146 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



ravifhed his fenfes. *' As for you, father," faid 

 he to me, " you, in future, (hall do nothing but 

 " enjoy yourfelf. Firginia poflcfles wealth, and 

 *' we can purchafe plenty of Negroes, who will 

 " work for you. You fliall be with us always, and 

 " nothing fliall employ your mind, but amufe- 

 *' ment and pleafure." Immediately, he flew, like 

 one diftracfted, to communicate to his family the 

 joy with which he himfelf was intoxicated. 



Exceflive fears foon fucceed the mofl fanguine 

 hopes. Violent paffions always plunge the foul 

 into contrary extremes. Frequently, on the mor- 

 row, Paul came to fee me, overwhelmed with grief. 

 He faid to me, " Firginia has not written to me : 

 *' had flie left Europe, llie would certainly have 

 " mformed us of it. Ah ! the reports which have 

 " been fpread concerning her, are but too well 

 *' founded : her aunt has certainly married her to 

 " fome nobleman. The love of wealth has cor- 

 " rupted her, as is the cafe with fo many others, 

 " In thofe books, which fo well defcribe the cha- 

 *' rafter of the female fex, virtue is merely a fubjedt 

 " for romance. Had Virginia poflefTed virtue, flie 

 " would not have quitted her own mother and me. 

 " While I pafs my life, with my thoughts entirely 

 " fixed on her, flie has cad me from her remem- 

 ** brance. I am tormenting myfelf, and flie is loft 

 " in diffipation. Ah I that thought plunges me 



*' into 



