第18章

Mr。WebbthoughttheseversesquiteasfineasMr。Addison"sontheBlenheimCampaign，and，indeed，tobeHectoralamodedeParis，waspartofthisgallantgentleman"sambition。Itwouldhavebeendifficulttofindanofficerinthewholearmy，oramongstthesplendidcourtiersandcavaliersoftheMaisonduRoy，thatfoughtunderVendosmeandVilleroyinthearmyopposedtoours，whowasamoreaccomplishedsoldierandperfectgentleman，andeitherbraverorbetter—looking。AndifMr。Webbbelievedofhimselfwhattheworldsaidofhim，andwasdeeplyconvincedofhisownindisputablegenius，beauty，andvalor，whohasarighttoquarrelwithhimverymuch？Thisself—contentofhiskepthimingeneralgood—humor，ofwhichhisfriendsanddependantsgotthebenefit。

HecameofaveryancientWiltshirefamily，whichherespectedaboveallfamiliesintheworld:hecouldprovealinealdescentfromKingEdwardtheFirst，andhisfirstancestor，RoaldusdeRichmond，rodebyWilliamtheConqueror"ssideonHastingsfield。

"Weweregentlemen，Esmond，"heusedtosay，"whentheChurchillswerehorse—boys。"Hewasaverytallman，standinginhispumpssixfeetthreeinches（inhisgreatjack—boots，withhistallfairperiwig，andhatandfeather，hecouldnothavebeenlessthaneightfeethigh）。"IamtallerthanChurchill，"hewouldsay，surveyinghimselfintheglass，"andIamabettermademan;andifthewomenwon"tlikeamanthathasn"tawartonhisnose，faith，I

can"thelpmyself，andChurchillhasthebetterofmethere。"

Indeed，hewasalwaysmeasuringhimselfwiththeDuke，andalwaysaskinghisfriendstomeasurethem。Andtalkinginthisfrankway，ashewoulddo，overhiscups，wagswouldlaughandencouragehim;

friendswouldbesorryforhim;schemersandflattererswouldegghimon，andtale—bearerscarrythestoriestoheadquarters，andwidenthedifferencewhichalreadyexistedthere，betweenthegreatcaptainandoneoftheablestandbravestlieutenantsheeverhad。

HisrancoragainsttheDukewassoapparent，thatonesawitinthefirsthalf—hour"sconversationwithGeneralWebb;andhislady，whoadoredherGeneral，andthoughthimahundredtimestaller，handsomer，andbraverthanaprodigalnaturehadmadehim，hatedthegreatDukewithsuchanintensityasitbecomesfaithfulwivestofeelagainsttheirhusbands"enemies。NotthatmyLordDukewassoyet;Mr。Webbhadsaidathousandthingsagainsthim，whichhissuperiorhadpardoned;andhisGrace，whosespieswereeverywhere，hadheardathousandthingsmorethatWebbhadneversaid。Butitcostthisgreatmannopainstopardon;andhepassedoveraninjuryorabenefitalikeeasily。

Shouldanychildofminetakethepainstoreadthesehisancestor"smemoirs，IwouldnothavehimjudgeofthegreatDuke*

bywhatacontemporaryhaswrittenofhim。Nomanhathbeensoimmenselylaudedanddecriedasthisgreatstatesmanandwarrior;

as，indeed，nomaneverdeservedbettertheverygreatestpraiseandthestrongestcensure。Ifthepresentwriterjoinswiththelatterfaction，verylikelyaprivatepiqueofhisownmaybethecauseofhisill—feeling。

*ThispassageintheMemoirsofEsmondiswrittenonaleafinsertedintotheMS。book，anddated1744，probablyafterhehadheardoftheDuchess"sdeath。

