 Section 1 of the History of Emily Montague, Volume 3, by Francis Moore Brooke. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Cast List Emily Montague, read by J. M. Small here. John Temple, read by Alan Mapstone. Arabella Firma, read by Mateo Braches. William Furbore, read by Kevin S. Lucy Temple, read by Lynette Cochens. Colonel Edward Rivers, read by Jim Locke. Captain J. Fitzgerald, read by Larry Wilson. Narrated by Lynette. Letters 125 through 132. Letter 125. To Colonel Rivers at Montreal, Quebec, April 17. How different my rivers is your last letter from all your Emily has ever yet received from you. What have I done to deserve such suspicions? How unjust are your sex and all their connections with ours? Do I not know love? And does this reproach come from the man on whom my heart dotes? The man whom to make happy I would with transport cease to live? Can you one moment doubt your Emily's tenderness? Have not her eyes, her air, her look, her indiscretion, a thousand times told you, in spite of herself, the dear secret of her heart, long before she was conscious of the tenderness of yours? Did I think only of myself I could live with you in a desert? All places, all situations are equally charming to me, with you. Without you the whole world affords nothing which could give a moment's pleasure to your Emily. Let me but see those eyes in which the tenderest love is painted. Let me but hear that enchanting voice. I am insensible to all else. I know nothing of what passes around me. All that has no relation to you passes away like a morning dream, the impression of which is effaced in a moment. My tenderness for you fills my whole soul and leaves no room for any other idea. Rank, fortune, my native country, my friends, all are nothing in the balance with my rivers. For your own sake I once more intrigue you to return to England. I will follow you. I will swear never to marry another. I will see you. I will allow you to continue the tender inclination which unites us. Fortune may there be more favourable to our wishes than we now hope, may join us without destroying the peace of the best of parents. But if you persist, if you will sacrifice every consideration to your tenderness, my rivers, I will have no will but yours. Letter 126 To Miss Firmore at Ciliary London, February the 17th My dear Belle. Lucy, being deprived of the pleasure of writing to you as she intended by Lady Anne Melville's dining with her, desires me to make her apologies. Allow me to say something for myself and to share my joy with one who will, I am sure, so very sincerely sympathise with me in it. I could not have believed my dear Belle it had been so very easy a thing to be constant. I declare, but don't mention this, lest I should be laughed at, I have never felt the least inclination for any other woman since I married your lovely friend. I now see a circle of beauties with the same indifference as a bed of snow drops. No charms affect me but hers. The whole creation to me contains no other woman. I find her every day, every hour, more lovely. There is, in my Lucy, a mixture of modesty, delicacy, vivacity, innocence, and blushing sensibility, which add a thousand unspeakable graces to the most beautiful person the hand of nature ever formed. There is no describing her enchanting smile, the smile of unaffected, artless tenderness. How shall I paint to you the sweet, involuntary glow of pleasure the kindling fire of her eyes when I approach all those thousand little dear attentions of which love alone knows the value? I never, my dear girl, knew happiness till now. My tenderness is absolutely a species of idolatry. You cannot think what a slave this lovely girl has made me. As proof of this, the little tyrant insists on my omitting a thousand civil things I had to say to you and attending her and Lady Anne immediately to the opera. She bids me, however, to tell you she loves you passing the love of woman, at least of handsome women, who are not generally celebrated for their candour and goodwill to each other. Adieu, my dearest Belle. Yours, J. Temple. Letter 127. To John Temple Esquire. Palmao. Celery, April the 18th. Indeed. Is that haughty gallant gay lethario that dear perfidious? Absolutely, my dear temple. The sex ought never to forgive Lucy for daring to monopolise so very charming a fellow. I had some thoughts of a little bandinage with you myself if I should return soon to England, but I now give up the very idea. One thing I will however venture to say that love Lucy as much as you please, you will never love her half so well as you deserve. Which, let me tell you, is a great deal for one woman, especially, as you will observe, one handsome woman to say of another. I am however not quite clear your idea is just catism if I may be allowed the expression, seeming more likely to be the vice of those who are conscious of wanting themselves the dear power of pleasing. Handsome women ought to be what I profess myself, who am however only pretty, too vain to be envious, and yet we see, I am afraid, too often some little sparks of this mean passion between rival beauties. Impartially speaking, I believe the best-natured women and the most free from envy are those who, without being very handsome, have that je ne sais quoi, those nameless graces which please even without beauty, and who therefore finding more attention and pay to them by men than their looking-glass tells them they have a right to expect, are for that reason in constant good humour with themselves, and of course with everybody else, whereas beauties claiming universal empire are at war with all who dispute their rights, that is, with half the sep. I am very good-natured myself, but it is perhaps because though a pretty woman, I am more agreeable than handsome, and have an infinity of the je ne sais quoi. I'll propose, my dear temple, I am so pleased with what Montesquieu says on this subject, that I find it is not in my nature to resist translating and inserting it. You cannot then say I have sent you a letter in which there is nothing worth reading. I beg you will read this to the Misses, for which you cannot fail of their thanks, and for this reason. There are perhaps a dozen women in the world who do not think themselves handsome, but I will venture to say not one who does not think herself agreeable, and that she has this nameless charm, this so much talked of I don't know what, which is so much better than beauty. But my Montesquieu, there is sometimes both in persons and things, an invisible charm, a natural grace which we cannot define and which we are therefore obliged to call the je ne sais quoi. It seems to me that this is an effect principally founded on surprise. We are touched that a person pleases us more than she seemed at first to have a right to do, and we are agreeably surprised that she should have known how to conquer those defects which our eyes showed us, but which our hearts no longer believe. Just for this reason, that women who are not handsome have often graces or agreeablenesses, and that beautiful ones very seldom have. For a beautiful person does generally the very contrary of what we expected, she appears to us by degrees less amiable, and, after having surprised us pleasingly, she surprises us in a contrary manner, but the agreeable impression is old, the disagreeable one knew. It is also seldom that beauties inspire violent passions which are almost always reserved for those who have graces, that is to say agreeablenesses, which we did not expect and which we had no reason to expect. Magnificent habits have seldom graced, which the dresses of Shepardesses often have. We admire the majesty of the draperies of Paul Veronese, but we are touched with the simplicity of Raphael and the exactness of Correggio. Paul Veronese promises much and pays all he promises, Raphael and Correggio promise little and pay much, which pleases us more. These graces, these agreeablenesses, are found oftener in the mind than in the countenance. The charms of a beautiful countenance are seldom hidden. They appear at first view, but the mind does not show itself except by degrees, when it pleases, and as much as it pleases, it can conceal itself in order to appear and give that species of surprise to which those graces