Mr。WebbthoughttheseversesquiteasfineasMr。Addison\'sontheBlenheimCampaign，and，indeed，tobeHectoralamodedeParis，waspartofthisgallantgentleman\'sambition。Itwouldhavebeendifficulttofindanofficerinthewholearmy，oramongstthesplendidcourtiersandcavaliersoftheMaisonduRoy，thatfoughtunderVendosmeandVilleroyinthearmyopposedtoours，whowasamoreaccomplishedsoldierandperfectgentleman，andeitherbraverorbetter—looking。AndifMr。Webbbelievedofhimselfwhattheworldsaidofhim，andwasdeeplyconvincedofhisownindisputablegenius，beauty，andvalor，whohasarighttoquarrelwithhimverymuch？Thisself—contentofhiskepthimingeneralgood—humor，ofwhichhisfriendsanddependantsgotthebenefit。
HecameofaveryancientWiltshirefamily，whichherespectedaboveallfamiliesintheworld:hecouldprovealinealdescentfromKingEdwardtheFirst，andhisfirstancestor，RoaldusdeRichmond，rodebyWilliamtheConqueror\'ssideonHastingsfield。
\"Weweregentlemen，Esmond，\"heusedtosay，\"whentheChurchillswerehorse—boys。\"Hewasaverytallman，standinginhispumpssixfeetthreeinches（inhisgreatjack—boots，withhistallfairperiwig，andhatandfeather，hecouldnothavebeenlessthaneightfeethigh）。\"IamtallerthanChurchill，\"hewouldsay，surveyinghimselfintheglass，\"andIamabettermademan;andifthewomenwon\'tlikeamanthathasn\'tawartonhisnose，faith，I
can\'thelpmyself，andChurchillhasthebetterofmethere。\"
Indeed，hewasalwaysmeasuringhimselfwiththeDuke，andalwaysaskinghisfriendstomeasurethem。Andtalkinginthisfrankway，ashewoulddo，overhiscups，wagswouldlaughandencouragehim;
friendswouldbesorryforhim;schemersandflattererswouldegghimon，andtale—bearerscarrythestoriestoheadquarters，andwidenthedifferencewhichalreadyexistedthere，betweenthegreatcaptainandoneoftheablestandbravestlieutenantsheeverhad。
HisrancoragainsttheDukewassoapparent，thatonesawitinthefirsthalf—hour\'sconversationwithGeneralWebb;andhislady，whoadoredherGeneral，andthoughthimahundredtimestaller，handsomer，andbraverthanaprodigalnaturehadmadehim，hatedthegreatDukewithsuchanintensityasitbecomesfaithfulwivestofeelagainsttheirhusbands\'enemies。NotthatmyLordDukewassoyet;Mr。Webbhadsaidathousandthingsagainsthim，whichhissuperiorhadpardoned;andhisGrace，whosespieswereeverywhere，hadheardathousandthingsmorethatWebbhadneversaid。Butitcostthisgreatmannopainstopardon;andhepassedoveraninjuryorabenefitalikeeasily。
Shouldanychildofminetakethepainstoreadthesehisancestor\'smemoirs，IwouldnothavehimjudgeofthegreatDuke*
bywhatacontemporaryhaswrittenofhim。Nomanhathbeensoimmenselylaudedanddecriedasthisgreatstatesmanandwarrior;
as，indeed，nomaneverdeservedbettertheverygreatestpraiseandthestrongestcensure。Ifthepresentwriterjoinswiththelatterfaction，verylikelyaprivatepiqueofhisownmaybethecauseofhisill—feeling。
*ThispassageintheMemoirsofEsmondiswrittenonaleafinsertedintotheMS。book，anddated1744，probablyafterhehadheardoftheDuchess\'sdeath。
OnpresentinghimselfattheCommander—in—Chief\'slevee，hisGracehadnottheleastremembranceofGeneralLumley\'saide—de—camp，andthoughheknewEsmond\'sfamilyperfectlywell，havingservedwithbothlords（myLordFrancisandtheViscountEsmond\'sfather）inFlanders，andintheDukeofYork\'sGuard，theDukeofMarlborough，whowasfriendlyandserviceabletothe（so—styled）legitimaterepresentativesoftheViscountCastlewood，tooknosortofnoticeofthepoorlieutenantwhoboretheirname。