OnpresentinghimselfattheCommander—in—Chief"slevee，hisGracehadnottheleastremembranceofGeneralLumley"saide—de—camp，andthoughheknewEsmond"sfamilyperfectlywell，havingservedwithbothlords（myLordFrancisandtheViscountEsmond"sfather）inFlanders，andintheDukeofYork"sGuard，theDukeofMarlborough，whowasfriendlyandserviceabletothe（so—styled）legitimaterepresentativesoftheViscountCastlewood，tooknosortofnoticeofthepoorlieutenantwhoboretheirname。Awordofkindnessoracknowledgment，orasingleglanceofapprobation，mighthavechangedEsmond"sopinionofthegreatman;andinsteadofasatire，whichhispencannothelpwriting，whoknowsbutthatthehumblehistorianmighthavetakentheothersideofpanegyric？Wehavebuttochangethepointofview，andthegreatestactionlooksmean;asweturntheperspective—glass，andagiantappearsapigmy。Youmaydescribe，butwhocantellwhetheryoursightisclearornot，oryourmeansofinformationaccurate？Hadthegreatmansaidbutawordofkindnesstothesmallone（ashewouldhavesteppedoutofhisgiltchariottoshakehandswithLazarusinragsandsores，ifhethoughtLazaruscouldhavebeenofanyservicetohim），nodoubtEsmondwouldhavefoughtforhimwithpenandswordtotheutmostofhismight;butmylordtheliondidnotwantmastermouseatthismoment，andsoMuscipuluswentoffandnibbledinopposition。

Soitwas，however，thatayounggentleman，who，intheeyesofhisfamily，andinhisown，doubtless，waslookeduponasaconsummatehero，foundthatthegreatheroofthedaytooknomorenoticeofhimthanofthesmallestdrummerinhisGrace"sarmy。TheDowageratChelseywasfuriousagainstthisneglectofherfamily，andhadagreatbattlewithLadyMarlborough（asLadyCastlewoodinsistedoncallingtheDuchess）。HerGracewasnowMistressoftheRobestoherMajesty，andoneofthegreatestpersonagesinthiskingdom，asherhusbandwasinallEurope，andthebattlebetweenthetwoladiestookplaceintheQueen"sdrawing—room。

TheDuchess，inreplytomyaunt"seagerclamor，saidhaughtily，thatshehaddoneherbestforthelegitimatebranchoftheEsmonds，andcouldnotbeexpectedtoprovideforthebastardbratsofthefamily。

"Bastards！"saystheViscountess，inafury。"TherearebastardsamongtheChurchills，asyourGraceknows，andtheDukeofBerwickisprovidedforwellenough。"

"Madam，"saystheDuchess，"youknowwhosefaultitisthattherearenosuchdukesintheEsmondfamilytoo，andhowthatlittleschemeofacertainladymiscarried。"

Esmond"sfriend，DickSteele，whowasinwaitingonthePrince，heardthecontroversybetweentheladiesatcourt。"Andfaith，"

saysDick，"Ithink，Harry，thykinswomanhadtheworstofit。"

Hecouldnotkeepthestoryquiet;"twasalloverthecoffee—houseserenight;itwasprintedinaNewsLetterbeforeamonthwasover，and"ThereplyofherGracetheDuchessofM—rlb—r—ghtoaPopishLadyoftheCourt，onceafavoriteofthelateK———J—m—s，"wasprintedinhalfadozenplaces，withanotestatingthat"thisduchess，whentheheadofthislady"sfamilycamebyhisdeathlatelyinafatalduel，neverresteduntilshegotapensionfortheorphanheir，andwidow，fromherMajesty"sbounty。"ThesquabbledidnotadvancepoorEsmond"spromotionmuch，andindeedmadehimsoashamedofhimselfthathedarednotshowhisfaceattheCommander—in—Chief"sleveesagain。

DuringthoseeighteenmonthswhichhadpassedsinceEsmondsawhisdearmistress，hergoodfather，theoldDean，quittedthislife，firminhisprinciplestotheverylast，andenjoininghisfamilyalwaystorememberthattheQueen"sbrother，KingJamestheThird，wastheirrightfulsovereign。Hemadeaveryedifyingend，ashisdaughtertoldEsmond，andnotalittletohersurprise，afterhisdeath（forhehadlivedalwaysverypoorly）myladyfoundthatherfatherhadleftnolessasumthan3，000L。behindhim，whichhebequeathedtoher。

WiththislittlefortuneLadyCastlewoodwasenabled，whenherdaughter"sturnatCourtcame，tocometoLondon，whereshetookasmallgenteelhouseatKensington，intheneighborhoodoftheCourt，bringingherchildrenwithher，andhereitwasthatEsmondfoundhisfriends。

