But. Why, who should step in, in the nick, but the very squire himself! Sir Chr. I am afraid, Bill, your beauty is a little bit of the jilt. But. No, your worship, it is all along with her mother; cause her great aunt, by her father's side, was a clergyman's daughter, she is as pragmatic and proud as the Pope; so, forsooth, nothing will please her for miss, but a bit of quality binding. Rac. I knew the refusal could not come from the girl; for, without a compliment, Billy there is no comparison between you and she why you are a pretty, slight, tight, light, nimble But. Yes-very nimble and slight, and we are both of a height—ha, ha, ha! Sir Chr. Why, love has made Billy a poet! But. No, no; quite an accident, as I hope to be kissed. Rac. And your rival is a fusty, foggy lumbering log. But. For all the world like my goose: plaguy hot and damned heavy, your honour! Sir Chr. Why Billy blazes to-day? But. And though my purse mayhap, ben't so heavy as his'n, yet I contrive to pay every body their own. Rac. I dare say. But. Ay, and have besides two houses in Avon Street; and, perhaps a bit or two of land in a corner. Sir Chr. O! the curmudgeonly rogue! But. And, moreover, if madam Linnet talks of families, I would have her to to know, that I have powerful relations as well as herself there's Tommy Button, my uncle's own son, that has an employment under the governmentSir Chr. Ay, Billy, what is it? But. At this very time he is an exciseman at Wapping: and, besides, there is my cousin Paul Puff that kept the great pastry-cook's shop in the Strand, now lives at Brentford, and is made a justice of the peace. Rac. As this is the case, I don't think it will be difficult yet to bring matters to bear. Sir Chr. If Billy will but follow directions. But. I hope you honour never found me deficient. Sir Chr. We will instruct you farther within. Major Racket your hand. But. Let me help you; folks may go far ther and fare worse, as they say why I have some thoughts, if I can call in my debts, to retire into the country and set up for a gentleman. Rac. Why not! one meets with a great number of them, who were never bred to the business. But. I an't much of a mechanic at present; I does but just measure and cut. Rac. No! But. I don't think that I have sat cross-legged for these six years. Rac. Indeed! But. And who can tell, your honour, in a few years, if I behaves well, but like cousin Puff, I may get myself put in the commission. Sir Chr. The worshipful William Button, Esquire-It sounds well. I can tell you, Billy; there have been magistrates made of full as bad materials as you. [Exeunt. SCENE I. Enter MRS. LINNET and Miss. ACT II. Mrs. Lin. Yes, Kitty, it is in vain to deny it. I am convinced there is some little, low, paltry passion, that lurks in your heart. Miss Lin. Indeed, my dear mother, you wrong me. Mrs. Lin. Indeed, my dear misss, but I don't; what else could induce you to reject the addresses of a lover like this? Ten thousand pounds a year! Gads my life! there is not a lady in town would refuse him, let her rank be ever so Miss Lin. Not his fortune I firmly believe. Mrs. Lin. Well; and who now-a-days, marries any thing else? would you refuse an estate, because it happened to be a little encumbered? you must consider the man in this case as a kind of mortgage. Miss Lin. but the disproportion of yearsMrs. Lin. In your favour, child; the incumbrance will be the sooner removed. Miss Lin. Then, my dear mother, our minds; how very widely they differ! my nature is liberal and frank, though I am but a little removed from mediocrity; his heart, in the very bosom of wealth, is shut to every social sensation had the good luck to unlock. I hope you don't Mrs. Lin. And yet, miss, this heart you have urge his offers to you as a proof of his passion for money? why you forget yourself, Kate; who, in the name of wonder, do you think you are? what because you have a baby face, and can bawl a few ballads Miss Lin. Nay, madam, you know I was never vain of my talents; if they can procure me a decent support, and in some measure repay my father and you for their kind cultivation Mrs. Lin. And how long are you sure your talents as you call them, will serve you ? are a set of features secure against time? won't a single sore throat destroy the boasted power of your pipe? But suppose that should not fail, who can insure you against the whim of the public? will they always continue their favour ? Miss Lin. Perhaps not. Mrs. Lin. What must become of you then? now, by this means you are safe, above the reach of ill-fortune. Besides, child, to put your