Awordofkindnessoracknowledgment，orasingleglanceofapprobation，mighthavechangedEsmond\'sopinionofthegreatman;andinsteadofasatire，whichhispencannothelpwriting，whoknowsbutthatthehumblehistorianmighthavetakentheothersideofpanegyric？Wehavebuttochangethepointofview，andthegreatestactionlooksmean;asweturntheperspective—glass，andagiantappearsapigmy。Youmaydescribe，butwhocantellwhetheryoursightisclearornot，oryourmeansofinformationaccurate？Hadthegreatmansaidbutawordofkindnesstothesmallone（ashewouldhavesteppedoutofhisgiltchariottoshakehandswithLazarusinragsandsores，ifhethoughtLazaruscouldhavebeenofanyservicetohim），nodoubtEsmondwouldhavefoughtforhimwithpenandswordtotheutmostofhismight;butmylordtheliondidnotwantmastermouseatthismoment，andsoMuscipuluswentoffandnibbledinopposition。
Soitwas，however，thatayounggentleman，who，intheeyesofhisfamily，andinhisown，doubtless，waslookeduponasaconsummatehero，foundthatthegreatheroofthedaytooknomorenoticeofhimthanofthesmallestdrummerinhisGrace\'sarmy。TheDowageratChelseywasfuriousagainstthisneglectofherfamily，andhadagreatbattlewithLadyMarlborough（asLadyCastlewoodinsistedoncallingtheDuchess）。HerGracewasnowMistressoftheRobestoherMajesty，andoneofthegreatestpersonagesinthiskingdom，asherhusbandwasinallEurope，andthebattlebetweenthetwoladiestookplaceintheQueen\'sdrawing—room。
TheDuchess，inreplytomyaunt\'seagerclamor，saidhaughtily，thatshehaddoneherbestforthelegitimatebranchoftheEsmonds，andcouldnotbeexpectedtoprovideforthebastardbratsofthefamily。
\"Bastards！\"saystheViscountess，inafury。\"TherearebastardsamongtheChurchills，asyourGraceknows，andtheDukeofBerwickisprovidedforwellenough。\"
\"Madam，\"saystheDuchess，\"youknowwhosefaultitisthattherearenosuchdukesintheEsmondfamilytoo，andhowthatlittleschemeofacertainladymiscarried。\"
Esmond\'sfriend，DickSteele，whowasinwaitingonthePrince，heardthecontroversybetweentheladiesatcourt。\"Andfaith，\"
saysDick，\"Ithink，Harry，thykinswomanhadtheworstofit。\"
Hecouldnotkeepthestoryquiet;\'twasalloverthecoffee—houseserenight;itwasprintedinaNewsLetterbeforeamonthwasover，and\"ThereplyofherGracetheDuchessofM—rlb—r—ghtoaPopishLadyoftheCourt，onceafavoriteofthelateK———J—m—s，\"wasprintedinhalfadozenplaces，withanotestatingthat\"thisduchess，whentheheadofthislady\'sfamilycamebyhisdeathlatelyinafatalduel，neverresteduntilshegotapensionfortheorphanheir，andwidow，fromherMajesty\'sbounty。\"ThesquabbledidnotadvancepoorEsmond\'spromotionmuch，andindeedmadehimsoashamedofhimselfthathedarednotshowhisfaceattheCommander—in—Chief\'sleveesagain。
DuringthoseeighteenmonthswhichhadpassedsinceEsmondsawhisdearmistress，hergoodfather，theoldDean，quittedthislife，firminhisprinciplestotheverylast，andenjoininghisfamilyalwaystorememberthattheQueen\'sbrother，KingJamestheThird，wastheirrightfulsovereign。Hemadeaveryedifyingend，ashisdaughtertoldEsmond，andnotalittletohersurprise，afterhisdeath（forhehadlivedalwaysverypoorly）myladyfoundthatherfatherhadleftnolessasumthan3，000L。behindhim，whichhebequeathedtoher。
WiththislittlefortuneLadyCastlewoodwasenabled，whenherdaughter\'sturnatCourtcame，tocometoLondon，whereshetookasmallgenteelhouseatKensington，intheneighborhoodoftheCourt，bringingherchildrenwithher，andhereitwasthatEsmondfoundhisfriends。
