of disgracing, would do
honour to his family. It would have moved a heart of stone, to see with
what a tender transport of paternal joy he received his dear Launcelot,
after having heard of his deportment and success at Ashenton; where, by
the bye, he gave a ball to the ladies, and displayed as much elegance and
politeness, as if he had been bred at the court of Versailles.

"This joyous season was of short duration. In a little time all the
happiness of the family was overcast by a sad incident, which hath left
such an unfortunate impression upon the mind of the young gentleman, as,
I am afraid, will never be effaced. Mr. Darnel's niece and ward, the
great heiress, whose name is Aurelia, was the most celebrated beauty of
the whole country; if I said the whole kingdom, or indeed all Europe,
perhaps I should barely do her justice. I don't pretend to be a limner,
gemmen; nor does it become me to delineate such excellence; but surely I
may presume to repeat from the play--

Oh! she is all that painting can express,
Or youthful poets fancy when they love?

"At that time she might be about seventeen, tall and fair, and so
exquisitely shaped--you may talk of your Venus de Medicis, your Dianas,
your Nymphs, and Galateas; but if Praxiteles, and Roubilliac, and Wilton,
were to lay their heads together, in order to make a complete pattern of
beauty, they would hardly reach her model of perfection.--As for
complexion, poets will talk of blending the lily with the rose, and bring
in a parcel of similes of cowslips, carnations, pinks, and daisies.--
There's Dolly, now, has got a very good complexion.--Indeed, she's the
very picture of health and innocence--you are, indeed, my pretty lass;--
but parva componere magnis.--Miss Darnel is all amazing beauty, delicacy,
and dignity! Then the softness and expression of her fine blue eyes; her
pouting lips of coral hue; her neck, that rises like a tower of polished
alabaster between two mounts of snow. I tell you what, gemmen, it don't
signify talking; if e'er a one of you was to meet this young lady alone,
in the midst of a heath or common, or any unfrequented place, he would
down on his knees, and think he kneeled before some supernatural being.
I'll tell you more: she not only resembles an angel in beauty, but a
saint in goodness, and an hermit in humility;--so void of all pride and
affectation; so soft, and sweet, and affable, and humane! Lord! I could
tell such insta