The spirit of Buncle

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Chapter I

O Infancy, From stain thy spotless heart is free : No tongue hath ill to tell of thee. Nor crimes remember' d bid thee weep, Nor crimes projected break thy sleep. No sordid passion's odious heat Hath made, as yet, thy breast its seat.

lHE events of my childhood are not worth recording, and therefore I commence my life from the first month of the seventeenth year of my age. In 1720 I was sent to the university, and entered a pensioner, though I had a larger yearly allowance than any fellow-commoner of my college. I determined to improve my natural faculties to the utmost of my power. Nature, I was sensible, had bestowed on me no genius ; but I had a tolerable share of natural understanding, and from my infancy was docile, and always

I THE SPIRIT OF BUNCLE.

attentive to the directions of good sense. I desired only to acquire such degrees of perfection as lay within the small sphere Nature had marked out for me.

To this purpose, I devoted my college life to books ; and for five years that I resided in the university, conversed so much with the dead that I had very little intercourse with the living. So totally had letters engaged my mind, that I was but little affected towards most other things. Walking and music were the principal recreations in which I delighted. I had scarcely a thought at that time of those foolish and fatal choices and pursuits of men, which are owing to a false judgment, and to a habit of acting precipitantly, without duly examining the inclinations and appetites ; I therefore very rarely participated in the pleasures and diversions in which men of fortune in an university too commonly indulge. My relaxation, after study, was my German flute, and the conversation of some ingenious, sober friend ; and when the weather permitted, I walked several miles into the country. At this exercise I had sometimes a friend or two with me ; but for the most part my walks were solitary. My dog and my gun, however, were sufficient diversion on the way, and they frequently led me into scenes of entertainment, which lasted longer than the day : some of them you will find in this journal. The history of the beautiful Harriet Noel you shall have by and by.

At present my scheme requires me to set down the books, and inform the reader of the issue of my studies. My time I devoted to philosophy, cosmography, mathematics, and the languages, for four years; and the fifth I gave to history.

The first book I took into my hand, after receiving my note of admission, was the Essay of that fine genius Mr. Locke; and I was so pleased with this clear and accurate writer, that I looked into nothing else, till, by reading it three times over, I had made a thorough acquaintance with my own understanding. This author taught me to examine my abilities, and enabled me to see to what objects my mind was suited. He led me into the sanctuary of vanity and ignorance, and shewed me how greatly true knowledge depended on a right meaning of words, and a just significancy of expression. From this inimitable Essay my understanding received unspeakable benefits, and to it I owe what improvement I have made in the reason given me. If I could, I would persuade all young gentlemen to read it over and over with great attention, and I am b2 sure they would find themselves very richly rewarded for their pains. They would acquire that justness and truth of understanding, which is the great perfection of rational beings.

After this I began to study the first principles of things — the structure of the universe, the contexture of human bodies, the properties of animals, the physiology of plants, and the qualities of metals ; and was exquisitely charmed with the contemplation of the beautiful order and wise final causes of Nature in all her laws and productions. The study had a delightful influence on the temper of my mind, and inspired a love of order in my heart, and in my outward demeanour. It likewise led to the Great First Cause, and, in repeated views of harmony, wisdom, and goodness in all the works of nature, impressed upon my mind a firm conviction, that all is under the administration of a general Mind, as far remote from all malice as from all weakness, whether in respect of understanding or of power. This gave me a due affection towards the infinitely perfect Parent of Nature; and as I contemplated his glorious works, I was obliged in transports to confess, that he deserved our love and admiration. I was also satisfied that whatever the order of the world produces, is in the

THE SPIRIT OF BUNCLE. O

main both just and good ; and consequently that we ought in the best manner to support whatever hardships are to be endured for virtue's sake : that acquiescence and complacency, with respect to accidents and injuries, ought to be our duty under a perfect administration ; and with benignity and constancy we must ever act, from a settled persuasion, that all things are framed and governed by a universal Mind.

Such was the effect the study of natural philosophy had upon my mind. It set beyond all doubt before me, the moral perfection of the Creator and Governor of the universe. And if this Almighty God, I said, is perfect wisdom and virtue, does it not follow, that he must approve and love those who are at due pains to improve in wisdom ? — and what he loves and delights in, must he not make happy ? This is an evident truth. It renders the cause of virtue quite triumphant.

When I had finished my studies in cosmography, mathematics, and history, I proceeded to ethics, or moral philosophy, to which I devoted much attention, and in which I found unspeakable delight.

