 Section 1 of the History of Lady Julia Mandeville. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The History of Lady Julia Mandeville by Francis Brooke. Section 1, Apostle George, to George Mordent, Esquire, Belmont House, July 3, 1762 I am indeed, my dear George, the most happy of human beings, happy in the paternal regard of the best of parents, the sincere esteem of my worthy relations, Lord and Lady Belmont, and the friendship, the tender friendship, of their lovely daughter, the amiable Lady Julia. An increase of fortune, which you are kind enough to wish me, might perhaps add something to my felicity, but is far from being necessary to constitute it. Nor did it ever excite in my bosom an anxious wish. My father, though he educated me to become the most splendid situation, yet instructed me to be satisfied with my own moderate one. He taught me that independence was all a generous mind required, and that virtue, adorned by that liberal education his unsparing bounty lavished on me, would command through life that heartfelt esteem from the worthy of every rank, which the most exorbitant wealth alone could never procure its possessors. Other parents hoard up riches for their children. Mine, with a more noble, more enlightened solicitude, expended his in storing my mind with generous sentiments and useful knowledge, to which his unbounded goodness added every outward accomplishment that could give grace to virtue, and set her charms in the fairest light. Shall I then murmur, because I was not born to affluence? No, believe me, I would not be the son of any other than this most excellent of men, to inherit all the stores which avarice and ambition sigh for. I am prouder of a father, to whose discerning wisdom and generous expanded heart I am so obliged, than I should be of one whom I was to succeed in all the titles and possessions in the power of fortune to bestow. From him I receive, and learn properly to value, the most real of all treasures, independence, and content. What a divine morning, how lovely is the face of nature, the blue serene of Italy with the lively verdure of England, but behold, a more charming object than nature herself, the sweet, young, the blooming Lady Julia, who is this instant stepping into her post-chase with Lady Anne Wilmot. How unspeakably lovely she looks up to the window, she smiles. I understand that smile. She permits me to have the honor of following her. I'll order my horses, and whilst they're getting ready, endeavor to describe this most angelic of womankind. Lady Julia, then, who wants only three months of nineteen, is exactly what a poet or painter would wish to copy who intended to personify the idea of female softness. Her whole form is delicate and feminine to the utmost degree. Her complexion is fair, and livened by the bloom of youth, and often diversified by blushes more beautiful than those of the morning. Her features are regular, her mouth and teeth particularly lovely. Her hair light brown, her eyes blue, full of softness, and strongly expressive of the exquisite sensibility of her soul. Her countenance, the beauteous abode of the loves and the smiles, has a mixture of sweetness and spirit, which gives life an expression to her charms. As her mind has been adorned, not warped by education, it is just what her appearance promises. Artless, gentle, timid, soft, sincere, compassionate, awake to all the finer impressions of tenderness and melting with pity for every human woe. But my horses are in the court, and even this subject cannot detain me a moment longer. Adieu! H. Mandeville, Apostle George, To George Morton, Esquire Your railery, my dear Morton, gives me pain that I have the tenderest attachment to Lady Julia is certain, but it is an attachment which has not the least resemblance to love. I should be the most ungrateful of mankind to make so ill a return to the friendship Lord Belmont honors me with, so selfish to entertain a wish so much to Lady Julia's disadvantage. My birth, it must be confessed, is not unworthy even her, since the same blood fills our veins, my father being descended from the eldest brother of the first Earl of Belmont, great-grandfather of the present. But it will become a man whose whole expectations are limited to the inheritance of seven hundred pounds a year, long, very long may it be, before the greatest of all misfortunes makes even that little mine, to aspire to the heiress of twice as many thousands. What I feel for this most charming of women is the tenderness of a relation, mixed with that soft and lively esteem which it is impossible to refuse to the finest understanding and noblest mind in the world, lodged in a form almost celestial. Love, for I have tasted its poisoned cup, is all tumult, disorder, madness. But my friendship for Lady Julia, warm and animated as it is, is calm, tranquil, gentle, productive of a thousand innocent pleasures, but a stranger to every kind of inquietude. It is not even disturbed my rest, a certain consequence of love, even in its earliest approaches. Having thus vindicated myself from all suspicion of a passion, which in the present situation of my fortune I should think almost a criminal one, I proceed to obey you in giving you the portraits of my noble friends, though I assure you my sketches will be very imperfect ones. Lord Belmont, who lives eight months of the year in the atlas charming seat, with all the magnificence and hospitality of our ancient English nobility, is about sixty years old. His person is tall, well-made, graceful, his air commanding, and full of dignity. He has strong sense, with a competent share of learning and a just and delicate taste for the fine arts, especially music, which he studied in Italy under the best masters that region of harmony afforded. His politeness is equally the result of a natural desire of obliging and an early and extensive acquaintance with the great world. A liberality which scares his ample possessions can bound a paternal care of all placed by Providence under his protection, a glowing zeal for the liberty, prosperity, and honour of his country. The noblest spirit of independence, with the most animated attachment and firmest loyalty to his accomplished sovereign, are traits too strongly marked to escape the most careless observer. But those only who are admitted to his nearest intimacy are judges of his domestic virtues, or see in full light the tender, the polite, attentive husband, the fond, indulgent parent, the warm, unwearyed friend. If there is a shade in this picture, it is a prejudice, perhaps rather too strong, in favour of birth, and a slowness to expect very exalted virtues in any man who cannot trace his ancestors as far back at least as the conquest. Lady Belmont, who is about six years younger than her lord, with all the strength of reason and steadiness of mind generally confined to the best of our sex, has all the winning softness becoming the most amiable of her own. Gentle, affable, social, polite, she joins the graces of a court to the simplicity of a cottage, and, by an inexpressible ease and sweetness in her address, makes all who approach her happy, impartial in her politeness. At her genial board, no invidious distinctions take place, no cold regards damp the heart of an inferior. By a peculiar delicacy of good breeding and engaging attention to every individual, she banishes reserve and diffuses a spirit of convivial joy around her, encouraged by her notice, the timid lose their diffidence in her presence, and often, surprised, exert talents of pleasing they were before themselves unconscious of possessing. The best and most beloved of wives, of mothers, of mistresses, her domestic character is most lovely. Indeed, all her virtues are rendered doubly charming by a certain grace, a delicate finishing, which it is much easier to feel than to describe. The economy of her house, which she does not disdain herself to direct, is magnificent without profusion and regular without constraint. The effects of her cares appear. The cause is unobserved. All wears the smiling, easy air of chance, though conducted with the most admirable order. Her form is perfectly elegant, and her countenance, without having ever been beautiful, is indignity in it, more engaging than beauty itself. Lady Anne Wilmot, my father, and myself, make up the present party at Belmont. Lady Anne, who, without regularity of features, has that animation, which is the soul of beauty, is the widow of a very rich country gentleman, if it be just to prostitute the name of gentleman to beings of his order, only because they have a state of beauty and are descended from ancestors whom they dishonor, who, when riding post through Europe, happen to see her with her father at Turin, and, as she was the handsomest English woman there, and the whim of being married just then seized him, asked her of Lord Blank, who could not refuse his daughter to a jointure of 3,000 pounds a year. She returned soon to England with her husband, where, during four years, she had the willingness of listening to the interesting histories of the chase and of detaining the blankure hunt at dinner, her slumbers broken by the noise of hounds in a morning, and the riotous mirth of less rational animals at night. Fortune, however, at length took pity on her sufferings, and the good squire, overheating himself at a fox chase of which a fever was the consequence, left her young and rich lady to return to the cheerful haunts of men, with no very high ideas of matrimonial felicity, and an abhorrence of a country life, which nothing but her friendship for Lady Belmont could have one moment suspended. A great flow of animal spirits, and a French education have made her a coquette, though intended by nature for a much superior character. She is elegant in her dress, equipped in a manner of living, and with her beautiful dresses. I had first the honour of knowing her last winter at Paris, from whence she's been returned about six weeks, three of which she's passed at Belmont. Nothing can be more easy or agreeable than the manner of living here. It is perfectly domestic, yet so diversified with amusements, as to exclude that satiety from which the best and purest of sub-lunary enjoyments are not secure, if continued in two uniform course. We read, we converse, we play, we dance, we sing, join the company, or indulge in pensive solitude and meditation, just as fancy leads. Liberty, restrained alone by virtue and politeness, is the law, an inclination, the sovereign guide at this mansion of true hospitality. Free from all the shackles of idle ceremony, the whole business of Lord Belmont's guests and the highest satisfaction they can give to their noble host is to be happy and to consult their own taste entirely in their manner of being so. Reading, music, writing, and conversation are Lord Belmont's favorite pleasures, but none that are innocent are excluded. Balls, plays, concerts, cards, bowls, billiards, and parties of pleasure round the neighboring country relieve each other, and whilst the variety prevents any of them all conspire to give a double poignancy to the sweeter joys of domestic life. The calm and tender hours which this charming family devote to the endearing conversation of each other and of those friends particularly honored with their esteem. The house, which is the work of Inigo Jones, is magnificent to the utmost degree. It stands on the summit of a slowly rising hill facing the south, beyond a spacious court, has in front an avenue of the tallest trees, bounded at a distance by a mountain down the sides of which rushes a foaming cascade which spreads into a thousand meandering streams