Asfortheyounglord，hisuniversitycareerhadendedratherabruptly。HonestTusher，hisgovernor，hadfoundmyyounggentlemanquiteungovernable。Mylordworriedhislifeawaywithtricks;andbrokeout，ashome—bredladswill，intoahundredyouthfulextravagances，sothatDr。Bentley，thenewmasterofTrinity，thoughtfittowritetotheViscountessCastlewood，mylord\'smother，andbeghertoremovetheyoungnoblemanfromacollegewherehedeclinedtolearn，andwhereheonlydidharmbyhisriotousexample。Indeed，IbelievehenearlysetfiretoNevil\'sCourt，thatbeautifulnewquadrangleofourcollege，whichSirChristopherWrenhadlatelybuilt。Heknockeddownaproctor\'smanthatwantedtoarresthiminamidnightprank;hegaveadinner—partyonthePrinceofWales\'sbirthday，whichwaswithinafortnightofhisown，andthetwentyyounggentlementhenpresentsalliedoutaftertheirwine，havingtoastedKingJames\'shealthwithopenwindows，andsungcavaliersongs，andshouted\"GodsavetheKing！\"inthegreatcourt，sothatthemastercameoutofhislodgeatmidnight，anddissipatedtheriotousassembly。
Thiswasmylord\'scrowningfreak，andtheRev。ThomasTusher，domesticchaplaintotheRightHonorabletheLordViscountCastlewood，findinghisprayersandsermonsofnoearthlyavailtohislordship，gaveuphisdutiesofgovernor;wentandmarriedhisbrewer\'swidowatSouthampton，andtookherandhermoneytohisparsonagehouseatCastlewood。
MyladycouldnotbeangrywithhersonfordrinkingKingJames\'shealth，beingherselfaloyalTory，asalltheCastlewoodfamilywere，andacquiescedwithasigh，knowing，perhaps，thatherrefusalwouldbeofnoavailtotheyounglord\'sdesireforamilitarylife。ShewouldhavelikedhimtobeinMr。Esmond\'sregiment，hopingthatHarrymightactasaguardianandadvisertohiswaywardyoungkinsman;butmyyounglordwouldhearofnothingbuttheGuards，andacommissionwasgotforhimintheDukeofOrmond\'sregiment;soEsmondfoundmylord，ensignandlieutenant，whenhereturnedfromGermanyaftertheBlenheimcampaign。
TheeffectproducedbybothLadyCastlewood\'schildrenwhentheyappearedinpublicwasextraordinary，andthewholetownspeedilyrangwiththeirfame:suchabeautifulcouple，itwasdeclared，neverhadbeenseen;theyoungmaidofhonorwastoastedateverytableandtavern，andasformyyounglord，hisgoodlookswereevenmoreadmiredthanhissister\'s。Ahundredsongswerewrittenaboutthepair，andasthefashionofthatdaywas，myyounglordwaspraisedintheseAnacreonticsaswarmlyasBathyllus。Youmaybesurethatheacceptedverycomplacentlythetown\'sopinionofhim，andacquiescedwiththatfranknessandcharminggood—humorhealwaysshowedintheideathathewastheprettiestfellowinallLondon。
TheoldDowageratChelsey，thoughshecouldneverbegottoacknowledgethatMistressBeatrixwasanybeautyatall，（inwhichopinion，asitmaybeimagined，avastnumberoftheladiesagreedwithher），yet，ontheveryfirstsightofyoungCastlewood，sheownedshefellinlovewithhim:andHenryEsmond，onhisreturntoChelsey，foundhimselfquitesupersededinherfavorbyheryoungerkinsman。ThefeatofdrinkingtheKing\'shealthatCambridgewouldhavewonherheart，shesaid，ifnothingelsedid。\"Howhadthedearyoungfellowgotsuchbeauty？\"sheasked。\"Notfromhisfather——certainlynotfromhismother。Howhadhecomebysuchnoblemanners，andtheperfectbelair？ThatcountrifiedWalcotewidowcouldneverhavetaughthim。\"EsmondhadhisownopinionaboutthecountrifiedWalcotewidow，whohadaquietgraceandserenekindness，thathadalwaysseemedtohimtheperfectionofgoodbreeding，thoughhedidnottrytoarguethispointwithhisaunt。ButhecouldagreeinmostofthepraiseswhichtheenrapturedolddowagerbestowedonmyLordViscount，thanwhomheneverbeheldamorefascinatingandcharminggentleman。Castlewoodhadnotwitsomuchasenjoyment。\"Theladlooksgoodthings，\"Mr。