This science I collected, in the first place, from the ancient sages and philosophers, and studied all the moral writers of Greece and Rome. With great pleasure I saw, that these immortal authors had delineated, as far as human reason can go, that course of life which is most according to the intention of Nature, and most happy ; had shewn that this universe, and human nature in particular, was formed by the wisdom and counsel of a Deity, and that from the constitution of our nature various duties arose : — that, since God is the original independent being, complete in all possible perfection, of boundless power, wisdom, and goodness ; the Creator, Contriver, and Governor of this world, to whom mankind are indebted for innumerable benefits most gratuitously bestowed ; we ought to manifest the most ardent love and veneration toward the Deity, and worship him with affections of soul suited to the pre-eminence and infinite grandeur of the Original Cause of all ; ought to obey him as far as human weakness can go, and humbly submit and resign ourselves and all our interests to his will ; continually confide in his goodness, and constantly imitate him as far as our weak nature is capable. This is due to that original most gracious Power who formed us, and with a liberal hand supplies us with all things conducive to such pleasure and happiness as our nature can receive. — That, in respect of mankind, our natural sense of right and wrong points out to us the duties to be performed towards others, and the kind affections implanted by nature excite us to the discharge of them : that, by the law of our constitution and nature, justice and benevolence are prescribed ; and an intercourse of mutual offices required, not only to secure our pleasure and happiness, but to preserve ourselves in safety and in life : that the law of nature, or natural right, forbids every instance of injustice, a violation of life, liberty, health, property ; and our honourable, kind powers, duly exercised, are not only a spring of vigorous efforts to do good to others, and thereby secure the common happiness ; but they really procure us a joy and peace, internal applause and external advantages; while injustice and malice, anger, hatred, envy, and revenge, are often the cause of shame and remorse, and contain nothing joyful, nothing glorious: In the greatest affluence, the savage men are miserable. — That, as to ourselves, the voice of reason declares, that we ought to employ our abilities and opportunities in improving our minds to an extensive knowledge of Nature in the sciences ; and by diligent meditation and observation, acquire that prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude, which should constantly govern our lives : — that solid prudence, which abhors rashness, inconsiderateness, a foolish self-confidence, and craft, and, under a high sense of moral excellence, considers and does what is really advantageous in life : — that justice, which constantly regards the common

interest, and, in subserviency to it, gives to each one whatever is due to him upon any natural claim : — that temperance, which restrains and regulates the lower appetites, and displays the grace and beauty of manners : — and that fortitude, which represses all vain and excessive fears, gives us a superiority to all the external accidents of our mortal state, and strengthens the soul against all toils or dangers we may be exposed to, in discharge of our duty ; as an early and painful death with virtue and honour, is highly preferable to the longest ignominious life, and no advantages can be compared, in point of happiness, with the approbation of God, and of our own hearts.

This beautiful moral philosophy I found scattered in the writings of the old philosophers, and with great pains reduced the various lessons to a system of active and virtuous offices : but this I knew was what the majority of mankind were incapable of doing ; and if they could do it, I saw it was far inferior to Revelation. Every

Sunday I appropriated to the study of revealed religion, and perceived, as I read the sacred records, that the works of Plato, and Cicero, and Epictetus, and all the uninspired sages of antiquity, were but weak rules, compared with those of the divine oracles. It is the mercy and power of God in the triumphs of grace, that restores mankind from the bondage and ignorance of idolatry. The philosophy of Greece and Rome was admirable for the times and men : but it admits of no comparison with the divine lessons of our holy religion, and the charter of God's pardon granted to us by his blessed Son. Besides, the philosophers were in some degree dark and doubtful in respect of death and futurity ; and, in relation to this world, there is not a sufficient power in their discourses to preserve us from being carried away by allurements in the midst of plenty, and to secure our peace against the casualties of fortune, arid the torments of disappointment ; to save us from the cares and solicitudes which attend upon large possessions, and give us a mind capable of relishing the good things before us ; to make us easy and satisfied as to the present, and render us secure and void of fear as to the future. These considerations made me prefer revealed religion in the beginning of my rational life. The morab 5

10 Tftfc SPIRIT OF BUNCLE.

lity of the ancient philosophers I admired ; with delight I studied their writings, and received, I gratefully confess, much improvement from them. But the Christian religion I esteemed as the most consummate blessing God could bestow, or man receive.