of which I speak owe their existence. This grace, this agreeableness, is less in the countenance than in the manner. The manner changes every instant and can therefore every moment give us the pleasure of surprise. In one word, a woman can be handsome, but in one way, but she may be agreeable in a hundred thousand. I like this doctrine of Montesquieu extremely because it gives every woman her chance and because it ranks me above a thousand handsomer women in the dear power of inspiring passion. Cruel creature, why did you give me the idea of flowers? I now envy you, your foggy climate. The earth with you is at this moment covered with a thousand lovely children of the spring. With us, it is a universal plane of snow. Our bow are terribly at a loss for similes. You have lilies of the valley for comparisons. We nothing but what with the idea of whiteness gives that of coldness too. This is all the quarrel I have with Canada. The summer is delicious, the winter pleasant with all its severities, but alas, the smiling spring is not here. We pass from winter to summer in an instant and lose the sprightly season of their love. A letter from the God of my idolatry I must answer it instantly. At you, yours etc. a firmer. Letter 128 To Captain Fitzgerald Yes, I give permission. You may come this afternoon. There is something amusing enough in your dear nonsense and as my father would be at Quebec I shall want amusement. It will also furnish a little chat for the Misses at Quebec. A tête à tête with a tall Irishman is a subject which cannot escape their sagacity. Adieu, yours AF. Letter 129 To Mrs. Temple, Palmael, Celery, April the 20th After my immense letter to your love, my dear, you must not expect me to say much to your fair ladyship. I am glad to find you manage temples so admirably. The wisest, the wildest, the gravest and the gayest are equally our slaves when we have proper ideas of petticoat politics. I intend to compose a code of laws for the government of husbands and get it translated into all the modern languages which I apprehend will be of infinite benefit to the world. Do you know I am a greater fool than I imagined? You may remember I was always extremely fond of sweet waters. I left them off lately upon an idea, though a mistaken one, that Fitzgerald did not like them. I yesterday heard him say the contrary and without thinking of it went mechanically to my dressing room and put lavender water on my handkerchief. This is, I am afraid, rather a strong symptom of my being absurd. However, I find it pleasant to be so and therefore give way to it. It is divinely warm today though the snow is still on the ground. It is melting fast, however, which makes it impossible for me to get to Quebec. I shall be confined for at least a week and Emily not with me. I die for amusement. Fitzgerald ventures still at the hazard of his own neck and his horse's legs. For the latter of which animals I have so much compassion that I have ordered both to stay at home a few days, which days I shall divert to study and contemplation and little pert chit-chats with papa, who is ten times more fretful at being kept within doors than I am. I intend to win a little fortune of him at Piquet before the world breaks in upon our solitude. Adieu, I am idle, but always, you're faithful, eh, firmer. Letter 130 To the Earl of Blanc, Siloti, April 20th, Tis indeed my lord an advantage for which we cannot be too thankful to the supreme being to be born in a country whose religion and laws are such as would have been the objects of our wishes had we been born in any other. Our religion, I would be understood to mean Christianity in general, carries internal conviction by the excellency of its moral precepts and its tendency to make mankind happy and the peculiar mode of it established in England breathes beyond all others the mild spirit of the gospel and that charity which embraces all mankind is brothers. It is equally free from enthusiasm and superstition. Its outward form is decent and respectful, without affected ostentation, and what shows its excellence above all others is that every other church allows it to be the best except itself and it is an established rule that he has an undoubted right to the first rank of merit to whom every man allows the second. As to our government, it would be impertinent to praise it. All mankind allow it to be the masterpiece of human wisdom. It has the advantage of every other form with as little of their inconveniences as the imperfection attendant on all human inventions will admit. It has the monarchic quickness of execution and stability. The aristocratic diffusion strength and wisdom of counsel, the democratic freedom and equal distribution of property. When I mention equal distribution of property, I would not be understood to mean such an equality as never existed nor can exist but in idea. But that general, that comparative equality which leaves to every man the absolute and safe possession of the fruits of his labors which softens offensive distinctions and curbs pride by leaving every order of men in some degree dependent on the other in midst of those gentle and almost imperceptible gradations which the poet so well calls the courting music of a well-mixed state. The princes here a center of union an advantage the want of which makes a democracy which is so beautiful in theory the very worst of all possible governments except absolute monarchy in practice. I'm called upon my lord to go to the citadel to see the going away of the ice an object so new to me that I cannot resist the curiosity I have to see it though my going thither is attended with infinite difficulty Belle insists on accompanying me I am afraid for her but she will not be refused. At our return I will have the honor of writing again to your lordship by the gentleman who carries this to New York I have the honor to be my lord your lordships etc. William Firmore Letter 131 to the Earl of Blank Citadel 20th evening We are returned my lord from having seen an object as beautiful and magnificent in itself as pleasing from the idea gives a renewing once more intercourse with Europe Before I saw the breaking up by the vast body of ice which forms what is here called the bridge from Quebec to Point Levy I imagine there could be nothing in it worth attention that the ice would pass away or dissolve gradually day after day as the influence of the sun warmth of the air and earth increased and that we should see the river open without having observed it by what degrees it became so I found the great river as the savages with much propriety call it maintained its dignity in this instance as in all others and asserted superiority over those petty streams which we honor with the names of rivers in England sublimity is the characteristic of this western world the loftiness of the mountains grandeur of the lakes and rivers the majesty of the rock shaded with a picturesque variety of beautiful trees and shrubs in crown with the noblest of the offspring of the forest which forms the banks of the latter are as much beyond the power of fancy as that of description a landscape painter might here expand his imagination and find ideas which he will seek in vain in our comparatively little world the object of which I am speaking has all the American magnificence the ice before the town or to speak in the Canadian style the bridge being of a thickness not less than five feet a league in length and more than a mile broad resist for a long time the rapid tide that attempts to force it from the banks we are prepared by many previous circumstances to expect something extraordinary in this event if I may so call it every increase of heat in the weather for near a month before the ice leaves the banks every warm day gives you terror for those you see venturing in carioles yet one frosty night makes it again so strong that even the ladies in the timid amongst them still venture themselves over in parties of pleasure though greatly alarmed at their return if a few hours of uncommon warmth intervenes but during the last fortnight the alarm grows indeed a very serious one the eye can distinguish even at a considerable distance that the ice is softened and detached from the banks and you dread every step being death to those