anally
invaded to tjie ikin, before he could recolle<^ himlelf Iq
far as to quit the road, and feek for fheltcr among the
thickets that forroupded him. Havipg Kode fomc fur-
longs into the forelt, he took his ftation under a tuft of
tall trees, that fcrcened him from the ftorm, apd in that
fitnation called a council >vithin himfelf, to deliberate
Upon his next excurfron. He perfuaded himfelf that
his guide had deferted him for the prefent, in order tq
give intelligence pf a traveller to fome gapg of robbers
with whom he was connected ; and that he muft of no-
ccffity fall a prey to thofe banditti, unlefs he fhould have
the good fortune to elude their fearch, and difentangle
himfelf from the mazes of the wood. ■
Harrowed with thefe apprehenfions, he rcfolved
fo commit himfelf to the mercy of the hurricane, as of
ti^o evils the Icaft, and penetrate Araight forwardi
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDmAND COUNT FATHOM. 97
through fome devious opening, until he Ihould be deli-
vered from the forcft. For this purpofc he turned his
horfe's head in a line quite contrary to the dir&fiion of
the high road which be had left, on the fuppoCtioa
that the robbers would purfuc that traift in quell of him,
and that they would never dream of lii« deferting the
highway, to traverfe an unknown forefl, amidH the
darknefs of fuch a boifterous night. After he had con-
tinued in this progrefs through a lucceflion of groves,
and bogs, and thorns, and bwkes," by which not only
his cloalbs, but alfo his fltin fulFered in a grievous
manner, while every nei^e quivered with eagerni'fs of
difmay, he at length reached an open plain, and pur-
liiing his courfe, in full hope of arriving at fome vil-
lage, where his life would be fafe, be defcried a rulh-
Lgfat at a dillance, which he looked upon as tbe (kar of
his good fortune, and riding towards it at full fpeed,
arrived at the door of a lone cottage, into which he was
. admitted by an old woman, who', underftanding he was
a bewildered traveller, received him with great hofpita-
lity.
When he learned from his hoftefs, that there was
not another houfe within three leagues, that fhe could
accommodate him with a tolerable bed, and his horfe
with lodging and oats, he thanked hk.*aven for his good
fortune in tumbling upon this homely habitation, and
determined to pafs the night under the proteiftion of
the old cottager, wbo gave him to underftand, that her
hufband, who was a faggot-maker, had gone to tbe nexC
town to difpofe of his merchandize, and that, in all
probability, he would not return till next morning, on
account of tbe tonpefluous night. Ferdinand founded
the beldame with 2 tlioufand artful interrogations, and
fhe anfwered with fuch appearance of truth and limpli-
city, that he concluded his perfon was quite fecure ;
and, after having been regaled with a difh of eggs and.
bacon^ detired fhe would conduct him into the cham-
ber where fhe pinpofed he fhotjld take his repofe. He
was accordingly ulheced up by a fort of ladder into mi
apartment fumilhed with a finding bed, and almoft
half filled with trulTes of ftraw. He fccmed extremely
well pteafed with his lodging, which in reality excced-
VoL. IV, N
^laiiizodbvGoogle
9» ■ Th^ ADVENTURE'S «f
ed his tXpe&atmbi and Us kind laiuiiady, caotiot*-'
iDg bim agmnft letting the dandle approach the oom-
buflil^es, took ber leave, and locked tbc doer on tbe
ou tilde.
CHAPT1ER XSH.
He fall} upon Scyllayfeekmg to avoid Cbaryidis.
FATHOM, whf^e own principles tangbt hhn to be
fufpicious, and ever upon his guard againft the
treachery of his fcllow-creaturcs, could have difpenfed
with this inftance of her care, in confining herguefl: to
her chamber, and began to be fcized with Ih-ange fan-
cies, when he obferved that there was no bolt on the
in(ide of the door, b^ which he might fecure himfelf
from intrufkin. In confcquence <^ thefe fuggeftions, he
propofed to take an accurat» furvey of every objedi in
the apartment, and, in the courfe of his enquiry, had
the mortification to find the dead body of a man, dill
warm, who had been lately ftabbed, and concealed be-
neath feveral bundles of ^baw.
Such a difcovay could not tail to fill the breaft of
our hero with unfpeakable horror; for he concludetf
that he himfelf would undei^o the fame hte bcfbae
morning, without the intcrpofitlon of a miracle in his
favour. In the firll tranfpoits of his dread, he ran to
the window, with a view to efcapc by that outlet, and
'ifound hia flight effeftualiy obftrufled by divers firoqg
bars of iron. Then his heart ibegan to palpitate, his
hair to briftleup, and his knees to totter ; his thoughts
tesme(^ with prcfages of death and deftru£Hon ; his con-
fcience rofe-up in judgment againll him, and he under-
went a fevere paroxyfm of difmay and diftrai£Hon. His
fpirits were agitated into a ftate of fermentation that
.produced a fpectes df refolution akin to that which is
infpired by brandy or other ftrong liquors, and, by an
icttpulfe that feemed fiipcFnatural, he was immediately
hurried into mcafures for his own prcfervatfon.
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
TERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ^
What upon a left intereftiag occafioa his imagina-
tjati durft not prop<^, he now executed witbout fcniple
or rcmoHe. He undr-eflcd the corpfe that lay bleeding
among the Araw, and, conveying it to the bed in his
arms, depolited it in the attitude of a perlbo who deeps
at hU eafci then he extinguifhed the light, took pol^
iclHoB of the place from wbrace the body had been re-
rooTcd, and, holding a piftol ready cocked in each
Juadi waited fcs the lequel with that determined pur-
foSc which is often the immediate produ^on of defpair.
About midnight he heard the found of feet afcending
the laddoT, the door was foftly opened, he faw the fha-
dow of two men ftaUcing towards the t>ed, a dark laot-
hom bcin^ unlhrouded, direfled their aim to the tbp-
' pofed fieepe*, aed be that held it tbruH ^ poignard to
his heart ; the force of the Uow made a compreflion
OB the cheft, and a fort of groan iJTued fconx the wind*
pipe of the defonA; the ftroke was repeated, without
produeisg a repetition of the note, fo that the afiaffins
coochided the work was efiefhially done, and retired
for the prelent with a delign to return aod rifle the do-
ceafcd at thdr leifure.
Netek had our hero fpent a moment in fuch agoay
as he felt during this operation ; the whole fur^e of
his body was covered with a cold fweat, a^ bis nerves
vae relaxed with an univerfal paUy: In Qiort, he re-
maned in a trance that, in all probability^ contributed
to bis faiety ; for, had he retained the ufe of lus fetdcs,
he might have been difcoveved by the tran^»rts of his
fear. The &ft ufe he made of his retrieved FecolledUoc
Was to perceive that the alTaflins had left the door open
IB their retreatj and he would have inj^tantly availed
himfelf of this their negle^, by Tallying out upon them,
at the hazard of his life, had not he been refined l^
a converfatim he overheard in the room below, unport-
hig, that the ruffians were going to fet out upon another
expedition, in hopes c^ finding more prey: They ac-
cordingly departed, after having laid ftrong injun^oos
upon the old woman to keep the door hit locked dtt-
riog their abfenoe ; and Ferdinand took his refolution
widiout farther delay. So foon as, by his coojeAure,
the robbos were at a fufficient difiance from the houle.
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
loo TX^ ADVENTURES of
• he rofc from his lurking-place, moved foftly towards the
bed, and, rummaging the pockets of the dcceafed^
found a purfe well-ftored with ducats, of which, toge-
ther with a filver watch and a diamond ring, be im-
mediately poffefied himfelf without fcntple ; then, dc—
fcending with great care and circumfpcflion into the
lower apartment, flood before the old beldame, before
fhe had the leaft intimation of his approach.
Accustomed as ihe was to the trade of blood, the
hoary hag did not behold this apparition without giving
figns of infinite terror and aftonifliment, believing it
was 'no other than the fpirit of her fecond gueft who
bad been murdered ; (he fell upon her knees, and began
to rccotntoend herfelf to the proteftion of the faints,
croffing herfetf with as much devotion as if fhe bad
be^n entitled to the particular care and attention of
Heaven. Nor did her anxiety abate, when flic was on-
deceived in this her fuppolition, and underflood it was
no phantom, but the real fubflance of the ftranger,
who, without flaying to upbraid her with the enormity
of her crimes, commanded her, on pain of immediate
death, to produce his horie, to which being condufted,
he fet her upon the faddle without delay, and, mount-
ing behindj invefted her with the management of the
reins, fwearing, in a moft peremptory tone, that the
only chance flie had for her life, was in dire^ng him
fafely to the next town ; and that, fo foon as fhe ifaould
give him the leaft caufc to doubt her fidelity in the per-
formance of that talk, he would on the inftant ȣt the
pSrt of her executioner.
This declaration had its effefl upon the withered
Hecate, who, with many fupplicattons for mercy and
fbrgivenefs, promifed to guide him in iafety to a certun
village at the diftancc of two leagues, where he might
lodge in fecurity, and be provided with a frcfli horfe, or
, other convenience, for purfuing his intended route. On
thefe conditions he told her ihe might dcferve his cle-
mency ; and they accordingly took their departure t(V
gether, flie being placed aftride upon the faddle, hold-
ing the bridle in one hand, and a fwitch in the other;
and our adventurer fitting on the crupper, fupcrintend-
ing her conduit, and keeping the muzzle of a piftol
. .■,z<,i:,.,G00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. loi
dole at her car. In this equipage they travelled acrofs
part of the fame wood in which his guide had forfaken
him ; and it is not to be fuppofed that he pafled his
tittie in thcmoft agreeable reverie, wTiile he found him-
fclf involved in the labyrinth- of thofe ihades, which he
confidered-i»^he haunts of robb«7 and alTanination.
Common fear was a comfortable fenfation to what
he felt in. this «xourfion. The firit fteps he had taken
for his prcfervation were the effects of mere inftinft,
while his faculties were ' extinguiflied or fnpprefied by
defpair j birt noW( as his reileflion began to recur, he
was haunted " by -the moft intolerable ■apprehenfions.
■ Every whiiper of -the wind through the thickets was
fwelled into the hoarfe menaces of murder, the {hiking
of the boughs -vtas conftraed into the brandifliing oS
peignards, and tvery ihadow of a tree became th& appa-
rition of a ruffiofti 'eager for blood. • In ftiort, at each of
thefe OccurefiCes he felt what was iniinitcly MoK tor-
menting tb^n'lbe ftab of a realiiagger; and at every
■ fre& fiiip of hiafcar he afted as remcmbranoer^tohls
conduftrefs, in a new volley of iiKprdcations, impottl&g,
that her life was abfolutely connected with his opinion
of his own fafety.
Human nature could not long fubllft under fuch
complicated terror: At laft be. found hi mfelf clear of
the foreft, and was blefled with the diftant view of an
inhabited place: He then began to exercife his thoughts
upon a new lubjeft. He debated with himfelf, whether
he Abuld make a parade of his intrepidity and ptiblTc
fpirit, by difclofing his atchievement, and furrCndcritig
his guide to the penalty of the law j or leave the old
hag and her accomplices to the remOrfc of their own
confcieiices, and proceed quietly oii his journey to Paris,
in undifturbed poUelhon of the prize he had already
obteinod. This taft ftep he determined to take, opon
recoUefting, that, in the courfe of his information, the
ftory of the murdered ftranger would infallibly attraft
the attention of juftice, and in that cafe the effcfts be
had borrowed from the defunft muft be refunded for
the benefit of thofe who had a riglit to the fucceffion.
This was an argument which our adveaturer could pot
rcfiit i he forefaw that he {hould be {tripped of his ac-
^lailizodbvGoOglf
104 3^. ADVENTURES /
^&ioDi wbick he looked' upon as the faJr fruits of hs.
^our :md fegacity ■, and, moreover, be detained as som,
«*idence againft the robbers, to the roanifeft detrimeot
of l^s affairs ; Perhaps too he had motives of coa—
fciesee, thM diOuaded him from beaiing witaeis agalnfl: ^
a fet 1^ pco[4e wkole [»-lac)ples did not mncii dificv
feiia his own.
Invluensed by foch conlideratioiis, he yielded t0
tlie firft importunity of the b^ldarae> whom he difbiille4
tt'a very Imalldiftatice from the village, after he had ,
^meAly exhorted her to quit fucb an atrocious courfq
of life, and atone for<her paft crimes, by lacrificing hea
tSociatef to the demands Af jgfUce. She did not fa.it
*o TOW a perfeft refarnutioB, and to proArate berfe^
before Awa for the favour ihe had found } then ifae be-
took herfelf to hor habitation, with fiiU parpofeoi ad-
Tking her fellow-murderers to repair with all difpatch
to the village, and itiq>each our hero, who, wilely dif-
trH&tng her profeffions, llaid: no longer in the jJacc
thai^ to hire, a ^ide for the next ftage, wlucb brM^I
Jum to the city of Chalons fur Mame.
CHAPTER XSn.
■ He arrrwes at PttrUt and u fU^td v/ii^ his rtceptiom.
HE 'was not fo finitten with the delighthil fitoaticB
of this ancient town, but that he abaodcnied it as
loon as he could procure a poft-chaife, in which be ar-
rived at Paris, without luving been cxpofcd to any
ether troublefbtne adventure upon the road. He to<^
lodgings at a certain hotel in the Fauxbourg de St Ger-
iBM»,. which is the general rendezvous of all tbe ftraov
gers that refort to this capital, and now fiacerely con-
gratulated himfetf upon his happy efcape from his HuO-
garian connections, and from the fnarcs of the banditti^
a* well as upon the fpoils of the dead body, and his ai^
rival at Paris, from whence there vras fuch a fliort kOc^
veyance to £i^Iand> whither he was attra^ed, by hx
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COfONT FATHOM. 103
otber moCiTes than .that of £lul veneratioa lor hii na-
tive foil.
He fupprefled all his letters of recoramcDdatioB,
which he jullly concluded would fubjefl hiin.Ai a tod^
ods courfc of attendance i^>on the ^reat, and lay him
under the necelEty of foliciting prcforoent in the anny,
than which npttung was &rt3ier from bis inclination;
and refolvcd to make bis appeantoce in the chirafter of
a private gentleman, which would fupply bim with op-
portunities of ezaminiog the difierent fcenes af life in
liicb a gay metropolis, fo as that he (hould lie able to
cbuie that fphere in which he could move the moft c&
fe^ally to his own advantage. He accordingly htrd
an occallond domestic, and, under the denomination of
Count Fadom, which he bad retained £nce hia elc^jo-
mcnt from Renaldo, repaired to dinner at an ordinaryi
to which he was dire£h:d as a reputable place, irequentod
by faJbionable ftrangers of all nations.
He found this piece of informatioa perfefUy jufV ; for
he no fooocr entered the apartment, than liis ears were
faluted with a ftrange conbi&on of founds, among which
he at once diftinguifhed the high and low Dutch, bar-
faarOus Fitnch, Italian, and Engliih tangu^es. ' He was
rejoiced at this occa£on of difplaying his own qualifica-
tions, took bis place at one of three long tables, betwixt
B Weftpbalian count and a Bolognian marquis, inllnua-
{ed himfelf into the convcriation with liis aliial addce£^
and m Icfs than half an boor ibund means to accoft a
3i3tive of each difierait country in his own outtlur-
-tonguc.
StrcH estenflve knowlei^ did not pafs tmoUcrved.
-A French abbe, in a provincial .dialeft, complimented
liim upon bis retaining that purity in [nvnunciatini,
which is not to be found in the Ipeocb of a Parifiaa.
The Bolognian, miftaking him for a Tufcan, *< Sin^faid
he), 1 prefumc you arc from Florence : I hope the it
iuftriops honic of Lonain leaves yon .genllcmsn of that
£imous city no room to regret the I0& of your owB
pinces." Tbccaftle of Verfailles becoming the fulyca
of converfation, Moniieur Ic Comtc appealed to him, as
io a native German, whether it was not infiuior m point
of magnificeDcc to the Chateau of Grubenba^ : The
^oiizodbyGoogle
104 '^' ADVENTURES /
Dutch officer, addreffiag himfelf to Fathom, drank to
the profperity of Fadcrland, and a&ed if he had not
once ferved in gairifon at Schaikenfchans { and an
£ngli{h knight fwore, with great affnrance, that he had
frequently rambled with him at midnight among the
iiundreds of Drury.
To each pcrfon he rcpUed in a polite though myfte-
rious manner, which did not fail to enhance their opi-
nion of his good breeding and importance ; and, long
before the defert appeared, he was by aU the company
fuppojed to be a perfonage of great conlequence, who
for fome fubftantial reafons found it convenient to tccep
^himfelf incognito. This being the cafe, it is not to be
doubted that particular civilities were poured upon him
frooV all quarters : He perceived their fcntiments, and
cnconraged them, by behaving with that fort of com-
plaifancc which ieems to be the refult of engaging con-
defcenfion in a charadter of fuperior dignity and ftaiion.
His affability was general ; but his chief attention limit-
ed to thofc gentlemen already mentioned, who cha'nced
tofit ncareft him at table ; and he no fooner gave them
to underftand that he was an utter ftranger in Paris,
than they unanimoufly begged to have the honour of
making him acquainted with the different curioiaties
peculiar to that metropolois.
He accepted of their hofpitality, accompanied them
to a coffeehoufc in the afternoon, &om whence^ they rc-
.paired tO' the opera, and afterwards adjourned to a no-
ted hotel, in order to fpend the remaining part of the
evening. It was here that our hero fecured himfelf ef- ■
ie^ually in the footing he had gained in tbcir good
graces : He in a moment faw through all the charac-
.ters of the party, and adapted himfelf to the humour of
each individual, without defcending from that elevation
of behaviour which he perceived would operate among'
them-in his behalf. With the Italian he-difcourfed on
mufic, in the ftile of a conhcufieur; and indeed had a
better claim to that title than the generality of thofc
upon whom it is ufually conferred -, for he undemood
the art in theory as well as in praflice, and would have
.made no contemptible figure among the belt performers
of the age. ... -
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 105
Hk harangued ilpon tafte ind genius to the abbe,
Vho was a wit and critic, tx officio, or ratber ex veflitu:'
For a young pert Frencbmani the very moment he puts
on tho petit collet, or little band, looks upon himfelf as
sn inTpired fon of ApoUo ; and every one of the frater-
iiity thinks it incumbent upoii him to a&ert the divinity
of his miffioni In a word, the abbes arc a fct of people
that bear a ftrong analogy to the templars in London.
Fools of each fabric, Iharpers of all fortsj and dunces
of every degree, profefsthcmfelvcs of both orders. The
templar is, generally fpcaklngt a prig, fo is the abbe :
Both arc dininguithed by an air of petulance and fclf-
Eonceitj which holds a middle rank betwixt the iofo-
lence of a fitlt-rate bi^ck^ and che learned prjde of a fu-
percilious pedant, ^he AAk is fuppofed to be a younger
l»vtber in queft of prcfcrnient in the church i The
temple is conlidered as a receptacle or feminary for
younger fons intended for the bar; but a great number
of each prbfeffion tili-n afidc into other paths of life,
long befctfd they reach .thefe propofed goals : Ad abbe
is often mctsfnorphofcd into a foot:foldier; a templar
Sometimes jinks into an attorney's clerk 1 The gallics of
France abound With abb<:s ; and many templars may be
fcnind in oiir American plantations ] not to mention thofe
who have Jhide a public exit nfiarer home. Yet I would
not have it thought that my defcription includes every
jntUvidBal of thofe focieties. Some of the grcateft fcho- ~
lars, p4jlitic^ns, and wits, -that ever Europe produced,
have wore^the habit of an abbe; and many of our moft
noble iamilies in England derive their honours from
thofe who have fhidied law in the temple : The worthy
fans of every community fhall always be facred from my
ceniiBV and ridicule j and, while 1 laugh at the folly of
particular members, I can fiill honour and revere the
inftitution;
But, let usreturn from this comparifon, which fome
readers may think impertineot and unfcaibnabLe ^ and
obferve, that the Weftphalion count, Dutch officer, and
EilgHih knight, were not excepted from the particular
tcgard and attention of our, adventurer : He pledged'
the German in every bumper ; flattered the Hollander
with compliments upon the induftry, wealth, and poli-
VoL. IV. O
^oiizodbyGoogle
io6 . Tht ADVENTURES of
cf of the Seven United Provinces; but he referved his
chief battery for his own countryman, on the fuppofi-
tion that he wat, in all refpe^s, the beft adapted for
the purpofes of a necdj gamefter : Him, therefore, he
cultivated with extraordinary care and £ngu)ar <^ret-
vance j for he foon perceived him to ix an humourift,
and, from that circumftatKe, derived an happy prelagc
of his own fuccefs. The baronet's difpofition feemed to
be call in the true Englifh mould. He was Ibur, lilent,
and contemptuous ; his veij looks indicated a confciouC-
oeffi of -Tuperior wealth, and he never bpcned tiis mouthy
except to make fome dry, farcaftic, national re£e^UoD ;
nor was his behaviour free from that air of fufpicioo
which a man puts on, when he bc)ie\-e3 himfelf in a
crowd of pick'pockets, whom his caijiion and vigilance
Jet at defiance : In a word, though his tongue was £lciit
<m the fui^eA, his whole demeanour was ^contintially
faying, " Tou are all a pack of poor loufy ralcals,.who
have a defign upon my purfe : 'Tis true, I conld bny
your whole generation, .but I won't be bubbled, d'ye
iee ; I am aware of your flattery, and upon my guard
againft all your knavifh pranks ; and. I cone iuto your
company for my own amufement only," .
Fathom having reconnoitred this peculiarity of tem-
per, inftead of treating him with that affiduous coih"
plaifance, which he received from the other gentlcmeii
of the party, kept aioof from him in the conver&tion,
with a remarkable ihynefs of diftant civility, and feldom
took notioeof what he faid, except with a ticw to coa-
tradi£^ him, or retort fome of his fatirical obfervatlooi.
This he conceived to be the beft method of acquiring
his good opinion ; becaufe the Englifliman would natu-
rally conclude he was a perfon who could have no GnU
fter views upon his fortune, elie he would have chofen
quite a different manner of deportment. Accordingly
the knight fecmed to bite at the hook : He liftencd to
Ferdinand with uncommon regard ; he was even heard
to commend his remarks ; and at length drank to their
better acquaintance.
^lailizodbvGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM.
CHAPTER XXin.
Acquits himfelfvjith addrefs in a noSurnal riot.
THE Italian and the abbe were the firft who began
to grow whimfical under the influence of the
fiurgundy^l and in the heat of their elevation, propofed
that the company {hould amure themfeWes during the
rcoiaiaing part of the night, at the houfe of an obliging
dame, who maintained a troop of fair nymphs for the
accommodation of the other fex. The propofal was ap-
proved by all, except the Holiandpr, whofe economy
the wine had not as yet invaded; and, while he retreat-
ed foberly to his own lodgings, the refl of the fociety
adjourned in two coaches to the temple of love, where
tfiey were received by the venerable prieftefs, a perfo-
nage turned of icventy, who feemed to exercife the
fbn^ons of her calling, in defptght of the moft cruel
ravages of time : For age had bent her into the form of
a Turki(h bow : Her head was agitated by the palfy,
like the leaf of the poplar tree ; her hair fell down in
fcanty parcels, as white as the driven fnow ; Her face
was not limply wrinkled, but ploughed into innumerable
furrows: Her jaws could not boaft of one remaining
tooth J one eye diftilicd a large quantity of rheum, by
firtuc of the fiery edge that furrounded it ; the other was
altogether extinguilhed, and fhe had loft her nofe in
the courfc of her minillration. The Delphic fibyl was
but a type of this hoary matron, who 1^ her figure
might have been miftaken for the confort of Chaos, or
mother' erf time. Yet there was fomething meritorious
in her appearance, as it denoted her an indefatigable
minifter to the pleafure of mankind ; and as it formed
an agreeable contraft with the beauty and youth of the
feir damfeb that wantoned in her train. It rcfembled
thofe difcords in mufic, which, properly difpofed, con-
tribute to the harmony of the whole piece ; or thofe
horrible giants who, in the world of romance, ufed to
guard the gates of the caflte in which the inchanted
damfcl was confined.
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
,o8 Tie ADVENTURES of
This Urganda fccmcd to be aware of her own iip-
portancc, and perfedlly well acquainted with the humaif
appetite-, for flie compelled the whole company to un-
dergo her embrace ; then a lacquey in magnificent live^
ry ul]ieTc4 thetfi info a fupcrb apartment, where they
waited fome minutes, without being favoured with the
;ippearaDce of the ladies, to the manifeft diJl'atisfa^on
of the abbe, who, fending for the gouvernante, rejiri-
manded hpr feverely for hw want of politcfle. The old
lady, who was by no means a pattern of patience and
fubmiition, retorted his reproaches with great emphafis
and vivacity: Her eloquence flowed altogether in the
Covent-garden ftraln ; and I queftion whether the c£le-
brated Mother Douglas herfelf could have made fuch a
- figure in an extern poraucoos altercation.
After having beftowed upon the abbe the epithets
of faucy infignificant pimp, {he put him in mind of the
good offices which he had received ai her hands j how
flie had fupplied him with bed, board, and bedfellow,
in his greateft neceflity ; fcut him abroad with money
in his pockets, and, in a word, cherilhed him in hec
bofom, when his own mother had abandoned him to
diftrefs : She then reviled hiip for prefuming to afiront
her before flrangers, and gave the company tp under-
hand, that the young ladies would wait upon tbepi as
foon as they could be confefled and receive abfolution
from i) worthy cordelier, who was now employed in
performing that charitable olHce. The gentlemen were
fatiBfigd with this remonnrance, which argued the old
lady's pious concern for tlje fouls that were under her
care, and our adventurer propofed an accommodation
betwixt her and the abbe, who was prevailed upon tq .
afk her pardon, and received her bleJQng upon hia
knees. ...■■■■
This afFair had not been long adjuftfd, T»heni fivq
damfeis were introduced in a very gay diihabille, and
our hero was complimented with the privilege of chu-
fmg his amanda from the whole bevy : When he was
provided, the others began to pair themfelves, and un-
happily the ^jerman count chanced to pitch upon the
fame nymph who had captivated the deiires of the Bri-
ti£h knight: A difpute imiiiediately enfued, for thg-
DiailizodbvCoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. leg
^gUOinian made his addreilcs to the lad^, mtliout
paying the leaft regard to the priority of the other's
claim ; and £hc being pleafed with his attachment, did
not fcniple to renounce his rival, who fwore by the
thunder, lightning, and facrament, that he would not
quit his pretentions for any prince in Chrillendom, much
Ids for a little Englifh chevalier, whom he had ahxady
honoured too much m condefcending to be his compa»
nion.
Th e knight, provoked at this ftately declaration, which
ivas the immediate eSe£t of anger and ebriety, eyed his
antagonift with a moCt contemptuous afpcA, and advi.
fed him to avoid fuch comparifons for the future : " We
all know (f^id he) the importance of a German count j
- I fuppofe your revenue amounts to three hundred rix-
doUars; and you have a chateau that looks like the
ruins of an Englifh gaol. I will bind myfelf to lend
yon a thoufand pounds upon a mortgage of your eftate
(and a bad bargain I am fure I fhall have), if I do not,
in le^ than two months, find a yeoman nf Kent, who
fpend; ipore iq ftrong ale than the fum total of your
yearly income ; and, were the truth known, I believe
that lace upon your coat is no better than tinfel, and ,
thofe fringed ruffles, with iine Holland fleeves, tacked
to a fliirt of brown canvas, fo that, were you to undrels
yourftlf before the lady, you would only cxpofe your
own poverty and pride."
The count was fo much enraged at thcfc farcaftic
pblervations, that his faculty of fpeech was overwhelm-
ed by his refentment ; though, in order to acquit him-
felf of the Englifliman's imputation, he forthwith pulled
off his cloaths with fuch fury,that his brocade wailtcoat
was tore from top to bottom. The knight, miAaking
his meaning, considered this demeanour as a fair chal-
lenge, to try which was the better roan in the exercife
of boxing ; and, on that fuppotitlon, began to ftrip in
his turn, when he was undeceived by Fathom, who put
the right interpretation upon the count's behaviour, and
begged that the aSair might be compromifed. By this
time the Weftpjialian recovered the ufe of his tongue,
and with many threats and imprecations, deHred they
would take notice how fallely he had been adperfed, and
^olizodbyGoOglc
no 9^ ADVENTURES of
do him ^uftice in efpouUng his claim to the damfH in
qudlton.
Before the company had time or inctmation to in-
tereft themfelves- in the quanrel, his opponent obfer»ed
that no perfor who was not a mere German* would eVcF
dream of forcing the inclinations of a pretty giiH, whom
the accidents of fortune had fubjed^ed to his power:
That fiich compulfion was equivalent to the moft cmcl
rape that could be committed ; and that the lady's aTCr-
fion was not at all iurprifing ; for, to fpeak his own fcn-
timents, were he z woman of plcaliire, he would as foon
grant favours to a Weftphalian hog, as to the perfon of
his antagonit). The German, enraged at this comparl-
fon, was quite abandoned by his patience and difcre-
tion ; He called the i;night an Englifli clown, and,
fweai-ing he was the moft untoward beaft of a whole
nation of mules, fnatched np one of the candlefticks,
which he launched at him with fuch force and violence^
that it Tung through the air, and winging its flight into
the anti-chamber, encountered the ikull of his own va-
let, who with immediate proftration received the met
fagc of his mafter.
The knight, that he might not be behind hand with
the Weftphalian, in point of courtefy, returned the
compliment with the remaining chandelier, which alfo
mifled its mark, tod fmiting a large mirror that wai
iixed behind them, emitted fuch a cralh as one might
expeft to hear if a mine were fprnng beneath a manu-
fafture of glafs. Both lights being thus extinguiflied, a
fnrious combat enftied in the dark ; the Italian fcam-
pered off with infinite agility, and as be went down
ftairs, defired that nobody would interpofe, becaule it
^ was an a^ir of honour, which could not be made up.
The ladies cor.fulted their fafety in flight ; Count Fa-
thom flily retired to one corner of the room, while the
abbe having upon him the terrors of the commiflaire,
endeavoured to appeafe and part the combatants, and,
in the attempt, fuftained a random blow npon his nofc,
which fent him howling into the other chamber, where,
finding his band befmeafed witli his own blood, he be-
gan to caper about the apartment, in a tranfport of rage
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. iii
Meanwhile, the cdd gentlewoman being alarmed
with the aoiCe of the battle, and appreh«nlive that it
would end ui murder, to the danger and difcredli: of
berTelf and fxtaWy, iramediatd^ muftcred up her myr-
midoDS, of whom flic aivmys retained a formidable
bind, and, putting hcHclf at their heitd, lighted them
to the icene iof uprOar : Ferdinand, who had hitherto
obferved a ftz\& aeutraiityj no fooner perceived tfaem
iftpproach, than he leaped in between the dirputants,
that he might; be found ^^ng m the character of a
pea ce- make r 1 and, indeed, by this time, victory had
decfared for the baronet, who had treated his antagonift
with a crals' buttock, which laid him almoA brsaihlcfi
on the fioor. ' The vi^r Was prevailed upon, bf tht
intreatiesof FatbcHn, to quit the field of battle, and ad-
journ into another room, where, in lefs than half aa
hour, he recciTed a billet hxun the count, defying hifa
to £ngie combat on the frontiers of Flandert, it an ap>
poitucd time and place. The challenge was immediate-
ly accepted fay the knight, who, being fluQied withcon-
queft, treated his adverfary with great contempt.
But, next day, when the fumes of the Burgundy
were quite exhaled, and the adventure recurred to his
lemcmtHTince and ibber reflection, he waited upon our
adventtavr at his lodgings, .and iblicited his. advice in
fuch a manner, as. gave him .to underdand that he loolt'
ed upan what had happened as a drunken brawl, which
ought to have no fertous confequenccs. Fathom fbre-
fccing that the affair might be managed for his own in-
tcrcfl:, profeQed himfeif of the baronet's opinion i and,
without hditation, undertook the office of a mediator,
aCuring his principal, that his honour fiiopld fuffer no
fiam in the courfe of his negociation-
Hating received the Engliihman's acknowledgments
for this inllance of fricndfbip, he forthwith fet out for
the place of the German^ habitation, and underftand-
ing he was ftill afleep, jniifted upon his being imme-
diately waked, and told, that a gentleman from the
chevalier defu'ed to fee him, upon buHnefs of import-
ance which could not be delayed. Accordingly, his va-
let de chambre, prelTed by Fathom's importunities and
remonfrranccs, ventured to go in and ihake the count
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
itz The AD VE.N TV RES if
by the flioulder; when this ftrious Tcutonian, ftill i^-.
tated by the fever of the preceding night, leaped out of
bed in a &cnzy, and feizing his ^ord that lay upon 2
table, would have fcrcrcly pimifhcd the prcTumption of
his fervant, had not he been reftraincd by the entrance
of Ferdinand, tvho, with a peremptory countenance^
, gave him to underAand that the Valet had a^d at lus
immediate in{lig3tion ; and that he was. comcv as the
EngliHunan's friend, to concert with him pr<q>er ntca^
fures for keeping the appointment they faad'madc at
their laft meeting. '
This menage effectually calmed the German, who
was not a little mortified to find himfelf fo difagrceably
. diiturbed. He could not help curfing the impatience
of Ms antagonift, and even hinting that he would have
afled more like a gentleman and good ChriAlan, in
cxprclHng a defire of feeing the a^ir accommodated^'
as -he knew himfelf to be the aggrcfibr, confcqucBtly
the £rft offender againA the laws of politencfs and good
fellowfhip. Fathom, finding him in a £t temper, of
mind, took the opportunity of alTcnting to ^e reafoii>
ablenefs of his obfervation : He ventured to condemn
the impetuofity of the baronet, who, he perceived, was
extremely nice and fcurpulous in the punfUUos of ho*
nour ; and faid it was pity that two gentlemen ihould
forfeit each other's fricndihip, much leii expofs their
lives for fuch a frivolous caufe^ " My dear count I
(cried the Weftphalian), I am charmed to find your fcn-
tiihents fo conformable to my own : In an honourable
caufe, I def[»fe all danger; my courage, thank Hea-
ven) hasbecn manifcftcd'in many pnbUc engagements
»s well as in private rcncoumers ; but, to break with m^
friend, whofe eminent virtues I admire, and even to
feck his life, on liich a fcandalous occasion, for a little
jnfignificant whore, who, I fuppofe, took the advantage'
of our intoxication, to foment the quarrel : By Heaven i
my confciencc cannot digeft it."
Having exprefied himfelf to this purpofc, he waited
impatiently for the reply of Ferdinand, who, a^er a:
paufe of deliberation, cnered his fervtces in the.w^ cf
mediatiCHi; though, he obfcrvcd, it was a matter of
great delicacy, and the event altogether uncertain. " No-
.iiizodbvGoo^lc
Ferdinand count fathom, hj
^^nthcleTs (added our adventurer), I will ftrive'to ap-
pcafc the kiughtj whQ, I hope, will be induced t^ my
remonftrances to forget the unlucky accident, which
hath fo difagrccablf interrupted your mutual friend
fliip.'' The German thanked him for this proof of \u»
re^rd, which yielded him more fatis&ftion on account
of the chevalier than of himfelf: *< For, by the tombf
of tny fathers ! (cried he) I have fo little concern for
my pcrfonal lafetyj that, if my honour wcr« interefted,
I durft oppofe royfclf fingly to the whole ban of the
empire ; and I am now ready, if the chevalier requires
it, to give him the rendezvous in the fsreft of Senlis,
cither on horfeback or on foot, where this contcfi may
be terminated with the life of otie or both of us."
Count Fathom, with a view to chaftlfc the "Weft-
phalian for this rhodomontade, told him with a roorti*
. ^irjg air of indiSerence, that if they were both bent
upon taking the £cld, he would fave himfelf the trouble
of interpo&Dg fanhcr in the aSair ; and defired to kno^
the hour at which it would fuit Kioi to take the air
with the baronet : The other, not a little embarrailed
by this quellion, faid, with a faltering tongucr he
ihould be proud to obey the chevdler's orders ; but, at
the fame time, owned he ihould be much better plcafcd
^ our hero would execute the pacific propo&l he had
made> Fathom accordingly promifed to exert himfelf
for that purpofc, returned to the knight, with whom
be afiumcd the merit of having tranquillized the rage of
an incenfed barbarian, who was now difpofed to a re-
conciliation upon equal terms : The baronet overwhelm-
ed him with carcfles and complimmts upon his friend-
Ihip and addrcTs ( the parties met that fame forenoon,
as if by accident, in Fathom's apartment, where they
embraced each other cordially, exchanged apologies, and
renewed their former corrcfpODdcncc.
Odr adventurer thought he had good reafon to con-
gratulate himfelf upon the part he a^ed in this pacifi-
cation : He was treated by both with fignal marks of
particular afiedtioo and eftccm. The count prdTed him
to accept, as a token of his attachment, a fword of very
curious workmanfhip, which he had received in a pre-
fent from a certain prince of the empire : The knight
Vol. IV. - P
. Mz,,!:,., Google
114 » ?*' ADVENTURES of
ibrced upon his £nger a very Iplcndid diamond ring, as
a teftimony of bis gratitude and dleem : But there was
ftiU another pe*fon to be appeafed, l>eforc the peace of
the whole company could be cftabliChcd. This was no
other than the abbe, from whom each of the recon-
ciled friends received at dinner a billet couched in thef?
words:
" I HAVE the honour to lament the infinite chagria
and mortification that compels me to addrcfs mylelf in
this manner to a perfon of your rank and eminence,
whom I Ihould do myfelf the plcafure of waiting upoti
in perfon, were I not prevented by the misfortune of
my nofe, which was laft night moft cruelly difarranged,
by a violent contulion I had the h(»iour to receive, in
attempting to compofe that unhappy ^a^n/j at the houfe
of Madam la Maqiierelle; and what puts the finilhing
ftroke to my mifhap, is my being rendered incapable of
keeping tlirce or four afEgnations with ladies of fafhion,
by whom ! have the honour to be particularly eftcem-
ed. The disfiguration of my nofe, the pain I have un-
dergone, with the difcompofurc of brain which it pro-
duced, I could bear as a philofopher ; but the difap-
pointment of the ladies, my glory wilt.not permit me to
overlook : And as you know the injury was fiiftained in
your fervice, I have the pleafure to hope you will not
refiife to grant fuch reparation as will be acceptable to
a gentleman who has the honour to be with inviolable
attachment,
Sir, your moft dcvot<id Have,
Fepih Gothaire Charle Henri Louis Bamabc de
Fjimier,"
This epiftle was fb equivocal, that the perfbns to
whom it was addreffed, did not know whether or not
they ought to mterpret the contents into a challenge j
when our hero obferved, that the ambiguity of his ex-
preffions plainly proved there was a door left open for
accommodation ; and propofed that they fhould forth-
with vifit the writer at his owp apartment: They ac-
cordingly fallowed his advice, and found the abbe in
bis motning gown and Dippers, with three huge night-
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COITOT FATHOM. nj
caps on his head, and a crape hat-band tied over the
middle of his face> by way of bandage to his nofe. He
received his vifitors with the moft ridiculous folcmnitys
being ftill a ftranger to the purport of their errand ; but
foon as the Weftphalian declared they were come ia
confequence of his billet. In order to alk pardon for the
undellgned offence they had given, his features retrieved
their natural vivacity, and he profeired himfelf perfeft-
ly fatisfied with their polite acknowledgment. Then
they condoled hitn upon the evil plight of his nofe, and
feeing fomc marks upon his fliirt, a&edi with feeming
concern, if he had loft any blood in the fray. To this
interrogation he replied, ^at he had ftill a^fufficient
quantity left for the occaiions of his friends } and that
he fhould deem it his greateft glory to expend the Ull
drop of It in their fervice.
Mattcks being thus amicably adjufted, they pre-
vailed upon him to uncal'e his nofe, which retained n6
figns of the outrage he had fuffcred j and the amufe-
ments of the day were concerted. It was in confequence
of this plan, that, after the comedy, they were enter-
tuned at the count's lodgings, where quadrille was pro-
poled by the abbe, as the moft innocent paftime, and
the propofal was immediately embraced by all prefcnt^
and by none with more alacrity than by our adventurer,
viho, without putting forth a moiety of his Ikill, went
home with twenty louis' clear gain ; Though, hr from
believing himfclf greatly fuperior to the reft of the
party, in the artifices of play, he juftly fufpeAcd that
they had concealed their &ill, vnth a view of ftrlpping
_ him on fome other occaGon ; for he could not (iippofe,
that perfons of their figure and charaAer, fhould be,
in reality, fuch novices its they affcfted to appear.
3,a,l,zt!dbv,G00gIf
ti6 Tht ADVENTURES of
. CHAPTER XXrV,
Jle Bvtrlooh fke advances ef his f funds y and /marts /evere^
C* TEELED with this gautious ni9ximt he guarded
ij^ himfelf from their united endeavours,, in fundry
fibfequent attacks, by which his £rft conjcfhire wa;
confirmed, apd ftiU came off conqueror, by virtue of
his unparajlelled fineffe and difcrction : Till at leneth
they feemcd to defpair of making him their prey, and
^c count began to drop Ibme hints, importing a deJiri;
of feeing liim more clofcly united to the views and in-
tercft of their triumvirate. But Ferdinand, who was
altogether fel£Qi, and quite folitary ip his profpefb,
difcoura^ed all thofe advances; bfing refolved to trad^
lipon his own bottom only, and to avoid all fuch cbn-
iie^tions w^thjany perfon or fociety ijrhatever ; much
more, with a fet of raw adventurers yrhofe talents h^'
defpifed. "With thefe fentJments, he ftill maiptalned
the dignity and relervc of his firft appearance among
them, and rather iphanced than diminilhed that idea
of importance vbich he had infpired at the beginning;
becaufe, befides his qther qualifications, they gave hini
credit for the addrefs with which he ^cpt himfelf fupc-
rior to their united defigns,
While he thus enjoyed his pre-eminence, together
with the fruits pf h's fuccels at play, which he managed
fo difcrectly, as never to incur the reputation of an ad-
irenturcr, he, one day, chanced to be at the ordinary,
when the company was furprifed by the entrance of
fuch a £gure as had never appeared before in that place.
This was no other than a perfon habited in the exaft
uniform of an Englilh jftcfcey. His leathern cap, cut
bob, fuftian frock, Bannel waiftcoat, buff breeches,
hunting-boots and whip, were fufficient of themfelvcs
to fumifh out a phenomenon for the admiration of all
Paris ; But thefe peculiarities were rendered ftill more
confpicuous by the behaviour of the man who owned
them. When he croffed the threfhold of the outwarf
. Mz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 117
iooTf he produced fuch a found from the finack of hb
whip, as equalled the expIoHon of an ordinary cohorn i
and then broke forth into the hollow of a foxhunter,
which he uttered with all its variations, in a ftrain of
vociferation, that feeoied to aftoniOi and confound the
whole aflcmbly, to whom he introduced himfdf and
his fpaniel, by excluming in a tone fomething Icfs me-
lodious than the cry of mdckarel or live cod, " By
your leaTC, Gentlevolks, I hope there's no ofieiice, in
an honeft plain EngliQiman's coming with money in his
pocket, to taAe a bit of your Vrcnch frigafee and ra-
c^ manner, that the greateft part of the company mif-
took him for fome favage monfter or maniac, and con-
fulted their fafcty by ftarting up from table, and draw- ■
ing their fwords. The EngliOiman, feeing fuch a mar-
tial apparatus produced againft him, recoUed two or
three fteps, faying, ". Waunds, a believe the people are
all bewitched : What, do they take me for a beaft of
prey ? is there no body here that knows Sir Stentor
Stile, or can fpeak to inc in my own lingo f" He had
no fooner pronounced thefe words, than the baronet,
with marks of infinite furprife, ran towards him, cry-
ing, " Good heaven 1 Sir Stentor, who expefled to
meet with yoii in Paris ?" Upon which, the other eye-
ing him very earneWy, " Odds hcartlikens (cried he),
my neighbour, Sir Giles Squirrel, as I am a living foul !"
With thefe words, he flew upon him like a tyger, kifled
him from ear to ear, demolished his periwig, and dif^
ordered the whole economy of his drefs, to the no
fmall entertainment of the company.
Having well nigh ftifled his countryman with em-
braces, and bcfmeared himfelf . with pulvHle from head
to foot, he proceeded in this manner; '* Mercy upon
thee, knight, thou art fo tranfmographied and bedaub- _
cd, and bedizened, that thou mought rob thy own mo-
ther without fear of information. Look ye here now,
I will be trufled, if the very bitch that was brought up
in thy own bofom, knows thee again. Hey, Swectlips,
here hulTy, damn thee tuoad, do'ft n't know thy old
(peaftcr. Ey, ey, thou may'ft fmell till Chriftmas, 111
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
iiS The ADVENTURES, ef
be bound to be hanged, knight, if the creature's nofe
an't foundered by the damned {linking perfumes yon
have got among you."
These compliments being paft; the two knights fat
down by one another, and Sir Stentor being alked by
his neighbour, upon what errand he had crofled the
fea, gave him to underftand, that he had come to
Trance, in confequence of a wager with Squire Snaffle,
who had laid a thoufand pounds, that he, Sir Stentor,
would not travel to Paris by himfelf, and for a whole
month appear every day at a certain hour in the public
walks, without wearing any other drefs than that in
which he faw him- " The fellor has got no more ftuff
in his pate, continued this polite {tranger, than a jack-
afs, to think I could not find my way hither, thof I
could not jabber your French lingo. £cod ! the peo-
ple of this country are {harp enough to find out your
meaaing, when you want to fpend any thing among
them : And as for the matter of drefs, bodikins ! for
3 thoufand pound, I would engage to live in the midft
of them, and fhcw myfelf without any cloaths at all.
Odd's heart ! a true-born Englilhman needs not be
afeard to 0iew his face, nor his back-fide neither, witE
the beft Frenchman that ever trod the ground. Thof
we Englifhmen don't beplaifter our doublets with gold
snd filver, I believe as how we have our pockets better
lined than moil of our neighbours ; and for all my bit
of a fuftian frock, that coA me in all but forty Ihillings,
I believe, between you and me, knight, I have more
duft in my fob, than all thefe powdered fparks put to-
gether. But the worft of the matter is this ; here is no
folid belly-timber in this country: One can't have a
flice of a delicate Crioin, or nice buttock of beef, for
love nor money. Apize upon them ! I could get no
eatables upon the ruoad, but what they call bully,
which looks like the flefti of Pharaoh's lean kine ftewed
into rags and tatters i and then their peajohn, peajohn,
rabbet them ! One would think every old woman of
this kingdom hatched pigeons from her own body."
It is not to be fuppofed that fuch an original fat un-
obfervcd. The French and other foreigners, who had
never been in England, were ftruck dumb with amazf*
_,.,l,z<,i:*G00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. irj*
Ihent at the knight's appearance and dqMrtment;
. while the Englifh guefts were overwhelmed with fhame
and confiilion, and kept a mod wary fileace, for (ear
of being recognized by their countryman. As for our
adventurer, he was inwardly tranfported with joy at
fight of this curiofity. He confidercd him as a genuine,
rich country booby, of the right Englifh growth, frcQi
ds imported ; and his heart throbbed with rapture, when
he heard Sir Stentor value himfelf upon the lining of
his pockets : He forefaw, indeed, that the other knight
would endeaTour to refcrve him for his own game i but
he was too confcious of his own accomplilhments to
think he Ihould find great difficulty in lupcrfcding the
influence of Sir Giles,
Mean while, the new comer was by his friend helped
to fbme ragout, which pleaicd his palate To well, that
he declared he ftiould now make a hearty meal, for the
firft time fince he had croffed the water ; and- while
his good humour prevailed, he drank to every indiTi-
dual around the table. Ferdinand feized this opportu-
nity of infinuating himfelf into his favour, by faying in
EngliQi, he was glad to find there was any thing in
France that was agreeable to Sir Stentor : To this
Compliment the knight replied with an air of furprize {
" Waunds! I find here's another countryman of mine
in this here company. Sir, I am proud to fee you with
sM my hrart." So fpeaking, he thruft out his right
hand acrois the table, and fliook our hero by the £ift»
with filch violence of civility, as proved very grievous
to a French marquis, who, in helping himfelf to foup,
was joftled in fuch a manner, as to overturn the divi-
ding fpoon in his own bofom. The Englifhman feeing
the mifchief he had produced, cried, '* No offence, l
hope," in a tone of vociferation, which the marquis in
all probability mifconftrued : For he began to model
his features into a very fublimc and peremptory look,
when Fathom interpreted the apology, and at the fame
time informed Sir Stentor, that although he himfelf
had not the honour of being an Englilhman, he had
always entertained a moft particular veneration for the
country, and learned the language in confcquence of
that efteem.
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
tto The ADVEKTURES b/
" Blood !■' (anTwered the knight), " I t!unk my-
icif the more obliged to you for your kind opinion,
than if you was my countrynian in good earneft : For
there be abundance of we Englifh, no offence Sir Giles,
that fceoi to be aOiamed of their own nation, and leave
their homes to come and fpend their fbitunes abroad,
among a parcel of-r-you underftand me, Sir-^-a word to
the wife, as the faying is" — Here he was interrupted by
an article of the fecond cotu-fe, that leemcd to give \um
great difturbance : This was a roafted leveret, very
ftrong of the fumet, which happened to be placed di-
reffly under his nofe. - His fcnfc of fmelling was no
Iboner encountered by the effluvia of this delicious fare,
than he ftarted up irom table, exclaimingtr " Odd's
my liver t here's a piece of carrion, that I would not
o^r to e'er a hound in my kennel ; 'tis enough to
make any ChriJlian vomit both gut and gall ;" and in-
deed by the wry faces he made while he ran to the
door, his ftomach feemed ready to juftify this laft iS-
fertion.
The abhe, who concluded irom thefe fymptoms of
difguft, that the leveret was not fufflciently Itale, began
to exhibit marks of difcontent, and delired that it might
be brought to the other end of the table for his exami-
nation. He accordingly hung over it with the moft greedy
appetite, feafting his noftrils frith the fteams of animal
putre&ftion ; and at length declared that the morccan
was pafl^ble, though he owned it would have been
highly perfeft, had it been kept another week. Nev^-
thelefs, mouths were not wanting to difcufs it, inlipjd
as it was : For in three minutes there was not a veRige
to be feen of that which had offended tlicorgans. of
Sir Stcntor, who now refumed his place, and (^d
jnftice to the defert. But what he feemed to relilh
better than any other part of the entertainment, was
the converfation of our adventurer, whom, after dinner,
he begged to have the honour of treating with a dilh
of cofliwj to the fccming mortification of his brother
knight, over which Fathom exulted in his own heart.
Im Ihort, our hero, by his affability and engaging
deportment, immediately gained poffefEon of Sir Sten- '
tor's good graces : lofomuch, that he defired to crack
by Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOMS ill
m bottle with him in the eycning, and they repaired to an
aubergc, whither his fellow knight accompanied them, not
nithout saanifeft Jigos of reluctance. Thercthe ftran-
gcr gave a loofe to jollity ; though at firft he damned
Ihe Burgundy as a poor thin'^ liquor, that ran through
lum in a twinkling, and, inftead of warming, cooled bis
heart and bowels : However, it inlcnfibly feemed to
give the lie to his imputation ; for his fptrits rofe to a
more elevated pitch of mirth and good felloif fhip { he
fuog or rather roarcdthc Early Horn fo as to alarm the
whole neighbourhood, and began to Itabber his compa'
nioDS with a moft bear-like aSe^ion. Yet, whatever
haft« he made to the goal of ebriety, he was diftanced
by his brother haronct, who from the beginning of the
party had made Mttle other ufc of hia mouth, than to
receive the glafs, and now funk down upon the floor,
in a ftate of temporary aanihilatiour
He was immediately carried to bed by the direflion
of Ferdinand, who now faw himfelf iti a manner pol^
(cfTor of that mine to which he had made fuch eager
amd artful advances. That he might, therefore, carry
on the approaches in the fame cautious manner, he gra-
dually Aiooic oGTthe trammels of fobricty, gave a loofe
to that Ipirit of freedom which good liquor c6mmonly
infpircs, and» in the familiarity of drunkenoefs, ownea
himfelf head of a noble family of Poland, from which
ht had been obliged to abfcnt himfclf on acj;ount of aa
V&ir of honour, not yet compromifed.
Hatins made this confe^on, and laid tlrong in>
jmiAions of fccrccy upon Sir Sientor, his countenance
feemed to aei^uire &om every fucceding giafs a new
^mptom of intoxication : They renewed their embraces^
nrore eternal iriendlhip from that day, and fwatlowcd
freth bumpers, till both being in all appoaraace quite
everpowetrd, they began to yawn in concert, and even
Bod ui their chairs. The knight feemed to refent the
attacks of flnmbcr, as fo many impcninent attempts to
mterrupt their entertainment ; he curfed his own pro-
penfity to lleep, imputing it to the damned French cli-
mate, and {U'opofed to engage in fome paftime that
would keep them awake. " Odd's flefli ! cried the
priton, when I'm at home, I defy all the devUs in hell
■VoL.IV, - <i_ '
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
m . The ADVENTURES g/"
to ^ften my cye-lids together, if fo be as I am other*
wife inclined. For there's mother and &.&a Nan, and
brother Numps, and I continue to divert ourfelves at
atl-fours, brag, cribbidge, tetotum, hufsle-cap, and
cbuck-yarthing, and tbo'f I fa; it, that fhould n't fay
it, I won't turn my back to e'er a he in England, at
any of tbefe pafiimes i And fo, count, if you arc fo
difpofed, I am your man, that is in the way of friend-
ihlp, at which of thefe you fhall pleafe to pitch upon.
To this propofal fathom replied, he was quite ig-
norant of all the games he had mpntioned ; hut, in orr
der to amufe Sir Stentor, he would play with him at
lanfquenet, for a trifle, as he had laid it down for ^
maxim, to rifk nothing conliderable at play. " Waunds
(snfwered the knight), I hope you don't think I come
here in queft of money. Thank God I I have a good
landed ellate worth Ave thoufand a-year, and owe no
man a halfpenny -, and I queftion whether there be
many counts in your nation, no offence, I hope, that
can fay a bolder word. As for your lamh&in net, I
know nothing of the matter : But I will tofs up with you
for a guinea, crofs or pile, as the faying is, or if there's
fuch a thing in this country as a box and dice, I loTetq
hear the bones rattle fometimes.'*
Fathom found fome difficulty in concealing his joy,
at the mention of this laft amufement, which had been
one o£ his chief ftudies, and in which he had made fuch
progrejs, that he could calculate all the chances with
the utmoll exa^ncfs and certainty. However, he made
^lift to.cqntain himfelf Within due bounds, and, with
fcemlng indiScrence, confcnted to pafs away an hour
at liazard, provided the implements could be -procured.
Accordingly, the landlord was confulted, and their de-
fire gratified ; the dice were produced, and the table
refbunded wiih the effefts of their mutual eagernefs. —
Fortune, at &^, declared for the Engtilhman, who was
permitted by our adventurer to win twenty broad piecesj
and he was fo elated with bis fuccefe, as to accompany
CKery lucky throw with a loud hurft oP laughter, and
other favage and fimple mauifeftations pf exceffive joy,
exclaiming in a tone fomething lefs fweet than the bd-
Ipwiqg qf a buU, *; Now for the main, count,-7-odd I
Mz,,!:,., Google
PERDOJAI^D count fathom. tii
here they come— here arc the fcvcn folack ftars, i'faith.
Come along mjrycHow-boys— odd's heart ! I never liked
the face of Lewis before."
Fathom drew happy prefages from thefe boy!lh
raptures, and after having indulged them for fdiric time,
began to avail himfdf of his arithmetic, in confcquence
of which the knight was obliged to refund the grcateft
|>art of his wimiing : Then he altered his note, and be-
came as intemperate in his chagrin, as he had been be-
fore immoderatt! in his mirth. He curfed himfelf and
his whole generation, damned his bad luck, llamped
*ith his feet upon the floor, and challenged Ferdinand
to double fbikes. This was a very welcome propofal
to our hero, who found Sir Stentor juft fuch a fubjeA
as he had long defired to encounter with; the mori
the £rigli(hman laid, the more he loft, and Fathom
took carft to inflama his paSions, by certain well-timed
farcafms Upon his want of judgment, till at length, he
became <]uite outrageous, fwore the dice were falfc, and
threw* them out at the window t pulled off his periwig,
and committed it to the flames, fpoke with the moft
tancorons contempt of his adverfary's IkiH, infiftcd
upon his having ftripped many a better man, for all hS
Was a count, and thfcatening that, before they parted,
he Ihould not oilly took hke a Pole, but alfo fmell like
a pole-cati
This wSs i fpirit Which our adventurer induftrlouHy
tept lip, obferving that the Englifli were dupes to all
the world; and that, in point of genius and addrefs,
they were no more than nbify braggadocios. In fhort,
another pair of dice was procured ; the ftakes were a-
gain raifed, and, after fevcral vicjflitudes, fortune dc-
tlared ib much in favo.ur of the knight, that Fathom
loft all the mondy in his pocket, amounting to a pretty
confiderilble fum. By this time he was warmed into
Uncommort daget-nefs and impatience; being equally
piqued at the fiiccefs and provoking exultations of his
antagonift, whom he now invited to his lodgings, tn
Order to decide the conteft : Sir Stentor complied with
his requcft ; the difputc was renewed with various fuc-
ccfe, till, towards dayilight, Fcfdinard faw this noify,
raw, unexperienced flmpleton, carry off all his ready
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
(1+ Tht ADVENTURES 9/
caQi, together with his jewels, and alrnod every thlnf
' that was valuable abont his pcribn ; aad, to crown th«
whole, the vi£tor at parting, told bim with a moft in-
tolerable fneer, that fo Toon as the count £hould rey
ceive another remittance firOoi Pfriand^ he would gfwu
lunt his revenge.
CHAPTER XXV.
Ht btarj his fate Hie a pl^lofipher; and contract acfuaint^
Mice vfith a very remariaife pfrfinagt.
THtS was a proper ful^e£t for our hao to moralize
upon ; and accordingly it did not pa& without
us roaarks ; he found himfetf birly foiled at his owa
weapons, reduced to indigence i» a foreign land, and,
what he chiefly regrcted, robbed of alt thofc gay expcc*-
tations he had indulged irom his own fui^wfed excel'
lence in the wiles of fraud; for, apoo a little recollec*
tJon, he plainly perceived he had faUen a facrifice to the
confederacy he hard refuted to yaa \ and did not at aU
doubt that the dice were loaded for hii deftrufbon : But»
inftead of beating his head againft the wall, tearing hit
hair, imprecating vain cnrfes upon himfelf, or bctrayiilig
other frantic fymptotns of deipair, he relblved to ac-
comoiodate himfelf to his late, and profit by the IdTo*
he had fo dearly bought.
With this intention, he immediately difmiSed hit
valet, quitted his lodgings, retired to an obfciu'c ftreet
on the other fide of the river, and, covering <»ic eye
with a large patch fA Hack filk, prefented himfelf in
quality of a mufieiaa to the dire^or of the {^)Cra, who,
upon hearing a trial of his ikitl, received him into the
band without further c|ucltiou, While he continued ia
this lituatton, he not only improved his tafte and exe-
cution in mufic, but likewife fpuiid frci^eat opp<H'tuni'
ties to extend his knowledge of mankind ; lor, beHdes
the employmeat he exerci^d in public, he was often
concerned in private concerts that were given in the
Iwtels of noblemen \ by which means he bccunc more
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. I2J
■ad more acquainted with the perfbiu, nunnen, and
charaders of high ILfci which he contemplRtcd inth the
moft induftrioua attention, as a fpcdlator, who, beuig
altogether unconcerned in the performance, is at mort
libottj to Obferve ud toioj the putkalarsonFtbe enter*
tainment.
It was in on« of thoCe afleipblics he had thepfeafnre
• of feeing his friend Sir Stcntor, dreSisd in the taott
falluonahle msnaer, and behaving with all the over-
trained polit^e of a native Frenchman : He was ac-
companied hj ius brother knight and the ahbe; and
this triumvirate, even in Fathom's hearing, gave a mofl
ludicrous <leta^ of the fincfle they had pra^tiied upon
the Folilh count, to their entertainer, who was amhaf*
fador from a certsiB court, and made himfclf cxtremd^
merry with the particulars of the rclaticm. Indeed,
they made (hlft to defcribe fome ^f the circumftancei
in fucb a ridiculous light, that our adventurer himfelf,
fmuting as he was with the difgncc, could not help
laughing in Secret at the account. He afterwards ma^e
it lus buSneft to enquire into the chara&ers of the two
Brittfh knights, and uuderftood they were notarioui
Iharpers, who had come ^iroad for the good of their
country, and now hunted in couple among a Frendt
pack, that difpcrfed themfclves through the pi^lic or-
dinaries, walks, and fpeflacles. In order to make a prey
of incautious firsngers.
The pride of Ferdinand was piqued at this informa-
tion ) and he was even animated with the defire of ma-
king rcprifdis upon this fmeriiity, from which he ar-
dently longed to retrieve his honour and e£Feiks : But
the iffue of his laft adventure had reinforced ha cau-
tion ; and, for the prefeni, he found means to fupprefs
Khe dilates of his avirlce and amtntion ; refolving to
tm^Aoy htB whole penetration in rcconnmtring the
(round, before he fhould venture to take the field
again. He thcrefon continued to a£l the part of a one-
eyed fiddler, under the name of Fadini, and lived with
incredible frugality, that he might favc a purfc for his
future operations. In this manner had he proceeded
for the fpacc of ten months, during which he acquired
» cos^etent knowledge ^ the city of Paris, vhfio hie
^laiiizodbvGoogle
136 The ADVENTURES of '
corfofity was attracted by certain pecnliarities bi ftitf
appearance of a man who lived in one of the upper a-*
partments belonging to thehoufc in which he himfelf
had fixed his habitation.
This wa» a tall, thin, meagre figure, with a long
black beard, an aquiline nofe, a brown complexion, and
a moft piercing vivacity iri his eyes s He Teemed to be
about the age of fifty, wctfe the Perfian habit, and there
was a remarkable feverity in his afpeA and demeanour^
■ He and our adventurer had been fellow- lodgers foi" _
feme time, and, according to the laudable cuftom of
thefe days, had hitherto remained as much efb'angcd td
one another, as if they had lived on oppofite fides of
the glebe ; but of late the Perfian fcemed to regard oui"
hero with particular attention ; when they chanced td
meet, on the ftair-cafe, or elfewhere, he bowed to Fer*
dinand with great folemnity, and complimented him
with the pas : He even proceeded, in the courfc of this
communication, to open bis mouth, and falute him
with a fiood morrow, and fometimes made the common
remarks upon the weather. Fathom, who was naturaU
ly complaifantj'did not difcourage thefe advances: Dn
the contrary, he behaved to him with marks of particu-
lar refpeft, and one day defired the favour of his com*
pany to breakfaft.
This invitation the ftranger declined with due ac*
knowledgment, on pretence of being out of order ; and}
in the mean time, our adventurer bethought himfelf of
4^ueflioning the landlord concerning his outlandifll
gueft. His curio£ty was rather infiamed than fatisfied
with the information he could obtain fi'om this quarter;
for all he learned was, that the Perfian went by the
name of Ali fieker, and that he had lived in the houfe
for the fpace of four months. In a moH folitary and
parfimonious manner, without being vifitcd by one li*
ving foul } that, for fome time after his arrival, he had
been often heard to groan difmally in the night, and
even to exclaim in an unknown language, as if he had
laboured under fome grievous afilifVion ; and though
the firft tranfports of his grief had fuUided, it was eafy
to perceive, he ftiil indulged a deep rooted melancholy,
for the tears were firequently obferfed to trickle down his
,z<,i ...Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. - 127
Iieard. The commi0aire of the quarter Had at firft 01^
dcred. this orieDtal to be watched in his outgoings, ac-
cording to the maxims of the French police; but his
life was found fo regular and inoSenBve, that this pre-
caution was foon fet aflde.
Any man «f humane fentiments, firom the knoir-
ledge of thefe particulars, would have been prompted
to offer his fcrvices to the forlorn llrangcr : But as our
hero was devoid of all thefe infirmities of human nature,
it was neceHary that other motives Ihould produoe the
fame cffeft : His curiofity, therefore, joined with, the
hopes of converting the confidence of Ali to his own
emolument, cffcftuaily impelled him towards his ac-
quaintance ; and in a httle time they began to rclilb the
converfation of each other : For, as the reader may have
already obfervcd, Fathom pofi*efled all the arts of inli-
nuation ; and had difccrnnicnt enough to perceive an
air of dignity in the Perfian, which the humility of his
circumftances could not conceal. He was, moreover, a
man of good underftanding, not without a tinfture of
letters, perfedlly well bred, though in a ceremonious
ftile> extremely moral in his difcourfc, and fcrupuloufly
nice in his notions of hoijour.
Our hero conformed himfelf in all rcfpefts to the
other's opinions, and managed his difcretion fo as, to
pafs upon him for a gentleman reduced by misfortunes
to the exercife of an employment which was altogether
unfuitable to his birth and quality. He made eameft
' and repeated tenders of his good offices to the Granger,
and pretTed him to make ufe of his purfe, with fuch
cordial perfeverance, that at length All's referve was
overcome, and he condefcended to borrow of him %
fmall fum, which, in all probability, faved his life ; for
he had been driven to the utmoft extremity of [want
before he would accept of this alGltance.
Fathom, having gradually ftole into his good
graces, began to take notice of many piteous fighs that
efcaped him, in the moments of their intercourTe, and
feemed to denote an heart fraught with woe ; and, on
pretence of adminif^cring confolation and counfel, beg-
ged leave to know the caufe of his diftrefs ; obfcrving,
that his mind would be dilburdened by fueb c
^olizodbyGoOglc
ftS 7U ADVENTURES /
cttion, and perhtps bis grief alleviated bjr fbme mema
which tifty i^ight jointlj' concert apd execute in his be*
Jialf.
Ali, tiuis folteiteJ, would often Oiake hU beadj with
nvl^B of cxtreioe foiTow and dcfpondence, and, white
<he tears gufltcd fjren} bis eyes, declared that bis diftrefs
was hejtmd the pow^ of any remedy bat death, and
that, by making our htra hi« con^dent, be Ihould only,
extend hi« unhappincfc ta a friend, without feeling ibd
leafl re<ni£Ion of his own torture. Not with (band ine
thefe repeated declarations, Ferdinand, who was weU
enough acquainted with the aaind of man to know that
fiich importunity is fetdom or never difagrocable, rfr»
dcmbled his inftances, together with his expre:ffiens of
iympatby and eflcera, until the flranger was prevailed
ypon to gratiiy hit curiofity and benevolence. Having
therefore fecured the cbambcr-doOT one night, while alt
the reft of the family were afleep, tbp gnfiprtuBate AM.
jjifclof c d bimielf in the£e words.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Tht hijory of tht ntbU CaJUhn.
I SHOULD be ungratcEil^ as well as tinwifc, did {
longer refift the ddire you exprefs to know the par-r
ticulars of that deAiny which hath driven me to thir
miferabte difguife, and rendered me in all conflderation»
the moii wretched of men, I have fdt your friendfliipj
Kn cDn6dent of your honour, and though n^ miifor»
tunes are fuch as can never be repaired, becaufe I am
utterly cut off from hope, which is the wretch's laft
comfort, yet I may, by your means, be enabled to bear
them with fomc degree of fortitude and rcQgnatioa.
Kmow then, tny name is not Ali ; neither am I of
Feriian exiraftion. I had once the honour to own my-
felf a Caftilian, and was, under the appeliatioa of Don
Diego de Zelos, reipeftcd as the head of one of the
moft anciant families of that kingdom. Judge then how
fevcre that dlflrcls muft be, which compeli a Spaniard
3,a,l,;,.dbyG00glc
•MRMNAND COUNT FATHOM. 119
to renounce his country, his honocrs, suid hb name—
My youth was not ipeot in inglorious cafe, neither did
it -vrade unheeded in the Mils of fame : Before I had at>
tiined the age of nineteen, I was twice wounded in
battle : I once fortunately recovered the ftandard of the
tvgioient to which I beltnged, after it had been ieized
by the enemy ; and at another occa6bn n\ade £hiit to
fave tha lift of my colonel, when he lay at the mercy of
an enraged barbarian. -
He titat thinks I recapitulate theTe particulars out of
oftentation, docs wrong to the unhappy Don Di^o de
Z^OS, who, inhaving performed thefehttle i&s ofgal^
Im try, thinks he has done nothing, iiut Jimply approved
faitnl^f worthy of being called a Caflilian. I mean on-
ly t» do julticc'to my owa charajtcr, and to make you
acquainted with one of the moft remarkable inctdcnti,
of my life. It was my fate, during my third campaign,
M command a troop«f horle in the regiment of Don
Oonz^es Orgullo, between whom and my fuher a fa>
aii1y-£eud had long been maintained witfargreat enmity;
and that gentleman did not leave me without reafon to
believe he rejoiced at the opportunity of exercising his
tefentment upon his adverfary's fon ; for he with-held
from me that countenance which my fellow officers en-
joyed, and found means to fubje£t me to divers morti-
fications, of which I was not at liberty to complain.—
Thefe I bore in filencc forfometime, as part of my pro-
bation in the chara^er of a fbldier ; refolved nevcrthe-
lefs to <:mploy my intereft at court for a removal into
Mother corps, and to take Tome future opportunity of
eKpjaijiing my fentiments to Don Gonzales upon the in-
Juftice of his behaviour.
While I animated myfelf with thefe fentimenti
Igainft the difcouragements I underwent, and the hard
duty to which I was daily expol'ed, it was our fate to be
concerned in the battle of SaragolTa, where our regiment
was fo fcverely handled by the EngliOi in^ntry, that it
tvas forced to give ground with the lofs of one half of
ks officers and men. Don Gonzales, who afled as bri-
gadier in another wing, being informed of our fate, and *
dreading the difgrace of his corps, which bad never
turned back to the enemy, put fpurs to his horie, and.
Vol. IV. R
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
130 The ADVENTURES «/
riding acrofs the field at full fpeed, rallied our brakai
fquadrons, and led us bact to the charge with fuch in^
trepidity of behaviour, as did not &il to infpirc us all
with uncommon courage and alacrity : For my own part*
I thought myfclf doubly interefted to dtfiinguilh my va'
lour, not only on account of my own glory, but likewifd
on the fuppoCtion] that, as I was acting under the eytf
of Gonzales, my conduct would be nawowly obfer->
ved.
I THEREFORE exirted myfdf with nnuTual vigour^
and as he began the attack with the rcra^ns of my
troop, fought clofe by his fide during the reft of the
engagement. I even acquired his applaufe in the veiy
beat of battle : When his hat was firuck off, and his
horie fell under him, I accommodated aud remounted
him upon my Own, and having feized for my own uie
another that belonged to a common trooper, attended
this ftom commander as before, and fecondcd him in
. all his repeated efibrts \ but it was impofiible to with*-
ftand the numbers and impetuofity of the foe, and Doa
Gonzales having had the mortification to fee his regi-
ment cut in pieces, and the greateA part of the army
routed, was fain to yield to the fortune of the day \ yet
he retired as became a man of honour and a CaftUian %
that b, be marched oS with great deliberation in the
rear of the Spanifh troops, and frequently faced about
to check the purfiiit of the enemy. Indeed, thb exer-
cife of his courage had well nigh coft him his life ; for,
in one of thefe wheelings he was left almoft alone, and a
fmall party of the Fortuguefe horfe had adhi ally cut off
our communication with the retreating forces of Spain.
In this dilemma, we had no other chance of faring
our lives and hberty, than that of opening a pafiage
fword in hand ; arid this was what Gonzales inftandy
refolved to attempt. We accordingly recommended
our fouls to God, and, charging the line abreaft of ano-
ther, bore down all oppofition, and were in a fair way
of accompliihing our retreat without fiirthcr danger }
but the gallant Orgullo, in crofling a ditch, had the
misfortune to be thrown bom his horfe, and was almoA
the fame inftant overtaken by one of the Fortuguefe
dragoons, whofe fword was already fufpendcd over hi*
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAKD COXJNT FATHOM. 131
bead, as he lay half-ftunned with his fall ; when I rode
up, difcharged a piAol in ,thc ruffian's twain, and, feat-
ing m^ colonel on bis borfc, had the good fortune to
couduf^ him to a place of hfetj.
H&RE he was provided with fuch accommodation as
his cafe required i for he had been wounded in the
battle, and dangeroufly bruifed by his fall, and, when
3II the necefiary Heps were taken towards bis recovery,
i deiircd to know if he had any further commands for
his fcr vice, being rcfolvcd to join the army without de-
lay. I thought proper to communicate this queftion by
mefiage, hccaufe he had not fpolce one word -to me du-
ring our retreat, not witbfl and ing the good office he had
received at my bands ; a rcfcrvc which I attributed tO
his pride, and refented accordingly. He no fooner un-
dcrftood my intention, than he delired to fee me in his
apartment, and, as near as I can remember, fpoke to
fhis efiea.
" Were your father Don Alonzo alive, I (houM
DOW, in confequencc of your l>ehavJour, banilh every
fu^cftjon of rcfentmcnt, and folicitbis fricndfhip with
great fincerity. Tcs, Don Diego, your virtue hath
triumphed over that enmity I bore your hflufc, and I
Hpbraid myfelf with the ungenerous treatment you have
filtered under my command. But it is not enough for
pie to withdraw tlwt rigour which it was unjuft to ex-
ercife, and would be wicked to maintain : I muft like-
wife atone for the injuries you have fuftained, and make
Ibme fuitable acknowledgment for that life which I have
twice to-day owed toyour v^ourandgeneroiity. "What-
ever imered I have at court Ihall be employed in your
behalf; and I have other deligns in your ^vour, which
fhall be difclofed in due f^fon. Meanwhile, I defire
you will Hill add one oUigation to the debt which I
have already incurred, and carry this billet in perfon to
my Elti&nia, who, from the news of this fetal over-
throw, muft be in dcfpair upon my account."
So faying, heprefented a letter, dire^cd to his lady,
which I received in a tranfport of joy, with expreffions
Jiiitablc to the oocafion, and immediately fet out for his
country-houfe, which happened to be about thirty
leagues from the fpot. This expedition was equally
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
131 Ti^ ADVENTURES of
glorious 2nd intcrediogv for mj thoughts upon the
load were engrofied by the hope of ieciiig Doo Or-
gullo's daughter and heirels Autonia, who wasmcpartw
ed to be a young ladv of great beauty, and the moft
amiable accompli fliin«ntg. However ridkiilou* it may
feem for a man to conceive a paffioii for an ok^efb which
he hath never beheld, certain it lE, my fcntiments were
fo much prepofTeiTed by the fame of her qoali&rationSf
that I mull have fallen a viiftim to her channs, had they
been much kfs powerful than they were. Notwithn
flanding the fatigues I had undergone in the field, I
clofed not an eye until I arrived at the gate of Gonzales,
being determined to precede the report of the battle,
that Madam d'Orgutlo might not be alarmed for the
life of lier huiband.
I DECLARED my errand, and was introdnccd into »
faloon, where 1 had not watted above three minutes,
when my colonel's lady appeared, and in great confu^
fion received the letter, exclaiming, " Heaven grant
that Don Gonzales be well !' In reading the contents,'
ihe underwent a variety of agitations ; but, when ffae
had perufed the whole, her countenance regained its fer
reniiy, and, regarding me with an air of ineffable com-
placency, " Doa Diegoi (faid Jhe), while I bmept the
national calamity, in the defeat pf our army, I at the
fame time feel the moft itncere pleafure in feeing you
upon this occafion, And, according to the directions of
my dear lord, bid you heartily welcome to this houfe,
as his preferver and friend. I was not unacquainted
with your chara£ter, before this laft triumph of your
virtue, 4nd have often prayed to Heaven for Ibme lucky
determination of that fatal quarrel which raged fo long
between the family of Gonzales and your father's houfe.
My j>rayer3 have been heard, the Long-wifhed for recon-
ciliation is now effected, and I hope nothing wiQ eyec
iDteivene to difturb this happy union."
To this polite and 3%£ltonatc declaration, I made
fuch a reply as became a young man; whofe heart over-
flowed with joy and beDevolciice, and deiired to know
how fcon her anfwer to my commander would be rea-
dy, that I might gratify his impatience- with all pofBble
difpatch. After having thanked me for this &elh pxo6S
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 133
of my attachment, ihe begged I would retire Into a
chamber, and repofe myfclf from the uncommon £a*
tigaes I mad have undergone; but, finding I perJided
in the refolulion of. returning to Don Gonzales, without
allowing myfelf the lead benefit of fleepi Ihe left me
engaged in ponverfation with an uncle of Don Gonza-
les, who lodged in the houfc, and gave orders that a
collation Ihould be prepared in another apartment, .
whili? ihe retired to her clofct, and wrote a letter to
her hufband.
In lefs than an hour from my firfl arrival, I was in-
troduced into a moft elegant dining-room, where a mag-
nificent entertaiMment was fervcd up, and where we were
joined by Donna Eftifania, and her beautiful daughter
the fair Antonia, who advancing with the moil amiable
fweetnels, thanked me, in very warm expreflions of
acknowledgment, for the gcneroGty of my conduft to-
wards her father. I had been raviihed with her firft
appearance, which far exceeded my imagination, and
my faculties were fo difordered by this addrefs, that I
anfwercd her compliment with the moft aufcward con-
fafion. But this difordcr did not turn to my prqudice
in the opirtion of that lovely creature, who has often
told me in the fequel, that ilie gave herfelf credit for
that perplexity in my behaviour, and that I never ap-
peared more worthy of her regard and affeftion than at
that juncture, when my drefs was difcompofed, and my
whole perfon disfigured by the toils and duty of the pre- ,
iceding day ; for this very difhabille prefented itfelf to
her refieflion as the immediate effect of that very merit
by which I was entitled to her cfteem.
Wretch that I am ! to furvivc the lofs of fuch an
excellent woman, endeared to my remembrance by the
moft tender oflSccs of wedlock, happily exercifed for
the fpace of five and^twenty years ! Forgive thefe tears j
they are not the drops of weaknefs, but remorfe. Not
to trouble you with idle particulars, fuifice it to fay, I
was favoured with fuch marks of diftinftion by Madam
d'OrguUo, that ihe thought it incumbent upon her to
let me know ihe had not overacted her hofpitality, and,
while we fat at table, accoftcd me in thefe words : " You,
will not be furprifedy Don Diego, at my cxprelEons of
DiailizodbvGoOgle
134 T^ ADVENTURES of
regard, which I own are unufual from a SpaniQi ladv
to a young cavalier like you, when I communicate the
contents of this letter from Don Gonzales." So faying,
fhe put the billet into m^ baodi wd I read tbcie words,
jDT words to this effeft
" AMIABLE GSTIFANIA,
" TOU will undcrftand, that I am as well as a per.
fon can poflibly be who hath this day lived to fee the
army of his king defeated. If you would know the
particulars of this unfortunate aflion, your curioGty wilj
be gratified by the bearer, Don Diego d^ Zelos, to whofe
yirtue and bravery I am twice indebted for my life. I
therefore defire you will receive him with that refpcft
and gratitude which you (hall think due for fucb an obli-
gation i and, in entertaining him, difmifs that refcrve
which often ^ifgraces tl>e Spanifh hofpitality. In %
word, Jet your own virtue and beneficence conduct you
upon this'occalion, and let my Antonia's endeavours be
joined with your own in ^oing honour to the prefervef
ipf her father. Adjeg."
Such ? teftimouial could not fell of being very agree*
ahle to a young foldier, who by this time bad begun to
indulge the tranfporting hope of being happy in the
arms of the adorable Antonia. I profeflcd myfelf ex-r
tremely happy in having met with an opportunity of ac-
quiring' fuch a degree of my colonel's efteem, entertain-
ed them with a detail of his perfonal prowefs in the
battle, and anfwercd all their quellions with that mode-
ration which every man ought to preferve in fpeaking
of his own behaviour. Obr repall being ^nded, I took
my leave of the ladies, and at parting received a letter
from Donna Eftifania to her huiband, together with %
ring of great value, which fhe begged I would accept,
as a token of her ef^eem. Thus loaded with honour
and careffes, I fet out on my return for the quarters
of Don Gonzales, who could fcarce credit his own
eyes when I delivered bis lady's billet ; for he thought
it impoflible to perform fucb a journey in fo fhoit ^
time.
3,a,l,;.dbyG00gIf
Ferdinand count fathom. 13^
"When he. had glanced over the paper, " Don Die-
go (faid he), by your fliort ftay one would imagine you
had met with indifferent rece^^on-at my houfe : I hope
Eftifania has not been deficient in her duty." I anfwcr-
td this quellion, by afiuring him my entenainment had
been fo agreeable in all refpedb, that nothing but mj
duty to him ctwld have induced me to give it up fo ibon.
He then turned the converfation upon Antonia, and
hinted hi* intention of giving'hcr in marriage to a young
cavalier, tar whom be had a particular friendfhip. I
was fo much afic£ted by this inllnuation, which fcemed
M ODce to lidaft all my hopes of love and happioefs, that
the Uood forfook my face } I was Teizcd with an univcr-
fkl trepidation, and even obliged to retire, on pretence
of bdng fudderij taken ill.
Though Gonzales iixmed to impute this difordcr
to fatigue and want of icfi, he in his heart afcribed it
to the tme caufe ; and, after having founded my foiti-
ments to his owB-iatis&ftion, bklTed me with a declara-
tion, importing, that I was the perfon upon whom he
had pitched for a fon-in-Iaw. I -will not trouble you
vrith a repetition of what pa^ed on this intcrelUng oc-
casion, but proceed to obferve, that his intention id my
favour was hr from being dlfagreeable to bis lady; and
that, in a little time, I had the good fortune to efpoufc
the chai'ming Antonia, who fubmitted to the will of her
father without reluiftance.
Soon after this happy event, I was, by the influence
of Don Gonzales, joined to my own intereft, promoted
to the command of a regiment, and ferved with honour
during the remaining part of the war. After the treaty
of Utrecht, I was employed in reducing the Catalans
to their alle^ance; and, in an action with thofe obfti-
bate rebels, had the misfortune to lofe my father-in-
law, who by that time was preferred to the rank of a
major-general. The virtuous £&ifania did not long fur-
vivc this melancholy accident ; and the lofs of thefe in-
dulgent parents made fuch a deep impreOion upon the
tender heart of my Antonia, that I took the flrft op-
portunity of removing her from a place in which every
objeil ferved to cherifli her. grief, to apleafani villa
near the city of Seville, which I purchafcd on account
^oiizodbyGoogle
ti6 tU ADVENT e RES of
f>f Its agreeable fituation. Ttiat I might the more [ici'-'
fcftly enjoy the poiTcffion of my amiable partner, who
could no longer brook the thoughts of anotlwr fepara'-
tioD, peace was no foooer re-cftablilhed than I obtained
leave to rellgn my commiflion, and I vholly doroted
inyfelf to the joys of a domeftic life.
Heaven Teemed to fmilc upon our anion, by blct
fing us with a Ton, whom, however, it was plea&d ta
recal in his infancy, to our unfpeikable gnef and oHn*-
titicatton-, but our mutual chagrin was afterwards alle>
viated by the birth of a daughter, who feemed bom
with every accomptilhment to excite the love and admi*
ration of mankind. Why did nature debafe luch a nul'
ficrptcce with the mixture of an allay, which hath in*
volved herfelf and her whole family in perdition ? But
the Ways of proTidcnce are unsearchable. She bath paid
the debt of her degeneracy ; peace be with her foul I
The honour of my family is vindicated ; tho' by a facri'
fice which hath robbed me of every thing elfe that is Ta«
InaUc in life, and ruined my peace paft all redcroptioiu
Tes, my friend, all the tortures that human tyranny
cso tnflifl wcMiId be eafe, trani^uillity, and ddight, t0
the unfpeakable pangs and horrors I have feh.
Bo T, to return from this digreflion.—Serafina, which
trSs the name of that little darting, as Ihe grew up, n^
only difclofed all the natural graces of external beauty,
but likewirc manifefted the moft engaging fweetnefs oX
difpolltion, and a capacity for acquiring with eafe all
the accomplifhmcnts of her fex. It is impoffible to con-
vey any adequate idea of a parent's raptures in the con-
templatiou of fuch a fair bloflbm : She was the only
pledge of our love, fhe was prefumptive helrefs to %
large fortune, and lilcely to be the fole reprefentative of
two noble Caitilian families, hhe was the delight of
all who faw her, and a theme of praife for every
tongue. You are not to fuppofe that the education at
fuch a child was ncgtefted. Indeed it wholly cngrt^cd
the attention of me snd my Antonia, and her proficien- .
cy rewarded our care.. Before fhe had attained the age
<mF fifteen, fhe was millrefs of every elegant qualification^
natural and acquired. Her perfan was, by that time,
the confefled pattern of beauty. Her voice wu enchant-
^laiiizodbvG-oogle
- FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 137
inglf' fffcet, and ihe touched the lute with the moA ra-
vifhing dexterity. Heaven and earth I how did my brcaft
dilate with joy at the thouglit^ of having given birth to
fuch perfeftion \ how did my heart galh with paternal
fondnefs, whenever I beheld this ornament of my name !
and what fcenes of endearing tranfport have I enjoyed
with my Antoni), in mutual congratulation upon our
parental happinefs.
Serafina, accompliflied as flie was, couldnotfail
to make conquefts among the Spaniih cavaliers, who are
famous for fenllbility in love. Indeed, the never ap-
peared without a i^umerDtis train of admirers ; and,
though we had bred her ug. in that freedom of conver-
fation and intercourfe which holds a middle fpace be-
tween the French licence and Spani/h reftraint, flie was
now fo much.expofed to the addrefles of promifcuous
gallantry, that we found it neceffary to retrench the li-
berty of our houfe, and behave to our male vifitants with
great 'referve and circumfpeition, that our honour and
peace might run.no rilk from the youth and. inexperi-
ence t}{ our daughter.
This caution produced overtures from a great manV
young gentlemen of rank and dii>inftion, who courted
my alliance by demanding Sera^na in marriage ; and
from the number I had afhially feleiJted one pcrfon, who
was in all refpeifts worthy the pofleilion of fuch an ine-
fiimable prize. His name was Don Manuel' de Mendo-
za: His birth was noble, and his charafler dignified
with repeated adts of generofity and virtue. Tet, be-
fore I would fignify to him my. approbation of his fuit,
I refolved to inform myfelf whether or not the heart of
Serafina was totally unengaged, and indifierent to any
Other object, that I might not lay a tyrannical reftraint
upon her inclinations. The rcfiilt of my enquiry was a
full conviftipn of her having hitheito been deaf to the
voice of love ; and this piece of information, together
with my own fentiments in his favour, I communicated
to DonManuel, who heard thefc tidings with tranfports of
gratitude and joy. He was immcdititely favoured with
opportunities of acquiring the affection of my daughter,
and his endeavours were at firft received with fuch refpefl-
ful civility, as inight bive been eafily warmed into a mii-
VoL.lV. S
^laiiizodbvGoogle
138 The ADVENTURES 0/
tual patfion^ had not the evil genius of our family inter-
pofed.
O MY friend! how Aall I dcftribe the deprtvity of
that unhappy virgin's fetitiments ! how recount the par-
ticulars of my own diflionourM that am defccndcd
from a long line of lUuftrious Canilians, who never re-
ceived an injury they did not revenge, but waflicd away
every blemilh in their fame with, the blood of Ihofe who
attempted to ftain it. In that' circiimilance I have imi-
tated the example of my glorioos progenitors, and fhat
conlideration alone hath fUpported me againft all the
aflaults of defpair.
As I grudged no paitis and expence in perfefling the
education of Sef afina, my doors were open to every per-
fon who made an extraordinary figure in the profciTion
of tbofe amufing fciences in which flic delighted. The
houfe of Don Diego de Zelos was a httte academy for
painting, poetry, and mufic ; and heaven decreed that
it Ihould rait a facrifice to its regard for thefe fatal and
delufive arts. Among other preceptors, it was her fate
to be under the inftruflion of a curfed German, whor
though his profeffion was drawing, undcrftood the ele-
ments and theory of mufic, pofleiTed a large fund of
learning and lafte, and was a perfon remarkable for his
agreeable converfation. This traitor, who like you had
loft one eye, I not only admitted into my' houfe for the
improvement of mf daughter, blit even diftmguiflieJ
with particular marks of confidence 'and favour, little
thinking he had either inclination or capacity ib de-
bauch the fentiments of my child. I was rejoiced be-
yond meafurc to fee with what alacrity flie received his
Icflons, with what avidity ftie liftened to his difcourfe»
■which was always equally moral, inftrufling, and enter-
taining.
; Antonia fcemed tt> vie with me ih expreffions of
regard for this accompliflied ftranger, whom flie could
not help fuppoling to be a perfon of rank and family,
reduced to his p.-efcnt Ctuation by fome unfortunate vi-
ci£Btude of fate. I was difpofed to concur with this opi-
nion, and actually conjured him to make me his confi-
dent, with fuch proteftations as left him no room to
doubt my honour and beneficence ; l^ut he ftill perfifted
_, ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAMD C^IJNT FATHOM. 139
la declaring bimfelf the foji^pf «n pbfcurc mechanic in
BohecDia ; an origin fo whicK,fijrcly no man would pre-
tend who had the leaft claim to nobility of birth. While
I was thus undei;eived in lay conjecture touching his
birth and quality, I was confirmed in an opinion of his
integrity and moderation, and looked upon him as a man
of honour, in defpitc of the lowncfs of his pedigrco,
Ncvcrthekfs, he was at bottom a mod perfidious wretch,
and all this modefty and felf-deiiial were the effefts of
the moft villainous difSmulation, a doalc under which
he, nnfufpe^ed, robbed roe of iny honour and" my
peace.
Not to trouble you with particulars, the recital of
which would leaf my hcart-ftrings with indignation and
Tcmorfc, I fliaU only obfervcj that, by the power of his
infernal infinuation^ he fafcinated the heart of Serafi-
na, brought over Antonia herfelf to the interefts of ,
his paflion, and at once detached them both from their
duty and religion. Heaven and earth! howdangerousj
how irreliAible is the power of infatuation! While I
remained in the midft of this blind f^curity, waiting for
the nuptials of my daughter, and indulging myfelf witt^
the vain profpeft of her apprqaching felicity, Antonia
found means to proCraft the ncgociation of the marriage,
by reprcfenting, that it would be pity to deprive Serafi-
pa of the opportunity (he then had of profiting by the
German's inftru^ions ; and, upon that account, I pre-
vailed upon Don Manuel to bridge the impatience of his
love.