THE SPIEIT OF BUNCLE. 11

Chapter II

See how the morning opes her golden gates, And takes her farewell of the glorious sun ! How well resembles it the prime of youth, Trimm'd like a younker prancing to his love.

Shakspeare.

On the glorious first of August, before the beasts were roused from their lodges, or the birds had soared upwards to pour forth their morning harmony, before the sun with his auspicious presence began to animate inferior nature, I left my chamber, and with my gun and dog, went out to wander over a pleasant country. The different aspects and the various points of view were charming, as the light in fleecy rings increased ; and when the whole flood of day descended, the embellished early scene was a fine entertainment. Delighted with the beauties of this morning, I climbed up the mountains, and travelled through many a valley. The game was plentiful, and for full five hours I journeyed onward, without knowing where I was going, or thinking of a return to college.

About nine o'clock, however, I began to grow very hungry, and was looking round to see if I could discover any proper habitation to my purpose,when I observed in a valley, at some distance, something that looked like a mansion. That way, therefore, I moved, and with no little difficulty, as I had a precipice to descend, or must go -a mile round, to arrive at the place I wanted : down, therefore, I marched, got a fall by the way that had like to have destroyed me, and, after all, found it to be a shed for cattle. The bottom, however, was very beautiful, and the sides of the hills sweetly copsed with little woods. The valley is so divided, that the rising sun gilds it on the right hand, and, when declining, warms it on the left. A pretty brook here likewise bubbles along, and even Hebrus strays not around Thrace with a purer and cooler stream.

In this sweet and delicious solitude I sauntered on for some time, by the side of the murmuring stream, and followed as it wound through the vale, till I came to a little harmonic building, that had every charm and proportion architecture could give it It was situated on a rising ground in a broad part of the fruitful valley, and surrounded with a garden that invited a pensive wanderer to roam in its delightful retreats. The walks were amazingly beautiful. Every side of this fine spot was planted thick with underwood, and kept so low, as not to prevent a prospect to every pleasing remote object.

Finding one of the garden-doors left open, I entered immediately, and, to screen myself from the scorching beams of the sun, got into an em bowered way, that led me to a large fountain, in a ring or circular opening, and from thence, by a gradual, easy, shady ascent, to a semicircular amphitheatre of ever-greens that was charming to behold ; in this were several seats for ease, repast, or retirement, and at each end of it a rotunda, or temple, of the Ionic order. One of them was converted into a grotto, or shell-house, in which a politeness of fancy had produced and blended the greatest beauties of nature and decoration. The other was a library, filled with the finest books, and a great variety of mathematical instruments. Here I saw Miss Noel sitting, and so intent on writing, that she did not take any notice of me, as I stood at the window, in astonishment looking at the things before me, and especially at the amazing beauties of her face, and the splendour of her eyes, as she raised them now and then from the paper she wrote on, to look into a book that lay open upon a small desk before her. The whole scene was so very uncommon, and so amazing, that I thought myself, for a while, on some spot of magic ground, and almost doubted the reality of what my eyes beheld ; till Miss Noel, by accident, looked full at me, and then came forward to the open window, to know whom I wanted.

Before I could answer, I found a venerable old gentleman standing by my side, and he seemed much more surprised at me than his daughter was ; for, as this young lady told me afterwards, she guessed at once the whole affair, seeing me with my gun and dog, in a shooting dress ; and knew it was a natural curiosity brought me into the garden, and stopped me at the window, when I saw her in such an attitude and in such a place. This, I assured them, was the truth of my case ; with this small addition, however, that I was ready to perish for want of something to eat, having been from four in the morning at hard exercise, and had not yet broke my fast. " If this be the case," says the good old man. " you are welcome, Sir, to Eden Park, and you shall soon have the best breakfast our house affords." Upon this, Mr. Noel brought me into his house, and the lovely Harriet made tea for me, and had such plenty of fine cream, and extraordinary bread and butter set before me, that I breakfasted with uncommon pleasure. The honour and happiness of her company rendered the repast quite delightful. There was a civility so very great in her manner, and a social goodness so charming in her talk and temper, that it w r as unspeakable delight to sit at table with her. She asked me a number of questions relating to things, and books, and people; and there w r as so much good sense in every inquiry, so much good humour in her reflections and replications, that I was entirely charmed with her mind, and lost in admiration when I contemplated the wonders of her face and the beauties of her person.

