As his pupils
advanced
in years, Mr.
Childrens - Tales of the Hermitage
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. Ill
is impossible! at length, worn with grief,
a prey to misery, and the victim of mis-
guided asfection, I resolved to quit an '
abode which was rendered the feat of
wretchedness, and endeavour to trace
out the connexions of my long-lost
Emily. For this purpose I set out on
Friday morning, intending, if possible,
to walk to London : (for since the un-
fortunate day that I gave my property
out of my own hands, I have never re-
ceived a sixpence. from my worthless
son, and half a guinea is the amount of
my purse)--I had imagined I could
reach the neighbouring town, when
night overtook me, and Providence di-
rected me to this hospitable abode. --
" And now, young gentleman," said
Mr. Middletpn, turning to Edward,
" you have heard a lesson to caution
you against 4*J*btditnfe \ and if ever you
t a seel
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? J 12 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
feel a repugnance to fulfil the injunc-
tions of your amiable parents, think of
my misfortunes, and the' misery I have
endured, and check the impulse of dis-
respect and disobedience. Vice is a plant
of a regular . and progressive growth, and
never rises by sudden transitions--flop
it as it first appears, or the pestilential
weed corrupts the foil; and totally destroys
the tender bud of virtue. "--Here his ,
emotions checked his proceeding, and
he burst into a flood of tears.
" I have to thank you, my dear Sir,"
said Sir George, " for a tale which has
bbth roused my indignation, and called
forth my compassion ; biit if the sooth-
irlgs of friendship can in any measure
compensate for the loss . of filial affec-
tion, that consolation you may fully
claim ; my house, my purse, and my
servants, are at ybur command; and
\ | ; x : here
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 113
here you must spend the residue of your
days: consider me as your son, your
brother, or your friend, and in all those
capacities you will find me ready to
prove roy sincerity, and evince my esteem.
1 3 ? H*
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? ( "4 )
/
THE
AMIABLE BROTHERS;
OR, THE
INHABITANTS of the TO tFER.
FORSAKEN by her friends, neglect-
ed by her samily, and lost to every social
enjoyment, the Hon. Mrs. Montgomery,
at the age of eight-and-twenty, retired
from the world with two lovely boys,
and became the inhabitants of a solitary
tower, which was situated in one of the .
most romantic parts of Scotland. This
tower, which for years had been salling
into decay, had often attracted her ob-
4 scrvation
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. HJ
servation and attention, when parties of
pleasure had been formed from Lord
Macdonald's feat, to view the wonderful
watersall of Coralin, which, darning
over precipices more than an hundred
feet high, was at once an object of won-
der and sublimity.
Lord Macdonald was one of those
rigid fathers who salsely imagine that to
obtain respect they must practise aujle-
rity, and who, self-convinced of his own
supremacy, would not suffer any part of
his samily to dispute it. The unfortu-
nate Lady Macdonald had too often felt
the inutility of attempting to oppose his
will, to persevere in a mode os conduct
which was always attended with heart-
felt misery, and at length patiently sub-
mitted to her Lord's caprices, without
presuming either. to repine at their in-
. justice, or murmur at their severity. -->
'"" * In
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? ItD THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
--;-- ' ' *n
I n the society of her loved Louisa she
sound an antidote for her distresses, and
a balm for her sorrows; and when en-
circling her lovely form within her ma-
ternal arms, would totally forget her
own misfortunes. Beauty, which ought
always to be considered as a secondary
charm, Louisa possessed in an eminent
degree ; but the perfections of her mind
infinitely transcended those of her per-
son ; for she was gentle, humane, libe-
ral, and benevolent. . The accomplish-
ments she had acquired were equal to
the virtues she possessed, and Glasgow
resounded with the praises of her per-
fections. Lady Macdonald, proud of
possessing a daughter so deservedly ad-
mired, anticipated the hope of seeing
her united to a man who would value
her for her merits, and love her for her.
virtue.
' Far
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 117
Far disferent were the hopes and ex-
pectations of her Lord, who, disappoint-
ed in not having an heir to his estate, re-
solved to marry his daughter to some man
of high birth, and remote pedigree;
that if he could not perpetuate his name,
he might exalt his nobility; and the Mar-
quis of Clyde, a nobleman of immense
posseflions and high honours, was the
man destined to become the husband of
his beauteous daughter.
Had the Marquis possessed one virtue,
or acquired one accomplishment, the gentle
Louisa might not have shrunk with such
an excess of horror from her sather's
proposal; but when she compared the
disgusting manners of her future huf*
band, with the insinuating elegance os
her cousin Montgomery, her heart sick-
ened at the comparison, and she, who
had never in the slightest instance pre-
sumes
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? Il8 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
fumed to dispute her father's authority,
ventured to inform him that (lie could
never become Marchioness of Clyde.