in the veil below. The gardens and park, which are behind the house, are romantic beyond the wantonness of imagination, and the whole adjoining country diversified with hills, valleys, woods, rivers, plains, and every charm of lovely, unadorned nature. Here Lord Belmont enjoys the most unmixed and lively of all human pleasures, that of making others happy. His estate conveys the strongest idea of the patriarchal government. He seems a beneficent father surrounded by his children, over whom reverence, gratitude, and love give him an absolute authority, which he never exerts but for their good. Every eye shines with transport at his sight. Parents point him out to their children. The first accents of praddling infancy are taught to lisp his honored name, and age, supported by his bounteous hand, pours out the fervent prayer to heaven for its benefactor. To a life like this, and to an ardent love of independence, Lord Belmont sacrifices all the anxious and corroding cares of avarice and ambition, brings his account in health, freedom, cheerfulness, and that sweet peace which goodness bosoms ever. I do. I am going with Lord Belmont and my father to Acton Grange and shall not return till Thursday. H. Mandeville Apostle George To George Mordent, Esquire Friday We returned yesterday about six in the evening, and the moment we alighted, my lord leading us into the garden, an unexpected scene opened on my view, which recalled the idea of the fabulous pleasures of the golden age, and could not but be infinitely pleasing to every mind, uncrupted by the false glare of tinseled pomp, and awake to the genuine charms of simplicity and nature. On a spacious lawn, bounded on every side by profusion of the most odoriferous flowering shrubs, a joyous band of villagers were assembled, the young men dressed in green, youth, health, and pleasure in their air, led up their artless charmers in straw hats adorned with the spoils of flora to the rustic sound of the taper and pipe. Round the lawn, at equal intervals, were raised temporary arbors of branches of trees in which the refreshments were prepared for the dancers, and between the arbors seats of moss for their parents, shaded from the sun by green awnings on poles, round which were twilight wreaths of flowers breathing the sweets of the spring. The surprise, the gady of the scene, the flow of general joy, the sight of so many happy people, the countenances of the enraptured parents who seemed to live over again their sprightly seasoned of youth in their children. With the benevolent pleasure and the looks of the noble bestowers of the feast, filled my eyes with tears, and my swelling heart with a sensation of pure yet lively transport to which the joys of courtly balls are mean. The ladies who were sitting in conversation with some of the oldest of the villagers rose at our approach and my lord giving lady Anne Wilmot's hand to my father and honouring me with Lady Julius we mixed in the rustic ball. The loveliest of women had an elegant simplicity in her air and habit which became the scene and gave her a thousand new charms. She was dressed in a straw-coloured lustering nightgown, the lightest gauze linen, a hat with purple ribbons, and a sprig of glowing purple amaranthus in her bosom. I know not how to convey an idea of the particular style of beauty in which she then appeared. Youth, health, sprightliness and innocence all struck the imagination at once. Paint to yourself the exquisite proportion the playful air and easy movement of a Venus with the vivid bloom of an ebby. However high you raise your ideas they will fall infinitely short of the divine original. The approach of night putting an end to the rural assembly the villagers retired to the hall where they continued dancing and our happy party passed the rest of the evening sweet and lively conversation which is never to be found but amongst those of the first sense and politeness, united by that perfect confidence which makes the most trifling subjects interesting. None of us thought of separating or imagined at midnight when, my father opening a window, the rising sun broken upon us and convinced us on what swift and downy pinions the hours of happiness adieu H. Mandeville End of Section 1 Section 2 of the History of Lady Julia Mandeville This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The History of Lady Julia Mandeville by Francis Brooke Section 2 Episode George To George Mardonte Esquire Belmonts No, my friend I have not always been this hero too sensible to the power of beauty I have felt the keenest pangs of unsuccessful love but I deserve to suffer my passion was in the highest degree criminal and I blush though at this distance of time to lay open my heart even to the indulgent eyes of partial friendship When your father's death called you back to England you may remember I continued my journey to Rome where a letter from my father introduced me into the family of Count Melaspini and on common accomplishments As my father who has always been of the opinion that nothing purifies the heart refines the taste or polishes the manners like the conversation of an amiable well educated virtuous woman had particularly entreated for me the honor of the Countess's friendship whom he had known almost a child and to whom he had taught the English language I was admitted to the distinction of partaking in all her amusements and attending her everywhere in the quality of cisispio to the arts of the Libertine however fair my heart had always been steeled but the Countess joined the most piercing wit the most winning politeness the most engaging sensibility the most exquisite delicacy to a form perfectly lovely you will not therefore wonder that the warmth and an experience of youth hourly exposed and so dangerous a situation was unable to resist such variety of attractions charmed with the flattering presence she seemed to give me my vanity fed by the notice of so accomplished a creature forgetting those sentiments of honor which ought never to be expended I became passionately in love with this charming woman for some months I struggled with my love till on her observing that my health seemed impaired and that I had lost my usual velocity I took courage to confess the cause though in terms which sufficiently spoke my despair of touching I feared was too sensible to virtue for my happiness I implored her pity and protested I had no hope of inspiring a tenderer sentiment whilst I was speaking which was in broken interrupted sentences the Countess looked at me with the strongest sorrow and compassion painted in her eyes she was for some moments silent and seemed lost in thought at last with an air of dignified sweetness my dear Anrico said she shall I own to you that I have for some time feared this confession I ought perhaps to resent this declaration which from another I could never have forgiven but as I know and esteem the goodness of your heart as I respect your father infinitely and love you with the innocent tenderness of a sister I will only entreat you to reflect how injurious this passion is to the Count who has the tenderest esteem for you and would sacrifice almost his life for your happiness be assured of my eternal friendship unless you forfeited by persisting in a pursuit equally destructive to your own probity may I honor receive the tenderest assurances of it continued she giving me her hand to kiss but believe at the same time that the Count deserves and possesses all my love I had almost said my adoration the fondest affection united us and time instead of lessening every hour increases our mutual passion reserve your heart for some amiable lady of your own nation and believe that love has no true pleasures but when it keeps within the bounds of honor it is impossible my dear Mordant to express to you the shame this discourse filled me with her gentle her affectionate reproofs the generous concern she showed for my error the mild dignity of her aspect plunged me into an inexpressible confusion and showed my fault in its blackest colors at the same time that her behavior by increasing my esteem added to the excess of my passion I attempted to answer her but it was impossible odd abashed humbled before her I had not courage even to meet her eyes like the fallen angel in Milton I felt how awful goodness is and saw virtue in her own shape how lovely the countess saw and pitied my confusion and generously relieved me from it by changing the subject she talked of my father of his merit, his tenderness for me and expectations of my conduct for sure I would never disappoint without hinting at what had passed she, with the most exquisite delicacy gave me to understand it would be best I should leave Rome by saying she knew how ardently my father wished for my return and that it would be the height of cruelty longer to deprive him of the pleasure of seeing a son so worthy of his affection the count and myself she cannot lose you without inexpressible regret but you will alleviate it by letting us hear often of your welfare when you are united to a lady worthy of you my dear Enrico we may perhaps make you a visit in England in the meantime be assured you have not two friends who love you with a sincere affection at this moment the count entered who, seeing my eyes filled with tears of love despair and admiration with the tenderest anxiety inquired the cause I shall tell you news which will afflict you my lord said the countess Signor Enrico comes to bid us farewell he is commanded by his father to return to England tomorrow is the last day of his stay in Rome he promises to write to us and to preserve an eternal remembrance of our friendship for which he is obliged only to his own merit his tender heart full of the most laudable the most engaging sensibility melts at the idea of a separation which will not be less painful to us the count after expressing the most obliging concern of the thought of losing me and the warmest gratitude of my supposed marks of my friendship insisted on my spending the rest of the day with them I consented but begged first to return to my lodgings on pretense of giving some necessary orders but in reality to give vent to my full heart torn with a thousand contrary emotions amongst which I am shocked to own hatred to the generous count the weakest I threw myself on the ground in an agony of despair I wept I called heaven to witness the purity of my love I accused the countess of cruelty in thus forcing me from Rome I rose up I began a letter to her in which I vowed an eternal silence and respect but begged she would allow me still the innocent pleasure of beholding her swore I could not live without seeing her the day of my leaving Rome would be that of my death but why do I thus tear open wounds which are but just healed let it suffice that a moment's reflection convinced me of my madness and showed the charming countess in the light of a guardian angel snatching me from the edge of a precipice my reason in some degree returning I dressed myself with his most studious care and returned to the melaspini palace where I found the abate chamele a near relation of the family whose presence saved me the confusion of being the third with my injured friends and whose lively conversations soon dissipated the air of constraint I felt on entering the room and even dispelled part of my melancholy the count whose own probity and virtue set him far above suspecting mine pressed me with all the earnestness of a friendship I so little merited to defer my journey a week on which I raised my downcast eyes to madam melaspini for such influence had this lovely woman over my heart I did not dare to consent till