frowned fierce defiance upon each other, regardless of the bond which now united the once rival families, and ungrateful to lady Madelina's eloquence, who gra tuitously performed the part of eulogift to them all. On the third day after her nephew's arrival, when he had explained the family exploits to the eleventh century, he unluckily recollected a most preffing engagement which called him instantly to London. The occafion was fo urgent, that he could not poffibly ftay to hear the fate of fome collateral branches which were then divided from the parent flock. Lord Monteith threw himfelf into his poft-chaife, and fo ftrongly did the connexions of his ancestors rouse his domeftic feelings, that he could think of nothing but getting a good hufband for his fifter, to free her from her confinement, till different fcenes excited gay er ideas. 12. CHAP III. In this calm feat he drew the healthful gale, He walk'd his rounds, and cheer'd his bleft domain: THOMSON. IN the preceding Chapter I introduced my readers to the family of the bridebut I must beftow feveral on groom; that of the bride. Sir William Powerfcourt's was certainly a moft fingular character, and in one particular he widely differed from many gentlemen of his rank in fociety. His ftrong attachment to the feat of his anceitors was more the refult of generous philanthropy than of any lucrative confideration. It is true, he confidered Powerfcourt-houfe as circumfcribing within C 2 within its domain all the beauties that fancy ever feigned; but, as he rode round his eftate, his feelings refembled those of a confcientious guardian rather than of a felf-accountable owner, and the land-, lord and mafter were in his beneficent bofom ever funk in the milder qualities of the protector and the friend. His hofpitable doors were open to indigence; his delicacy was never hurt by the fimplicity of ruftic manners; and though the indolence of his temper fometimes prevented him from taking an active part in reftraining oppreffion, or introducing merit to its deserved reward, his liberal purse was always ready to remedy the defect. " My good neighbour Jones," "faid he one day, "I certainly "might write to the lord lieutenant, and get that rogue of an adjutant "broke, who would not admit that " your fon David was of a proper fize "for "for the militia, though he fwore-in "other fubftitutes two inches fhorter; "but perhaps the man has nothing to "live upon but his commiffion, and, being very poor, is forced to do dirty "actions. Here; remember me "David; tell him, that I like a lad of "fpirit; and there are the ten guineas he "was disappointed of." A little time afterward, in confequence of fome nefarious proceedings being discovered, the adjutant waited upon fir Williarn to entreat his interceffion with lord W. in his behalf. He pleaded long-service and the hurry of business in his defence, and hinted at the wants of a large family. "Sir," faid fir William, "I dare say that "what you tell me is very true; but as it " is not my own affair, I don't like to "write to my kinfman or trouble him "about it. But as you feem to have puzzled yourself a little in these army "matters, c 3 matters, I think you had better try "fome other plan of life. I can put you «into a farm, and make you game<s keeper of one of my manors; and I "hope you won't think it an employ beneath you, for I fhall always be glad "to fee you at Powerfcourt." The offer was accepted; and fir William afterwards owned, that, befide two years' rent, he loft a confiderable fum with which he had entrufted him, to enable him to fet up: but his benevolent heart never fuffered him to wifh the deed undone; "for," faid he, "though I believe the man was no better than a cheat, his wife appeared to be a very notable "woman, and brought up her family "very well." Sir William did not marry till he was much on the wrong fide of forty; and' even then that event proceeded from the fame principles which governed all bis actions, |