At this intelligence his rage and indig-
nation were unbounded; and Lady Mac-
donald, perceiving that it could never be
appeased but by her daughter's sacrificing
her present and future happiness* by an
union with a man she despised, at length
gave her consent to a private marriage
with the object of her affection, with
whom she immediately quitted the king-
dom, and embarked for America, where
he flattered himself he could live much
cheaper than in England.
Ten years of perfect bliss flew rapid-
ly away, in which time the amiable Mrs.
Montgomery became the mother of two
lovely boys, and was indulging the hope
of returning to England and obtaining
the pardon of her enraged sather, when
she
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 119
she was destined to sustain the most
heart-rending misfortune ; for the object
of her increasing tenderness was sudden-
ly snatched from her by the violence of
an epidemic disease; and it was with
the utmost difficulty the lives of her
children were prevented salling a sacri-
fice to the same satal disorder.
Two years previous to this unfortu-
nate event, Mrs. Montgomery received
the melancholy intelligence of her be-
loved mother's death, by a letter from
a housekeeper who had resided in the
samily five-and-twenty years; and at the
same time she learned that her sather
was going to leave Scotland, though
none of the servants knew where he in-
tended to reside.
As soon at Mrs. Montgomery had dis-
posed of her esfects at Charlestown, her-
self, two children, and a female servant,
embarked
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? 120 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
embarked in the first ship that was bound
for Scotland, where stie arrived without
the occurrence of any particular circum-
stance during the voyage. All her en-
deavours to trace her sather's residence,
or find out his abode, were fruitless;
her mind, naturally inclined to the pen-
Jive cast, became habitually melancholy;
and the very cool reception she met with
from those persons who had once been
proud of her acquaintance, at length
induced her to fix her abode in the rp-
mantic situation I have before described.
Mrs. Montgomery was too tenderly
attached to her children to support the
idea of a separation; yet she was con-
vinced that they required more instruction
than she was capable of asfording them,
(as Malcolm had just entered his eighth,
and Duncan his seventh year) and she,
therefore, engaged a young man, who
had
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS, 121
had been usher in a capital school, as
preceptor to them, and had the gratifica-
tion of perceiving that both their minds
and manners were improved by his tui-
tion. . ' ' . '
As Mr. Maclean's father and mother
resided within twelve miles of the tower,
he always passed Saturday and Sunday
in their society, and returned to his pu-
pils on the Monday morning; and du-
ring his absence Malcolm and his bro-
ther used to amuse themselves by fishing
in the Clyde, and . in visiting the. little
hovels of the Scotch peasantry within
the vicinity of their mother's dwelling,
to distribute to each some proof of. her
liberality and some mark of her bene-
volence. . '.
Although nothing could be more op-
posite than the disposition of the boys,
yet there never were two brothers who
. - M lived
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? 122 tHE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
lived in greater harmony, or more readily
sacrificed their own inclinations for the
fake of promoting each other's happiness.
Malcolm was grave, studious, and fond
of solitude ; whilst Duncan was volatile,
inattentive, and delighted in variety;
yet as both possessed an uncommon share
of good nature, they had more satissac-
tion in promoting each other's pleasures
than in the gratification of their own.
Duncan would frequently lament the re^
tired life his mother had made choice of,
and anticipate the happiness he should
enjoy when old enough to be sent to the
university of Glasgow, of which his tu-
tor informed him he was intended to be-
come a member--whilst Malcolm would.
declare he had no greater idea os happir
ness than what he derived from the soci-
ety of two persons so tenderly beloved,
in relieving the distresses of his. fellow-
<<. -. I - crea-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. I2J
creatures, and in admiring the stupen-
dous works of Nature, which were so
wonderfully displayed around their dwel-
ling.
It was Mrs. Montgomery's constant
practice to enumerate the qualities of
her lamented husband in the presence os
the children, and to inspire them with a
wish of emulating his virtues ; but their
grandfather's name was never mentioned,
neither had they an idea of his exalted
rank. They were early taught to de-
spise that greatness which could only
boast of hereditary distinction, and to
consider superiority os birth as only enti-
tled to respect when it was attended with
superior merit. '* The benefit of society,"
. she would often say, <>> demanded the
introduction of subordination ; but the
human mind, feeling the influence of
its own independence, spurned the bond-
H 2 age
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? 124. THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
age of oppressive greatness--. it may easily
be led to bend to power, ttiy beloved
boys," said that . intelligent woman;
** but it rebels at the bare idea of corn-
pun flion. If you would be loved and
respected by your dependants, let your
conduct prove to them that you deserve
it; and instead of forcing them to the per-
formance of their duty, convince them
that you'are sensible of the services they do
you, and in return endeavour to promote
their happiness: by that mode of beha-
viour you will find their zeal strengthen,
their asfection increase, and their respect
amount nearly to veneration. "
. These precepts of kindness and bene-
volence were made doubly impressive by
the force of example ; and nothing but
a naturally corrupted mind could have
rendered the two Montgomerys unami-
able. Every thing they saw, every
thing
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 12$
thing they heard, was ultimately cal-
culated to promote the love of vir-
tue ; and though their mother thought
it necessary to convince them that
there was such a thing as vice in the
world, yet they would listen to her ac-
counts of its practice, with an incredu-
lity of countenance that seemed abso-
lutely to indicate a doubt of its exist-
ence.
