It is plain now what you meant by
your proposing to take her into the house this morning.
your proposing to take her into the house this morning.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v07 - Cic to Cuv
Bah!
not you!
" He turned away, laugh-
ing at the astonishment of the men in the yard; and the dog
crept back meekly to his kennel. "Ah! my nice waistcoat! " he
said pathetically. "I am
sorry I came here. Some of that
brute's slobber has got on my pretty clean waistcoat. " Those
words express another of his incomprehensible oddities. He is
as fond of fine clothes as the veriest fool in existence, and has
appeared in four magnificent waistcoats already - all of light
garish colors and all immensely large, even for him- in the
two days of his residence at Blackwater Park.
His tact and cleverness in small things are quite as noticeable
as the singular inconsistencies in his character, and the childish
triviality of his ordinary tastes and pursuits.
I can see already that he means to live on excellent terms
with all of us during the period of his sojourn in this place.
He has evidently discovered that Laura secretly dislikes him (she
confessed as much to me when I pressed her on the subject),
but he has also found out that she is extravagantly fond of
flowers. Whenever she wants a nosegay he has got one to give
her, gathered and arranged by himself; and greatly to my amuse-
ment, he is always cunningly provided with a duplicate, com-
posed of exactly the same flowers, grouped in exactly the same
## p. 3899 (#265) ###########################################
WILLIAM WILKIE COLLINS
3899
way, to appease his icily jealous wife, before she can so much as
think herself aggrieved. His management of the Countess (in
public) is a sight to see. He bows to her; he habitually ad-
dresses her as "my angel"; he carries his canaries to pay her
little visits on his fingers, and to sing to her; he kisses her
hand when she gives him his cigarettes; he presents her with
sugar-plums in return, which he puts into her mouth playfully,
from a box in his pocket. The rod of iron with which he rules
her never appears in company-it is a private rod and is always
kept up-stairs.
His method of recommending himself to me is entirely differ-
ent. He flatters my vanity by talking to me as seriously and
sensibly as if I was a man. Yes! I can find him out when I
am away from him; I know he flatters my vanity, when I think
of him up
here in my own room-and yet when I go down-
stairs and get into his company again he will blind me again,
shall be flattered again, just as if I had never found him
and I
out at all! He can manage me as he manages his wife and
Laura, as he manages the bloodhound in the stable yard, as he
manages Sir Percival himself every hour in the day. "My good
Percival! how I like your rough English humor! "—"My good
Percival! how I enjoy your solid English sense! " He puts the
rudest
remarks Sir Percival can make on his effeminate tastes
and amusements quietly away from him in that manner—always
calling the baronet by his Christian name; smiling at him with
the calmest superiority; patting him on the shoulder; and bear-
ing with him benignantly, as a good-humored father bears with
a wayward son.
The interest which I really cannot help feeling in this
strangely original man has led me to question Sir Percival about
his past life.
Sir Percival either knows little, or will tell me little about it.
He and the Count first met many years ago, at Rome, under
the dangerous circumstances to which I have alluded elsewhere.
Since that time they have been perpetually together, in London,
in Paris, and in Vienna-but never in Italy again; the Count
having, oddly enough, not crossed the frontiers of his native
country for years past. Perhaps he has been made the victim
of some political persecution? At all events, he seems to be
patriotically anxious not to lose sight of any of his own country-
who may happen to be in England. On the evening of
men
## p. 3900 (#266) ###########################################
3900
WILLIAM WILKIE COLLINS
his arrival, he asked how far we were from the nearest town,
and whether we knew of any Italian gentlemen who might hap-
pen to be settled there. He is certainly in correspondence with
people on the Continent, for his letters have all sorts of odd
stamps on them; and I saw one for him this morning, waiting
in his place at the breakfast-table, with a huge official-looking
seal on it. Perhaps he is in correspondence with his govern-
ment? And yet that is hardly to be reconciled, either, with my
other idea that he may be a political exile.
How much I seem to have written about Count Fosco! And
what does it all amount to? -as poor dear Mr. Gilmore would
ask in his impenetrable business-like way. I can only repeat
that I do assuredly feel, even on this short acquaintance, a
strange, half-willing, half-unwilling liking for the Count. He
seems to have established over me the same sort of ascendency
which he has evidently gained over Sir Percival. Free and even
rude as he may occasionally be in his manner toward his fat
friend, Sir Percival is nevertheless afraid, as I can plainly see,
of giving any serious offense to the Count. I wonder whether
I am afraid too? I certainly never saw a man, in all my experi-
ence, whom I should be so sorry to have for an enemy. Is
this because I like him, or because I am afraid of him? Chi
sa? - as Count Fosco might say in his own language. Who
knows?
## p. 3901 (#267) ###########################################
3901
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
(1733-1794)
F THE two George Colmans, father and son, familiar to the
student of English drama and humor, the son was for two
or three generations much the better known to the pub-
lic, through the inclusion of some humorous poems- of the coarse
practical-joking sort dear to the British public, and not unaptly char-
acterized by Macaulay as "blackguard doggerel "-in popular anthol-
ogies. But the improvement in taste has
retired these, and the father's work as a
dramatist has solider merits.