own interest out of the question, have you no tender feelings for us? Consider, my love you don't want for good nature; your consent to this match will, in the worst of times, secure a firm and able friend to the family. Miss Lin. You deceive yourself, indeed, my dear mother; he, a friend! I dare believe the first proof you will find of his friendship, will be his positive commands to break off all correspondence with every relation I have. Mrs. Lin. That's a likely story, indeed!Well, child, I must set your father to work; I find what little weight my arguments have. [LADY CATHERINE COLDSTREAM without.] Is Mrs. Linnet within? Mrs. Lin. Oh! here comes a protectress of yours, lady Catherine Coldstream; submit the matter to her; she can have no views, is well read in the ways of the world, and has your interest sincerely at heart. Enter LADY CATHERINE COLDSTREAM. indeed, some time ago, I was inclined to believe Mr. Button Lady Cath. What, yon tailor in Stall-street ?` ah, Mrs. Linnet, you are aw out of in your guess; the lass is ow'r weel bred and ow'r saucy to gi her heart to sik a burgis at he. Willy Button! nae, he is nae the lad awaw. Mrs. Lin. Major Racket, I once thoughtbut your ladyship knows his affairs took a different turn. · Lady Cath. Ah, Racket! that's another man's matter; lasses are apt enow to set their hearts upon scarlet; a cockade has muckle charms wi our sex: well, miss, comes the wind fra that corner! Miss Lin. Does your ladyship think to dislike Mr. Flint, it is absolutely necessary to have a prepossession for somebody else? Lady Cath. Mrs Linnet an you will withdraw for a while, perhaps miss may throw off her reserve, when there's nobody but ourselves; a mother, you ken weel, may prove ane ow'r money sometimes. Mrs. Lin. Your ladyship is most exceedingly kind-d'ye hear, Kitty, mind what her ladyship says; do, my dear, and be ruled by your friends; they are older and wiser than you. [Exit. Lady Cath. Well, miss, what's the cause of this? what makes you so averse to the will of your friends? Lady Cath. How is aw wi you, Mestress Lin-aw net and Miss? what a dykens is the matter wi miss?-she seems got quite in the dumps. 1 thought you were aw ready to jump out of your skins at the bonny prospect afore you. Mrs. Lin. Indeed, I wish your ladyship would take Kitty to task, for what I can say signifies nothing. Lady Cath. Ay, that's aw wrang; what has been the matter, Miss Kitty? you ken well enow that children owe an implicit concession to their parents--it is na for bairns to litigate the will of their friends. Mrs. Lin Especially, my lady, in a case where their own happiness is so nearly concerned; there is no persuading her to accept Mr. Flint's offers. Lady Cath. Gad's mercy, miss, how comes aw this about? dinna you think you hae drawn a braw ticket in the lottery of life? do na you ken that the mon is the laird of aw the land in the country. Miss Lin. Your ladyship knows, madam, that real happiness does not depend upon wealth. Lady Cath. Ah, miss, but it is a bonny ingredient! don't you think, Mrs. Linnet, the lass has got some other lad in her head ? Mrs. Lin. Your ladyship joins in judgment with me; I have charged her, but she stoutly denies it. Lady Cath. Miss, you munna be bashful; an you solicit a cure, your physician must ken the cause of your malady. Miss Lin. Your ladyship may believe me, madam, I have no complaint of that kind. Lady Cath. The lass is obstinate; Mestress Linnet, cannot yoursel gi a guess? Mrs. Lin. I can't say that I have observed Miss Lin. Your ladyship knows Mr. Flint? Miss Lin. Can your ladyship then be at a loss for a cause. Lady Cath. I canna say Mr. Flint is quite an Adonis; but wha is there in matrimony gets aw they wish? When I intermarried with Sir Launcelot Coldstream, I was een sick a spree lass as yoursel; and the baronet bordering upon his grand climacteric; you mun ken, miss, my father was so unsonsy as to gang out with Charley in the forty-five, after which his fidelity was rewarded in France by a commission, that did na bring in a bawbee, and a pension, that he never was paid. Miss Lin. Infamous ingratitude! Lady Cath. Ay, but I dinna think they will find ony mare sic fools in the north. Miss Lin. I hope not. Lady Cath. After this, you canna think, there was mickle siller for we poor bairns that were left; so, that, in troth I was glad to get an establishment; and ne'er heeded the disparity between my guidman and mysel. Miss Lin. Your ladyship gave great proof of your prudence; but my affairs are not altogether so desperate. Lady Cath. Gad's mercy, miss! I