The Fortunate Foundlings | Page 4

put them into such a way as he should find their
genius's rendered them most fit for, in order to provide for themselves.
On his leaving the county, he ordered his housekeeper to furnish every
thing needful for them as often as they wanted it, and to take care they
were well used by the women with whom he had placed them; and
delivered these commands not in a cursory or negligent manner, but in
such terms as terrified any failure of obedience in this point would
highly incur his displeasure.
Nothing material happening during their infancy, I shall pass over
those years in silence, only saying that as often as Dorilaus went down
to his estate (which was generally two or three times a year) he always

sent for them, and expressed a very great satisfaction in finding in their
looks the charge he had given concerning them so well executed: but
when they arrived at an age capable of entertaining him with their
innocent prattle, what before was charity, improved into affection; and
he began to regard them with a tenderness little inferior to paternal;
but which still increased with their increase of years.
Having given them the first rudiments of education in the best schools
those parts afforded, he placed Louisa with a gentlewoman, who
deservedly had the reputation of being an excellent governess of youth,
and brought Horatio in his own chariot up to London, where he put
him to Westminster School, under the care of doctor Busby, and agreed
for his board in a family that lived near it, and had several other young
gentlemen on the same terms.
What more could have been expected from the best of fathers! what
more could children, born to the highest fortunes, have enjoyed! nor
was their happiness like to be fleeting: Dorilaus was a man steady in
his resolutions, had always declared an aversion to marriage, and by
rejecting every overture made him on that score, had made his friends
cease any farther importunities; he had besides (as has already been
observed) no near relations, so that it was the opinion of most people
that he would make the young Horatio heir to the greatest part of his
estate, and give Louisa a portion answerable to her way of bringing up.
What he intended for them, however, is uncertain, he never having
declared his sentiments so far concerning them; and the strange
revolutions happening afterwards in both their fortunes, preventing
him from acting as it is possible he might design.
The education he allowed them indeed gave very good grounds for the
above-mentioned conjecture.--Louisa being taught all the
accomplishments that became a maid of quality to be mistress of; and
Horatio having gone thro' all the learning of the school, was taken
home to his own house, from whence he was to go to Oxford, in order
to finish his studies in the character of a gentleman-commoner.
But when every thing was preparing for this purpose, he came one
morning into the chamber of his patron, and throwing himself on his

knees-- Think me not, sir, said he, too presuming in the request I am
about to make you.--I know all that I am is yours.--That I am the
creature of your bounty, and that, without being a father, you have
done more for me than many of those, who are so, do for their most
favourite sons.--I know also that you are the best judge of what is fit for
me, and have not the least apprehensions that you will not always
continue the same goodness to me, provided I continue, as I have
hitherto done, the ambition of meriting it.--Yet, sir, pardon me if I now
discover a desire with which I long have laboured, of doing something
of myself which may repair the obscurity of my birth, and prove to the
world that heaven has endued this foundling with a courage and
resolution capable of undertaking the greatest actions.
In speaking these last words a fire seemed to sparkle from his eyes,
which sufficiently denoted the vehemence of his inward agitations.
Dorilaus was extremely surprized, but after a little pause, what is it you
request of me? said that noble gentleman, (at the same time raising him
from the posture he was in) or by what means than such as I have
already taken, can I oblige you to think that, in being my foundling,
fortune dealt not too severely with you?
Ah! sir, mistake me not, I beseech you, replied the young Horatio, or
think me wanting in my gratitude either to heaven or you.--But, sir, it is
to your generous care in cultivating the talents I received from nature,
that I owe this emulation, this ardor for doing something that might
give me a