George Colman was the son of an Eng-
lish diplomatist, and born at Florence,
but educated in England; entering Christ
Church College, Oxford, in 1751, and be-
coming M. A. in 1758. He studied law in
London; but his tastes and an intimacy
with Garrick soon led him to abandon this
for poetry and play-writing. His first piece,
'Polly Honeycomb,' was acted at Drury
Lane with great success in 1760; and the
following year The Jealous Wife' -"rich
in borrowed excellences"-had an equal
welcome. Neither of them has much originality, but they show an
excellent sense of stage effect and humorous situation, and are well
put together and harmonized. Later it occurred to Garrick and Col-
man that an entertaining play might be made on the lines of
Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode,' and the result of their joint labors
was The Clandestine Marriage' (1766). Garrick made a great hit in
this as Lord Ogleby, a faded but witty old man.
Colman also wrote some excellent detached pieces for the Con-
noisseur, and about 1761 became owner of the St. James's Chronicle
and contributed humorous matter to it. In 1764 he published a
translation of the comedies of Terence into English blank verse,
which was much praised. In 1768 he became an owner of Covent
Garden Theatre, and later managed the Haymarket. For many years
he wrote and translated pieces for the stage, and was much respected
as a manager and liked as a man. In 1783 he published a translation
of Horace's 'Art of Poetry. ' He died in 1794, after five years of
insanity.
GEORGE COLMAN
## p. 3902 (#268) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3902
THE EAVESDROPPING
From The Jealous Wife'
Scene, Mr. Oakly's House: Enter Harriot following a Servanı
ARRIOT
Not at home! are you sure that Mrs. Oakly is not
at home, sir?
H
―
Servant-She is just gone out, madam.
Harriot-I have something of consequence: if you will give
me leave, sir, I will wait till she returns.
Servant You would not see her if you did, madam. She
has given positive orders not to be interrupted with any com-
pany to-day.
Harriot Sure, sir, if you were to let her know that I had
particular business-
-
-
Servant-I should not dare to trouble her, indeed, madam.
Harriot-How unfortunate this is! What can I do? Pray,
sir, can I see Mr. Oakly then?
Servant-Yes, madam: I'll acquaint my master, if you please.
Harriot - Pray do, sir.
――
Servant - Will you favor me with your name, madam ?
Harriot-Be pleased, sir, to let him know that a lady desires
to speak with him.
Servant I shall, madam.
[Exit Servant.
Harriot [alone]-I wish I could have seen Mrs. Oakly! What
an unhappy situation am I reduced to! What will the world say
of me? And yet what could I do? To remain at Lady Free-
love's was impossible. Charles, I must own, has this very day
revived much of my tenderness for him; and yet I dread the
wildness of his disposition. I must now however solicit Mr.
Oakly's protection; a circumstance (all things considered) rather
disagreeable to a delicate mind, and which nothing but the abso-
lute necessity of it could excuse. Good Heavens, what a multi-
tude of difficulties and distresses am I thrown into, by my
father's obstinate perseverance to force me into a marriage which
my soul abhors!
Enter Oakly
Oakly Where is this lady? [Seeing her. ] Bless me, Miss
Russet, is it you? [Aside]-Was ever anything so unlucky? —Is
it possible, madam, that I see you here?
1
## p. 3903 (#269) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3903
Harriot-It is true, sir! and the occasion on which I am
now to trouble you is so much in need of an apology, but
the favor, sir, which I would now request of you is that you will
suffer me to remain for a few days in your house.
-
Oakly [aside] — If my wife should return before I get her out
of the house again! -I know of your leaving your father, by a
letter we had from him. Upon my soul, madam, I would do.
anything to serve you; but your being in my house creates a
difficulty that-
―――――――――
Harriot-I hope, sir, you do not doubt the truth of what I
have told you?
Oakly — I religiously believe every tittle of it, madam; but I
have particular family considerations that—
Harriot-Sure, sir, you cannot suspect me to be base enough
to form any connections in your family contrary to your inclina-
tions, while I am living in your house.
Oakly - Such connections, madam, would do me and all my
family great honor. I never dreamed of any scruples on that
What can I do? Let me see-let me see- - suppose·
account.
[Pausing.
Enter Mrs. Oakly behind, in a capuchin, tippet, etc.
Mrs. Oakly-I am sure I heard the voice of a woman con-
versing with my husband. Ha! [Seeing Harriot. ] It is so,
indeed! Let me contain myself! I'll listen.
Harriot-I see, sir, you are not inclined to serve me. Good
Heaven, what am I reserved to? Why, why did I leave my
father's house, to expose myself to greater distresses?
-
[Ready to weep.
Oakly I would do anything for your sake, indeed I would.
So pray be comforted; and I'll think of some proper place to
bestow you in.
Mrs. Oakly-So, so!
Harriot- - What place can be so proper as your own house?
Oakly-My dear madam, I-I-
Mrs. Oakly-My dear madam! mighty well!
Oakly-Hush! hark! what noise? No, nothing. But I'll be
plain with you, madam; we may be interrupted. The family con-
sideration I hinted at is nothing else than my wife. She is a little
unhappy in her temper, madam; and if you were to be admit
ted into the house, I don't know what might be the consequence.
## p. 3904 (#270) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3904
Mrs. Oakly- Very fine!
Harriot - My behavior, sir-
Oakly - My dear life, it would be impossible for you to be-
have in such a manner as not to give her suspicion.
Harriot-But if your nephew, sir, took everything upon
himself -
Oakly Still that would not do, madam. Why, this very
morning, when the letter came from your father, though I
positively denied any knowledge of it, and Charles owned it, yet
it was almost impossible to pacify her.
Mrs. Oakly-The letter! How have I been bubbled!
- What shall I do? what will become of me?