certain of her permission and reading approbation in a smile of condescending sweetness I consented with a transport which only those who have loved like me can conceive my cheerfulness returning and some of the most amiable people in Rome coming in we passed the evening in the utmost gaiety at taking leave I was engaged to the same company in different parties of amusement for the whole time I had to stay and had the joy of being every day with the countess though I never found an opportunity until the evening before I left Rome when going to her house an hour sooner than I was expected I found her alone in her closet when I approached her my voice faltered I trembled I wanted power to address her and this moment sought with such care wished with such ardor was the most painful of my life the shame alone prevented my retiring my eyes were involuntarily turned towards the door at which I entered in a vain hope of that interruption I had before dreaded as the greatest misfortune and even the presence of my happy envied rival would at that moment have been most welcome the countess seemed little less disconcerted than myself however recovering herself sooner Senor Enrico said she your discretion charms me it is absolutely necessary you should leave Rome it has already cost me an artifice unworthy of my character to conceal from the count a secret which would have wounded his nice honor and destroyed his friendship for you after this adored husband be assured you stand first of all your sex in my esteem the sensibility of your heart though at present so unhappily misplaced increases my good opinion of you may you my dear Enrico meet with an English lady worthy of your tenderness and be as happy in marriage as the friends you leave behind accept pursued she rising and going to a cabinet these miniatures of the count and myself which I give you by his command and when you look on them believe they represent two faithful friends whose esteem for you neither time nor absence can lessen I took the pictures eagerly and kissed that of the countess with a passion I could not restrain of which however she took not the least notice I thanked her with a confused air for so invaluable a present and entreated her to pity a friendship tender for my peace but as respectful and as pure as she herself could wish it the abate Camille here joined us and once more saved me a scene too interesting for the present situation of my heart the count entered the room soon after and our conversation turned on the other cities of Italy which I intended visiting to most of which he gave me letters to the noblest families written in terms so polite and affectionate as stabbed me to the heart with a sense of my own in gratitude he did me the honor to accept my picture which I had not the courage to offer the countess after protracting till morning a parting so exquisitely painful I tore myself from all I loved and bathing with tears her hand which I pressed eagerly to my lips threw myself into my chase and without going to bed took the road to Naples but how difficult was this conquest how often was I tempted to return to Rome and throw myself at the countess's feet without considering the consequences of so wild an action you my dearest Maudonde the discerning spirit knows all the windings the strange inconsistencies of the human heart well pity rather than blame your friend when he owns there were moments in which he formed the infamous resolution of carrying her off by force but when the mist of passion a little dispersed I began to entertain more worthy sentiments I determined to drive this lovely woman from my heart and conquer an inclination which the count's generous unsuspecting friendship would have made criminal even in the eyes of the most abandoned libertine rather owing this resolution however to an absolute despair of success than either to reason or a sense of honor my cure was a work of time I was so weak during some months as to confine my visits to the families where the count's letters introduced me that I might indulge my passion by hearing the lovely countess continually mentioned convinced at length of the folly of thus feeding so hopeless a flame I resolved to avoid every place where I had a chance of hearing that adored name I left Italy for France where I hoped a life of dissipation would drive her forever from my remembrance I even profane my passion for her by meeting the advances of a coquette but disgust succeeded my conquest and I found it was from time alone I must hope a cure I had been a year at Paris when in April last I received a letter from my father who pressed my return and appointed me to meet him immediately at the Hague from whence we returned together and after a few days stay in London came down to Belmont where the charms of Lady Julia's conversation and the esteem she honors me with entirely completed my cure which time and the count's tender and affectionate letters had very far advanced there is a sweetness in her friendship my dear Mordant to which love itself must yield the palm the delicacy yet vivacity of her sentiments the soft sensibility of her heart which without fear listens to vows of eternal amity and esteem whom Mordant I must not I do not hope for I do not indeed wish for her love but can it be possible there is a man on earth to whom heaven destines such a blessing H. Mandeville End of Section 2 For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The History of Lady Julia Mandeville by Francis Brooke Section 3 Epistle, Colonel To Colonel Belville, Tuesday, Belmont Oh, you have no notion what a reformation Who but Lady Anne Wilmot a chapel every Sunday grave, devout, attentive scarce stealing a look at the prettiest fellow in the world who sits close by me Yes, you are undone Lady Belville, Harry Mandeville the young, the gay, the lovely Harry Mandeville in the full bloom of conquering three and twenty with all the fire and sprightliness of youth the exquisite symmetry and easy grace of an Antonos a countenance open, manly, animated his hair, the brightest chestnut, his complexion brown flushed with the rows of health his eyes dark, penetrating and full of fire but when he addresses our sex weakness which is almost irresistible his nose inclining to the aqua line, his lips full and red in his teeth of the most pearly whiteness, there read and die with envy you with envy, I with love fond of me too but afraid to declare his passion respectful, awed by the commanding dignity of my manner poor dear creature I think I must unbend a little hide half the rays of my divinity to encourage so timid a worshipper some flattering tawdry cockscomb I suppose some fool with a tolerable outside no, you never was more mistaken Belleville, his charms I assure you are not all external his understanding is of the most exalted kind and has been improved by very extraordinary education in projecting which his father has employed much time and thought and half ruined himself by carrying it into execution above all the colonel has cultivated in his son an ardent love of independence not quite so well suited to his fortune and a generous perhaps a romantic contempt of riches which most parents if they had found would have eradicated with the utmost care his heart is warm, noble, liberal benevolent, sincere and violent in his friendships he is not less so though extremely placable in his eminities scorning disguise and laying his faults as well as his virtues open to every eye rash romantic, imprudent, haughty to the assuming sons of wealth but to those below him gentle as Zephyr blowing underneath the violet but wither am I running and where was I when this divine creatures adduced me from my right path oh I remember at chapel it must be acknowledge my digressions are a little pindaric true as I was saying I go constantly to chapel it is strange but this lady Belmont has the most unaccountable way in the world of making it one's choice to do whatever she has an inclination one should without seeming to desire it one sees so clearly that all she does is right religion fits so easy upon her her style of goodness is so becoming and graceful that it seems want of taste and elegance not to endeavor to resemble her then my lord too loves to worship in the beauty of holiness he makes the fine arts subservient to the noblest purpose and spends as much on serving his creator as some people of his rank to honour kennel of hounds we have every external incitement to devotion exquisite paintings and admirable organ fine voices and the most animated reader of prayers in the universe Colonel Mandeville whom I should be extremely in love with if his son were not five and twenty years younger tomorrow morning to join his regiment the Shire Militia he served in the late war with honour but meeting with some illusage from a minister on account of a vote in parliament he resigned his commission and gave up his whole time to the education of my lovely Harry whose tenderness and merit are a full reward for all his generous attention adieu eh Wilmot epistle colonel to colonel Belleville Belmont Thursday Hiltavino Enrico is a little on the penseroso poor Harry I'm charmed with his sensibility his scarce been himself since he parted with his father yesterday he apologises for his chagrin but says no man on earth has such obligations to a parent Aunt Renoux I fancy I know some few sons who would be of a different way of thinking the colonel has literally governed his conduct by the old adage that there is a house and house and land for as his son's learning advanced his houses and lands melted away or at least would have done had it not been for his mother's fortune every shilling of which with half the profits of his estate he expended on Harry's education who certainly wants only ten thousand pounds a year to be the most charming young fellow in the universe well he in must make the most of his perfections an endeavour to marry a fortune on which subject the glimpse of a design and fancy my friend Harry is not quite so great a contempt of money as I imagined you must know then a pretty phrase that but to proceed you must know that we accompanied Colonel Mandeville fifteen miles and after dining together at an inn he took the road to his regiment and we were returning pensive and silent to Belmont when my lord to remove the tender melancholy we all caught from Harry Westbrooks a plump rich civil sit whose house we must of necessity pass as my lord despises wealth and Mr. Westbrooks genealogy in the third generation loses itself in a livery stable he has always avoided an intimacy which the other has a studiously sought but as it is not in his nature to treat anybody with ill-breeding he has suffered their visits though he has been slow in returning them and has sometimes invited the daughter to a ball the lady wife who is a woman of great erudition and is at present entirely lost to the world all her faculties being on the rack composing a treatise against the immortality of the soul sent down an apology and we were entertained by mademoiselle Lafay who is little lean brown with small pert black eyes quickened by large quantity of abominable bad rouge she talks incessantly has a great deal of city vivacity and a prodigious passion for people of a certain rank a phrase of which she is particularly fond her mother being above the little vulgar cares of her family or so unimportant a task as the education of an only child she was early entrusted to a French chambermaid who having left her own country on account of a faux pas which had visible consequences was appointed to instill the principles of virtue and politeness into the flexible mind of