Sed quæ victima grata? quæ Camœnis
Dicata hostia? parcite O Camœnæ
Nova hæc victima, sed tamen suavis
Futura arbitror, admodumque grata.
CHAPTER LIX.
The next female who makes her appearance in our “Recollections,” is delineated under the name of
Elfrida.
She was the daughter of a humble Suffolk farmer, and her education as limited as possible. Nevertheless, she so strongly felt within herself the consciousness of talents, and the desire of independence, that, though young and lively, and though in seeming contradiction to all the precepts of discretion, she rushed to the metropolis, without either recommendation or protection. Her very first adventure on her arrival, though in the highest degree romantic, and indeed almost incredible, proved her security, and procured her a guardian and a husband.
Not knowing whither to go, she made some accidental enquiry of a passenger, who, as apparently much older than herself, she presumed would not deceive and mislead her. Thus the event happened. This same person finding her, on enquiry, artless, ignorant of the town, distressed and unhappy, compassionated her situation, found her a home, and soon afterwards married her. As her person was remarkably good, and she appeared to have a turn and talent that way, it was resolved that she should try her fortune on the stage, where she accordingly made her appearance. There was an invincible impediment to her success, in a certain defect of enunciation, which all her endeavours were unavailing to overcome.