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proof of your love.-Do not leave me miserable and uncertain.-Clarissa, be at length generous, you will see me but a few hours.' "What is it you require?' said she, much softened.

"My sweet lovely girl, replied he, but one assurance;'-saying which, he embraced the half-reluctant girl. The moment of parting always appeals strongly to the heart. The caresses of a favoured lover still more strongly. What wonder, therefore, that thus assailed the rigid prudery of Clarissa gave way, and she was brought to acknowledge her love and decided preference. She did so in the fullest manner which modesty and youthful candour could jus ufy; and Edward was as happy as youth and success could make him.

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"It is unnecessary to remark, that on a heart like that of Clarissa, this kind of jealousy must naturally have a powerful effect. Jealousy of every kind is often considered as complimentary. It argues

passion. But when this jealousy assumes the downcast look of so: row, it appeals still more forcibly to the heart.-It was thus with Clarissa. Edward said nothing; he made no complaint, but his looks were those of the most afflicting sorrow.

"You look very unhappy, Edward,' said she to him one day.

"I am unhappy, Clarissa,' said he. "Explain yourself, my friend,' saidClarissa.

"I do not say that I doubt your love, Clarissa, you have pledged your faith to me. But I love you too sincerely, my dearest Clarissa, not to be miserable when

"A few days now passed between the preparation and the day finally fixed for the departure of Edward. There is some-the sincerity and the ardour of the lover's thing I think very peculiar in the character of a prude. Nature at last indemnifies herself for the unnatural rigour and re. straint to which she has been compelled. It was thus with Clarissa. Her candour had no sooner gained its natural vent, than she seemed totally the reverse of herself. Edward had now no difficulty to obtain the hourly repetition of her preference, or to speak more plainly, of her love. But a circumstance now occurred which made him happy even beyond his utmost hopes. "A regiment of soldiers, with their officers, were stationed in the neighbouring town. The Doctor, being the principal resident gentleman within the district, found it necessary to keep open house, and to admit the officers to his house and table. One of them, Lord W was young, rich, gallant, and unmarried. The beauty of Clarissa, and her known fortune, rendered her very naturaliy an object of attrac tion. The young Major, therefore, for such was the commission which his Lordship bore, resolved immediately to lay "Indeed, my friend,' replied Clarissa, siege to her; and accordingly in the military you are unjust both to me and yourself. phrase, opened the trenches. It was in vain In what have I shewn so much levity, that that Clarissa repressed his advances, the you should believe me capable of such inconfident importunity of the young man constancy? Believe me, women never disdained all obstacies, and even contrived, change without a very sufficient reason. to gain an appearance of success to his What is the worth of that woman who is a addresses. The country gossips began al-feather before the wind. It is a very poor ready to whisper that Miss Clarissa was compliment to me to suspect me of such

see you thus unceasingly pursued by another. I am aware that I have nothing to merit your love but my ardent passion ; and I have read and heard so much of the nature of women, that I cannot trust my fortune. In a few days you will see me no more, on the contrary this man and others will be continually before your eyes. My attentions and my love may be forgotten.*

vacuity of mind. Do me more justice.Prove to me that I have your good opinion.'

"I should be less uneasy if you posressed my good opinion less,' replied Edward. You are a jewel exposed before a world of thieves. Its your merit which renders me so anxiously suspicious. I cannot persuade myself that others will see you with less admiration than myself. Pardon me, therefore, my beloved Clarissa, that I am miserable, and cannot avoid being

so.'

"Indeed I shall not pardon you,' said Clarissa. So farewel for the present. You shall not flatter me into a complaisant humouring of you foibles.-I shall not allow you to be so unreasonably jealous."

pendant upon yourself, I am satisfied with them.-But are you exempted from the common condition of your nature? Are you above all possibility of change? Can you engage or answer for circumstances not within you own controul? Consider, moreover, the effects of absence. They will operate insensibly upon you. When I am absent, and another is present,-when the circumstances of that other person are in every way unexceptionable,-when it is impossible but that your guardian in a worldly point of view must approve of such an offer. Under such circumstances, what confidence must I have in my merit to presume upon your inflexible constancy? I have no such confidence,-I have no such presumption. I am miserable, and you must allow me to be so.'