this illustrious heiress of the house spoke under the title of governess my information of this morning further says that by the cares of this accomplished person she has acquired a competent though incorrect knowledge of the French language with cunning, dissimulation, assurance and a taste for gallantry to which if you add a servile passion for quality in an oppressive insolence to all however worthy who want that wealth which she owes to her father's skill in change alley you'll have an idea of the bride I intend for Harry Mandeville me thinks I hear you exclaim heavens what a conjunction it is might well but people must live and there is eighty thousand pounds attached to this animal and if the girl likes him I don't see what he can do better with birth and habit of profuse expense which he has so little to support she sung for the creature sings a tender Italian air which she addressed to Harry in a manner and with a look that convinces me that her style is la morosa and that Harry is the present object after the song I surprised him talking low to her and pressing her hand whilst we were all admiring an India cabinet and on seeing he was observed he left her with an air of conscious guilt which convinces me he intends to follow the pursuit and is at the same time ashamed of his purpose poor fellow I pity him but marriage is his only card I'll put the matter forward and make my lord inviter to the next ball don't you think I'm a generous creature to sacrifice the man I love to his own good when shall I see one of your selfish sex so disinterested no you men have absolutely no idea of sentiment Adieu, eh Wilmot End of Section 3 Section 4 of the history of Lady Julia Mandeville This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The History of Lady Julia Mandeville by Francis Brooke Section 4 Apostle George To George Mordant Esquire It is the custom here for everybody to spend their mornings as they please which does not however hinder our sometimes making parties altogether when our inclinations happen all to take the same turn My lord this morning proposed an airing to the ladies and that we should instead of returning to dinner stop at the first neat farmhouse where we could hope for decent accommodations Love of variety made the proposal agreeable to us all and a servant being ordered before to make some little provision we stopped after the pleasantest airing imaginable at the entrance of a wood where, leaving our equipages to be sent to the neighbouring village we walked up a winding path to a rustic building embosomed in the grove the architecture of which was in the most elegant style of simplicity the trees round this lovely retreat were covered with woodbinds and jessemonds from which a gale of perfume met our approach the gentlest breath of Zephyr just moved the leaves the birds sung in the branches a spring of the clearest water broke from the rising ground on the left and murmuring along a transparent pebbly bottom seemed to lose itself in a thicket of roses no rude sound disturbed the sweet harmony of nature all breathed the soul of innocence and tranquility but a tranquility raised above itself my heart danced with pleasure and the lovely Julia happening to be next to me I kissed her hand with an involuntary fervour which called up into her cheeks a blush celestial rosy red when we entered the house we were struck with the propriety the beauty the simplicity of all around us the apartments were few but airy and commodious the furniture plain was new and in the most beautiful taste no ornaments but vases of flowers no attendants but country girls blooming as the morn and dressed with a neatness inexpressible after an elegant cold dinner and a dessert of cream and the best fruits in season we walked into the wood with which the house was surrounded the romantic variety of which it is impossible to describe all was nature but nature in her most pleasing form we wandered over the sweetly varied scene resting at intervals in arbors of intermingled roses and jessimons till we reached a beautiful mossy grotto wildly lovely whose entrance was almost hid by the vines which flaunted over its top here we found tea and coffee prepared as if by invisible hands Lady Anne exclaimed that all was enchantment and Lord Belmont's eyes sparkled with that lively joy which a benevolent mind feels in communicating happiness to others Lady Julia alone seemed not to taste the pleasures of the day her charming eyes had a melancholy langer I never saw them before she was reserved silent absent and would not have escaped Lady Anne's railery had not the latter been too much taken up with the lovely scene to attend to anything but joy as friendship has a thousand groundless fears I tremble lest I should have been so unhappy as to offend her I remember she seemed displeased with my kissing her hand and scarcely spoke to me the whole day I will beg of Lady Anne to ask the cause for I cannot support the apprehension of having offended her it was with difficulty Lord Belmont forced us at night from this enchanting retirement which he calls his hermitage and which is the scene of his most pleasing hours to Lady Anne and me it had a charm it did not want the powerful charm of novelty it is about four miles from Belmont House not far distant from the extremities of the park to this place I am told Lord Belmont often retires with his amiable family and those who are particularly happy in his esteem to avoid the hurry of company and give himself up entirely to the uninterrupted sweets of domestic enjoyment sure no man but Lord Belmont knows how to live H. Mandeville Apostle Colonel to Colonel Belleville Lord these prudes no don't let me injure her these people of high sentiment are so tremblingly alive all lower there is poor Harry in terrible disgrace with Lady Julia for only kissing her hand I'd admit so be witching a scene too that I am really surprised at his moderation all breathe the soul of pleasure rosy bowers and mossy pillows cooing doves and whispering zephyrs I think my lord has a strange confidence in his daughters insensibility to trust her in these seducing groves and with so divine a fellow in company but as I was saying she takes the affair quite seriously and makes it an offense of the blackest die well I thank my stars I am not one of these sensitive plants he might have kissed my hand twenty times without my being more alarmed than if a fly had settled there nay a thousand to one whether I had even been conscious of it at all I have laughed her out of her resentment for it is really absurd the poor fellow was absolutely miserable about it and begged my intercession as if it had been a matter of the highest importance when I saw her begin to be ashamed of the thing really my dear said I I am glad you are convinced how ridiculous your anger was for ill-natured people might have put strange constructions I know but one way of accounting rationally if I was hairy I should be extremely flattered one would almost suppose this answered my point and transferred the pretty things anger to me it blessed with indignation drew up and if mama had not happened to enter the room at that instant an agreeable scene of altercation would probably have ensued she took that opportunity of retiring to her apartment and we saw no more of her till dinner when she was gracious to hairy and exceedingly stately to me oh man do you I'd almost forgot we are to have a little concert this evening and see my dear lord appears to summon me adio carol A. Wilmot episode Henry to Henry Mandeville Esquire yes my dear son you do me justice I am never so happy as when I know you are so I perfectly agree with you as to the charms of lord Belmont's hermitage and admire that genuine taste for elegant nature which gives such a spirited variety to the life of the wisest and most amiable of men but does it not my dear harry give you at the same time a very contemptible idea of the power of greatness to make its possessors happy to see it thus flying as it were from itself and seeking pleasure not in the fruition but in the temporary suspension of those supposed advantages it has above other conditions of life believe me it is not in the costly dome but in the rural cot that the impartial lord of all has fixed the cheerful seat of happiness health peace content and soft domestic tenderness and only real sweets of life driven from the gilded palace smile on the humble roof of virtuous industry the poor complain not of the tediousness of life their daily toil makes short the flying hours and every moments of rest from labor is to them a moment of enjoyment not so the great surrounded from earliest youth by pleasures which court their acceptance their taste by habit and the two great facility of satiating every wish lassitude and disgust creep on their languid hours and wanting the doubtful gale of hope to keep the mind in gentle agitation it sinks into a dead calm more destructive to every enjoyment than the rudest storm of adversity the haughty duchess oppressed with tasteless pomp and sinking under the weight of her own importance is much less to be envied than the milkmaid singing blithe who is in her eyes the object only of pity and contempt your acquaintance with the great world my dear Harry has shown you the splendid misery of superior life those most wretched to whom heaven has granted the amplest external means of happiness miserable slaves pride the most corroding of human passions strangers to social pleasure incapable of love or friendship living to others and not to themselves ever in pursuit of the shadow of happiness while the substance glides past them unobserved they drag on in insipid joyless being unloved and unconnected scorning the tender ties which give life all its sweetness they sink unwept and unlimited to the grave they know not the conversation of a friend that conversation which brightens the eyes their pride an invasion of the natural rights of mankind with perpetual mortification and their rage for dissipation like the burning thirst of a fever is at once boundless and unquenchable yet though happiness loves the veil it would be unjust to confine her to those humble scenes nor in her presence as our times afford a shining and amiable example unattainable to royalty itself the wise and good whatever their rank, led by the hand of simple unerring nature are seldom known to miss their way to her delightful abode you have seen Lord Belmont blessed with wisdom to choose and fortune to pursue his choice convinced that wealth and titles the portion of few are not only foreign to but often inconsistent with true happiness seek the lovely goddess not in the pride of show the pomp of courts or the madness of dissipation but in the calm of retirement in the bosom of friendship in the sweets of dear domestic life in the tender pleasing duties of husband and of father in the practice of beneficence and every gentler virtue others may be like him convinced but few like him have spirit and resolution to burst the magic fetters of example and fashion and nobly dare to be happy what pleasure does it give me to find in you so just a way of thinking in regard to fortune yes my dear Harry all that in reality deserves the name of good in our centers in ourselves is within the reach not only of our moderate income but of one much below it great wealth is only desirable for the power it gives us of making others happy and when one sees how very few make this only laudable use of extreme affluence one acquiesces cheerfully in the will of heaven satisfied with not having the temptation of resupplying those gifts of the supreme being for which we shall undoubtedly