Harriot
-
Oakly-Why, look ye, my dear madam, since my wife is so
strong an objection, it is absolutely impossible for me to take
you into the house. Nay, if I had not known she was gone out
just before you came, I should be uneasy at your being here
even now. So we must manage as well as we can: I'll
take a private lodging for you a little way off, unknown to
Charles or my wife or anybody; and if Mrs. Oakly should dis-
cover it at last, why the whole matter will light upon Charles,
you know.
Mrs. Oakly - Upon Charles!
Harriot How unhappy is my situation! [Weeping. ] I am
ruined forever.
Oakly Ruined! not at all. Such a thing as this has hap
pened to many a young lady before you, and all has been well
again. Keep up your spirits! I'll contrive, if I possibly can, to
visit you every day.
And you,
Mrs. Oakly [advancing]- Will you so? O Mr. Oakly! I
have discovered you at last? I'll visit you, indeed.
my dear madam, I'll-
Harriot
Madam, I don't understand-
Mrs. Oakly-I understand the whole affair, and have under-
stood it for some time past. You shall have a private lodging,
miss! It is the fittest place for you, I believe.
How dare you
look me in the face?
――――
―
Oakly For Heaven's sake, my love, don't be so violent!
You are quite wrong in this affair; you don't know who you are
talking to. That lady is a person of fashion.
Mrs. Oakly-Fine fashion, indeed! to beguile other women's
husbands!
## p. 3905 (#271) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3905
Harriot-Dear madam, how can you imagine-
Oakly-I tell you, my dear, this is the young lady that
Charles
Mrs. Oakly-Mighty well! But that won't do, sir! Did not
I hear you lay the whole intrigue together? did not I hear
your fine plot of throwing all the blame upon Charles?
Oakly-Nay, be cool a moment! You must know, my dear,
that the letter which came this morning related to this lady.
Mrs. Oakly-I know it.
Oakly - And since that, it seems, Charles has been so fortu-
nate as to-
-
Mrs. Oakly-O, you deceitful man! that trick is too stale
to pass again with me.
It is plain now what you meant by
your proposing to take her into the house this morning. But
the gentlewoman could introduce herself, I see.
Oakly Fie, fie, my dear! she came on purpose to inquire
for you.
Mrs. Oakly- For me! Better and better! Did not she watch
her opportunity, and come to you just as I went out? But I am
obliged to you for your visit, madam. It is sufficiently paid.
Pray don't let me detain you.
to death.
Oakly - For shame, for shame, Mrs. Oakly! How can you
be so absurd? Is this proper behavior to a lady of her char-
―
acter ?
Mrs. Oakly-I have heard her character. Go, my fine run-
away madam!
Now you've eloped from your father, and run
away from your aunt, go! You shan't stay here, I promise you.
Oakly-Prithee, be quiet. You don't know what you are
She shall stay.
doing.
Mrs. Oakly-She shan't stay a minute.
Oakly She shall stay a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a
month, a year! 'Sdeath, madam, she shall stay forever, if I
choose it.
Mrs. Oakly- How!
Harriot-For Heaven's sake, sir, let me go. I am frighted
Oakly-Don't be afraid, madam! She shall stay, I insist
upon it.
Russet [within]-I tell you, sir, I will go up.
that the lady is here, and nothing shall hinder me.
Harriot -Oh, my father, my father!
VII-245
I am
sure
[Faints away.
## p. 3906 (#272) ###########################################
3906
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
Oakly-See! she faints. [Catching her. ] Ring the bell!
who's there?
Mrs. Oakly-What, take her in your arms too! I have no
patience.
Russet-Where is this-Ha! fainting! [Running to her. ] Oh,
my dear Harriot! my child! my child!
Oakly-Your coming so abruptly shocked her spirits. But
she revives. How do you, madam?
Harriot [to Russet]-Oh, sir!
Russet -Oh, my dear girl! how could you run away from
your father, that loves you with such fondness! But I was sure
I should find you here.
Mrs. Oakly-There, there! Sure he should find her here!
Did not I tell you so? Are not you a wicked man, to carry on
such base underhand doings with a gentleman's daughter?
Russet- Let me tell you, sir, whatever you may think of the
matter, I shall not easily put up with this behavior. How durst
you encourage my daughter to an elopement, and receive her in
your house?
Mrs. Oakly-There, mind that! the thing is as plain as the
light.
Oakly I tell you, you misunderstand
Russet-Look you, Mr. Oakly, I shall expect satisfaction from
your family for so gross an affront. Zounds, sir, I am not to be
used ill by any man in England!
My dear sir, I can assure you
Harriot
Russet - Hold your tongue, girl! you'll put me in a passion.
Oakly Sir, this is all a mistake.
£ Russet -A mistake! Did not I find her in your house?
Upon my soul, she has not been in the house
Oakly
-
――――
-
Enter Russet and servants
―
above-
Mrs. Oakly - Did not I hear you say you would take her to
a lodging? a private lodging?
Oakly-Yes; but that-
Russet — Has not this affair been carried on a long time, in
spite of my teeth?
Oakly Sir, I never troubled myself-
Mrs. Oakly - Never troubled yourself! Did not you insist on
her staying in the house, whether I would or no?
-
## p. 3907 (#273) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3907
Oakly - No.
Russet - Did not you send to meet her when she came to
town?
Oakly - No.
Mrs. Oakly - Did not you deceive me about the letter this
morning?
Oakly-No, no, no. I tell you, no!
Mrs. Oakly-Yes, yes, yes. I tell you, yes!
Russet Shan't I believe my own eyes?