"I will not allow it; and since you make the demand,' returned Clarissa, ‘since you compel me to the necessity, there is my hand, you must contrive the rest, find any priest that will unite us.'

“The jealousy of Edward, however, was not to be thus eluded. Where, in fact, is the jealousy which will submit to reason? It continued to augment, therefore, and preying upon his spirits, seemed to have taken an hold which it would only quit with his life. Charming girl,-beloved Clarissa,' ex"What can I do to satisfy you?' demanded claimed Edward, embracing her with the Clarissa.

"I know not,' replied Edward. 'I am going on the commencement of next week, and you see the state of health and spirits in which you dismiss me.'

"It must not be; tell me, my friend, what I can do. Mention any thing in my power, and you shall not ask in vain.'

"You are all goodness,' replied he,' but I must not avail myself of it. I must not sacrifice your prospects to my idle humours. Your uncle knows what is best for you, he seems to approve of the addresses of Lord W———.'

"You know not how you grieve me by this injustice,' returned Clarissa. 'I owe my uncle much. Heaven forbid that I should be ungrateful to him for so much kindness. But it is not within my obligation to submit to such sacrifices. You have received my pledged faith. Fear not that I shall depart from it.'

"If every thing depended upon you, Clarissa, I should fear nothing. But cousider, my beloved girl, that we are all creatures of circumstances, and no one can without presumption engage herself to any certain line of future conduct. Your resolutions are good, and as far as is de

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modest ardour of a respectful but ardent lover, now indeed you are my own.-Now you are all that I wish you. In the next town is a depot for French prisoners. I have made an acquaintance with a Catholic priest. The laws of the country admit this form of marriage, and it is the only one of which as minors we can avail ourselves.'

"There is one condition, however, upon which I must insist,' said Clarissa. 'I must speak candidly. You know that William loves me, and you know that we have all three been accustomed to regard ourselves as one family, and as brothers and sister. I cannot, therefore, consent to make William so abruptly miserable. It will be necessary, therefore, to conceal our union, and to give him the chance of time, and of another attachment. There is another consideration which must not be overlooked. Your advancement in life depends upon your obeying the invitation of your patron, and attending him to Petersburgh. The moment, therefore, the ceremony is performed, in the same moment we separate. You must depart for Petersburgh, and I will go on a visit to a relation in a distant part of the country. When you return from Petersburgh, and our

union can be confirmed by the repetition of the ceremony by our own church, then will it be time enough to think of our final establishment.'

"It is impossible that I can refuse such goodness any thing,' replied Edward. You have now taken a load off my mind.-You know not how happy you bave made me,my whole life shall consist of one effort to repay you for such kindness. Believe me, you shall never have cause to repent your condescension."

"Time will shew,' said Clarissa, smiling. But we have been absent so long that it is time to return. You have done great injustice to my guardian. He wishes nothing more than our union.'

"Shall we inform him of it?' said Edward.

"No,' said Clarissa, leave that to me.~ You must not act precipitately. I fear already that our resolutions are too hasty to be prudent. But time will shew.'

"Such, therefore, were the resolutions of these young parties, and as youth never wants ingenuity to execute any purpose on which it has fixed, they were executed without delay; and in less than three days from the period above mentioned, Clarissa and Edward were united by the rites of the Catholic church."

[To be continued.]

PERSIAN LETTERS.

No. III.

FROM MULEY CID SADI, ONE OF THE SECRETARIES TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PERSIAN AMBASSADOR IN LONDON, TO OSMAN CALI BEG HIS FRIEND IN ISPAHAN.

