reasonableness of her fear; and as he could not pretend to crown his wishes at that interview, he avowed himself her lover, assured her that he would exhaust his whole invention in finding a proper opportunity for throwing himself at her feet; and in the mean time he ravished sundry small favours, which she, in the hurry of her fright, could not withhold from his impudence of address. Having thus happily settled the preliminaries, he withdrew to his own chamber, and spent the whole night in contriving strata gems to elude the jealous caution of his fellow traveller. CHAPTER XXXVIII. upon the more delicate nerves of Hornbeck, but discovered itself in certain involuntary startings, and convulsive motions in the muscles of his face; and when his nature at length yielded to the power of this medicine, he sounded the trumpet so loud through his nostrils, that our adventurer was afraid the noise would awake his other patient, and consequently prevent the accomplishment of his aim. The governor was therefore committed to the care of Pipes, who lugged him into the next room, and having stripped off his clothes, tumbled him into his nest, while the two lovers remained at full liberty to indulge their mutual passion. Peregrine, in the impatience of his inclination, would have finished the fate of Hornbeck immediately; but his inamorata disapThey set out in company, breakfast at Ab- proved of his intention, and represented that beville, dine at Amiens, and about eleven their being together by themselves for any o'clock arrive at Chantilly, where Pere-length of time would be observed by her sergrine executes a plan which he had con- vant, who was kept as a spy upon her accerted upon Hornbeck. tions; so that they had recourse to another scheme, which was executed in this manner. THE whole company, by agreement, rose-He conducted her into her own apartment, and departed before day, and breakfasted at in presence of her footman, who lighted them Abbeville, where they became acquainted thither, and, wishing her good rest, returned with the finesse of their Bernay landlord, to his own chamber, where he waited till who had imposed upon them, in affirming every thing was quiet in the house; then. that they would not have been admitted after stealing softly to her door, which had been the gates were shut. From thence they left open for his admission in the dark, he proceeded to Amiens, where they dined, and found the husband still secure in the embrawere pestered by begging friars; and the ces of sleep, and the lady in a loose gown, roads being deep, it was eleven o'clock at ready to seal his happiness. He conveyed night before they reached Chantilly, where her to his own chamber; but his guilty pasthey found supper already dressed, in conse- sion was not gratified. quence of having dispatched the valet de chambre before them on horseback. The opium which had been given to Jolter, together with the wine he had drank, The constitution of Hornbeck being very produced such a perturbation in his fancy, that much impaired by a life of irregularity, he he was visited with horrible dreams, and among found himself so fatigued with his day's jour-other miserable situations, imagined himself ney, which amounted to upwards of an hun- in danger of perishing in the flames, which dred miles, that, when he sat down at table, he thought had taken hold on his apartment. he could scarcely sit upright; and, in less This vision made such an impression upon than three minutes, began to nod in his chair. his faculties, that he alarmed the whole house Peregrine, who had foreseen and provided with the repeated cries of fire! fire! and even for this occasion, advised him to exhilarate leaped out of his bed, though he still continhis spirits with a glass of wine; and the pro- ued fast asleep. The lovers were very disposal being embraced, tipped his valet de agreeably disturbed by this dreadful exclamachambre the wink, who, according to the in- tion; and Mrs Hornbeck, running in great structions he had received, qualified the Bur- confusion to the door, had the mortification gundy with thirty drops of laudanum, which to see the footman, with a light in his hand, this unfortunate husband swallowed in one enter her husband's chamber, in order to give glass. The dose, co-operating with his for- him notice of this accident. She knew that mer drowsiness, lulled him so fast asleep, as she would be instantly missed, and could it were instantaneously, that it was found easily divine the consequence, unless her innecessary to convey him to his own cham-vention could immediately trump up some ber, where his footman undressed and put plausible excuse for her absence. him to bed. Nor was Jolter (naturally of a sluggish disposition) able to resist his propensity to sleep, without suffering divers dreadful yawns, which encouraged his pupil to administer the same dose to him, which had operated so successfully upon the other Argus. This cordial had not such a gentle effect upon the rugged organs of Jolter, as Women are naturally fruitful of expedients in cases of such emergency: she employed but a few seconds in recollection, and rushing directly towards the apartment of the governor, who still continued to holoo in the same note, exclaimed, in a screaming tone, "Lord have mercy upon us! where? where?" By this time all the servants were assembled and to proceed altogether for Paris in the afternoon. Peregrine was a little chagrined when he understood that he was so suddenly deprived of this untasted morsel; and Jolter could not conceive the meaning of their abrupt and uncivil disappearance, which, after many profound conjectures, he accounted for, by supposing that Hornbeck was some sharper who had run away with an heiress, whom he found it necessary to conceal from the inquiry of her friends. The pupil, who was well assured of the true motive, allowed his governor to enjoy the triumph of his own penetration, and consoled himself with the hope