During this interval, as I one evening eiyoyed the
cool aii; in my own garden, I was accofted by an old
duenna, who hzd been my nurfe, and lived in the fa-
mily fince the tinje of my childhood. '^ My duty (fajd
ihe) will no longer permit me to wink in filence at the
wrongs I fee you daily fuffer. Difmifs that German
from your houfe, without delay, if you rcfpeft the
glory of your name, and ^he rights of our holy reli-
gion : The ftranger is an abominable heretic j and,
grant Hpaven ! he may not have already poifoned the
minds of thofeyou holdmoft dear." I had been ex-
tremely alarmed at the beginning of this addrefs ; bijt,
Ending the imputation limited to the article of religion.
DiailizodbvGoOglc
140 The ADVENTURES of
in which, thaiik Gdd, I i'tn'fao bigot, I rMovered my
ferenity of difpofition, t&lrtted the old woman for her
zeal, commended h'er piety, and encouraged her to per-
feverc in making obfcrvations on fuch fubjedts as ihould
concern my honour and my quiet.
We live in fuch a world of wickednefa and fraud,
that a man cannot be too v'gilant in his own defence :
Had I employed fuch fpies from the beginning, I fhould
in all probability have been at this day in pofiTdBon of
every comfort that renders life agreeable. The duenna,
thus authorifed, e^lplo)^cd lier fagacity with fuch fuc.r
cefs, that I had rcafon to fufpeft the German of "a ^e-
£gn upon the heart of Serafina ; but, as the prefump-
tions did not amount to cbnviftion, I contentcd.myfclf
with exiling him from my hoUfe, under the pretext of
having difcovered tfial he was an enemy' to the Catholic
church ; and forthwith appointed a day for the celebra-
tion of rny daughter's marriage with Don Manuel de
Mendofi. I could eafily perceive a clotid of melancholy ■
overfpread the faces of Serafina and her mother, when
I, declared thefe my refbliltions ; but, as they made no
ofajeftion to what I propofed, I did not at that time
' enter into an csplaiiation of the true motives that in-
fllienced my conduft. Both parties were probably
afraid of fuch expoftulation. ,
Meanwhile, preparations were made for theefpou-
fals of Serafina i and, not with (landing the anxiety I bad
undergone, on account of her connexion with the
German, I began to think that her duty, her glory, I}ad
triumphed over all flich low-born confiderations, if ever
they had bfen entertained ; becaufe flife, and even An-
tonia, feemed to expeft'thd ceremony with refignatjon.
though "the features of both ffill retained evident marks
of concehi, vidiich I^ willingly imputed to the mutual
pi'ofpeft of 'their feparation. This, howeverj was but a
faithlefs calm, tliat loon, ah ! too foon, 'brought forth a
^empeft which hath wrecked my hopes.'
Two days' before the appointed Tinipn of Don Ma-
nuel and Serafina, I was informed tiy the duenna, that,
while Ihe accompanied Antonia's waiting-maid at churth,
fllfc had feen lier receive a billet from an old woman,
who, kneeling at hdr fide, had conveytd it in fuch a
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
■ FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ■ 141
myfterious manner, as awakened the duenna's apprehen-
lions about her young lady ; Ihe had therefore haflened
home to communicate this piece of intelligence, that I
might have an opportunity of examining the mefTenger
before flie fhould have time to depofit her truft. I
could not help fliivering with fearful prefages upon this
occaGon, and even abhorring the peribn to whofc duty
and zeal I was beholden for the intelligence, even while
I endeavoured to perfuade myfelf, that the enquiry
would end in the deteflion of fome paltry intrigue, b^
twecn the maid and her own gallant. I intercepted her
in returning from church, and, commanding her to fol-
low me to a convenient place, extorted' from her, by
dint of threats, the fatal letter, which I read to this effeft,
•• The whole bufinefs of my life, O divine Serafina !
win be to repay that affedlion I have been fo happy as
to engage. With what tranfport then Ihall I obey. your,
fummons, in performing, that enterprife, which will rc-
fcue you from the bed of a detefted rival, and put my-
felf in full pofleffion of a jewel which I value infinitely
more than life. Yes, adorable creature, 1 have provided
every thing for our efcape, and at midnight will attend
you in your own apartment, from whence you Ihall be
conveyed into a land of liberty and peace, where you
will unmolefted enjoy the purity of that religion you
have efpoufed, and in full fecurity blefs the arms of
your ever ^ithful
Orlando."
Were you a fond parent, a tender hufband, and a
noble Caftiliaii, I (hould not need to mention the un-
utterable horrors that took pofleffion of my bofomi
when I pefufed this accurfed letter, by which I learned
the apoftafy, difobedience, and degeneracy of my idoli-
zed Serafina, who had overthrown and dcftroyed the
whole plan of felicity which I had creftcd, and blafted
all the glories of my name; and when the wretched
mefienger, terrified by my menaces and agitation, con-
ftffed that Antonia herfejf was privy to the guilt of her
daughter, whom fhe had folemnly betrothed fa that
yile German, in the fight of Heaven, and that by her
^laiiizodbvGoogle
14^ Th ADVENTURES cf
connivance this plebeian intended, that very night, to
bereave me of my child, I was for fome moments ftupi-
fied with grief and amazement, that gave way to an ex-
tafy of rage, which had yrell oigh terminated in deipair
;)nd diftraftion. '
I NOW tremble, and my head grows giddy with the
remembrance of that dreadful occafion : Behold how
the drops trickle down my forehead ; this agony is z
fierce and &miliar vifitant, 1 Ihall banifh it anon. I
fiimmoncd my pride, my refentment, to my alTillance ;
tbcfe are the cordials that fupport me againft all other
reflexions ; thofe were the auxiliaries that enabled me,
in the day of trial, to perform that facrificc which my
honour demanded, in a llrain fo loud as to drown the
tries of nature, love, and compaiEon. Yes, they cfpou-
fcd that glory which humanity would have betrayed^
and my revenge was noble, though unnatural.
Ml fcheme was loon laid, my refolution fopn taken j
I privately confined the wretch yrho had been the
induflrious Have of this infamou; confpiracy, that flie
might take no (tep to fhiftrate or interrupt the C3(ecu7
tion of my defign. Then repairing to the hpufe of an
apothecary who was devoted to my fervice, communi-
cated my intention, which he durll not condemn, and
could not reveal, without breaking the oath of fecrecy
I had impofed j and he fiimilhed me wifh two vials ojf
poifoti fix- the difmal catallrophe I had planned. Thus
provided, I, on pretence of fuddcn bufinels at Seville,
carefully avoided the dear, the wretched pair, whom I
had devoted to death, that my heart might not relent,
by means of thofe tender ideas which the fight of them'
would have Infallibly infpired ; and when day-light ya-
nilhed, took my fiation near that part of the houfe
through which the villain muft have entered on his helllfh
purpole. There I flood, in a ftatc of horrid pzpe£ta-
tion, my foul ravaged with the different palfions that
alTatled it, until the fatal moment arrived ; when I per^
ceived the traitor 3}^roach the window of a lower
apartment, which led into that of Serafina, and gently
liiting the cafemcnt, which was purpofely left unipca-
rcd, infinuated half of his body into the houfc : Thcq
fulhing upon him, in a tranfport of fury, I plui^ed m;
^lailizodbvGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 14^
fvrord into his heart, crying, " Villain ! recdve the
reward of thy treachery and prefumption."
The fteel was fo well aimed as to render a repetitiori
6f the ftrokc unnecefiary ; he uttered one groan, and
fell breathlefs at my feet. Exulting with this firft fjcccfs
of my Revenge, I penetrated into the chamber where the
robber of my peace was expefted by the unhappy Serafi-
na and her mother, who feeing me enter with a moft
favage afpeft, and a fword reeking with the vengeance
1 had taken, feemed almoft petrified with fear. *' Be-
hold (faid I) the blood of that bafe plebeian, who made
an attempt upoft the honour of my houfe : Yoai" con--
fpiracy againfi; the' unfortunate Don Diego de Zelos is
now difcovered ; that prefumptuous Have, tlic favoured
Orlando, is now fto more."
Scarce had I pronounced thefe words, when 3 loud
fcrcarn was uttered by both the imhappy uiftims. " If
Orlando is flain {cried the Infatuated Serafina), what
have I to do with life ? O my dear lord ! my hufband,
and my lover! how are our promifed joys at once tut
off! here (Irike, my father, complete your barbarous
ftcrifice, the fpirit of the murdered Orlando ftill hovers
for his wife." Thefe frantic exclamations, in which fhe
was joined by Antonia, kept up the fiiry of my refent-
ment, which by meekne& and fubmiffion might have
been weakened and rendered incffeftual. « Yes, hap-
Icfs wretches (I replied), ye Jhali enjoy your wifh : The
honour of my name requires that both fhall die ; yet I
will not mangle the breaft of Antonia, on which I have
fo often repofed ; I will not fhed the blood of Zelos,
nor disfigure the beauteous form of Serafipa, on which
I have fo often gazed with wonder and unfpeakable de-
light : Here is an elixir, to which t truft the confum-
mation of my revenge."
So faying, I emptied the vials into feparate cups, anJ,
prefenting one id each hand, the miferable, the fair of-
fenders, inftahtly received the dcftined draughts, which
they drank without hefitation ; then praying to Heaven
for the wretched Don Diego, funk upon the fame couch,
and expired without a groan. O well contrived beve-
rage! O happy compolition, by which all the miferiea
of life ar,e lb eaUly cured !" .
DiailizodbvGoOgle
144 TA/ ADVENTURES tf
Such was the fate of Aptonia aod Serafina ; tliefe
hands were the inftruments that deprived them of life,
thde ejes beheld them the richeft prize that death had
ever won. Powers fupreme ! does Don Diego Jive to
make this recapitulation ? I have done my duty; but
ah ! I am haunted ^ the furies of remorfe ; I am tor-
tured with the inccflant Aings of remembrance and re-
gret i even now the images of my wife and daughter
prefent themfelves to my imagination. All the fcenes
of happinefs I have enjoyed as a lover, hulband, and
parent, all the endearing hopes I have cherifiied, now
pafs in review before me, embittering the circumftances
of my inexprelllble, woe ; and I confider myfelf as a fo-
litary outcafl: from all the comforts of fociety. But,
enough of thefe unmanly complaints, the yearnings of
nature are too importunate.
Having completed my vengeance, I retired into my
clofet, and, furriihing myfelf with (gme ready money
and jewels of confiderable value, went into the ftable,
Saddled my. favourite fteed, which I inftantly mounted,
and, before the tumults of my breaft fubfided, found
myfelf at the town of St Lucar. . There I learned from
■ inquiry, that there was a Dutch bark in the harbour
Tcady to fail ; upon wlilch.I addrefled myfelf to thema-
ftcr, who, for a fnitable gratificaf ion, was prevailed up-
on to weigh anchor that fame night ;' fo that, embark-
ing without delay, I , fgon bid eternal adieu to my na-
tive country. It was not from.reafon and refle£tioQ
that I took thefe meafures for my perfonal fafety \ Jiut,
in conlcquence of an involuntary inftinit, that feems to
operate in the animal machine, while the faculty of,
thinking Js fulpended.
To what a dreadful reckoning was I called, when
reafbn refumcd her fiin^on ! You may. believe me, my
inend, when I affure you, that I fhould not have outlived
thofe tragedies I adted, had I not been retrained from
doing violence upon myfelf by certain confideratlons,
which no man of honour ought to fct aCde. I could
not bear the thought of falling inglorioufly by the hand,
of an executioner, and intailing difgracc upon a family
that knew no ftain ; and I was deterrsd from putting,
an end to my own niifery, by the apprehenfions of poft-
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 145
hatnous ccnfure, which would have rqirefented me as
a dcTponding vn-etch, utterly deftitute of that patience,
fortitude, and refignation, which are the charafteriftics
of a true Cadiliao. I was alfo influenced by religious
motives that fuggefted to me the neccility of living to
atODC by my fufferings and forrciw, for the guilt I had
incurred in complying with a favagc punililio, which
is, I fear, difplealing in the light of Heaven.
These were the reafons that oppofed my entrance
into that peaceful harbour which death preliented to
my view ; and they were foon reinforced hf another
priiu:iple that fanftioned my determination to continue
at the fervile oar of life. In confequence of un&vour-
ablc winds, our vdlel for fome days made fmall pro-
grefs iiL her voyage to Holland, and near the coaft of
Gallicia we were joined by an linglifli ftiip from Vigo,
the fnafter of which gave us to underlland, tliat t>efore
be fet fail a courier had arrived from Madrid at that
place, with orders, for the corregidor to prevent the
efcape of any native Spaniard by fea from any port
within his diAriA ; and to ufe his utmoft endeavours to
apprehend the perfon of Don Diego de Zelos, who was
fufpcfted of treafonable prafticcs againft the ftate. Such
an order, with a minute defcription of my person, was
at the fame time difpatched to all the fea ports ^nd
firontier places in Spain.
You may eafily fuppofe how I, who was already
overwhelmed with dillrefs, could bear this aggravation
of misfortune and difgrace: I, who had afcays main-
tained the reputation of loyalty, which was acquired at
the hazard of my life, and the expence of my blood.
To deal candidly, I muft own, that this intelligence
rouled me from a lethargy of grief, which had begun
to overpow^ my faculties. 1 Immediately imputed 'this
difhonourable charge to the evil oSices of fome villain,
who tiad bafely taken the advantage of my deplorable
litaation, and I was inflamed, infpirited with the defire
(tf, vindicating my fame, and revenging the injury. Thus
animated, I refolved to difguife myfcif effeftually from
the obfervation of thofe fpies which every nation finds
its account in employing in foreign countries ; I pur-
chafed this habit from the Dutch navigator, in whole
Vol. IV. T
^oiizodbyGoogle
146 The ADVENTURES of
houfc I kept myfclf concealed, after our arrival at Amr
flerdam, until my beard vas grown to a fufficient length
to favour my ddlgn, and then appeared as a Perfian
dealer in jewels. As T could gain no fatisfaftory infor-
mation touching myfelf in this country, had no purpofe
to purfue, and was extremely miferable among a people*
who, being mercenary and unfbcial, were very ill adapt-
ed to alleviate the horrors of my condition j I gratified
my landlord for his important ferviccs, with the beft
part of my effeAs ; and having, by 'his means, procured
a certificate from the magiftracy, repaired to Rotter-
dam, from whence I fet out in a travelling carriage for
Antwerp, on my way to this capital *, hoping, with a
fuccclBon of different objefh, to mitigate the anguilh
of my mind, and, by the mod induftrious enquiry, to
learn fuch particulars of that falfe impeachment, as would
enable me to take meafures for my own juftification, as
well as for projecting a plan of revenge againft the vile
perfidious author.
This, I imagined, would be no difficult talk, con-
fidertng the fi-iendlhip and Intercourfe fubfifting be-
tween the Spanifh and French nations, and the com-
municative difpofition for which the Parifians are re-
nowned '; but I have found myfelf egregioufly deceived
in my expeCbtion : The officers of the police in this
city arc fo inquifitive and vigilant, that the moft minute
aCtionof a ftranger is fcnitinized with great feverity;
and, although the inhabitants are very fi^nk in dif-
courling on indifferent fubje^, they are at the fame
time extremely cautious in avoiding ail ponverfation
that turns upon fiate occurrences, and maxims of go-
vernment, in a word, the peculiarity of my appear-
ance fubje^ me fo much to particular obfcrvation, that
I have hitherto thought proper to devour my griefs in
filence, and even to bear the want of almoff every cor-
venieace, rather than hazard a premature difcovcry, by
offering my jewels to fate.
In this emergency I have been fo far fortunate as to
become acquainted with you, whom I look upon as a
man of honour and humanity. Indeed, .1 was at firft
fight prepoflcfled in your favour : For, notwithftanding
the miftaJ^s which men daily commit in judging from
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 147
appearances, there is fomething in the phyfiognomy of
a ftranger from which one cannot help forming an opi-
nion of his charafler and dirpolltion. For once, my
penetration hath not failed me ; your behaviour juliifies
my declfion ; you have treated me with that fympathy
and refpeA which none but the generous will pay to
the unfortunate. I have trufled you accordingly : I
have pat my life, my honour in your power ; and I
muft beg leave to depend upon your (riendlhip, for ob-
taining that fatisfaftion for which alone I feek to live.
Your employment engages you in the gay world : You
4aily mingle with the focieties of men i the domeftics
of the Spanifh ambaflador will not fliun your acquain-
tance ; you may frequent the cod^ee-houfcs to which
they refort ; and, in the courfe of thefe occafions, un-
fulpefted inform yourfclf of that myfterious charge
which lies heavy on the fame of the unfortunate Don
Diego. I rauft llkewife implore your alllftance in con-
verting my jewels into money, that I may breathe inde-
pendent of man, until Heaven Ihall permit me to finilh
this weary pilgrimage of life.
CHAPTER XXVir.
A flagrant itiflance of Fathom* s virtue, in the manner of
his retreat to England,
FATHOM, who had lent an attwitlve ear to every
circumftance of this difaftrous ftory, no fooncr
heard it concluded, than, with an afpe£t of generous
and cordial compaflion, not even unattended with tears,
he condoled the lamentable fate of Don Diego de Ze-
los, deplored the untimely death of the gentle Antonia.
and the fair Serafina, and undertook the interefts of the
wretched Caftilian with fuch warmth of fympathizing
zeal, as drew a flood from his eyes, while be wrung his
bene&ftor's hand in a tranfport of gratitude. Thofo
were literally tears of joy, or at leaft of fatisfaflion, na
both fides i as our hero wept with afFeftion and attach-
fuaxt to the jewels that were to be committed to his
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc.
148 Th ADVENTURES 0/
care : But, far from dircovcring the true fource of Wa
tcDdcr/iefs, he aflcdlcd to ^ilTuadc the Spaniard from
parting with the diamonds, which he counfdled him to
referve for a more prefling occaHon ; and, in the mean
time, earnel^y entreated him to depend upon his friend-
fliip for prefent relief. This generous proffer ferTcd
only to confirm Don Diego's refolution, which he forth-
with executed, by putting into the hands of Ferdinand
jewels to the value' of a thoufand crowns, arid deliring
him to detain for his own ufe any part of the fum they
would raifc. Our adventurer thanked him for the good
ppinion he entertained of his integrity,- an opinion fuIJy
manifefted in honouring him with fuch important con-
fidence, and aJTured him he would tranfadl his aSairs
with the utmoft diligence,' caution, and difpatch. The
evening being by this time almoft confumed, thefe new
allies retired feparately to reft ; though each paffed the
night without repofe, in very different reflections, the
Callillan being, as ujiial, agitated with the unceafing
pangs of his unalterable mirery,interrperred with gleam-
ing hopes of revenge ; and Fathom being kept awake
with revolving plans for'turninsr his fellow -lodger's cre-
dulity to his own advantage, From the nature of the
■Spaniard's fituation he might have appropriated the
jewels to himfelf, and remained in Paris without fear
of a profccution, becaufe the injured party had, by the .
above narrative, left his life and liberty at difcretion. —
But he did not think himfelf fecure from the perfonal ■
refentment of an enraged defperate Caftilian ; and there-
fore determined to withdraw himjelf privately into that
ci)untry where he had all along propofed to fix the
ftandard of his iinefle, which fortune had now empower^
ed him to exerciit; according to his wi(h.
Bent upon this retreat, he went abroad in the morn-
ing, on pretence of afling in the concerns of his friend
Don IJiego, and having hired a poft-chaife to be ready
at the dawn of next day, returned to his lodgings,
where he cajoled the Spaniard with a feigned report of
his negociation ; then, lecuring liis mod valuable efte£te
about his perfon, arole with the cock, repaired to the
place at which he had appointed to meet the poililion
with the carriage, and let out for England without frir-
^oiiiodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. j^f
tber deUf, leaving the unhappy Zelot to the hcuron of
ladigence, and the additional agony of this fre£h difap-
pCHntment. Tet he was not the only perfon afiedled -
by the abrupt departure of Fathom, which was hafteor
ed by the importunities, threats, and reproaches of hit
landlord's daughter, whom he had debauched under
promifc of marriage, and now left in the fourth month
of her pregnancy.
Notwithstanding the dangerous adventure in
which he had beep formerly involved by travelling in
the night, he did not think proper to make the ufual
halts on this joumcy, for fleep or refrcflunent, nor did
he once quit the chaife till his arrival at Boulogne,
whidi he reached in twenty hours after his" departure
&om Paris. Here he thought he might fafcly indulge
himfclf with a comfortable meal ; accordingly he be-
fpoke a poulard for dinner, and while that was prepa-
ring, went forth to view the city and harbour. "When
he beheld the white cliSa of Albion, his heart throbbed
with all the joy of a beloved fan, who, after a tedioui
and fatiguing voyage, reviews the chimnies of his fa-
ther's houfe : He Ibrveyed the neighbouring coaft of
England with fond and longing eyes, like another Mo-
fes, reconnoitring the land of Canaan from the top of
Mount Fifgah ; and to fuch a degree of impatience was
he inflamed by the fight, that, inllead of proceeding to
Calais, he refolved to take his parage dire^ly ft'om Bou-
logne, even if he ihould hire a velTel for the purpofe.
With th^e fentiments, he en<]ulred if there was any Ihip
bound for England, and was fo fortunate as to find the
mafter of a fmall t»rk, who intended to weigh anchor
for Deal that fame evening at high water.
Transported with this information, he immediate-
ly agreed for his paSkge, fold the pofl-chafe to his land-
lord for thirty guineas, as a piece of furniture for which
he could have no further ufe, purchafed a portmanteau,
together with fome linen and wearing apparel, an^, at
the recommendation of his holt, took into his fervice
an extra-poftilion or helper, who had formerly wore the
livery of' a travelling marqyis. This new domeftic,
whofe name was Maurice, underwent, with great ap-
ptaufe, tlie e^iamination of our hero, who perceived in
^laiiizodbvGoogle
150 The ADVENTURES of
him a iiind of fagacity and prefencc of mind, hf whicH
he was cxccH^tly qualified for being the valet of an ad-
Tcnturer ; He was thcrcfbrc accommodated with a fc-
cond-hand fuit, and another Ihirt, and at once liftccl
under the banners of Count Fathom, who fpent the
whole afternoon in giving him proper inlbnAions for
the regulation of his conduA.
Having fettled thefe preliminaries to his own fatis-
faftion, he and his baggage were embarked about fix
o'cloctc in the month of September, and it was not
without emotion that he found himfelf benighted upon
the great deep, of which, bef<M^ the preceding day, h«
had never enjoyed even the moft diftant profpeift. How-
ever, he was not a man to be afraid, where there was
really no appearance of danger ; and the agreeable pre-
fages of future fortune fupported his fpirits, amidft the
difagreeable naufea which commonly attends landmen
at fea, until he was fet afhore upon the beach at Deal,
which he entered in good health about fevcn o'clock Iq
the morning.
Like Csfar, however, he found fomc difficulty in
landing, on account of the fweiling furf, that tumbled
about with fuch violence as had almoft overfet the cutter
that carried him on fhore 5 and, in his eagernefs to jump
upon the ftrand, his foot flipped from the fide of the
boat, fo that he was thrown forwards in an horizontal
direftioh, and his hands were the firft parts of him
that touched the Englifh ground. Upon this occafion,
he, in imitation of Scipio's behaviour on the coaft of A-
frica, hailed the omen, and grafping an handful of the
ftnd, was heard to exclaim, in the Italian language,-—
" Ah ha, Old England, I have thee fcft."
As he walked up to the inn, followed by Maurice
loaded with his portmanteau, he congratulated himfelf
npon his happy voyage, and the peaceable pofleffion of
his fpoil, and could not help fnuffing up the Britilh air
with marks of infinite relilh and fatisfaftion. His firft
care was to recompcnce himfelf for the want of fleep he
had undergone, and, after he had fufflciently recruited
himfetf with feveral hours of uninterrupted repofe, ha
fet out in a poft-chaife for Canterbury, where he took
a place in the London fiage, which he was told would
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. iji
depart next morning, the coach bdng already fiill. On
this very firft day of his arrival, he perceived- between,
, the Englif}i and the people among whom he had hi-
therto lived, fucli elTential di&erence in cuftoms, ap-
pearance, and way of living, as infpircd him with high
notions of that Britifli freedom, opulence, and conveni-
ence, on which he had often heard his mother expa-
tiate. On the road, he feaAed his eye-light with the
verdant hills covered with flocks of Qieep, the fruitful
vales parcelled out into cultivated inclofures ; the very
cattle feemed to profit by the wealth of their niafters>
being large, fturdy, and fleelc, and every peafant breath-
- cd the Inlblence of liberty and independence. In s
word, he viewed the wide-extended plains of Kent with
a lover's eye, and, his ambition becoming romantic,
could not help keying himfelf another conqueror d[
the ifle.
He was not, however,long amufcd by thefe vain chi-
meras, which foon vanifhed before other re£e£tions of
more importance and folidity. His imagination, it mull:
be owned, was at all times too chafte to admit thofe
overweening hopes, which often miflead the mind of
a projector. He had ftudied mankind with incredible
diligence, and knew pcrfeftly well how far he could de-
pend on thepafilons and foibles of human nature. That
he might now a€t conCflent with bis former fagaclty,
he rcfolved to pa6 hicofelf upon his fellow-travellers for
a French gentleman, equally a ftranger to the language
and country of England, in order to gtean from their
difcourfe fuch intelligence as might avail him in his
hiture operations } and his lacquey was tutored accord-
ingly.
DiailizodbvCoOglc
ijl Tht ADVENTURES of
CHAPTER XXVni.
Some account of his felUw-trimeilert.
THOSE who had taken places for the coach, utlJ
derftanding the fixth feat was engaged by a fo-
reigner, determined to profit by his ignorance; and,
with that politencfs which is peculis to this happy
ifland, fixed themfelves is the v^clc, in fuch a man-
ner, before be had the leaA intimation of their de£gn,
that he found it barely praAicable to infinuate himfelf
fidelong between a corpulent qnaker and a iat Wap-^
ping landlady, in which attrtude he ftuck fall, like a
thin quarto between two voluminous diAionaries on a
bookleller's flielf : And, as if the pain and inconve-
nience of fuch comprci£on was not fufficient matter of
chagrin, the grcateft part of the company entertained
themfelves with laughing at his ludicrous ftation.
The jolly dame at his left hand obferwd, with a loud
exclamation of mirth, th^t moniieur would be foon bet-
ter acquainted with a buttock of Englilh beef; and faid,
by that titne th^ fliould arrive at their dining-place, he
might be fpitted without larding. " Yes, verily, (re-
plied Obadiab, who was a wag in his way), but the
fwine's fat will be all on one fide." " So much the
better for you (cried mine hoftefs), for that fide is all
your own." The quaker was not fo oiuch difcontertfcd
by the quicknefs of this repartee, but that he anfwered
with great deliberation, " I thank thee for thy love,
but will not profft by thy lofs ; efpecially as I like not
the favour of thefe outlandilh fowb ; they are profane .
birds of paiTage, relilhed only by the children of vanity,
like thee."
The plump gentlewoman took umbrage at this laft
expreffion, which flie confidered as a double reproach,
and repeated the words, " Children of vanity !" with
an emphalts of refentment, " I believe, if the truth
were known (faid flie), there's more vanity than mid-
riff in that great belly of yours, for all your pretending
to humility and religion. Sirrah ! my corporation i>
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 153
mide up of good, wholfome, Euglilh ht ; but you are
jniffed up with the wind of vanity and deluiion ; and
when it begins 10 gripe your entrails, you pretend to
have a motion^ and tHeii get up and preach nonfenle :
Yet, you'll Cake it upon you to call your betters chil-
dren : Marry come up, Mr Goofc-cap, I have got
children that ore as good men as you, or aay hypocriti-
cal trembler in England."
■ A.PERsoN who fat oppoUte to the quaker, hearing this
remonftrancCj which fccoied pregnant with contention,
interpo&d in the conversation with a confcious leer, and
begged there might be no rupture between the i'pirit
and the flcfti. By this rcmonftrancc he relieved Ofaa-
diahhrom the fatire of this female orator, and brought
the whole Vengeance of her elocution upon his own
head. " Fielh (cried ftic, with all the ferocity of an
enrjgcd Thaieftris), none of your names, Mr Yellow-
chajft. What ! I warrant you have an antipathy to
flelh, becaufe you yourielf ar^ nothing but ikin and
bone. I fuppofe you are fome poor ftarv'd journeyman
tailor come from France, where you have been learn-
ing to cabbage, and have not fccn a good meal of vic-
tuals thcfc fevcn years : You have been living upon rye-
bread and foup-maigre, and now you come over like a
walking atomy, with a rat's tail at your wig, and a tin-
ley jacket : And fo, forfooth, you fet up for a gentle-
maa, and pretend to find fault with a furioin of roaft
beef."
The gentleman heard this addrels with admirable
patience^ and when fhe had rung out her alarm, very
coolly replied,. " Any thing but your ftinking iifh.
Madam. Since when, I pray, have you travelled ia
ftage-coaches, and left off your old profefiion of crying
oyfters in winter^ and rotten mackarel in June ? You
was then known by the name of Kate Bra^rn, and in.
good repute among the ale-houfes in Thames-ftreet, till
that unlucky amour with the mafter of a corn veffel, ia
which he was unfortunately detected by his own fpoufe;
but you feem to have rifen by that fall ; and I wilh you
Joy of your prefent plight : Though, coniidering your
cducatbn on Bear-key, you can give but a forry account
of yourfelf."
Vol. IV. U
^oiizodbyGoogle
154 TJie ADVENTURES of
The amazon, though neither exhaufted nor HC*
mayed, was really confeunded at the temper atid »f*
furance of this a,ntagonift, who had gathered all thefe
anecdotes from the fertility of hi» own invention ^ after
ft ftiort pAufe, however, ihe poured forth a torrent oF
obloquy fufficient to Overwhelm any perfoti who had
not been ufed to take up arms againft fuch feas of
trouble i and a difpute enfued, which would have not
only difgraced the beft orators on the Thames, but even
have made a figure in the celebration of the Eleufiniaa
myfteries, dunng which the Athenian matrons rallied
one another from different waggons, with that frecdoon
of altercation fo happily prcfcrved in this our age and
country.
Such a redundancy of epithets, and variety oF me-
jtaphors, tropes, and figures, were uttered between thefe
well-matched opponents, that an epit bard would have
found his account in likening to the conteft ; which,
in all probability, would not have been confined to
words, had it not been interrupted for the fake (rf a
young woman of an agreeable cbuntenance and modeft
carriage ( who, being Diocked at fome of their flowers
of fpeech, and terrified by the menacing looks aiKt
gcHures of the fiery featured dame, began to fcream a-
loud, and beg leave to quit the coach. Her perturba-
tion put an end to the h^h debate. The fixth paflen-
ger, who had not opened hiE mouth, endeavoured to
comfort her with afTurances of protection ; die quaker
propofed a ccfTation of arms ; the male difput^t ac-
t^uiefced in the propofal, alTurlng the company he had
entered the lifts for their entertainment only, without
acquiring the leaft grudge or ill-will to the fat gentle-
Woman, whom he protefted he had never feen before
that day, and who, for aught he knew, was a perfiMi
of ct«dit and reputation. He then held forth his hand
in token of amity, and afked pardon of thp o^nded
jiartV) who was appeafed by his fubmiflion ; and, in
teftimony of her benevolence, prefented to the other
fismale, whom ftie had difcompofed, an Hungary-water
bottle filled with cherry-brandy, recommending it as a
much more powerful remedy than the fal volatile which
the other h^d to her nofe.
^oiifodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 155
Peace being thus rc-cflablifhcd, in a treaty, com-
prcheniling Obadiah and all prefent, it ^ill not be im-
proper to give the reader fome further information^
touching the fevcral charaftcrs a^embled in this vehicle.
The quaker was a London merchant, who had been
at Deal fupert Mending the repairs of a Ihlp which had
fuSered by a (iorm in the Downs. The Wapping land-
lady was on her return from the fame place, where flic
liad attended the payment of a inan of war, with fundry
powers of attorney, granted by the failors, who had
Uved upon credit at ber houfe. Her competitor io
fame was a dealer in wine, a fmuggler of French Ucei
and a petty gamcfter juft arrived from Paris, in the
company of an Englilh barber, who fat on his right
hand) and the young woman was daughter of a country
curate, in her way to London, where Ihe was bound
apprentice to a milliner.
Hitherto Fathom haiT fat in lilent aftoniOiment
at the manoera of his fellow-travellers, which far ex>
ceeded the notions he had preconceived of Englifli
plainnefs and ruflicity : He found him&lf a monument
of that difregard and contempt which a ftrangcr never
lails to meet with from the inhabitants of this ifland ;
and faw, with furprife, an agreeable young creature fit
as folitary and unheeded as himfelf. He was, indeed,
allured by the rofcs of her complexion, and the inno-
cence of her afpe^, and began to repent of having pre-
tended ignorance of the language, by which he was m-
ftnined from exerciiing his eloquence upon her heart ;
ie refolved, however, to ingratiate htmfelf, If poffible,
by the courtefy and politencfs of dumb fhew, and for
that purpofc put liis eyes in motioo without farther de-
lay.
DiailizodbvGoOgle
ijtf The ADVENTURES cf
CHAPTER XXIX.
Another proviJenital deliverance jrotn ii
fmuggle^s ingenious conJeSlutc,
DURING thefe deliberations, the wine-merchant^
with a view to make a parade of his fuperior
parts and breeding, as well as to pave the way for a
match at baclcgainmon, jnade a tender of his fnuff-box
to our adventurer, and afked, in bad French, how he
travelled from Paris. This queftion produced a leries
of interrogations concerning the place of Ferdinand's
abode in that city, and his bufinefs in. England ; fo that
he was fain to praftife the fciencc of defence, and an-
fwered with fuch ambagiiity as arroufed the fufpicion
of the fmuggler, who began to believe our hero had
fome very cogent reafon for evading his curiofity : He
immediately ftt his reflection at work, and, after vari-
ous conjeitures, fixed upon Fathom's being the young
pretender. Big with this fuppofition, he eyed him with
the moft earneft attention, comparing his features with
thofe of the chevalier's por^trait, which he had feen in
France, and though the faces were as unlike asany two
human faces could be, found the refemblance fo ftrik-
ing as to difpel all his doubts, and pcrfuade him to in-
troduce the ftranger to fome jufticc on the road : A
ftcp by which he would not only manifeft his zeal for
the proteftant fucceflion, but alfo acquire the fplendid
reward propofed by parliament, to any perfon who
Ihould apprehend that famous adventurer.
■ These ideas intoxicated the brain of this. man to
fuch a pitch of enthufiafm, that he afhially believed
himfelf in pofleffion of the thirty thoufand pounds, and
amufed his farcy with a variety of magnificent projefts
to be executed by means of that acquifition, until his
reverie was interrupted by the halting of the coach at
the inn where the paffengers ufed to eat their breakfafts.
Waked as he was from t!ie dream of happinefs, it had
made foch impreffion upon his mind, that, feeing Far
thom rife up with an intention to alight, he took it
for granted his defign was to efcape, and fcizing hini
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 157
by the collarj" called aloud for afliftance in the King's
tiame.
Our hero, whofe fagacity and prcfcncc of mind very
often fupplied the place of courage, inftead of being
' terrified at this afl*3u!t, which might have diilorbed tlie
tranquillity of an ordinary villain, was fo perfectly maftcr
of every circumftance of his own fituation, as to Icnotr
at once that the aggreffor could not podlbly have the
leaft caufe of complaint agatnft him ; and therefore, im-
puting this violence either to madnefs or miftabe, very
deliberately fnffered himfelf to be made prifoner by tht
people of the bonfe; who ran to the coach-door in obe-
dience to the fummons of the wine-merchant. The reft ■
of the company were ftruck dumb with furprlfe and
conftemation at this fudden adventure; and the quakcr,
dreading fome fell rdi{lance on the fide of the ontland-
i(h man, unpinned the otlier coach-door in the twink-
ling of an eye, and trundled himfelf into the mud for
fafety. The others, feeing the temper and rcfignatioa
of the prifoner, foon recovered their recoUeftion, and
began to enquire into the caufe of his arreft ; Upon
which the captor, whofe teeth chattered with lerroi'
and impatience, gave them to undcrfiand that be was a
fiate criminal, and demanded their help in conveying
him to juftice.
I41CKILY for both parties, there happened to be at
the inn a company of fquires juft returned from the
death of a lealh of hares, which they had ordered to be
drefied for dinner, and among thefe gentlemen was one
of the quorum, to whom the accufer had immediate re-
courfe, marching before the captive, who walked very
peaceably between the landlord and one of his waiters,
and followed by a crowd of fpeilators, fome of whom
had fecured the faithful Maurice, who in his behaviour
clofcly imitated the deliberation of his mafter. In this
order did the proceflion advance to the apartment in
which the magiftrate, with his fellows of the chace, fat
fmoking his morning pipe over a tankard of ftrong alej
and the fmuggler being directed to the right perfon,
'* May it pkafe your worfhip (faid he), I have brought
this foreigner before you, on a violent fufpicion of his
^iifg a proclaimed outlaw ; and I delire, before thefe
^lailizodbvGoOglc
158 Tie ADVENTURES 0/
WitndTeSf that lay title may be made- good to the re-
ward that fhall become due upon hU convi^on."
" Friend (replied the juftice), I know nothing of
ypu or your titles -, but this I know, if you have any
information to give in, you muft come to my houie
when I am at home, and proceed in a lawfijl way, that
is, d'ye mind me, if you fwear as how this fae^e perfon
is an outlaw, then if fo be as he has nothing to fay to
the contrary, my clerk fhall make out a mittimus, and
fo to jail with him till next fize." " But, Sir (anfwcred
the impedfcher), this is a cafe that admits of no delay t
the perfon I have apprehended is a prifoner of confe-
quence to the ftatc." *• How, fclior ! (cried the mag]<
ftrate, interrupting him), is there any perfon of more
confequence than one of his Majefly's Juftices of the
peace, who is hefides a confiderable member of the
landed intereil I D'ye know, firrah, who yon are talk*
big to ? If you don't go about your bufinefs, I believe I
fhall lay you by the heels."
The fmuggler, fearing his prize would efcape through
the ignorance, pride, and obftinacy of this country ju<-
ftice, approached his worfhip, and, in a whifpor which
was overheard by all the company, alTured him he had
Ind^t^table reafon to believe the. foreigner was no other
than the pretender's eldeft fon. At mention of- this
formidable name, every individual of the audience ftart-r
«d, with figns of terror and amazement. The juftice
dropped his pipe, recoiled upon bis ch^jr, and, looking
Hioft ridiculoufly aghaft, exclaimed, *• Seize him, in the
name of God and his Majefty King George I Hashe got
flo fecret arms about him !*'
Fathom being thus informed of the fufpicion under
which he ftood, could not help fmiling at the cagcmefs
with which the fpeftators flew upon him ; and fuffcred
himfelf to be fearched with graat compofure, well know^
ing they would find no moveables about his peribn but
fuch as upon examination would turn to his account ; fae
therefore very calmly prefented to the magiftrate 'his
purfe, and a fmall box that contained his jewels, and la
the French language ddired they might be preferred
from the hands of the mOb. This requeft was interpre-
ted by the accufer, who, at. the fame time, Iqid (laiia
^olizodbyGoOglc
■ FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 159
lo the booty. The jnftice took charge of the depofit,.
snd one of his neighbours having undertaken the oSice
of clerk, he proceeded to the examination of the cul'
prit, whofc papers were by this time laid on the tablo
before him. '• Stranger (faid hc)> you fiand charged
with being Ton of the pretender to thefe realms : What
have you to fay in your own defence i" Our hero al^
fiircd him, in the French language, that he was falfc-
ly impeached, and demanded JuJlice on the accufer,
who, without the Icaft reafon, had made fuch a ma)i-
eioDS attack upon the life and honour of an innocent
gentleman.
The fmnggler, inllead of afling the part of a faith-
ful interpreter, told his worfhip, that the prifoncr's an-
fwerwasno more than afimple denial, which every felon
would make, who had nothing elfc to plead in his own
behalf, and that this aione was a iliong prefiimption of
hh guilt} bccaufe, if he was not really the perfoti
they fufpefled him to be, the thing would fpeak for
itfcif ; for, if he was not the young pretender, who
then was he ? This argument had great weight with
thejufticc, who, afluming a very important .afpcft, ob-
fcrvcd, " Very, true, friend, if you are not the pre-
tender, in the name of God, who are you P One may
fee with half an eye that he b no better than a pio-
mifcuous fellow."
Ferdinand now began to repent of having pr&>
tended ignorance of the Englifli language, as he found
himfelf at the mercy of a rafcal, who put a falfc g!o&
Upon all his words *, and addrdTed himfelf to the au-
dience fucceffively in French, High Dutch, Italian, and
Hungarian Latin, dcliring to know if any perfon prc-
feot underflood any of thefe tongues, that his anfwers
might be honeftly cxjJaincd to the bench. Bat he
might have accofted them in Chinefe with the fame
fbccefs: There was not one perfon prcfent tolerably
verfed in his mother-tongue, much lefs acquainted with
any foreign language, except the wine-merchant, who,
iiKenfed at this appeal, which he conlidered as an af-
front to his integrity, gave the judge to underftand^
that the delinquent, inftead of fpeaking to the purpofe,
contumaciouHy infulted his authority in fundry forelj^n
^oiizodbyGooglc ■
16<5 rhi ADVENTtJftES ef
lingoes, which he apprehende<t was an additional pitiof
of his being the chevalier's Ton, inafmuch as no perfon
would take the pains to learn iuch a variety of gibbcrifh^
except with fome iinifter intent.
This annotation was not loft upon the fqnire, who
was too jealous of the honour of his office to overlook
iuch a flagrant inftance of contempt. His eyes gliften-
ed, his cheeks were inflated with rage i " The cale
is plain (faid he), having nothing of llgnification to
offer in his own favour, he grows refrsftory, and
abufes.thc court in his bafe Roman Catholic jargon:
But I'll let you know, for all you pretend to be a prince^
you are no better than an outlawed vagrant; and I'll
fliew you what n thing you are, when you come in cor>'
pofitiou with an Englifh juftice, like me, who have
more than once extinguilhed myfelf in the fervice of
my country. As nothing clfe accrues, your purfe,
black box, and papers flialt be fealed up before wit-
nefles, and fent by exprefs to one of his Majcfty's fe-
crctaries of ftate ; and, as for yourfelf, I will apply to
the military at Canterbury, for a guard to conduit you
to London."
This was a very unwelcome declaration to our ad-
venturer, who was on the point of haranguing the ju-
Aice and fpci^tators in their own language, when he was
relieved from the necefllty of taking that ftcp by the in-
lerpofition of a young nobleman juft arrived at the inn,
who, being informed of this ftrange examination, en-
tered the court, and, at firft fight of the prifoner, afliii-
red the juftice he was impofed upon ; for that he him-
Jclf had often feen the young pretender in Pari?, and
that there was no kind of rcfemblahce between that ad-
venturer and the perfon now before him. The accufer
was not a little mortified at his lordftiip's affirmation,
which met with all due regard from the bench, though
the magiftrate took notice, that, granting the prifoner
was not the y6ung chevalier himfelf, it was highly pro-
bable he was an emiflary of that houfe, as he could give
no fatisfaftory account of himfelf, and was polTeflcd of
things of fuch value as no honeft man would cxpofe to
the accidents of the road.
.■,z<,i:,.,G00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. i(St
Fathom, having thus found an interpreter, who
fignificd to him, in the French tongue, the doubts of
the juflice, told hia lordOiip, that he was a gentlemui
of a noble houfe in Germanj, who, for certain reafons,
had come abroad incognito, with a view to fee the
world ; and that, although the letters they had fcizcd
would prove the truth of that aSertion, he Ihould be
loth to cxpofe his private concerns to the knowledge of
firaagers, if he could poflibly be relcafed without that
mortification. The young nobleman explained his de-
fire to the court I but, his own curiofity being interell-
ed, obferved, at the fame time, that the jufticc could
not be faid to have difizharged the duties of his ftation,
until he Ibould have examined every circumllance rela-
ting to the prifoner : Upon which remonftrance, he was
rcquefted by the bench to perufe the papers, and accor-
dingly communicated the fubftance of one letter^ to this
cffeA.
" MT DEAK SON,
«• Though I am far from approving the rafli ftep you
have taken in withdrawing yourfelf from your father's
houfe, in order to avoid an engagement which would
have been equally honourable and advantageous to your
&mily, I cannot fo far fupprefs my aScAion, as to bear
the thought of your undergoing thole hardihips which,
for your difobedience, you deferve to fuSer. I have
therefore, without the knowledge of your father, fent
the bearer to attend you in your peregrinations ; his fi-
delity you know hath been tried in a long courfe of
fcrvice, and I have entrufted to his care, for your ufe,
a purfe of two hundred ducats, and a box of jewels to
the value of twice that fum, which, though not fuffi-
cient to fupport an equipage fuitable to your birth, will
at leaft for fome time prcferve you from the importu-
nities of- want. When you are dutiful enough to ex-
plain your deiigns and fituation, you may expeA fur-
ther indulgence fi:x>m your too tender and difconfolatc
mother,
THE CODNTBSS OF FATHOM."
Doiizodbv Google
i6a TA/ ADVENTURES of
This letter, which, as veil as the others, our hero
had forged for the purpofe, effr£hiall^ anfTrercd his in-
tent, in throwing duft in the eyes and underftanding of
the fpefktcTs, vho now regarded the prifoner with
looks of refpeflful remorfe, as a man of quality who
had been faUely accufcd : His lordlhip, to make a pa-
rade of hb own polilcncfs and importance, aflbred the
bench, he was no ftranger to the family of the Fathoms^
and, with a compliment, gave Ferdinand to underAand
he had formerly feen him at Verfailles. There being
no longer room for fufpicion, the juftice ordered ogr
adventurer to be fet at liberty, and even invited him to
be feated, with an apology for the rude manner in which
he had been treated, owing to the mifinformation of the
accufer, who was threatened with the flocks for his ma«
lice and prcfumption.
But this was not the only triumph our hero obtain-
ed over the wine-merchant. Maurice was no focHicr
unfettered, than, advancing into the middle of the
room, " My lord (faid he, addreSing himfelf in French
to his matter's deliverer), lince you have been fb gene-
rous as to protcft a noble Granger from the danger of
fuch a falfe accufation, I hope you wilt ftill lay an addi>
tlonal obligation upon the count, by retorting the ven-
geance of the law upon his perfidious acculer, whom I
know to be a trader in thofe articles of 'merchandife
which are prohibited by the ordinances of this-nation.
I have feen him lately at Boulogne, and am perfe^y
well acquainted with fome perfons who have fupplicd
him with French lace and embroidery ; and, as a proof
of what I allege, I delire you will order him and this
barber, who is his underl^ rapper, .to be examined on
the rpot."
This charge, whicli was immediately explained to
the bench, yielded extraordinary fatisfai^on to the fpec-
tators, one of whom, being an officer of the cullomS|
forthwith bcgan'^o exercife his funftion upon the un-
lucky perruquier, who being ftripped of his upper gar-
ments, and even of his fhirt, appeared tike the nlummy
of an ./it^ptian king, moft curioufly rolled up in ban-
dage of rich figured gold fhalloon, that covered the
fkirts of four embroidered waiftcoats. The merchant^
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 163
filing his expectation fo unhappRy rcverfed, made an
cSbrt to retire with a moft rue^l afpeft, but was pre-
vented by the officer, who demanded the intcrpofltioti
of the ctTtl power, that he might undergo the fame exa-
mination to which the other had been fubjefled. He
was accordingly rifled without lofs of time, and the en-
quiry proved well worth the care of him who made it ;
for a confiderable booty of the iiimc fort of merchandife
was found in his boots, breeches, bat, xod between the
buckram and lining of his furtout. Yet, not contented
with this prize, the experienced fpoiter proceeded to
fearch his baggage, and perceiving a latfc bottom in his
portmanteau, detefted beneath it a valuable accelEon to
the plunder he had already obtained.
CHAPTER XXX.
The^fingular manner tfPdihot^s attack and triumph over
tie virtue of the fair Elenor,
PROPER cognizance being thus taken of thefe con-
traband t^£a, and the informer fumifhed with a
certificate, by which he was entitled to a fhare of the
feizure, the coachman fummoned his paflcngers to the
carriage ; the purfe and jewels were reftorcd to Count
Fathom, who thanked the juftice, and his lordlhip in
particular, for the candour and hofpitality with which
he had been treated, and refiimed his place in the
vehicle, amidft the congratulations of all his fellow-
travellers, except the two forlorn fmugglers, who, in-
Aead of reimb^king in the coach, thought proper to
remain at the inn, with a view to mitigate, if poffible,
the feverity of their misfortune.
Among thofe who felicitated Fathom upon the illue
of this adventure, the young maiden fecmed to cxprefs
the moft fenfible pleafure at that event. The artful
language of his eyes had raifed in her breaft certain
fluttering emotions, before Qie knc^ the value of her
conqueft; but now that his rank and condition were
difcovcred, thefe tranfporCs were increafed by the ideas
^laiiizodbvGoogle
. i64 The ADVENTURES af
of vanity and ambicbn, which arc mingled vith the
firft iccds of every female conftitution. The belief (^
having captivated' the heart of a man who could raile
her to the ranic and dignity of a countefs, produced
faqh agreeable fenfations in her fancy, that her eyes
' ihoiie with unufiial luftre, and a continual fmile played
in dimples on her rofy cheeks { fb that her attra£Hom>
though not powerful enough to engage the affeftion^
were yet fuffioient to inflame the deHre of our adven-
turer, who very honeftly marked her chaftity for prey
to his voluptuous pafEon. Had the been well feafoned
with knowledge and experience, and completely armed
with caution againft the artifice and villainy of man,
her virtue might not have been able to withlland the
engines of fuch an alTailant, confidering the dangerous
opportunities to which Ihe was neceSari)y expofed :
How eafy then muft bis vi^ory have been over an in-
nocent unfufpe^ng country damfel, ^u(hcd with the
warmth of youth, and an utter ftranger to the ways pf
life.
While Obodiah, therefore, and his plump compa-
nion, were engaged in converfation, on the ilrange in-
cidents which had paflcd. Fathom a£^ed a very exprcC-
live pantomime with this fair buxom nynipb, who com-
prehended his meaning with furprifing ^ility, and wai
at To little pains to conceal the pleafure fhe took in this
kind of intercourfe, that fcvcral warm fqueeses we«
interchanged between her and htt lover, before they
arrived at Rochefter, where they propofed to dine. It
was during this period, he learned from the anfweii
fhe made to the ioquilitive quaker, that her fole de*
pendencc was upon a relation, to whom fhe had a let-
ter, and that Ihe was a perfcft lb-anger in die great city;
circumAances on which he foon formed the project of
her ruin.
Upon their arrival at the Black Bull, he for the firft
timefound himfclf alone with bis Amanda, whofe nama
was Elenor, their fellow-travellers being elfewhere em-
ployed about their own concerns; and, unwilling to
lofe the precious opportunity, he began to aft the part
of a very importunate lover, which he conceived to bo
a proper fequet to the prelude which bad been perforin-
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ifij
cd in the coach. The freedoms which flic, out of pure
fimplicity and good humour, peimittcd him to take
with her hand, and even her rofy lips, encouraged him
to pra^fe other familiarities upon her fair bolbm,
which fcandaltzed her virtue fo much, that, in fpite of
the paffioD Ihe had begun to indulge in his behalf, flic
reje^ed his advances with all the marks of anger and
difdain -, and he found it necefiary to appeafe the ftorm
he had raifed, by the moft refpe^ful and fubmtflive de-
meanour ; reiblving to change his operations, and carry
on his attacks, fo as to make her yield at difcretion>
without alarming her religion or pride. According-
ly, when the bill was called after dinner, he took parti-
cular notice of her behaviour, and, perceiving her pull
out a large leathern purfe that contained her money^
reconnoiixed the pocket in which it was depolited, and,
while they fat clofc to each other in the carriage, con-
veyed it with admiraUe dexterity into an hole in the
cu£hion. "Whether the corpulent couple, who fat oppo-
fite to thefe lovers, had entered into an amorous en-
gagement at the inn, or were fevcrally induced by other
motives, is uncertain ; but, fure it is, both left the coach
on that part of the road which lies ncareft to GraveTend,
and bade adieu to the other pair, on pretence of having
urgent bufinefs at that place. ,
Ferdinand, not a little pleafed M their departure*
renewed his mofl pathetic expreffions of love, and fung
ieveral French fongs on that tender fubjeft, which
feemed to thrill to the ibul of his beauteous Helen.
While the driver halted at Dartford to water his horfcs/
ihe was fmit with the appearance of fome cheef^akes,
which were prefented by the landlady of the houfe, and
having bargained for two or three, put her hand in her
pocket, in order to pay for her purchafe ; but what was
heraflonifliment,when,after having rummaged her equi-
page, fhc underload her whole fortune was loll ! This
- mifliap was by a loud fliriek announced to uur hero,
who afFc£led infinite amazement and concern ; and no
fooncr learned the caufe of her afSiftion, than he pre-
fented her with his own purfe, from which he, in em-
phatic dumb ihcw, begged (he would indemnify herfclf
for the damage ihe h^ fuilained. Although this kind
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
i6d ' Thi ADVENTURES ef
p roff CT was fome alleviation of ber misfortunes, Qie did '
not fail to pour forth a moA piteous lameutation, im-
porting that ihe had- not only loft all her mooc^,
"' amounting to five pounds, biit alfo her letter of recom*
■ncndation, upon which Ihc had altogether relied for
prefent employment.
The vehicle was minutely learchcd from top to bot-
tom, by hcrfelf and our adventurer, aSfted by Maurice '
snd the coachman, who finding their inquiry ioeffec-
iDal, did not fcnipte to declare his fufpicion of the two
jat turtles who had delerted the coach in fuch an abrupt
manner. In a word, he rendered this conje^re Iq
ptauliMe, by wrcAing the cir cum fiances of their beha-
viour and retreat, that poor Elenor implicitly believed
they were the thieves by whom Ihe bad fuffered j and
was prevailed upon to accept the {H-oSered afliftancc of
the generous count, who feeing her very much difor*
dcred by this miichance, infiftcd upon her drinking a
large glafs of Canary to quiet the pctturbation of her
^irits. This is a feafon, which of all others is moft
propitious to the attempts of an artful lover ; and jufti-
fies the metaphorical maxim of fifhing in troubled wa-
tcrs. There is an affinity and (hort traniltion betwixt
all' the violent paffions that agitate the human mind:
They are all falfe perfpe^ives, which, though they mag«
nify, yet perplex and render indiftin^ every objeA
which they reprcfent: And flattery is never fo lijc-i
cefsfully adminiftered, as to thofe who know they fland
in need of fricndfhip, aflent, and approbation.
The cordial (he {wallowed, far from calming, in4
crealed the difturbance of her thoiights, and produced
an intoxication ; during which, ihe talked in an inco<
herent Arain, laughed and wept by turns, and a^ed
other extravagancies, which are known to be fymptoms
of the hyfterical ad'eftion. Fathom, though «n utter
iftrangcr to the fentimcnts of honour, pity, and rcmorie,
would not perpetrate his vitious purpofe, though fa-
voured by the delirium his villainy bad entailed upon
this unfortunate young maiden;' becaufc his appetite
demanded a more perfect lacrifice than that which the
could yield in her prefent deplorable lituation, when her
will muft have been altogether unconcerned in hisTuc-.
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. iSj
tds. Determined, therefore, to make a conqucft of her
virtue, before hie would take poflcffion of her perfon, he
mimicked that compallion and benevolence which his
hea^ had never felt, and when the coach arrived at
London, not only difcharged what fhe owed for her
place^ but likewifc procured for her an apartment ia
the houfe to which he himfcif had been direftcd for
lodgings, and even hired a nnrfe to attend her during ai
fevere fever, which was the confequence of her difap-
pointment and defpondence. Indeed fhe was fiippliedl
with all ncceflaries by the generofity of this noble count,
who for the interefl of his pailion, and the honour of
bis name, was refolved to- extend his charity to the lafl
farthing of her own money, which he had been wife
enough to fccure for this purpofe.
Her youth foon got the better of her diftemper, and
Irhen Ihe underftood her obligations to the count, who
.did not fait to attend her in perfon with great tendcr-
ncfs, her heart, which had been before prepoflefled in
. his favour, now glowed with all the warmth of gratitnde^
efteem, and aSe^ion. She knew herfcif in i ftrangC
{dace, deftitute of all refonrce but in his generofity:
She loved his perfon, the was dazzled by his rank ; und
he knew fo well how to improve the opportunities and
advantages he d^ived from her unhappy Situation, that
he eradually proceeded in Tapping from one degree of
intmiacy to another, until all the bulwarks of her
ehaftity were undermined, and Ihe fubmitted to hit de-
fircj not with the reluctance of a vanquilhed peopl^
but with *all the tranfports of a joyful city, that opcm
Its gates to receive a darling prince returned from co»-
queft : For by this time he had artfiilly concentred and
kindled up all the inflammable ingredients of her con-
fiitution ; and (he now looked back upon the virtuous
principles of her edncation, as upon 'a difagreeable and
tedious dream, from which flie had waked to the frui-
tion of ncver-feding joy.
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00gli:
i6t The ADVENTURESV
CHAPTER XXXt
Ht by aetidtnt encauntert hit old frUndf vnth v>bom hf
holds a conference, and rtnmii a treaty.
OUR hero having thus provided himfclf iritb a
proper fubje^ for bis hours of dalliance, thought
it was now high time to ftudy the ground which he had
pitched upon for the fcene of his exploits, and with that
view made fevcral excurfions to different puts of the
town, where there was aught of entertainment or ii^
Aruftion to be found : Tct he always, on thefe occa-
fions, appeared in an obfcuie ordinary drefs, in order to
avoid llngularity, and never went twice to the fame
cofiec-houfe, that his perfon might not be afterwaids
known, in cafe he Ihould Ihine forth to the public in a
Aiperior fphere. On his return from one ca thefe ex-
peditions, while he was palEng through Ludgate, his
eyes were fuddenly encountered by the apparition of his
old friend the Tyroleze, who perceiving himfetf fairly
caught in the toil, made a virtue of necelSty, and, run-
ning up to our adventurer with an afpcft c^ eagemefi
and joy, clafped him in his arms, as fome dear friend*
whom he had cafually found after a moft tedious and
difagreeable reparation.
Fathou, whofe genius never £iiled him in fiich
emergencies, far from receiving thefe advances with the
threats and reproaches which the other had deserved at
his hands, returned the falute with equal warmth, and
was really overjoyed at meeting with a perfon who
might one way or other make amends for the perfidy of
hb former condn£l. The Tyrolezc, whofe name was
Ratchcali, pleafed with his reception, propofed they
ihould adjourn to the next tavern, in which they had
no fooner taken polTeffion of an apartment, than he ad-
dreflcd himfelf Co his old companion in thefe words.
" Mr Fathom, by your franfc and obliging man-
ner of treating a man who hath done you wrong, I am
more and more confirmed in my opinion of your faga*
city, which I have often confidered with admiration : I
will not therefore attempt to make an apology for my
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 169
conduct at our laft parting ; but onl^ aflure you that
this meeting may turn out to our mutual advantage, if
wrc now re-enter into an unrdcrvcd union, the tics of
which we will foon find it our intered and inclination
to prefervc. For my own part, ^ my judgment is ri-
pened by experience, fo are my fentiments changed Gnce
Our laft aftbciation. I have leen many a rich harVe^
loft, for want of a fellow-labourer in the vineyard j and
I have more than once fallen a facrifice to a combina-
tion, which I could have rellfted with the help of one
able auxiliary. Indeed, I might prove what I allege
by mathematical demonftration ^ and T believe no body
will pretend to deny, that two heads are better than
one, in all cafes that reij^ulre difcemmcnt and delibc-
tatiofl."
FEitDtKAND could not help owning the fanityof his
obfervations, and forthwith acquiefced in his propofal of
the new alliance; de£ringtoknow the character in which
he a£led on the Englifti ftage, and the ftheme he would
oSfer for thcif mutual emolument : At the lame tipe be
tefcdvcd within himfelf to keep luch a ftrifl eye over
his Aiture aftions, as would fhiftrate any defign he might
bereaftor harbour, of repeating the prank iie had fo
fncccTsifully played upon him, in theu* journey from the
banks of the Rhine.
" Having quit-ted you at Bar-Ie-duc (refumed the
Tyroleze), I travelled without ceafing, until I arrived
Kt Frankfort upon the Maine, where I affumcAthe cha-
raftcr of a French chevalier, and ftruck fome mafterly
ftrokes, which you yourfelf wbuid not have deemed un-
WOTthy of your invention ; and my fucccfs was the more
agreeable, as my operations were chiefly carried on
sgainft the enemies of our religion : But my profperity
Iwas not of long duration. Seeing they could not foil '
me at my own weapons, they formed a damned confpi-
racy, by which I not only loft all the fruits of mjr in-
duftry, but likewife ran the moft imminent hazard of
my life. I bad cM-dered fome of ihofe jewels which I
had borrowed of my good friend Fathom to be new fet
ID 3 &(hionabIe taftc, and foon after had an opportuni-
ty to fell one of thefe, at a great advantage, to one of
the frateniity, who offered an extraordinary price for
Vol. IV. T
^oiizodbyGoogle
170 Tbt ADVENTURES e/
the ftonc, on purpofe to «ffeft my ruin. la Icfs tBan
four and twenty hours after this bargain, I was arreted
by the officers of jufticc, upon the oath of the purchafer,
who undertook to prove me guihy of a fraud, in felling
a Saxon pebble for a real diamond j and this accufation
was a^ually true ; for the change had been artfully put
upon me by the jeweller, who was himielf engaged ia
the confpiracy.
" Had my confcience been clear of any other im-
peachment, perhaps I {hould have refled my caufc up-
on the equity and proteflion of the law \ but I forefaw
' that the trial would introduce an inquiry, to which I
was not at all ambitious of fubmitiing, aod therefore
was fairi to compromife the aSair, at the price of almcft
my whole fortune. Yet this accommodation was not
made fo fecrctly, but that my charafter was blafted,
and my credit overthrown ; {o that I was fain to relin-
quilh my occalional equipage, and hire myfelf as jour-
neyman to a lapidary, an employment which I had ex-
crcifed in my youth. In this obfcut;e ftation, I labour-
ed with great aHiduity, until I made myfelf perfe^ in
the knowledge of flones, as well as in the different me-
thods of fetting them off to the befl advantage ; and ,
havbg, by dint bf indufti7 and addrefs, got poileiflon
of a fmali parcel, fct out for this kingdom, in which I
happily arrived about four months ago ; and furely Eng-
land is the paradife of arti{^ of our piofeffion.
<< One would imagine, that nature had created the
inhabitants for the fupport and enjoyment of adventurers
like you and me. Not that thefe iflanders open the
arms of hofpitality to all foreigners without diftindlion \
On the contrary, they inherit from their fath^s an un-
reafonable prejudice againtl all nations under the fun %
and when an EngliQiman happens to quarrel with %
Aranger, the firft term of reproach he ufes is the name
of his antagonift's country, charailerized by fomc op-
probrious epithet, fuch as a chattering Frenchman, an
Italian ape, a German hog, and a bea{tly Dutchman^
nay, their national prepolTcffion is maintained even
againft thofe people with whom they arc united under
the fame laws and governmci^t ; for nothing is more
common than to hear them exclaim againit their fcUow
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 171
fibjcfls, in the cxprcffions of a beggarly Scot, and an
impudent Irifli bog-trotter. Tet this very prejudice
will never foil to turn to the account of every ftranger
poffefled of ordinary talents ; for he will always find
epportunities of converfing with them in coffi^-houfes,
and places of public refort, in fpitc of their profefTed
refervc, which, by the bye, is fo extraordinary, that
I know fome people who have iived twenty years in
the fame houfe, without exchanging one word with
their next door neighbours ; yet, provided he can talk
fenfibly, and preferVe the deportment of a fober gentle-
man, in thofe occafional converfations, his behaviour
will be the more remarkably plealing, as it will agree-
ably difappoint the expedtation of the perfon who had
entertained notions to his pri^odice. When a foreigner
has once croflcd this bar, which perpetually occurs, he
fails without further difficulty into the harbour of an
Englifhman's good-will ; for the pique is neither per-
fonal nor rancorous, but rather contemptuous and na-
tional i fo that, while he defptfes a people in the tump,
an individual of that very community may be one of his
chief favourites,
" Ths Englifh are in general upright and honeft,
therefore unfufpeiEting and credulous : They arc too
much engroffcd with their own bufinefs to pry into the
condudl of their neighbours, and too indifferent, in point
of difpolition, to intereft themfclves in what they con-
ceive to be foreign to their own concerns. They are
wealthy and mercantile, of confequerice liberal and ad-
venturous, and fo well ditpofed to take a man's own
word for his importance, that they fuffer themfelves to
be preyed upon by fuch a bungling fet of impoftors, as
would ftarse for lack of addrefs in any other country
under the fun. This being a true fketch of the Britifh
charaiEter, ib far as I have been able to obferve and
learn, you will eafily comprehend the profits that may
be extiafled from it, by virtue of thofe arts by which
you fo eminently excel ; the great the unbounded prcfpeSl
lies before me ! Indeed, I look upon this opulent king-
dom as a wide and fertile common, on which we ad-
venturers may range for prey, without let or moleita-
tion : For fo jealous are the natiyes of their liberties,
^olizodbyGoOglc
171 Tie ADVENTURES af
that they will not bear the rcAraint of neceOuy fio/L-f^
and an able artifl: may enrich himfclf mth their fpoils,
without running any rilk of attrafUng the notice of the
magiftrate, or Incurring the leaft penalty of the law,
" In a wordt this metropolis is a vaft mafqueradej
tn which a man of Aratagcm ihay wear a thoufand dif-
ferent difguifes, without danger of detection. There is
a variety of Ihapes in which we knights of the in-
duftry ihake our appearance in London. One glida
into a nohleman's houfc in the capacity of a valet de
chamhre, and in a few months leads the whole family
by the aofe : Another exhibits himfelf to the public, as
an empiric or operator for the teeth ; and by dint of
alTurance and affidavits, bearing tellimony to wonderfiil
cures thai never were performed, whirls himfelf into
bis chariot, and lays the town under contribution : A
third fH-ofefTes the compofttion of muGc, as well as the
perfarmaace, and by means of a few Capriciefai oo
the violin, properly introduced, wriggles himfelf into the
management of private and public concerts : And a
^urth breaks forth at once in all the fpleudor of a gay
equipage, under the title and denomination of a forei^
count. Not to mention thofe inferior projectors, who
aiTume the characters of dancers, fencing-m afters, ani)
French ufhers, or, by renouncing tt)cir religion, feck to
obtain a provifion for life.
" Either of thefe parts will ^um to the account of
Va able aClor ; and, as you are equally qualified for all,
you may chufe that which is meft fuitabte to your own
inclination : Though, in my opijiion, you was dcligned
by nature to ihine in the great world, iqtuch, after all,
is the moll ain[de field for men of genius-, bccaufe the
game is deeper, and people of falhion being, for the
moft part, more ignorant, indolent, vain, and caprici-
ous than their inferiors, are of confequence more calily
deceived ; befides, their morals lit goieraliy fo loofe a-
bout them, that when a gentleman of our fraternity i)
difcovcred in the cxercife of his profelSon, their con^
tempt of his Ikill is the only difgr^ce be incurs."
Qua hero was fo well pleafcd with this piCVure, that
he longed to perufe the original, and before thefe two
friei^ds parted, they. fetUed all (he operations of tb?
'l ,l,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COXTNT FATHOM. 173
campaign. Ratchcali, thst fame evening, hired mag-
nificent lodgings for Count Fathom, in the court end
of the town, and fumiQied his wardrobe and livcriet
from the fpoili of Monmonth-ftrcct j he likewife enlifl*
ed anotiua- footman and valet de chambre into his fcT-
viccj and fent to the apartments divers lai^e trunks,
fuppofed to be £llcd witli the baggage of this foreign
lu^leman, though, in reality, they contained little cllc
than common lumber.
' Next day, our adventurer took poflcffion of his new
habitation, after having left to his friend and aflbciate
the talk of difmilHng the unfortunate Elcnor, who was
fb fhocked at the unexpedlcd mciTage, that ibe fainted
away ; and when fhe recovered the ufe of her fcnfes fo
well as to refieA upon her forlorn condition, flie was
feized with the moft violent tranfports of grief and dif-
may, by which her brain was difordcrcd to fuch a de-
gree, that Ihe grew furious and diftrafted, and was, by
the advice and aOiftance of the Tyroleze, conveyed into
the bofpital of Bethlem ; where we Qiall leave her for
the preicnt, happily bereft of her reafon.
CHAPTER XXXn.
J^ apptart tn tht great world vsUh univerfal applaufe and
admiration.
MEAN while, Fathom and his engine were huiied
in completing his equipage, fo that, in a few.
ke had procured a very gay cliariot, addrned .with
painting, gilding, and a coat of arms, according to his
own fancy and dire£lion ; The iirft ufe he made of thii
vehicle, was that of vifiting the young nobleman from
wbom he had received fuch important civilities on the
road, in confeqnence of an invitation at parting, by
which he learned his title and the place of his abode in
I^mdon.
His lordfhip was not only pleafed, but proud to fee
fnch a ftranger at his gate, and entertained him with
excels of complaifancc and holpitalJty ; infomuch, that^
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
174 7X* ADVENTURES vf
by his means, our hero Toon became acquainted with
the whole circle of polite company, by whom he waa
carclTed for his infinuating maaners and agreeable con-
vcriition. He had thought proper to icU the nobleman
at their firft interview in town, that his reafons for con-
■ cealing his knowledge of the Engliih tongue were now
removed, and that he would no longer deny htmfelf
the plcafurc of fpeaking 3 language which had been al-
ways mulic to his ear : He had alfo thanked his lordHiip
for his generous interpofition at the inn, which was an
inftance of that generotity and true politenefs, which
are engrofled by the Englilb people, who leave nought
to other nations but the mere Ihadow of thefe vir>
tues.
A TESTIMONY like this, from the mouth of fuch a
noble ftranger, won the heart of the peer, who-profet
fed afriendfhip for him on the fpot, and undertook to
fee juftice done to his lacquey, who, in a Jhort time, was
gratified with a Jhare of the feizure which had been
made upon bis information, amounting to fifty or fixty
pounds.
Ferdinand put not forth the whole ftrength of hi*
accomplifhments at once, but contrived to fpring a new
mine of qualification every day, to the furprife and ad-
miration of all his acquaintance. He was gifted -with 3
fort of elocution, much more fpccious than folid, and
fpoke on every fubjcft that occurred in converfation with
that familiarity and eafe, which, one would think, could
only be acquired by long ftudy and application. This
plaufibility and confidence are faculties really inherited
irom nature, and effectually ferve the poffeffor, in lieu
■ of that learning which is not to be obtained without
infinite toil and perfevcrance 1 The moft fuperficial tinc-
ture of the arts and fciences in fuch a juggler, is fu£5ci-
ent to dazzle the underflanding of half mankind ;, and if
managed with circumfpeftion, will enable him even to
fpend his life among the literati, without once forfeit'
ing the charafler of a connoiffeur.
Our hero was perfeftly mafter of this legerdemain,
which he carried to fuch a pitch of alTurance, as to de-
clare, in the midf}: of a mathematical afiembly, that he
intended to gratify the public with a fiill confutation of
_, ,i,z<,i:,., 'Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. »7j
Sir Ifaac Newton's philofophj, to the nature of which
he -was as much a {granger as the moft lavage Hottentot
in Afric. His pretenlioas to profound and univeifal
knowledge, were fupported not only by this kind of
prefumption, but alfo by the facility with which he
fpokt fo many different languages, and the ffircwd re-
marks he had made in the courfe of his travels and ob-
fervacion.
Among politicians, he fettled the balance of poorer
upon a certain footing, by dint of ingenious fchemes,
which he bad contrived for the wcl&re of Europe.^
With officers, he reformed the art of war, with im-
provements which iiad occurred to his refleiftion, while
he was engaged in a military life. He fomctimes held
forth upon painting, like a member of the Dillettanti
club ; The theory of mufic vras a theme upon which he
fcemed to expatiate with particular pleafure : In the
provinces of love and gallantry, he was a perfedi Oroon-
dates : He pofTeiTed a mo(l agreeable manner of telling
entertaining ftories, of which he had a large colle£i:ion ^
he fung with great melody and tafle, and played upon
the violin with furprifing execution. To ihefe qualifi-
cations, let us add his afiability and pliant difpofition,
and then the reader will not wonder that he was look-
ed upon as the pattern of human perfection, and his
acquaintance courted accordingly.
While he thus captivated the iavour and affcAion
of the Englifh nobility, he did not negle^ to lake other
meafures in behalf of the partnerfhip to which he had
fiibfcribed. The adventure with the two fquires at Pa-
ris had weakened his appetite for play, which was not
at all reftored by the obfervations he had made in Lon-
don, where the art of gaming is reduced into a regular
fyftcm, and its profcflbrs fo laudably devoted to the dis-
charge of their fundions, as to obferve the moft tem-
plate regimen, left their invention fliould be impaired
by the fatigue of watching or exercife, and their ideas
difturbed by the fiimes of indigcftion. ' No Indian Brach-
man cpuld live more abftemious than two of the pack,
who hunted in couple, and kennelled in the' upper a-
partments of the hotel in which our adventik'er Uvcd :
They abl!laioed from animal food with the abhorrence
^oiizodbyGoogle
ryfi The ADVENTURES of
of Pythagoreans, their drink was the pure fimple el«>
meot, they were vornitcd once a-wcek, took phyllc of
a glyftcr every third day, fpent the forenoon in alge-
braical calculations, and llept from four o'clock till mid-
night, that they might then take the £eld with that
cool fcrcnity which is the eSc£l of refrelhmeot and re-
poft.
These were terms upon which our hero would not
nlk his fortune ; he was too much addiAed to plea-
fure to forego every other enjoyment bat that of amaf-
fing; and did not lb much depend upon his dexterity
in play as apon lus talent of infinuation, which, by this
time, had fucceeded fo far beyond his cxpe£btion, that
he began to indulge the hope of endaving the heart of
fomc rich heirefs, whofe fortune would at once raife him
above all dependence. Indeed no man ever fet out with
a fairer profpeA on fuch an expedition \ for he had
found means to render himfcif fo agreeable to the &ir
fex, that, like the boxes of the playhoufe, during the
reprefentation of a new performance, his company was
often befpoke for a feries of weeks ; and no lady, whe-
ther widow, wife, or maiden, ever mentioned his name,
without Ibmc epithet of efteem or affection ; fuch as the
4tar Count ! tht charming Man ! tht Nonpareilj or iht
Angtll
WHILE he thus Qione in the zenith of admiration^
it is not to be doited, that he could have melted fbme
wealthy dowager or opulent ward ; but, being an enemy
to all precipitate engagements, he refolved to a£V with
great care and deliberation in an affair of fuch import-
ance, efpecially as he did not £nd himfelf hurried by
the importunities of want ; for, fince his arrival in Eng-
land, he had rather incrcafcd than exhaulled his finan-
ces, by methods equally certain and fecure. In a word,
he with the aiBftance of Ratchcali carried on a traffic,
which yielded great profits, without fulqefling the tra-
der to the leaft lofs or inconvmience. Fathom, for ex-
ample, wore upon his finger a large brilliant, which be
played to fuch advantage one night, at a certain noble-
man's houfe, where he was prevailed upon to entertain
the company with a folo on the violin, that every body
prefent took notice of its imcommon luftrc, and it was
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 177
handed about for the pcnifal pf every individual. The
water and the workman{hip were univerfally admired ;
and one amoDg the refl having expreded a dcfire of
knowing the value of fuch a jewel, the count fcized that
opportunity of entertaining them with a learned difqui-
fition into the nature of ftones ; this introduced the hil^
toiy of the diamond in queftion, which he faid had
hccn purchaTed of an Indian trader of Fort St George,
at an under price } fo that the prefent proprietor could,
afibrd to fell it at a very reafonable rate ; and concluded,
with telling the company, that, tor his own part, he had.
been Importuned to wear it by the jeweller, who ima-
gined it would have a better chance for attra^ing a pur-
chafer on his iinger, than while it remained in his owa
cuftody^
This declaration was no fooner made, than a certain
lady of quality befpoke the refiife of the jewel, and de-
fired Ferdin^od to lend the owner next day to her
houle, wherc.he accordingly waited upon her ladyship
with the ring, for which he received one hundred and
fifty guineas, two thirds of the mm being clear gain,
and equally divided hetwixt the aiTociates. Nor was
this bargain fuch as reflcf^ difhonour upon the lady's
tafle, or could be produ£U\'e of ill confequcnces to the
merchant; for the method of eflimating diamonds is
altogether arbitrary ; and Ratchcali, who was an exqui-
fite lapidary, had fet it in fuch a manner as would have
impofed upon any ordinary jeweller. By thefe means oif
introduAion, the Tyrt^eze foon monopolized the cn-
ftom of a great many noble families, upon which he le-
vied large contributions, without incurring the Icafl fu-
[ution of deceit : He every day, out of pure cftcem and
gratitude for the honour of their commands, entertained
them mth the light of fome new trinket, which he was
never permitted to carry home unfold ; and, from the
, profiu of each job, a tas was raifed for the benefit of
our adventurer.
Ybt his indultos were not confined to the article of
jewels, which confUtuted only one part of his revenue :
By the induftry of liis underllrappcr, he procured a num-
ber of old crazy fiddles, which were thrown allde as
lumber; upon which he counterfeited the Cremona
Vol. IV. Z
DiailizodbvGoOglf
178 The ADVENTURES i>f
mai'k, and othcrwifc cooked them up with great dexte-
rity ; io that, when he had occaGon to regale the lovers
of mofic, he would fend for one of thefc Tamped inftni-
ments, and extraft from it fuch tones as quite ravifhed
the bearers; among whom there was always fome cod-
ceitcd pretender, who fpoke in raptures of the violin,
and gave our hero an opportunity of launching out in
its praifc, and declaring it was the heft Cremona hchad
ever touched. This encomium never filled to inflame
tbe dcfire* of' the audience, to fome one of whom he
was generous enough to part with it at primd coft, that
is, for twenty or thirty guineas clear profit"; for he was
often ahle to oblige his friends in this manner, hecaufe^
being an eminent connoiflcur, his countenance was fo-
licited by all the muiicians, who wanted to dUpofe bf
fuch moveables.
NoR' did he ncgleft the other refources of a ddlAif
virtuofi). Every amnion afforded fome pifture, in
which, though it had been overlooked by the igfiorance
of the tinles, he recognized the ftile of a great maftcr,
and made a merit of recommending it to fome noble
friend. This commerce he litewife extended to me-
dals, bronzes, bufls, intaglios, and' old f;hina, and kept
divers artificers continually employed in making an->
tiques for the Englifh nobility. Thus he wCht on with ,
fuch rapidity of fuceeft in all his endeavours, that he
himfclfwas aftonifbed at the infetuation he had produ-
ced. Nothing was fb wretched among the produ^Hons
of arti- that he could not impofe upon the worid as a
capita! JMrrformanee ) and fo fafcinated were the eyes of
his admirers, he couM cafily have periuaded them that
a barber's bafon was ati Etrurian Patera, and the cover
of a copper pot, no other than the fliteld of Ancns Mai>
tius. -In fliort, it was becomefo falhionahle te conliilt
ihe'COtrat in everything relating to tafte and polttends,
tint rixk a plan was drawn, not even an houfe furniffaed,
irithgut his advice and approbation ; nay, to fuch a de-
gree did his reputatimi in thefc" matters excel, that a
particular pattern of paper-hangings was known by the
name of Fathom ; and his hall was every morning croud-
ed with upholftercrs and other tradcfmen> who came.
bv Google
FERDINAND COX^JT FATHOM. 179
hj order of their employers^ to learn hit choice^ and tg lrr
lus dirc^ons. ,'
The chara^er and iofluence he thus acquired he -
took' care to maintain with the utmoft aiGduity andcir-
CunoJpe^ion : He never failed to appear the chief per- -
ibnage at all public divcrJIoas and private aHemblicj,
not only in convcrfatioa and drefs, but alfo in the ar-
ticle of dancing, in which he outftripped all his feliowsj
as far as in every other genteel ^ccontpliJhment.
CHAPTER xxxnr.
He attraBs the envy and ill ^cis of the minor Itnightt of
his Bv/rt order, over vibom be obtains a complete viSory,
SUCH a pre-eoiinence could not be enjoyed with-
out exciting the malevolence of envy and detrac-
tion, in the propagation of which, none were fo indu-
ftrious as the brethren of his own order, who had, like
bim, made a defccnt upon this ifland, and could not,
without repining, fee the whole harveft in the hands of
one man, who, with equal art and difcretion, avoided
^1 intercourfe with their foci ety. In vain theyftroveto
difcover his pedigree, and deteft the particular circum-
fianccs of his life and converfation ; all their enquiries
were baffled by the obfcurity of his origin, and that fo-
liiary fchemc which he had adopted in the beginning of
his <;areer.. The whole fruit of their inveftigation a-
mounted to no more than a certainty that there was no
£iimly of any conlideration in Europe known by the
denomination of Fathom } and this difcovery they did
not fail to divulge for the benefit of our adventurer,
who had by this time taken fuch firm root in the fa-
vour of the great, as (9 fet all thofe little arts at de*
£ance ; and when the report reached his ear, a^ually
made his friends merry with the conje^res which had
been circulated at his expence. >
His advcrfaries, finding themfelves dirappoioted ia
this effort, held a confultation to devife other meafures
^gainfthim, and came to. a r^olution of tending hua,
^olizodbyGoOglf
It9 Tie ADVENTURES of
hf the fword, or rather of expcUing him from the
kingdom, by the fear of death, which thtf hoped he
had not courage enough to rc£ft, bccaufe his depcot-
ment had been always remarkably mild aiid paci6c. It
was upon this fuppofition, that they left to the deter-
mination of the dice the choice of the pcrfon who
Ihould execute their plan ; and the lot falling upon a
Swifi, who from the ftation of a foot-foldier in the
Dntch fcrricc, out of which he had been drummed fbr
theft, had erected hitnfclf into the raak of a felf-created
chevalier i this hero fortified himfclf with a double dole
of brandy, and betook himfelf to a certain noted
coffise-houfe, with an intent to afiront Count Fathom
}n public.
He was lucky enough to find our adventurer fitting
at a table in converfation with fome perfons of the firfl
rank i upon which he featcd himfclf in the next box^
snd after bavhig intruded himfclf into their difcourfe,
which happened to turn upon the politics of fome Oer*
nan courts, " Count (laid he to Ferdinand, in a very
abrupt and difagreeable manner of addrefs), I was laft
night in company with fome gentlemen, among whom
a difputc happened about the place of your nativity ;
pray, what country are you of?** " Sir (anfwered thfc
other, with great politcnels), I at prefent have the ho-
nour to be of England.'' " Oho 1 (replied the cheva*
Ker), I alk your pardon, that b to fay, you arc incog. —
Some people may find it convenient to keep thcmfelvef
In that fituation." " True (faid the count), but fome
people are too well known to enjoy that privilege."—
Tht Smfs being a little difconccrted at this repartee,
which extracted a^ fmile from the audience ) aficr fome
paufe, obferved, that perfons of a certain clafs had
good reafon to drop the remembrance of what they
have been { but a good citizen will not forget his coun-
try or former cendition. " And a bad citizen (faith >
Fathom), cannot if he would, pronded he has met
with his deftrts ; a Qiarper may as well forget the ihapo
of a die, or a difcardcd foldicr the found of a drum.'*
As the chevalier's chara^to and ftory were not un-
known, this application raifed an univerfal laugh at ba
expence, which provoked him to fuch a degree, thav
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. i«i
ftarttng up, he fwore Fathom could not have mentioned
anj object in nature that he himfeif refemblcd To much
as a drum, which was exaftly tyrrified by his emptineft
and found, with this difference, however, that s drum
was never noify till beaten, whereas the count would
never be quiet, until he fhould have undergone the
&mc diicipline. So faying, he laid his hand upon his
fword with a menacing look, and walked out as if in
ezpe&tion of being followed by our adventurer, who
fuffered him(elf to be detained by the company, and
very calmy took notice, that his antagonift would not
be ill pleafed at their intcrpoGtion. Perhaps he would
not have componed himfelf with fuch eafe and deli-
beration, had not he t^de fuch remarks upon the diA
portion of the chevali^, as convinced him of his own
iafcty. He had percc^ed a perplexity and perturbation
in the countenance of the Swifs, when he firft entered
the coflfce-room ; his blunt and precipitate way of ac-
cofting him, fcemed to denote confiiiian and compul>
Son ; and, in the midft of his ferocity, this accurate ot><
ferver difcemed the trepidation of fear. By the help
. of tbefe figns, his fagacity foon comprehended the na-
ture ■ of his fchemes, and prepared accordingly for a
formal defiance.
His conjefture was verified next morning by a vifit
from the chevalier, who taking it for granted that Fa-
thom would not face an adverfary in the field, becaufe
he had not followed him from the coffee-houft, went to
his lodgings with great confidence, and demanded to fee
the count upon an affair that would admit of no delay.
Maurice, according to his infbniAions, told him that
bis mafter was gone out, but defired he would have the
goodnefs to repofe himfelf in a parlour, till the count's
return; which he expected every moment. Ferdinand,
vho had taken poft in a proper place for obfervation,
feeing his antagonift fairly admitted, took the fame
road, and appearing before him; wrapped up in a long
Spanifli cloak, defired to know what had procured him
the honour of fuch ah early vifit. The Swifs raifing
his voice to conceal bis agitation, explained his errand,
in demanding reparation for the injury his honour had
fuflaiDcd the {acceding day, in that odlqus allufion to »
DiailizodbvGoOgle
Its Th ADVENTURES 9/
Jrandalous rqxnt which had beco nufcd by the malice
of his enemies ; and inJiilcd, in a verj imperious ftile,
Dpqa tus attending him forthwith to the nurfery in
Hyde Park. '■ Have a little patience (faid our adven-
turer with great compofure), and 1 will do myfelf the -
, pleafiiTc to wait upon you in a few momeDts."
With thefe wordi, he rung the belt, and callmg
Six a bafon of water, laid afide his cloak, and difplayod
JumTelf in his fhirt, with a fword in his right-hand,
which was all over befmeared with recent blood, as if he
had jufl come from the flaugbter of a foe. This phcno-
ncQon made fuch an itnpreffion upon the aftonilhed
cbevalio-, already dircompofed by the rcfolute behavi*
our of the count, that he became jaundiced with terror
- md difmay, and, while hit teeth chattered id his head,
told our hero he had hoped, from hb known polite-
qefs^ to have found him ready to ac^owledge ao injury
which might have been the eSe^ of anger or mifappre*
bcniion, in which cale the affair might have been com-
jwomifcd to their mutual fatisfk^ion, without proceed-
ing to th(^c extremities, which, among men of honour,
are always accounted the laft refource. To this repre-
fentation Ferdinand anfwered, that the affair had bcea
of the chevalier's own fecking, inafmuch 3s he had in*
truded himfelf into his company, and treated him with
the mo^ infolent and unprovoked abufe, which plainly
flowed from a premeditated defign againff his honour
and rqmtation i he, therefore, far from being ^ifpofed
to own himfelf in the wrong, would not even accept
of a [Kiblic .acknowledgment from him, the a^rcfibr,
whom he looked upon as an infamous ffiarper, and was
rcTolved to chaflife accordingly.
Here the converfation was iqterrtipted by the ar-
rival of a perfon who was brought to the door in a
chair, and conduced into another apartment, from
which a meffage was brought to the count, importing,
that the (Granger delired to fpeakwith him upon bu-
linefs of the lall importance. Fathmn having rhid the
fervant f<^ admitting people withtMit his order, deffred
^ the Swils to excufe him for a minute longer, and went
into the next room, from whence the following dialogue
was overheard by this challenger. *^ Count' {(aid the
^lafcodbyGoOglf
FEftDINASD COtTKT FATHOM. it%
finmgcr}, yoirare not ignorant of my prttenfions W
the heart of that young lady, at whofe houfe I aia
rbu yefterday j therefore you cannot be ftirprifed whea
declare myfelf difpleafed with your viflts and behaviour
to my miftrefi, and demand that you will inftantly pn>-
xhifii to drop the correfpondencc,^ " Elfe what follows 1
(anfwered ^Wdinahd, with a cool and temperate voice).
" My rcfentnient and imraediafe defiance (replied the
Other) J for the piiiy altefnative I propofc ij, to forego
your ■ dcfign- upon that lady, or to decide Our prCtca-
fibns by the -fword."
■OuK heroj having tx^ieScd arcgaKlforthistifitant
M the -fon of a gentleman whom he honoured, was xt
the pams-ft)- reprefent the - unrealbnablenefs of his de-
mand, and the folly of hS prcfomption j- and cameftly
exhorted him to put the iffue of his eaufc upon a more
fafc and e<juitable 'footing. But this admohitiDn, in-"
ftead 'of appeaiing the ,i*tath, feemed to' inflame the
refentmeirt of the opponent^ who' fwo« he wbuld not
leave him uritH he flioold have accompliflied the pur-
port of-hls errand. In- vairr' our adventurer re qtiefted
half an hoiir for the difpatch of fome urgent bufincft,
in which" he was engaged-witha gentlimari lA the ciher
parloW"'-; -This impemou's iHtkiI rcjefted all ihe tcmis he
could ^nropofe, and" even tRallenged him'todecidcthc
controvcrJy upon the fpot j' an expedient to which the
other having aiTented with rclu^nce, the door was fc
cored, the )*ords unfhcathed, and an hot engagement
enfucd, to the inexpreffible pleafure of the Swifs, who
did not doubt that he himfdf would be fcreened froni
all danger by the event of this rencontre : Nevcrtljclefs,
his hope was difappointed in the defeat of the ftrangcr,
who Was quickly difarmed, in confequence of a wound
through' the fword-arm j upon which occafion Fathom
was.heard'to fay, thnt, iri confidcration of his youth and
family, he had Iparcd his life; but he would not aft
*ith the fame tendemefs towards any other aneagonift.
He then bound up the limb he had difabled, conducted
the vartquifhed party to his chair, rejoined the cheva-
lier with i ferenc countenance, and, aiking pardon for
having detailed him lb long, propofcd they fhould in--
^oiizodbyGoogle
le* The ADVENTURES if
flaatly fct out id an hackney-coach for the place of sp*
poiotnient.