SINCE I wrote to you last, most beloved of my heart, I have seen much, and I have reflected much, for who can be in such a land as this without reflection. Every thing it is true, is barbarous; nothing has the Persian refinement and the Mahometan elegance; the women go with their faces bare, and the men sit upon their haunches, instead of lying prostrate; Mahomet is only mentioned to be ridiculed, and Fatima, the mother and wife, is as little known in London as the King of Great Britain in Ispahan. Yet, notwithstanding all this, it is a country of wonders, and we should not forget to thank our Prophet in all our daily prayers, that doubtless, by his intercession, he procured the creation of such a race as this, inasmuch as, if properly known and studied, they would much assist the knowledge of true Mussulmen. It is only by seeing this land of Christians that the country of the faithful becomes sensible of its blessings.-Happy Persia! do I now daily exclaim, where wives are silent and obedient, and every man is the guardian and surety of his own honour, by having it under lock and key. "He deserves to have his vineyard robbed," says the Poet Sadi, "who, though living by the road side, leaves

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it without hedge or walls." An English wife is a fruit-tree on a waste, or common; every traveller may pluck, if it so please him, for the owner is never near it.

I have been to Court, for thus they call the house of their Monarch. The English word Court, I suppose, means a dirty, inferior dwelling, for the Monarch of the British Isles is worse lodged than many of his noblemen. A recent fire, moreover, has consumed part of the palace, and it is left as it has been burned. There is no preparation to rebuild it. There is very little in a Court-introduction which is worthy of mention. "There are three kind of dogs," says the philosopher Sadi, "and the courtier is every where one of them."

"Who is that man," said I, to our English interpetres, "who wears that eternal smile, who receives every one with a bow and a grin, but every now and then puts his hand to his forehead?"

"He is in the present moment very unhappy. A dreadful disease has carried off his only son; and his daughter, one of the beauties of the court and age, is not expected to live."

"And is this the way he bears it," said I, "is he a Philosopher?"

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No," replied he, "he is a courtier ; and it is a part of his duty to wear those smiles."

quitted. The odium of the accusation, however, attaches to Lim, and though released from all fear of law, he still smarts

"And can the ordinary habit of business under infamy. No one doubts but that the thus supercede nature?" said I.

"Yes," replied the interpreter. "The undertaker returns from a funeral to drink or dance with his fiend or neighbour; and this man comes from the house of mourning to a court of smiles; it is his pay and his business to grin."

"What is the subject of that nobleman who talks so loudly and so glibly, just beyond the circle? Is it any thing of public moment? Has any victory or defeat occurred?"

"Yes," replied the interpreter drily; "a glorious victory and a most signal

defeat."

"Then that man should be bolden in estimation by his king and countrymen, for his patriotic triumph is legibly in every feature of his face. Happy country! where patriotic feelings are thus buoyant."

money thus deficient was expended in the public service; no one doubts but that it was expended in a manner which long usage had sanctioned. Yet no one comes forward in his cause, and the people are left to their own judgment."

"His case Is certainly hard," said I; "but by your own account, he has offended. Who is this?" said I, pointing to a Lady, whose attendants proved her rank." She is the "

"And where is her husband?"

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He, of course, is not here," replied the interpreter.

“And why not?" said I, "when his wife is here?"

"For that very reason," replied he; "there is an agreement that they shall attend alternate drawing-rooms and levees, to prevent unexpected and unpleasant rencontres."

"What rencontres?" demanded I.

"Why, with each other," replied he、 "What rencontre could possibly be more unpleasant."

"Than that of husband and wife?" repeated I.

"Yes," returned he, "under the circumstances of this husband and wife: each of them holds the other in aversion; each of them would hail a divorce as a riddance, yet in compliance with what their peculiar situation demands of them, each of them observes the most polite conduct towards each other. They do every thing but live together, and can tolerate every thing but the society of each other and of the friends of each other."