hope you dinna make any comparison between Lady Catharine Coldstream, wha has the best blood in Scotland that rins in her veins Miss Lin. I hope your ladyship does not suppose Lady Cath. A lady lineally descended from the great Ossian himself, and allied to aw the illustrious houses abroad and at home Miss Lin. I beg, madam, your ladyship Lady Cath. And Kitty Linnet! a little play actor, wha gets applauded, or hissed, just e'en as the nobility wulls! Miss Lin. I am extremely concerned that— Lady Cath. Look'e. miss, I will cut matters short: you ken well enough, the first notice that e'er I took of you, was in your acting in Allan Ramsay's play of Patie and Roger? ere sine I hae been your fast friend; but an you continue obstinate, and will na succumb, I shall straitway withdraw my protection. Miss Lin. I shall be extremely unhappy in losing her ladyship's favour. Lady Cath. Miss, that depends entirely on yoursel. Miss Lin. Well, madam, as a proof how highly I rate it, and how desirous I am of obeying the commands of my parents, it shan't be my fault if their wishes are not accomplished. Lady Cath. That's aw right now, Kitty; gi me a kiss, you are the prudent lass that I thought you. Love, miss, is a pastime for boys and grown girls: aw stuff fit for nathing but novels and romances; there is nathing solid, na stability. Miss Lin. Madam Lady Cuth. Bat to fix your fortune at once, to get above the power of the world; that, child, is a serious concern. Mrs. Lin. [Without.] with your ladyship's leave Lady Cath. You may come in, Mrs. Lninet Enter MRS. LINNET. your daughter is brought to a proper sense of her duty, and is ready to coincide with your wish. ; Miss Lin. We are infinitely obliged to your ladyship; this is lucky indeed; Mr. Flint is now madam, below, and begs to be admitted. Lady Cath. Ah! the mon comes in the nick: shew him in, in the instant. [Erit. MRS. LINNET.] Now Kitty's your time; dinna be shy, lass, but throw out all your attractions, and fix him that he canna gang back. Miss Lin. Madam, I hope to behave Lady Cath. Gad's mercy how the girl trembles and quakes! come, pluck up a heart, and consider your aw is at stake. Miss Lin. I am afraid I shall be hardly able to say a single a Lady Cath. Suppose then, you sing; gi him sang; there is nothing moves a love-sick loon mair than a sang~[Noise without.] I hear the lad on the stairs; but let the words be aw melting and saft-the Scotch tunes, you ken, are unco pathetic; sing him the Birks of Endermay, or the Braes of Ballendine, or the―― Enter FLINT and MRS. LINNET. Maister Flint, your servant. There, sir, you ken the lass of your heart; I have laid for you a pretty solid foundation; but as to the edifice, you must e'en erect it yoursel. [Exit LADY CATHERINE. Flint. Please your ladyship I will do my en | deavour. Madam Linnet, I have made bold to bring you a present, a small paper of tea, in my pocket-you will order the tea kettle on. Mrs. Lin. O, sir, you need not haveFlint. I won't put you to any expence. [Exit MRS. LINNET. Well, miss, I understand here by my lady, that, that she, that is, that you, with respect and regard to the- -ah, al-won't you please to be seated? Miss Lin. Sir!—my lover seems as confused as myself. [Aside. Flint. I say, miss, that as I was saying, your friends here have spoke to you all how and about it. Miss Lin. About it! about what? Flint. About this here business, that I come about? Pray miss, are you fond of the country? Miss Lin. Of the country? Flint. Ay; because why, I think it is the most prettiest place for your true lovers to live insomething so rural; for my part I can't see what pleasure pretty misses can take in galloping to plays and to balls, and such expensive vagaries; there is ten times more pastime in fetching walks in the fields, in plucking of dasies Miss Lin. Haymaking, feeding the poultry, and milking the cows? Flint. Right, miss. Miss Lin. It must be owned they are pretty employments for ladies. Flint. Yes, for my mother used to say, who, between ourselves, was a notable housewife, Your folks that are idle, May live to bite the bridle. Miss Lin. What a happiness to have been bred under so prudent a parent! Flint. Ay, miss, you will have reason to say So; her maxims have put many a pound into my pocket. Miss Lin. How does that concern me? Though I was the maker, Miss Lin. Sir, you are very obliging. Flint. I can tell you, such offers are not every day to be met with; only think, miss, to have victuals and drink constantly found you, without cost or care on your side; especially, now, meat is so dear. Miss