Th e ilratagem, thus conduced, bad all the fucsefi
the inventor could defire. The fear of the Swifs had
rifen almod to an cxtaly before the count quitted the
room ; but alter this IHam baulc, which had been pre-
coDcected betwixt our adventurer and his friend Ratch^
c^i, the chevalier's terrois were unfpeakable. He
confidcred Fathom as a devil incarnate, and went into
the coach a$ a malefaflor bound'for Tyburn. He would
have gladly compounded for the lofs of a leg or arm,
and entertained fome tcanlient gleams of hope, that he
ihould efcape for half a dozen flelh-wouods, which he
would have willingly received as the price of his }ur^
fiimption; but thcfe hopes were baniihed by the fc-
membrance of that dreadful declaration which he had
heard the count make, after having overcome his laft
adverfary ; and he continued under the power of the
mod infupportable paonic, until the carriage h^ted at
Hyde Park Corner, where he crawled forth in a moft
piteous .and lamentable condition ; fo that, when they
reached the ipot, he was fcarce able to fland.
Here he made an effort to fpeak, and propofed an
accommodation upon a new, plan, by which he pro-
mifed to leave his caufc to the arbitrement of thofe
gentlemen who were prefcnt at the rupture, and to afk
pardon of the count, provided he ihould be found
guilty of a trcfpafs upon good manners : But this pro-
pofal would not fatls^ the implacable Ferdinand, who,
perceiving the agony of the Swifs, rcfolved to. make
the moA of the adventure, and giving him to under-
fiand he was not a man to be triBed with, deHred him
to draw without further preamble. Thus compelled,
the unfortimate gamefler pulled off his coat, and put-
ting bimfelf in a pofture, to ule the wrods of Nym,
*' winked and held out his cold iron."
Odr adventurer, far from making a gentle ufe of
tiie advantages he poffeffed, fiercely attacked him,
while he was incapable of making rcCftance, and aim-
ing at a flelhy part, ran him through the arm and out*
fide of the fhoulder at the very £rft pafs : The chevalier,
idrcady ftupl£ed with the henrer of expcAation, iw
by Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. i8y
fbbner felt his adverfsrfy's point in his body, than he
fell to the ground, and, concluding he was no longer a
man for this world, tfegan to crofs himfelf with great
devotion, while Fathom walked home delit>cnitel7, and
in his way fcnt a couple of cbairmea to the aillftance of
the wounded Icnight.
This atchievemcnt; which could not be concealed
from the knowledge of the public, not only fiirnilhed
the character of Fathom with frcih wreathes of admi-
ration and applaufey but likewife eft'eftually fecured him
from any future attempts of his enemies, to whom the
Swifs, for his own fake, had' communicated fuch ter^*
rible ideas of his valour, as overawed the- whole com'
nullity.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Hi pirfirmi aavther etlp/ait, that conveys a true idea of bis
gratitud* and honour.
IT was not long after this celebrated viAory, that hs
was invited to fpcnd part of the fummer at the
faoufe of a country gentlemanj who lived about one
hundred miles from London, polTeiTed of a vary opu-
lent fortune, the greatell part of which was expended
in a£[s of cAd Etiglifh hofpitality. He had met with '
our hero by accident at the table of a certain great
ioan, and was fo ftruck witli his manner and convcria-
tion, as t6 deiire his acquaintance, and cultivate his
friendfbip ■ and he thought himfelf extremely happy
in having prevailed upon him to pafs a few weeks in
his family.
Fathom, among his other obfervations, perceived
that there was a domeftic unealinefs, occa£oned by a
very beautiful young creature about tlic age of fifteen,
*ho refided in the houfe under the title of the gentle-
man's niece, though fhe was in reality his natural
daughter, born t>efore his marriage. This circumllance
was hot unlcnown to his lady, by whofe exprefs appro-
bation he had beilowed, particular attention upon the
Vox.. iV. A a
odbvGooglc
ti6 The ADVENTURES of
education of the child, whom we fhall difltnguifh'b^
the name of Celinda: Their liberality in this particulw
bad not been mifappUed ; for {he not only gave marks
of uncommon capacity, but, as (he grew up, became
more and more amiable in her perfon, and was now re*
turned from the boar din g-fchool, pofieiTcd of every ac
compliflrnient that could be acquired by one ef her age
and opportunities. Tbcfc qualifications, which ov
deared her to every other perfon, excited the jealoufjr
and difplcafure of her fuf^fcd aunt, who could not
bear to fee her own children eclipfed by this illegttir
mate daughter, whom flie therefore difeountsnanced
upon all occafions, and expofed to fuch mortificatiens
as would in all appearance drive her from her iathcr's
houfc. This perfecuting fpirit was very difagreeable to
the hufband, who loved Celinda with a truly paternal
affcfVion, and produced abundance of family difquiet j
' but being a man of a peaceable and yielding difpofition,
he could not long mamtain the refolution he had taken
in her favour, and therefore he ccafed oppofing the
malevolence of his wife^
In this unfortunate predicament ftood the faiT bst-
tard, at the arrival of our adventurer, who, being al-
lured by her charms, and apprifcd of her fituation at
the fame time, took the generous refolution to under*
mine her innocence, that he might banquet his vicioui
appetite with the fpoils of her beauty. Perhaps fuch a
brutal defign might not have entered his imagination>
if he had not obferved, in the difpoiition of this hap-
lefs maiden, certain peculiarities from which he derived
-the mofl contident prefages of fuccefs. Befides a tptal
want of experience, that left her open and unguarded-
againft the attacks of the other fex, Ihe difcovered a
remarkable fpirit of credulity and fuperftitious fear»
which had been cheriflied by the converfation of her
fchool-fellows : She was psrticularly fond of mufic in
which (he had made fome progrefs ; but fo delicate was
the texture of her nerves, that one day, while Fathom
entertained the company with a favounte air, fhc ac<
tually fwooncd with plcafure.
Such fenfibility, our projector well knew, muft be
difiiiled through all thepaffions of her heart ; he coo-
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERBINAND COUNT FATHOM. 187
grattUated himfelf opon the fare aTccndancy he had
gained over her in this particular; and fonhwith be-
gan to execute the plan he had croflcd for her dcftnic-
tion. That he might the more cffcfhially deceive the
vigilance of her father's wife, he threw fucli a dalh of af-
fection in his complaifauce towards Cclinda, as could
not efcape the notice of that prying matron, though it
was not palpable enoDgh to difoblige the young lady
hcrfelf, who could not fo well dil^inguith between ovcr-
ftrained coortefy and real good breeding : This. behavi-
our fcreened him from the fufplcion of the family, who
conlldcred' it as an ^ort of politcncfs, to cover his in-
di£rcnce and difguft for the daughter of his friend,
who hgd by this time given fome reafon to believe Ihe
looked upon him with the eyes of aS^ion ; (b that the
opportunities he enjoyed of convcrling with her in pri-
vate* were lefs liable to iotrullon or inquiry. Indeed,
from what I have already oblcrved, touching the fenti-
ments of.her Aep-dame, that lady, far from taking
meafures for thwarting our hero's delign, would have
rejoiced at the execution of it, and, had ihe been In-
fijrmed of his intent, might have fallen upon fome me-
thod to Meditate the enterprifc ; hut, as he folely de-
pended upon his own talents, he never dreamed of fo-
lieiting fuch an auxiliary.
Under cover of iniirufting and accomplifliing her
in the excrcife of mulic, he could not want occalions
for promoting his aim ', when, after having foothed her
fenfe of hearing, even to a degree of ravilhmcnt, fo
as to extort from her an exclamation, importing, that
he was furely fomething fupernaturai ! he never failed
to whifper fome inQdious compliment or tale of love,
CKquifitely fuitcd to tlie emotions of her foul. Thus
was her heart infenftbly Aibdued ; though more than
half his work was ftill undone i for, at all times, Ihe
difclofed fuch purity of fentiment, fueh inviolable at-
tachment to religion and virtue, and feemed fo averfe
to all forts of inflammatory difcourfe, that he durlt not
prefume upon the footing he had gained in her adec<
tion, to explain the bafencfs of his delire ; he therefore
applied to another of her pallions, that proved the
Ikuk of her virtue: This was her timidity, which at
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
i88 The ADVENTURES of
firft being conftitutional, was a&erwards iDcreafed b;^
the circumftanccs of her education, and now aggravated
by the artful converfation of .Fathom, which he che-;
quei^ with difmal ftories of omens, portents, prophe-
cies and apparitions, deUvered upon fuch unqucftion-
able teftimony, and with fuch marks of conviftion as
captivated the belief of the devoted Cehnda, and filled
her imagination with unceafing terrors.
In vain Ihe firove to difpel thole frightful ideas, and
avoid fuch topics of diftourfe for the future: The more
ihe endeavoured to baniOi them, the more troubLefome
They became ; and fuch was her in&tuation, that as her
terrors increafed, her thirll after that fort of Icnowlcdge
was augmented. Many ilecplcfs nights did Ihe pafs a-
midft thofe horrors of fancy, ftarting at every' noifCj
and fweating with dreary apprehension, yet afhamed to
own her fears, or folicit the comfort of a bed-fellow,
lefl fhe (hould incur the ridicule and cenfure of her fa^
(her's wife •, and what rendered this difpofition the more
irkfome, was the folitary fituation of her chamber, that
Aood at the end of a long gallery fcarce within hearing
of any other inhabited part of the houfe.
All thefe circUmftances had been duly weighed by
our projeAor, who, having ju'epared Celinda for ha
purpofe, ftole at midnight from his apartment, which
was in another Itory, and approaching her door, there
uttered a piteous groan ; then foftly retired to his bed,
in full confidence of feeing next day the effeft of this
operation : Nor did his arrow mifs the mark. Poor
Celinda's countenance gave luch indications of melan-p
pholy and difmavj that he could not omit alking the
caufe of her difquiet, and fhe, at his eamcft requcft, was
prevailed upon to communicate the dreadful falutation of
the preceding night, which fhe conlidered as an omen
of death to ibme perfon in the family, in all probabili-
ty to herfelf, as th? groan fcemed to iifiie from one
corner of her own apartment. Our adventurer argued
againllthls fuppoHtion, as contradic):ory to the common
ofafervation of thofe fupernatural warnings, which are no|
Bfoally imparted to the perlbn whb is doomed to die,
but to fome faithful friend or trufty fervant, particular-
)y intercftpd in the event. He therefore fuppofed, that
_, ,l,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 1B9
^e groans foreboded the death of my lady, who fecm-
cd to be in a dropping ftatc of health, and were by her
genius conveyed to the organs of Celinda, who was the
chief fufierer by her jealous and barbarous difpolition;
he likewife cxprelTed an camcll defire to be an eaiv
witnefs of fuch folemn communication, and, alleging
that it was highly improper for a youog lady of her de-
licate feelings to expofe herfelf atone to fuch apother
idifmal vifitation, begged he might be allowed to watch
all night in her* chamber, in order to defend hep fironi
jhe Ihocking imptcffions of fear.
Though no pcrfon ever ftood more in need of 9
companion , or guard, and her heart throbbed with
tranTpcMts of dihnay at the profpefl of night, fhc icr-
jeAed his propofal with due^acknDwledgment, and ro>
iblved to truft folcly to the prote^on of heaven : Not.
that Ihc thought her innocence or reputation could fu£>
fer by her eothpliance with his requeft ; for hitherto
her heart was a ftranger to tbofe young deiires which
hw0t the hacy, and warm the breaft of youth i fo
Jhat,' being ignorant of her danger, ihe faw not the
■ flcceffity of avoiding temptation : But (he refijfcd to
admit a man into her bed-chamber, merely becaufe it
was a It.ep altogether oppoiltc to the forms and decorum
ic^ life. Neverthclels, far frois being difcouraged by
this repulfe, he knew her tears would multiply, and
reduce that relu^ance, which, in order to weaken, he
had recourfe to another piece of machinery, that ope-
rated powerfully in behalf of his defign.
Some years ago, a twelye-ftringcd inftrument waa
contrived by a very ingenious musician, by whom it was
aptly entitled the Harp of .,4k>lus, becauie, being pro-
perly applied to a ftr^am of air, it produces a wild ir-
regular variety of harmonious founds, that feem to be
the efleft of inchantment, and wonderfully difpofe the
mind for the moft romantic fitualions. Fathom, who
was really a vurtuofo in mufic, had brought one of thofe
new-falhioned guittars into the country, and as the cC-
feft of it was ftill unknown in the family, he that night
converted it to the purpofes of his amour, by fixing it in
the cafement of a window belonging to the gallery, ex-
pgfed to the weA wind, which then blew in a gentle
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
ipo Th^ ADVENTURES ^
breeze. The firings no fooncr felt the iznpreffion of
the balmy zephyr, than they began to pour forth z
ftreatn of melwiy more ravifhingly delightful than the
fongof Philoincl, the warbling brook, and ill the coa^
cert of the wood. The foft and tender notes of peact
aod love were fwelled up, with the moft delicate and in-
icnlible tranfidon, into a loud hymn of triumph and ezul*
tation, joined by the deep-toned organ, and a full choir
of voicei, which gradually deeayed upon the ear, until
k died away in diftant found, a$ if a flight of angels had
raifcd the fong in their afcent to heaven, Tet th«
chords hardly ceafed to vibrate after the expiration of
this overture, which ufltered in a compofitfon in the
iame pathetic ftile { and this again was Aicceeded by ft
third, almoft without paufe or intCTrtiU&on, as if the ar-
ttfi's band had been imleiatigable, and the theme ncrer •
to be exhauftcd.
His heart jnuft be quite callous, and his ear loil to
■all diftinflion, who could hear foch harmony without
emotion { how deeply ttien muft it have afieded the
delicate Celinda, whofe fenfations, naturally acute, were
Whftted to a moft painful keenncfs by her apprehenlion,
tvho could have nO previous idea of fuch entertainment,
and was credulous enough to believe the moft im[m>-
t>aUe tale of fuperflition I She was overwhelmed with
awfiil terror, and, never doubting that the ibunds were
more than mortal, recommended herfelf to the care of '
providence in' a fucceffion of pious ejaculations.
Our adventurer, having flowed ibme time for the
eScA of this contrivance) repaired to her chamber-
door, and in a whifper conveyed through the key-hole,
afked if the was awake, begged pardon for fuch an un-
feafonable vifit, and delired to know her opinion of the
Arange mulic which h? then heard. In fpite of her
notions of decency, ftie vras glad of bis intmlion, and
being in no condition to obfore punctilios, flipped (Hi
a wrapper, opened the door, and, with a Altering
voice, owned herfelf frightened almoll to dinraition.
.He pretended to confole her witfc re^cftions, import-
ing, that fhe was in the hands of a benevolent Being,
who would not impofe upon his creatures any talk
which they could not bear ; he infifted upon her r>
:, Google
_ FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 191
tnrnrng to bed, and alTurcd h£r be would not ftir from
faer chamber till day. Thus comforted, Ihe betook
ttcrfelf again to reft, white he fat down in an elbow-
chair at fomc dillance from the bed -fide, and, in a fbft
voice, began the converfati<xi with her, on the fubjcA
of tbofe violations from a,bove, which, though under-
taken on pretence of diffipating her fear and anxiety,
yns in reality calculated for the purpofe of au^enting
both.
•' Th AT fweet air (faid he) feems deligned for Toothing
the bodily anguifh of fome faint in his laft moments.
Hark ! how it rifes into a more fprightly and elevated
flraio, tH if it were an infpiriting invitation to the realms
of bli^ ! fure he is now abfolved from all the mifeiy of -
this life ; that lull and glorious concert of voices and
celeftial harps betoken his reception among the heaven-
ly choir, who now waft his foul to paradilian joys t this
is altogether great, folemn, and amazing ! The clock
ftrikcs ooe, the fymphony hath ceafed !"
This was a£tually the cafe ; for he had ordered Mau*
rice to remove the inftrument at that hour, left the
Ibund c^it ihould become too familiar, and excite the cu-
riolity of fome undaunted domftllic, who might frufh^te
hia fcheme, by difcovering the apparatus. As for poor
Celinda, her fancy was, by his mufic and difcourfe,
worked up to the higheft pitch of enthuliaftic terrors ;
the whole bed fhook with her trepidation, the awtul
filettcc that ftuceeded the fupernatural mulii;, threw an
^ ^dttional damp upon her fpirits, and the artful Fathom
affecting to fnor^ at the fame time, Ihe could no ItHiger
contain her horror, but called upon his name with a
fearfril accent, and having owned her prefcnt Htuation
infupportable, intreated him to draw near her bed lide,
that he might be within touch on any emergency.
This was a welcome requeft to our adventurer, who,
alking pardon for his drowdncfs, and taking his ftatioa
on the fide of her bed, exhorted her to compofe her-
self t then locking her hand faft in his own, was
again ftized with fuch an inclination to lleep, that he
gradually funk down by her fide, and feemed to enjoy
his rept^e in that attitude. Mean while, his tender-
hearted mifixefs, that he might not fuScr in bis health
^laiiizodbvGoogle
igi The ADVENTURES 0/
by his humanity and complaifance, covered him mili
the counterpane as he flept, and fuficrcd him to take
his reft without interruption : Till he t&otight proper
to ftart up fuddenly with an exclamation of, " Heaveit
tvatch oVer us I" and then aiked, with {ymptoms of
aftonifhmcnt, if flie had heard nSthing.' Such an abrupt
addrefs, upon fuch an ofcafion, did dot &il to amazff
and afiright the gentle Cclinda, who, unable to ^>eak,'
Iprung towards her treacherous protcftor} and hey
Catching her in his arms, bade her fear nothing ; for
he w^ld, at the eiCpence of his life, defend her froiH
mil danger.
Having thds, by tampering widi her wfctkneTs, con-
quered the firft and chief obftaclcs to his dcSgn, he,'
with great art and perfeverance, improved the inter-
courfe to fuch a degree of intimacy as could not but be
produfli^e of all the confequences which' he had fbr&-'
fccn. The groans arid mufic *cre occaGonally repeat^
cd, fo as to alarm the whole family, and irifpire a thou-
f^nd various conjei^res : He faHed not to continue his
fio^rnid vilits and ghaftly difcourfc, until his attend-
ance became fo necdTary to this unhappy n^aiden, that
file durft not ftay in her own chamber without his com-
pany, nor even flccp, except in' cOBtaA wirh her beJ
trayer. ^
SrcH a commeircc befwceri' two fijch pctfoni of i
different fex could not poffibly be long carried on, with-
out degenerating from the Platonic fyftcm of fentimen-^
tal love. In her paroxyfms of difmay, he did not for-
get to breathe the foft infpirations of his pafliori, to
which ihc liftcned with njore pleafure, as they diverted
the gloomy ideas of her fear *, and by this time his ex-
traordinary accomplifhmems had made a conqucft of
her heart. What therefore could be a more interefting
franfition than that from the moft uneafy to the raoft
agreeable fenfatton of the human brea'd.
This being the cafe, the reader will not wonder that
a confummatc traitor, like Fathom, Ihould triumph
over the virtue of an artlcfs innocent young creature;
whofe paffions he had entirely under his command.
The gradations towards vice are almof): imperceptible,
and an dtpcrienccd fcducer can ilrcw thcni with fuch
DiailizodbvCoOglf
FERDIKAND COUNT FATHOM. ipj
linticing and agreeable Sowers, as will lead ttie young
finncr on infenfibly, even to the moft profligate flages
of guilt. All therefore that can be done by virtue, un-
alllfled with experience, is to avoid every trial with luch
a fornjidable foe, by declining and difcouraging the
firft advances towards a particular corrcfpondcncc with
perfidious man, howfocver agreeable it may feem to be :
For here is no fecurity but in confcious weaknefs.
Fathom, though poITcflcd of the fpoils of poor Ce-
linda's honour, did not enjoy his fucccfs with tranquil-
lity. Refleftion and remorfe often invaded her in tile
midft of their guilty pleafures, and embittered all thofe
moments they had dedicated to mutual blifs. For the "
feeds of virjue are feldom deftroyed at once ; Even
amidft the rank produftions of vice, they regerminate
- to a fort of imperfcft vegetation, like fome fcattercd
hyacinths ihooting up among the weeds of a ruined gar-
■ den, that teftifj; the former "culture and amenity of the
foil : She iighed at the fad remembrance of that virgin
dignity which ihe had loft ; (he wept at the profpeiEli of
that difgrace, mortification, and mifery ihe Ihould un-
dergo, when abandoned by this tranfient loverj and fe-
vcrety reproached him for the arts he had ufcd to Jhip-
wreck her innocence and peace.
Suck cxpoftulations are extremely unfeafonable, when
addrefled to a man well-nigh fated with the effects of
his conqueft : They ait Uke ftrong blafts of wind applied
to eml^ers almoft extinguilhed, which, inflcad of re-
viving, the flame, fcatter and deftroy every remaining
particle of fire. Our adventurer, in the midft of hia
peculiarities, had inconftancy in common With the reft
ofhisfex. More than half cloyed with the-pofleflion
of Cclinda, he could not fail to be difguftcd with, her
upbraidngs } and had fhe not been the daughter of a
gentleman, whofe friendfhip he did not think it his in-
tcreft to forfeit, he would have dropped this correfpon-
dence, without reluftance or hefitation : But, as he had
Ineafures to keep with a family of fuch confequence, he
conftrained his inclinations, fo far as to counterfeit ihofc
raptures he no longer felt, and found means to appeaffi
thofe intervening tumults of her grief.
Vol. IV. B b
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
194 7he ADVENTURES of
Foreseeing, however, that it would not be alwaya
in his power to confolc her on thefc terms, hercfolvcd,
if poffiblc, to divide her affcftion, which now glowed
upon him too intenfcly ; and, with that view, whenever
fhc complained of the vapours or dejeftion, he pre-
fcribed, and even infifled upon her fwallowiug certain
cordials of the moft palatable compolltion, without which
he never travelled ; and thefe produced fuch agreeable
reveries and flow of fpirits, that ihe gradually became
enamoured of intoxication ; while he encouraged the
pernicious paffion, by expreffing the moft extravagant
applaufe and admiration at the wild uregular faliJcs it
produced. Without having firft made this divcrfion,
he would have found it imprafticable to leave the houfe
in tranquillity ; but when this bewitching philtre grew
into an habit, her attachment to Ferdinand was infen-
fibly diflblved ; (he began to bear "his negleft with in-
difference, and fequeftering hcrfclf from the reft of the
family, ufed to folkit this new ally for confolation.
Having thus put the finifliing ftroke to the daugh-
ter's niin, he look leave of the father, with many ac-
knowledgments and cxprefTions of gratitude for his ho-
fpitality and friendfliip, and riding croft the country to
Briftol, took lip his habitation near the hot well, whefe
he ftaid during the remaining part of the fcafon. As
for the miferable Cclinda, Ihe became more and more
addicted to the vices in which ftie had been imtiated by
his fuperhtive perfidy and craft, until {he was quite
abandoned by decency and caution : Her father's heart
was torn wiih anguifli, while his wife rejoiced in her
fall ; at length her ideas were quite debafed by her in-
firmity i ihe grew every day more and more fcnfual and
degenerate, and contracted an intimacy with one of the
footmen, who was kind enough to take her to wife, ia
hope of obtaining a good fettlement from bis mafter }
but, being difappointed in his aim, he conduced her
to London, where he made ihift to infinuate himfelf
mto another fervice, leaving to her the ufej and partly
the advantage oF her own perfon, which was ftiU an-
commonly attraftive.
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 195
CHAPTER XXXV.
He ripairj to Br'ifiil fpring, where he reigriJ paramount
during the whole fiafon,
WE fliall therefore leave her In this comfortable
fituation, and return to our adventurer, wiiofe
appearance at Briftol was confidered as a happy omea
by the proprietor of the iiot well, and all the people
who live by the refort of company to that celebrated
ffa'vng. Nor were they dec'eived in their prognoflic :
Fathom, as ufual, formed the nucleus or kernel of the
beau monde % .and the feafon foon became {b crouded, ,
that many people of fafhion were obliged to quit the
place for want of lodging. Ferdinand was the foul
that animated the whole Ibcicty. He not only invented
parties of pleafure, but alTo, by his perfonal talents, ren-
dered them more agreeable : In a word, he regulated
their diverHons, and the mailer of the ceremonies ne-
ver would allow the ball to be begun till the count was
feated.
Having thus made himfelf the obje^l of admiration
and efteem, his advice was an oracle, to which they had
recotirfe in all doubtful cafes of puo£tiUo or difpute, or
even of medicine ; for, among his other accomplilh-
mcnts, his difcourfe on that fubjefl was fo plaulible,
and well adapted to the underftanding of his hearers,
that any perfon who had not afhially ftudied the medi-
cal act would have believed he was jnfpired by the fpi'^
rit of ^fculapius. What contributed to the aggrandize-
ment of his charafler in this branch of knowledge was a
victory he obtained over an old phyGcian, who plied ac
the well, and had one day unibrtunately begun to ha-
rangue in the putqp-rooni upon the nature of the Bri-
jlol water. In the courfe of this let^re he undertook
to account for the warmth of the fluid ; and his ideas
being perplexed with a great deal of reading, which he
had not been able to digeil, his difquiHtion was fo indi-
ftinfl, and his expreflion fp obfcure and unentertaining,
that our hero feized the opportunity of difplaying his
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
196 The ADVENTURES of
own erudition, by venturing to contradift fome cic-
cumftances of the doflor's bypothelis, and fubftituting
a theory of his" own, which, as he had invented it for
the porpofe, was equally amufing and chimerical,
He alleged, that fire was the fole vivifying principle
that pervaded all nature ; that, as the heat of the fun
concofl_ed the juice of vegetables^ and ripened thofe
fruits that grow upon the furfacc of this globe, there
was lifcewife an immcnfe ftore of central fire referved
within the bowels of the earth, not only for the gene-
ration of gems, foflils, and all the purpofes of the mi-
neral world, but UkewifcTbr cheriihing and keeping
alive thofe plants which would otherwife perifh by the
winter's cold. The exiftencc of fuch a fire he proved
from the nature of all thofe volcanoes, which in almoft
every corner of the earth are continually vomiting up ci-
ther flames or fmoke. *' Thefe (faid he) are the great
vents appointed by nature for the difcharge of that ra-
rified air and combuftible matter, which, if confined,
would burft the glohe afunder i but, befides the larger'
outlets, there are fome fmall chimneys thro' which part
of the heat tranfpires -y a vapour of that fort, I conceive,
muft pafs through the bed or channel of this fpring^
the waters of which, accordingly, retain a moderate
warmth." ■ . .,
This account, which totally overthrew the other's
doftrlne, was fo extremely agreeable to the audience,
that the tefty doftor loit his temper, and gave them to
iinderftand, without preamble, that he muft be a pcr-
fon wholly ignorant of natural philofophy, who could
invent fuch a ridiculous fyftem, and they involved in
worfe than an ^Egyptian fog, that could not at once
difcern its jweaknefs and abliirdity. This declaration
introduced a difpute, whicli was unanimoufly determi-
ned in favour of our adventurer. On all fuch occalions
the ftream of prejudice runs againft the phyiician, even
though bis antagonift has nothing to recommend him-
felf to the favour of the fpeflators 1 and this decifion de-
pends upon divers confiderations : In the firft place,
there is a continual war carried on againft the learned
profeffions, by all thofe who, conicious of their own
ignorantc,. feels to level the reputation of their fupcri-
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ipj
ors with their own. Secondly, in all difputcs upon phy-
fic that happen betwixt a pei;ron who really undcrftands
the art, and an illiterate pretender, the arguments of
the firlt will feem obfcure and unintelligible to thofe
who are unacquainted with the previous fyllcms on
which they are built ; while the other's theory, derived
from common notions, and fuperficial obfervation, will
be more agreeable, becaufe better adapted to the com-
prehenfion of the hearers. Thirdly, the judgment of
the multitude is apt to b&biafled by that furprize which
is the eSe^ of feeing an artifl foiled at his own wea-
pons, by one who engages him only for amufecnent.
Fathom, befidcs thefc advantages, was blefled with
a flow of language, an elegant addrcfs, a polite and felfr-
denying ftile of argumentation, together with a temper
not to be ruffled ; fo that the viftory could not long
waver between him and the phyfician, to whom he was
infinitely fupcrtor in every acquilition but that of folid
learning, of which the judges had no idea. This con-
teft was not only glorious but profitable to our adven-
turer, who grew into fuch requeft in his medical capa-
city, that the poor doftor was utterly defcrted by his
patients, and Fathom's advice folicited by every valetu-
dinarian in the place ; nor did he forfeit the charaftcr
he thus acquired by any mifcarriages in his praflice : .
Being but little converfant- with the materia medica, the
circle of his preicriptions was very fmall ; his chief ftu-
dy was to avoid all drugs of rough operation, and un-
certain eSe6l, and to adminiller fuch only as fhould be
agreeable to the palate, without doing violence to the
conftitution. Such a phyfician could not but be agree-
able to people of all difpofitions ; and, as mod of the
patients were in fome fhapc hypochondriac, the power
of imagination, co-operating with his remedies, often
elFefted a cure.
On the whole, it became the fefhion to confult the
count in all diftempers, and his reputation would have
had its run, though the death of every patient had gi-
ven the lie to his pretcnfions. But empty fame was not
the folc fruit of his fuccefs. Though no perfon would
prefume to affront this noble graduate with a fee, they
(lid not fiiil to manifeft their gratitude by fome more
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
i9« Tie ADVENTURES of
valuable {wefcnt : Every day fomc liipcrb piece of china,
curious fnudvboK, or jewel was prdled upon him j fo
that, at the cod of the feafon, he could almofl have
' fiirnilhcd a toy-fhop with the acknowledgments he had
received. Not only his avarice, but his pleafure waj
gratified in the courfc of his medical adminiftration :
He enjoyed free accels, e^efs, and regrefs, with all the
females at the well, and no matron fcrupled to put her
daughter under his care and dire^ion. Thefe opportu-
nities could not be loft upon 3 nian of his intriguing ge-
nios ; though he condii£lcd his amours with fuch dil^
cretion, that, during the whole feafoiit uo lady's cha>
rafter fufFered on his account, yet he was highly fortu-
nate in his addrelTes, and we may venture to affirm,
that the reproach of barrenncrs was more \b^_ opce re-
moved by the vigour of lus endeavours,
CHAPTER XXXVT. ,
ffe is fmitUn with the charmi of a female adventurer^
vihofe allurements fuije9 him to a new vidffiiuie effor-^
tune. I
AMONG thofe who were djilinguifbed by fal$
gallantry, was the young wife of an old citi-
zen of London, who had granted her permifliDa to re-t
fide at the hot well for the beneht of her health, un-
der the eye and infpeftion of his own fifter, who was a
maiden of fifty years. The pupil, whofe name was Mrs
TrapwcUi though low in ftature, was finely Ihaped, her
countenance engaging, though her complexion was
brown, her hair in colour rivalled the raven's back, and
her eyes emulated the luftre of the diamond. Fathom
had been firuck with her firft appearance; but found
it imprafticable to elude the vigilance of her duenna, fo
as to make a declaration of his fiame ; until ftie herfelf,
guefiing the fituation of his thoughts, and not difpleafed
with the difcovcry, thought proper to furnifti him witl^
the opportunity he wanted, by counterfeiting an indif-
pofition, for the cure of which, fhe knew his advice
would be implored, This was the beginning of an ^c-
^lailizodbvGoOglf
■ Ferdinand count fathom, i^
f^uaintance, which was foon improved to his wilh ; and
• fo well did flic manage her attra^ions, as in fome mca-
fure to fix the inconflancy of his difpofition ; for, at fht
end of the fcafon, his paflion was not fated -, and thef
conceited the means of continuing their commerce, even
after their return to London,
This iatercoorfe effe^ally anlwered the pnrpofe of
the* hufband, who had been decoyed into matrimony
by the cunning of his fpoufe, whom he had privately
kept as a concubine before marriage. Confcious of her
own precarious Htuation, flie had refolved to impofe up-
on the infirmities ofTrapwell, and feigning herfelf preg-
nant, gave him to undertland ihe could no longer con-
ceal her condition from the Icnowledge of her brother,
who was an officer in the army, and of fuch violentpaf-
fions, that, ftiould he once difcover her backHiding, he
would undoubtedly wipe away the Aains of his family-
diflionour with her own blood, as well as that of her
keeper. The citizen, to prevent fuch a cataftrophe,
took her to wife ; but foon after perceiving the trick:
which had been played upon him, fet his invention at
work, and at length contrived a fcheme which he
thought would enable bim, not only to retrieve bis li-
berty, but alfo indemnify himfelf for the moniBcation
he had undergone.
Far from creating any domeftic difhirbance, l^ np-
tvaiding her with her fineffe, he feemed perfectly well
picafed with his acquililion ; and as he knew her vdd
of any principle, and extremely addi^ed to pleafure, he
chofe premier occafions to infinuate, that flie might gra-
tify her own inclination, and at the fame time turn
her beauty to good account. She joyfully Ultened to
thefe remonftrances, and in confequence of their mutual
agreement, Ihc repaired to Briftol-fpring, on pretence
of an ill flate of health, accompanied by her fifter-ia-
law, whom they did not think proper to entnift with
the real motive of her journey. Fathom's perfon was
agreeable, and his finances foppofcd to be in fiourilhiog
CM^dcr ; therefore, ihc fclcfted him from the herd of gal-
lants, as a proper facrifice to the powers which flie ado-
red ; and, on her arrival in London, made her hufband
acquainted with the importance of her con<}ucft.
^olizodbyGoOglc
SQ© The ADVENTURES of '
Tr a p w e l l overwhelmed her with carefles and pfaife'
for her difcreet and dutiful condujfV, and faithfully pr&>
mifed that fhc fhpuld pocket in her own privy purle
one half of the fpoils that fhouid be gathered froo^ber
gallant, whom Ihe therefore undertook to betray, after
he had fwore, in the moft folemn manner, that his in-
tention was not to bring the affair to a public trial,
vhich would redound to his own difgrace, but to extort
a round fum of money from the count, by way of .com-
pofition. Confiding in this proteflation, the, in a few
days, gave him intelligence of an ailignation fhc had
made with our adventurer, at acertain bagnio near Co-
Tcnt-garden ; upon which he fecurcd the affiftance of a
particular friend and his own journeyman, with wh6m«
and a conftable, he repaired to the place of rendezvous)
where he waited in an adjoining room according to the
directions of his virtuous fpoufe, until flic made the
preconcerted fignal of hemming three times aloud. When
he and his allbciatcs ruflied into the chamber and fuT'*
prifed our hero inhed with his inamorato.
The lady, on this occaiion, aftcd her part to a mi-
racle ; Ihe Icreamcd at their approach ; and, after an
exclamation of " Ruined and undone !" fainted aw^
in the arms of her fpouie, who had by this time feized .
her by the flioulders, and begun to upbraid her with. ■
her infidelity and guilt. AS for Fathom, his afih^on ■
Was unutterabfe, when he found himfelf difcovered in
that fituation, and made prifoner by the two aHiftantSf
who had pinioned him in fuch a manner, that he could
not ftir, much lefs accomplifli an efcape. J^U his inge-
nuity and prefence of mind Teemed to forfake him in
this emergency. The horrors of an Englifli jury over-
spread his imagination ; for he at once perceived that
the toil into which he had fallen was laid for the pUr-
pofe; eonfequently he took it for granted, that there
vould be no deficiency in point of evidence. Soon as
he recoJletfted himfelf, he begged that no violence might
be offered to his peribn, and intreated the hufband to
favour him with a conference, in which the affairnijight
be compromifed, without prejudice to the reputation of
either.
Ji.iliz,,!:,., Google
FERDtNAND COIJNT tATHOM. ioi
At firft Trapwelt breathed nothing but implacable
terengcj but, by the perfualion of his friends, after he
had icnt home his wife in a chair, he was prevailed up^
on, to hear the propofals of the delinquent, who having
afiiired him, by yntj of apology, that he had always bc^
liercd the lady was a widow, made him an offer of five
hittidred pounds, as an atonement for the injury he had
iuflained. This beihg a fum no ways adequate to the
tepe£faition of the citizen, who loolced upon the count
as pofl<fflbr of an immmre efhte, he rejected the terms
with difduil, arid made infHnt application to a judge,
from whom he obtained a warrant for fecuring his per-
fon till the day of trial. Indeed, in this cafe, moner
was bill a fccondary conBderatiOn with Trapwell, whofe
chief aim was to be legally, divorced fi*om a woman he
detelled. Therefore there was no remedy for the un-
happy count, who in vain ofiered to double the fum :
He found himfclf reduced to the bitter alternative of
procuring immediate bail, or going dircflly to New-
gate.
In this dilemma he fent i ttieflcngCr to his friend
Ratchcali, wbofe countenance fell when he underflood
the count's condition ; nor would he open his mouth In
the (lite of confolation, until he had confulted a certain
fblicitor of his acquaintance, who affufed him the law
abounded with fnch rcfources as would infallibly fcreett
the ddendant, had the faA been ftill more palpable than
it wa^. He faid there was great prefumption to beliere
the count had fallen a facrificc to a confpiracy, which
by fome means or other would be detected ; and, in that
cafe, the plabitiff might obtain one fliilling in lieu of da-
mages. If that dependence Ihould fail, he hinted that,
in all probability, the witnelfes were not incorruptible ;
or (honld they prove to be fo, one man's oath was as
good as another's, and thank heaven there was no dearth
of evidence, provided money could be found to anfwcf
the neccfiary occafions.
Ratchcali, comforted by thefe infinuations, and
dreading the refcntment of our adventurer, who, in his
defpair, might punifh him feverely for his want of
friendriiip, by fome precipitate explanation of the coni-
mercc thev had carried on ; moved, I fay, by thefe con-
VOL. IV. C c
^laiiizodbvGoogle
?e« Tit ADVENTURES of '
iiderati(»u, aad moreover tempted with the pre{peA of
continuing to reap the advantages refulting from thdr
conjunction, he and aaothcf perlbn of credit with whont
Hb largdf dealt in jewds, condefcended to become iurt'
tiei for the appeaiance of Faihoio, who was accordinglf
admitted to bail. Kot but that the TyrtAae knew For-
' dinand too well to confide in his parole ! He depended
chieSjrupoa hisideasoffclf-jntercft, which, he thought^
would pcrfuade him to rift the tmcertain iStic of a trial,
rather than quit the 6eld before the harveft was halt
pver ; and he refotved to make his own retreat without
ceremony, Ihoold ow hcio be iMwiife cDoogb to ^nn-
don bis bail.
. Such an adrenturecould notlonglie'conceBtedfroni
the notice of the public, eveo if both parties bad been
at pains to fupfvcfs the circuotlllances : But the piaindffy
far from feeing to cover, aScftxd to complain loudly
of his misfortune, that he might tntereft h» neighbours
in his behalf, and raife a fpirit of rancour and animofi-
ty, to influence the jury againfl this infoleni foreigner^
who had come over into EngUnd to debauch our wives
and deflower our daughters % while be en^Ioyed a for-
midable band of lawyers to fiippot the indiChneDtr
which he hid for ten thoufaad pounds damages,-
. ME'ANwhilb, Fathom and h^ aCociate did not fiut
to take ^ proper meafurcs for his defence i th<ey re-
tained a powerful bnr of counfeli and tbc fc^itor was
fupplied with one hundred pounds after another, to an-
fwer the expencc of lecret (crvice; ftill a^uring hit
dicnts that every thing was in ao excellent train, and
that bis adverfary would gain nothing but fliame and
fcnfufion of face. Neverthek&, there was a neceffity fc^
postponing the trial, on account of a m«enal evidence^
^ho, though be wavered, was not yet qaite brought
OVQ- i and the attorney found means to put off the de-
cifion from term to term, uatil there was no quibble
left for further delay. While this fuit was dependiag*
oar hero continued to move in his ufual fphere ; nor did
the rep(^ of his fituation at all operate to his difadvan*
tage la the polite wwld ; on the cmtrary, it added •
frdh plume to his character, in the eyes of all thofe
who were not before acq;uainted with the triumphs of
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 103-
hfa gallantly. Notwithftandingthn coantmaw^of hit
friend*, he himfclf conlidcrcd the afiair m a very leii>
otu light i and perceinng that, at any rate, he maft be
a coDfidenble lofer, he refolded to doaUe his affidtuty
in trade, that he might be the mora aide to a&brd the
fKtraordinaiy expence ts which he wn fubjeOed.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Frr^ eoMfi fir ttmimg Ht tpMHhnky and firtituJe.
THE reader may have obferved, that Fathonif with
aU hii circumTpcftion, had a weak Ude, which
flXpcriod him to fundry mifdiuices : This was his covet-
ouibels, which oa Ibme dccafions became too hard for
his difaxtion : At tlm period of time it wai, by the cir*
ctunftances of his fittutton, nflamcd to a depee of ra-
pacity. He was now prevailed upon to take a hand at
whift or piquet, and even to wield the hazard-bo«f
though he had hitherto declared himrelf an irreeoiKiLe«
aUe enemy to all iorts of play i and fo uoconuQOO was
his fuccefs and dexterity at thele cxerciles, at to fi]T]nile
his acquaintance, and aroufe the fuipicion of (bmc pc^e^
viio repined at his profperity.
Bdt in DothiDg was his cooduA omr InexxufaUe
tfun in giving way to the dangerous temerity of R^ch-
nU, which he had been alw^fs at pains to rcftraia, and
permitting lum to praftife the fame &aud upon an &^-
lith noUenian, wtuch had been executed upon Bimfelf <
at Frankfort. In other wordS) the Tyrdexe, by the ca-
pal of Ferdinand's fingei and recommcndatioa, fold a
pebUe for a real brilliant, and in a few days the cheat
Was difcorered, to the infinite confiiiioa of our adren-
turcr, who neTerthele& aflUmed the guife c^ inaocence
with fo much art) and cxpre0ed fuch indignation againft
the villain who bad impofed npc»i his judgment and u».
fofpefting generoGty, that his lordihip acquitted him of
any ihare in the deceit, and contatted him&lf with the
i^e^itutioni vhich be .infifted upon making out . of. lus
^oiiiodbyGoogle
»P4 The ADVENTURES e/
own pocket, until he (faould be able to apprehend tlie
TMue> who had .thought proper to abfcond for his own
futtj. In fpite of all this exculpation, his character did
not fail to retain a fort of fligtua, which indeed the
plaineft prools of innocence arc hardly able to efface;
and his connexion with fuch a palpab}e knave as the
Tyroieze appeared to be, had an effeft to his prqudice
in the minds of all thofe who were pivy to the occur-
rence.
When a man's reputation is once brought in que?
ftion, every trifle is by the malcvoleiicc of manland
magnified into a flrong prcfumption againft the culprit :
A few whifpers communifated by the envipu; mouth pf
flandcr, which he can have no opportunity to anfwer
and refiite, fliall, in the opinion of the world> convift
him of thtf moft horrid ciimes; and for one hypocrite
who is decked with the honours of virtue, there are
twenty good men who fuffer the ignominy of vice ; fo
well difpofcd are individuals to trample Upon the fame
of their fellow creatures. If the moft unblemi&ed me-
rit is not protend from this injufticc, it will not be
wondered at, that no quarter was given to the charac-
ter of an adventurer like Fathom, who, among other
nnlucky occurrences, had the misfortune to be rccog7
nlzed about this time by his two Parifian friends, Shr
Stentor Stiles and Sir GUes Squirrel.
Thesb worthy knights-errdnt had returned to thdr
own country, after having made a veiry profperous cam-
paign in France, at the end of which, however, they
very narrowly efcaped the gaUies ; and feeing the Pidiu
count featcd' at the head of tafte and politenefs, they
immediately circulated the ftory of his defeat at Paris,
vdth many ludicrous circumftanccs of their own inven-
tion, and did not fcruple,to affirm that he was a rank
impoftor. When the laugh is raifed upon a great man,
he never fails to dwindle into ccHitempt. Ferdinand
began to perceive a change in the countenance of his
friends. His company was no longer folicited with that
eagemefs which they bad former^ cxprcffed in his be-
hau: Even his entertainments were ncglcAed; when
he appeared at any private or public affembly, the ladies,
infiead of glowuig with plcafure, as formerly, now tifr
bv Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. loy
tend or regarded -him with looks of difdain i and a ccr^
t«a pert, little, forward co<)aettc, with a view to pat
him out of countenance by raidng the laugh at his ex-
pcnce, alked lum one night, at a drum, when he had
heard &om his relations in Poland f She Succeeded in
ber delign upon the mirth of the audience, but was dif>
appointed in the other part of her aim ; for our hero
replied without the leaft mart o£ difcompofure, " Thw-
arc all in good health at your ftrvice, Madam i I wilh
I knew in vhat part of the world your relations reildcj
that I might return the compliment." By this anfwer,
which was the more fevere, as the young lady was cKf
Tery doubtful extrafdon, he retorted the laugh upon
the aggre&r, though he likewife failed in his attempt
upon her temper; for ihe was perhaps the only pcrfon
prefect who equalled himfelf in fbbility of counte-
nance.
Notwithstanding this appearance of uncon- '
cem, he was deeply touched with thefc marks of alie-
nation in the bchaTiour of his friends, and forefeeing in
bis own difgraec the total Ibipwrcck of bis fortune, he
entered into a melancholy deliberation with himfelf
about the means of retrieving his importance in the
beau-monde, or of turning his addrcfs into fome other
channel, where he could ^nd upon a Icls flippery foun-
dation. In this excrcife of his thoughts, no fcheme oc-
jcurred more feaiible, than that of fecuring the booty he
had made, and retiring with his aflbciate, who was alfo
blown, into fome other country, where, their names
and cbaraAers being unknown, they might purtiie tfadr
old j^an of commie without moleftation. He im-
parted thb fuggeftion to the Tyrolcze, who approved
the propofal of decampuig, though he combated with
all his might our hero's inclination to withdraw bimlelf
before the trial, by reputing the afliirances of the foh-
citor, who told him he might depend upon being re-
imburfed by the fcntence of the court for great part of
ihe fums he hid expended in the courfe of the profecu-
tion. .
Fathom fhfiered himfelf to be perfuaded by thefc
aigumeiUs, fiqipbrted with the defire of making, an bo-
wiuraUe retreat, and waiting patiently for the d^ of
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
te6 Tit ADVENTURES cf
tronUe, diicharged hii fureties, by a perfonal appawr
■nee in coort. Yet this was not the only fcorc he dif^
charged that moraing t the folidtor prefentcd hii owq
lull before they let out. for Weftroinfter-haU, and gare
the count to noderfland that it wn the cuftotn, frt»i
time immemorial, for the client to clear whh his attor-
ney before trial. Ferdinand had nothing to obieA
Kgainft this eflabliflied rule, though be looked upon it
gu a bad omen, in {pite of all the folicitor's confidence
and protcftations ; and he vas not a little confounded,
when, loolcing into the contents, he found hitnftu
chared with 350 attendances. He knew it wu not
hii inter^ to difoblige bis lawyer at fnch a jonAore)
Bererthclefs, he could not help expofhilating with hini
on this article, which feemed to be Co ^illcty ftated with
regard to the number ; when hii qoeftkm* drew oa aq
explanation, by which he &und he had incuTred the
penalty of three IhiUinga and four pence tdr every tiros
he clunced to meet the coafcieution) attoniey, ehbe*
in the park, the coffee-boufe, or the ftteet, provided
they had exchanged the common fatutationi and he
had great reafon to beliere the folicitor had often
thrown himfelf in bi> Way, with a yi^r tp fw^ thi« i^enf
tf his account.
With this extorttim our adventurvr vn fidn t4
comply, becaufe he lay at the mercy of the caitiff 1 ac-
omUngly, he with a good grace paid the detnaodj
which, including hii former diflittrfementi, amounted
to three hundred and fixty-five pound* deven fliilling*
three pence three &rthjngs, and then prefimting himmf
before the judge, quietly futnaitted to the laws of th^
Icahn. His c^nfel behaved (ike men of confummate
ilMlitie* in their profeflion ^ they exerted thenJehes
with equal induftry, eloquence, and erudition, in their
cndeaTOurs to perplex the truth, browbeat the evidence,
puzzle the judge, and miflcad the jury : But the dcfei>-
dant found himfcIf wocfoliy diiappointed in the depofi-
tioD of Trapwell's journeyman, whom the folidtor pM-
tended to have converted to his intereft : This witncTi,
as the attorney afterwards declared, played booty, and
the £iA> came out fo clear, that Ferdinand Count F»>
tbom was cdnviAed of cnndiial conveifatioa with xbfl
^oiizodbyGoogle
fERDINAim COUNT FATliOM. 4<Jf
Jflaiotiff's mfe, and call in fifteen hundred poondsj n»>
der the denomination of damages.
He was not fo much furprifed at affliAed at tlui de^
cifion, becaufe he law it gradually approaching from the
examination of the £rfl eridmce : His thoaghts were
Kow ein[doycd in calling about for fomc method of ds'
liverance from the fnare in which he found himlclf en-
tangled. To efoape he fiarclkw it would be impra£ti<
cabl^ u TrapweU would undoubtedly be ^vpared for
arrcffing lum belbre he could quit Weftmiaftcr-hall }
be was too wdl acquainted with Ratchcali's principles,
to espeft any affiftance frcHn that quarter in money
matters i smd he was- utterly avcrfe to the payment of
the fum awarded againft hiro, which would have ex'
havAed Im viuAe fbrtune< He therefore refcived to
try the fricndlhip t^ fome pericOn of fafluon, with
whom he had maintained an intiniacy of corrcTpon-
dcBce : Should they fail him in the day of hit neccffity,
fae propofed to have recourfc to his former, furcties, one
of whom he meant to Inlk, while the other tnight ac-
company him in his retreat : Or, Ihould both thefc cz-
. fedicnts mifi:«rfy> he determined, rather thap part with
his effeAs) to undergo the ooft dilagreeaUc confine-
mentf in hope of obtauniog the jaflor'i coonivance at hit
dcape.
These reft^titmi being tahen, he met hit fats mtfa
great fortittide and eqoanimity, and calmly fufiered
himfelf to be conveyed to the houfe of a flieriff's officei^
mbo, a* he made his exit from Ac hall, according to
bis own expeftation, executed a writ ^pinft him, at the
' fiut of Tr^wellf for a debt of two thoa&nd poonds.
To this place be was followed by his folicitor, who wai
aUnred by the profpeA of another jc^ and who with
peat demonftrations of fatis&Aion congratulated faho
vpon the happy ifliie of the trial i arrogating to himfetf
the merit of having laved him eight thoufiind pounds
in the articte of damages, by the prerious ftep« be bad
taken, and tbe noble de&mce that he and bit friends the
cooofel had made for their client : He even hinted an
expe£lation of reoeiyii^ a gratuity for his extraordinary
care and diicretion.
DiailizodbvCoOglc ■
to8 th ADTENTURES c/
■ . Fai'ho Xj 'galled as he was with-his muftirtune, aitd
enraged aC the eSrontoyof this petiafiiggerj maintained'
a-feremty of counteaance^ stidYent the aHnrne^ with a.
meiTage to the plaintifij Importing, thbt, as he vis a fo-i
iffigner, and i couid not be Aippofed . to haVc fo much
cafli' about him, :ai to fparc fiftren liutidred pounds
from the funds of hit mdinar^ expence, he would grant
him a bond paTaUeintWo montbi, during wUch pe-^
rind he £hould beable toprociirc a propp- remittance
from his'own cftiitci' While the folicitor was employed
in tfiis jiegociation, he.difpatched his v^lerde chunbrc
to one nobleman,' and Maurice to another^;with billets^'
fignifying the naCUrcof^the verdi& which hit adverr:Cr7'
had obtained, and defiring that each would iend him al
thoufa^ pounds upon his parole, until he coiiid nego^
ciate bills upon the contiQCDt. ■ ■ .
Hts three mefiengns returned almoft iat ihe fame tn^
ftant of.time, and'thefe were the aiilwCFs'tbey brought
iack. ■ -■ i.;.'.
. TrapweLl abfohltdy rejcAnd his perfonlil Jecdrity 1
and thrtettned himwitball the h(»tronof'd gaol, an*
'lefs he would imtaiediatcly diichargbthe-diebt, br pFi>
cure fufiicient bpndiinen4i.aad)one'of his ^alir^-£:icnds
&t'onrcd him with this r^f to hiS'requeft\ ■
':. . 'ft.MT DEAR Cfapwt.t ■-. ' '■
.,f< I.am.hulrtQ%£h^pin'<t at di^-triuinpti ydu hats
' fiirnilhed tO' thatJralcaUjr Citizen. , By the laird! the
judge: inwit haTcihcen in the terrera oF cuckoldooi) to
iltflaepcci.lhc.dccilibnijfand the jury, a mere herd of
horned beaftsf to 'bring in fuch a bwbar^us verdiA.
£gadi -at-this rate; 'no gentleman will- be -ablA' to<lie
'i»(h 'aitothCE n}(in[s-Twife^'but at the ri&i'al ^-cvaCad
p^fffccution. '. But^ lo' Vrave this difagraeable oirnuQ'
Aanc&i which you aialiiHra to forget t 1 ^ecldre my
ilnortificatioa is ftill the greater, becauie I tannnt atpre-
!fcnt IJipply you withthe tn£e yourprcAnr exigency re*
^{tjiresijfor, tb tell yuu a fecret, my own Sli&nces.are'id
ilaibQable confiilibn.':' But; a man'of Count Fathom'*
£gure and addrefs can newer be puzzled ifor the want of
fuch a paltry fum. Adieu, my dear Coont I we Ihally I
fuppofe, have the pleafure of feeing you to-morrow at
^olizodbyGoOglc'
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 109
'White's : Meanwhile, I have the honour to be with
the moft perfeA attachment,
" Yours,
" GlLtZZLEGRIN."
The other noble peer, to whom he addrefled himfelf
on this occafion, cherifhed the fame fent^ments of vir-
tue, frieodfhip, and generality ; but his expreOion was
fo different, that we fball, for the edification of the
reader, tranfcribe lus tetter in his own words.
" SiE,
*' I was never more aftonifhed than at the receipt of
your very extraordinary billet, wherein jon foUcit the
loan of a thoufand pounds, which you delire may be
fcnt with the bearer on the faith of your parole. Sir,
I have no moaey to fend you or leqd you ; and cannot
help repeating my expreJIlons of lurprife at your confi-
dence in making fuch a ftr^nge and unwarranted de-
mand. Tis true, I may have made [H'ofeflioas of friend- ,
£bip, while I looked upon you as a perTon of honour and
good morals ; but now that you are convicted of fuch a
flagrant violation of the laws of that kingdom where you
have been treated with Ineh hofpltalicy and refpeft, I
think rayfelf folly abfolved from any fuch conditional
promife, which indeed is never interpreted into any
Other than a bare compliment. I am forry you have
involved your charafler and fortune in fuch a difagree-
able afiair, and am,
" Sir, Yours, &c.
« Trompington."
Fekdinand was not fuch a novice in the world as
to be difappointed at thcfe repulfes ; efpecially as he had
laid very little ftrefs upon the application, which was
made by way of an experiment upon 'the gratitude or
caprice of t'hofe two noblemen, whom he had afluall/
more than once obliged with the fame fdrt of aOiftance
which he now foiicited, though not to fuch a conQder-
abte amount.
Having nothing further toexpe£l frotn the fafhioa-
able worid, he fcnt the Tyroleze to the perfon who had
Vol. IV. D d
JolizodbyGoOglc
no The ADVENTURES of
been bail for Ms appearuice, with ftill indrufl'ions to
explain his prefent occadon in the moll favourable light,
and deflrc he would reinforce the credit of the count
vith his fecurity; but that gentleman, though he
placed the moft perfect confidence on the honour of
our hero, and would have willingly entered into bonds
tigain for his perfonal appearance, was not quite (6 well
fattsficd of hts circum fiances, as to become liable for the
payment of two thoufand pounds, an expence which,
in his opinion, the finances of no foreign count were
able to defray ; He therefore lent a deaf ear to the
mofl preHing remonflrances of the amba^ador, who
had recourfe to feveral other merchants with the fame
bad fnccefs; fo that the prifoner defpairing of bail, en-
deavoured to pcrfuade Ratchcali, that it would be his
interell to contribute a thoufand pounds towards his
difcharge, that he might be enabled to quit England
with a good grace, and execute his part of the plan they
had projefted.
So powerful was his eloquence on the occafioD, and
fuch ftrength of ailment did he ule, that even the
Tyroleze feemed convinced) though reluAaptly, and
agreed to advance the ncceflary fum upon the bond
and judgment of our adventnrer, who being difabled
from tranfa^ing his own affairs in perfon, was obliged
to intruft Ratchcali with his keys, papers, and power
of attorney, under the check and infpeftion of hia
faithful Maurice and the iblicttor, whofc fidelity faq
befpoke with the promife of an ample recompence.
J.,r,l,z<»i<,.,G00gIf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. an
CHAPTER XXXVra.
The bittr it hit.
YET, he had no Tooner committed his c6fe£b to the
care of this triumvirate, than his ^cy was villted
with direiiil warnings, which produced cold fweats and
palpitations, and threw him into fuch agonies of appre-
facnfion as be had never known beibre. He remem-
bered the former defertion of the Tyrolezc, the recent
Tiliainy of the folicitor, and recollefled the remarks he
had made upon the diipolition and charaftcr of his va-
let, which evinced him a fit companion for the other
Alarmed at thefe rcSeftions, be entreated the baU
liffto indulge him with a viGc to his own lodgings, and
even tiSestd one hundred guineas as a gratification for
his compliance. But the officer, wbo had formerly loll
a confiderable fum by the efcape of a prifoner, would
not run any rilk in an af&ir of fuch confequence, and
our hero was obliged to (ubmit to the tortures of his
own preTaging fears. Aiter he had waited five hours
in the moft racting impatience, be faw the attorney
enter with all the marks of hurry, fatigue, ^nd confter-
aation, and heard htm exclaim, " Good God, have
you feen the gendeman ?"
Fathom found his fears realized in this interroga-
tion, to which he anfwered in a tone of horror and dif-
may, " What gentleman ? I fuppofe I am robbed :
Speak, and keep me no longer in fufpenfe." <■ Robbed \
(cried the attorney), the Lord forbid ! I hope you can
depend upon the perfon you empowered to receive your
jewels and calh; I muft own his proceedings are a
litde extraordinary : For after be had rummaged your,
fcrutore, from which, in preferice of me and your fcr-
vant, he took one hundred and fifty guineas, a parcel
of diamond rings and buckles, according to this here in-
ventory, which I wrote with my own hand, and Eaft-
India bonds to the tune of five hundred more, we ad-
journed to Garrawa/s, where he left me altme, under
pretence of going to a broker of lus acquaintance wbo
^lailizodbvGoOglf
iti ' The ADVENTURES of
lived in the neighbourhood, while the valet, as I ima«
gined, waited for us in the alley. Well, Sir, he ftaid
fo long, that I began to be uneafy, and 3t length re-
folved to fend the fervant in qucft of him, but when I
went out for that purpofc, deuce a fervant was to be
found } though I in perfon enquired for him, at eveiy
alchoufe, within half a mile of the place. I then dii^
patched no lefs than five ticket porters upon th£ fccnt
after them, and 1 myfelf, by a direfUon from the bar-
keeper, w^it to Signor Ratchcali's lodgings, where, as
they told me, be had not been feen Uncc nine o'cluck
in the morning. Upon this intimation, I came direA-
ly hrthcr, to give you timely notice, that you may
without delay take meafures for your own &curity.^
The bed thing you can do, is to take out wiits for ap-
prehending him, in the counties of Middlefcx, Surry,
Kent, and Eficx, and I fhall put them in the hands of
trufty and diligent officers, who will foon ferret him
out of his lurking-place, provided he fculks within ten
miles of the bills of mortality: To be furc the job will
be expensive ; and all thefe runners muft be paid be*
fore-hand. But what then ? the defendant is worth
powder, and if we can once fecure him, I'll warrant
the profecution will quit coft."
Fathom- was alnioft choaked with concern and r&-
fentment at the news of this mifchance, fo th^t he
could not utter one word until this narrative was finiih-
cd. Nor was his fufpicion coh6ned to the Tyroleze
and his own lacquey j he confidered the folicitor as their
accomplice and dire^or, and was fo much provoked at
the latter part of his harangue, that his difcrctioa
fcemed to vanilh, and collaring the attorney, " Vil-
lain 1 (faid he), you yourfeLf have been a principal ac-
tor in this robbery :" Then turning to the by-ftan4ers,
•< and I defire in the king's name, that he may be fe-
cured, until I can make oath before a magiftrate in
fupport of the charge. If you refufe your ailiflance in
detaining him, I will make immediate application to
one of the fecretaries of Aate, who is my particular
friend, and he will fee juftice done to all parties."
' At mention of this formidable name, the bailiff and
bis whole family were in commotion, to obftniA the
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 113
retreat of the tzwycrt who Hood aghaft, and trembled
under the grafp of our adTcnturcr : But, foon as he
fonnd himlelf delivered from this embrace, by the id-
tcrpofition of the fpedlators, and colkfted his fpiritSf
which had been'fuddenly dilBpated by Fathom's unex-
pected affault, he began to difplay one art of his occu-
pation, which he always refeived for extraordinary oc<
cafions : This was the talent of abufe, which he.poured
forth with fuch fluency of opprobrious language, that
our hero, fmarting as he was, and almofl dctpcrare with
his lols, deviaced from that temperance of behaviour
^bich be had hitherto prefervcd, and fnatchlng up the
poker, with one ftroke opened a deep trench upon the
attorney's fkuU, that extended from the hind head al-
isofl to the upper part of the noia, upon each iide of
which it difcharged a fanguine ftream. Notwtth-
Aanding the pain of this application, the foltciior was
tranfported with joy at the i'enfe of the fmart, and in-
wardly congratulated himfelf upon the appearance of
hb own blood, which he no fooner perceived, than he
exclaimed, ** I'm a dead man," and fell upon the floor
at hiU length.
Imuediatb recourfe was had to a furgeon in
the neighbourhood, who having examined the wound,
declared there was a dangerous depreffion of the firfl
table of the ikull, and that, if he could fave the '
patient's life without the application of the trepan, it
would be one of the greateft cures that ever were per-
formed. By this time. Fathom's firft tranfport being
overblown, he fummoned up his whole refolution, and
reflc^d upon bis own ruin, with that fortitude which
had never failed him in the emergencies of his fate :
Little diHurbed at the prognoilic of the furgeon, which
he confidered in the right point of view ; " Sir (fatd
he), I am not To unacquainted with the refinance of an
attorney's Ikull, as to believe the chadifement I have
bellowed on him will at all endanger his life, which is
in much greater jeopardy from the hands of the com-
mon executioner ; For, notwithftanding this accident,
I am determined to profecutc the raf^al for robbery
with the utmoft fcverity of the law; and that I may
have a fufflciciit fund icft for that profecuiion, I fhaU
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
214 Tht ADVENTURES ef
not at prefent throw awa^F one farthing tn unneceflaf^
expcnce, but inliil upon being conveyed to prifon with-
out farther delay."
This declaration was equally unwelcome to the bai-
liff, furgeon, and folicitor, who, upon the fuppoiltioil
that the count was a pcrfon of fortune,, and would ra-
ther part with an immenfe fum than incur the igno-
miny of a gaol, or involve himfelf in another difgrace-
ftil hw'fuit, had refolvcd to deece him to the utmoft of
their power. But, now the attorney finding him de-
termined to fet his fate itt defiance, and to retort upon
him a profecution, which he had no mind to undergo,
began to repent heartily of the provocation he had
given, and to think feriouOy on fome method to over-
come the obftinacy of the iuccnfed foreigner. With
this view, while the bailiff condufte^ him to bed in
another apartment, he defircd the catchpole to 3.& the
part of mediator between him and the count, and fur«
nifhed him with proper inftrufUons for that purpoie. —
Accordingly the landlord. On his retiim, told Fathom,
that he was fure the folicitor was not a man for this
world ( for that he had left him deprived of his fenfes,
and praying to God with great devotion for mercy to
liis murderer : He then exhorted him, with many prtv
tellations of iriendftiip, to compromife the unhappy af-
fair by exchanging rele&fes with the attorney before his '
delirium fhould be known, otherwife he would brio^
himlelf into a moft dangerous premunirc, whether the
plaintiff fhould die of his wound, or live to proJecute
him for the affault : " And with regard to your charge
of robbery againft him (faid he), as it is no more than
a bare fufpicion, unfupported by the teaft fliadow of
evidence,' the bill would be thrown out, and then he
might fue you for damages. I therefore, out of pure
fnendfhip and good nature, advifc you to compromife
the afiair, and, if yon think proper, will endeavour to
bring about a mutual releafe."
Our hero, whofe paffion was by this time pretty
well cooled, faw reafon for affenting to the propofal ;
upon which the deed was immediately executed, the
mediator's bill was difcharged, and Ferdinand convey-
ed in an hackney coach to prLfon^ after he had cnw-
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COXTNT FATHOM. 21.
powered hb owo Uodlord to difijurge his ferratits, and
convert his eSe£te Into ready money. Thus, he faw
himfelf, in the couWe of a few hours, deprived of hit
reputation, rank, Uberty, and friends ; and his for-
tune reduced from two thoufand pounds to fomething
Icfs than two hundred^ ££Cf of which he had carried
to gaol in h'ls pocket.
CHAPTER XSXIX.
Oar adventurer is made acquainted vtitb a ntv> fcene of
tifi.
JUST as he entered thefe manfions of aiifeiT, bis care
were invaded with an boarlc and dreadful voicc^
exclaiming, « You, Befs Beetle, fcore a couple of frcfli
eggs, a pennyworth of butter, and half a pint of moun-
tain to the king ; and ftop credit till the bill is paid : —
He is now debtor for fifteen Oiilliugs and Hxpencc, and
damn me if I trufl bim one ^thing more, if he was the
beft king in Chriftendom ; And, d'ye bear, fend Rag-
ged-head with five pounds of potatoes for Major Mac-
leaver's fupper, and let him have what drink he wants ;
the fat widow gentlewoman from Pimlico has {womifed
to quit bis fcore. Sir Mungo Barcbones may have fome
hafty pudding and fmalt beer, though I don't expert to
fee his coin, no more than to receive the eighteen pence
I Iwd out for a pair of breeches to bis batifides— what
then^ he's a quiet fort of a body, and a great fcholar*
and it was a fcandal to the place to fee bim going about
in that naked condition. As for the mad Frenchman with
^he beard, if you give him fo much as a cheefe-paring,
you b — ch, I'll fend you back to tbc hole, among your
old companions ; an impudent dog ! Ill teach him to
draw his fword upon the governor of an EugtiOi county
gaol. What t I fuppofe he thought he had to do with
a French hang-tAng-dang, rabbit him ! he Ihall eat
his white feather, before I give him credit for a morfel
pf bread."
^laiiizodbvGoogle
2i6 TSt ADVEKTURES of
Although our adventurer was very little tiifpot
led, at this junfture, to make obfervations foreign to
tis own affairs, he couid not help taking notite of theft
extraordinary injunctions j cfpeciatly thofc concerning
the perTon who was entitled king, whom, however, he
fiippofcd to-be fome prifoner elefted as the magiflrats
by the joint fuffrage of his fellows. Haying taken po(i
fcflion of his chamber, which he rented at five (hillings
a week, and being ill at «aie in his own thoughts, he
forthwith fecured his door, undrelTed, and went to bed,
in which, [hough it was ^one of the moft elegant or
inviting couches, he enjoyed profound repofe after the
accumulated fatigues aiid mortilications of the day.
Next morning, after breakfeft, the keeper entered his
apartment, and gave him to underttand, that the gentle-
men under his care, having heard of thft co«nt's arri-
val, had deputed one of their numbcr'to wah upon him
with the conipliments-'of condolance fiiitable to the oc*
calion, and invite-fclm to become a rtcniber of their fo-
Ticty; . Our hero coiikl not politely difpenfe with thk
tnftance of civility, and their ambaffidtir being inftant)^
hitroduecd by the name bf Captain Minikin, f^ted
liini with great fotcmnity.-' - •■' ^
This was a perfbn equally remarkable for his extra«
ordinary figure and addrefs ; his age feemed to border
upon forty, his ftature amounted to five feet, his vifagc
was long, meagre, and weather-beaten, and his afpeftj
though not quite ruefulj exhibited a certain formality,
which was the refult of care and confcious importance.
He was very little incumbered with flefli and blood;
yet what body he had was well-proportioned, his limbs
were elegantly turned, and by his carriage he was well
entitled to that compliment which we pay to any per-
fon when we fay he has very much the air of a gentle-
man. There w^s alfo an evident fingularity in his
drefs, which, though intended as an improvement, ap-
peared to be an extravagant exaggeration of the mode,
and at once evinced him an original to the difceming
ryes of our adventurer, who received him with his ufual
complaifance, and made a very eloquent acknowledg-
ment of the honour and fatisfaflion he received firom
the vifit of the rcprefentative, and the hofpitality of his
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 217
conftitucnts. The captain's peculiarities were not con-
fined to his external appearance; for his voice refem-
bled the Jbund of a bafloon, or the aggregate hum of a
^rhole bee-hive, and bis difcourfe was almoft nothing
eire than a feries of quotations irom the Engiifh poets,
interlarded with French phrafes, which he retained for
their iigniiicance, on the recommendation of his friends,
being himfelf unacquainted with that or any other out-
landilh tongue
Fathom, finding this gentleman of a very comtna-
nicativc difpolition, thought he could not have a fairer
opp(»:tunity of learning the hiflory of his fellow prLfon-
ers i and, turning the converfation on that fubjc^, was
not difappointed in lus expe^tetion. " I don't doubt.
Sir (faid be, with the uttnoft folcmnity of declamation] » .
but you look with horror upon every objeA that fur-
rounds you in this uncomfortable place ; ^ut, neverthe-
less, here are fome, who, as my friend Shakefpeare has
* it, have fetn better days, and have with holy bell been
knolled to church 1 and fat at goad men's feafit, and vii-
ped their eyes of drops that facred pity hath engendered.
You muft know, Sir, that, ezcluOvc of the canaille, ov
the profanum valgus, as they are Ailed by Horace, there
are feveral foiall commnnici^ in the gaol, conliliing of
people who arc attracted by the manners and difpofi-
tions of each other ; for this place. Sir, is quite a mi-
croeofm, and, as the great world, fo is this, ajlage, and
all the men and vomen merely players. For my own
part, Sir, I have always made it a maxim to aobciate
with the beft company I can 6nd ; Not that I pretend
to boaft of my familj^or extraAion ; becaufe, you know,
as the poet fays, Vix ea noflra voce. My -father, 'tis
true, was a man that piqued himfelf upon his pedigree,
as well as upon his politdTe and perfonal merit ; for he
had been a very old q£cer in the army, and I myfclf
may fay I was botn with a fpontoon in my hand. Sir,
I have had the honour to fcrve his Majelly thefc twenty
years, and have been bandied about in the courfe of du-
ty through all the Britifh plantations, and you fee the
recompence of all my fervicc. But this i; a difagrecablc
fubjeft, and therefore I fhall wave it ; however, ai But'
ler obierves,
Vol. IV. E e
^olizodbyGoOglc
The ADVENTURES tf
Mj only comfort is^ that now
Mi Jubboh fettunt ij fi low,
Thai either it iHuft quickly end.
Or turn about again and mendt
" And now, to return from this digreffion, yoo irili
perhaps be furprifed to hear that the head Or ctuirmui
of our club is really a forcreign prino* \ no lefs, I'll af-
furc you, than the celebrated Theodore, Kmg oiCoT'
fica, who lies in pritbti for a debt of a few hundred
pounds. Heu ! quantum mutatus eb ilia. It is not my
bufinefs to cenfure the conduit of my fupCTiors \ bat I
always fpeak my mind in a ca^mlier manner, and as, ac-
cording to the Speftotor, tall;ing to a friend is no more
than thinking aloud, tntre naiu, his CorScsn Majefty
has been fcurrily treated by a certain adminiftration :
Be that as it will, he is a pcrfbnag« of a very portly
appearance, and is quite mafter of the bienfeattce. Bfr-
fides, they will find it their iutereft to have recoorft »•
■gain to his alliance \ and in that cafe fome of us may
cxpeA to profit by his rcfioration : But few words arc
beft.
He that maintains the fecond rank in our aiTembly ii
one Major Macleaver, an IriOt gentleman, who has ftr-
ved abroad j a foldicr Of fortune, Sir, a man of unqii6>
ftionabic honour and courage, but a little OTcrbearing,
In confcquence of his knowledge and experience. He
k a pcribn of a good addrefs, to be fure, and quite free
of the mauvaife honte, and he may have feen * good deal
of Tervicc ; But what then ? other people may be as good
as he, though they have not had fiicli opportunities ; if bo
fpeaks five or fix languages, he does not pretethJ to taf
tafie in the liberal arts, which arc the criterion of an ac-
Complilbed genilemaA.
The next is Sir Muflgo Barebones, the reprefentt-
^ve of -a very ancitnt family in the north \ his Mfalrs arfl
very much derangee, but he is a gentleman of great jhw-
bity and lemming, and at prefent engaged in a «ry
grahd fchemc, which, if he can bring it to bear, will
render him famous to all pofterity j no lefs than the
convcrfion of the Jews and tlie Gentiles. The prcjcA,
I own, looks chimerical to (Sae who has not con-
Mz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 319
^erfed with the author} but, in jnj opinion, he has
clearly demonfl rated, front an anagraromatical analy£s
of a cerUin Hebrew word, that his prcfcnt Majcftjr,
whom God preferve, is the pcrfon pointed at in Icrip-
Cure at the temporal MeiHah of the Jews; and, if he
could once raife by fubCcription fuch a trifitng fum as
twelve hundred thoufand pounds, I make no doubt but
be would accomplJlb his aim, vaft and romantic as it
fccms to be.
Besides thefe, we have another me&-mate,who is a
French chevalier, an odd fort of a man, a kind of La-
zarillo de Tormes, a carlcatura t h^ wears a long beard,
pretends to be a great poet, and makes a damned/ra-
cos with hb vcrfes. The king has been obliged to ex-
ert hia authority over him more than once, by ordering
him into clofe confinement, for which he was To ralh as
to fend, his Majctly a challenge; but he afcerwards
made his fubmil^on, and was again taken into favour :
The truth b, I believe his brain is a little diforder-
ed, and he being a ftranger, we overlook hi* extrava-
gancies.
Sir, we (hall think ourfclves happy In your acceflion
to our fociety : Yoil will be under no fort of reftraint ;
for, though we dine at one table, every individual caUs
and pays for his own mefs. Our converfation, fuch as
it is, vrill not, I hope, be difagrecable ; and though we
have not opportunities of breathing the pure Arca-
dian air, and cannot, " under the {hade of melancholy
boughs, lofe and neglefl: the creeping hours of time,"
we may enjoy ourfclves over a glais of punch or a difli
of tea : Nor are we dcftitute of friends, who vifit us in
thefe fhades of diflrefi. The major has a numerous ac-
<]U3intance of both fexes ; among others, a firft coufin
of good fortune, who, with her daughters, often cheer
our foliiude; {he is a very fenlible ladj^-Iike gentle-
woman, and the young ladies have a certain degagee air,
that plainly fhcws they have fecn the heft company :
Bcfides, 1 will venture to recommend Mrs Minikin, as
a woman of tolerable breeding and capacity, who, I
hope, will not be found altogether deficient in the ac-
compli{hments of the fcx. &o that we find means to
make little parties, in which the time glides away is*
DiailizodbvGoOgle
120 The ADVENTURES of
fecfibly. Then I have x fmall colle^on of books,
which are at your fervice. You may amuie yourfdf
with Shakcfpeare, or Milton, or Don Quixote, or any
of our modem authcn^ that arc worth reading, fuch tas
the- adventures of Loveill, LadyPrail, George £dwards>
Joe Thompfon, Bampfylde Moore Carew, Young Scar-
ron, and b^fs Betty Thoughtlefs ; and if you have a
tafte for drawing, I can entertain you with a parcel of
prints by the beft mafters."
A MAN of our hero's politenefs could not help ex-
prefGng himfelf in the warmcft terms of gratitude iur
this courteous declaration. He thanked the captain in
particular for his obliging offers, and be^cd he would
be fo good as to prefent his rcfpedls to the focicty, r£
which he longed to be a member. It was determined,
therefore, that Minikin fliould return in an hour, when
the count would be dreiTed, in order to condujl him
into the prefence of his majefty ; and he had already
taken his leave for the prefent, when all of a fudden he
came back, and taking hold of a walftcoat that lay upon
a chair, " Sir (faid he), give me leave to look at that
firinge \ I think it is the moll elegant knitting I ever
faw : But pray, Sir, are not thefe quite out of ^fliion ?
I thought plain lilk, fuch as this that I wear, had been
the mode, with the pockets very low." Before Fathom
had time to make any fort of re^Jy, he took notice of
his hat and pumps ; the firfl of which, he faid, was'too
narrow in the briins, and the laft an inch too low in
the heels : Indeed they formed a remarkat^c contrail
wltb his own ; for, excluCvc of the ^Ihion of the cock,
which rcfembled the form of a Roman galley, the brim
of bis hac, if properly fpread, would have prc^eited a,
Jhade fufficient to flielter a whole file of mufqueteers
from the heat of a fummer's fun ; and the heels of his
ihocs were fo high as to raife his feet three icchcs at
leaft from the furface of the earth.
Having made thefe obfervations, for the credit of
bis taftc, he retired, and returning at the time appoint-
ed, accompanied Ferdinand to the apartment of the
' king, at the doors of which their ears wore invaded
■ with a ftrange found, being that of a human voice imi-
tating tUe nolfe of a drum. The captain, hearing this
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. mi
alarm, made a full ftop, 2nd, giving the count to tinder-
ftand that his majcf^ was bufy, begged he would noc
take it amifs, if the introduftioa {hould be delayed for
a few moments. Fathom, curious to know the meaning
of what he had heard, applied tp. his guide for infor-
mation, and learned that the king and the major, whom
he had nominated to the poft of his general in chief,
were employed in landing troops upon Che Genoefe
territory ; that is, that they were fettling befbre-hand
the manner of their difembJrkation.
He then, by the direAion of his conductor, recon-
noitred them through the key-hole, and perceived the
lovcreign and his miniftcr fitting on oppofite fides of a
deal board table, covered with a large chart or map,
upon which hefaw 3 great number of mulTel and oyfter
fliells ranged in a certain order, uid, at a little diftance,
ieveral regular fquares and columns made of cards cut
in fmall pieces. The prince himfelf, wbofe eyes were
reinforced by fpeftacles, furveyed this armament with
great attention, while the general put the whole in ac-
tion, and condudted their motions by beat of drum.
The muSel fhells, according to Minikin's explanation^
rcprefented the tranfports, die oyder fhells were conil-
d^ed as the men of war that covered the troops in
landing, and the pieces of card exhibited the different
bodies, into which the army was formed upon its difem-
barkation.
As an aSair of fuch confequence could not be tran&
a£ted wjthout oppofition, they had provided divers an>>
bufcades, confifting of the enemy, whom they reprefent-
ed by grey peafe ; and accordingly general Madeaver,
perceiving the faid grey peafe inarching along fhore to
attack his forces before they could be drawn up in bat-
talia, thus addrelTcd himfelf to the oyftcr Ibells, in an,
audible voice : " You men of w^, don't you fee the
front of the enemy advancing, and the reft of the de-
tachment following out of fight P Arrah ! the devil bum
you, why don't you come afhore and open your lot-
teries ?" So faying, he puflicd the fliells towards the
breach, performed the cannonading with his voice, the
grey pealc were foon put in confiifion, the general was
beat, the cards marched forwards in order of battle, and
3,a,l,jt!dbvG00gIe
222 Tfe ADVENTU.RES ^f
the enemy having retreated with great precipitation,
they took poiTcflioii of their ground without fanhcr dif-
ficulty.
CHAPTER XL.
' Hi conten^ates majefty and its fatellitefin ecl^fe.
THIS expedition bmg happily fiitifhed, general
Maclcaver pot the whtde army, navy, trBnfportSf
and fcene of aAioa into a canvas bag, the prince un*
faddled his nofe, and captain Minikin being admitta),
our hero was introduced in form. Very gracious vat
the reception he met with irom his majefty, who, with
a moft princely demeanour, welcomed him to court, and
even feated him on his right hand, in token of particu-
lar regard. True it is, this prefence-ch amber was not
fo fupCTjb, nor the appearance of the king fo magnificent^
as to render fuch an honour intoxicating to any perfon
of our hero's coolnefs and difcretion : In lieuoftapeiby,
the apartmrat was hung with halfpenny ballads^ a
truckle-bed without curtains fupplicd the place of a ca-
nopy, and inftead of a crown his majefty wore a woc^
len night-cap. 'Yet, in fpi,te of theie dii advantages,
there was an air of dignity in his deportment, and a
nice phyli(^nomift would have perceived fomcthing
majefUc in the features of his countenance.
■ He was certainly a perfonage of a very pr^x>fI«Sng
nucn ; his manners were engaging, his converfatKm
i^reeable, and any man whofe heart was fuI^eA to t]^
meltings of humanity, would have deplored his diftreis,
and looked upon him as a moft pathetic inflance of
that miferable rcverfe to which all human grandeur b
expofed. His fall was even greater than that of Belifa-
rius, who, after having obtained many glorious vlftories
over the enemies of his country, is faid to have been re-
duced to fuch extremity of indigence, that, in his (dd
age, when he was deprived of his eye-fight, he fat upon
the high-way like a common mendicant, im|Joring the
charity of paflengcrs in the piteous ezdamatioa of Dot*
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 113
ei*lttiti Beli/ario ,- that u, " Spare a farthing to your poor
old foldier Bellfarius." I fay, this general's difgrace
Was not fo remarkable as that of Theodore, becaufe he
was the fervant of Jullinian, confcquently his fortune de-
pended upon the nod of that emperor ; whereas the
other aftually poffdTcd the throne of fovereignty by the
beft of a31 titles, nameiy, the unanimous ele^ton of the
people over whom he reigned ; and attracted the eyes
of all Europe, by the efforts he made in breaking the
bands of opprellion, ind vindicating that liberty which
is the bblhright of man.
The Englifh of former days, alike renowned for ge-
nicroflty and vahmr, treated thofe hoftilc princes, whofe
fate it 4as td wear their chaibs, with fuch delicacy of
benevolence, an even difpelled the hort-orb of ciptiviiy ;
bat their pofte)-lty of this refined igfc feel no compunc-
tion at foHng an unforttiiiMe mcfflatxih, their former
frimd, allyi and partizan, langoilh amidft the miferies
of a loathfame gaol, for i paltry debt coniraited in
their own fervice. But, moraliKing {ipart, ourhei-o had
not long tonvtdcd with this extraordinary debtor, who
in his prefent condition afliimed no other titte than that
of Baron, than hepc«tived in him "a fpirit of Qulxotifm,
which all his experience, together With the oi4:iffitudet
of his fortune, had not been aHe to overcome : Not
that his ideas foared to fuch a pitch of «««vagan.t
hope as that which took poCeflion of his mefB-niatesi
who frequently quarrelled one with another -about The
degree* of favour to which they fliould be entitled afieu
the king's reiteration ( but he firmly believed that
affairs would fpeedily take fuch a turn in Italy, as would
point out to the Englifh court the expediency of era-
ploying him again ; and this perfualion feefmfd to flip-
port him againft every fpecies of poverty and'mortlficB-
tion.
While they were bufy in trimming the balance of
power on the other fide of the Alps, their delibennions
were interrupted hy the ap-ival of a fcuUion, who came
to receive their orders touching the bill of fare for din-
ner,' and his majefty found much more difficulty hi
fettling this important concern, than in compromiling
sU the differeiKes between the emperor and the c^ueen
DiailizodbvGoOgle
W4 The ADVENTURES af
of Spain. At length, however, General Madeaver im-
dcrtook the office of purvey or for bis prince ; Captun
Minikii) infifted upon treating the count, and in a little
time the table was covered with a cloth, which, for the
£ike of my deUcatc readers, I {halt Dot^tten^ to de-
{bribe.
At this period, they were joined by Sir Mungo Bare-
bones, who, having found means to purdjafe a couple
of mutton chops, had cooked a mefs of broth, which
be now brought in a fance-pan to the general rendez-
vous : This was the mod remarkable objeA which had
hitherto prefented itfelf to the eyes of Fathom: Being
Baturally of a meagre habit,, he was, by^ indigence and
hard ftudy wore almoU to the bone, and fo bended to-
ynrds the earth, that in walking his body ^efcribed at
leaft 150 degrees of a circle. The wattf of ftockjn^
and fhoeg he fi^pplicd wKh a jockey ftraight boot and aa
half jack. His thighs and middle were eafed in a raon-
fb-ous pair of brown trOnk breeches, which'tbe keeper
bought for his,ufe from the executor 0/ a Dutch feamaii
who had lately died in the gaol : - His IhJrt retained no
£gns of its origipal colour, his body Was thiouded in an
<Jd greafy tattered plaid night-gown ; a blse and white
handkerchief furrounded his head, and his looks beto-
kened that immenfe load of care which he had volunta-
rily incurred for the eternal f^vation of fioners. Yet
this figure, uncouth as it was, made his compliments to
our jkdventurer in terms of the moft elegant addrefs,
and, in the courfe of coQverfation, difdofed a great
fund of valuable knowledge. He had appeared in the
great world, and bore divers ofEces of dignity and truft .
with univerfal applaufe : His courage was undoubted,
his morals were.unimpeachcd, and bis pcrfcm held is
great veneration and clleein : When bis evil genius ei>-
gagcd him in the ftudy of Hebrew, and the myfterici
of the JewiOi religion, which fairly difordered his brain,
ftnd rendered him incapable of managing bis temporal
flfiairs. When he ought to have been employed in the
fun^ions of his poft, he was always ' rapt in visionary
conferences with Mofes on the Mount ; rather than re-
gulate the economy of his houfehold, be chofe to ex-
ert his endeavours in fettling tlie preclie meaning of the
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND CQUNT FATHOM. 235
Word EloMm ; and having difcovered that now the pe-
riod was come, when the Jews and Gentiles would be
converted, he poftponed every other con&leration, in
order to facilitate that great and glorious event.
Br this time Ferdinand bad feen every member of
the club, except the French chevalier, who fecmed to
be quite ncglc^ed by the fociety ; for bis name was not
once mentioned during this communication, and they
lat down to dinner, without a&ing whether he was
dead or alive. Tbe king regaled himfelf with a plate
of ox-cheek ; the major, who complained that his ap*
petite had forfakcn him, amufed himfelf with fome lof-
ty hard eggs, malaxed with fait butter ; tbe knight in-
dulged upon his foup and boullle, and the captain en-
tertained our adventurer with a neck of veal roafled
' vith potatoes ) but before Fathocn could make ule of his
knife and fork, he was fummoned to the door, where
he found the chevalier in great agitation,Jiis eyes fpark-
ling like coals of fire.
Our hero was not ^ little furprifed at this apparation,
who having alked pardon for the freedom he had ufed,
obferved, that, underftanding the count was a foreigner,
be could not difpenfe with appealing to him concerning
an outrage he had fuffcred from the keeper, wlio, with-
out any regard to his rank or misfortunes, had been bafe
enough to refufe him credit for a few neceflaries, until
be could have a remittance from his fteward in France (
be therefdre conjured Count Fathom, as a Uranger and
nobleman like himfelf, to be the melTenger of dcfiarce,
which he refolved to fend to that brutal gaoler, that, for
the future, be might learn to make proper diftlniftions
.in the cxercife of his fun^on.
Fathom, who had no inclination to offend this cho-
leric Frenchman, alTured him that be might depend
iipon his friendfliip ; and, in the mean time, prevailed
upon him to accept of afmallfupply, in confequence of
which he procured a pound of faufages, and joined the
reft of the company without delay j making a very fuit-
^Ic addition to liich an aiTemblagc of rarities. Though
his age did not exceed thirty. years, his beard, which
was of a brindled hue, flowed down, like Aaron's,,
to his middle : Upon bis legs he wore red ftockings rol-
VoL. IV. F f
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
226 rA/ ADVENTURES of "
led up over the joint of the knee, his breechavcreof ~
blue drab with vellum button -holes, and garters of g(dd
bcc, bis waiftcoat of fcarlet, his coat of rufty black
cloth, his hair twilled into a ramillie, bung down to bis
rump, of the colour of jet, and bis hat was adorned
with a white feather.
This original had formed many ingenious Ichemes
to iqcrcafe the glo^ and grandeur of France, bat was
difcouraged by Cardinal Fleury, who, in all appearance
jealous of his great talents, not only rcjeftcd his pro-
je^, but even Tent him to prifon, on pretence of bdag
offended at his impertinence. Perceiving that, like the
prophet, he had no honour in his own country, he no'
fooner obtained his releale, than he retired to- England,
where be was prompted by his philanthropy to j^opofe
an expedient to our miniftry, which would have favcd
a vaft efi\ilion of blood and treafure ; this was an agree-
ment between the Queen of Hungary and the late Em-
peror, to decide their pretenfions by a fingle combat j
in which cafe he offered himfclf as the Bavarian cham-
pion ; but in this endeavour he alfo proved unfuccefsfbl :
Then turning his attention to the delights of poetry, be
became fo enamoured of the mufe, that he neglc£ted
every other conffderatipn, - and fhc as ufual gradually
condufted him to the author's neVer failing goal ; a place
of reft appointed for all thofe iianers whom the profiwe
love of pocfy hath led aftray. .
CHAPTER XLL
One quaTvel it cempremifid, ani another deciJtd, by uaufual
AMONG other topics of converfation that were
difcufled at this genial meeting, Sir Mungo'i
ii: heme was brought upi»i,the carpet l^ his majeAy,
who was gracioufly pleaied to aik how his fubfcription
iilled ? To this interrogation the knight anfwered, that
he met with great oppoiition from a fpirit of levity and
fclf-concdt, which feeracd to prevail in this generations
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 127
^t, that no difficulties fbould dilcourage him from per-
fevering in his duty, and he truftcd in God, that, in a
verj little time, he Ihould be able to confute and over-
throw the falfe philof'ophy of the moderns, and to rc-
flore the writings of Mofes to that pre-eminence and
veneration which is due to an infpired author. He fpoke
of the immortal Newton with infinite contempt, and
undertook to eitracl from the Pentateuch a fytlem of
chronology which would afcertain the progrefs of time
fince the fourth day of the creation to the prefent hour,
with fuch exafhiefs, that not one vibration of a pendu-
lum fhould be loft ! nay, he affirmed that the perFeftiou
of all arts and fciences might be attained by Itudying
thefe facred memoirs i and tliat he himfelf did not de-
fpair of learning from them the art of tranfmuting baler
metals into gold.
