Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber’s note

Variable spelling and hyphenation have been retained. Minor punctuation inconsistencies have been silently repaired. A list of the changes made can be found at the end of the book. Formatting and special characters are indicated as follows:

_italic_

MODERN LITERATURE:

_A NOVEL_,

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

By ROBERT BISSET, L.L.D.

Non ignota loquor.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1804.

Printed by A. Strahan, Printers-Street.

CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAP. X.

_Description of Brighton in the latter Years of the Eighteenth
Century. Prospect from the Church. Ideas suggested by Ships sailing
towards the Thames, the Reservoir of English Opulence, by the distant
Isle of Wight, calling to us by Association, Portsmouth the Reservoir
of English Strength. Brighton itself. Its Situation and Conveniences.
Chief ostensible Pursuits. Bathing. Regulations suggested. Anecdotes.
General Objects of Brighton Visitants. Occupations of Brighton
illustrated by a Journal of a Day. Morning. Sea Beach, and Cliffs.
Breakfast. Libraries, to hear the London News. Spontaneous Elocution
of Newspaper Orators. Spontaneous Instructions of Newspaper
Politicians. Military Spectacles on the Parade. The Steyne.
Charming Women resemble Venus in Beauty, and almost in its Display.
Perambulations. Historical Anecdotes of Brighton. Honoured by the
Presence of Charles II. Not unworthy of that gallant Monarch: return
to the Hair-Dresser: hear the Narratives of that communicative Person.
Dinner, Soals, Turbot, Down Mutton excellent. Wine not so good. Walks,
Tea, attend Ladies to the Steyne. Moonlight Lucubrations there.
Adjourn to the Library. Toys and Dice. Hamilton becomes acquainted
with Captain Mortimer, Maria’s Uncle. The Mortimers move from his Seat
to Brighton._ Page 1

CHAP. XI.

_The Party visits the Steyne. Particular Description of that
Rendezvous. They repair to the Library. A Governante complains of
a Milliner that had not kept her Distance. Anxiety greatest about
Precedence, where there is none to settle. Our Hero meets Mr.
Scribble, a voluminous and noted Author: introduces him to his Party,
and invites him to Supper. Scribble harangues the Company. The Party
breaks up. Hamilton and Mortimer again meet with Scribble, who gives
an Account of the wonderful Extent of his Erudition. He knows every
thing, and writes on every Subject: instructs his Hearers that all are
inferior to himself. He denies the Praise of Genius to those to whom
it is universally allowed. He departs. Hamilton unfolds to Mortimer
his real Talents and Abilities. Describes him as a mere Drudge and
Bookmaker._ Page 28

CHAP. XII.

_The Party repairs to the Library. Doctor Fatgoose harangues on
Public Affairs. Dispute between him and Captain Mortimer. The Parade.
Application of a Soldier for Leave of Absence, being engaged that
Evening to preach. Granted. Scribble dines with Hamilton’s Party:
entertains the Company with an Harangue about himself. His History
of Jack the Giant-Killer. Scribble’s own Praises of his own History.
Criticisms upon others. Mr. O’Rourke’s Admiration of Scribble,
consults him on the Subject of Methodism. Visit to Shoreham. Return.
Party to the Promenade Grove. Account of the Company. A charming
and exemplary Lady of high Rank. A charming Lady not so exemplary.
The Countess of Cockatrice. A military Nobleman who unites the Hero,
Scholar, and the Statesman. Another as a Lawyer, eminent for masculine
Understanding. Lord Bayleaf an old Beau: ogles the Ladies. Dialogue
with the Cockatrice. Persons of lower Rank. Kit Cotton, a Citizen,
retired to live upon his Fortune. His Account of his rural Prospects,
from his House at Kingsland Turnpike._ Page 47

CHAP. XIII.

_O’Rourke makes a new Sally in quest of Methodistical Adventures.
Party to the Theatre. Scribble there meets his Friend and Employer,
Bil Nincompoop the Bookseller. They depart to sup together. Bil
catechises Scribble on the various Pieces which he is manufacturing.
Farther literary Plans. Dispute between the Master and Journeyman:
happily composed by Punch. Excursion of Hamilton and his Party to
Worthing. They meet the Methodist Errant with a Female ’Squire.
Letters that waited Hamilton on his Return to Brighton. Mortimer and
he repair to the Library. There find Mr. Scribble instructing the
celebrated Mrs. Somerive on the Rules of Novel Writing._ Page 77

CHAP. XIV.

_Party at Captain Mortimer’s. Mrs. Somerive one of the Company.
Conversation. Discussion of that Lady’s Orphan of Pembroke. Succession
of Songs, and their Effects on the different Sentiments and
Feelings. A Letter in a Woman’s Hand is brought to Hamilton, while
sitting by Maria. Uneasiness of the young Lady. Hamilton leaves the
Company. Greatly agitated, Maria retires. Dialogue between her and
Hamilton’s Sister Charlotte on Constancy. Hamilton has an Interview
with his Correspondent who proves to be the Countess of Cockatrice.
Accommodating Complaisance of the Lady of the Toy-Shop. Hamilton is
visited by Scribble, brim-full of Joy. He announces that he is now
dubbed a Doctor by the University of Aberdeen. Hamilton explains his
Absence to the Satisfaction of Maria._ Page 104

CHAP. XV.