of seeing his Dulcinea again at some of the public places in Paris, which he proposed to frequent. Thus comforted, he visited the magnificent stables and palace of Chantilly, and immediately after dinner they set out for Paris, where they arrived in the evening, and hired apartments at a hotel in the fauxburgh St Germaine, not far from the playhouse. CHAPTER XXXIX. He is involved in an adventure at Paris, and taken prisoner by the city-guard— becomes acquainted with a French nobleman, who introduces him in the beau monde. in strange attire; Peregrine burst into Jolter's room, and seeing him stalking in his shirt, with his eyes shut, bestowed such a slap upon his back, as in a moment dissolved his dream, and restored him to the use of his senses. He was astonished and ashamed at being discovered in such an indecent attitude; and taking refuge under the clothes, asked pardon of all present for the disturbance he had occasioned; soliciting with great humility the forgiveness of the lady, who, to a miracle, counterfeited the utmost agitation of terror and surprise. Meanwhile, Hornbeck being awakened by the repeated efforts of his man, no sooner understood that his wife was missing, than all the chimeras of jealousy taking possession of his imagination, he started up in a sort of frenzy, and snatching his sword, flew straight to Peregrine's chamber; where, though he found not that which he looked for, he unluckily perceived an under-petticoat, which his wife had forgot in the hurry of her retreat. This discovery added fuel to the flame of his resentment. He seized the fatal proof of his dishonour, and meeting his spouse in her return to bed, presented it to her view, saying, with a most expressive countenance, "Madam, you have dropped your under-petticoat in the next room.' 99 Mrs Hornbeck, who inherited from nature a most admirable presence of mind, looked earnestly at the object in question, and, with incredible serenity of countenance, affirmed that the petticoat must belong to the house, for she had none such in her possession. Peregrine, who walked behind her, hearing this asseveration, immediately interposed, and pulling Hornbeck by the sleeve into his chamber, "Gads zooks!" said he, “what business had you with that petticoat? Can't you let a young fellow enjoy a little amour with an The next care that engrossed him was innkeeper's daughter, without exposing his that of bespeaking several suits of clothes infirmities to your wife? Pshaw! it is ma- suitable to the French mode, and in the licious, because you have quitted these ad- mean time he never appeared abroad, except ventures yourself, to spoil the sport of other in the English coffee-house, where he soon people." The poor husband was so con- became acquainted with some of his own founded at the effrontery of his wife, and countrymen, who were at Paris on the same this cavalier declaration of the young man, footing with himself. The third evening after that his faith began to waver: he distrusted his journey, he was engaged in a party of his own conscious diffidence of temper, which, those young sparks, at the house of a noted that he might not expose, he expressed no traiteur, whose wife was remarkably handdoubts of Peregrine's veracity, but, asking some, and otherwise extremely well qualified pardon for the mistake he had committed, for alluring customers to her house. To retired. He was not yet satisfied with the this lady our young gentleman was introduced behaviour of his ingenious helpmate, but, on as a stranger fresh from England; and he the contrary, determined to inquire more mi- was charmed with her personal accomplishnutely into the circumstances of this adven-ments, as well as with the freedom and ture, which turned out so little to his satis-gaiety of her conversation. Her frank faction, that he ordered his servant to get deportment persuaded him that she was one every thing ready for his departure by break of those kind creatures who granted favours of day; and when our adventurer rose next to the best bidder; on this supposition he morning, he found that his fellow-travellers were gone above three hours, though they had agreed to stay all the forenoon, with a view of seeing the Prince of Conde's palace, THEY were no sooner settled in these lodgings than our hero wrote to his uncle an account of their safe arrival, and sent another letter to his friend Gauntlet, with a very tender billet inclosed for his dear Emilia, to whom he repeated all his former vows of constancy and love. began to be so importunate in his addresses, that the fair bourgeoise was compelled to cry aloud in defence of her own virtue. Her husband ran immediately to her assist ance, and, finding her in a very alarming | necessary to strangers, either in teaching situation, flew upon her ravisher with such the French language, or executing small fury, that he was fain to quit his prey, and commissions with which they are intrusted, turn against the exasperated traiteur, whom he was not the most proper person in the he punished without mercy for his impudent world for regulating the taste of a young intrusion. The lady, seeing her yoke-fellow gentleman who travelled for improvement, treated with so little respect, espoused his in expectation of making a figure one day cause, and fixing her nails in his antagonist's in his own country. Being conscious of face, scarified all one side of his nose. The his own incapacity, he contented himself noise of this encounter brought all the ser- with the office of a steward, and kept a vants of the house to the rescue of their faithful account of all the money that was master, and Peregrine's company opposing disbursed in the course of their family exthem, a general battle ensued, in which the pense; not but that he was acquainted with French were totally routed, the wife insulted, all the places which were visited by strangers Iand the husband kicked down stairs. on their first arrival at Paris; and he knew