Life of William Hutton,

There appeared to be three stocking- laudable? If I could have consented to makers in Birmingham. Evans, the old tell one lie to my uncle, I should not only Quaker, yet in being, was the principal. have saved my back, my character, and I asked him, with great humility, for employ?" You are an apprentice." "Sir, I am not, but am come with the recommendation of your friend, Mr. Such-aone, of Walsall." "Go about your business, I tell you, you are a run-away 'prentice." I retreated, sincerely wishing I had business to go about.

I did not meet with this treatment twenty-nine years after, at Market Bosworth, though I appeared rather like a I acquired a high character for honesty, gentleman. The inhabitants set their by stealing two shillings! Not altogether dogs at me merely because I was a stranbecause I took two out of ten, but because ger. Surrounded with impassable roads, I left the other eight. A thief is seldom no intercourse with man to humanize known to leave part of his booty. If I the mind, no commerce to smooth their had had money, I should not have taken rugged manners, they continue the boors any; and, if I had found none, I should of nature. not have run away. The reader will think that two shillings was a very moderate sum to carry me to Ireland.

903]

Life of William Hutton.

[904

and myself, for one day, and take a inform him ingenuously. I replied with nearer view of this happy abode of the tears that I was; and that an unhappy smiling arts. difference with my uncle was the cause of my leaving his service.

Thursday 16. I arrived early in the day at Coventry, but could get no prospect of employment. The streets seemed narrow, ill paved; the Cross, a beautiful little piece of architecture, but composed of wretched materials. The city was populous; the houses had a gloomy air of antiquity; the upper story projecting over the lower, designed, no doubt, by the architect, to answer two valuable purposes; those of shooting off the wet, and shaking hands out of the garret windows. But he forgot three evils arising from this improvement of art; the stagnation of air, the dark rooms, and the dirty streets.

I slept at the Star Inn, not as a chamber guest, but a hay-chamber one.

but

He said, if I would set out on my return in the morning, I should be welcome to a bed that night. I told him that I had no objection to the service of my uncle, but that I could not subunit to any punishment; and if I were not received upon equitable terms, I would immediately return to my own liberty.

He asked if I had any money? I answered "Enough to carry me home." He was amazed, and threw out hints of crimination. I assured him he might rest satisfied upon that head, for I had brought two shillings from Nottingham. He exclaimed with emotion, "Two shillings!" This confirmed his suspicions.

Wrapped in my own innocence, I did not think my honesty worth vindicating; therefore, did not throw away one argument upon it. Truth is persuasive, and will often make its way to the heart, in its native simplicity, better than a varnished lie.

Extreme frugality especially in the prospect of distress, composes a part of my character.

66

Friday 17. I reached Nun-Eaton, and found I had again entered the dominions of sleep. That active spirit which marks the commercial race, did not exist here. The inhabitants seemed to creep along, as if afraid the street should be seen empty. However, they had sense enough to ring the word 'prentice in my ears, which I not only denied, used every figure in rhetoric I was mas- Saturday, the 18th, I thanked my ter of, to establish my argument; yet friend Millward for his kindness, receivwas not able to persuade them out of ed nothing for my work, nor he for his their penetration. They still called me civility, and we parted the friends of an a boy. I thought it hard to perish be- hour. At noon I saw Ashby-de-lacause I could not convince people I was Zouch. It was market-day. I had a man. I left the place without a smile, eight-pence remaining of my two shiland, without a dinner: perhaps it is not lings. My reader will ask, with Millvery apt to produce either. I arrived at ward, How I lived ?" As he could Hinckley about four in the afternoon. not. Moralists say, "Keep desire low, The first question usually put was, and nature is satisfied with little." A "Where do you come from?" My turnip-field has supplied the place of a constant answer was, " Derby." There cook's shop; a spring, that of a publicis a countryman of yours," said the per- house; and, while at Birmingham, I son," in such a street his name is Mill- knew by repeated experience, that cherward." I applied, and found I had been ries were a half-penny a pound. a neighbour to his family. He also I arrived at Derby at nine in the eveknew something of mine. He set up the ning. My father gladly received me,and same objection that others had done, and dropped a tear for my misfortunes. We I made the same successful reply. agreed that he should send for my uncle He set me to work till night, about early in the morning, who would probatwo hours, in which time I earned two- bly be with us by four in the evening. pence. He then asked me into the Sunday 19. My father told me that house, entered into conversation with I could not have appeared before him in me, told me he was certain I was a run- a more disadvantageous light, if I had away apprentice, and begged I would said I was out of a jail: that he should