The chevalier, though he did not pretend to con-
tradict thefe aflertions, was too much attached to his
own religion to acquiefce in the knight's proje^ of con-
verting the Jews and the Gentiles to the prateflant lie-
refy, which, he faid, God Almighty would never fufier
to triumph over the interefis of his own holy catholic
church. This objection produced abundance of alterca-
tion ' between two very unequal difputanls, and the
Frenchman, finding himfelf puzzled by the learning of
his antagonift, had rccourfe to the argumeiitum ad hemi-
nem, by laying his hand upon his fword, and declaring
that he was ready to lofe the lad drop of his blood in
oppofition to fuch a damnable fcbeme.
Sir Mungo, though in all appearance reduced to
the lall flage of animal exiilence, no fooner heard this
epithet applied to his plan, than his eyes gleamed like
lightning ; he fprung from his feat with the agility of a
grafshopper, and darting himfelf out at the door like an
arrow from a bow, re-appeared in a moment with 2
long nitly weapon, which might have been Ihewn among
a collcftion of rarities as the fword of Guy Earl of War-
wick. This implement he brandiflied over the cheva-
lier's head with the dexterity of an old prize- figbter,
exclaiming, in the French language, *' Thou art a pro-
fane wretch marked out for ilie vengeance of heaven,
^laiiizodbvGoogle
228 Tit ADVENTURES 0/
whole unworthy miniftcr I am *, and here thoa fiialt fall
by the fword of the Lord and of Gideon."
The chevalier, untcnified by this dreadful faluta*
tion, dclired he would accompany him to 3 more con-
venient place ; and the world might have been deprived
of one or.both thefe knights-errant, had not General
Macteavcr, at the dcfire of his majefty, interpofed, and
found means to bring matters to an accommodation.
In the afternoon the fociety was vlllted by the ma-
jor's coufin and her daughtO's, whano fooner appeared
' than they were recognifed by our adventurer ; and bis
acquaintance with them renewed in fuch a manner as
alarmed the. delicacy of Captain Minikin, who in the
evening repaired to the count's apartment, and, with a
very formal phyfiognomy, accofted him in thefe words:
*' Sir, I beg pardon for this intrufion ; but I come to
confult you about an affair in which my honour is con-
cerned ; and a foldier without honour, you know, is no
better than a body without a foul. I have always admi-
red that fpecch of Hotfpur in the firft part of Henry
the Fourth :
" By Heaven, melhinls it -were an eafy leap,
I0 pluck bright honour fram thepale-Jac'd moon 1
Or Ji-ve into the bottom of the deep,
■ Where fathom-line could never touch the ground,
^nd pluck up drowned lionouT by the loch — ''
"There is a boldnefSiand cafe in the exprefllon, and
the images are very pifhircfquc. But, without any fur-
ther preamble ; pray, Sir, give me leave to aft: how
long you have been acquainted with thofe ladies who
drank tea with us this afternoon ? You'll forgive the
queftion. Sir, when I tell you that Major Macleaver in-
troduced Mrs Minikinto thepi as to ladies of charafter,
and, I don't know how, Sir, 1 have a fort of prtfintt'
mtTi/'that my wife has bceii impofed upon. Perhaps 1
may be miftaken, and God grant I may. But there wai
ay> nefcai guoy in their behaviour to-day, which begins
to alarm my fufpicion. Sir, I have nothing but my re-
putation to depend upon ; and I hope you will cxcufe
me, when I earncftly beg to know what rank they main-
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. a^j
Fathom, vithout minding the confequence, told
bim, with a limper, that he knew them to be very good
natured ladies, who devoted themfdves to the bap^-
nefs of mankind. This explanation had no Iboncr c-
fcaped frofn his lips, than the captain's face began to
glow with indignation, bis eyes feemed burfting firom
their fphercs, he fwelled to twice his natural dimenCons,
and raifing himfclf on his tipto<^, pronounced, in a
ftnia that emulated thiindcr, " Blood ! Sir, you fecm
to make very light of the matter ; but it is no joke to
me, I'll aSuTC you ; and Macleaver fhall fee that I am
not to be affronted with impunity. Sir, 1 (ball t^ke it
as a lingular favour, if you will be the bearer of a InlleC
to him, which I fhall write in three words : Nay, Sir^
you muft give me leave to inlill upon it, as you are the
oiily gentleman of our mefs whom 1 can cntnift with an
afiair of this nature."
Fathom, rather than run the rilk of difobliglng
fuch 3 punctilious warrior, after having in vain attempt-
ed to diiTuade him from his purpofe, undertook ,to car-
ry the challenge, which was immediately penned in thefc
wo^s
" YoD have violated my honour, in impofing upon
Mrs Minikin your pretended couHns as ladies of vir-
tue and reputation ; I therefore demand fuch fatis^ftion
as a foldier ought to receive, and expeA you will adjuft
with my friend Count Fathom the terms upon which
you fliall be met by the much injured
« GoLiAH Minikin."
This morceau being fealed and direfled, was forth-
with carried by our adventurer to the lodgings of the
major, who had by this time retired to reft, but hear-
ing the count's voice, he got up and opened the door
in cuerpo, to the aftonifhment of Ferdinand, who had
never before Teen fuch an Herculean figure. He made
an apology for receiving the count in his birth-day fuit,
to which he faid he vpas reduced by the heat of hu con-
ftitution, thongb he might have ailigned a more ade-
quate caufe, by owning that his fhirt was in the hands
3,a,l,;t!d'byG00gIe
«30- Thi ADVENTURE'S ?/■
bi his wafhcr-woman ; then ihrouding himfcif in a Jitui-
kct, delircd to know what had procured him the ho'
nour of fuch an extraordinary vifit. He read the let-
ter with great compofure, like a man accuftomed to
fuch intercourfe ; then addreiling himfelf to the beaiCT)
■' I wiU be after diverting the gentleman (faid he),
in any manner he fhall think proper -, but, by Jefus,
this is no place for fuch amufements v becaufe, as you
well know, my dear count, if both Should be killed by
the chance of war, neither of us will be able to efcape,
and after the breath is out of his body, he wiU make
but a ferry excufe to his family and friends. But that
is no concern of mine, aiul therefore I am ready to
pleafe him in his own -way."
Fathom approved of his remarks, which he rein-
forced with fundry confiderations to the fame purpofej
and begged the aGiftance of the major's advice, in find-
ing fome expedient to terminate the affair without blood-
flied, that no troublefome confequcnccs might enfue
rither to htm or to his antagonift, who, in fpite of this
overtraining formality, feemed to be a perfon of worth
and good-nature. •' With all my heart (faid the gfr
nerous Hibernian), I have a great regard for the little
man, and my own charafter is not to feek at this time
of day. I have ferved a long apprenticefhip to fight-
ing, as this fame carcafe can tellify, and if he compels
me to run him through the body, by my (houl, T ihall
do it in a friendly manner.''
So frying, he threw afide the blanket, and difplayed
fears and feams innumerable upon his body, which ap-
peared like an old patched leathern doublet. " I re-
member (proceeded this champion), when I was aflame
at Algiers, Murphy Macmorris and I happened to have_
fome difference in the bagnio ; upon which he bade mc
turnout. Arra, for what? f^id I, here arc no wea-
pons that a gentleman can ufe, and you would not be
inch a negro as to box like an Englifh carman. After
he had puzzled himfelf for fome time, he propofed that
we fhould retire into a corner, and funk one another
with brimffone, till one of us ffiould give out. Accord-
ingly we crammed half a dozen of tobacco pipes with' '
fulphur, and, fetcing foot to foot, began to fmoke, and
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 231
)xpt n conAant lire, antil Macmbrris dropped down j
thni I threw 2way my pipe, and taking poor Murphy
in my arms, " What, arc you dead ? ((aid I), if you
are dead, fpcak." " No, by Jcfus ! (cried he), I an't
dead, but I'm fpeechlefs." So he owned I had obtain-
ed the viflory, and we were as good friends as ever.
Now, if Mr Minikin thinks proper to put the adair
vpon the fame ifliic, IwllI fmoke a pipe of brimflone
with him to-morrow morning, and if I cry out firft, I
Bill be after aflting pardon for tijis fuppofed affiront."
Fatho.m could not help lauglilng at the propofal,
to which, however, he objected on account of Minikin's
delicate conftitution, which might fuSer more detri-
ment &om breathing in an atmofphere of fulphur than
from the difcbarge of a piftol, or the thrufl of a fmall
fword. He therefore fuggefted another expedient in
lieu of the fulphur, namely, thft gum called aja Jie-
lida, which, though abundantly naufeous, could have
no effect upon the infirm texture of the lieutenant's
lungs. This hint being rcliflicd by the major, our ad-
venturer returned to his principal, and having repeated
the other's arguments againft the ufe of mortal infiiu-
nioits, dcfcribed the fuccedaneum which be had con-
certed with Maclcaver. The captain at firft believed
the fcherae was calculated for fubjefting him to the ri-
dicule of his fellow-ptifoners, and began to ftorm with
great violence ; but, by the afiiirances and addrefs oi
Fathom, he was at length reconciled to the plan, and
preparations were made on each lide for this duel, which
was anally fmoaked next day, about noon, in a fmall
clofet, detached from the challenger's apartment, and,
within hearing of bis majefty, and all his court, aflem-
bled as witneffes and umpires of the conicft.
The combatants, being locked up together, began
t9 ply their engines witli great fury, and it was not
long before Captain Minikin perceived he had a mani-
feft advantage over his antagonlft. For his organs were
familiarized to the effluvia of this drug, which he had
frequently ufed in the courfe of an hypochondriac dif.
order; wher."as Maclcaver, who was a ftranger to all
forts of medicine, by his wry faces and attempts to puke,
exprelTed the utmoft abhorrence of the fmell that in-
J.,r,l,z'<»i:,.,G00gIf
aji The ADVEKTURES */
vaded his nDflrils. Nevcrthclefs, rcfolved to hold (Jot
to the laft extremity, be continued in ^ion until the
clofet was fiUcd with fuch an intolerable vapour as di&
compofcd the whole economy of bis intrails, 3i;d cont-
peUed him to difgorge bis breakfaft in the face of his
opponent, whofe ner\'C8 were fo dirconcerted by this
dtfagrecable and unforefeen difcharge, that he fell back
ioto his chair in a fwoon, and the major bellowed aloud
for affiftance. The door being opened, he ran dirc£ll/
to the window, to inhale the frefli air, while the cap-
tain, recovering from his fit, complained of Macleaver's
unfair proceeiding, and demanded juftice of the arbitra-
tors, who decided in his favour ; and the major bdng
prevailed upon to aik pardon for having introduced
Mrs Minikin to women of rotten reputation, the parties
were reconcile^ to each other, and peace and concord
rceflablilhed in the mefs.
Fathom acquired univerfal appJaufe for his difcreet
and humane conduA upon this occafion ; and that
jame afternoon bad an opportunity of feeing the lady
in whofe caufe he had exerted hjmfelf. He was pre-
fented to her as the hufband's particular friend, and
when flic underftood how much (he was Indebted to
his care and concern for the captain's fafety^ ihe treat-
ed him with uncommon marks of diliin^ion ; and he
found her a genteel well-bred woman, not without-a
good fliare of perfonal charms, and a well cultivated
underflanding.
J.,r,l,z<»i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 233
CHAPTER XUn.
^n unexpeEled rencounter, and an happy revolution in the
affairs of our adventurer.
AS fiie did not lodge within th* precinfts of this
garrifon, (he was one day, after tea, conduced
to the gate by the captain and the count, and juft as
they approached the turnkey's lodge, our hero's eyes
were fhnick with the apparition of his old companion
Renaldo, fon of his bcnefaftor and patron the Count
dc Melvil. What were the emotions of his foul, when
le faw that young gentleman enter the prifon, and ad-
vance towards him, after having fpoke to the' gaoler!
He never doubted that, being informed of his confine-
ment, he was come to upbraid him with his villainy and
, ingratitude, and he in vain endeavoured to recolleft
himfelf from that terror and guilty confufion which his
appearance had infpired; when the Aranger, lifting up
his eyes, ftartcd bacfc with figns of extremeiimazertient,
and, after a £onliderabIe paufej exclaimed, " Heaven
and earth ! Silre my eyes do not deceive me ! is not
your name Fathom i It is, it muft be my old friend and
companion, the lofs of whom I have fo long regreted i"
With thefe words he ran towards our adventurer, and»
while he clafped him in hh arms, with all the eagerncfs
of afic^on, protefted that this Vas ont^'of* the happieft
days he had ever feen. 1 - ' ' '
Fer1>inand, who, from this falutation,' concluded
himfelf Aill in palTelliot of Senaldo's good Opinion, was
not deScient in expreflions of tendertiefsBiia'Joy ; he
returned his embraces wMi tqlial ardc^r,'^hc tears
trickled down hb cheeks, and tBat percurbatibri, which
proceeded from confcioiis perfidy and fcai^, was. niift^
ken by tliie utifufpe^ing Hungarian far'tht fhecr dfefts
of love, gratitude, and fuprize. Thefe fl^ftfttfihl^rts
having liibfideJ, tjiey adjourned to the i^giit«6f' Fa-
thom, who foon recolle^ed his fptrits and iM¥htidil fb
well as to amufe the other with a frngrtcd'talc of hh
having baen t.ikeii Iw the 'French^ l^t prlfbner-^p
Vol. IV. G g
^laiiizod by Google
334 Tit ADVENTURES of
Champaigne, from whence he had written many let-
ters to Count Melvil and his fon, of whom he could
hear no tidings ; of his having contracted an intimacf
with a young nobleman of France, who died in tl^
flower of his i^c, after having, in tokea of firiendlhip,
bequeathed to him a conllderable legacy j by this he
had been enabled to vifit the land of his fore&thers in
the ch^adter of a gentleman, wbich he had fupported
with fome Bgnre, until be was betrayed into a misfor-
tune th»t-exhaufted bis funds, and drove him to the
fpot where iie was now found : And he folemnly de-
cUred, thaf, far irom forgetting the obligation be owed
to Count Melvil, or renouncing the frtendfliip of Re-
naldo, he had adluatly refolved to fet out for G«-many on
his return to the houfe ,of his patron in the beginning
of the week polkrior to that in which he had been ai-
rcfted.
Young Me LTiLywholc own heart had never knoita
the inltigaiions of fraud, implicitly believed the ftory
. and proteftatioos of Fathom ; and though he would not
juAify that part of his conduA by which the term of hit
good fortune was abridged, he coidd not help cxcufing
an iadifirretion into which he had been hurried by the
precipitancy of youth, and ifae alliiremetits of an artAil
woman : Kay, with the ucmoft warnuh of fnendihip^
he undertook to wait upon Trapwell, and endeavour ta
Jbftcn,hioi into fbme reafooable terms of compofitioo.
Fathom leeraed to be quite overwhelntcd with ft
deep fenfe of all this goodaeri, and afFcAed the moU:
eager impatienee to know the particulars of Renaldo's
fate, Coce thdr unhappy fcpAratioOf more e^eciallf fais
en-and to this oncomfortable pbce, which he OioaU
henceforth revere as the providential icene of their re-
anion : Nor did he forget to cntjuire, in the caoA' a^
fc&ionate and dutiful manner, about the fiuiation of hi»
noble parents and ;nni^)e ^er.
At Bientiott' of thele nwnes, Renajdo, fiKchiqg a
de^ figh, ■< Alas < my friend (faid he},, the Count is-
so moca { and> what aggravates my ami^on fisr Uie
ie<»of fuch a £ither, it was my misfortune to be under
hb dilpleafure at the time of his death. Had I been
prefoit OQ that SKlancholj' occafioo, to well I knew his-
j.,.,i,z<,i:f, Google
TERDINAND COUNl FATHOM. 93$
gaao&tY and pateroal tenderndi, tbBt, fore I ttOf he
would in his laft moaMnts hxn f<n-given an only foa*
whole life had been a continual efiort to render tumlelf
worthy of fuch a pareot> and whofe erime was no other
than an bonouraUe paffion for the raoft meritorious of
her fex. But I was removed at a fatal diftance from
hjm, and doubtlefi my condoA muft have beea invtdi-
ooilf miirepcelenled. Be that as it wiU, my mother
hai again given her hand in wedlock to Count Trevafi |
1^ whom I have the mortificatioa to be informed that
I am totally excluded ffx>m my ^tber*! fucceffiont and
I learn from other x^uartcrs, that my fifter 11 barba-
roufly treated by this inhuman bther-in-law. Grant,
h^Tcn> I may foon have an opporttinity •£ expoft«>
lating with the tyrant opon that tubjcA."
So faying, his cheeks glowed, and his eyes lightened,
with refcntmeot. Then he thus proceeded :
" My coining hither to-day, was with a view to iri«
fit a poor female relation, from whom I yeAerday re-
ceived a letter defcribing her moft deplorable fituation,
and foliciting my affif^ce : But the turnkey affirms,
that there is no fuch perfon in the jail ; and I was on my
way to confult the kcmer, when I was agreeably for-
prited with the fight of my dear Fathom."
Our adventurer having wiped from his eyes the
tears which were produced by the news of his worthr
patron's death, d^lired to know the name of that af*
flt£ted prifoner in whofe behalf hp interefte^ htmlelf fo
much, and Renaldo produced the letter, fubfcribed
your unforfu'riate coufin ^elen Melvil. This pretend-
ed relation, after having explained the degree of con-
sanguinity whick fhe and the count ftood ii) to each
other, and pccafionally mentioned fomc anecdotes of
the family in ScotUtid, gave him to underftand, that fhe
had married a merchant of London, who, by repeated
loffes in trade, had been reduced to indigence, and
afterwards confinecl in prifon, where be then lay a
breathlels corfe, having' left her in the utmoft ez>
Iremity of vretchedncfs and want, with two young
.children in the fmall pos, and an incurable cancer in
oAe of her own breafts. Indeed the pi^hirc fhedrewwas
fo movmg, and her cxprelGons fo fenlil^ pathetic, that
DiailizodbvGoOgle
^^6 '.SlSr ADVENTURES of _
no perfoA, whole heart'was not altogether callous, cotdd
perufe it without emotion. Rcnaldo had fent two
guineas by.the mcflcngcr whom fhe had repre&nted
as a trufty fcnranti whofe fidelity had been proof againft
all the diArefs of her milh-efs ; and he was now arrived',
in order to reinforce his bounty.
Fathom, in the confcioufnefs of his own praftjccs,-
imiQediately comprehended the fcheme of this letter^
and confidently aJTured him, that no fuch perfon re-
fided in the prifon, or in any other place : And when
his friend applied for information to the keeper, thefe
afiiirances "were confirmed ; and that ftern janitor told
him he had beon impofed upon by a Aale trick, which
was often praftifcd upon ftrangers by' a fct of fharpers,
who make it their bulinets to pick up hints of intelli-
gence relating to private families, upon which they
build fuch fuperfiruftures of fraud and impofition.
However piqued the young Hungarian might be
to find himfelf duped in this manner, he rejoiced at
the occafion which had thrown Fathom in his way ;
and, after having made him a tender of his purfe, took
Ills leave, on purpofe to wait upon Trapwell, who was
not quite fo untraceable as an enraged cuckold common-
ly is ; for, by this time, he had accomplifiied the beft
part of his aim, which was to be divorced &om his
wife, and was fully convinced that the defendant was
no more than a needy adventurer, who m all probabi-
lity would be releafed by an a£t of parliament for the
benefit of infolvent debtors ; in which cafe, he (the
plaintiff) would reap no folid advantage from his im-
prifonmcnt,
He therefore liftened to the.remonftrances of the
mediator, and after much canvaffing, agreed to dif-
charge the defendant in confideration of two hundred
pounds, which were immediately paid by Count Mel-
vil, who by this deduction was redtigsd to fomewhat
lefs than thirty.
Nevertheless he cheerfully beggared himfelf in
behalf of his friend, for whole releafe -he forthwith
obtained an order : And next day our adventurer, ha-
ving bid a formal adieu to his fellows in diftrcfs, and
in particular to his'majeny, for whofe reftoratitm his
DiailizodbvCoOgrC
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 237
{vayeis were preferred, he quitted the jail, and accom-
paaied bis deliverer, with all the outward marks of un-
utterable gratitude and eftecm.
SuRELT, if his heart had been made of ^nrtrai/r
fi*iffy it would have been touched by the circumnanccs
oithis redemption : Bat had not his foul been invincible
to 3]] fuch attacks, thefe memoirs would pofllblj never
have feen the light.
When they arrived at Renaldo'a lodgings, that
young gentleman honoured him with other proob of
confidence and frlendQiip, by giving him a circumftao-
tial detail of all the adventures in which he had been
engaged after Fathom's defertion from the imperial
camp. He told him, that immediately after the war
was Snifhed, his father had prefled him to a very ad-
vantageous match, with which he would have com-
plied, though his heart was not at all concerned, had
not he been inflamed with the deHre of feeing the
world before he cou)d take any ftcp towards a Icttle-
mcnt for life : That he had fignificd his fentimcnts on
this head to the count, who oppofed them with unufual
obftinacy, as productive of a delay which might be fatal
to his propofal : For which reafon he had retired incog-
mto from his family, and travelled through fundry ftates
and countries in a difguife by which he eluded the en-
quiries of his parents.
. That, in the courfe of thefe peregrinations, he was
captivated by the irrefiftible charms of a young lady, on
)«4iofe heart he had the good fortune to make a tender
iinpreQion : That their mutual love had fubjeAed both
to many dangers and diSculties, during which they
fuffered a cruel reparation; afrer the torments of which,
he had happily found 4icr in England, where Ihe now '
lived entirely cut off from her native country and con-
nexions, and deftitute of every other refourcc but his
honour, love, and protefllon. And, finally, that he
was determined to combat his own delires, how violent
focver they might be, until he fhould have madefome
fuitahle provifion for the confequences of a ftrifter
union with the miftrefs of his foul, that he might not,
hy 3 precipitate marriage, ruin the perfon whom he a-
dored. '
DiailizodbvGoOgle
a;« Tie ADVENTURES »f
This end he propofcd to attain, by an appIioatEoa t»
the court, of ViciHia, which he did not doubt would
have fome regard tp bis own fcrvice and that of htf
father ; and thither be rdblved fo repair with the £rft
ppportunijy, now that he had found a friend with whook
he could entnift the ineflimable jewel of hi? heart.
He likewifc gave our hers to underftand, that he
had been eight months in England, during which he
had lived iu a frugal manner, that he might not un-
nccefTarily c^fhaun the money he had been able to raife
Bpon his own credit t that hitherto be had bcep obliged
' to defer his departure for Germany, on account of his
attendance upon the mother of his milreis, who was
}ate1y dead of forrow and chagrin ( and tbat fince he re-
£ded in Ix>ndon, he had o&en heard qf the celebrated
Count ' Fathom, though he neirer imagined that hif
friend Ferdinand could be diftipguilh!:d by that appelia-
CHAPTER XUV.
Fxlhomjufiifiu thepmfrif « IFhafs irti itt tit imtf
will ntvtr fofiu nrt tf^fi^^
SOME circuniftanees of tbia converfation made »
deep impreffion upon the mind of our advenlureTf
who nerertbelefs concealed his emotions irom the know-
ledge of his friend, and was next day introduced to tb«t
hidden trcafure of wMch Renaldo had fpoke wkh Aich
rapture and adoration. It was ngt without rrRfonr he had
expatiated upon the perfonal attractions <& this yom^
kdy, whom (for the prefent) we Jlnll call Muiimia,
a name that implies her orphan fituation. When flte
entered the room, even Fathom, whofe eyes had been
fated with beaqty, was fhTick dumb with admiratioat
and could fcarce recoiled himfelf lb far as to p erf or m
the ceremony of his introduflion.
She fecmed to- be about the age of eighteen. Her
ftature was tall j her motion graceful ; a knot of arti-
ficial flowers reftr?ined the luxuriancy of her fine blaci?
^lailizodbvGoOglf
MRTHSJAND count fathom. i29
faair tbaa flovcd ia fiiintng ringlrts a^down her fnowy
neck. The contour of her iace was oval ; her fore-
head remarkablj h^h ; her complexion clean and ddi-
cate, though cot fiorid f and her Cfa were fo piercing
as to fb-ikc the foul of every beholder : Tet, upon this
Dcca&otit one half of thdr vivacity was ccllpfcd by a
languillting air of mdaneholy concern; which) while it
■n a manner £heathed the edge of her beauty, added a
moft engaging fwcctncfa to her looks. In fhort, every
feature was ekgantly perfect t and the hanzMmy of the
whole ravilhiag and deli^iftil.
It was eafy to perceive the mutatl fcntiments of the
two lovers at meeting, b^ the {deafiire that fcnIiUy dlf-
iiifed itfclf ia the countenances of both. Fathom was
received by her u the intimate ihcnd of her admirer,
whom (he had often heard of in tenns of the moil fin-
cere affe£Uon j vid the convcrfation was carried on in
the Italian language, bccautJE &e was a foreigner who
had not as yet made great pcofictency in the knowledge
of the EngliAi tongue. Her underftanding was fuch,
as, inftead of diminifhing, reinforced the prcpoiTeffion
which was infpired by her appearance ; and if the Aim
total of her charms could not mdt the heart, it at leaft
ezciCed the appetite itf Fathom.to fiich a degree, that
he gazed upon her with fuch vtolence oi dcJire, as had
never tranfp(»ted him before *, and inftantly began to
barbour thoughts oot only def^Aive to the peace of
his generous patron, but alfo to the prudential maxima
he had adopted on his firft entrance into life.
Wb have already rccn-dcd divers inftances of hia
COnduA, to [Wove that there was an intemperance in his
blood, which often interfered with his caution: And
although he bad found means to render this heat feme-
times lublervient to his intereft ; yet, in all [m>bability,
heaven mingled the ingredient in his conlUtution, on
purpofe to counteract his confummate craft, defeat the
villainy of his intention, and at lall expole him to the
jultice of the law, and the contempt of his fellow crea-
tures.
Stiudlated ai hevas by the beauty of the in-
comparable Monimia, he forefaw that the conqueft of
ber heart would coSi bim a thou^d times more labour
DiailizodbvGoOgle
S40 .1 "TA; ADVENTURfc&-e/ -
and acldrefs than all tlic victories he had ever atchlcvcd:
For, befidcs her ftipcrior underftanding, her fentiments
of honour, Tirtue, gratitude, religiort, ' and pride of
birEh, her heart iras already engaged' by the tendereft
tics of love and. obligation,, to a man wluire perfon and
acquired accomplithments at Icaft equalled his- owb ;
and whole conDCDCion with him was of fuch a nature,
as ralfed an alffiod infurmountable bar to his delign t
Becaufe; with what'fice could he commence rival to
the perCon whofcfemily had raifcd him from want and
fervility, and whofe own gettCrofity had refcued him
from the miferies of a dreary jail ?
NoTwiTHSTANDiiTGtheierefleflions, hewolildnot
lay afidc an idea whleh-fo agreeably flattered his ima-
gination. He, like every other projeftor in the fame
circumftances, was'fo partial to his' own qualifications,
as^to think the lady mmld foon perceive a difference
between him and Renaldo that could not fail to turn to
his advantage in her opinion. He depended a good
deal on the levity and incondancy of the fez ; and did
not doubt, that, hi the. coorfe of their acquaintance, he
ihould profit by that langour which often creeps upon
and flattens the intercojne of lovers cloyed with the
£ght and converlation'of each Other.
Th I s way of arguing was very natural to a man who
had never known other motives than thofc of fcnfuality
and convenience; and perhaps, upon thefe maxims, he
might have fuccecded with nine temhs of the fair fex :
But, for once, he erred in . his calculation; Monimia's
foul was perfefl, her virtue impregnable. His fird ap-
proaches were, as ufiial,' performed by the tnethod of
infinuation, which Succeeded fo well, that, in a few
days, he a£bjally acquired a very diftinguifhed fhare of
her favour and efteem. To this he had been recom-
xoendcd, in the warmcftftrain of exaggerating friend-
ibip, by her dear Renaldo : So that, placing the moft
UDieferved confidence in his honour and integrity, and
being almoft quite dellitute of acquaintance, Ihc made no
fcruple of owning herfelf pleafed with his company and
converlation ; and therefore he was never abridged in
point of opportunity. She had too much difcernmedt
to overlook his uncommon talents and agreeable ad-
_ ,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf
i^ERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 241
arefs, and too much fufceptibillty to obferve them with
indifierencc. She not only regarded him as the confi-
dent of her lover, but admired him as a perfon whofe
attachment did honour to Count Melvil's choice : She
found his difcourfe remarkably entertaining, his politc-
tiefs dignified with an air of uncommon lincerity, and
flie was ravifhed with his fkill in mulic, an art of which
£he was deeply enamoured.
While he thus ingratiated himfelf with the fair
Monimia, Renaldo rejoiced at theii- intimacy, being
extremely happy in the thought of having found a
friend who could amufe a^id proteft the dear_creature
in his abfence. That Ihe might be the better prepared
for the temporary reparation which he meditated, he
began to be lefs frequent in his vifits, or rather to in-
terrupt, by gradual lutermifBons, the conftant . atten-
dance he had beftowed upon her fincc her mother's
death; This alteration Ihe was enabled to bear by the
afflduities of Fathom, when ihe underftood that her lo-
ver was indifpenfibly employed in negociacing a fum of
money for the purpofea of his intended voyage. This
was really the cafe : For, as the reader hath been al-
ready informed, the provilion he hid made for that
emergency ,was expended in behalf of our adventurer ;
and the perfons of whom he had borrowed it, far from
approving of the ufe to which it was put, and accom-
modating him with a frefh iupply, reproached him with
his benevolence as an aft of difhonelty to them, and,
inllead of favouring this fecond application, threatened
to diilrefs him for what he had already received.
"While he endeavoured to funnount theie dilfiqities,
his fmall reverfion was quite exhaufled, and he law
himfelf on the brink of wanting the common necefTaties
of He.
Ther£ was no difficulty which he could not have
encountered with fortitudei had he alone been con-
cerned :. But bis afFedtion and regard for Monimia were
of fuch a delicate nature, that, far from being able to
bear the prolpeft of her wanting the leaft convenience,
he could not endure that fhe ihould fufpe^ her jitua-
tmn cofi him a moment's perplexity j becaufe he fore-
faw it- would wring h?r gentle heart with uufpeakable
Vol. IV. H h
3,a,l,;.dbyG00gIe
242 t^ ADVENTURES of ■
anguilh and ♦exation. This therefore he endcavonrecf
to anticipate, by estpreflions of confidence in.thc empe-
ror's equity, and frequent declarations touching the
goodnefs and fecurity of thai credit &om which he de«'.
rived his prefent fubliitence.
CHAPTER SLVI.
Anecdotts of poverty, and experiments for the benefit if ■
thofe ivbem it- may concern.
SIS affairs being thus circutnftanced, it ia not to be
foppofed that he pafled his time in tranquillity,
dayufliered in new demands and freJh anxiety:
For, though his economy was frugal, it could not be
fupported without money ; and now not only his funds
were drained, but alfo his private friends tired of relie-
ving his domeftic neceffities j nay, they began to relin-
quiih his company, which formerly they had coveted,
and thofe who ftill favoured him with their company
embittered that favour with difagreeable advice, ming-
led with impertinent reproof. They loudly exclaimed
dgainft the laft inftance of his friendlhip for Fathom,
as a piece of wrong-headed extravagance, which nei-
ther his fortune could afibrd, nor his confciencc excufe i
and alleged, that fuch fpeciniens of generofity are vi-
cious in any man, let his finances be never fo opulent,
if he has any relations of his own who need his aflift-
ance ; but altogether fcandaloiis, not to fay unjnft, in a
perfon who depends for his own fupport on the ^vouT
of his friends.
These expoftulations did not eveil refpeft the beav-
teilus, the accompliflied, the gentle-hearted, the orphan
Mbnimiai Although they owned her porfeftions, and
did not deny that it would be highly mericorioui in any
man of fortune to make her happy, they difapprOved of
Rinaldb's attachment to the fair beggar, made light
- of that intimate union of hearts ifhicb fublilled be-
tween the two lovers, Snd which no human confidcr-
ation could dilTolvej and'ibme among thtm, in the
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDIKAND COUNT FATHOM. 243
coDfijmmation of their prudeocc, TCntured to hint a
propofal of providing fear her in the fervice of fome la-
dy of falhion.
Ant reader of fenlibility will ealily conceive how
thefi; admonitions wea-c rdilhed ty a young gentleman
'whcfe pride was indomitable, whofc notions of honour
were fcnipuloufly rigid and romantic, whofc temper
was warm, and whofc love was intenfe. Every fuch
fuggeftion was as a dagger to his foul ; and what ren-
dered the torture more cxquifite, he lay under obliga-
iions to thofe very pcrfons whofe feltifii and fordid
fenlimcnts he difdained ; fo that he was reftrifte^ by
gratitude from giving vent to his indignation, and his
forlorn- circumftances would not permit him to renounce
their actjuaintance. While he struggled with thefe mor-
tifications, his wants grew more and more importunate,
and his creditors became clamorous.
FaTHOM, to whom all his grievances were difclofed,
lamented his hard hap with all the dcmonftrations of -
fympathy which he could expe£l to find in fuch a zea-
lous adherent : He upbraided himfelf inceiTantly as the
caufc of his patron's diftrcfs ; took God to witnels, that^
he would rather have perUhcd in gaol, than have en-
joyed his liberty, had he known it would have coft lits
deareA friend and bcncfa£lor one tenth part of the anguiih
he now faw him fuffcr ; and, in conclufien,' the ferven-
cy of his aEFeftion glowed to fuch a degree, that he of-
fered to beg, (teal, or plunder on the highway, for Re-
naldo's afiiAance.
Certain it is; he might have recoUefted a lefs dif-
agrceablc expedient than any of thefe, to alleviate the
pangs of this unhappy lover ; for, at that very period,
he was poQclIed of money and moveables tq the amount
of a much greacef fuiA than that which was necelTary to
remove the fevereft pangs of the count's misfbrtijDe.
But, whether he did not refleft upon this rcfource, or
was willing to let Melvil be better acquainted with ad-
verfity, which is the .great fchool of life, I Qiall leave
the reader to determine : Yet, fo far was he from fiip-
plying the wants of the young Hungarian, that he did
■not fcruple to receive a (hare of the miferabie pittance
Wiufii that gentleman made fliift to extort from the con>
^oiizodbyGoogle
144 Tie ADVENTURES of
plaifance of a few companions, whofe countenance he
ftill enjoyed.
Renaldo's life was now become a facrificc to the
moft poignant difb-efs. AlmoA his whole time was cq-
groOed hj a double fcheme, comprehending his eSbrts
>to render his departure praflicable, and his expedients
for raifing the means of daily bread. Witli regard to
the firft, he exerted himfelf among a fst of merchants.
Tome of whom knew his family and expeftations ; and,
for the laft, he was fain to depend upon the alTiftancc
of a few intimates, who were not in a condition to iiir-
nilb him with fums of confequence. Thefe, however,
gradually dropped ofi", on pretence of friendly refent-
ment for his indifereet conduft ; fo that he found him?
felf naked and deferted by all his former companions,
except one gentleman, with whom he, had lived in, the
moft unreferved correfpondence, as with a peribn of the
warmcft fricndihip, and the moft unbounded benevo-
lence : Nay, he had aflually experienced repeated proofs
of his generofity ; and fuch were the count's fentiments
of the gratitude, love, and efteem, which were due to
the author of thefe obligations, that he would have wil-
lingly laid down his own life for his intereft or advan-
tage. He had already been at different times accom-
modated by tliis benefaftor with occafional fupplies,
amounting in the whole to about forty or fifty pounds;
and fo fearful was he of taking any ftep by which he
might forfeit the good will of this gemteman, that he
ftruggled with unparallelled difficulty and vexation, be-
fore he could prevail upon himfelf to put his liberality
to another proof,
' What maxims of delicacy will not the dire calls'of
neceflity infringe ! Reduced to the alternative of apply-
ing once more to that beneficence which had never
failed him, or of feeing Monimia ftarve, he chofe the
firO, as of two evils the leaft, and entrufted Fathom
whh a letter explaining the bitternefs of his cafe- It w^s
not without trepidation that he received in the evening
from his mefTenger an anfwer to this billet ; but what
were his pangs when he learned the contents ! The
gentleman, after having profefled himfelf Melvil's fin-
cere wellwilber, gave him to underAand, that he wns
^lailizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 245
rcfolvcd for the future to detach himfelf from every cor-
refpondence which would be incouvenient for hicn to
niatntaiDi that he considered his intimacy with the
count in that light ; yet, nevcrthelefs, if hisdiftrefs was
really as great as he had defcribed it, he would ftill con-
tribute fomething towfirds his relief i and accordingly
had fent by the bearer five guineas for that purpofe t
but delired hicn to take notice, that, in fo doing, he
laid himfelf under fome difficulty.
Renaldo's grief and mortification at this difappoJnt-
ment were unfpeakable : He now Jaw demoliflied the
laft fcreen betwiit him and the extrecnity ot indigence
and woe ; he beheld the miflrefs of his foul abandoned
to the bleakeft fcenes of poverty and want ; and he
deeply refented the lofty ftrain of the letter, by which
he conceived himfelf treated as a worthlefs fpendthrift
and importunate beggar. Though his purfe was ex-
haufied to the laft fliiliing; though he was furrounded
with neceffities and demands, and knew not how to
provide another meal for his ^ir dependent, he, in op-
pofltion to all the fuggeftions and eloquence of Fathom,
difpatched him with the money and another billet, in-
timating, in the moft refpediful terms, that he approved
of his friend's new adopted maxim, which, for the fu-
ture, he (hould always take ,care to remember ; and that
he had fent back the laft inftance of his bounty, as a
proof how little he was dilpofed to incommode his be-
ncfadtor.
This letter, though fmcerely meant, and written in
a very ferious mood, the gentleman confidercd as an un-
grateful piece of irony, and in that opinion complained
to feveral perfons of the count's acquaintance, who una-
nimouily exclaimed ag^inft him as a fordid, unthankful,
and profligate knave, that abufed and reviled thofe very
people Who had generOufly befriended him, whenever
they found it inconvenient to nourifli his extravagance
with further fupplies. Not with (tan ding thefe accumu-
lated opprefllons, he ftill perfevcred with fortitude in
his endeavours to difentangle himfelf from this maze of
mifery. To thefe he was encouraged. by a letter which
about this time he received from his filler, importing,
thai Ihe had good rcafoa to believe the real will of her
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
S46 The ADVENTURES of
£athcr liad been fiipprefled for certain finifter viewj j
and defiring him to h^Hen hU departure fen* Hungary,
where he would ftill find Tome friends irho were both
able and willing to.lupport his caufc. He had foaie
trintecs left ; the pawnbroker's fhop was ftill open \ and
hitherto he made fhift to conceal &om Mooinm the ex-
tent of bis aBiflion.
The money broker whom he employed, after having
amufed him with a variety of fthemcs, which fervcd no
Other purpofe than that of protracting his own job, at
length undertook to m^^e him acquainted witb a fet of
monled men who bad been very adventurous in lending
fums upon pcrfonal fecurity, be was therefore introdu-
ced to their ctub in the moft favourable manner, after
the broker had endeavoured to prepoflirs them fcparate-
Jy, with magnificent ideas of bis family and fortune. — ■
By means of this anticipation he was received with a
manifeft relaxation of that feverity wiiich people of this
clafs mingle in their afpe£b to the world in general ; and
tjiey eren vied with each other in their demonfttations
pf hofpitality and refpeft ; Vbr every one in particular
looked upon him as a young heir, who wpuld bleed
freely, and mortgage at cent, per cent,
Renaldo, buoyed up with thefe exterior civilities,
began to flatter bimfclf with hopes of fuccefs, which,
however, were foon checked by the nature of the con-
verfation \ during which the chairman upbraided one of
the members in open club, for having once lent forty
pounds upon flight fecurity : The pcrfon accufed alleged
in his own defence, that the borrower was his own kinf^ ■
man, whofc funds he knew to be fufficientj that he
had granted his bond, and been at the ezpence of infu-
ring his life for (he money; and, in concluiion, hail
difcharged it to thti day with great pun^ality. Thefe
allegations were not deemed exculpatory by the reft of
the aflcmbly, who with one voice pronounced him guil-
•ty of unwarrantable raflinefs and indifcretion, which,
in time coming, muft undoubtedly operate to the pre-
judice of bis charaftcr and credit.
This was a bitter declaration to the young count,
.who neverthelefs endeavoured to improve the footing
he had gained among tbem, by coutting their compaf
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 247
nji conforming to their manners, and attentively lifl-
ening to their difcourfe. When he had cultivated them
with great affiduity for the fpace of feme weeks, dined
at their houfes upon preffing invitations, and received
repeated offers of fcTvice and fricndfliip, believing that
things were now ripe for the purpofe, he one day, at a
tavern to which he had invited him to dinner, ventured
to difclofe his £luation to him whofe countenance was
the leaft unpromifing ; and as he introduced the bufinefs
\rith a propofal of borrowing money, he perceived his
eyes fparkle with a vifible alacrity, from which he drevr
an happy jwefage. But, alas ! this was no more than a
traniient gleam of funlhine, which was fuddenly obom-
brated by the fequclof his explanation ; jnfomuch, that,
when the merchant ond'erftood the nature of the fecuri-
ty, his vifage was involved in a moft difagreeable gloom,
and his eyes diAorted into a moll: hideous obliquity of
vifion: Indeed he fquinted fo horribly, that-Renaldd
Vas amazed and aimoA: affi'ighted at his looks, until he
perceived that this diftortion proceeded from concern
for a iilvcr tobacco box which he had laid down by him
on the table, after having filled his pipe : As the youth
proceeded to unfold hig necelllties, the other became
gradually alarmed for this utcnfil, to which he darted
his eyes afkance in this preternatural dirciftion, until he
had flily fecured it in his pocket.
Having made this fuccefsfu! conveyance, he fliiftcd
his eyes alternately from the young gentleman to the
broker foY a conilderable paufc, during which he in fi-
lenct reproached the laft for introducing fuch a beggar-
ly varlet to' his acquaintance ; then taking the pipe from
his mouth, " Sir (faid he, addreffing himlelf to the
count), if I had all the inclination in the world to com-
ply with your propofal, it i^ really not in my power :
My corrcfpon dents abroad have remitted fuch a number
of bad bills of late, that all my running caOi hath been
exhaulled in fupiy>rting their credit. Mr Ferret, fiire I
am, you was not ignorant of my fituation ; and I'm not
a little furprifed that you ihould bring the gentleman to
me on bufinefs Of this kind ; but, as the Wife Man ob-
fcrvcs. Bray afoot in a mortar, and hell never be wife."
So faying, with a moft emphatic glance dirc^ed to the
DiailizodbvCoOglc
248 77j# adventures if
broker, he rung the bell, and called for the reckoning?
when, finding that he was to be the guc(l of RenaUOf
he thanked him drily for his good clieer, and in an ab*
tupt manner took hiinfeU" away.
Though baffled in this quarter, the yonng gentle-
inan would not defpair ; but forthwith employed Mr
Ferret in an application to another of the focicty ; who^
after having heard the terms of bis comniiffion, defirei
him to tell his principal, that he could do nothing, with-*
ont the concurrence of his partner, who happened to be
at that time in one of our American plantations : A
third being foiicited, ctculed himfelf pn account of an
oath which he had lately taken on the back of a conA"
derabte lois : A fourth being tried, made anfwcr, that
. it was not in his way : And a fifth candidly owned, that
he never lent money without proper fccurity.
Thus the forlorn Renaido tried every experiment
without fuccefs, and. now faw the laft ray of hope ex-
tinguifhcd. Well nigh deftitute of prefent fupport, and
cncompalTed with unrelenting duns, he was obliged to
keep within doors, and feek ibme comfort in the con-
verlatiun oi his charming mltlrefs, and his faithful
friend ; yet, even there, he experienced the extremeft
rigour of adverfe fate. l£very rap at the door alarmed
him with the expeflation of Ibme noify tradcfman de-
manding payment. When he endeavoured to amufe him-
J'eif with drawing, fome unlucfcy feature of the occa-
. iional portrait recalled the image of an obdurate credi-
tor, and made him tremble at the work of his own hands^
When he fled for Ihclcer to the flattering creation of
fancy, fome abhorred idea always (Parted up anHdft the
gay vifioo, and diffolved the pleafing enchantment. — '
Even tlic leraphic voice of Monimiahad no longer power
to compofe the anxious tumults of his mind: Every fong
fhe warbled, every tune (he played, recalled to his re-
membrance fome fcene of love and happiaefs elapfcd \
and overwheimed his ibul with the woeful comparifoi*
of paft and prefent fate. He faw ail that was amiable
and perfeift in woman, all that he held nioll dear ^nd
facred upon earth, tottering on the brink of mifcry,
without knowing the danger of her fltuation, and found
himfdf unable to prevent her fall, or even' to forc\ruii
^laiiizodbvGoogle
l^RDINAND COUNT FATHOM; 249
%ae c^-tbe peril ; for, as m bavc already oblcrved, his
ioul could not brook the ^bought of coininuiiicatiDg
the tidings of diftrc& to the tender-hearted Moiumia.
CHAPTER XLVII;
Renatdiis \dyirifs ^^aa, and Fathoms pht tUcins:
SUCH' aggravated ousfbrtiine could not fait to aficA
his temper and depoitmmt i The continual eSbrtB
be made to conceal his Tcxatiao produced a Oianifeft
diiira^oD in his bduTiour and dtTcourre; He began
to be fcized with horror at .the iigbt of poor Monimia^
tehoni' he therefore {banned as much a» the eircumflau-
■ ees of their correfpondenw wonld allow i and ctcry c«aJ
Ing he went forth alone .to fpme foUtary place, where
}ie could unperccived g^Te % loofe to the tranfpffrts of
bis fortow^and in fUence meditate fome iBeuis to light-
CD the burden of bis woe. His heart was fometimes To
favaged with defp^j which reprefented mankind as bis
inveterslte enemies^ that be entertained thoughts of dc^
iMuncing war againft .the whole community^ and fup<
frying his own wants with the Ipoils he Ibvuld mn : At
' other times be wys tempted *itb the deHrc of putting
to end to his miferies and life together : Yet thefe were
but the ; tranlitory fuggeflions of temporary madnefs,
that foon yielded to the difbite of resfont. .From th?
execution of the firA he vas reftraiaed by his own nO"
tiom of honour and morality} aiid,iroi&uiing the other
expedient, he was deterred by Ids Iqve for Monlmia, to-
gether .with the motives of philofophy wd religion.
"While, in this manner he fecretly nurfed the worm
tif grief that preyed upon his vitals, the alteration in his
cauntenanpe and eondvft did not efcape the eyes of that
dilcerning young lady. She was alarmed at the change,
yet afraid to inquire into the fource of it; for, being
ignorant of bis diilrefs, fhe could impute it to no caufe
in which her happLncfs was not deeply intereftedi She
bad obferrcd bisiflrained complaifancc and cxtraordinai-
ry emotion : She had detected him in repeated attempts
Vol. iV. I i
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,.G00glc
i;<i 715* ADVENTtTRES */
to avoid hercompaiif, and taken notice of his regoM '
excuHions in the daHc. Thefe were alarming fymptonu.
to a knrcr of her delicacy and pride : She ftiote in vmin
to put the moft favourable conllniftion on what jh»-
faw i and, finally, imputed the efk&s of his defpoad-
cncc to the alienation of his heart. Made aiiCcFabte be-
yond exprcfiion by thefe iufpicioDs, flte wiparted them
to Fathom, who, by tl»i»time, was in fuK p<^ei5on of
bcr confidence and efteem, and imfdin^ his adtke
touching her condud in fucb a nice conjunfhn^
This artful politician, who rqoiced at the eSsA of
her penetration, no foimer heard himfelf queftioncd oa
the fobjcA, than he gave tokens of furprife and confii-'
fion, iigni^ing hb concern to £nd fbe had ^fcorered .
vhat (for the honour of Ms friend) he wifiied had ne-
ver come to Ught. Hi» beba^oor tm this occafion con>
£rmed her faul conje^'re ; and flte ctmjnred him, hi
the moll pathetic mannery to tell her if he thought Re-
naldo's heart had contracted any new engagement. At
this queftion, he ftarted with figns of extreme agitation,
and Aiding an artificial figh, *' Sure, madam (laid he), you
cannot doubt the count's conlfancy- — I am confident--*
he is ccrtainly-^I proteft, toadaOh I Mn fo ihocked"—
Here be made a fiitl paufe, as if the conflift between
his integrity and his fnendlhip would not altowhfan to
proceed, and fummoned the moiihire into either eye—
*'■ Then are my doubts removed (cried theaffliAed Mo*
nimia) ; J fee your candour in the midft of your attacb-
inent to Renaldo ; and will no longer torment you with
impertinent tnterrogationirand nin complaints." With
thefe words, a fiood of tears guQied from her enchant-
h:^ eyes, and the inlUntly withdrew into her own apart-
jncnt, where ibc indulged her forrow to exce&. Nor
was her grief unaniinated with rcfcntment. She was by
birth, natare, and education, inspired with that digni-
ty of pride which ennobles the human heart ( and this^
by the circu nuance of her prefent 'dependence, was ren-
dcrcd extremely jealous and futceptiblei infonwch that
Ifae could not broo): the kraft Ihadow of indifference,
much lefs an injury of Inch a nature, from the mm
whom Ihc had hononied with her affetftions, and for
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAHD COUKT FATHOM. 15.1
whom flie had difobliged vul defcrted her ^xtiily and
friend*.
Though her love was To .imakerably fixed os this
onbappf youth, that, without the coDtinuation of red*
procal regard, her life wouhl hare become an unfupport'*^
aMe bordeo, creo amidft all the fplpulor of affluence
and pomp i and although fhe fercfaw, (hat, when his
proteflioii Should ceafe, Ihe mud be left a wretched or-
phan in a fordga land, expofed to aU the mifcrics of
want ; jtt, fuch was the loftineTs of her difpleafurCt that
Ibe difdaiDcd to complain, qr even dcnumd an expUna*
tion &01D the fuppoled author of her wrongs.
WHtLR (he continued undetermined in her purpole,
and flii^ating on this Tea of torture, Fathom, believing
that now was the feafon for working upon her pafOoos, -
while they were all in commotion, became, if poflible,
more afliduous than ever about the fair mourner, model-
led his features into a melancholy caft, pretended to
jbare her diflrefs with the moft emplutic fympatby, and
endeavoured to keep her refeotmcnt glowing by cunning
}oiuiuations, which, though apparently deugned to apo-
}o^fe for his friend, ferved only to aggravate the guilt
of his perfidy and difhonour, This ^etcxt of friendly
concern is the mod affeftual vehicle for the conveyance
of malice and llandcr \ and a man's reputation U never
fo mortally flabbed, as when the aflaffin begini with the
preamble of, *< For my own part, I can fafely fay, that
no man upon earth has a greater regard for him than I
have} and it is with the utmoft an guilh and concern
that I fee him misbehave in fuch a manner." Then he
Kroceeds to mangle his character, and the good-natured
carers concluding he is even blacker than he is repre-
Jented, on the fuppoiition that the moC^ atrocious cir-
cnmftanccs arc foftened or fuppFeiTed by. the tendemcfi
or &iendlbip of the accufer, exclaim, " Good lack I
wliat a i^^tch he inu{t be, when his bell friends will
no longer auempt to de^nd him !" Nay, ibmetimet
thefe wcllnwiiber^ Dfidertake his defence, ao4 treachcr
rouQy betray the caufe ,they liave efpoufedi by omitting
the rcafons thai may be urged in his vindication.
Both thefe methods were praftifed by the wily Fer*
dwand, according to the prcdoniinant pafflon of Moni-
_',i,z<,i:,., Google
252. rhe ADVENTF'RES tf
mia : When her indignation prevailed, he expatlate4
upon his love and fincere regard for Reiialdo, which,
he (aid, had grown up frbm'thc cradle, to fiteh a degree
6f fcrvouFj that he would willingly part with life for
his advantage- He {hed tcan (or his apoftacy ; bat
every drop niadc an indelible ftain upon hit character;
and, in the bitternefs of his grief, fwore, notwithftand-
ing his fbndneTs for Renaldo, which had become a part'
of his conftitutlon, that the young Hungarian deferred
the nioft infamous deftiny fdr having injured fucH per-
ftftion. At other times, when he found- her melted
into ftjent forrow, he afitfted to cxcufe the condu^ of
his friend. He informed her, that the youiig gentle
man's temper had been uneven from his infancy ; that
frailty was natural to man ; that he might in time be
reclaimed by felf-conviflion -, he even hinted, that fte
might have probably afcribcd to inconftancy, what was
rwlly the effeft of fome chagrin which he ihduftrioufly
concealed from his participation: But, when he found
her difpofed to liften to this laft fuggeftion, he dcftroy-
ed the force of it, by recollefting the circumftanccs of
his nofhjrnal rambles, which, heowned, would admit of
■ no iavourablc conftrufBpn.
By thefe means he blew the coals of her jealoufy, and
enhanced the value of his own chai^ifter at the fatne
time; for ihc looked upon' him' as a mirroi' of faith and
• integeityj and the mind being overcharged with woe,
naturally feelcs fome confident,'\ipon whdfe fympathy it
can repofe itfelf : Indeed his great aim was to tnake
himfclf neccflary to her affliftion, and fettle a goffijnng
correfpondciice, in the familiarity of which he hoped hii
purpofe would certainly be anfWered.
' YETthe-exertion of thefe talents was not limited tq
her alone._ ■ ' WhMe he Iwd thefe trains for the haplefs
young lady, he was preparing fnares of another kind
for her uiifufpefting lover, who (for the completion of
his mirerj)about this time began' to perceive marks of
'dtfquict and difpleafiire in the countenance and deport-
ment of hisadbred Monimias' Fot that young lady, in
the midlVof her grief, remcmhered her origip, and over
■fiei- vepfion. affefted to throw a veil' qf tranciuillity.
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COXJNT FATHOM. 353
itKicfi Served tmXy to gi^e an ur of difguft to her inter-
ml dilhirbince.
Renaldo, vhbfe patience and phUofoph^' vere
tetrely fbfficient to bear the load' of bis other erila,
Would have bdch quite overwhelmed with the additional
burden of-Monimla's woei tf tt had not alTudiod thii
appearance of difefteem, which^ as he knew he had not
deferred It, brought his refentment to his afflftance;
"Yet 'this ^was but a wretched' cordial to fapport him
againft thc*b&lefd reflc£lion& that alTaulted him- from
evety qustrtttt* *, it dperat^d like thofe defpdrate remedies,
which, while they ftioaulate exhaufted nature, hdp to
deftroy the very fundamentals of the conditution. He
reviewed his own conduft with the utmoft feverity, and
could not recollefl one circumftance which could juiUf
offend the idol.(^ his foul. The nlote blamelefs he ap-
peared to himfclf in this examination, the lefs excufatue
aid her behaviour appear ; He' ta&ed his pemtpatl«nt
to difcovei th^ c^fe of this alteration j he buri^ed-vith
impatience to know it ; his difcemmcnt ^iled him, and
he was afraid (though he knew not Why) to detnand an
explanation. H18 thoughts were ft circumflanced, that
he durft not even unbofom himielf to Fathom, though
his own virtue and friendship rciifled thbfe fentiments
that- began to intrude upon his mind, with fuggeftions
to the prejudice of our advcnturei'a fidelity.
NtvERTHELEss, unaMe to endure the tormenft of
fuch interelling fufpenfe, he A length made an effort to
cxp<dhiiatt) with the fair orphan t and in an abrupt ad<
drols, the efieti of his fear and' eonfuGon, begged to
know if he had inadvertently dene any thing to inCur
her difpleafure. Monimia hearing herfelf bluntly ac'^
coded in this unnfual ftrain, after repeated inftances of
his refcrre and fuppofed inc<mftancy, confider^ the
queftion as a &e(h infult, and, futemoning her whole
pride to her a^fhuice, repHed,'"with aflfcSed tranquilli-
ty, or rather with an air of fcom, that Ihe had no title
to judge, neither did fhe pretend to condemn his con-
du^. This anfwer, fo wide of thxt'tendemefs and con-t
cem which had hithoto manifefted itfelf in the diCfoG^
tion of his amiable miftrefs, derived him of aD power
f9 carry on the converfation, and he retired wtth^ low
^oiizodbyGoogle
»54 fit ADVENTUREay
bow, fully convinced of his having irretri^nb^ loQ Hat
place he had poSeSed in her afieAion i £»« ta his imftr
giaauoq, wiurpcd aftd bliqdcd 1^ hi* misfortime«( her
^emeanour Teamed fraught, not with a trsnficnt glrai
cif aogcr, which a rcfpeAbil low would finn btve a(»E
pcafedy but with that c9iDtcn?pt and indiffiacncc wUcli
denote a total abfeace of aiSe^qn utd.«fl$f0i^ £hc, cm
thft other hand, mifponAnxd Wa &dd^' retreiitj and
DOW diey beheld the a^onc pf «acb other ttvoogh tht
&Ue medium of piejudic« and r^entount'. To rod}
fatal mlTuDdcrftuidings the pcaiM atu} ^ipfiae^ of
whole &nuMes efiieo fall % GKrW,fg,
CHAPTER XLVI.
TNFLUENCED by t!us dire miftake, tlie breafts <4
I thofe unhappy lovers began to be invaded with the
$wron of jealouiy : The tcodcT'lumted Mcmimia eom
^cavoured to devour her griefa in filence ( flie in iecret
t>cmoaaed her forlorn £ite without ceafing ; her teari
flowed without intemulfi(xi from aigbt to morp, aa4
from loom to sight : Sbe fought not to know the 9b-
icA for which fiie wat ib^akeo ; Ibe meant not to up-
braid her uodocr ; ho- aim was to ^nd a fe^ueftered
comer, in whkh flw could indulge her forrow ; where
fiw could brood over the melwchtdy remeinhrance of
hof farmer felicity { where fhe could recoUeA thofe
happy fcencs Ihe bad eajoyed under the wmgt of hcf
indulgent parents, wh?u ^er whole lifi: w#( a revol«tipi)
cf pteafurei, and Ihe wu furrounded with a^uence,
pomp, 9(kI admii^lioa ; where (he could] unmolefted*
dwcft upon the wrecched cosiparifos between her paft
iutd prefcnt conditipp, and paint every ciicumftance lA
iter mi&iy in the- moJ^ aggravating ealoHrs> that they
loight naakc ^ deeper impreffion upon her mind, and
the more ipitedily contribute to that ^iTolutios for
which ibe ar4eDtly_iriihed, as a toUlrcloafe from woe.
_ ,l,z<,i:,.,G60glf
FERDmANO COUWf tAtHOM. i$§
Ahidit theft plilings, flic began to loath all fiifte-
Bance; her cheeks grew wan, her bright eye> loft their
fplendtv, the rafei vanilhcd from her lipa, and hef dv*-
Kcate limbs coiuld hardly fiipport their burden i in a
word, her fole confolation vm limited to the profpcd:'
of d«pofitiAg her forrows in the grave i and her only
irifli was to procure a retreat, in which (he might wait
with reii^ation for that happy period. Tet thit me>
lancholy comfort {he could not obtain without the ad-
Tice and mcdiotioa of Fathom, whom ihe therefore ftilt
continued to fee and confuH. While thcfc confultations
were held, Kendo's bofbm was raraged with tempefta
of rage and diftraftion. He believed himfelf fiiperftded
in the ai&dion of his miftrefa, by fomc fevourcd lival,
Whofe fuccefs rankled at his fbul } and though he fcarce
durft communicate the fufpicion to his own heart} his
abfervation continually whifpcrcd to him, that he was
fupf^Iantcd by hi» friend Fathom ; for Moniroia vna to>
tally detached from the converfation of every other man,,
and he had of tat« noted their intercourle with diftem>
pered eyes.
These eonflderattons fbmetimes tranfported him to
facb a degree of frenzy, that he was tempted to facri-
fice them both as traitors to gratitude, friend&ip, and
love ;- but fuch deliriums foon vanifhcd before his ho-
nour and hmnanitjr. He would not allow himfdf to
think amils of Fenilnaad, until fome' undoubted mark
of his guilt fhould appear ; and this was fo hr firoih be-
ing the cafe, that hitherto there was fcarce a prefump-
tion. On the contrary (faid he to himfdf),- 1 am honr-
If receiving prooft of his fympathy and attachment:
Not but that be may be the innocent caufc of my miC-
hap. His fuperior qualifications may have actra^ed
the eye, uid engaged the heart of that inconflant fair,
without his being fcnfible t>{ the viftory he has won ; or,
perhaps, fhocked at the conqueft he hath unwillingly
made, he difcourages her advances, tries to reafon down
her unjuftifiable pafflon, and in the mean time conceals
from me the particolarsj out of r^rd to my bappincls
and quiet.
Under cover of thefe favourable conjefhires, our
idrentwrcr feouclj profecnted his fcheme upon the im-
^oiizodbyGoogle
a5<i T&e ADVEyST VRZB.fi/
fortunate Monimia. He deijicatcd hknfflf wholly tH
her fervicc and coavaiktion, except at tbofe- times
whm bis company was requeued by Reoflldo, who iHnr
very feldom exacted his attendance:'. In his. .niiiiiftry!
nbout the perfon of the beauteous orphan, this cunning
incendiary mingled fuch awful regard) fiich melting
compaiEon, as cfTefhiaUy Icreened biin from tbeiiifpicioa
of treachqryj while be widened the fetal biieaiJi between '
her and her lover by the moft diabol^al ii^nuatifanjj
He reprefented his ^iend as a voluptuary, who gratified
his own appetite without the leaft regard to honour or
confcience ; and, with & ^ew of infinite Tehidlance, im->
parted fome anecdotes of his fenfuality, which he had
feigned for the puTpofe ; then he wo^ld exclaim in an
afl'efed tranfport, " Gracious Heaven ! is it poffible foaf
any man who has the Icaft title to perception or h)]m»i
nity to injure fuch Innocence and perfection ) for my
ovn part, had I been fo uudefervedly happy— Heaven
and earth ! Forgive my tranfports, Matfem^ I cannot
'itelp feeing and admiiing fuch divine atti'^L^Uons. I can-
not help refenting your wrongs; it is the c^^fo of vir-
tue I efpoufe ; it ought to bs the caufe of every honefl
man."
He had often repeated fiich apoftrophes as theJii
frhich flie afcribed to nothing elfe than fhcer benevo^
lence and virtuoss indignation, and aAually begui to
think he had made f6me ioiprcffion tmon her heart )
not that he now entertained the hope of an immediate
triumph over her chafttty. "the more he contemplated
her character, the more difficult the cooquefl; leemed to
be; he therefore altered his pkn, and rcfolved to carry
on his operations under the Shelter of honourable pro-^
pofals, forefeeing that a wife of her qualifications, if
properly managed,- would turn greatly to the account of
the hulband ■, or, if her virtue Ihould prove refraCtory^
fiiat he could at any time rid his^elf of the incum-
tirancc, by decamping without beat of dram, after he
fliould be cloyed with polTemon.
Elevated by thefc cxpcftationsj he, one day, in
the midft of a preconcerted rhapfody, importing, that
he could BO loagey conceal the fife that preyed Qpon
tiis heart, threw himfclf on his knees before. the lovely
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
Ferdinand gottnt fathom. aj7
Inottmcr, and imprinted a kifs on her fair hand- Tho*
he did not prcfuine to take this liberty till after fuch
invparatioD as he thought had altogether extlnguifhed
her regard for Melyil, and pav^d the way for his own
reception in ro<nn of that difcardcd lover, He bad lo i»T
oveiiOtot his mark, that Monimia^ inflead of ^vounng
his declaration, ftarted up, and retired in filence, her
cheeks glowing with iiavde, and her eyes gleaming
with indignationi
Feroinand no foondr t^ecoyered from theconfii-
£on produced hy this unexpected repulfc, than he faw
the ncccffity of coming to a fpecdy determination, left
the offended fair one Ihould appeal to Renaldo, in which
. cafe they might be mutually undeceived, to his utter
ihame and confufioif : He therefore rcfolved to depre-
cate her anger' by humblr fuppUcations^ and by protcft-
ing, tbat» whatever tortures he might fuffer by fuppref-
fing his fentiments, Ihe fhould nefer again be offended
with a declaration of bis paffiom
Having thus appeafed ths gentle ^Jonimia,' and
difcovered, that, in ipite of her refentment, his firiend
ftill kept poffeffion of her heart, he determined to Work
an e&^ual reparation, fo as that the young lady, be*
ing utterly deferted by Melvil, {hould be left altogether
in his power. 'With this Chriftian intention, he begad
to ladden.his vifagc with a double fhade of penfive nie->
lancholy, in the prefence of Renaldo, to ftiBe a fuC"
ceiEon of involuntary lighs, to anfwer from the pur-
pofe, to be incoherent in his difcomrTa, and, in a word*
to a^ the part of a pcrfon wrapt up tn forrowful co^-
tation.
Count Melvil, fbon as be perceived thcfe fymp-
toms, very kindly enquired info the caufeof them, and
was not a little alarmed to hear the artful and evaflva
anfwers of Ferdinand, who, without difclofing the fource
of his difquiet, earneftly begged leave to retire into
fome other comer of the world. Roufed by this en-
treaty, the Hungarian's jcaloufy awoke, and with vio-
lent agitation he exclaimed, *' Then arc my fears too
true — ^My dear Fathom, I comprehend the meaning of -
your rcquell. I have for fome time perceived an hoj^
of horrors approaching from that quarter. I know your
Vol. IV. , K k
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
2s8 The ADVENTURES of
worth and honour. I dcpemi upon your fnerdlhij^
•nd conjure you, bf all the ties of it, to free mc at once
from the moft miferabfc fufpenft, l^ owning you have
involantafily captrvated the heart of that tmSappy
maiden.''
To this fblemn mterrogation he made no reply ; but,
fliedding a flood of tears (of which hehadalwap a ma-
gazine at command), he repeated his dcfipc of with-
drawing, and took God to witnefs, that what he pro-
pofcd was folely for the quiet of his honoured patron
and beloved friend. " Enough (cried the nnfeitunate
Renaldo), the meafure of my woes is now filled up."
So faying, he fell backwards tn x fwoon, from which
he was with difficulty recovered to the fcniadon of the
moft exquifite townents. During this paroxyfin, onr
adventurer nurfed him with infinite care and tcnder-
nefs ; he exhorted him to fummon all his ftwtitude to
his affiftance ; to remember his forefathers, and exert
himfctf in the imitation of their virtncs ; to fly front
thofc bewitching charms which had enflaved his bet-
ter parf; to retrieve his peace of mind, by rcflefting
on the tnconftancy and ingratitude of woman j and
amufe his imagination in the purfnit of hohour and
glory.
After thefe admonitions, he abufed his ears with
a forged detail of the gradual advances made to him by
Monimia, and the fteps he had taken to dilcourage her
iddrcfles, and re-eftabliCh her virtue;- poifoning the
mind of that credulous youth to fuch a degree, that, in
all probability, he would have put z fatal period to his
own exiftence, had not Fathom" "found means to allay
the" rage of his cxtafy, by the cunning arrangement of
oppofite confiderations. He fet his pride agamfl: his
love, he oppofcd his refentment to his forrow, and hi»
ambition to his defpair. Notwithftanding the balance
of power fo fettled among thefc antagonifts, lb violent
were the fhocks of their fucceffive conflifts, that his
bofom &red like a wretched province, harraflcd, de-
populated, and laid wafte, by two fierce contending ar-
mies. From this moment, his life wis nothing but
an alternation of ftarts and reveries: He wept and ra-
»cd 1^ turns, according to the prevaiUng giift of paf-
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. zsp
G&a ; food became a flranger to his lips, and fleep to
his eye-lids ; he could not fiipport the prefence at Mo-
Dimia ; h«- ablence increared the torture of hU pangj,
luid, when he met her bjr accident, he fiarted back
.with hwror, Uke a traveller who chances to tread upoa
a fbake.
The pOOT afflicted orphan, worn to a ihadow with
{elf-cenluining anguifh, eager to find foioe lowl^ re-
treat, where llie could Ix-cathe oBt her foul in peace,
•od terrified at the frantic hchaTiour of R-cq^dti, com-
Biunicated to Fathom her defire of removing; and beg-
ged that he would take a fmall pi£hire of her father,
<lecorated with diamonds, and convert them into mo-
ney, for the expetlce rf her fubfiftence. This was the
laft pledge of her family, which £be had received from
her mother, who had prdcrved it in the midft of nuni-
bnlefs diftrefics ; and no other fpccics of milery but that
■wludi fhe groaned under could have prevailed upon the
-daughter to part with it ; But, exclufive of other mo-
tives, the very image itfelf, by recalling to her mind the
honours of her name, upl»^ded her wilJi living in de-
pendence upon a man who had treated her with fuch
indignity and ingratitadei befidcs, Qie flattered berfetf
with the hope that ibe (hould not long furvive the Io&
of this teflimoniaL
Odr adventurer, with many profefiieos of forrow
tmd mortification at his own want of capacity to prevent
fuch an alienation, undertook to difpoTe of it to the beft
advantage, and to pronde her widi tt che^ and reti-
red apartment, to which he would coodud her in &£>
ty, though at the hazard of his life. . In the mean time,
however, he repaired to his friend Renaldo ; and, after
having admoniOied him to arm his foul with patience
and philoibphy, declared that Monimia's guilty paffioo
for himfdf could no longer be kept within bounds ; that
ihc had conjured him, in the merit preffing manner, to
affift her in efcapiag from an houie which ihe confider-
-ed as the worft of oungeons, becau£c fbe was in it dai^
ocpo&d to the fight and conqiany of a man whom ihe
dculied t and that {he had bribed him to compliance
with her requefl, net only with repeated promlfes of
eternal love and fubmiffion, but alfo- with the pi£fair^ of
^oiizodbyGoogle
afio Tif ADVENTURES */
her father fet with diamonds, which fbe had hitbert*
referved as the laft and greateft tdtimony of her afi«o-
tion and eftcem/
With thefe w(m]s he ^fented the fatal pledge to
the eyes of the aAoniihcd youth, upon whom it ope-
rated like the poifooous fight of the bafilifk ; fop, in an
inftant, the whole pdlioas of his foul were in the aioft
TiOlcnt agitation. " What ! (cried he, in «n cxtafy of
rage) is £he ib abandoned to perfidy, fo loft to fltaino,
lb damned to conflancy, to gratitude, and virtuous
love, as to meditate the means of leaving me without
decency, without remorfe 1 to forJake me in my ndva-
£ty, when my haplefs fortune can no longer flatter the
jn-ide and vanity of her expectation I O woman I \n}-
iQan ! woman I what fimile fiiall I find to illuftrate the
character of the fex ? But I will not have recourfc to
Tain complamts and feeble exclamations. By Heaven!
Jhe fhall not 'fcape ; fhe fhall not triumph in her levi-
ty; fheihallnot exult in my dillrefs: No! Iwillra-
dier facriScc her to my juft refentment, to the injiwed
|)owers of love and friendOiip. I will a£t the avenging
tninifter of Heaven ! I will mangle that fair bofom,
which contains fo falfe an heart I I will tear her to
]Meccs, and fcatter . thofc beauteous limbs, as a prey to
the bwfts of the field, and the fowls of the air !'' ,
Fathom, who expected this florm, far from attempt-
' ing to oppofe its progrefs, waited with patience imtil
its firft violence was overblown -, then, ifiiiming an air
«f condolance, animated with that Ecfolution which a
friend ought to maintain on fuch occalions, " My dear
Count (faid he), I am not at all hjrprifed at your emo-
tion, becaufelknow what an heart, fufceptiblc as yours^
mult feel from the apoftacy of one who has reigned fb
long the objeft of your love, admiration, and eftecm.
Your endeavours to drive her fix)m your thoughts muft
create an agony much more fcvere than that which di-
vorces the foul from the body. Ntnerthelefs, I am fo
ponfident of your virtue and your manhood, as to for^
fee, that you will allow the frail Monlmia to fxecute
that refolution which ihe hath fo unwifely talcea, t«
withdraw hcrfelf from your love and protoEtioi]. Be-
lieve me, my beft friend mi bencfaCtor, this is a ftqi,
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAKD COUNT FATHOM. 261
in confequence of which you will in<ibly retrieve your
peace of mind. Ii may coft you many Utter pangs, ic
may probe your wounds to the quick ; but thofe pangi
will be foothed by the gentle and fslutary wing of time>
and that probing will roufe you to a due fenfe of your
own dignity and importance, which will enable you to
convert your attention to objeAi far more worthy of
your contemplation. All the hopes of happinefs you had
cherifhcd in the pofieffion of Monimia are now irreco
verably blafted j her heart is now debafed beneath your
confideration ; her love is, without all doubt, extin-
guished, and her honour irretrievably loft ; infbmucbt
that, were Ihe to profefs forrow for her indifcretion,
and implore your fbrgivcncfs, with the moft folemn pro-
mifes of regarding you for the future with unalterable
fidelity and aSbfHon, you ought not to reftore her to
that plice in your heart which fhe hath fo meanly for-
feited, bccaufe you could not at the fame time rcinftate
her in the poiTeffion of that delicate eftacm without which
there is no harmony, no rapture, no true enjoyment in
love. No, my dear Rcnaldo, expd the unworthy te-
nant from your bofom ; allow her to fill up the meafure
of her ingratitude, by deferting her lover, friend, and
benefa£tor. Your glory demands her difmiffion i the
world will applaud your generoftty, and your own heart
approve of your conduct : So difincumbered, let us ex-
ert ourlelves once more in promoting your departure
from this tfland, that you may reviiit your Other's
houie, do juftice to yourfelf and amiable fifter, and take
vengeance on the author of your wrongs ; then dedi-
catjS yourfelf to glory, hi imitation of your renowned
anceftors, and fiourifh in the fevour of your imperial
patron.*'
These remonftrances had fuch cffefl upon the Hun-
garian, that his face was lighted up with a tranfient
gleam of fetisfafHon. He embraced Ferdinand with
great ardour, calling him his pride, his Mentor, his
good genius, and entreated him to gratify the inclina-
tion of that fickle creature fo far, as to convey her to
smother lodging, without lols of time, while be would,
t7 abfcnting himlelf, favour thcir retreat.
Ji.iliz,,!,:,., Google
a6a Tii ADVENTURES ^
Our IierotiaTingobtaiBed this pcrmifficMi, went im-
vie^iate)}r to the Ikirts of the town, where he had pre*
vioufly befpoke a fmall though neat ^Mrtment, at dw'
botife of an (^ wotnaDt widow of a French refugee.
He bad already rcconnoitFed the ground, by founding
hi&Iandtady, hom whi^e poverty and c<»iiplaifance he
fijund reafon to cxpe£t all forts of freedom and oppor«
tvaity fur the accomplilhinent of his aim upon MonW
nia's perfon. The room being prepared for her recep-
lioB, he returned to that difconfolate beanty, to whom
fe prefented ten gHincas, which he pretended to have
xaiied by pledging the fi£tare, though he himfelf aAed
as the pawnbrcAuT on this occiSoot for j^ very plain and
«bvious reafon.'
The fair orphm Was overjoyed to find her wilb io
^cedity accomplished: She forthwith packed up her
necefi*aries in a trunk; and an hackney coach was called
in the duik (^ the evening, in which flu embarked with
ha baggage and conduAor.
Yet ifae did not leave the batntation of Renaldo
without regret. In the inftant of parting, the idea elf
that unfortunate yonth was afibciated with ev^ wdl-
Loown objeA that prefented itfelf to her eyes ; not at
sn ioconftant, imgencrous, and peijnred fwun, but ai
the accompUfhed, the virtuous, the melting iovert whs
ttad eaptivatfcd her virgin heart. As Fathiun led ber
to the door, flic was met b^ Renaldo's dc^ which had
IdDg been her tivonrite, and the poor animal Awning
npon her as Ihe palled, her heart was overwhelmed with
fuch a guih of tcndemcfs, that a flood of tean ftream-
ed down her cheeks, and ihc had well aigh funk upon
the fioor. '
Ferdinand, confidering this emotion as the laft.
tribute fhe would pay to Renaldo, hurried her into the
coach, where fhe fooQ recovered her compofure ; and
in a little time he uOiered her into the houfe of Nbdani
la Mcr, by whom fhe was received with great cordiali-
ty, and craidu^d to her apartment, with which Ihe
found no other faplt than that of its being too good ftc
one in her Jbrlom fituation. Here, while the tear of -
gratitude ilarted in either ey^ fhe thanked our adven-
turer for his benevolence and kind coucem, afluriog
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT TATHOM. l«j
Mm, that fhe would not foil dailjr to befccch the M«fi
High to fttower down Ue£ngs upon him, as the m^
phan's friend and prottftor.
Fathom wu not deficient in tht^e expreffions that
were beft adapted to her prefent tuni of mind. , He
obferred, that what he had done Vas in obedience tv
the di£htes of common humaoity, which would faav>
prompted him to aflift any felloi^-creBtuiv in d'iRrefst
but that her peculiar virtue and qualifications were iktk
as challmged the utmoft exertion of his faculties in her
lervice. He faid, that fure^ Hearen had not created
fuch perfection in vain ; that &e wa» detained to receivq
as wel! as to communicate hai^lnefs ; and that the Pro-
vidence, which ike to pioully adored, would not fai), in
due feafon, to raifc h^ from diDrefs and afSi^lon, ta
that -luHlour and fdicity for which (he was certainly or-
daincd. In the mean time, he entreated her to de-
pend upon. Kis fervice and fidelity, and the article of
ker board bdng fettled, he left her to the company
and confolation of her difcreet hoftefs, who foon in-
finuated hcrfdf into the good opinion of her beauteonX
lodger,
While our hero was employed in this tranfaftlon,
Renaldo fallied forth in a fort of intoxication, wbklt
Fathom's admonitions had iRfpired; and, repairing to
a certain noted cofFeehoufe, engaged at chefs with as
old French refugee, that his attention, I^ being other-
wife employed, might not ftray towards mat fatal objed
which he ardently wifhed to forget. But, unluckily £ar ,
him, be had fcarce performed three moves of the game,'
when his ears were cxpofed to a dialogue between two
young gentlemen, one of whom afked the other if he
would go and fee the orphan a^ed at one of the
theatres ; obferring, as a farther inducement, that the
part of Monimia would be performed by a young gentle-
woman who had never appeared on the ftage. Ac
mention of that name, Renaldo ftarted ; for, though
it did not properly belong to bis orphan, it was the apu
pellatioR by which flie had been difiinguifhcd ever iince
her fcparation from her father's houfe, and therefore it
recalled her to his imagination in the moft interefting
point of view- Though he endeavoured to expel the
^laiiizodbvGoogle
»64 ^i ADVENTURES ef _
image, by a dofer sppHcation to his play, every lidW
and then it jintruded upon his fancy, and at each re^
turn made a ftrongcr imprdSoni To that fat found him*
felf in the Ctuation of an unfortunate bark ftrandcd up-
on fome bidden rock, which, when the wind begins to
blow, feels every fucceedihg wave more boiftcrOus than
the former, until, with irrcGflible iarj, they funnount
her deckst fweep emy' thing before thcsi> and dalb her
all to pieces.
The fetugec had obfetred his firft emotion, which
be attributed to an unfoi^ieen advantage he hlmfdf had
gained over the Hungarian -, but feeing bim, in the fc
quel, bite his lip, roll his eyes, groan, writhe his bodyi
ejaculate incoherent curies, and neglect his game, the
Huguenot concluded that he was mad, and, being fu-
zed with terror and difmay, got up and fcampered aSf
without ceremony or heiitation.
Melvil, thus left to the horrors of his own thought,
which tortured him with the apprehenfion of loling
Monimia for ever, could no longer combat that fug*
seflion, but ran homewards with all the fpecd he could
exert, in order to prevent her retreat. When he croiled
the threshold, he waS ftnlck with fueh a damp of pre-
saging fear, that he duHl not ki perfon approach hef
apartment, nor even, by queftioning the fervant, in-
form himfelf of the particulars he wanted to know : Yet
his fufpenfe becoming more infupportable than his fear,
he rulhed from room to room in quell of that which
was not to be found ; and, feeing Monimia's chamber-
door open, entered the defertcd temple in a flateof
diftraftion, calling aloud upon her name. All was Glent,
Solitary, and woful, " She is gone — (he cried, ihedding
a flood of tears) — (he is for ever loft j and all my hopes
of happinefs are fled I"
So laying, he funk upon that couch on which Mo-
nimla had oft repoicd, and abandoned himfelf to all the
czcefs of grief and defpondcnce. In this deplorable
condition 1^ was found by our adventurer, who gently
chid him for his want of refolution, and .again repelled
his forrow, by arouiing his refentmcnt againft the in-
nocent caufe of his difquiet, having before-hand forged
the particulais of provocation. " Is it pofiible (fald hc)«
^laiiizodbvGoogle
that Rcnildo czn ftlU reUio the lead fentuneiit of re
gard for a fickle wooian, ijy whom he b.^s been fo un-
gratefully forfakcD and fo unjuilly fcoroed l U it pofliblc
he can be lb dillurbed by the loft of a ci'eature who ia
herfelf loll to all virtue add decorum ?-»Ti{De and re<^
flcAioDj my worthy friendj will cure you of that inglo-
rious malady : And the future mifcciaduA of that itOr
prudent damfel will^ 'doubclefs, contribute to the reco-
very of your peace. Her behaviduri at leaving the
houfe where fhe had received fo many marlcs of the
mofi delicate affedtioa, yria in all rcfpcfh fo opposite to
honour and decency, that 1 could icarce refrain from
telling her 1 was (hocked at her deponiooit, even white
ihe loaded me with protcftations of love. When a wp-
inan's heart ia once depraved, ihe bids adieu to all re-
&aint {— Oie prelervcs no mcafur.es. It was mot fimply
contempt which flue exptcSkd for Renaldo ; Ihe fcems
to refmt his being able to live under her difdain ; and
that refentmest ftoops to objects miw<Hthy of indigna^
fion. Even yoiir dog was not ezemptedi from the ef-
fe^s of her difpleafure : Tot, in her pafTage to the door«
fhe kicked the po<»' animal as One of your dependents ;
ind, in our way to the apartment I had provided br
her, {be entertained me witb a ludici'oat comment iq>-
Oa the manner in which you £rft made her acquamted
with your palHon. AU that modefty of earriage, all
that challity of convcrfation, ^1 thgit dignity of grie^
Irhkb flte knew (o well how te affeA, i* now entirely
laid afidCi aod wlien I Quitted her, the feemed the moft
gay, giddyt aud impertinent of her leu-"
" C^HACiovB powers! (exciaimed Renaldtfi ftartiag
ixom the couch) am I under the delufiou of a dream )
to- are ihefe thing* really foi a> tny friend hat repre-
ftnted thcA I Such a total and fuddeo degeneracy ia
iqiazing I is Oionl^reut and usoatural I"-—** Such, my
dear Count (replied our hero), is the caprice of a fe-
ttule heart, fickle as the wind, uncertiiin ais a calm aC
fea, fixed to no principle, tmt fwayed by every Antaftic
guft of pafiign, or of whim. Conp-atutate yourfclf,
therefore, my friend^ upon your happy deliverance from
fuch a domehic plague — upon the voluntary exile of a
traitor from your bofom : — Recolleft the dictates of your
Vol. IV. L I
inailizodbyGoOgle
i66 7^ ADVENTURES 5^
duty, your difcrction, and your gtory, and think apoft
the honours aiid elevated enjoyment for which you are
-certainly ordained. To-night let us over a cheerful
bottle anticipate your fuccefs ; and to-morrovr 1 will ac-
company you to the houle of an ufurer, who, I am io^
formed, fears no riik, provided twenty per cent, be gi-
ven, and the borrower's life infured."
CHAPTER XLVir.
Tif art of borrowmg further explained, and an account
of a Jirange fhcmmtnon,
IN this manner did the artful incendiary work upon
the paffions of the credulous unfufpefting Hunga*
rian, who preflcd him to his breaft with the moft cor-
dial cxprclHons of friendfhjp, caUiag him his guardian,
his faviour, his fecond father, and gave himfelf up
wholly to his advice.
Next morning, acconling to the plan they had laid
over night, they repaired to a taVem in the neighbour-
hood of the perfon to whom pur adventurer had been
diredled, and were fortunate enough to find him in the
houfc, tranfafting a money afiair with a youAg gentle-
man who treated him witli his morning's whet.
That affair being negotiated, he adjourned into ■ano-
ther room with Renaldo and his companion, who were
not a little furprifcd to fee this minifter of Plutus in the
ihape dfa young fprightly beau, trimmed -up in.all the
foppery of the fafltion; for they bad hitherto always
aSbciaced' with the idea ol^an ufurer old age and nifty
apparet. After divers modifh congees, be begged to
know tO'wllat he ftiould attritwte the honour ,of thdr
niei^ge^ when Ferdinand, who afted the. orator, told
him, that his friend Count Melvil, having occafion for
a fum df money, had tiecn directed to a gentleman of
bis nanie, " and, 1 fuppofc (addtd he), you are the
fon of the perfon with whom the affair is <to be nego-
tiated."
^laiiizod by Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHCftf. 167
^' Sir, (faid this petit maitre, vrith a fcaile), T pccccivc
you are furprifed to fee one of ray profeffion in the appear-
ance of a gentleman ; and perhaps your wonder will not
ccafe, when I tell you, that my education was liberal,
and tbaC I once had the honour to bear a commii!ioa
in the BritllK army. I was indeed a firfl lieutenant of
marines, and will venture to fay, that no officer in the
fervicc was more delicate than myfelf in obferving all
the pun^lios gf honour. I entertained the utmofl con-
tempt for all the trading part of the nation, and fuSer-
ed myfelf to be run through the body in a duel, rather
than roll with a brother-lieutenant, who was a broker's
'^a: But, thank Heaven! I have long ago conquered
9II thofe ridiculous prejudices. I foon obl]erved, that
without money there was no refpeft, honour, or con-
leenience to be acquired in life ;, that wealth amply fup-
plied the want of wit, merit, and pedigree, having in-
fluence and pleafure ever at command ; and that the
iworld never failed to worlhtp the flood of affluence, with-
out cxamioing the dirty channels through which it com-
fnonly 'flowed.
" At the end of the war, finding my appointments
^educed to two fhillings and four pence per day, and be-
ing addi^ed to pleafures which I could not poiSbly pur^
chafe from fuch a fund, 1 fold my half-pay for two hun-
dred pounds, which I lent upon bond to a young offi-
cer of the fame regiment, on condition that he fliould
infure his life, and reftore poe fourth part of the fum
by way of premium. I happened to be lucky in this
firft effay : For the borrower, having in fix weeks ex-
pended the money, made an cxcurlion on the highway,
was apprehended, tried, convi^ed of felony, and cut
his own throat, to prevent the fliame of a public exe-
cution ; fo that his bond was dil'charged by the inr
furers.
" In Jhort, gentlemc(i, when I engaged in this bufi-
nefs, I determined to carry It on with fuch fpirit, as would
cither make my fortune, or entirely ruin me in a little
time i and hitherto my endeavours have been tolerably
AicMfsfiil : Nor do I think my proceedings a whit more
criminal or unjuft than thofe of other merchants, who
jjriye to tyrn ihoir money to the bcft ai;count. The
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
168 Thf ADVENTURES tf
commodity I deal In is cMh i and it it iny buiinefs to
fell it to the beft advantage. A London ȣtor fends si
cargo of goods to market, and if he gets two bnndred
per cent, upon the fale, he is commcDded for his in-
duflr^ and addrefs. If I fell ii)oney for one fourth part
of that profit, certain perfoni will hf fo unjuft, as to
cry. Shame upon me, fen- taking fuch advantage of my
ndghbouT^a diftrefs; not conlidering, that the trader
. took four times the iame advantage of thofe people whq
bought his cargo, though his rHk was not half (o great
9S ntinC) and although the money 1 fold perhaps re-
trieved the borrower from the very jaws of deAru£tJon i
for example, it was but yeflerday I faved a w(»thy man
froth being arrcfted for a fum ot money, for which hn
had bailed a frjend who treacheroully left him in the
larch : As he did not forefee what would happen, he .
had made nO proyiCon for the demand, and his fphcre
of life lecludlng him from all forts of monied inter-
courfc, he could not nife the cafli by his credit in the
afual way of boirgwing ; fo that, without my ailiftance|
he mud have gone to jail ; a difgrace which would have
proved iatal to the [ieacc of his nmJly, and utterly ruin-
ed his reputation, — ^Nay, that veiy yining gcotlemanf
from whom I am juH now parted, will, in all probabi-
lity, ix indebted to me for a very genteel livelihood,
lie had obtained the abfolute promife of being provided
for by a great man, who lits at the helm ofaffairs in
a neighbouring kingdom i but, being deflit)itc of a!]
other refources, he could not have equipped himfelf for
the voyage, in order to pro^t by his lordfliip's inten-
tion, unlets I Ifad enabled him to purfue his good for-
tune.'*
Rekaldo was not a kittle pleafed to hear this ha-
rangue, to which Fathom replied with many fiorid en^
comiums upon the ufurer's good fenft; and humane dtf-
polition : Then he explained the errand of bis friepd,
which was to borrow three hundred pounds, in ordef
to retrieve his inheritance, of which he had been de-
frauded in his abfence.
*' Sir (faid the lender, addreffing himfelf to Count
Melvil), I pretend to have acquired by experience fome
fkill in phyllognoniy ; and thpugh there are fome faces
_ ,l,z<,i:,.,C00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 289
fo deeply dlfgoifed as to baffle all the peaetratioD of onf
art, there are others, iij which the heart appears with
luch Dakednds of integrity, as at once to recommend it
to our good will. I own your countenance prepoiTefles
ne in your foTour; and you Ihatl be accommodated,
upon thofe terms from wtuch I never deviate, provided
you can find proper fecurity, that you (ball not quit the
Britilb dominions, for that, wiEh me, is a condition^/M
g$ia Hon."
Th I s was a very difagreeable declaration to Renaldo,
who candidly owned, that, as his concerns lay upon the
•continent, his purpofe was to leave England without de-
Jay. The ufurer profeffed himfelf forry that it was not
in his power to oblige him ; and, in order to prevent
any farther importunity, aflured them, he had laid it
dowb as a maxim, from which he would never fwerve^
to avoid all dealings with people whom (if need Qiould
be) he could not fue by the laws of this realm.
Thus the intervention of one unlucky and uitfore.*
■ feen circumftance blafted in an inftailt the budding
hopes of Melvit, who, while his vifage exhibited the
moft forrowful difappointment, begged to know, if tlioc
was any perfon of his acquaintance who might be le&
fcrupulous in that particular.