be accountable nothing can, as you observe be more worthy of reasonable creature than lord Belmont's plan of life he has enlarged his own circle of happiness by taking into it that of all mankind and particularly of all around him his bounty glides unobserved deep silent stream nor is it by relieving so much as by preventing want that his generous spirit acts it is his glory and his pleasure that he must go beyond the limits of his own estate to find objects of real distress he encourages industry and keeps up the soul of cheerfulness amongst his tenants by maintaining as much as possible the natural equality of mankind on his estate his farms are not large but moderately rented all are at ease and can provide happily for their families none rise to exorbitant wealth the very cottagers are strangers to all that even approaches want when the busier seasons of the year are passed he gives them employment in his woods or gardens and finds double beauties every improvement there when he reflects that from thence health to himself and to his infant bread the laborer bears plenty the child of industry smiles on their humble abodes and if any unforeseen misfortune nips the blossom of their prosperity his bounty descending silent and refreshing as the do's of heaven they lose their blooming state and restore his joy to their happy dwellings to say all in one word the maxims by which he governs all the actions of his life are manly, benevolent enlarged, liberal and his generous passion for the good of others is rewarded by his creator whose outprobation is his first point of view with as much happiness to himself as this sub-lunary state he is capable of adieu your affectionate J. Mandeville episode colonel to colonel belville yes I am indeed fond of your italiano it is the language of love and the muses has a certain softness and all that and by no means difficult to understand at least it is tolerably easy to understand as much of it as I do as much as it enables one to be conceited and give one's self-heirs amongst those who are totally ignorant when this happens I look astonished at the gothic creatures heavens my dear madame not no Italian how I pity your savage ignorance not no Italian la lingua de mor oh mertillo matirio anima mia the dear creatures stare and hate one so cordially it's really charming and if one now and then unluckily blunders upon somebody who's more in the secret than oneself a downcast look and ho vergonia signora saves all and does credit at once to one's learning and one's modesty flattered too by so plain a confession of their superiority they give you credit for whatever degree of knowledge you desire and go away so satisfied ladies, upon my word Lady Anne Wilmot is absolutely an exquisite mistress of Italian only a little too diffident I am just come from playing at ball in the garden Lord Belmont of the party this sweet old man I'm half in love with him though I have no kind of hopes for he told me yesterday that lovely as I was Lady Belmont was in his eyes a thousand times more so how amiable is age like his so condescending to the pleasures of the young so charmed to see them happy he gains infinitely in point of love by this easy goodness and as to respect his virtues cannot fail to command it oh apropos to age my lord says he is sure I shall be a most agreeable old woman and I am almost of his opinion I do, creature I can no more by the way do you know that Harry's setadina has taken a prodigious penchant for me and vows no woman on earth has so much wit or spirit or politesse as Lady Anne Wilmot something like a glimmering of taste this I protest I begin to think the girl not quite so intolerable I am yours and Wilmot end of section 4 section 5 of the history of Lady Julia Mandeville this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the history of Lady Julia Mandeville by Francis Brooke section 5 epistle the Earl to the Earl of Belmont my lord an unforeseen inevitable misfortune having happened to me for which a too careless economy had left me totally unprovided I find it necessary to sell my estate and quit the country I could find a ready purchaser of Mr. Westbrook who with the merciless rapacity of an exchange broker watches like a harpy the decline of every gentleman's fortune in this neighborhood in order to seize on his possessions but the tender affection I bear my tenants makes me solicitous to consult their good as much as possible in the sale since my hard fate would not allow me longer to contribute to it myself I will not here say more than that I may not provide more effectually for their happiness than by selling to your lordship I am my lord your lordship's most obedient and devoted servant James Barker epistle James to James Barker, Esquire sir I am extremely concerned any accident should have happened which makes it possible I should lose for my neighborhood a gentleman only of so worthy a character and one I so greatly esteem but I hope means may be found to prevent what would be so extremely regretted by all who have the pleasure of knowing you as I have always regarded the independent country gentlemen as the strength and glory of this kingdom and the best supports of our excellent constitution no increase of power or property to myself shall ever tempt me to lessen the number of them where it can possibly be avoided if you have resolution to enter on so exact a system of economy as will enable you to repay any sum you may want in seven years whatever that sum is I shall be most happy in advancing it and will take it back in the manner most easy to you I think I could trace out a plan by which you might be trenched considerably in a manner scarce perceptible I will tomorrow morning call upon you when I am writing out when we will talk further on this subject be assured none of the greedy Leviathans of our days can feel half the pleasure in completing a purchase that I shall do in declining this if I can be so happy as to keep you amongst us you are accepting this without hesitation will be a proof of your esteem which I can never forget as it will show you think too highly of me to fear my making an ill use hereafter of having had the happiness of doing for you what if we were to change present situations I know you would rejoice in doing for me I have a fun which I call the bank of friendship on which it is my rule to take no interest and you may command to its utmost extent I am dear sir your affectionate friend and obedient servant I want epistle colonel to colonel belville Thursday we have been dining al fresco in a rustic temple in a wood near the house romanesque simple the pillars trunks of ancient oaks the roof the bark of trees the pavement pebbles the seats moss the wild melody of nature our music it just breaks on the ear which joined by the chant of the birds the cooing of the doves the lowing of the herds and the gently breathing western breeze forms a concert most divinely harmonious really this place would be charming if it was a little more replete with human beings but to me the finest landscape is a dreary wild unless adorned by a few groups of figures there are squires indeed well absolutely your squires are an ingreable race of people refined, sentimental formed for the bel passion though it must be owned the squires about belmonts are rational animals compared to those my carros pozo used to associate with my lord has exceedingly humanized them and their wives and daughters are decent creatures which really amaze me at first for you know belville general no standing the country misses your letter has just brought me all you say of levees and drawing rooms is thrown away talk not to me of courts for I disdain all courts when he is by far be the noise of kings and courts from us whose gentle souls our kinder stars have steered another way yes the rural taste prevails my plan of life is fixed to sit under a hill and keep sheep with harry manderville oh mandu what do I see coming down the avenue is it in women to resist that equipage paper mache highly gilded loves and doves six long-tailed grey arabians by all the gentle powers of love and gallantry fondville himself is a decent creature nay then poor harry all is over with him I discard him this moment and take fondville for my cispio fresh from paris just imported oh all ye gods friday morning I left you somewhat abruptly and am returned to fill out my episode with the adventures of yesterday the great gates being thrown open and the chariot drawn up to the steps my charming fondville dressed in a suit of light-colored silk embroidered with silver a hat with a black feather under his arm and a large bouquet of artificial flowers in his buttonhole all arabia breathing from his well-settled handkerchief descended like a doness from the car of venus and full of the idea of his own irresistibility advanced towards the saloon he advanced not with the doubtful air of a bashful lover intimidated by a thousand tender fears but in a minuet step humming an opportune and casting a side glance at every looking-glass in his way the first compliments being over the amiable creature seated himself by me and began the following conversation well but my dear lady and this is so surprising your ladyship in campania I thought Wilmots had given you a surfeit of the poet's elysium horrid retirement how do you contrive to kill time though harry manderville indeed a widow of spirit may find some amusement there why really fondville a pretty fellow does prodigiously soften the horrors of solitude oh nothing so well and harry has his attractions attractions ah l'amour the fairest eyes of Rome but pray my dear lord how did the court bear my absence in despair the very zeffers about bresailles have learnt to sigh ah la belle anglois and mermot inconsolable stayed away from two operas is it possible of the dear constant creature how his sufferings touch me but here is company anybody one knows I rather think not what the good company of the environs the arrierban the posse comatatus even so my lord brings down the natives upon us but to do the creatures justice one shall seldom see tamer savages here the door opening fondville rose with us all and leaning against the wane scott in an attitude of easy indifference half bowing without dating to turn his eyes on those who entered the room continued playing with my fan and talking to me in a half whisper till all were seated when my dear lady belmont leading the conversation contrived to make it general till t being over my lord proposed a walk in the gardens where having trifled away an hour very pleasantly we found music ready in the saloon at our return and danced till midnight lord viscount fondville he would not have you omit viscount for the world left us this morning my lord is extremely polite and attentive to him on the supposition of his being my lover otherwise he must expect no supernumerous civilities at belmont for as it is natural to value most those advantages one possesses oneself my lord whose nobility is but of the third generation but whose ancestry loses itself in the clouds pays much greater respect to a long line of illustrious ancestors than to the most lofty titles and I am sorry to say my dear fondville's pedigree will not stand the test he owes his fortune and rank to the iniquity of his father who was deep in the infamous secret of the south sea bubble tis however a good nature inoffensive lively showy animal and does not flatter disagreeably he owns belmont not absolutely shocking and thinks lady julia rather tolerable if she was so happiest to have a little of my spirit and enjoy more adio a will not a seal what a memory this is not post day you may