As his pupils advanced in years, Mr.
Maclean saw the necessity of introdu-
cing them into that world of which they
must shortly become members, ami-
pointed out to Mrs. Montgomery the,
hazard they would run in being placed
at College before they had acquired some
knowledge of mankind. " There is as
much difference between books and men,
my dear Madam," he would say, " as
there is between the inhabitants of one. .
M. 3 >> COUI>7
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? 126 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. .
country, and those of another ; and it
is absolutely necessary that your sons
should become acquainted with both. "
Convinced of the propriety of these
sentiments, Mrs. Montgomery was re-
solved to be guided by them, and taking
a small house near the cathedral in Glas-
gow, removed thither on the day Mal-
colm entered his fourteenth year. >
Although the boys had accompanied
their tutor to Glasgow in two or three
visits which he had paid his brother,
(who was one of the canons of that an-
cient cathedral) yet their time was so
short, that they were unable to gratify
their curiosity by a survey os a place
that appeared to abound with wonders ;
every thing, therefore, was new ; every
thing was astonishing ; and the variety
of questions which were put to their
mother and tutor, proved at once the
simpli-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 12J
simplicity of their minds, and that thirst
for information which Nature has. im-
planted for. the wisest purpose.
Although it was contrary to Mr.
Maclean's interest that his pupils should
be sent to school, yet he strenuously ad-
vised Mrs. Montgomery to that mode of
conduct ; and at length it was agreed
that they should pass their mornings with
Mr. Macnamara, who kept an eminent
academy, and the afternoons should be
devoted to receiving the private instruc-
tion of Mr. Maclean, whom Mrs. Mont-
gomery persuaded to remain as part of
her samily.
Upon entering the school, where not
less than ninety boys were assembled,
Malcolm at sirst felt rather embarrassed ;
but the natural freedom of Duncan's
manners made him perfectly easy upon
the occasion. They were soon called up
1 to
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? 12? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
lo be examined by Mr. Macnamara, that
he might judge in what class they ought
to be placed, and the perfect ease with
which they answered his interrogations,
and their very great forwardness both in
the Greek and Latin languages, pro-
cured them not only an eminent situa-
tion, but immediate attention from many
boys much bigger than themselves. The
sacility with which they performed their
exercises, and the ease with which they
learned their tasks, frequently induced
the other boys to apply to their assistance,
and the Montgomerys became universal
savorites.
The first thing that called forth Mal-
colm's astonishment, and roused his in-
dignation, was the seeing a boy go to
his schoolfellow's desk, and scrTbble an
exercise all over, which he had just com-
pleted, whilst he went to the other end
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. X29
of the school to deliver a message Mr. ,
Macnamara had sent to one of the ushers.
<<<< Why have you done that? " said
Malcolm to the boy, whose name was
Campbell; " for surely it is a very ill-
natured trick. "--" He deserves ten times
worse," replied the boy; " for he's
. what we call a Larum, and is hated by
the whole school;"
" A Larum! " said Malcolm, " I
don't understand the meaning of the
word ; but if he has done you an -injury,
why don't you resent it openly ? surely
that would be more manly. "
" More manly, perhaps;" replied
the boy, " but less prudent; for he would
certainly tell the ushers of me, and is
too great a coward to fight his own bat-
tles--and Larum's a nick-name for tell*
tale, and he's the greatest in the school'. "
The truth of this "account was in-
stantly
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? I30 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
stantly authenticated by the boy's re-
turning to the deflc, perceiving the mis-
chief that had been done during his ab-
sence, and taking the paper up to his sa-
vourite champion the usher, who blus-
tered violently about the school, and de-
clared he would punish every boy in it,
rather than not discover the author os so
malicious a contrivance.
