Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson

Author:Samuel Richardson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charles River Editors

Speaking of the force put upon a daughter’s inclinations, in wedlock; Tyranny and ingratitude, said Sir Charles, from a man beloved, will be more sup-portable to a woman of strong passions, than even kindness from a man she loves not: shall not pa-rents then, who hope to see their children happy, avoid compelling them to give their hands to a man who has no share in their hearts?

But would you allow young ladies to be their own choosers, Sir Charles I said Mrs. Reeves.

Daughters, replied he, who are earnest to choose for themselves, should be doubly careful that pru-dence justifies their choice. Every widow who marries imprudently (and very many there are who do) furnishes a strong argument in favour of a pa-rent’s authority over a maiden daughter. A de signing man looks out for a woman who has an independent fortune, and has no questions to ask. He seems assured at finding indiscretion and rashness in such a one, to befriend him. But ought not she to think herself affronted, and resolve to disap-point him?

But how, said Lady G. shall a young creature be able to judge?

By his application to her, rather than to her na-tural friends and relations; by his endeavouring to alienate her affections from them; by wishing her to favour private and clandestine meetings (conscious that his pretensions will not stand discussion); by the inequality of his fortune to hers: and has not our excellent Miss Byron, in the letters to her Lucy (bowing to me) which she has had the goodness to allow us to read, helped us to a criterion! ‘ Men in their addresses to young women, she very happily observes, forget not to set forward the advantages by which they are distinguished, whether hereditary or acquired; while Love, love, is all the cry of him who has no other to boast of.’

And by that means, said Lady Gertrude, setting the silly creature at variance with all her friends, he makes her fight his battles for him; and become herself the cat’s paw to help him to the ready-roasted chesnuts.

But, dear brother, said Lady G. do you think love is such a staid deliberate passion, as to allow a young creature to take time to ponder and weigh all the merits of the cause?

Love at first sight, answered Sir Charles, must indicate a mind prepared for impression, and a sud-den gust of passion, and that of the least noble kind; since there could be no opportunity of knowing the merit of the object. What woman would have her-self supposed capable of such a tindery fit? In a man, it is an indelicate paroxysm: but in a woman, who expects protection and instruction from a man, much more so. Love, at first may be only fancy. Such a young love may be easily given up, and ought, to a parent’s judgment. Nor is the conquest so difficult as some young creatures think it. One thing, my good Emily, let me say to you, as

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