-
Mrs. Oakly - Shan't I believe my own ears?
Oakly I tell you, you are both deceived.
Russet-Zounds, sir, I'll have satisfaction.
-
―――――
Mrs. Oakly-I'll stop these fine doings, I warrant you.
Oakly 'Sdeath, you will not let me speak! And you are
both alike, I think. I wish you were married to one another,
with all my heart.
Mrs. Oakly Mighty well! mighty well!
Russet -I shall soon find a time to talk with you.
➖➖
Oakly - Find a time to talk! you have talked enough now for
all your lives.
Mrs. Oakly-Very fine! Come along, sir! leave that lady
with her father. Now she is in the properest hands.
Oakly-I wish I could leave you in his hands. [Going,
returns. ] I shall follow you, madam! One word with you, sir!
The height of your passion, and Mrs. Oakly's strange misappre-
hension of this whole affair, makes it impossible to explain mat-
ters to you at present. I will do it when you please, and how
you please.
[Exit.
Russet - Yes, yes; I'll have satisfaction. -So, madam! I have
found you at last. You have made a fine confusion here.
Harriot I have indeed been the innocent cause of a great
Ideal of confusion.
Russet Innocent! what business had you to be running
hither after
Harriot - My dear sir, you misunderstand the whole affair. I
have not been in this house half an hour.
Russet-Zounds, girl, don't put me in a passion! You know
I love you; but a lie puts me in a passion! But come along;
we'll leave this house directly. [Charles singing without. ] Hey-
day! what now?
## p. 3908 (#274) ###########################################
3908
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
After a noise without, enter Charles, drunk and singing:
But my wine neither nurses nor babies can bring,
And a big-bellied bottle's a mighty good thing.
What's here—a woman? a woman? Harriot! - Impossible! —
My dearest, sweetest Harriot! I have been looking all over the
town for you, and at last, when I was tired and weary and
disappointed,-why then the honest Major and I sat down
together to drink your health in pint bumpers.
[Running up to her.
my daughter before me? Zounds, sir,
Charles-Ha, 'Squire Russet, too!
do you? But Harriot! my dear girl!
life, my soul, my
Russet-Stand off!
Stand off! How dare you take any
ny liberties with
I'll be the death of you!
You jolly old cock, how
[Taking hold of her. ] My
Russet-Let her go, sir! Come away, Harriot! Leave him
this instant, or I'll tear you asunder.
[Pulling her.
Harriot-There needs no violence to tear me from a man
who could disguise himself in such a gross manner, at a time
when he knew I was in the utmost distress.
[Disengages herself, and exit with Russet.
Charles [alone]-Only hear me, sir! Madam! My dear
Harriot! Mr. Russet! Gone! She's gone; and egad, in a very
ill humor and in very bad company! I'll go after her. But
hold! I shall only make it worse, as I did, now I recollect,
once before. How the devil came they here? Who would have
thought of finding her in my own house? My head turns round
with conjectures. I believe I am drunk, very drunk; so egad,
I'll e'en go and sleep myself sober, and then inquire the mean-
ing of all this-
"For I love Sue, and Sue loves me," etc.
[Exit singing.
## p. 3909 (#275) ###########################################
3909
JOHANN AMOS COMENIUS
(1592-1671)
BY BURKE A. HINSDALE
OHANN AMOS COMENIUS, the Slavic educational reformer, was
born March 28th, 1592, at Nivnitz, a village of Moravia.
His family belonged to the small but well-known body that
takes its name from the country,-"the Moravian Brethren," or sim-
ply "the Moravians," whose origin goes back to Huss, the Bohemian
reformer. The Brethren are known for their simple evangelical
faith, their humble fraternal lives, their interest in education, and
particularly their devotion to the cause of missions. Comenius was
a Moravian, a minister, and a bishop, and
he illustrated the best ideas and inspira-
tions of the Brotherhood in his teachings
and life.
COMENIUS
The parents of Comenius died when he
was still a child, and he fell into the hands
of guardians, who allowed his education to
be neglected. He received his elementary
education in one of the people's schools
that sprang out of the Hussite movement.
When sixteen years of age he attended a
Latin school, and at twenty he was study-
ing theology at Hebron College, in the
duchy of Nassau. Next he spent some
time in travel and in study at Heidelberg.
and returned to Moravia in 1614, being twenty-two years of age.
Too young to be ordained to the ministry, he was made rector of
a Moravian school at Prerau, near Olmütz, where his career as a
teacher and educator began. His attention had already been turned
to the teaching art as practiced in the schools, both by observation
and by reading the schemes of educational reform that had been
propounded. In 1616 he was ordained to the pastorate, and two
years later he was set over the flourishing church of Fulneck, where
he also had the supervision of a school. Here he married, and "for
two or three years," says Professor Laurie, "spent a happy and active
life, enjoying the only period of tranquillity in his native country
which it was ever his fortune to experience. For the restoration
## p. 3910 (#276) ###########################################
3910
JOHANN AMOS COMENIUS
of a time so happy he never ceased to pine during all his future
wanderings. "
Soon the Thirty Years' War broke out, and in 1621 Fulneck fell
into the hands of the Spaniards, who dealt with it according to their
usual habit in such cases. Comenius lost all his property, including
his library and manuscripts, and became for the rest of his life an
exile. His wife and child he lost soon after. He had been so un-
fortunate as to incur the enmity of the Jesuits. We cannot follow
him closely in his wanderings. For some time he lived in secrecy
in Moravia and Bohemia. Then he found a resting-place at Lissa, in
Poland, where in 1621 he published a little work that at once made
him famous.
ing at the astonishment of the men in the yard; and the dog
crept back meekly to his kennel. "Ah! my nice waistcoat! " he
said pathetically. "I am
sorry I came here. Some of that
brute's slobber has got on my pretty clean waistcoat. " Those
words express another of his incomprehensible oddities. He is
as fond of fine clothes as the veriest fool in existence, and has
appeared in four magnificent waistcoats already - all of light
garish colors and all immensely large, even for him- in the
two days of his residence at Blackwater Park.
