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of my age, when I was so fortunate, or unfortunate, as you decree, to behold the resistless charms of the most engaging. But of this enough. I wish I could guess at what was the most prevailing passion in your breast. Give me leave then to consider you as a woman with a share and proportion of pride, but so much as is barely ornamental. Here vanity will naturally take place, and incline you to the love of wealth, honour, &c. You will then imagine that this comes from a blue, green, or red ribband, which is from neither. But every thing that is good and great, every joy and bliss, will be complete in him, when you are in his arms. If settlements are to take place, what I can offer will, I hope, be not unequal to your fortune, though inferior to your deserts. I wish Heaven had made me master of every thing you desire, that every inclination of yours might be satisfied. If you are disposed to think seriously on this point, there must be a provision for the younger children, which Providence will not fail, under honest industry, to bless us with. This is the first proposal I have ever made, and I may be unacquainted with the form; in which if I have erred, I hope you can have goodness enough in your heart to forgive your lover. But I must here take the additional name of friend, and earnestly exhort you, as it concerns the duty of your religion, yourself, and all that is dear and near to you, never to marry a man that you cannot unite with even in soul. Here is the harmony, the bliss of a married state; which I most sincerely wish you happy in, though it ends in my own ruin. But this you are not to hope for, if you would violate a

true

may

true passion with the consideration of riches, titles, or such glittering toys. The decrees of Heaven are against you, and cry aloud, Revenge! What remains for me is, to assure you, that, without vanity, I love myself exceeding well, and can heartily love you if you will do so too. Begin then to dispose yourself that way; consult Heaven, and ask whether your gratitude is not concerned. Arguments be more prevailing from your generous temper, if you will use them, than any I can offer; and I believe you generous in every thing but towards me. No news sticks to me, but of the sufferings of mankind. There is an unhappy gentleman, whom I dare not describe lest you should discover him, who is seemingly very restless in mind and temper, seeks amusement and diversion every evening in the several theatres of the Hay-market and Drury-lane, &c. But the most harmonious elegance of the first seems an ungrateful discord; and even the wit and humour, with which your Father has so happily furnished the latter, cannot divert his thoughts in the absence of his Daughter.

Who can be barbarous enough to laugh at misfortunes when they themselves have occasioned them? My passion is too singular to need a name, or to be imputed to any other than

The slighted and unhappy POLYDORE *.

* Mr. Trevor was at this time one of his Majesty's Justices of the Grand Sessions for the counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan; and was appointed one of the King's Counsel, May 15, 1730. By his interest Mr. Alexander Scurlock, an attorney, was made prothonotary of the abovementioned counties in January 1729-30.

508. MR. MEYRICKE TO MRS. LLOYD.

PONTVANE, NOV. 25, 1730.

DEAR COUSIN LLOYD,

SINCE I have been driven out of Paradise, I have long wandered up and down forlorn and desolate: at length have reached Pontvane, where my spirits are animated with a large glass of generous wine to your more generous health, and I am just supported by the delightful cordial of a healing and honest friendship. Having great confidence in John Trelogan, I have taken leave to send you six dozen of wine, carriage paid: it is the blushings of Milford, and, I hope, very good; but excuse me if I recommend it to be kept warm in straw, for it must not be chilled, or it will lose its true flavour and spirit. It savours so much of my own temper, that I would have it encouraged by a due proportion of warmth; and, in similitude, I am bold to say, it will prove very good upon trial. In the great inquietude of my soul, give me leave to return to the only subject I can think of. Recommend me to the sprightly boy William, who, I cannot forget, promised me his guardian care as a Cupid over the heart which he only can warm. Thou little God, dispose her as a reward to thy truest servant! Were the degrees of my affection less engaged, I should be less troublesome; but do, dear Madam, indulge me in common with my friends to complain, and favour me with your wishes; Heaven will reward you for it. Oh, I could dwell upon this subject eternally; but

the

the different passions of love and despair torture me to madness! We are told that afflictions are sometimes sent from Heaven to direct us in our way thither; I wish I could bear them more calmly. Sighs and languishments are my allotment; but, I thank Heaven, I have religion enough to adore the hand from whence they are sent. Methinks I am interrupted by your sudden appearance in the room, where an easy, good-natured, affable sweetness, stands gracefully recommended. Allow me, Madam, most thankfully to own the civilities of your house, which I most heartily wish I could be so happy as to return, at London, Holland-house, or any other air that she could like. Sure, I could live for ever any where with her, but no where without her; but, living or dying, I shall be always, in the deepest sense of obligation,

Dear Madam,

Your most truly obliged,

affectionate cousin,

and most obedient humble servant,

ESSEX Mck MEYRICKE.

Every happiness attend your little family. My service waits on dear, dear Mrs. Bevan. If there was another pen to be had, I would endeavour to send you a fairer impression of my mind, always bad, but never, never worse than this, which you have goodness enough to excuse. You may, in some measure, read the disorder of my mind in the hurry of my hand.

509. TO E. S. *

[1731.]

ARTLESS believe my vows, my dear;
Believe the heart you've won, sincere ;
My dearest life, more generous prove;
Be kind, and crown my constant love :
Let Emma's story be reviv'd in thee,
And what she was to Henry, be to me;
Then Henry's constancy shall yield to mine,
And Emma's fame shall be eclips'd by thine.
From

* Elizabeth Steele.

year.

t "James Philips, of Penty-park, esq. in the county of Pembroke, to whom Mrs. E. Steele, daughter to the late Sir R. Steele, for whom a duel was lately fought at the Bath,” is said to have been married at that place, May 26, 1731, "Gent. Mag." vol. I. p. 222; and in the "Political State" for that In the latter of these works she is said to have had "a fortune of 10,000l." That this intelligence was of the same complection with that mentioned in p. 659, of her marrying Mr. Harcourt, will appear by the following article: "Tuesday morning, John Trevor, esq. youngest son of the late Lord Trevor, was married to Miss Steele, daughter of the late Sir Richard Steele, knt. a young lady of fine accomplishments, and very considerable fortune." The Universal Spectator, June 3, 1732.-The degree of consanguinity between Mr. Trevor and the Marlborough family will appear by the following extract from the same paper: "On Tuesday the Right Hon. the Earl of Sunderland was married to Miss Trevor, the only daughter of the Right Hon. the Lord Trevor, an agreeable young lady of 20,000l. fortune. The ceremony was performed at the Lord Trevor's seat at East Barnet." Ibid. May 27, 1732.-The duel was between Mr. Philips and Mr. Harcourt; but I find no particulars of it in print."Two fools," Lady Trevor has been often heard to say, "fought a battle for me at Lansdown; for which reason I would marry neither

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