Sir, with a request, in which I flatter myself I shall be seconded by this worthy gentleman here present: you have the honour to be father to one of the most amiable and accomplished young men I ever knew; it may not become me to speak so warmly of my own son as perhaps I might with truth, but I flatter myself it will be some recommendation of him to your good opinion, when I tell you that he is the friend and intimate of your Gemellus: they have now gone through school and college together, and according to my notions of the world, such early connexions when they are well chosen, are amongst the chief advantages of a public education; but as I now purpose to send my son upon his travels, and in such a manner as I flatter myself will be for his benefit and improvement, I hope you will pardon this intrusion, when I inform you that the object of it is to solicit your consent that Gemellus may accompany him.' Euphorion's countenance, whilst this speech was addressed to him, underwent a variety of changes; surprise at hearing such an unexpected character of his son was strongly exprest; a gleam of joy seemed to break out, but was soon dispelled by shame and vexation at the reflection of having abandoned him : he attempted to speak, but confusion choked him; he cast a look of embarrassment upon the lawyer, but the joy and triumph, which his features exhibited, appeared to him like insult, and he turned his eyes on the ground in silence and despair. No one emotion had escaped the observation of Gemellus's patron, who, turning to the lawyer, said, he believed he need not affect to be ignorant of Gemellus's situation, and then addressing himself again to Euphorion- I can readily understand,' said he, 'that such a proposal as I have now opened to you, however advantageous it might promise to be to your son, would not correspond with your ideas in point of expense, nor come within the compass of that limited provision, which you have thought fit to appoint for him: this is a matter, of which I have no pretensions to speak; you have disposed of your fortune between your sons in the proportions you thought fit, and it must be owned a youth who has had a domestic education, stands the most in need of a father's help, from the little chance there is of his being able to take care of himself: Gemellus has talents that must secure his fortune, and if my services can assist him, they shall never be wanting; in the mean time it is very little for me to say that my purse will furnish their joint occasions, whilst they are on their travels, and Gemellus's little fund, which is in honest and friendly hands, will accumulate in the interim.' The length of this speech would have given Euphorion time to recollect himself, if the matter of it had not presented some unpleasant truths to his reflection which incapacitated him from making a deliberate reply; he made a shift however to hammer out some broken sentences, and with as good a grace as he could, attempted to palliate his neglect of Gemellus, by pleading his infirm state of health and retirement from the world-he had put him into the hands of his friend, who was present, id as he best knew what answer to give to the proposal in question, he referred his lordship to him, and would abide by his decision-he was glad to hear so favourable an account of him-it was far beyond his expectations: he hoped his lordship's partiality would not be deceived in him, and he was thankful for the kind expressions he had thrown out of his future good offices and protection.-The noble visitor now desired leave to introduce his son, who was waiting in the coach, and hoped Gemellus might be allowed to pay his duty at the same time. This was a surprise upon Euphorion, which he could not parry, and the young friends were immediately ushered in by the exulting lawyer. Gemellus commanded himself with great address; but the father's look, when he first discovered an elegant and manly youth in the bloom of health and comeliness, with an open countenance, where genius, courage, and philanthropy were characterized, is not to be described; it was a mixt expression of shame, conviction, and repentance; nature had her share in it; parental love seemed to catch a glance as it were by stealth; he was silent, and his lips quivered with the supprest emotions of his heart. Gemellus approached and made a humble obeisance; Euphorion stretched forth his hand; he seized it between his, and reverently pressed it to his lips. Their meeting was not interrupted by a word, and the silence was only broken by my lord, who told Gemellus, in a low voice, that his father had consented to his request, and he had no longer cause to apprehend a separation from his friend: the honest lawyer now could no longer repress his ecstasy, but running to Gemellus, who met his embrace with open arms, showered a flood of tears upon his neck, and received the tribute of gratitude and affection in return upon his own. When their spirits were a little composed, Gemellus requested to see his brother; a summons was accordingly issued, and Geminus made his entrance. The contrast which this meeting exhibited, spoke in stronger terms than language can supply, the decided preference of a public and liberal system of education, to the narrow maxims of private and domestic tuition. On Gemellus's part all was candour, openness and cordiality; he hoped all childish differences were forgiven: for his share if he called them to remembrance, it was only to regret, that he had been so long separated from a brother who was naturally so dear to him; for the remainder of their lives he persuaded himself they should be twins in affection as well as in birth. On the side of Geminus there was some acting, and some nature! but both were specimens of the worst sort: hypocrisy played his part but awkwardly, and nature gave a sorry sample of her performances. A few words will suffice to wind up their histories, so far at least as they need be explained: Euphorion died soon after this interview! Geminus inherited his fortune, and upon his very first coming to London was cajoled into a disgraceful marriage with a cast-off mistress whom he became acquainted with; duped by a profligate and plundered by sharpers, he made a miserable waste both of money and reputation, and in the event became a pensioner of his brother. Gemellus, with great natural talents, improved by education and experience, with an excellent nature and a laudable ambition, seconded by a very powerful connexion, soon rose to a distinguished situation in the state, where he yet continues to act a conspicuous part, to the honour of his country, and with no less reputation to himself. NUMBER XXXVIII. Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.-LUCRETIUS. I REMEMBER to have read an account in a foreign Gazette of a dreadful fire, which broke out so suddenly in a house where a great many people were assembled, that five hundred persons perished miserably in the flames: the compiler of this account sub joins at the foot of the above melancholy article, that it is with satisfaction he can assure his readers, all the above persons were Jews. These poor people seem the butt, at which all sects and persuasions level their contempt: they are sojourners and aliens in every kingdom on earth, and yet few have the hospitality to give them a welcome. I do not know any good reason why these unhappy wanderers are so treated, for they do not intrude upon the labourer or manufacturer; they do not burthen the state with their poor, and here at least they neither till the earth, nor work at any craft, but content themselves in general to hawk about a few refuse manufactures, and buy up a few cast-off clothes, which no man methinks would envy them the monopoly of. It is to the honour of our nation, that we tolerate them in the exercise of their religion, for which the Inquisition would tie them to a stake and commit them to the flames. In some parts of the world the burning of a Jew makes a festival for all good Christians; it brings rain and plenty in seasons of drought and famine; it makes atonement for the sins of the people, and it mitigates the wrath of an avenging Providence. Wherever they are obliged to conceal their religion, they generally overact their hypocrisy, and crowd their houses with saints and virgins, whilst crucifixes, charms, and relics are hung in numbers round their necks. The son of Jewish parents is brought up in the most rigid exercises of mortification and penance, and when the destined moment is near approach, when the parent must impart the dreadful secret of his faith, every contrivance is put in practice to disgust and weary him with the laborious functions of their ostensible religion: when this preparatory rigour is perceived to take effect, and the age of the son is ripe for the oc |