who still have the temerity to pass it which they will continue always to do till one or more pay their rashness with their lives from the time the ice is no longer a bridge on which you see crowds driving with such vivacity on business or pleasure everyone is looking eagerly for its breaking away to remove the bar to the continually wished and expected event of the arrival of ships from that world from whence we have seemed so long in a manner excluded the hours come I have been with a crowd of both sexists in all ranks hailing the propituous moment our situation on the top of Cape Diamond gave us a prospect some leaks above and below the town above Cape Diamond the river was open it was sold below Point Levy the rapidity of the current having forced to passage from the water to the transparent bridge which for more than a leak continued firm we stood waiting with all the eagerness of expectation the tide came rushing with an amazing impetuosity the bridge seemed to shake yet resisted the force of the waters the tide recoiled it made a pause it stood still it returned with redoubled fury the immense massive ice gave way a vast plane appeared in motion it advanced with Solomon at a drastic pace the points of land on the banks of the river for a few moments stopped its progress but the immense weight of so prodigious a body carried along by a rapid current bore down all opposition with a force irresistible there's no describing how beautiful the opening river appears every moment gaining on the site till in a time less than can possibly be imagined the ice passing Point Levy is hid in one moment by the projecting land and all is once more a clear plane before you giving it once the pleasing but unconnected ideas of that direct intercourse with Europe from which we have been so many months excluded and of the earth's again opening her fertile bosom to feast our eyes in imagination with her various verdant and flowery productions I'm afraid I've conveyed a very inadequate idea of the scene which has just passed before me yet however struck me so strongly that it was impossible for me not to attempt it if my painting has the least resemblance to the original your lordship will agree with me that very vicitudes of season here partake of the sublimity which so strongly characterizes the country the changes of season in England being slow and gradual are but faintly felt but being here sudden instant violent afford to the mind the lively pleasure arising from mere change the very high additional one of its being accompanied with grandeur I have the honor to be my lord your lordships etc William Furmore letter 132 to Mrs. Temple Palmao April the 22nd certainly my dear you are so far right and none may be in any respect a less unhappy being than some women who continue in the world her situation is I allow paradise to that of a married woman of sensibility and honor who dislikes her husband the cruelty therefore of some parents here who sacrifice their children to avarice in forcing or seducing them into convents would appear more striking if we did not see too many in England guilty of being in humanity though in a different manner by marrying them against their inclination your letter reminds me of what a French married lady here said to me on this very subject I was exclaiming violently against convents and particularly urging what I thought unanswerable the extreme hardship of one circumstance that however unhappy the trial there was no retreat that it was for life Madame Dur turned quick and is not marriage for life true madam and what is worse without a year of probation I confess the force of your argument I have never dared since to mention convents before Madame Dur between you and I Lucy it is little unreasonable that people come together entirely upon sorted principles and then wonder they are not happy in delicate minds love is seldom the consequence of marriage it is not absolutely certain that a marriage of which love is the foundation will be happy but it is infallible I believe that no other can be so to souls capable of tenderness half the world you are pleased have no souls at least none but of the vegetable and animal kinds to this species of beings love and sentiment are entirely unnecessary they were made to travel through life in a state of mind neither quite awake nor asleep and it is perfectly equal to them in what company they take the journey you and I my dear are something awakened for it is necessary we should love where we marry and for this reason our souls being of the active kind can never be too clear-pressed therefore if we were not to love our husbands we should be in dreadful danger of loving someone else for my part whatever tall maiden aunts and cousins may say of the indecency of a young woman distinguishing one man from another and of love coming after marriage I think of marrying in that expectation on sober prudent principles a man one dislikes the most deliberate and shameful degree of vice of which the human mind is capable I cannot help observing here that the great aim of modern education seems to be to eradicate the best impulses of the human heart love, friendship, compassion benevolent to destroy the social and increase the selfish principle parents why are they attempt to root out those affections which should only be directed to proper objects and which heaven gave us as the means of happiness not considering that the success of such an attempt is doubtful and that if they succeed they take from life all its sweetness and reduce it the dull, unactive round of tasteless days scarcely raised above vegetation if my ideas of things are right the human mind is naturally virtuous the business of education is therefore less to give us good impressions which we have from nature than to guard us against bad ones which are generally acquired and so ends my sermon adieu my dear your faithful A-firma a letter from your brother I believe the dear creature is out of his wits Emily has consented to marry him and one would imagine by his joy that nobody was ever married before he's going to Lake Champlain to fix on his seat of empire or rather Emily's for I see she will be the reigning queen and he only her majesty's consort I am going to Quebec two or three dry days have made the roads passable for summer carriages Fitzgerald is come to fetch me adieu eight o'clock I am come back have seen Emily who is the happiest woman existing she has heard from your brother and in such terms his letter breathes full of tenderness I wish they were richer I don't half relish their settling in Canada but rather than not live together I believe they would consent to be set ashore on a desert island good night letter 133 letter 133 to the Earl of Blank cillory april 25th the pleasure of the mind finds in traveling has undoubtedly my lord its source in that love of novelty that delight in acquiring new ideas which is interwoven in its very frame which shows itself on every occasion from infancy to age which is the first passion of human mind and the last there's nothing the mind of man abhors so much as a state of rest the great secret of happiness is to keep the soul in continual action without those violent exertions which wear out its powers indulge its capacity of enjoyment it should have exercised not labor vice may justly be called the fever of the soul inaction its lethargy passion under the guidance of virtue its health I have the pleasure to see my daughter's coquetry giving place to a tender affection for a very worthy man who seems formed to make her happy his fortune is easy he is a gentleman and a man of worth and honor perhaps inclines me to be more partial to him of my own profession I mention the last circumstance in order to introduce a request that your lordship would have the goodness to employ that interest for him in the purchase of a majority which we have so generously offered to me I am determined as there is no prospect of real duty to quit the army and retire to that quiet which is so pleasing at my time of life I am privately in treaty with a gentleman for my company and propose returning to England in the first ship to give in my resignation in this point as well as that of serving Mr. Fitzgerald I shall without scruple call upon your