As soon as school was ended, the boys
always retired to the play-ground, and
the Montgomerys generally accompanied
them ; and one morning, after they had
been about ten days members of the so-
ciety, they were invited by Campbell,
to join him in a scheme of robbing the
hot-house of their next door neighbour,
who, though >>t was only the latter end
of spring, they were informed had plenty
of rife fruit*
- ff Rob. his hot-house! " exclaimed
Mai-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. IJI
Malcolm, scarcely crediting what he
heard. --" What I Steal the fruit! "
said Duncan, in equal amazement:
" why, do you know you run the hazard
of being hanged; and besides, that it is
breaking the eighth commandment "
" Breaking the eighth fiddlestick,"
replied Campbell; " I tell ye what;
when you have known old Sanderson as
long as I have, you'll not think of the
eighth or the ninth commandment either ;
fer he's always telling our master some
tale about the boys, and has had five or
fix severely flogged; it is not that we
want trie fruit, only we know the old
dog prides himself upon it, and has
saved it all for a grand feast which he
is going to give the heads of the College
to-morrow--so come, and be enliftedt
and make one of our party. " ;
'Twas in vain for Malcolm or Duu-
. . . . . can
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? 132 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
can to remonstrate ; for the plan was
arranged in spite of all the arguments that
either their fears or their principles sug-
gested, and they went home to dinner,
(hocked at such an instance of early de-
pravity. Malcolm was peculiarly grave,
and Duncan seemed to ' have lost''his
wonted spirits. Pained at observing
this sudden change, Mrs. Montgomery
tenderly inquired into *he cause, but
Could not obtain any satissactory reply ?
at length being earnestly pressed by their
indulgent mother they revealed it, de-
claring they could never be happy at
school if the boys were in the habit of
acting with so little principle.
Mrs. Montgomery applauded their
sentiments, but gave them to understand,
that the wanton pranks of an unthinking
boy deserved not the severe epithet of
want as principle; and at the same time
. told
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 133
told them, that retaliation ought to be a
Jchosl boys motto, for that they made it
a rule never to suffer an injury without
returning it with four-fold interest.
V But pray, Mamma," said Duncan,
" is not that very wicked ? "--" I should
for their sakes, my love," replied Mrs.
Montgomery, hope it is not very
/wicked, thougTl it certainly must be al-
lowed to be very wron? ; but a school
boy's vices generally proceed from want
of reflection, and are therefore much
more excusable than a premeditated
crime. ".
The boys had arranged their plan
with so much method, and executed it
with so much skill, that the whole hot-
house was stripped of its contents, and
two of the finest apricots were next day
presented to the Montgomerys, who
strenuously refused the offer, alleging,
. i n tliat
.
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? 134 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
that as they were not sharers in the dan-
ger, they had no reason to be partakers
of its reward--though in sact} their real
reason was, that they considered them
as Jiolen goods, and were resolved not to
share them.
Just as school was ended, and the
boys had entered the play-ground, Mr.
Macnamara's servant passed, " Well!
what's the best news with you, Tho-
mas f" said one of them. --" I know of
none that's goodreplied the fellow. --
" Do you know of any that's Bad? "
saiiithe same boy. --" Yes, bad enough,
Sir; for poor Ben, Doctor Sanderson's
gardener has been taken up on suspicion
of having robbed his master's hot-house,
and sold the fruit. "
Campbell, who had just joined them
as this intelligence was communicated j
turned as pale as death, and catching
Mai-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. I35
Malcolm by the arm, led him away to
another part of the play-ground, and
asked his advice how he ought to act.
Thomas's intelligence soon spread, and
before Malcolm could give his opinion,
the three other boys who had been con-
cerned in the theft joined Campbell ia
equal trepidation.
One was sor sending by a porter a suf-
ficient sum of money to pay for the
fruit, with a letter to the old doctor,
assuring him of his servant's innocence.
Another was for soliciting a friend to go
to the justice who had committed^ the
gardener, and get him on their side ;
and a third Was of opinion that his sa-
ther would take the man to live with
him as soon as he was out of confine-
ment, 'and that they might easily make
up money enough between them for the
purpose of supporting him comfortably
N 2 whilst.
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? 136 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
whilst he was in prison--but all these
plans Malcolm disapproved, and advised
them to wait upon the old man, acknow-
ledge the crime, and intreat the poor
gardener might immediately be liberated.
This was at first opposed, and all de-
clared they would as soon face a tyger.
At length it was agreed that Mr. Mac-
iiamara mould be made acquainted with
the whole affair, and Malcolm was
intreated to undertake the office. Every
thing that could be said in mitigation of
the crime he thought of saying, and Mr.
Macnamara heard him with much more
calmness than had been expected. He
ordered the boys into close confinement,
and then waited immediately upon his
crabbed neighbour, who insisted that all
the boys that had been concerned in the
theft should immediately be expelled. --
. That demand Mr. Macnamara informed
i . him
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 137.
him could not be complied with, but he
promised they Ihould all be severely pu-
mped. --Upon sinding he could not have
the satisfaction he demanded^ the old man
began abusing the schoolmaster, declaring
he was an incendiary, and had actually
been at the bottom of the plan.