The young gentleman dire^ed them to another
member of his profeiSon, and wifliing them fuccefs,
took his leave with 'great form and complaifance. This
tnllance of politenefs was, however, no more than a
(hitt to difengage himfelf the more ealily from their in*
treaties : For, when the cafe was opened to the fecond
ufurer, he bleiled himfelf from fuch cultomers, and dif-
miffed them with the moft mortifying and boorifli r&«
fiifal. Notwithftandiag thefe repulfes, Renaldo refol-
ved to make one defperate pufti ; and, without allowing
himfelf the leaft refpite, folicited, one by one, not fewer
than fifteen perfons who dealt in this kind of traffic,
and his propofals were rejei^ed by eacli. At tail, fa-
tigued b^ the toil, and cxal'pcrated at the ill fuccefs of
his expedition, and half mad with the re93lleflion of
his iinances, which were now drained to half a crown,
f Since we have nothing to expe^ (cried he) from the
favour of Chiiftians, let us have recourfc to the dcfcen-
z<,i:,., Google
{170 The ADVENTURES of
tients of Judah. Though they lie UDder the genei^
reproach of nations, as a people dead to virtue and be-
nevolence, and wholly devoted to avarice, fraqd, an4
extortion, the moft fa^age of their tribe cannot treat
me with more barbarity of indifierence, than I^havc ex-
perienced among thofe who are the atithors of their rcr
preach."
. Although Fathom looked upon this propofal q$
an extravagant fymptom of defpair, he affefted to ap-
prove of the fcheoie, and encouraged Renaldo with the
hope of lucceeding in another quarter, even if this ex-
pedition fliould fail : For, by this time, our adventurer
was half refolyed to export him at his own charge, ra-
ther than he ftioald be ipuch kjoger reilrifted in hi*
defigns upon Monimia.
Meanwhile, being refolved to try the experiment
Vpon the children of Ifrael, they betook tbemiclves to
' the houfe of a rich Jew, whofe wealth they confidered
3S a proof of his rapacioufnefs ; and, being admitted
into his count ing-hou('e, they found him in the. midft of
half a dozen clerks, when Renaldo, in his imagination,
likened hicn tinto a mini{ler of darknefs furrounded by
his familiars, and planning fchemes of mifery to be exe^r
cuted upon the haplefs fons of men. In fpite of thefc
fuggeftions, which were not at all mitigated by the for-
bidding afpeS of the Heta'ew, he demanded a private
audience ; and, being uQiered into another apartment,
he explained his bulinefs with manifefl marks of difor-
der and affli^ion. Indeed his confullpn was in fome
meafure owing to the looks of the Jew, who, in the
midft of his exordium, pulled down his -eye-brows,
which were furprifingly black and bufliy, fo as, in ap-
pearance, totally to extinguifh his yifage, though he
was all the time obferving our youth from behind thofe
ainioft impenetrable thickets.
Melvil, having fignified his requeft, *' Young
gentleman (faid the Ifraelite, with a moft difcordant
voice], what in the name of goodnefs could induce you
to come to me upon fuch an errand ? Did yoir ever heac
that I lent .money to ftrangers without fecurity i" " No
(fephed Renaldo), nor did I believe"! fliould profit by
Oiy application : J3ut my ^ftairs are delper^te ; and. tnjt
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FEftDmAND COUNt FATHOM. i^i
{iropofals having been rcjefted by every Chrirtian trf
whom they were ofiCTcd, I was refotved to try my fate
among the Jews, who arc reckoned another ipecies of
men."
FaThom, alarmed at this abrupt reply, which he
fuppofed could not ^il to difgufl the merchant, inter-
pofed in the converfatJon, by making an apology ftrf
the plain dealing of his friendj who, he faid, was foured
and ruffled by his misfortunes : Then exerting that
power'ttf eloquence which he had at command, he cx-
poftuIatfSd upon Renaldo's claim and expectations, de-
fcribed thS wtongs he had fuffered, e\toUed his Virtue,
and drew a nioft pathtflic pifture of his diftrefs.
The Jew liftencd atcenfively for fome time; then
his eye-tffows began to rife and fell alternately, he;
cough'd, fncez'd, and winking hard, " I'm plagued
(faid he), with a fait rheum (hat trickles from my eyes
without intermiflion." So faying, he wiped the moifture
from his face, and proceeded in thefe words: " Sir,
your ftory is plaufible ; and your friend is a good advo-<
cate: But, before I give an anfwer to your demand, f
mufl beg leave to aik if you can produce undeniable!
evidence of- your being the identical pcrfon you really
affume. If you arc really the Count de Melvil, you will
excufe my caution : We cannot be too much on our
guard againft fraud ; though I mull own you have not
the air of an impoftor,"
Renaldo's eyes began tofp^rkle at this preliminary
qucftion ; to which he replied, that he could procure
the teftimony of the emperor's minifter, to whom he
had occa5onalIy paid his refpc^ lince his firft arrival
in England.
" If that be the cafe (faid the Jew), take the trouble
to call here to-morrow morning at eight o'clock, anid I
will carry you in my own coach to the houfc of his ex-
cellency, with whom I have the honour to be acquainted }
and, if he has nothing to objeft againll your charafler or
pretenfions, I will contribute my alUflance towards your
obtaining juftlce at the imperial court."
The Hungarian was lb much confounded at this un-
expected reception, that he had not power to tliank the
merchant for bis promifed favour, but flood motioolefs
_ ,l,z<,i:,., Google
iyi Tit Adventures c/
md Tilent, irhile the ftrcams of gratitude ran doWH iui
cheeks. This genuine «[noti<»i of the heart was of
more weight vith the Jew, than the eloquent acknow^
ledgment which Ferdinand took the opportunitf of ma'
king for his friend; and he was h'ln to difmifs them a
litUe abruptly, in order to pcvent a fecond difcbargc of
that fame rheum of which he had already complained.
Melvil recollefted all that had happened as a
dream, which had tio foundation in truth, and was all
day loag in a fort of delirium, produced by tfte alter-
nate guKS of hope and fear that ftill agitated his bolbm )
for he was not yet withont apprehenCon of being agaio
difappdinted by fome unlucky occurrencei
He did not, howtver, &il to be pun^al to the hour
tt his af^intntent, when the Jew told bian therd
would be no occalion for vifiting the ambafiadw, be*
Caufe Renald6 had been, the preceding day, recogntfed
by one of the dlerks who had been employed as a pur-
veyor in the imperial army; and whoi knowing hb &*
imly, conSrmed every thing he had alleged- " After
breakfaft (continued this benevolent Ifraelite), I will
give you an order upon my banker for five hundred
pounds, that you may be ehabled tp appear at Vienna
as the (on. and reprefentative of Count Melvil j and you
Ihall alfo be furni flied with a letter of recommendation
to a perlbn of fome influence at that court, whofe
friendfhip and countenance may be of forac fcrrice to
your fuit J For I am dow heartily engaged in your in-
tereCl, in confequencc of the fair and onblemiihed dsu
ra^er ^Iiich I find yon bave hitherto maiataiHed."
The reader muft appeal to his own heart, to acquire
a juft idea of Renaldo's feelings, when every tittls of
tbele i^oinifes was fulfilled, and the merchant refuted
to take one farthing by way of premium, contenting
bimfelf with the Hender iecurity of a perfonal bond. He
viaSf in truth, overwhelmed with the obligation, and
certainty difpofed to believe that his beaelaftor ws9
Something more than hutnan. As for Fathom, bis fen-
timents took a different turn ( and he fcropled liot (a
impute all this kiadocft to fome deep-laid iaterefted
(cheme, the fcope of which he could not M prefeQt
comprehend.
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 473
After the tumults of the youDggcmleman's joy had
fubllded, and he found hioifelf eafed of that burdeo-
Ibme poverty under which he had groaned lb long, bis
thoughts, which before were difiipated upon the various
circum (lances of diftrcfs, began to coUeft thcmfeives in
a body, and to refume their dehberationa upon a fubjeA
which they had been long accuflomed to conlider ; this
was no other than the forlorn Monimla, whofe idea now
emerged in liis bofom, being difencumbcrcd of one part
of the load by which it had been deprelTcd. He men-
tioned her name to Fathom with marks of the molt
meltJng compaflion, deplored her apoftafy j and, vrhils
he protefted that he had divorced her for ever from his
heart, exprelTed an inclination to fee her once more be-
fore his departure, that he might in perfon exhort her
to penitence and reformation.
OoH adventurer, who dreaded fuch an interview as
the infallible means of liis own ruin, refifted the propo-
fal with the >vho(e power of his elocution. He affirm*
ed, that Rcnaldo's defire was a manifcft proof that he
ftill retained part of the fatal poifon which that in-
chantrefs had fpread within his veins; and that the ,
fight of her, foftened by his reproaches into tears and
affiiiterf contrition, would difpel his refentment, difable
bis manhood, and blow the embers of his former paflioti
to fach a rage, as would hurry him on to a reconci-
liationj which would debafe his honour, and rain his
future peace. In a word, Ferdinand defcribed the dan-
ger that would attend the meeting in fuch emphatic
terms, that the Hungarian ftarted With horror at the gjc-
ture which he drew, and in this particular conformed
with the admonition of his friend.
One hundred pounds of the Jew's money was immit'
diately appropriated for the payment of his molt urgent
debts; the like fnm he prefented to his friend Fathom,
with a folemn promife of Iharing with him'wbatcv^'
good fortune might await him in Germany : And
though Monimia had forfeited all title to his regard, fo
ill could he bear theprofpeft of her, diftrcfs, that he cn-
tnifted his dear companion with the half of what re-
jnaincd, to be expended for her ufe, Ajlty refolvine tp
Vol. iV. Mm'
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
274 ^^t ADVENTURES of
fcreen her from the fliocks and temptations of wantj as
the circumftaffCes of his future fate would allow.
Fathom, far from opl>ofing, applauded his genero-
fitv with marks of 'extreme wonder and admiration,
affijring him, that ihe Otonld be put in poffeflion of his
bounty immediately after his departore, he being un-
willing to make her acquainted ' with her good fortune
before that period, left, finding his affairs in a fair way
of being retrieved, flie fhould be bafe enough to wor-
fliip his returning profperity, and, by falfe profellions,
%'nd artful blandifhincnts, ^ek to enlharc his heart a-
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Caunt Fathom unmafles hit battery ; it repulfedi and-vO' '
rirj hit operations •iuithout efftEi.
EVERY neceflary prepuation being made, Renal-
do, accompanied by our adventurer, took the
ro»d to Dover, where he embarked in a packet boat for
Calais, after having fettled a eorrcfpondence with hij
dear Ferdinand, from whom he did not part without
tears. He had before foticited him to be his feilow-
trsveUer, that he might pcrfonaUy enjoy the benefit of
his converfation and (iiperierfagacity; but thcfe en-
treaties he ftrcHuoufly oppofed, on pretence of his be-
ing determined to [HiAi his fortune in Engfaiid, which
he confidered.as his native country, aad as the land in
ivbich (of aH -others) a man of merit has the beft encou-
tagemeat. Such were the reafons he alleged for refu-
iiiag to attend bis benefactor, who was himfelf eagerly
definniE of attaining a fettlemcnt in the iHand of <^eat
Britain: But.vur hero's rcat motives for ftaying were of
a Very different complexion;— ?The reader is already iiv
formed of his aim upon the fair orphan, which, at pre-
sent, was thechi^^rjag of his CDQdu<5t: He mayal/b
xecoUeS fuch paCages of his life, as were fufiicient to
deter him from le-appearing at Freiburg or -Vienna:
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 275
But, beCdes thcfe refleftions, he was detained by a fijB
perfuaCon that Renaldo would fink under the power
and influence of his antagonift, confequcntly be render-
ed incapable to provide for his friends; and that he
himfelf, fraught with wiles and experience as he waS)
«Ould not fail to make himfelf amends for what he had
fufiered among a people equally rich and unthinking.
Melvil having embraced our adventurer, and with
a deep figh bid him take care of the unfortunate Monl-
mia, committed hitnfelf to the fea, and, by the aflift-
ancc of a favourable gale, was, in four hours, fafely
- landed on the French fliore ; while Fathom took poft-
horfes for London, where he arrived that fame night,
and next day, in the forenoon, went to vifit the bcautc-
ons mourner, who had as yet received no intimation of
Renaldo's departure or defign. He found her in the
attitude of writing a letter to her inconfVant lover, the
contents of which the reader will be acquainted vith in
due time. Her countenance, notwithftanding the veil
of melancholy by which it was overcaft, feemed altoge-
ther fercnc and compofed ; flie was the pidlure of pious
rcfignation,aHi/_/ii//ii* Patience on a monument^fmilitig
at grief- After having paid the compliment of the
morning. Fathom begged pardon for having omitted
to vifit her during three days, in which, he faid, his
time had been wholly engrofled in procuring a proper
equipage for Count Melvil, who had at laft bid an eter-
nal adieu to the ifland of Great Britain.
At this information the hapleis Monimia fell hack
in her chair, and continued fome minutes in a fwoon ;
from which being recovered, " Excufeme, Mr Fathom
(cried ihe, with a deep figh) ; this, I liope, is the lafl:
- agony I fljall fed from my unhappy paflion." — Then
wiping the tears from her lovely eyes, flie retrieved her
tranquillity, and defired to know by what means Re-
naldo had bc^n enabled to undertake his jpurney into
the empire. Our hero, upon this occafion, alTumed
the whole merit of having promoted the interell of his
friend, by giving her to underhand, that he, in confe-
quence of an unforefeen windfall, had defrayed the ex-
pcnce of the count's equipment ; tbough he obfcrvcd,
^lailizodbvGoOglf
2^6 The ADVENTURES of
that it was not without reludance he faw Rcnaldo make
a wrong ufe of his fricndfliip.
« Although 1 was happy (proceeded this artful
traitor) in being able to difchargc my obligations to the
houfe of Melvil, I could not help feeling the moft fen-
fiblc chagrin, when I faw my aflif^ance rendered fub-
fervicnt to the triumphs of the youth's bafenefs and in-
, fidelity 'y for he chofe, as the companion of his travels,
the abandoned woman for whom he had forfaken the
all-pcrfeft Monimia, whofe virtue and accompliQimcnts
did not preferve her facred from his ungrateful larcafms
and unmannerly ridicule. Believe me. Madam, I was
io fhoclted at his conveTfation on that fubjeft, and fo
much tnccnled at his want of delicacy, that my temper
was fcarce fufficient for the ceremony of parting : And
now that my debt to his family is overpaid, I have fo-
Icmnly renounced his correrpondenee,"
Whex fhe heard that, inftead of betraying the leaft
fymptom of regret or compaffion for her unhappy fate,
the perfidious youth had exulted over her fall, and even
made her a fubjeft for his mirth, the blood revifited her
faded cheeks, and refentmcnt reftored to her eyes that
poignancy which forrow had before overcoine. Yet fhe
fcorned to give fpeech to her indignation \ but, forcing
a fmile, " Why fhould I repine (faid flic) at the mor-
tifications of a life which I defpifc, and from which, I
hope. Heaven fpeedily will fet me free !"
Fathom, fired by her emotion, which had recalled
all the graces of her beauty, exclaimed in a raptur?,
*' Talk not fo contemptuoufly of this life, which hath
ftill a fund of happinefs in fiore for the amiable, the
divine Monimia. Though one admirer hath proved
an apoftate to his vows, your candour will not fufier
you to condemn the whole fex. Some there are, whofc
bofoms glow with paflion equally pure, unalterable, and
intenfc. For my own part, I have facrificed to a rigid
pun^Iio of honour the deareft ideas of my heart. I
beheld your unrivalled charm^, and deeply felt their
power : Yet, while a poffibiiity of Melvil's reformation
iremained, and while I was reftrained by my niggard
fortune from making a tender worthy of your accept-
itnce, I combated with my inclinations, and bore with-
DiailizodbvGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 277
it repining the pangs of hopclcTs love. But, now that
y honour is difengaged, and my fortune rendered io-
:pcndcnC, by the la(t will of a worthy nobleman, whofe
icndfliip I was favoured with in France, I prclumc to
ty myfelf at the feet of the adorable Monimia, as the
10ft faithful of admirers, whofe happinefs or mifery
'holly depends upon her nod. Believe mc. Madam,
hefc arc not the profeflions of idle gallantry — I fpeak
he genuine, though imperfedl, language of my heart :
Words, e:vea the tnoft pathetic, cannot do juftice to my
love. I gaze upon your beauty with ravifliintnt ; but
I contemplate the graces of your foul with fuch awful
veneration, that I tremble while I approach you, as if
my vows were addrciTed to fomc fupcrior being."
DtJRiNG this declaration, which was pronQunced in
the mod emphatic manner, Monimia was fuccellively
agitated with Ihame, anger, and grief; neverthelefs, Ihe
fummoned her whole philofophy to her aid, and with a
tranquil, though determined air, begged he would not
diminilh the obligations he had already conferred, by
difturbing with fuch unfeafonable addreflcs a poorua-
happy maid, who had detached all ba thou^ts &om
earthly objeib, and waited impatiently for that difTo-
lution which done could put a po-iod to her misfor-
Fathom, imagining thatthefe were DO other than die
fuggeftions of a temporary difappointment and defpon-
dence, which it was his bulinefs to oppofe with ^1 his
eloquence and art, renewed his theme with redoubled
ardour, and at lad became fo importunate in his de-
fires, that Monimia, provoked beyond the power of
concealing her refentment, faid, Ihe was heartily forry
to find herfelf under the neceffity of telling him, that,
in the midfl of her misfortunes, fhe could not help re-,
membering what Hie had been. Then rifing firom her
feat, with all the dignity of difpleafure, *' Perhaps (added
Ihe) you have forgot who was the father of the once
happy Monimia."
With thefe words' fhe retired into another chamberi
leaving our adventurer confounded by the repulfe he
had fuitaincd. Not that he was difcouraged &om pro-
fecvtiHg his aim : On the contrary, this rebuff fcemeiL
^oiizodbyGoogle
278 The ADVENTURES (/
to add &efh vigour to his operations. He now thoo^t
it high time to bring over Madam la Mer to his intereftj
andt to facilitate her converHon, took: an opportunity
of bribing her with Ibme inconfiderabte prefents, after
having amufed her with a plaufible tale of his paJ£on
for Monimia, vith whom flie und«Ttook the office of
his mediatrix, od the fuppolltioo that his intentions
were honourable and highly advantageous to her lodger.
She was, firft of all, invefted with the office of ob-
taining pardon for the offence he had given ; and ia
this negotiation fhe fucceeded fo well as to become aa
advocate for his fiiit : Accordingly, fhe took all occa-
fions of magnifying his praife. His agreeable perfott
was oktn the fubje^ of her difcourfc to the fair mourn-
er : Her admiration dwelt upon his politeji^s, good
fenfe, and winning deportment i And Ihe evay day rcr-
tailed little fiories of his benevolence and greatncfs of
foul. The defeft in his birth flie repfcfentcd as a cir-
cumftance altogether foreign ftom the contideration.of
his merit -, efpecially in a nation where fucb diflin^ons
are as little refpe^cd as they will be in a fiuurc (late.
She mentioned feveral perfons of note, who baiked in
the fun-lhine of power and fortune, without having
enjoyed the leaft hereditary afliftance from their fore-
fathers. One, fhe fatd, fpKung from the loins of aa
obfcure attorney, another was the mndfon of a valet
de chambrc, a third was the iffue of an accountapt, and
* fourth the od^pring of a woolcn-4raper : All thefe
were, the children of their own good works, and had
raifed themfclvcs upon their perfonal virtues and adr
drefs -, a foundation certainly more folid and honour-
able than a vague inheritance derived from^nceflors, in
whofe deferts they could not be fuppofed to have bore
the leaft Ihare.
MoNiMijt liftened to all thefe ailments with great
patience and affability, though Ihe at once dived into
the foiurce from which all fuch inlinuations flowed : She
joined in the cofnmendations of Fathom, and owned
herfelf a particular inftance Of that benevolence which
the old lady had fo juftly extolled ; but, once for all, to
prevent tl^ fupplication which Madam la Mer was
^rotit to make, Ihe folcmnly protefted, that her heart
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 279
was altogether ihut againfl any other earthly engage-
ment ; and that her thoughts were altogether employed
Upon her eternal falvation.
The ainduous landlady, perceiving the fteadinefs of ,
her difpofition, thought proper to alter her method of
proceeding, and for the prefent fufpended th^t theme
' by which flie found her fair lodger difobliged. Refol-
ded to reconcile Monimia to life, before ihe would again
recommend Ferdinand to her love, Ihe endeavoured to
amufe her imagination, by recounting the occaConal
incidents of the day, hoping gradually to decoy her at-
tention to thofc fublunary objefls firom which it had
been induftrioufly weaned : She feafoned her converfa-
tion with agreeable fallies ; enlarged upon the different
fccncs of plcafure and divcrfion appertaining to this
great metropolis ; praflifed upon her palate with the
delicacies of eating ; endeavoured to (hake her tempe-
tancc with repeated profitrs and recommendations of
certain cordials and reftor.itives whicli (he alleged were
neccflary for tlie recovery of her health ; and prcffcd
her to make little cxcurfions into the fields that ikirt
the town, for the benefit of air and exercife.
While this auxiliary pli^ the difconfolatc Moni-
mia on one hand, Fathom-was not remifs on the other :
He now feemed to have facrificed his paiHon to her
quiet ; his difcourfc turned upon more indifferent fub-
jefts i he endeavoured to difpci her melancholy with
ailments drawn from philofophy and religion: On
tome occafions, he diffdaycd all his fund of good hu-
mour, with a view to beguile her foixow; he impor-
taned her to give htm the plcafure of 'fquiring her to
ibme place of innocent entertainment ; and, finally, in- ~
lifted upon her accepting a pecuniary reinforcement to
her finances, which he knew to be in a moft confump-
tive condition.
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2io The ADVENTURES of
CHAPTER XLIX
Monimli^s honour it proteBed by the inttrpo^tan of Hea^
YT TTTH that complacency and fortitodc which were
Yy peculiar to hcrfelf, this haplefs llranger rdift-
ed all thofe artful temptaitons. Her fuflenance was
barely fuch as exempted her from the guilt of being ac-
ceffory to her own death ; her drink was the fimplo ele-
ment : She encouraged no difcourfe but that which
turned upon the concerns of her immortal part ; fhe
never went abroad, except in vifits to a French cWpel
in the neighbourhood ; fhe refuted the proffered aJBfl-
ancc of our adventurer with equal obftlnaCy and polite-
nefi, and with pleafure faw herfclf waAing towards that
period of mortality which was the confummation of her
wifh. Yet her charms^ far (rom melting away with
her conftitution, fcemcd to triumph over the decays of
nature : Her Ibape and features ftiU retaioed that har-
mony for which they had always been difllnguifhed : A
mixture of majefty and fweetnefs difiufed itfelf in her
looks, and her feeblenefs added to that foft and femi-
nine grace which attracts the fympathy, and engages
. the proteftion ' of every humane beholder. The aflo-
ciatcs, thus baffled in their attempts to excite her ideas
of pleafure, again fhifted their plan, and refolvcd to
attack this forlorn beauty on the Ude of fear and mor-
tification.
Our adventurer became lefs frequent in his vilics,
and more indifferent in his language and deportment ;
while Madam la Mer gradua% relaxed.in that compla-
cency and refpefl with which Jhe had hitherto behaved
towards her fair lodger. She even began to drop hints
of difapprobation and reproach againft this pattern of
innocence and beauty, and at length grew bold enough '
to tell her, that her misfortunes could be attributed to
nothing but her own obftinacy and pride ; that fhe had
been at great pains to difoblige the only perfbn who was
able and willing to raife her above dependence; and' that.
^olizodbyGoOglc
Ferdinand count fathom, asi
it his [note^tion ihbuld be withdrawn, flie mutl be ez-
poled to the utmoft extremity of diftrefs.
These inliimatioiis, inftead of producing the de-
fircd eff^, inBaiQCd the indignation of Monimia, who,
in a moft dignified ftile of rebuke, chid her for her in-
delicacj and prefumotioD) obfirving, that Ihe could
have no title to titke Aich freedoms with lodgers, whofe
pan£hialit}r and regular depottment left her no room to
complain. Notwithftanding this animated repl^, flie
underwent the moll deplorable anguilh, when (he re*
fleeted dpoa the infolence of this woman, from whofe
barbarity Ihe had no refource ; and feeing no other
{wlEbility of rcdrefs, than that of appealing to the good
sfficcs of Fathom, 'the conquered her rehiftance fo &r»
•s to complain to him of Madam la Mer's incivility.
Pleased with this application, he gave her to un-
derftand, with very little ceremony or preamble, that
it wholly depended upon berfelf, whether Ihe Qiould
Bontioue to be wretched, or be delivered at once &om
all her cares and perplexity ; that, notwithftanding the
difdain with which {he had treated his addreflb, he
was (till ready to lay himfelf and his fortune at her
feet } and that, if fhe fhould again rejeA the diCntereft-
«d [tfopofal, the whole world and her own confcience
wouid charge upon hcrfelf whatever calamities {he might
be fiJbjefted to in the fequel. Interpreting into a fa-
vourable hejitation her lilence, which was the refult of
Irrath and amazement, he proceeded to throw himfelf
at her feet, and utter a romantic rhapfody, in the courle
bt which, laying slide all that reftraint which he had
Utherto preferved, he feized her delicate hand, and
preffcd it to bis lips ; nay, fo £ir did he forget himfelf
to this occafion, that he caught the bir creature in his
arms, and rudely ravilhed a kifs from thofe lips which
he had before contemplated with the moll diftant r^
Terence of defire.
Having thus broken down the fences of decorum,
and being heated with tranfport, he, in all probability,
would have a^ed the part of young Tarquin, and via*
htcd, by force, that facred fhrine of honour, beauty, and'
UnblemiOied truth, had not the wntth kindled by fuch.
an unexpcAed outrage, infpired her with flrengih and
Vol. IV. . N n
DiailizodbvGoOgle
aSi n* ADVENTlfRES 0/
spirits Sufficient to protect her Tirtue,' and intimiJaU
, the ruffian who could offer violence to fiich perfcflion.
She broke from his detdlcd embrace with furprifing
agility, and called aloud to her landlady for affiftance ;
but thai difcrcet matron was refolved to hear nothing,
and Fathom's appetite being whetted to a moft brutal
degree of eagcmcTs, " Madam (faid he), all oppoQtion
is vain : What you have refiifed to my intreaties, you
Ihall yield to my power ; and I am determined to forccf
you to your own advantage."
So faying, he Iprung towards her, with the moft
favage and impious intent, when this amiable heroine
fnatching up his fword, which lay upon a by-iaUe, and
unlhcathing it inftantaneoufly, prefented the point to
his breaft, and while her «yes glanced with intolerabl«
beennefs, " Villain ! (cried (he), the fpirit of my fatter
animates my bofom^ and the vengeance of heaven fhall
not be fhil^rated." He was not fo much affefted b^
his bodily danger, as awe-ftruck at the manner of her
addrefs, and the appearance of her alpcft, which feem-
ed to Ihine with fomething ftipernaturat, and actually
difordered his whole faculties, info much that he re-~ .
treated without attempting to mate the leaft reply ^ and
ihe, having fecured the door after his departure, lat
down to ponder upon this.lhocfcing event.
Words arc wanting to defcrifac the accumulated
liorrors that took polTeQion of her mind,- when {he
thus be'ield all her prefaging fears realized, and found
hcpfclf at the mercy of two wretches, who had now
pulled off the maifc, after having loft all fentiments of
humanity. Common affli^ion was an agreeable reveriei
to what flie fuffered, deprived of her parents, exiled
from her friends and country, reduced to the brink of
wanting the moft indirpenfable neceffaries of life, in a
foreign land, where Ihe knew not one perlbn to whofc'
proteflion flie could have rccourfc, from the inex^ '
preffiblc woes that environed her : She complained to
Heaven, that her life was protraftcd, for the augments-'
tion of that mtfcry- which was already too fevere to be
endured ; for flie ftiuddered at the profpcft of being
utterly abandoned in the laft ftagc of mortality, with-
out one friend to clofc Ucr eyes, or do the laA offices of
. Mz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 283
hunumity to her breathlefs corfe. Thefe were drmdfbl
rcfle^ons to a young lady who had been bom to afflo-
pnce and fplendor, trained up in all the elegance of e-
ducation, by nature fraught with that fenfibility which
refines the fcntimcnt and tafle, and fo tenderly cherifb-
ed by her indulgent parents, that tbeyfuffered not tht
•winds ^heaven to vifit her fact too nugblj.
Having palled the night in fiich agony, She roTe at
day-break, and hearing the chapel belt toll for morning
prayers, refolved to go to this place of worlhip, in or-
der to implore the allifbince of Heaven : She no fooncr
opened her chamber door, with this intent, than Ihe
' was met by Madam la Mer, who, after having pTofeScd
her concern for what- had happened over night, and
imputed Mr Fathom's nidenefs to the fpirit of intoxica-
tion, by which (he had never before fccn him pofieCed,
the endeavoured to diflbade Monimla from her purpofe,
by obferving, that her health would be prejudiced by
(he cold morning air ; but finding her determined, fhc in-
lifted upon accompanying her to chapel, on pretence of
refpcA) though, in reality, with a view to prevent the
efcapc of her beauteous lodger. Thus attended, the bap-
lefs moiimer entered the place, and, according to the
laudable hofpitality of England, which is the only coun^
try in Chrlftendom where a ftranger is not made wd>r
come to the houle of God, this amiable creature, ema-
ciated and enfeebled as fhe was, muft have flood in %
common paflage during the whole fervice, had not fhe
been perceived by a humane gentlewoman, who, fhnclc
with her beauty and dignified air, and melted with fym-
pathy at the ineffable forrow which was vifibic in her
countenance, opAied the pew in which fhe fat, and ac-
commodated Mohimia and her attendant : If Ihe was
captivated by her firft appearance, fhe was not leTs af-
fefled by the deportment of her fair gueft, which was
the pattern of genuine devotion.
In a word, this good lady, who was a merchant's
widow in opulmt circumflances, was inffamed with a
longing defire to know and befriend the amiable Gran-
ger, who, after fervice, turning about to thank her for
her civility, Madam Clement, with that franknefs which
if the refult of true benevolence, told her, fhe was toci
DiailizodbvGoOgle
z84 «* ADVENTURES ./
much prepoficfled in her favour, to let flip this oppvt-t
tnnity of craving htr acquaintimcc, and of exprcfling
ber indination to allcriate (if pt^ble) that a:6^£tion
irhich was nuutifeft in her looks.
MoNiMiA, overwhelmed with gratitude and furprils
at this unczpcfked addrcfs, gazed upon the lady in fi-
lencc, and when the repeated her tenders of ferrice,
could make no other reply to her gDodQefs, than by
burfHng into a flood of tears : This was a fbecies of c-
loquencc which did n0t pals unregarded by Madam
Clement, who, while her own eyes were bedewed with
the drops of fympatby and compaflion, took the lovely
orphan by the hand, and led her, without further ce-
remony, to her own foach, that flood waiting at tha
door, whither they were followed by Mrs la Mer, who
was fo much confounded at the adventure, that £he
made no objeAions to the propofal of the lady, who
handed her lodger into the carriage i but retired, with
all poSible difpatch, to make Fathom acquainted with
this unforpfeen event.
Meanwhile the agitation of Monlmla, at this
providential deliverance, was fucb as had well nigh
deftroyed her tender firame : The blood fiuflicd and
fbrfook her cheeks by turns ; jhe trembled from head
to foot, notwithllanding the confolatory afliirances of
Madam Clement, and, without being able to utter one
word, was conduflcd to the houfe of that kind benc-
feftrcfs, where the violence of her tranfports over-
powered her conftitution, and flie funk down upon a
couch in a fwoon, from which fli$ was not eafily recover-
ed. This afFeAing circumftance augmented the pity, and
intcrefted the curiofity of Madam Clement, who con-
sluded there was fomething very extraordinary in the
cafe of the fh^nger, to produce thefe agonies; and
grew impatient to hear the particulars of her ftory.
MoHiMiA no fooner retrieved the ufc of her facul-
ties, than looking around, and obferving with what
humane concern her new Koflefs was employed in ef-
fe^ng her recovery, f< Is this (faid fhe) a flattering il-
lufion of the brain ? qr am I really under the protec-
tion of fomc' beneficent being, whom Heaven hath in-
fpired with gcnerolity to rctcue an baplefs ftranger
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAKD COUNT FATHOM. 285
from the moft forlorn ftate of mifery asd woe ?" Her
voice was at all times raviOungly fweet ; and this ex-
clamation was pronounced with fuch pathetic fervour,
that Madam Clement dapfed her in her arms, and
killing her with all the eageniefs of maternal affeflion,
" Tes (cried {he), fair creature, heaven hath beftow-
ed upon me an heart to compainpnatc, and powers I
hope, to lighten the burden of your forrows,"
She then prevailed upon her to take Tome noorifli-
ment, and afterwards to recount the particulars of her
hte ; a tafk fhe performed with fuch accuracy and cito-
dour, that Madam Clement, far from fuTpefting her
fincerlty, faw tmth and convi£tionin ever^ circumftance
of her tale ; and, having condoled her misfortunes, en-
treated her to forget them, or at leaft look upon hcrfelf
as one flieltered under the care and tuition of a perTon
whole ftudy it would be to fupply her want of natural
parents. This would have been an happy viciflitude of
fortune, had it not arrived too late; but fuch a fudden
and unlocked for tranlition, not only difordcred the fa-
Cultiet of poor Monimia's mind, but alfo overpowered
the organs of her body, already fatigued and enfeebled
by the didreflcs Ihe had undergone ; fo that fhe was ta-
ken ill of a fever that fame night, and became dcKrious
before morning, when a phyfician was called to her af-
^ftancc.
While this gentleman was in the houfe. Madam
Clement was vlfited by Fathom, who, after having com-
plained in the moft injlnuating manner, that fhe had en-
couraged his wife to abandon her duty, told her a plau-
fible ftory of his Srft acquaintance with Monimia, and
his marriage at the Fleet, which, he faid, he was ready
to prove by the evidence of the clci^man who joined
them, and that of Mrs la Mer, who was prefeni at the
ceremony. The good lady, although a little ftaggered
at the genteel appearance and engaging addrefs of this
ftranger, could not prevail upon hcrfelf to bcheve that
flic had been impofed upon by her fair lodger, who, by
. this time, had given too convincing a proof of her iln-
cerJty ; neverthelcfs, in order to prevent any difputc
that might be prejudicial to the health or recovery of
Monimia, jhe gave him to underftand, that Jhe would
^olizodbyGoOglc
»«6 r%f ADVENTURES cf
not at [H^fcnt enter upon the merits of the cauje, but
only affiire him, that the young lady was afhially bereft
of her fenfes, and in imminent danger of her life ; foi
the truth of which aflertious Hie would appeal to his
own obfervatlDn, and the opinion of the phyfician, who
was then employed in writing a prefcription for the cure
of her difcafe.
So l~aying, fhe condufled him into the chamber.
Inhere he beheld the haplefs virgin ftrctched upon a {ick
bed, panting under the violence of a diftemper too
jnighCy for her weakly frame, her hair difhcvelled, aoj
difcompofure in her looks ; all the rofcs of her youtb
were faded, yet all the graces of her beauty were not
fled : She retained that fweetnels and fymmctry, which
death itlelf could not del^roy ; and though her difcourffl
was incoherent, her voice was ftill mufical, refcmbling
thofe feathered fongAers who warble their native fvoa4-'
notes wild. '
Fathom, as upon all other occasions, fo on this,
did behave like an inimitable ?€b>r ; he ran to the bed-
fide^ with alt the trepidation of a dlftrafled lover ; he
fell upon his knees, and white the tears rolled down hts
(heeks, imprinted a thoufand kilTes on the foit hand of
^onimia, who regarding him with a lack luftre and un-
diHinguilhing eye, " Alas ! Renaldo (laid Oie], we were
bom to \x unhappy," " Would to heaven ! (cripd Fer-
dinanif, in a tranjport <^ griof) the wretch Renaldo had
oevcr been born ! that is the villain who feduced the afc
le£lion of (his unfortunate woman, I^admitted the trai-
tor into my ftiendlhip and confidence, relieved him in
his necclGties % and, like the ungrateful viper, he hath
fiung the verybofom that cheri&ed him in his djftrefs."
Then he proceeded to inform Madam Clement how he
had delivered that fame Renaldo from prifon, maintain^
ed him afterwards at a' great expence^ and, at length,
^milhed him with a fam of money and proper cre-
dentials to fupport his intereft at the Court of Vienna.
Having finiflied this detail, he aflced the phyfician'a
fentiments of his wife's diftemper, and being told that
her hfe was in extreme jeopardy, begged he woald ufe
his utmofl endeavours in her behalf, and even made hint
* tender of •"> extraordinary fee, which was reiiifed ;
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
fERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. Hf
He alfo thanked Madam Clement for her charity and
benevolence towards a ftrangcr, and took his leave with '
many polite profefiions of gratitude and eftecm. He
bad nofooner quitted the houfe, than thdphylician, who
was a humane man, and a foreigner, bCgan to cautioii
the lady aga&ift his infinuations, oI:^erving, that fomc
circumftanccs of the flory concerning Renaldo, were,
to his particular knowledge, contrary to truth | for tEac
he himfelf had been applied to for letters of recommen-
dation, in behalf of Count Melvil, by a Jew merchant
t>f his acquaintance, who had lupplied the young gentle-
man with money fufficient for bis occasions, in confe-'
quence of a midute inquiry he had made into the cha-
ra^er of Renaldo, who wasj by all reports, a youth of
ftrifl honoui' and untainted morals.
Mad4U Clement, thus cautioned, entered into
deliberation with her own thoughts, and comparing the
particulars of this account with thofe of Monimia's own
ftory, flic concluded that Fathom was the very traitor
be himfelf had defcribed ; and that he had, by abufing
the confidence of both, effected a fatal breach betweea
two innocent and deferving lovers. She accordingly
looked upon him with horror and dcteflation ; but ne-
Tcrthclefs refolded to treat him with civility in the mean
time, that the poor young lady might not be difturbect
in her lafl moments ; for ihe had novr, lol^ all hopes of
her recovery. Yet the fever abated, and in two days
fhe retrieved the ufc of her reaibn : Though the diflcm-
per had affiled her lungs, and {he was in alt appear-
ance doomed to linger a few weeks longer in a confum^^
tion.
Fathou was punctual in his villtation, though never
admitted into her prefence after the delirium vanifhed }
and he had the opportunity of feeing her conveyciJ in a
chariot to Ktinfington Gravel-pits, a place which may
be termed the la{l ftage of many a mortal peregrination.
He now implicitly believed that death would in a few
days baffle all his defigns upon the unfurtunatc Moni-
mia ; and forefeeing, that, as he hsd owned himfelf her
hufband, he might be obliged to defray the expence in-
curred by her iicknefs and burial, he v^ery prudently in-
DiailizodbvGoOgle
aA8 nt ADVENTURES «/
termitted in his vifits, and had rcconrie to the intell!"
gcncc of his auxiliary.
As for Monimia, Ihe approached the goal of life, not
fimply with rcfignationj but with rapture i She enjoyed
in tranqiiillity the couverfation <^ her kind benefaftrelfl)
who never ftirrcd horn her apartment ; ihe was blefled
with the fpiritual confslation of a worthy clergjmaDj
who removed all her religiouS' fcruples j and ihe con*
gratulated herfelf on the near profpe^ of that land of
peace where forfow is not known.
At length Mrs la Mer gave notice to our adventurer
of this amiable ^ung lady's dcceafe, and the time fimcd
for the interment : Upon which thefe two virtuous aC>
fociaccs took poflefflon of a place, from whence thef
could, unperceived, behold the funeraL He muft havtf
a hard heart, who, without an emotion of pity, can fee
the laA offices performed to a young creature cut off lA
the flower ofiyouth and beauty, even though he knows
not her name, and is an utter llranger to her virtual
How caHous then muft the foul of that wretch have
been, who, without a fymptom of rerhorfe or concern^ '
law the fable hcarfc adorned with white plumes, as cm"
blcms of Monimia's purity, pafs before him, while her
incomparable merit ftood fuU in his remembrance, and
he knew himfelf the wicked caufe of her untimely
£ifel
Perfidious wretch ! thy crimes turn out (b atro-
cious, that I half repent me of having undertaken to
recoil thy memoirs ^ yet fuch monfters ought to be ez'
hibited to public view, that mankind may be upon their
guard againll impoflurc ; that the world may fee how
Araud is apt to ovcrihoot itfetf i and that, as virtue, tho'
it may fuffer for a while, will triumph in the end, fb
iniquity, though it may profpcr for a feafon, will at laft
be overt^en hy that puiuihment and difgrace wiuch arc
its due.
^olizodbyGoOglf
^EkDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 289
CHAPTER L.
Fathom Jhifts thefcene, and appears in a new charaBtr,
FATH0M*3 expeftatioDs, with refpcft to the feir
orphan, having thus proved abortive, lie loft' no
time in bewailing his mifcairiage, but had immediate
recourfc to other means of improving his fmali fortune,
which, at this period, amounted to near two hundred
pouijds. Whatever inclination he had to refume the
thara£ter he had formerly bore in the polite world, he
durll not venture to launch out again into the expence
ncceflary to maintain that ftation, bccaufc his former
refources were now flopped, and all the people of fafhion
by this time convinced of his being a needy adventurer.
Neverthelefs, he refolved to found the fentiments of his
old friends at a diftance, and judge, from the -reception
he Ihould meet with, how far he might prefume upon
their countenance and favour : For he rightly fuppofed,
that, if he could in any Ihape contribute to their in-
tereft or amufement, they would eafily forgive his for-
mer pretcnfions to quality, arrogant as they were, and
ftill entertain him on the footing of a necelTary acquain-^
tance.
With this view, he one day prefented ' himfelf at
court in a very gay fuit of cloaths, and bowed, at a
diftance, to many of his old fafliionable friends of both
fexes, not one of whom favoured him with any other
notice, than that of a quarter curt'fy, or llight inclina-
tion (^ the head : For, by this time, the few that re-
membered him knew from what retirement he now
emerged, and avoided him accordingly as the Jail infec-
tion : But the greater part of thofe who had cultivated
him in the zenith of his fortune were now utter ftran-
gers to his perfon, which they had aftually forgot, a-
mldft the fucceflion of novelties that furrounded them j
or, if they did recollect his name, it was remembered
as an old falhion which had been many months out of
date.
Vol.. IV. O o
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
29© Th ADVENTURES of
.KoTWiTHSTANDiNG thcfc mortifying difcouRige-
ments, our hero, that fame evening, eScftcd a lodge-
ment in a certain gaming-houle n'ot£irfromStJames'5i
and, as he played pretty high, and made a parade of
his ready inoncy, he was foon recognized by divers pcr-
fons of confequence, who cordially welcomed him to
" Ii!ng1and, on pretence of believing he had been abroad,
and with great complacency repeated their former pro-
feffions of friendihip. Though this was a certain way of
retaining the favour of thofe worthies, while his finances
continued to flourifli, and his payments were prompt,
he knew the weaknefs of his funds too well, to think
they could bear the viciflitudes "'of play; and the re-
membrance of the two Britilh knights who had fpoiled
him at Paris hung over his imagination with the mod
frightful prefages : Bcfides, he perceived that gaming
was now managed in fuch a manner, as rendered {kiU
and dexterity of no advantage : For the fpirit of play
having overfpread the land, like a peftilcnce, raged to
fuch a degree of madnefs and defperation, that the nn-
happy people who were infected, laid afiJe all thoughts
ofamufement, economy, oi; caution, and risked their
fortunes upon ilTues equally extravagant, childilh, and
abfurd.
The whole myftery of the art was reduced to the
itmple exercife of toffing up a guinea, and the luft of
laying wagers, which they indulged to ,a furprifing pitch
of ridiculous intemperance. In one corner of the room
might be heard a p:iir of lordlings running their grand-
mothers againft each other; that is, betting fums on the
longeft liver ; in another the fucccfs of the wager de-
pended upon the fex of the landlady's next child ; and
one of the waiters happening to drop down iii an apo-
pleflic fit, -a certain noble peer exclaimed, " Dead for ,
a thoufand pounds." The challenge was immediately
accepted ; and when the mader of the houfe fent for a
furgeon to attempt the cure, the nobleman who fet the
price upon the patient's head, inhfted upon his being
left to the efforts of nature alone, oiherwife the wager
fhoutd be void : Nay, when the landlord harped upoa
the lofs he ihould fuibin by the death of a trufty fec-
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 3^9.1
vant, ills lordihip obviated the objet^ion, b^ de&ring
that the fellow might be charged in the bill.
In Ihort, the rage of galniog feetned to have devour-
ed all their other faculties, and to have equalled the
ra(b enthufiafm of the inhabitants of Malacca in the
.£a{t Indies, who arc fo poCelled with that pernicious
i~pirit, that they facrifice to it not only their fortunes,
but alfo their wives and children ; and then letting their
bair down upon their Ihoulders, in imitation of the an-
cient Lacedemonians when they devoted themfetvcs to
death, thofe wretches unflicathe their daggers, and mur-
der every IiTing creature in their way. In this, how-
ever, they differ ironi the gamefters of our country,
who never find their fenfes, until they have loft their
fortunes, and beggared their families ; whereas the Ma-
. layfe never run a mud, but in confequence of jnifery
and defpair.
Such are the amofcments, or rather fuch is the
■ continual employment of thofe hopeful youths who
are deftined by birth to be the judges of our property,
and pillars of our conftitution : Such arc the heirs
and reprefentatives of thofe pjatriota who planned, and
thofe heroes who maintained, the laws and freedom
of their country; who were the patrons of merit, the
fathers of the poor, the terror of vice and immorality,
and at once the oniaments and fuppq^t of an happy _
\rith his wonted fagacity, and feeing upon what preca-
rious f^opfing he muft ftand, fhouid he rank bimfelf
with fuch Ippi^ty* ^^ wifely came to the refolution of
defcending one Asp in the degrees of life, and of ta-
king upon him^ the. title' of phy&:ian, under which he
'did not defpair of infinuating himfelf into the pockets
- of his patients, and into the fecrets of' private fafnilies/
fo as to acquire a comfortable iliare of praAice, or cap-'
tivate the heart of fome heirefs or rich widow, whofe
. fortune would at once render him independent and
happy. '
After this determination, his next care was to.,
concert meafures for his firtt appearance in this new
character j well knowing, that the fuccefs of a phyli^
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
apa The ADVENTURES af
chOy in a great meafbrc, depends upon the external
cc{uipage in which he firft declares hini{elf an adept in
the healing art. He firft of all procured a few books
on the AibjeA of medicine, which he ftudicd with
great attention during the remaining part of the win-
ter and fpring, and repaired to Tunbridge with the
firft of the feafon, where he appeared in the uniform
of ^fculapius, namely, a plain fuit, full trimmed,
with a voluminous tyc pcmwig; believing, that, in
this place, he might glide as it were imperceptibly
into the functions of his new employment, and gra-
dually accuftom bimfelf to the method and form of
prcfcription.
A MAN fowell known in the gay world could not
be fuppofed to effcft fuch a transformation without be-
ing <Afervcd ; and therefore, in order to anticipate the
cenftire and ridicule of thofe who might be tempted
to make themfelves merry at his expence, he, on
his arrival at the wells, repaired to the fhbp of an
apothecary, and calling for pen, ink, and paper, wrote
a prcfcription, which he defired might be immedi-
ately made up. While this was doing by the fer-
vant, he was invited into a parlour by the mafter,
with whom he entered into converfation touching
the properties of the Tunbridge-water, which feemcd
to have been his particular ftudy ; and indeed he had
perufcd Rauzee's trcatifc on that ftibjcft with indefati- .
gable affiduity. From this theme, he made digreffions
into other parts of medicine, upon which he fpoke with
fuch pl^ufible elocution, that the apothecary, whofc
knowledge in that art was not very profound, looked
upon him as a phyfictan of great learning and expe-
rience, and hinted a defire of knowing his name and
fituatipn.
Fathom accordingly gave him to underftand, that
he had ftudied phyfic, and had taken his degrees at Pa-
dua, rather for his amufcment, than with any view of
cxercifing medicine, as he then could not poffibly fore-
fee the misfortunes which had fincc happened to his
family, and by which he was now compelled to have
rccouife to a profeflion that was very much beneath the
expectations of his birth. Tct he bore hisdifappotDt-
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ap3
ments with rcfignation, and even good humour, atid
bleflcd his ftars for having inclined him to the ftudy of
ATjj branch of knowledge by which he might be en-
abled to laugh at the viciffitudes of fortune. He then
obferVed, that he had praftifed with fome applaufe at
the hot well near Briftol, before he thought he Ihould
be ever reduced to the ncccffity of taking a fee ; and
that, in all probability, his metamorphoCs, when knovn^
would fumifh matter of furjx-ile and merciment to fomc
of bis old acquaintance.
The apothecary was equally ftnick with his-polite
addrefs, and pleated with his agreeable difcourfc : He
confoted him for the misfortunes of his family, by affii'-
ring htm, that in England nothing could be more ho-
nourable, or indeed profitable, than the charaAcr of a
phyllcian, provided he could once wriggle himfclf into
prafticciand inlinuated, that, although he was rc-
ftrifted by certain engagements with other pcrfons of
the faculty, he fhould be glad of an opportunity to
■ fiiew his regard for Doftor Fathom. This was a very
effectual method which our hein took to intimate his
new charafter to the public. By the induftry and com-
municative difpolition of the apothecary, it was circu-
lated in half a day through every family in the place ;
snd, next morning, when Ferdinand appeared, the
company forthwith aflembled in feparatc groups, and
ii-om each knot he heard his name leverbciatcd ia a
whifper.
Having thus announced himfelf to all whom it
might concern, and allowed the ladies two days to diP-
cufs the merit of his transfiguration^ together with the
novelty of the cafe, he ventured to falute, at a didancc,
a lady and her daughter, who had been his patients at
the hot Well; and, although they honoured his bow
with the return of a (light curt'fy, they gave him not
the Icaft encouragement to make a nearer approach.
Notwithftanding this rebuff, he concluded, that, fhould
the health of cither come in qucftion, they would re-
new their application to his fkill, and what was rcfufed
by their pride would be granted by their apprehcnfion.
, Here, however, he happened to be millaken in his con-
jcihirc.
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
ajw Tht ADVENTURES gf
The young lady being feized with a violent head>
ach and palpitatioii, her mother dcfired the apothecary
to recommcDd a {diyfician ; and the perfon with whooi
be was coDtra£led tieiDg at that time abfent, he propo-
fed Do6tor Fathom as a man of gireat ability and dU*-
cretion : But the good lady rejected 4ie [vopofal with
diUaiiii becaufc Ihc had formerly known him in ttie
charafler of a count — though ttut very chara£ler was
the (doef reafon that h.4d tlKO induced her to crave his
advice.
Such b the capidce of the world in general, that
- whatever bears the face of novelty captivates, ^r rather
bewitehef, the imagination, and confounds the ideas of
rcafim and common fenfe. If, for e^m[de, a fcuUion,
•.ftoav the clinlcing of pester, &all conceive a tafte for the
- clinking of rhime, awl make Ihift n\ bring together
twenty fyltables, fo as that the tenth and laft Hiall luvs
the like ending, the compo&tion is immediately ei^tol-
led as a miracle ; and what appeab to the admiration b
not the wit, the elegance, or poetry of the work, but
' the uncultivated talent aod hiimble Itation of the au-
- thor. A reader does not exclaim, " What a delicate
fcntimem! what a beautiful fimtle ! what eafy and mu-
fical verfification 1"- — but cries in raptgre, ■' Jjeayens !
what a prodigy ! a poet from the IcuUery ! a mufe in
livery t or, Apollo with a trowel !" — The public is afto-
; nilhed into.liberality— rtbefcullioneats fromthnie troa-
(jiers he fcowered before — the footman b adpiitted in-
' to the coach behind which he was wont to A^uid — and
the bricklayer, inftead of plallering widls, bedaubs his
illujiriaui partner with the mortar of his praife. Thus,
lifted into an higher fphere, their talents receive cultiva-
tioB } they become profefled bards, and though their
fubfequent works bear evident m^ks pf tmprovemait,
; they are neglcfted amoi^ the reft pf their brethren, be-
caufe that novelty, .which recommended them in the be-
ginning, no longer remnm.
So it fared with our adventurer in liis new occapa-
tioo. There was fomething fo extraordinary in a noble-
man's underftanding medicine, -and fo uncommon in a
■ phylician's prefcribing gratis, that the. curio£ty,a9d..ad-
miration of the company at Briltol were eng^Lged, and
^olizodbyGpOglc
FERDINAND COUNT PATHOM. 295
tliey followed his advice, as the dirc^on of fome fu-
pernatural intelligence: But, now that he profcfTcd him-
felf one of the faculty, and might be liippofed to have
refrefbed his memoiy, and reiaforced his knowledge
for the oceaQoti, he was as mnch overlooked as my
other phyllcian ilnfapported by intereft or cabal ; or, at
Icai^, the notice he attradled was not at all to the advan-
tage of his charafter, becaufc it wholly regarded the
decline of his fortune, which is a nerer-failing fiind of
difgrace.
These mortifications did not overcome the patience
and pcrfcverance of Falhom, who forcfaw, that the
fbothing hand of time would caft a veil of oblivion over
thofe fcenes which were remembered to his prqudice ;
and that, in the mean time, though he was excluded
from the private parties of the fair fex, in which his
main hope of fuccefs was placed, he Hiould be able to
infinuate himfetf into fome degree of iavour and prac-
tice among the male pticnts; and fome lucky cure*
properly difplayed^ might be the means of propagating
his fame, and bahllhing that referve which at prefenc
interfered with his purpofe. Accordingly, it was qot
long before he found means to break that fpcll of uni-
fcrfal prejudice that hedged him in. At the ordinary
which he frequented, his polite carriage, facetious re-
marks, and agreeable ftories, foon conciliated the re-
gard of his fellow gucfts, among whom he fometimea
rallied his own transformation with fingutargood hu-
mour and fuccefs : He was even witty upon his want of
employment, and uled to obfervc, that a phyficiaa
without praAice had one comfort to which bis brethrea
were ftrangers, namely, that the feldomer he bad occa-
fion to prefcribc, the lefs he had upon bis confciencc on
account of being accdlbry to the death of his fellow-
NoTHtNG fo cffeftually blunts the fliafts of ridicule^
and defeats the aims of Hander, as this method of anti-
cipation. In fpitc of the arrows that were levelled a-
gainft his reputation &om every tea-table at Tunbridge^
he made his party good among almoin all the gay young
gentlemen ttuit frequented the place : Far froEn avoiding
his company, they began to court his conveifation, and
3,a,l,zt!dbvG06gIe
•2^6 ■ Ti* ADVENTURES 5^
he was commonly feea ia the walks furrounded with a
group of admirers.
Having thus paved the way for a-total removal of
the invidious prepoSelSon that obftrudled his views,
he, one night, while every perfon was lulled in the
arms of repofe, and univerlal £lence prevailed, tuned
Ins violin, and began to play fome mafterly airs, in a
tone fo uncoranionly eapreffivc, and with fuch ravilh-
ing dexterity of execution, that a certain lady, who
lodged in the fame houfe, being waked by the niufic,
and ignorant of the fource from which It flawed, liften-
tA with rapture, as to the harp of an angel, and wrap-
ping hcrfelf in a loofe gown, rofe and opened her cham-
ber-door, in order to difcover in what apartment the
mulician relided. She no fooner entered the pafTage,
than Ihe found her fellow-lodgers already alTembled on
the fame occalion ; and there they remained during the
beft part of the night, tranfported by the harmony which
our hero produced.
Doctor Fathom was immediately known to be
the author of this entertainment ; and thus retrieved
the benefit of that admiration which he had forfeited by
appearing in (he Ihape of a ph3rCcian. For, as people
l|ad formerly wondned to fee a count Ikilled in medi-
cine, they were now amazed to End a phyflcian fuch a
m alter in muiic.
The good effefts of this ftratagcm were almoft in-
ftantaneous. His performance became the topic of dif>
courfe am3ng all the ^Qiionable company: His male
friends complimented him from the information of the
other fex ; and that lady whom he had regaled, inftead
. of chat dyncfs and difdaSn with which fhe ufed to re-
ceive his falutation, at their very next meeting in the
thoroughfare, returned his bow with marks of profound
rcfpe^. Nay, at midnight, Ihe, with the reft, took
poli in the fame place where they had been Rationed
before} and, by frequent tittering, and repeated whil^
pcTs, gave intimalion to Fathom, that they would be
glad of a fecond ferenade. Bat he was too well ac-
quainted with the human palEons to indulge this their
deGre : It was his intereft to inflame their impatience, '
rather than to gratiiy their expe^tion \ and therefore
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 497
he tantalized then for fotne hours, by tuning his violin,
and playing fome flourifhes, which, however, produced
nothing to fulfil their wifties.
At the ordinary, he was accofted by a gentleman, a
lodger in ths fatnc hoofe, who aflbred him, that the
ladies would talce it as a great favour if he wcnild let
tbem know when be intended to amuie himfelf again
with his ii^ument, that they might not, by billing
aflesp bef(»e-hand, deprive thtimfetves of the ptcafure
of hearihg his mulic. To this meiTage he replied, with
an air of confequence and feierve, that, though mulic
was not the art he profeiled, he ftould be always coni'
plaifant enough to entertain the liidies to the utmoft of
liis power, wiien their commands were fignified to him
io a manner fuited to his charter ; but that he would
never put himfelf on the footing of an itinerant harpei*,
whofe mufic is tolerated through the medium of a hoatd
partltioni Tlie gentfcman having reported this anfwer
10 his conftituenti, they empowered him to invite Doc-
tor Fathom to break&ft, and he was next morning in-
troduced with the alual ceremony, and treated with un-
common regard by all th« females of the hou(e> aflem*
Ued for his reception.
Haviho thus broke the Ice of thdi' averfion in pne
fnrt, fo as that the beams of his perfbnai accomplifh-
ments had room to operate, he foon cSe^d a general
thaw in his favour, and found himfelf growing once
totore into requeft among the moft amiable part of the
trqttion. His company was coveted, and his tafte con-
fuited in their balls, concerts, and private afremblies4
ftnd he reccMnpenced the regard they paid to him with
an inccflant exenion of his agreeaUe talents, politeoefs,
and good humour.
Tf
soiizodbyGoogle
apB Tit AD.VENTURES^
CHAPTER U.
Triumphs over a medical rival.
YET, in tbe mldft of all this attention, his meificaj
capacity feemed to be quite forgot. They refpefl-
eu bis good tnreediDg,'were charmed with his voice, and
admired the fine touches of his hand epon the violin ;
butr in cultivating the fiddler, they utterly ncglcdlcd the
phyCcian ; and in vam did he attempt to dWide their
regard, by taking all opportunities to turn the convcr-
fatioa into a more interefUng channel. ,It was to little
purpofe he endeavoured to aroufe the wonder of his au^
dience with frequent defcriptioos of portentous maladies
and amazing curcshehadfecnandperformed in the cour^
of his fhidy and pra^ice abroad i and to no eSe& did
be publicly bufy himfelf in making experiments on the
mineral water, in which'he '(Mvtended to have made £;*
vcral new and important difcoverles. Thefc efforts did
not make a talking imprefiion vpon the minds of the '
company ; becaufe they faw nothing furpriUng in a phy» '
£cian's being acquainted with all the myfterics of tut
art i and, as thdr cuftom was already befpoke for others '
of the pro&ffioD, whom it was their intereft to empl^, -
our adventurer might have ftarved amidA the carefles '
of bis acquaintance, had not he derived conCderabla
advantage from a lucky accident in the cooife of his ex*
pcihi)cy<
A gentlewoman's daughter, of a weakly conffi-
tution, by drinking the waters, had fo iar recovered
her health and complexion, as to allure the a:^^tton of
a young fqutre in the neighbourhood, who amufed her
for fome time with his addrcflcs, unfil his heart was fc-
duced by the charms of another young lady lately arri-
ved at the wells. The forfaken nymph, fhocked at
this difgrace and mortification, relapfed into her former
languiOting diforder, aad tras by her mother put uiider
the management and prescription of a phyfician, who
had been an induftrious enemy of Fathom Irom his firft
appearance at Ttmbridge. The patient, chough violcnt-
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 399
If .chagrined at the levity of her quondam admirer^
was Dot altogether without hope> that the very fame in<-
conflancyj which had prompted liim to leave her, might
in time induce him to return, after the novelty of his
new palEon ihould be wore off; and this hope fervcd
to fupport her under the forrow and difgracg of her dif-
appointment. At length, however, the fqu'ure and his
new miftrefs difappeared, and Tome bufy body was of-
ficious enough to communicate this piece of news to the
forlorn Jhephcrdefs, with this additional circumllancea
that they were gone to a neighbouring parilh to be join>
fd in tiis bands of wedlock.
These .£atal tidings were no fopner imp>Tted to the
abandoned Phillis, than the was feized with an byfteric
Gt', 9nd, what rendered the accident more unfortunate,
her phyfician had been called to the country, and was
not cxpe^ed at Tunbridge till next day. The apothe-
cary was immediately fummoned ; and, being either
puzzled by the fymptoms, or afraid of encroaching up-
on the province of his fuperiors, advifed^the old lady to
jend for Doctor Fathom without delay. She had no other
obje^on to this expedient, but the enmity which ihe
knew fubliftcd between the two leeches : Yet, hearing
that her own doAor would not confult with Fathon)
upon his return, but perhaps renounce the patient, by
which means her daughter's health might be endanger-
ed, {ke fvould aqt folicit our hero's a0iilauc^, until the
young lady had remained feven hours fpeechlefs anc)
infenlible; when, her fear prevailing over every other
confideration, flie implored the advice of oqr adven*
turer, who, having made tlie necefTary interrogations,
pnd felt the patient's pulfe, which was regular and
diftinft, found reafon to conclude, that the fit would
not laft much longer, and, aha having obferved that
fhe was in a very dangerous way, prefcribed fome medi-
ciues for external appEication ; and, to enhance their
opinion of his diligence and hutpanity, refolved to Hay
in t\\e room, and obferve their cSeH.
His judgment did not fail him on this occafion. In
lefs than half an hour after his embrocations had been
applied, flie recovered the ufe of her tongue, opened
h^ eyes, iin4 h»v>ng, in delirious cxclafaiations^ upbr^idi
DiailizodbvGoOgle
300 Thi ADVENTTTRES »/
«d her perfidious Iotct, became qnite ienfible and conw
pofed; though (he continued extremely low and de>
jeAcd : To remedy thcfc linkings, cntaio cordials were
immediately admtniftered, according to the jM-elcriptlon
of DoAorFathom, upon whom extraordinary encomiams
were beftowed by atl prefent, who believed he had ac-
tually refcucd her from the jaws of death } and ai he
was by this time let Into the iccrets of the lamily, he
Ibtind himfdf in a &ir way- of being an egregious fa-
vonrite of the old geotlewoman ; when unludciiy b»
brother, having difmified his country patieot with un-
{common difpatch, entejpd the apartment, and eyed hit
rival with looks of inexpreffiUe rage ; then fnrveying
the patient, and the vials that ftood upon the tCible, by
turns, " What, in the name of God • (cried he), is the
ineaning of all this trafli ?"
« Rsally, Doftor (replied the mother, a litrfc c«n-
fbunded at being thus taken by furprtfe), Siddy hu
been taken dangeroully ill, and lain feven or eight houn
M a fevere fit, from which, I am confidoit, (he w<tukl
-Beyer hare recorercd without the help of a phylkian}
and as you were ^bfent, we had reconrie to this gentle-
man, whofe prefcription hath had an happy and futpri-
fing cfieft."' " Effirft • (ciipd this offended member of
the feculty), pthaw ! (hiff, who made you j^dgr of cf*
feOs or caufes f (then advancing to the patient) what
has been the matter, Mifs Biddy, that you coidd not
wait till my return ?''
Heke Fathom interpofing, " Sir (fiud he], If you will
^ep into the next rt>om, I will comtnunicstk my Senti-
ments of the cafe, together with the method upon
which I have proceeded, that we may deliberate upoQ
the next ftep tlftt is to be taken." Inftcad of com-
plying with this propofal, he tested himfelf in a chair,
with li'ts back to our adventurer, and, while be exami-
ned Mifs Biddy's pulfe, gave htm to underftand, that he
Ihould not coiMult with htm about the inatter.
Fathom, not in thelcaft dilconcerted at this unci^
vil anfwer, walked round his antagonifi, and, placing
himfelf in his fi^ont, defired to know his reafon for
treating him witH fuch fupercilious contempt. " I am
rcfolrcd (faid the other) never to coofult with any phf-
. Mz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COXJNT FATHOM. 301
fician who hu not takoi his degrew tt «)tbcr of tfae
Eoglidi uniTcrfittes," " Upon tbe fu^iolition (replied
our advattiUTT) that no peribs can be pri^xrly tduca*
ted for the profeffion at aijy otber fchooL'' " You are
ill tbc right (anfwered DoAor Looby), that is one of
many redons I have to decline the conAiltation."
" How far jon arc in the right (retorted Fathom),
X leave the world to judge, after I have obTervciJ, that,
ID jaar £nglilh univerfltie*, there ii no opportunity of
ftudying the art ; no, not To much ai a leQvre givea
(Ki the liibjcA: Nor is there one phTiiuin of note in
Uiis kingdom, who hat not deriv«d the greateft part of
his medical knowledge from the infiruSioni of £)p
rdgoerG."
LoobT, incenfed at this aJTeveration, which be was
*ot prepared to refiite, exclaimed in a moil infuriate
scccnt, " Who are you ? whence come you i where
was you bred ? you are one «f thofe, I beliere, who gra-
duate tbtaifdves, and fromnesce dc&>rt the Lord
Jcnows bow t an interlopa-, who, without licebce or atx
thority, come hither to take the bread out of the
noutht of gentlemen wbo have been trained to the bux
finefs in a regular manaer, and beftowed great pains
and expence to qualify themfelvei for the prnfeffion :
For my own ^t, my education ceft me fifteen hundred
poundE."
" Nbvek was money laid out to lels purpofe (faid
Ferdinand), for it does not appear that you have learned
lb much as the b&fis of modical acquirements, namclT^,
that decorum and urbanity which ought to diftinguillt
the deportment of every phyiioani You have even de-
bafed tfae oobJdl and moft beneficial art that ever en-
gaged the Audy of mankind, Which cannot be too much
ci^iTatcd, xnd too little retrained, in fCcking to limit
the praftiee of it to a fet of narrowi-minded iUibcrid
wretches, wbo, like the loweft handicraft fmm, claim
the exchifive privileges of a corporation : Had you
doubted my ability, you otight to have fatUficd yourfelf
in a manner confiftent with decency and candour: Bvb
your bcharionr 00 this occafion is fuch a malicious out-*
rage upon good manners and hutnanity, that, wem k
not .for my regard .to thefc Udics, I would chaUife ynm
DiailizodbvGoOgle
^M Tii ADVENTURES pf
fiw your infolence on the fpot. Meanwhile, Madam
(addrelGng himfdf to the mother), you muft give me
leave to inilft upon your difmifEng' either that geutle*
man or me without hefitatlon."
- This peremptory language had an ioftantaneous ef- '
fe£l upon the hearers. Looby's &ce grew pale, and hit
nether lip began to tremble : The patient was difmay-
cd, and the old gentlewoman concerned and perplexed :
She camellly befought the gentlemen to be reconciled
to each other, and enter into a friendly conlultation
■ppn her daughter's diftcmper ; But, finding both
equally averfe to accommodation, and Fathom beco-
ming more and more importunate in his demand, flic
prefented him with a double iee ; and giving him to
nnderftand, that Doctor Looby hdd long attended the fa-
mily, and was intimately acquainted with her own apd
' Biddy's conftitution, faid, fhc hoped he would not taks
it amifs if ihe retained her old phylician-
Though onr hero was much mortified at thia
bfiumph of his rival, he made a virtue of neceffity, and
ntired mth great complaifance, wilhing that Mifs Biddy
might never again be the fubjeft of fuch a difagreeable
dilpute. Whether the patient was lighted at this air
tercation, or difpleafcd with her mother's dcciilon a-
gainft an agreeable yosng fellow, who hstd, as it were,
recalled her from 'the grave, and made htmfelf mafler
of the feeret that rankled at her heart { or the dileafe
had wound up her nerves for another paroxyfm ; cer-
tain it is, fhe all of a fudden broke forth into a violent
peal of laughter, which was fucceeded by the moll dole^
fill cries, and other expreiHons of grief; then fhe r^
lapfed into a fit, attended witli flrong coovuliians, to
the unfpeakable terror of the old gentlewoman, who in-
treated Do£torLooby to be expeditious in hisprefcnption:
Accordingly he feized the pen with great confidence*
and a whole magazine of antihyiteric medicines were,
in dififercnt forms, externally and internally applied.
Nevertheless, either nature was dit^urbed in her'
own efforts by.thefe applications, or the patient was re-
folved to difgrace the Doctor : For the more remedies
tiiat were adminiftered, her convulfions became the
Miore violent ; and in fpite of all im tstdeavoura, he
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDlNANB COUNT FATHOM. 303
C6uld not overcome the obftinacy of the diftcmpei*.
Such a mUcairiage, upon the back of his rival's liicccfs,
could not fail to overwhelm him with confuiion ; elpe-
cially as the mother baited him vrith repteated intrcaties
to do fomething for the recovery of her daughter : Ac
length} after having ezercifed her patience in vain fot
ieveral hours, this affeftionatc parent could no longer
' fupprefs the fuggcftions of her concern, but, in an io'
coherent ftrain, told him that her duty would not fuf*
fcr her to be longer lllent in au a&ir on which depend-
ed the life of her dear child i That ihe had fecn enough
to believe he had mlflaken the cafe of podr Biddy, and
he could not jufliy Uame her for recalling Do^or Fa-
thom, whofe prcfcriptioQ had operated in a miraculous
manner.
LoOBT, fhocked at this propofal, protefted agatnfl
it with great vehemence, as an expedient highly inju-
rious to himfelf. " My remedies (faid lie) arc juft be-
fjtnning to take cde£V, and, in all probability, the fit
will not laft much longer-, fo that, by calling in ano-
ther perfon at this juncture, you will defraud me of
• that credit which is my due, and deck my adverfuy
with trophies to which he has no pretenfion." Slu:
was prevailed upon, by this remonArance, to wait.ano^
ther half hour, when perceiving, as yet, no alteration
for the better, and being diilrafted with her fears>
which reproached her with want of natural aS*eAion,
Ihe fent a meflagc to Doftor Fathom, deiiring to fee him
with all poflible difpatch.
He was not flow in obeying the call, but hafteniog
to the fccne of aftion, was not a little furprifed to Gnat
Looby flill in the apartment. This gentleman, Unce
better might not be, refolved to facrilice his pride tt>
his interell, and, rather than lofe his patient altogether,
and run the riik of forfeiting his reputation at the fame
time, (laid with intention to compromife his difference
with Fathom, that he might not be wholly excluded
£rom the honour of the cure, in cafe it could be efifeA-
cd : But he had reckoned without his hoU in his calcu- .
Istton of the count's placability ; for, when he put on
. bis capitulating face, and, after a flight apology for his
kte behaviour, propofed that all anunofity fhould fub-
^laiiizodbvGoogle
io4 ,The ADVENTURES of '
£dc in favour of the young lady, whofe life was atffake^
our hero rejected his advances with infinite difdain, and
afliiied the mother, is a very Icdemn tone, that, far
from confulting with a. man who had treated him fo
tinwarthily, he woi^d not ftay another minute in. the
houfe, uuicTs he £hould fee him difcardcd ; a fatisf^tdicni
barely fufiicient to atone for the afiroot he himfelf had
fuffered by the unjiift prefcieuce fhe had before givea
to his riv^
Thkre was no remedy: Ixraby was obliged to re«
treat in his turn ; then our adventurer, approaching
the bcd-fidc, reconnoitercd the patient, examined the
medicines which had been adminiftered, and lifting up
bis eyes in exprcffivc lilcnce, detached the footman with
a new order to the apothecary. It was well the mef^
fenger ufed expedition, otherwifc Do£h>r Fathom would
have been anticipated by the operation of nature ; for,
the fit having almoA run its career, Mifs Biddy was on
the point of retrieving her fenfcs, whm the frontal
prefcribed by Fathom was applied ; to the efficacy
of this, therefore, was afcribed her recovery, what
fhe opened her eyes, and began to pour fostb un->
conne^ed qa<^lation3i and in a few moments afterj
fbc was perfuaded to fwallow a drat^bt prepared ffx
the purpofc, her perception returned, and Ferdinanti
gained the reputation of having performed a fecond mi-
racie.
But he was fumiflied with a piece of intd^genccf
of much more energy than all fhe had taken, And fcr
fbon as he concluded ihe was capable to bear the Dc^s
without any dangerous emotion, he, among other ar"
tides of chit-chat culled ka her amufemcot, took tho
opportuiuty of telling the company, that Stfiire Stub
(the caufe of Mifs Biddy's diforder) had, io his way to
matrimony, been robbed of his bride, by a gentleman
to whom the had been formerly engaged. He had
waited for her on purpofc at an inn on the road, whero
he found means to appeafe her difpleafure, which he
bad it fecms incurred, and tofuperiedc hcf new lovers
whon! fhe quitted without ceremony v upon which the
fqu^rc had returned to Tunbridge, curling her levity,
yet bldUog his good ftan for having fo fea^Hiably pr&<
DiailizodbvCoOglc
t^RlilftANXi COUNT FAlilOM. 305
led hit niiH, which l^ould have iaftlliUy been tbe
fequeqw sf hii mBiT^iig fuch an idreatarer.
T would be fuperfluDtlF ta obTerve, thu thefe tid-
; operated tike ad adounble IpecUic ao Ad IpiritS
he young lady, wb<^ wbtlc Ihe a&Aed to pity the
ire, «» To itioch OTcijpycd at bis difi^^iioiDas,
: lur eyes began to fparMie vith uiicominaii vivad-
and in kfi than tiro houn after ti^ laft cnF thofc
ible attacks, {he was rcftored to ai tiett«r ftaCe of
th than Hie bad eojoyeict for 111307 wec^ Fiathon
not forgot aimdil the rqotcingA of the (uii'ily : Bc-
I an bandfomc (ntuity fi^ tbc tSoEia of his extra-
nary ikiU, the <^ lady &TOur«d htm Kith i gea*'
nvitation to ber houfe, aad tbe daughter not only
idered him as the reftoror of hef bealth, and ang«l
let goad fortaneV but alio began to difcotef an un-
moD reliCh for hie coovci^atioa ; fir that he was
;k with the pjrofpc^l of fucccnimg IJquirc Stub in
affd^on ; A ccajqucft which, if {an^oiled by the
obation of the mother, wouM confolc him for all the
ppointments he had fuftained t for MiJi Biddy was
Led to a tbrtuoc of ten thou&nd pounds, provided
ihould marry with the conleat of her pcn^, Irba
tbe fole executrix of the &thcr^* will.
.Ni MATED with theJiope of fijchan advantageotn
cb) our adtcntuTCT mifled no opportunity of im-
'ing the lodgement he had made, wlnle the two la-
£iiled not to extel his mectical capacity among all
r femde aequaintance. By means of this ci^cula-
, his advice was demuided in Several offaer oifes,
:h he managed with fuch an impoling aif of fagaei-
nd importance, that his fame began to fpread, and
re the end of the fecifbn, be had raviflied more than .
hatf of the bulinels fram hit competitor. Kot>
iftanding thefe fiwtunate events, be fiirefaw, that
hould find great difficulty in tranf^anting his repu-
>n, fo as to take root in London, which was tbe
' foil in which he could propofe to rife to any de-
: of profpcrity and independence ; and this re-
ion was grounded upon a maxim which univerfally
'ails among the Englilh people, namely, to over-
: and wholly neglefl, on their return to the metro-
'o!.. IV; Qji
^oiizodbyGoogle
3o6 Tht ADVENTURES of
.polls, all the cotine^ons they may have chanced to ac-
quire during their refidetice at any of the medical wellj :
. And this focial diipofition is fo ferupuloufly maintained,
that two pcrfons who lived. in the nioft intimate cor-
rcfpondcnce at Bath or Tunbridge, Ihall, in ifour-and-
twenty hours fo totally forget their friendfhip, as to
meet in St James's Park, without betraying the leaft
token of recognition ; fo that one would imagine thofe
mineral waters were fo many ftreams ifiuing from the
.river Lethe, fa famed of old for walhing away &li traces
of memory and recoUeftion.
Aware of this oblivious principle, Doftor Fathom
.collefted all his qualifications, in order to make fuch an
iinpreflion npon the heart of Mifs Biddy, as would re-'
Slit all her endeavours to {hake him from her remem-
brance; and his efforts fucceeded fo well, that 'Squire
Stub's advances to a reconciliation were treated with
^manifeft indifference. In all probability, our hero
would have made a very advantageous campaign, .had
^ot his good fortune been retarded by an obftruflioDj
which (as be did not perceive it) he could not pdffibly
furmount : In difplaying his accompliOiments to capti-
vate the daughter, he had unwittingly made an abfo-
lute conqueft of the mother, who fuperintended the
.conduit of Mifs Biddy with fuch jealous vigilance, that
he could £nd no opportunity of profiting by the pro-
gress he had made in ber heart ; for tlie careful matron
would never lofe fight of her, no, not for one mo-
inent.
Had the old lady given the leaft intimation to our
adventurer, of the fenitiments Ihe entertained in his be- ■
' half, liis complaifance was of fuch a pliable texture,
that he would have quitted his other purfuit, and made
her, the fble objefl of hb attentioti : But flie either de-
pended upon the effeft of his own good tafte and dif-
cemment, or was too proud to difclofc a pafljcm which
he had hitherto overlooked.
DiailizodbvGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 307
CHAPT'ER LII.
JBfpairt ti iht vutrapolil, and tfinb himjilf among the font
BEFORE this a^ir could be brought to a proper
explanation, the leafon being almod ended, the
ladies 'departed &oin Tunbridge, and in a little time
Doftor Fathom followed tbcm to London, having pre-
viouiljr obtained permillion to viGt them in that metro-
polis, l^e had folicited the fame favom* of fome other
families, in which he hoped to take root, though he
knew they were pre-engaged to diSerent phyCcians ;
and refolving to make his &x&l- medical appearance ia
London with fome eclat, he not only purchafed an old
chariot, which was new painted for the purpofe, but
likcwife hired a footman, whom he clothed in laced li-
very, in order to diflinguilh himfelf from the common
run of his brethren.
This equipage, though much more expenUve than
his finanf^ could bear, he found abfolutely necelTary
to give him a chance for enjoyment ; as every {hah-
by retainer to phyfic, in this capital, had provided him-
Iclf with a vehicle, which was altogether uled by way
of a travelling fign-poil, to draw in cuftomers ; fo that
a walking-pbylician was conCdered as an obfcure pedlar,
trudging from {b't:et to ftreet, with his pack of know-
ledge on his ihoulders, and felling his remnants of ad-
vice by retail. A chariot was not now fct up for the
convenience of a man itnking un^er the fatigue of cx-
tenUve praflice, but as a piccp of furniture every way
as nece&ry as a large periwig. wjth three tails; and a
phyQcian, let his merit, in other refpefts, be never fo
confpicuous, can no more expeft to become coniiderable
in bulinefs, without the aJQftance of this implement,
than he can hope tp live..withopt food, or breathy,
without a windpipe.
This requifite is fo well underftood, tliat, exclufivc,
of thofe who profcfs themfelves doilors, every raw fur-
geon, ^very idle apothecary, who can make intereft
with fome foolhardy coachmaker, may be feen dancing.
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
3o« Tbe ADVENTURES tf
the lays in all places of public reforr, and grinning to
pne another froiB tbeif xfffeQiTK caniages. Hence
proceed many of thofe cruel accidents which are re-
cordeA in th« daifr p»p<!fs- Ah i{iMh«diry'A h«trl«s
take fright, and run awdjr with bis chariot, which is
heard of np more : An eminent furgeon being over-
ttimcd, is fb terrified it the fhoughts of munfation,
that he rcfolwcs to wslfe on foot a|) the days of hk life ^
mi the cp^chroan of a phyficidrt of great praOkei h*.
ving the misfortune to bs difabled by a fill froib th«
box, his maiitT caa ^cver 6tid another to fupply his
place. *
KoKE of tfaefe obfcrYatiofU eTcaped the peuttrath^
eyt of leathern, who, before he pretended to ftM him-
ftlf in this machine, had made proper iflqurry into *4
the other mcthoffe practifed, with a view to ktep th?
wheeh iti motion. Id hn refetrches, he found that
fhe great world was wboily engrofled by a few prafH-
tloners who had arrircdat the firniBik of repntatibn,
confequently, were no longer obliged to cnltivatc thofi
arts by which they rofe } and tint the «fli of thft bafi-
ilcfi was' papfelled out Into fmall inclofiirtfs, occupied
b^ difiitrcnt ' grbupe; 6f pcrfoniiges, male and female,
trao ftood ii^>ing5, atid tofied the baft from one to
another, thire bring ih each department two fcts, the
fndivhhialB qF which ^ehefed one another occaQonally.
Ivery laiot't«is compofed df a waJtfng-womai», nnrfc,
apothecaiy, (hr^h, and phyficJan, and roriidtimies a "
midwife wis admitted Into the ^arty ; and- in this man^
ner the fwcc was cdirtfltonlj' perfwmed.
A tiNE lady, fatigned with idlencfi, eomplidiis of •
"the vapotts.'is deprived etf her* reft, thon^ noii fo ficfc
is to have recoorie to medicine : Her fatpttritc maid,
rired with giving he^ attiHdanctf in the night, thinks
prttper, for the benefit of htt own repofe, to eomplaift
of a violent heati-^di, and recommends to ber miffa%lt
a nurfe of a^itwcd tendetncfeariddifrietiofl j at whofi
houfe (in aU likelihbod} thf fald' chamber-maid hath
6ft given the rtndezvotis to > male friend'. The nurici
ftell fl^illdd in the rtyfteries of her occirpation, pcr-
fiiadcs the patienf, that htt malatfy, fsi' ftmn Irting
^ght or chi_m<ricalj may proceed to a VWf danger ons
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDIKAND COmJT FATHOM. 3«9
degree of the byftcrint affdftioA, tinlefs it be nipt in
the bod by fomc very e^flual remedy : Then flie rc-
coHDts a Jorprifing rare perfonned by a certain apothe-
cary, and appeals to the tefthnony of the waiting vm-
' man, who being the goffip Of his wife, ctvnfirms the
evidence) and corcoborates the propofal. The apotbc^
cary being fomffloned, finds her tadvAip m ftich a de*
licate fittiation, that he declines prefcribing, and ad-
viles he.t to feitd for a pbyfietan without dehy. Thb
nomiaaflob of coarle falls to him, and the doiftof behig
caSed, declares (he neceffity of immediate venicfeflion,
which is accordingly performed by the furgeon of the
^bctatkm.
This is one tfty of beginning the game: TTioiiEfc
At eommencement often varies, and fametiincs tee
ftxHhecary, and fomethnes the phyfirftn opens the
JTcene; but, be that as it vRt, they ahvays appear in a
ftrkig, yfee a flight of wlkt geefc, *nd each confedera-
cy maintains a corrcfpondence *ith one particular un-
dierUlRT. "Fathom, opon fheft cDftfideratioHs, fet op
hb r«ft in the firft floor of an apothecatyin the tielgh-
bonrliood of Chiring-^rofi, to whom he Was intro-
duced by a fctter fyom a friend at TimbtMge, tod who
bemg made acquainted with his abifity and (chettic, pm-
fflHed to let flip qq opportunity of fervtng him ; and^
indeed, ftemed to efpouft his intercft with great alacri-
ty. He introduced him to fome of his patients, on the'
ftrength of a gratis vifit, founded forth hfs praifc a-
mong an the good "^men of hi» acquaintance; and
even prevailed npon him to puWfli advcrtiftments, im-
jkMtfng, that he would every day, at a certain time and
place, give his advice to the poor for nothing; hopitlg,
thai, hf means of fome liicty cure, his fame might be
extended, and his praflice grow- fnto reqocft.
Is Ac mean time, his ehariot rolled along through
aS the moft frequented -ftrccts, during the wtolc fore-
aiMm, aodi at the ufcal hour, he never failed to mafce
his appearance at the medical' cciSfcchoufe, with all that
. felemnity of feature and addrcfs, by which the modem
(bns of P^an are diftingjiifhcd ; not but that he was
often puzzfed about the dccifion of his diurnal route :
For the method of- drii^ng up one ftrcct, and down
^lailizodby-GoOgle
jio , The ADVENTURES of ,
another, withoat halting, was become fuch a ftale ex^
pEdient, that thc-very 'prentices ufed to Hand at the
{hop doors, and ridicule the vain parade. At length,
however, he pcrufed the map of London with great di-
ligence, and having acquired a difiin^ idea of its topo-
^apby, ufed to alight at the end of long narrow tho-
rpugb&re$, and paved courts, where the chariot was
Qrdered to wait till his return ; and walking with great
gravity through the different turnings of thcfc alleys,
regain his carriage by another pa0age, and refume his
feat with an air of vaft importance. With a view to
protraA the time of his fuppdfed vilits, he would, at
one place, turn alide to the wall; at another^ cheapea
ap urinal; at, a third comer, read a quack advertife-
ment, or lounge a few minutes In feme bookfeller'S'
fliop ; and, laiUy, glide into fome obfcure coSeeboufe^
and treat himfelf with a dram of ufqucbaugh,
. Tk£ other means ufed to force a trade, fuch as or-r
dering himfelf to be called &oin church, alarming -the
neighbourhood with knocking at his door in the night,
receiving fudden mcffages in places of refort, and in-
ferting his cures by way of news In the daily papers,
l^ad been fo injudicioufly hackneyed by every d^perate
fculler in phyHc, that they haij loft ihavc effcA upon
the public, and therefore were excluded from the plan-
pf our adventurer, whofe fcheme, for the prefent, was
to exert himfelf in winning the favour of thofe fage
Sybils, who keep, as it were, the temple of medi(;ine,
and admit the young prieft to the fervice of the altar;
but this he conUdcred as a temporary projeA ''"'yi un-
til he lliould have acquired intereft enough to erefl an
hofpital, lock, or infirmary^ by the voluntary fufafcrip-
tion of his friends ; a fcheme which had fucceeded to
a miracle with many of the profeJSon, who had raifed
tbemfclves into notice upcui the carcafes of the poor.
Tet even this branch was already overftockcd, ith
fomuch that almoft every ftreet was fumiOied with pnc:
of thefe charitable receptacles, which, infteadof din?i-.
niihing the taxes for the maintenance of tbc poor, .en-
couraged the vulgar to be idle and dilTolute, by opeiung
an afyhim Eo tliem, aitd their families, from the difeafes
of poverty and intemperance : For it retoams to be pror
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 311
vcd, that the parifli rates are decreafed, the bills of
mortality Icflcnedi the people more numerows, or the
ftreets lefs infefted witb beggars, notwithftanding the
immenfe fums yearly granted by individuals for the re-
Kef of the indigent.
Bu T, waving thcfe refleftions, Doftor Fathom hoped,
that his landlord would be a moft ufefiit implement for
extending his influence, and, for thatreafon, admitted
him into a degree of parcnerfhip, after being fully con-
vinced, that he was not under articles to any other phyr
fician. Neverthelefs, he was very much miftakcn in
reckoning on the importance of his new ally, who was,
like himfelf, a needy adventurer, fettled upon credit,
and altogether unemployed, except among the very re-
fufe of the people, whom no other perfon would take
the trouble to attend : So that our hero got little elfe
than experience and ttouble, excepting a few guineas,
which he made fhift to glean among fojourn^rs, with
whom he became occafionally acquainted, or young,
people, who had been unfortunate in their amours.
, In the midft of thefe endeavours, he did not omit
his duty to the old gentlewoman, whofe daughter he
' had cured at Tunbridge ; and was always received with
particular complacency, which, perhaps, he, in fome
meafure, owed to his genteel equipage, that gave cre-
dit to every door before which it was feen ; yet Mifs
Biddy was as inacccflible as ever, while the mother be-
came more and more warm in her civilities, till at lengthy
after having prepared him with fome extraordinary com-
pliment, fhe gave him to underAand, that Biddy was
no better than a giddy-headed girl, far from being ud-
exceptionable in her moral character, and particularly
deficient in duty and gratitude to her, who had been
always a tender and indulgent parent } ihc was there-
fore determined to punifh the young minx for her le-
vity and want of natural affeiSion, by altering her own
condition, could She find a worthy and agreeable man,
on whom fhe could beftow her hand and fortune with-
The film was inftantly removed from Fathom's eyes
by this declaration, which fhe uttered with fuch a fig-
nificancy of look, as thrilled to his foul witb joyfal prc-
^laiiizodbvGoogle
, ^(2 rs/ advektureS tf '
fage, nliile he replied!. It wouU]> indeed, be igt dlSicutt
t;ilk to tind a m^n who merited fudi happitiers and ho-
nour j bt)t, furely, fome there were, who vAuld uik
their faculties to the uttermaftj in iitanifefting their gra-
titude, and cleHre of rendering themfdves wortbj of
fuch diAinfUoo. Though thii anrwer wai pronooaced
ill fuch a manner, as gave her to underfluid he had ta-
ken the hint) ihe would not cheapen h^ condeicenfioii
(o much as to explain hcHelf tiirtbcr at that jun^htfe,
and be was very well contented to wooe ber on her owil
terms } accordingly he began to feafon his behavtoor
with a fpicc of gallantry, when he had oppcmtwitics of
being particular with this new inatnorataf and, in pro^
portion to the returns Hie made, he gradually detached
himfeif from Mifs Biddy, by intermitting, and, at laft*
difcontinuinc thofe ardent expreffions of love and ad- .
miration, which he bad made {hift to ccmvey in private
looks and ftolen whiTpers, during tbe ruicorous inTpe^
tion of her mother.
SycH alteration cOuJd not l<wg efcape the jealoof
eyes of tbe young lady, no more than the caule of this
alienation, which, in a moment, converted all ber love
into irreconcileable hate, and filled her whole &ul witK
tbe moft asgej- detire of vengeance : For ifae now not
only conlider«d him as a mercenary wretch, who had
flighted her attra^iona for the fordid gratifications of
svariqe, but alfo as an interloper, who wanted to inter-
cept her fcrtiinC] in the odious charaAer of a father^in*
law, &ut, b«for« Qxe could bring her aim to any ripe-
nefe of cwitriTanCe, her mothor baTing caught cold at
church, fc?s feizfd with a rheumatic &ver, became de*
lirieuf in lefs than three dayr, and, notwithlUndlng ^
the pr^fcriptions and care of her admirer, gave up thc
gboA, without having retrieved the uJ'e of h^r fenfo,
wr been abl« to manift^, by will, the fentim«ats Jhff
tntertained tn favour of her phyfician, who (as the readcf
. will eaiily p«rcciv«) had more reafons than Q^t to be
BJoilslly chagrined at this event.