His tact and cleverness in small things are quite as noticeable
as the singular inconsistencies in his character, and the childish
triviality of his ordinary tastes and pursuits.
I can see already that he means to live on excellent terms
with all of us during the period of his sojourn in this place.
He has evidently discovered that Laura secretly dislikes him (she
confessed as much to me when I pressed her on the subject),
but he has also found out that she is extravagantly fond of
flowers. Whenever she wants a nosegay he has got one to give
her, gathered and arranged by himself; and greatly to my amuse-
ment, he is always cunningly provided with a duplicate, com-
posed of exactly the same flowers, grouped in exactly the same
## p. 3899 (#265) ###########################################
WILLIAM WILKIE COLLINS
3899
way, to appease his icily jealous wife, before she can so much as
think herself aggrieved. His management of the Countess (in
public) is a sight to see. He bows to her; he habitually ad-
dresses her as "my angel"; he carries his canaries to pay her
little visits on his fingers, and to sing to her; he kisses her
hand when she gives him his cigarettes; he presents her with
sugar-plums in return, which he puts into her mouth playfully,
from a box in his pocket. The rod of iron with which he rules
her never appears in company-it is a private rod and is always
kept up-stairs.
His method of recommending himself to me is entirely differ-
ent. He flatters my vanity by talking to me as seriously and
sensibly as if I was a man. Yes! I can find him out when I
am away from him; I know he flatters my vanity, when I think
of him up
here in my own room-and yet when I go down-
stairs and get into his company again he will blind me again,
shall be flattered again, just as if I had never found him
and I
out at all! He can manage me as he manages his wife and
Laura, as he manages the bloodhound in the stable yard, as he
manages Sir Percival himself every hour in the day. "My good
Percival! how I like your rough English humor! "—"My good
Percival! how I enjoy your solid English sense! " He puts the
rudest
remarks Sir Percival can make on his effeminate tastes
and amusements quietly away from him in that manner—always
calling the baronet by his Christian name; smiling at him with
the calmest superiority; patting him on the shoulder; and bear-
ing with him benignantly, as a good-humored father bears with
a wayward son.
The interest which I really cannot help feeling in this
strangely original man has led me to question Sir Percival about
his past life.
Sir Percival either knows little, or will tell me little about it.
He and the Count first met many years ago, at Rome, under
the dangerous circumstances to which I have alluded elsewhere.
Since that time they have been perpetually together, in London,
in Paris, and in Vienna-but never in Italy again; the Count
having, oddly enough, not crossed the frontiers of his native
country for years past. Perhaps he has been made the victim
of some political persecution? At all events, he seems to be
patriotically anxious not to lose sight of any of his own country-
who may happen to be in England. On the evening of
men
## p. 3900 (#266) ###########################################
3900
WILLIAM WILKIE COLLINS
his arrival, he asked how far we were from the nearest town,
and whether we knew of any Italian gentlemen who might hap-
pen to be settled there. He is certainly in correspondence with
people on the Continent, for his letters have all sorts of odd
stamps on them; and I saw one for him this morning, waiting
in his place at the breakfast-table, with a huge official-looking
seal on it. Perhaps he is in correspondence with his govern-
ment? And yet that is hardly to be reconciled, either, with my
other idea that he may be a political exile.
How much I seem to have written about Count Fosco! And
what does it all amount to? -as poor dear Mr. Gilmore would
ask in his impenetrable business-like way. I can only repeat
that I do assuredly feel, even on this short acquaintance, a
strange, half-willing, half-unwilling liking for the Count. He
seems to have established over me the same sort of ascendency
which he has evidently gained over Sir Percival. Free and even
rude as he may occasionally be in his manner toward his fat
friend, Sir Percival is nevertheless afraid, as I can plainly see,
of giving any serious offense to the Count. I wonder whether
I am afraid too? I certainly never saw a man, in all my experi-
ence, whom I should be so sorry to have for an enemy. Is
this because I like him, or because I am afraid of him? Chi
sa? - as Count Fosco might say in his own language. Who
knows?
## p. 3901 (#267) ###########################################
3901
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
(1733-1794)
F THE two George Colmans, father and son, familiar to the
student of English drama and humor, the son was for two
or three generations much the better known to the pub-
lic, through the inclusion of some humorous poems- of the coarse
practical-joking sort dear to the British public, and not unaptly char-
acterized by Macaulay as "blackguard doggerel "-in popular anthol-
ogies. But the improvement in taste has
retired these, and the father's work as a
dramatist has solider merits.
George Colman was the son of an Eng-
lish diplomatist, and born at Florence,
but educated in England; entering Christ
Church College, Oxford, in 1751, and be-
coming M. A. in 1758. He studied law in
London; but his tastes and an intimacy
with Garrick soon led him to abandon this
for poetry and play-writing. His first piece,
'Polly Honeycomb,' was acted at Drury
Lane with great success in 1760; and the
following year The Jealous Wife' -"rich
in borrowed excellences"-had an equal
welcome. Neither of them has much originality, but they show an
excellent sense of stage effect and humorous situation, and are well
put together and harmonized. Later it occurred to Garrick and Col-
man that an entertaining play might be made on the lines of
Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode,' and the result of their joint labors
was The Clandestine Marriage' (1766). Garrick made a great hit in
this as Lord Ogleby, a faded but witty old man.
