сс ploying industry and diffusing plea"fure. I will cultivate the esteem of "all my neighbours by the most winning << attentions. The peculiarities which "entitle me to pre-eminence fhall not "give them uneafinefs, because they "shall be uniformly exerted for their pleasure or amusement. Here, without "observation or interruption, I may purfue my plan of influencing lord "Monteith's tafte, till it gradually affi"milates to my own. Lady Arabella's predilection for a London life, and her (c acknowledged influence over her aunt, prevent me from fearing that my "fchemes will be fruftrated by the pre"fence of those whom I cannot propi "tiate and wish not to offend. Distance may, perhaps, difarm their prejudices; "and when perfonal competition is re"moved, the reprefentative of their fa"mily may receive thofe commenda "" tions "tions to which kindred or friendship never can aspire." The plans of lady Monteith would have proved abortive, had the not been affifted by two powerful coadjutors. Lord Monteith's natural difpofition was violently difpofed to the purfuit of rural fports and athletic exercifes. The mountains, lakes, and forefts which furrounded his caftle, promifed the diverfions of fishing and hunting in full perfection; and the neighbouring gentry had endeavoured to enliven a thinlyinhabited country by the establishment of an affembly, a bowling meeting, and a cricket match, which returned at stated intervals. The Monteiths honoured the first-mentioned amusement with their prefence very foon after their arrival at the caftle; and, though the company exhibited but a miniature refemblance to the circles in which they 17 had had lately moved, they both received pleasure from the events of the evening. Two circumftances contributed to his lordship's fatisfaction: he felt himself perfectly at eafe; and, moreover, he received information, that the neighbouring country afforded what is termed a fet of very hearty fellows, and the fineft groufe and black game in the kingdom. His pleasure at this intelligence was fo great, that while they returned home, he interrupted his lady's obfervations on the female part of the company, by declaring, that fince he found things fo agreeable, he really be, lieved he should fpend a good deal of time at Monteith." I think, Geraldine,” said he, "I cannot be very dull. What do "you think? I fhall hunt one day, fish "another, go to the bowling-green a "third; then there will be a cricket "match, and fhooting, and public " dinners, "dinners, and private parties; and then going to Edinburgh if any particu"lar bufinefs is on foot, and making "excurfions through the neighbouring "counties. I declare I begin to think "as your father does, that it will be a "very rational life, and quite as agree"able as spending all our time in those ftate-trappings of which Arabella is "fo fond. She faid that I should deteft "Scotland in a month; but I will con"vince her that I can be happy any"where. Don't you think fo too, my "love? You will like to live here, "shall you not?" "O! infinitely, I affure you; I was "both furprized and pleased with the manners of feveral of the ladies whom "I met at the affembly. They seemed "indeed a little confufed and reserved at first, and certainly they are unacquainted with the more refined " modi " modifications of politenefs; but many "of them appeared well-informed, and "I know they will improve upon ac"quaintance. I have projected a "thousand little fchemes to infpire con"fidence and cordiality. I am fure the "dear old caftle may foon be made perfectly comfortable; and I hope, <c my lord, our refidence among your "tenants and dependants will prove an " effential benefit to them." "I fhall, certainly, order my steward "to give them the preference upon "every occafion which promifes a "lucrative advantage." "Is it impoffible for us to extend "our utility farther? Could I not en"dow a school, and introduce fome "branch of manufacture to employ the "children and the women? I am told "that they are extremely uninformed, "and in fome refpects uncivilized. I |