Asfortheyounglord，hisuniversitycareerhadendedratherabruptly。HonestTusher，hisgovernor，hadfoundmyyounggentlemanquiteungovernable。Mylordworriedhislifeawaywithtricks;andbrokeout，ashome—bredladswill，intoahundredyouthfulextravagances，sothatDr。Bentley，thenewmasterofTrinity，thoughtfittowritetotheViscountessCastlewood，mylord"smother，andbeghertoremovetheyoungnoblemanfromacollegewherehedeclinedtolearn，andwhereheonlydidharmbyhisriotousexample。Indeed，IbelievehenearlysetfiretoNevil"sCourt，thatbeautifulnewquadrangleofourcollege，whichSirChristopherWrenhadlatelybuilt。Heknockeddownaproctor"smanthatwantedtoarresthiminamidnightprank;hegaveadinner—partyonthePrinceofWales"sbirthday，whichwaswithinafortnightofhisown，andthetwentyyounggentlementhenpresentsalliedoutaftertheirwine，havingtoastedKingJames"shealthwithopenwindows，andsungcavaliersongs，andshouted"GodsavetheKing！"inthegreatcourt，sothatthemastercameoutofhislodgeatmidnight，anddissipatedtheriotousassembly。

Thiswasmylord"scrowningfreak，andtheRev。ThomasTusher，domesticchaplaintotheRightHonorabletheLordViscountCastlewood，findinghisprayersandsermonsofnoearthlyavailtohislordship，gaveuphisdutiesofgovernor;wentandmarriedhisbrewer"swidowatSouthampton，andtookherandhermoneytohisparsonagehouseatCastlewood。

MyladycouldnotbeangrywithhersonfordrinkingKingJames"shealth，beingherselfaloyalTory，asalltheCastlewoodfamilywere，andacquiescedwithasigh，knowing，perhaps，thatherrefusalwouldbeofnoavailtotheyounglord"sdesireforamilitarylife。ShewouldhavelikedhimtobeinMr。Esmond"sregiment，hopingthatHarrymightactasaguardianandadvisertohiswaywardyoungkinsman;butmyyounglordwouldhearofnothingbuttheGuards，andacommissionwasgotforhimintheDukeofOrmond"sregiment;soEsmondfoundmylord，ensignandlieutenant，whenhereturnedfromGermanyaftertheBlenheimcampaign。

TheeffectproducedbybothLadyCastlewood"schildrenwhentheyappearedinpublicwasextraordinary，andthewholetownspeedilyrangwiththeirfame:suchabeautifulcouple，itwasdeclared，neverhadbeenseen;theyoungmaidofhonorwastoastedateverytableandtavern，andasformyyounglord，hisgoodlookswereevenmoreadmiredthanhissister"s。Ahundredsongswerewrittenaboutthepair，andasthefashionofthatdaywas，myyounglordwaspraisedintheseAnacreonticsaswarmlyasBathyllus。Youmaybesurethatheacceptedverycomplacentlythetown"sopinionofhim，andacquiescedwiththatfranknessandcharminggood—humorhealwaysshowedintheideathathewastheprettiestfellowinallLondon。

TheoldDowageratChelsey，thoughshecouldneverbegottoacknowledgethatMistressBeatrixwasanybeautyatall，（inwhichopinion，asitmaybeimagined，avastnumberoftheladiesagreedwithher），yet，ontheveryfirstsightofyoungCastlewood，sheownedshefellinlovewithhim:andHenryEsmond，onhisreturntoChelsey，foundhimselfquitesupersededinherfavorbyheryoungerkinsman。ThefeatofdrinkingtheKing"shealthatCambridgewouldhavewonherheart，shesaid，ifnothingelsedid。"Howhadthedearyoungfellowgotsuchbeauty？"sheasked。"Notfromhisfather——certainlynotfromhismother。Howhadhecomebysuchnoblemanners，andtheperfectbelair？ThatcountrifiedWalcotewidowcouldneverhavetaughthim。"EsmondhadhisownopinionaboutthecountrifiedWalcotewidow，whohadaquietgraceandserenekindness，thathadalwaysseemedtohimtheperfectionofgoodbreeding，thoughhedidnottrytoarguethispointwithhisaunt。ButhecouldagreeinmostofthepraiseswhichtheenrapturedolddowagerbestowedonmyLordViscount，thanwhomheneverbeheldamorefascinatingandcharminggentleman。Castlewoodhadnotwitsomuchasenjoyment。"Theladlooksgoodthings，"Mr。