Lin. Considerations by no means to be slighted. Flint. Moreover, that you may live, and appear like my wife, I fully intend to keep you a coach. Flint. Though I don't think you will be vastly fond of coaching about; for why, we are off of the turnpike, and the roads are deadly deep about we. Miss Lin. What, you intend to reside in the country? Flint. Without doubt ; for then, miss, I shall be sure to have you all to myself. Miss Lin. An affectionate motive-but even in this happy state, where the most perfect union prevails, some solitary hours will intrude, and the time, now and then, hang heavy on our hands. Flint. What, in the country, my dear miss ? | not a minute you will find all pastime and jollity there; for what with minding the dairy, dunning the tenants, preserving and pickling, nursing the children, scolding the servants, mending and making, roasting, boiling, and baking, you won't have a moment to spare ! you will be merry and happy as the days are long. Miss Lin. I am afraid the days will be hardly long enough to execute so extensive a plan of enjoyment. Flint. Never you fear ! I am told, miss, that you write an exceeding good hand. Miss Lin. Pretty well, I believe. Flint. Then, miss, there is more pleasure in store; for you may employ any leisure time that you have in being my clerk, as a justice of peace -you shall share sixpence out of every warrant, to buy any little thing that you want. Miss Lin. That's finely imagined ! as your enjoyments are chiefly domestic, I presume you have contrived to make home as convenient as can be; you have sir, good gardens, no doubt? Flint. Gardens! ay, ay; why before the great parlour window there grows a couple of yews, as tall as a mast, and as thick as a steeple; and the boughs casts so delightful a shade, that you can't see your hand in any part of the room. Miss Lin. A most delicate gloom! Flint. And then there constantly roosts in the trees, a curious couple of owls, which I won't suffer our folks to disturb as they make so rural a noise in the night Miss Lin A most charming duet! Flint. And besides, miss, they pay for their lodgings, as they are counted very good mousers, you know. Miss Lin. True, but within doors your man- | sion is capacious, and Flint. Capacious! yes, yes, capacious enough; you may stretch your legs without crossing the threshold; why we go up and down stairs into every room of the house-to be sure, at present, it is a little out of repair; not that it rains in, where the casements are whole, at above five or six places at present. Miss Lin. Your prospects are pleasing? Flint. From of the top of the leads; for why I have boarded up most of the windows, in or dor to save paying the tax; but to my thinking, our bed-chamber, miss, is the most pleasantest place in the house. Miss Lin. Oh, sir, you are very polite. Flint. No, miss, it is not for that; but you must know that there is a large bow window facing the east, that does finely for drying of herbs, it is hung round with hatchments of all the folks that have died in the fantily; and then the pi geon-house is over our heads. Miss Lin. The pigeon-house ! Flint. Yes; and there every morning, we shall be waked by day-break, with their murmuring, cooing, and courting, that will make it as fine as can be. Miss Lin. Ravishing! Well, sir, it must be confessed, you have given me a most bewitching picture of pastoral life; your place is a perfect Arcadia-but I am afraid half the charms are derived from the painter's flattering pencil. Flint Not heightened a bit, as yourself shall be judge and then, as to the company, miss, you may have plenty of that when you will, for we have as pretty a neighbourhood as a body can wish. Miss Lin. Really? Flint. There is the widow Kilderkin, that keeps the Adam and Eve at the end of the town, quite an agreeable body, indeed-the death of her husband has drove the poor woman to tipple a bit-Farmer Dobbins' daughters, and doctor Surplice, our Curate, and wife, a vast conversible woman, if she was not altogethor so deaf. Miss Lin. A very sociable set !....why, sir, pla ced in paradise, there is nothing left you to wish. Flint. Yes, miss but there is Miss Lin. Ay? what can that be? Flint. The very same that our grandfather had-to have a beautiful Eve by my side-could I lead the lovely Linnet, nothing loath, to that bower Miss Lin. Oh, excess of gallantry? Flint. Would her sweet breath but deign to kindle, and blow up my hopes! Miss Lin. Oh, Mr. Flint ! I must not suffer this, for your sake; a person of your importance and rank Flint. A young miss of your great merit and beauty