Miss Biddy being thus put in poflefEon of the whole
&BberiFance, net only reaouaced all correfpondence witb
Doftor Fathom, by forbidding him the houle, but like
vile took all opportunities of prejudicing his chara^tcri
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM." 315
bv hinting* that her dear mamma had fallen a facrifice
to his ignorance and prefumption.
CHAPTER mi.
Acquires emp/iymenl, in confequtnct ef lady mifcar*
THESE ill' offices, howcTet", far from anfweriog
her purpofe, had a quite contrary effed : For,
in confequence of her inve^ves, hq war, in a fe^ days,
called to the vife of a merchant, who piouily hoped,
. that his prance would not ^vc Mifs Biddy the lie.
The patient had long lingered under a complication of
diHempcrs, and being in no immediate danger of her
life, Dofloi' Fathom was in no hujry to ftrike a deci-
£ve Aroke ; till tlie hulband growing impatient of de'
lay, and fo explicit in his hints, that it was impoflible
to mifapprchend his meaning, our adventurer refoWed
to do fomething effe^ual for his fatiifaftion, and pre-
fcribed a medicine of fucli rough operation, as he thoughtj
muft either oblige his employer, or produce a change in
the lady's conftitutioti, that would make a noije in (h«
. world, and bring a new acceHion to his fame.
Proceeding upon thel'e maximl, he could not be
difappointcd : The remedy played its part with fucb
violence, as reduced the patient to extremity, and ttia
merchant had anally befpolce an undertaker { when^
after a feries of fwoonings and convuliions, nature lb
far prevailed, as to expeli at once, the prefcription and
the difeafe ; yet the good natured hufband was ib much
. itSe£tcd with the agonies to which he faw the wife of
his bofom e^ofed by this fpecific, that, although the
effeft of it was her pcrfeft recorery, he could ne»er
bear the fight of Fathom for the future, nor even hear
his name mentioned, without giving figns of horror and
indignation : Nay, he did not fcruple to affirm, that,
had our adventurer been endowed with the leaft ti|Kr
ture of humanitv, he would have fuSered the poor wo-
VoL. IV. ' R r
_ ,i,z<,i:;., Google .
314 rJ« ADVENtlJRES fl/
xnaa to depart tn f eace, rather than reftore her to lieattG^
at the expcncc of fuch ^nxiety and torture. ■
On the other hand, this extraordinary cure was bla-
zoned abroad bj the good lady and her goJiips, with
fuch exaggerations as roufed the aido^ifhment of thc^
public, and concurred with the report of his laft mifj
carriage, to bring him upon the carpet, as the univer-
fal fubjeft of diicouf fe. When a phyfician becomes the
town talk, he generally concludes his bufinefs morg
than half done, even though his lame fhoiild wholly'
. turn upon his mal-pra6Hce ; infomuch that fome mem-
bers of the faculty Jiavc been heard to complain, that
they never had the good fortune to be publicly accufed
of homicide; and it is well known, that a certain fa-
mous cmpyric, of our day, never' Sourilhed to any de-
gree of wealth and reputation till after he had been at-
tacked in print, and fairly convifted of having deftroy-
ed a good number of the human fpecies. Succcfs railed
upon loch a foundation would, by a difciple of Plato,-
and fdme modern moralifts, be afcribed to the innate
virtue and generoiify of the human heart, which natu--
rally efpoufes the caufe that needs proteftion.: But I,
whofe notions of human excellence are not quite fo
fublime, am apt to believe it is owing to that fpirit of
felf-conceit and contradidlion, which is, at leafl, as uni-
Tcrfalj if not as natural, as the moral lenfe fo warmly
contended for by tbofe ideal philofophers.
The inoft infamous wretch often finds his account
in thefe principles of malevolence and Telf-love : For
whcrelbevef 6is character falls under dlfcuffion, there H
generally foriw perfon prefent, who, cither from an at
fe<ilation of lingularity, or envy to the accufers, nnder->
takes his defence, and endeavours to invalidate the ar^
- tides of his impeachment, until he is heated by ^terca-
tion, and hurried Into more efTeflual meafures for his
advantage. If fuch benefits accrue to thofe .who have
no real merit to depend upon, furely our hero could not
but reap Ibmething extraordinary from the debates to
which he now gave rife ; as, by the miraculous cure hie
jiad effe£ted, all bis patient's friends, all the enemies of
her hufband, all tlioie who enyied his other adverfiiryi
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 31J
irere mterefted in his behalf, excluGve oFfuch admirers
as furprifc and curiofity might engage in his caufe.
Thus wafted upon the wings of applaufe, his fame
foon diEEufed itfelf into ail the comers of this great ca-
pital : The news-papers teemed with his praife ; and in
order to keep up the attention of the public, his emi^a-
rics, male and female, fcparated jnjo different cofFee-
houfes, companies, and clubs, where they did not fail to
comment upon thefe articles of intelligence. Such a'fa-
yourable incident is, pi itfelf, fuSiciem to. float the bark
of a man's fortune; He was, in afew days, called to
another lady, labouring under the fame diforder he had
fe facccfsfully difpcUed, and flie thought herfclf bene-
fited by his advice. His acquaintance naturally extend-
ed itfelf among the vilitants and allies of his patients ;
te was recommended from family to family ; the fees
Jjegan to multiply ; a variety of footmen appeared every
day at his door; he .difcontinued his iham circuit, and
looking upon the prefenC conjunfhire, as that tide in
his affairs, which (according to Shakefpeare) when ta-
ken at the full, leads on to fortune, he refolved that the
Opportunity fhould not be loi^> ^nd applied himfelf
with fuch alCduity to his praifiice, that, in all lik^i-
hood, be would haye carried the paUn from all his co-
temporaries, had he not fplit upon fhe fame rock wtiich
had ihipwreckcd his hopes before.
We have formerly defcant^d upon that venereal a^
petite which glowed in the conftitution of our adven-
turer, and vhich -all his philofophy and caution could
hardly keep within bounds ; The reader, therefore, will
not be niuph furprifed, to learn, that, in the exercife of
his profeiHon, he contrafted an intimacy with a clergy-'
man's wife, whom he attended 'as a phyfician, and whofe
conjugal virtue he fubdued by a long and diligent exer-
tion of his delufive arts, while her mind was, enervated
' 'by ficknefs, and her hulbarjd abroad upon his neceffary
' occafions. This unhappy patient, who was a woman
of an agreeable perfon, and litrely converfatlon, fell a fa-,
crifice to her own fecurity and felf-coijceit : Her want
of health had confined her to a fedentary life, and, her
imagination being a£Uve and reillefs, fhe had fpent
fhofe ^Dufs in Reading, which other young women de-
^oiizodbyGoogle
|t« Thi ADVENTURES »/
vote to cempaBf and diverfion: But, as her ftudiei
were not fuperintended by any pcrfoh of taftc, fl>c had
, indulged her own fancy without method or propriety,
The Spectator taught her to be a critic and philofophcri
from plays ftie learned poetry and wit ; and deriyed he?
knowledge of life from books of hiftory and adventures.'
Fraught with thefe acquiJitions, and fumifhed by nar-
ture with uncammon vivacity, fte deipifed her own
fat, and courted the foeiety of men, among whom (he .
thought her talents might be more honourably difplay-
«d ; fiilly confidemt of het. own virtue and fagacity,
which enabled her to fet ail their arts at defiance.
' Thus qualified, Ihe, !n an evil hour, had rccburla
to the advice of our adventtirer,'for fome ailment under
which ftie had. long laboured ; and found fuch relief
from his fltiU, as very much prepoficflod her in his
fevour: She was "no lefs pleafed whhhis obliging man-t
ners, than with his phyiic ; and found much entertain-
ment in his converfation, fo that the acquaintance pnv
ceeded to a degree of intimacy ; during which he per-
teivcd her weak fide, and being enamoured of her per,
fon, flattered her out of all her caution. The privrlege
of his charafter furniflied him with opportunities to lay
fiiarcs for her virtue % and, taking advantage of that l!ft-
leffnefs, languor, and indolence of the fpirits, by which
all the vigilance of the foul is relaxed, he, after a long
courfe of attention and pierfeverance, founcl uneans tQ
tn^ke flirpwrcck of her peace.
Though htf maftcred her cbaftity, he could not
quiet her confcience, which inceflantly upbraided her
with breach of the marriage-vow ; nor did her undoes
■cicape *ithaut a fliare of the reproaches fuggefted by
her penitence and remorfe. This internal anjfiety co-
operating with her diftafe, and perhaps with the medi-
cines he^ prcftribed, reduced her to the brink of the
grave ; when hor hufband returned irom a ncighbouEr
Ing fcin^om, m confequence of her earned rctjueft,
joined to the information of her friends, who had writ;
ten to him an account of the e3[tremity m which the
was. Tiie g;ood man was aifiifled beyond mcafiire,
when he faw hijafclf upon tire' verge of lofing a wift
whom he bad always tenderly loved : But vhat were his
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
PEftDJNAND COUNT FATHOM. 317
tions, when fbe, taking the firfV opportunity of hit
g alone with her, accolted him to this effeft : " I
now haltening towards that diiTolution from which
nortal is exempted } and though th6 profpeA of fii-
7 is altogether clouded and uncertain, my con-
ice will not allow me to plunge into eternity, with-
unburdening a>j mind, and, by an ingenuous con*
3n, making all the atonement in my power, Ibr the
atitude I have been guilty of, and the wrongs I have
mitted againft a virtuous hulband, whoi never gave
caufe of complaint. You ftand amazed at this
mble ; but, alas ! how will you be fhocked when I
that I have betrayed you in your abfence; that I
: trefpalTed againtl God and my marriage-vow, and
n from the pride and confidence of virtue, to the
t abjeiit Rate of vice ; Tes, I have been unfaithful td
■ bed, having fallen'a viftim to the infernal tnfinua*
j of a villain, who took advantage of my weak and
larded moments. Fathom is the wretch who hath
injured your honour, and ruined my nnfnfpcfting
icence. I have nothbg to plead in alleviation of
:rime, but the moft fincere contrition of heart ; and
igh, ^t any other junfture, I could not cxpefl your
ivenefs, yet, as 1 now touch the goal of life, I truft
'Our humanity and beilevolCnce, for that pardon
:h will lighten the forrows of my foul, and thoie
ers which I hope will entitle mc to favour at the
ine of grace."
'he poor hufband was fo much overwhelmed with
r and confufion at this unexpeifted addrefs, that he
d not rccoUeft himfelf till after a paufe of feveral
utes, when Utttring a hollow groan, ** I will not
I he) aggravate your fuftcrii^» by reproaching you
I my wrongs; though your conduit hath been but
[1 reliim for all my tendernefi and cfteem. I look
1 it as a trial of my Chriftian patience, and bear my
brtune yith refignation : Meanwhile, I forgive you
1 my heart, and fervently pray, that your r^ieilt-
; may be acceptable' to tile Father of Mercy.'* So
Tg, he approached her bed-fide, and embraced her
sken of his fincerity. Whether this gcneroas con-
enfion dlfibfcd fuch a compofure upon her l^irits.
_ ,l,z<,i:,., Google
3i« The ADVENTURES /
as tended to the cafe and refrdhment of natnre, vhtch '
had been almoft cxhaufted hj difeafe and vexation,
certain it is, that from this day fhe began to ftruggle
with her malady in furprifing efforts, and hourly gainc4
ground, until her health was pretty well rc-eftablifhed.
This recovery was fo far. beyond the hufband's exr
peftati»n^ that he began to make very fcrious rcfleflions
on tlie event, and even to wifh he had not been quita
fo precipitate in pardoning the backflidings of his wife }
for, though Jvjcould not withhold bis compaffion from
,a dying penitcpt, he did not at all reliih the thought^
of cohabiting, as ufual, with a wjfe felf-convifted of the
violation of the matrimonial contrafl ; He therefore coht
fidered his declaratiop a$ no more than a provifional
pardon, to take place on condition of her immediate
death ; and, in a little time, not only communicated to
her his fcntiments on this fubjedt, but alfo feparate4
himfelf from her company, fecured the evidence pf hep
iqaid, who had been confidante in her ampur with Fai.
thorn, and immediately fet on foqt a profecution againft
our adventurer, whofe behaviour to his wife he did nof
fail to promulgate, with all its aggravating circumf
fiances. By thcfe means (he doftor's name became fo
notorious, that every man was afrad of admitting hini
into his houfe, and every woman alhamed pf foliciting
\^ advifc.
■CHAPTER UV. , .
Hii ecUpfe, an4 gradual deelitititioK.
MISFORTUNES feldom come (ingle: Upon thr
hack of this hue and cry, he unluckily prcfcrir
ilebotomy to a gentleman of fomc rank, whg
shanced to expire during the operation; and quarrelled
with his landlord the apothecary, who charged hiiq
with having forgot the good olHces he had done him in
the beginning of his career ; and defircd he would prOr ■
vide hlairdf with soother lodging.
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
.mtDINAND COUNT FATHO-M. ii^
AtL thefe mifliaps, treadmg upon the heels of one
lihother, had a very mortifying' cffeft upon his praftice.
At every tea-table, his name was occafionally put to the
torture, with that of the vile creature whom he had Ic-
duced i though it was generally taken for granted, by
ill thofe female cafuifls, that Ihe mufl have made the
£rft advances; for it coiild not be fuppofed, that any
tnanwould take much trouble iii laying fchcmes for the ,
ruin of a perfoM whofe attractions were fo flcnder, efpe-
cially confidering the ill ftate of her health, a circum-
fiancc that feldom adds to a woman's beauty or good
humour ; befides, fhe was always a pert minx, that af-
feAed Hngularity, and a mafculine manner of fpeaking ;
and many of them bad forefeen, that flie would, fome
time or other, bring herfclf into fuch a premunire. At
all golRpings, where the apothecary or his wife aiHfted,
Fathom s pride, ingratitude, and malpractice were can-
*affed ; in all clubs of marcied men, he was mentioned
.With marks- of abhorrence and dcteftation; and every
medical Coffeehoufe rung with his reproach. InSances
of his ignorance and prelumption were quoted, and
tnany particulars feigned for the purpofe' of defamation ;
fo that Our hero was exa£tiy in the fituation of a horfe-
man, who, in riding at full fpeed for the plate, is thrown
from the faddle in the middle of the race, and left
without fenfc or motion upon the plaifi. His progrefs,
though rapid, had been fo IhoTt, that he could not be
fuppofed to have laid up ftorc again(t fuch a day of
trouble ; and as he ftill cherllhed hopes of furmounting
thofe obftacles which bad fo fuddenly ftaned up in his
Way, he would not rdign his equipage, nor retrench his
expenccs i but appeared, as ufual, in all public places,
mth that fercnity and confidence of feature which he
liad never depofited ; and maintained his external pomp,
lipon the little he had referved In the days of his pro-
fperity, and the credit he had.acqutred by the punctua-
lity of his former payments. Both thefe funds, how-
ever, failed in a very little time : His law-fuit was a
^Iph that fwallowed up all his ready money ; and the
gleanings of his practice were fcarce fufficient to anfwer
his pocket expences, which now increafed in proportion,
to the decrcafe of buiinefs ; for, as he had more idle
j,=,i,z<,d.vGoogk'
p6 tht 'ADVENTURES ef
time, and was lets admitted mto private famtUcs, fd fit;
tbou^t he li^ more occafion to enlarge his acquainv^
wee among his ova lex, who atone were able to fup-
port him in his difgrace with the other. He accord-
ingly tilled himfelf in fevcral ctubs, and cndeavcrured td
monopolize the venereal branch of trade : Though this
Vas but an indiderent refource ; for atmoft aU his pa*
ticnts of this clafs, were fuch aa cither could not or
would not properly fecoinpence the pbyOcian.
Foa fome time he lingered in this fituaiion, without
going upwards or downwards, floating tiite a wifp ol
ibaw, at the turning of the tide, until be could no
longer amiife the perfon of whom he bad hired hU
coacb-horfes, or poftpone the other demands, which
siultiplied upon him every day> Then was his chariot
overturned with a hideous craLh, arid his face fo much
wounded with the ffiivers of the glafs, which went to
|Heccs in the fall, thct he appeared in the coSce«
hdufe with half a dozen black patches upon bis coun-
tenance, gave a moft circumftantial detail of the rifk
he bad run, ^d declared, that he did not believe be
fhould ever hazard himfelf again in any fort of wheel
carriage. ^
Soon after this accident,'hc took an opporti^nity of
telling his friends, in the fame public place, that hfl
liad turned away bis footman on account of his drunken-
' nek, and was refolved, for the future, to keep none
but maids in his fervice, becaufe the men fervants arc
generally impudent, lazy, debauched, or dilhoneA } and,
after all, neither ^ neat, bandy, j>r agreeable as the
other-fex- lu the rear of tbi* relblution, he thiftcd hi»
lodgings into a private court, beii^ dlflrafled with tht
din of carriages, that diiturb the inhabitants who live
towards the open ftreet ; and gave his acquaintance to
underhand, that be bad a medical work upon the an-
■vilj which he could not finilh without being indulged
in 01ence and tranquillity. In eSe£t, he gradually put
on tlie exteriofs of an author. His watch, with an ho-
rizontal movement by Graham, which he had often
mentioned, and fliewn as a very curious piece of work-
manfhip, began, about this time, to be very much out
of order, and was committed ta the caie of a nieodcr,
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
^EKOatAJiD COUNt FATHOM. jti
ItbO was in no hurry to reftorc it. Hit tye-wig degene-
rated into a major i he fometimes appeared without a
fword, and was even obfcrvcd In public with a fecond
day's fhirt : A( lail, his cloaths became nifty ; and, when
he walked about tlie ftreets, his head turned found in a
turpn&ig itianaer, by an involuntary motion in his neck,
which he had contracted by aa habit of reconnoitring
the ground, that he might avoid all dangerous or difa*
greeable encounters.
Fathom, finding himfelf delcending the hill of for-
tune with an acquired gravitation, ftrove to catch 2t
every twig, in order to ftop or retard his dcfcent. He
now regretted the opportunities he bad neglefled, of
marrying one of feveral women of moderate fortune,
who had made advances to him in iho zenith of hJs re-
putation ; and endeavoured, by forcing himfelf into a
lower path of life thari any he had hitherto trod, to
keep himfelf aBoat, with the portion of fame tradefmaii's
daughter, whom he meant to efpoufe. While he ex-
erted himfelf in this purfuit, he happened, in return-
ing from a place about thirty miles from London, to
become acquainted, in the ftagc coach, with a young
woman, of a very homely appearance, whom, from the
driver's information, he underftood to bc the niece of a
country juftice, and daughter of a foap^boiler, who had
lived and died in London, and left her, in her infancy,
fole helrefs of'his effedb, which amounted to four thou-
fand pounds. The uncle, who was her gnardian, had
kept her facred from the knowledge of the worid, re-
folving to eSc£t a match betwixt her and his own fon ;
and it was with much difficulty he had confented to
this journey, which {he bad undertaken as a vifit to htr
own mother, who had married a f^ond hnfirand in
town:
Fradght with thefe anecdotes, Fathom began to
put forth his gallantry and good humour, and, in a
word, was admitted by the lady to the privilege of an
acquaintance, in which capacity he vifited her during
the term of her rcfidence in Londota ; and, as there
was no time to be loft, declared his honourable inten-
tions. He had liicb a manifeft advantage, in point of
perfonal accoraplilhments, over the young getitleman,
Vol. IV. S f
^laiiizodbvGoogle
322 . The ADVENTURES of
who was deftined for berhufband, that (he did not di&
dain his propoTats; and, before Ihe fct out for the
country, he had made fuch progrefs in her heart, that
. the day was aftually fixed for their nuptials, on which'
he faithfully promifed to carry her off in a coach arid
fix. How to raife money for this expedition was all
the difficulty that remained ; for, by this time his fi-
nances were utterly dried up, and his cns3it altogether
exhaufted. Upon a very preffing occafion, he had for-
merly applied himfdf to a certain wealthy quack, who
had relieved his neceflities by lending faicli a fmall fum
of money, in return for having coinmunicatcd to him a
fecret medicine, which he affirmed to be the moft ad-
mirable fpecific that ever was -invented. The noftrum
had been ufed, and, luckily for him, fucceeded in the
trial ; fb that the empyric, in the midft of his fatisfac-
tion, began to reflect, that this lame Fathom, who
pretended to be in pofieffion of a great many reme-
dies, equally efficacious, would certainly become a
fisnnidal^e rival to him, in his buiinefs, (hould he
ever be able to extricate himfclf from his prefent &i- .
£cuUie£.
In confequencc of thefe fuggeftions, he rcfrfved to
keep our adventurer's head under water, by maintaiii-
ing him in the moft abjcil dependence : Accordingly he
.had, from time to time, accommodated him with fmall
triflesj which' barely fcrved to fupport his exiftetice,
and even for thefe had taken notes of h^nd, that be
might have a fcourge over his head, in tafc he fhould
prove infolent' or refractory. To this benefaftor Fa-
'tiiom applied for a reinforcement of twenty guineaS)
which he fblicited with the more confidence, as that
fum would certainly enable him to repay all other ob-
ligations. The quack would advance the money upoo
i-aa other condition, than that of-knowing the fchcme,
.which being explained, he complied with Ferdinand's
requefi ; but, at the fame time, privately difpatched an
exprefs to the yonng lady's uncle, with a full account of
the whole confpiracy ; ib that, when the doctor arrived
at the inn, acewling to appointment, he was received
by his worlhtp in perfon, who gave him to under(land» '
, that his niece had cEanged her mind> and gone fif^
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND C6UNT FATHOM. 323
miles farther into the country, to vifit a relation. This
vas a grievous difappoiiUment to Fatbom, who really
bcUeved his miih^is had fbrfakcn him through mere
levity and caprice, and was not undeceived till feveral
months after her marriage with her coufin, vhen,
at an accidental meeting in London, ihc explained
the flory of the fccret intelligence, and cxcufed ho:
marriage, as the effeA of rigorous ufage and compul-
fion.
Had our hero be^ really enamoured of her perfbn,
he might have, probably, accomplished his wifhct,
notwithftanding the fteps fhe had taken. But this was
not the cafe : His palEon was of a di^erent nature, -
and the object of it dFedhially without his reach. With
regard to his appetite fbr woipen, as it was an inftrnuty
of his conftitution, which he could not overcome, and
as be was in no condition jo gratify it at a great ex-
pence, he had of late chofen an houfelceeper from the
hundreds of Drury, and, to avoid fcandal, allowed her
to afliime his name. As to the intimation which had
been fent to the country jufHcc, he immediately impu-
ted it to the true author, whom he marked for his ven-
geance accordingly, but, in the mean time, fuppre^ed
his refentment, becaufe he, in . fome meafure, depend- '
cd upon him for fubfiilence. On the other hand, the
quack, dreading the forwardnefs and plaufibility of our
hero, which might, one lime or other, render him in-
depmdent, put a ftop to thofe fupplies, on pretence of
finding them inconvenient ; but, out of his friendfhip
and good will to Fathom, undertook to procure for
him fuch letters of' recommendation as would in&Uibly
inake his fortune in the Wefl Indies, and even to fit
Iiim out in a gented mann«r for the voyage, FerdiT
nand perceived his drift, and thanked him for his ge-
nerous offer, which he would not £ail to confider with
all due deliberation ; though be was determined agatnlt
the propofal, but obliged to temporize, that he might
not incur the difpleafure of this man, at whole mercy
he lay. Meanwhile the profecution againft him in Doc-
tors Commons drew near a period, and the lawyers
were clamorous for money, without which he forcfaw
he fhpuld k>fe the {uivantagc which his dufe had lately
j,=,i,z<,d.vGoogk'
314 ^^ ADVENTURES ^
acquired by the death of his antagonift's chief endeace t
He therefore, feeing every other channel Ihut up, began
to doubt, whether the lilk of bnog apprehended or
flain in the character of a highvayman, was not qvcct
balanced by the profpcfl of being acquitted of a charge
which had ruined his rcputatipn and fortune, and aAu?
ally entertained thoughts of taking the air on Hoonflow
Heath, when be was diverted frofn this oxpcdicDt by a
very lingular adventure. -
' CHAPTER hV.
jlfter diveri unfufcepfu! e^r(s, he h^ riceurff to the
malrimama/ noofe.
CHANCING to meet with one of his acquaifatanca
at a certain cofiechoufe, the difcourle tamed up*
on the characters of mankind, when, among other od^r
dities, hU friend brQUght upon the carpet a cert^n old
gentlewoman of fuch a rapacious difpoiltion, that, like
a jack-<law, Jhe ney^ beheld any metatlioc fubflance
without an inclination and even an cfibrt to fecrete it
for her own ufe and f pntemplatiqn : Kor was this in>
frmity originally produced from indigents, iaafmuch
as her circmnftapces h«d been always affluent, and ihe
was now poffefTed of ft conAdcr^lc fum of money in the
funds ; notwithftandi&g which, the avarice of her n»>
fure tempted her to let lodgii)gSi though few pco]^
tould live under the fame roof with foch an original^
who, rather than be idle, had often filched pieces of
her own plate, and charged her fcrv^ts with the theft,,
pr hinted fufpicion of her lodgers. Fathom, Araek
with the defcriptipn,. fooa perceived bow this womas'a
difeafe might be converted to his advaotage ; and after
having obtained fufficient inteHigencc, on pretence of
fatisfyiog his curioGty, he viiited the widow, in confe>
quence of a bill at her door, and anally faired an a-
paitment inherhoule, whither he iiarthwith repaired
with his inasHTato. ' It v» not long ixGire he perceir
DolizodbyGoOgle
PERDINANP COUNT FATHOM. 315
ved, tbat his landlady's character had not been mifre*
Breiented : He fed her dUtemper wirh divers inconfi*
oerable trinkets, fuch ai copper medals, cotIc fcreHSf
•dd buckles, and a paltry feal fet in filver, which
VCTC, at diffin'ent times, bid as baks for her infirmity,
tad always cTonveyed away with remarkable eagcmefs,
which he and his Dulcinea took pleafDre in obierving
from an unfufpefbed place. Thus confirmed in hi; opi^
nion, he, at length, took an opportunity of expoling a
metal wMch that belonged to bis miOrefs, and faw ic
feizcd, with great fatisfaftion, in )he abfenpe of bis
help-mate, who had gone abroad (mi purpofe, Accord-
ing to infhuftion, Ihe loon returned, and began to
raife a terrible clamour about the lols of her watch)
ipon which fhc w^ condoled 1» her landlady, who .
fcemed to doubt the integrity 01 the maid, and even
propofed that Mfg Fathom Should apply to fome juftice
of the peace for a warrant to fearch the fervant's trunks
' The lady thankuf her for die good advice, in compliance
with which (ht had immediate r«courl« to a magiftrate,
who granted a fearch warrant, not agaisft the maid,
but the miftrefs ) and {he, in a little time, returned with
the conftabie at her back.
These fuvcautionB being taken, DoAor Fathom de-
fired a private conference with the old gentlewoman,
, in n4ifch he gave her to underftand, that he had un-
doubted proofs of her having fecreted, not only tha
watch, but alfo fercral other odd things of lefs confe-
(|uence, which be had loit fince his rdidence in her
kouli:: He then Ihewcd the warrant he had trained
againft her, and aiked if fhe had any thing to oSer
iriiy the conftaUe Ihould not do his duty. Incxprc&
fiUe were the anguifh and confiifion c^ the defendant,
when fhe found herfelf thus entrapped, and refie^d,
that Ihe was on the point of being detected of felony }
for the at (nice ctmcludcd, that the fnare was laid for
her, »)d knew, that the officer of julHce would cer-
tainly find the unlucky watch in aoe of the drawers of
her fcratore.
ToRTURSD 'mth tbefc fuggeftions, afraid of public
difgrace, and dreading the confequcnce of legal con-
fi^oi), Qm £t)l <nb her Jcnees before tlic injured Fa-
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
3S6 Tht ADVENTURES of
tbom, and, after having imputed her crime to tbs
temptations of necellity, implored bis compaffion, pro-
Qiircd to reftore the watch, and every tbjjjg ihc had
taken, and begged he would difiAiJs the conftable,
that her reputation wight not fuffer in the eye of the^
world.
Fe&dinind, with a feverity of countenance pur-
pofely aflumed, obferved, that, were Ihe really indi-
gent, he had charity enough to forgive what £be had ,
done ; but, as he knew her circumflanccs were opu-
lent, he looked upon this excufe as an aggravation of
her guilt, which was certainly the eflfeA of a vicioui
inclination ; and he was. therefore determined to proft-
cote her with the utmoll Severity of the taw, as an ex-
ample and terror to others, who might be Infected witli
the fame evil difpofition. Finding him deaf to all her
tears and entreaties, fhe changed her note, and offered
him one hundred guineas, if he would compromife the
affair, and drop the profecution, fo as that her cha-
racter Oiould fui^in no damage. After much arguT
mentation, he confented to accept of double the fum,
■ which being mftantly paid in Eaft India bonds, Doflor
Fathom told the conftable, that the watch was found ;
and for once her reputation was patched up. This fea-
ibnable fupply enabled our hero to Hand trial with hit
adverfary, who was nonfuited, and alfo to mend lus ex-
ternal appearance, which of tate ^lad not 1>een eztreiner
\f magnificent.
Soon after this gleam of good fortune, a tradcfman,
to whom he was conCderably indebted, feeing no othes
probaUc means to recover his money, introduced Fa-
thom to the acquaintance nf a young widow who lodged
at his houfe, and was faid to be in poffeffion of a cons'?
derable fortune. Confidering the fteps that were ta-
ken, it would have been almoft impofllble for him to
mifcarry in his addreffes. The lady had been bred m
the country, was unacquainted with the world, and of
a very fanguine difpofition, which her &ort trial c^ ma-
trimony had not ferved to cool. Our adventurer wat
inftrudted to call at the tradefman's houfe, as if by ac-
cident, at -an ' appointed time, when the widow was
drinking tea with her landlady. Oa tbele occafiOns ht
DiailizodbvCoOglc
FERDINAND C6UNT FATHQM. 327
ttmjs behaved to admiration. She liked his perfon,
aiid praifed his politenefs, good humour, and good
fenfe; his fonfederates extolled him as a prodigy of
learning, tafte, and good nature ; they likcwifc repre-
fented him as a perfon on the eve of eclipCng all his
competitors in phylic. An acquaintance and mtimacy
ibon enfued, nor was he reftridted in point of opportu-
ntty. In a word, he fucceeded in his endeavours, and,
one evening, on pretence of attending her to the play,
he accompanied her to the Fleet, where they were mar-
tied, in prefence of the tradefman and his wife, who
were of the party.
This grand afi^r being accomplilhed to his fatis-
faAion, he, next day, vifited her bibber, who was a
counfeltor of the Temple, to make him acquainted
with the ftep his filler had taken ; and though the law-
yer was not a little mcvtified'to find that (he had made
fuch a clandeftine match, he behaved civilly to his new
brother-in-law, and gave him to underftand, that his
wif^a fortune' conlifted of a jointure of one hundred
and fifty pounds a-year, and fifteen hundred pounds
bequeathed to her during her widowhood, by her own
fethcr, who had taken the precaution of fettling it in
the hands of truftees, in fuch a manner as that any
hnlband {he might afterwards efpoufe ihould be rc-
ftrifted from encroaching upon the capital, which was
referved for the benefit of her heirs. This intimation
was hr from being agreeable to our hero, who had
been informed, that thb fum was abfolutely at the la-
dy's difpofal, and had afhially deflincd the greateft i^rt
of it for the payment of his debts, for defraying the ex-
pence of fumifbing an elegant houfe, and letting up a
new equipage.
NoTwiTHSTAKDiNG this difappointmcnt, he re-
folved to- carry on his plan upon the credit of his mar-
riage, which was publifhed in a very pompous article of
the news-papers ; a chariot was befpoke, a ready-fur-
nilhed houfe immediately taken, and Doflor Fathom
began to re-appear in all his former fplendor.
His good friend the empiric, alarmed at this erent^
which not only raifed our adventurer into the fpfaere of
a dangerous rival, but alfo fumiihcd him with means
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
pi the ADVENTURES of
to revenge the ill office he had fujlajned st bi6 bandfl
on the adventure of the former match j fot, by thii
time, fathom had given htm fome hints, imporciagf
thas he was not ignorant of his treacherous behaviour)
toiifecl, I fay, by thefe confiderations, he employed on«
of his cmlflaries, who bad fome Icndwledge of Fatbom's
brother-in-law, to prejudice him aaainft our adventured)
.whom he reprefented as a heedy mArper, not only ov^r
whelmed with debt and difgrace, but likewife previouflf
married to a poor woman, wbo was prevented by no*
ching but want irmn fecking redrefs at law. To confine
thefe affertions, he gave him a detail of Fathom's in*
cutnbrancesi which he liad learti^ fof the purpofe> and
even bfottght the counfellor In company with the peN
fon who had lived with our hero before marriage, and
who was fO' much incenfed at her abrupt difmiffion, tbat
ihe did not fcniple to cortoborate tbefe allegations tA
the informer.
TriB lawyer, ftwtled at this Intelligence, fet on fiaol
a minute enquiry into the life and cooverfation of th«
dof^oT, which turned out fo little to the advantage of
his character and circumllances, that he refoived, 'i
polElde, todifunite him &om his family, and, as a pre-
vious ftep, repeated to his fifter all that he had heafd
to the prejudice of her buiband, not forgetting to f»0-
diice the evidence of bis miftrefs, who laid claitai to him
by a prior title, which, Jhe pretended, couid be proved
bjr the tefthnohy of the clergyman who joined them.
-Su(^ an explanation Could not£iIl to inObiAe thefcTent-
mcnt of the injured wife, who, at the ver^ firft oppor-
tunity, giving a hrofeto the impetuoticy of her temiper,
-upbraided our Ikto with the moft bitter invc^ives for
his perfidious dealing, , - - .
Fbrdikand, cunfcious of his own innocence. Which
he had not always to plead, far from Mtcmpting to
foOtbe her indignation, alTumed the authority and ^t- ,
rogative of an hufband, and lhar[dy reftrehcnded her
for her credulity and indecent warmtii. This relnibe,
iniiead of lilencing, gave new fplrit and volubility lo
ha> r^oaches, in the courfe of which Ihe plainly taxed
.. him with want of hone% and tfeftion, and faid, that.
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 329
though his pretence was love, his aim was no other thaa
a bafe dcfiga upon her fortune.
Fathom, ftung with thefe accufations, vhich he
tfeally did not dcferve, replied with uncommon heat,
and charged her in his torn with want of' finccrity and
candour, in the falfe account Ihe had given of that
fame fortune before marriage. He even magnified his
own condefcenlion, in furrcndering his tibertjT to a wo-
man who had fo little to recommend her to the addref-
ies of the other fex ; a retleflion which [»-ovoked this
mild creature to fuch a degree of animofity, that, for-
getting her duty and allegiance, Ihe lent him a box 9n
the car with fuch energy as made his eyes water ; and
he, for the honour of his manhood and fovereignty,
having wafhed her face with a-diih of tea, withdrew,
abruptly to a co&eboufe in the neighboiirhaoJ, where
he had not Long remained, when his pallion fubUcled,
and he then faw the expediency of an immediate recfin-
ciliation, which he rcfolvcd to purchafe, even at thii
espencc of a fubmilBon.
It was pity that fuch 3 falutary refoluclon had not
been fooner taken : For, when he returned to his own
houfe, he underftood, that Mrs Fathom had gone a-
broad in an hackney coach ; and, upon examining hex
apartment, in lieu of h^ cloaths and trinkets, which
the tiad removed with admirable dexterity and difpatch,
he found this billet in one of the drawers of her bureau.
•' Sir, being convinced that you are a cheat and aa
impoftor, I have withdrawn myfelf from your cruelty
and machinations, with a view to folicit the prote£tion
of the law ; and I doubt not but I Ihall foon be able
to prove, that you have no jull title to 01 demand .
upon the perfon or eSe£b of the unfortunate Sarah
Muddy."
The time had iieea when Mr Fathom would have
allowed Mrs Muddy to rehne at her leifure, and blclP-
ed God for his happy deliverance j but at prefeat the
cafe was quite altered. Smarting as Ive was from the
cxpettce of law-fuits, he dreaded a profecution for hi*
gamy, which (though he had justice on his lide) he
knew he c^utd not of himfelf fuppori : Eehdes, all bis
other fchemes of life were fruftrated by tliie uaUicky
Vol. IV. Tt
DiailizodbvCoOglc
330 TA* ADVENTURES of
elopemait. He- therefore fpcedily determined to antf-
cipate, as much as in him lay, the malice of his ene^
mies, and to obtain, without delay, ' authentic docu-
ments of his marriage. With this view, he hafteaetJ
tO'the houfe 0f the tradefman, who, with his wife, had
been witncfs to the ceremony and coiifummation ; and,
in order to imcreft them the more warmly in his caufe,
made ar pathetic recital of this unhappy breach, in which
he had fiiffcred fuch injury and infult. But all his rhe-
toric would not avail : Mrs Muddy had been beforehand
with him, and had proved the better orator of the two ;
- for Ihe had affailed this honcft couple with fuch tropes
and figures of eloquence, as were ahogether irrefiftible.
Nevertheleft, they heard our hero to an end, with great
patience. Then the wife, who was the common mouth
upon all fach bccafions, contrafting her features into a
very formal difpofition, " 111 aflure you (faid ihe), Doc-
tor Fathom, my huiband"and I have been in a very-
great tcrrilication and numplulh, to hear fuch bad
tilings of a perfon, whom, as one may fay, we thought
a worthy gentleman, and were ready to fcrve at all
times, by day and by mght, as the faying is. And be-
sides, for all that, you know, and God knows, as we
are duftrious people, and work hard for what we get,
and we have ferved gentlemen to our own harm, where-
by my hufband was laft Tuefday ferved with a fiferary,
being that he was bound for an officer that ran away:
And I feid to my hufband, Timothy, fays I, 'tis a ve-
ry hard thing for one to ruin one's fclf for ftranger
people — ^There's Dodter Fathom, fiys I, his account
comes to nine and forty pounds fcvcn fhillings and
four pence half-penny; and you know, Doftor, that
■was treforeyour laft biH began : But, howfomever, little
' did I think, as how, a gentleman of your learning
i^ould go to deceive a poor gendewoman, when you had
another wife alive."
In vain did our adventupcr endeavour to vindicate
himfelffrom this afperiion ; the good woman, like a
great many modern, difputaiifs, proceeded with her de-
clamation, without teeming to hear what was laid on
the other fide of the queflion ; and the hufband was al-
toge&er neutral. At 'length, Fsrdinand, finding aU
^lailizodbvGoOglf
FERBINAND COUNT FATHOM. 331
bis proteftations inefibQual, " Well (faid he), though
you are refolved, I fee, to difcrcdil: all that I can faj ia
oppolltiou to. that fcaodalous Oandn', of which I cao ea-
£ly acquit myJelf in a court of juflice, furely you )rill
not tefufe to grant me 3 certificate, Ognifying .that you
were prefcnt at the ceremony of my matriage with this
unhappy woman." " You Ihall eitcufe us (replied the
female orator), people cannot be tod wary in Hgning
their names in this wicked world ; many a one has been
brought to ruination by llgning his name, and my hu&
band ihall not, with my good will, draw him&lf mto
fuch a primmincery."
Fathom, alarmed at this refufal, eameftly argued
againft the inhumanity and injuftice of it, appealing to
their own confciences for the reafonablenefs of his pro-
pofal ; but, from the evafive anfwers of the wife, he had
reafon to belicTe, that, long before the time of trial,
they would take care to have forgotten the whole tranf-
aAion.
Though he was equally confounded and incenfed
3t this inftancc of their perhdy, he durft not manifcft
his indignation, confcious of the advantage they had
ever him in divers rofpefts ; but repaired, without lofs
of time, to the lodging of the clergyman who had
noofed him, refolved to confult his regifter, and fecnre
his evidence. , Here too hb evil genius had got the
ftart of him; for the worthy ecclefiaftic not only could
not recoUcA his features, or find liis name in the regi-
fter, but, when importuned by his preffing remonltran-
ces, took umbrage at the freedom 'of his behaviour,
.and threatened, if he would not immediately take him-
' '&If away, to raife the poH'c of the Fleet, for the faiety
of his own perfon.
Rather than put the palkir to the tronble of alarm-
ing his flock, he retreated with a heavy heart, and went
in quell of his milb-els, whom he had dtTmilled at his
marriage, in hopes of effecting a reconciliation, and
preventing her from joining in the cwifpiracy againlt
him : But, alas ! he met with fuch a reception as he
had reafon to expeA from a flighted woman, who had
never fdt any real attachment for bis perfon. She did
pot upbrwd iuai with his cruelty in leaving her as a mi-
_, ,i,z<,i:,., Google
33? Tie ADVENTURES b/
&re(94 but, with a fpecie* of effrontery never enougii t<» ,
be admired, reproached him with his villainy, in abaDr
doning her, who was his true and lawful wife, to go
and ruin a poor gcntkwoman, by whofe fortune he had
be^i allutcd.
When he attempted to expoltulate with this virago,
upon the barbarity of this afTertion, ftic very prudently
declined engaging in private conycrfation with fuch
an artful and wicked man, and, calling up the people
of the houfb, inQfted upon bis being conducted tp the
door.
CHAPTER LVI.
In vihich hit forium u rfft61ually firangled.
THE laft rdbuTce, and that upon which he leaft
depended, was thic advice and affiftance of his
did friend the empiric, with whom he ftill maintained
a {light corrcfpondence ; and to whofc houfe fac fteered
bis courfc, in great perplexity and tribulation. That
gentleman, inftead of confoling him with adbrances of
^lendfhip and protection, faithfully recapitulated all
the inftances of his kidifcretion and mifcondu£t, taxed
him with want of fincerlty in the Weft India afiair, as
well as with wwit of boneftyin this laft marriage, while •
bis f(MTner wife was alive ; and, finally, reminded hiiq
pf his notes, which he defired might be immediately ta-
ken up, as he {the quack) had prefi^nt pccafion for a
fum of money.
Ferdinanc, fedng it would be impra^icaUe to
derive any fuccour from this qu^ler, liieakcd home-
wards, in order to hold a confultation with his own
thoughts } and the lirft pbjeft that prefentcd itfetf to his
eyes, when he entered his apartment, was a letter from
the tradcfman, with his account inclofed, amounting to
fifty-fite pounds, which the writer defired might he
paid without delay. Before he had time to perufe the
Articles, he received a fummons, in confequence of ^
J.,r,l,z<»i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 33J
bin of indiAment for bigamy, found agaiaft him in
Hicks's Hall, by Sarah Muddy, widow ; and, while he
was revolving meafurcs to avert thefe ftorms, another
billet arrived from a certain attorney, giving him to un-
derftand, that he had orders from Dollar Bii£ilo, the
quack, to fiic him for the payment of feveral notes, un-
lefs he would take them up in three days from the date
of this letter.
SiTCH a conairrencc of finifter events made a deep
impreflion upon the mind of our adventurer : All hh
fortitude was infufficient to bear him up agninil thit^
torrent of misfortunes ; liis refoarccs were all dried up,
his invention failed, and his rcfleftioh began to take a
new turn. " To what purpofc (faid he to himfclO have
I deferted the paths of integrity and truth, and cx-
hauftcd 3 fruitful imagination, in contriving fchemes
to betray my fell ow-crea tares ; if, inftead of acquiring
B fplendid fortune, which was my aim, I have fuf-
fercd fuch a feries of mortilications, and at laft brought
myfelf to the brink of inevitable deftruftion ? By a
virtuous exertion of thofe talents I inherit from nature
^nd education, I might, .long before this time, hate
rendered myfelf independent, and, perhaps, confpicu-
ous in life : I i^ight have grown up like a young oalc^
which being firmly rooted in its kindred foil, gradually
raifes up its lofty head, expands its leafy arms, projech
a noble Ihadc, and towers the glory of the plain ; I
fhould have paid the debt of gratitude to my benefac-
tors, and made their hearts fing with joy for the happy
cffedts of their benevolence ; I Ihould have been a bul-,
wark to my friends, a flielter to my neighbours in dil^
Irefs J I fhould have run the race of honour, fecn my
fame diffiiled like a fwect-fmelling odour, and felt the
jncfFablc pleafure of doing good: "Whereas 1 am, after
a viciffitude of difappointments, dangers, and fatigues,
reduced to mifcry and fhame, aggravated by a con-
fciencc loaded with treachery and guilt. I have abufcd
the confidence and generofity of my patron ; I have de-
frauded his family, under the mafk of fincertty and at-
tachment ; I have taken the moft cruel and bafc ad- '
vantages of virtut in diftrefs ; I have feduced un-
fufpe^ing innocence to ruin anddefpairj I have vio-
^laiiizodbvGoogle
334 Tit ADVENTURES »/
lated the moft facred truft repofed ip me by toy fi-iend
aitd benefa£lor ; I have betrayed his love, torn bis noble
beart afunder, by means of the mofl perfidious flandcr
and falfe infiouations j and finally, brought to an un-
timely grave the faiieft pattern of human beauty and
perfcdtion. Shall the author of tbefe crimes pafs with
imptinity ? Shall he hope to profpcr in the midii of fuch
enormous guilt ? It were animputation upon Fiovidence
fo fiippofe it — Ah, no ! I begin to feel myfelf overtaken
by the eternal juftif:e of Heaven ! I totter on the edge
drf wretchednefs and woe, without one iriendly hand to
ftvc me from the terrible abyfs."
These refleftions, which perhaps the mifery of bit
feUoW' creatures would, never have iofpired, had he
ttimfelf remained without the verge of misfortune, wcr<
BOW produced &om the fenfation of his ovm calami-
ties ; and, fcT the tirn time, his cheeks were bedewed
with the drops of penitence and forrow. Contraries, '
tkhh Plato, are produ^ve of each other. Reforma-
tion is oftentimes generated firom unfuccefsfiil vice ; and
our adventurer was, at this jundturc, very well difpofed
to tnm over a new leaf, in conlequence of thofe falu-
tary fuggeftions i though he was far &om being curCd
beyond the poflibitity of a rehpfe : On the cwitrary, all
the faculties of his foul were lb well adapted, and had
been fo long habituated to deceit, that, in order to
extricate himfelf from the evils that environed him, he
would not, in all pro ha hi hty, have fcrupled to praftife
il upon his own father, had a convenient opportunity .
pccurred.
Be that as it may, he certainly, after a tedious and
£iutle{s exercife of his invention, refolved to eSe£t a
clandelline retreat from that confederacy of enemies
which he could not withftand, and once mOre join his
fortune to that of Renatdo, whom he propofed to fervc,
kt the future, with fidelity and afie^ou, thereby en-
deavouring to atone for the treachery of his former
conduct. Tbns determined, he packed up his necefla-
lies in a portmanteau, attempted to amule his creditors
with promifcs of fpcedy payment, and venturing to come
forth in the dark, took a place in the Canterbury
fiage-coach, after having converLcd his luperfluitics in*
bolted byGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. jjf
ta ready money. Thcfe ftcps trere not taken with fud»
privacy, as to elude the vigilance of his adverfaries;
for, although he had been cautious enough to tranfpoit
himfelf and his baggage to the inn on Sunday evening
and never doubted that the vehicle, which fet out at
four o'clock on Monday morning, would convey him
out of the reach of his creditors, before they could
poflibly obtain a writ for fecuring his perfon ; they had
actually taken fuch precautions as fhiflrated all hts
finefle; and the coach being ftopt io the borough of
Souihwark, Do£lor Fathom was fcized by virtue of a
warrant obtained on a criminal indictment, and was
forthwith conduct! to the prifon of the King's BeiKfa;
yet not before he had, by his pathetic remonftranccs,
excited the compaffion, and ■even drawn tears from the
eyes of his fellow- paffcngers.
He no foorier recollefl:ed himfelf frbm the fliotrfc
which muft have been occasioned by this finifter inw-
dent, than he difpatched a letter to his brotherrin-law
the counfellor, requcAing an immediate conference, in .
which he promifed to make fuch a propo&r, as would
fave him alt the expence of a law-fuit and trial, and at
the faine time effcChially anfwer all the purpoles t£
both. He was accordingly favoured with a vifit from
the lawyer, to whom, after the moft folemn protefeb-
dons of his own innocence, he declared, that, find-
ing himfelf unaSle to wage war againft fuch powerfbl
antagonifts, he had refolved even to abandon his indo-
bitable right, and retire into another country, in order
to fcreen himfelf irom pcrfccution, and remove all
caufe of difquict from the profccutrix, when he wis
unfortunately prevented by the warrant which had been
executed againft him. He faid he was ftill willing, for
the fake of lus liberty, to fign a formal renunciation of
his pretenfions to Mrs Fathom and her fortune, pro- "
vided the deeds could he executed, and the warraitf
withdrawn, before he fiiould be detained by his other
creditors ;' and laftly, he conjured the barrifter to iparc
himfelf the guilt and the charge of fuboming evidence
for the deftruClion of an onhappy man, whofe misf<v>*
tilne was his only feult.
3,a,l,,t!dbyG00gIe
3i<t thi ADVENTURES of
The lawyer felt the force of his expoftuIatioDs, ai)(]
though he would by no means fuppofe him innocent of
the chaige of bigamy, yet, under fhe prctciLt of hu-
manity and comtniferatioD, he undertook to perfuade
his fifter to accept of a proper releafc, which he ob-
ferved would not be binding, If executed during the
conlinement of Fathom ; he therefore tools his leave,
in order to prepare the papers, withdraw the a^ion, and
take fuch other meafures as would hinder the prifoner
from giving him the Qip. Next day he returned with an
order to releafc our hero, who being formally dlfchar-
ged, was condufted by the lawyer to a tavern in the
neighbourhood, where the rcleafes wereexcbangedjand
every thing concluded with amity and concord. This
buliners being happily tranfai^ed, Fathom (lept into aa
hackney-coach with his baggage, and was foUowed by
abailiS", who told him with great compofure, that he
was again a prifoner, at the fuitof Dr Buffalo, and de-
fired the coachman to re-conduA him to (he lodging he
had fo lately d'fcharged.
Fathom, whofe fortitude had bees hitherto (^the
pagan temper, was now fain to reinforce it with the
philofophy of ChiiAiaa reHgnatlon, though he had not
as yet arrived to fuch a pitch of felf-dcnial, .as to for*
give the counfellor, to whofe double'dealing he, im*
puted this new calamity. After havuig received the
conapliments of the jail<»' on bis recommit atent, he took
pen, ink, and paper, and compoled wi artful and af-
fe£Uag epifile to the empiric, imploring his mercy,
flattering his weakneA, and demonftrating the bad po
hey of cooping up an unhappy man'in a Jail, wbere be
could never have an opportunity of doiog juftice to his
creditors { nor did he forget to declare his intention of
retiring into another country, where he might have
fome chance of earning a fublil^encc, which he had fo
long toikd for to no purpose in England. This laft de-
claration he made in confcquence of th? jealous difpo-
£tioa of the t^uack, who he knew had long looked up-
on him in the odious light c^ an isterloping rival. —
liowever, he reaped no bene£t from this fupplication,
which ferved only to gratify the pride of BuiFalo, who
produced the extravagant encomiums which Fathom
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 337
fiad beflowcd upon him, as fo many tcftimonials of his
/ocs bearing witnefs to his virtue.
CHAPTER LVII.
Pathom hitngfafthj houftd^ the reader" it entertained with
a retrofpea.
XVUT now it is high time to leave our adventurer to
fj chew the cud of refleiftion and remorTe in this fo-
litary maniion, that we may trace Renaldo in the fcvc-
ral fteps he tool: to aHcrt his right, and do juflice to his
family. Never man indulged a more melancholy train
of ideas than that which accompanied him in his jour-
ney to the imperial court: For, notwithftanding the
manifold reafons he had to e^ft an happy iiTue to his
aim, his imagination was iaceirantl/ infected with fome-
thing that chilled his nerves, and faddened his heart,
recurring, with quick fuccelGon, hke the unwearied
wave that beats upon the bleak inhofpitablc Green-
land fhore. This, the reader will eajity fuppofe, was
DO other than the remembrance of the forlorn Monimia,
whofc image appeared to his fancy in different attitudes,
according to the prevalence of the pafltons which raged
in his bofom. Sometimes he viewed her in the light
of apoftacy, and then his foul was maddened with in-
dignation and defpair : But thefe tran&ory blafts were
not able to efface the imprelllDns Ihe had formerly
made upon his heart; impreffions which he had lb
oftet) and fo long contemplated with inconceivable r^
tore. Thefe pifhires ftill remained, reprefenting her
fair as the moii perfefl idea of beauty, foft aud tender
9s an angel of mercy and companion, wanned with
every virtue of the heart, and adorned with every ac-
complifhment of human nature : Yet the alarming
contrail: came ftill in the rear of this recollection ; fo
that his foul was by turns agiuted by the tempefts of
horrOT, and overwhelmed by the floods of grief.
He recalled the moment on which he firft beheld
ber, with that pleafing regret which attends the mer
Vol. rv. U u
^oiizodbyGoogle
338 fhe ADVENTURES ?r.
mory of a dear deccafcd friend: Then he brtterW cur&c)
it, as the foujrce of all hb rriKfortnncs and afiii^ion :
He thanked Heaven for haying blelTed him with a
iriend to detect her perfidy and ingratitude ; then ar-
dently wi{hed he had ftill continued under the influence
of her delu(!on. la a word, the lonelmefs of his Htur
ation aggravated cye^y horror of his rcfleftion ; for, as
be foand himfclf without company, bis imaginatioQ
was never folicited, or his attention diverted fron], thefe
fubjefts of woe ; and he travelled to Sniflels in a rev&-
rie, fraught with foch torments as mud have entirely
wrecked his rcafon, had not IVovidcnce interpofcd id
his behalf. He was, by his poftilion, condnfted lo one
of the beft inns of the place, where he undcrftood the
cloth was already laid for fuppcr ; and as the ordinary
is open to ftrangcrs, m all thefe houfes of ciitertain-
ment, be introduced himfelf , into the company, with a
view lo alleviate, in fome mcafurc, his forrow and
chagrin, by the contcrfation of his fcHow-gucfts : Tct
be was ib ill iwcpared to obtain the relief which he
courted, that he entered the apartment, and fat dowii
to tabled without diftingcrfhing either the ntmbcr or
countenances of thofc who ware prefcnt ; Tliongh he
himfelf did not remain fij unregarded. His mien and
deportment produced a prepoffcllion in his favour; and
(he air of affiiflion, To remarkable in his vifage, did
not fjil to atcra^ their fympathy and obferration. '
Among the reft, was an Irifli ofBcef in the Auflrialr
fervice, who having eyed Renaldo ^ttentiyeiy, " Sir
{laid he, rifing), if my eyes and memory do not deceive
me, you are the Count dc Mdvil,'wirfi whom I had the
honour to ferve upon the Rhine doting the laft war.f
The youth, hearing his own name mentioned, lifted up
bis eyes, and at once recognizing the other to be a
gentleman who had been a captain in his father's regi-
ment, ran forwards^ and embraced him with great af-
fcaion. ■,.:..*
This was, in divers rcfpcfts, a fortunate rencounter
for young Mcivii 5 as the ofljcer was not only perfcftly
welt acquainted with the fituation of the count's family,
but alfo refoived, in a few days, to fet out forVicnna, whi-
ther he pTomifed tozccompany RenaMo, as foon as be
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND €6UNT FATriOJJ. J39
ifnderllood Iiis route lay the fame way. Before the day
£xed for their departure arrived, this gentleman found
inciins to islinuatc liknfelf fo hi into the confidence of
the count, ii to learn the caufe of that diftrefs whicb
he had obferved in Iijs features at their Srit meeting (
and being a gentleman of uncommon vivacity, as well
ats finceiely attached to the family of MeWil, to which
be had Owed hi« ^omotiony he exerted all his good hu-
tnOtH* and good fenfe in amuGng the fancy and reafon-
ing down the mortification of the affiidtcd Hungarian.
He in particular endeavoured to wean hit attention
irom the, loft Monimia, by engaging it ufoa hit do^
taeftic afiair$t and upon the wrongs of his mother and
£fter, who* be gave him to underiland, were languilh'
Ing under the tyniany of his father-in-law.
This was a note tha effcdtwally roufed him from the
ICthsirgy of his f(»Tow( and the deirre of taking ven-*
geaace On the opprdTgr, who had ruined his fortune,
and made his nearell relations miferable, fo entirely, en-
groiTed koi thoughts,- at to leave no room for other con-
fidcratioi^f I>uriag their journey to Auflria, Major
Farrel (that wts the name of his fellow-travdler) in-
^M'njed him of masy circumflances touching his father's
houfti to which himfelf wa; an utter ftranger.
, *• The conduct of your mother (faiJ he), in marry-
ing Coutit Treba£[, was not at all agreeable either to the
friends of the Count de MeWil, or (0 lier own relations,
tvho Jwci^ her fecc>nd hiUbsnd to be a nrao of a violent
tcmpcft 9nd r<ipacious difpofition, which the nature of
bis edtieatioo and employment had ferved rather to !□•
flanUE thikn allay 1 for you well know he was a partizan
during tbe whole eourfc of the late war. They were,
moreover, equally furpriTed and chayiaed, when they
found fhc took no ftep to prevent his fciziog upon that
inhertunce which of right belonged to you, apd which,
by the laws of Hungary, is unalienable from the heir of
blood ; Neverthelefs) they are now fully convinced, that
fhe bath more ihair Ibfikiently atoned for her indilcrc-
tion, by the barbarity of' her hu^and, who hath not
only Cechided her from all communication with her
friends and acquaintance* but even confined her to the
well tower of your father's houle, where the is faid to
DiailizodbvCoOglc
34« 7^ ADVENTURES ef
be kept clofc prifimer, and fubjefted to all {brts of iO'
convenience and mortification. This ieverity {he b be-
lievcd to have incurred in confequcncc of having cz-
poflnlated to him upon his un)uft behaviour to you and
Mademolfellc, whom he hath a^hiatly ihut up in fome
convent in Vienna, which your relations have not as
yet been able to difcovcr: Bot the memory of your
noble father is fo dear to all thofe who were favoured
with his friendlhip, and the fuSerlngs of the Countefs
and Mademoifelle have raifed fucb a fpirit of refentmenc
againft her cruel jailor, that nothing is vanted but
your prefence to b^in the profecution, and give a fanc-
tian to the meafures of your friends, which will in a
Gttle time reftore your family to the fruition of Its
rights and fortune ; For my own part, my dear county
I conlider myfelf as one wholly indebted to your houfe
for the rank and expeAation I now enjoy i and my fi-
nances, intercft, and perfon, fuch as they are, I dedicate
to your fervice."
Renaldo was not flow in making his acknowled^
mencs to this generous Hibernian, whom he Informed of
his fcheme, recounting to him his uncommon iraafaftion
with the benevolent Jew, and communicating the letters
of recommendation he had received by his means to
fome of the firft noblemen at the impcrid court. Mean-
while, he burned with impatience to chaftife Cbilnt
Trcbafi for his perfidious conduct to the widow and the
fatberlefs, and would have taken the road to Prefburg,
without touching at Vienna, in order to call him to a
. fevere account, had not he been ftrenaoufly oppofed l^
Major Farrcl, who reprefcnted the imprudence of ta-
king fuch a ftcp before be had fecnrcd a proper [votec-
tlon from the conlequenccs with which it might be at-
tended.
<< It is not (faid he) your own life and fortune only
which depend upon your bchavioar in thb emergency*
but alio the quiet and happinefs of thof« who are moft
dear to your affc&aoa: Not you alone, bat UkcwiTe
your mother and filter, would infallibly fufler by yoor
temerity and precipitation. Firft of all, delivo your '
credentials at court, and let its join our endeavours to
lalfe^an intereft ftcong ettough to cooaterbalance tbaf ot
^olizodbyGoOglf
FEtolKAND COUNT FATHOM. 34(
Trcbafi. If we fuccced, there will be no neccffity for
having recourfe to pcrfonal meaiiires : He will be com'
pelled to yield up your inheritance which he unjuftly
detains, and to reftore your fiflerto your arms; and if
be aftcrvards refiifes to do juftice to the countefs, you
will always have it in your power to evince yourfdf the
fon of the brave Count de Mclvil.
These juft and falutary reprefentations had a due
effWt upon Renaldo, who no fooner arrived at the ca-
pital of Auftria, than he waited, upon a certain prince
of diftinftion, to whofc patronage he was commended {
and &om whom he met with a very cordial reception,
cot only on account of his credentials, but alfo for the
fake of his ^tber, who was well known to his htghnefs.
He heard his complaints with great patience and affabi-
lity, allured him of his affiftance and protection, and
even undertook to introduce him to the cm[»efs-queen,
who would not fuSer the weakeft of her fubjefb to be
oppnSedf much lefs difrcgard the caufe of an injured
young noblemant who by his own fcrvices, and thoCe of,
his family, was peculiarly entitled to her favour.
Nor was he the only pcrfoit whofc countenance and
patronage Melvil folicited upon this occafion ; he viHted
all the friends of his father, and all bis mother's rela-
tions, who were eafily intercftCd in bis behalf; while
Major Farrel contributed all his efforts in Ih^ngthening
the alTociation. So that a law-fuit was immediately
commenced againft Count Trebafi, who on his lide vaa
not idle, but prepared with incredible induftry for thc^
affault, refolving to maintain with his whole power th«
acquifition he had made.
Th£ laws of Hungary, like thofe of fome Other coun-
tries I cwild name, afford fo many fubterfuges fbr the
purpofes of perfidy and iraud, that it is no wonder our
youth began to complain of the flow progrefs of his af-
fair ; efpecially as he glowed with the molV eager defirc
of redreffing the grievances of his parent and iiitcrf
whofe fufferings he did not doubt were doubled -fince
the inftitution of his procefs againft their tormentor.
He imparted his fentim^ts on this-hcad to his friend;
ind, as his apprebenlions every moment increafed,'
plainly told him he could no longer live without ma^
Ji.iliz,,!:,., Google
i4i the Adventures *)r
king Ibme effort to fee thoTc with wbom be was id
ijearly conne^cd in point of blood and aSeition : He
therefore rcfoWed to repair immediately to Freiburg^
and, according to the intelligence he (houLd procure/
clTay to fee and converje with his moth«> (bough ik
the hazard of his life.
CHAPTER LVnL
^■enaJdo airidgft the pmceeiingt at lam, and epfravet him*
filfthefon 1^ his father.
THE major, finding him dctenniii«d( is/i'ticd trpt>ri
attending him in hie expedition, and thej fet ami
together for Prelburg, where tbejf privately arrived ai
the dark, rcfolving to keep themfelves cQOceated at tbo
houfe of a friend, until they fliould haoc Ibriped Tome
plan for their future operations- Here thfy ware in*
formed that Count Trebafi's caAIc wa>. alt^etber inac^
eelSble ; that alt the fervants who were JuppoTed ttf
have the leaft veneration (^ companion for the ctninteA
vcre difmiJled ; and. Chat, fince Hepsldo was knowti
to be ip Germany, the vigilaqce and cOulion of thai
cruel huihand was redoubted to fuch a dcgteet Uiat Ao-
body knew whether his iinfortunatc jiady wat a^altf
^tve or df ad.
, Fabrel perceiving M^vjl exceedii^ty affofted with
^h )9t)aiati(^, and hawing bin) declvw that he woubi
never quit Prefburg until he ihould have Cotered the
hpule, «od romoved his dovbts, on tbjjt interciiing fub-
jjc^, not only argued with great vehemaKe agaisft
Aich an attempt, as equally dangerous and indifcrcet^
but folemnly fwore he would prevent his purpole, hy
^covering his delign to the famUy, unlefs he wquld
nroniife to IjHen to a more modonte «nd feafible expe-
dient- > He then propofed that he himrdf Should appeai^
in th« equipage of one of the travelling Savoyards who
IjroU ^ixiut Europe, amuilng ignorant people with the
^Si^E of a fliagic lanthorn, and in that dirguire fndca'
xfinr t9 obtain admittance from tlie &rTaat:> of Trebaitj
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNf FATHOM. 343
amoDg whom he might make foch enquiries as would
deliver Metvil frgm his prefcnt uneafy fufpenec' »
This propofal was embraced, though reluctantly, hy
Renaldo, who was unwilling to expofp his friend to the .
ieaft danger or difgrace ; and the major being next day
protided with the habit and implements of his new pro-
leffion, together with a ragged attendant whp preceded
him, extorting mafic From a paltry viol, approached
the caAle-gate, and proclaimed his fhew fo naturally in
D yell partating of the fcream of Savoy and the howl
of Ireland, that one would have imagined he had been
conduftor to Madam Catberina from his cradle. So
far his ftratagem fuccecded ; he had not long ftood in
ttaiting, before he was invhed into the court-yard,
where the fervants formed a ring,, and danced to the
efforts of his companion's Itill 5 then he was conduced
into the buttery, where he exhibited his figures on the
wall and his princefs on the floor ; and while they re-
galed hiffl in this manner with fcraps and four Wine, he
too!: occalion to enquire about the old lady and her
daughter, before whom he faid he had performed in
his laft peregrination. Though this queftion was alked
with all that air of fimplicity which is pecujiar to thefc
people, one of the domeftics took the ahrm, being in-
fefled with th? fnfpicions of his mafter, and plainly
taxed the major with being a fpy, threatening at thi
fame time that he ihculd be ftripiie(f and fearclied.
This would have been a very dangerous experiment
for the Hibernian, who had aftually in his pocket a let-
ter to the countcis from her fon, which he hoped for-
tune might have furniihed him with an opportunity to -
deliver, When he therefore found himfelf in this di-
(emma, he Was not at all eafy in his own mind : How-
ever, inftead of protefting his innocence In an humble
and befeeching (train, in order to acquit himfelf of the
charge, he refolved to elude the fufpicion by provoking
the wrath of his accufer, and, putting on the air of vul-" '
gaf integrity affronted, began to reproach the fervant
in very infoleot terms for his unfair fuppofition, and
tindret^ng himfelf in a moment to the ikin, threw his
fattercd garments in the face of his adverfary, telling
him he would Sad nothing there which he would not
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
344 *fbe ADVENTURES of
be very glad to part with ; at the fame lime raifuig hi*
Toide, he, in the gibberilh of the clan he reprefented^
fcolded and curfed with great fluency ; fo that the
whole houfe refounded with the noife. The valet's
jealoufy, like a fmaller £re, was in a trice fwallowed up
in the greater flame of his rage enkindled by this abrupt
addrcfs : In confequence of which, Farrel was ticked
out at the gate, naked as he was to the waift, after his
Janthorn had been broke to pieces on his head ; and
there he was joined by his domefttc, who had not beeij
able to recov^ bis apparel and edeft a retreat, without
incurring marks of the fame fort of dilUnilion.
The major, conlicjering the rilk he muft have run
in being deceited, thought himfelf cheaply <juit for this
jnoderate difcipline, though he was really concerned for
bis friend Renaldo, who, underftanding the particulars
pf the adventure, determined, as the laft eSbrt, to ride
round the caAle in the open day, on pretence of taking
the air, when, peradvcQture, the countefs would fee
him from the place of h^r confinement, and £tvour him
with fpme mark or tokep of her being alive.
Though his companion did not much relifli this
plan, which he forefaw would expofe him to the infults
.ofTrebafij yet, as he coutd not contrive a better, he
acquielced in Renaldo's invention, with the provifo that
be would defer the execution of it until bis father-iii'
law fhould be abfest in the chac«, which was a diverrr
iion he every day enjoyed.
Accordingly thi:y f^t a proper watch, and h^
concealed until tliey were informed of Trebafi's having
gone forth ; whep they mounted their horfes, and rode
Into the neighbourhood, of tbe callle. Having made a
fmall excuT^on in the adjoining fields, they drew nearer
the walls, and at an eafy pace had twice circled them,
when Fairel dclcried, at the top of a tower, a white
handkerchief waved by a woman's hand through the
iron bars that fecured the window. This fignal being
pointed out to Renaldo, his heart began to throb with
great violence i he made a refpe^ful obeifance towards
the part in which it appeared, and perceiving tlie hand -
beckoning him to approach, advanced to the very but-<
trefs of the turret ; upon which] feeing fometbing dropi
3,a,l,zt!dbvGpOgIe
FERDINANp COUNT FATHOM. 34;
ht alighted with great dtpeditioh, and took up a pic-
ture of his &tbcr in miniature, the features of which
he no fooner diflinguifhcd, than the tears ran down his
cheeks j he preffed the little image to his lips with the
■ moft filial fervour j then conveying it to his bofboti
looked up to the hand, which waved in fuch a manner
as gave him to underftand it was high time to retire.
Being by this time highly perfuaded that his kind moai-
tor was no Other than the countcfs hcrfelf, he pointed
to his hear^ in token of his filial affcftion, and laying
-his hand on his fword, to denote his refolutton of do-
ing her juftice, lie took his leave with another profound
bow, and luffercd iiimfelf to be rccondufled to his lod-
ging.
Every circumftance of this tranfaftion was obfcrved
by the fervants of Count Treball, who immediately dif-
patchcd a meflenger to their lord, with an account of
what had happened. Alarmed at this information, from
which he immediately concluded that the ftranger wa»
yotmg Melvjl, he forthwith quitted tlie^chace, and re-
turning to the caftle by a private poitei:i, ordered his
horfe to be kept ready faddled, in hope that his ibn-in-
law *ouM repeat the vifit to his mother. , Th!s precau-
tioil would have been to no purpofe, had Renalda fol-
lowed the advice of Farrel, who feprefented the danger
of returning to a place where the alarm was undoubted*
ly given by his firft appearance -, and exhorted him to
return 10 Vienna for the profecution of his fuit, now
that he was fatisfied of his mother's being alive ; In or-
der to ftrengthen this admonition, he bade him recol-
lect the fignal for withdrawing, which was doubtlefs
the e^dt of maternal concern, infpired by the know-
ledge of the count's vigilance and vindiflive difpofition.
Notwithstanding thefe fuggeftions, Mdvil per-
illed Hn his refolution of appearing once more below the
tower, on the fuppofition that his mother, in expefla-
tion of his return, had prepared a billet for his accept-
, ance, from which he might obtain important intelli-
gence. The major, feeing him lend a deaf car to his
rei^ionftraiices, was "contented to attend him in this fe-
cortd expedition, wliich he preiTcd him to undertake
that fame afternoon, as Trebafi h^i tatten care to elr-
Vo!.. IV. X X
^olizodbyGoOglc
346 Th ADVEN.TURES ef
culate a reporC of his having gone to dine at the feat of
a nobleman in the neightxiurhood. Our knight-errant
and hisfquire, deceived by this finejTe, prefented them-
fclvcs again under the prifon of the countefs, who no
fooner beheld her fon return, than flie eamaftly intreat-
ed him to be gone, by the fame fign which fhc had before
ufed } and he taking it for granted that flie was debar-
red the ufe of pen, ink, and paper, and that he had
nothing more to expeil, confented to retire, and .had
already moved to fome diftance from the houfe, when,
in crolSng a fmall plantation that belonged to the caftle,
they were met by Count Trebafi and another perfon on
horfeback.
At £ght of this apparition, the blood mounted into
Renaldo's cheeks, and his eyes began to lighten wiih*-
cagcrncfs and indignation \ which was not at all dinii-
■ niflied by the ferocious addrefs of the count, whO| ad-
vancing to Melvil, with a menacing air, '* Before you
proceed (faid he), I mufl know with what view you
have been twice to-day patroUng round my incIoTures,
and reconnoitering the different avenues of my houfe :
You likewife carry on a clandeftine correfpondence with
fome perfon in the family, of which my honour obliges
me to demand an explanation."
*' Had your ai^ions been always regulated by the die
tates of honour , (replied Reqajdo), I fliould never have
been queftioned for riding round that caftle, whict jbu
know is my rightful inheritance ; or excluded from the
(ight of a parent "who fuffers under your tyranny and
oppreffion. It is my part, therefore, to expofiulate;
and, fince fortune hath favoured me with an Opportu-
nity of revenging our wrongs in perfon, we fliaJl npt
part until you have learned that the family of the.Count
de Melvil is not to be injured' with impunity. Here is
no advantage on cither fide, in point of arms or num-
ber ; you are better mounted than I am, and fliall have
the choice of the ground on which our difference ou^t
to be brought to a fpeedy determination."
Trebasi,' whofe courage was not of the fentimental
kind, but purely owing to his natural infenjibility ,of
danger, inftead of concertipg meafures coolly for the
engagement, or making any verbal reply to this d^
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COXTNT FATHOM. 347
ance, drcv a piftot, without the Icaft helitation, and
fired it at the face of Renaldo, part of whofe left eye-
brow was carried off by the ball. Melvil was not flow
in returning the compliment, which, as it was delibe-
rate, proved the more decifive ; For the fcot entering
the count's right breaft, made its way to the back bone
withTuch a fhock, as flruCk him to the ground; upon
which the other alighted, in order to improve the ad-
vantage he had gained.
Ddring this tranfaftion, Farrcl had well nigh loft
his life by the favagc behaviour of Trebali's attendant",
who had been a hoSar ofiicer, and who, thinking it was
his dnty to imitate the example of his patron on this
occafion, difcharged apiflol at the major, before he had
the Icaft intimation of his deflgn. The Hibernian's
horfe being a common hireling, and unaccudomed to
ftand fire, no fooncr faw the flafli of Trebafi's piftot,
than, {parting aflde, he happened to plunge into a hole,
and was overturned at the very inftant when the hulTar's
piece went off, fo that no damage enfued to his rider,
who pitching on his feet, flew wifli great nimblcnefs to
his adverfary, then laying hold on one leg, difmounted
him in a twinkling, and feizing his throat as he lay,
would have foon difpatched him without the ufe of fire-
arms, had he not been prevented by his friend Renal-
do, who dcflred him to delift, obferving that his vcn-
;geance was already fatisfied, as the count feemed to be
in the agonies of death. The major was loth to quit
his prey, as he thought his aggreflbr had afled in a
treacherous manner 1 but recollefting that there was no
time to lofc, becaufe, in all probability, the firing had
alarmed the caftle, he took his leave of the vanquilhed
hi]0ar, with a couple of hearty kicks, and mounting his
horfe, followed Melvil to the houfe of a gentleman in
the neighbourhood, who was kinfman to the countefs,
and very well difpofed to grant him a fecure retreat,
until the troublefome confequences of this rencounter
fliould be overblown.
Trebasi, though to the young gentleman he feem-
ed fpeechlefs and infenfible, had neither loft the ufe of
his reafon nor of his tongue, but aSe£ted that extremi-
ty, in order to avoid any further converfation with the ;
DiailizodbvCoOglc
348 The A-DVENTVKZS cf
■viftor. He was one of thofc people who never thiol:
of death until be knocks at the door, and then eaineil-
ly intrcat him to excufc them for the prcfent, and be
fo good as to call another time. > The count had fo often
efcaped unhurt,, in the couife of his campaigns, that
he looked upon, himfelf as invulnerable, and fet all dan-
ger at defiance. Though he had hitherto taken no
care of the concerns of his foul, be had a large fund of
fuperftition at bottom ■, and, when the furgeon who
examined his wound, declared it waE mortal, all the ter>
Tors of futurity took hold on his imagination, and all
the mildemeanors of his Ufc prefented themfelves in ag-
gravated colours to his recoUcftion,
He implored the fpiritual affiftance of a good pneft
in the neighbourhood, who, in the difcharge of his own
confcience, gave him to undcrftand, that he had littls
mtTcj to expe£^, unlefs he would, as much as lay in
his power, redrefs the injuries he had done to lus fel- '
low creatures. As nothing lay heavier upon his foul
than the cruelty and fraud he had pradiTed upon the
family of Count Meivil, he carnelily befought this cha-
ritable clergyman to mediate his pardon with the cdon*
tel's, and at the fame time, defired to fee Renaldo be-
fore his death, that he might put him in poffcffion of
his paternal eftatc^ and lolicit his forgivencfs for the
oiFence he had given.
H I s lady, far &om vaitlng for the priefl's interce{^
fion, no fooncr underltood the lamentable fituation of
her hufband, and found hcrfelf at liberty, than (he
hallened to his apartment, expreffed the utmoft concern
for his misfortune, and tended him with truly conjugal
tendernefs and fidelity. Her fon gladly obeyed the
fummons, and was received with great civility and fs^
tisfa^ion by his father-in-law, who, in prefence of the
judge and divers gentlemen aflembled for^ that purpofe,
renounced all right and title to the fortune he had fo
unjuftly ufurped ; difclofed the name of the convent to
which Mademoifelle de Melvil had been conveyed, djt
milled all the agents of his iniquity, and being recon-
ciled to his fon-in-Iaw, began to prepare htmfclf in tran-
quillity for his latter end.
Ji.iliz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND CXJUNT FATHOM. 349
Th^ countcfs was overwhelmed witli an excefs of
joy, while ihc embraced her long loft fon, who had
proved himfelf fo worthy of his father. Yet this joy
•was imbittered, by refle^ing that flic was made a wi-
dow by. the hands of that darling, fon : For, though flic
knew his honour demanded the facriiice, fhe could not
lay aiide that regard and veneration which is attached
to the name of hulband ; and therefore refolved to re-
tire into a monaftery, where fhe could fpend the remain-
■ der of her life in devotion, without being expofed to any
intercouife which might interfere witli the delicacy of
her feotiments on Chat fubje^.
CHAPTER LIS.
He is the mtjfenger of httpp'mefs to hh Jifler^ -who removes
the film 'luhich had long ohJlruBed his penetration^ v)ith
regard to Count Fathom,
AS the moll endearing afieflion had always fublift-
ed between Renaldo and his lifter, he would not
one moment deny himfelf the pleafure of flying to her
embrace, and of being the glad meftenger of her de-
liverance. Soon, therefore, as he imdcrftood the place
of her retreat, and had obtained a proper order to the
abbcfs, figned by Count Trebafi, he fet out poft for
Vienna, ftill accompanied t>y his faithful. Hibernian, and
arriving at the convent, found the abbefs and the whole
houfe fo engrotled in making preparations for the cere-
mony of giving the veil next day to a young woman
who bad fulfilled the term of her probation, that he
could not poflibly fee his iifter with that leifure and fa-
tisfaftion which he had flattered himfelf with enjoying
at this meeting ; and therefore he was fain to bridle his
Impatience for two days,, and teep his credentials until
the hurry ihould be over, that Maderaoifelle might have
no intimation of her good foitun^ except from his onii
mouth. ■ ,
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
350" ne ADVENTURES V
In order to fill up this tedious interval, he vifited hi»
friends at court, who were rejoiced to hear the happf
iiTue of his excufiion to Prefburg j the prince who was
Ills particular patron defired he would make himfelf pcr-
feflly eafy with regard to the death of Connt Trcbafij
for he would take care to reprcfent him in fuch b light
to the emprcfs queen, as would fcrcen him' from any'
danger or profecution on that account. His Lighnefs,
moreover, appointed the following day for performing'
the promife he had made of prefenting him to that au-;
giift princefs, and in the mean time prepoflefled 'hcr'fo'
much in his favour, that when he approached hef pre*
fence, and was announced by his noble introdu£Vor, ihe
' eyed him with a lode of peculiar complacency, faying,
•* I . am glad to fee you returned to my dominions.
Tour fether was a gallant officer, who ferved our houfe
with equal courage and fidelity; andaslunderftandyou
tread in his foot-fteps, you may depend upon my favour
and proteftion."
' He was fo much overwhelmed with this gracious re-
ception, that, while he bowed in file'nce, the drops of
gratitude trickled from his eyes ; and her imperial ma-
Jefly was fo well plcafcd with this manifcfration of his
heart, that flic immediately gave directions for pro-
moting him to the command of a troop of horfe. — Thus
fortune fecmed willing and indeed eager to difcbarge
the debt the owed him for the different calamities he had
undergone. And as he looked upon the generous He^
brCw to be the fole fourcc of his fuccefs, he did not
fail to make him acquainted with the happy effeifls of
his recommendation and friendfhip, and to exprefs, in
the warmefl terms, the deep fenfe he had of his uncom-
mon benevolence, which, by the bye, was ftiU greater,
with regard to Renaldo, than the reader as yet ima-
gines ; for he not only furnifhed him with money for
his prcfent occafions, but alfo gave him an unlimited
credit on a banker in Vienna, to whom one of his let-
ters was dircifted.
The ceremony of the nun's admiffion being now per-
formed, and the convent reftored to its former qiiict,
Melvii baftencd thither on the wings of brotherly affec-
tion, and prcfentcd his letta to the abbcfs, who having
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FEJ^IWNAjro COXJNT FATHOM. 351
-peroied the contents, by which fiie learned that the fa-
mily disquiets of Count Trcbaii no longer fubfiftcd, and
that the bearer was the brother of Mademoirelle, fbe
.received him with great politenefs, congratulated him
on this happy event, and begging he would excufe her
flaying with him in the parlour, on pretence of bufinefs,
withdrew, faying, {he would immediately fend in a young
lady who would conlble him for her abfence. In a few
minutes he was joined byh's filler, who, expeftmg no-
thing lefs than to lee Renaldo, no fooner diftinguilhed
his features, than the Ihrieked aloud with furprize, and
would have funk upon the floor, had not be fupportcd
her in, his embrace.
Such' a fudden apparition of herhrothcrat any time,
or in any place, after their long feparation, would bavc
ftrongly affedted this fenfible young ladyj but to find
him fo abruptly in a place where fhc thought herfelf
buried from the knowledge of all her relations, occa-
fioned fuch commotions in her fpirits as had well nigh
endangered her reafqn : for it was not till after a con-
' fiderable paufe, that .ihe could talk to hiiji with con-
neiUan or coherence. However, as thole tranfports
fublded, they entered into a more deliberate and agree-
jible converfation^ in the courfe of which, he gradually
informed her of what had paiTed at the cadlc ; and in-
.expicffible was the pleafure Ihe felt in learning that her
mother was releafed from captivity, herfelf reftored to
ir^cdomt and her brother to the poffelllon of his lawful
uilieritance, by the only means to which Ihe had alwajrs
prayed ihefe"tilefliugs might be owing.
As Ibe had been treated whh uncommon humanity
by the abljefs, flie would not confent to leave the con-
vent until he Cbould be ready to fet out for Prefburg;
(b that they dined together with that good lady, and
pa0cd the afternoon in that mutual cortimuni cation with
Wjhich a brother and fiftcr may be fuppofed to entertain
themfelves on fuch an occafion. She gave him a detail
oF the infults and mortifications fhc had fuffered from
the brutality of her fathcr-in-lawj and told him, that
her confinement in this monaftcry was owing to Trc-
brafi's having intercepted a letter to her from Renaldo,
Eghlfying his mtcntibn to return to the empire, in or-
ji.iiiz,,!:,., Google
■353 Thi ADVENTURES 6f
der to aflert his own right and redrefs her gricranco.
Then turning the difcourfc upon the incidents of bis
peregrinations, {he in a particular manner inquired about
that exquifite beauty who had been the innocent fource
of all his diftrcfies, and upon whofc pcrfeftions he had
often, in his letters to his Cfter, expatiated with indi- ,
cations of rapture and delight.
This inquiry in a moment blew up that fcorching
flame which had been well nigh ftifled by other necef-
fary avocations. His eyes gleamed, his cheeks glowed
and grew pale alternately, and his whole frame under-
went an immediate agitation ; which being perceived by
Mademoifellc, Ihe concluded that fome new calamity
was annex.ed to the name of Monimia, and, dreading
to rip up a wound which £he faw was fo inefieftually
clofed, fhe for the prefent liipprcfled her curiofity and
concern, and induftrioufly endeavoured to introduce
fome lefs affcfting fubjeft of converfation. He faw her
aim, approved of her difcretion, and, joining her en-
deavours, expreflcd his furprife at her having omitted
to fignify the leaft rcmambrance of her old favourite,
Fathom, whom be had left in England. He had no
fboner pi-onounced this name, than fhe fufin-ed fome
confufion in her turn ; from which, however, recolleft-
ing.herfelf, "Brother (fa id fhe), yOu mdft endeavour to
forget that wretch', ' who is altogether "unworthy of re-
taining the f mall eft' fhare of your regard."
"Astonished, and indeed angry, at Ais expief-
' fidn, which he confidered as the effcfl: of malicions
mifre prefent ation, he. gently chid her for 'bcr cre-
dulity in believing the envious afperfioh of fome per-
fon, who. repined at the fuperior virtue of Fathom,
. ybotn be: affirmed to be an honour to the human
■Ipecits- ' ■' ;
•' Nothing Is more eafy ([replied the young lad^)
tban to impofe upon a perfon, who, beirtg himfcif uh-
corifcious of guilej fufpcfls no deceit. You have been
a dupe, dear hro [her, not to the fitielTe of Fathom, bul:
' tp- the fincerity of your own heart. For my own part,
I alTume no honour to my own penetration in haVing
^.comprehended the villainy of that itApOftor, trhich was
Ji.iliz,,!:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 3jj
difcoTcred, in more than one inftance, b^ accidentB I
could not poflibly forefec.
"You muftknow, that Terefa, who attended me
from my childhood, ant} in whoTe honcfty I repofed
fuch confidence, having difobliged fome of the inferior
fervants, was fo narrowly watched in all her tranfaftionsj
as to be at lad detected in the very a£l of conveying a
piece of plate, which was afhially found concealed a-
mong her cloaths.
'■ Yocj may guefs how much I was afloniflied when
I tmderftood this circumftancc : I cotild not truft to the
evidence of my own fcnfcs, and fliould have ftill be-
• lieved her innOcent, in fpite of ocular demonffa'ation,
had not fhe, in the terrors of being tried for felony,
promifed to make a very material difcovery to the coun-
tefs, provided flie would take fuch mcafures as woulct
lave her life.
*• This requeft being complied with, ftie, in my
hearing, opened up fuch an amazing fcene of iniquity,
bafeneis, and ingratitude, which had been af^ed by her
and Fathom, in order to defraud the family to which
they were fo much indebted, that I could not have be-
lieved the human mind capable of fuch degeneracy, or
that traitor endowed with fuch pernicious cunning and
diflimulation, had not her tale been congruous, confid-
ent, and diftinA, and fraught with circumftances that
left no room to doubt the lead article of her confeffion ;
ion confideration of which fiie was permitted to go into
▼(Juntary exile."
She then explained their combination in all the par-
ticulars, as we have already recounted them in their
proper place> and finally obferved, that the opinion £he
had hence conceived of Fathom's character, was con-
firmed by what fhc had fince learned of his perfidious
conduifl towards that very nun who had lately taken the
veil.
Perceiving lier brother ftruck dumb with afto- '
nilliment, and gaping with the mod eager attention,
fhe proceeded to relate the incidents of his double in-
trigue with the jeweller's wife and daughter, as they
were communicated to her by the nun, who was no
other than the individual Wilhelmina. After thofe ri-
VoL.IV. Y y
^oiizodbyGoogle
354 ^' ADVENTURES o/
vali had been forfakeii by their gallant, their mutual
animolitics and chaarin ferved to whet thp attcndon
aad invention oF each { fo that in a Ititte time the whole
myftcry ftood difclored to both. The mother had diP-
covered the daughter's correfpondence with Fathom, as
we have formerly ohferved, by means of that unfortu-
nate letter which he unwittingly committed to the
charge of the old beldame ; and, as foon as ftie under*
ftood he was without the reach of all ibiicttation or
profecutian, imparted this biltec to her hulbnnd, whofc
ftiry was fo ungovernable, that be had almoft facriSced
WUhclmina with his own hands, efpccially when, ter-
rified by his threats and imprecations, (he owned that
ihe had beftowed the chain on this perfidious lover.
However, his dreadful purpofe was prevented, partly
by the iuterpofition of his wife, whofe aim was not
the death but immurement of his daughter, and part-
ly by the tears and fupplication of the young gentle-
tvoman hcrfelf, who proteftcd, that, although the
ceremony of the church had not been performed,
fiie was coutrafted to Fathom by the mod folema
vows, to witnefs which he invoked all the faints in
heaven:
The jeweller, upon cooler confideration, was unwil-
ling to lofe the leaft fpark of hope that glittered among'
the ruins of his defpair, and refilled all the importuni-
ties of his wife, who preiTcd him to confult the welfare
of bis daughter's foul, in the fond CKpefhtion of find-
ing fome expedient to lure ttack the chain and its pol^
fefibr. In the mean time Wilhelaiina was daily and
hourly expoied to the mortifying animadveHions of her'
mamma, who, with all the iiiiblence of virtue, inccf-
fantly upbraided her with the baclcllidings of her vicious
life^ and exhorted her to reformation and repentance.
This continual triumph lafted for matiy months, till at'
length, a quarrel happening between the mother and
the goffip at whofe houfe fhe ufed to give the ren-
dezvous to her admirers, that inccnfed confidante,
in the precipitation of her anger, promulgated the
hiftory of thofe fccret meetings ; and, among the
reft, her interviews with Fathom were brought t»
light.
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 35$
The firft people who hear news of this fort arc ge-
nerally tiiolc to whom they are moft unwelcome. The
German was foon apprized of his wife's frailty, and
coniidered the two females of his boufe as a couple of
devils incarnate, fent from hell to cxercife his patience :
Yet, in the midft of his difpleafurc, he found matter
of confolation, in being furnifbed with a fufficient re^-
fon for parting with his help-mate, who had for many
years kept his fatnily in difquiet. He therefore, with-
qnt hazarding a perfonal conference, fent propofals to
Jjcr by a friend, which flie did not think proper to r^-
jeii i and, feeing himfelf reftored to the dominion of
his own boufe, exerted his fway fo tyrannically, that
Wilhelmina became weary of her life, and had recouric
to the comforts of religion, of which ihe foon became
enamoured, and begged her father's permiffion to de-
ilicate the rell of her life to the duties of devotion]
^he was accordingly received in this convent, the re-
gulations of which were fo much to her liking, that fhe
performed the talk of probation with pleafure, and vo-
luntarily excluded herfelf irom the vanities of this Hfe.
It was here Jhe had contraded an acquaintance with
Mademoifelle de Mclvil, to whom flie communicated
her complaists of Fathom, on the fuppofition that he
was related Co tbe count, as he himfelf had oitca de-
clared.