Steeleusedtosay;"andhislaughlightsupaconversationasmuchastenreparteesfromMr。Congreve。IwouldassoonsitoverabottlewithhimaswithMr。Addison;andratherlistentohistalkthanhearNicolini。WasevermansogracefullydrunkasmyLordCastlewood？Iwouldgiveanythingtocarrymywine（though，indeed，Dickborehisverykindly，andplentyofit，too），"likethisincomparableyoungman。Whenheissoberheisdelightful;

andwhentipsy，perfectlyirresistible。"Andreferringtohisfavorite，Shakspeare（whowasquiteoutoffashionuntilSteelebroughthimbackintothemode），DickcomparedLordCastlewoodtoPrinceHal，andwaspleasedtodubEsmondasancientPistol。

TheMistressoftheRobes，thegreatestladyinEnglandaftertheQueen，orevenbeforeherMajesty，astheworldsaid，thoughshenevercouldbegottosayacivilwordtoBeatrix，whomshehadpromotedtoherplaceasmaidofhonor，tookherbrotherintoinstantfavor。WhenyoungCastlewood，inhisnewuniform，andlookinglikeaprinceoutofafairytale，wenttopayhisdutytoherGrace，shelookedathimforaminuteinsilence，theyoungmanblushingandinconfusionbeforeher，thenfairlyburstouta—

crying，andkissedhimbeforeherdaughtersandcompany。"Hewasmyboy"sfriend，"shesaid，throughhersobs。"MyBlandfordmighthavebeenlikehim。"Andeverybodysaw，afterthismarkoftheDuchess"sfavor，thatmyyounglord"spromotionwassecure，andpeoplecrowdedroundthefavorite"sfavorite，whobecamevainerandgayer，andmoregood—humoredthanever。

MeanwhileMadamBeatrixwasmakingherconquestsonherownside，andamongstthemwasonepoorgentleman，whohadbeenshotbyheryoungeyestwoyearsbefore，andhadneverbeenquitecuredofthatwound;heknew，tobesure，howhopelessanypassionmightbe，directedinthatquarter，andhadtakenthatbest，thoughignoble，remediumamoris，aspeedyretreatfrombeforethecharmer，andalongabsencefromher;andnotbeingdangerouslysmitteninthefirstinstance，Esmondprettysoongotthebetterofhiscomplaint，andifhehaditstill，didnotknowhehadit，andboreiteasily。

ButwhenhereturnedafterBlenheim，theyoungladyofsixteen，whohadappearedthemostbeautifulobjecthiseyeshadeverlookedontwoyearsback，wasnowadvancedtoaperfectripenessandperfectionofbeauty，suchasinstantlyenthralledthepoordevil，whohadalreadybeenafugitivefromhercharms。Thenhehadseenherbutfortwodays，andfled;nowhebeheldherdayafterday，andwhenshewasatCourtwatchedafterher;whenshewasathome，madeoneofthefamilyparty;whenshewentabroad，rodeafterhermother"schariot;whensheappearedinpublicplaces，wasintheboxnearher，orinthepitlookingather;whenshewenttochurchwassuretobethere，thoughhemightnotlistentothesermon，andbereadytohandhertoherchairifshedeignedtoacceptofhisservices，andselecthimfromascoreofyoungmenwhowerealwayshangingroundabouther。Whenshewentaway，accompanyingherMajestytoHamptonCourt，adarknessfelloverLondon。Gods，whatnightshasEsmondpassed，thinkingofher，rhymingabouther，talkingabouther！HisfriendDickSteelewasatthistimecourtingtheyounglady，Mrs。Scurlock，whomhemarried;shehadalodginginKensingtonSquare，hardbymyLadyCastlewood"shousethere。DickandHarry，beingonthesameerrand，usedtomeetconstantlyatKensington。Theywerealwaysprowlingaboutthatplace，ordismallywalkingthence，oreagerlyrunningthither。

Theyemptiedscoresofbottlesatthe"King"sArms，"eachmanpratingofhislove，andallowingtheothertotalkonconditionthathemighthavehisownturnasalistener。Hencearoseanintimacybetweenthem，thoughtoalltherestoftheirfriendstheymusthavebeeninsufferable。Esmond"sversesto"GlorianaattheHarpsichord，"to"Gloriana"sNosegay，"to"GlorianaatCourt，"

appearedthisyearintheObservator。——Haveyouneverreadthem？

Theywerethoughtprettypoems，andattributedbysometoMr。

Prior。

Thispassiondidnotescape——howshouldit？——thecleareyesofEsmond"smistress:hetoldherall;whatwillamannotdowhenfranticwithlove？Towhatbasenesswillhenotdemeanhimself？

