OR,

TO MARRY, OR NOT TO MARRY?

IN THREE VOLUMES.

Far less dismay'd, Anchises' wand'ring son
Was seen the straits of Sicily to shun:
When Palinurus, from the helm descry'd
The rocks of Scylla, on his eastern side;
While in the west, with hideous yawn disclos'd,
His onward path Charybdis' gulf oppos'd.

FALCONER.

Non hic Centauros, non Gorgonas, Harpyiasque
Invenies: hominem pagina nostra sapit.

VOL. III.

MARTIAL.

LONDON:

Printed by Strahan and Spottiswoode, Printers-Street;

FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

MVSEVM

BRITAN NICVM

HOURS

ог

HESITATION.

CHAPTER I.

"Jactor, crucior, agitor, stimulor, Versor in amoris rotà miser,

Exanimor, feror, distrahor, diripior,

Ubi sum, ibi non sum; ubi non sum, ibi est

animus."

PLAUTUS.

To the Earl of Montague.

"MY DEAR LORD,

As communication between France and England has never been impracticable, I am at a loss in what manner to account for your persevering silence. You are aware, that when you sailed for England, my anxiety and uneasiness at

the situation of Grosvenor were inexpressible. Your silence confirms every alarming apprehension; he may be engulfed in the vortex-have rejected your counsel - have spurned at reproof -and have wearied even your friendship: -you hesitate to impart to me this terrible certainty — you you would prepare me for the blow by this suspense, that it may fall less heavily; and, perhaps, I ought to thank your considerate friendship, instead of complaining of your neglect.

dear as

pa

"Grosvenor is dear to methat son of whom the Almighty chastener deprived me! I may say with the triarch of old, if I am bereaved of him, I am bereaved!'----- But if the afflicting hand of Heaven be laid thus heavily upon me, it is for me to bend in reverence beneath the pressure, and to say, not my will but thine be done!'

"Consider this, Lord Montague; I

am man, and made to mourn! Christian, and dare not repine!

I am a
I have