Steeleusedtosay;\"andhislaughlightsupaconversationasmuchastenreparteesfromMr。Congreve。IwouldassoonsitoverabottlewithhimaswithMr。Addison;andratherlistentohistalkthanhearNicolini。WasevermansogracefullydrunkasmyLordCastlewood？Iwouldgiveanythingtocarrymywine（though，indeed，Dickborehisverykindly，andplentyofit，too），\"likethisincomparableyoungman。Whenheissoberheisdelightful;
andwhentipsy，perfectlyirresistible。\"Andreferringtohisfavorite，Shakspeare（whowasquiteoutoffashionuntilSteelebroughthimbackintothemode），DickcomparedLordCastlewoodtoPrinceHal，andwaspleasedtodubEsmondasancientPistol。
TheMistressoftheRobes，thegreatestladyinEnglandaftertheQueen，orevenbeforeherMajesty，astheworldsaid，thoughshenevercouldbegottosayacivilwordtoBeatrix，whomshehadpromotedtoherplaceasmaidofhonor，tookherbrotherintoinstantfavor。WhenyoungCastlewood，inhisnewuniform，andlookinglikeaprinceoutofafairytale，wenttopayhisdutytoherGrace，shelookedathimforaminuteinsilence，theyoungmanblushingandinconfusionbeforeher，thenfairlyburstouta—
crying，andkissedhimbeforeherdaughtersandcompany。\"Hewasmyboy\'sfriend，\"shesaid，throughhersobs。\"MyBlandfordmighthavebeenlikehim。\"Andeverybodysaw，afterthismarkoftheDuchess\'sfavor，thatmyyounglord\'spromotionwassecure，andpeoplecrowdedroundthefavorite\'sfavorite，whobecamevainerandgayer，andmoregood—humoredthanever。
MeanwhileMadamBeatrixwasmakingherconquestsonherownside，andamongstthemwasonepoorgentleman，whohadbeenshotbyheryoungeyestwoyearsbefore，andhadneverbeenquitecuredofthatwound;heknew，tobesure，howhopelessanypassionmightbe，directedinthatquarter，andhadtakenthatbest，thoughignoble，remediumamoris，aspeedyretreatfrombeforethecharmer，andalongabsencefromher;andnotbeingdangerouslysmitteninthefirstinstance，Esmondprettysoongotthebetterofhiscomplaint，andifhehaditstill，didnotknowhehadit，andboreiteasily。
ButwhenhereturnedafterBlenheim，theyoungladyofsixteen，whohadappearedthemostbeautifulobjecthiseyeshadeverlookedontwoyearsback，wasnowadvancedtoaperfectripenessandperfectionofbeauty，suchasinstantlyenthralledthepoordevil，whohadalreadybeenafugitivefromhercharms。Thenhehadseenherbutfortwodays，andfled;nowhebeheldherdayafterday，andwhenshewasatCourtwatchedafterher;whenshewasathome，madeoneofthefamilyparty;whenshewentabroad，rodeafterhermother\'schariot;whensheappearedinpublicplaces，wasintheboxnearher，orinthepitlookingather;whenshewenttochurchwassuretobethere，thoughhemightnotlistentothesermon，andbereadytohandhertoherchairifshedeignedtoacceptofhisservices，andselecthimfromascoreofyoungmenwhowerealwayshangingroundabouther。Whenshewentaway，accompanyingherMajestytoHamptonCourt，adarknessfelloverLondon。Gods，whatnightshasEsmondpassed，thinkingofher，rhymingabouther，talkingabouther！HisfriendDickSteelewasatthistimecourtingtheyounglady，Mrs。Scurlock，whomhemarried;shehadalodginginKensingtonSquare，hardbymyLadyCastlewood\'shousethere。DickandHarry，beingonthesameerrand，usedtomeetconstantlyatKensington。Theywerealwaysprowlingaboutthatplace，ordismallywalkingthence，oreagerlyrunningthither。
Theyemptiedscoresofbottlesatthe\"King\'sArms，\"eachmanpratingofhislove，andallowingtheothertotalkonconditionthathemighthavehisownturnasalistener。Hencearoseanintimacybetweenthem，thoughtoalltherestoftheirfriendstheymusthavebeeninsufferable。Esmond\'sversesto\"GlorianaattheHarpsichord，\"to\"Gloriana\'sNosegay，\"to\"GlorianaatCourt，\"
appearedthisyearintheObservator。——Haveyouneverreadthem？
Theywerethoughtprettypoems，andattributedbysometoMr。
Prior。
