.'" He bowed
(convinced as he thought) and left the room.

After this modern star-chamber, which was left sitting, had agreed on its
mode of vengeance, and the writer of the libel was made acquainted with
his danger, he waited, in all humility, upon Lady Clementina, and assured
her, with every appearance of sincerity,

"That she was not the person alluded to by the paragraph in question, but
that the initials which she had conceived to mark out her name, were, in
fact, meant to point out Lady Catherine Newland."

"But, sir," cried Lady Clementina, "what could induce you to write such a
paragraph upon Lady Catherine? She _never_ plays."

"We know that, madam, or we dared not to have attacked her. Though we
must circulate libels, madam, to gratify our numerous readers, yet no
people are more in fear of prosecutions than authors and editors;
therefore, unless we are deceived in our information, we always take care
to libel the innocent--we apprehend nothing from them--their own
characters support them--but the guilty are very tenacious; and what they
cannot secure by fair means, they will employ force to accomplish. Dear
madam, be assured I have too much regard for a wife and seven small
children, who are maintained by my industry alone, to have written
anything in the nature of a libel upon your ladyship."

CHAPTER XVI.

About this period the dean had just published a pamphlet in his own name,
and in which that of his friend the bishop was only mentioned with thanks
for hints, observations, and condescending encouragement to the author.

This pamphlet glowed with the dean's love for his country; and such a
country as he described, it was impossible _not_ to love. "Salubrious
air, fertile fields, wood, water, corn, grass, sheep, oxen, fish, fowl,
fruit, and vegetables," were dispersed with the most prodigal hand;
"valiant men, virtuous women; statesmen wise and just; tradesmen
abounding in merchandise and money; husbandmen possessing peace, ease,
plenty; and all ranks liberty." This brilliant description, while the
dean read the work to his family, so charmed poor Henry, that he
repeatedly cried out,

"I am glad I came to this country."

But it so happened that a few days after, Lady Clementina, in order to
render the delicacy of her taste admired, could eat of no one dish upon
the table, but found fault with them all. The dean at length said to
her,

"Indeed, you are too nice; reflect upon the h