Miss Lin. A gentleman so accomplised and rich Flint. Whose perfections are not only the talk of Bath, but of Bristol, and the whole country round. Miss Lin. Oh, Mr. Flint, this is too Flint. Her goodness, her grace, her duty, her decency, her wisdom, her wit; her shape, slimness, and size, with her lovely black eyes; so elegant, engaging, so modest, so prudent, so pious; and if I am rightly informed, possessed of a sweet pretty pipe. Miss Lin. This is such a profusion— Flint Permit me, miss, to solicit a specimen of your delicate talents. Miss Lin. Why, sir, as your extravagant compliments have left me nothing to say, I think the best thing I can do is to sing. SONG. The smiling morn, the breathing spring, Flint. Enchanting! ravishing sounds! not the nine Muses themselves, nor Mrs. Baddeley, is equal to you. Miss Lin. Oh, fie! Flint. May I flatter myself. that the words of that song were directed to me? Miss Lin. Should I make such a confession, I should ill deserve the character you have been pleased to bestow. Enter LADY CATHERINE COLDSTREAM. Lady Cath. Come, come, Maister Flint, I'll get your heart at rest in an instant—you ken well enow, lasses are apt to be modest and sby; then take her answer fra me-prepare the minister, and aw the rest of the tackle, and you will find us ready to gang to the kirk. Flint. Miss, may I rely on what her ladyship says? Lady Cath. Gad's mercy! I think the man is bewitched? he wonna take a woman of quality's word for sik a trifling thing as a wife! Flint. Your ladyship will impute it all to my fears then I will strait set about getting the needful. Lady Cath. Gang your gait as fast as you list. Flint. Lord bless us! I had like to have forgot-I have, please your ladyship, put up here in a purse, a few presents that, if miss would deign to accept Lady Cath. Ah! that's aw right, quite in the order of things; as matters now stand, there is no harm in her accepting presents fra you master Flint; you may produce. Flint. Here is a Porto Bello pocket-piece of Admiral Vernon, with his image a one side, and six men of war, all in full sail, on the other Lady Cath. Yes, yes, it is in very fine preser vation. Flint. In this here paper, there are two mourning rings; that, which my aunt Bother'em left me, might serve very well, I should think, for the approaching happy occasion. Lady Cath. How! a mourning Flint. Because why, the motto's so pat; 'True till death shall stop my breath.' Lady Cath. Ay, ay, that contains mickle morality, miss. Flint. And here is, fourthly, a silver coral and bells, with only a bit broke off the coral when I was cutting my grinders. This was given me by my godfather Slingsby, and I hope will be in use again before the year comes about. Lady Cath. Na doubt, na doubt; leave that matter to us-I warrant we impede the Flint family from fawing into oblivion. Flint. I hope so--I should be glad to have a son of my own, if so be, but to leave him my fortune; because why at present, there is no mortal that I care a farthing about. Lady Cath. Quite a philosopher!—then dispatch, master Flint, dispatch'; for you ken, at your time of life, you hanna a moment to lose. Flidt. True, true; your ladyship's entirely devoted-- Miss, I am your most affectionate slave. [Exit. Lady Cath. A saucy lad, this Master Flint? you see, miss, he has a meaning in aw that he does. Miss Lin. Might I be permitted to alter your ladyship's words, I should rather say, meanness, Lady Cath. It is na mickle matter what the mon is at present; wi' a little management, you may mold him into any form that you list. Miss Lin. I am afraid he is not made of such pliant materials; but, however, I have too far advanced to retire; the die is cast-I have no chance now, unless my Corydon, should happen to alter his mind Lady Cath. Na, miss; there is na danger in that; you ken the treaty is concluded under my Lady Cath. That's a curious medallion. mediation; an he should dare to draw back, lady Flint. And here is half a crown of queen Catherine Coldstream would soon find means to Anne's, as fresh as when it came from the mint-punish his perfidy-Come away, miss. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE I.-SIR CHRISTOPHER CRIPPLE, SOUR Sir Chr. We must take care, that Flint does not surprise us, for the scoundrel is very suspicious. Rac. There is no danger of that-I lodged him safely at Linnet's--Button stands centry at the end of the street, so that we shall be instantly apprised of every motion he makes. Poul. Well managed, my Major Sir Chr. Yes, yes; the cunning young dog knows very well what he is about. 2 |