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center">The Marchioness!!!
or, 'The Matured Enchantress.'
in Three Volumes.
By Lady --------
If I lash vice in general fiction,
Is't I apply, or self-conviction? GAY.
London:
Newman, 1813. 12mo.
Darling, Printer.
If, without any reference to the full merits of the writer, we merely regard the object of this pathetic tale, and the aim to which its author has endeavoured to render it subservient, it certainly belongs to a higher class than the general run of novels, with which the prolific Muses of the Minerva Press have of late years so copiously supplied us. It seems to have been composed with a view to illustrate the connexion between public principle, and private morals; and its allusions to notorious characters, in the political or fashionable world, are throughout too obvious to need explanation, even to the most listless observers of the busy scene that moves before them. On the fidelity of the resemblances, we offer no judgment; but subjoin a view of the work.
At the opening of the novel, we find ourselves in the presence of Sir Lionel Southampton, a gentleman highly endowed in mind and person; accompanied by his son, a youth of thirteen years, and proceeding in his own carriage towards London. Sir Lionel, at the age of nineteen, had been influenced by his Father to accept the hand of his cousin Cecilia, two years older than himself; and the marriage, although it did not originate with the parties most concerned, was followed by their mutual happiness. Previously to their union, both the cousins [338] were equally conspicuous by the favor of Nature and of Fortune; and the parents on either side, soon after the accomplishment of their wishes, sunk calmly into the grave, leaving their children in the quiet possession of youth, health, and fortune, reciprocally blessed in the affections of each other. The father of Sir Lionel had long represented his county in Parliament; but his son, whose temper led him to the election of humbler duties, declined the proffered honor, which was ready to devolve on him by the death of the late member. Thus, for several years, he passed his life in a total inexperience, not only of the walks of ambition, but of that giddy whirl of town amusements and courtly ceremonies, which is indulged with the countenance of Fashion, and esteemed, [...] as the Science of 'Life.' But the retirement of Sir Lionel was not that of indolence or guilt. He 'had not shut his eyes or ears to the important political events which had occupied the last twelve years.' He had studied and reflected; and the issue of his researches confirmed him as 'a strong Anti-Ministerialist.' Sir Lionel was in time persuaded to undertake the responsibility of public Life; and was returned as the representative of the county in the British Legislature. After his election, he set forwards to London; reluctantly parting with his wife and two daughters, of whom the younger was afflicted with a lingering illness. His son Charles, a boy of manly virtues, and intellect beyond his years, was the companion of his father, who placed him at the seminary of Eton in his way to the Metropolis.
Sir Lionel is represented as a man, in whom considerable powers of intellect were joined with a partial weakness of understanding. In fervid eloquence, in persuasive argument, he had few equals; but his pliancy of character, and quick susceptibility of heart, rendered him no formidable conquest to those that could flatter his vanity, or engage his love. On his arrival in town, he is welcomed by Lord John Camden, a tried and steady friend, whose prudence for some time protects the frailties of Sir Lionel from the arts of his interested assailants. After the natural diffidence of the Baronet is overcome, he alarms the Ministry, by his brilliant and ardent eloquence on the party of the opposition. During the recess of Parliament, on a visit to Lord Melmoth, a nobleman in the interest of the court, Sir Lionel becomes acquainted with the beautiful Marchioness of Laisville, whose consort is a highly favored partisan of the court. The Baronet's introduction to this Lady was the result of an insidious design in the ministerial party. The Marchioness, although past the season of youth, was 'beyond comparison beautiful,' even if her form bore a stronger resemblance to the ample majesty of Juno than to the faultless and fascinating symmetry of the Paphian Goddess. Her accomplishments were in every respect calculated to embellish the deformities of vice, and palliate its mischiefs: 'to make the worse appear the better reason;' and to relax the firmness of virtue. She possessed a husband after her own heart; less anxious for his honor than his profit; and little scrupulous concerning the conduct of his wife, provided that she maintained, by whatever means, her influence at Court, and continued to attract the homage of her admirers, as the leading star of Fashion. 'Her [339] son, Lord Stanmore, who possessed all his father's stupidity without any portion of his mother's beauty, was promised a post about court, as soon as his age qualified him for accepting it; and thus the tottering fortunes of the House of Laisville recovered their former splendor, in a way that seemed to promise security against future attacks.' During the recess of Parliament, the Marchioness took up her residence at 'The Retreat,' an elegant cottage near the country seat of Sir Lionel; and an interchange of visits between his family and herself leads to an intimacy which enables her to commence her plan of operations on the heart of Sir Lionel. The baronet's affection for his wife, whose good sense had been often beneficially employed to guide the indecision of her husband's character, excited the envy of the Marchioness, who felt a penchant for the handsome baronet, which she was resolved to gratify. Sir Lionel, with his family, coming up to town, is gradually fascinated by the attractions of the Marchioness, and by the novel recreations of the Metropolis.
It is very strange, but very certain, that no man, however wise, is proof against a certain sort of delicate flattery, which artful women know so well how to administer. Many who could steadily oppose and withstand the united force of a thousand good reasons from the wisest men, are vanquished by a smile of affected tenderness, or weak praise, from a female, without three ideas beyond her own person or his - observing always that this female is not his wife. So it was with Sir Lionel. Accurate in his judgment, clear in his ideas, perspicacious in his arguments, he seemed formed without a fault in his mental powers, whilst addressing or addressed by men; but transported to the gay and trifling region of the drawing room or the theatre, hearing and uttering nonsense and flattery, he became as weak, as vain, and as easily imposed on, as the merest girl just accustomed to adulation. The world is full of Sir Lionels, and there are never wanting artful women to inflame their folly. pp. 121, 2.