to a liard what was commonly given to the Swiss of each remarkable hotel; though, with respect to the curious paintings and statuary that every where abound in that metropolis, he was more ignorant than the domestic that attends for a livre a day. In short, Mr Jolter could give a very good account of the stages on the road, and save the expense of Antonini's detail of the curiosities in Paris; he was a connoisseur in ordinaries, from twelve to five-and-thirty livres, knew all the rates of a fiacre and remise, could dispute with a taileur or a traiteur upon the articles of his bill, and scold the servants in tolerable French. But the laws, customs, and genius of the people, the characters of individuals, and scenes of polished life, were subjects which he had neither opportunities to observe, inclination to consider, nor discernment to distinguish. All his maxims were the suggestions of pedantry and prejudice; so that his perception was obscured, his judgment biassed, his address awkward, and his conversation absurd and unentertaining; yet, such as I have represented this tutor, is the greatest part of those animals who lead raw boys about the world, under the denomination of travelling governors. Peregrine, therefore, being perfectly well acquainted with the extent of Mr Jolter's abilities, never dreamed of consulting him in the disposition of his conduct, but parcelled out his time according to the dictates of his own reflection, and the information and direction of his companions, who had lived longer in France, and consequently were better acquainted with the pleasures of the place. The publican, enraged at the indignity which had been offered to him and his family, went out into the street, and implored the protection of the guet, or city-guard, which, having heard his complaint, fixed their bayonets and surrounded the door, to the number of twelve or fourteen. The young gentlemen, flushed with their success, and considering the soldiers as so many London watchmen, whom they had often put to flight, drew their swords, and sallied out, with Peregrine at their head. Whether the guard respected them as foreigners, or inexperienced youths intoxicated with liquor, they opened to right and left, and gave them room to pass without opposition. This complaisance, which was the effect of compassion, being misinterpreted by the English leader, he, out of mere wantonness, attempted to trip up the heels of the soldier that stood next him, but failed in the execution, and received a blow on his breast with the butt end of his fusil, that made him stagger several paces backward. Incensed at this audacious application, the whole company charged the detachment sword in hand, and, after an obstinate engagement, in which divers wounds were given and received, every soul of them was taken, and conveyed to the main-guard. The commanding officer, being made acquainted with the circumstances of the quarrel, in consideration of their youth and national ferocity, for which the French make large allowances, set them all at liberty, after having gently rebuked them for the irregularity and insolence of their conduct: so that all our hero acquired by his gallantry and courage, was a number of scandalous marks upon his visage, that confined him a As soon as he was in a condition to whole week to his chamber. It was impos- appear a la Francoise, he hired a genteel sible to conceal this disaster from Mr Jolter, chariot by the month, made the tour of the who having obtained intelligence of the par- Luxembourg gallery, Palais Royal, all the ticulars, did not fail to remonstrate against remarkable hotels, churches, and celebrated the rashness of the adventure, which, he places in Paris; visited St Cloud, Marli, observed, must have been fatal to them, had Versailles, Trianon, St Germaine, and their enemies been other than Frenchmen, Fountainbleau; enjoyed the opera, masquewho, of all people under the sun, most rigor-rades, Italian and French comedy; and ously observe the laws of hospitality. seldom failed of appearing in the public As the governor's acquaintance lay chiefly walks, in hopes of meeting with Mrs Hornamong Irish and English priests, and a set beck, or some adventure suited to his romanof low people who live by making themselves | tic disposition. He never doubted that his belaboured him so unmercifully, that our hero thought proper to interpose his authority in his behalf. The common people stood aghast at this unprecedented boldness of Pickle, who, understanding that the person whose servants he had disciplined was a general and prince of the blood, went up to the coach, and asked pardon for what he had done, imputing his own behaviour to his ignorance of the other's quality. The old noblemen accepted of his apology with great politeness, thanking him for the trouble he had taken to reform the manners of his domestics; and guessing from our youth's appearance, that he was some stranger of condition, very courteously invited him into the coach, on the supposition that they were both going to the opera. Pickle gladly embraced this opportunity of becoming acquainted with a person of such rank, and, ordering his own chariot to follow, accompanied the count to his loge, where he conversed with him during the whole entertainment. person would attract the notice of some tendant, and charged his adversaries sword ped at his house. Peregrine was quite captivated by their affable behaviour and the vivacity of their discourse; and after having been honoured with particular marks of consideration, took his leave, fully determined to cultivate such a valuable acquaintance. His vanity suggested, that now the time was come when he should profit by his talents among the fair sex, on whom he resolved to employ his utmost art and address. With this view he assiduously engaged in all parties to which he had access by means of his noble friend, who let slip no opportunity of gratifying his ambition. He, for some