This unmerited impertinence pro-
voked Mr. Macnamara so completely,
that he protested he would not punish a
single boy in the school, and, returning
homej gave them immediate liberty,
but desired them all to assemble in the
school. He there entered into a long
dissertation, sirst upon the crime, and
next upon the meannejs of robbing gar-
dens and orchards ; and after expatiating
near half an hour upon the subject, he
promised to forgive the recent outrage
that had been committed, on condition
that every boy in the school would make
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. Ill
is impossible! at length, worn with grief,
a prey to misery, and the victim of mis-
guided asfection, I resolved to quit an '
abode which was rendered the feat of
wretchedness, and endeavour to trace
out the connexions of my long-lost
Emily. For this purpose I set out on
Friday morning, intending, if possible,
to walk to London : (for since the un-
fortunate day that I gave my property
out of my own hands, I have never re-
ceived a sixpence. from my worthless
son, and half a guinea is the amount of
my purse)--I had imagined I could
reach the neighbouring town, when
night overtook me, and Providence di-
rected me to this hospitable abode. --
" And now, young gentleman," said
Mr. Middletpn, turning to Edward,
" you have heard a lesson to caution
you against 4*J*btditnfe \ and if ever you
t a seel
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? J 12 FILIAL INGRATITUDE.
feel a repugnance to fulfil the injunc-
tions of your amiable parents, think of
my misfortunes, and the' misery I have
endured, and check the impulse of dis-
respect and disobedience. Vice is a plant
of a regular . and progressive growth, and
never rises by sudden transitions--flop
it as it first appears, or the pestilential
weed corrupts the foil; and totally destroys
the tender bud of virtue. "--Here his ,
emotions checked his proceeding, and
he burst into a flood of tears.
" I have to thank you, my dear Sir,"
said Sir George, " for a tale which has
bbth roused my indignation, and called
forth my compassion ; biit if the sooth-
irlgs of friendship can in any measure
compensate for the loss . of filial affec-
tion, that consolation you may fully
claim ; my house, my purse, and my
servants, are at ybur command; and
\ | ; x : here
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? FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 113
here you must spend the residue of your
days: consider me as your son, your
brother, or your friend, and in all those
capacities you will find me ready to
prove roy sincerity, and evince my esteem.
1 3 ? H*
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? ( "4 )
/
THE
AMIABLE BROTHERS;
OR, THE
INHABITANTS of the TO tFER.
FORSAKEN by her friends, neglect-
ed by her samily, and lost to every social
enjoyment, the Hon. Mrs. Montgomery,
at the age of eight-and-twenty, retired
from the world with two lovely boys,
and became the inhabitants of a solitary
tower, which was situated in one of the .
most romantic parts of Scotland. This
tower, which for years had been salling
into decay, had often attracted her ob-
4 scrvation
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. HJ
servation and attention, when parties of
pleasure had been formed from Lord
Macdonald's feat, to view the wonderful
watersall of Coralin, which, darning
over precipices more than an hundred
feet high, was at once an object of won-
der and sublimity.
Lord Macdonald was one of those
rigid fathers who salsely imagine that to
obtain respect they must practise aujle-
rity, and who, self-convinced of his own
supremacy, would not suffer any part of
his samily to dispute it. The unfortu-
nate Lady Macdonald had too often felt
the inutility of attempting to oppose his
will, to persevere in a mode os conduct
which was always attended with heart-
felt misery, and at length patiently sub-
mitted to her Lord's caprices, without
presuming either. to repine at their in-
. justice, or murmur at their severity. -->
'"" * In
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? ItD THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
--;-- ' ' *n
I n the society of her loved Louisa she
sound an antidote for her distresses, and
a balm for her sorrows; and when en-
circling her lovely form within her ma-
ternal arms, would totally forget her
own misfortunes. Beauty, which ought
always to be considered as a secondary
charm, Louisa possessed in an eminent
degree ; but the perfections of her mind
infinitely transcended those of her per-
son ; for she was gentle, humane, libe-
ral, and benevolent. . The accomplish-
ments she had acquired were equal to
the virtues she possessed, and Glasgow
resounded with the praises of her per-
fections. Lady Macdonald, proud of
possessing a daughter so deservedly ad-
mired, anticipated the hope of seeing
her united to a man who would value
her for her merits, and love her for her.
virtue.
' Far
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 117
Far disferent were the hopes and ex-
pectations of her Lord, who, disappoint-
ed in not having an heir to his estate, re-
solved to marry his daughter to some man
of high birth, and remote pedigree;
that if he could not perpetuate his name,
he might exalt his nobility; and the Mar-
quis of Clyde, a nobleman of immense
posseflions and high honours, was the
man destined to become the husband of
his beauteous daughter.
Had the Marquis possessed one virtue,
or acquired one accomplishment, the gentle
Louisa might not have shrunk with such
an excess of horror from her sather's
proposal; but when she compared the
disgusting manners of her future huf*
band, with the insinuating elegance os
her cousin Montgomery, her heart sick-
ened at the comparison, and she, who
had never in the slightest instance pre-
sumes
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? Il8 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
fumed to dispute her father's authority,
ventured to inform him that (lie could
never become Marchioness of Clyde.