905]

Legends of Lampidosa.—The Parisian.

[906

think of this disagreeable circumstance ev- The remainder of the evening was ery future day of his life,and that I must spent agreeably; and, in the course of allow him to reprove me before my uncle. it, my uncle said, that if my father would

As the time approached, he seemed make up one half of my loss, he would greatly cast down, and invited two of my make up the other. My father received uncle's old friends to step in, and soften the proposal joyfully, and they ratified matters between us. But I considered the agreement by a second shake of the that my uncle was naturally of a good hand. But, I am sorry to observe, it temper, passion excepted; that I had was thought of no more by either. I left him suing for peace; that I had re- considered it peculiarly hard, that the turned a volunteer, which carried the promise to punish me was remembered, idea of repentance; that he must be con- but the promise to reward me forgotten. scious he had injured me; that he con- This unhappy ramble damped my sidered my service as a treasure, which rising spirit. I could not forbear viewhe had been deprived of, and which, be- ing myself in the light of a fugitive. It ing found, he would rejoice at, just in sunk me in the eye of my acquaintance, proportion as he had grieved at the loss. and I did not recover my former balance

The two friends forgot to come. for two years. It also ruined me in About nine my uncle entered, and shook point of dress, for I was not able to rehands with my father, for the two broth- assume my former appearance for five ers were fond of each other. While years. It ran me in debt, out of which their hands were united, my uncle turned I have never been to this day. Nov. to me, with a look of benignity, superfi- 21, 1799. cially covered with anger, and said, "Are

not you to blame ?" I was silent.

No

Concluded in our next.

LEGENDS OF LAMPIDOSA.*

THE PARISIAN.

From the European Magazine.

ing herself into a haughtier attitude, "you TO one ever saw a summer evening may find ample scope for your experiin Provence without pleasure; but ments in a child educated we know not a father only can judge of the delight it where or how ! We must atone for the brings when its mild and beautiful hour folly of our son's rast marriage, by qualis appointed for the arrival of a darling ifying his daughter for a splendid enchild. The Baron de Salency was trance into life. Sprightly wit, talents for seated in such an hour under the light exhibition, and an imposing demeanor, colonnade which fronted his chateau, are the stage-effect or decoration of a watching every swell of the superb riv- woman's virtue. Like the trampolineer before him, and imagining he heard board our opera-dancers use, none rise the oars of the boatmen sent to bring his high without it." A boat, whose proonly grand-daughter to her paternal gress had been concealed by the shrubby home. "How much delight I expect edges of the river, now touched the landfrom Henrielle's society!" he said, as the ing-place, and a young person in deep Baroness leaned on his chair-"this love- mourning approached the colonnade, ly hour has always appeared to me the alone and trembling. The Baron and richest picture of a kind father's old age. Baroness met her with a gracious air of Henrielle is young, and has been instruc- encouragement; but the timid stranger ted to love us: we shall easily shape her only kissed their hands in tears and silence. mind according to our wishes; and now Where," said her grandmother, "is the at least, in the second generation of our letter promised by our son ?"-Henrielle offspring, we have had experience enough cast down her eyes weeping, and answerto blend what is best in our contrary ed, after long hesitation, "Ah, madam! opinions." all is lost-the letter-the jewels-all that my father gave me as testimonials in my favour were stolen last night.-Urgent

"Certainly," replied the Baroness, rais

* Continued from page 794.