Whatpangswillhenotmakeotherssuffer，sothathemayeasehisselfishheartofapartofitsownpain？Dayafterdayhewouldseekhisdearmistress，pourinsanehopes，supplications，rhapsodies，raptures，intoherear。Shelistened，smiled，consoled，withuntiringpityandsweetness。Esmondwastheeldestofherchildren，soshewaspleasedtosay;andasforherkindness，whoeverhadorwouldlookforaughtelsefromonewhowasanangelofgoodnessandpity？Afterwhathasbeensaid，"tisneedlessalmosttoaddthatpoorEsmond"ssuitwasunsuccessful。

Whatwasanameless，pennilesslieutenanttodo，whensomeofthegreatestinthelandwereinthefield？Esmondneversomuchasthoughtofaskingpermissiontohopesofarabovehisreachasheknewthisprizewasandpassedhisfoolish，uselesslifeinmereabjectsighsandimpotentlonging。Whatnightsofrage，whatdaysoftorment，ofpassionateunfulfilleddesire，ofsickeningjealousycanherecall！Beatrixthoughtnomoreofhimthanofthelackeythatfollowedherchair。Hiscomplaintsdidnottouchherintheleast;hisrapturesratherfatiguedher;shecaredforhisversesnomorethanforDanChaucer"s，who"sdeadtheseeversomanyhundredyears;shedidnothatehim;sheratherdespisedhim，andjustsufferedhim。

Oneday，aftertalkingtoBeatrix"smother，hisdear，fond，constantmistress——forhours——foralldaylong——pouringouthisflameandhispassion，hisdespairandrage，returningagainandagaintothetheme，pacingtheroom，tearinguptheflowersonthetable，twistingandbreakingintobitsthewaxoutofthestand—

dish，andperformingahundredmadfreaksofpassionatefolly;

seeinghismistressatlastquitepaleandtiredoutwithsheerwearinessofcompassion，andwatchingoverhisfeverforthehundredthtime，Esmondseizeduphishat，andtookhisleave。AshegotintoKensingtonSquare，asenseofremorsecameoverhimforthewearisomepainhehadbeeninflictinguponthedearestandkindestfriendevermanhad。Hewentbacktothehouse，wheretheservantstillstoodattheopendoor，ranupthestairs，andfoundhismistresswherehehadleftherintheembrasureofthewindow，lookingoverthefieldstowardsChelsey。Shelaughed，wipingawayatthesametimethetearswhichwereinherkindeyes;heflunghimselfdownonhisknees，andburiedhisheadinherlap。Shehadinherhandthestalkofoneoftheflowers，apink，thathehadtorntopieces。"Oh，pardonme，pardonme，mydearestandkindest，"hesaid;"Iaminhell，andyouaretheangelthatbringsmeadropofwater。"

"Iamyourmother，youaremyson，andIloveyoualways，"shesaid，holdingherhandsoverhim:andhewentawaycomfortedandhumbledinmind，ashethoughtofthatamazingandconstantloveandtendernesswithwhichthissweetladyeverblessedandpursuedhim。

CHAPTERXI。

THEFAMOUSMR。JOSEPHADDISON。

ThegentlemenushershadatableatKensington，andtheGuardaverysplendiddinnerdailyatSt。James"s，ateitherofwhichordinariesEsmondwasfreetodine。DickSteelelikedtheGuard—

tablebetterthanhisownatthegentlemenushers"，wheretherewaslesswineandmoreceremony;andEsmondhadmanyajollyafternoonincompanyofhisfriend，andahundredtimesatleastsawDickintohischair。Ifthereisverityinwine，accordingtotheoldadage，whatanamiable—naturedcharacterDick"smusthavebeen！Inproportionashetookinwineheoverflowedwithkindness。Histalkwasnotwittysomuchascharming。Heneversaidawordthatcouldangeranybody，andonlybecamethemorebenevolentthemoretipsyhegrew。Manyofthewagsderidedthepoorfellowinhiscups，andchosehimasabuttfortheirsatire:buttherewasakindnessabouthim，andasweetplayfulfancy，thatseemedtoEsmondfarmorecharmingthanthepointedtalkofthebrightestwits，withtheirelaboratereparteesandaffectedseverities。I