possibly gain a line or two by this strange forgetfulness of mine Saturday nothing new but that last senior westbrook who visited here yesterday either was or pretended to be taken ill before her coach came and harry by her own desire attended her home and lady julia's post chase he came back with so grave an air that I fancy she had been making absolute plain downright love to him her ridiculous fondness begins to be rather perceptible to everybody really these city girls are so rapid in their amours they won't give a man time to breathe once more adio to george mardont june 13 I have just received a letter which makes me the most unhappy of mankind tears from a lady whose fortune is greatly above my most sanguine hopes and whose merit and tenderness deserve that heart which I feel it is not in my power to give her the general complacency of my behaviour to the lovely sex and my having been accidentally her partner at two or three balls has deceived her into an opinion that she is beloved by me and she imagines she is only returning a passion which her superiority of fortune has prevented my declaring how much is she to be pity my heart knows too well the pangs of disappointed love not to feel most tenderly for the sufferings of another without the additional motive to compassion of being the undesigned cause of those sufferings the severest of what human nature is capable I'm embarrassed to the greatest degree not what resolution to take that required not a moment's deliberation but how to soften the stroke and in what manner without wounding her delicacy to decline an offer which she has not the least doubt of my accepting with all the eager transport of timid love surprised by unexpected success I have written to her and think I shall send this answer I enclose you a copy of it her letter is already destroyed her name I conceal the honour of a lady is too sacred to be trusted even to the faithful breast of a friend to miss blank no words madam can express the warmth of my gratitude for your generous intentions in my favour though my ideas of property will not allow me to take advantage of them to rob a gentleman by whom I have been treated with the utmost hospitality not only of his whole fortune but of what is infinitely more valuable a beloved and amiable daughter is an action so utterly inconsistent with those sentiments of honour which I have always cultivated as even your perfections cannot tempt me to be guilty of I must therefore however unwillingly absolutely decline the happiness you have had the goodness to permit me to hope for and beg leave to subscribe myself madam with the utmost gratitude and most lively esteem obliged and devoted servant H. Mandeville I ought perhaps to be more explicit in my refusal of her but I cannot bring myself to shock her sensibility by an appearance of total indifference surely this is sufficiently clear and as much as can be said by a man sensible of and grateful for so infinite an obligation you will smile when I own that in the midst of my concern for this lady I feel a secret and I fear an ungenerous pleasure in sacrificing her to Lady Julia's friendship though the latter will never be sensible of the sacrifice yes my friend every idea of an establishment in the world however remote or however advantageous dies away before the joy of being esteemed by her and at liberty to cultivate that esteem determined against marriage I have no wish no hope but that of being forever unconnected forever blessed in her conversation forever allowed uninterrupted unrestrained by nearer ties to hear that enchanting voice to swear on that snowy hand eternal amity to listen to the unreserved sentiments of the most beautiful mind in the creation uttered with the melody of angels had I worlds I would give them to inspire her with the same wishes H. Mandeville end of section 5 Epistle, Colonel to Colonel Belleville Wednesday night I can't conceive Belleville what it is that makes me so much the men's taste I really think I am not handsome not so very handsome not so handsome as Lady Julia yet I don't know how it is I am persecuted to death amongst you the misfortune to please everybody it is amazing the regularity of features fine eyes indeed a vivid bloom an elegant form an air of the world and something extremely well in the tut ensemble a kind of an agreeable manner easy, spirited, dégagé and for the understanding I flatter myself Manet's itself cannot deny me the beauties of the mind you might justly say to me what the Queen of Sweden said to Mamoiselle Le Favre with such an understanding are you not ashamed to be handsome Thursday morning absolutely deserted this morning on sudden unexpected business poor Harry's situation would have been pitiful had not my lord considering how impossible it was for him to be well with us both a trio sent to Fondville to spend a week here in their absence which they hope will not be much longer Harry, who is viceroy, with absolute power has only one commission to amuse Lady Julia and me and not let us pass a languid hour till their return oh, Dio, Fondville's Arabians the dick creature looks up, he bows that bow might from the bidding of the gods command me don't you love quotations I am immensely fond of them a certain proof of erudition and in my sentiments to be a woman of literature is to be in short, my dear Belleville I early in life discovered by the mere force of genius that there were two characters only in which one might take a thousand little innocent freedoms without being censured by a parcel of impertinent old women those of a belesprit and a methodist and the latter not being in my style I chose to set up for the former in which I have had the happiness to succeed so much beyond my hopes that the first question now asked amongst polite people when a new piece come out is what does Lady Anne Wilmot say of it a scornful smile from me would damn the best play that ever was wrote as a look of approbation for I am naturally merciful has saved many a dull one in short, if you should happen to write an insipid poem which is extremely probable send it to me and my fiat shall crown you with immortality oh heavens apropos do you know that Belle Martin in the weighting of her charms and past the meridian of her reputation is absolutely married to Sir Charles Cantorill astonishing till I can't ascend to give the clue she praised his bad verses a thousand things epistrate in human life which if one had the real key are only natural effects of a hidden cause my dear Sir Charles says Belle that divine sapphic of yours those melting sounds I have endeavoured to set it but Orpheus or Amphion alone I would sing it yet fear to trust my own heart such ecstatic numbers who that has a soul she sing half a stanza and overcome by the magic force of verse leaning on his breast as if observed in speeches transport she fainted sunk and died away find me the poets upon earth who could have withstood this he married her the next morning I forgot the caro fondville I am really inhuman adieu je suis votre ami très fidèle I can absolutely afford no more at present epistle Henry to Henry Mandeville the squire London June 20th you can have no idea my dear Mr Mandeville how weary I am of being these few day only in town that anyone who is happy enough to have a house a cottage in the country should continue here at this season is to me inconceivable but that gentleman of large property that noble man should imprison themselves in this smoking furnace when the whole land is a blooming garden and wilderness of sweets when pleasure courts them in her fairest form nay, when the sordid god of modern days when interest joins his potent voice when power, the best power that of doing good solicits their presence can only be accounted for by supposing them under the dominion of fascination spell caught by some malicious demon an enemy to human happiness I cannot resist addressing them in a stanza or two of a poem which deserves to be written in letters of gold meantime, by pleasure so fustrious lord from the bright fun and living breezy stray and deep in London's gloomy haunt someured brook away your fortunes, freedoms, health, decay oh, blind of choice, into your cells untrue the young grove shoots they bloom, their fields renew the mansion asks its lord the swain's their friend while he doth riot orgy's happily share attempt the game's dark destroying snare that's uncodely shrine with lavish incense bend and yet full off your anxious tongues complain that careless tumult promise the rustic throng that the rude village inmates now disdain these homely ties which ruled their fathers long alas your fathers did by other arts draw those kind ties around their simple hearts and let in other paths their doctile will by suckers faithful consul courtier's cheer, when them the ancient manners to revere, to prize their country's peace and heaven's due rights fulfill can a nobleman of spirit prefer the rude insults of a licentious London rabble the refuse of every land to the warm and faithful attachment of a brave a generous, earth-free and loyal DNA in the country does not interest as well as virtue and humanity prompt them by living on their estates to imitate the heavens which return the moisture they draw from the earth in grateful Jews and showers when I first came to Belmont having been some years abroad I found my tenants poor and dejected scarce to gain a hard, pernurious living the neighbouring gentlemen spending two-thirds of the year in London and the town which was the market for my estate filled only with people in trade who could scarce live by each other I struck at the root of this evil and by living almost all together in the country myself brought the whole neighbourhood to do the same I promoted every kind of diversion which soon filled my town with gentlemen's families which raised the market and of consequence the value of my estate my tenants grew rich at the same rents to pay, population increased my villages were full of inhabitants and all around me was gay and flourishing so simple my dear Mr. Mandeville are the maxims of true policy but it must be so that machine which has the fewest wheels is certainly most easy to keep in order have you had my old Mentodyne at sixty I admit them to my table where they are always once a fortnight my guests I love to converse with those whom age and long experience render wise and in my idea of things it is time to slacken the reins of pride and to wave all sublunary distinctions when they are so near being at an end between us besides I know by my own feelings that age wants the comforts of life a plentiful table, generous wines, cheerful converse and the notice of those they have been accustomed to revere renews in some degree the fire of youth gives a spring to declining nature and perhaps prolongs as well as aliveens the evening of their days nor is it a small addition to my satisfaction to see the respect paid them by the young of their own rank from the observation of their being thus distinguished by me as an old man I have a kind of interest in making age an object of reverence but what I ever so young I would continue a custom which appears to me not less just than humane adieu my esteemed my amiable friend how I envy you your larks and nightingales your faithful Belmont epistle Colonel to Colonel Belville Thursday positively Belville I can answer for nothing these sylvan scenes are so very bewitching the vernal grove and barmy zephyr are so favourable to a lover's prayer that if Fondville was anything but a pretty man about town my situation would be extremely critical this wicked Harry too has certainly some evil design he