“Beware my Laura (she would often say) Beware of the insipid
Vanities and idle Dissipations of the Metropolis of England;
Beware of the unmeaning Luxuries of Bath and of the stinking fish
of Southampton.”
“Alas! (exclaimed I) how am I to avoid those evils I shall never
be exposed to? What probability is there of my ever tasting the
Dissipations of London, the Luxuries of Bath, or the stinking
Fish of Southampton? I who am doomed to waste my Days of Youth
and Beauty in an humble Cottage in the Vale of Uske.”
Ah! little did I then think I was ordained so soon to quit that
humble Cottage for the Deceitfull Pleasures of the World.
Adeiu
Laura.
LETTER 5th
LAURA to MARIANNE
One Evening in December as my Father, my Mother and myself, were
arranged in social converse round our Fireside, we were on a
sudden greatly astonished, by hearing a violent knocking on the
outward door of our rustic Cot.
My Father started–“What noise is that,” (said he.) “It sounds
like a loud rapping at the door”–(replied my Mother.) “it does
indeed.” (cried I.) “I am of your opinion; (said my Father) it
certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommon violence
exerted against our unoffending door.” “Yes (exclaimed I) I
cannot help thinking it must be somebody who knocks for
admittance.”
“That is another point (replied he;) We must not pretend to
determine on what motive the person may knock–tho’ that someone
DOES rap at the door, I am partly convinced.”
Here, a 2d tremendous rap interrupted my Father in his speech,
and somewhat alarmed my Mother and me.
“Had we better not go and see who it is? (said she) the servants
are out.” “I think we had.” (replied I.) “Certainly, (added my
Father) by all means.” “Shall we go now?” (said my Mother,) “The
sooner the better.” (answered he.) “Oh! let no time be lost”
(cried I.)
A third more violent Rap than ever again assaulted our ears. “I
am certain there is somebody knocking at the Door.” (said my
Mother.) “I think there must,” (replied my Father) “I fancy the
servants are returned; (said I) I think I hear Mary going to the
Door.” “I’m glad of it (cried my Father) for I long to know who
it is.”
I was right in my conjecture; for Mary instantly entering the
Room, informed us that a young Gentleman and his Servant were at
the door, who had lossed their way, were very cold and begged
leave to warm themselves by our fire.
“Won’t you admit them?” (said I.) “You have no objection, my
Dear?” (said my Father.) “None in the World.” (replied my
Mother.)
Mary, without waiting for any further commands immediately left
the room and quickly returned introducing the most beauteous and
amiable Youth, I had ever beheld. The servant she kept to
herself.
My natural sensibility had already been greatly affected by the
sufferings of the unfortunate stranger and no sooner did I first
behold him, than I felt that on him the happiness or Misery of my
future Life must depend.
Adeiu
Laura.
LETTER 6th
LAURA to MARIANNE
The noble Youth informed us that his name was Lindsay–for
particular reasons however I shall conceal it under that of
Talbot. He told us that he was the son of an English Baronet,
that his Mother had been for many years no more and that he had a
Sister of the middle size. “My Father (he continued) is a mean
and mercenary wretch–it is only to such particular freinds as
this Dear Party that I would thus betray his failings. Your
Virtues my amiable Polydore (addressing himself to my father)
yours Dear Claudia and yours my Charming Laura call on me to
repose in you, my confidence.” We bowed. “My Father seduced by
the false glare of Fortune and the Deluding Pomp of Title,
insisted on my giving my hand to Lady Dorothea. No never
exclaimed I. Lady Dorothea is lovely and Engaging; I prefer no
woman to her; but know Sir, that I scorn to marry her in
compliance with your Wishes. No! Never shall it be said that I
obliged my Father.”
We all admired the noble Manliness of his reply. He continued.