LETTER XXXV.WilliamtoEmilia.
Your brother went yesterday to visit the painter I mentioned to you, and Edward to read the newspaper in a neighbouring coffee-house; I stayed at home to transact some business for my mother. Charles returned first, and was scarcely seated, when Edward ran in with great haste.—I am glad, said he, to find you at home, I met at the coffee-house, by chance, a poor Englishman. Will you assist me to relieve a countryman, for they seem to have the first claim to our benevolence?
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
I do not think so; I should not ask, when I saw a man in distress, what countryman he was, whether he was aDutchman, Englishman or Frenchman; I should feel compassion. But where is your Englishman? let me see him. Come with us, William. We all three went to the door, and found a young man who seemed about four and twenty, who had an appearance of extreme poverty. Your brother Charles expressed some astonishment; I suppose he had prepared himself to meet an old man, for I have often heard him say that healthy young ones, except in particular circumstances, need never want, and that their distress is generally a proof of their idleness.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
You have applied to my brother for assistance, my friend; we will do something for you. Who are you?
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
My father was a reputable shoemaker; but he died suddenly, and left my motherin great distress with two sons; my brother went to service, and I endeavoured to get some employment in London; but after having been often disappointed, I determined to try my fortune in foreign parts.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
Whom did your brother live with?
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
With a Sir Charles Grandison.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
Was his name Harry?
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
Yes, Sir; did you know him?
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
I certainly knew him, and am very sorry to find you are his unworthy brother. So it was you who lived on your poor mother, when she was a widow and in great distress; it was you whoused to borrow money of your brother to buy liquor with; and when you left your drunken companions, you went home and abused your aged unfortunate parent.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
Oh, Sir! pray hear me out; I have done all I could to get work here; and have severely smarted for my folly.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
And dare you hope for compassion; you who had no compassion on your own mother, for whom you ought to have worked as your brother did. He is, in my esteem, no better than a monster in nature, who forgets to honour and love his parents. Of what do you complain? Do you not know that the Supreme Being sends down his judgments upon such children as you are? Did your mother nourish you in youryouth, and preserve you from all harm, to be abused by you when she was grown old, and to see you give yourself up entirely to idleness, and from idleness to vice? You are fallen into beggary, take care or something worse may follow.
EDWARD.
EDWARD.
EDWARD.
Go your way, all faults may be forgiven but those of an ungrateful son. He who could treat his parents with cruelty, must have a very depraved heart, and deserves nothing but cruelty from others.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
If you knew what I have suffered from sickness and want, and how sincerely I repent, I think that you would still pity me.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
What do you now resolve to do?
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
If I could get a little money to buy myself a coat, I would endeavour to work my passage to London and seek for my brother.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
You would go and live an idle life at his expence, but you will never more be a burthen to him; your worthy brother lived with my father, and died a few months ago in my arms.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
ENGLISHMAN.
Then, indeed, I have lost my only friend.—(And he bursted into tears.)
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
CHARLES.
No, as I respect your worthy brother’s memory, I will give you an old coat of mine and some necessaries, and procure you a passage on board the packet we areto sail in to-morrow or next day, but only on condition that you will promise to go to sea when I procure you a birth; I will not bring a beggar back to my native country.
Your brother then gave him some money to provide himself with a dinner, for he looked half famished.
This is the last letter I shall have the pleasure to write to you from Holland; I wish we had already set sail, I feel quite low spirited at being obliged to take leave of so many friends and acquaintance.
Mr. Landbergen has just left us with tears in his eyes, and we have renewed our promise of corresponding with his son; nay, your brother said it was possible he might again see him, for that he was so pleased with his journey to Holland, it was probable, if his father made no objection, that he and I should,some future time, pay them a longer visit. He said so, I believe, to comfort me as well as Mr. Landbergen. In a few days I hope in person to assure you that I am your sincere friend, till then do not forget
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
P. S. I must tell you that Charles received a letter from Lady Grandison this morning, with a bill enclosed in it. His eyes sparkled with pleasure, and soon after he went out without asking me to accompany him; but returned with such a cheerful aspect, that I am sure he went on some benevolent errand; I suspect to the young French painter; though I did not make any, even indirect enquiries, for I think a friend should not act like a spy, nor be impertinently curious to try to discover what anotherchuses to conceal.—If your brother wishes to do good in secret, may he enjoy the silent plaudits of his own heart. I know already enough to make me love him, and long to follow his example.