No. LXVI. ftances of the affair. The moment he heard that his fon had refused a challenge, he was feized with rage fo violent, that it had the appearance of distraction: he uttered innumerable oaths and execrations in a voice that was scarce human, declared his fon to be unworthy of his name, and folemnly renounced him for ever.

Eugenio returned to London the fame day, but it was late before he arrived: the fervant that opened the door told him with tears in his eyes, that his father was gone to bed much difordered, and had commanded that he fhould no more be admitted into that house. He ftood motionlefs a few moments; and then departing without reply, came directly to me; his looks were wild, his countenance pale, and his eyes fwimming in tears the moment he faw me, he threw himself into a chair; and putting a copy of his answer to Ventofus's challenge into my hand, anticipated my inquiries by relating all that had happened.

After having administered fuch confolation as I could, I prevailed upon him with much difficulty to go to bed. I fate up the reft of the night, devifing various arguments to convince Orgilio, that his fon had added new dignity to his character. In the morning I went to his houfe; and after much folicitation was admitted to his chamber. I found him in bed, where he had lain awake all the night; and it was easy to fee that his mind was in great agitation. I hoped that this tumult was produced by the struggles of parental tenderness: but the moment I mentioned his fon, he fell into an agony of rage that rendered him speechlefs; and I came away, convinced that the eloquence of an angel upon the fame fubject would have been without effect. I did not, however, relate thefe difcouraging circumftances.

to

to Eugenio: I told him that it would be proper to wait a few days before any farther application was made; not only because his father's refentment would probably fubfide, but because he was now indisposed.

Eugenio, when he heard that his father was ill, changed colour and burst into tears. He went every evening, and knocking foftly at the fervant's window, inquired how he did; and when he found that his fever had become dangerous, he intreated me to go yet once more and intercede for him, that he might at least be permitted to fee his father, if he might not hope to be forgiven. I went; but when Orgilio heard my name, he fell into a fresh transport of rage, which ended in a delirium. The effect which this incident produced upon Eugenio, who waited at the end of the street for my return, cannot be described: I prevailed upon him to go back to my houfe, where he fometimes haftily traversed the room, and fometimes fat fixed in a kind of stupid infenfibility upon the floor. While he was in one of these fits, news was brought that his father was dead, and had the morning after he was taken ill, inherited him, declaring that by the infamy of his conduct he had broke his heart.

dif

Eugenio heard this account without any apparent furprise or emotion, but could not be perfuaded to change his pofture or receive any food; till his fpirits being quite exhaufted, fleep relieved him a few hours from the agony of his mind.

The night on which his father was buried, he wrapped himself up in a horseman's coat that belonged to my fervant, and followed the proceflion at a distance on foot. When the ceremony was over, and the company departed, he threw himfelf on the grave, and hiding

his

his face in the duft, wept over it in filence that was interrupted only by groans. I, who had followed him unperceived, did not think it prudent to intrude upon the folemnity of his forrow, till the morning dawned: he was furprised, and I thought fomewhat confounded to fee me; he fuffered me, however, to lead him away, but neither of us uttered a word.

He told me the next day, that he would trouble me a few nights longer for a lodging, and in the mean sime think of fome means by which he might obtain a fubfiftence: he was, indeed, totally deftitute, without money and without a profeffion; but he made no complaint, and obftinately refused all pecuniary affiftance.

In less than a week afterwards, having converted his watch, his fword, a fauff-box, and ring, into money, he engaged as a common failor in a private undertaking to difcover the north-weft paffage to India.

When he communicated this defperare enterprise, he appeared perfectly compofed; "My dear friend," faid he, "it has been always my point of honour to "obey the commands of God, the prime author of my "being, and the ultimate object of my hope, at what

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ever risque; and I do not repent that I have steadi"ly adhered to this principle at the expence of all "that is valuable upon earth: I have fuffered the lofs "of fortune, of love, and of fame; but I have pre"ferved my integrity, and I know that I fhall not lofe

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my reward. To thefe I would, indeed, add the "esteem, though not the loye of Amelia. She will "hear of me as degraded and difinherited, a coward,

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a vagabond, and a fugitive; and her efteem, I think, "I have fufficient reason to give up: grief will wound "her deeper than contempt; it is therefore, beft that

"the fhould defpife me. Some of thofe, by whom the "is addreffed, deserve her: and I ought not to with"hold a felicity which I cannot enjoy. I fhall embark

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to-morrow; and your friendly embrace is all the good that I expect to receive from this country, "when I depart in fearch of others which are un"known."

To this addrefs I was not in a condition to reply; and perceiving that I was overwhelmed with grief, he left me, perhaps, left his purpose should be fhaken, and my weakness should prove contagious.

On the morrow I attended him to the fhip. He talked to me of indifferent things; and when we parted wrung my hand, and turned from me abruptly without speaking. I hafted into the boat which waited to bring me on fhore, and would not again feel the pangs of yefterday for all the kingdoms of the world.

Such is the friend I have loft! fuch is the man, whom the world has difgraced for refusing a challenge; but none who are touched with pity at his misfortunes, wish that he had avoided them by another conduct; and not to pity Eugenio, is furely to be a monfter rather than a man.

It may, perhaps, be queftioned, whether I ought thus to have exhibited his ftory under feigned names; or have a right to attempt that which he forbore. My love to him, is, indeed, my motive: but I think my conduct is just, when I confider, that though it is poffible that Amelia may, by the perufual of thefe papers, fuffer the most tender, and, therefore, the most exquifite distress, by the re-establishment of her esteem for him who most deferves it; yet the world may derive new virtue, from the dignity which the character of Euge

nio

nio reflects upon his conduct: his example is truly illuftrious; and as it can fcarce fail to excite emulation, it ought not to be concealed.

I am, SIR,

Your humble fervant,

BENEVOLUS.

No. LXVII. Tuefday, June 26, 1753)

Inventas

-vitam excoluere per artes. VIRG

They polifh life by ufeful arts.

THAT familiarity produces neglect, has been long obferved. The effect of all external objects, however great or fplendid, ceases with their novelty; the courtier stands without emotion in the royal prefence; the ruftic tramples under his foot the beauties of the spring with little attention to their colour or their fragrance; and the inhabitant of the coast darts his eye upon the immenfe diffufion of waters, without awe, wonder, or

terror.

Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with cold indifference; but an inhabitant of the remoter parts of the kingdom is immedi

ately