Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-12

was now about sixty years old-hearty
and hale, somewhat OF a humorist, but
well mourning, in tho main, and tcndelly
attached to his nephew, and his only
child Lucy; so named after her mother,
whom she closely resembled, and for
whose memory Sir Solomon entertained
the tenderest regard.
Lucy was beautiful, gentle, young,
and ~frolicsome; aud as she was the heir
css Of her fathers large possessions, she
bad, OF course, many suitors. One OF
;hcse-who had received the appreciation
Of Sir Solomon, was, at the period when
my tale commences, On a visit at the
mansion. lie was Young; Of a goodIy
parsonage, and wealthy wi'hal; had scrv-
cd under Lord Essex, in Ireland and in
Flanders; and, on the sudden death Of
his father and elder brother, he settled on
his estate, which adjoined Sir Solomon's
and forthwith began to VOC Sir Solo
mems acres, in The person Of his daugh-
ter Lucy.
Edward Fcnton was the name Of the
squire; but whether he was any des.
cendant OF that Edward Fcnton whom
Shakespeare celebrated, and whose true
affection for sweet Anne Pags,' was
brought to SO m~arvellously happy a con-
clusion history saith not.
Sir John Turntcxt all priests we're at
this period styled Sir tho chaplain,
was tho constant companion Of Sir Solo
mon. lie ate with him-waIked with
HIM huated with HMM short, did
every thing but sleep with him. In ap-
pcarance Ire was rather superior to the
country c!ergymen Of that day, but in
requirements, pretty much upona level
with his brethren. Nevertheless, Ire was
a we'll meaning man; who, though hui
moring his patron in som things, con-
trary both to law and gospel, yet, in the
main, lived up to the creed he professcc;
and was "a very favorable sample of II
parish priest in the days Of Elizabeth;
when the order had fallen into general
contempt and small consideration a
circumstance well accounted for by the
historian, who tells us, that the patrons
bestowed { advowsons ofbcneifices upon
their bakers, butlors, cooks, good arch
ers, ialconers, and house-keepers; in
stead of other rocompense for their long
and faithful service
Frank Wellborn, the nephew Of our
knight, was a youth who had seen some
twenty lie had excellent parts
and a good disposition; but his spirits
frequently ran away with his judgment,
and led him into excess, which, when
they came to the ear of his uncle, oc-
casioned the latter to fret and to fume,to
scold and to threaten; but when he
looked in Franks face, his passion gen.
orally ended with an exhortation to the
young scapegrace to be a steady lad,
and not to run about the town, like
TIC graceless Wallets who initiated the
frolics Of Falslaff and his wild compan-
ions.'
Such were the principal personages of
Sir Solomon's family. His only sur.iv-
ing sister, an ancient maiden, older than
himself, resided with him. She was a
good-tempered, garrulous old dame, who
busicd herself still about the affairs Of
the house: and in her high-crowned cap,
bodice. and mantua, looked as [ have
seen her represented in a family picture
not much unlike my hostess Quickley,
as dressed in the usual stage costume.
1t is now time to return to the col
loquy with which my story commenced.
The knight and his family, with tho ad.
dition OF Edward Fenton, were seated,
after dinner, in The winter parlor;,' q
I fairo and goodly ROOM lined with oak,
the furniture being, for the most part, Of
the same material. The knight sat in
the high-backed chair, curiously carved;
his ~favo,ite greyhound couched at his
feet, ana a cup o fburnt sack at his el-
bow. The chaplain and his sister also
occupied chairs; whilst the three youn-
ger individuals we're seated on stools-a
species Of seat then more in use than at
present.
why, Sir John,' said the knight, adj
dressing his chaplain, We shall soon
want the aid Of thy office, man. But,
nephew, who is she? For I'll be bound
you are in love-
Right, uncle-I am in love- And
Frank sighed pretty audibly.
Well, and what do you sigh for! 1t
is no crime to be in love, and you are old
enough TO marry. But out with the
name, lad
'Ore, my equal in birth, but far above
me in fortune. A peerless maid, than
whom the sun ne'er shone upon a fairer;
nor did true knight ever peri. himself for
n more amiablc.'
81 feel inclined to deny that said
young Fenton. CAS- a true knight, !
must assert the palm OF beauty and Of vir-