66

907]

Legends of Lampidosa.-The Parisian.

[908

inquiries followed this confession, but she tains my father's portrait, and documents could only inform her hearers that she sufficient, perhaps, to have supported an had travelled from Paris under the escort imposture."-At the sight of this imporof a notary and a female servant long em- tant casket in her rival's hand, the preployed by her father. Both had accom- tended Henrielle gave a cry of agony, panied her to Arles, where she slept, ex- and fainted. The Baroness led her acpecting their attendance till she reached knowledged grand-daughter to another the Chateau de Salency; and both de- apartment; her husband followed after parted during the night with the small a short interval, and the remainder of the ivory box which contained her treasure, evening was devoted to inquiries which The Baron heard this strange narrative their Henrielle answered with the prompwithout comment; and his wife, coldly titude of truth and the grace of polished receding a few steps, took an exact and suavity. When they had retired to their stern survey of her supposed grand- own apartment, the Baroness inquired if daughter. But the ominous pause was he had consigned the intruder to the corinterrupted by the arrival of a cabriole, rectional police-" No, madam; I have from whence a lovely young woman a fitter tribunal, I think, in my own sprang, and threw herself at the Baroness heart."-" Can you doubt the baseness de Salency's feet. "From whom do I of a stratagem so obvious and ill-sustainreceive this gracious homage?" said the ed ?"" I doubt nothing, Baroness, so Baronne, smiling on her beautiful visitor. often as the accuracy of human judgment. -"From your grand-daughter, Henrielle If this unhappy stranger has been swayde Salency!-I see my father in your ed by the criminal ambition and authori countenance, and my homage here can ty of her mother, let us ascribe the heavinever be misplaced-" Then drawing est portion of her crime to her instructor; a sealed letter from her bosom, she pre- if she has been the pupil of fraud and avsented it to the Baron with an exquisite arice, let us try the influence of generous grace which ensured the kindness it so- tuition."-" Under my roof!" retorted licited. He saw the hand-writing of a the Baroness, with a glance of scorn :--beloved son, the most powerful testimo- her husband answered by leading her tonial in favour of the bearer, whose fea- wards an exquisite piece of sculpture reptures perfectly resembled his. She had resenting the celebrated Grecian mother the same brilliant jet-black eyes, the same recalling her truant child from the edge full half-opening lips covered with the of a precipice by displaying her bountiful richest vermillion, and a smile expressing bosom. "This Greek fable, Adelaide, the very spirit of innocence. The Baron is memorable, because it teaches us how extended his arms to welcome the grand- to retrieve a wanderer-not by frowns, child his heart acknowledged, forgetting but by the milk of human kindness. And at that instant the forlorn stranger he had the Shakspeare of English divines says already received; but his wife, with a truly the young tendrils and early sneer which seemed to commend her own blossoms of the mind hardly bear a superior sagacity, exclaimed-" Do you know this impostor, Mademoiselle DeSalency?"--As if that title had belonged to her, the first claimant advanced to speak, looked earnestly at her opponent, and covered her face. The second Henrielle laid her hands on her grandfather, and, throwing back the rich ringlets which shaded her large bright eyes, whispered, heart is warmed." "Do not overwhelm her with reproaches. "It is torn away already!" interrupShe is the daughter of an artful woman ted the Baroness. "The letter-the caswho nursed me in my childhood, and ket-the documents it contained-all or knew all my mother's family concerns. any one of these was sufficient to detect She left me suddenly on the road from her. And Henrielle's beautiful resemParis, but not before she had twice at- blance to her father" "We shall tempted to steal this casket, which con- see," rejoined M. de Salency," how far

breath, but when age has hardened them into a stem, they may meet a storm unbroken.' He spoke of love, but he might have said this of virtue. We will remember it; and, since there are gentle feelings in the supposed impostor, they shall be fostered by kindness. The cloak of fraud is aptest to fall off when the

909]

The Drama.—Mrs. Siddons's Lady Macbeth.