Colman also wrote some excellent detached pieces for the Con-
noisseur, and about 1761 became owner of the St. James's Chronicle
and contributed humorous matter to it. In 1764 he published a
translation of the comedies of Terence into English blank verse,
which was much praised. In 1768 he became an owner of Covent
Garden Theatre, and later managed the Haymarket. For many years
he wrote and translated pieces for the stage, and was much respected
as a manager and liked as a man. In 1783 he published a translation
of Horace's 'Art of Poetry. ' He died in 1794, after five years of
insanity.
GEORGE COLMAN
## p. 3902 (#268) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3902
THE EAVESDROPPING
From The Jealous Wife'
Scene, Mr. Oakly's House: Enter Harriot following a Servanı
ARRIOT
Not at home! are you sure that Mrs. Oakly is not
at home, sir?
H
―
Servant-She is just gone out, madam.
Harriot-I have something of consequence: if you will give
me leave, sir, I will wait till she returns.
Servant You would not see her if you did, madam. She
has given positive orders not to be interrupted with any com-
pany to-day.
Harriot Sure, sir, if you were to let her know that I had
particular business-
-
-
Servant-I should not dare to trouble her, indeed, madam.
Harriot-How unfortunate this is! What can I do? Pray,
sir, can I see Mr. Oakly then?
Servant-Yes, madam: I'll acquaint my master, if you please.
Harriot - Pray do, sir.
――
Servant - Will you favor me with your name, madam ?
Harriot-Be pleased, sir, to let him know that a lady desires
to speak with him.
Servant I shall, madam.
[Exit Servant.
Harriot [alone]-I wish I could have seen Mrs. Oakly! What
an unhappy situation am I reduced to! What will the world say
of me? And yet what could I do? To remain at Lady Free-
love's was impossible. Charles, I must own, has this very day
revived much of my tenderness for him; and yet I dread the
wildness of his disposition. I must now however solicit Mr.
Oakly's protection; a circumstance (all things considered) rather
disagreeable to a delicate mind, and which nothing but the abso-
lute necessity of it could excuse. Good Heavens, what a multi-
tude of difficulties and distresses am I thrown into, by my
father's obstinate perseverance to force me into a marriage which
my soul abhors!
Enter Oakly
Oakly Where is this lady? [Seeing her. ] Bless me, Miss
Russet, is it you? [Aside]-Was ever anything so unlucky? —Is
it possible, madam, that I see you here?
1
## p. 3903 (#269) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3903
Harriot-It is true, sir! and the occasion on which I am
now to trouble you is so much in need of an apology, but
the favor, sir, which I would now request of you is that you will
suffer me to remain for a few days in your house.
-
Oakly [aside] — If my wife should return before I get her out
of the house again! -I know of your leaving your father, by a
letter we had from him. Upon my soul, madam, I would do.
anything to serve you; but your being in my house creates a
difficulty that-
―――――――――
Harriot-I hope, sir, you do not doubt the truth of what I
have told you?
Oakly — I religiously believe every tittle of it, madam; but I
have particular family considerations that—
Harriot-Sure, sir, you cannot suspect me to be base enough
to form any connections in your family contrary to your inclina-
tions, while I am living in your house.
Oakly - Such connections, madam, would do me and all my
family great honor. I never dreamed of any scruples on that
What can I do? Let me see-let me see- - suppose·
account.
[Pausing.
Enter Mrs. Oakly behind, in a capuchin, tippet, etc.
Mrs. Oakly-I am sure I heard the voice of a woman con-
versing with my husband. Ha! [Seeing Harriot. ] It is so,
indeed! Let me contain myself! I'll listen.
Harriot-I see, sir, you are not inclined to serve me. Good
Heaven, what am I reserved to? Why, why did I leave my
father's house, to expose myself to greater distresses?
-
[Ready to weep.
Oakly I would do anything for your sake, indeed I would.
So pray be comforted; and I'll think of some proper place to
bestow you in.
Mrs. Oakly-So, so!
Harriot- - What place can be so proper as your own house?
Oakly-My dear madam, I-I-
Mrs. Oakly-My dear madam! mighty well!
Oakly-Hush! hark! what noise? No, nothing. But I'll be
plain with you, madam; we may be interrupted. The family con-
sideration I hinted at is nothing else than my wife. She is a little
unhappy in her temper, madam; and if you were to be admit
ted into the house, I don't know what might be the consequence.
## p. 3904 (#270) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3904
Mrs. Oakly- Very fine!
Harriot - My behavior, sir-
Oakly - My dear life, it would be impossible for you to be-
have in such a manner as not to give her suspicion.
Harriot-But if your nephew, sir, took everything upon
himself -
Oakly Still that would not do, madam. Why, this very
morning, when the letter came from your father, though I
positively denied any knowledge of it, and Charles owned it, yet
it was almost impossible to pacify her.
Mrs. Oakly-The letter! How have I been bubbled!
- What shall I do? what will become of me?