lordship's friendship I've settled everything with Fitzgerald but without saying a word to Bell and he is too seducer into matrimony as soon as he can without my appearing at all interested in the affair he is to ask my consent and form though we have already settled every preliminary all this as well as my intention of quitting the army is yet a secret to my daughter but the questions your lordship does me the honor to ask me in regard to the Americans I mean those of our old colonies they appear to me from all I have heard and seen of them a rough ignorant positive very selfish yet hospitable people strongly attached to their own opinions but still more so to their interests in regards to which they have inconceivable sagacity in address but in all other respects I think naturally inferior to the Europeans as education does so much it is however difficult to ascertain this I am rather of opinion they would not have refused submission to the Stamp Act or dispute at the power legislature at home had not their minds been first embittered by what touched their interest so nearly the restraints laid on their trade with the French and Spanish settlements the trade by which England was an immense gainer and by which only a few enormously rich West India planters were hurt every advantage you give the North Americans in trade centers at last in the mother country they are the bees who enriches the paternal hive taxing them immediately after their trade is restrained seems like drying up the source and expecting the stream to flow yet too much care cannot be taken to support the majesty of government and assert the dominion of the parent country a good mother will consult the interest and happiness of her children but will never suffer her authority to be disputed an equal mixture of kindness and spirit cannot fail of bringing these mistaken people misled by a few of violent temper and ambitious views into a just sense of their duty I have the honor to be my lord etc. William Furmore Letter 134 To Mrs. Temple Palmao May the 5th I have got my Emily again to my great joy nobody without her as the roots are already very good we walk and ride perpetually and amuse ourselves as well as we can on our tendons your brother who has gone a settlement hunting the quickness of vegetation in this country is astonishing though the hills are still covered with snow and though it even continues in spots in the valleys the latter with trees and shrubs in the woods are already in beautiful verger and the earth everywhere putting forth flowers in a wild and lovely variety and profusion it is amazingly pleasing to see the strawberries and wild pansies peeping their little foolish heads from beneath the snow Emily and I are prodigiously fond after having been separated it is a divine relief to us both to have again the delight of talking of our lovers to each other we have been a month divided and neither of us have had the consolation of a friend to be foolish to Fitzgerald dines with us he comes adieu yours atherma letter 135 to the Earl of Blank May 5th my lord I have been conversing if the expression is not improper when I have not had an opportunity of speaking a syllable more than two hours with a French officer who has declaimed the whole time with the most astonishing without uttering one word which could either entertain or instruct his hearers and even without starting anything that deserve the name of a thought people who have no ideas of common road are I believe generally the greatest talkers because all their thoughts are low enough for common conversation whereas those of more elevated understandings have ideas which they cannot easily communicate except to persons of equal capacity with themselves this might be brought as an argument of the inferiority of women's understanding to ours as they are generally greater talkers if we did not consider limited and trifling educations would give them men amongst other advantages have that of acquiring a greater variety as well as sublimity of ideas women who have conversed much with men are undoubtedly in general the most pleasing companions but this only shows of what they are capable when properly educated since they improve so greatly by that accidental and limited opportunity of acquiring knowledge indeed the two sexes are equal gainers by conversing with each other there is a mutual desire of pleasing in a mixed conversation restrained by politeness which sets every amiable quality in a stronger light bred in ignorance from one age to another women can learn little of their own sex I have often thought this is the reason why officers daughters are in general more agreeable than other women with an equal rank of life I am almost tempted to bring bell as an instance but I know the blindness and partiality of nature and therefore check what paternal tenderness would dictate I am shocked at what your lordship tells me of Miss H I know her imprudent I believe her virtuous a great flow of spirits has been ever hurrying her into indiscretions but allow me to say my lord it is particularly hard to curse the character by our conduct at a time of life when we are not competent judges of our own actions but when the hurry and vivacity of youth carries us to commit the thousand follies in indiscretions for which we blush when the empire of reason begins inexperience and openness of temper portray us in early life into improper connections in the very constancy and nobleness of nature which characterizes continue the delusion I know Miss H perfectly and am convinced if her father will treat her as a friend and with the indulgent tenderness of affection endeavor to wean from her a choice so very unworthy of her he will infallibly secede and if he treats her with harshness she is lost forever he is too stern in his behavior too rigid in his morals it is the interest of virtue to be represented as she is lovely smiley and ever walking hand in hand with pleasure we reformed to be happy and to contribute to the happiness of our fellow creatures there are no real virtues but the social ones is the enemy of humankind who has thrown around us the gloom of superstition and taught that austerity and voluntary misery or virtue if more or less would indeed improve their nature they should endeavor to expand not to contract the heart they should build their system on the passions and affections the only foundations of the nobler virtues from the partial representations of narrow-minded bigots who paint the deity from their own gloomy conceptions the young are too often frighted from the paths of virtue despairing of ideal perfections they give up all virtue as unattainable and start aside from the road which they falsely suppose shrewd with thorns I've studied the heart with some attention and have convinced every parent who will take the pains to gain his children's friendship will forever be the guide and arbiter of their conduct I speak from a happy experience notwithstanding all my daughter says in gaiety of heart she would sooner even relinquish the man she loves than has always found the tenderest and most faithful of friends I'm interrupted and have only time to say I have the honor to be my lord et cetera will you affirm more letter 136 to mrs. temple pal mal salary may the 13th madame de roche has just left us she returns today to the she came to take leave of us and should a concern at parting from Emily which really affected me she's the most amiable woman Emily and she were in tears at parting yet I think my sweet friend is not sorry for her return she loves her but yet cannot absolutely forget she has been her rival and is as well satisfied that she leaves Quebec before your brother's arrival the weather is lovely the earth is in all its verger the trees and foliage and no snow but on the sides of the mountains we are looking eagerly out for ships from dear England I expect by them volumes of letters from my Lucy we expect your brother in a week in short we are all in hope and expectation our hearts beat at every wrap of the door supposing it brings intelligence of a ship or of the dear man Fitzgerald takes such amazing pains to please me that I begin to think it is pity so much attention should be thrown away and then half inclined from mere compassion