322 CI.AVIGO: A TRAGEDY. 



deuce, that he cannot fail to attain that splendid exaltation to which his 

 knowledge and character entitle him, I believe I could not render my 

 friends a more pleasurable service than uniting them with such a man. 



Clav. No proposal could afford me a sincerer gratification, gentlemen ; 

 it fulfils the pleasing hope which my heart has long entertained without 

 having had any prospect of realizing it ; not that I imagine myself compe- 

 tent to satisfy the wishes of your literary friends, my vanity does not carry 

 me so far ; but as I have the pleasure of communicating with the ablest 

 men in Spain, nothing can remain unknown to me that is accomplished 

 throughout the kingdom in the arts and sciences even by private or secluded 

 individuals. Thus I have hitherto regarded myself as a trader with the 

 trifling merit of making the inventions of others popular; but I shall now 

 become, through your interposition, a merchant, who has the good fortune 

 to extend the reputation of his native country by an exchange of home 

 productions, and thereby enrich it in foreign estimation. Therefore, Sir, 

 permit me to treat the man who makes so agreeable a proposal to me, and 

 with such frankness, as a friend, and allow me to ask what business has 

 brought you such a distance ? Not that I wish to satisfy any idle curiosity ; 

 no, believe me, I rather ask from the purest motives, that I may use what- 

 ever influence I may at any time possess in your favour; for I forewarn 

 you that you are come to a place where a foreigner, more especially at 

 court, has to encounter innumerable difficulties in transacting his affairs. 



Beau. I accept your generous offer with my best thanks. I have no 

 secrets to communicate, Sir ; and my friend here will not interfere with my 

 narration, as he is fully informed of what I have to say to you. (Clavigo 

 looks attentively at St. George. ) A French merchant with a large family, pos- 

 sessing but little fortune, had numerous correspondents in Spain. One of the 

 richest of them, about fifteen years ago, came to Paris, and made him this 

 proposal, " Give me two of your daughters ; I will take them to Madrid, and 

 provide for them. I am single, old, and without relations. They will con- 

 stitute the happiness of my old age, and, at my death, I will leave them one 

 of the most considerable mercantile establishments in Spain." The eldest 

 and one of the youngest sisters were intrusted to him. The father undertook 

 to supply the firm with the French goods they might desire ; and thus had 

 good prospects every way, till the correspondent died without having in any 

 way provided for his protegees, who, consequently, found themselves in a 

 most grievous predicament, having to begin a new trade alone. In the mean 

 time, the eldest married ; and, notwithstanding the slender state of their 

 finances, they gained many friends by their good conduct and sweetness of 

 disposition, who alternately exerted themselves to extend their credit and 

 business. (Clavigo becomes more attentive.) About this time, a young 

 man, a native of the Canary Islands, was introduced into their house. 

 C All vivacity forsakes Clavigo 's countenance, and his seriousness changes 

 at times into embarrassment, which becomes more and more perceptible.) 

 Notwithstanding the lowness of his condition they complaisantly re- 

 ceived him. The ladies perceiving in him an ardent desire to learn the 

 French language, facilitated by every means his acquiring considerable 

 knowledge in a short time. Eager to gain a name, the thought struck him 

 of setting up at Madrid the yet unknown gratification of a weekly publi- 

 cation in the style of the English Spectator. His patronesses failed not to 

 assist him to the utmost of their power. They doubted not that such an 

 undertaking would succeed. Stimulated with the hope of soon becoming 

 a man of some consequence, he ventured to make proposals to the youngest. 

 She gave him hopes, "Try to establish yourself," said the eldest; 

 " and when you have obtained an office, gained favour at court, or by any 

 other means aquired a right to think of my sister, then, if she prefers you 

 to other suitors, I will not refuse you my consent." (Clavigo moves in his 



