alone; and their behaviour to each other was fo free and unconftrained, as to remove all fufpicion of mutual tendernefs even from the mind of Mrs. Love bond. Sophia behaved with politenefs to the Squire; and, in anfwer to her mother's renewed importunities, now only defired time to confider of an affair of fuch importance to her future welfare. Charmed with the condefcenfion of her daughter, Mrs. Lovebond indulged Sophia in every liberty, and humoured her in every frolic. Little did he know the was foltering a flame that threatened deftruétion to her molt prudential scheme-that the was deceived by a child. But love, which makes foolish the wife, and gives art and cunning to the fimple, had taught the honeft heart of Sophia, though for the first time, to difquife its feelings. Alas! fuch is the state of fociety, that thofe who would reap the fruit of their affec. tion are too often obliged to practife this innocent deceit. The life of every frolic, and the foul of every company, Modeltus was now the admiration of the whole country. A change fo remarkable it was impoffible not to obferve. But, little curious of remote or fecret caufes, Sir Thomas afcribed it to air and exercife; and told his fon, he would be more benefitted by one course of hunting, than by all the lectures he had heard at the univerfity. It may feem odd, confidering Sir Thomas's averfion to the university, that he fhould have fent his fon there; but he was surprised into that measure; and, whether from a pride in his own opinion, a disgust arifing from what he confidered as an useless expence, or a dread left his fon fhould be wifer than himself, he ever afterwards fpoke of it in the language of contempt. His averfion may likewife, in part, be accounted for from that natural enmity which fubfifts between knowledge and ignorance. But, proceed from what it will, this averfion he had, and his fon had been at the university. Like his father too, he now began to think he had played the fool, in fhutting himself up from the world-in fpending his time on dead languages in idle forms and fine-fpun theories, while he had neglected experiment.. By experiment let it not be thought that Modeflus meant mathematical experiments, or what is vulgarly, though falfely, called Experimental Philosophy. No-he was not now in a humour for fuch ingenious trifling. What he lamented was, that he thould have been fo late in employing that quota of affection, which nature has fo generously beftowed on her children;-that, while he feafted the understanding, he had neglected the heart of its proper aliment; that he had ceafed to fulfil the fcope of creation-the end of existence, Such, at least, the intercourse of the fexes appeared to him at present. All nature is rapture to "The lover's eye, or mufic to his ear." New profpects opened at every viewnew pleafures faluted his fenfes-he feemed in a new world. Transported at his difcovery, he broke out in rhapfodical effufions, "O Almighty Love! parent of fociety! what do mankind owe to thee! Without thy influence we had continued in our original barbarity. The rude cave, the fur coat, and the acorn meal, had at once comprehended the wants and the pleasures of the fpecies, Great fource of human felicity! from thee flow all that endears or adorns life: -the defire to excel, the ftudy to please the fond wifh, the gay hope-the tranfporting joy, the fweet diftrefs-all the benevolences, all the charitieswhatever delights the heart or warms the imagination." In this manner was he running on, when he perceived he was arrived at the grove, at the tree, where Sophia had promifed to meet him. How near is grief allied to joy!Sophia was not there. But, as if Love had heard his ejaculation, and contrived to give a double relifh to his delights, the appeared at the very moment when expectation quivered on the brink of anguifh. Ah, cruel maid! to tantalize me thus," in pronouncing, was changed to Lovely ange!! has Cupid taught thee to improve his tranfports?" with Sophia received the compliment the most delicate politenefs-apologized for her stay in the handfomest manner, and concluded with faying, "Cupid feems equally bufy on both fides. If I have improved by his precepts, you feem infected with his blemithes. The god is blind, and apt to take defects for beauties: you have gone ftill a ftep farther-to convert blame into praife." The whole interview was a fcene of the utmost delicacy, tendernefs and refined affiduity; without any embarralment on the one hand, or a licentious with on the other. The pleature of being together, of communicating communicating their joys, and fharing their little difquietudes, compofed the entire felicity of this enamoured couple. In these they found, at once, their object and their end. O fweet intercourfe!-O fincere delights! which innocence partakes without a blush, which the heart unreproved enjoys, and on which memory dwells with increafing tranfport!