按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
is middle order of mankind are generally to be found all the arts； wisdom； and virtues of society。 This order alone is known to be the true preserver of freedom； and may be called the People。 Now it may happen that this middle order of mankind may lose all its influence in a state； and its voice be in a manner drowned in that of the rabble： for if the fortune sufficient for qualifying a person at present to give his voice in state affairs； be ten times less than was judged sufficient upon forming the constitution； it is evident that greater numbers of the rabble will thus be introduced into the political system； and they ever moving in the vortex of the great； will follow where greatness shall direct。 In such a state； therefore； all that the middle order has left； is to preserve the prerogative and privileges of the one principal governor with the most sacred circumspection。 For he divides the power of the rich； and calls off the great from falling with tenfold weight on the middle order placed beneath them。 The middle order may be compared to a town of which the opulent are forming the siege； and which the governor from without is hastening the relief。 While the besiegers are in dread of an enemy over them； it is but natural to offer the townsmen the most specious terms； to flatter them with sounds； and amuse them with privileges： but if they once defeat the governor from behind； the walls of the town will be but a small defence to its inhabitants。 What they may then expect； may be seen by turning our eyes to Holland； Genoa； or Venice； where the laws govern the poor； and the rich govern the law。 I am then for； and would die for； monarchy； sacred monarchy； for if there be any thing sacred amongst men； it must be the anointed sovereign of his people； and every diminution of his power in war； or in peace； is an infringement upon the real liberties of the subject。 The sounds of liberty； patriotism； and Britons； have already done much； it is to be hoped that the true sons of freedom will prevent their ever doing more。 I have known many of those pretended champions for liberty in my time； yet do I not remember one that was not in his heart and in his family a tyrant。'
My warmth I found had lengthened this harangue beyond the rules of good breeding： but the impatience of my entertainer； who often strove to interrupt it； could be restrained no longer。 'What；' cried he； 'then I have been all this while entertaining a Jesuit in parson's cloaths； but by all the coal mines of Cornwall； out he shall pack； if my name be Wilkinson。' I now found I had gone too far； and asked pardon for the warmth with which I had spoken。 'Pardon；' returned he in a fury： 'I think such principles demand ten thousand pardons。 What； give up liberty； property； and； as the Gazetteer says； lie down to be saddled with wooden shoes！ Sir； I insist upon your marching out of this house immediately； to prevent worse consequences； Sir； I insist upon it。' I was going to repeat my rernonstrances； but just then we heard a footman's rap at the door； and the two ladies cried out； 'As sure as death there is our master and mistress come home。' It seems my entertainer was all this while only the butler； who； in his master's absence； had a mind to cut a figure； and be for a while the gentleman himself； and； to say the truth； he talked politics as well as most country gentlemen do。 But nothing could now exceed my confusion upon seeing the gentleman； and his lady； enter； nor was their surprize； at finding such company and good cheer； less than ours。 'Gentlemen；' cried the real master of the house； to me and my companion； 'my wife and I are your most humble servants； but I protest this is so unexpected a favour； that we almost sink under the obligation。' However unexpected our company might be to them； theirs； I am sure； was still more so to us； and I was struck dumb with the apprehensions of my own absurdity； when whom should I next see enter the room but my dear miss Arabella Wilmot； who was formerly designed to be married to my son George； but whose match was broken off； as already related。 As soon as she saw me； she flew to my arms with the utmost joy。 'My dear sir；' cried she； 'to what happy accident is it that we owe so unexpected a visit？ I am sure my uncle and aunt will be in raptures when they find they have the good Dr Primrose for their guest。' Upon hearing my name； the old gentleman and lady very politely stept up； and welcomed me with most cordial hospitality。 Nor could they forbear smiling upon being informed of the nature of my present visit： but the unfortunate butler； whom they at first seemed disposed to turn away； was； at my intercession； forgiven。
Mr Arnold and his lady； to whom the house belonged； now insisted upon having the pleasure of my stay for some days； and as their niece； my charming pupil； whose mind； in some measure； had been formed under my own instructions； joined in their entreaties。 I complied。 That night I was shewn to a magnificent chamber； and the next morning early Miss Wilmot desired to walk with me in the garden； which was decorated in the modern manner。 After some time spent in pointing out the beauties of the place； she enquired with seeming unconcern； when last I had heard from my son George。 'Alas！ Madam；' cried I； 'he has now been near three years absent； without ever writing to his friends or me。 Where he is I know not； perhaps I shall never see him or happiness more。 No； my dear Madam； we shall never more see such pleasing hours as were once spent by our fire…side at Wakefield。 My little family are now dispersing very fast； and poverty has brought not only want； but infamy upon us。' The good…natured girl let fall a tear at this account； but as I saw her possessed of too much sensibility； I forbore a more minute detail of our sufferings。 It was； however； some consolation to me to find that time had made no alteration in her affections； and that she had rejected several matches that had been made her since our leaving her part of the country。 She led me round all the extensive improvements of the place； pointing to the several walks and arbours； and at the same time catching from every object a hint for some new question relative to my son。 In this manner we spent the forenoon； till the bell summoned us in to dinner； where we found the manager of the strolling company that I mentioned before； who was come to dispose of tickets for the Fair Penitent； which was to be acted that evening； the part of Horatio by a young gentleman who had never appeared on any stage。 He seemed to be very warm in the praises of the new performer； and averred； that he never saw any who bid so fair for excellence。 Acting； he observed； was not learned in a day； 'But this gentleman；' continued he； 'seems born to tread the stage。 His voice； his figure； and attitudes； are all admirable。 We caught him up accidentally in our journey down。' This account； in some measure； excited our curiosity； and； at the entreaty of the ladies； I was prevailed upon to accompany them to the play…house； which was no other than a barn。 As the company with which I went was incontestably the chief of the place； we were received with the greatest respect； and placed in the front seat of the