Chapter IX: The History is concluded

When John De Lancaster returned to Kray Castle, Edward Wilson communicated to him a letter, which he had from Anderton, of which the following is the substance:

“Dear Sir!

“Having at length settled all my temporal affairs, nothing remains for me in this world but to prepare my mind to meet that awful moment, which must soon dismiss me from it. I rather think my complaint has gained upon me, since my residence in London, and the physician, whom I have consulted, tells me that I must positively lose no time in seeking out some country-house in a better climate and a purer air. From what passed between us on our passage, (which, though you may have forgotten, I never can) I have cherished hopes, that perhaps your benevolence may induce you to procure for me a situation in your neighbourhood, where I may enjoy the comfort of your edifying and instructive conversation. Could I obtain this blessing, it would be all I wish for; I should die content. If you return a favourable answer, I shall instantly set out, and I flatter myself that by easy stages I may accomplish the journey: if on the contrary you reject my suit, I have only to thank you for your favours past, resign myself to despair, and bid you everlastingly farewel.”

When John De Lancaster had read thus far, he eagerly enquired of Wilson what answer he had returned to this pitiable appeal. I have told him, replied Wilson, that I am about to fix my residence in the parish, of which I am the minister, and as my parsonage house is by the bounty of your grandfather rendered perfectly commodious, and has the further recommendation of being situated in a fine air and very beautiful spot, I shall very gladly receive him in it, and shew him all the attentions in my power for such time as it may suit him to make use of it.

The return of the post brought a letter from poor Anderton full of acknowledgments for the generous offer, which he most gladly embraced, and was eagerly employed in preparing for his journey.

Nothing now remained but to wait the expiration of the time allotted to the forms of mourning. That interval was not chequered by a single incident, that could disturb the happiness of our hero, or of any of those worthy characters, whose story may have gained an interest in the reader’s wishes.

Anderton, having slowly crawled through his long length of journey, arrived at Kray Castle, where Edward Wilson waited for him; and having lived to see the lovely daughter of his friend in perfect happiness and high prosperity, retired with Wilson to his calm asylum, where after a short period profitably employed he closed his days in peace.

Mr. Devereux, having delivered over to his son the management of his concerns in Portugal, came with the Major and Maria to England, and having paid a visit to the family at Kray Castle, established himself in his fine old mansion in Herefordshire, in the centre of a noble property, augmented by purchases and embellished by improvements.

Colonel Wilson lived to see his beloved Edward, after the decease of Anderton, married to the amiable and accomplished daughter of Sir Arthur Floyd. His frequent visits at Sir Arthur’s house, which was within a very short distance of his own, had naturally given rise to an attachment, which, when Anderton’s bequest had established him in affluence, and not till then, he made known, and found his well-placed passion was returned.

The good old Morgan kept a gay heart, and the gout at a distance. Whilst he was for ever laying out a character for himself, which every action of his life contradicted, no persuasion could divert him from ordering new carriages to be built and fine horses to be bought in town for the purpose of setting out his grandson with a splendid equipage, that he had no wish for. He bustled over in prodigious haste to Glen Morgan, as soon as ever the day was named for the wedding, and gave directions that open house should be kept for three days after that event took place, and free allowance without stint to all drunken idlers, that chose to lend a hand to the draining of his cellars.

When his brother-in-law gravely took him to task, and remonstrated against these lawless proceedings, as tending to produce nothing but riot and disorder, he stuck boldly to his text, and would not waver; contending that it was fit and right the tillers of the soil should enjoy the produce of the soil, and, if they quarrelled over their cups, they might fight it out over their cups for what he cared; a few broken heads would set all to rights; and as for riots and disturbances, if the county could not keep its own peace, he hoped he was not bound to keep it for them.

In the mean time he was not wholly inattentive to his own person, but found a half-crazed chattering Denbigh tailor to fit him out with a flaming suit, laced down the seams, like the jacket of a drum-major; and at the same time provided himself with a most tremendous perriwig, and long cravat of Brussels lace. He was with difficulty prevented from heaping tawdry ornaments and trinkets upon Amelia, that would totally have destroyed all those charms, which the elegant simplicity of her own taste knew so much better how to set off and recommend. But the Jew Lyons exhibited a glittering show-box, and having trapped him into the purchase of the French watch, that he bestowed upon Amelia, knew the value of so good a customer.

Cecilia De Lancaster was the presiding spirit, that kept all things straight and steady in their course: at her command they moved, by her discretion they were governed and directed. Under her control joy was not suffered to run riot, and the vagaries of old Morgan were kept within bounds: to any other authority but her’s he paid no regard, and had a way of parrying the railleries of Wilson, and the remonstrances of De Lancaster.

That venerable and worthy personage preserved a dignified tranquillity. A smile sate upon his countenance, and his eyes brightened when he turned them on Amelia and his grandson. He caused a considerable length of parchment to be added to his roll of pedigree, for the purpose of leaving space for the future descendants from John De Lancaster and Amelia Jones. He put old David upon composing an epithalamium, which when written down as he dictated it, turned out to be very little shorter than _the Last Lay of the Minstrel_. Neither was his own genius unemployed, for he composed, and was at the pains of writing with his own hand a set of maxims, which he intitled _rules for domestic happiness in the married state_. They consisted chiefly of truisms, which he was at the pains of proving; and of errors so obvious, that examination could not make them clearer. He pointed out so many ways, by which man and wife must render each other miserable, that he seemed to have forgot, that the purport of his rules was to make them happy. So little was this learned work adapted to the object held out in the title, that, if it had been pasted up for general use on the door of a church, it may be doubted if any, who had read it, would have entered there to be married.

He delivered it however with much solemnity to his grandson--saying to him--Here is a proof, my dear John, how seriously my thoughts have been employed for your instruction: govern yourself by these rules, and you will be happy.

If I govern myself by your example, John made answer, I shall have no need of rules.

On the evening preceding the wedding-day, John drew Amelia aside, and conducting her to the private chamber, which he made his study, produced a case, which he said contained the family jewels of the De Lancasters and Morgans, newly set--I have added nothing to them, he said, for I am fully conscious they can add nothing to you: It is fit however that you should have them, and wear them, when you see occasion: our friends seem to wish it, and our fortune fully warrants it. When I shall put this plain good ring upon your finger to-morrow, and confirm it as the symbol of our union with an oath before the altar, trifles like these jewels will have no further value, as the test of my affection: that is made secure to you, not only by the graces of your person, which ornaments cannot improve, but also by the virtues of your mind, which time cannot impair.

FINIS.

Harding and Wright, Printers, St. John’s Square.

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

hands presed=> hands pressed {pg 77}

with that beolved=> with that beloved {pg 106}

for these epeated=> for these repeated {pg 107}

know she is=> know he is {pg 140}

The hopsitality=> The hospitality {pg 142}

Did’nt you accept=> Didn’t you accept {pg 195}