to follow the example you have so heroically sent me absolutely Lucy it requires amazing resolution to marry a gift yours a firmer letter 137 to Colonel Rivers at Montreal Celery May 14th I am returned my rivers to my sweet friend and have again the dear delight of talking of you without restraint she bears with she indulges in all my weakness if that name ought to be given to a tenderness of which the object is the most exalted and worthy of his sex it was impossible I should not have loved you the soul that spoke in those eloquent eyes told me the first moment we met our hearts were formed for each other I saw in that amiable countenance a sensibility similar to my own but which I had till then sought in vain I saw there those benevolent smiles which are the marks and the emanations of virtue those thousand graces whichever accompany a mind conscious of its own dignity and satisfied with itself in short that mental beauty which is the express image of the deity what defense had I against you my rivers since your merit was such that my reason approved the weakness of my heart we have lost madam de Roche we were both in tears at parting we embraced I pressed her to my bosom I love her my dear rivers I have an affection for her which I scarce know how to describe I saw her every day I found infinite pleasure in being with her she talked of you she praised you and my heart was soothed I however found it impossible to mention your name to her a reserve which I cannot account I found pleasure in looking at her from the idea that she was dear to you that she felt for you the tenderest friendship do you know I think she has some resemblance of you there is something in her smile which gives me an idea of you shall I however own all my folly I never found this pleasure in seeing her when you were present on the contrary your attention to her gave me pain I was jealous of every look I even saw her amiable qualities with a degree of envy which checked the pleasure I should otherwise have found in her conversation there is always I fear some injustice mixed with love at least with love so ardent and tender as mine you my rivers will however pardon that injustice which is a proof of my excess of tenderness Adam de Roche has promised to write to me indeed I will love her I will conquer this little remain of jealousy and do justice to the most gentle and amiable of women why should I dislike her for seeing you with my eyes for having a soul whose feelings resemble my own I have observed her voice is softened and trembles like mine when she names you my rivers you were formed to charm the heart of a woman there is more pleasure in loving you even without the hope of a return than in the adoration of all your sex I pity every woman who is so insensible as to see you without tenderness this is the only fault I have ever found in bell firmer she has the most lively friendship for you but she has seen you without love of what materials must her heart be composed no other man can inspire the same sentiments with my rivers no other man can deserve them the delight of loving you appears to me so superior to all other pleasures that of all human beings if I was not Emily Montague I would be Adam de Roche I blush for what I have written yet why blush for having a soul to distinguish perfection or why conceal the real feelings of my heart I will never hide a thought from you you shall be at once the confidant and the dear object of my tenderness in what words my rivers you rule every emotion of my heart dispose as you please of your Emily yet if you allow her to form a wish in opposition to yours indulge her in the transport of returning you to your friends let her receive you from the hands of a mother whose happiness you ought to prefer even to hers why will you talk of the mediocrity of your fortune have you not enough for every real want much less with you would make your Emily blessed what have the trappings of life to do with happiness to his only sacrificing pride to love and filial tenderness the worst of human passions to the best I have a thousand things to say but I'm forced to steal this moment to write to you we have some French ladies here who are eternally coming to my apartment they are at the door Adieu yours Emily Montague letter 138 to the Earl of Blanc Silhore May 12 it were indeed my lord to be wished that we had here schools at the expense of the public to teach English to the rising generation nothing is a stronger tie of brotherhood and affection a greater cement of union than speaking one common language the one of attention to the circumstance as I am told had the worst effects possible in the province of New York where the people especially at a distance from the capital continue to speak Dutch retain their affection for their ancient masters and still look on their English fellow subjects as strangers and intruders the Canadians are the more easily to be one to this or whatever else their own or the general good requires as their noblesse have the strongest attachment to a court and that favour is the great object of their ambition where English made by degrees the court language it would soon be universally spoke of the three great springs of the human heart interest, pleasure, vanity the last appears to me much the strongest in the Canadians and I'm convinced the most forcible tie their noblesse have to France is their unwillingness to part with their croy de Saint Louis might not therefore some order of the same kind be instituted for Canada given all who have the croy or they're sending back the incense they now wear which are inconsistent with their allegiance as British subjects might not such an order be contrived to be given at the discretion of the governor as well to the Canadian gentlemen who merit it most of the government as to the English officers of a certain rank in such other English as purchased estates and settled in the country and to give it additional luster the governor for the time being be always head of the order it is possible something of the same kind all over America might be also of service the passions of mankind are nearly the same everywhere at least I never yet saw the soil where vanity did not grow until all mankind become philosophers it is by their passions they must be governed the common people by whom I mean the peasantry have been great gainers here by the change of masters their property is more secure their independence greater their profits much more than double it is not them therefore whom it is necessary to gain the noblesse on the contrary have been in a great degree undone they have lost their employees their rank their consideration and many of them their fortunes it is therefore equally consonant to good policy and to humanity that they should be considered and in the way most acceptable to them the rich conciliate it by little honorary distinctions those who are otherwise by sharing all lucrative employees and all of them by bearing apart in the legislature of their country the great objects here seem to be to heal those wounds which passed unhappy disputes have left still in some degree open to unite the French and English the civil and the military in one firm body to raise a revenue to encourage agriculture and especially the growth of hemp and flax and find a staple for the improvement of a commerce which at present labor is under a thousand disadvantages but I shall say little on this any political subject relating to Canada for a reason which whilst I'm in this colony it would look like flattery to give let it suffice to say that humanly speaking it is impossible that the inhabitants of this province should be otherwise than happy I have the honour to be my lord etc. William Firmore Letter 139 To Mrs. Temple Palmao Secretary May the 20th I confess the fact my dear I am, thanks to Papa amazingly learned and all that for a young lady of 22 yet you will allow I'm not the worst new creature breathing would ever find it out envy itself must confess I talk of lace and blonde like another Christian woman I have been thinking you see as indeed my ideas are generally a little pindaric how entertaining and improving would be the history of the human heart if people spoke all the truth and painted themselves as they