At this intelligence his rage and indig-
nation were unbounded; and Lady Mac-
donald, perceiving that it could never be
appeased but by her daughter's sacrificing
her present and future happiness* by an
union with a man she despised, at length
gave her consent to a private marriage
with the object of her affection, with
whom she immediately quitted the king-
dom, and embarked for America, where
he flattered himself he could live much
cheaper than in England.
Ten years of perfect bliss flew rapid-
ly away, in which time the amiable Mrs.
Montgomery became the mother of two
lovely boys, and was indulging the hope
of returning to England and obtaining
the pardon of her enraged sather, when
she
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 119
she was destined to sustain the most
heart-rending misfortune ; for the object
of her increasing tenderness was sudden-
ly snatched from her by the violence of
an epidemic disease; and it was with
the utmost difficulty the lives of her
children were prevented salling a sacri-
fice to the same satal disorder.
Two years previous to this unfortu-
nate event, Mrs. Montgomery received
the melancholy intelligence of her be-
loved mother's death, by a letter from
a housekeeper who had resided in the
samily five-and-twenty years; and at the
same time she learned that her sather
was going to leave Scotland, though
none of the servants knew where he in-
tended to reside.
As soon at Mrs. Montgomery had dis-
posed of her esfects at Charlestown, her-
self, two children, and a female servant,
embarked
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? 120 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
embarked in the first ship that was bound
for Scotland, where stie arrived without
the occurrence of any particular circum-
stance during the voyage. All her en-
deavours to trace her sather's residence,
or find out his abode, were fruitless;
her mind, naturally inclined to the pen-
Jive cast, became habitually melancholy;
and the very cool reception she met with
from those persons who had once been
proud of her acquaintance, at length
induced her to fix her abode in the rp-
mantic situation I have before described.
Mrs. Montgomery was too tenderly
attached to her children to support the
idea of a separation; yet she was con-
vinced that they required more instruction
than she was capable of asfording them,
(as Malcolm had just entered his eighth,
and Duncan his seventh year) and she,
therefore, engaged a young man, who
had
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS, 121
had been usher in a capital school, as
preceptor to them, and had the gratifica-
tion of perceiving that both their minds
and manners were improved by his tui-
tion. . ' ' . '
As Mr. Maclean's father and mother
resided within twelve miles of the tower,
he always passed Saturday and Sunday
in their society, and returned to his pu-
pils on the Monday morning; and du-
ring his absence Malcolm and his bro-
ther used to amuse themselves by fishing
in the Clyde, and . in visiting the. little
hovels of the Scotch peasantry within
the vicinity of their mother's dwelling,
to distribute to each some proof of. her
liberality and some mark of her bene-
volence. . '.
Although nothing could be more op-
posite than the disposition of the boys,
yet there never were two brothers who
. - M lived
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? 122 tHE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
lived in greater harmony, or more readily
sacrificed their own inclinations for the
fake of promoting each other's happiness.
Malcolm was grave, studious, and fond
of solitude ; whilst Duncan was volatile,
inattentive, and delighted in variety;
yet as both possessed an uncommon share
of good nature, they had more satissac-
tion in promoting each other's pleasures
than in the gratification of their own.
Duncan would frequently lament the re^
tired life his mother had made choice of,
and anticipate the happiness he should
enjoy when old enough to be sent to the
university of Glasgow, of which his tu-
tor informed him he was intended to be-
come a member--whilst Malcolm would.
declare he had no greater idea os happir
ness than what he derived from the soci-
ety of two persons so tenderly beloved,
in relieving the distresses of his. fellow-
<<. -. I - crea-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. I2J
creatures, and in admiring the stupen-
dous works of Nature, which were so
wonderfully displayed around their dwel-
ling.
It was Mrs. Montgomery's constant
practice to enumerate the qualities of
her lamented husband in the presence os
the children, and to inspire them with a
wish of emulating his virtues ; but their
grandfather's name was never mentioned,
neither had they an idea of his exalted
rank. They were early taught to de-
spise that greatness which could only
boast of hereditary distinction, and to
consider superiority os birth as only enti-
tled to respect when it was attended with
superior merit. '* The benefit of society,"
. she would often say, <>> demanded the
introduction of subordination ; but the
human mind, feeling the influence of
its own independence, spurned the bond-
H 2 age
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? 124. THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
age of oppressive greatness--. it may easily
be led to bend to power, ttiy beloved
boys," said that . intelligent woman;
** but it rebels at the bare idea of corn-
pun flion. If you would be loved and
respected by your dependants, let your
conduct prove to them that you deserve
it; and instead of forcing them to the per-
formance of their duty, convince them
that you'are sensible of the services they do
you, and in return endeavour to promote
their happiness: by that mode of beha-
viour you will find their zeal strengthen,
their asfection increase, and their respect
amount nearly to veneration. "
. These precepts of kindness and bene-
volence were made doubly impressive by
the force of example ; and nothing but
a naturally corrupted mind could have
rendered the two Montgomerys unami-
able. Every thing they saw, every
thing
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 12$
thing they heard, was ultimately cal-
culated to promote the love of vir-
tue ; and though their mother thought
it necessary to convince them that
there was such a thing as vice in the
world, yet they would listen to her ac-
counts of its practice, with an incredu-
lity of countenance that seemed abso-
lutely to indicate a doubt of its exist-
ence.
