Page:A happy half-century and other essays.djvu/115

 Rh again, the bright particular star of a wide feminine horizon.

Mr. Hayley's didacticism is admirably adapted to his readers. The men of the eighteenth century were not expected to keep their tempers; it was the sweet prerogative of wives and daughters to smooth the roughened current of family life. Accordingly the heroine of the "Triumphs," being bullied by her father, a fine old gentleman of the Squire Western type, maintains a superhuman cheerfulness, gives up the ball for which she is already dressed, wreathes her countenance in smiles, and

The men of the eighteenth century were all hard drinkers. Therefore Mr. Hayley conjures the "gentle fair" to avoid even the mild debauchery of siruped fruits,—

For the sly fiend, of every art possest,

Steals on th' affection of her female guest;

And, by her soft address, seducing each,

Eager she plies them with a brandy peach.

They with keen lip the luscious fruit devour,

But swiftly feel its peace-destroying power.

Quick through each vein new tides of frenzy roll,

All evil passions kindle in the soul;