Thispassiondidnotescape——howshouldit？——thecleareyesofEsmond\'smistress:hetoldherall;whatwillamannotdowhenfranticwithlove？Towhatbasenesswillhenotdemeanhimself？
Whatpangswillhenotmakeotherssuffer，sothathemayeasehisselfishheartofapartofitsownpain？Dayafterdayhewouldseekhisdearmistress，pourinsanehopes，supplications，rhapsodies，raptures，intoherear。Shelistened，smiled，consoled，withuntiringpityandsweetness。Esmondwastheeldestofherchildren，soshewaspleasedtosay;andasforherkindness，whoeverhadorwouldlookforaughtelsefromonewhowasanangelofgoodnessandpity？Afterwhathasbeensaid，\'tisneedlessalmosttoaddthatpoorEsmond\'ssuitwasunsuccessful。
Whatwasanameless，pennilesslieutenanttodo，whensomeofthegreatestinthelandwereinthefield？Esmondneversomuchasthoughtofaskingpermissiontohopesofarabovehisreachasheknewthisprizewasandpassedhisfoolish，uselesslifeinmereabjectsighsandimpotentlonging。Whatnightsofrage，whatdaysoftorment，ofpassionateunfulfilleddesire，ofsickeningjealousycanherecall！Beatrixthoughtnomoreofhimthanofthelackeythatfollowedherchair。Hiscomplaintsdidnottouchherintheleast;hisrapturesratherfatiguedher;shecaredforhisversesnomorethanforDanChaucer\'s，who\'sdeadtheseeversomanyhundredyears;shedidnothatehim;sheratherdespisedhim，andjustsufferedhim。
Oneday，aftertalkingtoBeatrix\'smother，hisdear，fond，constantmistress——forhours——foralldaylong——pouringouthisflameandhispassion，hisdespairandrage，returningagainandagaintothetheme，pacingtheroom，tearinguptheflowersonthetable，twistingandbreakingintobitsthewaxoutofthestand—
dish，andperformingahundredmadfreaksofpassionatefolly;
seeinghismistressatlastquitepaleandtiredoutwithsheerwearinessofcompassion，andwatchingoverhisfeverforthehundredthtime，Esmondseizeduphishat，andtookhisleave。AshegotintoKensingtonSquare，asenseofremorsecameoverhimforthewearisomepainhehadbeeninflictinguponthedearestandkindestfriendevermanhad。Hewentbacktothehouse，wheretheservantstillstoodattheopendoor，ranupthestairs，andfoundhismistresswherehehadleftherintheembrasureofthewindow，lookingoverthefieldstowardsChelsey。Shelaughed，wipingawayatthesametimethetearswhichwereinherkindeyes;heflunghimselfdownonhisknees，andburiedhisheadinherlap。Shehadinherhandthestalkofoneoftheflowers，apink，thathehadtorntopieces。\"Oh，pardonme，pardonme，mydearestandkindest，\"hesaid;\"Iaminhell，andyouaretheangelthatbringsmeadropofwater。\"
\"Iamyourmother，youaremyson，andIloveyoualways，\"shesaid，holdingherhandsoverhim:andhewentawaycomfortedandhumbledinmind，ashethoughtofthatamazingandconstantloveandtendernesswithwhichthissweetladyeverblessedandpursuedhim。
CHAPTERXI。
THEFAMOUSMR。JOSEPHADDISON。
ThegentlemenushershadatableatKensington，andtheGuardaverysplendiddinnerdailyatSt。James\'s，ateitherofwhichordinariesEsmondwasfreetodine。DickSteelelikedtheGuard—
tablebetterthanhisownatthegentlemenushers\'，wheretherewaslesswineandmoreceremony;andEsmondhadmanyajollyafternoonincompanyofhisfriend，andahundredtimesatleastsawDickintohischair。Ifthereisverityinwine，accordingtotheoldadage，whatanamiable—naturedcharacterDick\'smusthavebeen！Inproportionashetookinwineheoverflowedwithkindness。Histalkwasnotwittysomuchascharming。Heneversaidawordthatcouldangeranybody，andonlybecamethemorebenevolentthemoretipsyhegrew。Manyofthewagsderidedthepoorfellowinhiscups，andchosehimasabuttfortheirsatire:buttherewasakindnessabouthim，andasweetplayfulfancy，thatseemedtoEsmondfarmorecharmingthanthepointedtalkofthebrightestwits，withtheirelaboratereparteesandaffectedseverities。I