(910

it extends. This incident will acquaint bably expected. Henrielle exclaimed, us with her heart; and if it knows how with a pleading smile, " I shall be charmto pity error, it is not capable of many." ed to retain my foster-mother's daughter -The Baronne took refuge in sleep, but near me. She often spoke of ber Hea her husband remained in uneasy musings riana, and the Baron will allow me to on the peril of deciding between the two give you that name, tho' it resembles mine claimants. His son, the most infallible too nearly."-" Certainly I consent," he arbiter, was no longer in France, and answered," but my plan must be chanmany months might elapse before he ged to suit it. She shall be retained as could answer an appeal, even if the chan- your companion, not your soubrette; for ces of war permitted him to receive it. no name that resembles my son's ought Henry de Salency, the father of Henrielle, to be connected with ignominy." had been a husband and a widower un- Madame de Salency expressed her opinknown to his parents, and had not ven. ion of this change by indignant frowns, tured to recommend his only daughter to and in private by severe expostulations. their care till his departure on a distant -Her husband only answered drily, and dangerous expedition had softened "Recollect, we have not yet identified the pride of his mother, and left his father our grand-daughter."-But the Baroness desolate. Tender to whatever claimed acted as if the identity was beyond disaffinity with this beloved son, the Baron pute, and Paris was soon employed in determined that even the soi-disant Hen- praising the splendid debût of the heiress, rielle should not be abandoned to pover- Her wit, her graces, and her accomplishty and shame. None of his domestics ments, were the theme of its highest cirknew with what pretensions she had arri- cles, and certainly vouched for the eleved, and she might be retained among gant education she professed to have rethem as an attendant on his acknowledged ceived from her mother, of whom she ofgrand-daughter; an office sufficiently ten spoke with lavish praise. But Henabject to punish her presumption, yet in- riana, when questioned respecting her's, dulgent enough to encourage reformation, only answered, "I never wish to speak In the morning this decree was announ- of my mother-She had so many virtues ced. The offender heard it with a start which I never understood till now, so of surprise, followed by a glow per- many cares for me that I might have rehaps of gratitude, at a sentence milder paid better-my deepest grief is to rethan the public dismission she had pro- member her.”

M

THE DRAMA.

To be continued.

COVENT GARDEN, JUNE 5, 1817. Robbers twice; if we have seen Mrs. Siddons RS. Siddons's appearance in Lady Mac- in Lady Macbeth only once, it is enough. The beth drew immense crowds to every part-impression is stamped there forever, and any of the house. We should suppose that more after-experiments and critical inquiries only than half the number of persons were compel serve to fritter away and tamper with the saled to return without gaining admittance. We credness of the early recollection. We see succeeded in gaining a seat in one of the back into the details of the character, its minute boxes, and saw this wonderful performance at excellencies or defects, but the great masses, a distance, and consequently at a disadvan- the gigantic proportions, are in some degree tage. Though the distance of place is a disad- lost upon us by custom and familiarity. It is vantage to a performance like Mrs. Siddons's the first blow that staggers us; by gaining Lady Macbeth, we question whether the dis- time we recover our self-possession. Mrs. Sidtance of time at which we have formerly seen dons's Lady Macbeth is little less appalling in it is any. It is nearly twenty years since we its effects than the apparition of a preternatural first saw her in this character, and certainly the being, but if we were accustomed to see a preimpression which we have still left on our ternatural being constantly, our astonishment minds from that first exhibition, is stronger would, by degrees diminish. We do not know than the one we now received. The sublimity whether it is owing to the cause here stated,or of Mrs. Siddons's acting is such, that the first to a falling off in "Mrs. Siddons's acting, bot impulse which it gives to the mind can never we certainly thought her performance infewear out, and we doubt whether this original rior to what it used to be. She speaks too and paramount impression is not weakened, slow, and her manner has not that decided, rather than strengthened, by subsequent im- sweeping majesty, which used to characterize pressions. We do not read the tragedy of the her as the Muse of Tragedy herself. Some