time, shared in all his amusements, and was entertained in many of the best families of France; but he did not long enjoy that elevation of hope, which had flattered his imagination. He soon perceived that it would be impossible to maintain the honourable connexions he had made, without engaging every day at quadrille, or, in other words, losing his money; for every person of rank, whether male or female, was a professed gamester, who knew and practised all the finesse of the art, of which he was entirely ignorant. Besides, he began to find himself a mere novice in French gallantry, which is | their neighbours, and do justice to the consupported by an amazing volubility of tongue, stitution under which they live. an obsequious and incredible attention to tri- A lady of distinguished character having fles, a surprising facility of laughing out of been lampooned by some obscure scribbler, pure complaisance, and a nothingness of con- who could not be discovered, the ministry, versation, which he could never attain. In in consequence of her complaint, ordered no short, our hero, who, among his own coun- fewer than five-and-twenty abbés to be aptrymen, would have passed for a sprightly prehended and sent to the Bastile, on the entertaining fellow, was considered, in the maxim of Herod, when he commanded the brilliant assemblies of France, as a youth of innocents to be murdered, hoping that the a very phlegmatic disposition. No wonder, principal object of his cruelty would not esthen, that his pride was mortified at his own cape in the general calamity; and the friends want of importance, which he did not fail to of those unhappy prisoners durst not even ascribe to their defect in point of judgment complain of the unjust persecution, but shrugand taste; he conceived a disgust at the mer-ged up their shoulders, and, in silence, decenary conduct, as well as the shallow intel-plored their misfortune, uncertain whether or lects of the ladies; and, after he had spent not they should ever set eyes on them again. some months, and a round sum of money, in About the same time a gentleman of famfruitless attendance and addresses, he fairly ily, who had been oppressed by a certain quitted the pursuit, and consoled himself powerful duke that lived in the neighbourwith the conversation of a merry fille de joie, hood, found means to be introduced to the whose good graces he acquired by an allow-king, who receiving his petition very graance of twenty louis per month. That he might the more easily afford this expense, he dismissed his chariot and French lacquey at the same time. ciously, asked in what regiment he served; and, when the memorialist answered, that he had not the honour of being in the service, returned the paper unopened, and refused to hear one circumstance of his complaint; so that, far from being redressed, he remained more than ever exposed to the tyranny of his oppressor. Nay, so notorious is the discouragement of all those who presume to live in He then entered himself in a noted academy, in order to finish his exercises, and contracted an acquaintance with a few sensible people, whom he distinguished at the coffeehouse and ordinary to which he resorted, and who contributed not a little to the improve-dependent of court favour and connexions, ment of his knowledge and taste; for, preju- that one of the gentlemen, whose friendship dice apart, it must be owned that France Peregrine cultivated, frankly owned he was abounds with men of consummate honour, in possession of a most romantic place in one profound sagacity, and the most liberal educa- of the provinces, and deeply enamoured of tion. From the conversation of such, he ob- a country life; and yet he durst not reside tained a distinct idea of their government upon his own estate, lest, by slackening in and constitution; and though he could not his attendance upon the great, who honourhelp admiring the excellent order and econ-ed him with their protection, he should fall a omy of their police, the result of all his in- prey to some rapacious intendant. quiries was self-congratulation on his title to the privileges of a British subject. Indeed this invaluable birthright was rendered conspicuous by such flagrant occurrences, which fell every day almost under his observation, that nothing but the grossest prejudice could dispute its existence. CHAPTER XL. As for the common people, they are so much inured to the scourge and insolence of power, that every shabby subaltern, every beggarly cadet of the noblesse, every low retainer to the court, insults and injures them with impunity. A certain ecuyer, or horse dealer, belonging to the king, being one day under the hands of a barber, who happened to cut the head of a pimple on his face, he started up, and drawing his sword, wounded him desperately in the shoulder. The poor Acquires a distinct idea of the French go-tradesman, hurt as he was, made an effort vernment-quarrels with a mousquetaire, to retire, and was followed by this barbarous whom he afterwards fights and vanquish- assassin, who, not contented with the venes, after having punished him for inter-geance he had taken, plunged his sword a fering in his amorous recreations. second time into his body, and killed him on the spot. Having performed this inhuman AMONG many other instances of the same exploit, he dressed himself with great delibnature, I believe it will not be amiss to ex-eration, and, going to Versailles, immediatehibit a few specimens of their administration, ly obtained a pardon for what he had done; which happened during his abode at Paris, triumphing in his brutality with such insothat those who have not the opportunity of ob- lence, that the very next time he had occaserving for themselves, or are in danger of sion to be shaved, he sat with his sword ready being influenced by misrepresentation, may drawn, in order to repeat the murder, in case compare their own condition with that of the barber should commit the same mis |