Memoirs of a Cavalier | Page 6

mind best, and supplied me with ideas most
suitable to my genius; by one I understood what great actions had been
done in the world, and by the other I understood where they had been
done.
My father readily complied with my desire of coming home; for
besides that he thought, as I did, that three years' time at the university
was enough, he also most passionately loved me, and began to think of
my settling near him.
At my arrival I found myself extraordinarily caressed by my father, and
he seemed to take a particular delight in my conversation. My mother,
who lived in perfect union with him both in desires and affection,
received me very passionately. Apartments were provided for me by
myself, and horses and servants allowed me in particular.

My father never went a-hunting, an exercise he was exceeding fond of,
but he would have me with him; and it pleased him when he found me
like the sport. I lived thus, in all the pleasures 'twas possible for me to
enjoy, for about a year more, when going out one morning with my
father to hunt a stag, and having had a very hard chase, and gotten a
great way off from home, we had leisure enough to ride gently back;
and as we returned my father took occasion to enter into a serious
discourse with me concerning the manner of my settling in the world.
He told me, with a great deal of passion, that he loved me above all the
rest of his children, and that therefore he intended to do very well for
me; and that my eldest brother being already married and settled, he
had designed the same for me, and proposed a very advantageous
match for me, with a young lady of very extraordinary fortune and
merit, and offered to make a settlement of £2000 per annum on me,
which he said he would purchase for me without diminishing his
paternal estate.
There was too much tenderness in this discourse not to affect me
exceedingly. I told him I would perfectly resign myself unto his
disposal. But as my father had, together with his love for me, a very
nice judgment in his discourse, he fixed his eyes very attentively on me,
and though my answer was without the least reserve, yet he thought he
saw some uneasiness in me at the proposal, and from thence concluded
that my compliance was rather an act of discretion than inclination; and
that, however I seemed so absolutely given up to what he had proposed,
yet my answer was really an effect of my obedience rather than my
choice.
So he returned very quick upon me: "Look you, son, though I give you
my own thoughts in the matter, yet I would have you be very plain with
me; for if your own choice does not agree with mine, I will be your
adviser, but will never impose upon you, and therefore let me know
your mind freely." "I don't reckon myself capable, sir," said I, with a
great deal of respect, "to make so good a choice for myself as you can
for me; and though my opinion differed from yours, its being your
opinion would reform mine, and my judgment would as readily comply

as my duty." "I gather at least from thence," said my father, "that your
designs lay another way before, however they may comply with mine;
and therefore I would know what it was you would have asked of me if
I had not offered this to you; and you must not deny me your obedience
in this, if you expect I should believe your readiness in the other."
"Sir," said I, "'twas impossible I should lay out for myself just what you
have proposed; but if my inclinations were never so contrary, though at
your command you shall know them, yet I declare them to be wholly
subjected to your order. I confess my thoughts did not tend towards
marriage or a settlement; for, though I had no reason to question your
care of me, yet I thought a gentleman ought always to see something of
the world before he confined himself to any part of it. And if I had been
to ask your consent to anything, it should have been to give me leave to
travel for a short time, in order to qualify myself to appear at home like
a son to so good a father."
"In what capacity would you travel?" replied my father. "You must go
abroad either as a private gentleman, as a scholar, or as a soldier." "If it
were in the latter capacity, sir," said I, returning pretty quick, "I hope I
should not misbehave myself; but I am not so