forms nothing but enchanting royal parties either aquae or with others of the young and gay not a maiden art has appeared at Belmont since his reign commenced he suffers no ideas to enter our imaginations but those of youth beauty love and the seducing pleasures of the golden age we dance on the green dinet the hermitage I'm wondering the woods by moonlight listening to the song of the nightingale or the sweet and notes of that little siren Lady Julia whose impassioned sounds would soften the marble heart of a virgin of 85 I really tremble for my fervent young artless full of sensibility exposed hourly to the charms of the prettiest fellow upon earth with a man so soft so tender so much in her own romantic way a wrap on my door Fonville is sent for a way company at his house sets out immediately I must bid the dear creature adieu I am returned pity me Belville the streams the groves the rocks remain but daemons still I seek in vain yes the dear man is gone Harry is retired to write letters and Lady Julia and I are going to take a walk te-te-te in the wood jesus Maria a female te-te-te I shall never go through the operation if we were on confidence indeed it might be bearable but the little innocent fool is not even a secret adieu yours a will-met epistle George to George Mordant Esquire oh Mordant I am indeed undone I was too confident of my own strength I depended on the power of gratitude and honour over my heart but find them too weak to defend me against such inexpressible loveliness I could have resisted her beauty only but the mind which irradiates those speaking eyes the melting music of those gentle accents soft as the fleeties of descending snows the delicacy lively tenderness of her sentiments that angel innocence that winning sweetness the absence of her parents and Lady Anne's cockatry with Lord Fonville have given me opportunities of conversing with her which have forever destroyed my peace I must tear myself from her I will leave Belmont the moment my lord returns I am forever lost doomed to wretchedness but I will be wretched alone a tremble lest my eye should have discovered lest pity should involve her in my misery great heavens was I not sufficiently unhappy to stun me to the heart have just received the following letter from lord Belmont end of section 6 read by Kate McKenzie section 7 of the history of Lady Julia Mendwell this is a Librevox recording all Librevox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librevox.org the history of Lady Julia Mendwell by Francis Brooke section 7 to Henry Mendwell Esquire June 22 the present member of parliament for being in a state of health which renders his life extremely uncertain it would be very agreeable to me if dear Mr. Mendwell would think of offering himself a candidate to succeed him I will however be so plain as to tell him he will have no assistance for me except my wishes and has nothing to try but his merits in the name of Mendwell it being a point both of conscience and honour is me never to intermeddle in elections the preservation of our happy constitution depends on the perfect independence of each part of which it is composed and on the other two and the moment having granted the moment be far distant when the House of Lords can make a House of Commons liberty and prerogative will cease to be more than names and both prince and people become slaves I therefore always though the town is mine leave the people to their free and uninfluenced choice never interfering father then to insist on their keeping themselves as unbiased as I leave them I would not only withdraw my favour from but prosecute the man who was space enough to take a bribe though he who offered it was my nearest friend by this means I have the pleasure of also keeping myself free and at liberty to confer favours very please so that I secure my own independence by not invading that of others this conduct I cannot help thinking if general would preserve the balance of our glorious constitution a balance of much greater consequence to Britain's than the balance of power in Europe though so much less the object of their attention in this we resemble those persons though whilst they are busy in regulating the domestic concerns of their neighbours suffer their own to be ruined but to return from this unintended discretion you will perhaps object to what I have proposed that during your father's life you are not qualified for a seat in parliament I have opiated this objection Lady Mary the only sister of my father has an ample fortune in her own power to dispose of some part of it was originally her own but much the larger part was left to her by her lover Sir Charles Barton who was killed in Queen Anne's Wars the very morning before he was to have set out for England to complete his marriage being the last of his family he made a will in which she left his estate to Lady Mary with the request that if she did not marry she would have to leave it to one of the name of Mandwell as she loves Mary and has the happiness and honour of our house warmly at heart I have easily prevailed on her to settle 500 a year on you at the present and to leave you a good part of the rest at her desk her design here too I will not conceal from you has been to leave her fortune to my daughter of whom she is infinitely fond but Julia has enough and by leaving it to you she more exactly fulfills the well of Sir Charles who though he has not expressly made the distinction certainly meant it to be a male of the Mandwell name the estate is about 2000 a year her own fortune of 14000 I shall not oppose her leaving to my daughter I know too well the generous sentiments of your heart to doubt that in procuring this settlement I give to my country a firm and unshaken patriot at once above dependence on the most virtuous court and to mean vanity of opposing the just measures of his prince form a too eager desire of popularity not that they would have you insensible to praise or their esteem of our country but seek it only by deserving it and though it be impart the reward let it not be the motive of your actions let your own appropriation be your first few and that of others only your second you may observe, my dear Mr. Mandwell I only caution you against being led away by useful vanity to oppose the just measure of your prince I should round the integrity of your heart if I suppose you capable of distressing the hands of government for mercenary or ambitious purpose then I will regard not men but measures and will concur with his bitterest enemies in every salutary and honest purpose or rather in a public light he will have no enemies but the enemies of his country it is with caution I give even these generous hints far be it from me to intend to influence your judgment let your opinion ever be free and your own or where your inexperience may want information seek it from the best and most enlightened of mankind your excellent father who is long set with honor in the same house let me now, my amiable friend thank you for obliging attention not only to the ladies of whom I could not doubt your care but of my tenants one of whom writes me word that coming to inquire and I should return with the look of anxiety which should me return with a consequence to him you took his side and inquiring his business found he wanted from an accident which had involved him in temporary distress to borrow a hundred for which you gave him a draft on your banker with a goodness and sweetness of menna which doubled the obligation making only one condition which the overflowing of his gratitude has made him unable to keep that it should be a secret to all the world can Lady Mary do too much for a man who touches himself worthy of the name of Mendwell? the characteristic of Fitch has ever been the warmest benevolence and other would perhaps insist on returning the money to you will not rob you of the pleasure of making an honest man happy you will however observe that it is this once only I indulge you and that you are the only person from whom I have ever suffered my family for such a esteem all placed by providence under my protection to receive an obligation this is a favour I have refused even to your father do not answer this I shall possibly be with you before a letter could reach me adieu your affectionate Belmore can I after this letter my dear Mordor entertain a wish for Lady Julia without the blackest in gratitude no though I will not accept this generous offer I can never forget he has made it I will leave Belmore I will forget her what have I said forget her I must first lose all sense of my own being am I born to know every species of misery I have this moment received a second letter from the lady I once mentioned to you filled with the softest and most affectionate expressions of this interested tenderness in discreet from excess of affection she adheres me to meet her one moment in the rustic temple where she is waiting for me her messenger is gone and as I will not have start exposing her by sending my servant I have no choice left but to go heaven knows how unwillingly should we be seen what an appearance would such a meeting have I left Lady Julia to write letters and on that I can't excuse myself from attending her yet can I leave her whom love alone has made imprudent to the consequence of her indiscretion and the wild silliness of a mind torn by disappointment and despair I will go but how shall I behold her how tell her pity is all I can return to so generous a passion this trials are too great for a heart like mine tender sympathetic compassionate and softened by the sense of its own sufferings I shall expire with regret and confusion at her side farewell H. Mendwell End of Section 7 Recording by Ellie August 2009 Section 8 of the History of Lady Julia Mendwell This is a LibriVox recording Only LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The History of Lady Julia Mendwell by Francis Brooke A Pistol Colonel To Colonel Belleville Our party last night did not turn out so much in the still life way as I expected Unfortunate as I am to rivals at once LibriVox Julia has most certainly a penchant for Harry It is absurd for this thing is impossible In the first place I am rather afraid he has a kind of attachment to this creature and in the second I know Lord Belmont's sentiments on this head and that his oldest generosity moment-breathing has a greater aversion to unequal marriages The difference is so immense in everything but birth and merit that there remains no shadow of hope for her but these people of high heroics are above attending to such trifling things as possibilities I hope I'm mistaken but the symptoms are strong upon her as you shall judge I left you last night to accompany Lady Julia to the wood we were both so fond of The evening was lovely beyond description and we were engaged in a very lively conversation when as we approached the temple we saw Harry who had just left us on pretence of writing letters come out of it with the detestable Westbrook leaning familiarly on his arm her bird eyes softened with languishment and fixed eagerly on his The forward creature started at seeing us and attempted to fly which Harry prevented and destroying his arm from hers as if mechanically advanced slowly towards us she looked so confused and we are so disordered so different from the easy air which gives 10,000 graces to the finest form in the world as convinced me that this meeting was not accidental Lady Julia stopped the moment she saw them a deep blush overspread her face she fixed her eyes on the ground and waited the approach silent and unmoved his statue not to the sit The creature's assurance and the