thinkSteeleshoneratherthansparkled。Thosefamousbeaux—

espritsofthecoffee—houses（Mr。WilliamCongreve，forinstance，whenhisgoutandhisgrandeurpermittedhimtocomeamongus）

wouldmakemanybrillianthits——halfadozeninanightsometimes——

but，likesharp—shooters，whentheyhadfiredtheirshot，theywereobligedtoretireundercovertilltheirpieceswereloadedagain，andwaittilltheygotanotherchanceattheirenemy;whereasDickneverthoughtthathisbottlecompanionwasabutttoaimat——onlyafriendtoshakebythehand。Thepoorfellowhadhalfthetowninhisconfidence;everybodykneweverythingabouthislovesandhisdebts，hiscreditorsorhismistress"sobduracy。WhenEsmondfirstcameontothetown，honestDickwasallflamesandrapturesforayounglady，aWestIndiafortune，whomhemarried。Inacoupleofyearstheladywasdead，thefortunewasallbutspent，andthehonestwidowerwasaseagerinpursuitofanewparagonofbeauty，asifhehadnevercourtedandmarriedandburiedthelastone。

QuittingtheGuard—tableoneSundayafternoon，whenbychanceDickhadasoberfituponhim，beandhisfriendweremakingtheirwaydownGermainStreet，andDickallofasuddenlefthiscompanion"sarm，andranafteragentlemanwhowasporingoverafoliovolumeatthebook—shopneartoSt。James"sChurch。Hewasafair，tallman，inasnuff—coloredsuit，withaplainsword，verysober，andalmostshabbyinappearance——atleastwhencomparedtoCaptainSteele，wholovedtoadornhisjollyroundpersonwiththefinestofclothes，andshoneinscarletandgoldlace。TheCaptainrushedup，then，tothestudentofthebook—stall，tookhiminhisarms，huggedhim，andwouldhavekissedhim——forDickwasalwayshuggingandbussinghisfriends——buttheothersteppedbackwithaflushonhispaleface，seemingtodeclinethispublicmanifestationofSteele"sregard。

"MydearestJoe，wherehastthouhiddenthyselfthisage？"criestheCaptain，stillholdingbothhisfriend"shands;"Ihavebeenlanguishingfortheethisfortnight。"

"Afortnightisnotanage，Dick，"saystheother，verygood—

humoredly。（Hehadlightblueeyes，extraordinarybright，andafaceperfectlyregularandhandsome，likeatintedstatue。）"AndI

havebeenhidingmyself——wheredoyouthink？"

"What！notacrossthewater，mydearJoe？"saysSteele，withalookofgreatalarm:"thouknowestIhavealways——"

"No，"sayshisfriend，interruptinghimwithasmile:"wearenotcometosuchstraitsasthat，Dick。Ihavebeenhiding，sir，ataplacewherepeopleneverthinkoffindingyou——atmyownlodgings，whitherIamgoingtosmokeapipenowanddrinkaglassofsack:

willyourhonorcome？"

"HarryEsmond，comehither，"criesoutDick。"ThouhastheardmetalkoverandoveragainofmydearestJoe，myguardianangel？"

"Indeed，"saysMr。Esmond，withabow，"itisnotfromyouonlythatIhavelearnttoadmireMr。Addison。WelovedgoodpoetryatCambridgeaswellasatOxford;andIhavesomeofyoursbyheart，thoughIhaveputonaredcoat……"OquicanoroblandiusOrpheovocaleduciscarmen;"shallIgoon，sir？"saysMr。Esmond，who，indeed，hadreadandlovedthecharmingLatinpoemsofMr。

Addison，aseveryscholarofthattimeknewandadmiredthem。

"ThisisCaptainEsmondwhowasatBlenheim，"saysSteele。

"LieutenantEsmond，"saystheother，withalowbow，"atMr。

Addison"sservice。

"Ihaveheardofyou，"saysMr。Addison，withasmile;as，indeed，everybodyabouttownhadheardthatunluckystoryaboutEsmond"sdowagerauntandtheDuchess。

"Weweregoingtothe"George"totakeabottlebeforetheplay，"

saysSteele:"wiltthoubeone，Joe？"

Mr。Addisonsaidhisownlodgingswerehardby，wherehewasstillrichenoughtogiveagoodbottleofwinetohisfriends;andinvitedthetwogentlementohisapartmentintheHaymarket，whitherweaccordinglywent。