really are that is to say if all the world were as sincere and honest as I am for upon my word I have such a contempt for hypocrisy that upon the whole I have always appeared to have fewer good qualities than I really have I'm afraid we should find in the best characters if we withdrew the veil a mixture of errors and inconsistencies which would greatly lessen our veneration Papa has been reading me a wise lecture this morning on playing the fool I reminded him that I was now arrived years of indiscretion that everybody must have their day and that those who did not play the fool young ran a hazard of doing it when it would not half so well become them I'm prepared to playing the fool I'm strongly inclined to believe I shall marry Fitzgerald is so astonishingly pressing besides somehow or other I don't feel happy without him the creature has something of a magnetic virtue I find myself generally without knowing it on the same side of the room with him and often in the next chair and lay a thousand little schemes to be of the same party with cards I write pretty sentiments in my pocketbook and carve his name on trees when nobody sees me did you think it possible I could be such an idiot I am as absurd as even the gentle, lopsick Emily I'm thinking my dear how happy it is since most human beings differ so extremely from one another that heaven has given us the same variety in our tastes your brother is a divine fellow and yet there is a sauciness about Fitzgerald which pleases me better as he has told me a thousand times he thinks me infinitely more agreeable than Emily I cheer I'm going to Quebec yours a therma letter 140 to Mrs. Temple Palmao May the 20th evening I owe triumphy a ship from England you can have no idea of the universal transport at the site the whole town was on the beach eagerly gazing at the charming stranger who danced gaily on the waves as if conscious of the pleasure she inspired if our joy is so great who preserve a correspondence with Europe through our other colonies during the winter what must that of the French have been who were absolutely shut up six months from the rest of the world I can scarce conceive a higher delight than they must have felt at thus being restored to a communication with mankind the letters are not delivered our servant stays for them at the post office we expect him every moment if I have not volumes from you I shall be very angry he comes at you I have no patience to wait there being brought up stairs yours a therma they are here six letters from you I shall give three of them to Emily to read whilst I read the rest you are very good Lucy and I will never call you lazy again I did not dare to let my mother see that letter as I am convinced the very idea of a marriage which must forever separate her from a son she loves to idolatry would be fatal to her she has altered since is leaving England more than you can imagine she has grown pale and thin her vivacity has entirely left her even my marriage scarce she will not give her pleasure yet such is her delicacy her ardor for his happiness she will not suffer me to say this to him lest it should constrain him and prevent his making himself happy in his own way I often find her in tears in her apartment she affects a smile when she sees me but it is a smile which cannot deceive one who knows her whole soul as I do in short I am convinced unless my brother returns she never names him without being softened to a degree not to be expressed amiable and lovely as you represent this charming woman and great as the sacrifice is she has made to my brother it seems almost cruelty to wish to break his attachment to her yet situated as they are what can be the consequence of their indulging their tenderness at present but ruined to both at all events however my dear I entreat I conjure you to press my brother's immediate return to England I am convinced my mother's life depends on seeing him I have often been tempted to write Miss Montague to use her influence with him even against herself if she loves him she will have his true happiness at heart she will consider what a mind like his must hereafter suffer should his fondness for her be fatal to the best of mothers she will urge she will oblige him to return and make this step the condition of preserving her tenderness read this letter to her and tell her it is to her affection for my brother to her generosity I trust for the life of a parent who is dearer to me than my existence tell her my heart is hers that I will receive her as my guardian angel that we will never part that we will be friends that we will be sisters that I will omit nothing possible to make her happy with my brother in England and that I have very rational hopes it may be in time accomplished but that if she marries him in Canada and suffers him to pursue his present design she plans a dagger in the bosom of her who gave him life I scarce know what I would say my dear Belle I have no hope but in you yet if Emily is all you represent her I am obliged to break off my mother is here she must not see this letter adieu your affectionate Lucy Temple End of Section 2 Section 3 of the History of Emily Montague of Volume 3 by Francis Moore Brooke this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Letters 142 through 151 Letter 142 to Mrs. Temple Palmao Soleri, May the 21st your letter of the 8th of April my dear was first read by Emily being one of the three I gave her for that purpose as I before mentioned she went through it and melting into tears left the room without speaking a word she has been writing this morning and I fancy to you for she inquired when the mail set out for England and seemed pleased to hear it went to day I am excessively shocked at your account of Mrs. Rivers assure her in my name of your brother's immediate return I know both him and Emily too well to believe they will sacrifice her to their own happiness there is nothing on the contrary they will not suffer rather than even afflict her do not however encourage an idea of ever breaking an attachment like theirs an attachment founded less in passion than in the tenderness friendship in the similarity of character empathy the most perfect the world ever saw let it be your business my Lucy to endeavour to make them happy and to remove the bars which prevent their union in England and depend on seeing them there the very moment their coming is possible from what I know of your brother I suppose he will insist on marrying Emily before he leaves Quebec but after your letter which I shall send him you may look on his return as infallible I send all yours and temple's letters for your brother today you may expect to hear from him by the same meal with this I have only to say I am a firmer my own happiness my dear rivers in a marriage of love makes me extremely unwilling to prevent your giving way to a tenderness which promises you the same felicity with so amiable a woman as both you and Belle Firmore represent Miss Montague to be but my dear Ned I cannot without betraying your friendship and hazarding all the quiet of your future days dispense with myself from telling you though I have her express commands to the contrary that the peace perhaps the life of your excellent mother depends on your giving up all thoughts of a settlement in America and returning immediately and I know the present state of your affairs will not allow you to marry this charming woman here without descending from the situation you have ever held and which you have a right from birth to hold in this world would you allow me to gratify my friendship for you and show at the same time your perfect esteem for me by commanding what a long affection gives you a right to such a part of my fortune as I could easily spare without the leasing convenience to myself we might all be happy and you might make your Emily so but you have already convinced me by your refusal of a former request of this kind he is much less warm than mine for you and that you do not think I merit the delight of making you happy I will therefore say no more on this subject till we meet than that I have no doubt this letter will bring you immediately to us if the tenderness you express for Miss Montague is yet conquerable it will surely be better for both it should