ease which she recovered herself and addressed Lady Julia excited equally my astonishment and my indignation she told her she came to wait on her leadership and the finest of the evening had tempted her to leave her coach at the entrance of the wood that as she walked through she happened to meet Mr. Mandwell quite by chance she assured her leadership as she would testify Harry disdained to confirm her false would even burn a standing look his silence the coldness of his manner was the air of dignity and spirit Lady Julia assumed almost disconcerted her he walked silently to the house where the girl only stayed till her coach was ordered round her eyes asked Terry's attendance but she chose not to understand the language this evening was the only unpleasant one I ever passed at Belmont a reserve unknown before in that seat of sincere friendship took place of the sweet confidence which used to reign there and to which it owns its most striking charms we retired earlier than coming and Lady Julia instead of spending half an hour in my apartment as usual took leave of me at the door and passed on to her own I am extremely alarmed for her it would have been natural to have talked over such extraordinary an adventure with me if not too nearly interested there was a constraint in her behavior to Harry all the evening and assumed coldness his acidity seemed to displease her she sighed often nay once when my eyes met hers I observed the tear ready to start she may call this friendship if she pleases but this very tender this apprehensive this jealous friendships between amiable young people with different sexes are exceedingly suspicious it is an hour later than her usual time of appearing and I hear nothing of her I am determined not to indulge this tender melancholy and have sent up to let her know I attend to her in the saloon for I often breakfast in my own apartment it being the way here for everybody to do whatever they like indeed a letter from Lady Julia a vindiction, nay then guilty upon my honor I imagine I suspect her or conscience or conscience her extreme fear of my supposing her in love with Harry is a convincing proof that she is though such is her amiable sincerity that I am sure she has deceived herself before she would attempt to deceive me but the letter is not too easy see the spicy older game she cannot see till she has vindicated herself from a suspicion which the weakness of her behavior yesterday may have caused that she is not sure she has resolution to mention the subject when present therefore it takes this way to assure me that tender and lively is a friendship for Mr. Mantrell is it is only friendship a friendship with his mere deceit to justify and which has been the innocent pleasure of her life that born with two kind sensibilities piercing a pity her sensibilities the ill-treatment of her friends moves her to the soul the seal for his honor and the integrity of his character which she sings injured by the mysterious air of last night's adventure her shock, the clandestine and disassembled appointment so inconsistent with that openness which she had always admired in him as well as with the respect due to her now so particularly in her father's absence under his protection a location that concern which she fears may make her appear to me more weak than she is in short she takes a great deal of painstooling herself in ten error and struggles in those tools which she will find great difficulty in breaking Harry's wallet has just told my woman his master was in bed for two hours last night that he walked about his room till three and rose again at five and went out on her aspect without the servant the poor fellow is frightened to death about him for he is idolized by his servants and this man has been with him from his childhood but adieu I hear Lady Julia up on the stairs I must meet her in the saloon eleven o'clock poor soul I never saw anything like her confusion when we met she blushed she trembled and sang half motion less into her chair I made the tea without taking the least notice of her inability to do it and by my easy chitchat manner soon brought her to be a little composed though her eyes is often turned towards the door though she started with every sound yet she never asked the cause of Harry's absence which must have ever surprised her as he always breakfasts below foreseeing we should be a very awkward party today at rio I sent early in the morning to ask three or four very agreeable girls about two miles off to come and ramble all day with us in the woods happily for poor lady Julia they came in before we had breakfast done I left them to go and look at some shell work I came up to finish my letter Harry's come back and has sent to speak with me I'm really a person of great consequence at present I'm in a very ill humor with him he may well be ashamed to appear however the worst of criminals deserves to be heard I will admit him he's at the door adieu end of section 8 recording by Ellie August 2009 section 9 of the history of lady Julia Mendwell this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the history of lady Julia Mendwell by Francis Brooke section 9 a pistol charge to charge Maudon as choir Wednesday 5 in the morning great heaven or the night that has passed all other fears give way before that of displeasing her yes let me be wretched but let her not suppose me unversy let her not see me in the light of a man who bothers the sentiments of his soul for solid views of ever recent ambition and using means appropriated to the baseness of his end for she is a force to excuse his attendance on her seduces an heiress to give him clandestine assignations and in a place guarded doubly guarded at this time by the sacred and inviolable laws of hospitality from such unversive purposes I will clear my conduct though the hazard of exposing her whose love for me deserves a different treatment let her be the victim of that indiscretion by which she has ruined me and can a bitter space can a betray the believing unsuspecting heart my mind is distracted but why do I say betray I know Lady N's greatness of mind as for Lady Julia yes the secret will be as safe as them as in my own bosom shall I own all my folly? I cannot though she shall never know my passion for herself support one moment the idea of Lady Julia's imagining I laugh another I will go to Lady N as soon as she is up and beg her to convince her lovely friend my meeting this lady was accidental I will not if I can avoid it say more I cannot see her before this explanation I will ride out and breakfast with some friend I will not return till they are gone back to their apartments that they may see Lady N alone 12 o'clock Lady N spoke me to the quick I have trusted her without reserve as to disaffair I have begged her to vindicate me to Lady Julia who is walking in the garden with some ladies of the neighbourhood we are going to follow them I am to take the ladies aside whilst Lady N pleads my cause she calls me farewell 12 at night she forgives me and I am most happy Lady N has told her all and has had the goodness to introduce me to her as we walked unobserved by the ladies who were with us I have kissed her hand as a seal of my pardon that moment, oh my door it was difficult to do the restrain the transport of my soul yes my friend, she forgives me a sweet benign serenity reigns in her lovely eyes she approves my conduct she is pleased with the concern a short giving pain to the heart which loves me her cheerfulness is returned she is restored mine she rules every movement of my heart as I pass so happy a day I am old joy, no sad idea can enter I have scarce room even for the tender compassion I owe to her I have made wretched I am going to bed, but without the least expectation of sleep joy will now have the same effect as the last night found from a contrary cause adieu, age mendwell a pistol colonel to colonel belville Thursday morning I have reconciled the friends the scene was amazingly pathetic and pretty I am only sorry and too lazy to describe it he kissed her hand without her showing the last symptom of anger she blushed indeed but if I understand blushes and short times of prodigiously changed the strange misses were of infinite use as they broke the continuity of the tender scene if I may be allowed the expression which however entertaining to laser me would have been something sickling to my ladyship if it had lasted and now having united it must be my next work to divide them for seriously I am apt to believe that the egregious are an immense danger of a kind of partiality for each other which would not be so convenient I have some thoughts being naturally sentimental and generous of taking Henry myself merely from compassion to Lady Julia with those you know I in some degree the property of handsome young fellows who have more merit than fortune and there would be something very heroic devoting myself to save my friend I always told you Belville I was more an antique home than a Britain but I must leave you I hear Lady Julia coming to fetch me the breakfast atrio in a bowl of roses oh heavens the blood begins to thicken look right here as tiger rose among the spoil Harry has had a letter from his charm both she can't live without him determined to die unless the barbarous man relents this cruel Harry will be the death of us all did I tell you we are going to a ball tonight six or seven miles off she has heard it and intends to be there tells him she shall there expect a sentence of life for death from his lovely eyes the signal is appointed if his savage heart is melted and repeats her sufferings he is to dance with her and be master of her divine person and 80,000 pounds tomorrow if not but she expires at the idea and entreats him to soften the cruel stroke and not to give a mortal wound to the tenderest of hearts by dancing with another you would die to see Harry's distress so anxious for the tender creature's life so incensed at his own wicked attractions superplexed by how to pronounce the fatal sentence for my part I've had the utmost difficulty to keep my countenance Lady Julia who was to have been his partner sighing with him with a letter and reading him not to dance pitting the unhappy laugh he made her fine eyes glistening with a tear of tender sympathy the whole scene is too ridiculous to be conceived and too foolish even to laugh at I could stand it no longer so retired and left them to their soft sorrows you may talk of women but you men are as much the tubes of your own vanity as the weakest amongst us can be heaven and earth that with Harry's understanding and knowledge of the world he can be seriously alarmed at such a letter I sought him more learned in the arts of willful women laboring for her purpose nor is she the kind of woman I think and no more of the nature of love than to imagine her capable of it if there was no other lover to be had indeed but he is led astray by the dear self complacency of contemplating the surprising effects of his own charms I see he shocked at my insensibility and fancies I have the most unfeeling heart but they may live to have my revenge at you I am going to my toilet now awful beauty puts on all its charms 5 o'clock the coach is at the door Harry is stressed for execution always elegant he is today studiously so a certain proof to be sure that his vanity is weaker than his compassion he is however right if she must die he is to be condemned for looking as well as he can to justify passion which is to have such fatal effects he sees I observe his stress and has the grace to blush a little adiocaro votre ey velmant end of section 9 recording by ellie september 2009