thinkSteeleshoneratherthansparkled。Thosefamousbeaux—
espritsofthecoffee—houses（Mr。WilliamCongreve，forinstance，whenhisgoutandhisgrandeurpermittedhimtocomeamongus）
wouldmakemanybrillianthits——halfadozeninanightsometimes——
but，likesharp—shooters，whentheyhadfiredtheirshot，theywereobligedtoretireundercovertilltheirpieceswereloadedagain，andwaittilltheygotanotherchanceattheirenemy;whereasDickneverthoughtthathisbottlecompanionwasabutttoaimat——onlyafriendtoshakebythehand。Thepoorfellowhadhalfthetowninhisconfidence;everybodykneweverythingabouthislovesandhisdebts，hiscreditorsorhismistress\'sobduracy。WhenEsmondfirstcameontothetown，honestDickwasallflamesandrapturesforayounglady，aWestIndiafortune，whomhemarried。Inacoupleofyearstheladywasdead，thefortunewasallbutspent，andthehonestwidowerwasaseagerinpursuitofanewparagonofbeauty，asifhehadnevercourtedandmarriedandburiedthelastone。
QuittingtheGuard—tableoneSundayafternoon，whenbychanceDickhadasoberfituponhim，beandhisfriendweremakingtheirwaydownGermainStreet，andDickallofasuddenlefthiscompanion\'sarm，andranafteragentlemanwhowasporingoverafoliovolumeatthebook—shopneartoSt。James\'sChurch。Hewasafair，tallman，inasnuff—coloredsuit，withaplainsword，verysober，andalmostshabbyinappearance——atleastwhencomparedtoCaptainSteele，wholovedtoadornhisjollyroundpersonwiththefinestofclothes，andshoneinscarletandgoldlace。TheCaptainrushedup，then，tothestudentofthebook—stall，tookhiminhisarms，huggedhim，andwouldhavekissedhim——forDickwasalwayshuggingandbussinghisfriends——buttheothersteppedbackwithaflushonhispaleface，seemingtodeclinethispublicmanifestationofSteele\'sregard。
\"MydearestJoe，wherehastthouhiddenthyselfthisage？\"criestheCaptain，stillholdingbothhisfriend\'shands;\"Ihavebeenlanguishingfortheethisfortnight。\"
\"Afortnightisnotanage，Dick，\"saystheother，verygood—
humoredly。（Hehadlightblueeyes，extraordinarybright，andafaceperfectlyregularandhandsome，likeatintedstatue。）\"AndI
havebeenhidingmyself——wheredoyouthink？\"
\"What！notacrossthewater，mydearJoe？\"saysSteele，withalookofgreatalarm:\"thouknowestIhavealways——\"
\"No，\"sayshisfriend，interruptinghimwithasmile:\"wearenotcometosuchstraitsasthat，Dick。Ihavebeenhiding，sir，ataplacewherepeopleneverthinkoffindingyou——atmyownlodgings，whitherIamgoingtosmokeapipenowanddrinkaglassofsack:
willyourhonorcome？\"
\"HarryEsmond，comehither，\"criesoutDick。\"ThouhastheardmetalkoverandoveragainofmydearestJoe，myguardianangel？\"
\"Indeed，\"saysMr。Esmond，withabow，\"itisnotfromyouonlythatIhavelearnttoadmireMr。Addison。WelovedgoodpoetryatCambridgeaswellasatOxford;andIhavesomeofyoursbyheart，thoughIhaveputonaredcoat……\'OquicanoroblandiusOrpheovocaleduciscarmen;\'shallIgoon，sir？\"saysMr。Esmond，who，indeed，hadreadandlovedthecharmingLatinpoemsofMr。
Addison，aseveryscholarofthattimeknewandadmiredthem。
\"ThisisCaptainEsmondwhowasatBlenheim，\"saysSteele。
\"LieutenantEsmond，\"saystheother，withalowbow，\"atMr。
Addison\'sservice。
\"Ihaveheardofyou，\"saysMr。Addison，withasmile;as，indeed，everybodyabouttownhadheardthatunluckystoryaboutEsmond\'sdowagerauntandtheDuchess。
\"Weweregoingtothe\'George\'totakeabottlebeforetheplay，\"
saysSteele:\"wiltthoubeone，Joe？\"
Mr。Addisonsaidhisownlodgingswerehardby，wherehewasstillrichenoughtogiveagoodbottleofwinetohisfriends;andinvitedthetwogentlementohisapartmentintheHaymarket，whitherweaccordinglywent。
