attraction, shall have subsided, the audience will begin to perceive their error, and return to the better taste of their ancestors, who were contented with the more simple amusements of probable adventures, natural language, and moderate action in the performers. I am willing to expect with confidence, the speedy arrival of the period, which shall restore to the stage its original, but respected embellishments; when the intention of dramatic exhibitions shall again be directed towards the improvement of private morals, and the public disposition; when amusement shall unite with instruction, to recommend virtuous principles, or eradicate vicious inclinations; and the theatre shall again become the promoter of good taste, literature, and morality. X. Y. A THE MINIATURE. NUMB. XVII. MONDAY, September 17, 1804. Non aliter stupui, quam qui Jovis ignibus ictus OV. TRIST. LIB, 1. 3. THE following story, of which the principal parts are true, is in itself so severe a censure upon the conduct of those unnatural parents, who, blinded by avarice, and a false ambition, sacrifice the happiness and affections of their children at the shrine of Mammon, that it does not require to be enforced by any further ob servations. Many years ago an English gentleman, who has gained a considerable degree of reputation in the medical world, and whom I shall introduce 1 to my readers under the name of SEMPRONIUS, became acquainted with a lady of uncommon merit, whose elegance of form, and expressive countenance, were only to be equalled by the gentlest manners, and the most comprehensive abilities that nature ever lavished upon a female mind. It cannot then be wondered at if Sempronius felt his admiration gradually ripening into love, or that JULIA should conceive an affection for one whose ideas were so congenial with her own, and whose respectful assiduities but too plainly confessed the inward sensations of his heart. It was not long before he ventured to declare his passion, nor were his offers rejected by the object of it. But his fortune being small, and his profession uncertain, her mother (an artful, aspiring woman,) thought that such accomplishments, as her daughter possessed, might easily procure a wealthier, and consequently in her idea, a more eligible husband. However, as she was fearful of entirely blasting their hopes, by a positive denial, she prevailed upon her daughter to persuade Sempronius, when he had scarcely attained his twentieth year, to travel for his improvement, as her parents were desirous that he should ensure a more certain establishment previous to his marriage. After repeated assurances of her unalterable attachment, and in compliance with her intreaties, he left England. From the moment of his arrival on the Continent he frequently wrote to her, but for a long time received no answer to his letters. During his absence à gentleman of fortune had been purposely introduced to the lady, and meeting with encouragement from her parents, had made an offer of his hand. In the mean time all Sempronius's letters were intercepted, and it was represented to the unfortunate Julia that he had totally discarded her from his affections, and that immersed in vice and dissipation he was no longer worthy of her esteem. However unwilling she at first was to credit any report to the disadvantage of her absent lover, they were so often repeated, and so strongly confirmed by his apparent neglect, that she was at length constrained to yield to her mother's importunities. But previously she informed the gentleman who was extremely attached to her, that, "Sempronius alone could ever be in possession of her heart; but that as he had met with the approbation of her parents, she was ready to comply with their wishes, if he thought her worthy of his acceptance, after such a declaration." The first intimation that Sempronius received of these unfavourable transactions was from the following letter, which Julia herself privately addressed to him in the bitterness of her grief, at undeservedly losing the affections of a man whose virtues had so lately claimed her admiration, and whose love she had so justly gloried in. "The neglected and long forgotten Julia, willing to prove the constancy of her own heart, writes for the last time, to her once loved (and still how dear!) Sempronius! She writes not to sharpen the remorse that he must feel when he remembers his broken vows and violated promises. No, let his own conscience be his only accuser, and punishment! But if one spark of affection still lingers in his bosom, if (as she even now hopes) he is conscious of being unworthy of the reproaches thrown against him; if he can again appear before her the same Sempronius, whose virtues she once esteemed, let him instantly hasten to England, and if possible, save her from the destiny that hangs over her! Three years have passed away, since on your knees you swore an eternal attachment to me, and received the same vows of constancy from my lips! Heaven can bear witness how faithfully |