As his pupils advanced in years, Mr.
Maclean saw the necessity of introdu-
cing them into that world of which they
must shortly become members, ami-
pointed out to Mrs. Montgomery the,
hazard they would run in being placed
at College before they had acquired some
knowledge of mankind. " There is as
much difference between books and men,
my dear Madam," he would say, " as
there is between the inhabitants of one. .
M. 3 >> COUI>7
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? 126 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. .
country, and those of another ; and it
is absolutely necessary that your sons
should become acquainted with both. "
Convinced of the propriety of these
sentiments, Mrs. Montgomery was re-
solved to be guided by them, and taking
a small house near the cathedral in Glas-
gow, removed thither on the day Mal-
colm entered his fourteenth year. >
Although the boys had accompanied
their tutor to Glasgow in two or three
visits which he had paid his brother,
(who was one of the canons of that an-
cient cathedral) yet their time was so
short, that they were unable to gratify
their curiosity by a survey os a place
that appeared to abound with wonders ;
every thing, therefore, was new ; every
thing was astonishing ; and the variety
of questions which were put to their
mother and tutor, proved at once the
simpli-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 12J
simplicity of their minds, and that thirst
for information which Nature has. im-
planted for. the wisest purpose.
Although it was contrary to Mr.
Maclean's interest that his pupils should
be sent to school, yet he strenuously ad-
vised Mrs. Montgomery to that mode of
conduct ; and at length it was agreed
that they should pass their mornings with
Mr. Macnamara, who kept an eminent
academy, and the afternoons should be
devoted to receiving the private instruc-
tion of Mr. Maclean, whom Mrs. Mont-
gomery persuaded to remain as part of
her samily.
Upon entering the school, where not
less than ninety boys were assembled,
Malcolm at sirst felt rather embarrassed ;
but the natural freedom of Duncan's
manners made him perfectly easy upon
the occasion. They were soon called up
1 to
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? 12? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
lo be examined by Mr. Macnamara, that
he might judge in what class they ought
to be placed, and the perfect ease with
which they answered his interrogations,
and their very great forwardness both in
the Greek and Latin languages, pro-
cured them not only an eminent situa-
tion, but immediate attention from many
boys much bigger than themselves. The
sacility with which they performed their
exercises, and the ease with which they
learned their tasks, frequently induced
the other boys to apply to their assistance,
and the Montgomerys became universal
savorites.
The first thing that called forth Mal-
colm's astonishment, and roused his in-
dignation, was the seeing a boy go to
his schoolfellow's desk, and scrTbble an
exercise all over, which he had just com-
pleted, whilst he went to the other end
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. X29
of the school to deliver a message Mr. ,
Macnamara had sent to one of the ushers.
<<<< Why have you done that? " said
Malcolm to the boy, whose name was
Campbell; " for surely it is a very ill-
natured trick. "--" He deserves ten times
worse," replied the boy; " for he's
. what we call a Larum, and is hated by
the whole school;"
" A Larum! " said Malcolm, " I
don't understand the meaning of the
word ; but if he has done you an -injury,
why don't you resent it openly ? surely
that would be more manly. "
" More manly, perhaps;" replied
the boy, " but less prudent; for he would
certainly tell the ushers of me, and is
too great a coward to fight his own bat-
tles--and Larum's a nick-name for tell*
tale, and he's the greatest in the school'. "
The truth of this "account was in-
stantly
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? I30 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
stantly authenticated by the boy's re-
turning to the deflc, perceiving the mis-
chief that had been done during his ab-
sence, and taking the paper up to his sa-
vourite champion the usher, who blus-
tered violently about the school, and de-
clared he would punish every boy in it,
rather than not discover the author os so
malicious a contrivance.
As soon as school was ended, the boys
always retired to the play-ground, and
the Montgomerys generally accompanied
them ; and one morning, after they had
been about ten days members of the so-
ciety, they were invited by Campbell,
to join him in a scheme of robbing the
hot-house of their next door neighbour,
who, though >>t was only the latter end
of spring, they were informed had plenty
of rife fruit*
- ff Rob. his hot-house! " exclaimed
Mai-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. IJI
Malcolm, scarcely crediting what he
heard. --" What I Steal the fruit! "
said Duncan, in equal amazement:
" why, do you know you run the hazard
of being hanged; and besides, that it is
breaking the eighth commandment "
" Breaking the eighth fiddlestick,"
replied Campbell; " I tell ye what;
when you have known old Sanderson as
long as I have, you'll not think of the
eighth or the ninth commandment either ;
fer he's always telling our master some
tale about the boys, and has had five or
fix severely flogged; it is not that we
want trie fruit, only we know the old
dog prides himself upon it, and has
saved it all for a grand feast which he
is going to give the heads of the College
to-morrow--so come, and be enliftedt
and make one of our party. " ;
'Twas in vain for Malcolm or Duu-
. . . . . can
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? 132 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
can to remonstrate ; for the plan was
arranged in spite of all the arguments that
either their fears or their principles sug-
gested, and they went home to dinner,
(hocked at such an instance of early de-
pravity. Malcolm was peculiarly grave,
and Duncan seemed to ' have lost''his
wonted spirits. Pained at observing
this sudden change, Mrs. Montgomery
tenderly inquired into *he cause, but
Could not obtain any satissactory reply ?
