Transcriber’s note

Variable spelling and hyphenation have been retained. Minor punctuation inconsistencies have been silently repaired. A list of the changes made can be found [at the end of the book].

MODERN LITERATURE:
A NOVEL,
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.

MODERN LITERATURE:

A NOVEL,

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

By ROBERT BISSET, L.L.D.

Non ignota loquor.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1804.

Printed by A. Strahan,
Printers-Street.

CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAP. X.
Description of Brighton in the latter Years ofthe Eighteenth Century. Prospect from theChurch. Ideas suggested by Ships sailing towardsthe Thames, the Reservoir of EnglishOpulence, by the distant Isle of Wight,calling to us by Association, Portsmouth theReservoir of English Strength. Brighton itself.Its Situation and Conveniences. Chiefostensible Pursuits. Bathing. Regulationssuggested. Anecdotes. General Objects ofBrighton Visitants. Occupations of Brightonillustrated by a Journal of a Day. Morning.Sea Beach, and Cliffs. Breakfast.Libraries, to hear the London News. SpontaneousElocution of Newspaper Orators. SpontaneousInstructions of Newspaper Politicians.Military Spectacles on the Parade. TheSteyne. Charming Women resemble Venus inBeauty, and almost in its Display. Perambulations.Historical Anecdotes of Brighton.Honoured by the Presence of Charles II.Not unworthy of that gallant Monarch: returnto the Hair-Dresser: hear the Narrativesof that communicative Person. Dinner,Soals, Turbot, Down Mutton excellent.Wine not so good. Walks, Tea, attend Ladiesto the Steyne. Moonlight Lucubrations there.Adjourn to the Library. Toys and Dice. Hamiltonbecomes acquainted with Captain Mortimer,Maria’s Uncle. The Mortimers movefrom his Seat to Brighton.Page [1]
CHAP. XI.
The Party visits the Steyne. Particular Descriptionof that Rendezvous. They repair to theLibrary. A Governante complains of a Millinerthat had not kept her Distance. Anxietygreatest about Precedence, where there is noneto settle. Our Hero meets Mr. Scribble, avoluminous and noted Author: introduces himto his Party, and invites him to Supper. Scribbleharangues the Company. The Party breaksup. Hamilton and Mortimer again meet withScribble, who gives an Account of the wonderfulExtent of his Erudition. He knows everything, and writes on every Subject: instructshis Hearers that all are inferior to himself.He denies the Praise of Genius to those towhom it is universally allowed. He departs.Hamilton unfolds to Mortimer his real Talentsand Abilities. Describes him as a mere Drudgeand Bookmaker. Page [28]
CHAP. XII.
The Party repairs to the Library. Doctor Fatgooseharangues on Public Affairs. Disputebetween him and Captain Mortimer. TheParade. Application of a Soldier for Leave ofAbsence, being engaged that Evening to preach.Granted. Scribble dines with Hamilton’sParty: entertains the Company with an Harangueabout himself. His History of Jackthe Giant-Killer. Scribble’s own Praises of hisown History. Criticisms upon others. Mr.O’Rourke’s Admiration of Scribble, consultshim on the Subject of Methodism. Visit toShoreham. Return. Party to the PromenadeGrove. Account of the Company. A charmingand exemplary Lady of high Rank. Acharming Lady not so exemplary. The Countessof Cockatrice. A military Nobleman whounites the Hero, Scholar, and the Statesman.Another as a Lawyer, eminent for masculineUnderstanding. Lord Bayleaf an old Beau:ogles the Ladies. Dialogue with the Cockatrice.Persons of lower Rank. Kit Cotton, aCitizen, retired to live upon his Fortune. HisAccount of his rural Prospects, from his Houseat Kingsland Turnpike. Page [47]
CHAP. XIII.
O’Rourke makes a new Sally in quest of MethodisticalAdventures. Party to the Theatre.Scribble there meets his Friend and Employer,Bil Nincompoop the Bookseller. They departto sup together. Bil catechises Scribble on thevarious Pieces which he is manufacturing.Farther literary Plans. Dispute between theMaster and Journeyman: happily composedby Punch. Excursion of Hamilton and hisParty to Worthing. They meet the MethodistErrant with a Female ’Squire. Letters thatwaited Hamilton on his Return to Brighton.Mortimer and he repair to the Library.There find Mr. Scribble instructing the celebratedMrs. Somerive on the Rules of NovelWriting. Page [77]
CHAP. XIV.
Party at Captain Mortimer’s. Mrs. Someriveone of the Company. Conversation. Discussionof that Lady’s Orphan of Pembroke. Successionof Songs, and their Effects on the differentSentiments and Feelings. A Letter ina Woman’s Hand is brought to Hamilton,while sitting by Maria. Uneasiness of theyoung Lady. Hamilton leaves the Company.Greatly agitated, Maria retires. Dialoguebetween her and Hamilton’s Sister Charlotte onConstancy. Hamilton has an Interview withhis Correspondent who proves to be the Countessof Cockatrice. Accommodating Complaisanceof the Lady of the Toy-Shop. Hamiltonis visited by Scribble, brim-full of Joy. Heannounces that he is now dubbed a Doctor bythe University of Aberdeen. Hamiltonexplains his Absence to the Satisfaction of Maria.Page [104]