\"Ishallgetcreditwithmylandlady，\"sayshe，withasmile，\"whensheseestwosuchfinegentlemenasyoucomeupmystair。\"Andhepolitelymadehisvisitorswelcometohisapartment，whichwasindeedbutashabbyone，thoughnograndeeofthelandcouldreceivehisguestswithamoreperfectandcourtlygracethanthisgentleman。Afrugaldinner，consistingofasliceofmeatandapennyloaf，wasawaitingtheownerofthelodgings。\"Mywineisbetterthanmymeat，\"saysMr。Addison;\"myLordHalifaxsentmetheBurgundy。\"Andhesetabottleandglassesbeforehisfriends，andatehissimpledinnerinaveryfewminutes，afterwhichthethreefellto，andbegantodrink。\"Yousee，\"saysMr。Addison，pointingtohiswriting—table，whereonwasamapoftheactionatHochstedt，andseveralothergazettesandpamphletsrelatingtothebattle，\"thatI，too，ambusyaboutyouraffairs，Captain。Iamengagedasapoeticalgazetteer，tosaytruth，andamwritingapoemonthecampaign。\"
SoEsmond，attherequestofhishost，toldhimwhatheknewaboutthefamousbattle，drewtheriveronthetablealiquomero，andwiththeaidofsomebitsoftobacco—pipeshowedtheadvanceoftheleftwing，wherehehadbeenengaged。
Asheetortwooftheverseslayalreadyonthetablebesideourbottlesandglasses，andDickhavingplentifullyrefreshedhimselffromthelatter，tookupthepagesofmanuscript，writoutwithscarceablotorcorrection，intheauthor\'sslim，neathandwriting，andbegantoreadtherefromwithgreatemphasisandvolubility。Atpausesoftheverse，theenthusiasticreaderstoppedandfiredoffagreatsalvoofapplause。
EsmondsmiledattheenthusiasmofAddison\'sfriend。\"YouareliketheGermanBurghers，\"sayshe，\"andthePrincesontheMozelle:
whenourarmycametoahalt，theyalwayssentadeputationtocomplimentthechief，andfiredasalutewithalltheirartilleryfromtheirwalls。\"
\"Anddrunkthegreatchiefshealthafterward，didnotthey？\"saysCaptainSteele，gaylyfillingupabumper;——heneverwastardyatthatsortofacknowledgmentofafriend\'smerit。
\"AndtheDuke，sinceyouwillhavemeacthisGrace\'spart，\"saysMr。Addison，withasmile，andsomethingofablush，\"pledgedhisfriendsinreturn。MostSereneElectorofCoventGarden，IdrinktoyourHighness\'shealth，\"andhefilledhimselfaglass。JosephrequiredscarcemorepressingthanDicktothatsortofamusement;
butthewineneverseemedatalltoflusterMr。Addison\'sbrains;
itonlyunloosedhistongue:whereasCaptainSteele\'sheadandspeechwerequiteovercomebyasinglebottle。
Nomatterwhattheverseswere，and，tosaytruth，Mr。Esmondfoundsomeofthemmorethanindifferent，Dick\'senthusiasmforhischiefneverfaltered，andineverylinefromAddison\'spen，Steelefoundamaster—stroke。BythetimeDickhadcometothatpartofthepoem，whereinthebarddescribesasblandlyasthoughhewererecordingadanceattheopera，oraharmlessboutofbucoliccudgellingatavillagefair，thatbloodyandruthlesspartofourcampaign，withtheremembrancewhereofeverysoldierwhoboreapartinitmustsickenwithshame——whenwewereorderedtoravageandlaywastetheElector\'scountry;andwithfireandmurder，slaughterandcrime，agreatpartofhisdominionswasoverrun;
whenDickcametothelines——
\"InvengeancerousedthesoldierfillshishandWithswordandfire，andravagestheland，Incracklingflamesathousandharvestsburn，Athousandvillagestoashesturn。
Tothethickwoodsthewoollyflocksretreat，Andmixedwithbellowingherdsconfusedlybleat。
Theirtremblinglordsthecommonshadepartake，Andcriesofinfantsfoundineverybrake。
Thelisteningsoldierfixedinsorrowstands，Lothtoobeyhisleader\'sjustcommands。
Theleadergrieves，bygenerouspityswayed，Toseehisjustcommandssowellobeyed;\"
