| Citation |
WR.732.011
14 Aug 1732:11,12 (47)
Omnia Vincit Amor. Ovid.
Sir, the following story contains so grate a share of
generosity and humanity, that I am perswaded it will neither
be unacceptable or displeasing to your readers.
Florio is one of the most accomplish'd gentlemen of our
age, . . . He was about one and twenty when proposals were
made to him by some modern matchmaker of quality, to espouse
the Lady Cordelia, who possessed, besides the invaluable
treasures of wit and good nature, a fortune of an hundred
thousand pounds; she had only the misfortune of being born
some years before him. The marriage was soon concluded and
celebrated in the most sumptuous manner for many weeks
successively; Cordelia loved her Florio to distraction, and
was never easy without his company, nor was Florio
regardless of his Cordelia's fondness & virtues; he admired
her prefections in wit, generosity & fortune; all the gaiety
imaginable flow['d around them. Balls concerts of musick,
assemblies and entertainments on the water were the business
of every day; . . .
But how uncertain are all our joys, and how accidentally
are they changed when we least expect any alteration! For
Florio, with his lady, taking the diversion one evening at
Barn Elms, of a fine concert and a splendid supper, amongst
the rest of the company who generally attend such
entertainments, there appear'd the charming Sylvia, who with
a lady of her acquaintance, made the tour of the walks: Her
graceful mein and engaging beauties were soon discover'd by
Florio and his lady, and the charms of her voice were no
less admir'd by all the company; My dear Florio says
Cordelia, observe that beautiful person, how genteel is her
mein, how ravishing is her voice and air in singing, she
must surely captivate all that have the pleasure of her
company; let us try to engage her to our entertainment; . .
.[Florio invites her; she becomes a regular; he provides her
with a house and the richest of furnishings, money, presents
and jewels. Florio loses his money; a colonel puts Florio
and Sylvia's honor to the test; they both pass with flying
colors, and the three: Florio with Cordelia, and Sylvia,
live happily ever after.]
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