Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-04

of Moore, "She is far from the lard," Sc:
SINGULAR MASALLIANCE
William Sturgeon was a young mar OF unexceponable
character and of handsome personal exterior but of the hum
blest origin, and totally destitute of the cOmmonest rudi
ments of education Ills parents resided in the county of
Wicklow, the property, conjecture, Of the Marquis
ofRockngham possessed by his collateral descendants,
the Ears Filzwiam. This is surnise but admitting
its truth the fact will readily be accounted for Of the youth
in question having been sent to London and engaged
servant in the family of Lord iugham-Chares, :he
second marquis, whose memory Burke has 50 ably pane
gyrized and whose upright aud patriotic conduct
man was fully equalIed by his virtues in private life.
Here was William appointed persunal footman 10 the
Lady Harriet Wentworth youngest sister of the marquis,
whose large and spehdd establishment she at this Pc
riod 764) presided mistress. The lady was just twenty
six, plain ia person, but clever and amiabIe.
The growing interest which after short time she began
evnce for her and handsome attendant course
set down noives purely benevolent and therefore praise
worthy. She had him taught read aud write, and was
herself at palns with his education That warmer feel
ing influenced her conduct one ever dreamed that
woman of superior rank and intellect c daily association
with the hghy-born and highly favored of the land the
sister of one of the most celebrated of the day.
Win every upPituulJ duOIuVu Hel I"
bic connection could ps$iby contemplate extraordinary
masalliance that ofa union with her tOthlan.
Such however proved to be the case; and for nine days
this singular affair the talk and wonder of the fashion,
able world of London In the midst u her inatuation this
lady eynced degree of calculating prudence and discre-
on doubtless commendabe. but certainly not llule sur
prising for she enaied her fortune with the utmust circum-
spectiun An annuity of -sl00 settled the young
,.d biS
separation On her children, if there should Se any, she
enaied the whole of her fortune while in the ofhe
marriage being unfruu 1t was to revert TO her own am-
lily. This deed Lady vested Of her power by
placing ia the keeping of the celebrated Lord Mansfield
her uncle by marriage-whon at the same time she
nominated trustee. 1t was drawn up by her own hand
and as his lordshp-a good Judge in such maters-re-
marked, as binding as any lawyer could make it.
Just previous Lady Harriet becoming the wife of S,ur-
geon suspicion was excited r the first time among his
fe'low-sewants. Some trifng Of familiarity towards
the lady, pardobabe from Of her rank but mper
tinent and altogether absurd in domestic, chanced be
detected, and being duly reported the housekeeper Of
Lord Rockingham, that person considered hmsefiu fully JUS
tilted in seeking amongst the young mans property for
frmaon Of their suspicious This soon afforded in the
shape ufa letter which William had commenced writing
10 his parents in Ireland 1t dwe the kindness of his
lady, their intended unor and the hope that this event
great for him, might afford the Of benefng his ia
ther and mother.
As may be couectured, express was at once sent off
10 Lord Rockingham who the time visiting his
tate Yorkshire; but fortunately or unfortunately we
hardly know which, it arrived late. Before The mar
aus had reached London the marriage had taken place
On pretence of going view collection ofpainngs which
she wished to inspect before the hour for admitting sran
gers the exhibition Lady Harriet had left home
ally early, her Gveed uienia. usual in attendance.
They had nearly reached the church. when The young maj
discovered that his agitation he had forgotten the ring
He hurried lone 10 procure it, and there ug qr ,,unet
t. his speedy return he evaded the inquiry by remarkn!
that his lady had neglected bring the catalogue Of th
pictures.
After the ceremony, the newly married couple went Il
Ireland Lady Harriet wisely dropping her title for that
Mrs Sturgeon, by which humber she was ever af
forwards known. William who seems to have been du
tf and exemplary son. often went to visit his parents
and was enabled through his comparative abundance
to administer in many ways their comfort Still, he wa
reluctant introduce them his high born BRIDE earn
TO shock her with the poverty Of the parental root and til
homey ignorance Of those who had given him birth. Sh
however was nut to be deferred finding the unwilling
ness OF he husband continue e lady avaiiug herself of
Temporary absence on his part drove to the humble dive
Ing OF the parents who, may be well supposed were
raptued the VISIT aud thought they could rot do enoug
for her who had mado the fortune Of their son.