Harriot
-
Oakly-Why, look ye, my dear madam, since my wife is so
strong an objection, it is absolutely impossible for me to take
you into the house. Nay, if I had not known she was gone out
just before you came, I should be uneasy at your being here
even now. So we must manage as well as we can: I'll
take a private lodging for you a little way off, unknown to
Charles or my wife or anybody; and if Mrs. Oakly should dis-
cover it at last, why the whole matter will light upon Charles,
you know.
Mrs. Oakly - Upon Charles!
Harriot How unhappy is my situation! [Weeping. ] I am
ruined forever.
Oakly Ruined! not at all. Such a thing as this has hap
pened to many a young lady before you, and all has been well
again. Keep up your spirits! I'll contrive, if I possibly can, to
visit you every day.
And you,
Mrs. Oakly [advancing]- Will you so? O Mr. Oakly! I
have discovered you at last? I'll visit you, indeed.
my dear madam, I'll-
Harriot
Madam, I don't understand-
Mrs. Oakly-I understand the whole affair, and have under-
stood it for some time past. You shall have a private lodging,
miss! It is the fittest place for you, I believe.
How dare you
look me in the face?
――――
―
Oakly For Heaven's sake, my love, don't be so violent!
You are quite wrong in this affair; you don't know who you are
talking to. That lady is a person of fashion.
Mrs. Oakly-Fine fashion, indeed! to beguile other women's
husbands!
## p. 3905 (#271) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3905
Harriot-Dear madam, how can you imagine-
Oakly-I tell you, my dear, this is the young lady that
Charles
Mrs. Oakly-Mighty well! But that won't do, sir! Did not
I hear you lay the whole intrigue together? did not I hear
your fine plot of throwing all the blame upon Charles?
Oakly-Nay, be cool a moment! You must know, my dear,
that the letter which came this morning related to this lady.
Mrs. Oakly-I know it.
Oakly - And since that, it seems, Charles has been so fortu-
nate as to-
-
Mrs. Oakly-O, you deceitful man! that trick is too stale
to pass again with me.
It is plain now what you meant by
your proposing to take her into the house this morning. But
the gentlewoman could introduce herself, I see.
Oakly Fie, fie, my dear! she came on purpose to inquire
for you.
Mrs. Oakly- For me! Better and better! Did not she watch
her opportunity, and come to you just as I went out? But I am
obliged to you for your visit, madam. It is sufficiently paid.
Pray don't let me detain you.
to death.
Oakly - For shame, for shame, Mrs. Oakly! How can you
be so absurd? Is this proper behavior to a lady of her char-
―
acter ?
Mrs. Oakly-I have heard her character. Go, my fine run-
away madam!
Now you've eloped from your father, and run
away from your aunt, go! You shan't stay here, I promise you.
Oakly-Prithee, be quiet. You don't know what you are
She shall stay.
doing.
Mrs. Oakly-She shan't stay a minute.
Oakly She shall stay a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a
month, a year! 'Sdeath, madam, she shall stay forever, if I
choose it.
Mrs. Oakly- How!
Harriot-For Heaven's sake, sir, let me go. I am frighted
Oakly-Don't be afraid, madam! She shall stay, I insist
upon it.
Russet [within]-I tell you, sir, I will go up.
that the lady is here, and nothing shall hinder me.
Harriot -Oh, my father, my father!
VII-245
I am
sure
[Faints away.
## p. 3906 (#272) ###########################################
3906
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
Oakly-See! she faints. [Catching her. ] Ring the bell!
who's there?
Mrs. Oakly-What, take her in your arms too! I have no
patience.
Russet-Where is this-Ha! fainting! [Running to her. ] Oh,
my dear Harriot! my child! my child!
Oakly-Your coming so abruptly shocked her spirits. But
she revives. How do you, madam?
Harriot [to Russet]-Oh, sir!
Russet -Oh, my dear girl! how could you run away from
your father, that loves you with such fondness! But I was sure
I should find you here.
Mrs. Oakly-There, there! Sure he should find her here!
Did not I tell you so? Are not you a wicked man, to carry on
such base underhand doings with a gentleman's daughter?
Russet- Let me tell you, sir, whatever you may think of the
matter, I shall not easily put up with this behavior. How durst
you encourage my daughter to an elopement, and receive her in
your house?
Mrs. Oakly-There, mind that! the thing is as plain as the
light.
Oakly I tell you, you misunderstand
Russet-Look you, Mr. Oakly, I shall expect satisfaction from
your family for so gross an affront. Zounds, sir, I am not to be
used ill by any man in England!
My dear sir, I can assure you
Harriot
Russet - Hold your tongue, girl! you'll put me in a passion.
Oakly Sir, this is all a mistake.
£ Russet -A mistake! Did not I find her in your house?
Upon my soul, she has not been in the house
Oakly
-
――――
-
Enter Russet and servants
―
above-
Mrs. Oakly - Did not I hear you say you would take her to
a lodging? a private lodging?
Oakly-Yes; but that-
Russet — Has not this affair been carried on a long time, in
spite of my teeth?
Oakly Sir, I never troubled myself-
Mrs. Oakly - Never troubled yourself! Did not you insist on
her staying in the house, whether I would or no?
-
## p. 3907 (#273) ###########################################
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
3907
Oakly - No.
Russet - Did not you send to meet her when she came to
town?
Oakly - No.
Mrs. Oakly - Did not you deceive me about the letter this
morning?
Oakly-No, no, no. I tell you, no!
Mrs. Oakly-Yes, yes, yes. I tell you, yes!
Russet Shan't I believe my own eyes?
-
Mrs. Oakly - Shan't I believe my own ears?
Oakly I tell you, you are both deceived.