be conquered as fortune has been so much less kind at each of you than nature but if your hearts are immovably fixed on each other if your love is of the kind which despises every other consideration return to the bosom of friendship and depend on our finding some way to make you happy if you persist in refusing to share my fortune you can have no objection to my using all my interest for a friend and brother so deservedly dear to me and in whose happiness I shall ever find my own allow me now to speak of myself I mean of my dearer self your amiable sister for whom my tenderness instead of decreasing grows every moment stronger yes my friend my sweet Lucy is every hour more an angel her desire of being beloved renders her a thousand times more lovely accountants animated by true tenderness will always charm beyond all the dead and features the hand of nature ever framed love embellishes the whole form gives spirit to the softness of the eyes the most vivid bloom to the complexion dignity to the air grace to every motion and throws round beauty almost the rays of divinity in one word my Lucy was always more lovely than any other woman she is now more lovely than even her former self you my rivers will forgive the overflowing of my fondness because you know the merits of its object adieu we die to embrace you your faithful J temple letter 144 to Mrs. Temple Paul Moll Celery May 21st your letter madam to miss firmer which by an accident was first read by me has removed the veil which love had placed before my eyes and showed me in one moment the folly of all those dear hopes I had indulged you do me but justice in believing me incapable of suffering your brother to sacrifice the peace much less the life of an amiable mother to my happiness I have no doubt of his returning to England the moment he receives your letters but knowing his tenderness I will not expose him to a struggle on this occasion I will myself unknown to him as he is fortunately absent embark in a ship which has wintered here and will leave Quebec in ten days your invitation is very obliging but a moment's reflection will convince you of the extreme impropriety of my accepting it assure Mrs. Rivers that her son will not lose a moment that he will probably be with her as soon as this letter assure her also that the woman who has kept him from her can never forgive herself for what she suffers I am too much afflicted to say more than that thank you letter 145 to Miss Montague at Celeré Montreal May 20 it is with a pleasure no words can express I tell my sweet Emily I fixed on a situation which promises every advantage we can wish as to profit and which has every beauty that nature can give the land is rich in the wood more than pay the expense of clearing it the settlement within a few leagues on which there is an extreme agreeable family a number of Acadians have applied to meet to be received as settlers in short my dear angel all seems to smile on our design I've spent some days at the house of a German officer lately in our service who is engaged in the same design but a little advanced in it I've seen him increasing every hour his little domain by clearing the lands he has built the pretty house in a beautiful rustic style I've seen as pleasing labels with inconceivable delight I already fancy my own settlement advancing in beauty I paint to myself my Emily adorning those lovely shades I see her like the mother of mankind admiring a new creation which smiles around her we appear to my idea like the first pair in paradise I hope to be with you the first of June will you allow me to set down this second as the day which is to be a life of happiness my Acadians your new subjects are waiting in the next room to speak with me all good angels guard my Emily adieu your head rivers letter 146 to Mrs. temple pal mal Celery may the 24th Emily has wrote to you and appears more composed she does not however tell me she has resolved and has only mentioned the design of spending the week at Quebec I suppose she will take no resolution till your brother comes down he cannot be here in less than 10 days she has heard from him and he has fixed on a settlement depend however on his return to England even if it is not to stay I wish he could prevail on Mrs. Rivers to accompany him back the advantages of his design are too great to lose the voyage is nothing the climate healthy beyond all conception I fancy he will marry as soon as he comes down from Montreal set off in the first ship for England leave Emily with me and return to us next year at least this is the plan my heart has formed I wish Mrs. Rivers had born his absence better her impatience to see him has broken in on all our schemes Emily and I had infancy formed a little Eden on Lake Champlain Fitzgerald had promised me to apply for land near them we should have been so happy in our little new world of friendship there is nothing certain in this vile state of existence I could philosophise extremely well this morning all our little plans of amusement too for this summer are now at an end your brother was the soul of all our parties this is a trifle but my mind today seeks for every subject of chagrin let but my Emily be happy and I will not complain even if I lose her I have a thousand fears a thousand uneasy reflections if you knew her merit you would not wish to break the attachment my sweet Emily is going this morning to Quebec I have promised to accompany her and she now waits for me I cannot write I have a heaviness about my heart which has never left me since I've read your letter it is the only disagreeable one I ever received from my dear Lucy I am not sure I love you so well as before I saw this letter there is something unfeeling in the style of it which I did not expect from you at you your faithful a-firmer letter 147 to Mrs. Temple Palma Celery May 25th I am unhappy beyond all words my sweet Emily has gone to England the ship sailed this morning I am just returned from the beach after conducting her on board I used every art every persuasion in the power of friendship to prevent her going till your brother came down but all I said was in vain she told me she knew too well her own weakness to hazard seeing him that she also knew his tenderness and was resolved to spare him the struggle between his affection and his duty but she was determined never to marry him but with the consent of his mother that their meeting at Quebec situated as they were could only be the source of unhappiness to both that her heart dooted on him but that she would never be the cause of his acting in a manner unworthy his character that she would see his family the moment she got to London and then retire to the house of a relation in Berkshire where she would wait for his arrival that she had given you her promise which nothing should make her break to embark in the first ship for England she expressed no fears for herself as to the voyage but trembled at the idea of her rivers as danger she sat down several times yesterday to write to him but her tears prevented her she had last assumed courage enough to tell him her design but it was in such terms as convinced me she could not have pursued it had he been here she went to the ship with an appearance of calmness that astonished me but the moment she entered all her resolution foresuck her she retired with me to her room where she gave way to all the agony of her soul the word was given to sale I was summoned away she rose hastily she pressed me to her bosom tell him said she he's Emily she could say no more never in my life did I feel any sorrow equal to this separation love her my Lucy you can never have half the tenderness for her she merits she stood on the deck till the ship turned point levy her eyes fixed passionately on our boat 12 o'clock I have this moment a letter from your brother to Emily which she directed me to open and send to her I enclose it to you as the safest way of conveyance there is one in it from temple to him on the same subject with yours to me and you I will write again when my mind is more composed yours a firmer letter 148 to Miss Monoghue at Soleri Montreal May 28 it was my wish my hope my noblest ambition my dear Emily to see you in a situation worthy of you my sanguine temper flattered me with