He goes on a visit, accompanied by his wife and family, to Harcourt, a seat belonging to the Marchioness, at which a party was assembled. In this situation, preparatory to her final object, the Marchioness easily brings her victim to a compact of Platonic love.
The party at Harcourt was joined by the Marquis of Laisville, and Lord Stanmore. The Marchioness, affecting to request the influence of Sir Lionel for the purpose of reclaiming Lord Stanmore from his propensity to gaming, draws her admirer himself into a revived fondness for that vacant and contemptible vice, to which he had been addicted in his early youth. On this occasion, the metaphysical engagement of Sir Lionel makes a rapid declension towards the love of ordinary life.
He is at length persuaded by his wife to quit this dangerous spot, but not before the Marchioness had effectually moulded his heart to her own purpose, with the exception of his political bias, which as yet remained unchanged.
On the return of the Marchioness to town, the Baronet renews his former intimacy; and 'virtue was forgotten in the arms of vice.' Cecilia and her family are carried by her husband into the country, from which Sir Lionel is again summoned to attend the Marchioness. He is accompanied to town by his son, who had overheard a conversation at Harcourt, which acquainted him with his father's [340] infatuation. Sir Lionel continues his intrigue, but does not elude the observation of Charles, whose noble and ingenuous spirit languishes under the conviction of his father's guilt. Sir Lionel is betrayed into the indulgence of his attachment to gaming, and into other excesses, by which his fortune and his character are equally impaired. His intimacy with the Marquis and Marchioness of Laisville gives rise to a suspicion of intended apostasy from his political principles: and he is urged by the embarrassed state of his affairs, aided by the solicitations of his seeming friends, to adopt a more profitable line of public conduct. The Marchioness, having dexterously worked on the jealousy of the Baronet, with respect to an unfounded surmise of his wife's illicit connexion with Lord John Camden, Sir Lionel's occasional moments of satiety and remorse pass off unimproved, in consequence of his estrangement from that once zealous friend. The event so much hoped and feared by the two parties, at last takes place. Goaded to desperation by the approaching ruin of his fortunes, the distrust of his former friends, the reserve of Lord John Camden, and his own consciousness of having himself provoked his misfortunes, the Baronet resolves on the forfeit of his public honor. The illness and affliction of his family call for his return to the country; but torn, as he frequently is, by the struggles of natural affection, the ascendancy of the Marchioness detains him until his youngest and favorite daughter is no more, and the surviving members of his family, including his son, who had returned to his afflicted mother, appear likely to follow their departed relative.
Sir Lionel deserts his principles, and is requited with a lucrative office at court, and a peerage, conferring the title of Lord Hantun. He returns to the Hermitage, leaving the Marchioness at the neighbouring seat of one of her noble acquaintance; and finds his own family in a state of mental affliction and declining health, which subject him to the bitterest agonies of remorse. An interview with his old steward, Jarold, quickly dissipates the vapor of jealousy that had so long oppressed him; and his mortifications are increased, by the marked dislike and distrust of his constituents, whom he had been persuaded to canvass, in favor of a gentleman, recommended by his present courtly friends as his successor in the county. A severe invective, in a public advertisement, contrasting his outset in public life with his past follies and his now degraded character, incites him to the resolve of quitting his native country. Domestic affliction falls on him with aggravated weight, and hastens the fulfilment of his purpose. His son, the victim of a susceptible and broken heart, draws his last breath; Lady Hantun loses her reason; and the wretched husband afterwards traces the more immediate cause of his son's death to the malice of the specious fiend who had lured himself into guilt and disgrace.
Lord Hantun, after ascertaining the residue of his property, nominates Lord John Camden as guardian to Miss Southampton, and trustee for the interests of herself and her mother. Having formed the intention of joining the British army in Spain, he takes a last agonizing adieu of his heedless and martyred consort; returns to London, and resigns his appointment. His last interview with the wretch who had [341] destroyed the fabric of his domestic happiness, is too characteristic of the times to be omitted, and the wounded mind of Lord Hantun is here probed to the quick.
The freedom of manners incidental to a military life was not calculated to make Lord Hantun an obnoxious companion to his new military associates. His frailties found indulgence; his conduct attracted sympathy; and his courage secured esteem. His former friend, Lord John Camden, proceeded to the allied army under Lord Wellington, a short time before Lord Hantun; who behaved on all occasions, with a bravery closely touching on desperation, and evincing an impatience of life. He obtains the public acknowlegements of his commander; and becomes the object of warm eulogium in his native country, where he had been so lately reviled as an apostate. But neither honors the most flattering, nor success the most brilliant, could alleviate his internal anguish, or quell the rising murmurs of self-reproach. Fighting with distempered valor, he fell in the battle of Salamanca, and Lord John Camden flew to snatch a last interview with his penitent friend.
At the express wish of Lord Hantun, he was interred where he fell, with those officers who had in the same conflict resigned their lives to their country. The memory of his erring but not unamiable friend was sincerely deplored, and ever fondly cherished by Lord John Camden: the novel closes without any relief of his widow's melancholy derangement; and the moral of the tale is earnestly impressed by its author. [complete]
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000
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