-The pleasures of yesterday welcome thofe of to-day, while to-morrow invites to yet untafted rap tures. But the grofs defires imperceptibly fleal in, if the itricteft guard is not kept on the heart. One day, when they had been interrupted in thefe chafte delights, Modeftus afked Sophia, if he could think of any means by which their interviews might be more cordial, and lefs fubject to difcovery. She blushed-he urged-and at last obtained the dangerous fecret. My chamber has a communication with the garden--I have a key to the gate-Might I truft you with it?” Ah, Sophia! where was now thy difcretion-Alas! you meant no harm. Modeftus was tranfported at thefe words. He felt a fwell of joy that he could not yet account for he fell at her feet, kiffed her hand, and bathed it with his tears -then looking up with the most tender anxiety, he breathed, in a tone fcarce articulate, "Does Sophia doubt my affection?" She funk upon his breaft-he embraced her with a freedom unknown before; and the key was delivered as a mark of Confidence. The fcene was now changed. The bufy hours of morn gave place to the filence of night, and the radiant beams of the tell-tale fun, to the dulky veil and impenetrable fecrecy of darknefs. A pleaing change to love, but alarming to virtue: and the goddefs feemed here to interpofe in behalf of her children. Ten was the hour of appointment. About that time Mrs. Lovebond ufually went to bed, and Modettus retired to his Audy. Different ftudies were now to engage him. The place of meeting was an arbour in the garden. There Modettus took his feat with all the impatience of a lover. His imagination flattered him with he knew not what, and he was wrapt in the fine delirium, when a gentle whifper reached his ear. He started up, and perceiving a female form dimly through the gloom-all objects are alike in the dark-he fprung forward, and caught her in his arms-fhe was filent, but the touch, the lip undeceived him. "Perish the lover, whofe imperfect flame Forgets one feature of the nymph he loves!" "Be not afraid, Mr. Goodville." "Is it you, Betty?" "Yes, Sir, I am the faithful meffenger of love; be not afraid." "I am not. But what is become of Mifs Lovebond?" "She is gone” "This will inform you," delivering a letter. Modeftus, without further inquiry, haftened home, diftracted by a thousand strange apprehenfions, and curfing the darkness, that deprived him of what he dreaded to know. Betty, in the mean time, was little better pleased with her adventure than Modeftus. 44 Ay! how fhould Mr. Goodville fo foon know the difference?-Are not my lips as foft as my lady's? my breath as fweet?" Modeflus thought not of fleep. As foon as he got home, he called for a light, and read with anxiety as follows: From SOPHIA. "Alas, Modeftus! our happiness must be interrupted for a time. Heaven only knows how long. As I fat this morning, enjoying in thought our evening interview, my mother burft haftily into the room, and told me she had received a letter from my aunt, Mrs. Trufty, begging my company for a few weeks. I am afraid my confufion was but too evident. She left me no time for recollection; but, without further preamble, defired me to get myfelfready, adding, that to-morrow we fhould have a vifit of fquire Toufer. At the name of the fquire I had almoft fainted. To have remonftrated would only have made things worfe: I therefore filently complied. "What fhall I think of fo fudden a refolution Is it a pretence to feparate thofe whom love has joined, or is it only a scheme to afford opportunities to the fquire ?--For it cannot be without fome view. The chaife waits. The bearer of this will tranfmit yours to, dear Modeltus! Ditto in fulphur-By feveral hands. A view of St. James's, from Hill-ftreet, Portrait of a gentleman in miniature-F. Pigeons, and other dead game-Hon. C. A back view of Hindon-Gen. Smith. Supporters for a drawing-room, defigns- An ear-wig, an itching from nature-Ld. A running footman-Right. Hon. C. Jenkinson. A drill Serjeant-Welbore Ellis, Efq; Defigns for a Treafury-Majority of the House of Commons. Court fcavengers, a base relief-Doctors Johnfon and Shebbeare. A Piece of ruins-By Count Haflang. Ditto in bronze-Lord Denbigh. Talbot. Lambeth Palace in perspective-Bench of Bishops. Elevation of a nobleman's feat-Lady Grofvenor. Portrait of a Statesman, whole lengthLord Chatham. Ditto of Shakespeare, an illuminationDavid Garrick, Efq;. The infide of Cox's Mufeum, with The conquest of America, a moon light— Comedy, a caricatura-By several modern play-wrights, Tragedy, a deceptio vifus-Ditto. The infide of a lottery-office, a candlelight drawing-Mr. Molefworth and others. Fame, in black and white-Several politicians. The Book of Numbers, newly done into English-By the minifterial tellers. Soldiers, a converfation piece-General Gage, &c. Elevation of Crown point-Ladies of the Bon Ton. A plume of feathers, in alto relievoDutchess of Devonshire. A view of Maidenhead, an unfinished im- The ufe of the globe by the affifiance of A theatrical audience, an unfinished grouping-By feveral members of both theatres. A fancy-head-By the exhibitor of this exhibition. Hiftories of the Tete-a-Tete annexed; or Memoirs of Lord S-th and Mijs Pl TH HE hiftory of many men of rank and fashion, may be comprized in the journal of a day; they rise at eleven, get their chocolate by twelve, dine at five, go to bed at three, and thus the circle of their lives revolves. Inattentive to all objects but the anecdote of the