LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP and Other Early Works also spelled LOVE AND FREINDSHIP

nine Hundred Pounds and ran away. Having obtained this prize we

were determined to manage it with eoconomy and not to spend it

either with folly or Extravagance. To this purpose we therefore

divided it into nine parcels, one of which we devoted to Victuals,

the 2d to Drink, the 3d to Housekeeping, the 4th to Carriages, the

5th to Horses, the 6th to Servants, the 7th to Amusements, the 8th

to Cloathes and the 9th to Silver Buckles. Having thus arranged

our Expences for two months (for we expected to make the nine

Hundred Pounds last as long) we hastened to London and had the

good luck to spend it in 7 weeks and a Day which was 6 Days sooner

than we had intended. As soon as we had thus happily disencumbered

ourselves from the weight of so much money, we began to think of

returning to our Mothers, but accidentally hearing that they were

both starved to Death, we gave over the design and determined to

engage ourselves to some strolling Company of Players, as we had

always a turn for the Stage. Accordingly we offered our services

to one and were accepted; our Company was indeed rather small, as

it consisted only of the Manager his wife and ourselves, but there

were fewer to pay and the only inconvenience attending it was the

Scarcity of Plays which for want of People to fill the Characters,

we could perform. We did not mind trifles however–. One of our

most admired Performances was MACBETH, in which we were truly

great. The Manager always played BANQUO himself, his Wife my LADY

MACBETH. I did the THREE WITCHES and Philander acted ALL THE REST.

To say the truth this tragedy was not only the Best, but the only

Play that we ever performed; and after having acted it all over

England, and Wales, we came to Scotland to exhibit it over the

remainder of Great Britain. We happened to be quartered in that

very Town, where you came and met your Grandfather–. We were in

the Inn-yard when his Carriage entered and perceiving by the arms

to whom it belonged, and knowing that Lord St Clair was our

Grandfather, we agreed to endeavour to get something from him by

discovering the Relationship–. You know how well it succeeded–.

Having obtained the two Hundred Pounds, we instantly left the

Town, leaving our Manager and his Wife to act MACBETH by

themselves, and took the road to Sterling, where we spent our

little fortune with great ECLAT. We are now returning to Edinburgh

in order to get some preferment in the Acting way; and such my

Dear Cousin is our History.”

I thanked the amiable Youth for his entertaining narration, and

after expressing my wishes for their Welfare and Happiness, left

them in their little Habitation and returned to my other Freinds

who impatiently expected me.

My adventures are now drawing to a close my dearest Marianne;

at least for the present.

When we arrived at Edinburgh Sir Edward told me that as the

Widow of his son, he desired I would accept from his Hands of four

Hundred a year. I graciously promised that I would, but could not

help observing that the unsimpathetic Baronet offered it more on

account of my being the Widow of Edward than in being the refined

and amiable Laura.

I took up my Residence in a Romantic Village in the Highlands

of Scotland where I have ever since continued, and where I can

uninterrupted by unmeaning Visits, indulge in a melancholy

solitude, my unceasing Lamentations for the Death of my Father, my

Mother, my Husband and my Freind.

Augusta has been for several years united to Graham the Man of

all others most suited to her; she became acquainted with him

during her stay in Scotland.

Sir Edward in hopes of gaining an Heir to his Title and Estate,

at the same time married Lady Dorothea–. His wishes have been

answered.

Philander and Gustavus, after having raised their reputation by

their Performances in the Theatrical Line at Edinburgh, removed to

Covent Garden, where they still exhibit under the assumed names of

LUVIS and QUICK.

Philippa has long paid the Debt of Nature, Her Husband however

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