the idea of seeing this wish accomplished in Canada though fortune denied at me in England the letter which I enclose has put an end to those fond elusive hopes I must return immediately to England did not my own heart dictate this step I know too well the goodness of yours to expect the nuance of your esteem where I capable of purchasing happiness even the happiness of calling you mine at the expense of my mother's life or even of her quiet I must now submit to see my Emily in an humbler situation to see her want those pleasures those advantages those honors which fortune gives in which she has so nobly sacrificed to true delicacy of mind and if I do not flatter myself to her generous and disinterested affection for me he assured my dearest angel the inconvenience he's attendant on a narrow fortune the only one I have to offer shall be softened by all which the most lively esteem the most perfect friendship the tendrous love can inspire by that attention that unwearyed solicitude to please of which the heart alone knows the value fortune has no power over minds like ours we possess a treasure to which all she gives is nothing the dear exquisite delight of loving and of being beloved awake to all the finer feelings of tender esteem and elegant desire we have every real good in each other I shall hurry down the moment I have settled my affairs here and hope soon to have the transport of presenting the most charming of friends of mistresses allow me to add of wives to a mother whom I love and revere beyond words and to whom she will soon be dearer than myself my going to England will detain me at Montreal a few days longer than I intended a delay I can very ill support adieu my Emily no language can express my tenderness or my impatience you're faithful at rivers letter one hundred and forty nine to John Temple a square palm all Montreal may twenty eight I cannot enough my dear temple thank you for your last though it destroys my air built scheme of happiness could I have supposed my mother would thus severely have felt my absence I've never left England to make her easier was my only motive for that step I with pleasure sacrifice my design of settling here to her peace of mind no consideration however shall ever make me give up that of marrying the best and most charming of women I could have wished to have had a fortune worthy of her this was my wish that of my Emily she will with equal pleasure share with me poverty or riches I hope her consent to marry me before I leave Canada I know the advantages of affluence my dear temple and I'm too reasonable to despise them I would only avoid rating them above their worth riches undoubtedly purchase a variety of pleasures which are not otherwise to be obtained they give power they give honors they give consequence but if to enjoy these subordinate we must give up those which are more essential more real more suited to our natures I can never hesitate one moment to determine between them I know nothing fortune has to bestow which can equal the transport of being dear to the most amiable most lovely of woman kind the stream of life my dear temple stagnates without the gentle gale of love till I knew my Emily till the dear moment which assured me of her tenderness I could scare speed said to live adieu sectionate rivers letter 150 to Mrs. temple pal mal Celery June the first I can write I can talk of nothing but Emily I never knew how much I loved her till she was gone I run eagerly to every place where we have been together every spot reminds me of her I remember a thousand conversations endeared by confidence and affection a tender tear starts in spite of me our walks our airings our pleasing little parties all rush at once on my memory I see the same lovely scenes around me that they have lost half their power of pleasing I visit every grove every thicket that she loved I have a redoubled fondness for every object in which she took pleasure Fitzgerald indulges me in this enthusiasm of friendship he leads me to every place which can recall my Emily's idea speaks of her with a warmth with shoes the sensibility and goodness of his own heart he endeavours to soothe me with by the most endearing attention what infinite pleasure my dear Lucy there isn't being truly beloved fondest I have ever been of general admiration that of all mankind is nothing to the least mark of Fitzgerald's tenderness a dear it will be some days before I can send this letter June the fourth the governor gives a ball in honour of the day I am dressing to go but without my sweet companion every hour I feel more sensibly her absence fifth we had last night during the ball the most dreadful storm I ever heard seemed to shake the whole habitable globe heaven preserve my Emily from its fury I have a thousand fears of her account twelve o'clock your brother has arrived he has been here about an hour he flew to Cileri without going at all to Quebec he inquired for Emily he would not believe she was gone there is no expressing how much he was shocked when convinced she had taken this voyage without him he would have followed her in an open boat in hopes of overtaking her if my father had not detained him almost by force and at last convinced him of the impossibility of overtaking her as the winds having been constantly fair must before this have carried them out of the river he had sent his servant to Quebec with orders to take passage for him in the first ship that sails his impatience is not to be described he came down in the hope of marrying her here and conducting her himself to England he forms to himself a thousand dangers to her which he fondly fancies his presence could have averted in short he has all the unreasonableness of a man love I propose sending this and a large package more by your brother unless some unexpected opportunity offers before but here my dear yours a firmer letter 151 to Mrs. Temple Palmel 6th your brother has taken his passage in a very fine ship which will sail the 10th you may expect him every hour after you receive this which I send with what I wrote yesterday by a small vessel sooner than was intended Rivers persuades Fitzgerald to apply for the lands which he had fixed upon on Lake Champlain as he has no thoughts of ever returning ever I will prevent this however if I have any influence I cannot think with patience of continuing in America when my two amiable friends have left it I had no motive for wishing a settlement here to form a little society of friends which they may the principal part besides the spirit of emulation would have kept up my courage and given fire and brilliancy to my fancy Emily and I should have been trying who had the most lively genius at creation who could have produced the fairest flowers who have formed the woods and rocks in the most beautiful arbors, vistas, grottos have taught the streams to flow in the most pleasing meanders have brought into view the greatest number and variety of those lovely little falls of water with which this fairy land abounds and shoot nature in the fairest form in short we should have been continually endeavouring following the luxuriancy of female imagination to render more charming the sweeter bows of love and friendship whilst our heroes changing their swords into plowshares and engaged in more substantial more profitable labours for clearing land raising cattle and corn and doing everything becoming good farmers or to express it more poetically taming the genius of the stubborn plane almost as quickly as they conquered Spain by which I would be understood to me in the Havana where vanity apart I am told both of them did their duty and a little more if a man can in such a case be said to do more in one word they would have been studying the useful to support us we the agreeable to please and amuse them which I take to be assigning to the two sexes the employments for which nature intended them not withstanding the vile example of the savages to the contrary there are now no farmeresses in Canada worth my contending with therefore the whole pleasure of the thing would be at an end even on the supposition that friendship had not been the sole of our design say everything to me to Temple and Mrs. Rivers and to my dearest Emily if arrived but here your faithful in section three