hour, they remain a perfect blank from the first to the last day; they come into the world babes, and go out of it infignificants. But this is not the cafe with the hero of the prefent hiftory; he lives not fo much for his own pleafure as to communicate it to all about him; books and 'men are equally the objects of his attention, and he may juftly fay with Pope, Alive, inftruction was my work each day." It has often been remarked, that there are many characters, who are not brought forth to the public view, which would do honour to the most exalted stations. A ftriking inftance of this observation is, the confpicuous figure a certain noble lord now makes at the head of a great board, 'till these few years, was fcarcely ever heard of. He ruthed upon the political world like a meteor; his adverfaries were fo fo dazzled at his fplendor, that they knew not on which fide to view him, or parry the rays of his prevailing genius. The time may, probably, come when lord S- will, like this great luminary, eclipfe many who are etteemed the first-rate planets of learning and entelligence: in the mean while, he will, moft likely, indulge the bent of his difpofition, and blend the philofophy of reafon with the gallantry and gaiety of the polite world. Born with an excellent conftitution, he is fubject to none of the modern polite complaints, which diftinguifh an enfeebled nobility. He knows no dejection of fpirits, but like the fons of Britain, in the time of Edward, is capable of undergoing all the fatigues of a military life, if called upon. It is true he goes to Bath in the feason, and vifits the other watering-places, not from any occafion that he has for their affiftance, but to be in good company, and in a fashionable line of life. Being a great favourite of the ladies, he has had many opportunities of fignalizing himself in the world of gallantry, though his honour never allowed him to reveal a fecret of this kind, except where the lady's imprudence published it to the world. An affair of this kind transpired at Brighthelmstone, when the celebrated Mrs. S. rs thought proper to be jealous in the public rooms, and teftify her difcontent at Mrs. L- 's dancing with his lordship. A relation of Mrs. Srs remonftrating to her upon this occafion, the frankly acknowledged, that the violence of her paffion had hurried her beyond prudence; but begged that Mr. Srs might not be acquainted with the affair, as fhe would take care to be more circumfpect for the future. His lordship's being frequently feen tete-a-tete with lady S- in Kew gardens, gave rife to fome fufpicions upon her account; but he has honourably acquitted her, and declares that friendflip, and her fenfible converfation only, ftimulated him to these conferences. The late Duke of York it is well known, was remarkably fond of this lady, and probably his jealoufy might excite him to view their conduct through a more unfavourable medium than it deferved. That P. accustomed himself to talk pretty faft, though what he faid was ufually very pertinent, and one day efpying this lady and our hero in a retreat, he delivered himself with fuch precipitancy to one of his com panions, that the latter was obliged to afk his highnefs his meaning three times over; which put the duke into fuch a paffion, that he would never after suffer the colonel to be in his prefence, and difcarded him his fervice. There is a fashion in gallantry as much as in drefs, and a woman of spirit thinks herself contemptible, who does not receive the affiduities of a man, whom the fex, in general confider as a fine fellow. Lord S- was accordingly ogled by the Stable yard Meffalina, one evening at the dutchefs of Northumberland's rout; but a lady, at the fame quadrille table, being one of his particular favourites, he would not turn his head afide, for fear of offending his dulcinea. Lady H, highly irritated at his behaviour, never after invited him to her parties; being, however, fome time fince in company with him at a third perfon's houfe, fhe attempted to be very fmart upon our hero; but as the cause of her farcastic turn was known to most of the company, the had the raillery feverely retorted upon her. That a man thus favoured by the ladies, even of rank, fhould difcontinue his career in fo very elevated a style; and submit to a female of profeffed easy virtue, may at firft ftagger the reader, and make him doubt a connexion, which is, however, fo univerfally known in the polite world, that it would call a man's knowledge of the ton in question, to hefitate a moment giving credit to it. It feldom happens that a beautiful woman makes her appearance in a brilliant fphere in the world of intrigue, but she pays the debt of curiofity to the public, who eagerly devour the intelligence. Mifs Harriet Pl has, neverthelefs, till now remained unnoticed in print, though the gay and polite will, doubtlefs, find fome entertainment in her memoirs, with which we here prefent our readers. This lady is the daughter of an apothecary, who refided in the Borough, and who, after giving her a very genteel education, found his bufinefs fo far diminifh, and the demands from his creditors fo preffing, that he was incapable of fupporting her in a manner