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me; for I was so sick of Sir Arthur's old pictures, that I was coming post-haste to take leave of you. Sel. You! I was calling my servant.

Modern. Then I'm sure you were calling me, Madam.

Sel. Upon my word, vastly gallant! But, pray, Sir, is it possible that you don't admire Sir Arthur's fine classical collection? Why, there is but one modern picture in the whole Gallery,

Modern. I know;-and though the artist be living, I thought the new gentleman look'd pretty formidable--and I don't see why painters and their pictures should be half-mouldered and rotten, before they get into life, Madam-No, I like every thing that's new, and nothing old-save friends,and wine, and woods, and women.

Sol. What! like old women, Mr. Modern!

Modern. Yes, Madam.-Tis a new fashion, and therefore I must follow it.

Sel. 'Tis a very cruel fashion then, and I should like to know how I am to get on for the next long tedious twenty years.

Modern. And, how am I to get on? for I can't make love to you till they are over-and, perhaps, by that time, young women will come into fashion again-perhaps-Good by w'ye-and if there should be any thing new in the wilds of Ameria.Sel. What! are you going to America, Mr.

Modern?

Why!-for what reason?

(Modern bows assent.)

Modern. A very old one-I've no money. And as it was in that country my parents breathed their last, I wish to know, why they who loved me, whilst they lived, forgot me when they

died!

Sel. Forgot you!

Modern. They did, they did,-But that is past!--that concerns not you! and the ship is

waiting

waiting at the neighbouring sea-port ;--and so, though this is only our second, yet being probably our last meeting, allow me thus to press this fair, and lovely

(Selina holds down her head.) Nay, don't blush,--that's old beyond every thing--there, there (kisses her hand.) And, now, Columbus like, all hope and agitation,-now for a new world!

Sel. And, mind, Columbus like, you don't come home in chains.

Modern. What! matrimonial ones, you meanNo, Madam,-if I marry, it sha'nt be out of thiscountry,-Nay, if my friend Algernon were here, I'd say to him-perhaps not out of this county;-but, as I mustn't say that to you, Madam,-farewell.

Sel.-Stay, Sir, and so far be my 'servant, as to wait on me down stairs-Come, and I'd have you think of marriage, the novelty will please you.

Modern. It will; for the wisest of all men didn't say there was nothing new under the sun, till he had tried a hundred wives.-So, at any rate, I'll try one wife. This way, Madam, taking her hand.) Oh, if 'tis all like this, a bachelor's a dull, old-fashioned fool!-there is no novelty like matrimony.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II-A Room in Solace's house.

Enter TRUSTY and CICELY.-TRUSTY has a small Portmanteay, which he puts down.

Trusty. Well, I'm glad we are come to the end of our journey, and I warrant so are you, Miss Cicely. Though I don't know, you used to be in such spirits at coming home for the holidays,-and

now

now you look as melancholy, as if it were the day you were going to school again.

Cicely. Do I? my looks belie me then.-Home is most welcome, (sighing.)

Trusty. It ought to be-and this is the last time but one. Next Christmas I shall bring you home for good, and, then you'll be your own mistress, and my mistress.

Cicely. Your mistress, Jonathan!

Trusty. Aye, wife to my worthy master, who has reared you, educated you, and, though he be not quite in the hey day of youth,

(Cicely holds down her head and sighs deeply.) Why, there again! this marriage with your benefactor, used to be your favourite topic, and, though from the difference of age, love might, perhaps, be out of the question, yet gratitude, esteem

Cicely. I am fatigued,-unwell,--and only fit -(going.)

to be alone

Solace (without.)

Solace. This way, my lads, this way.

Trusty. Here he comes-here comes Sir Arthur St. Albyn's honest, happy superintendant-and as hale, and as cheerful as when you last saw him.Look.

Cicely. I dare not ;-for I'm so altered, that I dread those looks, which, then, 'twas happiness to dwell on. And how, and when shall I have courage to encounter them? Not now I've inward proof, and therefore, to prepare him for distress, which he, as little merits as expects, bid him no more extol me for my conduct, for I would rather meet his utmost anger, than hear that praise I feel I don't deserve.

(Trusty goes up the Stage.)

[Exit.

Enter

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Enter SOLACE and two men belonging to the works.

Solace. There-step into the back parlour, take the bais, balls, and wickets, and tell the other workmen, here be this whole purse-full for the winners.

1st Workm. Bless you, Master! bless you! and may you always be as happy as you make me, and my fellow servants.

a

Solace. I am happy I will be happy-for, no sooner do I wake every morning, but I say to myself, "Now, mind, John Solace, mind you don't be a fool to-day, for here you be again, with good health, though it be a hundred to one against thee; -with a good house over thy head, though thousands be without one,-and with the prospect of good wife, though thousands,be without that also." -And yet on every slight vexation, you want to be grumbling, Sirrah, but you sha'n't! for vexations do give variety; and if life were one smooth bowling-green,--Oh! how we should long for lumps and bumps upon it.

1st Workm. Indeed, measter, though I am sure I'm glad to hear you think so, for you've had your vexations this morning.

Solace. Why, yes; first the lightning did strike my best hay-rick, then a mad-dog did bite two of my best cows, and after that, my poor old mother did make me read to her, six whole columns of debates; but it might have been worse, honest lads; the lightning might have struck I-the dog might have bit you,and, instead of reading the debates, icod! I might have been forced to hear them! So, I am happy, I will be happy, and, now, go make thyselves happy.

Exeunt Workmen. What, thee here also! (seeing Trusty) and my dear, darling Cicely-No-how! why, where is she? Trusty. There! (pointing off the stage.)

4

Solace.

Solace. Where?

Trusty. There!-walking towards the coppice. Solace. What! playing at hide and seek! Sly puss-I'll be a match for her-I'll—(Going, stops.) Why, she be in tears! and looking so pale, and so chang'd! Jonathan! what be the matter, Jonathan!---Trusty. I don't know.-Ask her yourself.

Solace. Myself!-Speak-did her governess-did Mrs. Dorville say nothing?

Trusty. Nothing.-Good Evening.

Solace. And she,-she herself

Trusty. Oh yes-Miss Cicely bade me say-I cannot speak it ask her yourself,-and whatever is the matter with her, even if you have lost her affections, call to mind what you have just, and always said; still, still be happy, master.

[Exit. Solace. Why, that be easy talking;-for, loss of hay, cattle, and such like, be certainly slight vexations and he be a blockhead that do let them fret him. But to lose, as it were, the whole world at one blow!-dang it, it be tight work to feel happy after that! However, if it be true, it do still carry with it this consolation.-I cannot feel any other trouble;-and if not true-and why!yes, why not think so?-I will? she be the same

kind-hearted creature-and I's a poor thickheaded-he! he! he!-If ignorance give joy, and fools be always happy, I wonder how the deuce I's ever otherwise.

[Exit. SCENE III-Outside of Solace's House, Canal, and Copper-works, and open Country in the distance.

(Fife and Tabour heard without.)

Enter DANVERS and LEGIS.

Dane. Why, this is strangely ordered! Some dancing-some at cricket! and none employed

upon

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