When breakfast was over, it was time for me to depart, and I made half a dozen attempts to rise from my chair ; but, without her laying a rosy finger on me, this illustrious maid had so totally subdued my soul, and deprived me of all motive power, that I sat like the renowned Prince of the Massagetes, who was stiffened by enchantment in the apartment of the princess Phedima, as we read in Amadis de Gaul. This Miss Noel saw very plainly, and, in compassion to my misfortune, generously threw in a hint now and then for a little farther conversation, to colour my unreasonable delay. But this could not have been of service much longer, as the clock had struck twelve, if the old gentleman, her father, had not returned to us, and told me, he insisted on my staying to dine with him, for he loved to take a glass after dinner with a facetious companion, and would be obliged to me for my company. " At present," Mr. Noel continued, " you will excuse me, Sir, as business engages me till we dine : but my daughter will chat the hours away with you, and shew you the curiosities of her library and grotto : — Harriet," he said, " will supply my place."

This was a delightful invitation indeed; and, after returning my hearty thanks to the old gentleman for the favour he did me, I addressed myself to Miss Noel, when her father was gone, and we were walking back to the library in the garden, and told her ingenuously, that though I could not be positive as to the situation of my soul, whether I was in love with her or not, as I never had experienced the passion before, nor knew what it was to admire a woman, having lived till that morning in a state of indiiference to her sex; yet I found very strange emotions within me, and I was sure I could not leave her without the most lively and afflicting inquietude. " You will pardon, I hope, Madam, this effusion of my heart, and suffer me to demonstrate, by a thousand and a thousand actions, that I honour you in a manner unutterable, and from this time can imagine no happiness but with you."

" Sir," this inimitable maid replied, "you are an entire stranger to me : and to declare a passion on a few hours' acquaintance, must be either to try my weakness, or because you think a young woman is incapable of relishing any thing but such stuff, when in conversation with a gentleman in secret." I could only answer, " Charming Harriet, my fate is in your hands. Dispose of it as you will, and make me what you please/'

" You force me to smile," the illustrious Miss Noel replied, "and oblige me to call you an odd compound of a man. Pray, Sir, let me have no more of those romantic flights ; and the remainder of our leisure, till dinner, we will pass in a visit to my grotto, and in walking round the garden to the parlour we came from," To the grotto then we went ; and, to the best of my power, I will give my reader a description of this splendid room.

In one of the fine rotundas I have mentioned, at one end of the green amphitheatre very lately described, the shining apartment was formed. Miss Noel's hand had covered the floor with the most beautiful Mosaic my eyes have ever beheld, and filled the arched roof with the richest fossil gems. The Mosaic painting on the ground was wrought with small coloured stones or pebbles, and sharp pointed bits of glass, measured and proportioned together, so as to imitate in their assemblage the strokes and colour of the objects which they were intended to represent, and they represented, by this lady's art, the Temple of Tranquillity, described by Volusenus in his dream.

At some distance the fine temple looks like a beautiful painted picture, as do the birds, the beasts, the trees, in the fields about it, and the river which murmurs at the bottom of the rising ground. So wonderfully did this genius perform the piece, that fishes of many kinds seem to take their pastime in the bright stream. But above all is the image of the philosopher, at the entrance of the temple, beautifully fine. With pebbles and scraps of glass, all the beauties and graces are expressed, which the pencil of an able artist could bestow on the picture of Democritus. You see him, as Diogenes Laertius has drawn him, with a philosophical joy in his countenance, that shews him superior to all events ; and with a finger he points to the following golden inscription on the portico of the temple : —

That is, By a rectitude of mind and life, secure true happiness and the applause of your own heart, and let it be the labour of all your days to come as near perfection as it is possible for human nature to- approach.

This Mosaic piece of painting is, indeed, an admirable thing. It has a fine effect in this grotto, and is a noble monument of the superior taste of Miss Noel. Nor was her fine genius less visible in the striking appearance of the extremely beautiful shells and valuable curiosities all round the apartment. Her father spared no cost to procure her the finest things of the oceans and rivers from all parts of the world, and pebbles, stones, and ores of the greatest curiosity and worth. These were all disposed in such a manner, as not only shed a glorious lustre in the room, but shewed the understanding of this young lady in natural knowledge.