"As to patriot feelings," replied the interpreter, "I cannot think that they have much to say to the subject of that man's discourse. The victory and defeat of which I am speaking has occurred and has been achieved on another occasion. The managers of the Opera have been defeated, and Catalani, an Italiau singer, has been restored. The amateurs have thus carried a most important victory, and this man, who is at their head, is now announcing it. He is, or rather he was, one of the Secretaries of State, and the acknowledged patron of the celebrated singer. Such is the subject of his discourse and the object of his feelings-what think you of him now?" "I think that he is a better Italian than he is an Englishman. If we had him in Persia, we should very soon fit him for the seraglio. But who is that tall erect noble-military man beside her?" man, who looks vigorous in despite of "She is likewise of the first rank, and his wrinkled forehead?"-" That Noble-in every respect a perfect contrast to the man," replied he, " has suffered the other. Her husband is notorious for his grossest injustice of any man in this king-gallantries, has one or two acknowledged dom. His accounts were examined; in mistresses, and conceals nothing. With the calculation of some millions, and for all this, however, he loves his wife, and a series of years, about ten thousand pounds submits to the most tyrannic treatment were deficient; that is to say, vouchers from the little lady. The lady, on her could not be produced for their expendi-part, repays this forbearance by winking at ture. He was brought to trial, and ac- his inconstancy; and this is a singular

"And who is that little woman and the

I understand that this family is German, and came to the throne by the female line. Who would think that in a country where women are so freely exposed they were vaIflued so much?

Nothing can possibly be so uninteresting as a Court, or Drawing-room. After you are tired of standing you may withdraw to

zir, gives himself no concern about you; every thing is conducted as if in coming to see his Majesty you had come to see a spectacle, and as if after you had seen him you had seen enough. This want of decent hospitality in the Court is the more singular, as the excess of it is the characteristic of the country. If this land of bar

example of two persons perfectly happy and contented with each other, whilst one has so much just cause of complaint." "All this happens,” replied I, "owing to the barbarism of English manners. your women were kept under padlock, you would have no such domestic troubles, or such crooked policy." We were now conducted to the Sove-your carriage. The first Minister, or Vireign by the Chamberlain. He is a venerable man, very deservedly respected for his virtues; he deserves to belong to a better people, and were he a Mahometan would make a good Mussulman prince. I am sorry to add, that his health is much enfeebled, and his sight is nearly gone; he still, however, can stand erect, and can speak loud and distinct. He is said to holdbarians be distinguished for any thing, it a tight hand over his Ministers, and occasionally to reprove them passionately. Sometimes, however, he is altogether as conceding, and the Ministers may do as they please with him; but his general character is that of a firm and magnanimous prince; and indeed he requires this firmness to govern these Infidel dogs. Nothing can equal their proneness to call into question all the acts of their govern-tainly do nothing, but the business of the ment, and no one of them is so low in station, or in his own opinion so humble in understanding, but that he has both the faculty and the right of examining the conduct of his governors, and arraigning even the wisdom of the Sovereign himself. I happened, the other day, to go into one of those places which they denominate their Coffee-houses, and the interpreter had the goodness to accompany me. The room was one hubbub of noise. The interpreter had the kindness to explain to me the subject of their converse. I found it to be the most excessive abuse of their government.-Oh! said I to myself, if these fellows were in Turkey or in Persia, how many heads should we have off before the morning!

is, that it is a land of eating and drieking. The Court, however, is the land of famine, and though loaves and fishes of another kind may be given away, the visitors may starve for what the Ministers or Chamber|| lain will do for them.

His Majesty has a very numerous family; and the kingdom may through him look up to a long line of the Brunswick dynasty.

Every seventh day is kept in this country as a day of prayer, and a day of rest; as to rest, the tradesmen and mechanics cer

higher classes is as active as ever; their
servants work, their horses work, and if
their pleasure so require it, they work
themselves. And as to prayer, the pulpits
indeed are full, but the churches are
empty. And this they call a Christian
country! Dogs as they are, shall I deign
to tell them that in a Mahometan country
we pray to the Giver of all things three
times a day; we thank him for the day, we
thank him for the food of the day, and we
thank him at night that he has made us his
care during the day. The Christians set
apart one day in every week to thank him,
and even neglect the office then.-What
a land of barbarism!

From London, the city of Infidels,
in the Month denominated February."

[To be continued.]

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