he wifhed, and to which he had been accustomed. She had formed an acquaintance amongst the genteeleft ladies in her neighbourhood; and the elegance of her manner, united to the beauty of her person, could not fail giving pleasure to all who beheld her. Scarce any party was formed in the circle of her friends, without Mifs PII being invited. So fine a giri could not fail having many admirers; but but the state of her father's affairs being whispered, the found but few who talked upon difinterested terms, and fuch as made thofe proposals did not promise a very honourable alliance. Nevertheless, he had reafon to think, without vanity, that the was entitled to a husband, at least of a genteel profeffion, and therefore the would liften to no other. Mr. P-Il's affairs ftill declining, his embarraffments operated fo forcibly upon him, that in a fhort time he paid the great debt of na ture. Harriet was now thrown parentless upon the world, though for a time fhe found fome affiftance from her friends, but the alfo found that their amicable profeffions cooled in proportion as her wants increased. In this fituation her nurse slept in, and adminiftering to her immediate neceffities, perfuaded her to liften to the propofals of a gentleman, who the was informed was deeply enamoured with her. Diftrefs prevailed, and the yielded to his entreaties. Some months glided away, whilft dilipation and pleafure fupplied the place of reflexion. Her friend now propofed going abroad, and fhe was once more fenfible of the frowns of fortune. Another and another lover fucceeded to the first, but ftill Harriet preferved fo much delicacy, that intereft alone could not prevail upon her: where he had not fome penchant, fome predilection, in vain were bank notes prefented; they were returned with difdain, even when fhe had preffing occafion for them. She entertained a strong prepoffeffion in favour of Mr. S. , and though his fortune was not ample, his manners and fentiments were fo endearing, that they more than compenfated for the want of riches; but, as it often happens, the moft amiable characters are not always the moft fortunate, his affairs were embarraffed, and it was not in her power to affift him. - This connexion being unavoidably broken off, fhe was once more driven to ex pedients for a fupport. In this fituation ihe became acquainted with Charlotte Hayes, who ftrongly intreated Mifs P-11 to live with her; the bait was alluring; grandeur, elegance, and luxury were too forcible for her to refift; fhe refigned herfelf to the dictates of that fkilful abbefs, who made a confiderable emolument of Harriet's charms, which were still in their meridian luftre. Though fo deeply initiated in the myfteries of Venus, the ftill retained a delicacy of fentiment that was feldom met with in fuch feminaries. Men of tafte and refinement conftantly gave her the preference, as her converfation was never tinctured with that ribaldry which women, who devote themfelves to pleasure, indifcriminately mistake for wit and enter tainment. They are feldom convinced of their error till, by habitual perfeverance, it is impracticable to remedy it; and ere this they are funk into the gulf of mifery, and perhaps disease, when a reformation would be of no fervice to them. Add to this refinement in behaviour, her uncommon good fenfe, vivacity, and judgment, which the difplayed upon moft occafions; and it will not be furprizing that a female, with fo much beauty, fhould have a numerous train of admirers. Among these there were many who propofed no other gratification than the plea fure of converfation, or the amusement of a game at cards; for which, however, they never failed making a very ample recompenfe. In this lift was a certain foreign count, many years known in the diplomatic body, as well for his attachment as his generofity to the ladies. The ultimate point of his embraces never extended beyond a civil falute upon the lips. Two noble lords, and a viscount, were in the fame clafs of her lovers. Thefe are the kind of admirers, whom females that move in Harriet's sphere, have the greateft veneration for: neither their conftitution or their beauty fuffers, on these occafions, and they have an opportunity of referving them for more ardent adorers, whofe paffions are too warm to be gratified merely by words and looks. We now approach the period when our hero and heroine formed an acquaintance. Lord S-faw her at Vauxhall, and being introduced by a friend, who was upon a good understanding with her companion, they fupped together, and paffed a very focial evening. He foon difcerned, by the turn of her converfation, that he was far fuperior to the generality of ladies, who admit cafual lovers; her perfon was irrefiftible; and he found in Harriet fuch attractions, as convinced him fhe was the only woman who could make him completely happy. He loft no opportunity to withdraw her from Charlotte's, and having furnished her a genteel house in the new buildings, he came and refided entirely with her. Fruition, fo far from cloying, added freth vigour to his paffion, and he took every occafion to teftify his regard and efteem for her. Amongst other prefents which he made her, was a very handsome |