"Ishallgetcreditwithmylandlady，"sayshe，withasmile，"whensheseestwosuchfinegentlemenasyoucomeupmystair。"Andhepolitelymadehisvisitorswelcometohisapartment，whichwasindeedbutashabbyone，thoughnograndeeofthelandcouldreceivehisguestswithamoreperfectandcourtlygracethanthisgentleman。Afrugaldinner，consistingofasliceofmeatandapennyloaf，wasawaitingtheownerofthelodgings。"Mywineisbetterthanmymeat，"saysMr。Addison;"myLordHalifaxsentmetheBurgundy。"Andhesetabottleandglassesbeforehisfriends，andatehissimpledinnerinaveryfewminutes，afterwhichthethreefellto，andbegantodrink。"Yousee，"saysMr。Addison，pointingtohiswriting—table，whereonwasamapoftheactionatHochstedt，andseveralothergazettesandpamphletsrelatingtothebattle，"thatI，too，ambusyaboutyouraffairs，Captain。Iamengagedasapoeticalgazetteer，tosaytruth，andamwritingapoemonthecampaign。"

SoEsmond，attherequestofhishost，toldhimwhatheknewaboutthefamousbattle，drewtheriveronthetablealiquomero，andwiththeaidofsomebitsoftobacco—pipeshowedtheadvanceoftheleftwing，wherehehadbeenengaged。

Asheetortwooftheverseslayalreadyonthetablebesideourbottlesandglasses，andDickhavingplentifullyrefreshedhimselffromthelatter，tookupthepagesofmanuscript，writoutwithscarceablotorcorrection，intheauthor"sslim，neathandwriting，andbegantoreadtherefromwithgreatemphasisandvolubility。Atpausesoftheverse，theenthusiasticreaderstoppedandfiredoffagreatsalvoofapplause。

EsmondsmiledattheenthusiasmofAddison"sfriend。"YouareliketheGermanBurghers，"sayshe，"andthePrincesontheMozelle:

whenourarmycametoahalt，theyalwayssentadeputationtocomplimentthechief，andfiredasalutewithalltheirartilleryfromtheirwalls。"

"Anddrunkthegreatchiefshealthafterward，didnotthey？"saysCaptainSteele，gaylyfillingupabumper;——heneverwastardyatthatsortofacknowledgmentofafriend"smerit。

"AndtheDuke，sinceyouwillhavemeacthisGrace"spart，"saysMr。Addison，withasmile，andsomethingofablush，"pledgedhisfriendsinreturn。MostSereneElectorofCoventGarden，IdrinktoyourHighness"shealth，"andhefilledhimselfaglass。JosephrequiredscarcemorepressingthanDicktothatsortofamusement;

butthewineneverseemedatalltoflusterMr。Addison"sbrains;

itonlyunloosedhistongue:whereasCaptainSteele"sheadandspeechwerequiteovercomebyasinglebottle。

Nomatterwhattheverseswere，and，tosaytruth，Mr。Esmondfoundsomeofthemmorethanindifferent，Dick"senthusiasmforhischiefneverfaltered，andineverylinefromAddison"spen，Steelefoundamaster—stroke。BythetimeDickhadcometothatpartofthepoem，whereinthebarddescribesasblandlyasthoughhewererecordingadanceattheopera，oraharmlessboutofbucoliccudgellingatavillagefair，thatbloodyandruthlesspartofourcampaign，withtheremembrancewhereofeverysoldierwhoboreapartinitmustsickenwithshame——whenwewereorderedtoravageandlaywastetheElector"scountry;andwithfireandmurder，slaughterandcrime，agreatpartofhisdominionswasoverrun;

whenDickcametothelines——

"InvengeancerousedthesoldierfillshishandWithswordandfire，andravagestheland，Incracklingflamesathousandharvestsburn，Athousandvillagestoashesturn。

Tothethickwoodsthewoollyflocksretreat，Andmixedwithbellowingherdsconfusedlybleat。

Theirtremblinglordsthecommonshadepartake，Andcriesofinfantsfoundineverybrake。

Thelisteningsoldierfixedinsorrowstands，Lothtoobeyhisleader"sjustcommands。

Theleadergrieves，bygenerouspityswayed，Toseehisjustcommandssowellobeyed;"

bythistimewineandfriendshiphadbroughtpoorDicktoaperfectlymaudlinstate，andhehiccuppedoutthelastlinewithatendernessthatsetoneofhisauditorsa—laughing。