Russet-Zounds, sir, I'll have satisfaction.
-
―――――
Mrs. Oakly-I'll stop these fine doings, I warrant you.
Oakly 'Sdeath, you will not let me speak! And you are
both alike, I think. I wish you were married to one another,
with all my heart.
Mrs. Oakly Mighty well! mighty well!
Russet -I shall soon find a time to talk with you.
➖➖
Oakly - Find a time to talk! you have talked enough now for
all your lives.
Mrs. Oakly-Very fine! Come along, sir! leave that lady
with her father. Now she is in the properest hands.
Oakly-I wish I could leave you in his hands. [Going,
returns. ] I shall follow you, madam! One word with you, sir!
The height of your passion, and Mrs. Oakly's strange misappre-
hension of this whole affair, makes it impossible to explain mat-
ters to you at present. I will do it when you please, and how
you please.
[Exit.
Russet - Yes, yes; I'll have satisfaction. -So, madam! I have
found you at last. You have made a fine confusion here.
Harriot I have indeed been the innocent cause of a great
Ideal of confusion.
Russet Innocent! what business had you to be running
hither after
Harriot - My dear sir, you misunderstand the whole affair. I
have not been in this house half an hour.
Russet-Zounds, girl, don't put me in a passion! You know
I love you; but a lie puts me in a passion! But come along;
we'll leave this house directly. [Charles singing without. ] Hey-
day! what now?
## p. 3908 (#274) ###########################################
3908
GEORGE COLMAN THE ELDER
After a noise without, enter Charles, drunk and singing:
But my wine neither nurses nor babies can bring,
And a big-bellied bottle's a mighty good thing.
What's here—a woman? a woman? Harriot! - Impossible! —
My dearest, sweetest Harriot! I have been looking all over the
town for you, and at last, when I was tired and weary and
disappointed,-why then the honest Major and I sat down
together to drink your health in pint bumpers.
[Running up to her.
my daughter before me? Zounds, sir,
Charles-Ha, 'Squire Russet, too!
do you? But Harriot! my dear girl!
life, my soul, my
Russet-Stand off!
Stand off! How dare you take any
ny liberties with
I'll be the death of you!
You jolly old cock, how
[Taking hold of her. ] My
Russet-Let her go, sir! Come away, Harriot! Leave him
this instant, or I'll tear you asunder.
[Pulling her.
Harriot-There needs no violence to tear me from a man
who could disguise himself in such a gross manner, at a time
when he knew I was in the utmost distress.
[Disengages herself, and exit with Russet.
Charles [alone]-Only hear me, sir! Madam! My dear
Harriot! Mr. Russet! Gone! She's gone; and egad, in a very
ill humor and in very bad company! I'll go after her. But
hold! I shall only make it worse, as I did, now I recollect,
once before. How the devil came they here? Who would have
thought of finding her in my own house? My head turns round
with conjectures. I believe I am drunk, very drunk; so egad,
I'll e'en go and sleep myself sober, and then inquire the mean-
ing of all this-
"For I love Sue, and Sue loves me," etc.
[Exit singing.
## p. 3909 (#275) ###########################################
3909
JOHANN AMOS COMENIUS
(1592-1671)
BY BURKE A. HINSDALE
OHANN AMOS COMENIUS, the Slavic educational reformer, was
born March 28th, 1592, at Nivnitz, a village of Moravia.
His family belonged to the small but well-known body that
takes its name from the country,-"the Moravian Brethren," or sim-
ply "the Moravians," whose origin goes back to Huss, the Bohemian
reformer. The Brethren are known for their simple evangelical
faith, their humble fraternal lives, their interest in education, and
particularly their devotion to the cause of missions. Comenius was
a Moravian, a minister, and a bishop, and
he illustrated the best ideas and inspira-
tions of the Brotherhood in his teachings
and life.
COMENIUS
The parents of Comenius died when he
was still a child, and he fell into the hands
of guardians, who allowed his education to
be neglected. He received his elementary
education in one of the people's schools
that sprang out of the Hussite movement.
When sixteen years of age he attended a
Latin school, and at twenty he was study-
ing theology at Hebron College, in the
duchy of Nassau. Next he spent some
time in travel and in study at Heidelberg.
and returned to Moravia in 1614, being twenty-two years of age.
Too young to be ordained to the ministry, he was made rector of
a Moravian school at Prerau, near Olmütz, where his career as a
teacher and educator began. His attention had already been turned
to the teaching art as practiced in the schools, both by observation
and by reading the schemes of educational reform that had been
propounded. In 1616 he was ordained to the pastorate, and two
years later he was set over the flourishing church of Fulneck, where
he also had the supervision of a school. Here he married, and "for
two or three years," says Professor Laurie, "spent a happy and active
life, enjoying the only period of tranquillity in his native country
which it was ever his fortune to experience. For the restoration
## p. 3910 (#276) ###########################################
3910
JOHANN AMOS COMENIUS
of a time so happy he never ceased to pine during all his future
wanderings. "
Soon the Thirty Years' War broke out, and in 1621 Fulneck fell
into the hands of the Spaniards, who dealt with it according to their
usual habit in such cases. Comenius lost all his property, including
his library and manuscripts, and became for the rest of his life an
exile. His wife and child he lost soon after. He had been so un-
fortunate as to incur the enmity of the Jesuits. We cannot follow
him closely in his wanderings. For some time he lived in secrecy
in Moravia and Bohemia. Then he found a resting-place at Lissa, in
Poland, where in 1621 he published a little work that at once made
him famous.