at length being earnestly pressed by their
indulgent mother they revealed it, de-
claring they could never be happy at
school if the boys were in the habit of
acting with so little principle.
Mrs. Montgomery applauded their
sentiments, but gave them to understand,
that the wanton pranks of an unthinking
boy deserved not the severe epithet of
want as principle; and at the same time
. told
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 133
told them, that retaliation ought to be a
Jchosl boys motto, for that they made it
a rule never to suffer an injury without
returning it with four-fold interest.
V But pray, Mamma," said Duncan,
" is not that very wicked ? "--" I should
for their sakes, my love," replied Mrs.
Montgomery, hope it is not very
/wicked, thougTl it certainly must be al-
lowed to be very wron? ; but a school
boy's vices generally proceed from want
of reflection, and are therefore much
more excusable than a premeditated
crime. ".
The boys had arranged their plan
with so much method, and executed it
with so much skill, that the whole hot-
house was stripped of its contents, and
two of the finest apricots were next day
presented to the Montgomerys, who
strenuously refused the offer, alleging,
. i n tliat
.
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? 134 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
that as they were not sharers in the dan-
ger, they had no reason to be partakers
of its reward--though in sact} their real
reason was, that they considered them
as Jiolen goods, and were resolved not to
share them.
Just as school was ended, and the
boys had entered the play-ground, Mr.
Macnamara's servant passed, " Well!
what's the best news with you, Tho-
mas f" said one of them. --" I know of
none that's goodreplied the fellow. --
" Do you know of any that's Bad? "
saiiithe same boy. --" Yes, bad enough,
Sir; for poor Ben, Doctor Sanderson's
gardener has been taken up on suspicion
of having robbed his master's hot-house,
and sold the fruit. "
Campbell, who had just joined them
as this intelligence was communicated j
turned as pale as death, and catching
Mai-
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. I35
Malcolm by the arm, led him away to
another part of the play-ground, and
asked his advice how he ought to act.
Thomas's intelligence soon spread, and
before Malcolm could give his opinion,
the three other boys who had been con-
cerned in the theft joined Campbell ia
equal trepidation.
One was sor sending by a porter a suf-
ficient sum of money to pay for the
fruit, with a letter to the old doctor,
assuring him of his servant's innocence.
Another was for soliciting a friend to go
to the justice who had committed^ the
gardener, and get him on their side ;
and a third Was of opinion that his sa-
ther would take the man to live with
him as soon as he was out of confine-
ment, 'and that they might easily make
up money enough between them for the
purpose of supporting him comfortably
N 2 whilst.
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? 136 THE AMIABLE BROTHERS.
whilst he was in prison--but all these
plans Malcolm disapproved, and advised
them to wait upon the old man, acknow-
ledge the crime, and intreat the poor
gardener might immediately be liberated.
This was at first opposed, and all de-
clared they would as soon face a tyger.
At length it was agreed that Mr. Mac-
iiamara mould be made acquainted with
the whole affair, and Malcolm was
intreated to undertake the office. Every
thing that could be said in mitigation of
the crime he thought of saying, and Mr.
Macnamara heard him with much more
calmness than had been expected. He
ordered the boys into close confinement,
and then waited immediately upon his
crabbed neighbour, who insisted that all
the boys that had been concerned in the
theft should immediately be expelled. --
. That demand Mr. Macnamara informed
i . him
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? THE AMIABLE BROTHERS. 137.
him could not be complied with, but he
promised they Ihould all be severely pu-
mped. --Upon sinding he could not have
the satisfaction he demanded^ the old man
began abusing the schoolmaster, declaring
he was an incendiary, and had actually
been at the bottom of the plan.
This unmerited impertinence pro-
voked Mr. Macnamara so completely,
that he protested he would not punish a
single boy in the school, and, returning
homej gave them immediate liberty,
but desired them all to assemble in the
school. He there entered into a long
dissertation, sirst upon the crime, and
next upon the meannejs of robbing gar-
dens and orchards ; and after expatiating
near half an hour upon the subject, he
promised to forgive the recent outrage
that had been committed, on condition
that every boy in the school would make
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:34 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hn2hdw Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust.