While the young lady rehearied the particulars of
tHis detail} Renaldo futUuied a ftrange vidiBtude of
di^erent paJHon^. Surprize, forrow, fear, hope, and
indignation raifed a moft tumultuous conflict in his bo-
toai- Monlmia rufhed upon his imagination inUhe
character of innocence b^O^yed by the infinuations of
treachery. He with horror viewed her at the mercy
of a viilain^ who H»d broken all the ties of gratitude
and honour.
Affhighted at the profpefl, he ftartcd from his
feat, exclaiming, in the onconnefled ftrainof diAraC"
tion and defpair, '* Have I then nourifhed a ferpent
in my bofom ! Have I liftened to the voice of a traitor
who hath murdered my peace ! who hath tore my hcart-
{h'ings afunder, and perhaps ruined the pattern of all
earthly perfection. It cannot be. Heaven would not
^oiizodbyGoogle
356 The ADVENTURES of
ivScr fuch infernal anificc to take cffcft The thunder
would be levelled againft the head of the accurfed pro-
jcftor."
From this tranfport, compared with his agitation
vhen file mentioned Monimia, bis fitter judged that
Fathom had been the occafion of a breach between the
two lovers ; and this conje£hurc being confirmed by the
disjointed an(Wers he made to her interrogations upon
the affair, ihe endeavoured to calm his apprehenOonsj
hj reprefenting that he would foon have an opportuni-
ty of returning to England, where the mifundcrftand-
ing might be eafily cleared up j and that, in the mean
time, he had nothing to fear on account of the perlbn
of his miftrpfs, in a country where individuals were lb
well protei^ed by the laws and conftitution of the realm.
At lengA he fufiered himfelf to be flattered with the
fond hope of feeing Monimia'^ charafter triumph in the
ftiquiry, of retrieving that loft jewel, and of renewing
that ravithing intercourfe and exalted cxpefhition which
had been fo cruelly cut off. He now wiffacd to find
l^thom as black as he had been exhibited, that Moni-
mia's apoftacy might be numbered among the mifrcpre-T
fentations of his treachery and fraud;
His love, which was alike generous and ardent, e-
Jpoufcd the oaufe, and he no longer doubted her conr
Aancy and virtue. But when he refiefted how her tcn-
, der heart muft have been wrung with anguifti at bis
unkindnefs and cruelty, in leaving her deftitute in a fo-
reign land ; how her fcnfibiliry muft have been tortured
in finding herfclf altogether dbpebdent upon a ruffian^
who certiiinly harboured the moft baleful defigns upon
her honour; how her life muft be endangered both by
his barbarity and her own defpair — 1 fay, when he re-
fleAed on thefe circumftances, he fhuddered with hor-
ror and difmay; and that very night difpatchcd alettcc
to his friend the Jew, intreatiiig him, in the moft pref^
fing manner, to employ all his intelligence in leariiing
the fituation of the fair orphan, that Ihe might be [n'o-
tefled £rom the vUIainy of Fathom, until hb return to
^gland.
DiailizodbvGoOglc
FERDINAND COXJNT FATHOM.
CHAPTER LX.
He recotr^nces the attaehment of bu friend ; and recnvet
a letter that reduces him te tie verge of death and dif-
traSion.
r I ^HIS ftcp being taken, his mind in fome mcafure
I retrieved its former tranquillity ; He foothed him-
fcUwith the profpcft of an happy reconciliation with '
the divine Monimia, and his fancy vras decoyed from
every difagrceable prcfagc by the entertaining convcrfa-
rion of his fiftcr, with whom in two days he fct out for
Prcfburg, attended by his friend the major, who had
never quitted him fincc their meeting at BmQels.—
Here they found Count Trcbafi entirely rid of the fe-
▼cr which bad been occafioncd by his wound, and ia
a foir way of doing well ; a circumftancc that aff<»-d-
ed uofpeakable plcafure to Mclvil, whofe manner of
flunking was fuch, as would have made him tmhap-
py, could he have chafed himfeif with the death of
bis mother's hufband, howibever criminal he might
have been.
The count's ferocity did not return with his health.
His eyes v^o-c opened by the danger he had incurred^-
^d his (cRtimcnts turned in a hew channel : He hear-
tily afked'pardon of Mademoifelle for the rigorous u-
fage flie had fufiered from the violence of his tem-
per i thanked Rcnaldo for the feafonablc lefTon he had
admininercd to him ; and not only inilfted upon being
remove^ from the cafUe to an houfe of h^s own in
Prefburg^ but proffered to make immediate rcftitution of
all the rAnts which he had unjuilly converted to his
own ufc. \ - '
Thes^ ,thin» being fettled in the moft amicaUe
manncr,''to the entire fatisfaftion of the parties con-
ceme^j as weUas'of the neighbouring noblelTe, among
whom the houfcof Melvil was in ilniverfal efteem, Re-
naldorefolved to Iblicit leave at the imperial court %o
return to England, in order to inveftigate that afiair of
^onimia> which was more intcrefting than all the
^lailizodbvGoOglf
3J». ^' ADVENTURES tf
points he had hitherto adjufted. But, befOfe he quit-
ted Freiburg, his friend Parrel taking him afide one
day, «' Count (faM he)* will you give me leave to aft,
if, by my zeal and attachment for you, I haye had the
gotid fortune to acquire your t^iKvaV ." To doubt
that eifteem (ffj^ied R,Mwldo) were to fufpeft my ^^ti-
tude and honour, of which I muA be utterly defticute
before I iofe the fenfe of thofe obligations I owe to your
gallantry and friendfhip— -obligations which I kmg for i|
proper occasion to repay."
, " Wel L then (refumed the major), I will deal With
^on like a downright Swi^s, and point out a method by
vbich you may Ihift the load of obligation from your
ovn ihoulders to mine. Tou know my birtb> rank,
^fod expeflations in the fervice ; but perhaps yoq do
not know, that, as my ezpcncc has always uoavoi^ably
oceedad- my income, I £nd myfelf a little out at ei-
t)crvn in my circumflances, asd want to piece them up
by pKitrimony.- Of thole ladies with whom I tbink
1 ha-ve any chance of fucceeding^ Mademoifelte de MeL-
\il feems the beft quahiied to render my Htuation bap-
in aUrefpefls. Her fortune is morethan fiifficient
todiiejnbarrals my affairs \ her good Jenfc will be a fea-
ibnablc check upon ray vivacity j her agreeable accom-
plifliments will engage a continuation vfaSefUon and
regacd; I know my own difpofition well enough to
tiw^ I fh^l become a raoA dutiful atid Iraftable hu&,
band i and fhall deem myfelf highly honoured in being
more ctofely united to my dear Count de Melvil^ the
f^ and reprefentative of that worthy officer voder whom
my youth- was formed : If you will therefore fan^on my
oi^^f I will forthwith begin my ap{saac)iei]|^Dd doubt
H^, under your aufplcetj to bring the place, to % cafo*
t^tion." ' , '.■.;..„'"..
Renaldo was pifafed with the fraoknefs of thj^K de*.
olwatJOB, x^roved of his dei^andj and^ delired hkn- to
depend upon bis good offit^es with his iiAefr whcua he
feunded that, fame evening upon^ the ix^s^Si, rscom-
metlding thepiajor to her favour, aia gcntleoiai^ well
vtrfhy-^f h^ choice. Madea}oifelIe, who .had never
been, c^^if^d in the coquettrJes of hez. fex, anjl was
WW ^ivjed at thofe years when the vanity of . youtb
DiailizodbvCopglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 359
ought to yield to difcretion, confldered the propofal as
K philofbphcr, and after due deliberation candidly own-
fcd (he had no objeftion to the match. Farrcl was ac-
cordingly introduced in the charaftcr of a lover, after
the permilfion of the countefs had been obtained ; and
he carried on hii addrelfes in the ufual form, fo much
to the fatisfa^tton of all concerned in the event, that a
day was appointed for the celebration of his nuptials,
when he entered into peaceable poflefflon of his prize.
A FEW days after this joyful occafion, while Renal-
do was at Vienna, where he had been indulged witl|
leare of abfencc for fix months, and employed in ma-
king preparations for his journey to Britain, he was one
evening prefented by his fervant with a packet from
London, which he no fooner opened, than he found
inclofed a letter direftcd to him, in the hand-writing of
Monimia. He was fo much afFcfted at fight of thofe
well-known characters, that he ftood motionlefs as a
ftatue, eager to know the contents, yet afraid to per-
nie the billet. While he hefitated in this fufpencc, he
chanced to cad his eye on the inQde of the cover, an<t
perceived the name of his Jewifli &iend at the bottom
of a few tines, importing, that the inclofed was delj-
. vered to liim by a ^yfician of his acquaintance, who
had recommended it in a particular manner to his care.
This intimation ferved only to increafe the myftery,
and \rhct his impatience ; an4 as be had the explana-
tion in his hand, he fummSned all his rcfcdution to his
aid, and breaking the fcal, began to read thefe words :
" Renaldo will not fuj^fe, that this addrefs proceeds
from interefted motives, when he learns, that, before
it can be prefented to his view, the unfortunate Moni-
mia will be no more."
Here the light forfook Renaldo's eyes, his knees
knocked together, and he fell at full length infenlible
on the floor : His valet hearing the noife, ran into the
apartment, lifted him upon a couch, and difpatched a
meflenger for proper afliftance, while he himfelf en-
deavoured to recal his fpirits by fuch applications as
chance afforded : But before the count exhibited any
figns of life, his brother-in-law entered his chamber by
accident, and as Ibon as he recollected himfelf from
^olizodbyGoOglc
3<5o TJf ADVENTURES tf
the extreme confufion and concern produced by thii
melancholy fpeftacle, he perceived the fatal epiftle.
which Melvil, though infenfible, ftill kept within hij
grafp ; juftly fufpefting this to be the caofe.of that fe-
vere paroxyfm, he drew near the couch, and with dif-
ficulty read what is above rchearfed, and^the fequel, to
thiscfFea?—
" Yes, I have taken fuch meafures as will prevent
it &om falling into your hands, until after I ffaall have
been releafed froin a being imbittered with inexpre&ble
Biifery and anguilh. It is not my intention, once
loved, and ah ! ftiU too fondly remembered youth, to
upbraid you aa the fource of that unceaUng woe which
hath been fo long the Ible inhabitant of my lonely bo-
fom. I will not call you inconftant or unkind. I dare
not think you bafc or diOionourable ; yet I was abmpt-
, ly facrificed to a triumphant rival, before I had learned
to bear fgch mortification ; before I had overcome the
prejudices which I had imbibed in my father's houfe. I
was all at once abandoned to defpair, to indigence, and
diftrcls, to the vile praftices of a vUlain, jrho, I fear»
hath betrayed us both. What have not I fuffered from
the infults and vicious defigns of that wretch, whom you
chcriflied in your bofom ! Yet to thefe I owe this near
approach to that goal of peace, where the canker-worm
of forrow will expire. Beware of that artful traitor;
and, oh ! endeavour to overcome that levity of difpofi-
tion, which, if indu]ged, will not only ftain your re-
putation, but alfo debauch the good qualities of your
heart. I releafe you, in the fight of Heaven, from all
obligations : If I have been injured, let not my wrongs -
be vifited on the head of Renaldo, for whom fiiall be
offered up the loft fervent prayers of the haplefs Moai-
mia."
This letter was a clue to the labyrinth of Melvil's
diftrefs: Though the major had never heard him meo-
tion the name of this beauty, be had received fuch
hints from his own wife, as enabled him to comprehend
the whole of the count's difafter. By the adminiftra-
tion of ftimulating medicines, Renaldo recovered his
perception : But this was a cruel alternative, conCder-
ing the fituation of his thoughts. The firfl word he
Mz,,!:,., Google
FEftDlJjAND COUNT FATHOM. 361
Jirdnounced was Monlmia, frith all the emphaiis of the
inoft violent defpair i He pcrufcd the letter, and pour-
ed forth incohereht execrations againft Fathom and
himfelf. He exclaimed, in a fraht^ic toUe, " She is loft
for ever t murdeted by my unkindnefs \ we are both
undone by the inferrial arts of Fathom ! execnblH
ihonfter ! Reftore hef to nly arms. If thou art not a
fiend in reality, I will tear out thy felfe heart !*' •
So faying, he fprUng upon his valet, who wopld
have fallen d facrifice to his undiflingililhing fury, had '
hot he been faved by the intcrpolition of Farrel and
Ihc fanlily, ivho diferigagcd hitn/rom his cnafter's grips
by diiit of force ; yet, riotwithftanding their joint en-
deavours, he broke ftom this I'eftraiht, leaped upon the
floor, and feizing his fword, attecnpted to plunge it iii
his own breaft. When he was once more overcome
by numbers,, he cuded himfelf, and all thole who with-
h^d him ; (wore he would not furvive the fair vidtim
*?ho had perilHed by his credulity and indifcretion ;
and the agitation of his fpirits incrcafcd to fuch a de-
gree, that he was fcized with ftrong coiivulfions, which
hature was fcarce able to fullain : Every ftiSdical expe-
dient waS ufed to quiet this perturbation, which af
length yielded fo far is to fubfide into a continual fe-
vcTj and confirmed deliriutri, during which he ceafed
hbt to pour fdrth the moft pathetic complaints, touch-
ing his ruined love, and to rave about the ill- ftarrcd
Monimia. The major, hsllf-diftraifted by the calamity
bf his fi'irtid, woiild have concealed it from the know-
ledge of his family, had ndt the phyflcian, by defpair- ■
ingOf his life, laid liim under the neccflity of making
^em acqualiited with his condition.
' The cdunttffs and Mrs Fartel were fio fodner in-
fanned of his cafe, than fhey haftened to the melancho-
ly (cciiej where they found Renaldd deprived of his
fenfes, jiartting under the ragC of an exafperaied difeafc.
They faw his face dittorted, and his eyes glar'uig ^Itli
ft^nzy ; They heaf d him invoke the name of Monimia,
with a tendernefs of accent, which even the impulfe of
tnadncfs could not deftroy. Then, with a fudden tranfi-
tiondf tone and gefture, he denounced vengeance againft
' her betrayer, and called npon the north wind to coc^
Vol. IV. Zz
_r,i,z<,i:,., Google
36a The ADVENTURES tf
the feiTOur of his brun. His hair hung in difiievelUd
parceb, his checks were wan, his loolcs ghaflt^, his
vigour was Qed, and all tiie glory of his youth faded :
The pbylican hung his head in lllence, tlic attendants
wrung their hands in defpair, aod the countenance (tf
his friend was' bathed m tears.
Such a pi£lure would have moved the mofl: obdurate
heart : What impreffion then ouifl It have made upon
a parent and fiAcr, melttng with all the enthufiafm of
ade^ion ! The mother was ftrucic dumb, and ftu[uficd
with grief: The fifter threw herfelf on the bed ina
tranfpwt of ibrrow, caught her loved Renaldo in hes
arms, and was, with great difficulty, tore from his
embrace. Such was the difmal reverfe that overtook
the late fo hxppy family of Mclvil : Such was the e»-
tremity to which the treachery of Fathotn had reduced
his beft bcnefaftor E
Threb days did nature Aruggle with (urprlfing ef-
forts, and then the con{litution feemed to fink under the
viftorious fever -, yet, as bis ftrength diminilhed, bis
delirium abated, and on the fifth morning he looked
round, and recognized his weeping friepds. Though
now exhauftcd to the lowdl ebb of life, he retained
the perfe^ ufe of fpeech, and his reafon being quite
unclouded, fpoke to each wrtb equal klndnefs and com-
pofure : He congratulated liimfelf upon the iight of
fhore, after the horrors of fucb a tempc^:} called upon
the countcfs and his fifter, who were not permitted to
ice him at fucb a. conjunifture, and heing appnzed by
the major of bis reafon for excluding them from bw
prefence^, he applauded his concern, bequeathed them
to his future care, and took leave of that gentleman
with a cordjal eaibracc, Tlien he defired to be left in
private with a certain clergyman, who regulated the
concerns of his foul;. and he being difmilfed, turned
his face from the light, in expe<£k:ation of his £nal dif-
charge. In a few minutes all was ftiU and dreary ; he
was no IcHiger beard to breathe } no more the ftceam of
life was perceived to circulate ; he was fuppofed to be
abfolved from all his cares, and an univerTal groan from
the bye-flanders announced the deceafe of the ^tUaat,
generous, and tender-hearted ILcnaldo.
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 353
"Come hither, yc whom the pride of youth and
health, of birth and affluence in&ameE, who tread the
flowery maze of pleafure, trulling to the ihiiikm of
ever-circling joys : Ye who glory in your accomplifh-
moits, who mdulgc the views of ambition, and lay
Tchemcs for future happincTs and grandeur; contem-
plate here the vanity ef life : Behold how low this ex-
cellent young man is laid ! mowed down even in the
blolTom of his youth, when fortune Teemed to open alt
her treafures to his worth !"
Such were the reflections of the generous Farrel,
who, while he 'performed the- lad office of firiendlhip,
in doling the eyes of the much-lamented Melvil, per-
ceived a warmth on the Ikin, which the hand of death
ieldom leaves gnextinguilbed. This uncommon fenfa-
tion he reported to the phyfician, who, though he could
feel no pulfation iq the heart or arteries, conjedhired,
that life ftili lingered in fome of its interior haunts,
and immediately ordered fuch applications to the ex-
tremities and furface of the body, as might help to con-
centrate and reinforce the natural heat.
By thefe prefer Ipt ions, which, fifi fome time, pro-
duced no fenfible elfefl, the cn^berg were, in all proba-
bility, kept glowing, and the vital power revived ; for,
after a coniidcrable paufe, refpiration was gradually re-
newed -at long intervals, a languid motion was perceived
at the heart, a few feeble and irregular pulfations were
fclt at the vrrift ; the clay-coloared livery of death bc-
^an to vanifli from his face \ the circulation acquired
hew forcti, and he opened his eyes with a figh, which
proclaimed his return &om the {hades of death*
. When herecsvered the faculty of fwallowlng, a cor-
dial was adminiflered ; and whether the fever abated,
in co^fequeiice of the l^ood's being cooled and con-
denfed during the recefs of ai£Uon in the folids, or nature^
in that agony, had prepared a proper channel for the
expuUIon of tbc difeafe; certain it is, he was, fron^
this moment, rid of all bodily pain, lie retrieved the
animal fiinAions, and nothing remained of his malady
but an extreme wealcnefs and languor, the effedt of na-
t4re'5 being fatigued m the battle Ihe had wQHr
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
,3«4 TA^ ADVENTURES /
Unu TTERable was the joy that took poffeflion of
his mother and. liAer, when Farrel flew into their ar
partment, to intimate this happy turn. Scarce could
they be retrained from pouring forth their tranfports
in the prefence of Rcnaldo, who was fVill too feeble to
endure fufh comnmaication : Indeed he was extremely
mortified and dejefled at this event, which had diffufed
fuch pleafure and fatis&^ion among his friends; for-
though his diAcmper was maftered, the &tal caufe of
it ftill rankled at his heart, and he confidered this re. ,
fpite from deatb as a protraftion of his mifery.
Whem he was congratulated by the major on the
triumph of his conftitution, he replied,^ with a groan,
f I would to Heaven it had been otherwife ; for I aim
referved for all the horrors of the mcft poignant for-
row and remorfe. O Monimia ! Monimia ! 1 hoped by
this time to. have convinced thy gentle ihade, that I was,
at leafl intentionally, innocent of that ruthlefs barbarity
vfhich hath brought thee to an untimely grave. Hea-
ven and earth I do I ftill furvivc the confcioufnefs of
that dire cataftrophe I and lives the atrocious villain .
who hath blafted all qur b<^>es !"
With thefe laft words, the fire darted from his
pycs, and his brother, fnatching this occafional handle
for reconciling him to life, jpined in his exclamations
againft the treacherous Fathom, and obferved, that he
fhould not, in point of honour, wilh to die, until he
Jhould have facrificed that traitor to the manes of the
beauteous Monimia- This incitement afted as a fpur
upon e^hauftcd nature, caufing the blood tosjirculate
with freOi vigour, and encouraging him to take fuel)
fuftcnance as would recruit his ftrength, and repair the
"damage which his health bad fuftained.
His fifter affiduoufly attended him in his recovery,
flattering his appetite, and amufing his forrow at the
fame time ; the clergyman aflailed his defpondence with
feligious weapons, as well as with arguments drawn
from philofophy j and the fury of his paffions being al-
ready ejfpended, he became fo tractable as to liften to
l)is remonftranccs : But notwithftanding the joint en-
deavours pf all his friends, a deep fixed melancholy
remained, after every confequence of his difcafe had
_ ,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 365
▼atiiflied. In vain they eflayed to elude his grief by
gaiety and diverfions ; in vain they tried, to decoy hJs
heart into fome new engagement.
These kind attempts ferved only to feed and nou-
ri(h that nrelancholy which pined within his bofom.
Monitnia ftill haunted him in the midft of thefc aniufc-
ments, while his refieflion whifpSred to him, « Plca-
fures like thele I might have rclUhed with her partici-
pation." That darling idea mingled in all the female
I aflemblies at which he was prefent, eclipfing their at-
tractions, and- inhancing the bitternefs of his lofs j for
abfence, enthunafm, and even his defpair had heigh-
tened the charms of the fair orphan into fomething fu-
per natural and divine.
Time, that commonly weakens the traces of re-
membrance, feemed to deepen its imprcfiions in his
breaft : Nightly, in its dreams, did he cbnverfe with
his dear Monimia : Sometimes on the verdant bank of
a delightful ftream, where he breathed, in foft rotir-
murs, the diftates of his love and admiration : Some-
times reclined within the tufted grove, his arm encir-
cled and fiiftained her fnowy neck, whllfl flie, with
looks of love ineffable, gazed on his face, invoking
Heaven to blefs her hufband and her lord. Yet, even
in thefe iUufions, was his fancy oft alarmed for the ill-
fated fair. Sometimes he viewed her tottering on the
brink of a fteep precipice,' far diftant from his helping
hand. At other times flie feemed to fail along the
boifterous tide, imploring his affiftance ; — then would
he ftart with horror from his fleep, and feel his forrows
more than realized ; — he deferted his couch — he avoid-
ed the fociety of mankind — he courted fequeftered
. fliades, where he could indulge his melancholy ; there
his mind brooded over his calamity, until his imagina--
tion became familiar with all the ravages of death: It
contemplated the gradual decline of Monimia's health ;
her tears, her diftrefe, her defpair at his imagined cruel-
ty ; he faw through that perfpeitlve, every blofibm of
her beauty wither, every Jparkle vanifh from her eyes :
He beheld her faded lips, her pale cheek, and her ina-
nimated features, the fymmetry of which, not death
itfelf was able to deftroy. His fancy conveyed her
DiailizodbvCobgle
366 Jle ADVENTURES /
brcathlcfs code (ojiie cold gi^ve, o'er which, perh^^
no tear humane was Ihcd, where ha delicate licubs
were consigned to duik, where fbe was diSied out a,
delicious banquet to the unfparing vorm.
Over thefc pictures he dwelt with a fort of ptealing
anguIO), until he became fo enamoured of hei tomb,
that he could no longer refill the dciire which compel-
led him to make a pilgrimage to the dear hallowed
fpot, where all his once gay hopes lay buried ; that he
might nighdy vi/it the Ulent habitation of bis ruined
loTC, embrace the facred earth with which Ibe was now
compounded, moiften it with his tears, and bid the
turf lie eafy on her brcifl. BeHdes the profpefl of this
gloomy enjoyment, he was urged to return to Englandf
by an eager deljre of taking vengeance oq the per-
fidious Fathom, as well as of acquitting himlelf (^
the obligations he owed in that kingdom, to thc^e who
had aiBlled him in his diftrefs. He therefore conjinu-
nicatcd his intention to Parrel, who would have in&ft^
cd upon attending him in the joilrney, had not he bceo
conjured to ftay and manage Renaklo's afljirs in bis
abfence. Every previous Hep being taken, he took
leave of the countefs and his S-Aet, who had, with at)
their intereft and elocution, oppofed his deflgn, the
execution of which, they juftly feared, would, inftead
of diffipating, augment his chagrin ; and now, feeing
him determined, they Ihed a flood of tears ai his de-
parture, and he fet out from Vienna in a poft-chaife,
accompanied by a trufty valet de chambtc on borfe'D
back.
^lailizodbvGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ^67
CHAPTER LXI.
RettaiJo mtfts vfith a living monument of jufiice, and en-
nunters a ptrfinage offome note in thife mimoirs.
AS this domcAic was very wcUquaUfied for making
all the proper difpolitioes, and adjulling every .
aeceilarj article on the road, Renaldo totally abflra&ed
htmrelf irom earthy coDfiderations, and mufcd with-
out ccaliog on that theme which was the conflant fub-
jcft of his coDtem[dation. He wai blind to the objefb
that furrounded him ; he fcarcc ever felt the importu-
nities of nature} and had not they been reinforced by
the prelSng entreaties, of his attendant, he would have
proceeded without refrefhment or repofe. In this ab-
sence of criind did be traverfe a great part of Germany*
in his way to the Auftrian Netherlands, and arrived at
the fbrtrcfs of Luxemburg, where he was obliged to
tarry a whole day- on account of an accident which had
happened to his chaifc. Here he went to view the for-
tifications ; and as he walked along the ramparts, his
cars were faluted with thefc words : *< Heaven blefs die
noble Count de Melvil ! will not he turn the eyes of
compaJHon upon an old fellow- foldier reduced to mis-
fortune and difgrace !"
Surprised at this addrefs, which was attended with
the clanking of chains, Renaldo lifted up his eyes, and
perceived the perfon who fpoke to be one of two ma-
lefa£h)rs Jbackled together, who had been fentenced for
fome crime to work as labourers on the fort ificat ions t
His face was fo covered with hair, and his whole api
pcarancc fo difguifed by the fquaiid habit which he
wore, that the count could not recollefl his features, '
until be gave him to uoderftand that his name was
Ratchkali. Melvil immediately recognized his fellow
ftudent at Vienna, Ind his brother Volunteer upon the
Rhine, and exprefled equal furprife and concern at fee-
ing him in fuch a deplorable lituation.
Nothing renders the foul fo callous and infenHble
as the fearing brands of infamy and difgrace. With-
out betraying the Icaft fymptoms of Ibame or confufioo,
^laiiizodbvGoogle
368 7hi ADVENTURES ^
'* Count {fays he), this is the fate of war, at leaft
of the war in which I have been engaged,' ever iince t
took leave of the imperial army, and retreated witK
your old cfmipanion Fathom. Long life' to that origin
nat genius ! If he is not unhappily eclipfed by fome un-
fortunate interpofition, before his terrene parts are pu-
ri£cd, I forefee that he will fhinc a ftat- of the flrft
magnitude in the world of adventure."
At mention of this detelted namcj Rcnaldo's heart
began to throb with indignation j yet he ftipprefled the
emotion, and deiired to know the meaning of that fplen->
did encomium which he had hcftowed upon his Conf&J
derate. " It would be quite unnecefiary (rc^ed Ratch-
kali) for a man in my prefcnt Htuation to eqoivooate or
diiguife thp truth : The nature of my difgracc is per-J
fe^ly well . known. I am condemned to hard labour
for life ; and nnlefs fome lucky accident (which I can-
not now foiefee) Ihall intervene, iiU 1 can expe£k Is
fome alleviation of my hard lot from the gcAerofity of
fuch gentlemen as yoo, who compaffionatc the fairings
of your fellow creatures. ■ In order toengage your bc.^
nevolencc the more in my behalf ^ I {tail (if you will
give me the hearing) faithfully inform yon Of fome par-"
licularsj which it may import ^ou to know, concerning -
my old acquaintance Ferdinand Count Fathom, whofe
real character hath perhaps hitherto cfcaped your no-;
Then he proceeded to give a regular detail of ail th#
ftrokes of finelTe which he, in conjunction with our ad-
venturer, had pra^tfed upon Melvil and otliers, during
their refidence at Vienna, and the c»mpaigns they hi3
made upon the Rhine : He explained the nature, of thtf
robbery whidi was fuppofed to have been done by the
count's valet, together with the manner of theit defer-
lion : He defcrlbed his feparation Arom Fathom, their
meeting at London, the traffii/they carried on in co*
{tartnerlhtp ; and the misfortuiie that reduced Ferdinand
to the condition in which he was found.by Melvil,
*( Afi'er having gratified the honeft lawyer ((aid he)
vid a diare of the . unfortunate Fathom^s fpoik, and ,
packed up all my own valuable effeCb, my new mai-
iiary„Maurice and I.pofted to Harwich, cmbarhed in
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 369
the packet-boat, and next day arrived at HcWoetfluysj
from thence we repaired to the Hague, in order to
mingle in the gaieties of the place, and exercife our ta-
lents at play, which is there cultivated with univerfal
eagemefs : But, chancing to meet with an old acquaint*
ancc, whom I did not at all dclire to fee, I Eoiind it
convenient to withdraw foftly to Rotterdam ; from
whence we fct out for Antwerp 5 and having made a
tour of the Auftrian Netherlands, fift up our reft at
BrulTels, and concerted a plan for laying the Remiogs
under contribution.
" From our appearance we procured admidion into
the Taott polite affemblies, and fucceeded to a wonder
in all our operations j until our career was Unfortunately^
checked by the indifcretion of my ally, who, being de-
tefted in the very aft of conveying a card, was imme-
diately introduced to a magiftrate: And this minifter
of juftice was fo curious, inquifitive, and clear-fighted»
that Count Maurice, finding it impoffible to elude his
penetration, was fain to ftipiilate for his own fafety, by
giving up his friend to the cognizance of the law. I
was accordingly apprehended, before I knew the caafe
of my arreft ; and being unhappily known by fome fol-
diers of the prince's guard, my chara£ter turned out fo
little to the approbation of the inquilitors, that all my
effects were confifcated for the benefit of the ftate, and
I was by a formal fentence condemned to labour on the
fortifications all the days of my life; while Maurice
' efcaped at the expciicc of 6ve hundred ftripes, which
he received in public from the bands of the common
executioner.
*' Thus have I, without evaGon or mental rcfcrva-
tion, given a faithful account of the ftcps by which I
have amved at this barrier, which is likely to be the
fie plus ultra of my peregrinations, unlefs the generous
Count de Melvil will deign to interpofe his intcrcft in
behalf of an old fcllow-foldier, who may yet live to
■ juftify his inediation."
Renaldd had no rcafon to doubt the trtrth of this
ftory, every circumftanee of which tended to corrobo-
rate the intelligence he had already received touching
the character of Fathom, vrhdm he Rovr confidercd
Vol. IV. A a a
3,a,l,;t!dbyG00gIe
370 TJ^ ADV.ENTURES <>f ,
with a double portion of abhorrence, as the moft abaiN
doncd mifcreant that nature bad ever produced. Tbo'
Ratcbkali did not poQefs a much higher place in hi»
opinion, be favoured bim with marks of his bounty,
and exhorted bim, if poffible, to reform his heart ; but
he would by no mears promife to Interpofe his credit in
favour of a wretch felf-convifted of fuch enormous-
villainy and fraud. He could not help moralizing upon
this rencounter, which icfpired him with great con-
tempt for human nature : And next day he proceeded
on his journey with a heavy heart, ruminating on the
perfidy of mankind, and, between whiles, tranfported
with the profpe£l of revcilging all his calamities upoB
the accurled author.
While he was wrapped up in thefe reveries, his
carriage rolled along, and bad already entered a wood
between Mons and Tournay, when his dream was fud-
denly interrupted by the explofion of fev^ral piftols
that were &ed among the thickets at a little dilbmce
from the road. Roufed at this alarm, he fnatched bis
fword that ftood by him> and fpringing from the cbaife,
ran direfUy towards the fpot, being clofe followed by
his valet, who had alighted and armed himfetf with a
piUol in each hand. About forty yards from the high-
way they arrived in a little glade or opening, where
tbey faw a Engle man ftanding at bay againft five ban-
ditti, after having killed one of their companions, and
loli bis own horfe that lay dead upon the ground.
Melvil feeing this odds, and immediately gueJIing
their defign, ruChed among them without hefitation,
and in an intrant ran his fword through the heart of one
vhofe hand was raifed' to fmite the gentleman behind,
while he was engaged with the reft in front. At the
fame time the ifalet difabled another by a (hot in
the (boulder ; fo that the number being now equal on
both lides, a furious combat enfued, every man being
paired with' an antagonift, and each having recouife to
fwords, as all their pieces had been difcbarged. Re-
naldo'^ advcrfary, finding himfeif preffed with equal
fury and ikill, retreated gradually among the trees, ui^
til he vanished altogether into the thickeft of the wood }
and- lus two coin|>aaiens followed bis ezampk •n'ah.
^olifodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 371
great eafc, the valet de chambre being hurt in the leg,
and the ftranger fo much exhaufted by the rounds he
)iad received before Renaldo's interpolation, that, when
, the young gentleman approached to congratulate him
on the d^eat of the robbers, he, in advaneing to em-
brace his deliverer, dropped down oiotionlcfs on the
grafs.
The count, with that warmth of fympathy and be-
nevolence which was natural to his heart, lifted up the
wounded cavalier in his arms, and carried him to the
chaife, in which he was depoflted, while the valet de
chambre reloaded his piflols, and prepared for a fecond
attack, as they did not doubt that the banditti would
teturn with a rcinforcemeot. However, before they
re-appeared, Renaldo's driver difengaged him from the .
wood, and in lefs than a quarter of an hour they arri-
ved at a village, where they halted for affiftance to the
llranger, who, though ftllt alive, bad not recovered the
ufe of his fenfes.
After he was undrefled and laid in a warm bed, a
furgeon examined his body, and found a woand in his
neck by a fword, and another in his right lide occafion-
ed by a piftol ftiot ; fo that his prognoftic was very du-
bious: Meanwhile, he applied proper dreffings to both;
and, in ha\f an- hour after this adminiftt^tion, the
gentleman gave fome tokens bf perception. He looked
around him with a wildnefs of fiiry in his afpeA, as if '
he had thought hlnifelf in the hands of the robbers by
. whom he had been attacked : But, when he faw the afc
liduity with which the by-ftanders exerted themfelvea
in his behalf, one railing his head from the pillow, '
while another exhorted him to fwallow 3 little wine
which was warmed for the purpofe ; when he beheld
the fympathiling looks of aU prefent, and heard hlmfelf
accofted in the moft cordial terms by the perfon whom
he recoUeftcd as his deliverer, all the fevcrity vanilhed
from his countenance; he took Renaldo's hand and
preflcd it to his lips ; and, while the tears gufhcd from
his eyes, " Praifed be God {faid he), that virtue and
generofity are ftill to be found among the fons of men."
Evert body in the apartment was affefted by this
exclamation -, and MelvU, above all the reft, felt fucb
3,a,l,;".dbyG00gIe
-37a The ADVENTURES 0/
emotioiu as he could (carccly rcftrain. He entreated
the gcntlcmaa to believe himfelf in the midft of fuch
friends as would efie^ally fecure him ,from all vio-
teiice and n»xtificatioD ; he conjured him to compote
the perturbation of his fpirits, and quiet the apprchen-
fions of his mind with that reileftion ; and protelled,
that he himfelf would not quit the houfe white his at-
tendance Oiould be deemed ncceilary for the ftranger's
cure, or his converfation conducive to bis amufenent.
Tmess afiiirances, confidered with the heroic part
-which the young Hungarian had already a<^ed in his
behalf, infpired the cavalier with fuch a Atblime idea of
Melvil, that he gazed upon him with hlent aftonjfh-
ment, as an angel fent from heaven for his fuccour ;
and, in the tranfport of his gratitude, couJd not help
exclaimingt *■ Sure Providence hath ftill fomething in
refcrve for this unfortunate wretch, in whofe favour
fuch a miracle of courage wad generoHty hath inter-
poied !"
Being accommodated with proper care and attends
^ncC) his conftitution in a little time overcame the fe-
ver ; and, at the third drefiing, the furgcon declared
him out of air danger from his wounds. Then was
Renaldo indulged with opportunities of converting with
the patient, and of enquiring into the particulars of his
fortune and defigns in life, with a view to manifeft the
inclination he felt to ferve him in his future occaiions.
The more this Granger contemplated the chara^er
-of the count, the more his amazement increafcd, on ac-
count of his extraordinary benevolence in favour of a
perfon whofe merit he could not poffibly know ; he even
■exprefled his furprife on this fubjeft to Renaldo, who at
length told him, that, although his bcft offices Ihould
always be ready for the occa&>ns of any gentleman in
diftrefs, his particular attachment and regard to him
was improved by an additional conHderation : " I am
DO ftranger (faid he] to the virtues and honour of the
gallant Don Diego de Zelos."
« Heaven and earth! (cried the ftrangcr, ftarting
from his feat with extreme emotion), do I then live to
hear myfelf addrelTed by that long loft appeUadon ! my
Mm glows at the cxpreffion j my fpirits are Idndled
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 373
with a flame that thrills through every nerve ! Say,
young gentleman, if you arc really an inhabitant of
earth, by what means are. you acquainted with the un-
happy name of Zclos ?"
In anfwer to this eager interrogation, Renaido gave
him to underftaad, that, in the courfe of his travels,
he had Tefided a Ihort time at Seville, where he had,
frequently feen Don Diego, ai^d often heard his cha-
racter mentioned with ancommon efteem and venera-
tion. •■ Alas ! (replied the CaMian), that jullice is no
longer done to the wretched Zelos; bis honours are
blafted, and his reputation canker-bitten by the ve-
nomous tooth of flander."
Hb then proceeded to unfold his misfortunes, as they
have already been explained in the former part of thele
memoirs ; at the recapitulation of which, the heart of
Melvi), being intendered by his own calamities, was fo
deeply a^fted, that he re-ecboed the groans of Don
Diego, and wept over his fufferings with the moft filial
Sympathy. When he repeated the ftory of that cruel
fraud which was pradtifed upon him by the faithlels
Fadini, Melvil, wbofe mind and imagination teemed
with -the villainies of Fathom, was immediately fb-uck
with the conjeAnre of his being the knave; becaufe,
indeed, he could not believe that any other perfon was
fo aljandoned by principle and humanity, as to take
iuch a barbarous advantage of a gentleman in diftrefs.
CHAPTER LSII.
His return to England, and midaight pilgrimage to Ma-
nimias tomb.
T TE confidered the date of that unparallelled tranf-
I I aAion, which agreed with his conjefturc, and
from the enquiries he made concerning the perfon of
the traitor, gathered reafons fufficient to confirm his
fuppofition. Thus certified, " That is the viUain (cried
the count), whofe infernal arts have overwhelmed me
with liich mifcry as heaven itfelf'hath no rcmcdj- to
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
374 r& ADVENTURES if
dirpel \ To revenge my wrongs on that perfidious mif^
creant, is one of the chief rcafons for which I deign to
drag about an hateful being. O Don Diego ! what is
life, when all its enjoyments are fo cdfily poifoned by
the machinations of foch a worm !" So faying, he fmotc
his breaft in alt the agony of woe, and befought the
Spaniard to relate the {leps he took in confequence of
this difafter.
The Caflilian's cheeks reddened at this information,
which reinforced his own refentment, and rafting up
his eyes to heaven, " Sacred powers ! (cried he), let him
not pcriQi, before you bring him within my reach.
Tou aflt me, noble cavalier, what meafures I took in
this abyfs of mifery. For the firftday, I. was tortured
with apprehensions for the friendly Fadini, fearing that
lie had been robbed and murdered for the jewels which
he had perhaps too unwarily expofcd to fale,; But this
terror foon -vaniflied before the true prefages of my
fate, when, on the morrow, I found the whole ^rnily
in tears and confuCon, and heard my landlord pour
forth the moft bitter imprecations againft the fugitive,
who had deflowered his daughter, and even robbed the
honfe. You will aflc, which of the paJBons of my
heart were interelled on this occafion ; they were fhame
and indignation ; All my grief flowed inanother chan-
nel : . I bluflied » find my judgment deceived : I fcOTn-
ed to complain ; but in my heart denounced vengeance
againft my bafc betrayer, i filently retired to my apart-
"ment, in order to e'ommunc with my own thoughts.
I HAn bore greater calamities without being drivcB
to defpair : I fummoned all my fortitude to my aflidance,
andrefolvcd toliveinfpiteof afHi6Ho|i. Thus determined,
I betook myfdf to the houfc of a general officer who&
chara^er was fair in the world ; and having obtained ad-
mifiion in confequence of my oriental appearance, ," To
a man of honour (faid I), the unfortunate need no in-
Iroduflion : My habit proclaims me a Pcrlian; this
paflport from the Ststcs of Holland will confirm .that
luppofltion. I have been robbed of jewels to a conli-
dcrable value, by a wretch whom I favoured with my
confidence ; and now, reduced to extreme indigence, I
come to offer ^yfelf as a foldier in the armies of France.
I,a,l,zt!dbvG00gIf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 37J
I have health and ftrength fofficicnt to difchargc that
duty : Nar am I unacquainted with a military life, which
was once my glory and occupation. I therefore fuc for
your protfiiElion, that I mij be received, though in the
loweft order of them that fervc the king ; and that your
future favour may depend upon my behaviour in that
capacity."
The general, furprifed at my declaration, "furveyed
me with uncommon attention ; he perufcd my certifi-
cate, alkcd divers queftions concerning the art of war,
to which I returned fucb anfwers as convinced him
that I was not wholly ignorant in that particular. In
ihort, I was inlifted as a volunteer in hji own regiment,
and foon after promoted to the rank of a fubaltern, and
the office of equerry to his own fon, who at that time
had attained to the degree of colonel, ~ though his age
did not exceed eighteen years.
Thi's young man was naturally of a ferocious difpo-
fitioD, which had hecn rendered quite untraAabLe by
the pride of birth and fortune, together with the licence
of his education. As he did not know the refpe^ due
to a gentleman, fo he could not poiBbly pay it to thofe
who were unfortunately under his command. Divers
mortifications I fuftained with that fortitude which be-
came a Caftilian who lay under obligations to the fa-
ther; till at length, laying aiide all decorum, he fmote
me. Sacred heaven ! he fmote Don Diego de Zelos, ia
prefence of his whole houfehold.
Ha d my fword been endowed with fenfation, it would
of itfelf have fiarted from the fcabbard, at this indigni-
ty offered to its mafl^. I unfheathed it without deli-
beration, faying, " Know, infotent boy, he is a gentle-
man whoin'thou hall thus outraged ; and thou haft can-
celled the ties which have hitherto reftrained n^ indig-
nation." His fcrvants would have inierpofed, but he
commanded them to retire i and, dufhed with that ctin-
fidence which the impetuofity of his temper infpired,
he drew, in his tuni, and attacked me with redoubled
rage ; but his dexterity being very unequal to his cou-
rage, he was foon difarmed and overthrown ; whet^
pointing my fwQrd to lus brcaft^ " In conlideratioq •£
^oiizodbyGoogle
37(5 rht ADVENTURES of
thy youth and ignorance (faid I), I fpare that life which
Ihou haft forfeited by thy ungenerous prefumption."
With thefc words I put up my weapon, retired
through the midft of his domeftics, who, feeing their
maftcr fafe, did not think p-oper to oppofe rfiy paflagej
and mounting my harfe, in lefs than two hours, enter-
ed the Auftrian dominions, refolving to proceed as far
as Holland, that I might embark in the firft Diip for
Spain, in order to walh away, with my own blood, or
that of my enemies, the cruel ftain whlih hath fo long
defiled my reptitation.
This was the grievance that ftill corroded my heart,
and rendered ineffectual the inhuman facrifice I bad
made to my injured hotibut. This was the confidera-
tion that tncelTantly prompted, and ftill importunes me
to run every rifk of life and fortune, rather than leave
my fame under fuch an ignominious afperlton. I pur-
pofc to obey this internal call. I am apt to believe it is
the voice of lieaven ; of that providence which mani-
fefted its care by fending fuch a generous auxiliary to
my aid, when i was overpowered by banditti, on the
very firft day of my expedition."
Having in thb manner gVatified the curiofity of his
tJcliverer, he expreffcd a defire of knowing the quality
of him to whom he Was fo fignalty obliged j and Re-
naldo did not fcruple to make the Caftilian acquainted
with \a& name and family : He likcwife communicated
the ftory of his unfortunate love, with all the fymptomi
of unutterable woe, which drew tears from the noble-
hearted Spaniard, while, with a groan that announced
the load which overwhelmed his foul, " I had a daugh-
ter (faid he), fuch as you deferibe the pecrlcfs Monimtai
had heaven decreed her f6r the arms of fuch a lover, I,
who am now the moft wretched, ftiould have been the
moft happy parent upon earth,"
■ .Thus did thtfe new friehds alternately indulge their
mutual forrow, and concert meafures for their future
operations. Melvil eameftly folidted the Caftilian to
ftvour him with his company to England, where, in all
probability, both would enjoy the gloomy fatisfaftion
of being revenged upon their common betrayw Fa-
thom i and, as a farther inducement, he afllircd him,
3,a,l,;.dbyG60gIe
FEI^DINAND COUNT FATHOM. 377
thaf K Toon as he Ihould have accomplinied the melan-
choly purpofcs of his voyagCt he would accompany Don
J)iego to Spain, and employ his whole intereH: and for-
tune in his fervice. The Spaniard, thunderflruck at
the extravagant generofity of this propofal, could fcarce
believe the eviilence of his own fenfes, and, after f(»ne
paufc, replied, " My duty would teach me to obey any
command you fhould think proper to impofe ; but here
my inclination and intereft are fo agreeably flattered,
that. I Ihould be equally ^ungrateful and unwife; in pre-
tending to con)ply with relui!)ance.'"
This point being fettled, they moved forwards to
Mons, as foon as Doq Oiego was in a condition to bear
the Ihock of fuch a removal ; and there remaining un-
til his wounds were perfeftly cured, they hired a poft-
chaife for 0{lend, embarked in a veilel at that port,
reached the oppoHte (hore of England, after a fhort and
eal'y pallage, and arrived in London withotjt having
met with any {inifb^ accident on the road,
As they approached tliis capital, Renaldo's grief
feemed to regurgitate with redoubled violence- His me-
inory was waked to the moft minute and painful ej:er-
tion of its faculties; his imagination teemed with the
moft afflicting images, and his impatience became fo
ardent, that never lover panted more eagerly for the
confummation of his wifhes, than Melvi] for an oppor-
tunity of ftretching himfclf upon the grave of the loft
Monimia. The Caftilian was a£toi)i£hed, as well as af-
fefled' at the poignancy qf his grief, which, as a pfoof
pf his fufcpptibility and virtue, endeared him ftill more
to his aSe^ion j and though his own misfortunes had
rendered him very unfit for the office of a comforter,
tie endeavoured, by Toothing difcaurfe, to moderate the
cxcefs of his friend's affliction-
Though it was dark wh^q they alighted at the inn,
Melvil ordered a coach to be edited, and being attend-
ed by the Spaniard, who would not be perfuaded to
quit him upon fuch an occafion, he repaired to tha
houfe of the generous Jew, whofe rheum diftilled very
plentifully at his approach. The count had already ac?
quitted himfclf in point of pecuniary obligations to this
benevolent Hebrew; and now, after having made fuc|^
Vpl. ly. B h b
^olizodbyGoOglc
378 7ht ADVENTURES of
-acknowledgments as might be expcftcd from a youth of
his (lifpofition, he begged to know by what channel he
had received that letter which he had been fo kind at
to forward to Vienna,
Joshua, who was ignorant of the content! of that
epiiHe, and faw the young gemleman extrejnely moved,
vould have eluded his enquiry, by pretending he had
forgot the circumftancc j but when he underftood the
nature of the cafe, which was not explained without
tlie.manifeftation of the utmoft inquietude, he heartily
coAdoled the defponding lover, telling him he had in
vain employed all his intelligence about that unfortunate
beauty, in confequence of Melvil's letter to him on that
fiibjedt ; and then direfted him to the houfe of that phy*
£cian,who had brought the fatal billet which had mada
him miferable,
No foonor did he receive this information than ho
took his leave abruptly, with promife of returning next
day, and hied him to the lodgings of that gentleman,
whom he (i^as lucky enough to find at home. Being
favoured with a private audience, " When I tell you
{faifl he), that my name is Renaldo Count de Mclvil,
yoa will know me to be the moft unfortunate of men. .
By that letter, which you committed to the charge of
my ivorthy friend Jolhua, (he fatal veil was removed
froiii my eyca, which had been fo long darkened 1^ the
aniilces of inccediWe deceit, and my own incurable mir
fery fully prefpntcd tp my view. If you were acquaint-
ed *ith the unhappy fair, who hath fallen a v'tftim to
my miftake,. ypu will have fome idea of the infufferable
pangs which I now feel m recollccUng her fate. If you
havi compafiion for thefe pangs, you wilt not refiift to
con(!uft me to the fpot where the dear remains of Mo-
nimia are depoQted ; there let me enjoy a full banquet
of woe i there let me feaft that worm of forrow that
preys upon my heart ; For fuch enrertainmcnt have I
revffited thi* (to me) ill-omened ifle ; for this fatisfac-
tion J intrude upon your condefcenfion at thefe unfea-
fonible hours ; for to fuch ^ degree of impatience is
my aiHiftion whetted, that no llumber fliall aflail mine
eyelids, no peace rcfide within my bofom, until I fhall
have adored that earthy flirinc where my Monitnia lies!
^lailizodbvGoOglf
iTERDiriAND COUNT F'ATHOM. 379
Tet wduld I know the circur^ftances of her htc. Did
Heaven ordain no angel to minlfter ro her dilVrcfs ?
i/rcre her laft moments comfortlcfs ? ha ! was not fhe
abandoned to indigence, to infults j left in the power
of that inhuman villain who betrayed as both ! Sacred
heaven ! why did Providence wink at the triumph of
fuch confummate perfidy !"
The phyfician having liflentid with complacency to
this cffufion, tcplied, " It Is my profeflion, it Is my
nature to fympathize with the afflifted. I am a judge
of your feelings, becaufe I know the value of your lofs.
1 attended the incomparable Monimia in her laft illnefs,
and am well enough acquainted with her ftory, to con-
clude, that flie fell a facriiice to an unhappy mifunder-
fianding, effe^ed and fomented by that traitor who
abufed your mutual confidence."
- He then proceeded to inform him of all the pmrticu-
lars which we have already recorded, touching the dc-
iliny of the beauteous orphan, and' concluded with' tel-
ling him he was ready to yield him any, other fatisfae-
tion ^hich it was in his power to grant. The circum-
ftances of the tale had put Renaldo's fpirits into fuch
commoti6n, that he could utter nothing but interjec-
tions and unconnected words. When Fatliom's beha-
viour was defcribed, he trembled with fierce agitation,
ftartedfrom his chair, pronouncing, "Monfter! fiend!
but we fhall one day meet."
When he was made acquainted with the benevolence
of the Preneh lady, he . exclaimed, '* O heaven-bom
charity and compaflion ! furc that muft be fome fpirit
of grace fent hither to mitigate the tortures of life !
where Ihall I find her, to oficr up my thanks and adu-
lation'.'" Having heard the conclufion of the detail,
he embraced the rclatcr, as the kind benefadlor of Mo-
nimia, Ihed a flood of -tears in his bofom, and prcfled
him to crown the obligation, by conducing him to the
folitary place where now flie refted from all her cares.
The gentleman perceiving the tranfports of his grief
were fuch as could not be oppofed, complied with his
requeft, attended him in the vehicle, and direfted the
coachman to drive to a fequeftered field, at fome di-
ftance from the city, where ftood the church, within
^oiizodbyGoogle
38o rht ADVENTURES ef
whofe Bfffiil iilc this fcene was to be aftcd. The fexttffi
being fuminoiied from his bed, produced the liileys, in
confci^uence of a gratification, after th^ phyfician had
communed with him apart, aod explained the inten-
tion of Renaldo's vilit.
During this paufe, the foul of Melvil was wound
up to the higheft pitch of enthuHaftic forrow. The un-
common darknefe of the night, the fblemn filence, and
lonely lituation of the place, cotifpircd with the occa-
sion of hi» coming, and the difmal images of his fancy,
to produce a real rapture of gloomy expcftation, which
the whole world would not have pierfuaded him to dif-
appoint. The clock ftnick twelve, the owl fcreeched
bosa the mined battlement, the door was opened by
the fexton, who, by the light of a glimmering taper,
conduced the dcfpairing lover to a dreary ille, and
Aamped upon tlie ground with his foot, faying, "'Here
the young lady lies interred."
Melvil no fooner - received thia intimation, than
falling on hts knees, and prefling his tips to the hallow-
ed earth, " Peace (cried he) to the gentle tenant rf
this filent habitation." Then turning to the byftanders,
with a blaodihot eye, faid, " Leave me to the full en-
joyment of this OECalion : My grief is too delicate to
admit the company even of mj friends ; The rites to be
performed require privacy : Adieu then, here mult I
pafs the night alone."
The doflor, alarmed at this declaration, which he '
was afraid imported fome' refolution fatal to his owa
life, began to repent of having been acccQbry to the Tt-
iit, attempted to dilTuade him from bis purpofe, and
finding hin' obftinately determined, called in the allift-
ance of the Jexton and coachman, and Iblicited the aid
of Don Diego, to force Kenaldo from the execution of
his defign. •
The Caftilian knowing his friend was* then, very un-
fit for common altercation, interpofed in the dilpute,
faying, " You need not be afraid that he will obey t^e
dictates of defpair : His religion, his honour will bafBe
fuch temptations : He hath promised to referve his life
for the occafions of his friend ; and he fliall not be dif-
appoloted in his prefent aim." In order to corroborate -
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 381
tkis peremptory addrefs, which was delivered in the
' French language, he unlheathcd his fword, and the
others retreating at fight of his weapon, " Count (faid
he), enjoy your grief in full tranfport : I will fcreen you
&om interruption, though at the hazard of my life i
and while you give a loofe to forrow, within that ghaft-^
ly Tauhj I wilt watch till morning in the porch, and
meditate upon the ruin of my own family and peace."
He accordingly prevailed upon the phyfician to re-
tire, after he had fatisficd the fexton, and ordered the
coachma'n to return by break (rf 5ay.
Renaldo, thus left alone, proilrated himfelf upon
the grave, and poured forth fuch lamentations as would
have drawn tears from the mofl favage hearer. He cal-
led aloud upon Monimia's name, '* Are thele the nup^
4ia) joys to which our fate hath doomed us ? Is this the
finiit of thofe endearing hopes, that intcrcourfe divine,
that ragtured admiration, in which fo many hours infen-
jibly elapfed ! where now are thofe attra^ions, to which
I yielded up my captive heart ? quenched are thofe ge<-
nial eyes that gladdened each beholder, and fhone the
planets of my happinefs and peace I cold ! cold and wi-
thered are thofe lips that fwelled with love, and far out-
bluOied the damaOc rofe 1 and ah ! for ever filenced is
that tonguei whofc eloquence had power to lull the
pangs of mifery and care J no more fiiall my attention be
ravifhed with the mufic of Chat voice, which ufed to
thrill in foft vibrations to my foul ! O fainted fpirit I O
unfpotted Ihade of her whom I adored i of her whofe
memory I (hall ftill revere with ever-bleeding forrow
snd regret I of^her whofe image will be the tail ides
that forfakes this haplefs bofom ! now art thou confck-
ous of my inregrity and love ; now doll thou behold the
angutfli that I feel. If the pure effcnce of thy nature
will permit, wilt thou, ah ! wilt thou indulge this
wretched youth with fome tcind fignal of thy notice,
with fome token of thy approbation ? wilt thou aflume
a medium of embodied air, in femblaoce of that lovely
form, which now lies mouldering in this dreary tomb,
and fpcak the words of peace to my diftempered foul !
' Return, Monimia ! appear, though but for one fltort
moment, to my longing eyes ! vouchfafe one fmile ;
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
3«i The ADVENTURES if
RenaMo nill be fatisfied ; RenaEdo's hesurt vill be ai
tcft i his grief no more will overflow its banks, but glidti
with equal current to his lateft hour ! Alas ! ^hefe are
the raving of my delirious forrow ! Monimia bears not
my complaints; her foul, fublimed far, far above all
fublunary cares, enjoys that felicity, of which Ihe was
debarred on earth. In vain I ftretch thefe eyes, envi-
roned with darkncfs undillinguilhing and void : No ob-
ject meets my view ; no found falutes mine car, except
the noify wind that ^bifttes through thefe vaulted caves
of death."
In this kind of exclamation did Renaldo. pafs the
night) cot without a certain fpecies of woeful ^joy-
ment, which the foul is often able to conjure up boai
the depths of diftrefs ; infomuch, that when the mom-,
ing intruded on his privacy, he could fcarce believe it
was the light of day, fo faft Iiad Seeted the minntcs i^
his 'devotion.
His heart being thusdift>urdened, and his impatience
gratified, he became fo calm and compofed, that Don
Diego was equally pleal'ed and aftoniflied at the air of
ferenity with which he came forth, and embraced him
with warm acknowledgments of his goodnefs and at-
tachment : He frankly owned, that his mind was now
more at cafe than he had ever found it, Cncc he &-11
received the btal intimation of his lofs ; that a few fuch
feafts would entirely moderate the keen appetite of hii
forrow, which he would afterwards feed with lefs pre
cipitation.
He alfo imparted to the Caftilian, the plan of a moM
nument, which he had designed for the incomparable
Monimia ; and Don Diego was fo much ftruck with
the defcription, that he foJicited his advice in projecting
another, of a diSerent nature, to be erefled to the me-
mory of his own ill-fated wife and daughter, Ihould faC
ever be able to re>eftabli(h himfelf in Spain.
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 383
CHAPTER LSIU.
He renewj the rites of ferrov), and is entranced.
WHILE they amufcd themfelves with this fort
'of convcrfation, the phyfician returned with
the coach, and accompanied tliem back to their inn, '
where he left them to thdr rcpofe, after having pro-
, mifed to call again at noon, and conduft Ren aid o to
the houfc of Madam Clement, the benefaflrcfs of Mo-
nimia, to whom be eagerly defired to be introduced.
The appointment was obferved with all imaginable
pan£hiality on both fides. Melvil had arrayed himfelf
in a fuit of deep mourning, and he found the good lady
m the like habit, afiumed upon the fame occafion : The
goodnefs of her heart was manifefl in her countenance (
the fenlibility of the youth difcovcred itfelf in a Sood
of tears, which he fhed at her appearance. His fen-
fations were too fiiU for utterance ; nor was ihe, for
fbme time, able to give him welcome : While ihe led
him by the hand to a feat, the drops of fympathy rulh-
ed into either eyej and at length fhe broke filence,
faying^ " Count, we muft acquiefce in the difpenfations
of ProTidcncc ; and qnict the tranfports of our grief,
with a full afluranca that Monimia is happy."
This name Was the key that unlocked the faculty of
his fpeech. " I muft ftrivc {faid he) to eafe the an-
guifli of my heart with that confolation. But fay, bu-
tnane, benevolent lady, to whofe compaiUon and gene^
rofity that haplefs orphan was indebted for the laft
"pcacefiil moment Ihc enjoyed upon earth ■, fay, in all
your acquaintance with human nature, ' in all your
intcrcouric with the daughters of men, in all the cx-
ercife of your charity and beneficence, did you ever
(Aferve fuch fweetnefs, purity, and truth ; fuch beau-
ty, fenfe, and perfection, as that which was the inhe-
ritance of her whofe £»e I fhall for ever deplore !" —
f ' She was indeed (replied the lady) the bcft and faircA
pf our fcx."
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
3i4 ?^ ADVENTURES of
. This was the beginning of a conTcrradon touching
Yhat loTcIy vi^m, in the courfc of which he cxplaine4
thofe wicked arts which Fathonr pra^fed to alienate
his affcftions from the adorable Monimiaj and flic de-
fcribed the cunning hints and f^lfe inHnuations bj which
that traitor had aipcrfed the unfufpe£ting lover, and
foiled his charaAer in the opinion of the virtuous on-
phan. The intelligence he obtained, on this occasion,
added indignation to his grief. The whole myftery of
Moniniia's behaviour, which he coidd not before ex-
plain, now flood difclofed before him : He faw the gra-
dual progrefs of that infernal plan which had been laid
for their mutual ruin ; and his foul was inflamed with
liich defire of vengeance, that he would have talccn his
leave abruptly, in order to fet on foot an immediate en-
quiry about the perfidious author of his wrongs, that
he might exterminate fuch a monfter of iniquity
from the &ce of the earth : But he was reftrained 1^
Madam Clement, who gave him to underftand, thaf
Fathom was already overtaken by the vengeance of
Heaven; for Ihc had traced, him in all the courfeof bJ3
fortune, ir-om his firft appearance in the medical fphere
to his total eciipfe. She reprefented the villain as a
wretch altogether unworthy of his attention i She faid>
he was io covered with infamy, that no perfon could en-
ter the lilts againft him, without bearing away fome
ftaip of dilhojiour ; that he was, at prefent, peculiarly
protected by the law, and Sheltered from thcrefentmenC
of Renaldo, in the cavern of his difgrace.
Melvil, glowing with rage, replied, that he wa^
a^-venomous ferpent, which it was incumbent on every
foot to cruUi; that it was the duty of every man to con-
tribute his whole power in freeing fociety from fuch i^
pernicious hypocrite ; and that, if fuch inltances of pcr^i
£dy and ingratitude were fufiered to pafs'with impuni-r
ty, virtue and plain-dealing would fooa be cupelled from
the habitations of men. '* Over and above thefe mo-
tives (faid he), I own myfelf To vitiated, with the allay of
human pallion and infirmity, that I defire — I eagerl}r
pant for an occasion of meeting him hand to lund,
>yhpre I may upbraid him with his treachery, an4
_ ,„z<,i:,G0t>glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 385
&ower down vengeaace and dcftm^on on his perfi-
dious bead."
Then he recounted the anecdotes of our adventurer
which he had learned in Germany and Flanders, and
.concluded witli declaring his unalterable rclblution of
rdeafing him from Jail, that he might have an oppor-
tunity of facrificihg him, with his own hand, to the
manes of Monimia. The difcrcct bdy, perceiving the
perturbation of his mind, would not ^thcr combat
the impetuolity of his paiiion ; contenting herfcif with
cxafting a promifc, that he would not execute his pur-
pofe, until he Ihould have deliberated three days upon
the confcquences by^which a ftep of that kind might be
attended: Before the expiration of that term, {he thought
meafures might be taken to prevent the young gentle-
man &om cxpofing his life or reputation to unnecellary
hazard.
Having complied with her requcft in this particular,
he took his leave, after he had, by repeated entreaties,
prevailed upon her to accept > jewel, in token of his
veneration for the kind benefaftrefs of bis deceafed Mo-
nimia ; nor could his generous heart be fatisfied, until
be bad forced a confiderable prcfent on the humane
phyfician who had attended her in her laft moments,
and now difcovered a particular fympathy and concern
for her defponding lover. This gentleman attended
hiqi to the houfe of the benevolent Jolhua, where
they dined, and whore Don Diego was recommended,
in the moft fervid terras of friendibip, to the good ofii-
ces of their hoft. Not thit this duty was performed in
prcfcnce of the Aranger — Renatdo's delicacy would not
cxpofe his friend to fuch a fituation : While the phyfi-
cian, before dinner, entertained that Aranger in one
apartment, Melvil withdrew into another, with the Jew,
to whom he difclofed the aSair of the Caililian, with
certain ctrctimftances, which Ihall, in due time, be r^
. vealed.
JosHtJA's cariofity bdng whetted by this informa-
tion, he could not help eying the Spaniard at table with
fuch a panicular ftare, that Don Diego perceived his
attention, and took umbrage at the freedom of his re-
gard. Being nnable to conceal his difpkafure> he ad-
VoL. IV. C c c
DiailizodbvGoOgle
386 75/ ADVENTURES of
-drcflcd himfelf to the Hebrcv, with great folcmDit^j in
the Spaniih tongue, Taying, "Sign tor, is there any fin-
gulsritj in my appearance ? or,- do jpti recoiled the
fotures of Don Diego de Zelos V
" GiGNiOR Don Diego (replied the other in pnje
Caililian), I crave your pardon for the rudenefs of my
curJofity, which prompted me to furvey a nobleman,
whofe character I revere, and to vrhofe misfortunes I
am no ftranger : Indeed, were curiolity alone concern-
ed, I fhoulJ be without excufc ; but as I am hearttiy
incUned to ferve you, as far as my weak ahilities ex-
tend,'! hope your generosity will not impute any little
involuntary trefpafs of punftUio to my want of cfmliali-
ty or eftcem."
The Spaniard was not only appeafed by this apology^
but alfo a^cdled with the compliment, and tke language
in which it was conveyed. He thanked the Jew for his
Jcind declaration, entreated him to bear with the pcc-
vilhnels of a diipofiiion fore with the galling hand of
affliction; and, turning up his eyes to heaven, " Were
it poflible {cried he) for fate to reconcile contradifiions,
and recal the irremediable current of events, I would
now believe that there was happlnefs Itill in referve for
the forlorn Zelos ; now that I tread the land of free-
dom and humanity, now that 1 £nd myfelf befriended
by the moH gsnerous of men. Alas J I alk not ha^^-
ncfsl If, (ly thehind endeavours of the gallant Count
xle Mcivil, to whom I am already indebted for my lifej
and by the efforts of his friends, the honour of my name
Aiall be purified and cleared from the poifonous fiains of
malice by which it is at prefent fpotted, I Ihall then cnr '
joy all that fatiffafUon Which deftiny can bcftow upon x
m-etch whofe woes are incurable.
, Renaldo comforted him with the aiTurance of hi«
beingpn the eve of triumphing over his adverfaries ; and
Jofliua confirmed the confolation, by giving him to on'-
derftand, that he had correfpondents in Spain of ibroe
influence in the ftatei that he had already written to them
on the fubject of Don Diego, in confequcnce of a letter
which he had received Jrcm Melvil while he tarried at .
Mons, and that he, every poft, expefted a favourable
wifwcr on that fubje^
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAl^ COUNT FATHOM. 387
After dinner, the phyfician took his leave, though
Hot before he had promifed to meet Renaldo at nightt
and accompany him hi the repetition of hit ididnight
Vifit to Monimia's tomb ; For this [»1gri'mage the unfor*
tunate youth refolvcd nightly to perform, durinjg the
whole'timc of his refidencc in England : It was, indeed)
a fort of pleafure, the profpeft of which enabled him to
bear the toil of living through the day, though his pa*
tience was almoft quite czhauftcd befoie the hour of at*
fignation arrived. ,
WkBn the do£tor appeared with the coach, he leap^
ed into it with great cagerners, after he had, with much
difficulty, prevailed with Don Diego to 'ftay at home,
- bn account of his hcahh, which was not yet perfe^ly
eftablifhcd. The Caltilian, however, would not com-
ply with his rcqucft, until he had obtained the count't
promife, that he fhould be permitted to accompany him
bext nightj and take that duty alternately with the phy-
fician.
Abodt midnight theyrcachcd the place, where they
found thefexton in waiting, according to thcot'ders he
had received : The door was opcnvd, the mourner con-
ducted to the tomb, and left, as before, to the gloom
of his own meditations. Again he laid himfelf on the
cold ground; again he renewed his lamentable Arain ;'
his imagination began to be heated into an extafy of en-
thufiafm, during which he again fervently invoked the
fpirit of his deceafed Monimia.
Ik the midft of thefe invocations, his ear was fudden-
ly invaded with the found of fomc few folemn notes if-
(uing from the organ, which feemcd to feel the impulfc
of an inviiible hand.
At this awful falutation, Melvil was roufed to the
keeneft fenfe of furprizc and attention : Rcafon flirunk
before the thronging ideas of his ftncy, which repte-
fented this mufic as the prelude to fomething ftrange
and fupernatural i and, while he waited for the ^
ijucl, the place was Suddenly illuminate^, and each
.fuiTounding objeA brought . under the cognizance of
his eye.
Wha t pafled within his mind on this occafion is not
tfafy to be dcfcribfd : AH his faculties were fwallowed
Ji.iliz,,!:,., Google
388 The ADVENTURES of
op t^ thofe of feeing and of hearing : He had mcchani«
cally ratfed himfelf upon one Icnee, with his body ad-
vancing fortvards ; and in this attitude he gazed with st
look through which his foul fecmcd eager to cfcape.
To his view, thus ftrained upon vacant fpace, in a few
minutes appeared the figure (^a woman arrayed in white,
with a veil that covered her face, and flowed down up-
on her back and fhoulders : The p}iantoni approached
liim with an eafy ftep, and, lifting up her veil, dilco-
Tered (believe it, O reader ! ) the individual countenance
of Motiimia.
At fight of theft well-known features, fccmingly im-
proved with new celeittal graces, the youth became a
ftatue, expreUing amazement, love, and awful adora-
tion. He faw the apparition fmile with meek benevo-
lence, divine compafllon, warmed and inteadcred by
that fond pure flame which death could not cxtinguifh.
He hcard.thc voice of his Monimia call Renaldo! Thrice
he cfiayed to anfwer ; as oft his tongue denied its office :
His hair floo(.l upright, and a c(dd vapour feemed to
thrill through every nerve. This was not fear, but the
Infirmity of human nature, opprefled by the pcefcnce of
a fuperior being.
At length his agony was overcome : He rccoUcflcd
all his refolution, and, in a ftr.iin of awe-ftnick rapture,
thus addreQcd the heavenly villtant. — « Haft thou tbea
heard, pure Ipirit 1 the wailings of my grief P haft thou
defcended from the realms of blifs, in pity to my woe ?
and art thou come to fpeak the words of peace to my
defponding foul ! — ^To bid the wretched fmile, to lift
the load of mifery and care from the afBiAcd breaft ; to
fill thy lover's heart with joy and pleafmg hope, was ftill
the darling talk of my Monimia, ere yet refined to that
pcrfeiftion which mortaliiy can never attain : No won-
der then, blefs'd fhade, that now, when reunited to
thy native heaven, thou art ftili kind, propitious, and
beneficent to us, who groan in this inhofpitable vale of
forrow thou haft left ; — Tell me, ah! tell me, doft tliou
ftill remember thoft fond hours" we paffcd together ?
Doth that enlightened bofom feel a pang of foft regret,
when thou recalleft our fatal feparation ? Sure that
nieekened glance befpeaks thy fymp^thy ! Ah ! how that
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COXJNT FATHOM. jSy
tender look o'erpowers me ! Sacred Heaven ! the pearly
drops of pity trickle down thy cheeks i Such arc the
tears that angels Ihed o'er man's diftrefs ! — Turn not a-
way — ^Thou beckoneft mc to follow : Yes, I will follow
thee, xtherial fplril, as far as thcfe weak limbs, encum^
bcrcd with mortality, will bear my weight ; and, would
to Heaven ! I could, with cafe, put off thefe vile cor-
poreal (hackles, and attend thy flight."
So faying, he ftarted from the ground, and, in a
tranfport of eager expeflation, at awful diftance, tra^
ccd the footfteps of the apparition, which, entering z
detached apartment, funk down upon a chair, and with
a figh exclaimed, '< Indeed, this is too much !" What
was the diforder of Renaldo's mind, when he perceived
this phenomenon ! Before refle£Vion could perform its
office, moved by a fudden impulfe, he fprung forwards,
crying, " If it be death to touch thee, let me die j" and
caught in his arms, not the (hadow, but the warm fub-
ftance of the all-accompliflied Monimia. " Myllerious
powers of Providence ! this is no phantom ! this is no
Ihade ! this is the life ! the panting bofom of her whom
I have fo long, fo bitterly deplored ! I fold her in my
arms ! I prefs her glowing brealt to mine ! I fee her
blufli with virtuous pleafure and ingenuous love ! She
fmiles upon me with enchanting tendernefs ! O let me
gaze on that tranfcendent beauty, which, the more I
view it, ravifhes the more ! Thefe charms are too in-
tenfe ; I ficken while I gaze ! Merciful Heaven ! is not
this a mere illufion of the brain ? Was Ihe not fled for
ever i Had not the cold hand of death divorced her
from my hope ? This muft be fome flattering viflon of
my diftempcrcd fancy \ perhaps fome foothing dream—
If fuch it be, grant, O ye heavenly powers 1 that 1 may
never wake."
" O GENTLE youth! (replied the beauteous orphan,
ftill clafped in his embrace) what joy now fills the bo-
fom of Monimia, at this triumph of thy virtue and thy
love ? When I fee thefe tranfports of thy affedlion,
when I find thee reftored to that place in my elteein
and admiration, which thou hadfl loft by the arts of ca-
lumny and malice— this is a meeting which my moil
fanguine hopes durft not prcfage !"
^laiiizodbvGoogle
39& ^he ADVENTURES cf
So entirelj were the faculties of Rcnaldo eagroSed itt
the coatempIatioD of his reftored Monimia, that he ixvt
not the reft of the company, who wept with tranTport
over this affefling fcenp : He mts therefore amazed aX
the intcrpoiiti(»i of Madaoi Clentent, who, while thd
Ihower of fympathctic pleafurc bedewed her checks,
* congratulated the lovers upon this happy event, crying^
- " Thefe are the joys which virtue calls her own." They
alfo received the coinplimeiiti of a reverend clergymai^
vho told Moniaiia, &e had reaped, at laft, the fruits
of that pious resignation to the will of Heaven, which
ihe had fo devoutly pra^fed during the term of her
affli£tion : And, laftty, they were accoflcd hy the phy-
ficiati, who Vas not quite lb hackneyed in the ways of
death, or fo callous to the finer icnfations of the font,
init that he blubbered plenti&iUy, while he petitioned
Heaven in behalf of fuch an accomfdifiied and deferring
pair.
MoKiMiA taking MadaOi Clemefit by the hand/
" Whatever joy {faid Ihc) Renaldo derives from this
occafion is owing to the bounty, the companion, and
matersal care of this incomparable lady, together with
the kind admonitions and humanity of thofe two wor*
thf gentlemen.*'
MEtViL, whofe pa<£ons were ftill in agitation, and
ffhofe mind could not yet digeft the incidents that oc-
curred, embraced theiti all by turns; but, like the
bithliil needle, which, though fhaken for an inftanf
from its poife, immediately regains its true dircAion,
and points invariably to the pole, he ibon returned to
his Monimia ; again he held her in his arms,, again htf
drank enchantment from he^ eyes, and thus poured
forth the efiiiSons of his fobl. — ■* Can I then truft the
evidence of fenfe ? And art thou really to my wifll
reftored? Never, O never did thy beauty Ihine with
fnch bewitching grace, as that which now confounds
' and captivates my view ! Sure thp-e is fomething more
than mortal in thy looks ! — Where haft thoft lived ?—
where borrowed this perfection ?~whcnce art thou now
defcended ? — Oh ! I am all amazement, joy, and fear!
— ^Thou wilt not leaVe me !— No ! we muft not part
^ again : By this warm Idfs ! a thoufand laHes more fweet
j,.,i,z<,i:,., Google'
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 391
than all the fragrance of the caft ! we never more mil
part. O ! this is rapture, cxtafy, and what no language
can explain !"
In the tnidft of theft ejaculations, he ravifhed a bar^
quet from her glowing lips, that ^indlcd in his heart a
flame which rulhed through every vein, and glided to
his marrow. This was a privilege he had never claim-
ed before, and now permitted as a recompcnce for all
the penance he had fufiered : Neverthelefs, the cheeks
of Monimia, who was altogether unaccuRomed to fuch
bmiliarities, underwent a total fufiiiiion ; and Madam
Clement difcreetly relieved her from the anxiety of her
titnation, by interfering in the difcourfe, and rallying
the count upon his endeavours to monopolize fuch a
tnnnch of happincfs.
. ■< O my dear lady I (readied Renaldo, who by this
time had, in 'fome meafure, recovered his recollection)
forgive the' wild tranfpdrts of a fond lover, who hath
fo unex{}eAcdly retrieved the jewel of his foul I Yef,
fit from wilhiug to hoard up his trcafure, he means
to communicate and diffufe his happinefs to alt his
Abends. O my Monimia I bow will the pleafurc of
this hour be propagated ! As yet thou knowefl not iM
the blifs that is refervcd for thy enjoyment ! — Mean-
while, I long to learn by what contrivance this happy
interview hath been eSeAed : Still am I ignorant how
I was tranfportcd into this apartment, from the lone-
ly vault in which I mourned over my fuppofcd cLsfor-
tunc !"
DoiizodbvCoogle
392 ^ie ADVENTURES of
CHAPTER LXiy.
The mvflery unfolded. Another reeognitiott, which, it tt
to be hoped, the reader could mtforefee.
THE French lady then explained the whole myfte-
Tj of Monimia's death, as a firatagem ihc had
concerted with the clergyman and doflor, in order to
defeat the pernicious deigns of Fathom, who feemed
determined to fupport his (aMc pretenfions by diut of
perjury and frauds which they would have found it
very difficult to elude. She obferTCd, that the pbyfi-
cian had actually defpaired of Monimia's life, and it was
not till after Ihc herfdf was made acquainted with the
prognoftic, that fhe wrote the letter to Renaldo, which
ibe committed to the care of Madam Clement, with an
earneft eajtreaty, that it Jhould not be fent till after
her deceafe : But that lady, beliering the count had
■been certainly abufed by his treacherous confident, dif-
patched the'biUet without the knowledge of Monimia,
whofe health. was reftOred by the indefatigable care
of the phylician, and the fage exhortations of the
clergyman, by which fhe was reconciled to life. — ■
In a -word, the villainy of Fathom had infpired her
with fome faint hope that Renaldo might fVill be inno-
cent } and that notion contributed not a little to her
cure.
The letter having fo effeftually anfwered their
warmeft hopes, in bringing back Renaldo fuch a pat-
tern of conftancy and love, the confederates, in confc-
quence of his enthuHaflic Ibrrow, had planned this
meeting, as the moft interefting way of rcftoring two
virtuous lovers to the arms pf each other } for which
purpofe the good clergyman had pitched upon his own
church, and indulged them with the ufe of the veftry,
in which they now w^e prefented with a fmall but ele-
gant collation,
Melvil heard this fuccinf); detail with equal joy
and admiration : He poured forth the difkates of bis
gratitude to the prefervers of his hapjanefs.— ^' This
:, Google
FERDIKAND COUNT FATHOM.. 393
CKiirch (fdid he) Ihall henceforth poUefs a double ihare
of my vencradoii; tliis holy man will, I hope, finiQi
the charitable work he has begun, by tying thofe bands
of our happinefsj.-which nought but death fhall have
power to unbind." Then turning to that objeft which
was -the ftar of his regard, « Do I not over-rate (faid
he) my intcreft with the fair Monimia ?" She made
no .verbal reply ; but anfwered by an emphatic glance,
more eloquent than dll tlie pOwer of rhetoric and (peCch.
This language, which is univerial in the world of love,
he pcrfeiHily well Underftoodi and, in token of that fa-
culty, fealed the alTent which fhe had fmiled, with a
kifs imprinted on her poliflied forehead.
In otder to difflpate thefe interefting ideas, which,
by beitlg too long indulged, might have endangered
his reafoni Madam Clement intreated him to entertain
the company with a detail of what had happened to him
' in his laft journey to the empire, and Monimia exprefled
^ dclirc of knowing, in particular, the ilTue of his con-
teft with Count Trebali, who, Ihe knew, had ufurped
the fuccelBon of his father:
Tmos follcited, he could not refufe to gratify their
curioiity and concern : He explained his obligations to
the benevolent Jew; related the ftcps he had taken at
Vienna for the recovery of his inheritance ; informed
them of his happy rencounter with his father-in-law ;
i)f his fifter's deliverance and marriage ) of the danger
into which his life had been precipitated by the news of
Monimia's death ; and, laltly, of his adventure with
the banditti, in &vour of a gentleman, who (he after-
wards undcrftood) had been robbed in the moft bafe
and barbarous manner by Fathom, He lifcewife, to the
aftonilhment of all prefent, and of his miftrcfs in parti-
cular, communicated fome circumllances, which Ihall
appear in due feafon.
.Monimia's tender frame being quite fatigued witli ■
the fcene Ihe had aAed, and her niind overwhelmed
■with the profperous tidings ftie had heard, after having
joined the congratulations of the company,, on the good
fortune of her Renaldo, begged leave to retire, that
flie might by repofe recruit her exhaufted fpirits ; and
the night being pretty far fpent, ihe was conducted by
VflL. IV. D d d
DiailizodbvGoOgle
394 3-A* ADVENTURES of
h^ lover to Madam Cleencnt's coach, that Aood bt
waiting, m which alTo tbc reft of the compsny made
ihiit to einbaik, and were carried to tbe hoofe of that
good lady, where, »fter they wore invkcd to dine, and
Melvil intreated to bring Don Diego and the Jew along
with them, they took leave of one another, and Tetired
to th^r relpe£live lodgings in a tranlport of joy ud (ac
tisfaftion. *
As for Renaldo, his rapture was ilill mixed with
apprebenfion, that all he had fcen and heard was do
OKire than an unfubnantial viiion, raifed by imne gap
ddiriutn of a difordered itnagiiuUioii. Wh^ his brcaft
underwent thofe violant thon^ Uifsiiil cmotioni of
joy and admiration, his friend the CaftiUan fpent the
night m ruminating ove^* his own calaofitiei, and in *
JerioBS and fevere review of his own condndt. Ue coob-
^red his own behaviour with that trf the young Hungar-
■ rian, and found himfelf lb li^t In the icale, that he
fmote his brcaft with violence^ xsidaiming in an agcuijr
of remorfe :
" Count MeLvil has reafoti to gricvc) Don
Diego to defpair : His misfortvnes flow jrwn tlie vil-
lainy of mankind ; mine are tbe fruit of my own mad^
nefs : He laments the lofs c^ a milbefs, who £eU a fa-
crifice to the perBdious arts of a crafty traitor : iShe was
beautiful, vlrtuons, accomplished, and affefUonate ; he
was fraught with feitfibilicy and love^ Doubtlcfs hii
heartmuj^ have deeply fuffered ^ his behavioor denotes
the keennefs of his woe ; bb eyes are evcr-6owing
fbuotains of tears ; his bolbm the habitation of iighs )
five hundred leagues hath be meaf'ured in a pilgrimage
to her tomb ; nightly he vifits the dreary itault where
Ihc now lies at rcll ; her fohtary gr^ve tS'hia couch ^
he converles with darkncfs and the dead, until each
lonely ifle re-echoes his diftrefs. What would be hie
pcnailce, had he my caufe ? Were he confcious of ha-
ving murdered a beloved wife and daring daughter I
Ah wretch ! — ah cruel homicide ! — what had thole dear
vi^ims done to merit fuch a fate f Were they not ever
gentle and obedient, ever aiming to give thee latisfac-
tion and delight ! Say, that Seiaiina was enamoured of
a peafant ; fay, that the had degenerated Jrom the ho*
_ ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT. FATHOM. 395
pour of her race : The incUnations are involuntary ; per-
haps that ftranger was her equal in pedigree and wortli. '
Had they been fairty queftioned, they might have jufti-
flsd, at haft excufed thati«oAduA which i^peared fo'
criminal ; or had they owntd' the ofience, and fuppli-
cated pardon— ^h barbarous monfter that I am ! was
ali the bnflnnd — wu all the father extinguiOisd in my
heart ? How &aU ray own errori be forgiven, if I re-
fiifed to paidoD the frailties of my own blood — of thofe
who an moft d&ar tn my affi:dt'K>n ? Yet nature plead-
ed Ib'ongty in their behalf!— My heart was burfiing
. Wlule I diiintllEd them to the Shades of death. I was
maddened vfith revenge ! I was guided by that fjtvage
principle which falfely we. call honour. Ac cur fed phan-
tom \ that affiimes the fpectous title, and misleads our
Wretched nation ! Is it then honourable to fculk like an
tiflaffin, ami jdunge the fecret dagger in the heart of
fomc unhappy man, who hath incurred my groundleis
jealoufy or fufpicion, without indulging him with that
opptHtuntty which the worfl criminal enjoys ? Or is it
faonaurable to poifon two defencelefs women, a tender
Wife, an amiable daughter, whom even a frown would
almoft have deftroyed !— O ! this is cowardice, bfutali-
tyi hell .born fury and revenge ! Heaven hath not mer- '
cy to forgive fuch execrable guilt. "Who gave tlice
^war, abandoned ruffian ! over the lives of thofe wheal
fiod hath Rationed as thy fellows of probation ; — over
4^iofe whom he had fent to comfort and aJEft thee ; to
Aveeten all thy cares, and foiooth'the rough uneven'
paths of life ?' O ! I am doomed to nevet'Cealing hor-
ror and mnn^c ! If mifery can atone for fuch enor-
mous guih, I have felt it in tlie extreme ; Lilce an un-
dying vultnrc it preys upon my heart j — to forrow I am
^redded ; — -i hug that teeming confort to nay foul ;—
never, ah never ihatl we part ; for foon as my fame
ihall thine unclouded hy the ch^ge of treafon that now
kangs over it, I will devote myfblf to peDitence and
woe. A cold damp pavement fiiali be my bed j my
raiment Aiall be fackrloth ; the JielUs fhall furniih her-
bage for my food j the dream ihall quench my thirft ;
the minutes {hall be numbered by my groans ; the night.
be fttivy to my ftrains of foirow, till Heaven, in pity
DolizodbyGoOglc-
3<j6 ?7« AbVENTURES of
to my fuSfcrings, releafe me from the penance I endure
Perhaps the faints whom! have murdered will toter-^
cede for my remiffion." — li
Such was the exercife.ftflgricf, in whiclt the haplefii
Caftilian confumed the ni^:hi t, he' had not yet conligned
himfelf to reft, when Renaldo entering his chamber,
difplnycd fuch a gleam of wildnefs and rapture m his
^duntenance, as overwhelmed him with amazement;
for, till that moment, he had never feen his yifage un-
oblcured with woe. '< Pardpn this abrupt intrufion^
jny friend (cried Melvil), I could no longer with-hold
■from yeur participation, the great, the. unespeflcd
.turn, ^ibicb hath this night difpelled all my forrowS)
Bnd reftorcd me to the fruition of ineffable joy, Moni-
inia livesl — the fair, the tender, the virtuous Monimii
lives, and fmiles upon my vows! This night I 'retrieved
her from the grave. I held her in thcfe armK; I preflcd
-her warm delicious lips to mine I O ! £ am giddy with
intolerahls pleafure I"
. Don DiEco was confounded at this declaration,
which he confidered as the sfeft of a difordcrcd brain.'
He never doubted that Renaldo's grief had at length
overpowered his rcafon, and that his words were the
effeft of mere frenzy. 'While he mufcd on this melan*
choly fubjefl:, the coiint compofcd His features, and, in
a fuccin^t and well-con ne<5ted detail, explained the
whole myftery pf his happinefs, to the jnexpreffiHe
aftohtfhment of the Spaniard, who ihed tears of fatis^
faflion, and Draining the Hungarian to his breaf^
■" O toy foh ! (faid he) you fee what'recompence Hea-
ven hath in ftore for thofe who purfue the paths of real-
Virtue; thofc paths from which I myfetfh^Te been fa-
tally mifled by a faithiefs vapour, which hath feduced
my fteps, and left me darkling in the abyfs of wretchcd-
nefs. Such as you defcribe this happy fair, was once
my Serafina, rich in every grace of mind and body
which nature could befrow. Had it plealed Heaven to
"hlefs her with a lover like Renaldo ! but no more, the
irrevocable fhaft is fled; \ will not taint your enjoy-
ment with my unavailing fighs !"
Melvil alTured this difconfolate father, that no
pleafure, no avocation fhould ever fo entirely engrolf
L^,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 397
bis mind, but that he (hoald (liU find an hour for fymi
pathy and fiiiendihip : He commuliicated the invitation
of Madam Clement, and in£fted upon his compliandej
that he might have an opportunity of feeing and ap-
proving the obje£|; of his fo^on. " I can refiife no-
thing to the requeft of Count de Melvil (replied the
Spaniard), and it were ungeateful in me to decline the
honour you propofe. I own mylelf inflamed with a de*
fire of beholding a young lady, whofc perfeAions I hare'
feen reflected in your forrow ; my curiofity is, more-
oyer, interefted on account of that humane gentle-
woman, whofe uncommon generofity fhcltered fuch
virtue in difirefs ; but my difpofition is infectious, and
will, I am afraid, hang like a damp upon the general
feflivity of your friends."
! Melvil would take no denial, and having ob-
tained his ccmfent, repaired to the houfe of JoOiua,
yrhoie cowitenance feemed to unbend gradually into a
total expreillon of joy and furprife, as be learned the
circumftances of this amazing event : He faithfully pro-
mifed tq attend the count st the appointed hour, and,
in the mean time, carneftly exhorted him to take lome
repofe, in order to quiet th<e agitation of- his fpirits,
ivbich muA have been violicntly hurried <m this occa-
sion. The advice was falutary, and Renaldo refolvcd
fo follow it.
He returned to his lodgings, and laid himfelf down 1
but, ootwithftanding the fatigue he had undergone,
fleep refufed to vifit his eyelids, all his faculties being
fctipt in tno|iOn by the ideas that croudcd ia fall upon
his imagiqatioQ : Neverthelefs, though his mind con-
tinued in ^i^tion, his body was refrefiied, and he a-
rofe in theforeuoon with moreferenity and vigour than
he had enjoyed for many months. Every moment his
heert throbbed with new rapture, when he found him-
felf on the brink of polTdfing all that his foul held dear
and amiable ; he put on his' gayeft looks and apparel ;
inlifted upon the Caftilian's doing the fame honour to
the occafion ; and the alteration of drefs prodi^ced fuch.
an advantageous change in the appearance of Don Die-
go, that when Jolhua arrived at the appointed hour, he
^olizodbyGoOglC'
Spr n^ ADVENTURES ^
could l«art;e rcccignlzc his f^tnres, 2nd cocbplraieaoij
bifn <et^ potitdy on the iiDproveinent of hjs Idaks.,
True it is, the Spaniiu-d vJ^s a perfonage of a vcff
prei>bfreffing mien, and noble deporttnent; and had not
grirf, by iticrcafittg his native gravitj^i in fome raeafurs
dii'tomiMifod the fymmetry of his countenance, he wontd
have pafled fer a man of a very amiable and enga^ng
jtbyHo^ivymj. They fef oat te Ihe Jew's coatA far tha
houli: of Madam Clement, aifd were u&ered lute aq
ap:irtment, M^here they fonnd the clergyman and phy&
dan with that lady, to whbtn Dcm I^egp and the He*
h-ew wc^e by Mclvi! Jfitrodttctfd,
BEroRE diey-had Teatc^ themfbtves, Renaldo onqui*
fed at»at the health of Matunxn, . and wu dinefted to
the next room by Madam Cleoient, who pefmkted hull
t6 go thither, and condu^ her ro the ramptany. He
was not How in availing hiinf«lf of this permtftioii : Ho
dtf^i^ared in an inftant, and, durtag his fliOtt ab^cot
Don Diego was IVrangety ^ifhittied : The li^oed flufbed
and foHook his ch^ks by tume; a cold vtpMir fenned
to JhivM- through his nerva ; and at hit breaft he fdt
Sncotaltnoh {ialpitation. Madam Ontttit oMerved hfai
rfifcompoiTure, asd kindly tnqufrsd tntb ^ caufe ; WhOi
he reified, " I have fuch an imentft in what mncen)i
the Coimt de Melvi), and my imaginatibn it fo mud)
prepoffefled with the pcrfeflions of Monimia, that I am,
As ^ wi:re, agonized with expe^ation ; yet ncvtndid my
eui-iofity before raife fnch luWiuIra as thoftithat aon ■
igitate my befom !"