In one part of the grot were collected and arranged the stony coverings of all the shell fish in the sea, from the striated patella and its several species, to the pholades in all their varieties ; and of those that live in the fresh streams, from the suboval limpet or umbonated patella, and its species, to the triangular and deeply striated cardia. Even all the land shells were in this collection, from the pomatia to the round-mouthed turbo. The most beautiful genera of the sea shells, intermixed with fossil corals of all kinds, with animal substances become fossil ; and with copper ores, agates, pebbles, pieces of the finest marmora and alabastritse, and the most elegant and beautiful marcasites, and crystals, and spars. These filled the greatest part of the walls; and in classes here and there were scattered, as foils to raise the lustre of the others, the inferior shells.

With a large quantity of these most beautiful shells, which are rarely seen in any collection, Miss Noel formed a grotto that exceeded every thing of the kind, I believe, in the world. It was not only, that Miss Noel's happy fancy had blended all these things in the wildest and most beautiful disposition over the walls of the rotunda, but her fine genius had produced a variety of grots within her grotto, and falling waters and points of view. In one place was the famous Atalanta, and her delightful cave : and in another part, the goddess and Ulysses's son appeared at the entrance of that grot, which, under the appearance of a rural plainness, had everything that could charm the eye : the roof was ornamented with shell-work, the tapestry was a tender vine, and limpid fountains sweetly purled around.

Such was Miss Noel's grotto, and with her, if it had been in my power to choose, I had rather have passed in it the day, in talking of the various fine subjects it contained, than have gone in to dinner ; which a servant now informed us was serving up. Back then we returned to the parlour, and there found the old gentleman. We sat down immediately to two very good dishes ; and when that was over, Mr. Noel and I drank a bottle of old Alicant. Though this gentleman was upwards of sixty, yet years had not deprived him of reason and spirit. He was lively and sensible, and still a most agreeable companion. He talked of Greece and Rome, as if he had lived there before the era of Christianity. The court of Augustus he was so far from being a stranger to, that he described the principal persons in it, their actions, their pleasures, and their caprices, as if he had been their contemporary. We talked of all these great characters. We went into the gallery of Verres. We looked over the ancient theatres. Several of the most beautiful passages in the Roman poets this fine old man repeated, and made very pleasant, by his moral remarks upon them.

In this manner did the old gentleman and I pass the time, till the clock struck five, when Miss Noel came into the room again, and her father said he must retire, to take his evening nap, and we should see him again at supper ; for with him I must stay that night. " Harriet, make tea for the gentleman — I am your servant, Sir ;" and he withdrew. To Harriet then, my life and my bliss, I turned, and over a pot of tea was as happy, I am sure, as ever with his Statira sat the conqueror of the world. I began to relate once more the story of a passion, that was to form, one day, I hoped, my sole felicity in this world, and with vows and protestations affirmed, that I loved from my soul. "Charming angel/' I said, "the beauties of your mind have inspired me with a passion, that must increase every time I behold the harmony of your face ; and, by the powers divine, I swear to love you so long as heaven shall permit me to breathe the vital air. Bid me, then, either live or die, and while I do live, be assured, that my life will be devoted to you only." My passion had risen so high for such uncommon female excellence, that I could not help snatching this beauty to my arms, and without thinking of what I did, I impressed on her balmy mouth half a dozen kisses. This was wrong, and gave her very great offence ; but she was too good to be implacable ; and on my begging her pardon, and protesting it was not a willing rudeness, but the magic of her glorious eyes, and the bright powers of her mind, that had transported me beside myself, she was reconciled, and asked me, if I would play a game at cards? "With delight," I replied; and immediately a pack was brought in. We sat down to cribbage, and had played a few games, when, by accident, Miss Noel saw the head of my German flute, which I always brought out with me in my walks, and carried it in a long pocket within side my coat. " You play, Sir, I suppose, on that instrument/' this lady said; " and as of all sorts of music this pleases me most, I request you will oblige me with any thing you please/' " In a moment/' I answered ; and taking from my pocketbook the following lines, I reached them to her, and told her I had the day before set them to one of Lulli's airs; and instantly began to breathe the softest harmony I could make.

Almighty Love's resistless rage,

No force can quell, no art assuage :

While wit and beauty both conspire

To kindle in my breast the fire :

The matchless shape, the charming grace,

The easy air, and blooming face,

Each charm that does in Flavia shine, To keep my captive heart combine.

I feel, I feel the raging fire !

And my soul burns with fierce desire !

Thy freedom, Reason, I disown,

And Beauty's pleasing chains put on ;