bythistimewineandfriendshiphadbroughtpoorDicktoaperfectlymaudlinstate，andhehiccuppedoutthelastlinewithatendernessthatsetoneofhisauditorsa—laughing。
\"Iadmirethelicenseofyourpoets，\"saysEsmondtoMr。Addison。
（Dick，afterreadingoftheverses，wasfaintogooff，insistingonkissinghistwodearfriendsbeforehisdeparture，andreelingawaywithhisperiwigoverhiseyes。）\"Iadmireyourart:themurderofthecampaignisdonetomilitarymusic，likeabattleattheopera，andthevirginsshriekinharmony，asourvictoriousgrenadiersmarchintotheirvillages。Doyouknowwhatasceneitwas？\"——（bythistime，perhaps，thewinehadwarmedMr。Esmond\'sheadtoo，）——\"whatatriumphyouarecelebrating？whatscenesofshameandhorrorwereenacted，overwhichthecommander\'sgeniuspresided，ascalmasthoughhedidn\'tbelongtooursphere？Youtalkofthe\'listeningsoldierfixedinsorrow，\'the\'leader\'sgriefswayedbygenerouspity;\'tomybelieftheleadercarednomoreforbleatingflocksthanhedidforinfants\'cries，andmanyofourruffiansbutcheredoneortheotherwithequalalacrity。I
wasashamedofmytradewhenIsawthosehorrorsperpetrated，whichcameundereveryman\'seyes。Youhewoutofyourpolishedversesastatelyimageofsmilingvictory;Itellyou\'tisanuncouth，distorted，savageidol;hideous，bloody，andbarbarous。Theritesperformedbeforeitareshockingtothinkof。Yougreatpoetsshouldshowitasitis——uglyandhorrible，notbeautifulandserene。Oh，sir，hadyoumadethecampaign，believeme，youneverwouldhavesungitso。\"
Duringthislittleoutbreak，Mr。Addisonwaslistening，smokingoutofhislongpipe，andsmilingveryplacidly。\"Whatwouldyouhave？\"sayshe。\"Inourpolisheddays，andaccordingtotherulesofart，\'tisimpossiblethattheMuseshoulddepicttorturesorbegrimeherhandswiththehorrorsofwar。Theseareindicatedratherthandescribed;asintheGreektragedies，that，Idaresay，youhaveread（andsuretherecanbenomoreelegantspecimensofcomposition），Agamemnonisslain，orMedea\'schildrendestroyed，awayfromthescene;——thechorusoccupyingthestageandsingingoftheactiontopatheticmusic。SomethingofthisIattempt，mydearsir，inmyhumbleway:\'tisapanegyricImeantowrite，andnotasatire。WereItosingasyouwouldhaveme，thetownwouldtearthepoetinpieces，andburnhisbookbythehandsofthecommonhangman。Doyounotusetobacco？Ofalltheweedsgrownonearth，surethenicotianisthemostsoothingandsalutary。WemustpaintourgreatDuke，\"Mr。Addisonwenton，\"notasaman，whichnodoubtheis，withweaknessesliketherestofus，butasahero。\'Tisinatriumph，notabattle，thatyourhumbleservantisridinghissleekPegasus。Wecollegepoetstrot，youknow，onveryeasynags;
ithathbeen，timeoutofmind，partofthepoet\'sprofessiontocelebratetheactionsofheroesinverse，andtosingthedeedswhichyoumenofwarperform。Imustfollowtherulesofmyart，andthecompositionofsuchastrainasthismustbeharmoniousandmajestic，notfamiliar，ortoonearthevulgartruth。Siparvalicet:ifVirgilcouldinvokethedivineAugustus，ahumblerpoetfromthebanksoftheIsismaycelebrateavictoryandaconquerorofourownnation，inwhosetriumphseveryBritonhasashare，andwhosegloryandgeniuscontributestoeverycitizen\'sindividualhonor。Whenhaththerebeen，sinceourHenrys\'andEdwards\'days，suchagreatfeatofarmsasthatfromwhichyouyourselfhavebroughtawaymarksofdistinction？If\'tisinmypowertosingthatsongworthily，Iwilldoso，andbethankfultomyMuse。IfI
failasapoet，asaBritonatleastIwillshowmyloyalty，andflingupmycapandhuzzahfortheconqueror:——
\"\'RhenipacatoretIstriOmnisinhocunovariisdiscordiacessitOrdinibus;laetatureques，plauditquesenator，Votaquepatriciocertantplebeiafavori。\'\"