He had fcari^ pronounced thefe Woi<ds, 'Wtion fhs
dom- re-^peiting, Renaldo led In this mkitdf of «lcgaiiC6
and fteatify, at fight of whom tlie Ifrieltte's cAufltmatfee
*afe diftortcd into a ftart of admfrwtefi. Bat- 'if fuch
*as theaftoniftiment e€ Jofhua, what were tfreanottoBR
of t4ie CaAiltan, when, in the beauteous or^xti, he be»
held the individual featurea of his Imig loft Scni'fitia !
His feelings are not to be dtfcrtbed : The fond pft>-
frtit, whoie affeftion fhoots even to a fenfe of ^io, feels
ttm haif fuch tranfpon, when he linexpeftfldly rftrievea
a rfasrlittg child from the engiilphing billows or devoi*-
h)^ ^mc. Th« hope of Zelos had been totality cxtint
guilheO : His heart had been inccfiantly torn with a^T
3,a,l,;t!dl,yG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM- ig^l
gatSa and remorfe, upbraiding him su the murderer 01"
Serafina. His therefore were the additional traniJMcia
of a ^tiier diJburdcned of the guilt of fuch ecormoua
hooniidde. His serves were too much overpowered bj
tlus Tuddca recognition, to manifeft the feBfation of bis
ioul hf external figos. He fhrtcd not, nor dLl he lifr
ui hand ia token of furprife ; he moved not from the
^iiot on which he flood ; bat, rivetting his eyes to thofe
■ ot the lovdy phantom, remained witibout motion, until
.ihe, approaching with her lover, fell at ha feet, and
, damping his knees, exclaimed, " May I yet call you &•
ther ?"
This pow/x&I fhock arroufcd his faculties ; a cold
fweat bedcw^ his forehead ; his knees began to totter i
he dropped upon the Boot, and throwing his arm*
Kroand her, cried, <* C& natvre ! O Serafina ! McrciAil
Provideoce I thy ways are paft finding out." So faying,
he fell upon her neck, and we^ aloudi The tears of
Sympathetic joy trickled down her fnowy bofom, that
Leaved wUh rapture inexpreJHUe. Renaldo's eyea
poured forth the briny fiream : The cheeks of Madam
Clement were not dry in this conjuafture j ftie icneeted
by Serafina, kified her with all the e^mefs of mater-
nal affe^ion, and with uplifted hands adored the power
that pre-ordained this blellcd event : The clergyman
snd doAor intimately fliarcd the general tranfport ; aod
as for Jofluia, the drops of true benevolence Sowed
from his ^es, like the oil on Aaron's beard, wliile be
fkipped about the room in an aukward extafy, and in a
toice refembling the hoarfe notes of Che long-eared
' tribe, cried, << O father Abraham ! fuch a moving fcene
hath not been afted fince Jofcph diklofed itiml^ unto
bis brethren in Egypt ?"
Don Diego having found utterance to bb paffion,
proceeded in this flrain, " O ! my dear child ! to find
thee thus again, after our laA unhappy parting, is won-
derful! miraculous! BlelTed be the all-good, almighty
Power, that faved thee for this hocr of joy ! Yet, white
my heart yearns towards thee ; while I pant with incon-
ceivable afieflion, and thus review thefe living features,
which were fo long my Audy and delight, I dare not
alk by what myfterious means this meeting is cfFeifled i
^oiizodbyGoogle
406 The ADVENTURES b/
left, in the fond enquiry, I dnd my prcTent blefs imrcalj
and awake to mifery again !"
»» O EVER honoured fether ! ((he replied), if to fee
your Serafitia at your fect^ melting with filial love and
'Tcnerationj can impart a gleam of fatisfadion toy<Mrf
brcaA, ehjoy that pleafure, and behold her now redored
to your proteftion and paternal will, which ftie never
more will difobey. Alas ! had Heaven thought proper
to referve another parent for this interview, our joys
had been complete; but Hie hath already paid her debt
to natofe, and from the fests of .blifs looks down well
pleafed on this interefting fcene,"
" Ah,' my Antohia f {cried the fttther; intemjptii^
her), flie is then at reft. Peace be to her unfpotted foul !
to have found her here, had been too much ; How m^
Sera6na bath furvived my blindfold rage, I know not;
but fure the guilt of hit Aatonia's death ftill hangs up^
on my foul."
" Dismiss tluit fatal thought ((aid Serafina),' my
mother Quietly bade adieu to life in England ; fhe peace*
ably expired within thefe arms, and with her lateft
breath prayed for her haplefi hulband." " Her mind
was ever godlike (he refurned), Ihe was a faiat in virtue,
ill beftowed On fuch a wretch as me; yet thy words
have railed a dreadful burden from my cohfcience : I
atn not then the dm aHaflin, who facrificed his wife
and daughter to an infernal motive, falfely titled ho-
nour? though I animore-and more involved in a myftery^'
which I long to hear explained."
" That fliall be my talk {cried Reaaldo),- but firft
permit me to implore your fanflion to my palHon for
the incomparable Serafina. You already know oui*
mutual fentiments ; and though I own the poflcffion of
luch ineftimable worth and beauty wouM be a recom-
mence, that infinitely tranfcends the merit I Can plead,'
yet, as it hath been my good fortune to infpire her with
a mutual flame, I hope to reap from your indulgence^
here what 1 could not expefl from my own defert ; and
we prefcnt ourfelves, in hope of your paternal aflent
and benediiftion."
" Were ihe more fair, and good, and gentle thair
fhe is (anfwered the Caftilian), ar^ to my partial obfer-
V--' -.'.-.■.'■"■'-' L Mz,,!;,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 401
Tation nought e'er appeared on earth more beauteous
and engaging, I would approve your title to her heart,
and recommend you to her fmiles, with all a father's
influmce and power : Yes, my daughter ! my joy on
this occafion is infinitely augmented by the knowledge
of thofe tender ties of love that bind iJiee to this ami-
able youth ; a youth ! to whole uncommon courage and
generoGty I owe my life and my fubfiftpnce, together
with the incxpreffible delight that now revels in my bo-
fom. Enjoy, my children, the happy fruits of your re-
ciprocal attachment. May heaven, which hath graci-
oufly conduced you through a labyrinth of perplexity,
and woe,'to this tranfporting view of bUfsful days, in-
dulge you with that uninterrupted ftream of pure feli-
city, which is the hope, and ought to be the boon of
virtue, fucb as yours."
So faying, he joined their hands, and embraced them
with the moft cordial love and fatisfa^ion, which difFu-
fcd itfelf to every individual of the company, who fer-
vently invoked the Almighty Power, in behalf of this
enraptured pair. The tumult of thefc emotions having
a little fublided, and the Caftilian being feated betwixt
Renaldo and his beauteous bride, he politely belpokc
the indulgence of Madam Clement, begging fhe would
permit him to demand the performance of the count's
proinife, that he might 4te forthwith made acquainted
with thofe circumdances of his own fate which he was
fo impatient to learn.
The lady having aiTured him, that fhe and all the
company would take picafure in hearing the recapitula-
tion, the Spaniard, addrei&ng himfelf to Melvil, " In
the name of heaven ! (faid he), how could you fupplant
that rival, who fell a facrifice to my refentmcnt, after
he had bewitched the heart of Serafina ? for, fure, the
affeflicn he had kindled in her breaft muft have long
furvivcd his death," " That rival freplicd the count]*
who incurred your difpleafure, was no other than Re-
naldo." "With thefe words, he applied to one eye a
patch of black Clk provided for the purpofe, and turn-
ing his face towards Don Diego, that gentleman ftartcd
with aftonilhment, crying, " Good heaven ! the very
countenance of Orlatido, whom I flew ! \ius is ftill more
Eee
_,.,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf>
402 The ADVENTURES ef
CHAPTER- LXV.
A retroJpiBive lini, ntcejfary for the concatenation of thefi
tnemoirs.
" TNDULGE me with a patient hearing (proceeded
J_ the Hungarian), and all thcfe riddles foon will be
explained. InSamed with the defire of feeing foreign
coui^tries, I difobeyed the will of an indulgent father^
from whofe houfc withdrawing privately, I fct out foe
Italy, in difguife, by the way of Tyrol, vifited Venice,
Rome, Florence, and embarking at Naples, in an Eng-
lilh Ihip, arrived at St Lucar, from whence I repaired
to Seville; there, in a few days,, was my curiofity en-
gaged by the fame of the fair Serafina, who was juftly
deemed the moft accomplilhed beauty in that part of
Spain, Nay, bluih not, gentle creature ! for, by my
hopes of heaven ! thy charms were even injured by the
cold apptaufe of that report : Ncverthelefs, I was warm-
ly interefted by the uncommon tharafter, and eagerly
longed to fee this pattern of pcrfetStion. As Don Diego
did not train her up in that rcftraJnt to which the Spa-
nifh ladies are rubjc^ed, I foon found an opportunity
of feeing her at church ; and no perfon here prefent will,
I prefume, doubt that I was instantly captivated by her
beauty and dep(»tment. Had 1 thought that Don
Diego's favour was unengaged, perhaps I fhould have
followed the dictates of vanity and inexperience, and
prefented myfelf in my own charaiSer, among the
crowd of her profeffed admirers. I knew her &thcr
had been an officer of dlftinguifhed rank and reputa-
tion, and did not doubt that he would have regarded
a young foldier of unexceptionable pedigree, and i wiH
even add, of untainted fame; Nor did I fuppofe my
own father could have objedtcd againft fuch an advan-
tageous match ; but, by dint of induftrious enquiry, I
learned, that the divine Serafina was already betrothed
to Don Manuel de Mendoza, and this information
overwhelmed me with defpair.
"After having revolved a thoufand projefls for
retarding and preventing that detefted union, I refolved
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00glc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 403
to avail myfclf of my talent for drawing, and profelTcd
myfelf a maftcr of that fcimcc, in hope of being em-
ployed by the father of Serafina, who, I knew, let flip
DO opportunity of improving his daughter's education.
Accordingly I had the good fortune to attrafV his no-
tice, was invited to his houfe, honoured with his appro-
bation, and fumifhed with unrellri£ted opportunities oi
coQvcrfing with the dear objeft of my love. The pal^
Hon which her beauty had kindled, was, by the pcrfec- -
tions of her mind, inflamed to fuch a degree of trans-
port, as could not be concealed from her penetration.
She chanced to rclifli my converfation } I gradually ac-
quired her friendfliip ; pity was the next paffion that
Ott entertained in my favour. I then ventured to dif.
clofe myfelf, and the dear charmer did not difapprove
of my prefumption. She and her mother had been
perplexed with fomc religious fcniples, concerning
which they appealed to my opinion ; and I was happy
enough to fet their minds at cafe.
*< This fort of intcrcourfc naturally created a mutual
confidence among us ; and, in a word, I was blefled
with the daughter's love and mother's approbation.'
Don Diego will pardon tbofc clandeAine meaiiires,
which we took from a full perfuaHon that it was im-
poffible to render him propitious to the views in which '
cur hearts and hands were fo deeply intcrcfted : I did
not then know how little he was addicted to fupcrflt-
tion.
" "WiTHODT entering into a detail of the fchemes
we projeiEled to delay th^ happinefs of Mendoza, I fhall
only obferve, that, knowing the fatal day was at length
undterably fixed, we determined to elude the purpofe
of Don Diego by flight, and every thing was anally
prepared for our efcape. When the hour of appoint-
ment arrived, I repaired to the place at which I had
propofed to enter the houfe, and ftumbled, in the darkj^
over the body of a man ftiU warm and bleeding.
Alarmed at this occurrence, I darted myfelf through
the window, and rufliing to the apartment of the ^dies,
(immortal powers!) beheld the pecrlefs Serafina, and
her virtuous mother, flretched on a couch, and in all
appearance deprived' of life.
DiailizodbvGoOgle
^o4 The ADVENTURES of
*' The company will eaflly conceive what agonies I
felt at fuch a fpeftacle. I ran towards the fpot in a
tranrport of hoixor \ I clafpcd my lovely miftrds in my
arms, and finding her ftill breathing, endeavoured, but
in vain, to wake her &om the trance: Antonia wai
ovcrwhdmed with the fame lethargic power. My ^cy
was immediately ftnick with the apprelienfion of thdr
being poifoncd. Regardlefs of my own lituation, I
alarmed the family, called for afiillance, and rcquefted
' the fcrvants to fiimmon Don Diego to the difmal fcenc.
I was informed that their maftcr ha^ rode forth in ma-
nifeft confufion j and while I pondered on this furpri-
'£ng excurfion, an apothecary in the neighbourhood
entered the chamber, and having examined the puUbs
of the ladies, declared that their hves were in no d^-
ger, and advifed that they {hould be undreflTcd and con-
■veyed to bed. While their women were bufied in this
employment, I went into the court-yard, attended by
Jbme of the fervants with lights, in order to view the
body of the man which 1 had found at my arrival. His
apparel was mean, his countenance ferocious, a long
fpade was buckled to his thigh, and in his belt were
Jhick a brace of loaded piilols ; fb that we concluded
he was fomc thief, who had waited for an oppommity,
and feeing the cafement open, intended to rob the
houfe, but was prevftited and flain by Don Diego hlm-
fclf, whofc retreat, however, did not a little confound
our conjefture. For my own part, I remained all night
in the houfe, tortured with fear, vexation, and fiif-
pence.
" My hope was altogether diftppointcd by this unhap-
py accident, and 1 fhuddered at the profpcA of tofiiig
Serafina for ever, either by this myfterious malady, oir
by her marriage with Mendoza, which I now defpaired
of being able to defeat. The major-domo having wait-
ed fcveral hours for his lord's return, without feeing
him appear, thought proper to dilpatch a meffenger to
Don Manuel, with an aocount of what had happened;
and that nobleman arriving in the morning, took pot
fefSon of the houfe. About four o'-clock in the after-
noon, Serafoia began ta ftir, and at five Ihe and her
mother were perfeflly awake.
BolizodbyGoOgle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. ^of
" They no fooner recovered the ufe of reflc£Bon,
than they gave figns pf equal forrow and amazement,
and cameftly called for Ifabella, who was privy to our
dcfign,Jand who, after a very minute enquiry, was found
In a lone and folitary chamber, where Ihe had been con-
fined. Such was the confufion of the houfe, that no
pcrfon ever dreamed of allying how I had entered, each
domeftic, in all probability, fuppoflng I had been intro-
duced by his fellow : So that I tarried unqueftioncd, on
pretence of concern for the dtffa-elV of a iamlly in which '
I had been fo generoufly entertained ; and by Ifabella
fcnt my rcfpefls and duty to ber ladies : She was there-
fore not a little furprifed, when, after every other fer-
vant had withdrawn, Ihe heard the lovely Serafina ex-
claim, with all the violence of grief, "Ah ! Ifabella, Or-
lando is no more !" but their aftonifhment was fUU
greater, when (he aflured them of my being alive, and
in the houfe. They recounted to her the adventure of
laft night, which Ihe explained by informing them of
the letters which Don Diego had intercepted : And they
immediately concluded, that he had, in the precipitation
of his wrath, killed, by miftake, the perfon who was
fonnd dead in the court-yard. This conjeflure alarm-
*ing them. on my account, they, by the medium of Ifa-
bella, conjured me to leave the houfe, left Don Diego
Should return and accomplifh his refentm^nt; and I
was perfuaded to withdraw, after I had fettled the chan- '
nel of a correfpondence with the confidante.
" Being now obliged to alter our meafures, becaufc
our former intention was difcovcred by Don Diego, I
fecured a retreat for Serafina and her mother, at the
Jioufe of the £ngli{h conful in Seville, who was my par-
ticular friend ; and next day, underftanding from Ifa-
bella, that her lord had not yet re-appeared, and that
- Don Manuel was very urgent in his addrefles, we con-
certed an alEgnation in the garden, and that fame even-
ing I was fortunate enough to convey my prize to the
atylnm I had prepared for their reception. InexprcC
fibic was the rage of Mendoza, when he heard of their
elopement : He raved like one deprived of reafon, fwore
he would put all the fervants of the family to the rack,
and, in cooicquencc of the intelligence he obtained by
J.,r,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
4o6 The ADVENTURES tf
threats and protnircs,'fet on foot a very ftrift CDquiry,
in order to apprehend the fugitives and Orlando, who
bad by Ibme means or other incurred his rufpicion.
" We eluded his fearch by the vigilance and caution
of our kind hoft ; and while we remained in conceal-
ment, were extremely aftonifhed to hear that the un-
fortunate Don Diego was proclaimed a traitor, and %
price fet upon his head. This information ovi;rwhclm-
ed us all with the utmoft afHidiou : Antonia lamented,
without ceafing, the difgrace of her beloved lord, &om
whom {he never would have withdrawn herfelf, but
with the lively hope of a reconciliation, after the firft
tranfports of his ire fhould have fubfided, and the real
charaftcr of Orlando ihould have appeared : It was not
long before we had reafon tp believe, that Mendozs
was tlie accufer of Don Diego —
« Nay, ftart not, Siguor; Manuel was a£hially that
traitor: This was the turn of his revenge; when he
found himfelf difappointed in the hope of polTeffiog the
mcomparabk SeraSna, he took a bafe advantage of your
ahfeiLce and retreat. He pofled to Madrid, impeached
you to the fecretary of ilate, of having maintained a
criminal correfpondence with the enemies of Spain, in-
dnded me in his accufation, as a fpy for the houle of
Auftria, and framed fucb a plaufible tale from the ciTi
cumftanccs of your diflrefs, that Don Diego was out-
lawed, and Mendoza gratified with a grant of his
eftate.
- •( These melancholy incidents made a deep impreiSon
apon the mind of the virtuous Antonia, who, waving
every other confideration, would have perfonally ap-
peared for the vindication of her hufband's honour, had
not we difluaded her from fuch a rafh undertaking, by
demonftrating her. inability to contend with fuch x
powerful antagonift, and reprefentiog that her Appear-
ance would be infelHbly attended with the ruin of Sera^
£na, who would certainly ^11 into the hands of the
villain to whom fhe had been contraAed. We exhorted
her to wait patiently for fome happy revolution of for-
tune, and encouraged her with die hope of Don Die*
go's exerting huofelf effectually in bis own defence.
^olizodbyGoOglc
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 4C7
Meanwhile our worthy landlord was fudJenly cut
off by death} and his widow being refolved to retire
into her own country> we fecretly embarked in the
fame fliip, and arrived in England about eighteen
months ago. Antonia ftill continued to pine over the
ruin of her houfe; as ihe could hear n« tidings of
Don Diego, flie concluded hewas dead, and mourned
with unabating forrow. In vain I alTiued her that foon
as my own affairs (hould be adjufted, I would exert my
whole endeavours to find and fuccour him. She could
DOC imagine that a man of his fpirit and difpofition
would live fo long in obfcurity : And her afHit^ion de-
rived new force from the death of the conful's widow,
with whom Ihe had lived in the moft unbounded inti-
macy and friendlhip. From that day her health evi-
dently declined -. She forefaw her diffuiution, and com-
forted herfelf with the hope of feemg her husband and
her friend, in a place where no treachery is felt, and
no forrow is known ; confident of my integrity, and the '
parity of my love, flic, in the moft pathetic terms, re-
commended Serafina to my care.
*' Ha ! weepeft thou, fair excellence, at the remcnt-
brance of that tender fcene, when the good Antonia,
on the bed of death, joined thy foft hand to mine, and
faid, " Renaldo, I bequeath this orphan to your love j
it is a facred pledge which if you cheriih with due ho-
nour and regard, internal peace and happinefs will ever
fmile within your bofom ; but if you treat it with in-
difference, dilhonour, or neglect, juft heaven will pu-
ni£h your breach of tmft with everlalling difappoiot-
ments and difquiet."
<' SiGNioR DonDiego, I fee you are moved, and
therefore will not dwell on fuch diftrefsftil circumftances.
The excellent Antonia exchanged this life for a mors
happy ftate ; and fo exquifite was the forrow of the
tender-hearted Serafina, as to torture me with the ap-
prehenfion that Jhe would not long furvive her pioua
mother. How I obeyed the injnnilions of that departing
faint, Monimia (for that naine fhe now affumed) can
teftify, until that artful ferpent Fathom glided into our
mutual confidence, abufed our ears, poifoned our un-
fufpe^Ung £iith, and efie£led that fat^ breach, produc-
_ ,l,z<»i:,.,G00gIf
46ft Tht ADVENTURES if
tivc of all the mifcry and vexation which we have fiif-
fered, and which is now fo happit^ expelled."
" Heaven (faid the Caftilian) hath vifited me fer-
tile fins and errors of my youth ; yetj fuch mercy hath
been mingled with its chaflifements, I ddre not murmur
or repine. The tears of penitence and forrow iljaU wa-
ter my Antonia's grave i as for Mendoza, I rejoice at
his treachery, by which the obligation of my promile
is cancelled, and my honour fully acquitted. He fliall
not triumph in his guilt : My^fervices, my chara^er,
and innocence fhall foon confront his perfidy, and, I
hope, defeat his interef^ : The King is juft and graci-
ous, nor is my family and name unknown."
Mere the Jew interpoling, prefented to him a letter
from a perfon of confequence at Madrid, whom Jofhua
had interefted in the caufe of Don Diego ; that noble-
man had already found means to reprefent the cafe of
Zelos to his, Majetly,' who had actually ordered Don
Manuel to be confined, until the injured perfon Jhould
appear to juftify himfelf, and profecutchis accufer ac-
cording to the terms of law : At the fame time Don
Diego was fummoned to prefent himfelf before the king
within S limited time, to anJwer to the charge which
Mendoza had brought againll him.
The Spaniard's heart overflowed with gratitude and.
joy, when he read this intimation ; he embraced the
Jew, who, before Zeios could give utterance to his
thoughts, told bim that the Spanllh Anbaflador at
London, having been prepofleffed in his favour, craved
the honour of feeing Don Diego j and that he, Joihua,
was ready to condufl him to the boufe.
" Then is my heart at reft ! (cried the Caftilian)
the houfe of Zelos once more Ihall lift up its head. I '
jhall again revifit my native country with honour, and
ahafc the villain who hath foiled my fame 1 O my chil-
dren 1 this day is replete with fuch joy and fatisfaflion, as
1 did not think had been in the power of heaven to grant,
without the interpofition of a miracle ! To you Renal-
do, to you illuftrious lady, and to thefe worthy gentle-
men, am I indebted for the reftoration of that for which
alone 1 wifli to live, and when my heart ccafes to rc-
^oiizodbyGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. - 409
tain the obligation, may I forfeit the name of a Ca{U-
lian, and fcorn and diflionour be my portion."
PERHApaallEuropecouldnot produce another com-
pany fa happy as that which now fat down to dinner in
the houfe of Madam Clement, whofe own benevolent
heart was pecuharly adapted for fuch enjoyment. The
lovers feafted their eyes more than their appetite, by a
tender intercourfe of glances, which needed not the
flow interpretation of fpccch j while the Spaniard re-
garded thfcn alternately with looks of wonder and pa-
ternal joy, and every individual furveycd the all-de-
ferving pair with admiration and efteem.
Serafina taking the advantage of this general fa-
tisfafUon, when the heart, foftened into complacency,
deposits every violent thought : *' I muft now {laid fte)
try my intcreft with Renaldo : The good company fliall
bear witnefs to my triumph or repulfe. I do not alk
you to forgive, but to withhold your vengeance from
the wretched Fathom. His fraud, ingratitude, and vil-
lainy are, I believe, unrivalled : Yet his bafe defigns
have been defeated ; and heaven perhaps bath made
him the involuntary inftrument for bringing our eon-
ftancy and virtue to the teft j befides, his perfidy is al-
ready puniftjcd with the laft degree of human mifery
and difgrace : The Do^r, who has traced him in all
his conduA and viciiEtudes of fortune, will draw a pic-
ture of his prefcnt wretchednefs, which, I doubt not,
will move your compafiion, as it hath already excited
mine."
The generous hoftefs was ready to enforce this cha-
ritable propofal with all her eloquence, when Melvil, .
with a look that well exprelTed his magnanimity of k>ve,
replied,^" Such a boon 'becomes the gentle Serafina!
O ! every mopient turnifhes me with &eih matter to
admire the virtues of thy loul : If thou, whofc tender
heart hath been Co rent with mifery and anguiih, can'ft
intercede for thy tormentor, who now fuffers in hia.
turn, fliall I rcfufc to pardon the mifcrable wretch ! no,
let me glory in imitating the great example, and folicit
Son Diego in behalf of the fame milcreant whofe perfi-
dious barbarity coft him fuch in tolerable, woe." " Enough ,
{cried the Caftilian), I have difclaimed the vindiilive
Vol. IV. Fff
_,.,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf
4IO Tbi ADVENTURES rf
pFinciplcs of a Spniard ; and leave the mifcrable obje£$
\o the fting of his own gonfcience, which, Toon or late»
will not fail to avenge the wriHigs we have fuftaincd
from his deceit."
CHAPTER LXVt
.3^ hijltry drains mar a period.
"T TNIVERS AL ww the applaufe which they acquired
\\ by thii nebk facrifice of their rcfentment : The
afternoon was l^cat in the utmeft harmony and good
humour ; and at the eame(t folicitation of Reoaldo,)
vhofc fancy fiill harboured the apprehenHons of ano*
ther fepaFation, Don Diego confented that the indii^
folublc knot fhould be tied between that young gentle-
man and Serafiha in two dayty and the place appointed
for the ceremony was the tery church whov they had
been reftored to the arms of each othev.
The lovely bTtde, with a £.^nt blufh that fet her
lover's bean on fire, fubmitted to this determination^
in confcquenee of which^ the cowpany was bcfpoke for
that auipicious hour, and the evening being pretty far
advanced, they took leave of the ladies, and retired to-
their refpeAive homes ; Don IKrgo and his future £bn-
in-law being recondu^d to their lodgings, in the coach
ef the Jew, who, taking an opportunity of being alons
with Melvil, ohfcrved that it would be necefTary on this-
occalion to lii[^y the Caftlllah with a. I'um of money*
in order to fupport his- dignity and independence, in
fiirniOiing Serifina with every thing fuitablc to her rank
and merit : And that he wohld wilttngly accommodate
him, provided he knew how to propofe it fo as to give
ao oSbnce to bis pun£Uliou> difpofition.
Rehaldo, thanking htm for this generous antidpa-
tion, advifcd him to folicit the Spaniard's corrtfpon-
dencc in th«; way of bu&Bcls, and to put the whole on
the footing of his own interelt ; t^ which means Don
Diego's- delicacy could fuflaia no- afiroat. Fraught with
^laiiizodbvGoogle
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 411
this iatlruftion, the Ifraelite defired a private audience
of the Caflilian, jn which, after aa apology- for the
freedom of his demand, " Signior Don Diego (faid he),
as your fortune hath been fu Jong embezzled by your
adTerfary in Spain, and your correfpondence with that
country entirely cut off, it is not to be fuppofcd that
your fiioances are at prefent in fuch a condition at to
inaintain the fplendour of your family. Count dc Mel- .
vil's whole fortune is at ypur command j and had not
he been afraid of giving umbrage to the peculiar deli-
cacy of your fentiments, he would have prelTcd you to
ufe it for your convenience. For nij own part, over
^nd above the inclination I have to ferve Don Diego, I
confult my own private advantage in deijriDg you to
accept my fernce on this occaiion. Mpney is the chief
commodity in which I deal, and, if you htHioiu: me
with your comnjaods^ I flpU be a gainer by my ober
dienee."
Don Dipee replied, with a fmile that denoted hov
well he underftood the meaning of this addrefs, " Sure-
lyi Siguier, I arq bound by the ftrongefl ties to exert
my utmoft endeavours for your advantage; and I pray
<God this your propofal may have that iJTuc : I am well
acquainted with the Count's gcncrollty and refilled no-
tions of hoiioHr ; and too much obliged by him already*
to hefitate with pundtilious referve in accepting his fur
turc alGftance : Neverthelefs, fince you have contrived
a fcheme for removing all fcruples of that fort, I Ihall
execute it with pleafure ; and, in the form of bufinefs,
you fhall have all the fecurity I can give for what fhall
be neceSitry tp anfwer my prefent occaHons."
The preliminaries being thus lettled, Jolhua ad-
yanced for his ule a thoufand pounds, for which ho
would take neither bond, note, nor receipt, defiring
only that the Caftilian would mark it Ip bis own pocket
book, that the debt might appear, to cafe any accident
{bould befal the borrower, AJthough the Spaniard had
been accuilomed to the uncommon goncrofity of Mel-
vil, he could not hdp wondering at this noblcnefs of
behaviour, fo little to be expe^ed from any merchuit>
much lefs from 3 Jewilh broker.
^oiizodbyGoogle
412 Tht ADVENTURES of
While this aSair was on the anvil, RenaWo, who
could no longer withhold the communication of hk
happinefs from his After and relations in Germany,
took up the pen, and in a letter to his t>i^ther-in-law,
recounted all the circumftances of the furprifing tarn of
fete which he had experienced fince his arrival in Eng-
land. He likewife related the ftory of Don Diego, in-
formed them of the day appointed for his nuptials, and
intreated the tnajor to make a journey to London with
his wife ; or, if that fhould be imprafticable, to come
as ^ as Bruflels, where they fliould he met by him and
his Serafina. There was now but one day between him
and the accomplishment of his dearell wilh, and that
was fpcnt in procuring a licence, and adjulHng the pre-
parations for the grand feftival. Don Diego in the
forenoon villted Madam Clement, to whom he. re-
peated his warm acknowledgments of her bounty and
maternal aifeflion to his daughter, and prcfcnted to
Serafina bank notes to the amount of five hundred
pounds, to defray the neceffary expencc of her wedding
ornaments.
All the previous ftcps being taken for the folemni-
zation'of this interefling event, and the hour of ap>
pointment arrived, the bridegroom, accompanied by
his father-in-law, haftened to the place of rendezvous, .
which was the veftry-room of the church we ha'vc al-
ready dcfcribed ; where they were received by the
. good clergyman in his canonicals ; and here they had
not waited many minutes, when they were joined by
Madam Clement and the amiable bride, efcorted by
the friendly phyfician, who had all a]ong bore fuch a
fhare'in their concerns; Serafina was dreJTed in a facie
of white fattin, and the ornaments of her head were
adjufted in the Spanifh faftiion, which gave a peculiar
air to her appearance, and an additional fpirtt to thofe
attraftions which engaged the heart of each beholder.
There was nothing remarkable in the habit of Renaldo,
who had copied the plainnefs and elegance of "his miU
trcfs ; but when ' flie entered the place, his features
were animated with a double proportionof vivacityiand
their eyes meeting, feemed to kindle a blaze which
^olizodbyGoOglf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 413
diffiifed warmth and joy through the countenances of
all prefent-
After a fliort paufe, her father led her to the altar,
and gave her away to the traniported Rcnaldo, before
the prieft who perfbrtned the ceremony, and beftowed
the nuptial benediction on this enraptured pair. The
fan£Uon of the church being thus obtained, they with-
drew into the veftry, where Melvii febled his title on
her rofy lips, and prefented his wife to the company)
who emte'aced her in their turns, with fervent wi(hes
for their mutual happinefs.
Though the Tcene of this tranfaf^ion was remote
from any inhabited neighbourhood, the church was
liuTounded by » crowd of people, who with uncom-
mon demonftration of furprize and admiration, peti-
tioned heaven to blefs fo fair a couple. Such indeed
was their eagcmcfs to fee them, that fomc lives were
endangered by the prdTure of the crowd, which at-
tended them with loud acclamations to the coach, after
the bridegroom had dcpofited in the hands of the mi-
nifter one hundred pounds for the benefit of the poor
of that parilh, and thrown feveral handfiils of money
among the multitude. Serafina rdmbarked in Madam
Clement's convenience, with that good lady and Doa
Diego, while Renaldo, with the clergyman and doAor,
followed in Jothua's coach, to a pleafant country houfe
upon the Thames, at the diftance of a few miles from
London. This the Jew had borrowed from the owner,
for a few days, and there they were received by that
honefl Hebrew, who had provided a very elegant en-
tertainment for the occafion : He had alfo befpoke %
fmall but excellent band of mufic, which regaled their
ears while they fat at dinner ( and the afternoon being
calm and ferene, he prevailed on them to take the air
on the river, in a barge which he bad prepared for the
purpofe.
But, notwithflanditig this diverfity of amuiement,
Renaldo would have found it the longeft day he had
ever paflcd, had not his imagination been diverted by
an incident which employed his attention during the re-
maining part of the evening. They had drunk tea, and
engaged in 3 party at wbifi, when ihey were furprized
DiailizodbvGoOgle
414 ^' ADVENTURES 'of ■
m\xh. a noire of ctrntcution &om a public-boufe, that
fronted the windows of the apartment 5n which they
tat. Alarmed at this aproar, they fodbok their cards,
^d tiirowing up the cafeinent, beheld a hearle ftir-
roundcd by four men on horiebadc, who had flopped
the carriage, and violently pulled the driver from his
leat. This uncommon arreft had engaged the curiofity
of the puUican's family, who Hood at the door to ol^
ferve the confequcnct-, when all of » fudden aj^ared
» iieribq in canonicals, well mounted, who riding up
to thofe who maltreated the drivcF, bellowed upon isat
«f them fuch a blow with the but -end of bis whip, a;
laid him fprawling on the grouitd-; and fpfingiiig irwti
bis faddle upon the box, took the reins into his owq
hand, fwearing with great vehA^eocs, that he would
murder every ntan wtio ihoqld attempt \a obftru^t th«
Jwarfc
: The good priefl who bad nianied Rwtldot was not
9 Tittle Icandalized at this icrocioUG beha\kHir in a clcrr
gyma»f and could not help iaying aloud, b« was 9 dilr
grace to the doth ; when the horfeman looki^ig up tq
the window, replied, " Sir, may I be d-r — n'd if any
man in England hag a gircater rdip^A for the doth tbai|
\ have-, but at prefent I am quite diflraSed/' So layf
ing, be whipped up the boi^s, aad had a^hially dilen-
taogled the hearfe from tbofe who ftirrooDded it, wh«q
Ite va« opposed by another troop, one of whom a-
li^ted with great expedition, »id cut the h^raefs fo
SB that he could not poffibly proceed : Finding hioafelf
tbis driven to bay, hs leaped upon tbe gFonodi and
CKrcifed his weapon with fucb amazing ftrengtit and
Kgility, that feveral of Ms aatagontfts were left motion-;
I^ en tbe fields before be was overpowersd ud di£:
■rmed by i^t of numbers* who aC^iied hittt oa all
lides.
The mad parfon being thus taken prifoncr, an et-
derly pwAm of a very jM'epodefliBg appearance, went
up to the hearfe, and unbolting the door, a young
IwJy fprung out, and Hirteking, ran directly to the
public-houte, to the infinite afloniftiment and affirigbc
of the whole family, wlio believed it was the fpirit ^i
the deceafed perfon, whofe body lay in the carriage.—
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
J*ERDINAND COtTNT F ATHOBI, 4 r ^
Kcnaldo, who has with difficulty reftrained from inters
pofing in behalf of ihe clergyman againlt fiich odds,
BO fooncT jjerccived this apparition, than fuppofing hef
10 be fome diflrclfcd damlel, bis quixotrfm awoke, he
dcfcended in an inlVant, and ruflied into the houfe, a-
mong thofe who purfucd the fair jAantom. Don
Diego and tite phylician'took the fame road, while the
i%al clergyman and Jofbua tarried with the ladies,
who w»e> by this time, very much iaterefied in the
«vent.
Meltil found the young lady in the hands of
the cA6 gentlConn, who had reteafed her from the
hearfe, and who now bitterly uptx'aided her for her'
folly and difobedience ; while fhe protel^ed, with great
vivacity, that whatever (he might fuffer from his fe-
verity, ftie would never fubmit to the hateful match, he
had propofed, nor break the promife Ihe hnd already
made to the gentlcmdn who had now attempted to
refcue htr from the tyranny of a cruel father. Thi»
declaration was followed by a plentiful fbowcr of tears,
which the father could not fakchold with unmoiftcned
■ eyes, although he reviled her with marks of uncommon
difpleafure ; and turning to the count, " I appeal to
you, Su- (faid he), whether I have not reafon to carfc
the undutifiil obftinacy of tliat pert baggage, and re-
nounce her for ever as an alien to my blood. She has,
. for fome months, been folicited in marriage by an
boncft citizen, a thirty thoufand pound man ; and in~
&taA of tidening to fuch an advantageous propoTal, Ihe
hath bcftowed her heart upon a young fellow not wortK
a groat. Ah ! you degenerate hdffy, this comes of your
plays and romances : If thy mother were not a woman
of an unexceptionable life and converfation, I fhould
verily believe thou art no child of mine : Run a.waj
with a beggar i for fliamc !"
« I SUPPOSE, (replied Renaldo), the perfon to whom
your daughter's affeAion inclines, is that clergyman
who exerted himfelf fo manfully at the door." " Cler-
gyman I (cried the other), adad ! he has more of the
dcvi! than the church about him. A ruffian ! he has,
for aught I know, murdered the worthy gentleman
whtun I intcoded for my fon-io-law ; and the rogue, if
^oiizodbyGoogle
4i5 Thf ADVENTURES 0/
I had not kept out of his way, would, I fuppofe, have
ferved me with the fame fauce ; Me ! who have been
bis mafter for many years, and had refoWed to make a
man of him. Sir, be was my own clerk, and this is
the return I h7>ve met with from the ferpent which I
cherifhed in my bofom."
Here he was interrupted by the arrival of the ci-
tizen for whom he had cxprciled fuch concern ; That
gentleman had received a contulion upon one eye, by
which the fight was altogether ob(lru£ted ; fo that he
concluded he Ihould never retrieve the ufe of that or-
gan, and with great clamour took all the fpeftators to
witncfs the injury be had fuftained; be entered the
room with manlfeft perturbation, demanded fatisfaftion
of the father, and peremptorily declared it Ihould not
be a lofl eye to him, if there was law in England. This
unfeafonable demand, and the boifterous manner in
which it was made, did not at all fuit the prefent hu-
mour of the old gentleman, who told him pecvifhiy he
owed him no eye, and bade him go and alk reparation
of the perfon who had done him wrong.
The young lady fnatching this favourable occafion^
earneftly entreated Melvil and his company to inter-
cede with her father in behalf of her lover, who, ihe
aJTured them, was a young gentlemaq of a good family,
and uncommon merit ; and, in compliance with her
requcft, they invited him and his daughter to the houfe
in which they lodged, where they would be difincum-
bered of the croud which this difpute had gathered to-
gether, and more at [eifure to confutt about the mca-
fures nccelTary to betaken. The old gentleman thank-
ed them for their courtcfy, which he did not think
proper to rcfiife ; and while he led, or rather hauled,
Mademoifelle over the way, under the aufpices of the
Caflilian, Renaldo fet the lover at liberty, made him »
tender of his good offices, and advifcd him to wait at
the public-houfc ' for an happy ifliie of their negocia-
tion.
The pfeudo-parfon was very much affeAcd by this
generoos proffer, for which he made fuitable acknow-
ledgments, and protcfted before God he would die a
thoufand deaths rather than part with his dear Chat-
_,.,l,z<,i:,.,G00glf
FEltDlNAND COUlJT FATHOM. '417
' lotte. Her lather no {boacr entered the apartment,
than he was known by Jofhua to be a conDiderable
trader in the city of London, and the merchant was
glad to iind himfelf among his acquaintance. He was
lo full of the ftory which had brought him thither, that
he had fcarcc Tat down, when he began to complain of
his hard htc, in having an only child, who was fo
mean, flubborn, and contumacious ■, and every fentencc
wqs concluded with an apoftrophc of reproaches to the
delinquent. ,
The Jew having allowed him to ring out his alarm,
condoled hb misfortune, and gravely counfelled the
jToung lady to wean- her affeftions from fuch an un-
worthy object: For he fuppofed her favourite was a
man of no principle, or liberal endowments, otherwife
her father would not exclaim fo bitterly againfl her
conduA. Charlotte, who wanted neither beauty nor
underftanding, afiiired him, that her lover's charaflcr
was, in all refpefls, unblemiflied ; for the truth of
which aHertion ilie appe^ed to her papa, who owned,
with relu^nce, that the young man was a gentleman
by birth, that he had fcrvcd him with remarkable dili-
gence and integrity, and that his accompliihments werd
&r fuperior to his ftation in life. " But then (faid he),
the feJlow has not a Shilling of his own, and would you
have me give away my daughter to a beggar ?"
" God forbid! (cried the Jew), I always under-
Aood you polTdled an ample fortune, and am forry to
find it olherwU'e." '• Othcrwile ! (replied the citizen,
with fome acrimony), take care what you fay. Sir, a
merchant's credit is not to be tampered with." " I beg
your pardon (anfwered the Hebrew), I concluded that
your circumftances were bad, becaufe you objefted' to
the poverty of the young man, after ,you had owned he
was polIeQed of every other qualification to make your
daughter happy : For it is not to be imagined, that you
would thwart her inclinations, or feek to render an only
child mil'erable, on account of an obflacle which you
yourfelf could eafily remove. Let us fuppofe you can
afford to give with your daughter ten thoufand pounds,
which would enable this young man to live with credit
and reputation, and engage advantageouHy ia trade, for
Vol. IV. G g g
3,a,l,zt!dbvG00g]c
4ti tt^ ADVENTURES ef
which you fay he is well i^Iified : The alternative tkeft
will be, whether you would rather fee he^ in the arms
oi a ^fcrviag youth, whom ihe loves, enjoying all the
comforts of life, with a Hioderate fortune. Which it will
always be in your own power to improve ; or tied, for
life to a monied man, whom (he detefts, burling her
hard fate, and defpifing that fuperfluity of wealth, in
fpite of which flie Untis herlelf fo truly wretched."
The old gentleman feemed fo be {Ivtlcd at this ob*
lervation, which was reinforced by Renaldo's faying,
that be would, moreover, enjoy the unutterable plea*
fuK of giving h»[^inefs to a worthy oianj whofe gratis
tude would co-operate with his love, in approving Mm*
^If a dutiful' fon, as well as an agaftionatc huiband.— <■
He then repreCimted the fjmi^ dif^iets, uid difmal
tragcdicSf produced from fuch oiercenary an^ compul-
five matches ; and in ccwcti^ion related the ftory of Don
Diego and his daoghiert whkh when the merchant
heard, be ftaned up with marks of terror in his coun<
tcoance, and, throwing up the cafement, called upon
Valentitw with great vociferation. Tlils was the name
of his daughter's iidmirer, wlio no fooncr heard the
femmont, than he flew to the fpot from whence it
came ; and the merchant, witheat any further preamble,
jeizing hie hand, joined it with that oi Charlotte, fay-
ing, wit^ gKot trepidation, " Here, take her, in the
name of God, and thatik this honoatabte company for
your good fortraie."
The lovers were traafportod with es(]uilite joy ac
this fudden determination m thejr favour. V^lentin/e
bav^g killed the hand of his miArefs with ail the ea^
gernejs of raptnre, and ackoowledged the merchant's
gencrofity, paid his refpaTb to the ladies wkh a very
|)0lite addrei}, and, with demonDrations of tmcommon
gratitude and feitiibiliiy, thanked the gentlemen, and the
count in particular, for th^ir "good t^es, to which he
attributed the hippinefs he now enjoyed. While Ser^
£na and MadaiT) Clement carejied the amiable Charlotte^
the reft of the company congratulated her admirer upon
his choice and fucccfs i though the ciergyman could not
help reprehending bim for proving the facerdstail
habit.
. Mz,,!:,., Google
.FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 415.
Valektine heartily aiked paiSJon for having givca
fuch caufe of ofience, and hoped he (htnild be forgiven,
4j it was a difguife which he thought abfohiteLy neccf-
tary for the execution of a fdiCmc upon which his hap-
pinefs alngcthcr depended. He then, at the requeft at
Renaldo, unfolded the myftcry of the hcarfe, by giving
them to underftand, that Charlotte's father having got
inkling of their mutttal paffion, had difmifled his cleric,
and conveyed his daughter to a country honfe in the
neighbonrKood of London, in order to cut oW thdr
correrpondcnoe.: Notwithftanding thcfe precautions^
they had foi^nd means to communicate with each other
by letters, which were managed by a third perfon ; and
his rival b«Dg very importunate in his folicitatioits, tbejr
had concerted the expedient of the hearfe, which he
provided and conducted throu^ a road contiguous to
the end of the merchant's garden, where Charlotte, be-
ing apprized of the ddign, waited for its approach, and
embalmed in it without hedtation. Valentine thought
faimfelf fufficiently fcrecncd from difcovery by his dif-
guife ; but he was unfortunately met by a fervant of the
family, who recollcdted his features, and immediately
gave the alarm, upon which the father and his friends
took horfe, and pursued them t^ two different roads,
until they were overtaken at this place.
He had fcarce finished this &ort retation, when his
rival bluntly ottering the apartment, with an handker-
chief tied round his eye, committed Valentine to the
charge of a conftable, who attended him, by a warrant
from a juftice of the peace in that neighbourhood ; and
tbreatehed to profecute the merchant on an action of
damages fc^ the lois of an eye, which he faid he had
fuftalned in lus fervice. The company endeavoured ta
appeafe this citizen, by reprefenttng, that his misfor-
tune was no other than a common inflammation ; nor
was it owing to malice aforethought, but entkely to the
fretipkate paffion of an incenfed yofing man, who, by
the bye, a£tcd in bis own defence. At the fame time
the merchant promifed to make any reafonable fatisfao-
tioni upon which Chc other demanded an obligation,
■Riporting, that he would, in ten days from the date,
bt&ow upon him his daughter in marriage, with a poi-
j,=,i,zrf.vGoogk'
A-io Tie ADVENTURES ef -
tion of fifteen thoufand pounds, or, in cafe of feUure,
pay him double the Aim. ,
The merchant, cxafperated at this extravagant de-
mand, told him flatly, he had aheady difpofed of his
daughter to Valentinct who, he believed, was a much
more deferving man ; and that he was ready to wait
upon the magiftratc who had granted the warrant, in
order to give bail for his future fon-in-law. This was a
inortiiying declaration to the plaintiff, though he con-
doled himfelf with the hope of bring a gainer by the loft
of his eye; and, now the pain was over, would, have
■been very forry to find his fight retrieved. The old
gentleman, Jofhua, and Renaldo accompanied the pri-
ibner to the houfe of the juftice, where he was imme-
■ diately admitted to bail. Upon their return, Valentine
fhifted his drels, and they Tupped together with great
cordiality and mirth, maintained at the expence of the
dilcarded lover.
After fupper, Don Di^o walked a minuet with
jyEadam Clement, for whdm, by this time, he had con-
traftcd an extraordinary degree of affeflion. Valen-
tine had the honour to dance with the incomparable
- Serafina, whofe beauty and attraflions dazzled the eyra
of the new comers, and ftruck her ba'flifiil partner with
awe' and confufiqn; and Melvil prefented his hand to
the agrccatrie Charlotte, who performed fo much to the
fatisfaftion of her father, that he could not help expreT-
iing his joy and pride : He praifed God for throwing
him in the way of our company, and engaged the cler-
gyman to unite the young couple, after having appoint-
ed a day for the ceremony, and invited all prefent to the
wedding- The evening having been infenfibly confu-
medin thcfe avocations, and the night pretty far ad-
vanced, the ladies withdrew without ceremony; and
the retreat of Scrafina filled Renaldo's brcaft with tu-
mult and emoti<»i ; His blood began to flow in impeta-*
ous tides, his heart to beat with redoubled vigour and
velocity, while his eyes Teemed to flafh with more than
human fplendor: Now his imagination began to antici-
pate with the enthuCaftic rage of an infpired Sybil \ he
was inftantaneoufly tranfportcd from the converfation,
Bpd cv?ry nerye w^s braced to fuch a degree of irop*.
_, ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 421
tience, that human nature coutd not long endure .the
tenHon.
He, therefore, having withftood the impulfc about »
quarter of an hour, at length gave way to his itnpetuo-
iity, and, fpringing from his friends, found himfelf in
a dark paflage, at the farther end of which he perceived
Madam Clement coming out of a chamber with a light,
which, at fight of him, ihe fet down, and vanilhed in
a moment. This was the liar that pointed to his para-
dife : He hailed the Hgnal, entered the apartment, and,
like a lion rulhing on his prey, approached the nuptial
-bed, where Serafina, furrounded by all the graces of
beauty, foftnefs, fentiment, and truth, lay trembling
as a viftim at the altar, and ftrove to hide her blulhea
irom his view — the door was Qiut, the light extinguini-
ed— He owned his lot was more than mortal man could
claim.
Here let me draw the decent veil, that ought to
Aiade the facred myfterles of Hymen : Away, unhallow-
ed fcoSers, who profane, with idle plcafantry, or im-
modeft hint, thefe holy rites ; and leave thofc happy
lovers to enjoy, in one another's arms, unutterable blift,
the well-earned palm of virtue and of conftancy, which
had undergone the moft fevcre reSnement — A more de-
ferving pair night's curtain Ihrouds not in its dark ex-
tent.
The thoughts of Renaldo's felicity threw a damp on,
the fpirits of Valentine, who faw the term of his pro-
bation protraAcd a few days longer, and could not help
wilhing in his heart, that he had atchieved the adven-
ture which would have abridged bis cxpeflation, though
at the expence of the old gentleman's difpleafure. He
filled a bumper to the health of the bride and bride-.
groom, and, throwing up his eyes, with marks of ad-
miration, exclaimed, " How happy is the count ! alas [
hve days longer mud I rein my impatience I" " It is
but reafonabJe, you rogue, that your betters Ihould
have the ftart of you," faid tlie merchant, who did
him jullicc in the glafs, and counfelled him to drown
his impatience with good claret. The youth followed
his advice, and it' was late beft^e the company retired
tp reft.
^laiiizodbvGoogle
421 rz* ADVENTURES rf
Tkese citizens, faowerer, refolved to feize an op-
p(^unity of rallying the new married couple, according
to cuftotn, and with that view arofe early in the oim-n-
ing, on the fuppofitiOn of finding them itilt aSeep ; but
tbcy Were not a little furprifed, wUen they entered the
farcakfafting room, to Tee Rcnaldo, and his amiable bed-
fellow, already drcfled, and waiting to do the honoiin
of the houfe. The old gentleman would fain have
cracked a joke upon their extraordinary difpatch ; but
he was To mnch overawed t^ the dignity, and ta^^ied
by the fweetnefs of Serafina's carriage, tbai he durft .
not give utterance to his conception ; and Valentine
ftood filent and abafhed, as in the prefencc of a fuperior
being. After brcafcfaft, thefe gcntlco>en and Charlotte
again expreffed their fcnfe of the obligations they owed
to this happy ^mily, rq^cated their itivitation, and'ta-
king leave, returned to London in a coach that w^
jsm
rided orer i
OiJR friends being thus left to themfelves, Don Die-
go turning towards Melvil,^' Now {faid he) that I have
yielded to the impatience of your love, as well as to tiie
eagemefs o? my own dcfire to make you happy, I muft
beg leave to imerrupt, for a little while, the ftream of
your miTtnal jdeafure, and propofe a melancholy ex-
cwiion, which, however, will not be wholly void of
CDJOTment. I have too long delayed the performance
(^ Oiy duty t>t .Ant(»iia's grave — Let ns fpend the fore-
noon in that pious pilgrimage : — I will drop a few
fears to the memory of that, excellent woman, and
never afterwards fhiU my friends be troubled with my
grief."
The propofcl being aniverfalty approved, they fee
Out for the place, which had oft been vifited by the
gentle Serafina, who conducted her father to a Mack
marble ftpne, which Renaldo had ordered to be laid
over the grave \ and, as he kneeled to kifs the monu-
ment, he perceived this [dain infcriptlon in the Spanifh
tongue — Anionia de Zths primera en iodo lo qut etfer
Imim, yjinfegtitido en todo h que fueftr defdithado, que-
dad con Dial ! that is, Anionia de Zehs, unmatched in
virtue, and unequalled in misforlunef adieit! — " O ^th-
&I record ! (cried the CaflUianj ibiting his bretft.
J.,r,l,z<»i:,., Google
FERE4NAND COUNT FATHOM, ' 473
irltile hisitears diftUkd npon the marble), thj gaodnets
tvas the gift of Heavoii but thy misfortunes were de-r
lived from the guilt oi Bon Diego ; yet his foironr
fliall expiate bis ofTence, ^d his peaitencc dad favouic
in'thc fight of Heaven: — Rcii, reft, Jli-fatcd virtue !—
Eternal peace fhall guard tbj tomb, and angeU minifter
to thyunfpotted fhade; nor Uiall thine aihes lie in darlc
ohTcurity : Here will I raij'e a moaument, more fuitett
to thy excellence and name." — Scrafina melted will*
filial tenderncfs, nor were the reft unmoved at this af-
fe^iog fcene,: which Don Diego did not quit without
relu^ncc.
CHAPTER X/SVir.
Tie hng^ and tie hjl.
THE nature of this vifit had /bftened every heart;
and faddened every countenance ; and they walk-
ed in folemn filencc to the other Ude of the church-yard^
in order to regain their carriages -, when, at the turtu
ing of the ftilc, they faw a young woman, in wretched
■ittlre, running out of a poor habitation, wringing he^
hands la all the agony of d^pair. Notwithftanding the
diAra^Jon in h»r countenance, and the meannefs of her
appard, {he dlfcovered a regularity of features, and a
delicacy of air, which did not at all cofrefpond with the
mifery of her equipage. Thefc exhibitions of extreme
diftrefs fooit attra^ea the notice and compaflioa of ouf
company, and Melvil's beauteous help-mate, accoftinji;
this forlorn damfel with a pity-breathing afpcA, alked
the caufc of hex difordcr.
" Alas ! dear lady (cried the other, with at] the
cmpbafis of wwc), an unhappy gentleman now breathes
bislaft, within this iDhoTpltable hove!, amidftfuch ex-
ccfs of mifery as wotJd melt tlic moft flinty bofom i-^
What then muft I feel, who am connefled with him
by the ftrpngcft ties of love and conjugal afteflion !"—
« Who is the unfdriunate objc^l f"(lalii the phyficlan].
^olizodbyGoOglc
424 the ADVENTURES of
' — " He was once well known in the gay world (reptied
the young woman) — his name is Fathom." Every indi-
vidual of the company ftarted at mention of that deteft-
ed name. Serafina began to tremble with emotion ; and
Renaldo, after a ftiort paufe, declared he would go in,
not with a view to exult over his mifcry, but in order
to contemplate the cataftrophe of fuch a nicked life*
that the moral might be the more deeply engraved on
Ills remembrance. The young countefs, whofc tender
heart could not bear the fhock of fuch a fpeftacle, re-
tired to the coach with Madam Clement and the Jew,
vhile Renaldo, accompanied by the reft, entered a <Kf;
mal apartment, altogether void of furniture and conve-
nience, where they- beheld the wretched hero of tbefe
memoirs, ftretched almoft naked upon {Iraw, infenllble,
convulfed, and feemingly in the grafp of death. He
was wore to the bone cither by famine or diftemper j
his face was overlhadowed with, hair apd filth ; his
eyes were funk, glazed, and diftorted ; his noftrils di-
lated; his lips covered with a black Hough; and hJ$
complexion faded into a pale day-colour, tending to a
yellow hue : In a word, the extremity of indigence,
fqualor, and diftrrfs could not be more feelmgly repre-
fented.
"While Melvil perufed this melancholy Icflbn, and,
groaning, cried, " Behold the fate of man," he per-
ceived a letter in the right hand of the unfortunate Fa-
thom,' which lay faft clinched acrofs his breaft. Cu-
rious to know the contents of this paper, which the
young woman faid he had kept in that pofition for fcveral
days, he drew nearer the wretched couch, and was not
k little furprifed to fee it addrefled to the Right Ho-
iiourable Renaldo Count de Melvil, to the care of Mr
Jofhua Manaflch, merchant in London. When he at-
tempted to djfengage this billet from the author's band,
the forrowing female fell on her knCes, entreating him
to delid, and telling him, (he had prdmifcd, upon oath,
to communicate the contents to no perfon upon earth,
but to carry the letter, upon her hufband'a deceafe, to
the gentleman to whofe care it was direfted.
Renaldo allured her, upon h'ls honour, that he
was the very Renaldo Count de Melvil, for whom tx.
. .■,z<,i:,.,G00glf
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 425
Wafe intended ; and the young creature was fo much
, confounded at this information, that, before ihc coijid
iccolIc£t hcrlclf, Melvil had opened the billet, and read
thcfe words — " If this paper fliould fall into the hands
of the noble Renaldo, he will uriderftand, that Fathom
was the nioft execrable traitor that ever impofed upon
unfufpefting benevolence, or attempted to betray a ge-
nerous bencfaftor. His whole life was a feries of fraud,
perfidy, and the moft abominable ingratitude : But, of
all the crimes that lay heavy upon his foul, his being
acceffbry to the death of the incomparable Serafina,
whofe father he had alfo robbed, was that for which
he dcfpaired of Heaven's forgivenefs, notwithftanding
the dreadful compunflion and remorfe which have Ibng
preyed upon his heart, together with the incredible mi-
Icry and deplorable death which by this time he hath
undergone. Though thcfe fufferings and forrows can-
not atone for his enormous guilt, perhaps they will ex-
cite the companion of the hupiane Count de Melvil ; at
Icaft, this confeflion, which my confcience dilates un-
der all the terrors of death and futurity, may be a warn-
ing for him to avoid henceforth a fmiiing villain, like
the execrable Fathom, upon whofe miferable foul Al-
mighty God have mercy."
Renaldo was de%ply affeifled with the contents of
this fcroll, which denoted fuch horror and defpair. He
faw there could be no difhmulation or finifter defign in
this profeffion of penitence : He beheld the condition
of the writer, which put all his humane pillions in
commotion j fo that he remembered nothing of Fathom
hut his prefent dilh^fs. He could fcarce contain thofe
indications which miglit have been jullly deemed the
cffeft of wcakncfs and infirniity ; and having defired "
ihc phyScian and clergyman to contribute their affift-
ancc for the benefit of that wretch's fqul and body, ,hc
ran to the coach, and communicated the letter . to the
ladies i at the fame, time drawing a pifture of the ob-
jeft he had feen, which brought tears into the eyes of
the gentle Seralina, who carncftly entreated her lord
to ufe ,his endeavours for the re^cf and recovery of
the unhappy tnan, that he might, if poOible, live to
eoioy the' benefit of mature repentance, and not die
Vol. IV. Hhh
3,a,i,;t!db;Googlc
426 Tht ADVENTURES of
in that diradfjl defpair whicli he manifcflcd in the
letter.
Remaldo, returning to the houfe, found the pions
clergyman reading prayers with great fervency, while
■ 0Dn Dtego ftood with his right liand upon his breaft,
looking Itedfaflly ttpon the agonizing Fathom, and the
young woman kncdcd, with her f^reaming eyes lifted
up to heaven, in an extafy of grief and devotion : The
phyilcian had run to an apothecary^ ihop fn the
neighbourhood, kom whence lie foob returned with
an alSllant, who applied a large bliftcr to the Wlc of
the miferablc patient, while ihe female, by the do£h>r's
dire£lion, moillened his m<Hith with a cordial which he -
had prefer ibed.
These charttabte fteps being taken. Count de Mel-
. x& entreated the apothecary^ fervant to procure a tent-
hcd for the accommodation of the ficlc perfon with all
Bnagioabte difpatchj and, in Icfs thah an honr, one
was afbialty pitched, and Fathom lifted into it, after
he had been Ailfted, and in fome meafure purified
iirom the dregft of his intUgence. During this tranfac-
lion tJic ladies were conduficd to a tavern not far off, ■
where dinner was befpoke, that they might be at hand
to fee the effeft of their charity, vhich was not confi-
ned to what we have already deffribed, bat extended
fc far, that, in a little time, the apartment was consort-
ably ftirnifhed, and the yoMig crcatu^ provided with
change of apparel^ and money to procure the necefla-
ties of fuUiftence.
Notwithstanding all their care, the wretched -
Fathom ftill remained InfenGble, and the doAor pro-
nounced a very ufifavouri^le ptognoAic, while he or-
dered a pair of additional veHratorics to be laid upon his.
arms, and other proper medicines to be adiniinftered^
After dinner, the ladies ventured to vifit tlie place, and
-when Serafina eroded the threfhold, the weeping female-
fell at her feet, and„ kiifing her robe, exjclaimedj " Sure
you are an angel from heaven !"■
THt^ alteration in her drefs had macle a very agree-
able change in her appearance, So that the counteffi
could now look upon her without ihudderlng at her
diftie& : ^nd^ as Fathom was aotin % condition to be
. ,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM:. 427
4iAiirbed, ihc took this opportunity of enquiring bf
vhat fteps that unfortunate wretch was conveyed irom ^
tl#prifcu>i in which Ihe knew he had been confined,
to the place where he now lay in fuch extremity ; and
by what occurrence he had found a wife in nich an
abyfs of misfortune. Here the other's tears began to
Bow afreQi. *' I am afhamed (faid Qte) to rcvnL my
own folly ; yet I dare not rcfufe a fatisfadlion of this
kind to a perfon who has laid me under fuch fignal
obligations."
She then proceeded to relate her flory, b]^which it
appeared, {he was no other than (he fair and unhappy
Elinor, whom the aiiful Fathom had debauched upon
his fitH arrival in town, in the maimer already defcri-
bed in thefe memoirs. ■* Heaven (continued Ihe) was
pleafed to reflore the ufe of my re^fon, which I had loft
whenlfound myfelf abandoned by the count} butjallmy
conne^on with my own family being entirely cutoff, and
every door {hut againft a poor creature who could pro-
cure no recommendation, except the certificate figned
by the phyllcian of bedlam, vhkh, inftead of introdu-
cing me to fervice, was an infurmountable objei^ion to
my character ; I found myfelf deftitute of all means of
fubfiAing, unlefs I would cbndefcend to live the in&-
mous and wretched life of a courtezan, an expedient
rendered palatable by the terrors of want co-operating
with the refie^ion of the irretrievable lofs I had already
fuftained. I afk pardon for offending your chafte ears
with this impure con&fBon of my guilt, which, heaven
knows, I then did, and now do look upon with abhor-
rence and deteOation. I had already forfeited < my in-
nocence, and wanted refolution to encounter mjfery and
death. Neverthelefs, before E could determine to em-
brace the condition of a proftitute, I was one day ac-
cpAed in the park by an elderly gentleman who fat
down by me upon a bench, and, taking Notice of the
defpondence which was evident in my countenance,
prefled me to make him acquainted with the nature of
my misfortune. So- much fympathy -jud good fenfe
ai^>eared in his deportment and converfation, that I
gratified his requeft, and he, in return for my confi-
dence, faved me bom the moR horrible put of my
^oiizodbyGoogle
4i8 rhi ADVENTtTRES of
profpeft, by taking mc into hia protcftion, and refcr-
Tini; mc for his own appetite. In this fituatipn I lived
a whole year, nntil I was deprived of my feccper by an
apopleftic fit, and turned out of doors by his relations,
who did not, however, ftrip me of the cioaths and
moveables which I owed to his bounty. Far from be-
ing as yet reconciled to a vltious life, I refolved to re-
nounce the paths of Ihame, and converting my effefts
into ready money, hired a fmall (hop, and furniflicd it
with haberdalhery ware, intending to earn an honcft
livelihood by the falc of thefc commodities, together
with the plain work in which I hoped to be employed,
fo "foon as my talents fliould be known. But this
fcherae did not anfwer my expe^tion. The goods
fpoiled upon my hands, and, as I was a ftranger in the
neighbourhood, no body would intruft me with any
other biifinefs : So that, notwithftanding the moft par-
iimonious ceconomy, I ran in debt to my landlord, who
feized my eSefts; and an hoficr from whom I had re-'
ceived fome parcels upon credit, took out a writ againfl
me, by virtue of which I was arrefted and imprifoned
in the Marflialfea, where I found my firil feducer.
Good heaven ! what did I feel at this unexpeiled meet-
ing, overwhelmed as I was before with my own diftrefs !
I with a loud fcream fainted away, and when I recover-
ed, found myfelf in the arms of Mr Fathom, who wept
over me with great affliftion. All his profpeits of gaiety
had now vaniflied, and his heart was foftencd by his
own misfortunes, to a feeling of another's woe, as well
as to a due fenfe of his own guilt. He cxpreffed the
deepeft forrow for having been the occafion of my ruin,
endeavoured to comfort me with promife of afliftance,
and indeed, by pradiifing medicine among the prifoners,
, made ihift to keep «s both from ftarving. But furely
no finner underwent fuch feverc remorfe as that which
he fuffered during his imprifonment. From the day of
our meeting', I never once faw him fmile ; a melancholy
cloud continually overhung his countenance. He num-
bered the minutes by his groans, he ufed to ftart
with horror from his fleep, and, ftrikiiig his brcaft,
would exclaim, " O Elinor ! I am the worft of villains !"
Sometimes he feemed diibrdered in his brain, and ravj^d
^olizodbyGoOglc
- FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 4I9
about Renaldo and Monimia ; In a word, his mind was
in a dreadful fituation, and all his agonies were com- -
municated to me, whom by this time he had married,
in order to malce feme atonement for my wrongs.
Wretched as he then was, I remembered the accom-
plffhed youtji who had captivated my virgin heart, the
old imiireffions ftill reinained, I faw his penitence, pi-
tied his misfortune, and his M'ife being dead, confented
to join his fate, the ceremony having been performed
by a fellow priioner, who was in orders. Though his
hard-hearted creditor bad no other chance of being
paid, than that of fetting him at liberty, he lent a deaf
ear to all our Aipplications ; and this cruelty confpiring
with the anguifli of niy hufband's^ own refleftion, a£
fcdted his health and fpirits to fuch a degree, that he
could no longei" earn the raiferable pittance which had
hitherto fupported our lives. Then our calamities be-
^an to multiply. Indigence and famine ftared us in the
fece; and it was with the utmofl difficulty that lye r^
iifted their attacks,- by felling or pledging our wearing
apparel, until we were left almofl: quite naked, when
we found ourfclves difchargcd by an aft paiTed for the
relief of infolvent debtors. This charitable law, which
was intended for a confolation to the wretched, proved
to us the moft fevere difafter } for we were turned out
into the ftreets, utterly deftitute of food, raiment, and
loflging, at a time when Mr Fathom was fo weakened
by his diftemper, that he could not ftand alone. I fup-
ported him from door to door, imploring the compaf-
fion of charitable Chriftians, and was at length permit-
ted to fhelter him in this mife>able place, where his
difeafe gaining ground, he lay three days in that deplo-
rable condition, from which he haihnow been reicued
(though I fear too late) by your humanity and benevo-
lence."
She fhed a flood of tears at the conclufion of this
mournful tale, which did not fail to affeft the whole
audience, efpecially Serafina, who affurcd her, that,
whatever Qiould happen to hcF hufband, (he might de-
pend upon finding favour and proteftion, provided her
condud Ihouid correfpond with her profeffions. While
this'grateful creature killed the hand of her kind bene-
_,.,i,zrt:,., Google
430 ^' ADVENTURES cf
fiOrtCi, Fathom v'^'^^'^d a groan, began to ftir in the
b'd, and with a languid voice called upon £linor> who
inttantly withdrawing tlje curtain, prefeuted the whole
company to his view. He had now retrieved the ufe
of hi£ percepttcm by the operation of the Uiftcrs, which
began to torture hicn feveiely i kc looked wound lum
with amazement and affi-lght, and diHinguilhing the
thr^ perfons asainft whom the chief arrows ^ his
frand iind treachery had been levelled, he concluded
that he was now arrived at the land of departed foultj
and that the fhades of tbofe whom he had fo grievoully
' injured were come to fee him tormented according to
his demerits.
Fraught with thi» notion, which was confirmed by
the bodily pain which he felt, and the appearasce of
the clergyman and Jofliua, whom he nuflook for U>e
jniniAers of vengeance^ he cried in a tcme repjete with
horror, '■ Is there no mercy then for penitence I is
there no pity due to the miferies I fuffereo upon earth (
Save me, X) bountiful heaven ! firom the terrors of ever-
lading woe } hide me from thefe dreadful executi<uicrs,
wbofe looks are torture : Forgive me, generous Cafti-
iian. O Renaldo I thou hadll once a tender heart. I
tiare not lift my eyes to SeraGna ! that pattern of fauman
excellence, who fell a vii^im to my atrocious guilt { yet
lier afpc^: is all mildoefs and compalGon. Ha I are not
thefe the drops of pity f Yes, they are tear» of mercy;
They fall like refrelhing Qiowers upon my drooping
foul I Ah, murdered innocence ! wilt thou not inter-
cede for thy betrayer at the throne of grace!"
Here he was interrupted by Melvii, who with a
grave and folemn air pronounced," Great hath bees
thy guilt, unbaji^y Ferdinand, and great have been thy
fufferings. Yet we come not to infillt, but to alleviate
thy dillrefs. Providence hath kindly defeated thy dire
intentions, which we therefore now forgive and tranl^
niit to oblivion, whether it be thy lot to yield i^> thy
fpirit immediately, or to furvive the dangerous mabdy
with which thou art at prefent overwhelmed. Suffix
not thyfelf to defpair ; for the mercy of heaven is infi-
nite ; and fubmit to the dire^ions of this worthy gentle-
ifOdi) who will employ his Ikill for jhy recovery, while
_,.,i,z<,i:,., Google
FERMNAND COUNT FATHOM. 4ji
irt fliall take care to furnlfh thee with necefTary at-
tendance: As (00 much fjieaking may be prejudicial to
thy health, I diljiftnie with thy reply, and exhort thee
te compofe thyfetf to rt&." So faying, he drew the
ctrtain, and th« company retired, leaving Fathom in-
tranced with wonder.
The ne^t ftep which Renaldo took for the betiefit of
this wretched penitent, was to fend for the apothecary,
with whom he left a fum of money to be expended fot
the cdnreniencc of Fathom and his wife ] then he laid
injunAk)n3 upoh the phyficiafi to rqjeaC his vifits ; and
that gentleman, together with the clergyman iiid Jo-
ihufi, taking leave of the others till next day, the count
fet out mth the ladies and hi^ father-in-law, to the houfft
where they had lodged the preceding night.
The reader may iwcll imagine, the converfatlon of thd
CTcning turned wholly upon the ftrange occurrence of
the day, which (ecmed to have been concerted by fnpcr-
. natural prefcience, in order to fatisfy the vengeance,
and afibrd matter of triumph to the grticrolity of thof«
who had been fo gricvoufty injured by the guilty F»-
tliom. Thou^ not one of them would fay that fuch »
mifcreant obght to live, yet all concurred in approving
the offices c^ humanity which bad been pa^t-iitfdj
and even eadeavouft'd to find fpecious pretexts for fflk-
dicating then" compaflloo. Don Diego faid, it would
ill become a tranfgrcSOT like him to withhold his fbr-
giveoefs from a finjier who had wronged him : Mad«n
Clement appealed to the approbation of heaven, whkll
had uiidoubtedty dircftcd them that way, for the puiv
pofe they had fulfilled: SeraBna obferved, that the
crimes of the dtlinquent were obliterated by his forraWj
mifery, and repentance : Renatdo honeftly owned, thatj
cxclulive of other reaftms, he could not deny himlelf
the luxurioos enjoyment of cdmmunicating happlnefs to
his feUow-crcatures in diftrcfe ; and each fervMitly pray-
ed, that their charity might not be difappointed by the
death of the objeA.
While they amufed themfclvcs in thefe difculEonsj
Fathom, after having hin fome hours filent, in coirfe-
quencc of Renaldo's advice, could no longer fupprefi
the aftonifhnKnt of his mind, but, addrelEng himfclf td
_-,i,z<,i:,., Google
432 The ADVENTURES of
his wife, " O Elinor ! (faid he), my deljrium is flow
paftj though I ftiU remember the phantalks of my
diAcmpcrccl brain : Among other reveries, my imagi-
natioa was regaled with a viCon fo perfeft and diftinfl:,
as to emulate truth and reality. Methought Count de
Melvil, Don Diego de Zelos, and the divine Seragna^
the very perfons \rfio are now crying before the tV^c
of heaven. for vengeance againft the guilty Fathom,
flood by my bedHdc, with looks of pity and forgivenefs ;
and that Renatdo fpokc peace to my defpairing foul. I
heard the words diftinftly : I retain them in my memo-
ry. I faw the tears trickle from Ser^fina's eyes : I
heard her father utter' a compaflionate figh; and lliould
aflually believe that they were peifonally prefent, had
not I long ago ftcn with my own eyes the funeral pro-,
cefBon of that young lady, whofe wrongs God pardon ;
and were I not convinced that fuch a meeting could not
be cffcfted without the immediate and miraculous inter-
poOtion pf heaven. Yet every thing I now fee corrc-
fponds with the words of Rcnaldo, which ftili found in
my ears. When my perception forfook me, ] lay in
the moft abjedt mifcry, among ftrawj and thou, poor
injured innocence, waft naked and forlorn. Now, I
:pn^ myfelf repofed in a wnrn),cafy, comfortable bed : I
fec'around me the marks of human charity and care,
and the. favourable change in thy appearance glads my.
poor dejefted heart. Say, whence. this .happy altera-
tion ? Do I really awake from that dream of miiery in
irhich we have continued fo long ? or do I dill utter
the extravagant ravings of a diftempcf ed brain ?"
Elinor was afraid of imparling at once all the par-
ticulars of the happy ch^ng? he had undergone, left
they, might leave a dangerous impreflion upon his fancy, .
which was not yet duly compofcd ; She contented hcr-
felf, therefore, with telling him, that he had been obli-
ged to the humanity sf a gentleman and lady, who
chanced to pafs that way by accident, and who, under-
ftanding his deplorable cafe, had iurniJhed him with
the convcriencies which he now enjoyed : She then
prcfentcd to him what the dofbor had dlrcfted her to
adminifter, and admonifhing him to commit hb head
to the pillow, he was favoured with a breathing fweat.
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FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 43J
fell faR. xdeep, and in n few hours waked again altogc*
thcr cool and undifturbcd.
• It was upon this occafion that his wife ei4)lained the
dreumftances of that viflt which had redeemed hior
from extrecnity of wrctchcdncfs and the jaws of death ;
tipon which he Harted up, and, throwing himfctf upon
his' knees, exclaimed, '* All gracious power f this was
the work of thy own bounteous hand } the voice of my
forrow and repentance hath been hcard^ Thou haft
Infpired roy benefactors with more than mortal good-
nels in mj behalf; how Ihall I praife thj name ! how
fliall I requite their generofity ! O I am bankrupt
to both ! yet, let roe bot periQi until I Ihall have don*
vinced them of my reformation, and feen them enjoying
that felicity whi.ch ought to be reierved for fnch con-
fummate virtue."
Next day, ic the forcnottfi, he was fiikcd by the
phyfician, whom he now recollected to have feen at the
houfe of Madam Clement ; and after having thanked
that gentleman for his humanity and care, he camcHly
l^cgged to know by what means Serafina had been pre-
ferved. When he was faluBed in this particular, an<t
given to Underftahd that flie was now happy in the
arms of Renaldo, " Blefled be God! {he cried), for ha>
ving defeated the villainy of him who fought to part
fuch lovers. Dear Sir, will you add one circumftance
to your charity, and bear to that happy couple,- and the
noble Don Diego, the refpefts and the remorfe of a
lincerc penitent, whom their compollion hath raifed t6
life. I have been fuch a traitor to them, that my words
deferve no regard; I Will not therefore ufe proFcffiona.
I dare not hope to be admitted into their prefence. I
am indeed alhamed to fee the light of tin fun : How
then could I bear the looks of that injtired family j ah,
no ! let me bide myfelf in fomc obfcure retttat, where I
may work out my falvatton with fear and trembling, and
pray inceHacttly to heaven for their profpcrity/'
Tub phyficiatf promifed to reprefent his contrition
to the count and his lady, and accordingly proceeded to
their habitation, where he repeated thefe expreffions,
and pronounced his patient out of danger: So that
their thoughts were now eroploved >n cwiccrting a
Vol. rV. I i i ■
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43^ n.e ADVENTURES i>f
kheme for his future fubfiftence, that he might not he
expofed by indigence ^o a relapfe in point of moral».
Rcinddo being' Aill averfe to any pcrfonal intcrcourie
with fiich a wretch, until he fhould give fome uq"
doubted proofs of amendment, and as yet afraid of in-
tnifting him with any office that required integrity, re-
foWed, with tb<; approbation of alt prcfcnt, to fettle
him in a cheap country in the north of England, where
he and hts wife could live comfortably on an annuity of
fixty pounds, mitit bis behaviotur fltould entitle him to a
better proviHon;
ThI» refolution was jtrft taken, when Jofhua arrived
with a gentleman whom he introduced to Don Diego as
the fccretary of the Spaniih ambaflhclor. After the firft
compliments, this llrangcr told the Caftilian, that he
waited upon him at the deflre of his excellency, wh»
would have come in perfbn, bad he not been confined
by the goat, 'f hen he put into his hand a letter from
the court of Madrid, written by a nobleman of Diego's
acquaintance, who informed him,, that Don Manuel de
Mcpdoza having made away with himfelf by poifon, in
order to avoid the difgrace of a legal convi^ioa, his Ca-
tholic Majefly was now convinced of Don Diego's inno-
cence, and gvanted him lcave> to return, and take pof-
feflion of his hononrs and eftate. This information
was confirmed, by the fccretary, who affured him that
the amba£ador had orders to make him acquainted
with this faiou cable decision of the king. The Cafti-
lian having firft acquitted himfelf ia the moft polite
terms to che-fecretary and the Jew, who> he iaid, had
always beea a mefienger of glad tidingy, communicated
JiLs-'happioels to. the company v and thi» evening con-
cluded the third day of their rejoicing.
Next momitig Don Diego went to vifit the am-
ba^dor, actompanied by Jofliua and the lecretary^
-whUc the phyfician repairing to the habitation of Fa-
thom, fignified, by Renatdo's dire^Hon, the reibhition
-which had beea taken ^n Jiis behalf; and thepatienC
uo fooner heard his doom, than, lifting up hiE hands, he
cried, " I am unworitiy of fuch tendemels and bene-
volence:" While Hinor ihed a flood of tears in filence,
livable to give utterance to her grateful thought } Mel-
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FERDIKAND COUNT FATHOM. 435
«trs bounty having fo ^ tranfceaded her mpft Tanguine
hope.
The Spaniard baying paid his devoirs to his excel-
lency, returned before dinner ; and, in the afternoon,
deliring a private conference with Serafina, they reti-
red into another apartment, and he expreflcd himfelf to
this effcft: '* You have contrafted, my dear child, an
habit of calling Madam Clement your mother, ami
doubtiefs, by her maternal tendemeis and regard, fhc
hath acquired a juft title to the appellation : Yet I owD
I would hia {^enigtbcn it by a legal claim. I no
fooner retrieved ^y daughter, than I gave her away to
the moft deferving yoatb that ever fighed with love. —
I rejoice in the gift which ftcured your happinefs : But
1 left myfelf in a folitary fituation, wjiich even the re-
turn of my good fortune cannot render eafy and fup-
portablc. When I revifit the caftle of Zelos, every
well known objeft will recall the memory of my An-
tonia, and I Ihall want a companion to £11 her place,
and to fympathizc with me in that forrow which will be
derived from my remembrance. Who is there fo wor-
thy to fucceed your mother in the afieftion of Don
Diego, as Ihe who intcrefts her love for Serafina, and
refeu)bl£s her fo ftrongly in every virtue of the fcx?
Similar attra^ions wjli produce limilar effefh. My '
heart is already attached to that good lady ; and, pro-
vided Seragna iHall approve of my choice, I will lay
myfelf and fortune at her feet."
The fair countefs replied) with an enchanting fmile,
that, before this declaration, (he had with pleafure per-
ceived the progrefs which Madam Clement had made in
his heart ; and that Qte did nqt believe there was a per-
fon upon earth better qualified to repair the lofs he had
fuflained ; though fhe forcfaw one gbftacle to his hap-
pinefs, which Ihe was afraid would not be ealily fuiv
mounted. " You iiieap, (anfwered the Cafliiian),
*' the difference of religion, which I am refolved to re-
move by adopting the proteftant feith ; though I am
fiiUy fatisficd that real goodnefs is of no particular
perfuation, and that falvation cannot depend upon be-
lief. Over which the will has no influence. I inveft
you therefore with the charge of dei:laring my paffion
^oiizodbyGoogle
43-5 ^Ix ADVENTURES of -
and propofal, and impower you to fatisfy her fcrnples
with regard to the reUgion which I now profefs, and
which I (hall not openly relinquifh, until I fliall have
feciired, in this country, effe^ fufiicient to fcreen me
from the ill confequcnces of my king's difplcafurc."
Serafina undertook this o0icc with pleafure, be-
caufe fhe had rcafon to think his addieHes would not
be d'lfagrecabls to Madam Clement; and that fame
night m;idc the count acquainted with the tiature oFhev
conuniffion. Nor was her expectation difappointed :
The French lady, with that fi^nknefs which is pecu-
liar to virtue and good breeding, confefTed that Don
Diego was not indifferent to her choice, and did not
hefitatc in receiving liim upon the footing of a lover.—!
As we have already dwelt circmpftantially on the paffion
of love, fo as perhaps even to have tired our riders,
we fhall not repeat the dialogue that pafled, when th?
Spaniard was indulged with an opportunity to explain
his fcntiments. SuSice it to obferve, that the lady's
days of coqucitry nvcrc now over, and that (he was too
wile to trifle with the time, which every moment be-
came more and more precious- It was agreed then,
that Don Dicgafliould fettle his aSairs in Spain, and
return to England, in order to efpoufe Madam Cle-
ment, with a view to fix his refidence !n this ifland,
where Renaldo likewifc propofed to enjoy the fweets of
his fortune, provided be could draw hither his interefts
and connexions.
MEANWHjtE, having for feme days enjoyed Ms
^Itfs with ell the fulnefs of rapture amidft this fmati
but agreeable fociety, he fliifted the fcene, and con-
duced his dear partner to a ready furnillied houfe in
town, which, together with an pccalional equipage, his
friend Jofliua had hired for the accommodation of hitn
and his father-in-law, wiio, during his {l:ay in England,
failed not to cultivate the mjftrefs of his heart with the
■mod punChial alTiduity. Hitherto Serafina had been
as a precious jewel locked up in a calket, which the
owner alone has an opportunity to contemplates But
now the count, who was proud of fuch a prize, rcfolvcd
to let her Ihinc forth to the admiration of the whole
wqrld. With this view he bcfpoke fuch ornaments as
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FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. 437
befitted her quality, and, while the mantuamakers were
emplayed in her fervicc, made a tour among his former
acquaintance, and difcharged the obligations undeF '
which he lay to Ibme who bad aflifled him in his dif^
trefs. He did not, however, introduce them to his
charming Serafina ; becaufe not one of them had for-
merly treated her with that delicacy of regard which
he thought her due ; and fome of them were much
mortified at their negleA, when they faw what a daz*
zling figure ihc made in the beau monde.
She was vifited by the Spauiih and Imperial ambaT- '
fadors, and divers other foreigners of diftinftion, to
whom Melvil lud letters of recommendation : But
her firft public appearance was in a box at the ope-
ra, accompanied by Madam Clement, the count, and
Don Diego : The entertainment was already begun, fo
that her entrance had the greater effcfl upon the au-
dience, whofe attention was foon detached from the
performance, and rivetted upon this amiable apparition,
which feemed to be Tome bright being of another world
dropt fi'om the clouds among them. Then did the fpi-
rit of curiofity play its part : A tboufand whifpers cir-
culated ; as many glalTcs were exalted to reconnoitre
this box of foreigners, for fuch they concluded them to
be from their appearance. Every male fpeftator ac-
knowledged Serafina to be the paragon of beauty ; and
cycry female confdTed, that Melvil was the model of a
fine gentleman. The charms of the young countefs did
not efcape the eye and approbation of royalty itfelf j
and when her rank was known, from the information
of the ambalTadors and other people of condition who
were feen fainting her at a diftance, that fame evening
a thoufand bumpers were fwallowed in honour of the
Countefs de Melvil. The fame of her beauty was im-
mediately extended over this immenfc metropolis, and
different fchemes were concerted for bringing her into
life. Thefe, however, {he refined with unwearied ob-
ftinacy. ^ Her happinefs centered in Renaldo, and the
cultivation of a few friends within the ihade of domeftic
quiet: She did not even forget the concerns of the
wretched Fathom and his faithful Elinor, who daily
^joyed irefli inftances of her humanity aad care :
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438 Tlf ADVENTURES g/"
'When }us fever forfbok him, he was fup{d{cd witk
notirilhiii^ iood' ftn* the recovery of his health ; and as
foon as he found himfclF in a condition to travel, he
gave notice to his benefa^ri who del^red Jofliua to
lettle with him the manner in which he was to receive
hjs 3lIow;uice, and to p»j tjic firft h^ year's falaiy pef
advance.
Th is affair being adjufted, and the piape of his retreat
lignititd, the Jew told Elinor, that fhe might wait up-
Du the countel's before their departure ; and Hie did not
fail to make ufe of this pcrmilTion. After they had
made the necelTary preparations for their journey, and
taken places in the York ftage-coacb, Airs Fathom^
clothing herfelf in decent apparel, went to the houfe
of Count Mclvil, an<i was immediately admitted to the
prcfencc of Serafina, who received her with her ufual
complacency, enriched her with falutary advicei com-
forted her with hope of better things, provided her con'-
Ana and that of her hufbaod Should henceforth be
found irreproachable ; and wiHiing her peace and hap-
pinefs, prefented her with a box of linen, and twenty
guineas in a purfe, Such exceflive good nefs overpowei^
ed this fenfibk young woman to fuch a degree, that fhe
Aood before her in fpeechlefs awe and veneration ; and
the counters, in order to relieve her from the confufioif
under which fhe fuffered, quitted the room, leaving her
to the care of her woman. It was not long, however^
before her gratitude broke out in loud exclamations and
a violent paflion of tears, which alt her efforts could
not, for a good while, overcome. By this time the
fioach wa$ brought up to the gate for the reception of
Serafina, who took an airing every day at the fame
hour; when Renaldo, leading her to th« vehicle, be-
hfld a man plainly drefled ftanding within the court^
with his head and body bent towardg the earth, fo that
his countenance could not be perceived.
Mei.vil, who fuppofed h\m to befome unfortunate
> man come to implore his charity, turned towards him,
and afked, with a humane accent, if he wanted to fpeqlf
with any perfon in the houfe ? To this interrogation
the ftranger replied, without lifting up his head, " Over-
whe]rac4 as I am with Count Mchil's generolity, togc>
3,a,l,;t!d"byG00gIe
FER35INAND COUNT FATHOM. 43^
(her with a confciournefs of my own unwortbinefs, it
111 becomes a wretch like me to importune him for fur-
ther favour; yet I could not bear the thought of with-
drawing (perhaps for ever) from the prcfcnce of my
bcncfa^or, without foliciting his permiffion to fee his
face in mercy, to acknowledge my atrocious crimes, to
hear my pardon confirmed by his voice, and that of hi»
accontptilhcd conntcfs, whom I dare not even at a di-
fiance behold ; and to cxprefe my fervent wiOt for their
profperity.''
Melvil, whofe heart was but too tender, could noc
hear this addrefs without emotion ; He recognized the
companion of his infancy and youth ; he rememberett
the happy fceiics he had enjoyed with Fathom, whofe
Toice had always foch an efifeft upon his ear, as to ex-
cite the ideas ofiriendihip and e^eem ; and he wasdif-
furbed by this unexpefted meeting, which atfo difcom^
pofed the beauteous Seratina. Rerfaklo having paufed
a little, " It is with pain (faid he) I rcc<^le^any thing
to the prejudice of Fathom, wbofc future behaviour
wjH, I hope, craze the memory of his oficnces, and
jliftify what other ftcps I may take m his favour. Mean
while I heaitily forgive what u paft ; and, in token of
my lincerity, prefcnt my hand ;" which our adventurer
bathed with his tears. The countefs, whofe mind was
nnifon with her hufband, repeated her durances of
pardon and proteftion ; at which the penitent rejoiced
>n nience, while he raifed lus head and took a parting
view of li»>fe charms which had formerly enOaved his
heart. '
H^vrNG tliBs obeyed the dlAates of his duty and in-
clination, he next morning embarked in the ftage-coach.
with his faithful Elinor, and in fix days arrived at the
place of his retreat, which he found extremely well
adapted to the circomftances of his mind and fortune :
For all his vice and ambition was now qnite mortified
Tithin him, and his whole attention engrofled in atoning
for his former crimes, by a fober and penitent life, by
which alone he cOald defcrvc the uncommon generofity
of his patrons.
While he thus accommodated himfelf to his new
fyftem, Renaldo received letters of congratulation from
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440 Tht ADVENTURES, ETf.
his fifter* who with the major had come to Bnifleb; in
order to meet her bitxhcr and SeraGna, according to
his propofaL This intimati<» being commumcated to
Don Di^o, he rdblved to accompany them to Flan-
ders, in his tfay to Spain. Preparations were made for'
their departure ; the clergymas and phjlician were ho^
nourcd with valuable marks of Iriendfhip and eftccm
from the counted, Renaldo, and the Caftllianj who
were convoyed to Deal by Madam Clement^ to whomy
at parting, Don Diego pTefentcd a diamond ring, as a
pledge of tm invioIaUe lore.
Here the travellers hired a veSel lor CMlend, whicb
they reached in a few hom^ ; in two days more they
arrived at Bnificls, where Mrs FArel and her htriband
were ftruck with admiration at the furpr£ng beauty
and accompliihment of their lK(lcr-in-Iaw, whom they
careffed with equal tendemefs and joy. — \n a word, all
parties wee as happy as good fortune could make them )
and Don XKego fet out for Spain, after they bad i^reetl
Is idide in the Low Countries till his return.
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