"Iadmirethelicenseofyourpoets，"saysEsmondtoMr。Addison。

（Dick，afterreadingoftheverses，wasfaintogooff，insistingonkissinghistwodearfriendsbeforehisdeparture，andreelingawaywithhisperiwigoverhiseyes。）"Iadmireyourart:themurderofthecampaignisdonetomilitarymusic，likeabattleattheopera，andthevirginsshriekinharmony，asourvictoriousgrenadiersmarchintotheirvillages。Doyouknowwhatasceneitwas？"——（bythistime，perhaps，thewinehadwarmedMr。Esmond"sheadtoo，）——"whatatriumphyouarecelebrating？whatscenesofshameandhorrorwereenacted，overwhichthecommander"sgeniuspresided，ascalmasthoughhedidn"tbelongtooursphere？Youtalkofthe"listeningsoldierfixedinsorrow，"the"leader"sgriefswayedbygenerouspity;"tomybelieftheleadercarednomoreforbleatingflocksthanhedidforinfants"cries，andmanyofourruffiansbutcheredoneortheotherwithequalalacrity。I

wasashamedofmytradewhenIsawthosehorrorsperpetrated，whichcameundereveryman"seyes。Youhewoutofyourpolishedversesastatelyimageofsmilingvictory;Itellyou"tisanuncouth，distorted，savageidol;hideous，bloody，andbarbarous。Theritesperformedbeforeitareshockingtothinkof。Yougreatpoetsshouldshowitasitis——uglyandhorrible，notbeautifulandserene。Oh，sir，hadyoumadethecampaign，believeme，youneverwouldhavesungitso。"

Duringthislittleoutbreak，Mr。Addisonwaslistening，smokingoutofhislongpipe，andsmilingveryplacidly。"Whatwouldyouhave？"sayshe。"Inourpolisheddays，andaccordingtotherulesofart，"tisimpossiblethattheMuseshoulddepicttorturesorbegrimeherhandswiththehorrorsofwar。Theseareindicatedratherthandescribed;asintheGreektragedies，that，Idaresay，youhaveread（andsuretherecanbenomoreelegantspecimensofcomposition），Agamemnonisslain，orMedea"schildrendestroyed，awayfromthescene;——thechorusoccupyingthestageandsingingoftheactiontopatheticmusic。SomethingofthisIattempt，mydearsir，inmyhumbleway:"tisapanegyricImeantowrite，andnotasatire。WereItosingasyouwouldhaveme，thetownwouldtearthepoetinpieces，andburnhisbookbythehandsofthecommonhangman。Doyounotusetobacco？Ofalltheweedsgrownonearth，surethenicotianisthemostsoothingandsalutary。WemustpaintourgreatDuke，"Mr。Addisonwenton，"notasaman，whichnodoubtheis，withweaknessesliketherestofus，butasahero。"Tisinatriumph，notabattle，thatyourhumbleservantisridinghissleekPegasus。Wecollegepoetstrot，youknow，onveryeasynags;

ithathbeen，timeoutofmind，partofthepoet"sprofessiontocelebratetheactionsofheroesinverse，andtosingthedeedswhichyoumenofwarperform。Imustfollowtherulesofmyart，andthecompositionofsuchastrainasthismustbeharmoniousandmajestic，notfamiliar，ortoonearthevulgartruth。Siparvalicet:ifVirgilcouldinvokethedivineAugustus，ahumblerpoetfromthebanksoftheIsismaycelebrateavictoryandaconquerorofourownnation，inwhosetriumphseveryBritonhasashare，andwhosegloryandgeniuscontributestoeverycitizen"sindividualhonor。Whenhaththerebeen，sinceourHenrys"andEdwards"days，suchagreatfeatofarmsasthatfromwhichyouyourselfhavebroughtawaymarksofdistinction？If"tisinmypowertosingthatsongworthily，Iwilldoso，andbethankfultomyMuse。IfI

failasapoet，asaBritonatleastIwillshowmyloyalty，andflingupmycapandhuzzahfortheconqueror:——

""RhenipacatoretIstriOmnisinhocunovariisdiscordiacessitOrdinibus;laetatureques，plauditquesenator，Votaquepatriciocertantplebeiafavori。""