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action； we paraded solemnly and slowly before his lordship's
gate； which we passed three times in such a manner； that he could
not but see us； and suspect the cause of our appearance。 After
dinner we returned； and performed the same cavalcade； which was
again repeated the morning following； but we had no occasion to
persist in these manoeuvres。 About noon； we were visited by the
gentleman； at whose house we had first seen lord Oxmington。 He
now came to make apologies in the name of his lordship； who
declared he had no intention to give offence to my uncle； in
practising what had been always the custom of his house； and that
as for the indignities which had been put upon the officer； they
were offered without his Lordship's knowledge； at the instigation
of his valet de chambre。 'If that be the case （said my uncle； in
a peremptory tone）； I shall be contented with lord Oxmington's
personal excuses； and I hope my friend will be satisfied with his
lordship's turning that insolent rascal out of his service。'
'Sir （cried Lismahago）； I must insist upon taking personal
vengeance for the personal injuries I have sustained。'
After some debate； the affair was adjusted in this manner。 His
lordship； meeting us at our friend's house； declared he was sorry
for what had happened； and that he had no intention to give
umbrage。 The valet de chambre asked pardon of the lieutenant
upon his knees； when Lismahago； to the astonishment of all
present； gave him a violent kick on the face； which laid him on
his back； exclaiming in a furious tone； 'Oui je te pardonne； gens
foutre。'
Such was the fortunate issue of this perilous adventure； which
threatened abundance of vexation to our family； for the 'squire
is one of those who will sacrifice both life and fortune； rather
than leave what they conceive to be the least speck or blemish
upon their honour and reputation。 His lordship had no sooner
pronounced his apology； with a very bad grace； than he went away
in some disorder； and； I dare say； he will never invite another
Welchman to his table。
We forthwith quitted the field of this atchievement； in order to
prosecute our journey； but we follow no determinate course。 We
make small deviations； to see the remarkable towns； villas； and
curiosities on each side of our route； so that we advance by slow
steps towards the borders of Monmouthshire： but in the midst of
these irregular motions； there is no abberration nor eccentricity
in that affection with which I am； dear Wat；
Yours always；
J。 MELFORD
Sept。 28。
To Dr LEWIS。
DEAR DICK；
At what time of life may a man think himself exempted from the
necessity of sacrificing his repose to the punctilios of a
contemptible world？ I have been engaged in a ridiculous
adventure； which I shall recount at meeting； and this； I hope；
will not be much longer delayed； as we have now performed almost
all our visits； and seen every thing that I think has any right
to retard us in our journey homewards A few days ago；
understanding by accident； that my old friend Baynard was in the
country； I would not pass so near his habitation without paying
him a visit； though our correspondence had been interrupted for a
long course of years。
I felt my self very sensibly affected by the idea of our past
intimacy； as we approached the place where we had spent so many
happy days together； but when we arrived at the house； I could
not recognize any one of those objects； which had been so deeply
impressed upon my remembrance The tall oaks that shaded the
avenue； had been cut down； and the iron gates at the end of it
removed； together with the high wall that surrounded the court
yard。 The house itself； which was formerly a convent of
Cistercian monks； had a venerable appearance： and along the front
that looked into the garden； was a stone gallery； which afforded
me many an agreeable walk； when I was disposed to be
contemplative。 Now the old front is covered with a screen of
modern architecture； so that all without is Grecian； and all
within Gothic。 As for the garden； which was well stocked with the
best fruit which England could produce； there is not now the
least vestage remaining of trees； walls； or hedges Nothing
appears but a naked circus of loose sand； with a dry bason and a
leaden triton in the middle。
You must know； that Baynard； at his father's death； had a clear
estate of fifteen hundred pounds a…year； and was in other
respects extremely well qualified to make a respectable figure in
the commonwealth； but； what with some excesses of youth； and the
expence of a contested election； he in a few years found himself
encumbered with a debt of ten thousand pounds； which he resolved
to discharge by means of a prudent marriage。 He accordingly
married a miss Thomson； whose fortune amounted to double the sum
that he owed She was the daughter of a citizen； who had failed
in trade； but her fortune came by an uncle； who died in the East…Indies
Her own parents being dead； she lived with a maiden aunt；
who had superintended her education； and； in all appearance； was
well enough qualified for the usual purposes of the married
state Her virtues； however； stood rather upon a negative； than a
positive foundation She was neither proud； insolent； nor
capricious； nor given to scandal； nor addicted to gaming； nor
inclined to gallantry。 She could read； and write； and dance； and
sing； and play upon the harpsichord； and smatter French； and take
a hand at whist and ombre； but even these accomplishments she
possessed by halves She excelled in nothing。 Her conversation
was flat； her stile mean； and her expression embarrassed In a
word； her character was totally insipid。 Her person was not
disagreeable； but there was nothing graceful in her address； nor
engaging in her manners； and she was so ill qualified to do the
honours of the house； that when she sat at the head of the table；
one was always looking for the mistress of the family in some
other place。
Baynard had flattered himself； that it would be no difficult
matter to mould such a subject after his own fashion； and that
she would chearfully enter into his views； which were wholly
turned to domestic happiness。 He proposed to reside always in the
country； of which he was fond to a degree of enthusiasm； to
cultivate his estate； which was very improvable； to enjoy the
exercise of rural diversions； to maintain an intimacy of
correspondence with some friends that were settled in his
neighbourhood； to keep a comfortable house； without suffering his
expence to exceed the limits of his income； and to find pleasure
and employ merit for his wife in the management and avocations
of her own family This； however； was a visionary scheme； which
he never was able to realize。 His wife was as ignorant as a new…born
babe of everything that related to the conduct of a family；
and she had no idea of a country…life。 Her understanding did not
reach so far as to comprehend the first principles of discretion；
and； indeed； if her capacity had been better than it was； her
natural indolence would not have permitted her to abandon a
certain routine； to which she had been habituated。 She had