John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, Classified — John Shaqi
John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedGraham, Dougal
General
John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, Classified
Graham, Dougal
Chapbooks, Scottish; English literature -- 18th century; Graham, Dougal, 1724-1779; Popular literature -- Scotland
It was in Newcastle-upon-Tyne that he became enamoured with the
daughter of Mr. G----y, an eminent apothecary and surgeon there.
This young lady had charms sufficient to captivate the heart of
any man susceptible of love; and they made so deep an impression
upon him, that they wholly effaced every object which before had
created any desire in him, and never permitted any other to raise
them afterwards; for, wonderful to tell! we have, after about
thirty years’ enjoyment, seen him lament her occasional absence
almost with tears, and talk of her with all the fondness of one
who has been in love with her but three days. Our hero tried all
love’s persuasions with his fair one in an honourable way; and as
his person was very engaging, and his appearance genteel, he did
not find her greatly averse to his proposals. As he was aware that
his being of the community of gypsies might prejudice her against
him, without examination he passed with her for the mate of a
collier’s vessel, in which he was supported by Captain L----n, in
whose vessel they set sail; and the very winds being willing to
favour these happy lovers, they had an exceedingly quick passage to
Dartmouth, where they landed. In a few days they set out for Bath,
where they lawfully solemnized their nuptials with great gaiety and
splendour; and nobody at that time could conjecture who they were,
which was the cause of much speculation and false surmises.
Some time after this, he took his passage at Folkstone, in Kent,
for Boulogne, in France, where he arrived safe, and proceeded to
Paris, and other noted cities of that kingdom. His habit was now
tolerably good, his countenance grave, his behaviour sober and
decent--pretending to be a Roman Catholic, who had left England,
his native country, out of an ardent zeal for spending his days in
the bosom of the Catholic church. This story readily gained belief:
his zeal was universally applauded, and handsome contributions
made for him. But, at the time he was so zealous a Roman Catholic,
with a little change of habit, he used to address those English he
heard of in any place, as a protestant, and shipwrecked seaman;
and had the good fortune to meet with an English physician at
Paris, to whom he told this deplorable tale, who not only relieved
him very handsomely, but recommended him to that noble pattern of
unexhausted benevolence, Mrs. Horner, who was then on her travels,
from whom he received ten guineas, and from some other company with
her five more.
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