CHAP. XV.
The Ball. Schemes of Lady Cockatrice for renderingMaria jealous. The Company adjournto Supper. Scribble is introduced in a Dress,which he says is becoming his new Title. Descriptionof the Doctor’s Dress, and a philosophicalView of its Effects on juvenile Feelings.Attentions of Sir Edward Hamden to MissMortimer. Miss Primrose becomes attachedto Hamilton. Hamden pays his Addresses toMiss Mortimer. Both Hamilton and Mariahighly esteem the Baronet’s Character, and concertMeans for explaining to him the Truth. Page [133]
CHAP. XVI.
Doctor Scribble becomes acquainted with the Baronet,and undertakes to instruct him in hisParliamentary Duty. He expounds to him hisown (Doctor Scribble’s) Talents and Erudition:shews the Baronet a Specimen of Tours,in the Memoirs of his Excursion to Berkshire:proposes to write Speeches for Sir Edward:declares himself far superior to Charles Fox.Hamden declines the oratorial Help of DoctorScribble. The Baronet joined by Hamilton,whom he is obliged to leave abruptly. EveningWalk of Hamilton to Shoreham Bridge:learns that a dispersed Gang of Smugglershas commenced Footpad Robberies. Neverthelesshe sets out on his Return. A dismal Reportreaches Brighton; and is heard by Maria. FranticGrief of the young Lady. John Mortimerrepairs to the Downs, which is said to be theScene of the Catastrophe: finds Stillness andSolitude: perceives a Figure approach: hehears a Voice. Consternation and Dread. TheFigure passes on. Mortimer returns to his Fatherand Uncle. A Voice is heard at the Windowcalling John Mortimer. They conceiveit the Voice of their murdered Friend. Morningopens. Despair of Maria. Mortimer receivesa Visit, which renews his Consternation. Atlength convinced of his Mistake, the Mysteryis solved. Hamilton explains the Adventure.Heroism of a Soldier of the 42d. Joined withthe Valour of Hamilton, saved Hamden frombeing murdered. Gratitude of the Baronet.His Wound mends but slowly. Maria’s Concernentirely dispelled. The Mortimers andHamiltons return to London.Page [159]
CHAP. XVII.
Hamilton resumes his literary Pursuits: engagesin Criticism. Indulgence of young andgallant Reviewers to fair Writers. MissLacecap, the Milliner, brings a Novel forHamilton’s Inspection. Her Reason for writing.Story of the Maze of Marbles taken fromPyramid and Thisby. Praises of Sentiment.Remarks on the Word “Error.” Introductionof the Marvellous to English Works ofAmusement.Page [197]
CHAP. XVIII.
Hamilton engages in a great Work. JohnMortimer obtains an Appointment on the Continent.Hamden arrives in Town, and renewshis Addresses to Maria. He conceivesthat Hamilton is to become the Husband ofMiss Primrose. She and her Mother entertainthe same Opinion. The Countess of Cockatricepromotes this Report. Her Ladyship’sReasons. Motives, Objects, and progressiveRise of a Toad-Eater, illustrated in the Caseof Mrs. Dicky. She is employed by the Countessof Cockatrice, to prevent the Marriage betweenHamilton and Maria. Countess of Cockatriceproposes to give a Masquerade, and instructsthe Toad-Eater for the Occasion. Dinner-Partyat Mrs. Dicky’s. She sees Masks in theEvening. The Masquerade. The Labours ofthe Countess and the Toad-Eater renderedabortive. Page [225]
CHAP. XIX.
Interview of Hamilton with Doctor Scribble andMr. Lawhunt. Scribble praises German Literature;and imputes his own super-eminentExcellence to his Imitation of Germans. Mr.Lawhunt’s Account of his own Avocations.Scheme of Dr. Scribble and him for naturalizingGerman Plays and Novels. A Specimen ofone of these Works translated by Dr. Scribble.Hurlobothrumbo, a Tragedy, with Music,Ghosts, Ghouls, &c. Farther Samples ofGerman Literature. New Mode of makingLove. Friendly Condescension of an Earthquake.Specimens of the Morality of GermanPlays. Apprehensions of Lawhunt from Visitorsworse than Ghosts. Hasty Departure.Our Hero meets Strongbrain. William’s Estimateof Dr. Scribble.Page [265]
CHAP. XX.
Interview between Hamilton and Hamden.Hamilton unbosoms himself. Liberal and generousConduct of Sir Edward. The Baronetundertakes to conciliate the elder Mortimers.Disappointment and Regret of these Gentlemen,but they at length consent. Preparations forthe Marriage of Hamilton and Maria.Schemes of the Countess of Cockatrice for preventingthe Nuptials. Agents of Defamation.Blackball undertakes a Chain of slanderousParagraphs against Maria. Defamation.Skilful Progression of Calumny. Discoveredby Hamilton. With the Assistance of Sir Edwardhe pursues and ferrets the Author, whomfull Confession respites from the Pillory. Hamiltonis united to his Maria.Page [301]