_The Ball. Schemes of Lady Cockatrice for rendering Maria jealous. The
Company adjourn to Supper. Scribble is introduced in a Dress, which he
says is becoming his new Title. Description of the Doctor’s Dress, and
a philosophical View of its Effects on juvenile Feelings. Attentions
of Sir Edward Hamden to Miss Mortimer. Miss Primrose becomes attached
to Hamilton. Hamden pays his Addresses to Miss Mortimer. Both Hamilton
and Maria highly esteem the Baronet’s Character, and concert Means for
explaining to him the Truth._ Page 113

CHAP. XVI.

_Doctor Scribble becomes acquainted with the Baronet, and undertakes
to instruct him in his Parliamentary Duty. He expounds to him his
own (Doctor Scribble’s) Talents and Erudition: shews the Baronet a
Specimen of Tours, in the Memoirs of his Excursion to Berkshire:
proposes to write Speeches for Sir Edward: declares himself far
superior to Charles Fox. Hamden declines the oratorial Help of Doctor
Scribble. The Baronet joined by Hamilton, whom he is obliged to
leave abruptly. Evening Walk of Hamilton to Shoreham Bridge: learns
that a dispersed Gang of Smugglers has commenced Footpad Robberies.
Nevertheless he sets out on his Return. A dismal Report reaches
Brighton; and is heard by Maria. Frantic Grief of the young Lady.
John Mortimer repairs to the Downs, which is said to be the Scene of
the Catastrophe: finds Stillness and Solitude: perceives a Figure
approach: he hears a Voice. Consternation and Dread. The Figure passes
on. Mortimer returns to his Father and Uncle. A Voice is heard at the
Window calling John Mortimer. They conceive it the Voice of their
murdered Friend. Morning opens. Despair of Maria. Mortimer receives
a Visit, which renews his Consternation. At length convinced of his
Mistake, the Mystery is solved. Hamilton explains the Adventure.
Heroism of a Soldier of the 42d. Joined with the Valour of Hamilton,
saved Hamden from being murdered. Gratitude of the Baronet. His Wound
mends but slowly. Maria’s Concern entirely dispelled. The Mortimers
and Hamiltons return to London._ Page 159

CHAP. XVII.

_Hamilton resumes his literary Pursuits: engages in Criticism.
Indulgence of young and gallant Reviewers to fair Writers. Miss
Lacecap, the Milliner, brings a Novel for Hamilton’s Inspection. Her
Reason for writing. Story of the Maze of Marbles taken from Pyramid
and Thisby. Praises of Sentiment. Remarks on the Word “Error.”
Introduction of the Marvellous to English Works of Amusement._
Page 197

CHAP. XVIII.

_Hamilton engages in a great Work. John Mortimer obtains an
Appointment on the Continent. Hamden arrives in Town, and renews
his Addresses to Maria. He conceives that Hamilton is to become
the Husband of Miss Primrose. She and her Mother entertain the
same Opinion. The Countess of Cockatrice promotes this Report. Her
Ladyship’s Reasons. Motives, Objects, and progressive Rise of a
Toad-Eater, illustrated in the Case of Mrs. Dicky. She is employed by
the Countess of Cockatrice, to prevent the Marriage between Hamilton
and Maria. Countess of Cockatrice proposes to give a Masquerade,
and instructs the Toad-Eater for the Occasion. Dinner-Party at Mrs.
Dicky’s. She sees Masks in the Evening. The Masquerade. The Labours of
the Countess and the Toad-Eater rendered abortive._ Page 225

CHAP. XIX.

_Interview of Hamilton with Doctor Scribble and Mr. Lawhunt. Scribble
praises German Literature; and imputes his own super-eminent
Excellence to his Imitation of Germans. Mr. Lawhunt’s Account of his
own Avocations. Scheme of Dr. Scribble and him for naturalizing German
Plays and Novels. A Specimen of one of these Works translated by Dr.
Scribble. Hurlobothrumbo, a Tragedy, with Music, Ghosts, Ghouls,
&c. Farther Samples of German Literature. New Mode of making Love.
Friendly Condescension of an Earthquake. Specimens of the Morality
of German Plays. Apprehensions of Lawhunt from Visitors worse than
Ghosts. Hasty Departure. Our Hero meets Strongbrain. William’s
Estimate of Dr. Scribble._ Page 265

CHAP. XX.

_Interview between Hamilton and Hamden. Hamilton unbosoms himself.
Liberal and generous Conduct of Sir Edward. The Baronet undertakes to
conciliate the elder Mortimers. Disappointment and Regret of these
Gentlemen, but they at length consent. Preparations for the Marriage
of Hamilton and Maria. Schemes of the Countess of Cockatrice for
preventing the Nuptials. Agents of Defamation. Blackball undertakes
a Chain of slanderous Paragraphs against Maria. Defamation. Skilful
Progression of Calumny. Discovered by Hamilton. With the Assistance
of Sir Edward he pursues and ferrets the Author, whom full Confession
respites from the Pillory. Hamilton is united to his Maria._ Page 301

MODERN LITERATURE.